“Tell us exactly what happened, so far as you know it,” Landis requested, “from the time you entered Mrs. Graham’s room until after the murder, will you, Helen?”
“I’ll do my best, sir! I found Mrs. Graham in a fine flurry, trying to change for dinner and do her hair and so on. She ran into the bathroom to wash while I got out the dress she wanted and the shoes and stockings to go with it.” Helen smiled reminiscently. “Mr. Graham was partly undressed and he was fumbling and swearing over the studs in a clean shirt, I think. The two doors were open between. When he finished that he came into the bathroom and started the bath water. Mrs. Graham came into her room and closed the door. I was finishing her hair when we heard a dreadful scream. Mrs. Graham ran and knocked on the bathroom door and called to her husband. He was splashing about and did not hear her at first, then he shut off the water and asked her what she wanted. She told him about the scream and he told her if she was dressed to go see what it was. He wasn’t alarmed the way we were, but then, he hadn’t heard it.”
“Yes, go on,” said Landis patiently.
“Mrs. Graham finished putting on her dress and we went down the front stairs together. She was frightened and asked me to go with her. We heard Susan carrying on in the reception-room and hurried there. Then we saw poor Mr. Harrison on the floor, Susan in hysterics, Miss Isabelle flat on her back with Mr. Russell bending over her solicitously—”
“You got that out of a book,” said Bernard in a hollow rumble.
Helen started, bridled a little and then laughed.
“Maybe I did, sir! But it’s true!”
“Who else was there?” asked Landis quietly.
“Miss Anita was staring at her father. She looked white and distressed. Presently Mr. Allen hurried in and went to her side—”
“—solicitously,” grumbled Bernard.