“Oh, no, they were far too busy for that,” said Victoire.
“What were they doing?” said Guerchard.
“They were taking the pictures off the walls and carrying them out of the window down the ladder,” said Victoire.
Guerchard’s eyes flickered towards the Duke, but the expression of earnest inquiry on his face never changed.
“Now, tell me, did the man who took a picture from the walls carry it down the ladder himself, or did he hand it through the window to a man who was standing on the top of a ladder ready to receive it?” he said.
Victoire paused as if to recall their action; then she said, “Oh, he got through the window, and carried it down the ladder himself.”
“You’re sure of that?” said Guerchard.
“Oh, yes, I am quite sure of it—why should I deceive you, Mr. Inspector?” said Victoire quickly; and the Duke saw the first shadow of uneasiness on her face.
“Of course not,” said Guerchard. “And where were you?”
“Oh, they put me behind the screen.”