Mrs Matthews, who did not look as though she had slept much during the night, was describing to Mr Rumbold the atmosphere of peace which she said had descended on her in Church, but she broke off as Randall entered the room, and looked anything but peaceful. “Randall!” she said. “I suppose one might have expected you.”
“One might, but apparently one didn't,” said Randall. “Do not let me interrupt you, my dear aunt. I am always interested in your spiritual experiences.”
“Matthews, your aunt has had a great shock,” Rumbold said quietly.
“We have all had a great shock,” agreed Randall. “Are you very much upset, my dear Aunt Zoë? I am sure that well-meaning Superintendent is.”
“What makes you think that?” inquired Rumbold.
“Well,” said Randall, critically surveying his own tie in the mirror over the mantelpiece, “when last I saw him he was busily concocting a case against a person unknown.”
“What do you mean?” Stella asked. “Are you just trying to be funny?”
“My precious! At this solemn hour?” Randall met her eyes in the mirror, and looked beyond her reflection to where he could see Mrs Matthews, seated beside Rumbold on the sofa.
“Then what—who is the unknown person?”
“Don't be silly, darling,” said Randall, still not satisfied with the set of his tie. “Naturally, no one knows. His name is Hyde -John Hyde. Do you know a john Hyde, Aunt Zoë?”