“I did not say he put it there Tuesday night,” Judith spoke a bit sharply. “It may have been there for days and I never would have missed it, for I have about every ear instrument ever invented. Father is always buying some new invention, and you will find them scattered all over the house, much to Mother’s annoyance.” Judith had spoken with unusual rapidity and she came to a breathless pause.
“Judith,”—Richards hesitated a brief second—“what brought you downstairs on Tuesday night?”
“I was looking for you,” she confessed. “You said that you would return early”—with faint reproach.
“Did you see Austin?” The question came with marked reluctance, and in the deepening silence Richards caught the tick-tock of the clock over the fireplace. His hands tightened their clasp and he grew conscious that hers had grown cold.
“I had no knowledge of Austin’s presence in the house,” she stated and winced. “Don’t, Joe, you are hurting me”—and Richards awakened to the fact that he had pressed her hands with such force that her wedding ring had cut into the delicate flesh.
“Forgive me,” he murmured, and, raising her hands, pressed them to his lips.
“Joe,”—Judith had grown singularly pale and the hand she disengaged from his and laid on his arm was not quite steady—“believe me, dear, when I say that I heard nothing on that Tuesday night preceding or following Austin’s death.”
“You heard nothing,” Richards repeated; neither looked at the other. “I believe you, sweetheart.” He kissed her gently. “You must not worry so, Judith; you will make yourself ill, and I fear I have kept you up talking much too long,”—in deep contrition as the dock chimed ten. “Come, dear.” And with his arm thrown protectingly about her shoulders, he strolled with her to the door.
As they passed the card table Judith caught sight of a playing card lying on the rug and her orderly instinct caused her to stoop and pick it up just as the portières parted and Mrs. Hale dashed breathlessly into the library.
“You haven’t gone upstairs!” she exclaimed, much relieved. “The most dreadful thing has happened.”