“I am not deceiving you, Mr. Carter,� Thomas replied, not without an assumption of dignity at being thus accused.
Patsy, without saying what his intention was, left them and passed out of the room. Nick steadily studied the face of the servant for some time; then he said:
“I believe you, Thomas. You are not deceiving me, or attempting to do so. This is a very strange circumstance.�
“Yes, sir.�
“Can you account for every moment of your time between half-past twelve o’clock, and the time when you telephoned to me?�
“Yes, sir. I have already done that. I have no desire to change anything that I have said about it.�
“When Mr. Lynne rang for you, and you assisted him to dress, in part, it was approximately half-past twelve, you say?�
“It was between that time, and one o’clock; yes, sir.�
“It was four o’clock when you telephoned to me. Had you only just missed Mr. Lynne?�
“No, sir. It was a quarter to three when I missed him.�