Kenneth, however, when they found him a little while later at his studio, seemed to be in one of his more cheerful moods, and showed no desire to be obstructive.
His sister was present, and also Violet Williams and Leslie Rivers. It was evident that they had foregathered to discuss the situation, and equally evident that Kenneth himself was paying very little heed to what they were saying. Giles and Hannasyde entered the studio to discover him sketching idly on his knee. He looked up as the door opened, and said: “I thought as much. A la lanterne!”
Antonia betrayed neither surprise nor dismay at the Superintendent's arrival, but the other two girls looked a trifle startled. Leslie threw a swift, anxious look at Kenneth, and seemed to stiffen herself.
Kenneth continued to sketch, “Come in and make yourselves at home,” he invited. “I won't say I'm pleased to see you, because that wouldn't be true.”
“You don't always stick so rigidly to the truth, I think, Mr Vereker,” said Hannasyde, closing the door behind him.
Kenneth smiled. “Nearly always. Sometimes I get led astray, I admit. Tell me the worst.”
“Three members of your party last night state that for about half an hour you were missing from the ballroom,” said Hannasyde, without beating about the bush.
Kenneth looked up from his sketch. His eyes were narrowed and keen, but they were focused not on Hannasyde, but on Leslie Rivers.
“You've rather a nice-shaped head, Leslie,” he remarked. “Don't move! Sorry, my friend-the-Superintendent. Anything else?”
“To be missing from the ballroom at a dance for half an hour is not unusual,” said Leslie. “One sits out occasionally, Superintendent.”