MURDER
"It's just this, Miss Ackroyd. Parker here says you came out of your uncle's study at about a quarter to ten. Is that right?"
"Quite right. I had been to say good-night to him."
"And the time is correct?"
"Well, it must have been about then. I can't say exactly. It might have been later."
"Was your uncle alone, or was there any one with him?"
"He was alone. Dr. Sheppard had gone."
"Did you happen to notice whether the window was open or shut?"
Flora shook her head.
"I can't say. The curtains were drawn."
"Exactly. And your uncle seemed quite as usual?"
"I think so."
"Do you mind telling us exactly what passed between you?"
Flora paused a minute, as though to collect her recollections.
"I went in and said, 'Good-night, uncle, I'm going to bed now. I'm tired to-night.' He gave a sort of grunt, and—I went over and kissed him, and he said something about my looking nice in the frock I had on, and then he told me to run away as he was busy. So I went."
"Did he ask specially not to be disturbed?"
"Oh! yes, I forgot. He said: 'Tell Parker I don't want anything more to-night, and that he's not to disturb me.' I met Parker just outside the door and gave him uncle's message."
[63]
