“Tell me exactly what did occur, or must I call the police?” he said.
“What happened was this, sir,” she said, gazing round her, as if for help. “After the visitor had gone, and I am sure I wish I knew who he was, I was in the dining-room, as I told in court.
“Mr. Eric came in without so much as a knock, he being free of the house. He seemed to be very excited, and he says ‘I must see Sir James.’ I says, ‘He does not want to be disturbed.’ Then he says ‘I’ll just knock at his door and ask him.’ ”
“One moment, Mrs. Simmons. Was this after Sir James had sent the letter?”
“Oh, yes, sir, after he had come in.”
“You are quite sure of that?”
“Quite sure.”
“Go on.”
“Mr. Eric knocked at the door, but there was no answer. Then he knocks again, but there wasn’t a sound. So he writes something on a card, and slips it under the door, and says, ‘Sir James, do you mind reading the card,’ and he waits.
“There was a noise inside, as though someone was a moving very slowly, and a voice said, ‘go away.’ ”