"No, for she had not enough spirit for the machine which makes a fire for my waving-irons, and she was forced to go to the kitchen to get some more. So you see when she was not there it was quite easy for me to go down in my negligee and stab the General. I did not stab the General, because I did not think of it, and besides, in England I find it does not make one popular to kill people."
Harding said gravely: "Thank you for being so frank Miss de Silva. I won't keep you any longer."
"Do you not wish to ask me any more question.", inquired Lola, not best pleased.
"Not just now," answered Harding.
"It does not seem to me that you are a very good policeman," said Lola with austerity.
A twinkle lit Harding's eyes. "Would you like me to put you under arrest, perhaps?"
"As to that," said Lola candidly, "I have not made up my mind. It is a very good thing to have publicity but I must speak first to my agent, whom I have sent for to come immediately and discuss with me this affair."
"I expect that will be best," agreed Harding, and firmly ushered her out.
The Sergeant passed his handkerchief across his brow.
"Lor', sir, if she wasn't a foreign lady, which accounts for it, I'd say she was barmy. And what's more, sir, you can't trust these foreigners. Subtle, that's what they are. Supposing she did do it? What I mean to say is, who's to suspect her after the way she goes pointing out that shy might have done it?"