“With the deepest respect,” chimed in Mrs. Garside, “or you may find yourself a prisoner before you are aware of it.” “And now, sir,” said Edith, turning to Drayton, to whom this style of treatment was altogether new and puzzling, “you will perhaps oblige me by beginning your perquisition with this room,” indicating the little parlour; “after which my servant will accompany you over the rest of the house.” “No perquisites allowed in the police, ma’am,” said Drayton, with the air of a man whose moral sense was shocked by the bare mention of the word. “You misunderstand me,” said Edith, with a smile. “What I meant was, that I wish you to search this room first of all, as I should not like my aunt to be disturbed more than is absolutely necessary.” “Don’t trouble about me, my dear,” said Mrs. Garside. “This good gentleman’s visit is quite a godsend. We see so little company, and get so very mopey sometimes, that the incident of this afternoon comes quite as a pleasant change, and will serve us to talk about for many a day to come.” So Mr. Drayton, coughing deferentially behind his hand, did just take a cursory glance round the little chintz-furnished room. “Not such a fool as to expect to find him there,” he said to himself as he bowed himself out again. Then Edith made him a haughty little curtsey, and politely shut him out, as though she had done with him for ever and a day. “I don’t like that man’s look,” whispered Mrs. Garside as soon as the door was closed. “Nor I,” answered Edith. “I know by his eyes that he is brimful of suspicion; and yet I cannot believe that he is acting on any positive information.” Her assumption of indifference had vanished utterly. She was the loving, anxious, heart-wrung wife again. She sank on her knees and rested her head for a moment on Mrs. Garside’s knee. The killing anxiety of the last few weeks was beginning to tell upon her in despite of herself. But next moment she was on her feet again, and, gliding across the floor, she crouched down and glued her ear to the keyhole. “They are in the breakfast-room,” she whispered. And then in a little while: “Now they are in the kitchen.” A few minutes later came the ominous words: “And now they are going upstairs!”