"And were you?" enquired Hemingway, in an interested tone.
"Of course not! Besides, how could I possibly have done it?"
"That's what I was wondering."
Joseph's attention had by this time been caught by his niece's unguarded voice, and he came over to her side, looking rather anxious, but saying with an assumption of lightness! "Now, what nonsense do I hear our naughty Paula talking? You mustn't take this young woman too seriously, Inspector. I'm afraid she's been trying to shock you."
"That's all right, sir: I'm very broadminded."
"That's just as well," said Paula, disengaging herself from the avuncular arm about her waist, and walking away.
"My niece is a good deal upset by this appalling business," Joseph confided. "She was very fond of my brother. Now, Inspector, since Mr. Blyth is here I'm sure you would like to go through all the papers and things as soon as possible. Mr. Blyth is quite ready. You won't mind if my nephew is present? I think he has a right to be there."
"No objection at all," said Hemingway. "In fact, I'd like him to be present."
Chapter Eleven
Stephen, fetched from the billiard-room, came with an ill-grace, disclaiming the slightest interest in the contents of his uncle's desk. Mottisfont, who had followed him, surprised everyone by declaring that as Nathaniel's partner he considered he had a right to be present. Joseph seemed to feel that this was mere officiousness, and said that he hardly thought Nat's private papers could be of interest to his business partner. However, the Inspector, whose obliging demeanour was making Valerie open her eyes wider and wider, said that he had no objection to Mottisfont's presence either.