A glance at Sergeant Lumbe's flustered face revealed only too clearly that the position in which he found himself was beyond his official capabilities.
Caldew stepped briskly forward.

He was in no way embarrassed by his unaccustomed surroundings or by the commanding appearance of the great lady who was addressing him.

He was a man who believed in himself, and such men are too much in earnest to be diffident.
"I should like to ask a few questions first, madam," he said.

"So far, I have heard only your butler's version of what happened." Without waiting for a reply he launched a number of questions, and made a note of the replies in a pocket-book.
Musard, who assisted Miss Heredith to answer the questions, was rather impressed by the quick intelligence the detective displayed in eliciting all the known facts of the murder, but Sergeant Lumbe, who remained standing near the door, was shocked to hear Caldew cross-questioning the great folk of the moat-house with such little ceremony.

He thought his brother-in-law a very forward young fellow, and hoped that Miss Heredith would not hold him responsible for his free-and-easy manner.
"Now I should like to commence my investigations," said Caldew, replacing his pocket-book.