“That whoever ate the other portion of the peach was not poisoned.”
CHAPTER VII
MRS. PARSONS HAS CALLERS
CORONER’S INQUEST RETURNS
OPEN VERDICT
Miss Susan Baird Killed by Party or
Parties Unknown
Mrs. Amos Parsons laid down her evening newspaper and stared at her own reflection in the upright, silver-framed mirror standing on the table by her side. So absorbing were her thoughts that she did not observe a velvet-footed servant remove the tea tray and carry off the soiled cups and saucers. The French clock on the high mantel of the drawing room had ticked away fully ten minutes before she stirred. With an indolent gesture of her hands, eminently characteristic, she dropped them in her lap and let her body relax against the tufted chair back. Her mirror told her that she needed rest; the deep shadows under her eyes and her unusual pallor both emphasized the same story. She was very, very weary.
“Beg pardon, Madam.” The velvet-footed butler was back in the room again, silver salver in hand. “A gentleman to see you.”
Mrs. Parsons picked up the small visiting card and adjusting her lorgnette, inspected the engraved lettering it bore.
MR. BENJAMIN POTTER
Cosmos Club