Hannasyde looked suspicious, but beyond requesting his host not to attempt to pull any Quick-Watson! stunts during the course of his amateur investigations, he said no more about it.
Almost immediately after dinner he took his leave, and nearly collided on the stairs, on his way out, with Antonia Vereker, who was being towed up at a great rate by one of her dogs.
She betrayed no embarrassment at meeting Hannasyde, but said “Hullo,” in her casual way, adding darkly that she always knew her cousin was playing a double game.
“I shouldn't be surprised,” agreed Hannasyde, stooping to pat Bill. “I've just told him I don't trust him myself.”
She smiled. “He's nice, isn't he?” she said ingenuously.
“Very nice.”
There was a quizzical look in Hannasyde's eye, though his voice remained perfectly grave. Antonia was quite impervious to it. “Rather a bore for him, all this,” she said. “Specially as he's always disapproved of us, more or less. However, it can't be helped.” She nodded in a friendly way, and went on up the stairs.
The Superintendent resumed his progress down the stairs, wondering by what sign (hidden from his own trained eye) Miss Vereker deduced that her cousin disapproved of her.
Disapproval was certainly not the predominant emotion visible in Giles Carrington's face when Antonia was ushered into his sitting-room. He got up quickly from a deep chair, and stretched out his hand. “Tony! My dear child, what on earth brings you here? Has anything happened?”
“Oh no!” replied Antonia. “Only I got fed-up with everybody at the flat, and thought I'd come and see if you were in. Can I have some coffee?”