“‘Oh, ’im?’ she says. ‘’E’s the cook’s brother,’ she says. ‘I was interjuiced to ’im at Helchester the other day,’ she says. ‘At least, she _says_ ’e’s ’er brother,’ she says.” A strange rasping noise in his throat appeared to indicate that William was amused. “‘At least, she _says_ ’e’s ’er brother,’ she says,” he repeated with much enjoyment. “Oh!” Roger exclaimed, somewhat dashed. “Oh, did she? And did you see him again, William?” “That I did. Back ’e come nigh on a quarter of a hower later, an’ cook with ’im, a-hangin’ on ’is arm like what she ought to have known better not to ’ave done,” William rejoined, suddenly stern. “I don’t ’old with it meself, I don’t,” added this severe moralist. “Not at ’er age, I don’t.” His expression relaxed reminiscently. “‘At least, she _says_ ’e’s ’er brother,’ she says,” he added, with a sudden rasp. “I see,” said Roger. “Thank you, William. Well, I suppose we mustn’t interrupt you any more. Come on, Alec.” Slowly and sadly they made their way back to the house. “William got his own back then, if he only knew it,” Roger said with a wry smile. “I did think for a moment that we might be getting at something at last.” “You really are a hell of an optimist, Roger,” Alec observed wonderingly. Their path took them past the library, and as they reached the bed in which the footprints had been discovered Roger instinctively paused. The next moment he darted forward and stared with incredulous eyes at the bed. “Good Lord!” he exclaimed, clutching Alec’s arm and pointing with an excited finger. “Look! They’ve gone, both of them! They’ve been smoothed out!” “Great Scott, so they have!” The two gazed at each other with wide eyes. “So Jefferson _did_ hear what we were talking about!” Roger almost whispered. “I have an idea that things are going to get rather exciting very soon, after all.” Chapter XVII Mr. Grierson Becomes Heated But however much Jefferson might guess of their activities, certainly nothing was visible in his manner as Roger and Alec entered the drawing room, twenty minutes late for tea. He greeted them in his usual curt, rather brusque way, and asked casually how they had managed to amuse themselves. Lady Stanworth was not present, and Mrs. Plant was seated behind the tea tray. “Oh, we went for a stroll through the village; but it was too hot to be pleasant. Thanks, Mrs. Plant. Yes, milk and sugar, please. Two lumps. You got through your business in Elchester all right? I saw you starting.” “Yes. Got off infernally late. Had to rush things. However, I managed to get everything done all right.” “Have they arranged about the inquest yet, by the way?” Alec asked suddenly. “Yes. To-morrow morning at eleven, here.” “Oh, they’re going to hold it here, are they?” said Roger. “Which room will you put them in? The library?” “No. I think the morning room’s better.” “Yes, I think it is.” “Oh, I do wish it were over!” Mrs. Plant remarked with an involuntary sigh.