She gathered herself together to answer with calm civility his tiresome, futile questions. There was nothing—nothing—she could say that she had not said already as to Godfrey's usual habits, and as to his probable business interests outside Pewsbury. The Inspector had been surprised, though he had tried to hide the fact, to find that Mrs. Pavely knew so very little of her husband's business interests and concerns. The last two times he had been there Katty had been present, and she had been very useful—useful and tactful. Laura, feeling rather ashamed of her late uncharitable thoughts concerning Katty, wished that Katty could be present at the coming interview, but unfortunately Katty was still in bed.
The door opened, and she stood up expectantly.
It was only Preston, the butler. There was a large envelope on the salver he held in his hand.
"It's from the Bank, ma'am. Marked 'Urgent,'" he said.
"Is there an answer?" she asked.
And he hesitated. "We have kept the messenger, ma'am."
Laura knew Mr. Privet's small, neat handwriting—if he marked an envelope "Urgent," then it was urgent.
There were two enclosures—a note and a letter.
She first read the note:—
"Dear Mrs. Pavely,