As in truth he was, for that the stepfather should be away, and this
girl and her mother all alone, was, perhaps, the one possibility that
he had never considered.

She noticed, too, that he did not pay any attention to her jewellery,
which was lying close to his hand on the toilet-table, and though in
point of actual fact this jewellery was not of any great value, it
was exceedingly precious in her eyes, and she did not understand a
burglar who showed no eagerness to seize on it.

"Did you want to see Mr. Dawson?" she asked, her voice more
confident now and even with a questioning note in it.

"Mr. Dawson! Who's he?" Dunn asked, disconcerted by the question,
but not wishing to seem so.

"My stepfather, Mr. Deede Dawson," she answered. "I think you knew
that. If you want him, he went to London early today, but I think
it's quite likely he may come back tonight."

"What should I want him for?" growled Dunn, more and more,
disconcerted, as he saw that he was not playing his part too well.

"I don't know," she answered. "I suppose you do."

"You suppose a lot," he retorted roughly. "Now you listen to me.
I don't want to hurt you, but I don't mean to be interfered with.
I'm going over the house to see what I can find that's worth
taking. Understand?"