“A few minutes before ten. I heard Lambert say, `Good-night, sir,' as he closed the door after him.”
“And soon after, you and Mrs. Pierce went upstairs?”
“Yes; only a few minutes after.”
“And, later, Mrs. Pierce came to your room?”
“Yes; about half-past ten, I should say; she came to get a book. She didn't stay two minutes.”
“And after that, you went down-stairs again to speak to your uncle?” For the merest instant Miss Lloyd's eyes closed and she swayed as if about to faint, but she regained her composure at once, and answered with some asperity,
“I did not. I have told you that I did not leave my room again that night.”
Her dark eyes blazed, her cheeks flushed, and though her full lower lip quivered it was with anger now, not fear.
As I watched her, I wondered how I could have thought her more beautiful when pale. Surely with this glowing color she was at her glorious best.
“Then when did you drop the two rose petals there?” I went on, calmly enough, though my own heart was beating fast.