"Mr. Withers," the chief explained, "caught me at Number Five before I had started down town. I have explained how you are helping me in this—er distressing matter. So we came up here."
"I see," said Bristow, betraying no surprise that Withers had appeared so suddenly.
In fact, he had not thought of the husband previously, except to calculate that, in answer to the telegram Dr. Braley had undoubtedly sent, he could not reach Furmville from Atlanta before far into the night.
"He only heard of the tragedy half an hour ago," Greenleaf added.
"I didn't know you were in town or even expected," Bristow said casually. "I thought you were in Atlanta."
"I—I wasn't expected." Withers hurried his words.
"You mean nobody expected you?"
"That's it, I wasn't expected. But I've been in—in town here since yesterday morning."
"And Mrs. Withers didn't know of it?"
"Nobody knew of it. I didn't want anybody to know of it."