Page:The Strand Magazine (Volume 25).djvu/220
her, his head turned with shame and misery; and then, as though in contrast, the tall, commanding figure of Vandeleur, with his strong features set as though in marble. He was taking in everything, judging in his acute mind the evidence which was poured out to him.
"Have you anything to say?" asked Vandeleur, gently, to Lady Bouverie. "Any explanation to offer?"
"I was not there," was her answer. "I never left my room."
Sir John muttered something under his breath; then he turned brusquely and requested the visitors to leave the room. They did so without a word, even Madame Sara taking herself off, though I could see that she went unwillingly. Sir John, Vandeleur, myself, the Persian, the two constables, and Lady Bouverie were now alone.
Vandeleur's expression suddenly changed. He was regarding Lady Bouverie with a steady look; he then took up the handkerchief which we had found, examined it carefully, and laid it down again.
"Have you been medicine taking the I ordered you, Lady Bouverie?" was his remark.
"I have," she replied.
"To-day?"
"Yes; three times."
"Will someone give me a large, clean sheet of white paper?"
I found one at once and brought it to him. He carefully rolled the handkerchief in it, drew out his stylograph, and wrote on the package:—
"Handkerchief found by Sir John Bouverie and Mr. Druce at 12.40 a.m."
He then asked Lady Bouverie for the one which she had in her pocket; this was almost as wet as the one I had picked up. He put it in another packet, writing also upon the paper:—
"Handkerchief given to me by Lady Bouverie at 3.20 a.m."
Then, drawing the inspector aside, he whispered a few words to him which brought an exclamation of surprise from that other.
"Now," he said, turning to Sir John, "I have done my business here for the present. I mean to return to London at once in my motor-car, and I shall take Mr. Druce with me. The inspector here has given me leave to take also these two handkerchiefs, on which I trust important evidence may hang."
He drew out his watch.
"It is now nearly half-past three," he said. "I shall reach my house at 4.30; the examination will take fifteen minutes; the result will be dispatched from Westminster police-station to the station here by telegram. You should receive it, Sir John, by 5.30, and I trust," he added, taking Lady Bouverie's hand, "it will mean your release, for that you 
"Two minutes later we were rushing through the night towards London."