“I cannot do that, sir. It was not here—at least it was not on the floor where you found it, when I brushed up the room and rearranged the chairs, this morning.â€�
“Then how did it get here?�
“I will not attempt to say, Mr. Carter.�
“It stands to reason, doesn’t it, that the handkerchief was brought here by some person—probably by the woman herself?â€�
“Yes, sir; it would seem so.�
“Then how did she get here—without your knowledge?â€�
Thomas was plainly dismayed, but he was none the less insistent for all that.
“Unless she flew in through the open window, or came down the chimney and through the fireplace, there is absolutely no way that I know about by which she could have gained admission to this room without being seen by me, or by the footman,� he said calmly.
“Or by the gardener,� suggested Patsy.
“Unless you are purposely deceiving us,� said the detective.