"I accused him of stealing the knife and several other small articles. He turned red, but he did not deny his guilt. Out of consideration for his hard-working mother, I did not prosecute him, but sent him away, lest he should contaminate Amelia and the other servants."
"Where is he now?"
"Staying with Mrs. Jedd, his mother. As you know, she is the wardrobe mistress at the Bijou Music-hall."
"Thank you. I'll go and see Bottles. I can't believe that such an honest lad is guilty." And Hench turned on his heel.
"Wait, sir. You do not blame me?"
"Oh, no. If he did not deny your accusation, you acted rightly. But there must be some explanation of this. What it is I go to find out."
Mrs. Tesk would have detained him to ask questions concerning Madame Alpenny's frame of mind, but Hench refused to stay. He was now beginning to wonder if the Hungarian lady really was guilty. It seemed as if Bottles was the culprit, that is if he had really stolen the carving-knife. With such a weapon the crime had certainly been committed.