"That would have been the table by the bed?" commented the
Coroner.

"I opened my door," continued Mary, "and listened. In a few
minutes a bell rang violently. Dorcas came running down and woke
my husband, and we all went to my mother-in-law's room, but it
was locked----"

The Coroner interrupted her.

"I really do not think we need trouble you further on that point.
We know all that can be known of the subsequent happenings. But
I should be obliged if you would tell us all you overheard of the
quarrel the day before."

"I?"

There was a faint insolence in her voice. She raised her hand
and adjusted the ruffle of lace at her neck, turning her head a
little as she did so. And quite spontaneously the thought
flashed across my mind: "She is gaining time!"

"Yes. I understand," continued the Coroner deliberately, "that
you were sitting reading on the bench just outside the long
window of the boudoir. That is so, is it not?"

This was news to me and glancing sideways at Poirot, I fancied
that it was news to him as well.