“I shan’t go in for any histrionic antics, darling. I shall just be very still and dignified and rather pale and very lovely.”
“Well, if Alleyn isn’t sick, he’s got a stronger stomach than I have.”
Frid laughed musically. The constable answered a tap on the door.
“This is my entrance cue,” said Frid. “What do you bet?”
“It may be your father or Henry,” said Charlot.
“Inspector Alleyn,” said the constable, “would be glad if Miss Grey would speak to him.”
III
Roberta followed a second constable down the passage to the dining-room door. Her heart thudded disturbingly. She felt that she wanted to yawn. Her mouth was dry and she wondered if, when she spoke, her voice would be cracked. The constable opened the dining-room door, went in, and said: “Miss Grey, sir.”
Roberta, feeling her lack of inches, walked into the dining-room.
Alleyn and Fox had risen. The constable pulled out a chair at the end of the table. Through a thick mental haze, Roberta became aware of Alleyn’s deep and pleasant voice. “I’m so sorry to worry you, Miss Grey. It’s such bad luck that you should find yourself landed in such a disagreeable affair. Do sit down.”