“The future,” Landis observed judicially, “will tell us whether you are being wise—or very unwise—to make so many evasions at this time, Miss Mount.” Here in spite of himself he glanced at Brent, to receive a bow of weighty endorsement. “We are holding this inquiry,” he resumed, “not with a view of catering to your approval but to get at the facts. Do you still decline to tell us the nature of this—er—misunderstanding?”
“I would rather you asked Mr. Allen himself.”
“Very well. I agree on one condition. When I have obtained his answer you will tell me whether, in your opinion, it is accurate and complete. Do you agree to that?”
“I do,” replied Miss Mount in a slightly stifled voice. “That is, I—I suppose so—”
“That’s settled then,” said Landis and glanced at Bernard. He was just in time to see the expression of impatient disgust on Bernard’s features alter subtly to one of amused approval. He leaned back in his chair, satisfied to know that the pretty little trap he had concealed beneath his slyly humorous pomposity had passed muster with his more experienced colleague. He faced Miss Mount again with an abrupt change of manner.
“Thank you,” he said briskly. “Now we’ll question the servants, I think, and then the household. I want you to ask the butler to step in here in ten minutes. Also, on your way upstairs, ask Mr. Joel Harrison to get dressed and await our summons. Finally, please tell the young ladies that we must question them tonight if it’s humanly possible. We won’t keep them long. You might stay with them, Miss Mount, until we send for them.”
Miss Mount was bristling.
“Do you mean to say that you propose to question those poor girls tonight, immediately after their father’s death?” she demanded.
“I don’t propose to, I’m going to,” said Landis incisively, “unless they are actually too ill to answer questions.” He held Miss Mount’s eyes with a chilling stare. “Mr. Harrison was murdered tonight, in his own house, probably by a member of his household. When death comes to dinner, in the guise of a familiar face, the service must suffer. Every person who was in this house at that time is under suspicion, including yourself. Now please do as I ask.”