Sara did not keep them waiting long in the morning room. She came in soon after they were announced, followed by Mr. Carroll, who had spent the night at Southlook. Hetty Castleton was not in evidence.
She motioned them to seats after Mr. Wrandall had ceremoniously introduced his lawyer, and as unceremoniously neglected to do as much for Smith.
"This is Mr. Smith, I presume," said she, with a slight uplifting of her eyebrows. She took a chair facing the detective.
"Yes, my dear," said her father-in-law. "Joseph Smith."
"Benjamin, if you please," corrected Mr. Smith.
"I regret to state that my memory for names does not go back to the Old Testament," said Wrandall, with a frosty smile.
"There are no Smiths in the Old Testament," said the detective grimly.
"I understand, Mr. Smith, that you are prepared to charge me with the murder of my husband."
She said it very quietly, very levelly. Smith was a bit staggered.
"Well, I—er—hardly that, Mrs. Wrandall," he said, disconcerted.