But her laugh was one of real amusement. Lady Clevedon was looking forward to enjoying life and had no objection to a sensation or two. Possibly she had found the honeymoon just a trifle slow. Anyway, she made a charming picture of loyalty and confidence as she stood arm-in-arm with her husband facing those who were practically accusing him of murder.
CHAPTER XXI
WHY TULMIN BLACKMAILED CLEVEDON
Sir William and Lady Clevedon settled down in Cartordale and very quickly made themselves popular with their neighbours. Billy himself was of a buoyant and friendly disposition, and even if he had been far less genial, Lady Clevedon would have pulled him through. I never met a sunnier person than she was, and if she had designedly set out to dissipate any possible suspicion that may have gathered round her husband, she could not have gone a better way about it.
But if she had any such intent she did not show it. They both acted as if they took it calmly for granted that any idea of Billy’s participation in the tragedy was futile nonsense. Nor did they hesitate to discuss it, and apparently accepted my interposition as a matter of course. No doubt Thoyne and Kitty had explained to them my part in the story. As they became more and more immersed in their plans for refurnishing White Towers and in various social activities, the mystery dropped more and more into the background. That was all the better for me. The necessity of consulting other folk and especially of explaining, or of concealing, because it more frequently amounts to that, is always something of a nuisance when one is engaged in delicate investigations.
But I had a little passage with Lady Clevedon the elder that was not entirely without entertainment. I was passing the big gates of Hapforth House just as she emerged. I fancy she had seen me from the windows of the lodge and had come out with the intention of intercepting me. She stood with both hands on her stick surveying me with a dry smile.
“So, Mr. Detective, you haven’t yet discovered who killed Philip Clevedon,” she said.
“I don’t know that I haven’t,” I returned. “But knowledge isn’t proof and there are libel laws to be watched.”
“That is an easy way of getting out of it,” she cried mockingly. “A detective ought—”
“But I am not a detective,” I interrupted.
“No, you are not, that’s true enough,” she agreed grimly, as she turned abruptly and began walking towards Hapforth House.