Rumbold looked quickly across at him. “A stroke! Is that Fielding's verdict?”
“Fielding's a fool. He doesn't know what caused my aunt's death, but we are quite sure it must have been a stroke.”
Rumbold released Mrs Matthews' hand, glancing down at her with an expression of foreboding in his face. “What did Fielding say?” he asked. “Tell me, Mrs Matthews!”
They had none of them heard him speak so sternly before. Mrs Matthews answered: “It is all too dreadful, Mr Rumbold! Dr Fielding thinks that Harriet was poisoned.”
“Did you ever hear of anything so far-fetched, sir?” demanded Guy.
Rumbold looked at him for a moment, but he did not speak.
“Mr Rumbold, no one could have wanted to poison her!” Stella said urgently. “You can't think that one of us—one of us —”
At that he said quickly: “No, no, my dear child, of course not! Good God, no! But if Fielding suspects poison—It is too appalling!”
Guy, still standing by the window, said suddenly: “Superintendent Hannasyde and that Sergeant-fellow are coming up the drive now.”
Mrs Matthews gave a start. “Oh, Guy, no! Not yet!”