You see how important it may prove." She hesitated, wrinkling her brow as she weighed the importance of her answer.

Then she looked at him with limpid eyes and said: "Yes." He knew--the sixth sense of the criminal investigator told him--that she lied, and he was taken aback.

Why should she lie?
What did she know?
What had she to hide?
"Did you hear him snore going out, or coming in ?" he said.
"Both," said Olivia firmly.
Mr.Flexen hesitated.

He did not believe her.

Then he said: "How long did Lord Loudwater sleep after dinner as a rule?
What time did he go to bed ?" "It varied a good deal.