That questioning gaze
transformed itself suddenly into abrupt speech.
"Have you found anything out yet?" she asked.
Was it my imagination that there was an undertone of fear rather
than of hope in the question?
"We have taken every possible step, Mrs. Douglas," said the
inspector. "You may rest assured that nothing will be
neglected."
"Spare no money," she said in a dead, even tone. "It is my
desire that every possible effort should be made."
"Perhaps you can tell us something which may throw some light
upon the matter."
"I fear not; but all I know is at your service."
"We have heard from Mr. Cecil Barker that you did not actually
see--that you were never in the room where the tragedy occurred?"
"No, he turned me back upon the stairs. He begged me to return
to my room."
"Quite so. You had heard the shot, and you had at once come
down."
"I put on my dressing gown and then came down."
"How long was it after hearing the shot that you were stopped on
the stair by Mr. Barker?"
"It may have been a couple of minutes. It is so hard to reckon
time at such a moment. He implored me not to go on.
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