Well, I think I laid down my sunshade first,'said Mrs. Twining reflectively. 'Ah, that doesn't interest you. I told Finch that I wanted to tidy my hair (a euphemism for "powder my nose", of course), and would show myself out on to the terrace.'

'And you did in fact powder your nose, Mrs. Twining, at the mirror over the fireplace?'

'Most thoroughly,' she agreed.

'How long did that take you?'

She looked rather amused. 'When a woman powders her nose, Inspector, she loses count of time. My own estimate would be a moment or two; almost any man, I feel, would probably say, ages.'

'Were you as long, perhaps, as five minutes?'

'I hope not. Let us say three - without prejudice.

Author: Georgette Heyer