How does speaking to the grocer affect the detectives' view of Mary? (A) They become afraid of her. (B) They become more suspicious of her. (C) They become convinced that she is guilty. (D) They become convinced that she is innocent.

To determine how speaking to the grocer affects the detectives' view of Mary, we need to analyze the context of the situation. 1. **Understanding the Context**: The detectives are likely investigating a case involving Mary. The grocer may provide information about her character, behavior, or actions that could influence the detectives' perception. 2. **Evaluating the Options**: - (A) They become afraid of her: This suggests that the grocer provided information that made Mary seem threatening, which is less likely in a typical investigation context. - (B) They become more suspicious of her: This implies that the grocer shared details that raised doubts about Mary's innocence or actions. - (C) They become convinced that she is guilty: This would mean the grocer provided strong evidence against her, leading to a definitive conclusion of guilt. - (D) They become convinced that she is innocent: This would indicate that the grocer's information cleared Mary of suspicion. 3. **Conclusion**: Without specific details from the narrative, the most reasonable inference is that the detectives' view of Mary would likely shift towards suspicion if the grocer provided information that raised questions about her actions or character. Thus, the best answer is: (B) They become more suspicious of her.