A rumour, however, which originated
none knew how, crept about among everyone that poison was the cause
of death, and this, being added to by some and embellished in all
its little details by others, there was soon a complete story made
up about the affair. At the Bachelor's Club it was being warmly
spoken about when Vandeloup came in about eight o'clock in the
evening; and when he appeared he was immediately overwhelmed with
inquiries. He looked cool and calm as usual, and stood smiling
quietly on the excited group before him.
'You know Mrs Villiers,' said Bellthorp, in an assertive tone, 'so
you must know all about the affair.' 'I don't see that,' returned
Gaston, pulling at his moustache, 'knowing anyone does not include a
knowledge of all that goes on in the house. I assure you, beyond
what there is in the papers, I am as ignorant as you are.'
'They say this woman--Sprotts or Potts, or something--died from
poison,' said Barty Jarper, who had been all round the place
collecting information.
'Apoplexy, the doctor says,' said Bellthorp, lighting a cigarette;
'she was in the same room with Mrs Villiers and was found dead in
the morning.'
'Miss Marchurst was also in the room,' put in Barty, eagerly.
'Oh, indeed!' said Vandeloup, smoothly, turning to him; 'do you
think she had anything to do with it?'
'Of course not,' said Rolleston, who had just entered, 'she had no
reason to kill the woman.
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