‘And what did they say?’
‘I only heard a word or two. I didn’t wait to listen.’
‘Of course not, Mr Innes. But people can’t help overhearing things. What was it you heard?’
The valet seemed to be considering his answer. At last he replied:
‘I heard Mr Austin say, “My God, sir, she’s not.” That’s every blessed word, so now you know it all.’
His manner had altered, and Tanner felt this was the truth.
So the father and son had been quarrelling that Sunday evening about a woman! That was a suggestive fact, and it was evident from his hesitation that Innes thought so too. Then Tanner remembered that Austin had told him it was on the previous day that he had proposed to Miss Lois Drew, and been accepted. Could he have been telling Sir William, and could the latter have objected to the match? He continued his questions.
‘Thank you, Mr Innes. I’m sorry to be such a nuisance. But I don’t see that it helps us very much after all. Now about Sir William’s visits to town. Can you give me any hint of his business there?’
‘No.’
‘You’ve been up with him, I suppose?’