“Well, I guess I can discuss corsets without offending against Public Morality. You didn’t see me at one o’clock—I’d be sorry to think you had.”
Julius was embarrassed but not completely discouraged.
“Maybe it was three o’clock—I saw somebody coming downstairs. Ha ha, Aunt Lizzie, I saw you!”
He lifted a roguish finger.
“You’re nutty,” she said tersely, yawned and got up. “I guess I could sleep now. And I’m going to hang a stocking over the keyhole of my door.” She directed this remark at Mr. Superbus and he choked indignantly at the base insinuation.
“Did you see her?” asked Diana after Heloise had gone.
“No, ma’am, I didn’t,” admitted Julius. “You can often get people to confess that way. It’s called the Third Decree in America. I’ve tried it myself. We had a charwoman help once who used to pinch my tobacco for her husband. I tried it on her—and other cases.”
“You think it was Aunt Lizzie that was in the room?”
“Certain!” said Julius. “Notice how quiet she walks? That’s a bad sign——”
“Notice how she reeks of Origon?” mimicked Diana.