He waited until the door had closed behind the Prince before turning an expressive gaze upon his Sergeant. That grave-eyed man shook his head. "I wouldn't have believed it!" he said.
"Yes, I reckon we're seeing life," agreed Hemingway. "Wonderful how frank and above-board he got as soon as he found he wasn't going over big with me!"
"Do you think he did it, sir?"
"I wouldn't put it above him. All the same, this is a highly intricate case, and it won't do for you and me to go jumping to conclusions."
"He's a real nasty piece of work," said the Sergeant sternly. "He fairly made my gorge rise!"
"Yes, I never have thought that new way they have at the zoo of keeping snakes was safe," said Hemingway. "If I weren't a very conscientious man, I'd arrest his Highness right now, and go off and get a bit of supper, which is what I need."
The Sergeant frowned. "I wouldn't say, myself, we'd got quite enough on him, sir," he suggested diffidently.
"That's another reason why I'm not arresting him," said the Inspector.
He went out into the hall. The door into the drawingroom stood open, and he could see Vicky Fanshawe, perched on the arm of a chair. He walked across the hall, and went into the drawing-room. Only the two girls and Hugh Dering were there, for Ermyntrude had gone upstairs to dress for dinner, and the Prince seemed to have followed her example.
"I do hope I'm not intruding," said Hemingway cheerfully. "Of course, if I am, you've only got to tell me."