It was during the interval between the third and fourth dances, both of which had been given me by Miss Doiran, that the latter consulted her programme.
"I'm dancing the fifth," she announced, "with the Duke of Blackpool." I started violently, but she took no notice. "I think you know him. He was released from prison this afternoon. As my aunt's secretary, I've had some correspondence with him under the name of Boleton."
My brain began to work furiously.
"I scent collusion," I said. "Diana is in this."
Miss Doiran laughed.
"She rang me up directly she got your note about the lecture. The rest sort of came natural. I believe you were responsible for the telegrams. I congratulate you. The elephants were a brain-wave. My aunt was tickled to death by them."
"How dreadful! I mean—it's very nice of her. I'm afraid it was all rather impertinent."
"If so, we were the first to offend, and, after all, Major Pleydell has expiated his crime."
"And he's fixed my murder for the first week In January. There's really only you left."
"Oh, I'm punished already," said Miss Doiran. "I've lost my heart. And he doesn't love me."