When she arrived at Buckingham Street, Strand, Miss Toat was duly waiting to hear what she had learnt. Audrey had already arranged in her own mind what to say, and sat down feeling quite cool and composed. So calm did she seem that Miss Toat laughed in a vexed way.
"So you have been unsuccessful--you have learnt nothing," she said promptly.
"How do you know?" asked Audrey, quickly.
"You would be more excited if you had found a clue. Well, Miss Branwin"--she leant her elbows on the table--"perhaps I am wrong. If you have learnt anything likely to be of value, let me hear it."
"I have learnt nothing," said Audrey, cautiously; "nothing of any value."
"You got Madame Coralie to remove her yashmak?"
"Accident did that for me. It was ripped off by a tack as she rose."
"Well," replied Miss Branwin, coolly, "that's all."
"But you had some conversation with her?"
"Yes. But she could tell me nothing. She merely repeated what she had said at the inquest--that she left my mother in bed and came up the stairs to the still-room."
"Did you mention anything about the discrepancy in time?"
"Oh!"--Audrey was really dismayed--"I quite forgot to."
"Ah, my dear young lady"--Perry Toat looked vexed again--"that is the most important question of the lot. Although, I daresay," she added consolingly, "you would not have had a true reply. I must look into the matter myself."
"There is nothing to be learnt, Miss Toat. I am quite sure that Madame Coralie is innocent."
"I observed her face, and she did not change colour. She told me all that I have told you with the greatest frankness."
"Naturally," said Miss Toat, doubtfully, "she would be on her guard with you."
"I don't think she was," replied Audrey, with studied simplicity; "besides, she has promised to help me to find the criminal. She is most anxious to do so, because of her business."
"I don't see how discovering the real criminal will improve the business."
"Well"--Audrey looked pensive--"Madame Coralie is rather revengeful."
"And very cunning. What is to be done now? You have failed."
"I have not looked into everything yet, Miss Toat. I intend to call again on Madame Coralie."
"I shall do so also," said Perry Toat, with determination; for she recollected the large reward, and felt anxious to obtain it.