Mrs. Astley-Rolfe
"Madam," said the inspector, placing a chair for her, "I need only trouble you with one or two questions. You will understand that it is necessary for me to account for each member of this party, so that I may know which of them can, or cannot, assist me in my investigations."
She sat down with a weary movement. Her hands trembled slightly.
"It is very dreadful," she shuddered. "Such a frightful crime is inconceivable. Who could have hated the poor girl so dreadfully?"
"That remains to be discovered," the inspector returned quietly. "I have no doubt we shall succeed in clearing it up."
"I hope you will," she said fervently. "Please ask me any questions you like."
The inspector kept his eyes fixed on his note-book.
"You went into the garden with the others after dinner?"
"Yes."
"Will you please tell me with whom, and in what part of the garden, you passed the time before the crime was discovered?"