Quickly Harding spoke:
"I will go with you to the house. We must go at once. This is a terrible affair. No, we won't take a cab. We must walk."
The two passed out into South Audley Street.
They walked rapidly in the direction of King Street.
There was a quick fire of questions and answers.
"Where did he dine?"
"I don't know."
"What time did he leave the house?"
"At seven-thirty."
"Was he dressed?"
"Yes."
"What time did you leave?"
"At seven-fifty."
"Did he know that you were going to the Covent Garden Ball?"
"Yes."
"He seems to have given you a pretty free hand?"
"Certainly. I was practically my own master."
"And no one else was in the house when you went out?"
"No one."
"That seems extraordinary! What about burglars?"
"Well, you see, I don't think that anybody would know the house is occupied. The dining-room is shut up. There is nothing to burgle. There are
