“Lucille!” Armstrong had turned livid. “You aren’t deserting me? He can’t prove anything. He only knows—”
“That John Meredith was murdered by your accomplice—” Curtis stepped in the direction from which Lucille’s voice came. He had almost reached her side when a figure barred his progress.
“One moment, Doctor. I stabbed John Meredith,” and Mrs. Hull laid her hand in his.
CHAPTER XIX
OUT OF THE MAZE
Inspector Mitchell gazed at Mrs. Hull as if he thought her demented.
“You! You killed John Meredith!” he gasped, as the others listened in petrified silence.
“Yes.” Mrs. Hull unconsciously tightened her grasp on David Curtis’ hand. His firm clasp helped her to keep her self-control. “But I did not intentionally stab him. It was an accident.”
Lucille walked unsteadily over to her mother. “Dearest,” she stammered. “You must be mad!” Then as she caught Mrs. Hull’s pathetic, pleading eyes, she turned in sudden frenzy to Coroner Penfield. “I tell you she is mad—mad, and unaccountable for what she is saying.”
“Hush, Lucille, be quiet, dear.” Mrs. Hull turned in appeal to Leonard McLane. “Calm her, doctor, until I finish what I have to say.”