“Miss Tuttle was Mrs. Jeffrey’s half-sister. The bond between them was strong. Would she—would I—be apt to speak of my young wife with bitterness?”
“That is not an answer to my question, Mr. Jeffrey. I must request a more positive reply.”
Miss Tuttle made a move. The strain on all present was so great we could but notice it. He noticed it too, for his brows came together with a quick frown, as he emphatically replied:
“There were no recriminations uttered. Mrs. Jeffrey had displeased me and I said so, but I did not forget that I was speaking of my wife and to her sister.”
As this was in the highest degree non-committal, the coroner could be excused for persisting.
“The conversation, then, was about your wife?”
“It was.”
“In criticism of her conduct?”
“Yes.”
“At the ambassador’s ball?”