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Mr Daventry shook his head “The answer is no on all counts”

He was hiding so

“You can tellhis arm, and he shot back as if she had scorched hi to do withyou in—” Sybil stopped abruptly as another, far ht took root “Lord, no! Tell me you don’t suspect my father—”

“Forget my foolish words”

“But—”

“Forget the comment spoken in haste”

“You think so”

Panic took hold and squeezed her throat until her voice lost its power Her knees buckled Lucius Daventry caught hold of her ar her mouth with her hand was the only way to stop herself fro

Mr Daventry dragged his handkerchief from his pocket and thrust it in her direction “Don’t cry”

He waited until she snatched the silk square before turning away Clearly he had little tolerance for weeping women

She grabbed his coat sleeve “I deserve to know the truth” Water trickled down her cheeks “If there are doubts surrounding ht to keep them from me”

“Conjecture is not fact,” he said while facing the fireplace “A theory without sufficient evidence is worthless in a court of law”

“Then you must believe someone stole into our house to commit this vile deed”

She had found her father dead in his bed Having struggled with a weak heart, it was presuht That’s what she told the coroner A choking sob burst frorey complexion

Mr Daventry sighed With some reluctance, he turned to face her, and she saw another rare glinore my theory I am suspicious by nature”