Page:Alice Stuyvesant - The Vanity Box.djvu/102

 "I left my wife because she asked me to go. She wished to be left there by herself for a little time."

It was now the coroner's turn to pause. He seemed to be thinking this response over, or else to be giving time for the jury to do so.

"Was the door of the Tower open when you were there with Lady Hereward?" was the next question that he asked.

"Not that I know of. I didn't notice. We didn't go in," replied Sir Ian.

"Do you know whether the door is usually locked

"I believe it is supposed to be locked."

"Are several people in possession of keys which fit the door?"

"Mrs. Forestier has one, of course, as the Tower is on her estate. Possibly two or three persons in her employ have them. Mrs. Forestier gave us one some years ago, with permission to have tea there if we ever cared to, knowing that my wife was fond of the view."

"Did you often use the key?"

"Hardly ever. I haven't even seen it for a long time."

"Do you think it likely that Lady Hereward had it with her, when she went out to lunch ?"

"No, not likely but possible."

"Could she have had it, without your knowing?"

"She could have kept it in a little bag she carried with her handkerchief and purse—quite a small bag,