“I see. Still, I think it would be better not to conceal anything as things are, don’t you?”
“Oh, yes. I quite see that now. Quite. It’s very good of you to help me like this, Mr. Sheringham. When—when did you find my handkerchief?”
“Just before I went up to change for dinner. It was between two of those loose cushions on the couch.”
“So you knew I must have been in the library? But how did you know what time I was there?”
“I didn’t. In fact, I don’t know,” Roger smiled. “All I know is that it must have been after dinner, because the maid always tidies the room at that time.”
Mrs. Plant nodded slowly. “I see. Yes, that was clever of you. I didn’t leave anything else there, did I?” she added, again with that nervous little laugh.
“No, nothing else,” Roger replied smoothly. “Well, have you thought it over?”
“Oh, of course I’ll tell you, Mr. Sheringham. It’s really too ridiculous. You remember when you passed us in the hall? Well, Mr. Stanworth was speaking to me about some roses he’d had sent up to my room. And then I asked him if he’d put my jewels in his safe for me, as I——”
“But I thought you said this morning that you asked him that the other day?” Roger interrupted.
Mrs. Plant laughed lightly. She was quite herself again.