"Will you tell Miss Toat?"
"Yes, I shall certainly do that. But, after all, both you and the still-room clock may be right. It only means that Madame waited twenty minutes or so talking to her husband instead of coming down at once."
"But if she came at once--"
"Then the matter will have to be looked into. I shall ask Miss Toat to question Badoura and Eddy Vail, who noticed the time. They may be able to say how long Madame Coralie remained in the still-room. But, my dear, it is all a mere theory--"
"And one that may prove to be true. Really, Ralph"--Audrey spoke with a flush on her face--"you don't seem anxious to learn the truth."
"I am in one way, and not in another. I remember that anonymous letter."
"I don't care what the letter says. The person who wrote it is evidently concerned in the death of my poor mother, and is afraid lest he or she should be caught."
"There may be some truth in that," admitted Shawe. "However, you had better leave the matter in my hands. I shall tell Perry Toat what you say about the difference in time, always supposing that Madame Coralie did not linger in the still-room. When I hear of anything definite likely to supply a clue I shall let you know."
"You have let me know very little hitherto," said Audrey, bitterly.
"My darling"--he took her hands and looked into her eyes--"surely you are not dissatisfied with me?"