My plan was to detain him in conversation until she had time to secrete herself on the upper floor. Somehow I anticipated the banging of a door, and it came a moment later—not loud but very convicting, just the same. He glanced at me curiously.
"Then how did you get in?" I repeated, cringing perceptibly in response to the slam of the distant door.
"By the same means, I daresay, that you employ," said he.
For a moment I was confounded. Then my wits came to the rescue.
"I see. Through the dungeon. You do know the castle well, Mr. Pless."
"It is a cobwebby, unlovely passage," said he, brushing the dirt and cobwebs from his trousers. My own appearance was conspicuously immaculate, but I brushed in unison, just the same.
"Grewsome," said I.
He was regarding me with a curious smile in his eyes, a pleasantly bantering smile that had but one meaning. Casting an eye upwards, he allowed his smile to spread.
"Perhaps you'd rather I didn't disturb Mrs.— Mrs.—"
"Britton," said I. "My valet's wife. I don't believe you will disturb her. She's on the top floor, I think."