"What will you do now?" asked Norwood.
"Put them back for the present," said Dowker, replacing the locket and chain, "and wait here for Sir Rupert. I will question him. He will deny it. Then I will confound him by showing him the evidence of his guilt. Will you kindly replace the carving, Miss Penfold."
May did as she was told in silence, for though this discovery would save her lover, yet she was deeply grieved at the thought of what it meant to her guardian.
"If his wife had been a good woman this would not have happened," she said bitterly.
"Were all people good I'd have no occupation," said Dowker drily.
At this moment they heard footsteps outside and a man talking, whose voice May immediately recognised.
"It's Mr. Ellersby," she said quickly. "He has come to see Sir Rupert about my marriage. I cannot meet him."
"Neither can I," said Dowker, "as I want to see Sir Rupert alone. Is there no place where we can wait?"
"Yes, here," said May, and walked to the end of the room, where there was a door leading to a smaller apartment, before which hung a curtain. "Let us all go in here till he is gone."
Dowker and Norwood took up their hats and went after her into the room, leaving the library quiet and deserted.