"Fair, ma'am? Is what fair?"
She opened her mouth, and shut it again. "What did you want to ask me?"
"Now, now. Not about any of those things, ma'am. It's some new evidence that's bobbed up since. It may sound rummy, and you may not see what I'm drivin' at, but just you answer the questions like a good gal-"
This was the best way of handling her, for it shook her up. "You needn't treat me like a child," she said coldly. "I'm quite capable of understanding that the silliest questions may be important. Or may seem so to you."
"Ahhh! That's better. What was your maiden name, ma'am?"
She remained looking fixedly at him. "So," she said in a flat tone. "You know about it, then."
"What was your maiden name?" "Elizabeth Ann Lord."
"And, if the question don't seem too insultin' what was your father's name?"
She spoke quickly. "You say was. You are quite right. My father's name was John Stuart Lord. He is dead."
"The notorious `L.'?" inquired H.M. in an exceedingly casual tone.