Rather relieved at not being sent back downstairs and decidedly willing to let his aunt break the news to Miss Gurney, Bates went to his own room and added some finishing touches to the hasty toilet he had made. Then he awaited his aunt, as directed, and in an incredibly short time she appeared, all dressed and impatient to go downstairs.
“We won’t wait for Eliza,” she said; “come along. Oh, no, wait a minute!” She returned to her bedroom, and shortly reappeared.
Her vigorous push of the elevator button brought Moore quickly, and he took them down.
Miss Prall strode rapidly along the lobby and spoke brusquely to the doctor.
“What are you doing? Why do you touch him before the police arrive?”
“Good Lord, how you startled me!” exclaimed Doctor Pagett, who in his absorption had not heard her approach. “I have a perfect right to examine the body, ma’am,” he went on indignantly. “Do you suppose I don’t know my business?”
“I’ve always heard no one must touch a murdered man until——”
“Then how are we to know it is a murder?” he countered, looking at her keenly. “Will you read that paper, Miss Prall? Don’t touch it!”
“Women did this,” she read, aloud. “Well, I’m not surprised. If ever a man was mixed up with women,—of all sorts, it was Sir Herbert! But what women did it? Where are they?”
She looked about, as if expecting to see the criminals cowering in the shadows or behind the great columns of the lobby.