They returned to the library and one by one questioned Russell, Allen, Isabelle and Anita in the order named. Bernard was angry. His whip-lash questions left Russell frankly furious, Allen white about the mouth, Isabelle in tears and Anita thoroughly cowed. But he learned nothing. All four declared that they had been in their rooms from six-thirty until seven-thirty when the gong rang and Susan screamed. There was nothing to disprove their statements. Otherwise they had nothing to tell except to verify what the detectives had learned from Graham and Stimson.
Finally, with a courtesy that attempted amends for his companion’s ferocity, Landis dismissed them all and, going to the reception-room, asked Miss Mount to tell Mr. Joel Harrison that they would like to see him at once in the library. He told Miss Mount to go to bed if she liked.
She did not return. It was some time before Joel Harrison put in an appearance. At length his long, clumsy figure, fully dressed and unexpectedly neat, ambled into the doorway from the hall and Landis invited him to be seated. He obeyed, peering at them as a child peers up at a stranger of whose good-will he is not quite sure.
“Now, Mr. Harrison,” Landis began, “we want your help! You went to the funeral this afternoon and came home about six?”
Joel’s face clouded, then suddenly darkened to anger.
“I did, sir! I went to it! I came home precisely at six and went straight to my bed! I tell you frankly,” he went on, his voice rising, “I was nauseated with the heavy odor of the flowers in that closed room, instead of out in God’s open air where they are at home! Ridiculous! Senseless!” he snorted. “Gentlemen, our civilization, as we call it, has much to answer for!”
Landis hesitated, rather at a loss.
“The funeral of your brother—er—affected you, too, no doubt?”
Joel Harrison leaned forward and tapped his questioner on the knee, lowering his voice confidentially.
“There you have it!” he murmured. “I didn’t like to say anything! Miss Mount and Isabelle and little Mrs. Graham were crying! They seemed quite sincere! What a mummery, young man! Between ourselves, I was utterly disgusted! Yes, sir, disgusted!”