"Then let it drop, sir; it is no common robber who has done this. Let it drop, for her sake and my lord's."
Mr. Ravensworth felt painfully perplexed. Those few words, spoken by the faithful old steward, were more fraught with suspicion against Lady Level than anything he had yet heard.
Returning to the sitting-room, pacing it to and fro in his perplexity for he knew not how long, he was looking at his watch to ascertain the time, when Lady Level came in. She had been in Lord Level's sitting-room upstairs, she said, the one opposite his bed-chamber. He was somewhat calmer now. Mr. Ravensworth thought that he must now be going.
"I have been of no assistance to you, Lady Level; I do not see that I can be of any," he observed. "But should anything arise in which you think I can help you, send for me."
"What do you expect to arise?" she hastily inquired.
"Nay, I expect nothing."
"Did Lord——" Lady Level suddenly stopped and turned her head. Just within the room stood two policemen. She rose with a startled movement, and shrank close to Mr. Ravensworth, crying out, as for protection. "Arnold! Arnold!"
"Do not agitate yourself," he whispered. "What is it that you want?" he demanded, moving towards the men.
"We have come about this attack on Lord Level, sir," replied one of them.
"Who sent for you?"