"Was it here that your brother spent last evening?"
"Yes. He came out here about nine o'clock, after dinner. He often
works late, and we never sit up for him. My sister-in-law went to
bed soon after; she had one of her bad headaches that she has been
subject to for the last eighteen months. I sleep in the room next to
hers, and I went to bed about eleven. I am an early riser, as a
rule, and when I came out of my room this morning I met my brother
just coming into the house." She paused, and I could see that she
was struggling with the recollection. "He wouldn't let me touch him,
and he only said something about wanting to sleep, and that I should
send Doctor Lennox up to him. I left him in the sitting-room and
went straight off."
"Cycled?"
"No, walked. I have no cycle here. My brother doesn't like me using
one. If I had, it would have saved time. I came through the woods."
"You were quick, anyway," I said approvingly. "Now listen, Miss
Lessing. Your brother has had a severe shock; of what sort I know no
more than you. He will probably tell us in his own time. For the
present, I don't want him worried in any way. I shall come again
tomorrow. If I may advise you, I would lock this place and keep the
key until he asks you for it. Have you touched anything in the room
since this morning?"
"No. It is as he left it."
Then Lessing himself had removed the tell-tale carpet. I thought a
moment.
"Was your brother wearing pyjamas when he went out last evening?"
"He changed into them after dinner, I remember. It is hot in here of
an evening, and he nearly always wears them to work in."
"Did you hear any noise last night?"
"No." She hesitated a moment. "My sister-in-law was very restless
last night, and she was talking in her sleep. She seemed to be in
pain, so I went in to her, but she was sound asleep and I went back
to bed. I heard nothing outside."
"Where was the dog?"
"Shut up. We used to have him loose, but he's sometimes noisy at
night, and lately my brother has taken a fancy to have him shut up."
"It doesn't seem likely that he would trouble him here," I said.
She bit her lip.
"Doctor Haverill, what is it?"
"My dear young lady," I said, "I can know nothing until your brother
is able to give us some account." I had almost said "chooses," but I
changed the word on a look at her face. "After all," I said lightly,
"you must remember I am here only as a doctor, and a stranger at
that!"
I turned back to where the mare was waiting, and she followed me,
locking the door behind her.
"I shall be at the house all day, if I'm wanted, but I don't think I
shall be. Meantime, you'll remember what I've told you. Your
brother will have to make up sleep before he can tell us anything at
all."
She seemed to take it quite as a matter of course that I should be
giving my directions to her instead of Mrs. Lessing. It was as if
she took the responsible place instinctively in the household. I
climbed into the buggy, turning the mare around, and she nodded a
good-bye to me. My last glimpse, as I left the house, was of her
slim bare-headed figure, wistful in its very air of self-reliance,
standing there in the sunshine with the setter by her side.