Smith seemed to be reflecting. He did not speak for a long interval.
"In the first place, it struck me as odd that the man's wife did not take more interest in the search that was made immediately after the kill—after the tragedy. Not only that, but it is of record that she deliberately informed the police that she didn't care whether they caught the guilty party or not. Isn't that true?"
The question was directed to no one in particular.
It was Sara who answered.
"Quite true, Mr. Smith. And if it will interest you in the least, I repeat that I don't care even now."
"You were asked if you would offer a reward in addition to the small one announced by the authorities. Why didn't you offer a reward?"
"Because I did not care to make it an object for well-meaning detectives to pry into the affairs of indiscreet members of society," she said.
"I see," said he reflectively. "May I be so bold as to ask why you don't want to have the guilty punished?"
She looked at Mr. Wrandall before offering a reply to this direct question.
"I can't answer that question without publicly wounding Mr. Wrandall."