It seemed to him that the detective was curious about everything unconnected with the case.
They went across the lawn, the detective still dilating on the charms of a country life, and entered the wood.

If they had not followed exactly the line taken by Heyton in the morning, they had touched it now and again; and when they reached the edge of the lake, Mr.Jacobs looked round in a casual way and presently seated himself on the big stone on which Heyton had sat while he dressed himself.

Mr.Jacobs obviously was delighted with the lake and its surroundings; and the Inspector would not have been surprised if the great detective had proposed a swim; but he stopped short of that eccentricity and they returned to the house.
They went into the state rooms, which received Mr.Jacobs' unstinted admiration, and were crossing the hall to the little sitting-room which had been set apart for him, when Celia met them.

She was very pale, and her brows were drawn together by trouble and anxiety; for a great deal of responsibility had fallen suddenly on her shoulders.

Though a duly qualified nurse was in possession of the sick-room, Mrs.Dexter and Celia were assisting her; and Celia had Miriam almost entirely on her hands; for Miriam was almost in a state of collapse.