“But if whoever murdered her,” interrupted the Commissioner, “did not enter or leave by the window and she herself had bolted both doors on the inside, how are you going to account for what happened?”
“I am not accounting for it, sir,” replied Stone. “I am sorry I cannot. I am just giving you the result of our investigations up to now.” He went on. “Now, according to the testimony of her maid, it was never Lady Vane’s custom to bolt or lock her doors when staying with friends, and she had not done so the previous night at the Court. Therefore, we must presume that last night she was frightened in some way.”
“You suggest she knew some danger was threatening her?” asked the Commissioner.
Stone looked troubled. “I don’t know what to think. Both Lord and Lady Holmeyer say she was as bright
