“Being an accessory after the fact. After, certainly; and not improbably before, as well, some of them. It seems to me, Alec,” Roger added pathetically, “that three quarters of this household seem to be accessories after the fact! It isn’t fair.”
“Humph!” said Alec. This was trespassing upon ground which he had no wish to cover. He felt thankful that at any rate Barbara Shannon’s mysterious behaviour had not come to Roger’s ears. What would the latter have said had he heard of that? Accessory after the fact seemed mild in comparison.
“Hullo! What’s up?” he asked, suddenly catching sight of Roger.
That gentleman was listening intently, his head on one side. At Alec’s words he held up his finger warningly.
“Thought I heard someone in the library!” he whispered. “You creep up to the lattice window and look through. I’ll try the French ones. Carefully!”
Enjoying himself thoroughly, he made his way stealthily to the side of the French windows and peeped cautiously round them. He had his reward. The library door was closing softly.
He hurried back to Alec. “Did you see?” he asked, in a voice thick with suppressed excitement. “Did you see?”
Alec nodded. “Somebody was going out of the library,” he said.
“Yes, but did you see who it was, man?”
Alec shook his head. “No, I’m afraid I didn’t. Got here too late.”