CHAPTER 5
The morning brought a surprise to Mr Reeder. When he arrived at his office he found Miss Gillette already on duty. That in itself was a notable event. She was entertaining in her room a very early caller in Dr Ingham, and from the solicitude in her tone it almost seemed that she was mothering him. Miss Gillette was one of those uncomfortable people whose maternal instinct was highly developed.
As Mr Reeder paused at the half-opened door, he heard her speaking.
“I shouldn’t worry about it, Dr Ingham. Reeder will put a stop to any of that sort of nonsense. He is much cleverer than he looks.”
Her maligned employer passed softly into his room and rang the bell.
“I didn’t hear you come in—you scare the life out of me sometimes,” she complained, and added: “Mr Ingham is here.”
“D
