"It would need to be to reach my ears, Eliza; you know that I don't like hearing about crime. In this neighborhood," she addressed herself to Dan, "we live a quiet and uneventful life, and although we take one London newspaper daily, we know little of what is going on in the world. My friend reads to me about the theatres and dresses, and sometimes politics, but rarely does she inflict murder cases on me. I don't like to hear of crime."
"I read that particular case because it caused so great a sensation," said Mrs. Jarsell, in a deprecating tone. "You remember Sir Charles was poisoned by some unknown woman. And now I recall the case, Mr. Halliday, your name was mentioned in connection with it."
"Probably," said Dan lightly, "I am engaged to Miss Moon."
"Have the police discovered who murdered Sir Charles?"
"No. Nor is there any chance that the police will make the discovery. The woman came and the woman went after doing her work, but she has vanished into thin air, like Macbeth's witches."
"I wonder why she murdered Sir Charles?" asked Mrs. Jarsell, after a pause. Halliday glanced at Laurance, and it was the latter who replied in a most cautious manner, wishing to say as little as possible about the quest. "The reason is not known, Mrs. Jarsell."
"But, why--" began Mildred, only to be cut short somewhat impatiently by Miss Armour, who had been moving uneasily. "Don't talk any more about the horrid thing," she broke out impetuously, "I don't want to hear. Tell me of your love affair, Mr. Halliday."
"There is little to tell," said Dan, relieved that the conversation was changed in this manner, since he did not desire to say too much of his business in connection with the crime, "and I would not tell you that little, but that I wish to enlist your sympathies and those of Mrs. Jarsell."
"You have mine already," declared the old lady vivaciously, "but why Eliza's?"
"Mrs. Jarsell can help me."