Was she beginning to realize that there was some doubt, if not actual suspicion, in the mind of the man who could assail her with questions like these? I had not seen her so agitated since that one memorable instant up in her room. But her mistrust, if she felt any, did not long betray itself. Calming herself by a great effort, she replied, with a quiet gesture—
"That is not so strange. My uncle was a very methodical man; the least change in his habits would be likely to awaken our apprehensions."
"You were alarmed, then?"
"To a certain extent I was."
"Miss Leavenworth, who is in the habit of overseeing the regulation of your uncle’s private apartments?"
"I am, sir."
"You are doubtless, then, acquainted with a certain stand in his room containing a drawer?"
"Yes, sir."
"How long is it since you had occasion to go to this drawer?"
"Yesterday," visibly trembling at the admission.
"At what time?"
"Near noon, I should judge."
"Was the pistol he was accustomed to keep there in its place at the time?"
"I presume so; I did not observe."
"Did you turn the key upon closing the drawer?"
"I did."
"Take it out?"
"No, sir."
"Miss Leavenworth, that pistol, as you have perhaps observed, lies on the table before you. Will you look at it?" And lifting it up into view, he held it towards her.
