"You get to be in my profession," replied Hemingway.
The inspection of the rest of Nathaniel's papers did not take long, nor was anything of further interest discovered amongst them. The solicitor was soon at liberty to join the rest of the house-party in the library; and Hemingway went off in search of his Sergeant.
Ware met him in the hall, and looked a question.
"Nothing much," Hemingway said. "Young Stephen's the heir all right. You have any success?"
"Well, I can't say I have," Ware replied. "Can't get much out of the servants - much sense, I mean. But one thing struck me as a bit funny. I was having a look round, and went into the billiard-room, and I found an old lady there. Mrs. Joseph Herriard, I believe."
"I don't see anything funny about that."
"No, sir, but she was fair turning the room upsidedown, looking for something. I watched her for quite a minute before she saw me. One end of the room's fitted out like a small lounge, and she was looking under all the cushions, and running her hands down the sides of the chairs, as though she thought something might have slipped down between the upholstery. She gave a bit of a start when she saw me, but of course that's nothing in itself."
"Hunting for something, was she? Well, that might be interesting."
"Yes, that's what I thought, but when I asked her if she'd lost something I'm bound to say she didn't seem at all discomposed, as you might say. She said she'd lost her book."
"Well, I daresay she had, but I'd like to meet her," said Hemingway.