“And the medicine you gave her? You told Deryk, mother.”
“Naturally I told him, dear, and it goes without saying that I shall tell the police, and let them see the bottle for themselves.”
Guy turned his head. “It hasn't come to that yet. We don't know that this is a matter for the police until after the post-mortem. Fielding was wrong before, and he may be wrong now.”
“Of course,” Mrs Matthews agreed. “I was only thinking of what we should do if the worst happened. Please don't run away with the idea that I believe your aunt was poisoned!”
Beecher came into the room. He still looked rather shaken, and he spoke in an expressionless voice which made Stella think, He's going to give notice: they all will. “Mr Rumbold has called, madam, and would like to see you.”
“Show him in,” said Mrs Matthews.
It was evident that Rumbold had heard the news. He looked even more shocked than Beecher. He said, not in his usual calm way, but with a note of horror in his voice: “Mrs Matthews, I have just heard—It can't be true!”
Mrs Matthews held out her hand, but turned her face away. “Yes, my dear friend, it is true,” she said. “We can scarcely believe it ourselves. My poor, poor sister-in-law!”
He clasped her hand, and continued to hold it, half unconsciously. “Your housemaid told our cook—but I couldn't think it possible! I don't know what to say. That poor, unfortunate woman —”
Guy wheeled round to face him. “Mr Rumbold, we think there can be no doubt that my aunt had a stroke!” he said.