On that note they left her. Landis knew that her contempt had not been directed at him. Yet he was rather red about the gills as he followed Bernard through the billiard-room and the wing hall.
“A woman of strong emotions,” murmured Bernard dryly as they stepped outdoors and headed toward the garage.
Harley had their car ready for them and their joint bag stowed away in the back. With Landis at the wheel, they crunched around the house and down the gravel drive, pulling aside near the gate to admit the ambulance. It drove quietly past, for Landis had warned the emergency hospital against a clanging arrival. Outside the grounds he caught a last glimpse of Harrison’s imposing mansion, then turned his car toward the home of the local prosecutor.
That official received them with a great deal of interest, an interest which grew as Landis outlined the case to its sudden and startling conclusion. He complimented them both and made a point of thanking Bernard, of whose past achievements he knew. Landis explained that he would make out his written report at Bernard’s house, sending one copy to his chief in New York and another back to the prosecutor. He proposed to stay with Bernard for a day or two, where both would be available to support the testimony of Sergeant Forbes and his man at the second inquest.
At length they took their leave and headed for home. They made the drive almost in silence, each man busy with his own thoughts and each subdued by the pitiful tragedy of Graham’s crime, which, as always, had punished the innocent as well as the guilty.
They reached Bernard’s house tired and hungry, for they had had no lunch. Mrs. Bernard and Elsa fed and made a fuss of them. Afterwards Bernard went off to his room for a nap while Landis and Elsa took a walk to discuss such matters as may occur to a newly married couple very much in love.
After dinner, however, Bernard outlined the history of the case for the benefit of his wife and her niece.
Landis listened in silence until he had finished. Then he burst out laughing.
“To hear him, you’d think I solved the mystery! I merely floundered about. He pulled off a really brilliant and spectacular series of deductions!”