"How and when did you arrive?"
"I don't know the exact time. Never thought of looking at my watch,"
Hammond offered. "I came out in my own roadster--that tan Stutz you may
have noticed in the driveway. As for how I entered the house, I leaped
upon the porch and opened a door of the solarium. I walked across the
solarium, saw Polly just finishing with bridge for the afternoon, and
beckoned to her. She joined me in the solarium, and we stayed there
until Karen screamed.... That's all."
"Have you been engaged long, Mr. Hammond--you and Miss Beale?" Dundee
asked, as if quite casually.
"Nearly a year,--if it's any of your business, Dundee!"
"And just when had you seen Miss Beale last, before late this
afternoon?" Dundee asked.
"I refuse to answer!" Hammond flared. "That at least is none of your
damned business!"
"I believe I can answer my own question, Mr. Hammond," Dundee said very
softly.
CHAPTER EIGHT
"Then why ask me?" Hammond shrugged, but his eyes flickered toward Polly
Beale.
"I thought perhaps you could give me a little additional information,"
Dundee soothed him. "You see, it happens that I saw you, Miss Beale and
another young man come into the Stuart House dining room about half past
one today, just when I was thinking of lunch for myself.
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