She had turned and now led the way to the drawing-room. As they entered they were received by expectant looks.
"Well, is the mystery solved?" young Tredworth inquired.
Kelson gave him a silencing look. "You'll hear all about it in good time," he replied between lightness and gravity.
Piercy rose to take his leave.
"Oh, you must not go yet," Miss Morriston protested. "They are just bringing tea."
"But I fear I may be in the way if there is anything—" he urged.
"Oh, no," his hostess insisted. "I don't know of anything wrong. At least neither Captain Kelson nor Mr. Gifford will admit anything. You must have tea before your long drive."
The subject of the mystery in the tower was tacitly dropped, perhaps from a vague feeling that it was best not alluded to, at any rate by the ladies, and the conversation flowed, with more or less effort, on ordinary local topics. Tea over, Piercy took his leave.
"You must come again, Mr. Piercy, while you are in this part of the county," Miss Morriston said graciously, "when you shall have no episodes of lost keys to hinder your researches. My brother shall write to you."
Kelson took the departing visitor out into the hall to see him off.