“I shouldn't build on it,” said Kenneth. “At a rough estimate, half a dozen other people could have laid their hands on that pistol.”
“Had half a dozen other people any motives for killing your half-brother, Mr Vereker?”
“Not having been in Roger's confidence, I can give you no information on that point,” replied Kenneth.
The Superintendent looked at him under his brows. “What sort of hat were you wearing last night, Mr Vereker?”
Kenneth smiled. “Unworthy of you, my friend. Didn't your commissionaire tell you?”
“I asked you.”
“Don't answer!” Leslie said, gripping her fingers together in her lap.
Violet's cool, well-modulated voice interrupted: “Really, Leslie, you are making yourself positively ridiculous. You had much better keep quiet, if you don't mind my saying so. You seem to me to have done quite enough harm already.”
Leslie flushed, and answered rather unsteadily: “It's easy for you to be superior. You weren't at the ball, you aren't involved! What do you care?”
“You forget, I think, that I am engaged to be married to Kenneth.”