'Mr. Alick Lester will be sure to call, and it was his father's wish he should open the cupboard. How can he do it, when I have lost the directions?'
'Is that all the packet contained?' asked Clare, looking relieved. 'I had no idea you possessed the key to it! How quiet you have kept it! And now I will surprise you by telling you that I have found out myself the way to open that cupboard, so am quite independent of any written instructions!'
Agatha certainly was surprised, and though thankful when Clare related her experience to her, did not feel more at ease.
'I have been careless of my charge,' she said. 'What will Mr. Alick think of me? And it is alarming to think that some one has got possession of the secret. They may have opened the cupboard already, for all I know, or may be going to do it this very night. I wonder if our maids are to be trusted! Perhaps Jane has been tampering with my case.'
'I am sure she wouldn't. You don't walk in your sleep, do you?'
Agatha gave a little laugh.
'No, you know I do not. I remember looking at it only a week ago, and putting it carefully back again.'
'Was any one in the room when you did it?'
'No—at least Jane came in, I remember, for she startled me, but she would never know what it was.'
There was silence; then Agatha said more slowly, 'It does look rather suspicious, now I have remembered about Jane, because she has been such friends lately with Major Lester's valet. You know she always walks home from church with him. Elfie was laughing about it, and saying she had soon picked up a follower.'