She showed the loyalty he had expected.

“I… I…” Her eyes dropped. “I am not certain.”

He did not push her. “And what did you see when you entered the hall, Mrs. Parmenter?” he continued.

This time there was no hesitation. “I saw Unity lying at the bottom of the stairs.”

“Was there anyone on the landing above?”

She said nothing, avoiding his eyes again.

“Mrs. Parmenter?”

“I saw a man’s shoulder and back as he went behind the jardiniere and flowers into the passage.”

“Do you know who it was?”

She was very pale, but this time she did not flinch; she met his eyes squarely. “I cannot be sure enough to say, and I will not guess, Superintendent.”

“What was he wearing, Mrs. Parmenter? What did you see, exactly?”

She hesitated, thinking hard. Her unhappiness was profound.

“A dark jacket,” she said at last. “Coattails… I think.”

“Is there any man in the house whom that description would not fit? Do you recall height, build, anything else?”

“No,” she whispered. “No, I don’t. It was only momentary. He was moving very quickly.”

“I see. Thank you, Mrs. Parmenter,” he said gravely. “Can you tell me something about Miss Bellwood? What kind of a young woman was she? Why should anyone wish her harm?”

She looked down with a fractional smile. “Mr. Pitt, that is very hard to answer. I… I dislike to speak ill of someone who has just met with a tragic death, in my house, and so young.”

“Naturally,” he agreed, leaning forward a little. The room was very comfortable, the warmth of the fire filling it. “Everyone does. I regret having to ask you, but I expect you understand that I must know the truth, and if indeed she was pushed, then it is going to be painful-and inevitably ugly. I am sorry, but there is no choice.”

“Yes… yes, of course.” She sniffed. “I apologize for being so foolish. One keeps hoping… it is not very sensible. You want to understand how such a thing could have happened and why.” She remained still for some moments, perhaps searching for words to explain.