Accident

"I should think we had been playing a little over an hour.

"What about the others?"

"Dr. Roberts got me a drink. He also got himself one--that was later. Major

Despard also Went to get a drink at about 11:15, I should say.

"Only once?"

"No---twice, I think. The men moved about a fair amount but I didn't notice what they did. Miss Meredith left her seat once only, I think. She went round to look at her partner's hand. "

"But she remained near the bridge-table?"

"I couldn't say at all. She may have move! away. "

Battle nodded.

"It's all very vague, " he grumbled.

"I am sorry. "

Once again Battle did his conjuring trick and produced the long delicate stiletto.

"Will you look at this, Mrs. Lorrimer?" Mrs. Lorrimer took it without emotion. "Have you ever seen that before?" "Never. "

"Yet it was lying on a table in the drawing-room. "

"I didn't notice it. "

"You realise, perhaps, Mrs. Lorrimer, that with a weapon like that a woman could do the trick just as easily as a man. "

"I suppose she could, " said Mrs. Lorrimer quietly.

She leaned forward and handed the dainty little thing back to him.

"But all the same, " said Superintendent Battle, "the woman would have to be

pretty desperate. It was a long chance to take. "