"No? Really?"
He got up.
"I fear, Mrs. Carruth, I must tear myself away. I have an appointment which I am inclined to think is already overdue."
"You mustn't go. Did I not tell you in my note that I have something which I particularly wished to say to you? Have you forgotten? I am coming to it now."
"I am but too disposed to yield to temptation, Mrs. Carruth, being fully conscious of how good it is of you to say anything to me at all."
He said that kind of thing with an easy assurance and an exquisite grace, which seemed to rob it of its banality. Resuming his seat, he continued to look me straight in the face. He gave me no lead. I had to make one for myself.
"It is about the murder."
"The murder? Every one seems to be talking of that!"
"Are you going to let Mr. Tennant hang?"
To look at him one would not have imagined that he understood me in the least.