"There were a lot of small things falling due, and I knew that I hadn't the means to meet them. One day I saw my husband's cheque-book lying on a desk and the thought of taking money from his account came to me. So I traced his writing. I must have been mad, but it all happened before I realised what I was doing. Then I changed the cheque and became frightened as I saw the trouble I was likely to land into. I came down here, but the more I thought of it the more frightened I became. I knew of you, and had had you pointed out to me at one or two places. I thought that if I gave you one of the hundred pound notes, and you used it, if it ever came to you to handle an investigation into the business you would understand that you had part of the money and wouldn't push it too far." "Half a second," he interrupted. "This extraordinary way you used to pass me the money. Do I understand that you intended that I shouldn't know from whom it came, until I was brought into the case? Then I should find out from the numbers of the notes that I had become implicated, and should have my hands tied." "That was my idea. I did not want to give myself away to you unless the forgery was discovered. I hoped it might pass unnoticed." "A sanguine, not to say naïve scheme," he commented dryly. "Where does Miss Noelson come in?" "She knew I was in trouble, but naturally she did not know all the details. I couldn't trust anyone. But I told her I had special reasons for wanting to deliver a note to a man I would point out, and she agreed to help me. I had a chauffeur's uniform made to fit me and drove up to town with her. She was to deny that I had left 'Maid's Retreat' if anyone questioned her. I sent her to do some shopping after we arrived in town while I hung about Grape Street till you came out. I followed you to Scotland Yard, and while you were there I went back and met Penelope and the car. I guessed that you would return to Grape Street by the same route and we waited for you. After that I went back to Hampshire and she stayed in town." "Still another point that I am not quite clear about," he said. "Why did you come back that evening and lay in wait for me with a sandbag?" "The news of the burglary had been telephoned down to me. I had talked with my husband after he saw you. I had talked with Penelope. You had recognised her and I was alarmed at what you might find out. I saw that I had made a mistake. I had been told that all police officers would take money if they could do it safely." "Thank you," he said ironically. "It is an impression that some other people have." There fell a silence for a while. He was thinking, with a puzzled little frown on his forehead, and the woman with burning eyes studied him as though to read what was passing in his mind. Presently he spoke again. "Has Larry Hughes ever been in Streetly House?" "Not so far as I know. I have never taken him there."