“No; the dog started to bark, and I left as quickly as I could.”
“I see.”
Barrant’s voice was non-committal, followed after a pause by a quick change of tone.
“I shall investigate this story later,” he said coldly. “Meantime—”
“Why not investigate it immediately?” asked Charles in a disappointed voice. “Thalassa will be back directly, or I can take you down to the cliffs were I left him.”
Barrant was reminded of the flight of time. It would be as well to remove Charles before Thalassa returned. Time enough for Thalassa’s story later! At that moment it seemed to Barrant that the final solution of the mystery was almost in his hands. Mrs. Thalassa had been wiser than he. The single game of patience suggested the solution of the problem of the time. It did more than that. It seemed to provide the key of the greater problem of Charles Turold’s actions on that night. He had endeavoured to shield Sisily by altering the hands of the clock. The rest, for the present, must remain mere conjecture. One more question he essayed—
“Can you tell me where Miss Turold is to be found?”
“I know, but I am not going to tell you.”
Barrant’s eye rested on Charles.
“You must come with me,” he said.