Rhoda hesitated again. Lady Sarah went on passionately:
“Are you going to make up some story of its having been restored to you?”
“I’m going to tell the truth,” cut in Rhoda brusquely. “I’m going to say that I watched the packing of Mr. Rotherfield’s luggage inside his car, that I saw the gun-case put in, that I took it out with my own hands, and that Mr. Rotherfield followed me back into the house, stopped me, and let me take the picture out.”
“How did you know—supposing this strange story is true—that the picture was in the gun-case?”
“I guessed it.”
Lady Sarah looked alarmed.
“You are very inquisitive,” she said sharply.
“Oh, Lady Sarah, how can I help it, when such things happen as have happened here?”
Lady Sarah drew a deep breath.
“Things! What things?” escaped her lips in spite of herself.