Shirley looked at her in a frightened way. "What do you mean?"
"All about yourself. Silly not to, because he could help you. Much the cleverest of his family."
Shirley said hardly above a whisper: "He can't know. It isn't possible. What - what have you guessed about me, Lady Matthews?"
"Can't talk in a public lounge, dear child. So unwise. They always do it in bad thrillers, and it invariably leads to disaster. But of course I guessed at once. I can't imagine what you're doing, but much better tell Frank. Don't you think so?"
Shirley looked down at her clasped hands. "I don't know. If he weren't working for the police. But he is, and I - I think I've been compounding a felony." She gave a nervous little laugh.
"It sounds very exciting," said Lady Matthews. "I'm sure he'd like to help. How does one compound a felony?"
"I'm in a mess," Shirley said, her fingers working in her lap. "I suppose I managed it badly. But it was all so difficult, and my - my brother - wasn't much use. And now things have gone so hopelessly wrong that there doesn't seem anything left for me to do except go back to town. I have thought about telling your - your nephew, only I'm half afraid to, because I don't really know him, and he - he's rather an uncompromising person, isn't he?"
"But so good to animals, my dear. I should tell him. Such a pity to give up now."
Shirley sat still for a moment, staring ahead of her. She drew a long breath. "Yes. I can't bear that, you know. Is Mr. Amberley - would he - could you ask him to come and see me, do you think?"
"Quite easily," said Lady Matthews, smiling. "But better come back to Greythorne with me."