“I could more readily associate you, myself, or young Mr. Rheinholdt here with the affair,” he declared.
His words carried weight. The little breath of suspicion against the Professor’s servant faded away. In a moment or two the butler returned.
“It appears, madam,” he announced, “that Mr. Craig left when there was only one person in the kitchen. He said good-night and closed the door behind him. It is impossible to say, therefore, by which exit he left the house, but personally I am convinced that, knowing of the reception here to-night, he would not think of using the conservatory.”
“Most unlikely, I should say,” the Professor murmured. “Craig is a very shy man. He is at all times at your disposal, Mr. Quest, if you should desire to question him.”
Quest nodded absently.
“My assistant and I,” he announced, “would be glad to make a further examination of the conservatory, if you will kindly leave us alone.”
They obeyed without demur. Quest took a seat and smoked calmly, with his eyes fixed upon the roof. Lenora went back to her examination of the overturned plants, the mould, and the whole ground within the immediate environs of the assault. She abandoned the search at last, however, and came back to Quest’s side. He threw away his cigar and rose.
“Nothing there?” he asked laconically.
“Not a thing,” Lenora admitted.
Quest led the way towards the door.