"Adela! Adela!"
"Mrs. Oliver wants me," said the maid, as she slipped back into the bedroom.
Ralston walked slowly back down the corridor into the great hall. He was carrying the bundle in his hands and his face was very grave. He saw Dick Linforth in the hall, and before he spoke he looked upwards to the gallery which ran round it. Even when he had assured himself that there was no one listening, he spoke in a low voice.
"Do you see this, Linforth?"
He held out the bundle. There was a thick cloth, a sort of pad of cotton, and some thin strong cords.
"These were found in Mrs. Oliver's room."
He laid the things upon the table and Linforth turned them over, startled as Ralston had been.
"I don't understand," he said.
"They were left behind," said Ralston.
"By the thief?"