It was as if a bomb had burst. We all sat appalled, for at the first
thought it seemed as if this admission proclaimed Graham Leroy a guilty
man. The picture flashed into my mind. This strong man, capable I felt
sure, of the whole range of elemental passions, killing, for some reason
unknown to me, his client, who was equally capable of rage and angry
passion. I seemed to see him bending over his victim, and inadvertently
dropping the tell-tale key from his pocket. But I think it was an effect
of the dramatic situation that conjured up this picture in my mind, for
it was immediately dispelled as Janet's voice broke on the tense
silence.
"I cannot fail to see the trend of your implications, Mr. Buckner," she
said, and her tones were haughty, and even supercilious; "I suppose you
are daring to insinuate that Mr. Leroy might have been in my uncle's
room on Wednesday night, late. But let me remind you that I myself put
the chain on the door at eleven o'clock, after which it was impossible
for Mr. Leroy to enter."