“Yes,” said Landis. “I see. Now, Stimson, please tell us what you can about what happened just before and just after the murder tonight. I want to know where you were from six o’clock on and what you know about the location of the other members of the household from that time until seven-thirty.”
The butler leaned back in his chair and folded his arms.
“I was reading in my sitting-room this afternoon. It was just six when I laid my book aside and changed into my evening clothes for dinner. About six-fifteen I came down to Mr. Harrison’s room to lay out his things as usual.”
“What route did you follow?” inquired Bernard.
“I came down the back stairs, through the front hall on the second floor and along the balcony on this side to his room, which is above the room where he died.”
“All right. Go on.”
“I had just finished laying out his things when Mr. Harrison returned. I ran his bath and came down to this floor to select the necessary silver for dinner.”
“See anybody besides Mr. Harrison during that time?”
“No, sir; no one. I was still in the pantry when I heard the young ladies and their guests return.”