Beverley took the large linen envelope, not even thanking Clo. Neither noticed the omission.
"Addressed to Justin O'Reilly!" she exclaimed. "It's the right size. But what makes you think it may have my envelope inside?"
"Because it was carefully hidden in a safe in the wall. I thought of opening it to make sure. There wasn't—enough time."
"I'll open it ... now!" said Beverley. Her words were firm, yet she hesitated, and turning, the envelope over, stared at the five official-looking red seals. What if it should contain legal documents belonging to some client of O'Reilly's?
"Tap—tap!" came at the door.
Beverley laid the envelope on the glass table, where Clo's medicine bottles once had stood. Over the red seals she flung her handkerchief, lest it should be Roger at the door.
Meanwhile, Clo had answered the knock and revealed Johnson.
"Madam, the lady who came with Mr. Sands wishes to see you immediately; it's very urgent," he announced.
"Say I'll be there in a few minutes," she replied. "I can't come just yet."
Johnson departed. "Madam will come in a few minutes," he repeated to Miss Blackburne, who had been anxiously awaiting him at a half-open door. "I think," he added, "she is busy, miss."