“Yes, you didn't know I was their long-lost uncle, did you?” said Hemingway. “For the lord's sake, start her up, and look as if you were going to drive me to Bellingham, or we shall have Claud and Alfie trying to storm the car!”
“Where am I to drive you, sir?” asked Melkinthorpe.
“To the end of the row. I'm going to call on Ladislas, but I don't want that gang flattening their noses against the window.”
Fortunately the ruse succeeded, and by the time the car had reached the end of the row the Ditchlings had retired again indoors. Hemingway got out of the car, and walked back to Mrs. Dockray's cottage.
It was by this time nearly six o'clock, and Ladislas had returned from work. Ushered into the front sitting-room, by Mrs. Dockray, who eyed him with considerable hostility, the Chief Inspector found that Ladislas was entertaining two unexpected visitors. Mavis Warrenby, attired from head to foot in funeral black, and Abby Dearham, had called to see him, on their way back, by country omnibus, from Bellingham. It did not seem to Hemingway that their visit was affording Ladislas any pleasure. He was a handsome young man, with dark and romantically waving locks, and brown eyes, as shy as a fawn's. He was plainly frightened of the Chief Inspector, and lost no time in telling him, in very good English, that the ladies had just looked in on their way home. Miss Warrenby enlarged on this, saying in her earnest way: “Mr. Zamagoryski is a great friend of mine, and I felt I must show him that I utterly believe in him, and know he had nothing to do with my poor uncle's death.”
Looking anything but grateful for this testimony, Ladislas said: “It is so kind!”
Bestowing a smile of quiet understanding on him, Miss Warrenby took his hand, and pressed it in a speaking way. “You must have faith, Laddy,” she said gently. “And shut your ears to gossip, as I do. I often think how much better the world would be if people would only remember the monkeys.”
“But what good shall it do to remember monkeys?” cried Ladislas, recovering possession of his hand. “Pardon! This is not sensible, to talk of monkeys!”
“You don't understand. Three little monkeys, illustrating what I always feel is a maxim we ought to try to—”
“ I get it!” interrupted Abby triumphantly. “See no evil, Hear no evil, Speak no evil! It's all right, Ladislas: it's only a saying, or something. Come on, Mavis! If the Chief Inspector wants to talk to Ladislas, we'd better clear out!”