you waited to be alone before gratifying that ‘interest’ of yours?”
“That was pure chance. If the others had been there, I should have done just the same.”
“Still, as it happens, the others were not there?”
“No, but–-”
“In fact, during the whole afternoon, you were only alone for a couple of minutes, and it happened—I say, it happened—to be during those two minutes that you displayed your ‘natural interest’ in Hydrochloride of Strychnine?”
Lawrence stammered pitiably.
“I—I–-”
With a satisfied
it is queer. One thing is certain, she overheard a good deal more of that ‘private conversation’ than she was willing to admit.”
“And yet she is the last person one would accuse of stooping to eavesdrop!”
“Exactly. One thing her evidence has shown me. I made a mistake. Dorcas was quite right. The