“Did Mr. Maynard mention at what hour he would return when he gave directions to have his bag packed?” asked Evelyn.
“No, Miss.” The housekeeper’s voice, monotonous in tone, always grated on Evelyn’s ear. She scanned the woman attentively; Mrs. Ward certainly had more lines in her face, and her hair, already gray, had gained an added whiteness in the past few days, which, contrasted with her sallow skin, made her look for the first time old in Evelyn’s eyes. Mrs. Ward moved restlessly under her continued staring, and her severe mouth tightened as she pressed her lips more firmly together.
“Is there anything else, Miss Evelyn?” she inquired finally.
“No, thank you,” but as the housekeeper turned to leave, Evelyn asked, “Why did you go in the library, Mrs. Ward? The coroner has forbidden any one entering it.”
Not stopping her rapid walk Mrs. Ward looked back over her shoulder and answered none too civilly: “I went in to straighten the room. Your mother told me to; therefore the responsibility is hers.”
Without comment Evelyn watched the housekeeper’s tall spare form disappear toward the back stairs, then she moved thoughtfully over to the library door and turned the knob—only to find the door locked. Evelyn stared at the closed door in a brown study. She recalled distinctly seeing the housekeeper step into the hall and she had most certainly not stopped to lock the door behind her. The lock was like the others in use throughout the house, not a spring catch but one which had to be turned by a key.
On sudden impulse Evelyn stooped over to see if by chance a key was in the lock on the other side of the door. Before she secured a good look at the hole the door was jerked open and Evelyn precipitated into the arms of her step-father.
Peter Burnham regarded her in silent indignation as she recovered her balance and released her hold of his arm which she had instinctively clung to for support.
“What is the meaning of this?” he demanded and his voice betrayed his excitement.
“I was trying to see if the door was locked on the inside.” Evelyn was a trifle breathless as well as consumed with inward fury at having been caught in so ignominious a position by her step-father. “I had no idea you were in the room.”