"Very well," the President answered quietly. "We shall have that later."
"So that is the porter who made the mistake," Sir Robert resumed in a voice full of meaning. "You can sit down, Mr. Stevens. Would you be surprised to hear that your luggage and Mr. Collingwood's was not registered, upon the express instructions of Mr. Collingwood, and that Lord Ellerdine's and Lady Attwill's luggage was registered through, also upon his instructions?"
Mr. M'Arthur rose. "My lord," he said, "this cannot be evidence against my client. Even if Mr. Collingwood was acting as her agent, such instructions were clearly outside his authority."
Sir Robert glanced round quickly. "One moment, Mr. M'Arthur," he said, in a voice full of meaning. "If it should turn out, Mrs. Admaston, that Mr. Collingwood gave express instructions that your luggage should not be registered—that, you say, was not according to your instructions?"
"It is incredible that he should have given such instructions," Peggy said.
"Incredible!" said Sir Robert Fyffe.
"Unless——" Peggy replied, then stopped short and bit her lip.
Every one in the court noticed that the judge had lifted his head and was looking keenly at her.
"Well? Unless what, Mrs. Admaston?" Sir Robert Fyffe asked quickly.
Peggy did not answer at all.