Mitchell was about to comply with her injunction when Vera, who had remained standing by Mrs. Porter, spoke first.
“I have heard that Dr. Alan Noyes has been arrested for the murder of Mr. Bruce Brainard. Is that correct?”
“Yes.” Mitchell, keeping his finger at a certain point in the manuscript before him, watched Vera closely.
“Then the police have acted most unjustly,” exclaimed Vera vehemently. “Dr. Noyes is innocent.”
“Your grounds for that assertion?”
Vera hesitated, glanced dubiously at Mrs. Porter, whose adamantine expression gave her no encouragement, and then addressed Mitchell.
“I believe—” Her clear voice faltered, and she commenced again. “I believe that no murder was committed—Mr. Brainard killed himself.”
Mitchell made no attempt to conceal his incredulity. “Medical evidence proves that the wound in his throat could not have been self-inflicted except by a left-handed man,” he rejoined. “And reputable witnesses have proved that Bruce Brainard was not left-handed.”
“But he was ambidextrous,” retorted Vera. “He could shave himself with equal facility with either hand.”
Mitchell stared at her astounded, while Mrs. Porter, hanging on her words, drew a deep, deep breath.