"You remained behind in the room?"
"Yes, sir."
"And she did not return?"
"No, sir."
"Then how do you explain the presence of the letter on the dresser?"
She flushed again, more hotly than before; she realised that I had caught her in a lie.
"I—I can't explain it, sir," she stammered. "I didn't consider it any of my business," she added fiercely.
"I think you'll find it difficult to explain," I said, with irony; "even more difficult than how it came to lie there unperceived for nearly three hours. You'll pardon me if I find the story hard to believe."
"It's nothing to me whether or not you believe it!" she retorted and made a motion to go on again.
"No," I said; "wait a moment. Which is her room?"