"I worked it out this way," he continued, despite Strawn's grin. "Dexter
Sprague was Nita's lover, as I had thought all along. He was in the
habit of spending the night here whenever Nita would give him an evening
of her company. He was here last night, according to the maid, Lydia
Carr. Nita sent her into Hamilton to a picture show. Nita and Sprague
quarreled last night, but I am positive he spent the night here anyway.
Certainly there was no actual rupture, since Sprague worded his note to
her as he did. I have another strong reason for thinking his belongings
were here at least until noon today, but that can wait for the moment.
Furthermore, I am positive that Sprague descended by the backstairs and
went around the house to join the cocktail party which was to follow the
hen bridge party."
"How do you make that out, Bonnie?" Strawn asked, his grin wiped away.
"Try to remember how Sprague looked when you first got here," Dundee
suggested. "I saw him twenty minutes after you did, but--_he was wearing
an immaculate stiff collar, and there were still traces of talcum powder
over a close shave_! And you will remember that he said he had made a
half hour's trip by bus, and had walked the quarter of a mile from the
bus stop on Sheridan Road to this house.
Pages:
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181