“I believe him to be too much alarmed to think calmly,” said Miss Thane.
Nye came back into the room. “Well, they didn’t think to look in the back premises, your Honour, that’s certain. Here’s the dagger.”
Sir Tristram took it in his hand and looked at it, more puzzled than ever. “I dare say it is his,” he said, “but I for one could not swear to it. It is in no way remarkable.”
Miss Thane said suddenly: “Oh, how stupid of us! Of course he did not come to look for that! He came for his quizzing-glass. There could be no mistaking that! It is quite an unusual one: I knew it immediately for his and so did Nye. Now what became of it? Hugh, you had it! Where did you put it?”
“Put what?” said Sir Hugh, who was wandering about the room, attempting in a singularly helpless fashion to restore order.
“The Beau’s quizzing-glass, my dear. I am sure you had it in your hand when Eustacie and I went up to bed last night.”
“I don’t know where I put it,” said Sir Hugh, stooping to pick up a crumpled cravat. “I laid it down somewhere.”
“Where?” insisted Miss Thane.
“I forget. Sally, this is my new riding-coat, I’ll have you know! Just look at it! It’s ruined!”
“No, dear, Clem will iron out the creases for you. You must know where you put that quizzing-glass. Do think!”