III
There was a car standing¹ outside Sans Souci bearing the word Police onit.
Absorbed in her own thoughts Tuppence took little notice of that. Sheturned in at the drive, and entering the front door went straight upstairsto her own room.
She stopped, taken aback, on the threshold, as a tall figure turned awayfrom the window.
“Dear me,” said Tuppence. “Sheila?”
The girl came straight towards her. Now Tuppence saw her moreclearly, saw the blazing eyes deep set in the white tragic² face.
Sheila said:
“I’m glad you’ve come. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“What’s the matter?”
The girl’s voice was quiet and devoid³ of emotion. She said:
“They have arrested Carl!”
“The police?”
“Yes.”
“Oh, dear,” said Tuppence. She felt inadequate⁴ to the situation. Quiet asSheila’s voice had been, Tuppence was under no apprehension⁵ as to whatlay behind it.
Whether they were fellow conspirators⁶ or not, this girl loved Carl vonDeinim, and Tuppence felt her heart aching in sympathy with this tragicyoung creature.
Sheila asked:
“What shall I do?”
The simple forlorn question made Tuppence wince⁷. She said helplessly:
“Oh, my dear.”
Sheila said, and her voice was like a mourning harp⁸:
“They’ve taken him away. I shall never see him again.”
She cried out:
“What shall I do? What shall I do?” And flinging herself down on herknees by the bed she wept her heart out.
Tuppence stroked the dark head. She said presently, in a weak voice:
“It—it may not be true. Perhaps they are only going to

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