CHAPTER XXIXAs on the previous evening, the Ambrose party went home early. With the exception of Frank Ambrose, who had remained taciturn to the point of rudeness, Miss Silver had had a very pleasant conversation with each of them. Soon after their departure she excused herself and went up to the room which had been prepared for her. It was just before she said goodnight that she asked Miss Paradine about the diary.
‘You will forgive me if I touch upon a painful subject, but I think your niece mentioned that you had given pocket diaries as New Year’s gifts to your nephews.’
Grace Paradine smiled.
‘There is nothing painful about that,’ she said.
Miss Silver coughed.
‘No, of course not. But I was going to enquire whether you also presented one to your brother.’
‘Oh, no.’ Miss Paradine
