Загадочное происшествие в Стайлзе

           Shethereforeopenedthedesk,andinsearchingforthestampsshecameacrosssomethingelse—thatslipofpaperwhichDorcassawinherhand,andwhichassuredlywasnevermeantforMrs.Inglethorp’seyes.Ontheotherhand,Mrs.Cavendishbelievedthattheslipofpapertowhichhermother-in-lawclungsotenaciouslywasawrittenproofofherownhusband’sinfidelity.ShedemandeditfromMrs.Inglethorpwhoassuredher,quitetruly,thatithadnothingtodowiththatmatter.Mrs.Cavendishdidnotbelieveher.ShethoughtthatMrs.Inglethorpwasshieldingherstepson.NowMrs.Cavendishisaveryresolutewoman,and,behindhermaskofreserve,shewasmadlyjealousofherhusband.Shedeterminedtogetholdofthatpaperatallcosts,andinthisresolutionchancecametoheraid.ShehappenedtopickupthekeyofMrs.Inglethorp’sdespatch-case,whichhadbeenlostthatmorning.Sheknewthathermother-in-lawinvariablykeptallimportantpapersinthisparticularcase.

           “Mrs.Cavendish,therefore,madeherplansasonlyawomandrivendesperatethroughjealousycouldhavedone.SometimeintheeveningsheunboltedthedoorleadingintoMademoiselleCynthia’sroom.Possiblysheappliedoiltothehinges,forIfoundthatitopenedquitenoiselesslywhenItriedit.Sheputoffherprojectuntiltheearlyhoursofthemorningasbeingsafer,sincetheservantswereaccustomedtohearinghermoveaboutherroomatthattime.Shedressedcompletelyinherlandkit,andmadeherwayquietlythroughMademoiselleCynthia’sroomintothatofMrs.Inglethorp.