"There are very few things," she answered, "with which my aunt has not to do if she gets within measurable distance of them. Now, will you please explain?"
"How can I," I said, "if there's nothing to explain?"
"I think you told me the other night," she answered, "that suppressio veri sometimes amounts to suggestio falsi."
"Miss Ormerod," I said, "I've got a lot of letters to burn to-night, and I am rather busy——"
"Oh, very well," she observed, "then I must find out for myself."
She hurried down to my flat along the passage, and burst open the kitchen door. The sheriff's man had already drained the beer-cask, and was sitting smoking with his feet on the kitchen range.
"Now," Miss Ormerod remarked, "please tell me why you're here."
"If you open your mouth," I broke in, "I'll throttle you."
"You're a witness, young lady," the man said, "he's threatened to assault an officer of the law in the execution of his duty."
"Perhaps this might soothe your feelings," Miss Ormerod said, slipping something into his hand.