"I got on my bicycle and rode home. There was blood on my gloves. I burned them in the kitchener when the servants had gone to bed.
"I thought no one would ever find out. I thought the police would suppose the murderer to have been some unknown person from outside. It did not occur to me that my action would put others in danger, even Geoffrey. When the Inspector came down from London I began to be afraid. He was not like our local police. He saw too much. He found out things about every one. I knew then that in the end I should have to come forward. Naturally I should not permit even such creatures as that designing Mexican or Mrs. Halliday to bear the blame of what I had done.
"That is all that I have to say, except that it is true that I saw Geoffrey just as I described. I have known since I told the Inspector that I saw Geoffrey at ten to one that he would find out the truth."
Major Grierson laid the last sheet down, and dabbed violently at his nose. "Shocking! Shocking!" he said. "Poor soul! I do not know when I have been so — er — upset. One should not say it, but really, Harding, one cannot but be — er — glad that she ended it as she did."
The Superintendent said sourly: "I ought to have gone myself. Of course, I suppose Mr. Harding will explain to them up at the Yard how he came to let a thing like that happen. I only hope he doesn't get dropped on for it."
"Come, come — er — Superintendent! Mr. Harding could not have suspected her of concealing poison about her — er — person."
"Ah, that's where it is, sir," said the Superintendent loftily. "You have to be prepared for things like that. That's what I could have told the Inspector. However, it's for him to write his report as he sees fit."
Harding got up. "You're quite right, Superintendent, and I think it's time I started to do it."
The Chief Constable followed him out. Before he got into his car he said, glancing momentarily at Harding: "I'm not — er — asking whether you meant to let it — er — happen as it did. I can only say that I am — er — thankful. A terrible case! Quite appalling! I trust you won't get into — er — trouble, Harding."
"Not very serious trouble, sir, I think. I'm leaving the Force in any case."