“What makes you suppose that he went to his room?” asked Bernard bluntly. “Isn’t that a guess?”
Miss Mount smiled a little. “No, it is a deduction and quite an obvious one, Mr. Bernard. Mr. Harrison was a man of extremely regular habits. While in business, and since he retired, it has been his custom to return from town about a quarter past six as he did tonight and go to his room at once. He always bathed and changed for dinner and always took about three-quarters of an hour over it. A little after seven I found him at his desk in the library as usual, dressed for dinner as usual and reading the evening paper as usual.”
Bernard chuckled. “Pray proceed!”
“About six-thirty, I heard the young people come home, which is seldom difficult. I also heard Mr. and Mrs. Graham enter Mr. Graham’s room, across the hall from mine. They were quite—audible.”
“I know,” Graham laughed. “We were scuffling!”
“So I—guessed,” replied Miss Mount impassively.
Landis checked a laugh and refrained from looking at Bernard.
“Please go on,” he suggested.
“About seven I left my room and came down the back stairs to speak to Cook about crisping the salted almonds. Then I came in here to ask Mr. Harrison whether he expected additional guests tomorrow.”