“I would like to have a word with you, if I may,” he said.
“Certainly, sir,” she replied.
“Would you kindly come into the next room, there are too many people here?” She rose and followed him without a word.
In the little side room he faced her.
“Mrs. Simmons, you gave evidence on oath. You know the nature of an oath?”
“Oh, yes, sir,” she replied, without hesitation.
“You swore to tell the truth, didn’t you?”
“Why, yes, sir, of course.”
“Very good. In your evidence you said that you did not know who the man was who called on Sir James?”
With all her control, a look of relief passed rapidly over her face.
“Quite right, sir, I had no idea. I could not see him. It might have been you, sir, for all I know.”
“It won’t do, Mrs. Simmons. You were asked whether anyone else had come to see Sir James after that, and you said ‘No.’ That was a lie.”
If one has seen a child’s balloon touched with a lighted cigarette, the collapse of this woman was not more complete.
She seemed to shrivel up. She tried to speak, but all she could do was to lick her lips and open her mouth.
Collins waited.
“You had better tell me,” he said. “If I had wanted to have this known publicly, couldn’t I have had this out in court? Shall I tell you who called?”
“Oh, no, no, sir,” she moaned, raising her hand as though she were threatened with a blow.
“You know perfectly well that Mr. Eric Sanders came, and you let him in?”
“Oh, sir, how do you know?” she said, with a look of blank astonishment.
“The best thing for you is to tell me exactly what did happen. Perhaps I know more than you think.”
She looked at him in a frightened way.
“Oh, sir, he had nothing to do with the murder, sir, I am sure he didn’t.”
“Tell me exactly what did occur, or must I call the police?” he said.
“What happened was this, sir,” she said, gazing round her, as if for help. “After the visitor had gone, and I am sure I wish I knew who he was, I was in the dining-room, as I told in court.
“Mr. Eric came in without so much as a knock, he being free of the house. He seemed to be very excited, and he says ‘I must see Sir James.’ I says, ‘He does not want to be disturbed.’ Then he says ‘I’ll just knock at his door and ask him.’ ”
“One moment, Mrs. Simmons. Was this after Sir James had sent the letter?”
“Oh, yes, sir, after he had come in.”
“You are quite sure of that?”
“Quite sure.”
“Go on.”
“Mr. Eric knocked at the door, but there was no answer. Then he knocks again, but there wasn’t a sound. So he writes something on a card, and slips it under the door, and says, ‘Sir James, do you mind reading the card,’ and he waits.
“There was a noise inside, as though someone was a moving very slowly, and a voice said, ‘go away.’ ”
Collins drew in a quick breath. “You are quite certain about that?”
“Oh, yes, sir, I was standing by the door. I was afraid he would come out, and there would be blows.”
“Why?”
“Because, sir, Mr. Eric and Sir James had had a terrible set-to the night before.”
“Do you mean they came to blows?”
“Oh, no, sir, I meant a figure of speech. Only words.”
“What about?”
“Well, sir, it isn’t my business, but I think it was over Miss Mabel.”
“Go on,” said Collins.
“Then Mr. Eric says, ‘Won’t you see me for a minute?’ ”
“Was there any answer?”
“Only a horrible sort of groan, so I says to him, ‘you’d better get out of this, quick. The master’s got a loaded revolver in there.’ I don’t know what made me say that, but I wanted to get rid of him.”
“What did he say?”
“He says, ‘so have I, if it comes to that.’ But he turned and went out without another word. Oh, sir, I hope I haven’t done wrong in telling you.”
“Don’t get excited, you have done quite right, but you must not tell anyone else, mind that.”
“I will, sir, and I am sure that he had nothing to do with it, sir. That’s why I said nothing about it.”
“Now, one more question, and I have done. Think carefully before you answer. Was it Sir James who answered from the room?”
All the colour fled from her face, and she seemed on the verge of a collapse.
“Oh, sir, I don’t know. I have thought of nothing else since this terrible affair. I don’t believe it was. It was like him, but muffled and sort of mumbling.” She was shivering now, and on the verge of breaking down. Collins drew a flask from his pocket and took out the stopper.
“Drink this. It will do you good. I have finished now.”
“Thank you, sir,” she said, taking a deep drink.
“And you won’t tell anyone. You must keep absolutely silent. I shall not tell unless I find it necessary. Now, mind, not a word. You will do infinite harm if you do.”
The effect of the strong drink had made her maudlin, and she sank weeping on a chair.
“Oh, what would Miss Mabel say?” she said between her sobs.
Collins gave one look at her, and then left the room. He had got the information he wanted.
VIII
Enter Mr. Allery
After the inquest there was nothing to keep Miss Watson in London. A sad cortege started from Leveson Square after dark, for, in the circumstances, they had no wish for public display.
The body of the dead statesman was being taken to Devonshire for burial. In all the arrangements Collins had played an important but unobtrusive part, and now, on the departure platform, he had quietly seen to her comfort in the little ways a woman appreciates.
Papers were ready, seats booked at the dining table, and the carriage reserved by a well-tipped guard.
Eric Sanders had already gone on, as it was necessary to go through
