“May I say a word to you, sir? You have been very good to me, and did not laugh at me the other day. You know, sir, about—what I saw.”
“What you thought you saw,” said Collins, with a smile.
“Yes, sir, well I was awake last night and I can swear I heard people talking. I should have come down, but after what happened, I was afraid to.”
“That’s quite all right, I was about myself, and so was Mr. Sanders. I expect it was the storm which kept us all awake.”
“But what were you doing in the empty room in the attics, sir, if I may be so bold as to ask?”
“In the attics?” said Collins; then, quickly, “Oh, yes, of course, we heard a window banging, and went to see.”
John looked sceptical. “But forgive me, sir, it sounded as though there was a woman with you, or a man disguising his voice.”
Collins dared not ask further.
“You must have been mistaken, surely,” he said.
“Perhaps so, sir,” he said, doubtfully.