“James! In your garden! Impossible. Why, it is not a quarter of an hour since I left him in his dormitory.”
“He’s not there now.”
“You astound me, Appleby. I am astonished.”
“So was I.”
“How is such a thing possible? His window is heavily barred.”
“Bars can be removed.”
“You must have been mistaken.”
“Possibly,” said Mr. Appleby, a little nettled. Gaping astonishment is always apt to be irritating. “Let’s leave it at that, then. Sorry to have disturbed you.”
“No, sit down, Appleby. Dear me, this is most extraordinary. Exceedingly so. You are certain it was James?”
“Perfectly. It’s like daylight out of doors.”