"No," Maud replied. "I expect something happened to divert my attention. Not that I was watching particularly, because there was no reason why I should."
"If she had given the case back to Mr. Herriard, do you think you would have noticed it?"
"Oh no, I don't suppose I should!"
"She didn't give it back to him," Mathilda said. "Well, what did she do with it, miss?"
"I don't know. Like Mrs. Herriard, I didn't notice."
"I simply put it on the table!" Valerie said. "Willoughby was in the middle of reading his play. I don't know what became of it afterwards."
"Look here, miss!" said the Inspector patiently. "We'll get this settled once and for all, if you please! Did Mr. Herriard give you his case, or did he not?"
"I don't call it giving me his case just because I asked him for a cigarette, and he hadn't the decency to get up and hand me one, but just chucked his case at me! And I don't see why -"
"He did throw his case to you?"
"Yes, but -"