"What!" cried Miss Winder.
"Don't listen to such rubbish," exclaimed Didcott, rising. "Constable, how dare you talk such nonsense?" He stood trembling, with beads of perspiration starting on his forehead.
"The gen'leman had a beard," observed the policeman, impartially.
"You had a beard then, don't you remember?" said Miss Winder, mystified. "How very strange!"
"I am quite sure now as how it was this gen'leman," remarked the constable, imperturbably.
The girl turned on Didcott. Thought after thought chased each other in succession through her brain.
"Did you throw my story into the water?" she asked, in a low voice.
"Yes," said Didcott, and felt relieved. For the first time he dared to meet the policeman's gaze. "Send this man away, and I'll tell you the whole thing." He felt in his waistcoat pocket and drew out a sovereign. "Here, take this and get out."
The policeman took the coin, and stood doubtfully with it between his finger and thumb.
"Yes, please go," said Miss Winder, faintly.