"I suppose you will marry again, Mrs. Palmer?"
"I suppose I will, when I get the man to suit. But I do wish, Eva dear, you would call me Constance. I'm sure you might, after being three days in the house. Call me Constance, and I'll tell you something which will please you."
"What is it, Constance?"
"There's a dear. I shan't tell you yet--it's a surprise, and perhaps you may be angry with me. But some one is coming to dinner."
"Allen?" asked Eva, her face lighting up.
"No! He's in town. At least you told me so."
Eva nodded. "Yes; he went up to town last week, after seeing Wasp."
"About that horrid murder?"
"Certainly. Allen is trying to learn who killed my father."
"It's very good of him," said the widow, fanning herself vigorously, "and I'm sure I hope he'll find out. The man who shot Mr. Strode should be hanged, or we won't sleep in our beds safe. Why, Eva, you have no idea how I tremble here at nights. This is a lonely house, and these holiday trippers might bring down burglars amongst them."