"Are you quite sure that five hundred was the sum your husband told you?"
"Yes, I am quite sure. Do you suppose I'd made a mistake about a thing like that?" She got up, and went to the window. "Mary! Mary! Oh, there you are! Come in here, will you, dearie?"
Mary, who was sitting under the elm-tree with Hugh and Vicky, came at once. Ermyntrude drew her into the drawing-room, and pointed to the Inspector. "That man has given me the lie!" she declared. "It's not enough for me to have my husband murdered, I've got to be bullied and brow-beaten by the police!"
"That's not fair, madam. All I'm doing is to ask you if you're sure the evidence you've given is correct. There's no need '
"Silence!" said Ermyntrude, rather magnificently. "Mary tell that creature how much money Wally wanted to pay off the Bakers!"
"Five hundred pounds," said Mary.
"Thank you, dearie. Now perhaps you'll be satisfied, Inspector Cook?"
Mary glanced quickly towards the Inspector. "Is there some doubt about that? Five hundred was certainly the sum my cousin told me. I can't have been mistaken, for I thought it was out of all reason, and I said so."
"Very well, miss," said the Inspector. "I won't need to trouble you further at present. Good day, madam!"
After he had gone, Ermyntrude continued to fume until she was struck by the thoughtful expression on Mary's face. She demanded to know its cause.