Page:The Millbank Case - 1905 - Eldridge.djvu/225

 "I regret the necessity," he said, "of troubling you."

She bowed stiffly, but without other answer. He apparently had not struck the line of least resistance.

"I have been employed," he began, "upon the Wing murder case." Then, at the look in her eyes, as if of all things on earth the Wing murder case had the least possible interest to her, he added desperately: "Among those who employed me were your sons."

"Then you should report to them." These were the first words she had spoken and the tone was beyond measure forbidding, but they were at the least words and a recognition that she was taking part in the interview. As such they helped the man who, in spite of his experience, was floundering woefully.

"I thought it in your interest that I should first report to you," he said.

"There's nothing in which any one can serve me in the Wing murder case," she said, not sparing herself even the word "murder."