That sneer roused the official in him, and it was in a curt tone of command that he said-- "What time did your son get home on the day of the murder ?" "I am unable to say." "He did not return with you after the funeral ?" "No, he did not." "Where did he go ?" "These are strange questions, Detective Barrant.

I really cannot tell you that either, because I do not know." He put up his glasses to look at Barrant with an assumption of resentment, but the detective's return glance was hard and searching.

"Was your son in to dinner that night ?" he asked.
"We have midday dinner, in this house." "Well, supper.

Was he in to supper ?" Austin reflected rapidly.

He dared not refuse to answer the question, and any attempt to mislead the questioner would only make things worse when the two women in the house knew the truth.
"Yes.