12Miss Silver put down the letter which she had been reading and turned to the telephone. Since she was sitting at her writing-table, the receiver was conveniently to her hand. She lifted it and heard her own name spoken.
‘Is that Miss Maud Silver?’
‘Miss Silver speaking.’
The voice said in rather a hesitating manner,
‘I wonder if I could come and see you. Perhaps you will remember talking to me at the Justices’ the other day. I am Sophy’s friend, Althea Graham. You gave me one of your cards ...’
‘Oh, yes. What can I do to help you?’
Althea said, ‘I don’t know.’ And then, ‘At least—I hope you don’t mind my troubling you, but would you let me come and see you?’
Miss Silver said, ‘Certainly.’
‘At once—today? I—I’m in town—just round the corner. Would it be all right for me to come no
