“I am quite sure he did,” said Miss Thane. “Now you see, do you not, how easy it was for him? It needed no planning at all. He had only to lie in wait for that man in the spinney, to leave a handkerchief of yours beside the body, and to steal the ring. Afterwards he had nothing to do but enact the role of champion. I perceive that he must have a very subtle brain.” She closed her eyes, and said in a seer-like voice: “He is, I am sure, a sinister person.”
“The Beau?” said Ludovic. “No, he isn’t!”
Miss Thane frowned. “Nonsense, he must be!”
“Yes,” said Eustacie regretfully, “but truly he is not.”
Miss Thane opened her eyes again. “You put me out. What then is he like?”
“He is very civil,” said Eustacie. “He has manners of the most polished.”
Miss Thane readjusted her ideas. “I will allow him to be smooth-spoken. I think he smiles.”
“Yes, he does,” admitted Eustacie.
Miss Thane gave a shudder. “His smile hides a wolfish soul!” she announced.
Ludovic burst out laughing. “Devil a bit! There’s nothing wolfish about him. He’s a mighty pleasant fellow, and I’d have sworn not one to wish anybody harm.”