Hugh watched her till she was out of sight, and then took Vicky by the elbow, and gave her an admonitory shake. "Look here, my little ray of sunshine, you're getting on Mary's nerves! I know you think Carter's death a blessing imperfectly disguised, but it's just conceivable that Mary doesn't. After all, he was her cousin. You've got to behave yourself."
"I am behaving myself!" said Vicky indignantly. "Why, I even gave up the idea of being mysterious with the Inspector, just because I thought Mary mightn't like it! I've been polite to you, too, which takes a lot of doing, I can tell you!"
"Vicky, you little beast, if I see much more of you I shall end by wringing your neck!" said Hugh.
"If Peake's listening, you'll be sorry you said that," remarked Vicky. "Specially if my body is found lying about the place tomorrow. Are you staying to lunch?"
"No, I must get back. Don't spread that story of Alan White's about, by the way!"
When he had left the house, Vicky went upstairs, and presently wandered into Mary's bedroom. "Are you feeling jaded, darling Mary?"
"Extremely jaded."
"Poor sweet! All the same, I do truly think you make yourself worse through not looking on the bright side. Quite honestly, do you mind Wally's being dead?"
"Of course I," Mary stopped short, under the clear gaze bent upon her. "'That is, I suppose I don't. Yes, I do, a bit, though. Anyway, I can't bear the thought of his having been murdered."
"No, I'm not frightfully partial to it myself," agreed Vicky. "That's why I don't dwell on it."