She realised now, as she looked into the stolid face of her unknown friend, how she herself would have regarded any woman who wanted to attend such an inquiry from a simple, morbid feeling of curiosity.

And yet--and yet that was just what she was about to do herself.
"I've got a reason for wanting to go there," she murmured.

It was a comfort to unburden herself this little way even to a stranger.
"Ah!" he said reflectively.

"A--a relative connected with one of the two victims' husbands, I presume ?" And Mrs.Bunting bent her head.
"Going to give evidence ?" he asked casually, and then he turned and looked at Mrs.Bunting with far more attention than he had yet done.
"Oh, no!" There was a world of horror, of fear in the speaker's voice.
And the inspector felt concerned and sorry.

"Hadn't seen her for quite a long time, I suppose ?" "Never had, seen her.