Ackworth shrugged his square shoulders. "Oh, as to that, a good motor-car could take him to London and back in a few hours."
"Uncle Henry has not got a motor-car."
"He may have one we do not know of," said Ackworth, quickly, "and as that French window of his opens on to the terrace on the other side of the house, it would not be difficult for him to slip out, and back again, without your knowing."
"But Chalks has sat up with him often."
"Quite so, but he may have slipped out on the nights Chalks did not sit up with him."
"Are you sure it was Uncle Henry you saw at the Shah's Rooms?"
"I caught only a glimpse of him with the scarred man, but I feel certain he was Mr. Horran. He has rather a striking personality and appearance, you know. Also, when I moved forward to speak to him, he saw me, and vanished in the crowd of dancers. If he was there, when he was supposed to be ill at home, there may be something in Mr. Barras's hints. Also, as he was with the man in grey, and the box was found on the terrace yonder by you, and a stamped picture of the fern was delivered to him, it seems to me that Mr. Horran is secretly mixed up with the matter."
"It is all supposition," said Clarice, uneasily. "Quite so. However, the best thing to do will be to ask Mr. Horran for an explanation."
"Yes. And Dr. Jerce."
"No, I shouldn't do that. Jerce is an eminently respectable man, and if anything was wrong, I should think he would show scant mercy to the wrong-doer."