CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVENAt the sound of footsteps coming from the direction of the hall Miss Silver set down the tumbler she was holding and walked briskly to meet them. It was Julia Vane whom she encountered. It did not escape her that, in addition to being unusually pale, Julia had a look of endurance which had not been there when they met at breakfast. Whatever may have been her errand, Miss Silver forestalled it.
‘I should appreciate a short conversation with you, Miss Vane, if you can spare the time.’
She had shut the door behind her. Julia looked past her in that direction.
‘I was going to see Mrs. Maniple. Is she in the kitchen?’
Miss Silver shook her head.
‘Oh, no—she is still in the study with Sergeant Abbott. I will not detain you for long. Perhaps the drawing-room would be suit
