"A quarter of an hour to twenty minutes," she replied at once. "I usually allow half an hour from door to door."
"Any idea how long you spent at home?"
She reflected. "Not long. It's rather difficult - not more than ten or fifteen minutes, I should think."
"Well, we shan't be far out if we put the time of your arrival round about ten-past-seven, shall we?" said Hemingway.
"No, I should imagine it must have been about that time," she agreed, watching him nervously.
"Did you happen to notice whether there was still a coat in the hall?"
"No, I didn't think to look. I'm sorry. I came straight to this room. The only thing I did notice was that the light was on in the dining-room, but I didn't hear any sound of movement, and I hoped Thrimby was downstairs. He can't stand me at any price - or I him - and I knew he'd tell Mrs. Haddington, if he saw me. I opened that drawer -" she pointed to the top drawer of the desk - "took out the cheque, and - and tried to make an unobtrusive getaway. But Thrimby was in the dining-room, and he heard me. I expect you know the rest. Like a fool, I asked him not to give me away. I also tried to stop him going up to tell Mrs. Haddington I was on the premises. I knew she'd give me some wretched errand to do — But it's no use my telling you that! Even I can hear that it sounds thoroughly phoney!" Beulah said bitterly.
"Oh, I wouldn't say that!" responded Hemingway, jotting down another note in his pocket-book.
"Why the girl wanted me to come and hold her hand I shall never know!" remarked Timothy. "A good witness, Chief Inspector: I wouldn't have the slightest hesitation in putting her in the box."
Beulah smiled faintly. Hemingway said: "One more question, Miss Birtley. You might prefer me to put it to you without this legal adviser of yours standing around. He can go and talk to Mr.. Kane in the dining-room. You'd only have to scream, and I don't doubt he'd come bursting in to your rescue."