In the Best Families

Archer told Dykes, “Bring her in. Dykes arose and left the room. Archer took the statement and returned it to the folder and pushed the folder to one side, then pressed the heels of his palms to his eyes and took a couple of deep breaths. The door opened and Dykes escorted Lina Darrow in. He pulled a chair up to the end of the table for her, to my left and Archer's right, so that the window was at her back. She looked as if she might have spent the night in jail, with red eyes and a general air of being pooped, but judging from the clamp she had on her jaw, she was darned determined about something. I got a glance from her but nothing more, not even a nod, as she took the chair Dykes pulled up.

“Miss Darrow, Archer told her, gently but firmly, “you understand that there is probably no chance of getting your story corroborated except through Mr Goodwin.

You haven't been brought in here to face him for the purpose of disconcerting or discrediting him, but merely so he can be informed first-hand. Archer turned to me. “Miss Darrow came to us last evening of her own accord. No pressure of any kind has been used with her. Is that correct, Miss Darrow? I wish you would confirm that to Mr Goodwin.

“Yes. She lifted her eyes to me, and though they had obviously had a hard night, I still insist they were fine. She went on, “I came voluntarily. I came because-the way Barry Rackham treated me. He refused to marry me. He treated me very badly. Finally-yesterday it was too much.

Archer and Dykes were both gazing at her fixedly. Archer prodded her. “Go on, please, Miss Darrow. Tell him the main facts.

She was trying the clamp on her jaw to make sure it was working right.

Satisfied, she released it. “Barry and I had been friendly, a little, before Mrs

Rackham's death. Nothing but just a little friendly. That's all it meant to me, or I thought it was, and I thought it was the same with him. That's how it was when we went to the country for the Easter week-end. She had told me we wouldn't do any work there, answer any mail or anything, but Saturday at noon she sent for me to come to her room. She was crying and was so distressed she could hardly talk.

Lina paused. She was keeping her eyes straight at mine. “I can rattle this off now, Mr Goodwin. I've already told it now.

“That always makes it easier, I agreed. “Go right ahead.