J. S. Fletcher

“ Braxfield was terribly upset when she found that Guy had left a son, and that Harry hadn't succeeded to the baronetcy. Whatever may result there's very strong ground of suspicion against her. She wouldn't be the first woman who's resorted to murder for the sake of family advancement—not she!"
"I wonder what made her start when I mentioned that we were going to see Harry Markenmore?" remarked the Chief Constable. "And whatever made her ask if we were meaning to arrest him? Surely, if she was in it, he isn't—can't have been an accessory?"
"Can't say!" answered Blick laconically. ”

“ Braxfield.
"One more question," said the Chief Constable. "Did you see Guy Markenmore at all, anywhere, last Tuesday morning, and did you fire that pistol that morning?"
"No!" declared Mrs. Braxfield. "I never saw Guy Markenmore—have never seen him for seven years—and I never fired the pistol that morning—I hadn't it with me."
The Chief Constable took Blick aside and for some minutes they talked together in low tones. At last the Chief Constable turned round.
"Well, Mrs. Braxfield," he said, "I won't detain you any longer. You've only yourself to thank for your being brought here. ”

“ Braxfield in my room, and send Robinson at once to Mr. Crewe, asking him to come round immediately to see her. You know all the rest—I shall be back there as quickly as possible."
The cab drove away with its burden of three stolid-faced men and a highly indignant woman, and the Chief Constable took off his peaked and laced cap and wiped his forehead.
"Phew!" he said. "Disagreeable business that, Blick! Now, why the deuce couldn't that foolish woman be candid instead of behaving in a fashion calculated to arouse suspicion? ”