The noise of his arrival attracted most of the houseparty to the hall, so while Mr. Blyth thawed before the fire Hemingway had an opportunity to observe Roydon, Paula, Valerie, and Mrs. Dean. Neither Stephen nor Edgar Mottisfont emerged from the billiard-room, whence the click of the ivory balls could faintly be heard, and Maud went upstairs to take off her coat and hat.
Joseph gave Blyth a glass of sherry, and fell into lowvoiced conversation with him. Paula, suddenly becoming aware of Hemingway's presence, stared at him for a moment, and then strode over to him, saying abruptly: "Are you the Inspector from Scotland Yard?"
"Yes, miss, I am."
"I thought so. I'm Paula Herriard. I wish you luck!" she said with a short laugh.
"That's very good of you, miss, I'm sure. I daresay I'll need it," said Hemingway equably.
"You will! What do you think of us?"
"Well, I haven't had much time to make up my mind."
"I may as well warn you that you are now speaking to one of the chief suspects."
"Fancy that!" he said.
"Oh yes!" she said, tapping a cigarette on her thumbnail. "My uncle accused me of being ready to murder him for two thousand pounds. Haven't you been told that?"