“Can you tell me with absolute certainty the date of this change of the furniture?”
“Oh yes. It was the day before I started for the Riviera; that must have been November 7.”
“Are you positive of this?”
“Undoubtedly. Is it a matter of importance? Gwen, you know all about it. Besides, the bills for your new furniture will show the exact date of delivery, and it was the same day.”
Mrs. Hillmer’s face was hidden by her veil, but she nodded silently.
Three people in the room knew the significance of Mensmore’s straightforward words; he alone was unaware of the direction towards which the investigation now tended.
“Let us analyze the matter carefully,” said Bruce, who had recovered his self-possession, though he was almost terrified at the possibilities of the situation. “Did the whole of the contents of your drawing-room come from your sister’s flat?”
“Every stick. There was nothing there before but the bare boards.”
“Do you remember a handsome ornamental fender being among these articles?”
“Perfectly. My housekeeper said the men broke it during the transit. They denied this, and looked for the piece chipped off, but could not find it. She told me about it that night.”