"Do you mean," he asked quickly, "that I 'm not to have an opportunity to ascertain whether I left any of my possessions here?" I fancied that he was disconcerted.
"I mean that I have n't any time to waste on you," I replied, evenly. "I 'm busy now; but I 'll take care of you when the time comes. If you want to go to any other part of the house, be quick about it."
Again his voice dropped.
"You intend to go with me—I see. I 'm not to be trusted. I 'll submit to no such indignity."
"Just as you choose."
He moved over to the door. There was no use questioning him further, because all his defences were up. But I watched him steadily—as I would have watched any other dangerous animal that I was not at liberty to crush.
At the door he paused and looked back; for the briefest instant his restless glance lingered upon an indefinable point up the stair-well. So thereabouts lay the centre of interest, did it?
The door was open; he turned again to me.
"I'll go," he said, "and—"
"And you need not come back," I broke in curtly. "This house will not be unguarded for one second until the ruby is found."