At this moment a loud and somewhat strident voice proceeded from the door of the room.
“Well, I never! And how did you come here?”
The Duke, looking round, perceived a stout woman, clad in a black petticoat and a woollen shawl; her arms were akimbo.
“We came in, madam,” said he, rising and bowing, “by the hall door, which we chanced to find open.”
The stout woman appeared to be at a loss for words. At length, however, she gasped out:
“Be off with you. Don’t let the Inspector catch you here!”
The Duke looked doubtfully at the young lady.
“The woman probably misunderstands,” he murmured. The young lady blushed slightly. The Inspector’s wife advanced with a threatening demeanour.
“Who are you?” she asked abruptly.
“I, madam,” began the Duke, “am the——”