“It’s a strictly private matter,” he explained.
Joan refused to take the implied hint.
“If it has any connection with this burglary, Mr. Foss, I see no reason why I should not hear what you have to say. It’s a matter that concerns me as one of the family, you know.”
Foss seemed taken aback and quite evidently he would have preferred to make his confidence to Sir Clinton alone.
“It’s rather a difficult matter,” he said, with a feeble endeavour to deflect Joan from her purpose.
Joan, however, took no notice of his diffidence.
“Come, Mr. Foss,” she said. “If it’s really important, the sooner Sir Clinton hears of it the better. Begin.”
Foss glanced appealingly at Sir Clinton; but apparently the Chief Constable took Joan’s view of the matter.
“I’m rather busy at present, Mr. Foss,” he said, dryly. “Perhaps you’ll give us your information as concisely as possible.”
Having failed in his attempt, Foss made the best of it; though it was with obvious reluctance that he launched into his subject.