"I'm sorry. I admit it was sheer impertinence, but I mentioned the poisoned chocolates to him: in confidence. And, considering what's happened now, don't you think that maybe it was the best thing…?"
"Good Lord, of course it was," snapped Bohun, rather too quickly. "We shall get things done, now. He's a jolly quick worker, I should say, to be here now. Er — privately,' he says. Yes, of course. Thompson, show Chief Inspector Masters in here. Mr. Willard and I will go down to the pavilion with Dr. Wynne. No, we won't meet the chief inspector yet. Let him have his privacy."
It was a good deal of a relief, Bennett felt, to have Bohun and Willard out of the room. The thickness of the emotional atmosphere, through which you could hardly see a man for his nerves; all the antagonisms and hates which were Marcia Tait's only legacy; seemed to clear from the library when they left it. And he was still more heartened at the homely, genial appearance of Chief Inspector Masters.
A portly man, Masters, with his bland and shrewd face, his sedate dark overcoat, his bowler hat held against his breast as though he were watching a flag procession go by. He had the eyes of a young man, a heavy jaw, and grizzled hair carefully brushed to hide the bald spot. He came into the library with just the proper air of being impressed by it.
"Ah, sirl" said Masters, by way of greeting. He. took the extended hand, and returned Bennett's grin. His deep voice fell soothingly on rattled nerves. "You must excuse such an early morning call. I promised your uncle I'd keep an eye on you."
"On me?"
"Well, well," said Masters, waving a deprecating hand. "Manner of speaking, dye see. Manner of speaking, that's all. Point of fact, he phoned me last night, but I'm not (exactly) on duty. No. The wife of the local inspector of police is a cousin of mine, it happens. I'd been visiting. Just between ourselves,' — he lowered his voice and peered round,"I'd arranged to officiate as Santa Claus at the Christmas festival of the Methodist Junior Children's League. Eh? When Mr. Bohun's message came through this morning, I took the liberty of coming along with Inspector Potter. And I wanted a word with you."
Bennett was rather surprised to find that Thompson had wheeled in a tea-table set with a fragrant steaming coffee-urn, hot milk, and cups. He became conscious of a gnawing in his stomach.
"Sit down," he invited, "by all means. Coffee?"
"Ah!" said Masters appreciatively.