So he went on with his breakfast, reflecting
that Antony was a rum fellow, and wondering if he had dreamed
only of the amazing things which had happened the day before.
Antony went up to his bedroom to fetch his pipe. It was occupied
by a housemaid, and he made a polite apology for disturbing her.
Then he remembered.
"Is it Elsie?" he asked, giving her a friendly smile.
"Yes, sir," she said, shy but proud. She had no doubts as to why
it was that she had achieved such notoriety.
"It was you who heard Mr. Mark yesterday, wasn't it? I hope the
inspector was nice to you?"
"Yes, thank you, sir."
"'It's my turn now. You wait,'" murmured Antony to himself.
"Yes, sir. Nasty-like. Meaning to say his chance had come."
"I wonder."
"Well, that's what I heard, sir. Truly."
Antony looked at her thoughtfully and nodded.
"Yes. I wonder. I wonder why."
"Why what, sir?"
"Oh, lots of things, Elsie .... It was quite an accident your
being outside just then?"
Elsie blushed. She had not forgotten what Mrs. Stevens had said
about it.
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