"
"Probably sent on in advance, eh?"
"There could be no other way, sir," the inspector replied, "unless
the registration paper has been mislaid. I'll step up to the hotel
this evening and make sure."
"You'll oblige me very much, if you will. By Jove," Sir Henry
added, looking towards the door, "I'd no idea it was so late!"
Philippa, who had changed her travelling dress for a plain black
net gown, was standing in the doorway. She looked at the inspector,
and for a moment the little colour which she had seemed to disappear.
"Is anything the matter?" she asked breathlessly.
"Nothing in the world, my dear," her husband assured her. "I am
frightfully sorry I'm so late. Jimmy stayed some time, and then
the inspector here looked in about our lights. Just a little
more care in this room at night, he thinks. We'll see to it,
Inspector."
"I am very much obliged, sir," the man replied. "Sorry to be under
the necessity of mentioning it."
Sir Henry opened the door.
"You'll find your own way out, won't you?" he begged. "I'm a
little late."
The inspector saluted and withdrew. Sir Henry glanced round.
"I won't be ten minutes, Philippa," he promised. "I had no idea
it was so late."
"Come here one moment, please," she insisted.
He came back into the room and stood on the other side of the small
table near which she had paused.
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