He noted the cheapness of the furniture, combined with scrupulous cleanliness, as Mrs. Felmore, turning to him, said in that loud voice in which the deaf usually converse:
"I hope you'll make yourself at home, Mr. Durrant! Any friend of my niece is welcome here. Would you like a cup of tea? I know Marigold will have one."
He thanked her, and she went below to prepare it, leaving the pair in Mr. Boyne's room.
Quickly Gerald rose, remarking:
"There's nothing very curious about this, is there?" He made a critical tour of the apartment.
He noticed the cupboards on either side of the fireplace, and on trying the handle of one, found it locked.
"He keeps his insurance papers in there," said his companion in a low voice.
"What? More insurance papers! I thought he kept them in the locked room upstairs!" exclaimed Durrant.
"So he does, but there are some others here," she said. "This cupboard is open. He keeps Nibby here."
"Nibby—who's that?"