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Here, wipe it on this, my lord!" In his agitation and embarrassment, Mr. Jacobs actually caught hold of Heyton's hand and pressed it on a sheet of paper. "Tut, tut," he said. "I thought it was blotting-paper! Here it is! I really am so sorry never did such a thing in my life before!" "Damned clumsy of you!" growled Heyton. "I'm in a beast of a mess! Where's a cloth?"
He took the two sheets of paper from his pocket and laid them on the table; and beside them he placed a silver print of the finger-prints in the room. Heyton stared at them as if they were live things that could sting him. "Another thing, my lord," said Mr. Jacobs. "I was in the dressing-room just after the Marquess recovered consciousness, and heard him charge you with the robbery.
"Is this locked, my lord?" "I don't know," said Heyton; and, as if he had forgotten the Inspector's injunction, he tried the handle of the door before the Inspector could stop him. "It's locked," said Heyton. "Tut, tut!" said the Inspector to himself, as if he were much annoyed by something. "Come on," said Heyton. "I'll show you the window I found open."
At first he thought it was Celia, and, with a leap of the lover's heart, he took a step forward; then he stopped short; the figure was that of a man in flannels; and a moment or two afterwards, he had recognised Heyton. The disappointment was great; he had no desire to meet Heyton; the sight of him recalled the bitter past; and Derrick stood, frowning as he watched Heyton on his way to the lake.
Miriam rose and went to the drawing-room, and almost immediately afterwards, the Marquess left the table, saying, as he passed Heyton, "That port is rather heavy, Percy; don't drink too much of it." The weak and vicious face grew red and, with a sneer, Heyton retorted, "Oh, if you begrudge me a glass of wine " But he spoke under his breath, and the Marquess apparently did not hear him.
With the keys in his hand, Heyton stole into the dressing-room adjoining, and closing the door softly, turned up the electric light. At sight of the safe, his courage rose, his nerves grew more steady; he had been careful to drink very little that night, and his brain was clear. He unlocked the safe and looked inside it.
Heyton slept badly that night and came down to breakfast after Lord Sutcombe and Miriam had finished theirs and gone out. He was in a bad temper, cursed the footman who waited on him, and when he had drunk a cup of coffee and made pretence of eating a piece of toast, mixed himself a glass of soda and whisky and went out.
Yes; you must be very clever; you have good taste, evidently. I've got a maid who's a perfect fool; perhaps, sometimes, you won't mind giving her a hint or lending her a hand?" "Why, I should be very pleased to do so," said Celia; "though I'm afraid she will not consider my advice or assistance of any great value, Lady Heyton."
Besides, this other man; they would have questioned him, and he would have exposed himself." "That's true enough; that's what I told Heyton " began Derrick; in his eagerness, unwittingly letting slip Heyton's name, as he had the other evening let slip his own. He broke off and looked down, biting his lip.
"Two's company and one's none." "But there are already two," said Celia, forcing a smile and glancing at Roddy. "It is very kind of your lordship, but I would rather be alone." She moved on quickly, her heart beating rather fast with resentment, her face crimson. Heyton followed her to the door, and stood looking after her, an evil smile on his face.
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