"I'm Mrs. Harmon," she said affably. "What can I do for you?"
"I wish to see Miss Manning," returned McKelvie.
"Miss Manning has been away since the seventh of October," she replied quietly.
A shade of disappointment crossed McKelvie's face. "You know where she has gone?"
"No, sir. I don't. I thought she had gone to see some relatives, perhaps."
"Please be seated, Mrs. Harmon. I should like to ask a few questions." She looked at him in evident astonishment, and he hastened to add, "I'm investigating the Darwin murder and any information you can give me will be appreciated."
"Land sakes, you don't mean to tell me, young man, that you think she did it?" she said indignantly.
"Oh, no, but her name was on the will and I wanted to trace the connection, that is all," he replied suavely.
"There was a young man here not so very many days ago who talked like that. I told him all I knew and he went and printed it in the paper. If that's the kind you are I shan't say one word," she retorted, her fat face flushing at the trick played upon her.
"We are not reporters, if that is what you mean," returned McKelvie soothingly.