"Yes."
"In your pumps too," said Lady Coote, "instead of putting thick shoes on. What would you do without me to look after you?"
She shook her head sadly.
"I think, Maria, if you don't mind leaving us—we have still a lot to discuss."
"I know, dear, I'm just going."
Lady Coote withdrew, carrying the empty medicine glass as though it were a goblet out of which she had just administered a death potion.
"Well, Battle," said George Lomax, "it all seems clear enough. Yes, perfectly clear. The man fires a shot, disabling Mr. Thesiger, flings away the weapon, runs along the terrace and down the gravel path."
"Where he ought to have been caught by my men," put in Battle.
"Your men, if I may say so, Battle, seem to have been singularly remiss. They didn't see Miss Wade come in. If they could miss her coming in, they could easily miss the thief going out."
Superintendent Battle opened his mouth to speak, then seemed to think better of it. Jimmy Thesiger looked at him curiously. He would have given a lot to know just what was in Superintendent Battle's mind.