The detective glared at the nobleman, with fingers obviously itching for action. He sucked his teeth contemptuously, and then turned his back squarely upon the noble countenance. Over his face spread the beatific smile which strong, rough men deem overpowering with a member of the weaker sex.
"As you was saying, lady, before we was so impolitely interrupted, you was in the hotel when this gunplay went on. Did you hear it?"
"Yes, sir, I heard two shots."
"Did you hear anything else?"
"Yes, indeed. I heard a great many people running up and down the corridor, outside my door."
The detective scribbled away in his notebook. Jarvis winked again at the Princess, over the doughty shoulders which were backed toward him. The Duke caught the wink, and pondered over it.
"Did anyone come in your room, miss?"
"Yes. My maid was frightened, poor child. She came in, and begged me to protect her."
"Ah-ha! A-hum! And how did your lock get broken?"
"It was broken when we came to the room. I was foolish not to complain to the management at once, for I might have been robbed by some sneak-thief. I explained all that at the hotel."