Morchard seemed rather annoyed at being directly attacked, but he gave a nod of acquiescence.
“Most of us went upstairs together, you remember. That would be about a quarter to twelve or so. I didn’t look at my watch, so I can’t make it closer. Anyway, it must have been about then. We’ve always been pretty early at Friocksheim. Then I undressed and went to bed—midnight, say. And I woke up as usual in the morning. That’s all. Help you much, Stickney?”
Freddie ignored the query and glanced round to see if anyone else would volunteer. Mrs. Caistor Scorton sat up in her chair.
“I went to my room as usual—about a quarter to twelve, as Mr. Morchard says. Some people came up a little later. I heard steps in the corridor and the sounds of doors shutting. There was some talking in low voices and more doors shut. Then the whole house was quiet. I looked out of the window for a short time, wondering if the storm was coming at last. Then I heard a noise as if someone had stumbled on the mat outside my door. I opened the door quietly and looked out. It was Miss Cressage. She was carrying a lighted candle and by the time I got the door open she was a good distance down the passage. I didn’t call after her, but just shut my door again. I looked at my watch to see how late it was, and I remember it was a quarter past twelve. After a time I undressed and went to bed. The next thing I can remember is waking up as usual.”
Westenhanger was completely taken aback by this evidence. What could a girl be doing, wandering about the house at that time of night? Almost without thinking, he swung round on Mrs. Caistor Scorton and put a question.
“You’re sure it was Miss Cressage?”
“Quite sure,” said Mrs. Caistor Scorton, composedly. “She was wearing her dressing-gown and bedroom slippers. No one else has a silk dressing-gown of that shade.”
Eileen Cressage had gone very white during Mrs. Caistor Scorton’s evidence, but she made no comment. Westenhanger, looking at her momentarily, saw that she had been completely surprised. At the same time, her attitude suggested that she might have something in reserve though she was not very confident about it. Freddie Stickney in his turn put a question to Mrs. Caistor Scorton.
“You said she was ‘going down the passage.’ What does that mean?”
“Miss Cressage’s room is beyond mine. She was going away from it when I saw her.”