“Why didn’t you take our car?” asked the other.
“I didn’t decide until the last moment to go out to her, and then I went by train one way.”
Sir John nodded.
“I’m glad you went into the fresh air,” he said, “it will do you good. The country is not so beautiful as Honolulu, but it is not without its attractions.”
It was unusual for the Judge to be sarcastic, but it was less usual for Lady Maxell to accept sarcasm without a retort. To Mary’s surprise she made no reply, though a faint smile curved those straight lips of hers for a second.
“Do you think it was a burglar last night?” she asked suddenly.
“Good heavens, no!” said Maxell. “Burglars do not shoot up the house they burgle.”
“Do you think it is safe to have all this money in the house?” she asked.
“Perfectly safe,” he said. “I do not think that need alarm you.”
No further reference was made to the matter, and presently Sir John went up to his study. Mrs. Maxell did not go to the parlour, but drew a chair to the fire in the dining-room and read, and the girl followed her example. Presently the elder woman left the room and was gone a quarter of an hour before she returned.