"I beg your pardon, Miss Kenton?"

 

"Your dust-pan, Mr Stevens. You've left it out here. Shall I bring it in for

you?"

 

"Miss Kenton, I have not been using a dustpan."

 

"Ah, well, then forgive me, Mr Stevens. I naturally assumed you were using your

dust-pan and had left it out in the hall. I am sorry to have disturbed you."

 

She started to leave, but then turned at the doorway and said:

 

"Oh, Mr Stevens. I would return it myself but I have to go upstairs just now. I

wonder if you will remember it?"

 

"Of course, Miss Kenton. Thank you for drawing attention to it."

 

"It is quite all right, Mr Stevens."

 

I listened to her footsteps cross the hall and start up the great staircase,

then proceeded to the doorway myself. From the library doors, one has an

unbroken view right across the entrance hall to the main doors of the house.

Most conspicuously, in virtually the central spot of the otherwise empty and

highly polished floor, lay the dustpan Miss Kenton had alluded to.