The two Inspectors regarded each other very solemnly, and then Carter remarked drily. “Nothing doing, Charlie, and if there were any letters, she's got them now and feels quite safe. I am afraid we shall have to wipe her off the slate.”
“Not at all, not at all,” snapped Stone irritably. “She's just been playacting all the time. She had simply nerved herself up to play the part she did, and every emotion she portrayed was artificial. Her condescending politeness, her appearance of perfect ease, her scorn, her anger and her defiance were all put on.” He ground his teeth together. “It is just as if that galoot, Gilbert, had prompted her and had told her exactly what we were going to ask her and exactly what to say.”
“Well, in that case,” smiled Carter, “Gilbert should be very proud of his p
