CHAPTER V
“A SOMEWHAT POMPOUS MAN”
When Graham returned with Miss Mount and introduced them to her, Landis rose and acknowledged the honor with his most pleasant manner. Brent and Bernard got more slowly to their feet, Brent contenting himself with a brief bow while Bernard bade her good evening gruffly, his words accompanied by a penetrating regard that contrived to avoid offense.
Miss Mount was of the type described by the Victorians as “a fine figure of a woman.” That is, she was well developed but slender of shoulder and waist. Her skin possessed the smooth rich pallor that can lack color without appearing colorless. She had very handsome, mordant brown eyes and a wealth of dark hair. A firm, immobile mouth and chin and a slightly heavy though well-modeled nose indicated unusual force of character, attesting the message of her eyes. The average person would have guessed her to be in the late thirties. A woman, a lover of women, or an experienced old detective like Bernard would have added five years more and been correct.
The men stood waiting in silence while she sat down at one end of the long couch which faced the fire. Her manner as she crossed her knees and smoothed her unfashionably long skirt indicated entire composure and a certain reserve. Studying her unobtrusively, Landis recalled a beautiful, muscular cougar he had once seen on the limb of a tree, heavy-lidded, relaxed and—highly potential.
“Miss Mount,” he said, “Mr. Graham, here, has told us what he knows of the murder. Mr. Bernard and I would like to have you tell us your impressions, if you please.”
She turned her head slightly to look at him.
“Where would you like me to begin?”
“Where you please! Tell us anything and everything that you consider might be pertinent. Then we can interrupt you when it seems necessary.”
“Very well. Let me see. Mr. Harrison had Harley, our gardener and chauffeur, drive him into town after breakfast this morning. He did not—”