Lydiard was absent from it?"

"Two visitors called, sir."

"Who were they?"

"Her Ladyship's nephew, Mr. Felix Sweetsir, and the Honorable Alfred
Hardyman."

Mr. Troy shook his head irritably. "I am not speaking of gentlemen of
high position and repute," he said. "It's absurd even to mention Mr.
Sweetsir and Mr. Hardyman. My question related to strangers who might
have obtained access to the drawing-room--people calling, with her
Ladyship's sanction, for subscriptions, for instance; or people calling
with articles of dress or ornament to be submitted to her Ladyship's
inspection."

"No such persons came to the house with my knowledge," Moody answered.

Mr. Troy suspended the investigation, and took a turn thoughtfully in
the room. The theory on which his inquiries had proceeded thus far had
failed to produce any results. His experience warned him to waste
no more time on it, and to return to the starting-point of the
investigation--in other words, to the letter. Shifting his point of
view, he turned again to Lady Lydiard, and tried his questions in a new
direction.

"Mr. Moody mentioned just now," he said, "that your Ladyship was called
into the next room before you could seal your letter. On your return to
this room, did you seal the letter?"