"Ah, yes," she replied, with an air of relief, "I fancy it must have dropped from my motor car, when I was at the inquest."
So she was lying also. Kind hesitated about speaking further, as he did not quite know what to say. He wished to ask her why she had come to the inquest, and why she had permitted her sailors to abduct Armour. She saved him the trouble of asking the questions by answering at least one of them.
"I went to Desleigh," she said, and Kind thought that the speech was somewhat unnecessary, "to see if the murderer of Sir Simon Tedder would be found."
"Why, ma'am--I mean, Señora?"
"Sir Simon was doing business with me in connection with the Republic of Indiana, through--" she glanced at the portrait.
"Through Captain Kyles?" ventured Sweetlips bluntly.
"What do you know of him?" she questioned, with some asperity.
"I saw him at the inquest."
"He was there by my request. This death of Sir Simon has thrown all my business into confusion. You seem to be a sharp fellow, and I am obliged to you for returning the shawl. It belongs to the ship and was marked to prevent its being lost; these shawls are of Indian manufacture and are somewhat expensive. My maid marked it."
Again Kind wondered why she should make unnecessary explanations to him, seeing that she thought he was merely a hawker, and could not possibly guess that he was employed in detective business. She saw something of his wonderment in his face.