“As far as I can recollect just as the maid opened the door to Captain Strangwise, Nur-el-Din was impressing on me again to take great care of the package. I don’t think she actually mentioned the box but I remember her pointing at my bag where I had put the package.”
“The maid didn’t see Nur-el-Din give you the box?”
“No, I’m sure of that. The room was empty save for us two. It was only just before Captain Strangwise knocked that I noticed Marie arranging Nur-el-Din’s dresses. She must have come in afterwards without my seeing her.”
“Well then, this girl, Marie, didn’t see the dancer give you the box but she heard her refer to it. Is that right?”
“Yes, and, of course, Captain Strangwise...”
“What about him?”
“He must have heard what Nur-el-Din was saying, too!”
Desmond rubbed his chin.
“I say, you aren’t going to implicate old Strangwise, too, are you?” he asked.
Barbara did not reflect his smile.