"It was
rather too bad to suspect us, on that evidence, of knowing anything
about the affair."
"I don't suppose for a moment they did," Gifford assured her.
"I don't know," the girl returned. "Anyhow it was rather an embarrassing,
not to say painful, position for us to be in. But that is at an end now."
Nevertheless Gifford could tell that she was not so thoroughly relieved
as her words implied.
"Completely," he declared. "You have heard of the new piece of evidence?"
he added casually.
For a moment she stopped with a start, instantly recovering herself.
"No; what is that?" in a tone almost of unconcern.
Gifford told her of the statement made by the country girl and its
corroboration in the finding of the rope. As he continued he felt sure
that the story was gripping his companion more and more closely. At last
she stopped dead and turned to him with eyes which had in them intense
mystification as well as fear.
"Mr. Gifford, do you believe that story?"
"I see no reason for disbelieving it," he answered quietly. "It is
practically the only conceivable solution of the mystery of the
locked door.
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