I'll have the tea made at once," she said, bending forward to press the bell-button.
"One moment, please," he said in his crispest, most official voice.

"I've come to see you on a very important matter." "Oh ?" she said quickly, frowning.

Then she looked at him with steady eyes.
"Yes.

You know that I am investigating the Loudwater case, and I have received information that you are the mysterious lady who visited Lord Loudwater on the night of his death and had a violent quarrel with him." "We began by quarrelling," she said quietly.
"_Began_ by quarrelling ?" said Mr.Flexen.
"Yes.

I'd better tell you the whole story, and you'll understand," she said in a matter-of-fact voice.