Mrs. Povy was delighted to see Calliston back again but she was not going to betray any exultation, as she did not think him worthy of it, so received him with great dignity and formality. Lord Calliston, a tall, slender, dissipated young man, noticed the restraint of her manners and commented thereon at once.
"What's the matter with you, Totty," he asked, jocularly. "You are as cross as two sticks--anyone been proposing to you?"
"I wouldn't have them if they had," snapped Totty. "No, my lord, there ain't nothing the matter with me as far as I'm aware."
"Now, Mrs. Povy, that's nonsense," returned Calliston, disbelievingly. "You're cross about something."
"Which ain't to be wondered at," burst out Totty, wrathfully. "Not 'avin' bin brought up to being badgered and worrited by policemen."
Calliston turned round in his chair, and looked at her keenly.
"What do you mean?" he asked, sharply.
"What I say, my lord," replied Totty. "After you 'ad gone some policeman, called Dowker, or Bowker, came here and wanted to know all about you."
"Oh, Dowker!" said Calliston, thoughtfully, "that's the detective that arrested poor old Myles."
"You know all about it then, my lord?" said Totty, quickly.