"I am going to deceive them.--But oh, aunty, aunty, surely in such a cause I shall be forgiven!"
Suddenly Margery's unkempt head was protruded through the archway. "They've come, mum," she said in a stage whisper.--"They've stuck three men in front of the house and two at the back."
Mrs. Brooke nodded, and the head vanished.
"Now, aunt," said Clara, "let us both try to look as if nothing was the matter." So saying she sat down to the piano and began to play a waltz in a minor key.
Presently in came Bunce, looking very white and scared, carrying a salver with a card on it.
Mrs. Brooke took the card and read aloud: "'Mr. J. Drumley, Superintendent of Police.'--What can he want here at this hour of the evening?" she said.--"You had better show him in, Bunce." And with that she resumed her playing.
She ceased playing, however, when the portière was pushed aside and two men came forward, one a little in advance of the other.
As Mrs. Brooke rose and confronted them, the first man made a stiff military bow, while the second carried a couple of fingers to his forehead.
"To what may I attribute the honour of this visit?" asked Clara in her most gracious tones.
Both the men were evidently disconcerted. This pale beautiful apparition with its great shining eyes was something they had not expected to meet.