She entered now, a tall and beautiful woman of thirty, reserved and self-possessed to a remarkable degree, very different from the tragic and distracted figure I had pictured.

It is true that her face was pale and drawn, like that of one who has endured a great shock; but her manner was composed, and the finely moulded hand which she rested upon the edge of the table was as steady as my own.
Her sad, appealing eyes travelled from one to the other of us with a curiously inquisitive expression.

That questioning gaze transformed itself suddenly into abrupt speech.
"Have you found anything out yet ?" she asked.
Was it my imagination that there was an undertone of fear rather than of hope in the question?
"We have taken every possible step, Mrs.Douglas," said the inspector.
"You may rest assured that nothing will be neglected." "Spare no money," she said in a dead, even tone.

"It is my desire that every possible effort should be made." "Perhaps you can tell us something which may throw some light upon the matter." "I fear not; but all I know is at your service." "We have heard from Mr.Cecil Barker that you did not actually see--that you were never in the room where the tragedy occurred ?" "No, he turned me back upon the stairs.

He begged me to return to my room." "Quite so.