"At once. I waited nearly ten minutes for her, and came out again just as Mr. Delamere gave the alarm. I'm afraid I handled him roughly...."
The words trailed off into silence. A convulsive shudder passed through him.
"Then we all ran off ... to where she lay," his voice shook. "Something seemed to give way ... here...." he pressed his hands to his head. "Is there ... anything more ... you want to know?"
The inspector rose.
"Only one thing. Will you kindly give me the names of your guests in the other room?"
Copplestone complied slowly. Inspector Fay wrote the names down.
"Thank you," he said, laying down his book. "I am sorry to have had to give you the pain of answering so many questions. I am afraid you are quite overwrought. I should advise you to try to get some sleep."
"Sleep," Copplestone murmured, rising weakly from his chair. "Sleep.... Good God."
The inspector himself made a gesture of fatigue.
"I only got back from another heavy case as your message came in," he apologized, stifling a yawn. "Tobacco is the only thing that keeps me going. Could you give me a cigarette?"