“Did you happen to notice whether the window was open or shut?”

 

Flora shook her head.

 

“I can’t say. The curtains were drawn.”

 

“Exactly. And your uncle seemed quite as usual?”

 

“I think so.”

 

“Do you mind telling us exactly what passed between you?”

 

Flora paused a minute, as though to collect her recollections.

 

“I went in and said, ‘Good-night, uncle, I’m going to bed now. I’m tired

to-night.’ He gave a sort of grunt, and—I went over and kissed him, and he said

something about my looking nice in the frock I had on, and then he told me to

run away as he was busy. So I went.”

 

“Did he ask specially not to be disturbed?”

 

“Oh! yes, I forgot. He said: ‘Tell Parker I don’t want anything more to-night,

and that he’s not to disturb me.’ I met Parker just outside the door and gave

him uncle’s message.”