"Did you see anything?" enquired Malcolm Sage, who, having unscrewed the mouthpiece of his pipe, proceeded to clean it with a blade of grass.
Again there was the slightest suggestion of hesitation before
Glanedale replied.
"No, nothing. You see," he added hastily, "I was not looking out of the window, merely sitting at it. As a matter of fact, I was facing the other way."
"You heard no noise?"
Glanedale shook his head.
"So that the first intimation you had of anything being wrong was what?" he asked.
"I heard the Mater at her door calling for assistance, and I went immediately."
Malcolm Sage turned and regarded the water-pipe speculatively.
"I wonder if anyone really could climb up that," he said. "I'm sure
I couldn't."
"Nothing easier," said Glanedale. "I could shin up in two ticks," and he made a movement towards the pipe.