CHAPTER XVIILydia ran on up the stairs, stood listening in the passage for a moment, and then, catching the sound of voices from Phyllida’s sitting-room, opened the door and walked in. Everyone had the same question. Frank, Brenda, and Dicky asked it.
‘Where’s Irene?’
‘With the large policeman. He met us in the hall and took her off to the study to make a statement. Why?’
Brenda said, ‘That’s torn it!’ and Dicky, ‘Gosh, Frank—hadn’t you better go down? You might be able to stop her if she starts talking too much.’
Frank shrugged his shoulders.
‘Anyone ever tried to stop Irene when she wants to say anything? She doesn’t take hints—especially not from me. Besides, what would it look like? Vyner would be on to it in a moment.’
‘You ought to have rung her up,’ said Dicky.
‘I tell you th
