Felicity was surveying her with friendly interest. "Aren't you the girl that's living at Ivy Cottage?" she inquired.
"My brother and I have taken it furnished."
"Are you going to stay long? You are Shirley Brown, aren't you? I'm Felicity Matthews. This is my cousin, Frank Amberley."
Miss Brown bowed slightly, but she did not look at Mr. Amberley.
"I rather wanted to get to know you," persevered Felicity. "I'm awfully glad we got ourselves introduced. There are practically no young people in this benighted place. Do you know Miss Fountain?"
The girl shook her head. "No, I'm afraid I don't go out much. My - my brother is rather an invalid."
"Oh, bad luck!" sympathised Felicity. Joan, this is Miss Brown, who is living at Ivy Cottage."
"May I suggest," interposed Frank, "that you are obstructing the traffic?"
Felicity became aware of an indignant motorist who was violently sounding his hooter. She drew the rather unwilling Miss Brown on to the pavement. "Have you heard the news?" she asked. "The Fountains' butler has been murdered! Isn't it awful?"
"No, I hadn't heard. Are you sure he was murdered?"