"At Clacton, Miss Ingate," answered Mr. Cowl imperturbably.

"I knew it," said Miss Ingate, and the corners of her lips went
sardonically down.

"Please don't trouble to come downstairs," said Mr. Cowl. "My bag is
packed. I have tipped the parlourmaid, and there is just time to catch the
train."

He departed, leaving the two women speechless.

After a moment, Miss Ingate said dryly:

"He was so very peculiar I knew he must belong to these parts."

"How did he know I left my blue frock at Miss Pannell's?" cried Audrey. "I
never told him."

"He must have been eavesdropping!" cried Miss Ingate. "He never found the
key in your frock. He must have found it here somewhere; I feel sure it
must have dropped by the safe, and I lay anything he had opened the safe
before and read the will before. I could tell from the way he looked."

"And why should he suppose that I'd the key?" Audrey put in.

"Eavesdropping! I'm convinced that man knows too much." Audrey reddened
once more. "I believe he thought you'd be capable of burning the will.
That's why he made you handle it in his presence and mine."

"Well, Winnie," said Audrey, "I think you might have told him all that