‘What time did the dumb chap come in?’
‘Half-past nine.’
Here was another facer for Slivers—as it could not have been Pierre.
‘Did he go to bed?’
‘Straight.’
‘And did not leave the house again?’
‘Of course not,’ retorted Miss Twexby, impatiently; ‘do you think I’m a fool—no one goes either in or out of this house without my knowing it. The dumb devil went to bed at half-past nine, and Mr Vandeloup at half-past twelve, and they neither of them came out of their rooms till next morning.’
‘How do you know Vandeloup was in at twelve?’ asked Slivers, still unconvinced.
‘Drat the man, what’s he worryin’ about?’ rejoined Miss Twexby, snappishly; ‘I let him in myself.’
This clearly closed the subject, and Slivers arose to his feet in great disgust, upsetting Billy on to the floor.