Poirot Investigates *1924*

The Adventure of the Western Star

The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
The Adventure of the Cheap Fat
The Mystery of !unter"s #odge
The Miion $oar %ond &o''ery
The Adventure of the (gyptian To)'
The *e+e &o''ery at the ,rand Metropoitan
The -idnapped Pri)e Minister
The $isappearan.e of Mr/ $avenhei)
The Adventure of the Itaian 0o'e)an
The Case of the Missing Wi
Partners in Cri)e *1929*
A Fairy in the Fat
A Pot of Tea
The Affair of the Pin1 Pear
The Affair of the Sinister Stranger
Finessing the -ing
The ,ente)an $ressed in 0e+spaper
The Case of the Missing #ady
%ind)an"s %uff
The Man in the Mist
The Cra.1er
The Sunningdae Mystery
The !ouse of the #ur1ing $eath
The 2n'reor'e Ai'i
The Cergy)an"s $aughter
The &ed !ouse
The A)'assador"s %oots
The Man Who Was 0u)'er 13
The Mysterious Mr/ 4uin *1956*
The Co)ing of Mr/ 4uin
The Shado+ on the ,ass
At the %es and Morey
The Sign in the S1y
The Sou of the Croupier
The Word"s (nd
The 7oi.e in the $ar1
The Fa.e of !een
The $ead !are8uin
The %ird With the %ro1en Wings
The Man Fro) the Sea
!are8uin"s #ane
The Thirteen Pro'e)s 9The Tuesday Cu' Murders: *1952*
The Affair at the %ungao+
The %ood;Stained Pave)ent
The %ue ,eraniu)
A Christ)as Tragedy
The Co)panion
$eath 'y $ro+ning
The Four Suspe.ts
The !er' of $eath
The Ido !ouse of Astarte
Ingots of ,od
Motive vs/ <pportunity
The Thu)' Mar1 of St/ Peter
The Tuesday 0ight Cu'
The !ound of $eath *1955*
The !ound of $eath
The &ed Signa
The Fourth Man
The ,ipsy
The #a)p
Wireess 9Where There"s a Wi:
The Witness for the Prose.ution
The Mystery of the %ue *ar
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Car)i.hae
The Ca of Wings
The #ast S=an.e 9The Stoen ,host:
S<S
Par1er Pyne Investigates 9Mr/ Par1er Pyne> $ete.tive: *1954*
The Case of the Midde;Aged Wife
The Case of the $is.ontented Sodier
The Case of the $istressed #ady
The Case of the $is.ontented !us'and
The Case of the &i.h Wo)an
The Case of the City Cer1
The Pear of Pri.e
The !ouse at Shira?
$eath on the 0ie
The ,ate of %aghdad
!ave @ou ,ot (verything @ou WantA
The <ra.e at $ephi
The #isterdae Mystery *1954*
The #isterdae Mystery 9The %enevoent %uter:
Phio)e Cottage
The ,ir in the Train
Sing a Song of SiBpen.e
The Manhood of (d+ard &o'inson 9The $ay of !is $rea)s:
A..ident
*ane in Sear.h of a *o'
A Fruitfu Sunday
Mr/ (ast+ood"s Adventure 9The Mystery of the Spanish Sha+ C The
Mystery of the Se.ond Cu.u)'er:
The ,oden %a
The &aDah"s ()erad
S+an Song
Murder in the Me+s 9$ead Man"s Mirror: *195E*
$ead Man"s Mirror 9!er.ue Poirot and the %ro1en Mirror:
The In.redi'e Theft
Murder in the Me+s 9,ood 0ight for a Murder:
Triange at &hodes 9%efore It"s Too #ate C $ou'e Ai'i:
The #a'ours of !er.ues *194E*
The 0e)ean #ion
The #ernean !ydra
The Ar.adian $eer
The (ry)anthian %oar
The Augean Sta'es
The Sty)phaean %irds
The Cretan %u
The !orses of $io)edes
The ,irde of !yppoita
The Fo.1 of ,eryon
The Appes of the !esperides
The Capture of Cer'erus
Three %ind Mi.e *19F6*
9<ny the tite story is in.uded here to avoid dupi.ating:
The Adventure of the Christ)as Pudding *1936*
The Adventure of the Christ)as Pudding
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The 2nderdog
Four and T+enty %a.1'irds 9Poirot and the &eguar Custo)er:
The $rea) 9The Three Strange Points:
,reensha+"s Foy
Poirot"s (ary Cases 9!er.ue Poirot"s (ary Cases: *19E4*
The Affair at the 7i.tory %a
The Adventure of the Capha) Coo1
The Cornish Mystery
The Adventure of *ohnnie Wavery 9At the Stro1e of T+eve:
The $ou'e Cue
The -ing of Cu's
The #eMesurier Inheritan.e
The #ost Mine
The Py)outh (Bpress
The Cho.oate %oB
The Su')arine Pans 9another version of The In.redi'e Theft:
The Third Foor Fat
$ou'e Sin 9%y &oad or &ai:
The Mar1et %asing Mystery
Wasp"s 0est
The 7eied #ady
Pro'e) at Sea 9Poirot and the Cri)e in Ca'in 33 C The 4ui.1ness of
the !and:
!o+ $oes @our ,arden ,ro+A
Miss Marpe"s Fina Cases and T+o <ther Stories *19E9*
San.tuary 9The Man on the Chan.e Steps:
Strange *est
The Tape;Measure Murder
The Case of the Careta1er
The Case of the Perfe.t Maid
Miss Marpe Tes a Story
The $ress)a1er"s $o
In a ,ass> $ar1y
Pro'e) at Poensa %ay *1991*
Pro'e) at Poensa %ay
The Se.ond ,ong 9another version of $ead Man"s Mirror:
@eo+ Iris
The !are8uin Tea Set
The &egatta Mystery
The #ove $ete.tives
0eBt To A $og
Magnoia %osso)
Whie the #ight #asts *199E*
The !ouse of $rea)s
The A.tress 9A Trap for the 2n+ary:
The (dge
The Christ)as Adventure C The Theft of the &oya &u'y 9another
version of The Adventure of the Christ)as Pudding:
The #oney ,od
ManB ,od
Within a Wa
The Mystery of the %aghdad Chest 9another version of The Mystery
of the Spanish Chest:
Whie the #ight #asts
;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;;
Short stories 'y Agatha Christie have 'een pu'ished in )any
.oe.tions> ots of the) dupi.ating ea.h other/ For eBa)pe> The
!are8uin Tea Set .ontains a)ost a the sa)e stories as Whie the
#ight #asts/ %ut a itte sorting out has reveaed that there are Dust 1F
.oe.tions .o)prising A## short stories 'y Agatha Christie +ithout
any o)ission or dupi.ating/
Contents
The Adventure of the "Western Star"
The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
The Adventure of the Cheap Fat
The Mystery of !unter"s #odge
The Miion $oar %ond &o''ery
The Adventure of the (gyptian To)'
The *e+e &o''ery at the ,rand Metropoitan
The -idnapped Pri)e Minister
The $isappearan.e of Mr $avenhei)
The Adventure of the Itaian 0o'e)an
The Case of the Missing Wi
The Adventure of the 'Western Star'

I +as standing at the +indo+ of Poirot"s roo)s oo1ing out idy on
the street 'eo+/
"That"s 8ueer>" I eDa.uated suddeny 'eneath )y 'reath/
"What is> )on a)iA" as1ed Poirot pa.idy> fro) the depths of his
.o)forta'e .hair/
"$edu.e> Poirot> fro) the foo+ing fa.tsG !ere is a young ady>
ri.hy dressed ; fashiona'e hat> )agnifi.ent furs/ She is .o)ing
aong so+y> oo1ing up at the houses as she goes/ 2n1no+n to
her> she is 'eing shado+ed 'y three )en and a )idde;aged
+o)an/ They have Dust 'een Doined 'y an errand 'oy +ho points
after the gir> gesti.uating as he does so/ What dra)a is this 'eing
payedA Is the gir a .roo1> and are the shado+ers dete.tives
preparing to arrest herA <r are they the s.oundres> and are they
potting to atta.1 an inno.ent vi.ti)A What does the great dete.tive
sayA"
"The great dete.tive> )on a)i> .hooses> as ever> the si)pest
.ourse/ !e rises to see for hi)sef/" And )y friend Doined )e at the
+indo+/
In a )inute he gave vent to an a)used .hu.1e/
"As usua> your fa.ts are tinged +ith your in.ura'e ro)anti.is)/
That is Miss Mary Marve> the fi) star/ She is 'eing foo+ed 'y a
'evy of ad)irers +ho have re.ogni?ed her/ And> en passant> )y
dear !astings> she is 8uite a+are of the fa.tG"
I aughed/
"So a is eBpainedG %ut you get no )ar1s for that> Poirot/ It +as a
)ere )atter of re.ognition/"
"(n v=rit=G And ho+ )any ti)es have you seen Mary Marve on the
s.reen> )on .herA"
I thought/
"A'out a do?en ti)es perhaps/"
"And I ; on.eG @et I re.ogni?e her> and you do not/"
"She oo1s so different>" I repied rather fee'y/
"AhG Sa.r=G" .ried Poirot/ "Is it that you eBpe.t her to pro)enade
hersef in the streets of #ondon in a .o+'oy hat> or +ith 'are feet>
and a 'un.h of .urs> as an Irish .oeenA A+ays +ith you it is the
non;essentiasG &e)e)'er the .ase of the dan.er/ 7aerie
Saint.air/"
I shrugged )y shouders> sighty annoyed/
"%ut .onsoe yoursef> )on a)i>" said Poirot> .a)ing do+n/ "A
.annot 'e as !er.ue PoirotG I 1no+ it +e/"
"@ou reay have the 'est opinion of yoursef of anyone I ever 1ne+G"
I .ried> divided 'et+een a)use)ent and annoyan.e/
"What +i youA When one is uni8ue> one 1no+s itG And others share
that opinion ; even> if I )ista1e not> Miss Mary Marve/"
"WhatA"
"Without dou't/ She is .o)ing here/"
"!o+ do you )a1e that outA"
"7ery si)py/ This street> it is not aristo.rati.> )on a)iG In it there is
no fashiona'e do.tor> no fashiona'e dentist ; sti ess is there a
fashiona'e )iinerG %ut there is a fashiona'e dete.tive/ <ui> )y
friend> it is true ; I a) 'e.o)e the )ode> the dernier .riG <ne says
to anotherH "Co))entA @ou have ost your god pen.i;.aseA @ou
)ust go to the itte %egian/ !e is too )arveousG (veryone goesG
Coure?G" And they arriveG In fo.1s> )on a)iG With pro'e)s of the
)ost fooishG" A 'e rang 'eo+/ "What did I te youA That is Miss
Marve/"
As usua> Poirot +as right/ After a short interva> the A)eri.an fi)
star +as ushered in> and +e rose to our feet/
Mary Marve +as undou'tedy one of the )ost popuar a.tresses
on the s.reen/ She had ony atey arrived in (ngand in .o)pany
+ith her hus'and> ,regory %/ &of> aso a fi) a.tor/ Their )arriage
had ta1en pa.e a'out a year ago in the States and this +as their
first visit to (ngand/ They had 'een given a great re.eption/
(veryone +as prepared to go )ad over Mary Marve> her
+onderfu .othes> her furs> her De+es> a'ove a one De+e> the
great dia)ond +hi.h had 'een ni.1na)ed> to )at.h its o+ner> "The
Western Star/" Mu.h> true and untrue> had 'een +ritten a'out this
fa)ous stone +hi.h +as reported to 'e insured for the enor)ous
su) of fifty thousand pounds/
A these detais passed rapidy through )y )ind as I Doined +ith
Poirot in greeting our fair .ient/
Miss Marve +as s)a and sender> very fair and girish;oo1ing>
+ith the +ide inno.ent 'ue eyes of a .hid/
Poirot dre+ for+ard a .hair for her> and she .o))en.ed ta1ing at
on.e/
"@ou +i pro'a'y thin1 )e very fooish> Monsieur Poirot> 'ut #ord
Cronsha+ +as teing )e ast night ho+ +onderfuy you .eared up
the )ystery of his nephe+"s death> and I fet that I Dust )ust have
your advi.e/ I dare say it"s ony a siy hoaB ; ,regory says so ; 'ut
it"s Dust +orrying )e to death/"
She paused for 'reath/ Poirot 'ea)ed en.ourage)ent/
"Pro.eed> )ada)e/ @ou .o)prehend> I a) sti in the dar1/"
"It"s these etters/" Miss Marve un.asped her hand'ag> and dre+
out three enveopes +hi.h she handed to Poirot/
The atter s.rutini?ed the) .osey/
"Cheap paper ; the na)e and address .arefuy printed/ #et us see
the inside/" !e dre+ out the en.osure/
I had Doined hi)> and +as eaning over his shouder/ The +riting
.onsisted of a singe senten.e> .arefuy printed i1e the enveope/
It ran as foo+sH
"The great dia)ond +hi.h is the eft eye of the god )ust return
+hen.e it .a)e/"
The se.ond etter +as .ou.hed in pre.isey the sa)e ter)s> 'ut
the third +as )ore eBpi.itH
"@ou have 'een +arned/ @ou have not o'eyed/ 0o+ the dia)ond +i
'e ta1en fro) you/ At the fu of the )oon> the t+o dia)onds +hi.h
are the eft and right eye of the god sha return/ So it is +ritten/"
"The first etter I treated as a Do1e>" eBpained Miss Marve/ "When I
got the se.ond> I 'egan to +onder/ The third one .a)e yesterday>
and it see)ed to )e that> after a> the )atter )ight 'e )ore
serious than I had i)agined/"
"I see they did not .o)e 'y post> these etters/"
"0oI they +ere eft 'y hand ; 'y a China)an/ That is +hat frightens
)e/"
"WhyA"
"%e.ause it +as fro) a Chin1 in San Fran.is.o that ,regory 'ought
the stone three years ago/"
"I see> )ada)e> that you 'eieve the dia)ond referred to to 'e ; "
"JThe Western Star>J" finished Miss Marve/ "That"s so/ At the ti)e>
,regory re)e)'ers that there +as so)e story atta.hed to the
stone> 'ut the Chin1 +asn"t handing out any infor)ation/ ,regory
says he see)ed Dust s.ared to death> and in a )orta hurry to get
rid of the thing/ !e ony as1ed a'out a tenth of its vaue/ It +as
,reg"s +edding present to )e/"
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
"The story see)s of an a)ost un'eieva'e ro)anti.is)/ And yet ;
+ho 1no+sA I pray of you> !astings> hand )e )y itte a)ana./"
I .o)pied/
"7oyonsG" said Poirot> turning the eaves/ "When is the date of the fu
)oonA Ah> Friday neBt/ That is in three days" ti)e/ (h 'ien>
)ada)e> you see1 )y advi.e ; I give it to you/ This 'ee histoire
)ay 'e a hoaB ; 'ut it )ay notG Therefore I .ounse you to pa.e the
dia)ond in )y 1eeping unti after Friday neBt/ Then +e .an ta1e
+hat steps +e pease/"
A sight .oud passed over the a.tress"s fa.e> and she repied
.onstrainedyH
"I") afraid that"s i)possi'e/"
"@ou have it +ith you ; heinA" Poirot +as +at.hing her narro+y/
The gir hesitated a )o)ent> then sipped her hand into the 'oso)
of her go+n> dra+ing out a ong thin .hain/ She eaned for+ard>
un.osing her hand/ In the pa)> a stone of +hite fire> eB8uisitey set
in patinu)> ay and +in1ed at us soe)ny/
Poirot dre+ in his 'reath +ith a ong hiss/
"KpatantG" he )ur)ured/ "@ou per)it> )ada)eA" !e too1 the De+e in
his o+n hand and s.rutini?ed it 1eeny> then restored it to her +ith a
itte 'o+/ "A )agnifi.ent stone ; +ithout a fa+/ Ah> .ent tonnerresG
and you .arry it a'out +ith you> .o))e LaG"
"0o> no> I") very .arefu reay> Monsieur Poirot/ As a rue it"s o.1ed
up in )y De+e;.ase> and eft in the hote safe deposit/ We"re staying
at the Magnifi.ent> you 1no+/ I Dust 'rought it aong today for you to
see/"
"And you +i eave it +ith )e> n"est;.e pasA @ou +i 'e advised 'y
Papa PoirotA"
"We> you see> it"s this +ay> Monsieur Poirot/ <n Friday +e"re going
do+n to @ardy Chase to spend a fe+ days +ith #ord and #ady
@ardy/"
!er +ords a+o1e a vague e.ho of re)e)'ran.e in )y )ind/ So)e
gossip ; +hat +as it no+A A fe+ years ago #ord and #ady @ardy
had paid a visit to the States> ru)our had it that his ordship had
rather gone the pa.e out there +ith the assistan.e of so)e ady
friends ; 'ut surey there +as so)ething )ore> )ore gossip +hi.h
.ouped #ady @ardy"s na)e +ith that of a ")ovie" star in Caifornia ;
+hyG it .a)e to )e in a fash ; of .ourse it +as none other than
,regory %/ &of/
"I" et you into a itte se.ret> Monsieur Poirot>" Miss Marve +as
.ontinuing/ "We"ve got a dea on +ith #ord @ardy/ There"s so)e
.han.e of our arranging to fi) a pay do+n there in his an.estra
pie/"
"At @ardy ChaseA" I .ried> interested/ "Why> it"s one of the sho+
pa.es of (ngand/"
Miss Marve nodded/
"I guess it"s the rea od feuda stuff a right/ %ut he +ants a pretty
stiff pri.e> and of .ourse I don"t 1no+ yet +hether the dea +i go
through> 'ut ,reg and I a+ays i1e to .o)'ine 'usiness +ith
peasure/"
"%ut ; I de)and pardon if I a) dense> )ada)e ; surey it is possi'e
to visit @ardy Chase +ithout ta1ing the dia)ond +ith youA"
A shre+d> hard oo1 .a)e into Miss Marve"s eyes +hi.h 'eied
their .hidi1e appearan.e/ She oo1ed suddeny a good dea oder/
"I +ant to +ear it do+n there/"
"Surey>" I said suddeny> "there are so)e very fa)ous De+es in the
@ardy .oe.tion> a arge dia)ond a)ongst the)A"
"That"s so>" said Miss Marve 'riefy/
I heard Poirot )ur)ur 'eneath his 'reathH "Ah> ."est .o))e LaG"
Then he said aoud> +ith his usua un.anny u.1 in hitting the 'u"seye
9he dignifies it 'y the na)e of psy.hoogy:H "Then you are
+ithout dou't aready a.8uainted +ith #ady @ardy> or perhaps
your hus'and isA"
",regory 1ne+ her +hen she +as out West three years ago>" said
Miss Marve/ She hesitated a )o)ent> and then added a'ruptyH "$o
either of you ever see So.iety ,ossipA"
We 'oth peaded guity rather sha)efa.edy/
"I as1 'e.ause in this +ee1"s nu)'er there is an arti.e on fa)ous
De+es> and it"s reay very .urious ; " She 'ro1e off/
I rose> +ent to the ta'e at the other side of the roo) and returned
+ith the paper in 8uestion in )y hand/ She too1 it fro) )e> found
the arti.e> and 'egan to read aoudH
" /// A)ongst other fa)ous stones )ay 'e in.uded The Star of the
(ast> a dia)ond in the possession of the @ardy fa)iy/ An an.estor
of the present #ord @ardy 'rought it 'a.1 +ith hi) fro) China> and
a ro)anti. story is said to atta.h to it/ A..ording to this> the stone
+as on.e the right eye of a te)pe god/ Another dia)ond> eBa.ty
si)iar in for) and si?e> for)ed the eft eye> and the story goes that
this De+e> too> +oud in .ourse of ti)e 'e stoen/ J<ne eye sha go
West> the other (ast> ti they sha )eet on.e )ore/ Then> in
triu)ph sha they return to the god/J It is a .urious .oin.iden.e
that there is at the present ti)e a stone .orresponding .osey in
des.ription +ith this one> and 1no+n as "The Star of the West>" or
"The Western Star/" It is the property of the .ee'rated fi) star>
Miss Mary Marve/ A .o)parison of the t+o stones +oud 'e
interesting/"
I stopped/
"KpatantG" )ur)ured Poirot/ "Without dou't a ro)an.e of the first
+ater/" !e turned to Mary Marve/ "And you are not afraid> )ada)eA @ou have no
superstitious terrorsA @ou do not fear to introdu.e these t+o Sia)ese t+ins to ea.h other
est a China)an shoud appear and> hey prestoG +his1 the) 'oth 'a.1 to ChinaA"
!is tone +as )o.1ing> 'ut I fan.ied that an under.urrent of
seriousness ay 'eneath it/
"I don"t 'eieve that #ady @ardy"s dia)ond is anything i1e as good
as )ine>" said Miss Marve/ "Any+ay> I") going to see/"
What )ore Poirot +oud have said I do not 1no+> for at that )o)ent
the door fe+ open> and a spendid;oo1ing )an strode into the
roo)/ Fro) his .rispy .uring 'a.1 head> to the tips of his patenteather
'oots> he +as a hero fit for ro)an.e/
"I said I"d .a round for you> Mary>" said ,regory &of> "and here I
a)/ We> +hat does Monsieur Poirot say to our itte pro'e)A *ust
one 'ig hoaB> sa)e as I doA"
Poirot s)ied up at the 'ig a.tor/ They )ade a ridi.uous .ontrast/
"!oaB or no hoaB> Mr &of>" he said dryy> "I have advised Mada)e
your +ife not to ta1e the De+e +ith her to @ardy Chase on Friday/"
"I") +ith you there> sir/ I"ve aready said so to Mary/ %ut thereG She"s
a +o)an through and through> and I guess she .an"t 'ear to thin1
of another +o)an outshining her in the De+e ine/"
"What nonsense> ,regoryG" said Mary Marve sharpy/ %ut she
fushed angriy/
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
"Mada)e> I have advised/ I .an do no )ore/ C"est fini/"
!e 'o+ed the) 'oth to the door/
"AhG a a>" he o'served> returning/ "!istoire de fe))esG The good
hus'and> he hit the nai on the head ; tout de )M)e> 'ut he +as not
ta.tfuG Assuredy not/"
I i)parted to hi) )y vague re)e)'ran.es> and he nodded
vigorousy/
"So I thought/ A the sa)e> there is so)ething .urious underneath
a this/ With your per)ission> )on a)i> I +i ta1e the air/ A+ait )y
return> I 'eg of you> I sha not 'e ong/"
I +as haf aseep in )y .hair +hen the andady tapped on the door>
and put her head in/
"It"s another ady to see Mr Poirot> sir/ I"ve tod her he +as out> 'ut
she says as ho+ she" +ait> seeing as she"s .o)e up fro) the
.ountry/"
"<h> sho+ her in here> Mrs/ Mur.hison/ Perhaps I .an do so)ething
for her/"
In another )o)ent the ady had 'een ushered in/ My heart gave a
eap as I re.ogni?ed her/ #ady @ardy"s portrait had figured too
often in the So.iety papers to ao+ her to re)ain un1no+n/
"$o sit do+n> #ady @ardy>" I said> dra+ing for+ard a .hair/ "My
friend Poirot is out> 'ut I 1no+ for a fa.t that he" 'e 'a.1 very
shorty/"
She than1ed )e and sat do+n/ A very different type> this> fro) Miss
Mary Marve/ Ta> dar1> +ith fashing eyes> and a pae proud fa.e ;
yet so)ething +istfu in the .urves of the )outh/
I fet a desire to rise to the o..asion/ Why notA In Poirot"s presen.e
I have fre8uenty fet a diffi.uty ; I do not appear at )y 'est/ And
yet there is no dou't that I> too> possess the dedu.tive sense in a
)ar1ed degree/ I eant for+ard on a sudden i)puse/
"#ady @ardy>" I said/ "I 1no+ +hy you have .o)e here/ @ou have
re.eived 'a.1)aiing etters a'out the dia)ond/"
There +as no dou't as to )y 'ot having shot ho)e/ She stared at
)e open;)outhed> a .oour 'anished fro) her .hee1s/
"@ou 1no+A" she gasped/ "!o+A"
I s)ied/
"%y a perfe.ty ogi.a pro.ess/ If Miss Marve has had +arning
etters ; "
"Miss MarveA She has 'een hereA"
"She has Dust eft/ As I +as saying> if she> as the hoder of one of the
t+in dia)onds> has re.eived a )ysterious series of +arnings> you>
as the hoder of the other stone> )ust ne.essariy have done the
sa)e/ @ou see ho+ si)pe it isA I a) right> then> you have re.eived
these strange .o))uni.ations asoA "
For a )o)ent she hesitated> as though in dou't +hether to trust )e
or not> then she 'o+ed her head in assent +ith a itte s)ie/
"That is so>" she a.1no+edged/
"Were yours> too> eft 'y hand ; 'y a China)anA"
"0o> they .a)e 'y postI 'ut te )e> has Miss Marve undergone the
sa)e eBperien.e> thenA"
I re.ounted to her the events of the )orning/ She istened
attentivey/
"It a fits in/ My etters are the dupi.ates of hers/ It is true that they
.a)e 'y post> 'ut there is a .urious perfu)e i)pregnating the) ;
so)ething in the nature of Doss;sti.1 ; that at on.e suggested the
(ast to )e/ What does it a )eanA"
I shoo1 )y head/
"That is +hat +e )ust find out/ @ou have the etters +ith youA We
)ight earn so)ething fro) the post)ar1s/"
"2nfortunatey I destroyed the)/ @ou understand> at the ti)e I
regarded it as so)e fooish Do1e/ Can it 'e true that so)e Chinese
gang are reay trying to re.over the dia)ondsA It see)s too
in.redi'e/"
We +ent over the fa.ts again and again> 'ut .oud get no further
to+ards the eu.idation of the )ystery/ At ast #ady @ardy rose/
"I reay don"t thin1 I need +ait for Monsieur Poirot/ @ou .an te hi)
a this> .an"t youA Than1 you so )u.h> Mr ; "
She hesitated> her hand outstret.hed/
"Captain !astings/"
"<f .ourseG !o+ stupid of )e/ @ou"re a friend of the Cavendishes>
aren"t youA It +as Mary Cavendish +ho sent )e to Monsieur Poirot/"
When )y friend returned> I enDoyed teing hi) the tae of +hat had
o..urred during his a'sen.e/ !e .ross;8uestioned )e rather
sharpy over the detais of our .onversation and I .oud read
'et+een the ines that he +as not 'est peased to have 'een
a'sent/ I aso fan.ied that the dear od feo+ +as Dust the east
in.ined to 'e Deaous/ It had 'e.o)e rather a pose +ith hi) to
.onsistenty 'eitte )y a'iities> and I thin1 he +as .hagrined at
finding no oophoe for .riti.is)/ I +as se.rety rather peased +ith
)ysef> though I tried to .on.ea the fa.t for fear of irritating hi)/ In
spite of his idiosyn.rasies> I +as deepy atta.hed to )y 8uaint itte
friend/
"%ienG" he said at ength> +ith a .urious oo1 on his fa.e/ "The pot
deveops/ Pass )e> I pray you> that Peerage on the top shef there/"
!e turned the eaves/ "Ah> here +e areG J@ardy /// 16th vis.ount>
served South Afri.an WarJ /// tout La n"a pas dNi)portan.e /// J)ar/
196E !on/ Maude Stopperton> fourth daughter of 5rd %aron
CotteriJ /// u)> u)> u) / / /Jhas iss/ t+o daughters> 'orn 196O> 1916
/// Cu's /// residen.es/J /// 7ioP> that does not te us )u.h/ %ut
to)orro+ )orning +e see this )iordG"
"WhatA"
"@es/ I teegraphed to hi)/"
"I thought you had +ashed your hands of the .aseA"
"I a) not a.ting for Miss Marve sin.e she refuses to 'e guided 'y
)y advi.e/ What I do no+ is for )y o+n satisfa.tion ; the
satisfa.tion of !er.ue PoirotG $e.idedy> I )ust have a finger in this
pie/"
"And you .a)y +ire #ord @ardy to dash up to to+n Dust to suit your
.onvenien.e/ !e +on"t 'e peased/"
"Au .ontraire> if I preserve for hi) his fa)iy dia)ond> he ought to
'e very gratefu/"
"Then you reay thin1 there is a .han.e of it 'eing stoenA" I as1ed
eagery/
"A)ost a .ertainty>" repied Poirot pa.idy/ "(verything points that
+ay/"
"%ut ho+ ; "
Poirot stopped )y eager 8uestions +ith an airy gesture of the hand/
"0ot no+> I pray you/ #et us not .onfuse the )ind/ And o'serve that
Peerage ; ho+ you have repa.ed hi)G See you not that the taest
'oo1s go in the top shef> the neBt taest in the ro+ 'eneath> and so
on/ Thus +e have order> )ethod> +hi.h> as I have often tod you>
!astings ; "
"(Ba.ty>" I said hastiy> and put the offending vou)e in its proper
pa.e/
II
#ord @ardy turned out to 'e a .heery> oud;voi.ed sports)an +ith
a rather red fa.e> 'ut +ith a good;hu)oured 'onho)ie a'out hi)
that +as distin.ty attra.tive and )ade up for any a.1 of )entaity/
"(Btraordinary 'usiness this> Monsieur Poirot/ Can"t )a1e head or
tai of it/ See)s )y +ife"s 'een getting odd 1ind of etters> and that
this Miss Marve"s had "e) too/ What does it a )eanA"
Poirot handed hi) the .opy of So.iety ,ossip/
"First> )iord> I +oud as1 you if these fa.ts are su'stantiay
.orre.tA"
The peer too1 it/ !is fa.e dar1ened +ith anger as he read/
"$a)ned nonsenseG" he sputtered/ "There"s never 'een any
ro)anti. story atta.hing to the dia)ond/ It .a)e fro) India
originay> I 'eieve/ I never heard of a this Chinese god stuff/"
"Sti> the stone is 1no+n as JThe Star of the (ast/J"
"We> +hat if it isA" he de)anded +rathfuy/
Poirot s)ied a itte> 'ut )ade no dire.t repy/
"What I +oud as1 you to do> )iord> is to pa.e yoursef in )y
hands/ If you do so unreservedy> I have great hopes of averting the
.atastrophe/"
"Then you thin1 there"s a.tuay so)ething in these +id;.at taesA"
"Wi you do as I as1 youA"
"<f .ourse I +i> 'ut ; "
"%ienG Then per)it that I as1 you a fe+ 8uestions/ This affair of
@ardy Chase> is it> as you say> a fiBed up 'et+een you and Mr
&ofA"
"<h> he tod you a'out it> did heA 0o> there"s nothing setted/" !e
hesitated> the 'ri.1;red .oour of his fa.e deepening/ "Might as +e
get the thing straight/ I"ve )ade rather an ass of )ysef in )any
+ays/ Monsieur Poirot ; and I") head over ears in de't ; 'ut I +ant
to pu up/ I") fond of the 1ids> and I +ant to straighten things up>
and 'e a'e to ive on at the od pa.e/ ,regory &of is offering )e
'ig )oney ; enough to set )e on )y feet again/ I don"t +ant to do it ;
I hate the thought of a that .ro+d pay;a.ting round the Chase ;
'ut I )ay have to> uness ; " !e 'ro1e off/
Poirot eyed hi) 1eeny/ "@ou have> then> another string to your
'o+A Per)it that I )a1e a guessA It is to se The Star of the (astA"
#ord @ardy nodded/ "That"s it/ It"s 'een in the fa)iy for so)e
generations> 'ut it"s not entaied/ Sti> it"s not the easiest thing in
the +ord to find a pur.haser/ !off'erg> the !atton ,arden )an> is
on the oo1;out for a i1ey .usto)er> 'ut he" have to find one soon>
or it"s a +ashout/"
"<ne )ore 8uestion> per)ette? ; #ady @ardy> +hi.h pan does she
approveA"
"<h> she"s 'ittery opposed to )y seing the De+e/ @ou 1no+ +hat
+o)en are/ She"s a for this fi) stunt/"
"I .o)prehend>" said Poirot/ !e re)ained a )o)ent or so in
thought> then rose 'ris1y to his feet/ "@ou return to @ardy Chase at
on.eA %ienG Say no +ord to anyone ; to anyone> )ind ; 'ut eBpe.t
us there this evening/ We +i arrive shorty after five/"
"A right> 'ut I don"t see ; "
"Qa n"a pas d"i)portan.e>" said Poirot 1indy/ "@ou +i that I
preserve for you your dia)ond> n"est;.e pasA"
"@es> 'ut ; "
"Then do as I say/"
A sady 'e+idered no'e)an eft the roo)/
III
It +as haf;past five +hen +e arrived at @ardy Chase> and foo+ed
the dignified 'uter to the od paneed ha +ith its fire of 'a?ing
ogs/ A pretty pi.ture )et our eyesH #ady @ardy and her t+o
.hidren> the )other"s proud dar1 head 'ent do+n over the t+o fair
ones/ #ord @ardy stood near> s)iing do+n on the)/
"Monsieur Poirot and Captain !astings>" announ.ed the 'uter/
#ady @ardy oo1ed up +ith a start> her hus'and .a)e for+ard
un.ertainy> his eyes see1ing instru.tion fro) Poirot/ The itte )an
+as e8ua to the o..asion/
"A )y eB.usesG It is that I investigate sti this affair of Miss
Marve"s/ She .o)es to you on Friday> does she notA I )a1e a itte
tour first to )a1e sure that a is se.ure/ Aso I +anted to as1 of
#ady @ardy if she re.oe.ted at a the post)ar1s on the etters she
re.eivedA"
#ady @ardy shoo1 her head regretfuy/ "I") afraid I don"t/ It is
stupid of )e/ %ut> you see> I never drea)t of ta1ing the) seriousy/"
"@ou" stay the nightA" said #ord @ardy/
"<h> )iord> I fear to in.o))ode you/ We have eft our 'ags at the
inn/"
"That"s a right/" #ord @ardy had his .ue/ "We" send do+n for the)/
0o> no ; no trou'e> I assure you/"
Poirot per)itted hi)sef to 'e persuaded> and sitting do+n 'y #ady
@ardy> 'egan to )a1e friends +ith the .hidren/ In a short ti)e they
+ere a ro)ping together> and had dragged )e into the ga)e/
"7ous Mtes 'onne )ere>" said Poirot> +ith a gaant itte 'o+> as the
.hidren +ere re)oved reu.tanty 'y a stern nurse/
#ady @ardy s)oothed her ruffed hair/
"I adore the)>" she said +ith a itte .at.h in her voi.e/
"And they you ; +ith reasonG" Poirot 'o+ed again/
A dressing;gong sounded> and +e rose to go up to our roo)s/ At
that )o)ent the 'uter entered +ith a teegra) on a saver +hi.h
he handed to #ord @ardy/ The atter tore it open +ith a 'rief +ord of
apoogy/ As he read it he stiffened visi'y/
With an eDa.uation> he handed it to his +ife/ Then he gan.ed at )y
friend/
"*ust a )inute> Monsieur Poirot/ I fee you ought to 1no+ a'out this/
It"s fro) !off'erg/ !e thin1s he"s found a .usto)er for the dia)ond
; an A)eri.an> saiing for the States to;)orro+/ They"re sending
do+n a .hap to;night to vet the stone/ %y *ove> though> if this goes
through ; " Words faied hi)/
#ady @ardy had turned a+ay/ She sti hed the teegra) in her
hand/
"I +ish you +oudn"t se it> ,eorge>" she said> in a o+ voi.e/ "It"s
'een in the fa)iy so ong/" She +aited> as though for a repy> 'ut
+hen none .a)e her fa.e hardened/ She shrugged her shouders> "I
)ust go and dress/ I suppose I had 'etter dispay Jthe goodsJ/" She
turned to Poirot +ith a sight gri)a.e/ "It"s one of the )ost hideous
ne.1a.es that +as ever designedG ,eorge has a+ays pro)ised to
have the stones reset for )e> 'ut it"s never 'een done/"
She eft the roo)/
!af an hour ater> +e three +ere asse)'ed in the great dra+ingroo)
a+aiting the ady/ It +as aready a fe+ )inutes past the
dinner hour/
Suddeny there +as a o+ ruste> and #ady @ardy appeared fra)ed
in the door+ay> a radiant figure in a ong +hite shi))ering dress/
&ound the .ou)n of her ne.1 +as a rivuet of fire/ She stood there
+ith one hand Dust tou.hing the ne.1a.e/
"%ehod the sa.rifi.e>" she said gaiy/ !er i;hu)our see)ed to have
vanished/ "Wait +hie I turn the 'ig ight on and you sha feast your
eyes on the ugiest ne.1a.e in (ngand/"
The s+it.hes +ere Dust outside the door/ As she stret.hed out her
hand to the)> the in.redi'e thing happened/ Suddeny +ithout any
+arning> every ight +as eBtinguished> the door 'anged> and fro)
the other side of it .a)e a ong;dra+n pier.ing +o)an"s s.rea)/
"My ,odG" .ried #ord @ardy/ "That +as Maude"s voi.eG What has
happenedA"
We rushed 'indy for the door> .annoning into ea.h other in the
dar1ness/ It +as so)e )inutes 'efore +e .oud find it/ What a sight
)et our eyesG #ady @ardy ay senseess on the )ar'e foor> a
.ri)son )ar1 on her +hite throat +here the ne.1a.e had 'een
+ren.hed fro) her ne.1/
As +e 'ent over her> un.ertain for the )o)ent +hether she +as
dead or aive> her eyeids opened/
"The China)an>" she +hispered painfuy/ "The China)an ; the side
door/"
#ord @ardy sprang up +ith an oath/ I a..o)panied hi)> )y heart
'eating +idy/ The China)an againG The side door in 8uestion +as
a s)a one in the ange of the +a> not )ore than a do?en yards
fro) the s.ene of the tragedy/ As +e rea.hed it> I gave a .ry/ There>
Dust short of the threshod> ay the guttering ne.1a.e> evidenty
dropped 'y the thief in the pani. of his fight/ I s+ooped Doyousy
do+n on it/ Then I uttered another .ry +hi.h #ord @ardy e.hoed/
For in the )idde of the ne.1a.e +as a great gap/ The Star of the
(ast +as )issingG
"That settes it>" I 'reathed/ "These +ere no ordinary thieves/ This
one stone +as a they +anted/"
"%ut ho+ did the feo+ get inA"
"Through this door/"
"%ut it"s a+ays o.1ed/"
I shoo1 )y head/ "It"s not o.1ed no+/ See/" I pued it open as I
spo1e/
As I did so so)ething futtered to the ground/ I pi.1ed it up/ It +as a
pie.e of si1> and the e)'roidery +as un)ista1a'e/ It had 'een
torn fro) a China)an"s ro'e/
"In his haste it .aught in the door>" I eBpained/ "Co)e> hurry/ !e
.annot have gone far as yet/"
%ut in vain +e 'unted and sear.hed/ In the pit.h dar1ness of the
night> the thief had found it easy to )a1e his geta+ay/ We returned
reu.tanty> and #ord @ardy sent off one of the foot)en post;haste
to fet.h the poi.e/
#ady @ardy> apty )inistered to 'y Poirot> +ho is as good as a
+o)an in these )atters> +as suffi.ienty re.overed to 'e a'e to
te her story/
"I +as Dust going to turn on the other ight>" she said> "+hen a )an
sprang on )e fro) 'ehind/ !e tore )y ne.1a.e fro) )y ne.1 +ith
su.h for.e that I fe headong to the foor/ As I fe I sa+ hi)
disappearing through the side door/ Then I reai?ed 'y the pigtai
and the e)'roidered ro'e that he +as a China)an/" She stopped
+ith a shudder/
The 'uter reappeared/ !e spo1e in a o+ voi.e to #ord @ardy/
"A gente)an fro) Mr !off'erg"s> )"ord/ !e says you eBpe.t hi)/"
",ood heavensG" .ried the distra.ted no'e)an/ "I )ust see hi)> I
suppose/ 0o> not here> Muings> in the i'rary/"
I dre+ Poirot aside/
"#oo1 here> )y dear feo+> hadn"t +e 'etter get 'a.1 to #ondonA"
"@ou thin1 so> !astingsA WhyA"
"We" ; I .oughed dei.atey ; "things haven"t gone very +e> have
theyA I )ean> you te #ord @ardy to pa.e hi)sef in your hands
and a +i 'e +e ; and then the dia)ond vanishes fro) under your
very noseG"
"True>" said Poirot> rather .restfaen/ "It +as not one of )y )ost
stri1ing triu)phs/"
This +ay of des.ri'ing events a)ost .aused )e to s)ie> 'ut I
stu.1 to )y guns/
"So> having ; pardon the eBpression ; rather )ade a )ess of things>
don"t you thin1 it +oud 'e )ore gra.efu to eave i))ediateyA"
"And the dinner> the +ithout dou't eB.eent dinner> that the .hef of
#ord @ardy has preparedA "
"<h> +hat"s dinnerG" I said i)patienty/
Poirot hed up his hands in horror/
"Mon $ieuG It is that in this .ountry you treat the affairs gastrono)i.
+ith a .ri)ina indifferen.e/"
"There"s another reason +hy +e shoud get 'a.1 to #ondon as soon
as possi'e>" I .ontinued/
"What is that> )y friendA"
"The other dia)ond>" I said> o+ering )y voi.e/ "Miss Marve"s/"
"(h 'ien> +hat of itA"
"$on"t you seeA" !is unusua o'tuseness annoyed )e/ What had
happened to his usuay 1een +itsA "They"ve got one> no+ they" go
for the other/"
"TiensG" .ried Poirot> stepping 'a.1 a pa.e and regarding )e +ith
ad)iration/ "%ut your 'rain )ar.hes to a )arve> )y friendG Figure
to yoursef that for the )o)ent I had not thought of thatG %ut there
is penty of ti)e/ The fu of the )oon> it is not unti Friday/"
I shoo1 )y head du'iousy/ The fu of the )oon theory eft )e
entirey .od/ I had )y +ay +ith Poirot> ho+ever> and +e departed
i))ediatey> eaving 'ehind us a note of eBpanation and apoogy
for #ord @ardy/
My idea +as to go at on.e to the Magnifi.ent> and reate to Miss
Marve +hat had o..urred> 'ut Poirot vetoed the pan> and insisted
that the )orning +oud 'e ti)e enough/ I gave in rather grudgingy/
In the )orning Poirot see)ed strangey disin.ined to stir out/ I
'egan to suspe.t that> having )ade a )ista1e to start +ith> he +as
singuary oath to pro.eed +ith the .ase/ In ans+er to )y
persuasions> he pointed out> +ith ad)ira'e .o))on sense> that as
the detais of the affair at @ardy Chase +ere aready in the )orning
papers the &ofs +oud 1no+ 8uite as )u.h as +e .oud te the)/ I
gave +ay un+iingy/
(vents proved )y fore'odings to 'e Dustified/ A'out t+o o".o.1>
the teephone rang/ Poirot ans+ered it/ !e istened for so)e
)o)ents> then +ith a 'rief "%ien> DNy serai" he rang off> and turned to
)e/ "What do you thin1> )on a)iA" !e oo1ed haf asha)ed> haf eB.ited/
"The dia)ond of Miss Marve> it has 'een stoen/"
"WhatA" I .ried> springing up/ "And +hat a'out the "fu of the )oon"
no+A" Poirot hung his head/ When did this happenA"
"This )orning> I understand/"
I shoo1 )y head sady/ "If ony you had istened to )e/ @ou see I +as
right/"
"It appears so> )on a)i" said Poirot .autiousy/ "Appearan.es are
de.eptive> they say> 'ut it .ertainy appears so/"
As +e hurried in a taBi to the Magnifi.ent> I pu??ed out the true
in+ardness of the s.he)e/
"That Jfu of the )oonJ idea +as .ever/ The +hoe point of it +as to
get us to .on.entrate on the Friday> and so 'e off our guard
'eforehand/ It is a pity you did not reai?e that/"
"Ma foiG" said Poirot airiy> his non.haan.e 8uite restored after its
'rief e.ipse/ "<ne .annot thin1 of everythingG"
I fet sorry for hi)/ !e did so hate faiure of any 1ind/
"Cheer up>" I said .onsoingy/ "%etter u.1 neBt ti)e/"
At the Magnifi.ent> +e +ere ushered at on.e into the )anager"s
offi.e/ ,regory &of +as there +ith t+o )en fro) S.otand @ard/ A
pae;fa.ed .er1 sat opposite the)/
&of nodded to us as +e entered/ "We"re getting to the 'otto) of it>" he said/ "%ut it"s
a)ost
un'eieva'e/ !o+ the guy had the nerve I .an"t thin1/"
A very fe+ )inutes suffi.ed to give us the fa.ts/ Mr &of had gone
out of the hote at 11/1F/ At 11/56> a gente)an> so i1e hi) in
appearan.e as to pass )uster> entered the hote and de)anded
the De+e;.ase fro) the safe deposit/ !e duy signed the re.eipt>
re)ar1ing .areessy as he did soH "#oo1s a 'it different fro) )y
ordinary one> 'ut I hurt )y hand getting out of the taBi/" The .er1
)erey s)ied and re)ar1ed that he sa+ very itte differen.e/ &of
aughed and saidH "We> don"t run )e in as a .roo1 this ti)e>
any+ay/ I"ve 'een getting threatening etters fro) a China)an> and
the +orst of it is I oo1 rather i1e a Chin1 )ysef ; it"s so)ething
a'out the eyes/"
"I oo1ed at hi)>" said the .er1 +ho +as teing us this> "and I sa+ at
on.e +hat he )eant/ The eyes santed up at the .orners i1e an
<rienta"s/ I"d never noti.ed it 'efore/"
"$arn it a> )an>" roared ,regory &of> eaning for+ard> "do you
noti.e it no+A"
The )an oo1ed up at hi) and started/
"0o> sir>" he said/ "I .an"t say I do/" And indeed there +as nothing
even re)otey <rienta a'out the fran1 'ro+n eyes that oo1ed into
ours/
The S.otand @ard )an grunted/ "%od .usto)er/ Thought the eyes
)ight 'e noti.ed> and too1 the 'u 'y the horns to disar)
suspi.ion/ !e )ust have +at.hed you out of the hote> sir> and
nipped in as soon as you +ere +e a+ay/" "What a'out the De+e;.aseA" I as1ed/
"It +as found in a .orridor of the hote/ <ny one thing had 'een
ta1en ; JThe Western Star/J"
We stared at ea.h other ; the +hoe thing +as so 'i?arre> so unrea/
Poirot hopped 'ris1y to his feet/ "I have not 'een of )u.h use> I
fear>" he said regretfuy/ "Is it per)itted to see Mada)eA"
"I guess she"s prostrated +ith the sho.1>" eBpained &of/
"Then perhaps I )ight have a fe+ +ords aone +ith you> )onsieurA"
"Certainy/"
In a'out five )inutes Poirot reappeared/
"0o+> )y friend>" he said gaiy/ "To a post offi.e/ I have to send a
teegra)/"
"Who toA"
"#ord @ardy/" !e dis.ounted further in8uiries 'y sipping his ar)
through )ine/ "Co)e> .o)e> )on a)i/ I 1no+ a that you fee a'out
this )isera'e 'usiness/ I have not distinguished )ysefG @ou> in )y
pa.e> )ight have distinguished yoursef/ %ienG A is ad)itted/ #et
us forget it and have un.h/"
It +as a'out four o".o.1 +hen +e entered Poirot"s roo)s/ A figure
rose fro) a .hair 'y the +indo+/ It +as #ord @ardy/ !e oo1ed
haggard and distraught/
"I got your +ire and .a)e up at on.e/ #oo1 here> I"ve 'een round to
!off'erg> and they 1no+ nothing a'out that )an of theirs ast night>
or the +ire either/ $o you thin1 that ; "
Poirot hed up his hand/
"My eB.usesG I sent that +ire> and hired the gente)an in 8uestion/"
"@ou ; 'ut +hyA WhatA" The no'e)an sputtered i)potenty/
"My itte idea +as to 'ring things to a head>" eBpained Poirot
pa.idy/
"%ring things to a headG <h> )y ,odG" .ried #ord @ardy/
"And the ruse su..eeded>" said Poirot .heerfuy/ "Therefore> )iord>
I have )u.h peasure in returning you ; thisG" With a dra)ati.
gesture he produ.ed a gittering o'De.t/ It +as a great dia)ond/
"The Star of the (ast>" gasped #ord @ardy/ "%ut I don"t understand ; "
"0oA" said Poirot/ "It )a1es no )atter/ %eieve )e> it +as ne.essary
for the dia)ond to 'e stoen/ I pro)ised you that it +oud 'e
preserved to you> and I have 1ept )y +ord/ @ou )ust per)it )e to
1eep )y itte se.ret/ Convey> I 'eg of you> the assuran.es of )y
deepest respe.t to #ady @ardy> and te her ho+ peased I a) to 'e
a'e to restore her De+e to her/ What 'eau te)ps> is it notA ,ood
day> )iord/"
And s)iing and ta1ing> the a)a?ing itte )an .ondu.ted the
'e+idered no'e)an to the door/ !e returned genty ru''ing his
hands/
"Poirot>" I said/ "A) I 8uite de)entedA" "0o> )on a)i> 'ut you are> as a+ays> in a )enta
fog/"
"!o+ did you get the dia)ondA"
"Fro) Mr &of/"
"&ofA"
"Mais ouisG The +arning etters> the China)an> the arti.e in So.iety
,ossip> a sprang fro) the ingenious 'rain of Mr &ofG The t+o
dia)onds> supposed to 'e so )ira.uousy ai1e ; 'ahG they did not
eBist/ There +as ony one dia)ond> )y friendG <riginay in the
@ardy .oe.tion> for three years it has 'een in the possession of Mr
&of/ !e stoe it this )orning +ith the assistan.e of a tou.h of
grease paint at the .orner of ea.h eyeG Ah> I )ust see hi) on the
fi)> he is indeed an artist> .eui;PG"
"%ut +hy shoud he stea his o+n dia)ondA" I as1ed> pu??ed/
"For )any reasons/ To 'egin +ith> #ady @ardy +as getting restive/"
"#ady @ardyA"
"@ou .o)prehend she +as eft )u.h aone in Caifornia/ !er
hus'and +as a)using hi)sef ese+here/ Mr &of +as handso)e>
he had an air a'out hi) of ro)an.e/ %ut au fond> he is very
'usinessi1e> .e )onsieurG !e )ade ove to #ady @ardy> and then
he 'a.1)aied her/ I taBed the ady +ith the truth the other night>
and she ad)itted it/ She s+ore that she had ony 'een indis.reet>
and I 'eieve her/ %ut> undou'tedy> &of had etters of hers that
.oud 'e t+isted to 'ear a different interpretation/ Terrified 'y the
threat of a divor.e> and the prospe.t of 'eing separated fro) her
.hidren> she agreed to a he +ished/ She had no )oney of her
o+n> and she +as for.ed to per)it hi) to su'stitute a paste repi.a
for the rea stone/ The .oin.iden.e of the date of the appearan.e of
JThe Western StarJ stru.1 )e at on.e/ A goes +e/ #ord @ardy
prepares to range hi)sef ; to sette do+n/ And then .o)es the
)ena.e of the possi'e sae of the dia)ond/ The su'stitution +i 'e
dis.overed/ Without dou't she +rites off franti.ay to ,regory &of
+ho has Dust arrived in (ngand/ !e soothes her 'y pro)ising to
arrange a ; and prepares for a dou'e ro''ery/ In this +ay he +i
8uiet the ady> +ho )ight .on.eiva'y te a to her hus'and> an
affair +hi.h +oud not suit our 'a.1)aier at a> he +i have
RF6>666 insuran.e )oney 9aha> you had forgotten thatG:> and he +i
sti have the dia)ondG At this point I put )y finger in the pie/ The
arriva of a dia)ond eBpert is announ.ed/ #ady @ardy> as I fet sure
she +oud> i))ediatey arranges a ro''ery ; and does it very +e
tooG %ut !er.ue Poirot> he sees nothing 'ut fa.ts/ What happens in
a.tuaityA The ady s+it.hes off the ight> 'angs the door> thro+s
the ne.1a.e do+n the passage> and s.rea)s/ She has aready
+ren.hed out the dia)ond +ith piers upstairs ; "
"%ut +e sa+ the ne.1a.e round her ne.1G" I o'De.ted/
"I de)and pardon> )y friend/ !er hand .on.eaed the part of it
+here the gap +oud have sho+n/ To pa.e a pie.e of si1 in the
door 'eforehand is .hid"s payG <f .ourse> as soon as &of read of
the ro''ery> he arranged his o+n itte .o)edy/ And very +e he
payed itG"
"What did you say to hi)A" I as1ed +ith ivey .uriosity/
"I said to hi) that #ady @ardy had tod her hus'and a> that I +as
e)po+ered to re.over the De+e> and that if it +ere not i))ediatey handed over
pro.eedings +oud 'e ta1en/ Aso a fe+ )ore itte ies
+hi.h o..urred to )e/ !e +as as +aB in )y handsG"
I pondered the )atter/
"It see)s a itte unfair on Mary Marve/ She has ost her dia)ond
through no faut of her o+n/"
"%ahG" said Poirot 'rutay/ "She has a )agnifi.ent advertise)ent/
That is a she .ares for> that oneG 0o+ the other> she is different/
%onne )Sre> trSs fe))eG"
"@es>" I said dou'tfuy> hardy sharing Poirot"s vie+s on fe)ininity/ "I
suppose it +as &of +ho sent her the dupi.ate etters/"
"Pas du tout>" said Poirot 'ris1y/ "She .a)e 'y the advi.e of Mary
Cavendish to see1 )y aid in her die))a/ Then she heard that Mary
Marve> +ho) she 1ne+ to 'e her ene)y> had 'een here> and she
.hanged her )ind> Du)ping at a preteBt that you> )y friend> offered
her/ A very fe+ 8uestions suffi.ed to sho+ )e that you tod her of
the etters> not she youG She Du)ped at the .han.e your +ords
offered/"
"I don"t 'eieve it>" I .ried> stung/
"Si> si> )on a)i> it is a pity that you study not the psy.hoogy/ She
tod you that the etters +ere destroyedA <h> a a> never does a
+o)an destroy a etter if she .an avoid itG 0ot even if it +oud 'e
)ore prudent to do soG"
"It"s a very +e>" I said> )y anger rising> "'ut you"ve )ade a perfe.t
foo of )eG Fro) 'eginning to endG 0o> it"s a very +e to try and
eBpain it a+ay after+ards/ There reay is a i)itG" "%ut you +ere so enDoying yoursef>
)y friend/ I had not the heart to
shatter your iusions/"
"It"s no good/ @ou"ve gone a 'it too far this ti)e/"
"Mon $ieuG 'ut ho+ you enrage yoursef for nothing> )on a)iG"
"I") fed upG" I +ent out> 'anging the door/ Poirot had )ade an
a'soute aughing;sto.1 of )e/ I de.ided that he needed a sharp
esson/ I +oud et so)e ti)e eapse 'efore I forgave hi)/ !e had
en.ouraged )e to )a1e a perfe.t foo of )ysefG
The Tragedy at Marsdon Manor
I had 'een .aed a+ay fro) to+n for a fe+ days> and on )y return
found Poirot in the a.t of strapping up his s)a vaise/
"A a 'onne heure> !astings/ I feared you +oud not have returned
in ti)e to a..o)pany )e/"
"@ou are .aed a+ay on a .ase> thenA"
"@es> though I a) 'ound to ad)it that> on the fa.e of it> the affair
does not see) pro)ising/ The 0orthern 2nion Insuran.e Co)pany
have as1ed )e to investigate the death of a Mr Matravers +ho a
fe+ +ee1s ago insured his ife +ith the) for the arge su) of fifty
thousand pounds/"
"@esA" I said> )u.h interested/
"There +as> of .ourse> the usua sui.ide .ause in the poi.y/ In the
event of his .o))itting sui.ide +ithin a year the pre)iu)s +oud
'e forfeited/ Mr Matravers +as duy eBa)ined 'y the Co)pany"s
o+n do.tor> and athough he +as a )an sighty past the pri)e of
ife +as passed as 'eing in 8uite sound heath/ !o+ever> on
Wednesday ast ; the day 'efore yesterday ; the 'ody of Mr
Matravers +as found in the grounds of his house in (sseB> Marsdon
Manor> and the .ause of his death is des.ri'ed as so)e 1ind of
interna hae)orrhage/ That in itsef +oud 'e nothing re)ar1a'e>
'ut sinister ru)ours as to Mr Matravers" finan.ia position have
'een in the air of ate> and the 0orthern 2nion have as.ertained
'eyond any possi'e dou't that the de.eased gente)an stood
upon the verge of 'an1rupt.y/ 0o+ that aters )atters
.onsidera'y/ Matravers had a 'eautifu young +ife> and it is
suggested that he got together a the ready )oney he .oud for the
purpose of paying the pre)iu)s on a ife insuran.e for his +ife"s
'enefit> and then .o))itted sui.ide/ Su.h a thing is not un.o))on/
In any .ase> )y friend Afred Wright> +ho is a dire.tor of the
0orthern 2nion> has as1ed )e to investigate the fa.ts of the .ase>
'ut> as I tod hi)> I a) not very hopefu of su..ess/ If the .ause of
the death had 'een heart faiure> I shoud have 'een )ore
sanguine/ !eart faiure )ay a+ays 'e transated as the ina'iity of
the o.a ,P to dis.over +hat his patient reay did die of> 'ut a
hae)orrhage see)s fairy definite/ Sti> +e .an 'ut )a1e so)e
ne.essary in8uiries/ Five )inutes to pa.1 your 'ag> !astings> and
+e +i ta1e a taBi to #iverpoo Street/"
A'out an hour ater> +e aighted fro) a ,reat (astern train at the
itte station of Marsdon #eigh/ In8uiries at the station yieded the
infor)ation that Marsdon Manor +as a'out a )ie distant/ Poirot
de.ided to +a1> and +e 'etoo1 ourseves aong the )ain street/
"What is our pan of .a)paignA" I as1ed/
"First I +i .a upon the do.tor/ I have as.ertained that there is ony
one do.tor in Marsdon #eigh> $r &aph %ernard/ Ah> here +e are at
his house/"
The house in 8uestion +as a 1ind of superior .ottage> standing
'a.1 a itte fro) the road/ A 'rass pate on the gate 'ore the
do.tor"s na)e/ We passed up the path and rang the 'e/
We proved to 'e fortunate in our .a/ It +as the do.tor"s .onsuting
hour> and for the )o)ent there +ere no patients +aiting for hi)/ $r
%ernard +as an edery )an> high;shoudered and stooping> +ith a
peasant vagueness of )anner/
Poirot introdu.ed hi)sef and eBpained the purpose of our visit>
adding that Insuran.e Co)panies +ere 'ound to investigate fuy in
a .ase of this 1ind/
"<f .ourse> of .ourse>" said $r %ernard vaguey/ "I suppose> as he
+as su.h a ri.h )an> his ife +as insured for a 'ig su)A"
"@ou .onsider hi) a ri.h )an> do.torA"
The do.tor oo1ed rather surprised/
"Was he notA !e 1ept t+o .ars> you 1no+> and Marsdon Manor is a
pretty 'ig pa.e to 1eep up> athough I 'eieve he 'ought it very
.heap/"
"I understand that he had had .onsidera'e osses of ate>" said
Poirot> +at.hing the do.tor narro+y/
The atter> ho+ever> )erey shoo1 his head sady/
"Is that soA Indeed/ It is fortunate for his +ife> then> that there is this
ife insuran.e/ A very 'eautifu and .har)ing young .reature> 'ut
terri'y unstrung 'y this sad .atastrophe/ A )ass of nerves> poor
thing/ I have tried to spare her a I .an> 'ut of .ourse the sho.1 +as
'ound to 'e .onsidera'e/"
"@ou had 'een attending Mr Matravers re.entyA"
"My dear sir> I never attended hi)/"
"WhatA"
"I understand Mr Matravers +as a Christian S.ientist ; or so)ething
of that 1ind/"
"%ut you eBa)ined the 'odyA"
"Certainy/ I +as fet.hed 'y one of the under;gardeners/"
"And the .ause of death +as .earA"
"A'soutey/ There +as 'ood on the ips> 'ut )ost of the 'eeding
)ust have 'een interna/"
"Was he sti ying +here he had 'een foundA"
"@es> the 'ody had not 'een tou.hed/ !e +as ying at the edge of a
s)a pantation/ !e had evidenty 'een out shooting roo1s> a s)a
roo1 rife ay 'eside hi)/ The hae)orrhage )ust have o..urred
8uite suddeny/ ,astri. u.er> +ithout a dou't/"
"0o 8uestion of his having 'een shot> ehA"
"My dear sirG" "I de)and pardon>" said Poirot hu)'y/ "%ut> if )y )e)ory is not at
faut> in the .ase of a re.ent )urder> the do.tor first gave a verdi.t
of heart faiure ; atering it +hen the o.a .onsta'e pointed out that
there +as a 'uet +ound through the headG"
"@ou +i not find any 'uet +ounds on the 'ody of Mr Matravers>"
said $r %ernard dryy/ "0o+> gente)en> if there is nothing further ; "
We too1 the hint/
",ood )orning> and )any than1s to you> do.tor> for so 1indy
ans+ering our 8uestions/ %y the +ay> you sa+ no need for an
autopsyA"
"Certainy not/" The do.tor 'e.a)e 8uite apope.ti./ "The .ause of
death +as .ear> and in )y profession +e see no need to distress
unduy the reatives of a dead patient/"
And> turning> the do.tor sa))ed the door sharpy in our fa.es/
"And +hat do you thin1 of $r %ernard> !astingsA" in8uired Poirot> as
+e pro.eeded on our +ay to the Manor/
"&ather an od ass/"
"(Ba.ty/ @our Dudg)ents of .hara.ter are a+ays profound> )y
friend/"
I gan.ed at hi) uneasiy> 'ut he see)ed perfe.ty serious/ A
t+in1e> ho+ever> .a)e into his eye> and he added syyH
"That is to say> +hen there is no 8uestion of a 'eautifu +o)anG"
I oo1ed at hi) .ody/
<n our arriva at the )anor;house> the door +as opened to us 'y a
)idde;aged parour)aid/ Poirot handed her his .ard> and a etter
fro) the Insuran.e Co)pany for Mrs Matravers/ She sho+ed us
into a s)a )orning;roo)> and retired to te her )istress/ A'out
ten )inutes eapsed> and then the door opened> and a sender
figure in +ido+"s +eeds stood upon the threshod/
"Monsieur PoirotA" she fatered/
"Mada)eG" Poirot sprang gaanty to his feet and hastened to+ards
her/ "I .annot te you ho+ I regret to derange you in this +ay/ %ut
+hat +i youA #es affaires ; they 1no+ no )er.y/"
Mrs Matravers per)itted hi) to ead her to a .hair/ !er eyes +ere
red +ith +eeping> 'ut the te)porary disfigure)ent .oud not
.on.ea her eBtraordinary 'eauty/ She +as a'out t+enty;seven or ;
eight> and very fair> +ith arge 'ue eyes and a pretty pouting
)outh/
"It is so)ething a'out )y hus'and"s insuran.e> is itA %ut )ust I 'e
'othered no+ ; so soonA"
"Courage> )y dear )ada)e/ CourageG @ou see> your ate hus'and
insured his ife for rather a arge su)> and in su.h a .ase the
Co)pany a+ays has to satisfy itsef as to a fe+ detais/ They have
e)po+ered )e to a.t for the)/ @ou .an rest assured that I +i do
a in )y po+er to render the )atter not too unpeasant for you/ Wi
you re.ount to )e 'riefy the sad events of WednesdayA"
"I +as .hanging for tea +hen )y )aid .a)e up ; one of the
gardeners had Dust run to the house/ !e had found ; "
!er voi.e traied a+ay/ Poirot pressed her hand sy)patheti.ay/
"I .o)prehend/ (noughG @ou had seen your hus'and earier in the
afternoonA"
"0ot sin.e un.h/ I had +a1ed do+n to the viage for so)e sta)ps>
and I 'eieve he +as out pottering round the grounds/"
"Shooting roo1s> ehA"
"@es> he usuay too1 his itte roo1 rife +ith hi)> and I heard one or
t+o shots in the distan.e/"
"Where is this itte roo1 rife no+A"
"In the ha> I thin1/"
She ed the +ay out of the roo) and found and handed the itte
+eapon to Poirot> +ho eBa)ined it .ursoriy/
"T+o shots fired> I see>" he o'served> as he handed it 'a.1/ "And
no+> )ada)e> if I )ight see ; "
!e paused dei.atey/
"The servant sha ta1e you>" she )ur)ured> averting her head/
The parour)aid> su))oned> ed Poirot upstairs/ I re)ained +ith
the ovey and unfortunate +o)an/ It +as hard to 1no+ +hether to
spea1 or re)ain sient/ I essayed one or t+o genera refe.tions to
+hi.h she responded a'senty> and in a very fe+ )inutes Poirot
reDoined us/
"I than1 you for a your .ourtesy> )ada)e/ I do not thin1 you need
'e trou'ed any further +ith this )atter/ %y the +ay> do you 1no+
anything of your hus'and"s finan.ia positionAN
She shoo1 her head/
"0othing +hatever/ I a) very stupid over 'usiness things/"
"I see/ Then you .an give us no .ue as to +hy he suddeny de.ided
to insure his ifeA !e had not done so previousy> I understand/"
"We> +e had ony 'een )arried a itte over a year/ %ut> as to +hy
he insured his ife> it +as 'e.ause he had a'soutey )ade up his
)ind that he +oud not ive ong/ !e had a strong pre)onition of his
o+n death/ I gather that he had had one hae)orrhage aready> and
that he 1ne+ that another one +oud prove fata/ I tried to dispe
these goo)y fears of his> 'ut +ithout avai/ Aas> he +as ony too
rightG"
Tears in her eyes> she 'ade us a dignified fare+e/ Poirot )ade a
.hara.teristi. gesture as +e +a1ed do+n the drive together/
"(h 'ien> that is thatG %a.1 to #ondon> )y friend> there appears to
'e no )ouse in this )ouse;hoe/ And yet ; "
"@et +hatA"
"A sight dis.repan.y> that is aG @ou noti.ed itA @ou did notA Sti>
ife is fu of dis.repan.ies> and assuredy the )an .annot have
ta1en his o+n ife ; there is no poison that +oud fi his )outh +ith
'ood/ 0o> no> I )ust resign )ysef to the fa.t that a here is .ear
and a'ove;'oard ; 'ut +ho is thisA"
A ta young )an +as striding up the drive to+ards us/ !e passed
us +ithout )a1ing any sign> 'ut I noted that he +as not i;oo1ing>
+ith a ean> deepy;'ron?ed fa.e that spo1e of ife in a tropi. .i)e/
A gardener +ho +as s+eeping up eaves had paused for a )inute
in his tas1> and Poirot ran 8ui.1y up to hi)/
"Te )e> I pray you> +ho is that gente)anA $o you 1no+ hi)A"
"I don"t re)e)'er his na)e> sir> though I did hear it/ !e +as staying
do+n here ast +ee1 for a night/ Tuesday> it +as/"
"4ui.1> )on a)i> et us foo+ hi)/"
We hastened up the drive after the retreating figure/ A gi)pse of a
'a.1;ro'ed figure on the terra.e at the side of the house> and our
8uarry s+erved and +e after hi)> so that +e +ere +itnesses of the
)eeting/
Mrs Matravers a)ost staggered +here she stood> and her fa.e
'an.hed noti.ea'y/
"@ou>" she gasped/ "I thought you +ere on the sea ; on your +ay to
(ast Afri.aA"
"I got so)e ne+s fro) )y a+yers that detained )e>" eBpained the
young )an/ "My od un.e in S.otand died uneBpe.tedy and eft )e
so)e )oney/ 2nder the .ir.u)stan.es I thought it 'etter to .an.e
)y passage/ Then I sa+ this 'ad ne+s in the paper and I .a)e
do+n to see if there +as anything I .oud do/ @ou" +ant so)eone
to oo1 after things for you a 'it perhaps/"
At that )o)ent they 'e.a)e a+are of our presen.e/ Poirot
stepped for+ard> and +ith )any apoogies eBpained that he had
eft his sti.1 in the ha/ &ather reu.tanty> it see)ed to )e> Mrs
Matravers )ade the ne.essary introdu.tion/
"Monsieur Poirot> Captain %a.1/"
A fe+ )inutes" .hat ensued> in the .ourse of +hi.h Poirot ei.ited
the fa.t that Captain %a.1 +as putting up at the An.hor Inn/ The
)issing sti.1 not having 'een dis.overed 9+hi.h +as not
surprising:> Poirot uttered )ore apoogies and +e +ithdre+/
We returned to the viage at a great pa.e> and Poirot )ade a 'ee
ine for the An.hor Inn/
"!ere +e esta'ish ourseves unti our friend the Captain returns>"
he eBpained/ "@ou noti.ed that I e)phasi?ed the point that +e +ere
returning to #ondon 'y the first trainA Possi'y you thought I )eant
it/ %ut no ; you o'served Mrs Matravers" fa.e +hen she .aught
sight of this young %a.1A She +as .eary ta1en a'a.1> and he ; eh
'ien> he +as very devoted> did you not thin1 soA And he +as here
on Tuesday night ; the day 'efore Mr Matravers died/ We )ust
investigate the doings of Captain %a.1> !astings/"
In a'out haf an hour +e espied our 8uarry approa.hing the inn/
Poirot +ent out and a..osted hi) and presenty 'rought hi) up to
the roo) +e had engaged/
"I have 'een teing Captain %a.1 of the )ission +hi.h 'rings us
here>" he eBpained/ "@ou .an understand> )onsieur e .apitaine>
that I a) anBious to arrive at Mr Matravers" state of )ind
i))ediatey 'efore his death> and that at the sa)e ti)e I do not
+ish to distress Mrs Matravers unduy 'y as1ing her painfu
8uestions/ 0o+> you +ere here Dust 'efore the o..urren.e> and .an
give us e8uay vaua'e infor)ation/"
"I" do anything I .an to hep you> I") sure>" repied the young
sodierI "'ut I") afraid I didn"t noti.e anything out of the ordinary/
@ou see> athough Matravers +as an od friend of )y peope"s> I
didn"t 1no+ hi) very +e )ysef/"
"@ou .a)e do+n ; +henA"
"Tuesday afternoon/ I +ent up to to+n eary Wednesday )orning> as
)y 'oat saied fro) Ti'ury a'out t+eve o".o.1/ %ut so)e ne+s I
got )ade )e ater )y pans> as I dare say you heard )e eBpain to
Mrs Matravers/"
"@ou +ere returning to (ast Afri.a> I understandA"
"@es/ I"ve 'een out there ever sin.e the War ; a great .ountry/"
"(Ba.ty/ 0o+ +hat +as the ta1 a'out at dinner on Tuesday nightA"
"<h> I don"t 1no+/ The usua odd topi.s/ Matravers as1ed after )y
peope> and then +e dis.ussed the 8uestion of ,er)an reparations>
and then Mrs Matravers as1ed a ot of 8uestions a'out (ast Afri.a>
and I tod the) one or t+o yarns> that"s a'out a> I thin1/"
"Than1 you/"
Poirot +as sient for a )o)ent> then he said gentyH "With your
per)ission> I shoud i1e to try a itte eBperi)ent/ @ou have tod us
a that your .ons.ious sef 1no+s> I +ant no+ to 8uestion your
su'.ons.ious sef/"
"Psy.hoanaysis> +hatA" said %a.1> +ith visi'e aar)/
"<h> no>" said Poirot reassuringy/ "@ou see> it is i1e this> I give you a
+ord> you ans+er +ith another> and so on/ Any +ord> the first one
you thin1 of/ Sha +e 'eginA"
"A right>" said %a.1 so+y> 'ut he oo1ed uneasy/
"0ote do+n the +ords> pease> !astings>" said Poirot/ Then he too1
fro) his po.1et his 'ig turnip;fa.ed +at.h and aid it on the ta'e
'eside hi)/ "We +i .o))en.e/ $ay/"
There +as a )o)ent"s pause> and then %a.1 repiedH
"0ight/"
As Poirot pro.eeded> his ans+ers .a)e 8ui.1er/
"0a)e>" said Poirot/
"Pa.e/"
"%ernard/"
"Sha+/"
"Tuesday/"
"$inner"
"*ourney/"
"Ship/"
"Country/"
"2ganda/"
"Story/"
"#ions"
"&oo1 &ife/"
"Far)/"
"Shot/"
"Sui.ide/"
"(ephant/"
"Tus1s/"
"Money/"
"#a+yers/"
"Than1 you> Captain %a.1/ Perhaps you .oud spare )e a fe+
)inutes in a'out haf an hour"s ti)eA"
"Certainy/" The young sodier oo1ed at hi) .uriousy and +iped his
'ro+ as he got up/
"And no+> !astings>" said Poirot> s)iing at )e as the door .osed
'ehind hi)/ "@ou see it a> do you notA"
"I don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/"
"$oes that ist of +ords te you nothingA"
I s.rutini?ed it> 'ut +as for.ed to sha1e )y head/
"I +i assist you/ To 'egin +ith> %a.1 ans+ered +e +ithin the
nor)a ti)e i)it> +ith no pauses> so +e .an ta1e it that he hi)sef
has no guity 1no+edge to .on.ea/ J$ayJ to J0ightJ and JPa.eJ to
J0a)eJ are nor)a asso.iations/ I 'egan +or1 +ith J%ernard>J
+hi.h )ight have suggested the o.a do.tor had he .o)e a.ross
hi) at a/ (videnty he had not/ After our re.ent .onversation> he
gave J$innerJ to )y JTuesdayJ> 'ut J*ourneyJ and JCountryJ +ere
ans+ered 'y JShipJ and J2gandaJ> sho+ing .eary that it +as his
Dourney a'road that +as i)portant to hi) and not the one +hi.h
'rought hi) do+n here/ JStoryJ re.as to hi) one of the J#ionJ
stories he tod at dinner/ I pro.eeded to J&oo1 &ifeJ and he
ans+ered +ith the totay uneBpe.ted +ord JFar)J/ When I say
JShotJ> he ans+ers at on.e JSui.ideJ/ The asso.iation see)s .ear/
A )an he 1no+s .o))itted sui.ide +ith a roo1 rife on a far)
so)e+here/ &e)e)'er> too> that his )ind is sti on the stories he
tod at dinner> and I thin1 you +i agree that I sha not 'e far fro)
the truth if I re.a Captain %a.1 and as1 hi) to repeat the
parti.uar sui.ide story +hi.h he tod at the dinner;ta'e on
Tuesday evening/"
%a.1 +as straightfor+ard enough over the )atter/
"@es> I did te the) that story no+ that I .o)e to thin1 of it/ Chap
shot hi)sef on a far) out there/ $id it +ith a roo1 rife through the
roof of his )outh> 'uet odged in the 'rain/ $o.tors +ere no end
pu??ed over it ; there +as nothing to sho+ eB.ept a itte 'ood on
the ips/ %ut +hat ;A "
"What has it got to do +ith Mr MatraversA @ou did not 1no+> I see>
that he +as found +ith a roo1 rife 'y his side/"
"@ou )ean )y story suggested to hi) ; oh> 'ut that is a+fuG"
"$o not distress yoursef ; it +oud have 'een one +ay or another/
We> I )ust get on the teephone to #ondon/"
Poirot had a engthy .onversation over the +ire> and .a)e 'a.1
thoughtfu/ !e +ent off 'y hi)sef in the afternoon> and it +as not ti
seven o".o.1 that he announ.ed that he .oud put it off no onger>
'ut )ust 'rea1 the ne+s to the young +ido+/ My sy)pathy had
aready gone out to her unreservedy/ To 'e eft penniess> and +ith
the 1no+edge that her hus'and had 1ied hi)sef to assure her
future +as a hard 'urden for any +o)an to 'ear/ I .herished a
se.ret hope> ho+ever> that young %a.1 )ight prove .apa'e of
.onsoing her after her first grief had passed/ !e evidenty ad)ired
her enor)ousy/
<ur intervie+ +ith the ady +as painfu/ She refused vehe)enty to
'eieve the fa.ts that Poirot advan.ed> and +hen she +as at ast
.onvin.ed 'ro1e do+n into 'itter +eeping/ An eBa)ination of the
'ody turned our suspi.ions into .ertainty/ Poirot +as very sorry for
the poor ady> 'ut> after a> he +as e)poyed 'y the Insuran.e
Co)pany> and +hat .oud he doA As he +as preparing to eave he
said genty to Mrs MatraversH
"Mada)e> you of a peope shoud 1no+ that there are no deadG"
"What do you )eanA" she fatered> her eyes gro+ing +ide/
"!ave you never ta1en part in any spirituaisti. s=an.esA @ou are
)ediu)isti.> you 1no+/"
"I have 'een tod so/ %ut you do not 'eieve in Spirituais)> sureyA"
"Mada)e> I have seen so)e strange things/ @ou 1no+ that they say
in the viage that this house is hauntedA"
She nodded> and at that )o)ent the parour)aid announ.ed that
dinner +as ready/
"Won"t you Dust stay and have so)ething to eatA"
We a..epted gratefuy> and I fet that our presen.e .oud not 'ut
hep distra.t her a itte fro) her o+n griefs/
We had Dust finished our soup> +hen there +as a s.rea) outside
the door> and the sound of 'rea1ing .ro.1ery/ We Du)ped up/ The
parour)aid appeared> her hand to her heart/
"It +as a )an ; standing in the passage/"
Poirot rushed out> returning 8ui.1y/
"There is no one there/"
"Isn"t there> sirA" said the parour)aid +ea1y/ "<h> it did give )e a
startG"
"%ut +hyA"
She dropped her voi.e to a +hisper/
"I thought ; I thought it +as the )aster ; it oo1ed i1e "i)/"
I sa+ Mrs Matravers give a terrified start> and )y )ind fe+ to the
od superstition that a sui.ide .annot rest/ She thought of it too> I
a) sure> for a )inute ater> she .aught Poirot"s ar) +ith a s.rea)/
"$idn"t you hear thatA Those three taps on the +indo+A That"s ho+
he a+ays used to tap +hen he passed round the house/"
"The ivy>" I .ried/ "It +as the ivy against the pane/"
%ut a sort of terror +as gaining on us a/ The parour)aid +as
o'viousy unstrung> and +hen the )ea +as over Mrs Matravers
'esought Poirot not to go at on.e/ She +as .eary terrified to 'e
eft aone/ We sat in the itte )orning roo)/ The +ind +as getting
up> and )oaning round the house in an eerie fashion/ T+i.e the
door of the roo) .a)e unat.hed and the door so+y opened> and
ea.h ti)e she .ung to )e +ith a terrified gasp/
"Ah> 'ut this door> it is 'e+it.hedG" .ried Poirot angriy at ast/ !e
got up and shut it on.e )ore> then turned the 1ey in the o.1/ "I sha
o.1 it> soG"
"$on"t do that>" she gasped> "if it shoud .o)e open no+ ; "
And even as she spo1e the i)possi'e happened/ The o.1ed door
so+y s+ung open/ I .oud not see into the passage fro) +here I
sat> 'ut she and Poirot +ere fa.ing it/ She gave one ong shrie1 as
she turned to hi)/
"@ou sa+ hi) ; there in the passageA" she .ried/
!e +as staring do+n at her +ith a pu??ed fa.e> then shoo1 his
head/
"I sa+ hi) ; )y hus'and ; you )ust have seen hi) tooA"
"Mada)e> I sa+ nothing/ @ou are so +e ; unstrung ; "
"I a) perfe.ty +e> I ; <h> ,odG"
Suddeny> +ithout +arning> the ights 8uivered and +ent out/ <ut of
the dar1ness .a)e three oud raps/ I .oud hear Mrs Matravers
)oaning/
And then ; I sa+G
The )an I had seen on the 'ed upstairs stood there fa.ing us>
gea)ing +ith a faint ghosty ight/ There +as 'ood on his ips> and
he hed his right hand out> pointing/ Suddeny a 'riiant ight
see)ed to pro.eed fro) it/ It passed over Poirot and )e> and fe on
Mrs Matravers/ I sa+ her +hite terrified fa.e> and so)ething eseG
"My ,od> PoirotG" I .ried/ "#oo1 at her hand> her right hand/ It"s a
redG"
!er o+n eyes fe on it> and she .oapsed in a heap on the foor/
"%ood>" she .ried hysteri.ay/ "@es> it"s 'ood/ I 1ied hi)/ I did it/
!e +as sho+ing )e> and then I put )y hand on the trigger and
pressed/ Save )e fro) hi) ; save )eG !e"s .o)e 'a.1G"
!er voi.e died a+ay in a gurge/
"#ights>" said Poirot 'ris1y/
The ights +ent on as if 'y )agi./
"That"s it>" he .ontinued/ "@ou heard> !astingsA And you> (verettA
<h> 'y the +ay> this is Mr (verett> rather a fine )e)'er of the
theatri.a profession/ I "phoned to hi) this afternoon/ !is )a1e;up
is good> isn"t itA 4uite i1e the dead )an> and +ith a po.1et tor.h
and the ne.essary phosphores.en.e he )ade the proper
i)pression/ I shoudn"t tou.h her right hand if I +ere you> !astings/
&ed paint )ar1s so/ When the ights +ent out I .asped her hand>
you see/ %y the +ay> +e )ustn"t )iss our train/ Inspe.tor *app is
outside the +indo+/ A 'ad night ; 'ut he has 'een a'e to +hie
a+ay the ti)e 'y tapping on the +indo+ every no+ and then/"
"@ou see>" .ontinued Poirot> as +e +a1ed 'ris1y through the +ind
and rain> "there +as a itte dis.repan.y/ The do.tor see)ed to
thin1 the de.eased +as a Christian S.ientist> and +ho .oud have
given hi) that i)pression 'ut Mrs MatraversA %ut to us she
represented hi) as 'eing in a grave state of apprehension a'out
his o+n heath/ Again> +hy +as she so ta1en a'a.1 'y the
reappearan.e of young %a.1A And asty> athough I 1no+ that
.onvention de.rees that a +o)an )ust )a1e a de.ent preten.e of
)ourning for her hus'and> I do not .are for su.h heaviy;rouged
eyeidsG @ou did not o'serve the)> !astingsA 0oA As I a+ays te
you> you see nothingG
"We> there it +as/ There +ere the t+o possi'iities/ $id %a.1"s
story suggest an ingenious )ethod of .o))itting sui.ide to Mr
Matravers> or did his other istener> the +ife> see an e8uay
ingenious )ethod of .o))itting )urderA I in.ined to the atter
vie+/ To shoot hi)sef in the +ay indi.ated> he +oud pro'a'y have
had to pu the trigger +ith his toe ; or at east so I i)agine/ 0o+ if
Matravers had 'een found +ith one 'oot off> +e shoud a)ost
.ertainy have heard of it fro) so)eone/ An odd detai i1e that
+oud have 'een re)e)'ered/
"0o> as I say> I in.ined to the vie+ that it +as a .ase of )urder> not
sui.ide> 'ut I reai?ed that I had not a shado+ of proof in support of
)y theory/ !en.e the ea'orate itte .o)edy you sa+ payed
tonight/"
"(ven no+ I don"t 8uite see a the detais of the .ri)e>" I said/
"#et us start fro) the 'eginning/ !ere is a shre+d and s.he)ing
+o)an +ho> 1no+ing of her hus'and"s finan.ia d='T.e and tired
of the edery )ate she has ony )arried for his )oney> indu.es hi)
to insure his ife for a arge su)> and then see1s for the )eans to
a..o)pish her purpose/ An a..ident gives her that ; the young
sodier"s strange story/ The neBt afternoon +hen )onsieur e
.apitaine> as she thin1s> is on the high seas> she and her hus'and
are stroing round the grounds/ JWhat a .urious story that +as ast
nightGJ she o'serves/ JCoud a )an shoot hi)sef in su.h a +ayA $o
sho+ )e if it is possi'eGJ The poor foo ; he sho+s her/ !e pa.es
the end of the rife in his )outh/ She stoops do+n> and puts her
finger on the trigger> aughing up at hi)/ JAnd no+> sir>J she says
sau.iy> Jsupposing I pu the triggerAJ
"And then ; and then> !astings ; she pus itG"
The Adventure of the Cheap Flat
So far> in the .ases +hi.h I have re.orded> Poirot"s investigations
have started fro) the .entra fa.t> +hether )urder or ro''ery> and
have pro.eeded fro) then.e 'y a pro.ess of ogi.a dedu.tion to
the fina triu)phant unraveing/ In the events I a) no+ a'out to
.hroni.e> a re)ar1a'e .hain of .ir.u)stan.es ed fro) the
apparenty trivia in.idents +hi.h first attra.ted Poirot"s attention to
the sinister happenings +hi.h .o)peted a )ost unusua .ase/
I had 'een spending the evening +ith an od friend of )ine> ,erad
Par1er/ There had 'een> perhaps> a'out haf a do?en peope there
'esides )y host and )ysef> and the ta1 fe> as it +as 'ound to do
sooner or ater +herever Par1er found hi)sef> on the su'De.t of
house;hunting in #ondon/ !ouses and fats +ere Par1er"s spe.ia
ho''y/ Sin.e the end of the War> he had o..upied at east haf a
do?en different fats and )aisonnettes/ 0o sooner +as he setted
any+here than he +oud ight uneBpe.tedy upon a ne+ find> and
+oud forth+ith depart 'ag and 'aggage/ !is )oves +ere neary
a+ays a..o)pished at a sight pe.uniary gain> for he had a
shre+d 'usiness head> 'ut it +as sheer ove of the sport that
a.tuated hi)> and not a desire to )a1e )oney at it/ We istened to
Par1er for so)e ti)e +ith the respe.t of the novi.e for the eBpert/
Then it +as our turn> and a perfe.t 'a'e of tongues +as et oose/
Finay the foor +as eft to Mrs &o'inson> a .har)ing itte 'ride
+ho +as there +ith her hus'and/ I had never )et the) 'efore> as
&o'inson +as ony a re.ent a.8uaintan.e of Par1er"s/
"Ta1ing of fats>" she said> "have you heard of our pie.e of u.1> Mr
Par1erA We"ve got a fat ; at astG In Montagu Mansions/"
"We>" said Par1er> "I"ve a+ays said there are penty of fats ; at a
pri.eG"
"@es> 'ut this isn"t at a pri.e/ It"s dirt .heap/ (ighty pounds a yearG"
"%ut ; 'ut Montagu Mansions is Dust off -nights'ridge> isn"t itA %ig
handso)e 'uiding/ <r are you ta1ing of a poor reation of the
sa)e na)e stu.1 in the su)s so)e+hereA"
"0o> it"s the -nights'ridge one/ That"s +hat )a1es it so +onderfu/"
"Wonderfu is the +ordG It"s a 'in1ing )ira.e/ %ut there )ust 'e a
.at.h so)e+here/ %ig pre)iu)> I supposeA"
"0o pre)iu)G"
"0o pre) ; oh> hod )y head> so)e'odyG" groaned Par1er/
"%ut +e"ve got to 'uy the furniture>" .ontinued Mrs &o'inson/
"AhG" Par1er 'risted up/ "I 1ne+ there +as a .at.hG"
"For fifty pounds/ And it"s 'eautifuy furnishedG"
"I give it up>" said Par1er/ "The present o..upants )ust 'e unati.s
+ith a taste for phianthropy/"
Mrs &o'inson +as oo1ing a itte trou'ed/ A itte pu.1er appeared
'et+een her dainty 'ro+s/
"It is 8ueer> isn"t itA @ou don"t thin1 that ; that ; the pa.e is
hauntedA"
"0ever heard of a haunted fat>" de.ared Par1er de.isivey/
"0o;o/" Mrs &o'inson appeared far fro) .onvin.ed/ "%ut there +ere
severa things a'out it a that stru.1 )e as ; +e> 8ueer/"
"For instan.e ; " I suggested/
"Ah>" said Par1er> "our .ri)ina eBpert"s attention is arousedG
2n'urden yoursef to hi)> Mrs &o'inson/ !astings is a great
unraveer of )ysteries/"
I aughed> e)'arrassed> 'ut not +hoy dispeased +ith the rUe
thrust upon )e/
"<h> not reay 8ueer> Captain !astings> 'ut +hen +e +ent to the
agents> Stosser and Pau ; +e hadn"t tried the) 'efore 'e.ause
they ony have the eBpensive Mayfair fats> 'ut +e thought at any
rate it +oud do no har) ; everything they offered us +as four and
five hundred a year> or ese huge pre)iu)s> and then> Dust as +e +ere going> they
)entioned that they had a fat at eighty> 'ut that
they dou'ted if it +oud 'e any good our going there> 'e.ause it
had 'een on their 'oo1s so)e ti)e and they had sent so )any
peope to see it that it +as a)ost sure to 'e ta1en ; Jsnapped upJ as the .er1 put it ;
ony peope +ere so tireso)e in not etting the)
1no+> and then they +ent on sending> and peope get annoyed at
'eing sent to a pa.e that had> perhaps> 'een et so)e ti)e/"
Mrs &o'inson paused for so)e )u.h needed 'reath> and then
.ontinuedH
"We than1ed hi)> and said that +e 8uite understood it +oud
pro'a'y 'e no good> 'ut that +e shoud i1e an order a the sa)e ;
Dust in .ase/ And +e +ent there straight a+ay in a taBi> for> after a>
you never 1no+/ 0o 4 +as on the se.ond foor> and Dust as +e +ere
+aiting for the ift> (sie Ferguson ; she"s a friend of )ine> Captain
!astings> and they are oo1ing for a fat too ; .a)e hurrying do+n
the stairs/ JAhead of you for on.e> )y dear>J she said/ J%ut it"s no
good/ It"s aready et/J That see)ed to finish it> 'ut ; +e> as *ohn
said> the pa.e +as very .heap> +e .oud afford to give )ore> and
perhaps if +e offered a pre)iu)/ A horrid thing to do> of .ourse>
and I fee 8uite asha)ed of teing you> 'ut you 1no+ +hat fathunting
is/"
I assured her that I +as +e a+are that in the strugge for houseroo)
the 'aser side of hu)an nature fre8uenty triu)phed over the
higher> and that the +e;1no+n rue of dog eat dog a+ays appied/
"So +e +ent up and> +oud you 'eieve it> the fat +asn"t et at a/
We +ere sho+n over it 'y the )aid> and then +e sa+ the )istress>
and the thing +as setted then and there/ I))ediate possession
and fifty pounds for the furniture/ We signed the agree)ent neBt
day> and +e are to )ove in to)orro+G" Mrs &o'inson paused
triu)phanty/
"And +hat a'out Mrs FergusonA" as1ed Par1er/ "#et"s have your
dedu.tions> !astings/"
"J<'vious> )y dear Watson>J" I 8uoted ighty/ "She +ent to the
+rong fat/"
"<h> Captain !astings> ho+ .ever of youG" .ried Mrs &o'inson
ad)iringy/
I rather +ished Poirot had 'een there/ So)eti)es I have the feeing
that he rather underesti)ates )y .apa'iities/
II
The +hoe thing +as rather a)using> and I propounded the thing as
a )o.1 pro'e) to Poirot on the foo+ing )orning/ !e see)ed
interested> and 8uestioned )e rather narro+y as to the rents of
fats in various o.aities/
"A .urious story>" he said thoughtfuy/ "(B.use )e> !astings> I )ust
ta1e a short stro/"
When he returned> a'out an hour ater> his eyes +ere gea)ing +ith
a pe.uiar eB.ite)ent/ !e aid his sti.1 on the ta'e> and 'rushed
the nap of his hat +ith his usua tender .are 'efore he spo1e/
"It is as +e> )on a)i> that +e have no affairs of )o)ent on hand/
We .an devote ourseves +hoy to the present investigation/"
"What investigation are you ta1ing a'outA"
"The re)ar1a'e .heapness of your friend> Mrs &o'inson"s> ne+
fat/"
"Poirot> you are not seriousG"
"I a) )ost serious/ Figure to yoursef> )y friend> that the rea rent
of those fats is R5F6/ I have Dust as.ertained that fro) the
andord"s agents/ And yet this parti.uar fat is 'eing su'et at
eighty poundsG WhyA"
"There )ust 'e so)ething +rong +ith it/ Perhaps it is haunted> as
Mrs &o'inson suggested/"
Poirot shoo1 his head in a dissatisfied )anner/
"Then again ho+ .urious it is that her friend tes her the fat is et>
and> +hen she goes up> 'ehod> it is not so at aG"
"%ut surey you agree +ith )e that the other +o)an )ust have gone
to the +rong fat/ That is the ony possi'e soution/"
"@ou )ay or )ay not 'e right on that point> !astings/ The fa.t sti
re)ains that nu)erous other appi.ants +ere sent to see it> and
yet> in spite of its re)ar1a'e .heapness> it +as sti in the )ar1et
+hen Mrs &o'inson arrived/"
"That sho+s that there )ust 'e so)ething +rong a'out it/"
"Mrs &o'inson did not see) to noti.e anything a)iss/ 7ery .urious>
is it notA $id she i)press you as 'eing a truthfu +o)an> !astingsA"
"She +as a deightfu .reatureG"
"(vide))entG sin.e she renders you in.apa'e of repying to )y
8uestion/ $es.ri'e her to )e> then/"
"We> she"s ta and fairI her hair"s reay a 'eautifu shade of au'urn
; "
"A+ays you have had a pen.hant for au'urn hairG" )ur)ured
Poirot/ "%ut .ontinue/"
"%ue eyes and a very ni.e .o)peBion and ; +e> that"s a> I thin1>" I
.on.uded a)ey/
"And her hus'andA"
"<h> he"s 8uite a ni.e feo+ ; nothing starting/"
"$ar1 or fairA"
"I don"t 1no+ ; 'et+iBt and 'et+een> and Dust an ordinary sort of
fa.e/"
Poirot nodded/
"@es> there are hundreds of these average )en ; and> any+ay> you
'ring )ore sy)pathy and appre.iation to your des.ription of
+o)en/ $o you 1no+ anything a'out these peopeA $oes Par1er
1no+ the) +eA"
"They are Dust re.ent a.8uaintan.es> I 'eieve/ %ut surey> Poirot>
you don"t thin1 for an instant ; "
Poirot raised his hand/
"Tout dou.e)ent> )on a)i/ !ave I said that I thin1 anythingA A I
say is ; it is a .urious story/ And there is nothing to thro+ ight upon
itI eB.ept perhaps the ady"s na)e> eh> !astingsA"
"!er na)e is Stea>" I said stiffy> "'ut I don"t see ; "
Poirot interrupted )e +ith a tre)endous .hu.1e/ So)ething
see)ed to 'e a)using hi) vasty/
"And Stea )eans a star> does it notA Fa)ousG"
"What on earth ;A "
"And stars give ightG 7oiPG Ca) yoursef> !astings/ $o not put on
that air of inDured dignity/ Co)e> +e +i go to Montagu Mansions
and )a1e a fe+ in8uiries/"
I a..o)panied hi)> nothing oath/ The Mansions +ere a handso)e
'o.1 of 'uidings in eB.eent repair/ A unifor)ed porter +as
sunning hi)sef on the threshod> and it +as to hi) that Poirot
addressed hi)sefH
"Pardon> 'ut .oud you te )e if a Mr and Mrs &o'inson reside
hereA"
The porter +as a )an of fe+ +ords and apparenty of a sour or
suspi.ious disposition/ !e hardy oo1ed at us and grunted outH
"0o 4/ Se.ond foor/"
"I than1 you/ Can you te )e ho+ ong they have 'een hereA"
"SiB )onths/"
I started for+ard in a)a?e)ent> .ons.ious as I did so of Poirot"s
)ai.ious grin/
"I)possi'e>" I .ried/ "@ou )ust 'e )a1ing a )ista1e/"
"SiB )onths/"
"Are you sureA The ady I )ean is ta and fair +ith reddish god hair
and ; "
"That"s "er>" said the porter/ "Co)e in the Mi.hae)as 8uarter> they
did/ *ust siB )onths ago/"
!e appeared to ose interest in us and retreated so+y up the ha/ I
foo+ed Poirot outside/
"(h 'ien> !astingsA" )y friend de)anded syy/ "Are you so sure no+
that deightfu +o)en a+ays spea1 the truthA"
I did not repy/
Poirot had steered his +ay into %ro)pton &oad 'efore I as1ed hi)
+hat he +as going to do and +here +e +ere going/
"To the house agents> !astings/ I have a great desire to have a fat
in Montagu Mansions/ If I a) not )ista1en> severa interesting
things +i ta1e pa.e there 'efore ong/"
We +ere fortunate in our 8uest/ 0o O> on the fourth foor> +as to 'e
et furnished at ten guineas a +ee1/ Poirot pro)pty too1 it for a
)onth/ <utside in the street again> he sien.ed )y protestsH
"%ut I )a1e )oney no+adaysG Why shoud I not induge a +hi)A %y
the +ay> !astings> have you a revoverA"
"@es ; so)e+here>" I ans+ered> sighty thried/ "$o you thin1 ; "
"That you +i need itA It is 8uite possi'e/ The idea peases you> I
see/ A+ays the spe.ta.uar and ro)anti. appeas to you/"
The foo+ing day sa+ us instaed in our te)porary ho)e/ The fat
+as peasanty furnished/ It o..upied the sa)e position in the
'uiding as that of the &o'insons> 'ut +as t+o foors higher/
The day after our instaation +as a Sunday/ In the afternoon> Poirot
eft the front door aDar> and su))oned )e hastiy as a 'ang
rever'erated fro) so)e+here 'eo+/
"#oo1 over the 'anisters/ Are those your friendsA $o not et the)
see you/"
I .raned )y ne.1 over the stair.ase/
"That"s the)>" I de.ared in an ungra))ati.a +hisper/
",ood/ Wait a+hie/"
A'out haf an hour ater> a young +o)an e)erged in 'riiant and
varied .othing/ With a sigh of satisfa.tion> Poirot tiptoed 'a.1 into
the fat/
"C"est La/ After the )aster and )istress> the )aid/ The fat shoud
no+ 'e e)pty/"
"What are +e going to doA" I as1ed uneasiy/
Poirot had trotted 'ris1y into the s.uery and +as hauing at the
rope of the .oa;ift/
"We are a'out to des.end after the )ethod of the dust'ins>" he
eBpained .heerfuy/ "0o one +i o'serve us/ The Sunday .on.ert>
the Sunday "afternoon out>" and finay the Sunday nap after the
Sunday dinner of (ngand ; e ros'if ; a these +i distra.t attention
fro) the doings of !er.ue Poirot/ Co)e> )y friend/"
!e stepped into the rough +ooden .ontrivan.e and I foo+ed hi)
gingery/
"Are +e going to 'rea1 into the fatA" I as1ed du'iousy/
Poirot"s ans+er +as not too reassuringH
"0ot pre.isey today>" he repied/
Puing on the rope> +e des.ended so+y ti +e rea.hed the
se.ond foor/ Poirot uttered an eB.a)ation of satisfa.tion as he
per.eived that the +ooden door into the s.uery +as open/
"@ou o'serveA 0ever do they 'ot these doors in the dayti)e/ And
yet anyone .oud )ount or des.end as +e have done/ At night> yes ;
though not a+ays then ; and it is against that that +e are going to
)a1e provision/"
!e had dra+n so)e toos fro) his po.1et as he spo1e> and at on.e
set defty to +or1> his o'De.t 'eing to arrange the 'ot so that it
.oud 'e pued 'a.1 fro) the ift/ The operation ony o..upied
a'out three )inutes/ Then Poirot returned the toos to his po.1et>
and +e reas.ended on.e )ore to our o+n do)ain/
III
<n Monday Poirot +as out a day> 'ut +hen he returned in the
evening he fung hi)sef into his .hair +ith a sigh of satisfa.tion/
"!astings> sha I re.ount to you a itte historyA A story after your
o+n heart and +hi.h +i re)ind you of your favourite .ine)aA"
",o ahead>" I aughed/ "I presu)e that it is a true story> not one of
your efforts of fan.y/"
"It is true enough/ Inspe.tor *app of S.otand @ard +i vou.h for its
a..ura.y> sin.e it +as through his 1ind offi.es that it .a)e to )y
ears/ #isten> !astings/ A itte over siB )onths ago so)e i)portant
0ava pans +ere stoen fro) an A)eri.an ,overn)ent
depart)ent/ They sho+ed the position of so)e of the )ost
i)portant !ar'our defen.es> and +oud 'e +orth a .onsidera'e
su) to any foreign ,overn)ent ; that of *apan> for eBa)pe/
Suspi.ion fe upon a young )an na)ed #uigi 7adarno> an Itaian
'y 'irth> +ho +as e)poyed in a )inor .apa.ity in the $epart)ent
and +ho +as )issing at the sa)e ti)e as the papers/ Whether #uigi
7adarno +as the thief or not> he +as found t+o days ater on the
(ast Side in 0e+ @or1> shot dead/ The papers +ere not on hi)/ 0o+
for so)e ti)e past #uigi 7adarno had 'een going a'out +ith a Miss
(sa !ardt> a young .on.ert singer +ho had re.enty appeared and
+ho ived +ith a 'rother in an apart)ent in Washington/ 0othing
+as 1no+n of the ante.edents of Miss (sa !ardt> and she
disappeared suddeny a'out the ti)e of 7adarno"s death/ There
are reasons for 'eieving that she +as in reaity an a..o)pished
internationa spy +ho has done )u.h nefarious +or1 under various
aiases/ The A)eri.an Se.ret Servi.e> +hist doing their 'est to
tra.e her> aso 1ept an eye upon .ertain insignifi.ant *apanese
gente)en iving in Washington/ They fet pretty .ertain that> +hen
(sa !ardt had .overed her tra.1s suffi.ienty> she +oud approa.h
the gente)en in 8uestion/ <ne of the) eft suddeny for (ngand a
fortnight ago/ <n the fa.e of it> therefore> it +oud see) that (sa
!ardt is in (ngand/" Poirot paused> and then added softyH "The
offi.ia des.ription of (sa !ardt isH !eight F ft E> eyes 'ue> hair
au'urn> fair .o)peBion> nose straight> no spe.ia distinguishing
)ar1s/"
"Mrs &o'insonG" I gasped/
"We> there is a .han.e of it> anyho+>" a)ended Poirot/ "Aso> I earn
that a s+arthy )an> a foreigner of so)e 1ind> +as in8uiring a'out
the o..upants of 0o 4 ony this )orning/ Therefore> )on a)i> I fear
that you )ust fors+ear your 'eauty seep tonight> and Doin )e in )y
a;night vigi in that fat 'eo+ ; ar)ed +ith that eB.eent revover
of yours> 'ien entenduG"
"&ather>" I .ried +ith enthusias)/ "When sha +e startA"
"The hour of )idnight is 'oth soe)n and suita'e> I fan.y/ 0othing
is i1ey to o..ur 'efore then/"
At t+eve o".o.1 pre.isey> +e .rept .autiousy into the .oa;ift
and o+ered ourseves to the se.ond foor/ 2nder Poirot"s
)anipuation> the +ooden door 8ui.1y s+ung in+ards> and +e
.i)'ed into the fat/ Fro) the s.uery +e passed into the 1it.hen
+here +e esta'ished ourseves .o)forta'y in t+o .hairs +ith the
door into the ha aDar/
"0o+ +e have 'ut to +ait>" said Poirot .ontentedy> .osing his eyes/
To )e> the +aiting appeared endess/ I +as terrified of going to
seep/ *ust +hen it see)ed to )e that I had 'een there a'out eight
hours ; and had> as I found out after+ards> in reaity 'een eBa.ty
one hour and t+enty )inutes ; a faint s.rat.hing sound .a)e to )y
ears/ Poirot"s hand tou.hed )ine/ I rose> and together +e )oved
.arefuy in the dire.tion of the ha/ The noise .a)e fro) there/
Poirot pa.ed his ips to )y ear/
"<utside the front door/ They are .utting out the o.1/ When I give
the +ord> not 'efore> fa upon hi) fro) 'ehind and hod hi) fast/
%e .arefu> he +i have a 1nife/"
Presenty there +as a rending sound> and a itte .ir.e of ight
appeared through the door/ It +as eBtinguished i))ediatey and
then the door +as so+y opened/ Poirot and I fattened ourseves
against the +a/ I heard a )an"s 'reathing as he passed us/ Then
he fashed on his tor.h> and as he did so> Poirot hissed in )y earH
"Ae?/"
We sprang together> Poirot +ith a 8ui.1 )ove)ent enveoped the
intruder"s head +ith a ight +ooen s.arf +hist I pinioned his ar)s/
The +hoe affair +as 8ui.1 and noiseess/ I t+isted a dagger fro)
his hand> and as Poirot 'rought do+n the s.arf fro) his eyes> +hist
1eeping it +ound tighty round his )outh> I Der1ed up )y revover
+here he .oud see it and understand that resistan.e +as useess/
As he .eased to strugge Poirot put his )outh .ose to his ear and
'egan to +hisper rapidy/ After a )inute the )an nodded/ Then
enDoining sien.e +ith a )ove)ent of the hand> Poirot ed the +ay
out of the fat and do+n the stairs/ <ur .aptive foo+ed> and I
'rought up the rear +ith the revover/ When +e +ere out in the
street> Poirot turned to )e/
"There is a taBi +aiting Dust round the .orner/ ,ive )e the revover/
We sha not need it no+/"
"%ut if this feo+ tries to es.apeA"
Poirot s)ied/
"!e +i not/"
I returned in a )inute +ith the +aiting taBi/ The s.arf had 'een
un+ound fro) the stranger"s fa.e> and I gave a start of surprise/
"!e"s not a *ap>" I eDa.uated in a +hisper to Poirot/
"<'servation +as a+ays your strong point> !astingsG 0othing
es.apes you/ 0o> the )an is not a *ap/ !e is an Itaian/"
We got into the taBi> and Poirot gave the driver an address in St
*ohn"s Wood/ I +as 'y no+ .o)petey fogged/ I did not i1e to as1
Poirot +here +e +ere going in front of our .aptive> and strove in
vain to o'tain so)e ight upon the pro.eedings/
We aighted at the door of a s)a house standing 'a.1 fro) the
road/ A returning +ayfarer> sighty drun1> +as ur.hing aong the
pave)ent and a)ost .oided +ith Poirot> +ho said so)ething
sharpy to hi) +hi.h I did not .at.h/ A three of us +ent up the
steps of the house/ Poirot rang the 'e and )otioned us to stand a
itte aside/ There +as no ans+er and he rang again and then sei?ed
the 1no.1er +hi.h he pied for so)e )inutes vigorousy/
A ight appeared suddeny a'ove the fanight> and the door +as
opened .autiousy a itte +ay/
"What the devi do you +antA" a )an"s voi.e de)anded harshy/
"I +ant the do.tor/ My +ife is ta1en i/"
"There"s no do.tor here/"
The )an prepared to shut the door> 'ut Poirot thrust his foot in
adroity/ !e 'e.a)e suddeny a perfe.t .ari.ature of an infuriated
Fren.h)an/
"What you say> there is no do.torA I +i have the a+ on you/ @ou
)ust .o)eG I +i stay here and ring and 1no.1 a night/"
"My dear sir ; " The door +as opened again> the )an> .ad in a
dressing;go+n and sippers> stepped for+ard to pa.ify Poirot +ith
an uneasy gan.e round/
"I +i .a the poi.e/"
Poirot prepared to des.end the steps/
"0o> don"t do that for !eaven"s sa1eG" The )an dashed after hi)/
With a neat push Poirot sent hi) staggering do+n the steps/ In
another )inute a three of us +ere inside the door and it +as
pushed to and 'oted/
"4ui.1 ; in here/" Poirot ed the +ay into the nearest roo)> s+it.hing
on the ight as he did so/ "And you ; 'ehind the .urtain/"
"Si> signor>" said the Itaian and sid rapidy 'ehind the fu fods of
rose;.ooured vevet +hi.h draped the e)'rasure of the +indo+/
0ot a )inute too soon/ *ust as he disappeared fro) vie+ a +o)an
rushed into the roo)/ She +as ta +ith reddish hair and hed a
s.aret 1i)ono round her sender for)/
"Where is )y hus'andA" she .ried> +ith a 8ui.1 frightened gan.e/
"Who are youA"
Poirot stepped for+ard +ith a 'o+/
"It is to 'e hoped your hus'and +i not suffer fro) a .hi/ I
o'served that he had sippers on his feet> and that his dressinggo+n
+as a +ar) one/"
"Who are youA What are you doing in )y houseA"
"It is true that none of us have the peasure of your a.8uaintan.e>
)ada)e/ It is espe.iay to 'e regretted as one of our nu)'er has
.o)e spe.iay fro) 0e+ @or1 in order to )eet you/"
The .urtains parted and the Itaian stepped out/ To )y horror I
o'served that he +as 'randishing )y revover> +hi.h Poirot )ust
dou'tess have put do+n through inadverten.e in the .a'/
The +o)an gave a pier.ing s.rea) and turned to fy> 'ut Poirot
+as standing in front of the .osed door/
"#et )e 'y>" she shrie1ed/ "!e +i )urder )e/"
"Who +as it dat .roa1ed #uigi 7adarnoA" as1ed the Itaian hoarsey>
'randishing the +eapon> and s+eeping ea.h one of us +ith it/ We
dared not )ove/
"My ,od> Poirot> this is a+fu/ What sha +e doA" I .ried/
"@ou +i o'ige )e 'y refraining fro) ta1ing so )u.h> !astings/ I
.an assure you that our friend +i not shoot unti I give the +ord/"
"@ouN sure o" dat> ehA" said the Itaian> eering unpeasanty/
It +as )ore than I +as> 'ut the +o)an turned to Poirot i1e a fash/
"What is it you +antA"
Poirot 'o+ed/
"I do not thin1 it is ne.essary to insut Miss (sa !ardt"s inteigen.e
'y teing her/"
With a s+ift )ove)ent> the +o)an snat.hed up a 'ig 'a.1 vevet
.at +hi.h served as a .over for the teephone/
"They are stit.hed in the ining of that/"
"Cever>" )ur)ured Poirot appre.iativey/ !e stood aside fro) the
door/ ",ood evening> )ada)e/ I +i detain your friend fro) 0e+
@or1 +hist you )a1e your geta+ay/"
"Whatta fooG" roared the 'ig Itaian> and raising the revover he fired
point;'an1 at the +o)an"s retreating figure Dust as I fung )ysef
upon hi)/
%ut the +eapon )erey .i.1ed har)essy and Poirot"s voi.e rose
in )id reproof/
"0ever +i you trust your od friend> !astings/ I do not .are for )y
friends to .arry oaded pistos a'out +ith the) and never +oud I
per)it a )ere a.8uaintan.e to do so/ 0o> no> )on a)i>" This to the
Itaian +ho +as s+earing hoarsey/ Poirot .ontinued to address hi)
in a tone of )id reproofH "See no+> +hat I have done for you/ I have
saved you fro) 'eing hanged/ And do not thin1 that our 'eautifu
ady +i es.ape/ 0o> no> the house is +at.hed> 'a.1 and front/
Straight into the ar)s of the poi.e they +i go/ Is not that a
'eautifu and .onsoing thoughtA @es> you )ay eave the roo) no+/
%ut 'e .arefu ; 'e very .arefu/ I ; Ah> he is goneG And )y friend
!astings oo1s at )e +ith eyes of reproa.h/ %ut it +as a so si)peG
It +as .ear> fro) the first> that out of severa hundred> pro'a'y>
appi.ants for 0o 4 Montagu Mansions> ony the &o'insons +ere
.onsidered suita'e/ WhyA What +as there that singed the) out
fro) the rest ; at pra.ti.ay a gan.e/ Their appearan.eA Possi'y>
'ut it +as not so unusua/ Their na)e> thenG"
"%ut there"s nothing unusua a'out the na)e of &o'inson>" I .ried/
"It"s 8uite a .o))on na)e/"
"AhG Sapristi> 'ut eBa.tyG That +as the point/ (sa !ardt and her
hus'and> or 'rother or +hatever he reay is> .o)e fro) 0e+ @or1>
and ta1e a fat in the na)e of Mr and Mrs &o'inson/ Suddeny they
earn that one of these se.ret so.ieties> the Mafia> or the Ca)orra>
to +hi.h dou'tess #uigi 7adarno 'eonged> is on their tra.1/ What
do they doA They hit on a s.he)e of transparent si)pi.ity/
(videnty they 1ne+ that their pursuers +ere not personay
a.8uainted +ith either of the)/ What> then> .an 'e si)perA They
offer the fat at an a'surdy o+ renta/ <f the thousands of young
.oupes in #ondon oo1ing for fats> there .annot fai to 'e severa
&o'insons/ It is ony a )atter of +aiting/ If you +i oo1 at the na)e
of &o'inson in the teephone dire.tory> you +i reai?e that a fairhaired
Mrs &o'inson +as pretty sure to .o)e aong sooner or ater/
Then +hat +i happenA The avenger arrives/ !e 1no+s the na)e>
he 1no+s the address/ !e stri1esG A is over> vengean.e is
satisfied> and Miss (sa !ardt has es.aped 'y the s1in of her teeth
on.e )ore/ %y the +ay> !astings> you )ust present )e to the rea
Mrs &o'inson ; that deightfu and truthfu .reatureG What +i they
thin1 +hen they find their fat has 'een 'ro1en intoG We )ust hurry
'a.1/ Ah> that sounds i1e *app and his friends arriving/"
A )ighty tattoo sounded on the 1no.1er/
"!o+ did you 1no+ this addressA" I as1ed as I foo+ed Poirot out
into the ha/ "<h> of .ourse> you had the first Mrs &o'inson foo+ed
+hen she eft the other fat/"
"A a 'onne heure> !astings/ @ou use your grey .es at ast/ 0o+ for
a itte surprise for *app/"
Softy un'oting the door> he stu.1 the .at"s head round the edge
and eDa.uated a pier.ing "Miao+/"
The S.otand @ard inspe.tor> +ho +as standing outside +ith
another )an> Du)ped in spite of hi)sef/
"<h> it"s ony Monsieur Poirot at one of his itte Do1esG" he eB.ai)ed>
as Poirot"s head foo+ed that of the .at/ "#et us in> )oosior/"
"@ou have our friends safe and soundA "
"@es> +e"ve got the 'irds a right/ %ut they hadn"t got the goods +ith
the)/"
"I see/ So you .o)e to sear.h/ We> I a) a'out to depart +ith
!astings> 'ut I shoud i1e to give you a itte e.ture upon the
history and ha'its of the do)esti. .at/"
"For the #ord"s sa1e> have you gone .o)petey 'a)yA"
"The .at>" de.ai)ed Poirot> "+as +orshipped 'y the an.ient
(gyptians/ It is sti regarded as a sy)'o of good u.1 if a 'a.1 .at
.rosses your path/ This .at .rossed your path tonight> *app/ To
spea1 of the interior of any ani)a or any person is not> I 1no+>
.onsidered poite in (ngand/ %ut the interior of this .at is perfe.ty
dei.ate/ I refer to the ining/"
With a sudden grunt> the se.ond )an sei?ed the .at fro) Poirot"s
hand/
"<h> I forgot to introdu.e you>" said *app/ "Mr Poirot> this is Mr %urt
of the 2nited States Se.ret Servi.e/"
The A)eri.an"s trained fingers had fet +hat he +as oo1ing for/ !e
hed out his hand> and for a )o)ent spee.h faied hi)/ Then he
rose to the o..asion/
"Peased to )eet you>" said Mr %urt/
The Mystery of Hunter's Lodge
"After a>" )ur)ured Poirot> "it is possi'e that I sha not die this
ti)e/"
Co)ing fro) a .onvaes.ent infuen?a patient> I haied the re)ar1
as sho+ing a 'enefi.ia opti)is)/ I )ysef had 'een the first
sufferer fro) the disease/ Poirot in his turn had gone do+n/ !e +as
no+ sitting up in 'ed> propped up +ith pio+s> his head )uffed in a
+ooen sha+> and +as so+y sipping a parti.uary noBious tisane
+hi.h I had prepared a..ording to his dire.tions/ !is eye rested
+ith peasure upon a neaty graduated ro+ of )edi.ine 'ottes
+hi.h adorned the )antepie.e/
"@es> yes>" )y itte friend .ontinued/ "<n.e )ore sha I 'e )ysef
again> the great !er.ue Poirot> the terror of evidoersG Figure to
yoursef> )on a)i> that I have a itte paragraph to )ysef in So.iety
,ossip/ %ut yesG !ere it isH J,o it ; .ri)inas ; a outG !er.ue Poirot
; and 'eieve )e> girs> he"s so)e !er.uesG ; our o+n pet so.iety
dete.tive .an"t get a grip on you/ "Cause +hyA "Cause he"s got a
grippe hi)sefJG"
I aughed/
",ood for you> Poirot/ @ou are 'e.o)ing 8uite a pu'i. .hara.ter/
And fortunatey you haven"t )issed anything of parti.uar interest
during this ti)e/"
"That is true/ The fe+ .ases I have had to de.ine did not fi )e +ith
any regret/"
<ur andady stu.1 her head in at the door/
"There"s a gente)an do+nstairs/ Says he )ust see Monsieur Poirot
or you> Captain/ Seeing as he +as in a great to;do ; and +ith a that
8uite the gente)an ; I 'rought up "is .ard/"
She handed )e the 'it of paste'oard/ "Mr &oger !avering>" I read/
Poirot )otioned +ith his head to+ards the 'oo1.ase> and I
o'edienty pued forth Who"s Who/ Poirot too1 it fro) )e and
s.anned the pages rapidy/
"Se.ond son of fifth %aron Windsor/ Married 1915 Voe> fourth
daughter of Wiia) Cra''/"
"!")G" I said/ "I rather fan.y that"s the gir +ho used to a.t at the
Frivoity ; ony she .aed hersef Voe Carris'roo1/ I re)e)'er she
)arried so)e young )an a'out to+n Dust 'efore the War/"
"Woud it interest you> !astings> to go do+n and hear +hat our
visitor"s parti.uar itte trou'e isA Ma1e hi) a )y eB.uses/"
&oger !avering +as a )an of a'out forty> +e set up and of s)art
appearan.e/ !is fa.e> ho+ever> +as haggard> and he +as evidenty
a'ouring under great agitation/
"Captain !astingsA @ou are Monsieur Poirot"s partner> I understand/
It is i)perative that he shoud .o)e +ith )e to $er'yshire today/"
"I") afraid that"s i)possi'e>" I repied/ "Poirot is i in 'ed ;
infuen?a/"
!is fa.e fe/
"$ear )e> that is a great 'o+ to )e/"
"The )atter on +hi.h you +ant to .onsut hi) is seriousA"
"My ,od> yesG My un.e> the 'est friend I have in the +ord> +as
fouy )urdered ast night/"
"!ere in #ondonA"
"0o> in $er'yshire/ I +as in to+n and re.eived a teegra) fro) )y
+ife this )orning/ I))ediatey upon its re.eipt I deter)ined to
.o)e round and 'eg Monsieur Poirot to underta1e the .ase/"
"If you +i eB.use )e a )inute>" I said> stru.1 'y a sudden idea/
I rushed upstairs> and in a fe+ 'rief +ords a.8uainted Poirot +ith
the situation/ !e too1 any further +ords out of )y )outh/
"I see/ I see/ @ou +ant to go yoursef> is it not soA We> +hy notA @ou
shoud 1no+ )y )ethods 'y no+/ A I as1 is that you shoud report
to )e fuy every day> and foo+ i)pi.ity any instru.tions I )ay
+ire you/"
To this I +iingy agreed/
II
An hour ater I +as sitting opposite Mr !avering in a first;.ass
.arriage on the Midand &ai+ay> speeding rapidy a+ay fro)
#ondon/
"To 'egin +ith> Captain !astings> you )ust understand that
!unter"s #odge> +here +e are going> and +here the tragedy too1
pa.e> is ony a s)a shooting;'oB in the heart of the $er'yshire
)oors/ <ur rea ho)e is near 0e+)ar1et> and +e usuay rent a fat
in to+n for the season/ !unter"s #odge is oo1ed after 'y a
house1eeper +ho is 8uite .apa'e of doing a +e need +hen +e
run do+n for an o..asiona +ee1end/ <f .ourse> during the
shooting season> +e ta1e do+n so)e of our o+n servants fro)
0e+)ar1et/ My un.e> Mr !arrington Pa.e 9as you )ay 1no+> )y
)other +as a Miss Pa.e of 0e+ @or1:> has> for the ast three years>
)ade his ho)e +ith us/ !e never got on +e +ith )y father> or )y
eder 'rother> and I suspe.t that )y 'eing so)e+hat of a prodiga
son )ysef rather in.reased than di)inished his affe.tion to+ards
)e/ <f .ourse I a) a poor )an> and )y un.e +as a ri.h one ; in
other +ords> he paid the piperG %ut> though eBa.ting in )any +ays>
he +as not reay hard to get on +ith> and +e a three ived very
har)oniousy together/ T+o days ago )y un.e> rather +earied
+ith so)e re.ent gaieties of ours in to+n> suggested that +e
shoud run do+n to $er'yshire for a day or t+o/ My +ife
teegraphed to Mrs Middeton> the house1eeper> and +e +ent do+n
that sa)e afternoon/ @esterday evening I +as for.ed to return to
to+n> 'ut )y +ife and )y un.e re)ained on/ This )orning I
re.eived this teegra)/" !e handed it over to )eH
"Co)e at on.e un.e !arrington )urdered ast night 'ring good
dete.tive if you .an 'ut do .o)e ; Voe/"
"Then> as yet you 1no+ no detaisA"
"0o> I suppose it +i 'e in the evening papers/ Without dou't the
poi.e are in .harge/"
It +as a'out three o".o.1 +hen +e arrived at the itte station of
()er"s $ae/ Fro) there a five;)ie drive 'rought us to a s)a grey
stone 'uiding in the )idst of the rugged )oors/
"A oney pa.e>" I o'served +ith a shiver/
!avering nodded/
"I sha try and get rid of it/ I .oud never ive here again/"
We unat.hed the gate and +ere +a1ing up the narro+ path to the
oa1 door +hen a fa)iiar figure e)erged and .a)e to )eet us/
"*appG" I eDa.uated/
The S.otand @ard inspe.tor grinned at )e in a friendy fashion
'efore addressing )y .o)panion/
"Mr !avering> I thin1A I"ve 'een sent do+n fro) #ondon to ta1e
.harge of this .ase> and I"d i1e a +ord +ith you> if I )ay> sir/"
"My +ife ; "
"I"ve seen your good ady> sir ; and the house1eeper/ I +on"t 1eep
you a )o)ent> 'ut I") anBious to get 'a.1 to the viage no+ that
I"ve seen a there is to see here/"
"I 1no+ nothing as yet as to +hat ; "
"(B;a.ty>" said *app soothingy/ "%ut there are Dust one or t+o itte
points I"d i1e your opinion a'out a the sa)e/ Captain !astings
here> he 1no+s )e> and he" go on up to the house and te the)
you"re .o)ing/ What have you done +ith the itte )an> 'y the +ay>
Captain !astingsA"
"!e"s i in 'ed +ith infuen?a/"
"Is he no+A I") sorry to hear that/ &ather the .ase of the .art
+ithout the horse> your 'eing here +ithout hi)> isn"t itA"
And on his rather i;ti)ed Dest I +ent on to the house/ I rang the
'e> as *app had .osed the door 'ehind hi)/ After so)e )o)ents
it +as opened to )e 'y a )idde;aged +o)an in 'a.1/
"Mr !avering +i 'e here in a )o)ent>" I eBpained/ "!e has 'een
detained 'y the inspe.tor/ I have .o)e do+n +ith hi) fro) #ondon
to oo1 into the .ase/ Perhaps you .an te )e 'riefy +hat o..urred
ast night/"
"Co)e inside> sir/" She .osed the door 'ehind )e> and +e stood in
the di)y;ighted ha/ "It +as after dinner ast night> sir> that the
)an .a)e/ !e as1ed to see Mr Pa.e> sir> and> seeing that he spo1e
the sa)e +ay> I thought it +as an A)eri.an gente)an friend of Mr
Pa.e"s and I sho+ed hi) into the gun;roo)> and then +ent to te Mr
Pa.e/ !e +oudn"t give any na)e> +hi.h> of .ourse> +as a 'it odd>
no+ I .o)e to thin1 of it/ I tod Mr Pa.e> and he see)ed pu??ed
i1e> 'ut he said to the )istressH J(B.use )e> Voe> +hie I Dust see
+hat this feo+ +ants/J !e +ent off to the gun;roo)> and I +ent
'a.1 to the 1it.hen> 'ut after a +hie I heard oud voi.es> as if they
+ere 8uarreing> and I .a)e out into the ha/ At the sa)e ti)e> the
)istress she .o)es out too> and Dust then there +as a shot and then
a dreadfu sien.e/ We 'oth ran to the gun;roo) door> 'ut it +as
o.1ed and +e had to go round to the +indo+/ It +as open> and
there inside +as Mr Pa.e> a shot and 'eeding/"
"What 'e.a)e of the )anA"
"!e )ust have got a+ay through the +indo+> sir> 'efore +e got to
it/"
"And thenA"
"Mrs !avering sent )e to fet.h the poi.e/ Five )ies to +a1 it +as/
They .a)e 'a.1 +ith )e> and the .onsta'e he stayed a night> and
this )orning the poi.e gente)an fro) #ondon arrived/"
"What +as this )an i1e +ho .aed to see Mr Pa.eA"
The house1eeper refe.ted/
"!e had a 'a.1 'eard> sir> and +as a'out )idde;aged> and had on
a ight over.oat/ %eyond the fa.t that he spo1e i1e an A)eri.an I
didn"t noti.e )u.h a'out hi)/"
"I see/ 0o+ I +onder if I .an see Mrs !averingA"
"She"s upstairs> sir/ Sha I te herA"
"If you pease/ Te her that Mr !avering is outside +ith Inspe.tor
*app> and that the gente)an he has 'rought 'a.1 +ith hi) fro)
#ondon is anBious to spea1 to her as soon as possi'e/"
"7ery good> sir/"
I +as in a fever of i)patien.e to get at a the fa.ts/ *app had t+o or
three hours" start of )e> and his anBiety to 'e gone )ade )e 1een
to 'e .ose at his hees/
Mrs !avering did not 1eep )e +aiting ong/ In a fe+ )inutes I heard
a ight step des.ending the stairs> and oo1ed up to see a very
handso)e young +o)an .o)ing to+ards )e/ She +ore a fa)e.ooured
Du)per> that set off the sender 'oyishness of her figure/
<n her dar1 head +as a itte hat of fa)e;.ooured eather/ (ven
the present tragedy .oud not di) the vitaity of her personaity/
I introdu.ed )ysef> and she nodded in 8ui.1 .o)prehension/
"<f .ourse I have often heard of you and your .oeague> Monsieur
Poirot/ @ou have done so)e +onderfu things together> haven"t
youA It +as very .ever of )y hus'and to get you so pro)pty/ 0o+
+i you as1 )e 8uestionsA That is the easiest +ay> isn"t it> of
getting to 1no+ a you +ant to a'out this dreadfu affairA"
"Than1 you> Mrs !avering/ 0o+ +hat ti)e +as it that this )an
arrivedA"
"It )ust have 'een Dust 'efore nine o".o.1/ We had finished dinner>
and +ere sitting over our .offee and .igarettes/"
"@our hus'and had aready eft for #ondonA"
"@es> he +ent up 'y the 3/1F/"
"$id he go 'y .ar to the station> or did he +a1A"
"<ur o+n .ar isn"t do+n here/ <ne .a)e out fro) the garage in
()er"s $ae to fet.h hi) in ti)e for the train/"
"Was Mr Pa.e 8uite his usua sefA"
"A'soutey/ Most nor)a in every +ay/"
"0o+> .an you des.ri'e this visitor at aA"
"I") afraid not/ I didn"t see hi)/ Mrs Middeton sho+ed hi) straight
into the gun;roo) and then .a)e to te )y un.e/"
"What did your un.e sayA"
"!e see)ed rather annoyed> 'ut +ent off at on.e/ It +as a'out five
)inutes ater that I heard the sound of raised voi.es/ I ran out into
the ha and a)ost .oided +ith Mrs Middeton/ Then +e heard the
shot/ The gun;roo) door +as o.1ed on the inside> and +e had to
go right round the house to the +indo+/ <f .ourse that too1 so)e
ti)e> and the )urderer had 'een a'e to get +e a+ay/ My poor
un.e" ; her voi.e fatered ; "had 'een shot through the head/ I sa+
at on.e that he +as dead/ I sent Mrs Middeton for the poi.e/ I +as
.arefu to tou.h nothing in the roo) 'ut to eave it eBa.ty as I found
it/"
I nodded approva/
"0o+> as to the +eaponA"
"We> I .an )a1e a guess at it> Captain !astings/ A pair of revovers
of )y hus'and"s +ere )ounted upon the +a/ <ne of the) is
)issing/ I pointed this out to the poi.e> and they too1 the other one
a+ay +ith the)/ When they have eBtra.ted the 'uet> I suppose
they +i 1no+ for .ertain/"
"May I go to the gun;roo)A"
"Certainy/ The poi.e have finished +ith it/ %ut the 'ody has 'een
re)oved/"
She a..o)panied )e to the s.ene of the .ri)e/ At that )o)ent
!avering entered the ha> and +ith a 8ui.1 apoogy his +ife ran to
hi)/ I +as eft to underta1e )y investigations aone/
I )ay as +e .onfess at on.e that they +ere rather disappointing/
In dete.tive noves .ues a'ound> 'ut here I .oud find nothing that
stru.1 )e as out of the ordinary eB.ept a arge 'ood;stain on the
.arpet +here I Dudged the dead )an had faen/ I eBa)ined
everything +ith painsta1ing .are and too1 a .oupe of pi.tures of
the roo) +ith )y itte .a)era +hi.h I had 'rought +ith )e/ I aso
eBa)ined the ground outside the +indo+> 'ut it appeared to have
'een so heaviy tra)ped underfoot that I Dudged it +as useess to
+aste ti)e over it/ 0o> I had seen a that !unter"s #odge had to
sho+ )e/ I )ust go 'a.1 to ()er"s $ae and get into tou.h +ith
*app/ A..ordingy I too1 eave of the !averings> and +as driven off
in the .ar that had 'rought us up fro) the station/
I found *app at the Mato.1 Ar)s and he too1 )e forth+ith to see
the 'ody/ !arrington Pa.e +as a s)a> spare> .ean;shaven )an>
typi.ay A)eri.an in appearan.e/ !e had 'een shot through the
'a.1 of the head> and the revover had 'een dis.harged at .ose
8uarters/
"Turned a+ay for a )o)ent>" re)ar1ed *app> "and the other feo+
snat.hed up a revover and shot hi)/ The one Mrs !avering handed
over to us +as fuy oaded and I suppose the other one +as aso/
Curious +hat darn foo things peope do/ Fan.y 1eeping t+o oaded
revovers hanging up on your +a/"
"What do you thin1 of the .aseA" I as1ed> as +e eft the grueso)e
.ha)'er 'ehind us/
"We> I"d got )y eye on !avering to 'egin +ith/ <h> yesG" ; noting )y
eB.a)ation of astonish)ent/ "!avering has one or t+o shady
in.idents in his past/ When he +as a 'oy at <Bford there +as so)e
funny 'usiness a'out the signature on one of his father"s .he8ues/
A hushed up of .ourse/ Then> he"s pretty heaviy in de't no+> and
they"re the 1ind of de'ts he +oudn"t i1e to go to his un.e a'out>
+hereas you )ay 'e sure the un.e"s +i +oud 'e in his favour/
@es> I"d got )y eye on hi)> and that"s +hy I +anted to spea1 to hi)
'efore he sa+ his +ife> 'ut their state)ents dovetai a right> and
I"ve 'een to the station and there"s no dou't +hatever that he eft 'y
the 3/1F/ That gets up to #ondon a'out 16/56/ !e +ent straight to
his .u'> he says> and if that"s .onfir)ed a right ; +hy> he .oudn"t
have 'een shooting his un.e here at nine o".o.1 in a 'a.1 'eardG"
"Ah> yes> I +as going to as1 you +hat you thought a'out that 'eardA"
*app +in1ed/
"I thin1 it gre+ pretty fast ; gre+ in the five )ies fro) ()er"s $ae
to !unter"s #odge/ A)eri.ans that I"ve )et are )osty .eanshaven/
@es> it"s a)ongst Mr Pa.e"s A)eri.an asso.iates that +e"
have to oo1 for the )urderer/ I 8uestioned the house1eeper first>
and then her )istress> and their stories agree a right> 'ut I") sorry
Mrs !avering didn"t get a oo1 at the feo+/ She"s a s)art +o)an>
and she )ight have noti.ed so)ething that +oud set us on the
tra.1/"
I sat do+n and +rote a )inute and engthy a..ount to Poirot/ I +as
a'e to add various further ite)s of infor)ation 'efore I posted the
etter/
The 'uet had 'een eBtra.ted and +as proved to have 'een fired
fro) a revover identi.a +ith the one hed 'y the poi.e/
Further)ore> Mr !avering"s )ove)ents on the night in 8uestion
had 'een .he.1ed and verified> and it +as proved 'eyond dou't
that he had a.tuay arrived in #ondon 'y the train in 8uestion/ And>
thirdy> a sensationa deveop)ent had o..urred/ A .ity gente)an>
iving at (aing> on .rossing !aven ,reen to get to the $istri.t
&ai+ay Station that )orning> had o'served a 'ro+n;paper par.e
stu.1 'et+een the raiings/ <pening it> he found that it .ontained a
revover/ !e handed the par.e over to the o.a poi.e station> and
'efore night it +as proved to 'e the one +e +ere in sear.h of> the
feo+ to that given us 'y Mrs !avering/ <ne 'uet had 'een fired
fro) it/
A this I added to )y report/ A +ire fro) Poirot arrived +hist I +as
at 'rea1fast the foo+ing )orningH
"<f .ourse 'a.1;'earded )an +as not !avering ony you or *app
+oud have su.h an idea +ire )e des.ription of house1eeper and
+hat .othes she +ore this )orning sa)e of Mrs !avering do not
+aste ti)e ta1ing photographs of interiors they are undereBposed
and not in the east artisti./"
It see)ed to )e that Poirot"s stye +as unne.essariy fa.etious/ I
aso fan.ied he +as a shade Deaous of )y position on the spot +ith
fu fa.iities for handing the .ase/ !is re8uest for a des.ription of
the .othes +orn 'y the t+o +o)en appeared to )e to 'e si)py
ridi.uous> 'ut I .o)pied as +e as I> a )ere )an> +as a'e to/
At eeven a repy +ire .a)e fro) PoirotH
"Advise *app arrest house1eeper 'efore it is too ate/"
$u)'founded> I too1 the +ire to *app/ !e s+ore softy under his
'reath/
"!e"s the goods> Monsieur PoirotG If he says so> there"s so)ething in
it/ And I hardy noti.ed the +o)an/ I don"t 1no+ that I .an go so far
as arresting her> 'ut I" have her +at.hed/ We" go up right a+ay>
and ta1e another oo1 at her/"
%ut it +as too ate/ Mrs Middeton> that 8uiet )idde;aged +o)an>
+ho had appeared so nor)a and respe.ta'e> had vanished into
thin air/ !er 'oB had 'een eft 'ehind/ It .ontained ony ordinary
+earing appare/ There +as no .ue in it to her identity> or as to her
+herea'outs/
Fro) Mrs !avering +e ei.ited a the fa.ts +e .oudH
"I engaged her a'out three +ee1s ago +hen Mrs ()ery> our for)er
house1eeper> eft/ She .a)e to )e fro) Mrs Se'ourne"s Agen.y in
Mount Street ; a very +e;1no+n pa.e/ I get a )y servants fro)
there/ They sent severa +o)en to see )e> 'ut this Mrs Middeton
see)ed )u.h the ni.est> and had spendid referen.es/ I engaged
her on the spot> and notified the Agen.y of the fa.t/ I .an"t 'eieve
that there +as anything +rong +ith her/ She +as su.h a ni.e 8uiet
+o)an/"
The thing +as .ertainy a )ystery/ Whist it +as .ear that the
+o)an hersef .oud not have .o))itted the .ri)e> sin.e at the
)o)ent the shot +as fired Mrs !avering +as +ith her in the ha>
nevertheess she )ust have so)e .onne.tion +ith the )urder> or
+hy shoud she suddeny ta1e to her hees and 'otA
I +ired the atest deveop)ent to Poirot and suggested returning to
#ondon and )a1ing in8uiries at Se'ourne"s Agen.y/
Poirot"s repy +as pro)ptH
"2seess to in8uire at agen.y they +i never have heard of her find
out +hat vehi.e too1 her up to hunters odge +hen she first arrived
there/"
Though )ystified> I +as o'edient/ The )eans of transport in
()er"s $ae +ere i)ited/ The o.a garage had t+o 'attered Ford
.ars> and there +ere t+o station fies/ 0one of these had 'een
re8uisitioned on the date in 8uestion/ 4uestioned> Mrs !avering
eBpained that she had given the +o)an the )oney for her fare
do+n to $er'yshire and suffi.ient to hire a .ar or fy to ta1e her up
to !unter"s #odge/ There +as usuay one of the Fords at the station
on the .han.e of its 'eing re8uired/ Ta1ing into .onsideration the
further fa.t that no'ody at the station had noti.ed the arriva of a
stranger> 'a.1;'earded or other+ise> on the fata evening>
everything see)ed to point to the .on.usion that the )urderer had
.o)e to the spot in a .ar> +hi.h had 'een +aiting near at hand to
aid his es.ape> and that the sa)e .ar had 'rought the )ysterious
house1eeper to her ne+ post/ I )ay )ention that in8uiries at the
Agen.y in #ondon 'ore out Poirot"s prognosti.ation/ 0o su.h
+o)an as "Mrs Middeton" had ever 'een on their 'oo1s/ They had
re.eived the !on/ Mrs !avering"s appi.ation for a house1eeper>
and had sent her various appi.ants for the post/ When she sent
the) the engage)ent fee> she o)itted to )ention +hi.h +o)an
she had see.ted/
So)e+hat .restfaen> I returned to #ondon/ I found Poirot
esta'ished in an ar);.hair 'y the fire in a garish si1 dressinggo+n/
!e greeted )e +ith )u.h affe.tion/
"Mon a)i !astingsG %ut ho+ gad I a) to see you/ 7erita'y I have
for you a great affe.tionG And you have enDoyed yoursefA @ou have
run to and fro +ith the good *appA @ou have interrogated and
investigated to your heart"s .ontentA"
"Poirot>" I .ried> "the thing"s a dar1 )ysteryG It +i never 'e soved/"
"It is true that +e are not i1ey to .over ourseves +ith gory over it/"
"0o> indeed/ It"s a hard nut to .ra.1/"
"<h> as far as that goes> I a) very good at .ra.1ing the nutsG A
verita'e s8uirreG It is not that +hi.h e)'arrasses )e/ I 1no+ +e
enough +ho 1ied Mr !arrington Pa.e/"
"@ou 1no+A !o+ did you find outA"
"@our iu)inating ans+ers to )y +ires suppied )e +ith the truth/
See here> !astings> et us eBa)ine the fa.ts )ethodi.ay and in
order/ Mr !arrington Pa.e is a )an +ith a .onsidera'e fortune
+hi.h at his death +i dou'tess pass to his nephe+/ Point 0o 1/
!is nephe+ is 1no+n to 'e desperatey hard up/ Point 0o 2/ !is
nephe+ is aso 1no+n to 'e ; sha +e say a )an of rather oose
)ora fi'reA Point 0o 5/"
"%ut &oger !avering is proved to have Dourneyed straight up to
#ondon/"
"Pr=.is=)ent ; and therefore> as Mr !avering eft ()er"s $ae at
3/1F> and sin.e Mr Pa.e .annot have 'een 1ied 'efore he eft> or
the do.tor +oud have spotted the ti)e of the .ri)e as 'eing given
+rongy +hen he eBa)ined the 'ody> +e .on.ude 8uite righty>
that Mr !avering did not shoot his un.e/ %ut there is a Mrs
!avering> !astings/"
"I)possi'eG The house1eeper +as +ith her +hen the shot +as
fired/"
"Ah> yes> the house1eeper/ %ut she has disappeared/"
"She +i 'e found/"
"I thin1 not/ There is so)ething pe.uiary eusive a'out that
house1eeper> don"t you thin1 so> !astingsA It stru.1 )e at on.e/"
"She payed her part> I suppose> and then got out in the ni.1 of ti)e/"
"And +hat +as her partA"
"We> presu)a'y to ad)it her .onfederate> the 'a.1;'earded
)an/"
"<h> no> that +as not her partG !er part +as +hat you have Dust
)entioned> to provide an ai'i for Mrs !avering at the )o)ent the
shot +as fired/ And no one +i ever find her> )on a)i> 'e.ause she
does not eBistG JThere"s no su.h person>J as your so great
Sha1espeare says/"
"It +as $i.1ens>" I )ur)ured> una'e to suppress a s)ie/ "%ut +hat
do you )ean> PoirotA"
"I )ean that Voe !avering +as an a.tress 'efore her )arriage> that
you and *app ony sa+ the house1eeper in a dar1 ha> a di)
)idde;aged figure in 'a.1 +ith a faint su'dued voi.e> and finay
that neither you nor *app> nor the o.a poi.e +ho) the
house1eeper fet.hed> ever sa+ Mrs Middeton and her )istress at
one and the sa)e ti)e/ It +as .hid"s pay for that .ever and daring
+o)an/ <n the preteBt of su))oning her )istress> she runs
upstairs> sips on a 'right Du)per and a hat +ith 'a.1 .urs
atta.hed +hi.h she Da)s do+n over the grey transfor)ation/ A fe+
deft tou.hes> and the )a1e;up is re)oved> a sight dusting of
rouge> and the 'riiant Voe !avering .o)es do+n +ith her .ear
ringing voi.e/ 0o'ody oo1s parti.uary at the house1eeper/ Why
shoud theyA There is nothing to .onne.t her +ith the .ri)e/ She>
too> has an ai'i/"
"%ut the revover that +as found at (aingA Mrs !avering .oud not
have pa.ed it thereA"
"0o> that +as &oger !avering"s Do' ; 'ut it +as a )ista1e on their
part/ It put )e on the right tra.1/ A )an +ho has .o))itted )urder
+ith a revover +hi.h he found on the spot +oud fing it a+ay at
on.e> he +oud not .arry it up to #ondon +ith hi)/ 0o> the )otive
+as .ear> the .ri)inas +ished to fo.us the interest of the poi.e
on a spot far re)oved fro) $er'yshire> they +ere anBious to get
the poi.e a+ay as soon as possi'e fro) the vi.inity of !unter"s
#odge/ <f .ourse the revover found at (aing +as not the one +ith
+hi.h Mr Pa.e +as shot/ &oger !avering dis.harged one shot fro)
it> 'rought it up to #ondon> +ent straight to his .u' to esta'ish his
ai'i> then +ent 8ui.1y out to (aing 'y the $istri.t> a )atter of
a'out t+enty )inutes ony> pa.ed the par.e +here it +as found
and so 'a.1 to to+n/ That .har)ing .reature> his +ife> 8uiety
shoots Mr Pa.e after dinner ; you re)e)'er he +as shot fro)
'ehindA Another signifi.ant point> thatG ; reoads the revover and
puts it 'a.1 in its pa.e> and then starts off +ith her desperate itte
.o)edy/"
"It"s in.redi'e>" I )ur)ured> fas.inated> "and yet ; "
"And yet it is true/ %ien sur> )y friend> it is true/ %ut to 'ring that
pre.ious pair to Dusti.e> that is another )atter/ We> *app )ust do
+hat he .an ; I have +ritten hi) fuy ; 'ut I very )u.h fear>
!astings> that +e sha 'e o'iged to eave the) to Fate> or e 'on
$ieu> +hi.hever you prefer/"
"The +i.1ed fourish i1e a green 'ay tree>" I re)inded hi)/
"%ut at a pri.e> !astings> a+ays at a pri.e> .roye?;)oiG"
Poirot"s fore'odings +ere .onfir)ed/ *app> though .onvin.ed of
the truth of his theory> +as una'e to get together the ne.essary
eviden.e to ensure a .onvi.tion/
Mr Pa.e"s huge fortune passed into the hands of his )urderers/
0evertheess> 0e)esis did overta1e the)> and +hen I read in the
paper that the !on/ &oger and Mrs !avering +ere a)ongst those
1ied in the .rashing of the Air Mai to Paris I 1ne+ that *usti.e +as
satisfied/
The Million Dollar Bond Roery
"What a nu)'er of 'ond ro''eries there have 'een ateyG" I
o'served one )orning> aying aside the ne+spaper/ "Poirot> et us
forsa1e the s.ien.e of dete.tion> and ta1e to .ri)e insteadG"
"@ou are on the ; ho+ do you say itA ; get;ri.h;8ui.1 ta.1> eh> )on
a)iA"
"We> oo1 at this ast .oup> the )iion doars" +orth of #i'erty
%onds +hi.h the #ondon and S.ottish %an1 +ere sending to 0e+
@or1> and +hi.h disappeared in su.h a re)ar1a'e )anner on
'oard the <y)pia/"
"If it +ere not for the )a de )er> and the diffi.uty of pra.tising the
so eB.eent )ethod of #averguier for a onger ti)e than the fe+
hours of .rossing the Channe> I shoud deight to voyage )ysef on
one of these 'ig iners>" )ur)ured Poirot drea)iy/
"@es> indeed>" I said enthusiasti.ay/ "So)e of the) )ust 'e perfe.t
paa.esI the s+i))ing;'aths> the ounges> the restaurant> the pa)
.ourts ; reay> it )ust 'e hard to 'eieve that one is on the sea/"
"Me> I a+ays 1no+ +hen I a) on the sea>" said Poirot sady/ "And a
those 'agatees that you enu)erate> they say nothing to )eI 'ut>
)y friend> .onsider for a )o)ent the geniuses that trave as it +ere
in.ognitoG <n 'oard these foating paa.es> as you so Dusty .a
the)> one +oud )eet the =ite> the haute no'esse of the .ri)ina
+ordG"
I aughed/
"So that"s the +ay your enthusias) runsG @ou +oud have i1ed to
.ross s+ords +ith the )an +ho snea1ed the #i'erty %ondsA"
The andady interrupted us/
"A young ady as +ants to see you> Mr Poirot/ !ere"s her .ard/"
The .ard 'ore the ins.riptionH Miss (s)=e Far8uhar> and Poirot>
after diving under the ta'e to retrieve a stray .ru)'> and putting it
.arefuy in the +aste;paper 'as1et> nodded to the andady to
ad)it her/
In another )inute one of the )ost .har)ing girs I have ever seen
+as ushered into the roo)/ She +as perhaps a'out five;andt+enty>
+ith 'ig 'ro+n eyes and a perfe.t figure/ She +as +edressed
and perfe.ty .o)posed in )anner/
"Sit do+n> I 'eg of you> )ade)oisee/ This is )y friend> Captain
!astings> +ho aids )e in )y itte pro'e)s/"
"I a) afraid it is a 'ig pro'e) I have 'rought you today/ Monsieur
Poirot>" said the gir> giving )e a peasant 'o+ as she seated
hersef/ "I dare say you have read a'out it in the papers/ I a)
referring to the theft of #i'erty %onds on the <y)pia/" So)e
astonish)ent )ust have sho+n itsef on Poirot"s fa.e> for she
.ontinued 8ui.1yH "@ou are dou'tess as1ing yoursef +hat I have to
do +ith a grave institution i1e the #ondon and S.ottish %an1/ In one
sense nothing> in another sense everything/ @ou see/ Monsieur
Poirot> I a) engaged to Mr Phiip &idge+ay/"
"AhaG and Mr Phiip &idge+ay ; "
"Was in .harge of the 'onds +hen they +ere stoen/ <f .ourse no
a.tua 'a)e .an atta.h to hi)> it +as not his faut in any +ay/
0evertheess> he is haf distraught over the )atter> and his un.e> I
1no+> insists that he )ust .areessy have )entioned having the)
in his possession/ It is a terri'e set;'a.1 in his .areer/"
"Who is his un.eA"
"Mr 7avasour> Doint genera )anager of the #ondon and S.ottish
%an1/"
"Suppose> Miss Far8uhar> that you re.ount to )e the +hoe storyA"
"7ery +e/ As you 1no+> the %an1 +ished to eBtend their .redits in
A)eri.a> and for this purpose de.ided to send over a )iion doars
in #i'erty %onds/ Mr 7avasour see.ted his nephe+> +ho had
o..upied a position of trust in the %an1 for )any years and +ho
+as .onversant +ith a the detais of the %an1"s deaings in 0e+
@or1> to )a1e the trip/ The <y)pia saied fro) #iverpoo on the
25rd> and the 'onds +ere handed over to Phiip on the )orning of
that day 'y Mr 7avasour and Mr Sha+> the t+o Doint genera
)anagers of the #ondon and S.ottish %an1/ They +ere .ounted>
en.osed in a pa.1age> and seaed in his presen.e> and he then
o.1ed the pa.1age at on.e in his port)anteau/"
"A port)anteau +ith an ordinary o.1A"
"0o> Mr Sha+ insisted on a spe.ia o.1 'eing fitted to it 'y !u''s"s/
Phiip> as I say> pa.ed the pa.1age at the 'otto) of the trun1/ It
+as stoen Dust a fe+ hours 'efore rea.hing 0e+ @or1/ A rigorous
sear.h of the +hoe ship +as )ade> 'ut +ithout resut/ The 'onds
see)ed iteray to have vanished into thin air/"
Poirot )ade a gri)a.e/
"%ut they did not vanish a'soutey> sin.e I gather that they +ere
sod in s)a par.es +ithin haf an hour of the do.1ing of the
<y)piaG We> undou'tedy the neBt thing is for )e to see Mr
&idge+ay/"
"I +as a'out to suggest that you shoud un.h +ith )e at the
JCheshire Cheese/J Phiip +i 'e there/ !e is )eeting )e> 'ut does
not yet 1no+ that I have 'een .onsuting you on his 'ehaf/"
We agreed to this suggestion readiy enough> and drove there in a
taBi/
Mr Phiip &idge+ay +as there 'efore us> and oo1ed so)e+hat
surprised to see his fian.=e arriving +ith t+o .o)pete strangers/
!e +as a ni.e;oo1ing young feo+> ta and spru.e> +ith a tou.h of
greying hair at the te)pes> though he .oud not have 'een )u.h
over thirty/
Miss Far8uhar +ent up to hi) and aid her hand on his ar)/
"@ou )ust forgive )y a.ting +ithout .onsuting you> Phiip>" she
said/ "#et )e introdu.e you to Monsieur !er.ue Poirot> of +ho)
you )ust often have heard> and his friend> Captain !astings/"
&idge+ay oo1ed very astonished/
"<f .ourse I have heard of you> Monsieur Poirot>" he said> as he
shoo1 hands> "%ut I had no idea that (s)=e +as thin1ing of
.onsuting you a'out )y ; our trou'e/"
"I +as afraid you +oud not et )e do it> Phiip>" said Miss Far8uhar
)ee1y/
"So you too1 .are to 'e on the safe side>" he o'served> +ith a s)ie/
"I hope Monsieur Poirot +i 'e a'e to thro+ so)e ight on this
eBtraordinary pu??e> for I .onfess fran1y that I a) neary out of )y
)ind +ith +orry and anBiety a'out it/"
Indeed> his fa.e oo1ed dra+n and haggard and sho+ed ony too
.eary the strain under +hi.h he +as a'ouring/
"We> +e>" said Poirot/ "#et us un.h> and over un.h +e +i put our
heads together and see +hat .an 'e done/ I +ant to hear Mr
&idge+ay"s story fro) his o+n ips/"
Whist +e dis.ussed the eB.eent stea1 and 1idney pudding of the
esta'ish)ent> Phiip &idge+ay narrated the .ir.u)stan.es eading
to the disappearan.e of the 'onds/ !is story agreed +ith that of
Miss Far8uhar in every parti.uar/ When he had finished> Poirot
too1 up the thread +ith a 8uestion/
"What eBa.ty ed you to dis.over that the 'onds had 'een stoen>
Mr &idge+ayA"
!e aughed rather 'ittery/
"The thing stared )e in the fa.e> Monsieur Poirot/ I .oudn"t have
)issed it/ My .a'in trun1 +as haf out fro) under the 'un1 and a
s.rat.hed and .ut a'out +here they"d tried to for.e the o.1/"
"%ut I understood that it had 'een opened +ith a 1eyA"
"That"s so/ They tried to for.e it> 'ut .oudn"t/ And> in the end> they
)ust have got it uno.1ed so)eho+ or other/"
"Curious>" said Poirot> his eyes 'eginning to fi.1er +ith the green
ight I 1ne+ so +e/ "7ery .uriousG They +aste )u.h> )u.h ti)e
trying to prise it open> and then ; sapristiG they find that they have
the 1ey a the ti)e ; for ea.h of !u''s"s o.1s are uni8ue/"
"That"s Dust +hy they .oudn"t have had the 1ey/ It never eft )e day
or night/"
"@ou are sure of thatA"
"I .an s+ear to it> and 'esides> if they had had the 1ey or a
dupi.ate> +hy shoud they +aste ti)e trying to for.e an o'viousy
unfor.ea'e o.1A"
"AhG there is eBa.ty the 8uestion +e are as1ing oursevesG I venture
to prophesy that the soution> if +e ever find it> +i hinge on that
.urious fa.t/ I 'eg of you not to assaut )e if I as1 you one )ore
8uestionH Are you perfe.ty .ertain you did not eave the trun1
uno.1edA"
Phiip &idge+ay )erey oo1ed at hi)> and Poirot gesti.uated
apoogeti.ay/
"Ah> 'ut these things .an happen> I assure youG 7ery +e> the 'onds
+ere stoen fro) the trun1/ What did the thief do +ith the)A !o+
did he )anage to get ashore +ith the)A"
"AhG" .ried &idge+ay/ "That"s Dust it/ !o+A Word +as passed to the
Custo)s authorities> and every sou that eft the ship +as gone over
+ith a tooth.o)'G"
"And the 'onds> I gather> )ade a 'u1y pa.1ageA"
"Certainy they did/ They .oud hardy have 'een hidden on 'oard ;
and any+ay +e 1no+ they +eren"t> 'e.ause they +ere offered for
sae +ithin haf an hour of the <y)pia"s arriva> ong 'efore I got
the .a'es going and the nu)'ers sent out/ <ne 'ro1er s+ears he
'ought so)e of the) even 'efore the <y)pia got in/ %ut you .an"t
send 'onds 'y +ireess/"
"0ot 'y +ireess> 'ut did any tug .o)e aongsideA"
"<ny the offi.ia ones> and that +as after the aar) +as given +hen
everyone +as on the oo1;out/ I +as +at.hing out )ysef for their
'eing passed over to so)eone that +ay/ My ,od> Monsieur Poirot>
this thing +i drive )e )adG Peope are 'eginning to say I stoe
the) )ysef/"
"%ut you aso +ere sear.hed on anding> +eren"t youA" as1ed Poirot
genty/
"@es/"
The young )an stared at hi) in a pu??ed )anner/
"@ou do not .at.h )y )eaning> I see>" said Poirot> s)iing
enig)ati.ay/ "0o+ I shoud i1e to )a1e a fe+ in8uiries at the
%an1/"
&idge+ay produ.ed a .ard and s.ri''ed a fe+ +ords on it/
"Send this in and )y un.e +i see you at on.e/"
Poirot than1ed hi)> 'ade fare+e to Miss Far8uhar> and together
+e started out for Threadneede Street and the head offi.e of the
#ondon and S.ottish %an1/ <n produ.tion of &idge+ay"s .ard> +e
+ere ed through the a'yrinth of .ounters and des1s> s1irting
paying;in .er1s and paying;out .er1s and up to a s)a offi.e on
the first foor +here the Doint genera )anagers re.eived us/ They
+ere t+o grave gente)en> +ho had gro+n grey in the servi.e of
the %an1/ Mr 7avasour had a short +hite 'eard> Mr Sha+ +as .ean
shaven/
"I understand you are stri.ty a private in8uiry agentA" said Mr
7avasour/ "4uite so> 8uite so/ We have> of .ourse> pa.ed ourseves
in the hands of S.otand @ard/ Inspe.tor M.0ei has .harge of the
.ase/ A very a'e offi.er> I 'eieve/"
"I a) sure of it>" said Poirot poitey/ "@ou +i per)it a fe+ 8uestions>
on your nephe+"s 'ehafA A'out this o.1> +ho ordered it fro)
!u''s"sA"
"I ordered it )ysef>" said Mr Sha+/ "I +oud not trust to any .er1 in
the )atter/ As to the 1eys> Mr &idge+ay had one> and the other t+o
are hed 'y )y .oeague and )ysef/"
"And no .er1 has had a..ess to the)A"
Mr Sha+ turned in8uiringy to Mr 7avasour/
"I thin1 I a) .orre.t in saying that they have re)ained in the safe
+here +e pa.ed the) on the 25rd>" said Mr 7avasour/ "My
.oeague +as unfortunatey ta1en i a fortnight ago ; in fa.t on the
very day that Phiip eft us/ !e has ony Dust re.overed/"
"Severe 'ron.hitis is no Do1e to a )an of )y age>" said Mr Sha+
ruefuy/ "%ut I a) afraid Mr 7avasour has suffered fro) the hard
+or1 entaied 'y )y a'sen.e> espe.iay +ith this uneBpe.ted
+orry .o)ing on top of everything/"
Poirot as1ed a fe+ )ore 8uestions/ I Dudged that he +as
endeavouring to gauge the eBa.t a)ount of inti)a.y 'et+een un.e
and nephe+/ Mr 7avasour"s ans+ers +ere 'rief and pun.tiious/ !is
nephe+ +as a trusted offi.ia of the %an1> and had no de'ts or
)oney diffi.uties that he 1ne+ of/ !e had 'een entrusted +ith
si)iar )issions in the past/ Finay +e +ere poitey 'o+ed out/
"I a) disappointed>" said Poirot> as +e e)erged into the street/
"@ou hoped to dis.over )oreA They are su.h stodgy od )en/"
"It is not their stodginess +hi.h disappoints )e> )on a)i/ I do not
eBpe.t to find in a %an1 )anager a J1een finan.ier +ith an eage
gan.e>J as your favourite +or1s of fi.tion put it/ 0o> I a)
disappointed in the .ase ; it is too easyG"
"(asyA"
"@es> do you not find it a)ost .hidishy si)peA"
"@ou 1no+ +ho stoe the 'ondsA"
"I do/"
"%ut then ; +e )ust ; +hy ; "
"$o not .onfuse and fuster yoursef> !astings/ We are not going to
do anything at present/"
"%ut +hyA What are you +aiting forA"
"For the <y)pia/ She is due on her return trip fro) 0e+ @or1 on
Tuesday/"
"%ut if you 1no+ +ho stoe the 'onds> +hy +aitA !e )ay es.ape/"
"To a South Sea isand +here there is no eBtraditionA 0o> )on a)i>
he +oud find ife very un.ongenia there/ As to +hy I +ait ; eh 'ien>
to the inteigen.e of !er.ue Poirot the .ase is perfe.ty .ear> 'ut
for the 'enefit of others> not so greaty gifted 'y the good ,od ; the
Inspe.tor M.0ei> for instan.e ; it +oud 'e as +e to )a1e a fe+
in8uiries to esta'ish the fa.ts/ <ne )ust have .onsideration for
those ess gifted than onesef/"
",ood #ord> PoirotG $o you 1no+> I"d give a .onsidera'e su) of
)oney to see you )a1e a thorough ass of yoursef ; Dust for on.e/
@ou"re so .onfoundedy .on.eitedG"
"$o not enrage yoursef> !astings/ In verity> I o'serve that there are
ti)es +hen you a)ost detest )eG Aas> I suffer the penaties of
greatnessG"
The itte )an puffed out his .hest> and sighed so .o)i.ay that I
+as for.ed to augh/
Tuesday sa+ us speeding to #iverpoo in a first;.ass .arriage of
the # and 0W&/ Poirot had o'stinatey refused to enighten )e as to
his suspi.ions ; or .ertainties/ !e .ontented hi)sef +ith
eBpressing surprise that I> too> +as not e8uay au fait +ith the
situation/ I disdained to argue> and entren.hed )y .uriosity 'ehind
a ra)part of pretended indifferen.e/
<n.e arrived at the 8uay aongside +hi.h ay the 'ig transatanti.
iner> Poirot 'e.a)e 'ris1 and aert/ <ur pro.eedings .onsisted in
intervie+ing four su..essive ste+ards and in8uiring after a friend
of Poirot"s +ho had .rossed to 0e+ @or1 on the 25rd/
"An edery gente)an> +earing gasses/ A great invaid> hardy
)oved out of his .a'in/"
The des.ription appeared to tay +ith one Mr 7entnor +ho had
o..upied the .a'in C24 +hi.h +as neBt to that of Phiip &idge+ay/
Athough una'e to see ho+ Poirot had dedu.ed Mr 7entnor"s
eBisten.e and persona appearan.e> I +as 1eeny eB.ited/
"Te )e>" I .ried> "+as this gente)an one of the first to and +hen
you got to 0e+ @or1A"
The ste+ard shoo1 his head/
"0o> indeed> sir> he +as one of the ast off the 'oat/"
I retired .restfaen> and o'served Poirot grinning at )e/ !e
than1ed the ste+ard> a note .hanged hands> and +e too1 our
departure/
"It"s a very +e>" I re)ar1ed heatedy> "'ut that ast ans+er )ust
have da)ned your pre.ious theory> grin as you peaseG"
"As usua> you see nothing> !astings/ That ast ans+er is> on the
.ontrary> the .oping;stone of )y theory/"
I fung up )y hands in despair/
"I give it up/"
II
When +e +ere in the train> speeding to+ards #ondon> Poirot +rote
'usiy for a fe+ )inutes> seaing up the resut in an enveope/
"This is for the good Inspe.tor M.0ei/ We +i eave it at S.otand
@ard in passing> and then to the &ende?vous &estaurant> +here I
have as1ed Miss (s)=e Far8uhar to do us the honour of dining +ith
us/"
"What a'out &idge+ayA"
"What a'out hi)A" as1ed Poirot +ith a t+in1e/
"Why> you surey don"t thin1 ; you .an"t ; "
"The ha'it of in.oheren.e is gro+ing upon you> !astings/ As a
)atter of fa.t I did thin1/ If &idge+ay had 'een the thief ; +hi.h +as
perfe.ty possi'e ; the .ase +oud have 'een .har)ingI a pie.e of
neat )ethodi.a +or1/"
"%ut not so .har)ing for Miss Far8uhar/"
"Possi'y you are right/ Therefore a is for the 'est/ 0o+> !astings>
et us revie+ the .ase/ I .an see that you are dying to do so/ The
seaed pa.1age is re)oved fro) the trun1 and vanishes> as Miss
Far8uhar puts it> into thin air/ We +i dis)iss the thin air theory>
+hi.h is not pra.ti.a'e at the present stage of s.ien.e> and
.onsider +hat is i1ey to have 'e.o)e of it/ (veryone asserts the
in.reduity of its 'eing s)ugged ashore ; "
"@es> 'ut +e 1no+ ; "
""@ou )ay 1no+> !astings/ I do not/ I ta1e the vie+ that> sin.e it
see)ed in.redi'e> it +as in.redi'e/ T+o possi'iities re)ainH it
+as hidden on 'oard ; aso rather diffi.ut ; or it +as thro+n
over'oard/"
"With a .or1 on it> do you )eanA"
"Without a .or1/"
I stared/
"%ut if the 'onds +ere thro+n over'oard> they .oudn"t have 'een
sod in 0e+ @or1/"
"I ad)ire your ogi.a )ind> !astings/ The 'onds +ere sod in 0e+
@or1> therefore they +ere not thro+n over'oard/ @ou see +here
that eads usA"
"Where +e +ere +hen +e started/"
"*a)ais de a vieG If the pa.1age +as thro+n over'oard> and the
'onds +ere sod in 0e+ @or1> the pa.1age .oud not have
.ontained the 'onds/ Is there any eviden.e that the pa.1age did
.ontain the 'ondsA &e)e)'er> Mr &idge+ay never opened it fro)
the ti)e it +as pa.ed in his hands in #ondon/"
"@es> 'ut then ; "
Poirot +aved an i)patient hand/
"Per)it )e to .ontinue/ The ast )o)ent that the 'onds are seen as
'onds is in the offi.e of the #ondon and S.ottish %an1 on the
)orning of the 25rd/ They reappear in 0e+ @or1 haf an hour after
the <y)pia gets in> and a..ording to one )an> +ho) no'ody
istens to> a.tuay 'efore she gets in/ Supposing then> that they
have never 'een on the <y)pia at aA Is there any other +ay they
.oud get to 0e+ @or1A @es/ The ,iganti. eaves Southa)pton on
the sa)e day as the <y)pia> and she hods the re.ord for the
Atanti./ Maied 'y the ,iganti.> the 'onds +oud 'e in 0e+ @or1
the day 'efore the <y)pia arrived/ A is .ear> the .ase 'egins to
eBpain itsef/ The seaed pa.1et is ony a du))y> and the )o)ent
of its su'stitution )ust 'e in the offi.e in the %an1/ It +oud 'e an
easy )atter for any of the three )en present to have prepared a
dupi.ate pa.1age +hi.h .oud 'e su'stituted for the genuine one/
TrSs 'ien> the 'onds are )aied to a .onfederate in 0e+ @or1> +ith
instru.tions to se as soon as the <y)pia is in> 'ut so)eone )ust
trave on the <y)pia to engineer the supposed )o)ent of the
ro''ery/"
"%ut +hyA"
"%e.ause if &idge+ay )erey opens the pa.1et and finds it a
du))y> suspi.ion fies at on.e to #ondon/ 0o> the )an on 'oard in
the .a'in neBt door does his +or1> pretends to for.e the o.1 in an
o'vious )anner so as to dra+ i))ediate attention to the theft>
reay uno.1s the trun1 +ith a dupi.ate 1ey> thro+s the pa.1age
over'oard and +aits unti the ast to eave the 'oat/ 0aturay he
+ears gasses to .on.ea his eyes> and is an invaid sin.e he does
not +ant to run the ris1 of )eeting &idge+ay/ !e steps ashore in
0e+ @or1 and returns 'y the first 'oat avaia'e/"
"%ut +ho ; +hi.h +as heA"
"The )an +ho had a dupi.ate 1ey> the )an +ho ordered the o.1>
the )an +ho has not 'een severey i +ith 'ron.hitis at his ho)e in
the .ountry ; enfin> the JstodgyJ od )an> Mr Sha+G There are
.ri)inas in high pa.es so)eti)es> )y friend/ Ah> here +e are/
Made)oisee> I have su..eededG @ou per)itA"
And> 'ea)ing> Poirot 1issed the astonished gir ighty on either
.hee1G
The Adventure of the !gyptian To"
I have a+ays .onsidered that one of the )ost thriing and dra)ati.
of the )any adventures I have shared +ith Poirot +as that of our
investigation into the strange series of deaths +hi.h foo+ed upon
the dis.overy and opening of the To)' of -ing Men;her;&a/
!ard upon the dis.overy of the To)' of Tutan1h;A)en 'y #ord
Carnarvon> Sir *ohn Wiard and Mr %ei'ner of 0e+ @or1> pursuing
their eB.avations not far fro) Cairo> in the vi.inity of the Pyra)ids
of ,i?eh> .a)e uneBpe.tedy on a series of funera .ha)'ers/ The
greatest interest +as aroused 'y their dis.overy/ The To)'
appeared to 'e that of -ing Men;her;&a> one of those shado+y
1ings of the (ighth $ynasty> +hen the <d -ingdo) +as faing to
de.ay/ #itte +as 1no+n a'out this period> and the dis.overies
+ere fuy reported in the ne+spapers/
An event soon o..urred +hi.h too1 a profound hod on the pu'i.
)ind/ Sir *ohn Wiard died 8uite suddeny of heart faiure/
The )ore sensationa ne+spapers i))ediatey too1 the
opportunity of reviving a the od superstitious stories .onne.ted
+ith the i u.1 of .ertain (gyptian treasures/ The unu.1y Mu))y
at the %ritish Museu)> that hoary od .hestnut> +as dragged out
+ith fresh ?est> +as 8uiety denied 'y the Museu)> 'ut
nevertheess enDoyed a its usua vogue/
A fortnight ater Mr %ei'ner died of a.ute 'ood poisoning> and a
fe+ days after+ards a nephe+ of his shot hi)sef in 0e+ @or1/ The
"Curse of Men;her;&a" +as the ta1 of the day> and the )agi. po+er
of dead;and;gone (gypt +as eBated to a fetish point/
It +as then that Poirot re.eived a 'rief note fro) #ady Wiard>
+ido+ of the dead ar.haeoogist> as1ing hi) to go and see her at
her house in -ensington S8uare/ I a..o)panied hi)/
#ady Wiard +as a ta> thin +o)an> dressed in deep )ourning/ !er
haggard fa.e 'ore eo8uent testi)ony to her re.ent grief/
"It is 1ind of you to have .o)e so pro)pty> Monsieur Poirot/"
"I a) at your servi.e> #ady Wiard/ @ou +ished to .onsut )eA"
"@ou are> I a) a+are> a dete.tive> 'ut it is not ony as a dete.tive
that I +ish to .onsut you/ @ou are a )an of origina vie+s> I 1no+>
you have i)agination> eBperien.e of the +ordI te )e> Monsieur
Poirot> +hat are your vie+s on the supernaturaA"
Poirot hesitated for a )o)ent 'efore he repied/ !e see)ed to 'e
.onsidering/ Finay he saidH
"#et us not )isunderstand ea.h other> #ady Wiard/ It is not a
genera 8uestion that you are as1ing )e there/ It has a persona
appi.ation> has it notA @ou are referring o'i8uey to the death of
your ate hus'andA"
"That is so>" she ad)itted/
"@ou +ant )e to investigate the .ir.u)stan.es of his deathA"
"I +ant you to as.ertain for )e eBa.ty ho+ )u.h is ne+spaper
.hatter> and ho+ )u.h )ay 'e said to 'e founded on fa.tA Three
deaths> Monsieur Poirot ; ea.h one eBpi.a'e ta1en 'y itsef> 'ut
ta1en together surey an a)ost un'eieva'e .oin.iden.e> and a
+ithin a )onth of the opening of the to)'G It )ay 'e )ere
superstition> it )ay 'e so)e potent .urse fro) the past that
operates in +ays undrea)ed of 'y )odern s.ien.e/ The fa.t
re)ains ; three deathsG And I a) afraid> Monsieur Poirot> horri'y
afraid/ It )ay not yet 'e the end/"
"For +ho) do you fearA"
"For )y son/ When the ne+s of )y hus'and"s death .a)e I +as i/
My son> +ho has Dust .o)e do+n fro) <Bford> +ent out there/ !e
'rought the ; the 'ody ho)e> 'ut no+ he has gone out again> in
spite of )y prayers and entreaties/ !e is so fas.inated 'y the +or1
that he intends to ta1e his father"s pa.e and .arry on the syste) of
eB.avations/ @ou )ay thin1 )e a fooish> .reduous +o)an> 'ut>
Monsieur Poirot> I a) afraid/ Supposing that the spirit of the dead
-ing is not yet appeasedA Perhaps to you I see) to 'e ta1ing
nonsense ; "
"0o> indeed> #ady Wiard>" said Poirot 8ui.1y/ "I> too> 'eieve in the
for.e of superstition> one of the greatest for.es the +ord has ever
1no+n/"
I oo1ed at hi) in surprise/ I shoud never have .redited Poirot +ith
'eing superstitious/ %ut the itte )an +as o'viousy in earnest/
"What you reay de)and is that I sha prote.t your sonA I +i do )y
ut)ost to 1eep hi) fro) har)/"
"@es> in the ordinary +ay> 'ut against an o..ut infuen.eA"
"In vou)es of the Midde Ages> #ady Wiard> you +i find )any
+ays of .ountera.ting 'a.1 )agi./ Perhaps they 1ne+ )ore than
+e )oderns +ith a our 'oasted s.ien.e/ 0o+ et us .o)e to fa.ts>
that I )ay have guidan.e/ @our hus'and had a+ays 'een a devoted
(gyptoogist> hadn"t heA"
"@es> fro) his youth up+ards/ !e +as one of the greatest iving
authorities upon the su'De.t/"
"%ut Mr %ei'ner> I understand> +as )ore or ess of an a)ateurA"
"<h> 8uite/ !e +as a very +eathy )an +ho da''ed freey in any
su'De.t that happened to ta1e his fan.y/ My hus'and )anaged to
interest hi) in (gyptoogy> and it +as his )oney that +as so usefu
in finan.ing the eBpedition/"
"And the nephe+A What do you 1no+ of his tastesA Was he +ith the
party at aA"
"I do not thin1 so/ In fa.t I never 1ne+ of his eBisten.e ti I read of
his death in the paper/ I do not thin1 he and Mr %ei'ner .an have
'een at a inti)ate/ !e never spo1e of having any reations/"
"Who are the other )e)'ers of the partyA"
"We> there"s $r Toss+i> a )inor offi.ia .onne.ted +ith the %ritish
Museu)I Mr S.hneider of the Metropoitan Museu) in 0e+ @or1I a
young A)eri.an se.retaryI $r A)es> +ho a..o)panies the
eBpedition in his professiona .apa.ityI and !assan> )y hus'and"s
devoted native servant/"
"$o you re)e)'er the na)e of the A)eri.an se.retaryA"
"!arper> I thin1> 'ut I .annot 'e sure/ !e had not 'een +ith Mr
%ei'ner very ong> I 1no+/ !e +as a very peasant young feo+/"
"Than1 you> #ady Wiard/"
"If there is anything ese ; "
"For the )o)ent> nothing/ #eave it no+ in )y hands> and 'e
assured that I +i do a that is hu)any possi'e to prote.t your
son/"
They +ere not eBa.ty reassuring +ords> and I o'served #ady
Wiard +in.e as he uttered the)/ @et> at the sa)e ti)e> the fa.t
that he had not pooh;poohed her fears see)ed in itsef to 'e a reief
to her/
For )y part I had never 'efore suspe.ted that Poirot had so deep a
vein of superstition in his nature/ I ta.1ed hi) on the su'De.t as +e
+ent ho)e+ards/ !is )anner +as grave and earnest/
"%ut yes> !astings/ I 'eieve in these things/ @ou )ust not underrate
the for.e of superstition/"
"What are +e going to do a'out itA"
"TouDours prati8ue> the good !astingsG (h 'ien> to 'egin +ith +e are
going to .a'e to 0e+ @or1 for fuer detais of young Mr %ei'ner"s
death/"
!e duy sent off his .a'e/ The repy +as fu and pre.ise/ @oung
&upert %ei'ner had 'een in o+ +ater for severa years/ !e had
'een a 'ea.h.o)'er and a re)ittan.e )an in severa South Sea
isands> 'ut had returned to 0e+ @or1 t+o years ago> +here he had
rapidy sun1 o+er and o+er/ The )ost signifi.ant thing> to )y
)ind> +as that he had re.enty )anaged to 'orro+ enough )oney
to ta1e hi) to (gypt/ "I"ve a good friend there I .an 'orro+ fro)>" he
had de.ared/ !ere> ho+ever> his pans had gone a+ry/ !e had
returned to 0e+ @or1 .ursing his s1infint of an un.e +ho .ared
)ore for the 'ones of dead and gone 1ings than his o+n fesh and
'ood/ It +as during his soDourn in (gypt that the death of Sir *ohn
Wiard o..urred/ &upert had punged on.e )ore into his ife of
dissipation in 0e+ @or1> and then> +ithout +arning> he had
.o))itted sui.ide> eaving 'ehind hi) a etter +hi.h .ontained
so)e .urious phrases/ It see)ed +ritten in a sudden fit of re)orse/
!e referred to hi)sef as a eper and an out.ast> and the etter
ended 'y de.aring that su.h as he +ere 'etter dead/
A shado+y theory eapt into )y 'rain/ I had never reay 'eieved in
the vengean.e of a ong dead (gyptian 1ing/ I sa+ here a )ore
)odern .ri)e/ Supposing this young )an had de.ided to do a+ay
+ith his un.e ; prefera'y 'y poison/ %y )ista1e> Sir *ohn Wiard
re.eives the fata dose/ The young )an returns to 0e+ @or1>
haunted 'y his .ri)e/ The ne+s of his un.e"s death rea.hes hi)/
!e reai?es ho+ unne.essary his .ri)e has 'een> and stri.1en +ith
re)orse ta1es his o+n ife/
I outined )y soution to Poirot/ !e +as interested/
"It is ingenious +hat you have thought of there ; de.idedy it is
ingenious/ It )ay even 'e true/ %ut you eave out of .ount the fata
infuen.e of the To)'/"
I shrugged )y shouders/
"@ou sti thin1 that has so)ething to do +ith itA"
"So )u.h so> )on a)i> that +e start for (gypt to)orro+/"
"WhatA" I .ried> astonished/
"I have said it/" An eBpression of .ons.ious herois) spread over
Poirot"s fa.e/ Then he groaned/ "%ut> oh>" he a)ented> "the seaG The
hatefu seaG"
II
It +as a +ee1 ater/ %eneath our feet +as the goden sand of the
desert/ The hot sun poured do+n overhead/ Poirot> the pi.ture of
)isery> +ited 'y )y side/ The itte )an +as not a good traveer/
<ur four days" voyage fro) Marseies had 'een one ong agony to
hi)/ !e had anded at AeBandria the +raith of his for)er sef> even
his usua neatness had deserted hi)/ We had arrived in Cairo and
had driven out at on.e to the Mena !ouse !ote> right in the shado+
of the Pyra)ids/
The .har) of (gypt had aid hod of )e/ 0ot so Poirot/ $ressed
pre.isey the sa)e as in #ondon> he .arried a s)a .othes;'rush
in his po.1et and +aged an un.easing +ar on the dust +hi.h
a..u)uated on his dar1 appare/
"And )y 'oots>" he +aied/ "&egard the)> !astings/ My 'oots> of the
neat patent eather> usuay so s)art and shining/ See> the sand is
inside the)> +hi.h is painfu> and outside the)> +hi.h outrages the
eyesight/ Aso the heat> it .auses )y )ousta.hes to 'e.o)e i)p ;
'ut i)pG"
"#oo1 at the SphinB>" I urged/ "(ven I .an fee the )ystery and the
.har) it eBhaes/"
Poirot oo1ed at it dis.ontentedy/
"It has not the air happy>" he de.ared/ "!o+ .oud it> haf;'uried in
sand in that untidy fashion/ Ah> this .ursed sandG"
"Co)e> no+> there"s a ot of sand in %egiu)>" I re)inded hi)>
)indfu of a hoiday spent at -no.1e;sur;)er in the )idst of "#es
dunes i)pe..a'es" as the guide;'oo1 had phrased it/
"0ot in %russes>" de.ared Poirot/ !e ga?ed at the Pyra)ids
thoughtfuy/ "It is true that they> at east> are of a shape soid and
geo)etri.a> 'ut their surfa.e is of an unevenness )ost unpeasing/
And the pa);trees I i1e the) not/ 0ot even do they pant the) in
ro+sG"
I .ut short his a)entations> 'y suggesting that +e shoud start for
the .a)p/ We +ere to ride there on .a)es> and the 'easts +ere
patienty 1neeing> +aiting for us to )ount> in .harge of severa
pi.tures8ue 'oys headed 'y a vou'e drago)an/
I pass over the spe.ta.e of Poirot on a .a)e/ !e started 'y groans
and a)entations and ended 'y shrie1s> gesti.uations and
invo.ations to the 7irgin Mary and every Saint in the .aendar/ In
the end> he des.ended igno)iniousy and finished the Dourney on a
di)inutive don1ey/ I )ust ad)it that a trotting .a)e is no Do1e for
the a)ateur/ I +as stiff for severa days/
At ast +e neared the s.ene of the eB.avations/ A sun;'urnt )an
+ith a grey 'eard> in +hite .othes and +earing a he)et> .a)e to
)eet us/
"Monsieur Poirot and Captain !astingsA We re.eived your .a'e/
I") sorry that there +as no one to )eet you in Cairo/ An unforeseen
event o..urred +hi.h .o)petey disorgani?ed our pans/"
Poirot paed/ !is hand> +hi.h had stoen to his .othes;'rush>
stayed its .ourse/
"0ot another deathA" he 'reathed/
"@es/"
"Sir ,uy WiardA" I .ried/
"0o> Captain !astings/ My A)eri.an .oeague> Mr S.hneider/"
"And the .auseA" de)anded Poirot/
"Tetanus/"
I 'an.hed/ A around )e I see)ed to fee an at)osphere of evi>
su'te and )ena.ing/ A horri'e thought fashed a.ross )e/
Supposing I +ere the neBtA
"Mon $ieu>" said Poirot> in a very o+ voi.e> "I do not understand this/
It is horri'e/ Te )e> )onsieur> there is no dou't that it +as
tetanusA"
"I 'eieve not/ %ut $r A)es +i te you )ore than I .an do/"
"Ah> of .ourse> you are not the do.tor/"
"My na)e is Toss+i/"
This> then> +as the %ritish eBpert des.ri'ed 'y #ady Wiard as
'eing a )inor offi.ia at the %ritish Museu)/ There +as so)ething
at on.e grave and steadfast a'out hi) that too1 )y fan.y/
"If you +i .o)e +ith )e>" .ontinued $r Toss+i> "I +i ta1e you to
Sir ,uy Wiard/ !e +as )ost anBious to 'e infor)ed as soon as you
shoud arrive/"
We +ere ta1en a.ross the .a)p to a arge tent/ $r Toss+i ifted up
the fap and +e entered/ Three )en +ere sitting inside/
"Monsieur Poirot and Captain !astings have arrived> Sir ,uy>" said
Toss+i/
The youngest of the three )en Du)ped up and .a)e for+ard to
greet us/ There +as a .ertain i)pusiveness in his )anner +hi.h
re)inded )e of his )other/ !e +as not neary so sun'urnt as the
others> and that fa.t> .ouped +ith a .ertain haggardness round the
eyes> )ade hi) oo1 oder than his t+enty;t+o years/ !e +as
.eary endeavouring to 'ear up under a severe )enta strain/
!e introdu.ed his t+o .o)panions> $r A)es> a .apa'e;oo1ing
)an of thirty;odd> +ith a tou.h of greying hair at the te)pes> and
Mr !arper> the se.retary> a peasant ean young )an +earing the
nationa insignia of horn;ri))ed spe.ta.es/
After a fe+ )inutes" desutory .onversation the atter +ent out> and
$r Toss+i foo+ed hi)/ We +ere eft aone +ith Sir ,uy and $r
A)es/
"Pease as1 any 8uestions you +ant to as1> Monsieur Poirot>" said
Wiard/ "We are uttery du)'founded at this strange series of
disasters> 'ut it isn"t ; it .an"t 'e> anything 'ut .oin.iden.e/"
There +as a nervousness a'out his )anner +hi.h rather 'eied the
+ords/ I sa+ that Poirot +as studying hi) 1eeny/
"@our heart is reay in this +or1> Sir ,uyA"
"&ather/ 0o )atter +hat happens> or +hat .o)es of it> the +or1 is
going on/ Ma1e up your )ind to that/"
Poirot +heeed round on the other/
"What have you to say to that> )onsieur e do.teurA"
"We>" dra+ed the do.tor> "I") not for 8uitting )ysef/"
Poirot )ade one of those eBpressive gri)a.es of his/
"Then> =vide))ent> +e )ust find out Dust ho+ +e stand/ When did
Mr S.hneider"s death ta1e pa.eA"
"Three days ago/"
"@ou are sure it +as tetanusA"
"$ead sure/"
"It .oudn"t have 'een a .ase of stry.hnine poisoning> for instan.eA"
"0o> Monsieur Poirot/ I see +hat you"re getting at/ %ut it +as a .ear
.ase of tetanus/"
"$id you not inDe.t anti;seru)A"
"Certainy +e did>" said the do.tor dryy/ "(very .on.eiva'e thing
that .oud 'e done +as tried/"
"!ad you the anti;seru) +ith youA"
"0o/ We pro.ured it fro) Cairo/"
"!ave there 'een any other .ases of tetanus in the .a)pA"
"0o> not one/"
"Are you .ertain that the death of Mr %ei'ner +as not due to
tetanusA"
"A'soutey pu)' .ertain/ !e had a s.rat.h upon his thu)' +hi.h
'e.a)e poisoned> and septi.ae)ia set in/ It sounds pretty )u.h
the sa)e to a ay)an> I dare say> 'ut the t+o things are entirey
different/"
"Then +e have four deaths ; a totay dissi)iar> one heart faiure>
one 'ood poisoning> one sui.ide and one tetanus/"
"(Ba.ty> Monsieur Poirot/"
"Are you .ertain that there is nothing +hi.h )ight in1 the four
togetherA"
"I don"t 8uite understand youA"
"I +i put it painy/ Was any a.t .o))itted 'y those four )en +hi.h
)ight see) to denote disrespe.t to the spirit of Men;her;&aA"
The do.tor ga?ed at Poirot in astonish)ent/
"@ou"re ta1ing through your hat> Monsieur Poirot/ Surey you"ve not
'een guyed into 'eieving a that foo ta1A"
"A'soute nonsense>" )uttered Wiard angriy/
Poirot re)ained pa.idy i))ova'e> 'in1ing a itte out of his green
.at"s eyes/
"So you do not 'eieve it> )onsieur e do.teurA"
"0o> sir> I do not>" de.ared the do.tor e)phati.ay/ "I a) a
s.ientifi. )an> and I 'eieve ony +hat s.ien.e tea.hes/"
"Was there no s.ien.e then in An.ient (gyptA" as1ed Poirot softy/
!e did not +ait for a repy> and indeed $r A)es see)ed rather at a
oss for the )o)ent/ "0o> no> do not ans+er )e> 'ut te )e this/
What do the native +or1)en thin1A"
"I guess>" said $r A)es> "that> +here +hite fo1 ose their heads>
natives aren"t going to 'e far 'ehind/ I" ad)it that they"re getting
+hat you )ight .a s.ared ; 'ut they"ve no .ause to 'e/"
"I +onder>" said Poirot non;.o))ittay/
Sir ,uy eant for+ard/
"Surey>" he .ried in.reduousy> "you .annot 'eieve in ; oh> 'ut the
thing"s a'surdG @ou .an 1no+ nothing of An.ient (gypt if you thin1
that/"
For ans+er Poirot produ.ed a itte 'oo1 fro) his po.1et ; an
an.ient tattered vou)e/ As he hed it out I sa+ its tite> The Magi.
of the (gyptians and Chadeans/ Then> +heeing round> he strode
out of the tent/ The do.tor stared at )e/
"What is his itte ideaA"
The phrase> so fa)iiar on Poirot"s ips> )ade )e s)ie as it .a)e
fro) another/
"I don"t 1no+ eBa.ty>" I .onfessed/ "!e"s got so)e pan of eBor.i?ing
the evi spirits> I 'eieve/"
I +ent in sear.h of Poirot> and found hi) ta1ing to the ean;fa.ed
young )an +ho had 'een the ate Mr %ei'ner"s se.retary/
"0o>" Mr !arper +as saying> "I"ve ony 'een siB )onths +ith the
eBpedition/ @es> I 1ne+ Mr %ei'ner"s affairs pretty +e/"
"Can you re.ount to )e anything .on.erning his nephe+A"
"!e turned up here one day> not a 'ad;oo1ing feo+/ I"d never )et
hi) 'efore> 'ut so)e of the others had ; A)es> I thin1> and
S.hneider/ The od )an +asn"t at a peased to see hi)/ They +ere
at it in no ti)e> ha))er and tongs/ J0ot a .ent>J the od )an
shouted/ J0ot one .ent no+ or +hen I") dead/ I intend to eave )y
)oney to the furtheran.e of )y ife"s +or1/ I"ve 'een ta1ing it over
+ith Mr S.hneider today/J And a 'it )ore of the sa)e/ @oung
%ei'ner it out for Cairo right a+ay/"
"Was he in perfe.ty good heath at the ti)eA"
"The od )anA"
"0o> the young one/"
"I 'eieve he did )ention there +as so)ething +rong +ith hi)/ %ut
it .oudn"t have 'een anything serious> or I shoud have
re)e)'ered/"
"<ne thing )ore> has Mr %ei'ner eft a +iA"
"So far as +e 1no+> he has not/"
"Are you re)aining +ith the eBpedition> Mr !arperA"
"0o> sir> I a) not/ I") for 0e+ @or1 as soon as I .an s8uare up things
here/ @ou )ay augh if you i1e> 'ut I") not going to 'e this 'asted
od Men;her;&a"s neBt vi.ti)/ !e" get )e if I stop here/"
The young )an +iped the perspiration fro) his 'ro+/
Poirot turned a+ay/ <ver his shouder he said +ith a pe.uiar s)ieH
"&e)e)'er> he got one of his vi.ti)s in 0e+ @or1/"
"<h> heG" said Mr !arper for.i'y/
"That young )an is nervous>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "!e is on the
edge> 'ut a'soutey on the edge/"
I gan.ed at Poirot .uriousy> 'ut his enig)ati.a s)ie tod )e
nothing/ In .o)pany +ith Sir ,uy Wiard and $r Toss+i +e +ere
ta1en round the eB.avations/ The prin.ipa finds had 'een re)oved
to Cairo> 'ut so)e of the to)' furniture +as eBtre)ey interesting/
The enthusias) of the young 'aronet +as o'vious> 'ut I fan.ied
that I dete.ted a shade of nervousness in his )anner as though he
.oud not 8uite es.ape fro) the feeing of )ena.e in the air/ As +e
entered the tent +hi.h had 'een assigned to us> for a +ash 'efore
Doining the evening )ea> a ta dar1 figure in +hite ro'es stood
aside to et us pass +ith a gra.efu gesture and a )ur)ured
greeting in Ara'i./ Poirot stopped/
"@ou are !assan> the ate Sir *ohn Wiard"s servantA"
"I served )y #ord Sir *ohn> no+ I serve his son/" !e too1 a step
nearer to us and o+ered his voi.e/ "@ou are a +ise one> they say>
earned in deaing +ith evi spirits/ #et the young )aster depart
fro) here/ There is evi in the air around us/"
And +ith an a'rupt gesture> not +aiting for a repy> he strode a+ay/
"(vi in the air>" )uttered Poirot/ "@es> I fee it/"
<ur )ea +as hardy a .heerfu one/ The foor +as eft to $r
Toss+i> +ho dis.oursed at ength upon (gyptian anti8uities/ *ust
as +e +ere preparing to retire to rest> Sir ,uy .aught Poirot 'y the
ar) and pointed/ A shado+y figure +as )oving a)idst the tents/ It
+as no hu)an oneH I re.ogni?ed distin.ty the dog;headed figure I
had seen .arved on the +as of the to)'/
My 'ood fro?e at the sight/
"Mon $ieuG" )ur)ured Poirot> .rossing hi)sef vigorousy/ "Anu'is>
the Da.1a;headed> the god of departing sous/"
"So)eone is hoaBing us>" .ried $r Toss+i> rising indignanty to his
feet/
"It +ent into your tent> !arper>" )uttered Sir ,uy> his fa.e dreadfuy
pae/
"0o>" said Poirot> sha1ing his head> "into that of $r A)es/"
The do.tor stared at hi) in.reduousy> then> repeating $r
Toss+i"s +ords> he .riedH
"So)eone is hoaBing us/ Co)e> +e" soon .at.h the feo+/"
!e dashed energeti.ay in pursuit of the shado+y apparition/ I
foo+ed hi)> 'ut> sear.h as +e +oud> +e .oud find no tra.e of
any iving sou having passed that +ay/ We returned> so)e+hat
distur'ed in )ind> to find Poirot ta1ing energeti. )easures> in his
o+n +ay> to ensure his persona safety/ !e +as 'usiy surrounding
our tent +ith various diagra)s and ins.riptions +hi.h he +as
dra+ing in the sand/ I re.ogni?ed the five;pointed star or Pentagon
)any ti)es repeated/ As +as his +ont> Poirot +as at the sa)e ti)e
deivering an i)pro)ptu e.ture on +it.h.raft and )agi. in
genera/ White Magi. as opposed to %a.1> +ith various referen.es
to the -a and the %oo1 of the $ead thro+n in/
It appeared to eB.ite the iveiest .onte)pt in $r Toss+i> +ho dre+
)e aside> iteray snorting +ith rage/
"%aderdash> sir>" he eB.ai)ed angriy/ "Pure 'aderdash/ The
)an"s an i)postor/ !e doesn"t 1no+ the differen.e 'et+een the
superstitions of the Midde Ages and the 'eiefs of An.ient (gypt/
0ever have I heard su.h a hot.h;pot.h of ignoran.e and .reduity/"
I .a)ed the eB.ited eBpert> and Doined Poirot in the tent/ My itte
friend +as 'ea)ing .heerfuy/
"We .an no+ seep in pea.e>" he de.ared happiy/ "And I .an do
+ith so)e seep/ My head> it a.hes a'o)ina'y/ Ah> for a good
tisaneG"
As though in ans+er to prayer> the fap of the tent +as ifted and
!assan appeared> 'earing a stea)ing .up +hi.h he offered to
Poirot/ It proved to 'e .a)o)ie tea> a 'everage of +hi.h he is
inordinatey fond/ !aving than1ed !assan and refused his offer of
another .up for )ysef> +e +ere eft aone on.e )ore/ I stood at the
door of the tent so)e ti)e after undressing> oo1ing out over the
desert/
"A +onderfu pa.e>" I said aoud> "and a +onderfu +or1/ I .an fee
the fas.ination/ This desert ife> this pro'ing into the heart of a
vanished .ivii?ation/ Surey> Poirot> you> too> )ust fee the .har)A"
I got no ans+er> and I turned> a itte annoyed/ My annoyan.e +as
8ui.1y .hanged to .on.ern/ Poirot +as ying 'a.1 a.ross the rude
.ou.h> his fa.e horri'y .onvused/ %eside hi) +as the e)pty .up/ I
rushed to his side> then dashed out and a.ross the .a)p to $r
A)es"s tent/
"$r A)esG" I .ried/ "Co)e at on.e/"
"What"s the )atterA" said the do.tor> appearing in pyDa)as/
"My friend/ !e"s i/ $ying/ The .a)o)ie tea/ $on"t et !assan eave
the .a)p/"
#i1e a fash the do.tor ran to our tent/ Poirot +as ying as I eft hi)/
"(Btraordinary>" .ried A)es/ "#oo1s i1e a sei?ure ; or ; +hat did you
say a'out so)ething he dran1A" !e pi.1ed up the e)pty .up/
"<ny I did not drin1 itG" said a pa.id voi.e/
We turned in a)a?e)ent/ Poirot +as sitting up on the 'ed/ !e +as
s)iing/
"0o>" he said genty/ "I did not drin1 it/ Whie )y good friend !astings
+as apostrophising the night> I too1 the opportunity of pouring it>
not do+n )y throat> 'ut into a itte 'otte/ That itte 'otte +i go to
the anayti.a .he)ist/ 0o" ; as the do.tor )ade a sudden
)ove)ent ; "as a sensi'e )an> you +i understand that vioen.e
+i 'e of no avai/ $uring !astings" 'rief a'sen.e to fet.h you> I
have had ti)e to put the 'otte in safe 1eeping/ Ah> 8ui.1> !astings>
hod hi)G"
I )isunderstood Poirot"s anBiety/ (ager to save )y friend> I fung
)ysef in front of hi)/ %ut the do.tor"s s+ift )ove)ent had another
)eaning/ !is hand +ent to his )outh> a s)e of 'itter a)onds
fied the air> and he s+ayed for+ard and fe/
"Another vi.ti)>" said Poirot gravey> "'ut the ast/ Perhaps it is the
'est +ay/ !e has three deaths on his head/"
"$r A)esA" I .ried> stupefied/ "%ut I thought you 'eieved in so)e
o..ut infuen.eA"
"@ou )isunderstood )e> !astings/ What I )eant +as that I 'eieve
in the terrifi. for.e of superstition/ <n.e get it fir)y esta'ished
that a series of deaths are supernatura> and you )ight a)ost sta'
a )an in 'road dayight> and it +oud sti 'e put do+n to the .urse>
so strongy is the instin.t of the supernatura i)panted in the
hu)an ra.e/ I suspe.ted fro) the first that a )an +as ta1ing
advantage of that instin.t/ The idea .a)e to hi)> I i)agine> +ith the
death of Sir *ohn Wiard/ A fury of superstition arose at on.e/ As
far as I .oud see> no'ody .oud derive any parti.uar profit fro) Sir
*ohn"s death/ Mr %ei'ner +as a different .ase/ !e +as a )an of
great +eath/ The infor)ation I re.eived fro) 0e+ @or1 .ontained
severa suggestive points/ To 'egin +ith> young %ei'ner +as
reported to have said he had a good friend in (gypt fro) +ho) he
.oud 'orro+/ It +as ta.ity understood that he )eant his un.e> 'ut
it see)ed to )e that in that .ase he +oud have said so outright/
The +ords suggest so)e 'oon .o)panion of his o+n/ Another
thing> he s.raped up enough )oney to ta1e hi) to (gypt> his un.e
refused outright to advan.e hi) a penny> yet he +as a'e to pay the
return passage to 0e+ @or1/ So)eone )ust have ent hi) the
)oney/"
"A that +as very thin>" I o'De.ted/
"%ut there +as )ore/ !astings> there o..ur often enough +ords
spo1en )etaphori.ay +hi.h are ta1en iteray/ The opposite .an
happen too/ In this .ase> +ords +hi.h +ere )eant iteray +ere
ta1en )etaphori.ay/ @oung %ei'ner +rote painy enoughH "I a) a
eper>" 'ut no'ody reai?ed that he shot hi)sef 'e.ause he
'eieved that he had .ontra.ted the dread disease of eprosy/"
"WhatA" I eDa.uated/
"It +as the .ever invention of a dia'oi.a )ind/ @oung %ei'ner +as
suffering fro) so)e )inor s1in trou'eI he had ived in the South
Sea Isands> +here the disease is .o))on enough/ A)es +as a
for)er friend of his> and a +e;1no+n )edi.a )an> he +oud never
drea) of dou'ting his +ord/ When I arrived here> )y suspi.ions
+ere divided 'et+een !arper and $r A)es> 'ut I soon reai?ed that
ony the do.tor .oud have perpetrated and .on.eaed the .ri)es>
and I earnt fro) !arper that he +as previousy a.8uainted +ith
young %ei'ner/ $ou'tess the atter at so)e ti)e or another had
)ade a +i or had insured his ife in favour of the do.tor/ The atter
sa+ his .han.e of a.8uiring +eath/ It +as easy for hi) to ino.uate
Mr %ei'ner +ith the deady ger)s/ Then the nephe+> over.o)e
+ith despair at the dread ne+s his friend had .onveyed to hi)> shot
hi)sef/ Mr %ei'ner> +hatever his intentions> had )ade no +i/ !is
fortune +oud pass to his nephe+ and fro) hi) to the do.tor/"
"And Mr S.hneiderA"
"We .annot 'e sure/ !e 1ne+ young %ei'ner too> re)e)'er> and
)ay have suspe.ted so)ething> or> again> the do.tor )ay have
thought that a further death )otiveess and purposeess +oud
strengthen the .ois of superstition/ Further)ore> I +i te you an
interesting psy.hoogi.a fa.t> !astings/ A )urderer has a+ays a
strong desire to repeat his su..essfu .ri)e> the perfor)an.e of it
gro+s upon hi)/ !en.e )y fears for young Wiard/ The figure of
Anu'is you sa+ to;night +as !assan> dressed up 'y )y orders/ I
+anted to see if I .oud frighten the do.tor/ %ut it +oud ta1e )ore
than the supernatura to frighten hi)/ I .oud see that he +as not
entirey ta1en in 'y )y preten.es of 'eief in the o..ut/ The itte
.o)edy I payed for hi) did not de.eive hi)/ I suspe.ted that he
+oud endeavour to )a1e )e the neBt vi.ti)/ Ah> 'ut in spite of a
)er )audite> the heat a'o)ina'e> and the annoyan.es of the sand>
the itte grey .es sti fun.tionedG"
Poirot proved to 'e perfe.ty right in his pre)ises/ @oung %ei'ner>
so)e years ago> in a fit of drun1en )erri)ent> had )ade a Do.uar
+i> eaving ")y .igarette;.ase you ad)ire so )u.h and everything
ese of +hi.h I die possessed +hi.h +i 'e prin.ipay de'ts to )y
good friend &o'ert A)es +ho on.e saved )y ife fro) dro+ning/"
The .ase +as hushed up as far as possi'e> and> to this day> peope
ta1 of the re)ar1a'e series of deaths in .onne.tion +ith the To)'
of Men;her;&a as a triu)pha proof of the vengean.e of a 'ygone
1ing upon the dese.rators of his to)' ; a 'eief +hi.h> as Poirot
pointed out to )e> is .ontrary to a (gyptian 'eief and thought/
The #e$el Roery at the %rand Metropolitan
"Poirot>" I said> "a .hange of air +oud do you good/"
"@ou thin1 so> )on a)iA"
"I a) sure of it/"
"(h ; ehA" said )y friend> s)iing> "It is a arranged> thenA"
"@ou +i .o)eA"
"Where do you propose to ta1e )eA"
"%righton/ As a )atter of fa.t> a friend of )ine in the City put )e on
to a very good thing> and ; +e> I have )oney to 'urn> as the saying
goes/ I thin1 a +ee1end at the ,rand Metropoitan +oud do us a
the good in the +ord/"
"Than1 you> I a..ept )ost gratefuy/ @ou have the good heart to
thin1 of an od )an/ And the good heart> it is in the end +orth a the
itte grey .es/ @es> yes> I +ho spea1 to you a) in danger of
forgetting that so)eti)es/"
I did not 8uite reish the i)pi.ation/ I fan.y that Poirot is so)eti)es
a itte in.ined to underesti)ate )y )enta .apa.ities/ %ut his
peasure +as so evident that I put )y sight annoyan.e aside/
"Then> that"s a right>" I said hastiy/
Saturday evening sa+ us dining at the ,rand Metropoitan in the
)idst of a gay throng/ A the +ord and his +ife see)ed to 'e at
%righton/ The dresses +ere )arveous> and the De+es ; +orn
so)eti)es +ith )ore ove of dispay than good taste ; +ere
so)ething )agnifi.ent/
"!ein> it is a sight> thisG" )ur)ured Poirot/ "This is the ho)e of the
Profiteer> is it not so> !astingsA"
"Supposed to 'e>" I repied/ "%ut +e" hope they aren"t a tarred +ith
the Profiteering 'rush/"
Poirot ga?ed round hi) pa.idy/
"The sight of so )any De+es )a1es )e +ish I had turned )y 'rains
to .ri)e> instead of to its dete.tion/ What a )agnifi.ent opportunity
for so)e thief of distin.tionG &egard> !astings> that stout +o)an 'y
the piar/ She is> as you +oud say> pastered +ith ge)s/"
I foo+ed his eyes/
"Why>" I eB.ai)ed> "it"s Mrs <pasen/"
"@ou 1no+ herA"
"Sighty/ !er hus'and is a ri.h sto.1'ro1er +ho )ade a fortune in
the re.ent <i 'oo)/"
After dinner +e ran a.ross the <pasens in the ounge> and I
introdu.ed Poirot to the)/ We .hatted for a fe+ )inutes> and ended
'y having our .offee together/
Poirot said a fe+ +ords in praise of so)e of the .ostier ge)s
dispayed on the ady"s a)pe 'oso)> and she 'rightened up at
on.e/
"It"s a perfe.t ho''y of )ine> Mr Poirot/ I Dust ove De+eery/ (d
1no+s )y +ea1ness> and every ti)e things go +e he 'rings )e
so)ething ne+/ @ou are interested in pre.ious stonesA"
"I have had a good dea to do +ith the) one ti)e and another>
)ada)e/ My profession has 'rought )e into .onta.t +ith so)e of
the )ost fa)ous De+es in the +ord/"
!e +ent on to narrate> +ith dis.reet pseudony)s> the story of the
histori. De+es of a reigning house> and Mrs <pasen istened +ith
'ated 'reath/
"There no+>" she eB.ai)ed> as he ended/ "If it isn"t Dust i1e a payG
@ou 1no+> I"ve got so)e pears of )y o+n that have a history
atta.hed to the)/ I 'eieve it"s supposed to 'e one of the finest
ne.1a.es in the +ord ; the pears are so 'eautifuy )at.hed and
so perfe.t in .oour/ I de.are I reay )ust run up and get itG"
"<h> )ada)e>" protested Poirot> "you are too a)ia'e/ Pray do not
derange yoursefG"
"<h> 'ut I"d i1e to sho+ it to you/"
The 'uBo) da)e +added a.ross to the ift 'ris1y enough/ !er
hus'and> +ho had 'een ta1ing to )e> oo1ed at Poirot in8uiringy/
"Mada)e your +ife is so a)ia'e as to insist on sho+ing )e her
pear ne.1a.e>" eBpained the atter/
"<h> the pearsG" <pasen s)ied in a satisfied fashion/ "We> they
are +orth seeing/ Cost a pretty penny tooG Sti> the )oney"s there
a rightI I .oud get +hat I paid for the) any day ; perhaps )ore/
May have to> too> if things go on as they are no+/ Money"s
.onfoundedy tight in the City/ A this inferna (P$/" !e ra)'ed on>
aun.hing into te.hni.aities +here I .oud not foo+ hi)/
!e +as interrupted 'y a s)a page;'oy +ho approa.hed and
)ur)ured so)ething in his ear/
"(h ; +hatA I" .o)e at on.e/ 0ot ta1en i> is sheA (B.use )e>
gente)en/"
!e eft us a'rupty/ Poirot eaned 'a.1 and it one of his tiny
&ussian .igarettes/ Then> .arefuy and )eti.uousy> he arranged
the e)pty .offee;.ups in a neat ro+> and 'ea)ed happiy on the
resut/
The )inutes passed/ The <pasens did not return/
"Curious>" I re)ar1ed> at ength/ "I +onder +hen they +i .o)e
'a.1/"
Poirot +at.hed the as.ending spiras of s)o1e> and then said
thoughtfuyH
"They +i not .o)e 'a.1/"
"WhyA"
"%e.ause> )y friend> so)ething has happened/"
"What sort of thingA !o+ do you 1no+A" I as1ed .uriousy/
Poirot s)ied/
"A fe+ )o)ents ago the )anager .a)e hurriedy out of his offi.e
and ran upstairs/ !e +as )u.h agitated/ The ift;'oy is deep in ta1
+ith one of the pages/ The ift;'e has rung three ti)es> 'ut he
heeds it not/ Thirdy> even the +aiters are distraitI and to )a1e a
+aiter distrait ; " Poirot shoo1 his head +ith an air of finaity/ "The
affair )ust indeed 'e of the first )agnitude/ Ah> it is as I thoughtG
!ere .o)e the poi.e/"
T+o )en had Dust entered the hote ; one in unifor)> the other in
pain .othes/ They spo1e to a page> and +ere i))ediatey ushered
upstairs/ A fe+ )inutes ater> the sa)e 'oy des.ended and .a)e
up to +here +e +ere sitting/
"Mr <pasen"s .o)pi)ents> and +oud you step upstairsA"
Poirot sprang ni)'y to his feet/ <ne +oud have said that he
a+aited the su))ons/ I foo+ed +ith no ess aa.rity/
The <pasens" apart)ents +ere situated on the first foor/ After
1no.1ing on the door> the page;'oy retired> and +e ans+ered the
su))ons> "Co)e inG" A strange s.ene )et our eyes/ The roo) +as
Mrs <pasen"s 'edroo)> and in the .entre of it> ying 'a.1 in an
ar).hair> +as the ady hersef> +eeping vioenty/ She presented an
eBtraordinary spe.ta.e> +ith the tears )a1ing great furro+s in the
po+der +ith +hi.h her .o)peBion +as i'eray .oated/ Mr
<pasen +as striding up and do+n angriy/ The t+o poi.e offi.ias
stood in the )idde of the roo)> one +ith a note'oo1 in hand/ An
hote .ha)'er)aid> oo1ing frightened to death> stood 'y the
firepa.eI and on the other side of the roo) a Fren.h+o)an>
o'viousy Mrs <pasen"s )aid> +as +eeping and +ringing her
hands> +ith an intensity of grief that rivaed that of her )istress/
Into this pande)oniu) stepped Poirot> neat and s)iing/
I))ediatey> +ith an energy surprising in one of her 'u1> Mrs
<pasen sprang fro) her .hair to+ards hi)/
"There no+I (d )ay say +hat he i1es> 'ut I 'eieve in u.1> I do/ It
+as fated I shoud )eet you the +ay I did this evening> and I"ve a
feeing that if you .an"t get )y pears 'a.1 for )e no'ody .an/"
"Ca) yoursef> I pray of you> )ada)e/" Poirot patted her hand
soothingy/ "&eassure yoursef/ A +i 'e +e/ !er.ue Poirot +i
aid youG"
Mr <pasen turned to the poi.e inspe.tor/
"There +i 'e no o'De.tion to )y ; er ; .aing in this gente)an> I
supposeA"
"0one at a> sir>" repied the )an .iviy> 'ut +ith .o)pete
indifferen.e/ "Perhaps no+ your ady"s feeing 'etter she" Dust et
us have the fa.tsA"
Mrs <pasen oo1ed hepessy at Poirot/ !e ed her 'a.1 to her
.hair/
"Seat yoursef> )ada)e> and re.ount to us the +hoe history
+ithout agitating yoursef/"
Thus a'Dured> Mrs <pasen dried her eyes gingery> and 'egan/
"I .a)e upstairs after dinner to fet.h )y pears for Mr Poirot here to
see/ The .ha)'er)aid and C=estine +ere 'oth in the roo) as
usua ; "
"(B.use )e> )ada)e> 'ut +hat do you )ean 'y Jas usuaJA"
Mr <pasen eBpained/
"I )a1e it a rue that no one is to .o)e into this roo) uness
C=estine> the )aid> is there aso/ The .ha)'er)aid does the roo)
in the )orning +hie C=estine is present> and .o)es in after dinner
to turn do+n the 'eds under the sa)e .onditionsI other+ise she
never enters the roo)/"
"We> as I +as saying>" .ontinued Mrs <pasen> "I .a)e up/ I +ent to
the dra+er here" ; she indi.ated the 'otto) right;hand dra+er of
the 1nee;hoe dressing;ta'e ; "too1 out )y De+e;.ase and uno.1ed
it/ It see)ed 8uite as usua ; 'ut the pears +ere not thereG"
The inspe.tor had 'een 'usy +ith his note'oo1/ "When had you ast
seen the)A" he as1ed/
"They +ere there +hen I +ent do+n to dinner/"
"@ou are sureA"
"4uite sure/ I +as un.ertain +hether to +ear the) or not> 'ut in the
end I de.ided on the e)erads> and put the) 'a.1 in the De+e.ase/"
"Who o.1ed up the De+e;.aseA"
"I did/ I +ear the 1ey on a .hain round )y ne.1/" She hed it up as
she spo1e/
The inspe.tor eBa)ined it> and shrugged his shouders/
"The thief )ust have had a dupi.ate 1ey/ 0o diffi.ut )atter/ The
o.1 is 8uite a si)pe one/ What did you do after you"d o.1ed the
De+e;.aseA"
"I put it 'a.1 in the 'otto) dra+er +here I a+ays 1eep it/"
"@ou didn"t o.1 the dra+erA"
"0o> I never do/ My )aid re)ains in the roo) ti I .o)e up> so
there"s no need/"
The inspe.tor"s fa.e gre+ graver/
"A) I to understand that the De+es +ere there +hen you +ent do+n
to dinner> and that sin.e then the )aid has not eft the roo)A"
Suddeny> as though the horror of her o+n situation for the first
ti)e 'urst upon her> C=estine uttered a pier.ing shrie1> and>
finging hersef upon Poirot> poured out a torrent of in.oherent
Fren.h/
The suggestion +as infa)ousG That she shoud 'e suspe.ted of
ro''ing Mada)eG The poi.e +ere +e 1no+n to 'e of a stupidity
in.redi'eG %ut Monsieur> +ho +as a Fren.h)an ;
"A %egian>" interDe.ted Poirot> 'ut C=estine paid no attention to the
.orre.tion/
Monsieur +oud not stand 'y and see her fasey a..used> +hie
that infa)ous .ha)'er)aid +as ao+ed to go s.ot;free/ She had
never i1ed her ; a 'od> red;fa.ed thing ; a 'orn thief/ She had said
fro) the first that she +as not honest/ And had 1ept a sharp +at.h
over her too> +hen she +as doing Mada)e"s roo)G #et those idiots
of poi.e)en sear.h her> and if they did not find Mada)e"s pears
on her it +oud 'e very surprisingG
Athough this harangue +as uttered in rapid and viruent Fren.h>
C=estine had interarded it +ith a +eath of gesture> and the
.ha)'er)aid reai?ed at east a part of her )eaning/ She reddened
angriy/
"If that foreign +o)an"s saying I too1 the pears> it"s a ieG" she
de.ared heatedy/ "I never so )u.h as sa+ the)/"
"Sear.h herG" s.rea)ed the other/ "@ou +i find it is as I say/"
"@ou"re a iar ; do you hearA" said the .ha)'er)aid> advan.ing upon
her/ "Stoe "e) yoursef> and +ant to put it on )e/ Why> I +as ony in
the roo) a'out three )inutes 'efore the ady .o)e up> and then
you +ere sitting here the +hoe ti)e> as you a+ays do> i1e a .at
+at.hing a )ouse/"
The inspe.tor oo1ed a.ross in8uiringy at C=estine/ "Is that trueA
$idn"t you eave the roo) at aA"
"I did not a.tuay eave her aone>" ad)itted C=estine reu.tanty>
"'ut I +ent into )y o+n roo) through the door here t+i.e ; on.e to
fet.h a ree of .otton> and on.e for )y s.issors/ She )ust have
done it then/"
"@ou +asn"t gone a )inute>" retorted the .ha)'er)aid angriy/ "*ust
popped out and in again/ I"d 'e gad if the poi.e +oud sear.h )e/
INve nothing to 'e afraid of/"
At this )o)ent there +as a tap at the door/ The inspe.tor +ent to it/
!is fa.e 'rightened +hen he sa+ +ho it +as/
"AhG" he said/ "That"s rather fortunate/ I sent for one of our fe)ae
sear.hers> and she"s Dust arrived/ Perhaps if you +oudn"t )ind
going into the roo) neBt door/"
!e oo1ed at the .ha)'er)aid> +ho stepped a.ross the threshod
+ith a toss of her head> the sear.her foo+ing her .osey/
The Fren.h gir had sun1 so''ing into a .hair/ Poirot +as oo1ing
round the roo)> the )ain features of +hi.h I have )ade .ear 'y a
s1et.h/
"Where does that door eadA" he in8uired> nodding his head
to+ards the one 'y the +indo+/
"Into the neBt apart)ent> I 'eieve>" said the inspe.tor/ "It"s 'oted>
any+ay> on this side/"
Poirot +a1ed a.ross to it> tried it> then dre+ 'a.1 the 'ot and tried
it again/
"And on the other side as +e>" he re)ar1ed/ "We> that see)s to
rue out that/"
!e +a1ed over to the +indo+s> eBa)ining ea.h of the) in turn/
"And again ; nothing/ 0ot even a 'a.ony outside/"
"(ven if there +ere>" said the inspe.tor i)patienty> "I don"t see ho+
that +oud hep us> if the )aid never eft the roo)/"
"Kvide))ent>" said Poirot> not dis.on.erted/ "As Made)oisee is
positive she did not eave the roo) ; "
!e +as interrupted 'y the reappearan.e of the .ha)'er;)aid and
the poi.e sear.her/
"0othing>" said the atter a.oni.ay/
"I shoud hope not> indeed>" said the .ha)'er)aid virtuousy/ "And
that Fren.h hussy ought to 'e asha)ed of hersef ta1ing a+ay an
honest gir"s .hara.terG"
"There> there> )y girI that"s a right>" said the inspe.tor> opening
the door/ "0o'ody suspe.ts you/ @ou go aong and get on +ith your
+or1/"
The .ha)'er)aid +ent un+iingy/
",oing to sear.h herA" she de)anded> pointing at C=estine/
"@es> yesG" !e shut the door on her and turned the 1ey/
C=estine a..o)panied the sear.her into the s)a roo) in her
turn/ A fe+ )inutes ater she aso returned/ 0othing had 'een found
on her/
The inspe.tor"s fa.e gre+ graver/
"I") afraid I" have to as1 you to .o)e aong +ith )e a the sa)e>
)iss/" !e turned to Mrs <pasen/ "I") sorry> )ada)> 'ut a the
eviden.e points that +ay/ If she"s not got the) on her> they"re
hidden so)e+here a'out the roo)/"
C=estine uttered a pier.ing shrie1> and .ung to Poirot"s ar)/ The
atter 'ent and +hispered so)ething in the gir"s ear/ She oo1ed up
at hi) dou'tfuy/
"Si> si> )on enfant ; I assure you it is 'etter not to resist/" Then he
turned to the inspe.tor/ "@ou per)it> )onsieurA A itte eBperi)ent ;
purey for )y o+n satisfa.tion/"
"$epends on +hat it is>" repied the poi.e offi.er non;.o))ittay/
Poirot addressed C=estine on.e )ore/
"@ou have tod us that you +ent into your roo) to fet.h a ree of
.otton/ Wherea'outs +as itA"
"<n top of the .hest of dra+ers> )onsieur/"
"And the s.issorsA"
"They aso/"
"Woud it 'e trou'ing you too )u.h> )ade)oisee> to as1 you to
repeat those t+o a.tionsA @ou +ere sitting here +ith your +or1>
you sayA"
C=estine sat do+n> and then> at a sign fro) Poirot> rose> passed
into the adDoining roo)> too1 up an o'De.t fro) the .hest of
dra+ers> and returned/
Poirot divided his attention 'et+een her )ove)ents and a arge
turnip of a +at.h +hi.h he hed in the pa) of his hand/
"Again> if you pease> )ade)oisee/"
At the .on.usion of the se.ond perfor)an.e> he )ade a note in his
po.1et;'oo1> and returned the +at.h to his po.1et/
"Than1 you> )ade)oisee/ And you> )onsieur" ; he 'o+ed to the
inspe.tor ; "for your .ourtesy/"
The inspe.tor see)ed so)e+hat entertained 'y this eB.essive
poiteness/ C=estine departed in a food of tears> a..o)panied 'y
the +o)an and the pain;.othes offi.ia/
Then> +ith a 'rief apoogy to Mrs <pasen> the inspe.tor set to +or1
to ransa.1 the roo)/ !e pued out dra+ers> opened .up'oards>
.o)petey un)ade the 'ed> and tapped the foor/ Mr <pasen
oo1ed on s.epti.ay/
"@ou reay thin1 you +i find the)A"
"@es> sir/ It stands to reason/ She hadn"t ti)e to ta1e the) out of the
roo)/ The ady"s dis.overing the ro''ery so soon upset her pans/
0o> they"re here right enough/ <ne of the t+o )ust have hidden
the) ; and it"s very uni1ey for the .ha)'er)aid to have done so/"
"More than uni1ey ; i)possi'eG"" said Poirot 8uiety/
"(hA" The inspe.tor stared/
Poirot s)ied )odesty/
"I +i de)onstrate/ !astings> )y good friend> ta1e )y +at.h in your
hand ; +ith .are/ It is a fa)iy heiroo)G *ust no+ I ti)ed
Made)oisee"s )ove)ents ; her first a'sen.e fro) the roo) +as
of t+eve se.onds> her se.ond of fifteen/ 0o+ o'serve )y a.tions/
Mada)e +i have the 1indness to give )e the 1ey of the De+e;.ase/
I than1 you/ My friend !astings +i have the 1indness to say J,oGJ"
",oG "I said/
With a)ost in.redi'e s+iftness> Poirot +ren.hed open the dra+er
of the dressing;ta'e> eBtra.ted the De+e;.ase> fitted the 1ey in the
o.1> opened the .ase> see.ted a pie.e of De+eery> shut and
o.1ed the .ase> and returned it to the dra+er> +hi.h he pushed to
again/ !is )ove)ents +ere i1e ightning/
"We> )on a)iA" he de)anded of )e 'reathessy/
"Forty;siB se.onds>" I repied/
"@ou seeA" !e oo1ed round/ "There +oud not have 'een ti)e for
the .ha)'er)aid even to ta1e the ne.1a.e out> far ess hide it/"
"Then that settes it on the )aid>" said the inspe.tor +ith
satisfa.tion> and returned to his sear.h/ !e passed into the )aid"s
'edroo) neBt door/
Poirot +as fro+ning thoughtfuy/ Suddeny he shot a 8uestion at Mr
<pasen/
"This ne.1a.e ; it +as> +ithout dou't> insuredA"
Mr <pasen oo1ed a trife surprised at the 8uestion/
"@es>" he said hesitatingy> "that is so/"
"%ut +hat does that )atterA" 'ro1e in Mrs <pasen tearfuy/ "It"s )y
ne.1a.e I +ant/ It +as uni8ue/ 0o )oney .oud 'e the sa)e/"
"I .o)prehend> )ada)e>" said Poirot soothingy/ "I .o)prehend
perfe.ty/ To a fe))e senti)ent is everything ; is it not soA %ut>
)onsieur> +ho has not the so fine sus.epti'iity> +i dou'tess find
so)e sight .onsoation in the fa.t/"
"<f .ourse> of .ourse>" said Mr <pasen rather un.ertainy/ "Sti ; "
!e +as interrupted 'y a shout of triu)ph fro) the inspe.tor/ !e
.a)e in danging so)ething fro) his fingers/
With a .ry> Mrs <pasen heaved hersef up fro) her .hair/ She +as
a .hanged +o)an/
"<h> oh> )y ne.1a.eG"
She .asped it to her 'reast +ith 'oth hands/ We .ro+ded round/
"Where +as itA" de)anded <pasen/
"Maid"s 'ed/ In a)ong the springs of the +ire )attress/ She )ust
have stoen it and hidden it there 'efore the .ha)'er)aid arrived
on the s.ene/"
"@ou per)it> )ada)eA" said Poirot genty/ !e too1 the ne.1a.e
fro) her and eBa)ined it .oseyI then handed it 'a.1 +ith a 'o+/
"I") afraid> )ada)> you" have to hand it over to us for the ti)e
'eing>" said the inspe.tor/ "We sha +ant it for the .harge/ %ut it
sha 'e returned to you as soon as possi'e/"
Mr <pasen fro+ned/
"Is that ne.essaryA"
"I") afraid so> sir/ *ust a for)aity/"
"<h> et hi) ta1e it> (dG" .ried his +ife/ "I"d fee safer if he did/ I
shoudn"t seep a +in1 thin1ing so)eone ese )ight try and get hod
of it/ That +ret.hed girG And I +oud never have 'eieved it of her/"
"There> there> )y dear> don"t ta1e on so/"
I fet a gente pressure on )y ar)/ It +as Poirot/
"Sha +e sip a+ay> )y friendA I thin1 our servi.es are no onger
needed/"
<n.e outside> ho+ever> he hesitated> and then> )u.h to )y
surprise> he re)ar1edH
"I shoud rather i1e to see the roo) neBt door/"
The door +as not o.1ed> and +e entered/ The roo)> +hi.h +as a
arge dou'e one> +as uno..upied/ $ust ay a'out rather
noti.ea'y> and )y sensitive friend gave a .hara.teristi. gri)a.e
as he ran his finger round a re.tanguar )ar1 on a ta'e near the
+indo+/
"The servi.e eaves to 'e desired>" he o'served dryy/
!e +as staring thoughtfuy out of the +indo+> and see)ed to have
faen into a 'ro+n study/
"WeA" I de)anded i)patienty/ "What did +e .o)e in here forA"
!e started/
"*e vous de)ande pardon> )on a)i/ I +ished to see if the door +as
reay 'oted on this side aso/"
"We>" I said> gan.ing at the door +hi.h .o))uni.ated +ith the
roo) +e had Dust eft> "it is 'oted/"
Poirot nodded/ !e sti see)ed to 'e thin1ing/
"And any+ay>" I .ontinued> "+hat does it )atterA The .ase is over/ I
+ish you"d had )ore .han.e of distinguishing yoursef/ %ut it +as
the 1ind of .ase that even a stiff;'a.1ed idiot i1e that inspe.tor
.oudn"t go +rong over/"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"The .ase is not over> )y friend/ It +i not 'e over unti +e find out
+ho stoe the pears/"
"%ut the )aid didG"
"Why do you say thatA "
"Why>" I sta))ered> "they +ere found ; a.tuay in her )attress/"
"Ta> ta> taG" said Poirot i)patienty/ "Those +ere not the pears/"
"WhatA"
"I)itation> )on a)i/"
The state)ent too1 )y 'reath a+ay/ Poirot +as s)iing pa.idy/
"The good inspe.tor o'viousy 1no+s nothing of De+es/ %ut
presenty there +i 'e a fine hua'aooG"
"Co)eG" I .ried> dragging at his ar)/
"WhereA"
"We )ust te the <pasens at on.e/"
"I thin1 not/"
"%ut that poor +o)an ; "
"(h 'ienI that poor +o)an> as you .a her> +i have a )u.h 'etter
night 'eieving the De+es to 'e safe/"
"%ut the thief )ay es.ape +ith the)G"
"As usua> )y friend> you spea1 +ithout refe.tion/ !o+ do you
1no+ that the pears Mrs <pasen o.1ed up so .arefuy tonight
+ere not the fase ones> and that the rea ro''ery did not ta1e pa.e
at a )u.h earier dateA"
"<hG "I said> 'e+idered/
"(Ba.ty>" said Poirot> 'ea)ing/ "We start again/"
!e ed the +ay out of the roo)> paused a )o)ent as though
.onsidering> and then +a1ed do+n to the end of the .orridor>
stopping outside the s)a den +here the .ha)'er)aids and vaets
of the respe.tive foors .ongregated/ <ur parti.uar .ha)'er)aid
appeared to 'e hoding a s)a .ourt there> and to 'e retaiing her
ate eBperien.es to an appre.iative audien.e/ She stopped in the
)idde of a senten.e/ Poirot 'o+ed +ith his usua poiteness/
"(B.use that I derange you> 'ut I sha 'e o'iged if you +i uno.1
for )e the door of Mr <pasen"s roo)/"
The +o)an rose +iingy> and +e a..o)panied her do+n the
passage again/ Mr <pasen"s roo) +as on the other side of the
.orridor> its door fa.ing that of his +ife"s roo)/ The .ha)'er)aid
uno.1ed it +ith her pass;1ey> and +e entered/
As she +as a'out to depart Poirot detained her/
"<ne )o)entI have you ever seen a)ong the effe.ts of Mr <pasen
a .ard i1e thisA"
!e hed out a pain +hite .ard> rather highy ga?ed and un.o))on
in appearan.e/ The )aid too1 it and s.rutini?ed it .arefuy/
"0o> sir> I .an"t say I have/ %ut> any+ay> the vaet has )ost to do
+ith the gente)en"s roo)s/"
"I see/ Than1 you/"
Poirot too1 'a.1 the .ard/ The +o)an departed/ Poirot appeared to
refe.t a itte/ Then he gave a short> sharp nod of the head/
"&ing the 'e> I pray of you> !astings/ Three ti)es> for the vaet/"
I o'eyed> devoured +ith .uriosity/ Mean+hie Poirot had e)ptied
the +aste;paper 'as1et on the foor> and +as s+ifty going through
its .ontents/
In a fe+ )o)ents the vaet ans+ered the 'e/ To hi) Poirot put the
sa)e 8uestion> and handed hi) the .ard to eBa)ine/ %ut the
response +as the sa)e/ The vaet had never seen a .ard of that
parti.uar 8uaity a)ong Mr <pasen"s 'eongings/ Poirot than1ed
hi)> and he +ithdre+> so)e+hat un+iingy> +ith an in8uisitive
gan.e at the overturned +aste;paper 'as1et and the itter on the
foor/ !e .oud hardy have heped overhearing Poirot"s thoughtfu
re)ar1 as he 'unded the torn papers 'a.1 againH
"And the ne.1a.e +as heaviy insured /// "
"Poirot>" I .ried> "I see ; "
"@ou see nothing> )y friend>" he repied 8ui.1y/ "As usua> nothing
at aG It is in.redi'e ; 'ut there it is/ #et us return to our o+n
apart)ents/"
We did so in sien.e/ <n.e there> to )y intense surprise> Poirot
effe.ted a rapid .hange of .othing/
"I go to #ondon tonight>" he eBpained/ "It is i)perative/"
"WhatA"
"A'soutey/ The rea +or1> that of the 'rain 9ah> those 'rave itte
grey .es:> it is done/ I go to see1 the .onfir)ation/ I sha find itG
I)possi'e to de.eive !er.ue PoirotG"
"@ou" .o)e a .ropper one of these days>" I o'served> rather
disgusted 'y his vanity/
"$o not 'e enraged> I 'eg of you> )on a)i/ I .ount on you to do )e a
servi.e ; of your friendship/"
"<f .ourse>" I said eagery> rather asha)ed of )y )oroseness/
"What is itA"
"The seeve of )y .oat that I have ta1en off ; +i you 'rush itA See
you> a itte +hite po+der has .ung to it/ @ou +ithout dou't
o'served )e run )y finger round the dra+er of the dressing;ta'eA"
"0o> I didn"t/"
"@ou shoud o'serve )y a.tions> )y friend/ Thus I o'tained the
po+der on )y finger> and> 'eing a itte overeB.ited> I ru''ed it on
)y seeveI an a.tion +ithout )ethod +hi.h I depore ; fase to a )y
prin.ipes/"
"%ut +hat +as the po+derA" I as1ed> not parti.uary interested in
Poirot"s prin.ipes/
"0ot the poison of the %orgias>" repied Poirot> +ith a t+in1e/ "I see
your i)agination )ounting/ I shoud say it +as Fren.h .ha1/"
"Fren.h .ha1A"
"@es> .a'inet;)a1ers use it to )a1e dra+ers run s)oothy/
I aughed/
"@ou od sinnerG I thought you +ere +or1ing up to so)ething
eB.iting/"
"Au revoir> )y friend/ I save )ysef/ I fyG"
The door shut 'ehind hi)/ With a s)ie> haf of derision> haf of
affe.tion> I pi.1ed up the .oat and stret.hed out )y hand for the
.othes 'rush/
II
The neBt )orning> hearing nothing fro) Poirot> I +ent out for a
stro> )et so)e od friends> and un.hed +ith the) at their hote/ In
the afternoon +e +ent for a spin/ A pun.tured tyre deayed us> and
it +as past eight +hen I got 'a.1 to the ,rand Metropoitan/
The first sight that )et )y eyes +as Poirot> oo1ing even )ore
di)inutive than usua> sand+i.hed 'et+een the <pasens> 'ea)ing
in a state of pa.id satisfa.tion/
"Mon a)i !astingsG" he .ried> and sprang to )eet )e/ "()'ra.e )e>
)y friendI a has )ar.hed to a )arveG"
#u.1iy> the e)'ra.e +as )erey figurative ; not a thing one is
a+ays sure of +ith Poirot/
"$o you )ean ; " I 'egan/
"*ust +onderfu> I .a itG" said Mrs <pasen> s)iing a over her fat
fa.e/ "$idn"t I te you> (d> that if he .oudn"t get 'a.1 )y pears
no'ody +oudA"
"@ou did> )y dear> you did/ And you +ere right/"
I oo1ed hepessy at Poirot> and he ans+ered the gan.e/
"My friend !astings is> as you say in (ngand> a at the seaside/
Seat yoursef> and I +i re.ount to you a the affair that has so
happiy ended/"
"(ndedA"
"%ut yes/ They are arrested/"
"Who are arrestedA"
"The .ha)'er)aid and the vaet> par'euG @ou did not suspe.tA 0ot
+ith )y parting hint a'out the Fren.h .ha1A"
"@ou said .a'inet;)a1ers used it/"
"Certainy they do ; to )a1e dra+ers side easiy/ So)e'ody +anted
that dra+er to side in and out +ithout any noise/ Who .oud that
'eA <'viousy> ony the .ha)'er)aid/ The pan +as so ingenious
that it did not at on.e eap to the eye ; not even to the eye of
!er.ue Poirot/
"#isten> this +as ho+ it +as done/ The vaet +as in the e)pty roo)
neBt door> +aiting/ The Fren.h )aid eaves the roo)/ 4ui.1 as a
fash the .ha)'er)aid +hips open the dra+er> ta1es out the De+e.ase
and> sipping 'a.1 the 'ot> passes it through the door/ The
vaet opens it at his eisure +ith the dupi.ate 1ey +ith +hi.h he has
provided hi)sef> eBtra.ts the ne.1a.e> and +aits his ti)e/
C=estine eaves the roo) again> and ; pstG ; in a fash the .ase is
passed 'a.1 again and repa.ed in the dra+er/
"Mada)e arrives> the theft is dis.overed/ The .ha)'er)aid
de)ands to 'e sear.hed> +ith a good dea of righteous indignation>
and eaves the roo) +ithout a stain on her .hara.ter/ The i)itation
ne.1a.e +ith +hi.h they have provided the)seves has 'een
.on.eaed in the Fren.h gir"s 'ed that )orning 'y the
.ha)'er)aidWa )aster stro1e> LaG"
"%ut +hat did you go to #ondon forA"
"@ou re)e)'er the .ardA"
"Certainy/ It pu??ed )e ; and pu??es )e sti/ I thought ; "
I hesitated dei.atey> gan.ing at Mr <pasen/
Poirot aughed heartiy/
"2ne 'agueG For the 'enefit of the vaet/ The .ard +as one +ith a
spe.iay prepared surfa.e ; for fingerprints/ I +ent straight to
S.otand @ard> as1ed for our od friend Inspe.tor *app> and aid the
fa.ts 'efore hi)/ As I had suspe.ted> the fingerprints proved to 'e
those of t+o +e;1no+n De+e thieves +ho have 'een J+antedJ for
so)e ti)e/ *app .a)e do+n +ith )e> the thieves +ere arrested>
and the ne.1a.e +as dis.overed in the vaet"s possession/ A .ever
pair> 'ut they faied in )ethod/ !ave I not tod you> !astings> at
east thirty;siB ti)es> that +ithout )ethod ; "
"At east thirty;siB thousand ti)esG" I interrupted/ "%ut +here did
their J)ethodJ 'rea1 do+nA"
"Mon a)i> it is a good pan to ta1e a pa.e as .ha)'er)aid or vaet ;
'ut you )ust not shir1 your +or1/ They eft an e)pty roo)
undustedI and therefore> +hen the )an put do+n the De+e;.ase on
the itte ta'e near the .o))uni.ating door> it eft a s8uare )ar1 ; "
"I re)e)'er>" I .ried/
"%efore> I +as unde.ided/ Then ; I 1ne+G"
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e/
"And I"ve got )y pears>" said Mrs <pasen as a sort of ,ree1
.horus/
"We>" I said> "I"d 'etter have so)e dinner/"
Poirot a..o)panied )e/
"This ought to )ean 1udos for you>" I o'served/
"Pas du tout>" repied Poirot tran8uiy/ "*app and the o.a inspe.tor
+i divide the .redit 'et+een the)/ %ut" ; he tapped his po.1et ; "I
have a .he8ue here> fro) Mr <pasen> and> ho+ say you> )y friendA
This +ee1end has not gone a..ording to pan/ Sha +e return here
neBt +ee1end ; at )y eBpense this ti)eA"
The &idnapped 'ri"e Minister
0o+ that +ar and the pro'e)s of +ar are things of the past> I thin1
I )ay safey venture to revea to the +ord the part +hi.h )y friend
Poirot payed in a )o)ent of nationa .risis/ The se.ret has 'een
+e guarded/ 0ot a +hisper of it rea.hed the Press/ %ut> no+ that
the need for se.re.y has gone 'y> I fee it is ony Dust that (ngand
shoud 1no+ the de't it o+es to )y 8uaint itte friend> +hose
)arveous 'rain so a'y averted a great .atastrophe/
<ne evening after dinner ; I +i not parti.uari?e the dateI it suffi.es
to say that it +as at the ti)e +hen "Pea.e 'y negotiation" +as the
parrot;.ry of (ngand"s ene)ies ; )y friend and I +ere sitting in his
roo)s/ After 'eing invaided out of the Ar)y I had 'een given a
re.ruiting Do'> and it had 'e.o)e )y .usto) to drop in on Poirot in
the evenings after dinner and ta1 +ith hi) of any .ases of interest
that he )ight have on hand/
I +as atte)pting to dis.uss +ith hi) the sensationa ne+s of that
day ; no ess than an atte)pted assassination of Mr $avid
Ma.Ada)> (ngand"s Pri)e Minister/ The a..ount in the papers had
evidenty 'een .arefuy .ensored/ 0o detais +ere given> save that
the Pri)e Minister had had a )arveous es.ape> the 'uet Dust
gra?ing his .hee1/
I .onsidered that our poi.e )ust have 'een sha)efuy .areess for
su.h an outrage to 'e possi'e/ I .oud +e understand that the
,er)an agents in (ngand +oud 'e +iing to ris1 )u.h for su.h an
a.hieve)ent/ "Fighting Ma.>" as his o+n party had ni.1na)ed hi)>
had strenuousy and une8uivo.ay .o)'ated the Pa.ifist infuen.e
+hi.h +as 'e.o)ing so prevaent/
!e +as )ore than (ngand"s Pri)e Minister ; he +as (ngandI and
to have re)oved hi) fro) his sphere of infuen.e +oud have 'een
a .rushing and paraysing 'o+ to %ritain/
Poirot +as 'usy )opping a grey suit +ith a )inute sponge/ 0ever
+as there a dandy su.h as !er.ue Poirot/ 0eatness and order
+ere his passion/ 0o+> +ith the odour of 'en?ene fiing the air> he
+as 8uite una'e to give )e his fu attention/
"In a itte )inute I a) +ith you> )y friend/ I have a 'ut finished/ The
spot of grease ; he is not good ; I re)ove hi) ; soG" !e +aved his
sponge/
I s)ied as I it another .igarette/
"Anything interesting onA" I in8uired> after a )inute or t+o/
"I assist a ; ho+ do you .a itA ; J.haradyJ to find her hus'and/ A
diffi.ut affair> needing the ta.t/ For I have a itte idea that +hen he
is found he +i not 'e peased/ What +oud youA For )y part> I
sy)pathi?e +ith hi)/ !e +as a )an of dis.ri)ination to ose
hi)sef/"
I aughed/
"At astG The spot of grease> he is goneG I a) at your disposa/"
"I +as as1ing you +hat you thought of this atte)pt to assassinate
Ma.Ada)A"
"(nfantiageG" repied Poirot pro)pty/ "<ne .an hardy ta1e it
seriousy/ To fire +ith the rife ; never does it su..eed/ It is a devi.e
of the past/"
"It +as very near su..eeding this ti)e>" I re)inded hi)/
Poirot shoo1 his head i)patienty/ !e +as a'out to repy +hen the
andady thrust her head round the door and infor)ed hi) that
there +ere t+o gente)en 'eo+ +ho +anted to see hi)/
"They +on"t give their na)es> sir> 'ut they says as it"s very
i)portant/"
"#et the) )ount>" said Poirot> .arefuy foding his grey trousers/
In a fe+ )inutes the t+o visitors +ere ushered in> and )y heart
gave a eap as in the fore)ost I re.ogni?ed no ess a personage
than #ord (stair> #eader of the !ouse of Co))onsI +hist his
.o)panion> Mr %ernard $odge> +as aso a )e)'er of the War
Ca'inet> and> as I 1ne+> a .ose persona friend of the Pri)e
Minister/
"Monsieur PoirotA" said #ord (stair interrogativey/ My friend
'o+ed/ The great )an oo1ed at )e and hesitated/ "My 'usiness is
private/"
"@ou )ay spea1 freey 'efore Captain !astings>" said )y friend>
nodding to )e to re)ain/ "!e has not a the gifts> noG %ut I ans+er
for his dis.retion/"
#ord (stair sti hesitated> 'ut Mr $odge 'ro1e in a'ruptyH
"<h> .o)e on ; don"t et"s 'eat a'out the 'ushG As far as I .an see>
the +hoe of (ngand +i 1no+ the hoe +e"re in soon enough/
Ti)e"s everything/"
"Pray 'e seated> )essieurs>" said Poirot poitey/ "Wi you ta1e the
'ig .hair> )iordA"
#ord (stair started sighty/ "@ou 1no+ )eA"
Poirot s)ied/ "Certainy/ I read the itte papers +ith the pi.tures/
!o+ shoud I not 1no+ youA "
"Monsieur Poirot> I have .o)e to .onsut you upon a )atter of the
)ost vita urgen.y/ I )ust as1 for a'soute se.re.y/"
"@ou have the +ord of !er.ue Poirot ; I .an say no )oreG" said )y
friend grandio8uenty/
"It .on.erns the Pri)e Minister/ We are in grave trou'e/"
"We"re up a treeG" interposed Mr $odge/
"The inDury is serious thenA" I as1ed/
"What inDuryA"
"The 'uet +ound/"
"<h> thatG" .ried Mr $odge .onte)ptuousy/ "That"s od history/"
"As )y .oeague says>" .ontinued #ord (stair> "that affair is over
and done +ith/ #u.1iy> it faied/ I +ish I .oud say as )u.h for the
se.ond atte)pt/"
"There has 'een a se.ond atte)pt> thenA"
"@es> though not of the sa)e nature/ Monsieur Poirot> the Pri)e
Minister has disappeared/"
"WhatA"
"!e has 'een 1idnappedG"
"I)possi'eG" I .ried> stupefied/
Poirot thre+ a +ithering gan.e at )e> +hi.h I 1ne+ enDoined )e to
1eep )y )outh shut/
"2nfortunatey> i)possi'e as it see)s> it is ony too true>" .ontinued
his ordship/
Poirot oo1ed at Mr $odge/ "@ou said Dust no+> )onsieur> that ti)e
+as everything/ What did you )ean 'y thatA"
The t+o )en eB.hanged gan.es> and then #ord (stair saidH
"@ou have heard> Monsieur Poirot> of the approa.hing Aied
Conferen.eA"
My friend nodded/
"For o'vious reasons> no detais have 'een given of +hen and
+here it is to ta1e pa.e/ %ut> athough it has 'een 1ept out of the
ne+spapers> the date is> of .ourse> +idey 1no+n in dipo)ati.
.ir.es/ The Conferen.e is to 'e hed to)orro+ ; Thursday ;
evening at 7ersaies/ 0o+ you per.eive the terri'e gravity of the
situation/ I +i not .on.ea fro) you that the Pri)e Minister"s
presen.e at the Conferen.e is a vita ne.essity/ The Pa.ifist
propaganda> started and )aintained 'y the ,er)an agents in our
)idst> has 'een very a.tive/ It is the universa opinion that the
turning;point of the Conferen.e +i 'e the strong personaity of the
Pri)e Minister/ !is a'sen.e )ay have the )ost serious resuts ;
possi'y a pre)ature and disastrous pea.e/ And +e have no one
+ho .an 'e sent in his pa.e/ !e aone .an represent (ngand/"
Poirot"s fa.e had gro+n very grave/ "Then you regard the
1idnapping of the Pri)e Minister as a dire.t atte)pt to prevent his
'eing present at the Conferen.eA"
"Most .ertainy I do/ !e +as a.tuay on his +ay to Fran.e at the
ti)e/"
"And the Conferen.e is to 'e hedA"
"At nine o".o.1 to)orro+ night/"
Poirot dre+ an enor)ous +at.h fro) his po.1et/
"It is no+ a 8uarter to nine/"
"T+enty;four hours>" said Mr $odge thoughtfuy/
"And a 8uarter>" a)ended Poirot/ "$o not forget the 8uarter>
)onsieur ; it )ay .o)e in usefu/ 0o+ for the detais ; the
a'du.tion> did it ta1e pa.e in (ngand or in Fran.eA"
"In Fran.e/ Mr Ma.Ada) .rossed to Fran.e this )orning/ !e +as to
stay tonight as the guest of the Co))ander;in;Chief> pro.eeding
to)orro+ to Paris/ !e +as .onveyed a.ross the Channe 'y
destroyer/ At %ouogne he +as )et 'y a .ar fro) ,enera
!ead8uarters and one of the Co))ander;in;Chief"s A$Cs/"
"(h 'ienA"
"We> they started fro) %ouogne ; 'ut they never arrived/"
"WhatA"
"Monsieur Poirot> it +as a 'ogus .ar and a 'ogus A$C/ The rea .ar
+as found in a side road> +ith the .hauffeur and the A$C neaty
gagged and 'ound/"
"And the 'ogus .arA"
"Is sti at arge/"
Poirot )ade a gesture of i)patien.e/ "In.redi'eG Surey it .annot
es.ape attention for ongA"
"So +e thought/ It see)ed )erey a 8uestion of sear.hing
thoroughy/ That part of Fran.e is under Miitary #a+/ We +ere
.onvin.ed that the .ar .oud not go ong unnoti.ed/ The Fren.h
poi.e and our o+n S.otand @ard )en> and the )iitary are
straining every nerve/ It is> as you say> in.redi'e ; 'ut nothing has
'een dis.overedG"
At that )o)ent a tap .a)e at the door> and a young offi.er entered
+ith a heaviy seaed enveope +hi.h he handed to #ord (stair/
"*ust through fro) Fran.e> sir/ I 'rought it on here> as you
dire.ted/"
The Minister tore it open eagery> and uttered an eB.a)ation/ The
offi.er +ithdre+/
"!ere is ne+s at astG This teegra) has Dust 'een de.oded/ They
have found the se.ond .ar> aso the se.retary> $anies>
.horofor)ed> gagged> and 'ound> in an a'andoned far) near C;/
!e re)e)'ers nothing> eB.ept so)ething 'eing pressed against
his )outh and nose fro) 'ehind> and strugging to free hi)sef/ The
poi.e are satisfied as to the genuineness of his state)ent/"
"And they have found nothing eseA"
"0o/"
"0ot the Pri)e Minister"s dead 'odyA Then> there is hope/ %ut it is
strange/ Why> after trying to shoot hi) this )orning> are they no+
ta1ing so )u.h trou'e to 1eep hi) aiveA"
$odge shoo1 his head/ "<ne thing"s 8uite .ertain/ They"re
deter)ined at a .osts to prevent his attending the Conferen.e/"
"If it is hu)any possi'e> the Pri)e Minister sha 'e there/ ,od
grant it is not too ate/ 0o+> )essieurs> re.ount to )e everything ;
fro) the 'eginning/ I )ust 1no+ a'out this shooting affair as +e/"
"#ast night> the Pri)e Minister> a..o)panied 'y one of his
se.retaries> Captain $anies ; "
"The sa)e +ho a..o)panied hi) to Fran.eA"
"@es/ As I +as saying> they )otored do+n to Windsor> +here the
Pri)e Minister +as granted an Audien.e/ (ary this )orning he
returned to to+n> and it +as on the +ay that the atte)pted
assassination too1 pa.e>"
"<ne )o)ent> if you pease/ Who is this Captain $aniesA @ou have
his dossierA"
#ord (stair s)ied/ "I thought you +oud as1 )e that/ We do not
1no+ very )u.h of hi)/ !e is of no parti.uar fa)iy/ !e has served
in the (ngish Ar)y> and is an eBtre)ey a'e se.retary> 'eing an
eB.eptionay fine inguist/ I 'eieve he spea1s seven anguages/ It
is for that reason that the Pri)e Minister .hose hi) to a..o)pany
hi) to Fran.e/"
"!as he any reatives in (ngandA"
"T+o aunts/ A Mrs (verard> +ho ives at !a)pstead> and a Miss
$anies> +ho ives near As.ot/"
"As.otA That is near to Windsor> is it notA"
"That point has not 'een overoo1ed/ %ut it has ed to nothing/"
"@ou regard the Capitaine $anies> then> as a'ove suspi.ionA"
A shade of 'itterness .rept into #ord (stair"s voi.e> as he repiedH
"0o> Monsieur Poirot/ In these days> I shoud hesitate 'efore I
pronoun.ed anyone a'ove suspi.ion/"
"TrSs 'ien/ 0o+ I understand> )iord> that the Pri)e Minister +oud>
as a )atter of .ourse> 'e under vigiant poi.e prote.tion> +hi.h
ought to render any assaut upon hi) an i)possi'iityA"
#ord (stair 'o+ed his head/ "That is so/ The Pri)e Minister"s .ar
+as .osey foo+ed 'y another .ar .ontaining dete.tives in pain
.othes/ Mr Ma.Ada) 1ne+ nothing of these pre.autions/ !e is
personay a )ost fearess )an> and +oud 'e in.ined to s+eep
the) a+ay ar'itrariy/ %ut> naturay> the poi.e )a1e their o+n
arrange)ents/ In fa.t> the Pre)ier"s .hauffeur> <"Murphy> is a CI$
)an/"
"<"MurphyA That is a na)e of Ireand> is it not soA"
"@es> he is an Irish)an/"
"Fro) +hat part of IreandA"
"County Care> I 'eieve/"
"TiensG %ut pro.eed> )iord/"
"The Pre)ier started for #ondon/ The .ar +as a .osed one/ !e and
Captain $anies sat inside/ The se.ond .ar foo+ed as usua/ %ut>
unu.1iy> for so)e un1no+n reason> the Pri)e Minister"s .ar
deviated fro) the )ain road ; "
"At a point +here the road .urvesA" interrupted Poirot/
"@es ; 'ut ho+ did you 1no+A"
"<h> ."est =videntG ContinueG"
"For so)e un1no+n reason>" .ontinued #ord (stair> "the Pre)ier"s
.ar eft the )ain road/ The poi.e .ar> una+are of the deviation>
.ontinued to 1eep to the high road/ At a short distan.e do+n the
unfre8uented ane> the Pri)e Minister"s .ar +as suddeny hed up
'y a 'and of )as1ed )en/ The .hauffeur ; "
"That 'rave <"MurphyG" )ur)ured Poirot thoughtfuy/
"The .hauffeur> )o)entariy ta1en a'a.1> Da))ed on the 'ra1es/
The Pri)e Minister put his head out of the +indo+/ Instanty a shot
rang out ; then another/ The first one gra?ed his .hee1> the se.ond>
fortunatey> +ent +ide/ The .hauffeur> no+ reai?ing the danger>
instanty forged straight ahead> s.attering the 'and of )en/"
"A near es.ape>" I eDa.uated> +ith a shiver/
"Mr Ma.Ada) refused to )a1e any fuss over the sight +ound he
had re.eived/ !e de.ared it +as ony a s.rat.h/ !e stopped at a
o.a .ottage hospita> +here it +as dressed and 'ound up ; he did
not> of .ourse> revea his identity/ !e then drove> as per s.hedue>
straight to Charing Cross> +here a spe.ia train for $over +as
a+aiting hi)> and> after a 'rief a..ount of +hat had happened had
'een given to the anBious poi.e 'y Captain $anies> he duy
departed for Fran.e/ At $over> he +ent on 'oard the +aiting
destroyer/ At %ouogne> as you 1no+> the 'ogus .ar +as +aiting for
hi)> .arrying the 2nion *a.1> and .orre.t in every detai/"
"That is a you have to te )eA"
"@es/"
"There is no other .ir.u)stan.e that you have o)itted> )iordA"
"We> there is one rather pe.uiar thing/"
"@esA"
"The Pri)e Minister"s .ar did not return ho)e after eaving the
Pri)e Minister at Charing Cross/ The poi.e +ere anBious to
intervie+ <"Murphy> so a sear.h +as instituted at on.e/ The .ar
+as dis.overed standing outside a .ertain unsavoury itte
restaurant in Soho> +hi.h is +e 1no+n as a )eeting;pa.e of
,er)an agents/"
"And the .hauffeurA"
"The .hauffeur +as no+here to 'e found/ !e> too> had disappeared/"
"So>" said Poirot thoughtfuy> "there are t+o disappearan.esH the
Pri)e Minister in Fran.e> and <"Murphy in #ondon/"
!e oo1ed 1eeny at #ord (stair> +ho )ade a gesture of despair/
"I .an ony te you> Monsieur Poirot> that> if anyone had suggested
to )e yesterday that <"Murphy +as a traitor> I shoud have aughed
in his fa.e/"
"And todayA"
"Today I do not 1no+ +hat to thin1/"
Poirot nodded gravey/ !e oo1ed at his turnip of a +at.h again/
"I understand that I have .arte 'an.he> )essieurs ; in every +ay> I
)eanA I )ust 'e a'e to go +here I .hoose> and ho+ I .hoose/"
"Perfe.ty/ There is a spe.ia train eaving for $over in an hour"s
ti)e> +ith a further .ontingent fro) S.otand @ard/ @ou sha 'e
a..o)panied 'y a Miitary offi.er and a CI$ )an> +ho +i hod
the)seves at your disposa in every +ay/ Is that satisfa.toryA"
"4uite/ <ne )ore 8uestion 'efore you eave> )essieurs/ What )ade
you .o)e to )eA I a) un1no+n> o's.ure> in this great #ondon of
yours/"
"We sought you out on the eBpress re.o))endation and +ish of a
very great )an of your o+n .ountry/"
"Co))entA My od friend the Pr=fet ; A"
#ord (stair shoo1 his head/
"<ne higher than the Pr=fet/ <ne +hose +ord +as on.e a+ in
%egiu) ; and sha 'e againG That (ngand has s+ornG"
Poirot"s hand fe+ s+ifty to a dra)ati. saute/ "A)en to thatG Ah>
'ut )y Master does not forget /// Messieurs> I> !er.ue Poirot> +i
serve you faithfuy/ !eaven ony send that it +i 'e in ti)e/ %ut this
is dar1 ; dar1 /// I .annot see/"
"We> Poirot>" I .ried i)patienty> as the door .osed 'ehind the
Ministers> "+hat do you thin1A"
My friend +as 'usy pa.1ing a )inute suit;.ase> +ith 8ui.1> deft
)ove)ents/ !e shoo1 his head thoughtfuy/
"I do not 1no+ +hat to thin1/ My 'rains desert )e/"
"Why> as you said> 1idnap hi)> +hen a 1no.1 on the head +oud do
as +eA" I )used/
"Pardon )e> )on a)i> 'ut I did not 8uite say that/ It is undou'tedy
far )ore their affair to 1idnap hi)/"
"%ut +hyA"
"%e.ause un.ertainty .reates pani./ That is one reason/ Were the
Pri)e Minister dead> it +oud 'e a terri'e .aa)ity> 'ut the
situation +oud have to 'e fa.ed/ %ut no+ you have paraysis/ Wi
the Pri)e Minister reappear> or +i he notA Is he dead or aiveA
0o'ody 1no+s> and unti they 1no+ nothing definite .an 'e done/
And> as I te you> un.ertainty 'reeds pani.> +hi.h is +hat es
%o.hes are paying for/ Then> again> if the 1idnappers are hoding
hi) se.rety so)e+here> they have the advantage of 'eing a'e to
)a1e ter)s +ith 'oth sides/ The ,er)an ,overn)ent is not a
i'era pay)aster> as a rue> 'ut no dou't they .an 'e )ade to
disgorge su'stantia re)ittan.es in su.h a .ase as this/ Thirdy>
they run no ris1 of the hang)an"s rope/ <h> de.idedy> 1idnapping
is their affair/"
"Then> if that is so> +hy shoud they first try to shoot hi)A"
Poirot )ade a gesture of anger/ "Ah> that is Dust +hat I do not
understandG It is ineBpi.a'e ; stupidG They have a their
arrange)ents )ade 9and very good arrange)ents tooG: for the
a'du.tion> and yet they i)peri the +hoe affair 'y a )eodra)ati.
atta.1> +orthy of a .ine)a> and 8uite as unrea/ It is a)ost
i)possi'e to 'eieve in it> +ith its 'and of )as1ed )en> not t+enty
)ies fro) #ondonG"
"Perhaps they +ere t+o 8uite separate atte)pts +hi.h happened
irrespe.tive of ea.h other>" I suggested/
"Ah> no> that +oud 'e too )u.h of a .oin.iden.eG Then> further ;
+ho is the traitorA There )ust have 'een a traitor ; in the first affair>
any+ay/ %ut +ho +as it ; $anies or <"MurphyA It )ust have 'een
one of the t+o> or +hy did the .ar eave the )ain roadA We .annot
suppose that the Pri)e Minister .onnived at his o+n assassinationG
$id <"Murphy ta1e that turning of his o+n a..ord> or +as it $anies
+ho tod hi) to do soA"
"Surey it )ust have 'een <"Murphy"s doing/"
"@es> 'e.ause if it +as $anies" the Pri)e Minister +oud have heard
the order> and +oud have as1ed the reason/ %ut there are
atogether too )any J+hysJ in this affair> and they .ontradi.t ea.h
other/ If <"Murphy is an honest )an> +hy did he eave the )ain
roadA %ut if he +as a dishonest )an> +hy did he start the .ar again
+hen ony t+o shots had 'een fired ; there'y> in a pro'a'iity>
saving the Pri)e Minister"s ifeA And> again> if he +as honest> +hy
did he> i))ediatey on eaving Charing Cross> drive to a +e;1no+n
rende?vous of ,er)an spiesA"
"It oo1s 'ad>" I said/
"#et us oo1 at the .ase +ith )ethod/ What have +e for and against
these t+o )enA Ta1e <"Murphy first/ AgainstH that his .ondu.t in
eaving the )ain road +as suspi.iousI that he is an Irish)an fro)
County CareI that he has disappeared in a highy suggestive
)anner/ ForH that his pro)ptness in restarting the .ar saved the
Pre)ier"s ifeI that he is a S.otand @ard )an> and> o'viousy> fro)
the post aotted to hi)> a trusted dete.tive/ 0o+ for $anies/ There
is not )u.h against hi)> eB.ept the fa.t that nothing is 1no+n of his
ante.edents> and that he spea1s too )any anguages for a good
(ngish)anG 9Pardon )e> )on a)i> 'ut> as inguists> you are
depora'eG: 0o+ for hi)> +e have the fa.t that he +as found
gagged> 'ound> and .horofor)ed ; +hi.h does not oo1 as though
he had anything to do +ith the )atter/"
"!e )ight have gagged and 'ound hi)sef> to divert suspi.ion/"
Poirot shoo1 his head/ "The Fren.h poi.e +oud )a1e no )ista1e of
that 1ind/ %esides> on.e he had attained his o'De.t> and the Pri)e
Minister +as safey a'du.ted> there +oud not 'e )u.h point in his
re)aining 'ehind/ !is a..o)pi.es .oud have gagged and
.horofor)ed hi)> of .ourse> 'ut I fai to see +hat o'De.t they
hoped to a..o)pish 'y it/ !e .an 'e of itte use to the) no+> for>
unti the .ir.u)stan.es .on.erning the Pri)e Minister have 'een
.eared up> he is 'ound to 'e .osey +at.hed/"
"Perhaps he hoped to start the poi.e on a fase s.entA"
"Then +hy did he not do soA !e )erey says that so)ething +as
pressed over his nose and )outh> and that he re)e)'ers nothing
)ore/ There is no fase s.ent there/ It sounds re)ar1a'y i1e the
truth/"
"We>" I said> gan.ing at the .o.1> "I suppose +e"d 'etter start for
the station/ @ou )ay find )ore .ues in Fran.e/"
"Possi'y> )on a)i> 'ut I dou't it/ It is sti in.redi'e to )e that the
Pri)e Minister has not 'een dis.overed in that i)ited area> +here
the diffi.uty of .on.eaing hi) )ust 'e tre)endous/ If the )iitary
and the poi.e of t+o .ountries have not found hi)> ho+ sha IA"
At Charing Cross +e +ere )et 'y Mr $odge/
"This is $ete.tive %arnes> of S.otand @ard> and MaDor 0or)an/
They +i hod the)seves entirey at your disposa/ ,ood u.1 to
you/ It"s a 'ad 'usiness> 'ut I"ve not given up hope/ Must 'e off
no+/" And the Minister strode rapidy a+ay/
We .hatted in a desutory fashion +ith MaDor 0or)an/ In the .entre
of the itte group of )en on the patfor) I re.ogni?ed a itte ferretfa.ed
feo+ ta1ing to a ta> fair )an/ !e +as an od a.8uaintan.e
of Poirot"s ; $ete.tive;Inspe.tor *app> supposed to 'e one of the
s)artest of S.otand @ard"s offi.ers/ !e .a)e over and greeted )y
friend .heerfuy/
"I heard you +ere on this Do' too/ S)art 'it of +or1/ So far they"ve
got a+ay +ith the goods a right/ %ut I .an"t 'eieve they .an 1eep
hi) hidden ong/ <ur peope are going through Fran.e +ith a
tooth.o)'/ So are the Fren.h/ I .an"t hep feeing it"s ony a )atter
of hours no+/"
"That is> if he"s sti aive>" re)ar1ed the ta dete.tive goo)iy/
*app"s fa.e fe/ "@es /// %ut so)eho+ I"ve got the feeing he"s aive
a right/"
Poirot nodded/ "@es> yesI he"s aive/ %ut .an he 'e found in ti)eA I>
i1e you> did not 'eieve he .oud 'e hidden so ong/"
The +histe 'e+> and +e a trooped up into the Pu)an .ar/ Then>
+ith a so+> un+iing Der1> the train dre+ out of the station/
It +as a .urious Dourney/ The S.otand @ard )en .ro+ded together/
Maps of 0orthern Fran.e +ere spread out> and eager forefingers
tra.ed the ines of roads and viages/ (a.h )an had his o+n pet
theory/ Poirot sho+ed none of his usua o8ua.ity> 'ut sat staring in
front of hi)> +ith an eBpression on his fa.e that re)inded )e of a
pu??ed .hid/ I ta1ed to 0or)an> +ho) I found 8uite an a)using
feo+/ <n arriving at $over Poirot"s 'ehaviour )oved )e to intense
a)use)ent/ The itte )an> as he +ent on 'oard the 'oat> .ut.hed
desperatey at )y ar)/ The +ind +as 'o+ing ustiy/
"Mon $ieuG" he )ur)ured/ "This is terri'eG"
"!ave .ourage> Poirot>" I .ried/ "@ou +i su..eed/ @ou +i find hi)/ I
a) sure of it/"
"Ah> )on a)i> you )ista1e )y e)otion/ It is this viainous sea that
trou'es )eG The )a de )er ; it is horri'e sufferingG"
"<hG" I said> rather ta1en a'a.1/
The first thro' of the engines +as fet> and Poirot groaned and
.osed his eyes/
"MaDor 0or)an has a )ap of 0orthern Fran.e if you +oud i1e to
study itA "
Poirot shoo1 his head i)patienty/
"%ut no> 'ut noG #eave )e> )y friend/ See you> to thin1> the sto)a.h
and the 'rain )ust 'e in har)ony/ #averguier has a )ethod )ost
eB.eent for averting the )a de )er/ @ou 'reathe in ; and out ;
so+y> so ; turning the head fro) eft to right and .ounting siB
'et+een ea.h 'reath/"
I eft hi) to his gy)nasti. endeavoursI and +ent on de.1/
As +e .a)e so+y into %ouogne !ar'our Poirot appeared> neat
and s)iing> and announ.ed to )e in a +hisper that #averguier"s
syste) had su..eeded "to a )arveG"
*app"s forefinger +as sti tra.ing i)aginary routes on his )ap/
"0onsenseG The .ar started fro) %ouogne ; here they 'ran.hed off/
0o+> )y idea is that they transferred the Pri)e Minister to another
.ar/ SeeA"
"We>" said the ta dete.tive> "I sha )a1e for the seaports/ Ten to
one> they"ve s)ugged hi) on 'oard a ship/"
*app shoo1 his head/ "Too o'vious/ The order +ent out at on.e to
.ose a the ports/"
The day +as Dust 'rea1ing as +e anded/ MaDor 0or)an tou.hed
Poirot on the ar)/ "There"s a )iitary .ar here +aiting for you> sir/"
"Than1 you> )onsieur/ %ut> for the )o)ent> I do not propose to
eave %ouogne/"
"WhatA"
"0o> +e +i enter this hote here> 'y the 8uay/"
!e suited the a.tion to the +ord> de)anded and +as a..orded a
private roo)/ We three foo+ed hi)> pu??ed and
un.o)prehending/
!e shot a 8ui.1 gan.e at us/ "It is not so that the good dete.tive
shoud a.t> ehA I per.eive your thought/ !e )ust 'e fu of energy/
!e )ust rush to and fro/ !e shoud prostrate hi)sef on the dusty
road and see1 the )ar1s of tyres through a itte gass/ !e )ust
gather up the .igarette;end> the faen )at.hA That is your idea> is it
notA"
!is eyes .haenged us/ "%ut I ; !er.ue Poirot ; te you that it is not
soG The true .ues are +ithin ; hereG" !e tapped his forehead/ "See
you> I need not have eft #ondon/ It +oud have 'een suffi.ient for
)e to sit 8uiety in )y roo)s there/ A that )atters is the itte grey
.es +ithin/ Se.rety and sienty they do their part> unti suddeny I
.a for a )ap> and I ay )y finger on a spot ; so ; and I sayH the
Pri)e Minister is thereG And it is soG With )ethod and ogi. one .an
a..o)pish anythingG This franti. rushing to Fran.e +as a )ista1e ;
it is paying a .hid"s ga)e of hide;and;see1/ %ut no+> though it )ay
'e too ate> I +i set to +or1 the right +ay> fro) +ithin/ Sien.e> )y
friends> I 'eg of you/"
And for five ong hours the itte )an sat )otioness> 'in1ing his
eyeids i1e a .at> his green eyes ni.1ering and 'e.o)ing steadiy
greener and greener/ The S.otand @ard )an +as o'viousy
.onte)ptuous> MaDor 0or)an +as 'ored and i)patient> and I
)ysef found the ti)e pass +ith +eariso)e so+ness/
Finay> I got up and stroed as noiseessy as I .oud to the +indo+/
The )atter +as 'e.o)ing a far.e/ I +as se.rety .on.erned for )y
friend/ If he faied> I +oud have preferred hi) to fai in a ess
ridi.uous )anner/ <ut of the +indo+ I idy +at.hed the daiy eave
'oat> 'e.hing forth .ou)ns of s)o1e> as she ay aongside the
8uay/
Suddeny I +as aroused 'y Poirot"s voi.e .ose to )y e'o+/
"Mes a)is> et us startG"
I turned/ An eBtraordinary transfor)ation had .o)e over )y friend/
!is eyes +ere fi.1ering +ith eB.ite)ent> his .hest +as s+eed to
the utter)ost/
"I have 'een an i)'e.ie> )y friendsG %ut I see dayight at ast/"
MaDor 0or)an )oved hastiy to the door/ "I" order the .ar/"
"There is no need/ I sha not use it/ Than1 !eaven the +ind has
faen/"
"$o you )ean you are going to +a1> sirA"
"0o> )y young friend/ I a) no St Peter/ I prefer to .ross the sea 'y
'oat/"
"To .ross the seaA"
"@es/ To +or1 +ith )ethod> one )ust 'egin fro) the 'eginning/ And
the 'eginning of this affair +as in (ngand/ Therefore> +e return to
(ngand/"
II
At three o".o.1> +e stood on.e )ore upon Charing Cross patfor)/
To a our eBpostuations> Poirot turned a deaf ear> and reiterated
again and again that to start at the 'eginning +as not a +aste of
ti)e> 'ut the ony +ay/ <n the +ay over> he had .onferred +ith
0or)an in a o+ voi.e> and the atter had despat.hed a sheaf of
teegra)s fro) $over/
<+ing to the spe.ia passes hed 'y 0or)an> +e got through
every+here in re.ord ti)e/ In #ondon> a arge poi.e .ar +as
+aiting for us> +ith so)e pain;.othes )en> one of +ho) handed a
type+ritten sheet of paper to )y friend/ !e ans+ered )y in8uiring
gan.e/
"A ist of the .ottage hospitas +ithin a .ertain radius +est of
#ondon/ I +ired for it fro) $over/"
We +ere +hired rapidy through the #ondon streets/ We +ere on
the %ath &oad/ <n +e +ent> through !a))ers)ith> Chis+i.1 and
%rentford/ I 'egan to see our o'De.tive/ Through Windsor and on to
As.ot/ My heart gave a eap/ As.ot +as +here $anies had an aunt
iving/ We +ere after hi)> then> not <"Murphy/
We duy stopped at the gate of a tri) via/ Poirot Du)ped out and
rang the 'e/ I sa+ a perpeBed fro+n di))ing the radian.e of his
fa.e/ Painy> he +as not satisfied/ The 'e +as ans+ered/ !e +as
ushered inside/ In a fe+ )o)ents he reappeared> and .i)'ed into
the .ar +ith a short> sharp sha1e of his head/ My hopes 'egan to
die do+n/ It +as past four no+/ (ven if he found .ertain eviden.e
in.ri)inating $anies> +hat +oud 'e the good of it> uness he .oud
+ring fro) so)eone the eBa.t spot in Fran.e +here they +ere
hoding the Pri)e MinisterA
<ur return progress to+ards #ondon +as an interrupted one/ We
deviated fro) the )ain road )ore than on.e> and o..asionay
stopped at a s)a 'uiding> +hi.h I had no diffi.uty in re.ogni?ing
as a .ottage hospita/ Poirot ony spent a fe+ )inutes at ea.h> 'ut
at every hat his radiant assuran.e +as )ore and )ore restored/
!e +hispered so)ething to 0or)an> to +hi.h the atter repiedH
"@es> if you turn off to the eft> you +i find the) +aiting 'y the
'ridge/"
We turned up a side road> and in the faiing ight I dis.erned a
se.ond .ar> +aiting 'y the side of the road/ It .ontained t+o )en in
pain .othes/ Poirot got do+n and spo1e to the)> and then +e
started off in a northery dire.tion> the other .ar foo+ing .ose
'ehind/
We drove for so)e ti)e> our o'De.tive 'eing o'viousy one of the
northern su'ur's of #ondon/ Finay> +e drove up to the front door
of a ta house> standing a itte 'a.1 fro) the road in its o+n
grounds/
0or)an and I +ere eft +ith the .ar/ Poirot and one of the
dete.tives +ent up to the door and rang/ A neat parour)aid
opened it/ The dete.tive spo1e/
"I a) a poi.e offi.er> and I have a +arrant to sear.h this house/"
The gir gave a itte s.rea)> and a ta> handso)e +o)an of )idde
age appeared 'ehind her in the ha/
"Shut the door> (dith/ They are 'urgars> I eBpe.t/"
%ut Poirot s+ifty inserted his foot in the door> and at the sa)e
)o)ent 'e+ a +histe/ Instanty the other dete.tives ran up> and
poured into the house> shutting the door 'ehind the)/
0or)an and I spent a'out five )inutes .ursing our for.ed
ina.tivity/ Finay the door reopened> and the )en e)erged>
es.orting three prisoners ; a +o)an and t+o )en/ The +o)an and
one of the )en +ere ta1en to the se.ond .ar/ The other )an +as
pa.ed in our .ar 'y Poirot hi)sef/
"I )ust go +ith the others> )y friend/ %ut have great .are of this
gente)an/ @ou do not 1no+ hi)> noA (h 'ien> et )e present to
you/ Monsieur <"MurphyG"
<"MurphyG I gaped at hi) open;)outhed as +e started again/ !e
+as not hand.uffed> 'ut I did not fan.y he +oud try to es.ape/ !e
sat there staring in front of hi) as though da?ed/ Any+ay> 0or)an
and I +oud 'e )ore than a )at.h for hi)/
To )y surprise> +e sti 1ept a northery route/ We +ere not
returning to #ondon> thenG I +as )u.h pu??ed/ Suddeny> as the
.ar so+ed do+n> I re.ogni?ed that +e +ere .ose to !endon
Aerodro)e/ I))ediatey I grasped Poirot"s idea/ !e proposed to
rea.h Fran.e 'y aeropane/
It +as a sporting idea> 'ut> on the fa.e of it> i)pra.ti.a'e/ A
teegra) +oud 'e far 8ui.1er/ Ti)e +as everything/ !e )ust eave
the persona gory of res.uing the Pri)e Minister to others/
As +e dre+ up/ MaDor 0or)an Du)ped out> and a pain;.othes )an
too1 his pa.e/ !e .onferred +ith Poirot for a fe+ )inutes> and then
+ent off 'ris1y/
I> too> Du)ped out> and .aught Poirot 'y the ar)/
"I .ongratuate you> od feo+G They have tod you the hiding;pa.eA
%ut> oo1 here> you )ust +ire to Fran.e at on.e/ @ou" 'e too ate if
you go yoursef/"
Poirot oo1ed at )e .uriousy for a )inute or t+o/
"2nfortunatey> )y friend> there are so)e things that .annot 'e sent
'y teegra)/"
III
At that )o)ent MaDor 0or)an returned> a..o)panied 'y a young
offi.er in the unifor) of the Fying Corps/
"This is Captain #ya> +ho +i fy you over to Fran.e/ !e .an start at
on.e/"
"Wrap up +ar)y> sir>" said the young piot/ "I .an end you a .oat> if
you i1e/"
Poirot +as .onsuting his enor)ous +at.h/ !e )ur)ured to
hi)sefH "@es> there is ti)e ; Dust ti)e/" Then he oo1ed up> and
'o+ed poitey to the young offi.er/ "I than1 you> )onsieur/ %ut it is
not I +ho a) your passenger/ It is this gente)an here/"
!e )oved a itte aside as he spo1e> and a figure .a)e for+ard out
of the dar1ness/ It +as the se.ond )ae prisoner +ho had gone in
the other .ar> and as the ight fe on his fa.e> I gave a gasp of
surprise/
It +as the Pri)e MinisterG
I7
"For !eaven"s sa1e> te )e a a'out it>" I .ried i)patienty> as
Poirot> 0or)an and I )otored 'a.1 to #ondon/ "!o+ in the +ord
did they )anage to s)ugge hi) 'a.1 to (ngandA"
"There +as no need to s)ugge hi) 'a.1>" repied Poirot dryy/ "The
Pri)e Minister has never eft (ngand/ !e +as 1idnapped on his
+ay fro) Windsor to #ondon/"
"WhatA"
"I +i )a1e a .ear/ The Pri)e Minister +as in his .ar> his
se.retary 'eside hi)/ Suddeny a pad of .horofor) is .apped on
his fa.e ; "
"%ut 'y +ho)A"
"%y the .ever inguisti. Captain $anies/ As soon as the Pri)e
Minister is un.ons.ious> $anies pi.1s up the spea1ing;tu'e> and
dire.ts <"Murphy to turn to the right> +hi.h the .hauffeur> 8uite
unsuspi.ious> does/ A fe+ yards do+n that unfre8uented road a
arge .ar is standing> apparenty 'ro1en do+n/ Its driver signas to
<"Murphy to stop/ <"Murphy so+s up/ The stranger approa.hes/
$anies eans out of the +indo+> and> pro'a'y +ith the aid of an
instantaneous anaestheti.> su.h as ethy.horide> the .horofor)
tri.1 is repeated/ In a fe+ se.onds> the t+o hepess )en are
dragged out and transferred to the other .ar> and a pair of
su'stitutes ta1e their pa.es/"
"I)possi'eG"
"Pas du toutG !ave you not seen )usi.;ha turns i)itating
.ee'rities +ith )arveous a..ura.yA 0othing is easier than to
personate a pu'i. .hara.ter/ The Pri)e Minister of (ngand is far
easier to understudy than Mr *ohn S)ith of Capha)> say/ As for
<"Murphy"s Jdou'eJ> no one +as going to ta1e )u.h noti.e of hi)
unti after the departure of the Pri)e Minister> and 'y then he +oud
have )ade hi)sef s.ar.e/ !e drives straight fro) Charing Cross
to the )eeting;pa.e of his friends/ !e goes in as <"Murphy> he
e)erges as so)eone 8uite different/ <"Murphy has disappeared>
eaving a .onvenienty suspi.ious trai 'ehind hi)/"
"%ut the )an +ho personated the Pri)e Minister +as seen 'y
everyoneG"
"!e +as not seen 'y anyone +ho 1ne+ hi) privatey or inti)atey/
And $anies shieded hi) fro) .onta.t +ith anyone as )u.h as
possi'e/ Moreover> his fa.e +as 'andaged up> and anything
unusua in his )anner +oud 'e put do+n to the fa.t that he +as
suffering fro) sho.1 as a resut of the atte)pt upon his ife/ Mr
Ma.Ada) has a +ea1 throat> and a+ays spares his voi.e as )u.h
as possi'e 'efore any great spee.h/ The de.eption +as perfe.ty
easy to 1eep up as far as Fran.e/ There it +oud 'e i)pra.ti.a'e
and i)possi'e ; so the Pri)e Minister disappears/ The poi.e of
this .ountry hurry a.ross the Channe> and no one 'others to go
into the detais of the first atta.1/ To sustain the iusion that the
a'du.tion has ta1en pa.e in Fran.e> $anies is gagged and
.horofor)ed in a .onvin.ing )anner/"
"And the )an +ho has ena.ted the part of the Pri)e MinisterA"
"&ids hi)sef of his disguise/ !e and the 'ogus .hauffeur )ay 'e
arrested as suspi.ious .hara.ters> 'ut no one +i drea) of
suspe.ting their rea part in the dra)a> and they +i eventuay 'e
reeased for a.1 of eviden.e/"
"And the rea Pri)e MinisterA"
"!e and <"Murphy +ere driven straight to the house of JMrs
(verard>J at !a)pstead> $anies" so;.aed JauntJ/ In reaity> she is
Frau %ertha ('entha> and the poi.e have 'een oo1ing for her for
so)e ti)e/ It is a vaua'e itte present that I have )ade to the) ; to
say nothing of $aniesG Ah> it +as a .ever pan> 'ut he did not
re.1on on the .everness of !er.ue PoirotG"
I thin1 )y friend )ight +e 'e eB.used his )o)ent of vanity/
"When did you first 'egin to suspe.t the truth of the )atterA"
"When I 'egan to +or1 the right +ay ; fro) +ithinG I .oud not )a1e
that shooting affair fit in ; 'ut +hen I sa+ that the net resut of it +as
that the Pri)e Minister +ent to Fran.e +ith his fa.e 'ound up I
'egan to .o)prehendG And +hen I visited a the .ottage hospitas
'et+een Windsor and #ondon> and found that no one ans+ering to
)y des.ription had had his fa.e 'ound up and dressed that
)orning> I +as sureG After that> it +as .hid"s pay for a )ind i1e
)ineG"
The foo+ing )orning> Poirot sho+ed )e a teegra) he had Dust
re.eived/ It had no pa.e of origin> and +as unsigned/ It ranH
"In ti)e/"
#ater in the day the evening paper pu'ished an a..ount of the
Aied Conferen.e/ They aid parti.uar stress on the )agnifi.ent
ovation a..orded to Mr $avid Ma.Ada)> +hose inspiring spee.h
had produ.ed a deep and asting i)pression/
The Disappearan(e of Mr Davenhei"
Poirot and I +ere eBpe.ting our od friend Inspe.tor *app of
S.otand @ard to tea/ We +ere sitting round the tea;ta'e a+aiting
his arriva/ Poirot had Dust finished .arefuy straightening the .ups
and sau.ers +hi.h our andady +as in the ha'it of thro+ing> rather
than pa.ing> on the ta'e/ !e had aso 'reathed heaviy on the
)eta teapot> and poished it +ith a si1 hand1er.hief/ The 1ette
+as on the 'oi> and a s)a ena)e sau.epan 'eside it .ontained
so)e thi.1> s+eet .ho.oate +hi.h +as )ore to Poirot"s paate than
+hat he des.ri'ed as "your (ngish poison/"
A sharp "rat;tat" sounded 'eo+> and a fe+ )inutes after+ards *app
entered 'ris1y/
"!ope I") not ate>" he said as he greeted us/ "To te the truth> I +as
yarning +ith Mier> the )an +ho"s in .harge of the $avenhei)
.ase/"
I pri.1ed up )y ears/ For the ast three days the papers had 'een
fu of the strange disappearan.e of Mr $avenhei)> senior partner
of $avenhei) and Sa)on> the +e;1no+n 'an1ers and finan.iers/
<n Saturday ast he had +a1ed out of his house> and had never
'een seen sin.e/ I oo1ed for+ard to eBtra.ting so)e interesting
detais fro) *app/
"I shoud have thought>" I re)ar1ed> "that it +oud 'e a)ost
i)possi'e for anyone to JdisappearJ no+adays/"
Poirot )oved a pate of 'read and 'utter the eighth of an in.h> and
said sharpyH
"%e eBa.t> )y friend/ What do you )ean 'y JdisappearJA To +hi.h
.ass of disappearan.e are you referringA"
"Are disappearan.es .assified and a'eed> thenA" I aughed/
*app s)ied aso/ Poirot fro+ned at us 'oth/
"%ut .ertainy they areG They fa into three .ategoriesH First> and
)ost .o))on> the vountary disappearan.e/ Se.ond> the )u.h
a'used Joss of )e)oryJ .ase ; rare> 'ut o..asionay genuine/
Third> )urder> and a )ore or ess su..essfu disposa of the 'ody/
$o you refer to a three as i)possi'e of eBe.utionA"
"7ery neary so> I shoud thin1/ @ou )ight ose your o+n )e)ory>
'ut so)eone +oud 'e sure to re.ogni?e you ; espe.iay in the
.ase of a +e;1no+n )an i1e $avenhei)/ Then J'odiesJ .an"t 'e
)ade to vanish into thin air/ Sooner or ater they turn up> .on.eaed
in oney pa.es> or in trun1s/ Murder +i out/ In the sa)e +ay> the
a's.onding .er1> or the do)esti. defauter> is 'ound to 'e run
do+n in these days of +ireess teegraphy/ !e .an 'e headed off
fro) foreign .ountriesI ports and rai+ay stations are +at.hedI
and> as for .on.ea)ent in this .ountry> his features and
appearan.e +i 'e 1no+n to everyone +ho reads a daiy
ne+spaper/ !e"s up against .ivii?ation/"
"Mon a)i>" said Poirot> "you )a1e one error/ @ou do not ao+ for the
fa.t that a )an +ho had de.ided to )a1e a+ay +ith another )an ;
or +ith hi)sef in a figurative sense ; )ight 'e that rare )a.hine> a
)an of )ethod/ !e )ight 'ring inteigen.e> taent> a .arefu
.a.uation of detai to the tas1I and then I do not see +hy he shoud
not 'e su..essfu in 'affing the poi.e for.e/"
"%ut not you> I supposeA" said *app good;hu)ouredy> +in1ing at
)e/ "!e .oudn"t 'affe you> eh> Monsieur PoirotA"
Poirot endeavoured> +ith a )ar1ed a.1 of su..ess> to oo1 )odest/
"Me> asoG Why notA It is true that I approa.h su.h pro'e)s +ith as
eBa.t s.ien.e> a )athe)ati.a pre.ision> +hi.h see)s> aas> ony
too rare in the ne+ generation of dete.tivesG"
*app grinned )ore +idey/
"I don"t 1no+>" he said/ "Mier> the )an +ho"s on this .ase> is a s)art
.hap/ @ou )ay 'e very sure he +on"t overoo1 a footprint> or a
.igar;ash> or a .ru)' even/ !e"s got eyes that see everything/"
"So> )on a)i>" said Poirot> "has the #ondon sparro+/ %ut a the
sa)e> I shoud not as1 the itte 'ro+n 'ird to sove the pro'e) of
Mr $avenhei)/"
"Co)e no+> )onsieur> you"re not going to run do+n the vaue of
detais as .uesA"
"%y no )eans/ These things are a good in their +ay/ The danger is
they )ay assu)e undue i)portan.e/ Most detais are insignifi.antI
one or t+o are vita/ It is the 'rain> the itte grey .es" ; he tapped
his forehead ; "on +hi.h one )ust rey/ The senses )isead/ <ne
)ust see1 the truth +ithin ; not +ithout/"
"@ou don"t )ean to say> Monsieur Poirot> that you +oud underta1e
to sove a .ase +ithout )oving fro) your .hair> do youA"
"That is eBa.ty +hat I do )ean ; granted the fa.ts +ere pa.ed
'efore )e/ I regard )ysef as a .onsuting spe.iaist/"
*app sapped his 1nee/ "!anged if I don"t ta1e you at your +ord/ %et
you a fiver that you .an"t ay your hand ; or rather te )e +here to
ay )y hand ; on Mr $avenhei)> dead or aive> 'efore a +ee1 is out/"
Poirot .onsidered/ "(h 'ien> )on a)i> I a..ept/ #e sport> it is the
passion of you (ngish/ 0o+ ; the fa.ts/"
"<n Saturday ast> as is his usua .usto)> Mr $avenhei) too1 the
12/46 train fro) 7i.toria to Chingside> +here his paatia .ountry
pa.e> The Cedars> is situated/ After un.h> he stroed round the
grounds> and gave various dire.tions to the gardeners/ (very'ody
agrees that his )anner +as a'soutey nor)a and as usua/ After
tea he put his head into his +ife"s 'oudoirI saying that he +as going
to stro do+n to the viage and post so)e etters/ !e added that he
+as eBpe.ting a Mr #o+en> on 'usiness/ If he shoud .o)e 'efore
he hi)sef returned> he +as to 'e sho+n into the study and as1ed to
+ait/ Mr $avenhei) then eft the house 'y the front door> passed
eisurey do+n the drive> and out at the gate> and ; +as never seen
again/ Fro) that hour> he vanished .o)petey/"
"Pretty ; very pretty ; atogether a .har)ing itte pro'e)>"
)ur)ured Poirot/ "Pro.eed> )y good friend/"
"A'out a 8uarter of an hour ater a ta> dar1 )an +ith a thi.1 'a.1
)ousta.he rang the front;door 'e> and eBpained that he had an
appoint)ent +ith Mr $avenhei)/ !e gave the na)e of #o+en> and
in a..ordan.e +ith the 'an1er"s instru.tions +as sho+n into the
study/ 0eary an hour passed/ Mr $avenhei) did not return/ Finay
Mr #o+en rang the 'e> and eBpained that he +as una'e to +ait
any onger> as he )ust .at.h his train 'a.1 to to+n/
"Mrs $avenhei) apoogi?ed for her hus'and"s a'sen.e> +hi.h
see)ed una..ounta'e> as she 1ne+ hi) to have 'een eBpe.ting
the visitor/ Mr #o+en reiterated his regrets and too1 his departure/
"We> as everyone 1no+s> Mr $avenhei) did not return/ (ary on
Sunday )orning the poi.e +ere .o))uni.ated +ith> 'ut .oud
)a1e neither head nor tai of the )atter/ Mr $avenhei) see)ed
iteray to have vanished into thin air/ !e had not 'een to the post
offi.eI nor had he 'een seen passing through the viage/ At the
station they +ere positive he had not departed 'y any train/ !is o+n
)otor had not eft the garage/ If he had hired a .ar to )eet hi) in
so)e oney spot> it see)s a)ost .ertain that 'y this ti)e> in vie+
of the arge re+ard offered for infor)ation> the driver of it +oud
have .o)e for+ard to te +hat he 1ne+/ True> there +as a s)a
ra.e;)eeting at (ntfied> five )ies a+ay> and if he had +a1ed to
that station he )ight have passed unnoti.ed in the .ro+d/ %ut sin.e
then his photograph and a fu des.ription of hi) have 'een
.ir.uated in every ne+spaper> and no'ody has 'een a'e to give
any ne+s of hi)/ We have> of .ourse> re.eived )any etters fro) a
over (ngand> 'ut ea.h .ue> so far> has ended in disappoint)ent/
"<n Monday )orning a further sensationa dis.overy .a)e to ight/
%ehind a portiSre in Mr $avenhei)"s study stands a safe> and that
safe had 'een 'ro1en into and rifed/ The +indo+s +ere fastened
se.urey on the inside> +hi.h see)s to put an ordinary 'urgary out
of .ourt> uness> of .ourse> an a..o)pi.e +ithin the house
fastened the) again after+ards/ <n the other hand> Sunday having
intervened> and the househod 'eing in a state of .haos> it is i1ey
that the 'urgary +as .o))itted on the Saturday> and re)ained
undete.ted unti Monday/"
"Pr=.is=)ent>" said Poirot dryy/ "We> is he arrested> .e pauvre M/
#o+enA"
*app grinned/ "0ot yet/ %ut he"s under pretty .ose supervision/"
Poirot nodded/ "What +as ta1en fro) the safeA !ave you any ideaA"
"We"ve 'een going into that +ith the Dunior partner of the fir) and
Mrs $avenhei)/ Apparenty there +as a .onsidera'e a)ount in
'earer 'onds> and a very arge su) in notes> o+ing to so)e arge
transa.tion having 'een Dust .arried through/ There +as aso a
s)a fortune in De+eery/ A Mrs $avenhei)"s De+es +ere 1ept in
the safe/ The pur.hasing of the) had 'e.o)e a passion +ith her
hus'and of ate years> and hardy a )onth passed that he did not
)a1e her a present of so)e rare and .osty ge)/"
"Atogether a good hau>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "0o+> +hat a'out
#o+enA Is it 1no+n +hat his 'usiness +as +ith $avenhei) that
eveningA "
"We> the t+o )en +ere apparenty not on very good ter)s/ #o+en
is a spe.uator in 8uite s)a +ay/ 0evertheess> he has 'een a'e
on.e or t+i.e to s.ore a .oup off $avenhei) in the )ar1et> though
it see)s they sedo) or never a.tuay )et/ It +as a )atter
.on.erning so)e South A)eri.an shares +hi.h ed the 'an1er to
)a1e his appoint)ent/"
"!ad $avenhei) interests in South A)eri.a> thenA"
"I 'eieve so/ Mrs $avenhei) happened to )ention that he spent a
ast autu)n in %uenos Aires/"
"Any trou'e in his ho)e ifeA Were the hus'and and +ife on good
ter)sA"
"I shoud say his do)esti. ife +as 8uite pea.efu and uneventfu/
Mrs $avenhei) is a peasant> rather uninteigent +o)an/ 4uite a
nonentity> I thin1/"
"Then +e )ust not oo1 for the soution of the )ystery there/ !ad he
any ene)iesA"
"!e had penty of finan.ia rivas> and no dou't there are )any
peope +ho) he has got the 'etter of +ho 'ear hi) no parti.uar
good+i/ %ut there +as no one i1ey to )a1e a+ay +ith hi) ; and> if
they had> +here is the 'odyA"
"(Ba.ty/ As !astings says> 'odies have a ha'it of .o)ing to ight
+ith fata persisten.y/"
"%y the +ay> one of the gardeners says he sa+ a figure going round
to the side of the house to+ards the rose;garden/ The ong fren.h
+indo+ of the study opens on to the rose;garden> and Mr
$avenhei) fre8uenty entered and eft the house that +ay/ %ut the
)an +as a good +ay off> at +or1 on so)e .u.u)'er fra)es> and
.annot even say +hether it +as the figure of his )aster or not/ Aso>
he .annot fiB the ti)e +ith any a..ura.y/ It )ust have 'een 'efore
siB> as the gardeners .ease +or1 at that ti)e/"
"And Mr $avenhei) eft the houseA"
"A'out haf;past five or therea'outs/"
"What ies 'eyond the rose;gardenA"
"A a1e/"
"With a 'oathouseA"
"@es> a .oupe of punts are 1ept there/ I suppose you"re thin1ing of
sui.ide> Monsieur PoirotA We> I don"t )ind teing you that Mier"s
going do+n to)orro+ eBpressy to see that pie.e of +ater dragged/
That"s the 1ind of )an he isG"
Poirot s)ied fainty> and turned to )e/ "!astings> I pray you> hand
)e that .opy of $aiy Megaphone/ If I re)e)'er righty> there is an
unusuay .ear photograph there of the )issing )an/"
I rose> and found the sheet re8uired/ Poirot studied the features
attentivey/
"!")G" he )ur)ured/ "Wears his hair rather ong and +avy> fu
)ousta.he and pointed 'eard> 'ushy eye'ro+s/ (yes dar1A"
"@es/"
"!air and 'eard turning greyA"
The dete.tive nodded/ "We> Monsieur Poirot> +hat have you got to
say to it aA Cear as dayight> ehA"
"<n the .ontrary> )ost o's.ure/"
The S.otand @ard )an oo1ed peased/
"Whi.h gives )e great hopes of soving it>" finished Poirot pa.idy/
"(hA"
"I find it a good sign +hen a .ase is o's.ure/ If a thing is .ear as
dayight ; eh 'ien> )istrust itG So)eone has )ade it so/"
*app shoo1 his head a)ost pityingy/ "We> ea.h to their fan.y/ %ut
it"s not a 'ad thing to see your +ay .ear ahead/"
"I do not see>" )ur)ured Poirot/ "I shut )y eyes ; and thin1/"
*app sighed/ "We> you"ve got a .ear +ee1 to thin1 in/"
"And you +i 'ring )e any fresh deveop)ents that arise ; the resut
of the a'ours of the hard;+or1ing and ynB;eyed Inspe.tor Mier>
for instan.eA"
"Certainy/ That"s in the 'argain/"
"See)s a sha)e> doesn"t itA" said *app to )e as I a..o)panied hi)
to the door/ "#i1e ro''ing a .hidG"
I .oud not hep agreeing +ith a s)ie/ I +as sti s)iing as I reentered
the roo)/
"(h 'ienG" said Poirot i))ediatey/ To )a1e fun of Papa Poirot> is it
not soA" !e shoo1 his finger at )e/ "@ou do not trust his grey .esA
Ah> do not 'e .onfusedG #et us dis.uss this itte pro'e) ;
in.o)pete as yet> I ad)it> 'ut aready sho+ing one or t+o points of
interest/"
"The a1eG" I said signifi.anty/
"And even )ore than the a1e> the 'oathouseG"
I oo1ed side+ise at Poirot/ !e +as s)iing in his )ost ins.ruta'e
fashion/ I fet that> for the )o)ent> it +oud 'e 8uite useess to
8uestion hi) further/
We heard nothing of *app unti the foo+ing evening> +hen he
+a1ed in a'out nine o".o.1/ I sa+ at on.e 'y his eBpression that
he +as 'ursting +ith ne+s of so)e 1ind/
"(h 'ien> )y friend>" re)ar1ed Poirot/ "A goes +eA %ut do not te
)e that you have dis.overed the 'ody of Mr $avenhei) in your
a1e> 'e.ause I sha not 'eieve you/"
"We haven"t found the 'ody> 'ut +e did find his .othes ; the
identi.a .othes he +as +earing that day/ What do you say to thatA"
"Any other .othes )issing fro) the houseA"
"0o> his vaet is 8uite positive on that point/ The rest of his +ardro'e
is inta.t/ There"s )ore/ We"ve arrested #o+en/ <ne of the )aids>
+hose 'usiness it is to fasten the 'edroo) +indo+s> de.ares that
she sa+ #o+en .o)ing to+ards the study through the rose;garden
a'out a 8uarter past siB/ That +oud 'e a'out ten )inutes 'efore he
eft the house/"
"What does he hi)sef say to thatA "
"$enied first of a that he had ever eft the study/ %ut the )aid +as
positive> and he pretended after+ards that he had forgotten Dust
stepping out of the +indo+ to eBa)ine an unusua spe.ies of rose/
&ather a +ea1 story G And there"s fresh eviden.e against hi) .o)e
to ight/ Mr $avenhei) a+ays +ore a thi.1 god ring set +ith a
soitaire dia)ond on the itte finger of his right hand/ We> that ring
+as pa+ned in #ondon on Saturday night 'y a )an .aed %iy
-eett G !e"s aready 1no+n to the poi.e ; did three )onths ast
autu)n for ifting an od gente)an"s +at.h/ It see)s he tried to
pa+n the ring at no ess than five different pa.es> su..eeded at the
ast one> got goriousy drun1 on the pro.eeds> assauted a
poi.e)an> and +as run in in .onse8uen.e/ I +ent to %o+ Street
+ith Mier and sa+ hi)/ !e"s so'er enough no+> and I don"t )ind
ad)itting +e pretty +e frightened the ife out of hi)> hinting he
)ight 'e .harged +ith )urder/ This is his yarn> and a very 8ueer
one it is/
"!e +as at (ntfied ra.es on Saturday> though I dare say s.arfpins
+as his ine of 'usiness> rather than 'etting/ Any+ay> he had a 'ad
day> and +as do+n on his u.1/ !e +as tra)ping aong the road to
Chingside> and sat do+n in a dit.h to rest Dust 'efore he got into the
viage/ A fe+ )inutes ater he noti.ed a )an .o)ing aong the road
to the viage> Jdar1;.o)peBioned gent> +ith a 'ig )ousta.he> one
of the) .ity toffs>J is his des.ription of the )an/
"-eett +as haf .on.eaed fro) the road 'y a heap of stones/ *ust
'efore he got a'reast of hi)> the )an oo1ed 8ui.1y up and do+n
the road> and seeing it apparenty deserted he too1 a s)a o'De.t
fro) his po.1et and thre+ it over the hedge/ Then he +ent on
to+ards the station/ 0o+> the o'De.t he had thro+n over the hedge
had faen +ith a sight J.hin1J +hi.h aroused the .uriosity of the
hu)an derei.t in the dit.h/ !e investigated and> after a short
sear.h> dis.overed the ringG That is -eett"s story/ It"s ony fair to
say that #o+en denies it uttery> and of .ourse the +ord of a )an
i1e -eett .an"t 'e reied upon in the sightest/ It"s +ithin the
'ounds of possi'iity that he )et $avenhei) in the ane and ro''ed
and )urdered hi)/"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"7ery i)pro'a'e> )on a)i/ !e had no )eans of disposing of the
'ody/ It +oud have 'een found 'y no+/ Se.ondy> the open +ay in
+hi.h he pa+ned the ring )a1es it uni1ey that he did )urder to
get it/ Thirdy> your snea1;thief is rarey a )urderer/ Fourthy> as he
has 'een in prison sin.e Saturday> it +oud 'e too )u.h of a
.oin.iden.e that he is a'e to give so a..urate a des.ription of
#o+en/"
*app nodded/ "I don"t say you"re not right/ %ut a the sa)e> you
+on"t get a Dury to ta1e )u.h note of a Dai'ird"s eviden.e/ What
see)s odd to )e is that #o+en .oudn"t find a .everer +ay of
disposing of the ring/"
Poirot shrugged his shouders/ "We> after a> if it +ere found in the
neigh'ourhood> it )ight 'e argued that $avenhei) hi)sef had
dropped it/"
"%ut +hy re)ove it fro) the 'ody at aA" I .ried/
"There )ight 'e a reason for that>" said *app/ "$o you 1no+ that Dust
'eyond the a1e> a itte gate eads out on to the hi> and not three
)inutes" +a1 'rings you to ; +hat do you thin1A ; a i)e 1in/"
",ood heavensG" I .ried/ "@ou )ean that the i)e +hi.h destroyed
the 'ody +oud 'e po+eress to affe.t the )eta of the ringA"
"(Ba.ty/"
"It see)s to )e>" I said> "that that eBpains everything/ What a
horri'e .ri)eG"
%y .o))on .onsent +e 'oth turned and oo1ed at Poirot/ !e
see)ed ost in refe.tion> his 'ro+ 1nitted> as though +ith so)e
supre)e )enta effort/ I fet that at ast his 1een intee.t +as
asserting itsef/ What +oud his first +ords 'eA We +ere not ong
eft in dou't/ With a sigh> the tension of his attitude reaBed and
turning to *app> he as1edH
"!ave you any idea> )y friend> +hether Mr and Mrs $avenhei)
o..upied the sa)e 'edroo)A"
The 8uestion see)ed so udi.rousy inappropriate that for a
)o)ent +e 'oth stared in sien.e/ Then *app 'urst into a augh/
",ood #ord> Monsieur Poirot> I thought you +ere .o)ing out +ith
so)ething starting/ As to your 8uestion> I") sure I don"t 1no+/"
"@ou .oud find outA" as1ed Poirot +ith .urious persisten.e/
"<h> .ertainy ; if you reay +ant to 1no+/"
"Mer.i> )on a)i/ I shoud 'e o'iged if you +oud )a1e a point of it/"
*app stared at hi) a fe+ )inutes onger> 'ut Poirot see)ed to have
forgotten us 'oth/ The dete.tive shoo1 his head sady at )e> and
)ur)uring> "Poor od feo+G War"s 'een too )u.h for hi)G" genty
+ithdre+ fro) the roo)/
As Poirot sti see)ed sun1 in a daydrea)> I too1 a sheet of paper>
and a)used )ysef 'y s.ri''ing notes upon it/ My friend"s voi.e
aroused )e/ !e had .o)e out of his reverie> and +as oo1ing 'ris1
and aert/
"4ue faites vous P> )on a)iA"
"I +as Dotting do+n +hat o..urred to )e as the )ain points of
interest in this affair/"
"@ou 'e.o)e )ethodi.a ; at astG" said Poirot approvingy/
I .on.eaed )y peasure/ "Sha I read the) to youA"
"%y a )eans/"
I .eared )y throat/
"J<neH A the eviden.e points to #o+en having 'een the )an +ho
for.ed the safe/
"JT+oH !e had a grudge against $avenhei)/
"JThreeH !e ied in his first state)ent that he had never eft the
study/
"JFourH If you a..ept %iy -eett"s story as true> #o+en is
un)ista1a'y i)pi.ated/J"
I paused/ "WeA" I as1ed> for I fet that I had put )y finger on a the
vita fa.ts/
Poirot oo1ed at )e pityingy> sha1ing his head very genty/ "Mon
pauvre a)iG %ut it is that you have not the giftG The i)portant detai>
you appre.iate hi) neverG Aso> your reasoning is fase/"
"!o+A"
"#et )e ta1e your four points/
"<neH Mr #o+en .oud not possi'y 1no+ that he +oud have the
.han.e to open the safe/ !e .a)e for a 'usiness intervie+/ !e
.oud not 1no+ 'eforehand that Mr $avenhei) +oud 'e a'sent
posting a etter> and that he +oud .onse8uenty 'e aone in the
studyG"
"!e )ight have sei?ed his opportunity>" I suggested/
"And the toosA City gente)en do not .arry round house'rea1er"s
toos on the off .han.eG And one .oud not .ut into that safe +ith a
pen1nife> 'ien entenduG"
"We> +hat a'out 0u)'er T+oA"
"@ou say #o+en had a grudge against Mr $avenhei)/ What you
)ean is that he had on.e or t+i.e got the 'etter of hi)/ And
presu)a'y those transa.tions +ere entered into +ith the vie+ of
'enefiting hi)sef/ In any .ase you do not as a rue 'ear a grudge
against a )an you have got the 'etter of ; it is )ore i1ey to 'e the
other +ay a'out/ Whatever grudge there )ight have 'een +oud
have 'een on Mr $avenhei)"s side/"
"We> you .an"t deny that he ied a'out never having eft the studyA"
"0o/ %ut he )ay have 'een frightened/ &e)e)'er> the )issing
)an"s .othes had Dust 'een dis.overed in the a1e/ <f .ourse> as
usua> he +oud have done 'etter to spea1 the truth/"
"And the fourth pointA"
"I grant you that/ If -eett"s story is true> #o+en is undenia'y
i)pi.ated/ That is +hat )a1es the affair so very interesting/"
"Then I did appre.iate one vita fa.tA"
"Perhaps ; 'ut you have entirey overoo1ed the t+o )ost i)portant
points> the ones +hi.h undou'tedy hod the .ue to the +hoe
)atter/"
"And pray> +hat are theyA"
"<ne> the passion +hi.h has gro+n upon Mr $avenhei) in the ast
fe+ years for 'uying De+eery/ T+o> his trip to %uenos Aires ast
autu)n/"
"Poirot> you are Do1ingG"
"I a) )ost serious/ Ah> sa.red thunder> 'ut I hope *app +i not
forget )y itte .o))ission/"
%ut the dete.tive> entering into the spirit of the Do1e> had
re)e)'ered it so +e that a teegra) +as handed to Poirot a'out
eeven o".o.1 the neBt day/ At his re8uest I opened it and read it
outH
"J!us'and and +ife have o..upied separate roo)s sin.e ast
+inter/J"
"AhaG" .ried Poirot> "And no+ +e are in )id *uneG A is sovedG"
I stared at hi)/
"@ou have no )oney in the 'an1 of $avenhei) and Sa)on> )on
a)iA"
"0o>" I said> +ondering/ "WhyA"
"%e.ause I shoud advise you to +ithdra+ it ; 'efore it is too ate/"
"Why> +hat do you eBpe.tA"
"I eBpe.t a 'ig s)ash in a fe+ days ; perhaps sooner/ Whi.h
re)inds )e> +e +i return the .o)pi)ent of a d=pM.he to *app/ A
pen.i> I pray you> and a for)/ 7oiPG "Advise you to +ithdra+ any
)oney deposited +ith fir) in 8uestion/" That +i intrigue hi)> the
good *appG !is eyes +i open +ide ; +ideG !e +i not .o)prehend
in the sightest ; unti to;)orro+> or the neBt dayG"
I re)ained s.epti.a> 'ut the )orro+ for.ed )e to render tri'ute to
)y friend"s re)ar1a'e po+ers/ In every paper +as a huge headine
teing of the sensationa future of the $avenhei) 'an1/ The
disappearan.e of the fa)ous finan.ier too1 on a totay different
aspe.t in the ight of the reveation of the finan.ia affairs of the
'an1/
%efore +e +ere haf;+ay through 'rea1fast> the door fe+ open and
*app rushed in/ In his eft hand +as a paperI in his right +as
Poirot"s teegra)> +hi.h he 'anged do+n on the ta'e in front of )y
friend/
"!o+ did you 1no+> Monsieur PoirotA !o+ the 'a?es .oud you
1no+A"
Poirot s)ied pa.idy at hi)/ "Ah> )on a)i> after your +ire> it +as a
.ertaintyG Fro) the .o))en.e)ent> see you> it stru.1 )e that the
safe 'urgary +as so)e+hat re)ar1a'e/ *e+es> ready )oney>
'earer 'onds ; a so .onvenienty arranged for ; +ho)A We> the
good Monsieur $avenhei) +as of those +ho Joo1 after 0u)'er
<neJ as your saying goesG It see)ed a)ost .ertain that it +as
arranged for ; hi)sefG Then his passion of ate years for 'uying
De+eeryG !o+ si)peG The funds he e)'e??ed> he .onverted into
De+es> very i1ey repa.ing the) in turn +ith paste dupi.ates> and
so he put a+ay in a safe pa.e> under another na)e> a .onsidera'e
fortune to 'e enDoyed a in good ti)e +hen everyone has 'een
thro+n off the tra.1/ !is arrange)ents .o)peted> he )a1es an
appoint)ent +ith Mr #o+en 9+ho has 'een i)prudent enough in the
past to .ross the great )an on.e or t+i.e:> dris a hoe in the safe>
eaves orders that the guest is to 'e sho+n into the study> and
+a1s out of the house ; +hereA" Poirot stopped> and stret.hed out
his hand for another 'oied egg/ !e fro+ned/ "It is reay
insupporta'e>" he )ur)ured> "that every hen ays an egg of a
different si?eG What sy))etry .an there 'e on the 'rea1fast ta'eA
At east they shoud sort the) in do?ens at the shopG"
"0ever )ind the eggs>" said *app i)patienty/ "#et "e) ay "e)
s8uare if they i1e/ Te us +here our .usto)er +ent to +hen he eft
The Cedars ; that is> if you 1no+G"
"(h 'ien> he +ent to his hiding;pa.e/ Ah> this Monsieur $avenhei)>
there )ay 'e so)e )afor)ation in his grey .es> 'ut they are of
the first 8uaityG"
"$o you 1no+ +here he is hidingA"
"CertainyG It is )ost ingenious/"
"For the #ord"s sa1e> te us> thenG"
Poirot genty .oe.ted every frag)ent of she fro) his pate>
pa.ed the) in the egg;.up> and reversed the e)pty egg;she on
top of the)/ This itte operation .on.uded> he s)ied on the neat
effe.t> and then 'ea)ed affe.tionatey on us 'oth/
"Co)e> )y friends> you are )en of inteigen.e/ As1 yoursef the
8uestion +hi.h I as1ed )ysef/ JIf I +ere this )an> +here shoud I
hideAJ !astings> +hat do you sayA"
"We>" I said> "I") rather in.ined to thin1 I"d not do a 'ot at a/ I"d
stay in #ondon ; in the heart of things> trave 'y tu'es and 'usesI
ten to one I"d never 'e re.ogni?ed/ There"s safety in a .ro+d/"
Poirot turned in8uiringy to *app/
"I don"t agree/ ,et .ear a+ay at on.e ; that"s the ony .han.e/ I
+oud have had penty of ti)e to prepare things 'eforehand/ I"d
have a ya.ht +aiting> +ith stea) up> and I"d 'e off to one of the
)ost out;of;the;+ay .orners of the +ord 'efore the hue and .ry
'eganG"
We 'oth oo1ed at Poirot/ "What do you say> )onsieurA"
For a )o)ent he re)ained sient/ Then a very .urious s)ie fitted
a.ross his fa.e/
"My friends> if I +ere hiding fro) the poi.e> do you 1no+ +here I
shoud hideA In a prisonG"
"WhatA"
"@ou are see1ing Monsieur $avenhei) in order to put hi) in prison>
so you never drea) of oo1ing to see if he )ay not 'e aready
thereG"
"What do you )eanA"
"@ou te )e Mada)e $avenhei) is not a very inteigent +o)an/
0evertheess I thin1 that if you too1 her to %o+ Street and
.onfronted her +ith the )an %iy -eett> she +oud re.ogni?e hi)G
In spite of the fa.t that he has shaved his 'eard and )ousta.he and
those 'ushy eye'ro+s> and has .ropped his hair .ose/ A +o)an
neary a+ays 1no+s her hus'and> though the rest of the +ord )ay
'e de.eivedG"
"%iy -eettA %ut he"s 1no+n to the poi.eG"
"$id I not te you $avenhei) +as a .ever )anA !e prepared his
ai'i ong 'eforehand/ !e +as not in %uenos Aires ast autu)n ; he
+as .reating the .hara.ter of %iy -eett> Jdoing three )onths>J so
that the poi.e shoud have no suspi.ions +hen the ti)e .a)e/ !e
+as paying> re)e)'er> for a arge fortune> as +e as i'erty/ It +as
+orth +hie doing the thing thoroughy/ <ny ; "
"@esA"
"(h 'ien> after+ards he had to +ear a fase 'eard and +ig> had to
)a1e up as hi)sef again> and to seep +ith a fase 'eard is not
easy ; it invites dete.tionG !e .annot ris1 .ontinuing to share the
.ha)'er of )ada)e his +ife/ @ou found out for )e that for the ast
siB )onths> or ever sin.e his supposed return fro) %uenos Aires>
he and Mrs $avenhei) o..upied separate roo)s/ Then I +as sureG
(verything fitted in/ The gardener +ho fan.ied he sa+ his )aster
going round to the side of the house +as 8uite right/ !e +ent to the
'oathouse> donned his Jtra)pJ .othes> +hi.h you )ay 'e sure had
'een safety hidden fro) the eyes of his vaet> dropped the others in
the a1e> and pro.eeded to .arry out his pan 'y pa+ning the ring in
an o'vious )anner> and then assauting a poi.e)an> getting
hi)sef safey into the haven of %o+ Street> +here no'ody +oud
ever drea) of oo1ing for hi)G"
"It"s i)possi'e>" )ur)ured *app/
"As1 Mada)e>" said )y friend> s)iing/ The neBt day a registered
etter ay 'eside Poirot"s pate/
!e opened it> and a five;pound note futtered out/ My friend"s 'ro+
pu.1ered/
"Ah> sa.r=G %ut +hat sha I do +ith itA I have )u.h re)orseG Ce
pauvre *appA Ah> an ideaG We +i have a itte dinner> +e threeG
That .onsoes )e/ It +as reay too easy/ I a) asha)ed/ I> +ho
+oud not ro' a .hid ; )ie tonnerresG Mon a)i> +hat have you>
that you augh so heartiyA"
The Adventure of the )talian *ole"an
Poirot and I had )any friends and a.8uaintan.es of an infor)a
nature/ A)ongst these +as to 'e nu)'ered $r !a+1er> a near
neigh'our of ours> and a )e)'er of the )edi.a profession/ It +as
the genia do.tor"s ha'it to drop in so)eti)es of an evening and
have a .hat +ith Poirot> of +hose genius he +as an ardent ad)irer/
The do.tor hi)sef> fran1 and unsuspi.ious to the ast degree>
ad)ired the taents so far re)oved fro) his o+n/
<n one parti.uar evening in eary *une> he arrived a'out haf past
eight and setted do+n to a .o)forta'e dis.ussion on the .heery
topi. of the prevaen.e of arseni.a poisoning in .ri)es/ It )ust
have 'een a'out a 8uarter of an hour ater +hen the door of our
sitting;roo) fe+ open> and a distra.ted fe)ae pre.ipitated hersef
into the roo)/
"<h> do.tor> you"re +antedG Su.h a terri'e voi.e/ It gave )e a turn>
it did indeed/"
I re.ogni?ed in our ne+ visitor $r !a+1er"s house;1eeper> Miss
&ider/ The do.tor +as a 'a.heor> and ived in a goo)y od house a
fe+ streets a+ay/ The usuay pa.id Miss &ider +as no+ in a state
'ordering on in.oheren.e/
"What terri'e voi.eA Who is it> and +hat"s the trou'eA"
"It +as the teephone> do.tor/ I ans+ered it ; and a voi.e spo1e/
J!ep>J it said/ J$o.tor ; hep/ They"ve 1ied )eGJ Then it sort of
taied a+ay/ JWho"s spea1ingAJ I said/ JWho"s spea1ingAJ Then I
got a repy> Dust a +hisper> it see)ed> JFos.atineJ ; so)ething i1e
that ; J&egent"s CourtJ/"
The do.tor uttered an eB.a)ation/
"Count Fos.atini/ !e has a fat in &egent"s Court/ I )ust go at on.e/
What .an have happenedA"
"A patient of yoursA" as1ed Poirot/
"I attended hi) for so)e sight ai)ent a fe+ +ee1s ago/ An Itaian>
'ut he spea1s (ngish perfe.ty/ We> I )ust +ish you good night/
Monsieur Poirot> uness ; " !e hesitated/
"I per.eive the thought in your )ind>" said Poirot> s)iing/ "I sha 'e
deighted to a..o)pany you/ !astings> run do+n and get hod of a
taBi/"
TaBis a+ays )a1e the)seves sought for +hen one is parti.uary
pressed for ti)e> 'ut I .aptured one at ast> and +e +ere soon
'o+ing aong in the dire.tion of &egent"s Par1/ &egent"s Court +as
a ne+ 'o.1 of fats> situated Dust off St *ohn"s Wood &oad/ They
had ony re.enty 'een 'uit> and .ontained the atest servi.e
devi.es/
There +as no one in the ha/ The do.tor pressed the ift;'e
i)patienty> and +hen the ift arrived 8uestioned the unifor)ed
attendant sharpy/
"Fat 11/ Count Fos.atini/ There"s 'een an a..ident there> I
understand/"
The )an stared at hi)/
"First I"ve heard of it/ Mr ,raves ; that"s Count Fos.atini"s )an ;
+ent out a'out haf an hour ago> and he said nothing/"
"Is the Count aone in the fatA"
"0o> sir> he"s got t+o gente)en dining +ith hi)/"
"What are they i1eA" I as1ed eagery/
We +ere in the ift no+> as.ending rapidy to the se.ond foor> on
+hi.h Fat 11 +as situated/
"I didn"t see the) )ysef> sir> 'ut I understand that they +ere
foreign gente)en/"
!e pued 'a.1 the iron door> and +e stepped out on the anding/
0o 11 +as opposite to us/ The do.tor rang the 'e/ There +as no
repy> and +e .oud hear no sound fro) +ithin/ The do.tor rang
again and againI +e .oud hear the 'e triing +ithin> 'ut no sign of
ife re+arded us/
"This is getting serious>" )uttered the do.tor/ !e turned to the ift
attendant/
"Is there any pass;1ey to this doorA"
"There is one in the porter"s offi.e do+nstairs/"
",et it> then> and> oo1 here> I thin1 you"d 'etter send for the poi.e/"
Poirot approved +ith a nod of the head/
The )an returned shortyI +ith hi) .a)e the )anager/
"Wi you te )e> gente)en> +hat is the )eaning of a thisA"
"Certainy/ I re.eived a teephone )essage fro) Count Fos.atini
stating that he had 'een atta.1ed and +as dying/ @ou .an
understand that +e )ust ose no ti)e ; if +e are not aready too
ate/"
The )anager produ.ed the 1ey +ithout )ore ado> and +e a
entered the fat/
We passed first into a s)a s8uare ounge ha/ A door on the right
of it +as haf open/ The )anager indi.ated it +ith a nod/
"The dining roo)/"
$r !a+1er ed the +ay/ We foo+ed .ose on his hees/ As +e
entered the roo) I gave a gasp/ The round ta'e in the .entre 'ore
the re)ains of a )eaI three .hairs +ere pushed 'a.1> as though
their o..upants had Dust risen/ In the .orner> to the right of the
firepa.e> +as a 'ig +riting;ta'e> and sitting at it +as a )an ; or
+hat had 'een a )an/ !is right hand sti grasped the 'ase of the
teephone> 'ut he had faen for+ard> stru.1 do+n 'y a terrifi. 'o+
on the head fro) 'ehind/ The +eapon +as not far to see1/ A )ar'e
statue stood +here it had 'een hurriedy put do+n> the 'ase of it
stained +ith 'ood/
The do.tor"s eBa)ination did not ta1e a )inute/ "Stone dead/ Must
have 'een a)ost instantaneous/ I +onder he even )anaged to
teephone/ It +i 'e 'etter not to )ove hi) unti the poi.e arrive/"
<n the )anager"s suggestion +e sear.hed the fat> 'ut the resut
+as a foregone .on.usion/ It +as not i1ey that the )urderers
+oud 'e .on.eaed there +hen a they had to do +as to +a1 out/
We .a)e 'a.1 to the dining roo)/ Poirot had not a..o)panied us
in our tour/ I found hi) studying the .entre ta'e +ith .ose
attention/ I Doined hi)/ It +as a +e;poished round )ahogany
ta'e/ A 'o+ of roses de.orated the .entre> and +hite a.e )ats
reposed on the gea)ing surfa.e/ There +as a dish of fruit> 'ut the
three dessert pates +ere untou.hed/ There +ere three .offee.ups
+ith re)ains of .offee in the) ; t+o 'a.1> one +ith )i1/ A
three )en had ta1en port> and the de.anter> haf;fu> stood 'efore
the .entre pate/ <ne of the )en had s)o1ed a .igar> the other t+o
.igarettes/ A tortoiseshe;and;siver 'oB> hoding .igars and
.igarettes> stood open upon the ta'e/
I enu)erated a these fa.ts to )ysef> 'ut I +as for.ed to ad)it that
they did not shed any 'riiant ight on the situation/ I +ondered
+hat Poirot sa+ in the) to )a1e hi) so intent/ I as1ed hi)/
"Mon a)i>" he repied> "you )iss the point/ I a) oo1ing for
so)ething that I do not see/"
"What is thatA"
"A )ista1e ; even a itte )ista1e ; on the part of the )urderer/"
!e stepped s+ifty to the s)a adDoining 1it.hen> oo1ed in> and
shoo1 his head/
"Monsieur>" he said to the )anager> "eBpain to )e> I pray> your
syste) of serving )eas here/"
The )anager stepped to a s)a hat.h in the +a/
"This is the servi.e ift>" 'e eBpained/ "It runs to the 1it.hens at the
top of the 'uiding/ @ou order through the teephone> and the dishes
are sent do+n in the ift> one .ourse at a ti)e/ The dirty pates and
dishes are sent up in the sa)e )anner/ 0o do)esti. +orries> you
understand> and at the sa)e ti)e you avoid the +earying pu'i.ity
of a+ays dining in a restaurant/"
Poirot nodded/
"Then the pates and dishes that +ere used tonight are on high in
the 1it.hen/ @ou per)it that I )ount thereA"
"<h> .ertainy> if you i1eG &o'erts> the ift )an> +i ta1e you up and
introdu.e youI 'ut I") afraid you +on"t find anything that"s of any
use/ They"re handing hundreds of pates and dishes> and they" 'e
a u)ped together/"
Poirot re)ained fir)> ho+ever> and together +e visited the
1it.hens and 8uestioned the )an +ho had ta1en the order fro) Fat
11/
"The order +as given fro) the P a .arte )enu ; for three>" he
eBpained/ "Soup Duienne> fiet de soe nor)ande> tournedos of
'eef> and a ri.e souff=/ What ti)eA *ust a'out eight o".o.1> I
shoud say/ 0o> I") afraid the pates and dishes have 'een a
+ashed up 'y no+/ 2nfortunate/ @ou +ere thin1ing of fingerprints> I
supposeA"
"0ot eBa.ty>" said Poirot> +ith an enig)ati.a s)ie/ "I a) )ore
interested in Count Fos.atini"s appetite/ $id he parta1e of every
dishA"
"@esI 'ut of .ourse I .an"t say ho+ )u.h of ea.h he ate/ The pates
+ere a soied> and the dishes e)pty ; that is to say> +ith the
eB.eption of the ri.e souff=/ There +as a fair a)ount of that eft/"
"AhG" said Poirot> and see)ed satisfied +ith the fa.t/
As +e des.ended to the fat again he re)ar1ed in a o+ toneH
"We have de.idedy to do +ith a )an of )ethod/"
"$o you )ean the )urderer> or Count Fos.atiniA"
"The atter +as undou'tedy an ordery gente)an/ After i)poring
hep and announ.ing his approa.hing de)ise> he .arefuy hung up
the teephone re.eiver/"
I stared at Poirot/ !is +ords no+ and his re.ent in8uiries gave )e
the gi))ering of an idea/
"@ou suspe.t poisonA" I 'reathed/ "The 'o+ on the head +as a
'ind/"
Poirot )erey s)ied/
We re;entered the fat to find the o.a inspe.tor of poi.e had
arrived +ith t+o .onsta'es/ !e +as in.ined to resent our
appearan.e> 'ut Poirot .a)ed hi) +ith the )ention of our
S.otand @ard friend> Inspe.tor *app> and +e +ere a..orded a
grudging per)ission to re)ain/ It +as a u.1y thing +e +ere> for +e
had not 'een 'a.1 five )inutes 'efore an agitated )idde;aged
)an .a)e rushing into the roo) +ith every appearan.e of grief and
agitation/
This +as ,raves> vaet;'uter to the ate Count Fos.atini/ The story
he had to te +as a sensationa one/
<n the previous )orning> t+o gente)en had .aed to see his
)aster/ They +ere Itaians> and the eder of the t+o> a )an of a'out
forty> gave his na)e as Signer As.anio/ The younger +as a +edressed
ad of a'out t+enty;four/
Count Fos.atini +as evidenty prepared for their visit and
i))ediatey sent ,raves out upon so)e trivia errand/ !ere the
)an paused and hesitated in his story/ In the end> ho+ever> he
ad)itted that> .urious as to the purport of the intervie+> he had not
o'eyed i))ediatey> 'ut had ingered a'out endeavouring to hear
so)ething of +hat +as going on/
The .onversation +as .arried on in so o+ a tone that he +as not as
su..essfu as he had hopedI 'ut he gathered enough to )a1e it
.ear that so)e 1ind of )onetary proposition +as 'eing dis.ussed>
and that the 'asis of it +as a threat/ The dis.ussion +as anything
'ut a)i.a'e/ In the end> Count Fos.atini raised his voi.e sighty>
and the istener heard these +ords .earyH
"I have no ti)e to argue further no+> gente)en/ If you +i dine +ith
)e to)orro+ night at eight oN.o.1> +e +i resu)e the dis.ussion/"
Afraid of 'eing dis.overed istening> ,raves had then hurried out to
do his )aster"s errand/ This evening the t+o )en had arrived
pun.tuay at eight/ $uring dinner they had ta1ed of indifferent
)atters ; poiti.s> the +eather> and the theatri.a +ord/ When
,raves had pa.ed the port upon the ta'e and 'rought in the
.offee his )aster tod hi) that he )ight have the evening off/
"Was that a usua pro.eeding of his +hen he had guestsA" as1ed the
inspe.tor/
"0o> sirI it +asn"t/ That"s +hat )ade )e thin1 it )ust 'e so)e
'usiness of a very unusua 1ind that he +as going to dis.uss +ith
these gente)en/"
That finished ,raves" story/ !e had gone out a'out O/56> and>
)eeting a friend> had a..o)panied hi) to the Metropoitan Musi.
!a in (dg+are &oad/
0o'ody had seen the t+o )en eave> 'ut the ti)e of the )urder +as
fiBed .eary enough at O/4E/ A s)a .o.1 on the +riting;ta'e had
'een s+ept off 'y Fos.atini"s ar)> and had stopped at that hour>
+hi.h agreed +ith Miss &ider"s teephone su))ons/
The poi.e surgeon had )ade his eBa)ination of the 'ody> and it
+as no+ ying on the .ou.h/ I sa+ the fa.e for the first ti)e ; the
oive .o)peBion> the ong nose> the uBuriant 'a.1 )ousta.he> and
the fu red ips dra+n 'a.1 fro) the da??ingy +hite teeth/ 0ot
atogether a peasant fa.e/
"We>" said the inspe.tor> refastening his note'oo1/ "The .ase
see)s .ear enough/ The ony diffi.uty +i 'e to ay our hands on
this Signer As.anio/ I suppose his address is not in the dead )an"s
po.1et;'oo1 'y any .han.eA"
As Poirot had said> the ate Fos.atini +as an ordery )an/ 0eaty
+ritten in s)a> pre.ise hand+riting +as the ins.ription> "Signer
Paoo As.anio> ,rosvenor !ote/"
The inspe.tor 'usied hi)sef +ith the teephone> then turned to us
+ith a grin/
"*ust in ti)e/ <ur fine gente)an +as off to .at.h the 'oat train to
the Continong/ We> gente)en> that"s a'out a +e .an do here/ It"s
a 'ad 'usiness> 'ut straightfor+ard enough/ <ne of these Itaian
vendetta things> as i1ey as not/"
Thus airiy dis)issed> +e found our +ay do+nstairs/ $r !a+1er
+as fu of eB.ite)ent/
"#i1e the 'eginning of a nove> ehA &ea eB.iting stuff/ Woudn"t
'eieve it if you read a'out it/"
Poirot did not spea1/ !e +as very thoughtfu/ A the evening he had
hardy opened his ips/
"What says the )aster dete.tive> ehA" as1ed !a+1er> .apping hi)
on the 'a.1/ "0othing to +or1 your grey .es over this ti)e/"
"@ou thin1 notA"
"What .oud there 'eA"
"We> for eBa)pe> there is the +indo+/"
"The +indo+A %ut it +as fastened/ 0o'ody .oud have got out or in
that +ay/ I noti.ed it spe.iay/"
"And +hy +ere you a'e to noti.e itA"
The do.tor oo1ed pu??ed/ Poirot hastened to eBpain/
"It is to the .urtains I refer/ They +ere not dra+n/ A itte odd> that/
And then there +as the .offee/ It +as very 'a.1 .offee/"
"We> +hat of itA"
"7ery 'a.1>" repeated Poirot/ "In .onDun.tion +ith that et us
re)e)'er that very itte of the ri.e souff= +as eaten> and +e get ;
+hatA"
"Moonshine>" aughed the do.tor/ "@ou"re puing )y eg/"
"0ever do I pu the eg/ !astings here 1no+s that I a) perfe.ty
serious/"
"I don"t 1no+ +hat you are getting at> the sa)e>" I .onfessed/ "@ou
don"t suspe.t the )anservant> do youA !e )ight have 'een in +ith
the gang> and put so)e dope in the .offee/ I suppose they" test his
ai'iA"
"Without dou't> )y friendI 'ut it is the ai'i of Signor As.anio that
interests )e/"
"@ou thin1 he has an ai'iA"
"That is Dust +hat +orries )e/ I have no dou't that +e sha soon 'e
enightened on that point/"
The $aiy 0e+s)onger ena'ed us to 'e.o)e .onversant +ith
su..eeding events/
Signer As.anio +as arrested and .harged +ith the )urder of Count
Fos.atini/ When arrested> he denied 1no+ing the Count> and
de.ared he had never 'een near &egent"s Court either on the
evening of the .ri)e or on the previous )orning/ The younger )an
had disappeared entirey/ Signer As.anio had arrived aone at the
,rosvenor !ote fro) the Continent t+o days 'efore the )urder/ A
efforts to tra.e the se.ond )an faied/
As.anio> ho+ever> +as not sent for tria/ 0o ess a personage than
the Itaian A)'assador hi)sef .a)e for+ard and testified at the
poi.e;.ourt pro.eedings that As.anio had 'een +ith hi) at the
()'assy fro) eight ti nine that evening/ The prisoner +as
dis.harged/ 0aturay> a ot of peope thought that the .ri)e +as a
poiti.a one> and +as 'eing dei'eratey hushed up/
Poirot had ta1en a 1een interest in a these points/ 0evertheess> I
+as so)e+hat surprised +hen he suddeny infor)ed )e one
)orning that he +as eBpe.ting a visitor at eeven o".o.1> and that
the visitor +as none other than As.anio hi)sef/
"!e +ishes to .onsut youA"
"$u tout> !astings/ I +ish to .onsut hi)/"
"What a'outA"
"The &egent"s Court )urder/"
"@ou are going to prove that he did itA"
"A )an .annot 'e tried t+i.e for )urder> !astings/ (ndeavour to
have the .o))on sense/ Ah> that is our friend"s ring/"
A fe+ )inutes ater Signer As.anio +as ushered in ; a s)a> thin
)an +ith a se.retive and furtive gan.e in his eyes/ !e re)ained
standing> darting suspi.ious gan.es fro) one to the other of us/
"Monsieur PoirotA"
My itte friend tapped hi)sef genty on the .hest/
"%e seated> signor/ @ou re.eived )y note/ I a) deter)ined to get to
the 'otto) of this )ystery/ In so)e s)a )easure you .an aid )e/
#et us .o))en.e/ @ou ; in .o)pany +ith a friend ; visited the ate
Count Fos.atini on the )orning of Tuesday the 9th ; "
The Itaian )ade an angry gesture/
"I did nothing of the sort/ I have s+orn in .ourt ; "
"Pr=.is=)ent ; and I have a itte idea that you have s+orn fasey/"
"@ou threaten )eA %ahG I have nothing to fear fro) you/ I have 'een
a.8uitted/"
"(Ba.tyI and as I a) not an i)'e.ie> it is not +ith the gao+s I
threaten you ; 'ut +ith pu'i.ity/ Pu'i.ityG I see that you do not i1e
the +ord/ I had an idea that you +oud not/ My itte ideas> you
1no+> they are very vaua'e to )e/ Co)e> signer> your ony .han.e
is to 'e fran1 +ith )e/ I do not as1 to 1no+ +hose indis.retions
'rought you to (ngand/ I 1no+ this )u.h> you .a)e for the spe.ia
purpose of seeing Count Fos.atini/"
"!e +as not a .ount>" gro+ed the Itaian/
"I have aready noted the fa.t that his na)e does not appear in the
A)ana.h de ,otha/ 0ever )ind> the tite of .ount is often usefu in
the profession of 'a.1)aiing/"
"I suppose I )ight as +e 'e fran1/ @ou see) to 1no+ a good dea/"
"I have e)poyed )y grey .es to so)e advantage/ Co)e> Signer
As.anio> you visited the dead )an on the Tuesday )orning ; that is
so> is it notA"
"@esI 'ut I never +ent there on the foo+ing evening/ There +as no
need/ I +i te you a/ Certain infor)ation .on.erning a )an of
great position in Itay had .o)e into this s.oundre"s possession/
!e de)anded a 'ig su) of )oney in return for the papers/ I .a)e
over to (ngand to arrange the )atter/ I .aed upon hi) 'y
appoint)ent that )orning/ <ne of the young se.retaries of the
()'assy +as +ith )e/ The Count +as )ore reasona'e than I had
hoped> athough even then the su) of )oney I paid hi) +as a huge
one/"
"Pardon> ho+ +as it paidA"
"In Itaian notes of .o)parativey s)a deno)ination/ I paid over
the )oney then and there/ !e handed )e the in.ri)inating papers/
I never sa+ hi) again/"
"Why did you not say a this +hen you +ere arrestedA"
"In )y dei.ate position I +as for.ed to deny any asso.iation +ith
the )an/"
"And ho+ do you a..ount for the events of the evening> thenA"
"I .an ony thin1 that so)eone )ust have dei'eratey i)personated
)e/ I understand that no )oney +as found in the fat/"
Poirot oo1ed at hi) and shoo1 his head/
"Strange>" he )ur)ured/ "We a have the itte grey .es/ And so fe+
of us 1no+ ho+ to use the)/ ,ood )orning> Signor As.anio/ I
'eieve your story/ It is very )u.h as I had i)agined/ %ut I had to
)a1e sure/"
After 'o+ing his guest out> Poirot returned to his ar).hair and
s)ied at )e/
"#et us hear M/ e Capitaine !astings on the .ase/"
"We> I suppose As.anio is right ; so)e'ody i)personated hi)/"
"0ever> never +i you use the 'rains the good ,od has given you/
&e.a to yoursef so)e +ords I uttered after eaving the fat that
night/ I referred to the +indo+;.urtains not 'eing dra+n/ We are in
the )onth of *une/ It is sti ight at eight o".o.1/ The ight is faiing
'y haf;past/ Qa vous dit 8ue8ue .hoseA I per.eive a strugging
i)pression that you +i arrive so)e day/ 0o+ et us .ontinue/ The
.offee +as> as I said> very 'a.1/ Count Fos.atini"s teeth +ere
)agnifi.enty +hite/ Coffee stains the teeth/ We reason fro) that
that Count Fos.atini did not drin1 any .offee/ @et there +as .offee
in a three .ups/ Why shoud anyone pretend Count Fos.atini had
drun1 .offee +hen he had not done soA"
I shoo1 )y head> uttery 'e+idered/
"Co)e> I +i hep you/ What eviden.e have +e that As.anio and his
friend> or t+o )en posing as the)> ever .a)e to the fat that nightA
0o'ody sa+ the) go inI no'ody sa+ the) go out/ We have the
eviden.e of one )an and of a host of inani)ate o'De.ts/"
"@ou )eanA"
"I )ean 1nives and for1s and pates and e)pty dishes/ Ah> 'ut it
+as a .ever ideaG ,raves is a thief and a s.oundre> 'ut +hat a
)an of )ethodG !e overhears a portion of the .onversation in the
)orning> enough to reai?e that As.anio +i 'e in a+1+ard position
to defend hi)sef/ The foo+ing evening> a'out eight o".o.1> he
tes his )aster he is +anted at the teephone/ Fos.atini sits do+n>
stret.hes out his hand to the teephone> and fro) 'ehind ,raves
stri1es hi) do+n +ith the )ar'e figure/ Then 8ui.1y to the servi.e
teephone ; dinner for threeG It .o)es> he ays the ta'e> dirties the
pates> 1nives> and for1s> et./ %ut he has to get rid of the food too/
0ot ony is he a )an of 'rainI he has a resoute and .apa.ious
sto)a.hG %ut after eating three tournedos> the ri.e souff= is too
)u.h for hi)G !e even s)o1es a .igar and t+o .igarettes to .arry
out the iusion/ Ah> 'ut it +as )agnifi.enty thoroughG Then> having
)oved on the hands of the .o.1 to O/4E> he s)ashes it and stops it/
The one thing he does not do is to dra+ the .urtains/ %ut if there
had 'een a rea dinner party the .urtains +oud have 'een dra+n
as soon as the ight 'egan to fai/ Then he hurries out> )entioning
the guests to the ift )an in passing/ !e hurries to a teephone 'oB>
and as near as possi'e to O/4E rings up the do.tor +ith his
)aster"s dying .ry/ So su..essfu is his idea that no one ever
in8uires if a .a +as put through fro) Fat 11 at that ti)e/"
"(B.ept !er.ue Poirot> I supposeA" I said sar.asti.ay/
"0ot even !er.ue Poirot>" said )y friend> +ith a s)ie/ "I a) a'out
to in8uire no+/ I had to prove )y point to you first/ %ut you +i see>
I sha 'e rightI and then *app> to +ho) I have aready given a hint>
+i 'e a'e to arrest the respe.ta'e ,raves/ I +onder ho+ )u.h of
the )oney he has spent/"
Poirot +as right/ !e a+ays is> .onfound hi)G
The Case of the Missing Wi
The pro'e) presented to us 'y Miss 7ioet Marsh )ade rather a
peasant .hange fro) our usua routine +or1/ Poirot had re.eived a
'ris1 and 'usinessi1e note fro) the ady as1ing for an
appoint)ent> and he had repied as1ing her to .a upon hi) at
eeven o".o.1 the foo+ing day/
She arrived pun.tuay ; a ta> handso)e young +o)an> painy 'ut
neaty dressed> +ith an assured and 'usiness;i1e )anner/ Ceary
a young +o)an +ho )eant to get on in the +ord/ I a) not a great
ad)irer of the so;.aed 0e+ Wo)an )ysef> and> in spite of her
good oo1s> I +as not parti.uary prepossessed in her favour/
"My 'usiness is of a so)e+hat unusua nature> Monsieur Poirot>"
she 'egan> after she had a..epted a .hair/ "I had 'etter 'egin at the
'eginning and te you the +hoe story/"
"If you pease> )ade)oisee/"
"I a) an orphan/ My father +as one of t+o 'rothers> sons of a s)a
yeo)an far)er in $evonshire/ The far) +as a poor one> and the
eder 'rother> Andre+> e)igrated to Austraia> +here he did very
+e indeed> and 'y )eans of su..essfu spe.uation in and
'e.a)e a very ri.h )an/ The younger 'rother> &oger 9)y father:>
had no eanings to+ards the agri.utura ife/ !e )anaged to
edu.ate hi)sef a itte> and o'tained a post as a .er1 +ith a s)a
fir)/ !e )arried sighty a'ove hi)I )y )other +as the daughter of
a poor artist/ My father died +hen I +as siB years od/ When I +as
fourteen> )y )other foo+ed hi) to the grave/ My ony iving
reation then +as )y 2n.e Andre+> +ho had re.enty returned
fro) Austraia and 'ought a s)a pa.e> Cra'tree Manor> in his
native .ounty/ !e +as eB.eedingy 1ind to his 'rother"s orphan
.hid> too1 )e to ive +ith hi)> and treated )e in every +ay as
though I +as his o+n daughter/
"Cra'tree Manor> in spite of its na)e> is reay ony an od
far)house/ Far)ing +as in )y un.e"s 'ood> and he +as intensey
interested in various )odern far)ing eBperi)ents/ Athough
1indness itsef to )e> he had .ertain pe.uiar and deepy;rooted
ideas as to the up'ringing of +o)en/ !i)sef a )an of itte or no
edu.ation> though possessing re)ar1a'e shre+dness> he pa.ed
itte vaue on +hat he .aed J'oo1 1no+edgeJ/ !e +as espe.iay
opposed to the edu.ation of +o)en/ In his opinion> girs shoud
earn pra.ti.a house+or1 and dairy;+or1> 'e usefu a'out the
ho)e> and have as itte to do +ith 'oo1 earning as possi'e/ !e
proposed to 'ring )e up on these ines> to )y 'itter disappoint)ent
and annoyan.e/ I re'eed fran1y/ I 1ne+ that I possessed a good
'rain> and had a'soutey no taent for do)esti. duties/ My un.e
and I had )any 'itter argu)ents on the su'De.t> for> though )u.h
atta.hed to ea.h other> +e +ere 'oth sef;+ied/ I +as u.1y
enough to +in a s.hoarship> and up to a .ertain point +as
su..essfu in getting )y o+n +ay/ The .risis arose +hen I resoved
to go to ,irton/ I had a itte )oney of )y o+n> eft )e 'y )y )other>
and I +as 8uite deter)ined to )a1e the 'est use of the gifts ,od
had given )e/ I had one ong fina argu)ent +ith )y un.e/ !e put
the fa.ts painy 'efore )e/ !e had no other reations> and he had
intended )e to 'e his soe heiress/ As I have tod you> he +as a very
ri.h )an/ If I persisted in these Jne+;fanged notionsJ of )ine>
ho+ever> I need oo1 for nothing fro) hi)/ I re)ained poite> 'ut
fir)/ I shoud a+ays 'e deepy atta.hed to hi)> I tod hi)> 'ut I
)ust ead )y o+n ife/ We parted on that note/ J@ou fan.y your
'rains> )y gir>J +ere his ast +ords/ JI"ve no 'oo1 earning> 'ut> for
a that> I" pit )ine against yours any day/ We" see +hat +e sha
see/J"
"That +as nine years ago/ I have stayed +ith hi) for a +ee1;end
o..asionay> and our reations +ere perfe.ty a)i.a'e> though his
vie+s re)ained unatered/ !e never referred to )y having
)atri.uated> nor to )y %S./ For the ast three years his heath had
'een faiing> and a )onth ago he died/
"I a) no+ .o)ing to the point of )y visit/ My un.e eft a )ost
eBtraordinary +i/ %y its ter)s> Cra'tree Manor and its .ontents
are to 'e at )y disposa for a year fro) his death ; Jduring +hi.h
ti)e )y .ever nie.e )ay prove her +itsJ> the a.tua +ords run/ At
the end of that period> J)y +its having proved 'etter than hersJ>
the house and a )y un.e"s arge fortune pass to various
.harita'e institutions/"
"That is a itte hard on you> )ade)oisee> seeing that you +ere Mr
Marsh"s ony 'ood reation/"
"I do not oo1 on it in that +ay/ 2n.e Andre+ +arned )e fairy> and I
.hose )y o+n path/ Sin.e I +oud not fa in +ith his +ishes> he +as
at perfe.t i'erty to eave his )oney to +ho) he peased/"
"Was the +i dra+n up 'y a a+yerA"
"0oI it +as +ritten on a printed +i;for) and +itnessed 'y the )an
and his +ife +ho ive in the house and do for )y un.e/"
"There )ight 'e a possi'iity of upsetting su.h a +iA"
"I +oud not even atte)pt to do su.h a thing/"
"@ou regard it> then> as a sporting .haenge on the part of your
un.eA"
"That is eBa.ty ho+ I oo1 upon it/"
"It 'ears that interpretation> .ertainy>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/
"So)e+here in this ra)'ing od )anor;house your un.e has
.on.eaed either a su) of )oney in notes or possi'y a se.ond +i>
and has given you a year in +hi.h to eBer.ise your ingenuity to find
it/"
"(Ba.ty> Monsieur PoirotI and I a) paying you the .o)pi)ent of
assu)ing that your ingenuity +i 'e greater than )ine/"
"(h> ehG 'ut that is very .har)ing of you/ My grey .es are at your
disposa/ @ou have )ade no sear.h yoursefA"
"<ny a .ursory oneI 'ut I have too )u.h respe.t for )y un.e"s
undou'ted a'iities to fan.y that the tas1 +i 'e an easy one/"
"!ave you the +i or a .opy of it +ith youA"
Miss Marsh handed a do.u)ent a.ross the ta'e/ Poirot ran
through it> nodding to hi)sef/
"Made three years ago/ $ated Mar.h 2FI and the ti)e is given aso ;
11 A/M/; that is very suggestive/ It narro+s the fied of sear.h/
Assuredy it is another +i +e have to see1 for/ A +i )ade even
haf an hour ater +oud upset this/ (h 'ien> )ade)oisee> it is a
pro'e) .har)ing and ingenious that you have presented to )e
here/ I sha have a the peasure in the +ord in soving it for you/
,ranted that your un.e +as a )an of a'iity> his grey .es .annot
have 'een of the 8uaity of !er.ue Poirot"sG"
9&eay> Poirot"s vanity is 'atantG:
"Fortunatey> I have nothing of )o)ent on hand at the )inute/
!astings and I +i go do+n to Cra'tree Manor to;night/ The )an
and +ife +ho attended on your un.e are sti there> I presu)eA"
"@es> their na)e is %a1er/"
II
The foo+ing )orning sa+ us started on the hunt proper/ We had
arrived ate the night 'efore/ Mr and Mrs %a1er> having re.eived a
teegra) fro) Miss Marsh> +ere eBpe.ting us/ They +ere a
peasant .oupe> the )an gnared and pin1;.hee1ed> i1e a
shriveed pippin> and his +ife a +o)an of vast proportions and true
$evonshire .a)/
Tired +ith our Dourney and the eight;)ie drive fro) the station> +e
had retired at on.e to 'ed after a supper of roast .hi.1en> appe
pie> and $evonshire .rea)/ We had no+ disposed of an eB.eent
'rea1fast> and +ere sitting in a s)a paneed roo) +hi.h had
'een the ate Mr Marsh"s study and iving;roo)/ A ro;top des1
stuffed +ith papers> a neaty do.1eted> stood against the +a> and
a 'ig eather ar).hair sho+ed painy that it had 'een its o+ner"s
.onstant resting;pa.e/ A 'ig .hint?;.overed settee ran aong the
opposite +a> and the deep o+ +indo+ seats +ere .overed +ith
the sa)e faded .hint? of an od;fashioned pattern/
"(h 'ien> )on a)i>" said Poirot> ighting one of his tiny .igarettes>
"+e )ust )ap out our pan of .a)paign/ Aready I have )ade a
rough survey of the house> 'ut I a) of opinion that any .ue +i 'e
found in this roo)/ We sha have to go through the do.u)ents in
the des1 +ith )eti.uous .are/ 0aturay> I do not eBpe.t to find the
+i a)ongst the)I 'ut it is i1ey that so)e apparenty inno.ent
paper )ay .on.ea the .ue to its hiding;pa.e/ %ut first +e )ust
have a itte infor)ation/ &ing the 'e> I pray of you/"
I did so/ Whie +e +ere +aiting for it to 'e ans+ered> Poirot +a1ed
up and do+n> oo1ing a'out hi) approvingy/
"A )an of )ethod this Mr Marsh/ See ho+ neaty the pa.1ets of
papers are do.1etedI then the 1ey to ea.h dra+er has its ivory
a'e ; so has the 1ey of the .hina .a'inet on the +aI and see +ith
+hat pre.ision the .hina +ithin is arranged/ It reDoi.es the heart/
0othing here offends the eye ; "
!e .a)e to an a'rupt pause> as his eye +as .aught 'y the 1ey of
the des1 itsef> to +hi.h a dirty enveope +as affiBed/ Poirot
fro+ned at it and +ithdre+ it fro) the o.1/ <n it +ere s.ra+ed the
+ordsH "-ey of &o Top $es1>" in a .ra''ed hand+riting> 8uite
uni1e the neat supers.riptions on the other 1eys/
"An aien note>" said Poirot> fro+ning/ "I .oud s+ear that here +e
have no onger the personaity of Mr Marsh/ %ut +ho ese has 'een
in the houseA <ny Miss Marsh> and she> if I )ista1e not> is aso a
young ady of )ethod and order/"
%a1er .a)e in ans+er to the 'e/
"Wi you fet.h )ada)e your +ife> and ans+er a fe+ 8uestionsA"
%a1er departed> and in a fe+ )o)ents returned +ith Mrs %a1er>
+iping her hands on her apron and 'ea)ing a over her fa.e/
In a fe+ .ear +ords Poirot set forth the o'De.t of his )ission/ The
%a1ers +ere i))ediatey sy)patheti./
"2s don"t +ant to see Miss 7ioet done out of +hat"s hers>" de.ared
the +o)an/ "Crue hard "t+oud 'e for hospitas to get it a/"
Poirot pro.eeded +ith his 8uestions/ @es> Mr and Mrs %a1er
re)e)'ered perfe.ty +itnessing the +i/ %a1er had previousy
'een sent into the neigh'ouring to+n to get t+o printed +i;for)s/
"T+oA" said Poirot sharpy/
"@es> sir> for safety i1e> I suppose> in .ase he shoud spoi one ; and
sure enough> so he did do/ 2s had signed one ; "
"What ti)e of day +as thatA"
%a1er s.rat.hed his head> 'ut his +ife +as 8ui.1er/
"Why> to 'e sure> I"d Dust put the )i1 on for the .o.oa at eeven/
$on"t ee re)e)'erA It had a 'oied over on the stove +hen us got
'a.1 to 1it.hen/"
"And after+ardsA"
""T+oud 'e a'out an hour ater/ 2s had to go in again/ JINve )ade a
)ista1e>J says od )aster> Jhad to tear the +hoe thing up/ I"
trou'e you to sign again>J and us did/ And after+ards )aster give
us a tidy su) of )oney ea.h/ JI"ve eft you nothing in )y +i>J says
he> J'ut ea.h year I ive you" have this to 'e a nest;egg +hen I")
goneJH and sure enough> so he did/"
Poirot refe.ted/
"After you had signed the se.ond ti)e> +hat did Mr Marsh doA $o
you 1no+A"
"Went out to the viage to pay trades)en"s 'oo1s/"
That did not see) very pro)ising/ Poirot tried another ta.1/ !e
hed out the 1ey of the des1/
"Is that your )aster"s +ritingA"
I )ay have i)agined it> 'ut I fan.ied that a )o)ent or t+o eapsed
'efore %a1er repiedH "@es> sir> it is/"
"!e"s ying>" I thought/ "%ut +hyA"
"!as your )aster et the houseA ; have there 'een any strangers in
it during the ast three yearsA"
"0o> sir/"
"0o visitorsA"
"<ny Miss 7ioet/"
"0o strangers of any 1ind 'een inside this roo)A"
"0o> sir/"
"@ou forget the +or1)en> *i)>" his +ife re)inded hi)/
"Wor1)enA" Poirot +heeed round on her/ "What +or1)enA"
The +o)an eBpained that a'out t+o years and a haf ago +or1)en
had 'een in the house to do .ertain repairs/ She +as 8uite vague as
to +hat the repairs +ere/ !er vie+ see)ed to 'e that the +hoe
thing +as a fad of her )aster"s and 8uite unne.essary/ Part of the
ti)e the +or1)en had 'een in the study> 'ut +hat they had done
there she .oud not say> as her )aster had not et either of the)
into the roo) +hist the +or1 +as in progress/ 2nfortunatey> they
.oud not re)e)'er the na)e of the fir) e)poyed> 'eyond the fa.t
that it +as a Py)outh one/
"We progress> !astings>" said Poirot> ru''ing his hands as the
%a1ers eft the roo)/ "Ceary he )ade a se.ond +i and then had
+or1)en fro) Py)outh in to )a1e a suita'e hiding;pa.e/ Instead
of +asting ti)e ta1ing up the foor and tapping the +as> +e +i go
to Py)outh/"
With a itte trou'e> +e +ere a'e to get the infor)ation +e +anted/
After one or t+o essays +e found the fir) e)poyed 'y Mr Marsh/
Their e)poyees had a 'een +ith the) )any years> and it +as
easy to find the t+o )en +ho had +or1ed under Mr Marsh"s orders/
They re)e)'ered the Do' perfe.ty/ A)ongst various other )inor
Do's> they had ta1en up one of the 'ri.1s of the od;fashioned
firepa.e> )ade a .avity 'eneath> and so .ut the 'ri.1 that it +as
i)possi'e to see the Doin/ %y pressing on the se.ond 'ri.1 fro) the
end> the +hoe thing +as raised/ It had 'een 8uite a .o)pi.ated
pie.e of +or1> and the od gente)an had 'een very fussy a'out it/
<ur infor)ant +as a )an .aed Coghan> a 'ig> gaunt )an +ith a
gri??ed )ousta.he/ !e see)ed an inteigent feo+/
We returned to Cra'tree Manor in high spirits> and> o.1ing the
study door> pro.eeded to put our ne+y a.8uired 1no+edge into
effe.t/ It +as i)possi'e to see any sign on the 'ri.1s> 'ut +hen +e
pressed in the )anner indi.ated> a deep .avity +as at on.e
dis.osed/
(agery Poirot punged in his hand/ Suddeny his fa.e fe fro)
.o)pa.ent eation to .onsternation/ A he hed +as a .harred
frag)ent of stiff paper/ %ut for it> the .avity +as e)pty/
"Sa.r=G" .ried Poirot angriy/ "So)eone has 'een 'efore us/"
We eBa)ined the s.rap of paper anBiousy/ Ceary it +as a
frag)ent of +hat +e sought/ A portion of %a1er"s signature
re)ained> 'ut no indi.ation of +hat the ter)s of the +i had 'een/
Poirot sat 'a.1 on his hees/ !is eBpression +oud have 'een
.o)i.a if +e had not 'een so over.o)e/ "I understand it not>" he
gro+ed/ "Who destroyed thisA And +hat +as their o'De.tA"
"The %a1ersA" I suggested/
"Pour8uoiA 0either +i )a1es any provision for the)> and they are
)ore i1ey to 'e 1ept on +ith Miss Marsh than if the pa.e 'e.a)e
the property of a hospita/ !o+ .oud it 'e to anyone"s advantage to
destroy the +iA The hospitas 'enefit ; yesI 'ut one .annot suspe.t
institutions/"
"Perhaps the od )an .hanged his )ind and destroyed it hi)sef>" I
suggested/
Poirot rose to his feet> dusting his 1nees +ith his usua .are/
"That )ay 'e>" he ad)itted/ "<ne of your )ore sensi'e
o'servations> !astings/ We> +e .an do no )ore here/ We have
done a that )orta )an .an do/ We have su..essfuy pitted our
+its against the ate Andre+ Marsh"sI 'ut> unfortunatey> his nie.e
is no 'etter off for our su..ess/"
%y driving to the station at on.e> +e +ere Dust a'e to .at.h a train
to #ondon> though not the prin.ipa eBpress/ Poirot +as sad and
dissatisfied/ For )y part> I +as tired and do?ed in a .orner/
Suddeny> as +e +ere Dust )oving out of Taunton> Poirot uttered a
pier.ing s8uea/
"7ite> !astingsG A+a1e and Du)pG %ut Du)p I sayG"
%efore I 1ne+ +here I +as +e +ere standing on the patfor)>
'areheaded and )inus our vaises> +hist the train disappeared
into the night/ I +as furious/ %ut Poirot paid no attention/
"I)'e.ie that I have 'eenG" he .ried/ "Tripe i)'e.ieG 0ot again +i
I vaunt )y itte grey .esG"
"That"s a good Do' at any rate>" I said gru)piy/ "%ut +hat is this a
a'outA"
As usua> +hen foo+ing out his o+n ideas> Poirot paid a'soutey
no attention to )e/
"The trades)en"s 'oo1s ; I have eft the) entirey out of a..ountG
@es> 'ut +hereA WhereA 0ever )ind> I .annot 'e )ista1en/ We
)ust return at on.e/"
(asier said than done/ We )anaged to get a so+ train to (Beter>
and there Poirot hired a .ar/ We arrived 'a.1 at Cra'tree Manor in
the s)a hours of the )orning/ I pass over the 'e+ider)ent of the
%a1ers +hen +e had at ast aroused the)/ Paying no attention to
any'ody> Poirot strode at on.e to the study/
"I have 'een> not a tripe i)'e.ie> 'ut thirty;siB ti)es one> )y
friend>" he deigned to re)ar1/ "0o+> 'ehodG"
,oing straight to the des1 he dre+ out the 1ey> and deta.hed the
enveope fro) it/ I stared at hi) stupidy/ !o+ .oud he possi'y
hope to find a 'ig +i;for) in that tiny enveopeA With great .are he
.ut open the enveope> aying it out fat/ Then he ighted the fire and
hed the pain inside surfa.e of the enveope to the fa)e/ In a fe+
)inutes faint .hara.ters 'egan to appear/
"#oo1> )on a)iG" .ried Poirot in triu)ph/
I oo1ed/ There +ere Dust a fe+ ines of faint +riting stating 'riefy
that he eft everything to his nie.e> 7ioet Marsh/ It +as dated Mar.h
2F> 12/56 P/M/> and +itnessed 'y A'ert Pi1e> .onfe.tioner> and
*essie Pi1e> )arried +o)an/
"%ut is it egaA" I gasped/
"As far as I 1no+> there is no a+ against +riting your +i in a 'end
of disappearing and sy)patheti. in1/ The intention of the testator is
.ear> and the 'enefi.iary is his ony iving reation/ %ut the
.everness of hi)G !e foresa+ every step that a sear.her +oud
ta1e ; that I> )isera'e i)'e.ie> too1/ !e gets t+o +i;for)s>
)a1es the servants sign t+i.e> then saies out +ith his +i +ritten
on the inside of a dirty enveope and a fountain;pen .ontaining his
itte in1 )iBture/ <n so)e eB.use he gets the .onfe.tioner and his
+ife to sign their na)es under his o+n signature> then he ties it to
the 1ey of his des1 and .hu.1es to hi)sef/ If his nie.e sees
through his itte ruse> she +i have Dustified her .hoi.e of ife and
ea'orate edu.ation> and 'e thoroughy +e.o)e to his )oney/"
"She didn"t see through it> did sheA" I said so+y/ "It see)s rather
unfair/ The od )an reay +on/"
"%ut no> !astings/ It is your +its that go astray/ Miss Marsh proved
the astuteness of her +its and the vaue of the higher edu.ation for
+o)en 'y at on.e putting the )atter in )y hands/ A+ays e)poy
the eBpert/ She has a)py proved her right to the )oney/"
I +onder ; I very )u.h +onder ; +hat od Andre+ Marsh +oud have
thoughtG
Contents
A Fairy in the Fat
A Pot of Tea
The Affair of the Pin1 Pear
The Affair of the Sinister Stranger
Finessing the -ing
The ,ente)an $ressed in 0e+spaper
The Case of the Missing #ady
%ind)an"s %uff
The Man in the Mist
The Cra.1er
The Sunningdae Mystery
The !ouse of the #ur1ing $eath
The 2n'reor'e Ai'i
The Cergy)an"s $aughter
The &ed !ouse
The A)'assador"s %oots
The Man Who Was 0u)'er 13
1/ A FAI&@ I0 T!( F#AT
Mrs/ Tho)as %eresford shifted her position on the divan and oo1ed
goo)iy out of the +indo+ of the fat/ The prospe.t +as not an
eBtended one> .onsisting soey of a s)a 'o.1 of fats on the other
side of the road/ Mrs/ %eresford sighed and then ya+ned/
JI +ish>J she said> Jso)ething +oud happen/J
!er hus'and oo1ed up reprovingy/
J%e .arefu> Tuppen.e> this .raving for vugar sensation aar)s )e/J
Tuppen.e sighed and .osed her eyes drea)iy/
JSo To))y and Tuppen.e +ere )arried>J she .hanted> Jand ived
happiy ever after+ards/ And siB years ater they +ere sti iving
together happiy ever after+ards/ It is eBtraordinary>J she said> Jho+
different everything a+ays is fro) +hat you thin1 it is going to 'e/J
JA very profound state)ent> Tuppen.e/ %ut not origina/ ()inent
poets and sti )ore e)inent divines have said it 'efore;and> if you +i
eB.use )e saying so> have said it 'etter/J
JSiB years ago>J .ontinued Tuppen.e> JI +oud have s+orn that +ith
suffi.ient )oney to 'uy things +ith> and +ith you for a hus'and> a ife
+oud have 'een one grand s+eet song> as one of the poets you see)
to 1no+ so )u.h a'out puts it/J
JIs it )e or the )oney that pas upon youAJ in8uired To))y .ody/
JPas isn"t eBa.ty the +ord>J said Tuppen.e 1indy/ JI") used to )y
'essings> that"s a/ *ust as one never thin1s +hat a 'oon it is to 'e
a'e to 'reathe through one"s nose unti one has a .od in the head/J
JSha I nege.t you a itteAJ suggested To))y/ JTa1e other +o)en
a'out to night .u's/ That sort of thing/J
J2seess>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou +oud ony )eet )e there +ith other
)en/ And I shoud 1no+ perfe.ty +e that you didn"t .are for the other
+o)en> +hereas you +oud never 'e 8uite sure that I didn"t .are for
the other )en/ Wo)en are so )u.h )ore thorough/J
JIt"s ony in )odesty that )en s.ore top )ar1s>J )ur)ured her
hus'and/ J%ut +hat is the )atter +ith you> Tuppen.eA Why this
yearning dis.ontentAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ I +ant things to happen/ (B.iting things/ Woudn"t you
i1e to go .hasing ,er)an spies again> To))yA Thin1 of the +id days
of peri +e +ent through on.e/ <f .ourse I 1no+ you"re )ore or ess in
the Se.ret Servi.e no+> 'ut it"s pure offi.e +or1/J
J@ou )ean you"d i1e the) to send )e into dar1est &ussia disguised as
a %oshevi1 'ootegger> or so)ething of that
JThat +oudn"t 'e any good>J said Tuppen.e/ JThey +oudn"t et )e go
+ith you and I") the person +ho +ants so)ething to do so 'ady/
So)ething to do/ That is +hat I 1eep saying a day ong/J
JWo)an"s sphere>J suggested To))y +aving his hand/
JT+enty )inutes" +or1 after 'rea1fast every )orning 1eeps the fat
going to perfe.tion/ @ou have nothing to .o)pain of> have youAJ
J@our house1eeping is so perfe.t> Tuppen.e> as to 'e a)ost
)onotonous/J
JI do i1e gratitude>J said Tuppen.e/
J@ou> of .ourse> have got your +or1>J she .ontinued> J'ut te )e>
To))y> don"t you ever have a se.ret yearning for eB.ite)ent> for
things to happenAJ
J0o>J said To))y> Jat east I don"t thin1 so/ It is a very +e to +ant
things to happen;they )ight not 'e peasant things/J
J!o+ prudent )en are>J sighed Tuppen.e/ J$on"t you ever have a +id
se.ret yearning for ro)an.e;adventure; ifeAJ
JWhat have you 'een reading> Tuppen.eAJ as1ed To))y/
JThin1 ho+ eB.iting it +oud 'e>J +ent on Tuppen.e> Jif +e heard a
+id rapping at the door and +ent to open it and in staggered a dead
)an/J
JIf he +as dead he .oudn"t stagger>J said To))y .riti.ay/
J@ou 1no+ +hat I )ean>J said Tuppen.e/ JThey a+ays stagger in Dust
'efore they die and fa at your feet Dust gasping out a fe+ enig)ati.
+ords/ "The Spotted #eopard" or so)ething i1e that/J
JI advise a .ourse of S.hopenhauer or ())anue -ant>J said To))y/
JThat sort of thing +oud 'e good for you>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou are
getting fat and .o)forta'e/J
JI a) not>J said To))y indignanty/ JAny+ay> you do si))ing
eBer.ises yoursef/J
J(very'ody does>J said Tuppen.e/ JWhen I said you +ere getting fat I
+as reay spea1ing )etaphori.ay> you are getting prosperous and
see1 and .o)forta'e/J
JI don"t 1no+ +hat has .o)e over you>J said her hus'and/
JThe spirit of adventure>J )ur)ured Tuppen.e/ JIt is 'etter than a
onging for ro)an.e any+ay/ I have that so)eti)es> too/ I thin1 of
)eeting a )an> a reay handso)e )an;J
J@ou have )et )e>J said To))y/ JIsn"t that enough for youAJ
JA 'ro+n ean )an> terrifi.ay strong> the 1ind of )an +ho .an ride
anything and assoos +id horses;J
JCo)pete +ith sheeps1in trousers and a .o+'oy hat>J interpoated
To))y sar.asti.ay/
J;and has ived in the Wids>J .ontinued Tuppen.e/
JI shoud i1e hi) to fa si)py )ady in ove +ith )e/ I shoud> of
.ourse> re'uff hi) virtuousy and 'e true to )y )arriage vo+s 'ut )y
heart +oud se.rety go out to hi)/J
JWe>J said To))y> JI often +ish that I )ay )eet a reay 'eautifu gir/
A gir +ith .orn;.oored hair +ho +i fa desperatey in ove +ith )e/
<ny I don"t thin1 I re'uff her;in fa.t I a) 8uite sure I don"t/J
JThat>J said Tuppen.e> Jis naughty te)per/J
JWhat>J said To))y> Jis reay the )atter +ith you> Tuppen.eA @ou
have never ta1ed i1e this 'efore/J
J0o> 'ut I have 'een 'oiing up inside for a ong ti)e>J said Tuppen.e/
J@ou see it is very dangerous to have everything you +ant;in.uding
enough )oney to 'uy things/ <f .ourse there are a+ays hats/J
J@ou have got a'out forty hats aready>J said To))y Xand they a oo1
ai1e/J
J!ats are i1e that>J said Tuppen.e/ JThey are not reay ai1e/ There
are nuan.es in the)/ I sa+ rather a ni.e one in 7ioette"s this
)orning/J
JIf you haven"t anything 'etter to do than going on 'uying hats you
don"t need;J
JThat"s it>J said Tuppen.e/ JThat"s eBa.ty it/ If I had so)ething 'etter
to do/ I suppose I ought to ta1e up good +or1s/ <h> To))y> I do +ish
so)ething eB.iting +oud happen/ I fee;I reay do fee it +oud 'e
good for us/ If +e .oud find a fairy;J
JAhGJ said To))y/ JIt is .urious your saying that/J
!e got up and .rossed the roo)/ <pening a dra+er of the +riting ta'e
he too1 out a s)a snapshot print and 'rought it to Tuppen.e/
J<hGJ said Tuppen.e> JSo you have got the) deveoped/ Whi.h is this>
the one you too1 of this roo) or the one I too1AJ
JThe one I too1/ @ours didn"t .o)e out/ @ou under eBposed it/ @ou
a+ays do/J
JIt is ni.e for you>J said Tuppen.e> Jto thin1 that there is one thing you
.an do 'etter than )e/J
JA fooish re)ar1>J said To))y> J'ut I +i et it pass for the )o)ent/
What I +anted to sho+ you +as this/J
!e pointed to a s)a +hite spe.1 on the photograph/
XThat is a s.rat.h on the fi)>J said Tuppen.e/
J0ot at a>J said To))y/ JThat> Tuppen.e> is a fairy/J
JTo))y> you idiot/J
J#oo1 for yoursef/J
!e handed her a )agnifying gass/ Tuppen.e studied the print
attentivey through it/ Seen thus 'y a sight stret.h of fan.y the s.rat.h
on the fi) .oud 'e i)agined to represent a s)a +inged .reature
per.hed on the fender
JIt has got +ingsGJ .ried Tuppen.e/ JWhat fun> a rea ive fairy in our
fat/ Sha +e +rite to Conan $oye a'out itA <h> To))y/ $o you thin1
she" give us +ishesAJ
J@ou +i soon 1no+>J said To))y/ J@ou have 'een +ishing hard
enough for so)ething to happen a the afternoon/J
At that )inute the door opened> and a ta ad of fifteen +ho see)ed
unde.ided as to +hether he +as a foot)an or a page 'oy in8uired in a
truy )agnifi.ent )annerH
JAre you at !o)e> Mada)A The front door 'e has Dust rung/J
JI +ish A'ert +oudn"t go to the Pi.tures>J sighed Tuppen.e after she
had signified her assent> and A'ert had +ithdra+n/ J!e"s .opying a
#ong Isand 'uter no+/ Than1 goodness I"ve .ured hi) of as1ing for
peope"s .ards and 'ringing the) to )e on a saver/J
The door opened again> and A'ert announ.edH JMr/ Carter>J )u.h as
though it +ere a &oya tite/
JThe Chief>J )uttered To))y> in great surprise/
Tuppen.e Du)ped up +ith a gad eB.a)ation> and greeted a ta grayhaired
)an +ith pier.ing eyes and a tired s)ie/
JMr/ Carter> I a) gad to see you/J
JThat"s good> Mrs/ To))y/ 0o+ ans+er )e a 8uestion/ !o+"s ife
generayAJ
JSatisfa.tory> 'ut du>J repied Tuppen.e +ith a t+in1e/
J%etter and 'etter>J said Mr/ Carter/ JI") evidenty going to find you in
the right )ood/J
JThis>J said Tuppen.e> Jsounds eB.iting/J
A'ert> sti .opying the #ong Isand 'uter> 'rought in tea/ When this
operation +as .o)peted +ithout )ishap and the door had .osed
'ehind hi) Tuppen.e 'urst out on.e )ore/
J@ou did )ean so)ething> didn"t you Mr/ CarterA Are you going to send
us on a )ission into dar1est &ussiaAJ
J0ot eBa.ty that>J said Mr/ Carter/
J%ut there is so)ething/J
J@es;there is so)ething/ I don"t thin1 you are the 1ind +ho shrin1s
fro) ris1s> are you> Mrs/ To))yAJ
Tuppen.e"s eyes spar1ed +ith eB.ite)ent/
JThere is .ertain +or1 to 'e done for the $epart)ent;and I fan.ied;I
Dust fan.ied;that it )ight suit you t+o/J
J,o on>J said Tuppen.e/
JI see that you ta1e the $aiy #eader>J .ontinued Mr/ Carter> pi.1ing up
that Dourna fro) the ta'e/
!e turned to the advertise)ent .ou)n and indi.ating a .ertain
advertise)ent +ith his finger pushed the paper a.ross to To))y/
J&ead that out>J he said/
To))y .o)pied/
JThe Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y/ Theodore %unt> Manager/
Private In8uiries/ #arge staff of .onfidentia and highy s1ied In8uiry
Agents/ 2t)ost dis.retion/ Consutations free/ 11O !aeha) St/ W/C/J
!e oo1ed in8uiringy at Mr/ Carter/ The atter nodded/
JThat dete.tive agen.y has 'een on its ast egs for so)e ti)e>J he
)ur)ured/ JFriend of )ine a.8uired it for a )ere song/ We"re thin1ing
of setting it going again;say> for a siB )onths" tria/ And during that
ti)e> of .ourse> it +i have to have a Manager/J
JWhat a'out Mr/ Theodore %untAJ as1ed To))y/
JMr/ %unt has 'een rather indis.reet> I") afraid/ In fa.t> S.otand @ard
have had to interfere/ Mr/ %unt is 'eing detained at !is MaDesty"s
eBpense> and he +on"t te us haf of +hat +e"d i1e to 1no+/J
JI see> sir>J said To))y/ JAt east> I thin1 I see/J
JI suggest that you have siB )onths" eave fro) the offi.e/ III heath/
And of .ourse if you i1e to run a dete.tive agen.y under the na)e of
Theodore %unt> it"s nothing to do +ith )e/J
To))y eyed his Chief steadiy/
JAny instru.tions> sirAJ
JMr/ %unt did so)e foreign 'usiness> I 'eieve/ #oo1 out for 'ue
etters +ith a &ussian sta)p on the)/ Fro) a ha) )er.hant anBious to
find his +ife +ho .a)e as a &efugee to this .ountry so)e years ago/
Moisten the sta)p and you" find the nu)'er 13 +ritten underneath/
Ma1e a .opy of these etters and send the originas on to )e/ Aso if
anyone .o)es to the offi.e and )a1es a referen.e to the nu)'er 13>
infor) )e i))ediatey/J
JI understand> sir>J said To))y/ JAnd apart fro) these instru.tionsAJ
Mr/ Carter pi.1ed up his goves fro) the ta'e and prepared to depart/
J@ou .an run the Agen.y as you pease/ I fan.ied;J his eyes t+in1ed a
itte;Jthat it )ight a)use Mrs/ To))y to try her hand at a itte
dete.tive +or1/J
2/ A P<T <F T(A
Mr/ and Mrs/ %eresford too1 possession of the offi.es of the
Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y a fe+ days ater/ They +ere on the
se.ond foor of a so)e+hat diapidated 'uiding in %oo)s'ury/ In the
s)a outer offi.e> A'ert rein8uished the roe of a #ong Isand 'uter>
and too1 up that of offi.e 'oy> a part +hi.h he payed to perfe.tion/ A
paper 'ag of s+eets> in1y hands> and a toused head +as his
.on.eption of the .hara.ter/
Fro) the outer offi.e> t+o doors ed into inner offi.es/ <n one door
+as painted the egend JCer1s/J <n the other JPrivate/J %ehind the
atter +as a s)a .o)forta'e roo) furnished +ith an i))ense
'usiness i1e des1> a ot of artisti.ay a'eed fies> a e)pty> and
so)e soid eather;seated .hairs/ %ehind the des1 sat the pseudo Mr/
%unt trying to oo1 as though he had run a dete.tive agen.y a his ife/
A teephone> of .ourse> stood at his e'o+/ Tuppen.e and he had
rehearsed severa good teephone effe.ts> and A'ert aso had his
instru.tions/
In the adDoining roo) +as Tuppen.e> a type+riter> the ne.essary
ta'es and .hairs of an inferior type to those in the roo) of the great
Chief> and a gas ring for )a1ing tea/
0othing +as +anting> in fa.t> save .ients/
Tuppen.e> in the first e.stasies of initiation> had a fe+ 'right hopes/
JIt +i 'e too )arveous>J she de.ared/ JWe +i hunt do+n
)urderers> and dis.over the )issing fa)iy De+es> and find peope
+ho"ve disappeared and dete.t e)'e??ers/J
At this point To))y fet it his duty to stri1e a )ore dis.ouraging note/
JCa) yoursef> Tuppen.e> and try and forget the .heap fi.tion you are
in the ha'it of reading/ <ur .ientee> if +e have any .ientee at a;+i
.onsist soey of hus'ands +ho +ant their +ives shado+ed> and +ives
+ho +ant their hus'ands shado+ed/ (viden.e for divor.e is the soe
prop of private in8uiry agents/J
J2ghGJ said Tuppen.e +rin1ing a fastidious nose/ JWe shan"t tou.h
divor.e .ases/ We )ust raise the tone of our ne+ profession/J
J@e;es>J said To))y dou'tfuy/
And no+ a +ee1 after instaation they .o)pare notes rather ruefuy/
JThree idioti. +o)en +hose hus'ands go a+ay for +ee1ends>J sighed
To))y/ JAnyone .o)e +hist I +as out at un.hAJ
JA fat od )an +ith a fighty +ife>J sighed Tuppen.e sady/ JI"ve read in
the papers for years that the divor.e evi +as gro+ing> 'ut so)eho+ I
never see)ed to reai?e it unti this ast +ee1/ I") si.1 and tired of
saying "We don"t underta1e divor.e .ases/" J
JWe"ve put it in the advertise)ents no+>J To))y re)inded her/ JSo it
+on"t 'e so 'ad/J
JI") sure +e advertise in the )ost te)pting +ay too>J said Tuppen.e>
in a )ean.hoy voi.e/ JA the sa)e> I") not going to 'e 'eaten/ If
ne.essary> I sha .o))it a .ri)e )ysef> and you +i dete.t it/J
JAnd +hat good +oud that doA Thin1 of )y feeings +hen I 'id you a
tender fare+e at %o+ Street;or is it 7ine StreetAJ
J@ou are thin1ing of your 'a.heor days>J said Tuppen.e pointedy/
JThe <d %aiey> that is +hat I )ean>J said To))y/
JWe>J said Tuppen.e> Jso)ething has got to 'e done a'out it/ !ere
+e are 'ursting +ith taent and no .han.e of eBer.ising it/J
JI a+ays i1e your .heery opti)is)> Tuppen.e/ @ou see) to have no
dou't +hatever that you have taent to eBer.ise/J
J<f .ourse>J said Tuppen.e opening her eyes very +ide/
JAnd yet you have no eBpert 1no+edge +hatever/J
JWe> I have read every dete.tive nove that has 'een pu'ished in the
ast ten years/J
JSo have I>J said To))y> J'ut I have a sort of feeing that that +oudn"t
reay hep us )u.h/J
J@ou a+ays +ere a pessi)ist> To))y/ %eief in onesef;that is the
great thing/J
JWe> you have got it a right>J said her hus'and/
J<f .ourse it is a right in dete.tive stories>J said Tuppen.e
thoughtfuy> J'e.ause one +or1s 'a.1+ards/ I )ean if one 1no+s the
soution one .an arrange the .ues/ I +onder no+;J
She paused> +rin1ing her 'ro+s/
J@esAJ said To))y> in8uiringy/
JI have got a sort of an idea>J said Tuppen.e/ JIt hasn"t 8uite .o)e yet
'ut it"s .o)ing/J She rose resoutey/ JI thin1 I sha go and 'uy that hat
I tod you a'out/J
J<h ,odGJ said To))y/ JAnother hatGJ
JIt"s a very ni.e one>J said Tuppen.e +ith dignity/
She +ent out +ith a resoute oo1 on her fa.e/
<n.e or t+i.e in the foo+ing days To))y in8uired .uriousy a'out
the idea/ Tuppen.e )erey shoo1 her head and tod hi) to give her
ti)e/
And then> one gorious )orning> the first .ient arrived> and a ese
+as forgotten/
There +as a 1no.1 on the outer door of the offi.e A'ert> +ho had Dust
pa.ed an a.id drop 'et+een his ips> roared out an indistin.t ".o)e
in/" !e then s+ao+ed the a.id drop +hoe in his surprise and deight/
For this oo1ed i1e the &ea Thing/
A ta young )an> eB8uisitey and 'eautifuy dressed> stood hesitating
in the door+ay/
JA toff> if ever there +as one>J said A'ert to hi)sef/ !is Dudg)ent in
su.h )atters +as good/
The young )an +as a'out t+enty;four years of age> had 'eautifuy
si.1ed;'a.1 hair> a tenden.y to pin1 ri)s round the eyes> and
pra.ti.ay no .hin to spea1 of/
In an e.stasy> A'ert pressed a 'utton under his des1> and a)ost
i))ediatey a perfe.t fusiade of typing 'ro1e out fro) the dire.tion of
JCer1s/J Tuppen.e had rushed to the post of duty/ The effe.t of this
hu) of industry +as to overa+e the young )an sti further/
XI say>Y he re)ar1ed/ XIs this the +hatnot;dete.tive agen.y;%unt"s
%riiant $ete.tivesA A that sort of stuff> you 1no+A (hAJ
J$id you +ant> sir> to spea1 to Mr/ %unt hi)sefAJ in8uired A'ert> +ith
an air of dou't as to +hether su.h a thing .oud 'e )anaged/
JWe;yes> addie> that +as the Doy od idea/ Can it 'e doneAJ
J@ou haven"t an appoint)ent> I supposeAJ
The visitor 'e.a)e )ore and )ore apoogeti./
JAfraid I haven"t/J
JIt"s a+ays +ise> sir> to ring up on the phone first/ Mr/ %unt is so
terri'y 'usy/ !e"s engaged on the teephone at the )o)ent/ Caed
into .onsutation 'y S.otand @ard/J
The young )an see)ed suita'y i)pressed/
A'ert o+ered his voi.e> and i)ported infor)ation in a friendy
fashion/
JI)portant theft of do.u)ents fro) a ,overn)ent <ffi.e/ They +ant
Mr/ %unt to ta1e up the .ase/J
J<hG reay/ I say/ !e )ust 'e no end of a feo+/J
JThe %oss> sir>J said A'ert> Jis It/J
The young )an sat do+n on a hard .hair> .o)petey un.ons.ious of
the fa.t that he +as 'eing su'De.ted to 1een s.rutiny 'y t+o pairs of
eyes oo1ing through .unningy .ontrived peep hoes;those of
Tuppen.e> in the intervas of fren?ied typing> and those of To))y
a+aiting the suita'e )o)ent/
Presenty a 'e rang +ith vioen.e on A'ert"s des1/
JThe %oss is free no+/ I +i find out +hether he .an see you>J said
A'ert> and disappeared through the door )ar1ed JPrivate/J
!e reappeared i))ediatey/
JWi you .o)e this +ay> sirAJ
The visitor +as ushered into the private offi.e> and a peasant fa.ed
young )an +ith red hair and an air of 'ris1 .apa'iity rose to greet
hi)/
JSit do+n/ @ou +ished to .onsut )eA I a) Mr/ %unt/J
J<hG &eay/ I say> you"re a+fuy young> aren"t youAJ
JThe day of the <d Men is over>J said To))y +aving his hand/ JWho
.aused the WarA The <d Men/ Who is responsi'e for the present state
of une)poy)entA The <d Men/ Who is responsi'e for every singe
rotten thing that has happenedA Again I say> the <d MenGJ
JI eBpe.t you are right>J said the .ient/ JI 1no+ a feo+ +ho is a poetat
east he says he is a poet;and he a+ays ta1s i1e that/J
J#et )e te you this> sir> not a person on )y highy trained staff is a
day over t+enty;five/ That is the truth/J
Sin.e the highy trained staff .onsisted of Tuppen.e and A'ert> the
state)ent +as truth itsef/
JAnd no+;the fa.ts>J said Mr/ %unt/
JI +ant you to find so)eone that"s )issing>J 'urted out the young
)an/
J4uite so/ Wi you give )e the detaisAJ
JWe> you see> it"s rather diffi.ut/ I )ean> it"s a frightfuy dei.ate
'usiness and a that/ She )ight 'e frightfuy +aBy a'out it/ I )ean+e>
it"s so dashed diffi.ut to eBpain/J
!e oo1ed hepessy at To))y/ To))y fet annoyed/ !e had 'een on
the point of going out to un.h> 'ut he foresa+ that getting the fa.ts out
of this .ient +oud 'e a ong and tedious 'usiness/
J$id she disappear of her o+n free +i> or do you suspe.t a'du.tionAJ
he de)anded .rispy/
JI don"t 1no+>J said the young )an/ JI don"t 1no+ anything/J
To))y rea.hed for a pad and pen.i/
JFirst of a>J he said> J+i you give )e your na)eA My offi.e 'oy is
trained never to as1 na)es/ In that +ay .onsutations .an re)ain
.o)petey .onfidentia/J
J<hG rather>J said the young )an/ J*oy good idea/ My na)e;er;)y
na)e"s S)ith/J
J<hG no>J said To))y/ JThe rea one> pease/J
!is visitor oo1ed at hi) in a+e/
J(r;St/ 7in.ent>J he said/ J#a+ren.e St/ 7in.ent/J
JIt"s a .urious thing>J said To))y> Jho+ very fe+ peope there are
+hose rea na)e is S)ith/ Personay> I don"t 1no+ anyone .aed
S)ith/ %ut nine )en out of ten +ho +ish to .on.ea their rea na)e
give that of S)ith/ I a) +riting a )onograph upon the su'De.t/J
At that )o)ent a 'u??er purred dis.reety on his des1/ That )eant
that Tuppen.e +as re8uesting to ta1e hod/ To))y> +ho +anted his
un.h> and +ho fet profoundy unsy)patheti. to+ards Mr/ St/ 7in.ent>
+as ony too peased to rein8uish the he)/
J(B.use )e>J he said> and pi.1ed up the teephone/
A.ross his fa.e there shot rapid .hanges;surprise> .onsternation>
sight eation/
J@ou don"t say so>J he said into the phone/ JThe Pri)e Minister
hi)sefA <f .ourse> in that .ase> I +i .o)e round at on.e/J
!e repa.ed the re.eiver on the hoo1> and turned to his .ient/
JMy dear sir> I )ust as1 you to eB.use )e/ A )ost urgent su))ons/ If
you +i give the fa.ts of the .ase to )y .onfidentia se.retary> she +i
dea +ith the)/J
!e strode to the adDoining door/
JMiss &o'inson/J
Tuppen.e> very neat and de)ure +ith s)ooth 'a.1 head and dainty
.oar and .uffs> tripped in/ To))y )ade the ne.essary introdu.tions
and departed/
JA ady you ta1e an interest in has disappeared> I understand> Mr/ St/
7in.ent>J said Tuppen.e> in her soft voi.e> as she sat do+n and too1
up Mr/ %unt"s pad and pen.i/ JA young adyAJ
J<hG rather>J said Mr/ St/ 7in.ent/ J@oung;and;and;a+fuy goodoo1ing
and a that sort of thing/J
Tuppen.e"s fa.e gre+ grave/
J$ear )e>J she )ur)ured/ JI hope that;J
J@ou don"t thin1 anything"s reay happened to herAJ de)anded Mr/ St/
7in.ent> in ivey .on.ern/
J<hG +e )ust hope for the 'est>J said Tuppen.e> +ith a 1ind of fase
.heerfuness +hi.h depressed Mr/ St/ 7in.ent horri'y/
J<hG oo1 here> Miss &o'inson/ I say> you )ust do so)ething/ Spare no
eBpense/ I +oudn"t have anything happen to her for the +ord/ @ou
see) a+fuy sy)patheti.> and I don"t )ind teing you in .onfiden.e
that I si)py +orship the ground that gir +a1s on/ She"s a topper> an
a'soute topper/J
XPease te )e her na)e and a a'out her/Y
J!er na)e"s *anet;I don"t 1no+ her se.ond na)e/ She +or1s in a hat
shop;Mada)e 7ioette"s in %roo1 Street;'ut she"s as straight as they
)a1e the)/ !as ti.1ed )e off no end of ti)es;I +ent round there
yesterday;+aiting for her to .o)e out;a the others .a)e> 'ut not her/
Then I found that she"d never turned up that )orning to +or1 at asent
no )essage either;od Mada)e +as furious a'out it/ I got the
address of her odgings> and I +ent round there/ She hadn"t .o)e
ho)e the night 'efore> and they didn"t 1no+ +here she +as/ I +as
si)py franti./ I thought of going to the poi.e/ %ut I 1ne+ that *anet
+oud 'e a'soutey furious +ith )e for doing that if she +ere reay a
right and had gone off on her o+n/ Then I re)e)'ered that she hersef
had pointed out your advertise)ent to )e one day in the paper and
tod )e that one of the +o)en +ho"d 'een in 'uying hats had si)py
raved a'out your a'iity and dis.retion and a that sort of thing/ So I
todded aong here right a+ay/J
JI see>J said Tuppen.e/ JWhat is the address of her odgingsAJ
The young )an gave it to her/
JThat"s a> I thin1>J said Tuppen.e refe.tivey/ JThat is to say;a) I to
understand that you are engaged to this young adyAJ
Mr/ St/ 7in.ent turned a 'ri.1 red/
JWe> no;not eBa.ty/ I never said anything/ %ut I .an te you this> I
)ean to as1 her to )arry )e as soon as ever I see her;if I ever do see
her again/J
Tuppen.e aid aside her pad/
J$o you +ish for our spe.ia t+enty;four hour servi.eAJ she as1ed> in
'usiness i1e tones/
JWhat"s thatAJ
JThe fees are dou'ed> 'ut +e put a our avaia'e staff on to the .ase/
Mr/ St/ 7in.ent> if the ady is aive> I sha 'e a'e to te you +here she
is 'y this ti)e to;)orro+/J
JWhatA I say> that"s +onderfu/J
JWe ony e)poy eBperts;and +e guarantee resuts>J said Tuppen.e
.rispy/
J%ut I say> you 1no+/ @ou )ust have the )ost topping staff/Y
J<hG +e have>J said Tuppen.e/ J%y the +ay> you haven"t given )e a
des.ription of the young ady/J
JShe"s got the )ost )arveous hair;sort of goden> 'ut very deep> i1e a
Doy od sunset;that"s it> a> Doy od sunset/ @ou 1no+> I never noti.ed
things i1e sunsets unti atey/ Poetry too> there"s a ot )ore in poetry
than I ever thought/J
J&ed hair>J said Tuppen.e une)otionay> +riting it do+n/ JWhat
height shoud you say the ady +asAJ
J<hG taish> and she"s got ripping eyes> dar1 'ue> I thin1/ And a sort of
de.ided )anner +ith her;ta1es a feo+ up short so)eti)es/J
Tuppen.e +rote do+n a fe+ +ords )ore> then .osed her note 'oo1
and rose/
JIf you +i .a here to;)orro+ at t+o o".o.1> I thin1 +e sha have
ne+s of so)e 1ind for you>J she said/ J,ood )orning> Mr/ St/ 7in.ent/J
When To))y returned Tuppen.e +as Dust .onsuting a page of
$e'rett/
JI"ve got a the detais>J she said su..in.ty/ J#a+ren.e St/ 7in.ent is
the nephe+ and heir of the (ar of Cheriton/ If +e pu this through +e
sha get pu'i.ity in the highest pa.es/J
To))y read through the notes on the pad/
JWhat do you reay thin1 has happened to the girAJ he as1ed/
JI thin1>J said Tuppen.e> Jthat she has fed at the di.tates of her heart>
feeing that she oves this young )an too +e for her pea.e of )ind/J
To))y oo1ed at her dou'tfuy/
JI 1no+ they do it in 'oo1s>J he said> J'ut I"ve never 1no+n any gir
+ho did it in rea ife/J
J0oAJ said Tuppen.e/ JWe> perhaps you"re right/ %ut I daresay
#a+ren.e St/ 7in.ent +i s+ao+ that sort of sush/ !e"s fu of
ro)anti. notions Dust no+/ %y the +ay> I guaranteed resuts in t+entyfour
hours;our spe.ia servi.e/J
JTuppen.e;you .ongenita idiot> +hat )ade you do thatAJ
JThe idea Dust .a)e into )y head/ I thought it sounded rather +e/
$on"t you +orry/ #eave it to Mother/ Mother 1no+s 'est/J
She +ent out> eaving To))y profoundy dissatisfied/
Presenty he rose> sighed> and +ent out to do +hat .oud 'e done>
.ursing Tuppen.e"s over fervent i)agination/
When he returned +eary and Daded at haf past four> he found
Tuppen.e eBtra.ting a 'ag of 'is.uits fro) their pa.e of .on.ea)ent
in one of the fies/
J@ou oo1 hot and 'othered>J she re)ar1ed/ JWhat have you 'een
doingAJ
To))y groaned/
JMa1ing a round of the !ospitas +ith that gir"s des.ription/J
J$idn"t I te you to eave it to )eAJ de)anded Tuppen.e/
J@ou .an"t find that gir singe handed 'efore t+o o".o.1 to)orro+/J
JI .an;and +hat"s )ore> I haveGJ
J@ou haveA What do you )eanAJ
JA si)pe pro'e)> Watson> very si)pe indeed/J
JWhere is she no+AJ
Tuppen.e pointed a hand over her shouder
JShe"s in )y offi.e neBt door/J
JWhat is she doing thereAJ
Tuppen.e 'egan to augh/
JWe>J she said> Jeary training +i te> and +ith a 1ette> a gas ring>
and haf a pound of tea staring her in the fa.e> the resut is a foregone
.on.usion/J
J@ou see>J .ontinued Tuppen.e genty/ JMada)e 7ioette"s is +here I
go for )y hats> and the other day I ran a.ross an od pa of !ospita
days a)ongst the girs there/ She gave up nursing after the War and
started a hat shop> faied> and too1 this Do' at Mada)e 7ioette"s/ We
fiBed up the +hoe thing 'et+een us/ She +as to ru' the advertise)ent
+e into young St/ 7in.ent> and then disappear/ Wonderfu effi.ien.y
of %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives/ Pu'i.ity for us and the ne.essary fiip
to young St/ 7in.ent to 'ring hi) to the point of proposing/ *anet +as
in despair a'out it/J
JTuppen.e>J said To))y> Jyou ta1e )y 'reath a+ayG The +hoe thing
is the )ost i))ora 'usiness I ever heard of/ @ou aid and a'et this
young )an to )arry out of his .ass;J
JStuff>J said Tuppen.e/ J*anet is a spendid gir;and the 8ueer thing is
that she reay adores that +ea1 1need young )an/ @ou .an see +ith
haf a gan.e +hat his fa)iy needs/ So)e good red 'ood in it/ *anet
+i 'e the )a1ing of hi)/ She" oo1 after hi) i1e a )other> ease
do+n the .o.1tais and the night .u's and )a1e hi) ead a good
heathy .ountry gente)an"s ife/ Co)e and )eet her/J
Tuppen.e opened the door of the adDoining offi.e and To))y foo+ed
her/
A ta gir +ith ovey au'urn hair> and a peasant fa.e> put do+n the
stea)ing 1ette in her hand> and turned +ith a s)ie that dis.osed an
even ro+ of +hite teeth/
JI hope you" forgive )e> 0urse Co+ey;Mrs/ %eresford> I )ean/ I
thought that very i1ey you"d 'e 8uite ready for a .up of tea yoursef/
Many"s the pot of tea you"ve )ade for )e in the !ospita at three
o".o.1 in the )orning/J
JTo))y>J said Tuppen.e/ J#et )e introdu.e you to )y od friend>
0urse S)ith/J
JS)ith> did you sayA !o+ .uriousGJ said To))y> sha1ing hands/ J(hA
<hG nothing;a itte )onograph that I +as thin1ing of Writing/J
JPu yoursef together> To))y>J said Tuppen.e/
She poured hi) out a .up of tea/
J0o+> then> et"s a drin1 together/ !ere"s to the su..ess of the
Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y/ %unt"s %riiant $ete.tivesG May they
never 1no+ faiureGJ
5/ T!( AFFAI& <F T!( PI0- P(A&#
JWhat on earth are you doingAJ de)anded Tuppen.e> as she entered
the inner san.tu) of the Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y;9Sogan;
%unt"s %riiant $ete.tives: and dis.overed her ord and )aster prone
on the foor in a sea of 'oo1s/
To))y strugged to his feet/
JI +as trying to arrange these 'oo1s on the top shef of that
.up'oard>J he .o)pained/ JAnd the da)ned .hair gave +ay/J
JWhat are they> any+ayAJ as1ed Tuppen.e> pi.1ing up a vou)e/ XNThe
!ound of the %as1ervies/" I +oudn"t )ind reading that again so)e
ti)e/J
J@ou see the ideaAJ said To))y> dusting hi)sef +ith .are/ J!af
hours +ith the ,reat Masters;that sort of thing/ @ou see> Tuppen.e> I
.an"t hep feeing that +e are )ore or ess a)ateurs at this 'usiness;of
.ourse a)ateurs in one sense +e .annot hep 'eing> 'ut it +oud do no
har) to a.8uire the te.hni8ue> so to spea1/ These 'oo1s are dete.tive
stories 'y the eading )asters of the art/ I intend to try different styes>
and .o)pare resuts/J
J!")>J said Tuppen.e/ JI often +onder ho+ those dete.tives +oud
have got on in rea ife/J She pi.1ed up another vou)e/ J@ou" find a
diffi.uty in 'eing a Thorndy1e/ @ou"ve no )edi.a eBperien.e> and ess
ega> and I never heard that s.ien.e +as your strong point/J
JPerhaps not>J said To))y/ J%ut at any rate I"ve 'ought a very good
.a)era> and I sha photograph footprints and enarge the negatives
and a that sort of thing/ 0o+> )on a)i> use your itte grey .es;+hat
does this .onvey to youAJ
!e pointed to the 'otto) shef of the .up'oard/ <n it ay a so)e+hat
futuristi. dressing go+n> a tur1ish sipper> and a vioin/
J<'vious> )y dear Watson>J said Tuppen.e/
J(Ba.ty>J said To))y/ JThe Shero.1 !o)es tou.h/J
!e too1 up the vioin and dre+ the 'o+ idy a.ross the strings> .ausing
Tuppen.e to give a +ai of agony/
At that )o)ent the 'u??er rang on the des1> a sign that a .ient had
arrived in the outer offi.e and +as 'eing hed in parey 'y A'ert> the
offi.e 'oy/
To))y hastiy repa.ed the vioin in the .up'oard and 1i.1ed the
'oo1s 'ehind the des1/
J0ot that there"s any great hurry>J he re)ar1ed/ JA'ert +i 'e
handing the) out the stuff a'out )y 'eing engaged +ith S.otand @ard
on the phone/ ,et into your offi.e and start typing> Tuppen.e/ It )a1es
the offi.e sound 'usy and a.tive/ 0o> on se.ond thoughts> you sha 'e
ta1ing notes in shorthand fro) )y di.tation/ #et"s have a oo1 'efore
+e get A'ert to send the vi.ti) in/J
They approa.hed the peephoe +hi.h had 'een artisti.ay .ontrived
so as to .o))and a vie+ of the outer offi.e/
The .ient +as a gir of a'out Tuppen.e"s age> ta and dar1 +ith a
rather haggard fa.e and s.ornfu eyes/
JCothes .heap and stri1ing>J re)ar1ed Tuppen.e/ J!ave her in>
To))y/J
In another )inute the gir +as sha1ing hands +ith the .ee'rated Mr/
%unt> +hist Tuppen.e sat 'y +ith eyes de)urey do+n.ast> and pad
and pen.i in hand/
JMy .onfidentia se.retary> Miss &o'inson>J said Mr/ %unt +ith a +ave
of the hand/ J@ou )ay spea1 freey 'efore her/J Then he ay 'a.1 for a
)inute> haf .osed his eyes and re)ar1ed in a tired toneH J@ou )ust
find traveing in a 'us very .ro+ded at this ti)e of day/J
JI .a)e in a taBi>J said the gir/
J<hGJ said To))y aggrieved/ !is eyes rested reproa.hfuy on a 'ue
'us ti.1et protruding fro) her gove/ The gir"s eyes foo+ed his
gan.e> and she s)ied and dre+ it out/
J@ou )ean thisA I pi.1ed it up on the pave)ent/ A itte neigh'or of
ours .oe.ts the)/J
Tuppen.e .oughed> and To))y thre+ a 'aefu gare at her/
JWe )ust get to 'usiness>J he said 'ris1y/ J@ou are in need of our
servi.es> Miss;AJ
J-ingston %ru.e is )y na)e>J said the gir/ JWe ive at Wi)'edon/
#ast night a ady +ho is staying +ith us ost a vaua'e pin1 pear/ Mr/
St/ 7in.ent +as aso dining +ith us> and during dinner he happened to
)ention your fir)/ My )other sent )e off to you this )orning to as1
you if you +oud oo1 into the )atter for us/J
The gir spo1e sueny> a)ost disagreea'y/ It +as .ear as dayight
that she and her )other had not agreed over the )atter/ She +as here
under protest/
JI see>J said To))y> a itte pu??ed/ J@ou have not .aed in the
poi.eAJ
J0o>J said Miss -ingston %ru.e> J+e haven"t/ It +oud 'e idioti. to .a
in the poi.e and then find that the siy thing had roed under the
firepa.e> or so)ething i1e that/J
J<hGJ said To))y/ JThen the De+e )ay ony 'e ost after aAJ
Miss -ingston %ru.e shrugged her shouders/
JPeope )a1e su.h a fuss a'out things>J she )ur)ured/
To))y .eared his throat/
J<f .ourse>J he said dou'tfuy/ JI a) eBtre)ey 'usy Dust no+;J
JI 8uite understand>J said the gir rising to her feet/ There +as a 8ui.1
gea) of satisfa.tion in her eyes +hi.h Tuppen.e> for one> did not
)iss/
J0evertheess>J .ontinued To))y> JI thin1 I .an )anage to run do+n
to Wi)'edon/ Wi you give )e the address> peaseAJ
JThe #aures> (dge+orth &oad/J
JMa1e a note of it> pease> Miss &o'inson/J
Miss -ingston %ru.e hesitated> then said rather ungra.iousyH
JWe" eBpe.t you then/ ,ood )orning/J
JFunny gir>J said To))y/ JI .oudn"t 8uite )a1e her out/J
JI +onder if she stoe the thing hersef>J re)ar1ed Tuppen.e
)editativey/ JCo)e on> To))y> et"s put a+ay these 'oo1s and ta1e
the .ar and go do+n there/ %y the +ay> +ho are you going to 'e>
Shero.1 !o)es stiAJ
JI thin1 I need pra.ti.e for that>J said To))y/ JI .a)e rather a .ropper
over that 'us ti.1et> didn"t IAJ
J@ou did>J said Tuppen.e/ JIf I +ere you I shoudn"t try too )u.h on
that gir;she"s as sharp as a neede/ She"s unhappy too> poor devi/J
XI suppose you 1no+ a a'out her aready>J said To))y +ith sar.as)>
Jsi)py fro) oo1ing at the shape of her noseGJ
JI" te you )y idea of +hat +e sha find at The #aures>J said
Tuppen.e> 8uite un)oved/ JA househod of sno's> very 1een to )ove
in the 'est so.ietyI the father> if there is a father> is sure to have a
)iitary tite/ The gir fas in +ith their +ay of ife and despises hersef
for doing so/J
To))y too1 a ast oo1 at the 'oo1s no+ neaty ranged upon a shef/
JI thin1>J he said thoughtfuy> Jthat I sha 'e Thorndy1e to;day/J
JI shoudn"t have thought there +as anything )edi.o;ega a'out this
.ase>J re)ar1ed Tuppen.e/
JPerhaps not>J said To))y/ J%ut I") si)py dying to use that ne+
.a)era of )ineG It"s supposed to have the )ost )arveous ens that
ever +as or ever .oud 'e/J
JI 1no+ those 1ind of enses>J said Tuppen.e/ J%y the ti)e you"ve
adDusted the shutter and stopped do+n and .a.uated the eBposure
and 1ept your eyes on the spirit eve> your 'rain gives out> and you
yearn for the si)pe %ro+nie/J
J<ny an una)'itious sou is .ontent +ith the si)pe %ro+nie/J
JWe> I 'et I sha get 'etter resuts +ith it than you +i/J
To))y ignored this .haenge/
JI ought to have a "S)o1er"s Co)panion>" J he said regretfuy/ JI
+onder +here one 'uys the)AJ
JThere"s a+ays the patent .or1s.re+ Aunt Ara)inta gave you ast
Z)as>J said Tuppen.e hepfuy/
JThat"s true>J said To))y/ JA .urious oo1ing engine of destru.tion I
thought it at the ti)e> and rather a hu)orous present to get fro) a
stri.ty teetota aunt/J
JI>J said Tuppen.e> Jsha 'e Poton/J
To))y oo1ed at her s.ornfuy/
JPoton indeed/ @ou .oudn"t 'egin to do one of the things that he
does/J
J@es> I .an>J said Tuppen.e/ XI .an ru' )y hands together +hen I")
peased/ That"s 8uite enough to get on +ith/ I hope you"re going to ta1e
paster .asts of footprintsAJ
To))y +as redu.ed to sien.e/ !aving .oe.ted the .or1s.re+ they
+ent round to the garage> got out the .ar and started for Wi)'edon/
The #aures +as a 'ig house/ It ran so)e+hat to ga'es and turrets>
had an air of 'eing very ne+y painted> and +as surrounded +ith neat
fo+er 'eds fied +ith s.aret geraniu)s/
A ta )an +ith a .ose .ropped +hite )ousta.he> and an
eBaggeratedy )artia 'earing opened the door 'efore To))y had
ti)e to ring/
JI"ve 'een oo1ing out for you>J he eBpained fussiy/ JMr/ %unt> is it
notA I a) Coone -ingston %ru.e/ Wi you .o)e into )y studyAJ
!e ed the) into a s)a roo) at the 'a.1 of the house/
J@oung St/ 7in.ent +as teing )e +onderfu things a'out your fir)/
I"ve noti.ed your advertise)ents )ysef/ This guaranteed t+enty;four
hours servi.e of yours;a )arveous notion/ That"s eBa.ty +hat I need/J
In+ardy anathe)ati?ing Tuppen.e for her irresponsi'iity in inventing
this 'riiant detai> To))y repiedH J*ust so Coone/J
XThe +hoe thing is )ost distressing> sir> )ost distressing/J
JPerhaps you +oud 1indy give )e the fa.ts>J said To))y> +ith a hint
of i)patien.e/
JCertainy I +i;at on.e/ We have at the present )o)ent staying +ith
us a very od and dear friend of ours> #ady #aura %arton/ $aughter of
the ate (ar of Carro++ay/ The present (ar> her 'rother> )ade a
stri1ing spee.h in the !ouse of #ords the other day/ As I say> she is an
od and dear friend of ours/ So)e A)eri.an friends of )ine +ho have
Dust .o)e over> the !a)iton %etts> +ere )ost anBious to )eet her/
"0othing easier>" I said/ "She is staying +ith )e no+/ Co)e do+n for the
+ee1;end/" @ou 1no+ +hat A)eri.ans are a'out tites> Mr/ %unt/J
JAnd others 'esides A)eri.ans so)eti)es> Coone -ingston %ru.e/J
JAasG ony too true> )y dear sir/ 0othing I hate )ore than a sno'/ We>
as I +as saying> the %etts .a)e do+n for the +ee1;end/ #ast night;+e
+ere paying %ridge at the ti)e;the .asp of a pendant Mrs/ !a)iton
%etts +as +earing 'ro1e> so she too1 it off and aid it do+n on a s)a
ta'e> )eaning to ta1e it upstairs +ith her +hen she +ent/ This>
ho+ever> she forgot to do/ I )ust eBpain> Mr/ %unt> that the pendant
.onsisted of t+o s)a dia)ond +ings> and a 'ig pin1 pear depending
fro) the)/ The pendant +as found this )orning ying +here Mrs/ %etts
had eft it> 'ut the pear> a pear of enor)ous vaue> had 'een
+ren.hed off/J
JWho found the pendantAJ
YThe paror)aid;,adys !i/J
JAny reason to suspe.t herAJ
JShe has 'een +ith us so)e years> and +e have a+ays found her
perfe.ty honest/ %ut> of .ourse> one never 1no+s;J
J(Ba.ty/ Wi you des.ri'e your staff> and aso te )e +ho +as
present at dinner ast nightAJ
JThere is the .oo1;she has 'een +ith us ony t+o )onths> 'ut then she
+oud have no o..asion to go near the dra+ingroo);the sa)e appies
to the 1it.hen )aid/ Then there is the house)aid> Ai.e Cu))ings/
She aso has 'een +ith us for so)e years/ And #ady #aura"s )aid> of
.ourse/ She is Fren.h/J
Coone -ingston %ru.e oo1ed very i)pressive as he said this/
To))y> unaffe.ted 'y the reveation of the )aid"s nationaity> saidH
J(Ba.ty/ And the party at dinnerAJ
JMr/ and Mrs/ %etts> ourseves;9)y +ife and daughter:;and #ady #aura/
@oung St/ 7in.ent +as dining +ith us> and Mr/ &ennie oo1ed in after
dinner for a +hie/J
JWho is Mr/ &ennieAJ
JA )ost pestientia feo+;an arrant so.iaist/ ,ood oo1ing> of .ourse>
and +ith a .ertain spe.ious po+er of argu)ent/ %ut a )an> I don"t
)ind teing you> +ho) I +oudn"t trust a yard/ A dangerous sort of
feo+/J
JIn fa.t>J said To))y driy> Jit is Mr/ &ennie +ho) you suspe.tAJ
XI do> Mr/ %unt/ I") sure> hoding the vie+s he does> that he .an have
no prin.ipes +hatsoever/ What .oud have 'een easier for hi) than to
have 8uiety +ren.hed off the pear at a )o)ent +hen +e +ere a
a'sor'ed in our ga)eA There +ere severa a'sor'ing )o)ents;a
redou'ed 0o Tru)p hand> I re)e)'er> and aso a painfu argu)ent
+hen )y +ife had the )isfortune to revo1e/J
J4uite so>J said To))y/ JI shoud Dust i1e to 1no+ one thing;+hat is
Mrs/ %ett"s attitude in a thisAJ
JShe +anted )e to .a in the poi.e>J said Coone -ingston %ru.e
reu.tanty/ JThat is> +hen +e had sear.hed every+here in .ase the
pear had ony dropped off/J
J%ut you dissuaded herAJ
JI +as very averse to the idea of pu'i.ity and )y +ife and daughter
'a.1ed )e up/ Then )y +ife re)e)'ered young St/ 7in.ent spea1ing
a'out your fir) at dinner ast night;and the t+enty;four hours spe.ia
servi.e/J
J@es>J said To))y +ith a heavy heart/
J@ou see> in any .ase no har) +i 'e done/ If +e .a in the poi.e to)orro+>
it .an 'e supposed that +e thought the De+e )erey ost and
+ere hunting for it/ %y the +ay> no'ody has 'een ao+ed to eave the
house this )orning/J
J(B.ept your daughter> of .ourse>J said Tuppen.e> spea1ing for the
first ti)e/
J(B.ept )y daughter>J agreed the Coone/ JShe vounteered at on.e
to go and put the .ase 'efore you/J
To))y rose/
JWe +i do our 'est to give you satisfa.tion> Coone>J he said/ JI
shoud i1e to see the dra+ing;roo)> and the ta'e on +hi.h the
pendant +as aid do+n/ I shoud aso i1e to as1 Mrs/ %etts a fe+
8uestions/ After that> I +i intervie+ the servants;or rather )y
assistant> Miss &o'inson> +i do so/J
!e fet his nerve 8uaiing 'efore the terrors of 8uestioning the
servants/
Coone -ingston %ru.e thre+ open the door> and ed the) a.ross the
ha/ As he did so> a re)ar1 .a)e to the) .eary through the open
door of the roo) they +ere approa.hing> and the voi.e that uttered it
+as that of the gir +ho had .o)e to see the) that )orning/
J@ou 1no+ perfe.ty +e> )other>J she +as saying> Jthat she did 'ring
ho)e a teaspoon in her )uff/J
In another )inute they +ere 'eing introdu.ed to Mrs/ -ingston %ru.e>
a paintive ady +ith a anguid )anner/ Miss -ingston %ru.e
a.1no+edged their presen.e +ith a short in.ination of the head/ !er
fa.e +as )ore suen than ever/
Mrs/ -ingston %ru.e +as vou'e/
J;'ut I 1no+ +ho I thin1 too1 it>J she ended/ JThat dreadfu so.iaist
young )an/ !e oves the &ussians and the ,er)ans and hates the
(ngish;+hat ese .an you eBpe.tAJ
J!e never tou.hed it>J said Miss -ingston %ru.e fier.ey/ JI +as
+at.hing hi);a the ti)e/ I .oudn"t have faied to see if he had/J
She oo1ed at the) defianty +ith her .hin up/
To))y .reated a diversion 'y as1ing for an intervie+ +ith Mrs/ %etts/
When Mrs/ -ingston %ru.e had departed a..o)panied 'y her hus'and
and daughter to find Mrs/ %etts> he +histed thoughtfuy/
JI +onder>J he said genty> J+ho it +as +ho had a teaspoon in her
)uffAJ
J*ust +hat I +as thin1ing>J repied Tuppen.e/
Mrs/ %etts> foo+ed 'y her hus'and> 'urst into the roo)/ She +as a
'ig +o)an +ith a deter)ined voi.e/ Mr/ !a)iton %etts oo1ed
dyspepti. and su'dued/
JI understand> Mr/ %unt> that you are a private in8uiry agent> and one
+ho hustes things through at a great rateAJ
J!uste>J said To))y> Jis )y )idde na)e> Mrs/ %etts/ #et )e as1 you
a fe+ 8uestions/J
Thereafter things pro.eeded rapidy/ To))y +as sho+n the da)aged
pendant> the ta'e on +hi.h it had ain> and Mr/ %etts e)erged fro) his
ta.iturnity to )ention the vaue> in doars> of the stoen pear/
And +itha> To))y fet an irritating .ertainty that he +as not getting
on/
JI thin1 that +i do>J he said at ength/ JMiss &o'inson> +i you 1indy
fet.h the spe.ia photographi. apparatus fro) the haAJ
Miss &o'inson .o)pied/
JA itte invention of )y o+n>J said To))y/ JIn appearan.e> you see> it
is Dust i1e an ordinary .a)era/J
!e had so)e sight satisfa.tion in seeing that the %etts +ere
i)pressed/
!e photographed the pendant> the ta'e on +hi.h it had ain> and too1
severa genera vie+s of the apart)ent/ Then JMiss &o'insonJ +as
deegated to intervie+ the servants> and in vie+ of the eager
eBpe.tan.y on the fa.es of Coone -ingston %ru.e and Mrs/ %etts>
To))y fet .aed upon to say a fe+ authoritative +ords/
JThe position a)ounts to this>J he said/ J(ither the pear is sti in the
house> or it is not sti in the house/J
J4uite so>J said the Coone +ith )ore respe.t than +as> perhaps>
8uite Dustified 'y the nature of the re)ar1/
JIf it is not in the house> it )ay 'e any+here;'ut if it is in the house> it
)ust ne.essariy 'e .on.eaed so)e+here;J
JAnd a sear.h )ust 'e )ade>J 'ro1e in Coone -ingston %ru.e/
J4uite so/ I give you .arte %an.he> Mr/ %unt/ Sear.h the house fro)
atti. to .ear/J
J<hG Chares>J )ur)ured Mrs/ -ingston %ru.e tearfuy/ J$o you thin1
that is +iseA The servants +on"t i1e it/ I") sure they" eave/J
JWe +i sear.h their 8uarters ast>J said To))y soothingy/ YThe thief
is sure to have hidden the ge) in the )ost uni1ey pa.e/J
JI see) to have read so)ething of the 1ind>J agreed the Coone/
J4uite so>J said To))y/ J@ou pro'a'y re)e)'er the .ase of &eB/ v/
%aiey +hi.h .reated a pre.edent/J
J<h;er;yes>J said the Coone oo1ing pu??ed/
J0o+> the )ost uni1ey pa.e is in the apart)ents of Mrs/ %etts>J
.ontinued To))y/
JMyG Woudn"t that 'e too .uteAJ said Mrs/ %etts ad)iringy/
Without )ore ado> she too1 hi) up to her roo) +here To))y on.e
)ore )ade use of the spe.ia photographi. apparatus/
Presenty Tuppen.e Doined hi) there/
J@ou have no o'De.tion> I hope> Mrs/ %etts> to )y assistant"s oo1ing
through your +ardro'eAJ
JWhy> not at a/ $o you need )e here any ongerAJ
To))y assured her that there +as no need to detain her> and Mrs/
%etts departed/
JWe )ight as +e go on 'uffing it out>J said To))y/ J%ut personay I
don"t 'eieve +e"ve a dog"s .han.e of finding the thing/ Curse you and
your t+enty;four hours stunt> Tuppen.e/J
J#isten>J said Tuppen.e/ JThe servants are a right> I") sure> 'ut I
)anaged to get so)ething out of the Fren.h )aid/ It see)s that +hen
#ady #aura +as staying here a year ago> she +ent out to tea +ith so)e
friends of the -ingston %ru.es"> and +hen she got ho)e a teaspoon
fe out of her )uff/ (veryone thought it )ust have faen in 'y a..ident/
%ut> ta1ing a'out si)iar ro''eries> I got hod of a ot )ore/ #ady
#aura is a+ays staying a'out +ith peope/ She hasn"t got a 'ean> I
gather> and she"s out for .o)forta'e 8uarters +ith peope to +ho) a
tite sti )eans so)ething/ It )ay 'e a .oin.iden.e;or it )ay 'e
so)ething )ore> 'ut five distin.t thefts have ta1en pa.e +hist she
has 'een staying in various houses> so)eti)es trivia things>
so)eti)es vaua'e De+es/J
JWhe+GJ said To))y> and gave vent to a proonged +histe/ JWhere"s
the od 'ird"s roo)> do you 1no+AJ
J*ust a.ross the passage/J
JThen I thin1> I rather thin1> that +e" Dust sip a.ross and investigate/J
The roo) opposite stood +ith its door aDar/ It +as a spa.ious
apart)ent> +ith +hite ena)eed fit)ents and rose pin1 .urtains/ An
inner door ed to a 'athroo)/ At the door of this appeared a si) dar1
gir> very neaty dressed/
Tuppen.e .he.1ed the eB.a)ation of astonish)ent on the gir"s ips/
JThis is (ise> Mr/ %unt>J she said pri)y/ J#ady #aura"s )aid/J
To))y stepped a.ross the threshod of the 'athroo)> and approved
in+ardy its su)ptuous and up to date fittings/ !e set to +or1 to dispe
the +ide stare of suspi.ion on the Fren.h gir"s fa.e/
J@ou are 'usy +ith your duties> eh> Made)oisee (iseAJ
J@es> Monsieur> I .ean Miady"s 'ath/J
JWe> perhaps you" hep )e +ith so)e photography instead/ I have a
spe.ia 1ind of .a)era here> and I a) photographing the interiors of a
the roo)s in this house/J
!e +as interrupted 'y the .o))uni.ating door to the 'edroo)
'anging suddeny 'ehind hi)/ (ise Du)ped at the sound/
JWhat did thatAJ
JIt )ust have 'een the +ind>J said Tuppen.e/
JWe +i .o)e into the other roo)>J said To))y/
(ise +ent to open the door for the)> 'ut the door 1no' ratted
ai)essy/
JWhat"s the )atterAJ said To))y sharpy/
JAh> Monsieur> 'ut so)e'ody )ust have o.1ed it on the other side/J
She .aught up a to+e and tried again/ %ut this ti)e the door hande
turned easiy enough> and the door s+ung open/
J7oia .e 8ui est .urieuB/ It )ust have stu.1>J said (ise/
There +as no one in the 'edroo)/
To))y fet.hed his apparatus/ Tuppen.e and (ise +or1ed under his
orders/ %ut again and again his gan.e +ent 'a.1 to the
.o))uni.ating door/
JI +onder>J he said 'et+een his teeth/ JI +onder +hy that door stu.1AJ
!e eBa)ined it )inutey> shutting and opening it/ It fitted perfe.ty/
J<ne pi.ture )ore>J he said +ith a sigh/ JWi you oop 'a.1 that rose
.urtain> Made)oisee (iseA Than1 you/ *ust hod it so/J
The fa)iiar .i.1 o..urred/ !e handed a gass side to (ise to hod>
rein8uished the tripod to Tuppen.e> and .arefuy readDusted and
.osed the .a)era/
!e )ade so)e easy eB.use to get rid of (ise> and as soon as she +as
out of the roo)> he .aught hod of Tuppen.e and spo1e rapidy/
J#oo1 here> I"ve got an idea/ Can you hang on hereA Sear.h a the
roo)s;that +i ta1e so)e ti)e/ Try and get an intervie+ +ith the od
'ird;#ady #aura;'ut don"t aar) her/ Te her you suspe.t the
paror)aid/ %ut +hatever you do> don"t et her eave the house/ I")
going off in the .ar/ I" 'e 'a.1 as soon as I .an/J
JA right>J said Tuppen.e/ J%ut don"t 'e too .o.1sure/ @ou"ve
forgotten one thing/J
JWhat"s thatAJ
JThe gir/ There"s so)ething funny a'out that gir/ #isten> I"ve found out
the ti)e she started fro) the house this )orning/ It too1 her t+o hours
to get to our offi.e/ That"s nonsense/ Where did she go 'efore she
.a)e to usAJ
JThere"s so)ething in that>J ad)itted her hus'and/ JWe> foo+ up
any od .ue you i1e> 'ut don"t et #ady #aura eave the house/ What"s
thatAJ
!is 8ui.1 ear had .aught a faint ruste outside on the anding/ !e
strode a.ross to the door> 'ut there +as no one to 'e seen/
JWe> so ong>J he said/ JI" 'e 'a.1 as soon as I .an/J
4/ T!( AFFAI& <F T!( PI0- P(A&# 9.ontinued:
Tuppen.e +at.hed hi) drive off in the .ar +ith a faint )isgiving/
To))y +as very sure;she hersef +as not so sure/ There +ere one or
t+o things she did not 8uite understand/
She +as sti standing 'y the +indo+> +at.hing the road> +hen she
sa+ a )an eave the sheter of a gate+ay opposite> .ross the road and
ring the 'e/
In a fash Tuppen.e +as out of the roo) and do+n the stairs/ ,adys
!i the paror)aid> +as e)erging fro) the 'a.1 part of the house> 'ut
Tuppen.e )otioned her 'a.1 authoritativey/ Then she +ent to the
front door and opened it/
A an1y young )an +ith i;fitting .othes> and eager dar1 eyes +as
standing on the step/
!e hesitated a )o)ent> and then said/
JIs Miss -ingston %ru.e inAJ
JWi you .o)e insideAJ said Tuppen.e/
She stood aside to et hi) enter> .osing the door/
JMr/ &ennie> I thin1AJ she said s+eety/
!e shot a 8ui.1 gan.e at her/
J(r;yes/J
JWi you .o)e in here> peaseAJ
She opened the study door/ The roo) +as e)pty> and Tuppen.e
entered it after hi)> .osing the door 'ehind her/ !e turned on her +ith
a fro+n/
JI +ant to see Miss -ingston %ru.e/J
JI a) not 8uite sure that you .an>J said Tuppen.e .o)posedy/
J#oo1 here> +ho the devi are youAJ said Mr/ &ennie rudey/
JInternationa $ete.tive Agen.y>J said Tuppen.e su..in.ty;and
noti.ed Mr/ &ennie"s un.ontroa'e start/
JPease sit do+n> Mr/ &ennie>J she +ent on/ JTo 'egin +ith> +e 1no+
a a'out Miss -ingston %ru.e"s visit to you this )orning/J
It +as a 'od guess> 'ut it su..eeded/ Per.eiving his .onsternation>
Tuppen.e +ent on 8ui.1y/
JThe re.overy of the pear is the great thing> Mr/ &ennie/ 0o one in this
house is anBious for;pu'i.ity/ Can"t +e .o)e to so)e arrange)entAJ
The young )an oo1ed at her 1eeny/
JI +onder ho+ )u.h you 1no+>J he said thoughtfuy/ J#et )e thin1 for
a )o)ent/J
!e 'uried his head in his hands;then as1ed a )ost uneBpe.ted
8uestion/
JI say> is it reay true that young St/ 7in.ent is engaged to 'e
)arriedAJ
J4uite true>J said Tuppen.e/ JI 1no+ the gir/J
Mr/ &ennie suddeny 'e.a)e .onfidentia/
JIt"s 'een he>J he .onfided/ JThey"ve 'een as1ing hi) here )orning>
noon and night;.hu.1ing %eatri.e at his head/ A 'e.ause he" .o)e
into a tite so)e day/ If I had )y +ay;J
J$on"t et"s ta1 poiti.s>J said Tuppen.e hastiy/ J$o you )ind teing
)e> Mr/ &ennie> +hy you thin1 Miss -ingston %ru.e too1 the pearAJ
JI;I don"t/J
J@ou do>J said Tuppen.e .a)y/ X@ou +ait to see the dete.tive> as you
thin1> drive off and the .oast .ear> and then you .o)e and as1 for her/
It"s o'vious/ If you"d ta1en the pear yoursef> you +oudn"t 'e haf so
upset/J
J!er )anner +as so odd>J said the young )an/ JShe .a)e this
)orning and tod )e a'out the ro''ery> eBpaining that she +as on her
+ay to a fir) of private dete.tives/ She see)ed anBious to say
so)ething> and yet not a'e to get it out/J
JWe>J said Tuppen.e/ JA I +ant is the pear/ @ou"d 'etter go and ta1
to her/J
%ut at that )o)ent Coone -ingston %ru.e opened the door/
J#un.h is ready> Miss &o'inson/ @ou +i un.h +ith us> I hope/ The;J
Then he stopped and gared at the guest/
JCeary>J said Mr/ &ennie> Jyou don"t +ant to as1 )e to un.h/ A right>
I" go/J
JCo)e 'a.1 ater>J +hispered Tuppen.e> as he passed her/
Tuppen.e foo+ed Coone -ingston %ru.e> sti gro+ing into his
)ousta.he a'out the pestientia i)puden.e of so)e peope> into a
)assive dining;roo) +here the fa)iy +as aready asse)'ed/ <ny
one person present +as un1no+n to Tuppen.e/
JThis> #ady #aura> is Miss &o'inson +ho is 1indy assisting us/J
#ady #aura 'ent her head> and then pro.eeded to stare at Tuppen.e
through her pin.e ne?/ She +as a ta thin +o)an> +ith a sad s)ie> a
gente voi.e> and very hard shre+d eyes/ Tuppen.e returned her
stare> and #ady #aura"s eyes dropped/
After un.h #ady #aura entered into .onversation +ith an air of gente
.uriosity/ !o+ +as the in8uiry pro.eedingA Tuppen.e aid suita'e
stress on the suspi.ion atta.hing to the paror)aid> 'ut her )ind +as
not reay on #ady #aura/ #ady #aura )ight .on.ea teaspoons and
other arti.es in her .othing> 'ut Tuppen.e fet fairy sure that she had
not ta1en the pin1 pear/
Presenty Tuppen.e pro.eeded +ith her sear.h of the house/ Ti)e
+as going on/ There +as no sign of To))y and> +hat )attered far
)ore to Tuppen.e> there +as no sign of Mr/ &ennie/ Suddeny
Tuppen.e .a)e out of a 'edroo) and .oided +ith %eatri.e -ingston
%ru.e +ho +as going do+n stairs/ She +as fuy dressed for the street/
JI") afraid>J said Tuppen.e> Jthat you )ustn"t go out Dust no+/J
The other gir oo1ed at her haughtiy/
JWhether I go out or not is no 'usiness of yours>J she said .ody/
JIt is )y 'usiness +hether I .o))uni.ate +ith the poi.e or not>
though>J said Tuppen.e/
In a )inute the gir had turned ashy pae/
J@ou )ustn"t;you )ustn"t;I +on"t go out;'ut don"t do that/J She .ung to
Tuppen.e 'esee.hingy/
JMy dear Miss -ingston %ru.e>J said Tuppen.e s)iing/
XThe .ase has 'een perfe.ty .ear to )e fro) the start;I;X
%ut she +as interrupted/ In the stress of her en.ounter +ith the gir>
Tuppen.e had not heard the front door 'e/ 0o+> to her astonish)ent>
To))y .a)e 'ounding up the stairs> and in the ha 'eo+ she .aught
sight of a 'ig 'ury )an in the a.t of re)oving a 'o+er hat/
J$ete.tive Inspe.tor Marriot of S.otand @ard>J he said +ith a grin/
With a .ry> %eatri.e -ingston %ru.e tore hersef fro) Tuppen.e"s
grasp and dashed do+n the stairs> Dust as the front door +as opened
on.e )ore to ad)it Mr/ &ennie/
J0o+ you have torn it>J said Tuppen.e 'ittery/
J(hAJ said To))y> hurrying into #ady #aura"s roo)/ !e passed on into
the 'athroo)> and pi.1ed up a arge .a1e of soap +hi.h he 'rought
out in his hands/ The Inspe.tor +as Dust )ounting the stairs/
JShe +ent 8uite 8uiety>J he announ.ed/ JShe"s an od hand> and
1no+s +hen the ga)e is up/ What a'out the pearAJ
JI rather fan.y>J said To))y> handing hi) the soap> Jthat you" find it
in here/J
The Inspe.tor"s eyes it up appre.iativey/
JAn od tri.1> and a good one/ Cut a .a1e of soap in haf> s.oop out a
pa.e for the De+e> .ap it together again> and s)ooth the Doin +ed
over +ith hot +ater/ A very s)art pie.e of +or1 on your part> sir/J
To))y a..epted the .o)pi)ent gra.efuy/ !e and Tuppen.e
des.ended the stairs/ Coone -ingston %ru.e rushed at hi) and
shoo1 hi) +ar)y 'y the hand/
JMy dear sir> I .an"t than1 you enough/ #ady #aura +ants to than1 you
aso;J
JI a) gad +e have given you satisfa.tion>J said To))y/ J%ut I")
afraid I .an"t stop/ I have a )ost urgent appoint)ent/ Me)'er of the
Ca'inet/J
!e hurried out to the .ar and Du)ped in/ Tuppen.e Du)ped in 'eside
hi)/
J%ut To))y>J she .ried/ J!aven"t they arrested #ady #aura> after aAJ
J<hGJ said To))y/ J$idn"t I te youA They"ve not arrested #ady #aura/
They"ve arrested (ise/J
J@ou see>J he +ent on> as Tuppen.e sat du)'founded> JI"ve often tried
to open a door +ith soap on )y hands )ysef/ It .an"t 'e done;your
hands sip/ So I +ondered +hat (ise .oud have 'een doing +ith the
soap to get her hands as soapy as a that/ She .aught up a to+e> you
re)e)'er> so there +ere no tra.es of soap on the hande after+ards/
%ut it o..urred to )e that if you +ere a professiona thief> it +oudn"t
'e a 'ad pan to 'e )aid to a ady suspe.ted of 1epto)ania +ho
stayed a'out a good dea in different houses/ So I )anaged to get a
photo of her as +e as of the roo)> indu.ed her to hande a gass side
and todded off to dear od S.otand @ard/ #ightning deveop)ent of
negative> su..essfu identifi.ation of fingerprints;and photo/ (ise +as
a ong ost friend/ 2sefu pa.e> S.otand @ard/J
JAnd to thin1>J said Tuppen.e> finding her voi.e> Jthat those t+o young
idiots +ere ony suspe.ting ea.h other in that +ea1 +ay they do it in
'oo1s/ %ut +hy didn"t you te )e +hat you +ere up to +hen you +ent
offAJ
JIn the first pa.e> I suspe.ted that (ise +as istening on the anding>
and in the se.ond pa.e;J
J@esAJ
JMy earned friend forgets>J said To))y/ JThorndy1e never tes unti
the ast )o)ent/ %esides> Tuppen.e> you and your pa *anet S)ith put
one over on )e ast ti)e/ This )a1es us an s8uare/J
F/ T!( A$7(0T2&( <F T!( SI0IST(& ST&A0,(&
JIt"s 'een a darned du day>J said To))y> and ya+ned +idey/
J0eary tea ti)e>J said Tuppen.e and aso ya+ned/
%usiness +as not 'ris1 in the Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y/ The
eagery eBpe.ted etter fro) the ha) )er.hant had not arrived and
'ona fide .ases +ere not forth.o)ing/
A'ert> the offi.e 'oy> entered +ith a seaed pa.1age +hi.h he aid on
the ta'e/
JThe Mystery of the Seaed Pa.1et>J )ur)ured To))y/ J$id it .ontain
the fa'uous pears of the &ussian ,rand $u.hessA <r +as it an
inferna )a.hine destined to 'o+ %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives to
pie.esAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Tuppen.e> tearing open the pa.1age> Jit"s
)y +edding present to Fran.is !aviand/ &ather ni.e> isn"t itAJ
To))y too1 a sender siver .igarette .ase fro) her outstret.hed
hand> noted the ins.ription engraved in her o+n hand+ritingH Fran.is
fro) Tuppen.e> opened and shut the .ase> and nodded approvingy/
J@ou do thro+ your )oney a'out> Tuppen.e>J he re)ar1ed/ JI" have
one i1e it> ony in god> for )y 'irthday neBt )onth/ Fan.y +asting a
thing i1e that on Fran.is !aviand> +ho a+ays +as and a+ays +i 'e
one of the )ost perfe.t asses ,od ever )adeGJ
J@ou forget I used to drive hi) a'out during the War> +hen he +as a
,enera/ AhG those +ere the good od days/J
JThey +ere>J agreed To))y/ J%eautifu +o)en used to .o)e and
s8uee?e )y hand in !ospita> I re)e)'er/ %ut I don"t send the) a
+edding presents/ I don"t 'eieve the 'ride +i .are )u.h for this gift
of yours> Tuppen.e/J
JIt"s ni.e and si) for the po.1et> isn"t itAJ said Tuppen.e disregarding
his re)ar1s/
To))y sipped it into his o+n po.1et/
J*ust right>J he said approvingy/ ""!uo> here is A'ert +ith the
afternoon post/ 7ery possi'y the $u.hess of Pertheshire is
.o))issioning us to find her pri?e Pe1e/J
They sorted through the etters together/ Suddeny To))y gave vent
to a proonged +histe> and hed up one of the) in his hand/
JA 'ue etter +ith a &ussian sta)p on it/ $o you re)e)'er +hat the
Chief saidA We +ere to oo1 out for etters i1e that/J
J!o+ eB.iting>J said Tuppen.e/ JSo)ething has happened at ast/
<pen it and see if the .ontents are up to s.hedue/ A ha) )er.hant>
+asn"t itA !af a )inute/ We sha +ant so)e )i1 for tea/ They forgot
to eave it this )orning/ I" send A'ert out for it/J
She returned fro) the outer offi.e> after despat.hing A'ert on his
errand> to find To))y hoding the 'ue sheet of paper in his hand/
JAs +e thought> Tuppen.e>J he re)ar1ed/ JA)ost +ord for +ord +hat
the Chief said/J
Tuppen.e too1 the etter fro) hi) and read it/
It +as .ou.hed in .arefu stited (ngish> and purported to 'e fro) one
,regor Feodors1y +ho +as anBious for ne+s of his +ife/ The
Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y +as urged to spare no eBpense in
doing their ut)ost to tra.e her/ Feodors1y hi)sef +as una'e to eave
&ussia at the )o)ent o+ing to a .risis in the Por1 trade/
JI +onder +hat it reay )eans>J said Tuppen.e thoughtfuy>
s)oothing out the sheet on the ta'e in front of her/
JCode of so)e 1ind> I suppose>J said To))y/ JThat"s not our 'usiness/
<ur 'usiness is to hand it over to the Chief as soon as possi'e/ %etter
Dust verify it 'y soa1ing off the sta)p and seeing if the nu)'er 13 is
underneath/J
JA right>J said Tuppen.e/ J%ut I shoud thin1;J
She stopped dead> and To))y> surprised 'y her sudden pause>
oo1ed up to see a )an"s 'ury figure 'o.1ing the door+ay/
The intruder +as a )an of .o))anding presen.e> s8uareIy 'uit> +ith
a very round head and a po+erfu Da+/ !e )ight have 'een a'out fortyfive
years of age/
JI )ust 'eg your pardon>J said the stranger> advan.ing into the roo)>
hat in hand/ JI found your outer offi.e e)pty> and this door open> so I
ventured to intrude/ This is %unt"s Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y> is it
notAJ
JCertainy it is/J
JAnd you are> perhaps> Mr/ %untA Mr/ Theodore %untAJ
JI a) Mr/ %unt/ @ou +ished to .onsut )eA This is )y se.retary> Miss
&o'inson/J
Tuppen.e in.ined her head gra.efuy> 'ut .ontinued to s.rutinise the
stranger narro+y through her do+n.ast eyeashes/ She +as
+ondering ho+ ong he had 'een standing in the door+ay> and ho+
)u.h he had seen and heard/ It did not es.ape her o'servation that
even +hie he +as ta1ing to To))y> his eyes 1ept .o)ing 'a.1 to the
'ue paper in her hand/
To))y"s voi.e> sharp +ith a +arning note> re.aed her to the needs of
the )o)ent/
JMiss &o'inson> pease> ta1e notes/ 0o+> sir> +i you 1indy state the
)atter on +hi.h you +ish to have )y advi.eAJ
Tuppen.e rea.hed for her pad and pen.i/
The 'ig )an 'egan in rather a harsh voi.e/
JMy na)e is %o+er/ $r/ Chares %o+er/ I ive in !a)pstead +here I
have a pra.ti.e/ I have .o)e to you> Mr/ %unt> 'e.ause severa rather
strange o..urren.es have happened atey/J
J@es> $r/ %o+erAJ
JT+i.e in the .ourse of the ast +ee1> I have 'een su))oned 'y
teephone to an urgent .ase;in ea.h .ase to find that the su))ons has
'een a fa1e/ The first ti)e I thought a pra.ti.a Do1e had 'een payed
upon )e> 'ut on )y return the se.ond ti)e> I found that so)e of )y
private papers had 'een dispa.ed and disarranged> and I no+ 'eieve
that the sa)e thing had happened the first ti)e/ I )ade an eBhaustive
sear.h and .a)e to the .on.usion that )y +hoe des1 had 'een
thoroughy ransa.1ed> and the various papers repa.ed hurriedy/J
$r/ %o+er paused> and ga?ed at To))y/
JWe> Mr/ %untAJ
JWe> $r/ %o+er>J repied the young )an s)iing/
JWhat do you thin1 of it> ehAJ
JWe> first I shoud i1e the fa.ts/ What do you 1eep in your des1AJ
JMy private papers/J
J(Ba.ty/ 0o+> +hat do those private papers .onsist ofA What vaue
are they to the .o))on thief;or any parti.uar personAJ
JTo the .o))on thief I .annot see that they +oud have any vaue at
a> 'ut )y notes on .ertain o's.ure a1aoids +oud 'e of interest to
anyone possessed of te.hni.a 1no+edge on the su'De.t/ I have 'een
)a1ing a study of su.h )atters for the ast fe+ years/ These a1aoids
are deady and viruent poisons> and are> in addition> a)ost
untra.ea'e/ They yied no 1no+n rea.tions/J
JThe se.ret of the) +oud 'e +orth )oney> thenAJ
XTo uns.rupuous persons> yes/J
JAnd you suspe.t;+ho)AJ
The do.tor shrugged his )assive shouders/
JAs far as I .an te> the house +as not entered for.i'y fro) the
outside/ That see)s to point to so)e )e)'er of )y househod> and
yet I .annot 'eieve;J !e 'ro1e off a'rupty> then 'egan again> his fa.e
very grave/
JMr/ %unt> I )ust pa.e )ysef in your hands unreservedy/ I dare not
go to the poi.e in the )atter/ <f )y three servants I a) a)ost entirey
sure/ They have served )e ong and faithfuy/ Sti> one never 1no+s/
Then I have iving +ith )e )y t+o nephe+s> %ertra) and !enry/ !enry
is a good 'oy;a very good 'oy;he has never .aused )e any anBiety> an
eB.eent hard;+or1ing young feo+/ %ertra)> I regret to say> is of
8uite a different .hara.ter;+id> eBtravagant> and persistenty ide/J
JI see>J said To))y thoughtfuy/ J@ou suspe.t your nephe+ %ertra)
of 'eing )iBed up in this 'usiness/ 0o+ I don"t agree +ith you/ I
suspe.t the good 'oy;!enry/J
J%ut +hyAJ
JTradition/ Pre.edent/J To))y +aved his hand airiy/ JIn )y
eBperien.e> the suspi.ious .hara.ters are a+ays inno.ent;and vi.e
versa> )y dear sir/ @es> de.idedy> I suspe.t !enry/J
J(B.use )e> Mr/ %unt>J said Tuppen.e> interrupting in a deferentia
voi.e/ J$id I understand $r/ %o+er to say that these notes on;ero's.ure
a1aoids;are 1ept in the des1 +ith the other papersAJ
JThey are 1ept in the des1> )y dear young ady> 'ut in a se.ret dra+er>
the position of +hi.h is 1no+n ony to )ysef/ !en.e they have so far
defied the sear.h/J
JAnd +hat eBa.ty do you +ant )e to do> $r/ %o+erAJ as1ed To))y/
J$o you anti.ipate that a further sear.h +i 'e )adeAJ
JI do> Mr/ %unt/ I have every reason to 'eieve so/ This afternoon> I
re.eived a teegra) fro) a patient of )ine +ho) I ordered to
%ourne)outh a fe+ +ee1s ago/ The teegra) states that )y patient is
in a .riti.a .ondition> and 'egs )e to .o)e do+n at on.e/ &endered
suspi.ious 'y the events I have tod you of> I )ysef despat.hed a
teegra)> prepaid> to the patient in 8uestion> and ei.ited the fa.t that
he +as in good heath and had sent no su))ons to )e of any 1ind/ It
o..urred to )e that if I pretended to have 'een ta1en in> and duy
departed to %ourne)outh> +e shoud have a very good .han.e of
finding the )is.reants at +or1/ They;or he ;+i dou'tess +ait unti the
househod has retired to 'ed 'efore .o))en.ing operations/ I
suggest that you shoud )eet )e outside )y house at eeven o".o.1
this evening> and +e +i investigate the )atter together/J
J!oping> in fa.t> to .at.h the) in the a.t/J To))y dru))ed
thoughtfuy on the ta'e +ith a paper 1nife/ J@our pan see)s to )e an
eB.eent one> $r/ %o+er/ I .annot see any hit.h in it/ #et )e see> your
address is;AJ
JThe #ar.hes> !ang)an"s #ane;rather a oney part> I a) afraid/ %ut
+e .o))and )agnifi.ent vie+s over the !eath/J
J4uite so>J said To))y/
The visitor rose/
JThen I sha eBpe.t you to;night> Mr/ %unt/ <utside The #ar.hes atsha
+e say> five )inutes to eeven;to 'e on the safe sideAJ
JCertainy/ Five )inutes to eeven/ ,ood afternoon> $r/ %o+er/J
To))y rose> pressed the 'u??er on his des1> and A'ert appeared to
sho+ the .ient out/ The do.tor +a1ed +ith a de.ided i)p> 'ut his
po+erfu physi8ue +as evident in spite of it/
JAn ugy .usto)er to ta.1e>J )ur)ured To))y to hi)sef/ JWe>
Tuppen.e> od gir> +hat do you thin1 of itAJ
JI" te you in one +ord>J said Tuppen.e/ JCu'footGJ
JWhatAJ
JI said Cu'footG My study of the Cassi.s has not 'een in vain/ To))y>
this thing"s a pant/ <'s.ure a1aoids indeed;I never heard a +ea1er
story/J
J(ven I did not find it very .onvin.ing>J ad)itted her hus'and/
J$id you see his eyes on the etterA To))y> he"s one of the gang/
They"ve got +ise to the fa.t that you"re not the rea Mr/ %unt> and
they"re out for our 'ood/J
JIn that .ase>J said To))y> opening the side .up'oard> and surveying
his ro+s of 'oo1s +ith an affe.tionate eye/ J<ur roe is easy to see.t/
We are the 'rothers <1e+oodG And I a) $es)ond>J he added fir)y/
Tuppen.e shrugged her shouders/
JA right/ !ave it your o+n +ay/ I"d Dust as soon 'e Fran.is/ Fran.is
+as )u.h the )ore inteigent of the t+o/ $es)ond a+ays gets into a
)ess> and Fran.is turns up as the gardener or so)ething in the ni.1 of
ti)e> and saves the situation/J
JAhGJ said To))y> J'ut I sha 'e a super $es)ondG When I arrive at
The #ar.hes;J
Tuppen.e interrupted hi) un.ere)oniousy/
J@ou"re not going to !a)pstead to;nightAJ
["Why notAJ
JWa1 into a trap +ith your eyes shutGJ
J0o> )y dear gir> +a1 into a trap +ith )y eyes open/ There"s a ot of
differen.e/ I thin1 our friend $r/ %o+er +i get a itte surprise/J
JI don"t i1e it>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou 1no+ +hat happens +hen
$es)ond diso'eys the Chief"s orders> and a.ts on his o+n/ <ur orders
+ere 8uite .ear/ To send on the etters at on.e and to report
i))ediatey on anything that happened/J
J@ou"ve not got it 8uite right>J said To))y/ JWe +ere to report
i))ediatey if anyone .a)e in and )entioned the nu)'er 13/ 0o'ody
has/J
JThat"s a 8ui''e>J said Tuppen.e/
JIt"s no good/ I"ve got a fan.y for paying a one hand/ My dear od
Tuppen.e> I sha 'e a right/ I sha go ar)ed to the teeth/ The
essen.e of the +hoe thing is that I sha 'e on )y guard and they +on"t
1no+ it/ The Chief +i 'e patting )e on the 'a.1 for a good night"s
+or1/J
JWe>J said Tuppen.e/ JI don"t i1e it/ That )an"s as strong as a
goria/J
JAhGJ said To))y> J'ut thin1 of )y 'ue;nosed auto)ati./J
The door of the outer offi.e opened and A'ert appeared/ Cosing the
door 'ehind hi)> he approa.hed the) +ith an enveope in his hand/
JA gente)an to see you>J said A'ert/ JWhen I 'egan the usua stunt of
saying you +ere engaged +ith S.otand @ard> he tod )e he 1ne+ a
a'out that/ Said he .a)e fro) S.otand @ard hi)sefG And he +rote
so)ething on a .ard and stu.1 it up in this enveope/J
To))y too1 the enveope and opened it/ As he read the .ard> a grin
passed a.ross his fa.e/
JThe gente)an +as a)using hi)sef at your eBpense 'y spea1ing the
truth> A'ert>J he re)ar1ed/ JSho+ hi) in/J
!e tossed the .ard to Tuppen.e/ It 'ore the na)e $ete.tive Inspe.tor
$y).hur.h> and a.ross it +as s.ra+ed in pen.i;JA friend of
Marriot"s/J
In another )inute the S.otand @ard dete.tive +as entering the inner
offi.e/ In appearan.e> Inspe.tor $y).hur.h +as of the sa)e type as
Inspe.tor Marriot> short and thi.1 set> +ith shre+d eyes/
J,ood afternoon>J said the dete.tive 'ree?iy/ JMarriot"s a+ay in South
Waes> 'ut 'efore he +ent> he as1ed )e to 1eep an eye on you t+o>
and on this pa.e in genera/ <hG 'ess you> sir>J he +ent on> as To))y
see)ed a'out to interrupt hi)> J+e 1no+ a a'out it/ It"s not our
depart)ent> and +e don"t interfere/ %ut so)e'ody"s got +ise atey to
the fa.t that a is not +hat it see)s/ @ou"ve had a gente)an here this
afternoon/ I don"t 1no+ +hat he .aed hi)sef> and I don"t 1no+ +hat
his rea na)e is> 'ut I 1no+ Dust a itte a'out hi)/ (nough to +ant to
1no+ )ore/ A) I right in assu)ing that he )ade a date +ith you for
so)e parti.uar spot this eveningAJ
J4uite right/J
JI thought as )u.h/ 13 Westerha) &oad> Fins'ury Par1A Was that itAJ
J@ou"re +rong there>J said To))y +ith a s)ie/ J$ead +rong/ The
#ar.hes> !a)pstead/J
$y).hur.h see)ed honesty ta1en a'a.1/ Ceary he had not
eBpe.ted this/
JI don"t understand it>J he )uttered/ JIt )ust 'e a ne+ ayout/ The
#ar.hes> !a)pstead> you saidAJ
J@es/ I") to )eet hi) there at eeven o".o.1 to;night/J
J$on"t you do it> sir/J
JThereGJ 'urst fro) Tuppen.e/
To))y fushed/
JIf you thin1> Inspe.tor;J he 'egan heatedy/
%ut the Inspe.tor raised a soothing hand/
JI" te you +hat I thin1> Mr/ %unt/ The pa.e you +ant to 'e at eeven
o".o.1 to;night is here in this offi.e/J
JWhatAJ .ried Tuppen.e> astonished/
J!ere in this offi.e/ 0ever )ind ho+ I 1no+;depart)ents overap
so)eti)es;'ut you got one of those fa)ous J%ueJ etters to;day/ <d
+hat"s his na)e is after that/ !e ures you up to !a)pstead> )a1es
8uite sure of your 'eing out of the +ay> and steps in here at night +hen
a the 'uiding is e)pty and 8uiet to have a good sear.h round at his
eisure/J
J%ut +hy shoud he thin1 the etter +oud 'e hereA !e"d 1no+ I shoud
have it on )e or ese have passed it on/J
J%egging your pardon> sir> that"s Dust +hat he +oudn"t 1no+/ !e )ay
have tu)'ed to the fa.t that you"re not the origina Mr/ %unt> 'ut he
pro'a'y thin1s that you"re a 'ona fide gente)an +ho"s 'ought the
'usiness/ In that .ase> the etter +oud 'e a in the +ay of reguar
'usiness and +oud 'e fied as su.h/J
JI see>J said Tuppen.e/
JAnd thatNs Dust +hat +e"ve got to et hi) thin1/ We" .at.h hi) red
handed here to;night/J
JSo that"s the pan> is itAJ
X@es/ It"s the .han.e of a ifeti)e/ 0o+> et )e see> +hat"s the ti)eA SiB
o".o.1/ What ti)e do you usuay eave here> sirAJ
JA'out siB/J
J@ou )ust see) to eave the pa.e as usua/ A.tuay +e" snea1 'a.1
to it as soon as possi'e/ I don"t 'eieve they" .o)e here ti a'out
eeven> 'ut of .ourse they )ight/ If you" eB.use )e> I" Dust go and
ta1e a oo1 round outside and see if I .an )a1e out anyone +at.hing
the pa.e/J
$y).hur.h departed> and To))y 'egan an argu)ent +ith Tuppen.e/
It asted so)e ti)e and +as heated and a.ri)onious/ In the end
Tuppen.e suddeny .apituated/
JA right>J she said/ JI give in/ I" go ho)e> and sit there i1e a good
itte gir +hist you ta.1e .roo1s and ho' no' +ith dete.tives;'ut you
+ait> young )an/ I" 'e even +ith you yet for 1eeping )e out of the
fun/J
$y).hur.h returned at that )o)ent/
JCoast see)s .ear enough>J he said/ J%ut you .an"t te/ %etter see)
to eave in the usua )anner/ They +on"t go on +at.hing the pa.e
on.e you"ve gone/J
To))y .aed A'ert> and gave hi) instru.tions to o.1 up/
Then the four of the) )ade their +ay to the garage near 'y +here the
.ar +as usuay eft/ Tuppen.e drove and A'ert sat 'eside her/
To))y and the dete.tive sat 'ehind/
Presenty they +ere hed up 'y a 'o.1 in the traffi./ Tuppen.e oo1ed
over her shouder and nodded/ To))y and the dete.tive opened the
right hand door> and stepped out into the )idde of <Bford Street/ In a
)inute or t+o Tuppen.e drove on/
3/ T!( A$7(0T2&( <F T!( SI0IST(& ST&A0,(& 9.ontinued:
J%etter not go in Dust yet>J said $y).hur.h as he and To))y hurried
into !aeha) Street/ J@ou"ve got the 1ey a rightAJ
To))y nodded/
JThen +hat a'out a 'ite of dinnerA It"s eary> 'ut there"s a itte pa.e
here right opposite/ We" get a ta'e 'y the +indo+> so that +e .an
+at.h the pa.e a the ti)e/J
They had a very +e.o)e itte )ea> in the )anner the dete.tive had
suggested/ To))y found Inspe.tor $y).hur.h 8uite an entertaining
.o)panion/ Most of his offi.ia +or1 had ain a)ongst internationa
spies> and he had taes to te +hi.h astonished his si)pe istener/
They re)ained in the itte &estaurant unti eight o".o.1 +hen
$y).hur.h suggested a )ove/
JIt"s 8uite dar1 no+> sir>J he eBpained/ JWe sha 'e a'e to sip in
+ithout anyone 'eing the +iser/J
It +as> as he said> 8uite dar1/ They .rossed the road oo1ed 8ui.1y up
and do+n the deserted street> and sipped inside the entran.e/ Then
they )ounted the stairs> and To))y inserted his 1ey in the o.1 of the
outer offi.e/
*ust as he did so> he heard> as he thought> $y).hur.h +histe 'eside
hi)/
JWhat are you +histing forAJ he as1ed sharpy/
JI didn"t +histe>J said $y).hur.h> very )u.h astonished> JI thought
you did/J
JWe> so)eone;J 'egan To))y/
!e got no further/ Strong ar)s sei?ed hi) fro) 'ehind> and 'efore he
.oud .ry out> a pad of so)ething s+eet and si.1y +as pressed over
his )outh and nose/
!e strugged vaianty> 'ut in vain/ The .horofor) did its +or1/ !is
head 'egan to +hir and the foor heaved up and do+n in front of hi)/
Cho1ing> he ost .ons.iousness////
!e .a)e to hi)sef painfuy 'ut in fu possession of his fa.uties/ The
.horofor) had 'een ony a +hiff/ They had 1ept hi) under ong
enough to for.e a gag into his )outh and ensure that he did not .ry
out/
When he .a)e to hi)sef> he +as haf ying> haf sitting> propped
against the +a in a .orner of his o+n inner offi.e/ T+o )en +ere
'usiy turning out the .ontents of the des1> and ransa.1ing the
.up'oards> and as they +or1ed they .ursed freey/
JS+ep )e> guvnor>J said the taer of the t+o hoarsey> J+e"ve turned
the +hoe 'oody pa.e upside do+n and inside out/ It"s not there/J
JIt )ust 'e here>J snared the other/ JIt isn"t on hi)/ And there"s no
other pa.e it .an 'e/J
As he spo1e he turned> and to To))y"s utter a)a?e)ent he sa+ that
the ast spea1er +as none other than Inspe.tor $y).hur.h/ The atter
grinned +hen he sa+ To))y"s astonished fa.e/
JSo our young friend is a+a1e again>J he said/ JAnd a itte surprisedyes>
a itte surprised/ %ut it +as so si)pe/ We suspe.t that a is not as
it shoud 'e +ith the Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y/ I vounteer to find
out if that is so> or not/ If the ne+ Mr/ %unt is indeed a spy> he +i 'e
suspi.ious> so I send first )y dear od friend Car %auer/ Car is tod to
a.t suspi.iousy and pit.h an i)pro'a'e tae/ !e does so> and then I
appear on the s.ene/ I use the na)e of Inspe.tor Marriot to gain
.onfiden.e/ The rest is easy/J
!e aughed/
To))y +as dying to say severa things> 'ut the gag in his )outh
prevented hi)/ Aso> he +as dying to do severa things ;)osty +ith his
hands and feet;'ut aas> that too had 'een attended to/ !e +as
se.urey 'ound/
The thing that a)a?ed hi) )ost +as the astounding .hange in the )an
standing over hi)/ As Inspe.tor $y).hur.h> the feo+ had 'een a
typi.a (ngish)an/ 0o+> no one .oud have )ista1en hi) for a
)o)ent for anything 'ut a +e edu.ated foreigner +ho ta1ed (ngish
perfe.ty +ithout tra.e of a..ent/
JCoggins> )y good friend>J said the erst+hie Inspe.tor> addressing
his ruffiany oo1ing asso.iate/ JTa1e your ife preserver and stand 'y
the prisoner/ I a) going to re)ove the gag/ @ou understand> )y dear
Mr/ %unt> do you not> that is +oud 'e .ri)inay fooish on your part to
.ry outA %ut I a) sure you do/ For your age> you are 8uite an inteigent
ad/J
7ery defty he re)oved the gag> and stepped 'a.1/
To))y eased his stiff Da+s> roed his tongue round his )outh>
s+ao+ed t+i.e;and said nothing at a/
JI .ongratuate you on your restraint>J said the other/ J@ou appre.iate
the position> I see/ !ave you nothing at a to sayAJ
JWhat I have to say +i 1eep>J said To))y/ JAnd it +on"t spoi 'y
+aiting/J
JAhG What I have to say +i not 1eep/ In pain (ngish> Mr/ %unt> +here
is that etterAJ
JMy dear feo+> I don"t 1no+>J said To))y .heerfuy/ JI haven"t got it/
%ut you 1no+ that as +e as I do/ I shoud go on oo1ing a'out if I +ere
you/ I i1e to see you and friend Coggins paying !ide and See1
together/J
The other"s fa.e dar1ened/
J@ou are peased to 'e fippant> Mr/ %unt/ @ou see that s8uare 'oB
over there/ That is Coggins" itte outfit/ In it there is vitrio / / / yes>
vitrio / / / and irons that .an 'e heated in the fire> so that they are red
hot and 'urn / / /J
To))y shoo1 his head sady/
JAn error in diagnosis>J he )ur)ured/ JTuppen.e and I a'eed this
adventure +rong/ It"s not a Cu'foot story/ It"s a %u $og $ru))ond>
and you are the ini)ita'e Car Peterson/J
JWhat is this nonsense you are ta1ingAJ snared the other/
JAhGJ said To))y/ JI see you are una.8uainted +ith the Cassi.s/ A
pity/J
JIgnorant fooA Wi you do +hat +e +ant or +i you notA Sha I te
Coggins to get out his toos and 'eginAJ
J$on"t 'e so i)patient>J said To))y/ J<f .ourse I" do +hat you +ant>
as soon as you te )e +hat it is/ @ou don"t suppose I +ant to 'e .arved
up i1e a fieted soe and fried on a gridironA I oathe 'eing hurt/J
$y).hur.h oo1ed at hi) in .onte)pt/
J,ottG What .o+ards are these (ngish/J
JCo))on sense> )y dear feo+> )erey .o))on sense/ #eave the
vitrio aone> and et us .o)e do+n to 'rass ta.1s/J
JI +ant the etter/J
JI"ve aready tod you I haven"t got it/J
JWe 1no+ that;+e aso 1no+ +ho )ust have it/ The gir/J
J7ery possi'y you"re right>J said To))y/ JShe )ay have sipped it into
her hand'ag +hen your pa Car started us/J
J<h> you do not deny/ That is +ise/ 7ery good> you +i +rite to this
Tuppen.e> as you .a her> 'idding her 'ring the etter here
i))ediatey/J
JI .an"t do that>J 'egan To))y/
The other .ut in 'efore he had finished the senten.e/
JAhG @ou .an"tA We> +e sha soon see/ CogginsGJ
J$on"t 'e in su.h a hurry>J said To))y/ JAnd do +ait for the end of the
senten.e/ I +as going to say that I .an"t do that uness you untie )y
ar)s/ !ang it a> I") not one of those frea1s +ho .an +rite +ith their
noses or their e'o+s/J
J@ou are +iing to +rite> thenAJ
J<f .ourse/ !aven"t I 'een teing you so a aongA I") a out to 'e
peasant and o'iging/ @ou +on"t do anything un1ind to Tuppen.e> of
.ourse/ I") sure you +on"t/ She"s su.h a ni.e gir/J
JWe ony +ant the etter>J said $y).hur.h> 'ut there +as a singuary
unpeasant s)ie on his fa.e/
At a nod fro) hi)> the 'ruta Coggins 1neat do+n and unfastened
To))y"s ar)s/ The atter s+ung the) to and fro/
JThat"s 'etter>J he said .heerfuy/ JWi 1ind Coggins hand )e )y
fountain penA It"s on the ta'e> I thin1> +ith )y other )is.eaneous
property/J
S.o+ing> the )an 'rought it to hire> and provided a sheet of paper/
J%e .arefu +hat you say>J $y).hur.h said )ena.ingy/
JWe eave it to you> 'ut faiure )eans;death;and so+ death at that/J
XIn that .ase>J said To))y> JI +i .ertainy do )y 'est/J
!e refe.ted a )inute or t+o> then 'egan to s.ri''e rapidy/
J!o+ +i this doAJ he as1ed> handing over the .o)peted episte/
$ear Tuppen.e>
Can you .o)e aong at on.e and 'ring that 'ue etter
+ith youA We +ant to de.ode it here and no+/
In haste
Fran.is
JFran.isAJ 8ueried the 'ogus Inspe.tor> +ith ifted eye'ro+s/ JWas
that the na)e she .aed youAJ
JAs you +eren"t at )y .hristening>J said To))y> JI don"t suppose you
.an 1no+ +hether it"s )y na)e or not/ %ut I thin1 the .igarette .ase
you too1 fro) )y po.1et is a pretty good proof that I") spea1ing the
truth/J
The other stepped over to the ta'e and too1 up the .ase> read
JFran.is fro) Tuppen.e>J +ith a faint grin and aid it do+n again/
JI a) gad to find you are 'ehaving so sensi'y>J he said/ JCoggins>
give that note to 7assiy/ !e is on guard outside/ Te hi) to ta1e it at
on.e/J
The neBt t+enty )inutes passed so+y> the ten )inutes after that
)ore so+y sti/ $y).hur.h +as striding up and do+n +ith a fa.e that
gre+ dar1er and dar1er/ <n.e he turned )ena.ingy on To))y/
JIf you have dared to dou'e .ross us / / /J he gro+ed/
JIf +e"d had a pa.1 of .ards here> +e )ight have had a ga)e of
pi.8uet to pass the ti)e>J dra+ed To))y/ JWo)en a+ays 1eep one
+aiting/ I hope you"re not going to 'e un1ind to itte Tuppen.e +hen
she .o)esAJ
J<hG no>J said $y).hur.h/ JWe sha arrange for you to go to the sa)e
pa.e;together/J
JWi you> you s+ine>J said To))y under his 'reath/
Suddeny there +as a stir in the outer offi.e/ A )an +ho) To))y had
not yet seen po1ed his head in and gro+ed so)ething in &ussian/
J,ood>J said $y).hur.h/ JShe is .o)ing;and .o)ing aone/J
For a )o)ent a faint anBiety .aught at To))y"s heart/
The neBt )inute he heard Tuppen.e"s voi.e/
J<hG there you are> Inspe.tor $y).hur.h/ I"ve 'rought the etter/
Where is Fran.isAJ
With the ast +ords she .a)e through the door> and 7assiy sprang on
her fro) 'ehind> .apping his hand over her )outh/ $y).hur.h tore
the hand'ag fro) her grasp> and turned over its .ontents in a fren?ied
sear.h/
Suddeny he uttered an eDa.uation of deight and hed up a 'ue
enveope +ith a &ussian sta)p on it/ Coggins gave a hoarse shout/
And Dust in that )inute of triu)ph> the other door> the door into
Tuppen.e"s o+n offi.e> opened noiseessy and Inspe.tor Marriott and
t+o )en ar)ed +ith revovers stepped into the roo)> +ith the sharp
.o))andH J!ands 2pGJ
There +as no fight/ The others +ere ta1en at a hopeess disadvantage/
$y).hur.h"s auto)ati. ay on the ta'e> and the t+o others +ere not
ar)ed/
JA very ni.e itte hau>J said Inspe.tor Marriott +ith approva> as he
snapped on the ast pair of hand.uffs/ JAnd +e" have )ore as ti)e
goes on> I hope/J
White +ith rage> $y).hur.h gared at Tuppen.e/
J@ou itte devi>J he snared> JIt +as you put the) on to us/J
JIt +asn"t a )y doing/ I ought to have guessed> I ad)it> +hen you
'rought in the nu)'er siBteen this afternoon/ %ut it +as To))y"s note
.in.hed )atters/ I rang up Inspe.tor Marriot> got A'ert to )eet hi)
+ith the dupi.ate 1ey of the offi.e> and .a)e aong )ysef +ith the
e)pty 'ue enveope in )y 'ag/ The etter I for+arded a..ording to )y
instru.tions as soon as I had parted fro) you t+o this afternoon/J
%ut one +ord had .aught the other"s attention/
JTo))yAJ he 8ueried/
To))y +ho had Dust 'een reeased fro) his 'onds .a)e to+ards
the)/
JWe done> 'rother Fran.is>J he said to Tuppen.e> ta1ing 'oth her
hands in his/ And to $y).hur.hH JAs I tod you> )y dear feo+> you
reay ought to read the Cassi.s/J
E/ FI0(SSI0, T!( -I0,
It +as a +et Wednesday in the offi.es of the Internationa $ete.tive
Agen.y/ Tuppen.e et the $aiy #eader fa idy fro) her hand/
J$o you 1no+ +hat I"ve 'een thin1ing> To))yAJ
JIt"s i)possi'e to say>J repied her hus'and/ J@ou thin1 of so )any
things> and you thin1 of the) a at on.e/J
JI thin1 it"s ti)e +e +ent dan.ing again/J
To))y pi.1ed up the $aiy #eader hastiy/
J<ur advertise)ent oo1s +e>J he re)ar1ed> his head on one side/
J%unt"s %riiant $ete.tives/ $o you reaise> Tuppen.e> that you and
you aone are %unt"s %riiant $ete.tivesA There"s gory for you> as
!u)pty $u)pty +oud say/J
JI +as ta1ing a'out dan.ing/J
JThere"s a .urious point that I have o'served a'out ne+spapers/ I
+onder if you have ever noti.ed it/ Ta1e these three .opies of the $aiy
#eader/ Can you te )e ho+ they differ one fro) the otherAJ
Tuppen.e too1 the) +ith so)e .uriosity/
JIt see)s fairy easy>J she re)ar1ed +itheringy/ J<ne is to;day"s> one
is yesterday"s> and one is the day 'efore"s/J
JPositivey s.intiating> )y dear Watson/ %ut that +as not )y )eaning/
<'serve the headine> "The $aiy #eader/" Co)pare the three;do you
see any differen.e 'et+een the)AJ
J0o> I don"t>J said Tuppen.e> Jand +hat"s )ore> I don"t 'eieve there is
any/J
To))y sighed> and 'rought the tips of his fingers together in the )ost
approved Shero.1 !o)es fashion/
J(Ba.ty/ @et you read the papers as )u.h;in fa.t> )ore than I do/ %ut I
have o'served and you have not/ If you +i oo1 at today"s $aiy
#eader> you +i see that in the )idde of the do+nstro1e of the $ is a
s)a +hite dot> and there is another in the # of the sa)e +ord/ %ut in
yesterday"s paper the +hite dot is not in $AI#@ at a/ There are t+o
+hite dots in the # of #(A$(&/ That of the day 'efore again has t+o
dots in the $ of $AI#@/ In fa.t> the dot> or dots> are in a different
position every day/J
JWhyAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/
JThat"s a Dournaisti. se.ret/J
JMeaning you don"t 1no+> and .an"t guess/J
JI +i )erey say this;the pra.ti.e is .o))on to a ne+spapers/J
JAren"t you .everAJ said Tuppen.e/ J(spe.iay at dra+ing red
herrings a.ross the tra.1/ #et"s go 'a.1 to +hat +e +ere ta1ing a'out
'efore/J
JWhat +ere +e ta1ing a'outAJ
JThe Three Arts %a/J
To))y groaned/
J0o> no> Tuppen.e/ 0ot the Three Arts %a/ I") not young enough/ I
assure you I") not young enough/J
JWhen I +as a ni.e young gir>J said Tuppen.e> JI +as 'rought up to
'eieve that )en;espe.iay hus'ands;+ere dissipated 'eings> fond of
drin1ing and dan.ing and staying up ate at night/ It too1 an
eB.eptionay 'eautifu and .ever +ife to 1eep the) at ho)e/ Another
iusion goneG A the +ives I 1no+ are han1ering to go out and dan.e>
and +eeping 'e.ause their hus'ands +i +ear 'edroo) sippers and
go to 'ed at haf past nine/ And you do dan.e so ni.ey> To))y dear/J
J,enty +ith the 'utter> Tuppen.e/J
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Tuppen.e> Jit"s not purey for peasure that I
+ant to go/ I") intrigued 'y this advertise)ent/J
She pi.1ed up the $aiy #eader again> and read it out/
JI shoud go three hearts/ 12 tri.1s/ A.e of Spades/ 0e.essary to
finesse the -ing/J
J&ather an eBpensive +ay of earning %ridge>J +as To))y"s .o))ent/
J$on"t 'e an ass/ That"s nothing to do +ith %ridge/ @ou see> I +as
un.hing +ith a gir yesterday at the A.e of Spades/ It"s a 8ueer itte
underground den in Chesea> and she tod )e that it"s 8uite the fashion
at these 'ig sho+s to trunde round there in the .ourse of the evening
for 'a.on and eggs and Wesh &a''its;%ohe)ian sort of stuff/ It"s got
s.reened off 'ooths a round it/ Pretty hot pa.e> I shoud say/J
JAnd your idea is;AJ
JThree hearts stands for the Three Arts %a to;)orro+ night> 12 tri.1s
is t+eve o".o.1> and the A.e of Spades is the A.e of Spades/J
JAnd +hat a'out its 'eing ne.essary to finesse the -ingAJ
JWe> that"s +hat I thought +e"d find out/J
JI shoudn"t +onder if you +eren"t right> Tuppen.e>J said To))y
)agnani)ousy/ J%ut I don"t 8uite see +hy you +ant to 'utt in upon
other peope"s ove affairs/J
JI shan"t 'utt in/ What I") proposing is an interesting eBperi)ent in
dete.tive +or1/ We need pra.ti.e/J
J%usiness is .ertainy not too 'ris1>J agreed To))y/ JA the sa)e>
Tuppen.e> +hat you +ant is to go to the Three Arts %a and dan.eG
Ta1 of red herrings/J
Tuppen.e aughed sha)eessy/
J%e a sport> To))y/ Try and forget you"re thirty;t+o and have got one
grey hair in your eft eye'ro+/J
JI +as a+ays +ea1 +here +o)en +ere .on.erned>J )ur)ured her
hus'and/ J!ave I got to )a1e an ass of )ysef in fan.y dressAJ
J<f .ourse> 'ut you .an eave that to )e/ I"ve got a spendid idea/J
To))y oo1ed at her +ith so)e )isgiving/ !e +as a+ays profoundy
)istrustfu of Tuppen.e"s 'riiant ideas/
When he returned to the fat on the foo+ing evening> Tuppen.e .a)e
fying out of her 'edroo) to )eet hi)/
JIt"s .o)e>J she announ.ed/
JWhat"s .o)eAJ
XThe .ostu)e/ Co)e and oo1 at it/J
To))y foo+ed her/ Spread out on the 'ed +as a .o)pete fire)an"s
1it +ith shining he)et/
J,ood ,odGJ groaned To))y/ J!ave I Doined the We)'ey fire
'rigadeAJ
J,uess again>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou haven"t .aught the idea yet/ 2se
your itte grey .es> )on a)i/ S.intiate> Watson/ %e a 'u that has
'een )ore than ten )inutes in the arena/J
JWait a )inute>J said To))y/ JI 'egin to see/ There is a dar1 purpose
in this/ What are you going to +ear> Tuppen.eAJ
JAn od suit of your .othes> an A)eri.an hat and so)e horn
spe.ta.es/J
JCrude>J said To))y/ J%ut I .at.h the idea/ M.Carty in.og/ And I a)
&iordan/J
JThat"s it/ I thought +e ought to pra.ti.e A)eri.an dete.tive )ethods
as +e as (ngish ones/ *ust for on.e I a) going to 'e the star> and
you +i 'e the hu)'e assistant/J
J$on"t forget>J said To))y +arningy> Jthat it"s a+ays an inno.ent
re)ar1 'y the si)pe $enny that puts M.Carty on the right tra.1/J
%ut Tuppen.e ony aughed/ She +as in high spirits/
It +as a )ost su..essfu evening/ The .ro+ds> the )usi. the fantasti.
dresses;everything .onspired to )a1e the young .oupe enDoy
the)seves/ To))y forgot his roe of the 'ored hus'and dragged out
against his +i/
At ten )inutes to t+eve> they drove off in the .ar to the fa)ous;or
infa)ous;A.e of Spades/ As Tuppen.e had said> it +as an
underground den> )ean and ta+dry in appearan.e> 'ut it +as
nevertheess .ro+ded +ith .oupes in fan.y dress/ There +ere .osed
in 'ooths round the +as> and To))y and Tuppen.e se.ured one of
these/ They eft the doors purposey a itte aDar so that they .oud see
+hat +as going on outside/
JI +onder +hi.h they are;our peope> I )ean>J said Tuppen.e/ JWhat
a'out that Cou)'ine over there +ith the red MephistopheesAJ
JI fan.y the +i.1ed Mandarin and the ady +ho .as hersef a
%atteship;)ore of a fast Cruiser> I shoud say/J
JIsn"t he +ittyAJ said Tuppen.e/ JA done on a itte drop of drin1G
Who"s this .o)ing in dressed as the 4ueen of !earts;rather a good get
up> that/J
The gir in 8uestion passed into the 'ooth neBt to the) a..o)panied
'y her es.ort +ho +as Jthe gente)an dressed in ne+spaperJ fro)
Ai.e in Wonderand/ They +ere 'oth +earing )as1s;it see)ed to 'e
rather a .o))on .usto) at the A.e of Spades/
XI") sure +e"re in a rea den of ini8uity>J said Tuppen.e +ith a peased
fa.e/ JS.andas a round us/ What a ro+ everyone )a1es/J
A .ry> as of protest> rang out fro) the 'ooth neBt door and +as
.overed 'y a )an"s oud augh/ (very'ody +as aughing and singing/
The shri voi.es of the girs rose a'ove the 'oo)ing of their )ae
es.orts/
JWhat a'out that shepherdessAJ de)anded To))y/ JThe one +ith the
.o)i. Fren.h)an/ They )ight 'e our itte ot/J
JAnyone )ight 'e>J .onfessed Tuppen.e/ JI") not going to 'other/ The
great thing is that +e are enDoying ourseves/J
JI .oud have enDoyed )ysef 'etter in another .ostu)e>J gru)'ed
To))y/ J@ou"ve no idea of the heat of this one/J
JCheer up>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou oo1 ovey/J
JI") gad of that>J said To))y/ JIt"s )ore than you do/ @ou"re the
funniest itte guy I"ve ever seen/J
JWi you 1eep a .ivi tongue in your head> $enny> )y 'oy/ !uo> the
gente)an in ne+spaper is eaving his ady aone/ Where"s he going>
do you thin1AJ
J,oing to hurry up the drin1s> I eBpe.t>J said To))y/ JI +oudn"t )ind
doing the sa)e thing/J
J!e"s a ong ti)e doing it>J said Tuppen.e> +hen four or five )inutes
had passed/ JTo))y> +oud you thin1 )e an a+fu ass;J She paused/
Suddeny she Du)ped up/
JCa )e an ass if you i1e/ I") going in neBt door/J
J#oo1 here> Tuppen.e;you .an"t;J
JI"ve a feeing there"s so)ething +rong/ JI 1no+ there is/ $on"t try and
stop )e/J
She passed 8ui.1y out of their o+n 'ooth> and To))y foo+ed her/
The doors of the one neBt door +ere .osed/ Tuppen.e pushed the)
apart and +ent in> To))y on her hees/
The gir dressed as the 4ueen of !earts sat in the .orner eaning up
against the +a in a 8ueer hudded position/ !er eyes regarded the)
steadiy through her )as1> 'ut she did not )ove/ !er dress +as
.arried out in a 'od design of red and +hite> 'ut on the eft side of the
pattern see)ed to have got )iBed/ There +as )ore red than shoud
have 'een/ / / /
With a .ry Tuppen.e hurried for+ard/ At the sa)e ti)e> To))y sa+
+hat she had seen> the hit of a De+eed dagger Dust 'eo+ the heart/
Tuppen.e dropped on her 1nees 'y the gir"s side/
J4ui.1> To))y> she"s sti aive/ ,et hod of the Manager and )a1e hi)
get a do.tor at on.e/J
J&ight/ Mind you don"t tou.h the hande of that dagger>
JI" 'e .arefu/ ,o 8ui.1y/J
To))y hurried out> puing the doors to 'ehind hi) Tuppen.e passed
her ar) around the gir/ The atter )ade a faint gesture> and Tuppen.e
reaised that she +anted to get rid of the )as1/ Tuppen.e unfastened
it genty/ She sa+ a fresh fo+er;i1e fa.e> and +ide starry eyes that
+ere fu of horror> suffering> and a 1ind of da?ed 'e+ider)ent/
JMy dear>J said Tuppen.e> very genty/ JCan you spea1 at aA Wi you
te )e> if you .an> +ho did thisAJ
She fet the eyes fiB the)seves on her fa.e/ The gir +as sighing> the
deep papitating sighs of a faiing heart/ And sti she oo1ed steadiy at
Tuppen.e/ Then her ips parted/
J%ingo did it;J she said in a strained +hisper
Then her hands reaBed> and she see)ed to neste do+n on
Tuppen.e"s shouder/
To))y .a)e in> t+o )en +ith hi)/ The 'igger of the t+o .a)e
for+ard +ith an air of authority> the +ord> do.tor> +ritten a over hi)/
Tuppen.e rein8uished her 'urden/
JShe"s dead> I") afraid>J she said +ith a .at.h in her voi.e/
The do.tor )ade a s+ift eBa)ination/
J@es>J he said/ J0othing to 'e done/ We had 'etter eave things as they
are ti the poi.e .o)e/ !o+ did the thing happenAJ
Tuppen.e eBpained rather hatingy> surring over her reasons for
entering the 'ooth/
JIt"s a .urious 'usiness>J said the do.tor/ J@ou heard nothingAJ
JI heard her give a 1ind of .ry> 'ut then the )an aughed/ 0aturay I
didn"t thin1;J
J0aturay not>J agreed the do.tor/ JAnd the )an +ore a )as1> you
say/ @ou +oudn"t re.ognise hi)AJ JI") afraid not/ Woud you>
To))yAJ J0o/ Sti there is his .ostu)e/J JThe first thing +i 'e to
identify this poor ady>J said the do.tor/ JAfter that> +e> I suppose the
poi.e +i get do+n to things pretty 8ui.1y/ It ought not to 'e a
diffi.ut .ase/ Ah> here they .o)e/J
O/ T!( ,(0T#(MA0 $&(SS($ I0 0(WSPAP(&
It +as after three o".o.1 +hen> +eary and si.1 at heart> the hus'and
and +ife rea.hed ho)e/ Severa hours passed 'efore Tuppen.e .oud
seep/ She ay tossing fro) side to side> seeing a+ays that fo+er i1e
fa.e +ith the horror stri.1en eyes/
The da+n +as .o)ing in through the shutters +hen Tuppen.e finay
dropped off to seep/ After the eB.ite)ent> she sept heaviy and
drea)essy/ It +as 'road dayight +hen she a+o1e to find To))y> up
and dressed> standing 'y the 'edside> sha1ing her genty 'y the ar)/
JWa1e up> od thing/ Inspe.tor Marriot and another )an are here and
+ant to see you/J
XWhat ti)e is itAJ
J*ust on eeven/ I" get Ai.e to 'ring you your tea right a+ay/J
X@es> do/ Te Inspe.tor Marriot I" 'e there in ten )inutes/J
A 8uarter of an hour ater> Tuppen.e .a)e hurrying into the sitting
roo)/ Inspe.tor Marriot +ho +as sitting oo1ing very straight and
soe)n> rose to greet her/
J,ood )orning> Mrs/ %eresford/ This is Sir Arthur Merivae/J
Tuppen.e shoo1 hands +ith a ta thin )an +ith haggard eyes and
preying hair/
JIt"s a'out this sad 'usiness ast night>J said Inspe.tor Marriot/ JI +ant
Sir Arthur to hear fro) your o+n ips +hat you tod )e;the +ords the
poor ady said 'efore she died/ Sir Arthur has 'een very hard to
.onvin.e/J
JI .an"t 'eieve>J said the other> Jand I +on"t 'eieve> that %ingo !ae
ever hurt a hair on 7ere"s head/J
Inspe.tor Marriot +ent on/
JWe"ve )ade so)e progress sin.e ast night> Mrs/ %eresford>J he said/
JFirst of a +e )anaged to identify the ady as #ady Merivae/ We
.o))uni.ated +ith Sir Arthur here/ !e re.ognised the 'ody at on.e>
and +as horrified 'eyond +ords> of .ourse/ Then I as1ed hi) if he
1ne+ anyone .aed %ingo/J
J@ou )ust understand Mrs/ %eresford>J said Sir Arthur> Jthat Captain
!ae> +ho is 1no+n to a his friends as %ingo> is the dearest pa I have/
!e pra.ti.ay ives +ith us/ !e +as staying at )y house +hen they
arrested hi) this )orning/ I .annot 'ut 'eieve that you have )ade a
)ista1e;it +as not his na)e that )y +ife uttered/J
JThere is no possi'iity of )ista1e>J said Tuppen.e genty/ JShe said
"%ingo did it;" J
J@ou see> Sir Arthur>J said Marriot/
The unhappy )an san1 into a .hair and .overed his fa.e +ith his
hands/
JIt"s in.redi'e/ What earthy )otive .oud there 'eA <hG I 1no+ your
idea> Inspe.tor Marriot/ @ou thin1 !ae +as )y +ife"s over> 'ut even if
that +ere so;+hi.h I don"t ad)it for a )o)ent;+hat )otive +as there
for 1iing herAJ
Inspe.tor Marriot .oughed/
JIt"s not a very peasant thing to say> sir/ %ut Captain !ae has 'een
paying a ot of attention to a .ertain young A)eri.an ady of ate;a
young ady +ith in.onsidera'e a)ount of )oney/ If #ady Merivae
i1ed to turn nasty> she .oud pro'a'y stop his )arriage/J
JThis is outrageous> Inspe.tor/J
Sir Arthur sprang angriy to his feet/ The other .a)ed hi) +ith a
soothing gesture/
JI 'eg your pardon> I") sure> Sir Arthur/ @ou say that you and Captain
!ae 'oth de.ided to attend this sho+/ @our +ife +as a+ay on a visit at
the ti)e> and you had no idea that she +as to 'e thereAJ
J0ot the east idea/J
J*ust sho+ hi) that advertise)ent you tod )e a'out> Mrs/ %eresford/J
Tuppen.e .o)pied/
JThat see)s to )e .ear enough/ It +as inserted 'y Captain !ae to
.at.h your +ife"s eye/ They had aready arranged to )eet there/ %ut
you ony )ade up your )ind to go the day 'efore> hen.e it +as
ne.essary to +arn her/ That is the eBpanation of the phrase
J0e.essary to finesse the -ing/J @ou ordered your .ostu)e fro) a
theatri.a fir) at the ast )inute> 'ut Captain !ae"s +as a ho)e )ade
affair/ !e +ent as the ,ente)an $ressed in 0e+spaper/ $o you 1no+>
Sir Arthur> +hat +e found .asped in the dead ady"s handA A frag)ent
torn fro) a ne+spaper/ My )en have orders to ta1e Captain !ae"s
.ostu)e a+ay +ith the) fro) your house/ I sha find it at the @ard
+hen I get 'a.1/ If there"s a tear in it .orresponding to the )issing
pie.e;+e> it" 'e the end of the .ase/J
J@ou +on"t find it>J said Sir Arthur/ JI 1no+ %ingo !ae/J
Apoogising to Tuppen.e for distur'ing her> they too1 their eave/
#ate that evening> there +as a ring at the 'e> and so)e+hat to the
astonish)ent of the young pair> Inspe.tor Marriot on.e )ore +a1ed
in/
JI thought %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives +oud i1e to hear the atest
deveop)ents>J he said> +ith a hint of a s)ie/
JThey +oud>J said To))y/ J!ave a drin1AJ
!e pa.ed )aterias hospita'y at Inspe.tor Marriot"s e'o+/
JIt"s a .ear .ase>J said the atter> after a )inute or t+o/ J$agger +as
the ady"s o+n;the idea +as to have )ade it oo1 i1e sui.ide> evidenty>
'ut than1s to you t+o 'eing on the spot> that didn"t .o)e off/ We"ve
found penty of etters ;they"d 'een .arrying on together for so)e ti)e>
that"s .ear;+ithout Sir Arthur tu)'ing to it/ Then +e found the ast
in1;J
JThe ast +hatAJ said Tuppen.e sharpy/
JThe ast in1 in the .hain;that frag)ent of the $aiy #eader/ It +as torn
fro) the dress he +ore;fits eBa.ty/ <hG yes> it"s a perfe.ty .ear .ase/
%y the +ay> I 'rought round a photograph of those t+o eBhi'its;I
thought they )ight interest you/ It"s very sedo) that you get su.h a
perfe.ty .ear .ase/J
JTo))y>J said Tuppen.e> +hen her hus'and returned fro) sho+ing
the S.otand @ard )an out/ JWhy do you thin1 Inspe.tor Marriot 1eeps
repeating that it"s a perfe.ty .ear .aseAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ S)ug satisfa.tion> I suppose/J
J0ot a 'it of it/ !e"s trying to get us irritated/ @ou 1no+> To))y>
'ut.hers> for instan.e> 1no+ so)ething a'out )eat> don"t theyAJ
JI shoud say so> 'ut +hat on earth;J
JAnd in the sa)e +ay> greengro.ers 1no+ a a'out vegeta'es> and
fisher)en a'out fish/ $ete.tives> professiona dete.tives> )ust 1no+
a a'out .ri)inas/ They 1no+ the rea thing +hen they see it;and they
1no+ +hen it isn"t the rea thing/ Marriot"s eBpert 1no+edge tes hi)
that Captain !ae isn"t a .ri)ina;'ut a the fa.ts are dead against hi)/
As a ast resour.e Marriot is egging us on> hoping against hope that
so)e itte detai or other +i .o)e 'a.1 to us; so)ething that
happened ast night;+hi.h +i thro+ a different ight on things/
To))y> +hy shoudn"t it 'e sui.ide> after aAJ
J&e)e)'er +hat she said to you/J
JI 1no+;'ut ta1e that a different +ay/ It +as %ingo"s doing;his .ondu.t
that drove her to 1i hersef/ It"s Dust possi'e/J
J*ust/ %ut it doesn"t eBpain that frag)ent of ne+spaper/J
J#et"s have a oo1 at Marriot"s photographs/ I forgot to as1 hi) +hat
!ae"s a..ount of the )atter +as/J
JI as1ed hi) that in the ha Dust no+/ !ae de.ared he had never
spo1en to #ady Merivae at the sho+/ Says so)e'ody shoved a note
into his hand +hi.h saidH J$on"t try and spea1 to )e to;night/ Arthur
suspe.ts/J !e .oudn"t produ.e the pie.e of paper> though> and it
doesn"t sound a very i1ey story/ Any+ay> you and I 1no+ he +as +ith
her at the A.e of Spades 'e.ause +e sa+ hi)/J
Tuppen.e nodded and pored over the t+o photographs/ <ne +as a
tiny frag)ent +ith the egend $AI#@ #(;and the rest torn off/ The other
+as the front sheet of the $aiy #eader +ith the s)a round tear at the
top of it/ There +as no dou't a'out it/ The t+o fitted together perfe.ty/
JWhat are a those )ar1s do+n the sideAJ as1ed To))y/
JStit.hes>J said Tuppen.e/ JWhere is +as se+n to the others> you
1no+/J
XI thought it )ight 'e a ne+ s.he)e of dots>J said To))y/ Then he
gave a sight shiver/ JMy +ord> Tuppen.e> ho+ .reepy it )a1es one
fee/ To thin1 that you and I +ere dis.ussing dots and pu??ing over
that advertise)ent a as ighthearted as anything/J
Tuppen.e did not ans+er/ To))y oo1ed at her> and +as started to
o'serve that she +as staring ahead of her> her )outh sighty open>
and a 'e+idered eBpression on her fa.e/
JTuppen.e>J said To))y genty> sha1ing her 'y the ar)/ JWhat"s the
)atter +ith youA Are you Dust going to have a stro1e or so)ethingAJ
%ut Tuppen.e re)ained )otioness/ Presenty she said in a far a+ay
voi.e/
J$enis &iordan/J
J(hAJ said To))y staring/
JIt"s Dust as you said/ <ne si)pe inno.ent re)ar1G Find )e a this
+ee1"s $aiy #eaders/J
JWhat are you up toAJ
JI") 'eing M.Carty/ I"ve 'een +orrying round> and than1s to you> I"ve
got a notion at ast/ This is the front sheet of Tuesday"s paper/ I see)
to re)e)'er that Tuesday"s paper +as the one +ith t+o dots in the #
of #(A$(&/ This has a dot in the $ of $AI#@;and one in the # too/ ,et
)e the papers and et"s )a1e sure/J
They .o)pared the) anBiousy/ Tuppen.e had 'een 8uite right in her
re)e)'ran.e/
J@ou seeA This frag)ent +asn"t torn fro) Tuesday"s paper/J
J%ut Tuppen.e> +e .an"t 'e sure/ It )ay )erey 'e different editions/J
JIt )ay;'ut at any rate it"s given )e an idea/ It .an"t 'e .oin.iden.ethat"s
.ertain/ There"s ony one thing it .an 'e if I") right in )y idea/
&ing up Sir Arthur> To))y/ As1 hi) to .o)e round here at on.e/ Say
I"ve got i)portant ne+s for hi)/ Then get hod of Marriot/ S.otand
@ard +i 1no+ his address if he"s gone ho)e/J
Sir Arthur Merivae> very )u.h intrigued 'y the su))ons> arrived at
the fat in a'out haf an hour"s ti)e/ Tuppen.e .a)e for+ard to greet
hire/
XI )ust apoogise for sending for you in su.h a pere)ptory fashion>J
she said/ J%ut )y hus'and and I have dis.overed so)ething that +e
thin1 you ought to 1no+ at on.e/ $o sit do+n/J
Sir Arthur sat do+n> and Tuppen.e +ent on/
J@ou are> I 1no+> very anBious to .ear your friend/J
Sir Arthur shoo1 his head sady/
JI +as> 'ut even I have had to give in to the over+he)ing eviden.e/J
JWhat +oud you say if I tod you that .han.e has pa.ed in )y hands a
pie.e of eviden.e that +i .ertainy .ear hi) of a .o)pi.ityAJ
JI shoud 'e overDoyed to hear it> Mrs/ %eresford/J
JSupposing>J .ontinued Tuppen.e> Jthat I had .o)e a.ross a gir +ho
+as a.tuay dan.ing +ith Captain !ae ast night at t+eve o".o.1;the
hour +hen he +as supposed to 'e at the A.e of Spades/J
JMarveous>J .ried Sir Arthur/ JI 1ne+ there +as so)e )ista1e/ Poor
7ere )ust have 1ied hersef after a/J
J!ardy that>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou forget the other )an/J
JWhat other )anAJ
JThe one )y hus'and and I sa+ eave the 'ooth/ @ou see> Sir Arthur>
there )ust have 'een a se.ond )an dressed in ne+spaper at the %a/
%y the +ay> +hat +as your o+n .ostu)eAJ
JMineA I +ent as a seventeenth .entury eBe.utioner/J
J!o+ very appropriate>J said Tuppen.e softy/
JAppropriate> Mrs/ %eresfordA What do you )ean 'y appropriateAJ
JFor the part you payed/ Sha I te you )y ideas on the su'De.t> Sir
ArthurA The ne+spaper dress is easiy put on over that of an
eBe.utioner/ Previousy a itte note has 'een sipped into Captain
!ae"s hand> as1ing hi) not to spea1 to a .ertain ady/ %ut the ady
hersef 1no+s nothing of that note/ She goes to the A.e of Spades at
the appointed ti)e> and sees the figure she eBpe.ts to see/ They go
into the 'ooth/ !e ta1es her in his ar)s> I thin1> and 1isses her;the 1iss
of a *udas> and as he 1isses he stri1es +ith the dagger/ She ony utters
one faint .ry and he .overs that +ith a augh/ Presenty he goes a+ayand
to the ast> horrified and 'e+idered> she 'eieves her over is the
)an +ho 1ied her/
J%ut she has torn a s)a frag)ent fro) the .ostu)e/ The )urderer
noti.es that;he is a )an +ho pays great attention to detai/ To )a1e
the .ase a'soutey .ear against his vi.ti) the frag)ent )ust see) to
have 'een torn fro) Captain !ae"s .ostu)e/ That +oud present great
diffi.uties uness tae t+o )en happened to 'e iving in the sa)e
house/ Then> of .ourse> the thing +oud 'e si)pi.ity itsef/ !e )a1es
an eBa.t dupi.ate of the tear in Captain !ae"s .ostu)e;then he 'urns
his o+n and prepares to pay the part of the oya friend/J
Tuppen.e paused/
JWe> Sir ArthurAJ
Sir Arthur rose and )ade her a 'o+/
XThe rather vivid i)agination of a .har)ing ady +ho reads too )u.h
fi.tion/J
J@ou thin1 soAJ said To))y/
JAnd a hus'and +ho is guided 'y his +ife>J said Sir Arthur/ JI do not
fan.y you +i find any'ody to ta1e the )atter seriousy/J
!e aughed out oud> and Tuppen.e stiffened in her .hair/
JI +oud s+ear to that augh any+here>J she said/ JI heard it ast in the
A.e of Spades/ And you are under a itte )isapprehension a'out us
'oth/ %eresford is our rea na)e> 'ut +e have another/J
She pi.1ed up a .ard fro) the ta'e and handed it to hi)/ Sir Arthur
read it aoud/
JInternationa $ete.tive Agen.y / / /J !e dre+ his 'reath sharpy/ JSo
that is +hat you reay areG That +as +hy Marriot 'rought )e here this
)orning/ It +as a trap;J
!e stroed to the +indo+/
JA fine vie+ you have fro) here>J he said/ J&ight over #ondon/J
JInspe.tor Marriot>J .ried To))y sharpy/
In a fash the Inspe.tor appeared fro) the .o))uni.ating door in the
opposite +a/
A itte s)ie of a)use)ent .a)e to Sir Arthur"s ips/
JI thought as )u.h>J he said/ J%ut you +on"t get )e this ti)e> I")
afraid> Inspe.tor/ I prefer to ta1e )y o+n +ay out/J
And> putting his hands on the si> he vauted .ean through the
+indo+/
Tuppen.e shrie1ed and .apped her hands to her ears to shut out the
sound she had aready i)agined;the si.1ening thud far 'eneath/
Inspe.tor Marriot uttered an oath/
XWe shoud have thought of the +indo+>J he said/ JThough> )ind you>
it +oud have 'een a diffi.ut thing to prove> I" go do+n and;and;see
to things/J
JPoor devi>J said To))y so+y/ JIf he +as fond of his +ife;J
%ut the Inspe.tor interrupted hi) +ith a snort/
JFond of herA That"s as )ay 'e/ !e +as at his +its" end +here to turn
for )oney/ #ady Merivae had a arge fortune of her o+n> and it a +ent
to hi)/ If she"d 'oted +ith young !ae> he"d never have seen a penny
of it/J
JThat +as it> +as itAJ
J<f .ourse> fro) the very start> I sensed that Sir Arthur +as a 'ad ot>
and that Captain !ae +as a right/ We 1no+ pretty +e +hat"s +hat at
the @ard;'ut it"s a+1+ard +hen you"re up against fa.ts/ I" 'e going
do+n no+;I shoud give your +ife a gass of 'randy if I +ere you> Mr/
%eresford;it"s 'een upsetting i1e for her/J
J,reengro+ers>J said Tuppen.e in a o+ voi.e as the door .osed
'ehind the i)pertur'a'e Inspe.tor/ J%ut.hers/ Fisher)en/
$ete.tives/ I +as right> +asn"t IA !e 1ne+/J
To))y> +ho had 'een 'usy at the side'oard> approa.hed her +ith a
arge gass/
J$rin1 this/J
JWhat is itA %randyAJ
J0o> it"s a arge .o.1tai;suita'e for a triu)phant M.Carty/ @es>
Marriot"s right a round;that +as the +ay of it/ A 'od finesse for ga)e
and ru''er/J
Tuppen.e nodded/
J%ut he finessed the +rong +ay round/J
JAnd so>J said To))y/ J(Bit the -ing/J
9/ T!( CAS( <F T!( MISSI0, #A$@
The 'u??er on Mr/ %unt"s des1 9Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y>
Manager> Theodore %unt: uttered its +arning .a/ To))y and
Tuppen.e 'oth fe+ to their respe.tive peephoes +hi.h .o))anded a
vie+ of the outer offi.e/ There it +as A'ert"s 'usiness to deay the
prospe.tive .ients +ith various artisti. devi.es/
JI +i see> sir>J he +as saying/ J%ut I") afraid Mr/ %unt is very 'usy
Dust at present/ !e is engaged +ith S.otand @ard on the phone Dust
no+/J
JI" +ait>J said the visitor/ JI haven"t got a .ard +ith )e> 'ut )y na)e is
,a'rie Stavansson/J
The .ient +as a )agnifi.ent spe.i)en of )anhood> standing over siB
feet high/ !is fa.e +as 'ron?ed and +eather 'eaten> and the
eBtraordinary 'ue of his eyes )ade an a)ost starting .ontrast to the
'ro+n s1in/
To))y s+ifty )ade up his )ind/ !e put on his hat> pi.1ed up so)e
goves> and opened the door/ !e paused on the threshod/
JThis gente)an is +aiting to see you> Mr/ %unt>J said A'ert/
A 8ui.1 fro+n passed over To))y"s fa.e/ !e too1 out his +at.h/
JI a) due at the $u1e"s at a 8uarter to eeven>J he said/ Then he oo1ed
1eeny at the visitor/ JI .an give you a fe+ )inutes if you +i .o)e this
+ay/J
The atter foo+ed hi) o'edienty into the inner offi.e +here
Tuppen.e +as sitting de)urey +ith pad and pen.i/
JMy .onfidentia se.retary> Miss &o'inson>J said To))y/ J0o+> sir>
perhaps you +i state your 'usinessA %eyond the fa.t that it is urgent>
that you .a)e here in a taBi> and that you have atey 'een in the
Ar.ti.;or possi'y the Antar.ti.> I 1no+ nothing/J
The visitor stared at hi) in a)a?e)ent/
J%ut this is )arveous>J he .ried/ JI thought dete.tives ony did su.h
things in 'oo1sG @our offi.e 'oy did not even give you )y na)eGJ
To))y sighed depre.atingy/
JTut tut> a that +as very easy>J he said/ JThe rays of the )idnight sun
+ithin the Ar.ti. .ir.e have a pe.uiar a.tion upon the s1in;the a.tini.
rays have .ertain properties/ I a) +riting a itte )onograph on the
su'De.t shorty/ %ut a this is +ide of the point/ What is it that has
'rought you to )e in su.h distress of )indAJ
JTo 'egin +ith> Mr/ %unt> )y na)e is ,a'rie Stavansson;">
JAhG of .ourse J said To))y/ JThe +e 1no+n eBporer/ @ou have
re.enty returned fro) the region of the 0orth Poe> I 'eieveAJ
JI anded in (ngand three days ago/ A friend +ho +as .ruising in
0orthern +aters 'rought )e 'a.1 on his ya.ht/ <ther+ise I shoud not
have got 'a.1 for another fortnight/ 0o+ I )ust te you> Mr/ %unt> that
'efore I started on this ast eBpedition t+o years ago> I had the great
good fortune to 'e.o)e engaged to Mrs/ Mauri.e #eigh ,ordon;J
To))y interrupted/
JMrs/ #eigh ,ordon +as> 'efore her )arriage;J
JThe !onora'e !er)ione Crane> se.ond daughter of #ord
#an.hester>J reeed off Tuppen.e gi'y/
To))y thre+ her a gan.e of ad)iration/
J!er first hus'and +as 1ied in the War>J added Tuppen.e/
,a'rie Stavansson nodded/
JThat is 8uite .orre.t/ As I +as saying> !er)ione and I 'e.a)e
engaged/ I offered> of .ourse> to give up this eBpedition> 'ut she
+oudn"t hear of su.h a thing;'ess herG She"s the right 1ind of +o)an
for an eBporer"s +ife/ We> )y first thought on anding +as to see
!er)ione/ I sent a teegra) fro) Southa)pton> and rushed up to to+n
'y the first train/ I 1ne+ that she +as iving for the ti)e 'eing +ith an
aunt of hers> #ady Susan Conray> in Pont Street> and I +ent straight
there/ To )y great disappoint)ent> I found that !er)y +as a+ay
visiting so)e friends in 0orthu)'erand/ #ady Susan +as 8uite ni.e
a'out it> after getting over her first surprise at seeing )e/ As I tod you>
I +asn"t eBpe.ted for another fortnight/ She said !er)y +oud 'e
returning in a fe+ days" ti)e/ Then I as1ed for her address> 'ut the od
+o)an hu))ed and ha+ed;said !er)y +as staying at one of t+o
different pa.es> and that she +asn"t 8uite sure +hat order she +as
ta1ing the) in/ I )ay as +e te you> Mr/ %unt> that #ady Susan and I
have never got on very +e/ She"s one of those fat +o)en +ith dou'e
.hins/ I oathe fat +o)en;a+ays have;fat +o)en and fat dogs are an
a'o)ination unto the #ord;and unfortunatey they so often go
togetherG It"s an idiosyn.ra.y of )ine> I 1no+;'ut there it is;I never .an
get on +ith a fat +o)an/J
JFashion agrees +ith you> Mr/ Stavansson>J said To))y driy/ JAnd
everyone has their o+n pet aversion;that of the ate #ord &o'erts +as
.ats/J
JMind you> I") not saying that #ady Susan isn"t a perfe.ty .har)ing
+o)an;she )ay 'e> 'ut I"ve never ta1en to her/ I"ve a+ays fet> deep
do+n> that she disapproved of our engage)ent> and I fee sure that
she +oud infuen.e !er)y against )e if that +ere possi'e/ I") teing
you this for +hat it"s +orth/ Count it out as preDudi.e> if you i1e/ We>
to go on +ith )y story> I") the 1ind of o'stinate 'rute +ho i1es his o+n
+ay/ I didn"t eave Pont Street unti I"d got out of her the na)es and
addresses of the peope !er)y +as i1ey to 'e staying +ith/ Then I
too1 the )ai train 0orth/J
J@ou are> I per.eive> a )an of a.tion> Mr/ Stavansson>J said To))y>
s)iing/
JThe thing .a)e upon )e i1e a 'o)'she/ Mr/ %unt> none of these
peope had seen a sign of !er)y/ <f the three houses> ony one had
'een eBpe.ting her;#ady Susan )ust have )ade a 'oo)er over the
other t+o;and she had put off her visit there at the ast )o)ent 'y
teegra)/ I returned post haste to #ondon> of .ourse> and +ent
straight to #ady Susan/ I +i do her the Dusti.e to say that she see)ed
upset/ She ad)itted that she had no idea +here !er)y .oud 'e/ A
the sa)e> she strongy negatived any idea of going to the poi.e/ She
pointed out that !er)y +as not a siy young gir> 'ut an independent
+o)an +ho had a+ays 'een in the ha'it of )a1ing her o+n pans/ She
+as pro'a'y .arrying out so)e idea of her o+n/
JI thought it 8uite i1ey that !er)y didn"t +ant to report a her
)ove)ents to #ady Susan/ %ut I +as sti +orried/ I had that 8ueer
feeing one gets +hen so)ething is +rong/ I +as Dust eaving +hen a
teegra) +as 'rought to #ady Susan/ She read it +ith an eBpression of
reief and handed it to )e/ It ran as foo+sH JChanged )y pans *ust
off to Monte Caro for a +ee1 !er)y/J
To))y hed out his hand/
J@ou have got the teegra) +ith youAJ
J0o> I haven"t/ %ut it +as handed in at Madon> Surrey/ I noti.ed that at
the ti)e> 'e.ause it stru.1 )e as odd/ What shoud !er)y 'e doing at
MadonA She"d no friends there that I had ever heard of/J
J@ou didn"t thin1 of rushing off to Monte Caro in the sa)e +ay that you
had rushed 0orthAJ
JI thought of it> of .ourse/ %ut I de.ided against it/ @ou see> Mr/ %unt>
+hist #ady Susan see)ed 8uite satisfied 'y that teegra)> I +asn"t/ It
stru.1 )e as odd that she shoud a+ays teegraph> not +rite/ A ine or
t+o in her o+n hand+riting +oud have set a )y fears at rest/ %ut
anyone .an sign a teegra) "!er)y/" The )ore I thought it over> the
)ore uneasy I got/ In the end I +ent do+n to Madon/ That +as
yesterday afternoon/ It"s a fair si?ed pa.e;good in1s there and a
that;t+o hotes/ I in8uired every+here I .oud thin1 of> 'ut there +asn"t
a sign that !er)y had ever 'een there/ Co)ing 'a.1 in the train I read
your advertise)ent> and I thought I"d put it up to you/ If !er)y has
reay gone off to Monte Caro> I don"t +ant to set the poi.e on her
tra.1 and )a1e a s.anda> 'ut I") not going to 'e sent off on a +id
goose .hase )ysef/ I stay here in #ondon> in .ase; in .ase there"s
'een fou pay of any 1ind/J
To))y nodded thoughtfuy/
JWhat do you suspe.t eBa.tyAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ %ut I fee there"s so)ething +rong/J
With a 8ui.1 )ove)ent> Stavansson too1 a .ase fro) his po.1et and
aid it open 'efore the)/
XThat is !er)ione>J he said/ JI +i eave it +ith you/J
The photograph represented a tan +io+y +o)an> no onger in her
first youth> 'ut +ith a .har)ing fran1 s)ie and ovey eyes/
J0o+> Mr/ Stavansson>J said To))y/ XThere is nothing you have
o)itted to te )eAJ
J0othing +hatever/J
J0o detai> ho+ever s)aAJ
JI don"t thin1 so/J
To))y sighed/
JThat )a1es the tas1 harder>J he o'served/ J@ou )ust often have
noti.ed> Mr/ Stavansson> in reading of .ri)e> ho+ one s)a detai is a
the great dete.tive needs to set hi) on the tra.1/ I )ay say that this
.ase presents so)e unusua features/ I have> I thin1> pra.ti.ay soved
it aready> 'ut ti)e +i sho+/J
!e pi.1ed up a vioin +hi.h ay on the ta'e> and dre+ the 'o+ on.e or
t+i.e a.ross the strings/ Tuppen.e ground her teeth and even the
eBporer 'en.hed/ The perfor)er aid the instru)ent do+n again/
JA fe+ .hords fro) Mosgovs1ens1y>J he )ur)ured/ J#eave )e your
address> Mr/ Stavansson> and I +i report progress to you/J
As the visitor eft the offi.e> Tuppen.e gra''ed the vioin and putting it
in the .up'oard turned the 1ey in the o.1/
JIf you )ust 'e Shero.1 !o)es>J she o'served> JI" get you a ni.e
itte syringe and a 'otte a'eed Co.aine> 'ut for ,od"s sa1e eave
that vioin aone/ If that ni.e eBporer )an hadn"t 'een as si)pe as a
.hid> he"d have seen through you/ Are you going on +ith the Shero.1
!o)es tou.hAJ
JI fatter )ysef that I have .arried it through very +e so far>J said
To))y +ith so)e .o)pa.en.e/ JThe dedu.tions +ere good> +eren"t
theyA I had to ris1 the taBi/ After a> it"s the ony sensi'e +ay of getting
to this pa.e/J
JIt"s u.1y I had Dust read the 'it a'out his engage)ent in this
)orning"s $aiy Mirror>J re)ar1ed Tuppen.e/
J@es> that oo1ed +e for the effi.ien.y of %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives/
This is de.idedy a Shero.1 !o)es .ase/ (ven you .annot have faied
to noti.e the si)iarity 'et+een it and the disappearan.e of #ady
Fran.es CarfaB/J
J$o you eBpe.t to find Mrs/ #eigh ,ordon"s 'ody in a .offinAJ
J#ogi.ay> history shoud repeat itsef/ A.tuay;+e> +hat do you
thin1AJ
JWe>J said Tuppen.e/ JThe )ost o'vious eBpanation see)s to 'e
that for so)e reason or other !er)y> as he .as her> is afraid to )eet
her fian.=> and that #ady Susan is 'a.1ing her up/ In fa.t> to put it
'unty> she"s .o)e a .ropper of so)e 1ind> and has got the +ind up
a'out it/J
JThat o..urred to )e aso>J said To))y/ J%ut I thought +e"d 'etter
)a1e pretty .ertain 'efore suggesting that eBpanation to a )an i1e
Stavansson/ What a'out a run do+n to Madon> od thingA And it +oud
do no har) to ta1e so)e gof .u's +ith us/J
Tuppen.e agreeing> the Internationa $ete.tive Agen.y +as eft in the
.harge of A'ert/
Madon> though a +e 1no+n residentia pa.e> did not .over a arge
area/ To))y and Tuppen.e> )a1ing every possi'e in8uiry that
ingenuity .oud suggest> nevertheess dre+ a .o)pete 'an1/ It +as
as they +ere returning to #ondon that a 'riiant idea o..urred to
Tuppen.e/
JTo))y> +hy did they put Madon Surrey on the teegra)AJ
J%e.ause Madon is in Surrey> idiot/J
JIdiot yoursef;I don"t )ean that/ If you get a teegra) fro);!astings>
say> or Tor8uay> they don"t put the .ounty after it/ %ut fro) &i.h)ond>
they do put &i.h)ond Surrey/ That"s 'e.ause there are t+o
&i.h)onds/J
To))y> +ho +as driving> so+ed up/
JTuppen.e>J he said affe.tionatey/ J@our idea is not so dusty/ #et us
)a1e in8uiries at yonder post offi.e/J
They dre+ up 'efore a s)a 'uiding in the )idde of a viage street/ A
very fe+ )inutes suffi.ed to ei.it the infor)ation that there +ere t+o
Madons/ Madon> Surrey> and Madon> SusseB> the atter a tiny ha)et
'ut possessed of a teegraph offi.e/
JThat"s it>J said Tuppen.e eB.itedy/ JStavansson 1ne+ Madon +as in
Surrey> so he hardy oo1ed at the +ord 'eginning +ith S/ after
Madon/J
JTo)orro+>J said To))y/ JWe" have a oo1 at Madon> SusseB/J
Madon> SusseB> +as a very different proposition to its Surrey
na)esa1e/ It +as four )ies fro) a rai+ay station> possessed t+o
pu'i. houses> t+o s)a shops> a post and teegraph offi.e .o)'ined
+ith a s+eet and pi.ture post.ard 'usiness> and a'out seven s)a
.ottages/ Tuppen.e too1 on the shops +hist To))y 'etoo1 hi)sef to
the Co.1 and Sparro+/ They )et haf an hour ater/
JWeAJ said Tuppen.e/
J4uite good 'eer>J said To))y> J'ut no infor)ation/J
J@ou"d 'etter try the -ing"s !ead>J said Tuppen.e/ JI") going 'a.1 to
the post offi.e/ There"s a sour od +o)an there> 'ut I heard the) ye
to her that dinner +as ready/J
She returned to the pa.e> and 'egan eBa)ining post.ards/ A freshfa.ed
gir> sti )un.hing> .a)e out of the 'a.1 roo)/
JI"d i1e these> pease>J said Tuppen.e/ JAnd do you )ind +aiting
+hist I Dust oo1 over these .o)i. onesAJ
She sorted through a pa.1et> ta1ing as she did so/
JI") ever so disappointed you .oudn"t te )e )y sister"s address/
She"s staying near here and I"ve ost her etter/ #eigh Wood> her na)e
if/J
The gir shoo1 her head/
JI don"t re)e)'er it/ And +e don"t get )any etters through here
either;so I pro'a'y shoud if I"d seen it on a etter/ Apart fro) the
,range> there isn"t )any 'ig houses round a'out/J
JWhat is the ,rangeAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/ JWho does it 'eong toAJ
J$o.tor !orriston has it/ It"s turned into a 0ursing !o)e no+/ 0erve
.ases )osty> I 'eieve/ #adies that .o)e do+n for rest .ures> and a
that sort of thing/ We> it"s 8uiet enough do+n here> !eaven 1no+s/J
She gigged/
Tuppen.e hastiy see.ted a fe+ .ards and paid for the)/
JThat"s $o.tor !orriston"s .ar .o)ing aong no+>J eB.ai)ed the gir/
Tuppen.e hurried to the shop door/ A s)a t+o seater +as passing/ At
the +hee +as a ta dar1 )an +ith a neat 'a.1 'eard and a po+erfu>
unpeasant fa.e/ The .ar +ent straight on do+n the street/ Tuppen.e
sa+ To))y .rossing the road to+ards her/
JTo))y> I 'eieve I"ve got it/ $o.tor !orriston"s 0ursing !o)e/J
JI heard a'out it at the -ing"s !ead> and I thought there )ight 'e
so)ething in it/ %ut if she"s had a nervous 'rea1do+n or anything of
that sort> her aunt and her friends +oud 1no+ a'out it surey/J
J@e;es/ I didn"t )ean that/ To))y> did you see that )an in the t+o
seaterAJ
J2npeasant oo1ing 'rute> yes/J
JThat +as $o.tor !orriston/J
To))y +histed/
JShifty oo1ing 'eggar/ What do you say a'out it> Tuppen.eA Sha +e
go and have a oo1 at the ,rangeAJ
They found the pa.e at ast> a 'ig ra)'ing house> surrounded 'y
deserted grounds> +ith a s+ift )i strea) running 'ehind the house/
J$is)a sort of a'ode>J said To))y/ JIt gives )e the .reeps>
Tuppen.e/ @ou 1no+> I"ve a feeing this is going to turn out a far )ore
serious )atter than +e thought at first/J
J<hG don"t/ If ony +e are in ti)e/ That +o)an"s in so)e a+fu danger> I
fee it in )y 'ones/J
J$on"t et your i)agination run a+ay +ith you/J
JI .an"t hep it/ I )istrust that )an/ What sha +e doA I thin1 it +oud 'e
a good pan if I +ent and rang the 'e aone first> and as1ed 'ody for
Mrs/ #eigh ,ordon Dust to see +hat ans+er I get/ %e.ause> after a> it
)ay 'e perfe.ty fair and a'ove 'oard/J
Tuppen.e .arried out her pan/ The door +as opened a)ost
i))ediatey 'y a )an servant +ith an i)passive fa.e/
JI +ant to see Mrs/ #eigh ,ordon if she is +e enough to see )e/J
She fan.ied that there +as a )o)entary fi.1er of the )an"s
eyeashes> 'ut he ans+ered readiy enough/
JThere is no one of that na)e here> Mada)/J
J<hG surey/ This is $o.tor !orriston"s pa.e> The ,range> is it notAJ
J@es> Mada)> 'ut there is no'ody of the na)e of Mrs/ #eigh ,ordon
here/J
%affed> Tuppen.e +as for.ed to +ithdra+ and hod a further
.onsutation +ith To))y outside the gate/
JPerhaps he +as spea1ing the truth/ After a> +e don"t 1no+/J
J!e +asn"t/ !e +as ying/ I") sure of it/J
JWait unti the do.tor .o)es 'a.1>J said To))y/ JThen I" pass )ysef
off as a Dournaist anBious to dis.uss his ne+ syste) of rest .ure +ith
hi)/ That +i give )e a .han.e of getting inside and studying the
geography of the pa.e/J
The do.tor returned a'out haf an hour ater/ To))y gave hi) a'out
five )inutes then he in turn )ar.hed up to the front door/ %ut he too
returned 'affed/
JThe do.tor +as engaged and .oudn"t 'e distur'ed/ And he never
sees Dournaists/ Tuppen.e> you"re right/ There"s so)ething fishy a'out
this pa.e/ It"s ideay situated;)ies fro) any+here/ Any )orta thing
.oud go on here> and no one +oud ever 1no+/J
JCo)e on>J said Tuppen.e +ith deter)ination/
JWhat are you going to doAJ
JI") going to .i)' over the +a and see if I .an"t get up to the house
8uiety +ithout 'eing seen/J
J&ight/ I") +ith you/J
The garden +as so)e+hat overgro+n> and afforded a )utitude of
.over/ To))y and Tuppen.e )anaged to rea.h the 'a.1 of the house
uno'served/
!ere there +as a +ide terra.e> +ith so)e .ru)'ing steps eading
do+n fro) it/ In the )idde so)e Fren.h +indo+s opened onto the
terra.e> 'ut they dared not step out into the open> and the +indo+s
+here they +ere .rou.hing +ere too high for the) to 'e a'e to oo1
in/ It did not see) as though their re.onnaissan.e +oud 'e )u.h use
+hen suddeny Tuppen.e tightened her grasp of To))y"s ar)/
So)eone +as spea1ing in the roo) .ose to the)/ The +indo+ +as
open and the frag)ent of .onversation .a)e .eary to their ears/
JCo)e in> .o)e in> and shut the door>J said a )an"s voi.e irrita'y JA
ady .a)e a'out an hour ago> you said> and as1ed for Mrs/ #eigh
,ordonAJ
Tuppen.e re.ognised the ans+ering voi.e as that of the i)passive
)an servant/
J@es> sir/J
J@ou said she +asn"t here> of .ourseAJ
J<f .ourse> sir/J
JAnd no+ this Dournaist feo+>J fu)ed the other/
!e .a)e suddeny to the +indo+> thro+ing up the sash> and the t+o
outside> peering through a s.reen of 'ushes> re.ognised $r/
!orriston/
JIt"s the +o)an I )ind )ost a'out>J .ontinued the do.tor/ JWhat did
she oo1 i1eAJ
J@oung> good;oo1ing> and very s)arty dressed> sir/J
To))y nudged Tuppen.e in the ri's/
J(Ba.ty>J said the do.tor 'et+een his teeth/ JAs I feared/ So)e friend
of the #eigh ,ordon +o)an"s/ It"s getting very diffi.ut/ I sha have to
ta1e steps;J
!e eft the senten.e unfinished/ To))y and Tuppen.e heard the door
.ose/ There +as sien.e/
,ingery> To))y ed the retreat/ When they had rea.hed a itte
.earing not far a+ay> 'ut out of earshot fro) the house> he spo1e/
JTuppen.e> od thing> this is getting serious/ They )ean )is.hief/ I
thin1 +e ought to get 'a.1 to to+n at on.e and see Stavansson/J
To his surprise Tuppen.e shoo1 her head/
JWe )ust stay do+n here/ $idn"t you hear hi) say he +as going to
ta1e stepsA That )ight )ean anything/J
JThe +orst of it is +e"ve hardy got a .ase to go to the poi.e on/J
J#isten> To))y/ Why not ring up Stavansson fro) the viageA I" stay
around here/J
JPerhaps that is the 'est pan>J agreed her hus'and/ J%ut> I say;
Tuppen.e;J
JWeAJ
JTa1e .are of yoursef;+on"t youAJ
J<f .ourse I sha> you siy od thing/ Cut aong/J
It +as so)e t+o hours ater that To))y returned/ !e found Tuppen.e
a+aiting hi) near the gate/
JWeAJ
JI .oudn"t get on to Stavansson/ Then I tried #ady Susan/
She +as out too/ Then I thought of ringing up od %rady/ I as1ed hi) to
oo1 up !orriston in the Medi.a $ire.tory or +hatever the thing .as
itsef/J
JWe> +hat did $r/ %rady sayAJ
J<hG he 1ne+ the na)e at on.e/ !orriston +as on.e a 'ona fide
do.tor> 'ut he .a)e a .ropper of so)e 1ind/ %rady .aed hi) a )ost
uns.rupuous 8ua.1> and said he> personay> +oudn"t 'e surprised at
anything/ The 8uestion is> +hat are +e to do no+AJ
JWe )ust stay here>J said Tuppen.e instanty/ JI"ve a feeing they
)ean so)ething to happen tonight/ %y the +ay> a gardener has 'een
.ipping ivy round the house/ To))y> I sa+ +here he put the adder/J
J,ood for you> Tuppen.e>J said her hus'and appre.iativey/ JThen
tonight;J
JAs soon as it"s dar1;J
JWe sha see;J
JWhat +e sha see/J
To))y too1 his turn at +at.hing the house +hist Tuppen.e +ent to
the viage and had so)e food/
Then she returned and they too1 up the vigi together/ At nine o".o.1>
they de.ided that it +as dar1 enough to .o))en.e operations/ They
+ere no+ a'e to .ir.e round the house in perfe.t freedo)/ Suddeny
Tuppen.e .ut.hed To))y 'y the ar)/
J#isten/J
The sound she had heard .a)e again> 'orne fainty on the night air/ It
+as the )oan of a +o)an in pain/ Tuppen.e pointed up+ard to a
+indo+ on the first foor/
JIt .a)e fro) that roo)>J she +hispered/
Again that o+ )oan rent the stiness of the night/
The t+o isteners de.ided to put their origina pan into a.tion/
Tuppen.e ed the +ay to +here she had seen the gardener put the
adder/ %et+een the) they .arried it to the side of the house fro)
+hi.h they had heard the )oaning/ A the 'inds of the ground foor
roo)s +ere dra+n> 'ut this parti.uar +indo+ upstairs +as
unshuttered/
To))y put the adder as noiseessy as possi'e against the side of the
house/
JI" go up>J +hispered Tuppen.e/ J@ou stay 'eo+/ I don"t )ind
.i)'ing adders and you .an steady it 'etter than I .oud/ And in .ase
the do.tor shoud .o)e round the .orner you"d 'e a'e to dea +ith
hi) and I shoudn"t/J
0i)'y Tuppen.e s+ar)ed up the adder> and raised her head
.autiousy to oo1 in at the +indo+/ Then she du.1ed it s+ifty> 'ut
after a )inute or t+o 'rought it very so+y up again/ She stayed there
for a'out five )inutes/ Then she des.ended again/
JIt"s her>J she said 'reathessy and ungra))ati.ay> J%ut ohG To))y>
it"s horri'e/ She"s ying there in 'ed> )oaning and turning to and froand
Dust as I got there a +o)an dressed as a nurse .a)e in/ She 'ent
over her and inDe.ted so)ething in her ar) and then +ent a+ay again/
What sha +e doAJ
JIs she .ons.iousAJ
JI thin1 so/ I") a)ost sure she is/ I fan.y she )ay 'e strapped to the
'ed/ I") going up again> and if I .an> I") going to get into that roo)/J
JI say> Tuppen.e;J
JIf I") in any sort of danger I" ye for you/ So ong/J
Avoiding further argu)ent Tuppen.e hurried up the adder again/
To))y sa+ her try the +indo+> then noiseessy push up the sash/
Another se.ond> and she had disappeared inside/
And no+ an agonising ti)e .a)e for To))y/ !e .oud hear nothing at
first/ Tuppen.e and Mrs/ #eigh ,ordon )ust 'e ta1ing in +hispers if
they +ere ta1ing at a/ Presenty he did hear a o+ )ur)ur of voi.es
and dre+ a 'reath of reief/ %ut suddeny the voi.es stopped/ $ead
sien.e/
To))y strained his ears/ 0othing/ What .oud they 'e doingA
Suddeny a hand fe on his shouder/
JCo)e on>J said Tuppen.e"s voi.e out of the dar1ness/
XTuppen.eG !o+ did you get hereAJ
XThrough the front door/ #et"s get out of this/J
J,et out of thisAJ
JThat"s +hat I said/J
J%ut;Mrs/ #eigh ,ordonAJ
In a tone of indes.ri'a'e 'itterness Tuppen.e repied/
J,etting thinGJ
To))y oo1ed at her> suspe.ting irony/
XWhat do you )eanAJ
XWhat I say/ ,etting thin/ Sin1iness/ &edu.tion of +eight/ $idn"t you
hear Stavansson say he hated fat +o)enA In the t+o years he"s 'een
a+ay> his !er)y has put on +eight/ ,ot a pani. +hen she 1ne+ he +as
.o)ing 'a.1> and rushed off to do this ne+ treat)ent of $r/
!orriston"s/ It"s inDe.tions of so)e sort> and he )a1es a deady se.ret
of it> and .harges through the nose/ I daresay he is a 8ua.1;'ut he"s a
da)ned su..essfu oneG Stavansson .o)es ho)e a fortnight too soon
+hen she"s ony 'eginning the treat)ent/ #ady Susan has 'een s+orn
to se.re.y> and pays up/ And +e .o)e do+n here and )a1e 'ithering
idiots of oursevesGJ
To))y dre+ a deep 'reath/
JI 'eieve> Watson>J he said +ith dignity> Jthat there is a very good
Con.ert at the 4ueen"s !a to)orro+/ We sha 'e in penty of ti)e for
it/ And you +i o'ige )e 'y not pa.ing this .ase upon your re.ords/ It
has a'soutey no distin.tive features/J
16/ %#I0$MA0"S %2FF
J&ight>J said To))y> and repa.ed the re.eiver on its hoof[/
Then he turned to Tuppen.e/
JThat +as the Chief/ See)s to have got the +ind up a'out us/ It
appears that the parties +e"re after have got +ise to the fa.t that I")
not the genuine Mr/ Theodore %unt/ We"re to eBpe.t eB.ite)ents at
any )inute/ The Chief 'egs you as a favor to go ho)e and stay at
ho)e> and not )iB yoursef up in it any )ore/ Apparenty the hornet"s
nest +e"ve stirred up is 'igger than anyone i)agined/J
JA that a'out )y going ho)e is nonsense>J said Tuppen.e de.idedy/
JWho is going to oo1 after you if I go ho)eA %esides> I i1e eB.ite)ent/
%usiness hasn"t 'een very 'ris1 Dust atey/J
JWe> one .an"t have )urders and ro''eries every day>J said To))y/
J%e reasona'e/ 0o+ )y idea is this/ When 'usiness is sa.1> +e ought
to do a .ertain a)ount of ho)e eBer.ises every day/J
J#ie on our 'a.1s and +ave our feet in the airA That sort of thingAJ
J$on"t 'e so itera in your interpretation/ When I say eBer.ises> I )ean
eBer.ises in the dete.tive art/ &eprodu.tions of the ,reat Masters/ For
instan.e;J
Fro) the dra+er 'eside hi)> To))y too1 out a for)ida'e dar1 green
eyeshade .overing 'oth eyes/ This he adDusted +ith so)e .are/ Then
he dre+ a +at.h fro) his po.1et/
JI 'ro1e the gass this )orning>J he re)ar1ed/ JThat paved the +ay for
its 'eing the .rystaess +at.h +hi.h )y sensitive fingers tou.h so
ighty/J
J%e .arefu>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou neary had the short hand off then/J
J,ive )e your hand>J said To))y/ !e hed it> one finger feeing for the
puse/ JAhG the 1ey'oard of sien.e/ This +o)an has not got heart
disease/J
XI suppose>J said Tuppen.e> Jthat you are Thorney CotonAJ
J*ust so>J said To))y/ JThe 'ind Pro'e)ist/ And you"re
thingu)rny'o'> the 'a.1;haired appe;.hee1ed se.retary;J
JThe 'unde of 'a'y .othes pi.1ed up on the 'an1s of the (ngish
river>J finished Tuppen.e/
JAnd A'ert is the Fee> aias Shri)p/J
JWe )ust tea.h hi) to say ",ee>" J said Tuppen.e/ JAnd his voi.e isn"t
shri/ It"s dreadfuy hoarse/J
JAgainst the +a 'y the door>" said To))y> Jyou per.eive the si)
hoo+ .ane +hi.h hed in )y sensitive hand tes )e so )u.h/J
!e rose and .annoned into a .hair/
J$a)nGJ said To))y/ JI forgot that .hair +as there/J
JIt )ust 'e 'easty to 'e 'ind>J said Tuppen.e +ith feeing/
J&ather>J agreed To))y heartiy/ JI") sorrier for a those poor devis
+ho ost their eyesight in the War than for anyone ese/ %ut they say
that +hen you ive in the dar1 you reay do deveop spe.ia senses/
That"s +hat I +ant to try and see if one .oudn"t do/ It +oud 'e Doy
handy to train onesef to 'e so)e good in the dar1/ 0o+> Tuppen.e> 'e
a good Sydney Tha)es/ !o+ )any steps to that .aneAJ
Tuppen.e )ade a desperate guess/
JThree straight> five eft>J she ha?arded/
To))y pa.ed it un.ertainy> Tuppen.e interrupting +ith a .ry of
+arning as she reaised that the fourth step eft +oud ta1e hi) sap
against the +a/
JThere"s a ot in this>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou"ve no idea ho+ diffi.ut it is
to Dudge ho+ )any steps are needed/J
JIt"s Doy interesting>J said To))y/ JCa A'ert in/ I") going to sha1e
hands +ith you 'oth> and see if I 1no+ +hi.h is +hi.h/J
JA right>J said Tuppen.e> J'ut A'ert )ust +ash his hands first/
They"re sure to 'e sti.1y fro) those 'easty a.id drops he"s a+ays
eating/J
A'ert> introdu.ed to the ga)e> +as fu of interest/
To))y> the hand sha1es .o)peted> s)ied .o)pa.enty/
XThe 1ey'oard of sien.e .annot ie>J he )ur)ured/ "The first +as
A'ert> the se.ond> you> Tuppen.e/J
JWrongGJ shrie1ed Tuppen.e/ J-ey'oard of sien.e indeedG @ou +ent
'y )y +edding ring/ And I put that on A'ert"s finger/J
7arious other eBperi)ents +ere .arried out> +ith indifferent su..ess/
J%ut it"s .o)ing>J de.ared To))y/ J<ne .an"t eBpe.t to 'e infai'e
straight a+ay/ I te you +hat/ It"s Dust un.h ti)e/ @ou and I +i go to
the %it?> Tuppen.e/ %ind )an and his 1eeper/ So)e Doy usefu tips to
'e pi.1ed up there/J
JI say> To))y> +e sha get into trou'e/J
J0o> +e shan"t/ I sha 'ehave 8uite i1e the itte gente)an/ %ut I 'et
you that 'y the end of un.heon I sha 'e starting you/J
A protests 'eing thus over'orne> a 8uarter of an hour ater sa+
To))y and Tuppen.e .o)forta'y ens.on.ed at a .orner ta'e in the
,od &oo) of the %it?/
To))y ran his fingers ighty over the Menu/
JPiaff de !o)ard and ,ried Chi.1en for )e>J he )ur)ured/
Tuppen.e aso )ade her see.tion> and the +aiter )oved a+ay/
JSo far> so good>J said To))y/ J0o+ for a )ore a)'itious venture/
What 'eautifu egs that gir in the short s1irt has;the one +ho has Dust
.o)e in/J
J!o+ +as that done> ThornAJ
J%eautifu egs i)part a parti.uar vi'ration to the foor +hi.h is
re.eived 'y )y hoo+ .ane/ <r> to 'e honest> in a 'ig &estaurant there
is neary a+ays a gir +ith 'eautifu egs standing in the door+ay
oo1ing for her friends> and +ith short s1irts going a'out> she"d 'e sure
to ta1e advantage of the)/J
The )ea pro.eeded/
JThe )an t+o ta'es fro) us is a very +eathy profiteer> I fan.y>J said
To))y .areessy/
JPretty good>J said Tuppen.e appre.iativey/ JI don"t foo+ that one/J
JI shan"t te you ho+ it"s done every ti)e/ It spois )y sho+/ The head
+aiter is serving .ha)pagne three ta'es off to thee right/ A stout
+o)an in 'a.1 is a'out to pass our ta'e/J
XTo))y> ho+ .an you;J
JAhaG @ou"re 'eginning to see +hat I .an do/ That"s a ni.e gir in 'ro+n
Dust getting up at the ta'e 'ehind you/J
JSnooGJ said Tuppen.e/ JIt"s a young )an in grey/J
J<hGJ said To))y> )o)entariy dis.on.erted/
And at that )o)ent t+o )en +ho had 'een sitting at a ta'e not far
a+ay> and +ho had 'een +at.hing the young pair +ith 1een interest>
got up and .a)e a.ross to the .orner ta'e/
J(B.use )e>J said the eder of the t+o> a ta +e dressed )an +ith an
eyegass and a s)a grey )ousta.he/ J%ut you have 'een pointed out
to )e as Mr/ Theodore %unt/ May I as1 if that is soAJ
To))y hesitated a )inute> feeing so)e+hat at a disadvantage/ Then
he 'o+ed his head/
XThat is so/ I a) Mr/ %unt/J
JWhat an uneBpe.ted pie.e of good fortuneG Mr/ %unt> I +as going to
.a at your offi.es after un.h/ I a) in trou'e;very grave trou'e/ %uteB.use
)e;you have had so)e a..ident to your eyesAJ
JMy dear sir>J said To))y in a )ean.hoy voi.e/ JI a) 'ind.o)petey
'ind/J
JWhatAJ
J@ou are astonished/ %ut surey you have heard of 'ind dete.tivesAJ
JIn fi.tion/ 0ever in rea ife/ And I have .ertainy never heard that you
+ere 'ind/J
JMany peope are not a+are of the fa.t>J )ur)ured To))y/ JI a)
+earing an eyeshade today to save )y eye'as fro) gare/ %ut
+ithout it> 8uite a host of peope have never suspe.ted )y infir)ity;if
you .a it that/ @ou see> )y eyes .annot )isead )e/ %ut enough of a
this/ Sha +e go at on.e to )y offi.e> or +i you give )e the fa.ts of
the .ase hereA The atter +oud 'e 'est> I thin1/J
A +aiter 'rought up t+o eBtra .hairs> and the t+o )en sat do+n/ The
se.ond )an> +ho had not yet spo1en> +as shorter> sturdy in 'uid and
very dar1/
JIt is a )atter of great dei.a.y>J said the oder )an dropping his voi.e
.onfidentiay/ !e oo1ed un.ertainy at Tuppen.e/ Mr/ %unt see)ed to
fee the gan.e/
J#et )e introdu.e )y .onfidentia se.retary>J he said/ JMiss ,anges/
Found on the 'an1s of the Indian river;a )ere 'unde of 'a'y .othes/
7ery sad history/ Miss ,anges is )y eyes/ She a..o)panies )e
every+here/J
The stranger a.1no+edged the introdu.tion +ith a 'o+/
JThen I .an spea1 out/ Mr/ %unt> )y daughter> a gir of siBteen> has
'een a'du.ted under so)e+hat pe.uiar .ir.u)stan.es/ I dis.overed
this haf an hour ago/ The .ir.u)stan.es of the .ase +ere su.h that I
dared not .a in the poi.e/ Instead I rang up your offi.e/ They tod )e
you +ere out to un.h> 'ut +oud 'e 'a.1 'y haf past t+o/ I .a)e in
here +ith )y friend Captain !ar1er;J
The short )an Der1ed his head and )uttered so)ething/
J%y the greatest good fortune you happened to 'e un.hing here aso/
We )ust ose no ti)e/ @ou )ust return +ith )e to )y house
i))ediatey/J
To))y de)urred .autiousy/
JI .an 'e +ith you in haf an hour/ I )ust return to )y offi.e first/J
Captain !ar1er> turning to gan.e at Tuppen.e> )ay have 'een
surprised to see a haf s)ie ur1ing for a )o)ent at the .orners of her
)outh/
J0o> no> that +i not do/ @ou )ust return +ith )e/J The grey haired
)an too1 a .ard fro) his po.1et and handed it a.ross the ta'e/ JThat
is )y na)e/J
To))y fingered it/
JMy fingers are hardy sensitive enough for that>J he said +ith a s)ie>
and handed it to Tuppen.e> +ho read out in a o+ voi.eH JThe $u1e of
%airgo+rie/J
She oo1ed +ith great interest at their .ient/ The $u1e of %airgo+rie
+as +e 1no+n to 'e a )ost haughty and ina..essi'e no'e)an +ho
had )arried as a +ife the daughter of a Chi.ago por1 'ut.her> )any
years younger than hi)sef> and of a ivey te)pera)ent that augured
i for their future together/ There had 'een ru)ors of disa..ord atey/
J@ou +i .o)e at on.e> Mr/ %untAJ said the $u1e> +ith a tinge of
a.er'ity in his )anner/
To))y yieded to the inevita'e/
JMiss ,anges and I +i .o)e +ith you>J he said 8uiety/ J@ou +i
eB.use )y Dust stopping to drin1 a arge .up of 'a.1 .offeeA They +i
serve it i))ediatey/ I a) su'De.t to very distressing heada.hes> the
resut of )y eye trou'e> and the .offee steadies )y nerves/J
!e .aed a +aiter and gave the order/ Then he spo1e to Tuppen.e/
JMiss ,anges;I a) un.hing here to)orro+ +ith the Fren.h Prefe.t of
Poi.e/ *ust note do+n the un.heon> and give it to the head +aiter
+ith instru.tions to reserve )e )y usua ta'e/ I a) assisting the
Fren.h Poi.e in an i)portant .ase/ The fee;J he paused;Jis
.onsidera'e/ Are you ready> Miss ,angesAJ
J4uite ready>J said Tuppen.e> her styo poised/
JWe +in start +ith that spe.ia saad of Shri)ps that they have here/
Then to foo+;et )e see> to foo+;@es/ <)eette %it?> and perhaps a
.oupe of Toundedos \ N(tranger/J
!e oo1ed up> .at.hing the $u1e"s eye/
J@ou +i forgive )e> I hope>J he )ur)ured/ JAhG yes> Souff= en
surprise/ That +i .on.ude the repast/ A )ost interesting )an> the
Fren.h prefe.t/ @ou 1no+ hi)> perhapsAJ
The other repied in the negative> as Tuppen.e rose and +ent to spea1
to the head +aiter/ Presenty she returned> Dust as the .offee +as
'rought/
To))y dran1 a arge .up of it> sipping it so+y> then rose/
JMy .ane> Miss ,angesA Than1 you/ $ire.tions> peaseAJ
It +as a )o)ent of agony for Tuppen.e/
J<ne right> eighteen straight/ A'out the fifth step> there is a +aiter
serving the ta'e on your eft/J
S+inging his .ane Dauntiy> To))y set out/ Tuppen.e 1ept .ose
'eside hi)> and endeavored uno'trusivey to steer hi)/ A +ent +e
unti they +ere Dust passing out through the door+ay/ A )an entered
rather hurriedy> and 'efore Tuppen.e .oud +arn the 'ind Mr/ %unt>
he had 'arged right into the ne+.o)er/ (Bpanations and apoogies
ensued/
At the door of the %it? a s)art andauette +as +aiting/ The $u1e
hi)sef aided Mr/ %unt to get in/
J@our .ar here> !ar1erAJ he as1ed over his shouder/
J@es/ *ust round the .orner/J
XTa1e Miss ,anges in it> +i you/J
%efore another +ord .oud 'e said> he had Du)ped in 'eside To))y>
and the .ar roed s)oothy a+ay/
JA very dei.ate )atter>J )ur)ured the $u1e/ JI .an soon a.8uaint
you +ith a the detais/J
To))y raised his hand to his head/
JI .an re)ove )y eyeshade no+>J he o'served peasanty/ JIt +as ony
the gare of artifi.ia ight in the &estaurant ne.essitated its use/
%ut his ar) +as Der1ed do+n sharpy/ At the sa)e ti)e he fet
so)ething hard and round 'eing po1ed 'et+een his ri's/ J0o> )y dear
Mr/ %unt>J said the $u1e"s voi.e;'ut a voi.e that see)ed suddeny
different/ J@ou +i not re)ove that eyeshade/ @ou +i sit perfe.ty sti
and not )ove in any +ay/ @ou understandA I don"t +ant this pisto of
)ine to go off/ @ou see> I happen not to 'e the $u1e of %airgo+rie at
a/ I 'orro+ed his na)e for the o..asion> 1no+ing that you +oud not
refuse to a..o)pany su.h a .ee'rated .ient/ I a) so)ething )u.h
)ore prosai.;a ha) )er.hant +ho has ost his +ife/J
!e fet the start the other gave/
XThat tes you so)ething>J he aughed/ JMy dear young )an> you have
'een in.redi'y fooish/ I") afraid;I") very )u.h afraid that your
a.tivities +i 'e .urtaied in future/J
!e spo1e the ast +ords +ith a sinister reish/
To))y sat )otioness/ !e did not repy to the other"s taunts/
Presenty the .ar sa.1ened its pa.e and dre+ up/
J*ust a )inute>J said the pseudo $u1e/ !e t+isted a hand1er.hief
defty into To))y"s )outh> and dre+ up his s.arf over it/
JIn .ase you shoud 'e fooish enough to thin1 of .aing for hep>J he
eBpained suavey/
The door of the .ar opened and the .hauffeur stood ready/ !e and his
)aster too1 To))y 'et+een the) and propeed hi) rapidy up so)e
steps and in at the door of a house/
The door .osed 'ehind the)/ There +as a ri.h orienta s)e in the air/
To))y"s feet san1 deep into vevet pie/ !e +as propeed in the sa)e
fashion up a fight of stairs and into a roo) +hi.h he Dudged to 'e at
the 'a.1 of the house/ !ere the t+o )en 'ound his hands together/
The .hauffeur +ent out again> and the other re)oved the gag/
J@ou )ay spea1 freey no+>J he announ.ed peasanty/ JWhat have
you to say for yoursef> young )anAJ
To))y .eared his throat and eased the a.hing .orners of his )outh/
JI hope you haven"t ost )y hoo+ .ane>J he said )idy/ JIt .ost )e a
ot to have that )ade/J
J@ou have nerve>J said the other> after a )inute"s pause/ J<r ese you
are Dust a foo/ $on"t you understand that I have got you;got you in the
hoo+ of )y handA That you"re a'soutey in )y po+erA That no one
+ho 1no+s you is ever i1ey to see you againAJ
JCan"t +e .ut out the )eodra)aAJ as1ed To))y paintivey/ J!ave I
got to say "@ou viain> I" foi you yetA" That" sort of thing is so very
)u.h out of date/J
JWhat a'out the girAJ said the other> +at.hing hi)> J$oesn"t that
)ove youAJ
JPutting t+o and t+o together during )y enfor.ed sien.e Dust no+>J
said To))y> JI have .o)e to the inevita'e .on.usion that that .hatty
ad !ar1er is another of the doers of desperate deeds> and that
therefore )y unfortunate se.retary +i shorty Doin this itte tea
party/J
J&ight as to one point> 'ut +rong on the other/ Mrs/ %eresford;you see
I 1no+ a a'out you;Mrs/ %eresford +i not 'e 'rought here/ That is a
itte pre.aution I too1/ It o..urred to )e that Dust pro'a'y your
friends in high pa.es )ight 'e 1eeping you shado+ed/ In that .ase> 'y
dividing the pursuit> you .oud not 'oth 'e traied/ I shoud sti 1eep
one in )y hands/ I a) +aiting no+;J
!e 'ro1e off> as the door opened/ The .hauffeur spo1e/
JWe"ve not 'een foo+ed> sir/ It"s a .ear/J
J,ood/ @ou .an go> ,regory/J
The door .osed again/
JSo far> so good>J said the "$u1e/" JAnd no+ +hat are +e to do +ith
you> Mr/ %eresford %untAJ
JI +ish you"d ta1e this .onfounded eyeshade off )e>J said To))y/
JI thin1 not/ With it on> you are truy 'ind;+ithout it you +oud see as
+e as I do;and that +oud not suit )y itte pan/ For I have a pan/ @ou
are fond of sensationa fi.tion> Mr/ %unt/ This itte ga)e that you and
your +ife +ere paying today proves that/ 0o+ I too have arranged a
itte ga)e so)ething rather ingenious> as I a) sure you +i ad)it
+hen I eBpain it to you/
J@ou see> this foor on +hi.h you are standing is )ade of )eta> and
here and there on its surfa.e are itte proDe.tions/ I tou.h a s+it.hso/J
A sharp .i.1 sounded/ J0o+ the ee.tri. .urrent is s+it.hed on/
To tread on one of those itte 1no's no+ )eans;deathG @ou
understandA If you .oud see / / / 'ut you .annot see/ @ou are in the
dar1/ That is the ga)e;%ind)an"s %uff +ith death/ If you .an rea.h the
door in safety;freedo)G %ut I thin1 that ong 'efore you rea.h it you +i
have trodden on one of the danger spots/ And that +i 'e very
a)using;for )eGJ
!e .a)e for+ard and un'ound To))y"s hands/ Then he handed hi)
his .ane +ith a itte ironi.a 'o+/
JThe 'ind Pro'e)ist/ #et us see if he +i sove this pro'e)/ I sha
stand here +ith )y pisto ready/ If you raise your hands to your head to
re)ove that eyeshade> I shoot/ Is that .earAJ
JPerfe.ty .ear>J said To))y/ !e +as rather pae> 'ut deter)ined/ JI
haven"t got a dog"s .han.e> I supposeAJ
J<hG that;J the other shrugged his shouders/
J$a)ned ingenious devi> aren"t youAJ said To))y/ J%ut you"ve
forgotten one thing/ May I ight a .igarette> 'y the +ayA My poor itte
heart"s going pit a pat/J
J@ou )ay ight a .igarette;'ut no tri.1s/ I a) +at.hing you> re)e)'er>
+ith the pisto ready/J
JI") not a perfor)ing dog>J said To))y/ JI don"t do tri.1s/J !e
eBtra.ted a .igarette fro) his .ase> then fet for a )at.h 'oB/ JIt"s a
right/ I") not feeing for a revover/ %ut you 1no+ +e enough that I")
not ar)ed/ A the sa)e> as I said 'efore> you"ve forgotten one thing/J
JWhat is thatAJ
To))y too1 a )at.h fro) the 'oB> and hed it ready to stri1e/
JI") 'ind and you .an see/ That"s ad)itted/ The advantage is +ith you/
%ut supposing +e +ere 'oth in the dar1; ehA Where"s your advantage
thenAJ
!e stru.1 the )at.h/
The "$u1e" aughed .onte)ptuousy/
JThin1ing of shooting at the s+it.h of the ightsA Punging the roo)
into dar1nessA It .an"t 'e done/J
J*ust so>J said To))y/ JI .an"t give you dar1ness/ %ut eBtre)es )eet>
you 1no+/ What a'out ightAJ
As he spo1e> he tou.hed the )at.h to so)ething he hed in his hand>
and thre+ it do+n upon the ta'e/
A 'inding gare fied the roo)/
*ust for a )inute> 'inded 'y the intense +hite ight> the "$u1e" 'in1ed
and fe 'a.1> his pisto hand o+ered/
!e opened his eyes again to fee so)ething sharp pri.1ing his 'reast/
J$rop that pisto>J ordered To))y/ J$rop it 8ui.1/ I agree +ith you
that a hoo+ .ane is a pretty rotten affair/ So I didn"t get one/ A good
s+ord sti.1 is a very usefu +eapon> though/ $on"t you thin1 soA
A)ost as usefu as )agnesiu) +ire/ $rop that pisto/J
<'edient to the ne.essity of that sharp point> the )an dropped it/
Then> +ith a augh> he sprang 'a.1/
J%ut I sti have the advantage>J he )o.1ed/ JFor I .an see> and you
.annot/J
JThat"s +here you"re +rong>J said To))y/ JI .an see perfe.ty/ This
eyeshade"s a fa1e/ I +as going to put one over on Tuppen.e/ Ma1e one
or t+o 'oo)ers to 'egin +ith> and then put in so)e perfe.ty
)arveous stuff to+ards the end of the un.h/ Why> 'ess you> I .oud
have +a1ed to the door and avoided a the 1no's +ith perfe.t ease/
%ut I didn"t trust you to pay a sporting ga)e/ @ou"d never have et )e
get out of this aive/ Carefu no+;J
For> +ith his fa.e distorted +ith rage> the "$u1e" sprang for+ard>
forgetting in his fury to oo1 +here he put his feet/
There +as a sudden 'ue .ra.1e of fa)e> and he s+ayed for a )inute>
then fe i1e a og/ A faint odor of singed fesh fied the roo)> )inging
+ith a stronger s)e of o?one/
XWhe+>J said To))y/
!e +iped his fa.e/
Then> )oving gingery> and +ith every pre.aution> he rea.hed the +a1
and tou.hed the s+it.h he had seen the other )anipuate/
!e .rossed the roo) to the door> opened it .arefuy> and oo1ed out/
There +as no one a'out/ !e +ent do+n the stairs and out through the
front door/
Safe in the street> he oo1ed up at the house +ith a shudder> noting the
nu)'er/ Then he hurried to the nearest teephone 'oB/
There +as a )o)ent of agonising anBiety> and then a +e 1no+n voi.e
spo1e/
JTuppen.e> than1 goodnessGJ
J@es> I") a right/ I got a your points/ The Fee> Shri)p Co)e to the
%it? and foo+ the t+o strangers/ A'ert got there in ti)e> and +hen
+e +ent off in separate .ars> foo+ed )e in a taBi> sa+ +here they
too1 )e> and rang up the poi.e/J
JA'ert"s a good ad>J said To))y/ JChivarous/ I +as pretty sure he"d
.hoose to foo+ you/ %ut I"ve 'een +orried> a the sa)e/ I"ve got ots
to te you/ I") .o)ing straight 'a.1 no+/ And the first thing I sha do
+hen I get 'a.1 is to +rite a thu)ping 'ig .he8ue for St/ $unstan"s/
#ord> it )ust 'e a+fu not to 'e a'e to see/J
11/ T!( MA0 I0 T!( MIST
To))y +as not peased +ith ife/ %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives had )et
+ith a reverse> distressing to their pride if not to their po.1ets/ Caed
in professionay to eu.idate the )ystery of a stoen pear ne.1a.e at
Adington !a> Adington> %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives had faied to
)a1e good/ Whist To))y> hard on the tra.1 of a ga)'ing Countess>
+as tra.1ing her in the disguise of a &o)an Cathoi. Priest> and
Tuppen.e +as "getting off" +ith a nephe+ of the house on the gof
in1s> the o.a Inspe.tor of Poi.e had une)otionay arrested the
se.ond foot)an +ho proved to 'e a thief +e 1no+n at head8uarters
and +ho ad)itted his guit +ithout )a1ing any 'ones a'out it/
To))y and Tuppen.e> therefore> had +ithdra+n +ith +hat dignity
they .oud )uster> and +ere at the present )o)ent soa.ing
the)seves +ith .o.1tais at the ,rand Adington !ote/ To))y sti
+ore his .eri.a disguise/
J!ardy a Father %ro+n tou.h> that>J he re)ar1ed goo)iy/ JAnd yet
I"ve got Dust the right 1ind of u)'rea/J
JIt +asn"t a Father %ro+n pro'e)>J said Tuppen.e/ J<ne needs a
.ertain at)osphere fro) the start/ <ne )ust 'e doing so)ething 8uite
ordinary> and then 'i?arre things 'egin to happen/ That"s the idea/J
J2nfortunatey>J said To))y> J+e have to return to to+n/ Perhaps
so)ething 'i?arre +i happen on the +ay to the station/J
!e raised the gass he +as hoding to his ips> 'ut the i8uid in it +as
suddeny spied> as a heavy hand s)a.1ed hi) on the shouder> and a
voi.e to )at.h the hand 'oo)ed out +ords of greeting/
J2pon )y sou> it isG <d To))yG And Mrs/ To))y too/ Where did you
'o+ in fro)A !aven"t seen or heard anything of you for years/J
JWhy> it"s %ugerGJ said To))y> setting do+n +hat +as eft of the
.o.1tai> and turning to oo1 at the intruder> a 'ig s8uare;shoudered
)an of thirty years of age> +ith a round red 'ea)ing fa.e> and dressed
in gofing 1it/ J,ood od %ugerGJ
J%ut I say> od .hap>J said %uger 9+hose rea na)e 'y the +ay> +as
Mervyn (st.ourt:> JI never 1ne+ you"d ta1en orders/ Fan.y you a
'in1ing parson/J
Tuppen.e 'urst out aughing> and To))y oo1ed e)'arrassed/ And
then they suddeny 'e.a)e .ons.ious of a fourth person/
A ta sender .reature> +ith very goden hair and very round 'ue eyes>
a)ost i)possi'y 'eautifu> +ith an effe.t of reay eBpensive 'a.1
topped 'y +onderfu er)ines> and very arge pear earrings/ She +as
s)iing/ And her s)ie said )any things/ It asserted> for instan.e> that
she 1ne+ perfe.ty +e that she hersef +as the thing 'est +orth
oo1ing at .ertainy in (ngand> and possi'y in the +hoe +ord/ She
+as not vain a'out it in any +ay> 'ut she Dust 1ne+> +ith .ertainty and
.onfiden.e> that it +as so/
%oth To))y and Tuppen.e re.ognised her i))ediatey/ They had
seen her three ti)es in JThe Se.ret of the !eart>J and an e8ua
nu)'er of ti)es in that other great su..ess> JPiars of Fire>J and in
innu)era'e other pays/ There +as> perhaps> no other a.tress in
(ngand +ho had so fir) a hod on the %ritish pu'i.> as Miss ,ida
,en/ She +as reported to 'e the )ost 'eautifu +o)an in (ngand/ It
+as aso ru)ored that she +as the stupidest/
J<d friends of )ine> Miss ,en>J said (st.ourt> +ith a tinge of apoogy
in his voi.e for having presu)ed> even for a )o)ent> to forget su.h a
radiant .reature/ JTo))y> and Mrs/ To))y> et )e introdu.e you to
Miss ,ida ,en/J
The ring of pride in his voi.e +as un)ista1a'e/ %y )erey 'eing seen
in his .o)pany> Miss ,en had .onferred great gory upon hi)/
The a.tress +as staring +ith fran1 interest at To))y/
JAre you reay a PriestAJ she as1ed/ JA &o)an Cathoi. Priest> I
)eanA %e.ause I thought they didn"t have +ives/J
(st.ourt +ent off in a 'oo) of aughter again/
JThat"s good>J he eBpoded/ J@ou sy dog> To))y/ ,ad he hasn"t
renoun.ed you> Mrs/ To))y> +ith a the rest of the po)ps and
vanities/J
,ida ,en too1 not the faintest noti.e of hi)/ She .ontinued to stare at
To))y +ith pu??ed eyes/
JAre you a PriestAJ she de)anded/
J7ery fe+ of us are +hat +e see) to 'e>J said To))y genty/ JMy
profession is not uni1e that of a Priest/ I don"t give A'soution;'ut I
isten to Confessions;I;J
J$on"t you isten to hi)>J interrupted (st.ourt/ J!e"s puing your eg/J
JIf you"re not a .ergy)an> I don"t see +hy you"re dressed up i1e one>J
she pu??ed/ JThat is> uness;J
J0ot a .ri)ina fying fro) Dusti.e>J said To))y/ JThe other thing/J
J<hGJ she fro+ned> and oo1ed at hi) +ith 'eautifu 'e+idered eyes/
JI +onder if she" ever get that>J thought To))y to hi)sef/ J0ot
uness I put it in +ords of one sya'e for her> I shoud say/J
Aoud he saidH
J-no+ anything a'out the trains 'a.1 to to+n> %ugerA We"ve got to 'e
pushing for ho)e/ !o+ far is it to the stationAJ
JTen )inutes" +a1/ %ut no hurry/ 0eBt train up is the 3/5F and it"s ony
a'out t+enty to siB no+/ @ou"ve Dust )issed one/J
JWhi.h +ay is it to the station fro) hereAJ
JSharp to the eft +hen you turn out of the !ote/ Then; et )e seedo+n
Morgan"s Avenue +oud 'e the 'est +ay> +oudn"t itAJ
JMorgan"s AvenueAJ Miss ,en started vioenty> and stared at hi) +ith
started eyes/
JI 1no+ +hat you"re thin1ing of>J said (st.ourt> aughing JThe ,host/
Morgan"s Avenue is 'ounded 'y the .e)etery on one side> and
tradition has it that a poi.e)an +ho )et his death 'y vioen.e gets up
and +a1s on his od 'eat up and do+n Morgan"s Avenue/ A spoo1
poi.e)anG Can you 'eat itA %ut ots of peope s+ear to having seen
hi)/J
JA poi.e)anAJ said Miss ,en/ She shivered a itte/ J%ut there aren"t
reay any ghosts> are thereA I )ean;there aren"t su.h thingsAJ
She got up> foding her +rap tighter round her/
J,ood 'ye>J she said vaguey/
She had ignored Tuppen.e .o)petey throughout> and no+ she did
not even gan.e in her dire.tion/ %ut over her shouder she thre+ one
pu??ed 8uestioning gan.e at To))y/
*ust as she got to the door> she en.ountered a ta )an +ith grey hair
and a puffy red fa.e +ho uttered an eB.a)ation of surprise/ !is hand
on her ar)> he ed her through the door+ay> ta1ing in an ani)ated
fashion/
J%eautifu .reature> isn"t sheAJ said (st.ourt/ J%rains of a ra''it/
&u)or has it that she"s going to )arry #ord #e.on'ury/ That +as
#e.on'ury in the door+ay/J
J!e doesn"t oo1 a very ni.e sort of )an to )arry>J re)ar1ed
Tuppen.e/
(st.ourt shrugged his shouders/
JA tite has a 1ind of ga)or sti> I suppose>J he said/ JAnd #e.on'ury
is not an i)poverished peer 'y any )eans/ She" 'e in .over/ 0o'ody
1no+s +here she sprang fro)/ Pretty near the gutter> I daresay/
There"s so)ething deu.ed )ysterious a'out her 'eing do+n here
any+ay/ She"s not staying at the !ote/ And +hen I tried to find out
+here she +as staying> she snu''ed )e;snu''ed )e 8uite .rudey> in
the ony +ay she 1no+s/ %essed if I 1no+ +hat it"s a a'out/J
!e gan.ed at his +at.h and uttered an eB.a)ation/
JI )ust 'e off/ *oy gad to have seen you t+o again/ We )ust have a
'ust in to+n together so)e night/ So ong/J
!e hurried a+ay> and as he did so> a page approa.hed +ith a note on a
saver/ The note +as unaddressed/
J%ut it"s for you> sir>J he said to To))y/ JFro) Miss ,ida ,en/J
To))y tore it open and read it +ith so)e .uriosity/ Inside +ere a fe+
ines +ritten in a stragging untidy hand/
I") not sure> 'ut I thin1 you )ight 'e a'e to hep
)e/ And you" 'e going that +ay to the station/ Coud
you 'e at The White !ouse> Morgan"s Avenue> at ten
)inutes past siBA
@ours sin.erey>
,ida ,en/
To))y nodded to the page +ho departed> and then handed the note to
Tuppen.e/
J(Btraordinary>J said Tuppen.e/ JIs it 'e.ause she sti thin1s you"re a
PriestAJ
J0o>J said To))y thoughtfuy/ JI shoud say it"s 'e.ause she"s at ast
ta1en in that I") not one/ !uoG +hat"s thisAJ
JThisJ +as a young )an +ith fa)ing red hair> a pugna.ious Da+ and
appaingy sha''y .othes/ !e had +a1ed into the roo) and +as no+
striding up and do+n )uttering to hi)sef/
J!eGJ said the red haired )an> oudy and for.i'y/ JThat"s +hat I say;
!eGJ
!e dropped into a .hair near the young .oupe and stared at the)
)oodiy/
J$a)n a +o)en> that"s +hat I say>J said the young )an> eyeing
Tuppen.e fero.iousy/ J<hG a right> 1i.1 up a ro+ if you i1e/ !ave )e
turned out of the !oteG It +on"t 'e for the first ti)e/ Why shoudn"t +e
say +hat +e thin1A Why shoud +e go a'out 'otting up our feeings>
and s)ir1ing> and saying things eBa.ty i1e everyone eseA I don"t fee
peasant and poite/ I fee i1e getting hod of so)eone round the throat
and graduay .ho1ing the) to death/J
!e paused/
JAny parti.uar personAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/ J<r Dust any'odyAJ
J<ne parti.uar person>J said the young )an gri)y/
JThis is very interesting>J said Tuppen.e/ JWon"t you te us so)e
)oreAJ
JMy na)e"s &eiy>J said the red haired )an/ J*a)es &eiy/ @ou )ay
have heard it/ I +rote a itte vou)e of Pa.ifist poe)s;good stuff>
athough I say so/J
JPa.ifist Poe)sAJ said Tuppen.e/
J@es;+hy notAJ de)anded Mr/ &eiy 'eigerenty/
J<hG nothing>J said Tuppen.e hastiy/
JI") for pea.e a the ti)e>J said Mr/ &eiy fier.ey/ XTo !e +ith +ar/
And +o)enG Wo)enG $id you see that .reature +ho +as traiing
around here Dust no+A ,ida ,en> she .as hersef/ ,ida ,enG ,odG
ho+ I"ve +orshipped that +o)an/ And I" te you this;if she"s got a
heart at a> it"s on )y side/ She .ared on.e for )e> and I .oud )a1e
her .are again/ And if she ses hersef to that )u.1 heap #e.on'ury+e>
,od hep her/ I"d as soon 1i her +ith )y o+n hands/J
And on this> suddeny> he rose and rushed fro) the roo)/
To))y raised his eye'ro+s/
JA so)e+hat eB.ita'e gente)an>J he )ur)ured/ JWe> Tuppen.e>
sha +e startAJ
A fine )ist +as .o)ing up as they e)erged fro) the !ote into the .oo
outer air/ <'eying (st.ourt"s dire.tions> they turned sharp to the eft>
and in a fe+ )inutes they .a)e to a turning a'eed Morgan"s Avenue/
The )ist had in.reased/ It +as soft and +hite> and hurried past the) in
itte eddying drifts/ To their eft +as the high +a of the Ce)etery> on
their right a ro+ of s)a houses/ Presenty these .eased> and a high
hedge too1 their pa.e/
JTo))y>J said Tuppen.e/ JI") 'eginning to fee Du)py/ The )ist;and
the sien.e/ As though +e +ere )ies fro) any+here/J
J<ne does fee i1e that>J agreed To))y/ JA aone in the +ord/ It"s
the effe.t of the )ist> and not 'eing a'e to see ahead of one/J
Tuppen.e nodded/ J*ust our footsteps e.hoing on the pave)ent/
What"s thatAJ
JWhat"s +hatAJ
JI thought I heard other footsteps 'ehind us/J
J@ou" 'e seeing the ghost in a )inute if you +or1 yoursef up i1e
this>J said To))y 1indy/ J$on"t 'e so nervy/ Are you afraid the spoo1
poi.e)an +i ay his hand on your shouderAJ
Tuppen.e e)itted a shri s8uea/
J$on"t> To))y/ 0o+ you"ve put it into )y head/J
She .raned her head 'a.1 over her shouder> trying to peer into the
+hite vei that +as +rapped a round the)/
XThere they are again>J she +hispered/ J0o> they"re in front no+/ <hG
To))y> don"t say you .an"t hear the)AJ
JI do hear so)ething/ @es> it"s footsteps 'ehind us/ So)e'ody ese
+a1ing this +ay to .at.h the train/ I +onder;J
!e stopped suddeny> and stood sti> and Tuppen.e gave a gasp/
For the .urtain of )ist in front of the) suddeny parted in the )ost
artifi.ia )anner> and there> not t+enty feet a+ay a giganti. poi.e)an
suddeny appeared> as though )ateriai?ed out of the fog/ <ne )inute
he +as not there> the neBt )inute he +as;so at east it see)ed to the
rather superheated i)aginations of the t+o +at.hers/ Then as the )ist
roed 'a.1 sti )ore> a itte s.ene appeared> as though set on a
stage/
The 'ig 'ue poi.e)an> a s.aret piar 'oB> and on the right of the
road the outines of a +hite house/
J&ed> +hite> and 'ue>J said To))y/ JIt"s da)ned pi.toria/ Co)e on>
Tuppen.e> there"s nothing to 'e afraid of/J
For> as he had aready seen> the poi.e)an +as a rea poi.e)an/ And
)oreover> he +as not neary so giganti. as he had at first see)ed
oo)ing up out of the )ist/
%ut as they started for+ard> footsteps .a)e fro) 'ehind the)/ A )an
passed the)> hurrying aong/ !e turned in at the gate of the +hite
house> as.ended the steps> and 'eat a deafening tattoo upon the
1no.1er/ !e +as ad)itted Dust as they rea.hed the spot +here the
poi.e)an +as standing staring after hi)/
JThere"s a gente)an see)s to 'e in a hurry>J .o))ented the
poi.e)an/
!e spo1e in a so+ refe.tive voi.e> as of one +hose thoughts too1
so)e ti)e to )ature/
J!e"s the sort of gente)an a+ays +oud 'e in a hurry>J re)ar1ed
To))y/
The poi.e)an"s stare> so+ and rather suspi.ious> .a)e round to rest
on his fa.e/
JFriend of yoursAJ he de)anded> and there +as distin.t suspi.ion no+
in his voi.e/
J0o>J said To))y/ J!e"s not a friend of )ine> 'ut I happen to 1no+
+ho he is/ 0a)e of &eiy/J
JAhGJ said the poi.e)an/ "We> I"d 'etter 'e getting aong/J
JCan you te )e +here the White !ouse isAJ as1ed To))y/
The .onsta'e Der1ed his head side+ays/
JThis is it/ Mrs/ !oney.ott"s/J !e paused> and added evidenty +ith the
idea of giving the) vaua'e infor)ationH J0ervous party/ A+ays
suspe.ting 'urgars is around/ A+ays as1ing )e to have a oo1
around the pa.e/ Midde;aged +o)en get i1e that/J
JMidde aged> ehAJ said To))y/ J$o you happen to 1no+ if there"s a
young ady staying thereAJ
JA young ady>J said the poi.e)an> ru)inating/ JA young ady/ 0o> I
.an"t say I 1no+ anything a'out that/J
JShe )ayn"t 'e staying here> To))y>J said Tuppen.e/ JAnd any+ay>
she )ayn"t 'e here yet/ She .oud ony have started Dust 'efore +e
did/J
JAhGJ said the poi.e)an suddeny/ J0o+ that I .a it to )ind> a young
ady did go in at this gate/ I sa+ her as I +as .o)ing up the road/ A'out
three or four )inutes ago it )ight 'e/J
JWith er)ine furs onAJ as1ed Tuppen.e eagery/
JShe had so)e 1ind of +hite ra''it round her throat>J ad)itted the
poi.e)an/
Tuppen.e s)ied/ The poi.e)an +ent on in the dire.tion fro) +hi.h
they had Dust .o)e> and they prepared to enter the gate of the White
!ouse/
Suddeny a faint )uffed .ry sounded fro) inside the house> and
a)ost i))ediatey after+ards the front door opened and *a)es &eiy
.a)e rushing do+n the steps/ !is fa.e +as +hite and t+isted> and his
eyes gared in front of hi) unseeingy/ !e staggered i1e a drun1en
)an/
!e passed To))y and Tuppen.e as though he did not see the)>
)uttering to hi)sef +ith a 1ind of dreadfu repetition/
JMy ,odG My ,odG <h> )y ,odGJ
!e .ut.hed at the gate post> as though to steady hi)sef> and then> as
though ani)ated 'y sudden pani.> he ra.ed off do+n the road as hard
as he .oud go in the opposite dire.tion to that ta1en 'y the poi.e)an/
12/ T!( MA0 I0 T!( MIST 9.ontinued:
To))y and Tuppen.e stared at ea.h other in 'e+ider)ent/ JWe>J
said To))y> Jso)ething"s happened in that house to s.are our friend
&eiy pretty 'ady/J
Tuppen.e dre+ her finger a'senty a.ross the gate post/
J!e )ust have put his hand on so)e +et red paint so)e+here>J she
said idy/
J!")>J said To))y/ JI thin1 +e"d 'etter go inside rather 8ui.1y/ I don"t
understand this 'usiness/J
In the door+ay of the house a +hite .apped )aid servant +as
standing> a)ost spee.hess +ith indignation/
J$id you ever see the i1es of that no+> Father>J she 'urst out> as
To))y as.ended the steps/ JThat feo+ .o)es here> as1s for the
young ady> rushes upstairs +ithout ho+ or 'y your eave/ She ets out
a s.ree.h i1e a +id .at;and +hat +onder> poor pretty dear> and
straight+ay he .o)es rushing do+n again> +ith the +hite fa.e on hi)>
i1e one +ho"s seen a ghost/ What +i 'e the )eaning of it aAJ
JWho are you ta1ing +ith at the front door> (enAJ de)anded a sharp
voi.e fro) the interior of the ha/
J!ere"s Missus>J said (en> so)e+hat unne.essariy/
She dre+ 'a.1 and To))y found hi)sef .onfronting a grey haired>
)idde aged +o)an> +ith frosty 'ue eyes i)perfe.ty .on.eaed 'y
pin.e ne?> and a spare figure .ad in 'a.1 +ith 'uge tri))ing/
JMrs/ !oney.ottAJ said To))y/ JI .a)e here to see Miss ,en/J
Mrs/ !oney.ott gave hi) a sharp gan.e> then +ent on to Tuppen.e
and too1 in every detai of her appearan.e/
J<hG you did> did youAJ she said/ JWe> you"d 'etter .o)e inside/J
She ed the +ay into the ha and aong it into a roo) at the 'a.1 of the
house fa.ing on the garden/ It +as a fair si?ed roo)> 'ut oo1ed
s)aer than it +as> o+ing to the arge a)ount of .hairs and ta'es
.ro+ded into it/ A 'ig fire 'urned in the grate> and a .hint? .overed
sofa stood at one side of it/ The +a paper +as a s)a grey stripe +ith
a festoon of roses round the top/ 4uantities of engravings and oi
paintings .overed the +as/
It +as a roo) a)ost i)possi'e to asso.iate +ith the eBpensive
personaity of Miss ,ida ,en/
JSit do+n>J said Mrs/ !oney.ott/ JTo 'egin +ith> you" eB.use )e if I
say I don"t hod +ith the &o)an Cathoi. reigion/ 0ever did I thin1 to
see a &o)an Cathoi. priest in )y house/ %ut if ,ida"s gone over to
the S.aret Wo)an it"s ony +hat"s to 'e eBpe.ted in a ife i1e hers;and
I daresay it )ight 'e +orse/ She )ightn"t have any reigion at a/ I
shoud thin1 )ore of &o)an Cathoi.s if their priests +ere )arried;I
a+ays spea1 )y )ind/ And to thin1 of those .onvents;8uantities of
'eautifu young girs shut up there> and no one 1no+ing +hat 'e.o)es
of the);+e> it +on"t 'ear thin1ing a'out/J
Mrs/ !oney.ott .a)e to a fu stop> and dre+ a deep 'reath/
Without entering upon a defen.e of the .ei'a.y of the priesthood or
the other .ontroversia points tou.hed upon> To))y +ent straight to
the point/
JI understand> Mrs/ !oney.ott> that Miss ,en is in this house/J
JShe is/ Mind you> I don"t approve/ Marriage is )arriage and your
hus'and"s your hus'and/ As you )a1e your 'ed> so you )ust ie on it/J
JI don"t 8uite understand;J 'egan To))y> 'e+idered/
JI thought as )u.h/ That"s the reason I 'rought you in here/ @ou .an go
up to ,ida after I"ve spo1en )y )ind/ She .a)e to )e;after a these
years> thin1 of itG;and as1ed )e to hep her/ Wanted )e to see this )an
and persuade hi) to agree to a divor.e/ I tod her straight out I"d have
nothing +hatever to do +ith it/ $ivor.e is sinfu/ %ut I .oudn"t refuse
)y o+n sister sheter in )y house> .oud I no+AJ
J@our sisterAJ eB.ai)ed To))y/
J@es> ,ida"s )y sister/ $idn"t she te youAJ
To))y stared at her open )outhed/ The thing see)ed fantasti.ay
i)possi'e/ Then he re)e)'ered that the angei. 'eauty of ,ida ,en
had 'een in eviden.e for )any years/ !e had 'een ta1en to see her a.t
as 8uite a s)a 'oy/ @es> it +as possi'e after a/ %ut +hat a pi8uant
.ontrast/ So it +as fro) this o+er )idde .ass respe.ta'iity that
,ida ,en had sprung/ !o+ +e she had guarded her se.retG
JI a) not yet 8uite .ear>J he said/ J@our sister is )arriedAJ
J&an a+ay to 'e )arried as a gir of seventeen>J said Miss !oney.ott
su..in.ty/ JSo)e .o))on feo+ far 'eo+ her in station/ And our
father a reverend/ It +as a disgra.e/ Then she eft her hus'and and
+ent on the stage/ Pay a.tingG I"ve never 'een inside a theatre in )y
ife/ I hod no tru.1 +ith +i.1edness/ 0o+> after a these years> she
+ants to divor.e the )an/ Means to )arry so)e 'ig +ig> I suppose/
%ut her hus'and"s standing fir);not to 'e 'uied and not to 'e 'ri'ed;I
ad)ire hi) for it/J
JWhat is his na)eAJ as1ed To))y suddeny/
JThat"s an eBtraordinary thing no+> 'ut I .an"t re)e)'erG It"s neary
t+enty years ago> re)e)'er> sin.e I heard it/ My father for'ade it to
'e )entioned/ And I"ve refused to dis.uss the )atter +ith ,ida/ She
1no+s +hat I thin1> and that"s enough for her/J
JIt +asn"t &eiy> +as itAJ
JMight have 'een/ I reay .an"t say/ It"s gone .ean out of )y head/J
JThe )an I )ean +as here Dust no+/J
JThat )anG I thought he +as an es.aped unati./ I"d 'een in the 1it.hen
giving orders to (en/ I"d Dust got 'a.1 into this roo)> and +as
+ondering +hether ,ida had .o)e in yet 9she has a at.h 1ey: +hen I
heard her/ She hesitated a )inute or t+o in the ha and then +ent
straight upstairs/ A'out three )inutes ater> a this tre)endous rat
tatting 'egan/ I +ent out into the ha> and Dust sa+ a )an rushing
upstairs/ Then there +as a sort of .ry upstairs and presenty do+n he
.a)e again and rushed out i1e a )ad)an/ Pretty goings on/J
To))y rose/
JMrs/ !oney.ott> et us go upstairs at on.e/ I a) afraid;J
JWhat ofAJ
JAfraid that you have no red +et paint in the house/J
Mrs/ !oney.ott stared at hi)/
J<f .ourse I haven"t/J
XThat is +hat I feared>J said To))y gravey/ JPease et us go to your
sister"s roo) at on.e/J
Mo)entariy sien.ed> Mrs/ !oney.ott ed the +ay/ They .aught a
gi)pse of (en in the ha> 'a.1ing hastiy into one of the roo)s/
Mrs/ !oney.ott opened the first door at the top of the stairs/ To))y
and Tuppen.e entered .ose 'ehind her/
Suddeny she gave a gasp and fe 'a.1/
A )otioness figure in 'a.1 and er)ine ay stret.hed on the sofa/ The
fa.e +as untou.hed> a 'eautifu souess fa.e i1e a )ature .hid
aseep/ The +ound +as on the side of the head> a heavy 'o+ +ith
so)e 'unt instru)ent had .rushed in the s1u/ %ood +as dripping
so+y onto the foor> 'ut the +ound itsef had ong sin.e .eased to
'eed/ / /
To))y eBa)ined the prostrate figure his fa.e very +hite
JSo>J he said at ast> Jhe didn"t strange her after a/J
JWhat do you )eanA WhoAJ .ried Mrs/ !oney.ott/ JIs she deadAJ
J<hG yes> Mrs/ !oney.ott> she"s dead/ Murdered/ The 8uestion is;'y
+ho)A 0ot that it is )u.h of a 8uestion/ Funny;for a his ranting
+ords> I didn"t thin1 the feo+ had got it in hi)/J
!e paused a )inute> then turned to Tuppen.e +ith de.ision/
JWi you go out and get a poi.e)an> or ring up the poi.e station fro)
so)e+hereAJ
Tuppen.e nodded/ She> too> +as very +hite/ To))y ed Mrs/
!oney.ott do+nstairs again/
JI don"t +ant there to 'e any )ista1e a'out this>J he said/ J$o you
1no+ eBa.ty +hat ti)e it +as +hen your sister .a)e inAJ
J@es> I do>J said Mrs/ !oney.ott/ J%e.ause I +as Dust setting the .o.1
on five )inutes as I have to do every evening/ It gains Dust five )inutes
a day/ It +as eBa.ty eight )inutes past siB 'y )y +at.h> and that
never oses or gains a se.ond/J
To))y nodded/ That agreed perfe.ty +ith the poi.e)an"s story/ !e
had seen the +o)an +ith the +hite furs go in at the gate> pro'a'y
three )inutes had eapsed 'efore he and Tuppen.e had rea.hed the
sa)e spot/ !e had gan.ed at his o+n +at.h then and had noted that it
+as Dust one )inute after the ti)e of their appoint)ent/
There +as Dust the faint .han.e that so)eone )ight have 'een +aiting
for ,ida ,en in the roo) upstairs/ %ut if so> he )ust sti 'e hiding in
the house/ 0o one 'ut *a)es &eiy had eft it/
!e ran upstairs and )ade a 8ui.1 'ut effi.ient sear.h of the pre)ises/
%ut there +as no one .on.eaed any+here/
Then he spo1e to (en/ After 'rea1ing the ne+s to her> and +aiting for
her first a)entations and invo.ations to the Saints to have eBhausted
the)seves> he as1ed a fe+ 8uestions/
J!ad anyone .o)e to the house that afternoon as1ing for Miss ,enA
0o one +hatsoever/ !ad she hersef 'een upstairs at a that eveningA
@es> she"d gone up at siB o".o.1 as usua to dra+ the .urtains;or it
)ight have 'een a fe+ )inutes after siB/ Any+ay it +as Dust 'efore that
+id feo+ .o)e 'rea1ing the 1no.1er do+n/ She"d run do+nstairs to
ans+er the door/ And hi) a 'a.1 hearted )urderer at the ti)e/J
To))y et it go at that/ %ut he sti fet a .urious pity for &eiy> an
un+iingness to 'eieve the +orst of hi)/ And yet there +as no one
ese +ho .oud have )urdered ,ida ,en/ Mrs/ !oney.ott and (en
had 'een the ony t+o peope in the house/
!e heard voi.es in the ha> and +ent out to find Tuppen.e and the
poi.e)an fro) the 'eat outside/ The atter had produ.ed a note'oo1>
and a rather 'unt pen.i +hi.h he i.1ed surreptitiousy/ !e +ent
upstairs and surveyed the vi.ti) stoidy> )erey re)ar1ing that if he
+as to tou.h anything the Inspe.tor +oud give hi) 'eans/ !e istened
to a Mrs/ !oney.ott"s hysteri.a out'ursts and .onfused
eBpanations> and o..asionay he +rote so)ething do+n/ !is
presen.e +as .a)ing and soothing/
To))y finay got hi) aone for a )inute or t+o on the steps outside>
ere he departed to teephone head8uarters/
J#oo1 here>J said To))y/ J@ou sa+ the de.eased turning in at the
gate> you say/ Are you sure she +as aoneAJ
J<h> she +as aone a right/ 0o'ody +ith her/J
JAnd 'et+een that ti)e and +hen you )et us> no'ody .a)e out of the
gateAJ
J0ot a sou/J
J@ou"d have seen the) if they hadAJ
JIn .ourse I shoud/ 0o'ody .o)e out ti that +id .hap did/J
The )aDesty of the a+ )oved portentousy do+n the steps and paused
'y the +hite gate post +hi.h 'ore the i)print of a hand in red/
J-ind of a)ateur he )ust have 'een>J he said pityingy/ JTo eave a
thing i1e that/J
Then he s+ung out into the road/
It +as the day after the .ri)e/ To))y and Tuppen.e +ere sti at the
,rand !ote> 'ut To))y had thought it prudent to dis.ard his .eri.a
disguise/
*a)es &eiy had 'een apprehended> and +as in .ustody/ !is soi.itor>
Mr/ Marve> had Dust finished a engthy .onversation +ith To))y on
the su'De.t of the .ri)e/
JI never +oud have 'eieved it of *a)es &eiy>J he said si)py/ J!e"s
a+ays 'een a )an of vioent spee.h> 'ut that"s a/J
To))y nodded/
JIf you disperse energy in spee.h> it doesn"t eave you too )u.h over
for a.tion/ What I reaise is that I sha 'e one of the prin.ipa +itnesses
against hi)/ That .onversation he had +ith )e Dust 'efore the .ri)e
+as parti.uary da)ning/ And in spite of everything> I i1e the )an>
and if there +as anyone ese to suspe.t> I shoud 'eieve hi) to 'e
inno.ent/ What"s his o+n storyAJ
The soi.itor pursed up his ips/
J!e de.ares that he found her ying there dead/ %ut that"s i)possi'e>
of .ourse/ !e"s using the first ie that .o)es into his head/J
J%e.ause> if he happened to 'e spea1ing the truth> it +oud )ean that
our garruous Mrs/ !oney.ott .o))itted the .ri)e;and that is
fantasti./ @es> he )ust have done it/J
JThe )aid heard her .ry out> re)e)'er/J
JThe )aid;yes;J
To))y +as sient a )o)ent/ Then he said thoughtfuyH
JWhat .reduous .reatures +e are> reay/ We 'eieve eviden.e as
though it +ere gospe truth/ And +hat is it readyA <ny the i)pressions
.onveyed to the )ind 'y the senses; and suppose they"re the +rong
i)pressionsAJ
The a+yer shrugged his shouders/
J<hG +e a 1no+ that there are unreia'e +itnesses> +itnesses +ho
re)e)'er )ore and )ore as ti)e goes on> +ith no rea intention to
de.eive/J
JI don"t )ean ony that/ I )ean a of us;+e say things that aren"t reay
so> and never 1no+ that +e"ve done so/ For instan.e> 'oth you and I>
+ithout dou't> have said so)e ti)e or other "There"s the post>" +hen
+hat +e reay )eant +as that +e"d heard a dou'e 1no.1 and the
ratte of the etter 'oB/ 0ine ti)es out of ten +e"d 'e right> and it +oud
'e the post> 'ut Dust possi'y the tenth ti)e it )ight 'e ony a itte
ur.hin paying a Do1e on us/ See +hat I )eanAJ
J@e;es>J said Mr/ Marve so+y/ J%ut I don"t see +hat you"re driving
atAJ
J$on"t youA I") not sure that I do )ysef/ %ut I") 'eginning to see/ It"s
i1e the sti.1> Tuppen.e/ @ou re)e)'erA <ne end of it pointed one
+ay;'ut the other end a+ays points the opposite +ay/ It depends
+hether you get hod of it 'y the right end/ $oors open;'ut they aso
shut/ Peope go upstairs> 'ut they aso go do+nstairs/ %oBes shut> 'ut
they aso open/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ de)anded Tuppen.e/
JIt"s so ridi.uousy easy> reay>J said To))y/ JAnd yet it"s ony Dust
.o)e to )e/ !o+ do you 1no+ +hen a person"s .o)e into the houseA
@ou hear the door open and 'ang to> and if you re eBpe.ting anyone to
.o)e in> you +i 'e 8uite sure it is the)/ %ut it )ight Dust as easiy 'e
so)eone going out/J
J%ut Miss ,en didn"t go outAJ
J0o> I 1no+ she didn"t/ %ut so)eone ese did;the )urderer/J
J%ut ho+ did she get in> thenAJ
JShe .a)e in +hist Mrs/ !oney.ott +as in the 1it.hen ta1ing to (en/
They didn"t hear her/ Mrs/ !oney.ott +ent 'a.1 to the dra+ing;roo)>
+ondered if her sister had .o)e in and 'egan to put the .o.1 right>
and then> as she thought> she heard her .o)e in and go upstairs/J
JWe> +hat a'out thatA The footsteps going upstairsAJ
JThat +as (en> going up to dra+ the .urtains/ @ou re)e)'er> Mrs/
!oney.ott said her sister paused 'efore going up/ That pause +as Dust
the ti)e needed for (en to .o)e out fro) the 1it.hen into the ha/
She Dust )issed seeing the )urderer/J
J%ut To))y>J .ried Tuppen.e/ JThe .ry she gaveAJ
JThat +as *a)es &eiy/ $idn"t you noti.e +hat a high pit.hed voi.e he
hasA In )o)ents of great e)otion> )en often s8uea Dust i1e a
+o)an/J
J%ut the )urdererA We"d have seen hi)AJ
JWe did see hi)/ We even stood ta1ing to hi)/ $o you re)e)'er the
sudden +ay that poi.e)an appearedA That +as 'e.ause he stepped
out of the gate> Dust after the )ist .eared fro) the road/ It )ade us
Du)p> don"t you re)e)'erA After a> though +e never thin1 of the) as
that> poi.e)en are )en Dust i1e any other )en/ They ove and they
hate/ They )arry/ / / /
JI thin1 ,ida ,en )et her hus'and suddeny Dust outside that gate>
and too1 hi) in +ith her to thrash the )atter out/ !e hadn"t &eiy"s
reief of vioent +ords> re)e)'er/ !e Dust sa+ red;and he had his
trun.heon handy/ / / /J
15/ T!( C&AC-#(&
JTuppen.e>J said To))y> J+e sha have to )ove into a )u.h arger
offi.e/J
J0onsense>J said Tuppen.e> J@ou )ustn"t get s+oen headed and
thin1 you are a )iionaire Dust 'e.ause you soved t+o or three
t+openny hafpenny .ases +ith the aid of the )ost a)a?ing u.1/J
JWhat so)e .a u.1> others .a s1i/J
J<f .ourse if you reay thin1 you are Shero.1 !o)es> Thorndy1e>
M.Carty and the %rothers <1e+ood a roed into one there is no )ore
to 'e said/ Personay I +oud )u.h rather have u.1 on )y side than
a the s1i in the +ord/J
JPerhaps there is so)ething in that>J .on.eded To))y/ JA the sa)e>
Tuppen.e> +e do need a arger offi.e/J
JWhyAJ
JThe Cassi.s>J said To))y/ JWe need severa hundreds of yards of
eBtra 'oo1 shef if (dgar Waa.e is to 'e propery represented/J
JWe haven"t had an (dgar Waa.e .ase yet/J
JI a) afraid +e never sha>J said To))y/ JIf you noti.e he never does
give the a)ateur seuth )u.h of a .han.e/ It is a stern S.otand @ard
1ind of stuff;the rea thing and no 'ase .ounterfeit/J
A'ert> the offi.e 'oy> appeared at the door/
JInspe.tor Marriot to see you>J he announ.ed/
JThe )ystery )an of S.otand @ardJ )ur)ured To))y/
JThe 'usiest of the %usies>J said Tuppen.e/ J<r is it "0osesA" I a+ays
get )iBed 'et+een %usies and 0oses/J
The Inspe.tor advan.ed upon the) +ith a 'ea)ing s)ie of +e.o)e/
JWe and ho+ are thingsAJ he as1ed 'ree?iy/ J0one the +orse for our
itte adventure the other dayAJ
J<hG rather not>J said Tuppen.e/ JToo> too )arveous> +asn"t itAJ
JWe> I don"t 1no+ that I +oud des.ri'e it eBa.ty that +ay )ysef>J
said Marriot .autiousy/
JWhat has 'rought you here today> MarriottAJ as1ed To))y/ J0ot Dust
soi.itude for our nervous syste)s> is itAJ
J0o>J said the Inspe.tor/ JIt is +or1 for the 'riiant Mr/ %unt/J
J!aGJ said To))y/ J#et )e put )y 'riiant eBpression on/J
JI have .o)e to )a1e you a proposition> Mr/ %eresford/ What +oud
you say to rounding up a reay 'ig gangAJ
JIs there su.h a thingAJ as1ed To))y/
JWhat do you )ean> is there su.h a thingAJ
JI a+ays thought that gangs +ere .onfined to fi.tion;i1e )aster
.roo1s> and super .ri)inas/J
XThe )aster .roo1 isn"t very .o))on>J agreed the Inspe.tor/ J%ut
#ord 'ess you> sir> there"s any a)ount of gangs 1no.1ing a'out/J
JI don"t 1no+ that I shoud 'e at )y 'est deaing +ith a gang>J said
To))y/ JThe a)ateur .ri)e> the .ri)e of 8uiet fa)iy ife;that is +here
I fatter )ysef that I shine/ $ra)a of strong do)esti. interest/ That"s
the thing;+ith Tuppen.e at hand to suppy a those itte fe)inine
detais +hi.h are so i)portant> and so apt to 'e ignored 'y the denser
)ae/J
!is eo8uen.e +as arrested a'rupty> as Tuppen.e thre+ a .ushion at
hi) and re8uested hi) not to ta1 nonsense/
JWi have your itte 'it of fun> +on"t you> sirAJ said Inspe.tor Marriot>
s)iing paternay at the) 'oth/ JIf you" not ta1e offense at )y saying
so> it"s a peasure to see t+o yourJ peope enDoying ife as )u.h as you
t+o do/J
J$o +e enDoy ifeAJ said Tuppen.e> opening her eyes very +ide/ JI
suppose +e do/ I"ve never thought a'out it 'efore/J
JTo return to that gang you +ere ta1ing a'out>J said To))y/ JIn spite
of )y eBtensive private pra.ti.e> $u.hesses> )iionaires> and a the
'est .har+o)en;I )ight perhaps .ondes.end to oo1 into the )atter
for you/ I don"t i1e to see S.otand @ard at faut/ @ou" have the $aiy
Mai after you 'efore you 1no+ +here you are/J
JAs I said 'efore> you )ust have your 'it of fun/ We> it"s i1e this/J
Again he hit.hed his .hair for+ard/ JThere"s any a)ount of forged
notes going a'out Dust no+;hundreds of "e)G The a)ount of .ounterfeit
Treasury notes in .ir.uation +oud surprise you/ Most artisti. 'it of
+or1 it is/ !ere"s one of "e)/J
!e too1 a one pound note fro) his po.1et and handed it to To))y/
J#oo1s a right> doesn"t itAJ
To))y eBa)ined the note +ith great interest/
J%y *ove> I"d never spot there +as anything +rong +ith that/J
J0o )ore +oud )ost peope/ 0o+ here"s a genuine one/ I" sho+ you
the differen.es;very sight they are> 'ut you" soon earn to te the)
apart/ Ta1e this )agnifying gass/J
At the end of five )inutes" .oa.hing> 'oth To))y and Tuppen.e +ere
fairy eBpert/
JWhat do you +ant us to do> Inspe.tor MarriotAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/
J*ust 1eep our eyes open for these thingsAJ
JA great dea )ore than that> Mrs/ %eresford/ I") pinning )y faith on
you to get to the 'otto) of the )atter/ @ou see +e"ve dis.overed that
the notes are 'eing .ir.uated fro) the West (nd/ So)e'ody pretty
high up in the so.ia s.ae is doing the distri'uting/ They"re passing
the) the other side of the Channe as +e/ 0o+ there"s a .ertain
person +ho is interesting us very )u.h/ A MaDor #aida+;perhaps
you"ve heard the na)eAJ
JI thin1 I have>J said To))y/ JConne.ted +ith ra.ing> isn"t that itAJ
J@es/ MaDor #aida+ is pretty +e 1no+n in .onne.tion +ith the Turf/
There"s nothing a.tuay against hi)> 'ut there"s a genera i)pression
that he"s 'een a 'it too s)art over one or t+o rather shady
transa.tions/ Men in the 1no+ oo1 8ueer +hen he"s )entioned/
0o'ody 1no+s )u.h of his past or +here he .a)e fro)/ !e"s got a
very attra.tive Fren.h +ife +ho"s seen a'out every+here +ith a train
of ad)irers/ They )ust spend a ot of )oney> the #aida+s> and I"d i1e
to 1no+ +here it .o)es fro)/J
JPossi'y fro) the train of ad)irers>J suggested To))y/
JThat"s the genera idea/ %ut I") not so sure/ It )ay 'e .oin.iden.e>
'ut a ot of notes have 'een forth.o)ing fro) a .ertain very s)art
itte ga)'ing .u' +hi.h is )u.h fre8uented 'y the #aida+s and
their set/ This ra.ing> ga)'ing set get rid of a ot of oose )oney in
notes/ There .oudn"t 'e a 'etter +ay of getting it into .ir.uation/J
JAnd +here do +e .o)e inAJ
JThis +ay/ @oung St/ 7in.ent and his +ife are friends of yours> I
understandA They"re in pretty thi.1 +ith the #aida+ set;though not as
thi.1 as they +ere/ Through the) it +i 'e easy for you to get a footing
in the sa)e set in a +ay that none of our peope .oud atte)pt/ There"s
no i1eihood of their spotting you/ @ou" have an idea opportunity/J
JWhat have +e got to find out eBa.tyAJ
JWhere they get the stuff fro)> if they are passing it/J
J4uite so>J said To))y/ JMaDor #aida+ goes out +ith an e)pty
suit.ase/ When he returns it is .ra))ed to the 'ursting point +ith
Treasury notes/ !o+ is it doneA I seuth hi) and find out/ Is that the
ideaAJ
JMore or ess/ %ut don"t nege.t the ady> and her father> M/ !erouade/
&e)e)'er the notes are 'eing passed on 'oth sides of the Channe/J
JMy dear Marriot>J eB.ai)ed To))y reproa.hfuy/ J%unt"s %riiant
$ete.tives do not 1no+ the )eaning of the +ord nege.t/J
The Inspe.tor rose/
JWe> good u.1 to you>J he said> and departed/
JSush>J said Tuppen.e enthusiasti.ay/
J(hAJ said To))y perpeBed/
JCounterfeit )oney>J eBpained Tuppen.e/ JIt is a+ays .aed Sush/ I
1no+ I") right/ <h> To))y> +e have got an (dgar Waa.e .ase/ At ast
+e are %usies/J
JWe are>J said To))y> Jand +e are out to get The Cra.1er and +e +i
get hi) good/J
J$id you say The Ca.1er or The Cra.1erAJ
JThe Cra.1er/J
J<h> +hat is a Cra.1erAJ
JA ne+ +ord that I have .oined>J said To))y/ J$es.riptive of one +ho
passes fase notes into .ir.uation/ %an1 notes .ra.1eI therefore he is
.aed a Cra.1er/ 0othing .oud 'e )ore si)pe/J
JThat is rather a good idea>J said Tuppen.e> Jit )a1es it see) )ore
rea/ I i1e the &uster )ysef/ Mu.h )ore des.riptive and sinister/J
J0o>J said To))y> JI said the Cra.1er first and I sti.1 to it/Y
JI sha enDoy this .ase>J said Tuppen.e/ J#ots of 0ight Cu's and
.o.1tais in it/ I sha 'uy so)e eyeash 'a.1 to;)orro+/J
J@our eyeashes are 'a.1 aready>J o'De.ted her hus'and/
JI .oud )a1e the) 'a.1er>J said Tuppen.e> Jand .herry ip sti.1
+oud 'e usefu too/ That utra 'right 1ind/J
JTuppen.e>J said To))y> Jyou"re a rea ra1e at heart/ What a good
thing it is that you are )arried to a so'er steady )idde aged )an i1e
)ysef/J
J@ou +ait>J said Tuppen.e/ JWhen you have 'een to the Python Cu' a
'it you )ayn"t 'e so so'er yoursef/J
To))y produ.ed fro) a .up'oard various 'ottes> t+o gasses> and a
.o.1tai sha1er/
J#et"s start no+>J he said/ JWe are after you> Cra.1er> and +e )ean to
get you/J
14/ T!( C&AC-#(& 9.ontinued:
Ma1ing the a.8uaintan.e of the #aida+s proved an easy affair/
To))y and Tuppen.e> young> +e dressed> eager for ife and +ith
apparenty )oney to 'urn> +ere soon )ade free of that parti.uar
.oterie in +hi.h the #aida+s had their 'eing/
MaDor #aida+ +as a ta fair )an> typi.ay (ngish in appearan.e> +ith
a hearty sports)ani1e )anner> sighty 'eied 'y the hard ines round
his eyes and the o..asiona 8ui.1 side+ays gan.e that assorted oddy
+ith his supposed .hara.ter/
!e +as a very deBterous .ard payer> and To))y noti.ed that +hen
the sta1es +ere high he sedo) rose fro) the ta'e a oser/
Marguerite #aida+ +as 8uite a different proposition/ She +as a
.har)ing .reature> +ith the senderness of a +ood ny)ph and the
fa.e of a ,reu?e pi.ture/ !er dainty 'ro1en (ngish +as fas.inating>
and To))y fet that it +as no +onder )ost )en +ere her saves/ She
see)ed to ta1e a great fan.y to To))y fro) the first> and paying his
part> he ao+ed hi)sef to 'e s+ept into her train/
JMy To))ee>J she +oud say/ J%ut positivey I .annot go +ithout )y
To))ee/ !is "air> eet ees the .oor of the sunset> ees eet notAJ
!er father +as a )ore sinister figure/ 7ery .orre.t> very upright> +ith
his itte 'a.1 'eard and his +at.hfu eyes/
Tuppen.e +as the first to report progress/ She .a)e to To))y +ith
ten one pound notes/
J!ave a oo1 at these/ They"re +rong "uns> aren"t theyAJ
To))y eBa)ined the) and .onfir)ed/Tuppen.e"s diagnosis/
JWhere did you get the) fro)AJ
JThat 'oy> *i))y Fau1ener/ Marguerite #aida+ gave the) to hi) to
put on a horse for her/ I said I +anted s)a notes> and gave hi) a
tenner in eB.hange/J
JA ne+ and .risp>J said To))y thoughtfuy/ JThey .an"t have passed
through )any hands/ I suppose young Fau1ener is a rightAJ
J*i))yA <hG he"s a dear/ !e and I are 'e.o)ing great Friends/J
JSo I have noti.ed>J said To))y .ody/ J$o you reay thin1 it is
ne.essaryAJ
J<hG it isn"t 'usiness>J said Tuppen.e .heeriy/ JIt"s peasure/ !e"s
su.h a ni.e 'oy/ I") gad to get hi) out of that +o)an"s .ut.hes/
@ou"ve no idea of the a)ount of )oney she"s .ost hi)/J
JIt oo1s to )e as though he +ere getting rather a pash for you>
Tuppen.e/J
JI"ve thought the sa)e )ysef so)eti)es/ It"s ni.e to 1no+ one"s sti
young and attra.tive> isn"t itAJ
J@our )ora tone> Tuppen.e> is depora'y o+/ @ou oo1 at these
things fro) the +rong point of vie+/J
JI haven"t enDoyed )ysef so )u.h for years>J de.ared Tuppen.e
sha)eessy/ JAnd any+ay> +hat a'out youA $o I ever see you
no+adaysA Aren"t you a+ays iving in Marguerite #aida+"s po.1etAJ
J%usiness>J said To))y .rispy/
J%ut she is attra.tive> isn"t sheAJ
J0ot )y type>J said To))y/ JI don"t ad)ire her/J
J#iar>J aughed Tuppen.e/ J%ut I a+ays did thin1 I"d rather )arry a
iar than a foo/J
JI suppose>J said To))y> Jthat there"s no a'soute ne.essity for a
hus'and to 'e eitherAJ
%ut Tuppen.e )erey thre+ hi) a pitying gan.e and +ithdre+/
A)ongst Mrs/ #aida+"s train of ad)irers +as a si)pe 'ut eBtre)ey
+eathy gente)an of the na)e of !an1 &yder/
Mr/ &yder .a)e fro) Aa'a)a> and fro) the first he +as disposed to
)a1e a friend and .onfidant of To))y/
JThat"s a +onderfu +o)an> sir>J said Mr/ &yder> foo+ing the ovey
Marguerite +ith reverentia eyes/ JPu)' fu of .ivii?ation/ CanNt 'eat
a gaie Fran.e> .an youA When I") near her> I fee as though I +as one
of the A)ighty"s eariest eBperi)ents/ I guess !e"d got to get !is hand
in 'efore !e atte)pted anything so ovey as that perfe.ty ovey
+o)an/J
To))y agreeing poitey +ith these senti)ents> Mr/ &yder un'urdened
hi)sef sti further/
JSee)s 1ind of a sha)e a ovey .reature i1e that shoud have )oney
+orries/J
J!as sheAJ as1ed To))y/
J@ou 'et.ha ife she has/ 4ueer fish> #aida+/ She"s s1eered of hi)/
Tod )e so/ $aren"t te hi) a'out her itte 'is/J
JAre they itte 'isAJ as1ed To))y/
JWe;+hen I say itteG After a> a +o)an"s got to +ear .othes> and the
ess there are of the) the )ore they .ost> the +ay I figure it out/ And a
pretty +o)an i1e that doesn"t +ant to go a'out in ast season"s goods/
Cards too> the poor itte thing"s 'een )ighty unu.1y at .ards/ Why>
she ost fifty to )e ast night/J
JShe +on t+o hundred fro) *i))y Fau1ener the night 'efore>J said
To))y driy/
J$id she indeedA That reieves )y )ind so)e/ %y the +ay> there
see)s to 'e a ot of dud notes foating around in your .ountry Dust no+/
I paid in a 'un.h at )y 'an1 this )orning> and t+enty;five of the) +ere
do+n and outers> so the poite gente)an 'ehind the .ounter infor)ed
)e/J
JThat"s rather a arge proportion/ Were they ne+ oo1ingAJ
J0e+ and .risp as they )a1e "e)/ Why> they +ere the ones Mrs/
#aida+ paid over to )e> I re.1on/ Wonder +here she got "e) fro)/
<ne of these toughs on the ra.e .ourse as i1ey as not/J
J@es>J said To))y/ J7ery i1ey/J
J@ou 1no+> Mr/ %eresford> I") ne+ to this sort of high ife/ A these
s+e da)es> and the rest of the outfit/ <ny )ade )y pie a short +hie
'a.1/ Ca)e right over to @urrop to see ife/J
To))y nodded/ !e )ade a )enta note to the effe.t that +ith the aid
of Marguerite #aida+ Mr/ &yder +oud pro'a'y see a good dea of ife
and that the pri.e .harged +oud 'e heavy/
Meanti)e> for the se.ond ti)e> he had eviden.ed that the forged notes
+ere 'eing distri'uted pretty near at hand> and that in a pro'a'iity
Marguerite #aida+ had a hand in their distri'ution/
<n the foo+ing night he hi)sef +as given a proof/
It +as at that s)a see.t )eeting pa.e )entioned 'y Inspe.tor
Marriot/ There +as dan.ing there> 'ut the rea attra.tion of the pa.e
ay 'ehind a pair of i)posing foding doors/ There +ere t+o roo)s
there +ith green 'ai?e .overed ta'es> +here vast su)s .hanged
hands nighty/
Marguerite #aida+> rising at ast to go> thrust a 8uantity of s)a notes
into To))y"s hands/
JThey are so 'u1ee> To))ee;you +i .hange the)> yesA A 'eeg note/
See )y so s+eet eete 'ag> it 'uges hi) to distra.tion/J
To))y 'rought her the hundred pound note she as1ed for/ Then in a
8uiet .orner> he eBa)ined the notes she had given hi)/ At east a
8uarter of the) +ere .ounterfeit/
%ut +here did she get her suppies fro)A To that he had as yet no
ans+er/ %y )eans of A'ert"s .ooperation> he +as a)ost sure that
#aida+ +as not the )an/ !is )ove)ents had 'een +at.hed .osey
and had yieded no resut/
To))y suspe.ted her father> the saturnine M/ !erouade/ !e +ent to
and fro to Fran.e fairy often/ What .oud 'e si)per than to 'ring the
notes a.ross +ith hi)A A fase 'otto) to a trun1;so)ething of that
1ind/
To))y stroed so+y out of the Cu'> a'sor'ed in these thoughts> 'ut
+as suddeny re.aed to i))ediate ne.essities/ <utside in the street
+as Mr/ !an1 P/ &yder> and it +as .ear at on.e that Mr/ &yder +as not
stri.ty so'er/ At the )o)ent he +as trying to hang his hat on the
radiator of a .ar> and )issing it 'y so)e in.hes every ti)e/
JThis goddarned hatshtand> this goddarned hatshtand>J said Mr/
&yder tearfuy/ J0ot i1e that in the Shtates/ Man .an hang up hishhat
every night;every night> sir/ @ou"re +earing t+o hatshs/ 0ever sheen a
)an +earing t+o hatsh 'efore/ Musht'e effe.t.i)ate/J
JPerhaps I"ve got t+o heads>J said To))y gravey/
JSho you have>J said Mr/ &yder/ JThatsh odd/ Thatsh re)ar1a'e fa./
#etsh have a .o.1tai/ Prohi'ition;pro'ishun;thatsh +hatsh done )e
in/ I guess I") drun1;.onstootionay drun1/ Co.1taish;)iBed "e);
Ange"s -iss; that"s Marguerite;ovey .reature> fon" o" )e too/ !orshes
0e.1> t+o Martinis;three &oad to &uinsh;no> roadshto roon;)iBed "e)
a;in a 'eer tan1ard/ %et )e I +oudn"t;I shaid;to he> I shayed;J
To))y interrupted/
JThat"s a right>J he said soothingy/ J0o+ +hat a'out getting ho)eAJ
J0o ho)e to go to>J said Mr/ &yder sady> and +ept/
JWhat !ote are you staying atAJ as1ed To))y/
JCan"t go ho)e>J said Mr/ &yder/ JTreasurehunt/ S+e thing to do/ She
did it/ White.hape;White heartsh> +hite headsh shorro+ to the grave;J
J0ever )ind that>J said To))y/ JWhere are you;J
%ut Mr/ &yder 'e.a)e suddeny dignified/ !e dre+ hi)sef ere.t and
attained a sudden )ira.uous .o))and over his spee.h/
J@oung )an> I") teing you/ Margee too1 )e/ In her .ar Treasure
!unting/ (ngisharishto.rashy a do it/ 2nder the .o''estones/ Five
hundred poundsh/ Soe)n thought> "tis soe)n thought/ I") teing you>
young )an/ @ou"ve 'een 1ind to )e/ I"ve got your +efare at heart> sir>
at heart/ We A)eri.ans;J
To))y interrupted hi) this ti)e +ith even ess .ere)ony/
JWhat"s that you sayA Mrs/ #aida+ too1 you in a .arAJ
The A)eri.an nodded +ith a 1ind of o+ish soe)nity/
JTo White.hapeAJ Again that o+ish nod/ JAnd you found five hundred
pounds thereAJ
Mr/ &yder strugged for +ords/
JS;she did>J he .orre.ted his 8uestioner/ J#eft )e outside/ <utside the
door/ A+ays eft outside/ It"s 1inder sad/ <utside;a+ays outside/J
JWoud you 1no+ your +ay thereAJ
JI guess so/ !an1 &yder doesn"t ose his 'earings;J
To))y haued hi) aong un.ere)oniousy/ !e found his o+n .ar
+here it +as +aiting> and presenty they +ere 'o+ing east+ard/ The
.oo air revived Mr/ &yder/ After su)ping against To))y"s shouder in
a 1ind of stupor> he a+o1e .ear headed and refreshed/
JSay> 'oy> +here are +eAJ he de)anded/
JWhite.hape>J said To))y .rispy/ JIs this +here you .a)e +ith Mrs/
#aida+ tonightAJ"
JIt oo1s 1inder fa)iiar>J ad)itted Mr/ &yder oo1ing round/ JSee)s to
)e +e turned off to the eft so)e+here do+n here/ That"s it;that street
there/J
To))y turned off o'edienty/ Mr/ &yder issued dire.tions/
JThat"s it/ Sure/ And round to the right/ Say> aren"t the s)es a+fuA
@es> past the pu' at the .orner;sharp round> and stop at the )outh of
that itte aey/ %ut +hat"s the 'ig ideaA !and it to )e/ So)e of the oof
eft 'ehindA Are +e going to put one over on the)AJ
JThat"s eBa.ty it>J said To))y/ JWe"re going to put one over on the)/
&ather a Do1e> isn"t itAJ
JI" te the +ord>J assented Mr/ &yder/ JThough I") Dust a )ite ha?ed
a'out it a>J he ended +istfuy/
To))y got out and assisted Mr/ &yder to aight aso/ They advan.ed
into the aey +ay/ <n the eft +ere the 'a.1s of a ro+ of diapidated
houses> )ost of +hi.h had doors opening into the aey/ Mr/ &yder
.a)e to a stop 'efore one of these doors/
JIn here she +ent>J he de.ared/ JIt +as this door;I") pu)' .ertain of
it/J
JThey a oo1 very ai1e>J said To))y/ J&e)inds )e of the story of the
sodier and the Prin.ess/ @ou re)e)'er> they )ade a .ross on the
door to sho+ +hi.h one it +as/ Sha +e do the sa)eAJ
#aughing> he dre+ a pie.e of +hite .ha1 fro) his po.1et and )ade a
rough .ross o+ do+n on the door/ Then he oo1ed up at various di)
shapes that pro+ed high on the +as of the aey> one of +hi.h +as
uttering a 'ood .urding ya+/
J#ots of .ats a'out>J he re)ar1ed .heerfuy/
JWhat is the pro.edureAJ as1ed Mr/ &yder/ J$o +e step insideAJ
JAdopting due pre.autions +e do>J said To))y/
!e gan.ed up and do+n the aey +ay> then softy tried the door/ It
yieded/ !e pushed it open> and peered into a di) yard/
0oiseessy he passed through> Mr/ &yder on his hees/
J,eeGJ said the atter/ JThere"s so)eone .o)ing do+n the aey/J
!e sipped outside again/ To))y stood sti for a )inute> then hearing
nothing +ent on/ !e too1 a tor.h fro) his po.1et and s+it.hed on the
ight for a 'rief se.ond/ That )o)entary fash ena'ed hi) to see his
+ay ahead/ !e pushed for+ard and tried the .osed door ahead of hi)/
That too gave> and very softy he pushed it open and +ent in/
After standing sti a se.ond and istening> he again s+it.hed on the
tor.h> and at that fash> as though at a given signa> the pa.e see)ed
to rise round hi)/ T+o )en +ere in front of hi)> t+o )en +ere 'ehind
hi)/ They .osed in on hi)> and 'ore hi) do+n/
J#ights>J gro+ed a voi.e/
An in.andes.ent gas 'urner +as it/ %y its ight To))y sa+ a .ir.e of
unpeasing fa.es/ !is eyes +andered genty round the roo) and noted
so)e of the o'De.ts in it/
JAhGJ he said peasanty/ JThe head8uarters of the .ounterfeiting
industry> if I a) not )ista1en/J
JShut your Da+>J gro+ed one of the )en/
The door opened and shut 'ehind To))y> and a genia and +e 1no+n
voi.e spo1e/
J,ot hi)> 'oys/ That"s right/ 0o+> Mr/ %usy> et )e te you you"re up
against it/J
JThat dear od +ord>J said To))y/ J!o+ it thris )e/ @es/ I a) the
Mystery Man of S.otand @ard/ Why it"s Mr/ !an1 &yder/ This is a
surprise/J
JI guess you )ean that too/ I"ve 'een aughing fit to 'ust a this
evening;eading you here i1e a itte .hid/ And you so peased +ith
your .everness/ Why> sonny> I +as on to you fro) the start/ @ou
+eren"t in +ith that .ro+d for your heath/ I et you pay a'out for a
+hie> and +hen you got rea suspi.ious of the ovey Marguerite> I said
to )ysef "0o+"s the ti)e to ead hi) to it/" I guess your friends +on"t
'e hearing of you for so)e ti)e/J
J,oing to do )e inA That"s the .orre.t eBpression> I 'eieve/ @ou have
got it in for )e/J
J@ou"ve got a nerve a right/ 0ot +e shan"t atte)pt vioen.e/ *ust 1eep
you under restraint> so to spea1/J
JI") afraid you"re 'a.1ing the +rong horse>J said To))y/ JI"ve no
intention of 'eing "1ept under restraint" as you .a it/J
Mr/ &yder s)ied geniay/ Fro) outside a .at uttered a )ean.hoy .ry
to the )oon/
J%an1ing on that .ross you put on the door> eh SonnyAJ said Mr/
&yder/ JI shoudn"t if I +ere you/ %e.ause I 1no+ that story you
)entioned/ !eard it +hen I +as a itte 'oy/ I stepped 'a.1 into the
aey+ay to ena.t the part of the dog +ith eyes as 'ig as .art +hees/ If
you +ere in that aey no+> you +oud o'serve that every door in the
aey is )ar1ed +ith an identi.a .ross/J
To))y drooped his head despondenty/
JThought you +ere )ighty .ever> didn"t youAJ said &yder/
As the +ords eft his ips a sharp rapping sounded on the door/
JWhat"s thatAJ he .ried> starting/
At the sa)e ti)e> an assaut 'egan on the front of the house/ The door
at the 'a.1 +as a fi)sy affair/ The o.1 gave a)ost i))ediatey and
Inspe.tor Marriot sho+ed in the door+ay/
JWe done> Marriot>J said To))y/ J@ou +ere 8uite right as to the
distri.t/ I"d i1e you to )a1e the a.8uaintan.e of Mr/ !an1 &yder +ho
1no+s a the 'est fairy taes/J
J@ou see> Mr/ &yder>J he added genty> JI"ve had )y suspi.ions of you/
A'ert 9that i)portant oo1ing 'oy +ith the 'ig ears is A'ert: had
orders to foo+ on his )otor .y.e if you and I +ent off Doy riding at any
ti)e/ And +hist I +as ostentatiousy )ar1ing a .ha1 .ross on the door
to engage your attention> I aso e)ptied a itte 'otte of vaerian on the
ground/ 0asty s)e> 'ut .ats ove it/ A the .ats in the neigh'orhood
+ere asse)'ed outside to )ar1 the right house +hen A'ert and the
poi.e arrived/J
!e oo1ed at the du)'founded Mr/ &yder +ith a s)ie/ Then rose to his
feet/
JI said I +oud get you> Cra.1er> and I have got you>J he o'served/
JWhat the !e are you ta1ing a'outAJ as1ed Mr/ &yder/ JWhat do you
)ean;Cra.1erAJ
J@ou +i find it in the gossary of the neBt .ri)ina di.tionary>J said
To))y/ J(ty)oogy dou'tfu/J
!e oo1ed round hi) +ith a happy s)ie/
JAnd a done +ithout a 0ose>J he )ur)ured 'righty/ J,ood night>
Marriot/ I )ust go no+ to +here the happy ending of the story a+aits
)e/ 0o re+ard i1e the ove of a good +o)an;and the ove of a good
+o)an a+aits )e at ho)e;that is I hope it does> 'ut one never 1no+s
no+adays/ This has 'een a very dangerous Do'> Marriot/ $o you 1no+
Captain *i))y Fau1enerA !is dan.ing is si)py too )arveous and as
for his taste in .o.1tais;G @es> Marriot> it has 'een a very dangerous
Do'/J
1F/T!( S200I0,$A#( M@ST(&@
X$o you 1no+ +here +e are going to un.h today> Tuppen.eAJ
Mrs/ %eresford .onsidered the 8uestion/
JThe &it?AJ she suggested hopefuy/
JThin1 again/J
JThat ni.e itte pa.e in SohoAJ
J0o/J To))y"s tone +as fu of i)portan.e/ JAn A/%/C/ shop/ This one
in fa.t/J
!e dre+ her defty inside an esta'ish)ent of the 1ind indi.ated> and
steered her to a .orner )ar'e;topped ta'e/
J(B.eent>J said To))y +ith satisfa.tion> as he seated hi)sef/
JCoudn"t 'e 'etter/J
JWhy has this .ra?e for the si)pe ife .o)e upon youAJ de)anded
Tuppen.e/
J@ou see> Watson> 'ut you do not o'serve/ I +onder no+ +hether one
of these haughty da)ses +oud .ondes.end to noti.e usA Spendid>
she drifts this +ay/ It is true that she appears to 'e thin1ing of
so)ething ese> 'ut dou'tess her su'.ons.ious )ind is fun.tioning
'usiy +ith su.h )atters as ha) and eggs and pots of tea/ Chop and
fried potatoes> pease> Miss> and a arge .offee> a ro and 'utter> and a
pate of tongue for the ady/J
The +aitress repeated the order in a s.ornfu tone> 'ut Tuppen.e eant
for+ard suddeny and interrupted her/
J0o> not a .hop and fried potatoes/ This gente)an +i have a .heese
.a1e and a gass of )i1/J
JA .heese .a1e and a )i1>J said the +aitress +ith even deeper s.orn
if that +ere possi'e/ Sti thin1ing of so)ething ese> she drifted a+ay
again/
JThat +as un.aed for>J said To))y .ody/
J%ut I") right> aren"t IA @ou are the <d Man in the CornerA Where"s
your pie.e of stringAJ
To))y dre+ a ong t+isted )esh of string fro) his po.1et> and
pro.eeded to tie a .oupe of 1nots in it/
JCo)pete to the s)aest detai>J he )ur)ured/
J@ou )ade a s)a )ista1e in ordering your )ea> though/J
JWo)en are so itera )inded>J said To))y/ JIf there"s one thing I hate
it"s )i1 to drin1> and .heese .a1es are a+ays so yeo+ and 'iious
oo1ing/J
J%e an artist>J said Tuppen.e/ JWat.h )e atta.1 )y .od tongue/ *oy
good stuff> .od tongue/ 0o+ then> I") a ready to 'e Miss Poy
%urton/ Tie a arge 1not and 'egin/J
JFirst of a>J said To))y> Jspea1ing in a stri.ty unoffi.ia .apa.ity> et
)e point out this/ %usiness is not too 'ris1 atey/ If 'usiness does not
.o)e to us> +e )ust go to 'usiness/ Appy our )inds to one of the
great pu'i. )ysteries of the )o)ent/ Whi.h 'rings )e to the point;the
Sunningdae Mystery/J
JAhGJ said Tuppen.e> +ith deep interest/ JThe Sunningdae MysteryGJ
To))y dre+ a .ru)ped pie.e of ne+spaper fro) his po.1et and aid
it on the ta'e/
JThat is the atest portrait of Captain Sesse as it appeared in the $aiy
#eader/J
J*ust so>J said Tuppen.e/ JI +onder so)eone doesn"t sue these
ne+spapers so)eti)es/ @ou .an see it"s a )an and that"s a/J
JWhen I said the Sunningdae Mystery> I shoud have said the so;.aed
Sunningdae Mystery>J +ent on To))y rapidy/ JA )ystery to the
poi.e perhaps> 'ut not to an inteigent )ind/J
JTie another 1not>J said Tuppen.e/
JI don"t 1no+ ho+ )u.h of the .ase you re)e)'er>J .ontinued To))y
8uiety/
JA of it>J said Tuppen.e> J'ut don"t et )e .ra)p your stye/J
JIt +as Dust over three +ee1s ago>J said To))y> Jthat that grueso)e
dis.overy +as )ade on the fa)ous gof in1s/ T+o )e)'ers of the
Cu' +ho +ere enDoying an eary round +ere horrified to find the 'ody
of a )an ying fa.e do+n+ards on the seventh tee/ (ven 'efore they
turned hi) over they had guessed hi) to 'e Captain Sesse> a +e
1no+n figure on the in1s> and +ho a+ays +ore a gof .oat of a
pe.uiary 'right 'ue .oor/
JCaptain Sesse +as often seen out on the in1s eary in the )orning>
pra.ti.ing> and it +as thought at first that he had 'een suddeny
over.o)e 'y so)e for) of heart disease/ %ut eBa)ination 'y a do.tor
reveaed the sinister fa.t that he had 'een )urdered> sta''ed to the
heart +ith a signifi.ant o'De.t> a +o)an"s hat pin/ !e +as aso found to
have 'een dead at east t+eve hours/
JThat put an entirey different .o)peBion on the )atter> and very soon
so)e interesting fa.ts .a)e to ight/ Pra.ti.ay the ast person to see
Captain Sesse aive +as his friend and partner Mr/ !oa'y of the
Por.upine Assuran.e Co/> and he tod his story as foo+s/
JSesse and he payed a round earier in the day/ After tea the other
suggested that they shoud pay a fe+ )ore hoes 'efore it got too
dar1 to see/ !oa'y assented/ Sesse see)ed in good spirits> and +as
in eB.eent for)/ There is a pu'i. footpath that .rosses the in1s> and
Dust as they +ere paying up to the siBth green !oa'y noti.ed a
+o)an .o)ing aong it/ She +as very ta and dressed in 'ro+n> 'ut he
did not o'serve her parti.uary and Sesse he thought did not noti.e
her at a/
JThe footpath in 8uestion .rosses in front of the seventh tee>J
.ontinued To))y/ JThe +o)an had passed aong this> and +as
standing at the farther side> as though +aiting/ Captain Sesse +as the
first to rea.h the tee> as Mr/ !oa'y +as repa.ing the pin in the hoe/
As the atter .a)e to+ards the tee> he +as astonished to see Sesse
and the +o)an ta1ing together/ As he .a)e nearer> they 'oth turned
a'rupty> Sesse .aing over his shouderH "Shan"t 'e a )inute/"
XThe t+o of the) +a1ed off side 'y side> sti deep in earnest
.onversation/ The footpath there eaves the .ourse> and passing
'et+een t+o narro+ hedges of neigh'oring gardens .o)es out on the
road to Windesha)/
JCaptain Sesse +as as good as his +ord/ !e reappeared +ithin a
)inute or t+o> )u.h to !oa'y"s satisfa.tion> as t+o other payers
+ere .o)ing up 'ehind the)> and the ight +as faiing rapidy/ They
drove off> and at on.e !oa'y noti.ed that so)ething had o..urred to
upset his .o)panion/ 0ot ony did he foo?e his drive 'ady> 'ut his
fa.e +as +orried> and his forehead .reased in a 'ig fro+n/ !e hardy
ans+ered his .o)panion"s re)ar1s> and his gof +as atro.ious/
(videnty so)ething had o..urred to put hi) .o)petey off his ga)e/
JThey payed that hoe and the eighth> and then Captain Sesse
de.ared a'rupty that the ight +as too 'ad and that he +as off ho)e/
*ust at that point there is another of those narro+ "sips" eading to the
Windesha) road> and Captain Sesse departed that +ay +hi.h +as a
short .ut to his ho)e> a s)a 'ungao+ on the road in 8uestion/ The
other t+o payers .a)e up> a MaDor %arnard and Mr/ #e.1y> and to
the) !oa'y )entioned Captain Sesse"s sudden .hange of )anner/
They aso had seen hi) spea1ing to the +o)an in 'ro+n> 'ut had not
'een near enough to see her fa.e/ A three )en +ondered +hat she
.oud have said to upset their friend to that eBtent/
JThey returned to the Cu' !ouse together> and as far as +as 1no+n at
the ti)e> +ere the ast peope to see Captain Sesse aive/ The day +as
a Wednesday and on Wednesdays .heap ti.1ets to #ondon are issued/
The )an and +ife +ho ran Captain Sesse"s s)a 'ungao+ +ere up in
to+n a..ording to .usto)> and did not return unti the ate train/ They
entered the %ungao+ as usua> and supposed their )aster to 'e in his
roo) aseep/ Mrs/ Sesse> his +ife> +as a+ay on a visit/
JThe )urder of the Captain +as a nine days" +onder/ 0o'ody .oud
suggest a )otive for it/ The identity of the ta +o)an in 'ro+n +as
eagery dis.ussed> 'ut +ithout resut/ The poi.e +ere> as usua>
'a)ed for their supineness;)ost unDusty as ti)e +as to sho+/ For a
+ee1 ater> a gir .aed $oris (vans +as arrested and .harged +ith
the )urder of Captain Anthony Sesse/
JThe poi.e had had itte to +or1 upon/ A strand of fair hair .aught in
the dead )an"s fingers> and a fe+ threads of fa)e .oored +oo
.aught on one of the 'uttons of his 'ue .oat/ $iigent in8uiries at the
&ai+ay Station and ese+here had ei.ited the foo+ing fa.ts/
JA young gir dressed in a fa)e .oored .oat and s1irt had arrived 'y
Main that evening a'out seven o".o.1> and had as1ed the +ay to
Captain Sesse"s house/ The sa)e gir had reappeared again at the
station> t+o hours ater/ !er hat +as a+ry and her hair toused> and
she see)ed in a state of great agitation/ She in8uired a'out the trains
'a.1 to to+n> and +as .ontinuay oo1ing over her shouder as though
afraid of so)ething/
J<ur poi.e for.e is in )any +ays very +onderfu/ With this sender
eviden.e to go upon> they )anaged to tra.1 do+n the gir> and identify
her as one $oris (vans/ She +as .harged +ith )urder> and .autioned
that anything she )ight say +oud 'e used against her> 'ut she
nevertheess persisted in )a1ing a state)ent> and this state)ent she
repeated again in detai> +ithout any su'stantia variation> at the
su'se8uent pro.eedings/
J!er story +as this/ She +as a typist 'y profession> and had )ade
friends one evening> in a Cine)a> +ith a +e dressed )an +ho
de.ared he had ta1en a fan.y to her/ !is na)e> he tod her> +as
Anthony> and he suggested that she shoud .o)e do+n to his
'ungao+ at Sunningdae/ She had no idea then> or at any other ti)e>
that he had a +ife/ It +as arranged 'et+een the) that she shoud
.o)e do+n on the foo+ing Wednesday;the day> you +i re)e)'er>
+hen the servants +oud 'e a'sent and his +ife a+ay fro) ho)e/ In
the end he tod her his fu na)e +as Anthony Sesse> and gave her the
na)e of his house/
JShe duy arrived at the %ungao+ on the evening in 8uestion> and +as
greeted 'y Sesse +ho had Dust .o)e in fro) She in1s/ Though he
professed hi)sef deighted to see her> the gir de.ared that fro) the
first his )anner +as strange and different/ A haf a.1no+edged fear
sprang up in her> and she +ished ferventy that she had not .o)e/
JAfter a si)pe )ea +hi.h +as a ready and prepared> Sesse
suggested going out for a stro/ The gir .onsenting> he too1 her out of
the house> do+n the road> and aong the "sip" onto the gof .ourse/ And
then suddeny> Dust as they +ere .rossing the seventh tee> he see)ed
to go .o)petey )ad/ $ra+ing a revover fro) his po.1et> he
'randished it in the air> de.aring that he had .o)e to the end of his
tether/
J"(verything )ust goG I") ruined;done for/ And you sha go +ith )e/ I
sha shoot you first;then )ysef/ They +i find our 'odies here in the
)orning side 'y side;together in death/"
JAnd so on;a ot )ore/ !e had hod of $oris (vans 'y the ar) and she>
reaising she had to do +ith a )ad)an> )ade franti. efforts to free
hersef> or faiing that to get the revover a+ay fro) hi)/ They
strugged together> and in that strugge he )ust have torn out a pie.e
of her hair and got the +oo of her .oat entanged on a 'utton/
JFinay> +ith a desperate effort> she freed hersef> and ran for her ife
a.ross the gof in1s> eBpe.ting every )inute to 'e shot do+n +ith a
revover 'uet/ She fe t+i.e;tripping over the heather> 'ut eventuay
regained the road to the station and reaised that she +as not 'eing
pursued/
JThat is the story that $oris (vans tes;and fro) +hi.h she has never
varied/ She strenuousy denies that she ever stru.1 at hi) +ith a hat
pin in sef defen.e;a natura enough thing to do under the
.ir.u)stan.es> though;and one +hi.h )ay +e 'e the truth/ In
support of her story a revover has 'een found in the fur?e 'ushes
near +here the 'ody is ying/ It had not 'een fired/
J$oris (vans has 'een sent for tria> 'ut the )ystery sti re)ains a
)ystery/ If her story is to 'e 'eieved> +ho +as it +ho sta''ed Captain
SesseA The other +o)an> the ta +o)an in 'ro+n +hose appearan.e
so upset hi)A So far no one has eBpained her .onne.tion +ith the
.ase/ She appears out of spa.e suddeny on the footpath a.ross the
in1s> she disappears aong the sip> and no one ever hears of her
again/ Who +as sheA A o.a residentA A visitor fro) #ondonA If so> did
she .o)e 'y .ar or trainA There is nothing re)ar1a'e a'out her
eB.ept her height> no one see)s to 'e a'e to des.ri'e her
appearan.e/ She .oud not have 'een $oris (vans for $oris (vans is
s)a and fair> and )oreover +as ony Dust then arriving at the station/J
JThe +ifeAJ suggested Tuppen.e/ JWhat a'out the +ifeAJ
JA very natura suggestion/ %ut Mrs/ Sesse is aso a s)a +o)an> and
'esides Mr/ !oa'y 1no+s her +e 'y sight> and there see)s no dou't
that she +as reay a+ay fro) ho)e/ <ne further deveop)ent has
.o)e to ight/ The Por.upine Assuran.e Co/ is in i8uidation/ The
a..ounts revea the )ost daring )isappropriation of funds/ The
reasons for Captain Sesse"s +id +ords to $oris (vans are no+ 8uite
apparent/ For so)e years past> he )ust have 'een syste)ati.ay
e)'e??ing )oney/ 0either Mr/ !oa'y> nor his son> had any idea of
+hat +as going on/ They are pra.ti.ay ruined/
JThe .ase stands i1e this/ Captain Sesse +as on the verge of
dis.overy and ruin/ Sui.ide +oud 'e a natura soution> 'ut the nature
of the +ound rues that theory out/ Who 1ied hi)A Was it $oris (vansA
Was it the )ysterious +o)an in 'ro+nAJ
To))y paused> too1 a sip of )i1> )ade a +ry fa.e> and 'it .autiousy
at the .heese .a1e/
13/ T!( S200I0,$A#( M@ST(&@ 9.ontinued:
J<f .ourse>J )ur)ured To))y> JI sa+ at on.e +here the hit.h in this
parti.uar .ase ay> and Dust +here the poi.e +ere going astray/J
J@esAJ said Tuppen.e eagery/
To))y shoo1 his head sady/
JI +ish I did/ Tuppen.e> it"s dead easy 'eing the <d Man in the Corner
up to a .ertain point/ %ut the soution 'eats )e/ Who did )urder the
'eggarA I don"t 1no+/J
!e too1 so)e )ore ne+spaper .uttings out of his po.1et/
JFurther eBhi'its/ Mr/ !oa'y/ !is son/ Mrs/ Sesse/ $oris (vans/J
Tuppen.e poun.ed on the ast> and oo1ed at it for so)e ti)e/
JShe didn"t )urder hi) any+ay>J she re)ar1ed at ast/ J0ot +ith a hat
pin/J
JWhy this .ertaintyAJ
JA #ady Moy tou.h/ She"s got 'o''ed hair/ <ny one +o)an in t+enty
uses hat pins no+adays> any+ay;ong hair or short/ !ats fit tight and
pu on;there"s no need for su.h a thing/J
JSti> she )ight have had one 'y her/J
JMy dear 'oy> +e don"t 1eep the) as heiroo)sG What on earth shoud
she have 'rought a hat pin do+n to Sunningdae forAJ
JThen it )ust have 'een the other +o)an> the +o)an in 'ro+n/J
JI +ish she hadn"t 'een ta/ Then she .oud have 'een the +ife/ I
a+ays suspe.t +ives +ho are a+ay at the ti)e and so .oudn"t have
had anything to do +ith it/ If she found her hus'and .arrying on +ith
that gir> it +oud 'e 8uite natura for her to go for hi) +ith a hat pin/J
JI sha have to 'e .arefu> I see>J re)ar1ed To))y/
%ut Tuppen.e +as deep in thought and refused to 'e dra+n/
JWhat +ere the Sesses i1eAJ she as1ed suddeny/ JWhat sort of thing
did peope say a'out the)AJ
JAs far as I .an )a1e out> they +ere very popuar/ !e and his +ife
+ere supposed to 'e devoted to one another/ That"s +hat )a1es the
'usiness of the gir so odd/ It"s the ast thing you"d have eBpe.ted of a
)an i1e Sesse/ !e +as an eB;sodier> you 1no+/ Ca)e into a good 'it
of )oney> retired and +ent into this Insuran.e 'usiness/ The ast )an
in the +ord> apparenty> +ho) you +oud have suspe.ted of 'eing a
.roo1/J
JIs it a'soutey .ertain that he +as the .roo1A Coudn"t it have 'een
the other t+o +ho too1 the )oneyAJ
JThe !oa'ysA They say they"re ruined/J
J<h> they sayG Perhaps they"ve got it a in a %an1 under another na)e/
I put it fooishy> I daresay> 'ut you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ Suppose they"d
'een spe.uating +ith the )oney for so)e ti)e> un'e1no+nst to
Sesse> and ost it a/ It )ight 'e Doy .onvenient for the) that Sesse
died Dust +hen he did/J
To))y tapped the photograph of Mr/ !oa'y senior +ith his finger
nai/
XSo you"re a..using this respe.ta'e gente)an of )urdering his
friend and partnerA @ou forget that he parted fro) Sesse on the in1s
in fu vie+ of %arnard and #e.1y> and spent the evening in the $or)y
!ouse/ %esides> there"s the hat pin/J
J%other the hat pin>J said Tuppen.e i)patienty/ JThat hat pin> you
thin1> points to the .ri)e having 'een .o))itted 'y a +o)anAJ
J0aturay/ $on"t you agreeAJ
J0o/ Men are notoriousy od fashioned/ It ta1es the) ages to rid
the)seves of pre.on.eived ideas/ They asso.iate hat pins and
hairpins +ith the fe)ae seB> and .a the) "+o)en"s +eapons/" They
)ay have 'een in the past> 'ut they"re 'oth rather out of date no+/
Why> I haven"t had a hat pin or hairpin for the ast four years/J
JThen you thin1;AJ
JThat it +as a )an 1ied Sesse/ The hat pin +as used to )a1e it see)
a +o)an"s .ri)e/J
JThere"s so)ething in +hat you say> Tuppen.e>J said To))y so+y/
JIt"s eBtraordinary ho+ things see) to straighten the)seves out +hen
you ta1 a thing over/J
Tuppen.e nodded/
J(verything )ust 'e ogi.a;if you oo1 at it the right +ay/ And
re)e)'er +hat Marriot on.e said a'out the A)ateur point of vie+;that
it had the inti)a.y/ We 1no+ so)ething a'out peope i1e Captain
Sesse and his +ife/ We 1no+ +hat they"re i1ey to do;and +hat they"re
not i1ey to do/ And +e"ve ea.h got our spe.ia 1no+edge/J
To))y s)ied/
J@ou )ean>J he said> Jthat you are an authority on +hat peope +ith
'o''ed and shinged heads are i1ey to have in their possession> and
that you have an inti)ate a.8uaintan.e +ith +hat +ives are i1ey to
fee and doAJ
JSo)ething of the sort/J
JAnd +hat a'out )eA What is )y spe.ia 1no+edgeA $o hus'ands
pi.1 up girs et./AJ
J0o>J said Tuppen.e gravey/ J@ou 1no+ the .ourse you"ve 'een on itnot
as a dete.tive> sear.hing for .ues> 'ut as a gofer/ @ou 1no+ a'out
gof> and +hat"s i1ey to put a )an off his ga)e/J
JIt )ust have 'een so)ething pretty serious to put Sesse off his
ga)e/ !is handi.ap"s t+o> and fro) the seventh tee on he payed i1e a
.hid> so they say/J
JWho sayAJ
J%arnard and #e.1y/ They +ere paying Dust 'ehind hi)> you
re)e)'er/J
JThat +as after he )et the +o)an;the ta +o)an in 'ro+n/ They sa+
hi) spea1ing to her> didn"t theyAJ
J@es;at east;J
To))y 'ro1e off/ Tuppen.e oo1ed up at hi)> and +as pu??ed/ !e
+as staring at the pie.e of string in his fingers> 'ut staring +ith the
eyes of one +ho sees so)ething very different/
JTo))y;+hat is itAJ
J%e 8uiet> Tuppen.e/ I") paying the siBth hoe at Sunningdae/ Sesse
and od !oa'y are hoding out on the siBth green ahead of )e/ It"s
getting dus1> 'ut I .an see that 'right 'ue .oat of Sesse"s .eary
enough/ And on the footpath to the eft of )e there"s a +o)an .o)ing
aong/ She hasn"t .rossed fro) the #adies" Course;that"s on the right;I
shoud have seen her if she had done so/ And it"s odd I didn"t see her
on the footpath 'efore;fro) the fifth tee> for instan.e/J
!e paused/
J@ou said Dust no+ I 1ne+ the .ourse> Tuppen.e/ *ust 'ehind the siBth
tee> there"s a itte hut or sheter )ade of turf/ Anyone .oud +ait in
there unti;the right )o)ent .a)e/ They .oud .hange their
appearan.e there/ I )ean;te )e> Tuppen.e this is +here your spe.ia
1no+edge .o)es in again;+oud it 'e very diffi.ut for a )an to oo1
i1e a +o)an> and then .hange 'a.1 to 'eing a )an againA Coud he
+ear a s1irt over pus fours> for instan.eAJ
JCertainy he .oud/ The +o)an +oud oo1 a 'it 'u1y> that +oud 'e
a/ A ongish 'ro+n s1irt> say> a 'ro+n s+eater of the 1ind 'oth )en
and +o)en +ear> and a +o)an"s fet hat +ith a 'un.h of side .urs
atta.hed ea.h side/ That +oud 'e a that +as needed;I") spea1ing> of
.ourse> of +hat +oud pass at a distan.e> +hi.h I ta1e to 'e +hat you
are driving at/ S+it.h off the s1irt> ta1e off the hat and .urs> and put
on a )an"s .ap +hi.h you .an .arry roed up in your hand> and there
you"d 'e;'a.1 as a )an again/J
JAnd the ti)e re8uired for the transfor)ationAJ
JFro) +o)an to )an> a )inute and a haf at the outside> pro'a'y a
good dea ess/ The other +ay a'out +oud ta1e onger> you"d have to
arrange the hat and .urs a 'it> and the s1irt +oud sti.1 getting it on
over the pus fours/J
JThat doesn"t +orry )e/ It"s the ti)e for the first that )atters/ As I te
you> I") paying the siBth hoe/ The +o)an in 'ro+n has rea.hed the
seventh tee no+/ She .rosses it and +aits/ Sesse in his 'ue .oat goes
to+ards her/ They stand together a )inute> and then they foo+ the
path round the trees out of sight/ !oa'y is on the tee aone/ T+o or
three )inutes pass/ I") on the green no+/ The )an in the 'ue .oat
.o)es 'a.1 and drives off> foo?ing 'ady/ The ight"s getting +orse/ I
and )y partner go on/ Ahead of us are those t+o> Sesse si.ing and
topping and doing everything he shoudn"t do/ At the eighth green> I
see hi) stride off and vanish do+n the sip/ What happened to hi) to
)a1e hi) pay i1e a different )anAJ
JThe +o)an in 'ro+n;or the )an> if you thin1 it +as a )an/J
J(Ba.ty> and +here they +ere standing;out of sight> re)e)'er> of
those .o)ing after the);there"s a deep tange of fur?e 'ushes/ @ou
.oud thrust a 'ody in there> and it +oud 'e pretty .ertain to ie hidden
unti the )orning/J
XTo))yG @ou thin1 it +as then;%ut so)eone +oud have heard;J
J!eard +hatA The do.tors agreed death )ust have 'een
instantaneous/ I"ve seen )en 1ied instantaneousy in the War/ They
don"t .ry out as a rue;Dust a gurge> or a )oan ;perhaps Dust a sigh> or
a funny itte .ough/ Sesse .o)es to+ards the seventh tee> and the
+o)an .o)es for+ard and spea1s to hi)/ !e re.ogni?es her perhaps>
as a )an he 1no+s )as8uerading/ Curious to earn the +hy and
+herefore> he ao+s hi)sef to 'e dra+n aong the footpath out of
sight/ <ne sta' +ith the deady hat pin as they +a1 aong/ Sesse fasdead/
The other )an drags his 'ody into the fur?e 'ushes> strips off
the 'ue .oat> then sheds his o+n s1irt and the hat and .urs/ !e puts
on Sesse"s +e 1no+n 'ue .oat and .ap> and strides 'a.1 to the tee/
Three )inutes +oud do it/ The others 'ehind .an"t see his fa.e> ony
the pe.uiar 'ue .oat they 1no+ so +e/ They never dou't that it"s
Sesse;'ut he doesn"t pay Sesse"s 'rand of gof/ They a say he
payed i1e a different )an/ <f .ourse he did/ !e +as a different )an/J
J%ut;J
JPoint 0o/ 2/ !is a.tion in 'ringing the gir do+n there +as the a.tion
of a different )an/ It +asn"t Sesse +ho )et $oris (vans at a Cine)a>
and indu.ed her to .o)e do+n to Sunningdae/ It +as a )an .aing
hi)sef Sesse/ &e)e)'er> $oris (vans +asn"t arrested unti a
fortnight after the .ri)e/ She never sa+ the 'ody/ If she had> she )ight
have 'e+idered everyone 'y de.aring that that +asn"t the )an +ho
too1 her out on the gof in1s that night> and spo1e so +idy of sui.ide/
It +as a .arefuy aid pot/ The gir invited do+n for Wednesday +hen
Sesse"s house +oud 'e e)pty> then the hat pin +hi.h pointed to its
'eing a +o)an"s doing/ The )urderer )eets the gir> ta1es her into the
%ungao+ and gives her supper> then ta1es her out on the in1s and
+hen he gets to the s.ene of the .ri)e> 'randishes his revover and
s.ares the ife out of her/ <n.e she has ta1en to her hees> a he has to
do is to pu out the 'ody and eave it ying on the tee/ The revover he
.hu.1s into the 'ushes/ Then he )a1es a neat par.e of the s1irt and
hat and;no+ I ad)it I") guessing;in a pro'a'iity +a1s to Wo1ing
+hi.h is ony a'out siB or seven )ies a+ay> and goes 'a.1 to to+n
fro) there/J
JWait a )inute>J said Tuppen.e/ JThere"s one thing you haven"t
eBpained/ What a'out !oa'yAJ
J!oa'yAJ
J@es/ I ad)it that the peope 'ehind .oudn"t have seen +hether it +as
reay Sesse or not/ %ut you .an"t te )e that the )an +ho +as paying
+ith hi) +as so hypnotised 'y the 'ue .oat that he never oo1ed at his
fa.e/J
JMy dear od thing>J said To))y/ JThat"s Dust the point/ !oa'y 1ne+
a right/ @ou see> I") adopting your theory;that !oa'y and his son
+ere the rea e)'e??ers/ The )urderer"s got to 'e a )an +ho 1ne+
Sesse pretty +e;1ne+> for instan.e> a'out the servants 'eing a+ays
out on a Wednesday> and that his +ife +as a+ay/ And aso so)eone
+ho +as a'e to get an i)pression of Sesse"s at.h 1ey/ I thin1 !oa'y
*unior +oud fufi a these re8uire)ents/ !e"s a'out the sa)e age
and height as Sesse> and they +ere 'oth .ean shaven )en/ $oris
(vans pro'a'y sa+ severa photographs of the )urdered )an
reprodu.ed in the papers> 'ut as you yoursef o'served;one .an Dust
see that it"s a )an and that"s a'out a/J
J$idn"t she ever see !oa'y in CourtAJ
JThe son never appeared in the .ase at a/ Why shoud heA !e had no
eviden.e to give/ It +as od !oa'y> +ith his irreproa.ha'e ai'i> +ho
stood in the i)eight throughout/ 0o'ody has even 'othered to in8uire
+hat son +as doing that parti.uar evening/J
JIt a fits in>J ad)itted Tuppen.e/ She paused a )inute> and then
as1edH JAre you going to te a this to the poi.eAJ
JI don"t 1no+ if they"d isten/J
JThey" isten a right>J said an uneBpe.ted voi.e 'ehind hi)/
To))y s+ung round to .onfront Inspe.tor Marriot/ The Inspe.tor +as
sitting at the neBt ta'e/ In front of hi) +as a poa.hed egg/
J<ften drop in here to un.h>J said Inspe.tor Marriot/ JAs I +as saying>
+e" isten a right;in fa.t I"ve 'een istening/ I don"t )ind teing you
that +e"ve not 'een 8uite satisfied a aong over those Por.upine
figures/ @ou see> +e"ve had our suspi.ions of those !oa'ys/ %ut
nothing to go upon/ Too sharp for us/ Then this )urder .a)e> and that
see)ed to upset a our ideas/ %ut than1s to you and the ady> sir> +e"
.onfront young !oa'y and $oris (vans and see if she re.ogni?es hi)/
I rather fan.y she +i/ That"s a very ingenious idea of yours a'out the
'ue .oat/ I" see that %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives get the .redit for it/J
J@ou are a ni.e )an> Inspe.tor Marriot>J said Tuppen.e gratefuy/
JWe thin1 a ot of you t+o at the @ard>J repied that stoid gente)an/
J@ou"d 'e surprised/ If I )ay as1 you> sir> +hat"s the )eaning of that
pie.e of stringAJ
J0othing>J said To))y> stuffing it into his po.1et/ JA 'ad ha'it of )ine/
As to the .heese .a1e and the )i1;I") on a diet/ 0ervous dyspepsia/
%usy )en are a+ays )artyrs to it/J
JAhGJ said the dete.tive/ JI thought perhaps you"d 'een reading;+e>
it"s of no .onse8uen.e/J
%ut the Inspe.tor"s eyes t+in1ed/
1E/ T!( !<2S( <F #2&-I0, $(AT!
JWhat;J 'egan Tuppen.e> and then stopped/
She had Dust entered the private offi.e of Mr/ %unt fro) the adDoining
one )ar1ed JCer1s>J and +as surprised to 'ehod her ord and )aster
+ith his eye riveted to the private peep hoe into the outer offi.e/
JSsh>J said To))y> +arningy/ J$idn"t you hear the 'u??erA It"s a girrather
a ni.e gir;in fa.t she oo1s to )e a frightfuy ni.e gir/ A'ert is
teing her a that tosh a'out )y 'eing engaged +ith S.otand @ard/J
J#et )e see>J de)anded Tuppen.e/
So)e+hat un+iingy> To))y )oved aside/ Tuppen.e in her turn
gued her eye to the peep hoe/
JShe"s not 'ad>J ad)itted Tuppen.e/ JAnd her .othes are si)py the
atest shout/J
JShe"s perfe.ty ovey>J said To))y/ JShe"s i1e those girs Mason
+rites a'out;you 1no+> frightfuy sy)patheti.> and 'eautifu> and
distin.ty inteigent +ithout 'eing too sau.y/ I thin1> yes;I .ertainy
thin1;I sha 'e the great !anaud this )orning/J
J!)>J said Tuppen.e/ JIf there is one dete.tive out of a the others
+ho) you are )ost uni1e;I shoud say it +as !anaud/ Can you do the
ightning .hanges of personaityA Can you 'e the great .o)edian> the
itte gutter 'oy> the serious and sy)patheti. friend;a in five
)inutesAJ
JI 1no+ this>J said To))y> rapping sharpy on the des1> JI a) the
Captain of the Ship;and don"t you forget it> Tuppen.e/ I") going to
have her in/J
!e pressed the 'u??er on his des1/ A'ert appeared ushering in the
.ient/
The gir stopped in the door+ay as though unde.ided/ To))y .a)e
for+ard/
JCo)e in> Made)oisee>J he said 1indy> Jand seat yoursef here/J
Tuppen.e .ho1ed audi'y> and To))y turned upon her +ith a s+ift
.hange of )anner/ !is tone +as )ena.ing/
J@ou spo1e> Miss &o'insonA AhG no> I thought not/J
!e turned 'a.1 to the gir/
JWe +i not 'e serious or for)a>J he said/ J@ou +i Dust te )e a
a'out it> and then +e +i dis.uss the 'est +ay to hep you/J
J@ou are very 1ind>J said the gir/ J(B.use )e> 'ut are you a
foreignerAJ
A fresh .ho1e fro) Tuppen.e/ To))y gared in her dire.tion out of the
.orner of his eye/
J0ot eBa.ty>J he said +ith diffi.uty/ J%ut of ate years I have +or1ed a
good dea a'road/ My )ethods are the )ethods of the S]ret=/J
J<hGJ The gir see)ed i)pressed/
She +as> as To))y had indi.ated> a very .har)ing gir/ @oung and
si)> +ith a tra.e of goden hair peeping out fro) under her itte
'ro+n fet hat> and 'ig serious eyes/
That she +as nervous .oud 'e painy seen/ !er itte hands +ere
t+isting the)seves together> and she 1ept .asping and un.asping
the .at.h of her a.8uer red hand'ag/
JFirst of a> Mr/ %unt> I )ust te you that )y na)e is #ois !argreaves/
I ive in a great ra)'ing od fashioned house .aed Thurny ,range/ It
is in the heart of the .ountry/ There is the viage of Thurny near 'y>
'ut it is very s)a and insignifi.ant/ There is penty of hunting in
+inter> and +e get tennis in su))er> and I have never fet oney there/
Indeed I )u.h prefer .ountry to to+n ife/
JI te you this so that you )ay reaise that in a .ountry viage i1e ours>
everything that happens is of supre)e i)portan.e/ A'out a +ee1 ago>
I got a 'oB of .ho.oates sent through the post/ There +as nothing
inside to indi.ate +ho they .a)e fro)/ 0o+ I )ysef a) not
parti.uary fond of .ho.oates> 'ut the others in the house are> and
the 'oB +as passed around/ As a resut> everyone +ho had eaten any
.ho.oates +as ta1en i/ We sent for the do.tor> and after various
in8uiries as to +hat other things had 'een eaten> he too1 the re)ains
of the .ho.oates a+ay +ith hi)> and had the) anaysed/ Mr/ %unt>
those .ho.oates .ontained arseni.G 0ot enough to 1i anyone> 'ut
enough to )a1e anyone 8uite i/J
J(Btraordinary>J .o))ented To))y/
J$r/ %urton +as very eB.ited over the )atter/ It see)s that this +as
the third o..urren.e of the 1ind in the neigh'orhood/ In ea.h .ase a
'ig house +as see.ted> and the in)ates +ere ta1en i after eating the
)ysterious .ho.oates/ It oo1ed as though so)e o.a person of +ea1
intee.t +as paying a parti.uary fiendish pra.ti.a Do1e/J
J4uite so> Miss !argreaves/J
J$r/ %urton put it do+n to So.iaist agitation;rather a'surdy> I
thought/ %ut there are one or t+o )a.ontents in Thurny viage> and it
see)ed possi'e that they )ight have had so)ething to do +ith it/ $r/
%urton +as very 1een that I shoud put the +hoe thing in the hands of
the poi.e/J
JA very natura suggestion>J said To))y/ J%ut you have not done so> I
gather> Miss !argreavesAJ
J0o>J ad)itted the gir/ JI hate the fuss and the pu'i.ity that +oud
ensue;and you see> I 1no+ our o.a Inspe.tor/ I .an never i)agine hi)
finding out anythingG I have often seen your advertise)ents> and I tod
$r/ %urton that it +oud 'e )u.h 'etter to .a in a private dete.tive/J
JI see/J
J@ou say a great dea a'out dis.retion in your advertise)ent/ I ta1e
that to )ean;that;that;+e> that you +oud not )a1e anything pu'i.
+ithout )y .onsentAJ
To))y oo1ed at her .uriousy> 'ut it +as Tuppen.e +ho spo1e/
JI thin1>J she said 8uiety> Jthat it +oud 'e as +e if Miss !argreaves
tod us everything/J
She aid espe.ia stress upon the ast +ord> and #ois !argreaves
fushed nervousy/
J@es J said To))y 8ui.1y/ JMiss &o'inson is right/ @ou )ust te us
everything/J
J@ou +i not;J she hesitated/
J(verything you say is understood to 'e stri.ty in .onfiden.e/J
JThan1 you/ I 1no+ that I ought to have 'een 8uite fran1 +ith you/ I
have a reason for not going to the poi.e/ Mr/ %unt> that 'oB of
.ho.oates +as sent 'y so)eone in our houseGJ
J!o+ do you 1no+ that> Made)oiseeAJ
JIt"s very si)pe/ I"ve got a ha'it of dra+ing a itte siy thing;three fish
intert+ined;+henever I have a pen.i in )y hand/ A par.e of si1
sto.1ings arrived fro) a .ertain shop in #ondon not ong ago/ We +ere
at the 'rea1fast ta'e/ I"d Dust 'een )ar1ing so)ething in the
ne+spaper> and +ithout thin1ing> I 'egan to dra+ )y siy itte fish on
the a'e of the par.e 'efore .utting the string and opening it/ I
thought no )ore a'out the )atter> 'ut +hen I +as eBa)ining the pie.e
of 'ro+n paper in +hi.h the .ho.oates had 'een sent> I .aught sight
of the .orner of the origina a'e;)ost of +hi.h had 'een torn off/ My
siy itte dra+ing +as on it/J
To))y dre+ his .hair for+ard/
JThat is very serious/ It .reates> as you say> a very strong presu)ption
that the sender of the .ho.oates is a )e)'er of your househod/ %ut
you +i forgive )e if I say that I sti do not see +hy that fa.t shoud
render you indisposed to .a in the poi.eAJ
#ois !argreaves oo1ed hi) s8uarey in the fa.e/
JI +i te you> Mr/ %unt/ I )ay +ant the +hoe thing hushed up/J
To))y retired gra.efuy fro) the position/
JIn that .ase>J he )ur)ured> J+e 1no+ +here +e are/ I see> Miss
!argreaves> that you are not disposed to te )e +ho it is you
suspe.tAJ
JI suspe.t no one;'ut there are possi'iities/J
J4uite so/ 0o+ +i you des.ri'e the househod to )e in detaiAJ
JThe servants> +ith the eB.eption of the paror)aid> are a od ones
+ho have 'een +ith us )any years/ I )ust eBpain to you> Mr/ %unt>
that I +as 'rought up 'y )y Aunt> #ady &ad.yffe> +ho +as eBtre)ey
+eathy/ !er hus'and )ade a 'ig fortune> and +as 1nighted/ It +as he
+ho 'ought Thurny ,range> 'ut he died t+o years after going there>
and it +as then that #ady &ad.yffe sent for )e to .o)e and )a1e )y
ho)e +ith her/ I +as her ony iving reation/ The other in)ate of the
house +as $ennis &ad.yffe> her hus'and"s nephe+/ I have a+ays
.aed hi) .ousin> 'ut of .ourse he is reay nothing of the 1ind/ Aunt
#u.y a+ays said openy that she intended to eave her )oney> +ith the
eB.eption of a s)a provision for )e> to $ennis/ It +as &ad.yffe
)oney> she said> and ought to go to a &ad.yffe/ !o+ever> +hen
$ennis +as t+enty;t+o> she 8uarreed vioenty +ith hi);over so)e
de'ts that he had run up> I thin1/ When she died> a year ater> I +as
astonished to find that she had )ade a +i eaving a her )oney to )e/
It +as> I 1no+> a great 'o+ to $ennis> and I fet very 'ady a'out it/ I
+oud have given hi) the )oney if he +oud have ta1en it> 'ut it see)s
that that 1ind of thing .an"t 'e done/ !o+ever> as soon as I +as t+entyone>
I )ade a +i eaving it a to hi)/ That"s the east I .an do/ So if I")
run over 'y a )otor> $ennis +i .o)e into his o+n/J
J(Ba.ty>J said To))y/ JAnd +hen +ere you t+enty;one> if I )ay as1
the 8uestionAJ
J*ust three +ee1s ago/J
JAhGJ said To))y/ J0o+ +i you give )e fuer parti.uars of the
)e)'ers of your househod at this )inuteAJ
JServants;or;othersAJ
J%oth/J
JThe servants> as I say> have 'een +ith us so)e ti)e/ There is od Mrs/
!oo+ay> the .oo1> and her nie.e &ose> the 1it.hen)aid/ Then there
are t+o edery house)aids> and !annah +ho +as )y aunt"s )aid and
+ho has a+ays 'een devoted to )e/ The paror)aid is .aed (sther
4uant> and see)s a very ni.e 8uiet gir/ As for ourseves> there is Miss
#ogan +ho +as Aunt #u.y"s .o)panion and +ho runs the house for
)e> and Captain &ad.yffe;$ennis> you 1no+> +ho) I tod you a'out>
and there is a gir .aed Mary Chi.ott> an od s.hoo friend of )ine
+ho is staying +ith us/J
To))y thought for a )o)ent/
JThat a see)s fairy .ear and straightfor+ard> Miss !argreaves>J he
said after a )inute or t+o/ JI ta1e it that you have no spe.ia reason for
atta.hing suspi.ion )ore to one person than anotherA @ou are ony
afraid it )ight prove to 'e;+e;not a servant> sha +e sayAJ
JThat"s it eBa.ty> Mr/ %unt/ I have honesty no idea +ho used that
pie.e of 'ro+n paper/ The hand+riting +as printed/J
JThere see)s ony one thing to 'e done>J said To))y/ JI )ust 'e on
the spot/J
The gir oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
To))y +ent on after a )o)ent"s thought/
JI suggest that you prepare the +ay for the arriva of;say> Mr/ and Miss
7an $usen;A)eri.an friends of yours/ Wi you 'e a'e to do that 8uite
naturayAJ
J<hG yes/ There +i 'e no diffi.uty at a/ When +i you .o)e do+n;to)orro+;
or the day afterAJ
JTo;)orro+> if you pease/ There is no ti)e to +aste/J
JThat is setted> then/J
The gir rose> and hed out her hand/
J<ne thing> Miss !argreaves> not a +ord> )ind> to anyone;anyone at
a> that +e are not +hat +e see)/J
JWhat do you thin1 of it> Tuppen.eAJ he as1ed> +hen he returned fro)
sho+ing the visitor out/
JI don"t i1e it>J said Tuppen.e de.idedy/ J(spe.iay I don"t i1e the
.ho.oates having so itte arseni. in the)/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J$on"t you seeA A those .ho.oates 'eing sent round the
neigh'orhood +ere a 'ind/ To esta'ish the idea of a o.a )ania./
Then> +hen the gir +as reay poisoned> it +oud 'e thought to 'e the
sa)e thing/ @ou see> 'ut for a stro1e of u.1> no one +oud ever have
guessed that the .ho.oates +ere a.tuay sent 'y so)eone in the
house itsef/J
JThat +as a stro1e of u.1/ @ou"re right/ @ou thin1 it"s a dei'erate pot
against the gir hersefAJ
JI") afraid so/ I re)e)'er reading a'out od #ady &ad.yffe"s +i/ That
gir has .o)e into a terrifi. ot of )oney/J
J@es> and she .a)e of age and )ade a +i three +ee1s ago/ It oo1s
'ad;for $ennis &ad.yffe/ !e gains 'y her death/J
Tuppen.e nodded/
JThe +orst of it is;that she thin1s so tooG That"s +hy she +on"t have the
poi.e .aed in/ Aready she suspe.ts hi)/ And she )ust 'e )ore than
haf in ove +ith hi) to a.t as she has done/J
""In that .ase>J said To))y thoughtfuy> J+hy the devi doesn"t he
)arry herA Mu.h si)per and safer/J
Tuppen.e stared at hi)/
J@ou"ve said a )outhfu>J she o'served/ J<hG 'oy/ I") getting ready to
'e Miss 7an $usen> you o'serve/J
JWhy rush to .ri)e> +here there is a a+fu )eans near at handAJ
Tuppen.e refe.ted for a )inute or t+o/
JI"ve got it>J she announ.ed/ JCeary he )ust have )arried a 'ar)aid
+hist at <Bford/ <rigin of the 8uarre +ith his aunt/ That eBpains
everything/J
JThen +hy not send poisoned s+eets to the 'ar)aidAJ suggested
To))y/ JMu.h )ore pra.ti.a/ I +ish you +oudn"t Du)p to these +id
.on.usions> Tuppen.e/J
JThey"re dedu.tions>J said Tuppen.e> +ith a good dea of dignity/ JThis
is your first .orrida> )y friend> 'ut +hen you have 'een t+enty )inutes
in the arena;J
To))y fung the offi.e .ushion at her/
1O/ T!( !<2S( <F #2&-I0, $(AT! 9.ontinued:
JTuppen.e> I say> Tuppen.e> .o)e here/J
It +as 'rea1fast ti)e the neBt )orning/ Tuppen.e hurried out of her
'edroo) and into the dining roo)/ To))y +as striding up and do+n>
the open ne+spaper in his hand/
JWhat"s the )atterAJ
To))y +heeed round> and shoved the paper into her hand> pointing
to the headines/
M@ST(&I<2S P<IS<0I0, CAS(
$(AT!S F&<M FI, SA0$WIC!(S
Tuppen.e read on/ This )ysterious out'rea1 of pto)aine poisoning
had o..urred at Thurny ,range/ The deaths so far reported +ere
those of Miss #ois !argreaves> the o+ner of the house> and the
paror)aid> (sther 4uant/ A Captain &ad.yffe and a Miss #ogan +ere
reported to 'e sti seriousy i/ The .ause of the out'rea1 +as
supposed to 'e so)e fig paste used in sand+i.hes> sin.e another
ady> a Miss Chi.ott> +ho had not parta1en of these> +as reported to
'e 8uite +e/
JWe )ust get do+n there at on.e>J said To))y/ JThat girG That
perfe.ty ripping girG Why the devi didn"t I go straight do+n there +ith
her yesterdayAJ
JIf you had>J said Tuppen.e> Jyou"d pro'a'y have eaten fig
sand+i.hes too for tea> and then you"d have 'een dead/ Co)e on> et"s
start at on.e/ I see it says that $ennis &ad.yffe is seriousy i aso/J
JPro'a'y sha))ing> the dirty 'a.1guard/J
They arrived at the s)a viage of Thurny a'out )idday/ An edery
+o)an +ith red eyes opened the door to the) +hen they arrived at
Thurny ,range/
X#oo1 here>J said To))y 8ui.1y 'efore she .oud spea1/ JI") not a
reporter or anything i1e that/ Miss !argreaves .a)e to see )e
yesterday> and as1ed )e to .o)e do+n here/ Is there anyone I .an
seeAJ
J$r/ %urton is here no+ if you"d i1e to spea1 to hi)>J said the +o)an
dou'tfuy/ J<r Miss Chi.ott/ She"s )a1ing a the arrange)ents/J
%ut To))y had .aught at the first suggestion/
J$r/ %urton>J he said authoritativey/ JI shoud i1e to see hi) at on.e if
he is here/J
The +o)an sho+ed the) into a s)a )orning roo)/ Five )inutes ater
the door opened> and a ta edery )an +ith 'ent shouders and a 1ind
'ut +orried fa.e> .a)e in/
J$r/ %urtonAJ said To))y/ !e produ.ed his professiona .ard/ JMiss
!argreaves .aed on )e yesterday +ith referen.e to those poisoned
.ho.oates/ I .a)e do+n to investigate the )atter at her re8uest;aasG
too ate/J
The do.tor oo1ed at hi) 1eeny/
J@ou are Mr/ %unt hi)sefAJ
J@es/ This is )y assistant> Miss &o'inson/J
The do.tor 'o+ed to Tuppen.e/
J2nder the .ir.u)stan.es> there is no need for reti.en.e/ %ut for the
episode of the .ho.oates> I )ight have 'eieved these deaths to 'e the
resut of severe pto)aine poisoning;'ut pto)aine poisoning of an
unusuay viruent 1ind/ There is gastro;intestina infa))ation and
hae)orrhage/ As it is> I a) ta1ing the fig paste to 'e anaysed/J
J@ou suspe.t arseni. poisoningAJ
J0o/ The poison> if a poison has 'een e)poyed> is so)ething far )ore
potent and s+ift in its a.tion/ It oo1s )ore i1e so)e po+erfu
vegeta'e toBin/J
JI see/ I shoud i1e to as1 you> $r/ %urton> +hether you are thoroughy
.onvin.ed that Captain &ad.yffe is suffering fro) the sa)e for) of
poisoningAJ
The do.tor oo1ed at hi)/
JCaptain &ad.yffe is not suffering fro) any sort of poisoning no+/J
JAha>J said To))y/ JI;J
JCaptain &ad.yffe died at five o".o.1 this )orning/J
To))y +as uttery ta1en a'a.1/ The do.tor prepared to depart/
JAnd the other vi.ti)> Miss #oganAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/
JI have every reason to hope that she +i re.over sin.e she has
survived so far/ %eing an oder +o)an> the poison see)s to have had
ess effe.t on her/ I +i et you 1no+ the resut of the anaysis> Mr/
%unt/ In the )eanti)e> Miss Chi.ott +i> I a) sure> te you anything
you +ant to 1no+/J
As he spo1e> the door opened> and a gir appeared/ She +as ta> +ith a
tanned fa.e> and steady 'ue eyes/
$r/ %urton perfor)ed the ne.essary introdu.tions/
JI a) gad you have .o)e> Mr/ %unt>J said Mary Chi.ott/ JThis affair
see)s too terri'e/ Is there anything you +ant to 1no+ that I .an te
youAJ
JWhere did the fig paste .o)e fro)AJ
JIt is a spe.ia 1ind that .o)es fro) #ondon/ We often have it/ 0o one
suspe.ted that this parti.uar pot differed fro) any of the others/
Personay I disi1e the favor of figs/ That eBpains )y i))unity/ I
.annot understand ho+ $ennis +as affe.ted> sin.e he +as out for tea/
!e )ust have pi.1ed up a sand+i.h +hen he .a)e ho)e> I suppose/J
To))y fet Tuppen.e"s hand press his ar) ever so sighty/
JWhat ti)e did he .o)e inAJ he as1ed/
JI don"t reay 1no+/ I .oud find out/J
XThan1 you> Miss Chi.ott/ It doesn"t )atter/ @ou have no o'De.tion> I
hope> to )y 8uestioning the servantsAJ
JPease do anything you i1e> Mr/ %unt/ I a) neary distraught/ Te )eyou
don"t thin1 there has 'een;fou payAJ
!er eyes +ere very anBious as she put the 8uestion/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat to thin1/ We sha soon 1no+/J
J@es> I suppose $r/ %urton +i have the paste anaysed/J
4ui.1y eB.using hersef> she +ent out 'y the +indo+ to spea1 to one
of the gardeners/
J@ou ta1e the house)aids> Tuppen.e>J said To))y> Jand I" find )y
+ay to the 1it.hen/ I say> Miss Chi.ott )ay fee very distraught> 'ut
she doesn"t oo1 it/J
Tuppen.e nodded assent +ithout repying/
!us'and and +ife )et haf an hour ater/
J0o+ to poo resuts>J said To))y/ XThe sand+i.hes .a)e out fro)
tea> and the paror)aid ate one;that"s ho+ she got it in the ne.1/ Coo1
is positive $ennis &ad.yffe hadn"t returned +hen tea +as .eared
a+ay/ 4uery;ho+ did he get poisonedAJ
J!e .a)e in at a 8uarter to seven>J said Tuppen.e/
!ouse)aid sa+ hi) fro) one of the +indo+s/ !e had a .o.1tai 'efore
dinner;in the i'rary/ She +as Dust .earing a+ay the gass no+> and
u.1iy I got it fro) her 'efore she +ashed it/ It +as after that that he
.o)pained of feeing i/J
J,ood>J said To))y/ JI" ta1e that gass aong to %urton presenty/
Anything eseAJ
JI"d i1e you to see !annah> the )aid/ She"s;she"s 8ueer/J
J!o+ do you )ean;8ueerAJ
JShe oo1s to )e as though she +ere going off her head/J
J#et )e see her/J
Tuppen.e ed the +ay upstairs/ !annah had a s)a sittingroo) of her
o+n/ The )aid sat upright on a high .hair/ <n her 1nees +as an open
%i'e/ She did not oo1 to+ards the t+o strangers as they entered/
Instead she .ontinued to read aoud to hersef/
J#et hot 'urning .oas fa upon the)> et the) 'e .ast into the fire and
into the pit> that they never rise up again/J
JMay I spea1 to you a )inuteAJ as1ed To))y/
!annah )ade an i)patient gesture +ith her hand/
JThis is no ti)e/ The ti)e is running short> I say/ I +i foo+ upon )ine
ene)ies and overta1e the)> neither +i I turn again ti I have
destroyed the)/ So it is +ritten/ The +ord of the #ord has .o)e to )e/
I a) the s.ourge of the #ord/J
JMad as a hatter>J )ur)ured To))y/
JShe"s 'een going on i1e that a the ti)e>J +hispered Tuppen.e/
To))y pi.1ed up a 'oo1 that +as ying open> fa.e do+n+ards on the
ta'e/ !e gan.ed at the tite and sipped it into his po.1et/
Suddeny the od +o)an rose and turned to+ards the) )ena.ingy/
J,o out fro) here/ The ti)e is at handG I a) the fai of the #ord/ The
+ind 'o+eth +here it isteth;so do I destroy/ The ungody sha perish/
This is a house of evi;of evi> I te youG %e+are of the +rath of the #ord
+hose hand)aiden I a)/J
She advan.ed upon the) fier.ey/ To))y thought it 'est to hu)or her
and +ithdre+/ As he .osed the door> he sa+ her pi.1 up the %i'e
again/
JI +onder if she"s a+ays 'een i1e that>J he )uttered/
!e dre+ fro) his po.1et the 'oo1 he had pi.1ed up off the ta'e/
J#oo1 at that/ Funny reading for an ignorant )aid/J
Tuppen.e too1 the 'oo1/
JMateria Medi.a>J she )ur)ured/ She oo1ed at the fy eaf/ J(d+ard
#ogan/ It"s an od 'oo1/ To))y> I +onder if +e .oud see Miss #oganA
$r/ %urton said she +as 'etter/J
JSha +e as1 Miss Chi.ottAJ
J0o/ #et"s get hod of a house)aid> and send her in to as1/J
After a 'rief deay> they +ere infor)ed that Miss #ogan +oud see
the)/ They +ere ta1en into a 'ig 'edroo) fa.ing over the a+n/ In the
'ed +as an od ady +ith +hite hair> her dei.ate od fa.e dra+n 'y
suffering/
JI have 'een very i>J she said fainty/ JAnd I .an"t ta1 )u.h> 'ut (en
tes )e you are dete.tives/ #ois +ent to .onsut you thenA She spo1e
of doing so/J
J@es> Miss #ogan>J said To))y/ JWe don"t +ant to tire you> 'ut
perhaps you .an ans+er a fe+ 8uestions/ The )aid> !annah> is she
8uite right in her headAJ
Miss #ogan oo1ed at the) +ith o'vious surprise/
J<hG yes/ She is very reigious;'ut there is nothing +rong +ith her/J
To))y hed out the 'oo1 he had ta1en fro) the ta'e/
JIs this yours> Miss #oganAJ
J@es/ It +as one of )y father"s 'oo1s/ !e +as a great do.tor> one of
the pioneers of seru) therapeuti.s/J
The od ady"s voi.e rang +ith pride/
J4uite so>J said To))y/ JI thought I 1ne+ his na)e>J he added
)enda.iousy/ JThis 'oo1 no+> did you end it to !annahAJ
JTo !annahAJ Miss #ogan raised hersef in 'ed +ith indignation/ J0o>
indeed/ She +oudn"t understand the first +ord of it/ It is a highy
te.hni.a 'oo1/J
J@es/ I see that/ @et I found it in !annah"s roo)/J
J$isgra.efu>J said Miss #ogan/ JI +i not have the servants tou.hing
)y things/J
JWhere ought it to 'eAJ
JIn the 'oo1shef in )y sitting;roo);or;stay> I ent it to Mary/ The dear
gir is very interested in her's/ She has )ade one or t+o eBperi)ents
in )y itte 1it.hen/ I have a itte pa.e of )y o+n> you 1no+> +here I
're+ i8ueurs and )a1e preserves in the od fashioned +ay/ $ear
#u.y> #ady &ad.yffe> you 1no+> used to s+ear 'y )y tansy tea;a
+onderfu thing for a .od in the head/ Poor #u.y> she +as su'De.t to
.ods/ So is $ennis/ $ear 'oy> his father +as )y first .ousin/J
To))y interrupted these re)inis.en.es/
JThis 1it.hen of yoursA $oes anyone ese use it eB.ept you and Miss
Chi.ottAJ
J!annah .ears up there/ And she 'ois the 1ette there for our eary
)orning tea/J
JThan1 you> Miss #ogan>J said To))y/ JThere is nothing )ore I +ant
to as1 you at present/ I hope +e haven"t tired you too )u.h/J
!e eft the roo) and +ent do+n the stairs> fro+ning to hi)sef/
JThere is so)ething here> )y dear Mr/ &i.ardo> that I do not
understand/J
JI hate this house>J said Tuppen.e +ith a shiver/ J#et"s go for a good
ong +a1 and try to thin1 things out/J
To))y .o)pied and they set out/ First they eft the .o.1tai gass at
the do.tor"s house and then set off for a good tra)p a.ross .ountry
dis.ussing the .ase as they did so/
JIt )a1es it easier so)eho+ if one pays the foo>J said To))y/ JA
this !anaud 'usiness/ I suppose so)e peope +oud thin1 I didn"t .are/
%ut I do> )ost a+fuy/ I fee that so)eho+ or other +e ought to have
prevented this/J
JI thin1 that"s fooish of you>J said Tuppen.e/ JIt is not as though +e
had advised #ois !argreaves not to go to S.otand @ard or anything
i1e that/ 0othing +oud have indu.ed her to 'ring the poi.e into the
)atter/ If she hadn"t .o)e to us> she +oud have done nothing at a/Y
JAnd the resut +oud have 'een the sa)e/ @es> you are right>
Tuppen.e/ It"s )or'id to reproa.h onesef over so)ething one .oudn"t
hep/ What I +oud i1e to do is to )a1e good no+/J
JAnd that"s not going to 'e easy/J
J0o> it isn"t/ There are so )any possi'iities> and yet a of the) see)
+id and i)pro'a'e/ Supposing $ennis &ad.yffe put the poison in the
sand+i.hes/ !e 1ne+ he +oud 'e out to tea/ That see)s fairy pain
saiing/J
J@es>J said Tuppen.e> Jthat"s a right so far/ Then +e .an put against
that the fa.t that he +as poisoned hi)sef;so that see)s to rue hi)
out/ There is one person +e )ustn"t forget;and that is !annah/J
J!annahAJ
JPeope do a sorts of 8ueer things +hen they have reigious )ania/J
JShe is pretty far gone +ith it too>J said To))y/ J@ou ought to drop a
+ord to $r/ %urton a'out it/J
JIt )ust have .o)e on very rapidy>J said Tuppen.e/ JThat is if +e go
'y +hat Miss #ogan said/J
JI 'eieve reigious )ania does>J said To))y/ JI )ean> you go on
singing hy)ns in your 'edroo) +ith the door open for years> and then
you go suddeny right over the ine and 'e.o)e vioent/J
XThere is .ertainy )ore eviden.e against !annah than against
any'ody ese>J said Tuppen.e thoughtfuy> Jand yet I have an idea;J
She stopped/
J@esAJ said To))y en.ouragingy/
JIt is not reay an idea/ I suppose it is Dust a preDudi.e/J
JA preDudi.e against so)eoneAJ
Tuppen.e nodded/
JTo))y;did you i1e Mary Chi.ottAJ
To))y .onsidered/
J@es> I thin1 I did/ She stru.1 )e as eBtre)ey .apa'e and
'usinessi1e;perhaps a shade too )u.h so;'ut very reia'e/J
J@ou didn"t thin1 it +as odd that she didn"t see) )ore upsetAJ
JWe> in a +ay that is a point in her favor/ I )ean> if she had done
anything> she +oud )a1e a point of 'eing upset;ay it on rather thi.1/J
JI suppose so>J said Tuppen.e/ JAnd any+ay there doesn"t see) to 'e
any )otive in her .ase/ <ne doesn"t see +hat good this +hoesae
saughter .an do her/J
JI suppose none of the servants are .on.ernedAJ
JIt doesn"t see) i1ey/ They see) a 8uiet reia'e ot/ I +onder +hat
(sther 4uant> the paror)aid> +as i1e/J
J@ou )ean> that if she +as young and good;oo1ing there +as a
.han.e that she +as )iBed up in it so)e +ay/J
JThat is +hat I )ean/J Tuppen.e sighed/ JIt is a very dis.ouraging/J
JWe> I suppose the poi.e +i get do+n to it a right>J said To))y/
JPro'a'y/ I shoud i1e it to 'e us/ %y the +ay> did you noti.e a ot of
s)a red dots on Miss #ogan"s ar)AJ
JI don"t thin1 I did/ What a'out the)AJ
XThey oo1ed as though they +ere )ade 'y a hypoder)i. syringe>J
said Tuppen.e/
JPro'a'y $r/ %urton gave her a hypoder)i. inDe.tion of so)e 1ind/J
J<h> very i1ey/ %ut he +oudn"t give her a'out forty/J
JThe .o.aine ha'it>J suggested To))y hepfuy/
JI thought of that>J said Tuppen.e> J'ut her eyes +ere a right/ @ou
+oud see at on.e if it +as .o.aine or )orphia/ %esides she doesn"t
oo1 that sort of od ady/J
JMost respe.ta'e and ,od fearingJ agreed To))y/
JIt is a very diffi.ut>J said Tuppen.e/ JWe have ta1ed and ta1ed and
+e don"t see) any nearer no+ than +e +ere/ $on"t et"s forget to .a
at the do.tor"s on our +ay ho)e/J
The do.tor"s door +as opened 'y a an1y 'oy of a'out fifteen/
JMr/ %untAJ he in8uired/ J@es> the do.tor is out 'ut he eft a note for
you in .ase you shoud .a/J
!e handed the) the note in 8uestion and To))y tore it open/
J$ear Mr/ %unt>
There is reason to 'eieve that the poison e)poyed
+as &i.in> a vegeta'e toBa'u)ose of tre)endous
poten.y/ Pease 1eep this to yoursef for the present/J
To))y et the note drop> 'ut pi.1ed it up 8ui.1y/
J&i.in>J he )ur)ured/ J-no+ anything a'out it> Tuppen.eA @ou used
to 'e rather +e up in these things/J
J&i.in>J said Tuppen.e> thoughtfuy/ J@ou get it out of Castor <i> I
'eieve/J
JI never did ta1e 1indy to Castor <i>J said To))y/ JI a) )ore set
against it than ever no+/J
XThe oi"s a right/ @ou get &i.in fro) the seeds of the Castor <i pant/
I 'eieve I sa+ so)e Castor <i pants in the garden this )orning;'ig
things +ith gossy eaves/J
J@ou )ean that so)eone eBtra.ted the stuff on the pre)ises/ Coud
!annah do su.h a thingA
Tuppen.e shoo1 her head/
J$oesn"t see) i1ey/ She +oudn"t 1no+ enough/J
Suddeny To))y gave an eB.a)ation/
JThat 'oo1/ !ave I got it in )y po.1et stiA @es/J !e too1 it out> and
turned over the eaves vehe)enty/ JI thought so/ !ere"s the page it
+as open at this )orning/ $o you see> Tuppen.eA &i.inGJ
Tuppen.e sei?ed the 'oo1 fro) hi)/
JCan you )a1e head or tai of itA I .an"t/J
JIt"s .ear enough to )e>J said Tuppen.e/ She +a1ed aong> reading
'usiy> +ith one hand on To))y"s ar) to steer hersef/ Presenty she
shut the 'oo1 +ith a 'ang/ They +ere Dust approa.hing the house
again/
JTo))y> +i you eave this to )eA *ust for on.e> you see> I a) the 'u
that has 'een )ore than t+enty )inutes in the arena/J
To))y nodded/
J@ou sha 'e the Captain of the Ship> Tuppen.e>J he said gravey/
JWe"ve got to get to the 'otto) of this/J
JFirst of a>J said Tuppen.e as they entered the house> JI )ust as1
Miss #ogan one )ore 8uestion/J
She ran upstairs/ To))y foo+ed her/ She rapped sharpy on the od
ady"s door> and +ent in/
JIs that you> )y dearAJ said Miss #ogan/ J@ou 1no+ you are )u.h too
young and pretty to 'e a dete.tive/ !ave you found out anythingAJ
J@es>J said Tuppen.e/ JI have/J
Miss #ogan oo1ed at her 8uestioningy/
JI don"t 1no+ a'out 'eing pretty>J +ent on Tuppen.e> J'ut 'eing
young> I happened to +or1 in a hospita during the War/ I 1no+
so)ething a'out seru) therapeuti.s/ I happen to 1no+ that +hen
&i.in is inDe.ted in s)a doses hypoder)i.ay i))unity is produ.ed>
antiri.in is for)ed/ That fa.t pa.ed the +ay for the foundation of
seru) therapeuti.s/ @ou 1ne+ that> Miss #ogan/ @ou inDe.ted &i.in for
so)e ti)e hypoder)i.ay into yoursef/ Then you et yoursef 'e
poisoned +ith the rest/ @ou heped your father in his +or1> and you
1ne+ a a'out &i.in and ho+ to o'tain it and eBtra.t it fro) the seeds/
@ou .hose a day +hen $ennis &ad.yffe +as out for tea/ It +oudn"t do
for hi) to 'e poisoned at the sa)e ti)e;he )ight die 'efore #ois
!argreaves/ So ong as she died first> he inherited her )oney> and at
his death it passes to you> his neBt of 1in/ @ou re)e)'er> you tod us
this )orning that his father +as your first .ousin/J
The od ady stared at Tuppen.e +ith 'aefu eyes/
Suddeny a +id figure 'urst in fro) the adDoining roo)/ It +as !annah/
In her hand she hed a ighted tor.h +hi.h she +aved franti.ay/
JTruth has 'een spo1en/ That is the +i.1ed one/ I sa+ her reading the
'oo1> and s)iing to hersef and I 1ne+/ I found the 'oo1 and the page'ut
it said nothing to )e/ %ut the voi.e of the #ord spo1e to )e/ She
hated )y )istress> her adyship/ She +as a+ays Deaous and envious/
She hated )y o+n s+eet Miss #ois/ %ut the +i.1ed sha perish> the
fire of the #ord sha .onsu)e the)/J
Waving her tor.h she sprang for+ard to the 'ed/
A .ry arose fro) the od ady/
JTa1e her a+ay;ta1e her a+ay/ It"s true;'ut ta1e her a+ay/J
Tuppen.e fung hersef upon !annah> 'ut the +o)an )anaged to set
fire to the .urtains of the 'ed 'efore Tuppen.e .oud get the tor.h
fro) her and sta)p on it/ To))y> ho+ever> had rushed in fro) the
anding outside/ !e tore do+n the 'ed hangings and )anaged to stife
the fa)es +ith a rug/ Then he rushed to Tuppen.e"s assistan.e and
'et+een the) they su'dued !annah Dust as $r/ %urton .a)e hurrying
in/
A very fe+ +ords suffi.ed to put hi) au .ourant of the situation/
!e hurried to the 'edside> ifted Miss #ogan"s hand> then uttered a
sharp eB.a)ation/
JThe sho.1 of fire has 'een too )u.h for her/ She"s dead/ Perhaps it is
as +e under the .ir.u)stan.es/J
!e paused and then added> JThere +as &i.in in the .o.1tai gass as
+e/J
JIt"s the 'est thing that .oud have happened>J said To))y +hen they
had rein8uished !annah to the do.tor"s .are> and +ere aone
together/ JTuppen.e> you +ere si)py )arveous/J
JThere +asn"t )u.h !anaud a'out it>J said Tuppen.e/
JIt +as too serious for pay a.ting/ I sti .an"t 'ear to thin1 of that gir/ I
+onNt thin1 of her/ %ut> as I said 'efore> you +ere )arveous/ The
honors are +ith you/ To use a fa)iiar 8uotation> "It is a great
advantage to 'e inteigent and not to oo1 it/" J
JTo))y>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou"re a 'east/J
19/ T!( 20%&(A-A%#( A#I%I
To))y and Tuppen.e +ere 'usy sorting .orresponden.e/ Tuppen.e
gave an eB.a)ation and handed a etter a.ross to To))y/
JA ne+ .ient>J she said i)portanty/
J!aGJ said To))y/ JWhat do +e dedu.e fro) this etter> WatsonA
0othing )u.h> eB.ept the so)e+hat o'vious fa.t that Mr/;er;
Montgo)ery *ones is not one of the +ord"s 'est speers> there'y
proving that he has 'een eBpensivey edu.ated/J
JMontgo)ery *onesAJ said Tuppen.e/ J0o+ +hat do I 1no+ a'out a
Montgo)ery *onesA <h> yes> I have got it no+/ I thin1 *anet St/ 7in.ent
)entioned hi)/ !is )other +as #ady Aieen Montgo)ery> very .rusty
and high .hur.h> +ith god .rosses and things> and she )arried a )an
.aed *ones +ho is i))ensey ri.h/J
JIn fa.t the sa)e od story>J said To))y/ J#et )e see> +hat ti)e does
this Mr/ M/ */ +ish to see usA Ah> eeven thirty/J
At eeven thirty pre.isey a very ta young )an +ith an a)ia'e and
ingenuous .ountenan.e entered the outer offi.e and addressed
hi)sef to A'ert> the offi.e 'oy/
J#oo1 here;I say/ Can I see Mr/;er;%untAJ
J!ave you an appoint)ent> sirAJ said A'ert/
JI don"t 8uite 1no+/ @es> I suppose I have/ What I )ean is I +rote a
etter;J
JWhat na)e> sirAJ
JMr/ Montgo)ery *ones/J
JI +i ta1e your na)e in to Mr/ %unt/J
!e returned after a 'rief interva/
JWi you +ait a fe+ )inutes pease> sir/ Mr/ %unt is engaged on a very
i)portant .onferen.e at present/J
J<h;er;yes;.ertainy>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ !aving> he hoped>
i)pressed his .ient suffi.ienty To))y rang the 'u??er on his des1>
and Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones +as ushered into the inner offi.e 'y A'ert/
To))y rose to greet hi)> and sha1ing hi) +ar)y 'y the hand
)otioned to+ards the va.ant .hair/
J0o+> Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones>J he said 'ris1y> J+hat .an +e have the
peasure of doing for youAJ
Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones oo1ed un.ertainy at the third o..upant of the
offi.e/
JMy .onfidentia se.retary> Miss &o'inson>J said To))y/ X@ou .an
spea1 8uite freey 'efore her/ I ta1e it that this is so)e fa)iy )atter of
a dei.ate 1indAJ
JWe;not eBa.ty>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/
J@ou surprise )e>J said To))y/ J@ou are not in trou'e of any 1ind
yoursef> I hopeAJ
J<h rather not>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/
JWe>J said To))y> Jperhaps you +i;er;state the fa.ts painy/J
That> ho+ever> see)ed to 'e the one thing that Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones
.oud not do/
JIt"s a dashed odd sort of thing I have got to as1 you>J he said
hesitatingy/ JI;er;I reay don"t 1no+ ho+ to set a'out it/J
JWe never tou.h divor.e .ases>J said To))y/
J<h #ord no>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ XI don"t )ean that/ It is Dust>
+e;it"s a deu.ed siy sort of a Do1e/ That"s a/J
JSo)eone has payed a pra.ti.a Do1e on you of a )ysterious natureAJ
suggested To))y/
%ut Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones on.e )ore shoo1 his head/
JWe>J said To))y retiring gra.efuy fro) the position> Jta1e your
o+n ti)e and et us have it in your o+n +ords/J
There +as a pause/
J@ou see>J said Mr/ *ones at ast> Jit +as at dinner/ I sat neBt to a gir/J
J@esAJ said To))y en.ouragingy/
JShe +as a;oh> +e> I reay .an"t des.ri'e her> 'ut she +as si)py one
of the )ost sporting girs I ever )et/ She"s an Austraian over here +ith
another gir> sharing a fat +ith her in Carges Street/ She"s si)py
ga)e for anything/ I a'soutey .an"t te you the effe.t that gir had on
)e/J
JWe .an 8uite i)agine it> Mr/ *ones>J said Tuppen.e/
She sa+ .eary that if Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones" trou'es +ere ever to 'e
eBtra.ted a sy)patheti. fe)inine tou.h +as needed> as distin.t fro)
the 'usinessi1e )ethods of Mr/ %unt/
JWe .an understand>J said Tuppen.e en.ouragingy/
JWe> the +hoe thing .a)e as an a'soute sho.1 to )e>J said Mr/
Montgo)ery *ones> Jthat a gir .oud> +e;1no.1 you over i1e that/
There had 'een another gir;in fa.t t+o other girs/ <ne +as a+fuy
Doy and a that 'ut I didn"t )u.h i1e her .hin/ She dan.ed
)arveousy though and I have 1no+n her a )y ife +hi.h )a1es a
feo+ fee 1ind of safe> you 1no+/ And then there +as one of the girs
at the "Frivoity/" Frightfuy a)using> 'ut of .ourse there +oud 'e a ot
of ru.tions +ith the )ater over that> and any+ay I reay didn"t +ant to
)arry either of the)> 'ut I +as thin1ing a'out things you 1no+ and
then;sap out of the 'ue;I sat neBt to this gir and;J
JThe +hoe +ord +as .hanged>J said Tuppen.e in a feeing voi.e/
To))y )oved i)patienty in his .hair/ !e +as 'y no+ so)e+hat
'ored 'y the re.ita of Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones" ove affairs/
J@ou put it a+fuy +e>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ JThat is
a'soutey +hat it +as i1e/ <ny> you 1no+> fan.y she didn"t thin1
)u.h of )e/ @ou )ayn"t thin1 it 'ut I a) not terri'y .ever/J
J<h> you )ustn"t 'e too )odest>J said Tuppen.e/
J<h> I do reai?e that I a) not )u.h of a .hap>J said Mr/ *ones +ith an
engaging s)ie/ J0ot for a perfe.ty )arveous gir i1e that/ That is
+hy I Dust fee I have got to put this thing through/ It"s )y ony .han.e/
She"s su.h a sporting gir that she +oud never go 'a.1 on her +ord/J
JWe I a) sure +e +ish you u.1 and a that>J said Tuppen.e 1indy/
J%ut I don"t eBa.ty see +hat you +ant us to do/J
J<h #ordJ said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ J!aven"t I eBpainedAJ
J0o>J said To))y/ J@ou haven"t/J
JWe> it +as i1e this/ We +ere ta1ing a'out dete.tive stories/ 2nathat"s
her na)e;is Dust as 1een a'out the) as I a)/ We got ta1ing
a'out one in parti.uar/ It a hinges on an ai'i/ Then +e got ta1ing
a'out ai'is and fa1ing the)/ Then I said;no> she said;no+ +hi.h of us
+as it that said itAJ
J0ever )ind +hi.h of you it +as>J said Tuppen.e/
JI said it +oud 'e a Doy diffi.ut thing to do/ She disagreed;said it ony
+anted a 'it of 'rain +or1/ We got a hot and eB.ited a'out it and in
the end she said "I +i )a1e you a sporting offer/ What do you 'et that I
.an produ.e an ai'i that no'ody .an sha1eAJ
JAnything you i1e> I said> and +e setted it then and there/ She +as
frightfuy .o.1sure a'out the +hoe thing/ "It"s an odds on .han.e for
)e>" she said/ "$on"t 'e so sure of that>" I said/ "Supposing you ose and
I as1 you for anything I i1eA" She aughed and said she .a)e of a
ga)'ing fa)iy and I .oud/J
JWeAJ said Tuppen.e as Mr/ *ones .a)e to a pause and oo1ed at her
appeaingy/
JWe> don"t you seeA It is up to )e/ It is the ony .han.e I have got of
getting a gir i1e that to oo1 at )e/ @ou have no idea ho+ sporting she
is/ #ast su))er she +as out in a 'oat and so)eone 'et her she
+oudn"t Du)p over'oard and s+i) ashore in her .othes> and she did
it/J
JIt is a very .urious proposition>J said To))y/ JI a) not 8uite sure I
yet understand it/J
JIt is perfe.ty si)pe>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ J@ou )ust 'e
doing this sort of thing a the ti)e/ Investigating fa1e ai'is and seeing
+here they fa do+n/J
J<h;er;yes> of .ourse>J said To))y/ JWe do a ot of that sort of +or1/J
JSo)eone has got to do it for )e>J said Montgo)ery *ones/ JI
shoudn"t 'e any good at that sort of thing )ysef/ @ou have ony got to
.at.h her out and everything is a right/ I daresay it see)s rather a
futie 'usiness to you 'ut it )eans a ot to )e and I a) prepared to
pay;er;a ne.essary +hatnots you 1no+/J
JThat +i 'e a right>J said Tuppen.e/ JI a) sure Mr/ %unt +i ta1e
the .ase on for you/J
JCertainy> .ertainy>J said To))y/ JA )ost refreshing .ase> )ost
refreshing indeed/J
Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones heaved a sigh of reief and pued a )ass of
papers fro) his po.1et and see.ted one of the)/ J!ere it is>J he said/
She says> "I a) sending you proof I +as in t+o distin.t pa.es at one
and the sa)e ti)e/ A..ording to one story I dined at the %on Te)ps
&estaurant in Soho 'y )ysef> +ent to the $u1e"s Theatre and had
supper +ith a friend> Mr/ e Mar.hant> at the Savoy;'ut I +as aso
staying at the Caste !ote> Tor8uay> and ony returned to #ondon on
the foo+ing )orning/ @ou have got to find out +hi.h of the t+o stories
is the true one and ho+ I )anaged the other/J
JThere>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ J0o+ you see +hat it is that I
+ant you to do/J
JA )ost refreshing itte pro'e)>J said To))y/ J7ery na^ve/J
J!ere is 2na"s photograph>J said Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ J@ou +i
+ant that/J
JWhat is the ady"s fu na)eAJ in8uired To))y/
JMiss 2na $ra1e/ And her address is 1O6 Carges Street/J
JThan1 you>J said To))y/ JWe> +e +i oo1 into the )atter for you>
Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ I hope +e sha have good ne+s for you very
shorty/J
JI say you 1no+> I a) no end gratefu>J said Mr/ *ones rising to his feet
and sha1ing To))y 'y the hand/ JIt has ta1en an a+fu oad off )y
)ind/J
!aving seen his .ient out> To))y returned to the inner offi.e/
Tuppen.e +as at the .up'oard that .ontained the Cassi. i'rary/
JInspe.tor Fren.h>J said Tuppen.e/
J(hAJ said To))y/
JInspe.tor Fren.h of .ourse>J said Tuppen.e/ J!e a+ays does ai'is/ I
1no+ the eBa.t pro.edure/ We have to go over everything and .he.1
it/ At first it +i see) a right and then +hen +e eBa)ine it )ore
.osey +e sha find the fa+/J
JThere ought not to 'e )u.h diffi.uty a'out that>J agreed To))y/ JI
)ean> 1no+ing that one of the) is a fa1e to start +ith )a1es the thing
a)ost a .ertainty I shoud say/ That is +hat +orries )e/J
JI don"t see anything to +orry a'out in that/J
JI a) +orrying a'out the gir>J said To))y/ JShe +i pro'a'y 'e et in
to )arry that young )an +hether she +ants to or not/J
J$aring>J said Tuppen.e> Jdon"t 'e fooish/ Wo)en are never the +id
ga)'ers they appear/ 2ness that gir +as aready perfe.ty prepared
to )arry that peasant 'ut rather e)pty;headed young )an> she +oud
never have et hersef in for a +ager of this 1ind/ %ut> To))y> 'eieve
)e> she +i )arry hi) +ith )ore enthusias) and respe.t if he +ins
the +ager than if she has to )a1e it easy for hi) so)e other +ay/J
J@ou do thin1 you 1no+ a'out everything>J said her hus'and/
JI do>J said Tuppen.e/
JAnd no+ to eBa)ine our data>J said To))y dra+ing the papers
to+ards hi)/ JFirst the photograph;h);8uite a ni.e oo1ing gir;and
8uite a good photograph I shoud say/ Cear and easiy re.ogni?a'e/J
JWe )ust get so)e other girs" photographs>J said Tuppen.e/
JWhyAJ
JThey a+ays do>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou sho+ four or five to +aiters
and they pi.1 out the right one/J
J$o you thin1 they doAJ said To))y;Jpi.1 out the right one I )ean/J
JWe> they do in 'oo1s>J said Tuppen.e/
JIt is a pity that rea ife is so different fro) fi.tion>J said To))y/ J0o+
then +hat have +e hereA @es> this is the #ondon ot/ $ined at the %on
Te)ps seven thirty/ Went to $u1e"s Theatre and sa+ $ephiniu)s
%ue/ Counterfoi of theatre ti.1et en.osed/ Supper at the Savoy +ith
Mr/ e Mar.hant/ We .an> I suppose> intervie+ Mr/ e Mar.hant/J
JThat tes us nothing at a>J said Tuppen.e> J'e.ause if he is heping
her to do it he naturay +on"t give the sho+ a+ay/ We .an +ash out
anything he says no+/J
JWe> here is the Tor8uay end>J +ent on To))y/ JT+eve o".o.1 train
fro) Paddington> had un.h in the &estaurant Car> re.eipted 'i
en.osed/ Stayed at Caste !ote for one night/ Again re.eipted 'i/J
JI thin1 this is a rather +ea1>J said Tuppen.e/ JAnyone .an 'uy a
theatre ti.1et> you need never go near the theatre/ The gir Dust +ent to
Tor8uay and the #ondon thing is a fa1e/J
JIf so> it is rather a sitter for us>J said To))y/ JWe> I suppose +e
)ight as +e go and intervie+ Mr/ Ie Mar.hant/J
Mr/ e Mar.hant proved to 'e a 'ree?y youth +ho 'etrayed no great
surprise on seeing the)/
J2na has got so)e itte ga)e on> hasn"t sheAJ he as1ed/ J@ou never
1no+ +hat that 1id is up to/J
JI understand> Mr/ e Mar.hant>J said To))y> Jthat Miss $ra1e had
supper +ith you at the Savoy ast Tuesday evening/J
JThat"s right>J said Mr/ e Mar.hant/ JI 1no+ it +as Tuesday 'e.ause
2na i)pressed it on )e at the ti)e and +hat"s )ore she )ade )e
+rite it do+n in a itte 'oo1/J
With so)e pride he sho+ed an entry fainty pen.iedH J!aving supper
+ith 2na/ Savoy/ Tuesday 19th/J
JWhere had Miss $ra1e 'een earier in the eveningA $o you 1no+AJ
JShe had 'een to so)e rotten sho+ .aed Pin1 Peonies or so)ething
i1e that/ A'soute sosh so she tod )e/J
J@ou are 8uite sure Miss $ra1e +as +ith you that eveningAJ
Mr/ e Mar.hant stared at hi)/
JWhy> of .ourse/ !aven"t I 'een teing youAJ
JPerhaps she as1ed you to te us>J said Tuppen.e/
JWe> for a )atter of fa.t she did say so)ething that +as rather
dashed odd/ She said> +hat +as it no+A "@ou thin1 you are sitting here
having supper +ith )e> *i))y> 'ut reay> I a) having supper t+o
hundred )ies a+ay in $evonshire/" 0o+ that +as a dashed odd thing
to say> don"t you thin1 soA Sort of astra 'ody stuff/ The funny thing is
that a pa of )ine> $i.1y &i.e> thought he sa+ her there/J
JWho is this Mr/ &i.eAJ
J<h> Dust a friend of )ine/ !e had 'een do+n in Tor8uay staying +ith
an aunt/ Sort of od 'ean +ho is a+ays going to die and never does/
$i.1y had 'een do+n doing the dutifu nephe+/ !e said> "I sa+ that
Austraian gir one day;2na so)ething or other/ Wanted to go and ta1
to her 'ut )y aunt .arried )e off to .hat +ith an od Pussy in a
'ath.hair/" I said> "When +as thisA" and he said> "<h> Tuesday a'out tea
ti)e/" I tod hi) of .ourse that he had )ade a )ista1e> 'ut it +as odd>
+asn"t itA With 2na saying that a'out $evonshire that evening/J
J7ery odd>J said To))y/ JTe )e> Mr/ e Mar.hant> did anyone you
1no+ have supper near you at the SavoyAJ
JSo)e peope .aed <gander +ere at the neBt ta'e/J
J$o they 1no+ Miss $ra1eAJ
J<h yes> they 1no+ her/ They are not frightfu friends or anything of
that 1ind/J
JWe> if there"s nothing )ore you .an te us> Mr/ e Mar.hant> I thin1
+e +i +ish you good )orning/J
J(ither that .hap is an eBtraordinary good iar>J said To))y as they
rea.hed the street> Jor ese he is spea1ing the truth/J
J@es>J said Tuppen.e/ JI have .hanged )y opinion/ I have a sort of
feeing no+ that 2na $ra1e +as at the Savoy for supper that night/J
JWe +i no+ go to the %on Te)ps>J said To))y/ JA itte food for
starving seuths is .eary indi.ated/ #et"s Dust get a fe+ girs"
photographs first/J
This proved rather )ore diffi.ut than +as eBpe.ted/ Turning into a
photographer"s and de)anding a fe+ assorted photographs> they
+ere )et +ith a .od re'uff/
JWhy are a the things that are so easy and si)pe in 'oo1s so diffi.ut
in rea ifeAJ +aied Tuppen.e/ J!o+ horri'y suspi.ious they oo1ed/
What do you thin1 they thought +e +anted to do +ith the photographsA
We had 'etter go and raid *ane"s fat/J
Tuppen.e"s friend *ane proved of an a..o))odating disposition and
per)itted Tuppen.e to ru))age in a dra+er and see.t four
spe.i)ens of for)er friends of *ane"s +ho had 'een shoved hastiy in
to 'e out of sight and )ind/
Ar)ed +ith this gaaBy of fe)inine 'eauty they pro.eeded to the %on
Te)ps +here fresh diffi.uties and )u.h eBpense a+aited the)/
To))y had to get hod of ea.h +aiter in turn> tip hi) and then produ.e
the assorted photographs/ The resut +as unsatisfa.tory/ At east
three of the photographs +ere pro)ising starters as having dined
there ast Tuesday/ They then returned to the offi.e +here Tuppen.e
i))ersed hersef in an A/%/C/
JPaddington t+eve o".o.1/ Tor8uay three thirty;five/ That"s the train
and e Mar.hant"s friend> Mr/ Sago> or Tapio.a or so)ething> sa+ her
there a'out tea ti)e/J
JWe haven"t .he.1ed his state)ent> re)e)'er>J said To))y/ JIf> as
you said to 'egin +ith> e Mar.hant is a friend of 2na $ra1e"s> he )ay
have invented this story/J
J<h> +e" hunt up Mr/ &i.e>J said Tuppen.e/ JI have a 1ind of hun.h
that Mr/ e Mar.hant +as spea1ing the truth 0o> +hat I a) trying to get
at no+ is this/ 2na $ra1e eaves #ondon 'y the t+eve o".o.1 train>
possi'y ta1es a roo) at a hote and unpa.1s/ Then she ta1es a train
'a.1 to to+n arriving in ti)e to get to the Savoy/ There is one at four
forty gets up to Paddington at nine ten/J
JAnd thenAJ said To))y/
XAnd then>J said Tuppen.e> fro+ning> Jit is rather )ore diffi.ut/ There
is a )idnight train fro) Paddington do+n again 'ut she .oud hardy
ta1e that> that +oud 'e too eary/J
JA fast .ar>J suggested To))y/
J!")>J said Tuppen.e/ JIt is Dust on t+o hundred )ies/J
JAustraians> I have a+ays 'een tod> drive very re.1essy/J
J<h> I suppose it .oud 'e done>J said Tuppen.e> Jshe +oud arrive
there a'out seven/J
JAre you supposing her to have nipped into her 'ed at the Caste !ote
+ithout 'eing seenA <r arriving there eBpaining that she had 'een out
a night and .oud she have her 'i> peaseAJ
JTo))y>J said Tuppen.e/ JWe are idiots/ She needn"t have gone 'a.1
to Tor8uay at a/ She has ony got to get a friend to go to the !ote
there and .oe.t her uggage and pay her 'i/ Then you get the
re.eipted 'i +ith the proper date on it/J
JI thin1 on the +hoe +e have +or1ed out a very sound hypothesis>J
said To))y/ JThe neBt thing to do is to .at.h the t+eve o".o.1 train
to Tor8uay to)orro+ and verify our 'riiant .on.usions/J
Ar)ed +ith a portfoio of photographs> To))y and Tuppen.e duy
esta'ished the)seves in a first .ass .arriage the foo+ing )orning>
and 'oo1ed seats for the se.ond un.h/
JIt pro'a'y +on"t 'e the sa)e dining .ar attendants>J said To))y/
JThat +oud 'e too )u.h u.1 to eBpe.t/ I eBpe.t +e sha have to
trave up and do+n to Tor8uay for days 'efore +e stri1e the right
ones/J
JThis ai'i 'usiness is very trying>J said Tuppen.e/ JIn 'oo1s it is a
passed over in t+o or three paragraphs/ Inspe.tor So)ething then
'oarded the train to Tor8uay and 8uestioned the dining .ar attendants
and so ended the story/J
For on.e> ho+ever> the young .oupe"s u.1 +as in/ In ans+er to their
8uestion the attendant +ho 'rought their 'i for un.h proved to 'e the
sa)e one +ho had 'een on duty the pre.eding Tuesday/ What To))y
.aed the ten shiing note tou.h then .a)e into a.tion and Tuppen.e
produ.ed the portfoio/
JI +ant to 1no+>J said To))y> Jif any of these adies had un.h on this
train on Tuesday astAJ
In a gratifying )anner +orthy of the 'est dete.tive fi.tion the )an at
on.e indi.ated the photograph of 2na $ra1e/
J@es sir> I re)e)'er that ady> and I re)e)'er that it +as Tuesday>
'e.ause the ady hersef dre+ attention to the fa.t saying it +as
a+ays the u.1iest day in the +ee1 for her/J
JSo far> so good>J said Tuppen.e as they returned to their
.o)part)ent/ JAnd +e +i pro'a'y find that she 'oo1ed at the !ote
a right/ It is going to 'e )ore diffi.ut to prove that she traveed 'a.1
to #ondon> 'ut perhaps one of the porters at the station )ay
re)e)'er/J
!ere> ho+ever> they dre+ a 'an1 and .rossing to the up patfor)
To))y )ade in8uiries of the ti.1et .oe.tor and of various porters/
After the distri'ution of haf .ro+ns as a prei)inary to in8uiring> t+o
of the porters pi.1ed out one of the other photographs +ith a vague
re)e)'ran.e that so)eone i1e that traveed to to+n 'y the four forty
that afternoon> 'ut there +as no identifi.ation of 2na $ra1e/
J%ut that doesn"t prove anything>J said Tuppen.e as they eft the
station/ JShe )ay have traveed 'y that train and no one noti.ed her/J
JShe )ay have gone fro) the other station> fro) Torre/J
JThat"s 8uite i1ey>J said Tuppen.e> Jho+ever> +e .an see to that after
+e have 'een to the hote/J
The Caste !ote +as a 'ig one overoo1ing the sea/ After 'oo1ing a
roo) for the night and signing the register> To))y o'served
peasantyH
JI 'eieve you had a friend of ours staying here ast Tuesday/ Miss 2na
$ra1e/J
The young ady in the 'ureau 'ea)ed at hi)/
J<h yes> I re)e)'er 8uite +e/ An Austraian young ady I 'eieve/J
At a sign fro) To))y> Tuppen.e produ.ed the photograph/
JThat is rather a .har)ing photograph of her> isn"t itAJ said Tuppen.e/
J<h very ni.e> very ni.e indeed> 8uite styish/J
J$id she stay here ongAJ in8uired To))y/
J<ny one night/ She +ent a+ay 'y the (Bpress the neBt )orning 'a.1
to #ondon/ It see)ed a ong +ay to .o)e for one night 'ut of .ourse I
suppose Austraian adies don"t thin1 anything of traveing/J
JShe is a very sporting gir>J said To))y> Ja+ays having adventures/
It +asn"t here> +as it> that she +ent out to dine +ith so)e friends> +ent
for a drive in their .ar after+ards> ran the .ar into a dit.h and +asn"t
a'e to get ho)e ti )orningAJ
J<h> no>J said the young ady/ JMiss $ra1e had dinner here in the
!ote/J
J&eay>J said To))y> Jare you sure of thatA I )ean;ho+ do you
1no+AJ
J<h> I sa+ her/J
JI as1ed 'e.ause I understood she +as dining +ith so)e friends in
Tor8uay>J eBpained To))y/
J<h> no sir> she dined here/J The young ady aughed and 'ushed a
itte/ JI re)e)'er she had on a )ost s+eety pretty fro.1/ <ne of
those ne+ fo+ered .hiffons a over pansies/J
JTuppen.e> this tears it>J said To))y +hen they had 'een sho+n
upstairs to their roo)/
JIt does rather>J said Tuppen.e/ J<f .ourse that +o)an )ay 'e
)ista1en/ We +i as1 the +aiter at dinner/ There .an"t 'e very )any
peope here Dust at this ti)e of year/J
This ti)e it +as Tuppen.e +ho opened the atta.1/
JCan you te )e if a friend of )ine +as here ast TuesdayAJ she as1ed
the +aiter +ith an engaging s)ie/ JA Miss $ra1e> +earing a fro.1 a
over pansies I 'eieve/J She produ.ed a photograph/ JThis ady/J
The +aiter 'ro1e into i))ediate s)ies of re.ognition/
J@es> yes> Miss $ra1e/ I re)e)'er her very +e/ She tod )e she .a)e
fro) Austraia/J
JShe dined hereAJ
J@es/ It +as ast Tuesday/ She as1ed )e if there +as anything to do
after+ards in the to+n/J
J@esAJ
JI tod her the theatre> the Paviion> 'ut in the end she de.ided not to
go and she stayed here istening to our or.hestra/J
J<h da)n>J said To))y under his 'reath/
J@ou don"t re)e)'er +hat ti)e she had dinner> do youAJ said
Tuppen.e/
JShe .a)e do+n a itte ate/ It )ust have 'een a'out eight o".o.1/J
J$a)n> %ast> and Curse>J said Tuppen.e as she and To))y eft the
dining;roo)/ JTo))y> this is a going +rong/ It see)ed so .ear and
ovey/J
JWe> I suppose +e ought to have 1no+n it +oudn"t a 'e pain
saiing/J
JIs there any train she .oud have ta1en after that I +onderAJ
J0ot one that +oud have anded her in #ondon in ti)e to go to the
Savoy/J
JWe>J said Tuppen.e> Jas a ast hope I a) going to ta1 to the
.ha)'er)aid/ 2na $ra1e had a roo) on the sa)e foor as ours/J
The .ha)'er)aid +as a vou'e and infor)ative +o)an/ @es> she
re)e)'ered the young ady 8uite +e/ That +as her pi.ture right
enough/ A very ni.e young ady> very )erry and ta1ative/ !ad tod her
a ot a'out Austraia and the 1angaroos/
The young ady rang the 'e a'out haf past nine and as1ed for her
'otte to 'e fied and put in her 'ed and aso to 'e .aed the neBt
)orning at haf past seven;+ith .offee instead of tea/
J@ou did .a her and she +as in 'edAJ as1ed Tuppen.e>
The .ha)'er)aid stared at her/
JWhy> yes Ma"a)> of .ourse/J
J<h> I ony +ondered if she +as doing eBer.ises or anything>J said
Tuppen.e> +idy/ JSo )any peope do in the eary )orning/J
JWe> that see)s .ast iron enough>J said To))y> +hen the
.ha)'er)aid had departed/ JThere is ony one .on.usion to 'e
dra+n fro) it/ It is the #ondon side of the thing that )ust 'e fa1ed/J
JMr/ e Mar.hant )ust 'e a )ore a..o)pished iar than +e thought>J
said Tuppen.e/
JWe have a +ay of .he.1ing his state)ents>J said To))y/ J!e said
there +ere peope sitting at the neBt ta'e +ho) 2na 1ne+ sighty/
What +as their na)e;<gander> that +as it/ We )ust hunt up these
<ganders and +e ought aso to )a1e in8uiries at Miss $ra1e"s fat in
Carges Street/J
The foo+ing )orning they paid their 'i and departed so)e+hat
.restfaen/
!unting out the <ganders +as fairy easy +ith the aid of the teephone
'oo1/ Tuppen.e this ti)e too1 the offensive and assu)ed the
.hara.ter of a representative of a ne+ iustrated paper/ She .aed on
Mrs/ <gander as1ing for a fe+ detais of their Js)artJ supper party at
the Savoy on Tuesday evening/ These detais Mrs/ <gander +as ony
too +iing to suppy/ *ust as she +as eaving Tuppen.e added
.areessyH J#et )e see> +asn"t Miss 2na $ra1e sitting at the ta'e neBt
youA Is it reay true that she is engaged to the $u1e of PerthA @ou
1no+ her> of .ourse/J
JI 1no+ her sighty>J said Mrs/ <gander/ JA very .har)ing gir I
'eieve/ @es> she +as sitting at the neBt ta'e to ours +ith Mr/ e
Mar.hant/ My girs 1no+ her 'etter than I do/J
Tuppen.e"s neBt port of .a +as the fat in Carges Street/
!ere she +as greeted 'y Miss Mariory #ei.ester> the friend +ith +ho)
Miss $ra1e shared a fat/
J$o te )e +hat a this is a'outAJ as1ed Miss #ei.ester paintivey/
J2na has so)e deep ga)e on and I don"t 1no+ +hat it is/ <f .ourse
she sept here on Tuesday night/J
J$id you see her +hen she .a)e inAJ
J0o> I had gone to 'ed/ She has got her o+n at.h 1ey> of .ourse/ She
.a)e in a'out one o".o.1> I 'eieve/J
JWhen did you see herAJ
J<h> the neBt )orning a'out nine;or perhaps it +as nearer ten/J
As Tuppen.e eft the fat she a)ost .oided +ith a ta> gaunt fe)ae
+ho +as entering/
J(B.use )e> Miss> I") sure>J said the gaunt fe)ae/
J$o you +or1 hereAJ as1ed Tuppen.e/
J@es> Miss> I .o)e daiy/J
JWhat ti)e do you get here in the )orningAJ
J0ine o".o.1 is )y ti)e> Miss/J
Tuppen.e sipped a hurried haf .ro+n into the gaunt fe)ae"s hand/
JWas Miss $ra1e here ast Tuesday )orning +hen you arrivedAJ
JWhy yes> Miss> indeed she +as/ Fast aseep in her 'ed and hardy
+o1e up +hen I 'rought her in her tea/J
J<h> than1 you>J said Tuppen.e and +ent dis.onsoatey do+n the
stairs/
She had arranged to )eet To))y for un.h in a s)a &estaurant in
Soho and there they .o)pared notes/
JI have seen that feo+> &i.e/ It is 8uite true he did see 2na $ra1e in
the distan.e at Tor8uay/J
JWe>J said Tuppen.e> J+e have .he.1ed these ai'is a right/ !ere>
give )e a 'it of paper and a pen.i> To))y/ #et us put it do+n neaty
i1e a dete.tives do/J
1/56 2na $ra1e seen in #un.heon Car of train/
4 o".o.1 Arrives at Caste !ote/
F o".o.1 Seen 'y Mr/ &i.e/
O o".o.1 Seen dining at !ote/
9/56 As1s for hot +ater 'otte/
11H56 Seen at Savoy +ith Mr/ e Mar.hant/
E/56a/)/ Caed 'y .ha)'er)aid at Caste !ote/
9 o".o.1 Caed 'y .har+o)an at fat at Carges Street/
They oo1ed at ea.h other/
JWe> it oo1s to )e as if %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives are 'eat>J said
To))y/
J<h> +e )ustn"t give up>J said Tuppen.e/ JSo)e'ody )ust 'e yingGJ
JThe 8ueer thing is that it stri1es )e no'ody +as ying/ They a
see)ed perfe.ty truthfu and straightfor+ard/J
J@et there )ust 'e a fa+/ We 1no+ there is/ I thin1 of a sorts of things
i1e private aeropanes 'ut that doesn"t reay get us any for+arder/J
JI a) in.ined to the theory of an astra 'ody/J
JWe>J said Tuppen.e> Jthe ony thing to do is to seep on it/ @our
su'.ons.ious +or1s in your seep/J
J!")>J said To))y/ JIf your su'.ons.ious provides you +ith a
perfe.ty good ans+er to this ridde 'y to)orro+ )orning> I ta1e off
)y hat to it/J
They +ere very sient a that evening/ Again and again Tuppen.e
reverted to the paper of ti)es/ She +rote things on 'its of paper/ She
)ur)ured to hersef> she sought perpeBedy through &ai ,uides/ %ut
in the end they 'oth rose to go to 'ed +ith no faint gi))er of ight on
the pro'e)/
JThis is very disheartening>J said To))y/
J<ne of the )ost )isera'e evenings I have ever spent>J said
Tuppen.e/
JWe ought to have gone to a Musi. !a>J said To))y/ JA fe+ good
Do1es a'out )others;in;a+ and t+ins and 'ottes of 'eer +oud have
done us no end of good/J
J0o> you +i see this .on.entration +i +or1 in the end>J said
Tuppen.e/ J!o+ 'usy our su'.ons.ious +i have to 'e in the neBt
eight hoursGJ And on this hopefu note they +ent to 'ed/
JWe>J said To))y neBt )orning> Jhas the su'.ons.ious +or1edAJ
JI have got an idea>J said Tuppen.e/
J@ou have/ What sort of an ideaAJ
JWe> rather a funny idea/ 0ot at a i1e anything I have ever read in
dete.tive stories/ As a )atter of fa.t it is an idea that you put into )y
head/J
JThen it )ust 'e a good idea>J said To))y fir)y/ JCo)e on>
Tuppen.e> out +ith it/J
JI sha have to send a .a'e to verify it>J said Tuppen.e/ J0o> I a) not
going to te you/ It"s a perfe.ty +id idea 'ut it"s the ony thing that fits
the fa.ts/J
JWe>J said To))y> JI )ust a+ay to the offi.e/ A roo)fu of
disappointed .ients )ust not +ait in vain/ I eave this .ase in the
hands of )y pro)ising su'ordinate/J
Tuppen.e nodded .heerfuy/
She did not put in an appearan.e at the offi.e a day/ When To))y
returned that evening a'out haf past five it +as to find a +idy
eButant Tuppen.e a+aiting hi)/
JI have done it> To))y/ I have soved the )ystery of the ai'i/ We .an
.harge up a these haf .ro+ns and ten shiing notes and de)and a
su'stantia fee of our o+n fro) Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones and he .an go
right off and .oe.t his gir/J
JWhat is the soutionAJ .ried To))y/
JA perfe.ty si)pe one>J said Tuppen.e/ JT+ins/J
JWhat do you )eanA;T+insAJ
JWhy Dust that/ <f .ourse it is the ony soution/ I +i say you put it into
)y head ast night ta1ing a'out )others;in;a+> t+ins> and 'ottes of
'eer/ I .a'ed to Austraia and got 'a.1 the infor)ation I +anted/ 2na
has a t+in sister> 7era> +ho arrived in (ngand ast Monday/ That is
+hy she +as a'e to )a1e this 'et so spontaneousy/ She thought it
+oud 'e a frightfu rag on poor Montgo)ery *ones/ The sister +ent to
Tor8uay and she stayed in #ondon/J
J$o you thin1 she" 'e terri'y despondent that she"s ostAJ as1ed
To))y/
J0o>J said Tuppen.e/ JI don"t/ I gave you )y vie+s a'out that 'efore/
She +i put a the 1udos do+n to Montgo)ery *ones/ I a+ays thin1
respe.t for your hus'and"s a'iities shoud 'e the foundation of
)arried ife/J
JI a) gad to have inspired these senti)ents in you> Tuppen.e/J
JIt is not a reay satisfa.tory soution>J said Tuppen.e/
J0ot the ingenious sort of fa+ that Inspe.tor Fren.h +oud have
dete.ted/J
J0onsense>J said To))y/ JI thin1 the +ay I sho+ed these photographs
to the +aiter in the &estaurant +as eBa.ty i1e Inspe.tor Fren.h/J
J!e didn"t have to use neary so )any haf .ro+ns and ten shiing
notes as +e see) to have done>J said Tuppen.e/
J0ever )ind>J said To))y/ JWe .an .harge the) a up +ith additions
to Mr/ Montgo)ery *ones/ !e +i 'e in su.h a state of idioti. 'iss that
he +oud pro'a'y pay the )ost enor)ous 'i +ithout Di''ing at it/J
JSo he shoud>J said Tuppen.e/ J!aven"t %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives
'een 'riianty su..essfuA <h> To))y> I do thin1 +e are
eBtraordinariy .ever/ It 8uite frightens )e so)eti)es/J
JThe neBt .ase +e have sha 'e a &oger Sheringha) .ase and you>
Tuppen.e> sha 'e &oger Sheringha)/J
JI sha have to ta1 a ot>J said Tuppen.e/
J@ou do that naturay>J said To))y/ JAnd no+ I suggest that +e .arry
out )y progra))e of ast night and see1 out a Musi. !a +here they
have penty of Do1es a'out )others;in;a+> 'ottes of 'eer> and T+ins/J
26/ T!( C#(&,@MA0"S $A2,!T(&
XI +ish>J said Tuppen.e> roa)ing )oodiy round the offi.e> Jthat +e
.oud 'efriend a .ergy)an"s daughter/J
JWhyAJ as1ed To))y/
J@ou )ay have forgotten the fa.t> 'ut I +as on.e a .ergy)an"s
daughter )ysef/ I re)e)'er +hat it +as i1e/ !en.e this atruisti.
urge;this spirit of thoughtfu .onsideration for others;this;J
J@ou are getting ready to 'e &oger Sheringha)> I see>J said To))y/
JIf you +i ao+ )e to )a1e a .riti.is)> you ta1 8uite as )u.h as he
does> 'ut not neary so +e/J
J<n the .ontrary>J said Tuppen.e> Jthere is a fe)inine su'tety a'out
)y .onversation> a De ne sais 8uoi> that no gross )ae .oud ever attain
to/ I have> )oreover> po+ers un1no+n to )y prototype;do I )ean
prototypeA Words are su.h un.ertain things> they so often sound +e
'ut )ean the opposite of +hat one thin1s they do/J
J,o on>J said To))y 1indy/
JI +as/ I +as ony pausing to ta1e 'reath/ Tou.hing these po+ers> it is
)y +ish to;day to assist a .ergy)an"s daughter/ @ou +i see> To))y>
the first person to enist the aid of %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives +i 'e a
.ergy)an"s daughter/J
JI" 'et you it isn"t>J said To))y/
J$one>J said Tuppen.e/ J!istG To your type+riters> <hG Israe/ <ne
.o)es/J
Mr/ %unt"s offi.e +as hu))ing +ith industry as A'ert opened the
door and announ.edH
JMiss Moni.a $eane/J
A sender 'ro+n haired gir> rather sha''iy dressed> entered and
stood hesitating/ To))y .a)e for+ard/
J,ood;)orning> Miss $eane/ Won"t you sit do+n and te us +hat +e
.an do for youA %y the +ay> et )e introdu.e )y .onfidentia
se.retary> Miss Sheringha)/J
XI a) deighted to )a1e your a.8uaintan.e> Miss $eane>J said
Tuppen.e/ J@our father +as in the Chur.h> I thin1/J
X@es> he +as/ %ut ho+ did you 1no+ thatAJ
J<hG +e have our )ethods>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou )ustn"t )ind )e
ratting on/ Mr/ %unt i1es to hear )e ta1/ !e a+ays says it gives hi)
ideas/J
The gir stared at her/ She +as a sender .reature> not 'eautifu> 'ut
possessing a +istfu prettiness/ She had a 8uantity of soft )ouse.oored
hair> and her eyes +ere dar1 'ue and very ovey> though the
dar1 shado+s round the) spo1e of trou'e and anBiety/
JWi you te )e your story> Miss $eaneAJ said To))y/
The gir turned to hi) gratefuy/
JIt"s su.h a ong> ra)'ing story>J said the gir/ JMy na)e is Moni.a
$eane/ My father +as the re.tor of #itte !a)psey in Suffo1/ !e died
three years ago> and )y )other and I +ere eft very 'ady off/ I +ent
out as a governess> 'ut )y )other 'e.a)e a .onfir)ed invaid and I
had to .o)e ho)e to oo1 after her/ We +ere desperatey poor> 'ut
one day +e re.eived a a+yer"s etter teing us that an aunt of )y
father"s had died and had eft everything to )e/ I had often heard of
this aunt +ho had 8uarreed +ith )y father )any years ago> and I
1ne+ that she +as very +e off> so it reay see)ed that our trou'es
+ere at an end/ %ut )atters did not turn out 8uite as +e as +e had
hoped/ I inherited the house she had ived in> 'ut after paying one or
t+o s)a ega.ies> there +as no )oney eft/ I suppose she )ust have
ost it during the +ar> or perhaps she had 'een iving on her .apita/
Sti> +e had the house> and a)ost at on.e +e had a .han.e of seing
it at 8uite an advantageous pri.e/ %ut> fooishy perhaps> I refused the
offer/ We +ere in tiny> 'ut eBpensive odgings> and I thought it +oud
'e )u.h ni.er to ive in the &ed !ouse +here )y )other .oud have
.o)forta'e roo)s and ta1e in paying guests to .over our eBpenses/
JI adhered to this pan> not+ithstanding a further te)pting offer fro)
the gente)en +ho +anted to 'uy/ We )oved in> and I advertised for
paying guests/ For a ti)e> a +ent +e> +e had severa ans+ers to our
advertise)ent> )y aunt"s od servant re)ained on +ith us and she and
I 'et+een us did the +or1 of the house/ And then these una..ounta'e
things 'egan to happen/J
JWhat thingsAJ
XThe 8ueerest things/ The +hoe pa.e see)ed 'e+it.hed/ Pi.tures
fe do+n> .ro.1ery fe+ a.ross the roo) and 'ro1e> one )orning +e
.a)e do+n to find a the furniture )oved round/ At first +e thought
so)eone +as paying a pra.ti.a Do1e> 'ut +e had to give up that
eBpanation/ So)eti)es +hen +e +ere a sitting do+n to dinner> a
terrifi. .rash +oud 'e heard overhead/ We +oud go up and find no
one there> 'ut a pie.e of furniture thro+n vioenty to the ground/J
JA potergeist>J .ried Tuppen.e> )u.h interested/
J@es> that"s +hat $r/ <"0ei said;though I don"t 1no+ +hat it )eans/J
JIt"s a sort of evi spirit that pays tri.1s>J eBpained Tuppen.e +ho in
reaity 1ne+ very itte of the su'De.t> and +as not even sure that she
had got the +ord potergeist right/
JWe> at any rate> the effe.t +as disastrous/ <ur visitors +ere
frightened to death> and eft as soon as possi'e/ We got ne+ ones>
and they too eft hurriedy/ I +as in despair> and> to .ro+n a> our o+n
tiny in.o)e .eased suddeny;the Co)pany in +hi.h it +as invested
faied/J
J@ou poor dear>J said Tuppen.e sy)patheti.ay/ JWhat a ti)e you
have had/ $id you +ant Mr/ %unt to investigate this "haunting"
'usinessAJ
J0ot eBa.ty/ @ou see> three days ago> a gente)an .aed upon us/ !is
na)e +as $r/ <"0ei/ !e tod us that he +as a )e)'er of the So.iety
for Physi.a &esear.h> and that he had heard a'out the .urious
)anifestations that had ta1en pa.e in our house and +as )u.h
interested/ So )u.h so> that he +as prepared to 'uy it fro) us> and
.ondu.t a series of eBperi)ents there/J
JWeAJ
J<f .ourse> at first> I +as over.o)e +ith Doy/ It see)ed the +ay out of
a our diffi.uties/ %ut;J
J@esAJ
JPerhaps you +i thin1 )e fan.ifu/ Perhaps I a)/ %ut;ohG I") sure I
haven"t )ade a )ista1e/ It +as the sa)e )anGJ
JWhat sa)e )anAJ
JThe sa)e )an +ho +anted to 'uy it 'efore/ <hG I") sure I") right/J
J%ut +hy shoudn"t it 'eAJ
J@ou don"t understand/ The t+o )en +ere 8uite different> different
na)e and everything/ The first )an +as 8uite young> a spru.e dar1
young )an of thirty odd/ $r/ <"0ei is a'out fifty> he has a grey 'eard
and +ears gasses and stoops/ %ut +hen he ta1ed I sa+ a god tooth
on one side of his )outh/ It ony sho+s +hen he aughs/ The other )an
had a tooth in Dust the sa)e position> and then I oo1ed at his ears/ I
had noti.ed the other )an"s ears> 'e.ause they +ere a pe.uiar shape
+ith hardy any o'e/ $r/ <"0ei"s +ere Dust the sa)e/ %oth things
.oudn"t 'e a .oin.iden.e> .oud theyA I thought and thought and
finay I +rote and said I +oud et hi) 1no+ in a +ee1/ I had noti.ed
Mr/ %unt"s advertise)ent so)e ti)e ago;as a )atter of fa.t in an od
paper that ined one of the 1it.hen dra+ers/ I .ut it out and .a)e up to
to+n/J
J@ou +ere 8uite right>J said Tuppen.e> nodding her head +ith vigor/
JThis needs oo1ing into/J
JA very interesting .ase> Miss $eane>J o'served To))y/ JWe sha 'e
peased to oo1 into this for you;eh> Miss Sheringha)AJ
J&ather>J said Tuppen.e> Jand +e" get to the 'otto) of it too/J
JI understand> Miss $eane>J +ent on To))y> Jthat the househod
.onsists of you and your )other and a servant/ Can you give )e any
parti.uars a'out the servantAJ
J!er na)e is Cro.1ett/ She +as +ith )y aunt a'out eight or ten years/
She is an edery +o)an> not very peasant in )anner> 'ut a good
servant/ She is in.ined to give hersef airs 'e.ause her sister )arried
out of her station/ Cro.1ett has a nephe+ +ho) she is a+ays teing
us is "8uite the gente)an/" J
J!")>J said To))y> rather at a oss ho+ to pro.eed/
Tuppen.e had 'een eyeing Moni.a 1eeny> no+ she spo1e +ith sudden
de.ision/
JI thin1 the 'est pan +oud 'e for Miss $eane to .o)e out and un.h
+ith )e/ It"s Dust on one o".o.1/ I .an get fu detais fro) her/J
JCertainy> Miss Sheringha)>J said To))y/ JAn eB.eent pan/J
J#oo1 here>J said Tuppen.e +hen they +ere .o)forta'y ens.on.ed
at a itte ta'e in a neigh'oring restaurant> JI +ant to 1no+/ Is there
any spe.ia reason +hy you +ant to find out a'out a thisAJ
Moni.a 'ushed/
JWe> you see;J
J<ut +ith it>J said Tuppen.e en.ouragingy/
JWe;there are t+o )en +ho;+ho;+ant to )arry )e/J
JThe usua story> I supposeA <ne ri.h> one poor> and the poor one is
the one you i1eGJ
JI don"t 1no+ ho+ you 1no+ a these things>J )ur)ured the gir/
JThat"s a sort of a+ of 0ature>J eBpained Tuppen.e/ JIt happens to
every'ody/ It happens to )e/J
J@ou see> even if I se the house> it +on"t 'ring us enough to ive on/
,erad is a dear> 'ut he"s desperatey poor;though he"s a very .ever
engineer and if ony he had a itte .apita> his fir) +oud ta1e hi) into
partnership/ The other> Mr/ Partridge> is a very good )an> I a) sureand
+e off> and if I )arried hi) it +oud 'e an end of a our trou'es/
%ut;'ut;J
JI 1no+>J said Tuppen.e sy)patheti.ay/ JIt isn"t the sa)e thing at a/
@ou .an go on teing yoursef ho+ good and +orthy he is> and adding
up his 8uaities as though they +ere an addition su);and it a has a
si)py refrigerating effe.t/J
Moni.a nodded/
JWe>J said Tuppen.e> JI thin1 it +oud 'e as +e if +e +ent do+n to
the neigh'orhood and studied )atters upon the spot/ What is the
addressAJ
JThe &ed !ouse> Stourton in the Marsh/J
Tuppen.e +rote do+n the address in her note 'oo1/
JI didn"t as1 you>J Moni.a 'egan;Ja'out ter)s;J she ended> 'ushing a
itte/
J<ur pay)ents are stri.ty 'y resuts>J said Tuppen.e gravey/ JIf the
se.ret of the &ed !ouse is a profita'e one> as see)s possi'e fro)
the anBiety dispayed to a.8uire the property> +e shoud eBpe.t a
s)a per.entage> other+ise;nothingGJ
XThan1 you very )u.h>J said the gir gratefuy/
JAnd no+>J said Tuppen.e> Jdon"t +orry/ (verything"s going to 'e a
right/ #et"s enDoy un.h and ta1 of interesting things/J
21/ T!( &($ !<2S(
JWe>J said To))y> oo1ing out of the +indo+ of the Cro+n and
An.hor> Jhere +e are at Toad in the !oe;or +hatever this 'asted
viage is .aed/J
J#et us revie+ the .ase>J said Tuppen.e/
J%y a )eans>J said To))y/ JTo 'egin +ith> getting )y say in first> I
suspe.t the invaid )otherGJ
JWhyAJ
JMy dear Tuppen.e> grant that this potergeist 'usiness is a a put up
Do'> got up in order to persuade the gir to se the house> so)eone
)ust have thro+n the things a'out/ 0o+ the gir said everyone +as at
dinner;'ut if the )other is a thoroughgoing invaid> she"d 'e upstairs in
her roo)/J
JIf she +as an invaid she .oud hardy thro+ furniture a'out/J
JAhG 'ut she +oudn"t 'e a rea invaid/ She"d 'e sha))ing/J
JWhyAJ
JThere you have )e>J .onfessed her hus'and/ JI +as reay going on
the +e 1no+n prin.ipe of suspe.ting the )ost uni1ey person/J
J@ou a+ays )a1e fun of everything>J said Tuppen.e severey/ JThere
)ust 'e so)ething that )a1es these peope so anBious to get hod of
the house/ And if you don"t .are a'out getting to the 'otto) of this
)atter> I do/ I i1e that gir/ She"s a dear/J
To))y nodded seriousy enough/
JI 8uite agree/ %ut I never .an resist ragging you> Tuppen.e/ <f .ourse
there"s so)ething 8ueer a'out the house> and +hatever it is> it"s
so)ething that"s diffi.ut to get at/ <ther+ise a )ere 'urgary +oud
do the tri.1/ %ut to 'e +iing to 'uy the house )eans either that you"ve
got to ta1e up foors or pu do+n +as> or ese that there"s a .oa )ine
under the 'a.1 gardenGJ
JI don"t +ant it to 'e a .oa )ine/ %uried treasure is )u.h )ore
ro)anti./J
J!")>J said To))y/ JIn that .ase I thin1 that I sha pay a visit to the
o.a %an1 Manager> eBpain that I a) staying here over Christ)as and
pro'a'y 'uying the &ed !ouse> and dis.uss the 8uestion of opening
an a..ount/J
J%ut +hy;AJ
JWait and see/J
To))y returned at the end of haf an hour/ !is eyes +ere t+in1ing/
JWe advan.e> Tuppen.e/ <ur intervie+ pro.eeded on the ines
indi.ated/ I then as1ed .asuay +hether he had had )u.h god paid in>
as is often the .ase no+adays in these s)a .ountry 'an1s;s)a
far)ers +ho hoarded it during the +ar> you understand/ Fro) that +e
pro.eeded 8uite naturay to the eBtraordinary vagaries of od adies/ I
invented an aunt> +ho on the out'rea1 of the +ar> drove to the Ar)y
and 0avy Stores in a four +heeer> and returned +ith siBteen ha)s/ !e
i))ediatey )entioned a .ient of his o+n +ho had insisted on dra+ing
out every penny of )oney she had;in god as far as possi'e> and +ho
aso insisted on having her se.urities> 'earer 'onds and su.h things>
given into her o+n .ustody/ I eB.ai)ed on su.h an a.t of foy> and he
)entioned .asuay that she +as the for)er o+ner of the &ed !ouse/
@ou see> Tuppen.eA She dre+ out a this )oney> and she hid it
so)e+here/ @ou re)e)'er that Moni.a $eane )entioned that they
+ere astonished at the s)a a)ount of her estateA @es> she hid it in
the &ed !ouse> and so)eone 1no+s a'out it/ I .an )a1e a pretty good
guess +ho that so)eone is too/J
JWhoAJ
JWhat a'out the faithfu Cro.1ettA She +oud 1no+ a a'out her
)istress"s pe.uiarities/J
JAnd that god;toothed $r/ <"0eiAJ
JThe gente)any nephe+> of .ourseG That"s it/ %ut +herea'outs did
she hide itA @ou 1no+ )ore a'out od adies than I do> Tuppen.e/
Where do they hide thingsAJ
JWrapped up in sto.1ings and petti.oats> under )attresses/J
To))y nodded/
JI eBpe.t you"re right/ A the sa)e> she .an"t have done that 'e.ause it
+oud have 'een found +hen her things +ere turned over/ It +orries
)e;you see> an od ady i1e that .an"t have ta1en up foors or dug
hoes in the garden/ A the sa)e it"s there in the &ed !ouse
so)e+here/ Cro.1ett hasn"t found it> 'ut she 1no+s it"s there> and
on.e they get the house to the)seves> she and her pre.ious nephe+>
they .an turn it upside do+n unti they find +hat they"re after/ We"ve
got to get ahead of the)/ Co)e on> Tuppen.e/ We" go to the &ed
!ouse/J
Moni.a $eane re.eived the)/ To her )other and Cro.1ett they +ere
represented as +oud 'e pur.hasers of the &ed !ouse +hi.h +oud
a..ount for their 'eing ta1en a over the house and grounds/ To))y
did not te Moni.a of the .on.usions he had .o)e to> 'ut he as1ed her
various sear.hing 8uestions/ <f the gar)ents and persona 'eongings
of the dead +o)an> so)e had 'een given to Cro.1ett and the others
sent to various poor fa)iies/ (verything had 'een gone through and
turned out/
J$id your aunt eave any papersAJ
JThe des1 +as fu> and there +ere so)e in a dra+er in her 'edroo)>
'ut there +as nothing of i)portan.e a)ongst the)/J
J!ave they 'een thro+n a+ayAJ
J0o> )y )other is a+ays very oath to thro+ a+ay od papers/ There
+ere so)e od fashioned re.ipes a)ong the) +hi.h she intends to go
through one day/J
J,ood>J said To))y approvingy/ Then> indi.ating an od )an +ho
+as at +or1 upon one of the fo+er 'eds in the garden> he as1edH JWas
that od )an the gardener here in your aunt"s ti)eAJ
J@es> he used to .o)e three days a +ee1/ !e ives in the viage/ Poor
od feo+> he is past doing any reay usefu +or1/ We have hi) Dust
on.e a +ee1 to 1eep things tidied up/ We .an"t afford )ore/J
To))y +in1ed at Tuppen.e to indi.ate that she +as to 1eep Moni.a
+ith her> and he hi)sef stepped a.ross to +here the gardener +as
+or1ing/ !e spo1e a fe+ peasant +ords to the od )an> as1ed hi) if
he had 'een there in the od ady"s ti)e> and then said .asuayH
J@ou 'uried a 'oB for her on.e> didn"t youAJ
J0o> sir> I never 'uried naught for her/ What shoud she +ant to 'ury a
'oB forAJ
To))y shoo1 his head/ !e stroed 'a.1 to the house fro+ning/ It +as
to 'e hoped that a study of the od ady"s papers +oud yied so)e
.ue;other+ise the pro'e) +as a hard one to sove/ The house itsef
+as od fashioned> 'ut not od enough to .ontain a se.ret roo) or
passage/
%efore eaving> Moni.a 'rought the) do+n a 'ig .ard'oard 'oB> tied
+ith string/
JI"ve .oe.ted a the papers>J she +hispered/ JAnd they"re in here/ I
thought you .oud ta1e it a+ay +ith you> and then you" have penty of
ti)e to go over the);'ut I") sure you +on"t find anything to thro+ ight
on the )ysterious happenings in this house;J
!er +ords +ere interrupted 'y a terrifi. .rash overhead/ To))y ran
8ui.1y up the stairs/ A Dug and 'asin in one of the front roo)s +as
ying on the ground 'ro1en to pie.es/ There +as no one in the roo)/
JThe ghost up to its tri.1s again>J he )ur)ured +ith a grin/
!e +ent do+n stairs again thoughtfuy/
JI +onder> Miss $eane> if I )ight spea1 to the )aid> Cro.1ett> for a
)inute/J
JCertainy/ I +i as1 her to .o)e to you/J
Moni.a +ent off to the 1it.hen/ She returned +ith the edery )aid +ho
had opened the door to the) earier/
JWe are thin1ing of 'uying this house>J said To))y peasanty> Jand
)y +ife +as +ondering +hether> in that .ase> you +oud .are to
re)ain on +ith usAJ
Cro.1ett"s respe.ta'e fa.e dispayed no e)otion of any 1ind/
JThan1 you> sir>J she said/ JI shoud i1e to thin1 it over if I )ay/J
To))y turned to Moni.a/
JI a) deighted +ith the house> Miss $eane/ I understand that there is
another 'uyer in the )ar1et/ I 1no+ +hat he has offered for the house>
and I +i +iingy give a hundred )ore/ And )ind you> that is a good
pri.e I a) offering/J
Moni.a )ur)ured so)ething non.o))itta> and the %eresfords too1
their eave/
JI +as right>J said To))y> as they +ent do+n the drive/ JCro.1ett"s in
it/ $id you noti.e that she +as out of 'reathA That +as fro) running
do+n the 'a.1 stairs after s)ashing the Dug and 'asin/ So)eti)es>
very i1ey> she has ad)itted her nephe+ se.rety> and he has done a
itte potergeisting> or +hatever you .a it> +hist she has 'een
inno.enty +ith the fa)iy/ @ou" see> $r/ <"0ei +i )a1e a further
offer 'efore the day is out/J
True enough> after dinner a note +as 'rought/ It +as fro) Moni.a/
JI have Dust heard fro) $r/ <"0ei/ !e raises his previous offer 'y
R1F6/J
JThe nephe+ )ust 'e a )an of )eans>J said To))y thoughtfuy/ JAnd
I te you +hat> Tuppen.e> the pri?e he"s after )ust 'e +e +orth
+hie/J
J<hG <hG <hG if ony +e .oud find itGJ
JWe> et"s get on +ith the spade +or1/J
They +ere sorting through the 'ig 'oB of papers> a +eariso)e affair>
as they +ere a Du)'ed up pe )e +ithout any 1ind of order or
)ethod/ (very fe+ )inutes they .o)pared notes/
JWhat"s the atest> Tuppen.eAJ
JT+o od re.eipted 'is> three uni)portant etters> a re.ipe for
preserving ne+ potatoes and one for )a1ing e)on .heese.a1e/
What"s yoursAJ
J<ne 'i> poe) on Spring> t+o ne+spaper .uttingsH "Why Wo)en 'uy
Pears;a sound invest)ent" and "Man +ith Four Wives";(Btraordinary
Story>" and a re.ipe for *ugged !are/J
JIt"s heart 'rea1ing>J said Tuppen.e> and they fe to on.e )ore/ At ast
the 'oB +as e)pty/ They oo1ed at ea.h other/
JI put this aside>J said To))y> pi.1ing up a haf sheet of notepaper>
J'e.ause it stru.1 )e as pe.uiar/ %ut I don"t suppose it"s got anything
to do +ith +hat +e"re oo1ing for/J
J#et"s see it/ <hG it"s one of those funny things> +hat do they .a the)A
Anagra)s> .harades or so)ething/J She read itH
JMy first you put on go+ing .oa
And into it you put )y +hoe
My se.ond reay is the first
My third )isi1es the +inter 'ast/J
J!")>J said To))y .riti.ay/ JI don"t thin1 )u.h of the poet"s rhy)es/J
JI don"t see +hat you find pe.uiar a'out it> though>J said Tuppen.e/
J(very'ody used to have a .oe.tion of these sort of things a'out fifty
years ago/ @ou saved the) up for +inter evenings round the fire/J
JI +asn"t referring to the verse/ It"s the +ords +ritten 'eo+ it that
stri1e )e as pe.uiar/
JSt/ #u1e ZI/ 9>J she read/ JIt"s a teBt/J
J@es/ $oesn"t that stri1e you as oddA Woud an od ady of a reigious
persuasion +rite a teBt Dust under a .haradeAJ
JIt is rather odd>J agreed Tuppen.e thoughtfuy/
JI presu)e that you> 'eing a .ergy)an"s daughter> have got your
%i'e +ith youAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t I have/ Aha> you didn"t eBpe.t that/ Wait a se./J
Tuppen.e ran to her suit .ase> eBtra.ted a s)a red vou)e and
returned to the ta'e/ She turned the eaves rapidy/ J!ere +e are/
#u1e> Chapter ZI> 7erse 9/ <hG To))y> oo1/J
To))y 'ent over and oo1ed +here Tuppen.e"s s)a finger pointed to
a portion of the verse in 8uestion/
JSee1> and ye sha find/J
JThat"s it>J .ried Tuppen.e/ JWe"ve got itG Sove the .ryptogra) and
the treasure is ours;or rather Moni.a"s/J
JWe> et"s get to +or1 on the .ryptogra)> as you .a it/ "My first you
put on go+ing .oa/" What does that )ean> I +onderA Then;"My se.ond
reay is the first/" That"s pure gi''erish/J
JIt"s 8uite si)pe reay>J said Tuppen.e 1indy/ JIt"s Dust a sort of
1na.1/ #et )e have it/J
To))y surrendered it +iingy/ Tuppen.e ens.oned hersef in an ar)
.hair> and 'egan )uttering to hersef +ith 'ent 'ro+s/
JIt"s 8uite si)pe reay>J )ur)ured To))y +hen haf an hour had
eapsed/
J$on"t .ro+G We"re the +rong generation for this/ I"ve a good )ind to
go 'a.1 to to+n to)orro+ and .a on so)e od pussy +ho +oud
pro'a'y read it as easy as +in1ing/ It"s a 1na.1> that"s a/J
JWe> et"s have one )ore try/J
JThere aren"t )any things you .an put on go+ing .oa>J said
Tuppen.e thoughtfuy/ JThere"s +ater> to put it out> or +ood> or a
1ette/J
JIt )ust 'e one sya'e> I supposeA What a'out +ood> thenAJ
J@ou .oudn"t put anything into +ood> though/J
JThere"s no one sya'e +ord instead of +ater> 'ut there )ust 'e one
sya'e things you .an put on a fire in the 1ette ine/J
JSau.epans>J )used Tuppen.e/ JFrying pans/ !o+ a'out panA <r
potA What"s a +ord 'eginning pan or pot that is so)ething you .oo1AJ
JPottery>J suggested To))y/ J@ou 'a1e that in the fire/ Woudn"t that
'e near enoughAJ
JThe rest of it doesn"t fit/ Pan.a1esA 0o/ <hG 'other/J
They +ere interrupted 'y the itte serving )aid> +ho tod the) that
dinner +oud 'e ready in a fe+ )inutes/
J<ny Mrs/ #u)ey> she +anted to 1no+ if you"d i1e your potatoes
fried> or 'oied in their Da.1etsA She"s got so)e of ea.h/J
J%oied in their Da.1ets>J said Tuppen.e pro)pty/ JI ove potatoes;J
She stopped dead +ith her )outh open/
JWhat"s the )atter> Tuppen.eA !ave you seen a ghostAJ
"To))y>J .ried Tuppen.e/ J$on"t you seeA That"s itG The +ord> I )ean/
PotatoesG "My first you put on go+ing .oa";that"s pot/ "And into it you
put )y +hoe/" "My se.ond reay is the first/" that"s A> the first etter of
the apha'et/ "My third )isi1es the +intry 'ast";.od toes of .ourseGJ
J@ou"re right> Tuppen.e/ 7ery .ever of you/ %ut I") afraid +e"ve
+asted an a+fu ot of ti)e over nothing/ Potatoes don"t fit in at a +ith
)issing treasure/ !af a se./> though/ What did you read out Dust no+>
+hen +e +ere going through the 'oBA So)ething a'out a re.ipe for
0e+ Potatoes/ I +onder +hether there"s anything in that/J
!e ru))aged hastiy through the pie of re.ipes/
J!ere it is/ "T< -((P 0(W P<TAT<(S/ Put the ne+ potatoes into tins
and 'ury the) in the garden/ (ven in the )idde of +inter> they +i
taste as though freshy dug/" J
JWe"ve got it>J s.rea)ed Tuppen.e/ JThat"s it/ The treasure is in the
garden> 'uried in a tin/J
J%ut I as1ed the gardener/ !e said he"d never 'uried anything/J
J@es> I 1no+> 'ut that"s 'e.ause peope never reay ans+er +hat you
say> they ans+er +hat they thin1 you )ean/ !e 1ne+ he"d never 'uried
anything out of the .o))on/ We" go to;)orro+ and as1 hi) +here he
'uried the potatoes/J
The foo+ing )orning +as Christ)as (ve/ %y dint of in8uiry they
found the od gardener"s .ottage/ Tuppen.e 'roa.hed the su'De.t
after so)e )inutes" .onversation/
JI +ish one .oud have ne+ potatoes at Christ)as ti)e>J she
re)ar1ed/ JWoudn"t they 'e good +ith tur1eyA $o peope round here
ever 'ury the) in tinsA I"ve heard that 1eeps the) fresh/J
JAy> that they do>J de.ared the od )an/ J<d Miss $eane> up to the
&ed !ouse> she aus had three tins 'uried every su))er> and as often
as not forgot to have "e) dug up againGJ
JIn the 'ed 'y the house> as a rue> didn"t sheAJ
J0o> over against the +a 'y the fir tree/J
!aving got the infor)ation they +anted> they soon too1 their eave of
the od )an> presenting hi) +ith five shiings as a Christ)as 'oB/
JAnd no+ for Moni.a>J said To))y/
JTo))yG @ou have no sense of the dra)ati./ #eave it to )e/ I"ve got a
'eautifu pan/ $o you thin1 you .oud )anage to 'eg> 'orro+> or stea
a spadeAJ
So)eho+ or other> a spade +as duy produ.ed> and that night> ate>
t+o figures )ight have 'een seen steaing into the grounds of the &ed
!ouse/ The pa.e indi.ated 'y the gardener +as easiy found> and
To))y set to +or1/ Presenty his spade rang on )eta> and a fe+
se.onds ater he had unearthed a 'ig 'is.uit tin/ It +as seaed round
+ith adhesive paster and fir)y fastened do+n> 'ut Tuppen.e> 'y the
aid of To))y"s 1nife> soon )anaged to open it/ Then she gave a groan/
The tin +as fu of potatoes/ She poured the) out so that the tin +as
.o)petey e)pty> 'ut there +ere no other .ontents/
J,o on digging> To))y/J
It +as so)e ti)e 'efore a se.ond tin re+arded their sear.h As 'efore
Tuppen.e unseaed it/
JWeAJ de)anded To))y anBiousy/
JPotatoes againGJ
J$a)nGJ said To))y and set to on.e )ore
JThe third ti)e is u.1y>J said Tuppen.e .onsoingy/
JI 'eieve the +hoe thing"s a )are"s nest>J said To))y goo)iy> 'ut
he .ontinued to dig/
At ast a third tin +as 'rought to ight/
JPotatoes aga;J 'egan Tuppen.e> then stopped/ J<hG To))y> +e"ve
got it/ It"s ony potatoes on top/ #oo1GJ
She hed up a 'ig od fashioned vevet 'ag/
JCut aong ho)e>J .ried To))y/ JIt"s i.y .od/ Ta1e the 'ag +ith you/ I
)ust Dust shove 'a.1 the earth/ And )ay a thousand .urses ight upon
your head> Tuppen.e> if you open that 'ag 'efore I .o)eGJ
JI" pay fair/ <u.hG I") fro?en/J She 'eat a speedy retreat/
<n arriva at the Inn she had not ong to +ait/ To))y +as hard upon
her hees> perspiring freey after his digging and the fina 'ris1 run/
J0o+ then>J said To))y/ "The private in8uiry agents )a1e goodG <pen
the oot> Mrs/ %eresford/J
Inside the 'ag +as a pa.1age done up in oi si1 and a heavy .ha)ois
eather 'ag/ They opened the atter first/ It +as fu of god sovereigns/
To))y .ounted the)/
JT+o hundred pounds/ That +as a they +oud et her have> I suppose/
Cut open the pa.1age/J
Tuppen.e did so/ It +as fu of .osey foded 'an1notes/ To))y and
Tuppen.e .ounted the) .arefuy/ They a)ounted to eBa.ty t+enty
thousand poundsG
JWhe+GJ said To))y/ JIsn"t it u.1y for Moni.a that +e"re 'oth ri.h and
honestA What"s that done up in tissue paperAJ
Tuppen.e unroed the itte par.e and dre+ out a )agnifi.ent string
of pears> eB8uisitey )at.hed/
JI don"t 1no+ )u.h a'out these things>J said To))y so+y> J%ut I")
pretty sure that those pears are +orth another five thousand pounds
at east/ #oo1 at the si?e of the)/ 0o+ I see +hy the od ady 1ept that
.utting a'out pears 'eing a good invest)ent/ She )ust have reai?ed
a her se.urities and turned the) into notes and De+es/J
J<hG To))y> isn"t it +onderfuA $aring Moni.a/ 0o+ she .an )arry
her ni.e young )an and ive happiy ever after+ards> i1e )e/J
JThat"s rather s+eet of you> Tuppen.e/ So you are happy +ith )eAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Tuppen.e> JI a)/ %ut I didn"t )ean to say so/
It sipped out/ What +ith 'eing eB.ited> and Christ)as (ve> and one
thing and another;J
JIf you reay ove )e>J said To))y> J+i you ans+er )e one
8uestionAJ
JI hate these .at.hes>J said Tuppen.e/ J%ut;+e;a right/J
JThen ho+ did you 1no+ that Moni.a +as a .ergy)an"s daughterAJ
J<h> that +as Dust .heating>J said Tuppen.e happiy/ XI opened her
etter )a1ing an appoint)ent> and a Mr/ $eane +as Father"s .urate
on.e and he had a itte gir .aed Moni.a> a'out four or five years
younger than )e/ So I put t+o and t+o together/J
J@ou are a sha)eess .reature>J said To))y/ J!uo> there"s t+eve
o".o.1 stri1ing/ !appy Christ)as> Tuppen.e/J
J!appy Christ)as> To))y/ It" 'e a !appy Christ)as for Moni.a tooand
a o+ing to 2S/ I a) gad/ Poor thing> she has 'een so )isera'e/
$o you 1no+> To))y> I fee a 8ueer and .ho1y a'out the throat +hen
I thin1 of it/J
J$aring Tuppen.e>J said To))y/
J$aring To))y>J said Tuppen.e/ J!o+ a+fuy senti)enta +e are
getting/J
JChrist)as .o)es 'ut on.e a year>J said To))y sententiousy/ JThat"s
+hat our great grand)others said and I eBpe.t there"s a ot of truth in
it sti/J
22/ T!( AM%ASSA$<&"S %<<TS
JMy dear feo+> )y dear feo+>J said Tuppen.e and +aved a heaviy
'uttered )uffin/
To))y oo1ed at her for a )inute or t+o> then a 'road grin spread
over his fa.e and he )ur)ured/
XWe do have to 'e so very .arefu/J
XThat"s right>J said Tuppen.e deighted/ X@ou guessed/ I a) the
fa)ous $r/ Fortune and you are Superintendent %e/J
JWhy are you 'eing &eginad FortuneAJ
JWe reay 'e.ause I fee i1e a ot of hot 'utter/J
JThat is the peasant side of it>J said To))y/ J%ut there is another/ @ou
+i have to eBa)ine horri'y s)ashed fa.es and very eBtra dead
'odies a good dea/J
In ans+er Tuppen.e thre+ a.ross a etter/ To))y"s eye'ro+s rose in
astonish)ent/
J&andoph Wi)ott> the A)eri.an A)'assador/ I +onder +hat he
+ants/J
JWe sha 1no+ to;)orro+ at eeven o".o.1/
Pun.tuay to the ti)e na)ed> Mr/ &andoph Wi)ott> 2nited States
A)'assador to the Court of St/ *a)es> +as ushered into Mr/ %unt"s
offi.e/ !e .eared his throat and .o))en.ed spea1ing in a dei'erate
and .hara.teristi. )anner/
JI have .o)e to you> Mr/ %unt;%y the +ay> it is Mr/ %unt hi)sef to
+ho) I a) spea1ing> is it notAJ
JCertainy>J said To))y/ JI a) Theodore %unt> the head of the fir)/Y
JI a +ays prefer to dea +ith heads of de;part)ents>J said Mr/ Wi)ott/
JIt is )ore satisfa.tory in every +ay/ As I +as a'out to say> Mr/ %unt>
this 'usiness gets )y goat/ There"s nothing in it to trou'e S.otand
@ard a'out;I") not a penny the +orse in any +ay> and it"s pro'a'y a
due to a si)pe )ista1e/ %ut a the sa)e> I don"t see Dust ho+ that
)ista1e arose/ There"s nothing .ri)ina in it> I daresay> 'ut I"d i1e Dust
to get the thing straightened out/ It )a1es )e )ad not to see the +hy
and +herefore of a thing/J
JA'soutey>J said To))y/
Mr/ Wi)ott +ent on/ !e +as so+ and given to )u.h detai/ At ast
To))y )anaged to get a +ord in/
J4uite so>J he said> Jthe position is this/ @ou arrived 'y the iner
0o)adi. a +ee1 ago/ In so)e +ay your 1it'ag and the 1it'ag of
another gente)an> Mr/ &aph Westerha) +hose initias are the sa)e
as yours> got )iBed up/ @ou too1 Mr/ Westerha)"s 1it'ag> and he too1
yours/ Mr/ Westerha) dis.overed the )ista1e i))ediatey> sent round
your 1it'ag to the ()'assy> and too1 a+ay his o+n/ A) I right so farAJ
JThat is pre.isey +hat o..urred/ The t+o 'ags )ust have 'een
pra.ti.ay identi.a> and +ith the initias &/W/ 'eing the sa)e in 'oth
.ases> it is not diffi.ut to understand that an error )ight have 'een
)ade/ I )ysef +as not a+are of +hat had happened unti )y vaet
infor)ed )e of the )ista1e> and that Mr/ Westerha);he is a Senator>
and a )an for +ho) I have a great ad)iration;had sent round for his
'ag and returned )ine/J
JThen I don"t see;J
J%ut you +i see/ That"s ony the 'eginning of the story/ @esterday> as
it .han.ed> I ran up against Senator Westerha)> and I happened to
)ention the )atter to hi) Destingy/ To )y great surprise> he did not
see) to 1no+ +hat I +as ta1ing a'out> and +hen I eBpained> he
denied the story a'soutey/ !e had not ta1en )y 'ag off the ship in
)ista1e for his o+n;in fa.t> he had not traveed +ith su.h an arti.e
a)ongst his uggage/J
JWhat an eBtraordinary thingGJ
JMr/ %unt> it is an eBtraordinary thing/ There see)s no rhy)e or
reason in it/ Why> if anyone +anted to stea )y 1it'ag> he .oud do so
easiy enough +ithout resorting to a this round a'out 'usinessG And
any+ay> it +as not stoen> 'ut returned to )e/ <n the other hand> if it
+ere ta1en 'y )ista1e> +hy use Senator Westerha)"s na)eA It"s a
.ra?y 'usiness;'ut Dust for .uriosity I )ean to get to the 'otto) of it/ I
hope the .ase is not too trivia for you to underta1eAJ
J0ot at a/ It is a very intriguing itte pro'e)> .apa'e as you say> of
)any si)pe eBpanations> 'ut nevertheess 'affing on the fa.e of it/
The first thing> of .ourse> is the reason of the su'stitution> if
su'stitution it +as/ @ou say nothing +as )issing fro) your 'ag +hen it
.a)e 'a.1 into your possessionAJ
JMy )an says not/ !e +oud 1no+/J
JWhat +as in it> if I )ay as1AJ
JMosty 'oots/J
J%oots>J said To))y dis.ouraged/
J@es>J said Mr/ Wi)ott/ J%oots/ <dd> isn"t itAJ
J@ou" forgive )y as1ing you>J said To))y> J'ut you didn"t .arry any
se.ret papers> or anything of that sort se+n in the ining of a 'oot or
s.re+ed into a fase heeAJ
The A)'assador see)ed a)used 'y the 8uestion/
JSe.ret dipo)a.y hasn"t got to that pit.h> I hope/J
J<ny in fi.tion>J said To))y +ith an ans+ering s)ie> and a sighty
apoogeti. )anner/ J%ut you see> +e"ve got to a..ount for the thing
so)eho+/ Who .a)e for the 'ag;the other 'ag> I )eanAJ
JSupposed to 'e one of Westerha)"s servants/ 4uite a 8uiet ordinary
)an> so I understand/ My vaet sa+ nothing +rong +ith hi)/J
J!ad it 'een unpa.1ed> do you 1no+AJ
JThat I .an"t say/ I presu)e not/ %ut perhaps you"d i1e to as1 the vaet
a fe+ 8uestionsA !e .an te you )ore than I .an a'out the 'usiness/J
JI thin1 that +oud 'e the 'est pan> Mr/ Wi)ott/J
The A)'assador s.ri''ed a fe+ +ords on a .ard and handed it to
To))y/
JI opine that you +oud prefer to go round to the ()'assy and )a1e
your in8uiries thereA If not> I +i have the )an>;his na)e is &i.hards>
'y the +ay;sent round here/J
J0o> than1 you> Mr/ Wi)ott/ I shoud prefer to go to the ()'assy/J
The A)'assador rose> gan.ing at his +at.h/
J$ear )e> I sha 'e ate for an appoint)ent/ We> good 'ye> Mr/ %unt/
I eave the )atter in your hands/J
!e hurried a+ay/ To))y oo1ed at Tuppen.e +ho had 'een s.ri''ing
de)urey on her pad in the .hara.ter of the effi.ient Miss &o'inson/
JWhat a'out it> od thingAJ he as1ed/ J$o you see> as the od 'ird put it>
any rhy)e or reason in the pro.eedingAJ
J0one +hatever>J repied Tuppen.e .heeriy/
JWe> that"s a start any+ayG It sho+s that there is reay so)ething
very deep at the 'a.1 of it/J
J@ou thin1 soAJ
JIt"s a generay a..epted hypothesis/ &e)e)'er Shero.1 !o)es
and the depth the 'utter had sun1 into the parsey;I )ean the other
+ay round/ I"ve a+ays had a devouring +ish to 1no+ a a'out that
.ase/ Perhaps Watson +i disinter it fro) his note'oo1 one of these
days/ Then I sha die happy/ %ut +e )ust get 'usy/J
J4uite so>J said Tuppen.e/ J0ot a 8ui.1 )an> the estee)ed Wi)ott>
'ut sure/J
JShe 1no+s )en>J said To))y/ J<r do I say he 1no+s )en/ It is so
.onfusing +hen you assu)e the .hara.ter of a )ae dete.tive/J
J<hG My dear feo+> )y dear feo+GJ
JA itte )ore a.tion> Tuppen.e> and a itte ess repetition/J
JA .assi. phrase .annot 'e repeated too often>J said Tuppen.e +ith
dignity/
J!ave a )uffin>J said To))y 1indy/
J0ot at eeven o".o.1 in the )orning> than1 you/ Siy .ase> this/ %ootsyou
1no+;Why 'ootsAJ
JWe>J said To))y> J+hy notAJ
JIt doesn"t fit/ %oots/J She shoo1 her head/ JA +rong/ Who +ants
other peope"s 'ootsA The +hoe thing"s )ad/J
JPerhaps they got hod of the +rong 'agAJ suggested To))y/
JThat"s possi'e/ %ut if they +ere after papers> a despat.h .ase +oud
'e )ore i1ey/ Papers are the ony things one thin1s of in .onne.tion
+ith a)'assadors/J
J%oots suggest footprints>J said To))y thoughtfuy/ J$o you thin1
they +anted to ay a trai of Wi)ott"s footsteps so)e+hereAJ
Tuppen.e .onsidered the suggestion> a'andoning her roe> then shoo1
her head/
JIt see)s +idy i)possi'e>J she said/ J0o> I 'eieve +e sha have to
resign ourseves to the fa.t that the 'oots have nothing to do +ith it/J
JWe>J said To))y +ith a sigh/ JThe neBt step is to intervie+ friend
&i.hards/ !e )ay 'e a'e to thro+ so)e ight on the )ystery/J
<n produ.tion of the A)'assador"s .ard> To))y +as ad)itted to the
()'assy> and presenty a pae young )an> +ith a respe.tfu )anner>
and a su'dued voi.e> presented hi)sef to undergo eBa)ination/
JI a) &i.hards> sir> Mr/ Wi)ott"s vaet/ I understood you +ished to see
)eAJ
J@es> &i.hards/ Mr/ Wi)ott .aed on )e this )orning> and suggested
that I shoud .o)e round and as1 you a fe+ 8uestions/ It is this )atter
of the 1it'ag/J
JMr/ Wi)ott +as rather upset over the affair> I 1no+> sir/ I .an hardy
see +hy> sin.e no har) +as done/ I .ertainy understood fro) the )an
+ho .aed for the other 'ag that it 'eonged to Senator Westerha)>
'ut of .ourse I )ay have 'een )ista1en/J
JWhat 1ind of a )an +as heAJ
JMidde;aged/ ,rey;hair/ 7ery good .ass> I shoud say;)ost
respe.ta'e/ I understood he +as Senator Westerha)"s vaet/ !e eft
Mr/ Wi)ott"s 'ag and too1 a+ay the other/J
J!ad it 'een unpa.1ed at aAJ
JWhi.h one> sirAJ
JWe I )eant the one you 'rought fro) the 'oat/ %ut I shoud i1e to
1no+ a'out the other as +e;Mr/ Wi)ott"s o+n/ !ad that 'een
unpa.1ed> do you fan.yAJ
JI shoud say not> sir/ It +as Dust as I strapped it up on the 'oat/ I
shoud say the gente)an;+hoever he +as;Dust opened it;reai?ed it
+asn"t his> and shut it up again/J
J0othing )issingA 0o s)a arti.eAJ
JI don"t thin1 so> sir/ In fa.t> I") 8uite sure/J
JAnd no+ the other one/ !ad you started to unpa.1 thatAJ JAs a )atter
of fa.t> sir> I +as Dust opening it at the very )o)ent Senator
Westerha)"s )an arrived/ I"d Dust undone the straps/J
J$id you open it at aAJ
JWe Dust unfastened it together> sir> to 'e sure no )ista1e had 'een
)ade this ti)e/ The )an said it +as a right> and he strapped it up
again and too1 it a+ay/J
JWhat +as insideA %oots asoAJ
J0o> sir> )osty toiet things> I fan.y/ I 1no+ I sa+ a tin of 'ath sats/J
To))y a'andoned that ine of resear.h/
J@ou never sa+ anyone ta)pering +ith anything in your )aster"s .a'in
on 'oard ship> I supposeAJ
J<h> no> sir/J
J0ever anything suspi.ious of any 1indAJ
JAnd +hat do I )ean 'y that> I +onder>J he thought to hi)sef +ith a
tra.e of a)use)ent/ JAnything suspi.ious;Dust +ordsGJ
%ut the )an in front of hi) hesitated/
J0o+ that I re)e)'er it;J
J@es>J said To))y eagery/ JWhatAJ
JI don"t thin1 it .oud have anything to do +ith it/ %ut there +as a young
ady/J
J@esA A young ady> you say> +hat +as she doingAJ
JShe +as ta1en faint> sir/ A very peasant young ady/ Miss (ieen
<"!ara> her na)e +as/ A dainty oo1ing ady> not ta> +ith 'a.1 hair/
*ust a itte foreign oo1ing/J
J@esAJ said To))y> +ith even greater eagerness/
JAs I +as saying> she +as ta1en 8ueer/ *ust outside Mr/ Wi)ott"s
.a'in/ She as1ed )e to fet.h the do.tor/ I heped her to the sofa> and
then +ent off for the do.tor/ I +as so)e ti)e finding hi)> and +hen I
found hi) and 'rought hi) 'a.1> the young ady +as neary a right
again/J
J<hGJ said To))y/
J@ou don"t thin1> sir;J
JIt"s diffi.ut to 1no+ +hat to thin1>J said To))y non.o))ittay/ JWas
this Miss <"!ara traveing aoneAY
J@es> I thin1 so> sir/J
J@ou haven"t seen her sin.e you andedAJ
J0o> sir/J
JWe>J said To))y> after a )inute or t+o spent in refe.tion/ ["I thin1
that"s a/ Than1 you> &i.hards/J
JThan1 you> sir/J
%a.1 at the offi.e of the $ete.tive Agen.y> To))y retaied his
.onversation +ith &i.hards to Tuppen.e +ho istened attentivey/
JWhat do you thin1 of it> Tuppen.eAJ
J<hG )y dear feo+> +e do.tors are a+ays s.epti.a of a sudden
faintnessG So very .onvenient/ And (ieen as +e as <"!ara/ A)ost
too i)possi'y Irish> don"t you thin1AJ
JIt"s so)ething to go upon at ast/ $o you 1no+ +hat I a) going to do>
Tuppen.eA Advertise for the ady/J
JWhatAJ
J@es/ Any infor)ation respe.ting Miss (ieen <"!ara> 1no+n to have
traveed su.h and su.h a ship and su.h and su.h a date/ (ither she"
ans+er it hersef if she"s genuine> or so)eone )ay .o)e for+ard to
give us infor)ation a'out her/ So far> it"s the ony hope of a .ue/J
J@ou" aso put her on her guard> re)e)'er/J
JWe>J said To))y/ J<ne"s got to ris1 so)ething/J
JI sti .an"t see any sense in the thing>J said Tuppen.e> fro+ning/ JIf a
gang of .roo1s get hod of the A)'assador"s 'ag for an hour or t+o>
and then send it 'a.1> +hat possi'e good .an it do the)A 2ness
there are papers in it they +ant to .opy> and Mr/ Wi)ott s+ears there
+as nothing of the 1ind/ J
To))y stared at her thoughtfuy/
J@ou put these things rather +e> Tuppen.e>J he said at ast/ J@ou"ve
given )e an idea/J
It +as t+o days ater/ Tuppen.e +as out to un.h/ To))y> aone in the
austere offi.e of Mr/ Theodore %unt> +as i)proving his )ind 'y
reading the atest sensationa thrier/
The door of the offi.e opened and A'ert appeared/
JA young ady to see you> sir/ Miss Ci.ey Mar.h/ She says she has
.aed in ans+er to an advertis)ent/J
JSho+ her in at on.e>J .ried To))y> thrusting his nove into a
.onvenient dra+er/
In another )inute A'ert had ushered in the young ady/
To))y had Dust ti)e to see that she +as fair haired and eBtre)ey
pretty +hen the a)a?ing o..urren.e happened/
The door through +hi.h A'ert had Dust passed out +as rudey 'urst
open/ In the door+ay stood a pi.tures8ue figure;a 'ig dar1 )an>
Spanish in appearan.e> +ith a fa)ing red tie/ !is features +ere
distorted +ith rage> and in his hand +as a gea)ing pisto/
JSo this is the offi.e of Mr/ %usy'ody %unt>J he said in perfe.t (ngish/
!is voi.e +as o+ and veno)ous/ J!ands up at on.e;or I shoot/J
It sounded no ide threat/ To))y"s hands +ent up o'edienty/ The gir>
.rou.hed against the +a> gave a gasp of terror/
JThis young ady +i .o)e +ith )e>J said the )an/ J@es> you +i> )y
dear/ @ou have never seen )e 'efore> 'ut that doesn"t )atter/ I .an"t
have )y pans ruined 'y a siy itte .hit i1e you/ I see) to re)e)'er
that you +ere one of the passengers on the 0o)adi./ @ou )ust have
'een peering into things that didn"t .on.ern you;'ut I"ve no intention of
etting you 'a' any se.rets to Mr/ %unt here/ A very .ever gente)an>
Mr/ %unt> +ith his fan.y advertise)ents/ %ut as it happens/ I 1eep an
eye on the advertise)ent .ou)ns/ That"s ho+ I got +ise to his itte
ga)e/J
J@ou interest )e eB.eedingy>J said To))y/ JWon"t you go onAJ
JChee1 +on"t hep you> Mr/ %unt/ Fro) no+ on> you"re a )ar1ed )an/
,ive up this investigation> and +e" eave you aone/ <ther+ise;,od
hep youG $eath .o)es s+ifty to those +ho th+art our pans/J
To))y did not repy/ !e +as staring over the intruder"s shouder as
though he sa+ a ghost/
As a )atter of fa.t he +as seeing so)ething that .aused hi) far )ore
apprehension than any ghost .oud have done/ 2p to no+> he had not
given a thought to A'ert as a fa.tor in the ga)e/ !e had ta1en for
granted that A'ert had aready 'een deat +ith 'y the )ysterious
stranger/ If he had thought of hi) at a> it +as as one ying stunned on
the .arpet in the outer offi.e/
!e no+ sa+ that A'ert had )ira.uousy es.aped the stranger"s
attention/ %ut instead of rushing out to fet.h a poi.e)an in good
sound %ritish fashion> A'ert had ee.ted to pay a one hand/ The door
'ehind the stranger had opened noiseessy> and A'ert stood in the
aperture enveoped in a .oi of rope/
An agoni?ed yep of protest 'urst fro) To))y> 'ut too ate/ Fired +ith
enthusias)> A'ert fung a oop of rope over the intruder"s head> and
Der1ed hi) 'a.1+ards off his feet/
The inevita'e happened/ The pisto +ent off +ith a roar and To))y
fet the 'uet s.or.h his ear in passing> ere it 'uried itsef in the
paster 'ehind hi)/
JI"ve got hi)> sir>J .ried A'ert> fushed +ith triu)ph/ JI"ve assoed hi)/
I"ve 'een pra.ti.ing +ith a asso in )y spare ti)e> sir/ Can you give )e
a handA !e"s very vioent/J
To))y hastened to his faithfu hen.h)an"s assistan.e> )entay
deter)ining that A'ert shoud have no further spare ti)e/
J@ou da)ned idiot>J he said/ JWhy didn"t you go for a poi.e)anA
<+ing to this foo"s pay of yours> he as near as anything pugged )e
through the head/ Whe+G I"ve never had su.h a near es.ape/J
J#assoed hi) in the ni.1 of ti)e> I did>J said A'ert> his ardor 8uite
unda)ped/ JIt"s +onderfu +hat those .haps .an do on the prairies>
sir/J
J4uite so>J said To))y> J'ut +e"re not on the prairies/ We happen to
'e in a highy .ivii?ed .ity/ And no+> )y dear sir>J he added to his
prostrate foe/ JWhat are +e going to do +ith youAJ
A strea) of oaths in a foreign anguage +as his ony repy/
J!ush>J said To))y/ JI don"t understand a +ord of +hat you"re saying>
'ut I"ve got a shre+d idea it"s not the 1ind of anguage to use 'efore a
ady/ @ou" eB.use hi)> +on"t you> Miss;do you 1no+> in the eB.ite)ent
of this itte upset> INve 8uite forgotten your na)eAJ
JMar.h>J said the gir/ She +as sti +hite and sha1en/ %ut she .a)e
for+ard no+ and stood 'y To))y oo1ing do+n on the re.u)'ent
figure of the dis.o)fited stranger/ XWhat are you going to do +ith
hi)AJ
JI .oud fet.h a 'o''y no+>J said A'ert hepfuy/
%ut To))y> oo1ing up> .aught a very faint negative )ove)ent of the
gir"s head> and too1 his .ue a..ordingy/
JWe" et hi) off this ti)e>J he re)ar1ed/ J0evertheess I sha give
)ysef the peasure of 1i.1ing hi) do+nstairs; if it"s ony to tea.h hi)
)anners to a ady/J
!e re)oved the rope> haued the vi.ti) to his feet> and propeed hi)
'ris1y through the outer offi.e/
A series of shri yeps +as heard and then a thud/ To))y .a)e 'a.1>
fushed 'ut s)iing/
The gir +as staring at hi) +ith round eyes/
J$id you;hurt hi)AJ
JI hope so>J said To))y/ J%ut these foreigners )a1e a pra.ti.e of
.rying out 'efore they"re hurt;so I .an"t 'e 8uite sure a'out it/ Sha +e
.o)e 'a.1 into )y offi.e> Miss Mar.h> and resu)e our interrupted
.onversationA I don"t thin1 +e sha 'e interrupted again/J
JI" have )y asso ready> sir> in .ase>J said the hepfu A'ert/
JPut it a+ay>J ordered To))y sterny/
!e foo+ed the gir into the inner offi.e> and sat do+n at his des1
+hist she too1 a .hair fa.ing hi)/
JI don"t 8uite 1no+ +here to 'egin>J said the gir/ JAs you heard that
)an say> I +as a passenger on the 0o)adi./ The ady you advertised
a'out> Miss <"!ara> +as aso on 'oard/J
J(Ba.ty>J said To))y/ JThat +e 1no+ aready> 'ut I suspe.t you )ust
1no+ so)ething a'out her doings on 'oard that 'oat or ese that
pi.tures8ue gente)an +oud not have 'een in su.h a hurry to
intervene/J
JI +i te you everything/ The A)eri.an A)'assador +as on 'oard/
<ne day> as I +as passing his .a'in> I sa+ this +o)an inside> and she
+as doing so)ething so eBtraordinary that I stopped to +at.h/ She
had a )an"s 'oot in her hand;J
JA 'ootAJ .ried To))y eB.itedy/ JI") sorry> Miss Mar.h> go on/J
JWith a itte pair of s.issors> she +as sitting up the ining/ Then she
see)ed to push so)ething inside/ *ust at that )inute the do.tor and
another )an .a)e do+n the passage> and i))ediatey she dropped
'a.1 on the .ou.h and groaned/ I +aited> and I gathered fro) +hat
+as 'eing said that she had pretended to fee faint/ I say pretended'e.ause
+hen I first .aught sight of her> she +as o'viousy feeing
nothing of the 1ind/J
To))y nodded/
JWeAJ
JI rather hate to te you the neBt part/ I +as;.urious/ And aso I"d 'een
reading siy 'oo1s> and I +ondered if she"d put a 'o)' or a poisoned
neede or so)ething i1e that in Mr/ Wi)ott"s 'oot/ I 1no+ it"s a'surd'ut
I did thin1 so/ Any+ay> neBt ti)e I passed the e)pty .a'in> I
sipped in> and eBa)ined the 'oot/ I dre+ out fro) the ining a sip of
paper/ *ust as I had it in )y hand> I heard the ste+ard .o)ing> and I
hurried out so as not to 'e .aught/ The foded paper +as sti in )y
hand/ When I got into )y o+n .a'in> I eBa)ined it/ Mr/ %unt> it +as
nothing 'ut so)e verses fro) the %i'e/J
J7erses fro) the %i'eAJ said To))y> very )u.h intrigued/
JAt east I thought so at the ti)e/ I .oudn"t understand it> 'ut I thought
perhaps it +as the +or1 of a reigious )ania./ Any+ay> I didn"t fee it
+as +orth +hie repa.ing it/ I 1ept it +ithout thin1ing )u.h a'out it
unti yesterday +hen I used it to )a1e into a 'oat for )y itte nephe+
to sai in his 'ath/ As the paper got +et> I sa+ a 8ueer 1ind of design
.o)ing out a over it/ I hastiy too1 it out of the 'ath> and s)oothed it
out fat/ The +ater had 'rought out the hidden )essage/ It +as a 1ind
of tra.ing;and oo1ed i1e the )outh of a har'or/ I))ediatey after that
I read your advertise)ent/J
To))y sprang fro) his .hair/
J%ut this is )ost i)portant/ I see it a no+/ That tra.ing is pro'a'y the
pan of so)e i)portant har'or defen.es/ It had 'een stoen 'y this
+o)an/ She feared so)eone +as on her tra.1> and not daring to
.on.ea it a)ongst her o+n 'eongings> she .ontrived this hidingpa.e/
#ater> she o'tained possession of the 'ag in +hi.h the 'oot +as
pa.1ed;ony to dis.over that the paper had vanished/ Te )e> Miss
Mar.h> you have 'rought this paper +ith youAJ
The gir shoo1 her head/
JIt"s at )y pa.e of 'usiness/ I run a 'eauty paror in %ond Street/ I a)
reay an agent for the "Cy.a)en" preparations in 0e+ @or1/ That is
+hy I had 'een over there/ I thought the paper )ight 'e i)portant> so I
o.1ed it up in the safe 'efore .o)ing out/ <ught not S.otand @ard to
1no+ a'out itAJ
J@es> indeed/J
JThen sha +e go there no+> get it out> and ta1e it straight to S.otand
@ardAJ
JI a) very 'usy this afternoon>J said To))y adopting his professiona
)anner and .onsuting his +at.h/ JThe %ishop of #ondon +ants )e to
ta1e up a .ase for hi)/ A very .urious pro'e)> .on.erning so)e
vest)ents and t+o .urates/J
JThen in that .ase>J said Miss Mar.h> rising> JI +i go aone/J
To))y raised a hand in protest/
JAs I +as a'out to say>J he said> Jthe %ishop )ust +ait/ I +i eave a
fe+ +ords +ith A'ert/ I a) .onvin.ed> Miss Mar.h> that unti that
paper has 'een safey deposited +ith S.otand @ard you are in a.tive
danger/J
J$o you thin1 soAJ said the gir dou'tfuy/
JI don"t thin1> I") sure/ (B.use )e/J !e s.ri''ed so)e +ords on the
pad in front of hi)> then tore off the eaf and foded it/
Ta1ing his hat and sti.1> he inti)ated to the gir that he +as ready to
a..o)pany her/ In the outer offi.e> he handed the foded paper to
A'ert +ith an air of i)portan.e/
JI a) .aed out on an urgent .ase/ (Bpain that to his ordship if he
.o)es/ !ere are )y notes on the .ase for Miss &o'inson/J
J7ery good> sir>J said A'ert paying up/ JAnd +hat a'out the
$u.hess"s pearsAJ
To))y +aved his hand irrita'y/
JThat )ust +ait aso/J
!e and Miss Mar.h hurried out/ !af +ay do+n the stairs they
en.ountered Tuppen.e .o)ing up/ To))y passed her +ith a 'rus8ueH
J#ate again> Miss &o'inson/ I a) .aed out on an i)portant .ase/J
Tuppen.e stood sti on the stairs and stared after the)/ Then> +ith
raised eye'ro+s> she +ent on up to the offi.e/
As they rea.hed the street> a taBi .a)e saiing up to the)/ To))y> on
the point of haiing it> .hanged his )ind/
JAre you a good +a1er> Miss Mar.hAJ he as1ed seriousy/
J@es> +hyA !adn"t +e 'etter ta1e that taBiA It +i 'e 8ui.1er/J
JPerhaps you did not noti.e/ That taBi driver has Dust refused a fare a
itte o+er do+n the street/ !e +as +aiting for us/ @our ene)ies are
on the oo1 out/ If you fee e8ua to it> it +oud 'e 'etter for us to +a1
to %ond Street/ In the .ro+ded streets> they +i not 'e a'e to atte)pt
)u.h against us/J
J7ery +e>J said the gir> rather dou'tfuy/
They +a1ed +est+ards/ The streets> as To))y had said> +ere
.ro+ded> and progress +as so+/ To))y 1ept a sharp oo1 out/
<..asionay he dre+ the gir to one side +ith a 8ui.1 gesture> though
she hersef had seen nothing suspi.ious/
Suddeny gan.ing at her> he +as sei?ed +ith .o)pun.tion/
JI say> you oo1 a+fuy done up/ The sho.1 of that )an/ Co)e into this
pa.e and have a good .up of strong .offee/ I suppose you +oudn"t
hear of a nip of 'randy/J
The gir shoo1 her head> +ith a faint s)ie/
JCoffee 'e it then>J said To))y/ JI thin1 +e .an safey ris1 its 'eing
poisoned/J
They ingered so)e ti)e over their .offee> and finay set off at a
'ris1er pa.e/
JWe"ve thro+n the) off> I thin1>J said To))y> oo1ing over his
shouder/
Cy.a)en #td/ +as a s)a esta'ish)ent in %ond Street> +ith pae
pin1 taffeta .urtains> and one or t+o Dars of fa.e .rea) and a .a1e of
soap de.orating the +indo+/
Ci.ey Mar.h entered> and To))y foo+ed/ The pa.e inside +as tiny/
<n the eft +as a gass .ounter +ith toiet preparations/ %ehind this
.ounter +as a )idde;aged +o)an +ith grey hair and an eB8uisite
.o)peBion +ho a.1no+edged Ci.ey Mar.h"s entran.e +ith a faint
in.ination of the head 'efore .ontinuing to ta1 to the .usto)er she
+as serving/
This .usto)er +as a s)a dar1 +o)an/ !er 'a.1 +as to the) and
they .oud not see her fa.e/ She +as spea1ing in so+ diffi.ut (ngish/
<n the right +as a sofa and a .oupe of .hairs +ith so)e )aga?ines on
a ta'e/ !ere sat t+o )en;apparenty 'ored hus'ands +aiting for their
+ives/
Ci.ey Mar.h passed straight on through a door at the end +hi.h she
hed aDar for To))y to foo+ her/ As he did so> the +o)an .usto)er
eB.ai)ed/ JAhG 'ut I thin1 that is an a)i.o of )ine>J and rushed after
the)> inserting her foot in the door Dust in ti)e to prevent its .osing/
At the sa)e ti)e> the t+o )en rose to their feet/ <ne foo+ed her
through the door> the other advan.ed to the shop attendant and
.apped his hand over her )outh to dro+n the s.rea) rising to her
ips/
In the )eanti)e> things +ere happening rather 8ui.1y 'eyond the
s+ing door/ As To))y passed through> a .oth +as fung over his
head> and a si.1y odor assaied his nostris/ A)ost as soon ho+ever>
it +as Der1ed off again> and a +o)an"s s.rea) rang out/
To))y 'in1ed a itte and .oughed as he too1 in the s.ene in front of
hi)/ <n his right +as the )ysterious stranger of a fe+ hours ago> and
'usiy fitting hand.uffs upon hi) +as one of the 'ored )en fro) the
shop paror/ *ust in front of hi) +as Ci.ey Mar.h +resting vainy to
free hersef> +hist the +o)an .usto)er fro) the shop hed her fir)y
pinioned/ As the atter turned her head> and the vei she +ore
unfastened itsef and fe off> the +e 1no+n features of Tuppen.e
+ere reveaed/
JWe done> Tuppen.e>J said To))y> )oving for+ard/ J#et )e give
you a hand/ I shoudn"t strugge if I +ere you> Miss <"!ara;or do you
prefer to 'e .aed Miss Mar.hAJ
JThis is Inspe.tor ,ra.e> To))y>J said Tuppen.e/ JAs soon as I read
the note you eft I rang up S.otand @ard> and Inspe.tor ,ra.e and
another )an )et )e outside here/J
J7ery gad to get hod of this gente)an>J said the Inspe.tor> indi.ating
his prisoner/ J!e"s +anted 'ady/ %ut +e"ve never had .ause to
suspe.t this pa.e;thought it +as a genuine 'eauty shop/J
J@ou see>J eBpained To))y genty/ JWe do have to 'e so very .arefuG
Why shoud anyone +ant the A)'assador"s 'ag for an hour or soA I
put the 8uestion the other +ay round/ Supposing it +as the other 'ag
that +as the i)portant one/ So)eone +anted that 'ag to 'e in the
A)'assador"s possession for an hour or so/ Mu.h )ore iu)inatingG
$ipo)ati. uggage is not su'De.ted to the indignities of a Custo)s
eBa)ination/ Ceary s)ugging/ %ut s)ugging of +hatA 0othing too
'u1y/ At on.e I thought of drugs/ Then that pi.tures8ue .o)edy +as
ena.ted in )y offi.e/ They"d seen )y advertise)ent and +anted to put
)e off the s.ent;or faiing that> out of the +ay atogether/ %ut I
happened to noti.e an eBpression of 'an1 dis)ay in the .har)ing
ady"s eyes +hen A'ert did his asso a.t/ That didn"t fit in very +e
+ith her supposed part/ The stranger"s atta.1 +as )eant to assure )y
.onfiden.e in her/ I payed the part of the .reduous seuth +ith a )y
)ight;s+ao+ed her rather i)possi'e story and per)itted her to ure
)e here> .arefuy eaving 'ehind fu instru.tions for deaing +ith the
situation/ 2nder various preteBts I deayed our arriva> so as to give
you a penty of ti)e/J
Ci.ey Mar.h +as oo1ing at hi) +ith a stony eBpression/
J@ou are )ad/ What do you eBpe.t to find hereAJ
J&e)e)'ering that &i.hards sa+ a tin of 'ath sats> +hat do you say
a'out 'eginning +ith the 'ath sats> eh Inspe.torAJ
JA very sound idea> sir/J
!e pi.1ed up one of the dainty pin1 tins> and e)ptied it on the ta'e/
The gir aughed/
J,enuine .rystas> ehAJ said To))y/ J0othing )ore deady than
.ar'onate of sodaAJ
JTry the safe>J suggested Tuppen.e/
There +as a s)a +a safe in the .orner/ The 1ey +as in the o.1/
To))y s+ung it open and gave a shout of satisfa.tion/ The 'a.1 of the
safe opened out into a 'ig re.ess in the +a> and that re.ess +as
sta.1ed +ith the sa)e eegant tins of 'ath sats/ &o+s and ro+s of
the)/ !e too1 one out and prised up the id/ The top sho+ed the sa)e
pin1 .rystas> 'ut underneath +as a fine +hite po+der/
The Inspe.tor uttered an eDa.uation/
J@ou"ve got it> sir/ Ten to one> that tin"s fu of pure .o.aine/ We 1ne+
there +as a distri'uting area so)e+here round here> handy to the
West (nd> 'ut +e haven"t 'een a'e to get a .ue to it/ This is a fine
.oup of yours> sir/J
J&ather a triu)ph for %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives>J said To))y to
Tuppen.e> as they e)erged into the street together/ JIt"s a great thing
to 'e a )arried )an/ @our persistent s.hooing has at ast taught )e to
re.ogni?e peroBide +hen I see it/ ,oden hair has got to 'e the
genuine arti.e to ta1e )e in/ We +i .on.o.t a 'usinessi1e etter to
the A)'assador> infor)ing hi) that the )atter has 'een deat +ith
satisfa.toriy/ And no+> )y dear feo+> +hat a'out tea> and ots of hot
'uttered )uffinsAJ
25/ T!( MA0 W!< WAS 0o/13
To))y and Tuppen.e +ere .oseted +ith the Chief in his private roo)/
!is .o))endation had 'een +ar) and sin.ere/
J@ou have su..eeded ad)ira'y/ Than1s to you +e have aid our hands
on no ess than five very interesting personages> and fro) the) +e
have re.eived )u.h vaua'e infor)ation/ Mean+hie I earn fro) a
.redita'e sour.e that head8uarters in Mos.o+ have ta1en aar) at
the faiure of their agents to report/ I thin1> that in spite of a our
pre.autions> they have 'egun to suspe.t that a is not +e at +hat I
)ay .a the distri'uting .entre;the offi.e of Mr/ Theodore %unt;the
Internationa $ete.tive %ureau/J
JWe>J said To))y/ JI suppose they +ere 'ound to tu)'e to it
so)eti)e or other> sir/J
JAs you say> it +as ony to 'e eBpe.ted/ %ut I a) a itte +orried;a'out
Mrs/ To))y/J
JI .an oo1 after her a right> sir>J said To))y> at eBa.ty the sa)e
)inute as Tuppen.e said> JI .an ta1e .are of )ysef/J
J!")>J said Mr/ Carter/ J(B.essive sef;.onfiden.e +as a+ays a
.hara.teristi. of you t+o/ Whether your i))unity is entirey due to
your o+n superhu)an .everness> or +hether a s)a per.entage of
u.1 .reeps in> I") not prepared to say/ %ut u.1 .hanges> you 1no+/
!o+ever> I +on"t argue the point/ Fro) )y eBtensive 1no+edge of
Mrs/ To))y> I suppose it"s 8uite useess to as1 her to 1eep out of the
i)eight for the neBt +ee1 or t+oAJ
Tuppen.e shoo1 her head very energeti.ay/
JThen a I .an do is to give you a the infor)ation that I .an/ We have
reason to 'eieve that a spe.ia agent has 'een despat.hed fro)
Mos.o+ to this .ountry/ We don"t 1no+ +hat na)e he is traveing
under> +e don"t 1no+ +hen he +i arrive/ %ut +e do 1no+ so)ething
a'out hi)/ !e is a )an +ho gave us great trou'e in the +ar> a
u'i8uitous 1ind of feo+ +ho turned up a over the pa.e +here +e
east +anted hi)/ !e is a &ussian 'y 'irth> and an a..o)pished
inguist;so )u.h so that he .an pass as haf a do?en other
nationaities> in.uding our o+n/ !e is aso a past )aster in the art of
disguise/ And he has 'rains/ It +as he +ho devised the 0o/ 13 .ode/
JWhen and ho+ he +i turn up> I do not 1no+/ %ut I a) fairy .ertain
that he +i turn up/ We do 1no+ this;he +as not personay a.8uainted
+ith the rea Mr/ Theodore %unt/ I thin1 that he +i turn up at your
offi.e> on the preteBt of a .ase +hi.h he +i +ish you to ta1e up> and
+i try you +ith the pass+ords/ The first> as you 1no+> is the )ention
of the nu)'er siBteen;+hi.h is repied to 'y a senten.e .ontaining the
sa)e nu)'er/ The se.ond> +hi.h +e have ony Dust earnt> is an
in8uiry as to +hether you have ever .rossed the Channe/ The ans+er
to that isH JI +as in %erin on the 15th of ast )onth/J As far as +e 1no+>
that is a/ I +oud suggest that you repy .orre.ty> and so endeavor to
gain his .onfiden.e/ Sustain the fi.tion if you possi'y .an/ %ut even if
he appears to 'e .o)petey de.eived> re)ain on your guard/ <ur
friend is parti.uary astute> and .an pay a dou'e ga)e as +e> or
'etter> than you .an/ %ut in either .ase> I hope to get hi) through you/
Fro) this day for+ard I a) adopting spe.ia pre.autions/ A
di.taphone +as instaed ast night in your offi.e> so that one of )y
)en in the roo) 'eo+ +i 'e a'e to hear everything that passes in
your offi.e/ In this +ay> I sha 'e i))ediatey infor)ed if anything
arises> and .an ta1e the ne.essary steps to safeguard you and your
+ife +hist se.uring the )an I a) after/J
After a fe+ )ore instru.tions> and a genera dis.ussion of ta.ti.s> the
t+o young peope departed> and )ade their +ay as rapidy as possi'e
to the offi.e of %unt"s %riiant $ete.tives/
JIt"s ate>J said To))y> oo1ing at his +at.h/ J*ust on t+eve o".o.1/
We"ve 'een a ong ti)e +ith the Chief/ I hope +e haven"t )issed a
parti.uary spi.y .ase/J
J<n the +hoe>J said Tuppen.e> X+e"ve not done 'ady/ I +as
ta'uating resuts the other day/ We"ve soved four 'affing )urder
)ysteries> rounded up a gang of .ounterfeiters> ditto gang of
s)uggers;J
JA.tuay t+o gangs>J interpoated To))y/ JSo +e haveG I") gad of
that/ ",angs" sounds so professiona/J
Tuppen.e .ontinued> ti.1ing off the ite)s on her fingers/
J<ne De+e ro''ery> t+o es.apes fro) vioent death> one .ase of
)issing ady redu.ing her figure> one young gir 'efriended> an ai'i
su..essfuy eBpoded> and aasG one .ase +here +e )ade utter foos
of ourseves/ <n the +hoe> Doy goodG We"re very .ever> I thin1/J
J@ou +oud thin1 so>J said To))y/ J@ou a+ays do/ 0o+ I have a
se.ret feeing that on.e or t+i.e +e"ve 'een rather u.1y/J
J0onsense>J said Tuppen.e/ JA done 'y the itte grey .es/J
JWe> I +as da)ned u.1y on.e>J said To))y/ JThe day that A'ert did
his asso a.tG %ut you spea1> Tuppen.e> as though it +as a overAJ
JSo it is>J said Tuppen.e/ She o+ered her voi.e i)pressivey/ JThis is
our ast .ase/ When they have aid the super spy 'y the hees> the
great dete.tives intend to retire and ta1e to 'ee 1eeping or vegeta'e)arro+
gro+ing/ It"s a+ays done/J
JTired of it> ehAJ
J@e;es> I thin1 I a)/ %esides> +e"re so su..essfu no+; the u.1 )ight
.hange/J
JWho"s ta1ing a'out u.1 no+AJ as1ed To))y triu)phanty/
At that )o)ent they turned in at the door+ay of the 'o.1 of 'uidings
in +hi.h the Internationa $ete.tive %ureau had its offi.es> and
Tuppen.e did not repy/
A'ert +as on duty in the outer offi.e> e)poying his eisure in
'aan.ing> or endeavoring to 'aan.e> the offi.e ruer upon his nose/
With a stern fro+n of reproof> the great Mr/ %unt passed into his o+n
private offi.e/ $ivesting hi)sef of his over.oat and hat> he opened the
.up'oard> on the sheves of +hi.h reposed his .assi. i'rary of the
great dete.tives of fi.tion/
JThe .hoi.e narro+s>J )ur)ured To))y/ J<n +ho) sha I )ode
)ysef to;dayAJ
Tuppen.e"s voi.e> +ith an unusua note in it> )ade hi) turn sharpy/
JTo))y>J she said/ JWhat day of the )onth is itAJ
J#et )e see;the eeventh;+hyAJ
J#oo1 at the .aendar/J
!anging on the +a +as one of those .aendars fro) +hi.h you tear a
eaf every day/ It 'ore the egend of Sunday the 13th/ To;day +as
Monday/
J%y *ove> that"s odd/ A'ert )ust have torn off too )any/ Careess itte
devi/J
JI don"t 'eieve he did>J said Tuppen.e/ J%ut +e" as1 hi)/J
A'ert> su))oned and 8uestioned> see)ed very astonished/ !e s+ore
he had ony torn off one eaf;that of the day 'efore/ !is state)ent +as
presenty supported> for +hereas> the eaf torn off 'y A'ert +as found
in the grate> the su..eeding ones +ere ying in the +aste paper
'as1et/
JA neat and )ethodi.a .ri)ina>J said To))y/ JWho"s 'een here this
)orning> A'ertA A .ient of any 1indAJ
J*ust one> sir/J
JWhat +as he i1eAJ
JIt +as a she/ A !ospita 0urse/ 7ery upset and anBious to see you/
Said she"d +ait unti you .a)e/ I put her in "Cer1s" 'e.ause it +as
+ar)er/J
JAnd fro) there she .oud +a1 in here> of .ourse> +ithout your seeing
her/ !o+ ong has she 'een goneAJ
JA'out haf an hour> sir/ Said she"d .a again this afternoon/ A ni.e
)othery oo1ing 'ody/J
JA ni.e )othery;ohG get out> A'ert/J
A'ert +ithdre+> inDured/
J4ueer start> that>J said To))y/ JIt see)s a itte purposeess/ Puts us
on our guard/ I suppose there isn"t a 'o)' .on.eaed in the firepa.e
or anything of that 1indAJ
!e reassured hi)sef on that point> then he seated hi)sef at the des1
and addressed Tuppen.e/
JMon a)i>J he said/ JWe are here fa.ed +ith a )atter of the ut)ost
gravity/ @ou re.a> do you not> the )an +ho +as 0o/ 4/ !i) +ho) I
.rushed i1e an egg she in the $oo)ites;+ith the aid of high
eBposives> 'ien entendu/ %ut he +as not reay dead;ahG no> they are
never reay dead> these super .ri)inas/ This is the )an;'ut even
)ore so> if I )ay so put it/ !e is the 4 s8uared;in other +ords> he is
no+ the 0o/ 13/ @ou .o)prehend> )y friendAJ
JPerfe.ty>J said Tuppen.e/ J@ou are the great !er.ue Poirot/J
J(Ba.ty/ 0o )ousta.hes> 'ut ots of grey .es/J
JI"ve a feeing>J said Tuppen.e> Jthat this parti.uar adventure +i 'e
.aed the "Triu)ph of !astings/" J
J0ever>J said To))y/ JIt isn"t done/ <n.e the idiot friend> a+ays the
idiot friend/ There"s an eti8uette in these )atters/ %y the +ay> )an
a)i> .an you not part your hair in the )idde instead of one sideA The
present effe.t is unsy))etri.a and depora'e/J
The 'u??er rang sharpy on To))y"s des1/ !e returned the signa and
A'ert appeared 'earing a .ard/
JPrin.e 7adiroffs1y>J read To))y> in a o+ voi.e/ !e oo1ed at
Tuppen.e/ JI +onder;Sho+ hi) in> A'ert/J
The )an +ho entered +as of )idde height> gra.efu in 'earing> +ith a
fair 'eard> and apparenty a'out thirty;five years of age/
JMr/ %untAJ he in8uired/ !is (ngish +as perfe.t/ J@ou have 'een
)ost highy re.o))ended to )e/ Wi you ta1e up a .ase for )eAJ
JIf you +i give )e the detais;AJ
JCertainy/ It .on.erns the daughter of a friend of )ine;a gir of
siBteen/ We are anBious for no s.anda;you understand/J
JMy dear sir>J said To))y/ XThis 'usiness has 'een running
su..essfuy for siBteen years o+ing to our stri.t attention to that
parti.uar prin.ipe/J
!e fan.ied he sa+ a sudden gea) in the other"s eye/ If so> it passed as
8ui.1y as it .a)e/
J@ou have 'ran.hes> I 'eieve> on the other side of the ChanneAJ
J<hG yes/ As a )atter of fa.t>J he 'rought out the +ord +ith great
dei'eration> JI )ysef +as in %erin on the 15th of ast )onth/J
JIn that .ase>J said the stranger> Jit is hardy ne.essary to 1eep up the
itte fi.tion/ The daughter of )y friend .an 'e .onvenienty dis)issed/
@ou 1no+ +ho I a);at any rate I see you have had +arning of )y
.o)ing/J
!e nodded to+ards the .aendar on the +a/
J4uite so>J said To))y/
JMy friends;I have .o)e over here to investigate )atters/ What has
'een happeningAJ
XTrea.hery>J said Tuppen.e> no onger a'e to re)ain 8uies.ent/
The &ussian shifted his attention to her> and raised his eye'ro+s/
JAh ha> that is so> is itA I thought as )u.h/ Was it SergiusAJ
JWe thin1 so>J said Tuppen.e un'ushingy/
JIt +oud not surprise )e/ %ut you yourseves> you are under no
suspi.ionAJ
JI do not thin1 so/ We hande a good dea of 'ona fide 'usiness> you
see>J eBpained To))y/
The &ussian nodded/
XThat is +ise/ A the sa)e> I thin1 it +oud 'e 'etter if I did not .o)e
here again/ For the )o)ent> I a) staying at the %it?/ I +i ta1e Marisethis
is Marise> I supposeAJ
Tuppen.e nodded/
JWhat is she 1no+n as hereAJ
J<hG Miss &o'inson/J
J7ery +e> Miss &o'inson> you +i return +ith )e to the %it? and
un.h +ith )e there/ We +i a )eet at head8uarters at three o".o.1/
Is that .earAJ !e oo1ed at To))y/
JPerfe.ty .ear>J repied To))y> +ondering +here on earth
head8uarters )ight 'e/
%ut he guessed that it +as Dust those very head8uarters that Mr/
Carter +as so anBious to dis.over/
Tuppen.e rose and sipped on her ong 'a.1 .oat +ith its eopards1in
.oar/ Then> de)urey> she de.ared hersef ready to a..o)pany the
Prin.e/
They +ent out together> and To))y +as eft 'ehind> a prey to
.onfi.ting e)otions/
Supposing so)ething had gone +rong +ith the di.taphoneA
Supposing the )ysterious !ospita 0urse had so)eho+ or other earnt
of its instaation> and had rendered it useessA
!e sei?ed the teephone and .aed a .ertain nu)'er/ There +as a
)o)ent"s deay> and then a +e 1no+n voi.e spo1e/
J4uite </-/ Co)e round to the %it? at on.e/J
Five )inutes ater To))y and Mr/ Carter )et in the Pa) Court of the
%it?/ The atter +as .risp and reassuring/
J@ou"ve done eB.eenty/ The Prin.e and the itte ady are at un.h in
the &estaurant/ I"ve got t+o of )y )en in there as +aiters/ Whether he
suspe.ts> or +hether he doesn"t;and I") fairy sure he doesn"t;+e"ve
got hi) on toast/ There are t+o )en posted upstairs to +at.h his suite>
and )ore outside ready to foo+ +herever they go/ $on"t 'e +orried
a'out your +ife/ She" 'e 1ept in sight the +hoe ti)e/ I") not going to
run any ris1s/J
<..asionay one of the Se.ret Servi.e )en .a)e to report progress/
The first ti)e it +as a +aiter +ho too1 their orders for .o.1tais> the
se.ond ti)e it +as a fashiona'e va.ant;fa.ed young )an/
JThey"re .o)ing out>J said Mr/ Carter/ JWe" retire 'ehind this piar in
.ase they sit do+n here> 'ut I fan.y he" ta1e her up to his suite/ AhG
yes> I thought so/J
Fro) their post of vantage> To))y sa+ the &ussian and Tuppen.e
.ross the ha and enter the ift/
The )inutes passed and To))y 'egan to fidget/
J$o you thin1> sir/ I )ean> aone in that suite;J
J<ne of )y )en"s inside;'ehind the sofa/ $on"t +orry> )an/J
A +aiter .rossed the ha and .a)e up to Mr/ Carter/
J,ot the signa they +ere .o)ing up> sir;'ut they haven"t .o)e/ Is it a
rightAJ
JWhatAJ Mr/ Carter spun around/ JI sa+ the) go into the ift )ysef/
*ustJ;he gan.ed up at the .o.1;Xfour and a haf )inutes ago/ And
they haven"t sho+n up////J
!e hurried a.ross to the ift +hi.h had Dust that )inute .o)e do+n
again> and spo1e to the unifor)ed attendant/
J@ou too1 up a gente)an +ith a fair 'eard and a young ady a fe+
)inutes ago to the se.ond foor/J
J0ot the se.ond foor/ Third foor the gente)an as1ed for/J
J<hGJ The Chief Du)ped in> )otioning To))y to a..o)pany hi)/ JTa1e
us up to the third foor> pease/J
JI don"t understand this>J he )ur)ured in a o+ voi.e/ J%ut 1eep .a)/
(very eBit fro) the !ote is +at.hed> and I"ve got a )an on the third
foor as +e;on every foor> in fa.t/ I +as ta1ing no .han.es/J
The ift door opened on the third foor and they sprang out> hurrying
do+n the .orridor/ !af +ay aong it> a )an dressed as a +aiter .a)e
to )eet the)/
JIt"s a right> Chief/ They"re in 0o/ 51O/J
Carter 'reathed a sigh of reief/
JThat"s a right/ 0o other eBitAJ
JIt"s a suite> 'ut there are ony these t+o doors into the .orridor> and to
get out fro) any of these roo)s> they"d have to pass us to get to the
stair.ase or the ifts/J
JThat"s a right> then/ *ust teephone do+n and find out +ho is
supposed to 'e o..upying this suite/J
The +aiter returned in a )inute or t+o/
JMrs/ Cortandt 7an Snyder of $etroit/J
Mr/ Carter 'e.a)e very thoughtfu/
JI +onder no+/ Is this Mrs/ 7an Snyder an a..o)pi.e> or is she;J
!e eft the senten.e unfinished/
J!ear any noise fro) insideAJ he as1ed a'rupty/
J0ot a thing/ %ut the doors fit +e/ <ne .oudn"t hope to hear )u.h/J
Mr/ Carter )ade up his )ind suddeny/
JI don"t i1e this 'usiness/ We"re going in/ ,ot the )aster 1eyAJ
J<f .ourse> sir/J
JCa up (vans and Cydesy/J
&einfor.ed 'y the other t+o )en> they advan.ed to+ards the door of
the suite/ It opened noiseessy +hen the first )an inserted his 1ey/
They found the)seves in a s)a ha/ To the right +as the open door
of a 'athroo)> and in front of the) +as the sitting roo)/ <n the eft
+as a .osed door and fro) 'ehind it a faint sound;rather i1e an
asth)ati. pug;.oud 'e heard/ Mr/ Carter pushed the door open and
entered/
The roo) +as a 'edroo)> +ith a 'ig dou'e 'ed ornatey .overed +ith
a 'edspread of rose and god/ <n it> 'ound hand and foot> +ith her
)outh se.ured 'y a gag and her eyes a)ost starting out of her head
+ith pain and rage> +as a )idde aged fashiona'y dressed +o)an/
<n a 'rief order fro) Mr/ Carter> the other )en had .overed the +hoe
suite/ <ny To))y and his Chief had entered the 'edroo)/ As he eant
over the 'ed and strove to unfasten the 1nots> Carter"s eyes +ent
roving round the roo) in perpeBity/ Save for an i))ense 8uantity of
truy A)eri.an uggage> the roo) +as e)pty/ There +as no sign of the
&ussian or Tuppen.e/
In another )inute the +aiter .a)e hurrying in> and reported that the
other roo)s +ere aso e)pty/ To))y +ent to the +indo+> ony to
dra+ 'a.1 and sha1e his head/ There +as no 'a.ony;nothing 'ut a
sheer drop to the street 'eo+/
JCertain it +as this roo) they enteredAJ as1ed Carter pere)ptoriy/
JSure/ %esides;J The )an indi.ated the +o)an on the 'ed/
With the aid of a pen 1nife> Carter parted the s.arf that +as haf
.ho1ing her> and it +as at on.e .ear that +hatever her sufferings>
they had not deprived Mrs/ Cortandt 7an Snyder of the use of her
tongue/
When she had eBhausted her first indignation> Mr/ Carter spo1e )idy/
JWoud you )ind teing )e eBa.ty +hat happened;fro) the
'eginningAJ
JI guess I" sue the !ote for this/ It"s a perfe.t outrage/ I +as Dust
oo1ing for )y 'otte of "-iagrippe" +hen a )an sprang on )e fro)
'ehind and 'ro1e a itte gass 'otte right under )y nose> and 'efore I
.oud get )y 'reath I +as a in/ When I .a)e to I +as ying here> a
trussed up> and goodness 1no+s +hat"s happened to )y De+es/ !e"s
gotten the ot> I guess/J
J@our De+es are 8uite safe> I fan.y>J said Mr/ Carter driy/ !e +heeed
round and pi.1ed up so)ething fro) the foor/ J@ou +ere standing Dust
+here I a) +hen he sprang upon youAJ
JThat"s so>J assented Mrs/ 7an Snyder/
It +as a frag)ent of thin gass that Mr/ Carter had pi.1ed up/ !e
sniffed it and handed it to To))y/
J(thy Choride>J he )ur)ured/ JInstant anaestheti./ %ut it ony 1eeps
one under for a )o)ent or t+o/ Surey he )ust sti have 'een in the
roo) +hen you .a)e to> Mrs/ 7an SnyderAJ
JIsn"t that Dust +hat I") teing youA <hG it drove )e haf .ra?y to see
hi) getting a+ay and )e not a'e to )ove or do anything at a/J
J,etting a+ayAJ said Mr/ Carter sharpy/ JWhi.h +ayAJ
JThrough that door/J She pointed to one in the opposite +a/ J!e had a
gir +ith hi)> 'ut she see)ed 1ind of i)p as though she"d had a dose
of the sa)e dope/J
Carter oo1ed a 8uestion at his hen.h)an/
J#eads into the neBt suite> sir/ %ut dou'e doors;supposed to 'e 'oted
ea.h side/J
Mr/ Carter eBa)ined the door .arefuy/ Then he straightened hi)sef
up and turned to+ards the 'ed/
JMrs/ 7an Snyder>J he said 8uiety/ J$o you sti persist in your
assertion that the )an +ent out this +ayAJ
JWhy> .ertainy he did/ Why shoudn"t heAJ
J%e.ause the door happens to 'e 'oted on this side>J said Mr/ Carter
driy/ !e ratted the hande as he spo1e/
A oo1 of the ut)ost astonish)ent spread over Mrs/ 7an Snyder"s fa.e/
J2ness so)eone 'oted the door 'ehind hi)>J said Mr/ Carter> Jhe
.annot have gone out that +ay/J
!e turned to (vans +ho had Dust entered the roo)/
JSure they"re not any+here in this suiteA Any other .o))uni.ating
doorsAJ
J0o> sir> and I") 8uite sure/J
Carter turned his ga?e this +ay and that a'out the roo)/ !e opened
the 'ig hanging +ardro'e> oo1ed under the 'ed> up the .hi)ney and
'ehind a the .urtains/ Finay> stru.1 'y a sudden idea> and
disregarding Mrs/ 7an Snyder"s shri protests> he opened the arge
+ardro'e trun1 and ru))aged s+ifty in the interior/
Suddeny To))y> +ho had 'een eBa)ining the .o))uni.ating door>
gave an eB.a)ation/
JCo)e here> sir> oo1 at this/ They did go this +ay/J
The 'ot had 'een very .every fied through> so .ose to the so.1et
that the Doin +as hardy per.epti'e/
JThe door +on"t open 'e.ause it"s o.1ed on the other side>J eBpained
To))y/
In another )inute they +ere out in the .orridor again and the +aiter
+as opening the door of the adDoining suite +ith his pass 1ey/ This
suite +as untenanted/ When they .a)e to the .o))uni.ating door>
they sa+ that the sa)e pan had 'een adopted/ The 'ot had 'een fied
through> and the door +as o.1ed> the 1ey having 'een re)oved/ %ut
no+here in the suite +as there any sign of Tuppen.e or the fair'earded
&ussian> and there +as no other .o))uni.ating door> ony
the one on the .orridor/
J%ut I"d have seen the) .o)e out>J protested the +aiter/ JI .oudn"t
have heped seeing the)/ I .an ta1e )y oath they never did/J
J$a)n it a>J .ried To))y/ JThey .an"t have vanished into thin airGJ
Carter +as .a) again no+> his 1een 'rain +or1ing/
JTeephone do+n and find +ho had this suite ast> and +hen/J
(vans> +ho had .o)e +ith the)> eaving Cydesy on guard in the
other suite> o'eyed/ Presenty he raised his head fro) the teephone/
JAn invaid Fren.h ad> M/ Pau de 7are?/ !e had a !ospita 0urse +ith
hi)/ They eft this )orning/J
An eB.a)ation 'urst fro) the other Se.ret Servi.e )an> the +aiter/
!e had gone deathy pae/
JThe invaid 'oy;the !ospita 0urse>J he sta))ered/ JI;they passed
)e in the passage/ I never drea)ed;I had seen the) so often 'efore/J
JAre you sure they +ere the sa)eAJ .ried Mr/ Carter/ JAre you sure>
)anA @ou oo1ed at the) +eAJ
The )an shoo1 his head/
JI hardy gan.ed at the)/ I +as +aiting> you understand> on the aert
for the others> the )an +ith the fair 'eard and the gir/J
J<f .ourse>J said Mr/ Carter> +ith a groan/ JThey .ounted on that/J
With a sudden eB.a)ation> To))y stooped do+n and pued
so)ething out fro) under the sofa/ It +as a s)a roed up 'unde of
'a.1/ To))y unroed it and severa arti.es fe out/ The outside
+rapper +as the ong 'a.1 .oat Tuppen.e had +orn that day/ Inside
+as her +a1ing dress> her hat and a ong fair 'eard/
JIt"s .ear enough no+>J he said 'ittery/ JThey"ve got her;got
Tuppen.e/ That &ussian devi has given us the sip/ The !ospita 0urse
and the 'oy +ere a..o)pi.es/ They stayed here for a day or t+o to
get the !ote peope a..usto)ed to their presen.e/ The )an )ust
have reai?ed at un.h that he +as trapped and pro.eeded to .arry out
his pan/ Pro'a'y he .ounted on the roo) neBt door 'eing e)pty
sin.e it +as +hen he fiBed the 'ots/ Any+ay he )anaged to sien.e
'oth the +o)an neBt door and Tuppen.e> 'rought her in here> dressed
her in 'oy"s .othes> atered his o+n appearan.e> and +a1ed out as
'od as 'rass/ The .othes )ust have 'een hidden ready/ %ut I don"t
8uite see ho+ he )anaged Tuppen.e"s a.8uies.en.e/J
JI .an see>J said Mr/ Carter/ !e pi.1ed up a itte shining pie.e of stee
fro) the .arpet/ JThat"s a frag)ent of a hypoder)i. neede/ She +as
doped/J
JMy ,odGJ groaned To))y/ JAnd he"s got .ear a+ay/J
JWe +on"t 1no+ that>J said Carter 8ui.1y/ J&e)e)'er every eBit is
+at.hed/J
JFor a )an and a gir/ 0ot for a !ospita 0urse and an invaid 'oy/
They" have eft the !ote 'y no+/J
Su.h> on in8uiry> proved to 'e the .ase/ The nurse and her patient had
driven a+ay in a taBi so)e five )inutes earier/
J#oo1 here> %eresford>J said Mr/ Carter/ JFor ,od"s sa1e> pu yoursef
together/ @ou 1no+ that I +on"t eave a stone unturned to find that gir/
I") going 'a.1 to )y offi.e at on.e and in ess than five )inutes every
resour.e of the depart)ent +i 'e at +or1/ We" get the) yet/J
JWi you> sirA !e"s a .ever devi> that &ussian/ #oo1 at the .unning of
this .oup of his/ %ut I 1no+ you" do your 'est/ <ny;pray ,od it"s not
too ate/ They"ve got it in for us 'ady/J
!e eft the %it? !ote and +a1ed 'indy aong the street> hardy
1no+ing +here he +as going/ !e fet .o)petey paray?ed/ Where to
sear.hA What to doA
!e +ent into the ,reen Par1> and dropped do+n upon a seat/ !e
hardy noti.ed +hen so)eone ese sat do+n at the opposite end> and
+as 8uite started to hear a +e 1no+n voi.e/
JIf you pease> sir> if I )ight )a1e so 'od;J
To))y oo1ed up/
J!uo> A'ert>J he said duy/
JI 1no+ a a'out it> sir;'ut don"t ta1e on so/J
J$on"t ta1e on;J !e gave a short augh/ J(asiy said> isn"t itAJ
JAh> 'ut thin1> sir/ %unt"s %riiant $ete.tivesG 0ever 'eaten/ And if
you" eB.use )y saying so> I happen to overhear +hat you and the
Missus +as ragging a'out this )orning/ Mr/ Poirot> and his itte grey
.es/ We> sir> +hy not use your itte grey .es> and see +hat you .an
doAJ
JIt"s easier to use your itte grey .es in fi.tion than it is in fa.t> )y
'oy/J
JWe>J said A'ert stouty> JI don"t 'eieve any'ody .oud put the
Missus out> for good and a/ @ou 1no+ +hat she is sir> Dust i1e one of
those ru''er 'ones you 'uy for itte dorgs;guaranteed
indestru.ti'e/J
JA'ert>J said To))y> Jyou .heer )e/J
JThen +hat a'out using your itte grey .es> sirAJ
J@ou"re a persistent ad> A'ert/ Paying the foo has served us pretty
+e up to no+/ We" try it again/ #et us arrange our fa.ts neaty> and
+ith )ethod/ At ten )inutes past t+o eBa.ty> our 8uarry enters the ift/
Five )inutes ater +e spea1 to the ift )an> and having heard +hat he
says> +e aso go up to the third foor/ At> say> nineteen )inutes past
t+o +e enter the suite of Mrs/ 7an Snyder/ And no+> +hat signifi.ant
fa.t stri1es usAJ
There +as a pause> no signifi.ant fa.t stri1ing either of the)/
XThere +asn"t su.h a thing as a trun1 in the roo)> +as thereAJ as1ed
A'ert> his eyes ighting suddeny/
JMon a)i>J said To))y/ J@ou do not understand the psy.hoogy of an
A)eri.an +o)an +ho has Dust returned fro) Paris/ There +ere> I
shoud say> a'out nineteen trun1s in the roo)/J
JWhat I )eantersay is> a trun1"s a handy thing if you"ve got a dead
'ody a'out you +ant to get rid of;not that she is dead> for a )inute/J
JWe sear.hed the ony t+o that +ere 'ig enough to .ontain a 'ody/
What is the neBt fa.t in .hronoogi.a orderAJ
J@ou"ve )issed one out;+hen the Missus and the 'o1e dressed up as
a !ospita 0urse passed the +aiter in the passage/J
JIt )ust have 'een Dust 'efore +e .a)e up in the ift>J said To))y/
JThey )ust have had a narro+ es.ape of )eeting us fa.e to fa.e/
Pretty 8ui.1 +or1> that/ I;J
!e stopped/
JWhat is it> sirAJ
J%e sient> )on a)i/ I have the 1ind of itte idea;.oossa> stupendousthat
a+ays .o)es sooner or ater to !er.ue Poirot/ %ut if so;if that"s
it;<hG #ord> I hope I") in ti)e/J
!e ra.ed out of the Par1> A'ert hard on his hees> in8uiring
'reathessy as he ran/ JWhat"s up> sirA I don"t understand/J
JThat"s a right>J said To))y/ J@ou"re not supposed to/ !astings never
did/ If your grey .es +eren"t of a very inferior order to )ine> +hat fun
do you thin1 I shoud get out of this ga)eA I") ta1ing da)ned rot;'ut I
.an"t hep it/ @ou"re a good ad> A'ert/ @ou 1no+ +hat Tuppen.e is
+orth;she"s +orth a do?en of you and )e/J
Thus ta1ing 'reathessy as he ran> To))y reentered the portas of
the %it?/ !e .aught sight of (vans> and dre+ hi) aside +ith a fe+
hurried +ords/ The t+o )en entered the ift> A'ert +ith the)/
JThird foor>J said To))y/
At the door of 0o/ 51O they paused/ (vans had a pass 1ey> and used it
forth+ith/ Without a +ord of +arning> they +a1ed straight into Mrs/
7an Snyder"s 'edroo)/ The ady +as sti ying on the 'ed> 'ut +as
no+ arrayed in a 'e.o)ing negigee/ She stared at the) in surprise/
JPardon )y faiure to 1no.1>J said To))y> peasanty/ J%ut I +ant )y
+ife/ $o you )ind getting off that 'edAJ
JI guess you"ve gone pu)' .ra?y>J .ried Mrs/ 7an Snyder/
To))y surveyed her thoughtfuy> his head on one side/
J7ery artisti.>J he pronoun.ed/ J%ut it +on"t do/ We oo1ed under the
'ed;'ut not in it/ I re)e)'er using that hiding;pa.e )ysef +hen
young/ !ori?ontay a.ross the 'ed> underneath the 'oster/ And that
ni.e +ardro'e trun1 a ready to ta1e a+ay the 'ody in ater/ %ut +e
+ere a 'it too 8ui.1 for you Dust no+/ @ou"d had ti)e to dope
Tuppen.e> put her under the 'oster> and 'e gagged and 'ound 'y
your a..o)pi.es neBt door> and I" ad)it +e s+ao+ed your story a
right for the )o)ent/ %ut +hen one .a)e to thin1 it out;+ith order and
)ethod;i)possi'e to drug a gir> dress her in 'oy"s .othes> gag and
'ind another +o)an> and .hange one"s o+n appearan.e;a in five
)inutes/ Si)py a physi.a i)possi'iity/ The !ospita 0urse and the
'oy +ere to 'e a de.oy/ We +ere to foo+ that trai> and Mrs/ 7an
Snyder +as to 'e a pitied vi.ti)/ *ust hep the ady off the 'ed> +i
you> (vansA @ou have auto)ati.A ,ood/J
Protesting shriy> Mrs/ 7an Snyder +as haued fro) her pa.e of
repose/ To))y tore off the .overings and the 'oster/
There> ying hori?ontay a.ross the top of the 'ed +as Tuppen.e> her
eyes .osed> and her fa.e +aBen/ For a )o)ent> To))y fet a sudden
dread> then he sa+ the sight rise and fa of her 'reast/ She +as
drugged> not dead/
!e turned to A'ert and (vans/
JAnd no+> Messieurs>J he said dra)ati.ay/ JThe fina .oupGJ
With a s+ift uneBpe.ted gesture> he sei?ed Mrs/ 7an Snyder 'y her
ea'oratey dressed hair/ It .a)e off in his hand/
JAs I thought>J said To))y/ J0o/ 13GJ
It +as a'out haf an hour ater +hen Tuppen.e opened her eyes and
found a do.tor and To))y 'ending over her/
<ver the events of the neBt 8uarter of an hour a de.ent vei had 'etter
'e dra+n> 'ut after that period the do.tor departed +ith the assuran.e
that a +as no+ +e/
JMon a)i> !astings>J said To))y fondy/ J!o+ I reDoi.e that you are
sti aive/J
J!ave +e got 0o/ 13AJ
J<n.e )ore have I .rushed hi) i1e an egg she;In other +ords>
Carter"s got hi)/ The itte grey .esG %y the +ay> I") raising A'ert"s
+ages/J
XTe )e a a'out it/J
To))y gave her a spirited narrative> +ith .ertain o)issions/
JWeren"t you haf franti. a'out )eAJ as1ed Tuppen.e fainty/
J0ot parti.uary/ <ne )ust 1eep .a)> you 1no+/J
J#iarGJ said Tuppen.e/ J@ou oo1 8uite haggard sti/J
JWe> perhaps I +as Dust a itte +orried> daring/ I say;+e"re going to
give it up no+> aren"t +eAJ
JCertainy +e are/J
To))y gave a sigh of reief/
JI hoped you"d 'e sensi'e/ After a sho.1 i1e this;X
JIt"s not the sho.1/ @ou 1no+ I never )ind sho.1s/J
JA ru''er 'one;indestru.ti'e>J )ur)ured To))y/
JI"ve got so)ething 'etter to do>J .ontinued Tuppen.e/ JSo)ething
ever so )u.h )ore eB.iting/ So)ething I"ve never done 'efore/J
To))y oo1ed at her +ith ivey apprehension/
JI for'id it> Tuppen.e/J
J@ou .an"t>J said Tuppen.e/ JIt"s a a+ of nature/J
JWhat are you ta1ing a'out> Tuppen.eAJ
JI") ta1ing>J said Tuppen.e> Jof <ur %a'y/ Wives don"t +hisper
no+adays/ They shout/ <2& %A%@G To))y> isn"t everything
)arveousAJ
C<0T(0TS
1/ The Co)ing of Mr/ 4uin
2/ The Shado+ on the ,ass
5/ At the %es and Motey
4/ The Sign in the S1y
F/ The Sou of the Croupier
3/ The Man fro) the Sea
E/ The 7oi.e in the $ar1
O/ The Fa.e of !een
9/ The $ead !are8uin
16/ The %ird +ith the %ro1en Wing
11/ The Word"s (nd
12/ !are8uin"s #ane
Chapter 1
T!( C<MI0, <F M& 42I0
It +as 0e+ @ear"s (ve/
The eder )e)'ers of the house party at &oyston +ere asse)'ed in
the 'ig ha/
Mr Satterth+aite +as gad that the young peope had gone to 'ed/ !e
+as not fond of young peope in herds/ !e thought the)
uninteresting and .rude/ They a.1ed su'tety and as ife +ent he
had 'e.o)e in.reasingy fond of su'teties/
Mr Satterth+aite +as siBty;t+o ; a itte 'ent> dried;up )an +ith a
peering fa.e oddy ef;i1e> and an intense and inordinate interest in
other peope"s ives/ A his ife> so to spea1> he had sat in the front
ro+ of the stas +at.hing various dra)as of hu)an nature unfod
'efore hi)/ !is r/e had a+ays 'een that of the onoo1er/ <ny no+>
+ith od age hoding hi) in its .ut.h> he found hi)sef in.reasingy
.riti.a of the dra)a su')itted to hi)/ !e de)anded no+ so)ething
a itte out of the .o))on/
There +as no dou't that he had a fair for these things/ !e 1ne+
instin.tivey +hen the ee)ents of dra)a +ere at hand/ #i1e a +ar
horse> he sniffed the s.ent/ Sin.e his arriva at &oyston this
afternoon> that strange inner sense of his had stirred and 'id hi) 'e
ready/ So)ething interesting +as happening or going to happen/
The house party +as not a arge one/ There +as To) (vesha) their
genia good;hu)oured host and his serious poiti.a +ife +ho had
'een 'efore her )arriage #ady #aura -eene/ There +as Sir &i.hard
Con+ay> sodier> traveer and sports)an> there +ere siB or seven
young peope +hose na)es Mr Satterth+aite had not grasped and
there +ere the Portas/
It +as the Portas +ho interested Mr Satterth+aite/
!e had never )et AeB Porta 'efore> 'ut he 1ne+ a a'out hi)/ !ad
1no+n his father and his grandfather/ AeB Porta ran pretty true to
type/ !e +as a )an of .ose on forty> fair;haired> and 'ue;eyed i1e
a the Portas> fond of sport> good at ga)es> devoid of i)agination/
0othing unusua a'out AeB Porta/ The usua good sound (ngish
sto.1/
%ut his +ife +as different/ She +as> Mr Satterth+aite 1ne+> an
Austraian/ Porta had 'een out in Austraia t+o years ago> had )et
her out there and had )arried her and 'rought her ho)e/ She had
never 'een to (ngand previous to her )arriage/ A the sa)e> she
+asn"t at a i1e any other Austraian +o)an Mr Satterth+aite had
)et/
!e o'served her no+> .overty/ Interesting +o)an ; very/ So sti>
and yet so ; aive/ AiveG That +as Dust itG 0ot eBa.ty 'eautifu ; no>
you +oudn"t .a her 'eautifu> 'ut there +as a 1ind of .aa)itous
)agi. a'out her that you .oudn"t )iss ; that no )an .oud )iss/ The
)as.uine side of Mr Satterth+aite spo1e there> 'ut the fe)inine
side 9for Mr Satterth+aite had a arge share of fe)ininity: +as
e8uay interested in another 8uestion/ Why did Mrs Porta dye her
hairA
0o other )an +oud pro'a'y have 1no+n that she dyed her hair> 'ut
Mr Satterth+aite 1ne+/ !e 1ne+ a those things/ And it pu??ed hi)/
Many dar1 +o)en dye their hair 'onde ; he had never 'efore .o)e
a.ross a fair +o)an +ho dyed her hair 'a.1/
(verything a'out her intrigued hi)/ In a 8ueer intuitive +ay> he fet
.ertain that she +as either very happy or very unhappy ; 'ut he
didn"t 1no+ +hi.h> and it annoyed hi) not to 1no+/ Further)ore
there +as the .urious effe.t she had upon her hus'and/
J!e adores her>J said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef> J'ut so)eti)es
he"s ; yes> afraid of herG That"s very interesting/ That"s un.o))ony
interesting/J
Porta dran1 too )u.h/ That +as .ertain/ And he had a .urious +ay
of +at.hing his +ife +hen she +asn"t oo1ing/
J0erves>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThe feo+"s a nerves/ She 1no+s
it too> 'ut she +on"t do anything a'out it/J
!e fet very .urious a'out the pair of the)/ So)ething +as going on
that he .oudn"t fatho)/
!e +as roused fro) his )editations on the su'De.t 'y the soe)n
.hi)ing of the 'ig .o.1 in the .orner/
JT+eve o".o.1>J said (vesha)/ J0e+ @ear"s $ay/ !appy 0e+ @ear
every'ody/ As a )atter of fa.t that .o.1"s five )inutes fast ; I don"t
1no+ +hy the .hidren +oudn"t +ait up and see the 0e+ @ear inAJ
JI don"t suppose for a )inute they"ve reay gone to 'ed>J said his
+ife pa.idy/ JThey"re pro'a'y putting hair'rushes or so)ething in
our 'eds/ That sort of thing does so a)use the)/ I .an"t thin1 +hy/
We shoud never have 'een ao+ed to do su.h a thing in )y young
days/J
JAutre te)ps> autre )oeurs>J said Con+ay> s)iing/
!e +as a ta sodiery;oo1ing )an/ %oth he and (vesha) +ere
)u.h of the sa)e type honest upright 1indy )en +ith no great
pretensions to 'rains/
JIn )y young days +e a Doined hands in a .ir.e and sang Aud #ang
Syne>J .ontinued #ady #aura/ JShoud aud a.8uaintan.e 'e forgot ;
so tou.hing> I a+ays thin1 the +ords are/J
(vesha) )oved uneasiy/
J<hG $rop it> #aura>J !e )uttered/ J0ot here/J
!e strode a.ross the +ide ha +here they +ere sitting> and s+it.hed
on an eBtra ight/
J7ery stupid of )e>J said #ady #aura> sotto vo.e/ J&e)inds hi) of
poor Mr Cape> of .ourse/ My dear> is the fire too hot for youAJ
(eanor Porta )ade a 'rus8ue )ove)ent/
JThan1 you/ I" )ove )y .hair 'a.1 a itte/J
What a ovey voi.e she had ; one of those o+ )ur)uring e.hoing
voi.es that stay in your )e)ory> thought Mr Satterth+aite/ !er fa.e
+as in shado+ no+/ What a pity/
Fro) her pa.e in the shado+ she spo1e again/ JMr CapeAJ
J@es/ The )an +ho originay o+ned this house/ !e shot hi)sef you
1no+ ; ohG 7ery +e> To) dear> I +on"t spea1 of it uness you i1e/ It
+as a great sho.1 for To)> of .ourse> 'e.ause he +as here +hen it
happened/ So +ere you> +eren"t you> Sir &i.hardAJ
J@es> #ady #aura/J
An od grandfather .o.1 in the .orner groaned> +hee?ed> snorted
asth)ati.ay> and then stru.1 t+eve/
J!appy 0e+ @ear> To)>J grunted (vesha) perfun.toriy/
#ady #aura +ound up her 1nitting +ith so)e dei'eration/
JWe> +e"ve seen the 0e+ @ear in>J she o'served> and added>
oo1ing to+ards Mrs Porta> JWhat do you thin1> )y dearAJ
(eanor Porta rose 8ui.1y to her feet J%ed> 'y a )eans>J she said
ighty/
JShe"s very pae>J thought Mr Satterth+aite> as he too rose> and
'egan 'usying hi)sef +ith .andesti.1s/ JShe"s not usuay as pae
as that/J
!e ighted her .ande and handed it to her +ith a funny itte odfashioned
'o+/ She too1 it fro) hi) +ith a +ord of a.1no+edg)ent
and +ent so+y up the stairs/
Suddeny a very odd i)puse s+ept over Mr Satterth+aite/ !e
+anted to go after her> to reassure her ; he had the strangest feeing
that she +as in danger of so)e 1ind/ The i)puse died do+n> and he
fet asha)ed/ !e +as getting nervy too/
She hadn"t oo1ed at her hus'and as she +ent up the stairs> 'ut no+
she turned her head over her shouder and gave hi) a ong
sear.hing gan.e +hi.h had a 8ueer intensity in it/ It affe.ted Mr
Satterth+aite very oddy/
!e found hi)sef saying good night to his hostess in 8uite a fustered
)anner/
JI") sure I hope it +i 'e a happy 0e+ @ear>J #ady #aura +as saying/
J%ut the poiti.a situation see)s to )e to 'e fraught +ith grave
un.ertainty/J
JI") sure it is>J said Mr Satterth+aite earnesty/ JI") sure it is/J
JI ony hope>J .ontinued #ady #aura> +ithout the east .hange of
)anner> Jthat it +i 'e a dar1 )an +ho first .rosses the threshod/
@ou 1no+ that superstition> I suppose> Mr Satterth+aiteA 0oA @ou
surprise )e/ To 'ring u.1 to the house it )ust 'e a dar1 )an +ho
first steps over the door step on 0e+ @ear"s $ay/ $ear )e> I hope I
shan"t find anything very unpeasant in )y 'ed> I never trust the
.hidren/ They have su.h very high spirits/J
Sha1ing her head in sad fore'oding> #ady #aura )oved )aDesti.ay
up the stair.ase/
With the departure of the +o)en> .hairs +ere pued in .oser round
the 'a?ing ogs on the 'ig open hearth/
JSay +hen>J said (vesha)> hospita'y> as he hed up the +his1y
de.anter/
When every'ody had said +hen> the ta1 reverted to the su'De.t
+hi.h had 'een ta'ooed 'efore/
J@ou 1ne+ $ere1 Cape> didn"t you> Satterth+aiteAJ as1ed Con+ay/
JSighty ; yes/J
JAnd you> PortaAJ
J0o> I never )et hi)/J
So fier.ey and defensivey did he say it that Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed
up in surprise/
JI a+ays hate it +hen #aura 'rings up the su'De.t>J said (vesha)
so+y/ JAfter the tragedy> you 1no+> this pa.e +as sod to a 'ig
)anufa.turer feo+/ !e .eared out after a year ; didn"t suit hi) or
so)ething/ A ot of to))y rot +as ta1ed a'out the pa.e 'eing
haunted> of .ourse> and it gave the house a 'ad na)e/ Then> +hen
#aura got )e to stand for West -ide'y> of .ourse it )eant iving up
in these parts> and it +asn"t so easy to find a suita'e house/ &oyston
+as going .heap> and ; +e> in the end I 'ought it/ ,hosts are a
to))y rot> 'ut a the sa)e one doesn"t eBa.ty .are to 'e re)inded
that you"re iving in a house +here one of your o+n friends shot
hi)sef/ Poor od $ere1 ; +e sha never 1no+ +hy he did it/J
J!e +on"t 'e the first or the ast feo+ +ho"s shot hi)sef +ithout
'eing a'e to give a reason>J said AeB Porta heaviy/
!e rose and poured hi)sef out another drin1> spashing the +his1y
in +ith a i'era hand/
JThere"s so)ething very +rong +ith hi)>J said Mr Satterth+aite> to
hi)sef/ J7ery +rong indeed/ I +ish I 1ne+ +hat it +as a a'out/J
J,adGJ said Con+ay/ J#isten to the +ind/ It"s a +id night/J
JA good night for ghosts to +a1>J said Porta +ith a re.1ess augh/
JA the devis in !e are a'road tonight/J
JA..ording to #ady #aura> even the 'a.1est of the) +oud 'ring us
u.1>J o'served Con+ay> +ith a augh/ J!ar1 to thatGJ
The +ind rose in another terrifi. +ai> and as it died a+ay there .a)e
three oud 1no.1s on the 'ig naied door+ay/
(veryone started/
JWho on earth .an that 'e at this ti)e of nightAJ .ried (vesha)/
They stared at ea.h other/
JI +i open it>J said (vesha)/ JThe servants have gone to 'ed/J
!e strode a.ross to the door> fu)'ed a itte over the heavy 'ars>
and finay fung it open/ An i.y 'ast of +ind .a)e s+eeping into the
ha/
Fra)ed in the door+ay stood a )an"s figure> ta and sender/ To Mr
Satterth+aite> +at.hing> he appeared 'y so)e .urious effe.t of the
stained gass a'ove the door> to 'e dressed in every .oour of the
rain'o+/ Then> as he stepped for+ard> he sho+ed hi)sef to 'e a
thin dar1 )an dressed in )otoring .othes/
JI )ust reay apoogise for this intrusion>J said the stranger> in a
peasant eve voi.e/ J%ut )y .ar 'ro1e do+n/ 0othing )u.h> )y
.hauffeur is putting it to rights> 'ut it +i ta1e haf an hour or so> and
it is so .onfoundedy .od outside ;J
!e 'ro1e off> and (vesha) too1 up the thread 8ui.1y/
JI shoud thin1 it +as/ Co)e in and have a drin1/ We .an"t give you
any assistan.e a'out the .ar> .an +eAJ
J0o> than1s/ My )an 1no+s +hat to do/ %y the +ay> )y na)e is 4uin
; !arey 4uin/J
JSit do+n> Mr 4uin>J said (vesha)/ JSir &i.hard Con+ay> Mr
Satterth+aite/ My na)e is (vesha)/J
Mr 4uin a.1no+edged the introdu.tions> and dropped into the .hair
that (vesha) had hospita'y pued for+ard/ As he sat> so)e effe.t
of the fireight thre+ a 'ar of shado+ a.ross his fa.e +hi.h gave
a)ost the i)pression of a )as1/
(vesha) thre+ a .oupe )ore ogs on the fire/
JA drin1AJ
JThan1s/J
(vesha) 'rought it to hi) and as1ed as he did soH
JSo you 1no+ this part of the +ord +e> Mr 4uinAJ
JI passed through it so)e years ago/J
J&eayAJ
J@es/ This house 'eonged then to a )an .aed Cape/J
JAhG @es>J said (vesha)/ JPoor $ere1 Cape/ @ou 1ne+ hi)AJ
J@es> I 1ne+ hi)/J
(vesha)"s )anner under+ent a faint .hange> a)ost i)per.epti'e
to one +ho had not studied the (ngish .hara.ter/ %efore> it had
.ontained a su'te reserve> no+ this +as aid aside/ Mr 4uin had
1no+n $ere1 Cape/ !e +as the friend of a friend> and> as su.h> +as
vou.hed for and fuy a..redited/
JAstounding affair> that>J he said .onfidentiay/ JWe +ere Dust
ta1ing a'out it/ I .an te you> it +ent against the grain> 'uying this
pa.e/ If there had 'een anything ese suita'e> 'ut there +asn"t you
see/ I +as in the house the night he shot hi)sef ; so +as Con+ay>
and upon )y +ord> I"ve a+ays eBpe.ted his ghost to +a1/J
JA very ineBpi.a'e 'usiness>J said Mr 4uin> so+y and dei'eratey>
and he paused +ith the air of an a.tor +ho has Dust spo1en an
i)portant .ue/
J@ou )ay +e say ineBpi.a'e>J 'urst in Con+ay/ JThe thing"s a
'a.1 )ystery ; a+ays +i 'e/J
JI +onder>J said Mr 4uin> non.o))ittay/ J@es> Sir &i.hard> you
+ere sayingAJ
JAstounding ; that"s +hat it +as/ !ere"s a )an in the pri)e of ife>
gay> ight;hearted> +ithout a .are in the +ord/ Five or siB od pas
staying +ith hi)/ Top of his spirits at dinner> fu of pans for the
future/ And fro) the dinner ta'e he goes straight upstairs to his
roo)> ta1es a revover fro) a dra+er and shoots hi)sef/ WhyA
0o'ody ever 1ne+/ 0o'ody ever +i 1no+/J
JIsn"t that rather a s+eeping state)ent> Sir &i.hardAJ as1ed Mr
4uin> s)iing/
Con+ay stared at hi)/
JWhat d"you )eanA I don"t understand/J
JA pro'e) is not ne.essariy unsova'e 'e.ause it has re)ained
unsoved/J
J<hG Co)e> )an> if nothing .a)e out at the ti)e> it"s not i1ey to
.o)e out no+ ; ten years after+ardsAJ
Mr 4uin shoo1 his head genty/
JI disagree +ith you/ The eviden.e of history is against you/ The
.onte)porary historian never +rites su.h a true history as the
historian of a ater generation/ It is a 8uestion of getting the true
perspe.tive> of seeing things in proportion/ If you i1e to .a it so> it
is> i1e everything ese> a 8uestion of reativity/J
AeB Porta eant for+ard> his fa.e t+it.hing painfuy/
J@ou are right> Mr 4uin>J he .ried>J you are right/ Ti)e does not
dispose of a 8uestion ; it ony presents it ane+ in a different guise/J
(vesha) +as s)iing toeranty/
JThen you )ean to say> Mr 4uin> that if +e +ere to hod> et us say> a
Court of In8uiry tonight> into the .ir.u)stan.es of $ere1 Cape"s
death> +e are as i1ey to arrive at the truth as +e shoud have 'een
at the ti)eAJ
JMore i1ey> Mr (vesha)/ The persona e8uation has argey
dropped out> and you +i re)e)'er fa.ts as fa.ts +ithout see1ing to
put your o+n interpretation upon the)/J
(vesha) fro+ned dou'tfuy/
J<ne )ust have a starting point> of .ourse>J said Mr 4uin in his 8uiet
eve voi.e/ JA starting point is usuay a theory/ <ne of you )ust
have a theory> I a) sure/ !o+ a'out you> Sir &i.hardAJ
Con+ay fro+ned thoughtfuy/
JWe> of .ourse>J he said apoogeti.ay> J+e thought ; naturay +e
a thought ; that there )ust 'e a +o)an in it so)e+here/ It"s usuay
either that or )oney> isn"t itA And it .ertainy +asn"t )oney/ 0o
trou'e of that des.ription/ So ; +hat ese .oud it have 'eenAJ
Mr Satterth+aite started/ !e had eant for+ard to .ontri'ute a s)a
re)ar1 of his o+n and in the a.t of doing so> he had .aught sight of a
+o)an"s figure .rou.hed against the 'austrade of the gaery
a'ove/ She +as hudded do+n against it> invisi'e fro) every+here
'ut +here he hi)sef sat> and she +as evidenty istening +ith
strained attention to +hat +as going on 'eo+/ So i))ova'e +as
she that he hardy 'eieved the eviden.e of his o+n eyes/
%ut he re.ognised the pattern of the dress easiy enough ; an od+ord
'ro.ade/ It +as (eanor Porta/
And suddeny a the events of the night see)ed to fa into pattern ;
Mr 4uin"s arriva> no fortuitous .han.e> 'ut the appearan.e of an
a.tor +hen his .ue +as given/ There +as a dra)a 'eing payed in
the 'ig ha at &oyston tonight ; a dra)a none the ess rea in that one
of the a.tors +as dead/ <hG @es> $ere1 Cape had a part in the pay/
Mr Satterth+aite +as sure of that/
And> again suddeny> a ne+ iu)ination .a)e to hi)/ This +as Mr
4uin"s doing/ It +as he +ho +as staging the pay ; +as giving the
a.tors their .ues/ !e +as at the heart of the )ystery puing the
strings> )a1ing the puppets +or1/ !e 1ne+ everything> even to the
presen.e of the +o)an .rou.hed against the +ood+or1 upstairs/
@es> he 1ne+/
Sitting +e 'a.1 in his .hair> se.ure in his r/e of audien.e> Mr
Satterth+aite +at.hed the dra)a unfod 'efore his eyes/ 4uiety and
naturay> Mr 4uin +as puing the strings> setting his puppets in
)otion/
JA +o)an ; yes>J he )ur)ured thoughtfuy/ JThere +as no )ention
of any +o)an at dinnerAJ
JWhy> of .ourse>J .ried (vesha)> Jhe announ.ed his engage)ent/
That"s Dust +hat )ade it see) so a'soutey )ad/ 7ery 'u.1ed a'out
it he +as/ Said it +asn"t to 'e announ.ed Dust yet ; 'ut gave us the
hint that he +as in the running for the %enedi.1 sta1es/J
J<f .ourse +e a guessed +ho the ady +as>J said Con+ay/
JMarDorie $i1e/ 0i.e gir/J
It see)ed to 'e Mr 4uin"s turn to spea1> 'ut he did not do so> and
so)ething a'out his sien.e see)ed oddy provo.ative/ It +as as
though he .haenged the ast state)ent/ It had the effe.t of putting
Con+ay in a defensive position/
JWho ese .oud it have 'eenA (h> (vesha)AJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said To) (vesha) so+y/ JWhat did he say eBa.ty
no+A So)ething a'out 'eing in the running for the %enedi.1 sta1es ;
that he .oudn"t te us the ady"s na)e ti he had her per)ission ; it
+asn"t to 'e announ.ed yet/ !e said> I re)e)'er> that he +as a
da)ned u.1y feo+/ That he +anted his t+o od friends to 1no+ that
'y that ti)e neBt year he"d 'e a happy )arried )an/ <f .ourse> +e
assu)ed it +as MarDorie/ They +ere great friends and he"d 'een
a'out +ith her a ot/J
JThe ony thing ;J 'egan Con+ay and stopped/
JWhat +ere you going to say> $i.1AJ
JWe> I )ean> it +as odd in a +ay> if it +ere MarDorie> that the
engage)ent shoudn"t 'e announ.ed at on.e/ I )ean> +hy the
se.re.yA Sounds )ore as though it +ere a )arried +o)an ; you
1no+> so)eone +hose hus'and had Dust died> or +ho +as divor.ing
hi)/J
JThat"s true>J said (vesha)/ JIf that +ere the .ase> of .ourse> the
engage)ent .oudn"t 'e announ.ed at on.e/ And you 1no+> thin1ing
'a.1 a'out it> I don"t 'eieve he had 'een seeing )u.h of MarDorie/
A that +as the year 'efore/ I re)e)'er thin1ing things see)ed to
have .ooed off 'et+een the)/J
JCurious>J said Mr 4uin/
J@es ; oo1ed a)ost as though so)eone had .o)e 'et+een the)/J
JAnother +o)an>J said Con+ay thoughtfuy/
J%y *ove>J said (vesha)/ J@ou 1no+> there +as so)ething a)ost
inde.enty hiarious a'out od $ere1 that night/ !e oo1ed a)ost
drun1 +ith happiness/ And yet ; I .an"t 8uite eBpain +hat I )ean ; 'ut
he oo1ed oddy defiant too/J
J#i1e a )an defying Fate>J said AeB Porta heaviy/
Was it of $ere1 Cape he +as spea1ing ; or +as it of hi)sefA Mr
Satterth+aite> oo1ed at hi)> in.ined to the atter vie+/ @es> that +as
+hat AeB Porta represented ; a )an defying Fate/
!is i)agination> )udded 'y drin1> responded suddeny to that note
in the story +hi.h re.aed his o+n se.ret preo..upation/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed up/ She +as sti there/ Wat.hing> istening ;
sti )otioness> fro?en ; i1e a dead +o)an/
JPerfe.ty true>J said Con+ay/ JCape +as eB.ited ; .uriousy so/ I"d
des.ri'e hi) as a )an +ho has sta1ed heaviy and +on against +e
nigh over+he)ing odds/J
J,etting up .ourage> perhaps> for +hat he"s )ade up his )ind to
doAJ suggested Porta/
And as though )oved 'y an asso.iation of ideas> he got up and
heped hi)sef to another drin1/
J0ot a 'it of it>J said (vesha) sharpy/ JI"d a)ost s+ear nothing of
that 1ind +as in his )ind/ Con+ay"s right/ A su..essfu ga)'er +ho
has 'rought off a ong shot and .an hardy 'eieve in his o+n good
fortune/ That +as the attitude/J
Con+ay gave a gesture of dis.ourage)ent/
JAnd yet>J he said/ JTen )inutes ater ;J
They sat in sien.e/ (vesha) 'rought his hand do+n +ith a 'ang on
the ta'e/
JSo)ething )ust have happened in that ten )inutes>J he .ried/ JIt
)ustG %ut +hatA #et"s go over it .arefuy/ We +ere a ta1ing/ In the
)idde of it Cape got up suddeny and eft the roo) ;J
JWhyAJ said Mr 4uin/
The interruption see)ed to dis.on.ert (vesha)/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
JI ony saidH WhyAJ said Mr 4uin/ (vesha) fro+ned in an effort of
)e)ory/
JIt didn"t see) vita at the ti)e/ <hG <f .ourse> the post/ $on"t you
re)e)'er that Danging 'e> and ho+ eB.ited +e +ere/ We"d 'een
sno+ed up for three days> re)e)'er/ %iggest sno+stor) for years
and years/ A the roads +ere i)passa'e/ 0o ne+spapers> no
etters/ Cape +ent out to see if so)ething had .o)e through at ast>
and got a great pie of things/ 0e+spapers and etters/ !e opened
the paper to see if there +as any ne+s> and then +ent upstairs +ith
his etters/ Three )inutes after+ards> +e heard a shot/// IneBpi.a'e
; a'soutey ineBpi.a'e/J
JThat"s not ineBpi.a'e>J said Porta J<f .ourse the feo+ got so)e
uneBpe.ted ne+s in a etter/ <'vious> I shoud have said/J
J<hG $on"t thin1 +e )issed anything so o'vious as that/ It +as one of
the Coroner"s first 8uestions/ %ut Cape never opened one of his
etters/ The +hoe pie ay unopened on his dressing;ta'e/J
Porta oo1ed .restfaen/
J@ou"re sure he didn"t open Dust one of the)A !e )ight have
destroyed it after reading itAJ
J0o> I") 8uite positive/ <f .ourse> that +oud have 'een the natura
soution/ 0o> every one of the etters +as unopened/ 0othing 'urnt ;
nothing torn up ; There +as no fire in the roo)AJ
Porta shoo1 his head/
J(Btraordinary/J
JIt +as a ghasty 'usiness atogether>J said (vesha) in a o+ voi.e/
JCon+ay and I +ent up +hen +e heard the shot> and found hi) ; It
gave )e a sho.1> I .an te you/J
J0othing to 'e done 'ut teephone for the poi.e> I supposeAJ said Mr
4uin/
J&oyston +asn"t on the teephone then/ I had it put in +hen I 'ought
the pa.e/ 0o> u.1iy enough> the o.a .onsta'e happened to 'e in
the 1it.hen at the ti)e/ <ne of the dogs ; you re)e)'er poor od
&over> Con+ayA ; had strayed the day 'efore/ A passing .arter had
found it haf 'uried in a sno+drift and had ta1en it to the poi.e
station/ They re.ognised it as Cape"s> and a dog he +as parti.uary
fond of> and the .onsta'e .a)e up +ith it/ !e"d Dust arrived a )inute
'efore the shot +as fired/ It saved us so)e trou'e/J
J,ad> that +as a sno+stor)>J said Con+ay re)inis.enty/ JA'out
this ti)e of year> +asn"t itA (ary *anuary/J
JFe'ruary> I thin1/ #et )e see> +e +ent a'road soon after+ards/J
JI") pretty sure it +as *anuary/ My hunter 0ed ; you re)e)'er 0edA
; a)ed hi)sef the end of *anuary/ That +as Dust after this
'usiness/J
JIt )ust have 'een 8uite the end of *anuary then/ Funny ho+ diffi.ut
it is to re.a dates after a apse of years/J
J<ne of the )ost diffi.ut things in the +ord>J said Mr 4uin>
.onversationay/ J2ness you .an find a and)ar1 in so)e 'ig pu'i.
event ; an assassination of a .ro+ned head> or a 'ig )urder tria/J
JWhy> of .ourse>J .ried Con+ay> Jit +as Dust 'efore the Appeton
.ase/J
J*ust after> +asn"t itAJ
J0o> no> don"t you re)e)'er ; Cape 1ne+ the Appetons ; he"d
stayed +ith the od )an the previous Spring ; Dust a +ee1 'efore he
died/ !e +as ta1ing of hi) one night ; +hat an od .ur)udgeon he
+as> and ho+ a+fu> it )ust have 'een for a young and 'eautifu
+o)an i1e Mrs Appeton to 'e tied to hi)/ There +as no suspi.ion
then that she had done a+ay +ith hi)/J
J%y *ove> you"re right/ I re)e)'er reading the paragraph in the
paper saying an eBhu)ation order had 'een granted/ It +oud have
'een that sa)e day ; I re)e)'er ony seeing it +ith haf )y )ind>
you 1no+> the other haf +ondering a'out poor od $ere1 ying dead
upstairs/J
JA .o))on> 'ut very .urious pheno)enon> that>J o'served Mr 4uin/
JIn )o)ents of great stress> the )ind fo.uses itsef upon so)e 8uite
uni)portant )atter +hi.h is re)e)'ered ong after+ards +ith the
ut)ost fideity> driven in> as it +ere> 'y the )enta stress of the
)o)ent/ It )ay 'e so)e 8uite irreevant detai> i1e the pattern of a
+apaper> 'ut it +i never 'e forgotten/J
J&ather eBtraordinary> your saying that> Mr 4uin>J said Con+ay/
J*ust as you +ere spea1ing> I suddeny fet )ysef 'a.1 in $ere1
Cape"s roo) +ith $ere1 ying dead on the foor/ I sa+ as painy as
possi'e the 'ig tree outside the +indo+> and the shado+ it thre+
upon the sno+ outside/ @es> the )oonight> the sno+> and the
shado+ of the tree I .an see the) again this )inute/ %y ,ad> I
'eieve I .oud dra+ the)> and yet I never reaised I +as oo1ing at
the) at the ti)e/J
J!is roo) +as the 'ig one over the por.h> +as it notAJ as1ed Mr
4uin/
J@es> and the tree +as the 'ig 'ee.h> Dust at the ange of the drive/J
Mr 4uin nodded> as though satisfied/ Mr Satterth+aite +as .uriousy
thried/ !e +as .onvin.ed that every +ord> every infe.tion of Mr
4uin"s voi.e> +as pregnant +ith purpose/ !e +as driving at
so)ething ; eBa.ty +hat Mr Satterth+aite did not 1no+> 'ut he +as
8uite .onvin.ed as to +hose +as the )aster hand/
There +as a )o)entary pause> and then (vesha) reverted to the
pre.eding topi./
JThat Appeton .ase> I re)e)'er it very +e no+/ What a sensation
it )ade/ She got off> didn"t sheA Pretty +o)an> very fair ; re)ar1a'y
fair/J
A)ost against his +i> Mr Satterth+aite"s eyes sought the 1neeing
figure up a'ove/ Was it his fan.y> or did he see it shrin1 a itte as
though at a 'o+/ $id he see a hand side up+ards to the ta'e .oth ;
and then pause/
There +as a .rash of faing gass/ AeB Porta> heping hi)sef to
+his1y> had et the de.anter sip/
JI say ; sir> da)" sorry/ Can"t thin1 +hat .a)e over )e/J
(vesha) .ut short his apoogies/
J4uite a right/ 4uite a right> )y dear feo+/ Curious ; That s)ash
re)inded )e/ That"s +hat she did> didn"t sheA Mrs AppetonA
S)ashed the port de.anterAJ
J@es/ <d Appeton had his gass of port ; ony one ; ea.h night/ The
day after his death> one of the servants sa+ her ta1e the de.anter
out and s)ash it dei'eratey/ That set the) ta1ing> of .ourse/ They
a 1ne+ she had 'een perfe.ty +ret.hed +ith hi)/ &u)our gre+
and gre+> and in the end> )onths ater> so)e of his reatives appied
for an eBhu)ation order/ And sure enough> the od feo+ had 'een
poisoned/ Arseni.> +asn"t itAJ
J0o ; stry.hnine> I thin1/ It doesn"t )u.h )atter/ We> of .ourse>
there it +as/ <ny one person +as i1ey to have done it/ Mrs
Appeton stood her tria/ She +as a.8uitted )ore through a.1 of
eviden.e against her than fro) any over+he)ing proof of
inno.en.e/ In other +ords> she +as u.1y/ @es> I don"t suppose
there"s )u.h dou't she did it right enough/ What happened to her
after+ardsAJ
JWent out to Canada> I 'eieve/ <r +as it AustraiaA She had an un.e
or so)ething of the sort out there +ho offered her a ho)e/ %est thing
she .oud do under the .ir.u)stan.es/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as fas.inated 'y AeB Porta"s right hand as it
.asped his gass/ !o+ tighty he +as gripping it/
J@ou" s)ash that in a )inute or t+o> if you"re not .arefu>J thought
Mr Satterth+aite/ J$ear )e> ho+ interesting a this is/J
(vesha) rose and heped hi)sef to a drin1/
JWe> +e"re not )u.h nearer to 1no+ing +hy poor $ere1 Cape shot
hi)sef>J he re)ar1ed/ JThe Court of In8uiry hasn"t 'een a great
su..ess> has it> Mr 4uinAJ
Mr 4uin aughed///
It +as a strange augh> )o.1ing ; yet sad/ It )ade everyone Du)p/
JI 'eg your pardon>J he said/ J@ou are sti iving in the past> Mr
(vesha)/ @ou are sti ha)pered 'y your pre.on.eived notion/ %ut I ;
the )an fro) outside> the stranger passing 'y> see ony ; fa.tsGJ
JFa.tsAJ
J@es ; fa.ts/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ said (vesha)>
JI see a .ear se8uen.e of fa.ts> outined 'y yourseves> 'ut of +hi.h
you have not seen the signifi.an.e/ #et us go 'a.1 ten years and
oo1 at +hat +e see untra))eed 'y ideas or senti)ent/J
Mr 4uin had risen/ !e oo1ed very ta/ The fire eaped fitfuy 'ehind
hi)/ !e spo1e in a o+ .o)peing voi.e/
J@ou are at dinner/ $ere1 Cape announ.es his engage)ent/ @ou
thin1 then it +as to MarDorie $i1e/ @ou are not so sure no+/ !e has
the restessy eB.ited )anner of a )an +ho has su..essfuy defied
Fate ; +ho> in your o+n +ords> has pued off a 'ig .oup against
over+he)ing odds/ Then .o)es the .anging of the 'e/ !e goes
out to get the ong overdue )ai/ !e doesn"t open his etters> 'ut you
)ention yourseves that he opened the paper to gan.e at the ne+s/
It is ten years ago ; so +e .annot 1no+ +hat the ne+s +as that day ;
a far;off earth8ua1e> a near at hand poiti.a .risisA The ony thing
+e do 1no+ a'out the .ontents of that paper is that it .ontained one
s)a paragraph ; a paragraph stating that the !o)e <ffi.e had
given per)ission to eBhu)e the 'ody of Mr Appeton three days
ago/J
JWhatAJ
Mr 4uin +ent on/
J$ere1 Cape goes up to his roo)> and there he sees so)ething out
of the +indo+/ Sir &i.hard Con+ay has tod us that the .urtain +as
not dra+n a.ross it and further that it gave on to the drive/ What did
he seeA What .oud he have seen that for.ed hi) to ta1e his ifeAJ
JWhat do you )eanA What did he seeAJ
JI thin1>J said Mr 4uin> Jthat he sa+ a poi.e)an/ A poi.e)an +ho
had .o)e a'out a dog ; %ut $ere1 Cape didn"t 1no+ that ; he Dust
sa+ ; a poi.e)an/J
There +as a ong sien.e ; as though it too1 so)e ti)e to drive the
inferen.e ho)e/
JMy ,odGJ +hispered (vesha) at ast/ J@ou .an"t )ean thatA
AppetonA %ut he +asn"t there at the ti)e Appeton died/ The od
)an +as aone +ith his +ife ;J
J%ut he )ay have 'een there a +ee1 earier/ Stry.hnine is not very
sou'e uness it is in the for) of hydro.horide/ The greater part of
it> put into the port> +oud 'e ta1en in the ast gass> perhaps a +ee1
after he eft/J
Porta sprung for+ard/ !is voi.e +as hoarse his eyes 'oodshot/
JWhy did she 'rea1 the de.anterAJ he .ried/ JWhy did she 'rea1 the
de.anterA Te )e thatGJ
For the first ti)e that evening> Mr 4uin addressed hi)sef to Mr
Satterth+aite/
J@ou have a +ide eBperien.e of ife> Mr Satterth+aite/ Perhaps you
.an te us that/J
Mr Satterth+aite"s voi.e tre)'ed a itte/ !is .ue had .o)e at ast/
!e +as to spea1 so)e of the )ost i)portant ines in the pay/ !e +as
an a.tor no+ ; not a oo1er;on/
JAs I see it>J he )ur)ured )odesty> Jshe .ared for $ere1 Cape/
She +as> I thin1> a good +o)an ; and she had sent hi) a+ay/ When
her hus'and died> she suspe.ted the truth/ And so> to save the )an
she oved> she tried to destroy the eviden.e against hi)/ #ater> I
thin1> he persuaded her that her suspi.ions +ere unfounded> and
she .onsented to )arry hi)/ %ut even then> she hung 'a.1 ; +o)en>
I fan.y> have a ot of instin.t/J
Mr Satterth+aite had spo1en his part/
Suddeny a ong tre)'ing sigh fied the air/
JMy ,odGJ .ried (vesha)> starting> J+hat +as thatAJ
Mr Satterth+aite .oud have tod hi) that it +as (eanor Porta in the
gaery a'ove> 'ut he +as too artisti. to spoi a good effe.t/
Mr 4uin +as s)iing/
JMy .ar +i 'e ready 'y no+/ Than1 you for your hospitaity> Mr
(vesha)/ I have> I hope> done so)ething for )y friend/J
They stared at hi) in 'an1 a)a?e)ent
JThat aspe.t of the )atter has not stru.1 youA !e oved this +o)an>
you 1no+/ #oved her enough to .o))it )urder for her sa1e/ When
retri'ution overtoo1 hi)> as he )ista1eny thought> he too1 his o+n
ife/ %ut un+ittingy> he eft her to fa.e the )usi./J
JShe +as a.8uitted>J )uttered (vesha)/
J%e.ause the .ase against her .oud not 'e proved/ I fan.y ; it )ay
'e ony a fan.y ; that she is sti ; fa.ing the )usi./J
Porta had sun1 into a .hair> his fa.e 'uried in his hands/
4uin turned to Satterth+aite/
J,ood;'ye> Mr Satterth+aite/ @ou are interested in the dra)a> are
you notAJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded surprised/
JI )ust re.o))end the !are8uinade to your attention/ It is dying out
no+adays ; 'ut it repays attention> I assure you/ Its sy)'ois) is a
itte diffi.ut to foo+ ; 'ut the i))ortas are a+ays i))orta> you
1no+/ I +ish you a good;night/J
They sa+ hi) stride out into the dar1/ As 'efore> the .ooured gass
gave the effe.t of )otey///
Mr Satterth+aite +ent upstairs/ !e +ent to dra+ do+n his +indo+>
for the air +as .od/ The figure of Mr 4uin )oved do+n the drive> and
fro) a side door .a)e a +o)an"s figure> running/ For a )o)ent they
spo1e together> then she retra.ed her steps to the house/ She
passed Dust 'eo+ the +indo+> and Mr Satterth+aite +as stru.1
ane+ 'y the vitaity of her fa.e/ She )oved no+ i1e a +o)an in a
happy drea)/
J(eanorGJ
AeB Porta had Doined her/
J(eanor> forgive )e ; forgive )e ; @ou tod )e the truth> 'ut ,od
forgive )e ; I did not 8uite 'eieve///J
Mr Satterth+aite +as intensey interested in other peope"s affairs>
'ut he +as aso a gente)an It +as 'orne in upon hi) that he )ust
shut the +indo+/ !e did so/
%ut he shut it very so+y/
!e heard her voi.e> eB8uisite and indes.ri'a'e/
JI 1no+ ; I 1no+/ @ou have 'een in he/ So +as I on.e/ #oving ; yet
aternatey 'eieving and suspe.ting ; thrusting aside one"s dou'ts
and having the) spring up again +ith eering fa.es/// I 1no+> AeB> I
1no+/// %ut there is a +orse he than that> the he I have ived in +ith
you/ I have seen your dou't ; your fear of )e/// poisoning a our ove/
That )an ; that .han.e passer 'y> saved )e/ I .oud 'ear it no
onger> you understand/ Tonight ; tonight I +as going to 1i )ysef///
AeB/// AeB///J
Chapter 2
T!( S!A$<W <0 T!( ,#ASS
J#isten to this>J said #ady Cynthia $rage/
She read aoud fro) the Dourna she hed in her hand/
JMr and Mrs 2n1erton are entertaining a party at ,reen+ays !ouse
this +ee1/ A)ongst the guests are #ady Cynthia $rage> Mr and Mrs
&i.hard S.ott> MaDor Porter> $/S/</> Mrs Staverton> Captain Aenson
and Mr Satterth+aite/J
JIt"s as +e> Jre)ar1ed #ady Cynthia> .asting a+ay the paper> Jto
1no+ +hat +e"re in for/ %ut they have )ade a )ess of thingsGJ
!er .o)panion> that sa)e Mr Satterth+aite +hose na)e figured at
the end of the ist of guests> oo1ed at her interrogativey/ It had 'een
said that if Mr Satterth+aite +ere found at the houses of those ri.h
+ho had ne+y arrived> it +as a sign either that the .oo1ing +as
unusuay good> or that a dra)a of hu)an ife +as to 'e ena.ted
there/ Mr Satterth+aite +as a'nor)ay interested in the .o)edies
and tragedies of his feo+ )en/
#ady Cynthia> +ho +as a )idde;aged +o)an> +ith a hard fa.e and a
i'era ao+an.e of )a1e;up> tapped hi) s)arty +ith the ne+est
thing in parasos +hi.h ay ra1ishy a.ross her 1nee/
J$on"t pretend you don"t understand )e/ @ou do perfe.ty/ What"s
)ore> I 'eieve you"re here on purpose to see the fur fyGJ
Mr Satterth+aite protested vigorousy/ !e didn"t 1no+ +hat she +as
ta1ing a'out/
JI") ta1ing a'out &i.hard S.ott/ $o you pretend you"ve never heard
of hi)AJ
J0o> of .ourse not/ !e"s the %ig ,a)e )an> isn"t heAJ
JThat"s it ; ",reat 'ig 'ears and tigers> et./" as the song says/ <f
.ourse> he"s a great ion hi)sef Dust no+ ; the 2n1ertons +oud
naturay 'e )ad to get hod of hi) ; and the 'rideG A .har)ing .hid ;
<hG 4uite a .har)ing .hid ; 'ut so na/ve> ony t+enty> you 1no+>
and he )ust 'e at east forty;five/J
JMrs S.ott see)s to 'e very .har)ing>J said Mr Satterth+aite
sedatey/
J@es> poor .hid/J
JWhy poor .hidAJ
#ady Cynthia .ast hi) a oo1 of reproa.h> and +ent on approa.hing
the point at issue in her o+n )anner/
JPorter"s a right ; a du dog> though ; another of these Afri.an
hunters> a sun'urnt and sient/ Se.ond fidde to &i.hard S.ott and
a+ays has 'een ; ife;ong friends and a that sort of thing/ When I
.o)e to thin1 of it> I 'eieve they +ere together on that trip ;J
JWhi.h tripAJ
JThe trip/ The Mrs Staverton trip/ @ou" 'e saying neBt you"ve never
heard of Mrs Staverton/J
JI have heard of Mrs Staverton>J said Mr Satterth+aite> a)ost +ith
un+iingness/
And he and #ady Cynthia eB.hanged gan.es/
JIt"s so eBa.ty i1e the 2n1ertons>J +aied the atter> Jthey are
a'soutey hopeess ; so.iay> I )ean/ The idea of as1ing those t+o
togetherG <f .ourse they"d heard that Mrs Staverton +as a
sports+o)an and a traveer and a that> and a'out her 'oo1/ Peope
i1e the 2n1ertons don"t even 'egin to reaise +hat pitfas there areG
I"ve 'een running the)> )ysef> for the ast year> and +hat I"ve gone
through no'ody 1no+s/ <ne has to 'e .onstanty at their e'o+/
"$on"t do thatG" "@ou .an"t do thisG" Than1 goodness> I") through +ith
it no+/ 0ot that +e"ve 8uarreed ; <hG 0o> I never 8uarre> 'ut
so)e'ody ese .an ta1e on the Do'/ As I"ve a+ays said> I .an put up
+ith vugarity> 'ut I .an"t stand )eannessGJ
After this so)e+hat .rypti. utteran.e> #ady Cynthia +as sient for a
)o)ent> ru)inating on the 2n1ertons" )eanness as dispayed to
hersef/
JIf I"d sti 'een running the sho+ for the)>J she +ent on presenty> JI
shoud have said 8uite fir)y and painy ; "@ou .an"t as1 Mrs
Staverton +ith the &i.hard S.otts/ She and he +ere on.e ;"J
She stopped eo8uenty/
J%ut +ere they on.eAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
JMy dear )anG It"s +e 1no+n/ That trip into the InteriorG I")
surprised the +o)an had the fa.e to a..ept the invitation/J
JPerhaps she didn"t 1no+ the others +ere .o)ingAJ suggested Mr
Satterth+aite/
JPerhaps she did/ That"s far )ore i1ey/J
J@ou thin1 ;AJ
JShe"s +hat I .a a dangerous +o)an ; the sort of +o)an +ho"d
sti.1 at nothing/ I +oudn"t 'e in &i.hard S.ott"s shoes this
+ee1end/J
JAnd his +ife 1no+s nothing> you thin1AJ
JI") .ertain of it/ %ut I suppose so)e 1ind friend +i enighten her
sooner or ater/ !ere"s *i))y Aenson/ Su.h a ni.e 'oy/ !e saved
)y ife in (gypt ast +inter ; I +as so 'ored> you 1no+/ !uo> *i))y>
.o)e here at on.e/J
Captain Aenson o'eyed> dropping do+n on the turf 'eside her/ !e
+as a handso)e young feo+ of thirty> +ith +hite teeth and an
infe.tious s)ie/
JI") gad so)e'ody +ants )e>J he o'served/ JThe S.otts are doing
the turte dove stunt> t+o re8uired> not three> Porter"s devouring the
Fied> and I"ve 'een in )orta danger of 'eing entertained 'y )y
hostess/J
!e aughed/ #ady Cynthia aughed +ith hi)/ Mr Satterth+aite> +ho
+as in so)e +ays a itte od;fashioned> so )u.h so that he sedo)
)ade fun of his host and hostess unti after he had eft their house>
re)ained grave/
JPoor *i))y>J said #ady Cynthia>
JMine not to reason +hy> )ine 'ut to s+ifty fy/ I had a narro+
es.ape of 'eing tod the fa)iy ghost story/J
JAn 2n1erton ghost>J said #ady Cynthia/ J!o+ s.rea)ing/J
J0ot an 2n1erton ghost>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JA ,reen+ays
ghost/ They 'ought it +ith the house/J
J<f .ourse>J said #ady Cynthia/ JI re)e)'er no+/ %ut it doesn"t
.an1 .hains> does itA It"s ony so)ething to do +ith a +indo+/J
*i))y Aenson oo1ed up 8ui.1y/
JA +indo+AJ
%ut for the )o)ent Mr Satterth+aite did not ans+er/ !e +as oo1ing
over *i))y"s head at three figures approa.hing fro) the dire.tion of
the house ; a si) gir 'et+een t+o )en/ There +as a superfi.ia
rese)'an.e 'et+een the )en> 'oth +ere ta and dar1 +ith 'ron?ed
fa.es and 8ui.1 eyes> 'ut oo1ed at )ore .osey the rese)'an.e
vanished/ &i.hard S.ott> hunter and eBporer> +as a )an of
eBtraordinariy vivid personaity/ !e had a )anner that radiated
)agnetis)/ *ohn Porter> his friend and feo+ hunter> +as a )an of
s8uarer 'uid +ith an i)passive> rather +ooden fa.e> and very
thoughtfu grey eyes/ !e +as a 8uiet )an> .ontent a+ays to pay
se.ond fidde to his friend/
And 'et+een these t+o +a1ed Moira S.ott +ho> unti three )onths
ago> had 'een Moira <"Conne/ A sender figure> 'ig +istfu 'ro+n
eyes> and goden red hair that stood out round her s)a fa.e i1e a
saint"s hao/
JThat .hid )ustn"t 'e hurt>J said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JIt
+oud 'e a'o)ina'e that a .hid i1e that shoud 'e hurt/J
#ady Cynthia greeted the ne+.o)ers +ith a +ave of the atest thing
in parasos/
JSit do+n> and don"t interrupt>J she said/ JMr Satterth+aite is teing
us a ghost story/J
JI ove ghost stories>J said Moira S.ott/ She dropped do+n on the
grass/
JThe ghost of ,reen+ays !ouseAJ as1ed &i.hard S.ott/
J@es/ @ou 1no+ a'out itAJ
S.ott nodded/
JI used to stay here in the od days>J he eBpained/ J%efore the (iots
had to se up/ The Wat.hing Cavaier> that"s it> isn"t itAJ
JThe Wat.hing Cavaier>J said his +ife softy/ JI i1e that/ It sounds
interesting/ Pease go on/J
%ut Mr Satterth+aite see)ed so)e+hat oath to do so/ !e assured
her that it +as not reay interesting at a/
J0o+ you"ve done it> Satterth+aite>J said &i.hard S.ott sardoni.ay/
JThat hint of reu.tan.e .in.hes it/J
In response to popuar .a)our> Mr Satterth+aite +as for.ed to
spea1/
JIt"s reay very uninteresting>J he said apoogeti.ay/ JI 'eieve the
origina story .entres round a Cavaier an.estor of the (iot fa)iy/
!is +ife had a &oundhead over/ The hus'and +as 1ied 'y the over
in an upstairs roo)> and the guity pair fed> 'ut as they fed> they
oo1ed 'a.1 at the house> and sa+ the fa.e of the dead hus'and at
the +indo+> +at.hing the)/ That is the egend> 'ut the ghost story is
ony .on.erned +ith a pane of gass in the +indo+ of that parti.uar
roo) on +hi.h is an irreguar stain> a)ost i)per.epti'e fro) near
at hand> 'ut +hi.h fro) far a+ay .ertainy gives the effe.t of a )an"s
fa.e oo1ing out/J
JWhi.h +indo+ is itAJ as1ed Mrs S.ott> oo1ing up at the house/
J@ou .an"t see it fro) here>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt is round the
other side 'ut +as 'oarded up fro) the inside so)e years ago ; forty
years ago> I thin1> to 'e a..urate/J
JWhat did they do that forA I thought you said the ghost didn"t +a1/J
JIt doesn"t>J Mr Satterth+aite assured her/ JI suppose ; +e> I
suppose there gre+ to 'e a superstitious feeing a'out it> that"s a/J
Then> defty enough> he su..eeded in turning the .onversation/
*i))y Aenson +as perfe.ty ready to hod forth upon (gyptians
and diviners/
JFrauds> )ost of the)/ &eady enough to te you vague things a'out
the past> 'ut +on"t .o))it the)seves as to the future/J
JI shoud have thought it +as usuay the other +ay a'out>J re)ar1ed
*ohn Porter/
JIt"s iega to te the future in this .ountry> isn"t itAJ said &i.hard
S.ott/ JMoira persuaded a gypsy into teing her fortune> 'ut the
+o)an gave her her shiing 'a.1> and said there +as nothing doing>
or +ords to that effe.t/J
JPerhaps she sa+ so)ething so frightfu that she didn"t i1e to te it
)e>J said Moira/
J$on"t pie on the agony> Mrs S.ott>J said Aenson ighty/ JI> for one>
refuse to 'eieve that an unu.1y fate is hanging over you/J
JI +onder>J thought Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JI +onder///J
Then he oo1ed up sharpy/ T+o +o)en +ere .o)ing fro) the
house> a short stout +o)an +ith 'a.1 hair> inappropriatey dressed
in Dade green> and a ta si) figure in .rea)y +hite/ The first +o)an
+as his hostess> Mrs 2n1erton> the se.ond +as a +o)an he had
often heard of> 'ut never )et/
J!ere"s Mrs Staverton>J announ.ed Mrs 2n1erton> in a tone of great
satisfa.tion/ JA friends here> I thin1/J
JThese peope have an un.anny gift for saying Dust the )ost a+fu
things they .an> J)ur)ured #ady Cynthia> 'ut Mr Satterth+aite +as
not istening/ !e +as +at.hing Mrs Staverton/
7ery easy ; very natura !er .areess J!uoG &i.hard> ages sin.e +e
)et/ Sorry I .oudn"t .o)e to the +edding/ Is this your +ifeA @ou
)ust 'e tired of )eeting a your hus'and"s +eather;'eaten od
friends/J Moira"s response ; suita'e> rather shy/ The eder +o)an"s
s+ift appraising gan.e that +ent on ighty to another od friend/
J!uo> *ohnGJ The sa)e easy tone> 'ut +ith a su'te differen.e in it ;
a +ar)ing 8uaity that had 'een a'sent 'efore/
And then that sudden s)ie/ It transfor)ed her/ #ady Cynthia had
'een 8uite right/ A dangerous +o)anG 7ery fair ; deep 'ue eyes ;
not the traditiona .oouring of the siren ; a fa.e a)ost haggard in
repose/ A +o)an +ith a so+ dragging voi.e and a sudden da??ing
s)ie/
Iris Staverton sat do+n/ She 'e.a)e naturay and inevita'y the
.entre of the group/ So you fet it +oud a+ays 'e/
Mr Satterth+aite +as re.aed fro) his thoughts 'y MaDor Porter"s
suggesting a stro/ Mr Satterth+aite> +ho +as not as a genera rue
)u.h given to stroing> a.8uies.ed/ The t+o )en sauntered off
together a.ross the a+n/
J7ery interesting story of yours Dust no+>J said the MaDor/
JI +i sho+ you the +indo+>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
!e ed the +ay round to the +est side of the house/ !ere there +as a
s)a for)a garden ; the Privy ,arden> it +as a+ays .aed> and
there +as so)e point in the na)e> for it +as surrounded 'y high
hoy hedges> and even the entran.e to it ran ?ig?ag 'et+een the
sa)e high pri.1y hedges/
<n.e inside> it +as very .har)ing +ith an od;+ord .har) of for)a
fo+er 'eds> fagged paths and a o+ stone seat> eB8uisitey .arved/
When they had rea.hed the .entre of the garden> Mr Satterth+aite
turned and pointed up at the house/ The ength of ,reen+ays !ouse
ran north and south/ In this narro+ +est +a there +as ony one
+indo+> a +indo+ on the first foor> a)ost overgro+n 'y ivy> +ith
gri)y panes> and +hi.h you .oud Dust see +as 'oarded up on the
inside/
JThere you are>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
Craning his ne.1 a itte> Porter oo1ed up/
J!")/ I .an see a 1ind of dis.oouration on one of the panes> nothing
)ore/J
JWe"re too near>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThere"s a .earing higher
up in the +oods +here you get a reay good vie+/J
!e ed the +ay out of the Privy ,arden> and turning sharpy to the
eft> stru.1 into the +oods/ A .ertain enthusias) of sho+)anship
possessed hi)> and he hardy noti.ed that the )an at his side +as
a'sent and inattentive/
JThey had> of .ourse> to )a1e another +indo+> +hen they 'oarded
up this one>J he eBpained/ JThe ne+ one fa.es south overoo1ing the
a+n +here +e +ere sitting Dust no+/ I rather fan.y the S.otts have
the roo) in 8uestion/ That is +hy I didn"t +ant to pursue the su'De.t/
Mrs S.ott )ight have fet nervous if she had reaised that she +as
seeping in +hat )ight 'e .aed the haunted roo)/J
J@es> I see>J said Porter/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) sharpy> and reaised that the other
had not heard a +ord of +hat he +as saying/
J7ery interesting>J said Porter/ !e sashed +ith his sti.1 at so)e ta
foBgoves> and> fro+ning> he said/ JShe ought not to have .o)e/ She
ought never to have .o)e/J
Peope often spo1e after this fashion to Mr Satterth+aite/ !e see)ed
to )atter so itte> to have so negative a personaity/ !e +as )erey a
gorified istener/
J0o>J said Porter> Jshe ought never to have .o)e/J
Mr Satterth+aite 1ne+ instin.tivey that it +as not of Mrs S.ott he
spo1e/
J@ou thin1 notAJ he as1ed/
Porter shoo1 his head as though in fore'oding/
JI +as on that trip>J he said a'rupty/ JThe three of us +ent/ S.ott
and I and Iris/ She"s a +onderfu +o)an ; and a da)ned fine shot/J
he paused/ JWhat )ade the) as1 herAJ he finished a'rupty/
Mr Satterth+aite shrugged his shouders/
JIgnoran.e>J he said/
JThere"s going to 'e trou'e>J said the other/ JWe )ust stand 'y ;
and do +hat +e .an/J
J%ut surey Mrs Staverton ;AJ
JI") ta1ing of S.ott/J he paused/ J@ou see ; there"s Mrs S.ott to
.onsider/J
Mr Satterth+aite had 'een .onsidering her a aong> 'ut he did not
thin1 it ne.essary to say so> sin.e the other )an had so .eary
forgotten her unti this )inute/
J!o+ did S.ott )eet his +ifeAJ he as1ed/
J#ast +inter> in Cairo/ A 8ui.1 'usiness/ They +ere engaged in three
+ee1s> and )arried in siB/J
JShe see)s to )e very .har)ing/J
JShe is> no dou't a'out it/ And he adores her ; 'ut that +i )a1e no
differen.e/ JAnd again MaDor Porter repeated to hi)sef> using the
pronoun that )eant to hi) one person onyH J!ang it a> she
shoudn"t have .o)e///J
*ust then they stepped out upon a high grassy 1no at so)e itte
distan.e fro) the house/ With again so)ething of the pride of the
sho+)an> Mr Satterth+aite stret.hed out his ar)/
J#oo1>J he said/
It +as fast gro+ing dus1/ The +indo+ .oud sti 'e painy o'served>
and apparenty pressed against one of the panes +as a )an"s fa.e
sur)ounted 'y a pu)ed .avaier"s hat/
J7ery .urious>J said Porter/ J&eay very .urious/ What +i happen
+hen that pane of gass gets s)ashed so)e dayAJ
Mr Satterth+aite s)ied/
JThat is one of the )ost interesting parts of the story/ That pane of
gass has 'een repa.ed to )y .ertain 1no+edge at east eeven
ti)es> perhaps oftener/ The ast ti)e +as t+eve years ago +hen the
then o+ner of the house deter)ined to destroy the )yth/ %ut it"s
a+ays the sa)e/ The stain reappears ; not a at on.e> the
dis.oouration spreads graduay/ It ta1es a )onth or t+o as a rue/J
For the first ti)e> Porter sho+ed signs of rea interest/ !e gave a
sudden 8ui.1 shiver/
J$a)ned odd> these things/ 0o a..ounting for the)/ What"s the rea
reason of having the roo) 'oarded up insideAJ
JWe> an idea got a'out that the roo) +as ; unu.1y/ The (vesha)s
+ere in it Dust 'efore the divor.e/ Then Staney and his +ife +ere
staying here> and had that roo) +hen he ran off +ith his .horus girJ
Porter raised his eye'ro+s/
JI see/ $anger> not to ife> 'ut to )oras/J
JAnd no+>J thought Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef> Jthe S.otts have it///
I +onder///J
They retra.ed their steps in sien.e to the house/ Wa1ing a)ost
noiseessy on the soft turf> ea.h a'sor'ed in his o+n thoughts> they
'e.a)e un+ittingy eavesdroppers/
They +ere rounding the .orner of the hoy hedge +hen they heard
Iris Staverton"s voi.e raised fier.e and .ear fro) the depths of the
Privy ,arden/
J@ou sha 'e sorry ; sorry ; for thisGJ
S.ott"s voi.e ans+ered o+ and un.ertain> so that the +ords .oud
not 'e distinguished> and then the +o)an"s voi.e rose again>
spea1ing +ords that they +ere to re)e)'er ater/
J*eaousy ; it drives one to the $evi ; it is the $eviG It .an drive one
to 'a.1 )urder/ %e .arefu> &i.hard> for ,od"s sa1e> 'e .arefuGJ
And then on that she had .o)e out of the Privy ,arden ahead of
the)> and on round the .orner of the house +ithout seeing the)>
+a1ing s+ifty> a)ost running> i1e a +o)an hag;ridden and
pursued/
Mr Satterth+aite thought again of #ady Cynthia"s +ords/ A
dangerous +o)an/ For the first ti)e> he had a pre)onition of
tragedy> .o)ing s+ift and ineBora'e> not to 'e gainsaid/
@et that evening he fet asha)ed of his fears/ (verything see)ed
nor)a and peasant/ Mrs Staverton> +ith her easy insou.ian.e>
sho+ed no sign of strain/ Moira S.ott +as her .har)ing> unaffe.ted
sef/ The t+o +o)en appeared to 'e getting on very +e/ &i.hard
S.ott hi)sef see)ed to 'e in 'oisterous spirits/
The )ost +orried oo1ing person +as stout Mrs 2n1erton/ She
.onfided at ength in Mr Satterth+aite/
JThin1 it siy or not> as you i1e> there"s so)ething giving )e the
.reeps/ And I" te you fran1y> I"ve sent for the ga?ier un'e1no+n to
0ed/J
JThe ga?ierAJ
JTo put a ne+ pane of gass in that +indo+/ It"s a very +e/ 0ed"s
proud of it ; says it gives the house a tone I don"t i1e it/ I te you fat/
We" have a ni.e pain )odern pane of gass> +ith no nasty stories
atta.hed to it/J
J@ou forget>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jor perhaps you don"t 1no+/ The
stain .o)es 'a.1/J
JThat"s as it )ay 'e>J said Mrs 2n1erton/ JA I .an say is if it does>
it"s against natureGJ
Mr Satterth+aite raised his eye'ro+s> 'ut did not repy/
JAnd +hat if it doesAJ pursued Mrs 2n1erton defianty/ JWe"re not so
'an1rupt> 0ed and I> that +e .an"t afford a ne+ pane of gass every
)onth ; or every +ee1 if need 'e for the )atter of that/J
Mr Satterth+aite did not )eet the .haenge/ !e had seen too )any
things .ru)pe and fa 'efore the po+er of )oney to 'eieve that
even a Cavaier ghost .oud put up a su..essfu fight/ 0evertheess>
he +as interested 'y Mrs 2n1erton"s )anifest uneasiness/ (ven she
+as not eBe)pt fro) the tension in the at)osphere ; ony she
attri'uted it to an attenuated ghost story> not to the .ash of
personaities a)ongst her guests/
Mr Satterth+aite +as fated to hear yet another s.rap of .onversation
+hi.h thre+ ight upon the situation/ !e +as going up the +ide
stair.ase to 'ed> *ohn Porter and Mrs Staverton +ere sitting
together in an a.ove of the 'ig ha/ She +as spea1ing +ith a faint
irritation in her goden voi.e/
JI hadn"t the east idea the S.otts +ere going to 'e here/ I daresay> if
I had 1no+n> I shoudn"t have .o)e> 'ut I .an assure you> )y dear
*ohn> that no+ I a) here> I") not going to run a+ay ;J
Mr Satterth+aite passed on up the stair.ase out of earshot/ !e
thought to hi)sef ; JI +onder no+ ; !o+ )u.h of that is trueA $id
she 1no+A I +onder ; +hat"s going to .o)e of itAJ
!e shoo1 his head/
In the .ear ight of the )orning he fet that he had perhaps 'een a
itte )eodra)ati. in his i)aginings of the evening 'efore/ A )o)ent
of strain ; yes> .ertainy ; inevita'e under the .ir.u)stan.es ; 'ut
nothing )ore/ Peope adDusted the)seves/ !is fan.y that so)e
great .atastrophe +as pending +as nerves ; pure nerves ; or
possi'y iver/
@es> that +as it> iver/ !e +as due at Cars'ad in another fortnight/
<n his o+n a..ount he proposed a itte stro that evening Dust as it
+as gro+ing dus1/ !e suggested to MaDor Porter that they shoud go
up to the .earing and see if Mrs 2n1erton had 'een as good as her
+ord> and had a ne+ pane of gass put in/ To hi)sef> he said ;
J(Ber.ise> that"s +hat I need/ (Ber.ise/J
The t+o )en +a1ed so+y through the +oods/ Porter> as usua> +as
ta.iturn/
JI .an"t hep feeing>J said Mr Satterth+aite o8ua.iousy> Jthat +e
+ere a itte fooish in our i)aginings yesterday/ (Bpe.ting ; er ;
trou'e> you 1no+/ After a> peope have to 'ehave the)seves ;
s+ao+ their feeings and that sort of thing/J
JPerhaps>J said Porter/ After a )inute or t+o he added> JCiviised
peope/J
J@ou )ean ;AJ
JPeope +ho"ve ived outside .iviisation a good dea so)eti)es go
'a.1/ &evert/ Whatever you .a it/J
They e)erged on to the grassy 1no/ Mr Satterth+aite +as 'reathing
rather fast/ !e never enDoyed going up hi/
!e oo1ed to+ards the +indo+/ The fa.e +as sti there> )ore ifei1e
than ever/
J<ur hostess has repented> I see/J Porter thre+ it ony a .ursory
gan.e/
J2n1erton .ut up rough> I eBpe.t>J he said indifferenty/ J!e"s the
sort of )an +ho is +iing to 'e proud of another fa)iy"s ghost> and
+ho isn"t going to run the ris1 of having it driven a+ay +hen he"s paid
spot .ash for it/J
!e +as sient a )inute or t+o> staring> not at the house> 'ut at the
thi.1 undergro+th 'y +hi.h they +ere surrounded/
J!as it ever stru.1 you>J he said> Jthat .iviisation"s da)ned
dangerousAJ
J$angerousAJ Su.h a revoutionary re)ar1 sho.1ed Mr
Satterth+aite to the .ore/
J@es/ There are no safety vaves> you see/J
!e turned a'rupty> and they des.ended the path 'y +hi.h they had
.o)e/
JI reay a) 8uite at a oss to understand you>J said Mr Satterth+aite>
pattering aong +ith ni)'e steps to 1eep up +ith the other"s strides/
J&easona'e peope ;J
Porter aughed/ A short dis.on.erting augh/ Then he oo1ed at the
.orre.t itte gente)an 'y his side/
J@ou thin1 it"s a 'un1u) on )y part> Mr Satterth+aiteA %ut there
are peope> you 1no+> +ho .an te you +hen a stor)"s .o)ing/ They
fee it 'eforehand in the air/ And other peope .an forete trou'e/
There"s trou'e .o)ing no+> Mr Satterth+aite> 'ig trou'e/ It )ay
.o)e any )inute/ It )ay ;J
!e stopped dead> .ut.hing Mr Satterth+aite"s ar)/ And in that tense
)inute of sien.e it .a)e ; the sound of t+o shots and foo+ing the)
a .ry ; a .ry in a +o)an"s voi.e/
JMy ,odGJ .ried Porter> Jit"s .o)e/J
!e ra.ed do+n the path> Mr Satterth+aite panting 'ehind hi)/ In a
)inute they .a)e out on to the a+n> .ose 'y the hedge of the Privy
,arden/ At the sa)e ti)e> &i.hard S.ott and Mr 2n1erton .a)e
round the opposite .orner of the house/ They hated> fa.ing ea.h
other> to eft and right of the entran.e to the Privy ,arden/
JIt ; it .a)e fro) in there>J said 2n1erton> pointing +ith a fa''y
hand/
JWe )ust see>J said Porter/ !e ed the +ay into the en.osure/ As he
rounded the ast 'end of the hoy hedge> he stopped dead/ Mr
Satterth+aite peered over his shouder/ A oud .ry 'urst fro)
&i.hard S.ott/
There +ere three peope in the Privy ,arden/ T+o of the) ay on the
grass near the stone seat> a )an and a +o)an/ The third +as Mrs
Staverton/ She +as standing 8uite .ose to the) 'y the hoy hedge>
ga?ing +ith horror;stri.1en eyes> and hoding so)ething in her right
hand/
JIris>J .ried Porter/ JIris/ For ,od"s sa1eG What"s that you"ve got in
your handAJ
She oo1ed do+n at it then ; +ith a 1ind of +onder> an un'eieva'e
indifferen.e/
JIt"s a pisto>J she said +onderingy/ And then ; after +hat see)ed an
inter)ina'e ti)e> 'ut +as in reaity ony a fe+ se.onds> JI ; pi.1ed it
up/J
Mr Satterth+aite had gone for+ard to +here 2n1erton and S.ott
+ere 1neeing on the turf/
JA do.tor>J the atter +as )ur)uring/ JWe )ust have a do.tor/J
%ut it +as too ate for any do.tor/ *i))y Aenson +ho had
.o)pained that the hand diviners hedged a'out the future> and
Moira S.ott to +ho) the gypsy had returned a shiing> ay there in
the ast great stiness/
It +as &i.hard S.ott +ho .o)peted a 'rief eBa)ination/ The iron
nerve of the )an sho+ed in this .risis/ After the first .ry of agony> he
+as hi)sef again/
!e aid his +ife genty do+n again/
JShot fro) 'ehind>J he said 'riefy/ JThe 'uet has passed right
through her/J
Then he handed *i))y Aenson/ The +ound here +as in the 'reast
and the 'uet +as odged in the 'ody/
*ohn Porter .a)e to+ards the)/
J0othing shoud 'e tou.hed>J he said sterny/ JThe poi.e )ust see it
a eBa.ty as it is no+/J
JThe poi.e>J said &i.hard S.ott/ !is eyes it up +ith a sudden fa)e
as he oo1ed at the +o)an standing 'y the hoy hedge/ !e )ade a
step in that dire.tion> 'ut at the sa)e ti)e *ohn Porter aso )oved>
so as to 'ar his +ay/ For a )o)ent it see)ed as though there +as a
due of eyes 'et+een the t+o friends/
Porter very 8uiety shoo1 his head
J0o> &i.hard>J he said/ JIt oo1s i1e it ; 'ut you"re +rong/J
&i.hard S.ott spo1e +ith diffi.uty> )oistening his dry ips/
JThen +hy ; has she got that in her handAJ
And again Iris Staverton said in the sa)e ifeess tone ; JI ; pi.1ed it
up/J
JThe poi.e>J said 2n1erton rising/ JWe )ust send for the poi.e ; at
on.e/ @ou +i teephone perhaps> S.ottA So)eone shoud stay here ;
yes> I a) sure so)eone shoud stay here/J
In his 8uiet gente)any )anner> Mr Satterth+aite offered to do so/
!is host a..epted the offer +ith )anifest reief/
JThe adies>J he eBpained/ JI )ust 'rea1 the ne+s to the adies> #ady
Cynthia and )y dear +ife/J
Mr Satterth+aite stayed in the Privy ,arden oo1ing do+n on the
'ody of that +hi.h had on.e 'een Moira S.ott/
JPoor .hid>J he said to hi)sef/ JPoor .hid///J
!e 8uoted to hi)sef the tag a'out the evi )en do iving after the)/
For +as not &i.hard S.ott in a +ay responsi'e for his inno.ent
+ife"s deathA They +oud hang Iris Staverton> he supposed> not that
he i1ed to thin1 of it> 'ut +as not it at east a part of the 'a)e he aid
at the )an"s doorA The evi that )en do ;
And the gir> the inno.ent gir> had paid/
!e oo1ed do+n at her +ith a very deep pity/ !er s)a fa.e> so +hite
and +istfu> a haf s)ie on the ips sti/ The ruffed goden hair> the
dei.ate ear/ There +as a spot of 'ood on the o'e of it/ With an inner
feeing of 'eing so)ething of a dete.tive> Mr Satterth+aite dedu.ed
an earring> torn a+ay in her fa/ !e .raned his ne.1 for+ard/ @es> he
+as right> there +as a s)a pear drop hanging fro) the other ear/
Poor .hid> poor .hid
JAnd no+> sir>J said Inspe.tor Win1fied
They +ere in the i'rary/ The Inspe.tor> a shre+d;oo1ing for.efu
)an of forty odd> +as .on.uding his investigations/ !e had
8uestioned )ost of the guests> and had 'y no+ pretty +e )ade up
his )ind on the .ase/ !e +as istening to +hat MaDor Porter and Mr
Satterth+aite had to say/ Mr 2n1erton sat heaviy in a .hair> staring
+ith protruding eyes at the opposite +a/
JAs I understand it> gente)en>J said the Inspe.tor> Jyou"d 'een for a
+a1/ @ou +ere returning to the house 'y a path that +inds round the
eft side of +hat they .a the Privy ,arden/ Is that .orre.tAJ
J4uite .orre.t> Inspe.tor/J
J@ou heard t+o shots> and a +o)an"s s.rea)AJ
J@es/J
J@ou then ran as fast as you .oud> e)erged fro) the +oods and
)ade your +ay to the entran.e of the Privy ,arden/ If any'ody had
eft that garden> they .oud ony do so 'y one entran.e/ The hoy
'ushes are i)passa'e/ If anyone had run out of the garden and
turned to the right> he +oud have 'een )et 'y Mr 2n1erton and Mr
S.ott/ If he had turned to the eft> he .oud not have done so +ithout
'eing seen 'y you/ Is that rightAJ
JThat is so>J said MaDor Porter/ !is fa.e +as very +hite/
JThat see)s to sette it>J said the Inspe.tor/ JMr and Mrs 2n1erton
and #ady Cynthia $rage +ere sitting on the a+n> Mr S.ott +as in the
%iiard &oo) +hi.h opens on to that a+n/ At ten )inutes past siB>
Mrs Staverton .a)e out of the house> spo1e a +ord or t+o to those
sitting there> and +ent round the .orner of the house to+ards the
Privy ,arden/ T+o )inutes ater the shots +ere heard/ Mr S.ott
rushed out of the house and together +ith Mr 2n1erton ran to the
Privy ,arden/ At the sa)e ti)e you and Mr ; er ; Satterth+aite
arrived fro) the opposite dire.tion/ Mrs Staverton +as in the Privy
,arden +ith a pisto in her hand fro) +hi.h t+o shots had 'een
fired/ As I see it> she shot the ady first fro) 'ehind as she +as sitting
on the 'en.h/ Then Captain Aenson sprang up and +ent for her>
and she shot hi) in the .hest as he .a)e to+ards her/ I understand
that there had 'een a ; er ; previous atta.h)ent 'et+een her and Mr
&i.hard S.ott ;J
JThat"s a da)ned ie>J said Porter/
!is voi.e rang out hoarse and defiant/ The Inspe.tor said nothing>
)erey shoo1 his head/
JWhat is her o+n storyAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
JShe says that she +ent into the Privy ,arden to 'e 8uiet for a itte/
*ust 'efore she rounded the ast hedge> she heard the shots/ She
.a)e round the .orner> sa+ the pisto ying at her feet> and pi.1ed it
up/ 0o one passed her> and she sa+ no one in the garden 'ut the t+o
vi.ti)s/J The Inspe.tor gave an eo8uent pause/ JThat"s +hat she
says ; and athough I .autioned her> she insisted on )a1ing a
state)ent/J
JIf she said that>J said MaDor Porter> and his fa.e +as sti deady
+hite> Jshe +as spea1ing the truth/ I 1no+ Iris Staverton/J
JWe> sir>J said the Inspe.tor> Jthere" 'e penty of ti)e to go into a
that ater/ In the )eanti)e> I"ve got )y duty to do/J
With an a'rupt )ove)ent> Porter turned to Mr Satterth+aite/
J@ouG Can"t you hepA Can"t you do so)ethingAJ
Mr Satterth+aite .oud not hep feeing i))ensey fattered/ !e had
'een appeaed to> he> )ost insignifi.ant of )en> and 'y a )an i1e
*ohn Porter/
!e +as Dust a'out to futter out a regretfu repy> +hen the 'uter>
Tho)pson> entered> +ith a .ard upon a saver +hi.h he too1 to his
)aster +ith an apoogeti. .ough/ Mr 2n1erton +as sti sitting
hudded up in a .hair> ta1ing no part in the pro.eedings/
JI tod the gente)an you +oud pro'a'y not 'e a'e to see hi)> sir>J
said Tho)pson/ J%ut he insisted that he had an appoint)ent and that
it +as )ost urgent/J
2n1erton too1 the .ard/
JMr !arey 4uin>J he read/ JI re)e)'er> he +as to see )e a'out a
pi.ture/ I did )a1e an appoint)ent> 'ut as things are ;J
%ut Mr Satterth+aite had started for+ard/
JMr !arey 4uin> did you sayAJ he .ried/ J!o+ eBtraordinary> ho+
very eBtraordinary/ MaDor Porter> you as1ed )e if I .oud hep you/ I
thin1 I .an/ This Mr 4uin is a friend ; or I shoud say> an a.8uaintan.e
of )ine/ !e is a )ost re)ar1a'e )an/J
J<ne of these a)ateur sovers of .ri)e> I suppose>J re)ar1ed the
Inspe.tor disparagingy/
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J!e is not that 1ind of )an at a/ %ut he
has a po+er ; an a)ost un.anny po+er ; of sho+ing you +hat you
have seen +ith your o+n eyes> of )a1ing .ear to you +hat you have
heard +ith your o+n ears/ #et us> at any rate> give hi) an outine of
the .ase> and hear +hat he has to say/J
Mr 2n1erton gan.ed at the Inspe.tor> +ho )erey snorted and
oo1ed at the .eiing/ Then the for)er gave a short nod to Tho)pson>
+ho eft the roo) and returned ushering in a ta> si) stranger/
JMr 2n1ertonAJ The stranger shoo1 hi) 'y the hand/ JI a) sorry to
intrude upon you at su.h a ti)e/ We )ust eave our itte pi.ture .hat
unti another ti)e/ AhG My friend Mr Satterth+aite/ Sti as fond of the
dra)a as everAJ
A faint s)ie payed for a )inute round the stranger"s ips as he said
these ast +ords/
JMr 4uin>J said Mr Satterth+aite i)pressivey> J+e have a dra)a
here> +e are in the )idst of one/ I shoud i1e> and )y friend> MaDor
Porter> +oud i1e> to have your opinion of it/J
Mr 4uin sat do+n/ The red;shaded a)p thre+ a 'road 'and of
.ooured ight over the .he.1ed pattern of his over.oat> and eft his
fa.e in shado+ a)ost as though he +ore a )as1/
Su..in.ty> Mr Satterth+aite re.ited the )ain points of the tragedy/
Then he paused> 'reathessy a+aiting the +ords of the ora.e/
%ut Mr 4uin )erey shoo1 his head/
JA sad story>J he said/ JA very sad and sho.1ing tragedy/ The a.1 of
)otive )a1es it very intriguing/J
2n1erton stared at hi)/
J@ou don"t understand>J he said/ JMrs Staverton +as heard to
threaten &i.hard S.ott/ She +as 'ittery Deaous of his +ife/ *eaousy
;J
JI agree>J said Mr 4uin/ J*eaousy or $e)onia. Possession/ It"s a
the sa)e/ %ut you )isunderstand )e/ I +as not referring to the
)urder of Mrs S.ott> 'ut to that of Captain Aenson/J
J@ou"re right>J .ried Porter> springing for+ard/ JThere"s a fa+ there/
If Iris had ever .onte)pated shooting Mrs S.ott> she"d have got her
aone so)e+here/ 0o> +e"re on the +rong ta.1/ And I thin1 I see
another soution/ <ny those three peope +ent into the Privy
,arden/ That is indisputa'e and I don"t intend to dispute it/ %ut I
re.onstru.t the tragedy differenty/ Supposing *i))y Aenson
shoots first Mrs S.ott and then hi)sef/ That"s possi'e> isn"t itA !e
fings the pisto fro) hi) as he fas ; Mrs Staverton finds it ying on
the ground and pi.1s it up Dust as she said/ !o+"s thatAJ
The Inspe.tor shoo1 his head/
JWon"t +ash> MaDor Porter/ If Captain Aenson had fired that shot
.ose to his 'ody> the .oth +oud have 'een singed/J
J!e )ight have hed the pisto at ar)"s ength/J
JWhy shoud heA 0o sense in it/ %esides> there"s no )otive/J
JMight have gone off his head suddeny>J )uttered Porter> 'ut
+ithout any great .onvi.tion/ !e fe to sien.e again> suddeny
rousing hi)sef to say defianty ; JWe> Mr 4uinAJ
The atter shoo1 his head/
JI") not a )agi.ian/ I") not even a .ri)inoogist/ %ut I +i te you
one thing ; I 'eieve in the vaue of i)pressions/ In any ti)e of .risis>
there is a+ays one )o)ent that stands out fro) a the others> one
pi.ture that re)ains +hen a ese has faded/ Mr Satterth+aite is> I
thin1> i1ey to have 'een the )ost unpreDudi.ed o'server of those
present/ Wi you .ast your )ind 'a.1> Mr Satterth+aite> and te us
the )o)ent that )ade the strongest i)pression on youA Was it +hen
you heard the shotsA Was it +hen you first sa+ the dead 'odiesA
Was it +hen you first o'served the pisto in Mrs Staverton"s handA
Cear your )ind of any pre.on.eived standard of vaues> and te us/J
Mr Satterth+aite fiBed his eyes on Mr 4uin"s fa.e> rather as a
s.hoo'oy )ight repeat a esson of +hi.h he +as not sure/
J0o>J he said so+y/ JIt +as not any of those/ The )o)ent that I sha
a+ays re)e)'er +as +hen I stood aone 'y the 'odies ; after+ards
; oo1ing do+n on Mrs S.ott/ She +as ying on her side/ !er hair +as
ruffed/ There +as a spot of 'ood on her itte ear/J
And instanty> as he said it> he fet that he had said a terrifi.> a
signifi.ant thing/
J%ood on her earA @es> I re)e)'er>J said 2n1erton so+y/
J!er earring )ust have 'een torn out +hen she fe>J eBpained Mr
Satterth+aite/
%ut it sounded a itte i)pro'a'e as he said it/
JShe +as ying on her eft side>J said Porter/ JI suppose it +as that
earAJ
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite 8ui.1y/ JIt +as her right ear/J
The Inspe.tor .oughed/
JI found this in the grass>J he vou.hsafed/ !e hed up a oop of god
+ire/
J%ut> )y ,od> )an>J .ried Porter/ JThe thing .an"t have 'een
+ren.hed to pie.es 'y a )ere fa/ It"s )ore as though it had 'een
shot a+ay 'y a 'uet/J
JSo it +as>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt +as a 'uet/ It )ust have
'een/J
JThere +ere ony t+o shots>J said the Inspe.tor/ JA shot .an"t have
gra?ed her ear and shot her in the 'a.1 as +e/ And if one shot
.arried a+ay the earring> and the se.ond shot 1ied her> it .an"t
have 1ied Captain Aenson as +e ; not uness he +as standing
.ose in front of her ; very .ose ; fa.ing her as it )ight 'e/ <h ; I ; no>
not even then> uness> that is ;J
J2ness she +as in his ar)s> you +ere going to say>J said Mr 4uin>
+ith a 8ueer itte s)ie/ JWe> +hy notAJ
(veryone stared at ea.h other/ The idea +as so vitay strange to
the) ; Aenson and Mrs S.ott ; Mr 2n1erton voi.ed the sa)e feeing/
J%ut they hardy 1ne+ ea.h other>J he said/
JI don"t 1no+>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/ JThey )ight have
1no+n ea.h other 'etter than +e thought/ #ady Cynthia said he
saved her fro) 'eing 'ored in (gypt ast +inter> and you ;J he turned
to Porter ; Jyou tod )e that &i.hard S.ott )et his +ife in Cairo ast
+inter/ They )ight have 1no+n ea.h other very +e indeed out
there///J
JThey didn"t see) to 'e together )u.h>J said 2n1erton/
J0o ; they rather avoided ea.h other/ It +as a)ost unnatura> no+ I
.o)e to thin1 of it/J
They a oo1ed at Mr 4uin> as if a itte started at the .on.usions at
+hi.h they had arrived so uneBpe.tedy/
Mr 4uin rose to his feet/
J@ou see>J he said> J+hat Mr Satterth+aite"s i)pression has done for
us/J he turned to 2n1erton> JIt is your turn no+/J
J(hA I don"t understand you/J
J@ou +ere very thoughtfu +hen I .a)e into this roo)/ I shoud i1e to
1no+ eBa.ty +hat thought it +as that o'sessed you/ 0ever )ind if it
has nothing to do +ith the tragedy/ 0ever )ind if it see)s to you ;
superstitious ;J
Mr 2n1erton started> ever so sighty/ JTe us/J
JI don"t )ind teing you>J said 2n1erton/ JThough it"s nothing to do
+ith the 'usiness> and you" pro'a'y augh at )e into the 'argain/ I
+as +ishing that )y Missus had eft +e aone and not repa.ed that
pane of gass in the haunted +indo+/ I fee as though doing that has
)ay'e 'rought a .urse upon us/J
!e +as una'e to understand +hy the t+o )en opposite hi) stared
so/
J%ut she hasn"t repa.ed it yet>J said Mr Satterth+aite at ast/
J@es> she has/ Man .a)e first thing this )orning/J
JMy ,odGJ said Porter> JI 'egin to understand/ That roo)> it"s
paneed> I supposed> not paperedAJ
J@es> 'ut +hat does that ;AJ
%ut Porter had s+ung out of the roo)/ The other foo+ed hi)/ !e
+ent straight upstairs to the S.otts" 'edroo)/ It +as a .har)ing
roo)> paneed in .rea) +ith t+o +indo+s fa.ing south/ Porter fet
+ith his hands aong the panes on the +estern +a/
JThere"s a spring so)e+here ; )ust 'e/ AhGJ There +as a .i.1> and
a se.tion of the paneing roed 'a.1/ It dis.osed the gri)y panes of
the haunted +indo+/ <ne pane of gass +as .ean and ne+/ Porter
stooped 8ui.1y and pi.1ed up so)ething/ !e hed it out on the pa)
of his hand/ It +as a frag)ent of ostri.h feather/ Then he oo1ed at
Mr 4uin/ Mr 4uin nodded/
!e +ent a.ross to the hat .up'oard in the 'edroo)/ There +ere
severa hats in it ; the dead +o)an"s hats/ !e too1 out one +ith a
arge 'ri) and .uring feathers ; an ea'orate As.ot hat/
Mr 4uin 'egan spea1ing in a gente> refe.tive voi.e/ J#et us
suppose>J said Mr 4uin> Ja )an +ho is 'y nature intensey Deaous/ A
)an +ho has stayed here in 'ygone years and 1no+s the se.ret of
the spring in the paneing/ To a)use hi)sef he opens it one day>
and oo1s out over the Privy ,arden/ There> se.ure as they thin1
fro) 'eing overoo1ed> he sees his +ife and another )an/ There .an
'e no possi'e dou't in his )ind as to the reations 'et+een the)/
!e is )ad +ith rage/ What sha he doA An idea .o)es to hi)/ !e
goes to the .up'oard and puts on the hat +ith the 'ri) and feathers/
It is gro+ing dus1> and he re)e)'ers the story of the stain on the
gass/ Anyone oo1ing up at the +indo+ +i see as they thin1 the
Wat.hing Cavaier/ Thus se.ure he +at.hes the)> and at the
)o)ent they are .asped in ea.h other"s ar)s> he shoots/ !e is a
good shot ; a +onderfu shot/ As they fa> he fires on.e )ore ; that
shot .arries a+ay the earring/ !e fings the pisto out of the +indo+
into the Privy ,arden> rushes do+nstairs and out through the 'iiard
roo)/J Porter too1 a step to+ards hi)/
J%ut he et her 'e a..usedGJ he .ried/ J!e stood 'y and et her 'e
a..used/ WhyA WhyAJ
JI thin1 I 1no+ +hy>J said Mr 4uin/ JI shoud guess ; it"s ony guess+or1
on )y part> )ind ; that &i.hard S.ott +as on.e )ady in ove
+ith Iris Staverton ; so )ady that even )eeting her years after+ards
stirred up the e)'ers of Deaousy again/ I shoud say that Iris
Staverton on.e fan.ied that she )ight ove hi)> that she +ent on a
hunting trip +ith hi) and another ; and that she .a)e 'a.1 in ove
+ith the 'etter )an/J
JThe 'etter )an>J )uttered Porter> da?ed/ J@ou )ean ;AJ
J@es>J said Mr 4uin> +ith a faint s)ie/ JI )ean you/J !e paused a
)inute> and then saidH JIf I +ere you ; I shoud go to her no+/J
JI +i>J said Porter/
!e turned and eft the roo)/
Chapter 5
AT T!( J%(##S A0$ M<T#(@J
Mr Satterth+aite +as annoyed/ Atogether it had 'een an
unfortunate day/ They had started ate> there had 'een t+o
pun.tures aready> finay> they had ta1en the +rong turning and ost
the)seves a)idst the +ids of Sais'ury Pain/ 0o+ it +as .ose on
eight o".o.1> they +ere sti a )atter of forty )ies fro) Mars+i.1
Manor +hither they +ere 'ound> and a third pun.ture had
supervened to render )atters sti )ore trying/
Mr Satterth+aite> oo1ing i1e so)e s)a 'ird +hose pu)age had
'een ruffed> +a1ed up and do+n in front of the viage garage +hist
his .hauffeur .onversed in hoarse undertones +ith the o.a eBpert/
J!af an hour at eastJ said that +orthy pronoun.ing Dudg)ent/
JAnd u.1y at that>J suppe)ented Masters> the .hauffeur/ JMore i1e
three 8uarters if you as1 )e/J
JWhat is this pa.e> any+ayAJ de)anded Mr Satterth+aite fretfuy/
%eing a itte gente)an .onsiderate of the feeings of others> he
su'stituted the +ord Jpa.eJ for J,od;forsa1en hoeJ +hi.h had first
risen to his ips/
J-irtington Maet/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as not )u.h +iser> and yet a faint fa)iiarity
see)ed to inger round the na)e/ !e oo1ed round hi)
disparagingy/ -irtington Maet see)ed to .onsist of one stragging
street> the garage and the post offi.e on one side of it 'aan.ed 'y
three indeter)inate shops on the other side/ Farther do+n the road>
ho+ever> Mr Satterth+aite per.eived so)ething that .rea1ed and
s+ung in the +ind> and his spirits rose ever so sighty/ JThere"s an
Inn here> I see>J he re)ar1ed/
J"%es and Motey>"J said the garage )an/ JThat"s it ; yonder/J
JIf I )ight )a1e a suggestion> sir>J said Masters> J+hy not try itA
They +oud 'e a'e to give you so)e sort of a )ea> no dou't ; not> of
.ourse> +hat you are a..usto)ed to/J !e paused apoogeti.ay> for
Mr Satterth+aite +as a..usto)ed to the 'est .oo1ing of .ontinenta
.hefs> and had in his o+n servi.e a .ordon 'eu to +ho) he paid a
fa'uous saary/
JWe shan"t 'e a'e to ta1e the road again for another three 8uarters
of an hour> sir/ I") sure of that/ And it"s aready past eight o".o.1/
@ou .oud ring up Sir ,eorge Foster> sir> fro) the Inn> and a.8uaint
hi) +ith the .ause of our deay/J
J@ou see) to thin1 you .an arrange everything> Masters>J said Mr
Satterth+aite snappiy/
Masters> +ho did thin1 so> )aintained a respe.tfu sien.e Mr
Satterth+aite> in spite of his earnest +ish to dis.ountenan.e any
suggestion that )ight possi'y 'e )ade to hi) ; he +as in that )ood
; nevertheess oo1ed do+n the road to+ards the .rea1ing Inn sign
+ith faint in+ard approva/ !e +as a )an of 'irdi1e appetite> an
epi.ure> 'ut even su.h )en .an 'e hungry/
J"The %es and Motey>"J he said thoughtfuy/ JThat"s an odd na)e
for an Inn/ I don"t 1no+ that I ever heard it 'efore/J
JThere"s odd fo1s .o)e to it 'y a a..ount>J said the o.a )an/
!e +as 'ending over the +hee> and his voi.e .a)e )uffed and
indistin.t
J<dd fo1sAJ 8ueried Mr Satterth+aite/ J0o+ +hat do you )ean 'y
thatAJ
The other hardy see)ed to 1no+ +hat he )eant/
JFo1s that .o)e and go/ That 1ind>J he said vaguey/
Mr Satterth+aite refe.ted that peope +ho .o)e to an Inn are
a)ost of ne.essity those +ho J.o)e and go/J The definition see)ed
to hi) to a.1 pre.ision/ %ut nevertheess his .uriosity +as
sti)uated/ So)eho+ or other he had got to put in three 8uarters of
an hour/ The J%es and MoteyJ +oud 'e as good as any+here ese/
With his usua s)a )in.ing steps he +a1ed a+ay do+n the road/
Fro) afar there .a)e a ru)'e of thunder/ The )e.hani. oo1ed up
and spo1e to Masters/
JThere"s a stor) .o)ing over/ Thought I .oud fee it in the air/J
JCri1ey>J said Masters/ JAnd forty )ies to go/J
JAhGJ said the other/ JThere"s no need to 'e hurrying over this Do'/
@ou" not 'e +anting to ta1e the road ti the stor)"s passed over/
That itte 'oss of yours doesn"t oo1 as though he"d reish 'eing out
in thunder and ightning/J
J!ope they" do hi) +e at that pa.e>J )uttered the .hauffeur/ JI"
'e pushing aong there for a 'ite )ysef presenty/J
J%iy *ones is a right>J said the garage )an/ J-eeps a good ta'e/J
Mr Wiia) *ones> a 'ig 'ury )an of fifty and andord of the J%es
and Motey>J +as at this )inute 'ea)ing ingratiatingy do+n on itte
Mr Satterth+aite/
JCan do you a ni.e stea1> sir ; and fried potatoes> and as good a
.heese as any gente)an .oud +ish for/ This +ay> sir> in the .offeeroo)/
We"re not very fu at present> the ast of the fishing gente)en
Dust gone/ A itte ater +e" 'e fu again for the hunting/ <ny one
gente)an here at present> na)e of 4uin ;J
Mr Satterth+aite stopped dead/
J4uinAJ he said eB.itedy/ J$id you say 4uinAJ
JThat"s the na)e> sir/ Friend of yours perhapsAJ
J@es> indeed/ <hG @es> )ost .ertainy/J T+ittering +ith eB.ite)ent>
Mr Satterth+aite hardy reaised that the +ord )ight .ontain )ore
than one )an of that na)e/ !e had no dou'ts at a/ In an odd +ay>
the infor)ation fitted in +ith +hat the )an at the garage had said/
JFo1s that .o)e and go///J a very apt des.ription of Mr 4uin/ And
the na)e of the Inn> too> see)ed a pe.uiary fitting and appropriate
one/
J$ear )e> dear )e>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JWhat a very odd thing/
That +e shoud )eet i1e thisG Mr !arey 4uin> is it notAJ
JThat"s right> sir/ This is the .offee;roo)> sir/ AhG !ere is the
gente)an/J
Ta> dar1> s)iing> the fa)iiar figure of Mr 4uin rose fro) the ta'e
at +hi.h he +as sitting> and the +e;re)e)'ered voi.e spo1e/
JAhG Mr Satterth+aite> +e )eet again/ An uneBpe.ted )eetingGJ
Mr Satterth+aite +as sha1ing hi) +ar)y 'y the hand/ J$eighted/
$eighted> I") sure/ A u.1y 'rea1do+n for )e/ My .ar> you 1no+/
And you are staying hereA For ongAJ
J<ne night ony/J
JThen I a) indeed fortunate/J
Mr Satterth+aite sat do+n opposite his friend +ith a itte sigh of
satisfa.tion> and regarded the dar1> s)iing fa.e opposite hi) +ith a
peasura'e eBpe.tan.y/ The other )an shoo1 his head genty/ JI
assure you>J he said> Jthat I have not a 'o+ of godfish or a ra''it to
produ.e fro) )y seeve/J
JToo 'ad>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite> a itte ta1en a'a.1/ J@es> I )ust
.onfess ; I do rather adopt that attitude to+ards you/ A )an of
)agi./ !a> ha/ That is ho+ I regard you/ A )an of )agi./J
JAnd yet>J said Mr 4uin> Jit is you +ho do the .onDuring tri.1s> not I/J
JAhGJ said Mr Satterth+aite eagery/ J%ut I .annot do the) +ithout
you/ I a.1 ; sha +e say ; inspirationAJ Mr 4uin s)iingy shoo1 his
head/
JThat is too 'ig a +ord/ I spea1 the .ue> that is a/J
The andord .a)e in at that )inute +ith 'read and a sa' of yeo+
'utter/ As he set the things on the ta'e there +as a vivid fash of
ightning> and a .ap of thunder a)ost overhead/
JA +id night> gente)en/J
J<n su.h a night ;J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite> and stopped/
JFunny no+>J said the andord> un.ons.ious of the 8uestion> Jif
those +eren"t Dust the +ords I +as going to use )ysef/ It +as Dust
su.h a night as this +hen Captain !ar+e 'rought his 'ride ho)e>
the very day 'efore he disappeared for ever/J
JAhGJ .ried Mr Satterth+aite suddeny/ J<f .ourseGJ
!e had got the .ue/ !e 1ne+ no+ +hy the na)e -irtington Maet
+as fa)iiar/ Three )onths 'efore he had read every detai of the
astonishing disappearan.e of Captain &i.hard !ar+e/ #i1e other
ne+spaper readers a over ,reat %ritain he had pu??ed over the
detais of the disappearan.e> and> aso i1e every other %riton> had
evoved his o+n theories/
J<f .ourse>J he repeated/ JIt +as at -irtington Maet it happened/J
JIt +as at this house he stayed for the hunting ast +inter>J said the
andord/ J<hG I 1ne+ hi) +e/ A handso)e young gente)an and
not one that you"d thin1 had a .are on his )ind/ !e +as done a+ay
+ith ; that"s )y 'eief/ Many"s the ti)e I"ve seen the) .o)e riding
ho)e together ; he and Miss #e Couteau> and a the viage saying
there"d 'e a )at.h .o)e of it ; and sure enough> so it did/ A very
'eautifu young ady> and +e thought of> for a she +as a Canadian
and a stranger/ AhG There"s so)e dar1 )ystery there/ We" never
1no+ the rights of it/ It 'ro1e her heart> it did> sure enough/ @ou"ve
heard as she"s sod the pa.e up and gone a'road> .oudn"t 'ear to
go on here +ith everyone staring and pointing after her ; through no
faut of her o+n> poor young dearG A 'a.1 )ystery> that"s +hat it is/J
!e shoo1 his head> then suddeny re.oe.ting his duties> hurried
fro) the roo)/
JA 'a.1 )ystery>J said Mr 4uin softy/
!is voi.e +as provo.ative in Mr Satterth+aite"s ears/
JAre you pretending that +e .an sove the )ystery +here S.otand
@ard faiedAJ he as1ed sharpy/
The other )ade a .hara.teristi. gesture/
JWhy notA Ti)e has passed/ Three )onths/ That )a1es a
differen.e/J
JThat is a .urious idea of yours>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y/ JThat
one sees things 'etter after+ards than at the ti)e/J
JThe onger the ti)e that has eapsed> the )ore things fa into
proportion/ <ne sees the) in their true reationship to one another/J
There +as a sien.e +hi.h asted for so)e )inutes/
JI a) not sure>J said Mr Satterth+aite> in a hesitating voi.e> Jthat I
re)e)'er the fa.ts .eary 'y no+/J
JI thin1 you do>J said Mr 4uin 8uiety/
It +as a the en.ourage)ent Mr Satterth+aite needed/ !is genera
r/e in ife +as that of istener and oo1er;on/ <ny in the .o)pany of
Mr 4uin +as the position reversed/ There Mr 4uin +as the
appre.iative istener> and Mr Satterth+aite too1 the .entre of the
stage/
JIt +as Dust over a year ago>J he said> Jthat Ashey ,range passed
into the possession of Miss (eanor #e Couteau/ It is a 'eautifu od
house> 'ut it had 'een nege.ted and ao+ed to re)ain e)pty for
)any years/ It .oud not have found a 'etter .h/teaine/ Miss #e
Couteau +as a Fren.h Canadian> her fore'ears +ere e)igr/s fro)
the Fren.h &evoution> and had handed do+n to her a .oe.tion of
a)ost pri.eess Fren.h rei.s and anti8ues/ She +as a 'uyer and a
.oe.tor aso> +ith a very fine and dis.ri)inating taste/ So )u.h so>
that +hen she de.ided to se Ashey ,range and everything it
.ontained after the tragedy> Mr Cyrus ,/ %rad'urn> the A)eri.an
)iionaire> )ade no 'ones a'out paying the fan.y pri.e of siBty
thousand pounds for the ,range as it stood/J
Mr Satterth+aite paused/
JI )ention these things>J he said apoogeti.ay> Jnot 'e.ause they
are reevant to the story ; stri.ty spea1ing> they are not ; 'ut to
.onvey an at)osphere> the at)osphere of young Mrs !ar+e/J
Mr 4uin nodded/
JAt)osphere is a+ays vaua'e>J he said gravey/
JSo +e get a pi.ture of this gir>J .ontinued the other/ J*ust t+entythree>
dar1> 'eautifu> a..o)pished> nothing .rude and unfinished
a'out her/ And ri.h ; +e )ust not forget that/ She +as an orphan/ A
Mrs St Cair> a ady of uni)pea.ha'e 'reeding and so.ia standing>
ived +ith her as duenna/ %ut (eanor #e Couteau had .o)pete
.ontro of her o+n fortune/ And fortune;hunters are never hard to
see1/ At east a do?en i)pe.unious young )en +ere to 'e found
danging round her on a o..asions> in the hunting fied> in the
'aroo)> +herever she +ent/ @oung #ord #e..an> the )ost eigi'e
parti in the .ountry> is reported to have as1ed her to )arry hi)> 'ut
she re)ained heart free/ That is> unti the .o)ing of Captain &i.hard
!ar+e/
JCaptain !ar+e had put up at the o.a Inn for the hunting/ !e +as a
dashing rider to hounds/ A handso)e> aughing daredevi of a feo+/
@ou re)e)'er the od saying> Mr 4uinA "!appy the +ooing that"s not
ong doing/" The adage +as .arried out at east in part/ At the end of
t+o )onths> &i.hard !ar+e and (eanor #e Couteau +ere
engaged/J
JThe )arriage foo+ed three )onths after+ards/ The happy pair
+ent a'road for a t+o +ee1s" honey)oon> and then returned to ta1e
up their residen.e at Ashey ,range/ The andord has Dust tod us
that it +as on a night of stor) su.h as this that they returned to their
ho)e/ An o)en> I +onderA Who .an teA %e that as it )ay> the
foo+ing )orning very eary ; a'out haf;past seven> Captain !ar+e
+as seen +a1ing in the garden 'y one of the gardeners> *ohn
Mathias/ !e +as 'areheaded> and +as +histing/ We have a pi.ture
there> a pi.ture of ight;heartedness> of .areess happiness/ And yet
fro) that )inute> as far as +e 1no+> no one ever set eyes on Captain
&i.hard !ar+e again/J
Mr Satterth+aite paused> peasanty .ons.ious of a dra)ati.
)o)ent/ The ad)iring gan.e of Mr 4uin gave hi) the tri'ute he
needed> and he +ent on/
JThe disappearan.e +as re)ar1a'e ; una..ounta'e/ It +as not ti
the foo+ing day that the distra.ted +ife .aed in the poi.e/ As you
1no+> they have not su..eeded in soving the )ystery/J
JThere have> I suppose> 'een theoriesAJ as1ed Mr 4uin/
J<hG Theories> I grant you/ Theory 0o/ 1> that Captain !ar+e had
'een )urdered> done a+ay +ith/ %ut if so> +here +as the 'odyA It
.oud hardy have 'een spirited a+ay/ And 'esides> +hat )otive +as
thereA As far as +as 1no+n> Captain !ar+e had not an ene)y in the
+ord/J
!e paused a'rupty> as though un.ertain/ Mr 4uin eaned for+ard/
J@ou are thin1ing>J he said softy> Jof young Stephen ,rant/J
JI a)>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite/ JStephen ,rant> if I re)e)'er
righty> had 'een in .harge of Captain !ar+e"s horses> and had
'een dis.harged 'y his )aster for so)e trifing offen.e/ <n the
)orning after the ho)e.o)ing> very eary> Stephen ,rant +as seen
in the vi.inity of Ashey ,range> and .oud give no good a..ount of
his presen.e there/ !e +as detained 'y the poi.e as 'eing
.on.erned in the disappearan.e of Captain !ar+e> 'ut nothing
.oud 'e proved against hi)> and he +as eventuay dis.harged/ It is
true that he )ight 'e supposed to 'ear a grudge against Captain
!ar+e for his su))ary dis)issa> 'ut the )otive +as undenia'y of
the fi)siest/ I suppose the poi.e fet they )ust do so)ething/ @ou
see> as I said Dust no+> Captain !ar+e had not an ene)y in the
+ord/J
JAs far as +as 1no+n>J said Mr 4uin refe.tivey/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded appre.iativey/
JWe are .o)ing to that/ What> after a> +as 1no+n of Captain
!ar+eA When the poi.e .a)e to oo1 into his ante.edents they
+ere .onfronted +ith a singuar pau.ity of )ateria/ Who +as
&i.hard !ar+eA Where did he .o)e fro)A !e had appeared>
iteray out of the 'ue as it see)ed/ !e +as a )agnifi.ent rider> and
apparenty +e off/ 0o'ody in -irtington Maet had 'othered to
in8uire further/ Miss #e Couteau had had no parents or guardians to
)a1e in8uiries into the prospe.ts and standing of her fian.// She
+as her o+n )istress/ The poi.e theory at this point +as .ear
enough/ A ri.h gir and an i)pudent i)postor/ The od storyG
J%ut it +as not 8uite that/ True> Miss #e Couteau had no parents or
guardians> 'ut she had an eB.eent fir) of soi.itors in #ondon +ho
a.ted for her/ Their eviden.e )ade the )ystery deeper/ (eanor #e
Couteau had +ished to sette a su) outright upon her prospe.tive
hus'and> 'ut he had refused/ !e hi)sef +as +e off> he de.ared/ It
+as proved .on.usivey that !ar+e never had a penny of his +ife"s
)oney/ !er fortune +as a'soutey inta.t/
J!e +as> therefore> no .o))on s+inder> 'ut +as his o'De.t a
refine)ent of the artA $id he propose 'a.1)ai at so)e future date
if (eanor !ar+e shoud +ish to )arry so)e other )anA I +i ad)it
that so)ething of that 1ind see)ed to )e the )ost i1ey soution/ It
has a+ays see)ed so to )e ; unti tonight/J
Mr 4uin eaned for+ard> pro)pting hi)/
JTonightAJ
JTonight/ I a) not satisfied +ith that/ !o+ did he )anage to
disappear so suddeny and .o)petey ; at that hour in the )orning>
+ith every a'ourer 'estirring hi)sef and tra)ping to +or1A
%areheaded> too/J
JThere is no dou't a'out the atter point ; sin.e the gardener sa+
hi)AJ
J@es ; the gardener ; *ohn Mathias/ Was there anything there> I
+onderAJ
JThe poi.e +oud not overoo1 hi)>J said Mr 4uin/
JThey 8uestioned hi) .osey/ !e never +avered in his state)ent/
!is +ife 'ore hi) out/ !e eft his .ottage at seven to attend to the
greenhouses> he returned at t+enty )inutes to eight/ The servants in
the house heard the front door sa) at a'out a 8uarter after seven/
That fiBes the ti)e +hen Captain !ar+e eft the house/ AhG @es> I
1no+ +hat you are thin1ing/J
J$o you> I +onderAJ said Mr 4uin/
JI fan.y so/ Ti)e enough for Mathias to have )ade a+ay +ith his
)aster/ %ut +hy> )an> +hyA And if so> +here did he hide the 'odyAJ
The andord .a)e in 'earing a tray/
JSorry to have 1ept you so ong> gente)en/J
!e set upon the ta'e a )a))oth stea1 and 'eside it a dish fied to
overfo+ing +ith .risp 'ro+n potatoes/ The odour fro) the dishes
+as peasant to Mr Satterth+aite"s nostris/ !e fet gra.ious/
JThis oo1s eB.eent>J he said/ JMost eB.eent/ We have 'een
dis.ussing the disappearan.e of Captain !ar+e/ What 'e.a)e of
the gardener> MathiasAJ
JToo1 a pa.e in (ssay> I 'eieve/ $idn"t .are to stay herea'outs/
There +ere so)e as oo1ed as1an.e at hi)> you understand/ 0ot
that I ever 'eieve he had anything to do +ith it/J
Mr Satterth+aite heped hi)sef to stea1/ Mr 4uin foo+ed suit/ The
andord see)ed disposed to inger and .hat/ Mr Satterth+aite had
no o'De.tion> on the .ontrary/
JThis Mathias no+>J he said/ JWhat 1ind of a )an +as heAJ
JMidde;aged .hap> )ust have 'een a po+erfu feo+ on.e 'ut 'ent
and .ripped +ith rheu)atis)/ !e had that )orta 'ad> +as aid up
)any a ti)e +ith it> una'e to do any +or1/ For )y part> I thin1 it +as
sheer 1indness on Miss (eanor"s part to 1eep hi) on/ !e"d outgro+n
his usefuness as a gardener> though his +ife )anaged to )a1e
hersef usefu up at the house/ %een a .oo1 she had> and a+ays
+iing to end a hand/J
JWhat sort of a +o)an +as sheAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite> 8ui.1y/
The andord"s ans+er disappointed hi)/
JA pain 'ody/ Midde;aged> and dour i1e in )anner/ $eaf> too/ 0ot
that I ever 1ne+ )u.h of the)/ They"d ony 'een here a )onth> you
understand> +hen the thing happened/ They say he"d 'een a rare
good gardener in his ti)e> though/ Wonderfu testi)onias Miss
(eanor had +ith hi)/J
JWas she interested in gardeningAJ as1ed Mr 4uin> softy/
J0o> sir> I .oudn"t say that she +as> not i1e so)e of the adies round
here +ho pay good )oney to gardeners and spend the +hoe of their
ti)e gru''ing a'out on their 1nees as +e/ Fooishness I .a it/ @ou
see> Miss #e Couteau +asn"t here very )u.h eB.ept in the +inter for
hunting/ The rest of the ti)e she +as up in #ondon and a+ay in those
foreign seaside pa.es +here they say the Fren.h adies don"t so
)u.h as put a toe into the +ater for fear of spoiing their .ostu)es>
or so I"ve heard/J Mr Satterth+aite s)ied/
JThere +as no ; er ; +o)an of any 1ind )iBed up +ith Captain
!ar+eAJ he as1ed/
Though his first theory +as disposed of> he nevertheess .ung to his
idea/
Mr Wiia) *ones shoo1 his head/ J0othing of that sort/ 0ever a
+hisper of it/ 0o> it"s a dar1 )ystery> that"s +hat it is/J
JAnd your theoryA What do you yoursef thin1AJ persisted Mr
Satterth+aite/
JWhat do I thin1AJ
J@es/J
J$on"t 1no+ +hat to thin1/ It"s )y 'eief as ho+ he +as done in> 'ut
+ho 'y I .an"t say/ I" fet.h you gente)en the .heese/J
!e stu)ped fro) the roo) 'earing e)pty dishes/ The Stor)> +hi.h
had 'een 8uietening do+n> suddeny 'ro1e out +ith redou'ed
vigour/ A fash of for1ed ightning and a great .ap of thunder .ose
upon ea.h other )ade itte Mr Satterth+aite Du)p> and 'efore the
ast e.hoes of the thunder had died a+ay> a gir .a)e into the roo)
.arrying the advertised .heese/
She +as ta and dar1> and handso)e in a suen fashion of her o+n/
!er i1eness to the andord of the J%es and MoteyJ +as apparent
enough to pro.ai) her his daughter/
J,ood evening> Mary>J said Mr 4uin> JA stor)y nightJ
She nodded/
JI hate these stor)y nights>J she )uttered/
J@ou are afraid of thunder> perhapsAJ said Mr Satterth+aite 1indy/
JAfraid of thunderA 0ot )eG There"s itte that I") afraid of/ 0o> 'ut
the stor) sets the) off/ Ta1ing> ta1ing> the sa)e thing over and
over again> i1e a ot of parrots/ Father 'egins it/ "It re)inds )e> this
does> of the night poor Captain !ar+e///" And so on> and so on/J She
turned on Mr 4uin/ J@ou"ve heard ho+ he goes on/ What"s the sense
of itA Can"t anyone et past things 'eAJ
JA thing is ony past +hen it is done +ith>J said Mr 4uin/
JIsn"t this done +ithA Suppose he +anted to disappearA These fine
gente)en do so)eti)es/J
J@ou thin1 he disappeared of his o+n free +iAJ
JWhy notA It +oud )a1e 'etter sense than to suppose a 1indhearted
.reature i1e Stephen ,rant )urdered hi)/ What shoud he
)urder hi) for> I shoud i1e to 1no+A Stephen had had a drop too
)u.h one day and spo1e to hi) sau.y i1e> and got the sa.1 for it/
%ut +hat of itA !e got another pa.e Dust as good/ Is that a reason to
)urder a )an in .od 'oodAJ
J%ut surey>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthe poi.e +ere 8uite satisfied
of his inno.en.eAJ
JThe poi.eG What do the poi.e )atterA When Stephen .o)es into
the 'ar of an evening> every )an oo1s at hi) 8ueer i1e/ They don"t
reay 'eieve he )urdered !ar+e> 'ut they"re not sure> and so they
oo1 at hi) side+ays and edge a+ay/ 0i.e ife for a )an> to see
peope shrin1 a+ay fro) you> as though you +ere so)ething
different fro) the rest of fo1s/ Why +on"t Father hear of our getting
)arried> Stephen and IA "@ou .an ta1e your pigs to a 'etter )ar1et>
)y gir/ I"ve nothing against Stephen> 'ut ; +e> +e don"t 1no+> do
+eA"J
She stopped> her 'reast heaving +ith the vioen.e of her resent)ent/
JIt"s .rue> .rue> that"s +hat it is>J she 'urst out/ JStephen> that
+oudn"t hurt a fyG And a through ife there" 'e peope +ho" thin1
he did/ It"s turning hi) 8ueer and 'itter i1e/ I don"t +onder> I") sure/
And the )ore he"s i1e that> the )ore peope thin1 there )ust have
'een so)ething in it/J
Again she stopped/ !er eyes +ere fiBed on Mr 4uin"s fa.e> as though
so)ething in it +as dra+ing this out'urst fro) her/
JCan nothing 'e doneAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/
!e +as genuiney distressed/ The thing +as> he sa+> inevita'e/ The
very vagueness and unsatisfa.toriness of the eviden.e against
Stephen ,rant )ade it the )ore diffi.ut for hi) to disprove the
a..usation/
The gir +hired round on hi)/
J0othing 'ut the truth .an hep hi)>J she .ried/ JIf Captain !ar+e
+ere to 'e found> if he +as to .o)e 'a.1/ If the true rights of it +ere
ony 1no+n ;J
She 'ro1e off +ith so)ething very i1e a so'> and hurried 8ui.1y
fro) the roo)/
JA fine;oo1ing gir>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JA sad .ase atogether/ I
+ish ; I very )u.h +ish that so)ething .oud 'e done a'out it/J
!is 1ind heart +as trou'ed/
JWe are doing +hat +e .an>J said Mr 4uin/ JThere is sti neary haf
an hour 'efore your .ar .an 'e ready/J
Mr Satterth+aite stared at hi)/
J@ou thin1 +e .an .o)e at the truth Dust 'y ; ta1ing it over i1e thisAJ
J@ou have seen )u.h of ife>J said Mr 4uin gravey/ JMore than )ost
peope/J
J#ife has passed )e 'y>J said Mr Satterth+aite 'ittery/
J%ut in so doing has sharpened your vision/ Where others are 'ind
you .an see/J
JIt is true>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI a) a great o'server/J
!e pu)ed hi)sef .o)pa.enty/ The )o)ent of 'itterness +as
passed/
JI oo1 at it i1e this>J he said after a )inute or t+o/ JTo get at the
.ause for a thing> +e )ust study the effe.t/J
J7ery good>J said Mr 4uin approvingy/
JThe effe.t in this .ase is that Miss #e Couteau ; Mrs !ar+e> I )ean>
is a +ife and yet not a +ife/ She is not free ; she .annot )arry again/
And oo1 at it as +e +i> +e see &i.hard !ar+e as a sinister figure>
a )an fro) no+here +ith a )ysterious past/J
JI agree>J said Mr 4uin/ J@ou see +hat a are 'ound to see> +hat
.annot 'e )issed> Captain !ar+e in the i)eight> a suspi.ious
figure/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/ The +ords see)ed
so)eho+ to suggest a fainty different pi.ture to his )ind/
JWe have studied the effe.t>J he said/ J<r .a it the resut/ We .an
no+ pass ;J
Mr 4uin interrupted hi)/
J@ou have not tou.hed on the resut on the stri.ty )ateria side/J
J@ou are right>J said Mr Satterth+aite> after a )o)ent or t+o for
.onsideration/ J<ne shoud do the thing thoroughy/ #et us say then
that the resut of the tragedy is that Mrs !ar+e is a +ife and not a
+ife> una'e to )arry again> that Mr Cyrus %rad'urn has 'een a'e to
'uy Ashey ,range and its .ontents for ; siBty thousand pounds> +as
itA ; and that so)e'ody in (sseB has 'een a'e to se.ure *ohn
Mathias as a gardenerG For a that +e do not suspe.t "so)e'ody in
(sseB" or Mr Cyrus %rad'urn of having engineered the
disappearan.e of Captain !ar+e/J
J@ou are sar.asti.>J said Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed sharpy at hi)/
J%ut surey you agree ;AJ
J<hG I agree>J said Mr 4uin/ JThe idea is a'surd/ What neBtAJ
J#et us i)agine ourseves 'a.1 on the fata day/ The disappearan.e
has ta1en pa.e> et us say> this very )orning/J
J0o> no>J said Mr 4uin> s)iing/ JSin.e> in our i)agination> at east>
+e have po+er over ti)e> et us turn it the other +ay/ #et us say the
disappearan.e of Captain !ar+e too1 pa.e a hundred years ago/
That +e> in the year t+o thousand and t+enty;five are oo1ing 'a.1/J
J@ou are a strange )an>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y/ J@ou 'eieve
in the past> not the present/ WhyAJ
J@ou used> not ong ago> the +ord at)osphere/ There is no
at)osphere in the present/J
JThat is true> perhaps>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/ J@es> it is
true/ The present is apt to 'e ; paro.hiaJ
JA good +ord>J said Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite gave a funny itte 'o+/
J@ou are too 1ind>J he said/
J#et us ta1e ; not this present year> that +oud 'e too diffi.ut> 'ut
say ; ast year>J .ontinued the other/ JSu) it up for )e> you +ho have
the gift of the neat phrase/J
Mr Satterth+aite thought for a )inute/ !e +as Deaous of his
reputation/
JA hundred years ago +e have the age of po+der and pat.hes>J he
said/ JSha +e say that 1924 +as the age of Cross+ord Pu??es and
Cat %urgarsAJ
J7ery good>J approved Mr 4uin/ J@ou )ean that nationay> not
internationay> I presu)eAJ
JAs to Cross+ord Pu??es> I )ust .onfess that I do not 1no+>J said
Mr Satterth+aite/ J%ut the Cat %urgar had a great innings on the
Continent/ @ou re)e)'er that series of fa)ous thefts fro) Fren.h
.h/teauBA It is sur)ised that one )an aone .oud not have done it/
The )ost )ira.uous feats +ere perfor)ed to gain ad)ission/ There
+as a theory that a troupe of a.ro'ats +ere .on.erned ; the
Condinis/ I on.e sa+ their perfor)an.e ; truy )astery/ A )other>
son and daughter/ They vanished fro) the stage in a rather
)ysterious fashion/ %ut +e are +andering fro) our su'De.t/J
J0ot very far>J said Mr 4uin/ J<ny a.ross the Channe/J
JWhere the Fren.h adies +i not +et their toes> a..ording to our
+orthy host>J said Mr Satterth+aite> aughing/
There +as a pause/ It see)ed so)eho+ signifi.ant/
JWhy did he disappearAJ .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ JWhyA WhyA It is
in.redi'e> a 1ind of .onDuring tri.1/J
J@es>J said Mr 4uin/ JA .onDuring tri.1/ That des.ri'es it eBa.ty/
At)osphere again> you see/ And +herein does the essen.e of a
.onDuring tri.1 ieAJ
JThe 8ui.1ness of the hand de.eives the eye>J 8uoted Mr
Satterth+aite gi'y/
JThat is everything> is it notA To de.eive the eyeA So)eti)es 'y the
8ui.1ness of the hand> so)eti)es ; 'y other )eans/ There are )any
devi.es> the pisto shot> the +aving of a red hand1er.hief> so)ething
that see)s i)portant> 'ut in reaity is not/ The eye is diverted fro)
the rea 'usiness> it is .aught 'y the spe.ta.uar a.tion that )eans
nothing ; nothing at a/J
Mr Satterth+aite eant for+ard> his eyes shining/
JThere is so)ething in that/ It is an idea/J
!e +ent on softy/ JThe pisto shot/ What +as the pisto shot in the
.onDuring tri.1 +e +ere dis.ussingA What is the spe.ta.uar )o)ent
that hods the i)aginationAJ
!e dre+ in his 'reath sharpy/
JThe disappearan.e>J 'reathed Mr Satterth+aite/ JTa1e that a+ay>
and it eaves nothing/J
J0othingA Suppose things too1 the sa)e .ourse +ithout that
dra)ati. gestureAJ
J@ou )ean ; supposing Miss #e Couteau +ere sti to se Ashey
,range and eave ; for no reasonAJ
JWe/J
JWe> +hy notA It +oud have aroused ta1> I suppose> there +oud
have 'een a ot of interest dispayed in the vaue of the .ontents in ;
AhG WaitGJ
!e +as sient a )inute> then 'urst out/
J@ou are right> there is too )u.h i)eight> the i)eight on Captain
!ar+e/ And 'e.ause of that> she has 'een in shado+/ Miss #e
CouteauG (veryone as1ing JWho +as Captain !ar+eA Where did he
.o)e fro)AJ %ut 'e.ause she is the inDured party> no one )a1es
in8uiries a'out her/ Was she reay a Fren.h CanadianA Were those
+onderfu heiroo)s reay handed do+n to herA @ou +ere right
+hen you said Dust no+ that +e had not +andered far fro) our
su'De.t ; ony a.ross the Channe/ Those so;.aed heiroo)s +ere
stoen fro) the Fren.h .h/teauB> )ost of the) vaua'e o'Dets d"art>
and in .onse8uen.e diffi.ut to dispose of/ She 'uys the house ; for a
)ere song> pro'a'y/ Settes do+n there and pays a good su) to an
irreproa.ha'e (ngish +o)an to .haperone her/ Then he .o)es/
The pot is aid 'eforehand/ The )arriage> the disappearan.e and
the nine days" +onderG What )ore natura than that a 'ro1enhearted
+o)an shoud +ant to se everything that re)inds her of her past
happiness/ The A)eri.an is a .onnoisseur> the things are genuine
and 'eautifu> so)e of the) 'eyond pri.e/ !e )a1es an offer> she
a..epts it/ She eaves the neigh'ourhood> a sad and tragi. figure/
The great .oup has .o)e off/ The eye of the pu'i. has 'een
de.eived 'y the 8ui.1ness of the hand and the spe.ta.uar nature of
the tri.1/J
Mr Satterth+aite paused> fushed +ith triu)ph/
J%ut for you> I shoud never have seen it>J he said +ith sudden
hu)iity/ J@ou have a )ost .urious effe.t upon )e/ <ne says things
so often +ithout even seeing +hat they reay )ean/ @ou have the
1na.1 of sho+ing one/ %ut it is sti not 8uite .ear to )e/ It )ust have
'een )ost diffi.ut for !ar+e to disappear as he did/ After a> the
poi.e a over (ngand +ere oo1ing for hi)/J
JThey +ere pro'a'y oo1ing>J said Mr 4uin> Ja over (ngand/J
JIt +oud have 'een si)pest to re)ain hidden at the ,range>J
)used Mr Satterth+aite/ JIf it .oud 'e )anaged/J
J!e +as> I thin1> very near the ,range>J said Mr 4uin/
!is oo1 of signifi.an.e +as not ost on Mr Satterth+aite/
JMathias" .ottageAJ he eB.ai)ed/ J%ut the poi.e )ust have
sear.hed itAJ
J&epeatedy> I shoud i)agine>J said Mr 4uin/
JMathias>J said Mr Satterth+aite> fro+ning/
JAnd Mrs Mathias>J said Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite stared hard at hi)/
JIf that gang +as reay the Condinis>J he said drea)iy> Jthere +ere
three of the) in it/ The t+o young ones +ere !ar+e and (eanor #e
Couteau/ The )other no+> +as she Mrs MathiasA %ut in that .ase///J
JMathias suffered fro) rheu)atis)> did he notAJ said Mr 4uin
inno.enty/
J<hGJ .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ JI have it/ %ut .oud it 'e doneA I
'eieve it .oud/ #isten/ Mathias +as there a )onth/ $uring that ti)e>
!ar+e and (eanor +ere a+ay for a fortnight on a honey)oon/ For
the fortnight 'efore the +edding> they +ere supposedy in to+n/ A
.ever )an .oud have dou'ed the parts of !ar+e and Mathias/
When !ar+e +as at -irtington Maet> Mathias +as .onvenienty
aid up +ith rheu)atis)> +ith Mrs Mathias to sustain the fi.tion/ !er
part +as very ne.essary/ Without her> so)eone )ight have
suspe.ted the truth/ As you say> !ar+e +as hidden in Mathias"
.ottage/ !e +as Mathias/ When at ast the pans )atured> and Ashey
,range +as sod> he and his +ife gave out that they +ere ta1ing a
pa.e in (sseB/ (Bit *ohn Mathias and his +ife ; for ever/J
There +as a 1no.1 at the .offee;roo) door> and Masters entered/
JThe .ar is at the door> sir>J he said/
Mr Satterth+aite rose/ So did Mr 4uin> +ho +ent a.ross to the
+indo+> puing the .urtains/ A 'ea) of )oonight strea)ed into the
roo)/
JThe stor) is over>J he said/
Mr Satterth+aite +as puing on his goves/
JThe Co))issioner is dining +ith )e neBt +ee1>J he said
i)portanty/ JI sha put )y theory ; ahG ; 'efore hi)/J
JIt +i 'e easiy proved or disproved>J said Mr 4uin/J A .o)parison
of the o'De.ts at Ashey ,range +ith a ist suppied 'y the Fren.h
poi.e ;GJ
J*ust so>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J&ather hard u.1 on Mr %rad'urn>
'ut> +e ;J
J!e .an> I 'eieve> stand the oss>J said Mr 4uin>
Mr Satterth+aite hed out his hand/
J,ood;'ye>J he said/ JI .annot te you ho+ )u.h I have appre.iated
this uneBpe.ted )eeting/ @ou are eaving here to)orro+> I thin1 you
saidAJ
JPossi'y tonight/ My 'usiness here is done/// I .o)e and go> you
1no+/J
Mr Satterth+aite re)e)'ered hearing those sa)e +ords earier in
the evening/ &ather .urious/
!e +ent out to the .ar and the +aiting )asters/ Fro) the open door
into the 'ar the andord"s voi.e foated out> ri.h and .o)pa.ent/
JA dar1 )ystery>J he +as saying/ JA dar1 )ystery> that"s +hat it is/J
%ut he did not use the +ord Jdar1/J The +ord he used suggested
8uite a different .oour/ Mr Wiia) *ones +as a )an of
dis.ri)ination +ho suited his adDe.tives to his .o)pany/ The
.o)pany in the 'ar i1ed their adDe.tives fu favoured/
Mr Satterth+aite re.ined uBuriousy in the .o)forta'e i)ousine/
!is 'reast +as s+eed +ith triu)ph/ !e sa+ the gir Mary .o)e out
on the steps and stand under the .rea1ing Inn sign/
JShe itte 1no+s>J said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JShe itte 1no+s
+hat I a) going to doGJ
The sign of the J%es and MoteyJ s+ayed genty in the +ind/
Chapter 4
T!( SI,0 I0 T!( S-@
The *udge +as finishing his .harge to the Dury/
J0o+> gente)en> I have a)ost finished +hat I +ant to say to you/
There is eviden.e for you to .onsider as to +hether this .ase is
painy )ade out against this )an so that you )ay say he is guity of
the )urder of 7ivien %arna'y/ @ou have had the eviden.e of the
servants as to the ti)e the shot +as fired/ They have one and a
agreed upon it/ @ou have had the eviden.e of the etter +ritten to the
defendant 'y 7ivien %arna'y on the )orning of that sa)e day>
Friday> Septe)'er 15th ; a etter +hi.h the defen.e has not
atte)pted to deny/ @ou have had eviden.e that the prisoner first
denied having 'een at $eering !i> and ater> after eviden.e had
'een given 'y the poi.e> ad)itted he had/ @ou +i dra+ your o+n
.on.usions fro) that denia/ This is not a .ase of dire.t eviden.e/
@ou +i have to .o)e to your o+n .on.usions on the su'De.t of
)otive ; of )eans> of opportunity/ The .ontention of the defen.e is
that so)e person un1no+n entered the )usi. roo) after the
defendant had eft it> and shot 7ivien %arna'y +ith the gun +hi.h> 'y
strange forgetfuness> the defendant had eft 'ehind hi)/ @ou have
heard the defendant"s story of the reason it too1 hi) haf an hour to
get ho)e/ If you dis'eieve the defendant"s story and are satisfied>
'eyond any reasona'e dou't> that the defendant did> upon Friday>
Septe)'er 15th> dis.harge his gun at .ose 8uarters to 7ivien
%arna'y"s head +ith intent to 1i her> then> gente)en> your verdi.t
)ust 'e ,uity/ If> on the other hand> you have any reasona'e dou't>
it is your duty to a.8uit the prisoner/ I +i no+ as1 you to retire to
your roo) and .onsider and et )e 1no+ +hen you have arrived at a
.on.usion/J
The Dury +ere a'sent a itte under haf an hour/ They returned the
verdi.t that to everyone had see)ed a foregone .on.usion> the
verdi.t of J,uity/J
Mr Satterth+aite eft the .ourt after hearing the verdi.t> +ith a
thoughtfu fro+n on his fa.e/
A )ere )urder tria as su.h did not attra.t hi)/ !e +as of too
fastidious a te)pera)ent to find interest in the sordid detais of the
average .ri)e/ %ut the Wyde .ase had 'een different/ @oung Martin
Wyde +as +hat is ter)ed a gente)an ; and the vi.ti)> Sir ,eorge
%arna'y"s young +ife> had 'een personay 1no+n to the edery
gente)an/
!e +as thin1ing of a this as he +a1ed up !o'orn> and then
punged into a tange of )ean streets eading in the dire.tion of
Soho/ In one of these streets there +as a s)a restaurant> 1no+n
ony to the fe+> of +ho) Mr Satterth+aite +as one/ It +as not .heap ;
it +as> on the .ontrary> eB.eedingy eBpensive> sin.e it .atered
eB.usivey for the paate of the Daded gour)et/ It +as 8uiet ; no
strains of Da?? +ere ao+ed to distur' the hushed at)osphere ; it
+as rather dar1> +aiters appeared soft;footed out of the t+iight>
'earing siver dishes +ith the air of parti.ipating in so)e hoy rite/
The na)e of the restaurant +as Are..hino/
Sti thoughtfu> Mr Satterth+aite turned into the Are..hino and
)ade for his favourite ta'e in a re.ess in the far .orner/ <+ing to
the t+iight 'efore )entioned> it +as not unti he +as 8uite .ose to it
that he sa+ it +as aready o..upied 'y a ta dar1 )an +ho sat +ith
his fa.e in shado+> and +ith a pay of .oour fro) a stained +indo+
turning his so'er gar' into a 1ind of riotous )otey/
Mr Satterth+aite +oud have turned 'a.1> 'ut Dust at that )o)ent
the stranger )oved sighty and the other re.ognised hi)/
J,od 'ess )y sou>J said Mr Satterth+aite> +ho +as given to odfashioned
eBpressions/ JWhy> it"s Mr 4uinGJ
Three ti)es 'efore he had )et Mr 4uin> and ea.h ti)e the )eeting
had resuted in so)ething a itte out of the ordinary/ A strange
person> this Mr 4uin> +ith a 1na.1 of sho+ing you the things you had
1no+n a aong in a totay different ight/
At on.e Mr Satterth+aite fet eB.ited ; peasura'y eB.ited/ !is r/e
+as that of the oo1er;on> and he 1ne+ it> 'ut so)eti)es +hen in the
.o)pany of Mr 4uin he had the iusion of 'eing an a.tor ; and the
prin.ipa a.tor at that/
JThis is very peasant>J he said> 'ea)ing a over his dried;up itte
fa.e/ J7ery peasant indeed/ @ou"ve no o'De.tion to )y Doining you> I
hopeAJ
JI sha 'e deighted>J said Mr 4uin/ JAs you see> I have not yet 'egun
)y )ea/J
A deferentia head +aiter hovered up out of the shado+s/ Mr
Satterth+aite> as 'efitted a )an +ith a seasoned paate> gave his
+hoe )ind to the tas1 of see.tion/ In a fe+ )inutes> the head
+aiter> a sight s)ie of appro'ation on his ips> retired> and a young
sateite 'egan his )inistrations/ Mr Satterth+aite turned to Mr 4uin/
JI have Dust .o)e fro) the <d %aiey>J he 'egan/ JA sad 'usiness> I
thought/J
J!e +as found guityAJ said Mr 4uin/
J@es> the Dury +ere out ony haf an hour/J
Mr 4uin 'o+ed his head/
JAn inevita'e resut ; on the eviden.e>J he said/
JAnd yet>J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite ; and stopped/
Mr 4uin finished the senten.e for hi)/
JAnd yet your sy)pathies +ere +ith the a..usedA Is that +hat you
+ere going to sayAJ
JI suppose it +as/ Martin Wyde is a ni.e;oo1ing young feo+ ; one
.an hardy 'eieve it of hi)/ A the sa)e> there have 'een a good
)any ni.e;oo1ing young feo+s atey +ho have turned out to 'e
)urderers of a parti.uary .od;'ooded and repeent type/J
JToo )any>J said Mr 4uin 8uiety/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ said Mr Satterth+aite> sighty started/
JToo )any for Martin Wyde/ There has 'een a tenden.y fro) the
'eginning to regard this as Dust one )ore of a series of the sa)e type
of .ri)e ; a )an see1ing to free hi)sef fro) one +o)an in order to
)arry another/J
JWe>J said Mr Satterth+aite dou'tfuy/ J<n the eviden.e ;J
JAhGJ said Mr 4uin 8ui.1y/ JI a) afraid I have not foo+ed a the
eviden.e/J
Mr Satterth+aite"s sef;.onfiden.e .a)e 'a.1 to hi) +ith a rush/ !e
fet a sudden sense of po+er/ !e +as te)pted to 'e .ons.iousy
dra)ati./
J#et )e try and sho+ it to you/ I have )et the %arna'ys> you
understand/ I 1no+ the pe.uiar .ir.u)stan.es/ With )e> you +i
.o)e 'ehind the s.enes ; you +i see the thing fro) inside/J
Mr 4uin eant for+ard +ith his 8ui.1 en.ouraging s)ie/
JIf anyone .an sho+ )e that> it +i 'e Mr Satterth+aite>J he
)ur)ured/
Mr Satterth+aite gripped the ta'e +ith 'oth hands/ !e +as upifted>
.arried out of hi)sef/ For the )o)ent> he +as an artist pure and
si)pe ; an artist +hose )ediu) +as +ords/
S+ifty> +ith a do?en 'road stro1es> he et.hed in the pi.ture of ife at
$eering !i/ Sir ,eorge %arna'y> edery> o'ese> purse;proud/ A
)an perpetuay fussing over the itte things of ife/ A )an +ho
+ound up his .o.1s every Friday afternoon> and +ho paid his o+n
house;1eeping 'oo1s every Tuesday )orning> and +ho a+ays sa+
to the o.1ing of his o+n front door every night/ A .arefu )an/
And fro) Sir ,eorge he +ent on to #ady %arna'y/ !ere his tou.h
+as genter> 'ut none the ess sure/ !e had seen her 'ut on.e> 'ut
his i)pression of her +as definite and asting/ A vivid defiant
.reature ; pitifuy young/ A trapped .hid> that +as ho+ he des.ri'ed
her/
JShe hated hi)> you understandA She had )arried hi) 'efore she
1ne+ +hat she +as doing/ And no+ ;J
She +as desperate ; that +as ho+ he put it/ Turning this +ay and
that/ She had no )oney of her o+n> she +as entirey dependent on
this edery hus'and/ %ut a the sa)e she +as a .reature at 'ay ; sti
unsure of her o+n po+ers> +ith a 'eauty that +as as yet )ore
pro)ise than a.tuaity/ And she +as greedy/ Mr Satterth+aite
affir)ed that definitey/ Side 'y side +ith defian.e there ran a greedy
strea1 ; a .asping and a .ut.hing at ife/
JI never )et Martin Wyde>J .ontinued Mr Satterth+aite/ J%ut I heard
of hi)/ !e ived ess than a )ie a+ay/ Far)ing> that +as his ine/ And
she too1 an interest in far)ing ; or pretended to/ If you as1 )e> it +as
pretending/ I thin1 that she sa+ in hi) her ony +ay of es.ape ; and
she gra''ed at hi)> greediy> i1e a .hid )ight have done/ We>
there .oud ony 'e one end to that/ We 1no+ +hat that end +as>
'e.ause the etters +ere read out in .ourt/ !e 1ept her etters ; she
didn"t 1eep his> 'ut fro) the teBt of hers one .an see that he +as
.ooing off/ !e ad)its as )u.h/ There +as the other gir/ She aso
ived in the viage of $eering 7ae/ !er father +as the do.tor there/
@ou sa+ her in .ourt> perhapsA 0o> I re)e)'er> you +ere not there>
you said/ I sha have to des.ri'e her to you/ A fair gir ; very fair/
,ente/ Perhaps ; yes> perhaps a tiny 'it stupid/ %ut very restfu> you
1no+/ And oya/ A'ove a> oya/J
!e oo1ed at Mr 4uin for en.ourage)ent> and Mr 4uin gave it hi) 'y
a so+ appre.iative s)ie/ Mr Satterth+aite +ent on/
J@ou heard that ast etter read ; you )ust have seen it> in the
papers> I )ean/ The one +ritten on the )orning of Friday> Septe)'er
15th/ It +as fu of desperate reproa.hes and vague threats> and it
ended 'y 'egging Martin Wyde to .o)e to $eering !i that sa)e
evening at siB o".o.1/ "I +i eave the side door open for you> so that
no one need 1no+ you have 'een here/ I sha 'e in the )usi. roo)/"
It +as sent 'y hand/J
Mr Satterth+aite paused for a )inute or t+o/
JWhen he +as first arrested> you re)e)'er> Martin Wyde denied
that he had 'een to the house at a that evening/ !is state)ent +as
that he had ta1en his gun and gone out shooting in the +oods/ %ut
+hen the poi.e 'rought for+ard their eviden.e> that state)ent
'ro1e do+n/ They had found his finger;prints> you re)e)'er> 'oth
on the +ood of the side door and on one of the t+o .o.1tai gasses
on the ta'e in the )usi. roo)/ !e ad)itted then that he had .o)e to
see #ady %arna'y> that they had had a stor)y intervie+> 'ut that it
had ended in his having )anaged to soothe her do+n/ !e s+ore that
he eft his gun outside eaning against the +a near the door> and
that he eft #ady %arna'y aive and +e> the ti)e 'eing then a )inute
or t+o after a 8uarter past siB/ !e +ent straight ho)e> he says/ %ut
eviden.e +as .aed to sho+ that he did not rea.h his far) unti a
8uarter to seven> and as I have Dust )entioned> it is 'arey a )ie
a+ay/ It +oud not ta1e haf an hour to get there/ !e forgot a a'out
his gun> he de.ares/ 0ot a very i1ey state)ent ; and yet ;J
JAnd yetAJ 8ueried Mr 4uin/
JWe>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y> Jit"s a possi'e one> isn"t itA
Counse ridi.ued the supposition> of .ourse> 'ut I thin1 he +as
+rong/ @ou see> I"ve 1no+n a good )any young )en> and these
e)otiona s.enes upset the) very )u.h ; espe.iay the dar1>
nervous type i1e Martin Wyde/ Wo)en no+> .an go through a s.ene
i1e that and fee positivey 'etter for it after+ards> +ith a their +its
a'out the)/ It a.ts i1e a safety vave for the)> steadies their nerves
do+n and a that/ %ut I .an see Martin Wyde going a+ay +ith his
head in a +hir> si.1 and )isera'e> and +ithout a thought of the gun
he had eft eaning up against the +a ; !e +as sient for so)e
)inutes 'efore he +ent on/
J0ot that it )atters/ For the neBt part is ony too .ear> unfortunatey/
It +as eBa.ty t+enty )inutes past siB +hen the shot +as heard/ A
the servants heard it> the .oo1> the 1it.hen;)aid> the 'uter> the
house)aid and #ady %arna'y"s o+n )aid/ They .a)e rushing to the
)usi. roo)/ She +as ying hudded over the ar) of her .hair/ The
gun had 'een dis.harged .ose to the 'a.1 of her head> so that the
shot hadn"t a .han.e to s.atter/ At east t+o of the) penetrated the
'rain/J
!e paused again and Mr 4uin as1ed .asuay/
JThe servants gave eviden.e> I supposeAJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/
J@es/ The 'uter got there a se.ond or t+o 'efore the others> 'ut
their eviden.e +as pra.ti.ay a repetition of ea.h other"s/J
JSo they a gave eviden.e>J said Mr 4uin )usingy/ JThere +ere no
eB.eptionsAJ
J0o+ I re)e)'er it>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthe house)aid +as
ony .aed at the in8uest/ She"s gone to Canada sin.e> I 'eieve/J
JI see>J said Mr 4uin/
There +as a sien.e> and so)eho+ the air of the itte restaurant
see)ed to 'e .harged +ith an uneasy feeing/ Mr Satterth+aite fet
suddeny as though he +ere on the defensive/
JWhy shoudn"t sheAJ he said a'rupty/
JWhy shoud sheAJ said Mr 4uin +ith a very sight shrug of the
shouders/
So)eho+> the 8uestion annoyed Mr Satterth+aite/ !e +anted to shy
a+ay fro) it ; to get 'a.1 on fa)iiar ground/
JThere .oudn"t 'e )u.h dou't +ho fired the shot/ As a )atter of fa.t
the servants see)ed to have ost their heads a 'it/ There +as no one
in the house to ta1e .harge/ It +as so)e )inutes 'efore anyone
thought of ringing up the poi.e> and +hen they did so they found that
the teephone +as out of order/J
J<hGJ said Mr 4uin/ JThe teephone +as out of order/J
JIt +as>J said Mr Satterth+aite ; and +as stru.1 suddeny 'y the
feeing that he had said so)ething tre)endousy i)portant/ JIt
)ight> of .ourse> have 'een done on purpose>J he said so+y/ J%ut
there see)s no point in that/ $eath +as pra.ti.ay instantaneous/J
Mr 4uin said nothing> and Mr Satterth+aite fet that his eBpanation
+as unsatisfa.tory/
JThere +as a'soutey no one to suspe.t 'ut young Wyde>J he +ent
on/ J%y his o+n a..ount> even> he +as ony out of the house three
)inutes 'efore the shot +as fired/ And +ho ese .oud have fired itA
Sir ,eorge +as at a 'ridge party a fe+ houses a+ay/ !e eft there at
haf;past siB and +as )et Dust outside the gate 'y a servant 'ringing
hi) the ne+s/ The ast ru''er finished at haf;past siB eBa.ty ; no
dou't a'out that/ Then there +as Sir ,eorge"s se.retary> !enry
Tho)pson/ !e +as in #ondon that day> and a.tuay at a 'usiness
)eeting at the )o)ent the shot +as fired/ Finay> there is Syvia
$ae +ho> after a> had a perfe.ty good )otive> i)possi'e as it
see)s that she shoud have had anything to do +ith su.h a .ri)e/
She +as at the station of $eering 7ae seeing a friend off 'y the 3/2O
train/ That ets her out/ Then the servants/ What earthy )otive .oud
any one of the) haveA %esides they a arrived on the spot
pra.ti.ay si)utaneousy/ 0o> it )ust have 'een Martin Wyde/J
%ut he said it in a dissatisfied 1ind of voi.e/
They +ent on +ith their un.h/ Mr 4uin +as not in a ta1ative )ood>
and Mr Satterth+aite had said a he had to say/ %ut the sien.e +as
not a 'arren one/ It +as fied +ith the gro+ing dissatisfa.tion of Mr
Satterth+aite> heightened and fostered in so)e strange +ay 'y the
)ere a.8uies.en.e of the other )an/
Mr Satterth+aite suddeny put do+n his 1nife and for1 +ith a .atter/
JSupposing that that young )an is reay inno.ent>J he said/ Jhe"s
going to 'e hanged/J
!e oo1ed very started and upset a'out it/ And sti Mr 4uin said
nothing/
JIt"s not as though ;J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite> and stopped/ JWhy
shoudn"t the +o)an go to CanadaAJ he ended in.onse8uenty/
Mr 4uin shoo1 his head/
JI don"t even 1no+ +hat part of Canada she +ent to>J .ontinued Mr
Satterth+aite peevishy/
JCoud you find outAJ suggested the other/
JI suppose I .oud/ The 'uter> no+/ !e"d 1no+/ <r possi'y
Tho)pson> the se.retary/J
!e paused again/ When he resu)ed spee.h> his voi.e sounded
a)ost peading/
JIt"s not as though it +ere anything to do +ith )eAJ
JThat a young )an is going to 'e hanged in a itte over three
+ee1sAJ
JWe> yes ; if you put it that +ay> I suppose/ @es> I see +hat you
)ean/ #ife and death/ And that poor gir> too/ It"s not that I") hardheaded
; 'ut> after a ; +hat good +i it doA Isn"t the +hoe thing
rather fantasti.A (ven if I found out +here the +o)an"s gone in
Canada ; +hy> it +oud pro'a'y )ean that I shoud have to go out
there )ysef/J Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed seriousy upset/ JAnd I +as
thin1ing of going to the &iviera neBt +ee1>J he said patheti.ay/
And his gan.e to+ards Mr 4uin said as painy as it .oud 'e said>
J$o et )e off> +on"t youAJ
J@ou have never 'een to CanadaAJ
J0ever/J
JA very interesting .ountry/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) unde.idedy/ J@ou thin1 I ought to
goAJ
Mr 4uin eaned 'a.1 in his .hair and ighted a .igarette/ %et+een
puffs of s)o1e> he spo1e dei'eratey/
J@ou are> I 'eieve> a ri.h )an> Mr Satterth+aite/ 0ot a )iionaire>
'ut a )an a'e to induge a ho''y +ithout .ounting the eBpense/ @ou
have oo1ed on at the dra)as of other peope/ !ave you never
.onte)pated stepping in and paying a partA !ave you never seen
yoursef for a )inute as the ar'iter of other peopes" destinies ;
standing in the .entre of the stage +ith ife and death in your
handsAJ
Mr Satterth+aite eant for+ard/ The od eagerness surged over hi)/
J@ou )ean ; if I go on this +id;goose .hase to Canada ;AJ
Mr 4uin s)ied/
J<hG It +as your suggestion> going to Canada> not )ine>J he said
ighty/
J@ou .an"t put )e off i1e that>J said Mr Satterth+aite earnesty/
JWhenever I have .o)e a.ross you ;J he stopped/ JWeAJ
JThere is so)ething a'out you I do not understand/ Perhaps I never
sha/ The ast ti)e I )et you ;J
J<n Midsu))er"s (ve/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as started> as though the +ords hed a .ue that
he did not 8uite understand/
JWas it Midsu))er"s (veAJ he as1ed .onfusedy/
J@es/ %ut et us not d+e on that/ It is uni)portant> is it notAJ
JSin.e you say so>J said Mr Satterth+aite .ourteousy/ !e fet that
eusive .ue sipping through his fingers/ JWhen I .o)e 'a.1 fro)
Canada ;J he paused a itte a+1+ardy ; JI ; I ; shoud )u.h i1e to
see you again/J
JI a) afraid I have no fiBed address for the )o)ent>J said Mr 4uin
regretfuy/ J%ut I often .o)e to this pa.e/ If you aso fre8uent it> +e
sha no dou't )eet 'efore very ong/J
They parted peasanty/
Mr Satterth+aite +as very eB.ited/ !e hurried round to Coo1"s and
in8uired a'out 'oat saiings/ Then he rang up $eering !i/ The voi.e
of a 'uter> suave and deferentia> ans+ered hi)/
JMy na)e is Satterth+aite/ I a) spea1ing for a ; er ; fir) of soi.itors/
I +ished to )a1e a fe+ in8uiries a'out a young +o)an +ho +as
re.enty house)aid in your esta'ish)ent/J
JWoud that 'e #ouisa> sirA #ouisa %uardAJ
JThat is the na)e>J said Mr Satterth+aite> very peased to 'e tod it/
JI regret she is not in this .ountry> sir/ She +ent to Canada siB
)onths ago/J
JCan you give )e her present addressAJ
The 'uter +as afraid he .oudn"t/ It +as a pa.e in the )ountains she
had gone to ; a S.ot.h na)e ; ahG %anff> that +as it/ So)e of the
other young +o)en in the house had 'een eBpe.ting to hear fro)
her> 'ut she had never +ritten or given the) any address/
Mr Satterth+aite than1ed hi) and rang off/ !e +as sti undaunted/
The adventurous spirit +as strong in his 'reast/
!e +oud go to %anff/ If this #ouisa %uard +as there> he +oud tra.1
her do+n so)eho+ or other/
To his o+n surprise> he enDoyed the trip greaty/ It +as )any years
sin.e he had ta1en a ong sea voyage/ The &iviera> #e Tou8uet and
$eauvie> and S.otand had 'een his usua round/ The feeing that he
+as setting off on an i)possi'e )ission added a se.ret ?est to his
Dourney/ What an utter foo these feo+ traveers of his +oud thin1
hi) did they 'ut 1no+ the o'De.t of his 8uestG %ut then ; they +ere
not a.8uainted +ith Mr 4uin/
In %anff he found his o'De.tive easiy attained/ #ouisa %uard +as
e)poyed in the arge !ote there/ T+eve hours after his arriva he
+as standing fa.e to fa.e +ith her/
She +as a +o)an of a'out thirty;five> anae)i. oo1ing> 'ut +ith a
strong fra)e/ She had pae 'ro+n hair in.ined to .ur> and a pair of
honest 'ro+n eyes/ She +as> he thought> sighty stupid> 'ut very
trust+orthy/
She a..epted 8uite readiy his state)ent that he had 'een as1ed to
.oe.t a fe+ further fa.ts fro) her a'out the tragedy at $eering !i/
JI sa+ in the paper that Mr Martin Wyde had 'een .onvi.ted> sir/
7ery sad> it is> too/J
She see)ed> ho+ever> to have no dou't as to his guit/ JA ni.e young
gente)an gone +rong/ %ut though I +oudn"t spea1 i of the dead> it
+as her adyship +hat ed hi) on/ Woudn"t eave hi) aone> she
+oudn"t/ We> they"ve 'oth got their punish)ent/ There"s a teBt used
to hang on )y +a +hen I +as a .hid> ",od is not )o.1ed>" and it"s
very true/ I 1ne+ so)ething +as going to happen that very evening ;
and sure enough it did/J
J!o+ +as thatAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/
JI +as in )y roo)> sir> .hanging )y dress> and I happened to gan.e
out of the +indo+/ There +as a train going aong> and the +hite
s)o1e of it rose up in the air> and if you" 'eieve )e it for)ed itsef
into the sign of a giganti. hand/ A great +hite hand against the
.ri)son of the s1y/ The fingers +ere .roo1ed i1e> as though they
+ere rea.hing out for so)ething/ It fair gave )e a turn/ "$id you ever
no+A" I said to )ysef/ "That"s a sign of so)ething .o)ing ;" and sure
enough at that very )inute I heard the shot/ JIt"s .o)e>J I said to
)ysef> and I rushed do+nstairs and Doined Carrie and the others
+ho +ere in the ha> and +e +ent into the )usi. roo) and there she
+as> shot through the head ; and the 'ood and everything/ !orri'eG
I spo1e up> I did> and tod Sir ,eorge ho+ I"d seen the sign
'eforehand> 'ut he didn"t see) to thin1 )u.h of it/ An unu.1y day>
that +as> I"d fet it in )y 'ones fro) eary in the )orning/ Friday> and
the 15th ; +hat .oud you eBpe.tAJ
She ra)'ed on/ Mr Satterth+aite +as patient/ Again and again he
too1 her 'a.1 to the .ri)e> 8uestioning her .osey/ In the end he
+as for.ed to .onfess defeat/ #ouisa %uard had tod a she 1ne+>
and her story +as perfe.ty si)pe and straightfor+ard/
@et he did dis.over one fa.t of i)portan.e/ The post in 8uestion had
'een suggested to her 'y Mr Tho)pson> Sir ,eorge"s se.retary/ The
+ages atta.hed +ere so arge that she +as te)pted> and a..epted
the Do'> athough it invoved her eaving (ngand very hurriedy/ A Mr
$en)an had )ade a the arrange)ents this end and had aso
+arned her not to +rite to her feo+;servants in (ngand> as this
)ight get her into trou'e +ith the i))igration authorities> +hi.h
state)ent she had a..epted in 'ind faith/
The a)ount of +ages> .asuay )entioned 'y her> +as indeed so
arge that Mr Satterth+aite +as started/ After so)e hesitation he
)ade up his )ind to approa.h this Mr $en)an/
!e found very itte diffi.uty in indu.ing Mr $en)an to te a he
1ne+/ The atter had .o)e a.ross Tho)pson in #ondon and
Tho)pson had done hi) a good turn/ The se.retary had +ritten to
hi) in Septe)'er saying that for persona reasons Sir ,eorge +as
anBious to get this gir out of (ngand/ Coud he find her a Do'A A su)
of )oney had 'een sent to raise the +ages to a high figure/
J2sua trou'e> I guess>J said Mr $en)an> eaning 'a.1 non.haanty
in his .hair/ JSee)s a ni.e 8uiet gir> too/J
Mr Satterth+aite did not agree that this +as the usua trou'e/ #ouisa
%uard> he +as sure> +as not a .ast;off fan.y of Sir ,eorge
%arna'y"s/ For so)e reason it had 'een vita to get her out of
(ngand/ %ut +hyA And +ho +as at the 'otto) of itA Sir ,eorge
hi)sef> +or1ing through Tho)psonA <r the atter +or1ing on his
o+n initiative> and dragging in his e)poyer"s na)eA
Sti pondering over these 8uestions> Mr Satterth+aite )ade the
return Dourney/ !e +as .ast do+n and despondent/ !is Dourney had
done no good/
Suffering under a sense of faiure> he )ade his +ay to the Are..hino
the day after his return/ !e hardy eBpe.ted to 'e su..essfu the first
ti)e> 'ut to his satisfa.tion the fa)iiar figure +as sitting at the ta'e
in the re.ess> and the dar1 fa.e of Mr !arey 4uin s)ied a +e.o)e/
JWe>J said Mr Satterth+aite as he heped hi)sef to a pat of 'utter>
Jyou sent )e on a ni.e +id;goose .hase/J
Mr 4uin raised his eye'ro+s/
JI sent youAJ he o'De.ted/ JIt +as your o+n idea entirey/J
JWhosever idea it +as> it"s not su..eeded/ #ouisa %uard has
nothing to te/J
Thereupon Mr Satterth+aite reated the detais of his .onversation
+ith the house)aid and then +ent on to his intervie+ +ith Mr
$en)an/ Mr 4uin istened in sien.e/
JIn one sense> I +as Dustified>J .ontinued Mr Satterth+aite/ JShe +as
dei'eratey got out of the +ay/ %ut +hyA I .an"t see it/J
J0oAJ said Mr 4uin> and his voi.e +as> as ever> provo.ative/
Mr Satterth+aite fushed/
JI daresay you thin1 I )ight have 8uestioned her )ore adroity/ I .an
assure you that I too1 her over the story again and again/ It +as not
)y faut that I did not get +hat +e +ant/J
JAre you sure>J said Mr 4uin> Jthat you did not get +hat you +antAJ
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed up at hi) in astonish)ent> and )et that sad>
)o.1ing ga?e he 1ne+ so +e/ The itte )an shoo1 his head> sighty
'e+idered/ There +as a sien.e> and then Mr 4uin said> +ith a tota
.hange of )anner ;
J@ou gave )e a +onderfu pi.ture the other day of the peope in this
'usiness/ In a fe+ +ords you )ade the) stand out as .eary as
though they +ere et.hed/ I +ish you +oud do so)ething of that 1ind
for the pa.e ; you eft that in shado+/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as fattered/
JThe pa.eA $eering !iA We> it"s a very ordinary sort of house
no+adays/ &ed 'ri.1> you 1no+> and 'ay +indo+s/ 4uite hideous
outside> 'ut very .o)forta'e inside/ 0ot a very arge house/ A'out
t+o a.res of ground/ They"re a )u.h the sa)e> those houses round
the in1s/ %uit for ri.h )en to ive in/ The inside of the house is
re)inis.ent of a hote ; the 'edroo)s are i1e hote suites/ %aths and
hot and .od 'asins in a the 'edroo)s and a good )any gided
ee.tri.;ight fittings/ A +onderfuy .o)forta'e> 'ut not very
.ountry;i1e/ @ou .an te that $eering 7ae is ony nineteen )ies
fro) #ondon/J
Mr 4uin istened attentivey/
JThe train servi.e is 'ad> I have heard>J he re)ar1ed/
J<hG I don"t 1no+ a'out that>J said Mr Satterth+aite> +ar)ing to his
su'De.t/ JI +as do+n there for a 'it ast su))er/ I found it 8uite
.onvenient for to+n/ <f .ourse the trains ony go every hour/ 4O
)inutes past the hour fro) Wateroo ; up to 16/4O/J
JAnd ho+ ong does it ta1e to $eering 7aeAJ
J*ust a'out three 8uarters of an hour/ 2O )inutes past the hour at
$eering 7ae/J
J<f .ourse>J said Mr 4uin +ith a gesture of veBation/ JI shoud have
re)e)'ered/ Miss $ae sa+ so)eone off 'y the 3/2O that evening>
didn"t sheAJ
Mr Satterth+aite did not repy for a )inute or t+o/ !is )ind had gone
'a.1 +ith a rush to his unsoved pro'e)/ Presenty he said> JI +ish
you +oud te )e +hat you )eant Dust no+ +hen you as1ed )e if I
+as sure I had not got +hat I +antedAJ
It sounded rather .o)pi.ated> put that +ay> 'ut Mr 4uin )ade no
preten.e of not understanding/
JI Dust +ondered if you +eren"t 'eing a itte too eBa.ting/ After a>
you found out that #ouisa %uard +as dei'eratey got out of the
.ountry/ That 'eing so> there )ust 'e a reason/ And the reason )ust
ie in +hat she said to you/J
JWe>J said Mr Satterth+aite argu)entativey/
JWhat did she sayA If she"d given eviden.e at the tria> +hat .oud
she have saidAJ
JShe )ight have tod +hat she sa+>J said Mr 4uin/
JWhat did she seeAJ
JA sign in the s1y/J
Mr Satterth+aite stared at hi)/
JAre you thin1ing of that nonsenseA That superstitious notion of its
'eing the hand of ,odAJ
JPerhaps>J said Mr 4uin> Jfor a you and I 1no+ it )ay have 'een the
hand of ,od> you 1no+/J
The other +as .eary pu??ed at the gravity of his )anner/
J0onsense>J he said/ JShe said hersef it +as the s)o1e of the train/J
JAn up train or a do+n train> I +onderAJ )ur)ured Mr 4uin/
J!ardy an up train/ They go at ten )inutes to the hour/ It )ust have
'een a do+n train ; the 3/2O ; no> that +on"t do/ She said the shot
.a)e i))ediatey after+ards> and +e 1no+ the shot +as fired at
t+enty )inutes past siB/ The train .oudn"t have 'een ten )inutes
eary/J
J!ardy> on that ine>J agreed Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite +as staring ahead of hi)/
JPerhaps a goods train>J he )ur)ured/ J%ut surey> if ;J
JThere +oud have 'een no need to get her out of (ngand/ I agree>J
said Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite ga?ed at hi)> fas.inated/
JThe 3/2O>J he said so+y/ J%ut if so> if the shot +as fired then> +hy
did everyone say it +as earierAJ
J<'vious>J said Mr 4uin/ JThe .o.1s )ust have 'een +rong/J
JA of the)AJ said Mr Satterth+aite dou'tfuy/ JThat"s a pretty ta
.oin.iden.e> you 1no+/J
JI +asn"t thin1ing of it as a .oin.iden.e>J said the other/ JI +as
thin1ing it +as Friday/J
JFridayAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/
J@ou did te )e> you 1no+> that Sir ,eorge a+ays +ound the .o.1s
on a Friday afternoon>J said Mr 4uin apoogeti.ay/
J!e put the) 'a.1 ten )inutes>J said Mr Satterth+aite> a)ost in a
+hisper> so a+ed +as he 'y the dis.overies he +as )a1ing/ JThen
he +ent out to 'ridge/ I thin1 he )ust have opened the note fro) his
+ife to Martin Wyde that )orning ; yes> de.idedy he opened it/ !e
eft his 'ridge party at 3/56> found Martin"s gun standing 'y the side
door> and +ent in and shot her fro) 'ehind/ Then he +ent out again>
thre+ the gun into the 'ushes +here it +as found ater> and +as
apparenty Dust .o)ing out of the neigh'our"s gate +hen so)eone
.a)e running to fet.h hi)/ %ut the teephone ; +hat a'out the
teephoneA AhG yes> I see/ !e dis.onne.ted it so that a su))ons
.oud not 'e sent to the poi.e that +ay ; they )ight have noted the
ti)e it +as re.eived/ And Wyde"s story +or1s out no+/ The rea ti)e
he eft +as five and t+enty )inutes past siB/ Wa1ing so+y> he
+oud rea.h ho)e a'out a 8uarter to seven/ @es> I see it a/ #ouisa
+as the ony danger +ith her endess ta1 a'out her superstitious
fan.ies/ So)eone )ight reaise the signifi.an.e of the train and then
; good;'ye to that eB.eent ai'i/J
JWonderfu>J .o))ented Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite turned to hi)> fushed +ith su..ess/
JThe ony thing is ; ho+ to pro.eed no+AJ
JI shoud suggest Syvia $ae>J said Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed dou'tfu/
JI )entioned to you>J he said> Jshe see)ed to )e a itte ; er ;
stupid/J
JShe has a father and 'rothers +ho +i ta1e the ne.essary steps/J
JThat is true>J said Mr Satterth+aite> reieved/
A very short ti)e after+ards he +as sitting +ith the gir teing her
the story/ She istened attentivey/ She put no 8uestions to hi) 'ut
+hen he had done she rose/
JI )ust have a taBi ; at on.e/J
JMy dear .hid> +hat are you going to doAJ
JI a) going to Sir ,eorge %arna'y/J
JI)possi'e/ A'soutey the +rong pro.edure/ Ao+ )e ;J
!e t+ittered on 'y her side/ %ut he produ.ed no i)pression/ Syvia
$ae +as intent on her o+n pans/ She ao+ed hi) to go +ith her in
the taBi> 'ut to a his re)onstran.es she addressed a deaf ear/ She
eft hi) in the taBi +hie she +ent into Sir ,eorge"s .ity offi.e/
It +as haf an hour ater +hen she .a)e out/ She oo1ed eBhausted>
her fair 'eauty drooping i1e a +ateress fo+er/ Mr Satterth+aite
re.eived her +ith .on.ern/
JI"ve +on>J she )ur)ured> as she eant 'a.1 +ith haf;.osed eyes/
JWhatAJ he +as started> JWhat did you doA What did you sayAJ
She sat up a itte/
JI tod hi) that #ouisa %uard had 'een to the poi.e +ith her story/ I
tod hi) that the poi.e had )ade in8uiries and that he had 'een
seen going into his o+n grounds and out again a fe+ )inutes after
haf;past siB/ I tod hi) that the ga)e +as up/ !e ; he +ent to pie.es/
I tod hi) that there +as sti ti)e for hi) to get a+ay> that the poi.e
+eren"t .o)ing for another hour to arrest hi)/ I tod hi) that if he"d
sign a .onfession that he"d 1ied 7ivien I"d do nothing> 'ut that if he
didn"t I"d s.rea) and te the +hoe 'uiding the truth/ !e +as so
pani.1y that he didn"t 1no+ +hat he +as doing/ !e signed the paper
+ithout reaising +hat he +as doing/J
She thrust it into his hands/
JTa1e it ; ta1e it/ @ou 1no+ +hat to do +ith it so that they" set Martin
free/J
J!e a.tuay signed it>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite> a)a?ed/
J!e is a itte stupid> you 1no+>J said Syvia $ae/
JSo a) I>J she added as an afterthought/ JThat"s +hy I 1no+ ho+
stupid peope 'ehave/ We get ratted> you 1no+> and then +e do the
+rong thing and are sorry after+ards/J
She shivered and Mr Satterth+aite patted her hand/
J@ou need so)ething to pu you together>J he said/ JCo)e> +e are
.ose to a very favourite resort of )ine ; the Are..hino/ !ave you
ever 'een thereAJ
She shoo1 her head/
Mr Satterth+aite stopped the taBi and too1 the gir into the itte
restaurant/ !e )ade his +ay to the ta'e in the re.ess> his heart
'eating hopefuy/ %ut the ta'e +as e)pty/
Syvia $ae sa+ the disappoint)ent in his fa.e/
JWhat is itAJ she as1ed/
J0othing>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThat is> I haf eBpe.ted to see a
friend of )ine here/ It doesn"t )atter/ So)e day> I eBpe.t> I sha see
hi) again///J
Chapter F
T!( S<2# <F T!( C&<2PI(&
Mr Satterth+aite +as enDoying the sunshine on the terra.e at Monte
Caro/
(very year reguary on the se.ond Sunday in *anuary> Mr
Satterth+aite eft (ngand for the &iviera/ !e +as far )ore pun.tua
than any s+ao+/ In the )onth of Apri he returned to (ngand> May
and *une he spent in #ondon> and had never 'een 1no+n to )iss
As.ot/ !e eft to+n after the (ton and !arro+ )at.h> paying a fe+
.ountry house visits 'efore repairing to $eauvie or #e Tou8uet/
Shooting parties o..upied )ost of Septe)'er and <.to'er> and he
usuay spent a .oupe of )onths in to+n to +ind up the year/ !e
1ne+ every'ody and it )ay safey 'e said that every'ody 1ne+ hi)/
This )orning he +as fro+ning/ The 'ue of the sea +as ad)ira'e>
the gardens +ere> as a+ays> a deight> 'ut the peope disappointed
hi) ; he thought the) an i;dressed> shoddy .ro+d/ So)e> of
.ourse> +ere ga)'ers> doo)ed sous +ho .oud not 1eep a+ay/
Those Mr Satterth+aite toerated/ They +ere a ne.essary
'a.1ground/ %ut he )issed the usua eaven of the eite ; his o+n
peope/
JIt"s the eB.hange>J said Mr Satterth+aite goo)iy/ JA sort of
peope .o)e here no+ +ho .oud never have afforded it 'efore/ And
then> of .ourse> I") getting od/// A the young peope ; the peope
.o)ing on ; they go to these S+iss pa.es/J
%ut there +ere others that he )issed> the +e;dressed %arons and
Counts of foreign dipo)a.y> the ,rand $u1es and the &oya
Prin.es/ The ony &oya Prin.e he had seen so far +as +or1ing a ift
in one of the ess +e;1no+n hotes/ !e )issed> too> the 'eautifu
and eBpensive adies/ There +as sti a fe+ of the)> 'ut not neary as
)any as there used to 'e/
Mr Satterth+aite +as an earnest student of the dra)a .aed #ife>
'ut he i1ed his )ateria to 'e highy .ooured/ !e fet
dis.ourage)ent s+eep over hi)/ 7aues +ere .hanging ; and he +as
too od to .hange/
It +as at that )o)ent that he o'served the Countess C?arnova
.o)ing to+ards hi)/
Mr Satterth+aite had seen the Countess at Monte Caro for )any
seasons no+/ The first ti)e he had seen her she had 'een in the
.o)pany of a ,rand $u1e/ <n the neBt o..asion she +as +ith an
Austrian %aron/ <n su..essive years her friends had 'een of
!e'rai. eBtra.tion> sao+ )en +ith hoo1ed noses> +earing rather
fa)'oyant De+eery/ For the ast year or t+o she +as )u.h seen
+ith very young )en> a)ost 'oys/
She +as +a1ing +ith a very young )an no+/ Mr Satterth+aite
happened to 1no+ hi)> and he +as sorry/ Fran1in &udge +as a
young A)eri.an> a typi.a produ.t of one of the Midde West States>
eager to register i)pression> .rude> 'ut ovea'e> a .urious )iBture
of native shre+dness and ideais)/ !e +as in Monte Caro +ith a
party of other young A)eri.ans of 'oth seBes> a )u.h of the sa)e
type/ It +as their first gi)pse of the <d Word and they +ere
outspo1en in .riti.is) and in appre.iation/
<n the +hoe they disi1ed the (ngish peope in the hote> and the
(ngish peope disi1ed the)/ Mr Satterth+aite> +ho prided hi)sef
on 'eing a .os)opoitan> rather i1ed the)/ Their dire.tness and
vigour appeaed to hi)> though their o..asiona soe.is)s )ade hi)
shudder/
It o..urred to hi) that the Countess C?arnova +as a )ost unsuita'e
friend for young Fran1in &udge/
!e too1 off his hat poitey as they .a)e a'reast of hi)> and the
Countess gave hi) a .har)ing 'o+ and s)ie/
She +as a very ta +o)an> super'y )ade/ !er hair +as 'a.1> so
+ere her eyes> and her eyeashes and eye'ro+s +ere )ore super'y
'a.1 than any 0ature had ever fashioned/
Mr Satterth+aite> +ho 1ne+ far )ore of fe)inine se.rets than it is
good for any )an to 1no+> rendered i))ediate ho)age to the art
+ith +hi.h she +as )ade up/ !er .o)peBion appeared to 'e
fa+ess> of a unifor) .rea)y +hite/
The very faint shado+s under her eyes +ere )ost effe.tive/ !er
)outh +as neither .ri)son nor s.aret> 'ut a su'dued +ine .oour/
She +as dressed in a very daring .reation of 'a.1 and +hite and
.arried a paraso of the shade of pin1y red +hi.h is )ost hepfu to
the .o)peBion/
Fran1in &udge +as oo1ing happy and i)portant/
JThere goes a young foo>J said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ J%ut I
suppose it"s no 'usiness of )ine and any+ay he +oudn"t isten to
)e/ We> +e> I"ve 'ought eBperien.e )ysef in )y ti)e/J
%ut he sti fet rather +orried> 'e.ause there +as a very attra.tive
itte A)eri.an gir in the party> and he +as sure that she +oud not
i1e Fran1in &udge"s friendship +ith the Countess at a/
!e +as Dust a'out to retra.e his steps in the opposite dire.tion +hen
he .aught sight of the gir in 8uestion .o)ing up one of the paths
to+ards hi)/ She +ore a +e;.ut taior;)ade suit +ith a +hite )usin
shirt +aist> she had on good> sensi'e +a1ing shoes> and .arried a
guide;'oo1/ There are so)e A)eri.ans +ho pass through Paris and
e)erge .othed as the 4ueen of She'a> 'ut (i?a'eth Martin +as not
one of the)/ She +as Jdoing (uropeJ in a stern> .ons.ientious spirit/
She had high ideas of .uture and art and she +as anBious to get as
)u.h as possi'e for her i)ited store of )oney/
It is dou'tfu if Mr Satterth+aite thought of her as either .utured or
artisti./ To hi) she )erey appeared very young/
J,ood )orning> Mr Satterth+aite>J said (i?a'eth/ J!ave you seen
Fran1in ; Mr &udge ; any+here a'outAJ
JI sa+ hi) Dust a fe+ )inutes ago/J
JWith his friend the Countess> I suppose>J said the gir sharpy/
J(r ; +ith the Countess> yes>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite/
JThat Countess of his doesn"t .ut any i.e +ith )e ;J said the gir in a
rather high> shri voi.e/ JFran1in"s Dust .ra?y a'out her/ Why I .an"t
thin1/J
JShe"s got a very .har)ing )anner> I 'eieve>J said Mr Satterth+aite
.autiousy/
J$o you 1no+ herAJ
JSighty/J
JI") right do+n +orried a'out Fran1in>J said Miss Martin/ JThat
'oy"s got a ot of sense as a rue/ @ou"d never thin1 he"d fa for this
sort of siren stuff/ And he +on"t hear a thing> he gets )adder than a
hornet if anyone tries to say a +ord to hi)/ Te )e> any+ay ; is she a
rea CountessAJ
JI shoudn"t i1e to say>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JShe )ay 'e/J
JThat"s the rea !a !a (ngish )anner>J said (i?a'eth +ith signs of
dispeasure/ JA I .an say is that in Sargon Springs ; that"s our ho)e
to+n> Mr Satterth+aite ; that Countess +oud oo1 a )ighty 8ueer
'ird/J
Mr Satterth+aite thought it possi'e/ !e fore'ore to point out that
they +ere not in Sargon Springs 'ut in the prin.ipaity of Mona.o>
+here the Countess happened to syn.hronise +ith her environ)ent
a great dea 'etter than Miss Martin did/
!e )ade no ans+er and (i?a'eth +ent on to+ards the Casino/ Mr
Satterth+aite sat on a seat in the sun> and +as presenty Doined 'y
Fran1in &udge/
&udge +as fu of enthusias)/
JI") enDoying )ysef>J he announ.ed +ith na/ve enthusias)/ J@es>
sirG This is +hat I .a seeing ife ; rather a different 1ind of ife fro)
+hat +e have in the States/J
The eder )an turned a thoughtfu fa.e to hi)/
J#ife is ived very )u.h the sa)e every+here>J he said rather
+eariy/ JIt +ears different .othes ; that"s a/J
Fran1in &udge stared/
JI don"t get you/J
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThat"s 'e.ause you"ve got a ong +ay
to trave yet/ %ut I apoogise/ 0o edery )an shoud per)it hi)sef to
get into the ha'it of prea.hing/J
J<hG That"s a right>J &udge aughed> dispaying the 'eautifu teeth
of a his .ountry)en/ JI don"t say> )ind you> that I") not
disappointed in the Casino/ I thought the ga)'ing +oud 'e different
; so)ething )u.h )ore feverish/ It see)s Dust rather du and sordid
to )e/J
J,a)'ing is ife and death to the ga)'er> 'ut it has no great
spe.ta.uar vaue>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt is )ore eB.iting to
read a'out than to see/J
The young )an nodded his agree)ent/
J@ou"re 'y +ay of 'eing rather a 'ig 'ug so.iay> aren"t youAJ he
as1ed +ith a diffident .andour that )ade it i)possi'e to ta1e
offen.e/ JI )ean> you 1no+ a the $u.hesses and (ars and
Countesses and things/J
JA good )any of the)>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JAnd aso the *e+s
and the Portuguese and the ,ree1s and the Argentines/J
J(hAJ said Mr &udge/
JI +as Dust eBpaining>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthat I )ove in (ngish
so.iety/J
Fran1in &udge )editated for a )o)ent or t+o/
J@ou 1no+ the Countess C?arnova> don"t youAJ he said at ength/
JSighty>J said Mr Satterth+aite> )a1ing the sa)e ans+er he had
)ade to (i?a'eth/
J0o+ there"s a +o)an +ho) it"s 'een very interesting to )eet/
<ne"s in.ined to thin1 that the aristo.ra.y of (urope is payed out
and eff/te/ That )ay 'e true of the )en> 'ut the +o)en are different/
Isn"t it a peasure to )eet an eB8uisite .reature i1e the CountessA
Witty> .har)ing> inteigent> generations of .iviisation 'ehind her> an
aristo.rat to her finger;tipsGJ
JIs sheAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
JWe> isn"t sheA @ou 1no+ +hat her fa)iy areAJ
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI") afraid I 1no+ very itte a'out her/J
JShe +as a &ad?yns1i>J he eBpained Fran1in &udge/ J<ne of the
odest fa)iies in !ungary/ She"s had the )ost eBtraordinary ife/ @ou
1no+ that great rope of pears she +earsAJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/
JThat +as given her 'y the -ing of %osnia/ She s)ugged so)e
se.ret papers out of the 1ingdo) for hi)/J
JI heard>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthat the pears had 'een given her
'y the -ing of %osnia/J
The fa.t +as indeed a )atter of .o))on gossip> it 'eing reported
that the ady had 'een a .her a)ie of !is MaDesty"s in days gone 'y/
J0o+ I" te you so)ething )ore/J
Mr Satterth+aite istened> and the )ore he istened the )ore he
ad)ired the fertie i)agination of the Countess C?arnova/ 0o vugar
Jsiren stuffJ 9as (i?a'eth Martin had put it: for her/ The young )an
+as shre+d enough in that +ay> .ean iving and ideaisti./ 0o> the
Countess )oved austerey through a a'yrinth of dipo)ati.
intrigues/ She had ene)ies> detra.tors ; naturayG It +as a gi)pse>
so the young A)eri.an +as )ade to fee> into the ife of the od
regi)e +ith the Countess as the .entra figure> aoof> aristo.rati.>
the friend of .ounseors and prin.es> a figure to inspire ro)anti.
devotion/
JAnd she"s had any a)ount to .ontend against>J ended the young
)an +ar)y/ JIt"s an eBtraordinary thing 'ut she"s never found a
+o)an +ho +oud 'e a rea friend to her/ Wo)en have 'een against
her a her ife/J
JPro'a'y>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J$on"t you .a it a s.andaous thingAJ de)anded &udge hoty/
J0;no>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/ JI don"t 1no+ that I do/
Wo)en have got their o+n standards> you 1no+/ It"s no good our
)iBing ourseves up in their affairs/ They )ust run their o+n sho+/J
JI don"t agree +ith you>J said &udge earnesty/ JIt"s one of the +orst
things in the +ord today> the un1indness of +o)an to +o)an/ @ou
1no+ (i?a'eth MartinA 0o+ she agrees +ith )e in theory
a'soutey/ We"ve often dis.ussed it together/ She"s ony a 1id> 'ut
her ideas are a right/ %ut the )o)ent it .o)es to a pra.ti.a test ;
+hy> she"s as 'ad as any of the)/ ,ot a rea do+n on the Countess
+ithout 1no+ing a darned thing a'out her> and +on"t isten +hen I try
to te her things/ It"s a +rong> Mr Satterth+aite/ I 'eieve in
de)o.ra.y ; and ; +hat"s that 'ut 'rotherhood 'et+een )en and
sisterhood 'et+een +o)enAJ
!e paused earnesty/ Mr Satterth+aite tried to thin1 of any
.ir.u)stan.es in +hi.h a sistery feeing )ight arise 'et+een the
Countess and (i?a'eth Martin and faied/
J0o+ the Countess> on the other hand>J +ent on &udge> Jad)ires
(i?a'eth i))ensey> and thin1s her .har)ing in every +ay/ 0o+
+hat does that sho+AJ
JIt sho+s>J said Mr Satterth+aite dryy> Jthat the Countess has ived
a .onsidera'e ti)e onger than Miss Martin has/J
Fran1in &udge +ent off uneBpe.tedy at a tangent/
J$o you 1no+ ho+ od she isA She tod )e/ &ather sporting of her/ I
shoud have guessed her to 'e t+enty;nine> 'ut she tod )e of her
o+n a..ord that she +as thirty;five/ She doesn"t oo1 it> does sheAJ
Mr Satterth+aite> +hose private esti)ate of the ady"s age +as
'et+een forty;five and forty;nine> )erey raised his eye'ro+s/
JI shoud .aution you against 'eieving a you are tod at Monte
Caro>J he )ur)ured/
!e had enough eBperien.e to 1no+ the futiity of arguing +ith the
ad/ Fran1in &udge +as at a pit.h of +hite hot .hivary +hen he
+oud have dis'eieved any state)ent that +as not 'a.1ed +ith
authoritative proof/
J!ere is the Countess>J said the 'oy> rising/
She .a)e up to the) +ith the anguid gra.e that so 'e.a)e her/
Presenty they a three sat do+n together/ She +as very .har)ing to
Mr Satterth+aite> 'ut in rather an aoof )anner/ She deferred to hi)
prettiy> as1ing his opinion> and treating hi) as an authority on the
&iviera/
The +hoe thing +as .every )anaged/ 7ery fe+ )inutes had
eapsed 'efore Fran1in &udge found hi)sef gra.efuy 'ut
un)ista1a'y dis)issed> and the Countess and Mr Satterth+aite
+ere eft t/te;/;t/te/
She put do+n her paraso and 'egan dra+ing patterns +ith it in the
dust/
J@ou are interested in that ni.e A)eri.an 'oy> Mr Satterth+aite> are
you notAJ
!er voi.e +as o+ +ith a .aressing note in it/
J!e"s a ni.e young feo+>J said Mr Satterth+aite> non;.o))ittay/
JI find hi) sy)patheti.> yes>J said the Countess refe.tivey/ JI have
tod hi) )u.h of )y ife/J
JIndeed>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J$etais su.h as I have tod to fe+ others>J she .ontinued drea)iy/ JI
have had an eBtraordinary ife> Mr Satterth+aite/ Fe+ +oud .redit
the a)a?ing things that have happened to )e/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as shre+d enough to penetrate her )eaning/
After a> the stories that she had tod to Fran1in &udge )ight 'e the
truth/ It +as eBtre)ey uni1ey> and in the ast degree i)pro'a'e>
'ut it +as possi'e/// 0o one .oud definitey say> JThat is not so ;J
!e did not repy> and the Countess .ontinued to oo1 out drea)iy
a.ross the 'ay/
And suddeny Mr Satterth+aite had a strange and ne+ i)pression of
her/ !e sa+ her no onger as a harpy> 'ut as a desperate .reature at
'ay> fighting tooth and nai/ !e stoe a side+ays gan.e at her/ The
paraso +as do+n> he .oud see the itte haggard ines at the
.orners of her eyes/ In one te)pe a puse +as 'eating/
It fo+ed through hi) again and again ; that in.reasing .ertitude/
She +as a .reature desperate and driven/ She +oud 'e )er.iess to
hi) or to anyone +ho stood 'et+een her and Fran1in &udge/ %ut he
sti fet he hadn"t got the hang of the situation/ Ceary she had penty
of )oney/ She +as a+ays 'eautifuy dressed> and her De+es +ere
)arveous/ There .oud 'e no rea urgen.y of that 1ind/ Was it oveA
Wo)en of her age did> he +e 1ne+> fa in ove +ith 'oys/ It )ight 'e
that/ There +as> he fet sure> so)ething out of the .o))on a'out the
situation/
!er t/te;/;t/te +ith hi) +as> he re.ognised> a thro+ing do+n of the
gauntet/ She had singed hi) out as her .hief ene)y/ !e fet sure
that she hoped to goad hi) into spea1ing sightingy of her to
Fran1in &udge/ Mr Satterth+aite s)ied to hi)sef/ !e +as too od a
'ird for that/ !e 1ne+ +hen it +as +ise to hod one"s tongue/
!e +at.hed her that night in the Cer.e Priv/> as she tried her
fortunes at rouette/
Again and again she sta1ed> ony to see her sta1e s+ept a+ay/ She
'ore her osses +e> +ith the stoi.a sang froid of the od ha'itu//
She sta1ed en pein on.e or t+i.e> put the )aBi)u) on red> +on a
itte on the )idde do?en and then ost it again> finay she 'a.1ed
)an8u/ siB ti)es and ost every ti)e/ Then +ith a itte gra.efu
shrug of the shouders she turned a+ay/
She +as oo1ing unusuay stri1ing in a dress of god tissue +ith an
underying note of green/ The fa)ous %osnian pears +ere ooped
round her ne.1 and ong pear earrings hung fro) her ears/
Mr Satterth+aite heard t+o )en near hi) appraise her/
JThe C?arnova>J said one> Jshe +ears +e> does she notA The Cro+n
De+es of %osnia oo1 fine on her/J
The other> a s)a *e+ish;oo1ing )an> stared .uriousy after her/
JSo those are the pears of %osnia> are theyAJ he as1ed/ J(n verit//
That is odd/J
!e .hu.1ed softy to hi)sef/
Mr Satterth+aite )issed hearing )ore> for at the )o)ent he turned
his head and +as overDoyed to re.ognise an od friend/
JMy dear Mr 4uin/J !e shoo1 hi) +ar)y 'y the hand/ JThe ast
pa.e I shoud ever have drea)ed of seeing you/J
Mr 4uin s)ied> his dar1 attra.tive fa.e ighting up/
JIt shoud not surprise you>J he said/ JIt is Carniva ti)e/ I a) often
here in Carniva ti)e/J
J&eayA We> this is a great peasure/ Are you anBious to re)ain in
the roo)sA I find the) rather +ar)/J
JIt +i 'e peasanter outside>J agreed the other/ JWe +i +a1 in the
gardens/J
The air outside +as sharp> 'ut not .hi/ %oth )en dre+ deep
'reaths/
JThat is 'etter>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JMu.h 'etter>J agreed Mr 4uin/ JAnd +e .an ta1 freey/ I a) sure
that there is )u.h that you +ant to te )e/J
JThere is indeed/J
Spea1ing eagery> Mr Satterth+aite unfoded his perpeBities/ As
usua he too1 pride in his po+er of .onveying at)osphere/ The
Countess> young Fran1in> un.o)pro)ising (i?a'eth ; he s1et.hed
the) a in +ith a deft tou.h/
J@ou have .hanged sin.e I first 1ne+ you>J said Mi/ 4uin> s)iing>
+hen the re.ita +as over/
JIn +hat +ayAJ
J@ou +ere .ontent then to oo1 on at the dra)a that ife offered/ 0o+
; you +ant to ta1e part ; to a.t/J
JIt is true>J .onfessed Mr Satterth+aite/ J%ut in this .ase I do not
1no+ +hat to do/ It is a very perpeBing/ Perhaps ;J he hesitated/
JPerhaps you +i hep )eAJ
JWith peasure>J said Mr 4uin/ JWe +i see +hat +e .an do/J
Mr Satterth+aite had an odd sense of .o)fort and reian.e/
The foo+ing day he introdu.ed Fran1in &udge and (i?a'eth Martin
to his friend Mr !arey 4uin/ !e +as peased to see that they got on
together/ The Countess +as not )entioned> 'ut at un.h ti)e he
heard ne+s that aroused his attention/
JMira'ee is arriving in Monte this evening>J he .onfided eB.itedy to
Mr 4uin/
JThe Parisian stage favouriteAJ
J@es/ I daresay you 1no+ ; it"s .o))on property ; she is the -ing of
%osnia"s atest .ra?e/ !e has sho+ered De+es on her> I 'eieve/ They
say she is the )ost eBa.ting and eBtravagant +o)an in Paris/J
JIt shoud 'e interesting to see her and the Countess C?arnova )eet
tonight/J
J(Ba.ty +hat I thought/J
Mira'ee +as a ta> thin .reature +ith a +onderfu head of dyed fair
hair/ !er .o)peBion +as a pae )auve +ith orange ips/ She +as
a)a?ingy .hi./ She +as dressed in so)ething that oo1ed i1e a
gorified 'ird of paradise> and she +ore .hains of De+es hanging
do+n her 'are 'a.1/ A heavy 'ra.eet set +ith i))ense dia)onds
.asped her eft an1e/
She .reated a sensation +hen she appeared in the Casino/
J@our friend the Countess +i have a diffi.uty in outdoing this>J
)ur)ured Mr 4uin in Mr Satterth+aite"s ear/
The atter nodded/ !e +as .urious to see ho+ the Countess
.o)ported hersef/
She .a)e ate> and a o+ )ur)ur ran round as she +a1ed
un.on.ernedy to one of the .entre rouette ta'es/
She +as dressed in +hite ; a )ere straight sip of )aro.ain su.h as a
de'utante )ight have +orn and her gea)ing +hite ne.1 and ar)s
+ere unadorned/ She +ore not a singe De+e/
JIt is .ever> that>J said Mr Satterth+aite +ith instant approva/ JShe
disdains rivary and turns the ta'es on her adversary/J
!e hi)sef +a1ed over and stood 'y the ta'e/ Fro) ti)e to ti)e he
a)used hi)sef 'y Jpa.ing a sta1e/J So)eti)es he +on> )ore often
he ost/
There +as a terrifi. run on the ast do?en/ The nu)'ers 51 and 54
turned up again and again/ Sta1es fo.1ed to the 'otto) of the .oth/
With a s)ie Mr Satterth+aite )ade his ast sta1e for the evening>
and pa.ed the )aBi)u) on 0u)'er F/
The Countess in her turn eant for+ard and pa.ed the )aBi)u) on
0u)'er 3/
JFaites vos DeuB>J .aed the .roupier hoarsey/ J&ien n"est va pus/
Pus rien/J
The 'a span> hu))ing )erriy/ Mr Satterth+aite thought to hi)sef ;
JThis )eans so)ething different to ea.h of us/ Agonies of hope and
despair> 'oredo)> ide a)use)ent> ife and death/J
Ci.1G
The .roupier 'ent for+ard to see/
J0u)ero .in8ue> rouge> i)pair et )an8ueGJ
Mr Satterth+aite had +onG
The .roupier> having ra1ed in the other sta1es> pushed for+ard Mr
Satterth+aite"s +innings/ !e put out his hand to ta1e the)/ The
Countess did the sa)e/ The .roupier oo1ed fro) one to the other of
the)/
JA Mada)e>J he said 'rus8uey/
The Countess pi.1ed up the )oney/ Mr Satterth+aite dre+ 'a.1/ !e
re)ained a gente)an/ The Countess oo1ed hi) fu in the fa.e and
he returned her gan.e/ <ne or t+o of the peope round pointed out
to the .roupier that he had )ade a )ista1e> 'ut the )an shoo1 his
head i)patienty/ !e had de.ided/ That +as the end/ !e raised his
rau.ous .ry> JPaites vos DeuB> Messieurs et Mesda)es/J
Mr Satterth+aite reDoined Mr 4uin/ %eneath his i)pe..a'e
de)eanour> he +as feeing eBtre)ey indignant/ Mr 4uin istened
sy)patheti.ay/
JToo 'ad>J he said> J'ut these things happen/J
JWe are to )eet your friend Fran1in &udge ater/ I a) giving a itte
supper party/J
The three )et at )idnight> and Mr 4uin eBpained his pan/
JIt is +hat is .aed a J!edges and !igh+aysJ party>J he eBpained/
JWe .hoose our )eeting pa.e> then ea.h one goes out and is 'ound
in honour to invite the first person he )eets/J
Fran1in &udge +as a)used 'y the idea>
JSay> +hat happens if they +on"t a..eptAJ
J@ou )ust use your ut)ost po+ers of persuasion/J
J,ood/ And +here"s the )eeting pa.eAJ
JA so)e+hat %ohe)ian .af/ ; +here one .an ta1e strange guests/ It
is .aed #e Caveau/J
!e eBpained its +herea'outs> and the three parted/ Mr
Satterth+aite +as so fortunate as to run straight into (i?a'eth
Martin and he .ai)ed her Doyfuy/ They rea.hed #e Caveau and
des.ended into a 1ind of .ear +here they found a ta'e spread for
supper and it 'y od;fashioned .andes in .andesti.1s/
JWe are the first>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JAhG here .o)es Fran1in ;J
!e stopped a'rupty/ With Fran1in +as the Countess/ It +as an
a+1+ard )o)ent/ (i?a'eth dispayed ess gra.iousness than she
)ight have done/ The Countess> as a +o)an of the +ord> retained
the honours/
#ast of a .a)e Mr 4uin/ With hi) +as a s)a> dar1 )an> neaty
dressed> +hose fa.e see)ed fa)iiar to Mr Satterth+aite/ A )o)ent
ater he re.ognised hi)/ It +as the .roupier +ho earier in the
evening had )ade su.h a a)enta'e )ista1e/
J#et )e introdu.e you to the .o)pany> M/ Pierre 7au.her>J said Mr
4uin/
The itte )an see)ed .onfused/ Mr 4uin perfor)ed the ne.essary
introdu.tions easiy and ighty/ Supper +as 'rought ; an eB.eent
supper/ Wine .a)e ; very eB.eent +ine/ So)e of the frigidity +ent
out of the at)osphere/
The Countess +as very sient> so +as (i?a'eth/ Fran1in &udge
'e.a)e ta1ative/ !e tod various stories ; not hu)orous stories> 'ut
serious ones/ And 8uiety and assiduousy Mr 4uin passed round the
+ine/
JI" te you ; and this is a true story ; a'out a )an +ho )ade good>J
said Fran1in &udge i)pressivey/
For one .o)ing fro) a Prohi'ition .ountry he had sho+n no a.1 of
appre.iation of .ha)pagne/
!e tod his story ; perhaps at so)e+hat unne.essary ength/ It +as>
i1e )any true stories> greaty inferior to fi.tion/
As he uttered the ast +ord> Pierre 7au.her> opposite hi)> see)ed to
+a1e up/ !e aso had done Dusti.e to the .ha)pagne/ !e eaned
for+ard a.ross the ta'e/
JI> too> +i te you a story>J he said thi.1y/ J%ut )ine is the story of a
)an +ho did not )a1e good/ It is the story of a )an +ho +ent> not
up> 'ut do+n the hi/ And> i1e yours> it is a true story/J
JPray te it to us> )onsieur>J said Mr Satterth+aite .ourteousy/
Pierre 7au.her eant 'a.1 in his .hair and oo1ed at the .eiing/
JIt is in Paris that the story 'egins/ There +as a )an there> a +or1ing
De+eer/ !e +as young and ight;hearted and industrious in his
profession/ They said there +as a future 'efore hi)/ A good
)arriage +as aready arranged for hi)> the 'ride not too 'adoo1ing>
the do+ry )ost satisfa.tory/ And then> +hat do you thin1A
<ne )orning he sees a gir/ Su.h a )isera'e itte +isp of a gir>
)essieurs/ %eautifuA @es> perhaps> if she +ere not haf starved/ %ut
any+ay> for this young )an> she has a )agi. that he .annot resist/
She has 'een strugging to find +or1> she is virtuous ; or at east that
is +hat she tes hi)/ I do not 1no+ if it is true/J
The Countess"s voi.e .a)e suddeny out of the se)i;dar1ness/
JWhy shoud it not 'e trueA There are )any i1e that/J
JWe> as I say> the young )an 'eieved her/ And he )arried her ; an
a.t of foyG !is fa)iy +oud have no )ore to say to hi)/ !e had
outraged their feeings/ !e )arried ; I +i .a her *eanne ; it +as a
good a.tion/ !e tod her so/ !e fet that she shoud 'e very gratefu
to hi)/ !e had sa.rifi.ed )u.h for her sa1e/J
JA .har)ing 'eginning for the poor gir>J o'served the Countess
sar.asti.ay/
J!e oved her> yes> 'ut fro) the 'eginning she )addened hi)/ She
had )oods ; tantru)s ; she +oud 'e .od to hi) one day> passionate
the neBt/ At ast he sa+ the truth/ She had never oved hi)/ She had
)arried hi) so as to 1eep 'ody and sou together/ That truth hurt
hi)> it hurt hi) horri'y> 'ut he tried his ut)ost to et nothing appear
on the surfa.e/ And he sti fet he deserved gratitude and o'edien.e
to his +ishes/ They 8uarreed/ She reproa.hed hi) ; Mon $ieu> +hat
did she not reproa.h hi) +ithAJ
J@ou .an see the neBt step> .an you notA The thing that +as 'ound to
.o)e/ She eft hi)/ For t+o years he +as aone> +or1ing in his itte
shop +ith no ne+s of her/ !e had one friend ; a'sinthe/ The 'usiness
did not prosper so +e/
JAnd then one day he .a)e into the shop to find her sitting there/
She +as 'eautifuy dressed/ She had rings on her hands/ !e stood
.onsidering her/ !is heart +as 'eating ; 'ut 'eatingG !e +as at a
oss +hat to do/ !e +oud have i1ed to have 'eaten her> to have
.asped her in his ar)s> to have thro+n her do+n on the foor and
tra)ped on her> to have thro+n hi)sef at her feet/ !e did none of
those things/ !e too1 up his pin.ers and +ent on +ith his +or1/
J"Mada)e desiresA" he as1ed for)ay/
JThat upset her/ She did not oo1 for that> you see/
J"Pierre>" she said/ "I have .o)e 'a.1/"
J!e aid aside his pin.ers and oo1ed at her/
J"@ou +ish to 'e forgivenA" he said/ "@ou +ant )e to ta1e you 'a.1A
@ou are sin.erey repentantA"
J"$o you +ant )e 'a.1A" she )ur)ured/ <hG 7ery softy she said it/
J!e 1ne+ she +as aying a trap for hi)/ !e onged to sei?e her in his
ar)s> 'ut he +as too .ever for that/ !e pretended indifferen.e/
J"I a) a Christian )an>" he said/ "I try to do +hat the Chur.h dire.ts/"
J"AhG" he thought> "I +i hu)'e her> hu)'e her to her 1nees/"
J%ut *eanne> that is +hat I +i .a her> fung 'a.1 her head and
aughed/ (vi aughter it +as/ "I )o.1 )ysef at you> itte Pierre>" she
said/ "#oo1 at these ri.h .othes> these rings and 'ra.eets/ I .a)e to
sho+ )ysef to you/ I thought I +oud )a1e you ta1e )e in your ar)s
and +hen you did so> then ; then I +oud spit in your fa.e and te you
ho+ I hated youG"
JAnd on that she +ent out of the shop/ Can you 'eieve> )essieurs>
that a +o)an .oud 'e as evi as a that ; to .o)e 'a.1 ony to
tor)ent )eAJ
J0o>J said the Countess/ JI +oud not 'eieve it> and any )an +ho
+as not a foo +oud not 'eieve it either/ %ut a )en are 'ind foos/J
Pierre 7au.her too1 no noti.e of her/ !e +ent on/
JAnd so that young )an of +ho) I te you san1 o+er and o+er/ !e
dran1 )ore a'sinthe/ The itte shop +as sod over his head/ !e
'e.a)e of the dregs> of the gutter/ Then .a)e the +ar/ AhG It +as
good> the +ar/ It too1 that )an out of the gutter and taught hi) to 'e
a 'rute 'east no onger/ It dried hi) ; and so'ered hi)/ !e endured
.od and pain and the fear of death ; 'ut he did not die and +hen the
+ar ended> he +as a )an again/
JIt +as then> )essieurs> that he .a)e South/ !is ungs had 'een
affe.ted 'y the gas> they said he )ust find +or1 in the South/ I +i
not +eary you +ith a the things he did/ Suffi.e it to say that he
ended up as a .roupier> and there ; there in the Casino one evening>
he sa+ her again ; the +o)an +ho had ruined his ife/ She did not
re.ognise hi)> 'ut he re.ognised her/ She appeared to 'e ri.h and
to a.1 for nothing ; 'ut> )essieurs> the eyes of a .roupier are sharp/
There .a)e an evening +hen she pa.ed her ast sta1e in the +ord
on the ta'e/ As1 )e not ho+ I 1no+ ; I do 1no+ ; one fees these
things/ <thers )ight not 'eieve/ She sti had ri.h .othes ; +hy not
pa+n the)> one +oud sayA %ut to do that ; pahG your .redit is gone
at on.e/ !er De+esA Ah noG Was I not a De+eer in )y ti)eA #ong ago
the rea De+es have gone/ The pears of a -ing are sod one 'y one>
are repa.ed +ith fase/ And )eanti)e one )ust eat and pay one"s
hote 'i/ @es> and the ri.h )en ; +e> they have seen one a'out for
)any years/ %ahG they say ; she is over fifty/ A younger .hi.1en for
)y )oney/J
A ong shuddering sigh .a)e out of the +indo+s +here the Countess
eant 'a.1
J@es/ It +as a great )o)ent> that/ T+o nights I have +at.hed her/
#ose> ose> and ose again/ And no+ the end/ She put a on one
nu)'er/ %eside her> an (ngish )iord sta1es the )aBi)u) aso ; on
the neBt nu)'er/ The 'a ros/// The )o)ent has .o)e> she has
ost///
J!er eyes )eet )ine/ What do I doA I Deopardise )y pa.e in the
Casino/ I ro' the (ngish )iord/ "A Mada)e" I say> and pay over the
)oney/J
JAhGJ There +as a .rash> as the Countess sprang to her feet and
eant a.ross the ta'e> s+eeping her gass on to the foor/
JWhyAJ she .ried/ JThat"s +hat I +ant to 1no+> +hy did you do itAJ
There +as a ong pause> a pause that see)ed inter)ina'e> and sti
those t+o fa.ing ea.h other a.ross the ta'e oo1ed and oo1ed/// It
+as i1e a due/
A )ean itte s)ie .rept a.ross Pierre 7au.her"s fa.e/ !e raised his
hands/
JMada)e>J he said> Jthere is su.h a thing as pity///J
JAhGJ
She san1 do+n again/
JI see/J
She +as .a)> s)iing> hersef again/
JAn interesting story> M/ 7au.her> is it notA Per)it )e to give you a
ight for your .igarette/J
She defty roed up a spi> and ighted it at the .ande and hed it
to+ards hi)/ !e eaned for+ard ti the fa)e .aught the tip of the
.igarette he hed 'et+een his ips/ Then she rose uneBpe.tedy to
her feet/ JAnd no+ I )ust eave you a/ Pease ; I need no one to
es.ort )e/J
%efore one .oud reaise it she +as gone/ Mr Satterth+aite +oud
have hurried out after her> 'ut he +as arrested 'y a started oath
fro) the Fren.h)an/
JA thousand thundersAJ
!e +as staring at the haf;'urned spi +hi.h the Countess had
dropped on the ta'e/ !e unroed it/
JMon $ieuGJ he )uttered/ JA fifty thousand fran. 'an1 note/ @ou
understandA !er +innings tonight/ A that she had in the +ord/ And
she ighted )y .igarette +ith itG %e.ause she +as too proud to
a..ept ; pity/ AhG proud> she +as a+ays proud as the $evi/ She is
uni8ue ; +onderfu/J
!e sprang up fro) his seat and darted out/ Mr Satterth+aite and Mr
4uin had aso risen/ The +aiter approa.hed Fran1in &udge/
J#a note> )onsieur>J he o'served une)otionay/
Mr 4uin res.ued it fro) hi) 8ui.1y/
JI fee 1ind of oneso)e> (i?a'eth>J re)ar1ed Fran1in &udge/
JThese foreigners ; they 'eat the 'andG I don"t understand the)/
What"s it a )ean> anyho+AJ
!e oo1ed a.ross at her/
J,ee> it"s good to oo1 at anything so hundred per .ent A)eri.an as
you/J !is voi.e too1 on the paintive note of a s)a .hid/ JThese
foreigners are so odd/J
They than1ed Mr 4uin and +ent out into the night together/ Mr 4uin
pi.1ed up his .hange and s)ied a.ross at Mr Satterth+aite> +ho
+as preening hi)sef i1e a .ontented 'ird/
JWe>J said the atter/ JThat"s a gone off spendidy/ <ur pair of ove
'irds +i 'e a right no+/J
JWhi.h onesAJ as1ed Mr 4uin/
J<hGJ said Mr Satterth+aite> ta1en a'a.1/
J<hG @es> I suppose you are right> ao+ing for the #atin point of vie+
and a that ;J
!e oo1ed du'ious/
Mr 4uin s)ied> and a stained gass pane 'ehind hi) invested hi)
for Dust a )o)ent in a )otey gar)ent of .ooured ight/
Chapter 3
T!( MA0 F&<M T!( S(A
Mr Satterth+aite +as feeing od/ That )ight not have 'een
surprising sin.e in the esti)ation of )any peope he +as od/
Careess youths said to their partners ; J<d Satterth+aiteA <hG he
)ust 'e a hundred ; or at any rate a'out eighty/J And even the
1indest of girs said indugenty> J<hG Satterth+aite/ @es> he"s 8uite
od/ !e )ust 'e siBty/J Whi.h +as a)ost +orse> sin.e he +as siBtynine/
In his o+n vie+> ho+ever> he +as not od/ SiBty;nine +as an
interesting age ; an age of infinite possi'iities ; an age +hen at ast
the eBperien.e of a ifeti)e +as 'eginning to te/ %ut to fee od ; that
+as different> a tired dis.ouraged state of )ind +hen one +as
in.ined to as1 onesef depressing 8uestions/ What +as he after aA
A itte dried;up edery )an> +ith neither .hi.1 nor .hid> +ith no
hu)an 'eongings> ony a vaua'e Art .oe.tion +hi.h see)ed at
the )o)ent strangey unsatisfying/ 0o one to .are +hether he ived
or died///
At this point in his )editations Mr Satterth+aite pued hi)sef up
short/ What he +as thin1ing +as )or'id and unprofita'e/ !e 1ne+
+e enough> +ho 'etter> that the .han.es +ere that a +ife +oud
have hated hi) or aternativey that he +oud have hated her> that
.hidren +oud have 'een a .onstant sour.e of +orry and anBiety>
and that de)ands upon his ti)e and affe.tion +oud have +orried
hi) .onsidera'y/
JTo 'e safe and .o)forta'e>J said Mr Satterth+aite fir)y ; that +as
the thing/
The ast thought re)inded hi) of a etter he had re.eived that
)orning/ !e dre+ it fro) his po.1et and re;read it> savouring its
.ontents peasura'y/ To 'egin +ith> it +as fro) a $u.hess> and Mr
Satterth+aite i1ed hearing fro) $u.hesses/ It is true that the etter
'egan 'y de)anding a arge su's.ription for .harity and 'ut for that
+oud pro'a'y never have 'een +ritten> 'ut the ter)s in +hi.h it
+as .ou.hed +ere so agreea'e that Mr Satterth+aite +as a'e to
goss over the first fa.t/
So you"ve deserted the &iviera> +rote the $u.hess/ What is this
isand of yours i1eA CheapA Cannotti put up his pri.es sha)efuy
this year> and I shan"t go to the &iviera again/ I )ight try your isand
neBt year if you report favoura'y> though I shoud hate five days on a
'oat/ Sti any+here you re.o))end is sure to 'e pretty .o)forta'e
; too )u.h so/ @ou" get to 'e one of those peope +ho do nothing 'ut
.odde the)seves and thin1 of their .o)fort/ There"s ony one thing
that +i save you/ Satterth+aite> and that is your inordinate interest
in other peope"s affairs///
As Mr Satterth+aite foded the etter> a vision .a)e up vividy 'efore
hi) of the $u.hess/ !er )eanness> her uneBpe.ted and aar)ing
1indness> her .austi. tongue> her indo)ita'e spirit/
SpiritG (veryone needed spirit/ !e dre+ out another etter +ith a
,er)an sta)p upon it ; +ritten 'y a young singer in +ho) he had
interested hi)sef/ It +as a gratefu affe.tionate etter/
"!o+ .an I than1 you> dear Mr Satterth+aiteA It see)s too +onderfu
to thin1 that in a fe+ days I sha 'e singing Isode///"
A pity that she had to )a1e her de'ut as Isode/ A .har)ing> hard+or1ing
.hid> <ga> +ith a 'eautifu voi.e 'ut no te)pera)ent/ !e
hu))ed to hi)sef/ J0ay order hi)G Pray understand itG I .o))and
it/ I> Isode/J 0o> the .hid hadn"t got it in her ; the spirit ; the
indo)ita'e +i ; a eBpressed in that fina JI.h IsodeGJ
We> at any rate he had done so)ething for so)e'ody/ This isand
depressed hi) ; +hy> ohG +hy had he deserted the &iviera +hi.h he
1ne+ so +e and +here he +as so +e 1no+nA 0o'ody here too1
any interest in hi)/ 0o'ody see)ed to reaise that here +as the Mr
Satterth+aite ; the friend of $u.hesses and Countesses and singers
and +riters/ 0o one in the isand +as of any so.ia i)portan.e or of
any artisti. i)portan.e either/ Most peope had 'een there seven>
fourteen> or t+enty;one years running and vaued the)seves and
+ere vaued a..ordingy/
With a deep sigh Mr Satterth+aite pro.eeded do+n fro) the !ote to
the s)a stragging har'our 'eo+/ !is +ay ay 'et+een an avenue
of 'ougainviaea ; a vivid )ass of faunting s.aret> that )ade hi)
fee oder and greyer than ever/
JI") getting od>J he )ur)ured/ JI") getting od and tired/J
!e +as gad +hen he had passed the 'ougainviaea and +as
+a1ing do+n the +hite street +ith the 'ue sea at the end of it/ A
disreputa'e dog +as standing in the )idde of the road> ya+ning
and stret.hing hi)sef in the sun/ !aving proonged his stret.h to the
ut)ost i)its of e.stasy> he sat do+n and treated hi)sef to a reay
good s.rat.h/ !e then rose> shoo1 hi)sef> and oo1ed round for any
other good thing that ife )ight have to offer/
There +as a du)p of ru''ish 'y the side of the road and to this he
+ent sniffing in peasura'e anti.ipation/ True enough> his nose had
not de.eived hi)G A s)e of su.h ri.h putres.en.e that surpassed
even his anti.ipationsG !e sniffed +ith gro+ing appre.iation> then
suddeny a'andoning hi)sef> he ay on his 'a.1 and roed
fren?iedy on the dei.ious du)p/ Ceary the +ord this )orning +as
a dog paradiseG
Tiring at ast> he regained his feet and stroed out on.e )ore into the
)idde of the road/ And then> +ithout the east +arning> a
ra)sha.1e .ar .areered +idy round the .orner> .aught hi) fu
s8uare and passed on unheeding/
The dog rose to his feet> stood a )inute regarding Mr Satterth+aite>
a vague du)' reproa.h in his eyes> then fe over/ Mr Satterth+aite
+ent up to hi) and 'ent do+n/ The dog +as dead/ !e +ent on his
+ay> +ondering at the sadness and .ruety of ife/ What a 8ueer
du)' oo1 of reproa.h had 'een in the dog"s eyes/ J<hG +ord>J they
see)ed to say/ J<hG +onderfu +ord in +hi.h I have trusted/ Why
have you done this to )eAJ
Mr Satterth+aite +ent on> past the pa) trees and the stragging
+hite houses> past the 'a.1 ava 'ea.h +here the surf thundered
and +here on.e> ong ago> a +e;1no+n (ngish s+i))er had 'een
.arried out to sea and dro+ned> past the ro.1 poos +here .hidren
and edery adies 'o''ed up and do+n and .aed it 'athing> aong
the steep road that +inds up+ards to the top of the .iff/ For there on
the edge of the .iff +as a house> appropriatey na)ed #a Pa?/ A
+hite house +ith faded green shutters tighty .osed> a tanged
'eautifu garden> and a +a1 'et+een .ypress trees that ed to a
pat/au on the edge of the .iff +here you oo1ed do+n ; do+n ; do+n
; to the deep 'ue sea 'eo+/
It +as to this spot that Mr Satterth+aite +as 'ound/ !e had
deveoped a great ove for the garden of #a Pa?/ !e had never
entered the via/ It see)ed a+ays to 'e e)pty/ Manue> the Spanish
gardener> +ished one good;)orning +ith a fourish and gaanty
presented adies +ith a 'ou8uet and gente)en +ith a singe fo+er
as a 'utton;hoe> his dar1 fa.e +reathed in s)ies/
So)eti)es Mr Satterth+aite )ade up stories in his o+n )ind a'out
the o+ner of the via/ !is favourite +as a Spanish dan.er> on.e
+ord;fa)ed for her 'eauty> +ho hid hersef here so that the +ord
shoud never 1no+ that she +as no onger 'eautifu/
!e pi.tured her .o)ing out of the house at dus1 and +a1ing through
the garden/ So)eti)es he +as te)pted to as1 Manue for the truth>
'ut he resisted the te)ptation/ !e preferred his fan.ies/
After eB.hanging a fe+ +ords +ith Manue and gra.iousy a..epting
an orange rose'ud> Mr Satterth+aite passed on do+n the .ypress
+a1 to the sea/ It +as rather +onderfu sitting there ; on the edge of
nothing ; +ith that sheer drop 'eo+ one/ It )ade hi) thin1 of Tristan
and Isode> of the 'eginning of the third a.t +ith Tristan and
-ur+ena ; that oney +aiting and of Isode rushing up fro) the sea
and Tristan dying in her ar)s/ 90o> itte <ga +oud never )a1e an
Isode/ Isode of Corn+a> that &oya hater and &oya over///: !e
shivered/ !e fet od> .hiy> aone/// What had he had out of ifeA
0othing ; nothing/ 0ot as )u.h as that dog in the street///
It +as an uneBpe.ted sound that roused hi) fro) his rev/rie/
Footsteps .o)ing aong the .ypress +a1 +ere inaudi'e> the first he
1ne+ of so)e'ody"s presen.e +as the (ngish )onosya'e
J$a)n/J
!e oo1ed round to find a young )an staring at hi) in o'vious
surprise and disappoint)ent/ Mr Satterth+aite re.ognised hi) at
on.e as an arriva of the day 'efore +ho had )ore or ess intrigued
hi)/ Mr Satterth+aite .aed hi) a young )an 'e.ause in
.o)parison to )ost of the die;hards in the !ote he +as a young
)an> 'ut he +oud .ertainy never see forty again and +as pro'a'y
dra+ing appre.ia'y near to his haf .entury/ @et in spite of that> the
ter) young )an fitted hi) ; Mr Satterth+aite +as usuay right a'out
su.h things ; there +as an i)pression of i))aturity a'out hi)/ As
there is a tou.h of puppyhood a'out )any a fu gro+n dog so it +as
+ith the stranger/
Mr Satterth+aite thought> JThis .hap has reay never gro+n up ; not
propery> that is/J
And yet there +as nothing Peter Pannish a'out hi)/ !e +as see1 ;
a)ost pu)p> he had the air of one +ho has a+ays done hi)sef
eB.eedingy +e in the )ateria sense and denied hi)sef no
peasure or satisfa.tion/ !e had 'ro+n eyes ; rather round ; fair hair
turning grey ; a itte )ousta.he and rather forid fa.e/
The thing that pu??ed Mr Satterth+aite +as +hat had 'rought hi) to
the isand/ !e .oud i)agine hi) shooting things> hunting things>
paying poo or gof or tennis> )a1ing ove to pretty +o)en/ %ut on
the isand there +as nothing to hunt or shoot> no ga)es eB.ept ,of ;
Cro8uet> and the nearest approa.h to a pretty +o)an +as
represented 'y edery Miss %a'a -indersey/ There +ere> of .ourse>
artists> to +ho) the 'eauty of the s.enery )ade appea> 'ut Mr
Satterth+aite +as 8uite .ertain that the young )an +as not an artist/
!e +as .eary )ar1ed +ith the sta)p of the Phiistine/
Whie he +as resoving these things in his )ind> the other spo1e>
reaising so)e+hat 'eatedy that his singe eDa.uation so far )ight
'e open to .riti.is)/
JI 'eg your pardon>J he said +ith so)e e)'arrass)ent/ JAs a )atter
of fa.t> I +as ; +e> started/ I didn"t eBpe.t anyone to 'e here/J
!e s)ied disar)ingy/ !e had a .har)ing s)ie ; friendy ;
appeaing/
JIt is rather a oney spot>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite> as he )oved
poitey a itte further up the 'en.h/ The other a..epted the )ute
invitation and sat do+n/
JI don"t 1no+ a'out oney>J he said/ JThere a+ays see)s to 'e
so)eone here/J
There +as a tinge of atent resent)ent in his voi.e/ Mr Satterth+aite
+ondered +hy/ !e read the other as a friendy sou/ Why this
insisten.e on soitudeA ; A rende?vous> perhapsA 0o ; not that/ !e
oo1ed again +ith .arefuy veied s.rutiny at his .o)panion/ Where
had he seen that parti.uar eBpression 'efore 8uite ateyA That oo1
of du)' 'e+idered resent)ent/
J@ou"ve 'een up here 'efore thenAJ said Mr Satterth+aite> )ore for
the sa1e of saying so)ething than for anything ese/
JI +as up here ast night ; after dinner/J
J&eayA I thought the gates +ere a+ays o.1ed/J
There +as a )o)ent"s pause and then> a)ost sueny> the young
)an said ;
JI .i)'ed over the +a/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) +ith rea attention no+/
!e had a seuth;i1e ha'it of )ind and he +as a+are that his
.o)panion had ony arrived on the pre.eding afternoon/ !e had had
itte ti)e to dis.over the 'eauty of the via 'y dayight and he had so
far spo1en to no'ody/ @et after dar1 he had )ade straight for #a Pa?/
WhyA A)ost invountariy Mr Satterth+aite turned his head to oo1 at
the green;shuttered via> 'ut it +as as ever sereney ifeess> .ose
shuttered/ 0o> the soution of the )ystery +as not there/
JAnd you a.tuay found so)eone here thenAJ
The other nodded/
J@es/ Must have 'een fro) the other !ote/ !e had on fan.y dress/J
JFan.y dressAJ
J@es/ A 1ind of !are8uin rig/J
JWhatAJ
The 8uery fairy 'urst fro) Mr Satterth+aite"s ips/ !is .o)panion
turned to stare at hi) in surprise/
JThey often do have fan.y dress sho+s at the !otes> I supposeAJ
J<hG 4uite>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J4uite> 8uite> 8uite/J
!e paused 'reathessy> then added> J@ou )ust eB.use )y
eB.ite)ent/ $o you happen to 1no+ anything a'out .ataysisAJ
The young )an stared at hi)/
J0ever heard of it/ What is itAJ
Mr Satterth+aite 8uoted gravey> JA .he)i.a rea.tion depending for
its su..ess on the presen.e of a .ertain su'stan.e +hi.h itsef
re)ains un.hanged/J
J<h>J said the young )an un.ertainy/
JI have a .ertain friend ; his na)e is Mr 4uin> and he .an 'est 'e
des.ri'ed in the ter)s of .ataysis/ !is presen.e is a sign that things
are going to happen> 'e.ause he is there strange reveations .o)e
to ight> dis.overies are )ade/ And yet ; he hi)sef ta1es no part in
the pro.eedings/ I have a feeing that it +as )y friend you )et here
ast night/J
J!e"s a very sudden sort of .hap then/ !e gave )e 8uite a sho.1/
<ne )inute he +asn"t there and the neBt )inute he +asG A)ost as
though he .a)e up out of the sea/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed aong the itte pat/au and do+n the sheer
drop 'eo+/
JThat"s nonsense> of .ourse>J said the other/ J%ut it"s the feeing he
gave )e/ <f .ourse> reay> there isn"t the foothod for a fy/J !e
oo1ed over the edge/ JA straight .ear drop/ If you +ent over ; +e>
that +oud 'e the end right enough/J
JAn idea spot for a )urder> in fa.t>J said Mr Satterth+aite
peasanty/
The other stared at hi)> a)ost as though for the )o)ent he did not
foo+/ Then he said vaguey ; J<hG @es ; of .ourse///J
!e sat there> )a1ing itte da's at the ground +ith his sti.1 and
fro+ning/ Suddeny Mr Satterth+aite got the rese)'an.e he had
'een see1ing/ That du)' 'e+idered 8uestioning/ So had the dog
oo1ed +ho +as run over/ !is eyes and this young )an"s eyes as1ed
the sa)e patheti. 8uestion +ith the sa)e reproa.h/ J<hG Word that
I have trusted ; +hat have you done to )eAJ
!e sa+ other points of rese)'an.e 'et+een the t+o> the sa)e
peasure;oving easy;going eBisten.e> the sa)e Doyous a'andon to
the deights of ife> the sa)e a'sen.e of intee.tua 8uestioning/
(nough for 'oth to ive in the )o)ent ; the +ord +as a good pa.e> a
pa.e of .arna deights ; sun> sea> s1y ; a dis.reet gar'age heap/
And then ; +hatA A .ar had hit the dog/ What had hit the )anA
The su'De.t of these .ogitations 'ro1e in at this point> spea1ing>
ho+ever> )ore to hi)sef than to Mr Satterth+aite/
J<ne +onders>J he said> J+hat it"s a forA
Fa)iiar +ords ; +ords that usuay 'rought a s)ie to Mr
Satterth+aite"s ips> +ith their un.ons.ious 'etraya of the innate
egois) of hu)anity +hi.h insists on regarding every )anifestation
of ife as dire.ty designed for its deight or its tor)ent/ !e did not
ans+er and presenty the stranger said +ith a sight> rather
apoogeti. augh ;
JI"ve heard it said that every )an shoud 'uid a house> pant a tree
and have a son/J !e paused and then added> JI 'eieve I panted an
a.orn on.e///J
Mr Satterth+aite stirred sighty/ !is .uriosity +as aroused ; that
ever;present interest in the affairs of other peope of +hi.h the
$u.hess had a..used hi) +as roused/ It +as not diffi.ut/ Mr
Satterth+aite had a very fe)inine side to his nature> he +as as good
a istener as any +o)an> and he 1ne+ the right )o)ent to put in a
pro)pting +ord/ Presenty he +as hearing the +hoe story/
Anthony Cosden> that +as the stranger"s na)e> and his ife had 'een
)u.h as Mr Satterth+aite had i)agined it/ !e +as a 'ad hand at
teing a story 'ut his istener suppied the gaps easiy enough/ A
very ordinary ife ; an average in.o)e> a itte sodiering> a good dea
of sport +henever sport offered> penty of friends> penty of peasant
things to do> a suffi.ien.y of +o)en/ The 1ind of ife that pra.ti.ay
inha'its thought of any des.ription and su'stitutes sensation/ To
spea1 fran1y> an ani)a"s ife/ J%ut there are +orse things than
that>J thought Mr Satterth+aite fro) the depths of his eBperien.e/
J<hG )any +orse things than that///J This +ord had see)ed a very
good pa.e to Anthony Cosden/ !e had gru)'ed 'e.ause everyone
a+ays gru)'ed 'ut it had never 'een a serious gru)'e/ And then ;
this/
!e .a)e to it at ast ; rather vaguey and in.oherenty/ !adn"t fet
8uite the thing ; nothing )u.h/ Sa+ his do.tor> and the do.tor had
persuaded hi) to go to a !arey Street )an/ And then ; the
in.redi'e truth/ They"d tried to hedge a'out it ; spo1e of great .are ;
a 8uiet ife> 'ut they hadn"t 'een a'e to disguise that that +as a
eye+ash ; etting hi) do+n ighty/ It 'oied do+n to this ; siB )onths/
That"s +hat they gave hi)/ SiB )onths/
!e turned those 'e+idered 'ro+n eyes on Mr Satterth+aite/ It +as>
of .ourse> rather a sho.1 to a feo+/ <ne didn"t ; one didn"t
so)eho+> 1no+ +hat to do/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded gravey and understandingy/
It +as a 'it diffi.ut to ta1e in a at on.e> Anthony Cosden +ent on/
!o+ to put in the ti)e/ &ather a rotten 'usiness +aiting a'out to get
pipped !e didn"t fee reay i ; not yet/ Though that )ight .o)e ater>
so the spe.iaist had said ; in fa.t> it +as 'ound to/ It see)ed su.h
nonsense to 'e going to die +hen one didn"t in the east +ant to/ The
'est thing> he had thought> +oud 'e to .arry on as usua/ %ut
so)eho+ that hadn"t +or1ed/
!ere Mr Satterth+aite interrupted hi)/ Wasn"t there> he hinted
dei.atey> any +o)anA
%ut apparenty there +asn"t/ There +ere +o)en> of .ourse> 'ut not
that 1ind/ !is .ro+d +as a very .heery .ro+d/ They didn"t> so he
i)pied> i1e .orpses/ !e didn"t +ish to )a1e a 1ind of +a1ing
funera of hi)sef/ It +oud have 'een e)'arrassing for every'ody/
So he had .o)e a'road/
J@ou .a)e to see these isandsA %ut +hyAJ Mr Satterth+aite +as
hunting for so)ething> so)ething intangi'e 'ut dei.ate that euded
hi) and yet +hi.h he +as sure +as there/ J@ou"ve 'een here 'efore>
perhapsAJ
J@es/J he ad)itted it a)ost un+iingy/ J@ears ago +hen I +as a
youngster/J
And suddeny> a)ost un.ons.iousy so it see)ed> he shot a 8ui.1
gan.e 'a.1+ard over his shouder in the dire.tion of the via/
JI re)e)'ered this pa.e>J he said> nodding at the sea/
J<ne step to eternityGJ
JAnd that is +hy you .a)e up here ast night>J finished Mr
Satterth+aite .a)y/
Anthony Cosden shot hi) a dis)ayed gan.e/
J<hG I say ; reay ;J he protested/
J#ast night you found so)eone here/ This afternoon you have found
)e/ @our ife has 'een saved ; t+i.e/J
J@ou )ay put it that +ay if you i1e ; 'ut da)n it a> it"s )y ife/ I"ve a
right to do +hat I i1e +ith it/J
JThat is a .i.h/>J said Mr Satterth+aite +eariy/
J<f .ourse I see your point>J said Anthony Cosden generousy/
J0aturay you"ve got to say +hat you .an/ I"d try to dissuade a feo+
)ysef> even though I 1ne+ deep do+n that he +as right/ And you
1no+ that I") right/ A .ean 8ui.1 end is 'etter than a ingering one ;
.ausing trou'e and eBpense and 'other to a/ In any .ase it"s not as
though I had anyone in the +ord 'eonging to )e///J
JIf you had ;AJ said Mr Satterth+aite sharpy/
Cosden dre+ a deep 'reath/
JI don"t 1no+/ (ven then> I thin1> this +ay +oud 'e 'est %ut any+ay ;
I haven"t///J
!e stopped a'rupty/ Mr Satterth+aite eyed hi) .uriousy/ In.ura'y
ro)anti.> he suggested again that there +as> so)e+here> so)e
+o)an/ %ut Cosden negatived it/ !e oughtn"t> he said> to .o)pain/
!e had had> on the +hoe> a very good ife/ It +as a pity it +as going
to 'e over so soon> that +as a/ %ut at any rate he had had> he
supposed> everything +orth having/ (B.ept a son/ !e +oud have
i1ed a son/ !e +oud i1e to 1no+ no+ that he had a son iving after
hi)/ Sti> he reiterated the fa.t> he had had a very good ife ;
It +as at this point that Mr Satterth+aite ost patien.e/ 0o'ody> he
pointed out> +ho +as sti in the arva stage> .oud .ai) to 1no+
anything of ife at a/ Sin.e the +ords arva stage .eary )eant
nothing at a to Cosden> he pro.eeded to )a1e his )eaning .earer/
J@ou have not 'egun to ive yet/ @ou are sti at the 'eginning of ife/J
Cosden aughed/
JWhy> )y hair"s grey/ I") forty ;J
Mr Satterth+aite interrupted hi)/
JThat has nothing to do +ith it/ #ife is a .o)pound of physi.a and
)enta eBperien.es/ I> for instan.e> a) siBty;nine> and I a) reay
siBty;nine/ I have 1no+n> either at first or se.ond hand> neary a the
eBperien.es ife has to offer/ @ou are i1e a )an +ho ta1s of a fu
year and has seen nothing 'ut sno+ and i.eG The fo+ers of Spring>
the anguorous days of Su))er> the faing eaves of Autu)n ; he
1no+s nothing of the) ; not even that there are su.h things/ And you
are going to turn your 'a.1 on even this opportunity of 1no+ing
the)/J
J@ou see) to forget>J said Anthony Cosden dryy> Jthat> in any .ase> I
have ony siB )onths/J
JTi)e> i1e everything ese> is reative>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThat
siB )onths )ight 'e the ongest and )ost varied eBperien.e of your
+hoe ife/J
Cosden oo1ed un.onvin.ed/
JIn )y pa.e>J he said> Jyou +oud do the sa)e/J
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head/
J0o>J he said si)py/ JIn the first pa.e> I dou't if I shoud have the
.ourage/ It needs .ourage and I a) not at a a 'rave individua And
in the se.ond pa.e ;J
JWeAJ
JI a+ays +ant to 1no+ +hat is going to happen to)orro+/J
Cosden rose suddeny +ith a augh/
JWe> sir> you"ve 'een very good in etting )e ta1 to you/ I hardy
1no+ +hy ; any+ay> there it is/ I"ve said a ot too )u.h/ Forget it/J
JAnd to)orro+> +hen an a..ident is reported> I a) to eave it at
thatA To )a1e no suggestion of sui.ideAJ
JThat"s as you i1e/ I") gad you reaise one thing ; that you .an"t
prevent )e/J
JMy dear young )an>J said Mr Satterth+aite pa.idy> JI .an hardy
atta.h )ysef to you i1e the prover'ia i)pet/ Sooner or ater you
+oud give )e the sip and a..o)pish your purpose/ %ut you are
frustrated at any rate for this afternoon/ @ou +oud hardy i1e to go
to your death eaving )e under the possi'e i)putation of having
pushed you over/J
JThat is true>J said Cosden/ JIf you insist on re)aining here ;J
JI do>J said Mr Satterth+aite fir)y/
Cosden aughed good;hu)ouredy/
JThen the pan )ust 'e deferred for the )o)ent/ In +hi.h .ase I +i
go 'a.1 to the hote See you ater perhaps/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as eft oo1ing at the sea/
JAnd no+>J he said to hi)sef softy> J+hat neBtA There )ust 'e a
neBt/ I +onder///J
!e got up/ For a +hie he stood at the edge of the pat/au oo1ing
do+n on the dan.ing +ater 'eneath/ %ut he found no inspiration
there> and turning so+y he +a1ed 'a.1 aong the path 'et+een the
.ypresses and into the 8uiet garden/ !e oo1ed at the shuttered>
pea.efu house and he +ondered> as he had often +ondered 'efore>
+ho had ived there and +hat had ta1en pa.e +ithin those pa.id
+a1/ <n a sudden i)puse he +a1ed up so)e .ru)'ing stone
steps and aid a hand on one of the faded green shutters/
To his surprise it s+ung 'a.1 at his tou.h/ !e hesitated a )o)ent>
then pushed it 'ody open/ The neBt )inute he stepped 'a.1 +ith a
itte eB.a)ation of dis)ay/ A +o)an stood in the +indo+ fa.ing
hi)/ She +ore 'a.1 and had a 'a.1 a.e )antia draped over her
head/
Mr Satterth+aite foundered +idy in Itaian interspersed +ith
,er)an ; the nearest he .oud get in the hurry of the )o)ent to
Spanish ; !e +as desoated and asha)ed> he eBpained hatingy/
The Signora )ust forgive/ !e thereupon retreated hastiy> the
+o)an not having spo1en one +ord/
!e +as haf+ay a.ross the .ourtyard +hen she spo1e ; t+o sharp
+ords i1e a pisto .ra.1/
JCo)e 'a.1GJ
It +as a 'ar1ed;out .o))and su.h as )ight have 'een addressed to
a dog> yet so a'soute +as the authority it .onveyed> that Mr
Satterth+aite had s+ung round hurriedy and trotted 'a.1 to the
+indo+ a)ost auto)ati.ay 'efore it o..urred to hi) to fee any
resent)ent/ !e o'eyed i1e a dog/ The +o)an +as sti standing
)otioness at the +indo+/ She oo1ed hi) up and do+n appraising
hi) +ith perfe.t .a)ness/
J@ou are (ngish>J she said/ JI thought so/J
Mr Satterth+aite started off on a se.ond apoogy/
JIf I had 1no+n you +ere (ngish>J he said> JI .oud have eBpressed
)ysef 'etter Dust no+/ I offer )y )ost sin.ere apoogies for )y
rudeness in trying the shutter/ I a) afraid I .an pead no eB.use save
.uriosity/ I had a great +ish to see +hat the inside of this .har)ing
house +as i1e/J
She aughed suddeny> a deep> ri.h augh/
JIf you reay +ant to see it>J she said> Jyou had 'etter .o)e in/J
She stood aside> and Mr Satterth+aite> feeing peasura'y eB.ited>
stepped into the roo)/ It +as dar1> sin.e the shutters of the other
+indo+s +ere .osed> 'ut he .oud see that it +as s.antiy and
rather sha''iy furnished and that the dust ay thi.1 every+here/
J0ot here>J she said/ JI do not use this roo)/J
She ed the +ay and he foo+ed her> out of the roo) a.ross a
passage and into a roo) the other side/ !ere the +indo+s gave on
the sea and the sun strea)ed in/ The furniture> i1e that of the other
roo)> +as poor in 8uaity> 'ut there +ere so)e +orn rugs that had
'een good in their ti)e> a arge s.reen of Spanish eather and 'o+s
of fresh fo+ers/
J@ou +i have tea +ith )e>J said Mr Satterth+aite"s hostess/ She
added reassuringy/ JIt is perfe.ty good tea and +i 'e )ade +ith
'oiing +ater/J
She +ent out of the door and .aed out so)ething in Spanish> then
she returned and sat do+n on a sofa opposite her guest/ For the first
ti)e> Mr Satterth+aite +as a'e to study her appearan.e/
The first effe.t she had upon hi) +as to )a1e hi) fee even )ore
grey and shriveed and edery than usua 'y .ontrast +ith her o+n
for.efu personaity/ She +as a ta +o)an> very sun'urnt> dar1 and
handso)e though no onger young/ When she +as in the roo) the
sun see)ed to 'e shining t+i.e as 'righty as +hen she +as out of it>
and presenty a .urious feeing of +ar)th and aiveness 'egan to
stea over Mr Satterth+aite/ It +as as though he stret.hed out thin>
shriveed hands to a reassuring fa)e/ !e thought> JShe"s so )u.h
vitaity hersef that she"s got a ot eft over for other peope/J
!e re.aed the .o))and in her voi.e +hen she had stopped hi)>
and +ished that his proteg/e> <ga> .oud 'e i)'ued +ith a itte of
that for.e/ !e thought ; JWhat an Isode she"d )a1eG And yet she
pro'a'y hasn"t got the ghost of a singing voi.e/ #ife is 'ady
arranged/J he +as> a the sa)e> a itte afraid of her/ !e did not i1e
do)ineering +o)en/
She had .eary 'een .onsidering hi) as she sat +ith her .hin in her
hands> )a1ing no preten.e a'out it/ At ast she nodded as though
she had )ade up her )ind/
JI a) gad you .a)e>J she said at ast/ JI needed so)eone very 'ady
to ta1 to this afternoon/ And you are used to that> aren"t youAJ
JI don"t 8uite understandJ
JI )eant peope te you things/ @ou 1ne+ +hat I )eantG Why
pretendAJ
JWe ; perhaps ;J
She s+ept on> regardess of anything he had 'een going to say/
J<ne .oud say anything to you/ That is 'e.ause you are haf a
+o)an/ @ou 1no+ +hat +e fee ; +hat +e thin1 ; the 8ueer> 8ueer
things +e do/J
!er voi.e died a+ay/ Tea +as 'rought 'y a arge> s)iing Spanish
gir/ It +as good tea ; China ; Mr Satterth+aite sipped it
appre.iativey/
J@ou ive hereAJ he in8uired .onversationay/
J@esJ
J%ut not atogether/ The house is usuay shut up> is it notA At east so
I have 'een tod/J
JI a) here a good dea> )ore than anyone 1no+s/ I ony use these
roo)s/J
J@ou have had the house ongAJ
JIt has 'eonged to )e for t+enty;t+o years ; and I ived here for a
year 'efore that/J
Mr Satterth+aite said rather inaney 9or so he fet:> JThat is a very
ong ti)e/J
JThe yearA <r the t+enty;t+o yearsAJ
!is interest stirred> Mr Satterth+aite said gravey ; JThat depends/J
She nodded/
J@es> it depends/ They are t+o separate periods/ They have nothing
to do +ith ea.h other/ Whi.h is ongA Whi.h is shortA (ven no+ I
.annot say/J
She +as sient for a )inute> 'rooding/ Then she said +ith a itte
s)ie> JIt is su.h a ong ti)e sin.e I have ta1ed +ith anyone ; su.h a
ong ti)eG I do not apoogise/ @ou .a)e to )y shutter/ @ou +ished to
oo1 through )y +indo+/ And that is +hat you are a+ays doing> is it
notA Pushing aside the shutter and oo1ing through the +indo+ into
the truth of peope"s ives/ If they +i et you/ And often if they +i not
et youG It +oud 'e diffi.ut to hide anything fro) you/ @ou +oud
guess ; and guess right/J
Mr Satterth+aite had an odd i)puse to 'e perfe.ty sin.ere/
JI a) siBty;nine>J he said/ J(verything I 1no+ of ife I 1no+ at se.ond
hand/ So)eti)es that is very 'itter to )e/ And yet> 'e.ause of it> I
1no+ a good dea/J
She nodded thoughtfuy/
JI 1no+/ #ife is very strange/ I .annot i)agine +hat it )ust 'e i1e to
'e that ; a+ays a oo1er;on/J
!er tone +as +ondering/ Mr Satterth+aite s)ied/
J0o> you +oud not 1no+/ @our pa.e is in the .entre of the stage/
@ou +i a+ays 'e the Pri)a $onna/J
JWhat a .urious thing to say/J
J%ut I a) right/ Things have happened to you ; +i a+ays happen to
you/ So)eti)es> I thin1> there have 'een tragi. things/ Is that soAJ
!er eyes narro+ed/ She oo1ed a.ross at hi)/
JIf you are here ong> so)e'ody +i te you of the (ngish s+i))er
+ho +as dro+ned at the foot of this .iff/ They +i te you ho+ young
and strong he +as> ho+ handso)e> and they +i te you that his
young +ife oo1ed do+n fro) the top of the .iff and sa+ hi)
dro+ning/J
J@es> I have aready heard that story/J
JThat )an +as )y hus'and/ This +as his via/ !e 'rought )e out
here +ith hi) +hen I +as eighteen> and a year ater he died ; driven
'y the surf on the 'a.1 ro.1s> .ut and 'ruised and )utiated>
'attered to death/J
Mr Satterth+aite gave a sho.1ed eB.a)ation/ She eant for+ard>
her 'urning eyes fo.used on his fa.e/
J@ou spo1e of a tragedy/ Can you i)agine a greater tragedy than
thatA For a young +ife> ony a year )arried> to stand hepess +hie
the )an she oved fought for his ife ; and ost it ; horri'y/J
JTerri'e>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ !e spo1e +ith rea e)otion/
JTerri'e/ I agree +ith you/ 0othing in ife .oud 'e so dreadfu/J
Suddeny she aughed/ !er head +ent 'a.1/
J@ou are +rong>J she said/ JThere is so)ething )ore terri'e/ And
that is for a young +ife to stand there and hope and ong for her
hus'and to dro+n///J
J%ut good ,od>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite> Jyou don"t )ean ;AJ
J@es> I do/ That"s +hat it +as reay/ I 1net there ; 1net do+n on the
.iff and prayed/ The Spanish servants thought I +as praying for his
ife to 'e saved/ I +asn"t/ I +as praying that I )ight +ish hi) to 'e
spared/ I +as saying one thing over and over again> J,od> hep )e
not to +ish hi) dead/ ,od> hep )e not to +ish hi) dead/J %ut it
+asn"t any good/ A the ti)e I hoped ; hoped ; and )y hope .a)e
true/J
She +as sient for a )inute or t+o and then she said very genty in
8uite a different voi.e> JThat is a terri'e thing> isn"t itA It"s the sort of
thing one .an"t forget/ I +as terri'y happy +hen I 1ne+ he +as reay
dead and .oudn"t .o)e 'a.1 to torture )e any )ore/J
JMy .hid>J said Mr Satterth+aite> sho.1ed/
JI 1no+/ I +as too young to have that happen to )e/ Those things
shoud happen to one +hen one is oder ; +hen one is )ore prepared
for ; for 'eastiness/ 0o'ody 1ne+> you 1no+> +hat he +as reay
i1e/ I thought he +as +onderfu +hen I first )et hi) and +as so
happy and proud +hen he as1ed )e to )arry hi)/ %ut things +ent
+rong a)ost at on.e/ !e +as angry +ith )e ; nothing I .oud do
peased hi) ; and yet I tried so hard/ And then he 'egan to i1e
hurting )e/ And a'ove a to terrify )e/ That"s +hat he enDoyed )ost/
!e thought out a sorts of things/// dreadfu things/ I +on"t te you/ I
suppose> reay> he )ust have 'een a itte )ad/ I +as aone here> in
his po+er> and .ruety 'egan to 'e his ho''y/J
!er eyes +idened and dar1ened/
JThe +orst +as )y 'a'y/ I +as going to have a 'a'y/ %e.ause of
so)e of the things he did to )e ; it +as 'orn dead/ My itte 'a'y/ I
neary died> too ; 'ut I didn"t I +ish I had/J
Mr Satterth+aite )ade an inarti.uate sound/
JAnd then I +as deivered ; in the +ay I"ve tod you/ So)e girs +ho
+ere staying at the hote dared hi)/ That"s ho+ it happened/ A the
Spaniards tod hi) it +as )adness to ris1 the sea Dust there/ %ut he
+as very vain ; he +anted to sho+ off/ And I ; I sa+ hi) dro+n ; and
+as gad/ ,od oughtn"t to et su.h things happen/J
Mr Satterth+aite stret.hed out his itte dry hand and too1 hers/ She
s8uee?ed it hard as a .hid )ight have done/ The )aturity had faen
a+ay fro) her fa.e/ !e sa+ her +ithout diffi.uty as she had 'een at
nineteen/
JAt first it see)ed too good to 'e true/ The house +as )ine and I
.oud ive in it/ And no one .oud hurt )e any )oreG I +as an orphan>
you 1no+> I had no near reations> no one to .are +hat 'e.a)e of
)e/ That si)pified things/ I ived on here ; in this via ; and it see)ed
i1e !eaven/ @es> i1e !eaven/ I"ve never 'een so happy sin.e> and
never sha again/ *ust to +a1e up and 1no+ that everything +as a
right ; no pain> no terror> no +ondering +hat he +as going to do to
)e neBt/ @es> it +as !eaven/J
She paused a ong ti)e> and Mr Satterth+aite said at ast> JAnd
thenAJ
JI suppose hu)an 'eings aren"t ever satisfied/ At first> Dust 'eing
free +as enough/ %ut after a +hie I 'egan to get ; +e> oney> I
suppose/ I 'egan to thin1 a'out )y 'a'y that died/ If ony I had had
)y 'a'yG I +anted it as a 'a'y> and aso as a paything/ I +anted
dreadfuy so)ething or so)eone to pay +ith/ It sounds siy and
.hidish> 'ut there it +as/J
JI understand>J said Mr Satterth+aite gravey/
JIt"s diffi.ut to eBpain the neBt 'it/ It Dust ; +e> happened> you see/
There +as a young (ngish)an staying at the hote/ !e strayed in the
garden 'y )ista1e/ I +as +earing Spanish dress and he too1 )e for
a Spanish gir/ I thought it +oud 'e rather fun to pretend I +as one>
so I payed up/ !is Spanish +as very 'ad 'ut he .oud Dust )anage a
itte/ I tod hi) the via 'eonged to an (ngish ady +ho +as a+ay/ I
said she had taught )e a itte (ngish and I pretended to spea1
'ro1en (ngish/ It +as su.h fun ; su.h fun ; even no+ I .an re)e)'er
+hat fun it +as/ !e 'egan to )a1e ove to )e/ We agreed to pretend
that the via +as our ho)e> that +e +ere Dust )arried and .o)ing to
ive there/ I suggested that +e shoud try one of the shutters ; the one
you tried this evening/ It +as open and inside the roo) +as dusty
and un.ared for/ We .rept in/ It +as eB.iting and +onderfu/ We
pretended it +as our o+n house/J
She 'ro1e off suddeny> oo1ed appeaingy at Mr Satterth+aite/
JIt a see)ed ovey ; i1e a fairy tae/ And the ovey thing a'out it> to
)e> +as that it +asn"t true/ It +asn"t reaJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/ !e sa+ her> perhaps )ore .eary than she
sa+ hersef ; that frightened> oney .hid entran.ed +ith her )a1e
'eieve that +as so safe 'e.ause it +asn"t rea/
J!e +as> I suppose> a very ordinary young )an/ <ut for adventure>
'ut 8uite s+eet a'out it/ We +ent on pretending/J
She stopped> oo1ed at Mr Satterth+aite and said again/
J@ou understandA We +ent on pretending///J
She +ent on again in a )inute/
J!e .a)e up again the neBt )orning to the via/ I sa+ hi) fro) )y
'edroo) through the shutter/ <f .ourse he didn"t drea) I +as inside/
!e sti thought I +as a itte Spanish peasant gir/ !e stood there
oo1ing a'out hi)/ !e"d as1ed )e to )eet hi)/ I"d said I +oud 'ut I
never )eant to/
J!e Dust stood there oo1ing +orried/ I thin1 he +as +orried a'out
)e/ It +as ni.e of hi) to 'e +orried a'out )e/ !e +as ni.e///J
She paused again/
JThe neBt day he eft/ I"ve never seen hi) again/
JMy 'a'y +as 'orn nine )onths ater/ I +as +onderfuy happy a the
ti)e/ To 'e a'e to have a 'a'y so pea.efuy> +ith no one to hurt you
or )a1e you )isera'e/ I +ished I"d re)e)'ered to as1 )y (ngish
'oy his Christian na)e/ I +oud have .aed the 'a'y after hi)/ It
see)ed un1ind not to/ It see)ed rather unfair/ !e"d given )e the
thing I +anted )ost in the +ord> and he +oud never even 1no+
a'out itG %ut of .ourse I tod )ysef that he +oudn"t oo1 at it that
+ay ; that to 1no+ +oud pro'a'y ony +orry and annoy hi)/ I had
'een Dust a passing a)use)ent for hi)> that +as a/J
JAnd the 'a'yAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
J!e +as spendid/ I .aed hi) *ohn/ Spendid/ I +ish you .oud see
hi) no+/ !e"s t+enty/ !e"s going to 'e a )ining engineer/ !e"s 'een
the 'est and dearest son in the +ord to )e/ I tod hi) his father had
died 'efore he +as 'orn/J
Mr Satterth+aite stared at her/ A .urious story/ And so)eho+> a
story that +as not .o)petey tod/ There +as> he fet sure>
so)ething ese/
JT+enty years is a ong ti)e>J he said thoughtfuy/ J@ou"ve never
.onte)pated )arrying againAJ
She shoo1 her head/ A so+> 'urning 'ush spread over her tanned
.hee1s/
JThe .hid +as enough for you ; a+aysAJ
She oo1ed at hi)/ !er eyes +ere softer than he had yet seen the)/
JSu.h 8ueer things happenGJ she )ur)ured/ JSu.h 8ueer things///
@ou +oudn"t 'eieve the) ; no> I") +rong> you )ight> perhaps/ I
didn"t ove *ohn"s father> not at the ti)e/ I don"t thin1 I even 1ne+
+hat ove +as/ I assu)ed> as a )atter of .ourse> that the .hid +oud
'e i1e )e/ %ut he +asn"t/ !e )ightn"t have 'een )y .hid at a/ !e
+as i1e his father ; he +as i1e no one 'ut his father/ I earnt to 1no+
that )an ; through his .hid/ Through the .hid> I earnt to ove hi)/ I
ove hi) no+/ I a+ays sha ove hi)/ @ou )ay say that it"s
i)agination> that I"ve 'uit up an idea> 'ut it isn"t so/ I ove the )an>
the rea> hu)an )an/ I"d 1no+ hi) if I sa+ hi) to)orro+ ; even
though it"s over t+enty years sin.e +e )et/ #oving hi) has )ade )e
into a +o)an/ I ove hi) as a +o)an oves a )an/ For t+enty years
I"ve ived oving hi)/ I sha die oving hi)/J
She stopped a'rupty ; then .haenged her istener/
J$o you thin1 I") )ad ; to say these strange thingsAJ
J<hG )y dear>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ !e too1 her hand again/
J@ou do understandAJ
JI thin1 I do/ %ut there"s so)ething )ore> isn"t thereA So)ething that
you haven"t yet tod )eAJ
!er 'ro+ .ouded over/
J@es> there"s so)ething/ It +as .ever of you to guess/ I 1ne+ at on.e
you +eren"t the sort one .an hide things fro)/ %ut I don"t +ant to te
you ; and the reason I don"t +ant to te you is 'e.ause it"s 'est for
you not to 1no+/J
!e oo1ed at her/ !er eyes )et his 'ravey and defianty/
!e said to hi)sef> JThis is the test/ A the dues are in )y hand/ I
ought to 'e a'e to 1no+/ If I reason righty I sha 1no+/J
There +as a pause> then he said so+y> JSo)ething"s gone +rong/J
!e sa+ her eyeids give the faintest 8uiver and 1ne+ hi)sef to 'e on
the right tra.1/
JSo)ething"s gone +rong ; suddeny ; after a these years/J !e fet
hi)sef groping ; groping ; in the dar1 re.esses of her )ind +here
she +as trying to hide her se.ret fro) hi)/
JThe 'oy ; it"s got to do +ith hi)/ @ou +oudn"t )ind a'out anything
ese/J
!e heard the very faint gasp she gave and 1ne+ he had pro'ed
.orre.ty/ A .rue 'usiness 'ut ne.essary/ It +as her +i against his/
She had got a do)inant> ruthess +i> 'ut he too had a +i hidden
'eneath his )ee1 )anners/ And he had 'ehind hi) the !eaven;sent
assuran.e of a )an +ho is doing his proper Do'/ !e fet a passing
.onte)ptuous pity for )en +hose 'usiness it +as to tra.1 do+n
su.h .rudities as .ri)e/ This dete.tive 'usiness of the )ind> this
asse)'ing of .ues> this deving for the truth> this +id Doy as one
dre+ nearer to the goa/// !er very passion to 1eep the truth fro)
hi) heped her/ !e fet her stiffen defianty as he dre+ nearer and
nearer/
JIt is 'etter for )e not to 1no+> you say/ %etter for )eA %ut you are
not a very .onsiderate +o)an/ @ou +oud not shrin1 fro) putting a
stranger to a itte te)porary in.onvenien.e/ It is )ore than that>
thenA If you te )e you )a1e )e an a..o)pi.e 'efore the fa.t/ That
sounds i1e .ri)e/ Fantasti.G I .oud not asso.iate .ri)e +ith you/ <r
ony one sort of .ri)e/ A .ri)e against yoursef/J
!er ids drooped in spite of hersef> veied her eyes/ !e eaned
for+ard and .aught her +rist/
JIt is that> thenG @ou are thin1ing of ta1ing your ife/J
She gave a o+ .ry/
J!o+ did you 1no+A !o+ did you 1no+AJ
J%ut +hyA @ou are not tired of ife/ I never sa+ a +o)an ess tired of
it ; )ore radianty aive/J
She got up> +ent to the +indo+> pushing 'a.1 a strand of her dar1
hair as she did so/
JSin.e you have guessed so )u.h I )ight as +e te you the truth/ I
shoud not have et you in this evening/ I )ight have 1no+n that you
+oud see too )u.h/ @ou are that 1ind of )an/ @ou +ere right a'out
the .ause/ It"s the 'oy/ !e 1no+s nothing/ %ut ast ti)e he +as ho)e>
he spo1e tragi.ay of a friend of his> and I dis.overed so)ething/ If
he finds out that he is iegiti)ate it +i 'rea1 his heart/ !e is proud ;
horri'y proudG There is a gir/ <hG I +on"t go into detais/ %ut he is
.o)ing very soon ; and he +ants to 1no+ a a'out his father ; he
+ants detais/ The gir"s parents> naturay> +ant to 1no+/ When he
dis.overs the truth> he +i 'rea1 +ith her> eBie hi)sef> ruin his ife/
<hG I 1no+ the things you +oud say/ !e is young> fooish> +rongheaded
to ta1e it i1e thatG A true> perhaps/ %ut does it )atter +hat
peope ought to 'eA They are +hat they are/ It +i 'rea1 his heart///
%ut if> 'efore he .o)es> there has 'een an a..ident> everything +i
'e s+ao+ed up in grief for )e/ !e +i oo1 through )y papers> find
nothing> and 'e annoyed that I tod hi) so itte/ %ut he +i not
suspe.t the truth/ It is the 'est +ay/ <ne )ust pay for happiness> and
I have had so )u.h ; ohG so )u.h happiness/ And in reaity the pri.e
+i 'e easy> too/ A itte .ourage ; to ta1e the eap ; perhaps a
)o)ent or so of anguish/J
J%ut> )y dear .hid ;J
J$on"t argue +ith )e/J She fared round on hi)/ JI +on"t isten to
.onventiona argu)ents/ My ife is )y o+n/ 2p to no+> it has 'een
needed ; for *ohn/ %ut he needs it no onger/ !e +ants a )ate ; a
.o)panion ; he +i turn to her a the )ore +iingy 'e.ause I a) no
onger there/ My ife is useess> 'ut )y death +i 'e of use/ And I
have the right to do +hat I i1e +ith )y o+n ife/J
JAre you sureAJ
The sternness of his tone surprised her/ She sta))ered sighty/
JIf it is no good to anyone ; and I a) the 'est Dudge of that ;J
!e interrupted her again/
J0ot ne.essariy/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J#isten/ I +i put a .ase to you/ A )an .o)es to a .ertain pa.e ; to
.o))it sui.ide> sha +e sayA %ut 'y .han.e> he finds another )an
there> so he fais in his purpose and goes a+ay ; to ive/ The se.ond
)an has saved the first )an"s ife> not 'y 'eing ne.essary to hi) or
pro)inent in his ife> 'ut Dust 'y the )ere physi.a fa.t of having 'een
in a .ertain pa.e at a .ertain )o)ent/ @ou ta1e your ife today and
perhaps> so)e five> siB> seven years hen.e> so)eone +i go to death
or disaster si)py for a.1 of your presen.e in a given spot or pa.e/
It )ay 'e a runa+ay horse .o)ing do+n a street that s+erved aside
at sight of you and so fais to tra)pe a .hid that is paying in the
gutter/ That .hid )ay ive to gro+ up and 'e a great )usi.ian> or
dis.over a .ure for .an.er/ <r it )ay 'e ess )eodra)ati. than that/
!e )ay Dust gro+ up to ordinary everyday happiness///J
She stared at hi)/
J@ou are a strange )an/ These things you say ; I have never thought
of the)///J
J@ou say your ife is your o+n>J +ent on Mr Satterth+aite/ J%ut .an
you dare to ignore the .han.e that you are ta1ing part in a giganti.
dra)a under the orders of a divine Produ.erA @our .ue )ay not
.o)e ti the end of the pay ; it )ay 'e totay uni)portant> a )ere
+a1ing;on part> 'ut upon it )ay hang the issues of the pay if you do
not give the .ue to another payer/ The +hoe edifi.e )ay .ru)pe/
@ou as you> )ay not )atter to anyone in the +ord> 'ut you as a
person in a parti.uar pa.e )ay )atter uni)agina'y/J
She sat do+n> sti staring/
JWhat do you +ant )e to doAJ she said si)py/
It +as Mr Satterth+aite"s )o)ent of triu)ph/ !e issued orders/
JI +ant you at east to pro)ise )e one thing ; to do nothing rash for
t+enty;four hours/J
She +as sient for a )o)ent or t+o and then she said> JI pro)ise/J
JThere is one other thing ; a favour/J
J@esAJ
J#eave the shutter of the roo) I .a)e in 'y unfastened> and 1eep
vigi there tonight/J
She oo1ed at hi) .uriousy> 'ut nodded assent/
JAnd no+>J said Mr Satterth+aite> sighty .ons.ious of anti;.i)aB>
JI reay )ust 'e going/ ,od 'ess you> )y dear/J
!e )ade a rather e)'arrassed eBit/ The sta+art Spanish gir )et
hi) in the passage and opened a side door for hi)> staring .uriousy
at hi) the +hie/
It +as Dust gro+ing dar1 as he rea.hed the hote/ There +as a
soitary figure sitting on the terra.e/ Mr Satterth+aite )ade straight
for it/ !e +as eB.ited and his heart +as 'eating 8uite fast/ !e fet
that tre)endous issues ay in his hands/ <ne fase )ove ;
%ut he tried to .on.ea his agitation and to spea1 naturay and
.asuay to Anthony Cosden/
JA +ar) evening>J he o'served/ JI 8uite ost .ount of ti)e sitting up
there on the .iff/J
J!ave you 'een up there a this ti)eAJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/ The s+ing door into the hote opened to et
so)eone through> and a 'ea) of ight fe suddeny on the other"s
fa.e> iu)inating its oo1 of du suffering> of un.o)prehending
du)' enduran.e/
Mr Satterth+aite thought to hi)sef> JIt"s +orse for hi) than it +oud
'e for )e/ I)agination> .onDe.ture> spe.uation ; they .an do a ot for
you/ @ou .an> as it +ere> ring the .hanges upon pain/ The
un.o)prehending 'ind suffering of an ani)a ; that"s terri'e///J
Cosden spo1e suddeny in a harsh voi.e/ JI") going for a stro after
dinner/ @ou ; you understandA The third ti)e"s u.1y/ For ,od"s sa1e
don"t interfere/ I 1no+ your interferen.e +i 'e +e;)eaning and a
that ; 'ut ta1e it fro) )e> it"s useess/J
Mr Satterth+aite dre+ hi)sef up/
JI never interfere>J he said> there'y giving the ie to the +hoe
purpose and o'De.t of his eBisten.e/
JI 1no+ +hat you thin1 ;J +ent on Cosden> 'ut he +as interrupted/
J@ou )ust eB.use )e> 'ut there I 'eg to differ fro) you>J said Mr
Satterth+aite/ J0o'ody 1no+s +hat another person is thin1ing/ They
)ay i)agine they do> 'ut they are neary a+ays +rong/J
JWe> perhaps that"s so/J Cosden +as dou'tfu> sighty ta1en a'a.1/
JThought is yours ony>J said his .o)panion/ J0o'ody .an ater or
infuen.e the use you )ean to )a1e of it/ #et us ta1 of a ess painfu
su'De.t/ That od via> for instan.e/ It has a .urious .har)>
+ithdra+n> shetered fro) the +ord> shieding heaven 1no+s +hat
)ystery/ It te)pted )e to do a dou'tfu a.tion/ I tried one of the
shutters/J
J@ou didAJ Cosden turned his head sharpy/ J%ut it +as fastened> of
.ourseAJ
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt +as open/J !e added genty> JThe
third shutter fro) the end/J
JWhy>J Cosden 'urst out> Jthat +as the one ;J
!e 'ro1e off suddeny> 'ut Mr Satterth+aite had seen the ight that
had sprung up in his eyes/ !e rose ; satisfied/
So)e sight tinge of anBiety sti re)ained +ith hi)/ 2sing his
favourite )etaphor of a dra)a> he hoped that he had spo1en his fe+
ines .orre.ty/ For they +ere very i)portant ines/
%ut thin1ing it over> his artisti. Dudg)ent +as satisfied/ <n his +ay
up to the .iff> Cosden +oud try that shutter/ It +as not in hu)an
nature to resist/ A )e)ory of t+enty odd years ago had 'rought hi)
to this spot> the sa)e )e)ory +oud ta1e hi) to the shutter/ And
after+ardsA
JI sha 1no+ in the )orning>J said Mr Satterth+aite> and pro.eeded
to .hange )ethodi.ay for his evening )ea/
It +as so)e+here round ten o".o.1 that Mr Satterth+aite set foot
on.e )ore in the garden of #a Pa?/ Manue 'ade hi) a s)iing J,ood
)orning>J and handed hi) a singe rose'ud +hi.h Mr Satterth+aite
put .arefuy into his 'uttonhoe/ Then he +ent on to the house/ !e
stood there for so)e )inutes oo1ing up at the pea.efu +hite +as>
the traiing orange .reeper> and the faded green shutters/ So sient>
so pea.efu/ !ad the +hoe thing 'een a drea)A
%ut at that )o)ent one of the +indo+s opened and the ady +ho
o..upied Mr Satterth+aite"s thoughts .a)e out/ She .a)e straight
to hi) +ith a 'uoyant s+aying +a1> i1e so)eone .arried on a great
+ave of eButation/ !er eyes +ere shining> her .oour high/ She
oo1ed i1e a figure of Doy on a frie?e/ There +as no hesitation a'out
her> no dou'ts or tre)ors/ Straight to Mr Satterth+aite she .a)e>
put her hands on his shouders and 1issed hi) ; not on.e 'ut )any
ti)es/ #arge> dar1> red roses> very vevety ; that is ho+ he thought of
it after+ards/ Sunshine> su))er> 'irds singing ; that +as the
at)osphere into +hi.h he fet hi)sef .aught up/ War)th> Doy and
tre)endous vigour/
JI") so happy>J she said/ J@ou daringG !o+ did you 1no+A !o+
.oud you 1no+A @ou"re i1e the good )agi.ian in the fairy taes/J
She paused> a sort of 'reathessness of happiness upon her/
JWe"re going over today ; to the Consu ; to get )arried/ When *ohn
.o)es> his father +i 'e there/ We" te hi) there +as so)e
)isunderstanding in the past/ <hG !e +on"t as1 8uestions/ <hG I") so
happy ; so happy ; so happy/J
!appiness did indeed surge fro) her i1e a tide/ It apped round Mr
Satterth+aite in a +ar) eBhiarating food/
JIt"s so +onderfu to Anthony to find he has a son/ I never drea)t
he"d )ind or .are/J She oo1ed .onfidenty into Mr Satterth+aite"s
eyes/ JIsn"t it strange ho+ things .o)e right and end a 'eautifuyAJ
!e had his .earest vision of her yet/ A .hid ; sti a .hid ; +ith her
ove of )a1e 'eieve ; her fairy taes that ended 'eautifuy +ith t+o
peope Jiving happiy ever after+ards/J
!e said genty> JIf you 'ring this )an of yours happiness in these ast
)onths> you +i indeed have done a very 'eautifu thing/J
!er eyes opened +ide ; surprised/
J<hGJ she said/ J@ou don"t thin1 I"d et hi) die> do youA After a these
years ; +hen he"s .o)e to )e/ I"ve 1no+n ots of peope +ho)
do.tors have given up and +ho are aive today/ $ieA <f .ourse he"s
not going to dieGJ
!e oo1ed at her ; her strength> her 'eauty> her vitaity ; her
indo)ita'e .ourage and +i/ !e> too> had 1no+n do.tors to 'e
)ista1en/// The persona fa.tor ; you never 1ne+ ho+ )u.h and ho+
itte it .ounted/
She said again> +ith s.orn and a)use)ent in her voi.e ;
J@ou don"t thin1 I"d et hi) die> do youAJ
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite at ast very genty/ JSo)eho+> )y dear> I
don"t thin1 you +i///J
Then at ast he +a1ed do+n the .ypress path to the 'en.h
overoo1ing the sea and found there the person he +as eBpe.ting to
see/ Mr 4uin rose and greeted hi) ; the sa)e as ever> dar1>
saturnine> s)iing and sad/
J@ou eBpe.ted )eAJ he as1ed/
And Mr Satterth+aite ans+ered> J@es> I eBpe.ted you/J
They sat together on the 'en.h/
JI have an idea that you have 'een paying Providen.e on.e )ore> to
Dudge 'y your eBpression>J said Mr 4uin presenty/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) reproa.hfuy/
JAs if you didn"t 1no+ a a'out it/J
J@ou a+ays a..use )e of o)nis.ien.e>J said Mr 4uin> s)iing/
JIf you 1no+ nothing> +hy +ere you here the night 'efore ast ;
+aitingAJ .ountered Mr Satterth+aite/
J<h> that ;AJ
J@es> that/J
JI had a ; .o))ission to perfor)/J
JFor +ho)AJ
J@ou have so)eti)es fan.ifuy na)ed )e an advo.ate for the
dead/J
JThe deadAJ said Mr Satterth+aite> a itte pu??ed/ JI don"t
understand/J
Mr 4uin pointed a ong> ean finger do+n at the 'ue depths 'eo+/
JA )an +as dro+ned do+n there t+enty;t+o years ago/J
JI 1no+ ; 'ut I don"t see ;J
JSupposing that> after a> that )an oved his young +ife/ #ove .an
)a1e devis of )en as +e as anges/ She had a girish adoration for
hi)> 'ut he .oud never tou.h the +o)anhood in her ; and that drove
hi) )ad/ !e tortured her 'e.ause he oved her/ Su.h things happen/
@ou 1no+ that as +e as I do/J
J@es>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite> JI have seen su.h things ; 'ut
rarey ; very rarey///J
JAnd you have aso seen> )ore .o))ony> that there is su.h a thing
as re)orse ; the desire to )a1e a)ends ; at a .osts to )a1e
a)ends/J
J@es> 'ut death .a)e too soon///J
J$eathGJ There +as .onte)pt in Mr 4uin"s voi.e/ J@ou 'eieve in a
ife after death> do you notA And +ho are you to say that the sa)e
+ishes> the sa)e desires> )ay not operate in that other ifeA If the
desire is strong enough ; a )essenger )ay 'e found/J
!is voi.e taied a+ay/
Mr Satterth+aite got up> tre)'ing a itte/
JI )ust get 'a.1 to the hote>J he said/ JIf you are going that +ay/J
%ut Mr 4uin shoo1 his head/
J0o>J he said/ JI sha go 'a.1 the +ay I .a)e/J
When Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed 'a.1 over his shouder> he sa+ his
friend +a1ing to+ards the edge of the .iff/
Chapter E
T!( 7<IC( I0 T!( $A&-
JI a) a itte +orried a'out Margery>J said #ady Straneigh/
JMy gir> you 1no+>J she added/
She sighed pensivey/
JIt )a1es one fee terri'y od to have a gro+n;up daughter/J
Mr Satterth+aite> +ho +as the re.ipient of these .onfiden.es> rose
to the o..asion gaanty/
J0o one .oud 'eieve it possi'e>J he de.ared +ith a itte 'o+/
JFatterer>J said #ady Straneigh> 'ut she said it vaguey and it +as
.ear that her )ind +as ese+here/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at the sender +hite;.ad figure in so)e
ad)iration/ The Cannes sunshine +as sear.hing> 'ut #ady
Straneigh .a)e through the test very +e/ At a distan.e the youthfu
effe.t +as reay eBtraordinary/ <ne a)ost +ondered if she +ere
gro+n;up or not/ Mr Satterth+aite> +ho 1ne+ everything> 1ne+ that
it +as perfe.ty possi'e for #ady Straneigh to have gro+n;up
grand.hidren/ She represented the eBtre)e triu)ph of art over
nature/ !er figure +as )arveous> her .o)peBion +as )arveous/
She had enri.hed )any 'eauty parours and .ertainy the resuts
+ere astounding/
#ady Straneigh it a .igarette> .rossed her 'eautifu egs en.ased in
the finest of nude si1 sto.1ings and )ur)ured> J@es> I reay a)
rather +orried a'out Margery/J
J$ear )e>J said Mr Satterth+aite> J+hat is the trou'eAJ
#ady Staneigh turned her 'eautifu 'ue eyes upon hi)/
J@ou have never )et her> have youA She is Chares" daughter>J she
added hepfuy/
If entries in JWho"s WhoJ +ere stri.ty truthfu> the entries
.on.erning #ady Straneigh )ight have ended as foo+s ; ho''ies ;
getting )arried/// She had foated through ife shedding hus'ands as
she +ent/ She had ost three 'y divor.e and one 'y death/
JIf she had 'een &udoph"s .hid I .oud have understood it>J )used
#ady Straneigh/ J@ou re)e)'er &udofA !e +as a+ays
te)pera)enta/ SiB )onths after +e )arried I had to appy for those
8ueer things ; +hat do they .a the)A ConDuga +hat nots> you 1no+
+hat I )ean/ Than1 goodness it is a )u.h si)per no+adays/ I
re)e)'er I had to +rite hi) the siiest 1ind of etter ; )y a+yer
pra.ti.ay di.tated it to )e/ As1ing hi) to .o)e 'a.1> you 1no+>
and that I +oud do a I .oud> et.> et.> 'ut you never .oud .ount on
&udof> he +as so te)pera)enta/ !e .a)e rushing ho)e at on.e>
+hi.h +as 8uite the +rong thing to do> and not a +hat the a+yers
)eant/J
She sighed/
JA'out MargeryAJ suggested Mr Satterth+aite> ta.tfuy eading her
'a.1 to the su'De.t under dis.ussion/
J<f .ourse/ I +as Dust going to te you> +asn"t IA Margery has 'een
seeing things> or hearing the)/ ,hosts> you 1no+> and a that/ I
shoud never have thought that Margery .oud 'e so i)aginative/
She is a dear good gir> a+ays has 'een> 'ut Dust a shade ; du/J
JI)possi'e>J )ur)ured Mr Satterth+aite +ith a .onfused idea of
'eing .o)pi)entary/
JIn fa.t> very du>J said #ady Straneigh/ J$oesn"t .are for dan.ing>
or .o.1tais or any of the things a young gir ought to .are a'out/ She
)u.h prefers staying at ho)e to hunt instead of .o)ing out here
+ith )e/J
J$ear> dear>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jshe +oudn"t .o)e out +ith
you> you sayAJ
JWe> I didn"t eBa.ty press her/ $aughters have a depressing effe.t
upon one> I find/J
Mr Satterth+aite tried to thin1 of #ady Straneigh a..o)panied 'y a
serious;)inded daughter and faied/
JI .an"t hep +ondering if Margery is going off her head>J .ontinued
Margery"s )other in a .heerfu voi.e/ Jhearing voi.es is a very 'ad
sign> so they te )e/ It is not as though A''ot"s Mede +ere haunted/
The od 'uiding +as 'urnt to the ground in 1O53> and they put up a
1ind of eary 7i.torian .h/teau +hi.h si)py .annot 'e haunted/ It is
)u.h too ugy and .o))onpa.e/J
Mr Satterth+aite .oughed/ !e +as +ondering +hy he +as 'eing tod
a this/
JI thought perhaps>J said #ady Straneigh> s)iing 'riianty upon
hi)> Jthat you )ight 'e a'e to hep )e/J
JIAJ
J@es/ @ou are going 'a.1 to (ngand to)orro+> aren"t youAJ
JI a)/ @es> that is so>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite .autiousy/
JAnd you 1no+ a these psy.hi.a resear.h peope/ <f .ourse you
do> you 1no+ every'ody/J
Mr Satterth+aite s)ied a itte/ It +as one of his +ea1nesses to 1no+
every'ody/
JSo +hat .an 'e si)perAJ .ontinued #ady Straneigh/ JI never get
on +ith that sort of person/ @ou 1no+ ; earnest )en +ith 'eards and
usuay spe.ta.es/ They 'ore )e terri'y and I a) 8uite at )y +orst
+ith the)/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as rather ta1en a'a.1/ #ady Straneigh .ontinued
to s)ie at hi) 'riianty/
JSo that is a setted> isn"t itAJ she said 'righty/ J@ou +i go do+n to
A''ot"s Mede and see Margery> and )a1e a the arrange)ents/ I
sha 'e terri'y gratefu to you/ <f .ourse if Margery is reay going
off her head> I +i .o)e ho)e/ AhG here is %i)'o/J
!er s)ie fro) 'eing 'riiant 'e.a)e da??ing/
A young )an in +hite tennis fannes +as approa.hing the)/ !e +as
a'out t+enty;five years of age and eBtre)ey good;oo1ing/
The young )an said si)py> JI have 'een oo1ing for you every+here>
%a's/J
JWhat has the tennis 'een i1eAJ
JSepti./J
#ady Straneigh rose/ She turned her head over her shouder and
)ur)ured in du.et tones to Mr Satterth+aite> JIt is si)py
)arveous of you to hep )e/ I sha never forget it/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed after the retreating .oupe/
JI +onder>J he )used to hi)sef> Jif %i)'o is going to 'e 0o/ F/J
II
The .ondu.tor of the Train de #uBe +as pointing out to Mr
Satterth+aite +here an a..ident on the ine had o..urred a fe+
years previousy/ As he finished his spirited narrative> the other
oo1ed up and sa+ a +e;1no+n fa.e s)iing at hi) over the
.ondu.tor"s shouder/
JMy dear Mr 4uin>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
!is itte +ithered fa.e 'ro1e into s)ies/
JWhat a .oin.iden.eG That +e shoud 'oth 'e returning to (ngand
on the sa)e train/ @ou are going there> I suppose/J
J@es>J said Mr 4uin/ JI have 'usiness there of rather an i)portant
nature/ Are you ta1ing the first servi.e of dinnerAJ
JI a+ays do so/ <f .ourse> it is an a'surd ti)e ; haf;past siB> 'ut one
runs ess ris1 +ith the .oo1ing/J
Mr 4uin nodded .o)prehendingy/
JI aso>J he said/ JWe )ight perhaps arrange to sit together/J
!af;past siB found Mr 4uin and Mr Satterth+aite esta'ished
opposite ea.h other at a s)a ta'e in the dining;.ar/ Mr
Satterth+aite gave due attention to the +ine ist and then turned to
his .o)panion/
JI have not seen you sin.e ; ah> yes not sin.e Corsi.a/ @ou eft very
suddeny that day/J
Mr 4uin shrugged his shouders/
J0ot )ore so than usua/ I .o)e and go> you 1no+/ I .o)e and go/J
The +ords see)ed to a+a1e so)e e.ho of re)e)'ran.e in Mr
Satterth+aite"s )ind/ A itte shiver passed do+n his spine ; not a
disagreea'e sensation> 8uite the .ontrary/ !e +as .ons.ious of a
peasura'e sense of anti.ipation/
Mr 4uin +as hoding up a 'otte of red +ine> eBa)ining the a'e on
it/ The 'otte +as 'et+een hi) and the ight 'ut for a )inute or t+o a
red go+ enveoped his person/
Mr Satterth+aite fet again that sudden stir of eB.ite)ent/
JI too have a 1ind of )ission in (ngand>J he re)ar1ed> s)iing
'roady at the re)e)'ran.e/ J@ou 1no+ #ady Straneigh perhapsAJ
Mr 4uin shoo1 his head/
JIt is an od tite>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Ja very od tite/ <ne of the
fe+ that .an des.end in the fe)ae ine/ She is a %aroness in her o+n
right/ &ather a ro)anti. history reay/J
Mr 4uin setted hi)sef )ore .o)forta'y in his .hair/ A +aiter> fying
do+n the s+inging .ar> deposited .ups of soup 'efore the) as if 'y a
)ira.e/ Mr 4uin sipped it .autiousy/
J@ou are a'out to give )e one of those +onderfu des.riptive
portraits of yours>J he )ur)ured> Jthat is so> is it notAJ
Mr Satterth+aite 'ea)ed on hi)/
JShe is reay a )arveous +o)an>J he said/ JSiBty> you 1no+ ; yes> I
shoud say at east siBty/ I 1ne+ the) as girs> she and her sister/
%eatri.e> that +as the na)e of the eder one/ %eatri.e and %ar'ara/ I
re)e)'er the) as the %arron girs/ %oth good;oo1ing and in those
days very hard up/ %ut that +as a great )any years ago ; +hy> dear
)e> I +as a young )an )ysef then/J Mr Satterth+aite sighed/ JThere
+ere severa ives then 'et+een the) and the tite/ <d #ord
Straneigh +as a first .ousin on.e re)oved/ I thin1 #ady Straneigh"s
ife has 'een 8uite a ro)anti. affair/ Three uneBpe.ted deaths ; t+o
of the od )an"s 'rothers and a nephe+/ Then there +as the 2raia/
@ou re)e)'er the +re.1 of the 2raiaA She +ent do+n off the .oast
of 0e+ Veaand/ The %arron girs +ere on 'oard/ %eatri.e +as
dro+ned/ This one> %ar'ara> +as a)ongst the fe+ survivors/ SiB
)onths ater> od Straneigh died and she su..eeded to the tite and
.a)e into a .onsidera'e fortune/ Sin.e then she has ived for one
thing ony ; hersefG She has a+ays 'een the sa)e> 'eautifu>
uns.rupuous> .o)petey .aous> interested soey in hersef/ She
has had four hus'ands> and I have no dou't .oud get a fifth in a
)inute/J
!e +ent on the des.ri'e the )ission +ith +hi.h he had 'een
entrusted 'y #ady Straneigh/
JI thought of running do+n to A''ot"s Mede to see the young ady>J
he eBpained/ JI ; I fee that so)ething ought to 'e done a'out the
)atter/ It is i)possi'e to thin1 of #ady Straneigh as an ordinary
)other///J he stopped> oo1ing a.ross the ta'e at Mr 4uin/
JI +ish you +oud .o)e +ith )e>J he said +istfuy/ JWoud it not 'e
possi'eAJ
JI") afraid not>J said Mr 4uin/ J%ut et )e see> A''ot"s Mede is in
Witshire> is it notAJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded>
JI thought as )u.h/ As it happens> I sha 'e staying not far fro)
A''ot"s Mede> at a pa.e you and I 'oth 1no+>J he s)ied/ J@ou
re)e)'er that itte inn> JThe "%es and Motey"AJ
J<f .ourse>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ J@ou +i 'e thereAJ
Mr 4uin nodded/ JFor a +ee1 or ten days/ Possi'y onger/ If you +i
.o)e and oo1 )e up one day> I sha 'e deighted to see you/J
And so)eho+ or other Mr Satterth+aite fet strangey .o)forted 'y
the assuran.e/
III
JMy dear Miss ; er ; Margery>J said Mr Satterth+aite> JI assure you
that I shoud not drea) of aughing at you/J
Margery ,ae fro+ned a itte/ They +ere sitting in the arge
.o)forta'e ha of A''ot"s Mede/ Margery ,ae +as a 'ig s8uarey
'uit gir/ She 'ore no rese)'an.e to her )other> 'ut too1 entirey
after her father"s side of the fa)iy> a ine of hard;riding .ountry
s8uires/ She oo1ed fresh and +hoeso)e and the pi.ture of sanity/
0evertheess> Mr Satterth+aite +as refe.ting to hi)sef that the
%arrons as a fa)iy +ere a in.ined to )enta insta'iity/ Margery
)ight have inherited her physi.a appearan.e fro) her father and at
the sa)e ti)e have inherited so)e )enta 1in1 fro) her )other"s
side of the fa)iy/
JI +ish>J said Margery> Jthat I .oud get rid of that Casson +o)an/ I
don"t 'eieve in spirituais)> and I don"t i1e it/ She is one of these
siy +o)en that run a .ra?e to death/ She is a+ays 'othering )e to
have a )ediu) do+n here/J
Mr Satterth+aite .oughed> fidgeted a itte in his .hair and then said
in a Dudi.ia )anner> J#et )e 'e 8uite sure that I have a the fa.ts/
The first of the ; er ; pheno)ena o..urred t+o )onths ago> I
understandAJ
JA'out that>J agreed the gir/ JSo)eti)es it +as a +hisper and
so)eti)es it +as 8uite a .ear voi.e 'ut it a+ays said )u.h the
sa)e thing/J
JWhi.h +asAJ
J,ive 'a.1 +hat is not yours/ ,ive 'a.1 +hat you have stoen/ <n
ea.h o..asion I s+it.hed on the ight> 'ut the roo) +as 8uite e)pty
and there +as no one there/ In the end I got so nervous that I got
Cayton> )other"s )aid> to seep on the sofa in )y roo)/J
JAnd the voi.e .a)e Dust the sa)eAJ
J@es ; and this is +hat frightens )e ; Cayton did not hear it/J
Mr Satterth+aite refe.ted for a )inute or t+o/ J$id it .o)e oudy or
softy that eveningAJ
JIt +as a)ost a +hisper>J ad)itted Margery/ JIf Cayton +as sound
aseep I suppose she +oud not reay have heard it/ She +anted )e
to see a do.tor/J The gir aughed 'ittery/
J%ut sin.e ast night even Cayton 'eieves>J she .ontinued/
JWhat happened ast nightAJ
JI a) Dust going to te you/ I have tod no one as yet/ I had 'een out
hunting yesterday and +e had had a ong run/ I +as dead tired> and
sept very heaviy/ I drea)t ; a horri'e drea) ; that I had faen over
so)e iron raiings and that one of the spi1es +as entering so+y into
)y throat/ I +o1e to find that it +as true ; there +as so)e sharp point
pressing into the side of )y ne.1> and at the sa)e ti)e a voi.e +as
)ur)uring softy> J@ou have stoen +hat is )ine/ This is deathG
JI s.rea)ed>J .ontinued Margery> Jand .ut.hed at the air> 'ut there
+as nothing there/ Cayton heard )e s.rea) fro) the roo) neBt
door +here she +as seeping/ She .a)e rushing in> and she
distin.ty fet so)ething 'rushing past her in the dar1ness> 'ut she
says that +hatever that so)ething +as> it +as not anything hu)an/J
Mr Satterth+aite stared at her/ The gir +as o'viousy very sha1en
and upset/ !e noti.ed on the eft side of her throat a s)a s8uare of
sti.1ing paster/ She .aught the dire.tion of his ga?e and nodded/
J@es>J she said> Jit +as not i)agination> you see/J
Mr Satterth+aite put a 8uestion a)ost apoogeti.ay> it sounded so
)eodra)ati./
J@ou don"t 1no+ of anyone ; er ; +ho has a grudge against youAJ he
as1ed/
J<f .ourse not>J said Margery/ JWhat an ideaGJ
Mr Satterth+aite started on another ine of atta.1/
JWhat visitors have you had during the ast t+o )onthsAJ
J@ou don"t )ean Dust peope for +ee1ends> I supposeA Mar.ia -eane
has 'een +ith )e a aong/ She is )y 'est friend> and Dust as 1een on
horses as I a)/ Then )y .ousin &oey 7avasour has 'een here a
good dea/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/ !e suggested that he shoud see Cayton>
the )aid/
JShe has 'een +ith you a ong ti)e> I supposeAJ he as1ed/
J$on1ey"s years>J said Margery/ JShe +as Mother"s and Aunt
%eatri.e"s )aid +hen they +ere girs/ That is +hy Mother has 1ept
her on> I suppose> athough she has got a Fren.h )aid for hersef/
Cayton does se+ing and pottering itte odd Do's/J
She too1 hi) upstairs and presenty Cayton .a)e to the)/ She +as
a ta> thin> od +o)an> +ith grey hair neaty parted> and she oo1ed
the a.)e of respe.ta'iity/
J0o> sir>J she said in ans+er to Mr Satterth+aite"s in8uiries/ JI have
never heard anything of the house 'eing haunted/ To te you the
truth> sir> I thought it +as a Miss Margery"s i)agination unti ast
night/ %ut I a.tuay fet so)ething ; 'rushing 'y )e in the dar1ness/
And I .an te you this> sir> it +as not anything hu)an/ And then there
is that +ound in Miss Margery"s ne.1/ She didn"t do that hersef> poor
a)'/J
%ut her +ords +ere suggestive to Mr Satterth+aite/ Was it possi'e
that Margery .oud have infi.ted that +ound hersefA !e had heard
of strange .ases +here girs apparenty Dust as sane and +e'aan.ed
as Margery had done the )ost a)a?ing things/
JIt +i soon hea up>J said Cayton/ JIt"s not i1e this s.ar of )ine/J
She pointed to a )ar1 on her o+n forehead/
JThat +as done forty years ago> sir; I sti 'ear the )ar1 of it/J
JIt +as the ti)e the 2raia +ent do+n>J put in Margery/ JCayton +as
hit on the head 'y a spar> +eren"t you> CaytonAJ
J@es> Miss/J
JWhat do you thin1 yoursef> Cayton>J as1ed Mr Satterth+aite> J+hat
do you thin1 +as the )eaning of this atta.1 on Miss MargeryAJ
JI reay shoud not i1e to say> sir/J Mr Satterth+aite read this
.orre.ty as the reserve of the +e;trained servant/
JWhat do you reay thin1> CaytonAJ he said persuasivey/
JI thin1> sir> that so)ething very +i.1ed )ust have 'een done in this
house> and that unti that is +iped out there +on"t 'e any pea.e/J
The +o)an spo1e gravey> and her faded 'ue eyes )et his steadiy/
Mr Satterth+aite +ent do+nstairs rather disappointed/ Cayton
evidenty hed the orthodoB vie+> a dei'erate JhauntingJ as a
.onse8uen.e of so)e evi deed in the past/ Mr Satterth+aite hi)sef
+as not so easiy satisfied/ The pheno)ena had ony ta1en pa.e in
the ast t+o )onths/ !ad ony ta1en pa.e sin.e Mar.ia -eane and
&oey 7avasour had 'een there/ !e )ust find out so)ething a'out
these t+o/ It +as possi'e that the +hoe thing +as a pra.ti.a Do1e/
%ut he shoo1 his head> dissatisfied +ith that soution/ The thing +as
)ore sinister than that/ The post had Dust .o)e in and Margery +as
opening and reading her etters/ Suddeny she gave an eB.a)ation/
JMother is too a'surd>J she said/ J$o read this/J She handed the
etter to Mr Satterth+aite/
It +as an episte typi.a of #ady Straneigh/
J$aring Margery 9she +rote:>
JI a) so gad you have that ni.e itte Mr Satterth+aite there/ !e is
a+fuy .ever and 1no+s a the 'ig;+ig spoo1 peope/ @ou )ust
have the) a do+n and investigate things thoroughy/ I a) sure you
+i have a perfe.ty )arveous ti)e> and I ony +ish I .oud 'e
there> 'ut I have reay 'een 8uite i the ast fe+ days/ The hotes are
so .areess a'out the food they give one/ The do.tor says it is so)e
1ind of food poisoning/ I +as reay very i/
JS+eet of you to send )e the .ho.oates> daring> 'ut surey Dust a
+ee 'it siy> +asn"t itA I )ean> there"s su.h +onderfu .onfe.tionery
out here/
J%ye;'ye> daring> and have a ovey ti)e aying the fa)iy ghosts/
%i)'o says )y tennis is .o)ing on )arveousy/ <.eans of ove/
J@ours>
J%ar'ara/J
JMother a+ays +ants )e to .a her %ar'ara>J said Margery/
JSi)py siy> I thin1/J
Mr Satterth+aite s)ied a itte/ !e reaised that the stoid
.onservatis) of her daughter )ust on o..asions 'e very trying to
#ady Straneigh/ The .ontents of her etter stru.1 hi) in a +ay in
+hi.h o'viousy they did not stri1e Margery/
J$id you send your )other a 'oB of .ho.oatesAJ he as1ed/
Margery shoo1 her head/ J0o> I didn"t> It )ust have 'een so)eone
ese/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed grave/ T+o things stru.1 hi) as of
signifi.an.e/ #ady Straneigh had re.eived a gift of a 'oB of
.ho.oates and she +as suffering fro) a severe atta.1 of poisoning/
Apparenty she had not .onne.ted these t+o things/ Was there a
.onne.tionA !e hi)sef +as in.ined to thin1 there +as/
A ta dar1 gir ounged out of the )orning;roo) and Doined the)/
She +as introdu.ed to Mr Satterth+aite as Mar.ia -eane/ She s)ied
on the itte )an in an easy good;hu)oured fashion/
J!ave you .o)e do+n to hunt Margery"s pet ghostAJ she as1ed in a
dra+ing voi.e/ JWe a rot her a'out that ghost/ !eo> here"s &oey/J
A .ar had Dust dra+n up at the front door/ <ut of it tu)'ed a ta
young )an +ith fair hair and an eager 'oyish )anner/
J!eo> Margery>J he .ried> Jheo> Mar.iaG I have 'rought do+n
reinfor.e)ents/J !e turned to the t+o +o)en +ho +ere Dust
entering the ha/ Mr Satterth+aite re.ognised in the first one of the
t+o the Mrs Casson of +ho) Margery had spo1en Dust no+/
J@ou )ust forgive )e> Margery> dear>J she dra+ed> s)iing 'roady/
JMr 7avasour tod us that it +oud 'e 8uite a right/ It +as reay his
idea that I shoud 'ring do+n Mrs #oyd +ith )e/J
She indi.ated her .o)panion +ith a sight gesture of the hand/
JThis is Mrs #oyd>J she said in a tone of triu)ph/ JSi)py the )ost
+onderfu )ediu) that ever eBisted/J
Mrs #oyd uttered no )odest protest> she 'o+ed and re)ained +ith
her hands .rossed in front of her/ She +as a highy;.ooured young
+o)an of .o))onpa.e appearan.e/ !er .othes +ere
unfashiona'e 'ut rather ornate/ She +ore a .hain of )oonstones
and severa rings/
Margery ,ae> as Mr Satterth+aite .oud see> +as not too peased at
this intrusion/ She thre+ an angry oo1 at &oey 7avasour> +ho
see)ed 8uite un.ons.ious of the offen.e he had .aused/
J#un.h is ready> I thin1>J said Margery/
J,ood>J said Mrs Casson/
JWe +i hod a s/an.e i))ediatey after+ards/ !ave you got so)e
fruit for Mrs #oydA She never eats a soid )ea 'efore a s/an.e/J
They a +ent into the dining;roo)/ The )ediu) ate t+o 'ananas and
an appe> and repied .autiousy and 'riefy to the various poite
re)ar1s +hi.h Margery addressed to her fro) ti)e to ti)e/ *ust
'efore they rose fro) the ta'e> she fung 'a.1 her head suddeny
and sniffed the air/
JThere is so)ething very +rong in this house/ I fee it/J
JIsn"t she +onderfuAJ said Mrs Casson in a o+ deighted voi.e/
J<hG undou'tedy>J said Mr Satterth+aite dryy/
The s/an.e +as hed in the i'rary/ The hostess +as> as Mr
Satterth+aite .oud see> very un+iing> ony the o'vious deight of
her guests in the pro.eedings re.on.ied her to the ordea
The arrange)ents +ere )ade +ith a good dea of .are 'y Mrs
Casson> +ho +as evidenty +e up in those )atters> the .hairs +ere
set round in a .ir.e> the .urtains +ere dra+n> and presenty the
)ediu) announ.ed hersef ready to 'egin/
JSiB peope>J she said> oo1ing round the roo)/J That is 'ad/ We
)ust have an uneven nu)'er/ Seven is idea/ I get )y 'est resuts
out of a .ir.e of seven/J
J<ne of the servants>J suggested &oey/ !e rose/ JI +i rout out the
'uter/J
J#et"s have Cayton>J said Margery/ Mr Satterth+aite sa+ a oo1 of
annoyan.e pass over &oey 7avasour"s good;oo1ing fa.e/
J%ut +hy CaytonAJ he de)anded/
J@ou don"t i1e Cayton>J said Margery so+y/ &oey shrugged his
shouders/
JCayton doesn"t i1e )e>J he said +hi)si.ay/ JIn fa.t she hates )e
i1e poison/J !e +aited a )inute or t+o> 'ut Margery did not give
+ay/
JA right>J he said> Jhave her do+n/J
The .ir.e +as for)ed/
There +as a period of sien.e 'ro1en 'y the usua .oughs and
fidgetings/ Presenty a su..ession of raps +ere heard and then the
voi.e of the )ediu)"s .ontro> a &ed Indian .aed Chero1ee/
JIndian %rave says you ,ood evening adies and gente)en/
So)eone here very anBious spea1/ So)eone here very anBious give
)essage to young ady/ I go no+/ The spirit say +hat she .o)e to
say/J
A pause and then a ne+ voi.e> that of a +o)an> said softy> JIs
Margery hereAJ
&oey 7avasour too1 it upon hi)sef to ans+er/
J@es>J he said> Jshe is/ Who is that spea1ingAJ
JI a) %eatri.e/J
J%eatri.eA Who is %eatri.eAJ
To everyone"s annoyan.e the voi.e of the &ed Indian Chero1ee +as
heard on.e )ore/
JI have )essage for a of you peope/ #ife here very 'right and
'eautifu/ We a +or1 very hard/ !ep those +ho have not yet passed
over/J
Again a sien.e and then the +o)an"s voi.e +as heard on.e )ore/
JThis is %eatri.e spea1ing/J
J%eatri.e +hoAJ
J%eatri.e %arren/J
Mr Satterth+aite eant for+ard/ !e +as very eB.ited> J%eatri.e
%arton +ho +as dro+ned in the 2raiaAJ
J@es> that is right/ I re)e)'er the 2raia/ I have a )essage ; for this
house ; ,ive 'a.1 +hat is not yours/J
JI don"t understand>J said Margery hepessy/ JI ; oh> are you reay
Aunt %eatri.eAJ
J@es> I a) your aunt/J
J<f .ourse she is>J said Mrs Casson reproa.hfuy/ J!o+ .an you 'e
so suspi.iousA The spirits don"t i1e it/J
And suddeny Mr Satterth+aite thought of a very si)pe test/ !is
voi.e 8uivered as he spo1e/
J$o you re)e)'er Mr %otta.ettiAJ he as1ed/
I))ediatey there .a)e a rippe of aughter/
JPoor> od %oatsupsetty/ <f .ourse/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as du)'founded/ The test had su..eeded/ It +as
an in.ident of over forty years ago +hi.h had happened +hen he and
the %arren girs had found the)seves at the sa)e seaside resort/ A
young Itaian a.8uaintan.e of theirs had gone out in a 'oat and
.apsi?ed> and %eatri.e %arren had Destingy na)ed hi)
%oatsupsetty/ It see)ed i)possi'e that anyone in the roo) .oud
1no+ of this in.ident eB.ept hi)sef/ The )ediu) stirred and
groaned/
JShe is .o)ing out>J said Mrs Casson/ JThat is a +e +i get out of
her today> I a) afraid/J
The dayight shone on.e )ore on the roo) fu of peope> t+o of
+ho) at east +ere 'ady s.ared/
Mr Satterth+aite sa+ 'y Margery"s +hite fa.e that she +as deepy
pertur'ed/ When they had got rid of Mrs Casson and the )ediu)> he
sought a private intervie+ +ith his hostess/ JI +ant to as1 you one or
t+o 8uestions> Miss Margery/ If you and your )other +ere to die +ho
su..eeds to the tite and estatesAJ
J&oey 7avasour> I suppose/ !is )other +as Mother"s first .ousin/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/
J!e see)s to have 'een here a ot this +inter>J he said genty/ J@ou
+i forgive )e as1ing ; 'ut is he ; fond of youAJ
J!e as1ed )e to )arry hi) three +ee1s ago>J said Margery 8uiety/
JI said no/J
JPease forgive )e> 'ut are you engaged to anyone eseAJ !e sa+
the .oour s+eep over her fa.e/
JI a)>J she said e)phati.ay/ JI a) going to )arry 0oe %arton/
Mother aughs and says it is a'surd/ She see)s to thin1 it is
ridi.uous to 'e engaged to a .urate/ Why> I shoud i1e to 1no+G
There are .urates and .uratesG @ou shoud see 0oe on a horse/J
J<h> 8uite so>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J<h> undou'tedy/J
A foot)an entered +ith a teegra) on a saver/ Margery tore it open/
JMother is arriving ho)e to)orro+>J she said/ J%other/ I +ish to
goodness she +oud stay a+ay/J
Mr Satterth+aite )ade no .o))ent on this fiia senti)ent/ Perhaps
he thought it Dustified/
JIn that .ase>J he )ur)ured> JI thin1 I a) returning to #ondon/J
I7
Mr Satterth+aite +as not 8uite peased +ith hi)sef/ !e fet that he
had eft this parti.uar pro'e) in an unfinished state/ True that> on
#ady Straneigh"s return> his responsi'iity +as ended> yet he fet
assured that he had not heard the ast of the A''ot"s Mede )ystery/
%ut the neBt deveop)ent +hen it .a)e +as so serious in its
.hara.ter that it found hi) totay unprepared/ !e earnt of it in the
pages of his )orning paper/ J%aroness $ies in her %ath>J as the
$aiy Megaphone had it/ The other papers +ere )ore restrained and
dei.ate in their anguage> 'ut the fa.t +as the sa)e/ #ady
Straneigh had 'een found dead in her 'ath and her death +as due to
dro+ning/ She had> it +as assu)ed> ost .ons.iousness> and +hist
in that state her head had sipped 'eo+ the +ater/
%ut Mr Satterth+aite +as not satisfied +ith that eBpanation/ Caing
for his vaet> he )ade his toiet +ith ess than his usua .are> and ten
)inutes ater his 'ig &os;&oy.e +as .arrying hi) out of #ondon as
fast as it .oud trave/
%ut strangey enough it +as not for A''ot"s Mede he +as 'ound> 'ut
for a s)a inn so)e fifteen )ies distant +hi.h 'ore the rather
unusua na)e of JThe %es and Motey/J It +as +ith great reief that
he heard that Mr !arey 4uin +as sti staying there/ In another
)inute he +as fa.e to fa.e +ith his friend/
Mr Satterth+aite .asped hi) 'y the hand and 'egan to spea1 at
on.e in an agitated )anner/
JI a) terri'y upset/ @ou )ust hep )e/ Aready I have a dreadfu
feeing that it )ay 'e too ate ; that that ni.e gir )ay 'e the neBt to
go> for she is a ni.e gir> ni.e through and through/J
JIf you +i te )e>J said Mr 4uin> s)iing> J+hat it is a a'outAJ
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) reproa.hfuy/
J@ou 1no+/ I a) perfe.ty .ertain that you 1no+/ %ut I +i te you/J
!e poured out the story of his stay at A''ot"s Mede and> as a+ays
+ith Mr 4uin> he found hi)sef ta1ing peasure in his narrative/ !e
+as eo8uent and su'te and )eti.uous as to detai/
JSo you see>J he ended> Jthere )ust 'e an eBpanation/J
!e oo1ed hopefuy at Mr 4uin as a dog oo1s at his )aster/
J%ut it is you +ho )ust sove the pro'e)> not I>J said Mr 4uin/ JI do
not 1no+ these peope/ @ou do/J
JI 1ne+ the %arron girs forty years ago>J said Mr Satterth+aite +ith
pride/
Mr 4uin nodded and oo1ed sy)patheti.> so )u.h so that the other
+ent on drea)iy/
JThat ti)e at %righton no+> %otti.etti;%oatsupsetty> 8uite a siy Do1e
'ut ho+ +e aughed/ $ear> dear> I +as young then/ $id a ot of fooish
things/ I re)e)'er the )aid they had +ith the)/ Ai.e> her na)e
+as> a itte 'it of a thing ; very ingenuous/ I 1issed her in the
passage of the hote> I re)e)'er> and one of the girs neary .aught
)e doing it/ $ear> dear> ho+ ong ago that a +as/J
!e shoo1 his head again and sighed/ Then he oo1ed at Mr 4uin/
JSo you .an"t hep )eAJ he said +istfuy/ J<n other o..asions ;J
J<n other o..asions you have proved su..essfu o+ing entirey to
your o+n efforts>J said Mr 4uin gravey/ JI thin1 it +i 'e the sa)e
this ti)e/ If I +ere you> I shoud go to A''ot"s Mede no+/J
J4uite so> 8uite so>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jas a )atter of fa.t that is
+hat I thought of doing/ I .an"t persuade you to .o)e +ith )eAJ
Mr 4uin shoo1 his head/
J0o>J he said> J)y +or1 here is done/ I a) eaving a)ost
i))ediatey/J
At A''ot"s Mede> Mr Satterth+aite +as ta1en at on.e to Margery
,ae/ She +as sitting dry;eyed at a des1 in the )orning;roo) on
+hi.h +as stre+n various papers/ So)ething in her greeting
tou.hed hi)/ She see)ed so very peased to see hi)/
J&oey and Mar.ia have Dust eft/ Mr Satterth+aite> it is not as the
do.tors thin1/ I a) .onvin.ed> a'soutey .onvin.ed> that Mother
+as pushed under the +ater and hed there/ She +as )urdered> and
+hoever )urdered her +ants to )urder )e too/ I a) sure of that/
That is +hy ;J she indi.ated the do.u)ent in front of her/
JI have 'een )a1ing )y +i>J she eBpained/ JA ot of the )oney and
so)e of the property does not go +ith the tite> and there is )y
father"s )oney as +e/ I a) eaving everything I .an to 0oe/ I 1no+
he +i )a1e a good use of it and I do not trust &oey> he has a+ays
'een out for +hat he .an get/ Wi you sign it as a +itnessAJ
JMy dear young ady>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jyou shoud sign a +i
in the presen.e of t+o +itnesses and they shoud then sign
the)seves at the sa)e ti)e/J Margery 'rushed aside this ega
pronoun.e)ent/
JI don"t see that it )atters in the east>J she de.ared/ JCayton sa+
)e sign and then she signed her na)e/ I +as going to ring for the
'uter> 'ut you +i do instead/J
Mr Satterth+aite uttered no fresh protest> he uns.re+ed his fountain
pen and then> as he +as a'out to append his signature> he paused
suddeny/ The na)e> +ritten Dust a'ove his o+n> re.aed a fo+ of
)e)ories/ Ai.e Cayton/
So)ething see)ed to 'e strugging very hard to get through to hi)/
Ai.e Cayton> there +as so)e signifi.an.e a'out that/ So)ething to
do +ith Mr 4uin +as )iBed up +ith it/ So)ething he had said to Mr
4uin ony a very short ti)e ago/
Ah> he had it no+/ Ai.e Cayton> that +as her na)e/ The itte 'it of a
thing/ Peope .hanged ; yes> 'ut not i1e that/ And the Ai.e Cayton
he 1ne+ had had 'ro+n eyes/ The roo) see)ed +hiring round hi)/
!e fet for a .hair and presenty> as though fro) a great distan.e> he
heard Margery"s voi.e spea1ing to hi) anBiousy/ JAre you iA <h>
+hat is itA I a) sure you are i/J !e +as hi)sef again/ !e too1 her
hand/
JMy dear> I see it a no+/ @ou )ust prepare yoursef for a great
sho.1/ The +o)an upstairs +ho) you .a Cayton is not Cayton at
a/ The rea Ai.e Cayton +as dro+ned on the 2raia/J
Margery +as staring at hi)/
JWho ; +ho is she thenAJ
JI a) not )ista1en> I .annot 'e )ista1en/ The +o)an you .a
Cayton is your )other"s sister> %eatri.e %arren/ @ou re)e)'er
teing )e that she +as stru.1 on the head 'y a sparA I shoud
i)agine that that 'o+ destroyed her )e)ory> and that 'eing the
.ase> your )other sa+ the .han.e ;J
J<f pin.hing the tite> you )eanAJ as1ed Margery 'ittery/ J@es> she
+oud do that/ It see)s dreadfu to say that no+ she is dead> 'ut she
+as i1e that/J
J%eatri.e +as the eder sister>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J%y your
un.e"s death she +oud inherit everything and your )other +oud
get nothing/ @our )other .ai)ed the +ounded gir as her )aid> not
as her sister/ The gir re.overed fro) the 'o+ and 'eieved> of
.ourse> +hat +as tod her> that she +as Ai.e Cayton> your )other"s
)aid/ I shoud i)agine that Dust atey her )e)ory had 'egun to
return> 'ut that the 'o+ on the head> given a these years ago> has
at ast .aused )is.hief on the 'rain/J
Margery +as oo1ing at hi) +ith eyes of horror/
JShe 1ied Mother and she +anted to 1i )e>J she 'reathed/
JIt see)s so>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JIn her 'rain there +as Dust one
)udded idea ; that her inheritan.e had 'een stoen and +as 'eing
1ept fro) her 'y you and your )other/J
J%ut ; 'ut Cayton is so od/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as sient for a )inute as a vision rose up 'efore
hi) ; the faded od +o)an +ith grey hair> and the radiant godenhaired
.reature sitting in the sunshine at Cannes/ SistersG Coud it
reay 'e soA !e re)e)'ered the %arren girs and their i1eness to
ea.h other/ *ust 'e.ause t+o ives had deveoped on different
tra.1s///
!e shoo1 his head sharpy> o'sessed 'y the +onder and pity of ife///
!e turned to Margery and said genty> JWe had 'etter go upstairs
and see her/J
They found Cayton sitting in the itte +or1roo) +here she se+ed/
She did not turn her head as they .a)e in for a reason that Mr
Satterth+aite soon found out/
J!eart faiure>J he )ur)ured> as he tou.hed the .od rigid shouder/
JPerhaps it is 'est that +ay/J
Chapter O
T!( FAC( <F !(#(0
Mr Satterth+aite +as at the <pera and sat aone in his 'ig 'oB on the
first foor/ <utside the door +as a printed .ard 'earing his na)e/ An
appre.iator and a .onnoisseur of a the arts> Mr Satterth+aite +as
espe.iay fond of good )usi.> and +as a reguar su's.ri'er to
Covent ,arden every year> reserving a 'oB for Tuesdays and Fridays
throughout the season/
%ut it +as not often that he sat in it aone/ !e +as a gregarious itte
gente)an> and he i1ed fiing his 'oB +ith the eite of the great +ord
to +hi.h he 'eonged> and aso +ith the aristo.ra.y of the artisti.
+ord in +hi.h he +as e8uay at ho)e/ !e +as aone tonight
'e.ause a Countess had disappointed hi)/ The Countess> 'esides
'eing a 'eautifu and .ee'rated +o)an> +as aso a good )other/
!er .hidren had 'een atta.1ed 'y that .o))on and distressing
disease> the )u)ps> and the Countess re)ained at ho)e in tearfu
.onfa'uation +ith eB8uisitey star.hed nurses/ !er hus'and> +ho
had suppied her +ith the afore)entioned .hidren and a tite> 'ut
+ho +as other+ise a .o)pete nonentity> had sei?ed at the .han.e
to es.ape/ 0othing 'ored hi) )ore than )usi./
So Mr Satterth+aite sat aone/ Cavaier &usti.ate and Pagia..i +ere
'eing given that night> and sin.e the first had never appeaed to hi)>
he arrived Dust after the .urtain +ent do+n> on Santu??a"s death
agony> in ti)e to gan.e round the house +ith pra.tised eyes> 'efore
everyone strea)ed out> 'ent on paying visits or fighting for .offee or
e)onade/ Mr Satterth+aite adDusted his opera gasses> oo1ed
round the house> )ar1ed do+n his prey and saied forth +ith a +e
)apped out pan of .a)paign ahead of hi)/ A pan> ho+ever> +hi.h
he did not put into eBe.ution> for Dust outside his 'oB he .annoned
into a ta dar1 )an> and re.ognised hi) +ith a peasura'e thri of
eB.ite)ent/
JMr 4uin>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite/
!e sei?ed his friend +ar)y 'y the hand> .ut.hing hi) as though he
feared any )inute to see hi) vanish into thin air/
J@ou )ust share )y 'oB>J said Mr Satterth+aite deter)inedy/ J@ou
are not +ith a partyAJ
J0o> I a) sitting 'y )ysef in the stas>J responded Mr 4uin +ith a
s)ie/
JThen> that is setted>J said Mr Satterth+aite +ith a sigh of reief/
!is )anner +as a)ost .o)i.> had there 'een anyone to o'serve it/
J@ou are very 1ind>J said Mr 4uin/
J0ot at a/ It is a peasure/ I didn"t 1no+ you +ere fond of )usi.AJ
JThere are reasons +hy I a) attra.ted to ; Pagia..i/J
JAhG <f .ourse>J said Mr Satterth+aite> nodding sapienty> though> if
put to it> he +oud have found it hard to eBpain Dust +hy he had used
that eBpression/ J<f .ourse> you +oud 'e/J
They +ent 'a.1 to the 'oB at the first su))ons of the 'e> and
eaning over the front of it> they +at.hed the peope returning to the
stas/
JThat"s a 'eautifu head>J o'served Mr Satterth+aite suddeny/
!e indi.ated +ith his gasses a spot i))ediatey 'eneath the) in the
stas .ir.e/ A gir sat there +hose fa.e they .oud not see ; ony the
pure god of her hair that fitted +ith the .oseness of a .ap ti it
)erged into the +hite ne.1/
JA ,ree1 head>J said Mr Satterth+aite reverenty/ JPure ,ree1/J !e
sighed happiy/ JIt"s a re)ar1a'e thing +hen you .o)e to thin1 of it ;
ho+ very fe+ peope have hair that fits the)/ It"s )ore noti.ea'e
no+ that everyone is shinged/J
J@ou are so o'servant>J said Mr 4uin/
JI see things>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite/ JI do see things/ For
instan.e> I pi.1ed out that head at on.e/ We )ust have a oo1 at her
fa.e sooner or ater/ %ut it +on"t )at.h> I") sure/ That +oud 'e a
.han.e in a thousand/J
A)ost as the +ords eft his ips> the ights fi.1ered and +ent do+n>
the sharp rap of the .ondu.tor"s 'aton +as heard> and the opera
'egan/ A ne+ tenor> said to 'e a se.ond Caruso> +as singing that
night/ !e had 'een referred to 'y the ne+spapers as a *ugosav> a
C?e.h> an A'anian> a Magyar> and a %ugarian> +ith a 'eautifu
i)partiaity/ !e had given an eBtraordinary .on.ert at the A'ert !a>
a progra))e of the fo1 songs of his native his> +ith a spe.iay
tuned or.hestra/ They +ere in strange haf;tones and the +oud;'e
)usi.a had pronoun.ed the) Jtoo )arveous/J &ea )usi.ians had
reserved Dudg)ent> reaising that the ear had to 'e spe.iay trained
and attuned 'efore any .riti.is) +as possi'e/ It +as 8uite a reief to
so)e peope to find this evening that @oas.h'i) .oud sing in
ordinary Itaian +ith a the traditiona so's and 8uivers/
The .urtain +ent do+n on the first a.t and appause 'urst out
vo.iferousy/ Mr Satterth+aite turned to Mr 4uin/ !e reaised that the
atter +as +aiting for hi) to pronoun.e Dudg)ent> and pu)ed
hi)sef a itte/ After a> he 1ne+/ As a .riti. he +as +e;nigh
infai'e/ 7ery so+y he nodded his head/ JIt is the rea thing>J he
said/
J@ou thin1 soAJ
JAs fine a voi.e as Caruso"s/ Peope +i not re.ognise that it is so at
first> for his te.hni8ue is not yet perfe.t/ There are ragged edges> a
a.1 of .ertainty in the atta.1/ %ut the voi.e is there ; )agnifi.ent/J
JI +ent to his .on.ert at the A'ert !a>J said Mr 4uin/
J$id youA I .oud not go/J
J!e )ade a +onderfu hit +ith a Shepherd"s Song/J
JI read a'out it>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThe refrain ends ea.h ti)e
+ith a high note ; a 1ind of .ry/ A note )id+ay 'et+een A and % fat/
7ery .urious/J
@oas.h'i) had ta1en three .as> 'o+ing and s)iing/ The ights
+ent up and the peope 'egan to fie out/ Mr Satterth+aite eant over
to +at.h the gir +ith the goden head/ She rose> adDusted her s.arf>
and turned/
Mr Satterth+aite .aught his 'reath/ There +ere> he 1ne+> su.h fa.es
in the +ord ; fa.es that )ade history/
The gir )oved to the gang+ay> her .o)panion> a young )an> 'eside
her/ And Mr Satterth+aite noti.ed ho+ every )an in the vi.inity
oo1ed ; and .ontinued to oo1 .overty/
J%eautyGJ said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JThere is su.h a thing/
0ot .har)> nor attra.tion> nor )agnetis)> nor any of the things +e
ta1 a'out so gi'y ; Dust sheer 'eauty/ The shape of a fa.e> the ine
of an eye'ro+> the .urve of a Da+/ !e 8uoted softy under his 'reath>
JThe fa.e that aun.hed a thousand ships/J And for the first ti)e he
reaised the )eaning of those +ords/
!e gan.ed a.ross at Mr 4uin> +ho +as +at.hing hi) in +hat
see)ed su.h perfe.t .o)prehension that Mr Satterth+aite fet there
+as no need for +ords/
JI"ve a+ays +ondered>J he said si)py> J+hat su.h +o)en +ere
reay i1e/J
J@ou )eanAJ
JThe !eens> the Ceopatras> the Mary Stuarts/J
Mr 4uin nodded thoughtfuy/
JIf +e go out>J he suggested> J+e )ay see/J
They +ent out together> and their 8uest +as su..essfu/ The pair
they +ere in sear.h of +ere seated on a ounge haf;+ay up the
stair.ase/ For the first ti)e> Mr Satterth+aite noted the gir"s
.o)panion> a dar1 young )an> not handso)e> 'ut +ith a suggestion
of restess fire a'out hi)/ A fa.e fu of strange anges ; Dutting
.hee1;'ones> a for.efu> sighty .roo1ed Da+> deep;set eyes that
+ere .uriousy ight under the dar1> overhanging 'ro+s/
JAn interesting fa.e>J said Mr Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JA rea fa.e/
It )eans so)ething/J
The young )an +as eaning for+ard ta1ing earnesty/ The gir +as
istening/ 0either of the) 'eonged to Mr Satterth+aite"s +ord/ !e
too1 the) to 'e of the JArtyJ .ass/ The gir +ore a rather shapeess
gar)ent of .heap green si1/ !er shoes +ere of soied> +hite satin/
The young )an +ore his evening .othes +ith an air of 'eing
un.o)forta'e in the)/
The t+o )en passed and re;passed severa ti)es/ The fourth ti)e
they did so> the .oupe had 'een Doined 'y a third ; a fair young )an
+ith a suggestion of the .er1 a'out hi)/ With his .o)ing a .ertain
tension had set in/ The ne+.o)er +as fidgetting +ith his tie and
see)ed i at ease> the gir"s 'eautifu fa.e +as turned gravey up
to+ards hi)> and her .o)panion +as s.o+ing furiousy/
JThe usua story>J said Mr 4uin very softy> as they passed/
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite +ith a sigh/ JIt"s inevita'e> I suppose/
The snaring of t+o dogs over a 'one/ It a+ays has 'een> it a+ays
+i 'e/ And yet> one .oud +ish for so)ething different/ %eauty ;J he
stopped/ %eauty> to Mr Satterth+aite> )eant so)ething very
+onderfu/ !e found it diffi.ut to spea1 of it/ !e oo1ed at Mr 4uin>
+ho nodded his head gravey in understanding/
They +ent 'a.1 to their seats for the se.ond a.t/
At the .ose of the perfor)an.e> Mr Satterth+aite turned eagery to
his friend/
JIt is a +et night/ My .ar is here/ @ou )ust ao+ )e to drive you ; er ;
so)e+here/J
The ast +ord +as Mr Satterth+aite"s dei.a.y .o)ing into pay/ JTo
drive you ho)eJ +oud> he fet> have savoured of .uriosity/ Mr 4uin
had a+ays 'een singuary reti.ent/ It +as eBtraordinary ho+ itte
Mr Satterth+aite 1ne+ a'out hi)/
J%ut perhaps>J .ontinued the itte )an> Jyou have your o+n .ar
+aitingAJ
J0o>J said Mr 4uin> JI have no .ar +aiting/J
JThen ;J
%ut Mr 4uin shoo1 his head/
J@ou are )ost 1ind>J he said> J'ut I prefer to go )y o+n +ay/
%esides>J he said +ith a rather .urious s)ie> Jif anything shoud
happen> it +i 'e for you to a.t/ ,oodnight> and than1 you/ <n.e
again +e have seen the dra)a together/J
!e had gone so 8ui.1y that Mr Satterth+aite had no ti)e to protest>
'ut he +as eft +ith a faint uneasiness stirring in his )ind/ To +hat
dra)a did Mr 4uin referA Pagia..i or anotherA
Masters> Mr Satterth+aite"s .hauffeur> +as in the ha'it of +aiting in a
side street/ !is )aster disi1ed the ong deay +hie the .ars dre+ up
in turn 'efore the <pera house/ 0o+> as on previous o..asions> he
+a1ed rapidy round the .orner and aong the street to+ards +here
he 1ne+ he shoud find Masters a+aiting hi)/ *ust in front of hi)
+ere a gir and a )an> and even as he re.ognised the)> another )an
Doined the)/
It a 'ro1e out in a )inute/ A )an"s voi.e> angriy upifted/ Another
)an"s voi.e in inDured protest/ And then the s.uffe/ %o+s> angry
'reathing> )ore 'o+s> the for) of a poi.e)an appearing
)aDesti.ay fro) no+here ; and in another )inute Mr Satterth+aite
+as 'eside the gir +here she shran1 'a.1 against the +a/
JAo+ )e>J he said/ J@ou )ust not stay here/J
!e too1 her 'y the ar) and )arshaed her s+ifty do+n the street/
<n.e she oo1ed 'a.1/
J<ughtn"t I ;AJ she 'egan un.ertainy/
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head/
JIt +oud 'e very unpeasant for you to 'e )iBed up in it/ @ou +oud
pro'a'y 'e as1ed to go aong to the poi.e station +ith the)/ I a)
sure neither of your friends +oud +ish that/J
!e stopped/
JThis is )y .ar/ If you +i ao+ )e to do so> I sha have )u.h
peasure in driving you ho)e/J
The gir oo1ed at hi) sear.hingy/ The staid respe.ta'iity of Mr
Satterth+aite i)pressed her favoura'y/ She 'ent her head/
JThan1 you>J she said> and got into the .ar> the door of +hi.h
Masters +as hoding open/
In repy to a 8uestion fro) Mr Satterth+aite> she gave an address in
Chesea> and he got in 'eside her/
The gir +as upset and not in the )ood for ta1ing> and Mr
Satterth+aite +as too ta.tfu to intrude upon her thoughts/
Presenty> ho+ever> she turned to hi) and spo1e of her o+n a..ord/
JI +ish>J she said pettishy> Jpeope +oudn"t 'e so siy/J
JIt is a nuisan.e>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite/
!is )atter;of;fa.t )anner put her at her ease> and she +ent on as
though feeing the need of .onfiding in so)eone/
JIt +asn"t as though ; I )ean> +e> it +as i1e this Mr (astney and I
have 'een friends for a ong ti)e ; ever sin.e I .a)e to #ondon/ !e"s
ta1en no end of trou'e a'out )y voi.e> and got )e so)e very good
introdu.tions> and he"s 'een )ore 1ind to )e than I .an say/ !e"s
a'soutey )usi. )ad/ It +as very good of hi) to ta1e )e tonight/ I")
sure he .an"t reay afford it/ And then Mr %urns .a)e up and spo1e
to us ; 8uite ni.ey> I") sure> and Phi 9Mr (astney: got su1y a'out it/
I don"t 1no+ +hy he shoud/ It"s a free .ountry> I") sure/ And Mr
%urns is a+ays peasant> and good;te)pered/ Then Dust as +e +ere
+a1ing to the Tu'e> he .a)e up and Doined us> and he hadn"t so
)u.h as said t+o +ords 'efore Phiip fe+ out at hi) i1e a )ad)an/
And ; <hG I don"t i1e it/J
J$on"t youAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite very softy/
She 'ushed> 'ut very itte/ There +as none of the .ons.ious siren
a'out her/ A .ertain )easure of peasura'e eB.ite)ent in 'eing
fought for there )ust 'e ; that +as ony nature> 'ut Mr Satterth+aite
de.ided that a +orried perpeBity ay upper)ost> and he had the .ue
to it in another )o)ent +hen she o'served in.onse8uenty> JI do
hope he hasn"t hurt hi)/J
J0o+ +hi.h is "hi)"AJ thought Mr Satterth+aite> s)iing to hi)sef in
the dar1ness/ !e 'a.1ed his o+n Dudg)ent and said> J@ou hope Mr ;
er ; (astney hasn"t hurt Mr %urnsAJ
She nodded/
J@es> that"s +hat I said/ It see)s so dreadfu/ I +ish I 1ne+/J
The .ar +as dra+ing up/
JAre you on the teephoneAJ he as1ed/
J@es/J
JIf you i1e> I +i find out eBa.ty +hat has happened> and then
teephone to you/J
The gir"s fa.e 'rightened/
J<h> that +oud 'e very 1ind of you/ Are you sure it"s not too )u.h
'otherAJ
J0ot in the east/J
She than1ed hi) again and gave hi) her teephone nu)'er> adding
+ith a tou.h of shyness> JMy na)e is ,iian West/J
As he +as driven through the night> 'ound on his errand> a .urious
s)ie .a)e to Mr Satterth+aite"s ips/
!e thought> JSo that is a it is/// The shape of a fa.e> the .urve of a
Da+GJ
%ut he fufied his pro)ise/
II
The foo+ing Sunday afternoon Mr Satterth+aite +ent to -e+
,ardens to ad)ire the rhododendrons/ 7ery ong ago 9in.redi'y
ong ago> it see)ed to Mr Satterth+aite: he had driven do+n to -e+
,ardens +ith a .ertain young ady to see the 'ue'es/ Mr
Satterth+aite had arranged very .arefuy 'eforehand in his o+n
)ind eBa.ty +hat he +as going to say> and the pre.ise +ords he
+oud use in as1ing the young ady for her hand in )arriage/ !e +as
Dust .onning the) over in his )ind> and responding to her raptures
a'out the 'ue'es a itte a'sent;)indedy> +hen the sho.1 .a)e/
The young ady stopped eB.ai)ing at the 'ue'es and suddeny
.onfided in Mr Satterth+aite 9as a true friend: her ove for another/
Mr Satterth+aite put a+ay the itte set spee.h he had prepared> and
hastiy ru))aged for sy)pathy and friendship in the 'otto) dra+er
of his )ind/
Su.h +as Mr Satterth+aite"s ro)an.e ; a rather tepid eary 7i.torian
one> 'ut it had eft hi) +ith a ro)anti. atta.h)ent to -e+ ,ardens>
and he +oud often go there to see the 'ue'es> or> if he had 'een
a'road ater than usua> the rhododendrons> and +oud sigh to
hi)sef> and fee rather senti)enta> and reay enDoy hi)sef very
)u.h indeed in an od;fashioned> ro)anti. +ay/
This parti.uar afternoon he +as stroing 'a.1 past the tea houses
+hen he re.ognised a .oupe sitting at one of the s)a ta'es on the
grass/ They +ere ,iian West and the fair young )an> and at that
sa)e )o)ent they re.ognised hi)/ !e sa+ the gir fush and spea1
eagery to her .o)panion/ In another )inute he +as sha1ing hands
+ith the) 'oth in his .orre.t> rather pri) fashion> and had a..epted
the shy invitation proffered hi) to have tea +ith the)/ JI .an"t te
you> sir>J said Mr %urns> Jho+ gratefu I a) to you for oo1ing after
,iian the other night/ She tod )e a a'out it/J
J@es> indeed>J said the gir/ JIt +as ever so 1ind of you/J
Mr Satterth+aite fet peased and interested in the pair/
Their na/vete and sin.erity tou.hed hi)/ Aso> it +as to hi) a peep
into a +ord +ith +hi.h he +as not +e a.8uainted/
These peope +ere of a .ass un1no+n to hi)/
In his itte dried;up +ay> Mr Satterth+aite .oud 'e very
sy)patheti./ 7ery soon he +as hearing a a'out his ne+ friends/ !e
noted that Mr %urns had 'e.o)e Charie> and he +as not
unprepared for the state)ent that the t+o +ere engaged/
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Mr %urns +ith refreshing .andour> Jit Dust
happened this afternoon> didn"t it> ,iAJ
%urns +as a .er1 in a shipping fir)/ !e +as )a1ing a fair saary>
had a itte )oney of his o+n> and the t+o proposed to 'e )arried
8uite soon/
Mr Satterth+aite istened> and nodded> and .ongratuated/
JAn ordinary young )an>J he thought to hi)sef> Ja very ordinary
young )an/ 0i.e> straightfor+ard young .hap> penty to say for
hi)sef> good opinion of hi)sef +ithout 'eing .on.eited> ni.eoo1ing
+ithout 'eing unduy handso)e/ 0othing re)ar1a'e a'out
hi) and +i never set the Tha)es on fire/ And the gir oves hi)///J
Aoud he said> JAnd Mr (astney ;J
!e purposey 'ro1e off> 'ut he had said enough to produ.e an effe.t
for +hi.h he +as not unprepared/ Charie %urns"s fa.e dar1ened>
and ,iian oo1ed trou'ed/ More than trou'ed> he thought/ She
oo1ed afraid/
JI don"t i1e it>J she said in a o+ voi.e/ !er +ords +ere addressed to
Mr Satterth+aite> as though she 1ne+ 'y instin.t that he +oud
understand a feeing in.o)prehensi'e to her over/ J@ou see ; he"s
done a ot for )e/ !e"s en.ouraged )e to ta1e up singing> and ; and
heped )e +ith it/ %ut I"ve 1no+n a the ti)e that )y voi.e +asn"t
reay good ; not first;.ass/ <f .ourse> I"ve had engage)ents ;J
She stopped/
J@ou"ve had a 'it of trou'e too>J said %urns/ JA gir +ants so)eone
to oo1 after her/ ,iian"s had a ot of unpeasantness> Mr
Satterth+aite/ Atogether she"s had a ot of unpeasantness/ She"s a
good;oo1er> as you .an see> and ; +e> that often eads to trou'e
for a gir/J
%et+een the)> Mr Satterth+aite 'e.a)e enightened as to various
happenings +hi.h +ere vaguey .assed 'y %urns under the heading
of unpeasantness/ A young )an +ho had shot hi)sef> the
eBtraordinary .ondu.t of a %an1 Manager 9+ho +as a )arried )anG:
a vioent stranger 9+ho )ust have 'een 'a)yG: the +id 'ehaviour of
an edery artist/ A trai of vioen.e and tragedy that ,iian West had
eft in her +a1e> re.ited in the .o))onpa.e tones of Chares %urns/
JAnd it"s )y opinion>J he ended> Jthat this feo+ (astney is a 'it
.ra.1ed/ ,iian +oud have had trou'e +ith hi) if I hadn"t turned up
to oo1 after her/J
!is augh sounded a itte fatuous to Mr Satterth+aite> and no
responsive s)ie .a)e to the gir"s fa.e/ She +as oo1ing earnesty
at Mr Satterth+aite/
JPhi"s a right>J she said so+y/ J!e .ares for )e> I 1no+> and I .are
for hi) i1e a friend ; 'ut ; 'ut not anything )ore/ I don"t 1no+ ho+
he" ta1e the ne+s a'out Charie> I") sure/ !e ; I") so afraid he" 'e ;
J
She stopped> inarti.uate in fa.e of the dangers she vaguey sensed/
JIf I .an hep you in any +ay>J said Mr Satterth+aite +ar)y> Jpray
.o))and )e/J
!e fan.ied Charie %urns oo1ed vaguey resentfu> 'ut ,iian said at
on.e> JThan1 you/J
Mr Satterth+aite eft his ne+ friends after having pro)ised to ta1e
tea +ith ,iian on the foo+ing Thursday/
When Thursday .a)e> Mr Satterth+aite fet a itte thri of
peasura'e anti.ipation/ !e thought> JI") an od )an ; 'ut not too
od to 'e thried 'y a fa.e/ A fa.e///J Then he shoo1 his head +ith a
sense of fore'oding/
,iian +as aone/ Charie %urns +as to .o)e in ater/ She oo1ed
)u.h happier> Mr Satterth+aite thought> as though a oad had 'een
ifted fro) her )ind/ Indeed> she fran1y ad)itted as )u.h/
JI dreaded teing Phi a'out Chares/ It +as siy of )e/ I ought to
have 1no+n Phi 'etter/ !e +as upset> of .ourse> 'ut no one .oud
have 'een s+eeter/ &eay s+eet he +as/ #oo1 +hat he sent )e this
)orning ; a +edding present/ Isn"t it )agnifi.entAJ
It +as indeed rather )agnifi.ent for a young )an in Phiip (astney"s
.ir.u)stan.es/ A four;vave +ireess set> of the atest type/
JWe 'oth ove )usi. so )u.h> you see>J eBpained the gir/ JPhi said
that +hen I +as istening to a .on.ert on this> I shoud a+ays thin1 of
hi) a itte/ And I") sure I sha/ %e.ause +e have 'een su.h
friends/J
J@ou )ust 'e proud of your friend>J said Mr Satterth+aite genty/ J!e
see)s to have ta1en the 'o+ i1e a true sports)an/J
,iian nodded/ !e sa+ the 8ui.1 tears .o)e into her eyes/
J!e as1ed )e to do one thing for hi)/ Tonight is the anniversary of
the day +e first )et/ !e as1ed )e if I +oud stay at ho)e 8uiety this
evening and isten to the +ireess progra))e ; not to go out +ith
Charie any+here/ I said> of .ourse I +oud> and that I +as very
tou.hed> and that I +oud thin1 of hi) +ith a ot of gratitude and
affe.tion/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded> 'ut he +as pu??ed/ !e +as sedo) at faut
in his deineation of .hara.ter> and he +oud have Dudged Phiip
(astney 8uite in.apa'e of su.h a senti)enta re8uest/ The young
)an )ust 'e of a )ore 'ana order than he supposed/ ,iian
evidenty thought the idea 8uite in 1eeping +ith her reDe.ted over"s
.hara.ter/ Mr Satterth+aite +as a itte ; Dust a itte ; disappointed/
!e +as senti)enta hi)sef> and 1ne+ it> 'ut he eBpe.ted 'etter
things of the rest of the +ord/ %esides> senti)ent 'eonged to his
age/ It had no part to pay in the )odern +ord/
!e as1ed ,iian to sing and she .o)pied/ !e tod her her voi.e +as
.har)ing> 'ut he 1ne+ 8uite +e in his o+n )ind that it +as
distin.ty se.ond .ass/ Any su..ess that .oud have .o)e to her in
the profession she had adopted +oud have 'een +on 'y her fa.e>
not her voi.e/
!e +as not parti.uary anBious to see young %urns again> so
presenty he rose to go/ It +as at that )o)ent that his attention +as
attra.ted 'y an orna)ent on the )antepie.e +hi.h stood out a)ong
the other rather gi).ra.1 o'De.ts i1e a De+e on a dust heap/
It +as a .urving 'ea1er of thin green gass> ong;ste))ed and
gra.efu> and poised on the edge of it +as +hat oo1ed i1e a giganti.
soap;'u''e> a 'a of irides.ent gass/ ,iian noti.ed his a'sorption/
JThat"s an eBtra +edding present fro) Phi/ It"s rather pretty> I thin1/
!e +or1s in a sort of gass fa.tory/J
JIt is a 'eautifu thing>J said Mr Satterth+aite reverenty/
JThe gass 'o+ers of Murano )ight have 'een proud of that/J
!e +ent a+ay +ith his interest in Phiip (astney strangey
sti)uated/ An eBtraordinariy interesting young )an/ And yet the gir
+ith the +onderfu fa.e preferred Charie %urns/ What a strange and
ins.ruta'e universeG
It had Dust o..urred to Mr Satterth+aite that> o+ing to the
re)ar1a'e 'eauty of ,iian West> his evening +ith Mr 4uin had
so)eho+ )issed fire/ As a rue> every )eeting +ith that )ysterious
individua had resuted in so)e strange and unforeseen happening/
It +as +ith the hope of perhaps running against the )an of )ystery
that Mr Satterth+aite 'ent his steps to+ards the Are..hino
&estaurant +here on.e> in the days gone 'y> he had )et Mr 4uin>
and +hi.h Mr 4uin had said he often fre8uented/
Mr Satterth+aite +ent fro) roo) to roo) at the Are..hino> oo1ing
hopefuy a'out hi)> 'ut there +as no sign of Mr 4uin"s dar1> s)iing
fa.e/ There +as> ho+ever> so)e'ody ese/ Sitting at a s)a ta'e
aone +as Phiip (astney/
The pa.e +as .ro+ded and Mr Satterth+aite too1 his seat opposite
the young )an/ !e fet a sudden strange sense of eButation> as
though he +ere .aught up and )ade part of a shi))ering pattern of
events/ !e +as in this thing ; +hatever it +as/ !e 1ne+ no+ +hat Mr
4uin had )eant that evening at the <pera/ There +as a dra)a going
on> and in it +as a part> an i)portant part> for Mr Satterth+aite/ !e
)ust not fai to ta1e his .ue and spea1 his ines/
!e sat do+n opposite Phiip (astney +ith the sense of a..o)pishing
the inevita'e/ It +as easy enough to get into .onversation/ (astney
see)ed anBious to ta1/ Mr Satterth+aite +as> as a+ays> an
en.ouraging and sy)patheti. istener/ They ta1ed of the +ar> of
eBposives> of poison gases/ (astney had a ot to say a'out these
ast> for during the greater part of the +ar he had 'een engaged in
their )anufa.ture/ Mr Satterth+aite found hi) reay interesting/
There +as one gas> (astney said> that had never 'een tried/ The
Ar)isti.e had .o)e too soon/ ,reat things had 'een hoped for it/
<ne +hiff of it +as deady/ !e +ar)ed to ani)ation as he spo1e/
!aving 'ro1en the i.e> Mr Satterth+aite genty turned the
.onversation to )usi./ (astney"s thin fa.e it up/ !e spo1e +ith the
passion and a'andon of the rea )usi. over/ They dis.ussed
@oas.h'i)> and the young )an +as enthusiasti./ %oth he and Mr
Satterth+aite agreed that nothing on earth .oud surpass a reay
fine tenor voi.e/ (astney as a 'oy had heard Caruso and he had
never forgotten it/
J$o you 1no+ that he .oud sing to a +ine;gass and shatter itAJ he
de)anded/
JI a+ays thought that +as a fa'e>J said Mr Satterth+aite s)iing/
J0o> it"s gospe truth> I 'eieve/ The thing"s 8uite possi'e/ It"s a
8uestion of resonan.e/J
!e +ent off into te.hni.a detais/ !is fa.e +as fushed and his eyes
shone/ The su'De.t see)ed to fas.inate hi)> and Mr Satterth+aite
noted that he see)ed to have a thorough grasp of +hat he +as
ta1ing a'out/ The eder )an reaised that he +as ta1ing to an
eB.eptiona 'rain> a 'rain that )ight a)ost 'e des.ri'ed as that of a
genius/ %riiant> errati.> unde.ided as yet as to the true .hanne to
give it outet> 'ut undou'tedy genius/
And he thought of Charie %urns and +ondered at ,iian West/
It +as +ith 8uite a start that he reaised ho+ ate it +as getting> and
he .aed for his 'i/ (astney oo1ed sighty apoogeti./
JI") asha)ed of )ysef ; running on so>J he said/ J%ut it +as a u.1y
.han.e sent you aong here tonight/ I ; I needed so)eone to ta1 to
this evening/J
!e ended his spee.h +ith a .urious itte augh/ !is eyes +ere sti
'a?ing +ith so)e su'dued eB.ite)ent/ @et there +as so)ething
tragi. a'out hi)/
JIt has 'een 8uite a peasure>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J<ur
.onversation has 'een )ost interesting and instru.tive to )e/J
!e then )ade his funny> .ourteous itte 'o+ and passed out of the
restaurant/ The night +as a +ar) one and as he +a1ed so+y do+n
the street a very odd fan.y .a)e to hi)/ !e had the feeing that he
+as not aone ; that so)eone +as +a1ing 'y his side/ In vain he tod
hi)sef that the idea +as a deusion ; it persisted/ So)eone +as
+a1ing 'eside hi) do+n that dar1> 8uiet street> so)eone +ho) he
.oud not see/ !e +ondered +hat it +as that 'rought the figure of Mr
4uin so .eary 'efore his )ind/ !e fet eBa.ty as though Mr 4uin
+ere there +a1ing 'eside hi)> and yet he had ony to use his eyes to
assure hi)sef that it +as not so> that he +as aone/
%ut the thought of Mr 4uin persisted> and +ith it .a)e so)ething
ese ; a need> an urgen.y of so)e 1ind> an oppressive fore'oding of
.aa)ity/ There +as so)ething he )ust do ; and do 8ui.1y/ There
+as so)ething very +rong> and it ay in his hands to put it right/
So strong +as the feeing that Mr Satterth+aite fore'ore to fight
against it/ Instead> he shut his eyes and tried to 'ring that )enta
i)age of Mr 4uin nearer/ If he .oud ony have as1ed Mr 4uin ; 'ut
even as the thought fashed through his )ind he 1ne+ it +as +rong/
It +as never any use as1ing Mr 4uin anything/ JThe threads are a in
your hands ;J that +as the 1ind of thing Mr 4uin +oud say/
The threads/ Threads of +hatA !e anaysed his o+n feeing and
i)pressions .arefuy/ That presenti)ent of danger> no+/ Who) did
it threatenA
At on.e a pi.ture rose up 'efore his eyes> the pi.ture of ,iian West
sitting aone istening to the +ireess/
Mr Satterth+aite fung a penny to a passing ne+spaper 'oy> and
snat.hed at a paper/ !e turned at on.e to the #ondon &adio
progra))e/ @oas.h'i) +as 'road.asting tonight> he noted +ith
interest/ !e +as singing JSave $i)ora>J fro) Faust and> after+ards>
a see.tion of his fo1 songs> JThe Shepherd"s Song>J JThe Fish>J
JThe #itte $eer>J et./
Mr Satterth+aite .ru)ped the paper together/ The 1no+edge of
+hat ,iian +as istening to see)ed to )a1e the pi.ture of her
.earer/
Sitting there aone///
An odd re8uest> that> of Phiip (astney"s/ 0ot i1e the )an> not i1e
hi) at a/ There +as no senti)entaity in (astney/ !e +as a )an of
vioent feeing> a dangerous )an> perhaps ;
Again his thought 'rought up +ith a Der1/ A dangerous )an ; that
)eant so)ething/ JThe threads are a in your hands/J That )eeting
+ith Phiip (astney tonight ; rather odd/ A u.1y .han.e> (astney had
said/ Was it .han.eA <r +as it part of that inter+oven design of
+hi.h Mr Satterth+aite had on.e or t+i.e 'een .ons.ious this
eveningA
!e .ast his )ind 'a.1/ There )ust 'e so)ething in (astney"s
.onversation> so)e .ue there/ There )ust> or ese +hy this strange
feeing of urgen.yA What had he ta1ed a'outA Singing> +ar +or1>
Caruso/
Caruso ; Mr Satterth+aite"s thoughts +ent off at a tangent/
@oas.h'i)"s voi.e +as very neary e8ua to that of Caruso/ ,iian
+oud 'e sitting istening to it no+ as it rang out true and po+erfu>
e.hoing round the roo)> setting gasses ringing ;
!e .aught his 'reath/ ,asses ringingG Caruso> singing to a +inegass
and the +ine;gass 'rea1ing/ @oas.h'i) singing in the #ondon
studio and in a roo) over a )ie a+ay the .rash and tin1e of gass ;
not a +ine gass> a thin> green> gass 'ea1er/ A .rysta soap 'u''e
faing> a soap 'u''e that perhaps +as not e)pty///
It +as at that )o)ent that Mr Satterth+aite> as Dudged 'y passers'y>
suddeny +ent )ad/ !e tore open the ne+spaper on.e )ore>
too1 a 'rief gan.e at the +ireess announ.e)ents and then 'egan to
run for his ife do+n the 8uiet street/ At the end of it he found a
.ra+ing taBi> and Du)ping into it> he yeed an address to the driver
and the infor)ation that it +as ife or death to get there 8ui.1y/ The
driver> Dudging hi) )entay affi.ted 'ut ri.h> did his ut)ost/
Mr Satterth+aite ay 'a.1> his head a Du)'e of frag)entary
thoughts> forgotten 'its of s.ien.e earned at s.hoo> phrases used
'y (astney that night/ &esonan.e ; natura periods ; if the period of
the for.e .oin.ides +ith the natura period ; there +as so)ething
a'out a suspension 'ridge> sodiers )ar.hing over it and the s+ing
of their stride 'eing the sa)e as the period of the 'ridge/ (astney
had studied the su'De.t/ (astney 1ne+/ And (astney +as a genius/
At 16/4F @oas.h'i) +as to 'road.ast/ It +as that no+/ @es> 'ut the
Faust had to .o)e first/ It +as the JShepherd"s Song>J +ith the great
shout after the refrain that +oud ; that +oud ; do +hatA
!is )ind +ent +hiring round again/ Tones> overtones> haf;tones/ !e
didn"t 1no+ )u.h a'out these things ; 'ut (astney 1ne+/ Pray
heaven he +oud 'e in ti)eG
The taBi stopped/ Mr Satterth+aite fung hi)sef out and> ra.ed up
the stone stairs to a se.ond foor i1e a young athete/ The door of the
fat +as aDar/ !e pushed it open and the great tenor voi.e +e.o)ed
hi)/ The +ords of the JShepherd"s SongJ +ere fa)iiar to hi) in a
ess un.onventiona setting/
JShepherd> see thy horse"s fo+ing )ain ;J
!e +as in ti)e then/ !e 'urst open the sitting;roo) door/ ,iian +as
sitting there in a ta .hair 'y the firepa.e
J%ayra Mis.ha"s daughter is to +ed today ; To the +edding I )ust
haste a+ay/J
She )ust have thought hi) )ad/ !e .ut.hed at her> .rying out
so)ething in.o)prehensi'e> and haf pued> haf dragged her out
ti they stood upon the stair+ay/
JTo the +edding I )ust haste a+ay ; @ahaGJ
A +onderfu high note> fu;throated> po+erfu> hit fu in> the )idde>
a note any singer )ight 'e proud of/ And +ith it another sound> the
faint tin1e of 'ro1en gass/
A stray .at darted past the) and in through the fat door ;
,iian )ade a )ove)ent> 'ut Mr Satterth+aite hed her 'a.1>
spea1ing in.oherenty/
J0o> no ; it"s deady ; no s)e> nothing to +arn you/ A )ere +hiff> and
it"s a over/ 0o'ody 1no+s 8uite ho+ deady it +oud 'e/ It"s uni1e
anything that"s ever 'een tried 'efore/J
!e +as repeating the things that Phiip (aster had tod hi) over the
ta'e at dinner/
,iian stared at hi) un.o)prehendingy/
III
Phiip (astney dre+ out his +at.h and oo1ed at it/ It +as Dust hafpast
eeven/ For the past three;8uarters of an hour he had 'een
pa.ing up and do+n the ()'an1)ent/ !e oo1ed out over the
Tha)es and then turned ; to oo1 into the fa.e of his dinner
.o)panion/
JThat"s odd>J he said> and aughed/ JWe see) fated to run into ea.h
other tonight/J
JIf you .a it Fate/J said Mr Satterth+aite/
Phiip (astney oo1ed at hi) )ore attentivey and his o+n eBpression
.hanged/
J@esAJ he said 8uiety/
Mr Satterth+aite +ent straight to the point
JI have Dust .o)e fro) Miss West"s fat/J
J@esAJ
The sa)e voi.e> +ith the sa)e deady 8uiet/
JWe have ta1en a dead .at out of it/J
There +as sien.e> then (astney said> JWho are youAJ
Mr Satterth+aite spo1e for so)e ti)e/ !e re.ited the +hoe history
of events/
JSo you see> I +as in ti)e>J he ended up/ !e paused and added 8uite
genty> J!ave you anything;to sayAJ
!e eBpe.ted so)ething> so)e out'urst> so)e +id Dustifi.ation/ %ut
nothing .a)e/
J0o>J said Phiip (astney 8uiety> and turned on his hee and +a1ed
a+ay/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed after hi) ti his figure +as s+ao+ed up in
the goo)/ In spite of hi)sef> he had a strange feo+;feeing for
(astney> the feeing of an artist for another artist> of a senti)entaist
for a rea over> of a pain )an for a genius/
At ast he roused hi)sef +ith a start and 'egan to +a1 in the sa)e
dire.tion as (astney/ A fog +as 'eginning to .o)e up/ Presenty he
)et a poi.e)an +ho oo1ed at hi) suspi.iousy/
J$id you hear a 1ind of spash Dust no+AJ as1ed the poi.e)an/
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
The poi.e)an +as peering out over the river/
JAnother of these sui.ides> I eBpe.t>J he grunted dis.onsoatey/
JThey +i do it/J
JI suppose>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthat they have their reasons/J
JMoney> )osty>J said the poi.e)an/ JSo)eti)es it"s a +o)an>J he
said> as he prepared to )ove a+ay/ JIt"s not a+ays their faut> 'ut
so)e +o)en .ause a ot of trou'e/J
JSo)e +o)en>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite softy/
When the poi.e)an had gone on> he sat do+n on a seat +ith the fog
.o)ing up a around hi)> and thought a'out !een of Troy> and
+ondered if she +ere a ni.e> ordinary +o)an> 'essed or .ursed
+ith a +onderfu fa.e/
Chapter 9
T!( $(A$ !A&#(42I0
Mr Satterth+aite +a1ed so+y up %ond Street enDoying the
sunshine/ !e +as> as usua> .arefuy and 'eautifuy dressed> and
+as 'ound for the !ar.hester ,aeries +here there +as an
eBhi'ition of the paintings of one Fran1 %risto+> a ne+ and hitherto
un1no+n artist +ho sho+ed signs of suddeny 'e.o)ing the rage/ Mr
Satterth+aite +as a patron of the arts/
As Mr Satterth+aite entered the !ar.hester ,aeries> he +as
greeted at on.e +ith a s)ie of peased re.ognition/
J,ood )orning> Mr Satterth+aite> I thought +e shoud see you
'efore ong/ @ou 1no+ %risto+"s +or1A Fine ; very fine indeed/ 4uite
uni8ue of its 1ind/J
Mr Satterth+aite pur.hased a .ataogue and stepped through the
open ar.h+ay into the ong roo) +here the artist"s +or1s +ere
dispayed/ They +ere +ater .oours> eBe.uted +ith su.h
eBtraordinary te.hni8ue and finish that they rese)'ed .ooured
et.hings/ Mr Satterth+aite +a1ed so+y round the +as
s.rutinising and> on the +hoe> approving/ !e thought that this young
)an deserved to arrive/ !ere +as originaity> vision> and a )ost
severe and eBa.ting te.hni8ue/ There +ere .rudities> of .ourse/ That
+as ony to 'e eBpe.ted ; 'ut there +as aso so)ething .osey aied
to genius/ Mr Satterth+aite paused 'efore a itte )asterpie.e
representing West)inster %ridge +ith its .ro+d of 'uses> tra)s and
hurrying pedestrians/ A tiny thing and +onderfuy perfe.t/ It +as
.aed> he noted> The Ant !eap/ !e passed on and 8uite suddeny
dre+ in his 'reath +ith a gasp> his i)agination hed and riveted/
The pi.ture +as .aed the $ead !are8uin/ The forefront of it
represented a foor of inaid s8uares of 'a.1 and +hite )ar'e/ In
the )idde of the foor ay !are8uin on his 'a.1 +ith his ar)s
outstret.hed> in his )otey of 'a.1 and red/ %ehind hi) +as a
+indo+ and outside that +indo+> ga?ing in at the figure on the foor>
+as +hat appeared to 'e the sa)e )an sihouetted against the red
go+ of the setting sun/
The pi.ture eB.ited Mr Satterth+aite for t+o reasons> the first +as
that he re.ognised> or thought that he re.ognised> the fa.e of the
)an in the pi.ture/ It 'ore a distin.t rese)'an.e to a .ertain Mr
4uin> an a.8uaintan.e +ho) Mr Satterth+aite had en.ountered
on.e or t+i.e under so)e+hat )ystifying .ir.u)stan.es/
JSurey I .an"t 'e )ista1en>J he )ur)ured/ JIf it is so ; +hat does it
)eanAJ
For it had 'een Mr Satterth+aite"s eBperien.e that every appearan.e
of Mr 4uin had so)e distin.t signifi.an.e atta.hing to it/
There +as> as aready )entioned> a se.ond reason for Mr
Satterth+aite"s interest/ !e re.ognised the s.ene of the pi.ture/
JThe Terra.e &oo) at Charney>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JCurious ;
and very interesting/J
!e oo1ed +ith )ore attention at the pi.ture> +ondering +hat eBa.ty
had 'een in the artist"s )ind/ <ne !are8uin dead on the foor>
another !are8uin oo1ing through the +indo+ ; or +as it the sa)e
!are8uinA !e )oved so+y aong the +as ga?ing at other pi.tures
+ith unseeing eyes> +ith his )ind a+ays 'usy on the sa)e su'De.t/
!e +as eB.ited/ #ife> +hi.h had see)ed a itte dra' this )orning>
+as dra' no onger/ !e 1ne+ 8uite .ertainy that he +as on the
threshod of eB.iting and interesting events/ !e .rossed to the ta'e
+here sat Mr Co''> a dignitary of the !ar.hester ,aeries> +ho) he
had 1no+n for )any years/
JI have a fan.y for 'uying no/ 59>J he said> Jif it is not aready sod/J
Mr Co'' .onsuted a edger/
JThe pi.1 of the 'un.h>J he )ur)ured> J8uite a itte ge)> isn"t itA
0o> it is not sod/J he 8uoted a pri.e/ JIt is a good invest)ent> Mr
Satterth+aite/ @ou +i have to pay three ti)es as )u.h for it this
ti)e neBt year/J
JThat is a+ays said on these o..asions>J said Mr Satterth+aite>
s)iing/
JWe> and haven"t I 'een rightAJ de)anded Mr Co''/ JI don"t 'eieve
if you +ere to se your .oe.tion> Mr Satterth+aite> that a singe
pi.ture +oud fet.h ess than you gave for it/J
JI +i 'uy this pi.ture>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI +i give you a
.he8ue no+/J
J@ou +on"t regret it/ We 'eieve in %risto+/J
J!e is a young )anAJ
JT+enty;seven or eight> I shoud say/J
JI shoud i1e to )eet hi)>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JPerhaps he +i
.o)e and dine +ith )e one nightAJ
JI .an give you his address/ I a) sure he +oud eap at the .han.e/
@our na)e stands for a good dea in the artisti. +ord/J
J@ou fatter )e>J said Mr Satterth+aite> and +as going on +hen Mr
Co'' interrupted/
JThere he is no+/ I +i introdu.e you to hi) right a+ay/J !e rose
fro) 'ehind his ta'e/ Mr Satterth+aite a..o)panied hi) to +here a
'ig> .u)sy young )an +as eaning against the +a surveying the
+ord at arge fro) 'ehind the 'arri.ade of a fero.ious s.o+/
Mr Co'' )ade the ne.essary introdu.tions and Mr Satterth+aite
)ade a for)a and gra.ious itte spee.h/
JI have Dust had the peasure of a.8uiring one of your pi.tures ; The
$ead !are8uin/J
J<hG We> you +on"t ose 'y it>J said Mr %risto+ ungra.iousy/ JIt"s a
'it of da)ned good +or1> athough I say it/J
JI .an see that>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J@our +or1 interests )e very
)u.h> Mr %risto+/ It is eBtraordinariy )ature for so young a )an/ I
+onder if you +oud give )e the peasure of dining +ith )e one
nightA Are you engaged this eveningAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t> I a) not>J said Mr %risto+> sti +ith no overdone
appearan.e of gra.iousness/
JThen sha +e say eight o".o.1AJ said Mr Satterth+aite/ J!ere is )y
.ard +ith the address on it/J
J<h> a right>J said Mr %risto+/ JThan1s>J he added as a so)e+hat
o'vious afterthought/
JA young )an +ho has a poor opinion of hi)sef and is afraid that the
+ord shoud share it/J
Su.h +as Mr Satterth+aite"s su))ing up as he stepped out into the
sunshine of %ond Street> and Mr Satterth+aite"s Dudg)ent of his
feo+ )en +as sedo) far astray/
Fran1 %risto+ arrived a'out five )inutes past eight to find his host
and a third guest a+aiting hi)/ The other guest +as introdu.ed as a
Coone Mon.1ton/ They +ent in to dinner a)ost i))ediatey/ There
+as a fourth pa.e aid at the ova )ahogany ta'e and Mr
Satterth+aite uttered a +ord of eBpanation/
JI haf eBpe.ted )y friend> Mr 4uin> )ight drop in>J he said/ JI
+onder if you have ever )et hi)/ Mr !arey 4uinAJ
JI never )eet peope>J gro+ed %risto+/ Coone Mon.1ton stared at
the artist +ith the deta.hed interest he )ight have a..orded to a
ne+ spe.ies of Dey fish/ Mr Satterth+aite eBerted hi)sef to 1eep
the 'a of .onversation roing a)i.a'y/
JI too1 a spe.ia interest in that pi.ture of yours 'e.ause I thought I
re.ognised the s.ene of it as 'eing the Terra.e &oo) at Charney/
Was I rightAJ As the artist nodded> he +ent on/ JThat is very
interesting/ I have stayed at Charney severa ti)es )ysef in the
past/ Perhaps you 1no+ so)e of the fa)iyAJ
J0o> I don"tGJ said %risto+/ JThat sort of fa)iy +oudn"t .are to 1no+
)e/ I +ent there in a .hara'an./J
J$ear )e>J said Coone Mon.1ton for the sa1e of saying so)ething/
JIn a .hara'an.G $ear )e/J
Fran1 %risto+ s.o+ed at hi)/ JWhy notAJ he de)anded fero.iousy/
Poor Coone Mon.1ton +as ta1en a'a.1/ !e oo1ed reproa.hfuy at
Mr Satterth+aite as though to say> JThese pri)itive for)s of ife )ay
'e interesting to you as a naturaist> 'ut +hy drag )e inAJ
J<h> 'easty things> .hara'an.sGJ he said/ JThey Dot you so going
over the 'u)ps/J
JIf you .an"t afford a &os &oy.e you have got to go in .hara'an.s>J
said %risto+ fier.ey/
Coone Mon.1ton stared at hi)/ Mr Satterth+aite thought> J2ness I
.an )anage to put this young )an at his ease +e are going to have a
very distressing evening/J
JCharney a+ays fas.inated )e>J he said/ JI have 'een there ony
on.e sin.e the tragedy/ A gri) house ; and a ghosty one/J
JThat"s true>J said %risto+/
JThere are a.tuay t+o authenti. ghosts>J said Mon.1ton/ JThey say
that Chares I +a1s up and do+n the terra.e +ith his head under his
ar) ; I have forgotten +hy> I") sure/ Then there is the Weeping #ady
+ith the Siver (+er> +ho is a+ays seen after one of the Charneys
dies/J
JTosh>J said %risto+ s.ornfuy/
JThey have .ertainy 'een a very i;fated fa)iy>J said Mr
Satterth+aite hurriedy/ JFour hoders of the tite have died a vioent
death and the ate #ord Charney .o))itted sui.ide/J
JA ghasty 'usiness>J said Mon.1ton gravey/ JI +as there +hen it
happened/J
J#et )e see> that )ust 'e fourteen years ago>J said Mr
Satterth+aite> Jthe house has 'een shut up ever sin.e/J
JI don"t +onder at that>J said Mon.1ton/ JIt )ust have 'een a terri'e
sho.1 for a young gir/ They had 'een )arried a )onth> Dust ho)e
fro) their honey)oon/ %ig fan.y dress 'a to .ee'rate their ho)e.o)ing/
*ust as the guests +ere starting to arrive Charney o.1ed
hi)sef into the <a1 Parour and shot hi)sef/ That sort of thing isn"t
done/ I 'eg your pardonAJ
!e turned his head sharpy to the eft and oo1ed a.ross at Mr
Satterth+aite +ith an apoogeti. augh/
JI a) 'eginning to get the Di)Da)s> Satterth+aite/ I thought for a
)o)ent there +as so)eone sitting in that e)pty .hair and that he
said so)ething to )e/
J@es>J he +ent on after a )inute or t+o> Jit +as a pretty ghasty
sho.1 to AiB Charney/ She +as one of the prettiest girs you .oud
see any+here and .ra) fu of +hat peope .a the Doy of iving> and
no+ they say she is i1e a ghost hersef/ 0ot that I have seen her for
years/ I 'eieve she ives a'road )ost of the ti)e/J
JAnd the 'oyAJ
JThe 'oy is at (ton/ What he +i do +hen he .o)es of age I don"t
1no+/ I don"t thin1> so)eho+> that he +i reopen the od pa.e/J
JIt +oud )a1e a good Peope"s Peasure Par1>J said %risto+/
Coone Mon.1ton oo1ed at hi) +ith .od a'horren.e/
J0o> no> you don"t reay )ean that>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J@ou
+oudn"t have painted that pi.ture if you did/ Tradition and
at)osphere are intangi'e things/ They ta1e .enturies to 'uid up
and if you destroyed the) you .oudn"t re'uid the) again in t+entyfour
hours/J
!e rose/ J#et us go into the s)o1ing;roo)/ I have so)e photographs
there of Charney +hi.h I shoud i1e to sho+ you/J
<ne of Mr Satterth+aite"s ho''ies +as a)ateur photography/ !e
+as aso the proud author of a 'oo1> J!o)es of My Friends/J The
friends in 8uestion +ere a rather eBated and the 'oo1 itsef sho+ed
Mr Satterth+aite forth in rather a )ore sno''ish ight than +as reay
fair to hi)/
JThat is a photograph I too1 of the Terra.e &oo) ast year>J he said/
!e handed it to %risto+/ J@ou see it is ta1en at a)ost the sa)e ange
as is sho+n in your pi.ture/ That is rather a +onderfu rug ; it is a pity
that photographs .an"t sho+ .oouring/J
JI re)e)'er it>J said %risto+> Ja )arveous 'it of .oour/ It go+ed
i1e a fa)e/ A the sa)e it oo1ed a 'it in.ongruous there/ The
+rong si?e for that 'ig roo) +ith its 'a.1 and +hite s8uares/ There
is no rug any+here ese in the roo)/ It spois the +hoe effe.t ; it +as
i1e a giganti. 'ood stain/J
JPerhaps that gave you your idea for your pi.tureAJ said Mr
Satterth+aite/
JPerhaps it did>J said %risto+ thoughtfuy/ J<n the fa.e> of it> one
+oud naturay stage a tragedy in the itte paneed roo) eading
out of it/J
JThe <a1 Parour>J said Mon.1ton/ J@es> that is the haunted roo)
right enough/ There is a Priests hiding hoe there ; a )ova'e pane
'y the firepa.e/ Tradition has it that Chares I +as .on.eaed there
on.e/ There +ere t+o deaths fro) dueing in that roo)/ And it +as
there> as I say> that &eggie Charney shot hi)sef/J
!e too1 the photograph fro) %risto+"s hand/ JWhy> that is the
%o1hara rug>J he said> J+orth a .oupe of thousand pounds> I
'eieve/ When I +as there it +as in the <a1 Parour ; the right pa.e
for it/ It oo1s siy on that great eBpanse of )ar'e fags/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as oo1ing at the e)pty .hair +hi.h he had dra+n
up 'eside his/ Then he said thoughtfuy> JI +onder +hen it +as
)ovedAJ
JIt )ust have 'een re.enty/ Why> I re)e)'er having a .onversation
a'out it on the very day of the tragedy/ Charney +as saying it reay
ought to 'e 1ept under gass/J Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head/ JThe
house +as shut up i))ediatey after the tragedy and everything +as
eft eBa.ty as it +as/J
%risto+ 'ro1e in +ith a 8uestion/ !e had aid aside his aggressive
)anner/ JWhy did #ord Charney shoot hi)sefAJ he as1ed/
Coone Mon.1ton shifted un.o)forta'y in his .hair/ J0o one ever
1ne+>J he said vaguey/
JI suppose>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y> Jthat it +as sui.ide/J
The Coone oo1ed at hi) in 'an1 astonish)ent/
JSui.ide>J he said> J+hy> of .ourse it +as sui.ide/ My dear feo+> I
+as there in the house )ysef/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed to+ards the e)pty .hair at his side and>
s)iing to hi)sef as though at so)e hidden Do1e the others .oud not
see> he said 8uiety> JSo)eti)es one sees things )ore .eary years
after+ards than one .oud possi'y at the ti)e/J
J0onsense>J sputtered Mon.1ton> Jarrant nonsenseG !o+ .an you
possi'y see things 'etter +hen they are vague in your )e)ory
instead of .ear and sharpAJ
%ut Mr Satterth+aite +as reinfor.ed fro) an uneBpe.ted 8uarter/
JI 1no+ +hat you )ean>J said the artist/ JI shoud say that possi'y
you +ere right/ It is a 8uestion of proportion> isn"t itA And )ore than
proportion pro'a'y/ &eativity and a that sort of thing/J
JIf you as1 )e>J said the Coone> Ja this (instein 'usiness is a ot of
dashed nonsense/ So are spirituaists and the spoo1 of one"s
grand)otherGJ !e gared round fier.ey/ J<f .ourse it +as sui.ide>J
he +ent on/ J$idn"t I pra.ti.ay see the thing happen +ith )y o+n
eyesAJ
JTe us a'out it>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jso that +e sha see it +ith
our eyes aso/J
With a so)e+hat )oified grunt the Coone setted hi)sef )ore
.o)forta'y in his .hair/
JThe +hoe thing +as eBtraordinariy uneBpe.ted>J he 'egan/
JCharney had 'een his usua nor)a sef/ There +as a 'ig party
staying in the house for this 'a/ 0o one .oud ever have guessed he
+oud go and shoot hi)sef Dust as the guests 'egan arriving/J
JIt +oud have 'een 'etter taste if he had +aited unti they had
gone>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J<f .ourse it +oud/ $a)ned 'ad taste ; to do a thing i1e that/J
J2n.hara.teristi.>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J@es>J ad)itted Mon.1ton> Jit +asn"t i1e Charney/J
JAnd yet it +as sui.ideAJ
J<f .ourse it +as sui.ide/ Why> there +ere three or four of us there
at the top of the stairs/ Mysef> the <strander gir> Agie $ar.y ; oh>
and one or t+o others/ Charney passed aong the ha 'eo+ and
+ent into the <a1 Parour/ The <strander gir said there +as a
ghasty oo1 on his fa.e and his eyes +ere staring ; 'ut> of .ourse>
that is nonsense ; she .oudn"t even see his fa.e fro) +here +e +ere
; 'ut he did +a1 in a hun.hed +ay> as if he had the +eight of the
+ord on his shouders/ <ne of the girs .aed to hi) ; she +as
so)e'ody"s governess> I thin1> +ho) #ady Charney had in.uded in
the party out of 1indness/ She +as oo1ing for hi) +ith a )essage/
She .aed out "#ord Charney> #ady Charney +ants to 1no+ ;" !e
paid no attention and +ent into the <a1 Parour and sa))ed the
door and +e heard the 1ey turn in the o.1/ Then> one )inute after>
+e heard the shot/
JWe rushed do+n to the ha/ There is another door fro) the <a1
Parour eading into the Terra.e &oo)/ We tried that 'ut it +as
o.1ed> too/ In the end +e had to 'rea1 the door do+n/ Charney +as
ying on the foor ; dead ; +ith a pisto .ose 'eside his right hand/
0o+> +hat .oud that have 'een 'ut sui.ideA A..identA $on"t te )e/
There is ony one other possi'iity ; )urder ; and you .an"t have
)urder +ithout a )urderer/ @ou ad)it that> I suppose/J
JThe )urderer )ight have es.aped>J suggested Mr Satterth+aite/
JThat is i)possi'e/ If you have a 'it of paper and a pen.i I +i dra+
you a pan of the pa.e/ There are t+o doors into the <a1 Parour>
one into the ha and one into the Terra.e &oo)/ %oth these doors
+ere o.1ed in the inside and the 1eys +ere in the o.1s/J
JThe +indo+AJ
JShut> and the shutters fastened a.ross it/J
There +as a pause/
JSo that is that>J said Coone Mon.1ton triu)phanty/
JIt .ertainy see)s to 'e>J said Mr Satterth+aite sady/
JMind you>J said the Coone> Jathough I +as aughing Dust no+ at
the spirituaists> I don"t )ind ad)itting that there +as a deu.ed
ru))y at)osphere a'out the pa.e ; a'out that roo) in parti.uar/
There are severa 'uet hoes in the panes of the +as> the resuts
of the dues that too1 pa.e in that roo)> and there is a 8ueer stain
on the foor> that a+ays .o)es 'a.1 though they have repa.ed the
+ood severa ti)es/ I suppose there +i 'e another 'ood stain on
the foor no+ ; poor Charney"s 'ood/J
JWas there )u.h 'oodAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
J7ery itte ; .uriousy itte ; so the do.tor said/J
JWhere did he shoot hi)sef> through the headAJ
J0o> through the heart/J
JThat is not the easy +ay to do it>J said %risto+/ JFrightfuy diffi.ut
to 1no+ +here one"s heart is/ I shoud never do it that +ay )ysef/J
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head/ !e +as vaguey dissatisfied/ !e
had hoped to get at so)ething ; he hardy 1ne+ +hat/ Coone
Mon.1ton +ent on/
JIt is a spoo1y pa.e> Charney/ <f .ourse> I didn"t see anything/J
J@ou didn"t see the Weeping #ady +ith the Siver (+erAJ
J0o> I did not> sir>J said the Coone e)phati.ay/ J%ut I eBpe.t every
servant in the pa.e s+ore they did/J
JSuperstition +as the .urse of the Midde Ages>J said %risto+/
JThere are sti tra.es of it here and there> 'ut than1 goodness> +e
are getting free fro) it/J
JSuperstition>J )used Mr Satterth+aite> his eyes turned again to the
e)pty .hair/ JSo)eti)es> don"t you thin1> it )ight 'e usefuAJ
%risto+ stared at hi)/
J2sefu> that"s a 8ueer +ord/J
JWe> I hope you are .onvin.ed no+> Satterth+aite>J said the
Coone
J<h> 8uite>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J<n the fa.e of it> it see)s odd ;
so purposeess for a ne+y;)arried )an> young> ri.h> happy>
.ee'rating his ho)e;.o)ing ; .urious ; 'ut I agree there is no
getting a+ay fro) the fa.ts/J !e repeated softy> JThe fa.ts>J and
fro+ned/
JI suppose the interesting thing is none of us +i ever 1no+>J said
Mon.1ton> Jthe story 'ehind it a/ <f .ourse there +ere ru)ours ; a
sorts of ru)ours/ @ou 1no+ the 1ind of things peope say/J
J%ut no one 1ne+ anything>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/
JIt"s not a 'est seer )ystery> is itAJ re)ar1ed %risto+/ J0o one
gained 'y the )an"s death/J
J0o one eB.ept an un'orn .hid>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
Mon.1ton gave a sharp .hu.1e/ J&ather a 'o+ to poor !ugo
Charney>J he o'served/ JAs soon as it +as 1no+n that there +as
going to 'e a .hid he had the gra.efu tas1 of sitting tight and
+aiting to see if it +oud 'e a gir or 'oy/ &ather an anBious +ait for
his .reditors> too/ In the end a 'oy it +as and a disappoint)ent for
the ot of the)/J
JWas the +ido+ very dis.onsoateAJ as1ed %risto+/
JPoor .hid>J said Mon.1ton> JI sha never forget her/ She didn"t .ry
or 'rea1 do+n or anything/ She +as i1e so)ething fro?en/ As I say>
she shut up the house shorty after+ards and> as far as I 1no+> it has
never 'een reopened sin.e/J
JSo +e are eft in the dar1 as to )otive>J said %risto+ +ith a sight
augh/ JAnother )an or another +o)an> it )ust have 'een one or the
other> ehAJ
JIt see)s i1e it>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JAnd the 'etting is strongy on another +o)an>J .ontinued %risto+>
Jsin.e the fair +ido+ has not )arried again/ I hate +o)en>J he
added dispassionatey/
Mr Satterth+aite s)ied a itte and Fran1 %risto+ sa+ the s)ie and
poun.ed upon it/
J@ou )ay s)ie>J he said> J'ut I do/ They upset everything/ They
interfere/ They get 'et+een you and your +or1/ They ; I ony on.e
)et a +o)an +ho +as ; +e> interesting/J
JI thought there +oud 'e one>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J0ot in the +ay you )ean/ I ; I Dust )et her .asuay/ As a )atter of
fa.t ; it +as in a train/ After a>J he added defianty> J+hy shoudn"t
one )eet peope in trainsAJ
JCertainy> .ertainy>J said Mr Satterth+aite soothingy> Ja train is as
good a pa.e as any+here ese/J
JIt +as .o)ing do+n fro) the 0orth/ We had the .arriage to
ourseves/ I don"t 1no+ +hy> 'ut +e 'egan to ta1/ I don"t 1no+ her
na)e and I don"t suppose I sha ever )eet her again/ I don"t 1no+
that I +ant to/ It )ight 'e ; a pity/J !e paused> strugging to eBpress
hi)sef/ JShe +asn"t 8uite rea> you 1no+/ Shado+y/ #i1e one of the
peope +ho .o)e out of the his in ,aei. fairy taes/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded genty/ !is i)agination pi.tured the s.ene
easiy enough/ The very positive and reaisti. %risto+ and a figure
that +as sivery and ghosty ; shado+y> as %risto+ had said/
JI suppose if so)ething very terri'e had happened> so terri'e as to
'e a)ost un'eara'e> one )ight get i1e that/ <ne )ight run a+ay
fro) reaity into a haf +ord of one"s o+n and then> of .ourse> after a
ti)e> one +oudn"t 'e a'e to get 'a.1/J
JWas that +hat had happened to herAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite
.uriousy/
JI don"t 1no+>J said %risto+/ JShe didn"t te )e anything> I a) ony
guessing/ <ne has to guess if one is going to get any+here/J
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y> J<ne has to guess/J
!e oo1ed up as the door opened/ !e oo1ed up 8ui.1y and
eBpe.tanty 'ut the 'uter"s +ords disappointed hi)/
JA ady> sir> has .aed to see you on very urgent 'usiness/ Miss
Aspasia ,en/J
Mr Satterth+aite rose in so)e astonish)ent/ !e 1ne+ the na)e of
Aspasia ,en/ Who in #ondon did notA First advertised as the Wo)an
+ith the S.arf> she had given a series of )atin/es singe;handed that
had ta1en #ondon 'y stor)/ With the aid of her s.arf she had
i)personated rapidy various .hara.ters/ In turn the s.arf had 'een
the .oif of a nun> the sha+ of a )i;+or1er> the head;dress of a
peasant and a hundred other things> and in ea.h i)personation
Aspasia ,en had 'een totay and uttery different/ As an artist> Mr
Satterth+aite paid fu reveren.e to her/ As it happened> he had
never )ade her a.8uaintan.e/ A .a upon hi) at this unusua hour
intrigued hi) greaty/ With a fe+ +ords of apoogy to the others he
eft the roo) and .rossed the ha to the dra+ing;roo)/
Miss ,en +as sitting in the very .entre of a arge settee uphostered
in god 'ro.ade/ So poised she do)inated the roo)/ Mr
Satterth+aite per.eived at on.e that she )eant to do)inate the
situation/ Curiousy enough> his first feeing +as one of repusion/ !e
had 'een a sin.ere ad)irer of Aspasia ,en"s art/ !er personaity> as
.onveyed to hi) over the footights> had 'een appeaing and
sy)patheti./ !er effe.ts there had 'een +istfu and suggestive
rather than .o))anding/ %ut no+> fa.e to fa.e +ith the +o)an
hersef> he re.eived a totay different i)pression/ There +as so)e
thing hard ; 'od ; for.efu a'out her/ She +as ta and dar1> possi'y
a'out thirty;five years of age/ She +as undou'tedy very goodoo1ing
and she .eary reied upon the fa.t/
J@ou )ust forgive this un.onventiona .a> Mr Satterth+aite>J she
said/ !er voi.e +as fu and ri.h and sedu.tive/ JI +on"t say that I
have +anted to 1no+ you for a ong ti)e> 'ut I a) gad of the eB.use/
As for .o)ing tonight ;J she aughed ; J+e> +hen I +ant a thing> I
si)py .an"t +ait/ When I +ant a thing> I si)py )ust have it/J
JAny eB.use that has 'rought )e su.h a .har)ing ady guest )ust
'e +e.o)ed 'y )e>J said Mr Satterth+aite in an od;fashioned
gaant )anner/
J!o+ ni.e you are to )e>J said Aspasia ,en/
JMy dear ady>J said Mr Satterth+aite> J)ay I than1 you here and
no+ for the peasure you have so often given )e ; in )y seat in the
stas/J
She s)ied deightfuy at hi)/
JI a) .o)ing straight to the point/ I +as at the !ar.hester ,aeries
today/ I sa+ a pi.ture there I si)py .oudn"t ive +ithout/ I +anted to
'uy it and I .oudn"t 'e.ause you had aready 'ought it/ So ;J she
paused ; JI do +ant it so>J she +ent on/ J$ear Mr Satterth+aite> I
si)py )ust have it/ I 'rought )y .he8ue 'oo1/J She oo1ed at hi)
hopefuy/ J(veryone tes )e you are so frightfuy 1ind/ Peope are
1ind to )e> you 1no+/ It is very 'ad for )e ; 'ut there it is/J
So these +ere Aspasia ,en"s )ethods/ Mr Satterth+aite +as
in+ardy .ody .riti.a of this utra;fe)ininity and of this spoit .hid
pose/ It ought to appea to hi)> he supposed> 'ut it didn"t/ Aspasia
,en had )ade a )ista1e/ She had Dudged hi) as an edery
diettante> easiy fattered 'y a pretty +o)an/ %ut Mr Satterth+aite
'ehind his gaant )anner had a shre+d and .riti.a )ind/ !e sa+
peope pretty +e as they +ere> not as they +ished to appear to hi)/
!e sa+ 'efore hi)> not a .har)ing +o)an peading for a +hi)> 'ut a
ruthess egoist deter)ined to get her o+n +ay for so)e reason
+hi.h +as o's.ure to hi)/ And he 1ne+ 8uite .ertainy that Aspasia
,en +as not going to get her o+n +ay/ !e +as not going to give up
the pi.ture of the $ead !are8uin to her/ !e sought rapidy in his
)ind for the 'est +ay of .ir.u)venting her +ithout overt rudeness/
JI a) sure>J he said> Jthat everyone gives you your o+n +ay as often
as they .an and is ony too deighted to do so/J
JThen you are reay going to et )e have the pi.tureAJ
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head so+y and regretfuy/ JI a) afraid
that is i)possi'e/ @ou see ;J he paused ; JI 'ought that pi.ture for a
ady/ It is a present/J
J<hG 'ut surey ;J
The teephone on the ta'e rang sharpy/ With a )ur)ured +ord of
eB.use Mr Satterth+aite too1 up the re.eiver/ A voi.e spo1e to hi)>
a s)a> .od voi.e that sounded very far a+ay/
JCan I spea1 to Mr Satterth+aite> peaseAJ
JIt is Mr Satterth+aite spea1ing/J
JI a) #ady Charney> AiB Charney/ I daresay you don"t re)e)'er
)e> Mr Satterth+aite> it is a great )any years sin.e +e )et/J
JMy dear AiB/ <f .ourse> I re)e)'er you/J
JThere is so)ething I +anted to as1 you/ I +as at the !ar.hester
,aeries at an eBhi'ition of pi.tures today> there +as one .aed The
$ead !are8uin> perhaps you re.ognised it ; it +as the Terra.e
&oo) at Charney/ I ; I +ant to have that pi.ture/ It +as sod to you/J
She paused/ JMr Satterth+aite> for reasons of )y o+n I +ant that
pi.ture/ Wi you rese it to )eAJ
Mr Satterth+aite thought to hi)sef> JWhy> this is a )ira.e/J
As he spo1e into the re.eiver he +as than1fu that Aspasia ,en
.oud ony hear one side of the .onversation/
JIf you +i a..ept )y gift> dear ady> it +i )a1e )e very happy/J !e
heard a sharp eB.a)ation 'ehind hi) and hurried on/
JI 'ought it for you/ I did indeed/ %ut isten> )y dear AiB> I +ant to
as1 you to do )e a great favour> if you +i/J
J<f .ourse> Mr Satterth+aite> I a) so very gratefu/J
!e +ent on/ JI +ant you to .o)e round no+ to )y house> at on.e/J
There +as a sight pause and then she ans+ered 8uiety> JI +i .o)e
at on.e/J
Mr Satterth+aite put do+n the re.eiver and turned to Miss ,en/
She said 8ui.1y and angriy> JThat +as the pi.ture you +ere ta1ing
a'outAJ
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthe ady to +ho) I a) presenting it is
.o)ing round to this house in a fe+ )inutes/J
Suddeny Aspasia ,en"s fa.e 'ro1e on.e )ore into s)ies/
J@ou +i give )e a .han.e of persuading her to turn the pi.ture over
to )eAJ
JI +i give you a .han.e of persuading her/J In+ardy he +as
strangey eB.ited/ !e +as in the )idst of a dra)a that +as shaping
itsef to so)e foredoo)ed end/ !e> the oo1er on> +as paying a star
part/ !e turned to Miss ,en/
JWi you .o)e into the other roo) +ith )eA I shoud i1e you to )eet
so)e friends of )ine/J
!e hed the door open for her and> .rossing the ha> opened the door
of the s)o1ing;roo)/
JMiss ,en>J he said> Jet )e introdu.e you to an od friend of )ine>
Coone Mon.1ton/ Mr %risto+> the painter of the pi.ture you ad)ire
so )u.h/J Then he started as a third figure rose fro) the .hair +hi.h
he had eft e)pty 'eside his o+n/
JI thin1 you eBpe.ted )e this evening>J said Mr 4uin/ J$uring your
a'sen.e I introdu.ed )ysef to your friends/ I a) so gad I +as a'e
to drop in/J
JMy dear friend>J said Mr Satterth+aite> JI ; I have 'een .arrying on
as +e as I a) a'e> 'ut ;J he stopped 'efore the sighty sardoni.
gan.e of Mr 4uin"s dar1 eyes/
J#et )e introdu.e you/ Mr !arey 4uin> Miss Aspasia ,en/J
Was it fan.y ; or did she shrin1 'a.1 sighty/ A .urious eBpression
fitted over her fa.e/
Suddeny %risto+ 'ro1e in 'oisterousy/ JI have got it/J
J,ot +hatAJ
J,ot hod of +hat +as pu??ing )e/ There is a i1eness> there is a
distin.t i1eness/J !e +as staring .uriousy at Mr 4uin/ J@ou see itAJ
!e turned to Mr Satterth+aite/ J$on"t you see a distin.t i1eness to
the !are8uin of )y pi.ture ; the )an oo1ing in through the
+indo+AJ
It +as no fan.y this ti)e/ !e distin.ty heard Miss ,en dra+ in her
'reath sharpy and even sa+ that she stepped 'a.1 one pa.e/
JI tod you that I +as eBpe.ting so)eone>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ !e
spo1e +ith an air of triu)ph/ JI )ust te you that )y friend> Mr 4uin>
is a )ost eBtraordinary person/ !e .an unrave )ysteries/ !e .an
)a1e you see things/J
JAre you a )ediu)> sirAJ de)anded Coone Mon.1ton> eyeing Mr
4uin dou'tfuy/
The atter s)ied and so+y shoo1 his head/
JMr Satterth+aite eBaggerates>J he said 8uiety/ J<n.e or t+i.e
+hen I have 'een +ith hi) he has done so)e eBtraordinary good
dedu.tive +or1/ Why he puts the .redit do+n to )e I .an"t say/ !is
)odesty> I suppose/J
J0o> no>J said Mr Satterth+aite eB.itedy/ JIt isn"t/ @ou )a1e )e see
things ; things that I ought to have seen a aong ; that I a.tuay have
seen ; 'ut +ithout 1no+ing that I sa+ the)/J
JIt sounds to )e deu.ed .o)pi.ated>J said Coone Mon.1ton/
J0ot reay>J said Mr 4uin/ JThe trou'e is that +e are not .ontent
Dust to see things ; +e +i ta.1 the +rong interpretation on to the
things +e see/J
Aspasia ,en turned to Fran1 %risto+/
JI +ant to 1no+>J she said nervousy> J+hat put the idea of painting
that pi.ture into your headAJ
%risto+ shrugged his shouders/
JI don"t 8uite 1no+>J he .onfessed/ JSo)ething a'out the pa.e ;
a'out Charney> I )ean> too1 hod of )y i)agination/ The 'ig e)pty
roo)/ The terra.e outside> the idea of ghosts and things> I suppose/
I have Dust 'een hearing the tae of the ast #ord Charney> +ho shot
hi)sef/ Supposing you are dead> and your spirit ives onA It )ust 'e
odd> you 1no+/ @ou )ight stand outside on the terra.e oo1ing in at
the +indo+ at your o+n dead 'ody> and you +oud see everything/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ said Aspasia ,en/ JSee everythingAJ
JWe> you +oud see +hat happened/ @ou +oud see ;J
The door opened and the 'uter announ.ed #ady Charney/
Mr Satterth+aite +ent to )eet her/ !e had not seen her for neary
thirteen years/ !e re)e)'ered her as she on.e +as> an eager>
go+ing gir/ And no+ he sa+ ; a Fro?en #ady/ 7ery fair> very pae>
+ith an air of drifting rather than +a1ing> a sno+fa1e driven at
rando) 'y an i.y 'ree?e/ So)ething unrea a'out her/ So .od> so
far a+ay/
JIt +as very good of you to .o)e>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
!e ed her for+ard/ She )ade a haf gesture of re.ognition to+ards
Miss ,en and then paused as the other )ade no response/
JI a) so sorry>J she )ur)ured> J'ut surey I have )et you
so)e+here> haven"t IAJ
J<ver the footights> perhaps>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThis is Miss
Aspasia ,en> #ady Charney/J
JI a) very peased to )eet you> #ady Charney>J said Aspasia ,en/
!er voi.e had suddeny a sight transatanti. tinge to it/ Mr
Satterth+aite +as re)inded of one of her various stage
i)personations/
JCoone Mon.1ton you 1no+>J .ontinued Mr Satterth+aite> Jand this
is Mr %risto+/J
!e sa+ a sudden faint tinge of .oour in her .hee1s/
JMr %risto+ and I have )et too>J she said> and s)ied a itte/
JIn a train/J
JAnd Mr !arey 4uin/J
!e +at.hed her .osey> 'ut this ti)e there +as no fi.1er of
re.ognition/ !e set a .hair for her> and then> seating hi)sef> he
.eared his throat and spo1e a itte nervousy/
JI ; this is rather an unusua itte gathering/ It .entres round this
pi.ture/ I ; I thin1 that if +e i1ed +e .oud ; .ear things up/J
J@ou are not going to hod a s/an.e> Satterth+aiteAJ as1ed Coone
Mon.1ton/ J@ou are very odd this evening/J
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jnot eBa.ty a s/an.e/ %ut )y friend> Mr
4uin> 'eieves> and I agree> that one .an> 'y oo1ing 'a.1 over the
past> see things as they +ere and not as they appeared to 'e/J
JThe pastAJ said #ady Charney/
JI a) spea1ing of your hus'and"s sui.ide> AiB/ I 1no+ it hurts you ;J
J0o>J said AiB Charney> Jit doesn"t hurt )e/ 0othing hurts )e no+/J
Mr Satterth+aite thought of Fran1 %risto+"s +ords/ JShe +as not
8uite rea you 1no+/ Shado+y> i1e one of those peope +ho .o)e
out of his in ,aei. fairy taes/J
JShado+y>J he had .aed her/ That des.ri'ed her eBa.ty/ A
shado+> a refe.tion of so)ething ese/ Where then +as the rea AiB>
and his )ind ans+ered 8ui.1y> JIn the past/ $ivided fro) us 'y
fourteen years of ti)e/J
JMy dear>J he said> Jyou frighten )e/ @ou are i1e the Weeping #ady
+ith the Siver (+er/J
CrashG The .offee .up on the ta'e 'y Aspasia"s e'o+ fe shattered
to the foor/ Mr Satterth+aite +aved aside her apoogies/ !e thought>
JWe are getting nearer> +e are getting nearer every )inute ; 'ut
nearer to +hatAJ
J#et us ta1e our )inds 'a.1 to that night fourteen years ago>J he
said/J #ord Charney 1ied hi)sef/ For +hat reasonA 0o one
1no+s/J
#ady Charney stirred sighty in her .hair/
J#ady Charney 1no+s>J said Fran1 %risto+ a'rupty/
J0onsense>J said Coone Mon.1ton> then stopped> fro+ning at her
.uriousy/
She +as oo1ing a.ross at the artist/ It +as as though he dre+ the
+ords out of her/ She spo1e> nodding her head so+y> and her voi.e
+as i1e a sno+fa1e> .od and soft/ J@es> you are 8uite right/ I 1no+/
That is +hy as ong as I ive I .an never go 'a.1 to Charney/ That is
+hy +hen )y 'oy $i.1 +ants )e to open the pa.e up and ive there
again I te hi) it .an"t 'e done/J
JWi you te us the reason> #ady CharneyAJ said Mr 4uin/
She oo1ed at hi)/ Then> as though hypnotised> she spo1e as 8uiety
and naturay as a .hid/
JI +i te you if you i1e/ 0othing see)s to )atter very )u.h no+/ I
found a etter a)ong his papers and I destroyed it/J
JWhat etterAJ said Mr 4uin/
JThe etter fro) the gir ; fro) that poor .hid/ She +as the Merria)"s
nursery governess/ !e had ; he had )ade ove to her ; yes> +hie he
+as engaged to )e Dust 'efore +e +ere )arried/ And she ; she +as
going to have a .hid too/ She +rote saying so> and that she +as
going to te )e a'out it/ So> you see> he shot hi)sef/J
She oo1ed round at the) +eariy and drea)iy i1e a .hid +ho has
repeated a esson it 1no+s too +e/
Coone Mon.1ton 'e+ his nose/
JMy ,od>J he said> Jso that +as it/ We> that eBpains things +ith a
vengean.e/J
J$oes itAJ said Mr Satterth+aite> Jit doesn"t eBpain one thing/ It
doesn"t eBpain +hy Mr %risto+ painted that pi.ture/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed a.ross at Mr 4uin as though for
en.ourage)ent> and apparenty got it> for he pro.eeded> J@es> I
1no+ I sound )ad to a of you> 'ut that pi.ture is the fo.us of the
+hoe thing/ We are a here tonight 'e.ause> of that pi.ture/ That
pi.ture had to 'e painted ; that is +hat I )ean/J
J@ou )ean the un.anny infuen.e of the <a1 ParourAJ 'egan
Coone Mon.1ton/
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J0ot the <a1 Parour/ The Terra.e
&oo)/ That is itG The spirit of the dead )an standing outside the
+indo+ and oo1ing in and seeing his o+n dead 'ody on the foor/J
JWhi.h he .oudn"t have done>J said the Coone> J'e.ause the 'ody
+as in the <a1 Parour/J
JSupposing it +asn"t>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jsupposing it +as
eBa.ty +here Mr %risto+ sa+ it> sa+ it i)aginativey> I )ean> on the
'a.1 and +hite fags in front of the +indo+/J
J@ou are ta1ing nonsense>J said Coone Mon.1ton> Jif it +as there
+e shoudn"t have found it in the <a1 Parour/J
J0ot uness so)eone .arried it there>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JAnd in that .ase ho+ .oud +e have seen Charney going in at the
door of the <a1 ParourAJ in8uired Coone Mon.1ton/
JWe> you didn"t see his fa.e> did youAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
JWhat I )ean is> you sa+ a )an going into the <a1 Parour in fan.y
dress> I suppose/J
J%ro.ade things and a +ig>J said Mon.1ton/
J*ust so> and you thought it +as #ord Charney 'e.ause the gir
.aed out to hi) as #ord Charney/J
JAnd 'e.ause +hen +e 'ro1e in a fe+ )inutes ater there +as ony
#ord Charney there dead/ @ou .an"t get a+ay fro) that>
Satterth+aite/J
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite> dis.ouraged/ J0o ; uness there +as a
hiding;pa.e of so)e 1ind/J
JWeren"t you saying so)ething a'out there 'eing a Priests hoe in
that roo)AJ put in Fran1 %risto+/
J<hGJ .ried Mr Satterth+aite/
JSupposing ;AJ
!e +aved a hand for sien.e and shetered his forehead +ith his
other hand and then spo1e so+y and hesitatingy/
JI have got an idea ; it )ay 'e Dust an idea> 'ut I thin1 it hangs
together/ Supposing so)eone shot #ord Charney/ Shot hi) in the
Terra.e &oo)/ Then he ; and another person ; dragged the 'ody into
the <a1 Parour/ They aid it do+n there +ith the pisto 'y its right
hand/ 0o+ +e go on to the neBt step/ It )ust see) a'soutey .ertain
#ord Charney has .o))itted sui.ide/ I thin1 that .oud 'e done very
easiy/ The )an in his 'ro.ade and +ig passes aong the ha 'y the
<a1 Parour door and so)eone> to )a1e sure of things> .as out to
hi) as #ord Charney fro) the top of the stairs/ !e goes in and o.1s
'oth doors and fires a shot into the +ood+or1/ There +ere 'uet
hoes aready in that roo) if you re)e)'er> one )ore +oudn"t 'e
noti.ed/ !e then hides 8uiety in the se.ret .ha)'er/ The doors are
'ro1en open and peope rush in/ It see)s .ertain that #ord Charney
has .o))itted sui.ide/ 0o other hypothesis is even entertained/J
JWe> I thin1 that is 'aderdash>J said Coone Mon.1ton/ J@ou forget
that Charney had a )otive right enough for sui.ide/J
JA etter found after+ards>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JA ying .rue
etter +ritten 'y a very .ever and uns.rupuous itte a.tress +ho
)eant one day to 'e #ady Charney hersef/J
J@ou )eanAJ
JI )ean the gir in eague +ith !ugo Charney>J said Mr
Satterth+aite/
J@ou 1no+> Mon.1ton> everyone 1no+s> that that )an +as a
'a.1guard/ !e thought that he +as .ertain to .o)e into the tite/J
!e turned sharpy to #ady Charney/
JWhat +as the na)e of the gir +ho +rote that etterAJ
JMoni.a Ford>J said #ady Charney/
JWas it Moni.a Ford Mon.1ton> +ho .aed out to #ord Charney fro)
the top of the stairsAJ
J@es> no+ you .o)e to spea1 of it> I 'eieve it +as/J
J<h> that"s i)possi'e>J said #ady Charney/ JI ; I +ent to her a'out it/
She tod )e it +as a true/ I ony sa+ her on.e after+ards> 'ut surey
she .oudn"t have 'een a.ting the +hoe ti)e/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed a.ross the roo) at Aspasia ,en/
JI thin1 she .oud>J he said 8uiety/ JI thin1 she had in her the
)a1ings of a very a..o)pished a.tress/J
JThere is one thing you haven"t got over>J said Fran1 %risto+> Jthere
+oud 'e 'ood on the foor of the Terra.e &oo)/ %ound to 'e/ They
.oudn"t .ear that up in a hurry/J
J0o>J ad)itted Mr Satterth+aite> J'ut there is one thing ; the
%o1hara rug/ 0o'ody ever sa+ the %o1hara rug in the Terra.e &oo)
'efore that night/J
JI 'eieve you are right>J said Mon.1ton> J'ut a the sa)e those
'oodstains +oud have to 'e .eared up so)e ti)eAJ
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jin the )idde of the night/ A +o)an
+ith a Dug and 'asin .oud go do+n the stairs and .ear up the
'oodstains 8uite easiy/J
J%ut supposing so)eone sa+ herAJ
JIt +oudn"t )atter>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI a) spea1ing no+ of
things as they are/ I said a +o)an +ith a Dug and 'asin/ %ut if I had
said a Weeping #ady +ith a Siver (+er that is +hat they +oud have
appeared> to 'e/J
!e got up and +ent a.ross to Aspasia ,en/
JThat is +hat you did> +asn"t itAJ !e said/
JThey .a you the "Wo)an +ith the S.arf" no+> 'ut it +as that night
you payed your first part> the "Weeping #ady +ith the Siver (+er/"
That is +hy you 1no.1ed the .offee .up off that ta'e Dust no+/ @ou
+ere afraid +hen you sa+ that pi.ture/ @ou thought so)eone 1ne+/J
#ady Charney stret.hed out a +hite a..using hand/
JMoni.a Ford>J she 'reathed/ JI re.ognise you no+/J
Aspasia ,en sprang to her feet +ith a .ry/ She pushed itte Mr
Satterth+aite aside +ith a shove of the hand and stood sha1ing in
front of Mr 4uin/
JSo I +as right/ So)eone did 1no+G <h> I haven"t 'een de.eived 'y
this to)fooery/ This preten.e of +or1ing things out/J
She pointed at Mr 4uin/
J@ou +ere there/ @ou +ere there outside the +indo+ oo1ing in/ @ou
sa+ +hat +e did> !ugo and I/ I 1ne+ there +as so)eone oo1ing in> I
fet it a the ti)e/ And yet +hen I oo1ed up> there +as no'ody there/
I 1ne+ so)eone +as +at.hing us/ I thought on.e I .aught a gi)pse
of a fa.e at the +indo+/ It has frightened )e a these years/ And
then I sa+ that pi.ture +ith you standing at the +indo+ and I
re.ognised your fa.e/ @ou have 1no+n a these years/ Why did you
'rea1 sien.e no+A That is +hat I +ant to 1no+AJ
JPerhaps so that the dead )ay rest in pea.e>J said Mr 4uin/
Suddeny Aspasia ,en )ade a rush for the door and stood there
finging a fe+ defiant +ords over her shouder/
J$o +hat you i1e/ ,od 1no+s there are +itnesses enough to +hat I
have 'een saying/ I don"t .are> I don"t .are/ I oved !ugo and I heped
hi) +ith the ghasty 'usiness and he .hu.1ed )e after+ards/ !e
died ast year/ @ou .an set the poi.e on )y tra.1s if you i1e> 'ut as
that itte dried;up feo+ there said> I a) a pretty good a.tress/ They
+i find it hard to find )e/J She .rashed the door 'ehind her> and a
)o)ent ater they heard the sa) of the front door aso/
J&eggie>J .ried #ady Charney> J&eggie/J The tears +ere strea)ing
do+n her fa.e/ J<h> )y dear> )y dear> I .an go 'a.1 to Charney
no+/ I .an ive there +ith $i.1ie/ I .an te hi) +hat his father +as>
the finest> the )ost spendid )an in a the +ord/J
JWe )ust .onsut very seriousy as to +hat )ust 'e done in the
)atter>J said Coone Mon.1ton/ JAiB> )y dear> if you +i et )e ta1e
you ho)e I sha 'e gad to have a fe+ +ords +ith you on the
su'De.t/J
#ady Charney rose/ She .a)e a.ross to Mr Satterth+aite> and
aying 'oth hands on his shouders> she 1issed hi) very genty/
JIt is so +onderfu to 'e aive again after 'eing so ong dead>J she
said/ JIt +as i1e 'eing dead> you 1no+/ Than1 you> dear Mr
Satterth+aite/J
She +ent out of the roo) +ith Coone Mon.1ton/ Mr Satterth+aite
ga?ed after the)/ A grunt fro) Fran1 %risto+ +ho) he had forgotten
)ade hi) turn sharpy round/
JShe is a ovey .reature>J said %risto+ )oodiy/ J%ut she"s not
neary so interesting as she +as>J he said goo)iy/
JThere spea1s the artist>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JWe> she isn"t>J said Mr %risto+/ JI suppose I shoud ony get the
.od shouder if I ever +ent 'utting in at Charney/ I don"t +ant to go
+here I a) not +anted/J
JMy dear young )an>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jif you +i thin1 a itte
ess of the i)pression you are )a1ing on other peope> you +i> I
thin1> 'e +iser and happier/ @ou +oud aso do +e to disa'use your
)ind of so)e very od;fashioned notions> one of +hi.h is that 'irth
has any signifi.an.e at a in our )odern .onditions/ @ou are one of
those arge proportioned young )en +ho) +o)en a+ays .onsider
good;oo1ing> and you have possi'y> if not .ertainy> genius/ *ust
say that over to yoursef ten ti)es 'efore you go to 'ed every night
and in three )onths ti)e go and .a on #ady Charney at Charney/
That is )y advi.e to you> and I a) an od )an +ith .onsidera'e
eBperien.e of the +ord/J
A very .har)ing s)ie suddeny spread over the artist"s fa.e/
J@ou have 'een thunderingy good to )e>J he said suddeny/ !e
sei?ed Mr Satterth+aite"s hand and +rung it in a po+erfu grip/
JI a) no end gratefu/ I )ust 'e off no+/ Than1s very )u.h for one of
the )ost eBtraordinary evenings I have ever spent/J
!e oo1ed round as though to say good;'ye to so)eone ese and
then started/
JI say> sir> your friend has gone/ I never sa+ hi) go/ !e is rather a
8ueer 'ird> isn"t heAJ
J!e goes and .o)es very suddeny>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThat is
one of his .hara.teristi.s/ <ne doesn"t a+ays see hi) .o)e and
go/J
J#i1e !are8uin>J said Fran1 %risto+> Jhe is invisi'e>J and aughed
heartiy at his o+n Do1e/
Chapter 16
T!( %I&$ WIT! T!( %&<-(0 WI0,
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed out of the +indo+/ It +as raining steadiy/
!e shivered/ 7ery fe+ .ountry houses> he refe.ted> +ere reay
propery heated/ It .heered hi) to thin1 that in a fe+ hours ti)e he
+oud 'e speeding to+ards #ondon/ <n.e one had passed siBty
years of age> #ondon +as reay )u.h the 'est pa.e/
!e +as feeing a itte od and patheti./ Most of the )e)'ers of the
house party +ere so young/ Four of the) had Dust gone off into the
i'rary to do ta'e turning/ They had invited hi) to a..o)pany the)>
'ut he had de.ined/ !e faied to derive any a)use)ent fro) the
)onotonous .ounting of the etters of the apha'et and the usua
)eaningess Du)'e of etters that resuted/
@es> #ondon +as the 'est pa.e for hi)/ !e +as gad that he had
de.ined Madge -eeey"s invitation +hen she had rung up to invite
hi) over to #aide haf an hour ago/ An adora'e young person>
.ertainy> 'ut #ondon +as 'est/
Mr Satterth+aite shivered again and re)e)'ered that the fire in the
i'rary +as usuay a good one/ !e opened the door and adventured
.autiousy into the dar1ened roo)/
JIf I") not in the +ay ;J
JWas that 0 or MA We sha have to .ount again/ 0o> of .ourse not>
Mr Satterth+aite/ $o you 1no+> the )ost eB.iting things have 'een
happening/ The spirit says her na)e is Ada Spiers> and *ohn here is
going to )arry so)eone .aed ,adys %un a)ost i))ediatey/J
Mr Satterth+aite sat do+n in a 'ig easy .hair in front of the fire/ !is
eyeids drooped over his eyes and he do?ed/ Fro) ti)e to ti)e he
returned to .ons.iousness> hearing frag)ents of spee.h/
JIt .an"t 'e P;A;%;V;# ; not uness he"s a &ussian/ *ohn> you"re
shoving/ I sa+ you/ I 'eieve it"s a ne+ spirit .o)e/J
Another interva of do?ing/ Then a na)e Der1ed hi) +ide a+a1e/
J4;2;I;0/ Is that rightAJ
J@es> it"s rapped on.e for "@es/"J
J4uin/ !ave you a )essage for so)eone hereA @es/ For )eA For
*ohnA For SarahA For (veynA 0o ; 'ut there"s no one ese/ <hG It"s
for Mr Satterth+aite> perhapsA It says "@es/" Mr Satterth+aite> it"s a
)essage for you/J
JWhat does it sayAJ
Mr Satterth+aite +as 'road a+a1e no+> sitting taut and ere.t in his
.hair> his eyes shining/
The ta'e ro.1ed and one of the girs .ounted/
J# A I ; it .an"t 'e ; that doesn"t )a1e sense/ 0o +ord 'egins #AI/J
J,o on>J said Mr Satterth+aite> and the .o))and in his voi.e +as so
sharp that he +as o'eyed +ithout 8uestion/
J#AI$(# and another # ; <hG that see)s to 'e a/J
J,o on/J
JTe us so)e )ore> pease/J
A pause/
JThere doesn"t see) to 'e any )ore/ The ta'e"s gone 8uite dead/
!o+ siy/J
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/ JI don"t thin1 it"s siy/J
!e rose and eft the roo)/ !e +ent straight to the teephone/
Presenty he +as through/
JCan I spea1 to Miss -eeeyA Is that you> Madge> )y dearA I +ant to
.hange )y )ind> if I )ay> and a..ept your 1ind invitation/ It is not so
urgent as I thought that I shoud get 'a.1 to to+n/ @es ; yes ; I +i
arrive in ti)e for dinner/J
!e hung up the re.eiver> a strange fush on his +ithered .hee1s/ Mr
4uin ; the )ysterious Mr !arey 4uin/ Mr Satterth+aite .ounted over
on his fingers the ti)es he had 'een 'rought into .onta.t +ith that
)an of )ystery/ Where Mr 4uin +as .on.erned ; things happenedG
What had happened or +as going to happen ; at #aideA
Whatever it +as> there +as +or1 for hi)> Mr Satterth+aite> to do/ In
so)e +ay or other> he +oud have an a.tive part to pay/ !e +as
sure of that/
#aide +as a arge house/ Its o+ner> $avid -eeey> +as one of those
8uiet )en +ith indeter)inate personaities +ho see) to .ount as
part of the furniture/ Their in.onspi.uousness has nothing to do +ith
'rain po+er ; $avid -eeey +as a )ost 'riiant )athe)ati.ian> and
had +ritten a 'oo1 totay in.o)prehensi'e to ninety;nine hundreths
of hu)anity/ %ut i1e so )any )en of 'riiant intee.t> he radiated no
'odiy vigour or )agnetis)/ It +as a standing Do1e that $avid -eeey
+as a rea Jinvisi'e )an/J Foot)en passed hi) 'y +ith the
vegeta'es> and guests forgot to say ho+ do you do or good;'ye/
!is daughter Madge +as very different/ A fine upstanding young
+o)an> 'ursting +ith energy and ife/ Thorough> heathy and nor)a>
and eBtre)ey pretty/
It +as she +ho re.eived Mr Satterth+aite +hen he arrived/
J!o+ ni.e of you to .o)e ; after a/J
J7ery deightfu of you to et )e .hange )y )ind/ Madge> )y dear>
you"re oo1ing very +e/J
J<hG I") a+ays +e/J
J@es> I 1no+/ %ut it"s )ore than that/ @ou oo1 ; +e> 'oo)ing is the
+ord I have in )ind/ !as anything happened )y dearA Anything ;
+e ; spe.iaAJ
She aughed ; 'ushed a itte/
JIt"s too 'ad> Mr Satterth+aite/ @ou a+ays guess things/J
!e too1 her hand/
JSo it"s that> is itA Mr &ight has .o)e aongAJ
It +as an od;fashioned ter)> 'ut Madge did not o'De.t to it/ She
rather i1ed Mr Satterth+aite"s od;fashioned +ays/
JI suppose so ; yes/ %ut no'ody"s supposed to 1no+/ It"s a se.ret/
%ut I don"t reay )ind your 1no+ing> Mr Satterth+aite/ @ou"re a+ays
so ni.e and sy)patheti./J
Mr Satterth+aite thoroughy enDoyed ro)an.e at se.ond hand/ !e
+as senti)enta and 7i.torian/
JI )ustn"t as1 +ho the u.1y )an isA We> then a I .an say is that I
hope he is +orthy of the honour you are .onferring on hi)/J
&ather a du.1> od Mr Satterth+aite> thought Madge/
J<hG +e sha get on a+fuy +e together> I thin1>J she said/ J@ou
see> +e i1e doing the sa)e things> and that"s so a+fuy i)portant>
isn"t itA We"ve reay got a ot in .o))on ; and +e 1no+ a a'out
ea.h other and a that/ It"s reay 'een .o)ing on for a ong ti)e/
That gives one su.h a ni.e safe feeing> doesn"t itAJ
J2ndou'tedy>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J%ut in )y eBperien.e one
.an never reay 1no+ a a'out anyone ese/ That is part of the
interest and .har) of ife/J
J<hG I" ris1 it>J said Madge> aughing> and they +ent up to dress for
dinner/
Mr Satterth+aite +as ate/ !e had not 'rought a vaet> and having his
things unpa.1ed for hi) 'y a stranger a+ays furried hi) a itte/ !e
.a)e do+n to find everyone asse)'ed> and in the )odern stye
Madge )erey said> J<hG !ere"s Mr Satterth+aite/ I") starving/ #et"s
go in/J
She ed the +ay +ith a ta grey;haired +o)an ; a +o)an of stri1ing
personaity/ She had a very .ear rather in.isive voi.e> and her fa.e
+as .ear .ut and rather 'eautifu/
J!o+ d"you do> Satterth+aite>J said Mr -eeey/
Mr Satterth+aite Du)ped/
J!o+ do you do>J he said/ JI") afraid I didn"t see you/J
J0o'ody does>J said Mr -eeey sady/
They +ent in/ The ta'e +as a o+ ova of )ahogany/ Mr
Satterth+aite +as pa.ed 'et+een his young hostess and a short
dar1 gir ; a very hearty gir +ith a oud voi.e and a ringing
deter)ined augh that eBpressed )ore the deter)ination to 'e
.heerfu at a .osts than any rea )irth/ !er na)e see)ed to 'e
$oris> and she +as the type of young +o)an Mr Satterth+aite )ost
disi1ed/ She had> he .onsidered> no artisti. Dustifi.ation for
eBisten.e/
<n Madge"s other side +as a )an of a'out thirty> +hose i1eness to
the grey;haired +o)an pro.ai)ed the) )other and son/
0eBt to hi) ;
Mr Satterth+aite .aught his 'reath/
!e didn"t 1no+ +hat it +as eBa.ty/ It +as not 'eauty/ It +as
so)ething ese ; so)ething )u.h )ore eusive and intangi'e than
'eauty/
She +as istening to Mr -eeey"s rather ponderous dinner;ta'e
.onversation> her head 'ent a itte side+ays/ She +as there> it
see)ed to Mr Satterth+aite ; and yet she +as not thereG She +as
so)eho+ a great dea ess su'stantia than anyone ese seated
round the ova ta'e/ So)ething in the droop of her 'ody side+ays
+as 'eautifu ; +as )ore than 'eautifu/ She oo1ed up ; her eyes
)et Mr Satterth+aite"s for a )o)ent a.ross the ta'e ; and the +ord
he +anted eapt to his )ind/
(n.hant)ent ; that +as it/ She had the 8uaity of en.hant)ent/ She
)ight have 'een one of those .reatures +ho are ony haf;hu)an ;
one of the !idden Peope fro) the !oo+ !is/ She )ade everyone
ese oo1 rather too rea///
%ut at the sa)e ti)e> in a 8ueer +ay> she stirred his pity/ It +as as
though se)i;hu)anity handi.apped her/ !e sought for a phrase and
found it/
JA 'ird +ith a 'ro1en +ing>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
Satisfied> he turned his )ind 'a.1 to the su'De.t of ,ir ,uides and
hoped that the gir $oris had not noti.ed his a'stra.tion/ When she
turned to the )an on the other side of her ; a )an Mr Satterth+aite
had hardy noti.ed> he hi)sef turned to Madge/
JWho is the ady sitting neBt to your fatherAJ he as1ed in a o+ voi.e/
JMrs ,raha)A <h> noG @ou )ean Ma'ee/ $on"t you 1no+ herA
Ma'ee Annesey/ She +as a Cydesey ; one of the i;fated
Cydeseys/J
!e started/ The i;fated Cydeseys/ !e re)e)'ered/ A 'rother had
shot hi)sef> a sister had 'een dro+ned> another had perished in an
earth8ua1e/ A 8ueer doo)ed fa)iy/ This gir )ust 'e the youngest
of the)/
!is thoughts +ere re.aed suddeny/ Madge"s hand tou.hed his
under the ta'e/ (veryone ese +as ta1ing/ She gave a faint
in.ination of her head to her eft/
JThat"s hi)>J she )ur)ured ungra))ati.ay/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded 8ui.1y in .o)prehension/ So this young
,raha) +as the )an of Madge"s .hoi.e/ We> she .oud hardy have
done 'etter as far as appearan.es +ent ; and Mr Satterth+aite +as a
shre+d o'server/ A peasant> i1ea'e> rather )atter;of;fa.t young
feo+/ They"d )a1e a ni.e pair ; no nonsense a'out either of the) ;
good heathy so.ia'e young fo1/
#aide +as run on od;fashioned ines/ The adies eft the diningroo)
first/ Mr Satterth+aite )oved up to ,raha) and 'egan to ta1
to hi)/ !is esti)ate of the young )an +as .onfir)ed> yet there +as
so)ething that stru.1 hi) as 'eing not 8uite true to type/ &oger
,raha) +as distrait> his )ind see)ed far a+ay> his hand shoo1 as
he repa.ed the gass on the ta'e/
J!e"s got so)ething on his )ind>J thought Mr Satterth+aite a.utey/
J0ot neary as i)portant as he thin1s it is> I dare say/ A the sa)e> I
+onder +hat it is/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as in the ha'it of s+ao+ing a .oupe of digestive
pasties after )eas/ !aving nege.ted to 'ring the) do+n +ith hi)>
he +ent up to his roo) to fet.h the)/
<n his +ay do+n to the dra+ing;roo)> he passed aong the ong
.orridor on the ground foor/ A'out haf;+ay aong it +as a roo)
1no+n as the terra.e roo)/ As Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed through the
open door+ay in passing> he stopped short
Moonight +as strea)ing into the roo)/ The atti.ed panes gave it a
8ueer rhyth)i. pattern/ A figure +as sitting on the o+ +indo+ si>
drooping a itte side+ays and softy t+anging the string of a u1eee ;
not in a Da?? rhyth)> 'ut in a far oder rhyth)> the 'eat of fairy horses
riding on fairy his/
Mr Satterth+aite stood fas.inated/ She +ore a dress of du dar1
'ue .hiffon> peated so that it oo1ed i1e the feathers of a 'ird/ She
'ent over the instru)ent> .rooning to it
!e .a)e into the roo) ; so+y> step 'y step/ !e +as .ose to her
+hen she oo1ed up and sa+ hi)/ She didn"t start> he noti.ed> or
see) surprised/
JI hope I") not intruding>J he 'egan/
JPease ; sit do+n/J
!e sat near her on a poished oa1 .hair/ She hu))ed softy under
her 'reath/
JThere"s a ot of )agi. a'out tonight>J she said/ J$on"t you thin1 soAJ
J@es> there +as a ot of )agi. a'out/J
JThey +anted )e to fet.h )y u1e>J she eBpained/ JAnd as I passed
here> I thought it +oud 'e so ovey to 'e aone here ; in the dar1 and
the )oon/J
JThen I ;J Mr Satterth+aite haf rose> 'ut she stopped hi)/
J$on"t go/ @ou ; you fit in> so)eho+/ It"s 8ueer> 'ut you do/J
!e sat do+n again/
JIt"s 'een a 8ueer sort of evening>J she said/ JI +as out in the +oods
ate this afternoon> and I )et a )an ; su.h a strange sort of )an ; ta
and dar1> i1e a ost sou/ The sun +as setting> and the ight of it
through the trees )ade hi) oo1 i1e a 1ind of !are8uin/J
JAhGJ Mr Satterth+aite eant for+ard ; his interest 8ui.1ened/
JI +anted to spea1 to hi) ; he ; he oo1ed so i1e so)e'ody I 1no+/
%ut I ost hi) in the trees/J
JI thin1 I 1no+ hi)>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J$o youA !e is ; interesting> isn"t heAJ
J@es> he is interesting/J
There +as a pause/ Mr Satterth+aite +as perpeBed/ There +as
so)ething> he fet> that he ought to do ; and he didn"t 1no+ +hat it
+as/ %ut surey ; surey> it had to do +ith this gir/ !e said rather
.u)siy ;
JSo)eti)es ; +hen one is unhappy ; one +ants to get a+ay ;J
J@es/ That"s true/J She 'ro1e off suddeny/ J<hG I see +hat you )ean/
%ut you"re +rong/ It"s Dust the other +ay round/ I +anted to 'e aone
'e.ause I") happy/J
J!appyAJ
JTerri'y happy/J
She spo1e 8uite 8uiety> 'ut Mr Satterth+aite had a sudden sense of
sho.1/ What this strange gir )eant 'y 'eing happy +asn"t the sa)e
as Madge -eeey +oud have )eant 'y the sa)e +ords/ !appiness>
for Ma'ee Annesey> )eant so)e 1ind of intense and vivid
e.stasy/// so)ething that +as not ony hu)an> 'ut )ore than hu)an/
!e shran1 'a.1 a itte/
JI ; didn"t 1no+>J he said .u)siy/
J<f .ourse you .oudn"t/ And it"s not ; the a.tua thing ; I") not happy
yet ; 'ut I") going to 'e/J She eaned for+ard/ J$o you 1no+ +hat it"s
i1e to stand in a +ood ; a 'ig +ood +ith dar1 shado+s and trees very
.ose a round you ; a +ood you )ight never get out of ; and then>
suddeny ; Dust in front of you> you see the .ountry of your drea)s ;
shining and 'eautifu ; you"ve ony got to step out fro) the trees and
the dar1ness and you"ve found it///J
JSo )any things oo1 'eautifu>J said Mr Satterth+aite> J'efore +e"ve
rea.hed the)/ So)e of the ugiest things in the +ord oo1 the )ost
'eautifu///J
There +as a step on the foor/ Mr Satterth+aite turned his head/ A
fair )an +ith a stupid> rather +ooden fa.e> stood there/ !e +as the
)an Mr Satterth+aite had hardy noti.ed at the dinner;ta'e/
JThey"re +aiting for you> Ma'ee>J he said/
She got up> the eBpression had gone out of her fa.e> her voi.e +as
fat and .a)/
JI") .o)ing> ,erard>J she said/ JI"ve 'een ta1ing to Mr
Satterth+aite/J
She +ent out of the roo)> Mr Satterth+aite foo+ing/ !e turned his
head over his shouder as he +ent and .aught the eBpression on her
hus'and"s fa.e/ A hungry despairing oo1/
J(n.hant)ent>J thought Mr Satterth+aite/ J!e fees it right enough/
Poor feo+ ; poor feo+/J
The dra+ing;roo) +as +e ighted/ Madge and $oris Coes +ere
vo.iferous in reproa.hes/
JMa'ee> you itte 'east ; you"ve 'een ages/J
She sat on a o+ stoo> tuned the u1eee and sang/ They a Doined in/
JIs it possi'e>J thought Mr Satterth+aite> Jthat so )any idioti. songs
.oud have 'een +ritten a'out My %a'y/J
%ut he had to ad)it that the syn.opated +aiing tunes +ere stirring/
Though> of .ourse> they +eren"t a pat.h on the od;fashioned +at?/
The air got very s)o1y/ The syn.opated rhyth) +ent on/
J0o .onversation>J thought Mr Satterth+aite/ J0o good )usi./ 0o
pea.e/J !e +ished the +ord had not 'e.o)e definitey so noisy/
Suddeny Ma'ee Annesey 'ro1e off> s)ied a.ross the roo) at hi)>
and 'egan to sing a song of ,rieg"s/
JMy s+an ; )y fair one///J
It +as a favourite of Mr Satterth+aite"s/ !e i1ed the note of
ingenuous surprise at the end/
J<ny a s+an thenA A s+an thenAJ
After that> the party 'ro1e up/ Madge offered drin1s +hist her father
pi.1ed up the dis.arded u1eee and 'egan t+anging it a'sent)indedy/
The party eB.hanged good;nights> drifted nearer and
nearer to the door/ (veryone ta1ed at on.e/ ,erard Annesey
sipped a+ay unostentatiousy> eaving the others/
<utside the dra+ing;roo) door> Mr Satterth+aite 'ade Mrs ,raha)
a .ere)onious good;night/ There +ere t+o stair.ases> one .ose at
hand> the other at the end of a ong .orridor/ It +as 'y the atter that
Mr Satterth+aite rea.hed his roo)/ Mrs ,raha) and her son passed
up the stairs near at hand +hen.e the 8uiet ,erard Annesey had
aready pre.eded the)/
J@ou"d 'etter get your u1eee> Ma'ee>J said Madge/ J@ou" forget it
in the )orning if you don"t/ @ou"ve got to )a1e su.h an eary start/J
JCo)e on> Mr Satterth+aite>J said $oris Coes> sei?ing hi)
'oisterousy 'y one ar)/ J(ary to 'ed ; et .etera/J
Madge too1 hi) 'y the other ar) and a three ran do+n the .orridor
to peas of $oris"s aughter/ They paused at the end to +ait for $avid
-eeey> +ho +as foo+ing at a )u.h )ore sedate pa.e> turning out
ee.tri. ights as he .a)e/ The four of the) +ent upstairs together/
Mr Satterth+aite +as Dust preparing to des.end to the dining;roo)
for 'rea1fast on the foo+ing )orning> +hen there +as a ight tap on
the door and Madge -eeey entered/ !er fa.e +as dead +hite> and
she +as shivering a over/
J<h> Mr Satterth+aite/J
JMy dear .hid> +hat"s happenedAJ he too1 her hand/
JMa'ee ; Ma'ee Annesey///J
J@esAJ
What had happenedA WhatA So)ething terri'e ; he 1ne+ that/
Madge .oud hardy get the +ords out/
JShe ; she hanged hersef ast night/// <n the 'a.1 of her door/ <hG
It"s too horri'e/J She 'ro1e do+n ; so''ing/
!anged hersef/ I)possi'e/ In.o)prehensi'eG
!e said a fe+ soothing od;fashioned +ords to Madge> and hurried
do+nstairs/ !e found $avid -eeey oo1ing perpeBed and
in.o)petent/
JI"ve teephoned to the poi.e> Satterth+aite/ Apparenty that"s got to
'e done/ So the do.tor said/ !e"s Dust finished eBa)ining the ; the ;
good ord> it"s a 'easty 'usiness/ She )ust have 'een desperatey
unhappy ; to do it that +ay ; 4ueer that song ast night/ S+an song>
ehA She oo1ed rather i1e a s+an ; a 'a.1 s+an/J
J@es/J
JS+an Song>J repeated -eeey/ JSho+s it +as in her )ind> ehAJ
JIt +oud see) so ; yes> .ertainy it +oud see) so/J
!e hesitated> then as1ed if he )ight see ; if> that is///
!is host .o)prehended the sta))ering re8uest/
JIf you +ant to ; I"d forgotten you have a pen.hant for hu)an
tragedies/J
!e ed the +ay up the 'road stair.ase/ Mr Satterth+aite foo+ed
hi)/ At the head of the stairs +as the roo) o..upied 'y &oger
,raha) and opposite it> on the other side of the passage> his
)other"s roo)/ The atter door +as aDar and a faint +isp of s)o1e
foated through it/
A )o)entary surprise invaded Mr Satterth+aite"s )ind/ !e had not
Dudged Mrs ,raha) to 'e a +o)an +ho s)o1ed so eary in the day/
Indeed> he had had the idea that she did not s)o1e at a/
They +ent aong the passage to the end door 'ut one/ $avid -eeey
entered the roo) and Mr Satterth+aite foo+ed hi)/
The roo) +as not a very arge one and sho+ed signs of a )an"s
o..upation/ A door in the +a ed into a se.ond roo)/ A 'it of .ut
rope sti danged fro) a hoo1 high up on the door/ <n the 'ed///
Mr Satterth+aite stood for a )inute oo1ing do+n on the heap of
hudded .hiffon/ !e noti.ed that it +as peated i1e the pu)age of a
'ird/ At the fa.e> after one gan.e> he did not oo1 again/
!e gan.ed fro) the door +ith its danging rope to the
.o))uni.ating door through +hi.h they had .o)e/ JWas that
openAJ
J@es/ At east the )aid says so/J
JAnnesey sept in thereA $id he hear anythingAJ
J!e says ; nothing/J
JA)ost in.redi'e>J )ur)ured Mr Satterth+aite/ !e oo1ed 'a.1 at
the for) on the 'ed/ JWhere is heAJ
JAnneseyA !e"s do+nstairs +ith the do.tor/J
They +ent do+nstairs to find an Inspe.tor of poi.e had arrived/ Mr
Satterth+aite +as agreea'y surprised to re.ognise in hi) an od
a.8uaintan.e> Inspe.tor Win1fied/ The Inspe.tor +ent upstairs +ith
the do.tor> and a fe+ )inutes ater a re8uest .a)e that a )e)'ers
of the house party shoud asse)'e in the dra+ing;roo)/
The 'inds had 'een dra+n> and the +hoe roo) had a funerea
aspe.t/ $oris Coes oo1ed frightened and su'dued/ (very no+ and
then she da''ed her eyes +ith a hand1er.hief/ Madge +as resoute
and aert> her feeings fuy under .ontro 'y no+/ Mrs ,raha) +as
.o)posed> as a+ays> her fa.e grave and i)passive/ The tragedy
see)ed to have affe.ted her son )ore 1eeny than anyone/ !e
oo1ed a positive +re.1 this )orning/ $avid -eeey> as usua> had
su'sided into the 'a.1ground/
The 'ereaved hus'and sat aone> a itte apart fro) the others/ There
+as a 8ueer da?ed oo1 a'out hi)> as though he .oud hardy reaise
+hat had ta1en pa.e/
Mr Satterth+aite> out+ardy .o)posed> +as in+ardy seething +ith
the i)portan.e of a duty shorty to 'e perfor)ed/
Inspe.tor Win1fied> foo+ed 'y $r Morris> .a)e in and shut the door
'ehind hi)/ !e .eared his throat and spo1e/
JThis is a very sad o..urren.e ; very sad> I") sure/ It"s ne.essary>
under the .ir.u)stan.es> that I shoud as1 every'ody a fe+
8uestions/ @ou" not o'De.t> I") sure/ I" 'egin +ith Mr Annesey/
@ou" forgive )y as1ing> sir> 'ut had your good ady ever threatened
to ta1e her ifeAJ
Mr Satterth+aite opened his ips i)pusivey> then .osed the)
again/ There +as penty of ti)e/ %etter not spea1 too soon/
JI ; no> I don"t thin1 so/J
!is voi.e +as so hesitating> so pe.uiar> that everyone shot a .overt
gan.e at hi)/ J@ou"re not sure> sirAJ
J@es ; I") ; 8uite sure/ She didn"t/J
JAhG Were you a+are that she +as unhappy in any +ayAJ
J0o/ I ; no> I +asn"t/J
JShe said nothing to you/ A'out feeing depressed> for instan.eAJ
JI ; no> nothing/J
Whatever the Inspe.tor thought> he said nothing/ Instead he
pro.eeded to his neBt point/
JWi you des.ri'e to )e 'riefy the events of ast nightAJ
JWe ; a +ent up to 'ed/ I fe aseep i))ediatey and heard nothing/
The house)aid"s s.rea) aroused )e this )orning/ I rushed into the
adDoining roo) and found )y +ife ; and found her ;J
!is voi.e 'ro1e/ The Inspe.tor nodded/ J@es> yes> that"s 8uite
enough/ We needn"t go into that/ When did you ast see your +ife the
night 'eforeAJ
JI ; do+nstairs/J
J$o+nstairsAJ
J@es> +e a eft the dra+ing;roo) together/ I +ent straight up
eaving the others ta1ing in the ha/J
JAnd you didn"t see your +ife againA $idn"t she say good;night +hen
she .a)e up to 'edAJ
JI +as aseep +hen she .a)e up/J
J%ut she ony foo+ed you a fe+ )inutes ater/ That"s right> isn"t it>
sirAJ !e oo1ed at $avid -eeey> +ho nodded/
JShe hadn"t .o)e up haf an hour ater/J Annesey spo1e stu''orny/
The Inspe.tor"s eyes strayed genty to Mrs ,raha)/
JShe didn"t stay in your roo) ta1ing> Mada)AJ
$id Mr Satterth+aite fan.y it> or +as there a sight pause 'efore Mrs
,raha) said +ith her .usto)ary 8uiet de.ision of )anner> J0o> I
+ent straight into )y roo) and .osed the door/ I heard nothing/J
JAnd you say> sir ;J the Inspe.tor had shifted his attention 'a.1 to
Annesey ; Jthat you sept and heard nothing/ The .o))uni.ating
door +as open> +as it notAJ
JI ; I 'eieve so/ %ut )y +ife +oud have entered her roo) 'y the
other door fro) the .orridor/J
J(ven so> sir> there +oud have 'een .ertain sounds ; a .ho1ing
noise> a dru))ing of hees on the door ;J
J0o/J
It +as Mr Satterth+aite +ho spo1e> i)petuousy> una'e to stop
hi)sef/ (very eye turned to+ards hi) in surprise/ !e hi)sef
'e.a)e nervous> sta))ered> and turned pin1/
JI ; I 'eg your pardon> Inspe.tor/ %ut I )ust spea1/ @ou are on the
+rong tra.1 ; the +rong tra.1 atogether/ Mrs Annesey did not 1i
hersef ; I a) sure of it/ She +as )urdered/J
There +as a dead sien.e> then Inspe.tor Win1fied said 8uiety>
JWhat eads you to say that> sirAJ
JI ; it is a feeing/ A very strong feeing/J
J%ut I thin1> sir> there )ust 'e )ore than that to it/ There )ust 'e
so)e parti.uar reason/J
We> of .ourse there +as a parti.uar reason/ There +as the
)ysterious )essage fro) Mr 4uin/ %ut you .oudn"t te a poi.e
inspe.tor that/ Mr Satterth+aite .ast a'out desperatey> and found
so)ething/ J#ast night ; +hen +e +ere ta1ing together> she said she
+as very happy/ 7ery happy ; Dust that/ That +asn"t i1e a +o)an
thin1ing of .o))itting sui.ide/J
!e +as triu)phant/ !e added> JShe +ent 'a.1 to the dra+ing;roo)
to fet.h her u1eee> so that she +oudn"t forget it in the )orning/
That didn"t oo1 i1e sui.ide either/J
J0o>J ad)itted the Inspe.tor/ J0o> perhaps it didn"t/J !e turned to
$avid -eeey/ J$id she ta1e the u1eee upstairs +ith herAJ
The )athe)ati.ian tried to re)e)'er/
JI thin1 ; yes> she did/ She +ent upstairs .arrying it in her hand/ I
re)e)'er seeing it Dust as she turned the .orner of the stair.ase
'efore I turned off the ight do+n hereJ
J<hGJ .ried Madge/ J%ut it"s here no+/J
She pointed dra)ati.ay to +here the u1eee ay on a ta'e/
JThat"s .urious>J said the Inspe.tor/ !e stepped s+ifty a.ross and
rang the 'e/
A 'rief order sent the 'uter in sear.h of the house)aid +hose
'usiness it +as to do the roo)s in the )orning/ She .a)e> and +as
8uite positive in her ans+er/ The u1eee had 'een there first thing
that )orning +hen she had dusted/
Inspe.tor Win1fied dis)issed her and then said .urty> JI +oud i1e
to spea1 to Mr Satterth+aite in private> pease/ (veryone )ay go/
%ut no one is to eave the house/J
Mr Satterth+aite t+ittered into spee.h as soon as the door had
.osed 'ehind the others/
JI ; I a) sure> Inspe.tor> that you have the .ase eB.eenty in hand/
(B.eenty/ I Dust fet that ; having> as I say> a very strong feeing ;J
The Inspe.tor arrested further spee.h +ith an upraised hand/
J@ou"re 8uite right> Mr Satterth+aite/ The ady +as )urdered/J
J@ou 1ne+ itAJ Mr Satterth+aite +as .hagrined/
JThere +ere .ertain things that pu??ed $r Morris/J !e oo1ed
a.ross at the do.tor> +ho had re)ained> and the do.tor assented to
his state)ent +ith a nod of the head/ JWe )ade a thorough
eBa)ination/ The rope that +as round her ne.1 +asn"t the rope that
she +as stranged +ith ; it +as so)ething )u.h thinner that did the
Do'> so)ething )ore i1e a +ire/ It had .ut right into the fesh/ The
)ar1 of the rope +as superi)posed on it/ She +as stranged and
then hung up on the door after+ards to )a1e it oo1 i1e sui.ide/J
J%ut +ho ;AJ
J@es>J said the inspe.tor/ JWhoA That"s the 8uestion/ What a'out the
hus'and seeping neBt door> +ho never said good;night to his +ife
and +ho heard nothingA I shoud say +e hadn"t far to oo1/ Must find
out +hat ter)s they +ere on/ That"s +here you .an 'e usefu to us>
Mr Satterth+aite/ @ou"ve here> and you .an get the hang of things in
a +ay +e .an"t/ Find out +hat reations there +ere 'et+een the t+o/J
JI hardy i1e ;J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite> stiffening/
JIt +on"t 'e the first )urder )ystery you"ve heped us +ith/ I
re)e)'er the .ase of Mrs Strange+ays/ @ou"ve got a fair for that
sort of thing> sir/ An a'soute fair/J
@es> it +as true ; he had a fair ;
!e said 8uiety> JI +i do )y 'est> Inspe.tor/J
!ad ,erard Annesey 1ied his +ifeA !ad heA Mr Satterth+aite
re.aed that oo1 of )isery ast night/ !e oved her ; and he +as
suffering/ Suffering +i drive a )an to strange deeds/
%ut there +as so)ething ese ; so)e other fa.tor/ Ma'ee had
spo1en of hersef as .o)ing out of a +ood ; she +as oo1ing for+ard
to happiness ; not a 8uiet rationa happiness ; 'ut a happiness that
+as irrationa ; a +id e.stasy/// If ,erard Annesey had spo1en the
truth> Ma'ee had not .o)e to her roo) ti at east haf an hour ater
than he had done/ @et $avid -eeey had seen her going up those
stairs/ There +ere t+o other roo)s o..upied in that +ing/ There +as
Mrs ,raha)"s> and there +as her son"s/ !er son"s/ %ut he and
Madge/// Surey Madge +oud have guessed/// %ut Madge +asn"t the
guessing 1ind/ A the sa)e> no s)o1e +ithout fire ;
S)o1eG
AhG he re)e)'ered/ A +isp of s)o1e .uring out through Mrs
,raha)"s 'edroo) door/
!e a.ted on i)puse/ Straight up the stairs and into her roo)/ It +as
e)pty/ !e .osed the door 'ehind hi) and o.1ed it/
!e +ent a.ross to the grate/ A heap of .harred frag)ents/ 7ery
gingery he ra1ed the) over +ith his finger/ !is u.1 +as in/ In the
very .entre +ere so)e un'urnt frag)ents ; frag)ents of etters///
7ery disDointed frag)ents> 'ut they tod hi) so)ething of vaue/
J#ife .an 'e +onderfu> &oger daring/ I never 1ne+///J
Ja )y ife has 'een a drea) ti I )et you> &oger///J
J/// ,erard 1no+s> I thin1/// I a) sorry 'ut +hat .an I doA 0othing is
rea to )e 'ut you> &oger/// We sha 'e together> soon/J
JWhat are you going to te hi) at #aide> &ogerA @ou +rite strangey
; 'ut I a) not afraid///J
7ery .arefuy> Mr Satterth+aite put the frag)ents into an enveope
fro) the +riting;ta'e/ !e +ent to the door> uno.1ed it and opened it
to find hi)sef fa.e to fa.e +ith Mrs ,raha)/
It +as an a+1+ard )o)ent> and Mr Satterth+aite +as )o)entariy
out of .ountenan.e/ !e did +hat +as> perhaps> the 'est thing>
atta.1ed the situation +ith si)pi.ity/
JI have 'een sear.hing your roo)> Mrs ,raha)/ I have found
so)ething ; a pa.1et of etters i)perfe.ty 'urnt/J
A +ave of aar) passed over her fa.e/ It +as gone in a fash> 'ut it
had 'een there/
J#etters fro) Mrs Annesey to your son/J
She hesitated for a )inute> then said 8uiety> JThat is so/ I thought
they +oud 'e 'etter 'urnt/J
JFor +hat reasonAJ
JMy son is engaged to 'e )arried/ These etters ; if they had 'een
'rought into pu'i.ity through the poor gir"s sui.ide ; )ight have
.aused )u.h pain and trou'e/J
J@our son .oud 'urn his o+n etters/J
She had no ans+er ready for that/ Mr Satterth+aite pursued his
advantage/
J@ou found these etters in his roo)> 'rought the) into your roo)
and 'urnt the)/ WhyA @ou +ere afraid> Mrs ,raha)/J
JI a) not in the ha'it of 'eing afraid> Mr Satterth+aite/J
J0o ; 'ut this +as a desperate .ase/J
J$esperateAJ
J@our son )ight have 'een in danger of arrest ; for )urder/J
JMurderGJ
!e sa+ her fa.e go +hite/ !e +ent on 8ui.1y> J@ou heard Mrs
Annesey go into your son"s roo) ast night/ !e had tod her of his
engage)entA 0o> I see he hadn"t/ !e tod her then/ They 8uarreed>
and he ;J
JThat"s a ieGJ
They had 'een so a'sor'ed in their due of +ords that they had not
heard approa.hing footsteps/ &oger ,raha) had .o)e up 'ehind
the) unper.eived 'y either/
JIt"s a right> Mother/ $on"t +orry/ Co)e into )y roo)> Mr
Satterth+aite/J
Mr Satterth+aite foo+ed hi) into his roo)/ Mrs ,raha) had turned
a+ay and did not atte)pt to foo+ the)/ &oger ,raha) shut the
door/
J#isten> Mr Satterth+aite> you thin1 I 1ied Ma'ee/ @ou thin1 I
stranged her ; here ; and too1 her aong and hung her up on that
door ; ater ; +hen everyone +as aseepAJ
Mr Satterth+aite stared at hi)/ Then he said surprisingy> J0o> I do
not thin1 so/J
JThan1 ,od for that/ I .oudn"t have 1ied Ma'ee/ I ; I oved her/ <r
didn"t IA I don"t 1no+/ It"s a tange that I .an"t eBpain/ I") fond of
Madge ; I a+ays have 'een/ And she"s su.h a good sort/ We suit
ea.h other/ %ut Ma'ee +as different/ It +as ; I .an"t eBpain it ; a
sort of en.hant)ent/ I +as> I thin1 ; afraid of her/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/
JIt +as )adness ; a 1ind of 'e+idering e.stasy/// %ut it +as
i)possi'e/ It +oudn"t have +or1ed/ That sort of thing doesn"t ast/ I
1no+ +hat it )eans no+ to have a spe .ast over you/J
J@es> it )ust have 'een i1e that>J said Mr Satterth+aite thoughtfuy/
JI ; I +anted to get out of it a/ I +as going to te Ma'ee ; ast night/J
J%ut you didn"tAJ
J0o> I didn"t>J said ,raha) so+y/ JI s+ear to you> Mr Satterth+aite>
that I never sa+ her after I said good;night do+nstairs/J
JI 'eieve you>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
!e got up/ It +as not &oger ,raha) +ho had 1ied Ma'ee
Annesey/ !e .oud have fed fro) her> 'ut he .oud not have 1ied
her/ !e had 'een afraid of her> afraid of that +id intangi'e fairy;i1e
8uaity of hers/ !e had 1no+n en.hant)ent ; and turned his 'a.1 on
it/ !e had gone for the safe sensi'e thing that he had 1no+n J+oud
+or1J and had rein8uished the intangi'e drea) that )ight ead hi)
he 1ne+ not +here/
!e +as a sensi'e young )an> and> as su.h> uninteresting to Mr
Satterth+aite> +ho +as an artist and a .onnoisseur in ife/
!e eft &oger ,raha) in his roo) and +ent do+nstairs/ The dra+ingroo)
+as e)pty/ Ma'ee"s u1eee ay on a stoo 'y the +indo+/ !e
too1 it up and t+anged it a'sent;)indedy/ !e 1ne+ nothing of the
instru)ent> 'ut his ear tod hi) that it +as a'o)ina'y out of tune/
!e turned a 1ey eBperi)entay/
$oris Coes .a)e into the roo)/ She oo1ed at hi) reproa.hfuy/
JPoor Ma'ee"s u1e>J she said/
!er .ear .onde)nation )ade Mr Satterth+aite fee o'stinate/
JTune it for )e>J he said> and added ; JIf you .an/J
J<f .ourse I .an>J said $oris> +ounded at the suggestion of
in.o)peten.e in any dire.tion/
She too1 it fro) hi)> t+anged a string> turned a 1ey 'ris1y ; and the
string snapped/
JWe> I never/ <hG I see ; 'ut ho+ eBtraordinaryG It"s the +rong string
; a si?e too 'ig/ It"s an A string/ !o+ stupid to put that on/ <f .ourse it
snaps +hen you try to tune it up/ !o+ stupid peope are/J
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JThey are ; even +hen they try to 'e
.ever///J
!is tone +as so odd that she stared at hi)/ !e too1 the u1eee fro)
her and re)oved the 'ro1en string/ !e +ent out of the roo) hoding
it in his hand/ In the i'rary he found $avid -eeey/
J!ere>J he said/ !e hed out the string/ -eeey too1 it/
JWhat"s thisAJ
JA 'ro1en u1eee string/J !e paused and then +ent on ; JWhat did
you do +ith the other oneAJ
JThe other oneAJ
JThe one you stranged her +ith/ @ou +ere very .ever> +eren"t youA
It +as done very 8ui.1y ; Dust in that )o)ent +e +ere a aughing
and ta1ing in the ha/
JMa'ee .a)e 'a.1 into this roo) for her u1eee/ @ou had ta1en the
string off as you fidded +ith it Dust 'efore/ @ou .aught her round the
throat +ith it and stranged her/ Then you .a)e out and o.1ed the
door and Doined us/ #ater> in the dead of night> you .a)e do+n and ;
and disposed of the 'ody 'y hanging it on the door of her roo)/ And
you put another string on the u1eee ; 'ut it +as the +rong string>
that"s +hy you +ere stupid/J There +as a pause/
J%ut +hy did you do itAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/ JIn ,od"s na)e>
+hyAJ
Mr -eeey aughed> a funny gigging itte augh that )ade Mr
Satterth+aite fee rather si.1/
JIt +as so very si)pe>J he said/ JThat"s +hyG And then ; no'ody ever
noti.ed )e/ 0o'ody ever noti.ed +hat I +as doing/ I thought ; I
thought I"d have the augh of the)///J
And again he gave that furtive itte gigge and oo1ed at Mr
Satterth+aite +ith )ad eyes/
Mr Satterth+aite +as gad that at that )o)ent Inspe.tor Win1fied
.a)e into the roo)/
It +as t+enty;four hours ater> on his +ay to #ondon> that Mr
Satterth+aite a+o1e fro) a do?e to find a ta dar1 )an sitting
opposite to hi) in the rai+ay .arriage/ !e +as not atogether
surprised/
JMy dear Mr 4uinGJ
J@es ; I a) here/J
Mr Satterth+aite said so+y> JI .an hardy fa.e you/ I a) asha)ed ; I
faied/J
JAre you so sure of thatAJ
JI did not save her/J
J%ut you dis.overed the truthAJ
J@es ; that is true/ <ne or other of those young )en )ight have 'een
a..used ; )ight even have 'een found guity/ So> at any rate> I saved
a )an"s ife/ %ut> she ; she ; that strange en.hanting .reature///J !is
voi.e 'ro1e off/
Mr 4uin oo1ed at hi)/
JIs death the greatest evi that .an happen to anyoneAJ
JI ; +e ; perhaps ; no ;J
Mr Satterth+aite re)e)'ered/// Madge and &oger ,raha)///
Ma'ee"s fa.e in the )oonight ; its serene unearthy happiness///J
J0o>J he ad)itted/ J0o ; perhaps death is not the greatest evi///J
!e re)e)'ered the ruffed 'ue .hiffon of her dress that had
see)ed to hi) i1e the pu)age of a 'ird/// A 'ird +ith a 'ro1en
+ing///
When he oo1ed up> he found hi)sef aone/ Mr 4uin +as no onger
there/
%ut he had eft so)ething 'ehind/
<n the seat +as a roughy .arved 'ird fashioned out of so)e di)
'ue stone/ It had> possi'y> no great artisti. )erit/ %ut it had
so)ething ese/
It had the vague 8uaity of en.hant)ent/
So said Mr Satterth+aite ; and Mr Satterth+aite +as a .onnoisseur/
Chapter 11
T!( W<&#$"S (0$
Mr Satterth+aite had .o)e to Corsi.a 'e.ause of the $u.hess/ It
+as out of his 'eat/ <n the &iviera he +as sure of his .o)forts> and
to 'e .o)forta'e )eant a ot to Mr Satterth+aite/ %ut though he
i1ed his .o)fort> he aso i1ed a $u.hess/ In his +ay> a har)ess>
gente)any> od;fashioned +ay> Mr Satterth+aite +as a sno'/ !e
i1ed the 'est peope/ And the $u.hess of #eith +as a very authenti.
$u.hess/ There +ere no Chi.ago por1 'ut.hers in her an.estry/ She
+as the daughter of a $u1e as +e as the +ife of one/
For the rest> she +as rather a sha''y;oo1ing od ady> a good dea
given to 'a.1 'ead tri))ings on her .othes/ She had 8uantities of
dia)onds in od;fashioned settings> and she +ore the) as her
)other 'efore her had +orn the) ; pinned a over her
indis.ri)inatey/ So)eone had suggested on.e that the $u.hess
stood in the )idde of the roo) +hist her )aid fung 'roo.hes at her
hapha?ard/ She su's.ri'ed generousy to .harities> and oo1ed +e
after her tenants and dependents> 'ut +as eBtre)ey )ean over
s)a su)s/ She .adged ifts fro) her friends> and did her shopping
in 'argain 'ase)ents/
The $u.hess +as sei?ed +ith a +hi) for Corsi.a/ Cannes 'ored her
and she had a 'itter argu)ent +ith the hote proprietor over the
pri.e of her roo)s/
JAnd you sha go +ith )e> Satterth+aite>J she said fir)y/ JWe
needn"t 'e afraid of s.anda at our ti)e of ife/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as dei.atey fattered/ 0o one had ever
)entioned s.anda in .onne.tion +ith hi) 'efore/ !e +as far too
insignifi.ant/ S.anda ; and a $u.hess ; dei.iousG
JPi.tures8ue you 1no+>J said the $u.hess/ J%rigands ; a that sort
of thing/ And eBtre)ey .heap> so I"ve heard/ Manue +as positivey
i)pudent this )orning/ These hote proprietors need putting in their
pa.e/ They .an"t eBpe.t to get the 'est peope if they go on i1e this/
I tod hi) so painy/J
JI 'eieve>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jthat one .an fy over 8uite
.o)forta'y/ Fro) Anti'es/J
JThey pro'a'y .harge you a pretty penny for it>J said the $u.hess
sharpy/ JFind out> +i youAJ
JCertainy> $u.hess/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as sti in a futter of gratifi.ation despite the fa.t
that his r/e +as .eary to 'e that of a gorified .ourier/
When she earned the pri.e of a passage 'y Avion> the $u.hess
turned it do+n pro)pty/
JThey needn"t thin1 I") going to pay a ridi.uous su) i1e that to go in
one of their nasty dangerous things/J
So they +ent 'y 'oat> and Mr Satterth+aite endured ten hours of
a.ute dis.o)fort/ To 'egin +ith> as the 'oat saied at seven> he too1
it for granted that there +oud 'e dinner on 'oard/ %ut there +as no
dinner/ The 'oat +as s)a and the sea +as rough/ Mr Satterth+aite
+as de.anted at ADa..io in the eary hours of the )orning )ore dead
than aive/
The $u.hess> on the .ontrary> +as perfe.ty fresh/ She never
)inded dis.o)fort if she .oud fee she +as saving )oney/ She
oo1ed enthusiasti. over the s.ene on the 8uay> +ith the pa) trees
and the rising sun/ The +hoe popuation see)ed to have turned out
to +at.h the arriva of the 'oat> and the aun.hing of the gang+ay
+as attended +ith eB.ited .ries and dire.tions/
J<n dirait>J said a stout Fren.h)an +ho stood 'eside the)> J8ue
Da)ais avant on / fait .ette )anoeuvre /GJ
JThat )aid of )ine has 'een si.1 a night>J said the $u.hess/ JThe
gir"s a perfe.t foo/J
Mr Satterth+aite s)ied in a paid fashion/
JA +aste of good food> I .a it>J .ontinued the $u.hess ro'usty/
J$id she get any foodAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite enviousy/
JI happened to 'ring so)e 'is.uits and a sti.1 of .ho.oate on 'oard
+ith )e>J said the $u.hess/ JWhen I found there +as no dinner to 'e
got> I gave the ot to her/ The o+er .asses a+ays )a1e su.h a fuss
a'out going +ithout their )eas/J
With a .ry of triu)ph the aun.hing of the gang+ay +as
a..o)pished/ A Musi.a Co)edy .horus of 'rigands rushed a'oard
and +rested hand;uggage fro) the passengers 'y )ain for.e/
JCo)e on> Satterth+aite>J said the $u.hess/ JI +ant a hot 'ath and
so)e .offee/J
So did Mr Satterth+aite/ !e +as not +hoy su..essfu> ho+ever/
They +ere re.eived at the hote 'y a 'o+ing )anager and +ere
sho+n to their roo)s/ The $u.hess"s had a 'athroo) atta.hed/ Mr
Satterth+aite> ho+ever> +as dire.ted to a 'ath that appeared to 'e
situated in so)e'ody ese"s 'edroo)/ To eBpe.t the +ater to 'e hot
at that hour in the )orning +as> perhaps> unreasona'e/ #ater he
dran1 intensey 'a.1 .offee> served in a pot +ithout a id/ The
shutters and the +indo+ of his roo) had 'een fung open> and the
.risp )orning air .a)e in fragranty/ A day of da??ing 'ue and
green/
The +aiter +aved his hand +ith a fourish to .a attention to the
vie+/
JADa..io>J he said soe)ny/ J#e pus 'eau port du )ondeGJ
And he departed a'rupty/
#oo1ing out over the deep 'ue of the 'ay> +ith the sno+ )ountains
'eyond> Mr Satterth+aite +as a)ost in.ined to agree +ith hi)/ !e
finished his .offee> and ying do+n on the 'ed> fe fast aseep/
At deDeuner the $u.hess +as in great spirits/
JThis is Dust +hat +i 'e good for you> Satterth+aite>J she said/ J,et
you out of a those dusty itte od;)aidish +ays of yours/J
She s+ept a orgnette round the roo)/ J2pon )y +ord> there"s
0ao)i Carton S)ith/J
She indi.ated a gir sitting 'y hersef at a ta'e in the +indo+/ A
round;shoudered gir> +ho sou.hed as she sat/ !er dress appeared
to 'e )ade of so)e 1ind of 'ro+n sa.1ing/ She had 'a.1 hair>
untidiy 'o''ed/
JAn artistAJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
!e +as a+ays good at pa.ing peope/
J4uite right>J said the $u.hess/ JCas hersef one any+ay/ I 1ne+
she +as )oo.hing around in so)e 8ueer 8uarter of the go'e/ Poor
as a .hur.h )ouse> proud as #u.ifer> and a 'ee in her 'onnet i1e a
the Carton S)iths/ !er )other +as )y first .ousin/J
JShe"s one of the -no+ton ot thenAJ
The $u.hess nodded/
J%een her o+n +orst ene)y>J she vounteered/ JCever gir too/
MiBed hersef up +ith a )ost undesira'e young )an/ <ne of that
Chesea .ro+d/ Wrote pays or poe)s or so)ething unheathy/
0o'ody too1 "e)> of .ourse/ Then he stoe so)e'ody"s De+es and
got .aught out/ I forget +hat they gave hi)/ Five years> I thin1/ %ut
you )ust re)e)'erA It +as ast +inter/J
J#ast +inter I +as in (gypt>J eBpained Mr Satterth+aite/ JI had fu
very 'ady the end of *anuary> and the do.tors insisted on (gypt
after+ards/ I )issed a ot/J
!is voi.e rang +ith a note of rea regret/
JThat gir see)s to )e to 'e )oping>J said the $u.hess> raising her
orgnette on.e )ore/ JI .an"t ao+ that/J
<n her +ay out> she stopped 'y Miss Carton S)ith"s ta'e and
tapped the gir on the shouder/
JWe> 0ao)i> you don"t see) to re)e)'er )eAJ
0ao)i rose rather un+iingy to her feet/
J@es> I do> $u.hess/ I sa+ you .o)e in/ I thought it +as 8uite i1ey
you )ightn"t re.ognise )e/J
She dra+ed the +ords a?iy> +ith a .o)pete indifferen.e of
)anner/
JWhen you"ve finished your un.h> .o)e and ta1 to )e on the
terra.e>J ordered the $u.hess/
J7ery +e/J 0ao)i ya+ned/
JSho.1ing )anners>J said the $u.hess> to Mr Satterth+aite> as she
resu)ed her progress/ JA the Carton S)iths have/J
They had their .offee outside in the sunshine/ They had 'een there
a'out siB )inutes +hen 0ao)i Carton S)ith ounged out fro) the
hote and Doined the)/ She et hersef fa sa.1y on to a .hair +ith
her egs stret.hed out ungra.efuy in front of her/
An odd fa.e> +ith its Dutting .hin and deep;set grey eyes/ A .ever>
unhappy fa.e ; a fa.e that ony Dust )issed 'eing 'eautifu/
JWe> 0ao)i>J said the $u.hess 'ris1y/ JAnd +hat are you doing
+ith yoursefAJ
J<h> I dunno/ *ust )ar1ing ti)e/J
J%een paintingAJ
JA 'it/J
JSho+ )e your things/J
0ao)i grinned/ She +as not .o+ed 'y the auto.rat/ She +as
a)used/ She +ent into the hote and .a)e out again +ith a portfoio/
J@ou +on"t i1e "e)> $u.hess>J she said +arningy/ JSay +hat you
i1e/ @ou +on"t hurt )y feeings/J
Mr Satterth+aite )oved his .hair a itte nearer/ !e +as interested/
In another )inute he +as )ore interested sti/ The $u.hess +as
fran1y unsy)patheti./
JI .an"t even see +hi.h +ay the things ought to 'e>J she .o)pained/
J,ood gra.ious> .hid> there +as never a s1y that .oour ; or a sea
either/J
JThat"s the +ay I see "e)>J said 0ao)i pa.idy/
J2ghGJ said the $u.hess> inspe.ting another/ JThis gives )e the
.reeps/J
JIt"s )eant to>J said 0ao)i/ J@ou"re paying )e a .o)pi)ent +ithout
1no+ing it/J
It +as a 8ueer vorti.ist study of a pri.1y pear ; Dust re.ognisa'e as
su.h/ ,rey;green +ith sodges of vioent .oour +here the fruit
gittered i1e De+es/ A s+iring )ass of evi> feshy ; festering/ Mr
Satterth+aite shuddered and turned his head aside/
!e found 0ao)i oo1ing at hi) and nodding her head in
.o)prehension/
JI 1no+>J she said/ J%ut it is 'easty/J
The $u.hess .eared her throat/
JIt see)s 8uite easy to 'e an artist no+adays>J she o'served
+itheringy/ JThere"s no atte)pt to .opy things/ @ou Dust shove on
so)e paint ; I don"t 1no+ +hat +ith> not a 'rush> I") sure ;J
JPaette 1nife>J interposed 0ao)i> s)iing 'roady on.e )ore/
JA good dea at a ti)e>J .ontinued the $u.hess> Jin u)ps/ And there
you areG (veryone says> "!o+ .ever/" We> I"ve no patien.e +ith that
sort of thing/ ,ive )e a ni.e pi.ture of a dog or a horse> 'y (d+in
#andseer/
JAnd +hy notAJ de)anded the $u.hess/ JWhat"s +rong +ith
#andseerAJ
J0othing>J said 0ao)i/ J!e"s a right/ And you"re a right/ The tops
of things are a+ays ni.e and shiny and s)ooth/ I respe.t you>
$u.hess> you"ve got for.e/ @ou"ve )et ife fair and s8uare and you"ve
.o)e out on top/ %ut the peope +ho are underneath see the under
side of things/ And that"s interesting in a +ay/J
The $u.hess stared at her/
JI haven"t the faintest idea +hat you"re ta1ing a'out>J she de.ared/
Mr Satterth+aite +as sti eBa)ining the s1et.hes/ !e reaised> as
the $u.hess .oud not> the perfe.tion of te.hni8ue 'ehind the)/ !e
+as started and deighted/ !e oo1ed up at the gir/
JWi you se )e one of these> Miss Carton S)ithAJ he as1ed/
J@ou .an have any one you i1e for five guineas>J said the gir
indifferenty/
Mr Satterth+aite hesitated a )inute or t+o and then he see.ted a
study of pri.1y pear and aoe/ In the foreground +as a vivid 'ur of
yeo+ )i)osa> the s.aret of the aoe fo+er dan.ed in and out of the
pi.ture> and ineBora'e> )athe)ati.ay underying the +hoe> +as
the o'ong pattern of the pri.1y pear and the s+ord )otif of the
aoe/
!e )ade a itte 'o+ to the gir/
JI a) very happy to have se.ured this> and I thin1 I have )ade a
'argain/ So)e day Miss Carton S)ith> I sha 'e a'e to se this
s1et.h at a very good profit ; if I +ant toGJ
The gir eant for+ard to see +hi.h one he had ta1en/ !e sa+ a ne+
oo1 .o)e into her eyes/ For the first ti)e she +as reay a+are of his
eBisten.e> and there +as respe.t in the 8ui.1 gan.e she gave hi)/
J@ou have .hosen the 'est>J she said/ JI ; I a) gad/J
JWe> I suppose you 1no+ +hat you"re doing>J said the $u.hess/
JAnd I daresay you"re right/ I"ve heard that you are 8uite a
.onnoisseur/ %ut you .an"t te )e that a this ne+ stuff is art>
'e.ause it isn"t/ Sti> +e needn"t go into that/ 0o+ I") ony going to
'e here a fe+ days and I +ant to see so)ething of the isand/ @ou"ve
got a .ar> I suppose> 0ao)iAJ
The gir nodded/
J(B.eent>J said the $u.hess/ JWe" )a1e a trip so)e+here
to)orro+/J
JIt"s ony a t+o;seater/J
J0onsense> there"s a di.1ey> I suppose> that +i do for Mr
Satterth+aiteAJ
A shuddering sigh +ent through Mr Satterth+aite/ !e had o'served
the Corsi.an roads that )orning/ 0ao)i +as regarding hi)
thoughtfuy/
JI") afraid )y .ar +oud 'e no good to you>J she said/ JIt"s a terri'y
'attered od 'us/ I 'ought it se.ond;hand for a )ere song/ It +i Dust
get )e up the his ; +ith .oaBing/ %ut I .an"t ta1e passengers/
There"s 8uite a good garage> though> in the to+n/ @ou .an hire a .ar
there/J
J!ire a .arAJ said the $u.hess> s.andaised/ JWhat an idea/ Who"s
that ni.e;oo1ing )an> rather yeo+> +ho drove up in a four;seater
Dust 'efore un.hAJ
JI eBpe.t you )ean Mr To)inson/ !e"s a retired Indian Dudge/J
JThat a..ounts for the yeo+ness>J said the $u.hess/ JI +as afraid it
)ight 'e Daundi.e/ !e see)s 8uite a de.ent sort of )an/ I sha ta1
to hi)/J
That evening> on .o)ing do+n to dinner> Mr Satterth+aite found the
$u.hess respendent in 'a.1 vevet and dia)onds> ta1ing earnesty
to the o+ner of the four;seater .ar/ She 'e.1oned authoritativey/
JCo)e here> Mr Satterth+aite> Mr To)inson is teing )e the )ost
interesting things> and +hat do you thin1A !e is a.tuay going to
ta1e us an eBpedition to)orro+ in his .ar/J
Mr Satterth+aite regarded her +ith ad)iration/
JWe )ust go in to dinner>J said the $u.hess/ J$o .o)e and sit at our
ta'e> Mr To)inson> and then you .an go on +ith +hat you +ere
teing )e/J
J4uite a de.ent sort of )an>J the $u.hess pronoun.ed ater/
JWith 8uite a de.ent sort of .ar>J retorted Mr Satterth+aite/
J0aughty>J said the $u.hess> and gave hi) a resounding 'o+ on the
1nu.1es +ith the dingy 'a.1 fan she a+ays .arried/ Mr
Satterth+aite +in.ed +ith pain/
J0ao)i is .o)ing too>J said the $u.hess/ JIn her .ar/ That gir +ants
ta1ing out of hersef/ She"s very sefish/ 0ot eBa.ty sef;.entred> 'ut
totay indifferent to everyone and everything/ $on"t you agreeAJ
JI don"t thin1 that"s possi'e>J said Mr Satterth+aite> so+y/ JI )ean>
everyone"s interest )ust go so)e+here/ There are> of .ourse> the
peope +ho revove round the)seves ; 'ut I agree +ith you> she"s
not one of that 1ind/ She"s totay uninterested in hersef/ And yet
she"s got a strong .hara.ter ; there )ust 'e so)ething/ I thought at
first it +as her art ; 'ut it isn"t/ I"ve never )et anyone so deta.hed
fro) ife/ That"s dangerous/J
J$angerousA What do you )eanAJ
JWe> you see ; it )ust )ean an o'session of so)e 1ind> and
o'sessions are a+ays dangerous/J
JSatterth+aite>J said the $u.hess> Jdon"t 'e a foo/ And isten to )e/
A'out to)orro+ ;J
Mr Satterth+aite istened/ It +as very )u.h his r/e in ife/
They started eary the foo+ing )orning> ta1ing their un.h +ith
the)/ 0ao)i> +ho had 'een siB )onths on the isand> +as to 'e the
pioneer/ Mr Satterth+aite +ent over to her as she sat +aiting to
start/
J@ou are sure that ; I .an"t .o)e +ith youAJ he said +istfuy/
She shoo1 her head/
J@ou" 'e )u.h )ore .o)forta'e in the 'a.1 of the other .ar/ 0i.ey
padded seats and a that/ This is a reguar od ratte trap/ @ou"d eap
in the air going over the 'u)ps/J
JAnd then> of .ourse> the his/J
0ao)i aughed/
J<h> I ony said that to res.ue you fro) the di.1ey/ The $u.hess
.oud perfe.ty +e afford to have hired a .ar/ She"s the )eanest
+o)an in (ngand/ A the sa)e> the od thing is rather a sport> and I
.an"t hep i1ing her/J
JThen I .oud .o)e +ith you after aAJ said Mr Satterth+aite
eagery/
She oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
JWhy are you so anBious to .o)e +ith )eAJ
JCan you as1AJ Mr Satterth+aite )ade his funny od;fashioned 'o+/
She s)ied> 'ut shoo1 her head/
JThat isn"t the reason>J she said thoughtfuy/ JIt"s odd/// %ut you
.an"t .o)e +ith )e ; not today/J
JAnother day> perhaps>J suggested Mr Satterth+aite poitey/
J<h> another dayGJ she aughed suddeny> a very 8ueer augh> Mr
Satterth+aite thought/ JAnother dayG We> +e" see/J
They started/ They drove through the to+n> and the round the ong
.urve of the 'ay> +inding inand to .ross a river and then 'a.1 to the
.oast +ith its hundreds of itte sandy .oves/ And then they 'egan to
.i)'/ In and out> round nerve;shattering .urves> up+ards> ever
up+ards on the tortuous +inding road/ The 'ue 'ay +as far 'eo+
the)> and on the other side of it ADa..io spar1ed in the sun> +hite>
i1e a fairy .ity/
In and out> in and out> +ith a pre.ipi.e first one side of the)> then the
other/ Mr Satterth+aite fet sighty giddy> he aso fet sighty si.1/
The road +as not very +ide/ And sti they .i)'ed/
It +as .od no+/ The +ind .a)e to the) straight off the sno+ pea1s/
Mr Satterth+aite turned up his .oat .oar and 'uttoned it tighty
under his .hin/
It +as very .od/ A.ross the +ater> ADa..io +as sti 'athed in
sunight> 'ut up here thi.1 grey .ouds .a)e drifting a.ross the fa.e
of the sun/ Mr Satterth+aite .eased to ad)ire the vie+/ !e yearned
for a stea);heated hote and a .o)forta'e ar);.hair/
Ahead of the) 0ao)i"s itte t+o;seater drove steadiy for+ard/ 2p>
sti up/ They +ere on top of the +ord no+/ <n either side of the)
+ere o+er his> his soping do+n to vaeys/ They oo1ed straight
a.ross to the sno+ pea1s/ And the +ind .o)e tearing over the)>
sharp> i1e a 1nife/ Suddeny 0ao)i"s .ar stopped> and she oo1ed
'a.1/
JWe"ve arrived>J she said/ JAt the Word"s (nd/ And I don"t thin1 it"s
an a+fuy good day for it/J
They a got out/ They had arrived in a tiny viage> +ith haf a do?en
stone .ottages/ An i)posing na)e +as printed in etters a foot high/
JCote Chiaveeri/J
0ao)i shrugged her shouders/
JThat"s its offi.ia na)e> 'ut I prefer to .a it the Word"s (nd/J
She +a1ed on a fe+ steps> and Mr Satterth+aite Doined her/ They
+ere 'eyond the houses no+/ The road stopped/ As 0ao)i had said>
this +as the end> the 'a.1 of 'eyond> the 'eginning of no+here/
%ehind the) the +hite ri''on of the road> in front of the) ; nothing/
<ny far> far 'eo+> the sea///
Mr Satterth+aite dre+ a deep 'reath/
JIt"s an eBtraordinary pa.e/ <ne fees that anything )ight happen
here> that one )ight )eet ; anyone ;J
!e stopped> for Dust in front of the) a )an +as sitting on a 'ouder>
his fa.e turned to the sea/ They had not seen hi) ti this )o)ent>
and his appearan.e had the suddenness of a .onDuring tri.1/ !e
)ight have sprung fro) the surrounding ands.ape/
JI +onder ;J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite/
%ut at that )inute the stranger turned> and Mr Satterth+aite sa+ his
fa.e/
JWhy> Mr 4uinG !o+ eBtraordinaryG Miss Carton S)ith> I +ant to
introdu.e )y friend Mr 4uin to you/ !e"s the )ost unusua feo+/
@ou are> you 1no+/ @ou a+ays turn up in the ni.1 of ti)e ;J
!e stopped> +ith the feeing that he had said so)ething a+1+ardy
signifi.ant> and yet for the ife of hi) he .oud not thin1 +hat it +as/
0ao)i had sha1en hands +ith Mr 4uin in her usua a'rupt stye/
JWe"re here for a pi.ni.>J she said/ JAnd it see)s to )e +e sha 'e
pretty +e fro?en to the 'one/J
Mr Satterth+aite shivered/
JPerhaps>J he said un.ertainy> J+e sha find a shetered spotAJ
JWhi.h this isn"t>J agreed 0ao)i/ JSti> it"s +orth seeing> isn"t itAJ
J@es> indeed/J Mr Satterth+aite turned to Mr 4uin/ JMiss Carton
S)ith .as this pa.e the +ord"s end/ &ather a good na)e> ehAJ
Mr 4uin nodded his head so+y severa ti)es/
J@es ; a very suggestive na)e/ I suppose one ony .o)es on.e in
one"s ife to a pa.e i1e that ; a pa.e +here one .an"t go on any
onger/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ as1ed 0ao)i sharpy/
!e turned to her/
JWe> usuay> there"s a .hoi.e> isn"t thereA To the right or to the eft/
For+ard or 'a.1/ !ere ; there"s the road 'ehind you and in front of
you ; nothing/J
0ao)i stared at hi)/ Suddeny she shivered and 'egan to retra.e
her steps to+ards the others/ The t+o )en fe in 'eside her/ Mr 4uin
.ontinued to ta1> 'ut his tone +as no+ easiy .onversationa/
JIs the s)a .ar yours> Miss Carton S)ithAJ
J@es/J
J@ou drive yoursefA <ne needs> I thin1> a good dea of nerve to do
that round here/ The turns are rather appaing/ A )o)ent of
inattention> a 'ra1e that faied to hod> and ; over the edge ; do+n ;
do+n ; do+n/ It +oud 'e ; very easiy done/J
They had no+ Doined the others/ Mr Satterth+aite introdu.ed his
friend/ !e fet a tug at his ar)/ It +as 0ao)i/ She dre+ hi) apart
fro) the others/
JWho is heAJ she de)anded fier.ey/
Mr Satterth+aite ga?ed at her in astonish)ent/
JWe> I hardy 1no+/ I )ean> I have 1no+n hi) for so)e years no+ ;
+e have run a.ross ea.h other fro) ti)e to ti)e> 'ut in the sense of
1no+ing a.tuay ;J
!e stopped/ These +ere futiities that he +as uttering> and the gir 'y
his side +as not istening/ She +as standing +ith her head 'ent
do+n> her hands .en.hed 'y her sides/
J!e 1no+s things>J she said/ J!e 1no+s things/// !o+ does he
1no+AJ
Mr Satterth+aite had no ans+er/ !e .oud ony oo1 at her du)'y>
una'e to .o)prehend die stor) that shoo1 her/
JI") afraid>J she )uttered/
JAfraid of Mr 4uinAJ
JI") afraid of his eyes/ !e sees things///J
So)ething .od and +et fe on Mr Satterth+aite"s .hee1/ !e oo1ed
up/
JWhy> it"s sno+ing>J he eB.ai)ed> in great surprise/
JA ni.e day to have .hosen for a pi.ni.>J said 0ao)i/
She had regained .ontro of hersef +ith an effort/
What +as to 'e doneA A 'a'e of suggestions 'ro1e out/ The sno+
.a)e do+n thi.1 and fast/ Mr 4uin )ade a suggestion and everyone
+e.o)ed it/ There +as a itte stone Casse.route at the end of the
ro+ of houses/ There +as a sta)pede to+ards it/
J@ou have your provisions>J said Mr 4uin> Jand they +i pro'a'y 'e
a'e to )a1e you so)e .offee/J
It +as a tiny pa.e> rather dar1> for the one itte +indo+ did itte
to+ards ighting it> 'ut fro) one end .a)e a gratefu go+ of +ar)th/
And od Corsi.an +o)an +as Dust thro+ing a handfu of 'ran.hes on
the fire/ It 'a?ed up> and 'y its ight the ne+.o)ers reaised that
others +ere 'efore the)/
Three peope +ere sitting at the end of a 'are +ooden ta'e/ There
+as so)ething unrea a'out the s.ene to Mr Satterth+aite"s eye>
there +as so)ething even )ore unrea a'out the peope/
The +o)an +ho sat at the end of the ta'e oo1ed i1e a du.hess ;
that is> she oo1ed )ore i1e a popuar .on.eption of a du.hess/ She
+as the idea stage grande da)e/ !er aristo.rati. head +as hed
high> her eB8uisitey dressed hair +as of a sno+y +hite/ She +as
dressed in grey;soft draperies that fe a'out her in artisti. fods/
<ne ong +hite hand supported her .hin> the other +as hoding a ro
spread +ith p/t/ de foie gras/ <n her right +as a )an +ith a very
+hite fa.e> very 'a.1 hair> and horn;ri))ed spe.ta.es/ !e +as
)arveousy and 'eautifuy dressed/ At the )o)ent his head +as
thro+n 'a.1> and his eft ar) +as thro+n out as though he +ere
a'out to de.ai) so)ething/
<n the eft of the +hite;haired ady +as a Doy;oo1ing itte )an +ith
a 'ad head/ After the first gan.e> no'ody oo1ed at hi)/
There +as Dust a )o)ent of un.ertainty> and then the $u.hess 9the
authenti. $u.hess: too1 .harge/
JIsn"t this stor) too dreadfuAJ she said peasanty> .o)ing for+ard>
and s)iing a purposefu and effi.ient s)ie that she had found very
usefu +hen serving on Wefare and other .o))ittees/ I suppose
you"ve 'een .aught in it Dust i1e +e haveA %ut Corsi.a is a
)arveous pa.e/ I ony arrived this )orning/J
The )an +ith the 'a.1 hair got up> and the $u.hess +ith a gra.ious
s)ie sipped into his seat/
The +hite;haired ady spo1e/
JWe have 'een here a +ee1>J she said/
Mr Satterth+aite started/ Coud anyone +ho had on.e heard that
voi.e ever forget itA It e.hoed round the stone roo)> .harged +ith
e)otion ; +ith eB8uisite )ean.hoy/ It see)ed to hi) that she had
said so)ething +onderfu> )e)ora'e> fu of )eaning/ She had
spo1en fro) her heart/
!e spo1e in a hurried aside to Mr To)inson>
JThe )an in spe.ta.es is Mr 7yse ; the produ.er> you 1no+/J
The retired Indian Dudge +as oo1ing at Mr 7yse +ith a good dea of
disi1e/
JWhat does he produ.eAJ he as1ed/ JChidrenAJ
J<h> dear )e> no>J said Mr Satterth+aite> sho.1ed 'y the )ere
)ention of anything so .rude in .onne.tion +ith Mr 7yse/ JPays/J
JI thin1>J said 0ao)i> JI" go out again/ It"s too hot in here/J !er
voi.e> strong and harsh> )ade Mr Satterth+aite Du)p/ She )ade
a)ost 'indy> as it see)ed> for the door> 'rushing Mr To)inson
aside/ %ut in the door+ay itsef she .a)e fa.e to fa.e +ith Mr 4uin>
and he 'arred her +ay/
J,o 'a.1 and sit do+n>J he said/
!is voi.e +as authoritative/ To Mr Satterth+aite"s surprise the gir
hesitated a )inute and then o'eyed/ She sat do+n at the foot of the
ta'e as far fro) the others as possi'e/
Mr Satterth+aite 'usted for+ard and 'utton;hoed the produ.er/
J@ou )ay not re)e)'er )e>J he 'egan> J)y na)e is Satterth+aite/J
J<f .ourseGJ A ong 'ony hand shot out and enveoped the other"s in
a painfu grip/ JMy dear )an/ Fan.y )eeting you here/ @ou 1no+
Miss 0unn> of .ourseAJ
Mr Satterth+aite Du)ped/ 0o +onder that voi.e had 'een fa)iiar/
Thousands> a over (ngand> had thried to those +onderfu
e)otion;aden tones/ &osina 0unnG (ngand"s greatest e)otiona
a.tress/ Mr Satterth+aite too had ain under her spe/ 0o one i1e
her for interpreting a part ; for 'ringing out the finer shades of
)eaning/ !e had thought of her a+ays as an intee.tua a.tress>
one +ho .o)prehended and got inside the sou of her part/
!e )ight 'e eB.used for not re.ognising her/ &osina 0unn +as
voatie in her tastes/ For t+enty;five years of her ife she had 'een a
'onde/ After a tour in the States she had returned +ith the o.1s of
the raven> and she had ta1en up tragedy in earnest/ This JFren.h
Mar8uiseJ effe.t +as her atest +hi)/
J<h> 'y the +ay> Mr *udd ; Miss 0unn"s hus'and>J said 7yse>
.areessy introdu.ing the )an +ith the 'ad head/
&osina 0unn had had severa hus'ands> Mr Satterth+aite 1ne+/ Mr
*udd +as evidenty the atest/
Mr *udd +as 'usiy un+rapping pa.1ages fro) a ha)per at his side/
!e addressed his +ife/
JSo)e )ore p/t/> dearestA That ast +asn"t as thi.1 as you i1e it/J
&osina 0unn surrendered her ro to hi)> as she )ur)ured si)py>
J!enry thin1s of the )ost en.hanting )eas/ I a+ays eave the
.o))issariat to hi)/J
JFeed the 'rute>J said Mr *udd> and aughed/ !e patted his +ife on
the shouder/
JTreats her Dust as though she +ere a dog>J )ur)ured the
)ean.hoy voi.e of Mr 7yse in Mr Satterth+aite"s .ar/ JCuts up her
food for her/ <dd .reatures> +o)en/J
Mr Satterth+aite and Mr 4uin 'et+een the) unpa.1ed un.h/ !ard'oied
eggs> .od ha) and gruyere .heese +ere distri'uted round
the ta'e/ The $u.hess and Miss 0unn appeared to 'e deep in
)ur)ured .onfiden.es/ Frag)ents .a)e aong in the a.tress"s deep
.ontrato/
JThe 'read )ust 'e ighty toasted> you understandA Then Dust a very
thin ayer of )ar)aade/ &oed up and put in the oven for one )inute
; not )ore/ Si)py dei.ious/J
JThat +o)an ives for food>J )ur)ured Mr 7yse/ JSi)py ives for it/
She .an"t thin1 of anything ese/ I re)e)'er in &iders to the Sea ;
you 1no+ and it"s the fine 8uiet ti)e I" 'e having/ I .oud not get the
effe.t I +anted/ At ast I tod her to thin1 of pepper)int .rea)s ;
she"s very fond of pepper)int .rea)s/ I got the effe.t at on.e ; a sort
of far;a+ay oo1 that +ent to your very sou/J
Mr Satterth+aite +as sient/ !e +as re)e)'ering/
Mr To)inson opposite .eared his throat preparatory to entering
into .onversation/
J@ou produ.e pays> I hear> ehA I") fond of a good pay )ysef/ "*i)
the Pen)an>" no+> that +as a pay/J
JMy ,od>J said Mr 7yse> and shivered do+n a the ong ength of
hi)/
JA tiny .ove of gari.>J said Miss 0unn to the $u.hess/ J@ou te your
.oo1/ It"s +onderfu/J
She sighed happiy and turned to her hus'and/
J!enry>J she said paintivey> JI"ve never even seen the .aviare/J
J@ou"re as near as nothing to sitting on it>J returned Mr *udd
.heerfuy/ J@ou put it 'ehind you on the .hair/J
&osina 0unn retrieved it hurriedy> and 'ea)ed round the ta'e/
J!enry is too +onderfu/ I") so terri'y a'sent;)inded/ I never 1no+
+here I"ve put anything/J
J#i1e the day you pa.1ed your pears in your sponge 'ag>J said
!enry Do.osey/ JAnd then eft it 'ehind at the hote/ My +ord> I did a
'it of +iring and phoning that day/J
JThey +ere insured>J said Miss 0unn drea)iy/ J0ot i1e )y opa/J
A spas) of eB8uisite heartrending grief fitted a.ross her fa.e/
Severa ti)es> +hen in the .o)pany of Mr 4uin> Mr Satterth+aite had
had the feeing of ta1ing part in a pay/ The iusion +as +ith hi) very
strongy no+/ This +as a drea)/ (veryone had his part/ The +ords
J)y opaJ +ere his o+n .ue/ !e eant for+ard/
J@our opa> Miss 0unnAJ
J!ave you got the 'utter> !enryA Than1 you/ @es> )y opa/ It +as
stoen> you 1no+/ And I never got it 'a.1/J
J$o te us>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JWe ; I +as 'orn in <.to'er ; so it +as u.1y for )e to +ear opas>
and 'e.ause of that I +anted a rea 'eauty/ I +aited a ong ti)e for it/
They said it +as one of the )ost perfe.t ones 1no+n/ 0ot very arge ;
a'out the si?e of a t+o;shiing pie.e ; 'ut ohG the .oour and the
fire/J
She sighed/ Mr Satterth+aite o'served that the $u.hess +as
fidgeting and see)ed un.o)forta'e> 'ut nothing .oud stop Miss
0unn no+/ She +ent on> and the eB8uisite infe.tions of her voi.e
)ade the story sound i1e so)e )ournfu Saga of od/
JIt +as stoen 'y a young )an .aed Ae. ,erard/ !e +rote pays/J
J7ery good pays>J put in Mr 7yse professionay/ JWhy> I on.e 1ept
one of his pays for siB )onths/J
J$id you produ.e itAJ as1ed Mr To)inson/
J<h> noGJ said Mr 7yse> sho.1ed at the idea/ J%ut do you 1no+> at
one ti)e I a.tuay thought of doing soAJ
JIt had a +onderfu part in it for )e>J said Miss 0unn/ J"&a.he"s
Chidren>" it +as .aed ; though there +asn"t anyone .aed &a.he in
the pay/ !e .a)e to ta1 to )e a'out it ; at the theatre/ I i1ed hi)/
!e +as a ni.e;oo1ing ; and very shy> poor 'oy/ I re)e)'er ;J a
'eautifu fara+ay oo1 stoe over her fa.e ; J!e 'ought )e so)e
pepper)int .rea)s/ The opa +as ying on the dressing;ta'e/ !e"d
'een out in Austraia> and he 1ne+ so)ething a'out opas/ !e too1 it
over to the ight to oo1 at it/ I suppose he )ust have sipped it into
his po.1et then/ I )issed it as soon as he"d gone/ There +as a to;do/
@ou re)e)'erAJ
She turned to Mr 7yse/
J<h> I re)e)'er>J said Mr 7yse +ith a groan/
JThey found the e)pty .ase in his roo)s>J .ontinued the a.tress/
J!e"d 'een terri'y hard up> 'ut the very neBt day he +as a'e to pay
arge su)s into his 'an1/ !e pretended to a..ount for it 'y saying
that a friend of his had put so)e )oney on a horse for hi)> 'ut he
.oudn"t produ.e the friend/ !e said he )ust have put the .ase in his
po.1et 'y )ista1e/ I thin1 that +as a terri'y +ea1 thing to say> don"t
youA !e )ight have thought of so)ething 'etter than that/// I had to
go and give eviden.e/ There +ere pi.tures of )e in a the papers/
My press agent said it +as very good pu'i.ity ; 'ut I"d )u.h rather
have had )y opa 'a.1/J
She shoo1 her head sady/
J!ave so)e preserved pineappeAJ said Mr *udd/
Miss 0unn 'rightened up/
JWhere is itAJ
JI gave it to you Dust no+/J
Miss 0unn oo1ed 'ehind her and in front of her> eyed her grey si1
po.hette> and then so+y dre+ up a arge purpe si1 'ag that +as
reposing on the ground 'eside her/ She 'egan to turn the .ontents
out so+y on the ta'e> )u.h to Mr Satterth+aite"s interest/
There +as a po+der puff> a ip;sti.1> a s)a De+e .ase> a s1ein of
+oo> another po+der puff> t+o hand1er.hiefs> a 'oB of .ho.oate
.rea)s> an ena)eed paper 1nife> a )irror> a itte dar1 'ro+n
+ooden 'oB> five etters> a +anut> a s)a s8uare of )auve .r/pe de
.hine> a pie.e of ri''on and the end of a .roissant/ #ast of a .a)e
the preserved pineappe/
J(ure1a///J )ur)ured Mr Satterth+aite softy/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
J0othing>J said Mr Satterth+aite hastiy/ JWhat a .har)ing paper
1nife/J
J@es> isn"t itA So)e'ody gave it to )e/ I .an"t re)e)'er +ho/J
JThat"s an Indian 'oB> Jre)ar1ed Mr To)inson/ JIngenious itte
things> aren"t theyAJ
JSo)e'ody gave )e that too>J said Miss 0unn/ JI"ve had it a ong
ti)e/ It used a+ays to stand on )y dressing;ta'e at the theatre/ I
don"t thin1 it"s very pretty> though> do youAJ
The 'oB +as of pain dar1 'ro+n +ood/ It pushed open fro) the side/
<n the top of it +ere t+o pain faps of +ood that .oud 'e turned
round and round/
J0ot pretty> perhaps>J said Mr To)inson +ith a .hu.1e/ J%ut I" 'et
you"ve never seen one i1e it/J
Mr Satterth+aite eaned for+ard/ !e had an eB.ited feeing/
JWhy did you say it +as ingeniousAJ he de)anded/
JWe> isn"t itAJ
The Dudge appeaed to Miss 0unn/ She oo1ed at hi) 'an1y/
JI suppose I )ustn"t sho+ the) the tri.1 of it ; ehAJ
Miss 0unn sti oo1ed 'an1/
JWhat tri.1AJ as1ed Mr *udd/
J,od 'ess )y sou> don"t you 1no+AJ
!e oo1ed round the in8uiring fa.es/
JFan.y that no+/ May I ta1e the 'oB a )inuteA Than1 you/J
!e pushed it open/
J0o+ then> .an anyone give )e so)ething to put in it ; not too 'ig/
!ere"s a s)a pie.e of gruyere .heese/ That +i do .apitay/ I pa.e
it inside> shut the 'oB/J
!e fu)'ed for a )inute or t+o +ith his hands/
J0o+ see ;J
!e opened the 'oB again/ It +as e)pty/
JWe> I never>J said Mr *udd/ J!o+ do you do itAJ
JIt"s 8uite si)pe/ Turn the 'oB upside do+n> and )ove the eft hand
fap haf;+ay round> then shut the right hand fap/ 0o+ to 'ring our
pie.e of .heese 'a.1 again +e )ust reverse that/ The right hand fap
haf;+ay round> and the eft one .osed> sti 1eeping the 'oB upside
do+n/ And no+ ; !ey PrestoGJ
The 'oB sid open/ A gasp +ent round the ta'e/ The .heese +as
there ; 'ut so +as so)ething ese/ A round thing that 'in1ed forth
every .oour of the rain'o+/
JMy ,odGJ
It +as a .arion note/ &osina 0unn stood upright> her hands .asped
to her 'reast/
JMy opaG !o+ did it get thereAJ
!enry *udd .eared his throat/
JI ; er ; I rather thin1> &osy> )y gir> you )ust have put it there
yoursef/J
So)eone got up fro) the ta'e and 'undered out into the air/ It +as
0ao)i Carton S)ith/ Mr 4uin foo+ed her/
J%ut +henA $o you )ean ;AJ
Mr Satterth+aite +at.hed her +hie the truth da+ned on her/ It too1
over t+o )inutes 'efore she got it
J@ou )ean ast year ; at the theatre/J
J@ou 1no+>J said !enry apoogeti.ay/ J@ou do fidde +ith things>
&osy/ #oo1 at you +ith the .aviare today/J
Miss 0unn +as painfuy foo+ing out her )enta pro.esses/
JI Dust sipped it in +ithout thin1ing> and then I suppose I turned the
'oB a'out and did the thing 'y a..ident> 'ut then ; 'ut then ;J At ast
it .a)e/ J%ut then Ae. ,erard didn"t stea it after a/ <hGJ A futhroated
.ry> poignant> )oving ; J!o+ dreadfuGJ
JWe>J said Mr 7yse> Jthat .an 'e put right no+/J
J@es> 'ut he"s 'een in prison a year/J And then she started the)/
She turned sharp on the $u.hess/ JWho is that gir ; that gir +ho has
Dust gone outAJ
JMiss Carton S)ith>J said the $u.hess> J+as engaged to Mr ,erard/
She ; too1 the thing very hard/J
Mr Satterth+aite stoe softy a+ay/ The sno+ had stopped> 0ao)i
+as sitting on the stone +a/ She had a s1et.h 'oo1 in her hand>
so)e .ooured .rayons +ere s.attered around/ Mr 4uin +as
standing 'eside her/
She hed out the s1et.h 'oo1 to Mr Satterth+aite/ It +as a very rough
affair ; 'ut it had genius/ A 1aeidos.opi. +hir of sno+fa1es +ith a
figure in the .entre/
J7ery good>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
Mr 4uin oo1ed up at the s1y/
JThe stor) is over>J he said/ JThe roads +i 'e sippery> 'ut I do not
thin1 there +i 'e any a..ident ; no+/J
JThere +i 'e no a..ident>J said 0ao)i/ !er voi.e +as .harged +ith
so)e )eaning that Mr Satterth+aite did not understand/ She turned
and s)ied at hi) ; a sudden da??ing s)ie/ JMr Satterth+aite .an
drive 'a.1 +ith )e if he i1es/J
!e 1ne+ then to +hat ength desperation had driven her/
JWe>J said Mr 4uin> JI )ust 'id you good;'ye/J
!e )oved a+ay/
JWhere is he goingAJ said Mr Satterth+aite> staring after hi)/
J%a.1 +here he .a)e fro)> I suppose>J said 0ao)i in an odd voi.e/
J%ut ; 'ut there isn"t anything there>J said Mr Satterth+aite> for Mr
4uin +as )a1ing for that spot on the edge of the .iff +here they had
first seen hi)/ J@ou 1no+ you said yoursef it +as the Word"s (nd/J
!e handed 'a.1 the s1et.h'oo1/
JIt"s very good>J he said/ JA very good i1eness/ %ut +hy ; er ; +hy
did you put hi) in Fan.y $ressAJ
!er eyes )et his for a 'rief se.ond/
JI see hi) i1e that>J said 0ao)i Carton S)ith/
Chapter 12
!A&#(42I0"S #A0(
Mr Satterth+aite +as never 8uite sure +hat too1 hi) to stay +ith the
$en)ans/ They +ere not of his 1ind ; that is to say> they 'eonged
neither to the great +ord> nor to the )ore interesting artisti. .ir.es/
They +ere Phiistines> and du Phiistines at that/ Mr Satterth+aite
had )et the) first at %iarrit?> had a..epted an invitation to stay +ith
the)> had .o)e> had 'een 'ored> and yet strangey enough had
.o)e again and yet again/
WhyA !e +as as1ing hi)sef that 8uestion on this t+enty;first of
*une> as he sped out of #ondon in his &os &oy.e/
*ohn $en)an +as a )an of forty> a soid +e;esta'ished figure
respe.ted in the 'usiness +ord/ !is friends +ere not Mr
Satterth+aite"s friends> his ideas even ess so/ !e +as a )an .ever
in his o+n ine 'ut devoid of i)agination outside it/
Why a) I doing this thingA Mr Satterth+aite as1ed hi)sef on.e )ore
; and the ony ans+er that .a)e see)ed to hi) so vague and so
inherenty preposterous that he a)ost put it aside/ For the ony
reason that presented itsef +as the fa.t that one of the roo)s in the
house 9a .o)forta'e> +e;appointed house: stirred his .uriosity/
That roo) +as Mrs $en)an"s o+n sitting;roo)/
It +as hardy an eBpression of her personaity 'e.ause> so far as Mr
Satterth+aite .oud Dudge> she had no personaity/ !e had never )et
a +o)an so .o)petey eBpressioness/ She +as> he 1ne+> a &ussian
'y 'irth/ *ohn $en)an had 'een in &ussia at the out'rea1 of the
(uropean +ar> he had> fought +ith the &ussian troops> had narro+y
es.aped +ith his ife on the out'rea1 of the revoution> and had
'rought this &ussian gir +ith hi)> a penniess refugee/ In fa.e of
strong disapprova fro) his parents he had )arried her/
Mrs $en)an"s roo) +as in no +ay re)ar1a'e/ It +as +e and
soidy furnished +ith good !eppe+hite furniture ; a trife )ore
)as.uine than fe)inine in at)osphere/ %ut in it there +as one
in.ongruous ite) ; a Chinese a.8uer s.reen ; a thing of .rea)y
yeo+ and pae rose/ Any )useu) )ight have 'een gad to o+n it/ It
+as a .oe.tor"s pie.e> rare and 'eautifu/
It +as out of pa.e against that soid (ngish 'a.1ground/ It shoud
have 'een the 1ey;note of the roo) +ith everything arranged to
har)onise su'ty +ith it/ And yet Mr Satterth+aite .oud not a..use
the $en)ans of a.1 of taste/ (verything ese in the house +as in
perfe.ty 'ended a..ord/ !e shoo1 his head/ The thing ; trivia
though it +as ; pu??ed hi)/ %e.ause of it> so he veriy 'eieved> he
had .o)e again and again to the house/ It +as> perhaps> a +o)an"s
fantasy ; 'ut that soution did not satisfy hi) as he thought of Mrs
$en)an ; a 8uiet hard;featured +o)an> spea1ing (ngish so
.orre.ty that no one +oud ever have guessed her a foreigner/
The .ar dre+ up at his destination and he got out> his )ind sti
d+eing on the pro'e) of the Chinese s.reen/ The na)e of the
$en)an"s house +as JAsh)ead>J and it o..upied so)e five a.res of
Meton !eath> +hi.h is thirty )ies fro) #ondon> stands five hundred
feet a'ove sea eve and is> for the )ost part> inha'ited 'y those +ho
have a)pe in.o)es/
The 'uter re.eived Mr Satterth+aite suavey/ Mr and Mrs $en)an
+ere 'oth out ; at a rehearsa ; they hoped Mr Satterth+aite +oud
)a1e hi)sef at ho)e unti they returned/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded and pro.eeded to .arry out these
inDun.tions 'y stepping into the garden/ After a .ursory eBa)ination
of the fo+er 'eds> he stroed do+n a shady +a1 and presenty
.a)e to a door in the +a/ It +as uno.1ed and he passed through it
and .a)e out into a narro+ ane/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed to eft and right/ A very .har)ing ane>
shady and green> +ith high hedges ; a rura ane that t+isted and
turned in good od;fashioned stye/ !e re)e)'ered the sta)ped
address ; AS!M(A$> !A&#(42I0"S #A0( ; re)e)'ered too> a o.a
na)e for it that Mrs $en)an had on.e tod hi)/
J!are8uin"s #ane>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef softy/
JI +onder ;J
!e turned a .orner/
0ot at the ti)e> 'ut after+ards> he +ondered +hy this ti)e he fet no
surprise at )eeting that eusive friend of his ; Mr !arey 4uin/ The
t+o )en .asped hands/
JSo you"re do+n here>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
J@es>J said Mr 4uin/ JI") staying in the sa)e house as you are/J
JStaying thereAJ
J@es/ $oes it surprise youAJ
J0o>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y/ J<ny ; +e> you never stay
any+here for ong> do youAJ
J<ny as ong as is ne.essary>J said Mr 4uin gravey/
JI see>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
They +a1ed on in sien.e for so)e )inutes/
JThis ane>J 'egan Mr Satterth+aite> and stopped/
J%eongs to )e>J said Mr 4uin/
JI thought it did>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JSo)eho+> I thought it )ust/
There"s the other na)e for it> too> the o.a na)e/ They .a it the
"#overs #ane/" @ou 1no+ thatAJ
Mr 4uin nodded/
J%ut surey>J he said genty> Jthere is a "#overs #ane" in every
viageAJ
JI suppose so>J said Mr Satterth+aite> and he sighed a itte/
!e fet suddeny rather od and out of things> a itte dried;up +i?ened
od fogey of a )an/ (a.h side of hi) +ere the hedges> very green
and aive>
JWhere does this ane end> I +onderAJ he as1ed suddeny/
JIt ends ; here>J said Mr 4uin/
They .a)e round the ast 'end/ The ane ended in a pie.e of +aste
ground> and a)ost at their feet a great pit opened/ In it +ere tin
.ans gea)ing in the sun> and other .ans that +ere too red +ith rust
to gea)> od 'oots> frag)ents of ne+spapers> a hundred and one
odds and ends that +ere no onger of a..ount to any'ody/
JA ru''ish heap>J eB.ai)ed Mr Satterth+aite> and 'reathed deepy
and indignanty/
JSo)eti)es there are very +onderfu things on a ru''ish heap>J said
Mr 4uin/
JI 1no+> I 1no+>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite> and 8uoted +ith Dust a tra.e
of sef;.ons.iousness> J%ring )e the t+o )ost 'eautifu things in the
.ity> said ,od/ @ou 1no+ ho+ it goes> ehAJ
Mr 4uin nodded/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed up at the ruins of a s)a .ottage per.hed
on the 'rin1 of the +a of the .iff/
J!ardy a pretty vie+ for a house>J he re)ar1ed/
JI fan.y this +asn"t a ru''ish heap in those days>J said Mr 4uin/ JI
'eieve the $en)ans ived there +hen they +ere first )arried/ They
)oved into the 'ig house +hen the od peope died/ The .ottage +as
pued do+n +hen they 'egan to 8uarry the ro.1 here ; 'ut nothing
)u.h +as done> as you .an see/J
They turned and 'egan retra.ing their steps/
JI suppose>J said Mr Satterth+aite> s)iing> Jthat )any .oupes
.o)e +andering do+n this ane on these +ar) su))er evenings/J
JPro'a'y/J
J#overs>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ !e repeated the +ord thoughtfuy
and 8uite +ithout the nor)a e)'arrass)ent of the (ngish)an/ Mr
4uin had that effe.t upon hi)/ J#overs/// @ou have done a ot for
overs> Mr 4uin/J
The other 'o+ed his head +ithout repying/
J@ou have saved the) fro) sorro+ ; fro) +orse than sorro+> fro)
death/ @ou have 'een an advo.ate for the dead the)seves/J
J@ou are spea1ing of yoursef ; of +hat you have done ; not of )e/J
JIt is the sa)e thing>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J@ou 1no+ it is>J he
urged> as the other did not spea1/ J@ou have a.ted ; through )e/ For
so)e reason or other you do not a.t dire.ty ; yoursef/J
JSo)eti)es I do>J said Mr 4uin/
!is voi.e hed a ne+ note/ In spite of hi)sef Mr Satterth+aite
shivered a itte/ The afternoon> he thought> )ust 'e gro+ing .hiy/
And yet the sun see)ed as 'right as ever/
At that )o)ent a gir turned the .orner ahead of the) and .a)e into
sight/ She +as a very pretty gir> fair;haired and 'ue;eyed> +earing a
pin1 .otton fro.1/ Mr Satterth+aite re.ognised her as Moy
Stan+e> +ho) he had )et do+n here 'efore/
She +aved a hand to +e.o)e hi)/
J*ohn and Anna have Dust gone 'a.1>J she .ried/ JThey thought you
)ust have .o)e> 'ut they si)py had to 'e at the rehearsa/J
J&ehearsa of +hatAJ in8uired Mr Satterth+aite/
JThis )as8uerade thing ; I don"t 8uite 1no+ +hat you" .a it/ There
is singing and dan.ing and a sorts of things in it/ Mr Many> do you
re)e)'er hi) do+n hereA !e had 8uite a good tenor voi.e> is to 'e
Pierrot> and I a) Pierrette/ T+o professionas are .o)ing do+n for
the dan.ing ; !are8uin and Cou)'ine> you 1no+/ And then there is
a 'ig .horus of girs/ #ady &os.hei)er is so 1een on training viage
girs to sing/ She"s reay getting the thing up for that/ The )usi. is
rather ovey ; 'ut very )odern ; neBt to no tune any+here/ Caude
Wi.1a)/ Perhaps you 1no+ hi)AJ
Mr Satterth+aite nodded> for> as has 'een )entioned 'efore> it +as
his )anner to 1no+ every'ody/ !e 1ne+ a a'out that aspiring
genius Caude Wi.1a)> and a'out #ady &os.hei)er +ho +as a fat
*e+ess +ith a pen.hant for young )en of the artisti. persuasion/
And he 1ne+ a a'out Sir #eopod &os.hei)er +ho i1ed his +ife to
'e happy and> )ost rare a)ong hus'ands> did not )ind her 'eing
happy in her o+n +ay/
They found Caude Wi.1a) at tea +ith the $en)ans> .ra))ing his
)outh indis.ri)inatey +ith anything handy> ta1ing rapidy> and
+aving ong +hite hands that had a dou'e;Dointed appearan.e/ !is
short;sighted eyes peered through arge horn;ri))ed spe.ta.es/
*ohn $en)an> upright> sighty forid> +ith the faintest possi'e
tenden.y to see1ness> istened +ith an air of 'ored attention/ <n the
appearan.e of Mr Satterth+aite> the )usi.ian transferred his
re)ar1s to hi)/ Anne $en)an sat 'ehind the tea things> 8uiet and
eBpressioness as usua/
Mr Satterth+aite stoe a .overt gan.e at her/ Ta> gaunt> very thin>
+ith the s1in tighty stret.hed over high .hee1 'ones> 'a.1 hair
parted in the )idde> a s1in that +as +eather'eaten/ An out of door
+o)an +ho .ared nothing for the use of .os)eti.s/ A $ut.h $o of a
+o)an> +ooden> ifeess ; and yet///
!e thought> JThere shoud 'e )eaning 'ehind that fa.e> and yet
there isn"t/ That"s +hat"s a +rong/ @es> a +rong/J And to Caude
Wi.1a) he said> JI 'eg your pardonA @ou +ere sayingAJ
Caude Wi.1a)> +ho i1ed the sound of his o+n voi.e> 'egan a over
again/
J&ussia>J he said> Jthat +as the ony .ountry in the +ord +orth
'eing interested in/ They eBperi)ented/ With ives> if you i1e> 'ut sti
they eBperi)ented/ Magnifi.entGJ !e .ra))ed a sand+i.h into his
)outh +ith one hand> and added a 'ite of the .ho.oate /.air he +as
+aving a'out in the other/
JTa1e>J he said 9+ith his )outh fu:> Jthe &ussian %aet/J
&e)e)'ering his hostess> he turned to her/ What did she thin1 of the
&ussian %aetA
The 8uestion +as o'viousy ony a preude to the i)portant point ;
+hat Caude Wi.1a) thought of the &ussian %aet> 'ut her ans+er
+as uneBpe.ted and thre+ hi) .o)petey out of his stride/ JI have
never seen it/J
JWhatAJ !e ga?ed at her open;)outhed> J%ut ; surey ;J
!er voi.e +ent on> eve and e)otioness/
J%efore )y )arriage> I +as a dan.er So no+ ;J
JA 'us)an"s hoiday>J said her hus'and/
J$an.ing/J She shrugged her shouders/ JI 1no+ a the tri.1s of it/ It
does not interest )e/J
J<hGJ
It too1 'ut a )o)ent for Caude to re.over his apo)'/ !is voi.e
+ent on/
JTa1ing of ives>J said Mr Satterth+aite> Jand eBperi)enting in the)/
The &ussian nation )ade one .osty eBperi)ent/J
Caude Wi.1a) s+ung round on hi)/ JI 1no+ +hat you are going to
say>J he .ried/ J-harsanovaG The i))orta> the ony -harsanovaG
@ou sa+ her dan.eAJ
JThree ti)es>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JT+i.e in Paris> on.e in
#ondon/ I sha not forget it/J
!e spo1e in an a)ost reverent voi.e/
JI sa+ her> too>J said Caude Wi.1a)/ JI +as ten years od/ An un.e
too1 )e/ ,odG I sha never forget it/J
!e thre+ a pie.e of 'un fier.ey into a fo+er 'ed/
JThere is a statuette of her in a Museu) in %erin>J said Mr
Satterth+aite/ JIt is )arveous/ That i)pression of fragiity ; as
though you .oud 'rea1 her +ith a fip of the thu)' nai/ I have seen
her as Cou)'ine> in the S+an> as the dying 0y)ph/J !e paused>
sha1ing his head/ JThere +as genius/ It +i 'e ong years 'efore
su.h another is 'orn/ She +as young too/ $estroyed ignoranty and
+antony in the first days of the &evoution/J
JFoosG Mad)enG ApesGJ said Caude Wi.1a)/ !e .ho1ed +ith a
)outhfu of tea/
JI studied +ith -harsanova>J said Mrs $en)an/ JI re)e)'er her
+e/J
JShe +as +onderfuAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/
J@es>J said Mrs $en)an 8uiety/ JShe +as +onderfu/J
Caude Wi.1a) departed and *ohn $en)an dre+ a deep sigh of
reief at +hi.h his +ife aughed/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/ JI 1no+ +hat you thin1/ %ut in spite of
everything> the )usi. that that 'oy +rites is )usi./J
JI suppose it is>J said $en)an/
J<h> undou'tedy/ !o+ ong it +i 'e ; +e> that is different/J
*ohn $en)an oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
J@ou )eanAJ
JI )ean that su..ess has .o)e eary/ And that is dangerous/ A+ays
dangerous/J !e oo1ed a.ross at Mr 4uin/ J@ou agree +ith )eAJ
J@ou are a+ays right>J said Mr 4uin/
JWe +i .o)e upstairs to )y roo)>J said Mrs $en)an/ JIt is peasant
there/J
She ed the +ay> and they foo+ed her/ Mr Satterth+aite dre+ a
deep 'reath as he .aught sight of the Chinese s.reen/ !e oo1ed up
to find Mrs $en)an +at.hing hi)/
J@ou are the )an +ho is a+ays right>J she said> nodding her head
so+y at hi)/ JWhat do you )a1e of )y s.reenAJ
!e fet that in so)e +ay the +ords +ere a .haenge to hi)> and he
ans+ered a)ost hatingy> stu)'ing over the +ords a itte/
JWhy> it"s ; it"s 'eautifu/ More> it"s uni8ue/J
J@ou"re right/J $en)an had .o)e up 'ehind hi)/ JWe 'ought it eary
in our )arried ife/ ,ot it for a'out a tenth of its vaue> 'ut even then ;
+e> it .ripped us for over a year/ @ou re)e)'er> AnnaAJ
J@es>J said Mrs $en)an> JI re)e)'er/J
JIn fa.t> +e"d no 'usiness to 'uy it at a ; not then/ 0o+> of .ourse>
it"s different/ There +as so)e very good a.8uer going at Christie"s
the other day/ *ust +hat +e need to )a1e this roo) perfe.t/ A
Chinese together/ Cear out the other stuff/ Woud you 'eieve it>
Satterth+aite> )y +ife +oudn"t hear of itAJ
JI i1e this roo) as it is>J said Mrs $en)an/ There +as a .urious oo1
on her fa.e/ Again Mr Satterth+aite fet .haenged and defeated/ !e
oo1ed round hi)> and for the first ti)e he noti.ed the a'sen.e of a
persona tou.h/ There +ere no photographs> no fo+ers> no 1ni.11na.1s/
It +as not i1e a +o)an"s roo) at a/ Save for that one
in.ongruous fa.tor of the Chinese s.reen> it )ight have 'een a
sa)pe roo) sho+n at so)e 'ig furnishing house/
!e found her s)iing at hi)/
J#isten>J she said/ She 'ent for+ard> and for a )o)ent she see)ed
ess (ngish> )ore definitey foreign/ JI spea1 to you for you +i
understand/ We 'ought that s.reen +ith )ore than )oney ; +ith
ove/ For ove of it> 'e.ause it +as 'eautifu and uni8ue> +e +ent
+ithout other things> things +e needed and )issed/ These other
Chinese pie.es )y hus'and spea1s of> those +e shoud 'uy +ith
)oney ony> +e shoud not pay a+ay anything of ourseves/J
!er hus'and aughed/
J<h> have it your o+n +ay>J he said> 'ut +ith a tra.e of irritation in
his voi.e/ J%ut it"s a +rong against this (ngish 'a.1ground/ This
other stuff> it"s good enough of its 1ind> genuine soid> no fa1e a'out
it ; 'ut )edio.re/ ,ood pain ate !eppe+hite/J
She nodded/
J,ood> soid> genuine (ngish>J she )ur)ured softy/
Mr Satterth+aite stared at her/ !e .aught a )eaning 'ehind these
+ords/ The (ngish roo) ; the fa)ing 'eauty of the Chinese
s.reen/// 0o> it +as gone again/
JI )et Miss Stan+e in the ane>J he said .onversationay/ JShe tes
)e she is going to 'e Pierrette in this sho+ tonight/J
J@es>J said $en)an/ JAnd she"s a+fuy good> too/J
JShe has .u)sy feet>J said Anna/
J0onsense>J said her hus'and/ JA +o)en are ai1e> Satterth+aite/
Can"t 'ear to hear another +o)an praised/ Moy is a very goodoo1ing
gir> and so of .ourse every +o)an has to have their 1nife
into her/J
JI spo1e of dan.ing>J said Anna $en)an/ She sounded fainty
surprised/ JShe is very pretty> yes> 'ut her feet )ove .u)siy/ @ou
.annot te )e anything ese 'e.ause I 1no+ a'out dan.ing/J
Mr Satterth+aite intervened ta.tfuy/
J@ou have t+o professiona dan.ers .o)ing do+n> I understandAJ
J@es/ For the 'aet proper/ Prin.e <ranoff is 'ringing the) do+n in
his .ar/J
JSergius <ranoffAJ
The 8uestion .a)e fro) Anna $en)an/ !er hus'and turned and
oo1ed at her/
J@ou 1no+ hi)AJ
JI used to 1no+ hi) ; in &ussia/J
Mr Satterth+aite thought that *ohn $en)an oo1ed distur'ed/ JWi
he 1no+ youAJ
J@es/ !e +i 1no+ )e/J
She aughed ; a o+> a)ost triu)phant augh/ There +as nothing of
the $ut.h $o a'out her fa.e no+/ She nodded reassuringy at her
hus'and/
JSergius/ So he is 'ringing do+n the t+o dan.ers/ !e +as a+ays
interested in dan.ing/J
JI re)e)'er/J
*ohn $en)an spo1e a'rupty> then turned and eft the roo)/ Mr 4uin
foo+ed hi)/ Anna $en)an .rossed to the teephone and as1ed for
a nu)'er/ She arrested Mr Satterth+aite +ith a gesture as he +as
a'out to foo+ the eBa)pe of the other t+o )en/
JCan I spea1 to #ady &os.hei)er/ <hG it is you/ This is Anna $en)an
spea1ing/ !as Prin.e <ranoff arrived yetA WhatA WhatA <h> )y
dearG %ut ho+ ghasty/J
She istened for a fe+ )o)ents onger> then repa.ed the re.eiver/
She turned to Mr Satterth+aite/
JThere has 'een an a..ident/ There +oud 'e +ith Sergius
Ivanovit.h driving/ <h> he has not atered in a these years/ The gir
+as not 'ady hurt> 'ut 'ruised and sha1en> too )u.h to dan.e
tonight/ The )an"s ar) is 'ro1en/ Sergius Ivanovit.h hi)sef is
unhurt/ The devi oo1s after his o+n> perhaps/J
JAnd +hat a'out tonight"s perfor)an.eAJ
J(Ba.ty> )y friend/ So)ething )ust 'e done a'out it/J
She sat thin1ing/ Presenty she oo1ed at hi)/
JI a) a 'ad hostess> Mr Satterth+aite/ I do not entertain you/J
JI assure you that it is not ne.essary/ There"s one thing though> Mrs
$en)an> that I +oud very )u.h i1e to 1no+/J
J@esAJ
J!o+ did you .o)e a.ross Mr 4uinAJ
J!e is often do+n here>J she said so+y/ JI thin1 he o+ns and in this
part of the +ord/J
J!e does> he does/ !e tod )e so this afternoon>J said Mr
Satterth+aite/
J!e is ;J She paused/ !er eyes )et Mr Satterth+aite"s/ JI thin1 you
1no+ +hat he is 'etter than I do>J she finished/
JIAJ
JIs it not soAJ
!e +as trou'ed/ !is neat itte sou found her distur'ing/ !e fet that
she +ished to for.e hi) further than he +as prepared to go> that she
+anted hi) to put into +ords that +hi.h he +as not prepared to
ad)it to hi)sef/
J@ou 1no+GJ she said/ JI thin1 you 1no+ )ost things> Mr
Satterth+aite/J
!ere +as in.ense> yet for on.e it faied to intoBi.ate hi)/ !e shoo1
his head in un+onted hu)iity/
JWhat .an anyone 1no+AJ he as1ed/ JSo itte ; so very itte/J
She nodded in assent/ Presenty she spo1e again> in a 8ueer
'rooding voi.e> +ithout oo1ing at hi)/
JSupposing I +ere to te you so)ething ; you +oud not aughA 0o> I
do not thin1 you +oud augh/ Supposing> then> that to .arry on one"s
;J she paused ; Jone"s trade> one"s profession> one +ere to )a1e use
of a phantasy ; one +ere to pretend to onesef so)ething that did not
eBist; that one +ere to i)agine a .ertain person/// It is a preten.e>
you understand> a )a1e 'eieve ; nothing )ore/ %ut one day ;J
J@esAJ said Mr Satterth+aite/
!e +as 1eeny interested/
JThe phantasy .a)e trueG The thing one i)agined ; the i)possi'e
thing> the thing that .oud not 'e ; +as reaG Is that )adnessA Te
)e> Mr Satterth+aite/ Is that )adness ; or do you 'eieve it tooAJ
JI ;J 4ueer ho+ he .oud not get the +ords out/
!o+ they see)ed to sti.1 so)e+here at the 'a.1 of his throat/
JFoy>J said Anna $en)an/
JFoy/J
She s+ept out of the roo) and eft Mr Satterth+aite +ith his
.onfession of faith unspo1en/
!e .a)e do+n to dinner to find Mrs $en)an entertaining a guest> a
ta dar1 )an approa.hing )idde age/
JPrin.e <ranoff ; Mr Satterth+aite/J
The t+o )en 'o+ed/ Mr Satterth+aite had the feeing that so)e
.onversation had 'een 'ro1en off on his entry +hi.h +oud not 'e
resu)ed/ %ut there +as no sense of strain/ The &ussian .onversed
easiy and naturay on those o'De.ts +hi.h +ere nearest to Mr
Satterth+aite"s heart/ !e +as a )an of very fine artisti. taste> and
they soon found that they had )any friends in .o))on/ *ohn
$en)an Doined the)> and the ta1 'e.a)e o.aised/ <ranoff
eBpressed regret for the a..ident/
JIt +as not )y faut/ I i1e to drive fast ; yes> 'ut I a) a good driver/ It
+as Fate ; .han.e ;J he shrugged his shouders ; Jthe )asters of a
of us/J
JThere spea1s the &ussian in you> Sergius Ivanovit.h>J said Mrs
$en)an/
JAnd finds an e.ho in you> Anna Mi1aovna>J he thre+ 'a.1 8ui.1y/
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed fro) one to the other of the three of the)/
*ohn $en)an> fair> aoof> (ngish> and the other t+o> dar1> thin>
strangey ai1e/ So)ething rose in his )ind ; +hat +as itA AhG he had
it no+/ The first A.t of the Wa1/re/ Sieg)und and Sieginde ; so ai1e
; and the aien !unding/ ConDe.tures 'egan to stir in his 'rain/ Was
this the )eaning of the presen.e of Mr 4uinA <ne thing he 'eieved
in fir)y ; +herever Mr 4uin sho+ed hi)sef ; there ay dra)a/ Was
this it here ; the od ha.1neyed three .ornered tragedyA
!e +as vaguey disappointed/ !e had hoped for 'etter things/
JWhat has 'een arranged> AnnaAJ as1ed $en)an/ JThe thing +i
have to 'e put off> I suppose/ I heard you ringing the &os.hei)ers
up/J
She shoo1 her head/
J0o ; there is no need to put it off/J
J%ut you .an"t do it +ithout the 'aetAJ
J@ou .ertainy .oudn"t have a !are8uinade +ithout !are8uin and
Cou)'ine>J agreed Anna $en)an dryy/ JI") going to 'e Cou)'ine>
*ohn/J
J@ouAJ he +as astonished;distur'ed> Mr Satterth+aite thought/
She nodded .o)posedy/
J@ou need not 'e afraid> *ohn/ I sha not disgra.e you/ @ou forget ; it
+as )y profession on.e/J
Mr Satterth+aite thought> JWhat an eBtraordinary thing a voi.e is/
The things it says ; and the things it eaves unsaid and )eansG I +ish I
1ne+///J
JWe>J said *ohn $en)an grudgingy> Jthat soves one haf of the
pro'e)/ What a'out the otherA Where +i you find !are8uinAJ
JI have found hi) ; thereGJ
She gestured to+ards the open door+ay +here Mr 4uin had Dust
appeared/ !e s)ied 'a.1 at her/
J,ood ord> 4uin>J said *ohn $en)an/ J$o you 1no+ anything of this
ga)eA P shoud never have i)agined it/J
JMr 4uin is vou.hed for 'y an eBpert>J said his +ife/ JMr
Satterth+aite +i ans+er for hi)/J
She s)ied at Mr Satterth+aite> and the itte )an found hi)sef
)ur)uring> J<h> yes ; I ans+er for Mr 4uin/J
$en)an turned his attention ese+here/
J@ou 1no+ there"s to 'e a fan.y dress dan.e 'usiness after+ards/
,reat nuisan.e/ We" have to rig you up> Satterth+aite/J
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head very de.idedy/
JMy years +i eB.use )e/J A 'riiant idea stru.1 hi)/ A ta'e nap1in
under his ar)/ JThere I a)> an edery +aiter +ho has seen 'etter
days/J
!e aughed/
JAn interesting profession>J said Mr 4uin/ J<ne sees so )u.h/J
JI"ve got to put on so)e foo pierrot thing>J said $en)an goo)iy/
JIt"s .oo any+ay> that"s one thing/ What a'out youAJ he oo1ed at
<ranoff/
JI have a !are8uin .ostu)e>J said the &ussian/ !is eyes +andered
for a )inute to his hostess"s fa.e/
Mr Satterth+aite +ondered if he +as )ista1en in fan.ying that there
+as Dust a )o)ent of .onstraint/
JThere )ight have 'een three of us>J said $en)an> +ith a augh/
JI"ve got an od !are8uin .ostu)e )y +ife )ade )e +hen +e +ere
first )arried for so)e sho+ or other/J !e paused> oo1ing do+n on
his 'road shirt front/ JI don"t suppose I .oud get into it no+/J
J0o>J said his +ife> Jyou .oudn"t get into it no+/J
And again her voi.e said so)ething )ore than )ere +ords/
She gan.ed up at the .o.1
JIf Moy doesn"t turn up soon> +e +on"t +ait for her/J
%ut at that )o)ent the gir +as announ.ed/ She +as aready
+earing her Pierrette dress of +hite and green> and very .har)ing
she oo1ed in it> so Mr Satterth+aite refe.ted/
She +as fu of eB.ite)ent and enthusias) over the forth.o)ing
perfor)an.e/
JI") getting a+fuy nervous> though>J she announ.ed> as they dran1
.offee after dinner/ JI 1no+ )y voi.e +i +o''e> and I sha forget
the +ords/J
J@our voi.e is very .har)ing>J said Anna/ JI shoud not +orry a'out it
if I +ere you/J
J<h> 'ut I do/ The other I don"t )ind a'out ; the dan.ing> I )ean/
That"s sure to go a right/ I )ean> you .an"t go very far +rong +ith
your feet> .an youAJ
She appeaed to Anna> 'ut the oder +o)an did not respond/ Instead
she said ;
JSing so)ething no+ to Mr Satterth+aite/ @ou +i find that he +i
reassure you/J
Moy +ent over to the piano/ !er voi.e rang out> fresh and tunefu> in
an od Irish 'aad/
JShiea> dar1 Shiea> +hat is it that you"re seeingA What is it that
you"re seeing> that you"re seeing in the fireAJ
JI see a ad that oves )e ; and I see a ad that eaves )e/ And a third
ad> a Shado+ #ad ; and he"s the ad that grieves )e/J
The song +ent on/ At the end> Mr Satterth+aite nodded vigorous
approva
JMrs $en)an is right/ @our voi.e is .har)ing/ 0ot> perhaps> very
fuy trained> 'ut deightfuy natura> and +ith that unstudied 8uaity
of youth in it/J
JThat"s right>J agreed *ohn $en)an/ J@ou go ahead> Moy> and don"t
'e do+ned 'y stage fright/ We"d 'etter 'e getting over to the
&os.hei)ers no+/J
The party separated to don .oa1s/ It +as a gorious night I and they
proposed to +a1 over> the house 'eing ony a fe+ hundred yards
do+n the road/
Mr Satterth+aite found hi)sef 'y his friend/
JIt"s an odd thing>J he said> J'ut that song )ade )e thin1 of you/ A
third ad ; a Shado+ #ad ; there"s )ystery there> and +herever
there"s )ystery I ; +e> thin1 of you/J
JA) I so )ysteriousAJ s)ied Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite nodded vigorousy/
J@es> indeed/ $o you 1no+> unti tonight> I had no idea that you +ere
a professiona dan.er/J
J&eayAJ said Mr 4uin/
J#isten>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ !e hu))ed the ove )otif fro) the
Wa1/re/ JThat is +hat has 'een ringing in )y head a through
dinner as I oo1ed at those t+o/J
JWhi.h t+oAJ
JPrin.e <ranoff and Mrs $en)an/ $on"t you see the differen.e in her
tonightA It"s as though ; as though a shutter had suddeny 'een
opened and you see the go+ +ithin/J
J@es>J said Mr 4uin/ JPerhaps so/J
JThe sa)e od dra)a>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI a) right> a) I notA
Those t+o 'eong together/ They are of the sa)e +ord> thin1 the
sa)e thoughts> drea) the sa)e drea)s <ne sees ho+ it has .o)e
a'out/ Ten years ago $en)an )ust have 'een very good;oo1ing>
young> dashing> a figure of ro)an.e/ And he saved her ife/ A 8uite
natura/ %ut no+ ; +hat is he> after aA A good feo+ ; prosperous>
su..essfu ; 'ut ; +e> )edio.re/ ,ood honest (ngish stuff ; very
)u.h i1e that ; !eppe+hite furniture upstairs/ As (ngish ; and as
ordinary ; as that pretty (ngish gir +ith her fresh untrained voi.e/
<h> you )ay s)ie> Mr 4uin> 'ut you .annot deny +hat I a) saying/J
JI deny nothing/ In +hat you see you are a+ays right/ And yet;J
J@et +hatAJ
Mr 4uin eaned for+ard/ !is dar1 )ean.hoy eyes sear.hed for
those of Mr Satterth+aite/ J!ave you earned so itte of ifeAJ !e
'reathed/ !e eft Mr Satterth+aite vaguey dis8uieted> su.h a prey to
)editation that he found the others had started +ithout hi) o+ing to
his deay in see.ting a s.arf for his ne.1/ !e +ent out 'y the garden>
and through the sa)e door as in the afternoon/ The ane +as 'athed
in )oonight> and even as he stood in the door+ay he sa+ a .oupe
ena.ed in ea.h other"s ar)s/
For a )o)ent he thought ;
And then he sa+/ *ohn $en)an and Moy Stan+e/
$en)an"s voi.e .a)e to hi)> hoarse and anguished/
JI .an"t ive +ithout you/ What are +e to doAJ
Mr Satterth+aite turned to go 'a.1 the +ay he had .o)e> 'ut a hand
stayed hi)/ So)eone ese stood in the door+ay 'eside hi)>
so)eone ese +hose eyes had aso seen/
Mr Satterth+aite had ony to .at.h one gi)pse of her fa.e to 1no+
ho+ +idy astray a his .on.usions had 'een/
!er anguished hand hed hi) there unti those other t+o had passed
up the ane and disappeared fro) sight !e heard hi)sef spea1ing to
her> saying fooish itte things )eant to 'e .o)forting> and
udi.rousy inade8uate to the agony he had divined/ She ony spo1e
on.e/
JPease>J she said> Jdon"t eave )e/J
!e found that oddy tou.hing/ !e +as> then> of use to so)eone/ And
he +ent on saying those things that )eant nothing at a> 'ut +hi.h
+ere> so)eho+> 'etter than sien.e/
They +ent that +ay to the &os.hei)ers/ 0o+ and then her hand
tightened on his shouder> and he understood that she +as gad of
his .o)pany/ She ony too1 it a+ay +hen they finay .a)e to their
destination/ She stood very ere.t> her head hed high/
J0o+>J she said> JI sha dan.eG $o not 'e afraid for )e> )y friend/ I
sha dan.e/J
She eft hi) a'rupty/ !e +as sei?ed upon 'y #ady &os.hei)er>
)u.h 'edia)onded and very fu of a)entations/ %y her he +as
passed on to Caude Wi.1a)/
J&uinedG Co)petey ruined/ The sort of thing that a+ays happens to
)e/ A these .ountry 'u)p1ins thin1 they .an dan.e/ I +as never
even .onsuted ;!is voi.e +ent on ; +ent on inter)ina'y/ !e had
found a sy)patheti. istener> a )an +ho 1ne+/ !e gave hi)sef up to
an orgy of sef;pity/ It ony ended +hen the first strains of )usi.
'egan/
Mr Satterth+aite .a)e out of his drea)s/ !e +as aert on.e )ore>
the .riti./ Wi.1a) +as an unuttera'e ass> 'ut he .oud +rite )usi. ;
dei.ate gossa)er stuff> intangi'e as a fairy +e' ; yet +ith nothing
of the pretty pretty a'out it/
The s.enery +as good/ #ady &os.hei)er never spared eBpense
+hen aiding her proteg/"s/ A gade of Ar.ady +ith ighting effe.ts
that gave it the proper at)osphere of unreaity/
T+o figures dan.ing as they had dan.ed through ti)e i))e)oria/ A
sender !are8uin fashing spanges in the )oonight +ith )agi.
+and and )as1ed fa.e/// A +hite Cou)'ine pirouetting i1e so)e
i))orta drea)///
Mr Satterth+aite sat up/ !e had ived through this 'efore/ @es>
surey///
0o+ his 'ody +as far a+ay fro) #ady &os.hei)er"s dra+ing;roo)/
It +as in a %erin Museu) at a statuette of an i))orta Cou)'ine/
!are8uin and Cou)'ine dan.ed on/ The +ide +ord +as theirs to
dan.e in///
Moonight ; and a hu)an figure/ Pierrot +andering through the +ood>
singing to the )oon Pierrot +ho has seen Cou)'ine and 1no+s no
rest/ The I))orta t+o vanish> 'ut Cou)'ine oo1s 'a.1/ She has
heard the song of a hu)an heart
Pierrot +andering on through the +ood/// dar1ness/// his voi.e dies
a+ay in the distan.e///
The viage green ; dan.ing of viage girs ; Pierrots and Pierrettes/
Moy as Pierrette/ 0o dan.er ; Anna $en)an +as right there ; 'ut a
fresh tunefu voi.e as she sings her song JPierrette dan.ing on the
,reen/J
A good tune ; Mr Satterth+aite nodded approva/ Wi.1ha) +asn"t
a'ove +riting a tune +hen there +as a need for it/ The )aDority of the
viage girs )ade hi) shudder> 'ut he reaised that #ady
&os.hei)er +as deter)inedy phianthropi.a/
They press Pierrot to Doin the dan.e/ !e refuses/ With +hite fa.e he
+anders on ; the eterna over see1ing his idea/ (vening fas/
!are8uin and Cou)'ine> invisi'e> dan.e in and out of the
un.ons.ious throng/ The pa.e is deserted> ony Pierrot> +eary> fas
aseep on a grassy 'an1/ !are8uin and Cou)'ine dan.e round hi)/
!e +a1es and sees Cou)'ine/ !e +oos her in vain> peads>
'esee.hes///
She stands un.ertain/ !are8uin 'e.1ons to her to 'egone/ %ut she
sees hi) no onger> She is istening to Pierrot> to his song of ove
outpoured on.e )ore/ She fas into his ar)s> and the .urtain .o)es
do+n/
The se.ond A.t is Pierrot"s .ottage/ Cou)'ine sits on her hearth/
She is pae> +eary/ She istens ; for +hatA Pierrot sings to her ; +oos
her 'a.1 to thoughts of hi) on.e )ore/ The evening dar1ens/
Thunder is heard/// Cou)'ine puts aside her spinning +hee/ She is
eager> stirred/// She istens no onger to Pierrot/ It is her o+n )usi.
that is in the air> the )usi. of !are8uin and Cou)'ine/// She is
a+a1e/ She re)e)'ers/
A .rash of thunderG !are8uin stands in the door+ay/ Pierrot .annot
see hi)> 'ut Cou)'ine springs up +ith a gad augh/ Chidren .o)e
running> 'ut she pushes the) aside/ With another .rash of thunder
the +as fa> and Cou)'ine dan.es out into the +id night +ith
!are8uin/
$ar1ness> and through it the tune that Pierrette has sung/ #ight
.o)es so+y/ The .ottage on.e )ore/ Pierrot and Pierrette gro+n
od and grey sit in front of the fire in t+o ar);.hairs/ The )usi. is
happy> 'ut su'dued/ Pierrette nods in her .hair/ Through the +indo+
.o)es a shaft of )oonight> and +ith it the )otif of Pierrot"s ongforgotten
song/ !e stirs in his .hair/
Faint )usi. ; fairy )usi./// !are8uin and Cou)'ine outside/ The
door s+ings open and Cou)'ine dan.es in/ She eans over the
seeping Pierrot> 1isses hi) on the ips///
CrashG A pea of thunder/ She is outside again/ In the .entre of the
stage is the ighted +indo+ and through it are seen the t+o figures of
!are8uin and Cou)'ine dan.ing so+y a+ay> gro+ing fainter and
fainter///
A og fas/ Pierrette Du)ps up angriy> rushes a.ross to the +indo+
and pus the 'ind/ So it ends> on a sudden dis.ord///
Mr Satterth+aite sat very sti a)ong the appause and vo.iferations/
At ast he got up and )ade his +ay outside/ !e .a)e upon Moy
Stan+e> fushed and eager> re.eiving .o)pi)ents/ !e sa+ *ohn
$en)an> pushing and e'o+ing his +ay through the throng> his eyes
aight +ith a ne+ fa)e/ Moy .a)e to+ards hi)> 'ut> a)ost
un.ons.iousy> he put her aside/ It +as not her he +as see1ing/
JMy +ifeA Where is sheAJ
JI thin1 she +ent out in the garden/J
It +as> ho+ever> Mr Satterth+aite +ho found her> sitting on a stone
seat under a .ypress tree/ When he .a)e up to her> he did an odd
thing/ !e 1net do+n and raised her hand to his ips/
JAhGJ she said/ J@ou thin1 I dan.ed +eAJ
J@ou dan.ed ; as you a+ays dan.ed> Mada)e -harsanova/J
She dre+ in her 'reath sharpy/
JSo ; you have guessed/J
JThere is ony one -harsanova/ 0o one .oud see you dan.e and
forget/ %ut +hy ; +hyAJ
JWhat ese is possi'eAJ
J@ou )eanAJ
She had spo1en very si)py/ She +as Dust as si)pe no+/
J<hG 'ut you understand/ @ou are of the +ord/ A great dan.er ; she
.an have overs> yes ; 'ut a hus'and> that is different/ And he ; he did
not +ant the other/ !e +anted )e to 'eong to hi) as ; as
-harsanova .oud never have 'eonged/J
JI see>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ JI see/ So you gave it upAJ
She nodded/
J@ou )ust have oved hi) very )u.h>J said Mr Satterth+aite genty/
JTo )a1e su.h a sa.rifi.eAJ She aughed/
J0ot 8uite that/ To )a1e it so ight;heartedy/J
JAh> yes ; perhaps ; you are right/J
JAnd no+AJ as1ed Mr Satterth+aite/
!er fa.e gre+ grave/
J0o+AJ She paused> then raised her voi.e and spo1e into the
shado+s/ JIs that you> Sergius Ivanovit.hAJ
Prin.e <ranoff .a)e out into the )oonight/ !e too1 her hand and
s)ied at Mr Satterth+aite +ithout sef;.ons.iousness/
JTen years ago I )ourned the death of Anna -harsanova>J he said
si)py/ JShe +as to )e as )y other sef/ Today I have found her
again/ We sha part no )ore/J
JAt the end of the ane in ten )inutes>J said Anna> JI sha not fai
you/J
<ranoff nodded and +ent off again/ The dan.er turned to Mr
Satterth+aite/ A s)ie payed a'out her ips/
JWe ; you are not satisfied> )y friendAJ
J$o you 1no+>J said Mr Satterth+aite a'rupty> Jthat your hus'and is
oo1ing for youAJ
!e sa+ the tre)or that passed over her fa.e> 'ut her voi.e +as
steady enough/
J@es>J she said gravey/ JThat )ay +e 'e/J
JI sa+ his eyes/ They ;J he stopped a'rupty/
She +as sti .a)/
J@es> perhaps/ For an hour/ An hour"s )agi.> 'orn of past )e)ories>
of )usi.> of )oonight/// That is a/J
JThen there is nothing that I .an sayAJ
!e fet od> dispirited/
JFor ten years I have ived +ith the )an I ove>J said Anna
-harsanova/ J0o+ I a) going to the )an +ho for ten years has oved
)e/J
Mr Satterth+aite said nothing/ !e had no argu)ents eft/ %esides it
reay see)ed the si)pest soution/ <ny ; ony> so)eho+> it +as not
the soution he +anted/ !e fet her hand on his shouder/
JI 1no+> )y friend> I 1no+/ %ut there is no third +ay/ A+ays one
oo1s for one thing ; the over> the perfe.t> the eterna over/// It is the
)usi. of !are8uin one hears/ 0o over ever satisfies one> for a
overs are )orta/ And !are8uin is ony a )yth> an invisi'e
presen.e/// uness ;J
J@es>J said Mr Satterth+aite/ J@esAJ
J2ness ; his na)e is ; $eathGJ
Mr Satterth+aite shivered/ She )oved a+ay fro) hi)> +as
s+ao+ed up in the shado+s///
!e never 1ne+ 8uite ho+ ong he sat on there> 'ut suddeny he
started up +ith the feeing that he had 'een +asting vaua'e ti)e/
!e hurried a+ay> i)peed in a .ertain dire.tion a)ost in spite of
hi)sef/
As he .a)e out into the ane he had a strange feeing of unreaity/
Magi. ; )agi. and )oonightG And t+o figures .o)ing to+ards hi)///
<ranoff in his !are8uin dress/ So he thought at first/ Then> as they
passed hi)> he 1ne+ his )ista1e/ That ithe s+aying figure 'eonged
to one person ony ; Mr 4uin///
They +ent on do+n the ane ; their feet ight as though they +ere
treading on air/ Mr 4uin turned his head and oo1ed 'a.1> and Mr
Satterth+aite had a sho.1> for it +as not the fa.e of Mr 4uin as he
had ever seen it 'efore/ It +as the fa.e of a stranger ; no> not 8uite a
stranger/ AhG he had it no+> it +as the fa.e of *ohn $en)an as it
)ight have oo1ed 'efore ife +ent too +e +ith hi)/ (ager>
adventurous> the fa.e at on.e of a 'oy and a over///
!er augh foated do+n to hi)> .ear and happy///J he oo1ed after
the) and sa+ in the distan.e the ights of a itte .ottage/ !e ga?ed
after the) i1e a )an in a drea)/
!e +as rudey a+a1ened 'y a hand that fe on his shouder and he
+as Der1ed round to fa.e Sergius <ranoff/ The )an oo1ed +hite and
distra.ted/
JWhere is sheA Where is sheA She pro)ised ; and she has not
.o)e/J
JMada) has Dust gone up the ane ; aone/J
It +as Mrs $en)an"s )aid +ho spo1e fro) the shado+ of the door
'ehind the)/ She had 'een +aiting +ith her )istress"s +raps/
JI +as standing here and sa+ her pass>J she added/
Mr Satterth+aite thre+ one harsh +ord at her/
JAoneA Aone> did you sayAJ
The )aid"s eyes +idened in surprise/
J@es> sir/ $idn"t you see her offAJ
Mr Satterth+aite .ut.hed at <ranoff/
J4ui.1y>J he )uttered/ JI") ; I") afraid/J
They hurried do+n the ane together> the &ussian ta1ing in 8ui.1
disDointed senten.es/
JShe is a +onderfu .reature/ AhG ho+ she dan.ed tonight/ And that
friend of yours/ Who is heA AhG 'ut he is +onderfu ; uni8ue/ In the od
days> +hen she dan.ed the Cou)'ine of &i)s1y -orsa1off> she
never found the perfe.t !are8uin/ Mordoff> -assnine ; none of the)
+ere 8uite perfe.t/ She had her o+n itte fan.y/ She tod )e of it
on.e/ A+ays she dan.ed +ith a drea) !are8uin ; a )an +ho +as
not reay there/ It +as !are8uin hi)sef> she said> +ho .a)e to
dan.e +ith her/ It +as that fan.y of hers that )ade her Cou)'ine so
+onderfu/J
Mr Satterth+aite nodded/ There +as ony one thought in his head/
J!urry>J he said/ JWe )ust 'e in ti)e/ <hG We )ust 'e in ti)e/J
They .a)e round the ast .orner ; .a)e to the deep pit and to
so)ething ying in it that had not 'een there 'efore> the 'ody of a
+o)an ying in a +onderfu pose> ar)s fung +ide and head thro+n
'a.1/ A dead fa.e and 'ody that +ere triu)phant and 'eautifu in the
)oonight/
Words .a)e 'a.1 to Mr Satterth+aite di)y ; Mr 4uin"s +ords ;
J+onderfu things on a ru''ish heap///J !e understood the) no+/
<ranoff +as )ur)uring 'ro1en phrases/ The tears +ere strea)ing
do+n his fa.e/
JI oved her/ A+ays I oved her/J !e used a)ost the sa)e +ords
that had o..urred to Mr Satterth+aite earier in the day/ JWe +ere of
the sa)e +ord> she and I/ We had the sa)e thoughts> the sa)e
drea)s/ I +oud have oved her a+ays///J
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ
The &ussian stared at hi) ; at the fretfu peevishness of the tone/
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ +ent on Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt is +hat a overs
thin1 ; +hat a overs say/// There is one> one over ;J
!e turned and a)ost ran into Mr 4uin/ In an agitated )anner> Mr
Satterth+aite .aught hi) 'y the ar) and dre+ hi) aside/
JIt +as you>J he said/ JIt +as you +ho +ere +ith her Dust no+AJ"
Mr 4uin +aited a )inute and then said genty> J@ou .an put it that
+ay> if you i1e/J
JAnd the )aid didn"t see youAJ
JThe )aid didn"t see )e/J
J%ut I did/ Why +as thatAJ
JPerhaps> as a resut of the pri.e you have paid> you see things that
other peope ; do not/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at hi) un.o)prehendingy for a )inute or
t+o/ Then he 'egan suddeny to 8uiver a over i1e an aspen eaf/
JWhat is this pa.eAJ he +hispered/ JWhat is this pa.eAJ
JI tod you earier today/ It is )y ane/J
JA #overs #ane>J )ur)ured Mr Satterth+aite/ JAnd peope pass
aong it/J
JMost peope> sooner or ater/J
JAnd at the end of it ; +hat do they findAJ
Mr 4uin s)ied/ !is voi.e +as very gente/ !e pointed at the ruined
.ottage a'ove the)/
JThe house of their drea)s ; or a ru''ish heap ; +ho sha sayAJ
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed up at hi) suddeny/ A +id re'eion surged
over hi)/ !e fet .heated> defrauded/
J%ut I ;J !is voi.e shoo1/ JI have never passed do+n your ane///J
JAnd do you regretAJ
Mr Satterth+aite 8uaied/ Mr 4uin see)ed to have oo)ed to
enor)ous proportions/// Mr Satterth+aite had a vista of so)ething at
on.e )ena.ing and terrifying/// *oy> Sorro+> $espair/
And his .o)forta'e itte sou shran1 'a.1 appaed/
J$o you regretAJ Mr 4uin repeated his 8uestion/ There +as
so)ething terri'e a'out hi)/
J0o>J Mr Satterth+aite sta))ered/ J0;no/J
And then suddeny he raied/
J%ut I see things>J !e .ried/ JI )ay have 'een ony a oo1er;on at ife
; 'ut I see things that other peope do not/ @ou said so yoursef> Mr
4uin///J
%ut Mr 4uin had vanished/
C<0T(0TS
The Tuesday 0ight Cu'
The Ido !ouse of Astarte
Ingots of ,od
The %oodstained Pave)ent
Motive v/ <pportunity
The Thu)')ar1 of St/ Peter
The %ue ,eraniu)
The Co)panion
The Four Suspe.ts
A Christ)as Tragedy
The !er' of $eath
The Affair at the %ungao+
$eath 'y $ro+ning
The Tuesday 0ight Cu'
"2nsoved )ysteries/"
&ay)ond West 'e+ out a .oud of s)o1e and repeated the
+ords +ith a 1ind of dei'erate sef;.ons.ious peasure/
"2nsoved )ysteries/"
!e oo1ed round hi) +ith satisfa.tion/ The roo) +as an od one
+ith 'road 'a.1 'ea)s a.ross the .eiing and it +as furnished
+ith good od furniture that 'eonged to it/ !en.e &ay)ond
West"s approving gan.e/ %y profession he +as a +riter and he
i1ed the at)osphere to 'e fa+ess/ !is Aunt *ane"s house
a+ays peased hi) as the right setting for her personaity/ !e
oo1ed a.ross the hearth to +here she sat ere.t in the 'ig
grandfather .hair/ Miss Marpe +ore a 'a.1 'ro.ade dress> very
)u.h pin.hed in round the +aist/ Me.hin a.e +as arranged in a
.as.ade do+n the front of the 'odi.e/ She had on 'a.1 a.e
)ittens> and a 'a.1 a.e .ap sur)ounted the pied;up )asses of
her sno+y hair/ She +as 1nitting ; so)ething +hite and soft and
fee.y/ !er faded 'ue eyes> 'enignant and 1indy> surveyed her
nephe+ and her nephe+"s guests +ith gente peasure/ They
rested first on &ay)ond hi)sef> sef;.ons.iousy de'onair> then
on *oy.e #e)priSre> the artist> +ith her .ose;.ropped 'a.1
head and 8ueer ha?e;green eyes> then on that +e;groo)ed )an
of the +ord> Sir !enry Cithering/ There +ere t+o other peope in
the roo)> $r Pender> the edery .ergy)an of the parish> and Mr
Petheri.1> the soi.itor> a dried;up itte )an +ith eyegasses
+hi.h he oo1ed over and not through/ Miss Marpe gave a 'rief
)o)ent of attention to a these peope and returned to her
1nitting +ith a gente s)ie upon her ips/
Mr Petheri.1 gave the dry itte .ough +ith +hi.h he usuay
prefa.ed his re)ar1s/
"What is that you say> &ay)ondA 2nsoved )ysteriesA !a ; and
+hat a'out the)A"
"0othing a'out the)>" said *oy.e #e)priSre/ "&ay)ond Dust i1es
the sound of hi)sef saying the)/"
&ay)ond West thre+ her a gan.e of reproa.h at +hi.h she
thre+ 'a.1 her head and aughed/
"!e is a hu)'ug> isn"t he> Miss MarpeA" she de)anded/ "@ou
1no+ that> I a) sure/"
Miss Marpe s)ied genty at her 'ut )ade no repy/
"#ife itsef is an unsoved )ystery>" said the .ergy)an gravey/
&ay)ond sat up in his .hair and fung a+ay his .igarette +ith an
i)pusive gesture/
"That"s not +hat I )ean/ I +as not ta1ing phiosophy>" he said/ "I
+as thin1ing of a.tua 'are prosai. fa.ts> things that have
happened and that no one has ever eBpained/"
"I 1no+ Dust the sort of thing you )ean> dear>" said Miss Marpe/
"For instan.e Mrs Carruthers had a very strange eBperien.e
yesterday )orning/ She 'ought t+o gis of pi.1ed shri)ps at
(iot"s/ She .aed at t+o other shops and +hen she got ho)e
she found she had not got the shri)ps +ith her/ She +ent 'a.1 to
the t+o shops she had visited 'ut these shri)ps had .o)petey
disappeared/ 0o+ that see)s to )e very re)ar1a'e/"
"A very fishy story>" said Sir !enry Cithering gravey/
"There are> of .ourse> a 1inds of possi'e eBpanations>" said
Miss Marpe> her .hee1s gro+ing sighty pin1er +ith eB.ite)ent/
"For instan.e> so)e'ody ese ; "
"My dear Aunt>" said &ay)ond West +ith so)e a)use)ent> "I
didn"t )ean that sort of viage in.ident/ I +as thin1ing of )urders
and disappearan.es ; the 1ind of thing that Sir !enry .oud te us
a'out 'y the hour if he i1ed/"
"%ut I never ta1 shop>" said Sir !enry )odesty/ "0o> I never ta1
shop/"
Sir !enry Cithering had 'een unti atey Co))issioner of
S.otand @ard/
"I suppose there are a ot of )urders and things that never are
soved 'y the poi.e>" said *oy.e #e)priSre/
"That is an ad)itted fa.t> I 'eieve>" said Mr Petheri.1/
"I +onder>" said &ay)ond West> "+hat .ass of 'rain reay
su..eeds 'est in unraveing a )ysteryA <ne a+ays fees that
the average poi.e dete.tive )ust 'e ha)pered 'y a.1 of
i)agination/"
"That is the ay)an"s point of vie+>" said Sir !enry dryy/
"@ou reay +ant a .o))ittee>" said *oy.e> s)iing/ "For
psy.hoogy and i)agination go to the +riter ; "
She )ade an ironi.a 'o+ to &ay)ond 'ut he re)ained serious/
"The art of +riting gives one an insight into hu)an nature>" he said
gravey/ "<ne sees> perhaps> )otives that the ordinary person
+oud pass 'y/"
"I 1no+> dear>" said Miss Marpe> "that your 'oo1s are very .ever/
%ut do you thin1 that peope are reay so unpeasant as you )a1e
the) out to 'eA"
"My dear Aunt>" said &ay)ond genty> "1eep your 'eiefs/ !eaven
for'id that I shoud in any +ay shatter the)/"
"I )ean>" said Miss Marpe> pu.1ering her 'ro+ a itte as she
.ounted the stit.hes in her 1nitting> "that so )any peope see) to
)e not to 'e either 'ad or good> 'ut si)py> you 1no+> very siy/"
Mr Petheri.1 gave his dry itte .ough again/
"$on"t you thin1> &ay)ond>" he said> "that you atta.h too )u.h
+eight to i)aginationA I)agination is a very dangerous thing> as
+e a+yers 1no+ ony too +e/ To 'e a'e to sift eviden.e
i)partiay> to ta1e the fa.ts and oo1 at the) as fa.ts ; that
see)s to )e the ony ogi.a )ethod of arriving at the truth/ I )ay
add that in )y eBperien.e it is the ony one that su..eeds/"
"%ahG" .ried *oy.e> finging 'a.1 her 'a.1 head indignanty/ "I 'et
I .oud 'eat you a at this ga)e/ I a) not ony a +o)an ; and say
+hat you i1e> +o)en have an intuition that is denied to )en ; I
a) an artist as +e/ I see things that you don"t/ And then> too> as
an artist I have 1no.1ed a'out a)ong a sorts and .onditions of
peope/ I 1no+ ife as daring Miss Marpe here .annot possi'y
1no+ it/"
"I don"t 1no+ a'out that> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "7ery painfu and
distressing things happen in viages so)eti)es/"
"May I spea1A" said $r Pender s)iing/ "It is the fashion no+adays
to de.ry the .ergy> I 1no+> 'ut +e hear things> +e 1no+ a side of
hu)an .hara.ter +hi.h is a .osed 'oo1 to the outside +ord/"
"We>" said *oy.e> "it see)s to )e +e are a pretty representative
gathering/ !o+ +oud it 'e if +e for)ed a Cu'A What is todayA
TuesdayA We +i .a it The Tuesday 0ight Cu'/ It is to )eet
every +ee1> and ea.h )e)'er in turn has to propound a
pro'e)/ So)e )ystery of +hi.h they have persona 1no+edge>
and to +hi.h> of .ourse> they 1no+ the ans+er/ #et )e see> ho+
)any are +eA <ne> t+o> three> four> five/ We ought reay to 'e
siB/"
"@ou have forgotten )e> dear>" said Miss Marpe> s)iing 'righty/
*oy.e +as sighty ta1en a'a.1> 'ut she .on.eaed the fa.t
8ui.1y/
"That +oud 'e ovey> Miss Marpe>" she said/ "I didn"t thin1 you
+oud .are to pay/"
"I thin1 it +oud 'e very interesting>" said Miss Marpe> "espe.iay
+ith so )any .ever gente)en present/ I a) afraid I a) not
.ever )ysef> 'ut iving a these years in St Mary Mead does give
one an insight into hu)an nature/"
"I a) sure your .o;operation +i 'e very vaua'e>" aid Sir !enry>
.ourteousy/
"Who is going to startA" said *oy.e/
"I thin1 there is no dou't as to that>" said $r Pender> "+hen +e
have the great good fortune to have su.h a distinguished )an as
Sir !enry staying +ith us ; "
!e eft his senten.e unfinished> )a1ing a .ourty 'o+ in the
dire.tion of Sir !enry/
The atter +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ At ast he sighed and
re.rossed his egs and 'eganH
"It is a itte diffi.ut for )e to see.t Dust the 1ind of thing you
+ant> 'ut I thin1> as it happens> I 1no+ of an instan.e +hi.h fits
these .onditions very apty/ @ou )ay have seen so)e )ention of
the .ase in the papers of a year ago/ It +as aid aside at the ti)e
as an unsoved )ystery> 'ut> as it happens> the soution .a)e
into )y hands not very )any days ago/
"The fa.ts are very si)pe/ Three peope sat do+n to a supper
.onsisting> a)ongst other things> of tinned o'ster/ #ater in the
night> a three +ere ta1en i> and a do.tor +as hastiy
su))oned/ T+o of the peope re.overed> the third one died/"
"AhG" said &ay)ond approvingy/
"As I say> the fa.ts as su.h +ere very si)pe/ $eath +as
.onsidered to 'e due to pto)aine poisoning> a .ertifi.ate +as
given to that effe.t> and the vi.ti) +as duy 'uried/ %ut things did
not rest at that/"
Miss Marpe nodded her head/
"There +as ta1> I suppose>" she said> "there usuay is/"
"And no+ I )ust des.ri'e the a.tors in this itte dra)a/ I +i .a
the hus'and and +ife Mr and Mrs *ones> and the +ife"s
.o)panion Miss Car1/ Mr *ones +as a traveer for a fir) of
)anufa.turing .he)ists/ !e +as a good;oo1ing )an in a 1ind of
.oarse> forid +ay> aged a'out fifty/ !is +ife +as a rather
.o))on;pa.e +o)an> of a'out forty;five/ The .o)panion> Miss
Car1> +as a +o)an of siBty> a stout .heery +o)an +ith a
'ea)ing ru'i.und fa.e/ 0one of the)> you )ight say> very
interesting/
"0o+ the 'eginning of the trou'es arose in a very .urious +ay/
Mr *ones had 'een staying the previous night at a s)a
.o))er.ia hote in %ir)ingha)/ It happened that the 'otting
paper in the 'otting 'oo1 had 'een put in fresh that day> and the
.ha)'er)aid> having apparenty nothing 'etter to do> a)used
hersef 'y studying the 'otter in the )irror Dust after Mr *ones
had 'een +riting a etter there/ A fe+ days ater there +as a
report in the papers of the death of Mrs *ones as the resut of
eating tinned o'ster> and the .ha)'er)aid then i)parted to her
feo+ servants the +ords that she had de.iphered on the 'otting
pad/ They +ere as foo+sH (ntirey dependent on )y +ife///
+hen she is dead I +i/// hundreds and thousands///
"@ou )ay re)e)'er that there had re.enty 'een a .ase of a +ife
'eing poisoned 'y her hus'and/ It needed very itte to fire the
i)agination of these )aids/ Mr *ones had panned to do a+ay
+ith his +ife and inherit hundreds of thousands of poundsG As it
happened one of the )aids had reations iving in the s)a
)ar1et to+n +here the *oneses resided/ She +rote to the)> and
they in return +rote to her/ Mr *ones> it see)ed> had 'een very
attentive to the o.a do.tor"s daughter> a good;oo1ing young
+o)an of thirty;three/ S.anda 'egan to hu)/ The !o)e
Se.retary +as petitioned/ 0u)erous anony)ous etters poured
into S.otand @ard a a..using Mr *ones of having )urdered his
+ife/ 0o+ I )ay say that not for one )o)ent did +e thin1 there
+as anything in it eB.ept ide viage ta1 and gossip/
0evertheess> to 8uiet pu'i. opinion an eBhu)ation order +as
granted/ It +as one of these .ases of popuar superstition 'ased
on nothing soid +hatever +hi.h proved to 'e so surprisingy
Dustified/ As a resut of the autopsy suffi.ient arseni. +as found
to )a1e it 8uite .ear that the de.eased ady had died of
arseni.a poisoning/ It +as for S.otand @ard +or1ing +ith the
o.a authorities to prove ho+ that arseni. had 'een
ad)inistered> and 'y +ho)/"
"AhG" said *oy.e/ "I i1e this/ This is the rea stuff/"
"Suspi.ion naturay fe on the hus'and/ !e 'enefited 'y his
+ife"s death/ 0ot to the eBtent of the hundreds of thousands
ro)anti.ay i)agined 'y the hote .ha)'er)aid> 'ut to the very
soid a)ount of RO666/ !e had no )oney of his o+n apart fro)
+hat he earned> and he +as a )an of so)e+hat eBtravagant
ha'its +ith a partiaity for the so.iety of +o)en/ We investigated
as dei.atey as possi'e the ru)our of his atta.h)ent to the
do.tor"s daughterI 'ut +hie it see)ed .ear that there had 'een
a strong friendship 'et+een the) at one ti)e> there had 'een a
)ost a'rupt 'rea1 t+o )onths previousy> and they did not
appear to have seen ea.h other sin.e/ The do.tor hi)sef> an
edery )an of a straightfor+ard and unsuspi.ious type> +as
du)'founded at the resut of the autopsy/ !e had 'een .aed in
a'out )idnight to find a three peope suffering/ !e had reai?ed
i))ediatey the serious .ondition of Mrs *ones> and had sent
'a.1 to his dispensary for so)e opiu) pis> to aay the pain/ In
spite of a his efforts> ho+ever> she su..u)'ed> 'ut not for a
)o)ent did he suspe.t that anything +as a)iss/ !e +as
.onvin.ed that her death +as due to a for) of 'otuis)/ Supper
that night had .onsisted of tinned o'ster and saad> trife and
'read and .heese/ 2nfortunatey none of the o'ster re)ained ; it
had a 'een eaten and the tin thro+n a+ay/ !e had interrogated
the young )aid> ,adys #in.h/ She +as terri'y upset> very
tearfu and agitated> and he found it hard to get her to 1eep to the
point> 'ut she de.ared again and again that the tin had not 'een
distended in any +ay and that the o'ster had appeared to her in
a perfe.ty good .ondition/
"Su.h +ere the fa.ts +e had to go upon/ If *ones had feoniousy
ad)inistered arseni. to his +ife> it see)ed .ear that it .oud not
have 'een done in any of the things eaten at supper> as a three
persons had parta1en of the )ea/ Aso ; another point ; *ones
hi)sef had returned fro) %ir)ingha) Dust as supper +as 'eing
'rought in to ta'e> so that he +oud have had no opportunity of
do.toring any of the food 'eforehand/"
"What a'out the .o)panionA" as1ed *oy.e/ "The stout +o)an
+ith the good;hu)oured fa.e/"
Sir !enry nodded/
"We did not nege.t Miss Car1> I .an assure you/ %ut it see)ed
dou'tfu +hat )otive she .oud have had for the .ri)e/ Mrs
*ones eft her no ega.y of any 1ind and the net resut of her
e)poyer"s death +as that she had to see1 for another situation/"
"That see)s to eave her out of it>" said *oy.e thoughtfuy/
"0o+ one of )y inspe.tors soon dis.overed a signifi.ant fa.t>"
+ent on Sir !enry/ "After supper on that evening Mr *ones had
gone do+n to the 1it.hen and had de)anded a 'o+ of .ornfour
for his +ife +ho had .o)pained of not feeing +e/ !e had
+aited in the 1it.hen unti ,adys #in.h prepared it> and then
.arried it up to his +ife"s roo) hi)sef/ That> I ad)it> see)ed to
.in.h the .ase/"
The a+yer nodded/
"Motive>" he said> ti.1ing the points off on his fingers/
"<pportunity/ As a traveer for a fir) of druggists> easy a..ess to
the poison/"
"And a )an of +ea1 )ora fi're>" said the .ergy)an/
&ay)ond West +as staring at Sir !enry/
"There is a .at.h in this so)e+here>" he said/ "Why did you not
arrest hi)A"
Sir !enry s)ied rather +ryy/
"That is the unfortunate part of the .ase/ So far a had gone
s+i))ingy> 'ut no+ +e .o)e to the snags/ *ones +as not
arrested 'e.ause on interrogating Miss Car1 she tod us that the
+hoe of the 'o+ of .ornfour +as drun1 not 'y Mrs *ones 'ut 'y
her/ @es> it see)s that she +ent to Mrs *ones"s roo) as +as her
.usto)/ Mrs *ones +as sitting up in 'ed and the 'o+ of .ornfour
+as 'eside her/
"JI a) not feeing a 'it +e> Miy>J she said/ JServes )e right> I
suppose> for tou.hing o'ster at night/ I as1ed A'ert to get )e a
'o+ of .ornfour> 'ut no+ that I have got it I don"t see) to fan.y
it/J
"JA pity>J .o))ented Miss Car1 ; Jit is ni.ey )ade too> no u)ps/
,adys is reay 8uite a ni.e .oo1/ 7ery fe+ girs no+adays see)
to 'e a'e to )a1e a 'o+ of .ornfour ni.ey/ I de.are I 8uite
fan.y it )ysef> I a) that hungry/J
"JI shoud thin1 you +ere +ith your fooish +ays>J said Mrs *ones/
"I )ust eBpain>" 'ro1e off Sir !enry> "that Miss Car1> aar)ed at
her in.reasing stoutness> +as doing a .ourse of +hat is popuary
1no+n as J'antingJ/
"JIt is not good for you> Miy> it reay isn"t>J urged Mrs *ones/ JIf
the #ord )ade you stout he )eant you to 'e stout/ @ou drin1 up
that 'o+ of .ornfour/ It +i do you a the good in the +ord/J
"And straight a+ay Miss Car1 set to and did in a.tua fa.t finish
the 'o+/ So> you see> that 1no.1ed our .ase against the hus'and
to pie.es/ As1ed for an eBpanation of the +ords on the 'otting
'oo1 *ones gave one readiy enough/ The etter> he eBpained>
+as in ans+er to one +ritten fro) his 'rother in Austraia +ho
had appied to hi) for )oney/ !e had +ritten> pointing out that he
+as entirey dependent on his +ife/ When his +ife +as dead he
+oud have .ontro of )oney and +oud assist his 'rother if
possi'e/ !e regretted his ina'iity to hep 'ut pointed out that
there +ere hundreds and thousands of peope in the +ord in the
sa)e unfortunate pight/"
"And so the .ase fe to pie.esA" said $r Pender/
"And so the .ase fe to pie.es>" said Sir !enry gravey/ "We .oud
not ta1e the ris1 of arresting *ones +ith nothing to go upon/"
There +as a sien.e and then *oy.e said> "And that is a> is itA"
"That is the .ase as it has stood for the ast year/ The true soution
is no+ in the hands of S.otand @ard> and in t+o or three days"
ti)e you +i pro'a'y read of it in the ne+spapers/"
"The true soution>" said *oy.e thoughtfuy/ "I +onder/ #et"s a
thin1 for five )inutes and then spea1/"
&ay)ond West nodded and noted the ti)e on his +at.h/ When
the five )inutes +ere up he oo1ed over at $r Pender/
"Wi you spea1 firstA" he said/
The od )an shoo1 his head/ "I .onfess>" he said> "that I a) uttery
'affed/ I .an 'ut thin1 that the hus'and in so)e +ay )ust 'e the
guity party> 'ut ho+ he did it I .annot i)agine/ I .an ony suggest
that he )ust have given her the poison in so)e +ay that has not
yet 'een dis.overed> athough ho+ in that .ase it shoud have
.o)e to ight after a this ti)e I .annot i)agine/"
"*oy.eA"
"The .o)panionG" said *oy.e de.idedy/ JThe .o)panion every
ti)eG !o+ do +e 1no+ +hat )otive she )ay have hadA *ust
'e.ause she +as od and stout and ugy it doesn"t foo+ that she
+asn"t in ove +ith *ones hersef/ She )ay have hated the +ife for
so)e other reason/ Thin1 of 'eing a .o)panion ; a+ays having
to 'e peasant and agree and stife yoursef and 'otte yoursef
up/ <ne day she .oudn"t 'ear it any onger and then she 1ied
her/ She pro'a'y put the arseni. in the 'o+ of .ornfour and a
that story a'out eating it hersef is a ie/"
"Mr Petheri.1A"
The a+yer Doined the tips of his fingers together professionay/ "I
shoud hardy i1e to say/ <n the fa.ts I shoud hardy i1e to say/"
"%ut you have got to> Mr Petheri.1>" said *oy.e/ "@ou .an"t reserve
Dudge)ent and say J+ithout preDudi.eJ> and 'e ega/ @ou have
got to pay the ga)e/"
"<n the fa.ts>" said Mr Petheri.1> "there see)s nothing to 'e said/
It is )y private opinion> having seen> aas> too )any .ases of this
1ind> that the hus'and +as guity/ The ony eBpanation that +i
.over the fa.ts see)s to 'e that Miss Car1 for so)e reason or
other dei'eratey shetered hi)/ There )ay have 'een so)e
finan.ia arrange)ent )ade 'et+een the)/ !e )ight reai?e that
he +oud 'e suspe.ted> and she> seeing ony a future of poverty
'efore her> )ay have agreed to te the story of drin1ing the
.ornfour in return for a su'stantia su) to 'e paid to her
privatey/ If that +as the .ase it +as of .ourse )ost irreguar/
Most irreguar indeed/"
"I disagree +ith you a>" said &ay)ond/ "@ou have forgotten the
one i)portant fa.tor in the .ase/ The do.tor"s daughter/ I +i
give you )y reading of the .ase/ The tinned o'ster +as 'ad/ It
a..ounted for the poisoning sy)pto)s/ The do.tor +as sent for/
!e finds Mrs *ones> +ho has eaten )ore o'ster than the others>
in great pain> and he sends> as you tod us> for so)e opiu) pis/
!e does not go hi)sef> he sends/ Who +i give the )essenger
the opiu) pisA Ceary his daughter/ 7ery i1ey she dispenses
his )edi.ines for hi)/ She is in ove +ith *ones and at this
)o)ent a the +orst instin.ts in her nature rise and she reai?es
that the )eans to pro.ure his freedo) are in her hands/ The pis
she sends .ontain pure +hite arseni./ That is )y soution/"
"And no+> Sir !enry> te us>" said *oy.e eagery/
"<ne )o)ent>" said Sir !enry/ "Miss Marpe has not yet spo1en/"
Miss Marpe +as sha1ing her head sady/
"$ear> dear>" she said/ "I have dropped another stit.h/ I have 'een
so interested in the story/ A sad .ase> a very sad .ase/ It re)inds
)e of od Mr !argraves +ho ived up at the Mount/ !is +ife never
had the east suspi.ion ; unti he died> eaving a his )oney to a
+o)an he had 'een iving +ith and 'y +ho) he had five .hidren/
She had at one ti)e 'een their house)aid/ Su.h a ni.e gir> Mrs
!argraves a+ays said ; thoroughy to 'e reied upon to turn the
)attresses every day ; eB.ept Fridays> of .ourse/ And there +as
od !argraves 1eeping this +o)an in a house in the neigh'ouring
to+n and .ontinuing to 'e a Chur.h+arden and to hand round
the pate every Sunday/"
"My dear Aunt *ane>" said &ay)ond +ith so)e i)patien.e/ "What
has dead and gone !argraves got to do +ith the .aseA"
"This story )ade )e thin1 of hi) at on.e>" said Miss Marpe/ "The
fa.ts are so very ai1e> aren"t theyA I suppose the poor gir has
.onfessed no+ and that is ho+ you 1no+> Sir !enry/"
"What girA" said &ay)ond/ "My dear Aunt> +hat are you ta1ing
a'outA"
"That poor gir> ,adys #in.h> of .ourse ; the one +ho +as so
terri'y agitated +hen the do.tor spo1e to her ; and +e she
)ight 'e> poor thing/ I hope that +i.1ed *ones is hanged> I a)
sure> )a1ing that poor gir a )urderess/ I suppose they +i hang
her too> poor thing/"
"I thin1> Miss Marpe> that you are under a sight
)isapprehension>" 'egan Mr Petheri.1/
%ut Miss Marpe shoo1 her head o'stinatey and oo1ed a.ross at
Sir !enry/
"I a) right> a) I notA It see)s so .ear to )e/ The hundreds and
thousands ; and the trife ; I )ean> one .annot )iss it/"
"What a'out the trife and the hundreds and thousandsA" .ried
&ay)ond/
!is aunt turned to hi)/
"Coo1s neary a+ays put hundreds and thousands on trife> dear>"
she said/ "Those itte pin1 and +hite sugar things/ <f .ourse
+hen I heard that they had trife for supper and that the hus'and
had 'een +riting to so)eone a'out hundreds and thousands> I
naturay .onne.ted the t+o things together/ That is +here the
arseni. +as ; in the hundreds and thousands/ !e eft it +ith the
gir and tod her to put it on the trife/"
"%ut that is i)possi'e>" said *oy.e 8ui.1y/ "They a ate the trife/"
"<h> no/" said Miss Marpe/ "The .o)panion +as 'anting> you
re)e)'er/ @ou never eat anything i1e trife if you are 'antingI
and I eBpe.t *ones Dust s.raped the hundreds and thousands off
his share and eft the) at the side of his pate/ It +as a .ever
idea> 'ut a very +i.1ed one/"
The eyes of the others +ere a fiBed upon Sir !enry/
"It is a very .urious thing>" he said so+y> "'ut Miss Marpe
happens to have hit upon the truth/ *ones had got ,adys #in.h
into trou'e> as the saying goes/ She +as neary desperate/ !e
+anted his +ife out of the +ay and pro)ised to )arry ,adys
+hen his +ife +as dead/ !e do.tored the hundreds and
thousands and gave the) to her +ith instru.tions ho+ to use
the)/ ,adys #in.h died a +ee1 ago/ !er .hid died at 'irth and
*ones had deserted her for another +o)an/ When she +as dying
she .onfessed the truth/"
There +as a fe+ )o)ents" sien.e and then &ay)ond saidH
"We> Aunt *ane> this is one up to you/ I .an"t thin1 ho+ on earth
you )anaged to hit upon the truth/ I shoud never have thought of
the itte )aid in the 1it.hen 'eing .onne.ted +ith the .ase/"
"0o> dear>" said Miss Marpe> "'ut you don"t 1no+ as )u.h of ife
as I do/ A )an of that *ones"s type ; .oarse and Dovia/ As soon as
I heard there +as a pretty young gir in the house I fet sure that
he +oud not have eft her aone/ It is a very distressing and
painfu> and not a very ni.e thing to ta1 a'out I .an"t te you the
sho.1 it +as to Mrs !argraves> and a nine days" +onder in the
viage/"
The Ido !ouse of Astarte
"And no+> $r Pender> +hat are you going to te usA"
The od .ergy)an s)ied genty/
"My ife has 'een passed in 8uiet pa.es>" he said/ "7ery fe+
eventfu happenings have .o)e )y +ay/ @et on.e> +hen I +as a
young )an> I had one very strange and tragi. eBperien.e/"
"AhG" said *oy.e #e)pri=re en.ouragingy/
"I have never forgotten it>" .ontinued the .ergy)an/ "It )ade a
profound i)pression on )e at the ti)e> and to this day 'y a sight
effort of )e)ory I .an fee again the a+e and horror of that
terri'e )o)ent +hen I sa+ a )an stri.1en to death 'y
apparenty no )orta agen.y/"
"@ou )a1e )e fee 8uite .reepy> Pender>" .o)pained Sir !enry/
"It )ade )e fee .reepy> as you .a it>" repied the other/ "Sin.e
then I have never aughed at the peope +ho use the +ord
at)osphere/ There is su.h a thing/ There are .ertain pa.es
i)'ued and saturated +ith good or evi infuen.es +hi.h .an
)a1e their po+er fet/"
"That house> The #ar.hes> is a very unhappy one>" re)ar1ed Miss
Marpe/ "<d Mr S)ithers ost a his )oney and had to eave it/
Then the Carsa1es too1 it and *ohnny Carsa1e fe do+nstairs
and 'ro1e his eg and Mrs Carsa1e had to go a+ay to the South
of Fran.e for her heath> and no+ the %urdens have got it and I
hear that poor Mr %urden has got to have an operation a)ost
i))ediatey/"
"There is> I thin1> rather too )u.h superstition a'out su.h
)atters>" said Mr Petheri.1/ "A ot of da)age is done to property
'y fooish reports heedessy .ir.uated/"
"I have 1no+n one or t+o JghostsJ that have had a very ro'ust
personaity>" re)ar1ed Sir !enry +ith a .hu.1e/
"I thin1>" said &ay)ond> "+e shoud ao+ $r Pender to go on +ith
his story/"
*oy.e got up and s+it.hed off the t+o a)ps> eaving the roo) it
ony 'y the fi.1ering fireight/
"At)osphere>" she said/ "0o+ +e .an get aong/"
$r Pender s)ied at her and> eaning 'a.1 in his .hair and ta1ing
off his pin.e;ne?> he 'egan his story in a gente re)inis.ent
voi.e/
"I don"t 1no+ +hether any of you 1no+ $art)oor at a/ The pa.e I
a) teing you a'out is situated on the 'orders of $art)oor/ It
+as a very .har)ing property> though it had 'een on the )ar1et
+ithout finding a pur.haser for severa years/ The situation +as
perhaps a itte 'ea1 in +inter> 'ut the vie+s +ere )agnifi.ent
and there +ere .ertain .urious and origina features a'out the
property itsef/ It +as 'ought 'y a )an .aed !aydon ; Sir
&i.hard !aydon/ I had 1no+n hi) in his .oege days> and though
I had ost sight of hi) for so)e years> the od ties of friendship
sti hed> and I a..epted +ith peasure his invitation to go do+n
to Sient ,rove> as his ne+ pur.hase +as .aed/
"The house party +as not a very arge one/ There +as &i.hard
!aydon hi)sef> and his .ousin> (iot !aydon/ There +as a #ady
Mannering +ith a pae> rather in.onspi.uous daughter .aed
7ioet/ There +as a Captain &ogers and his +ife> hard riding>
+eather'eaten peope> +ho ived ony for horses and hunting/
There +as aso a young $r Sy)onds and there +as Miss $iana
Ashey/ I 1ne+ so)ething a'out the ast na)ed/ !er pi.ture +as
very often in the So.iety papers and she +as one of the notorious
'eauties of the Season/ !er appearan.e +as indeed very
stri1ing/ She +as dar1 and ta> +ith a 'eautifu s1in of an even
tint of pae .rea)> and her haf .osed dar1 eyes set sant+ays in
her head gave her a .uriousy pi8uant orienta appearan.e/ She
had> too> a +onderfu spea1ing voi.e> deep;toned and 'e;i1e/
"I sa+ at on.e that )y friend &i.hard !aydon +as very )u.h
attra.ted 'y her> and I guessed that the +hoe party +as )erey
arranged as a setting for her/ <f her o+n feeings I +as not so
sure/ She +as .apri.ious in her favours/ <ne day ta1ing to
&i.hard and eB.uding everyone ese fro) her noti.e> and
another day she +oud favour his .ousin> (iot and appear hardy
to noti.e that su.h a person as &i.hard eBisted> and then again
she +oud 'esto+ the )ost 'e+it.hing s)ies upon the 8uiet and
retiring $r Sy)onds/
"<n the )orning after )y arriva our host sho+ed us a over the
pa.e/ The house itsef +as unre)ar1a'e> a good soid house
'uit of $evonshire granite/ %uit to +ithstand ti)e and eBposure/
It +as unro)anti. 'ut very .o)forta'e/ Fro) the +indo+s of it
one oo1ed out over the panora)a of the )oor> vast roing his
.ro+ned +ith +eather;'eaten tors/
"<n the sopes of the tor nearest to us +ere various hut .ir.es>
rei.s of the 'ygone days of the ate Stone Age/ <n another hi
+as a 'arro+ +hi.h had re.enty 'een eB.avated> and in +hi.h
.ertain 'ron?e i)pe)ents had 'een found/ !aydon +as 'y +ay
of 'eing interested in anti8uarian )atters and he ta1ed to us
+ith a great dea of energy and enthusias)/ This parti.uar spot>
he eBpained> +as parti.uary ri.h in rei.s of the past/
"0eoithi. hut d+eers> $ruids> &o)ans> and even tra.es of the
eary Phoeni.ians +ere to 'e found/
"J%ut this pa.e is the )ost interesting of a>J he said J@ou 1no+
its na)e ; Sient ,rove/ We> it is easy enough to see +hat it
ta1es its na)e fro)/J
"!e pointed +ith his hand/ That parti.uar pan of the .ountry +as
'are enough ; ro.1s> heather and 'ra.1en> 'ut a'out a hundred
yards fro) the house there +as a densey panted grove of trees/
J"That is a rei. of very eary days>J said !aydon/ JThe trees have
died and 'een repanted> 'ut on the +hoe it has 'een 1ept very
)u.h as it used to 'e ; perhaps in the ti)e of the Phoeni.ian
setters/ Co)e and oo1 at it/J
"We a foo+ed hi)/ As +e entered the grove of trees a .urious
oppression .a)e over )e/ I thin1 it +as the sien.e/ 0o 'irds
see)ed to nest in these trees/ There +as a feeing a'out it of
desoation and horror/ I sa+ !aydon oo1ing at )e +ith a .urious
s)ie/
"JAny feeing a'out this pa.e> PenderAJ he as1ed )e/
JAntagonis) no+A <r uneasinessAJ
"JI don"t i1e it>J I said 8uiety/
"J@ou are +ithin your rights/ This +as a stronghod of one of the
an.ient ene)ies of your faith/ This is the ,rove of Astarte/J
"JAstarteAJ
"JAstarte> or Ishtar> or Ashtoreth> or +hatever you .hoose to .a
her/ I prefer the Phoeni.ian na)e of Astarte/ There is> I 'eieve>
one 1no+n ,rove of Astarte in this .ountry ; in the 0orth on the
Wa/ I have no eviden.e> 'ut I i1e to 'eieve that +e have a true
and authenti. ,rove of Astarte here/ !ere> +ithin this dense
.ir.e of trees> sa.red rites +ere perfor)ed/J
"JSa.red rites>J )ur)ured $iana Ashey/ !er eyes had a drea)y
fara+ay oo1/ JWhat +ere they> I +onderAJ
"J0ot very reputa'e 'y a a..ounts>J said Captain &ogers +ith a
oud un)eaning augh/ J&ather hot stuff> I i)agine/J
"!aydon paid no attention to hi)/
"JIn the .entre of the grove there shoud 'e a te)pe>J he said/ JI
.an"t run to te)pes> 'ut I have induged in a itte fan.y of )y
o+n/J
"We had at that )o)ent stepped out into a itte .earing in the
.entre of the trees/ In the )idde of it +as so)ething not uni1e a
su))erhouse )ade of stone/ $iana Ashey oo1ed in8uiringy at
!aydon/
"JI .a it The Ido !ouse>J he said/ JIt is the Ido !ouse of Astarte/J
"!e ed the +ay up to it/ Inside> on a rude e'ony piar> there
reposed a .urious itte i)age representing a +o)an +ith
.res.ent horns> seated on a ion/
"JAstarte of the Phoeni.ians>J said !aydon> Jthe ,oddess of the
Moon/J
"JThe ,oddess of the Moon>J .ried $iana/ J<h> do et us have a
+id orgy tonight/ Fan.y dress/ And +e +i .o)e out here in the
)oonight and .ee'rate the rites of Astarte/J
"I )ade a sudden )ove)ent and (iot !aydon> &i.hard"s .ousin>
turned 8ui.1y to )e/
"J@ou don"t i1e a this> do you> PadreAJ he said/
"J0o>J I said gravey/ JI don"t/J
"!e oo1ed at )e .uriousy/ J%ut it is ony to)fooery/ $i.1 .an"t
1no+ that this reay is a sa.red grove/ It is Dust a fan.y of hisI he
i1es to pay +ith the idea/ And any+ay> if it +ere ; J
"JIf it +ereAJ
"JWe ; J he aughed un.o)forta'y/ J@ou don"t 'eieve in that
sort of thing> do youA @ou> a parson/J
"JI a) not sure that as a parson I ought not to 'eieve in it/J
"J%ut that sort of thing is a finished and done +ith/J
"JI a) not so sure>J I said )usingy/ JI ony 1no+ thisH I a) not as
a rue a sensitive )an to at)osphere> 'ut ever sin.e I entered
this grove of trees I have fet a .urious i)pression and sense of
evi and )ena.e a round )e/J
"!e gan.ed uneasiy over his shouder/
"J@es>J he said> Jit is ; it is 8ueer> so)eho+/ I 1no+ +hat you
)ean 'ut I suppose it is ony our i)agination )a1es us fee i1e
that/ What do you say> Sy)ondsAJ
"The do.tor +as sient a )inute or t+o 'efore he repied/ Then he
said 8uietyH
"JI don"t i1e it/ I .an"t te you +hy/ %ut so)eho+ or other> I don"t
i1e it/J
"At that )o)ent 7ioet Mannering .a)e a.ross to )e/
"JI hate this pa.e>J she .ried/ JI hate it/ $o et"s get out of it/J
"We )oved a+ay and the others foo+ed us/ <ny $iana Ashey
ingered/ I turned )y head over )y shouder and sa+ her
standing in front of the ido house ga?ing earnesty at the i)age
+ithin it/
"The day +as an unusuay hot and 'eautifu one and $iana
Ashey"s suggestion of a fan.y dress party that evening +as
re.eived +ith genera favour/ The usua aughing and +hispering
and fren?ied se.ret se+ing too1 pa.e and +hen +e a )ade our
appearan.e for dinner there +ere the usua out.ries of
)erri)ent/ &ogers and his +ife +ere 0eoithi. hut d+eers ;
eBpaining the sudden a.1 of hearth rugs/ &i.hard !aydon .aed
hi)sef a Phoeni.ian saior> and his .ousin +as a 'rigand .hief/
$r Sy)onds +as a .hef> #ady Mannering +as a hospita nurse>
and her daughter +as a Cir.assian save/ I )ysef +as arrayed
so)e+hat too +ar)y as a )on1/ $iana Ashey .a)e do+n ast
and +as so)e+hat of a disappoint)ent to a of us> 'eing
+rapped in a shapeess 'a.1 do)ino/
"JThe 2n1no+n>J she de.ared airiy/ JThat is +hat I a)/ 0o+ for
goodness" sa1e et"s go in to dinner/J
"After dinner +e +ent outside/ It +as a ovey night> +ar) and
soft> and the )oon +as rising/
"We +andered a'out and .hatted and the ti)e passed 8ui.1y
enough/ It )ust have 'een an hour ater +hen +e reai?ed that
$iana Ashey +as not +ith us/
"JSurey she has not gone to 'ed>J said &i.hard !aydon/
"7ioet Mannering shoo1 her head/
"J<h> no>J she said/ JI sa+ her going off in that dire.tion a'out a
8uarter of an hour ago/J She pointed as she spo1e to+ards the
grove of trees that sho+ed 'a.1 and shado+y in the )oonight/
"JI +onder +hat she is up to>J said &i.hard !aydon/ JSo)e
devi)ent> I s+ear/ #et"s go and see/J
"We a trooped off together> so)e+hat .urious as to +hat Miss
Ashey had 'een up to/ @et I> for one> fet a .urious reu.tan.e to
enter that dar1 fore'oding 'et of trees/ So)ething stronger than
)ysef see)ed to 'e hoding )e 'a.1 and urging )e not to enter/
I fet )ore definitey .onvin.ed than ever of the essentia eviness
of the spot/ I thin1 that so)e of the others eBperien.ed the sa)e
sensations that I did> though they +oud have 'een oath to ad)it
it/ The trees +ere so .osey panted that the )oonight .oud not
penetrate/ There +ere a do?en soft sounds a round us>
+hisperings and sighings/ The feeing +as eerie in the eBtre)e>
and 'y .o))on .onsent +e a 1ept .ose together/
"Suddeny +e .a)e out into the open .earing in the )idde of the
grove and stood rooted to the spot in a)a?e)ent> for there> on
the threshod of the Ido !ouse> stood a shi))ering figure
+rapped tighty round in diaphanous gau?e and +ith t+o
.res.ent horns rising fro) the dar1 )asses of her hair/
"JMy ,odGJ said &i.hard !aydon> and the s+eat sprang out on his
'ro+/
"%ut 7ioet Mannering +as sharper/
"JWhy> it"s $iana>J she eB.ai)ed/ JWhat has she done to hersefA
<h> she oo1s 8uite different so)eho+GJ
"The figure in the door+ay raised her hands/ She too1 a step
for+ard and .hanted in a high s+eet voi.e/
"JI a) the Priestess of Astarte>J she .rooned/ J%e+are ho+ you
approa.h )e> for I hod death in )y hand/J
"J$on"t do it> dear>J protested #ady Mannering/ J@ou give us the
.reeps> you reay do/J
"!aydon sprang for+ard to+ards her/
"JMy ,od> $ianaGJ he .ried/ J@ou are +onderfu/J
"My eyes +ere a..usto)ed to the )oonight no+ and I .oud see
)ore painy/ She did> indeed> as 7ioet had said> oo1 8uite
different/ !er fa.e +as )ore definitey orienta> and her eyes
)ore of sits +ith so)ething .rue in their gea)> and the strange
s)ie on her ips +as one that I had never seen there 'efore/
"J%e+are>J she .ried +arningy/ J$o not approa.h the ,oddess/
If anyone ays a hand on )e it is death/J
"J@ou are +onderfu> $iana>J .ried !aydon> J'ut do stop it/
So)eho+ or other I ; I don"t i1e it/J
"!e +as )oving to+ards her a.ross the grass and she fung out a
hand to+ards hi)/
"JStop>J she .ried/ J<ne step nearer and I +i s)ite you +ith the
)agi. of Astarte/J
"&i.hard !aydon aughed and 8ui.1ened his pa.e> +hen a at
on.e a .urious thing happened/ !e hesitated for a )o)ent> then
see)ed to stu)'e and fa headong/
"!e did not get up again 'ut ay +here he had faen prone on the
ground/
"Suddeny $iana 'egan to augh hysteri.ay/ It +as a strange
horri'e sound 'rea1ing the sien.e of the gade/
"With an oath (iot sprang for+ard/
"JI .an"t stand this>J he .ried> Jget up> $i.1> get up> )an/J
"%ut sti &i.hard !aydon ay +here he had faen/ (iot !aydon
rea.hed his side> 1net 'y hi) and turned hi) genty over/ !e
'ent over hi)> peering in his fa.e/
"Then he rose sharpy to his feet and stood s+aying a itte/
"J$o.tor>J he said/ J$o.tor> for ,od"s sa1e .o)e/ I ; I thin1 he is
dead/J
"Sy)onds ran for+ard and (iot reDoined us +a1ing very so+y/
!e +as oo1ing do+n at his hands in a +ay I didn"t understand/
"At that )o)ent there +as a +id s.rea) fro) $iana/
"JI have 1ied hi)>J she .ried/ J<h> )y ,odG I didn"t )ean to> 'ut I
have 1ied hi)/J
"And she fainted dead a+ay> faing in a .ru)ped heap on the
grass/
"There +as a .ry fro) Mrs &ogers/
"J<h> do et us get a+ay fro) this dreadfu pa.e>J she +aied>
Janything )ight happen to us here/ <h> it"s a+fuGJ
"(iot got hod of )e 'y the shouder/
"JIt .an"t 'e> )an>J he )ur)ured/ JI te you it .an"t 'e/ A )an
.annot 'e 1ied i1e that/ It is ; it"s against 0ature/J
"I tried to soothe hi)/
"JThere is so)e eBpanation>J I said/ J@our .ousin )ust have had
so)e unsuspe.ted +ea1ness of the heart/ The sho.1 and
eB.ite)ent ; J
"!e interrupted )e/
"J@ou don"t understand>J he said/ !e hed up his hands for )e to
see and I noti.ed a red stain on the)/
"J$i.1 didn"t die of sho.1> he +as sta''ed ; sta''ed to the heart>
and there is no +eapon/J
"I stared at hi) in.reduousy/ At that )o)ent Sy)onds rose fro)
his eBa)ination of the 'ody and .a)e to+ards us/ !e +as pae
and sha1ing a over/
"JAre +e a )adAJ he said/ JWhat is this pa.e ; that things i1e
this .an happen in itAJ
"JThen it is true>J I said/
"!e nodded/
"JThe +ound is su.h as +oud 'e )ade 'y a ong thin dagger> 'ut
; there is no dagger there/J
"We a oo1ed i ea.h other/
"J%ut it )ust 'e there>J .ried (iot !aydon/ JIt )ust have
dropped out/ It )ust 'e on the ground so)e+here/ #et us oo1/J
"We peered a'out vainy on the ground/ 7ioet Mannering said
suddenyH
"J$iana had so)ething in her hand/ A 1ind of dagger/ I sa+ it> I
sa+ it gitter +hen she threatened hi)/J
"(iot !aydon shoo1 his head/
"J!e never even got +ithin three yards of her>J he o'De.ted/
"#ady Mannering +as 'ending over the prostrate gir on the
ground/
"JThere is nothing in her hand no+>J she announ.ed> Jand I .an"t
see anything on the ground/ Are you sure you sa+ it> 7ioetA I
didn"t/J
"$r Sy)onds .a)e over to the gir/
"JWe )ust get her to the house>J he said/ J&ogers> +i you hepAJ
"%et+een us +e .arried the un.ons.ious gir 'a.1 to the house/
Then +e returned and fet.hed the 'ody of Sir &i.hard/"
$r Pender 'ro1e off apoogeti.ay and oo1ed round/
"<ne +oud 1no+ 'etter no+adays>" he said> "o+ing to the
prevaen.e of dete.tive fi.tion/ (very street 'oy 1no+s that a
'ody )ust 'e eft +here it is found/ %ut in these days +e had not
the sa)e 1no+edge> and a..ordingy +e .arried the 'ody of
&i.hard !aydon 'a.1 to his 'edroo) in the s8uare granite house
and the 'uter +as despat.hed on a 'i.y.e in sear.h of the
poi.e ; a ride of so)e t+eve )ies/
"It +as then that (iot !aydon dre+ )e aside/
"J#oo1 here>J he said/ JI a) going 'a.1 to the grove/ That +eapon
has got to 'e found/J
"JIf there +as a +eapon>J I said dou'tfuy/
"!e sei?ed )y ar) and shoo1 it fier.ey/ J@ou have got that
superstitious stuff into your head/ @ou thin1 his death +as
supernaturaI +e> I a) going 'a.1 to the grove to find out/J
"I +as .uriousy averse to his doing so/ I did )y ut)ost to
dissuade hi)> 'ut +ithout resut/ The )ere idea of that thi.1
.ir.e of trees +as a'horrent to )e and I fet a strong
pre)onition of further disaster/ %ut (iot +as entirey pigheaded/
!e +as> I thin1> s.ared hi)sef> 'ut +oud not ad)it it/
!e +ent off fuy ar)ed +ith deter)ination to get to the 'otto) of
the )ystery/
"It +as a very dreadfu night> none of us .oud seep> or atte)pt to
do so/ The poi.e> +hen they arrived> +ere fran1y in.reduous of
the +hoe thing/ They evin.ed a strong desire to .ross;eBa)ine
Miss Ashey> 'ut there they had to re.1on +ith $r Sy)onds> +ho
opposed the idea vehe)enty/ Miss Ashey had .o)e out of her
faint or tran.e and he had given her a ong seeping draught/ She
+as on no a..ount to 'e distur'ed unti the foo+ing day/
"It +as not unti a'out seven o".o.1 in the )orning that anyone
thought a'out (iot !aydon> and then Sy)onds suddeny as1ed
+here he +as/ I eBpained +hat (iot had done and Sy)onds"s
grave fa.e gre+ a shade graver/ JI +ish he hadn"t/ It is ; it is
foohardy>J he said/
"J@ou don"t thin1 any har) .an have happened to hi)AJ
"JI hope not/ I thin1> Padre> that you and I had 'etter go and see/J
"I 1ne+ he +as right> 'ut it too1 a the .ourage in )y .o))and to
nerve )ysef for the tas1/ We set out together and entered on.e
)ore that i;fated grove of trees/ We .aed hi) t+i.e and got no
repy/ In a )inute or t+o +e .a)e into the .earing> +hi.h oo1ed
pae and ghosty in the eary )orning ight/ Sy)onds .ut.hed )y
ar) and I uttered a )uttered eB.a)ation/ #ast night +hen +e
had seen it in the )oonight there had 'een the 'ody of a )an
ying fa.e do+n+ards on the grass/ 0o+ in the eary )orning
ight the sa)e sight )et our eyes/ (iot !aydon +as ying on the
eBa.t spot +here his .ousin had 'een/
"JMy ,odGJ said Sy)onds/ JIt has got hi) tooGJ
"We ran together over the grass/ (iot !aydon +as un.ons.ious
'ut 'reathing fee'y and this ti)e there +as no dou't of +hat had
.aused the tragedy/ A ong thin 'ron?e +eapon re)ained in the
+ound/
"J,ot hi) through the shouder> not through the heart/ That is
u.1y>J .o))ented the do.tor/ J<n )y sou> I don"t 1no+ +hat to
thin1/ At any rate he is not dead and he +i 'e a'e to te us +hat
happened/J
"%ut that +as Dust +hat (iot !aydon +as not a'e to do/ !is
des.ription +as vague in the eBtre)e/ !e had hunted a'out
vainy for the dagger and at ast giving up the sear.h had ta1en
up a stand near the Ido !ouse/ It +as then that he 'e.a)e
in.reasingy .ertain that so)eone +as +at.hing hi) fro) the
'et of trees/ !e fought against this i)pression 'ut +as not a'e
to sha1e it off/ !e des.ri'ed a .od strange +ind that 'egan to
'o+/ It see)ed to .o)e not fro) the trees 'ut fro) the interior
of the Ido !ouse/ !e turned round> peering inside it/ !e sa+ the
s)a figure of the ,oddess and he fet he +as under an opti.a
deusion/ The figure see)ed to gro+ arger and arger/ Then he
suddeny re.eived so)ething that fet i1e a 'o+ 'et+een his
te)pes +hi.h sent hi) reeing 'a.1> and as he fe he +as
.ons.ious of a sharp 'urning pain in his eft shouder/
"The dagger +as identified this ti)e as 'eing the identi.a one
+hi.h had 'een dug up in the 'arro+ on the hi> and +hi.h had
'een 'ought 'y &i.hard !aydon/ Where he had 1ept it> in the
house or in the Ido !ouse in the grove> none see)ed to 1no+/
"The poi.e +ere of the opinion> and a+ays +i 'e> that he +as
dei'eratey sta''ed 'y Miss Ashey> 'ut in vie+ of our .o)'ined
eviden.e that she +as never +ithin three yards of hi)> they .oud
not hope to support the .harge against her/ So the thing has 'een
and re)ains a )ystery/"
There +as a sien.e/
"There doesn"t see) anything to say>" said *oy.e #e)pri=re at
ength/ "It is a so horri'e ; and un.anny/ !ave you no
eBpanation for yoursef> $r PenderA"
The od )an nodded/ "@es/" he said/ "I have an eBpanation ; a 1ind
of eBpanation> that is/ &ather a .urious one ; 'ut to )y )ind it
sti eaves .ertain fa.tors una..ounted for/"
"I have 'een to s=an.es>" said *oy.e> "and you )ay say +hat you
i1e> very 8ueer things .an happen/ I suppose one .an eBpain it
'y so)e 1ind of hypnotis)/ The gir reay turned hersef into a
Priestess of Astarte> and I suppose so)eho+ or other she )ust
have sta''ed hi)/ Perhaps she thre+ the dagger that Miss
Mannering sa+ in her hand/"
"<r it )ight have 'een a Davein>" suggested &ay)ond West "After
a> )oonight is not very strong/ She )ight have had a 1ind of
spear in her hand and sta''ed hi) at a distan.e> and then I
suppose )ass hypnotis) .o)es into a..ount/ I )ean> you +ere
a prepared to see hi) stri.1en do+n 'y supernatura )eans and
so you sa+ it i1e that/"
"I have seen )any +onderfu things done +ith +eapons and
1nives at )usi. has>" said Sir !enry/ "I suppose it is possi'e that
a )an .oud have 'een .on.eaed in the 'et of trees> and that he
)ight fro) there have thro+n a 1nife or a dagger +ith suffi.ient
a..ura.y ; agreeing> of .ourse> that he +as a professiona/ I
ad)it that that see)s rather far;fet.hed> 'ut it see)s the ony
reay feasi'e theory/ @ou re)e)'er that the other )an +as
distin.ty under the i)pression that there +as so)eone in the
grove of trees +at.hing hi)/ As to Miss Mannering saying that
Miss Ashey had a dagger in her hand and the others saying she
hadn"t> that doesn"t surprise )e/ If you had had )y eBperien.e
you +oud 1no+ that five persons" a..ount of the sa)e thing +i
differ so +idey as to 'e a)ost in.redi'e/"
Mr Petheri.1 .oughed/
"%ut in a these theories +e see) to 'e overoo1ing the essentia
fa.t>" he re)ar1ed/ "What 'e.a)e of the +eaponA Miss Ashey
.oud hardy get rid of a Davein standing as she +as in the )idde
of an open spa.eI and if a hidden )urderer had thro+n a dagger>
then the dagger +oud sti have 'een in the +ound +hen the )an
+as turned over/ We )ust> I thin1> dis.ard a far;fet.hed theories
and .onfine ourseves to so'er fa.t/"
"And +here does so'er fa.t ead usA"
"We> one thing see)s 8uite .ear/ 0o one +as near the )an
+hen he +as stri.1en do+n> so the ony person +ho .oud have
sta''ed hi) +as he hi)sef/ Sui.ide> in fa.t/"
"%ut +hy on earth shoud he +ish to .o))it sui.ideA" as1ed
&ay)ond West in.reduousy/
The a+yer .oughed again/ "Ah> that is a 8uestion of theory on.e
)ore>" he said/ "At the )o)ent I a) not .on.erned +ith theories/
It see)s to )e> eB.uding the supernatura in +hi.h I do not for
one )o)ent 'eieve> that that +as the ony +ay things .oud have
happened/ !e sta''ed hi)sef> and as he fe his ar)s fe+ out>
+ren.hing the dagger fro) the +ound and finging it far into the
?one of the trees/ That is> I thin1> athough so)e+hat uni1ey> a
possi'e happening/"
"I don"t i1e to say> I a) sure>" said Miss Marpe/ "It a perpeBes
)e very )u.h indeed/ %ut .urious things do happen/ At #ady
Sharpey"s garden party ast year the )an +ho +as arranging the
.o.1 gof tripped over one of the nu)'ers ; 8uite un.ons.ious he
+as ; and didn"t .o)e round for a'out five )inutes/"
"@es> dear Aunt>" said &ay)ond genty> "'ut he +asn"t sta''ed>
+as heA"
"<f .ourse not> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "That is +hat I a) teing
you/ <f .ourse there is ony one +ay that poor Sir &i.hard .oud
have 'een sta''ed> 'ut I do +ish I 1ne+ +hat .aused hi) to
stu)'e in the first pa.e/ <f .ourse> it )ight have 'een a tree
root/ !e +oud 'e oo1ing at the gir> of .ourse> and +hen it is
)oonight one does trip over things/"
"@ou say that there is ony one +ay that Sir &i.hard .oud have
'een sta''ed> Miss Marpe>" said the .ergy)an> oo1ing at her
.uriousy/
"It is very sad and I don"t i1e to thin1 of it/ !e +as a right;handed
)an> +as he notA I )ean to sta' hi)sef in the eft shouder he
)ust have 'een/ I +as a+ays so sorry for poor *a.1 %aynes in
the War/ !e shot hi)sef in the foot> you re)e)'er> after very
severe fighting at Arras/ !e tod )e a'out it +hen I +ent to see
hi) in hospita> and very asha)ed of it he +as/ I don"t eBpe.t this
poor )an> (iot !aydon> profited )u.h 'y his +i.1ed .ri)e/"
"(iot !aydon>" .ried &ay)ond/ "@ou thin1 he did itA"
"I don"t see ho+ anyone ese .oud have done it>" said Miss
Marpe> opening her eyes in gente surprise/ "I )ean if> as Mr
Petheri.1 so +isey says> one oo1s at the fa.ts and disregards a
that at)osphere of heathen goddesses +hi.h I don"t thin1 is very
ni.e/ !e +ent up to hi) first and turned hi) over> and of .ourse
to do that he +oud have to have had his 'a.1 to the) a> and
'eing dressed as a 'rigand .hief he +oud 'e sure to have a
+eapon of so)e 1ind in his 'et/ I re)e)'er dan.ing +ith a )an
dressed as a 'rigand .hief +hen I +as a young gir/ !e had five
1inds of 1nives and daggers> and I .an"t te you ho+ a+1+ard
and un.o)forta'e it +as for his partner/"
A eyes +ere turned to+ards $r Pender/
"I 1ne+ the truth>" said he> "five years after that tragedy o..urred/
It .a)e in the shape of a etter +ritten to )e 'y (iot !aydon/ !e
said in it that he fan.ied that I had a+ays suspe.ted hi)/ !e said
it +as a sudden te)ptation/ !e too oved $iana Ashey> 'ut he
+as ony a poor strugging 'arrister/ With &i.hard out of the +ay
and inheriting his tite and estates> he sa+ a +onderfu prospe.t
opening up 'efore hi)/ The dagger had Der1ed out of his 'et as
he 1net do+n 'y his .ousin> and a)ost 'efore he had ti)e to
thin1 he drove it in and returned it to his 'et again/ !e sta''ed
hi)sef ater in order to divert suspi.ion/ !e +rote to )e on the
eve of starting on an eBpedition to the South Poe in .ase> as he
said> he shoud never .o)e 'a.1/ I do not thin1 that he )eant to
.o)e 'a.1> and I 1no+ that> as Miss Marpe has said> his .ri)e
profited hi) nothing/ JFor five years>J he +rote> JI have ived in
!e/ I hope> at east> that I )ay eBpiate )y .ri)e 'y dying
honoura'y/J"
There +as a pause/
"And he did die honoura'y>" said Sir !enry/ "@ou have .hanged
the na)es in your story> $r Pender> 'ut I thin1 I re.ogni?e the
)an you )ean/"
"As I said>" +ent on the od .ergy)an> "I do not thin1 that
eBpanation 8uite .overs the fa.ts/ I sti thin1 there +as an evi
infuen.e in that grove> an infuen.e that dire.ted (iot !aydon"s
a.tion/ (ven to this day I never thin1 +ithout a shudder of The
Ido !ouse of Astarte/"
Ingots of ,od
"I do not 1no+ that the story that I a) going to te you is a fair
one>" said &ay)ond West> "'e.ause I .an"t give you the soution of
it/ @et the fa.ts +ere so interesting and so .urious that I shoud
i1e to propound it to you as a pro'e)/ And perhaps 'et+een us
+e )ay arrive at so)e ogi.a .on.usion/
"The date of these happenings +as t+o years ago> +hen I +ent
do+n to spend Whitsuntide +ith a )an .aed *ohn 0e+)an> in
Corn+a/"
"Corn+aA" said *oy.e #e)priSre sharpy/
"@es/ WhyA"
"0othing/ <ny it"s odd/ My story is a'out a pa.e in Corn+a> too ;
a itte fishing viage .aed &athoe/ $on"t te )e yours is the
sa)eA"
"0o/ My viage is .aed Poperran/ It is situated on the +est .oast
of Corn+aI a very +id and ro.1y spot/ I had 'een introdu.ed to
*ohn a fe+ +ee1s previousy and had found hi) a )ost
interesting .o)panion/ A )an of inteigen.e and independent
)eans> he +as possessed of a ro)anti. i)agination/ As a resut
of his atest ho''y he had ta1en the ease of Po !ouse/ !e +as
an authority on (i?a'ethan ti)es> and he des.ri'ed to )e in vivid
and graphi. anguage the rout of the Spanish Ar)ada/ So
enthusiasti. +as he that one .oud a)ost i)agine that he had
'een an eye+itness at the s.ene/ Is there anything in
rein.arnationA I +onder ; I very )u.h +onder/"
"@ou are so ro)anti.> &ay)ond dear>" said Miss Marpe> oo1ing
'enignanty at hi)/
"&o)anti. is the ast thing that I a)>" said &ay)ond West> sighty
annoyed/ "%ut this feo+ 0e+)an +as .ho.1;fu of it> and he
interested )e for that reason as a .urious surviva of the past/ It
appears that a .ertain ship 'eonging to the Ar)ada> and 1no+n
to .ontain a vast a)ount of treasure in the for) of god fro) the
Spanish Main> +as +re.1ed off the .oast of Corn+a on the
fa)ous and trea.herous Serpent &o.1s/ For so)e years> so
0e+)an tod )e> atte)pts had 'een )ade to savage the ship
and re.over the treasure/ I 'eieve su.h stories are not
un.o))on> though the nu)'er of )ythi.a treasure ships is
argey in eB.ess of the genuine ones/ A .o)pany had 'een
for)ed> 'ut had gone 'an1rupt> and 0e+)an had 'een a'e to
'uy the rights of the thing ; or +hatever you .a it ; for a )ere
song/ !e +aBed very enthusiasti. a'out it a/ A..ording to hi) it
+as )erey a 8uestion of the atest s.ientifi.> up;to;date
)a.hinery/ The god +as there> and he had no dou't +hatever
that it .oud 'e re.overed/
"It o..urred to )e as I istened to hi) ho+ often things happen
that +ay/ A ri.h )an su.h as 0e+)an su..eeds a)ost +ithout
effort> and yet in a pro'a'iity the a.tua vaue in )oney of his
find +oud )ean itte to hi)/ I )ust say that his ardour infe.ted
)e/ I sa+ gaeons drifting up the .oast> fying 'efore the stor)>
'eaten and 'ro1en on the 'a.1 ro.1s/ The )ere +ord gaeon
has a ro)anti. sound/ The phrase JSpanish ,odJ thris the
s.hoo'oy ; and the gro+n;up )an aso/ Moreover> I +as +or1ing
at the ti)e upon a nove> so)e s.enes of +hi.h +ere aid in the
siBteenth .entury> and I sa+ the prospe.t of getting vaua'e
o.a .oour fro) )y host/
"I set off that Friday )orning fro) Paddington in high spirits> and
oo1ing for+ard to )y trip/ The .arriage +as e)pty eB.ept for
one )an> +ho sat fa.ing )e in the opposite .orner/ !e +as a ta>
sodiery;oo1ing )an> and I .oud not rid )ysef of the i)pression
that so)e+here or other I had seen hi) 'efore/ I .udgeed )y
'rains for so)e ti)e in vainI 'ut at ast I had it/ My traveing
.o)panion +as Inspe.tor %adg+orth> and I had run a.ross hi)
+hen I +as doing a series of arti.es on the (verson
disappearan.e .ase/
"I re.aed )ysef to his noti.e> and +e +ere soon .hatting
peasanty enough/ When I tod hi) I +as going to Poperran he
re)ar1ed that that +as a ru) .oin.iden.e> 'e.ause he hi)sef
+as aso 'ound for that pa.e/ I did not i1e to see) in8uisitive> so
+as .arefu not to as1 hi) +hat too1 hi) there/ Instead> I spo1e
of )y o+n interest in the pa.e> and )entioned the +re.1ed
Spanish gaeon/ To )y surprise the Inspe.tor see)ed to 1no+
a a'out it/ JThat +i 'e the *uan Fernande?>J he said/ J@our
friend +on"t 'e the first +ho has sun1 )oney trying to get )oney
out of her/ It is a ro)anti. notion/J
"JAnd pro'a'y the +hoe story is a )yth>J I said/ J0o ship +as
ever +re.1ed there at a/J
"J<h> the ship +as sun1 there right enough>J said the Inspe.tor>
Jaong +ith a good .o)pany of others/ @ou +oud 'e surprised if
you 1ne+ ho+ )any +re.1s there are on that pan of the .oast/ As
a )atter of fa.t> that is +hat ta1es )e do+n there no+/ That is
+here the <tranto +as +re.1ed siB )onths ago/J
"JI re)e)'er reading a'out it>J I said/ J0o ives +ere ost> I
thin1AJ
"J0o ives +ere ost>J said the Inspe.tor> J'ut so)ething ese +as
ost/ It is not generay 1no+n> 'ut the <tranto +as .arrying
'uion/J
"J@esAJ I said> )u.h interested/
"J0aturay +e have had divers at +or1 on savage operations> 'ut
; the god has gone> Mr West/J
"J,oneGJ I said> staring at hi)/ J!o+ .an it have goneAJ
"JThat is the 8uestion>J said the Inspe.tor/ JThe ro.1s tore a
gaping hoe in her strongroo)/ It +as easy enough for the divers
to get in that +ay> 'ut they found the strongroo) e)pty/ The
8uestion is> +as the god stoen 'efore the +re.1 or after+ardsA
Was it ever in the strongroo) at aAJ
"JIt see)s a .urious .ase>J I said/
"JIt is a very .urious .ase> +hen you .onsider +hat 'uion is/ 0ot
a dia)ond ne.1a.e that you .oud put into your po.1et/ When
you thin1 ho+ .u)'erso)e it is and ho+ 'u1y ; +e> the +hoe
thing see)s a'soutey i)possi'e/ There )ay have 'een so)e
ho.us;po.us 'efore the ship saiedI 'ut if not> it )ust have 'een
re)oved +ithin the ast siB )onths ; and I a) going do+n to oo1
into the )atter/J
"I found 0e+)an +aiting to )eet )e at the station/ !e apoogi?ed
for the a'sen.e of his .ar> +hi.h had gone to Truro for so)e
ne.essary repairs/ Instead> he )et )e +ith a far) orry
'eonging to the property/
"I s+ung )ysef up 'eside hi)> and +e +ound .arefuy in and out
of the narro+ streets of the fishing viage/ We +ent up a steep
as.ent> +ith a gradient> I shoud say> of one in five> ran a itte
distan.e aong a +inding ane> and turned in at the granitepiared
gates of Po !ouse/
"The pa.e +as a .har)ing oneI it +as situated high up the .iffs>
+ith a good vie+ out to sea/ Part of it +as so)e three or four
hundred years od> and a )odern +ing had 'een added/ %ehind it
far)ing and of a'out seven or eight a.res ran inand/
"JWe.o)e to Po !ouse>J said 0e+)an/ JAnd to the Sign of the
,oden ,aeon/J And he pointed to +here> over the front door>
hung a perfe.t reprodu.tion of a Spanish gaeon +ith a sais
set/
"My first evening +as a )ost .har)ing and instru.tive one/ My
host sho+ed )e the od )anus.ripts reating to the *uan
Fernande?/ !e unroed .harts for )e and indi.ated positions on
the) +ith dotted ines> and he produ.ed pans of diving
apparatus> +hi.h> I )ay say> )ystified )e uttery and .o)petey/
"I tod hi) of )y )eeting +ith Inspe.tor %adg+orth> in +hi.h he
+as )u.h interested/
"JThey are a 8ueer peope round this .oast>J he said refe.tivey/
JS)ugging and +re.1ing is in their 'ood/ When a ship goes
do+n on their .oast they .annot hep regarding it as a+fu
punder )eant for their po.1ets/ There is a feo+ here I shoud
i1e you to see/ !e is an interesting surviva/J
"0eBt day da+ned 'right and .ear/ I +as ta1en do+n into
Poperran and there introdu.ed to 0e+)an"s diver> a )an .aed
!iggins/ !e +as a +ooden;fa.ed individua> eBtre)ey ta.iturn>
and his .ontri'utions to the .onversation +ere )osty
)onosya'es/ After a dis.ussion 'et+een the) on highy
te.hni.a )atters> +e adDourned to the Three An.hors/ A tan1ard
of 'eer so)e+hat oosened the +orthy feo+"s tongue/
"J$ete.tive gente)an fro) #ondon has .o)e do+n>J he grunted/
JThey do say that that ship that +ent do+n there ast 0ove)'er
+as .arrying a )orta ot of god/ We> she +asn"t the first to go
do+n> and she +on"t 'e the ast/J
"J!ear> hear>J .hi)ed in the andord of the Three An.hors/ JThat
is a true +ord you say there> %i !iggins/J
"JI re.1on it is> Mr -evin>J said !iggins/
"I oo1ed +ith so)e .uriosity at the andord/ !e +as a
re)ar1a'e;oo1ing )an> dar1 and s+arthy> +ith .uriousy 'road
shouders/ !is eyes +ere 'oodshot> and he had a .uriousy
furtive +ay of avoiding one"s gan.e/ I suspe.ted that this +as the
)an of +ho) 0e+)an had spo1en> saying he +as an interesting
surviva/
"JWe don"t +ant interfering foreigners on this .oast>J he said>
so)e+hat tru.uenty/
"JMeaning the poi.eAJ as1ed 0e+)an> s)iing/
"JMeaning the poi.e ; and others>J said -evin signifi.anty/ JAnd
don"t you forget it> )ister/J
"J$o you 1no+> 0e+)an> that sounded to )e very i1e a threat>J I
said as +e .i)'ed the hi ho)e+ards/
"My friend aughed/
"J0onsenseI I don"t do the fo1 do+n here any har)/J
"I shoo1 )y head dou'tfuy/ There +as so)ething sinister and
un.ivii?ed a'out -evin/ I fet that his )ind )ight run in strange>
unre.ogni?ed .hannes/
"I thin1 I date the 'eginning of )y uneasiness fro) that )o)ent/ I
had sept +e enough that first night> 'ut the neBt night )y seep
+as trou'ed and 'ro1en/ Sunday da+ned> dar1 and suen> +ith
an over.ast s1y and the threatenings of thunder in the air/ I a)
a+ays a 'ad hand at hiding )y feeings> and 0e+)an noti.ed
the .hange in )e/
"JWhat is the )atter +ith you> WestA @ou are a 'unde of nerves
this )orning/J
"JI don"t 1no+>J I .onfessed> J'ut I have got a horri'e feeing of
fore'oding/J
"JIt"s the +eather/J
"J@es> perhaps/J
"I said no )ore/ In the afternoon +e +ent out in 0e+)an"s )otor
'oat> 'ut the rain .a)e on +ith su.h vigour that +e +ere gad to
return to shore and .hange into dry .othing/
"And that evening )y uneasiness in.reased/ <utside the stor)
ho+ed and roared/ To+ards ten o".o.1 the te)pest .a)ed
do+n/ 0e+)an oo1ed out of the +indo+/
"JIt is .earing>J he said/ JI shoudn"t +onder if it +as a perfe.ty
fine night in another haf;hour/ If so> I sha go out for a stro/J
"I ya+ned/ JI a) frightfuy seepy>J I said/ ""I didn"t get )u.h seep
ast night/ I thin1 that tonight I sha turn in eary/J
"This I did/ <n the previous night I had sept itte/ Tonight I sept
heaviy/ @et )y su)'ers +ere not restfu/ I +as sti oppressed
+ith an a+fu fore'oding of evi/ I had terri'e drea)s/ I drea)t of
dreadfu a'ysses and vast .has)s> a)ongst +hi.h I +as
+andering> 1no+ing that a sip of the foot )eant death/ I +a1ed
to find the hands of )y .o.1 pointing to eight o".o.1/ My head
+as a.hing 'ady> and the terror of )y night"s drea)s +as sti
upon )e/
"So strongy +as this so that +hen I +ent to the +indo+ and dre+
it up> I started 'a.1 +ith a fresh feeing of terror> for the first
thing I sa+> or thought I sa+ ; +as a )an digging an open grave/
"It too1 )e a )inute or t+o to pu )ysef togetherI then I reai?ed
that the grave;digger +as 0e+)an"s gardener> and the JgraveJ
+as destined to a..o))odate three ne+ rose trees +hi.h +ere
ying on the turf +aiting for the )o)ent they shoud 'e se.urey
panted in the earth/
"The gardener oo1ed up and sa+ )e and tou.hed his hat/
"J,ood )orning> sir/ 0i.e )orning> sir/J
JI suppose it is>J I said dou'tfuy> sti una'e to sha1e off
.o)petey the depression of )y spirits/
"!o+ever> as the gardener had said> it +as .ertainy a ni.e
)orning/ The sun +as shining and the s1y a .ear pae 'ue that
pro)ised fine +eather for the day/ I +ent do+n to 'rea1fast
+histing a tune/ 0e+)an had no )aids iving in the house/ T+o
)idde;aged sisters> +ho ived in a far);house near 'y> .a)e
daiy to attend to his si)pe +ants/ <ne of the) +as pa.ing the
.offee;pot on the ta'e as I entered the roo)/
"J,ood )orning> (i?a'eth>J I said/ JMr 0e+)an not do+n yetAJ
"J!e )ust have 'een out very eary> sir>J she repied/ J!e +asn"t
in the house +hen +e arrived/J
"Instanty )y uneasiness returned/ <n the t+o previous )ornings
0e+)an had .o)e do+n to 'rea1fast so)e+hat ateI and I didn"t
fan.y that at any ti)e he +as an eary riser/ Moved 'y those
fore'odings> I ran up to his 'edroo)/ It +as e)pty> and>
)oreover> his 'ed had not 'een sept in/ A 'rief eBa)ination of
his roo) sho+ed )e t+o other things/ If 0e+)an had gone out
for a stro he )ust have gone out in his evening .othes> for they
+ere )issing/
"I +as sure no+ that )y pre)onition of evi +as Dustified/ 0e+)an
had gone> as he had said he +oud do> for an evening stro/ For
so)e reason or other he had not returned/ WhyA !ad he )et +ith
an a..identA Faen over the .iffsA A sear.h )ust 'e )ade at
on.e/
"In a fe+ hours I had .oe.ted a arge 'and of hepers> and
together +e hunted in every dire.tion aong the .iffs and on the
ro.1s 'eo+/ %ut there +as no sign of 0e+)an/
"In the end> in despair> I sought out Inspe.tor %adg+orth/ !is
fa.e gre+ very grave/
"JIt oo1s to )e as if there has 'een fou pay>J he said/ JThere are
so)e not over;s.rupuous .usto)ers in these parts/ !ave you
seen -evin> the andord of the Three An.horsAJ
"I said that I had seen hi)/
"J$id you 1no+ he did a turn in gao four years agoA Assaut and
'attery/J
"JIt doesn"t surprise )e>J I said/
"JThe genera opinion in this pa.e see)s to 'e that your friend is
a 'it too fond of nosing his +ay into things that do not .on.ern
hi)/ I hope he has .o)e to no serious har)/J
"The sear.h +as .ontinued +ith redou'ed vigour/ It +as not unti
ate that afternoon that our efforts +ere re+arded/ We
dis.overed 0e+)an in a deep dit.h in a .orner of his o+n
property/ !is hands and feet +ere se.urey fastened +ith rope>
and a hand1er.hief had 'een thrust into his )outh and se.ured
there so as to prevent hi) .rying out/
"!e +as terri'y eBhausted and in great painI 'ut after so)e
fri.tioning of his +rists and an1es> and a ong draught fro) a
+his1y fas1> he +as a'e to give his a..ount of +hat had
o..urred/
"The +eather having .eared> he had gone out for a stro a'out
eeven o".o.1/ !is +ay had ta1en hi) so)e distan.e aong the
.iffs to a spot .o))ony 1no+n as S)uggers" Cove> o+ing to
the arge nu)'er of .aves to 'e found there/ !ere he had noti.ed
so)e )en anding so)ething fro) a s)a 'oat> and had stroed
do+n to see +hat +as going on/ Whatever the stuff +as it see)ed
to 'e a great +eight> and it +as 'eing .arried into one of the
farther)ost .aves/
"With no rea suspi.ion of anything 'eing a)iss> nevertheess
0e+)an had +ondered/ !e had dra+n 8uite near the) +ithout
'eing o'served/ Suddeny there +as a .ry of aar)> and
i))ediatey t+o po+erfu seafaring )en had set upon hi) and
rendered hi) un.ons.ious/ When neBt he .a)e to hi)sef he
found hi)sef ying on a )otor vehi.e of so)e 1ind> +hi.h +as
pro.eeding> +ith )any 'u)ps and 'angs> as for as he .oud
guess> up the ane +hi.h ed fro) the .oast to the viage/ To his
great surprise> the orry turned in at the gate of his o+n house/
There> after a +hispered .onversation 'et+een the )en> they at
ength dre+ hi) forth and fung hi) into a dit.h at a spot +here
the depth of it rendered dis.overy uni1ey for so)e ti)e/ Then
the orry drove on> and> he thought> passed out through another
gate so)e 8uarter of a )ie nearer the viage/ !e .oud give no
des.ription of his assaiants eB.ept that they +ere .ertainy
seafaring )en and> 'y their spee.h> Cornish)en/
"Inspe.tor %adg+orth +as very interested/
"J$epend upon it that is +here the stuff has 'een hidden>J he
.ried/ JSo)eho+ or other it has 'een savaged fro) the +re.1
and has 'een stored in so)e oney .ave so)e+here/ It is 1no+n
that +e have sear.hed a the .aves in S)uggers" Cove> and that
+e are no+ going farther afied> and they have evidenty 'een
)oving the stuff at night to a .ave that has 'een aready
sear.hed and is not i1ey to 'e sear.hed again/ 2nfortunatey
they have had at east eighteen hours to dispose of the stuff/ If
they got Mr 0e+)an ast night I dou't if +e +i find any of it 'y
no+/J
"The Inspe.tor hurried off to )a1e a sear.h/ !e found definite
eviden.e that the 'uion had 'een stored as supposed> 'ut the
god had 'een on.e )ore re)oved> and there +as no .ue as to
its fresh hiding;pa.e/
"<ne .ue there +as> ho+ever> and the Inspe.tor hi)sef pointed
it out to )e the foo+ing )orning/
"JThat ane is very itte used 'y )otor vehi.es>J he said> Jand in
one or t+o pa.es +e get the tra.es of the tyres very .eary/
There is a three;.ornered pie.e out of one tyre> eaving a )ar1
+hi.h is 8uite un)ista1a'e/ It sho+s going into the gateI here
and there is a faint )ar1 of it going out of the other gate> so there
is not )u.h dou't that it is the right vehi.e +e are after/ 0o+>
+hy did they ta1e it out through the farther gateA It see)s 8uite
.ear to )e that the orry .a)e fro) the viage/ 0o+> there aren"t
)any peope +ho o+n a orry in the viage ; not )ore than t+o or
three at )ost/ -evin> the andord of the Three An.hors> has
one/""
"JWhat +as -evin"s origina professionAJ as1ed 0e+)an/
"JIt is .urious that you shoud as1 )e that> Mr 0e+)an/ In his
young days -evin +as a professiona diver/J
"0e+)an and I oo1ed at ea.h other/ The pu??e see)ed to 'e
fitting itsef together pie.e 'y pie.e/
"J@ou didn"t re.ogni?e -evin as one of the )en on the 'ea.hAJ
as1ed the Inspe.tor/
"0e+)an shoo1 his head/
"JI a) afraid I .an"t say anything as to that>J he said regretfuy/ JI
reay hadn"t ti)e to see anything/J
"JThe Inspe.tor very 1indy ao+ed )e to a..o)pany hi) to the
Three An.hors/ The garage +as up a side street/ The 'ig doors
+ere .osed> 'ut 'y going up a itte aey at the side +e found a
s)a door that ed into it and the door +as open/ A very 'rief
eBa)ination of the tyres suffi.ed for the Inspe.tor/ JWe have got
hi)> 'y *oveGJ he eB.ai)ed/ J!ere is the )ar1 as arge as ife on
the rear eft +hee/ 0o+> Mr -evin> I don"t thin1 you +i 'e .ever
enough to +rigge out of this/J"
&ay)ond West .a)e to a hat/
"WeA" said *oy.e/ "So far I don"t see anything to )a1e a pro'e)
a'out ; uness they never found the god/"
"They never found the god .ertainy>" said &ay)ond/ "And they
never got -evin either/ I eBpe.t he +as too .ever for the)> 'ut I
don"t 8uite see ho+ he +or1ed it/ !e +as duy arrested ; on the
eviden.e of the tyre )ar1/ %ut an eBtraordinary hit.h arose/ *ust
opposite the 'ig doors of the garage +as a .ottage rented for the
su))er 'y a ady artist/"
"<h> these ady artistsG" said *oy.e> aughing/
"As you say> J<h> these ady artistsGJ This parti.uar one had 'een
i for so)e +ee1s> and> in .onse8uen.e> had t+o hospita nurses
attending her/ The nurse +ho +as on night duty had pued her
ar).hair up to the +indo+> +here the 'ind +as up/ She de.ared
that the )otor orry .oud not have eft the garage opposite
+ithout her seeing it and she s+ore that in a.tua fa.t it never eft
the garage that night/"
"I don"t thin1 that is )u.h of a pro'e)>" said *oy.e/ "The nurse
+ent to seep> of .ourse/ They a+ays do/"
"That has ; er ; 'een 1no+n to happen>" said Mr Petheri.1>
Dudi.iousyI "'ut it see)s to )e that +e are a..epting fa.ts
+ithout suffi.ient eBa)ination/ %efore a..epting the testi)ony of
the hospita nurse> +e shoud in8uire very .osey into her 'ona
fides/ The ai'i .o)ing +ith su.h suspi.ious pro)ptness is
in.ined to raise dou'ts in one"s )ind/"
"There is aso the ady artist"s testi)ony>" said &ay)ond/ "She
de.ared that she +as in pain> and a+a1e )ost of the night and
that she +oud .ertainy have heard the orry> it 'eing an unusua
noise> and the night 'eing very 8uiet after the stor)/"
"!")>" said the .ergy)an> "that is .ertainy an additiona fa.t/ !ad
-evin hi)sef any ai'iA"
"!e de.ared that he +as at ho)e and in 'ed fro) ten o".o.1
on+ards> 'ut he .oud produ.e no +itnesses in support of that
state)ent/"
"The nurse +ent to seep>" said *oy.e> "and so did the patient/ I
peope a+ays thin1 they have never sept a +in1 a night/"
&ay)ond West oo1ed in8uiringy at $r Pender/
"$o you 1no+> I fee very sorry for that )an -evin/ It see)s to )e
very )u.h a .ase of J,ive a dog a 'ad na)e/J -evin had 'een in
prison/ Apart fro) the tyre )ar1> +hi.h .ertainy see)s too
re)ar1a'e to 'e .oin.iden.e> there doesn"t see) to 'e )u.h
against hi) eB.ept his unfortunate re.ord/"
"@ou> Sir !enryA"
Sir !enry shoo1 his head/
"As it happens>" he said> s)iing> "I 1no+ so)ething a'out this
.ase/ So .eary I )ustn"t spea1/"
"We> go on> Aunt *aneI haven"t you got anything to sayA"
"In a )inute> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "I a) afraid I have .ounted
+rong/ T+o pur> three pain> sip one> t+o pur ; yes> that"s right/
What did you say> dearA"
"What is your opinionA"
"@ou +oudn"t i1e )y opinion> dear/ @oung peope never do> I
noti.e/ It is 'etter to say nothing/"
"0onsense> Aunt *aneI out +ith it/"
"We> dear &ay)ond>" said Miss Marpe> aying do+n her 1nitting
and oo1ing a.ross at her nephe+/ "I do thin1 you shoud 'e )ore
.arefu ho+ you .hoose your friends/ @ou are so .reduous> dear>
so easiy gued/ I suppose it is 'eing a +riter and having so )u.h
i)agination/ A that story a'out a Spanish gaeonG If you +ere
oder and had )ore eBperien.e of ife you +oud have 'een on
your guard at on.e/ A )an you had 1no+n ony a fe+ +ee1s> tooG"
Sir !enry suddeny gave vent to a great roar of aughter and
sapped his 1nee/
",ot you this ti)e> &ay)ond>" he said/ "Miss Marpe> you are
+onderfu/ @our friend 0e+)an> )y 'oy> has another na)e ;
severa other na)es in fa.t/ At the present )o)ent he is not in
Corn+a 'ut in $evonshire ; $art)oor> to 'e eBa.t ; a .onvi.t in
Prin.eto+n prison/ We didn"t .at.h hi) over the stoen 'uion
'usiness> 'ut over the rifing of the strongroo) of one of the
#ondon 'an1s/ Then +e oo1ed up his past re.ord and +e found a
good portion of the god stoen 'uried in the garden at Po !ouse/
It +as rather a neat idea/ A aong that Cornish .oast there are
stories of +re.1ed gaeons fu of god/ It a..ounted for the diver
and it +oud a..ount ater for the god/ %ut a s.apegoat +as
needed> and -evin +as idea for the purpose/ 0e+)an payed
his itte .o)edy very +e> and our friend &ay)ond> +ith his
.ee'rity as a +riter> )ade an uni)pea.ha'e +itness/"
"%ut the tyre )ar1A" o'De.ted *oy.e/
"<h> I sa+ that at on.e> dear> athough I 1no+ nothing a'out
)otors>" said Miss Marpe/ "Peope .hange a +hee> you 1no+ ; I
have often seen the) doing it ; and> of .ourse> they .oud ta1e a
+hee off -evin"s orry and ta1e it out through the s)a door into
the aey and put it on to Mr 0e+)an"s orry and ta1e the orry out
of one gate do+n to the 'ea.h> fi it up +ith the god and 'ring it
up through the other gate> and then they )ust have ta1en the
+hee 'a.1 and put it 'a.1 on Mr -evin"s orry +hie> I suppose>
so)eone ese +as tying up Mr 0e+)an in a dit.h/ 7ery
un.o)forta'e for hi) and pro'a'y onger 'efore he +as found
than he eBpe.ted/ I suppose the )an +ho .aed hi)sef the
gardener attended to that side of the 'usiness/"
"Why do you say> J.aed hi)sef the gardener>J Aunt *aneA"
as1ed &ay)ond .uriousy/
"We> he .an"t have 'een a rea gardener> .an heA" said Miss
Marpe/ ",ardeners don"t +or1 on Whit Monday/ (very'ody
1no+s that/"
She s)ied and foded up her 1nitting/
"It +as reay that itte fa.t that put )e on the right s.ent>" she
said/ She oo1ed a.ross at &ay)ond/
"When you are a househoder> dear> and have a garden of your
o+n> you +i 1no+ these itte things/"
The %oodstained Pave)ent
"It"s .urious>" said *oy.e #e)pri=re> "'ut I hardy i1e teing you
)y story/ It happened a ong ti)e ago ; five years ago to 'e eBa.t
; 'ut it"s sort of haunted )e ever sin.e/ The s)iing> 'right> top
part of it ; and the hidden grueso)eness underneath/ And the
8ueer thing is that the s1et.h I painted at the ti)e has 'e.o)e
tinged +ith the sa)e at)osphere/ When you oo1 at it first it is
Dust a rough s1et.h of a itte steep Cornish street +ith the
sunight on it/ %ut if you oo1 ong enough at it so)ething sinister
.reeps in/ I have never sod it 'ut I never oo1 at it/ It ives in the
studio in a .orner +ith its fa.e to the +a/
"The na)e of the pa.e +as &athoe/ It is a 8ueer itte Cornish
fishing viage> very pi.tures8ue ; too pi.tures8ue perhaps/ There
is rather too )u.h of the at)osphere of J@e <de Cornish Tea
!ouseJ a'out it/ It has shops +ith 'o''ed;headed girs in s)o.1s
doing hand;iu)inated )ottoes on par.h)ent/ It is pretty and it
is 8uaint> 'ut it is very sef;.ons.iousy so/"
"$on"t I 1no+>" said &ay)ond West> groaning/ "The .urse of the
.hara'an.> I suppose/ 0o )atter ho+ narro+ the anes eading
do+n to the) no pi.tures8ue viage is safe/"
*oy.e nodded/
"They are narro+ anes that ead do+n to &athoe and very steep>
i1e the side of a house/ We> to get on +ith )y story/ I had .o)e
do+n to Corn+a for a fortnight> to s1et.h/ There is an od inn in
&athoe> the Pohar+ith Ar)s/ It +as supposed to 'e the ony
house eft standing 'y the Spaniards +hen they sheed the pa.e
in fifteen hundred and so)ething/"
"0ot sheed>" said &ay)ond West> fro+ning/ "$o try to 'e
histori.ay a..urate> *oy.e/"
"We> at a events they anded guns so)e+here aong the .oast
and they fired the) and the houses fe do+n/ Any+ay that is not
the point/ The inn +as a +onderfu od pa.e +ith a 1ind of por.h
in front 'uit on four piars/ I got a very good pit.h and +as Dust
setting do+n to +or1 +hen a .ar .a)e .reeping and t+isting
do+n the hi/ <f .ourse> it +oud stop 'efore the inn ; Dust +here
it +as )ost a+1+ard for )e/ The peope got out ; a )an and a
+o)an ; I didn"t noti.e the) parti.uary/ She had a 1ind of
)auve inen dress on and a )auve hat/
"Presenty the )an .a)e out again and to )y great than1funess
drove the .ar do+n to the 8uay and eft it there/ !e stroed 'a.1
past )e to+ards the inn/ *ust at that )o)ent another 'easty .ar
.a)e t+isting do+n> and a +o)an got out of it dressed in the
'rightest .hint? fro.1 I have ever seen> s.aret poinsettias> I thin1
they +ere> and she had on one of those 'ig native stra+ hats ;
Cu'an> aren"t theyA ; in very 'right s.aret/
"This +o)an didn"t stop in front of the inn 'ut drove the .ar
farther do+n the street to+ards the other one/ Then she got out
and the )an seeing her gave an astonished shout/ JCaro>J he
.ried> Jin the na)e of a that is +onderfu/ Fan.y )eeting you in
this out;of;the;+ay spot/ I haven"t seen you for years/ !eo>
there"s Margery ; )y +ife> you 1no+/ @ou )ust .o)e and )eet
her/J
"They +ent up the street to+ards the inn side 'y side> and I sa+
the other +o)an had Dust .o)e out of the door and +as )oving
do+n to+ards the)/ I had had Dust a gi)pse of the +o)an .aed
Caro as she passed 'y )e/ *ust enough to see a very +hite
po+dered .hin and a fa)ing s.aret )outh and I +ondered ; I
Dust +ondered ; if Margery +oud 'e so very peased to )eet her/
I hadn"t seen Margery near to> 'ut in the distan.e she oo1ed
do+dy and eBtra pri) and proper/
"We> of .ourse> it +as not any of )y 'usiness 'ut you get very
8ueer itte gi)pses of ife so)eti)es> and you .an"t hep
spe.uating a'out the)/ Fro) +here they +ere standing I .oud
Dust .at.h frag)ents of their .onversation that foated do+n to
)e/ They +ere ta1ing a'out 'athing/ The hus'and> +hose na)e
see)ed to 'e $enis> +anted to ta1e a 'oat and ro+ round the
.oast/ There +as a fa)ous .ave +e +orth seeing> so he said>
a'out a )ie aong/ Caro +anted to see the .ave too 'ut
suggested +a1ing aong the .iffs and seeing it fro) the and
side/ She said she hated 'oats/ In the end they fiBed it that +ay/
Caro +as to go aong the .iff path and )eet the) at the .ave>
and $enis and Margery +oud ta1e a 'oat and ro+ round/
"!earing the) ta1 a'out 'athing )ade )e +ant to 'athe too/ It
+as a very hot )orning and I +asn"t doing parti.uary good
+or1/ Aso> I fan.ied that the afternoon sunight +oud 'e far
)ore attra.tive in effe.t/ So I pa.1ed up )y things and +ent off to
a itte 'ea.h that I 1ne+ of ; it +as 8uite the opposite dire.tion
fro) the .ave> and +as rather a dis.overy of )ine/ I had a ripping
'athe there and I un.hed off a tinned tongue and t+o to)atoes>
and I .a)e 'a.1 in the afternoon fu of .onfiden.e and
enthusias) to get on +ith )y s1et.h/
"The +hoe of &athoe see)ed to 'e aseep/ I had 'een right
a'out the afternoon sunight> the shado+s +ere far )ore teing/
The Pohar+ith Ar)s +as the prin.ipa note of )y s1et.h/ A ray
of sunight .a)e santing o'i8uey do+n and hit the ground in
front of it and had rather a .urious effe.t/ I gathered that the
'athing party had returned safey> 'e.ause t+o 'athing dresses>
a s.aret one and a dar1 'ue one> +ere hanging fro) the
'a.ony> drying in the sun/
"So)ething had gone a 'it +rong +ith one .orner of )y s1et.h
and I 'ent over it for so)e )o)ents doing so)ething to put it
right/ When I oo1ed up again there +as a figure eaning against
one of the piars of the Pohar+ith Ar)s> +ho see)ed to have
appeared there 'y )agi./ !e +as dressed in seafaring .othes
and +as> I suppose> a fisher)an/ %ut he had a ong dar1 'eard>
and if I had 'een oo1ing for a )ode for a +i.1ed Spanish .aptain
I .oudn"t have i)agined anyone 'etter/ I got to +or1 +ith
feverish haste 'efore he shoud )ove a+ay> though fro) his
attitude he oo1ed as though he +as perfe.ty prepared to prop
up the piars through a eternity/
"!e did )ove> ho+ever> 'ut u.1iy not unti I had got +hat I
+anted/ !e .a)e over to )e and he 'egan to ta1/ <h> ho+ that
)an ta1ed/
"J&athoe>J he said> J+as a very interesting pa.e/J
"I 1ne+ that aready 'ut athough I said so that didn"t save )e/ I
had the +hoe history of the sheing ; I )ean the destroying ; of
the viage> and ho+ the andord of the Pohar+ith Ar)s +as the
ast )an to 'e 1ied/ &un through on his o+n threshod 'y a
Spanish .aptain"s s+ord> and of ho+ his 'ood spurted out on the
pave)ent and no one .oud +ash out the stain for a hundred
years/
"It a fitted in very +e +ith the anguorous dro+sy feeing of the
afternoon/ The )an"s voi.e +as very suave and yet at the sa)e
ti)e there +as an under.urrent in it of so)ething rather
frightening/ !e +as very o'se8uious in his )anner> yet I fet
underneath he +as .rue/ !e )ade )e understand the In8uisition
and the terrors of a the things the Spaniards did 'etter than I
have ever done 'efore/
"A the ti)e he +as ta1ing to )e I +ent on painting> and suddeny
I reai?ed that in the eB.ite)ent of istening to his story I had
painted in so)ething that +as not there/ <n that +hite s8uare of
pave)ent +here the sun fe 'efore the door of the Pohar+ith
Ar)s> I had painted in 'oodstains/ It see)ed eBtraordinary that
the )ind .oud pay su.h tri.1s +ith the hand> 'ut as I oo1ed
over to+ards the inn again I got a se.ond sho.1/ My hand had
ony painted +hat )y eyes sa+ ; drops of 'ood on the +hite
pave)ent/
"I stared for a )inute or t+o/ Then I shut )y eyes> said to )ysef>
J$on"t 'e so stupid> there"s nothing there> reay>J then I opened
the) again> 'ut the 'oodstains +ere sti there/
"I suddeny fet I .oudn"t stand it/ I interrupted the fisher)an"s
food of anguage/
"JTe )e>J I said> J)y eyesight is not very good/ Are those
'oodstains on that pave)ent over thereAJ
"!e oo1ed at )e indugenty and 1indy/
"J0o 'oodstains in these days> ady/ What I a) teing you a'out
is neary five hundred years ago/J
"J@es>J I said> J'ut no+ ; on the pave)entJ ; the +ords died a+ay
in )y throat/ I 1ne+ ; I 1ne+ that he +oudn"t see +hat I +as
seeing/ I got up and +ith sha1ing hands 'egan to put )y things
together/ As I did so the young )an +ho had .o)e in the .ar that
)orning .a)e out of the inn door/ !e oo1ed up and do+n the
street perpeBedy/ <n the 'a.ony a'ove his +ife .a)e out and
.oe.ted the 'athing things/ !e +a1ed do+n to+ards the .ar
'ut suddeny s+erved and .a)e a.ross the road to+ards the
fisher)an/
"JTe )e> )y )an>J he said/ J@ou don"t 1no+ +hether the ady
+ho .a)e in that se.ond .ar there has got 'a.1 yetAJ
"J#ady in a dress +ith fo+ers a over itA 0o> sir> I haven"t seen
her/ She +ent aong the .iff to+ards the .ave this )orning/J
"JI 1no+> I 1no+/ We a 'athed there together> and then she eft
us to +a1 ho)e and I have not seen her sin.e/ It .an"t have ta1en
her a this ti)e/ The .iffs round here are not dangerous> are
theyAJ
"JIt depends> sir> on the +ay you go/ The 'est +ay is to ta1e a )an
+hat 1no+s the pa.e +ith you/J
"!e very .eary )eant hi)sef and +as 'eginning to enarge on
the the)e> 'ut the young )an .ut hi) short un.ere)oniousy and
ran 'a.1 to+ards the inn .aing up to his +ife on the 'a.ony/
"JI say> Margery> Caro hasn"t .o)e 'a.1 yet/ <dd> isn"t itAJ
"I didn"t hear Margery"s repy> 'ut her hus'and +ent on/ JWe> +e
.an"t +ait any onger/ We have got to push on to Penrithar/ Are
you readyA I +i turn the .ar/J
"!e did as he had said> and presenty the t+o of the) drove off
together/ Mean+hie I had dei'eratey 'een nerving )ysef to
prove ho+ ridi.uous )y fan.ies +ere/ When the .ar had gone I
+ent over to the inn and eBa)ined the pave)ent .osey/ <f
.ourse there +ere no 'oodstains there/ 0o> a aong it had 'een
the resut of )y distorted i)agination/ @et> so)eho+> it see)ed
to )a1e the thing )ore frightening/ It +as +hie I +as standing
there that I heard the fisher)an"s voi.e/
"!e +as oo1ing at )e .uriousy/ J@ou thought you sa+
'oodstains here> eh> adyA""
"I nodded/
"JThat is very .urious> that is very .urious/ We have got a
superstition here> ady/ If anyone sees those 'oodstains ; J
"!e paused/
"JWeAJ I said/
"!e +ent on in his soft voi.e> Cornish in intonation> 'ut
un.ons.iousy s)ooth and +e;'red in its pronun.iation> and
.o)petey free fro) Cornish turns of spee.h/
"JThey do say> ady> that if anyone sees those 'oodstains that
there +i 'e a death +ithin t+enty;four hours/J
"CreepyG It gave )e a nasty feeing a do+n )y spine/
"!e +ent on persuasivey/ JThere is a very interesting ta'et in the
.hur.h> ady> a'out a death ; J
"J0o than1s>J I said de.isivey> and I turned sharpy on )y hee
and +a1ed up the street to+ards the .ottage +here I +as
odging/ *ust as I got there I sa+ in the distan.e the +o)an
.aed Caro .o)ing aong the .iff path/ She +as hurrying/
Against the grey of the ro.1s she oo1ed i1e so)e poisonous
s.aret fo+er/ !er hat +as the .oour of 'ood///
"I shoo1 )ysef/ &eay> I had 'ood on the 'rain/
"#ater I heard the sound of her .ar/ I +ondered +hether she too
+as going to PenritharI 'ut she too1 the road to the eft in the
opposite dire.tion/ I +at.hed the .ar .ra+ up the hi and
disappear> and I 'reathed so)eho+ )ore easiy/ &athoe see)ed
its 8uiet seepy sef on.e )ore/"
"If that is a>" said &ay)ond West as *oy.e .a)e to a stop> "I +i
give )y verdi.t at on.e/ Indigestion> spots 'efore the eyes after
)eas/"
"It isn"t a>" said *oy.e/ "@ou have got to hear the se8ue/ I read it
in the paper t+o days ater under the heading of JSea %athing
FataityJ/ It tod ho+ Mrs $a.re> the +ife of Captain $enis $a.re>
+as unfortunatey dro+ned at #andeer Cove> Dust a itte farther
aong the .oast/ She and her hus'and +ere staying at the ti)e at
the hote there> and had de.ared their intention of 'athing> 'ut a
.od +ind sprang up/ Captain $a.re had de.ared it +as too .od>
so he and so)e other peope in the hote had gone off to the gof
in1s near 'y/ Mrs $a.re> ho+ever> had said it +as not too .od
for her and she +ent off aone do+n to the .ove/ As she didn"t
return her hus'and 'e.a)e aar)ed> and in .o)pany +ith his
friends +ent do+n to the 'ea.h/ They found her .othes ying
'eside a ro.1> 'ut no tra.e of the unfortunate ady/ !er 'ody +as
not found unti neary a +ee1 ater +hen it +as +ashed ashore at
a point so)e distan.e do+n the .oast/ There +as a 'ad 'o+ on
her head +hi.h had o..urred 'efore death> and the theory +as
that she )ust have dived into the sea and hit her head on a ro.1/
As far as I .oud )a1e out her death +oud have o..urred Dust
t+enty;four hours after the ti)e I sa+ the 'oodstains/"
"I protest>" said Sir !enry/ "This is not a pro'e) ; this is a ghost
story/ Miss #e)pri=re is evidenty a )ediu)/"
Mr Petheri.1 gave his usua .ough/
"<ne point stri1es )e ; " he said> "that 'o+ on the head/ We )ust
not> I thin1> eB.ude the possi'iity of fou pay/ %ut I do not see
that +e have any data to go upon/ Miss #e)pri=re"s hau.ination>
or vision> is interesting .ertainy> 'ut I do not see .eary the point
on +hi.h she +ishes us to pronoun.e/"
"Indigestion and .oin.iden.e>" said &ay)ond> "and any+ay you
.an"t 'e sure that they +ere the sa)e peope/ %esides> the .urse>
or +hatever it +as> +oud ony appy to the a.tua inha'itants of
&athoe/"
"I fee>" said Sir !enry> "that the sinister seafaring )an has
so)ething to do +ith this tae/ %ut I agree +ith Mr Petheri.1> Miss
#e)pri=re has given us very itte data/"
*oy.e turned to $r Pender +ho s)iingy shoo1 his head/
"It is a )ost interesting story>" he said> "'ut I a) afraid I agree +ith
Sir !enry and Mr Petheri.1 that there is very itte data to go
upon/"
*oy.e then oo1ed .uriousy at Miss Marpe> +ho s)ied 'a.1 at
her/
"I> too> thin1 you are Dust a itte unfair> *oy.e dear>" she said/ "<f
.ourse> it is different for )e/ I )ean> +e> 'eing +o)en>
appre.iate the point a'out .othes/ I don"t thin1 it is a fair
pro'e) to put to a )an/ It )ust have )eant a ot of rapid
.hanging/ What a +i.1ed +o)anG And a sti )ore +i.1ed )an/"
*oy.e stared at her/
"Aunt *ane>" she said/ "Miss Marpe> I )ean> I 'eieve ; I do reay
'eieve you 1no+ the truth/"
"We> dear>" said Miss Marpe> "it is )u.h easier for )e sitting
here 8uiety than it +as for you ; and 'eing an artist you are so
sus.epti'e to at)osphere> aren"t youA Sitting here +ith one"s
1nitting> one Dust sees the fa.ts/ %oodstains dropped on the
pave)ent fro) the 'athing dress hanging a'ove> and 'eing a red
'athing dress> of .ourse> the .ri)inas the)seves did not reai?e
it +as 'oodstained/ Poor thing> poor young thingG"
"(B.use )e> Miss Marpe>" said Sir !enry> "'ut you do 1no+ that I
a) entirey in the dar1 sti/ @ou and Miss #e)pri=re see) to
1no+ +hat you are ta1ing a'out> 'ut +e )en are sti in utter
dar1ness/"
"I +i te you the end of the story no+>" said *oy.e/ "It +as a year
ater/ I +as at a itte east .oast seaside resort> and I +as
s1et.hing> +hen suddeny I had that 8ueer feeing one has of
so)ething having happened 'efore/ There +ere t+o peope> a
)an and a +o)an> on the pave)ent in front of )e> and they +ere
greeting a third person> a +o)an dressed in a s.aret poinsettia
.hint? dress/ JCaro> 'y a that is +onderfuG Fan.y )eeting you
after a these yearsG @ou don"t 1no+ )y +ifeA *oan> this is an od
friend of )ine> Miss !arding/J
"I re.ogni?ed the )an at on.e/ It +as the sa)e $enis I had seen
at &athoe/ The +ife +as different ; that is> she +as a *oan
instead of a MargeryI 'ut she +as the sa)e type> young and
rather do+dy and very in.onspi.uous/ I thought for a )inute I
+as going )ad/ They 'egan to ta1 of going 'athing/ I +i te you
+hat I did/ I )ar.hed straight then and there to the poi.e station/
I thought they +oud pro'a'y thin1 I +as off )y head> 'ut I didn"t
.are/ And as it happened everything +as 8uite a right/ There
+as a )an fro) S.otand @ard there> and he had .o)e do+n Dust
a'out this very thing/ It see)s ; oh> it"s horri'e to ta1 a'out ; that
the poi.e had got suspi.ions of $enis $a.re/ That +asn"t his rea
na)e ; he too1 different na)es on different o..asions/ !e got to
1no+ girs> usuay 8uiet in.onspi.uous girs +ithout )any
reatives or friends> he )arried the) and insured their ives for
arge su)s and then ; oh> it"s horri'eG The +o)an .aed Caro
+as his rea +ife> and they a+ays .arried out the sa)e pan/
That is reay ho+ they .a)e to .at.h hi)/ The insuran.e
.o)panies 'e.a)e suspi.ious/ !e +oud .o)e to so)e 8uiet
seaside pa.e +ith his ne+ +ife> then the other +o)an +oud turn
up and they +oud a go 'athing together/ Then the +ife +oud 'e
)urdered and Caro +oud put on her .othes and go 'a.1 in the
'oat +ith hi)/ Then they +oud eave the pa.e> +herever it +as>
after in8uiring for the supposed Caro and +hen they got outside
the viage Caro +oud hastiy .hange 'a.1 into her o+n
fa)'oyant .othes and her vivid )a1e;up and +oud go 'a.1
there and drive off in her o+n .ar/ They +oud find out +hi.h +ay
the .urrent +as fo+ing and the supposed death +oud ta1e
pa.e at the neBt 'athing pa.e aong the .oast that +ay/ Caro
+oud pay the part of the +ife and +oud go do+n to so)e oney
'ea.h and +oud eave the +ife"s .othes there 'y a ro.1 and
depart in her fo+ery .hint? dress to +ait 8uiety unti her
hus'and .oud reDoin her/
"I suppose +hen they 1ied poor Margery so)e of the 'ood )ust
have spurted over Caro"s 'athing suit> and 'eing a red one they
didn"t noti.e it> as Miss Marpe says/ %ut +hen they hung it over
the 'a.ony it dripped/ 2ghG" she gave a shiver/ "I .an see it sti/"
"<f .ourse>" said Sir !enry> "I re)e)'er very +e no+/ $avis +as
the )an"s rea na)e/ It had 8uite sipped )y )e)ory that one of
his )any aiases +as $a.re/ They +ere an eBtraordinariy
.unning pair/ It a+ays see)ed so a)a?ing to )e that no one
spotted the .hange of identity/ I suppose> as Miss Marpe says>
.othes are )ore easiy identified than fa.esI 'ut it +as a very
.ever s.he)e> for athough +e suspe.ted $avis it +as not easy
to 'ring the .ri)e ho)e to hi) as he a+ays see)ed to have an
uni)pea.ha'e ai'i/"
"Aunt *ane>" said &ay)ond> oo1ing at her .uriousy> "ho+ do you
do itA @ou have ived su.h a pea.efu ife and yet nothing see)s
to surprise you/"
"I a+ays find one thing very i1e another in this +ord>" said Miss
Marpe/ "There +as Mrs ,reen> you 1no+> she 'uried five .hidren
; and every one of the) insured/ We> naturay> one 'egan to get
suspi.ious/"
She shoo1 her head/
"There is a great dea of +i.1edness in viage ife/ I hope you dear
young peope +i never reai?e ho+ very +i.1ed the +ord is/"
Motive v/ <pportunity
Mr Petheri.1 .eared his throat rather )ore i)portanty than
usua/
"I a) afraid )y itte pro'e) +i see) rather ta)e to you a>" he
said apoogeti.ay> "after the sensationa stories +e have 'een
hearing/ There is no 'oodshed in )ine> 'ut it see)s to )e an
interesting and rather ingenious itte pro'e)> and fortunatey I
a) in the position to 1no+ the right ans+er to it/"
"It isn"t terri'y ega> is itA" as1ed *oy.e #e)pri=re/ "I )ean points
of a+ and ots of %arna'y v S1inner in the year 1OO1> and things
i1e that/"
Mr Petheri.1 'ea)ed appre.iativey at her over his eyegasses/
"0o> no> )y dear young ady/ @ou need have no fears on that
s.ore/ The story I a) a'out to te is a perfe.ty si)pe and
straightfor+ard one and .an 'e foo+ed 'y any ay)an/"
"0o ega 8ui''es> no+>" said Miss Marpe> sha1ing a 1nitting
neede at hi)/
"Certainy not>" said Mr Petheri.1/
"Ah +e> I a) not so sure> 'ut et"s hear the story/"
"It .on.erns a for)er .ient of )ine/ I +i .a hi) Mr Code ;
Si)on Code/ !e +as a )an of .onsidera'e +eath and ived in a
arge house not very far fro) here/ !e had had one son 1ied in
the War and this son had eft one .hid> a itte gir/ !er )other
had died at her 'irth> and on her father"s death she had .o)e to
ive +ith her grandfather +ho at on.e 'e.a)e passionatey
atta.hed to her/ #itte Chris .oud do anything she i1ed +ith her
grandfather/ I have never seen a )an )ore .o)petey +rapped
up in a .hid> and I .annot des.ri'e to you his grief and despair
+hen> at the age of eeven> the .hid .ontra.ted pneu)onia and
died/
"Poor Si)on Code +as in.onsoa'e/ A 'rother of his had
re.enty died in poor .ir.u)stan.es and Si)on Code had
generousy offered a ho)e to his 'rother"s .hidren ; t+o girs>
,ra.e and Mary> and a 'oy> ,eorge/ %ut though 1ind and
generous to his nephe+ and nie.es> the od )an never eBpended
on the) any of the ove and devotion he had a..orded to his itte
grand.hid/ ()poy)ent +as found for ,eorge Code in a 'an1
near 'y> and ,ra.e )arried a .ever young resear.h .he)ist of
the na)e of Phiip ,arrod/ Mary> +ho +as a 8uiet> sef;.ontained
gir> ived at ho)e and oo1ed after her un.e/ She +as> I thin1>
fond of hi) in her 8uiet unde)onstrative +ay/ And to a
appearan.es things +ent on very pea.efuy/ I )ay say that after
the death of itte Christo'e> Si)on Code .a)e to )e and
instru.ted )e to dra+ up a ne+ +i/ %y this +i> his fortune> a
very .onsidera'e one> +as divided e8uay 'et+een his nephe+
and nie.es> a third share to ea.h/
"Ti)e +ent on/ Chan.ing to )eet ,eorge Code one day I in8uired
for his un.e> +ho) I had not seen for so)e ti)e/ To )y surprise
,eorge"s fa.e .ouded over/ JI +ish you .oud put so)e sense
into 2n.e Si)on>"" he said ruefuy/ !is honest 'ut not very
'riiant .ountenan.e oo1ed pu??ed and +orried/ JThis spirit
'usiness is getting +orse and +orse/J
"JWhat spirit 'usinessAJ I as1ed> very )u.h surprised/
"Then ,eorge tod )e the +hoe story/ !o+ Mr Code had
graduay got interested in the su'De.t and ho+ on the top of this
interest he had .han.ed to )eet an A)eri.an )ediu)> a Mrs
(urydi.e Spragg/ This +o)an> +ho) ,eorge did not hesitate to
.hara.teri?e as an out and out s+inder> had gained an i))ense
as.enden.y over Si)on Code/ She +as pra.ti.ay a+ays in the
house and )any s=an.es +ere hed in +hi.h the spirit of
Christo'e )anifested itsef to the doting grandfather/
"I )ay say here and no+ that I do not 'eong to the ran1s of those
+ho .over spirituais) +ith ridi.ue and s.orn/ I a)> as I have
tod you> a 'eiever in eviden.e/ And I thin1 that +hen +e have an
i)partia )ind and +eigh the eviden.e in favour of spirituais)
there re)ains )u.h that .annot 'e put do+n to fraud or ighty
set aside/ Therefore> as I say> I a) neither a 'eiever nor an
un'eiever/ There is .ertain testi)ony +ith +hi.h one .annot
afford to disagree/
"<n the other hand> spirituais) ends itsef very easiy to fraud
and i)posture> and fro) a young ,eorge Code tod )e a'out
this Mrs (urydi.e Spragg I fet )ore and )ore .onvin.ed that
Si)on Code +as in 'ad hands and that Mrs Spragg +as pro'a'y
an i)postor of the +orst type/ The od )an> shre+d as he +as in
pra.ti.a )atters> +oud 'e easiy i)posed on +here his ove for
his dead grand.hid +as .on.erned/
"Turning things over in )y )ind I fet )ore and )ore uneasy/ I
+as fond of the young Codes> Mary and ,eorge> and I reai?ed
that this Mrs Spragg and her infuen.e over their un.e )ight ead
to trou'e in the future/
"At the eariest opportunity I )ade a preteBt for .aing on Si)on
Code/ I found Mrs Spragg instaed as an honoured and friendy
guest As soon as I sa+ her )y +orst apprehensions +ere
fufied/ She +as a stout +o)an of )idde age> dressed in a
fa)'oyant stye/ 7ery fu of .ant phrases a'out J<ur dear ones
+ho have passed overJ> and other things of the 1ind/
"!er hus'and +as aso staying in the house> Mr A'sao) Spragg>
a thin an1 )an +ith a )ean.hoy eBpression and eBtre)ey
furtive eyes/ As soon as I .oud> I got Si)on Code to )ysef and
sounded hi) ta.tfuy on the su'De.t !e +as fu of enthusias)/
(urydi.e Spragg +as +onderfuG She had 'een sent to hi)
dire.ty in ans+er to a prayerG She .ared nothing for )oney> the
Doy of heping a heart in affi.tion +as enough for her/ She had
8uite a )other"s feeing for itte Chris/ !e +as 'eginning to
regard her a)ost as a daughter/ Then he +ent on to give )e
detais ; ho+ he had heard his Chris"s voi.e spea1ing ; ho+ she
+as +e and happy +ith her father and )other/ !e +ent on to te
other senti)ents eBpressed 'y the .hid> +hi.h in )y
re)e)'ran.e of itte Christo'e see)ed to )e highy uni1ey/
She aid stress on the fa.t that JFather and Mother oved dear
Mrs SpraggJ/
"J%ut> of .ourse>J he 'ro1e off> Jyou are a s.offer> Petheri.1/J
"J0o> I a) not a s.offer/ 7ery far fro) it/ So)e of the )en +ho
have +ritten on the su'De.t are )en +hose testi)ony I +oud
a..ept unhesitatingy> and I shoud a..ord any )ediu)
re.o))ended 'y the) respe.t and .reden.e/ I presu)e that this
Mrs Spragg is +e vou.hed forAJ
"Si)on +ent into e.stasies over Mrs Spragg/ She had 'een sent
to hi) 'y !eaven/ !e had .o)e a.ross her at the +atering pa.e
+here he had spent t+o )onths in the su))er/ A .han.e
)eeting> +ith +hat a +onderfu resutG
"I +ent a+ay very dissatisfied/ My +orst fears +ere reai?ed> 'ut I
did not see +hat I .oud do/ After a good dea of thought and
dei'eration I +rote to Phiip ,arrod +ho had> as I )entioned> Dust
)arried the edest Code gir> ,ra.e/ I set the .ase 'efore hi) ; of
.ourse> in the )ost .arefuy guarded anguage/ I pointed out the
danger of su.h a +o)an gaining as.enden.y over the od )an"s
)ind/ And I suggested that Mr Code shoud 'e 'rought into
.onta.t if possi'e +ith so)e reputa'e spirituaisti. .ir.es/ This>
I thought> +oud not 'e a diffi.ut )atter for Phiip ,arrod to
arrange/
",arrod +as pro)pt to a.t/ !e reai?ed> +hi.h I did not> that
Si)on Code"s heath +as in a very pre.arious .ondition> and as a
pra.ti.a )an he had no intention of etting his +ife or her sister
and 'rother 'e despoied of the inheritan.e +hi.h +as so righty
theirs/ !e .a)e do+n the foo+ing +ee1> 'ringing +ith hi) as a
guest no other than the fa)ous Professor #ong)an/ #ong)an
+as a s.ientist of the first order> a )an +hose asso.iation +ith
spirituais) .o)peed the atter to 'e treated +ith respe.t/ 0ot
ony a 'riiant s.ientistI he +as a )an of the ut)ost uprightness
and pro'ity/
"The resut of the visit +as )ost unfortunate/ #ong)an> it
see)ed> had said very itte +hie he +as there/ T+o s=an.es
+ere hed ; under +hat .onditions I do not 1no+/ #ong)an +as
non;.o))itta a the ti)e he +as in the house> 'ut after his
departure he +rote a etter to Phiip ,arrod/ In it he ad)itted that
he had not 'een a'e to dete.t Mrs Spragg in fraud> nevertheess
his private opinion +as that the pheno)ena +ere not genuine/ Mr
,arrod> he said> +as at i'erty to sho+ this etter to his un.e if he
thought fit> and he suggested that he hi)sef shoud put Mr Code
in tou.h +ith a )ediu) of perfe.t integrity/
"Phiip ,arrod had ta1en this etter straight to his un.e> 'ut the
resut +as not +hat he had anti.ipated/ The od )an fe+ into a
to+ering rage/ It +as a a pot to dis.redit Mrs Spragg +ho +as a
)aigned and inDured saintG She had tod hi) aready +hat 'itter
Deaousy there +as of her in this .ountry/ !e pointed out that
#ong)an +as for.ed to say he had not dete.ted fraud/ (urydi.e
Spragg had .o)e to hi) in the dar1est hour of his ife> had given
hi) hep and .o)fort> and he +as prepared to espouse her .ause
even if it )eant 8uarreing +ith every )e)'er of his fa)iy/ She
+as )ore to hi) than anyone ese in the +ord/
"Phiip ,arrod +as turned out of the house +ith s.ant .ere)onyI
'ut as a resut of his rage Code"s o+n heath too1 a de.ided turn
for the +orse/ For the ast )onth he had 1ept to his 'ed pretty
.ontinuousy> and no+ there see)ed every possi'iity of his
'eing a 'edridden invaid unti su.h ti)e as death shoud reease
hi)/ T+o days after Phiip"s departure I re.eived an urgent
su))ons and +ent hurriedy over/ Code +as in 'ed and oo1ed
even to )y ay)an"s eye very i indeed/ !e +as gasping for
'reath/
"JThis is the end of )e>J he said/ JI fee it/ $on"t argue +ith )e>
Petheri.1/ %ut 'efore I die I a) going to do )y duty 'y the one
hu)an 'eing +ho has done )ore for )e than anyone ese in the
+ord/ I +ant to )a1e a fresh +i/J
"JCertainy>J I said> Jif you +i give )e your instru.tions no+ I +i
draft out a +i and send it to you/J
"JThat +on"t do>J he said/ JWhy> )an> I )ight not ive through the
night/ I have +ritten out +hat I +ant here>J he fu)'ed under his
pio+> Jand you .an te )e if it is right/J
"!e produ.ed a sheet of paper +ith a fe+ +ords roughy
s.ri''ed on it in pen.i/ It +as 8uite si)pe and .ear/ !e eft
/F666 to ea.h of his nie.es and nephe+> and the residue of his
vast property outright to (urydi.e Spragg Jin gratitude and
ad)irationJ/
"I didn"t i1e it> 'ut there it +as/ There +as no 8uestion of unsound
)ind> the od )an +as as sane as any'ody/
"!e rang the 'e for t+o of the servants/ They .a)e pro)pty/
The house)aid> ())a ,aunt> +as a ta )idde;aged +o)an +ho
had 'een in servi.e there for )any years and +ho had nursed
Code devotedy/ With her .a)e the .oo1> a fresh 'uBo) young
+o)an of thirty/ Si)on Code gared at the) 'oth fro) under his
'ushy eye'ro+s/
"JI +ant you to +itness )y +i/ ())a> get )e )y fountain pen/J
"())a +ent over o'edienty to the des1/
"J0ot that eft;hand dra+er> gir>J said od Si)on irrita'y/ J$on"t
you 1no+ it is in the right;hand oneA""
"J0o> it is here> sir>J said ())a> produ.ing it/
"JThen you )ust have put it a+ay +rong ast ti)e>"" gru)'ed the
od )an/ JI .an"t stand things not 'eing 1ept in their proper
pa.es/J
"Sti gru)'ing he too1 the pen fro) her and .opied his o+n
rough draught> a)ended 'y )e> on to a fresh pie.e of paper/
Then he signed his na)e/ ())a ,aunt and the .oo1> #u.y $avid>
aso signed/ I foded the +i up and put it into a ong 'ue
enveope/ It +as ne.essariy> you understand> +ritten on an
ordinary pie.e of paper/
"*ust as the servants +ere turning to eave the roo) Code ay
'a.1 on the pio+s +ith a gasp and a distorted fa.e/ I 'ent over
hi) anBiousy and ())a ,aunt .a)e 8ui.1y 'a.1/ !o+ever> the
od )an re.overed and s)ied +ea1y/
"JIt is a right> Petheri.1> don"t 'e aar)ed/ At any rate I sha die
easy no+ having done +hat I +anted to/J
"())a ,aunt oo1ed in8uiringy at )e as if to 1no+ +hether she
.oud eave the roo)/ I nodded reassuringy and she +ent out ;
first stopping to pi.1 up the 'ue enveope +hi.h I had et sip to
the ground in )y )o)ent of anBiety/ She handed it to )e and I
sipped it into )y .oat po.1et and then she +ent out/
"J@ou are annoyed> Petheri.1>J said Si)on Code/ J@ou are
preDudi.ed> i1e every'ody ese/J
"JIt is not a 8uestion of preDudi.e>J I said/ JMrs Spragg )ay 'e a
that she .ai)s to 'e/ I shoud see no o'De.tion to you eaving her
a s)a ega.y as a )e)ento of gratitudeI 'ut I te you fran1y>
Code> that to disinherit your o+n fesh and 'ood in favour of a
stranger is +rong/J
"With that I turned to depart/ I had done +hat I .oud and )ade
)y protest/
"Mary Code .a)e out of the dra+ing;roo) and )et )e in the ha/
"J@ou +i have tea 'efore you go> +on"t youA Co)e in here>J and
she ed )e into the dra+ing;roo)/
"A fire +as 'urning on the hearth and the roo) oo1ed .osy and
.heerfu/ She reieved )e of )y over.oat Dust as her 'rother>
,eorge> .a)e into the roo)/ !e too1 it fro) her and aid it a.ross
a .hair at the far end of the roo)> then he .a)e 'a.1 to the
fireside +here +e dran1 tea/ $uring the )ea a 8uestion arose
a'out so)e point .on.erning the estate/ Si)on Code said he
didn"t +ant to 'e 'othered +ith it and had eft it to ,eorge to
de.ide/ ,eorge +as rather nervous a'out trusting to his o+n
Dudg)ent/ At )y suggestion> +e adDourned to the study after tea
and I oo1ed over the papers in 8uestion/ Mary Code
a..o)panied us/
"A 8uarter of an hour ater I prepared to ta1e )y departure/
&e)e)'ering that I had eft )y over.oat in the dra+ing;roo)> I
+ent there to fet.h it/ The ony o..upant of the roo) +as Mrs
Spragg> +ho +as 1neeing 'y the .hair on +hi.h the over.oat ay/
She see)ed to 'e doing so)ething rather unne.essary to the
.retonne .over/ She rose +ith a very red fa.e as +e entered/
"JThat .over never did sit right>J she .o)pained/ JMyG I .oud
)a1e a 'etter fit )ysef/J
"I too1 up )y over.oat and put it on/ As I did so I noti.ed that the
enveope .ontaining the +i had faen out of the po.1et and +as
ying on the foor/ I repa.ed it in )y po.1et> said good'ye> and
too1 )y departure/
"<n arriva at )y offi.e> I +i des.ri'e )y neBt a.tions .arefuy/ I
re)oved )y over.oat and too1 the +i fro) the po.1et/ I had it in
)y hand and +as standing 'y the ta'e +hen )y .er1 .a)e in/
So)e'ody +ished to spea1 to )e on the teephone> and the
eBtension to )y des1 +as out of order/ I a..ordingy
a..o)panied hi) to the outer offi.e and re)ained there for
a'out five )inutes engaged in .onversation over the teephone/
"When I e)erged> I found )y .er1 +aiting for )e/
"JMr Spragg has .aed to see you> sir/ I sho+ed hi) into your
offi.e/"
"I +ent there to find Mr Spragg sitting 'y the ta'e/ !e rose and
greeted )e in a so)e+hat un.tuous )anner> then pro.eeded to
a ong dis.ursive spee.h/ In the )ain it see)ed to 'e an uneasy
Dustifi.ation of hi)sef and his +ife/ !e +as afraid peope +ere
saying et./> et./ !is +ife had 'een 1no+n fro) her 'a'yhood
up+ards for the pureness of her heart and her )otives/// and so
on and so on/ I +as> I a) afraid> rather .urt +ith hi)/ In the end I
thin1 he reai?ed that his visit +as not 'eing a su..ess and he eft
so)e+hat a'rupty/ I then re)e)'ered that I had eft the +i
ying on the ta'e/ I too1 it> seaed the enveope> and +rote on it
and put it a+ay in the safe/
"0o+ I .o)e to the .ruB of )y story/ T+o )onths ater Mr Si)on
Code died/ I +i not go into ong;+inded dis.ussions> I +i Dust
state the 'are fa.ts/ When the seaed enveope .ontaining the +i
+as opened it +as found to .ontain a sheet of 'an1 paper/"
!e paused> oo1ing round the .ir.e of interested fa.es/ !e
s)ied hi)sef +ith a .ertain enDoy)ent/
"@ou appre.iate the point> of .ourseA For t+o )onths the seaed
enveope had ain in )y safe/ It .oud not have 'een ta)pered
+ith then/ 0o> the ti)e i)it +as a very short one/ %et+een the
)o)ent the +i +as signed and )y o.1ing it a+ay in the safe/
0o+ +ho had had the opportunity> and to +hose interests +oud
it 'e to do soA
"I +i re.apituate the vita points in a 'rief su))aryH The +i +as
signed 'y Mr Code> pa.ed 'y )e in an enveope ; so far so good/
It +as then put 'y )e in )y over.oat po.1et/ That over.oat +as
ta1en fro) )e 'y Mary and handed 'y her to ,eorge> +ho +as in
fu sight of )e +hist handing the .oat/ $uring the ti)e that I +as
in the study Mrs (urydi.e Spragg +oud have had penty of ti)e
to eBtra.t the enveope fro) the .oat po.1et and read its
.ontents and> as a )atter of fa.t> finding the enveope on the
ground and not in the po.1et see)ed to point to her having done
so/ %ut here +e .o)e to a .urious pointH she had the opportunity
of su'stituting the 'an1 paper> 'ut no )otive/ The +i +as in her
favour> and 'y su'stituting a 'an1 pie.e of paper she despoied
hersef of the heritage she had 'een so anBious to gain/ The sa)e
appied to Mr Spragg/ !e> too> had the opportunity/ !e +as eft
aone +ith the do.u)ent in 8uestion for so)e t+o or three
)inutes in )y offi.e/ %ut again> it +as not to his advantage to do
so/ So +e are fa.ed +ith this .urious pro'e)H the t+o peope
+ho had the opportunity of su'stituting a 'an1 pie.e of paper
had no )otive for doing so> and the t+o peope +ho had a )otive
had no opportunity/ %y the +ay> I +oud not eB.ude the
house)aid> ())a ,aunt> fro) suspi.ion/ She +as devoted to
her young )aster and )istress and detested the Spraggs/ She
+oud> I fee sure> have 'een 8uite e8ua to atte)pting the
su'stitution if she had thought of it/ %ut athough she a.tuay
handed the enveope +hen she pi.1ed it up fro) the foor and
handed it to )e> she .ertainy had no opportunity of ta)pering
+ith its .ontents and she .oud not have su'stituted another
enveope 'y so)e seight of hand 9of +hi.h any+ay she +oud not
'e .apa'e: 'e.ause the enveope in 8uestion +as 'rought into
the house 'y )e and no one there +oud 'e i1ey to have a
dupi.ate/"
!e oo1ed round> 'ea)ing on the asse)'y/
"0o+> there is )y itte pro'e)/ I have> I hope> stated it .eary/ I
shoud 'e interested to hear your vie+s/"
To everyone"s astonish)ent Miss Marpe gave vent to a ong and
proonged .hu.1e/ So)ething see)ed to 'e a)using her
i))ensey/
"What is the )atter> Aunt *aneA Can"t +e share the Do1eA" said
&ay)ond/
"I +as thin1ing of itte To))y Sy)onds> a naughty itte 'oy> I a)
afraid> 'ut so)eti)es very a)using/ <ne of those .hidren +ith
inno.ent .hidi1e fa.es +ho are a+ays up to so)e )is.hief or
other/ I +as thin1ing ho+ ast +ee1 in Sunday S.hoo he said>
JTea.her> do you say yo1 of eggs is +hite or yo1 of eggs are
+hiteAJ And Miss $urston eBpained that anyone +oud say Jyo1s
of eggs are +hite> or yo1 of egg is +hiteJ ; and naughty To))y
saidH JWe> I shoud say yo1 of egg is yeo+GJ 7ery naughty of
hi)> of .ourse> and as od as the his/ I 1ne+ that one as a .hid/"
"7ery funny> )y dear Aunt *ane>" &ay)ond said genty> "'ut surey
that has nothing to do +ith the very interesting story that Mr
Petheri.1 has 'een teing us/"
"<h yes> it has>" said Miss Marpe/ "It is a .at.hG And so is Mr
Petheri.1"s story a .at.h/ So i1e a a+yerG Ah> )y dear od
friendG" She shoo1 a reproving head at hi)/
"I +onder if you reay 1no+>" said the a+yer +ith a t+in1e/
Miss Marpe +rote a fe+ +ords on a pie.e of paper> foded the)
up and passed the) a.ross to hi)/
Mr Petheri.1 unfoded the paper> read +hat +as +ritten on it and
oo1ed a.ross at her appre.iativey/
"My dear friend>" he said> "is there anything you do not 1no+A"
"I 1ne+ that as a .hid>" said Miss Marpe/ "Payed +ith it too/"
"I fee rather out of this>" said Sir !enry/ "I fee sure that Mr
Petheri.1 has so)e .ever egerde)ain up his seeve/"
"0ot at a>" said Mr Petheri.1/ "0ot at a/ It is a perfe.ty fair
straightfor+ard proposition/ @ou )ust not pay any attention to
Miss Marpe/ She has her o+n +ay of oo1ing at things/"
"We shoud 'e a'e to arrive at the truth/" said &ay)ond West a
trife veBedy/ "The fa.ts .ertainy see) pain enough/ Five
persons a.tuay tou.hed that enveope/ The Spraggs .eary
.oud have )edded +ith it 'ut e8uay .eary they did not do so/
There re)ains the other three/ 0o+> +hen one sees the
)arveous +ays that .onDurers have of doing a thing 'efore
one"s eyes> it see)s to )e that the paper .oud have 'een
eBtra.ted and another su'stituted 'y ,eorge Code during the
ti)e he +as .arrying the over.oat to the far end of the roo)/"
"We> I thin1 it +as the gir>" said *oy.e/ "I thin1 the house)aid ran
do+n and tod her +hat +as happening and she got hod of
another 'ue enveope and Dust su'stituted the one for the other/"
Sir !enry shoo1 his head/ "I disagree +ith you 'oth>" he said
so+y/ "These sort of things are done 'y .onDurers> and they are
done on the stage and in noves> 'ut I thin1 they +oud 'e
i)possi'e to do in rea ife> espe.iay under the shre+d eyes of a
)an i1e )y friend Mr Petheri.1 here/ %ut I have an idea ; it is
ony an idea and nothing )ore/ We 1no+ that Professor #ong)an
had Dust 'een do+n for a visit and that he said very itte/ It is ony
reasona'e to suppose that the Spraggs )ay have 'een very
anBious as to the resut of that visit/ If Si)on Code did not ta1e
the) into his .onfiden.e> +hi.h is 8uite pro'a'e> they )ay have
vie+ed his sending for Mr Petheri.1 fro) 8uite another ange/
They )ay have 'eieved that Mr Code had aready )ade a +i
+hi.h 'enefited (urydi.e Spragg and that this ne+ one )ight 'e
)ade for the eBpress purpose of .utting her out as a resut of
Professor #ong)an"s reveations> or aternativey> as you a+yers
say> Phiip ,arrod had i)pressed on his un.e the .ai)s of his
o+n fesh and 'ood/ In that .ase> suppose Mrs Spragg prepared
to effe.t a su'stitution/ This she does> 'ut Mr Petheri.1 .o)ing in
at an unfortunate )o)ent she had no ti)e to read the rea
do.u)ent and hastiy destroys it 'y fire in .ase the a+yer shoud
dis.over his oss/"
*oy.e shoo1 her head very de.idedy/
"She +oud never 'urn it +ithout reading it/"
"The soution is rather a +ea1 one>" ad)itted Sir !enry/ "I suppose
; er ; Mr Petheri.1 did not assist Providen.e hi)sef/"
The suggestion +as ony a aughing one> 'ut the itte a+yer
dre+ hi)sef up in offended dignity/
"A )ost i)proper suggestion>" he said +ith so)e asperity/
"What does $r Pender sayA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"I .annot say I have any very .ear ideas/ I thin1 the su'stitution
)ust have 'een effe.ted 'y either Mrs Spragg or her hus'and>
possi'y for the )otive that Sir !enry suggests/ If she did not
read the +i unti after Mr Petheri.1 had departed> she +oud
then 'e in so)e+hat of a die))a> sin.e she .oud not o+n up to
her a.tion in the )atter/ Possi'y she +oud pa.e it a)ong Mr
Code"s papers +here she thought it +oud 'e found after his
death/ %ut +hy it +asn"t found I don"t 1no+/ It )ight 'e a )ere
spe.uation this ; that ())a ,aunt .a)e a.ross it ; and out of
)ispa.ed devotion to her e)poyers dei'eratey destroyed it/"
"I thin1 $r Pender"s soution is the 'est of a>" said *oy.e/ "Is it
right> Mr Petheri.1A"
The a+yer shoo1 his head/
"I +i go on +here I eft off/ I +as du)'founded and 8uite as )u.h
at sea as a of you are/ I don"t thin1 I shoud ever have guessed
the truth ; pro'a'y not ; 'ut I +as enightened/ It +as .every
done too/
"I +ent and dined +ith Phiip ,arrod a'out a )onth ater and in
the .ourse of our after;dinner .onversation he )entioned an
interesting .ase that had re.enty .o)e to his noti.e/"
"JI shoud i1e to te you a'out it> Petheri.1> in .onfiden.e> of
.ourse/J
"J4uite so>J I repied/
"JA friend of )ine +ho had eBpe.tations fro) one of his reatives
+as greaty distressed to find that that reative had thoughts of
'enefiting a totay un+orthy person/ My friend> I a) afraid> is a
trife uns.rupuous in his )ethods/ There +as a )aid in the house
+ho +as greaty devoted to the interests of +hat I )ay .a the
egiti)ate party/ My friend gave her very si)pe instru.tions/ !e
gave her a fountain pen> duy fied/ She +as to pa.e this in a
dra+er in the +riting ta'e in her )aster"s roo)> 'ut not the usua
dra+er +here the pen +as generay 1ept/ If her )aster as1ed
her to +itness his signature to any do.u)ent and as1ed her to
'ring hi) his pen> she +as to 'ring hi) not the right one> 'ut this
one +hi.h +as an eBa.t dupi.ate of it/ That +as a she had to
do/ !e gave her no other infor)ation/ She +as a devoted
.reature and she .arried out his instru.tions faithfuy/J
"!e 'ro1e off and saidH
J"I hope I a) not 'oring you> Petheri.1/J
"J0ot at a>J I said/ JI a) 1eeny interested/J
"<ur eyes )et/
"JMy friend is> of .ourse> not 1no+n to you>J he said/
"J<f .ourse not>J I repied/
"JThen that is a right>J said Phiip ,arrod/
"!e paused then said s)iingy> J@ou see the pointA The pen +as
fied +ith +hat is .o))ony 1no+n as (vanes.ent In1 ; a soution
of star.h in +ater to +hi.h a fe+ drops of iodine has 'een added/
This )a1es a deep 'ue;'a.1 fuid> 'ut the +riting disappears
entirey in four or five days/J"
Miss Marpe .hu.1ed/
"$isappearing in1>" she said/ "I 1no+ it/ Many is the ti)e I have
payed +ith it as a .hid/"
And she 'ea)ed round on the) a> pausing to sha1e a finger
on.e )ore at Mr Petheri.1/
"%ut a the sa)e it"s a .at.h> Mr Petheri.1>" she said/ "*ust i1e a
a+yer/"
The Thu)')ar1 of St/ Peter
"And no+> Aunt *ane> it is up to you>" said &ay)ond West/
"@es> Aunt *ane> +e are eBpe.ting so)ething reay spi.y>"
.hi)ed in *oy.e #e)pri=re/
"0o+> you are aughing at )e> )y dears>" said Miss Marpe
pa.idy/ "@ou thin1 that 'e.ause I have ived in this out;of;the+ay
spot a )y ife I a) not i1ey to have had any very interesting
eBperien.es/"
",od for'id that I shoud ever regard viage ife as pea.efu and
uneventfu>" said &ay)ond +ith fervour/ "0ot after the horri'e
reveations +e have heard fro) youG The .os)opoitan +ord
see)s a )id and pea.efu pa.e .o)pared +ith St Mary Mead/"
"We> )y dear>" said Miss Marpe> "hu)an nature is )u.h the
sa)e every+here> and> of .ourse> one has opportunities of
o'serving it at .ose 8uarters in a viage/"
"@ou reay are uni8ue> Aunt *ane>" .ried *oy.e/ "I hope you don"t
)ind )e .aing you Aunt *aneA" she added/ "I don"t 1no+ +hy I
do it/"
"$on"t you> )y dearA" said Miss Marpe/
She oo1ed up for a )o)ent or t+o +ith so)ething 8ui??i.a in
her gan.e> +hi.h )ade the 'ood fa)e to the gir"s .hee1s/
&ay)ond West fidgeted and .eared his throat in a so)e+hat
e)'arrassed )anner/
Miss Marpe oo1ed at the) 'oth and s)ied again> and 'ent her
attention on.e )ore to her 1nitting/
"It is true> of .ourse> that I have ived +hat is .aed a very
uneventfu ife> 'ut I have had a ot of eBperien.e in soving
different itte pro'e)s that have arisen/ So)e of the) have
'een reay 8uite ingenious> 'ut it +oud 'e no good teing the)
to you> 'e.ause they are a'out su.h uni)portant things that you
+oud not 'e interested ; Dust things i1eH Who .ut the )eshes of
Mrs *ones"s string 'agA and +hy Mrs Si)s ony +ore her ne+ fur
.oat on.e/ 7ery interesting things> reay> to any student of
hu)an nature/ 0o> the ony eBperien.e I .an re)e)'er that
+oud 'e of interest to you is the one a'out )y poor nie.e
Ma'e"s hus'and/
"It is a'out ten or fifteen years ago no+> and happiy it is a over
and done +ith> and everyone has forgotten a'out it/ Peope"s
)e)ories are very short ; a u.1y thing> I a+ays thin1/"
Miss Marpe paused and )ur)ured to hersefH
"I )ust Dust .ount this ro+/ The de.reasing is a itte a+1+ard/
<ne> t+o> three> four> five> and then three purI that is right/ 0o+>
+hat +as I sayingA <h> yes> a'out poor Ma'e/
"Ma'e +as )y nie.e/ A ni.e gir> reay a very ni.e gir> 'ut Dust a
trife +hat one )ight .a siy/ &ather fond of 'eing )eodra)ati.
and of saying a great dea )ore than she )eant +henever she
+as upset/ She )arried a Mr $en)an +hen she +as t+enty;t+o>
and I a) afraid it +as not a very happy )arriage/ I had hoped
very )u.h that the atta.h)ent +oud not .o)e to anything> for
Mr $en)an +as a )an of very vioent te)per ; not the 1ind of
)an +ho +oud 'e patient +ith Ma'e"s foi'es ; and I aso
earned that there +as insanity in his fa)iy/ !o+ever> girs +ere
Dust as o'stinate then as they are no+> and as they a+ays +i 'e/
And Ma'e )arried hi)/
"I didn"t see very )u.h of her after her )arriage/ She .a)e to
stay +ith )e on.e or t+i.e> and they as1ed )e there severa
ti)es> 'ut> as a )atter of fa.t> I a) not very fond of staying in
other peope"s houses> and I a+ays )anaged to )a1e so)e
eB.use/ They had 'een )arried ten years +hen Mr $en)an died
suddeny/ There +ere no .hidren> and he eft a his )oney to
Ma'e/ I +rote> of .ourse> and offered to .o)e to Ma'e if she
+anted )eI 'ut she +rote 'a.1 a very sensi'e etter> and I
gathered that she +as not atogether over+he)ed 'y grief/ I
thought that +as ony natura> 'e.ause I 1ne+ they had not 'een
getting on together for so)e ti)e/ It +as not unti a'out three
)onths after+ards that I got a )ost hysteri.a etter fro) Ma'e>
'egging )e to .o)e to her> and saying that things +ere going
fro) 'ad to +orse> and she .oudn"t stand it )u.h onger/
"So> of .ourse>" .ontinued Miss Marpe> "I put Cara on 'oard
+ages and sent the pate and the -ing Chares tan1ard to the
'an1> and I +ent off at on.e/ I found Ma'e in a very nervous
state/ The house> Myrte $ene> +as a fairy arge one> very
.o)forta'y furnished/ There +as a .oo1 and a houseparour)aid
as +e as a nurse;attendant to oo1 after od Mr
$en)an> Ma'e"s hus'and"s father> +ho +as +hat is .aed Jnot
8uite right in the headJ/ 4uite pea.efu and +e 'ehaved> 'ut
distin.ty odd at ti)es/ As I say> there +as insanity in the fa)iy/
"I +as reay sho.1ed to see the .hange in Ma'e/ She +as a )ass
of nerves> t+it.hing a over> yet I had the greatest diffi.uty in
)a1ing her te )e +hat the trou'e +as/ I got at it> as one a+ays
does get at these things> indire.ty/ I as1ed her a'out so)e
friends of hers she +as a+ays )entioning in her etters> the
,aaghers/ She said> to )y surprise> that she hardy ever sa+
the) no+adays/ <ther friends +ho) I )entioned ei.ited the
sa)e re)ar1/ I spo1e to her then of the foy of shutting hersef up
and 'rooding> and espe.iay of the siiness of .utting hersef
adrift fro) her friends/ Then she .a)e 'ursting out +ith the truth/
"JIt is not )y doing> it is theirs/ There is not a sou in the pa.e
+ho +i spea1 to )e no+/ When I go do+n the !igh Street they
a get out of the +ay so that they shan"t have to )eet )e or spea1
to )e/ I a) i1e a 1ind of eper/ It is a+fu> and I .an"t 'ear it any
onger/ I sha have to se the house and go a'road/ @et +hy
shoud I 'e driven a+ay fro) a ho)e i1e thisA I have done
nothing/J
"I +as )ore distur'ed than I .an te you/ I +as 1nitting a
.o)forter for od Mrs !ay at the ti)e> and in )y pertur'ation I
dropped t+o stit.hes and never dis.overed it unti ong after/
"JMy dear Ma'e>J I said> Jyou a)a?e )e/ %ut +hat is the .ause of
a thisAJ
"(ven as a .hid Ma'e +as a+ays diffi.ut/ I had the greatest
diffi.uty in getting her to give )e a straightfor+ard ans+er to )y
8uestion/ She +oud ony say vague things a'out +i.1ed ta1 and
ide peope +ho had nothing 'etter to do than gossip> and peope
+ho put ideas into other peope"s heads/
"JThat is a 8uite .ear to )e>J I said/ JThere is evidenty so)e
story 'eing .ir.uated a'out you/ %ut +hat that story is you )ust
1no+ as +e as anyone/ And you are going to te )e/J
"JIt is so +i.1ed>J )oaned Ma'e/
"J<f .ourse it is +i.1ed>J I said 'ris1y/ JThere is nothing that you
.an te )e a'out peope"s )inds that +oud astonish or surprise
)e/ 0o+> Ma'e> +i you te )e in pain (ngish +hat peope are
saying a'out youAJ
"Then it a .a)e out/
"It see)ed that ,eoffrey $en)an"s death> 'eing 8uite sudden and
uneBpe.ted> gave rise to various ru)ours/ In fa.t ; and in pain
(ngish as I had put it to her ; peope +ere saying that she had
poisoned her hus'and/
"0o+> as I eBpe.t you 1no+> there is nothing )ore .rue than ta1>
and there is nothing )ore diffi.ut to .o)'at When peope say
things 'ehind your 'a.1 there is nothing you .an refute or deny>
and the ru)ours go on gro+ing and gro+ing> and no one .an
stop the)/ I +as 8uite .ertain of one thingH Ma'e +as 8uite
in.apa'e of poisoning anyone/ And I didn"t see +hy ife shoud 'e
ruined for her and her ho)e )ade un'eara'e Dust 'e.ause in a
pro'a'iity she had 'een doing so)ething siy and fooish/
"JThere is no s)o1e +ithout fire>J I said/ J0o+> Ma'e> you have
got to te )e +hat started peope off on this ta.1/ There )ust
have 'een so)ething/J
"Ma'e +as very in.oherent> and de.ared there +as nothing ;
nothing at a> eB.ept> of .ourse> that ,eoffrey"s death had 'een
very sudden/ !e had see)ed 8uite +e at supper that evening>
and had ta1en vioenty i in the night/ The do.tor had 'een sent
for> 'ut the poor )an had died a fe+ )inutes after the do.tor"s
arriva/ $eath had 'een thought to 'e the resut of eating
poisoned )ushroo)s/
"JWe>J I said> JI suppose a sudden death of that 1ind )ight start
tongues +agging> 'ut surey not +ithout so)e additiona fa.ts/
$id you have a 8uarre +ith ,eoffrey or anything of that 1indAJ
"She ad)itted that she had had a 8uarre +ith hi) on the
pre.eding )orning at 'rea1fast ti)e/
"JAnd the servants heard it> I supposeAJ I as1ed/
"JThey +eren"t in the roo)/J
"J0o> )y dear>J I said> J'ut they pro'a'y +ere fairy near the
door outside/J
"I 1ne+ the .arrying po+er of Ma'e"s high;pit.hed hysteri.a
voi.e ony too +e/ ,eoffrey $en)an> too> +as a )an given to
raising his voi.e oudy +hen angry/
"JWhat did you 8uarre a'outAJ I as1ed/
"J<h> the usua things/ It +as a+ays the sa)e things over and
over again/ So)e itte thing +oud start us off> and then ,eoffrey
'e.a)e i)possi'e and said a'o)ina'e things> and I tod hi)
+hat I thought of hi)/J
"JThere had 'een a ot of 8uarreing> thenAJ I as1ed/
"JIt +asn"t )y faut ; J
"JMy dear .hid>J I said> Jit doesn"t )atter +hose faut it +as/ That
is not +hat +e are dis.ussing/ In a pa.e i1e this every'ody"s
private affairs are )ore or ess pu'i. property/ @ou and your
hus'and +ere a+ays 8uarreing/ @ou had a parti.uary 'ad
8uarre one )orning> and that night your hus'and died suddeny
and )ysteriousy/ Is that a> or is there anything eseAJ
"JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean 'y anything ese>J said Ma'e
sueny/
"J*ust +hat I say> )y dear/ If you have done anything siy> don"t
for !eaven"s sa1e 1eep it 'a.1 no+/ I ony +ant to do +hat I .an
to hep you/J
"J0othing and no'ody .an hep )e/J said Ma'e +idy> JeB.ept
death/J
"J!ave a itte )ore faith in Providen.e> dear>J I said/ J0o+ then>
Ma'e> I 1no+ perfe.ty +e there is so)ething ese that you are
1eeping 'a.1/J
"I a+ays did 1no+> even +hen she +as a .hid> +hen she +as not
teing )e the +hoe truth/ It too1 a ong ti)e> 'ut I got it out at
ast/ She had gone do+n to the .he)ist"s that )orning and had
'ought so)e arseni./ She had had> of .ourse> to sign the 'oo1
for it/ 0aturay> the .he)ist had ta1ed/
"JWho is your do.torAJ I as1ed/
J"$r &a+inson/J
"I 1ne+ hi) 'y sight/ Ma'e had pointed hi) out to )e the other
day/ To put it in perfe.ty pain anguage he +as +hat I +oud
des.ri'e as an od dodderer/ I have had too )u.h eBperien.e of
ife to 'eieve in the infai'iity of do.tors/ So)e of the) are
.ever )en and so)e of the) are not> and haf the ti)e the 'est
of the) don"t 1no+ +hat is the )atter +ith you/ I have no tru.1
+ith do.tors and their )edi.ines )ysef/
"I thought things over> and then I put )y 'onnet on and +ent to
.a on $r &a+inson/ !e +as Dust +hat I had thought hi) ; a ni.e
od )an> 1indy> vague> and so short;sighted as to 'e pitifu>
sighty deaf> and> +itha> tou.hy and sensitive to the ast degree/
!e +as on his high horse at on.e +hen I )entioned ,eoffrey
$en)an"s death> ta1ed for a ong ti)e a'out various 1inds of
fungi> edi'e and other+ise/ !e had 8uestioned the .oo1> and she
had ad)itted that one or t+o of the )ushroo)s .oo1ed had 'een
Ja itte 8ueerJ> 'ut as the shop had sent the) she thought they
)ust 'e a right/ The )ore she had thought a'out the) sin.e> the
)ore she +as .onvin.ed that their appearan.e +as unusua/
"JShe +oud 'e>J I said/ JThey +oud start 'y 'eing 8uite i1e
)ushroo)s in appearan.e> and they +oud end 'y 'eing orange
+ith purpe spots/ There is nothing that .ass .annot re)e)'er if
it tries/J
"I gathered that $en)an had 'een past spee.h +hen the do.tor
got to hi)/ !e +as in.apa'e of s+ao+ing> and had died +ithin a
fe+ )inutes/ The do.tor see)ed perfe.ty satisfied +ith the
.ertifi.ate he had given/ %ut ho+ )u.h of that +as o'stina.y and
ho+ )u.h of it +as genuine 'eief I .oud not 'e sure/
"I +ent straight ho)e and as1ed Ma'e 8uite fran1y +hy she had
'ought arseni./
"J@ou )ust have had so)e idea in your )ind>J I pointed out/
"Ma'e 'urst into tears/ JI +anted to )a1e a+ay +ith )ysef>J she
)oaned/ JI +as too unhappy/ I thought I +oud end it a/J
"J!ave you the arseni. stiAJ I as1ed/
"J0o> I thre+ it a+ay/J
"I sat there turning things over and over in )y )ind/
"JWhat happened +hen he +as ta1en iA $id he .a youAJ
"J0o/J She shoo1 her head/ J!e rang the 'e vioenty/ !e )ust
have rung severa ti)es/ At ast $orothy> the house;parour)aid>
heard it> and she +a1ed the .oo1 up> and they .a)e do+n/ When
$orothy sa+ hi) she +as frightened/ !e +as ra)'ing and
deirious/ She eft the .oo1 +ith hi) and .a)e rushing to )e/ I
got up and +ent to hi)/ <f .ourse I sa+ at on.e he +as dreadfuy
i/ 2nfortunatey %re+ster> +ho oo1s after od Mr $en)an> +as
a+ay for the night> so there +as no one +ho 1ne+ +hat to do/ I
sent $orothy off for the do.tor> and .oo1 and I stayed +ith hi)>
'ut after a fe+ )inutes I .oudn"t 'ear it any ongerI it +as too
dreadfu/ I ran a+ay 'a.1 to )y roo) and o.1ed the door/J
"J7ery sefish and un1ind of you>J I saidI Jand no dou't that
.ondu.t of yours has done nothing to hep you sin.e> you )ay 'e
sure of that/ Coo1 +i have repeated it every+here/ We> +e>
this is a 'ad 'usiness/J
"0eBt I spo1e to the servants/ The .oo1 +anted to te )e a'out
the )ushroo)s> 'ut I stopped her/ I +as tired of these
)ushroo)s/ Instead> I 8uestioned 'oth of the) very .osey
a'out their )aster"s .ondition on that night/ They 'oth agreed
that he see)ed to 'e in great agony> that he +as una'e to
s+ao+> and he .oud ony spea1 in a stranged voi.e> and +hen
he did spea1 it +as ony ra)'ing ; nothing sensi'e/
"JWhat did he say +hen he +as ra)'ingAJ I as1ed .uriousy/
"JSo)ething a'out so)e fish> +asn"t itAJ said the .oo1 turning to
the other/
"$orothy agreed/
"JA heap of fish>J she saidI Jso)e nonsense i1e that/ I .oud see
at on.e he +asn"t in his right )ind> poor gente)an/J
"There didn"t see) to 'e any sense to 'e )ade out of that/ As a
ast resour.e I +ent up to see %re+ster> +ho +as a gaunt>
)idde;aged +o)an of a'out fifty/
"JIt is a pity that I +asn"t here that night>J she said> J0o'ody
see)s to have tried to do anything for hi) unti the do.tor .a)e/J
"JI suppose he +as deirious>J I said dou'tfuy> J'ut that is not a
sy)pto) of pto)aine poisoning> is itAJ
"JIt depends>J said %re+ster/
"I as1ed her ho+ her patient +as getting on/
"She shoo1 her head/
"J!e is pretty 'ad>J she said/
"JWea1AJ
"J<h no> he is strong enough physi.ay ; a 'ut his eyesight/ That
is faiing 'ady/ !e )ay outive a of us> 'ut his )ind is faiing very
fast no+/ I have aready tod 'oth Mr and Mrs $en)an that he
ought to 'e in an institution> 'ut Mrs $en)an +oudn"t hear of it at
any pri.e/J
"I +i say for Ma'e that she a+ays had a 1indy heart/
"We> there the thing +as/ I thought it over in every aspe.t> and at
ast I de.ided that there +as ony one thing to 'e done/ In vie+ of
the ru)ours that +ere going a'out> per)ission )ust 'e appied
for to eBhu)e the 'ody> and a proper post;)orte) )ust 'e )ade
and ying tongues 8uietened on.e and for a/ Ma'e> of .ourse>
)ade a fuss> )osty on senti)enta grounds ; distur'ing the dead
)an in his pea.efu grave> et./> et./ ; 'ut I +as fir)/
"I +on"t )a1e a ong story of this part of it/ We got the order and
they did the autopsy> or +hatever they .a it> 'ut the resut +as
not so satisfa.tory as it )ight have 'een/ There +as no tra.e of
arseni. ; that +as a to the good ; 'ut the a.tua +ords of the
report +ere that there +as nothing to sho+ 'y +hat )eans
de.eased had .o)e to his death/
"So> you see> that didn"t ead us out of trou'e atogether/ Peope
+ent on ta1ing ; a'out rare poisons i)possi'e to dete.t> and
ru''ish of that sort/ I had seen the pathoogist +ho had done the
post;)orte)> and I had as1ed hi) severa 8uestions> though he
tried his 'est to get out of ans+ering )ost of the)I 'ut I got out
of hi) that he .onsidered it highy uni1ey that the poisoned
)ushroo)s +ere the .ause of death/ An idea +as si))ering in
)y )ind> and I as1ed hi) +hat poison> if any> .oud have 'een
e)poyed to o'tain that resut/ !e )ade a ong eBpanation to )e>
)ost of +hi.h> I )ust ad)it> I did not foo+> 'ut it a)ounted to
thisH That death )ight have 'een due to so)e strong vegeta'e
a1aoid/
"The idea I had +as thisH Supposing the taint of insanity +as in
,eoffrey $en)an"s 'ood aso> )ight he not have )ade a+ay +ith
hi)sefA !e had> at one period of his ife> studied )edi.ine> and
he +oud have a good 1no+edge of poisons and their effe.ts/
"I didn"t thin1 it sounded very i1ey> 'ut it +as the ony thing I
.oud thin1 of/ And I +as neary at )y +its" end> I .an te you/
0o+> I dare say you )odern young peope +i augh> 'ut +hen I
a) in reay 'ad trou'e I a+ays say a itte prayer to )ysef ;
any+here> +hen I a) +a1ing aong the street> or at a 'a?aar/
And I a+ays get an ans+er/ It )ay 'e so)e trifing thing>
apparenty 8uite un.onne.ted +ith the su'De.t> 'ut there it is/ I
had that teBt pinned over )y 'ed +hen I +as a itte girH As1 and
you sha re.eive/ <n the )orning that I a) teing you a'out> I
+as +a1ing aong the !igh Street> and I +as praying hard/ I shut
)y eyes> and +hen I opened the)> +hat do you thin1 +as the first
thing that I sa+A"
Five fa.es +ith varying degrees of interest +ere turned to Miss
Marpe/ It )ay 'e safey assu)ed> ho+ever> that no one +oud
have guessed the ans+er to the 8uestion right/
"I sa+>" said Miss Marpe i)pressivey> "the +indo+ of the
fish)onger"s shop/ There +as ony one thing in it> a fresh
haddo.1/"
She oo1ed round triu)phanty/
"<h> )y ,odG" said &ay)ond West/ "An ans+er to prayer ; a fresh
haddo.1G"
"@es> &ay)ond>" said Miss Marpe severey> "and there is no need
to 'e profane a'out it/ The hand of ,od is every+here/ The first
thing I sa+ +ere the 'a.1 spots ; the )ar1s of St Peter"s thu)'/
That is the egend> you 1no+/ St Peter"s thu)'/ And that 'rought
things ho)e to )e/ I needed faith> the ever true faith of St Peter/ I
.onne.ted the t+o things together> faith ; and fish/"
Sir !enry 'e+ his nose rather hurriedy/ *oy.e 'it her ip/
"0o+ +hat did that 'ring to )y )indA <f .ourse> 'oth the .oo1
and house;parour)aid )entioned fish as 'eing one of the things
spo1en of 'y the dying )an/ I +as .onvin.ed> a'soutey
.onvin.ed> that there +as so)e soution of the )ystery to 'e
found in these +ords/ I +ent ho)e deter)ined to get to the
'otto) of the )atter/"
She paused/
"!as it ever o..urred to you>" the od ady +ent on> "ho+ )u.h +e
go 'y +hat is .aed> I 'eieve> the .onteBtA There is a pa.e on
$art)oor .aed ,rey Wethers/ If you +ere ta1ing to a far)er
there and )entioned ,rey Wethers> he +oud pro'a'y .on.ude
that you +ere spea1ing of these stone .ir.es> yet it is possi'e
that you )ight 'e spea1ing of the at)osphereI and in the sa)e
+ay> if you +ere )eaning the stone .ir.es> an outsider> hearing a
frag)ent of the .onversation> )ight thin1 you )eant the +eather/
So +hen +e repeat a .onversation> +e don"t> as a rue> repeat the
a.tua +ordsI +e put in so)e other +ords that see) to us to
)ean eBa.ty the sa)e thing/
"I sa+ 'oth the .oo1 and $orothy separatey/ I as1ed the .oo1 if
she +as 8uite sure that her )aster had reay )entioned a heap
of fish/ She said she +as 8uite sure/
"JWere these his eBa.t +ords>J I as1ed> Jor did he )ention so)e
parti.uar 1ind of fishAJ
"JThat"s it>J said the .oo1I ""it +as so)e parti.uar 1ind of fish> 'ut
I .an"t re)e)'er +hat no+/ A heap of ; no+ +hat +as itA 0ot any
of the fish you send to ta'e/ Woud it 'e a per.h no+ ; or pi1eA
0o/ It didn"t 'egin +ith a P/J
"$orothy aso re.aed that her )aster had )entioned so)e
spe.ia 1ind of fish/ JSo)e outandish 1ind of fish it +as>"" she
said/
"JA pie of ; no+ +hat +as itAJ
"J$id he say heap or pieAJ I as1ed/
"JI thin1 he said pie/ %ut there> I reay .an"t 'e sure ; it"s so hard
to re)e)'er the a.tua +ords> isn"t it> Miss> espe.iay +hen they
don"t see) to )a1e sense/ %ut no+ I .o)e to thin1 of it> I a)
pretty sure that it +as a pie> and the fish 'egan +ith CI 'ut it
+asn"t a .od or a .rayfish/J
"The neBt part is +here I a) reay proud of )ysef>" said Miss
Marpe> "'e.ause> of .ourse> I don"t 1no+ anything a'out drugs ;
nasty> dangerous things I .a the)/ I have got an od re.ipe of )y
grand)other"s for tansy tea that is +orth any a)ount of your
drugs/ %ut I 1ne+ that there +ere severa )edi.a vou)es in the
house> and in one of the) there +as an indeB of drugs/ @ou see>
)y idea +as that ,eoffrey had ta1en so)e parti.uar poison> and
+as trying to say the na)e of it/
"We> I oo1ed do+n the ist of !"s> 'eginning !e/ 0othing there
that sounded i1eyI then I 'egan on the P"s> and a)ost at on.e I
.a)e to ; +hat do you thin1A"
She oo1ed round> postponing her )o)ent of triu)ph/
"Pio.arpine/ Can"t you understand a )an +ho .oud hardy spea1
trying to drag that +ord outA What +oud that sound i1e to a
.oo1 +ho had never heard the +ordA Woudn"t it .onvey the
i)pression Jpie of .arpJA"
"%y *oveG" said Sir !enry/
"I shoud never have hit upon that>" said $r Pender/
"Most interesting>" said Mr Petheri.1/ "&eay )ost interesting/"
"I turned 8ui.1y to the page indi.ated in the indeB/ I read a'out
pio.arpine and its effe.t on the eyes and other things that didn"t
see) to have any 'earing on the .ase> 'ut at ast I .a)e to a
)ost signifi.ant phraseH !as 'een tried +ith su..ess as an
antidote for atropine poisoning/
"I .an"t te you the ight that da+ned upon )e then/ I never had
thought it i1ey that ,eoffrey $en)an +oud .o))it sui.ide/ 0o>
this ne+ soution +as not ony possi'e> 'ut I +as a'soutey sure
it +as the .orre.t one> 'e.ause a the pie.es fitted in ogi.ay/"
"I a) not going to try to guess>" said &ay)ond/ ",o on/ Aunt *ane>
and te us +hat +as so startingy .ear to you/"
"I don"t 1no+ anything a'out )edi.ine> of .ourse>" said Miss
Marpe> "'ut I did happen to 1no+ this> that +hen )y eyesight +as
faiing> the do.tor ordered )e drops +ith atropine suphate in
the)/ I +ent straight upstairs to od Mr $en)an"s roo)/ I didn"t
'eat a'out the 'ush/
"JMr $en)an>J I said> JI 1no+ everything/ Why did you poison
your sonAJ
"!e oo1ed at )e for a )inute or t+o ; rather a handso)e od )an
he +as> in his +ay ; and then he 'urst out aughing/ It +as one of
the )ost vi.ious aughs I have ever heard/ I .an assure you it
)ade )y fesh .reep/ I had ony heard anything i1e it on.e
'efore> +hen poor Mrs *ones +ent off her head/
"J@es>J he said> JI got even +ith ,eoffrey/ I +as too .ever for
,eoffrey/ !e +as going to put )e a+ay> +as heA !ave )e shut
up in an asyu)A I heard the) ta1ing a'out it/ Ma'e is a good
gir ; Ma'e stu.1 up for )e> 'ut I 1ne+ she +oudn"t 'e a'e to
stand up against ,eoffrey/ In the end he +oud have his o+n +ayI
he a+ays did/ %ut I setted hi) ; I setted )y 1ind> oving sonG !a>
haG I .rept do+n in the night/ It +as 8uite easy/ %re+ster +as
a+ay/ My dear son +as aseepI he had a gass of +ater 'y the
side of his 'edI he a+ays +o1e up in the )idde of the night and
dran1 it off/ I poured it a+ay ; ha> haG ; and I e)ptied the 'otte of
eyedrops into the gass/ !e +oud +a1e up and s+i it do+n
'efore he 1ne+ +hat it +as/ There +as ony a ta'e;spoonfu of it
; 8uite enough> 8uite enough/ And so he didG They .a)e to )e in
the )orning and 'ro1e it to )e very genty/ They +ere afraid it
+oud upset )e/ !aG !aG !aG !aG !aGJ
"We>" said Miss Marpe> "that is the end of the story/ <f .ourse>
the poor od )an +as put in an asyu)/ !e +asn"t reay
responsi'e for +hat he had done> and the truth +as 1no+n> and
everyone +as sorry for Ma'e and .oud not do enough to )a1e
up to her for the unDust suspi.ions they had had/ %ut if it hadn"t
'een for ,eoffrey reai?ing +hat the stuff +as he had s+ao+ed
and trying to get every'ody to get hod of the antidote +ithout
deay> it )ight never have 'een found out/ I 'eieve there are very
definite sy)pto)s +ith atropine ; diated pupis of the eyes> and
a thatI 'ut> of .ourse> as I have said> $r &a+inson +as very
shortsighted> poor od )an/ And in the sa)e )edi.a 'oo1 +hi.h
I +ent on reading ; and so)e of it +as )ost interesting ; it gave
the sy)pto)s of pto)aine poisoning and atropine> and they are
not uni1e/ %ut I .an assure you I have never seen a pie of fresh
haddo.1 +ithout thin1ing of the thu)' )ar1 of St Peter/"
There +as a very ong pause/
"My dear friend>" said Mr Petheri.1/ "My very dear friend> you
reay are a)a?ing/"
"I sha re.o))end S.otand @ard to .o)e to you for advi.e>" said
Sir !enry/
"We> at a events> Aunt *ane>" said &ay)ond> "there is one thing
that you don"t 1no+/"
"<h> yes> I do> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "It happened Dust 'efore
dinner> didn"t itA When you too1 *oy.e out to ad)ire the sunset/ It
is a very favourite pa.e> that/ There 'y the Das)ine hedge/ That
is +here the )i1)an as1ed Annie if he .oud put up the 'anns/"
"$ash it a> Aunt *ane>" said &ay)ond> "don"t spoi a the
ro)an.e/ *oy.e and I aren"t i1e the )i1)an and Annie/"
"That is +here you )a1e a )ista1e> dear>" said Miss Marpe/
"(very'ody is very )u.h ai1e> reay/ %ut fortunatey> perhaps>
they don"t reai?e it/"
The %ue ,eraniu)
"When I +as do+n here ast year ;" said Sir !enry Cithering> and
stopped/
!is hostess> Mrs %antry> oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
The (B;Co))issioner of S.otand @ard +as staying +ith od
friends of his> Coone and Mrs %antry> +ho ived near St Mary
Mead/
Mrs %antry> pen in hand> had Dust as1ed his advi.e as to +ho
shoud 'e invited to )a1e a siBth guest at dinner that evening/
"@esA" said Mrs %antry en.ouragingy/ "When you +ere here ast
yearA"
"Te )e>" said Sir !enry> "do you 1no+ a Miss MarpeA"
Mrs %antry +as surprised/ It +as the ast thing she had eBpe.ted/
"-no+ Miss MarpeA Who doesn"tG The typi.a od )aid of fi.tion/
4uite a dear> 'ut hopeessy 'ehind the ti)es/ $o you )ean you
+oud i1e )e to as1 her to dinnerA"
"@ou are surprisedA"
"A itte> I )ust .onfess/ I shoud hardy have thought you ; 'ut
perhaps there"s an eBpanationA"
"The eBpanation is si)pe enough/ When I +as do+n here ast
year +e got into the ha'it of dis.ussing unsoved )ysteries ;
there +ere five or siB of us ; &ay)ond West> the noveist> started
it/ We ea.h suppied a story to +hi.h +e 1ne+ the ans+er> 'ut
no'ody ese did/ It +as supposed to 'e an eBer.ise in the
dedu.tive fa.uties ; to see +ho .oud get nearest the truth/"
"WeA"
"#i1e in the od story ; +e hardy reai?ed that Miss Marpe +as
payingI 'ut +e +ere very poite a'out it ; didn"t +ant to hurt the
od dear"s feeings/ And no+ .o)es the .rea) of the Dest/ The od
ady outdid us every ti)eG"
"WhatA"
"I assure you ; straight to the truth i1e a ho)ing pigeon/"
"%ut ho+ eBtraordinaryG Why> dear od Miss Marpe has hardy
ever 'een out of St Mary Mead/"
"AhG %ut a..ording to her> that has given her uni)ited
opportunities of o'serving hu)an nature ; under the )i.ros.ope
as it +ere/"
"I suppose there"s so)ething in that>" .on.eded Mrs %antry/ "<ne
+oud at east 1no+ the petty side of peope/ %ut I don"t thin1 +e
have any reay eB.iting .ri)inas in our )idst/ I thin1 +e )ust try
her +ith Arthur"s ghost story after dinner/ I"d 'e than1fu if she"d
find a soution to that/"
"I didn"t 1no+ that Arthur 'eieved in ghostsA"
"<hG he doesn"t/ That"s +hat +orries hi) so/ And it happened to a
friend of his> ,eorge Prit.hard ; a )ost prosai. person/ It"s reay
rather tragi. for poor ,eorge/ (ither this eBtraordinary story is
true ; or ese ; "
"<r ese +hatA"
Mrs %antry did not ans+er/ After a )inute or t+o she said
irreevantyH
"@ou 1no+> I i1e ,eorge ; everyone does/ <ne .an"t 'eieve that
he ; 'ut peope do do su.h eBtraordinary things/"
Sir !enry nodded/ !e 1ne+> 'etter than Mrs %antry> the
eBtraordinary things that peope did/
So it .a)e a'out that that evening Mrs %antry oo1ed round her
dinner ta'e 9shivering a itte as she did so> 'e.ause the diningroo)>
i1e )ost (ngish dining;roo)s> +as eBtre)ey .od: and
fiBed her ga?e on the very upright od ady sitting on her
hus'and"s right/ Miss Marpe +ore 'a.1 a.e )ittensI an od a.e
fi.hu +as draped round her shouders and another pie.e of a.e
sur)ounted her +hite hair/ She +as ta1ing ani)atedy to the
edery do.tor> $r #oyd> a'out the Wor1house and the suspe.ted
short.o)ings of the $istri.t 0urse/
Mrs %antry )arveed ane+/ She even +ondered +hether Sir
!enry had 'een )a1ing an ea'orate Do1e ; 'ut there see)ed no
point in that/ In.redi'e that +hat he had said .oud 'e reay
true/
!er gan.e +ent on and rested affe.tionatey on her red;fa.ed>
'road;shoudered hus'and as he sat ta1ing horses to *ane
!eier> the 'eautifu and popuar a.tress/ *ane> )ore 'eautifu 9if
that +ere possi'e: off the stage than on> opened enor)ous 'ue
eyes and )ur)ured at dis.reet intervasH "&eayA" "<h fan.yG"
"!o+ eBtraordinaryG" She 1ne+ nothing +hatever a'out horses
and .ared ess/
"Arthur>" said Mrs %antry> "you"re 'oring poor *ane to distra.tion/
#eave horses aone and te her your ghost story instead/ @ou
1no+/// ,eorge Prit.hard/"
"(h> $oyA <hG 'ut I don"t 1no+; "
"Sir !enry +ants to hear it too/ I +as teing hi) so)ething a'out
it this )orning/ It +oud 'e interesting to hear +hat everyone has
to say a'out it/"
"<h doG" said *ane/ "I ove ghost stories/"
"We ; " Coone %antry hesitated/ "I"ve never 'eieved )u.h in the
supernatura/ %ut this ;
"I don"t thin1 any of you 1no+ ,eorge Prit.hard/ !e"s one of the
'est/ !is +ife ; +e> she"s dead no+> poor +o)an/ I" Dust say this
)u.hH she didn"t give ,eorge any too easy a ti)e +hen she +as
aive/ She +as one of those se)i;invaids ; I 'eieve she had reay
so)ething +rong +ith her> 'ut +hatever it +as she payed it for
a it +as +orth/ She +as .apri.ious> eBa.ting> unreasona'e/ She
.o)pained fro) )orning to night/ ,eorge +as eBpe.ted to +ait
on her hand and foot and everything he did +as a+ays +rong
and he got .ursed for it/ Most )en> I") fuy .onvin.ed> +oud
have hit her over the head +ith a hat.het ong ago/ (h> $oy> isn"t
that soA"
"She +as a dreadfu +o)an>" said Mrs %antry +ith .onvi.tion/ "If
,eorge Prit.hard had 'rained her +ith a hat.het and there had
'een any +o)an on the Dury> he +oud have 'een triu)phanty
a.8uitted/"
"I don"t 8uite 1no+ ho+ this 'usiness started/ ,eorge +as rather
vague a'out it/ I gather Mrs Prit.hard had a+ays had a
+ea1ness for fortune teers> pa)ists> .airvoyants ; anything of
that sort/ ,eorge didn"t )ind/ If she found a)use)ent in it> +e
and good/ %ut he refused to go into rhapsodies hi)sef> and that
+as another grievan.e/
"A su..ession of hospita nurses +as a+ays passing through the
house> Mrs Prit.hard usuay 'e.o)ing dissatisfied +ith the)
after a fe+ +ee1s/ <ne young nurse had 'een very 1een on this
fortune teing stunt> and for a ti)e Mrs Prit.hard had 'een very
fond of her/ Then she suddeny fe out +ith her and insisted on
her going/ She had 'a.1 another nurse +ho had 'een +ith her
previousy ; an oder +o)an> eBperien.ed and ta.tfu in deaing
+ith a neuroti. patient/ 0urse Coping> a..ording to ,eorge> +as
a very good sort ; a sensi'e +o)an to ta1 to/ She put up +ith
Mrs Prit.hard"s tantru)s and nervestor)s +ith .o)pete
indifferen.e/
"Mrs Prit.hard a+ays un.hed upstairs> and it +as usua at un.h
ti)e for ,eorge and the nurse to .o)e to so)e arrange)ent for
the afternoon/ Stri.ty spea1ing> the nurse +ent off fro) t+o to
four> 'ut "to o'ige" as the phrase goes> she +oud so)eti)es
ta1e her ti)e off after tea if ,eorge +anted to 'e free for the
afternoon/ <n this o..asion> she )entioned that she +as going to
see a sister at ,oders ,reen and )ight 'e a itte ate returning/
,eorge"s fa.e fe> for he had arranged to pay a round of gof/
0urse Coping> ho+ever> reassured hi)/
"JWe" neither of us 'e )issed> Mr Prit.hard/J A t+in1e .a)e into
her eye/ JMrs Prit.hard"s going to have )ore eB.iting .o)pany
than ours/J
"JWho"s thatAJ
"JWait a )inute>J 0urse Coping"s eyes t+in1ed )ore than ever/
J#et )e get it right/ Varida> Psy.hi. &eader of the Future/J
"J<h #ordGJ groaned ,eorge/ JThat"s a ne+ one> isn"t itAJ
"J4uite ne+/ I 'eieve )y prede.essor> 0urse Carstairs> sent her
aong/ Mrs Prit.hard hasn"t seen her yet/ She )ade )e +rite>
fiBing an appoint)ent for this afternoon/J
"JWe> at any rate> I sha get )y gof>J said ,eorge> and he +ent
off +ith the 1indiest feeings to+ards Varida> the &eader of the
Future/
"<n his return to the house> he found Mrs Prit.hard in a state of
great agitation/ She +as> as usua> ying on her invaid .ou.h> and
she had a 'otte of s)eing sats in her hand +hi.h she sniffed at
fre8uent intervas/
"J,eorge>J she eB.ai)ed/ JWhat did I te you a'out this houseA
The )o)ent I .a)e into it> I fet there +as so)ething +rongG
$idn"t I te you so at the ti)eAJ
"&epressing his desire to repy> J@ou a+ays do>J ,eorge said>
J0o> I .an"t say I re)e)'er it/J
"J@ou never do re)e)'er anything that has to do +ith )e/ Men
are a eBtraordinariy .aous ; 'ut I reay 'eieve that you are
even )ore insensitive than )ost/J
"J<h> .o)e no+> Mary dear> that"s not fair/J
"JWe> as I +as teing you> this +o)an 1ne+ at on.eG She ; she
a.tuay 'en.hed ; if you 1no+ +hat I )ean ; as she .a)e in at
the door> and she saidH JThere is evi here ; evi and danger/ I fee
it/"J
"7ery un+isey ,eorge aughed/
"JWe> you have had your )oney"s +orth this afternoon/J
"!is +ife .osed her eyes and too1 a ong sniff fro) her s)eing
'otte/
"J!o+ you hate )eG @ou +oud Deer and augh if I +ere dying/J
J,eorge protested and after a )inute or t+o she +ent on/
"J@ou )ay augh> 'ut I sha te you the +hoe thing/ This house is
definitey dangerous to )e ; the +o)an said so/J
",eorge"s for)ery 1ind feeing to+ards Varida under+ent a
.hange/ !e 1ne+ his +ife +as perfe.ty .apa'e of insisting on
)oving to a ne+ house if the .apri.e got hod of her/
"JWhat ese did she sayAJ he as1ed/
"JShe .oudn"t te )e very )u.h/ She +as so upset/ <ne thing
she did say/ I had so)e vioets in a gass/ She pointed at the)
and .ried outH
"JTa1e those a+ay/ 0o 'ue fo+ers ; never have 'ue fo+ers/
%ue fo+ers are fata to you ; re)e)'er that/J"
"JAnd you 1no+>J added Mrs Prit.hard> JI a+ays have tod you
that 'ue as a .oour is repeent to )e/ I fee a natura instin.tive
sort of +arning against it/J
",eorge +as )u.h too +ise to re)ar1 that he had never heard
her say so 'efore/ Instead he as1ed +hat the )ysterious Varida
+as i1e/ Mrs Prit.hard entered +ith gusto upon a des.ription/
"J%a.1 hair in .oied 1no's over her ears ; her eyes +ere haf
.osed ; great 'a.1 ri)s round the) ; she had a 'a.1 vei over
her )outh and .hin ; and she spo1e in a 1ind of singing voi.e +ith
a )ar1ed foreign a..ent ; Spanish> I thin1 ; J
"JIn fa.t a the usua sto.1;in;trade>J said ,eorge .heerfuy/
"!is +ife i))ediatey .osed her eyes/
"JI fee eBtre)ey i>J she said/ J&ing for nurse/ 2n1indness
upsets )e> as you 1no+ ony too +e/J
"It +as t+o days ater that 0urse Coping .a)e to ,eorge +ith a
grave fa.e/
"JWi you .o)e to Mrs Prit.hard> pease/ She has had a etter
+hi.h upsets her greaty/J
"!e found his +ife +ith the etter in her hand/ She hed it out to
hi)/
"J&ead it>J she said/
",eorge read it/ It +as on heaviy s.ented paper> and the +riting
+as 'ig and 'a.1/
"I have seen the future/ %e +arned 'efore it is too ate/ %e+are of
the Fu Moon/ The %ue Pri)rose )eans WarningI the %ue
!oyho.1 )eans $angerI the %ue ,eraniu) )eans $eath///
"*ust a'out to 'urst out aughing> ,eorge .aught 0urse Coping"s
eye/ She )ade a 8ui.1 +arning gesture/ !e said rather
a+1+ardy> JThe +o)an"s pro'a'y trying to frighten you> Mary/
Any+ay there aren"t su.h things as 'ue pri)roses and 'ue
geraniu)s/J
"%ut Mrs Prit.hard 'egan to .ry and say her days +ere
nu)'ered/ 0urse Coping .a)e out +ith ,eorge upon the
anding/
"J<f a the siy to)fooery>J he 'urst out/
"JI suppose it is/J
"So)ething in the nurse"s tone stru.1 hi)> and he stared at her in
a)a?e)ent/
"JSurey> nurse> you don"t 'eieve ; J
"J0o> no> Mr Prit.hard/ I don"t 'eieve in reading the future ; that"s
nonsense/ What pu??es )e is the )eaning of this/ Fortune;teers
are usuay out for +hat they .an get/ %ut this +o)an see)s to 'e
frightening Mrs Prit.hard +ith no advantage to hersef/ I .an"t see
the point/ There"s another thing ; J
"J@esAJ
"JMrs Pri.hard says that so)ething a'out Varida +as fainty
fa)iiar to her/J
"JWeAJ
"JWe> I don"t i1e it> Mr Prit.hard> that"s a/J
"JI didn"t 1no+ you +ere so superstitious> nurse/J
"JI") not superstitiousI 'ut I 1no+ +hen a thing is fishy/J
"It +as a'out four days after this that the first in.ident happened/
To eBpain it to you> I sha have to des.ri'e Mrs Prit.hard"s roo)
; "
"@ou"d 'etter et )e do that>" interrupted Mrs %antry/ "It +as
papered +ith one of those ne+ +apapers +here you appy
.u)ps of fo+ers to )a1e a 1ind of her'a.eous 'order/ The
effe.t is a)ost i1e 'eing in a garden ; though> of .ourse> the
fo+ers are a +rong/ I )ean they si)py .oudn"t 'e in 'oo) a
at the sa)e ti)e ; "
"$on"t et a passion for horti.utura a..ura.y run a+ay +ith you>
$oy>" said her hus'and/ "We a 1no+ you"re an enthusiasti.
gardener/"
"We> it is a'surd>" protested Mrs %antry/ "To have 'ue'es and
daffodis and upins and hoyho.1s and Mi.hae)as daisies a
grouped together/"
"Most uns.ientifi.>" said Sir !enry/ "%ut to pro.eed +ith the story/"
"We> a)ong these )assed fo+ers +ere pri)roses> .u)ps of
yeo+ and pin1 pri)roses and ; oh go on> Arthur> this is your
story ; "
Coone %antry too1 up the tae/
"Mrs Prit.hard rang her 'e vioenty one )orning/ The househod
.a)e running ; thought she +as in eBtre)isI not at a/ She +as
vioenty eB.ited and pointing at the +apaperI and there sure
enough +as one 'ue pri)rose in the )idst of the others/// "
"<hG" said Miss !eier> "ho+ .reepyG"
"The 8uestion +asH !adn"t the 'ue pri)rose a+ays 'een thereA
That +as ,eorge"s suggestion and the nurse"s/ %ut Mrs Prit.hard
+oudn"t have it at any pri.e/ She had never noti.ed it ti that
very )orning and the night 'efore had 'een fu )oon/ She +as
very upset a'out it/"
"I )et ,eorge Prit.hard that sa)e day and he tod )e a'out it>"
said Mrs %antry/ "I +ent to see Mrs Prit.hard and did )y 'est to
ridi.ue the +hoe thingI 'ut +ithout su..ess/ I .a)e a+ay reay
.on.erned> and I re)e)'er I )et *ean Insto+ and tod her a'out
it/ *ean is a 8ueer gir/ She said> JSo she"s reay upset a'out itAJ I
tod her that I thought the +o)an +as perfe.ty .apa'e of dying
of fright ; she +as reay a'nor)ay superstitious/
"I re)e)'er *ean rather started )e +ith +hat she said neBt/ She
said> JWe> that )ight 'e a for the 'est> )ightn"t itAJ And she
said it so .ooy> in so )atter;of;fa.t a tone that I +as reay ; +e>
sho.1ed/ <f .ourse I 1no+ it"s done no+adays ; to 'e 'ruta and
outspo1enI 'ut I never get used to it/ *ean s)ied at )e rather
oddy and said> J@ou don"t i1e )y saying that ; 'ut it"s true/ What
use is Mrs Prit.hard"s ife to herA 0one at aI and it"s he for
,eorge Prit.hard/ To have his +ife frightened out of eBisten.e
+oud 'e the 'est thing that .oud happen to hi)/J I said>
J,eorge is )ost a+fuy good to her a+ays/J And she said> J@es>
he deserves a re+ard> poor dear/ !e"s a very attra.tive person>
,eorge Prit.hard/ The ast nurse thought so ; the pretty one ;
+hat +as her na)eA Carstairs/ That +as the .ause of the ro+
'et+een her and Mrs P/J
"0o+ I didn"t i1e hearing *ean say that/ <f .ourse one had
+ondered ; "
Mrs %antry paused signifi.anty/
"@es> dear>" said Miss Marpe pa.idy/ "<ne a+ays does/ Is Miss
Insto+ a pretty girA I suppose she pays gofA"
"@es/ She"s good at a ga)es/ And she"s ni.e oo1ing> attra.tiveoo1ing>
very fair +ith a heathy s1in> and ni.e steady 'ue eyes/
<f .ourse +e a+ays have fet that she and ,eorge Prit.hard ; I
)ean if things had 'een different ; they are so +e suited to one
another/"
"And they +ere friendsA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"<h yes/ ,reat friends/"
"$o you thin1> $oy>" said Coone %antry paintivey> "that I )ight
'e ao+ed to go on +ith )y storyA"
"Arthur>" said Mrs %antry resignedy> "+ants to get 'a.1 to his
ghosts/"
"I had the rest of the story fro) ,eorge hi)sef>" +ent on the
.oone/ "There"s no dou't that Mrs Prit.hard got the +ind up
'ady to+ards the end of the neBt )onth/ She )ar1ed off on a
.aendar the day +hen the )oon +oud 'e fu> and on that night
she had 'oth the nurse and then ,eorge into her roo) and )ade
the) study the +apaper .arefuy/ There +ere pin1 hoyho.1s
and red ones> 'ut there +ere no 'ue a)ongst the)/ Then +hen
,eorge eft the roo) she o.1ed the door ; "
"And in the )orning there +as a arge 'ue hoyho.1>" said Miss
!eier Doyfuy/
"4uite right>" said Coone %antry/ "<r at any rate> neary right/
<ne fo+er of a hoyho.1 Dust a'ove her head had turned 'ue/ It
staggered ,eorgeI and of .ourse the )ore it staggered hi) the
)ore he refused to ta1e the thing seriousy/ !e insisted that the
+hoe thing +as so)e 1ind of pra.ti.a Do1e/ !e ignored the
eviden.e of the o.1ed door and the fa.t that Mrs Prit.hard
dis.overed the .hange 'efore anyone ; even 0urse Coping ; +as
ad)itted/
"It staggered ,eorgeI and it )ade hi) unreasona'e/ !is +ife
+anted to eave the house> and he +oudn"t et her/ !e +as
in.ined to 'eieve in the supernatura for the first ti)e> 'ut he
+asn"t going to ad)it it/ !e usuay gave in to his +ife> 'ut this
ti)e he +oudn"t/ Mary +as not to )a1e a foo of hersef> he said/
The +hoe thing +as the )ost inferna nonsense/
"And so the neBt )onth sped a+ay/ Mrs Prit.hard )ade ess
protest than one +oud have i)agined/ I thin1 she +as
superstitious enough to 'eieve that she .oudn"t es.ape her fate/
She repeated again and againH JThe 'ue pri)rose ; +arning/ The
'ue hoyho.1 ; danger/ The 'ue geraniu) ; death/J And she
+oud ie oo1ing at the .u)p of pin1y;red geraniu)s nearest her
'ed/
"The +hoe 'usiness +as pretty nervy/ (ven the nurse .aught the
infe.tion/ She .a)e to ,eorge t+o days 'efore fu )oon and
'egged hi) to ta1e Mrs Prit.hard a+ay/ ,eorge +as angry/
"JIf a the fo+ers on that da)ned +a turned into 'ue devis it
.oudn"t 1i anyoneGJ he shouted/
"JIt )ight/ Sho.1 has 1ied peope 'efore no+/J
"J0onsense>J said ,eorge/
,eorge has a+ays 'een a shade pig;headed/ @ou .an"t drive
hi)/ I 'eieve he had a se.ret idea that his +ife +or1ed the
.hanges hersef and that it +as a so)e )or'id hysteri.a pan of
hers/
"We> the fata night .a)e/ Mrs Prit.hard o.1ed the door as
usua/ She +as very .a) ; in a)ost an eBated state of )ind/ The
nurse +as +orried 'y her state ; +anted to give her a sti)uant>
an inDe.tion of stry.hnine> 'ut Mrs Prit.hard refused/ In a +ay> I
'eieve> she +as enDoying hersef/ ,eorge said she +as/"
"I thin1 that"s 8uite possi'e>" said Mrs %antry/ "There )ust have
'een a strange sort of ga)our a'out the +hoe thing/"
"There +as no vioent ringing of a 'e the neBt )orning/ Mrs
Prit.hard usuay +o1e a'out eight/ When> at eight;thirty> there
+as no sign fro) her> nurse rapped oudy on the door/ ,etting
no repy> she fet.hed ,eorge> and insisted on the door 'eing
'ro1en open/ They did so +ith the hep of a .hise/
"<ne oo1 at the sti figure on the 'ed +as enough for 0urse
Coping/ She sent ,eorge to teephone for the do.tor> 'ut it +as
too ate/ Mrs Prit.hard> he said> )ust have 'een dead at east
eight hours/ !er s)eing sats ay 'y her hand on the 'ed> and on
the +a 'eside her one of the pin1y;red geraniu)s +as a 'right
deep 'ue/"
"!orri'e>" said Miss !eier +ith a shiver/
Sir !enry +as fro+ning/
"0o additiona detaisA"
Coone %antry shoo1 his head> 'ut Mrs %antry spo1e 8ui.1y/
"The gas/"
"What a'out the gasA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"When the do.tor arrived there +as a sight s)e of gas> and sure
enough he found the gas ring in the firepa.e very sighty turned
onI 'ut so itte it .oudn"t have )attered/"
"$id Mr Prit.hard and the nurse not noti.e it +hen they first +ent
inA"
"The nurse said she did noti.e a sight s)e/ ,eorge said he
didn"t noti.e gas> 'ut so)ething )ade hi) fee very 8ueer and
over.o)eI 'ut he put that do+n to sho.1 ; and pro'a'y it +as/ At
any rate there +as no 8uestion of gas poisoning/ The s)e +as
s.ar.ey noti.ea'e/"
"And that"s the end of the storyA"
"0o> it isn"t/ <ne +ay and another> there +as a ot of ta1/ The
servants> you see> had overheard things ; had heard> for
instan.e> Mrs Prit.hard teing her hus'and that he hated her and
+oud Deer if she +ere dying/ And aso )ore re.ent re)ar1s/ She
had said one day> apropos of his refusing to eave the houseH
J7ery +e> +hen I a) dead> I hope everyone +i reai?e that you
have 1ied )e/J And as i u.1 +oud have it> he had 'een )iBing
so)e +eed 1ier for the garden paths the day 'efore/ <ne of the
younger servants had seen hi) and had after+ards seen hi)
ta1ing up a gass of hot )i1 for his +ife/
"The ta1 spread and gre+/ The do.tor had given a .ertifi.ate ; I
don"t 1no+ eBa.ty in +hat ter)s ; sho.1> syn.ope> heart faiure>
pro'a'y so)e )edi.a ter)s )eaning nothing )u.h/ !o+ever
the poor ady had not 'een a )onth in her grave 'efore an
eBhu)ation order +as appied for and granted/"
"And the resut of the autopsy +as ni> I re)e)'er>" said Sir !enry
gravey/ "A .ase> for on.e> of s)o1e +ithout fire/"
"The +hoe thing is reay very .urious>" said Mrs %antry/ "That
fortune;teer> for instan.e ; Varida/ At the address +here she
+as supposed to 'e> no one had ever heard of any su.h personG"
"She appeared on.e ; out of the 'ue>" said her hus'and/ "and then
uttery vanished/ <ut of the 'ue ; that"s rather goodG"
"And +hat is )ore>" .ontinued Mrs %antry> "itte 0urse Carstairs>
+ho +as supposed to have re.o))ended her> had never even
heard of her/"
They oo1ed at ea.h other/
"It"s a )ysterious story>" said $r #oyd/ "<ne .an )a1e guessesI
'ut to guess ; "
!e shoo1 his head/
"!as Mr Prit.hard )arried Miss Insto+A" as1ed Miss Marpe in her
gente voi.e/
"0o+ +hy do you as1 thatA" in8uired Sir !enry/
Miss Marpe opened gente 'ue eyes/
"It see)s to )e so i)portant>" she said/ "!ave they )arriedA"
Coone %antry shoo1 his head/
"We ; +e> +e eBpe.ted so)ething of the 1ind ; 'ut it"s eighteen
)onths no+/ I don"t 'eieve they even see )u.h of ea.h other/"
"That is i)portant>" said Miss Marpe/ "7ery i)portant/"
"Then you thin1 the sa)e as I do>" said Mrs %antry/ "@ou thin1 ; "
"0o+> $oy>" said her hus'and/ "It"s unDustifia'e ; +hat you"re
going to say/ @ou .an"t go a'out a..using peope +ithout a
shado+ of proof /"
"$on"t 'e so ; so )any> Arthur/ Men are a+ays afraid to say
anything/ Any+ay> this is a 'et+een ourseves/ It"s Dust a +id
fantasti. idea of )ine that possi'y ; ony possi'y ; *ean Insto+
disguised hersef as a fortune;teer/ Mind you> she )ay have
done it for a Do1e/ I don"t for a )inute thin1 that she )eant any
har)I 'ut if she did do it> and if Mrs Prit.hard +as fooish enough
to die of fright ; +e> that"s +hat Miss Marpe )eant> +asn"t itA"
"0o> dear> not 8uite>" said Miss Marpe/ "@ou see> if I +ere going to
1i anyone ; +hi.h> of .ourse> I +oudn"t drea) of doing for a
)inute> 'e.ause it +oud 'e very +i.1ed> and 'esides I don"t i1e
1iing ; not even +asps> though I 1no+ it has to 'e> and I") sure
the gardener does it as hu)aney as possi'e/ #et )e see> +hat
+as I sayingA"
"If you +ished to 1i anyone>" pro)pted Sir !enry/
"<h yes/ We> if I did> I shoudn"t 'e at a satisfied to trust to
fright/ I 1no+ one reads of peope dying of it> 'ut it see)s a very
un.ertain sort of thing> and the )ost nervous peope are far )ore
'rave than one reay thin1s they are/ I shoud i1e so)ething
definite and .ertain> and )a1e a thoroughy good pan a'out it/"
"Miss Marpe>" said Sir !enry> "you frighten )e/ I hope you +i
never +ish to re)ove )e/ @our pans +oud 'e too good/"
Miss Marpe oo1ed at hi) reproa.hfuy/
"I thought I had )ade it .ear that I +oud never .onte)pate su.h
+i.1edness>" she said/ "0o> I +as trying to put )ysef in the pa.e
of ; er ; a .ertain person/"
"$o you )ean ,eorge Prit.hardA" as1ed Coone %antry/ "I" never
'eieve it of ,eorge ; though ; )ind you> even the nurse 'eieves
it/ I +ent and sa+ her a'out a )onth after+ards> at the ti)e of the
eBhu)ation/ She didn"t 1no+ ho+ it +as done ; in fa.t> she
+oudn"t say anything at a ; 'ut it +as .ear enough that she
'eieved ,eorge to 'e in so)e +ay responsi'e for his +ife"s
death/ She +as .onvin.ed of it/"
"We>" said $r #oyd> "perhaps she +asn"t so far +rong/ And )ind
you> a nurse often 1no+s/ She .an"t say ; she"s got no proof ; 'ut
she 1no+s/"
Sir !enry eant for+ard/
"Co)e no+> Miss Marpe>" he said persuasivey/ "@ou"re ost in a
daydrea)/ Won"t you te us a a'out itA"
Miss Marpe started and turned pin1/
"I 'eg your pardon>" she said/ "I +as Dust thin1ing a'out our
$istri.t 0urse/ A )ost diffi.ut pro'e)/"
"More diffi.ut than the pro'e) of the 'ue geraniu)A"
"It reay depends on the pri)roses>" said Miss Marpe/ "I )ean>
Mrs %antry said they +ere yeo+ and pin1/ If it +as a pin1
pri)rose that turned 'ue> of .ourse> that fits in perfe.ty/ %ut if it
happened to 'e a yeo+ one ; "
"It +as a pin1 one>" said Mrs %antry/
She stared/ They a stared at Miss Marpe/
"Then that see)s to sette it>" said Miss Marpe/ She shoo1 her
head regretfuy/ "And the +asp season and everything/ And of
.ourse the gas/"
"It re)inds you> I suppose> of .ountess viage tragediesA" said
Sir !enry/
"0ot tragedies>" said Miss Marpe/ "And .ertainy nothing .ri)ina/
%ut it does re)ind )e a itte of the trou'e +e are having +ith the
$istri.t 0urse/ After a> nurses are hu)an 'eings> and +hat +ith
having to 'e so .orre.t in their 'ehaviour and +earing those
un.o)forta'e .oars and 'eing so thro+n +ith the fa)iy ; +e>
.an you +onder that things so)eti)es happenA"
A gi))er of ight 'ro1e upon Sir !enry/
"@ou )ean 0urse CarstairsA"
"<h no/ 0ot 0urse Carstairs/ 0urse Coping/ @ou see> she had
'een there 'efore> and very )u.h thro+n +ith Mr Prit.hard> +ho
you say is an attra.tive )an/ I daresay she thought> poor thing ;
+e> +e needn"t go into that/ I don"t suppose she 1ne+ a'out
Miss Insto+> and of .ourse after+ards> +hen she found out> it
turned her against hi) and she tried to do a the har) she .oud/
<f .ourse the etter reay gave her a+ay> didn"t itA"
"What etterA"
"We> she +rote to the fortune;teer at Mrs Prit.hard"s re8uest>
and the fortune;teer .a)e> apparenty in ans+er to the etter/
%ut ater it +as dis.overed that there never had 'een su.h a
person at that address/ So that sho+s that 0urse Coping +as in
it/ She ony pretended to +rite ; so +hat .oud 'e )ore i1ey than
that she +as the fortune teer hersefA"
"I never sa+ the point a'out the etter>" said Sir !enry/ "That"s a
)ost i)portant point> of .ourse/"
"&ather a 'od step to ta1e>" said Miss Marpe> "'e.ause Mrs
Prit.hard )ight have re.ogni?ed her in spite of the disguise ;
though of .ourse if she had> the nurse .oud have pretended it
+as a Do1e/"
"What did you )ean>" said Sir !enry> "+hen you said that if you
+ere a .ertain person you +oud not have trusted to frightA"
"<ne .oudn"t 'e sure that +ay>" said Miss Marpe/ "0o> I thin1 that
the +arnings and the 'ue fo+ers +ere> if I )ay use a )iitary
ter)>" she aughed sef;.ons.iousy ; "Dust .a)oufage/"
"And the rea thingA"
"I 1no+>" said Miss Marpe apoogeti.ay> "that I"ve got +asps on
the 'rain/ Poor things> destroyed in their thousands ; and usuay
on su.h a 'eautifu su))er"s day/ %ut I re)e)'er thin1ing> +hen
I sa+ the gardener sha1ing up the .yanide of potassiu) in a
'otte +ith +ater> ho+ i1e s)eing;sats it oo1ed/ And if it +ere
put in a s)eing;sats 'otte and su'stituted for the rea one ;
+e> the poor ady +as in the ha'it of using her s)eing;sats/
Indeed you said they +ere found 'y her hand/ Then> of .ourse>
+hie Mr Prit.hard +ent to teephone to the do.tor> the nurse
+oud .hange it for the rea 'otte> and she"d Dust turn on the gas
a itte 'it to )as1 any s)e of a)onds and in .ase anyone fet
8ueer> and I a+ays have heard that .yanide eaves no tra.e if
you +ait ong enough/ %ut> of .ourse I )ay 'e +rong> and it )ay
have 'een so)ething entirey different in the 'otteI 'ut that
doesn"t reay )atter> does itA"
Miss Marpe paused> a itte out of 'reath/
*ane !eier eant for+ard and said> "%ut the 'ue geraniu)> and
the other fo+ersA"
"0urses a+ays have it)us paper> don"t theyA" said Miss Marpe>
"for ; +e> for testing/ 0ot a very peasant su'De.t/ We +on"t d+e
on it/ I have done a itte nursing )ysef/" She gre+ dei.atey
pin1/ "%ue turns red +ith a.ids> and red turns 'ue +ith a1ais/
So easy to paste so)e red it)us over a red fo+er ; near the 'ed>
of .ourse/ And then> +hen the poor ady used her s)eing;sats>
the strong a))onia fu)es +oud turn it 'ue/ &eay )ost
ingenious/ <f .ourse> the geraniu) +asn"t 'ue +hen they first
'ro1e into the roo) ; no'ody noti.ed it ti after+ards/ When
nurse .hanged the 'ottes> she hed the sa a))onia. against the
+apaper for a )inute> I eBpe.t/"
"@ou )ight have 'een there> Miss Marpe>" said Sir !enry/
"What +orries )e>" said Miss Marpe> "is poor Mr Prit.hard and
that ni.e gir> Miss Insto+/ Pro'a'y 'oth suspe.ting ea.h other
and 1eeping apart ; and ife so very short/"
She shoo1 her head/
"@ou needn"t +orry>" said Sir !enry/ "As a )atter of fa.t I have
so)ething up )y seeve/ A nurse has 'een arrested on a .harge
of )urdering an edery patient +ho had eft her a ega.y/ It +as
done +ith .yanide of potassiu) su'stituted for s)eing;sats/
0urse Coping trying the sa)e tri.1 again/ Miss Insto+ and Mr
Prit.hard need have no dou'ts as to the truth/"
"0o+ isn"t that ni.eA" .ried Miss Marpe/ "I don"t )ean a'out the
ne+ )urder> of .ourse/ That"s very sad> and sho+s ho+ )u.h
+i.1edness there is in the +ord> and that if on.e you give +ay ;
+hi.h re)inds )e I )ust finish )y itte .onversation +ith $r
#oyd a'out the viage nurse/"
The Co)panion
"0o+> $r #oyd>" said Miss !eier/ "$on"t you 1no+ any .reepy
storiesA"
She s)ied at hi) ; the s)ie that nighty 'e+it.hed the theatregoing
pu'i./ *ane !eier +as so)eti)es .aed the )ost
'eautifu +o)an in (ngand> and Deaous )e)'ers of her o+n
profession +ere in the ha'it of saying to ea.h otherH "<f .ourse
*ane"s not an artist/ She .an"t a.t ; if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ It"s
those eyesG"
And those "eyes" +ere at this )inute fiBed appeaingy on the
gri??ed edery 'a.heor do.tor> +ho> for the ast five years> had
)inistered to the ai)ents of the viage of St Mary Mead/
With an un.ons.ious gesture> the do.tor pued do+n his
+aist.oat 9in.ined of ate to 'e un.o)forta'y tight: and ra.1ed
his 'rains hastiy> so as not to disappoint the ovey .reature +ho
addressed hi) so .onfidenty/
"I fee>" said *ane drea)iy> "that I +oud i1e to +ao+ in .ri)e
this evening/"
"Spendid>" said Coone %antry> her host/ "Spendid> spendid/"
And he aughed a oud hearty )iitary augh/ "(h> $oyA"
!is +ife> hastiy re.aed to the eBigen.ies of so.ia ife 9she had
'een panning her spring 'order: agreed enthusiasti.ay/
"<f .ourse it"s spendid>" she said heartiy 'ut vaguey/ "I a+ays
thought so/"
"$id you> )y dearA" said od Miss Marpe> and her eyes t+in1ed a
itte/
"We don"t get )u.h in the .reepy ine ; and sti ess in the .ri)ina
ine ; in St Mary Mead> you 1no+> Miss !eier>" said $r #oyd/
"@ou surprise )e>" said Sir !enry Cithering/ The eB;
Co))issioner of S.otand @ard turned to Miss Marpe/ "I a+ays
understood fro) our friend here that St Mary Mead is a positive
hot'ed of .ri)e and vi.e/"
"<h> Sir !enryG" protested Miss Marpe> a spot of .oour .o)ing
into her .hee1s/ "I") sure I never said anything of the 1ind/ The
ony thing I ever said +as that hu)an nature is )u.h the sa)e in
a viage as any+here ese> ony one has opportunities and eisure
for seeing it at .oser 8uarters/"
"%ut you haven"t a+ays ived here>" said *ane !eier> sti
addressing the do.tor/ "@ou"ve 'een in a sorts of 8ueer pa.es
a over the +ord ; pa.es +here things happenG"
"That is so> of .ourse>" said $r #oyd> sti thin1ing desperatey/
"@es> of .ourse/// @es/// AhG I have itG"
!e san1 'a.1 +ith a sigh of reief/
"It is so)e years ago no+ ; I had a)ost forgotten/ %ut the fa.ts
+ere reay very strange ; very strange indeed/ And the fina
.oin.iden.e +hi.h put the .ue into )y hand +as strange aso/"
Miss !eier dre+ her .hair a itte nearer to hi)> appied so)e
ipsti.1 and +aited eBpe.tanty/ The others aso turned interested
fa.es to+ards hi)/
"I don"t 1no+ +hether any of you 1no+ the Canary Isands>" 'egan
the do.tor/
"They )ust 'e +onderfu>" said *ane !eier/ "They"re in the South
Seas> aren"t theyA <r is it the MediterraneanA"
"I"ve .aed in there on )y +ay to South Afri.a>" said the .oone/
"The Pea1 of Tenerife is a fine sight +ith the setting sun on it/"
"The in.ident I a) des.ri'ing happened in the isand of ,rand
Canary> not Tenerife/ It is a good )any years ago no+/ I had had
a 'rea1do+n in heath and +as for.ed to give up )y pra.ti.e in
(ngand and go a'road/ I pra.tised in #as Pa)as> +hi.h is the
prin.ipa to+n of ,rand Canary/ In )any +ays I enDoyed the ife
out there very )u.h/ The .i)ate +as )id and sunny> there +as
eB.eent surf 'athing 9and I a) an enthusiasti. 'ather: and the
sea ife of the port attra.ted )e/ Ships fro) a over the +ord put
in at #as Pa)as/ I used to +a1 aong the )oe every )orning far
)ore interested than any )e)'er of the fair seB .oud 'e in a
street of hat shops/
"As I say> ships fro) a over the +ord put in at #as Pa)as/
So)eti)es they stay a fe+ hours> so)eti)es a day or t+o/ In the
prin.ipa hote there> the Metropoe> you +i see peope of a
ra.es and nationaities ; 'irds of passage/ (ven the peope going
to Tenerife usuay .o)e here and stay a fe+ days 'efore
.rossing to the other isand/
"My story 'egins there> in the Metropoe !ote> one Thursday
evening in *anuary/ There +as a dan.e going on and I and a
friend had 'een sitting at a s)a ta'e +at.hing the s.ene/ There
+ere a fair sprin1ing of (ngish and other nationaities> 'ut the
)aDority of the dan.ers +ere SpanishI and +hen the or.hestra
stru.1 up a tango> ony haf a do?en .oupes of the atter
nationaity too1 the foor/ They a dan.ed +e and +e oo1ed on
and ad)ired/ <ne +o)an in parti.uar eB.ited our ivey
ad)iration/ Ta> 'eautifu and sinuous> she )oved +ith the gra.e
of a haf;ta)ed eopardess/ There +as so)ething dangerous
a'out her/ I said as )u.h to )y friend and he agreed/
"JWo)en i1e that>J he said> "are 'ound to have a history/ #ife +i
not pass the) 'y/"
"J%eauty is perhaps a dangerous possession>J I said/
"JIt"s not ony 'eauty>J he insisted/ JThere is so)ething ese/ #oo1
at her again/ Things are 'ound to happen to that +o)an> or
'e.ause of her/ As I said> ife +i not pass her 'y/ Strange and
eB.iting events +i surround her/ @ou"ve ony got to oo1 at her to
1no+ it/J
"!e paused and then added +ith a s)ieH
"J*ust as you"ve ony got to oo1 at those t+o +o)en over there>
and 1no+ that nothing out of the +ay .oud ever happen to either
of the)G They are )ade for a safe and uneventfu eBisten.e/J
"I foo+ed his eyes/ The t+o +o)en he referred to +ere
traveers +ho had Dust arrived ; a !oand #oyd 'oat had put into
port that evening> and the passengers +ere Dust 'eginning to
arrive/
"As I oo1ed at the) I sa+ at on.e +hat )y friend )eant/ They
+ere t+o (ngish adies ; the thoroughy ni.e traveing (ngish
that you do find a'road/ Their ages> I shoud say> +ere round
a'out forty/ <ne +as fair and a itte ; Dust a itte ; too pu)pI the
other +as dar1 and a itte ; again Dust a itte ; in.ined to
s.ragginess/ They +ere +hat is .aed +e;preserved> 8uiety
and in.onspi.uousy dressed in +e;.ut t+eeds> and inno.ent of
any 1ind of )a1e;up/ They had that air of 8uiet assuran.e +hi.h
is the 'irthright of +e;'red (ngish+o)en/ There +as nothing
re)ar1a'e a'out either of the)/ They +ere i1e thousands of
their sisters/ They +oud dou'tess see +hat they +ished to see>
assisted 'y %aede1er> and 'e 'ind to everything ese/ They
+oud use the (ngish i'rary and attend the (ngish Chur.h in
any pa.e they happened to 'e> and it +as 8uite i1ey that one or
'oth of the) s1et.hed a itte/ And> as )y friend said> nothing
eB.iting or re)ar1a'e +oud ever happen to either of the)>
though they )ight 8uite i1ey trave haf over the +ord/ I oo1ed
fro) the) 'a.1 to our sinuous Spanish +o)an +ith her haf.osed
s)oudering eyes and I s)ied/"
"Poor things>" said *ane !eier +ith a sigh/ "%ut I do thin1 it"s so
siy of peope not to )a1e the )ost of the)seves/ That +o)an in
%ond Street ; 7aentine ; is reay +onderfu/ Audrey $en)an
goes to herI and have you seen her in JThe $o+n+ard StepJA As
the s.hoogir in the first a.t she"s reay )arveous/ And yet
Audrey is fifty if she"s a day/ As a )atter of fa.t I happen to 1no+
she"s reay nearer siBty/"
",o on>" said Mrs %antry to $r #oyd/ "I ove stories a'out sinuous
Spanish dan.ers/ It )a1es )e forget ho+ od and fat I a)/"
"I") sorry>" said $r #oyd apoogeti.ay/ "%ut you see> as a )atter
of fa.t> this story isn"t a'out the Spanish +o)an/"
"It isn"tA"
"0o/ As it happens )y friend and I +ere +rong/ 0othing in the
east eB.iting happened to the Spanish 'eauty/ She )arried a
.er1 in a shipping offi.e> and 'y the ti)e I eft the isand she had
had five .hidren and +as getting very fat/"
"*ust i1e that gir of Israe Peters>" .o))ented Miss Marpe/ "The
one +ho +ent on the stage and had su.h good egs that they
)ade her prin.ipa 'oy in the panto)i)e/ (veryone said she"d
.o)e to no good> 'ut she )arried a .o))er.ia traveer and
setted do+n spendidy/"
"The viage parae>" )ur)ured Sir !enry softy/
"0o>" +ent on the do.tor/ "My story is a'out the t+o (ngish
adies/"
"So)ething happened to the)A" 'reathed Miss !eier/
"So)ething happened to the) ; and the very neBt day> too/"
"@esA" said Mrs %antry en.ouragingy/
"*ust for .uriosity> as I +ent out that evening I gan.ed at the
hote register/ I found the na)es easiy enough/ Miss Mary %arton
and Miss A)y $urrant of #itte Paddo.1s> Caughton Weir> %u.1s/
I itte thought then ho+ soon I +as to en.ounter the o+ners of
those na)es again ; and under +hat tragi. .ir.u)stan.es/
"The foo+ing day I had arranged to go for a pi.ni. +ith so)e
friends/ We +ere to )otor a.ross the isand> ta1ing our un.h> to
a pa.e .aed 9as far as I re)e)'er ; it is so ong ago: #as
0ieves> a +e;shetered 'ay +here +e .oud 'athe if +e fet
in.ined/ This progra))e +e duy .arried out> eB.ept that +e
+ere so)e+hat ate in starting> so that +e stopped on the +ay
and pi.ni.1ed> going on to #as 0ieves after+ards for a 'athe
'efore tea/
"As +e approa.hed the 'ea.h> +e +ere at on.e a+are of a
tre)endous .o))otion/ The +hoe popuation of the s)a viage
see)ed to 'e gathered on the shore/ As soon as they sa+ us they
rushed to+ards the .ar and 'egan eBpaining eB.itedy/ <ur
Spanish not 'eing very good> it too1 )e a fe+ )inutes to
understand> 'ut at ast I got it/
"T+o of the )ad (ngish adies had gone in to 'athe> and one had
s+u) out too far and got into diffi.uties/ The other had gone
after her and had tried to 'ring her in> 'ut her strength in turn
had faied and she too +oud have dro+ned had not a )an ro+ed
out in a 'oat and 'rought in res.uer and res.ued ; the atter
'eyond hep/
"As soon as I got the hang of things I pushed the .ro+d aside and
hurried do+n the 'ea.h/ I did not at first re.ogni?e the t+o
+o)en/ The pu)p figure in the 'a.1 sto.1inet .ostu)e and the
tight green ru''er 'athing .ap a+o1e no .hord of re.ognition as
she oo1ed up anBiousy/ She +as 1neeing 'eside the 'ody of her
friend> )a1ing so)e+hat a)ateurish atte)pts at artifi.ia
respiration/ When I tod her that I +as a do.tor she gave a sigh of
reief> and I ordered her off at on.e to one of the .ottages for a
ru' do+n and dry .othing/ <ne of the adies in )y party +ent
+ith her/ I )ysef +or1ed unavaiingy on the 'ody of the dro+ned
+o)an/ #ife +as ony too .eary eBtin.t> and in the end I had
reu.tanty to give in/
"I reDoined the others in the s)a fisher)an"s .ottage and there I
had to 'rea1 the sad ne+s/ The survivor +as attired no+ in her
o+n .othes> and I i))ediatey re.ogni?ed her as one of the t+o
arrivas of the night 'efore/ She re.eived the sad ne+s fairy
.a)y> and it +as evidenty the horror of the +hoe thing that
stru.1 her )ore than any great persona feeing/
"JPoor A)y>J she said/ JPoor> poor A)y/ She had 'een oo1ing
for+ard to the 'athing here so )u.h/ And she +as a good
s+i))er too/ I .an"t understand it/ What do you thin1 it .an have
'een> do.torAJ
"JPossi'y .ra)p/ Wi you te )e eBa.ty +hat happenedAJ
"JWe had 'oth 'een s+i))ing a'out for so)e ti)e ; t+enty
)inutes> I shoud say/ Then I thought I +oud go in> 'ut A)y said
she +as going to s+i) out on.e )ore/ She did so> and suddeny I
heard her .a and reai?ed she +as .rying for hep/ I s+a) out as
fast as I .oud/ She +as sti afoat +hen I got to her> 'ut she
.ut.hed at )e +idy and +e 'oth +ent under/ If it hadn"t 'een
for that )an .o)ing out +ith his 'oat I shoud have 'een
dro+ned too/"
"JThat has happened fairy often>J I said/ JTo save anyone fro)
dro+ning is not an easy affair/J
"JIt see)s so a+fu>J .ontinued Miss %arton/ JWe ony arrived
yesterday> and +ere so deighting in the sunshine and our itte
hoiday/ And no+ this ; this terri'e tragedy o..urs/J
"I as1ed her then for parti.uars a'out the dead +o)an>
eBpaining that I +oud do everything I .oud for her> 'ut that the
Spanish authorities +oud re8uire fu infor)ation/ This she gave
)e readiy enough/
"The dead +o)an> Miss A)y $urrant> +as her .o)panion and
had .o)e to her a'out five )onths previousy/ They had got on
very +e together> 'ut Miss $urrant had spo1en very itte a'out
her peope/ She had 'een eft an orphan at an eary age and had
'een 'rought up 'y an un.e and had earned her o+n iving sin.e
she +as t+enty;one/
"And so that +as that>" +ent on the do.tor/ !e paused and said
again> 'ut this ti)e +ith a .ertain finaity in his voi.e> "And so that
+as that/"
"I don"t understand>" said *ane !eier/ "Is that aA I )ean> it"s very
tragi./ I suppose> 'ut it isn"t ; +e> it isn"t +hat I .a .reepy/"
"I thin1 there"s )ore to foo+>" said Sir !enry/
"@es>" said $r #oyd> "there"s )ore to foo+/ @ou see> right at the
ti)e there +as one 8ueer thing/ <f .ourse I as1ed 8uestions of
the fisher)en> et./> as to +hat they"d seen/ They +ere eye+itnesses/
And one +o)an had rather a funny story/ I didn"t pay
any attention to it at the ti)e> 'ut it .a)e 'a.1 to )e after+ards/
She insisted> you see> that Miss $urrant +asn"t in diffi.uties
+hen she .aed out/ The other s+a) out to her and> a..ording to
this +o)an> dei'eratey hed Miss $urrant"s head under +ater/ I
didn"t> as I say> pay )u.h attention/ It +as su.h a fantasti. story>
and these things oo1 so differenty fro) the shore/ Miss %arton
)ight have tried to )a1e her friend ose .ons.iousness> reai?ing
that the atter"s pani.;stri.1en .ut.hing +oud dro+n the) 'oth/
@ou see> a..ording to the Spanish +o)an"s story> it oo1ed as
though ; +e> as though Miss %arton +as dei'eratey trying to
dro+n her .o)panion/
"As I say> I paid very itte attention to this story at the ti)e/ It
.a)e 'a.1 to )e ater/ <ur great diffi.uty +as to find out
anything a'out this +o)an> A)y $urrant/ She didn"t see) to
have any reations/ Miss %arton and I +ent through her things
together/ We found one address and +rote there> 'ut it proved to
'e si)py a roo) she had ta1en in +hi.h to 1eep her things/ The
andady 1ne+ nothing> had ony seen her +hen she too1 the
roo)/ Miss $urrant had re)ar1ed at the ti)e that she a+ays
i1ed to have one pa.e she .oud .a her o+n to +hi.h she .oud
return at any )o)ent/ There +ere one or t+o ni.e pie.es of od
furniture and so)e 'ound nu)'ers of A.ade)y pi.tures> and a
trun1 fu of pie.es of )ateria 'ought at saes> 'ut no persona
'eongings/ She had )entioned to the andady that her father
and )other had died in India +hen she +as a .hid and that she
had 'een 'rought up 'y an un.e +ho +as a .ergy)an> 'ut she
did not say if he +as her father"s or her )other"s 'rother> so the
na)e +as no guide/
"It +asn"t eBa.ty )ysterious> it +as Dust unsatisfa.tory/ There
)ust 'e )any oney +o)en> proud and reti.ent> in Dust that
position/ There +ere a .oupe of photographs a)ongst her
'eongings in #as Pa)as ; rather od and faded and they had
'een .ut to fit the fra)es they +ere in> so that there +as no
photographer"s na)e upon the)> and there +as an od
daguerreotype +hi.h )ight have 'een her )other or )ore
pro'a'y her grand)other/
"Miss %arton had had t+o referen.es +ith her/ <ne she had
forgotten> the other na)e she re.oe.ted after an effort/ It
proved to 'e that of a ady +ho +as no+ a'road> having gone to
Austraia/ She +as +ritten to/ !er ans+er> of .ourse> +as a ong
ti)e in .o)ing> and I )ay say that +hen it did arrive there +as no
parti.uar hep to 'e gained fro) it/ She said Miss $urrant had
'een +ith her as .o)panion and had 'een )ost effi.ient and that
she +as a very .har)ing +o)an> 'ut that she 1ne+ nothing of
her private affairs or reations/
"So there it +as ; as I say> nothing unusua> reay/ It +as Dust the
t+o things together that aroused )y uneasiness/ This A)y
$urrant of +ho) no one 1ne+ anything> and the Spanish
+o)an"s 8ueer story/ @es> and I" add a third thingH When I +as
first 'ending over the 'ody and Miss %arton +as +a1ing a+ay
to+ards the huts> she oo1ed 'a.1/ #oo1ed 'a.1 +ith an
eBpression on her fa.e that I .an ony des.ri'e as one of
poignant anBiety ; a 1ind of anguished un.ertainty that i)printed
itsef on )y 'rain/
"It didn"t stri1e )e as anything unusua at the ti)e/ I put it do+n to
her terri'e distress over her friend/ %ut> you see> ater I reai?ed
that they +eren"t on those ter)s/ There +as no devoted
atta.h)ent 'et+een the)> no terri'e grief/ Miss %arton +as fond
of A)y $urrant and sho.1ed 'y her death ; that +as a/
"%ut> then> +hy that terri'e poignant anBietyA That +as the
8uestion that 1ept .o)ing 'a.1 to )e/ I had not 'een )ista1en in
that oo1/ And a)ost against )y +i> an ans+er 'egan to shape
itsef in )y )ind/ Supposing the Spanish +o)an"s story +ere
trueI supposing that Mary %arton +ifuy and in .od 'ood tried
to dro+n A)y $urrant/ She su..eeds in hoding her under +ater
+hist pretending to 'e saving her/ She is res.ued 'y a 'oat/
They are on a oney 'ea.h far fro) any+here/ And then I appear
; the ast thing she eBpe.ts/ A do.torG And an (ngish do.torG She
1no+s +e enough that peope +ho have 'een under +ater far
onger than A)y $urrant have 'een revived 'y artifi.ia
respiration/ %ut she has to pay her part ; to go off eaving )e
aone +ith her vi.ti)/ And as she turns for one ast oo1> a terri'e
poignant anBiety sho+s in her fa.e/ Wi A)y $urrant .o)e 'a.1
to ife and te +hat she 1no+sA"
"<hG" said *ane !eier/ "I") thried no+/"
"7ie+ed in that aspe.t the +hoe 'usiness see)ed )ore sinister>
and the personaity of A)y $urrant 'e.a)e )ore )ysterious/
Who +as A)y $urrantA Why shoud she> an insignifi.ant paid
.o)panion> 'e )urdered 'y her e)poyerA What story ay 'ehind
that fata 'athing eBpeditionA She had entered Mary %arton"s
e)poy)ent ony a fe+ )onths 'efore/ Mary %arton had 'rought
her a'road> and the very day after they anded the tragedy had
o..urred/ And they +ere 'oth ni.e> .o))onpa.e> refined
(ngish+o)enG The +hoe thing +as fantasti.> and I tod )ysef
so/ I had 'een etting )y i)agination run a+ay +ith )e/"
"@ou didn"t do anything> thenA" as1ed Miss !eier/
"My dear young ady> +hat .oud I doA There +as no eviden.e/
The )aDority of the eye;+itnesses tod the sa)e story as Miss
%arton/ I had 'uit up )y o+n suspi.ions out of a feeting
eBpression +hi.h I )ight possi'y have i)agined/ The ony thing I
.oud and did do +as to see that the +idest in8uiries +ere )ade
for the reations of A)y $urrant/ The neBt ti)e I +as in (ngand I
even +ent and sa+ the andady of her roo)> +ith the resuts I
have tod you/"
"%ut you fet there +as so)ething +rong>" said Miss Marpe/
$r #oyd nodded/
"!af the ti)e I +as asha)ed of )ysef for thin1ing so/ Who +as I
to go suspe.ting this ni.e> peasant;)annered (ngish ady of a
fou and .od;'ooded .ri)eA I did )y 'est to 'e as .ordia as
possi'e to her during the short ti)e she stayed on the isand/ I
heped her +ith the Spanish authorities/ I did everything I .oud
do as an (ngish)an to hep a .o)patriot in a foreign .ountryI
and yet I a) .onvin.ed that she 1ne+ I suspe.ted and disi1ed
her/"
"!o+ ong did she stay out thereA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"I thin1 it +as a'out a fortnight/ Miss $urrant +as 'uried there>
and it )ust have 'een a'out ten days ater +hen she too1 a 'oat
'a.1 to (ngand/ The sho.1 had upset her so )u.h that she fet
she .oudn"t spend the +inter there as she had panned/ That"s
+hat she said/"
"$id it see) to have upset herA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
The do.tor hesitated/
"We> I don"t 1no+ that it affe.ted her appearan.e at a>" he said
.autiousy/
"She didn"t> for instan.e> gro+ fatterA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"$o you 1no+ ; it"s a .urious thing your saying that/ 0o+ I .o)e to
thin1 'a.1> I 'eieve you"re right/ She ; yes> she did see)> if
anything> to 'e putting on +eight/"
"!o+ horri'e>" said *ane !eier +ith a shudder/ "It"s i1e ; it"s i1e
fattening on your vi.ti)"s 'ood/"
"And yet> in another +ay> I )ay 'e doing her an inDusti.e>" +ent on
$r #oyd/ "She .ertainy said so)ething 'efore she eft> +hi.h
pointed in an entirey different dire.tion/ There )ay 'e> I thin1
there are> .ons.ien.es +hi.h +or1 very so+y ; +hi.h ta1e so)e
ti)e to a+a1en to the enor)ity of the deed .o))itted/
"It +as the evening 'efore her departure fro) the Canaries/ She
had as1ed )e to go and see her> and had than1ed )e very
+ar)y for a I had done to hep her/ I> of .ourse> )ade ight of
the )atter> said I had ony done +hat +as natura under the
.ir.u)stan.es> and so on/ There +as a pause after that> and then
she suddeny as1ed )e a 8uestion/
"J$o you thin1>J she as1ed> Jthat one is ever Dustified in ta1ing the
a+ into one"s o+n handsAJ
"I repied that that +as rather a diffi.ut 8uestion> 'ut that on the
+hoe> I thought not/ The a+ +as the a+> and +e had to a'ide 'y
it/
"J(ven +hen it is po+eressAJ
"JI don"t 8uite understand/J
"JIt"s diffi.ut to eBpainI 'ut one )ight do so)ething that is
.onsidered definitey +rong ; that is .onsidered a .ri)e> even>
for a good and suffi.ient reason/J
"I repied driy that possi'y severa .ri)inas had thought that in
their ti)e> and she shran1 'a.1/
"J%ut that"s horri'e>J she )ur)ured/ J!orri'e/J
"And then +ith a .hange of tone she as1ed )e to give her
so)ething to )a1e her seep/ She had not 'een a'e to seep
propery sin.e ; she hesitated ; sin.e that terri'e sho.1/
"J@ou"re sure it is thatA There is nothing +orrying youA 0othing on
your )indAJ
"J<n )y )indA What shoud 'e on )y )indAJ
"She spo1e fier.ey and suspi.iousy/
"JWorry is a .ause of seepessness so)eti)es>" I said ighty/
"She see)ed to 'rood for a )o)ent/
"J$o you )ean +orrying over the future> or +orrying over the
past> +hi.h .an"t 'e ateredAJ
"J(ither/J
"J<ny it +oudn"t 'e any good +orrying over the past/ @ou
.oudn"t 'ring 'a.1 ; <hG +hat"s the useG <ne )ustn"t thin1/ <ne
)ust not thin1/J
"I pres.ri'ed her a )id seeping draught and )ade )y adieu/ As I
+ent a+ay I +ondered not a itte over the +ords she had spo1en/
J@ou .oudn"t 'ring 'a.1 ; J WhatA <r +hoA
"I thin1 that ast intervie+ prepared )e in a +ay for +hat +as to
.o)e/ I didn"t eBpe.t it> of .ourse> 'ut +hen it happened> I +asn"t
surprised/ %e.ause> you see> Mary %arton stru.1 )e a aong as
a .ons.ientious +o)an ; not a +ea1 sinner> 'ut a +o)an +ith
.onvi.tions> +ho +oud a.t up to the)> and +ho +oud not reent
as ong as she sti 'eieved in the)/ I fan.ied that in the ast
.onversation +e had she +as 'eginning to dou't her o+n
.onvi.tions/ I 1no+ her +ords suggested to )e that she +as
feeing the first faint 'eginnings of that terri'e sou;sear.her ;
re)orse/
"The thing happened in Corn+a> in a s)a +atering;pa.e>
rather deserted at that season of the year/ It )ust have 'een ; et
)e see ; ate Mar.h/ I read a'out it in the papers/ A ady had 'een
staying at a s)a hote there ; a Miss %arton/ She had 'een very
odd and pe.uiar in her )anner/ That had 'een noti.ed 'y a/ At
night she +oud +a1 up and do+n her roo)> )uttering to hersef>
and not ao+ing the peope on either side of her to seep/ She
had .aed on the vi.ar one day and had tod hi) that she had a
.o))uni.ation of the gravest i)portan.e to )a1e to hi)/ She
had> she said> .o))itted a .ri)e/ Then> instead of pro.eeding>
she had stood up a'rupty and said she +oud .a another day/
The vi.ar put her do+n as 'eing sighty )enta> and did not ta1e
her sef;a..usation seriousy/
"The very neBt )orning she +as found to 'e )issing fro) her
roo)/ A note +as eft addressed to the .oroner/ It ran as foo+sH
"I tried to spea1 to the vi.ar yesterday> to .onfess a> 'ut +as not
ao+ed/ She +oud not et )e/ I .an )a1e a)ends ony one +ay ;
a ife for a ifeI and )y ife )ust go the sa)e +ay as hers did/ I>
too> )ust dro+n in the deep sea/ I 'eieved I +as Dustified/ I see
no+ that that +as not so/ If I desire A)y"s forgiveness I )ust go
to her/ #et no one 'e 'a)ed for )y death ;
Mary %arton
"!er .othes +ere found ying on the 'ea.h in a se.uded .ove
near'y> and it see)ed .ear that she had undressed there and
s+u) resoutey out to sea +here the .urrent +as 1no+n to 'e
dangerous> s+eeping one do+n the .oast/
"The 'ody +as not re.overed> 'ut after a ti)e eave +as given to
presu)e death/ She +as a ri.h +o)an> her estate 'eing proved
at a hundred thousand pounds/ Sin.e she died intestate it a
+ent to her neBt of 1in ; a fa)iy of .ousins in Austraia/ The
papers )ade dis.reet referen.es to the tragedy in the Canary
Isands> putting for+ard the theory that the death of Miss $urrant
had unhinged her friend"s 'rain/ At the in8uest the usua verdi.t
of Sui.ide +hist te)porariy insane +as returned/
"And so the .urtain fas on the tragedy of A)y $urrant and Mary
%arton/"
There +as a ong pause and then *ane !eier gave a great gasp/
"<h> 'ut you )ustn"t stop there ; Dust at the )ost interesting part/
,o on/"
"%ut you see> Miss !eier> this isn"t a seria story/ This is rea ifeI
and rea ife stops Dust +here it .hooses/"
"%ut I don"t +ant it to>" said *ane/ "I +ant to 1no+/"
"This is +here +e use our 'rains> Miss !eier>" eBpained Sir
!enry/ "Why did Mary %arton 1i her .o)panionA That"s the
pro'e) $r #oyd has set us/"
"<h> +e>" said Miss !eier> "she )ight have 1ied her for ots of
reasons/ I )ean ; oh> I don"t 1no+/ She )ight have got on her
nerves> or ese she got Deaous> athough $r #oyd doesn"t
)ention any )en> 'ut sti on the 'oat out ; +e> you 1no+ +hat
everyone says a'out 'oats and sea voyages/"
Miss !eier paused> sighty out of 'reath> and it +as 'orne in
upon her audien.e that the outside of *ane"s .har)ing head +as
distin.ty superior to the inside/
"I +oud i1e to have a ot of guesses>" said Mrs %antry/ "%ut I
suppose I )ust .onfine )ysef to one/ We> I thin1 that Miss
%arton"s father )ade a his )oney out of ruining A)y $urrant"s
father> so A)y deter)ined to have her revenge/ <h> no> that"s the
+rong +ay round/ !o+ tireso)eG Why does the ri.h e)poyer 1i
the hu)'e .o)panionA I"ve got itG Miss %arton had a young
'rother +ho shot hi)sef for ove of A)y $urrant/ Miss %arton
+aits her ti)e/ A)y .o)es do+n in the +ord/ Miss %/ engages
her as .o)panion and ta1es her to the Canaries and
a..o)pishes her revenge/ !o+"s thatA"
"(B.eent>" said Sir !enry/ "<ny +e don"t 1no+ that Miss %arton
ever had a young 'rother/"
"We dedu.e that>" said Mrs %antry/ "2ness she had a young
'rother there"s no )otive/ So she )ust have had a young 'rother/
$o you see> WatsonA"
"That"s a very fine> $oy>" said her hus'and/ "%ut it"s ony a
guess/"
"<f .ourse it is>" said Mrs %antry/ "That"s a +e .an do ; guess/ We
haven"t got any .ues/ ,o on> dear> have a guess yoursef/"
"2pon )y +ord> I don"t 1no+ +hat to say/ %ut I thin1 there"s
so)ething in Miss !eer"s suggestion that they fe out a'out a
)an/ #oo1 here> $oy> it +as pro'a'y so)e high .hur.h parson/
They 'oth e)'roidered hi) a .ope or so)ething> and he +ore
the $urrant +o)an"s first/ $epend upon it> it +as so)ething i1e
that/ #oo1 ho+ she +ent off to a parson at the end/ These +o)en
a ose their heads over a good;oo1ing .ergy)an/ @ou hear of it
over and over again/"
"I thin1 I )ust try to )a1e )y eBpanation a itte )ore su'te>" said
Sir !enry> "though I ad)it it"s ony a guess/ I suggest that Miss
%arton +as a+ays )entay unhinged/ There are )ore .ases i1e
that than you +oud i)agine/ !er )ania gre+ stronger and she
'egan to 'eieve it her duty to rid the +ord of .ertain persons ;
possi'y +hat is ter)ed unfortunate fe)aes/ 0othing )u.h is
1no+n a'out Miss $urrant"s past/ So very possi'y she had a past
; an JunfortunateJ one/ Miss %arton earns of this and de.ides on
eBter)ination/ #ater> the righteousness of her a.t 'egins to
trou'e her and she is over.o)e 'y re)orse/ !er end sho+s her
to 'e .o)petey unhinged/ 0o+> do say you agree +ith )e> Miss
Marpe/"
"I") afraid I don"t> Sir !enry>" said Miss Marpe> s)iing
apoogeti.ay/ "I thin1 her end sho+s her to have 'een a very
.ever and resour.efu +o)an/"
*ane !eier interrupted +ith a itte s.rea)/
"<hG I"ve 'een so stupid/ May I guess againA <f .ourse it )ust
have 'een that %a.1)aiG The .o)panion +o)an +as
'a.1)aiing her/ <ny I don"t see +hy Miss Marpe says it +as
.ever of her to 1i hersef/ I .an"t see that at a/"
"AhG" said Sir !enry/ "@ou see> Miss Marpe 1ne+ a .ase Dust i1e it
in St Mary Mead/"
"@ou a+ays augh at )e> Sir !enry>" said Miss Marpe
reproa.hfuy/ "I )ust .onfess it does re)ind )e> Dust a itte> of
od Mrs Trout/ She dre+ the od age pension> you 1no+> for three
od +o)en +ho +ere dead> in different parishes/"
"It sounds a )ost .o)pi.ated and resour.efu .ri)e>" said Sir
!enry/ "%ut it doesn"t see) to )e to thro+ any ight upon our
present pro'e)/"
"<f .ourse not>" said Miss Marpe/ "It +oudn"t ; to you/ %ut so)e of
the fa)iies +ere very poor> and the od age pension +as a great
'oon to the .hidren/ I 1no+ it"s diffi.ut for anyone outside to
understand/ %ut +hat I reay )eant +as that the +hoe thing
hinged upon one od +o)an 'eing so i1e any other od +o)an/"
"(hA" said Sir !enry> )ystified/
"I a+ays eBpain things so 'ady/ What I )ean is that +hen $r
#oyd des.ri'ed the t+o adies first> he didn"t 1no+ +hi.h +as
+hi.h> and I don"t suppose anyone ese in the hote did/ They
+oud have> of .ourse> after a day or so> 'ut the very neBt day
one of the t+o +as dro+ned> and if the one +ho +as eft said she
+as Miss %arton> I don"t suppose it +oud ever o..ur to anyone
that she )ightn"t 'e/"
"@ou thin1 ; <hG I see>" said Sir !enry so+y/
"It"s the ony natura +ay of thin1ing of it/ $ear Mrs %antry 'egan
that +ay Dust no+/ Why shoud the ri.h e)poyer 1i the hu)'e
.o)panionA It"s so )u.h )ore i1ey to 'e the other +ay a'out I
)ean ; that"s the +ay things happen/"
"Is itA" said Sir !enry/ "@ou sho.1 )e/"
"%ut of .ourse>" +ent on Miss Marpe> "she +oud have to +ear
Miss %arton"s .othes> and they +oud pro'a'y 'e a itte tight on
her> so that her genera appearan.e +oud oo1 as though she
had got a itte fatter/ That"s +hy I as1ed that 8uestion/ A
gente)an +oud 'e sure to thin1 it +as the ady +ho had got
fatter> and not the .othes that had got s)aer ; though that isn"t
8uite the right +ay of putting it/"
"%ut if A)y $urrant 1ied Miss %arton> +hat did she gain 'y itA"
as1ed Mrs %antry/ "She .oudn"t 1eep up the de.eption for ever/"
"She ony 1ept it up for another )onth or so>" pointed out Miss
Marpe/ "And during that ti)e I eBpe.t she traveed> 1eeping
a+ay fro) anyone +ho )ight 1no+ her/ That"s +hat I )eant 'y
saying that one ady of a .ertain age oo1s so i1e another/ I don"t
suppose the different photograph on her passport +as ever
noti.ed ; you 1no+ +hat passports are/ And then in Mar.h> she
+ent do+n to this Cornish pa.e and 'egan to a.t 8ueery and
dra+ attention to hersef so that +hen peope found her .othes
on the 'ea.h and read her ast etter they shoudn"t thin1 of the
.o))onsense .on.usion/"
"Whi.h +asA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"0o 'ody>" said Miss Marpe fir)y/ "That"s the thing that +oud
stare you in the fa.e> if there +eren"t su.h a ot of red herrings to
dra+ you off the trai ; in.uding the suggestion of fou pay and
re)orse/ 0o 'ody/ That +as the rea signifi.ant fa.t/"
"$o you )ean ; " said Mrs %antry ; "do you )ean that there +asn"t
any re)orseA That there +asn"t ; that she didn"t dro+n hersefA"
"0ot sheG" said Miss Marpe/ "It"s Dust Mrs Trout over again/ Mrs
Trout +as very good at red herrings> 'ut she )et her )at.h in
)e/ And I .an see through your re)orse;driven Miss %arton/
$ro+n hersefA Went off to Austraia> if I") any good at guessing/"
"@ou are> Miss Marpe>" said $r #oyd/ "2ndou'tedy you are/ 0o+
it again too1 )e 8uite 'y surprise/ Why> you .oud have 1no.1ed
)e do+n +ith a feather that day in Me'ourne/"
"Was that +hat you spo1e of as a fina .oin.iden.eA"
$r #oyd nodded/
"@es> it +as rather rough u.1 on Miss %arton ; or Miss A)y
$urrant ; +hatever you i1e to .a her/ I 'e.a)e a ship"s do.tor
for a +hie> and anding in Me'ourne> the first person I sa+ as I
+a1ed do+n the street +as the ady I thought had 'een dro+ned
in Corn+a/ She sa+ the ga)e +as up as far as I +as .on.erned>
and she did the 'od thing ; too1 )e into her .onfiden.e/ A
.urious +o)an> .o)petey a.1ing> I suppose> in so)e )ora
sense/ She +as the edest of a fa)iy of nine> a +ret.hedy poor/
They had appied on.e for hep to their ri.h .ousin in (ngand and
'een repused> Miss %arton having 8uarreed +ith their father/
Money +as +anted desperatey> for the three youngest .hidren
+ere dei.ate and +anted eBpensive )edi.a treat)ent/ A)y
%arton then and there see)s to have de.ided on her pan of .od'ooded
)urder/ She set out for (ngand> +or1ing her passage
over as a .hidren"s nurse/ She o'tained the situation of
.o)panion to Miss %arton> .aing hersef A)y $urrant/ She
engaged a roo) and put so)e furniture into it so as to .reate
)ore of a personaity for hersef/ The dro+ning pan +as a
sudden inspiration/ She had 'een +aiting for so)e opportunity to
present itsef/ Then she staged the fina s.ene of the dra)a and
returned to Austraia> and in due ti)e she and her 'rothers and
sisters inherited Miss %arton"s )oney as neBt of 1in/"
"A very 'od and perfe.t .ri)e>" said Sir !enry/ "A)ost the
perfe.t .ri)e/ If it had 'een Miss %arton +ho had died in the
Canaries> suspi.ion )ight atta.h to A)y $urrant and her
.onne.tion +ith the %arton fa)iy )ight have 'een dis.overedI
'ut the .hange of identity and the dou'e .ri)e> as you )ay .a
it> effe.tuay did a+ay +ith that/ @es> a)ost the perfe.t .ri)e/"
"What happened to herA" as1ed Mrs %antry/ "What did you do in
the )atter> $r #oydA"
"I +as in a very .urious position> Mrs %antry/ <f eviden.e as the
a+ understands it> I sti have very itte/ Aso> there +ere .ertain
signs> pain to )e as a )edi.a )an> that though strong and
vigorous in appearan.e> the ady +as not ong for this +ord/ I
+ent ho)e +ith her and sa+ the rest of the fa)iy ; a .har)ing
fa)iy> devoted to their edest sister and +ithout an idea in their
heads that she )ight prove to have .o))itted a .ri)e/ Why 'ring
sorro+ on the) +hen I .oud prove nothingA The ady"s
ad)ission to )e +as unheard 'y anyone ese/ I et 0ature ta1e its
.ourse/ Miss A)y %arton died siB )onths after )y )eeting +ith
her/ I have often +ondered if she +as .heerfu and unrepentant
up to the ast/"
"Surey not>" said Mrs %antry/
"I eBpe.t so>" said Miss Marpe/ "Mrs Trout +as/"
*ane !eier gave hersef a itte sha1e/
"We>" she said/ "It"s very> very thriing/ I don"t 8uite understand
no+ +ho dro+ned +hi.h/ And ho+ does this Mrs Trout .o)e into
itA"
"She doesn"t> )y dear/" said Miss Marpe/ "She +as ony a person ;
not a very ni.e person ; in the viage/"
"<hG" said *ane/ "In the viage/ %ut nothing ever happens in a
viage> does itA" She sighed/ "I") sure I shoudn"t have any 'rains
at a if I ived in a viage/"
The Four Suspe.ts
The .onversation hovered round undis.overed and unpunished
.ri)es/ (veryone in turn vou.hsafed their opinionH Coone
%antry> his pu)p a)ia'e +ife> *ane !eier> $r #oyd> and even
od Miss Marpe/ The one person +ho did not spea1 +as the one
'est fitted in )ost peope"s opinion to do so/ Sir !enry Cithering>
eB;Co))issioner of S.otand @ard> sat sient> t+isting his
)ousta.he ; or rather stro1ing it ; and haf s)iing> as though at
so)e in+ard thought that a)used hi)/
"Sir !enry>" said Mrs %antry at ast/ "If you don"t say so)ething I
sha s.rea)/ Are there a ot of .ri)es that go unpunished> or are
there notA"
"@ou"re thin1ing of ne+spaper headines> Mrs %antry/ SC<T#A0$
@A&$ AT FA2#T A,AI0/ And a ist of unsoved )ysteries to
foo+/"
"Whi.h reay> I suppose> for) a very s)a per.entage of the
+hoeA" said $r #oyd/
"@esI that is so/ The hundreds of .ri)es that are soved and the
perpetrators punished are sedo) heraded and sung/ %ut that
isn"t 8uite the point at issue> is itA When you ta1 of undis.overed
.ri)es and unsoved .ri)es> you are ta1ing of t+o different
things/ In the first .ategory .o)e a the .ri)es that S.otand
@ard never hears a'out> the .ri)es that no one even 1no+s have
'een .o))itted/"
"%ut I suppose there aren"t very )any of thoseA" said Mrs %antry/
"Aren"t thereA"
"Sir !enryG @ou don"t )ean there areA"
"I shoud thin1>" said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy> "that there )ust 'e
a very arge nu)'er/"
The .har)ing od ady> +ith her od;+ord unruffed air> )ade her
state)ent in a tone of the ut)ost pa.idity/
"My dear Miss Marpe>" said Coone %antry/
"<f .ourse>" said Miss Marpe> "a ot of peope are stupid/ And
stupid peope get found out> +hatever they do/ %ut there are
8uite a nu)'er of peope +ho aren"t stupid> and one shudders to
thin1 of +hat they )ight a..o)pish uness they had very
strongy rooted prin.ipes/"
"@es>" said Sir !enry> "there are a ot of peope +ho aren"t stupid/
!o+ often does so)e .ri)e .o)e to ight si)py 'y reason of a
'it of un)itigated 'unging> and ea.h ti)e one as1s onesef the
8uestionH If this hadn"t 'een 'unged> +oud anyone ever have
1no+nA"
"%ut that"s very serious> Cithering>" said Coone %antry/ "7ery
serious> indeed/"
"Is itA"
"What do you )eanG It isG <f .ourse it"s serious/"
"@ou say .ri)e goes unpunishedI 'ut does itA 2npunished 'y the
a+ perhapsI 'ut .ause and effe.t +or1s outside the a+/ To say
that every .ri)e 'rings its o+n punish)ent is 'y +ay of 'eing a
patitude> and yet in )y opinion nothing .an 'e truer/"
"Perhaps> perhaps>" said Coone %antry/ "%ut that doesn"t ater
the seriousness ; the ; er ; seriousness ; " !e paused> rather at a
oss/
Sir !enry Cithering s)ied/
"0inety;nine peope out of a hundred are dou'tess of your +ay of
thin1ing>" he said/ "%ut you 1no+> it isn"t reay guit that is
i)portant ; it"s inno.en.e/ That"s the thing that no'ody +i
reai?e/"
"I don"t understand>" said *ane !eier/
"I do>" said Miss Marpe/ "When Mrs Trent found haf a .ro+n
)issing fro) her 'ag> the person it affe.ted )ost +as the daiy
+o)an> Mrs Arthur/ <f .ourse the Trents thought it +as her> 'ut
'eing 1indy peope and 1no+ing she had a arge fa)iy and a
hus'and +ho drin1s> +e ; they naturay didn"t +ant to go to
eBtre)es/ %ut they fet differenty to+ards her> and they didn"t
eave her in .harge of the house +hen they +ent a+ay> +hi.h
)ade a great differen.e to herI and other peope 'egan to get a
feeing a'out her too/ And then it suddeny .a)e out that it +as
the governess/ Mrs Trent sa+ her through a door refe.ted in a
)irror/ The purest .han.e ; though I prefer to .a it Providen.e/
And that> I thin1> is +hat Sir !enry )eans/ Most peope +oud 'e
ony interested in +ho too1 the )oney> and it turned out to 'e the
)ost uni1ey person ; Dust i1e in dete.tive storiesG %ut the rea
person it +as ife and death to +as poor Mrs Arthur> +ho had
done nothing/ That"s +hat you )ean> isn"t it> Sir !enryA"
"@es> Miss Marpe> you"ve hit off )y )eaning eBa.ty/ @our
.har+o)an person +as u.1y in the instan.e you reate/ !er
inno.en.e +as sho+n/ %ut so)e peope )ay go through a
ifeti)e .rushed 'y the +eight of a suspi.ion that is reay
unDustified/"
"Are you thin1ing of so)e parti.uar instan.e> Sir !enryA" as1ed
Mrs %antry shre+dy/
"As a )atter of fa.t> Mrs %antry> I a)/ A very .urious .ase/ A .ase
+here +e 'eieve )urder to have 'een .o))itted> 'ut +ith no
possi'e .han.e of ever proving it/"
"Poison> I suppose>" 'reathed *ane/ "So)ething untra.ea'e/"
$r #oyd )oved restessy and Sir !enry shoo1 his head/
"0o> dear ady/ 0ot the se.ret arro+ poison of the South
A)eri.an IndiansG I +ish it +ere so)ething of that 1ind/ We have
to dea +ith so)ething )u.h )ore prosai. ; so prosai.> in fa.t>
that there is no hope of 'ringing the deed ho)e to its perpetrator/
An od gente)an +ho fe do+nstairs and 'ro1e his ne.1I one of
those regretta'e a..idents +hi.h happen every day/"
"%ut +hat happened reayA"
"Who .an sayA" Sir !enry shrugged his shouders/ "A push fro)
'ehindA A pie.e of .otton or string tied a.ross the top of the
stairs and .arefuy re)oved after+ardsA That +e sha never
1no+/"
"%ut you do thin1 that it ; +e> +asn"t an a..identA 0o+ +hyA"
as1ed the do.tor/
"That"s rather a ong story> 'ut ; +e> yes> +e"re pretty sure/ As I
said there"s no .han.e of 'eing a'e to 'ring the deed ho)e to
anyone ; the eviden.e +oud 'e too fi)sy/ %ut there"s the other
aspe.t of the .ase ; the one I +as spea1ing a'out/ @ou see> there
+ere four peope +ho )ight have done the tri.1/ <ne"s guityI 'ut
the other three are inno.ent/ And uness the truth is found out>
those three are going to re)ain under the terri'e shado+ of
dou't/"
"I thin1>" said Mrs %antry> "that you"d 'etter te us your ong story/"
"I needn"t )a1e it so very ong after a>" said Sir !enry/ "I .an at
any rate .ondense the 'eginning/ That deas +ith a ,er)an
se.ret so.iety ; the S.h+art?e !and ; so)ething after the ines of
the Ca)orra or +hat is )ost peope"s idea of the Ca)orra/ A
s.he)e of 'a.1)ai and terrori?ation/ The thing started 8uite
suddeny after the War> and spread to an a)a?ing eBtent/
0u)'eress peope +ere vi.ti)i?ed 'y it/ The authorities +ere
not su..essfu in .oping +ith it> for its se.rets +ere Deaousy
guarded> and it +as a)ost i)possi'e to find anyone +ho .oud
'e indu.ed to 'etray the)/
"0othing )u.h +as ever 1no+n a'out it in (ngand> 'ut in
,er)any it +as having a )ost paraysing effe.t/ It +as finay
'ro1en up and dispersed through the efforts of one )an> a $r
&osen> +ho had at one ti)e 'een very pro)inent in Se.ret
Servi.e +or1/ !e 'e.a)e a )e)'er> penetrated its in)ost
.ir.e> and +as> as I say> instru)enta in 'ringing a'out its
do+nfa/
"%ut he +as> in .onse8uen.e> a )ar1ed )an> and it +as dee)ed
+ise that he shoud eave ,er)any ; at any rate for a ti)e/ !e
.a)e to (ngand> and +e had etters a'out hi) fro) the poi.e in
%erin/ !e .a)e and had a persona intervie+ +ith )e/ !is point
of vie+ +as 'oth dispassionate and resigned/ !e had no dou'ts
of +hat the future hed for hi)/
"JThey +i get )e> Sir !enry>J he said/ J0ot a dou't of it/J !e +as
a 'ig )an +ith a fine head> and a very deep voi.e> +ith ony a
sight guttura intonation to te of his nationaity/ JThat is a
foregone .on.usion/ It does not )atter> I a) prepared/ I fa.ed
the ris1 +hen I undertoo1 this 'usiness/ I have done +hat I set
out to do/ The organi?ation .an never 'e got together again/ %ut
there are )any )e)'ers of it at i'erty> and they +i ta1e the
ony revenge they .an ; )y ife/ It is si)py a 8uestion of ti)eI 'ut
I a) anBious that that ti)e shoud 'e as ong as possi'e/ @ou
see> I a) .oe.ting and editing so)e very interesting )ateria ;
the resut of )y ife"s +or1/ I shoud i1e> if possi'e> to 'e a'e to
.o)pete )y tas1/J
"!e spo1e very si)py> +ith a .ertain grandeur +hi.h I .oud not
'ut ad)ire/ I tod hi) +e +oud ta1e a pre.autions> 'ut he
+aved )y +ords aside/
"JSo)e day> sooner or ater> they +i get )e>J he repeated/
JWhen that day .o)es> do not distress yoursef/ @ou +i> I have
no dou't> have done a that is possi'e/J
"!e then pro.eeded to outine his pans +hi.h +ere si)pe
enough/ !e proposed to ta1e a s)a .ottage in the .ountry
+here he .oud ive 8uiety and go on +ith his +or1/ In the end he
see.ted a viage in So)erset ; -ing"s ,naton> +hi.h +as seven
)ies fro) a rai+ay station> and singuary untou.hed 'y
.ivii?ation/ !e 'ought a very .har)ing .ottage> had various
i)prove)ents and aterations )ade> and setted do+n there
)ost .ontentedy/ !is househod .onsisted of his nie.e> ,reta> a
se.retary> an od ,er)an servant +ho had served hi) faithfuy
for neary forty years> and an outside handy)an and gardener
+ho +as a native of -ing"s ,naton/"
"The four suspe.ts>" said $r #oyd softy/
"(Ba.ty/ The four suspe.ts/ There is not )u.h )ore to te/ #ife
+ent on pea.efuy at -ing"s ,naton for five )onths and then the
'o+ fe/ $r &osen fe do+n the stairs one )orning and +as
found dead a'out haf an hour ater/ At the ti)e the a..ident )ust
have ta1en pa.e> ,ertrud +as in her 1it.hen +ith the door
.osed and heard nothing ; so she says/ Fr_uein ,reta +as in the
garden panting so)e 'u's ; again> so she says/ The gardener>
$o''s> +as in the s)a potting shed having his eevenses ; so he
saysI and the se.retary +as out for a +a1> and on.e )ore there
is ony his o+n +ord for it/ 0o one has an ai'i ; no one .an
.orro'orate anyone ese"s story/ %ut one thing is .ertain/ 0o one
fro) outside .oud have done it> for a stranger in the itte viage
of -ing"s ,naton +oud 'e noti.ed +ithout fai/ %oth the 'a.1 and
the front doors +ere o.1ed> ea.h )e)'er of the househod
having their o+n 1ey/ So you see it narro+s do+n to those four/
And yet ea.h one see)s to 'e a'ove suspi.ion/ ,reta> his o+n
'rother"s .hid/ ,ertrud> +ith forty years of faithfu servi.e/
$o''s> +ho has never 'een out of -ing"s ,naton/ And Chares
Te)peton> the se.retary ; "
"@es>" said Coone %antry> "+hat a'out hi)A !e see)s the
suspi.ious person to )y )ind/ What do you 1no+ a'out hi)A"
"It is +hat I 1ne+ a'out hi) that put hi) .o)petey out of .ourt ;
at any rate at the ti)e>" said Sir !enry gravey/ "you see> Chares
Te)peton +as one of )y o+n )en/"
"<hG" said Coone %antry> .onsidera'y ta1en a'a.1/
"@es/ I +anted to have so)eone on the spot> and at the sa)e ti)e
I didn"t +ant to .ause ta1 in the viage/ &osen reay needed a
se.retary/ I put Te)peton on the Do'/ !e"s a gente)an> he
spea1s ,er)an fuenty> and he"s atogether a very a'e feo+/"
"%ut> then> +hi.h do you suspe.tA" as1ed Mrs %antry in a
'e+idered tone/ "They a see) so ; +e> i)possi'e/"
"@es> so it appears/ %ut you .an oo1 at the thing fro) another
ange/ Fr_uein ,reta +as his nie.e and a very ovey gir> 'ut the
War has sho+n us ti)e and again that 'rother .an turn against
sister> or father against son and so on> and the oveiest and
gentest of young girs did so)e of the )ost a)a?ing things/ The
sa)e thing appies to ,ertrud> and +ho 1no+s +hat other for.es
)ight 'e at +or1 in her .ase/ A 8uarre> perhaps> +ith her
)aster> a gro+ing resent)ent a the )ore asting 'e.ause of the
ong faithfu years 'ehind her/ (dery +o)en of that .ass .an 'e
a)a?ingy 'itter so)eti)es/ And $o''sA Was he right outside it
'e.ause he had no .onne.tion +ith the fa)iyA Money +i do
)u.h/ In so)e +ay $o''s )ight have 'een approa.hed and
'ought/
"For one thing see)s .ertainH So)e )essage or so)e order )ust
have .o)e fro) outside/ <ther+ise +hy five )onths i))unityA
0o> the agents of the so.iety )ust have 'een at +or1/ 0ot yet
sure of &osen"s perfidy> they deayed ti the 'etraya had 'een
tra.ed to hi) 'eyond any possi'e dou't/ And then> a dou'ts set
aside> they )ust have sent their )essage to the spy +ithin the
gates ; the )essage that said> J-iJ/"
"!o+ nastyG" said *ane !eier> and shuddered/
"%ut ho+ did the )essage .o)eA That +as the point I tried to
eu.idate ; the one hope of soving )y pro'e)/ <ne of those four
peope )ust have 'een approa.hed or .o))uni.ated +ith in
so)e +ay/ There +oud 'e no deay ; I 1ne+ that ; as soon as the
.o))and .a)e> it +oud 'e .arried out/ That +as a pe.uiarity of
the S.h+art?e !and/
"I +ent into the 8uestion> +ent into it in a +ay that +i pro'a'y
stri1e you as 'eing ridi.uousy )eti.uous/ Who had .o)e to the
.ottage that )orningA I ei)inated no'ody/ !ere is the ist/"
!e too1 an enveope fro) his po.1et and see.ted a paper fro)
its .ontents/
"The 'ut.her> 'ringing so)e ne.1 of )utton/ Investigated and
found .orre.t/
"The gro.er"s assistant> 'ringing a pa.1et of .ornfour> t+o
pounds of sugar> a pound of 'utter> and a pound of .offee/ Aso
investigated and found .orre.t/
"The post)an> 'ringing t+o .ir.uars for Fr_uein &osen> a o.a
etter for ,ertrud> three etters for $r &osen> one +ith a foreign
sta)p> and t+o etters for Mr Te)peton> one aso +ith a foreign
sta)p/"
Sir !enry paused and then too1 a sheaf of do.u)ents fro) the
enveope/
"It )ay interest you to see these for yoursef/ They +ere handed
)e 'y the various peope .on.erned> or .oe.ted fro) the
+aste;paper 'as1et/ I need hardy say they"ve 'een tested 'y
eBperts for invisi'e in1> et./ 0o eB.ite)ent of that 1ind is
possi'e/"
(veryone .ro+ded round to oo1/ The .ataogues +ere
respe.tivey fro) a nursery)an and fro) a pro)inent #ondon fur
esta'ish)ent/ The t+o 'is addressed to $r &osen +ere a o.a
one for seeds for the garden and one fro) a #ondon stationery
fir)/ The etter addressed to hi) ran as foo+sH
My $ear &osen ; *ust 'a.1 fro) $r !e)uth Spath"s/ I sa+ (dgar
*a.1son the other day/ !e and A)os Perry have Dust .o)e 'a.1
fro) Tsingtau/ In a !onesty I .an"t say I envy the) the trip/ #et
)e have ne+s of you soon/ As I said 'eforeH %e+are of a .ertain
person/ @ou 1no+ +ho I )ean> though you don"t agree/ `
@ours> ,eorgine/
"Mr Te)peton"s )ai .onsisted of this 'i> +hi.h as you see> is an
a..ount rendered fro) his taior> and a etter fro) a friend in
,er)any>" +ent on Sir !enry/ "The atter> unfortunatey> he tore
up +hist out on his +a1/ Finay +e have the etter re.eived 'y
,ertrud/"
$ear Mrs S+art?> ; We"re hoping as ho+ you 'e a'e to .o)e the
so.ia on friday evening> the vi.ar says has he hopes you +i ;
one and a 'eing +e.o)e/ The resipy for the ha) +as very
good> and I than1s you for it/ !oping as this finds you +e and
that +e sha see you friday I re)ain/ ; @ours faithfuy> ())a
,reene/
$r #oyd s)ied a itte over this and so did Mrs %antry/
"I thin1 the ast etter .an 'e put out of .ourt/" said $r #oyd/
"I thought the sa)e>" said Sir !enryI "'ut I too1 the pre.aution of
verifying that there +as a Mrs ,reene and a .hur.h so.ia/ <ne
.an"t 'e too .arefu> you 1no+/"
"That"s +hat our friend Miss Marpe a+ays says>" said $r #oyd>
s)iing/ "@ou"re ost in a daydrea)/ Miss Marpe/ What are you
thin1ing outA"
Miss Marpe gave a start/
"So stupid of )e>" she said/ "I +as Dust +ondering +hy the +ord
!onesty in $r &osen"s etter +as spet +ith a .apita !/"
Mrs %antry pi.1ed it up/
"So it is>" she said/ "<hG"
"@es> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "I thought you"d noti.eG"
"There"s a definite +arning in that etter>" said Coone %antry/
"That"s the first thing .aught )y attention/ I noti.e )ore than
you"d thin1/ @es> a definite +arning ; against +ho)A"
"There"s rather a .urious point a'out that etter>" said Sir !enry/
"A..ording to Te)peton> $r &osen opened the etter at 'rea1fast
and tossed it a.ross to hi) saying he didn"t 1no+ +ho the feo+
+as fro) Ada)/"
"%ut it +asn"t a feo+>" said *ane !eier/ "It +as signed
J,eorginaJ/"
"It"s diffi.ut to say +hi.h it is>" said $r #oyd/ "It )ight 'e ,eorgeyI
'ut it .ertainy oo1s )ore i1e ,eorgina/ <ny it stri1es )e that
the +riting is a )an"s/"
"@ou 1no+> that"s interesting>" said Coone %antry/ "!is tossing it
a.ross the ta'e i1e that and pretending he 1ne+ nothing a'out
it/ Wanted to +at.h so)e'ody"s fa.e/ Whose fa.e ; the gir"sA or
the )an"sA"
"<r even the .oo1"sA" suggested Mrs %antry/ "She )ight have
'een in the roo) 'ringing in the 'rea1fast/ %ut +hat I don"t see
is/// it"s )ost pe.uiar ; "
She fro+ned over the etter/ Miss Marpe dre+ .oser to her/ Miss
Marpe"s finger +ent out and tou.hed the sheet of paper/ They
)ur)ured together/
"%ut +hy did the se.retary tear up the other etterA" as1ed *ane
!oier suddeny/ "It see)s ; ohG I don"t 1no+ ; it see)s 8ueer/ Why
shoud he have etters fro) ,er)anyA Athough> of .ourse> if he"s
a'ove suspi.ion> as you say ; "
"%ut Sir !enry didn"t say that>" said Miss Marpe 8ui.1y> oo1ing
up fro) her )ur)ured .onferen.e +ith Mrs %antry/ "!e said four
suspe.ts/ So that sho+s that he in.udes Mr Te)peton/ I") right>
a) I not> Sir !enryA"
"@es> Miss Marpe/ I have earned one thing through 'itter
eBperien.e/ 0ever say to yoursef that anyone is a'ove suspi.ion/
I gave you reasons Dust no+ +hy three of these peope )ight after
a 'e guity> uni1ey as it see)ed/ I did not at that ti)e appy the
sa)e pro.ess to Chares Te)peton/ %ut I .a)e to it at ast
through pursuing the rue I have Dust )entioned/ And I +as for.ed
to re.ogni?e thisH That every ar)y and every navy and every
poi.e for.e has a .ertain nu)'er of traitors +ithin its ran1s>
)u.h as +e hate to ad)it the idea/ And I eBa)ined
dispassionatey the .ase against Chares Te)peton/
"I as1ed )ysef very )u.h the sa)e 8uestions as Miss !eier has
Dust as1ed/ Why shoud he> aone of a the house> not 'e a'e to
produ.e the etter he had re.eived ; a etter> )oreover> +ith a
,er)an sta)p on it/ Why shoud he have etters fro) ,er)anyA
"The ast 8uestion +as an inno.ent one> and I a.tuay put it to
hi)/ !is repy .a)e si)py enough/ !is )other"s sister +as
)arried to a ,er)an/ The etter had 'een fro) a ,er)an gir
.ousin/ So I earned so)ething I did not 1no+ 'efore ; that
Chares Te)peton had reations +ith peope in ,er)any/ And
that put hi) definitey on the ist of suspe.ts ; very )u.h so/ !e is
)y o+n )an ; a ad I have a+ays i1ed and trustedI 'ut in
.o))on Dusti.e and fairness I )ust ad)it that he heads that ist/
"%ut there it is ; I do not 1no+G I do not 1no+/// And in a
pro'a'iity I never sha 1no+/ It is not a 8uestion of punishing a
)urderer/ It is a 8uestion that to )e see)s a hundred ti)es )ore
i)portant/ It is the 'ighting> perhaps> of an honoura'e )an"s
+hoe .areer/// 'e.ause of suspi.ion ; a suspi.ion that I dare not
disregard/"
Miss Marpe .oughed and said gentyH
"Then> Sir !enry> if I understand you righty> it is this young Mr
Te)peton ony +ho is so )u.h on your )indA"
"@es> in a sense/ It shoud> in theory> 'e the sa)e for a four> 'ut
that is not a.tuay the .ase/ $o''s> for instan.e ; suspi.ion )ay
atta.h to hi) in )y )ind> 'ut it +i not a.tuay affe.t his .areer/
0o'ody in the viage has ever had any idea that od $r &osen"s
death +as anything 'ut an a..ident/ ,ertrud is sighty )ore
affe.ted/ It )ust )a1e> for instan.e> a differen.e in Fr_uein
&osen"s attitude to+ard her/ %ut that> possi'y> is not of great
i)portan.e to her/
"As for ,reta &osen ; +e> here +e .o)e to the .ruB of the
)atter/ ,reta is a very pretty gir and Chares Te)peton is a
good;oo1ing young )an> and for five )onths they +ere thro+n
together +ith no outer distra.tions/ The inevita'e happened/
They fe in ove +ith ea.h other ; even if they did not .o)e to the
point of ad)itting the fa.t in +ords/
"And then the .atastrophe happens/ It is three )onths ago no+
and a day or t+o after I returned> ,reta &osen .a)e to see )e/
She had sod the .ottage and +as returning to ,er)any> having
finay setted up her un.e"s affairs/ She .a)e to )e personay>
athough she 1ne+ I had retired> 'e.ause it +as reay a'out a
persona )atter she +anted to see )e/ She 'eat a'out the 'ush a
itte> 'ut at ast it a .a)e out/ What did I thin1A That etter +ith
the ,er)an sta)p ; she had +orried a'out it and +orried a'out it
; the one Chares had torn up/ Was it a rightA Surey it )ust 'e
a right/ <f .ourse she 'eieved his story> 'ut ; ohG if she ony
1ne+G If she 1ne+ ; for .ertain/
"@ou seeA The sa)e feeingH the +ish to trust ; 'ut the horri'e
ur1ing suspi.ion> thrust resoutey to the 'a.1 of the )ind> 'ut
persisting nevertheess/ I spo1e to her +ith a'soute fran1ness>
and as1ed her to do the sa)e/ I as1ed her +hether she had 'een
on the point of .aring for Chares> and he for her/
"JI thin1 so>J she said/ J<h> yes> I 1no+ it +as so/ We +ere so
happy/ (very day passed so .ontentedy/ We 1ne+ ; +e 'oth
1ne+/ There +as no hurry ; there +as a the ti)e in the +ord/
So)e day he +oud te )e he oved )e> and I shoud te hi) that
I too ; AhG %ut you .an guessG And no+ it is a .hanged/ A 'a.1
.oud has .o)e 'et+een us ; +e are .onstrained> +hen +e )eet
+e do not 1no+ +hat to say/ It is> perhaps> the sa)e +ith hi) as
+ith )e/// We are ea.h saying to ourseves> "If I +ere sureG" That
is +hy> Sir !enry> I 'eg of you to say to )e> "@ou )ay 'e sure>
+hoever 1ied your un.e> it +as not Chares Te)petonG" Say it
to )eG <h> say it to )eG I 'eg ; I 'egGJ
"And> da)n it a>" said Sir !enry> 'ringing do+n his fist +ith a
'ang on the ta'e> "I .oudn"t say it to her/ They" drift farther and
farther apart> those t+o ; +ith suspi.ion i1e a ghost 'et+een
the) ; a ghost that .an"t 'e aid/"
!e eant 'a.1 in his .hair> his fa.e oo1ed tired and grey/ !e
shoo1 his head on.e or t+i.e despondenty/
"And there"s nothing )ore .an 'e done> uness ; " !e sat up
straight again and a tiny +hi)si.a s)ie .rossed his fa.e ;
"uness Miss Marpe .an hep us/ Can"t you> Miss MarpeA I"ve a
feeing that etter )ight 'e in your ine> you 1no+/ The one a'out
the .hur.h so.ia/ $oesn"t it re)ind you of so)ething or so)eone
that )a1es everything perfe.ty painA Can"t you do so)ething to
hep t+o hepess young peope +ho +ant to 'e happyA"
%ehind the +hi)si.aity there +as so)ething earnest in his
appea/ !e had .o)e to thin1 very highy of the )enta po+ers of
this frai od;fashioned )aiden ady/ !e oo1ed a.ross at her +ith
so)ething very i1e hope in his eyes/
Miss Marpe .oughed and s)oothed her a.e/
"It does re)ind )e a itte of Annie Poutny>" she ad)itted/ "<f
.ourse the etter is perfe.ty pain ; 'oth to Mrs %antry and
)ysef/ I don"t )ean the .hur.h so.ia etter> 'ut the other one/
@ou iving so )u.h in #ondon and not 'eing a gardener> Sir
!enry> +oud not have 'een i1ey to noti.e/"
"(hA" said Sir !enry/ "0oti.e +hatA"
Mrs %antry rea.hed out a hand and see.ted a .ataogue/ She
opened it and read aoud +ith gustoH
"$r !e)uth Spath/ Pure ia.> a +onderfuy fine fo+er> .arried
on eB.eptionay ong and stiff ste)/ Spendid for .utting and
garden de.oration/ A novety of stri1ing 'eauty/
"(dgar *a.1son/ %eautifuy shaped .hrysanthe)u);i1e fo+er of
a distin.t 'ri.1;red .oour/
"A)os Perry/ %riiant red> highy de.orative/
"Tsingtau/ %riiant orange;red> sho+y garden pant and asting
.ut fo+er/
"!onesty ; "
"With a .apita !> you re)e)'er>" )ur)ured Miss Marpe/
"!onesty/ &ose and +hite shades> enor)ous perfe.t shaped
fo+er/"
Mrs %antry fung do+n the .ataogue> and said +ith i))ense
eBposive for.eH
"$ahiasG"
"And their initia etters spe J$(AT!J>" eBpained Miss Marpe/
"%ut the etter .a)e to $r &osen hi)sef>" o'De.ted Sir !enry/
"That +as the .ever part of it>" said Miss Marpe/ "That and the
+arning in it/ What +oud he do> getting a etter fro) so)eone he
didn"t 1no+> fu of na)es he didn"t 1no+/ Why> of .ourse> toss it
over to his se.retary/"
"Then> after a ; "
"<h> noG" said Miss Marpe/ "0ot the se.retary/ Why> that"s +hat
)a1es it so perfe.ty .ear that it +asn"t hi)/ !e"d never have et
that etter 'e found if so/ And e8uay he"d never have destroyed a
etter to hi)sef +ith a ,er)an sta)p on it/ &eay> his inno.en.e
is ; if you" ao+ )e to use the +ord ; Dust shining/"
"Then +ho ; "
"We> it see)s a)ost .ertain ; as .ertain as anything .an 'e in
this +ord/ There +as another person at the 'rea1fast ta'e> and
she +oud ; 8uite naturay under the .ir.u)stan.es ; put out her
hand for the etter and read it/ And that +oud 'e that/ @ou
re)e)'er that she got a gardening .ataogue 'y the sa)e post ;
"
",reta &osen>" said Sir !enry> so+y/ "Then her visit to )e ; "
",ente)en never see through these things>" said Miss Marpe/
"And I") afraid they often thin1 +e od +o)en are ; +e> .ats> to
see things the +ay +e do/ %ut there it is/ <ne does 1no+ a great
dea a'out one"s o+n seB> unfortunatey/ I"ve no dou't there +as
a 'arrier 'et+een the)/ The young )an fet a sudden
ineBpi.a'e repusion/ !e suspe.ted> purey through instin.t>
and .oudn"t hide the suspi.ion/ And I reay thin1 that the gir"s
visit to you +as Dust pure spite/ She +as safe enough reay> 'ut
she Dust +ent out of her +ay to fiB your suspi.ions definitey on
poor Mr Te)peton/ @ou +eren"t neary so sure a'out hi) unti
after her visit/"
"I") sure it +as nothing that she said ; " 'egan Sir !enry/
",ente)en>" said Miss Marpe .a)y> "never see through these
things/"
"And that gir ; " he stopped/ "She .o))its a .od;'ooded )urder
and gets off s.ot;freeG"
"<hG no> Sir !enry>" said Miss Marpe/ "0ot S.ot free/ 0either you
nor I 'eieve that/ &e)e)'er +hat you said not ong ago/ 0o/
,reta &osen +i not es.ape punish)ent/ To 'egin +ith> she )ust
'e in +ith a very 8ueer set of peope ; 'a.1)aiers and terrorists
; asso.iates +ho +i do her no good> and +i pro'a'y 'ring her
to a )isera'e end/ As you say> one )ustn"t +aste thoughts on
the guity ; it"s the inno.ent +ho )atter/ Mr Te)peton> +ho I
daresay +i )arry that ,er)an .ousin> his tearing up her etter
oo1s ; +e> it oo1s suspi.ious ; using the +ord in 8uite a
different sense fro) the one +e"ve 'een using a the evening/ A
itte as though he +ere afraid of the other gir noti.ing or as1ing
to see itA @es> I thin1 there )ust have 'een so)e itte ro)an.e
there/ And then there"s $o''s ; though> as you say> I daresay it
+on"t )atter )u.h to hi)/ !is eevenses are pro'a'y a he
thin1s a'out/ And then there"s that poor od ,ertrud ; the one
+ho re)inded )e of Annie Poutny/ Poor Annie Poutny/ Fifty
years faithfu servi.e and suspe.ted of )a1ing a+ay +ith Miss
#a)'"s +i> though nothing .oud 'e proved/ A)ost 'ro1e the
poor .reature"s faithfu heartI and then after she +as dead it
.a)e to ight in the se.ret dra+er of the tea .addy +here od
Miss #a)' had put it hersef for safety/ %ut too ate then for poor
Annie/
"That"s +hat +orries )e so a'out that poor od ,er)an +o)an/
When one is od> one 'e.o)es e)'ittered very easiy/ I fet )u.h
)ore sorry for her than for Mr Te)peton> +ho is young and good
oo1ing and evidenty a favourite +ith the adies/ @ou +i +rite to
her> +on"t you> Sir !enry> and Dust te her that her inno.en.e is
esta'ished 'eyond dou'tA !er dear od )aster dead> and she no
dou't 'rooding and feeing hersef suspe.ted of/// <hG It +on"t
'ear thin1ing a'outG"
"I +i +rite> Miss Marpe>" said Sir !enry/ !e oo1ed at her
.uriousy/ "@ou 1no+> I sha never 8uite understand you/ @our
outoo1 is a+ays a different one fro) +hat I eBpe.t/"
"My outoo1> I a) afraid> is a very petty one>" said Miss Marpe
hu)'y/ "I hardy ever go out of St Mary Mead/"
"And yet you have soved +hat )ay 'e .aed an Internationa
)ystery>" said Sir !enry/ "For you have soved it/ I a) .onvin.ed
of that/"
Miss Marpe 'ushed> then 'rided a itte/
"I +as> I thin1> +e edu.ated for the standard of )y day/ My sister
and I had a ,er)an governess ; a Fr_uein/ A very senti)enta
.reature/ She taught us the anguage of fo+ers ; a forgotten
study no+adays> 'ut )ost .har)ing/ A yeo+ tuip> for instan.e>
)eans !opeess #ove> +hist a China Aster )eans I die of
*eaousy at your feet/ That etter +as signed ,eorgine> +hi.h I
see) to re)e)'er is $ahia in ,er)an> and that of .ourse )ade
the +hoe thing perfe.ty .ear/ I +ish I .oud re)e)'er the
)eaning of $ahia> 'ut aas> that eudes )e/ My )e)ory is not
+hat it +as/"
"At any rate it didn"t )ean $(AT!/"
"0o> indeed/ !orri'e> is it notG There are very sad things in the
+ord/"
"There are>" said Mrs %antry +ith a sigh/ "It"s u.1y one has
fo+ers and one"s friends/"
"She puts us ast> you o'serve>" said $r #oyd/
"A )an used to send )e purpe or.hids every night to the
theatre>" said *ane drea)iy/
"JI a+ait your favours>J ; that"s +hat that )eans>" said Miss Marpe
'righty/
Sir !enry gave a pe.uiar sort of .ough and turned his head
a+ay/
Miss Marpe gave a sudden eB.a)ation/
"I"ve re)e)'ered/ $ahias )ean JTrea.hery and
Misrepresentation/ J"
"Wonderfu>" said Sir !enry/ "A'soutey +onderfu/"
And he sighed/
A Christ)as Tragedy
"I have a .o)paint to )a1e>" said Sir !enry Cithering/ !is eyes
t+in1ed genty as he oo1ed round at the asse)'ed .o)pany/
Coone %antry> his egs stret.hed out> +as fro+ning at the
)antepie.e as though it +ere a dein8uent sodier on parade> his
+ife +as surreptitiousy gan.ing at a .ataogue of 'u's +hi.h
had .o)e 'y the ate post> $r #oyd +as ga?ing +ith fran1
ad)iration at *ane !eier> and that 'eautifu young a.tress
hersef +as thoughtfuy regarding her pin1 poished nais/ <ny
that edery> spinster ady> Miss Marpe> +as sitting 'ot upright>
and her faded 'ue eyes )et Sir !enry"s +ith an ans+ering
t+in1e/
"A .o)paintA" she )ur)ured/
"A very serious .o)paint/ We are a .o)pany of siB> three
representatives of ea.h seB> and I protest on 'ehaf of the
do+ntrodden )aes/ We have had three stories tod tonight ; and
tod 'y the three )enG I protest that the adies have not done their
fair share/"
"<hG" said Mrs %antry +ith indignation/ "I") sure +e have/ We"ve
istened +ith the )ost inteigent appre.iation/ We"ve dispayed
the true +o)any attitude ; not +ishing to thrust ourseves in the
i)eightG"
"It"s an eB.eent eB.use>" said Sir !enryI "'ut it +on"t do/ And
there"s a very good pre.edent in the Ara'ian 0ightsG So> for+ard>
S.hehera?ade/"
"Meaning )eA" said Mrs %antry/ "%ut I don"t 1no+ anything to te/
I"ve never 'een surrounded 'y 'ood or )ystery/"
"I don"t a'soutey insist upon 'ood>" said Sir !enry/ "%ut I") sure
one of you three adies has got a pet )ystery/ Co)e no+> Miss
Marpe ; the JCurious Coin.iden.e of the Char+o)anJ or the
JMystery of the Mothers" MeetingJ/ $on"t disappoint )e in St Mary
Mead/"
Miss Marpe shoo1 her head/
"0othing that +oud interest you> Sir !enry/ We have our itte
)ysteries> of .ourse ; there +as that gi of pi.1ed shri)ps that
disappeared so in.o)prehensi'yI 'ut that +oudn"t interest you
'e.ause it a turned out to 'e so trivia> though thro+ing a
.onsidera'e ight on hu)an nature/"
"@ou have taught )e to dote on hu)an nature>" said Sir !enry
soe)ny/
"What a'out you> Miss !eierA" as1ed Coone %antry/ "@ou )ust
have had so)e interesting eBperien.es/"
"@es> indeed>" said $r #oyd/
"MeA" said *ane/ "@ou )ean ; you +ant )e to te you so)ething
that happened to )eA"
"<r to one of your friends>" a)ended Sir !enry/
"<hG" said *ane vaguey/ "I don"t thin1 anything has ever happened
to )e ; I )ean not that 1ind of thing/ Fo+ers> of .ourse> and
8ueer )essages ; 'ut that"s Dust )en> isn"t itA I don"t thin1 ; " she
paused and appeared ost in thought/
"I see +e sha have to have that epi. of the shri)ps>" said Sir
!enry/ "0o+ then> Miss Marpe/"
"@ou"re so fond of your Do1e> Sir !enry/ The shri)ps are ony
nonsenseI 'ut no+ I .o)e to thin1 of it> I do re)e)'er one
in.ident ; at east not eBa.ty an in.ident> so)ething very )u.h
)ore serious ; a tragedy/ And I +as> in a +ay> )iBed up in itI and
for +hat I did> I have never had any regrets ; no> no regrets at a/
%ut it didn"t happen in St Mary Mead/"
"That disappoints )e>" said Sir !enry/ "%ut I +i endeavour to
'ear up/ I 1ne+ +e shoud not rey upon you in vain/"
!e setted hi)sef in the attitude of a istener/ Miss Marpe gre+
sighty pin1/
"I hope I sha 'e a'e to te it propery>" she said anBiousy/ "I fear
I a) very in.ined to 'e.o)e ra)'ing/ <ne +anders fro) the
point ; atogether +ithout 1no+ing that one is doing so/ And it is
so hard to re)e)'er ea.h fa.t in its proper order/ @ou )ust a
'ear +ith )e if I te )y story 'ady/ It happened a very ong ti)e
ago no+/
"As I say> it +as not .onne.ted +ith St Mary Mead/ As a )atter of
fa.t> it had to do +ith a !ydro ; "
"$o you )ean a seapaneA" as1ed *ane +ith +ide eyes/
"@ou +oudn"t 1no+> dear>" said Mrs %antry> and eBpained/ !er
hus'and added his 8uotaH
"%easty pa.es ; a'soutey 'eastyG ,ot to get up eary and drin1
fithy;tasting +ater/ #ot of od +o)en sitting a'out/ I;natured
titte tatte/ ,od> +hen I thin1 ; "
"0o+> Arthur>" said Mrs %antry pa.idy/ "@ou 1no+ it did you a
the good in the +ord/"
"#ot of od +o)en sitting round ta1ing s.anda>" grunted Coone
%antry/
"That I a) afraid is true>" said Miss Marpe/ "I )ysef ; "
"My dear Miss Marpe>" .ried the .oone> horrified/ "I didn"t )ean
for one )o)ent ; "
With pin1 .hee1s and a itte gesture of the hand> Miss Marpe
stopped hi)/
"%ut it is true> Coone %antry/ <ny I shoud Dust i1e to say this/
#et )e re.oe.t )y thoughts/ @es/ Ta1ing s.anda> as you say ;
+e> it is done a good dea/ And peope are very do+n on it ;
espe.iay young peope/ My nephe+> +ho +rites 'oo1s ; and
very .ever ones> I 'eieve ; has said so)e )ost s.athing things
a'out ta1ing peope"s .hara.ters a+ay +ithout any 1ind of proof ;
and ho+ +i.1ed it is> and a that/ %ut +hat I say is that none of
these young peope ever stop to thin1/ They reay don"t eBa)ine
the fa.ts/ Surey the +hoe .ruB of the )atter is thisH !o+ often is
titte tatte> as you .a it> trueG And I thin1 if> as I say> they reay
eBa)ined the fa.ts they +oud find that it +as true nine ti)es out
of tenG That"s reay Dust +hat )a1es peope so annoyed a'out it/"
"The inspired guess>" said Sir !enry/
"0o> not that> not that at aG It"s reay a )atter of pra.ti.e and
eBperien.e/ An (gyptoogist> so I"ve heard> if you sho+ hi) one of
those .urious itte 'eetes> .an te you 'y the oo1 and the fee of
the thing +hat date %C it is> or if it"s a %ir)ingha) i)itation/ And
he .an"t a+ays give a definite rue for doing so/ !e Dust 1no+s/
!is ife has 'een spent handing su.h things/
"And that"s +hat I") trying to say 9very 'ady> I 1no+:/ What )y
nephe+ .as Jsuperfuous +o)enJ have a ot of ti)e on their
hands> and their .hief interest is usuay peope/ And so> you see>
they get to 'e +hat one )ight .a eBperts/ 0o+ young peope
no+adays ; they ta1 very freey a'out things that +eren"t
)entioned in )y young days> 'ut on the other hand their )inds
are terri'y inno.ent/ They 'eieve in everyone and everything/
And if one tries to +arn the)> ever so genty> they te one that
one has a 7i.torian )ind ; and that> they say> is i1e a sin1/"
"After a>" said Sir !enry> "+hat is +rong +ith a sin1A"
"(Ba.ty>" said Miss Marpe eagery/ "It"s the )ost ne.essary thing
in any houseI 'ut> of .ourse> not ro)anti./ 0o+ I )ust .onfess
that I have )y feeings> i1e everyone ese> and I have so)eti)es
'een .ruey hurt 'y unthin1ing re)ar1s/ I 1no+ gente)en are
not interested in do)esti. )atters> 'ut I )ust Dust )ention )y
)aid (the ; a very good;oo1ing gir and o'iging in every +ay/
0o+ I reai?ed as soon as I sa+ her that she +as the sa)e type as
Annie We'' and poor Mrs %ruitt"s gir/ If the opportunity arose
)ine and thine +oud )ean nothing to her/ So I et her go at the
)onth and I gave her a +ritten referen.e saying she +as honest
and so'er> 'ut privatey I +arned od Mrs (d+ards against ta1ing
her> and )y nephe+> &ay)ond> +as eB.eedingy angry and said
he had never heard of anything so +i.1ed ; yes> +i.1ed/ We> she
+ent to #ady Ashton> +ho) I fet no o'igation to +arn ; and +hat
happenedA A the a.e .ut off her under.othes and t+o dia)ond
'roo.hes ta1en ; and the gir departed in the )idde of the night
and never heard of sin.eG"
Miss Marpe paused> dre+ a ong 'reath> and then +ent on/
"@ou" 'e saying this has nothing to do +ith +hat +ent on at
-eston Spa !ydro ; 'ut it has in a +ay/ It eBpains +hy I fet no
dou't in )y )ind the first )o)ent I sa+ the Sanders together
that he )eant to do a+ay +ith her/"
"(hA" said Sir !enry> eaning for+ard/
Miss Marpe turned a pa.id fa.e to hi)/
"As I say> Sir !enry> I fet no dou't in )y o+n )ind/ Mr Sanders
+as a 'ig> good;oo1ing> forid;fa.ed )an> very hearty in his
)anner and popuar +ith a/ And no'ody .oud have 'een
peasanter to his +ife than he +as/ %ut I 1ne+G !e )eant to )a1e
a+ay +ith her/"
"My dear Miss Marpe ; "
"@es> I 1no+/ That"s +hat )y nephe+ &ay)ond West +oud say/
!e"d te )e I hadn"t a shado+ of proof/ %ut I re)e)'er Water
!ones> +ho 1ept the ,reen Man/ Wa1ing ho)e +ith his +ife one
night she fe into the river ; and he .oe.ted the insuran.e
)oneyG And one or t+o other peope that are +a1ing a'out s.ot
free to this day ; one indeed in our o+n .ass of ife/ Went to
S+it?erand for a su))er hoiday .i)'ing +ith his +ife/ I +arned
her not to go ; the poor dear didn"t get angry +ith )e as she
)ight have done ; she ony aughed/ It see)ed to her funny that a
8ueer od thing i1e )e shoud say su.h things a'out her !arry/
We> +e> there +as an a..ident ; and !arry is )arried to
another +o)an no+/ %ut +hat .oud I doA I 1ne+> 'ut there +as
no proof/"
"<hG Miss Marpe>" .ried Mrs %antry/ "@ou don"t reay )ean ; "
"My dear> these things are very .o))on ; very .o))on indeed/
And gente)en are espe.iay te)pted> 'eing so )u.h the
stronger/ So easy if a thing oo1s i1e an a..ident/ As I say> I 1ne+
at on.e +ith the Sanders/ It +as on a tra)/ It +as fu inside and I
had had to go on top/ We a three got up to get off and Mr
Sanders ost his 'aan.e and fe right against his +ife> sending
her headfirst do+n the stairs/ Fortunatey the .ondu.tor +as a
very strong young )an and .aught her/"
"%ut surey that )ust have 'een an a..ident/"
"<f .ourse it +as an a..ident ; nothing .oud have oo1ed )ore
a..identaG %ut Mr Saunders had 'een in the Mer.hant Servi.e>
so he tod )e> and a )an +ho .an 1eep his 'aan.e on a nasty
titing 'oat doesn"t ose it on top of a tra) if an od +o)an i1e )e
doesn"t/ $on"t te )eG"
"At any rate +e .an ta1e it that you )ade up your )ind> Miss
Marpe>" said Sir !enry/ "Made it up then and there/"
The od ady nodded/
"I +as sure enough> and another in.ident in .rossing the street
not ong after+ards )ade )e surer sti/ 0o+ I as1 you> +hat
.oud I do> Sir !enryA !ere +as a ni.e .ontented happy itte
)arried +o)an shorty going to 'e )urdered/"
"My dear ady> you ta1e )y 'reath a+ay/"
"That"s 'e.ause> i1e )ost peope no+adays> you +on"t fa.e
fa.ts/ @ou prefer to thin1 su.h a thing .oudn"t 'e/ %ut it +as so>
and I 1ne+ it/ %ut one is so sady handi.appedG I .oudn"t> for
instan.e> go to the poi.e/ And to +arn the young +o)an +oud> I
.oud see> 'e useess/ She +as devoted to the )an/ I Dust )ade it
)y 'usiness to find out as )u.h as I .oud a'out the)/ <ne has a
ot of opportunities doing one"s neede+or1 round the fire/ Mrs
Sanders 9,adys> her na)e +as: +as ony too +iing to ta1/ It
see)s they had not 'een )arried very ong/ !er hus'and had
so)e property that +as .o)ing to hi)> 'ut for the )o)ent they
+ere very 'ady off/ In fa.t> they +ere iving on her itte in.o)e/
<ne has heard that tae 'efore/ She 'e)oaned the fa.t that she
.oud not tou.h the .apita/ It see)s that so)e'ody had had
so)e sense so)e+hereG %ut the )oney +as hers to +i a+ay ; I
found that out And she and her hus'and had )ade +is in favour
of ea.h other dire.ty after their )arriage/ 7ery tou.hing/ <f
.ourse> +hen *a.1"s affairs .a)e right ; that +as the 'urden a
day ong> and in the )eanti)e they +ere very hard up indeed ;
a.tuay had a roo) on the top foor> a a)ong the servants ; and
so dangerous in .ase of fire> though> as it happened> there +as a
fire es.ape Dust outside their +indo+/ I in8uired .arefuy if there
+as a 'a.ony ; dangerous things> 'a.onies/ <ne push ; you
1no+G
"I )ade her pro)ise not to go out on the 'a.onyI I said I"d had a
drea)/ That i)pressed her ; one .an do a ot +ith superstition
so)eti)es/ She +as a fair gir> rather +ashed;out .o)peBion>
and an untidy ro of hair on her ne.1/ 7ery .reduous/ She
repeated +hat I had said to her hus'and> and I noti.ed hi)
oo1ing at )e in a .urious +ay on.e or t+i.e/ !e +asn"t
.reduousI and he 1ne+ I"d 'een on that tra)/
"%ut I +as very +orried ; terri'y +orried ; 'e.ause I .oudn"t see
ho+ to .ir.u)vent hi)/ I .oud prevent anything happening at the
!ydro> Dust 'y saying a fe+ +ords to sho+ hi) I suspe.ted/ %ut
that ony )eant his putting off his pan ti ater/ 0o> I 'egan to
'eieve that the ony poi.y +as a 'od one ; so)eho+ or other to
ay a trap for hi)/ If I .oud indu.e hi) to atte)pt her ife in a +ay
of )y o+n .hoosing ; +e> then he +oud 'e un)as1ed> and she
+oud 'e for.ed to fa.e the truth ho+ever )u.h of a sho.1 it +as
to her/"
"@ou ta1e )y 'reath a+ay>" said $r #oyd/ "What .on.eiva'e pan
.oud you adoptA"
"I"d have found one ; never fear>" said Miss Marpe/ "%ut the )an
+as too .ever for )e/ !e didn"t +ait/ !e thought I )ight suspe.t>
and so he stru.1 'efore I .oud 'e sure/ !e 1ne+ I +oud suspe.t
an a..ident/ So he )ade it )urder/"
A itte gasp +ent round the .ir.e/ Miss Marpe nodded and set
her ips gri)y together/
"I") afraid I"ve put that rather a'rupty/ I )ust try and te you
eBa.ty +hat o..urred/ I"ve a+ays fet very 'ittery a'out it ; it
see)s to )e that I ought> so)eho+> to have prevented it/ %ut
dou'tess Providen.e 1ne+ 'est/ I did +hat I .oud at a events/
"There +as +hat I .an ony des.ri'e as a .uriousy eerie feeing in
the air/ There see)ed to 'e so)ething +eighing on us a/ A
feeing of )isfortune/ To 'egin +ith> there +as ,eorge> the ha
porter/ !ad 'een there for years and 1ne+ every'ody/ %ron.hitis
and pneu)onia> and passed a+ay on the fourth day/ Terri'y sad/
A rea 'o+ to every'ody/ And four days 'efore Christ)as too/
And then one of the house)aids ; su.h a ni.e gir ; a septi.
finger> a.tuay died in t+enty;four hours/
"I +as in the dra+ing;roo) +ith Miss Troope and od Mrs
Carpenter> and Mrs Carpenter +as 'eing positivey ghouish ;
reishing it a> you 1no+/
"JMar1 )y +ords>J she said/ "This isn"t the end/ @ou 1no+ the
sayingA 0ever t+o +ithout three/ I"ve proved it true ti)e and
again/ There" 'e another death/ 0ot a dou't of it/ And +e shan"t
have ong to +ait/ 0ever t+o +ithout three/"
"As she said the ast +ords> nodding her head and .i.1ing her
1nitting needes> I Dust .han.ed to oo1 up and there +as Mr
Sanders standing in the door+ay/ *ust for a )inute he +as off
guard> and I sa+ the oo1 in his fa.e as pain as pain/ I sha
'eieve ti )y dying day that it +as that ghouish Mrs Carpenter"s
+ords that put the +hoe thing into his head/ I sa+ his )ind
+or1ing/
"!e .a)e for+ard into the roo) s)iing in his genia +ay/
"JAny Christ)as shopping I .an do for you adiesAJ he as1ed/ JI")
going do+n to -eston presenty/J
"!e stayed a )inute or t+o> aughing and ta1ing> and then +ent
out/ As I te you> I +as trou'ed> and I said straight a+ayH
"JWhere"s Mrs SandersA $oes anyone 1no+AJ
"Mrs Troope said she"d gone out to so)e friends of hers> the
Morti)ers> to pay 'ridge> and that eased )y )ind for the
)o)ent/ %ut I +as sti very +orried and )ost un.ertain as to
+hat to do/ A'out haf an hour ater I +ent up to )y roo)/ I )et
$r Coes> )y do.tor> there> .o)ing do+n the stairs as I +as
going up> and as I happened to +ant to .onsut hi) a'out )y
rheu)atis)> I too1 hi) into )y roo) +ith )e then and there/ !e
)entioned to )e then 9in .onfiden.e> he said: a'out the death of
the poor gir Mary/ The )anager didn"t +ant the ne+s to get
a'out> he said> so +oud I 1eep it to )ysef/ <f .ourse I didn"t te
hi) that +e"d a 'een dis.ussing nothing ese for the ast hour ;
ever sin.e the poor gir 'reathed her ast/ These things are
a+ays 1no+n at on.e> and a )an of his eBperien.e shoud 1no+
that +e enoughI 'ut $r Coes a+ays +as a si)pe unsuspi.ious
feo+ +ho 'eieved +hat he +anted to 'eieve and that"s Dust
+hat aar)ed )e a )inute ater/ !e said as he +as eaving that
Sanders had as1ed hi) to have a oo1 at his +ife/ It see)ed she"d
'een seedy of ate ; indigestion> et./
"0o+ that very sef;sa)e day ,adys Sanders had said to )e that
she"d got a +onderfu digestion and +as than1fu for it/
"@ou seeA A )y suspi.ions of that )an .a)e 'a.1 a
hundredfod/ !e +as preparing the +ay ; for +hatA $r Coes eft
'efore I .oud )a1e up )y )ind +hether to spea1 to hi) or not ;
though reay if I had spo1en I shoudn"t have 1no+n +hat to say/
As I .a)e out of )y roo)> the )an hi)sef ; Sanders ; .a)e do+n
the stairs fro) the foor a'ove/ !e +as dressed to go out and he
as1ed )e again if he .oud do anything for )e in the to+n/ It +as
a I .oud do to 'e .ivi to the )anG I +ent straight into the ounge
and ordered tea/ It +as Dust on haf past five> I re)e)'er/
"0o+ I") very anBious to put .eary +hat happened neBt/ I +as
sti in the ounge at a 8uarter to seven +hen Mr Sanders .a)e in/
There +ere t+o gente)en +ith hi) and a three of the) +ere
in.ined to 'e a itte on the ivey side/ Mr Sanders eft his t+o
friends and .a)e right over to +here I +as sitting +ith Miss
Troope/ !e eBpained that he +anted our advi.e a'out a
Christ)as present he +as giving his +ife/ It +as an evening 'ag/
J"And you see> adies>J he said> JI") ony a rough saior)an/ What
do I 1no+ a'out su.h thingsA I"ve had three sent to )e on
approva and I +ant an eBpert opinion on the)/J
"We said> of .ourse> that +e +oud 'e deighted to hep hi)> and
he as1ed if +e"d )ind .o)ing upstairs> as his +ife )ight .o)e in
any )inute if he 'rought the things do+n/ So +e +ent up +ith
hi)/ I sha never forget +hat happened neBt ; I .an fee )y itte
fingers tinging no+/
"Mr Sanders opened the door of the 'edroo) and s+it.hed on the
ight/ I don"t 1no+ +hi.h of us sa+ it first///
"Mrs Sanders +as ying on the foor> fa.e do+n+ards ; dead/
"I got to her first/ I 1net do+n and too1 her hand and fet for the
puse> 'ut it +as useess> the ar) itsef +as .od and stiff/ *ust 'y
her head +as a sto.1ing fied +ith sand ; the +eapon she had
'een stru.1 do+n +ith/ Miss Troope> siy .reature> +as
)oaning and )oaning 'y the door and hoding her head/ Sanders
gave a great .ry of JMy +ife> )y +ife>J and rushed to her/ I
stopped hi) tou.hing her/ @ou see> I +as sure at the )o)ent he
had done it> and there )ight have 'een so)ething that he +anted
to ta1e a+ay or hide/
"J0othing )ust 'e tou.hed>J I said/ JPu yoursef together> Mr
Sanders/ Miss Troope> pease go do+n and fet.h the )anager/J
"I stayed there> 1neeing 'y the 'ody/ I +asn"t going to eave
Sanders aone +ith it/ And yet I +as for.ed to ad)it that if the
)an +as a.ting> he +as a.ting )arveousy/ !e oo1ed da?ed
and 'e+idered and s.ared out of his +its/
"The )anager +as +ith us in no ti)e/ !e )ade a 8ui.1 inspe.tion
of the roo) then turned us a out and o.1ed the door> the 1ey of
+hi.h he too1/ Then he +ent off and teephoned to the poi.e/ It
see)ed a positive age 'efore they .a)e 9+e earnt after+ards
that the ine +as out of order:/ The )anager had to send a
)essenger to the poi.e station> and the !ydro is right out of the
to+n> up on the edge of the )oor> and Mrs Carpenter tried us a
very severey/ She +as so peased at her prophe.y of J0ever t+o
+ithout threeJ .o)ing true so 8ui.1y/ Sanders> I hear> +andered
out into the grounds> .ut.hing his head and groaning and
dispaying every sign of grief/
"!o+ever> the poi.e .a)e at ast/ They +ent upstairs +ith the
)anager and Mr Sanders/ #ater they sent do+n for )e/ I +ent up/
The Inspe.tor +as there> sitting at a ta'e +riting/ !e +as an
inteigent;oo1ing )an and I i1ed hi)/
"JMiss *ane MarpeAJ he said/
"J@es/J
"JI understand> )ada)> that you +ere present +hen the 'ody of
the de.eased +as foundAJ
"I said I +as and I des.ri'ed eBa.ty +hat had o..urred/ I thin1 it
+as a reief to the poor )an to find so)eone +ho .oud ans+er
his 8uestions .oherenty> having previousy had to dea +ith
Sanders and ()iy Troope> +ho> I gather> +as .o)petey
de)orai?ed ; she +oud 'e> the siy .reatureG I re)e)'er )y
dear )other tea.hing )e that a gente+o)an shoud a+ays 'e
a'e to .ontro hersef in pu'i.> ho+ever )u.h she )ay give +ay
in private/"
"An ad)ira'e )aBi)>" said Sir !enry gravey/
"When I had finished the Inspe.tor saidH
"JThan1 you> )ada)/ 0o+ I") afraid I )ust as1 you Dust to oo1 at
the 'ody on.e )ore/ Is that eBa.ty the position in +hi.h it +as
ying +hen you entered the roo)A It hasn"t 'een )oved in any
+ayAJ
"I eBpained that I had prevented Mr Sanders fro) doing so> and
the Inspe.tor nodded approva/
"JThe gente)an see)s terri'y upset>J he re)ar1ed/
"J!e see)s so ; yes>J I repied/
"I don"t thin1 I put any spe.ia e)phasis on the Jsee)sJ> 'ut the
Inspe.tor oo1ed at )e rather 1eeny/
"JSo +e .an ta1e it that the 'ody is eBa.ty as it +as +hen foundAJ
he said/
"J(B.ept for the hat> yes>J I repied/
The Inspe.tor oo1ed up sharpy/
"JWhat do you )ean ; the hatAJ
"I eBpained that the hat had 'een on poor ,adys"s head>
+hereas no+ it +as ying 'eside her/ I thought> of .ourse> that
the poi.e had done this/ The Inspe.tor> ho+ever> denied it
e)phati.ay/ 0othing had> as yet> 'een )oved or tou.hed/ !e
stood oo1ing do+n at that poor prone figure +ith a pu??ed
fro+n/ ,adys +as dressed in her outdoor .othes ; a 'ig dar1;red
t+eed .oat +ith a grey fur .oar/ The hat> a .heap affair of red
fet> ay Dust 'y her head/
"The Inspe.tor stood for so)e )inutes in sien.e> fro+ning to
hi)sef/ Then an idea stru.1 hi)/
"JCan you> 'y any .han.e> re)e)'er> )ada)> +hether there
+ere earrings in the ears> or +hether the de.eased ha'ituay
+ore earringsAJ
"0o+ fortunatey I a) in the ha'it of o'serving .osey/ I
re)e)'ered that there had 'een a gint of pears Dust 'eo+ the
hat 'ri)> though I had paid no parti.uar noti.e to it at the ti)e/ I
+as a'e to ans+er his first 8uestion in the affir)ative/
"JThen that settes it/ The ady"s De+e .ase +as rifed ; not that
she had anything )u.h of vaue> I understand ; and the rings
+ere ta1en fro) her fingers/ The )urderer )ust have forgotten
the earrings> and .o)e 'a.1 for the) after the )urder +as
dis.overed/ A .oo .usto)erG <r perhaps ; J !e stared round the
roo) and said so+y> J!e )ay have 'een .on.eaed here in this
roo) ; a the ti)e/J
"%ut I negatived that idea/ I )ysef> I eBpained> oo1ed under the
'ed/ And the )anager had opened the doors of the +ardro'e/
There +as no+here ese +here a )an .oud hide/ It is true the hat
.up'oard +as o.1ed in the )idde of the +ardro'e> 'ut as that
+as ony a shao+ affair +ith sheves> no one .oud have 'een
.on.eaed there/
The Inspe.tor nodded his head so+y +hist I eBpained a this/
"JI" ta1e your +ord for it> )ada)>J he said/ JIn that .ase> as I
said 'efore> he )ust have .o)e 'a.1/ A very .oo .usto)er/J
"J%ut the )anager o.1ed the door and too1 the 1eyGJ
"JThat"s nothing/ The 'a.ony and the fire es.ape ; that"s the +ay
the thief .a)e/ Why> as i1ey as not> you a.tuay distur'ed hi) at
+or1/ !e sips out of the +indo+> and +hen you"ve a gone> 'a.1
he .o)es and goes on +ith his 'usiness/J
"J@ou are sure>J I said> Jthat there +as a thiefAJ
"!e said driyH
"JWe> it oo1s i1e it> doesn"t itAJ
"%ut so)ething in his tone satisfied )e/ I fet that he +oudn"t ta1e
Mr Sanders in the rUe of the 'ereaved +ido+er too seriousy/
"@ou see> I ad)it it fran1y/ I +as a'soutey under the opinion of
+hat I 'eieve our neigh'ours> the Fren.h> .a the ide= fiBe/ I
1ne+ that that )an> Sanders> intended his +ife to die/ What I
didn"t ao+ for +as that strange and fantasti. thing> .oin.iden.e/
My vie+s a'out Mr Sanders +ere ; I +as sure of it ; a'soutey
right and true/ The )an +as a s.oundre/ %ut athough his
hypo.riti.a assu)ptions of grief didn"t de.eive )e for a )inute> I
do re)e)'er feeing at the ti)e that his surprise and
'e+ider)ent +ere )arveousy +e done/ They see)ed
a'soutey natura ; if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ I )ust ad)it that
after )y .onversation +ith the inspe.tor> a .urious feeing of
dou't .rept over )e/ %e.ause if Sanders had done this dreadfu
thing> I .oudn"t i)agine any .on.eiva'e reason +hy he shoud
.reep 'a.1 'y )eans of the fire es.ape and ta1e the earrings
fro) his +ife"s earsI It +oudn"t have 'een a sensi'e thing to do>
and Sanders +as su.h a very sensi'e )an ; that"s Dust +hy I
a+ays fet he +as so dangerous/"
Miss Marpe oo1ed round at her audien.e/
"@ou see> perhaps> +hat I a) .o)ing toA It is> so often> the
uneBpe.ted that happens in this +ord/ I +as so sure> and that> I
thin1> +as +hat 'inded )e/ The resut .a)e as a sho.1 to )e/
For it +as proved> 'eyond any possi'e dou't> that Mr Sanders
.oud not possi'y have .o))itted the .ri)e/// "
A surprised gasp .a)e fro) Mrs %antry/ Miss Marpe turned to
her/
"I 1no+> )y dear> that isn"t +hat you eBpe.ted +hen I 'egan this
story/ It +asn"t +hat I eBpe.ted either/ %ut fa.ts are fa.ts> and if
one is proved to 'e +rong> one )ust Dust 'e hu)'e a'out it and
start again/ That Mr Sanders +as a )urderer at heart I 1ne+ ;
and nothing ever o..urred to upset that fir) .onvi.tion of )ine/
"And no+> I eBpe.t> you +oud i1e to hear the a.tua fa.ts
the)seves/ Mrs Sanders> as you 1no+> spent the afternoon
paying 'ridge +ith so)e friends> the Morti)ers/ She eft the) at
a'out a 8uarter past siB/ Fro) her friends" house to the !ydro
+as a'out a 8uarter of an hour"s +a1 ; ess if one hurried/ She
)ust have .o)e in then a'out siB;thirty/ 0o one sa+ her .o)e in>
so she )ust have entered 'y the side door and hurried straight
up to her roo)/ There she .hanged 9the fa+n .oat and s1irt she
+ore to the 'ridge party +ere hanging up in the .up'oard: and
+as evidenty preparing to go out again> +hen the 'o+ fe/ 4uite
possi'y they say> she never even 1ne+ +ho stru.1 her/ The
sand'ag> I understand> is a very effi.ient +eapon/ That oo1s as
though the atta.1ers +ere .on.eaed in the roo)> possi'y in one
of the 'ig +ardro'e .up'oards ; the one she didn"t open/
"0o+ as to the )ove)ents of Mr Sanders/ !e +ent out> as I have
said> at a'out five;thirty ; or a itte after/ !e did so)e shopping at
a .oupe of shops and at a'out siB o".o.1 he entered the ,rand
Spa !ote +here he en.ountered t+o friends ; the sa)e +ith
+ho) he returned to the !ydro ater/ They payed 'iiards and> I
gather> had a good )any +his1ies and sodas together/ These t+o
)en 9!it.h.o.1 and Spender> their na)es +ere: +ere a.tuay
+ith hi) the +hoe ti)e fro) siB o".o.1 on+ards/ They +a1ed
'a.1 to the !ydro +ith hi) and he ony eft the) to .o)e a.ross
to )e and Miss Troope/ That> as I tod you> +as a'out a 8uarter
to seven ;; at +hi.h ti)e his +ife )ust have 'een aready dead/
"I )ust te you that I ta1ed )ysef to these t+o friends of his/ I did
not i1e the)/ They +ere neither peasant nor gente)any )en>
'ut I +as 8uite .ertain of one thing> that they +ere spea1ing the
a'soute truth +hen they said that Sanders had 'een the +hoe
ti)e in their .o)pany/
"There +as Dust one other itte point that .a)e up/ It see)s that
+hie 'ridge +as going on Mrs Sanders +as .aed to the
teephone/ A Mr #itte+orth +anted to spea1 to her/ She see)ed
'oth eB.ited and peased a'out so)ething ; and in.identay
)ade one or t+o 'ad )ista1es/ She eft rather earier than they
had eBpe.ted her to do/
"Mr Sanders +as as1ed +hether he 1ne+ the na)e of #itte+orth
as 'eing one of his +ife"s friends> 'ut he de.ared he had never
heard of anyone of that na)e/ And to )e that see)s 'orne out 'y
his +ife"s attitude ; she too> did not see) to 1no+ the na)e of
#itte+orth/ 0evertheess she .a)e 'a.1 fro) the teephone
s)iing and 'ushing> so it oo1s as though +hoever it +as did not
give his rea na)e> and that in itsef has a suspi.ious aspe.t>
does it notA
"Any+ay> that is the pro'e) that +as eft/ The 'urgar story>
+hi.h see)s uni1ey ; or the aternative theory that Mrs Sanders
+as preparing to go out and )eet so)e'ody/ $id that so)e'ody
.o)e to her roo) 'y )eans of the fire es.apeA Was there a
8uarreA <r did he trea.herousy atta.1 herA"
Miss Marpe stopped/
"WeA" said Sir !enry/ "What is the ans+erA"
"I +ondered if any of you .oud guess/"
"I") never good at guessing>" said Mrs %antry/ "It see)s a pity that
Sanders had su.h a +onderfu ai'iI 'ut if it satisfied you it )ust
have 'een a right/"
*ane !eier )oved her 'eautifu head and as1ed a 8uestion/
"Why>" she said> "+as the hat .up'oard o.1edA"
"!o+ very .ever of you )y dear>" said Miss Marpe> 'ea)ing/
"That"s Dust +hat I +ondered )ysef/ Though the eBpanation +as
8uite si)pe/ In it +ere a pair of e)'roidered sippers and so)e
po.1et hand1er.hiefs that the poor gir +as e)'roidering for her
hus'and for Christ)as/ That"s +hy she o.1ed the .up'oard/ The
1ey +as found in her hand'ag/"
"<hG" said *ane/ "Then it isn"t very interesting after a/"
"<hG 'ut it is>" said Miss Marpe/ "It"s Dust the one reay interesting
thing ; the thing that )ade a the )urderer"s pans go +rong/"
(veryone stared at the od ady/
"I didn"t see it )ysef for t+o days>" said Miss Marpe/ "I pu??ed
and pu??ed ; and then suddeny there it +as> a .ear/ I +ent to
the inspe.tor and as1ed hi) to try so)ething and he did/"
"What did you as1 hi) to tryA"
"I as1ed hi) to fit that hat on the poor gir"s head ; and of .ourse
he .oudn"t/ It +oudn"t go on/ It +asn"t her hat> you see/"
Mrs %antry stared/
"%ut it +as on her head to 'egin +ithA"
"0ot on her head ; "
Miss Marpe stopped a )o)ent to et her +ords sin1 in> and then
+ent on/
"We too1 it for granted that it +as poor ,adys"s 'ody thereI 'ut
+e never oo1ed at the fa.e/ She +as fa.e do+n+ards>
re)e)'er> and the hat hid everything/"
"%ut she +as 1iedA"
"@es> ater/ At the )o)ent that +e +ere teephoning to the poi.e>
,adys Sanders +as aive and +e/"
"@ou )ean it +as so)eone pretending to 'e herA %ut surey +hen
you tou.hed her ; "
"It +as a dead 'ody> right enough>" said Miss Marpe gravey/
"%ut> dash it a>" said Coone %antry> "you .an"t get hod of dead
'odies right and eft/ What did they do +ith the ; the first .orpse
after+ardsA"
"!e put it 'a.1>" said Miss Marpe/ "It +as a +i.1ed idea ; 'ut a
very .ever one/ It +as our ta1 in the dra+ing;roo) that put it
into his head/ The 'ody of poor Mary> the house)aid ; +hy not
use itA &e)e)'er> the Sanders" roo) +as up a)ongst the
servants" 8uarters/ Mary"s roo) +as t+o doors off/ The
underta1ers +oudn"t .o)e ti after dar1 ; he .ounted on that/ !e
.arried the 'ody aong the 'a.ony 9it +as dar1 at five:> dressed it
in one of his +ife"s dresses and her 'ig red .oat/ And then he
found the hat .up'oard o.1edG There +as ony one thing to 'e
done> he fet.hed one of the poor gir"s o+n hats/ 0o one +oud
noti.e/ !e put the sand'ag do+n 'eside her/ Then he +ent off to
esta'ish his ai'i/
"!e teephoned to his +ife ; .aing hi)sef Mr #itte+orth/ I don"t
1no+ +hat he said to her ; she +as a .reduous gir> as I said Dust
no+/ %ut he got her to eave the 'ridge party eary and not to go
'a.1 to the !ydro> and arranged +ith her to )eet hi) in the
grounds of the !ydro near the fire es.ape at seven o".o.1/ !e
pro'a'y tod her he had so)e surprise for her/
"!e returns to the !ydro +ith his friends and arranges that Miss
Troope and I sha dis.over the .ri)e +ith hi)/ !e even
pretends to turn the 'ody over ; and I stop hi)G Then the poi.e
are sent for> and he staggers out into the grounds/
"0o'ody as1ed hi) for an ai'i after the .ri)e/ !e )eets his +ife>
ta1es her up the fire es.ape> they enter their roo)/ Perhaps he
has aready tod her so)e story a'out the 'ody/ She stoops over
it> and he pi.1s up his sand'ag and stri1es/// <h> dearG It )a1es
)e si.1 to thin1 of> even no+G Then 8ui.1y he strips off her .oat
and s1irt> hangs the) up> and dresses her in the .othes fro) the
other 'ody/
"%ut the hat +on"t go on/ Mary"s head is shinged ; ,adys
Sanders> as I say> had a great 'un of hair/ !e is for.ed to eave it
'eside the 'ody and hope no one +i noti.e/ Then he .arries
poor Mary"s 'ody 'a.1 to her o+n roo) and arranges it
de.orousy on.e )ore/"
"It see)s in.redi'e>" said $r #oyd/ "The ris1s he too1/ The poi.e
)ight have arrived too soon/"
"@ou re)e)'er the ine +as out of order>" said Miss Marpe/ "That
+as a pie.e of his +or1/ !e .oudn"t afford to have the poi.e on
the spot too soon/ When they did .o)e> they spent so)e ti)e in
the )anager"s offi.e 'efore going up to the 'edroo)/ That +as
the +ea1est point ; the .han.e that so)eone )ight noti.e the
differen.e 'et+een a 'ody that had 'een dead t+o hours and one
that had 'een dead Dust over haf an hourI 'ut he .ounted on the
fa.t that the peope +ho first dis.overed the .ri)e +oud have no
eBpert 1no+edge/"
$r #oyd nodded/
"The .ri)e +oud 'e supposed to have 'een .o))itted a'out a
8uarter to seven or therea'outs> I suppose>" he said/ "It +as
a.tuay .o))itted at seven or a fe+ )inutes after/ When the
poi.e surgeon eBa)ined the 'ody it +oud 'e a'out haf past
seven at eariest/ !e .oudn"t possi'y te/"
"I a) the person +ho shoud have 1no+n>" said Miss Marpe/ "I fet
the poor gir"s hand and it +as i.y .od/ @et a short ti)e ater the
Inspe.tor spo1e as though the )urder )ust have 'een
.o))itted Dust 'efore +e arrived ; and I sa+ nothingG"
"I thin1 you sa+ a good dea> Miss Marpe>" said Sir !enry/ "The
.ase +as 'efore )y ti)e/ I don"t even re)e)'er hearing of it/
What happenedA"
"Sanders +as hanged>" said Miss Marpe .rispy/ "And a good Do'
too/ I have never regretted )y part in 'ringing that )an to
Dusti.e/ I"ve no patien.e +ith )odern hu)anitarian s.rupes
a'out .apita punish)ent/"
!er stern fa.e softened/
"%ut I have often reproa.hed )ysef 'ittery +ith faiing to save
the ife of that poor gir/ %ut +ho +oud have istened to an od
+o)an Du)ping to .on.usionsA We> +e ; +ho 1no+sA Perhaps
it +as 'etter for her to die +hie ife +as sti happy than it +oud
have 'een for her to ive on> unhappy and disiusioned> in a +ord
that +oud have see)ed suddeny horri'e/ She oved that
s.oundre and trusted hi)/ She never found hi) out/"
"We> then>" said *ane !eier> "she +as a right/ 4uite a right/ I
+ish ; " she stopped/
Miss Marpe oo1ed at the fa)ous> the 'eautifu> the su..essfu
*ane !eier and nodded her head genty/
"I see> )y dear>" she said very genty/ "I see/"
The !er' of $eath
"0o+ then> Mrs %>" said Sir !enry Cithering en.ouragingy/
Mrs %antry> his hostess> oo1ed at hi) in .od reproof/
"I"ve tod you 'efore that I +i not 'e .aed Mrs %/ It"s not
dignified/"
"S.hehera?ade> then/"
"And even ess a) I S.he ; +hat"s her na)eA I never .an te a
story propery> as1 Arthur if you don"t 'eieve )e/"
"@ou"re 8uite good at the fa.ts> $oy>" said Coone %antry> "'ut
poor at the e)'roidery/"
"That"s Dust it>" said Mrs %antry/ She fapped the 'u' .ataogue
she +as hoding on the ta'e in front of her/ "I"ve 'een istening to
you a and I don"t 1no+ ho+ you do it/ J!e said> she said> you
+ondered> they thought> everyone i)piedJ ; +e> I Dust .oudn"t
and there it isG And 'esides I don"t 1no+ anything to te a story
a'out/"
"We .an"t 'eieve that Mrs %antry>" said $r #oyd/ !e shoo1 his
grey head in )o.1ing dis'eief/
<d Miss Marpe said in her gente voi.eH "Surey dear ; "
Mrs %antry .ontinued o'stinatey to sha1e her head/
"@ou don"t 1no+ ho+ 'ana )y ife is/ What +ith the servants and
the diffi.uties of getting s.uery )aids> and Dust going to to+n
for .othes> and dentists> and As.ot 9+hi.h Arthur hates: and
then the garden ; "
"AhG" said $r #oyd/ "The garden/ We a 1no+ +here your heart
ies> Mrs %antry/"
"It )ust 'e ni.e to have a garden/" said *ane !eier> the 'eautifu
young a.tress/ "That is> if you hadn"t got to dig> or to get your
hands )essed up/ I") ever so fond of fo+ers/"
"The garden>" said Sir !enry/ "Can"t +e ta1e that as a starting
pointA Co)e> Mrs %/ The poisoned 'u'> the deady daffodis> the
her' of deathA"
"0o+ it"s odd your saying that>" said Mrs %antry/ "@ou"ve Dust
re)inded )e/ Arthur> do you re)e)'er that 'usiness at
Codderha) CourtA @ou 1no+/ <d Sir A)'rose %er.y/ $o you
re)e)'er +hat a .ourty .har)ing od )an +e thought hi)A"
"Why> of .ourse/ @es> that +as a strange 'usiness/ ,o ahead/
$oy/"
"@ou"d 'etter te it> dear/"
"0onsense/ ,o ahead/ Must padde your o+n .anoe/ I did )y 'it
Dust no+/"
Mrs %antry dre+ a deep 'reath/ She .asped her hands and her
fa.e registered .o)pete )enta anguish/ She spo1e rapidy and
fuenty/
"We> there"s reay not )u.h to te/ The !er' of $eath ; that"s
+hat put it into )y head> though in )y o+n )ind I .a it sage and
onions/"
"Sage and onionsA" as1ed $r #oyd/
Mrs %antry nodded/
"That +as ho+ it happened you see>" she eBpained/ "We +ere
staying> Arthur and I> +ith Sir A)'rose %er.y at Codderha)
Court> and one day> 'y )ista1e 9though very stupidy> I"ve a+ays
thought: a ot of foBgove eaves +ere pi.1ed +ith the sage/ The
du.1s for dinner that night +ere stuffed +ith it and everyone +as
very i> and one poor gir ; Sir A)'rose"s +ard ; died of it/"
She stopped/
"$ear> dear>" said Miss Marpe> "ho+ very tragi./"
"Wasn"t itA"
"We>" said Sir !enry> "+hat neBtA"
"There isn"t any neBt>" said Mrs %antry> "that"s a/"
(veryone gasped/ Though +arned 'eforehand> they had not
eBpe.ted 8uite su.h 'revity as this/
"%ut> )y dear ady>" re)onstrated Sir !enry> "it .an"t 'e a/ What
you have reated is a tragi. o..urren.e> 'ut not in any sense of
the +ord a pro'e)/"
"We> of .ourse there"s so)e )ore>" said Mrs %antry/ "%ut if I +ere
to te you it> you"d 1no+ +hat it +as/"
She oo1ed defianty round the asse)'y and said paintiveyH
"I tod you I .oudn"t dress things up and )a1e it sound propery
i1e a story ought to do/"
"Ah haG" said Sir !enry/ !e sat up in his .hair and adDusted an
eyegass/ "&eay> you 1no+> S.hehera?ade> this is )ost
refreshing/ <ur ingenuity is .haenged/ I") not so sure you
haven"t done it on purpose ; to sti)uate our .uriosity/ A fe+ 'ris1
rounds of JT+enty 4uestionsJ is indi.ated> I thin1/ Miss Marpe>
+i you 'eginA"
"I"d i1e to 1no+ so)ething a'out the .oo1>" said Miss Marpe/
"She )ust have 'een a very stupid +o)an> or ese very
ineBperien.ed/"
"She +as Dust very stupid>" said Mrs %antry/ "She .ried a great
dea after+ards and said the eaves had 'een pi.1ed and 'rought
in to her as sage> and ho+ +as she to 1no+A"
"0ot one +ho thought for hersef>" said Miss Marpe/
"Pro'a'y an edery +o)an and> I daresay> a very good .oo1A"
"<hG eB.eent>" said Mrs %antry/
"@our turn> Miss !eier>" said Sir !enry/
"<hG @ou )ean ; to as1 a 8uestionA" there +as a pause +hie *ane
pondered/ Finay she said hepessy> "&eay ; I don"t 1no+ +hat
to as1/"
!er 'eautifu eyes oo1ed appeaingy at Sir !enry/
"Why not dra)atis personae> Miss !eierA" he suggested s)iing/
*ane sti oo1ed pu??ed/
"Chara.ters in order of their appearan.e>" said Sir !enry genty/
"<h> yes>" said *ane/ "That"s a good idea/"
Mrs %antry 'egan 'ris1y to ti.1 peope off on her fingers/
"Sir A)'rose ; Syvia -eene 9that"s the gir +ho died: ; a friend of
hers +ho +as staying there> Maud Wye> one of those dar1 ugy
girs +ho )anage to )a1e an effort so)eho+ ; I never 1no+ ho+
they do it/ Then there +as a Mr Curie +ho had .o)e do+n to
dis.uss 'oo1s +ith Sir A)'rose ; you 1no+> rare 'oo1s ; 8ueer
od things in #atin ; a )usty par.h)ent/ There +as *erry
#ori)er ; he +as a 1ind of neBt door neigh'our/ !is pa.e>
Fairies> Doined Sir A)'rose"s estate/ And there +as Mrs
Carpenter> one of those )idde;aged pussies +ho a+ays see) to
)anage to dig the)seves in .o)forta'y so)e+here/ She +as
'y +ay of 'eing da)e de .o)pagnie to Syvia> I suppose/"
"If it is )y turn>" said Sir !enry> "and I suppose it is> as I") sitting
neBt to Miss !oier> I +ant a good dea/ I +ant a short ver'a
portrait> pease> Mrs %antry> of a the foregoing/"
"<hG" Mrs %antry hesitated/
"Sir A)'rose no+>" .ontinued Sir !enry/ "Start +ith hi)/ What
+as he i1eA"
"<hG he +as a very distinguished;oo1ing od )an ; and not so
very od reay ; not )ore than siBty> I suppose/ %ut he +as very
dei.ate ; he had a +ea1 heart> .oud never go upstairs ; he had
to have a ift put in> and so that )ade hi) see) oder than he
+as/ 7ery .har)ing )anners ; .ourty ; that"s the +ord that
des.ri'es hi) 'est/ @ou never sa+ hi) ruffed or upset/ !e had
'eautifu +hite hair and a parti.uary .har)ing voi.e/"
",ood>" said Sir !enry/ "I see Sir A)'rose/ 0o+ the gir Syvia ;
+hat did you say her na)e +asA"
"Syvia -eene/ She +as pretty ; reay very pretty/ Fair;haired> you
1no+> and a ovey s1in/ 0ot> perhaps> very .ever/ In fa.t> rather
stupid/"
"<hG .o)e> $oy>" protested her hus'and/
"Arthur> of .ourse> +oudn"t thin1 so>" said Mrs %antry driy/ "%ut
she +as stupid ; she reay never said anything +orth istening to/"
"<ne of the )ost gra.efu .reatures I ever sa+>" said Coone
%antry +ar)y/ "See her paying tennis ; .har)ing> si)py
.har)ing/ And she +as fu of fun ; )ost a)using itte thing/ And
su.h a pretty +ay +ith her/ I 'et the young feo+s a thought so/"
"That"s Dust +here you"re +rong>" said Mrs %antry/ "@outh> as su.h>
has no .har)s for young )en no+adays/ It"s ony od 'uffers i1e
you> Arthur> +ho sit )aundering on a'out young girs/"
"%eing young"s no good>" said *ane/ "@ou"ve got to have SA/"
"What>" said Miss Marpe> "is SAA"
"SeB appea>" said *ane/
"AhG yes>" said Miss Marpe/ "What in )y day they used to .a
Jhaving the .o)e hither in your eyeJ/"
"0ot a 'ad des.ription>" said Sir !enry/ JThe da)e de .o)pagnie
you des.ri'ed> I thin1> as a pussy> Mrs %antryA"
"I didn"t )ean a .at> you 1no+>" said Mrs %antry/ "It"s 8uite
different/ *ust a 'ig soft +hite purry person/ A+ays very s+eet/
That"s +hat Adeaide Carpenter +as i1e/"
"What sort of aged +o)anA"
"<hG I shoud say fortyish/ She"d 'een there so)e ti)e ; ever
sin.e Syvia +as eeven> I 'eieve/ A very ta.tfu person/ <ne of
those +ido+s eft in unfortunate .ir.u)stan.es +ith penty of
aristo.rati. reations> 'ut no ready .ash/ I didn"t i1e her )ysef ;
'ut then I never do i1e peope +ith very +hite ong hands/ And I
don"t i1e pussies/"
"Mr CurieA"
"<hG one of those edery stooping )en/ There are so )any of
the) a'out> you"d hardy 1no+ one fro) the other/ !e sho+ed
enthusias) +hen ta1ing a'out his )usty 'oo1s> 'ut not at any
other ti)e/ I don"t thin1 Sir A)'rose 1ne+ hi) very +e/"
"And *erry neBt doorA"
"A reay .har)ing 'oy/ !e +as engaged to Syvia/ That"s +hat
)ade it so sad/"
"0o+ I +onder ; " 'egan Miss Marpe> and then stopped/
"WhatA"
"0othing> dear/"
Sir !enry oo1ed at the od ady .uriousy/ Then he said
thoughtfuyH
"So this young .oupe +ere engaged/ !ad they 'een engaged
ongA"
"A'out a year/ Sir A)'rose had opposed the engage)ent on the
pea that Syvia +as too young/ %ut after a year"s engage)ent he
had given in and the )arriage +as to have ta1en pa.e 8uite
soon/"
"AhG !ad the young ady any propertyA"
"0eBt to nothing ; a 'are hundred or t+o a year/"
"0o rat in that hoe> Cithering>" said Coone %antry> and aughed/
"It"s the do.tor"s turn to as1 a 8uestion>" said Sir !enry/ "I stand
do+n/"
"My .uriosity is )ainy professiona>" said $r #oyd/ "I shoud i1e
to 1no+ +hat )edi.a eviden.e +as given at the in8uest ; that is>
if our hostess re)e)'ers> or> indeed> if she 1no+s/"
"I 1no+ roughy>" said Mrs %antry/ "It +as poisoning 'y digitain ; is
that rightA"
$r #oyd nodded/
"The a.tive prin.ipe of the foBgove ; digitais ; a.ts on the heart/
Indeed> it is a very vaua'e drug in so)e for)s of heart trou'e/
A very .urious .ase atogether/ I +oud never have 'eieved that
eating a preparation of foBgove eaves .oud possi'y resut
fatay/ These ideas of eating poisonous eaves and 'erries are
very )u.h eBaggerated/ 7ery fe+ peope reai?e that the vita
prin.ipe> or a1aoid> has to 'e eBtra.ted +ith )u.h .are and
preparation/"
"Mrs Ma.Arthur sent so)e spe.ia 'u's round to Mrs Too)ie the
other day>" said Miss Marpe/ "And Mrs Too)ie"s .oo1 )istoo1
the) for onions> and a the Too)ies +ere very i indeed/"
"%ut they didn"t die of it>" said $r #oyd/
"0o/ They didn"t die of it>" ad)itted Miss Marpe/
"A gir I 1ne+ died of pto)aine poisoning/" said *ane !eier/
"We )ust get on +ith investigating the .ri)e>" said Sir !enry/
"Cri)eA" said *ane> started/ "I thought it +as an a..ident/"
"If it +ere an a..ident>" said Sir !enry genty> "I do not thin1 Mrs
%antry +oud have tod us this story/ 0o> as I read it> this +as an
a..ident ony in appearan.e ; 'ehind it is so)ething )ore
sinister/ I re)e)'er a .ase ; various guests in a house party
+ere .hatting after dinner/ The +as +ere adorned +ith a 1inds
of od;fashioned +eapons/ (ntirey as a Do1e> one of the party
sei?ed an an.ient horse pisto and pointed it at another )an>
pretending to fire it/ The pisto +as oaded and +ent off> 1iing
the )an/ We had to as.ertain in that .ase> first> +ho had se.rety
prepared and oaded that pisto> and se.ondy +ho had so ed
and dire.ted the .onversation that that fina 'it of horsepay
resuted ; for the )an +ho had fired the pisto +as entirey
inno.entG
"It see)s to )e +e have )u.h the sa)e pro'e) here/ Those
digitais eaves +ere dei'eratey )iBed +ith the sage> 1no+ing
+hat the resut +oud 'e/ Sin.e +e eBonerate the .oo1 ; +e do
eBonerate the .oo1> don"t +eA ; the 8uestion arisesH Who pi.1ed
the eaves and deivered the) to the 1it.henA"
"That"s easiy ans+ered>" said Mrs %antry/ "At east the ast part of
it is/ It +as Syvia hersef +ho too1 the eaves to the 1it.hen/ It
+as part of her daiy Do' to gather things i1e saad or her's>
'un.hes of young .arrots ; a the sort of things that gardeners
never pi.1 right/ They hate giving you anything young and tender
; they +ait for the) to 'e fine spe.i)ens/ Syvia and Mrs
Carpenter used to see to a ot of these things the)seves/ And
there +as foBgove a.tuay gro+ing a a)ongst the sage in one
.orner> so the )ista1e +as 8uite natura/"
"%ut did Syvia a.tuay pi.1 the) hersefA"
"That> no'ody ever 1ne+/ It +as assu)ed so/"
"Assu)ptions>" said Sir !enry> "are dangerous things/"
"%ut I do 1no+ that Mrs Carpenter didn"t pi.1 the)>" said Mrs
%antry/ "%e.ause> as it happened> she +as +a1ing +ith )e on
the terra.e that )orning/ We +ent out there after 'rea1fast/ It
+as unusuay ni.e and +ar) for eary spring/ Syvia +ent aone
do+n into the garden> 'ut ater I sa+ her +a1ing ar);in;ar) +ith
Maud Wye/"
"So they +ere great friends> +ere theyA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"@es>" said Mrs %antry/ She see)ed as though a'out to say
so)ething> 'ut did not do so/
"!ad she 'een staying there ongA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"A'out a fortnight>" said Mrs %antry/
There +as a note of trou'e in her voi.e/
"@ou didn"t i1e Miss WyeA" suggested Sir !enry/
"I did/ That"s Dust it/ I did/"
The trou'e in her voi.e had gro+n to distress/
"@ou"re 1eeping so)ething 'a.1> Mrs %antry>" said Sir !enry
a..usingy/
"I +ondered Dust no+>" said Miss Marpe> "'ut I didn"t i1e to go on/"
"When did you +onderA"
"When you said that the young peope +ere engaged/ @ou said
that that +as +hat )ade it so sad/ %ut> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean>
your voi.e didn"t sound right +hen you said it ; not .onvin.ing>
you 1no+/"
"What a dreadfu person you are>" said Mrs %antry/ "@ou a+ays
see) to 1no+/ @es> I +as thin1ing of so)ething/ %ut I don"t reay
1no+ +hether I ought to say it or not/"
"@ou )ust say it>" said Sir !enry/ "Whatever your s.rupes> it
)ustn"t 'e 1ept 'a.1/"
"We> it +as Dust this>" said Mrs %antry/ "<ne evening ; in fa.t the
very evening 'efore the tragedy ; I happened to go out on the
terra.e 'efore dinner/ The +indo+ in the dra+ing;roo) +as
open/ And as it .han.ed I sa+ *erry #ori)er and Maud Wye/ !e
+as ; +e ; 1issing her/ <f .ourse I didn"t 1no+ +hether it +as
Dust a sort of .han.e affair> or +hether ; +e> I )ean> one .an"t
te/ I 1ne+ Sir A)'rose never had reay i1ed *erry #ori)er ; so
perhaps he 1ne+ he +as that 1ind of young )an/ %ut one thing I
a) sure ofH that gir> Maud Wye> +as reay fond of hi)/ @ou"d ony
to see her oo1ing at hi) +hen she +as off guard/ And I thin1> too>
they +ere reay 'etter suited than he and Syvia +ere/"
"I a) going to as1 a 8uestion 8ui.1y> 'efore Miss Marpe .an>"
said Sir !enry/ "I +ant to 1no+ +hether> after the tragedy> *erry
#ori)er )arried Maud WyeA"
"@es>" said Mrs %antry/ "!e did/ SiB )onths after+ards/"
"<hG S.hehere?ade> S.hehere?ade>" said Sir !enry/ "To thin1 of
the +ay you tod us this story at firstG %are 'ones indeed ; and to
thin1 of the a)ount of fesh +e"re finding on the) no+/"
"$on"t spea1 so ghouishy>" said Mrs %antry/ "And don"t use the
+ord fesh/ 7egetarians a+ays do/ They say> JI never eat feshJ
in a +ay that puts you right off your itte 'eefstea1/ Mr Curie +as
a vegetarian/ !e used to eat so)e pe.uiar stuff that oo1ed i1e
'ran for 'rea1fast/ Those edery stooping )en +ith 'eards are
often faddy/ They have patent 1inds of under+ear> too/"
"What on earth> $oy>" said her hus'and> "do you 1no+ a'out Mr
Curie"s under+earA"
"0othing>" said Mrs %antry +ith dignity/ "I +as Dust )a1ing a
guess/"
"I" a)end )y for)er state)ent>" said Sir !enry/ "I" say instead
that the dra)atis personae in your pro'e) are very interesting/
I") 'eginning to see the) a ; eh> Miss MarpeA"
"!u)an nature is a+ays interesting> Sir !enry/ And it"s .urious to
see ho+ .ertain types a+ays tend to a.t in eBa.ty the sa)e
+ay/"
"T+o +o)en and a )an>" said Sir !enry/ "The od eterna hu)an
triange/ Is that the 'ase of our pro'e) hereA I rather fan.y it is/"
$r #oyd .eared his throat/
"I"ve 'een thin1ing>" he said rather diffidenty/ "$o you say> Mrs
%antry> that you yoursef +ere iA"
"Was I notG So +as ArthurG So +as everyoneG"
"That"s Dust it ; everyone>" said the do.tor/ "@ou see +hat I )eanA
In Sir !enry"s story +hi.h he tod us Dust no+> one )an shot
another ; he didn"t have to shoot the +hoe roo) fu/"
"I don"t understand>" said *ane/ "Who shot +hoA"
"I") saying that +hoever panned this thing +ent a'out it very
.uriousy> either +ith a 'ind 'eief in .han.e> or ese +ith an
a'soutey re.1ess disregard for hu)an ife/ I .an hardy 'eieve
there is a )an .apa'e of dei'eratey poisoning eight peope
+ith the o'De.t of re)oving one a)ongst the)/"
"I see your point>" said Sir !enry> thoughtfuy/ "I .onfess I ought to
have thought of that/"
"And )ightn"t he have poisoned hi)sef tooA" as1ed *ane/
"Was anyone a'sent fro) dinner that nightA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
Mrs %antry shoo1 her head/
"(veryone +as there/"
"(B.ept Mr #ori)er> I suppose> )y dear/ !e +asn"t staying in the
house> +as heA"
"0oI 'ut he +as dining there that evening>" said Mrs %antry/
"<hG" said Miss Marpe in a .hanged voi.e/ "That )a1es a the
differen.e in the +ord/"
She fro+ned veBedy to hersef/
"I"ve 'een very stupid>" she )ur)ured/ "7ery stupid indeed/"
"I .onfess your point +orries )e> #oyd>" said Sir !enry/
"!o+ ensure that the gir> and the gir ony> shoud get a fata
doseA"
"@ou .an"t>" said the do.tor/ "That 'rings )e to the point I") going
to )a1e/ Supposing the gir +as not the intended vi.ti) after aA"
"WhatA"
"In a .ases of food poisoning> the resut is very un.ertain/
Severa peope share a dish/ What happensA <ne or t+o are
sighty i> t+o )ore> say> are seriousy indisposed> one dies/
That"s the +ay of it ; there"s no .ertainty any+here/ %ut there are
.ases +here another fa.tor )ight enter in/ $igitain is a drug that
a.ts dire.ty on the heart ; as I"ve tod you it"s pres.ri'ed in
.ertain .ases/ 0o+> there +as one person in that house +ho
suffered fro) a heart .o)paint/ Suppose he +as the vi.ti)
see.tedA What +oud not 'e fata to the rest +oud 'e fata to
hi) ; or so the )urderer )ight reasona'y suppose/ That the
thing turned out differenty is ony a proof of +hat I +as saying
Dust no+ ; the un.ertainty and unreia'iity of the effe.ts of drugs
on hu)an 'eings/"
"Sir A)'rose>" said Sir !enry> "you thin1 he +as the person ai)ed
atA @es> yes ; and the gir"s death +as a )ista1e/"
"Who got his )oney after he +as deadA" as1ed *ane/
"A very sound 8uestion> Miss !eier/ <ne of the first +e a+ays
as1 in )y ate profession>" said Sir !enry/
"Sir A)'rose had a son>" said Mrs %antry so+y/ "!e had
8uarreed +ith hi) )any years previousy/ The 'oy +as +id> I
'eieve/ Sti> it +as not in Sir A)'rose"s po+er to disinherit hi) ;
Codderha) Court +as entaied/ Martin %er.y su..eeded to the
tite and estate/ There +as> ho+ever> a good dea of other
property that Sir A)'rose .oud eave as he .hose> and that he
eft to his +ard Syvia/ I 1no+ this 'e.ause Sir A)'rose died ess
than a year after the events I a) teing you of> and he had not
trou'ed to )a1e a ne+ +i after Syvia"s death/ I thin1 the )oney
+ent to the Cro+n ; or perhaps it +as to his son as neBt of 1in ; I
don"t reay re)e)'er/"
"So it +as ony to the interest of a son +ho +asn"t there and the
gir +ho died hersef to )a1e a+ay +ith hi)/" said Sir !enry
thoughtfuy/ "That doesn"t see) very pro)ising/"
"$idn"t the other +o)an get anythingA" as1ed *ane/ "The one Mrs
%antry .as the Pussy +o)an/"
"She +asn"t )entioned in the +i>" said Mrs %antry/
"Miss Marpe> you"re not istening>" said Sir !enry/ "@ou"re
so)e+here far a+ay/"
"I +as thin1ing of od Mr %adger> the .he)ist>" said Miss Marpe/
"!e had a very young house1eeper ; young enough to 'e not ony
his daughter> 'ut his grand;daughter/ 0ot a +ord to anyone> and
his fa)iy> a ot of nephe+s and nie.es> fu of eBpe.tations/ And
+hen he died> +oud you 'eieve it> he"d 'een se.rety )arried to
her for t+o yearsA <f .ourse Mr %adger +as a .he)ist> and a
very rude> .o))on od )an as +e> and Sir A)'rose %er.y +as
a very .ourty gente)an> so Mrs %antry says> 'ut for a that
hu)an nature is )u.h the sa)e every+here/"
There +as a pause/ Sir !enry oo1ed very hard at Miss Marpe
+ho oo1ed 'a.1 at hi) +ith genty 8ui??i.a 'ue eyes/ *ane
!eier 'ro1e the sien.e/
"Was this Mrs Carpenter good;oo1ingA" she as1ed/
"@es> in a very 8uiet +ay/ 0othing starting/"
"She had a very sy)patheti. voi.e>" said Coone %antry/
"Purring ; that"s +hat I .a it>" said Mrs %antry/ "PurringG"
"@ou" 'e .aed a .at yoursef one of these days> $oy/"
"I i1e 'eing a .at in )y ho)e .ir.e>" said Mrs %antry/ "I don"t
)u.h i1e +o)en any+ay> and you 1no+ it/ I i1e )en and
fo+ers/"
"(B.eent taste>" said Sir !enry/ "(spe.iay in putting )en first/"
"That +as ta.t>" said Mrs %antry/ "We> no+> +hat a'out )y itte
pro'e)A I"ve 'een 8uite fair> I thin1/ Arthur> don"t you thin1 I"ve
'een fairA"
"@es> )y dear/ I don"t thin1 there" 'e any in8uiry into the running
'y the ste+ards of the *o.1ey Cu'/"
"First 'oy>" said Mrs %antry> pointing a finger at Sir !enry/
"I") going to 'e ong;+inded/ %e.ause> you see> I haven"t reay
got any feeing of .ertainty a'out the )atter/ First> Sir A)'rose/
We> he +oudn"t ta1e su.h an origina )ethod of .o))itting
sui.ide ; and on the other hand he .ertainy had nothing to gain
'y the death of his +ard/ (Bit Sir A)'rose/ Mr Curie/ 0o )otive
for death of gir/ If Sir A)'rose +as intended vi.ti)> he )ight
possi'y have puroined a rare )anus.ript or t+o that no one ese
+oud )iss/ 7ery thin and )ost uni1ey/ So I thin1 that> in spite of
Mrs %antry"s suspi.ions as to his under.othing> Mr Curie is
.eared/ Miss Wye/ Motive for death of Sir A)'rose ; none/ Motive
for death of Syvia pretty strong/ She +anted Syvia"s young )an>
and +anted hi) rather 'ady ; fro) Mrs %antry"s a..ount/ She
+as +ith Syvia that )orning in the garden> so had opportunity to
pi.1 eaves/ 0o> +e .an"t dis)iss Miss Wye so easiy/ @oung
#ori)er/ !e"s got a )otive in either .ase/ If he gets rid of his
s+eetheart> he .an )arry the other gir/ Sti it see)s a 'it drasti.
to 1i her ; +hat"s a 'ro1en engage)ent these daysA If Sir
A)'rose dies> he +i )arry a ri.h gir instead of a poor one/ That
)ight 'e i)portant or not ; depends on his finan.ia position/ If I
find that his estate +as heaviy )ortgaged and that Mrs %antry
has dei'eratey +ithhed that fa.t fro) us> I sha .ai) a fou/
0o+ Mrs Carpenter/ @ou 1no+> I have suspi.ions of Mrs
Carpenter/ Those +hite hands> for one thing> and her eB.eent
ai'i at the ti)e the her's +ere pi.1ed ; I a+ays distrust ai'is/
And I"ve got another reason for suspe.ting her +hi.h I +i 1eep
to )ysef/ Sti> on the +hoe> if I"ve got to pu)p> I sha pu)p for
Miss Maude Wye> 'e.ause there"s )ore eviden.e against her
than anyone ese/"
"0eBt 'oy>" said Mrs %antry> and pointed at $r #oyd/
"I thin1 you"re +rong> Cithering> in sti.1ing to the theory that the
gir"s death +as )eant/ I a) .onvin.ed that the )urderer
intended to do a+ay +ith Sir A)'rose/ I don"t thin1 that young
#ori)er had the ne.essary 1no+edge/ I a) in.ined to 'eieve
that Mrs Carpenter +as the guity party/ She had 'een a ong ti)e
+ith the fa)iy> 1ne+ a a'out the state of Sir A)'rose"s heath>
and .oud easiy arrange for this gir Syvia 9+ho> you said
yoursef> +as rather stupid: to pi.1 the right eaves/ Motive> I
.onfess> I don"t seeI 'ut I ha?ard the guess that Sir A)'rose had
at one ti)e )ade a +i in +hi.h she +as )entioned/ That"s the
'est I .an do/"
Mrs %antry"s pointing finger +ent on to *ane !eier/
"I don"t 1no+ +hat to say>" said *ane> "eB.ept thisH Why shoudn"t
the gir hersef have done itA She too1 the eaves into the 1it.hen
after a/ And you say Sir A)'rose had 'een sti.1ing out against
her )arriage/ If he died> she"d get the )oney and 'e a'e to
)arry at on.e/ She"d 1no+ Dust as )u.h a'out Sir A)'rose"s
heath as Mrs Carpenter +oud/"
Mrs %antry"s finger .a)e so+y round to Miss Marpe/
"0o+ then> S.hoo Mar)/" she said/
"Sir !enry has put it a very .eary ; very .eary indeed>" said
Miss Marpe/ "And $r #oyd +as so right in +hat he said/ %et+een
the) they see) to have )ade things so very .ear/ <ny I don"t
thin1 $r #oyd 8uite reai?ed one aspe.t of +hat he said/ @ou see>
not 'eing Sir A)'rose"s )edi.a adviser> he .oudn"t 1no+ Dust
+hat 1ind of heart trou'e Sir A)'rose had> .oud heA"
"I don"t 8uite see +hat you )ean/ Miss Marpe>" said $r #oyd/
"@ou"re assu)ing ; aren"t youA ; that Sir A)'rose had the 1ind of
heart that digitain +oud affe.t adverseyA %ut there"s nothing to
prove that that"s so/ It )ight 'e Dust the other +ay a'out/"
"The other +ay a'outA"
"@es> you did say that it +as often pres.ri'ed for heart trou'eA"
"(ven then> Miss Marpe> I don"t see +hat that eads toA"
"We> it +oud )ean that he +oud have digitain in his possession
8uite naturay ; +ithout having to a..ount for it/ What I a) trying
to say 9I a+ays eBpress )ysef so 'ady: is thisH Supposing you
+anted to poison anyone +ith a fata dose of digitain/ Woudn"t
the si)pest and easiest +ay 'e to arrange for everyone to 'e
poisoned ; a.tuay 'y digitais eavesA It +oudn"t 'e fata in
anyone ese"s .ase> of .ourse> 'ut no one +oud 'e surprised at
one vi.ti) 'e.ause> as $r #oyd said> these things are so
un.ertain/ 0o one +oud 'e i1ey to as1 +hether the gir had
a.tuay had a fata dose of infusion of digitais or so)ething of
that 1ind/ !e )ight have put it in a .o.1tai> or in her .offee or
even )ade her drin1 it 8uite si)py as a toni./"
"@ou )ean Sir A)'rose poisoned his +ard> the .har)ing gir
+ho) he ovedA"
"That"s Dust it>" said Miss Marpe/ "#i1e Mr %adger and his young
house1eeper/ $on"t te )e it"s a'surd for a )an of siBty to fa in
ove +ith a gir of t+enty/ It happens every day ; and I daresay
+ith an od auto.rat i1e Sir A)'rose> it )ight ta1e hi) 8ueery/
These things 'e.o)e a )adness so)eti)es/ !e .oudn"t 'ear
the thought of her getting )arried ; did his 'est to oppose it ; and
faied/ !is )ad Deaousy 'e.a)e so great that he preferred 1iing
her to etting her go to young #ori)er/ !e )ust have thought of it
so)e ti)e 'eforehand> 'e.ause that foBgove seed +oud have to
'e so+n a)ong the sage/ !e"d pi.1 it hi)sef +hen the ti)e
.a)e> and send her into the 1it.hen +ith it/ It"s horri'e to thin1
of> 'ut I suppose +e )ust ta1e as )er.ifu a vie+ of it as +e .an/
,ente)en of that age are so)eti)es very pe.uiar indeed +here
young girs are .on.erned/ <ur ast organist ; 'ut there> I )ustn"t
ta1 s.anda/"
"Mrs %antry>" said Sir !enry/ "Is this soA"
Mrs %antry nodded/
"@es/ I"d no idea of it ; never drea)ed of the thing 'eing anything
'ut an a..ident/ Then> after Sir A)'rose"s death> I got a etter/
!e had eft dire.tions to send it to )e/ !e tod )e the truth in it I
don"t 1no+ +hy ; 'ut he and I a+ays got on very +e together/"
In the )o)entary sien.e> she see)ed to fee an unspo1en
.riti.is) and +ent on hastiyH
"@ou thin1 I") 'etraying a .onfiden.e ; 'ut that isn"t so/ I"ve
.hanged a the na)es/ !e +asn"t reay .aed Sir A)'rose
%er.y/ $idn"t you see ho+ Arthur stared stupidy +hen I said that
na)e to hi)A !e didn"t understand at first I"ve .hanged
everything/ It"s i1e they say in )aga?ines and in the 'eginning of
'oo1sH JA the .hara.ters in this story are purey fi.titious/J @ou
never 1no+ +ho they reay are/"
The Affair at the %ungao+
"I"ve thought of so)ething>" said *ane !eier/
!er 'eautifu fa.e +as it up +ith the .onfident s)ie of a .hid
eBpe.ting appro'ation/ It +as a s)ie su.h as )oved audien.es
nighty in #ondon> and +hi.h had )ade the fortunes of
photographers/
"It happened>" she +ent on .arefuy> "to a friend of )ine/"
(veryone )ade en.ouraging 'ut sighty hypo.riti.a noises/
Coone %antry> Mrs %antry> Sir !enry Cithering> $r #oyd and od
Miss Marpe +ere one and a .onvin.ed that *ane"s "friend" +as
*ane hersef/ She +oud have 'een 8uite in.apa'e of
re)e)'ering or ta1ing an interest in anything affe.ting anyone
ese/
"My friend>" +ent on *ane/ "9I +on"t )ention her na)e: +as an
a.tress ; a very +e;1no+n a.tress/"
0o one eBpressed surprise/ Sir !enry Cithering thought to
hi)sefH "0o+ I +onder ho+ )any senten.es it +i 'e 'efore she
forgets to 1eep up the fi.tion> and says JIJ instead of JSheJA"
"My friend +as on tour in the provin.es ; this +as a year or t+o
ago/ I suppose I"d 'etter not give the na)e of the pa.e/ It +as a
riverside to+n not very far fro) #ondon/ I" .a it ; "
She paused> her 'ro+s perpeBed in thought/ The invention of
even a si)pe na)e appeared to 'e too )u.h for her/ Sir !enry
.a)e to the res.ue/
"Sha +e .a it &iver'uryA" he suggested gravey/
"<h> yes> that +oud do spendidy/ &iver'ury> I" re)e)'er that/
We> as I say> this ; )y friend ; +as at &iver'ury +ith her
.o)pany> and a very .urious thing happened/"
She pu.1ered her 'ro+s again/
"It"s very diffi.ut>" she said paintivey> "to say Dust +hat you +ant/
<ne gets things )iBed up and tes the +rong things first/"
"@ou"re doing it 'eautifuy>" said $r #oyd en.ouragingy/ ",o on/"
"We> this .urious thing happened/ My friend +as sent for to the
poi.e station/ And she +ent/ It see)ed there had 'een a
'urgary at a riverside 'ungao+ and they"d arrested a young
)an> and he tod a very odd story/ And so they sent for her/
"She"d never 'een to a poi.e station 'efore> 'ut they +ere very
ni.e to her ; very ni.e indeed/"
"They +oud 'e> I") sure>" said Sir !enry/
"The sergeant ; I thin1 it +as a sergeant ; or it )ay have 'een an
inspe.tor ; gave her a .hair and eBpained things> and of .ourse I
sa+ at on.e that it +as so)e )ista1e ; "
"Aha>" thought Sir !enry/ "I/ !ere +e are/ I thought as )u.h/"
"My friend said so>" .ontinued *ane> sereney un.ons.ious of her
sef;'etraya/ "She eBpained she had 'een rehearsing +ith her
understudy at the hote and that she"d never even heard of this
Mr Fau1ener/ And the sergeant said> JMiss !e ; J"
She stopped and fushed/
"Miss !e)an>" suggested Sir !enry +ith a t+in1e/
"@es ; yes> that +oud do/ Than1 you/ !e said/ JWe> Miss !e)an>
I fet it )ust 'e so)e )ista1e> 1no+ing that you +ere stopping at
the %ridge !ote>J and he said +oud I have any o'De.tion to
.onfronting ; or +as it 'eing .onfrontedA I .an"t re)e)'er/"
"It doesn"t reay )atter>" said Sir !enry reassuringy/
"Any+ay> +ith the young )an/ So I said> J<f .ourse not/J And they
'rought hi) and said> JThis is Miss !eier>J and ; <hG" *ane 'ro1e
off open;)outhed/
"0ever )ind> )y dear>" said Miss Marpe .onsoingy/ "We +ere
'ound to guess> you 1no+/ And you haven"t given us the na)e of
the pa.e or anything that reay )atters/"
"We>" said *ane/ "I did )ean to te it as though it happened to
so)eone ese/ %ut it is diffi.ut> isn"t itG I )ean one forgets so/"
(veryone assured her that it +as very diffi.ut> and soothed and
reassured> she +ent on +ith her sighty invoved narrative/
"!e +as a ni.e;oo1ing )an ; 8uite a ni.e;oo1ing )an/ @oung>
+ith reddish hair/ !is )outh Dust opened +hen he sa+ )e/ And
the sergeant said> JIs this the adyAJ And he said> J0o> indeed it
isn"t/ What an ass I have 'een/J And I s)ied at hi) and said it
didn"t )atter/"
"I .an pi.ture the s.ene>" said Sir !enry/
*ane !eier fro+ned/
"#et )e see ; ho+ had I 'etter go onA"
"Supposing you te us +hat it +as a a'out> dear>" said Miss
Marpe> so )idy that no one .oud suspe.t her of irony/ "I )ean
+hat the young )an"s )ista1e +as> and a'out the 'urgary/"
"<h> yes>" said *ane/ "We> you see> this young )an ; #esie
Fau1ener> his na)e +as ; had +ritten a pay/ !e"d +ritten
severa pays> as a )atter of fa.t> though none of the) had ever
'een ta1en/ And he had sent this parti.uar pay to )e to read/ I
didn"t 1no+ a'out it> 'e.ause of .ourse I have hundreds of pays
sent to )e and I read very fe+ of the) )ysef ; ony the ones I
1no+ so)ething a'out/ Any+ay> there it +as> and it see)s that
Mr Fau1ener got a etter fro) )e ; ony it turned out not to 'e
reay fro) )e ; you understand ; "
She paused anBiousy> and they assured her that they
understood/
"Saying that I"d read the pay> and i1ed it very )u.h and +oud he
.o)e do+n and ta1 it over +ith )e/ And it gave the address ; The
%ungao+> &iver'ury/ So Mr Fau1ener +as frightfuy peased
and he .a)e do+n and arrived at this pa.e ; The %ungao+/ A
parour)aid opened the door> and he as1ed for Miss !eier> and
she said Miss !eier +as in and eBpe.ting hi) and sho+ed hi)
into the dra+ing;roo)> and there a +o)an .a)e to hi)/ And he
a..epted her as )e as a )atter of .ourse ; +hi.h see)s 8ueer
'e.ause after a he had seen )e a.t and )y photographs are
very +e 1no+n> aren"t theyA"
"<ver the ength and 'readth of (ngand>" said Mrs %antry
pro)pty/ "%ut there"s often a ot of differen.e 'et+een a
photograph and its origina> )y dear *ane/ And there"s a great
dea of differen.e 'et+een 'ehind the footights and off the
stage/ It"s not every a.tress +ho stands the test as +e as you
do> re)e)'er/"
"We>" said *ane sighty )oified> "that )ay 'e so/ Any+ay> he
des.ri'ed this +o)an as ta and fair +ith 'ig 'ue eyes and very
good;oo1ing> so I suppose it )ust have 'een near enough/ !e
.ertainy had no suspi.ions/ She sat do+n and 'egan ta1ing
a'out his pay and said she +as anBious to do it/ Whist they +ere
ta1ing .o.1tais +ere 'rought in and Mr Fau1ener had one as a
)atter of .ourse/ We ; that"s a he re)e)'ers ; having this
.o.1tai/ When he +o1e up> or .a)e to hi)sef> or +hatever you
.a it ; he +as ying out in the road> 'y the hedge> of .ourse> so
that there +oud 'e no danger of his 'eing run over/ !e fet very
8ueer and sha1y ; so )u.h so that he Dust got up and staggered
aong the road not 8uite 1no+ing +here he +as going/ !e said if
he"d had his sense a'out hi) he"d have gone 'a.1 to the
'ungao+ and tried to find out +hat had happened/ %ut he fet
Dust stupid and )a?ed and +a1ed aong +ithout 8uite 1no+ing
+hat he +as doing/ !e +as Dust )ore or ess .o)ing to hi)sef
+hen the poi.e arrested hi)/"
"Why did the poi.e arrest hi)A" as1ed $r #oyd/
"<hG didn"t I te youA" said *ane opening her eyes very +ide/ "!o+
very stupid I a)/ The 'urgary/"
"@ou )entioned a 'urgary ; 'ut you didn"t say +here or +hat or
+hy>" said Mrs %antry/
"We> this 'ungao+ ; the one he +ent to> of .ourse ; it +asn"t
)ine at a/ It 'eonged to a )an +hose na)e +as ; "
Again *ane furro+ed her 'ro+s/
"$o you +ant )e to 'e godfather againA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"Pseudony)s suppied free of .harge/ $es.ri'e the tenant and I"
do the na)ing/"
"It +as ta1en 'y a ri.h .ity )an ; a 1night/"
"Sir !er)an Cohen>" suggested Sir !enry/
"That +i do 'eautifuy/ !e too1 it for a ady ; she +as the +ife of
an a.tor> and she +as aso an a.tress hersef/"
"We" .a the a.tor Caud #eason>" said Sir !enry> "and the ady
+oud 'e 1no+n 'y her stage na)e> I suppose> so +e" .a her
Miss Mary -err/"
"I thin1 you"re a+fuy .ever/" said *ane/ "I don"t 1no+ ho+ you
thin1 of these things so easiy/ We> you see this +as a sort of
+ee1;end .ottage for Sir !er)an ; did you say !er)anA ; and the
ady/ And> of .ourse> his +ife 1ne+ nothing a'out it/"
"Whi.h is so often the .ase>" said Sir !enry/
"And he"d given this a.tress +o)an a good dea of De+eery
in.uding so)e very fine e)erads/"
"AhG" said $r #oyd/ "0o+ +e"re getting at it"
"This De+eery +as at the 'ungao+> Dust o.1ed up in a De+e
.ase/ The poi.e said it +as very .areess ; anyone )ight have
ta1en it/"
"@ou see> $oy>" said Coone %antry/ "What do I a+ays te youA"
"We> in )y eBperien.e>" said Mrs %antry> "it"s a+ays the peope
+ho are so dreadfuy .arefu +ho ose things/ I don"t o.1 )ine
up in a De+e .ase ; I 1eep it in a dra+er oose> under )y
sto.1ings/ I daresay if ; +hat"s her na)eA ; Mary -err had done
the sa)e> it +oud never have 'een stoen/"
"It +oud>" said *ane> "'e.ause a the dra+ers +ere 'urst open>
and the .ontents stre+n a'out/"
"Then they +eren"t reay oo1ing for De+es>" said Mrs %antry/
"They +ere oo1ing for se.ret papers/ That"s +hat a+ays
happens in 'oo1s/"
"I don"t 1no+ a'out se.ret papers>" said *ane dou'tfuy/ "I never
heard of any/"
"$on"t 'e distra.ted> Miss !eier>" said Coone %antry/ "$oy"s
+id red;herrings are not to 'e ta1en seriousy/"
"A'out the 'urgary>" said Sir !enry/
"@es/ We> the poi.e +ere rung up 'y so)eone +ho said she +as
Miss Mary -err/ She said the 'ungao+ had 'een 'urged and
des.ri'ed a young )an +ith red hair +ho had .aed there that
)orning/ !er )aid had thought there +as so)ething odd a'out
hi) and had refused hi) ad)ittan.e> 'ut ater they had seen hi)
getting out through a +indo+/ She des.ri'ed the )an so
a..uratey that the poi.e arrested hi) ony an hour ater and
then he tod his story and sho+ed the) the etter fro) )e/ And as
I tod you> they fet.hed )e and +hen he sa+ )e he said +hat I
tod you ; that it hadn"t 'een )e at aG"
"A very .urious story>" said $r #oyd/ "$id Mr Fau1ener 1no+ this
Miss -errA"
"0o> he didn"t ; or he said he didn"t/ %ut I haven"t tod you the )ost
.urious part yet/ The poi.e +ent to the 'ungao+ of .ourse> and
they found everything as des.ri'ed ; dra+ers pued out and
De+es gone> 'ut the +hoe pa.e +as e)pty/ It +asn"t ti so)e
hours ater that Mary -err .a)e 'a.1> and +hen she did she said
she"d never rung the) up at a and this +as the first she"d heard
of it/ It see)ed that she had had a +ire that )orning fro) a
)anager offering her a )ost i)portant part and )a1ing an
appoint)ent> so she had naturay rushed up to to+n to 1eep it/
When she got there> she found that the +hoe thing +as a hoaB/
0o teegra) had ever 'een sent/"
"A .o))on enough ruse to get her out of the +ay>" .o))ented
Sir !enry/ "What a'out the servantsA"
"The sa)e sort of thing happened there/ There +as ony one> and
she +as rung up on the teephone ; apparenty 'y Mary -err> +ho
said she had eft a )ost i)portant thing 'ehind/ She dire.ted the
)aid to 'ring up a .ertain hand'ag +hi.h +as in the dra+er of
her 'edroo)/ She +as to .at.h the first train/ The )aid did so> of
.ourse o.1ing up the houseI 'ut +hen she arrived at Miss -err"s
.u'> +here she had 'een tod to )eet her )istress> she +aited
there in vain/"
"!")>" said Sir !enry/ "I 'egin to see/ The house +as eft e)pty>
and to )a1e an entry 'y one of the +indo+s +oud present fe+
diffi.uties> I shoud i)agine/ %ut I don"t 8uite see +here Mr
Fau1ener .o)es in/ Who did ring up the poi.e> if it +asn"t Miss
-errA"
"That"s +hat no'ody 1ne+ or ever found out/"
"Curious>" said Sir !enry/ "$id the young )an turn out to 'e
genuiney the person he said he +asA"
"<h> yes> that part of it +as a right/ !e"d even got the etter
+hi.h +as supposed to 'e +ritten 'y )e/ It +asn"t the east 'it
i1e )y hand+riting ; 'ut then> of .ourse> he .oudn"t 'e
supposed to 1no+ that/"
"We> et"s state the position .eary>" said Sir !enry/ "Corre.t )e
if I go +rong/ The ady and the )aid are de.oyed fro) the house/
This young )an is de.oyed do+n there 'y )eans of a 'ogus
etter ; .oour 'eing ent to this ast 'y the fa.t that you a.tuay
are perfor)ing at &iver'ury that +ee1/ The young )an is doped>
and the poi.e are rung up and have their suspi.ions dire.ted
against hi)/ A 'urgary a.tuay has ta1en pa.e/ I presu)e the
De+es +ere ta1enA"
"<h> yes/"
"Were they ever re.overedA"
"0o> never/ I thin1> as a )atter of fa.t> Sir !er)an tried to hush
things up a he 1ne+ ho+/ %ut he .oudn"t )anage it and I rather
fan.y his +ife started divor.e pro.eedings in .onse8uen.e/ Sti>
I don"t reay 1no+ a'out that/"
"What happened to Mr #esie Fau1enerA"
"!e +as reeased in the end/ The poi.e said they hadn"t reay got
enough against hi)/ $on"t you thin1 the +hoe thing +as rather
oddA"
"$istin.ty odd/ The first 8uestion is +hose story to 'eieveA In
teing if Miss !eier> I noti.ed that you in.ine to+ards 'eieving
Mr Fau1ener/ !ave you any reason for doing so 'eyond your o+n
instin.t in the )atterA"
"0o ; no>" said *ane un+iingy/ "I suppose I haven"t/ %ut he +as so
very ni.e> and so apoogeti. for having )ista1en anyone ese for
)e> that I fee sure he )ust have 'een teing the truth/"
"I see>" said Sir !enry s)iing/ "%ut you )ust ad)it that he .oud
have invented the story 8uite easiy/ !e .oud +rite the etter
purporting to 'e fro) you hi)sef/ !e .oud aso dope hi)sef
after su..essfuy .o))itting the 'urgary/ %ut I .onfess I don"t
see +here the point of a that +oud 'e/ (asier to enter the
house> hep hi)sef> and disappear 8uiety ; uness Dust possi'y
he +as o'served 'y so)eone in the neigh'ourhood and 1ne+
hi)sef to have 'een o'served/ Then he )ight hastiy .on.o.t
this pan for diverting suspi.ion fro) hi)sef and a..ounting for
his presen.e in the neigh'ourhood/"
"Was he +e offA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"I don"t thin1 so>" said *ane/ "0o/ I 'eieve he +as rather hard up/"
"The +hoe thing see)s .urious>" said $r #oyd/ "I )ust .onfess
that if +e a..ept the young )an"s story as true> it see)s to )a1e
the .ase very )u.h )ore diffi.ut/ Why shoud the un1no+n
+o)an +ho pretended to 'e Miss !eier drag this un1no+n )an
into the affairA Why shoud she stage su.h an ea'orate .o)edyA"
"Te )e> *ane>" said Mrs %antry/ "$id young Fau1ener ever .o)e
fa.e to fa.e +ith Mary -err at any stage of the pro.eedingsA"
"I don"t 8uite 1no+>" said *ane so+y> as she pu??ed her 'ro+s in
re)e)'ran.e/
"%e.ause if he didn"t the .ase is sovedG" said Mrs %antry/ "I") sure
I") right/ What is easier than to pretend you"re .aed up to to+nA
@ou teephone to your )aid fro) Paddington or +hatever station
you arrive at> and as she .o)es up to to+n> you go do+n again/
The young )an .as 'y appoint)ent> he"s doped> you set the
stage for the 'urgary> overdoing it as )u.h as possi'e/ @ou
teephone the poi.e> give a des.ription of your s.apegoat> and
off you go to to+n again/ Then you arrive ho)e 'y a ater train
and do the surprised inno.ent/"
"%ut +hy shoud she stea her o+n De+es> $oyA"
"They a+ays do>" said Mrs %antry/ "And any+ay> I .an thin1 of
hundreds of reasons/ She )ay have +anted )oney at on.e ; od
Sir !er)an +oudn"t give her the .ash> perhaps> so she pretends
the De+es are stoen and then ses the) se.rety/ <r she )ay
have 'een 'eing 'a.1)aied 'y so)eone +ho threatened to te
her hus'and or Sir !er)an"s +ife/ <r she )ay have aready sod
the De+es and Sir !er)an +as getting ratty and as1ing to see
the)> so she had to do so)ething a'out it/ That"s done a good
dea in 'oo1s/ <r perhaps she +as going to have the) reset and
she"d got paste repi.as/ <r ; here"s a very good idea ; and not so
)u.h done in 'oo1s ; she pretends they are stoen> gets in an
a+fu state and he gives her a fresh ot/ So she gets t+o ots
instead of one/ That 1ind of +o)an> I a) sure> is )ost frightfuy
artfu/"
"@ou are .ever> $oy>" said *ane ad)iringy/ "I never thought of
that/"
"@ou )ay 'e .ever> 'ut she doesn"t say you"re right>" said Coone
%antry/ "I in.ine to suspi.ion of the .ity gente)an/ !e"d 1no+
the sort of teegra) to get the ady out of the +ay> and he .oud
)anage the rest easiy enough +ith the hep of a ne+ ady friend/
0o'ody see)s to have thought of as1ing hi) for an ai'i/"
"What do you thin1> Miss MarpeA" as1ed *ane> turning to+ards
the od ady +ho had sat sient> a pu??ed fro+n on her fa.e/
"My dear> I reay don"t 1no+ +hat to say/ Sir !enry +i augh> 'ut
I re.a no viage parae to hep )e this ti)e/ <f .ourse there
are severa 8uestions that suggest the)seves/ For instan.e> the
servant 8uestion/ In ; ahe) ; an irreguar )=nage of the 1ind you
des.ri'e> the servant e)poyed +oud dou'tess 'e perfe.ty
a+are of the state of things> and a reay ni.e gir +oud not ta1e
su.h a pa.e ; her )other +oudn"t et her for a )inute/ So I thin1
+e .an assu)e that the )aid +as not a reay trust+orthy
.hara.ter/ She )ay have 'een in eague +ith the thieves/ She
+oud eave the house open for the) and a.tuay go to #ondon
as though sure of the preten.e teephone )essage so as to divert
suspi.ion fro) hersef/ I )ust .onfess that that see)s the )ost
pro'a'e soution/ <ny if ordinary thieves +ere .on.erned it
see)s very odd/ It see)s to argue )ore 1no+edge than a
)aidservant +as i1ey to have/"
Miss Marpe paused and then +ent on drea)iy/
"I .an"t hep feeing that there +as so)e ; +e> +hat I )ust
des.ri'e as persona feeing a'out the +hoe thing/ Supposing
so)e'ody had a spite> for instan.eA A young a.tress that he
hadn"t treated +eA $on"t you thin1 that that +oud eBpain things
'etterA A dei'erate atte)pt to get hi) into trou'e/ That"s +hat it
oo1s i1e/ And yet ; that"s not entirey satisfa.tory/// "
"Why> do.tor> you haven"t said anything>" said *ane/ "I"d forgotten
you/"
"I") a+ays getting forgotten>" said the gri??ed do.tor sady/ "I
)ust have a very in.onspi.uous personaity/"
"<h> noG" said *ane/ "$o te us +hat you thin1/"
"I") rather in the position of agreeing +ith everyone"s soutions ;
and yet +ith none of the)/ I )ysef have a far;fet.hed and
pro'a'y totay erroneous theory that the +ife )ay have had
so)ething to do +ith it/ Sir !er)an"s +ife> I )ean/ I"ve no
grounds for thin1ing so ; ony you +oud 'e surprised if you 1ne+
the eBtraordinary ; reay very eBtraordinary things that a
+ronged +ife +i ta1e it into her head to do/"
"<hG $r #oyd>" .ried Miss Marpe eB.itedy/ "!o+ .ever of you/
And I never thought of poor Mrs Pe')arsh/"
*ane stared at her/
"Mrs Pe')arshA Who is Mrs Pe')arshA"
"We ; " Miss Marpe hesitated/ "I don"t 1no+ that she reay .o)es
in/ She"s a aundress/ And she stoe an opa pin that +as pinned
into a 'ouse and put it in another +o)an"s house/"
*ane oo1ed )ore fogged than ever/
"And that )a1es it a perfe.ty .ear to you> Miss MarpeA" said Sir
!enry> +ith his t+in1e/
%ut to his surprise Miss Marpe shoo1 her head/
"0o> I") afraid it doesn"t/ I )ust .onfess )ysef .o)petey at a
oss/ What I do reai?e is that +o)en )ust sti.1 together ; one
shoud> in an e)ergen.y> stand 'y one"s o+n seB/ I thin1 that"s
the )ora of the story Miss !eier has tod us/"
"I )ust .onfess that that parti.uar ethi.a signifi.an.e of the
)ystery has es.aped )e>" said Sir !enry gravey/ "Perhaps I sha
see the signifi.an.e of your point )ore .eary +hen Miss !eier
has reveaed the soution/"
"(hA" said *ane oo1ing rather 'e+idered/
"I +as o'serving that> in .hidish anguage> +e Jgive it upJ/ @ou
and you aone> Miss !eier> have had the high honour of
presenting su.h an a'soutey 'affing )ystery that even Miss
Marpe has to .onfess hersef defeated/"
"@ou a give it upA" as1ed *ane/
"@es/" After a )inute"s sien.e during +hi.h he +aited for the
others to spea1> Sir !enry .onstituted hi)sef spo1es)an on.e
)ore/ "That is to say +e stand or fa 'y the s1et.hy soutions +e
have tentativey advan.ed/ <ne ea.h for the )ere )en> t+o for
Miss Marpe> and a round do?en fro) Mrs %/"
"It +as not a do?en>" said Mrs %antry/ "They +ere variations on a
)ain the)e/ And ho+ often a) I to te you that I +i not 'e .aed
Mrs %A"
"So you a give it up>" said *ane thoughtfuy/ "That"s very
interesting/"
She eaned 'a.1 in her .hair and 'egan to poish her nais rather
a'sent;)indedy/
"We>" said Mrs %antry/ "Co)e on> *ane/ What is the soutionA"
"The soutionA"
"@es/ What reay happenedA"
*ane stared at her/
"I haven"t the east idea/"
"WhatA"
"I"ve a+ays +ondered/ I thought you +ere a so .ever one of you
+oud 'e a'e to te )e/"
(very'ody har'oured feeings of annoyan.e/ It +as a very +e
for *ane to 'e so 'eautifu ; 'ut at this )o)ent everyone fet that
stupidity .oud 'e .arried too far/ (ven the )ost trans.endent
oveiness .oud not eB.use it/
"@ou )ean the truth +as never dis.overedA" said Sir !enry/
"0o/ That"s +hy> as I say> I did thin1 you +oud 'e a'e to te )e/"
*ane sounded inDured/ It +as pain that she had a grievan.e/
"We ; I") ; I") ; " said Coone %antry> +ords faiing hi)/
"@ou are the )ost aggravating gir> *ane/" said his +ife/ "Any+ay>
I") sure and a+ays +i 'e that I +as right/ If you Dust te us the
proper na)es of the peope> I sha 'e 8uite sure/"
"I don"t thin1 I .oud do that>" said *ane so+y/
"0o> dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "Miss !eier .oudn"t do that/"
"<f .ourse she .oud>" said Mrs %antry/ "$on"t 'e so high;)inded>
*ane/ We oder fo1 )ust have a 'it of s.anda/ At any rate te us
+ho the .ity )agnate +as/"
%ut *ane shoo1 her head> and Miss Marpe> in her od;fashioned
+ay> .ontinued to support the gir/
"It )ust have 'een a very distressing 'usiness>" she said/
"0o>" said *ane truthfuy/ "I thin1 ; I thin1 I rather enDoyed it/"
"We> perhaps you did>" said Miss Marpe/ "I suppose it +as a
'rea1 in the )onotony/ What pay +ere you a.ting inA"
"S)ith/"
"<h> yes/ That"s one of Mr So)erset Maugha)"s> isn"t itA A his
are very .ever> I thin1/ I"ve seen the) neary a/"
"@ou"re reviving it to go on tour neBt autu)n> aren"t youA" as1ed
Mrs %antry/
*ane nodded/
"We>" said Miss Marpe rising/ "I )ust go ho)e/ Su.h ate hoursG
%ut +e"ve had a very entertaining evening/ Most unusuay so/ I
thin1 Miss !eier"s story +ins the pri?e/ $on"t you agreeA"
"I") sorry you"re angry +ith )e>" said *ane/ "A'out not 1no+ing
the end> I )ean/ I suppose I shoud have said so sooner/"
!er tone sounded +istfu/ $r #oyd rose gaanty to the o..asion/
"My dear young ady> +hy shoud youA @ou gave us a very pretty
pro'e) to sharpen our +its on/ I a) ony sorry +e .oud none of
us sove it .onvin.ingy/"
"Spea1 for yoursef>" said Mrs %antry/ "I did sove it/ I") .onvin.ed
I a) right/"
"$o you 1no+> I reay 'eieve you are>" said *ane/ "What you said
sounded so pro'a'e/"
"Whi.h of her seven soutions do you refer toA" as1ed Sir !enry
teasingy/
$r #oyd gaanty assisted Miss Marpe to put on her gooshes/
"*ust in .ase>" as the od ady eBpained/ The do.tor +as to 'e her
es.ort to her od;+ord .ottage/ Wrapped in severa +ooen
sha+s> Miss Marpe +ished everyone good night on.e )ore/ She
.a)e to *ane !eier ast and eaning for+ard> she )ur)ured
so)ething in the a.tress"s ear/ A started "<hG" 'urst fro) *ane ;
so oud as to .ause the others to turn their heads/
S)iing and nodding> Miss Marpe )ade her eBit> *ane !eier
staring after her/
"Are you .o)ing to 'ed> *aneA" as1ed Mrs %antry/ "What"s the
)atter +ith youA @ou"re staring as though you"d seen a ghost/"
With a deep sigh *ane .a)e to hersef> shed a 'eautifu and
'e+idering s)ie on the t+o )en and foo+ed her hostess up
the stair.ase/ Mrs %antry .a)e into the gir"s roo) +ith her/
"@our fire"s neary out>" said Mrs %antry> giving it a vi.ious and
ineffe.tua po1e/ "They .an"t have )ade it up propery/ !o+
stupid house)aids are/ Sti> I suppose +e are rather ate tonight/
Why> it"s a.tuay past one o".o.1G"
"$o you thin1 there are )any peope i1e herA" as1ed *ane !eier/
She +as sitting on the side of the 'ed apparenty +rapped in
thought/
"#i1e the house)aidA"
"0o/ #i1e that funny od +o)an ; +hat"s her na)e ; MarpeA"
"<hG I don"t 1no+/ I suppose she"s a fairy .o))on type in a s)a
viage/"
"<h dear/" said *ane/ "I don"t 1no+ +hat to do/"
She sighed deepy/
"What"s the )atterA"
"I") +orried/"
"What a'outA"
"$oy>" *ane !eier +as portentousy soe)n/ "$o you 1no+ +hat
that 8ueer od ady +hispered to )e 'efore she +ent out of the
door tonightA"
"0o/ WhatA"
"She saidH JI shoudn"t do it if I +ere you> )y dear/ 0ever put
yoursef too )u.h in another +o)an"s po+er> even if you do thin1
she"s your friend at the )o)ent/J @ou 1no+> $oy> that"s a+fuy
true/"
"The )aBi)A @es> perhaps it is/ %ut I don"t see the appi.ation/"
"I suppose you .an"t ever reay trust a +o)an/ And I shoud 'e in
her po+er/ I never thought of that/"
"What +o)an are you ta1ing a'outA"
"0etta ,reene> )y understudy/"
"What on earth does Miss Marpe 1no+ a'out your understudyA"
"I suppose she guessed ; 'ut I .an"t see ho+/"
"*ane> +i you 1indy te )e at on.e +hat you are ta1ing a'outA"
"The story/ The one I tod/ <h> $oy> that +o)an> you 1no+ ; the
one that too1 Caud fro) )eA"
Mrs %antry nodded> .asting her )ind 'a.1 rapidy to the first of
*ane"s unfortunate )arriages ; to Caud Aver'ury> the a.tor/
"!e )arried herI and I .oud have tod hi) ho+ it +oud 'e/ Caud
doesn"t 1no+> 'ut she"s .arrying on +ith Sir *oseph Sa)on ;
+ee1;ends +ith hi) at the 'ungao+ I tod you a'out I +anted her
sho+n up ; I +oud i1e everyone to 1no+ the sort of +o)an she
+as/ And you see> +ith a 'urgary> everything +oud 'e 'ound to
.o)e out/"
"*aneG" gasped Mrs %antry/ "$id you engineer this story you"ve
'een teing usA"
*ane nodded/
"That"s +hy I .hose S)ith/ I +ear parour)aid"s 1it in it> you 1no+/
So I shoud have it handy/ And +hen they sent for )e to the poi.e
station it"s the easiest thing in the +ord to say I +as rehearsing
)y part +ith )y understudy at the hote/ &eay> of .ourse> +e
+oud 'e at the 'ungao+/ I Dust have to open the door and 'ring
in the .o.1tais> and 0etta to pretend to 'e )e/ !e"d never see
her again> of .ourse> so there +oud 'e no fear of his re.ogni?ing
her/ And I .an )a1e )ysef oo1 8uite different as a parour)aidI
and 'esides> one doesn"t oo1 at parour)aids as though they
+ere peope/ We panned to drag hi) out into the road
after+ards> 'ag the De+e .ase> teephone the poi.e and get
'a.1 to the hote/ I shoudn"t i1e the poor young )an to suffer>
'ut Sir !enry didn"t see) to thin1 he +oud> did heA And she"d 'e
in the papers and everything ; and Caud +oud see +hat she +as
reay i1e/"
Mrs %antry sat do+n and groaned/
"<hG )y poor head/ And a the ti)e ; *ane !eier> you de.eitfu
girG Teing us that story the +ay you didG"
"I a) a good a.tress>" said *ane .o)pa.enty/ "I a+ays have
'een> +hatever peope .hoose to say/ I didn"t give )ysef a+ay
on.e> did IA"
"Miss Marpe +as right>" )ur)ured Mrs %antry/ "The persona
ee)ent/ <h> yes> the persona ee)ent/ *ane> )y good .hid> do
you reai?e that theft is theft> and you )ight have 'een sent to
prisonA"
"We> none of you guessed>" said *ane/ "(B.ept Miss Marpe/" The
+orried eBpression returned to her fa.e/ "$oy> do you reay
thin1 there are )any i1e herA"
"Fran1y> I don"t>" said Mrs %antry/
*ane sighed again/
"Sti> one had 'etter not ris1 it/ And of .ourse I shoud 'e in
0etta"s po+er ; that"s true enough/ She )ight turn against )e or
'a.1)ai )e or anything/ She heped )e thin1 out the detais and
she professed to 'e devoted to )e> 'ut one never does 1no+ +ith
+o)en/ 0o> I thin1 Miss Marpe +as right/ I had 'etter not ris1 it/"
"%ut> )y dear> you have ris1ed it/"
"<h> no/" *ane opened her 'ue eyes very +ide/ "$on"t you
understandA 0one of this has happened yetG I +as ; +e> trying it
on the dog> so to spea1/"
"I don"t profess to understand your theatri.a sang>" said Mrs
%antry +ith dignity/ "$o you )ean this is a future proDe.t ; not a
past deedA"
"I +as going to do it this autu)n ; in Septe)'er/ I don"t 1no+ +hat
to do no+/"
"And *ane Marpe guessed ; a.tuay guessed the truth and never
tod us>" said Mrs %antry +rathfuy/
"I thin1 that +as +hy she said that ; a'out +o)en sti.1ing
together/ She +oudn"t give )e a+ay 'efore the )en/ That +as
ni.e of her/ I don"t )ind your 1no+ing> $oy/"
"We> give the idea up> *ane/ I 'eg of you/"
"I thin1 I sha>" )ur)ured Miss !eier/ "There )ight 'e other Miss
Marpes/// "
$eath 'y $ro+ning
I
Sir !enry Cithering> eB;Co))issioner of S.otand @ard> +as
staying +ith his friends the %antrys at their pa.e near the itte
viage of St Mary Mead/
<n Saturday )orning> .o)ing do+n to 'rea1fast at the peasant
guesty hour of ten fifteen> he a)ost .oided +ith his hostess>
Mrs %antry> in the door+ay of the 'rea1fast roo)/ She +as
rushing fro) the roo)> evidenty in a .ondition of so)e
eB.ite)ent and distress/
Coone %antry +as sitting at the ta'e> his fa.e rather redder
than usua/
""Morning> Cithering>" he said/ "0i.e day/ !ep yoursef/"
Sir !enry o'eyed/ As he too1 his seat> a pate of 1idneys and
'a.on in front of hi)> his host +ent onH
"$oy"s a 'it upset this )orning/"
"@es ; er ; I rather thought so>" said Sir !enry )idy/
!e +ondered a itte/ !is hostess +as of a pa.id disposition> itte
given to )oods or eB.ite)ent/ As far as Sir !enry 1ne+> she fet
1eeny on one su'De.t ony ; gardening/
"@es>" said Coone %antry/ "%it of ne+s +e got this )orning upset
her/ ,ir in the viage ; ())ott"s daughter ; ())ott +ho 1eeps
the %ue %oar/"
"<h> yes> of .ourse/"
"@e;es>" said Coone %antry ru)inativey/ "Pretty gir/ ,ot hersef
into trou'e/ 2sua story/ I"ve 'een arguing +ith $oy a'out that/
Fooish of )e/ Wo)en never see sense/ $oy +as a up in ar)s
for the gir ; you 1no+ +hat +o)en are ; )en are 'rutes ; a the
rest of it> et.etera/ %ut it"s not so si)pe as a that ; not in these
days/ ,irs 1no+ +hat they"re a'out/ Feo+ +ho sedu.es a gir"s
not ne.essariy a viain/ Fifty;fifty as often as not/ I rather i1ed
young Sandford )ysef/ A young ass rather than a $on *uan> I
shoud have said/"
"It is this )an Sandford +ho got the gir into trou'eA"
"So it see)s/ <f .ourse I don"t 1no+ anything personay>" said the
.oone .autiousy/ "It"s a gossip and .hat/ @ou 1no+ +hat this
pa.e isG As I say> I 1no+ nothing/ And I") not i1e $oy ; eaping
to .on.usions> finging a..usations a over the pa.e/ $a)n it
a> one ought to 'e .arefu in +hat one says/ @ou 1no+ ; in8uest
and a that/"
"In8uestA"
Coone %antry stared/
"@es/ $idn"t I te youA ,ir dro+ned hersef/ That"s +hat a the
'other"s a'out/"
"That"s a nasty 'usiness>" said Sir !enry/
"<f .ourse it is/ $on"t i1e to thin1 of it )ysef/ Poor pretty itte
devi/ !er father"s a hard )an 'y a a..ounts/ I suppose she Dust
fet she .oudn"t fa.e the )usi./"
!e paused/
"That"s +hat"s upset $oy so/"
"Where did she dro+n hersefA"
"In the river/ *ust 'eo+ the )i it runs pretty fast/ There"s a
footpath and a 'ridge a.ross/ They thin1 she thre+ hersef off
that/ We> +e> it doesn"t 'ear thin1ing a'out/"
And +ith a portentous ruste> Coone %antry opened his
ne+spaper and pro.eeded to distra.t his )ind fro) painfu
)atters 'y an a'sorption in the ne+est ini8uities of the
govern)ent/
Sir !enry +as ony )idy interested 'y the viage tragedy/ After
'rea1fast> he esta'ished hi)sef on a .o)forta'e .hair on the
a+n> tited his hat over his eyes and .onte)pated ife fro) a
pea.efu ange/
It +as a'out haf past eeven +hen a neat parour)aid tripped
a.ross the a+n/
"If you pease> sir> Miss Marpe has .aed> and +oud i1e to see
you/"
"Miss MarpeA"
Sir !enry sat up and straightened his hat/ The na)e surprised
hi)/ !e re)e)'ered Miss Marpe very +e ; her gente 8uiet od)aidish
+ays> her a)a?ing penetration/ !e re)e)'ered a do?en
unsoved and hypotheti.a .ases ; and ho+ in ea.h .ase this
typi.a "od )aid of the viage" had eaped unerringy to the right
soution of the )ystery/ Sir !enry had a very deep respe.t for
Miss Marpe/ !e +ondered +hat had 'rought her to see hi)/
Miss Marpe +as sitting in the dra+ing;roo) ; very upright as
a+ays> a gaiy .ooured )ar1eting 'as1et of foreign eBtra.tion
'eside her/ !er .hee1s +ere rather pin1 and she see)ed
fustered/
"Sir !enry ; I a) so gad/ So fortunate to find you/ I Dust happened
to hear that you +ere staying do+n here/// I do hope you +i
forgive )e/// "
"This is a great peasure>" said Sir !enry> ta1ing her hand/ "I")
afraid Mrs %antry"s out/"
"@es>" said Miss Marpe/ "I sa+ her ta1ing to Footit> the 'ut.her>
as I passed/ !enry Footit +as run over yesterday ; that +as his
dog/ <ne of those s)ooth;haired foB terriers> rather stout and
8uarreso)e> that 'ut.hers a+ays see) to have/"
"@es>" said Sir !enry hepfuy/
"I +as gad to get here +hen she +asn"t at ho)e>" .ontinued Miss
Marpe/ "%e.ause it +as you I +anted to see/ A'out this sad
affair/"
"!enry FootitA" as1ed Sir !enry> sighty 'e+idered/
Miss Marpe thre+ hi) a reproa.hfu gan.e/
"0o> no/ &ose ())ott> of .ourse/ @ou"ve heardA"
Sir !enry nodded/
"%antry +as teing )e/ 7ery sad/"
!e +as a itte pu??ed/ !e .oud not .on.eive +hy Miss Marpe
shoud +ant to see hi) a'out &ose ())ott/
Miss Marpe sat do+n again/ Sir !enry aso sat/ When the od ady
spo1e her )anner had .hanged/ It +as grave> and had a .ertain
dignity/
"@ou )ay re)e)'er> Sir !enry> that on one or t+o o..asions +e
payed +hat +as reay a peasant 1ind of ga)e/ Propounding
)ysteries and giving soutions/ @ou +ere 1ind enough to say that
I ; that I did not do too 'ady/"
"@ou 'eat us a>" said Sir !enry +ar)y/ "@ou dispayed an
a'soute genius for getting to the truth/ And you a+ays
instan.ed> I re)e)'er> so)e viage parae +hi.h had suppied
you +ith the .ue/"
!e s)ied as he spo1e> 'ut Miss Marpe did not s)ie/ She
re)ained very grave/
"What you said has e)'odened )e to .o)e to you no+/ I fee that
if I say so)ething to you ; at east you +i not augh at )e/"
!e reai?ed suddeny that she +as in deady earnest/
"Certainy> I +i not augh>" he said genty/
"Sir !enry ; this gir ; &ose ())ott/ She did not dro+n hersef ;
she +as )urdered/// And I 1no+ +ho )urdered her/"
Sir !enry +as sient +ith sheer astonish)ent for 8uite three
se.onds/ Miss Marpe"s voi.e had 'een perfe.ty 8uiet and
uneB.ited/ She )ight have 'een )a1ing the )ost ordinary
state)ent in the +ord for a the e)otion she sho+ed/
"This is a very serious state)ent to )a1e> Miss Marpe>" said Sir
!enry +hen he had re.overed his 'reath/
She nodded her head genty severa ti)es/
"I 1no+ ; I 1no+ ; that is +hy I have .o)e to you/"
"%ut> )y dear ady> I a) not the person to .o)e to/ I a) )erey a
private individua no+adays/ If you have 1no+edge of the 1ind
you .ai)> you )ust go to the poi.e/"
"I don"t thin1 I .an do that>" said Miss Marpe/
"%ut +hy notA"
"%e.ause> you see> I haven"t got any ; +hat you .a 1no+edge/"
"@ou )ean it"s ony a guess on your partA"
"@ou .an .a it that> if you i1e> 'ut it"s not reay that at a/ I 1no+/
I") in a position to 1no+I 'ut if I gave )y reasons for 1no+ing to
Inspe.tor $re+itt ; +e> he"d si)py augh/ And reay> I don"t
1no+ that I"d 'a)e hi)/ It"s very diffi.ut to understand +hat you
)ight .a spe.iai?ed 1no+edge/"
"Su.h asA" suggested Sir !enry/
Miss Marpe s)ied a itte/
"If I +ere to te you that I 1no+ 'e.ause of a )an .aed
Peasegood eaving turnips instead of .arrots +hen he .a)e
round +ith a .an and sod vegeta'es to )y nie.e severa years
ago ; "
She stopped eo8uenty/
"A very appropriate na)e for the trade>" )ur)ured Sir !enry/
"you )ean that you are si)py Dudging fro) the fa.ts in a parae
.ase/"
"I 1no+ hu)an nature>" said Miss Marpe/ "It"s i)possi'e not to
1no+ hu)an nature iving in a viage a these years/ The
8uestion is> do you 'eieve )e> or don"t youA"
She oo1ed at hi) very straight/ The pin1 fush had heightened on
her .hee1s/ !er eyes )et his steadiy +ithout +avering/
Sir !enry +as a )an +ith a very vast eBperien.e of ife/ !e )ade
his de.isions 8ui.1y +ithout 'eating a'out the 'ush/ 2ni1ey
and fantasti. as Miss Marpe"s state)ent )ight see)> he +as
instanty a+are that he a..epted it/
"I do 'eieve you> Miss Marpe/ %ut I do not see +hat you +ant )e
to do in the )atter> or +hy you have .o)e to )e/"
"I have thought and thought a'out it>" said Miss Marpe/ "As I said>
it +oud 'e useess going to the poi.e +ithout any fa.ts/ I have
no fa.ts/ What I +oud as1 you to do is to interest yoursef in the
)atter ; Inspe.tor $re+itt +oud 'e )ost fattered> I a) sure/
And> of .ourse> if the )atter +ent farther> Coone Me.hett> the
Chief Consta'e> I a) sure> +oud 'e +aB in your hands/"
She oo1ed at hi) appeaingy/
"And +hat data are you going to give )e to +or1 uponA"
"I thought>" said Miss Marpe> "of +riting a na)e ; the na)e ; on a
pie.e of paper and giving it to you/ Then if> on investigation> you
de.ided that the ; the person ; is not invoved in any +ay ; +e> I
sha have 'een 8uite +rong/"
She paused and then added +ith a sight shiver/ "It +oud 'e so
dreadfu ; so very dreadfu ; if an inno.ent person +ere to 'e
hanged/"
"What on earth ; " .ried Sir !enry> started/
She turned a distressed fa.e upon hi)/
"I )ay 'e +rong a'out that ; though I don"t thin1 so/ Inspe.tor
$re+itt you see> is reay an inteigent )an/ %ut a )edio.re
a)ount of inteigen.e is so)eti)es )ost dangerous/ It does not
ta1e one far enough/"
Sir !enry oo1ed at her .uriousy/
Fu)'ing a itte> Miss Marpe opened a s)a reti.ue> too1 out a
itte note'oo1> tore out a eaf> .arefuy +rote a na)e on it and
foding it in t+o> handed it to Sir !enry/
!e opened it and read the na)e/ It .onveyed nothing to hi)> 'ut
his eye'ro+s ifted a itte/ !e oo1ed a.ross at Miss Marpe and
tu.1ed the pie.e of paper in his po.1et/
"We> +e>" he said/ "&ather an eBtraordinary 'usiness> this/ I"ve
never done anything i1e it 'efore/ %ut I") going to 'a.1 )y
Dudg)ent ; of you> Miss Marpe/"
II
Sir !enry +as sitting in a roo) +ith Coone Me.hett> the Chief
Consta'e of the .ounty> and Inspe.tor $re+itt/
The Chief Consta'e +as a itte )an of aggressivey )iitary
de)eanour/ The Inspe.tor +as 'ig and 'road and e)inenty
sensi'e/
"I reay do fee I") 'utting in>" said Sir !enry +ith his peasant
s)ie/ "I .an"t reay te you +hy I") doing it" 9Stri.t truth thisG:
"My dear feo+> +e"re .har)ed/ It"s a great .o)pi)ent/"
"!onoured> Sir !enry>" said the Inspe.tor/
The Chief Consta'e +as thin1ingH "%ored to death> poor feo+> at
the %antrys/ The od )an a'using the govern)ent and the od
+o)an 'a''ing on a'out 'u's/"
The Inspe.tor +as thin1ingH "Pity +e"re not up against a rea
teaser/ <ne of the 'est 'rains in (ngand> I"ve heard it said/ Pity
it"s a su.h pain saiing/"
Aoud> the Chief Consta'e saidH
"I") afraid it"s a very sordid and straightfor+ard/ First idea +as
that the gir had pit.hed hersef in/ She +as in the fa)iy +ay> you
understand/ !o+ever> our do.tor> !aydo.1> is a .arefu feo+/
!e noti.ed the 'ruises on ea.h ar) ; upper ar)/ Caused 'efore
death/ *ust +here a feo+ +oud have ta1en her 'y the ar)s and
fung her in/"
"Woud that re8uire )u.h strengthA"
"I thin1 not/ There +oud 'e no strugge ; the gir +oud 'e ta1en
una+ares/ It"s a foot'ridge of sippery +ood/ (asiest thing in the
+ord to pit.h her over ; there"s no handrai that side/"
"@ou 1no+ for a fa.t that the tragedy o..urred thereA"
"@es/ We"ve got a 'oy ; *i))y %ro+n ; aged t+eve/ !e +as in the
+oods on the other side/ !e heard a 1ind of s.rea) fro) the
'ridge and a spash/ It +as dus1 you 1no+ ; diffi.ut to see
anything/ Presenty he sa+ so)ething +hite foating do+n in the
+ater and he ran and got hep/ They got her out 'ut it +as too ate
to revive her/"
Sir !enry nodded/
"The 'oy sa+ no one on the 'ridgeA"
"0o/ %ut as I te you> it +as dus1> and there"s )ist a+ays hanging
a'out there/ I") going to 8uestion hi) as to +hether he sa+
anyone a'out Dust after+ards or Dust 'efore/ @ou see he naturay
assu)ed that the gir had thro+n hersef over/ (very'ody did to
start +ith/"
"Sti> +e"ve got the note>" said Inspe.tor $re+itt/ !e turned to Sir
!enry/
"0ote in the dead gir"s po.1et> sir/ Written +ith a 1ind of artist"s
pen.i it +as> and a of a sop though the paper +as +e )anaged
to read it/"
"And +hat did it sayA"
"It +as fro) young Sandford/ JA right>J that"s ho+ it ran/ JI"
)eet you at the 'ridge at eight;thirty/ ; &/S/J We> it +as near as
)ight 'e to eight;thirty ; a fe+ )inutes after ; +hen *i))y %ro+n
heard the .ry and the spash/"
"I don"t 1no+ +hether you"ve )et Sandford at aA" +ent on
Coone Me.hett/ "!e"s 'een do+n here a'out a )onth/ <ne of
these )odern day young ar.hite.ts +ho 'uid pe.uiar houses/
!e"s doing a house for Aington/ ,od 1no+s +hat it"s going to 'e
i1e ; fu of ne+;fanged stuff> I suppose/ ,ass dinner ta'e and
surgi.a .hairs )ade of stee and +e''ing/ We> that"s neither
here nor there> 'ut it sho+s the 1ind of .hap Sandford is/ %oshie>
you 1no+ ; no )oras/"
"Sedu.tion>" said Sir !enry )idy> "is 8uite an od;esta'ished
.ri)e though it does not> of .ourse> date 'a.1 so far as )urder/"
Coone Me.hett stared/
"<hG yes>" he said/ "4uite/ 4uite/"
"We> Sir !enry>" said $re+itt> "there it is ; an ugy 'usiness> 'ut
pain/ This young Sandford gets the gir into trou'e/ Then he"s a
for .earing off 'a.1 to #ondon/ !e"s got a gir there ; ni.e young
ady ; he"s engaged to 'e )arried to her/ We> naturay this
'usiness> if she gets to hear of it> )ay .oo1 his goose good and
proper/ !e )eets &ose at the 'ridge ; it"s a )isty evening> no one
a'out ; he .at.hes her 'y the shouders and pit.hes her in/ A
proper young s+ine ; and deserves +hat"s .o)ing to hi)/ That"s
)y opinion/"
Sir !enry +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ !e per.eived a strong
under.urrent of o.a preDudi.e/ A ne+ fanged ar.hite.t +as not
i1ey to 'e popuar in the .onservative viage of St Mary Mead/
"There is no dou't> I suppose> that this )an> Sandford> +as
a.tuay the father of the .o)ing .hidA" he as1ed/
"!e"s the father a right>" said $re+itt/ "&ose ())ott et out as
)u.h to her father/ She thought he"d )arry her/ Marry herG 0ot
heG"
"$ear )e>J thought Sir !enry/ "I see) to 'e 'a.1 in )id;7i.torian
)eodra)a/ 2nsuspe.ting gir> the viain fro) #ondon> the stern
father> the 'etraya ; +e ony need the faithfu viage over/ @es> I
thin1 it"s ti)e I as1ed a'out hi)/"
And aoud he saidH
"!adn"t the gir a young )an of her o+n do+n hereA"
"@ou )ean *oe (isA" said the Inspe.tor/ ",ood feo+ *oe/
Carpentering"s his trade/ AhG If she"d stu.1 to *oe ; "
Coone Me.hett nodded approva/
"Sti.1 to your o+n .ass>" he snapped/
"!o+ did *oe (is ta1e this affairA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"0o'ody 1ne+ ho+ he +as ta1ing it>" said the inspe.tor/ "!e"s a
8uiet feo+> is *oe/ Cose/ Anything &ose did +as right in his
eyes/ She had hi) on a string a right/ *ust hoped she"d .o)e
'a.1 to hi) so)e day ; that +as his attitude> I re.1on/"
"I"d i1e to see hi)>" said Sir !enry/
"<hG We"re going to oo1 hi) up>" said Coone Me.hett/ "We"re not
nege.ting any ine/ I thought )ysef +e"d see ())ott first> then
Sandford> and then +e .an go on and see (is/ That suits you>
CitheringA"
Sir !enry said it +oud suit hi) ad)ira'y/
They found To) ())ott at the %ue %oar/ !e +as a 'ig 'ury )an
of )idde age +ith a shifty eye and a tru.uent Da+/
",ad to see you> gente)en ; good )orning> Coone/ Co)e in
here and +e .an 'e private/ Can I offer you anything> gente)enA
0oA It"s as you pease/ @ou"ve .o)e a'out this 'usiness of )y
poor gir/ AhG She +as a good gir> &ose +as/ A+ays +as a good
gir ; ti this 'oody s+ine ; 'eg pardon> 'ut that"s +hat he is ; ti
he .a)e aong/ Pro)ised her )arriage> he did/ %ut I" have the
a+ on hi)/ $rove her to it> he did/ Murdering s+ine/ %ringing
disgra.e on a of us/ My poor gir/"
"@our daughter distin.ty tod you that Mr Sandford +as
responsi'e for her .onditionA" as1ed Me.hett .rispy/
"She did/ In this very roo) she did/"
"And +hat did you say to herA" as1ed Sir !enry/
"Say to herA" The )an see)ed )o)entariy ta1en a'a.1/
"@es/ @ou didn"t> for eBa)pe> threaten to turn her out of the
houseA"
"I +as a 'it upset ; that"s ony natura/ I") sure you" agree that"s
ony natura/ %ut> of .ourse> I didn"t turn her out of the house/ I
+oudn"t do su.h a thing/" !e assu)ed virtuous indignation/ "0o/
What"s the a+ for ; that"s +hat I say/ What"s the a+ forA !e"d got
to do the right 'y her/ And if he didn"t> 'y ,od> he"d got to pay/"
!e 'rought do+n his fist on the ta'e/
"What ti)e did you ast see your daughterA" as1ed Me.hett/
"@esterday ; tea ti)e/"
"What +as her )anner thenA"
"We> )u.h as usua/ I didn"t noti.e anything/ If I"d 1no+n ; "
"%ut you didn"t 1no+>" said the Inspe.tor driy/
They too1 their eave/
"())ott hardy .reates a favoura'e i)pression>" said Sir !enry
thoughtfuy/
"%it of a 'a.1guard>" said Me.hett/ "!e"d have 'ed Sandford a
right if he"d had the .han.e/"
Their neBt .a +as on the ar.hite.t/ &eB Sandford +as very
uni1e the pi.ture Sir !enry had un.ons.iousy for)ed of hi)/ !e
+as a ta young )an> very fair and very thin/ !is eyes +ere 'ue
and drea)y> his hair +as untidy and rather too ong/ !is spee.h
+as a itte too adyi1e/
Coone Me.hett introdu.ed hi)sef and his .o)panions/ Then
passing straight to the o'De.t of his visit> he invited the ar.hite.t
to )a1e a state)ent as to his )ove)ents on the previous
evening/
"@ou understand>" he said +arningy/ "I have no po+er to .o)pe a
state)ent fro) you and any state)ent you )a1e )ay 'e used in
eviden.e against you/ I +ant the position to 'e 8uite .ear to you/"
"I ; I don"t understand>" said Sandford/
"@ou understand that the gir &ose ())ott +as dro+ned ast
nightA"
"I 1no+/ <hG it"s too> too distressing/ &eay> I haven"t sept a +in1/
I"ve 'een in.apa'e of any +or1 today/ I fee responsi'e ; terri'y
responsi'e/"
!e ran his hands through his hair> )a1ing it untidier sti/
"I never )eant any har)>" he said piteousy/ "I never thought/ I
never drea)t she"d ta1e it that +ay/"
!e sat do+n at a ta'e and 'uried his fa.e in his hands/
"$o I understand you to say> Mr Sandford> that you refuse to )a1e
a state)ent as to +here you +ere ast night at eight;thirtyA"
"0o> no ; .ertainy not/ I +as out/ I +ent for a +a1/"
"@ou +ent to )eet Miss ())ottA"
"0o/ I +ent 'y )ysef/ Through the +oods/ A ong +ay/"
"Then ho+ do you a..ount for this note> sir> +hi.h +as found in
the dead gir"s po.1etA"
And Inspe.tor $re+itt read it une)otionay aoud/
"0o+> sir>" he finished/ "$o you deny that you +rote thatA"
"0o ; no/ @ou"re right/ I did +rite it/ &ose as1ed )e to )eet her/
She insisted/ I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do/ So I +rote that note/"
"Ah> that"s 'etter>" said the Inspe.tor/
"%ut I didn"t goG" Sandford"s voi.e rose high and eB.ited/ "I didn"t
goG I fet it +oud 'e )u.h 'etter not/ I +as returning to to+n
to)orro+/ I fet it +oud 'e 'etter not ; not to )eet/ I intended to
+rite fro) #ondon and ; and )a1e ; so)e arrange)ent/"
"@ou are a+are> sir> that this gir +as going to have a .hid> and
that she had na)ed you as its fatherA"
Sandford groaned> 'ut did not ans+er/
"Was that state)ent true> sirA"
Sandford 'uried his fa.e deeper/
"I suppose so>" he said in a )uffed voi.e/
"AhG" Inspe.tor $re+itt .oud not disguise the satisfa.tion/ "0o+
a'out this J+a1J of yours/ Is there anyone +ho sa+ you ast
nightA"
"I don"t 1no+/ I don"t thin1 so/ As far as I .an re)e)'er> I didn"t
)eet any'ody/"
"That"s a pity/"
"What do you )eanA" Sandford stared +idy at hi)/ "What does it
)atter +hether I +as out for a +a1 or notA What differen.e does
that )a1e to &ose dro+ning hersefA"
"AhG" said the inspe.tor/ "%ut you see> she didn"t/ She +as thro+n
in dei'eratey> Mr Sandford/"
"She +as ; " It too1 hi) a )inute or t+o to ta1e in a the horror of
it/ "My ,odG Then ; "
!e dropped into a .hair/
Coone Me.hett )ade a )ove to depart/
"@ou understand> Sandford>" he said/ "@ou are on no a..ount to
eave this house/"
The three )en eft together/ The Inspe.tor and the Chief
Consta'e eB.hanged gan.es/
"That"s enough> I thin1> sir>" said the Inspe.tor/
"@es/ ,et a +arrant )ade out and arrest hi)/"
"(B.use )e>" said Sir !enry> "I"ve forgotten )y goves/"
!e re;entered the house rapidy/ Sandford +as sitting Dust as they
had eft hi)> staring da?edy in front of hi)/
"I have .o)e 'a.1>" said Sir !enry> "to te you that I personay>
a) anBious to do a I .an to assist you/ The )otive of )y interest
in you I a) not at i'erty to revea/ %ut I a) going to as1 you> if
you +i> to te )e as 'riefy as possi'e eBa.ty +hat passed
'et+een you and this gir &ose/"
"She +as very pretty>" said Sandford/ "7ery pretty and very
auring/ And ; and she )ade a dead set at )e/ %efore ,od> that"s
true/ She +oudn"t et )e aone/ And it +as oney do+n here> and
no'ody i1ed )e )u.h> and ; and> as I say she +as a)a?ingy
pretty and she see)ed to 1no+ her +ay a'out and a that ; " !is
voi.e died a+ay/ !e oo1ed up/ "And then this happened/ She
+anted )e to )arry her/ I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do/ I") engaged to
a gir in #ondon/ If she ever gets to hear of this ; and she +i> of
.ourse ; +e> it"s a up/ She +on"t understand/ !o+ .oud sheA
And I") a rotter> of .ourse/ As I say> I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do/ I
avoided seeing &ose again/ I thought I"d get 'a.1 to to+n ; see
)y a+yer ; )a1e arrange)ents a'out )oney and so forth> for
her/ ,od> +hat a foo I"ve 'eenG And it"s a so .ear ; the .ase
against )e/ %ut they"ve )ade a )ista1e/ She )ust have done it
hersef/"
"$id she ever threaten to ta1e her ifeA"
Sandford shoo1 his head/
"0ever/ I shoudn"t have said she +as that sort/"
"What a'out a )an .aed *oe (isA"
"The .arpenter feo+A ,ood od viage sto.1/ $u feo+ ; 'ut
.ra?y a'out &ose/"
"!e )ight have 'een DeaousA" suggested Sir !enry/
"I suppose he +as a 'it ; 'ut he"s the 'ovine 1ind/ !e"d suffer in
sien.e/"
"We>" said Sir !enry/ "I )ust 'e going/"
!e reDoined the others/
"@ou 1no+> Me.hett>" he said/ "I fee +e ought to have a oo1 at
this other feo+ ; (is ; 'efore +e do anything drasti./ Pity if you
)ade an arrest that turned out to 'e a )ista1e/ After a> Deaousy
is a pretty good )otive for )urder ; and a pretty .o))on one>
too/"
"That"s true enough>" said the Inspe.tor/ "%ut *oe (is isn"t that
1ind/ !e +oudn"t hurt a fy/ Why> no'ody"s ever seen hi) out of
te)per/ Sti> I agree +e"d 'etter Dust as1 hi) +here he +as ast
night/ !e" 'e at ho)e no+/ !e odges +ith Mrs %artett ; very
de.ent sou ; a +ido+> she ta1es in a 'it of +ashing/"
The itte .ottage to +hi.h they 'ent their footsteps +as
spotessy .ean and neat/ A 'ig stout +o)an of )idde age
opened the door to the)/ She had a peasant fa.e and 'ue eyes/
",ood )orning> Mrs %artett>" said the Inspe.tor/ "Is *oe (is
hereA"
"Ca)e 'a.1 not ten )inutes ago>" said Mrs %artett/ "Step inside>
+i you> pease> sirs/"
Wiping her hands on her apron she ed the) into a tiny front
parour +ith stuffed 'irds> .hina dogs> a sofa and severa useess
pie.es of furniture/
She hurriedy arranged seats for the)> pi.1ed up a +hatnot
'odiy to )a1e further roo) and +ent out .aingH
"*oe> there"s three gente)en +ant to see you/"
A voi.e fro) the 'a.1 1it.hen repiedH
"I" 'e there +hen I"ve .eaned )ysef/"
Mrs %artett s)ied/
"Co)e in> Mrs %artett/" said Coone Me.hett/ "Sit do+n/"
"<h> no> sir> I .oudn"t thin1 of it/"
Mrs %artett +as sho.1ed at the idea/
"@ou find *oe (is a good odgerA" in8uired Me.hett in a
see)ingy .areess tone/
"Coudn"t have a 'etter> sir/ A rea steady young feo+/ 0ever
tou.hes a drop of drin1/ Ta1es a pride in his +or1/ And a+ays
1ind and hepfu a'out the house/ !e put up those sheves for )e>
and he"s fiBed a ne+ dresser in the 1it.hen/ And any itte thing
that +ants doing in the house ; +hy> *oe does it as a )atter of
.ourse> and +on"t hardy ta1e than1s for it/ AhG there aren"t )any
young feo+s i1e *oe> sir/"
"So)e gir +i 'e u.1y so)e day>" said Me.hett .areessy/ "!e
+as rather s+eet on that poor gir> &ose ())ott> +asn"t heA"
Mrs %artett sighed/
"It )ade )e tired> it did/ !i) +orshipping the ground she trod on
and her not .aring a snap of the fingers for hi)/"
"Where does *oe spend his evenings> Mrs %artettA"
"!ere> sir> usuay/ !e does so)e odd pie.e of +or1 in the
evenings> so)eti)es> and he"s trying to earn 'oo1;1eeping 'y
.orresponden.e/"
"AhG reay/ Was he in yesterday eveningA"
"@es> sir/"
"@ou"re sure> Mrs %artettA" said Sir !enry sharpy/
She turned to hi)/
"4uite sure> sir/"
"!e didn"t go out> for instan.e> so)e+here a'out eight to eightthirtyA"
"<h> no/" Mrs %artett aughed/ "!e +as fiBing the 1it.hen dresser
for )e neary a the evening> and I +as heping hi)/"
Sir !enry oo1ed at her s)iing assured fa.e and fet his first
pang of dou't/
A )o)ent ater (is hi)sef entered the roo)/
!e +as a ta 'road;shoudered young )an> very good;oo1ing in
a rusti. +ay/ !e had shy> 'ue eyes and a good;te)pered s)ie/
Atogether an a)ia'e young giant/
Me.hett opened the .onversation/ Mrs %arett +ithdre+ to the
1it.hen/
"We are investigating the death of &ose ())ott/ @ou 1ne+ her>
(is/"
"@es/" !e hesitated> then )uttered> "!oped to )arry her one day/
Poor ass/"
"@ou have heard of +hat her .ondition +asA"
"@es/" A spar1 of anger sho+ed in his eyes/ "#et her do+n> he did/
%ut "t+ere for the 'est/ She +oudn"t have 'een happy )arried to
hi)/ I re.1oned she"d .o)e to )e +hen this happened/ I"d have
oo1ed after her/"
"In spite of ; "
""T+eren"t her faut/ !e ed her astray +ith fine pro)ises and a/
<hG she tod )e a'out it/ She"d no .a to dro+n hersef/ !e
+eren"t +orth it/"
"Where +ere you> (is> ast night at eight;thirtyA"
Was it Sir !enry"s fan.y> or +as there reay a shade of .onstraint
in the ready ; a)ost too ready ; repyA
"I +as here/ FiBing up a .ontraption in the 1it.hen for Mrs %/ @ou
as1 her/ She" te you/"
"!e +as too 8ui.1 +ith that>" thought Sir !enry/ "!e"s a so+
thin1ing )an/ That popped out so pat that I suspe.t he"d got it
ready 'eforehand/"
Then he tod hi)sef that it +as i)agination/ !e +as i)agining
things ; yes> even i)agining an apprehensive gint in those 'ue
eyes/
A fe+ )ore 8uestions and ans+ers and they eft/ Sir !enry )ade
an eB.use to go to the 1it.hen/ Mrs %artett +as 'usy at the stove/
She oo1ed up +ith a peasant s)ie/ A ne+ dresser +as fiBed
against the +a/ It +as not 8uite finished/ So)e toos ay a'out
and so)e pie.es of +ood/
"That"s +hat (is +as at +or1 on ast nightA" said Sir !enry/
"@es> sir> it"s a ni.e 'it of +or1> isn"t itA !e"s a very .ever
.arpenter> *oe is/"
0o apprehensive gea) in her eye ; no e)'arrass)ent/
%ut (is ; had he i)agined itA 0o> there had 'een so)ething/
"I )ust ta.1e hi)>" thought Sir !enry/
Turning to eave the 1it.hen> he .oided +ith a pera)'uator/
"0ot +o1en the 'a'y up> I hope>" he said/
Mrs %artett"s augh rang out/
"<h> no> sir/ I"ve no .hidren ; )ore"s the pity/ That"s +hat I ta1e
the aundry on> sir/"
"<hG I see ; "
!e paused then said on an i)puseH
"Mrs %artett/ @ou 1ne+ &ose ())ott/ Te )e +hat you reay
thought of her/"
She oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
"We> sir> I thought she +as fighty/ %ut she"s dead ; and I don"t
i1e to spea1 i of the dead/"
"%ut I have a reason ; a very good reason for as1ing/"
!e spo1e persuasivey/
She see)ed to .onsider> studying hi) attentivey/ Finay she
)ade up her )ind/
"She +as a 'ad ot> sir>" she said 8uiety/ "I +oudn"t say so 'efore
*oe/ She too1 hi) in good and proper/ That 1ind .an ; )ore"s the
pity/ @ou 1no+ ho+ it is> sir/"
@es> Sir !enry 1ne+/ The *oe (ises of the +ord +ere pe.uiary
vunera'e/ They trusted 'indy/ %ut for that very .ause the
sho.1 of dis.overy )ight 'e greater/
!e eft the .ottage 'affed and perpeBed/ !e +as up against a
'an1 +a/ *oe (is had 'een +or1ing indoors a yesterday
evening/ Mrs %artett had a.tuay 'een there +at.hing hi)/
Coud one possi'y get round thatA There +as nothing to set
against it ; eB.ept possi'y that suspi.ious readiness in repying
on *oe (is"s part ; that suggestion of having a story pat/
"We>" said Me.hett> "that see)s to )a1e the )atter 8uite .ear>
ehA"
"It does> sir>" agreed the Inspe.tor/ "Sandford"s our )an/ 0ot a eg
to stand upon/ The thing"s as pain as dayight/ It"s )y opinion as
the gir and her father +ere out to ; +e ; pra.ti.ay 'a.1)ai
hi)/ !e"s no )oney to spea1 of ; he didn"t +ant the )atter to get
to his young ady"s ears/ !e +as desperate and he a.ted
a..ordingy/ What do you say> sirA" he added> addressing Sir
!enry deferentiay/
"It see)s so>" ad)itted Sir !enry/ "And yet ; I .an hardy pi.ture
Sandford .o))itting any vioent a.tion/"
%ut he 1ne+ as he spo1e that that o'De.tion +as hardy vaid/ The
)ee1est ani)a> +hen .ornered> is .apa'e of a)a?ing a.tions/
"I shoud i1e to see the 'oy> though>" he said suddeny/ "The one
+ho heard the .ry/"
*i))y %ro+n proved to 'e an inteigent ad> rather s)a for his
age> +ith a sharp> rather .unning fa.e/ !e +as eager to 'e
8uestioned and +as rather disappointed +hen .he.1ed in his
dra)ati. tae of +hat he had heard on the fata night/
"@ou +ere on the other side of the 'ridge> I understand>" said Sir
!enry/ "A.ross the river fro) the viage/ $id you see anyone on
that side as you .a)e over the 'ridgeA"
"There +as so)eone +a1ing up in the +oods/ Mr Sandford> I
thin1 it +as> the ar.hite.ting gente)an +ho"s 'uiding the 8ueer
house/"
The three )en eB.hanged gan.es/
"That +as a'out ten )inutes or so 'efore you heard the .ryA"
The 'oy nodded/
"$id you see anyone ese ; on the viage side of the riverA"
"A )an .a)e aong the path that side/ ,oing so+ and +histing
he +as/ Might have 'een *oe (is/"
"@ou .oudn"t possi'y have seen +ho it +as>" said the Inspe.tor
sharpy/ "What +ith the )ist and its 'eing dus1/"
"It"s on a..ount of the +histe>" said the 'oy/ "*oe (is a+ays
+histes the sa)e tune ; JI +anner 'e happyJ ; it"s the ony tune
he 1no+s/"
!e spo1e +ith the s.orn of the )odernist for the od;fashioned/
"Anyone )ight +histe a tune>" said Me.hett/ "Was he going
to+ards the 'ridgeA"
"0o/ <ther +ay ; to viage/"
"I don"t thin1 +e need .on.ern ourseves +ith this un1no+n )an>"
said Me.hett/ "@ou heard the .ry and the spash and a fe+
)inutes ater you sa+ the 'ody foating do+nstrea) and you ran
for hep> going 'a.1 to the 'ridge> .rossing it> and )a1ing
straight for the viage/ @ou didn"t see anyone near the 'ridge as
you ran for hepA"
"I thin1 as there +ere t+o )en +ith a +hee'arro+ on the river
pathI 'ut they +ere so)e +ay a+ay and I .oudn"t te if they +ere
going or .o)ing and Mr ,ies"s pa.e +as nearest ; so I ran
there/"
"@ou did +e> )y 'oy>" said Me.hett "@ou a.ted very .redita'y
and +ith presen.e of )ind/ @ou"re a s.out> aren"t youA"
"@es> sir/"
"7ery good/ 7ery good indeed/"
Sir !enry +as sient ; thin1ing/ !e too1 a sip of paper fro) his
po.1et> oo1ed at it> shoo1 his head/ It didn"t see) possi'e ; and
yet ;
!e de.ided to pay a .a on Miss Marpe/
She re.eived hi) in her pretty> sighty over.ro+ded od;stye
dra+ing;roo)/
"I"ve .o)e to report progress>" said Sir !enry/ "I") afraid that fro)
our point of vie+ things aren"t going +e/ They are going to arrest
Sandford/ And I )ust say I thin1 they are Dustified/"
"@ou have found nothing in ; +hat sha I say ; support of )y
theory> thenA" She oo1ed perpeBed ; anBious/ "Perhaps I have
'een +rong ; 8uite +rong/ @ou have su.h +ide eBperien.e ; you
+oud surey dete.t it if it +ere so/"
"For one thing>" said Sir !enry> "I .an hardy 'eieve it/ And for
another +e are up against an un'rea1a'e ai'i/ *oe (is +as
fiBing sheves in the 1it.hen a the evening and Mrs %artett +as
+at.hing hi) do it/"
Miss Marpe eaned for+ard> ta1ing in a 8ui.1 'reath/
"%ut that .an"t 'e so>" she said/ "It +as Friday night/"
"Friday nightA"
"@es ; Friday night/ <n Friday evenings Mrs %artett ta1es the
aundry she has done round to the different peope/"
Sir !enry eaned 'a.1 in his .hair/ !e re)e)'ered the 'oy
*i))y"s story of the +histing )an and ; yes ; it +oud a fit in/"
!e rose> ta1ing Miss Marpe +ar)y 'y the hand/
"I thin1 I see )y +ay>" he said/ "At east I .an try/// "
Five )inutes ater he +as 'a.1 at Mrs %artett"s .ottage and
fa.ing *oe (is in the itte parour a)ong the .hina dogs/
"@ou ied to us> (is> a'out ast night>" he said .rispy/ "@ou +ere
not in the 1it.hen here fiBing the dresser 'et+een eight and
eight;thirty/ @ou +ere seen +a1ing aong the path 'y the river
to+ards the 'ridge a fe+ )inutes 'efore &ose ())ott +as
)urdered/"
The )an gasped/
"She +eren"t )urdered ; she +eren"t/ I had naught to do +ith it/
She thre+ hersef in> she did/ She +as desperate i1e/ I +oudn"t
have har)ed a hair on her head> I +oudn"t/"
"Then +hy did you ie as to +here you +ereA" as1ed Sir !enry
1eeny/
The )an"s eyes shifted and o+ered un.o)forta'y/
"I +as s.ared/ Mrs %/ sa+ )e around there and +hen +e heard
Dust after+ards +hat had happened ; +e> she thought it )ight
oo1 'ad for )e/ I fiBed I"d say I +as +or1ing here> and she
agreed to 'a.1 )e up/ She"s a rare one> she is/ She"s a+ays
'een good to )e/"
Without a +ord Sir !enry eft the roo) and +a1ed into the
1it.hen/ Mrs %artett +as +ashing up at the sin1/
"Mrs %artett>" he said> "I 1no+ everything/ I thin1 you"d 'etter
.onfess ; that is> uness you +ant *oe (is hanged for so)ething
he didn"t do/// 0o/ I see you don"t +ant that/ I" te you +hat
happened/ @ou +ere out ta1ing the aundry ho)e/ @ou .a)e
a.ross &ose ())ott/ @ou thought she"d given *oe the .hu.1 and
+as ta1ing up +ith this stranger/ 0o+ she +as in trou'e ; *oe
+as prepared to .o)e to the res.ue ; )arry her if need 'e> and if
she"d have hi)/ !e"s ived in your house for four years/ @ou"ve
faen in ove +ith hi)/ @ou +ant hi) for yoursef/ @ou hated this
gir ; you .oudn"t 'ear that this +orthess itte sut shoud ta1e
your )an fro) you/ @ou"re a strong +o)an> Mrs %artett/ @ou
.aught the gir 'y the shouders and shoved her over into the
strea)/ A fe+ )inutes ater you )et *oe (is/ The 'oy *i))y sa+
you together in the distan.e ; 'ut in the dar1ness and the )ist he
assu)ed the pera)'uator +as a +hee'arro+ and t+o )en
+heeing it/ @ou persuaded *oe that he )ight 'e suspe.ted and
you .on.o.ted +hat +as supposed to 'e an ai'i for hi)> 'ut
+hi.h +as reay an ai'i for you/ 0o+ then> I") right> a) I notA"
!e hed his 'reath/ !e had sta1ed a on this thro+/
She stood 'efore hi) ru''ing her hands on her apron> so+y
)a1ing up her )ind/
"It"s Dust as you say> sir>" she said at ast> in her 8uiet su'dued
voi.e 9a dangerous voi.e> Sir !enry suddeny fet it to 'e:/ "I don"t
1no+ +hat .a)e over )e/ Sha)eess ; that"s +hat she +as/ It Dust
.a)e over )e ; she shan"t ta1e *oe fro) )e/ I haven"t had a
happy ife> sir/ My hus'and> he +as a poor ot ; an invaid and
.ross;grained/ I nursed and oo1ed after hi) true/ And then *oe
.a)e here to odge/ I") not su.h an od +o)an> sir> in spite of )y
grey hair/ I") Dust forty> sir/ *oe"s one in a thousand/ I"d have done
anything for hi) ; anything at a/ !e +as i1e a itte .hid> sir> so
gente and 'eieving/ !e +as )ine> sir> to oo1 after and see to/
And this ; this ; " She s+ao+ed ; .he.1ed her e)otion/ (ven at
this )o)ent she +as a strong +o)an/ She stood up straight and
oo1ed at Sir !enry .uriousy/ "I") ready to .o)e> sir/ I never
thought anyone +oud find out/ I don"t 1no+ ho+ you 1ne+> sir ; I
don"t> I") sure/"
Sir !enry shoo1 his head genty/
"It +as not I +ho 1ne+>" he said ; and he thought of the pie.e of
paper sti reposing in his po.1et +ith the +ords on it +ritten in
neat od;fashioned hand+riting/
"Mrs %artett> +ith +ho) *oe (is odges at 2 Mi Cottages/"
Miss Marpe had 'een right again/
Contents
The &ed Signa
The Fourth Man
S < S
Wireess
The Ca of Wings
The ,ipsy
The !ound of $eath
The #a)p
The #ast Sean.e
The Mystery of the %ue *ar
The Strange Case of Sir Arthur Car)i.hae
The Witness for the Prose.ution
T!( &($ SI,0A#
J0o> 'ut ho+ too thriing>J said pretty Mrs (verseigh> opening her
ovey> 'ut sighty va.ant> 'ue eyes very +ide/ JThey a+ays say
+o)en have a siBth senseI do you thin1 it"s true> Sir AingtonAJ
The fa)ous aienist s)ied sardoni.ay/ !e had an un'ounded
.onte)pt for the fooish pretty type> su.h as his feo+ guest/ Aington
West +as the supre)e authority on )enta disease> and he +as fuy
aive to his o+n position and i)portan.e/ A sighty po)pous )an of fu
figure/
JA great dea of nonsense is ta1ed> I 1no+ that> Mrs (verseigh/ What
does the ter) )ean ; a siBth senseAJ
J@ou s.ientifi. )en are a+ays so severe/ And it reay is eBtraordinary
the +ay one see)s to positivey 1no+ things so)eti)es ; Dust 1no+
the)> fee the)> I )ean ; 8uite un.anny ; it reay is/ Caire 1no+s +hat I
)ean> don"t you> CaireAJ
She appeaed to her hostess +ith a sight pout> and a tited shouder/
Caire Trent did not repy at on.e/ It +as a s)a dinner party ; she and
her hus'and> 7ioet (verseigh> Sir Aington West> and his nephe+
$er)ot West> +ho +as an od friend of *a.1 Trent"s/ *a.1 Trent hi)sef>
a so)e+hat heavy forid )an> +ith a good;hu)ored s)ie> and a
peasant a?y augh> too1 up the thread/
J%un1u)> 7ioetG @our 'est friend is 1ied in a rai+ay a..ident/
Straight a+ay you re)e)'er that you drea)ed of a 'a.1 .at ast
Tuesday ; )arveous> you fet a aong that so)ething +as going to
happenGJ
J<h> no> *a.1> you"re )iBing up pre)onitions +ith intuition no+/ Co)e>
no+> Sir Aington> you )ust ad)it that pre)onitions are reaAJ
JTo a .ertain eBtent> perhaps>J ad)itted the physi.ian .autiousy/ J%ut
.oin.iden.e a..ounts for a good dea> and then there is the invaria'e
tenden.y to )a1e the )ost of a story after+ards/J
JI don"t thin1 there is any su.h thing as pre)onition>J said Caire Trent>
rather a'rupty/ J<r intuition> or a siBth sense> or any of the things +e
ta1 a'out so gi'y/ We go through ife i1e a train rushing through the
dar1ness to an un1no+n destination/J
JThat"s hardy a good si)ie> Mrs Trent>J said $er)ot West> ifting his
head for the first ti)e and ta1ing part in the dis.ussion/ There +as a
.urious gitter in the .ear gray eyes that shone out rather oddy fro)
the deepy tanned fa.e/ J@ou"ve forgotten the signas> you see/J
JThe signasAJ
J@es> green if it"s a right> and red ; for dangerGJ
J&ed ; for danger ; ho+ thriingGJ 'reathed 7ioet (verseigh/
$er)ot turned fro) her rather i)patienty/
JThat"s Dust a +ay of des.ri'ing it> of .ourse/J
Trent stared at hi) .uriousy/
J@ou spea1 as though it +ere an a.tua eBperien.e> $er)ot> od 'oy/J
JSo it is ; has 'een> I )ean/J
J,ive us the yarn/J
JI .an give you one instan.e/ <ut in Mesopota)ia> Dust after the
Ar)isti.e> I .a)e into )y tent one evening +ith the feeing strong upon
)e/ $angerG #oo1 outG !adn"t the ghost of a notion +hat it +as a a'out/
I )ade a round of the .a)p> fussed unne.essariy> too1 a pre.autions
against an atta.1 'y hostie Ara's/ Then I +ent 'a.1 to )y tent/ As soon
as I got inside> the feeing popped up again stronger than ever/ $angerG
In the end I too1 a 'an1et outside> roed )ysef up in it and sept
there/J
JWeAJ
JThe neBt )orning> +hen I +ent inside the tent> first thing I sa+ +as a
great 1nife arrange)ent ; a'out haf a yard ong ; stru.1 do+n through
)y 'un1> Dust +here I +oud have ain/ I soon found out a'out it ; one of
the Ara' servants/ !is son had 'een spot as a spy/ What have you got
to say to that> 2n.e Aington> as an eBa)pe of +hat I .a the red
signaAJ
The spe.iaist s)ied non.o))ittay/ JA very interesting story> )y dear
$er)ot/J
J%ut not one that you a..ept unreservedyAJ
J@es> yes> I have no dou't 'ut that you had the pre)onition of danger>
Dust as you state/ %ut it is the origin of the pre)onition I dispute/
A..ording to you> it .a)e fro) +ithout> i)pressed 'y so)e outside
sour.e upon your )entaity/ %ut no+adays +e find that neary
everything .o)es fro) +ithin ; fro) our su'.ons.ious sef/
JI suggest that 'y so)e gan.e or oo1 this Ara' had 'etrayed hi)sef/
@our .ons.ious sef did not noti.e or re)e)'er> 'ut +ith your
su'.ons.ious sef it +as other+ise/ The su'.ons.ious never forgets/
We 'eieve> too> that it .an reason and dedu.e 8uite independenty of
the higher or .ons.ious +i/ @our su'.ons.ious sef> then> 'eieved that
an atte)pt )ight 'e )ade to assassinate you> and su..eeded in for.ing
its fear upon your .ons.ious reai?ation/J
JThat sounds very .onvin.ing> I ad)it>J said $er)ot> s)iing/
J%ut not neary so eB.iting>J pouted Mrs (verseigh/
JIt is aso possi'e that you )ay have 'een su'.ons.iousy a+are of the
hate fet 'y the )an to+ards you/ What in od days used to 'e .aed
teepathy .ertainy eBists> though the .onditions governing it are very
itte understood/J
J!ave there 'een any other instan.esAJ as1ed Caire of $er)ot/
J<h yes> 'ut nothing very pi.toria ; and I suppose they .oud a 'e
eBpained under the heading of .oin.iden.e/ I refused an invitation to a
.ountry house on.e> for no other reason than the "red signa/" The pa.e
+as 'urned out during the +ee1/ %y the +ay> 2n.e Aington> +here
does the su'.ons.ious .o)e in thereAJ
JI") afraid it doesn"t>J said Sir Aington> s)iing/
J%ut you"ve got an e8uay good eBpanation/ Co)e> no+/ 0o need to 'e
ta.tfu +ith near reatives/J
JWe> then> nephe+> I venture to suggest that you refused the invitation
for the ordinary reason that you didn"t )u.h +ant to go> and that after
the fire> you suggested to yoursef that you had had a +arning of
danger> +hi.h eBpanation you no+ 'eieve i)pi.ity/J
JIt"s hopeess>J aughed $er)ot/ JIt"s heads you +in> tais I ose/J
J0ever )ind> Mr West>J .ried 7ioet (verseigh/ JI 'eieve in your &ed
Signa/ Is the ti)e in Mesopota)ia the ast ti)e you had itAJ
J@es ; unti ;J
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
J0othing/J
$er)ot sat sient/ The +ords +hi.h had neary eft his ips +ereH J@es>
unti tonight/J They had .o)e 8uite un'idden to his ips> voi.ing a
thought +hi.h had as yet not 'een .ons.iousy reai?ed> 'ut he +as
a+are at on.e that they +ere true/ The &ed Signa +as oo)ing up out
of the dar1ness/ $angerG $anger .ose at handG
%ut +hyA What .on.eiva'e danger .oud there 'e hereA !ere in the
house of his friendsA At east ; +e> yes> there +as that 1ind of danger/
!e oo1ed at Caire Trent ; her +hiteness> her senderness> the
eB8uisite droop of her goden head/ %ut that danger had 'een there for
so)e ti)e ; it +as never i1ey to get a.ute/ For *a.1 Trent +as his 'est
friend> and )ore than his 'est friend> the )an +ho had saved his ife in
Fanders and 'een re.o))ended for the 7/C/ for doing so/ A good
feo+> *a.1> one of the 'est/ $a)ned 'ad u.1 that he shoud have
faen in ove +ith *a.1"s +ife/ !e"d get over it so)e day> he supposed/
A thing .oudn"t go on hurting i1e this forever/ <ne .oud starve it out ;
that +as it> starve it out/ It +as not as though she +oud ever guess ;
and if she did guess> there +as no danger of her .aring/ A statue> a
'eautifu statue> a thing of god and ivory and pae pin1 .ora/// a toy for
a 1ing> not a rea +o)an///
Caire/// the very thought of her na)e> uttered sienty> hurt hi)/// !e
)ust get over it/ !e"d .ared for +o)en 'efore/// J%ut not i1e thisGJ said
so)ething/ J0ot i1e this/J We> there it +as/ 0o danger there ;
hearta.he> yes> 'ut not danger/ 0ot the danger of the &ed Signa/ That
+as for so)ething ese/
!e oo1ed round the ta'e and it stru.1 hi) for the first ti)e that it +as
rather an unusua itte gathering/ !is un.e> for instan.e> sedo) dined
out in this s)a> infor)a +ay/ It +as not as though the Trents +ere od
friendsI unti this evening $er)ot had not 'een a+are that he 1ne+
the) at a/
To 'e sure> there +as an eB.use/ A rather notorious )ediu) +as
.o)ing after dinner to give a s=an.e/ Sir Aington professed to 'e
)idy interested in spirituais)/ @es> that +as an eB.use> .ertainy/
The +ord for.ed itsef on his noti.e/ An eB.use/ Was the s=an.e Dust an
eB.use to )a1e the spe.iaist"s presen.e at dinner naturaA If so> +hat
+as the rea o'De.t of his 'eing hereA A host of detais .a)e rushing
into $er)ot"s )ind> trifes unnoti.ed at the ti)e> or> as his un.e +oud
have said> unnoti.ed 'y the .ons.ious )ind/
The great physi.ian had oo1ed oddy> very oddy> at Caire )ore than
on.e/ !e see)ed to 'e +at.hing her/ She +as uneasy under his
s.rutiny/ She )ade itte t+it.hing )otions +ith her hands/ She +as
nervous> horri'y nervous> and +as it> .oud it 'e> frightenedA Why +as
she frightenedA
With a Der1 he .a)e 'a.1 to the .onversation round the ta'e/ Mrs
(verseigh had got the great )an ta1ing upon his o+n su'De.t/
JMy dear ady>J he +as saying> J+hat is )adnessA I .an assure you that
the )ore +e study the su'De.t> the )ore diffi.ut +e find it to pronoun.e/
We a pra.ti.e a .ertain a)ount of sef;de.eption> and +hen +e .arry it
so far as to 'eieve +e are the C?ar of &ussia> +e are shut up or
restrained/ %ut there is a ong road 'efore +e rea.h that point/ At +hat
parti.uar spot on it sha +e ere.t a post and say> "<n this side sanity>
on the other )adness"A It .an"t 'e done> you 1no+/ And I +i te you
thisH if the )an suffering fro) a deusion happened to hod his tongue
a'out it> in a pro'a'iity +e shoud never 'e a'e to distinguish hi)
fro) a nor)a individua/ The eBtraordinary sanity of the insane is an
interesting su'De.t/J
Sir Aington sipped his +ine +ith appre.iation and 'ea)ed upon the
.o)pany/
JI"ve a+ays heard they are very .unning>J re)ar1ed Mrs (verseigh/
J#oonies> I )ean/J
J&e)ar1a'y so/ And suppression of one"s parti.uar deusion has a
disastrous effe.t very often/ A suppressions are dangerous> as
psy.hoanaysis has taught us/ The )an +ho has a har)ess
e..entri.ity> and .an induge it as su.h> sedo) goes over the 'orderine/
%ut the )an ;J he paused ; Jor +o)an +ho is to a appearan.e
perfe.ty nor)a> )ay 'e in reaity a poignant sour.e of danger to the
.o))unity/J
!is ga?e traveed genty do+n the ta'e to Caire and then 'a.1 again/
A horri'e fear shoo1 $er)ot/ Was that +hat he )eantA Was that +hat
he +as driving atA I)possi'e> 'ut ;
JAnd a fro) suppressing onesef>J sighed Mrs (verseigh/ JI 8uite see
that one shoud 'e very .arefu a+ays to ; to eBpress one"s personaity/
The dangers of the other are frightfu/J
JMy dear Mrs (verseigh>J eBpostuated the physi.ian> Jyou have 8uite
)isunderstood )e/ The .ause of the )is.hief is in the physi.a )atter
of the 'rain ; so)eti)es arising fro) so)e out+ard agen.y su.h as a
'o+I so)eti)es> aas> .ongenita/J
J!eredity is so sad>J sighed the ady vaguey/ JConsu)ption and a
that/J
JTu'er.uosis is not hereditary>J said Sir Aington driy/
JIsn"t itA I a+ays thought it +as/ %ut )adness isG !o+ dreadfu/ What
eseAJ
J,out>J said Sir Aington> s)iing/ JAnd .oor 'indness ; the atter is
rather interesting/ It is trans)itted dire.t to )aes> 'ut is atent in
fe)aes/ So> +hie there are )any .oor 'ind )en> for a +o)an to 'e
.oor 'ind> it )ust have 'een atent in her )other as +e as present in
her father ; rather an unusua state of things to o..ur/ That is +hat is
.aed seB i)ited heredity/J
J!o+ interesting/ %ut )adness is not i1e that> is itAJ
JMadness .an 'e handed do+n to )en or +o)en e8uay>J said the
physi.ian gravey/
Caire rose suddeny> pushing 'a.1 her .hair so a'rupty that it
overturned and fe to the ground/ She +as very pae and the nervous
)otions of her fingers +ere very apparent/
J@ou ; you +i not 'e ong> +i youAJ she 'egged/ JMrs Tho)pson +i
'e here in a fe+ )inutes no+/J
J<ne gass of port> and I +i 'e +ith you>J de.ared Sir Aington/ JTo
see this +onderfu Mrs Tho)pson"s perfor)an.e is +hat I have .o)e
for> is it notA !a> haG 0ot that I needed any indu.e)ent/J !e 'o+ed/
Caire gave a faint s)ie of a.1no+edg)ent and passed out of the
roo) +ith Mrs (verseigh/
JAfraid I"ve 'een ta1ing shop>J re)ar1ed the physi.ian as he resu)ed
his seat/ JForgive )e> )y dear feo+/J
J0ot at a>J said Trent perfun.toriy/
!e oo1ed strained and +orried/ For the first ti)e $er)ot fet an
outsider in the .o)pany of his friend/ %et+een these t+o +as a se.ret
that even an od friend )ight not share/ And yet the +hoe thing +as
fantasti. and in.redi'e/ What had he to go uponA 0othing 'ut a .oupe
of gan.es and a +o)an"s nervousness/
They ingered over their +ine 'ut a very short ti)e> and arrived up in
the dra+ing roo) Dust as Mrs Tho)pson +as announ.ed/
The )ediu) +as a pu)p )idde;aged +o)an> atro.iousy dressed in
)agenta vevet> +ith a oud> rather .o))on voi.e/
J!ope I") not ate> Mrs Trent>J she said .heeriy/ J@ou did say nine
o".o.1> didn"t youAJ
J@ou are 8uite pun.tua> Mrs Tho)pson>J said Caire in her s+eet>
sighty hus1y voi.e/ JThis is our itte .ir.e/J
0o further introdu.tions +ere )ade> as +as evidenty the .usto)/ The
)ediu) s+ept the) a +ith a shre+d> penetrating eye/
JI hope +e sha get so)e good resuts>J she re)ar1ed 'ris1y/ JI .an"t
te you ho+ I hate it +hen I go out and I .an"t give satisfa.tion> so to
spea1/ It Dust )a1es )e )ad/ %ut I thin1 Shiro)a1o 9)y *apanese
.ontro> you 1no+: +i 'e a'e to get through a right tonight/ I")
feeing ever so fit> and I refused the +esh rare'it> fond of .heese
though I a)/J
$er)ot istened> haf;a)used> haf;disgusted/ !o+ prosai. the +hoe
thing +asG And yet> +as he not Dudging fooishyA (verything> after a>
+as natura ; the po+ers .ai)ed 'y )ediu)s +ere natura po+ers> as
yet i)perfe.ty understood/ A great surgeon )ight 'e +ary of
indigestion on the eve of a dei.ate operation/ Why not Mrs Tho)psonA
Chairs +ere arranged in a .ir.e> ights so that they .oud .onvenienty
'e raised and o+ered/ $er)ot noti.ed that there +as no 8uestion of
tests> or of Sir Aington satisfying hi)sef as to the .onditions of the
s=an.e/ 0o> this 'usiness of Mrs Tho)pson +as ony a 'ind/ Sir
Aington +as here for 8uite another purpose/ Caire"s )other> $er)ot
re)e)'ered> had died a'road/ There had 'een so)e )ystery a'out
her/// !ereditary///
With a Der1 he for.ed his )ind 'a.1 to the surroundings of the )o)ent/
(veryone too1 their pa.es> and the ights +ere turned out> a 'ut a
s)a red;shaded one on a far ta'e/
For a +hie nothing +as heard 'ut the o+> even 'reathing of the
)ediu)/ ,raduay it gre+ )ore and )ore stertorous/ Then> +ith a
suddenness that )ade $er)ot Du)p> a oud rap .a)e fro) the far end
of the roo)/ It +as repeated fro) the other side/ Then a perfe.t
.res.endo of raps +as heard/ They died a+ay> and a sudden high pea
of )o.1ing aughter rang through the roo)/
Then sien.e> 'ro1en 'y a voi.e uttery uni1e that of Mrs Tho)pson> a
high;pit.hed> 8uainty infe.ted voi.e/
JI a) here> gente)en>J it said/ J@ess> I a) here/ @ou +ish as1 )e
thingsAJ
JWho are youA Shiro)a1oAJ
J@ess/ I Shiro)a1o/ I pass over ong ago/ I +or1/ I very happy/J
Further detais of Shiro)a1o"s ife foo+ed/ It +as a very fat and
uninteresting> and $er)ot had heard it often 'efore/ (veryone +as
happy> very happy/ Messages +ere given fro) vaguey des.ri'ed
reatives> the des.ription 'eing so oosey +orded as to fit a)ost any
.ontingen.y/ An edery ady> the )other of so)eone present> hed the
foor for so)e ti)e> i)parting .opy'oo1 )aBi)s +ith an air of
refreshing novety hardy 'orne out 'y her su'De.t )atter/
JSo)eone ese +ant to get through no+>J announ.ed Shiro)a1o/ J,ot
a very i)portant )essage for one of the gente)en/J
There +as a pause> and then a ne+ voi.e spo1e> prefa.ing its re)ar1s
+ith an evi de)onia.a .hu.1e/
J!a> haG !a> ha> haG %etter not go ho)e/ Ta1e )y advi.e/J
JWho are you spea1ing toAJ as1ed Trent/
J<ne of you three/ I shoudn"t go ho)e if I +ere hi)/ $angerG %oodG 0ot
very )u.h 'ood ; 8uite enough/ 0o> don"t go ho)e/J The voi.e gre+
fainter/ J$on"t go ho)eGJ
It died a+ay .o)petey/ $er)ot fet his 'ood tinging/ !e +as
.onvin.ed that the +arning +as )eant for hi)/ So)eho+ or other>
there +as danger a'road tonight/
There +as a sigh fro) the )ediu)> and then a groan/ She +as .o)ing
round/ The ights +ere turned on> and presenty she sat upright> her
eyes 'in1ing a itte/
J,o off +e> )y dearA I hope so/J
J7ery good indeed> than1 you> Mrs Tho)pson/J
JShiro)a1o> I supposeAJ
J@es> and others/J
Mrs Tho)pson ya+ned/
JI") dead 'eat/ A'soutey do+n and out/ $oes fairy ta1e it out of you/
We> I") gad it +as a su..ess/ I +as a 'it afraid so)ething
disagreea'e )ight happen/ There"s a 8ueer fee a'out this roo)
tonight/J
She gan.ed over ea.h a)pe shouder in turn> and then shrugged the)
un.o)forta'y/
JI don"t i1e it>J she said/ JAny sudden deaths a)ong any of you peope
ateyAJ
JWhat do you )ean ; a)ong usAJ
J0ear reatives ; dear friendsA 0oA We> if I +anted to 'e )eodra)ati.>
I"d say that there +as death in the air tonight/ There> it"s ony )y
nonsense/ ,ood;'ye> Mrs Trent/ I") gad you"ve 'een satisfied/J
Mrs Tho)pson in her )agenta vevet go+n +ent out/
JI hope you"ve 'een interested> Sir Aington>J )ur)ured Caire/
JA )ost interesting evening> )y dear ady/ Many than1s for the
opportunity/ #et )e +ish you good night/ @ou are a going on to a
dan.e> are you notAJ
JWon"t you .o)e +ith usAJ
J0o> no/ I )a1e it a rue to 'e in 'ed 'y haf;past eeven/ ,ood night/
,ood night> Mrs (verseigh/ Ah> $er)ot> I rather +ant to have a +ord
+ith you/ Can you .o)e +ith )e no+A @ou .an reDoin the others at the
,rafton ,aeries/J
JCertainy> 2n.e/ I" )eet you there then> Trent/J
7ery fe+ +ords +ere eB.hanged 'et+een un.e and nephe+ during the
short drive to !arey Street/ Sir Aington )ade a se)i;apoogy for
dragging $er)ot a+ay> and assured hi) that he +oud ony detain hi)
a fe+ )inutes/
JSha I 1eep the .ar for you> )y 'oyAJ he as1ed> as they aighted/
J<h> don"t 'other> 2n.e/ I" pi.1 up a taBi/J
J7ery good/ I don"t i1e to 1eep Charson up ater than I .an hep/ ,ood
night> Charson/ 0o+ +here the devi did I put )y 1eyAJ
The .ar gided a+ay as Sir Aington stood on the steps sear.hing his
po.1ets/
JMust have eft it in )y other .oat>J he said at ength/ J&ing the 'e> +i
youA *ohnson is sti up> I dare say/J
The i)pertur'a'e *ohnson did indeed open the door +ithin siBty
se.onds/
JMisaid )y 1ey> *ohnson>J eBpained Sir Aington/ J%ring a .oupe of
+his1ies and sodas into the i'rary/J
J7ery good> Sir Aington/J
The physi.ian strode on into the i'rary and turned on the ights/ !e
)otioned to $er)ot to .ose the door/
JI +on"t 1eep you ong> $er)ot> 'ut there"s Dust so)ething I +ant to say
to you/ Is it )y fan.y> or have you a .ertain ; tendresse> sha +e say> for
Mrs *a.1 TrentAJ
The 'ood rushed to $er)ot"s fa.e/
J*a.1 Trent is )y 'est friend/J
JPardon )e> 'ut that is hardy ans+ering )y 8uestion/ I dare say that
you .onsider )y vie+s on divor.e and su.h )atters highy puritani.a>
'ut I )ust re)ind you that you are )y ony near reative and )y heir/J
JThere is no 8uestion of a divor.e>J said $er)ot angriy/
JThere .ertainy is not> for a reason +hi.h I understand perhaps 'etter
than you do/ That parti.uar reason I .annot give you no+> 'ut I do +ish
to +arn you/ She is not for you/J
The young )an fa.ed his un.e"s ga?e steadiy/
JI do understand ; and per)it )e to say> perhaps 'etter than you thin1/
I 1no+ the reason for your presen.e at dinner tonight/J
J(hAJ The physi.ian +as .eary started/ J!o+ did you 1no+ thatAJ
JCa it a guess> sir/ I a) right> a) I not> +hen I say that you +ere there
in your ; professiona .apa.ity/J
Sir Aington strode up and do+n/
J@ou are 8uite right> $er)ot/ I .oud not> of .ourse> have tod you so
)ysef> though I a) afraid it +i soon 'e .o))on property/J
$er)ot"s heart .ontra.ted/
J@ou )ean that you have ; )ade up your )indAJ
J@es> there is insanity in the fa)iy ; on the )other"s side/ A sad .ase ; a
very sad .ase/J
JI .an"t 'eieve it> sir/J
JI dare say not/ To the ay)an there are fe+ if any signs apparent/J
JAnd to the eBpertAJ
JThe eviden.e is .on.usive/ In su.h a .ase the patient )ust 'e pa.ed
under restraint as soon as possi'e/J
JMy ,odGJ 'reathed $er)ot/ J%ut you .an"t shut anyone up for nothing
at a/J
JMy dear $er)otG Cases are ony pa.ed under restraint +hen their
'eing at arge +oud resut in danger to the .o))unity/J
J$angerAJ
J7ery grave danger/ In a pro'a'iity a pe.uiar for) of ho)i.ida
)ania/ It +as so in the )other"s .ase/J
$er)ot turned a+ay +ith a groan> 'urying his fa.e in his hands/ Caire ;
+hite and goden CaireG
JIn the .ir.u)stan.es>J .ontinued the physi.ian .o)forta'y> JI fet it
in.u)'ent on )e to +arn you/J
JCaire>J )ur)ured $er)ot/ JMy poor Caire/J
J@es> indeed> +e )ust a pity her/J
Suddeny $er)ot raised his head/
JI say I don"t 'eieve it/ $o.tors )a1e )ista1es/ (veryone 1no+s that/
And they"re a+ays 1een on their o+n spe.iaty/J
JMy dear $er)ot>J .ried Sir Aington angriy/
JI te you I don"t 'eieve it ; and any+ay> even if it is so> I don"t .are/ I
ove Caire/ If she +i .o)e +ith )e> I sha ta1e her a+ay ; far a+ay ;
out of the rea.h of )edding physi.ians/ I sha guard her> .are for her>
sheter her +ith )y ove/J
J@ou +i do nothing of the sort/ Are you )adAJ
$er)ot aughed s.ornfuy/
J@ou +oud say so/J
J2nderstand )e> $er)ot/J Sir Aington"s fa.e +as red +ith suppressed
passion/ JIf you do this thing ; this sha)efu thing ; I sha +ithdra+ the
ao+an.e I a) no+ )a1ing you> and I sha )a1e a ne+ +i eaving a I
possess to various hospitas/J
J$o as you pease +ith your da)ned )oney>J said $er)ot in a o+
voi.e/ JI sha have the +o)an I ove/J
JA +o)an +ho ;J
JSay a +ord against her and> 'y ,od> I" 1i youGJ .ried $er)ot/
A sight .hin1 of gasses )ade the) 'oth s+ing round/ 2nheard 'y
the) in the heat of their argu)ent> *ohnson had entered +ith a tray of
gasses/ !is fa.e +as the i)pertur'a'e one of the good servant> 'ut
$er)ot +ondered Dust eBa.ty ho+ )u.h he had overheard/
JThat" do> *ohnson>J said Sir Aington .urty/ J@ou .an go to 'ed/J
JThan1 you> sir/ ,ood night> sir/J
*ohnson +ithdre+/
The t+o )en oo1ed at ea.h other/ The )o)entary interruption had
.a)ed the stor)/
J2n.e>J said $er)ot/ JI shoudn"t have spo1en to you as I did/ I .an
8uite see that fro) your point of vie+ you are perfe.ty right/ %ut I have
oved Caire Trent for a ong ti)e/ The fa.t that *a.1 Trent is )y 'est
friend has hitherto stood in the +ay of )y ever spea1ing of ove to
Caire hersef/ %ut in these .ir.u)stan.es that fa.t no onger .ounts/
The idea that any )onetary .ondition"s .an deter )e is a'surd/ I thin1
+e"ve 'oth said a there is to 'e said/ ,ood night/J
J$er)ot ;J
JIt is reay no good arguing further/ ,ood night> 2n.e Aington/J
!e +ent out 8ui.1y> shutting the door 'ehind hi)/ The ha +as in
dar1ness/ !e passed through it> opened the front door and e)erged
into the street> 'anging the door 'ehind hi)/
A taBi had Dust deposited a fare at a house farther aong the street and
$er)ot haied it> and drove to the ,rafton ,aeries/
In the door of the 'aroo) he stood for a )inute> 'e+idered> his head
spinning/ The rau.ous Da?? )usi.> the s)iing +o)en ; it +as as though
he had stepped into another +ord/
!ad he drea)ed it aA I)possi'e that that gri) .onversation +ith his
un.e shoud have reay ta1en pa.e/ There +as Caire foating past>
i1e a iy in her +hite and siver go+n that fitted sheathi1e to her
senderness/ She s)ied at hi)> her fa.e .a) and serene/ Surey it +as
a a drea)/
The dan.e had stopped/ Presenty she +as near hi)> s)iing up into his
fa.e/ As in a drea) he as1ed her to dan.e/ She +as in his ar)s no+>
the rau.ous )eodies had 'egun again/
!e fet her fag a itte/
JTiredA $o you +ant to stopAJ
JIf you don"t )ind/ Can +e go so)e+here +here +e .an ta1A There is
so)ething I +ant to say to you/J
0ot a drea)/ !e .a)e 'a.1 to earth +ith a 'u)p/ Coud he ever have
thought her fa.e .a) and sereneA It +as haunted +ith anBiety> +ith
dread/ !o+ )u.h did she 1no+A
!e found a 8uiet .orner> and they sat do+n side 'y side/
JWe>J he said> assu)ing a ightness he did not fee> Jyou said you had
so)ething you +anted to say to )eAJ
J@es/J !er eyes +ere .ast do+n/ She +as paying nervousy +ith the
tasse of her go+n/ JIt"s diffi.ut ;J
JTe )e> Caire/J
JIt"s Dust this> I +ant you to ; to go a+ay for a ti)e/J
!e +as astonished/ Whatever he had eBpe.ted> it +as not this/
J@ou +ant )e to go a+ayA WhyAJ
JIt"s 'est to 'e honest> isn"t itA I 1no+ that you are a ; a gente)an and
)y friend/ I +ant you to go a+ay 'e.ause I ; I have et )ysef get fond of
you/J
JCaire/J
!er +ords eft hi) du)' ; tongue;tied/
JPease do not thin1 that I a) .on.eited enough to fan.y that you ;
+oud ever 'e i1ey to fa in ove +ith )e/ It is ony that ; I a) not very
happy ; and ; ohG I +oud rather you +ent a+ay/J
JCaire> don"t you 1no+ that I have .ared ; .ared da)na'y ; ever sin.e I
)et youAJ
She ifted started eyes to his fa.e/
J@ou .aredA @ou have .ared a ong ti)eAJ
JSin.e the 'eginning/J
J<hGJ she .ried/ JWhy didn"t you te )eA ThenA When I .oud have
.o)e to youG Why te )e no+ +hen it"s too ate/ 0o> I") )ad ; I don"t
1no+ +hat I") saying/ I .oud never have .o)e to you/J
JCaire> +hat did you )ean +hen you said "no+ that it"s too ate"A Is it ;
is it 'e.ause of )y un.eA What he 1no+sAJ
She nodded> the tears running do+n her fa.e/
J#isten> Caire> you"re not to 'eieve a that/ @ou"re not to thin1 a'out it/
Instead> you +i .o)e a+ay +ith )e/ I +i oo1 after you ; 1eep you safe
a+ays/J
!is ar)s +ent round her/ !e dre+ her to hi)> fet her tre)'e at his
tou.h/ Then suddeny she +ren.hed hersef free/
J<h> no> pease/ Can"t you seeA I .oudn"t no+/ It +oud 'e ugy ; ugy ;
ugy/ A aong I"ve +anted to 'e good ; and no+ ; it +oud 'e ugy as
+e/J
!e hesitated> 'affed 'y her +ords/ She oo1ed at hi) appeaingy/
JPease>J she said/ JI +ant to 'e good///J
Without a +ord> $er)ot got up and eft her/ For the )o)ent he +as
tou.hed and ra.1ed 'y her +ords 'eyond argu)ent !e +ent for his hat
and .oat> running into Trent as he did so/
J!ao> $er)ot> you"re off eary/J
J@es> I") not in the )ood for dan.ing tonightJ
JIt"s a rotten night>J said Trent goo)iy/ J%ut you haven"t got )y
+orries/J
$er)ot had a sudden pani. that Trent )ight 'e going to .onfide in hi)/
0ot that ; anything 'ut thatG
JWe> so ong>J he said hurriedy/ JI") off ho)e/J
J!o)e> ehA What a'out the +arning of the spiritsAJ
JI" ris1 that/ ,ood night> *a.1/J
$er)ot"s fat +as not far a+ay/ !e +a1ed there> feeing the need of the
.oo night air to .a) his fevered 'rain/ !e et hi)sef in +ith his 1ey
and s+it.hed on the ight in the 'edroo)/
And a at on.e> for the se.ond ti)e that night> the feeing of the &ed
Signa surged over hi)/ So overpo+ering +as it that for the )o)ent it
s+ept even Caire fro) his )ind/
$angerG !e +as in danger/ At this very )o)ent> in this very roo)G
!e tried in vain to ridi.ue hi)sef free of the fear/ Perhaps his efforts
+ere se.rety hafhearted/ So far> the &ed Signa had given hi) ti)ey
+arning +hi.h had ena'ed hi) to avoid disaster/ S)iing a itte at his
o+n superstition> he )ade a .arefu tour of the fat/ It +as possi'e that
so)e )aefa.tor had got in and +as ying .on.eaed there/ %ut his
sear.h reveaed nothing/ !is )an> Mison> +as a+ay> and the fat +as
a'soutey e)pty/
!e returned to his 'edroo) and undressed so+y> fro+ning to hi)sef/
The sense of danger +as a.ute as ever/ !e +ent to a dra+er to get out
a hand1er.hief> and suddeny stood sto.1 sti/ There +as an unfa)iiar
u)p in the )idde of the dra+er/
!is 8ui.1 nervous fingers tore aside the hand1er.hiefs and too1 out the
o'De.t .on.eaed 'eneath the)/
It +as a revover/
With the ut)ost astonish)ent $er)ot eBa)ined it 1eeny/ It +as of a
so)e+hat unfa)iiar pattern> and one shot had 'een fired fro) it atey/
%eyond that he .oud )a1e nothing of it So)eone had pa.ed it in that
dra+er that very evening/ It had not 'een there +hen he dressed for
dinner ; he +as sure of that/
!e +as a'out to repa.e it in the dra+er> +hen he +as started 'y a 'e
ringing/ It rang again and again> sounding unusuay oud in the
8uietness of the e)pty fat/
Who .oud 'e .o)ing to the front door at this hourA And ony one
ans+er .a)e to the 8uestion ; an ans+er instin.tive and persistent/
$anger ; danger ; danger/
#ed 'y so)e instin.t for +hi.h he did not a..ount> $er)ot s+it.hed off
his ight> sipped on an over.oat that ay a.ross a .hair> and opened the
ha door/
T+o )en stood outside/ %eyond the) $er)ot .aught sight of a 'ue
unifor)/ A poi.e)anG
JMr WestAJ as1ed one of the t+o )en/
It see)ed to $er)ot that ages eapsed 'efore he ans+ered/ In reaity it
+as ony a fe+ se.onds 'efore he repied in a very fair i)itation of his
servant"s eBpressioness voi.eH
JMr West hasn"t .o)e in yet/J
J!asn"t .o)e in yet> ehA 7ery +e> then> I thin1 +e"d 'etter .o)e in and
+ait for hi)/J
J0o> you don"t/J
JSee here> )y )an> I") inspe.tor 7era of S.otand @ard> and I"ve got a
+arrant for the arrest of your )aster/ @ou .an see it if you i1e/J
$er)ot perused the proffered paper> or pretended to do so> as1ing in a
da?ed voi.eH
JWhat forA What"s he doneAJ
JMurder/ Sir Aington West of !arey StreetJ
!is 'rain in a +hir> $er)ot fe 'a.1 'efore his redou'ta'e visitors/ !e
+ent into the sitting;roo) and s+it.hed on the ight/ The inspe.tor
foo+ed hi)/
J!ave a sear.h round>J he dire.ted the other )an/ Then he turned to
$er)ot/
J@ou stay here> )y )an/ 0o sipping off to +arn your )aster/ What"s
your na)e> 'y the +ayAJ
JMison> sir/J
JWhat ti)e do you eBpe.t your )aster in> MisonAJ
JI don"t 1no+> sir> he +as going to a dan.e> I 'eieve/ At the ,rafton
,aeries/J
J!e eft there Dust under an hour ago/ Sure he"s not 'een 'a.1 hereAJ
JI don"t thin1 so> sir/ I fan.y I shoud have heard hi) .o)e in/J
At this )o)ent the se.ond )an .a)e in fro) the adDoining roo)/ In his
hand he .arried the revover/ !e too1 it a.ross to the inspe.tor in so)e
eB.ite)ent/ An eBpression of satisfa.tion fitted a.ross the atter"s fa.e/
JThat settes it>J he re)ar1ed/ JMust have sipped in and out +ithout
your hearing hi)/ !e"s hoo1ed it 'y no+/ I"d 'etter 'e off/ Ca+ey> you
stay here> in .ase he shoud .o)e 'a.1 again> and you .an 1eep an eye
on this feo+/ !e )ay 1no+ )ore a'out his )aster than he pretends/J
The inspe.tor 'usted off/ $er)ot endeavored to get the detais of the
affair fro) Ca+ey> +ho +as 8uite ready to 'e ta1ative/
JPretty .ear .ase>J he vou.hsafed/ JThe )urder +as dis.overed
a)ost i))ediatey/ *ohnson> the )anservant> had ony Dust gone up to
'ed +hen he fan.ied he heard a shot> and .a)e do+n again/ Found Sir
Aington dead> shot through the heart/ !e rang us up at on.e and +e
.a)e aong and heard his story/J
JWhi.h )ade it a pretty .ear .aseAJ ventured $er)ot/
JA'soutey/ This young West .a)e in +ith his un.e and they +ere
8uarreing +hen *ohnson 'rought in the drin1s/ The od 'oy +as
threatening to )a1e a ne+ +i> and your )aster +as ta1ing a'out
shooting hi)/ 0ot five )inutes ater the shot +as heard/ <h> yes> .ear
enough/J
Cear enough indeed/ $er)ot"s heart san1 as he reai?ed the
over+he)ing eviden.e against hi)/ And no +ay out save fight/ !e set
his +its to +or1/ Presenty he suggested )a1ing a .up of tea/ Ca+ey
assented readiy enough/ !e had aready sear.hed the fat and 1ne+
there +as no 'a.1 entran.e/
$er)ot +as per)itted to depart to the 1it.hen/ <n.e there he put the
1ette on> and .hin1ed .ups and sau.ers industriousy/ Then he stoe
s+ifty to the +indo+ and ifted the sash/ The fat +as on the se.ond
foor> and outside the +indo+ +as the s)a +ire ift used 'y trades)en
+hi.h ran up and do+n on its stee .a'e/
#i1e a fash $er)ot +as outside the +indo+ and s+inging hi)sef do+n
the +ire rope/ It .ut into his hands> )a1ing the) 'eed> 'ut he +ent on
desperatey/
A fe+ )inutes ater he +as e)erging .autiousy fro) the 'a.1 of the
'o.1/ Turning the .orner> he .annoned into a figure standing 'y the
side+a1/ To his utter a)a?e)ent he re.ogni?ed *a.1 Trent/ Trent +as
fuy aive to the peris of the situation/
JMy ,odG $er)otG 4ui.1> don"t hang a'out here/J
Ta1ing hi) 'y the ar)> he ed hi) do+n a 'y street> then do+n another/
A oney taBi +as sighted and haied and they Du)ped in> Trent giving
the )an his o+n address/
JSafest pa.e for the )o)ent/ There +e .an de.ide +hat to do neBt to
put those foos off the tra.1/ I .a)e round here> hoping to 'e a'e to
+arn you 'efore the poi.e got here/J
JI didn"t even 1no+ that you had heard of it/ *a.1> you don"t 'eieve ;J
J<f .ourse not> od feo+> not for one )inute/ I 1no+ you far too +e/
A the sa)e> it"s a nasty 'usiness for you/ They .a)e round as1ing
8uestions ; +hat ti)e you got to the ,rafton ,aeries> +hen you eft>
and so on/ $er)ot> +ho .oud have done the od 'oy inAJ
JI .an"t i)agine/ Whoever did it put the revover in )y dra+er> I
suppose/ Must have 'een +at.hing us pretty .osey/J
JThat s=an.e 'usiness +as da)ned funny/ "$on"t go ho)e/" Meant for
poor od West/ !e did go ho)e> and got shot/J
JIt appies to )e> too>J said $er)ot/ JI +ent ho)e and found a panted
revover and a poi.e inspe.tor/J
JWe> I hope it doesn"t get )e> too>J said Trent J!ere +e are/J
!e paid the taBi> opened the door +ith his at.h1ey> and guided $er)ot
up the dar1 stairs to his den> a s)a roo) on the first foor/
!e thre+ open the door and $er)ot +a1ed in> +hie Trent s+it.hed on
the ight> and .a)e to Doin hi)/
JPretty safe here for the ti)e 'eing>J he re)ar1ed/ J0o+ +e .an get
our heads together and de.ide +hat is 'est to 'e done/J
JI"ve )ade a foo of )ysef>J said $er)ot suddeny/ JI ought to have
fa.ed it out/ I see )ore .eary no+/ The +hoe thing"s a pot/ What the
devi are you aughing atAJ
For Trent +as eaning 'a.1 in his .hair> sha1ing +ith unrestrained )irth/
There +as so)ething horri'e in the sound ; so)ething horri'e> too>
a'out the )an atogether/
There +as a .urious ight in his eyes/
JA da)ned .ever pot>J he gasped out/ J$er)ot> you"re done for/J
!e dre+ the teephone to+ards hi)/
JWhat are you going to doAJ as1ed $er)ot/
J&ing up S.otand @ard/ Te "e) their 'ird"s here ; safe under o.1 and
1ey/ @es> I o.1ed the door +hen I .a)e in and the 1ey"s in )y po.1et/
0o good oo1ing at that other door 'ehind )e/ That eads into Caire"s
roo)> and she a+ays o.1s it on her side/ She"s afraid of )e> you 1no+/
%een afraid of )e a ong ti)e/ She a+ays 1no+s +hen I") thin1ing
a'out that 1nife ; a ong sharp 1nife/ 0o> you don"t ;J
$er)ot had 'een a'out to )a1e a rush at hi)/ 'ut the other had
suddeny produ.ed a revover/
JThat"s the se.ond of the)>J .hu.1ed Trent/ JI put the first in your
dra+er ; after shooting od West +ith it ; What are you oo1ing at over
)y headA That doorA It"s no use> even if Caire +ere to open it ; and she
)ight to you ; I"d shoot you 'efore you got there/ 0ot in the heart ; not to
1i> Dust +ing you> so that you .oudn"t get a+ay/ I") a Doy good shot>
you 1no+/ I saved your ife on.e/ More foo I/ 0o> no> I +ant you hanged
; yes> hanged/ It isn"t you I +ant the 1nife for/ It"s Caire ; pretty Caire>
so +hite and soft/ <d West 1ne+/ That"s +hat he +as here for tonight>
to see if I +ere )ad or not/ !e +anted to shut )e up ; so that I shoudn"t
get at Caire +ith a 1nife/ I +as very .unning/ I too1 his at.h1ey and
yours> too/ I sipped a+ay fro) the dan.e as soon as I got there/ I sa+
you .o)e out of his house> and I +ent in/ I shot hi) and .a)e a+ay at
on.e/ Then I +ent to your pa.e and eft the revover/ I +as at the
,rafton ,aeries again a)ost as soon as you +ere> and I put the
at.h1ey 'a.1 in your .oat po.1et +hen I +as saying good night to you/
I don"t )ind teing you a this/ There"s no one ese to hear> and +hen
you"re 'eing hanged I"d i1e you to 1no+ I did it/// There"s not a oophoe
of es.ape/ It )a1es )e augh/// ,od> ho+ it )a1es )e aughG What are
you thin1ing ofA What the devi are you oo1ing atAJ
JI") thin1ing of so)e +ords you 8uoted Dust no+/ @ou"d have done
'etter> Trent> not to .o)e ho)e/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J#oo1 'ehind youGJ
Trent spun round/ In the door+ay of the .o))uni.ating roo) stood
Caire ; and Inspe.tor 7era///
Trent +as 8ui.1/ The revover spo1e Dust on.e ; and found its )ar1/ !e
fe for+ard a.ross the ta'e/ The inspe.tor sprang to his side> as
$er)ot stared at Caire in a drea)/ Thoughts fashed through his 'rain
disDointedy/ !is un.e ; their 8uarre ; the .oossa )isunderstanding ;
the divor.e a+s of (ngand +hi.h +oud never free Caire fro) an
insane hus'and ; J+e )ust a pity herJ ; the pot 'et+een her and Sir
Aington +hi.h the .unning of Trent had seen through ; her .ry to hi)>
J2gy ; ugy ; ugyGJ @es> 'ut no+ ;
The inspe.tor straightened up/
J$ead>J he said veBedy/
J@es>J $er)ot heard hi)sef saying> Jhe +as a+ays a good shot///J
T!( F<2&T! MA0
Canon Parfitt panted a itte/ &unning for trains +as not )u.h of a
'usiness for a )an of his age/ For one thing his figure +as not +hat it
+as and +ith the oss of his sender sihouette +ent an in.reasing
tenden.y to 'e short of 'reath/ This tenden.y the Canon hi)sef a+ays
referred to> +ith dignity> as JMy heart> you 1no+GJ
!e san1 into the .orner of the first;.ass .arriage +ith a sigh of reief/
The +ar)th of the heated .arriage +as )ost agreea'e to hi)/ <utside
the sno+ +as faing/ #u.1y to get a .orner seat on a ong night Dourney/
Misera'e 'usiness if you didn"t/ There ought to 'e a seeper on this
train/
The other three .orners +ere aready o..upied> and noting this fa.t
Canon Parfitt 'e.a)e a+are that the )an in the far .orner +as s)iing
at hi) in gente re.ognition/ !e +as a .ean;shaven )an +ith a
8ui??i.a fa.e and hair Dust turning gray on the te)pes/ !is profession
+as so .eary the a+ that no one .oud have )ista1en hi) for anything
ese for a )o)ent/ Sir ,eorge $urand +as> indeed> a very fa)ous
a+yer/
JWe> Parfitt>J he re)ar1ed geniay> Jyou had a run for it> didn"t youAJ
J7ery 'ad for )y heart> I") afraid>J said the Canon/ J4uite a
.oin.iden.e )eeting you> Sir ,eorge/ Are you going far northAJ
J0e+.aste>J said Sir ,eorge a.oni.ay/ J%y the +ay>J he added> Jdo
you 1no+ $r Ca)p'e Car1AJ
The )an sitting on the sa)e side of the .arriage as the Canon in.ined
his head peasanty/
JWe )et on the patfor)>J .ontinued the a+yer/ JAnother
.oin.iden.e/J
Canon Parfitt oo1ed at $r Ca)p'e Car1 +ith a good dea of interest/
It +as a na)e of +hi.h he had often heard/ $r Car1 +as in the forefront
as a physi.ian and )enta spe.iaist> and his ast 'oo1> The Pro'e) of
the 2n.ons.ious Mind> had 'een the )ost dis.ussed 'oo1 of the year/
Canon Parfitt sa+ a s8uare Da+> very steady 'ue eyes> and reddish hair
untou.hed 'y gray> 'ut thinning rapidy/ And he re.eived aso the
i)pression of a very for.efu personaity/
%y a perfe.ty natura asso.iation of ideas the Canon oo1ed a.ross to
the seat opposite hi)> haf;eBpe.ting to re.eive a gan.e of re.ognition
there aso> 'ut the fourth o..upant of the .arriage proved to 'e a tota
stranger ; a foreigner> the Canon fan.ied/ !e +as a sight dar1 )an>
rather insignifi.ant in appearan.e/ !un.hed in a 'ig over.oat> he
appeared to 'e fast aseep/
JCanon Parfitt of %rad.hesterAJ in8uired $r Ca)p'e Car1 in a
peasant voi.e/
The Canon oo1ed fattered/ Those Js.ientifi. ser)onsJ of his had reay
)ade a great hit ; espe.iay sin.e the press had ta1en the) up/ We>
that +as +hat the Chur.h needed ; good )odern up;to;date stuff/
JI have read your 'oo1 +ith great interest> $r Ca)p'e Car1>J he said/
JThough it"s a 'it too te.hni.a here and there for )e to foo+/J
$urand 'ro1e in/
JAre you for ta1ing or seeping> CanonAJ he as1ed/ JI" .onfess at on.e
that I suffer fro) inso)nia and that therefore I") in favor of the for)er/J
J<h> .ertainyG %y a )eans>J said the Canon/ JI sedo) seep on these
night Dourneys and the 'oo1 I have +ith )e is a very du one/J
JWe are at any rate a representative gathering>J re)ar1ed the do.tor
+ith a s)ie/ JThe Chur.h> the a+> the )edi.a profession/J
J0ot )u.h +e .oudn"t give an opinion on 'et+een us> ehAJ aughed
$urand/ JThe Chur.h for the spiritua vie+> )ysef for the purey
+ordy and ega vie+> and you> do.tor> +ith the +idest fied of a>
ranging fro) the purey pathoogi.a to the ; super;psy.hoogi.aG
A)ong the three of us +e shoud .over any ground pretty .o)petey> I
fan.y/J
J0ot so .o)petey as you i)agine> I thin1>J said $r Car1/ JThere"s
another point of vie+> you 1no+> that you eft out> and that"s rather an
i)portant one/J
JMeaningAJ 8ueried the a+yer/
JThe point of vie+ of the )an in the street/J
JIs that so i)portantA Isn"t the )an in the street usuay +rongAJ
J<h> a)ost a+aysG %ut he has the thing that a eBpert opinion )ust
a.1 ; the persona point of vie+/ In the end> you 1no+> you .an"t get
a+ay fro) persona reationships/ I"ve found that in )y profession/ For
every patient +ho .o)es to )e genuiney i> at east five .o)e +ho
have nothing +hatever the )atter +ith the) eB.ept an ina'iity to ive
happiy +ith the in)ates of the sa)e house/ They .a it everything ;
fro) house)aid"s 1nee to +riter"s .ra)p> 'ut it"s a the sa)e thing> the
ra+ surfa.e produ.ed 'y )ind ru''ing against )ind/J
J@ou have a ot of patients +ith "nerves>" I suppose>J the Canon
re)ar1ed disparagingy/ !is o+n nerves +ere eB.eent/
JAh> and +hat do you )ean 'y thatAJ The other s+ung round on hi)>
8ui.1 as a fash/ J0ervesG peope use that +ord and augh after it> Dust
as you did/ "0othing the )atter +ith so and so>" they say/ "*ust nerves/"
%ut> good ,od> )an> you"ve got the .ruB of everything thereG @ou .an
get at a )ere 'odiy ai)ent and hea it/ %ut at this day +e 1no+ very
itte )ore a'out the o's.ure .auses of the hundred and one for)s of
nervous disease than +e did in ; +e> the reign of 4ueen (i?a'ethGJ
J$ear )e>J said Canon Parfitt> a itte 'e+idered 'y this onsaught/ JIs
that soAJ
JMind you> it"s a sign of gra.e>J $r Ca)p'e Car1 +ent on/ JIn the od
days +e .onsidered )an a si)pe ani)a> 'ody and sou ; +ith stress
aid on the for)er/J
J%ody> sou and spirit>J .orre.ted the .ergy)an )idy/
JSpiritAJ The do.tor s)ied oddy/ JWhat do you parsons )ean eBa.ty
'y spiritA @ou"ve never 'een very .ear a'out it> you 1no+/ A do+n the
ages you"ve fun1ed an eBa.t definition/J
The Canon .eared his throat in preparation for spee.h> 'ut to his
.hagrin he +as given no opportunity/ The do.tor +ent on/
JAre +e even sure the +ord is spirit ; )ight it not 'e spiritsAJ
JSpiritsAJ Sir ,eorge $urand 8uestioned> his eye'ro+s raised
8ui??i.ay/
J@es/J Ca)p'e Car1"s ga?e transferred itsef to hi)/ !e eaned
for+ard and tapped the other )an ighty on the 'reast/ JAre you so
sure>J he said gravey> Jthat there is ony one o..upant of this stru.ture
; for that is a it is> you 1no+ ; this desira'e residen.e to 'e et
furnished ; for seven> t+enty;one> forty;one> seventy;one ; +hatever it
)ay 'eG ; yearsA And in the end the tenant )oves his things out ; itte
'y itte ; and then goes out of the house atogether ; and do+n .o)es
the house> a )ass of ruin and de.ay/ @ou"re the )aster of the house>
+e" ad)it that> 'ut aren"t you ever .ons.ious of the presen.e of others
; soft;footed servants> hardy noti.ed> eB.ept for the +or1 they do ;
+or1 that you"re not .ons.ious of having doneA <r friends ; )oods that
ta1e hod of you and )a1e you> for the ti)e 'eing> a "different )an>" as
the saying goesA @ou"re the 1ing of the .aste> right enough> 'ut 'e very
sure the "dirty ras.a" is there too/J
JMy dear Car1>J dra+ed the a+yer> Jyou )a1e )e positivey
un.o)forta'e/ Is )y )ind reay a 'atteground of .onfi.ting
personaitiesA Is that S.ien.e"s atestAJ
It +as the do.tor"s turn to shrug his shouders/
J@our 'ody is>J he said driy/ JIf the 'ody> +hy not the )indAJ
J7ery interesting>J said Canon Parfitt/ JAhG Wonderfu s.ien.e ;
+onderfu s.ien.e/J
And in+ardy he thought to hi)sefH JI .an get a )ost arresting ser)on
out of the idea/J
%ut $r Ca)p'e Car1 had eaned 'a.1 again in his seat> his
)o)entary eB.ite)ent spent/
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J he re)ar1ed in a dry> professiona )anner> Jit is a
.ase of dua personaity that ta1es )e to 0e+.aste tonight/ 7ery
interesting .ase/ 0euroti. su'De.t> of .ourse/ %ut 8uite genuine/J
J$ua personaity>J said Sir ,eorge $urand thoughtfuy/ JIt"s not so
very rare> I 'eieve/ There"s oss of )e)ory as +e> isn"t thereA I 1no+
the )atter .ropped up in a .ase in the Pro'ate Court the other day/J
$r Car1 nodded/
JThe .assi. .ase> of .ourse>J he said> J+as that of Fei.ie %aut/ @ou
)ay re)e)'er hearing of itAJ
J<f .ourse>J said Canon Parfitt/ JI re)e)'er reading a'out it in the
papers ; 'ut 8uite a ong ti)e ago ; seven years at east/J
$r Ca)p'e Car1 nodded/
JThat gir 'e.a)e one of the )ost fa)ous figures in Fran.e/ S.ientists
fro) a over the +ord .a)e to see her/ She had no ess than four
distin.t personaities/ They +ere 1no+n as Fei.ie 1> Fei.ie 2> Fei.ie 5>
et./J
JWasn"t there so)e suggestion of dei'erate tri.1eryAJ as1ed Sir
,eorge aerty/
JThe personaities of Fei.ie 5 and Fei.ie 4 +ere a itte open to dou't>J
ad)itted the do.tor/ J%ut the )ain fa.ts re)ain/ Fei.ie %aut +as a
%rittany peasant gir/ She +as the third of a fa)iy of five> the daughter
of a drun1en father and a )entay defe.tive )other/ In one of his
drin1ing 'outs the father stranged the )other and +as> if I re)e)'er
righty> transported for ife/ Fei.ie +as then five years of age/ So)e
.harita'e peope interested the)seves in the .hidren and Fei.ie +as
'rought up and edu.ated 'y an (ngish )aiden ady +ho had a 1ind of
ho)e for destitute .hidren/ She .oud )a1e very itte of Fei.ie>
ho+ever/ She des.ri'es the gir as a'nor)ay so+ and stupid> taught
to read and +rite ony +ith the greatest diffi.uty> and .u)sy +ith her
hands/ This ady> Miss Sater> tried to fit the gir for do)esti. servi.e>
and did indeed find her severa pa.es +hen she +as of an age to ta1e
the)/ %ut she never stayed ong any+here o+ing to her stupidity and
aso her intense a?iness/J
The do.tor paused for a )inute> and the Canon> re.rossing his egs and
arranging his traveing rug )ore .osey round hi)> +as suddeny
a+are that the )an opposite hi) had )oved very sighty/ !is eyes>
+hi.h had for)ery 'een shut> +ere no+ open> and so)ething in the)>
so)ething )o.1ing and indefina'e> started the +orthy Canon/ It +as
as though the )an +ere istening and goating se.rety over +hat he
heard/
JThere is a photograph ta1en of Fei.ie %aut at the age of seventeen>J
.ontinued the do.tor/ JIt sho+s her as a outish peasant gir> heavy of
'uid/ There is nothing in that pi.ture to indi.ate that she +as soon to
'e one of the )ost fa)ous persons in Fran.e/
JFive years ater> +hen she +as 22> Fei.ie %aut had a severe nervous
iness> and on re.overy the strange pheno)ena 'egan to )anifest
the)seves/ The foo+ing are fa.ts attested to 'y )any e)inent
s.ientists/ The personaity .aed Fei.ie 1 +as indistinguisha'e fro)
the Fei.ie %aut of the ast t+enty;t+o years/ Fei.ie 1 +rote Fren.h
'ady and hatingy> spo1e no foreign anguages> and +as una'e to
pay the piano/ Fei.ie 2> on the .ontrary> spo1e Itaian fuenty and
,er)an )oderatey/ !er hand+riting +as 8uite different fro) that of
Fei.ie 1> and she +rote fuent and eBpressive Fren.h/ She .oud
dis.uss poiti.s and art and she +as passionatey fond of paying the
piano/ Fei.ie 5 had )any points in .o))on +ith Fei.ie 2/ She +as
inteigent and apparenty +e edu.ated> 'ut in )ora .hara.ter she
+as a tota .ontrast/ She appeared> in fa.t> an uttery depraved
.reature ; 'ut depraved in a Parisian and not a provin.ia +ay/ She
1ne+ a the Paris argot> and the eBpressions of the .hi. de)i )onde/
!er anguage +as fithy and she +oud rai against reigion and so.aed
"good peope" in the )ost 'asphe)ous ter)s/ Finay there +as
Fei.ie 4 ; a drea)y> a)ost haf;+itted .reature> distin.ty pious and
professedy .airvoyant> 'ut this fourth personaity +as very
unsatisfa.tory and eusive> and has 'een so)eti)es thought to 'e a
dei'erate tri.1ery on the part of Fei.ie 5 ; a 1ind of Do1e payed 'y her
on a .reduous pu'i./ I )ay say that 9+ith the possi'e eB.eption of
Fei.ie 4: ea.h personaity +as distin.t and separate and had no
1no+edge of the others/ Fei.ie 2 +as undou'tedy the )ost
predo)inant and +oud ast so)eti)es for a fortnight at a ti)e> then
Fei.ie 1 +oud appear a'rupty for a day or t+o/ After that> perhaps>
Fei.ie 5 or 4> 'ut the t+o atter sedo) re)ained in .o))and for )ore
than a fe+ hours/ (a.h .hange +as a..o)panied 'y severe heada.he
and heavy seep> and in ea.h .ase there +as .o)pete oss of )e)ory
of the other states> the personaity in 8uestion ta1ing up ife +here she
had eft it> un.ons.ious of the passage of ti)e/J
J&e)ar1a'e>J )ur)ured the Canon/ J7ery re)ar1a'e/ As yet +e
1no+ neBt to nothing of the )arves of the universe/J
JWe 1no+ that there are so)e very astute i)postors in it>J re)ar1ed
the a+yer dryy/
JThe .ase of Fei.ie %aut +as investigated 'y a+yers as +e as 'y
do.tors and s.ientists>J said $r Ca)p'e Car1 8ui.1y/ JMaatre
4ui)'eier> you re)e)'er> )ade the )ost thorough investigation and
.onfir)ed the vie+s of the s.ientists/ And after a> +hy shoud it
surprise us so )u.hA We .o)e a.ross the dou'e;yo1ed egg> do +e
notA And the t+in 'ananaA Why not the dou'e sou ; or in this .ase the
8uadrupe sou ; in the singe 'odyAJ
JThe dou'e souAJ protested the Canon/
$r Ca)p'e Car1 turned his pier.ing 'ue eyes on hi)/
JWhat ese .an +e .a itA That is to say ; if the personaity is the souAJ
JIt is a good thing su.h a state of affairs is ony in the nature of a
"frea1>"J re)ar1ed Sir ,eorge/ JIf the .ase +ere .o))on> it +oud give
rise to pretty .o)pi.ations/J
JThe .ondition is> of .ourse> 8uite a'nor)a>J agreed the do.tor/ JIt
+as a great pity that a onger study .oud not have 'een )ade> 'ut a
that +as put an end to 'y Fei.ie"s uneBpe.ted death/J
JThere +as so)ething 8ueer a'out that> if I re)e)'er righty>J said the
a+yer so+y/
$r Ca)p'e Car1 nodded/
JA )ost una..ounta'e 'usiness/ The gir +as found one )orning dead
in 'ed/ She had .eary 'een stranged/ %ut to everyone"s stupefa.tion
it +as presenty proved 'eyond dou't that she had a.tuay stranged
hersef/ The )ar1s on her ne.1 +ere those of her o+n fingers/ A
)ethod of sui.ide +hi.h> though not physi.ay i)possi'e> )ust have
ne.essitated terrifi. )us.uar strength and a)ost superhu)an +i
po+er/ What had driven the gir to su.h straits has never 'een found
out/ <f .ourse her )enta 'aan.e )ust a+ays have 'een pre.arious/
Sti> there it is/ The .urtain has 'een rung do+n forever on the )ystery
of Fei.ie %aut/J
It +as then that the )an in the far .orner aughed/
The other three )en Du)ped as though shot/ They had totay forgotten
the eBisten.e of the fourth a)ong the)/ As they stared to+ards the
pa.e +here he sat> sti hun.hed in his over.oat> he aughed again/
J@ou )ust eB.use )e> gente)en>J he said> in perfe.t (ngish that had>
nevertheess> a foreign favor/
!e sat up> dispaying a pae fa.e +ith a s)a Det;'a.1 )usta.he/
J@es> you )ust eB.use )e>J he said> +ith a )o.1 'o+/ J%ut reayG in
s.ien.e> is the ast +ord ever saidAJ
J@ou 1no+ so)ething of the .ase +e have 'een dis.ussingAJ as1ed the
do.tor .ourteousy/
J<f the .aseA 0o/ %ut I 1ne+ her/J
JFei.ie %autAJ
J@es/ And Annette &ave aso/ @ou have not heard of Annette &ave> I
seeA And yet the story of the one is the story of the other/ %eieve )e>
you 1no+ nothing of Fei.ie %aut if you do not aso 1no+ the history of
Annette &ave/J
!e dre+ out a +at.h and oo1ed at it/
J*ust haf an hour 'efore the neBt stop/ I have ti)e to te you the story ;
that is> if you .are to hear itAJ
JPease te it to us>J said the do.tor 8uiety/
J$eighted>J said the Canon/ J$eighted/J
Sir ,eorge $urand )erey .o)posed hi)sef in an attitude of 1een
attention/
JMy na)e> gente)en>J 'egan their strange traveing .o)panion> Jis
&aou #etardeau/ @ou have spo1en Dust no+ of an (ngish ady> Miss
Sater> +ho interested hersef in +or1s of .harity/ I +as 'orn in that
%rittany fishing viage and +hen )y parents +ere 'oth 1ied in a
rai+ay a..ident it +as Miss Sater +ho .a)e to the res.ue and saved
)e fro) the e8uivaent of your (ngish +or1house/ There +ere so)e
t+enty .hidren under her .are> girs and 'oys/ A)ong these .hidren
+ere Fei.ie %aut and Annette &ave/ If I .annot )a1e you understand
the personaity of Annette> gente)en> you +i understand nothing/ She
+as the .hid of +hat you .a a fie de Doie +ho had died of
.onsu)ption a'andoned 'y her over/ The )other had 'een a dan.er>
and Annette> too> had the desire to dan.e/ When I sa+ her first she +as
eeven years od> a itte shri)p of a thing +ith eyes that aternatey
)o.1ed and pro)ised ; a itte .reature a fire and ife/ And at on.e ;
yes> at on.e ; she )ade )e her save/ It +as "&aou> do this for )e/"
"&aou> do that for )e/" And )e> I o'eyed/ Aready I +orshipped her> and
she 1ne+ it/
JWe +oud go do+n to the shore together> +e three ; for Fei.ie +oud
.o)e +ith us/ And there Annette +oud pu off her shoes and sto.1ings
and dan.e on the sand/ And then +hen she san1 do+n 'reathess> she
+oud te us of +hat she )eant to do and 'e/
J"See you> I sha 'e fa)ous/ @es> eB.eedingy fa)ous/ I +i have
hundreds and thousands of si1 sto.1ings ; the finest si1/ And I sha
ive in an eB8uisite apart)ent/ A )y overs sha 'e young and
handso)e as +e as 'eing ri.h/ And +hen I dan.e a Paris sha .o)e
to see )e/ They +i ye and .a and shout and go )ad over )y dan.ing/
And in the +inters I sha not dan.e> I sha go south to the sunight/
There are vias there +ith orange trees/ I sha have one of the)/ I sha
ie in the sun on si1 .ushions> eating oranges/ As for you> &aou> I +i
never forget you> ho+ever great and ri.h and fa)ous I sha 'e/ I +i
prote.t you and advan.e your .areer/ Fei.ie here sha 'e )y )aid ; no>
her hands are too .u)sy/ #oo1 at the)> ho+ arge and .oarse they
are/"
JFei.ie +oud gro+ angry at that/ And then Annette +oud go on
teasing her/
J"She is so adyi1e> Fei.ie ; so eegant> so refined/ She is a prin.ess in
disguise ; ha> ha/"
J"My father and )other +ere )arried> +hi.h is )ore than yours +ere>"
Fei.ie +oud gro+ out spitefuy/
J"@es> and your father 1ied your )other/ A pretty thing> to 'e a
)urderer"s daughter/"
J"@our father eft your )other to rot>" Fei.ie +oud reDoin/
J"AhG yes/" Annette 'e.a)e thoughtfu/ "Pauvre Ma)an/ <ne )ust 1eep
strong and +e/ It is everything to 1eep strong and +e/"
J"I a) as strong as a horse>" Fei.ie 'oasted/
JAnd indeed she +as/ She had t+i.e the strength of any other gir in the
!o)e/ And she +as never i/
J%ut she +as stupid> you .o)prehend> stupid i1e a 'rute 'east/ I often
+ondered +hy she foo+ed Annette round as she did/ It +as> +ith her>
a 1ind of fas.ination/ So)eti)es> I thin1> she a.tuay hated Annette>
and indeed Annette +as not 1ind to her/ She Deered at her so+ness and
stupidity> and 'aited her in front of the others/ I have seen Fei.ie gro+
8uite +hite +ith rage/ So)eti)es I have thought that she +oud fasten
her fingers round Annette"s ne.1 and .ho1e the ife out of her/ She +as
not ni)'e;+itted enough to repy to Annette"s taunts> 'ut she did earn
in ti)e to )a1e one retort +hi.h never faied/ That +as the referen.e to
her o+n heath and strength/ She had earned 9+hat I had a+ays
1no+n: that Annette envied her her strong physi8ue> and she stru.1
instin.tivey at the +ea1 spot in her ene)y"s ar)or/
J<ne day Annette .a)e to )e in great gee/
J"&aou>" she said> "+e sha have fun today +ith that stupid Fei.ie/"
J"What are you going to doA"
J"Co)e 'ehind the itte shed and I +i te you/"
JIt see)ed that Annette had got hod of so)e 'oo1/ Part of it she did not
understand> and indeed the +hoe thing +as )u.h over her head/ It
+as an eary +or1 on hypnotis)/
J"A 'right o'De.t> they say/ The 'rass 1no' of )y 'ed> it t+irs round/ I
)ade Fei.ie oo1 at it ast night/ J#oo1 at it steadiy>J I said/ J$o not
ta1e your eyes off it/J And then I t+ired it/ &aou> I +as frightened/ !er
eyes oo1ed so 8ueer ; so 8ueer/ JFei.ie> you +i do +hat I say
a+ays>J I said/ JI +i do +hat you say a+ays> Annette>J she ans+ered/
And then ; and then ; I saidH JTo)orro+ you +i 'ring a tao+ .ande
out into the payground at t+eve o".o.1 and start to eat it/ And if
anyone as1s you> you +i say that it is the 'est gaette you ever tasted/J
<hG &aou> thin1 of itG"
J"%ut she" never do su.h a thing>" I o'De.ted/
J"The 'oo1 says so/ 0ot that I .an 8uite 'eieve it ; 'ut> ohG &aou> if the
'oo1 is a true> ho+ +e sha a)use oursevesG"
JI> too> thought the idea very funny/ We passed +ord round to the
.o)rades and at t+eve o".o.1 +e +ere a in the payground/ Pun.tua
to the )inute> out .a)e Fei.ie +ith a stu)p of .ande in her hand/ Wi
you 'eieve )e> Messieurs> she 'egan soe)ny to ni''e at it/ We +ere
a in hysteri.sG (very no+ and then one or another of the .hidren
+oud go up to her and say soe)nyH "It is good> +hat you eat there> eh>
Fei.ieA" And she +oud ans+er/ "%ut> yes> it is the 'est gaette I ever
tasted/" And then +e +oud shrie1 +ith aughter/ We aughed at ast so
oud that the noise see)ed to +a1e up Fei.ie to a reai?ation of +hat
she +as doing/ She 'in1ed her eyes in a pu??ed +ay> oo1ed at the
.ande> then at us/ She passed her hand over her forehead/
J"%ut +hat is it that I do hereA" she )uttered/
J"@ou are eating a .ande>" +e s.rea)ed/
J"I )ade you do it/ I )ade you do it>" .ried Annette> dan.ing a'out/
JFei.ie stared for a )o)ent/ Then she +ent so+y up to Annette/
J"So it is you ; it is you +ho have )ade )e ridi.uousA I see) to
re)e)'er/ AhG I +i 1i you for this/"
JShe spo1e in a very 8uiet tone> 'ut Annette rushed suddeny a+ay and
hid 'ehind )e/
J"Save )e> &aouG I a) afraid of Fei.ie/ It +as ony a Do1e> Fei.ie/ <ny
a Do1e/"
J"I do not i1e these Do1es>" said Fei.ie/ "@ou understandA I hate you/ I
hate you a/"
JShe suddeny 'urst out .rying and rushed a+ay/
JAnnette +as> I thin1> s.ared 'y the resut of her eBperi)ent> and did
not try to repeat it/ %ut fro) that day on her as.endan.y over Fei.ie
see)ed to gro+ stronger/
JFei.ie> I no+ 'eieve> a+ays hated her> 'ut nevertheess she .oud
not 1eep a+ay fro) her/ She used to foo+ Annette around i1e a dog/
JSoon after that> Messieurs> e)poy)ent +as found for )e> and I ony
.a)e to the !o)e for o..asiona hoidays/ Annette"s desire to 'e.o)e
a dan.er +as not ta1en seriousy> 'ut she deveoped a very pretty
singing voi.e as she gre+ oder and Miss Sater .onsented to her 'eing
trained as a singer/
JShe +as not a?y> Annette/ She +or1ed feverishy> +ithout rest/ Miss
Sater +as o'iged to prevent her doing too )u.h/ She spo1e to )e
on.e a'out her/
J"@ou have a+ays 'een fond of Annette>" she said/ "Persuade her not to
+or1 too hard/ She has a itte .ough atey that I do not i1e/"
JMy +or1 too1 )e far afied soon after+ards/ I re.eived one or t+o
etters fro) Annette at first> 'ut then .a)e sien.e/ For five years after
that I +as a'road/
J4uite 'y .han.e> +hen I returned to Paris> )y attention +as .aught 'y
a poster advertising Annette &avei +ith a pi.ture of the ady/ I
re.ogni?ed her at on.e/ That night I +ent to the theatre in 8uestion/
Annette sang in Fren.h and Itaian/ <n the stage she +as +onderfu/
After+ards I +ent to her dressing roo)/ She re.eived )e at on.e/
J"Why> &aou>" she .ried> stret.hing out her +hitened hands to )e/ "This
is spendidG Where have you 'een a these yearsA"
JI +oud have tod her> 'ut she did not reay +ant to isten/
J"@ou see> I have very neary arrivedG"
JShe +aved a triu)phant hand round the roo) fied +ith 'ou8uets/
J"The good Miss Sater )ust 'e proud of your su..ess/"
J"That od oneA 0o> indeed/ She designed )e> you 1no+> for the
Conservatoire/ $e.orous .on.ert singing/ %ut )e> I a) an artist/ It is
here> on the variety stage> that I .an eBpress )ysef/"
J*ust then a handso)e )idde;aged )an .a)e in/ !e +as very
distinguished/ %y his )anner I soon sa+ that he +as Annette"s
prote.tor/ !e oo1ed side+ays at )e> and Annette eBpained/
J"A friend of )y infan.y/ !e passes through Paris> sees )y pi.ture on a
poster> et voiPG"
JThe )an +as then very affa'e and .ourteous/ In )y presen.e he
produ.ed a ru'y and dia)ond 'ra.eet and .asped it on Annette"s
+rist/ As I rose to go> she thre+ )e a gan.e of triu)ph and a +hisper/
J"I arrive> do I notA @ou seeA A the +ord is 'efore )e/"
J%ut as I eft the roo)> I heard her .ough> a sharp dry .ough/ I 1ne+
+hat it )eant> that .ough/ It +as the ega.y of her .onsu)ptive )other/
JI sa+ her neBt t+o years ater/ She had gone for refuge to Miss Sater/
!er .areer had 'ro1en do+n/ She +as in a state of advan.ed
.onsu)ption for +hi.h the do.tors said nothing .oud 'e done/
JAhG I sha never forget her as I sa+ her thenG She +as ying in a 1ind of
sheter in the garden/ She +as 1ept outdoors night and day/ !er .hee1s
+ere hoo+ and fushed> her eyes 'right and feverish/
JShe greeted )e +ith a 1ind of desperation that started )e/
J"It is good to see you> &aou/ @ou 1no+ +hat they say ; that I )ay not
get +eA They say it 'ehind )y 'a.1> you understand/ To )e they are
soothing and .onsoatory/ %ut it is not true> &aou> it is not trueG I sha
not per)it )ysef to die/ $ieA With 'eautifu ife stret.hing in front of
)eA It is the +i to ive that )atters/ A the great do.tors say that
no+adays/ I a) not one of the fee'e ones +ho et go/ Aready I fee
)ysef infinitey 'etter ; infinitey 'etter> do you hearA"
JShe raised hersef on her e'o+ to drive her +ords ho)e> then fe
'a.1> atta.1ed 'y a fit of .oughing that ra.1ed her thin 'ody/
J"The .ough ; it is nothing>" she gasped/ "And he)orrhages do not
frighten )e/ I sha surprise the do.tors/ It is the +i that .ounts/
&e)e)'er> &aou> I a) going to ive/"
JIt +as pitifu> you understand> pitifu/
J*ust then> Fei.ie %aut .a)e out +ith a tray/ A gass of hot )i1/ She
gave it to Annette and +at.hed her drin1 it +ith an eBpression that I
.oud not fatho)/ There +as a 1ind of s)ug satisfa.tion in it/
JAnnette> too> .aught the oo1/ She fung the gass do+n angriy> so that
it s)ashed to 'its/
J"@ou see herA That is ho+ she a+ays oo1s at )e/ She is gad I a)
going to dieG @es> she goats over it/ She +ho is +e and strong/ #oo1 at
her ; never a day"s iness> that oneG And a for nothing/ What good is
that great .ar.ass of hers to herA What .an she )a1e of itA"
JFei.ie stooped and pi.1ed up the 'ro1en frag)ents of gass/
J"I do not )ind +hat she says>" she o'served in a singsong voi.e/ "What
does it )atterA I a) a respe.ta'e gir> I a)/ As for her/ She +i 'e
1no+ing the fires of Purgatory 'efore very ong/ I a) a Christian/ I say
nothing/"
J"@ou hate )eG" .ried Annette/ "@ou have a+ays hated )e/ AhG 'ut I .an
.har) you> a the sa)e/ I .an )a1e you do +hat I +ant/ See no+> if I
as1ed you to> you +oud go do+n on your 1nees 'efore )e no+ on the
grass/"
J"@ou are a'surd>" said Fei.ie uneasiy/
J"%ut> yes> you +i do it/ @ou +i/ To pease )e/ $o+n on your 1nees/ I
as1 it of you> I> Annette/ $o+n on your 1nees> Fei.ie/"
JWhether it +as the +onderfu peading in the voi.e> or so)e deeper
)otive> Fei.ie o'eyed/ She san1 so+y on to her 1nees> her ar)s
spread +ide> her fa.e va.ant and stupid/
JAnnette fung 'a.1 her head and aughed ; pea upon pea of aughter/
J"#oo1 at her> +ith her stupid fa.eG !o+ ridi.uous she oo1s/ @ou .an
get up no+> Fei.ie> than1 youG It is of no use to s.o+ at )e/ I a) your
)istress/ @ou have to do +hat I say/"
JShe ay 'a.1 on her pio+s eBhausted/ Fei.ie pi.1ed up the tray and
)oved so+y a+ay/ <n.e she oo1ed 'a.1 over her shouder> and the
s)odering resent)ent in her eyes started )e/
JI +as not there +hen Annette died/ %ut it +as terri'e> it see)s/ She
.ung to ife/ She fought against death i1e a )ad+o)an/ Again and
again she gasped outH "I +i not die ; do you hear )eA I +i not die/ I +i
ive ; ive ;"
JMiss Sater tod )e a this +hen I .a)e to see her siB )onths ater/
J"My poor &aou>" she said 1indy/ "@ou oved her> did you notA"J
J"A+ays ; a+ays/ %ut of +hat use .oud I 'e to herA #et us not ta1 of it/
She is dead ; she so 'riiant> so fu of 'urning ife///"
JMiss Sater +as a sy)patheti. +o)an/ She +ent on to ta1 of other
things/ She +as very +orried a'out Fei.ie> so she tod )e/ The gir had
had a 8ueer sort of nervous 'rea1do+n and ever sin.e she had 'een
very strange in )anner/
J"@ou 1no+>" said Miss Sater> after a )o)entary hesitation> "that she is
earning the pianoA"
JI did not 1no+ it and +as very )u.h surprised to hear it/ Fei.ie ;
earning the pianoG I +oud have de.ared the gir +oud not 1no+ one
note fro) another/
J"She has taent> they say>" .ontinued Miss Sater/ "I .an"t understand it/
I have a+ays put her do+n as ; +e> &aou> you 1no+ yoursef> she +as
a+ays a stupid gir/"
JI nodded/
J"She is so strange in her )anner I don"t 1no+ +hat to )a1e of it/"
JA fe+ )inutes ater I entered the Sae de #e.ture/ Fei.ie +as paying
the piano/ She +as paying the air that I had heard Annette sing in Paris/
@ou understand> Messieurs> it gave )e 8uite a turn/ And then> hearing
)e> she 'ro1e off suddeny and oo1ed round at )e> her eyes fu of
)o.1ery and inteigen.e/ For a )o)ent I thought ; We> I +i not te
you +hat I thought/
J"TiensG" she said/ "So it is you ; Monsieur &aou/"
JI .annot des.ri'e the +ay she said it/ To Annette I had never .eased to
'e &aou/ %ut Fei.ie> sin.e +e had )et as gro+n;ups> a+ays
addressed )e as Monsieur &aou/ %ut the +ay she said it no+ +as
different ; as though the Monsieur> sighty stressed> +as so)eho+
a)using/
J"Why> Fei.ie>" I sta))ered> "you oo1 8uite different today/"
J"$o IA" she said refe.tivey/ "It is odd> that/ %ut do not 'e so soe)n>
&aou ; de.idedy I sha .a you &aou ; did +e not pay together as
.hidrenA ; #ife +as )ade for aughter/ #et us ta1 of the poor Annette ;
she +ho is dead and 'uried/ Is she in Purgatory> I +onder> or +hereA"
JAnd she hu))ed a snat.h of song ; untunefuy enough> 'ut the +ords
.aught )y attention/
J"Fei.ieG" I .ried/ "@ou spea1 ItaianA"
J"Why not> &aouA I a) not as stupid as I pretend to 'e> perhaps/" She
aughed at )y )ystifi.ation/
J"I don"t understand ;" I 'egan/
J"%ut I +i te you/ I a) a very fine a.tress> though no one suspe.ts it/ I
.an pay )any parts ; and pay the) very +e/"
JShe aughed again and ran 8ui.1y out of the roo) 'efore I .oud stop
her/
JI sa+ her again 'efore I eft/ She +as aseep in an ar).hair/ She +as
snoring heaviy/ I stood and +at.hed her> fas.inated> yet repeed/
Suddeny she +o1e +ith a start/ !er eyes> du and ifeess> )et )ine/
J"Monsieur &aou>" she )uttered )e.hani.ay/
J"@es> Fei.ie/ I a) going no+/ Wi you pay for )e again 'efore I goA"
J"IA PayA @ou are aughing at )e> Monsieur &aou/"
J"$on"t you re)e)'er paying for )e this )orningA"
JShe shoo1 her head/
J"I payA !o+ .an a poor gir i1e )e payA"
JShe paused for a )inute as though in thought> then 'e.1oned )e
nearer/
J"Monsieur &aou> there are things going on in this houseG They pay
tri.1s upon you/ They ater the .o.1s/ @es> yes> I 1no+ +hat I a)
saying/ And it is a her doing/"
J"Whose doingA" I as1ed> started/
J"That Annette"s/ That +i.1ed one"s/ When she +as aive she a+ays
tor)ented )e/ 0o+ that she is dead> she .o)es 'a.1 fro) the dead to
tor)ent )e/"
JI stared at Fei.ie/ I .oud see no+ that she +as in an eBtre)ity of
terror> her eyes starting fro) her head/
J"She is 'ad> that one/ She is 'ad> I te you/ She +oud ta1e the 'read
fro) your )outh> the .othes fro) your 'a.1> the sou fro) your 'ody///"
JShe .ut.hed )e suddeny/
J"I a) afraid> I te you ; afraid/ I hear her voi.e ; not in )y ear ; no> not in
)y ear/ !ere> in )y head ;" She tapped her forehead/ "She +i drive )e
a+ay ; drive )e a+ay atogether> and then +hat sha I do> +hat +i
'e.o)e of )eA"
J!er voi.e rose a)ost to a shrie1/ She had in her eyes the oo1 of the
terrified 'east at 'ay///
JSuddeny she s)ied> a peasant s)ie> fu of .unning> +ith so)ething
in it that )ade )e shiver/
J"If it shoud .o)e to it> Monsieur &aou> I a) very strong +ith )y hands
; very strong +ith )y hands/"
JI had never noti.ed her hands parti.uary 'efore/ I oo1ed at the)
no+ and shuddered in spite of )ysef/ S8uat 'ruta fingers> and as
Fei.ie had said> terri'y strong/// I .annot eBpain to you the nausea
that s+ept over )e/ With hands su.h as these her father )ust have
stranged her )other///
JThat +as the ast ti)e I ever sa+ Fei.ie %aut/ I))ediatey after+ards
I +ent a'road ; to South A)eri.a/ I returned fro) there t+o years after
her death/ So)ething I had read in the ne+spapers of her ife and
sudden death/ I have heard fuer detais tonight ; fro) you/ Fei.ie 5
and Fei.ie 4 ; I +onderA She +as a good a.tress> you 1no+GJ
The train suddeny sa.1ened speed/ The )an in the .orner sat ere.t
and 'uttoned his over.oat )ore .osey/
JWhat is your theoryAJ as1ed the a+yer> eaning for+ard/
JI .an hardy 'eieve ;J 'egan Canon Parfitt> and stopped/
The do.tor said nothing/ !e +as ga?ing steadiy at &aou #etardeau/
JThe .othes fro) your 'a.1> the sou fro) your 'ody>J 8uoted the
Fren.h)an ighty/ !e stood up/ JI say to you> Messieurs> that the
history of Fei.ie %aut is the history of Annette &ave/ @ou did not 1no+
her> gente)en/ I did/ She +as very fond of ife///J
!is hand on the door> ready to spring out> he turned suddeny and
'ending do+n tapped Canon Parfitt on the .hest/
JM/ e do.teur over there> he said Dust no+ that a this ;J his hand s)ote
the Canon"s sto)a.h> and the Canon +in.ed ; J+as ony a residen.e/
Te )e> if you find a 'urgar in your house +hat do you doA Shoot hi)>
do you notAJ
J0o>J .ried the Canon/ J0o> indeed ; I )ean ; not in this .ountry/J
%ut he spo1e the ast +ords to e)pty air/ The .arriage door 'anged/
The .ergy)an> the a+yer> and the do.tor +ere aone/ The fourth
.orner +as va.ant/
S/</S/
JAhGJ said Mr $ins)ead appre.iativey/ !e stepped 'a.1 and surveyed
the round ta'e +ith approva/ The fireight gea)ed on the .oarse
+hite ta'e.oth> the 1nives and for1s> and the other ta'e appoint)ents/
JIs ; is everything readyAJ as1ed Mrs $ins)ead hesitatingy/ She +as a
itte faded +o)an> +ith a .ooress fa.e> )eager hair s.raped 'a.1
fro) her forehead> and a perpetuay nervous )anner/
J(verything"s ready>J said her hus'and +ith a 1ind of fero.ious
geniaity/
!e +as a 'ig )an> +ith stooping shouders and a 'road red fa.e/ !e
had itte pig"s eyes that t+in1ed under his 'ushy 'ro+s> and a 'ig Do+
devoid of hair/
J#e)onadeAJ suggested Mrs $ins)ead> a)ost in a +hisper/
!er hus'and shoo1 his head/
JTea/ Mu.h 'etter in every +ay/ #oo1 at the +eather> strea)ing and
'o+ing/ A ni.e .up of hot tea is +hat"s needed for supper on an
evening i1e this/J
!e +in1ed fa.etiousy> then fe to surveying the ta'e again/
JA good dish of eggs> .od .orned 'eef> and 'read and .heese/ That"s
)y order for supper/ So .o)e aong and get it ready> Mother/
Charotte"s in the 1it.hen +aiting to give you a hand/J
Mrs $ins)ead rose> .arefuy +inding up the 'a of her 1nitting/
JShe"s gro+n a very good;oo1ing gir>J she )ur)ured/
JAhGJ said Mr $ins)ead/ JThe )orta i)age of her )aG So go aong +ith
you> and don"t et"s +aste any )ore ti)e/J
!e stroed a'out the roo) hu))ing to hi)sef for a )inute or t+o/
<n.e he approa.hed the +indo+ and oo1ed out/
JWid +eather>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef/ J0ot )u.h i1eihood of our
having visitors tonight/J
Then he too eft the roo)/
A'out ten )inutes ater Mrs $ins)ead entered 'earing a dish of fried
eggs/ !er t+o daughters foo+ed> 'ringing the rest of the provisions/
Mr $ins)ead and his son *ohnnie 'rought up the rear/ The for)er
seated hi)sef at the head of the ta'e/
JAnd for +hat +e are to re.eive> et .etera>J he re)ar1ed hu)orousy/
JAnd 'essings on the )an +ho first thought of tinned foods/ What
+oud +e do> I shoud i1e to 1no+> )ies fro) any+here> if +e hadn"t a
tin no+ and then to fa 'a.1 upon +hen the 'ut.her forgets his +ee1y
.aAJ
!e pro.eeded to .arve .orned 'eef deBterousy/
JI +onder +ho ever thought of 'uiding a house i1e this> )ies fro)
any+here>J said his daughter Magdaen> pettishy/ JWe never see a
sou/J
J0o>J said her father/ J0ever a sou/J
JI .an"t thin1 +hat )ade you ta1e it> Father>J said Charotte/
JCan"t you> )y girA We> I had )y reasons ; I had )y reasons/J
!is eyes sought his +ife"s furtivey> 'ut she fro+ned/
JAnd haunted> too>J said Charotte/ JI +oudn"t seep aone here for
anything/J
JPa.1 of nonsense>J said her father/ J0ever seen anything> have youAJ
J0ot seen anything perhaps> 'ut ;J
J%ut +hatAJ
Charotte did not repy> 'ut she shivered a itte/ A great surge of rain
.a)e driving against the +indo+;pane> and Mrs $ins)ead dropped a
spoon +ith a tin1e on the tray/
J0ot nervous> are you> MotherAJ said Mr $ins)ead/ JIt"s a +id night>
that"s a/ $on"t you +orry> +e"re safe here 'y our fireside> and not a
sou fro) outside i1ey to distur' us/ Why> it +oud 'e a )ira.e if
anyone did/ And )ira.es don"t happen/ 0o>J he added as though to
hi)sef> +ith a 1ind of pe.uiar satisfa.tion> J)ira.es don"t happen/J
As the +ords eft his ips there .a)e a sudden 1no.1ing at the door/ Mr
$ins)ead stayed as though petrified/
JWhat"s thatAJ he )uttered/ !is Da+ fe/
Mrs $ins)ead gave a itte +hi)pering .ry and pued her sha+ up
round her/ The .oor .a)e into Magdaen"s fa.e and she eaned
for+ard and spo1e to her father/
JThe )ira.e has happened>J she said/ J@ou"d 'etter go and et
+hoever it is in/J
T+enty )inutes earier Morti)er Ceveand had stood in the driving rain
and )ist surveying his .ar/ It +as reay .ursed 'ad u.1/ T+o
pun.tures +ithin ten )inutes of ea.h other> and here he +as> stranded>
)ies fro) any+here> in the )idst of these 'are Witshire do+ns +ith
night .o)ing on and no prospe.t of sheter/ Serve hi) right for trying to
ta1e a short .ut/ If ony he had stu.1 to the )ain roadG 0o+ he +as ost
on +hat see)ed a )ere .art;tra.1 on the hiside> +ith no possi'iity of
getting the .ar farther> and +ith no idea if there +ere even a viage
any+here near/
!e oo1ed round hi) perpeBedy> and his eye +as .aught 'y a gea) of
ight on the hiside a'ove hi)/ A se.ond ater the )ist o's.ured it on.e
)ore 'ut> +aiting patienty> he presenty got a se.ond gi)pse of it/
After a )o)ent"s .ogitation> he eft the .ar and stru.1 up the side of the
hi/
Soon he +as out of the )ist> and he re.ogni?ed the ight as shining fro)
the ighted +indo+ of a s)a .ottage/ !ere> at any rate> +as sheter/
Morti)er Ceveand 8ui.1ened his pa.e> 'ending his head to )eet the
furious onsaught of +ind and rain trying its 'est to drive hi) 'a.1/
Ceveand +as> in his o+n +ay> so)ething of a .ee'rity though
dou'tess the )aDority of fo1s +oud have dispayed .o)pete
ignoran.e of his na)e and a.hieve)ents/ !e +as an authority on
)enta s.ien.e and had +ritten t+o eB.eent teBt 'oo1s on the
su'.ons.ious/ !e +as aso a )e)'er of the Psy.hi.a &esear.h
So.iety and a student of the o..ut in so far as it affe.ted his o+n
.on.usions and ine of resear.h/
!e +as 'y nature pe.uiary sus.epti'e to at)osphere> and 'y
dei'erate training he had in.reased his o+n natura gift/ When he had
at ast rea.hed the .ottage and rapped at the door> he +as .ons.ious
of an eB.ite)ent> a 8ui.1ening of interest> as though a his fa.uties
had suddeny 'een sharpened/
The )ur)ur of voi.es +ithin had 'een painy audi'e to hi)/ 2pon his
1no.1 there .a)e a sudden sien.e> then the sound of a .hair 'eing
pushed 'a.1 aong the foor/ In another )inute the door +as fung open
'y a 'oy of a'out fifteen/ Ceveand .oud oo1 straight over his
shouder upon the s.ene +ithin/
It re)inded hi) of an interior 'y so)e $ut.h painter/ A round ta'e
spread for a )ea> a fa)iy party sitting round it> one or t+o fi.1ering
.andies and the fireight"s go+ over a/ The father> a 'ig )an> sat at
one side of the ta'e> a itte gray +o)an +ith a frightened fa.e sat
opposite hi)/ Fa.ing the door> oo1ing straight at Ceveand> +as a gir/
!er started eyes oo1ed straight into his> her hand +ith a .up in it +as
arrested haf+ay to her ips/
She +as> Ceveand sa+ at on.e> a 'eautifu gir of an eBtre)ey
un.o))on type/ !er hair> red god> stood out round her fa.e i1e a
)istI her eyes> very far apart> +ere a pure gray/ She had the )outh and
.hin of an eary Itaian Madonna/
There +as a )o)ent"s dead sien.e/ Then Ceveand stepped into the
roo) and eBpained his predi.a)ent/ !e 'rought his trite story to a
.ose> and there +as another pause harder to understand/ At ast> as
though +ith an effort> the father rose/
JCo)e in> sir ; Mr Ceveand> did you sayAJ
JThat is )y na)e>J said Morti)er> s)iing/
JAh> yes/ Co)e in> Mr Ceveand/ 0ot +eather for a dog outside> is itA
Co)e in 'y the fire/ Shut the door> .an"t you> *ohnnieA $on"t stand there
haf the night/J
Ceveand .a)e for+ard and sat on a +ooden stoo 'y the fire/ The 'oy
*ohnnie shut the door/
J$ins)ead> that"s )y na)e>J said the other )an/ !e +as a geniaity
no+/ JThis is the Missus> and these are )y t+o daughters> Charotte
and Magdaen/J
For the first ti)e> Ceveand sa+ the fa.e of the gir +ho had 'een
sitting +ith her 'a.1 to hi)> and sa+ that> in a totay different +ay> she
+as 8uite as 'eautifu as her sister/ 7ery dar1> +ith a fa.e of )ar'e
paor> a dei.ate a8uiine nose> and a grave )outh/ It +as a 1ind of
fro?en 'eauty> austere and a)ost for'idding/ She a.1no+edged her
father"s introdu.tion 'y 'ending her head> and she oo1ed at hi) +ith
an intent ga?e that +as sear.hing in .hara.ter/ It +as as though she
+ere su))ing hi) up> +eighing hi) in the 'aan.e of her .ear young
Dudge)ent/
JA drop of so)ething to drin1> eh> Mr CeveandAJ
JThan1 you>J said Morti)er/ JA .up of tea +i )eet the .ase
ad)ira'y/J
Mr $ins)ead hesitated a )inute> then he pi.1ed up the five .ups> one
after another> fro) the ta'e and e)ptied the) into the sop 'o+/
JThis tea"s .od>J he said 'rus8uey/ JMa1e us so)e )ore> +i you>
MotherAJ
Mrs $ins)ead got up 8ui.1y and hurried off +ith the teapot/ Morti)er
had an idea that she +as gad to get out of the roo)/
The fresh tea soon .a)e> and the uneBpe.ted guest +as pied +ith
viands/
Mr $ins)ead ta1ed and ta1ed/ !e +as eBpansive> genia> o8ua.ious/
!e tod the stranger a a'out hi)sef/ !e"d atey retired fro) the
'uiding trade ; yes> )ade 8uite a good thing out of it/ !e and the
Missus thought they"d i1e a 'it of .ountry air ; never ived in the .ountry
'efore/ Wrong ti)e of year to .hoose> of .ourse> <.to'er and
0ove)'er> 'ut they didn"t +ant to +ait J#ife"s un.ertain> you 1no+> sir/J
So they had ta1en this .ottage/ (ight )ies fro) any+here> and
nineteen )ies fro) anything you .oud .a a to+n/ 0o> they didn"t
.o)pain/ The girs found it a 'it du> 'ut he and Mother enDoyed the
8uiet/
So he ta1ed on> eaving Morti)er a)ost hypnoti?ed 'y the easy fo+/
0othing here> surey> 'ut rather .o))onpa.e do)esti.ity/ And yet> at
that first gi)pse of the interior> he had diagnosed so)ething ese>
so)e tension> so)e strain> e)anating fro) one of those four peope ;
he didn"t 1no+ +hi.h/ Mere fooishness> his nerves +ere a a+ryG They
+ere started 'y his sudden appearan.e ; that +as a/
!e 'roa.hed the 8uestion of a night"s odging> and +as )et +ith a
ready response/
J@ou" have to stop +ith us> Mr Ceveand/ 0othing ese for )ies around/
We .an give you a 'edroo)> and though )y paDa)as )ay 'e a 'it
roo)y> +hy> they"re 'etter than nothing> and your o+n .othes +i 'e
dry 'y )orning/J
JIt"s very good of you/J
J0ot at a>J said the other geniay/ JAs I said Dust no+> one .oudn"t
turn a+ay a dog on a night i1e this/ Magdaen> Charotte> go up and see
to the roo)/J
The t+o girs eft the roo)/ Presenty Morti)er heard the) )oving
a'out overhead/
JI .an 8uite understand that t+o attra.tive young adies i1e your
daughters )ight find it du here>J said Ceveand/
J,ood oo1ers> aren"t theyAJ said Mr $ins)ead +ith fathery pride/ J0ot
)u.h i1e their )other or )ysef/ We"re a ho)ey pair> 'ut )u.h
atta.hed to ea.h other> I" te you that> Mr Ceveand/ (h> Maggie> isn"t
that soAJ
Mrs $ins)ead s)ied pri)y/ She had started 1nitting again/ The
needes .i.1ed 'usiy/ She +as a fast 1nitter/
Presenty the roo) +as announ.ed ready> and Morti)er> eBpressing
than1s on.e )ore> de.ared his intention of turning in/
J$id you put a hot;+ater 'otte in the 'edAJ de)anded Mrs $ins)ead>
suddeny )indfu of her house pride/
J@es> Mother> t+o/J
JThat"s right>J said $ins)ead/ J,o up +ith hi)> girs> and see that every
thing is a right/J
Magdaen pre.eded hi) up the stair.ase> her .ande hed aoft/
Charotte .a)e 'ehind/
The roo) +as 8uite a peasant one> s)a and +ith a soping roof> 'ut
the 'ed oo1ed .o)forta'e> and the fe+ pie.es of so)e+hat dusty
furniture +ere of od )ahogany/ A arge .an of hot +ater stood in the
'asin> a pair of pin1 paDa)as of a)pe proportions +ere aid over a
.hair> and the 'ed +as )ade and turned do+n/
Magdaen +ent over to the +indo+ and sa+ that the fastenings +ere
se.ure/ Charotte .ast a fina eye over the +ashstand appoint)ents/
Then they 'oth ingered 'y the door/
J,ood night> Mr Ceveand/ @ou are sure there is everythingAJ
J@es> than1 you> Miss Magdaen/ I a) sorry to have given you 'oth so
)u.h trou'e/ ,ood night/J
J,ood night/J
They +ent out> shutting the door 'ehind the)/ Morti)er Ceveand +as
aone/ !e undressed so+y and thoughtfuy/ When he had donned Mr
$ins)ead"s pin1 paDa)as> he gathered up his o+n +et .othes and put
the) outside the door as his host had 'ade hi)/ Fro) do+nstairs he
.oud hear the ru)'e of $ins)ead"s voi.e/
What a ta1er the )an +asG Atogether an odd personaity ; 'ut indeed
there +as so)ething odd a'out the +hoe fa)iy> or +as it his
i)aginationA
!e +ent so+y 'a.1 into his roo) and shut the door/ !e stood 'y the
'ed ost in thought/ And then he started ;
The )ahogany ta'e 'y the 'ed +as s)othered in dust/ Written in the
dust +ere three etters> .eary visi'e/ S/</S/
Morti)er stared as if he .oud hardy 'eieve his eyes/ It +as a
.onfir)ation of a his vague sur)ises and fore'odings/ !e +as right>
then/ So)ething +as +rong in this house/
S/</S/ A .a for hep/ %ut +hose finger had +ritten it in the dustA
Magdaen"s or Charotte"sA They had 'oth stood there> he re)e)'ered>
for a )o)ent or t+o> 'efore going out of the roo)/ Whose hand had
se.rety dropped to the ta'e and tra.ed out those three ettersA
The fa.es of the t+o girs .a)e up 'efore hi)/ Magdaen"s> dar1 and
aoof> and Charotte"s> as he had seen it first> +ide;eyed> started> +ith
an unfatho)a'e so)ething in her gan.e/
!e +ent again to the door and opened it/ The 'oo) of Mr $ins)ead"s
voi.e +as no onger to 'e heard/ The house +as sient
!e thought to hi)sef/
JI .an do nothing tonight/ To)orro+ ; +e> +e sha see/J
Ceveand +o1e eary/ !e +ent do+n through the iving roo)> and out
into the garden/ The )orning +as fresh and 'eautifu after the rain/
So)eone ese +as up eary> too/ At the 'otto) of the garden Charotte
+as eaning on the fen.e staring out over the $o+ns/ !is puses
8ui.1ened a itte as he +ent do+n to Doin her/ A aong he had 'een
se.rety .onvin.ed that it +as Charotte +ho had +ritten the )essage/
As he .a)e up to her> she turned and +ished hi) J,ood )orning/J !er
eyes +ere dire.t and .hidi1e> +ith no hint of a se.ret understanding in
the)/
JA very good )orning>J said Morti)er> s)iing/ JThe +eather this
)orning is a .ontrast to ast night"s/J
JIt is indeed/J
Morti)er 'ro1e off a t+ig fro) a tree near 'y/ With it he 'egan idy to
dra+ on the s)ooth> sandy pat.h at his feet/ !e tra.ed an S> then an <>
then an S> +at.hing the gir narro+y as he did so/ %ut again he .oud
dete.t no gea) of .o)prehension/
J$o you 1no+ +hat these etters representAJ he said a'rupty/
Charotte fro+ned a itte/ JAren"t they +hat 'oats send out +hen they
are in distressAJ she as1ed/
Morti)er nodded/ JSo)eone +rote that on the ta'e 'y )y 'ed ast
night>J he said 8uiety/ JI thought perhaps you )ight have done so/J
She oo1ed at hi) in +ide;eyed astonish)ent/
JIA <h> no/J
!e +as +rong then/ A sharp pang of disappoint)ent shot through hi)/
!e had 'een so sure ; so sure/ It +as not often that his intuitions ed hi)
astray/
J@ou are 8uite .ertainAJ he persisted/
J<h> yes/J
They turned and +ent so+y together to+ard the house/ Charotte
see)ed preo..upied a'out so)ething/ She repied at rando) to the
fe+ o'servations he )ade/ Suddeny she 'urst out in a o+> hurried
voi.e/
JIt ; it"s odd your as1ing that a'out those etters> S/</S/ I didn"t +rite
the)> of .ourse> 'ut ; I so easiy )ight have/J
!e stopped and oo1ed at her> and she +ent on 8ui.1yH JIt sounds siy>
I 1no+> 'ut I have 'een so frightened> so dreadfuy frightened> and
+hen you .a)e in ast night> it see)ed i1e an ; an ans+er to
so)ething/J
JWhat are you frightened ofAJ he as1ed 8ui.1y/
JI don"t 1no+/J
J@ou don"t 1no+AJ
JI thin1 ; it"s the house/ (ver sin.e +e .a)e here it has 'een gro+ing
and gro+ing/ (veryone see)s different so)eho+/ Father> Mother> and
Magdaen> they a see) different/J
Morti)er did not spea1 at on.e> and 'efore he .oud do so> Charotte
+ent on again/
J@ou 1no+ this house is supposed to 'e hauntedAJ
JWhatAJ A his interest +as 8ui.1ened/
J@es> a )an )urdered his +ife in it> oh> so)e years ago no+/ We ony
found out a'out it after +e got here/ Father says ghosts are a
nonsense> 'ut I ; don"t 1no+/J
Morti)er +as thin1ing rapidy/
JTe )e>J he said in a 'usinessi1e tone> J+as this )urder .o))itted in
the roo) I had ast nightAJ
JI don"t 1no+ anything a'out that>J said Charotte/
JI +onder no+>J said Morti)er haf to hi)sef> Jyes> that )ay 'e it/J
Charotte oo1ed at hi) un.o)prehendingy/
JMiss $ins)ead>J said Morti)er> genty> J!ave you ever had any reason
to 'eieve that you are )ediu)isti.AJ
She stared at hi)/
JI thin1 you 1no+ that you did +rite S/</S/ ast night>J he said 8uiety/
J<hG 8uite un.ons.iousy> of .ourse/ A .ri)e stains the at)osphere> so
to spea1/ A sensitive )ind su.h as yours )ight 'e a.ted upon in su.h a
)anner/ @ou have 'een reprodu.ing the sensations and i)pressions of
the vi.ti)/ Many years ago she )ay have +ritten S/</S/ on that ta'e>
and you un.ons.iousy reprodu.ed her a.t ast night/J
Charotte"s fa.e 'rightened/
JI see>J she said/ J@ou thin1 that is the eBpanationAJ
A voi.e .aed her fro) the house> and she +ent in> eaving Morti)er to
pa.e up and do+n the garden paths/ Was he satisfied +ith his o+n
eBpanationA $id it .over the fa.ts as he 1ne+ the)A $id it a..ount for
the tension he had fet on entering the house ast nightA
Perhaps> and yet he sti had the odd feeing that his sudden
appearan.e had produ.ed so)ething very i1e .onsternation/ !e
thought to hi)sef/
JI )ust not 'e .arried a+ay 'y the psy.hi. eBpanation/ It )ight
a..ount for Charotte ; 'ut not for the others/ My .o)ing as I did upset
the) horri'y> a eB.ept *ohnnie/ Whatever it is that"s the )atter>
*ohnnie is out of it/J
!e +as 8uite sure of thatI strange that he shoud 'e so positive> 'ut
there it +as/
At that )inute *ohnnie hi)sef .a)e out of the .ottage and approa.hed
the guest/
J%rea1fast"s ready>J he said a+1+ardy/ JWi you .o)e inAJ
Morti)er noti.ed that the ad"s fingers +ere )u.h stained/ *ohnnie fet
his gan.e and aughed ruefuy/
JI") a+ays )essing a'out +ith .he)i.as> you 1no+>J he said/ JIt
)a1es $ad a+fuy +id so)eti)es/ !e +ants )e to go into 'uiding> 'ut
I +ant to do .he)istry and resear.h +or1/J
Mr $ins)ead appeared at the +indo+ ahead of the)> 'road> Dovia>
s)iing> and at sight of hi) a Morti)er"s distrust and antagonis)
rea+a1ened/ Mrs $ins)ead +as aready seated at the ta'e/ She
+ished hi) J,ood )orningJ in her .ooress voi.e> and he had again
the i)pression that for so)e reason or other> she +as afraid of hi)/
Magdaen .a)e in ast/ She gave hi) a 'rief nod and too1 her seat
opposite hi)/
J$id you seep +eAJ she as1ed a'rupty/ JWas your 'ed .o)forta'eAJ
She oo1ed at hi) very earnesty> and +hen he repied .ourteousy in
the affir)ative he noti.ed so)ething very i1e a fi.1er of
disappoint)ent pass over her fa.e/ What had she eBpe.ted hi) to say>
he +onderedA
!e turned to his host/
JThis ad of yours is interested in .he)istry> it see)s>J he said
peasanty/
There +as a .rash/ Mrs $ins)ead had dropped her tea .up/
J0o+ then> Maggie> no+ then>J said her hus'and/
It see)ed to Morti)er that there +as ad)onition> +arning> in his voi.e/
!e turned to his guest and spo1e fuenty of the advantages of the
'uiding trade> and of not etting young 'oys get a'ove the)seves/
After 'rea1fast he +ent out in the garden 'y hi)sef> and s)o1ed/ The
ti)e +as .eary at hand +hen he )ust eave the .ottage/ A night"s
sheter +as one thingI to proong it +as diffi.ut +ithout an eB.use> and
+hat possi'e eB.use .oud he offerA And yet he +as singuary oath to
depart/
Turning the thing over and over in his )ind> he too1 a path that ed
round the other side of the house/ !is shoes +ere soed +ith .repe
ru''er> and )ade itte or no noise/ !e +as passing the 1it.hen +indo+
+hen he heard $ins)ead"s +ords fro) +ithin> and the +ords attra.ted
his attention i))ediatey/
JIt"s a fair u)p of )oney> it is/J
Mrs $ins)ead"s voi.e ans+ered/ It +as too faint in tone for Morti)er to
hear the +ords> 'ut $ins)ead repiedH
J0igh on R36>666> the a+yer said/J
Morti)er had no intention of eavesdropping> 'ut he retra.ed his steps
very thoughtfuy/ The )ention of )oney see)ed to .rystai?e the
situation/ So)e+here or other there +as a 8uestion of R36>666/ It )ade
the thing .earer ; and ugier/
Magdaen .a)e out of the house> 'ut her father"s voi.e .aed her
a)ost i))ediatey> and she +ent in again/ Presenty $ins)ead hi)sef
Doined his guest/
J&are good )orning>J he said geniay/ JI hope your .ar +i 'e none the
+orse/J
JWants to find out +hen I") going>J thought Morti)er to hi)sef/
Aoud he than1ed Mr $ins)ead on.e )ore for his ti)ey hospitaity/
J0ot at a> not at a>J said the other/
Magdaen and Charotte .a)e together out of the house and stroed
ar) in ar) to a rusti. seat so)e itte distan.e a+ay/ The dar1 head
and the goden one )ade a peasant .ontrast together and on an
i)puse Morti)er saidH
J@our daughters are very uni1e> Mr $ins)ead/J
The other +ho +as Dust ighting his pipe gave a sharp Der1 of the +rist
and dropped the )at.h/
J$o you thin1 soAJ he as1ed/ J@es> +e> I suppose they are/J
Morti)er had a fash of intuition/
J%ut of .ourse they are not 'oth your daughters>J he said s)oothy/
!e sa+ $ins)ead oo1 at hi)> hesitate for a )o)ent> and then )a1e up
his )ind/
JThat"s very .ever of you> sir>J he said/ J0o> one of the) is a foundingI
+e too1 her in as a 'a'y and +e have 'rought her up as our o+n/ She
hersef has not the east idea of the truth> 'ut she" have to 1no+ soon/J
!e sighed/
JA 8uestion of inheritan.eAJ suggested Morti)er 8uiety/
The other fashed a suspi.ious oo1 at hi)/
Then he de.ided that fran1ness +as 'estI his )anner 'e.a)e a)ost
aggressivey fran1 and open/
JIt"s odd you shoud say that> sir/J
JA .ase of teepathy> ehAJ said Morti)er> and s)ied/
JIt is i1e this> sir/ We too1 her in to o'ige the )other ; for a
.onsideration> as at the ti)e I +as Dust starting in the 'uiding trade/ A
fe+ )onths ago I noti.ed an advertise)ent in the papers> and it
see)ed to )e that the .hid in 8uestion )ust 'e our Magdaen/ I +ent to
see the a+yers> and there has 'een a ot of ta1 one +ay and another/
They +ere suspi.ious ; naturay> as you )ight say ; 'ut everything is
.eared up no+/ I a) ta1ing the gir hersef to #ondon neBt +ee1 ; she
doesn"t 1no+ anything a'out it so far/ !er father> it see)s> +as a very
ri.h )an/ !e ony earned of the .hid"s eBisten.e a fe+ )onths 'efore
his death/ !e hired agents to try and tra.e her> and eft a his )oney to
her +hen she shoud 'e found/J
Morti)er istened +ith .ose attention/ !e had no reason to dou't Mr
$ins)ead"s story/ It eBpained Magdaen"s dar1 'eautyI eBpained too>
perhaps> her aoof )anner/ 0evertheess> though the story itsef )ight
'e true> so)ething ay undivuged 'ehind it/
%ut Morti)er had no intention of rousing the other"s suspi.ions/ Instead>
he )ust go out of his +ay to aay the)/
JA very interesting story> Mr $ins)ead>J he said/ JI .ongratuate Miss
Magdaen/ An heiress and a 'eauty> she has a great future ahead/J
JShe has that>J agreed her father +ar)y> Jand she"s a rare good gir
too> Mr Ceveand/J
There +as every eviden.e of hearty +ar)th in his )anner/
JWe>J said Morti)er> JI )ust 'e pushing aong no+> I suppose/ I have
got to than1 you on.e )ore> Mr $ins)ead> for your singuary +eti)ed
hospitaity/J
A..o)panied 'y his host> he +ent into the house to 'id fare+e to Mrs
$ins)ead/ She +as standing 'y the +indo+ +ith her 'a.1 to the)> and
did not hear the) enter/ At her hus'and"s Dovia> J!ere"s Mr Ceveand
.o)e to say good;'ye>J she started nervousy and s+ung round>
dropping so)ething +hi.h she hed in her hand/ Morti)er pi.1ed it up
for her/ It +as a )iniature of Charotte done in the stye of so)e t+enty;
five years ago/ Morti)er repeated to her the than1s he had aready
proffered to her hus'and/ !e noti.ed again her oo1 of fear and the
furtive gan.es that she shot at hi) 'eneath her eyeids/
The t+o girs +ere not in eviden.e> 'ut it +as not part of Morti)er"s
poi.y to see) anBious to see the)I aso he had his o+n idea> +hi.h
+as shorty to prove .orre.t/
!e had gone a'out haf a )ie fro) the house on his +ay do+n to +here
he had eft the .ar the night 'efore> +hen the 'ushes on one side of the
path +ere thrust aside> and Magdaen .a)e out on the tra.1 ahead of
hi)/
JI had to see you>J she said/
JI eBpe.ted you>J said Morti)er/ JIt +as you +ho +rote S/</S/ on the
ta'e in )y roo) ast night> +asn"t itAJ
Magdaen nodded/
JWhyAJ as1ed Morti)er genty/
The gir turned aside and 'egan puing off eaves fro) a 'ush/
JI don"t 1no+>J she said/ J!onesty> I don"t 1no+/J
JTe )e>J said Morti)er/
Magdaen dre+ a deep 'reath/
JI a) a pra.ti.a person>J she said> Jnot the 1ind of person +ho
i)agines things or fan.ies the)/ @ou> I thin1> 'eieve in ghosts and
spirits/ I don"t> and +hen I te you that there is so)ething very +rong in
that house>J she pointed up the hi> JI )ean that there is so)ething
tangi'y +rong ; it"s not Dust an e.ho of the past/ It has 'een .o)ing on
ever sin.e +e"ve 'een there/ (very day it gro+s +orse/ Father is
different> Mother is different> Charotte is different/J
Morti)er interposed/ JIs *ohnnie differentAJ he as1ed/
Magdaen oo1ed at hi)> a da+ning appre.iation in her eyes/ J0o>J she
said> Jno+ I .o)e to thin1 of it/ *ohnnie is not different/ !e is the ony
one +ho"s ; +ho"s untou.hed 'y it a/ !e +as untou.hed ast night at
tea/J
JAnd youAJ as1ed Morti)er/
JI +as afraid ; horri'y afraid> Dust i1e a .hid ; +ithout 1no+ing +hat it
+as I +as afraid of/ And Father +as ; 8ueer> there"s no other +ord for it/
!e ta1ed a'out )ira.es and then I prayed ; a.tuay prayed for a
)ira.e> and you 1no.1ed on the door/J
She stopped a'rupty> staring at hi)/ JI see) )ad to you> I suppose>J
she said defianty/
J0o>J said Morti)er> Jon the .ontrary you see) eBtre)ey sane/ A
sane peope have a pre)onition of danger if it is near the)/J
J@ou don"t understand>J said Magdaen/ JI +as not afraid ; for )ysef/J
JFor +ho)> thenAJ
%ut again Magdaen shoo1 her head in a pu??ed fashion/ JI don"t
1no+>J
She +ent onH JI +rote S/</S/ on an i)puse/ I had an idea ; a'surd> no
dou't ; that they +oud not et )e spea1 to you ; the rest of the)> I )ean/
I don"t 1no+ +hat it +as I )eant to as1 you to do/ I don"t 1no+ no+/J
J0ever )ind>J said Morti)er/ JI sha do it/J
JWhat .an you doAJ
Morti)er s)ied a itte/
JI .an thin1/J
She oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/
J@es>J said Morti)er> Ja ot .an 'e done that +ay> )ore than you +oud
ever 'eieve/ Te )e> +as there any .han.e +ord or phrase that
attra.ted your attention Dust 'efore that )ea ast eveningAJ
Magdaen fro+ned/ JI don"t thin1 so>J she said/ JAt east I heard Father
saying so)ething to Mother a'out Charotte 'eing the iving i)age of
her> and he aughed in a very 8ueer +ay> 'ut ; there"s nothing odd in
that> is thereAJ
J0o>J said Morti)er so+y> JeB.ept that Charotte is not i1e your
)other/J
!e re)ained ost in thought for a )inute or t+o> then oo1ed up to find
Magdaen +at.hing hi) un.ertainy/
J,o ho)e> .hid>J he said> Jand don"t +orry/ #eave it in )y hands/J
She +ent o'edienty up the path to+ards the .ottage/ Morti)er stroed
on a itte farther> then thre+ hi)sef fro) .ons.ious thought or effort>
and et a series of pi.tures fit at +i a.ross the surfa.e of his )ind/
*ohnnieG !e a+ays .a)e 'a.1 to *ohnnie/ *ohnnie> .o)petey
inno.ent> uttery free fro) a the net+or1 of suspi.ion and intrigue> 'ut
nevertheess the pivot around +hi.h everything turned/ !e
re)e)'ered the .rash of Mrs $ins)ead"s .up on her sau.er at
'rea1fast that )orning/ What had .aused her agitationA A .han.e
referen.e on his part to the ad"s fondness for .he)i.asA At the
)o)ent he had not 'een .ons.ious of Mr $ins)ead> 'ut he sa+ hi)
no+ .eary> as he sat> his tea.up poised haf+ay to his ips/
That too1 hi) 'a.1 to Charotte> as he had seen her +hen the door
opened ast night/ She had sat staring at hi) over the ri) of her tea.up/
And s+ifty on that foo+ed another )e)ory/ Mr $ins)ead e)ptying
tea.ups one after the other> and saying> JThis tea"s .od/J
!e re)e)'ered the stea) that +ent up/ Surey the tea had not 'een so
very .od after aA
So)ething 'egan to stir in his 'rain/ A )e)ory of so)ething read not
so very ong ago> +ithin a )onth perhaps/ So)e a..ount of a +hoe
fa)iy poisoned 'y a ad"s .areessness/ A pa.1et of arseni. eft in the
arder had sifted through to the 'read 'eo+/ !e had read it in the
paper/ Pro'a'y Mr $ins)ead had read it too/
Things 'egan to gro+ .earer///
!af an hour ater> Morti)er Ceveand rose 'ris1y to his feet/
It +as evening on.e )ore in the .ottage/ The eggs +ere poa.hed
tonight and there +as a tin of 'ra+n/ Presenty Mrs $ins)ead .a)e in
fro) the 1it.hen 'earing the 'ig teapot/ The fa)iy too1 their pa.es
round the ta'e/
Mrs $ins)ead fied the .ups and handed the) round the ta'e/ Then>
as she put the teapot do+n> she gave a sudden itte .ry and pressed
her hand to her throat/ Mr $ins)ead s+ung round in his .hair> foo+ing
the dire.tion of her terrified eyes/ Morti)er Ceveand +as standing in
the door+ay/
!e .a)e for+ard/ !is )anner +as peasant and apoogeti./
JI") afraid I started you>J he said/ JI had to .o)e 'a.1 for so)ething/J
J%a.1 for so)ething>J .ried Mr $ins)ead/ !is fa.e +as purpe> his
veins s+eing/ J%a.1 for +hat> I shoud i1e to 1no+AJ
JSo)e tea>J said Morti)er/
With a s+ift gesture he too1 so)ething fro) his po.1et and ta1ing up
one of the tea.ups fro) the ta'e> e)ptied so)e of its .ontents into a
itte test;tu'e he hed in his eft hand/
JWhat ; +hat are you doingAJ gasped Mr $ins)ead/ !is fa.e had gone
.ha1y;+hite> the purpe dying out as if 'y )agi./ Mrs $ins)ead gave a
thin> high> frightened .ry/
J@ou read the papers> Mr $ins)eadA I a) sure you do/ So)eti)es one
reads a..ounts of a +hoe fa)iy 'eing poisoned ; so)e of the)
re.over> so)e do not/ In this .ase> one +oud not/ The first eBpanation
+oud 'e the tinned 'ra+n you +ere eating> 'ut supposing the do.tor
to 'e a suspi.ious )an> not easiy ta1en in 'y the tinned food theoryA
There is a pa.1et of arseni. in your arder/ <n the shef 'eo+ it is a
pa.1et of tea/ There is a .onvenient hoe in the top shef/ What )ore
natura to suppose than that the arseni. found its +ay into the tea 'y
a..identA @our son *ohnnie )ight 'e 'a)ed for .areessness> nothing
)ore/J
JI ; I don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean>J gasped $ins)ead/
JI thin1 you do/J Morti)er too1 up a se.ond tea.up and fied a se.ond
test;tu'e/ !e fiBed a red a'e to one and a 'ue a'e to the other/
JThe red;a'eed one>J he said> J.ontains tea fro) your daughter
Charotte"s .up> the other fro) your daughter Magdaen"s/ I a)
prepared to s+ear that in the first I sha find four or five ti)es the
a)ount of arseni. than in the atter/J
J@ou are )adGJ said $ins)ead/
J<h> dear )e> no/ I a) nothing of the 1ind/ @ou tod )e today> Mr
$ins)ead> that Magdaen +as not your o+n daughter/ @ou ied to )e/
Magdaen is your daughter/ Charotte +as the .hid you adopted> the
.hid +ho +as so i1e her )other that +hen I hed a )iniature of that
)other in )y hand today I )istoo1 it for one of Charotte hersef/ @ou
+anted your o+n daughter to inherit the fortune> and sin.e it )ight 'e
i)possi'e to 1eep Charotte out of sight> and so)eone +ho 1ne+ her
)other )ight have reai?ed the truth of the rese)'an.e> you de.ided
on> +e ; suffi.ient +hite arseni. at the 'otto) of a tea.up/J
Mrs $ins)ead gave a sudden high .a.1e> ro.1ing hersef to and fro in
vioent hysteri.s/
JTea>J she s8uea1ed> Jthat"s +hat he said> tea> not e)onade/J
J!od your tongue> .an"t youAJ roared her hus'and +rathfuy/
Morti)er sa+ Charotte oo1ing at hi)> +ide;eyed> +ondering> a.ross
the ta'e/ Then he fet a hand on his ar)> and Magdaen dragged hi)
out of earshot/
JThose>J she pointed at the phias ; J$addy/ @ou +on"t ;J
Morti)er aid his hand on her shouder/ JMy .hid>J he said> Jyou don"t
'eieve in the past/ I do/ I 'eieve in the at)osphere of this house/ If he
had not .o)e to this parti.uar house> perhaps ; I say perhaps ; your
father )ight not have .on.eived the pan he did/ I +i 1eep these t+o
test;tu'es to safeguard Charotte no+ and in the future/ Apart fro) that>
I sha do nothing ; in gratitude> if you +i> to the hand that +rote S/</S/J
WI&(#(SS
JA'ove a> avoid +orry and eB.ite)ent>J said $r Meyne> in the
.o)forta'e fashion affe.ted 'y do.tors/
Mrs !arter> as is often the .ase +ith peope hearing these soothing 'ut
)eaningess +ords> see)ed )ore dou'tfu than reieved/
JThere is a .ertain .ardia. +ea1ness>J .ontinued the do.tor fuenty>
J'ut nothing to 'e aar)ed a'out/ I .an assure you of that/ A the
sa)e>J he added> Jit )ight 'e as +e to have an eevator instaed/ (hA
What a'out itAJ
Mrs !arter oo1ed +orried/
$r Meyne> on the .ontrary> oo1ed peased +ith hi)sef/ The reason he
i1ed attending ri.h patients rather than poor ones +as that he .oud
eBer.ise his a.tive i)agination in pres.ri'ing for their ai)ents/
J@es> an eevator>J said $r Meyne> trying to thin1 of so)ething ese
even )ore dashing ; and faiing/ JThen +e sha avoid a undue eBertion/
$aiy eBer.ise on the eve on a fine day> 'ut avoid +a1ing up his/ And>
a'ove a> penty of distra.tion for the )ind/ $on"t d+e on your heath/J
To the od ady"s nephe+> Chares &idge+ay> the do.tor +as sighty
)ore eBpi.it/
J$o not )isunderstand )e>J he said/ J@our aunt )ay ive for years>
pro'a'y +i/ At the sa)e ti)e> sho.1 or overeBertion )ight .arry her
off i1e thatGJ !e snapped his fingers/ JShe )ust ead a very 8uiet ife/
0o eBertion/ 0o fatigue/ %ut> of .ourse> she )ust not 'e ao+ed to
'rood/ She )ust 'e 1ept .heerfu and the )ind +e distra.ted/J
J$istra.ted>J said Chares &idge+ay thoughtfuy/
Chares +as a thoughtfu young )an/ !e +as aso a young )an +ho
'eieved in furthering his o+n in.inations +henever possi'e/
That evening he suggested the instaation of a radio set/
Mrs !arter> aready seriousy upset at the thought of the eevator> +as
distur'ed and un+iing/ Chares +as persuasive/
JI do not 1no+ that I .are for these ne+;fanged things>J said Mrs
!arter piteousy/ JThe +aves> you 1no+ ; the ee.tri. +aves/ They
)ight affe.t )e/J
Chares> in a superior and 1indy fashion> pointed out the futiity of this
idea/
Mrs !arter> +hose 1no+edge of the su'De.t +as of the vaguest 'ut
+ho +as tena.ious of her o+n opinion> re)ained un.onvin.ed/
JA that ee.tri.ity>J she )ur)ured ti)orousy/ J@ou )ay say +hat you
i1e> Chares> 'ut so)e peope are affe.ted 'y ee.tri.ity/ I a+ays have
a terri'e heada.he 'efore a thunderstor)/ I 1no+ that/J
She nodded her head triu)phanty/
Chares +as a patient young )an/ !e +as aso persistent/
JMy dear Aunt Mary>J he said> Jet )e )a1e the thing .ear to you/J
!e +as so)ething of an authority on the su'De.t/ !e deivered 8uite a
e.ture on the the)eI +ar)ing to his tas1> he spo1e of 'right;e)itter
tu'es> of du;e)itter tu'es> of high fre8uen.y and o+ fre8uen.y> of
a)pifi.ation and of .ondensers/
Mrs !arter> su')erged in a sea of +ords that she did not understand>
surrendered/
J<f .ourse> Chares>J she )ur)ured> Jif you reay thin1 ;J
JMy dear Aunt Mary>J said Chares enthusiasti.ay> Jit is the very thing
for you> to 1eep you fro) )oping and a that/J
The eevator pres.ri'ed 'y $r Meyne +as instaed shorty after+ards
and +as very neary the death of Mrs !arter sin.e> i1e )any other od
adies> she had a rooted o'De.tion to strange )en in the house/ She
suspe.ted the) one and a of having designs on her od siver/
After the eevator the radio set arrived/ Mrs !arter +as eft to
.onte)pate the> to her> repeent o'De.t ; a arge> ungainy;oo1ing 'oB>
studded +ith 1no's/
It too1 a Chares"s enthusias) to re.on.ie her to it> 'ut Chares +as in
his ee)ent> turning 1no's and dis.oursing eo8uenty/
Mrs !arter sat in her high;'a.1ed .hair> patient and poite> +ith a
rooted .onvi.tion in her o+n )ind that these ne+;fanged notions +ere
neither )ore nor ess than un)itigated nuisan.es/
J#isten> Aunt Mary> +e are on to %erinG Isn"t that spendidA Can you
hear the feo+AJ
JI .an"t hear anything eB.ept a good dea of 'u??ing and .i.1ing>J said
Mrs !arter/
Chares .ontinued to t+ir 1no's/ J%russes>J he announ.ed +ith
enthusias)/
JIt is reayAJ said Mrs !arter +ith no )ore than a tra.e of interest
Chares again turned 1no's and an unearthy ho+ e.hoed forth into the
roo)/
J0o+ +e see) to 'e on to the $ogs" !o)e>J said Mrs !arter> +ho +as
an od ady +ith a .ertain a)ount of spirit/
J!a> haGJ said Chares> Jyou +i have your Do1e> +on"t you> Aunt MaryA
7ery good thatGJ
Mrs !arter .oud not hep s)iing at hi)/ She +as very fond of Chares/
For so)e years a nie.e> Miria) !arter> had ived +ith her/ She had
intended to )a1e the gir her heiress> 'ut Miria) had not 'een a
su..ess/ She +as i)patient and o'viousy 'ored 'y her aunt"s so.iety/
She +as a+ays out> Jgadding a'outJ as Mrs !arter .aed it/ In the end
she had entanged hersef +ith a young )an of +ho) her aunt
thoroughy disapproved/ Miria) had 'een returned to her )other +ith a
.urt note )u.h as if she had 'een goods on approva/ She had )arried
the young )an in 8uestion and Mrs !arter usuay sent her a
hand1er.hief .ase or a ta'e .enter at Christ)as/
!aving found nie.es disappointing> Mrs !arter turned her attention to
nephe+s/ Chares> fro) the first> had 'een an un8uaified su..ess/ !e
+as a+ays peasanty deferentia to his aunt and istened +ith an
appearan.e of intense interest to the re)inis.en.es of her youth/ In
this he +as a great .ontrast to Miria) +ho had 'een fran1y 'ored and
sho+ed it/ Chares +as never 'oredI he +as a+ays good;te)pered>
a+ays gay/ !e tod his aunt )any ti)es a day that she +as a perfe.ty
)arveous od ady/
!ighy satisfied +ith her ne+ a.8uisition> Mrs !arter had +ritten to her
a+yer +ith instru.tions as to the )a1ing of a ne+ +i/ This +as sent to
her> duy approved 'y her> and signed/
And no+ even in the )atter of the radio> Chares +as soon proved to
have +on fresh aures/
Mrs !arter> at first antagonisti.> 'e.a)e toerant and finay fas.inated/
She enDoyed it very )u.h 'etter +hen Chares +as out/ The trou'e +ith
Chares +as that he .oud not eave the thing aone/ Mrs !arter +oud
'e seated in her .hair .o)forta'y istening to a sy)phony .on.ert or a
e.ture on #u.re?ia %orgia or Pond #ife> 8uite happy and at pea.e +ith
the +ord/ 0ot so Chares/ The har)ony +oud 'e shattered 'y
dis.ordant shrie1s +hie he enthusiasti.ay atte)pted to get foreign
stations/ %ut on those evenings +hen Chares +as dining out +ith
friends> Mrs !arter enDoyed the radio very )u.h indeed/ She +oud turn
on t+o s+it.hes> sit in her high;'a.1ed .hair> and enDoy the progra) of
the evening/
It +as a'out three )onths after the radio had 'een instaed that the
first eerie happening o..urred/ Chares +as a'sent at a 'ridge party/
The progra) for that evening +as a 'aad .on.ert/ A +e;1no+n
soprano +as singing Annie #aurie> and in the )idde of Annie #aurie a
strange thing happened/ There +as a sudden 'rea1> the )usi. .eased
for a )o)ent> the 'u??ing> .i.1ing noise .ontinued> and then that too
died a+ay/ There +as sien.e> and then very fainty a o+ 'u??ing sound
+as heard/
Mrs !arter got the i)pression> +hy she did not 1no+> that the )a.hine
+as tuned into so)e+here very far a+ay> and then> .eary and
distin.ty> a voi.e spo1e> a )an"s voi.e +ith a faint Irish a..ent/
JMary ; .an you hear )e> MaryA It is Patri.1 spea1ing/// I a) .o)ing for
you soon/ @ou +i 'e ready> +on"t you> MaryAJ
Then> a)ost i))ediatey> the strains of Annie #aurie on.e )ore fied
the roo)/
Mrs !arter sat rigid in her .hair> her hands .en.hed on ea.h ar) of it/
!ad she 'een drea)ingA Patri.1G Patri.1"s voi.eG Patri.1"s voi.e in this
very roo)> spea1ing to her/ 0o> it )ust 'e a drea)> a hau.ination
perhaps/ She )ust Dust have dropped off to seep for a )inute or t+o/ A
.urious thing to have drea)ed ; that her dead hus'and"s voi.e shoud
spea1 to her over the ether/ It frightened her Dust a itte/ What +ere the
+ords he had saidA
JI a) .o)ing for you soon/ @ou +i 'e ready> +on"t you> MaryAJ
Was it> .oud it 'e a pre)onitionA Cardia. +ea1ness/ !er heart/ After
a> she +as getting on in years/
JIt"s a +arning ; that"s +hat it is>J said Mrs !arter> rising so+y and
painfuy fro) her .hair> and added .hara.teristi.ay> JA that )oney
+asted on putting in an eevatorGJ
She said nothing of her eBperien.e to anyone> 'ut for the neBt day or
t+o she +as thoughtfu and a itte preo..upied/
And then .a)e the se.ond o..asion/ Again she +as aone in the roo)/
The radio> +hi.h had 'een paying an or.hestra see.tion> died a+ay
+ith the sa)e suddenness as 'efore/ Again there +as sien.e> the
sense of distan.e> and finay Patri.1"s voi.e> not as it had 'een in ife ;
'ut a voi.e rarefied> far;a+ay> +ith a strange unearthy 8uaity/
JPatri.1 spea1ing to you> Mary/ I +i 'e .o)ing for you very soon
no+///J
Then .i.1> 'u??> and the or.hestra see.tion +as in fu s+ing again/
Mrs !arter gan.ed at the .o.1/ 0o> she had not 'een aseep this ti)e/
A+a1e and in fu possession of her fa.uties> she had heard Patri.1"s
voi.e spea1ing/ It +as no hau.ination> she +as sure of that/ In a
.onfused +ay she tried to thin1 over a that Chares had eBpained to
her of the theory of ether +aves/
Coud it 'e that Patri.1 had reay spo1en to herA That his a.tua voi.e
had 'een +afted through spa.eA There +ere )issing +ave engths or
so)ething of that 1ind/ She re)e)'ered Chares spea1ing of Jgaps in
the s.ae/J Perhaps the )issing +aves eBpained a the so;.aed
psy.hoogi.a pheno)enaA 0o> there +as nothing inherenty
i)possi'e in the idea/ Patri.1 had spo1en to her/ !e had avaied
hi)sef of )odern s.ien.e to prepare her for +hat )ust soon 'e
.o)ing/
Mrs !arter rang the 'e for her )aid> (i?a'eth/
(i?a'eth +as a ta> gaunt +o)an of siBty/ %eneath an un'ending
eBterior she .on.eaed a +eath of affe.tion and tenderness for her
)istress/
J(i?a'eth>J said Mrs !arter +hen her faithfu retainer had appeared>
Jyou re)e)'er +hat I tod youA The top eft;hand dra+er of )y 'ureau/
It is o.1ed ; the ong 1ey +ith the +hite a'e/ (verything there is
ready/J
J&eady> )a"a)AJ
JFor )y 'uria>J snorted Mrs !arter/ J@ou 1no+ perfe.ty +e +hat I
)ean> (i?a'eth/ @ou heped )e to put the things there yoursef/J
(i?a'eth"s fa.e 'egan to +or1 strangey/
J<h> )a"a)>J she +aied/ Jdon"t d+e on su.h things/ I thought you +as
a sight 'etter/J
JWe have a got to go so)eti)e or another>J said Mrs !arter
pra.ti.ay/ JI a) over )y three s.ore years and ten> (i?a'eth/ There>
there> don"t )a1e a foo of yoursef/ If you )ust .ry> go and .ry
so)e+here ese/J
(i?a'eth retired> sti sniffing/
Mrs !arter oo1ed after her +ith a good dea of affe.tion/
JSiy od foo> 'ut faithfu>J she said> Jvery faithfu/ #et )e see> +as it a
hundred pounds> or ony fifty I eft herA It ought to 'e a hundred/J
The point +orried the od ady and the neBt day she sat do+n and +rote
to her a+yer as1ing if he +oud send her her +i so that she )ight oo1
it over/ It +as that sa)e day that Chares started her 'y so)ething he
said at un.h/
J%y the +ay> Aunt Mary>J he said> J+ho is that funny od Dosser up in the
spare roo)A The pi.ture over the )antepie.e> I )ean/ The od Dohnny
+ith the 'eaver and side+his1ersAJ
Mrs !arter oo1ed at hi) austerey/
JThat is your 2n.e Patri.1 as a young )an>J she said/
J<h> I say> Aunt Mary> I a) a+fuy sorry/ I didn"t )ean to 'e rude/J
Mrs !arter a..epted the apoogy +ith a dignified 'end of the head/
Chares +ent on rather un.ertainy> JI Dust +ondered/ @ou see ;J
!e stopped unde.idedy and Mrs !arter said sharpyH
JWeA What +ere you going to sayAJ
J0othing>J said Chares hastiy/ J0othing that )a1es sense> I )ean/J
For the )o)ent the od ady said nothing )ore> 'ut ater that day> +hen
they +ere aone together> she returned to the su'De.t/
JI +ish you +oud te )e> Chares> +hat it +as that )ade you as1 )e
a'out the pi.ture of your un.e/J
Chares oo1ed e)'arrassed/
JI tod you> Aunt Mary/ It +as nothing 'ut a siy fan.y of )ine ; 8uite
a'surd/J
JChares>J said Mrs !arter in her )ost auto.rati. voi.e> JI insist upon
1no+ing/J
JWe> )y dear aunt> if you +i have it> I fan.ied I sa+ hi) ; the )an in
the pi.ture> I )ean ; oo1ing out of the end +indo+ +hen I +as .o)ing
up the drive ast night/ So)e effe.t of the ight> I suppose/ I +ondered
+ho on earth he .oud 'e> the fa.e so ; eary 7i.torian> if you 1no+ +hat
I )ean/ And then (i?a'eth said there +as no one> no visitor or stranger
in the house> and ater in the evening I happened to drift into the spare
roo)> and there +as the pi.ture over the )antepie.e/ My )an to the
ifeG It is 8uite easiy eBpained> reay> I eBpe.t/ Su'.ons.ious and a
that/ Must have noti.ed the pi.ture 'efore +ithout reai?ing that I had
noti.ed it> and then Dust fan.ied the fa.e at the +indo+/J
JThe end +indo+AJ said Mrs !arter sharpy/
J@es> +hyAJ
J0othing>J said Mrs !arter/
%ut she +as started a the sa)e/ That roo) had 'een her hus'and"s
dressing roo)/
That sa)e evening> Chares again 'eing a'sent> Mrs !arter sat
istening to the +ireess +ith feverish i)patien.e/ If for the third ti)e
she heard the )ysterious voi.e> it +oud prove to her finay and +ithout
a shado+ of dou't that she +as reay in .o))uni.ation +ith so)e
other +ord/
Athough her heart 'eat faster> she +as not surprised +hen the sa)e
'rea1 o..urred> and after the usua interva of deathy sien.e the faint
far;a+ay Irish voi.e spo1e on.e )ore/
JMary ; you are prepared no+/// <n Friday I sha .o)e for you/// Friday
at haf;past nine/// $o not 'e afraid ; there +i 'e no pain/// %e ready///J
Then> a)ost .utting short the ast +ord> the )usi. of the or.hestra
'ro1e out again> .a)orous and dis.ordant/
Mrs !arter sat very sti for a )inute or t+o/ !er fa.e had gone +hite
and she oo1ed 'ue and pin.hed round the ips/
Presenty she got up and sat do+n at her +riting;des1/ In a so)e+hat
sha1y hand she +rote the foo+ing inesH
Tonight> at 9H1F> I have distin.ty heard the voi.e of )y dead hus'and/
!e tod )e that he +oud .o)e for )e on Friday night at 9H56/ If I shoud
die on that day and at that hour I shoud i1e the fa.ts )ade 1no+n so
as to prove 'eyond 8uestion the possi'iity of .o))uni.ating +ith the
spirit +ord/
Mary !arter
Mrs !arter read over +hat she had +ritten> en.osed it in an enveope>
and addressed the enveope/ Then she rang the 'e> +hi.h +as
pro)pty ans+ered 'y (i?a'eth/ Mrs !arter got up fro) her des1 and
gave the note she had Dust +ritten to the od +o)an/
J(i?a'eth>J she said> Jif I shoud die on Friday night I shoud i1e that
note given to $r Meyne/ 0o ;J as (i?a'eth appeared a'out to protest ;
Jdo not argue +ith )e/ @ou have often tod )e you 'eieve in
pre)onitions/ I have a pre)onition no+/ There is one thing )ore/ I have
eft you in )y +i RF6/ I shoud i1e you to have R166/ If I a) not a'e to
go to the 'an1 )ysef 'efore I die> Mr Chares +i see to it/J
As 'efore> Mrs !arter .ut short (i?a'eth"s tearfu protests/ In
pursuan.e of her deter)ination the od ady spo1e to her nephe+ on
the su'De.t the foo+ing )orning/
J&e)e)'er> Chares> that if anything shoud happen to )e> (i?a'eth is
to have an eBtra RF6/J
J@ou are very goo)y these days> Aunt Mary>J said Chares .heerfuy/
JWhat is going to happen to youA A..ording to $r Meyne> +e sha 'e
.ee'rating your hundredth 'irthday in t+enty years or soGJ
Mrs !arter s)ied affe.tionatey at hi) 'ut did not ans+er/ After a
)inute or t+o she saidH
JWhat are you doing on Friday evening> CharesAJ
Chares oo1ed a trife surprised/
JAs a )atter of fa.t> the (+ings as1ed )e to go in and pay 'ridge> 'ut
if you +oud rather I stayed at ho)e ;J
J0o>J said Mrs !arter +ith deter)ination/ JCertainy not/ I )ean it>
Chares/ <n that night of a nights I shoud )u.h rather 'e aone/J
Chares oo1ed at her .uriousy> 'ut Mrs !arter vou.hsafed no further
infor)ation/ She +as an od ady of .ourage and deter)ination/ She fet
that she )ust go through +ith her strange eBperien.e singe;handed/
Friday evening found the house very sient/ Mrs !arter sat as usua in
her straight;'a.1ed .hair dra+n up to the firepa.e/ A her
preparations +ere )ade/ That )orning she had 'een to the 'an1> had
dra+n out RF6 in notes> and had handed the) over to (i?a'eth despite
the atter"s tearfu protests/ She had sorted and arranged a her
persona 'eongings and had a'eed one or t+o pie.es of De+ery +ith
the na)es of friends or reations/ She had aso +ritten out a ist of
instru.tions for Chares/ The Wor.ester tea servi.e +as to go to Cousin
())a> the S=vres Dars to young Wiia)> and so on/
0o+ she oo1ed at the ong enveope she hed in her hand and dre+
fro) it a foded do.u)ent/ This +as her +i sent to her 'y Mr
!op1inson in a..ordan.e +ith her instru.tions/ She had aready read it
.arefuy> 'ut no+ she oo1ed over it on.e )ore to refresh her )e)ory/
It +as a short> .on.ise do.u)ent/ A 'e8uest of RF6 to (i?a'eth
Marsha in .onsideration of faithfu servi.eI t+o 'e8uests of RF66 to a
sister and a first .ousinI and the re)ainder to her 'eoved nephe+
Chares &idge+ay/
Mrs !arter nodded her head severa ti)es/ Chares +oud 'e a very
ri.h )an +hen she +as dead/ We> he had 'een a dear good 'oy to her/
A+ays 1ind> a+ays affe.tionate> and +ith a )erry tongue +hi.h never
faied to pease her/
She oo1ed at the .o.1/ Three )inutes to the haf;hour/ We> she +as
ready/ And she +as .a) ; 8uite .a)/ Athough she repeated these ast
+ords to hersef severa ti)es> her heart 'eat strangey and uneveny/
She hardy reai?ed it hersef> 'ut she +as strung up to a fine point of
over;+rought nerves/
!af;past nine/ The +ireess +as s+it.hed on/ What +oud she hearA A
fa)iiar voi.e announ.ing the +eather fore.ast or that far;a+ay voi.e
'eonging to a )an +ho had died t+enty;five years 'eforeA
%ut she heard neither/ Instead there .a)e a fa)iiar sound> a sound
she 1ne+ +e 'ut +hi.h tonight )ade her fee as though an i.y hand
+ere aid on her heart/ A fu)'ing at the front door///
It .a)e again/ And then a .od 'ast see)ed to s+eep through the roo)/
Mrs !arter had no+ no dou't +hat her sensations +ere/ She +as
afraid/// She +as )ore than afraid ; she +as terrified///
And suddeny there .a)e to her the thoughtH
JT+enty;five years is a ong ti)e/ Patri.1 is a stranger to )e no+/J
TerrorG That +as +hat +as invading her/
A soft step outside the door ; a soft hating foot;step/ Then the door
s+ung sienty open///
Mrs !arter staggered to her feet> s+aying sighty fro) side to side> her
eyes fiBed on the open door+ay/ So)ething sipped fro) her fingers
into the grate/
She gave a stranged .ry +hi.h died in her throat/ In the di) ight of the
door+ay stood a fa)iiar figure +ith .hestnut 'eard and +his1ers and
an od;fashioned 7i.torian .oat/
Patri.1 had .o)e for herG
!er heart gave one terrified eap and stood sti/ She sipped to the
ground in a .ru)ped heap/
There (i?a'eth found her> an hour ater/
$r Meyne +as .aed at on.e and Chares &idge+ay +as hastiy
su))oned fro) his 'ridge party/ %ut nothing .oud 'e done/ Mrs
!arter +as 'eyond hu)an aid/
It +as not unti t+o days ater that (i?a'eth re)e)'ered the note given
to her 'y her )istress/ $r Meyne read it +ith great interest and
sho+ed it to Chares &idge+ay/
JA very .urious .oin.iden.e>J he said/ JIt see)s .ear that your aunt
had 'een having hau.inations a'out her dead hus'and"s voi.e/ She
)ust have strung hersef up to su.h a point that the eB.ite)ent +as
fata> and +hen the ti)e a.tuay .a)e she died of the sho.1/J
JAuto;suggestionAJ as1ed Chares/
JSo)ething of the sort/ I +i et you 1no+ the resut of the autopsy as
soon as possi'e> though I have no dou't of it )ysef/ In the
.ir.u)stan.es an autopsy is desira'e> though purey as a )atter of
for)/J
Chares nodded .o)prehendingy/
<n the pre.eding night> +hen the househod +as in 'ed> he had
re)oved a .ertain +ire +hi.h ran fro) the 'a.1 of the radio .a'inet to
his 'edroo) on the foor a'ove/ Aso> sin.e the evening had 'een a
.hiy one> he had as1ed (i?a'eth to ight a fire in his roo)> and in that
fire he had 'urned a .hestnut 'eard and +his1ers/ So)e 7i.torian
.othing 'eonging to his ate un.e he repa.ed in the .a)phor;s.ented
.hest in the atti./
As far as he .oud see> he +as perfe.ty safe/ !is pan> the shado+y
outine of +hi.h had first for)ed in his 'rain +hen $o.tor Meyne had
tod hi) that his aunt )ight +ith due .are ive for )any years> had
su..eeded ad)ira'y/ A sudden sho.1> $r Meyne had said/ Chares>
that affe.tionate young )an> 'eoved of od adies> s)ied to hi)sef/
When the do.tor had departed> Chares +ent a'out his duties
)e.hani.ay/ Certain funera arrange)ents had to 'e finay setted/
&eatives .o)ing fro) a distan.e had to have trains oo1ed out for the)/
In one or t+o .ases they +oud have to stay the night/ Chares +ent
a'out it a effi.ienty and )ethodi.ay> to the a..o)pani)ent of an
under.urrent of his o+n thoughts/
A very good stro1e of 'usinessG That +as the 'urden of the)/ 0o'ody>
east of a his dead aunt> had 1no+n in +hat perious straits Chares
stood/ !is a.tivities> .arefuy .on.eaed fro) the +ord> had anded
hi) +here the shado+ of a prison oo)ed ahead/
(Bposure and ruin had stared hi) in the fa.e uness he .oud in a fe+
short )onths raise a .onsidera'e su) of )oney/ We ; that +as a
right no+/ Chares s)ied to hi)sef/ Than1s to ; yes> .a it a pra.ti.a
Do1e ; nothing .ri)ina a'out that ; he +as saved/ !e +as no+ a very
ri.h )an/ !e had no anBieties on the su'De.t> for Mrs !arter had never
)ade any se.ret of her intentions/
Chi)ing in very appositey +ith these thoughts> (i?a'eth put her head
round the door and infor)ed hi) that Mr !op1inson +as here and
+oud i1e to see hi)/
A'out ti)e> too> Chares thought/ &epressing a tenden.y to +histe> he
.o)posed his fa.e to one of suita'e gravity and +ent to the i'rary/
There he greeted the pre.ise od gente)an +ho had 'een for over a
8uarter of a .entury the ate Mrs !arter"s ega adviser/
The a+yer seated hi)sef at Chares"s invitation and +ith a dry itte
.ough entered upon 'usiness )atters/
JI did not 8uite understand your etter to )e> Mr &idge+ay/ @ou see)ed
to 'e under the i)pression that the ate Mrs !arter"s +i +as in our
1eepingAJ
Chares stared at hi)/
J%ut surey ; I"ve heard )y aunt say as )u.h/J
J<hG 8uite so> 8uite so/ It +as in our 1eeping/J
JWasAJ
JThat is +hat I said/ Mrs !arter +rote to us> as1ing that it )ight 'e
for+arded to her on Tuesday ast/J
An uneasy feeing .rept over Chares/ !e fet a far;off pre)onition of
unpeasantness/
J$ou'tess it +i .o)e to ight a)ong her papers>J .ontinued the
a+yer s)oothy/
Chares said nothing/ !e +as afraid to trust his tongue/ !e had aready
'een through Mrs !arter"s papers pretty thoroughy> +e enough to 'e
8uite .ertain that no +i +as a)ong the)/ In a )inute or t+o> +hen he
had regained .ontro of hi)sef> he said so/
!is voi.e sounded unrea to hi)sef> and he had a sensation as of .od
+ater tri.1ing do+n his 'a.1/
J!as anyone 'een through her persona effe.tsAJ as1ed the a+yer/
Chares repied that the )aid> (i?a'eth> had done so/ At Mr
!op1inson"s suggestion (i?a'eth +as sent for/ She .a)e pro)pty>
gri) and upright> and ans+ered the 8uestions put to her/
She had 'een through a her )istress"s .othes and persona
'eongings/ She +as 8uite sure that there had 'een no ega do.u)ent
su.h as a +i a)ong the)/ She 1ne+ +hat the +i oo1ed i1e ; her
poor )istress had had it in her hand ony the )orning of her death/
J@ou are sure of thatAJ as1ed the a+yer sharpy/
J@es> sir/ She tod )e so/ And she )ade )e ta1e fifty pounds in notes/
The +i +as in a ong 'ue enveope/J
J4uite right>J said Mr !op1inson/
J0o+ I .o)e to thin1 of it/J .ontinued (i?a'eth> Jthat sa)e 'ue
enveope +as ying on this ta'e the )orning after ; 'ut e)pty/ I aid it
on the des1/J
JI re)e)'er seeing it there>J said Chares/
!e got up and +ent over to the des1/ In a )inute or t+o he turned round
+ith an enveope in his hand +hi.h he handed to Mr !op1inson/ The
atter eBa)ined it and nodded his head/
JThat is the enveope in +hi.h I dispat.hed the +i on Tuesday ast/J
%oth )en oo1ed hard at (i?a'eth/
JIs there anything )ore> sirAJ she in8uired respe.tfuy/
J0ot at present> than1 you/J
(i?a'eth +ent to+ards the door/
J<ne )inute>J said the a+yer/ JWas there a fire in the grate that
eveningAJ
J@es> sir> there +as a+ays a fire/J
JThan1 you> that +i do/J
(i?a'eth +ent out/ Chares eaned for+ard> resting a sha1ing hand on
the ta'e/
JWhat do you thin1A What are you driving atAJ
Mr !op1inson shoo1 his head/
JWe )ust sti hope the +i )ay turn up/ If it does not ;J
JWe> if it does notAJ
JI a) afraid there is ony one .on.usion possi'e/ @our aunt sent for
that +i in order to destroy it/ 0ot +ishing (i?a'eth to ose 'y that> she
gave her the a)ount of her ega.y in .ash/J
J%ut +hyAJ .ried Chares +idy/ JWhyAJ
Mr !op1inson .oughed/ A dry .ough/
J@ou have had no ; er ; disagree)ent +ith your aunt> Mr &idge+ayAJ he
)ur)ured/
Chares gasped/
J0o> indeed>J he .ried +ar)y/ JWe +ere on the 1indiest> )ost
affe.tionate ter)s> right up to the end/J
JAhGJ said Mr !op1inson> not oo1ing at hi)/
It .a)e to Chares +ith a sho.1 that the a+yer did not 'eieve hi)/ Who
1ne+ +hat this dry od sti.1 )ight not have heardA &u)ors of Chares"s
doings )ight have .o)e round to hi)/ What )ore natura than that he
shoud suppose that these sa)e ru)ors had .o)e to Mrs !arter> and
that aunt and nephe+ shoud have had an ater.ation on the su'De.tA
%ut it +asn"t soG Chares 1ne+ one of the 'itterest )o)ents of his
.areer/ !is ies had 'een 'eieved/ 0o+ that he spo1e the truth> 'eief
+as +ithhed/ The irony of itG
<f .ourse his aunt had never 'urned the +iG <f .ourse ;
!is thoughts .a)e to a sudden .he.1/ What +as that pi.ture rising
'efore his eyesA An od ady +ith one hand .asped to her heart///
so)ething sipping/// a paper/// faing on the red;hot e)'ers///
Chares"s fa.e gre+ ivid/ !e heard a hoarse voi.e ; his o+n ; as1ingH
JIf that +i"s never found ;AJ
JThere is a for)er +i of Mrs !arter"s sti eBtant/ $ated Septe)'er>
1926/ %y it Mrs !arter eaves everything to her nie.e> Miria) !arter>
no+ Miria) &o'inson/J
What +as the od foo sayingA Miria)A Miria) +ith her nondes.ript
hus'and> and her four +hining 'rats/ A his .everness ; for Miria)G
The teephone rang sharpy at his e'o+/ !e too1 up the re.eiver/ It +as
the do.tor"s voi.e> hearty and 1indy/
JThat you> &idge+ayA Thought you"d i1e to 1no+/ The autopsy"s Dust
.on.uded/ Cause of death as I sur)ised/ %ut as a )atter of fa.t the
.ardia. trou'e +as )u.h )ore serious than I suspe.ted +hen she +as
aive/ With the ut)ost .are she .oudn"t have ived onger than t+o
)onths at the outside/ Thought you"d i1e to 1no+/ Might .onsoe you
)ore or ess/J
J(B.use )e>J said Chares> J+oud you )ind saying that againAJ
JShe .oudn"t have ived onger than t+o )onths>J said the do.tor in a
sighty ouder tone/ JA things +or1 out for the 'est> you 1no+> )y
dear feo+ ;J
%ut Chares had sa))ed 'a.1 the re.eiver on its hoo1/ !e +as
.ons.ious of the a+yer"s voi.e spea1ing fro) a ong +ay off/
J$ear )e> Mr &idge+ay> are you iAJ
$a)n the) aG The s)ug;fa.ed a+yer/ That poisonous od ass Meyne/
0o hope in front of hi) ; ony the shado+ of the prison +a///
!e fet that So)e'ody had 'een paying +ith hi) ; paying +ith hi) i1e
a .at +ith a )ouse/ So)e'ody )ust 'e aughing///
T!( CA## <F WI0,S
Sias !a)er heard it first on a +intry night in Fe'ruary/ !e and $i.1
%orro+ had +a1ed fro) a dinner given 'y %ernard Sedon> the nerve
spe.iaist/ %orro+ had 'een unusuay sient> and Sias !a)er as1ed
hi) +ith so)e .uriosity +hat he +as thin1ing a'out/ %orro+"s ans+er
+as uneBpe.ted/
JI +as thin1ing that of a these )en tonight> ony t+o a)ong the) .oud
ay .ai) to happiness/ And that these t+o> strangey enough> +ere you
and IGJ
The +ord JstrangeyJ +as apposite> for no t+o )en .oud 'e )ore
dissi)iar than &i.hard %orro+> the hard;+or1ing east;end parson> and
Sias !a)er> the see1> .o)pa.ent )an +hose )iions +ere a )atter
of househod 1no+edge/
JIt"s odd> you 1no+>J )used %orro+/ JI 'eieve you"re the ony
.ontented )iionaire I"ve ever )et/J
!a)er +as sient a )o)ent/ When he spo1e> his tone had atered/
JI used to 'e a +ret.hed shivering itte ne+spaper 'oy/ I +anted then ;
+hat I"ve got no+G ; the .o)fort and the uBury of )oney> not its po+er/ I
+anted )oney> not to +ied as a for.e> 'ut to spend avishy ; on )ysefG
I") fran1 a'out it> you see/ Money .an"t 'uy everything> they say/ 7ery
true/ %ut it .an 'uy everything I +ant ; therefore I") satisfied/ I") a
)ateriaist> %orro+> out and out a )ateriaistGJ
The 'road gare of the ighted thoroughfare .onfir)ed this .onfession
of faith/ The see1 ines of Sias !a)er"s 'ody +ere a)pified 'y the
heavy fur;ined .oat and the +hite ight e)phasi?ed the thi.1 ros of
fesh 'eneath his .hin/ In .ontrast to hi) +a1ed $i.1 %orro+ +ith the
thin as.eti. fa.e and the star;ga?ing fanati.a eyes/
JIt"s you>J said !a)er +ith e)phasis> Jthat I .an"t understand/J
%orro+ s)ied/
JI ive in the )idst of )isery> +ant> starvation ; a the is of the feshG
And a predo)inant 7ision uphods )e/ It"s not easy to understand
uness you 'eieve in 7isions> +hi.h I gather you don"t/J
JI don"t 'eieve>J said Sias !a)er stoidy> Jin any thing I .an"t see and
hear and tou.h/J
J4uite so/ That"s the differen.e 'et+een us/ We> good;'ye> the earth
no+ s+ao+s )e upGJ
They had rea.hed the door+ay of a ighted tu'e station> +hi.h +as
%orro+"s route ho)e/
!a)er pro.eeded aone/ !e +as gad he had sent a+ay the .ar tonight
and ee.ted to +a1 ho)e/ The air +as 1een and frosty> his senses +ere
deightfuy .ons.ious of the enveoping +ar)th of the fur;ined .oat/
!e paused for an instant on the .ur'stone 'efore .rossing the road/ A
great )otor "'us +as heaviy poughing its +ay to+ards hi)/ !a)er>
+ith the feeing of infinite eisure> +aited for it to pass/ If he +ere to
.ross in front of it> he +oud have to hurry ; and hurry +as distastefu to
hi)/
%y his side a 'attered derei.t of the hu)an ra.e roed drun1eny off
the pave)ent/ !a)er +as a+are of a shout> an ineffe.tua s+erve of
the )otor "'us> and then ; he +as oo1ing stupidy> +ith a graduay
a+a1ening horror> at a i)p inert heap of rags in the )idde of the road/
A .ro+d gathered )agi.ay> +ith a .oupe of poi.e)en and the "'us
driver as its nu.eus/ %ut !a)er"s eyes +ere riveted in horrified
fas.ination on that ifeess 'unde that had on.e 'een a )an ; a )an i1e
hi)sefG !e shuddered as at so)e )ena.e/
J$ahn"t yer 'i)e yersef> guv"nor>J re)ar1ed a rough;oo1ing )an at
his side/ J@er .oudn"t "a done nothin"/ "( +as done for any+ays/J
!a)er stared at hi)/ The idea that it +as possi'e in any +ay to save
the )an had 8uite honesty never o..urred to hi)/ !e s.outed the
notion no+ as an a'surdity/ Why> if he had 'een so fooish> he )ight at
this )o)ent/// !is thoughts 'ro1e off a'rupty> and he +a1ed a+ay
fro) the .ro+d/ !e fet hi)sef sha1ing +ith a na)eess un8uen.ha'e
dread/ !e +as for.ed to ad)it to hi)sef that he +as afraid ; horri'y
afraid ; of $eath ; $eath that .a)e +ith dreadfu s+iftness and
re)orseess .ertainty to ri.h and poor ai1e///
!e +a1ed faster> 'ut the ne+ fear +as sti +ith hi)> enveoping hi) in
its .od and .hiing grasp/
!e +ondered at hi)sef> for he 1ne+ that 'y nature he +as no .o+ard/
Five years ago> he refe.ted> this fear +oud not have atta.1ed hi)/ For
then #ife had not 'een so s+eet/// @es> that +as itI ove of #ife +as the
1ey to the )ystery/ The ?est of iving +as at its height for hi)I it 1ne+
'ut one )ena.e ; $eath> the destroyerG
!e turned out of the ighted thoroughfare/ A narro+ passage+ay>
'et+een high +as> offered a short .ut to the S8uare +here his house>
fa)ous for its art treasures> +as situated/
The noise of the streets 'ehind hi) essened and faded> the soft thud of
his o+n footsteps +as the ony sound to 'e heard/
And then out of the goo) in front of hi) .a)e another sound/ Sitting
against the +a +as a )an paying the fute/ <ne of the enor)ous tri'e
of street )usi.ians> of .ourse> 'ut +hy had he .hosen su.h a pe.uiar
spotA Surey at this ti)e of night the poi.e ; !a)er"s refe.tions +ere
interrupted suddeny as he reai?ed +ith a sho.1 that the )an had no
egs/ A pair of .rut.hes rested against the +a 'eside hi)/ !a)er sa+
no+ that it +as not a fute he +as paying 'ut a strange instru)ent
+hose notes +ere )u.h higher and .earer than those of a fute/
The )an payed on/ !e too1 no noti.e of !a)er"s approa.h/ !is head
+as fung far 'a.1 on his shouders> as though upifted in the Doy of his
o+n )usi.> and the notes poured out .eary and Doyousy> rising higher
and higher///
It +as a strange tune ; stri.ty spea1ing> it +as not a tune at a> 'ut a
singe phrase> not uni1e the so+ turn given out 'y the vioins of &ien?i>
repeated again and again> passing fro) 1ey to 1ey> fro) har)ony to
har)ony> 'ut a+ays rising and attaining ea.h ti)e to a greater and
)ore 'oundess freedo)/
It +as uni1e anything !a)er had ever heard/ There +as so)ething
strange a'out it> so)ething inspiring ; and upifting/// it/// !e .aught
franti.ay +ith 'oth hands to a proDe.tion in the +a 'eside hi)/ !e
+as .ons.ious of one thing ony ; that he )ust 1eep do+n ; at a .osts
he )ust 1eep do+n///
!e suddeny reai?ed that the )usi. had stopped/ The egess )an +as
rea.hing out for his .rut.hes/ And here +as he> Sias !a)er> .ut.hing
i1e a unati. at a stone 'uttress> for the si)pe reason that he had had
the uttery preposterous notion ; a'surd on the fa.e of itG ; that he +as
rising fro) the ground ; that the )usi. +as .arrying hi) up+ards///
!e aughed/ What a +hoy )ad ideaG <f .ourse his feet had never eft
the earth for a )o)ent> 'ut +hat a strange hau.inationG The 8ui.1 taptapping
of +ood on the pave)ent tod hi) that the .rippe +as )oving
a+ay/ !e oo1ed after hi) unti the )an"s figure +as s+ao+ed up in
the goo)/ An odd feo+G
!e pro.eeded on his +ay )ore so+yI he .oud not effa.e fro) his
)ind the )e)ory of that strange> i)possi'e sensation +hen the
ground had faied 'eneath his feet///
And then on an i)puse he turned and foo+ed hurriedy in the
dire.tion the other had ta1en/ The )an .oud not have gone far ; he
+oud soon overta1e hi)/
!e shouted as soon as he .aught sight of the )ai)ed figure s+inging
itsef so+y aong/
J!iG <ne )inute/J
The )an stopped and stood )otioness unti !a)er .a)e a'reast of
hi)/ A a)p 'urned Dust over his head and reveaed every feature/ Sias
!a)er .aught his 'reath in invountary surprise/ The )an possessed
the )ost singuary 'eautifu head he had ever seen/ !e )ight have
'een any ageI assuredy he +as not a 'oy> yet youth +as the )ost
predo)inant .hara.teristi. ; youth and vigour in passionate intensityG
!a)er found an odd diffi.uty in 'eginning his .onversation/
J#oo1 here>J he said a+1+ardy> JI +ant to 1no+ ; +hat +as that thing
you +ere paying Dust no+AJ
The )an s)ied/// With his s)ie the +ord see)ed suddeny to eap into
Doyousness///
JIt +as an od tune ; a very od tune/// @ears od ; .enturies od/J
!e spo1e +ith an odd purity and distin.tness of enun.iation> giving
e8ua vaue to ea.h sya'e/ !e +as .eary not an (ngish)an> yet
!a)er +as pu??ed as to his nationaity/
J@ou"re not (ngishA Where do you .o)e fro)AJ
Again the 'road Doyfu s)ie/
JFro) over the sea> sir/ I .a)e ; a ong ti)e ago ; a very ong ti)e ago/J
J@ou )ust have had a 'ad a..ident/ Was it ateyAJ
JSo)e ti)e no+> sir/J
J&ough u.1 to ose 'oth egs/J
JIt +as +e>J said the )an very .a)y/ !e turned his eyes +ith a
strange soe)nity on his intero.utor/ JThey +ere evi/J
!a)er dropped a shiing in his hand and turned a+ay/ !e +as pu??ed
and vaguey dis8uieted/ JThey +ere eviGJ What a strange thing to sayG
(videnty an operation for so)e for) of disease> 'ut ; ho+ odd it had
sounded/
!a)er +ent ho)e thoughtfu/ !e tried in vain to dis)iss the in.ident
fro) his )ind/ #ying in 'ed> +ith the first in.ipient sensation of
dro+siness steaing over hi)> he heard a neigh'ouring .o.1 stri1e one/
<ne .ear stro1e and then sien.e ; sien.e that +as 'ro1en 'y a faint
fa)iiar sound/// &e.ognition .a)e eaping/ !a)er fet his heart
'eating 8ui.1y/ It +as the )an in the passage+ay paying> so)e+here
not far distant///
The notes .a)e gady> the so+ turn +ith its Doyfu .a> the sa)e
haunting itte phrase/// JIt"s un.anny>J )ur)ured !a)erI Jit"s un.anny/
It"s got +ings to it///J
Cearer and .earer> higher and higher ; ea.h +ave rising a'ove the ast>
and .at.hing hi) up +ith it/ This ti)e he did not struggeI he et hi)sef
go/// 2p ; up/// The +aves of sound +ere .arrying hi) higher and
higher/// Triu)phant and free> they s+ept on/
!igher and higher/// They had passed the i)its of hu)an sound no+>
'ut they sti .ontinued ; rising> ever rising/// Woud they rea.h the fina
goa> the fu perfe.tion of heightA
&ising///
So)ething +as puing ; puing hi) do+n+ards/ So)ething 'ig and
heavy and insistent/ It pued re)orseessy ; pued hi) 'a.1> and
do+n/// do+n///
!e ay in 'ed ga?ing at the +indo+ opposite/ Then> 'reathing heaviy
and painfuy> he stret.hed an ar) out of 'ed/ The )ove)ent see)ed
.uriousy .u)'rous to hi)/ The softness of the 'ed +as oppressiveI
oppressive> too> +ere the heavy .urtains over the +indo+ that 'o.1ed
out ight and air/ The .eiing see)ed to press do+n upon hi)/ !e fet
stifed and .ho1ed/ !e )oved sighty under the 'ed.othes> and the
+eight of his 'ody see)ed to hi) the )ost oppressive of a///
II
JI +ant your advi.e> Sedon/J
Sedon pushed 'a.1 his .hair an in.h or so fro) the ta'e/ !e had 'een
+ondering +hat +as the o'De.t of this tMte;P;tMte dinner/ !e had seen
itte of !a)er sin.e the +inter> and he +as a+are tonight of so)e
indefina'e .hange in his friend/
JIt"s Dust this>J said the )iionaire/ JI") +orried a'out )ysef/J
Sedon s)ied as he oo1ed a.ross the ta'e/
J@ou"re oo1ing in the pin1 of .ondition/J
JIt"s not that/J !a)er paused a )inute> then added 8uiety> JI") afraid
I") going )ad/J
The nerve spe.iaist gan.ed up +ith a sudden 1een interest/ !e poured
hi)sef out a gass of port +ith a rather so+ )ove)ent> and then said
8uiety> 'ut +ith a sharp gan.e at the other )anH JWhat )a1es you
thin1 thatAJ
JSo)ething that"s happened to )e/ So)ething ineBpi.a'e>
un'eieva'e/ It .an"t 'e true> so I )ust 'e going )ad/J
JTa1e your ti)e>J said Sedon> Jand te )e a'out it/J
JI don"t 'eieve in the supernatura>J 'egan !a)er/ JI never have/ %ut
this thing/// We> I"d 'etter te you the +hoe story fro) the 'eginning/
It 'egan ast +inter one evening after I had dined +ith you/J
Then 'riefy and .on.isey he narrated the events of his +a1 ho)e and
the strange se8ue/
JThat +as the 'eginning of it a/ I .an"t eBpain it to you propery ; the
feeing> I )ean ; 'ut it +as +onderfuG 2ni1e anything I"ve ever fet or
drea)ed/ We> it"s gone on ever sin.e/ 0ot every night> Dust no+ and
then/ The )usi.> the feeing of 'eing upifted> the soaring fight/// and
then the terri'e drag> the pu 'a.1 to earth> and after+ards the pain>
the a.tua physi.a pain of the a+a1ening/ It"s i1e .o)ing do+n fro) a
high )ountain ; you 1no+ the pains in the ears one getsA We> this is
the sa)e thing> 'ut intensified ; and +ith it goes the a+fu sense of
+eight ; of 'eing he))ed in> stifed///J
!e 'ro1e off and there +as a pause/
JAready the servants thin1 I") )ad/ I .oudn"t 'ear the roof and the
+as ; I"ve had a pa.e arranged up at the top of the house> open to the
s1y> +ith no furniture or .arpets> or any stifing things/// %ut even then
the houses a round are neary as 'ad/ It"s open .ountry I +ant>
so)e+here +here one .an 'reathe///J !e oo1ed a.ross at Sedon/
JWe> +hat do you sayA Can you eBpain itAJ
J!")>J said Sedon/ JPenty of eBpanations/ @ou"ve 'een hypnoti?ed> or
you"ve hypnoti?ed yoursef/ @our nerves have gone +rong/ <r it )ay 'e
)erey a drea)/J
!a)er shoo1 his head/ J0one of those eBpanations +i do/J
JAnd there are others>J said Sedon so+y> J'ut they"re not generay
ad)itted/J
J@ou are prepared to ad)it the)AJ
J<n the +hoe> yesG There"s a great dea +e .an"t understand +hi.h
.an"t possi'y 'e eBpained nor)ay/ We"ve any a)ount to find out sti>
and I for one 'eieve in 1eeping an open )ind/J
JWhat do you advise )e to doAJ as1ed !a)er after a sien.e/
Sedon eaned for+ard 'ris1y/ J<ne of severa things/ ,o a+ay fro)
#ondon> see1 out your "open .ountry/" The drea)s )ay .ease/J
JI .an"t do that>J said !a)er 8ui.1y/ JIt"s .o)e to this that I .an"t do
+ithout the)/ I don"t +ant to do +ithout the)/J
JAhG I guessed as )u.h/ Another aternative> find this feo+> this
.rippe/ @ou"re endo+ing hi) no+ +ith a sorts of supernatura
attri'utes/ Ta1 to hi)/ %rea1 the spe/J
!a)er shoo1 his head again/
JWhy notAJ
JI") afraid>J said !a)er si)py/
Sedon )ade a gesture of i)patien.e/ J$on"t 'eieve in it a so 'indyG
This tune no+> the )ediu) that starts it a> +hat is it i1eAJ
!a)er hu))ed it> and Sedon istened +ith a pu??ed fro+n/
J&ather i1e a 'it out of the overture to &ien?i/ There is so)ething
upifting a'out it ; it had +ings/ %ut I") not .arried off the earthG 0o+>
these fights of yours> are they a eBa.ty the sa)eAJ
J0o> no/J !a)er eaned for+ard eagery/ JThey deveop/ (a.h ti)e I
see a itte )ore/ It"s diffi.ut to eBpain/ @ou see> I") a+ays .ons.ious
of rea.hing a .ertain point ; the )usi. .arried )e there ; not dire.t> 'ut
'y a su..ession of +aves> ea.h rea.hing higher than the ast> unti the
highest point +here one .an go no further/ I stay there unti I") dragged
'a.1/ It isn"t a pa.e> it"s )ore a state/ We> not Dust at first> 'ut after a
itte +hie> I 'egan to understand that there +ere other things a round
)e +aiting unti I +as a'e to per.eive the)/ Thin1 of a 1itten/ It has
eyes> 'ut at first it .an"t see +ith the)/ It"s 'ind and had to earn to see/
We> that +as +hat it +as to )e/ Morta eyes and ears +ere no good to
)e> 'ut there +as so)ething .orresponding to the) that hadn"t yet
'een deveoped ; so)ething that +asn"t 'odiy at a/ And itte 'y itte
that gre+/// here +ere sensations of ight/// then of sound/// then of
.oour/// A very vague and unfor)uated/ It +as )ore the 1no+edge
of things than seeing or hearing the)/ First it +as ight> a ight that gre+
stronger and .earer/// then sand> great stret.hes of reddish sand///
and here and there straight> ong ines of +ater i1e .anas ;J
Sedon dre+ in his 'reath sharpy/ JCanasG That"s interesting/ ,o on/J
J%ut these things didn"t )atter ; they didn"t .ount any onger/ The rea
things +ere the things I .oudn"t see yet ; 'ut I heard the)/// It +as a
sound i1e the rushing of +ings/// So)eho+> I .an"t eBpain +hy> it +as
goriousG There"s nothing i1e it here/ And then .a)e another gory ; I
sa+ the) ; the WingsG <h> Sedon> the WingsGJ
J%ut +hat +ere theyA Men ; anges ; 'irdsAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ I .oudn"t see ; not yet/ %ut the .oour of the)G Wing
.oour ; +e haven"t got it here ; it"s a +onderfu .oour/J
JWing .oourAJ repeated Sedon/ JWhat"s it i1eAJ
!a)er fung up his hand i)patienty/ J!o+ .an I te youA (Bpain the
.oour 'ue to a 'ind personG It"s a .oour you"ve never seen ; Wing
.oourGJ
JWeAJ
JWeA That"s a/ That"s as far as I"ve got/ %ut ea.h ti)e the .o)ing
'a.1 has 'een +orse ; )ore painfu/ I .an"t understand that/ I")
.onvin.ed )y 'ody never eaves the 'ed/ In this pa.e I get to I")
.onvin.ed I"ve got no physi.a presen.e/ Why shoud it hurt so
.onfoundedy thenAJ
Sedon shoo1 his head in sien.e/
JIt"s so)ething a+fu ; the .o)ing 'a.1/ The pu of it ; then the pain>
pain in every i)' and every nerve> and )y ears fee as though they
+ere 'ursting/ Then everything presses so> the +eight of it a> the
dreadfu sense of i)prison)ent/ I +ant ight> air> spa.e ; a'ove a
spa.e to 'reathe inG And I +ant freedo)/J
JAnd +hat>J as1ed Sedon> Jof a the other things that used to )ean so
)u.h to youAJ
JThat"s the +orst of it/ I .are for the) sti as )u.h as> if not )ore than>
ever/ And these things> .o)fort> uBury> peasure> see) to pu opposite
+ays to the Wings/ It"s a perpetua strugge 'et+een the) ; and I .an"t
see ho+ it"s going to end/J
Sedon sat sient/ The strange tae he had 'een istening to +as
fantasti. enough in a truth/ Was it a a deusion> a +id hau.ination ;
or .oud it 'y any possi'iity 'e trueA And if so> +hy !a)er> of a
)en///A Surey the )ateriaist> the )an +ho oved the fesh and denied
the spirit> +as the ast )an to see the sights of another +ord/
A.ross the ta'e !a)er +at.hed hi) anBiousy/
JI suppose>J said Sedon so+y> Jthat you .an ony +ait/ Wait and see
+hat happens/J
JI .an"tG I te you I .an"tG @our saying that sho+s you don"t understand/
It"s tearing )e in t+o> this a+fu strugge ; this 1iing> ong;dra+n;out
fight 'et+een ; 'et+een ;J !e hesitated/
JThe fesh and the spiritAJ suggested Sedon/
!a)er stared heaviy in front of hi)/ JI suppose one )ight .a it that/
Any+ay> it"s un'eara'e/// I .an"t get free///J
Again %ernard Sedon shoo1 his head/ !e +as .aught up in the grip of
the ineBpi.a'e/ !e )ade one )ore suggestion/
JIf I +ere you>J he advised> JI +oud get hod of that .rippe/J
%ut as he +ent ho)e> he )uttered to hi)sefH JCanas ; I +onder/J
III
Sias !a)er +ent out of the house the foo+ing )orning +ith a ne+
deter)ination in his step/ !e had de.ided to ta1e Sedon"s advi.e and
find the egess )an/ @et in+ardy he +as .onvin.ed that his sear.h
+oud 'e in vain and that the )an +oud have vanished as .o)petey
as though the earth had s+ao+ed hi) up/
The dar1 'uidings on either side of the passage+ay shut out the
sunight and eft it dar1 and )ysterious/ <ny in one pa.e> haf+ay up it>
there +as a 'rea1 in the +a> and through it there fe a shaft of goden
ight that iu)inated +ith radian.e a figure sitting on the ground/ A
figure ; yes> it +as the )anG
The instru)ent of pipes eaned against the +a 'eside his .rut.hes>
and he +as .overing the paving stones +ith designs in .ooured .ha1/
T+o +ere .o)peted> syvan s.enes of )arveous 'eauty and dei.a.y>
s+aying trees and a eaping 'roo1 that see)ed aive/
And again !a)er dou'ted/ Was this )an a )ere street )usi.ian> a
pave)ent artistA <r +as he so)ething )ore///A
Suddeny the )iionaire"s sef;.ontro 'ro1e do+n> and he .ried fier.ey
and angriyH JWho are youA For ,od"s sa1e> +ho are youAJ
The )an"s eyes )et his> s)iing/
JWhy don"t you ans+erA Spea1> )an> spea1GJ
Then he noti.ed that the )an +as dra+ing +ith in.redi'e rapidity on a
'are sa' of stone/ !a)er foo+ed the )ove)ent +ith his eyes/// A fe+
'od stro1es> and giant trees too1 for)/ Then> seated on a 'ouder/// a
)an/// paying an instru)ent of pipes/ A )an +ith a strangey 'eautifu
fa.e ; and goat"s egs///
The .rippe"s hand )ade a s+ift )ove)ent/ The )an sti sat on the
ro.1> 'ut the goat"s egs +ere gone/ Again his eyes )et !a)er"s/
JThey +ere evi>J he said/
!a)er stared> fas.inated/ For the fa.e 'efore hi) +as the fa.e of the
pi.ture> 'ut strangey and in.redi'y 'eautified/// Purified fro) a 'ut
an intense and eB8uisite Doy of iving/
!a)er turned and a)ost fed do+n the passage+ay into the 'right
sunight> repeating to hi)sef in.essantyH
JIt"s i)possi'e/ I)possi'e/// I") )ad ; drea)ingGJ %ut the fa.e
haunted hi) ; the fa.e of Pan///
!e +ent into the par1 and sat on a 'en.h/ It +as a deserted hour/ A fe+
nurse)aids +ith their .harges sat in the shade of the trees> and dotted
here and there in the stret.hes of green> i1e isands in a sea> ay the
re.u)'ent for)s of )en///
The +ords Ja +ret.hed tra)pJ +ere to !a)er an epito)e of )isery/
%ut suddeny> today> he envied the)///
They see)ed to hi) of a .reated 'eings the ony free ones/ The earth
'eneath the)> the s1y a'ove the)> the +ord to +ander in/// they +ere
not he))ed in or .hained/
#i1e a fash it .a)e to hi) that that +hi.h 'ound hi) so re)orseessy
+as the thing he had +orshipped and pri?ed a'ove a others ; +eathG
!e had thought it the strongest thing on earth> and no+> +rapped round
'y its goden strength> he sa+ the truth of his +ords/ It +as his )oney
that hed hi) in 'ondage///
%ut +as itA Was that reay itA Was there a deeper and )ore pointed
truth that he had not seenA Was it the )oney or +as it his o+n ove of
the )oneyA !e +as 'ound in fetters of his o+n )a1ingI not +eath itsef>
'ut ove of +eath +as the .hain/
!e 1ne+ no+ .eary the t+o for.es that +ere tearing at hi)> the +ar)
.o)posite strength of )ateriais) that en.osed and surrounded hi)>
and> opposed to it> the .ear i)perative .a ; he na)ed it to hi)sef the
Ca of the Wings/
And +hie the one fought and .ung> the other s.orned +ar and +oud
not stoop to strugge/ It ony .aed ; .aed un.easingy/// !e heard it so
.eary that it a)ost spo1e in +ords/
J@ou .annot )a1e ter)s +ith Me>J it see)ed to say/ JFor I a) a'ove a
other things/ If you foo+ )y .a> you )ust give up a ese and .ut
a+ay the for.es that hod you/ For ony the Free sha foo+ +here I
ead///J
JI .an"t>J .ried !a)er/ JI .an"t///J
A fe+ peope turned to oo1 at the 'ig )an +ho sat ta1ing to hi)sef/
So sa.rifi.e +as 'eing as1ed of hi)> the sa.rifi.e of that +hi.h +as
)ost dear to hi)> that +hi.h +as part of hi)sef/
Part of hi)sef ; he re)e)'ered the )an +ithout egs///
I7
JWhat in the na)e of Fortune 'rings you hereAJ as1ed %orro+/
Indeed the east;end )ission +as an unfa)iiar 'a.1; ground to !a)er/
JI"ve istened to a good )any ser)ons>J said the )iionaire> Ja saying
+hat .oud 'e done if you peope had funds/ I"ve Dust .o)e to te you
thisH you .an have the funds/J
J7ery good of you>J ans+ered %orro+> +ith so)e surprise/ JA 'ig
su's.ription> ehAJ
!a)er s)ied dryy/ JI shoud say so/ *ust every penny I"ve got/J
JWhatAJ
!a)er rapped out detais in a 'ris1> 'usinessi1e )anner/ %orro+"s
head +as +hiring/
J@ou ; you )ean to say that you"re )a1ing over your entire fortune to 'e
devoted to the reief of the poor in the (ast (nd> +ith )ysef appointed
as trusteeAJ
JThat"s it/J
J%ut +hy ; +hyAJ
JI .an"t eBpain>J said !a)er so+y/ J&e)e)'er our ta1 a'out visions
ast Fe'ruaryA We> a vision has got hod of )e/J
JIt"s spendidGJ %orro+ eaned for+ard> his eyes gea)ing/
JThere"s nothing parti.uary spendid a'out it>J said !a)er gri)y/ JI
don"t .are a 'utton a'out poverty in the (ast (nd/ A they +ant is gritG I
+as poor enough ; and I got out of it/ %ut I"ve got to get rid of the )oney>
and these to);foo so.ieties shan"t get hod of it/ @ou"re a )an I .an
trust/ Feed 'odies or sous +ith it ; prefera'y the for)er/ I"ve 'een
hungry> 'ut you .an do as you i1e/J
JThere"s never 'een su.h a thing 1no+n>J sta))ered %orro+/
JThe +hoe thing"s done and finished +ith>J .ontinued !a)er/ JThe
a+yers have fiBed it up at ast> and I"ve signed everything/ I .an te you
I"ve 'een 'usy this ast fortnight/ It"s a)ost as diffi.ut getting rid of a
fortune as )a1ing one/J
J%ut you ; you"ve 1ept so)ethingAJ
J0ot a penny>J said !a)er .heerfuy/ JAt east ; that"s not 8uite true/
I"ve Dust t+open.e in )y po.1et/J
!e aughed/
!e said good;'ye to his 'e+idered friend and +a1ed out of the )ission
into the narro+ evi;s)eing streets/ The +ords he had said so gaiy
Dust no+ .a)e 'a.1 to hi) +ith an a.hing sense of oss/ J0ot a pennyGJ
<f a his vast +eath he had 1ept nothing/ !e +as afraid no+ ; afraid of
poverty and hunger and .od/ Sa.rifi.e had no s+eetness for hi)/
@et 'ehind it a he +as .ons.ious that the +eight and )ena.e of things
had iftedI he +as no onger oppressed and 'ound do+n/ The severing
of the .hain had seared and torn hi)> 'ut the vision of freedo) +as
there to strengthen hi)/ !is )ateria needs )ight di) the Ca> 'ut they
.oud not deaden it> for he 1ne+ it to 'e a thing of i))ortaity that .oud
not die/
There +as a tou.h of autu)n in the air> and the +ind 'e+ .hi/ !e fet
the .od and shivered> and then> too> he +as hungry ; he had forgotten
to have any un.h/ It 'rought the future very near to hi)/ It +as
in.redi'e that he shoud have given it a upI the ease> the .o)fort> the
+ar)thG !is 'ody .ried out i)potenty/// And then on.e again there
.a)e to hi) a gad and upifting sense of freedo)/
!a)er hesitated/ !e +as near a tu'e station/ !e had t+open.e in his
po.1et/ The idea .a)e to hi) to Dourney 'y it to the par1 +here he had
+at.hed the re.u)'ent iders a fortnight ago/ %eyond this +hi) he did
not pan for the future/ !e 'eieved honesty enough no+ that he +as
)ad ; sane peope did not a.t as he had done/ @et> if so> )adness +as a
+onderfu and a)a?ing thing/
@es> he +oud go no+ to the open .ountry of the par1> and there +as a
spe.ia signifi.an.e to hi) in rea.hing it 'y tu'e/ For the tu'e
represented to hi) a the horrors of 'uried> shut;in ife/// !e +oud
as.end fro) its i)prison)ent free to the +ide green and the trees that
.on.eaed the )ena.e of the pressing houses/
The ift 'ore hi) s+ifty and reentessy do+n+ard/ The air +as heavy
and ifeess/ !e stood at the eBtre)e end of the patfor)> a+ay fro) the
)ass of peope/ <n his eft +as the opening of the tunne fro) +hi.h the
train> sna1ei1e> +oud presenty e)erge/ !e fet the +hoe pa.e to 'e
su'ty evi/ There +as no one near hi) 'ut a hun.hed;up ad sitting on a
seat> sun1> it see)ed> in a drun1en stupor/
In the distan.e .a)e the faint )ena.ing roar of the train/ The ad rose
fro) his seat and shuffed unsteadiy to !a)er"s side> +here he stood
on the edge of the patfor) peering into the tunne/
Then ; it happened so 8ui.1y as to 'e a)ost in.redi'e ; he ost his
'aan.e and fe///
A hundred thoughts rushed si)utaneousy to !a)er"s 'rain/ !e sa+ a
hudded heap run over 'y a )otor "'us> and heard a hoarse voi.e
sayingH J$ahn"t yer 'i)e yersef> guv"nor/ @er .oudn"t "a done nothin"/J
And +ith that .a)e the 1no+edge that this ife .oud ony 'e saved> if it
+ere saved> 'y hi)sef/ There +as no one ese near> and the train +as
.ose/// It a passed through his )ind +ith ightning rapidity/ !e
eBperien.ed a .urious .a) u.idity of thought/
!e had one short se.ond in +hi.h to de.ide> and he 1ne+ in that
)o)ent that his fear of $eath +as una'ated/ !e +as horri'y afraid/
And then ; +as it not a fororn hopeA A useess thro+ing a+ay of t+o
ivesA
To the terrified spe.tators at the other end of the patfor) there
see)ed no gap 'et+een the 'oy"s fa and the )an"s Du)p after hi) ;
and then the train> rushing round the .urve of the tunne> po+eress to
pu up in ti)e/
S+ifty !a)er .aught up the ad in his ar)s/ 0o natura gaant i)puse
s+ayed hi)> his shivering fesh +as 'ut o'eying the .o))and of the
aien spirit that .aed for sa.rifi.e/ With a ast effort he fung the ad
for+ard onto the patfor)> faing hi)sef///
Then suddeny his fear died/ The )ateria +ord hed hi) do+n no
onger/ !e +as free of his sha.1es/ !e fan.ied for a )o)ent that he
heard the Doyous piping of Pan/ Then ; nearer and ouder ; s+ao+ing
up a ese ; .a)e the gad rushing of innu)era'e Wings/// enveoping
and en.ir.ing hi)///
T!( ,IPS@
Ma.farane had often noti.ed that his friend> $i.1ie Carpenter> had a
strange aversion to gipsies/ !e had never 1no+n the reason for it/ %ut
+hen $i.1ie"s engage)ent to (sther #a+es +as 'ro1en off> there +as a
)o)entary tearing do+n of reserves 'et+een the t+o )en/
Ma.farane had 'een engaged to the younger sister> &a.he> for a'out
a year/ !e had 1no+n 'oth the #a+es girs sin.e they +ere .hidren/
So+ and .autious in a things> he had 'een un+iing to ad)it to
hi)sef the gro+ing attra.tion that &a.he"s .hidi1e fa.e and honest
'ro+n eyes had for hi)/ 0ot a 'eauty i1e (sther> noG %ut unuttera'y
truer and s+eeter/ With $i.1ie"s engage)ent to the eder sister> the
'ond 'et+een the t+o )en see)ed to 'e dra+n .oser/
And no+> after a fe+ 'rief +ee1s> the engage)ent +as off again> and
$i.1ie> si)pe $i.1ie> hard;hit/ So far in his young ife a had gone so
s)oothy/ !is .areer in the navy had 'een +e .hosen/ !is .raving for
the sea +as in'orn/ There +as so)ething of the 7i1ing a'out hi)>
pri)itive and dire.t> a nature on +hi.h su'teties of thought +ere
+asted/ !e 'eonged to that inarti.uate order of young (ngish)en
+ho disi1e any for) of e)otion> and +ho find it pe.uiary hard to
eBpain their )enta pro.esses in +ords///
Ma.farane> that dour S.ot> +ith a Ceti. i)agination hidden a+ay
so)e+here> istened and s)o1ed +hie his friend foundered aong in a
sea of +ords/ !e had 1no+n an un'urdening +as .o)ing/ %ut he had
eBpe.ted the su'De.t )atter to 'e different/ To 'egin +ith> any+ay>
there +as no )ention of (sther #a+es/ <ny> it see)ed> the story of a
.hidish terror/
JIt a started +ith a drea) I had +hen I +as a 1id/ 0ot a night)are
eBa.ty/ She ; the gipsy> you 1no+ ; +oud Dust .o)e into any od drea)
; even a good drea) 9or a 1id"s idea of +hat"s good ; a party and
.ra.1ers and things:/ I"d 'e enDoying )ysef no end> and then I"d fee> I"d
1no+> that if I oo1ed up> she"d 'e there> standing as she a+ays stood>
+at.hing )e/// With sad eyes> you 1no+> as though she understood
so)ething that I didn"t/// Can"t eBpain +hy it ratted )e so ; 'ut it didG
(very ti)eG I used to +a1e up ho+ing +ith terror> and )y od nurse
used to sayH "ThereG Master $i.1ie"s had one of his gipsy drea)s
againG"J
J(ver 'een frightened 'y rea gipsiesAJ
J0ever sa+ one ti ater/ That +as 8ueer> too/ I +as .hasing a pup of
)ine/ !e"d run a+ay/ I got out through the garden door> and aong one
of the forest paths/ We ived in the 0e+ Forest then> you 1no+/ I .a)e
to a sort of .earing at the end> +ith a +ooden 'ridge over a strea)/
And Dust 'eside it a gipsy +as standing ; +ith a red hand1er.hief over
her head ; Dust the sa)e as in )y drea)/ And at on.e I +as frightenedG
She oo1ed at )e> you 1no+/// *ust the sa)e oo1 ; as though she 1ne+
so)ething I didn"t> and +as sorry a'out it/// And then she said 8uite
8uiety> nodding her head at )eH "I shoudn"t go that +ay> if I +ere you/" I
.an"t te you +hy> 'ut it frightened )e to death/ I dashed past her onto
the 'ridge/ I suppose it +as rotten/ Any+ay> it gave +ay> and I +as
.hu.1ed into the strea)/ It +as running pretty fast> and I +as neary
dro+ned/ %easty to 'e neary dro+ned/ I"ve never forgotten it/ And I
fet it had a to do +ith the gipsy///J
JA.tuay> though> she +arned you against itAJ
JI suppose you .oud put it i1e that/J $i.1ie paused> then +ent onH JI"ve
tod you a'out this drea) of )ine> not 'e.ause it has anything to do
+ith +hat happened after 9at east> I suppose it hasn"t:> 'ut 'e.ause it"s
the Du)ping;off point> as it +ere/ @ou" understand no+ +hat I )ean 'y
the "gipsy feeing/" So I" go on to that first night at the #a+es"/ I"d Dust
.o)e 'a.1 fro) the +est .oast then/ It +as a+fuy ru) to 'e in
(ngand again/ The #a+es +ere od friends of )y peope"s/ I hadn"t
seen the girs sin.e I +as a'out seven> 'ut young Arthur +as a great
pa of )ine> and after he died> (sther used to +rite to )e> and send )e
out papers/ A+fuy Doy etters> she +roteG Cheered )e up no end/ I
a+ays +ished I +as a 'etter hand at +riting 'a.1/ I +as a+fuy 1een to
see her/ It see)ed odd to 1no+ a gir 8uite +e fro) her etters> and not
other+ise/ We> I +ent do+n to the #a+es" pa.e first thing/ (sther +as
a+ay +hen I arrived> 'ut +as eBpe.ted 'a.1 that evening/ I sat neBt to
&a.he at dinner> and as I oo1ed up and do+n the ong ta'e> a 8ueer
feeing .a)e over )e/ I fet so)eone +as +at.hing )e> and it )ade )e
un.o)forta'e/ Then I sa+ her ;J
JSa+ +hoAJ
JMrs !a+orth ; +hat I") teing you a'out/J
It +as on the tip of Ma.farane"s tongue to sayH JI thought you +ere
teing )e a'out (sther #a+es/J %ut he re)ained sient> and $i.1ie
+ent on/
JThere +as so)ething a'out her 8uite different fro) a the rest/ She
+as sitting neBt to od #a+es ; istening to hi) very gravey +ith her
head 'ent do+n/ She had so)e of that red tue stuff round her ne.1/ It
had got torn> I thin1I any+ay> it stood up 'ehind her head i1e itte
tongues of fa)e/// I said to &a.heH "Who"s that +o)an over thereA
$ar1 ; +ith a red s.arfG"J
J$o you )ean Aistair !a+orthA She"s got a red s.arf/ %ut she"s fair/
7ery fair/J
JSo she +as> you 1no+/ !er hair +as a ovey pae shining yeo+/ @et I
.oud have s+orn positivey she +as dar1/ 4ueer +hat tri.1s one"s eyes
pay on one/// After dinner> &a.he introdu.ed us> and +e +a1ed up
and do+n in the garden/ We ta1ed a'out rein.arnation///J
J&ather out of your ine> $i.1ieGJ
JI suppose it is/ I re)e)'er saying that it see)ed to 'e a Doy sensi'e
+ay of a..ounting for ho+ one see)s to 1no+ so)e peope right off ; as
if you"d )et the) 'efore/ She saidH "@ou )ean overs///" There +as
so)ething 8ueer a'out the +ay she said it ; so)ething soft and eager/
It re)inded )e of so)ething ; 'ut I .oudn"t re)e)'er +hat/ We +ent
on Da+ing a 'it> and then od #a+es .aed us fro) the terra.e ; said
(sther had .o)e and +anted to see )e/ Mrs !a+orth put her hand on
)y ar) and saidH "@ou"re going inA" "@es>" I said/ "I suppose +e"d 'etter>"
and then ; then ;J
JWeAJ
JIt sounds su.h rot/ Mrs !a+orth saidH "I shoudn"t go in if I +ere you///"J
!e paused/ JIt frightened )e> you 1no+/ It frightened )e 'ady/ That"s
+hy I tod you ; a'out the drea)/// %e.ause> you see> she said it Dust the
sa)e +ay ; 8uiety> as though she 1ne+ so)ething I didn"t/ It +asn"t Dust
a pretty +o)an +ho +anted to 1eep )e out in the garden +ith her/ !er
voi.e +as Dust 1ind ; and very sorry/ A)ost as though she 1ne+ +hat
+as to .o)e/// I suppose it +as rude> 'ut I turned and eft her ; a)ost
ran to the house/ It see)ed i1e safety/ I 1ne+ then that I"d 'een afraid
of her fro) the first/ It +as a reief to see od #a+es/ (sther +as there
'eside hi)///J !e hesitated a )inute> and then )uttered rather
o's.ureyH "There +as no 8uestion ; the )o)ent I sa+ her> I 1ne+ I"d
got it in the ne.1/J
Ma.farane"s )ind fe+ s+ifty to (sther #a+es/ !e had on.e heard her
su))ed up as JSiB foot one of *e+ish perfe.tion/J A shre+d portrait>
he thought> as he re)e)'ered her unusua height and the ong
senderness of her> the )ar'e +hiteness of her fa.e +ith its dei.ate
do+n;drooping nose> and the 'a.1 spendour of hair and eyes/ @es> he
did not +onder that the 'oyish si)pi.ity of $i.1ie had .apituated/
(sther .oud never have )ade his o+n puses 'eat one Dot faster> 'ut
he ad)itted her )agnifi.en.e/
JAnd then>J .ontinued $i.1ie> J+e got engaged/J
JAt on.eAJ
JWe> after a'out a +ee1/ It too1 her a'out a fortnight after that to find
out that she didn"t .are after a///J !e gave a short 'itter augh/
JIt +as the ast evening 'efore I +ent 'a.1 to the od ship/ I +as .o)ing
'a.1 fro) the viage through the +oods ; and then I sa+ her ; Mrs
!a+orth> I )ean/ She had on a red ta);o";shanter> and ; Dust for a
)inute> you 1no+ ; it )ade )e Du)pG I"ve tod you a'out )y drea)> so
you" understand/// Then +e +a1ed aong a 'it/ 0ot that there +as a
+ord (sther .oudn"t have heard> you 1no+///J
J0oAJ Ma.farane oo1ed at his friend .uriousy/ Strange ho+ peope
tod you things of +hi.h they the)seves +ere un.ons.iousG
JAnd then> +hen I +as turning to go 'a.1 to the house> she stopped )e/
She saidH "@ou" 'e ho)e soon enough/ I shoudn"t go 'a.1 too soon if I
+ere you///" And then I 1ne+ ; that there +as so)ething 'easty +aiting
for )e/// and/// as soon as I got 'a.1> (sther )et )e and tod )e ; that
she"d found out she didn"t reay .are///J
Ma.farane grunted sy)patheti.ay/ JAnd Mrs !a+orthAJ he as1ed/
JI never sa+ her again ; unti tonight/J
JTonightAJ
J@es/ At that do.tor *ohnny"s nursing ho)e/ They had a oo1 at )y eg>
the one that got )essed up in that torpedo 'usiness/ It"s +orried )e a
'it atey/ The od .hap advised an operation ; it" 'e 8uite a si)pe
thing/ Then as I eft the pa.e> I ran into a gir in a red Du)per over her
nurse"s things> and she saidH "I +oudn"t have that operation> if I +ere
you///" Then I sa+ it +as Mrs !a+orth/ She passed on so 8ui.1y I
.oudn"t stop her/ I )et another nurse> and as1ed a'out her/ %ut she
said there +asn"t anyone of that na)e in the ho)e/// 4ueer///J
JSure it +as herAJ
J<hG @es> you see ; she"s very 'eautifu///J !e paused> and then addedH
JI sha have the od op/ of .ourse ; 'ut ; 'ut in .ase )y nu)'er shoud
'e up ;J
J&otGJ
J<f .ourse it"s rot/ %ut a the sa)e I") gad I tod you a'out this gipsy
'usiness/// @ou 1no+> there"s )ore of it if ony I .oud re)e)'er///J
II
Ma.farane +a1ed up the steep )oorand road/ !e turned in at the
gate of a house near the .rest of the hi/ Setting his Da+ s8uarey> he
pued the 'e/
JIs Mrs !a+orth inAJ
J@es> sir/ I" te her/J The )aid eft hi) in a o+ ong roo)> +ith
+indo+s that gave on the +idness of the )oorand/ !e fro+ned a itte/
Was he )a1ing a .oossa ass of hi)sefA
Then he started/ A o+ voi.e +as singing overheadH
JThe gipsy +o)an
#ives on the )oor ;J
The voi.e 'ro1e off/ Ma.farane"s heart 'eat a shade faster/ The door
opened/
The 'e+idering> a)ost S.andinavian fairness of her .a)e as a sho.1/
In spite of $i.1ie"s des.ription> he had i)agined her gipsy;dar1/// And
he suddeny re)e)'ered $i.1ie"s +ords> and the pe.uiar tone of the)/
J@ou see> she"s very 'eautifu///J Perfe.t un8uestiona'e 'eauty is rare>
and perfe.t un8uestiona'e 'eauty +as +hat Aistair !a+orth
possessed/
!e .aught hi)sef up> and advan.ed to+ards her/ JI") afraid you don"t
1no+ )e fro) Ada)/ I got your address fro) the #a+es/ %ut ; I") a
friend of $i.1ie Carpenter"s/J
She oo1ed at hi) .osey for a )inute or t+o/ Then she saidH JI +as
going out/ 2p on the )oor/ Wi you .o)e tooAJ
She pushed open the +indo+ and stepped out on the hiside/ !e
foo+ed her/ A heavy> rather fooish;oo1ing )an +as sitting in a 'as1et
.hair s)o1ing/
JMy hus'andG We"re going out on the )oor> Mauri.e/ And then Mr
Ma.farane +i .o)e 'a.1 to un.h +ith us/ @ou +i> +on"t youAJ
JThan1s very )u.h/J !e foo+ed her easy stride up the hi> and
thought to hi)sefH JWhyA Why> on ,od"s earth> )arry thatAJ
Aistair )ade her +ay to so)e ro.1s/ JWe" sit here/ And you sha te
)e ; +hat you .a)e to te )e/J
J@ou 1ne+AJ
JI a+ays 1no+ +hen 'ad things are .o)ing/ It is 'ad> isn"t itA A'out
$i.1ieAJ
J!e under+ent a sight operation ; 8uite su..essfuy/ %ut his heart
)ust have 'een +ea1/ !e died under the anaestheti./J
What he eBpe.ted to see on her fa.e> he s.ar.ey 1ne+ ; hardy that
oo1 of utter eterna +eariness/// !e heard her )ur)urH JAgain ; to +ait
; so ong ; so ong///J She oo1ed upH J@es> +hat +ere you going to sayAJ
J<ny this/ So)eone +arned hi) against this operation/ A nurse/ !e
thought it +as you/ Was itAJ
She shoo1 her head/ J0o> it +asn"t )e/ %ut I"ve got a .ousin +ho is a
nurse/ She"s rather i1e )e in a di) ight/ I dare say that +as it/J She
oo1ed up at hi) again/ JIt doesn"t )atter> does itAJ And then suddeny
her eyes +idened/ She dre+ in her 'reath/ J<hGJ she said/ J<hG !o+
funnyG @ou don"t understand///J
Ma.farane +as pu??ed/ She +as sti staring at hi)/
JI thought you did/// @ou shoud/ @ou oo1 as though you"d got it> too///J
J,ot +hatAJ
JThe gift ; .urse ; .a it +hat you i1e/ I 'eieve you have/ #oo1 hard at
that hoo+ in the ro.1s/ $on"t thin1 of anything> Dust oo1/// AhGJ she
)ar1ed his sight start/ JWe ; you sa+ so)ethingAJ
JIt )ust have 'een i)agination/ *ust for a se.ond I sa+ it fu of ;
'oodGJ
She nodded/ JI 1ne+ you had it/ That"s the pa.e +here the od sun+orshippers
sa.rifi.ed vi.ti)s/ I 1ne+ that 'efore anyone tod )e/ And
there are ti)es +hen I 1no+ Dust ho+ they fet a'out it ; a)ost as
though I"d 'een there )ysef/// And there"s so)ething a'out the )oor
that )a1es )e fee as though I +ere .o)ing 'a.1 ho)e/// <f .ourse it"s
natura that I shoud have the gift/ I") a Ferguesson/ There"s se.ond
sight in the fa)iy/ And )y )other +as a )ediu) unti )y father
)arried her/ Cristine +as her na)e/ She +as rather .ee'rated/J
J$o you )ean 'y "the gift" the po+er of 'eing a'e to see things 'efore
they happenAJ
J@es> for+ards or 'a.1+ards ; it"s a the sa)e/ For instan.e> I sa+ you
+ondering +hy I )arried Mauri.e ; ohG yes> you didG It"s si)py 'e.ause
I"ve a+ays 1no+n that there"s so)ething dreadfu hanging over hi)/// I
+anted to save hi) fro) it/// Wo)en are i1e that/ With )y gift> I ought
to 'e a'e to prevent it happening/// if one ever .an/// I .oudn"t hep
$i.1ie/ And $i.1ie +oudn"t understand/// !e +as afraid/ !e +as very
young/J
JT+enty;t+o/J
JAnd I") thirty/ %ut I didn"t )ean that/ There are so )any +ays of 'eing
divided> ength and height and 'readth/// 'ut to 'e divided 'y ti)e is the
+orst +ay of a///J She fe into a ong 'rooding sien.e/
The o+ pea of a gong fro) the house 'eo+ roused the)/
At un.h> Ma.farane +at.hed Mauri.e !a+orth/ !e +as undou'tedy
)ady in ove +ith his +ife/ There +as the un8uestioning happy
fondness of a dog in his eyes/ Ma.farane )ar1ed aso the tenderness
of her response> +ith its hint of )aternity/ After un.h he too1 his eave/
JI") staying do+n at the inn for a day or so/ May I .o)e and see you
againA To)orro+> perhapsAJ
J<f .ourse/ %ut ;J
J%ut +hat ;J
She 'rushed her hand 8ui.1y a.ross her eyes/ JI don"t 1no+/ I ; I
fan.ied that +e shoudn"t )eet again ; that"s a/// ,ood;'ye/J
!e +ent do+n the road so+y/ In spite of hi)sef> a .od hand see)ed
tightening round his heart/ 0othing in her +ords> of .ourse> 'ut ;
A )otor s+ept round the .orner/ !e fattened hi)sef against the
hedge/// ony Dust in ti)e/ A .urious greyish paor .rept a.ross his
fa.e///
III
J,ood #ord> )y nerves are in a rotten state>J )uttered Ma.farane> as
he a+o1e the foo+ing )orning/ !e revie+ed the events of the
afternoon 'efore dispassionatey/ The )otor> the short;.ut to the inn
and the sudden )ist that had )ade hi) ose his +ay +ith the
1no+edge that a dangerous 'og +as no distan.e off/ Then the .hi)ney
pot that had faen off the inn> and the s)e of 'urning in the night
+hi.h he had tra.ed to a .inder on his hearth rug/ 0othing in it aG
0othing at a ; 'ut for her +ords> and that deep una.1no+edged
.ertainty in his heart that she 1ne+///
!e fung off the 'ed.othes +ith sudden energy/ !e )ust go up and see
her first thing/ That +oud 'rea1 the spe/ That is> if he got there safey///
#ord> +hat a foo he +asG
!e .oud eat itte 'rea1fast/ Ten o".o.1 sa+ hi) starting up the road/
At ten;thirty his hand +as on the 'e/ Then> and not ti then> he
per)itted hi)sef to dra+ a ong 'reath of reief/
JIs Mrs !a+orth inAJ
It +as the sa)e edery +o)an +ho had opened the door 'efore/ %ut
her fa.e +as different ; ravaged +ith grief/
J<hG sir/ <hG sir/ @ou haven"t heard> thenAJ
J!eard +hatAJ
JMiss Aistair> the pretty a)'/ It +as her toni./ She too1 it every night/
The poor .aptain is 'eside hi)sefI he"s neary )ad/ !e too1 the +rong
'otte off the shef in the dar1/// They sent for the do.tor> 'ut he +as too
ate ;J
And s+ifty there re.urred to Ma.farane the +ordsH JI"ve a+ays 1no+n
there +as so)ething dreadfu hanging over hi)/ I ought to 'e a'e to
prevent it happening ; if one ever .an ;J AhG 'ut one .oudn"t .heat
Fate/// Strange fataity of vision that had destroyed +here it sought to
save///
The od servant +ent onH JMy pretty a)'G So s+eet and gente she +as>
and so sorry for anything in trou'e/ Coudn"t 'ear anyone to 'e hurt/J
She hesitated> then addedH JWoud you i1e to go up and see her> sirA I
thin1> fro) +hat she said> that you )ust have 1no+n her ong ago/ A
very ong ti)e ago> she said///J
Ma.farane foo+ed the od +o)an up the stairs into the roo) over the
dra+ing roo) +here he had heard the voi.e singing the day 'efore/
There +as stained gass at the top of the +indo+s/ It thre+ a red ight
on the head of the 'ed/// A gipsy +ith a red hand1er.hief over her
head/// 0onsense> his nerves +ere paying tri.1s again/ !e too1 a ong
ast oo1 at Aistair !a+orth/
I7
JThere"s a ady to see you> sir/J
J(hAJ Ma.farane oo1ed at the andady a'stra.tedy/ J<hG I 'eg your
pardon> Mrs &o+se> I"ve 'een seeing ghosts/J
J0ot reay> sirA There"s 8ueer things to 'e seen on the )oor after
nightfa/ I 1no+/ There"s the +hite ady> and the $evi"s 'a.1s)ith> and
the saior and the gipsy ;J
JWhat"s thatA A saior and a gipsyAJ
JSo they say> sir/ It +as 8uite a tae in )y young days/ Crossed in ove
they +ere> a +hie 'a.1/// %ut they"ve not +a1ed for )any a ong day
no+/J
J0oA I +onder if ; perhaps ; they +i again no+///J
J#or"G sir> +hat things you do sayG A'out that young ady ;J
JWhat young adyAJ
JThe one that"s +aiting to see you/ She"s in the parour/ Miss #a+es> she
said her na)e +as/J
J<hGJ
&a.heG !e fet a .urious feeing of .ontra.tion> a shifting of perspe.tive/
!e had 'een peeping through at another +ord/ !e had forgotten
&a.he> for &a.he 'eonged to this ife ony/// Again that .urious
shifting of perspe.tive> that sipping 'a.1 to a +ord of three
di)ensions ony/
!e opened the parour door/ &a.he ; +ith her honest 'ro+n eyes/ And
suddeny> i1e a )an a+a1ening fro) a drea)> a +ar) rush of gad
reaity s+ept over hi)/ !e +as aive ; aiveG !e thoughtH JThere"s ony
one ife one .an 'e sure a'outG This oneGJ
J&a.heGJ he said> and> ifting her .hin> he 1issed her ips/
T!( !<20$ <F $(AT!
It +as fro) Wiia) P/ &yan> A)eri.an ne+spaper .orrespondent> that I
first heard of the affair/ I +as dining +ith hi) in #ondon on the eve of his
return to 0e+ @or1 and happened to )ention that on the )orro+ I +as
going do+n to Fo'ridge/
!e oo1ed up and said sharpyH JFo'ridge> Corn+aAJ
0o+ ony a'out one person in a thousand 1no+s that there is a
Fo'ridge in Corn+a/ They a+ays ta1e it for granted that the
Fo'ridge> !a)pshire> is )eant/ So &yan"s 1no+edge aroused )y
.uriosity/
J@es>J I said/ J$o you 1no+ itAJ
!e )erey repied that he +as darned/ !e then as1ed if I happened to
1no+ a house .aed Trearne do+n there/
My interest in.reased/
J7ery +e indeed/ In fa.t> it"s to Trearne I") going/ It"s )y sister"s
house/J
JWe>J said Wiia) P/ &yan/ JIf that doesn"t 'eat the 'andGJ
I suggested that he shoud .ease )a1ing .rypti. re)ar1s and eBpain
hi)sef/
JWe>J he said/ JTo do that I sha have to go 'a.1 to an eBperien.e of
)ine at the 'eginning of the +ar/J
I sighed/ The events +hi.h I a) reating too1 pa.e in 1921/ To 'e
re)inded of the +ar +as the ast thing any )an +anted/ We +ere> than1
,od> 'eginning to forget/// %esides> Wiia) P/ &yan on his +ar
eBperien.es +as apt> as I 1ne+> to 'e un'eieva'y ong;+inded/
%ut there +as no stopping hi) no+/
JAt the start of the +ar> as I dare say you 1no+> I +as in %egiu) for )y
paper ; )oving a'out so)e/ We> there"s a itte viage ; I" .a it Z/ A
one;horse pa.e if there ever +as one> 'ut there"s 8uite a 'ig .onvent
there/ 0uns in +hite +hat do you .a "e) ; I don"t 1no+ the na)e of the
order/ Any+ay> it doesn"t )atter/ We> this itte 'urg +as right in the
+ay of the ,er)an advan.e/ The 2hans arrived ;J
I shifted uneasiy/ Wiia) P/ &yan ifted a hand reassuringy/
JIt"s a right>J he said/ JThis isn"t a ,er)an atro.ity story/ It )ight have
'een> perhaps> 'ut it isn"t/ As a )atter of fa.t> the 'oot"s on the other
eg/ The !uns )ade for that .onvent ; they got there and the +hoe
thing 'e+ up/J
J<hGJ I said> rather started/
J<dd 'usiness> +asn"t itA <f .ourse> offhand> I shoud say the !uns had
'een .ee'rating and had )on1eyed round +ith their o+n eBposives/
%ut it see)s they hadn"t anything of that 1ind +ith the)/ They +eren"t
the high eBposive Dohnnies/ We> then> I as1 you> +hat shoud a pa.1 of
nuns 1no+ a'out high eBposiveA So)e nuns> I shoud sayGJ
JIt is odd>J I agreed/
JI +as interested in hearing the peasants" a..ount of the )atter/ They"d
got it a .ut and dried/ A..ording to the) it +as a sap;up> one hundred
per.ent effi.ient first;.ass )odern )ira.e/ It see)s one of the nuns
had got so)ething of a reputation ; a 'udding saint ; +ent into tran.es
and sa+ visions/ And a..ording to the) she +or1ed the stunt/ She
.aed do+n the ightning to 'ast the i)pious !un ; and it 'asted hi)>
a right ; and everything ese +ithin range/ A pretty effi.ient )ira.e>
thatG
JI never reay got at the truth of the )atter ; hadn"t ti)e/ %ut )ira.es
+ere a the rage Dust then ; anges at Mons and a that/ I +rote up the
thing> put in a 'it of so' stuff> and pued the reigious stop out +e> and
sent it to )y paper/ It +ent do+n very +e in the States/ They +ere
i1ing that 1ind of thing Dust then/
J%ut 9I don"t 1no+ if you" understand this: in +riting> I got 1ind of
interested/ I fet I"d i1e to 1no+ +hat reay had happened/ There +as
nothing to see at the spot itsef/ T+o +as sti eft standing> and on one
of the) +as a 'a.1 po+der )ar1 that +as the eBa.t shape of a great
hound/ The peasants round a'out +ere s.ared to death of that )ar1/
They .aed it the !ound of $eath and they +oudn"t pass that +ay after
dar1/
JSuperstition"s a+ays interesting/ I fet I"d i1e to see the ady +ho
+or1ed the stunt/ She hadn"t perished> it see)ed/ She"d gone to
(ngand +ith a 'at.h of other refugees/ I too1 the trou'e to tra.e her/ I
found she"d 'een sent to Trearne> Fo'ridge> Corn+a/J
I nodded/
JMy sister too1 in a ot of %egian refugees the 'eginning of the +ar/
A'out t+enty/J
JWe> I a+ays )eant> if I had ti)e> to oo1 up the ady/ I +anted to hear
her o+n a..ount of the disaster/ Then> +hat +ith 'eing 'usy and one
thing and another> it sipped )y )e)ory/ Corn+a"s a 'it out of the +ay
anyho+/ In fa.t> I"d forgotten the +hoe thing ti your )entioning
Fo'ridge Dust no+ 'rought it 'a.1/J
JI )ust as1 )y sister>J I said/ JShe )ay have heard so)ething a'out it/
<f .ourse> the %egians have a 'een repatriated ong ago/J
J0aturay/ A the sa)e> in .ase your sister does 1no+ anything> I" 'e
gad if you"d pass it on to )e/J
J<f .ourse I +i>J I said heartiy/
And that +as that/
II
It +as the se.ond day after )y arriva at Trearne that the story
re.urred to )e/ My sister and I +ere having tea on the terra.e/
J-itty>J I said/ J$idn"t you have a nun a)ong your %egiansAJ
J@ou don"t )ean Sister Marie Angei8ue> do youAJ
JPossi'y I do>J I said .autiousy/ JTe )e a'out her/J
J<h> )y dearG She +as the )ost un.anny .reature/ She"s sti here> you
1no+/J
JWhatA In the houseAJ
J0o> no in the viage/ $r &ose ; you re)e)'er $r &oseAJ
I shoo1 )y head/
JI re)e)'er an od )an of a'out eighty;three/J
J$r #aird/ <hG !e died/ $r &ose has ony 'een here a fe+ years/ !e"s
8uite young and very 1een on ne+ ideas/ !e too1 the )ost enor)ous
interest in Sister Marie Angei8ue/ She has hau.inations and things>
you 1no+> and apparenty is )ost frightfuy interesting fro) a )edi.a
point of vie+/ Poor thing> she"d no+here to go ; and reay +as in )y
opinion 8uite potty ; ony i)pressive> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean ; +e> as I
say> she"d no+here to go> and $r &ose very 1indy fiBed her up in the
viage/ I 'eieve he"s +riting a )onograph or +hatever it is that do.tors
+rite> a'out her/J
She paused and then saidH J%ut +hat do you 1no+ a'out herAJ
JI heard a rather .urious story/J
I passed on the story as I had re.eived it fro) &yan/ -itty +as very
)u.h interested/
JShe oo1s the sort of person +ho .oud 'ast you ; if you 1no+ +hat I
)ean>J she said/
JI reay thin1>J I said> )y .uriosity heightened> Jthat I )ust see this
young +o)an/J
J$o/ I"d i1e to 1no+ +hat you thin1 of her/ ,o and see $r &ose first/
Why not +a1 do+n to the viage after teaAJ
I a..epted the suggestion/
I found $r &ose at ho)e and introdu.ed )ysef/ !e see)ed a peasant
young )an> yet there +as so)ething a'out his personaity that rather
repeed )e/ It +as too for.efu to 'e atogether agreea'e/
The )o)ent I )entioned Sister Marie Angei8ue he stiffened to
attention/ !e +as evidenty 1eeny interested/ I gave hi) &yan"s
a..ount of the )atter/
JAhGJ he said thoughtfuy/ JThat eBpains a great dea/J
!e oo1ed up 8ui.1y at )e and +ent on/
JThe .ase is reay an eBtraordinariy interesting one/ The +o)an
arrived here having evidenty suffered so)e severe )enta sho.1/ She
+as in a state of great )enta eB.ite)ent aso/ She +as given to
hau.inations of a )ost starting .hara.ter/ !er personaity is )ost
unusua/ Perhaps you +oud i1e to .o)e +ith )e and .a upon her/
She is reay +e +orth seeing/J
I agreed readiy/
We set out together/ <ur o'De.tive +as a s)a .ottage on the outs1irts
of the viage/ Fo'ridge is a )ost pi.tures8ue pa.e/ It ies in the )outh
of the river Fo )osty on the east 'an1I the +est 'an1 is too pre.ipitous
for 'uiding> though a fe+ .ottages do .ing to the .iffside there/ The
do.tor"s o+n .ottage +as per.hed on the eBtre)e edge of the .iff on
the +est side/ Fro) it you oo1ed do+n on the 'ig +aves ashing
against the 'a.1 ro.1s/
The itte .ottage to +hi.h +e +ere no+ pro.eeding ay inand out of
sight of the sea/
JThe distri.t nurse ives here>J eBpained $r &ose/ JI have arranged for
Sister Marie Angei8ue to 'oard +ith her/ It is Dust as +e that she
shoud 'e under s1ied supervision/J
JIs she 8uite nor)a in her )annerAJ I as1ed .uriousy/
J@ou .an Dudge for yoursef in a )inute>J he repied> s)iing/
The distri.t nurse> a du)py> peasant itte 'ody> +as Dust setting out on
her 'i.y.e +hen +e arrived/
J,ood evening> nurseI ho+"s your patientAJ .aed out the do.tor/
JShe"s )u.h as usua> do.tor/ *ust sitting there +ith her hands foded
and her )ind far a+ay/ <ften enough she" not ans+er +hen I spea1 to
her> though for the )atter of that it"s itte enough (ngish she
understands even no+/J
&ose nodded> and as the nurse 'i.y.ed a+ay> he +ent up to the
.ottage door> rapped sharpy and entered/
Sister Marie Angei8ue +as ying in a ong .hair near the +indo+/ She
turned her head as +e entered/
It +as a strange fa.e ; pae> transparent;oo1ing> +ith enor)ous eyes/
There see)ed to 'e an infinitude of tragedy in those eyes/
J,ood evening> )y sister>J said the do.tor in Fren.h/
J,ood evening> M/ e do.teur/J
JPer)it )e to introdu.e a friend> Mr Anstruther/J
I 'o+ed and she in.ined her head +ith a faint s)ie/
JAnd ho+ are you todayAJ in8uired the do.tor> sitting do+n 'eside her/
JI a) )u.h the sa)e as usua/J She paused and then +ent on/ J0othing
see)s rea to )e/ Are they days that pass ; or )onths ; or yearsA I
hardy 1no+/ <ny )y drea)s see) rea to )e/J
J@ou sti drea) a ot> thenAJ
JA+ays ; a+ays ; and> you understandA ; the drea)s see) )ore rea
than ife/J
J@ou drea) of your o+n .ountry ; of %egiu)AJ
She shoo1 her head/
J0o/ I drea) of a .ountry that never eBisted ; never/ %ut you 1no+ this>
M/ e do.teur/ I have tod you )any ti)es/J She stopped and then said
a'ruptyH J%ut perhaps this gente)an is aso a do.tor ; a do.tor
perhaps for the diseases of the 'rainAJ
J0o> no/J &ose +as reassuring> 'ut as he s)ied> I noti.ed ho+
eBtraordinariy pointed his .anine teeth +ere> and it o..urred to )e
that there +as so)ething +ofi1e a'out the )an/ !e +ent onH
JI thought you )ight 'e interested to )eet Mr Anstruther/ !e 1no+s
so)ething of %egiu)/ !e has atey 'een hearing ne+s of your
.onvent/J
!er eyes turned to )e/ A faint fush .rept into her .hee1s/
JIt"s nothing> reay>J I hastened to eBpain/ J%ut I +as dining the other
evening +ith a friend +ho +as des.ri'ing the ruined +as of the
.onvent to )e/J
JSo it +as ruinedGJ
It +as a soft eB.a)ation> uttered )ore to hersef than to us/ Then
oo1ing at )e on.e )ore> she as1ed hesitatingyH JTe )e> )onsieur>
did your friend say ho+ ; in +hat +ay ; it +as ruinedAJ
JIt +as 'o+n up>J I said> and addedH JThe peasants are afraid to pass
that +ay at night/J
JWhy are they afraidAJ
J%e.ause of a 'a.1 )ar1 on a ruined +a/ They have a superstitious
fear of it/J
She eaned for+ard/
JTe )e> )onsieur ; 8ui.1 ; 8ui.1 ; te )eG What is that )ar1 i1eAJ
JIt has the shape of a huge hound>J I ans+ered/ JThe peasants .a it
the !ound of $eath/J
JAhGJ
A shri .ry 'urst fro) her ips/
JIt is true then ; it is true/ A that I re)e)'er is true/ It is not so)e 'a.1
night)are/ It happenedG It happenedGJ
JWhat happened> )y sisterAJ as1ed the do.tor in a o+ voi.e/
She turned to hi) eagery/
JI re)e)'ered/ There on the steps> I re)e)'ered/ I re)e)'ered the
+ay of it/ I used the po+er as +e used to use it/ I stood on the atar
steps and I 'ade the) to .o)e no farther/ I tod the) to depart in pea.e/
They +oud not isten> they .a)e on athough I +arned the)/ And so ;J
She eaned for+ard and )ade a .urious gesture/ JAnd so I oosed the
!ound of $eath on the)///J
She ay 'a.1 on her .hair shivering a over> her eyes .osed/
The do.tor rose> fet.hed a gass fro) a .up'oard> haf fied it +ith
+ater> added a drop or t+o fro) a itte 'otte +hi.h he produ.ed fro)
his po.1et> then too1 the gass to her/
J$rin1 this>J he said authoritativey/
She o'eyed ; )e.hani.ay as it see)ed/ !er eyes oo1ed far a+ay as
though they .onte)pated so)e inner vision of her o+n/
J%ut then it is a true>J she said/ J(verything/ The City of the Cir.es>
the Peope of the Crysta ; everything/ It is a true/J
JIt +oud see) so>J said &ose/
!is voi.e +as o+ and soothing> .eary designed to en.ourage and not
to distur' her train of thought/
JTe )e a'out the City>J he said/ JThe City of Cir.es> I thin1 you saidAJ
She ans+ered a'senty and )e.hani.ay/
J@es ; there +ere three .ir.es/ The first .ir.e for the .hosen> the
se.ond for the priestesses> and the outer .ir.e for the priests/J
JAnd in the .enterAJ
She dre+ her 'reath sharpy and her voi.e san1 to a tone of
indes.ri'a'e a+e/
JThe !ouse of the Crysta///J
As she 'reathed the +ords> her right hand +ent to her forehead and
her finger tra.ed so)e figure there/
!er figure see)ed to gro+ )ore rigid> her eyes .osed> she s+ayed a
itte ; then suddeny she sat upright +ith a Der1> as though she had
suddeny a+a1ened/
JWhat is itAJ she said .onfusedy/ JWhat have I 'een sayingAJ
JIt is nothing>J said &ose/ J@ou are tired/ @ou +ant to rest/ We +i eave
you/J
She see)ed a itte da?ed as +e too1 our departure/
JWe>J said &ose +hen +e +ere outside/ JWhat do you thin1 of itAJ
!e shot a sharp gan.e side+ays at )e/
JI suppose her )ind )ust 'e totay unhinged>J I said so+y/
JIt stru.1 you i1e thatAJ
J0o ; as a )atter of fa.t> she +as ; +e> .uriousy .onvin.ing/ When
istening to her I had the i)pression that she a.tuay had done +hat
she .ai)ed to do ; +or1ed a 1ind of giganti. )ira.e/ !er 'eief that
she did so see)s genuine enough/ That is +hy ;J
JThat is +hy you say her )ind )ust 'e unhinged/ 4uite so/ %ut no+
approa.h the )atter fro) another ange/ Supposing that she did
a.tuay +or1 that )ira.e ; supposing that she did> personay> destroy
a 'uiding and severa hundred hu)an 'eings/J
J%y the )ere eBer.ise of +iAJ I said +ith a s)ie/
JI shoud not put it 8uite i1e that/ @ou +i agree that one person .oud
destroy a )utitude 'y tou.hing a s+it.h +hi.h .ontroed a syste) of
)ines/J
J@es> 'ut that is )e.hani.a/J
JTrue> that is )e.hani.a> 'ut it is> in essen.e> the harnessing and
.ontroing of natura for.es/ The thunderstor) and the po+erhouse
are> funda)entay> the sa)e thing/J
J@es> 'ut to .ontro the thunderstor) +e have to use )e.hani.a
)eans/J
&ose s)ied/
JI a) going off at a tangent no+/ There is a su'stan.e .aed
+intergreen/ It o..urs in nature in vegeta'e for)/ It .an aso 'e 'uit
up 'y )an syntheti.ay and .he)i.ay in the a'oratory/J
JWeAJ
JMy point is that there are often t+o +ays of arriving at the sa)e resut/
<urs is> ad)ittedy> the syntheti. +ay/ There )ight 'e another/ The
eBtraordinary resuts arrived at 'y Indian fa1irs> for instan.e> .annot 'e
eBpained a+ay in any easy fashion/ The things +e .a supernatura are
not ne.essariy supernatura at a/ An ee.tri. fashight +oud 'e
supernatura to a savage/ The supernatura is ony the natura of +hi.h
the a+s are not yet understood/J
J@ou )eanAJ I as1ed> fas.inated/
JThat I .annot entirey dis)iss the possi'iity that a hu)an 'eing )ight
'e a'e to tap so)e vast destru.tive for.e and use it to further his or
her ends/ The )eans 'y +hi.h this +as a..o)pished )ight see) to us
supernatura ; 'ut +oud not 'e so in reaity/J
I stared at hi)/
!e aughed/
JIt"s a spe.uation> that"s a>J he said ighty/ JTe )e/ $id you noti.e a
gesture she )ade +hen she )entioned the !ouse of the CrystaAJ
JShe put her hand to her forehead/J
J(Ba.ty/ And tra.ed a .ir.e there/ 7ery )u.h as a Cathoi. )a1es the
sign of the .ross/ 0o+> I +i te you so)ething rather interesting> Mr
Anstruther/ The +ord .rysta having o..urred so often in )y patient"s
ra)'ing> I tried an eBperi)ent/ I 'orro+ed a .rysta fro) so)eone and
produ.ed it uneBpe.tedy one day to test )y patient"s rea.tion to it/J
JWeAJ
JWe> the resut +as very .urious and suggestive/ !er +hoe 'ody
stiffened/ She stared at it as though una'e to 'eieve her eyes/ Then
she sid to her 1nees in front of it> )ur)ured a fe+ +ords ; and fainted/J
JWhat +ere the fe+ +ordsAJ
J7ery .urious ones/ She saidH "The CrystaG Then the Faith sti ivesG"J
J(BtraordinaryGJ
JSuggestive> is it notA 0o+ the neBt .urious thing/ When she .a)e
round fro) her faint> she had forgotten the +hoe thing/ I sho+ed her
the .rysta and as1ed her if she 1ne+ +hat it +as/ She repied that she
supposed it +as a .rysta su.h as fortuneteers used/ I as1ed her if she
had ever seen one 'eforeA She repiedH "0ever> M/ e do.teur/" %ut I sa+
a pu??ed oo1 in her eyes/ "What trou'es you> )y sisterA" I as1ed/ She
repiedH "%e.ause it is so strange/ I have never seen a .rysta 'efore
and yet ; it see)s to )e that I 1no+ it +e/ There is so)ething ; if ony I
.oud re)e)'er///" The effort at )e)ory +as o'viousy so distressing
to her that I for'ade her to thin1 any )ore/ That +as t+o +ee1s ago/ I
have purposey 'een 'iding )y ti)e/ To)orro+ I sha pro.eed to a
further eBperi)ent/J
JWith the .rystaAJ
JWith the .rysta/ I sha get her to ga?e into it/ I thin1 the resut ought to
'e interesting/J
JWhat do you eBpe.t to get hod ofAJ I as1ed .uriousy/
The +ords +ere ide ones 'ut they had an unoo1ed;for resut/ &ose
stiffened> fushed> and his )anner +hen he spo1e had .hanged
insensi'y/ It +as )ore for)a> )ore professiona/
J#ight on .ertain )enta disorders i)perfe.ty understood/ Sister Marie
Angei8ue is a )ost interesting study/J
So &ose"s interest +as purey professionaA I +ondered/
J$o you )ind if I .o)e aong> tooAJ I as1ed/
It )ay have 'een )y fan.y> 'ut I thought he hesitated 'efore he repied/
I had a sudden intuition that he did not +ant )e/
JCertainy/ I .an see no o'De.tion/J
!e addedH
JI suppose you"re not going to 'e do+n here very ongAJ
J<ny ti the day after to)orro+/J
I fan.ied that the ans+er peased hi)/ !is 'ro+ .eared and he 'egan
ta1ing of so)e re.ent eBperi)ents .arried out on guinea pigs/
III
I )et the do.tor 'y appoint)ent the foo+ing afternoon> and +e +ent
together to Sister Marie Angei8ue/ Today the do.tor +as a geniaity/
!e +as anBious> I thought> to effa.e the i)pression he had )ade the
day 'efore/
J@ou )ust not ta1e +hat I said too seriousy>J he o'served> aughing/ JI
shoudn"t i1e you to 'eieve )e a da''er in o..ut s.ien.es/ The +orst
of )e is I have an inferna +ea1ness for )a1ing out a .ase/J
J&eayAJ
J@es> and the )ore fantasti. it is> the 'etter I i1e it/J
!e aughed as a )an aughs at an a)using +ea1ness/
When +e arrived at the .ottage> the distri.t nurse had so)ething she
+anted to .onsut &ose a'out> so I +as eft +ith Sister Marie Angei8ue/
I sa+ her s.rutini?ing )e .osey/ Presenty she spo1e/
JThe good nurse here> she tes )e that you are the 'rother of the 1ind
ady at the 'ig house +here I +as 'rought +hen I .a)e fro) %egiu)AJ
J@es>J I said/
JShe +as very 1ind to )e/ She is good/J
She +as sient> as though foo+ing out so)e train of thought/ Then she
saidH
JM/ e do.teur> he> too> is a good )anAJ
I +as a itte e)'arrassed/
JWhy> yes/ I )ean ; I thin1 so/J
JAhGJ She paused and then saidH JCertainy he has 'een very 1ind to
)e/J
JI") sure he has/J
She oo1ed up at )e sharpy/
JMonsieur ; you ; you +ho spea1 to )e no+ ; do you 'eieve that I a)
)adAJ
JWhy> )y sister> su.h an idea never ;J
She shoo1 her head so+y ; interrupting )y protest/
JA) I )adA I do not 1no+ ; the things I re)e)'er ; the things I forget///J
She sighed> and at that )o)ent &ose entered the roo)/
!e greeted her .heeriy and eBpained +hat he +anted her to do/
JCertain peope> you see> have a gift for seeing things in a .rysta/ I
fan.y you )ight have su.h a gift> )y sister/J
She oo1ed distressed/
J0o> no> I .annot do that/ To try to read the future ; that is sinfu/J
&ose +as ta1en a'a.1/ It +as the nun"s point of vie+ for +hi.h he had
not ao+ed/ !e .hanged his ground .every/
J<ne shoud not oo1 into the future/ @ou are 8uite right/ %ut to oo1 into
the past ; that is different/J
JThe pastAJ
J@es ; there are )any strange things in the past/ Fashes .o)e 'a.1 to
one ; they are seen for a )o)ent ; then gone again/ $o not see1 to see
anything in the .rysta> sin.e that is not ao+ed you/ *ust ta1e it in your
hands ; so/ #oo1 into it ; oo1 deep/ @es ; deeper ; deeper sti/ @ou
re)e)'er> do you notA @ou re)e)'er/ @ou hear )e spea1ing to you/
@ou .an ans+er )y 8uestions/ Can you not hear )eAJ
Sister Marie Angei8ue had ta1en the .rysta as 'idden> handing it +ith
a .urious reveren.e/ Then> as she ga?ed into it> her eyes 'e.a)e 'an1
and unseeing> her head dropped/ She see)ed to seep/
,enty the do.tor too1 the .rysta fro) her and put it on the ta'e/ !e
raised the .orner of her eyeid/ Then he .a)e and sat 'y )e/
JWe )ust +ait ti she +a1es/ It +on"t 'e ong> I fan.y/J
!e +as right/ At the end of five )inutes> Sister Marie Angei8ue stirred/
!er eyes opened drea)iy/
JWhere a) IAJ
J@ou are here ; at ho)e/ @ou have had a itte seep/ @ou have drea)t>
have you notAJ
She nodded/
J@es> I have drea)t/J
J@ou have drea)t of the CrystaAJ
J@es/J
JTe us a'out it/J
J@ou +i thin1 )e )ad> M/ e do.teur/ For see you> in )y drea)> the
Crysta +as a hoy e)'e)/ I even figured to )ysef a se.ond Christ> a
Tea.her of the Crysta +ho died for his faith> his foo+ers hunted do+n
; perse.uted/// %ut the faith endured/J
JThe faith enduredAJ
J@es ; for fifteen thousand fu )oons ; I )ean> for fifteen thousand
years/J
J!o+ ong +as a fu )oonAJ
JThirteen ordinary )oons/ @es> it +as in the fifteenth thousandth fu
)oon ; of .ourse> I +as a Priestess of the Fifth Sign in the !ouse of the
Crysta/ It +as in the first days of the .o)ing of the SiBth Sign///J
!er 'ro+s dre+ together> a oo1 of fear passed over her head/
JToo soon>J she )ur)ured/ JToo soon/ A )ista1e/// Ah> yesG I
re)e)'erG The SiBth SignGJ
She haf sprang to her feet> then dropped 'a.1> passing her hand over
her fa.e and )ur)uringH
J%ut +hat a) I sayingA I a) raving/ These things never happened/J
J0o+ don"t distress yoursef/J
%ut she +as oo1ing at hi) in anguished perpeBity/
JM/ e do.teur> I do not understand/ Why shoud I have these drea)s ;
these fan.iesA I +as ony siBteen +hen I entered the reigious ife/ I
have never traveed/ @et I drea) of .ities> of strange peope> of strange
.usto)s/ WhyAJ She pressed 'oth hands to her head/
J!ave you ever 'een hypnoti?ed> )y sisterA <r 'een in a state of
tran.eAJ
JI have never 'een hypnoti?ed> M/ e do.teur/ For the other> +hen at
prayer in the .hape> )y spirit has often 'een .aught up fro) )y 'ody>
and I have 'een as one dead for )any hours/ It +as undou'tedy a
'essed state> the &everend Mother said ; a state of gra.e/ Ah> yesGJ
She .aught her 'reath/ JI re)e)'erI +e> too> .aed it a state of gra.e/J
JI +oud i1e to try an eBperi)ent> )y sister/J &ose spo1e in a )atter;offa.t
voi.e/ JIt )ay dispe those painfu haf;re.oe.tions/ I +i as1 you
to ga?e on.e )ore in the .rysta/ I +i then say a .ertain +ord to you/
@ou +i ans+er +ith another/ We +i .ontinue in this +ay unti you
'e.o)e tired/ Con.entrate your thoughts on the .rysta> not upon the
+ords/J
As I on.e )ore un+rapped the .rysta and gave it into Sister Marie
Angei8ue"s hands> I noti.ed the reverent +ay her hands tou.hed it/
&eposing on the 'a.1 vevet> it ay 'et+een her si) pa)s/ !er
+onderfu deep eyes ga?ed into it/ There +as a short sien.e> then the
do.tor saidH J!ound/J
I))ediatey Sister Marie Angei8ue ans+eredH J$eath/J
I7
I do not propose to give a fu a..ount of the eBperi)ent/ Many
uni)portant and )eaningess +ords +ere purposey introdu.ed 'y the
do.tor/ <ther +ords he repeated severa ti)es> so)eti)es getting the
sa)e ans+er to the)> so)eti)es a different one/
That evening in the do.tor"s itte .ottage on the .iffs +e dis.ussed the
resut of the eBperi)ent/
!e .eared his throat and dre+ his note'oo1 .oser to hi)/
JThese resuts are very interesting ; very .urious/ In ans+er to the
+ords "SiBth Sign>" +e get variousy $estru.tion> Purpe> !ound> Po+er>
then again $estru.tion> and finay Po+er/ #ater> as you )ay have
noti.ed> I reversed the )ethod> +ith the foo+ing resuts/ In ans+er to
$estru.tion> I get !oundI to Purpe> Po+erI to !ound> $eath again> and
to Po+er> !ound/ That a hods together> 'ut on a se.ond repetition of
$estru.tion> I get Sea> +hi.h appears uttery irreevant/ To the +ords
"Fifth Sign>" I get %ue> Thoughts> %ird> %ue again> and finay the rather
suggestive phrase <pening of )ind to )ind/ Fro) the fa.t that "Fourth
Sign" ei.its the +ord @eo+> and ater #ight> and that "First Sign" is
ans+ered 'y %ood> I dedu.e that ea.h Sign had a parti.uar .o; our>
and possi'y a parti.uar sy)'o> that of the Fifth Sign 'eing a 'ird> and
that of the SiBth a hound/ !o+ever> I sur)ise that the Fifth Sign
represented +hat is fa)iiary 1no+n as teepathy ; the opening of )ind
to )ind/ The SiBth Sign undou'tedy stands for the Po+er of
$estru.tion/J
JWhat is the )eaning of SeaAJ
JThat I .onfess I .annot eBpain/ I introdu.ed the +ord ater and got the
ordinary ans+er of %oat/ To Seventh Sign I got first #ife> the se.ond
ti)e #ove/ To (ighth Sign> I got the ans+er 0one/ I ta1e it therefore that
Seven +as the su) and nu)'er of the signs/J
J%ut the Seventh +as not a.hieved>J I said on a sudden inspiration/
JSin.e through the SiBth .a)e $estru.tionGJ
JAhG @ou thin1 soA %ut +e are ta1ing these ; )ad ra)'ings very
seriousy/ They are reay ony interesting fro) a )edi.a point of vie+/J
JSurey they +i attra.t the attention of psy.hi. investigators/J
The do.tor"s eyes narro+ed/ JMy dear sir> I have no intention of )a1ing
the) pu'i./J
JThen your interestAJ
JIs purey persona/ I sha )a1e notes on the .ase> of .ourse/J
JI see/J %ut for the first ti)e I fet> i1e the 'ind )an> that I didn"t see at
a/ I rose to )y feet/
JWe> I" +ish you good night> do.tor/ I") off to to+n again to)orro+/J
JAhGJ I fan.ied there +as satisfa.tion> reief perhaps> 'ehind the
eB.a)ation/
JI +ish you good u.1 +ith your investigations>J I .ontinued ighty/
J$on"t oose the !ound of $eath on )e neBt ti)e +e )eetGJ
!is hand +as in )ine as I spo1e> and I fet the start it gave/ !e
re.overed hi)sef 8ui.1y/ !is ips dre+ 'a.1 fro) his ong pointed
teeth in a s)ie/
JFor a )an +ho oved po+er> +hat a po+er that +oud 'eGJ he said/ JTo
hod every hu)an 'eing"s ife in the hoo+ of your handGJ
And his s)ie 'roadened/
7
That +as the end of )y dire.t .onne.tion +ith the affair/ #ater> the
do.tor"s note'oo1 and diary .a)e into )y hands/ I +i reprodu.e the
fe+ s.anty entries in it here> though you +i understand that it did not
reay .o)e into )y possession unti so)eti)e after+ards/
Aug/ Fth/ !ave dis.overed that 'y Jthe Chosen>J Sister M/A/ )eans
those +ho reprodu.ed the ra.e/ Apparenty they +ere hed in the
highest honour> and eBated a'ove the Priesthood/ Contrast this +ith
eary Christians/
Aug/ Eth/ Persuaded Sister M/A/ to et )e hypnoti?e her/ Su..eeded in
indu.ing hypnoti. seep and tran.e> 'ut no rapport esta'ished/
Aug/ 9th/ !ave there 'een .ivii?ations in the past to +hi.h ours is as
nothingA Strange if it shoud 'e so> and I the ony )an +ith the .ue to
it///
Aug/ 12th/ Sister M/A/ not at a a)ena'e to suggestion +hen
hypnoti?ed/ @et state of tran.e easiy indu.ed/ Cannot understand it/
Aug/ 15th/ Sister M/A/ )entioned today that in Jstate of gra.eJ the
Jgate )ust 'e .osed> est another shoud .o))and the 'ody/J
Interesting ; 'ut 'affing/
Aug/ 1Oth/ So the First Sign is none other than/// 9+ords erased here:///
then ho+ )any .enturies +i it ta1e to rea.h the SiBthA %ut if there
shoud 'e a short.ut to Po+er///
Aug/ 26th/ !ave arranged for M/A/ to .o)e here +ith 0urse/ !ave tod
her it is ne.essary to 1eep patient under )orphia/ A) I )adA <r sha I
'e the Super)an> +ith the Po+er of $eath in )y handsA
9!ere the entries .ease/:
7I
It +as> I thin1> on August 29 that I re.eived the etter/ It +as dire.ted to
)e> .are of )y sister;in;a+> in a soping foreign hand+riting/ I opened
it +ith so)e .uriosity/ It ran as foo+sH
Cher Monsieur> ; I have seen you 'ut t+i.e> 'ut I have fet that I .oud
trust you/ Whether )y drea)s are rea or not> they have gro+n .earer
of ate/// And> )onsieur> one thing at a events> the !ound of $eath is
no drea)/// In the days I tod you of 9+hether they are rea or not> I do
not 1no+: !e Who +as ,uardian of the Crysta reveaed the SiBth Sign
to the Peope too soon/// (vi entered into their hearts/ They had the
po+er to say at +i ; and they se+ +ithout Dusti.e ; in anger/ They
+ere drun1 +ith the ust of Po+er/ When +e sa+ this> +e +ho +ere yet
pure> +e 1ne+ that on.e again +e shoud not .o)pete the Cir.e and
.o)e to the Sign of (verasting #ife/ !e +ho +oud have 'een the neBt
,uardian of the Crysta +as 'idden to a.t/ That the od )ight die> and
the ne+> after endess ages> )ight .o)e again> he oosed the !ound of
$eath upon the sea 9'eing .arefu not to .ose the Cir.e:> and the sea
rose up in the shape of a !ound and s+ao+ed the and uttery///
<n.e 'efore I re)e)'ered this ; on the atar steps in %egiu)///
The $r &ose> he is of the %rotherhood/ !e 1no+s the First Sign> and the
for) of the Se.ond> though its )eaning is hidden to a save a .hosen
fe+/ !e +oud earn of )e the SiBth/ I have +ithstood hi) so far ; 'ut I
gro+ +ea1/ Monsieur> it is not +e that a )an shoud .o)e to po+er
'efore his ti)e/ Many .enturies )ust go 'y ere the +ord is ready to
have the po+er of death deivered into its hand/// I 'esee.h of you>
)onsieur> you +ho ove goodness and truth> to hep )e/// 'efore it is
too ate/
@our sister in Christ>
Marie Angei8ue/
I et the paper fa/ The soid earth 'eneath )e see)ed a itte ess soid
than usua/ Then I 'egan to ray/ The poor +o)an"s 'eief> genuine
enough> had a)ost affe.ted )eG <ne thing +as .ear/ $r &ose> in his
?ea for a .ase> +as grossy a'using his professiona standing/ I +oud
run do+n and ;
Suddeny I noti.ed a etter fro) -itty a)ong )y other .orresponden.e/
I tore it open/ I readH
Su.h an a+fu thing has happened/ @ou re)e)'er $r &ose"s itte
.ottage on the .iffA It +as s+ept a+ay 'y a andside ast night> and the
do.tor and that poor nun> Sister Marie Angei8ue> +ere 1ied/ The
de'ris on the 'ea.h is too a+fu ; a pied up in a fantasti. )ass ; fro) a
distan.e it oo1s i1e a great hound///
The etter dropped fro) )y hand/
The other fa.ts )ay 'e .oin.iden.e/ A Mr &ose> +ho) I dis.overed to
'e a +eathy reative of the do.tor"s> died suddeny that sa)e night ; it
+as said stru.1 'y ightning/ As far as +as 1no+n> no thunderstor) had
o..urred in the neigh'ourhood/ 'ut one or t+o peope de.ared they
had heard one pea of thunder/ !e had an ee.tri. 'urn on hi) Jof a
.urious shape/J !is +i eft everything to his nephe+> $r &ose/
0o+> supposing that $r &ose su..eeded in o'taining the se.ret of the
SiBth Sign fro) Sister Marie Angei8ue/ I had a+ays fet hi) to 'e an
uns.rupuous )an ; he +oud not shrin1 at ta1ing his un.e"s ife if he
+ere sure it .oud not 'e 'rought ho)e to hi)/ %ut one senten.e of
Sister Marie Angei8ue"s etter rings in )y 'rainH J/// 'eing .arefu not to
.ose the Cir.e///J $r &ose did not eBer.ise that .are ; +as perhaps
una+are of the steps to ta1e> or even of the need for the)/ So the For.e
he e)poyed returned> .o)peting its .ir.uit///
%ut of .ourse it is a nonsenseG (verything .an 'e a..ounted for 8uite
naturay/ That the do.tor 'eieved in Sister Marie Angei8ue"s
hau.inations )erey proves that his )ind> too> +as sighty
un'aan.ed/
@et so)eti)es I drea) of a .ontinent under the seas +here )en on.e
ived and attained to a degree of .ivii?ation far ahead of ours///
<r did Sister Marie Angei8ue re)e)'er 'a.1+ards ; as so)e say is
possi'e ; and is this City of the Cir.es in the future and not the pastA
0onsense ; of .ourse the +hoe thing +as )ere hau.inationG
T!( #AMP
It +as undou'tedy an od house/ The +hoe s8uare +as od> +ith that
disapproving dignified od age often )et +ith in a .athedra to+n/ %ut
0o/ 19 gave the i)pression of an eder a)ong edersI it had a verita'e
patriar.ha soe)nityI it to+ered greyest of the grey> haughtiest of the
haughty> .hiest of the .hi/ Austere> for'idding> and sta)ped +ith that
parti.uar desoation atta.hing to a houses that have 'een ong
untenanted> it reigned a'ove the other d+eings/
In any other to+n it +oud have 'een freey a'eed Jhaunted>J 'ut
Wey)inster +as averse fro) ghosts and .onsidered the) hardy
respe.ta'e eB.ept as the appanage of a J.ounty fa)iy/J So 0o/ 19
+as never auded to as a haunted houseI 'ut nevertheess it re)ained>
year after year> JTo %e #et or Sod/J
Mrs #an.aster oo1ed at the house +ith approva as she drove up +ith
the ta1ative house agent> +ho +as in an unusuay hiarious )ood at
the idea of getting 0o/ 19 off his 'oo1s/ !e inserted the 1ey in the door
+ithout .easing his appre.iative .o))ents/
J!o+ ong has the house 'een e)ptyAJ in8uired Mrs #an.aster> .utting
short his fo+ of anguage rather 'rus8uey/
Mr &addish 9of &addish and Fopo+: 'e.a)e sighty .onfused/
J(r ; er ; so)e ti)e>J he re)ar1ed 'andy/
JSo I shoud thin1>J said Mrs #an.aster dryy/
The di)y ighted ha +as .hi +ith a sinister .hi/ A )ore i)aginative
+o)an )ight have shivered> 'ut this +o)an happened to 'e e)inenty
pra.ti.a/ She +as ta> +ith )u.h dar1 'ro+n hair Dust tinged +ith grey
and rather .od 'ue eyes/
She +ent over the house fro) atti. to .ear> as1ing a pertinent
8uestion fro) ti)e to ti)e/ The inspe.tion over> she .a)e 'a.1 into
one of the front roo)s oo1ing out on the s8uare and fa.ed the agent
+ith a resoute )ien/
JWhat is the )atter +ith the houseAJ
Mr &addish +as ta1en 'y surprise/
J<f .ourse> an unfurnished house is a+ays a itte goo)y>J he parried
fee'y/
J0onsense>J said Mrs #an.aster/ JThe rent is ridi.uousy o+ for su.h a
house ; purey no)ina/ There )ust 'e so)e reason for it/ I suppose the
house is hauntedAJ
Mr &addish gave a nervous itte start 'ut said nothing/
Mrs #an.aster eyed hi) 1eeny/ After a fe+ )o)ents she spo1e again/
J<f .ourse that is a nonsense/ I don"t 'eieve in ghosts or anything of
that sort> and personay it is no deterrent to )y ta1ing the houseI 'ut
servants> unfortunatey> are very .reduous and easiy frightened/ It
+oud 'e 1ind of you to te )e eBa.ty +hat ; +hat thing is supposed to
haunt this pa.e/J
JI ; er ; reay don"t 1no+>J sta))ered the house agent/
JI a) sure you )ust>J said the ady 8uiety/ JI .annot ta1e the house
+ithout 1no+ing/ What +as itA A )urderAJ
J<h> noGJ .ried Mr &addish> sho.1ed 'y the idea of anything so aien to
the respe.ta'iity of the s8uare/ JIt"s ; it"s ; ony a .hid/J
JA .hidAJ
J@es/J
JI don"t 1no+ the story eBa.ty>J he .ontinued reu.tanty/ J<f .ourse>
there are a 1inds of different versions> 'ut I 'eieve that a'out thirty
years ago a )an going 'y the na)e of Wiia)s too1 0u)'er 0ineteen/
0othing +as 1no+n of hi)I he 1ept no servantsI he had no friendsI he
sedo) +ent out in the dayti)e/ !e had one .hid> a itte 'oy/ After he
had 'een there a'out t+o )onths> he +ent up to #ondon> and had
'arey set foot in the )etropois 'efore he +as re.ogni?ed as 'eing a
)an "+anted" 'y the poi.e on so)e .harge ; eBa.ty +hat> I do not
1no+/ %ut it )ust have 'een a grave one> 'e.ause> sooner than give
hi)sef up> he shot hi)sef/ Mean+hie> the .hid ived on here> aone in
the house/ !e had food for a itte ti)e> and he +aited day after day for
his father"s return/ 2nfortunatey> it had 'een i)pressed upon hi) that
he +as never under any .ir.u)stan.es to go out of the house or to
spea1 to anyone/ !e +as a +ea1> aiing> itte .reature> and did not
drea) of diso'eying this .o))and/ In the night> the neigh'ours> not
1no+ing that his father had gone a+ay> often heard hi) so''ing in the
a+fu oneiness and desoation of the e)pty house/J
Mr &addish paused/
JAnd ; er ; the .hid starved to death>J he .on.uded in the sa)e tones
as he )ight have announ.ed that it had Dust 'egun to rain/
JAnd it is the .hid"s ghost that is supposed to haunt the pa.eAJ as1ed
Mrs #an.aster/
JIt is nothing of .onse8uen.e reay>J Mr &addish hastened to assure
her/ JThere"s nothing seen> not seen> ony peope say> ridi.uous> of
.ourse> 'ut they do say they hear ; the .hid ; .rying> you 1no+/J
Mrs #an.aster )oved to+ards the front door/
JI i1e the house very )u.h>J she said/ JI sha get nothing as good for
the pri.e/ I +i thin1 it over and et you 1no+/J
JIt reay oo1s very .heerfu> doesn"t it> PapaAJ
Mrs #an.aster surveyed her ne+ do)ain +ith approva/ ,ay rugs> +epoished
furniture> and )any 1ni.11na.1s> had 8uite transfor)ed the
goo)y aspe.t of 0o/ 19/
She spo1e to a thin> 'ent od )an +ith stooping shouders and a
dei.ate )ysti.a fa.e/ Mr Win'urn did not rese)'e his daughterI
indeed no greater .ontrast .oud 'e i)agined than that presented 'y
her resoute pra.ti.aness and his drea)y a'stra.tion/
J@es>J he ans+ered +ith a s)ie> Jno one +oud drea) the house +as
haunted/J
JPapa> don"t ta1 nonsenseG <n our first day> too/J
Mr Win'urn s)ied/
J7ery +e> )y dear> +e +i agree that there are no su.h things as
ghosts/J
JAnd pease>J .ontinued Mrs #an.aster> Jdon"t say a +ord 'efore ,eoff/
!e"s so i)aginative/J
,eoff +as Mrs #an.aster"s itte 'oy/ The fa)iy .onsisted of Mr
Win'urn> his +ido+ed daughter> and ,eoffrey/
&ain had 'egun to 'eat against the +indo+ ; pitter;patter> pitter;patter/
J#isten>J said Mr Win'urn/ JIs it not i1e itte footstepsAJ
JIt"s )ore i1e rain>J said Mrs #an.aster> +ith a s)ie/
J%ut that> that is a footstep>J .ried her father> 'ending for+ard to isten/
Mrs #an.aster aughed outright/
JThat"s ,eoff .o)ing do+nstairs/J
Mr Win'urn +as o'iged to augh> too/ They +ere having tea in the ha>
and he had 'een sitting +ith his 'a.1 to the stair.ase/ !e no+ turned
his .hair round to fa.e it/
#itte ,eoffrey +as .o)ing do+n> rather so+y and sedatey> +ith a
.hid"s a+e of a strange pa.e/ The stairs +ere of poished oa1>
un.arpeted/ !e .a)e a.ross and stood 'y his )other/ Mr Win'urn gave
a sight start/ As the .hid +as .rossing the foor> he distin.ty heard
another pair of footsteps on the stairs> as of so)eone foo+ing
,eoffrey/ $ragging footsteps> .uriousy painfu they +ere/ Then he
shrugged his shouders in.reduousy/ JThe rain> no dou't>J he thought/
JI") oo1ing at the sponge .a1es>J re)ar1ed ,eoff +ith the ad)ira'y
deta.hed air of one +ho points out an interesting fa.t/
!is )other hastened to .o)py +ith the hint/
JWe> Sonny> ho+ do you i1e your ne+ ho)eAJ she as1ed/
J#ots>J repied ,eoffrey +ith his )outh generousy fied/ JPounds and
pounds and pounds/J After this ast assertion> +hi.h +as evidenty
eBpressive of the deepest .ontent)ent> he reapsed into sien.e> ony
anBious to re)ove the sponge .a1e fro) the sight of )an in the east
ti)e possi'e/
!aving 'oted the ast )outhfu> he 'urst forth into spee.h/
J<hG Mu))y> there"s atti.s here> *ane saysI and .an I go at on.e and
egg?pore the)A And there )ight 'e a se.ret door/ *ane says there
isn"t> 'ut I thin1 there )ust 'e> and> anyho+> I 1no+ there" 'e pipes>
+ater pipes 9+ith a fa.e fu of e.stasy:> and .an I pay +ith the)> and>
ohG .an I go and see the 'oi;i;erAJ !e spun out the ast +ord +ith su.h
evident rapture that his grandfather fet asha)ed to refe.t that this
peeress deight of .hidhood ony .onDured up to his i)agination the
pi.ture of hot +ater that +asn"t hot> and heavy and nu)erous pu)'er"s
'is/
JWe" see a'out the atti.s to)orro+> daring>J said Mrs #an.aster/
JSuppose you fet.h your 'ri.1s and 'uid a ni.e house> or an engine/J
J$on"t +ant to 'uid an "ouse/J
J!ouse/J
J!ouse> or h"engine h"either/J
J%uid a 'oier>J suggested his grandfather/
,eoffrey 'rightened/
JWith pipesAJ
J@es> ots of pipes/J
,eoffrey ran a+ay happiy to fet.h his 'ri.1s/
The rain +as sti faing/ Mr Win'urn istened/ @es> it )ust have 'een
the rain he had heardI 'ut it did sound i1e footsteps/
!e had a 8ueer drea) that night/
!e drea)t that he +as +a1ing through a to+n> a great .ity it see)ed to
hi)/ %ut it +as a .hidren"s .ityI there +ere no gro+n;up peope there>
nothing 'ut .hidren> .ro+ds of the)/ In his drea) they a rushed to
the stranger .ryingH J!ave you 'rought hi)AJ It see)ed that he
understood +hat they )eant and shoo1 his head sady/ When they sa+
this> the .hidren turned a+ay and 'egan to .ry> so''ing 'ittery/
The .ity and the .hidren faded a+ay and he a+o1e to find hi)sef in
'ed> 'ut the so''ing +as sti in his ears/ Though +ide a+a1e> he heard
it distin.tyI and he re)e)'ered that ,eoffrey sept on the foor 'eo+>
+hie this sound of a .hid"s sorro+ des.ended fro) a'ove/ !e sat up
and stru.1 a )at.h/ Instanty the so''ing .eased/
Mr Win'urn did not te his daughter of the drea) or its se8ue/ That it
+as no tri.1 of his i)agination> he +as .onvin.edI indeed soon
after+ards he heard it again in the dayti)e/ The +ind +as ho+ing in
the .hi)ney 'ut this +as a separate sound ; distin.t> un)ista1a'eH
pitifu itte heart'ro1en so's/
!e found out> too> that he +as not the ony one to hear the)/ !e
overheard the house)aid saying to the parour)aid that she Jdidn"t
thin1 as that there nurse +as 1ind to Master ,eoffrey> she"d "eard "i)
.rying "is itte "eart out ony that very )orning/J ,eoffrey had .o)e
do+n to 'rea1fast and un.h 'ea)ing +ith heath and happinessI and
Mr Win'urn 1ne+ that it +as not ,eoff +ho had 'een .rying> 'ut that
other .hid +hose dragging footsteps had started hi) )ore than on.e/
Mrs #an.aster aone never heard anything/ !er ears +ere not perhaps
attuned to .at.h sounds fro) another +ord/
@et one day she aso re.eived a sho.1/
JMu))y>J said ,eoff paintivey/ JI +ish you"d et )e pay +ith that itte
'oy/J
Mrs #an.aster oo1ed up fro) her +riting ta'e +ith a s)ie/
JWhat itte 'oy> dearAJ
JI don"t 1no+ his na)e/ !e +as in a atti.> sitting on the foor .rying> 'ut
he ran a+ay +hen he sa+ )e/ I suppose he +as shy 9+ith sight
.onte)pt:> not i1e a 'ig 'oy> and then> +hen I +as in the nursery
'uiding> I sa+ hi) standing in the door +at.hing )e 'uid> and he
oo1ed so a+fu oney and as though he +anted to pay +iv )e/ I saidH
"Co)e and 'uid a h"engine>" 'ut he didn"t say nothing> Dust oo1ed as ;
as though he sa+ a ot of .ho.oates> and his )u))y had tod hi) not
to tou.h the)/J ,eoff sighed> sad persona re)inis.en.es evidenty
re.urring to hi)/ J%ut +hen I as1ed *ane +ho he +as and tod her I
+anted to pay +iv hi)> she said there +asn"t no itte 'oy in the "ouse
and not to te naughty stories/ I don"t ove *ane at a/J
Mrs #an.aster got up/
J*ane +as right/ There +as no itte 'oy/J
J%ut I sa+ hi)/ <hG Mu))y> do et )e pay +iv hi)> he did oo1 so a+fu
oney and unhappy/ I do +ant to do so)ething to ")a1e hi) 'etter/"J
Mrs #an.aster +as a'out to spea1 again> 'ut her father shoo1 his head/
J,eoff>J he said very genty> Jthat poor itte 'oy is oney> and perhaps
you )ay do so)ething to .o)fort hi)I 'ut you )ust find out ho+ 'y
yoursef ; i1e a pu??e ; do you seeAJ
JIs it 'e.ause I a) getting 'ig I )ust do it a )y oneAJ
J@es> 'e.ause you are getting 'ig/J
As the 'oy eft the roo)> Mrs #an.aster turned to her father i)patienty/
JPapa> this is a'surd/ To en.ourage the 'oy to 'eieve the servants" ide
taesGJ
J0o servant has tod the .hid anything>J said the od )an genty/ J!e"s
seen ; +hat I hear> +hat I .oud see perhaps if I +ere his age/J
J%ut it"s su.h nonsenseG Why don"t I see it or hear itAJ
Mr Win'urn s)ied> a .uriousy tired s)ie> 'ut did not repy/
JWhyAJ repeated his daughter/ JAnd +hy did you te hi) he .oud hep ;
the ; the ; thing/ It"s ; it"s a so i)possi'e/J
The od )an oo1ed at her +ith his thoughtfu gan.e/
JWhy notAJ he said/ J$o you re)e)'er these +ordsH
JWhat #a)p has $estiny to guide
!er itte Chidren stu)'ing in the $ar1AJ
JA %ind 2nderstanding>J !eaven repied/
J,eoffrey has that ; a 'ind understanding/ A .hidren possess it/ It is
ony as +e gro+ oder that +e ose it> that +e .ast it a+ay fro) us/
So)eti)es> +hen +e are 8uite od> a faint gea) .o)es 'a.1 to us> 'ut
the #a)p 'urns 'rightest in .hidhood/ That is +hy I thin1 ,eoffrey )ay
hep/J
JI don"t understand>J )ur)ured Mrs #an.aster fee'y/
J0o )ore do I/ That ; that .hid is in trou'e and +ants ; to 'e set free/
%ut ho+A I do not 1no+> 'ut ; it"s a+fu to thin1 of it ; so''ing its heart
out ; a .hid/J
A )onth after this .onversation ,eoffrey fe very i/ The east +ind had
'een severe> and he +as not a strong .hid/ The do.tor shoo1 his head
and said that it +as a grave .ase/ To Mr Win'urn he divuged )ore and
.onfessed that the .ase +as 8uite hopeess/ JThe .hid +oud never
have ived to gro+ up> under any .ir.u)stan.es>J he added/ JThere has
'een serious ung trou'e for a ong ti)e/J
It +as +hen nursing ,eoff that Mrs #an.aster 'e.a)e a+are of that ;
other .hid/ At first the so's +ere an indistinguisha'e part of the +ind>
'ut graduay they 'e.a)e )ore distin.t> )ore un)ista1a'e/ Finay
she heard the) in )o)ents of dead .a)H a .hid"s so's ; du> hopeess>
heart'ro1en/
,eoff gre+ steadiy +orse and in his deiriu) he spo1e of the Jitte 'oyJ
again and again/ JI do +ant to hep hi) get a+ay> I doGJ he .ried/
Su..eeding the deiriu) there .a)e a state of ethargy/ ,eoffrey ay
very sti> hardy 'reathing> sun1 in o'ivion/ There +as nothing to do
'ut +ait and +at.h/ Then there .a)e a sti night> dear and .a)>
+ithout one 'reath of +ind/
Suddeny the .hid stirred/ !is eyes opened/ !e oo1ed past his )other
to+ards the open door/ !e tried to spea1 and she 'ent do+n to .at.h
the haf;'reathed +ords/
JA right> I") .o)in">J he +hisperedI then he san1 'a.1/
The )other fet suddeny terrifiedI she .rossed the roo) to her father/
So)e+here near the) the other .hid +as aughing/ *oyfu> .ontented>
triu)phant> the sivery aughter e.hoed through the roo)/
JI") frightenedI I") frightened>J she )oaned/
!e put his ar) round her prote.tingy/ A sudden gust of +ind )ade
the) 'oth start> 'ut it passed s+ifty and eft the air 8uiet as 'efore/
The aughter had .eased and there .rept to the) a faint sound> so faint
as hardy to 'e heard> 'ut gro+ing ouder ti they .oud distinguish it/
Footsteps ; ight footsteps> s+ifty departing/
Pitter;patter> pitter;patter> they ran ; those +e;1no+n hating itte feet/
@et ; surey ; no+ other footsteps suddeny )inged +ith the)> )oving
+ith a 8ui.1er and a ighter tread/
With one a..ord they hastened to the door/
$o+n> do+n> do+n> past the door> .ose to the)> pitter;patter> pitterpatter>
+ent the unseen feet of the itte .hidren together/
Mrs #an.aster oo1ed up +idy/
JThere are t+o of the) ; t+oGJ
,rey +ith sudden fear> she turned to+ards the .ot in the .orner> 'ut
her father restrained her genty and pointed a+ay/
JThere>J he said si)py/
Pitter;patter> pitter;patter ; fainter and fainter/
And then ; sien.e/
T!( #AST SKA0C(
&aou $au'reui .rossed the Seine hu))ing a itte tune to hi)sef/ !e
+as a good;oo1ing young Fren.h)an of a'out thirty;t+o> +ith a fresh.oored
fa.e and a itte 'a.1 )ousta.he/ %y profession he +as an
engineer/ In due .ourse he rea.hed the Cardonet and turned in at the
door of 0o/ 1E/ The .on.ierge oo1ed out fro) her air and gave hi) a
grudging J,ood;)orning>J to +hi.h he repied .heerfuy/ Then he
)ounted the stairs to the apart)ent on the third foor/ As he stood
there +aiting for his ring at the 'e to 'e ans+ered he hu))ed on.e
)ore his itte tune/ &aou $au'reui +as feeing parti.uary .heerfu
this )orning/ The door +as opened 'y an edery Fren.h+o)an> +hose
+rin1ed fa.e 'ro1e into s)ies +hen she sa+ +ho the visitor +as/
J,ood;)orning> )onsieur/J
J,ood;)orning> (ise>J said &aou/
!e passed into the vesti'ue> puing off his goves as he did so/
JMada)e eBpe.ts )e> does she notAJ he as1ed over his shouder/
JAh> yes> indeed> )onsieur/J
(ise shut the front door and turned to+ards hi)/
JIf Monsieur +i pass into the itte saon> Mada)e +i 'e +ith hi) in a
fe+ )inutes/ At the )o)ent she reposes hersef/J
&aou oo1ed up sharpy/ JIs she not +eAJ
JWeGJ
(ise gave a snort/ She passed in front of &aou and opened the door of
the itte saon for hi)/ !e +ent in and she foo+ed hi)/
JWeGJ she .ontinued/ J!o+ shoud she 'e +e> poor a)'A S=an.es>
s=an.es> and a+ays s=an.esG It is not right ; not natura> not +hat the
good ,od intended for us/ For )e> I say straight out> it is traffi.1ing +ith
the devi/J
&aou patted her on the shouder reassuringy/
JThere> there> (ise>J he said soothingy> Jdo not eB.ite yoursef> and do
not 'e too ready to see the devi in everything you do not understand/J
(ise shoo1 her head dou'tingy/
JAh> +e>J she gru)'ed under her 'reath> JMonsieur )ay say +hat he
peases> I don"t i1e it/ #oo1 at Mada)e> every day she gets +hiter and
thinner> and the heada.hesGJ
She hed up her hands/ JAh> no> it is not good> a this spirit 'usiness/
Spirits indeedG A the good spirits are in paradise> and the others are in
purgatory/J
J@our vie+ of the ife after death is refreshingy si)pe> (ise>J said
&aou as he dropped into a .hair/
The od +o)an dre+ hersef up/ JI a) a good Cathoi.> )onsieur/J
She .rossed hersef> +ent to+ards the door> then paused> her hand on
the hande/
JAfter+ards +hen you are )arried> )onsieur>J she said peadingy> Jit
+i not .ontinue ; a thisAJ
&aou s)ied at her affe.tionatey/
J@ou are a good faithfu .reature> (ise>J he said> Jand devoted to your
)istress/ !ave no fear> on.e she is )y +ife> a this "spirit 'usiness" as
you .a it> +i .ease/ For Mada)e $au'reui there +i 'e no )ore
s=an.es/J
(ise"s fa.e 'ro1e into s)ies/
JIs it true +hat you sayAJ she as1ed eagery/
The other nodded gravey/
J@es>J he said> spea1ing a)ost )ore to hi)sef than to her/ J@es> a
this )ust end/ Si)one has a +onderfu gift and she has used it freey>
'ut no+ she has done her part/ As you have Dusty o'served> (ise> day
'y day she gets +hiter and thinner/ The ife of a )ediu) is a parti.uary
trying and arduous one> invoving a terri'e nervous strain/ A the sa)e>
(ise> your )istress is the )ost +onderfu )ediu) in Paris ; )ore> in
Fran.e/ Peope fro) a over the +ord .o)e to her 'e.ause they 1no+
that +ith her there is no tri.1ery> no de.eit/J
(ise gave a snort of .onte)pt/
J$e.eitG Ah> no> indeed/ Mada)e .oud not de.eive a ne+;'orn 'a'e if
she tried/J
JShe is an ange>J said the young Fren.h)an +ith fervor/ JAnd I ; I sha
do everything a )an .an to )a1e her happy/ @ou 'eieve thatAJ
(ise dre+ hersef up> and spo1e +ith a .ertain si)pe dignity/
JI have served Mada)e for )any years> )onsieur/ With a respe.t I
)ay say that I ove her/ If I did not 'eieve that you adored her as she
deserves to 'e adored ; eh 'ien> )onsieurG I shoud 'e +iing to tear
you i)' fro) i)'/J
&aou aughed/ J%ravo> (iseG @ou are a faithfu friend> and you )ust
approve of )e no+ that I have tod you Mada)e is going to give up the
spirits/J
!e eBpe.ted the od +o)an to re.eive this peasantry +ith a augh> 'ut
so)e+hat to his surprise she re)ained grave/
JSupposing> )onsieur>J she said hesitatingy> ithe spirits +i not give
her upAJ
&aou stared at her/ J(hG What do you )eanAJ
JI said>J repeated (ise> Jsupposing the spirits +i not give her upAJ
JI thought you didn"t 'eieve in the spirits> (iseAJ
J0o )ore I do>J said (ise stu''orny/ JIt is fooish to 'eieve in the)/ A
the sa)e///J
JWeAJ
JIt is diffi.ut for )e to eBpain> )onsieur/ @ou see> )e> I a+ays thought
that these )ediu)s> as they .a the)seves> +ere Dust .ever .heats
+ho i)posed on the poor sous +ho had ost their dear ones/ %ut
Mada)e is not i1e that/ Mada)e is good/ Mada)e is honest> and///J
She o+ered her voi.e and spo1e in a tone of a+e/
JThings happen/ It is not tri.1ery> things happen> and that is +hy I a)
afraid/ For I a) sure of this> )onsieur> it is not right/ It is against nature
and e 'on $ieu> and so)e'ody +i have to pay/J
&aou got up fro) his .hair and .a)e and patted her on the shouder/
JCa) yoursef> )y good (ise>J he said> s)iing/ JSee> I +i give you
so)e good ne+s/ Today is the ast of these s=an.esI after today there
+i 'e no )ore/J
JThere is one today> thenAJ as1ed the od +o)an suspi.iousy/
JThe ast> (ise> the ast/J
(ise shoo1 her head dis.onsoatey/ JMada)e is not fit///J she 'egan/
%ut her +ords +ere interrupted> the door opened and a ta> fair +o)an
.a)e in/ She +as sender and gra.efu> +ith the fa.e of a %otti.ei
Madonna/ &aou"s fa.e ighted up> and (ise +ithdre+ 8ui.1y and
dis.reety/
JSi)oneGJ
!e too1 'oth her ong> +hite hands in his and 1issed ea.h in turn/ She
)ur)ured his na)e very softy/
J&aou> )y dear one/J
Again he 1issed her hands and then oo1ed intenty into her fa.e/
JSi)one> ho+ pae you areG (ise tod )e you +ere restingI you are not
i> )y +e;'eovedAJ
J0o> not i///J she hesitated/
!e ed her over to the sofa and sat do+n on it 'eside her/
J%ut te )e then/J
The )ediu) s)ied fainty/ J@ou +i thin1 )e fooish>J she )ur)ured/
JIA Thin1 you fooishA 0ever/J
Si)one +ithdre+ her hand fro) his grasp/ She sat perfe.ty sti for a
)o)ent or t+o ga?ing do+n at the .arpet/ Then she spo1e in a o+>
hurried voi.e/
JI a) afraid> &aou/J
!e +aited for a )inute or t+o eBpe.ting her to go on> 'ut as she did not
he said en.ouragingyH
J@es> afraid of +hatAJ
J*ust afraid/// that is a/J
J%ut///J
!e oo1ed at her in perpeBity> and she ans+ered the oo1 8ui.1y/
J@es> it is a'surd> isn"t it> and yet I fee Dust that/ Afraid> nothing )ore/ I
don"t 1no+ +hat of> or +hy> 'ut a the ti)e I a) possessed +ith the
idea that so)ething terri'e ; terri'e> is going to happen to )e///J
She stared out in front of her/ &aou put an ar) genty round her/
JMy dearest>J he said> J.o)e> you )ust not give +ay/ I 1no+ +hat it is>
the strain> Si)one> the strain of a )ediu)"s ife/ A you need is rest ;
rest and 8uiet/J
She oo1ed at hi) gratefuy/ J@es> &aou> you are right/ That is +hat I
need> rest and 8uiet/J
She .osed her eyes and eant 'a.1 a itte against his ar)/
JAnd happiness>J )ur)ured &aou in her ear/
!is ar) dre+ her .oser/ Si)one> her eyes sti .osed> dre+ a deep
'reath/
J@es>J she )ur)ured> Jyes/ When your ar)s are round )e I fee safe/ I
forget )y ife ; the terri'e ife ; of a )ediu)/ @ou 1no+ )u.h> &aou> 'ut
even you do not 1no+ a it )eans/J
!e fet her 'ody gro+ rigid in his e)'ra.e/ !er eyes opened again>
staring in front of her/
J<ne sits in the .a'inet in the dar1ness> +aiting> and the dar1ness is
terri'e> &aou> for it is the dar1ness of e)ptiness> of nothingness/
$ei'eratey one gives onesef up to 'e ost in it/ After that one 1no+s
nothing> one fees nothing> 'ut at ast there .o)es the so+> painfu
return> the a+a1ening out of seep> 'ut so tired ; so terri'y tired/J
JI 1no+>J )ur)ured &aou> JI 1no+/J
JSo tired>J )ur)ured Si)one again/ !er +hoe 'ody see)ed to droop
as she repeated the +ords/
J%ut you are +onderfu> Si)one/J
!e too1 her hands in his> trying to rouse her to share his enthusias)/
J@ou are uni8ue ; the greatest )ediu) the +ord has ever 1no+n/J
She shoo1 her head> s)iing a itte at that/
J@es> yes>J &aou insisted/
!e dre+ t+o etters fro) his po.1et/
JSee here> fro) Professor &o.he of the Sapetriere> and this one fro)
$r ,enir at 0an.y> 'oth i)poring that you +i .ontinue to sit for the)
o..asionay/J
JAh> noGJ
Si)one sprang suddeny to her feet/
JI +i not> I +i not/ It is to 'e a finished ; a done +ith/ @ou pro)ised
)e> &aou/J
&aou stared at her in astonish)ent as she stood +avering> fa.ing hi)
a)ost i1e a .reature at 'ay/ !e got up and too1 her hand/
J@es> yes>J he said/ JCertainy it is finished> that is understood/ %ut I a)
so proud of you> Si)one> that is +hy I )entioned those etters/J
She thre+ hi) a s+ift side+ays gan.e of suspi.ion/
JIt is not that you +i ever +ant )e to sit againAJ
J0o> no>J said &aou> Juness perhaps you yoursef +oud .are to> Dust
o..asionay for these od friends///J
%ut she interrupted hi)> spea1ing eB.itedy/ J0o> no> never again/
There is danger/ I te you I .an fee it> great danger/J
She .asped her hands on her forehead a )inute> then +a1ed a.ross to
the +indo+/
JPro)ise )e never again>J she said in a 8uieter voi.e over her shouder/
&aou foo+ed her and put his ar)s round her shouders/
JMy dear one>J he said tendery> JI pro)ise you after today you sha
never sit again/J
!e fet the sudden start she gave/
JToday>J she )ur)ured/ JAh> yes ; I had forgotten Mada)e (Be/J
&aou oo1ed at his +at.h/ JShe is due any )inute no+I 'ut perhaps>
Si)one> if you do not fee +e///J
Si)one hardy see)ed to 'e istening to hi)I she +as foo+ing out her
o+n train of thought/
JShe is ; a strange +o)an> &aou> a very strange +o)an/ $o you 1no+ ;
I have a)ost a horror of her/J
JSi)oneGJ
There +as reproa.h in his voi.e> and she +as 8ui.1 to fee it/
J@es> yes> I 1no+> you are i1e a Fren.h)en> &aou/ To you a )other is
sa.red and it is un1ind of )e to fee i1e that a'out her +hen she
grieves so for her ost .hid/ %ut ; I .annot eBpain it> she is so 'ig and
'a.1> and her hands ; have you ever noti.ed her hands> &aouA ,reat
'ig strong hands> as strong as a )an"s/ AhGJ
She gave a itte shiver and .osed her eyes/ &aou +ithdre+ his ar)
and spo1e a)ost .ody/
JI reay .annot understand you> Si)one/ Surey you> a +o)an> shoud
have nothing 'ut sy)pathy for another +o)an> a )other 'ereft of her
ony .hid/J
Si)one )ade a gesture of i)patien.e/
JAh> it is you +ho do not understand> )y friendG <ne .annot hep these
things/ The first )o)ent I sa+ her I fet///J
She fung her hand out/ JFearG @ou re)e)'er> it +as a ong ti)e 'efore
I +oud .onsent to sit for herA I fet sure in so)e +ay she +oud 'ring
)e )isfortune/J
&aou shrugged his shouders/ JWhereas> in a.tua fa.t> she 'rought
you the eBa.t opposite>J he said dryy/ JA the sittings have 'een
attended +ith )ar1ed su..ess/ The spirit of the itte A)eie +as a'e to
.ontro you at on.e> and the )ateriai?ations have reay 'een stri1ing/
Professor &o.he ought reay to have 'een present at the ast one/J
JMateriai?ations>J said Si)one in a o+ voi.e/ JTe )e> &aou 9you
1no+ that I 1no+ nothing of +hat ta1es pa.e +hie I a) in the tran.e:>
are the )ateriai?ations reay so +onderfuAJ
!e nodded enthusiasti.ay/ JAt the first fe+ sittings the figure of the
.hid +as visi'e in a 1ind of ne'uous ha?e>J he eBpained> J'ut at the
ast s=an.e///J
J@esAJ
!e spo1e very softy/ JSi)one> the .hid that stood there +as an a.tua
iving .hid of fesh and 'ood/ I even tou.hed her ; 'ut seeing that the
tou.h +as a.utey painfu to you> I +oud not per)it Mada)e (Be to do
the sa)e/ I +as afraid that her sef;.ontro )ight 'rea1 do+n> and that
so)e har) to you )ight resut/J
Si)one turned a+ay again to+ards the +indo+/
JI +as terri'y eBhausted +hen I +o1e>J she )ur)ured/ J&aou> are you
sure ; are you reay sure that a this is rightA @ou 1no+ +hat dear od
(ise thin1s> that I a) traffi.1ing +ith the deviAJ She aughed rather
un.ertainy/
J@ou 1no+ +hat I 'eieve>J said &aou gravey/ JIn the handing of the
un1no+n there )ust a+ays 'e danger> 'ut the .ause is a no'e one> for
it is the .ause of S.ien.e/ A over the +ord there have 'een )artyrs to
S.ien.e> pioneers +ho have paid the pri.e so that others )ay foo+
safey in their footsteps/ For ten years no+ you have +or1ed for
S.ien.e at the .ost of a terrifi. nervous strain/ 0o+ your part is done>
fro) today on+ard you are free to 'e happy/J
She s)ied at hi) affe.tionatey> her .a) restored/ Then she gan.ed
8ui.1y up at the .o.1/
JMada)e (Be is ate>J she )ur)ured/ JShe )ay not .o)e/J
JI thin1 she +i>J said &aou/ J@our .o.1 is a itte fast> Si)one/J
Si)one )oved a'out the roo)> rearranging an orna)ent here and
there/
JI +onder +ho she is> this Mada)e (BeAJ she o'served/ JWhere she
.o)es fro)> +ho her peope areA It is strange that +e 1no+ nothing
a'out her/J
&aou shrugged his shouders/ JMost peope re)ain in.ognito if
possi'e +hen they .o)e to a )ediu)>J he o'served/ JIt is an
ee)entary pre.aution/J
JI suppose so>J agreed Si)one istessy/
A itte .hina vase she +as hoding sipped fro) her fingers and 'ro1e
to pie.es on the ties of the firepa.e/ She turned sharpy on &aou/
J@ou see>J she )ur)ured> JI a) not )ysef/ &aou> +oud you thin1 )e
very ; very .o+ardy if I tod Mada)e (Be I .oud not sit todayAJ
!is oo1 of pained astonish)ent )ade her redden/
J@ou pro)ised> Si)one///J he 'egan genty/
She 'a.1ed against the +a/ JI +on"t do it> &aou/ I +on"t do it/J
And again that gan.e of his> tendery reproa.hfu> )ade her +in.e/
JIt is not of the )oney I a) thin1ing> Si)one> though you )ust reai?e
that the )oney this +o)an has offered you for a ast sitting is enor)ous
; si)py enor)ous/J
She interrupted hi) defianty/ JThere are things that )atter )ore than
)oney/J
JCertainy there are>J he agreed +ar)y/ JThat is Dust +hat I a) saying/
Consider ; this +o)an is a )other> a )other +ho has ost her ony .hid/
If you are not reay i> if it is ony a +hi) on your part ; you .an deny a
ri.h +o)an a .apri.e> 'ut .an you deny a )other one ast sight of her
.hidAJ
The )ediu) fung her hands out despairingy in front of her/
J<h> you torture )e>J she )ur)ured/ JA the sa)e you are right/ I +i
do as you +ish> 'ut I 1no+ no+ +hat I a) afraid of ; it is the +ord
")other/"J
JSi)oneGJ
JThere are .ertain pri)itive ee)entary for.es> &aou/ Most of the)
have 'een destroyed 'y .ivii?ation> 'ut )otherhood stands +here it
stood at the 'eginning/ Ani)as ; hu)an 'eings> they are a the sa)e/
A )other"s ove for her .hid is i1e nothing ese in the +ord/ It 1no+s
no a+> no pity> it dares a things and .rushes do+n re)orseessy a
that stands in its path/J
She stopped> panting a itte> then turned to hi) +ith a 8ui.1> disar)ing
s)ie/
JI a) fooish today> &aou/ I 1no+ it/J
!e too1 her hand in his/ J#ie do+n for a )inute or t+o>J he urged/ J&est
ti she .o)es/J
J7ery +e/J She s)ied at hi) and eft the roo)/ &aou re)ained for a
)inute or t+o ost in thought> then he strode to the door> opened it> and
.rossed the itte ha/ !e +ent into a roo) the other side of it> a sittingroo)
very )u.h i1e the one he had eft> 'ut at one end +as an a.ove
+ith a 'ig ar).hair set in it/ !eavy 'a.1 vevet .urtains +ere arranged
so as to pu a.ross the a.ove/ (ise +as 'usy arranging the roo)/
Cose to the a.ove she had set t+o .hairs and a s)a round ta'e/ <n
the ta'e +as a ta)'ourine> a horn> and so)e paper and pen.is/
JThe ast ti)e>J )ur)ured (ise +ith gri) satisfa.tion/ JAh> )onsieur> I
+ish it +ere over and done +ith/J
The sharp ting of an ee.tri. 'e sounded/
JThere she is> that great gendar)e of a +o)an>J .ontinued the od
servant/ JWhy .an"t she go and pray de.enty for her itte one"s sou in
a .hur.h> and 'urn a .ande to <ur %essed #adyA $oes not the good
,od 1no+ +hat is 'est for usAJ
JAns+er the 'e> (ise>J said &aou pere)ptoriy/
She thre+ hi) a oo1> 'ut o'eyed/ In a )inute or t+o she returned
ushering in the visitor/
JI +i te )y )istress you are here> )ada)e/J
&aou .a)e for+ard to sha1e hands +ith Mada)e (Be/ Si)one"s +ords
foated 'a.1 to his )e)ory/
JSo 'ig and so 'a.1/J
She +as a 'ig +o)an> and the heavy 'a.1 of Fren.h )ourning see)ed
a)ost eBaggerated in her .ase/ !er voi.e +hen she spo1e +as very
deep/
JI fear I a) a itte ate> )onsieur/J
JA fe+ )inutes ony>J said &aou> s)iing/ JMada)e Si)one is ying
do+n/ I a) sorry to say she is far fro) +e> very nervous and
over+rought/J
!er hand> +hi.h she +as Dust +ithdra+ing> .osed on his suddeny i1e
a vise/
J%ut she +i sitAJ she de)anded sharpy/
J<h> yes> )ada)e/J
Mada)e (Be gave a sigh of reief> and san1 into a .hair> oosening one
of the heavy 'a.1 veis that foated round her/
JAh> )onsieurGJ she )ur)ured> Jyou .annot i)agine> you .annot
.on.eive the +onder and the Doy of these s=an.es to )eG My itte oneG
My A)eieG To see her> to hear her> even ; perhaps ; yes> perhaps to 'e
even a'e to ; stret.h out )y hand and tou.h her/J
&aou spo1e 8ui.1y and pere)ptoriy/
JMada)e (Be ; ho+ .an I eBpainA ; on no a..ount )ust you do anything
eB.ept under )y eBpress dire.tions> other+ise there is the gravest
danger/J
J$anger to )eAJ
J0o> )ada)e>J said &aou> Jto the )ediu)/ @ou )ust understand that
the pheno)ena that o..ur are eBpained 'y S.ien.e in a .ertain +ay/ I
+i put the )atter very si)py> using no te.hni.a ter)s/ A spirit> to
)anifest itsef> has to use the a.tua physi.a su'stan.e of the )ediu)/
@ou have seen the vapor of fuid issuing fro) the ips of the )ediu)/
This finay .ondenses and is 'uit up into the physi.a se)'an.e of the
spirit"s dead 'ody/ %ut this e.topas) +e 'eieve to 'e the a.tua
su'stan.e of the )ediu)/ We hope to prove this so)e day 'y .arefu
+eighing and testing ; 'ut the great diffi.uty is the danger and pain
+hi.h attends the )ediu) on any handing of the pheno)ena/ Were
anyone to sei?e hod of the )ateriai?ation roughy> the death of the
)ediu) )ight resut/J
Mada)e (Be had istened to hi) +ith .ose attention/
JThat is very interesting> )onsieur/ Te )e> sha not a ti)e .o)e +hen
the )ateriai?ation sha advan.e so far that it sha 'e .apa'e of
deta.h)ent fro) its parent> the )ediu)AJ
JThat is a fantasti. spe.uation> )ada)e/J
She persisted/ J%ut> on the fa.ts> not i)possi'eAJ
J4uite i)possi'e today/J
J%ut perhaps in the futureAJ
!e +as saved fro) ans+ering> for at that )o)ent Si)one entered/ She
oo1ed anguid and pae> 'ut had evidenty regained entire .ontro of
hersef/ She .a)e for+ard and shoo1 hands +ith Mada)e (Be> though
&aou noti.ed the faint shiver that passed through her as she did so/
JI regret> )ada)e> to hear that you are indisposed>J said Mada)e (Be/
JIt is nothing>J said Si)one rather 'rus8uey/ JSha +e 'eginAJ
She +ent to the a.ove and sat do+n in the ar).hair/ Suddeny &aou in
his turn fet a +ave of fear pass over hi)/
J@ou are not strong enough>J he eB.ai)ed/ JWe had 'etter .an.e the
s=an.e/ Mada)e (Be +i understand/J
JMonsieurGJ
Mada)e (Be rose indignanty/
J@es> yes> it is 'etter not> I a) sure of it/J
JMada)e Si)one pro)ised )e one ast sitting/J
JThat is so>J agreed Si)one 8uiety> Jand I a) prepared to .arry out )y
pro)ise/J
JI hod you to it> )ada)e>J said the other +o)an/
JI do not 'rea1 )y +ord>J said Si)one .ody/ J$o not fear> &aou>J she
added genty> Jafter a> it is for the ast ti)e ; the ast ti)e> than1 ,od/J
At a sign fro) her &aou dre+ the heavy 'a.1 .urtains a.ross the
a.ove/ !e aso pued the .urtains of the +indo+ so that the roo) +as
in se)i;o's.urity/ !e indi.ated one of the .hairs to Mada)e (Be and
prepared hi)sef to ta1e the other/ Mada)e (Be> ho+ever> hesitated/
J@ou +i pardon )e> )onsieur> 'ut ; you understand I 'eieve
a'soutey in your integrity and in that of Mada)e Si)one/ A the sa)e>
so that )y testi)ony )ay 'e the )ore vaua'e> I too1 the i'erty of
'ringing this +ith )e/J
Fro) her hand'ag she dre+ a ength of fine .ord/
JMada)eGJ .ried &aou/ JThis is an insutGJ
JA pre.aution/J
JI repeat it is an insut/J
JI don"t understand your o'De.tion> )onsieur>J said Mada)e (Be .ody/
JIf there is no tri.1ery you have nothing to fear/J
&aou aughed s.ornfuy/ JI .an assure you that I have nothing to fear>
)ada)e/ %ind )e hand and foot if you +i/J
!is spee.h did not produ.e the effe.t he hoped> for Mada)e (Be
)erey )ur)ured une)otionayH
JThan1 you> )onsieur>J and advan.ed upon hi) +ith her ro of .ord/
Suddeny Si)one fro) 'ehind the .urtain gave a .ry/
J0o> no> &aou> don"t et her do it/J
Mada)e (Be aughed derisivey/ JMada)e is afraid>J she o'served
sar.asti.ay/
J@es> I a) afraid/J
J&e)e)'er +hat you are saying> Si)one>J .ried &aou/ JMada)e (Be
is apparenty under the i)pression that +e are .haratans/J
JI )ust )a1e sure>J said Mada)e (Be gri)y/
She +ent )ethodi.ay a'out her tas1> 'inding &aou se.urey to his
.hair/
JI )ust .ongratuate you on your 1nots> )ada)e>J he o'served
ironi.ay +hen she had finished/ JAre you satisfied no+AJ Mada)e (Be
did not repy/ She +a1ed round the roo) eBa)ining the paneing of the
+as .osey/ Then she o.1ed the door eading into the ha> and>
re)oving the 1ey> returned to her .hair/
J0o+>J she said in an indes.ri'a'e voi.e/ JI a) ready/J
The )inutes passed/ Fro) 'ehind the .urtain the sound of Si)one"s
'reathing 'e.a)e heavier and )ore stertorous/ Then it died a+ay
atogether> to 'e su..eeded 'y a series of )oans/ Then again there
+as sien.e for a itte +hie> 'ro1en 'y the sudden .attering of the
ta)'ourine/ The horn +as .aught up fro) the ta'e and dashed to the
ground/ Ironi. aughter +as heard/ The .urtains of the a.ove see)ed
to have 'een pued 'a.1 a itte> the )ediu)"s figure +as Dust visi'e
through the opening> her head faen for+ard on her 'reast/ Suddeny
Mada)e (Be dre+ in her 'reath sharpy/ A ri''on;i1e strea) of )ist
+as issuing fro) the )ediu)"s )outh/ It .ondensed and 'egan
graduay to assu)e a shape> the shape of a itte .hid/
JA)eieG My itte A)eieGJ
The hoarse +hisper .a)e fro) Mada)e (Be/ The ha?y figure
.ondensed sti further/ &aou stared a)ost in.reduousy/ 0ever had
there 'een a )ore su..essfu )ateriai?ationH 0o+> surey it +as a rea
.hid> a rea fesh and 'ood .hid standing there/
JMa)anGJ The soft .hidish voi.e spo1e/
JMy .hidGJ .ried Mada)e (Be/ JMy .hidGJ She haf;rose fro) her seat/
J%e .arefu> )ada)e>J .ried &aou +arningy/
The )ateriai?ation .a)e hesitatingy through the .urtains/ It +as a
.hid/ She stood there> her ar)s hed out/
JMa)anGJ
JAhGJ .ried Mada)e (Be/ Again she haf;rose fro) her seat/
JMada)e>J .ried &aou> aar)ed> Jthe )ediu)///J
JI )ust tou.h her>J .ried Mada)e (Be hoarsey/
She )oved a step for+ard/
JFor ,od"s sa1e> )ada)e> .ontro yoursef>J .ried &aou/
!e +as reay aar)ed no+/ JSit do+n at on.e/J
JMy itte one> I )ust tou.h her/J
JMada)e> I .o))and you> sit do+nGJ
!e +as +rithing desperatey +ith his 'onds> 'ut Mada)e (Be had done
her +or1 +eI he +as hepess/ A terri'e sense of i)pending disaster
s+ept over hi)/
JIn the na)e of ,od> )ada)e> sit do+nGJ he shouted/ J&e)e)'er the
)ediu)/J
Mada)e (Be paid no attention to hi)/ She +as i1e a +o)an
transfor)ed/ (.stasy and deight sho+ed painy in her fa.e/ !er
outstret.hed hand tou.hed the itte figure that stood in the opening of
the .urtains/ A terri'e )oan .a)e fro) the )ediu)/
JMy ,odGJ .ried &aou/ JMy ,odG This is terri'e/ The )ediu)///J
Mada)e (Be turned on hi) +ith a harsh augh/
JWhat do I .are for your )ediu)AJ she .ried/ JI +ant )y .hid/J
J@ou are )adGJ
JMy .hid> I te you/ MineG My o+n fesh and 'oodG My itte one .o)e
'a.1 to )e fro) the dead> aive and 'reathing/J
&aou opened his ips> 'ut no +ords +oud .o)e/ She +as terri'e> this
+o)anG &e)orseess> savage> a'sor'ed 'y her o+n passion/ The 'a'y
ips parted> and for the third ti)e the sa)e +ord e.hoedH
JMa)anGJ
JCo)e then> )y itte one>J .ried Mada)e (Be/
With a sharp gesture she .aught up the .hid in her ar)s/ Fro) 'ehind
the .urtains .a)e a ong;dra+n s.rea) of utter anguish/
JSi)oneGJ .ried &aou/ JSi)oneGJ
!e +as a+are vaguey of Mada)e (Be rushing past hi)> of the
uno.1ing of the door> of retreating footsteps do+n the stairs/
Fro) 'ehind the .urtain there sti sounded the terri'e> high> ongdra+n
s.rea)> su.h a s.rea)> as &aou had never heard/ It died a+ay
in a horri'e 1ind of gurge/ Then there .a)e the thud of a 'ody faing///
&aou +as +or1ing i1e a )ania. to free hi)sef fro) his 'onds/ In his
fren?y he a..o)pished the i)possi'e> snapping the rope 'y sheer
strength/ As he strugged to his feet> (ise rushed in> .rying> JMada)eGJ
JSi)oneGJ .ried &aou/
Together they rushed for+ard and pued the .urtain/ &aou staggered
'a.1/
JMy ,odGJ he )ur)ured/ J&ed ; a red///J
(ise"s voi.e .a)e 'eside hi) harsh and sha1ing/
JSo Mada)e is dead/ It is ended/ %ut te )e> )onsieur> +hat has
happened/ Why is Mada)e a shrun1en a+ay ; +hy is she haf her usua
si?eA What has 'een happening hereAJ
JI do not 1no+>J said &aou/
!is voi.e rose to a s.rea)/
JI do not 1no+/ I do not 1no+/ %ut I thin1 ; I a) going )ad/// Si)oneG
Si)oneGJ
T!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( %#2( *A&
*a.1 !artington surveyed his topped drive ruefuy/ Standing 'y the 'a>
he oo1ed 'a.1 to the tee> )easuring the distan.e/ !is fa.e +as
eo8uent of the disgusted .onte)pt +hi.h he fet/ With a sigh he dre+
out his iron> eBe.uted t+o vi.ious s+ings +ith it> annihiating in turn a
dandeion and a tuft of grass> and then addressed hi)sef fir)y to the
'a/
It is hard +hen you are t+enty;four years of age> and your one a)'ition
in ife is to redu.e your handi.ap at gof> to 'e for.ed to give ti)e and
attention to the pro'e) of earning your iving/ Five and a haf days out
of the seven sa+ *a.1 i)prisoned in a 1ind of )ahogany to)' in the
.ity/ Saturday afternoon and Sunday +ere reigiousy devoted to the
rea 'usiness of ife> and in an eB.ess of ?ea he had ta1en roo)s at the
s)a hote near Stourton !eath in1s> and rose daiy at the hour of siB
a/)/ to get in an hour"s pra.ti.e 'efore .at.hing the O/43 to to+n/
The ony disadvantage to the pan +as that he see)ed .onstitutionay
una'e to hit anything at that hour in the )orning/ A foo?ed iron
su..eeded a )uffed drive/ !is )ashie shots ran )erriy aong the
ground> and four putts see)ed to 'e the )ini)u) on any green/
*a.1 sighed> grasped his iron fir)y> and repeated to hi)sef the )agi.
+ords> J#eft ar) right through> and don"t oo1 up/J
!e s+ung 'a.1 ; and then stopped> petrified> as a shri .ry rent the
sien.e of the su))er"s )orning/
JMurder>J it .aed/ J!epG MurderGJ
It +as a +o)an"s voi.e> and it died a+ay at the end into a sort of
gurging sigh/
*a.1 fung do+n his .u' and ran in the dire.tion of the sound/ It had
.o)e fro) so)e+here 8uite near at hand/ This parti.uar part of the
.ourse +as 8uite +id .ountry> and there +ere fe+ houses a'out/ In
fa.t> there +as ony one near at hand> a s)a pi.tures8ue .ottage>
+hi.h *a.1 had often noti.ed for its air of <d Word daintiness/ It +as
to+ards this .ottage that he ran/ It +as hidden fro) hi) 'y a heather.overed
sope> 'ut he rounded this and in ess than a )inute +as
standing +ith his hand on the s)a at.hed gate/
There +as a gir standing in the garden> and for a )o)ent *a.1 Du)ped
to the natura .on.usion that it +as she +ho had uttered the .ry for
hep/ %ut he 8ui.1y .hanged his )ind/
She had a itte 'as1et in her hand> haf;fu of +eeds> and had evidenty
Dust straightened hersef up fro) +eeding a +ide 'order of pansies/
!er eyes> *a.1 noti.ed> +ere Dust i1e pansies the)seves> vevety and
soft and dar1> and )ore vioet than 'ue/ She +as i1e a pansy
atogether> in her straight purpe inen go+n/
The gir +as oo1ing at *a.1 +ith an eBpression )id+ay 'et+een
annoyan.e and surprise/
JI 'eg your pardon>J said the young )an/ J%ut did you .ry out Dust
no+AJ
JIA 0o> indeed/J
!er surprise +as so genuine that *a.1 fet .onfused/ !er voi.e +as
very soft and pretty +ith a sight foreign infe.tion/
J%ut you )ust have heard it>J he eB.ai)ed/ JIt .a)e fro) so)e+here
Dust near here/J
She stared at hi)/
JI heard nothing at a/J
*a.1 in his turn stared at her/ It +as perfe.ty in.redi'e that she shoud
not have heard that agoni?ed appea for hep/ And yet her .a)ness
+as so evident that he .oud not 'eieve she +as ying to hi)/
JIt .a)e fro) so)e+here .ose at hand>J he insisted/
She +as oo1ing at hi) suspi.iousy no+/
JWhat did it sayAJ she as1ed/
JMurder ; hepG MurderGJ
JMurder ; hep> )urder>J repeated the gir/ JSo)e'ody has payed a
tri.1 on you> Monsieur/ Who .oud 'e )urdered hereAJ
*a.1 oo1ed a'out hi) +ith a .onfused idea of dis.overing a dead 'ody
upon a garden path/ @et he +as sti perfe.ty sure that the .ry he had
heard +as rea and not a produ.t of his i)agination/ !e oo1ed up at
the .ottage +indo+s/ (verything see)ed perfe.ty sti and pea.efu/
J$o you +ant to sear.h our houseAJ as1ed the gir dryy/
She +as so .eary s.epti.a that *a.1"s .onfusion gre+ deeper than
ever/ !e turned a+ay/
JI") sorry>J he said/ JIt )ust have .o)e fro) higher up in the +oods/J
!e raised his .ap and retreated/ ,an.ing 'a.1 over his shouder> he
sa+ that the gir had .a)y resu)ed her +eeding/
For so)e ti)e he hunted through the +oods> 'ut .oud find no sign of
anything unusua having o..urred/ @et he +as as positive as ever that
he had reay heard the .ry/ In the end> he gave up the sear.h and
hurried ho)e to 'ot his 'rea1fast and .at.h the O/43 'y the usua
narro+ )argin of a se.ond or so/ !is .ons.ien.e pri.1ed hi) a itte as
he sat in the train/ <ught he not to have i))ediatey reported +hat he
had heard to the poi.eA That he had not done so +as soey o+ing to
the pansy gir"s in.reduity/ She had .eary suspe.ted hi) of
ro)an.ing ; possi'y the poi.e )ight do the sa)e/ Was he a'soutey
.ertain that he had heard the .ryA
%y no+ he +as not neary so positive as he had 'een ; the natura resut
of trying to re.apture a ost sensation/ Was it so)e 'ird"s .ry in the
distan.e that he had t+isted into the rese)'an.e of a +o)an"s voi.eA
%ut he reDe.ted the suggestion angriy/ It +as a +o)an"s voi.e> and he
had heard it/ !e re)e)'ered oo1ing at his +at.h Dust 'efore the .ry
had .o)e/ As neary as possi'e it )ust have 'een five and t+enty
)inutes past seven +hen he had heard the .a/ That )ight 'e a fa.t
usefu to the poi.e if ; if anything shoud 'e dis.overed/
,oing ho)e that evening> he s.anned the evening papers anBiousy to
see if there +ere any )ention of a .ri)e having 'een .o))itted/ %ut
there +as nothing> and he hardy 1ne+ +hether to 'e reieved or
disappointed/
The foo+ing )orning +as +et ; so +et that even the )ost ardent gofer
)ight have his enthusias) da)ped/ *a.1 rose at the ast possi'e
)o)ent> guped his 'rea1fast> ran for the train> and again eagery
s.anned the papers/ Sti no )ention of any grueso)e dis.overy having
'een )ade/ The evening papers tod the sa)e tae/
J4ueer>J said *a.1 to hi)sef> J'ut there it is/ Pro'a'y so)e 'in1ing
itte 'oys having a ga)e together up in the +oods/J
!e +as out eary the foo+ing )orning/ As he passed the .ottage> he
noted out of the tai of his eye that the gir +as out in the garden again
+eeding/ (videnty a ha'it of hers/ !e did a parti.uary good approa.h
shot> and hoped that she had noti.ed it/ As he teed up on the neBt tee>
he gan.ed at his +at.h/
J*ust five and t+enty past seven>J he )ur)ured/ JI +onder ;J
The +ords +ere fro?en on his ips/ Fro) 'ehind hi) .a)e the sa)e .ry
+hi.h had so started hi) 'efore/ A +o)an"s voi.e> in dire distress/
JMurder ; hep> )urderGJ
*a.1 ra.ed 'a.1/ The pansy gir +as standing 'y the gate/ She oo1ed
started> and *a.1 ran up to her triu)phanty> .rying outH
J@ou heard it this ti)e> any+ay/J
!er eyes +ere +ide +ith so)e e)otion he .oud not fatho) 'ut he
noti.ed that she shran1 'a.1 fro) hi) as he approa.hed> and even
gan.ed 'a.1 at the house> as though she )editated running to it for
sheter/
She shoo1 her head> staring at hi)/
JI heard nothing at a>J she said +onderingy/
It +as as though she had stru.1 hi) a 'o+ 'et+een the eyes/ !er
sin.erity +as so evident that he .oud not dis'eieve her/ @et he
.oudn"t have i)agined it ; he .oudn"t ; he .oudn"t ;
!e heard her voi.e spea1ing genty ; a)ost +ith sy)pathy/
J@ou have had the she;sho.1> yesAJ
In a fash he understood her oo1 of fear> her gan.e 'a.1 at the house/
She thought that he suffered fro) deusions///
And then> i1e a dou.he of .od +ater> .a)e the horri'e thought> +as
she rightA $id he suffer fro) deusionsA <'sessed 'y the horror of the
thought> he turned and stu)'ed a+ay +ithout vou.hsafing a +ord/ The
gir +at.hed hi) go> sighed> shoo1 her head> and 'ent do+n to her
+eeding again/
*a.1 endeavored to reason )atters out +ith hi)sef/ JIf I hear the
da)ned thing again> at t+enty;five )inutes past seven>J he said to
hi)sef> Jit"s .ear that I"ve got hod of a hau.ination of so)e sort/ %ut I
+on"t hear it/J
!e +as nervous a day> and +ent to 'ed eary> deter)ined to put the
)atter to the proof the foo+ing )orning/
As +as perhaps natura in su.h a .ase> he re)ained a+a1e haf the
night and finay oversept hi)sef/ It +as t+enty past seven 'y the ti)e
he +as .ear of the hote and running to+ards the in1s/ !e reai?ed that
he +oud not 'e a'e to get to the fata spot 'y t+enty;five past> 'ut
surey> if the voi.e +ere a hau.ination pure and si)pe> he +oud hear
it any+here/ !e ran on> his eyes fiBed on the hands of his +at.h/
T+enty;five past/ Fro) far off .a)e the e.ho of a +o)an"s voi.e>
.aing/ The +ords .oud not 'e distinguished> 'ut he +as .onvin.ed
that it +as the sa)e .ry he had heard 'efore> and that it .a)e fro) the
sa)e spot> so)e+here in the neigh'orhood of the .ottage/
Strangey enough> that fa.t reassured hi)/ It )ight> after a> 'e a hoaB/
2ni1ey as it see)ed> the gir hersef )ight 'e paying a tri.1 on hi)/
!e set his shouders resoutey> and too1 out a .u' fro) his gof 'ag/
!e +oud pay the fe+ hoes up to the .ottage/
The gir +as in the garden as usua/ She oo1ed up this )orning> and
+hen he raised his .ap to her> said good )orning rather shyy/// She
oo1ed> he thought> oveier than ever/
J0i.e day> isn"t itAJ *a.1 .aed out .heeriy> .ursing the unavoida'e
'anaity of the o'servation/
J@es> indeed> it is ovey/J
J,ood for the garden> I eBpe.tAJ
The gir s)ied a itte> dis.osing a fas.inating di)pe/
JAas> noG For )y fo+ers the rain is needed/ See> they are a dried up/J
*a.1 a..epted the invitation of her gesture> and .a)e up to the o+
hedge dividing the garden fro) the .ourse> oo1ing over it into the
garden/
JThey see) a right>J he re)ar1ed a+1+ardy> .ons.ious as he spo1e
of the gir"s sighty pitying gan.e running over hi)/
JThe sun is good> is it notAJ she said/ JFor the fo+ers one .an a+ays
+ater the)/ %ut the sun gives strength and repairs the heath/ Monsieur
is )u.h 'etter today> I .an see/J
!er en.ouraging tone annoyed *a.1 intensey/
JCurse it a>J he said to hi)sef/ JI 'eieve she"s trying to .ure )e 'y
suggestion/
JI") perfe.ty +e>J he said irrita'y/
JThat is good then>J returned the gir> 8ui.1y and soothingy/
*a.1 had the irritating feeing that she didn"t 'eieve hi)/
!e payed a fe+ )ore hoes and hurried 'a.1 to 'rea1fast/ As he ate it>
he +as .ons.ious> not for the first ti)e> of the .ose s.rutiny of a )an
+ho sat at the ta'e neBt to hi)/ !e +as a )an of )idde;age> +ith a
po+erfu> for.efu fa.e/ !e had a s)a dar1 'eard and very pier.ing
gray eyes> and an ease and assuran.e of )anner +hi.h pa.ed hi)
a)ong the higher ran1s of the professiona .asses/ !is na)e> *a.1
1ne+> +as #avington> and he had heard vague ru)ors as to his 'eing a
+e;1no+n )edi.a spe.iaist> 'ut as *a.1 +as not a fre8uenter of
!arey Street> the na)e had .onveyed itte or nothing to hi)/
%ut this )orning he +as very .ons.ious of the 8uiet o'servation under
+hi.h he +as 'eing 1ept> and it frightened hi) a itte/ Was his se.ret
+ritten painy in his fa.e for a to seeA $id this )an> 'y reason of his
professiona .aing> 1no+ that there +as so)ething a)iss in the
hidden gray )atterA
*a.1 shivered at the thought/ Was it trueA Was he reay going )adA
Was the +hoe thing a hau.ination> or +as it a giganti. hoaBA
And suddeny a very si)pe +ay of testing the soution o..urred to hi)/
!e had hitherto 'een aone on his round/ Supposing so)eone ese +as
+ith hi)A Then one out of three things )ight happen/ The voi.e )ight
'e sient/ They )ight 'oth hear it/ <r ; he ony )ight hear it/
That evening he pro.eeded to .arry his pan into effe.t/ #avington +as
the )an he +anted +ith hi)/ They fe into .onversation easiy enough ;
the oder )an )ight have 'een +aiting for su.h an opening/ It +as .ear
that for so)e reason or other *a.1 interested hi)/ The atter +as a'e
to .o)e 8uite easiy and naturay to the suggestion that they )ight pay
a fe+ hoes together 'efore 'rea1fast/ The arrange)ent +as )ade for
the foo+ing )orning/
They started out a itte 'efore seven/ It +as a perfe.t day> sti and
.oudess> 'ut not too +ar)/ The do.tor +as paying +e> *a.1
+ret.hedy/ !is +hoe )ind +as intent on the forth.o)ing .risis/ !e
1ept gan.ing surreptitiousy at his +at.h/ They rea.hed the seventh
tee> 'et+een +hi.h and the hoe the .ottage +as situated> a'out t+enty
past seven/
The gir> as usua> +as in the garden as they passed/ She did not oo1 up
as they passed/
The t+o 'as ay on the green> *a.1"s near the hoe> the do.tor"s so)e
itte distan.e a+ay/
JI"ve got this for it>J said #avington/ JI )ust go for it> I suppose/J
!e 'ent do+n> Dudging the ine he shoud ta1e/ *a.1 stood rigid> his
eyes gued on his +at.h/ It +as eBa.ty t+enty;five )inutes past seven/
The 'a ran s+ifty aong the grass> stopped on the edge of the hoe>
hesitated> and dropped in/
J,ood putt>J said *a.1/ !is voi.e sounded hoarse and uni1e hi)sef///
!e shoved his +rist +at.h farther up his ar) +ith a sigh of
over+he)ing reief/ 0othing had happened/ The spe +as 'ro1en/
JIf you don"t )ind +aiting a )inute>J he said> JI thin1 I" have a pipe/J
They paused a +hie on the eighth tee/ *a.1 fied and it the pipe +ith
fingers that tre)'ed a itte in spite of hi)sef/ An enor)ous +eight
see)ed to have ifted fro) his )ind/
J#ord> +hat a good day it is>J he re)ar1ed> staring at the prospe.t
ahead of hi) +ith great .ontent)ent/ J,o on> #avington> your s+ipe/J
And then it .a)e/ *ust at the very instant the do.tor +as hitting/ A
+o)an"s voi.e> high and agoni?ed/
JMurder ; !epG MurderGJ
The pipe fe fro) *a.1"s nerveess hand> as he spun round in the
dire.tion of the sound> and then> re)e)'ering> ga?ed 'reathessy at
his .o)panion/
#avington +as oo1ing do+n the .ourse> shading his eyes/
JA 'it short ; Dust .eared the 'un1er> though> I thin1/J
!e had heard nothing/
The +ord see)ed to spin round +ith *a.1/ !e too1 a step or t+o>
ur.hing heaviy/ When he re.overed hi)sef> he +as ying on the short
turf> and #avington +as 'ending over hi)/
JThere> ta1e it easy no+> ta1e it easy/J
JWhat did I doAJ
J@ou fainted> young )an ; or gave a very good try at it/J
JMy ,odGJ said *a.1> and groaned/
JWhat"s the trou'eA So)ething on your )indAJ
JI" te you in one )inute> 'ut I"d i1e to as1 you so)ething first/J
The do.tor it his o+n pipe and setted hi)sef on the 'an1/
JAs1 anything you i1e>J he said .o)forta'y/
J@ou"ve 'een +at.hing )e for the ast day or t+o/ WhyAJ
#avington"s eyes t+in1ed a itte/
JThat"s rather an a+1+ard 8uestion/ A .at .an oo1 at a 1ing> you
1no+/J
J$on"t put )e off/ I") in earnest/ Why +as itA I"ve a vita reason for
as1ing/J
#avington"s fa.e gre+ serious/
JI" ans+er you 8uite honesty/ I re.ogni?ed in you a the signs of a )an
a'oring under a sense of a.ute strain> and it intrigued )e +hat that
strain .oud 'e/J
JI .an te you that easiy enough>J said *a.1 'ittery/ JI") going )ad/J
!e stopped dra)ati.ay> 'ut his state)ent not see)ing to arouse the
interest and .onsternation he eBpe.ted> he repeated it/
JI te you I") going )ad/J
J7ery .urious>J )ur)ured #avington/ J7ery .urious indeed/J
*a.1 fet indignant/
JI suppose that"s a it does see) to you/ $o.tors are so da)ned
.aous/J
JCo)e> .o)e> )y young friend> you"re ta1ing at rando)/ To 'egin +ith>
athough I have ta1en )y degree> I do not pra.ti.e )edi.ine/ Stri.ty
spea1ing> I a) not a do.tor ; not a do.tor of the 'ody> that is/J
*a.1 oo1ed at hi) 1eeny/
J<f the )indAJ
J@es> in a sense> 'ut )ore truy I .a )ysef a do.tor of the sou/J
J<hGJ
JI per.eive the disparage)ent in your tone> and yet +e )ust use so)e
+ord to denote the a.tive prin.ipe +hi.h .an 'e separated and eBist
independenty of its feshy ho)e> the 'ody/ @ou"ve got to .o)e to ter)s
+ith the sou> you 1no+> young )anI it isn"t Dust a reigious ter)
invented 'y .ergy)en/ %ut +e" .a it the )ind> or the su'.ons.ious
sef> or any ter) that suits you 'etter/ @ou too1 offense at )y tone Dust
no+> 'ut I .an assure you that it reay did stri1e )e as very .urious that
su.h a +e;'aan.ed and perfe.ty nor)a young )an as yoursef
shoud suffer fro) the deusion that he +as going out of his )ind/J
JI") out of )y )ind a right/ A'soutey 'a)y/J
J@ou +i forgive )e for saying so> 'ut I don"t 'eieve it/J
JI suffer fro) deusions/J
JAfter dinnerAJ
J0o> in the )orning/J
JCan"t 'e done>J said the do.tor> reighting his pipe +hi.h had gone out/
JI te you I hear things that no one ese hears/J
J<ne )an in a thousand .an see the )oons of *upiter/ %e.ause the
other nine hundred and ninety;nine .an"t see the) there"s no reason to
dou't that the )oons of *upiter eBist> and .ertainy no reason for
.aing the thousandth )an a unati./J
JThe )oons of *upiter are a proved s.ientifi. fa.t/J
JIt"s 8uite possi'e that the deusions of today )ay 'e the proved
s.ientifi. fa.ts of to)orro+/J
In spite of hi)sef> #avington"s )atter;of;fa.t )anner +as having its
effe.t upon *a.1/ !e fet i))easura'y soothed and .heered/ The
do.tor oo1ed at hi) attentivey for a )inute or t+o and then nodded/
JThat"s 'etter>J he said/ JThe trou'e +ith you young feo+s is that
you"re so .o.1sure nothing .an eBist outside your o+n phiosophy that
you get the +ind up +hen so)ething o..urs to Dot you out of that
opinion/ #et"s hear your grounds for 'eieving that you"re going )ad>
and +e" de.ide +hether or not to o.1 you up after+ards/J
As faithfuy as he .oud> *a.1 narrated the +hoe series of o..urren.es/
J%ut +hat I .an"t understand>J he ended> Jis +hy this )orning it shoud
.o)e at haf;past seven ; five )inutes ate/J
#avington thought for a )inute or t+o/ Then ;
JWhat"s the ti)e no+ 'y your +at.hAJ he as1ed/
J4uarter to eight>J repied *a.1> .onsuting it/
JThat"s si)pe enough> then/ Mine says t+enty to eight/ @our +at.h is
five )inutes fast/ That"s a very interesting and i)portant point ; to )e/
In fa.t> it"s invaua'e/J
JIn +hat +ayAJ
*a.1 +as 'eginning to get interested/
JWe> the o'vious eBpanation is that on the first )orning you did hear
so)e su.h .ry ; )ay have 'een a Do1e> )ay not/ <n the foo+ing
)ornings> you suggestioned yoursef to hear it eBa.ty the sa)e ti)e/J
JI") sure I didn"t/J
J0ot .ons.iousy> of .ourse> 'ut the su'.ons.ious pays us so)e funny
tri.1s> you 1no+/ %ut> any+ay> that eBpanation +on"t +ash/ If it +ere a
.ase of suggestion> you +oud have heard the .ry at t+enty;five
)inutes past seven 'y your +at.h> and you .oud never have heard it
+hen the ti)e> as you thought> +as past/J
JWe> thenAJ
JWe ; it"s o'vious> isn"t itA This .ry for hep o..upies a perfe.ty
definite pa.e and ti)e in spa.e/ The pa.e is the vi.inity of that .ottage
and the ti)e is t+enty;five )inutes past seven/J
J@es> 'ut +hy shoud I 'e the one to hear itA I don"t 'eieve in ghosts
and a that spoo1 stuff ; spirits rapping and a the rest of it/ Why shoud
I hear the da)ned thingAJ
JAhG that +e .an"t te at present/ It"s a .urious thing that )any of the
'est )ediu)s are )ade out of .onfir)ed s.epti.s/ It isn"t the peope
+ho are interested in o..ut pheno)ena +ho get the )anifestations/
So)e peope see and hear things that other peope don"t ; +e don"t
1no+ +hy> and nine ti)es out of ten they don"t +ant to see or hear the)>
and are .onvin.ed that they are suffering fro) deusions ; Dust as you
+ere/ It"s i1e ee.tri.ity/ So)e su'stan.es are good .ondu.tors> and
for a ong ti)e +e didn"t 1no+ +hy> and had to 'e .ontent Dust to a..ept
the fa.t/ 0o+adays +e do 1no+ +hy/ So)e day> no dou't> +e sha
1no+ +hy you hear this thing and I and the gir don"t/ (verything"s
governed 'y natura a+> you 1no+ ; there"s no su.h thing reay as the
supernatura/ Finding out the a+s that govern so;.aed psy.hi.
pheno)ena is going to 'e a tough Do' ; 'ut every itte heps/J
J%ut +hat a) I going to doAJ as1ed *a.1/
#avington .hu.1ed/
JPra.ti.a> I see/ We> )y young friend> you are going to have a good
'rea1fast and get off to the .ity +ithout +orrying your head further
a'out things you don"t understand/ I> on the other hand> a) going to
po1e a'out> and see +hat I .an find out a'out that .ottage 'a.1 there/
That"s +here the )ystery .enters> I dare s+ear/J
*a.1 rose to his feet
J&ight> sir/ I") on> 'ut> I say ;J
J@esAJ
*a.1 fushed a+1+ardy/
JI") sure the gir"s a right>J he )uttered/
#avington oo1ed a)used/
J@ou didn"t te )e she +as a pretty girG We> .heer up> I thin1 the
)ystery started 'efore her ti)e/J
*a.1 arrived ho)e that evening in a perfe.t fever of .uriosity/ !e +as
'y no+ pinning his faith 'indy to #avington/ The do.tor had a..epted
the )atter so naturay> had 'een so )atter;of;fa.t and unpertur'ed 'y
it> that *a.1 +as i)pressed/
!e found his ne+ friend +aiting for hi) in the ha +hen he .a)e do+n
for dinner> and the do.tor suggested that they shoud dine together at
the sa)e ta'e/
JAny ne+s> sirAJ as1ed *a.1 anBiousy/
JI"ve .oe.ted the ife history of !eather Cottage a right/ It +as
tenanted first 'y an od gardener and his +ife/ The od )an died> and
the od +o)an +ent to her daughter/ Then a 'uider got hod of it> and
)oderni?ed it +ith great su..ess> seing it to a .ity gente)an +ho
used it for +ee1 ends/ A'out a year ago> he sod it to so)e peope
.aed Turner ; Mr and Mrs Turner/ They see) to have 'een rather a
.urious .oupe fro) a I .an )a1e out/ !e +as an (ngish)an> his +ife
+as popuary supposed to 'e party &ussian> and +as a very
handso)e> eBoti.;oo1ing +o)an/ They ived very 8uiety> seeing no
one> and hardy ever going outside the .ottage garden/ The o.a ru)or
goes that they +ere afraid of so)ething ; 'ut I don"t thin1 +e ought to
rey on that/
JAnd then suddeny one day they departed> .eared out one )orning
eary> and never .a)e 'a.1/ The agents here got a etter fro) Mr
Turner> +ritten fro) #ondon> instru.ting hi) to se the pa.e as 8ui.1y
as possi'e/ The furniture +as sod off> and the house itsef +as sod to
a Mr Maueverer/ !e ony a.tuay ived in it a fortnight ; then he
advertised it to 'e et furnished/ The peope +ho have it no+ are a
.onsu)ptive Fren.h professor and his daughter/ They have 'een there
Dust ten days/J
*a.1 digested this in sien.e/
JI don"t see that that gets us any forrader>J he said at ast/ J$o youAJ
JI rather +ant to 1no+ )ore a'out the Turners>J said #avington 8uiety/
JThey eft very eary in the )orning> you re)e)'er/ As far as I .an
)a1e out> no'ody a.tuay sa+ the) go/ Mr Turner has 'een seen sin.e
; 'ut I .an"t find any'ody +ho has seen Mrs Turner/J
*a.1 paed/
JIt .an"t 'e ; you don"t )ean ;J
J$on"t eB.ite yoursef> young )an/ The infuen.e of anyone at the point
of death ; and espe.iay of vioent death ; upon their surroundings is
very strong/ Those surroundings )ight .on.eiva'y a'sor' that
infuen.e> trans)itting it in turn to a suita'y tuned re.eiver ; in this
.ase yoursef/J
J%ut +hy )eAJ )ur)ured *a.1 re'eiousy/ JWhy not so)eone +ho
.oud do so)e goodAJ
J@ou are regarding the for.e as inteigent and purposefu> instead of
'ind and )e.hani.a/ I do not 'eieve )ysef in earth;'ound spirits>
haunting a spot for one parti.uar purpose/ %ut the thing I have seen>
again and again> unti I .an hardy 'eieve it to 'e pure .oin.iden.e> is a
1ind of 'ind groping to+ards Dusti.e ; a su'terranean )oving of 'ind
for.es> a+ays +or1ing o's.urey to+ards that end///J
!e shoo1 hi)sef> as though .asting off so)e o'session that
preo..upied hi)> and turned to *a.1 +ith a ready s)ie/
J#et us 'anish the su'De.t ; for tonight at a events>J he suggested/
*a.1 agreed readiy enough> 'ut did not find it so easy to 'anish the
su'De.t fro) his o+n )ind/
$uring the +ee1 end> he )ade vigorous in8uiries of his o+n> 'ut
su..eeded in ei.iting itte )ore than the do.tor had done/ !e had
definitey given up paying gof 'efore 'rea1fast/
The neBt in1 in the .hain .a)e fro) an uneBpe.ted 8uarter/ <n getting
'a.1 one day> *a.1 +as infor)ed that a young ady +as +aiting to see
hi)/ To his intense surprise it proved to 'e the gir of the garden ; the
pansy gir> as he a+ays .aed her in his o+n )ind/ She +as very
nervous and .onfused/
J@ou +i forgive )e> Monsieur> for .o)ing to see1 you i1e thisA %ut
there is so)ething I +ant to te you ; I ;J
She oo1ed around un.ertainy/
JCo)e in here>J said *a.1 pro)pty> eading the +ay into the no+
deserted J#adies" $ra+ing;roo)J of the hote> a dreary apart)ent> +ith
a good dea of red push a'out it/ J0o+> sit do+n> Miss> Miss ;J
JMar.haud> Monsieur/ Feise Mar.haud/J
JSit do+n> Made)oisee Mar.haud> and te )e a a'out it/J
Feise sat do+n o'edienty/ She +as dressed in dar1 green today> and
the 'eauty and .har) of the proud itte fa.e +as )ore evident than
ever/ *a.1"s heart 'eat faster as he sat do+n 'eside her/
JIt is i1e this>J eBpained Feise/ JWe have 'een here 'ut a short ti)e>
and fro) the 'eginning +e hear the house ; our so s+eet itte house ; is
haunted/ 0o servant +i stay in it/ That does not )atter so )u.h ; )e> I
.an do the )=nage and .oo1 easiy enough/J
JAnge>J thought the infatuated young )an/ JShe"s +onderfu/J
%ut he )aintained an out+ard se)'an.e of 'usiness;i1e attention/
JThis ta1 of ghosts> I thin1 it is a foy ; that is unti four days ago/
Monsieur> four nights running> I have had the sa)e drea)/ A ady
stands there ; she is 'eautifu> ta and very fair/ In her hands she hods
a 'ue .hina Dar/ She is distressed ; very distressed> and .ontinuay she
hods out the Dar to )e> as though i)poring )e to do so)ething +ith it/
%ut aasG she .annot spea1> and I ; I do not 1no+ +hat she as1s/ That
+as the drea) for the first t+o nights ; 'ut the night 'efore ast> there
+as )ore of it/ She and the 'ue Dar faded a+ay> and suddeny I heard
her voi.e .rying out ; I 1no+ it is her voi.e> you .o)prehend ; and> ohG
Monsieur> the +ords she says are those you spo1e to )e that )orning/
"Murder ; hepG MurderG" I a+o1e in terror/ I say to )ysef ; it is a
night)are> the +ords you heard are an a..ident/ %ut ast night the
drea) .a)e again/ Monsieur> +hat is itA @ou too have heard/ What sha
+e doAJ
Feise"s fa.e +as terrified/ !er s)a hands .asped the)seves
together> and she ga?ed appeaingy at *a.1/ The atter affe.ted an
un.on.ern he did not fee/
JThat"s a right> Made)oisee Mar.haud/ @ou )ustn"t +orry/ I te you
+hat I"d i1e you to do> if you don"t )ind/ &epeat the +hoe story to a
friend of )ine +ho is staying here> a $r #avington/J
Feise signified her +iingness to adopt this .ourse> and *a.1 +ent off
in sear.h of #avington/ !e returned +ith hi) a fe+ )inutes ater/
#avington gave the gir a 1een s.rutiny as he a.1no+edged *a.1"s
hurried introdu.tions/ With a fe+ reassuring +ords> he soon put the gir
at her ease> and he> in his turn> istened attentivey to her story/
J7ery .urious>J he said> +hen she had finished/ J@ou have tod your
father thisAJ
Feise shoo1 her head/
JI have not i1ed to +orry hi)/ !e is very i sti ;J her eyes fied +ith
tears ; JI 1eep fro) hi) anything that )ight eB.ite or agitate hi)/J
JI understand>J said #avington 1indy/ JAnd I a) gad you .a)e to us>
Made)oisee Mar.haud/ !artington here> as you 1no+> had an
eBperien.e so)ething si)iar to yours/ I thin1 I )ay say that +e are +e
on the tra.1 no+/ There is nothing ese that you .an thin1 ofAJ
Feise gave a 8ui.1 )ove)ent/
J<f .ourseG !o+ stupid I a)/ It is the point of the +hoe story/ #oo1>
Monsieur> at +hat I found at the 'a.1 of one of the .up'oards +here it
had sipped 'ehind the shef/J
She hed out to the) a dirty pie.e of dra+ing;paper on +hi.h +as
eBe.uted roughy in +ater .oors a s1et.h of a +o)an/ It +as a )ere
dau'> 'ut the i1eness +as pro'a'y good enough/ It represented a ta
fair +o)an> +ith so)ething su'ty un;(ngish in her fa.e/ She +as
standing 'y a ta'e on +hi.h +as standing a 'ue .hina Dar/
JI ony found it this )orning>J eBpained Feise/ JMonsieur e do.teur>
that is the fa.e of the +o)an I sa+ in )y drea)> and that is the identi.a
'ue Dar/J
J(Btraordinary>J .o))ented #avington/ JThe 1ey to the )ystery is
evidenty the 'ue Dar/ It oo1s i1e a Chinese Dar to )e> pro'a'y an od
one/ It see)s to have a .urious raised pattern over it/J
JIt is Chinese>J de.ared *a.1/ JI have seen an eBa.ty si)iar one in )y
un.e"s .oe.tion ; he is a great .oe.tor of Chinese por.eain> you
1no+> and I re)e)'er noti.ing a Dar Dust i1e this a short ti)e ago/J
JThe Chinese Dar>J )used #avington/ !e re)ained a )inute or t+o ost
in thought> then raised his head suddeny> a .urious ight shining in his
eyes/ J!artington> ho+ ong has your un.e had that DarAJ
J!o+ ongA I reay don"t 1no+/J
JThin1/ $id he 'uy it ateyAJ
JI don"t 1no+ ; yes> I 'eieve he did> no+ I .o)e to thin1 of it/ I") not
very interested in por.eain )ysef> 'ut I re)e)'er his sho+ing )e his
"re.ent a.8uisitions>" and this +as one of the)/J
J#ess than t+o )onths agoA The Turners eft !eather Cottage Dust t+o
)onths ago/J
J@es> I 'eieve it +as/J
J@our un.e attends .ountry saes so)eti)esAJ
J!e"s a+ays tooing round to saes/J
JThen there is no inherent i)pro'a'iity in our assu)ing that he 'ought
this parti.uar pie.e of por.eain at the sae of the Turners" things/ A
.urious .oin.iden.e ; or perhaps +hat I .a the groping of 'ind Dusti.e/
!artington> you )ust find out fro) your un.e at on.e +here he 'ought
this Dar/J
*a.1"s fa.e fe/
JI") afraid that"s i)possi'e/ 2n.e ,eorge is a+ay on the Continent/ I
don"t even 1no+ +here to +rite to hi)/J
J!o+ ong +i he 'e a+ayAJ
JThree +ee1s to a )onth at east/J
There +as a sien.e/ Feise sat oo1ing anBiousy fro) one )an to the
other/
JIs there nothing that +e .an doAJ she as1ed ti)idy/
J@es> there is one thing>J said #avington> in a tone of suppressed
eB.ite)ent/ JIt is unusua> perhaps> 'ut I 'eieve that it +i su..eed/
!artington> you )ust get hod of that Dar/ %ring it do+n here and> if
Made)oisee per)its> +e +i spend a night in !eather Cottage> ta1ing
the 'ue Dar +ith us/J
*a.1 fet his s1in .reep un.o)forta'y/
JWhat do you thin1 +i happenAJ he as1ed uneasiy/
JI have not the sightest idea ; 'ut I honesty 'eieve that the )ystery
+i 'e soved and the ghost aid/ 4uite possi'y there )ay 'e a fase
'otto) to the Dar and so)ething is .on.eaed inside it/ If no
pheno)enon o..urs> +e )ust use our o+n ingenuity/J
Feise .asped her hands/
JIt is a +onderfu idea>J she eB.ai)ed/
!er eyes +ere aight +ith enthusias)/ *a.1 did not fee neary so
enthusiasti. ; in fa.t> he +as in+ardy fun1ing it 'ady> 'ut nothing
+oud have indu.ed hi) to ad)it the fa.t 'efore Feise/ The do.tor
a.ted as though his suggestion +ere the )ost natura one in the +ord/
JWhen .an you get the DarAJ as1ed Feise> turning to *a.1/
JTo)orro+>J said the atter> un+iingy/
!e had to go through +ith it no+> 'ut the )e)ory of that fren?ied .ry
for hep that had haunted hi) ea.h )orning +as so)ething to 'e
ruthessy thrust do+n and not thought a'out )ore than .oud 'e
heped/
!e +ent to his un.e"s house the foo+ing evening> and too1 a+ay the
Dar in 8uestion/ !e +as )ore than ever .onvin.ed +hen he sa+ it again
that it +as the identi.a one pi.tured in the +ater .oor s1et.h> 'ut
.arefuy as he oo1ed it over he .oud see no sign that it .ontained a
se.ret re.epta.e of any 1ind/
It +as eeven o".o.1 +hen he and #avington arrived at !eather
Cottage/ Feise +as on the oo1out for the)> and opened the door softy
'efore they had ti)e to 1no.1/
JCo)e in>J she +hispered/ JMy father is aseep upstairs> and +e )ust
not +a1e hi)/ I have )ade .offee for you in here/J
She ed the +ay into a s)a .osy sitting;roo)/ A spirit a)p stood in the
grate> and 'ending over it> she 're+ed the) 'oth so)e fragrant .offee/
Then *a.1 unfastened the Chinese Dar fro) its )any +rappings/ Feise
gasped as her eyes fe on it/
J%ut yes> 'ut yes>J she .ried eagery/ JThat is it ; I +oud 1no+ it
any+here/J
Mean+hie #avington +as )a1ing his o+n preparations/ !e re)oved a
the orna)ents fro) a s)a ta'e and set it in the )idde of the roo)/
&ound it he pa.ed three .hairs/ Then> ta1ing the 'ue Dar fro) *a.1> he
pa.ed it in the .enter of the ta'e/
J0o+>J he said> J+e are ready/ Turn off the ights> and et us sit round
the ta'e in the dar1ness/J
The others o'eyed hi)/ #avington"s voi.e spo1e again out of the
dar1ness/
JThin1 of nothing ; or of everything/ $o not for.e the )ind/ It is possi'e
that one of us has )ediu)isti. po+ers/ If so> that person +i go into a
tran.e/ &e)e)'er> there is nothing to fear/ Cast out fear fro) your
hearts> and drift ; drift ;J
!is voi.e died a+ay and there +as sien.e/ Minute 'y )inute> the
sien.e see)ed to gro+ )ore pregnant +ith possi'iities/ It +as a very
+e for #avington to say JCast out fear/J It +as not fear that *a.1 fet ; it
+as pani./ And he +as a)ost .ertain that Feise fet the sa)e +ay/
Suddeny he heard her voi.e> o+ and terrified/
JSo)ething terri'e is going to happen/ I fee it/J
JCast out fear>J said #avington/ J$o not fight against the infuen.e/J
The dar1ness see)ed to get dar1er and the sien.e )ore a.ute/ And
nearer and nearer .a)e that indefina'e sense of )ena.e/
*a.1 fet hi)sef .ho1ing ; stifing ; the evi thing +as very near///
And then the )o)ent of .onfi.t passed/ !e +as drifting ; drifting
do+nstrea) ; his ids .osed ; pea.e ; dar1ness///
*a.1 stirred sighty/ !is head +as heavy ; heavy as ead/ Where +as
heA
Sunshine/// 'irds/// !e ay staring up at the s1y/
Then it a .a)e 'a.1 to hi)/ The sitting/ The itte roo)/ Feise and the
do.tor/ What had happenedA
!e sat up> his head thro''ing unpeasanty> and oo1ed round hi)/ !e
+as ying in a itte .opse not far fro) the .ottage/ 0o one ese +as near
hi)/ !e too1 out his +at.h/ To his a)a?e)ent it registered haf;past
t+eve/
*a.1 strugged to his feet> and ran as fast as he .oud in the dire.tion of
the .ottage/ They )ust have 'een aar)ed 'y his faiure to .o)e out of
the tran.e> and .arried hi) out into the open air/
Arrived at the .ottage> he 1no.1ed oudy on the door/ %ut there +as no
ans+er> and no signs of ife a'out it/ They )ust have gone off to get
hep/ <r ese ; *a.1 fet an indefina'e fear invade hi)/ What had
happened ast nightA
!e )ade his +ay 'a.1 to the hote as 8ui.1y as possi'e/ !e +as a'out
to )a1e so)e in8uiries at the offi.e> +hen he +as diverted 'y a
.oossa pun.h in the ri's +hi.h neary 1no.1ed hi) off his feet/
Turning in so)e indignation> he 'ehed a +hite;haired od gente)an
+hee?ing +ith )irth/
J$idn"t eBpe.t )e> )y 'oy/ $idn"t eBpe.t )e> heyAJ said this individua/
JWhy> 2n.e ,eorge> I thought you +ere )ies a+ay ; in Itay
so)e+here/J
JAhG 'ut I +asn"t/ #anded at $over ast night/ Thought I"d )otor up to
to+n and stop here to see you on the +ay/ And +hat did I find/ <ut a
night> heyA 0i.e goings on ;J
J2n.e ,eorge>J *a.1 .he.1ed hi) fir)y/ JI"ve got the )ost
eBtraordinary story to te you/ I dare say you +on"t 'eieve it/J
!e narrated the +hoe story/
JAnd ,od 1no+s +hat"s 'e.o)e of the)>J he ended/
!is un.e see)ed on the verge of apopeBy/
JThe Dar>J he )anaged to eDa.uate at ast/ JT!( %#2( *A&G What"s
'e.o)e of thatAJ
*a.1 stared at hi) in non;.o)prehension> 'ut su')erged in the torrent
of +ords that foo+ed he 'egan to understand/
It .a)e +ith a rushH JMing ; uni8ue ; ge) of )y .oe.tion ; +orth ten
thousand pounds at east ; offer fro) !oggenhei)er> the A)eri.an
)iionaire ; ony one of its 1ind in the +ord/ ; Confound it> sir> +hat
have you done +ith )y %#2( *A&AJ
*a.1 rushed to the offi.e/ !e )ust find #avington/ The young ady in the
offi.e eyed hi) .ody/
J$r #avington eft ate ast night ; 'y )otor/ !e eft a note for you/J
*a.1 tore it open/ It +as short and to the point/
My $ear @oung FriendH
Is the day of the supernatura overA 0ot 8uite ; espe.iay +hen tri.1ed
out in ne+ s.ientifi. anguage/ -indest regards fro) Feise> invaid
father> and )ysef/ We have t+eve hours start> +hi.h ought to 'e
a)pe/
@ours ever>
A)'rose #avington>
$o.tor of the Sou
T!( ST&A0,( CAS( <F SI& A&T!2& CA&MIC!A(#
9Ta1en fro) the notes of the ate $r (d+ard Carstairs> M/$/> the
e)inent psy.hoogist/:
I a) perfe.ty a+are that there are t+o distin.t +ays of oo1ing at the
strange and tragi. events +hi.h I have set do+n here/ My o+n opinion
has never +avered/ I have 'een persuaded to +rite the story out in fu>
and indeed I 'eieve it to 'e due to s.ien.e that su.h strange and
ineBpi.a'e fa.ts shoud not 'e 'uried in o'ivion/
It +as a +ire fro) )y friend> $r Sette> that first introdu.ed )e to the
)atter/ %eyond )entioning the na)e Car)i.hae> the +ire +as not
eBpi.it> 'ut in o'edien.e to it I too1 the 12H26 train fro) Paddington to
Woden> in !erefordshire/
The na)e of Car)i.hae +as not unfa)iiar to )e/ I had 'een sighty
a.8uainted +ith the ate Sir Wiia) Car)i.hae of Woden> though I had
seen nothing of hi) for the ast eeven years/ !e had> I 1ne+> one son>
the present 'aronet> +ho )ust no+ 'e a young )an of a'out t+entythree/
I re)e)'ered vaguey having heard so)e ru)ours a'out Sir
Wiia)"s se.ond )arriage> 'ut .oud re.a nothing definite uness it
+ere a vague i)pression detri)enta to the se.ond #ady Car)i.hae/
Sette )et )e at the station/
J,ood of you to .o)e>J he said as he +rung )y hand/
J0ot at a/ I understand this is so)ething in )y ineAJ
J7ery )u.h so/J
JA )enta .ase> thenAJ I ha?arded/ JPossessing so)e unusua
featuresAJ
We had .oe.ted )y uggage 'y this ti)e and +ere seated in a dog.art
driving a+ay fro) the station in the dire.tion of Woden> +hi.h ay
a'out three )ies a+ay/ Sette did not ans+er for a )inute or t+o/ Then
he 'urst out suddeny/
JThe +hoe thing"s in.o)prehensi'eG !ere is a young )an> t+entythree
years of age> thoroughy nor)a in every respe.t/ A peasant
a)ia'e 'oy> +ith no )ore than his fair share of .on.eit> not 'riiant
intee.tuay perhaps> 'ut an eB.eent type of the ordinary upper;.ass
young (ngish)an/ ,oes to 'ed in his usua heath one evening> and is
found the neBt )orning +andering a'out the viage in a se)i;idioti.
.ondition> in.apa'e of re.ogni?ing his nearest and dearest/J
JAhGJ I said> sti)uated/ This .ase pro)ised to 'e interesting/
JCo)pete oss of )e)oryA And this o..urred ;AJ
J@esterday )orning/ The ninth of August/J
JAnd there has 'een nothing ; no sho.1 that you 1no+ of ; to a..ount
for this stateAJ
J0othing/J
I had a sudden suspi.ion/
JAre you 1eeping anything 'a.1AJ
J0;no/J
!is hesitation .onfir)ed )y suspi.ion/
JI )ust 1no+ everything/J
JIt"s nothing to do +ith Arthur/ It"s to do +ith ; +ith the house/J
JWith the house>J I repeated> astonished/
J@ou"ve had a great dea to do +ith that sort of thing> haven"t you>
CarstairsA @ou"ve "tested" so;.aed haunted houses/ What"s your
opinion of the +hoe thingAJ
JIn nine .ases out of ten> fraud>J I repied/ J%ut the tenth ; +e> I have
.o)e a.ross pheno)ena that is a'soutey uneBpaina'e fro) the
ordinary )ateriaisti. standpoint/ I a) a 'eiever in the o..ut/J
Sette nodded/ We +ere Dust turning in at the Par1 gates/ !e pointed
+ith his +hip at a o+;ying +hite )ansion on the side of a hi/
JThat"s the house>J he said/ JAnd ; there"s so)ething in that house>
so)ething un.anny ; horri'e/ We a fee it/// And I") not a superstitious
)an///J
JWhat for) does it ta1eAJ I as1ed/
!e oo1ed straight in front of hi)/ JI"d rather you 1ne+ nothing/ @ou see>
if you ; .o)ing here un'iased ; 1no+ing nothing a'out it ; see it too ;
+e ;J
J@es>J I said> Jit"s 'etter so/ %ut I shoud 'e gad if you +i te )e a itte
)ore a'out the fa)iy/J
JSir Wiia)>J said Sette> J+as t+i.e )arried/ Arthur is the .hid of his
first +ife/ 0ine years ago he )arried again> and the present #ady
Car)i.hae is so)ething of a ; )ystery/ She is ony haf (ngish> and> I
suspe.t> has Asiati. 'ood in her veins/J
!e paused/
JSette>J I said> Jyou don"t i1e #ady Car)i.hae/J
!e ad)itted it fran1y/ J0o> I don"t/ There has a+ays see)ed to )e to
'e so)ething sinister a'out her/ We> to .ontinueI 'y his se.ond +ife
Sir Wiia) had another .hid> aso a 'oy> +ho is no+ eight years od/ Sir
Wiia) died three years ago> and Arthur .a)e into the tite and pa.e/
!is step)other and haf;'rother .ontinued to ive +ith hi) at Woden/
The estate> I )ust te you> is very )u.h i)poverished/ 0eary the +hoe
of Sir Arthur"s in.o)e goes to 1eeping it up/ A fe+ hundreds a year +as
a Sir Wiia) .oud eave his +ife> 'ut fortunatey Arthur has a+ays
got on spendidy +ith his step)other> and has 'een ony too deighted
to have her ive +ith hi)/ 0o+ ;J
J@esAJ
JT+o )onths ago Arthur 'e.a)e engaged to a .har)ing gir> a Miss
Phyis Patterson/J !e added> o+ering his voi.e +ith a tou.h of
e)otionH JThey +ere to have 'een )arried neBt )onth/ She is staying
here no+/ @ou .an i)agine her distress ;J
I 'o+ed )y head sienty/
We +ere driving up .ose to the house no+/ <n our right the green a+n
soped genty a+ay/ And suddeny I sa+ a )ost .har)ing pi.ture/ A
young gir +as .o)ing so+y a.ross the a+n to the house/ She +ore
no hat> and the sunight enhan.ed the gea) of her gorious goden hair/
She .arried a great 'as1et of roses> and a 'eautifu grey Persian .at
t+ined itsef ovingy round her feet as she +a1ed/
I oo1ed at Sette interrogativey/
JThat is Miss Patterson>J he said/
JPoor gir>J I said> Jpoor gir/ What a pi.ture she )a1es +ith her roses
and her grey .at/J
I heard a faint sound and oo1ed 8ui.1y round at )y friend/ The reins
had sipped out of his fingers> and his fa.e +as 8uite +hite/
JWhat"s the )atterAJ I eB.ai)ed/
!e re.overed hi)sef +ith an effort/
J0othing>J he said> Jnothing/J
In a fe+ )o)ents )ore +e had arrived> and I +as foo+ing hi) into the
green dra+ing roo)> +here tea +as aid out/
A )idde;aged 'ut sti 'eautifu +o)an rose as +e entered and .a)e
for+ard +ith an outstret.hed hand/
JThis is )y friend> $r Carstairs> #ady Car)i.hae/J
I .annot eBpain the instin.tive +ave of repusion that s+ept over )e as
I too1 the proffered hand of this .har)ing and statey +o)an +ho
)oved +ith the dar1 and anguorous gra.e that re.aed Sette"s
sur)ise of <rienta 'ood/
JIt is very good of you to .o)e> $r Carstairs>J she said in a o+ )usi.a
voi.e> Jand to try and hep us in our great trou'e/J
I )ade so)e trivia repy and she handed )e )y tea/
In a fe+ )inutes the gir I had seen on the a+n outside entered the
roo)/ The .at +as no onger +ith her> 'ut she sti .arried the 'as1et of
roses in her hand/ Sette introdu.ed )e and she .a)e for+ard
i)pusivey/
J<hG $r Carstairs> $r Sette has tod us so )u.h a'out you/ I have a
feeing that you +i 'e a'e to do so)ething for poor Arthur/J
Miss Patterson +as .ertainy a very ovey gir> though her .hee1s +ere
pae> and her fran1 eyes +ere outined +ith dar1 .ir.es/
JMy dear young ady>J I said reassuringy> Jindeed you )ust not despair/
These .ases of ost )e)ory> or se.ondary personaity> are often of very
short duration/ At any )inute the patient )ay return to his fu po+ers/J
She shoo1 her head/ JI .an"t 'eieve in this 'eing a se.ond personaity>J
she said/ JThis isn"t Arthur at a/ It is no personaity of his/ It isn"t hi)/ I ;
J
JPhyis> dear>J said #ady Car)i.hae"s soft voi.e> Jhere is your tea/J
And so)ething in the eBpression of her eyes as they rested on the gir
tod )e that #ady Car)i.hae had itte ove for her prospe.tive
daughter;in;a+/
Miss Patterson de.ined the tea> and I said> to ease the .onversationH
JIsn"t the pussy.at going to have a sau.er of )i1AJ
She oo1ed at )e rather strangey/
JThe ; pussy.atAJ
J@es> your .o)panion of a fe+ )o)ents ago in the garden ;J
I +as interrupted 'y a .rash/ #ady Car)i.hae had upset the tea 1ette>
and the hot +ater +as pouring a over the foor/ I re)edied the )atter>
and Phyis Patterson oo1ed 8uestioningy at Sette/ !e rose/
JWoud you i1e to see your patient no+> CarstairsAJ
I foo+ed hi) at on.e/ Miss Patterson .a)e +ith us/ We +ent upstairs
and Sette too1 a 1ey fro) his po.1et/
J!e so)eti)es has a fit of +andering>J he eBpained/ JSo I usuay o.1
the door +hen I") a+ay fro) the house/J
!e turned the 1ey in the o.1 and +e +ent in/
A young )an +as sitting on the +indo+ seat +here the ast rays of the
+estery sun stru.1 'road and yeo+/ !e sat .uriousy sti> rather
hun.hed together> +ith every )us.e reaBed/ I thought at first that he
+as 8uite una+are of our presen.e unti I suddeny sa+ that> under
i))ova'e ids> he +as +at.hing us .osey/ !is eyes dropped as they
)et )ine> and he 'in1ed/ %ut he did not )ove/
JCo)e> Arthur>J said Sette .heerfuy/ JMiss Patterson and a friend of
)ine have .o)e to see you/J
%ut the young feo+ on the +indo+ seat ony 'in1ed/ @et a )o)ent or
t+o ater I sa+ hi) +at.hing us again ; furtivey and se.rety/
JWant your teaAJ as1ed Sette> sti oudy and .heerfuy> as though
ta1ing to a .hid/
!e set on the ta'e a .up fu of )i1/ I ifted )y eye'ro+s in surprise>
and Sette s)ied/
JFunny thing>J he said> Jthe ony drin1 he" tou.h is )i1/J
In a )o)ent or t+o> +ithout undue haste> Sir Arthur un.oied hi)sef>
i)' 'y i)'> fro) his hudded position and +a1ed so+y over to the
ta'e/ I re.ogni?ed suddeny that his )ove)ents +ere a'soutey sient>
his feet )ade no sound as they trod/ *ust as he rea.hed the ta'e> he
gave a tre)endous stret.h> poised on one eg for+ard> the other
stret.hing out 'ehind hi)/ !e proonged this eBer.ise to its ut)ost
eBtent> and then ya+ned/ 0ever have I seen su.h a ya+nG It see)ed to
s+ao+ up his entire fa.e/
!e no+ turned his attention to the )i1> 'ending do+n to the ta'e unti
his ips tou.hed the fuid/
Sette ans+ered )y in8uiring oo1/
JWon"t )a1e use of his hands at a/ See)s to have returned to a
pri)itive state/ <dd> isn"t itAJ
I fet Phyis Patterson shrin1 against )e a itte> and I aid )y hand
soothingy on her ar)/
The )i1 +as finished at ast> and Arthur Car)i.hae stret.hed hi)sef
on.e )ore> and then +ith the sa)e 8uiet noiseess footsteps he
regained the +indo+ seat> +here he sat> hudded up as 'efore> 'in1ing
at us/
Miss Patterson dre+ us out into the .orridor/ She +as tre)'ing a over/
J<hG $r Carstairs>J she .ried/ JIt isn"t hi) ; that thing in there isn"t
ArthurG I shoud fee ; I shoud 1no+ ;J
I shoo1 )y head sady/
JThe 'rain .an pay strange tri.1s> Miss Patterson/J
I .onfess that I +as pu??ed 'y the .ase/ It presented unusua features/
Though I had never seen young Car)i.hae 'efore> there +as
so)ething a'out his pe.uiar )anner of +a1ing> and the +ay he
'in1ed> that re)inded )e of so)eone or so)ething that I .oud not
8uite pa.e/
<ur dinner that night +as a 8uiet affair> the 'urden of .onversation
'eing sustained 'y #ady Car)i.hae and )ysef/ When the adies had
+ithdra+n> Sette as1ed )e )y i)pression of )y hostess/
JI )ust .onfess>J I said> Jthat for no .ause or reason I disi1e her
intensey/ @ou +ere 8uite right> she has (astern 'ood> and> I shoud say>
possesses )ar1ed o..ut po+ers/ She is a +o)an of eBtraordinary
)agneti. for.e/J
Sette see)ed on the point of saying so)ething> 'ut .he.1ed hi)sef
and )erey re)ar1ed after a )inute or t+oH JShe is a'soutey devoted
to her itte son/J
We sat in the green dra+ing roo) again after dinner/ We had Dust
finished .offee and +ere .onversing rather stiffy on the topi.s of the
day +hen the .at 'egan to )ia+ piteousy for ad)ission outside the
door/ 0o one too1 any noti.e> and> as I a) fond of ani)as> after a
)o)ent or t+o I rose/
JMay I et the poor thing inAJ I as1ed #ady Car)i.hae/
!er fa.e see)ed very +hite> I thought> 'ut she )ade a faint gesture of
the head +hi.h I too1 as assent and> going to the door> I opened it/ %ut
the .orridor outside +as 8uite e)pty/
JStrange>J I saidI JI .oud have s+orn I heard a .at/J
As I .a)e 'a.1 to )y .hair> I noti.ed they +ere a +at.hing )e intenty/
It so)eho+ )ade )e fee a itte un.o)forta'e/
We retired to 'ed eary/ Sette a..o)panied )e to )y roo)/
J,ot everything you +antAJ he as1ed> oo1ing round/
J@es> than1s/J
!e sti ingered rather a+1+ardy as though there +as so)ething he
+anted to say 'ut .oud not 8uite get out/
J%y the +ay>J I re)ar1ed> Jyou said there +as so)ething un.anny
a'out this houseA As yet it see)s )ost nor)a/J
J@ou .a it a .heerfu houseAJ
J!ardy that> under the .ir.u)stan.es/ It is o'viousy under the shado+
of a great sorro+/ %ut as regards any a'nor)a infuen.e> I shoud give
it a .ean 'i of heath/J
J,ood night>J said Sette a'rupty/ JAnd peasant drea)s/J
$rea) I .ertainy did/ Miss Patterson"s grey .at see)ed to have
i)pressed itsef upon )y 'rain/ A night ong> it see)ed to )e> I drea)t
of the +ret.hed ani)a/
A+a1ing +ith a start> I suddeny reai?ed +hat had 'rought the .at so
for.i'y into )y thoughts/ The .reature +as )ia+ing persistenty
outside )y door/ I)possi'e to seep +ith that ra.1et going on/ I it )y
.ande and +ent to the door/ %ut the passage outside )y roo) +as
e)pty> though the )ia+ing sti .ontinued/ A ne+ idea stru.1 )e/ The
unfortunate ani)a +as shut up so)e+here> una'e to get out/ To the
eft +as the end of the passage> +here #ady Car)i.hae"s roo) +as
situated/ I turned therefore to the right> 'ut had ta1en 'ut a fe+ pa.es
+hen the noise 'ro1e out again fro) 'ehind )e/ I turned sharpy and
the sound .a)e again> this ti)e distin.ty on the right of )e/
So)ething> pro'a'y a draught in the .orridor> )ade )e shiver> and I
+ent sharpy 'a.1 to )y roo)/ (verything +as sient no+> and I +as
soon aseep on.e )ore ; to +a1e to another gorious su))er"s day/
As I +as dressing> I sa+ fro) )y +indo+ the distur'er of )y night"s
rest/ The grey .at +as .reeping so+y and steathiy a.ross the a+n/ I
Dudged its o'De.t of atta.1 to 'e a s)a fo.1 of 'irds +ho +ere 'usy
.hirruping and preening the)seves not far a+ay/
And then a very .urious thing happened/ The .at .a)e straight on and
passed through the )idst of the 'irds> its fur a)ost 'rushing against
the) ; and the 'irds did not fy a+ay/ I .oud not understand it ; the
thing see)ed in.o)prehensi'e/
So vividy did it i)press )e that I .oud not refrain fro) )entioning it at
'rea1fast/
J$o you 1no+>J I said to #ady Car)i.hae> Jthat you have a very
unusua .atAJ
I heard the 8ui.1 ratte of a .up on a sau.er> and I sa+ Phyis Patterson>
her ips parted and her 'reath .o)ing 8ui.1y> ga?ing earnesty at )e/
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e> and then #ady Car)i.hae said in a
distin.ty disagreea'e )annerH JI thin1 you )ust have )ade a )ista1e/
There is no .at here/ I have never had a .at/J
It +as evident that I had )anaged to put )y foot in it 'ady> so I hastiy
.hanged the su'De.t/
%ut the )atter pu??ed )e/ Why had #ady Car)i.hae de.ared there
+as no .at in the houseA Was it perhaps Miss Patterson"s> and its
presen.e .on.eaed fro) the )istress of the houseA #ady Car)i.hae
)ight have one of those strange antipathies to .ats +hi.h are so often
)et +ith no+adays/ It hardy see)ed a pausi'e eBpanation> 'ut I +as
for.ed to rest .ontent +ith it for the )o)ent/
<ur patient +as sti in the sa)e .ondition/ This ti)e I )ade a thorough
eBa)ination and +as a'e to study hi) )ore .osey than the night
'efore/ At )y suggestion it +as arranged that he shoud spend as )u.h
ti)e +ith the fa)iy as possi'e/ I hoped not ony to have a 'etter
opportunity of o'serving hi) +hen he +as off his guard> 'ut that the
ordinary everyday routine )ight a+a1en so)e gea) of inteigen.e/
!is de)eanour> ho+ever> re)ained un.hanged/ !e +as 8uiet and
do.ie> see)ed va.ant> 'ut +as> in point of fa.t> intensey and rather
syy +at.hfu/ <ne thing .ertainy .a)e as a surprise to )e ; the
intense affe.tion he dispayed to+ards his step)other/ Miss Patterson
he ignored .o)petey> 'ut he a+ays )anaged to sit as near #ady
Car)i.hae as possi'e> and on.e I sa+ hi) ru' his head against her
shouder in a du)' eBpression of ove/
I +as +orried a'out the .ase/ I .oud not 'ut fee that there +as so)e
.ue to the +hoe )atter +hi.h had so far es.aped )e/
JThis is a very strange .ase>J I said to Sette/
J@es>J said he> Jit"s very ; suggestive/J
!e oo1ed at )e ; rather furtivey> I thought/
JTe )e>J he said/ J!e doesn"t ; re)ind you of anythingAJ
The +ords stru.1 )e disagreea'y> re)inding )e of )y i)pression of
the day 'efore/
J&e)ind )e of +hatAJ I as1ed/
!e shoo1 his head/
JPerhaps it"s )y fan.y>J he )uttered/ J*ust )y fan.y/J
And he +oud say no )ore on the )atter/
Atogether there +as )ystery shrouding the affair/ I +as sti o'sessed
+ith that 'affing feeing of having )issed the .ue that shoud eu.idate
it to )e/ And .on.erning a esser )atter there +as aso )ystery/ I )ean
that trifing affair of the grey .at/ For so)e reason or other the thing
+as getting on )y nerves/ I drea)ed of .ats ; I .ontinuay fan.ied I
heard the)/ 0o+ and then in the distan.e I .aught a gi)pse of the
'eautifu ani)a/ And the fa.t that there +as so)e )ystery .onne.ted
+ith it fretted )e un'eara'y/ <n a sudden i)puse I appied one
afternoon to the foot)an for infor)ation/
JCan you te )e anything>J I said> Ja'out the .at I seeAJ
JThe .at> sirAJ !e appeared poitey surprised/
JWasn"t there ; isn"t there ; a .atAJ
J!er adyship had a .at sir/ A great pet/ !ad to 'e put a+ay though/ A
great pity> as it +as a 'eautifu ani)a/J
JA grey .atAJ I as1ed so+y/
J@es> sir/ A Persian/J
JAnd you say it +as destroyedAJ
J@es> sir/J
J@ou"re 8uite sure it +as destroyedAJ
J<h> 8uite sure> sirG !er adyship +oudn"t have hi) sent to the vet ; 'ut
did it hersef/ A itte ess than a +ee1 ago no+/ !e"s 'uried out there
under the .opper 'ee.h> sir/J And he +ent out of the roo)/ eaving )e
to )y )editations/
Why had #ady Car)i.hae affir)ed so positivey that she had never had
a .atA
I fet an intuition that this trifing affair of the .at +as in so)e +ay
signifi.ant/ I found Sette and too1 hi) aside/
JSette>J I said> JI +ant to as1 you a 8uestion/ !ave you> or have you not>
'oth seen and heard a .at in this houseAJ
!e did not see) surprised at the 8uestion/ &ather did he see) to have
'een eBpe.ting it/
JI"ve heard it>J he said/ JI"ve not seen it/J
J%ut that first day>J I .ried/ J<n the a+n +ith Miss PattersonGJ
!e oo1ed at )e very steadiy/
JI sa+ Miss Patterson +a1ing a.ross the a+n/ 0othing ese/J
I 'egan to understand/ JThen>J I said> Jthe .at ;AJ
!e nodded/
JI +anted to see if you ; unpreDudi.ed ; +oud hear +hat +e a hear///AJ
J@ou a hear it thenAJ
!e nodded again/
JIt"s strange>J I )ur)ured thoughtfuy/ JI never heard of a .at haunting
a pa.e 'efore/J
I tod hi) +hat I had earned fro) the foot)an> and he eBpressed
surprise/
JThat"s ne+s to )e/ I didn"t 1no+ that/J
J%ut +hat does it )eanAJ I as1ed hepessy/
!e shoo1 his head/ J!eaven ony 1no+sG %ut I" te you> Carstairs ; I")
afraid/ The ; thing"s voi.e sounds ; )ena.ing/J
JMena.ingAJ I said sharpy/ JTo +ho)AJ
!e spread out his hands/ JI .an"t say/J
It +as not ti that evening after dinner that I reai?ed the )eaning of his
+ords/ We +ere sitting in the green dra+ing roo)> as on the night of )y
arriva> +hen it .a)e ; the oud insistent )ia+ing of a .at outside the
door/ %ut this ti)e it +as un)ista1a'y angry in its tone ; a fier.e .at
yo+> ong;dra+n and )ena.ing/ And then as it .eased> the 'rass hoo1
outside the door +as ratted vioenty as 'y a .at"s pa+/
Sette started up/
JI s+ear that"s rea>J he .ried/
!e rushed to the door and fung it open/
There +as nothing there/
!e .a)e 'a.1 )opping his 'ro+/ Phyis +as pae and tre)'ing> #ady
Car)i.hae deathy +hite/ <ny Arthur> s8uatting .ontentedy i1e a
.hid> his head against his step)other"s 1nee> +as .a) and
undistur'ed/
Miss Patterson aid her hand on )y ar) as +e +ent upstairs/
J<hG $r Carstairs>J she .ried/ JWhat is itA What does it a )eanAJ
JWe don"t 1no+ yet> )y dear young ady>J I said/ J%ut I )ean to find out/
%ut you )ustn"t 'e afraid/ I a) .onvin.ed there is no danger to you
personay/J
She oo1ed at )e dou'tfuy/ J@ou thin1 thatAJ
JI a) sure of it>J I ans+ered fir)y/ I re)e)'ered the oving +ay the
grey .at had t+ined itsef round her feet> and I had no )isgivings/ The
)ena.e +as not for her/
I +as so)e ti)e dropping off to seep> 'ut at ength I fe into an uneasy
su)'er fro) +hi.h I a+o1e +ith a sense of sho.1/ I heard a s.rat.hing>
sputtering noise as of so)ething 'eing vioenty ripped or torn/ I sprang
out of 'ed and rushed out into the passage/ At the sa)e )o)ent Sette
'urst out of his roo) opposite/ The sound .a)e fro) our eft/
J@ou hear it> CarstairsAJ he .ried/ J@ou hear itAJ
We .a)e s+ifty up to #ady Car)i.hae"s door/ 0othing had passed us>
'ut the noise had .eased/ <ur .andes gittered 'an1y on the shiny
panes of #ady Car)i.hae"s door/ We stared at one another/
J@ou 1no+ +hat it +asAJ he haf +hispered/
I nodded/ JA .at"s .a+s ripping and tearing so)ething/J I shivered a
itte/ Suddeny I gave an eB.a)ation and o+ered the .ande I hed/
J#oo1 here> Sette/J
J!ereJ +as a .hair that rested against the +a ; and the seat of it +as
ripped and torn in ong strips///
We eBa)ined it .osey/ !e oo1ed at )e and I nodded/
JCat"s .a+s>J he said> dra+ing in his 'reath sharpy/ J2n)ista1a'e/J
!is eyes +ent fro) the .hair to the .osed door/ JThat"s the person +ho
is )ena.ed/ #ady Car)i.haeGJ
I sept no )ore that night/ Things had .o)e to a pass +here so)ething
)ust 'e done/ As far as I 1ne+> there +as ony one person +ho had the
1ey to the situation/ I suspe.ted #ady Car)i.hae of 1no+ing )ore than
she .hose to te/
She +as deathy pae +hen she .a)e do+n the neBt )orning> and ony
toyed +ith the food on her pate/ I +as sure that ony an iron
deter)ination 1ept her fro) 'rea1ing do+n/ After 'rea1fast I
re8uested a fe+ +ords +ith her/ I +ent straight to the point/
J#ady Car)i.hae>J I said/ JI have reason to 'eieve that you are in very
grave danger/J
JIndeedAJ She 'raved it out +ith +onderfu un.on.ern/
JThere is in this house>J I .ontinued> Ja Thing ; a Presen.e ; that is
o'viousy hostie to you/J
JWhat nonsense>J she )ur)ured s.ornfuy/ JAs if I 'eieved in any
ru''ish of that 1ind/J
JThe .hair outside your door>J I re)ar1ed dryy> J+as ripped to ri''ons
ast night/J
JIndeedAJ With raised eye'ro+s she pretended surprise> 'ut I sa+ that
I had tod her nothing she did not 1no+/ JSo)e stupid pra.ti.a Do1e> I
suppose/J
JIt +as not that>J I repied +ith so)e feeing/ JAnd I +ant you to te )e ;
for your o+n sa1e ;J I paused/
JTe you +hatAJ she 8ueried/
JAnything that .an thro+ ight on the )atter>J I said gravey/
She aughed/
JI 1no+ nothing>J she said/ JA'soutey nothing/J
And no +arnings of danger .oud indu.e her to reaB the state)ent/ @et
I +as .onvin.ed that she did 1no+ a great dea )ore than any of us>
and hed so)e .ue to the affair of +hi.h +e +ere a'soutey ignorant/
%ut I sa+ that it +as 8uite i)possi'e to )a1e her spea1/ I deter)ined>
ho+ever> to ta1e every pre.aution that I .oud> .onvin.ed as I +as that
she +as )ena.ed 'y a very rea and i))ediate danger/ %efore she
+ent to her roo) the foo+ing night> Sette and I )ade a thorough
eBa)ination of it/ We had agreed that +e +oud ta1e it in turns to +at.h
in the passage/
I too1 the first +at.h> +hi.h passed +ithout in.ident> and at three
o".o.1 Sette reieved )e/ I +as tired after )y seepess night the day
'efore> and dropped off at on.e/ And I had a very .urious drea)/
I drea)ed that the grey .at +as sitting at the foot of )y 'ed and that its
eyes +ere fiBed on )ine +ith a .urious peading/ Then> +ith the ease of
drea)s> I 1ne+ that the .reature +anted )e to foo+ it/ I did so> and it
ed )e do+n the great stair.ase and right to the opposite +ing of the
house to a roo) +hi.h +as o'viousy the i'rary/ It paused there at one
side of the roo) and raised its front pa+s ti they rested on one of the
o+er sheves of 'oo1s> +hie it ga?ed at )e on.e )ore +ith that sa)e
)oving oo1 of appea/
Then ; .at and i'rary faded> and I a+o1e to find that )orning had .o)e/
Sette"s +at.h had passed +ithout in.ident> 'ut he +as 1eeny
interested to hear of )y drea)/ At )y re8uest he too1 )e to the i'rary>
+hi.h .oin.ided in every parti.uar +ith )y vision of it/ I .oud even
point out the eBa.t spot +here the ani)a had given )e that ast sad
oo1/
We 'oth stood there in sient perpeBity/ Suddeny an idea o..urred to
)e> and I stooped to read the tites of the 'oo1s in that eBa.t pa.e/ I
noti.ed that there +as a gap in the ine/
JSo)e 'oo1 had 'een ta1en out of here>J I said to Sette/
!e stooped aso to the shef/
J!ao>J he said/ JThere"s a nai at the 'a.1 here that has torn off a
frag)ent of the )issing vou)e/J
!e deta.hed the itte s.rap of paper +ith .are/ It +as not )ore than an
in.h s8uare ; 'ut on it +ere printed t+o signifi.ant +ordsH JThe .at///J
We oo1ed at ea.h other/
JThis thing gives )e the .reeps>J said Sette/ JIt"s si)py horri'y
un.anny/J
JI"d give anything to 1no+>J I said> J+hat 'oo1 it is that is )issing fro)
here/ $o you thin1 there is any +ay of finding outAJ
JMay 'e a .ataogue so)e+here/ Perhaps #ady Car)i.hae ;J
I shoo1 )y head/
J#ady Car)i.hae +i te you nothing/J
J@ou thin1 soAJ
JI a) sure of it/ Whie +e are guessing and feeing a'out in the dar1>
#ady Car)i.hae 1no+s/ And for reasons of her o+n she +i say
nothing/ She prefers to run a )ost horri'e ris1 sooner than 'rea1
sien.e/J
The day passed +ith an uneventfuness that re)inded )e of the .a)
'efore a stor)/ And I had a strange feeing that the pro'e) +as near
soution/ I +as groping a'out in the dar1> 'ut soon I shoud see/ The
fa.ts +ere a there> ready> +aiting for the itte fash of iu)ination that
shoud +ed the) together and sho+ out their signifi.an.e/
And .o)e it didG In the strangest +ayG
It +as +hen +e +ere a sitting together in the green dra+ing roo) as
usua after dinner/ We had 'een very sient/ So noiseess indeed +as
the roo) that a itte )ouse ran a.ross the foor ; and in an instant the
thing happened/
With one ong spring Arthur Car)i.hae eapt fro) his .hair/ !is
8uivering 'ody +as s+ift as an arro+ on the )ouse"s tra.1/ It had
disappeared 'ehind the +ains.oting> and there he .rou.hed ; +at.hfu
; his 'ody sti tre)'ing +ith eagerness/
It +as horri'eG I have never 1no+n su.h a paray?ing )o)ent/ I +as no
onger pu??ed as to that so)ething that Arthur Car)i.hae re)inded
)e of +ith his steathy feet and +at.hing eyes/ And in a fash an
eBpanation> +id> in.redi'e> un'eieva'e> s+ept into )y )ind/ I
reDe.ted it as i)possi'e ; unthin1a'eG %ut I .oud not dis)iss it fro)
)y thoughts/
I hardy re)e)'er +hat happened neBt/ The +hoe thing see)ed
'urred and unrea/ I 1no+ that so)eho+ +e got upstairs and said our
good nights 'riefy> a)ost +ith a dread of )eeting ea.h other"s eyes>
est +e shoud see there so)e .onfir)ation of our o+n fears/
Sette esta'ished hi)sef outside #ady Car)i.hae"s door to ta1e the
first +at.h> arranging to .a )e at 5 A/M/ I had no spe.ia fears for
#ady Car)i.haeI I +as too ta1en up +ith )y fantasti. i)possi'e
theory/ I tod )ysef it +as i)possi'e ; 'ut )y )ind returned to it>
fas.inated/
And then suddeny the stiness of the night +as distur'ed/ Sette"s
voi.e rose in a shout> .aing )e/ I rushed out into the .orridor/
!e +as ha))ering and pounding +ith a his )ight on #ady
Car)i.hae"s door/
J$evi ta1e the +o)anGJ he .ried/ JShe"s o.1ed itGJ
J%ut ;J
JIt"s in there> )anG Can"t you hear itAJ
Fro) 'ehind the o.1ed door a ong;dra+n .at yo+ sounded fier.ey/
And then foo+ing it a horri'e s.rea) ; and another/// I re.ogni?ed
#ady Car)i.hae"s voi.e/
JThe doorGJ I yeed/ JWe )ust 'rea1 it in/ In another )inute +e sha 'e
too ate/J
We set our shouders against it> and heaved +ith a our )ight/ It gave
+ith a .rash ; and +e a)ost fe into the roo)/
#ady Car)i.hae ay on the 'ed 'athed in 'ood/ I have sedo) seen a
)ore horri'e sight/ !er heart +as sti 'eating> 'ut her inDuries +ere
terri'e> for the s1in of the throat +as a ripped and torn/// Shuddering>
I +hisperedH JThe Ca+s///J A thri of superstitious horror ran over )e/
I dressed and 'andaged the +ounds .arefuy and suggested to Sette
that the eBa.t nature of the inDuries had 'etter 'e 1ept se.ret>
espe.iay fro) Miss Patterson/ I +rote out a teegra) for a hospita
nurse to 'e despat.hed as soon as the teegraph offi.e +as open/ The
da+n +as no+ steaing in at the +indo+/ I oo1ed out on the a+n 'eo+/
J,et dressed and .o)e out>J I said a'rupty to Sette/ J#ady
Car)i.hae +i 'e a right no+/J
!e +as soon ready> and +e +ent out into the garden together/
JWhat are you going to doAJ
J$ig up the .at"s 'ody>J I said 'riefy/ JI )ust 'e sure ;J
I found a spade in a too shed and +e set to +or1 'eneath the arge
.opper 'ee.h tree/ At ast our digging +as re+arded/ It +as not a
peasant Do'/ The ani)a had 'een dead a +ee1/ %ut I sa+ +hat I
+anted to see/
JThat"s the .at>J I said/ JThe identi.a .at I sa+ the first day I .a)e
here/J
Sette sniffed/ An odour of 'itter a)onds +as sti per.epti'e/
JPrussi. a.id>J he said/
I nodded/
JWhat are you thin1ingAJ he as1ed .uriousy/
JWhat you thin1> tooGJ
My sur)ise +as no ne+ one to hi) ; it had passed through his 'rain
aso> I .oud see/
JIt"s i)possi'e>J he )ur)ured/ JI)possi'eG It"s against a s.ien.e ; a
nature///J !is voi.e taied off in a shudder/ JThat )ouse ast night>J he
said/ J%ut ; oh> it .oudn"t 'eGJ
J#ady Car)i.hae>J I said> Jis a very strange +o)an/ She has o..ut
po+ers ; hypnoti. po+ers/ !er fore'ears .a)e fro) the (ast/ Can +e
1no+ +hat use she )ight have )ade of these po+ers over a +ea1
ova'e nature su.h as Arthur Car)i.hae"sA And re)e)'er> Sette> if
Arthur Car)i.hae re)ains a hopeess i)'e.ie> devoted to her> the
+hoe property is pra.ti.ay hers and her son"s ; +ho) you have tod
)e she adores/ And Arthur +as going to 'e )arriedGJ
J%ut +hat are +e going to do> CarstairsAJ
JThere"s nothing to 'e done>J I said/ JWe" do our 'est> though> to stand
'et+een #ady Car)i.hae and vengean.e/J
#ady Car)i.hae i)proved so+y/ !er inDuries heaed the)seves as
+e as .oud 'e eBpe.ted ; the s.ars of that terri'e assaut she +oud
pro'a'y 'ear to the end of her ife/
I had never fet )ore hepess/ The po+er that defeated us +as sti at
arge> undefeated> and though 8uies.ent for the )inute +e .oud hardy
regard as doing other+ise than 'iding its ti)e/ I +as deter)ined upon
one thing/ As soon as #ady Car)i.hae +as +e enough to 'e )oved>
she )ust 'e ta1en a+ay fro) Woden/ There +as Dust a .han.e that the
terri'e )anifestation )ight 'e una'e to foo+ her/ So the days +ent
on/
I had fiBed Septe)'er 1O as the date of #ady Car)i.hae"s re)ova/ It
+as on the )orning of the 14th +hen the uneBpe.ted .risis arose/
I +as in the i'rary dis.ussing detais of #ady Car)i.hae"s .ase +ith
Sette +hen an agitated house)aid rushed into the roo)/
J<h> sirGJ she .ried/ J%e 8ui.1G Mr Arthur ; he"s faen into the pond/ !e
stepped on the punt and it pushed off +ith hi)> and he over'aan.ed
and fe inG I sa+ it fro) the +indo+/J
I +aited for no )ore> 'ut ran straight out of the roo) foo+ed 'y Sette/
Phyis +as Dust outside and had heard the )aid"s story/ She ran +ith us/
J%ut you needn"t 'e afraid>J she .ried/ JArthur is a )agnifi.ent
s+i))er/J
I fet fore'odings> ho+ever> and redou'ed )y pa.e/ The surfa.e of the
pond +as unruffed/ The e)pty punt foated a?iy a'out ; 'ut of Arthur
there +as no sign/
Sette pued off his .oat and his 'oots/ JI") going in>J he said/ J@ou
ta1e the 'oat hoo1 and fish a'out fro) the other punt/ It"s not very
deep/J
7ery ong the ti)e see)ed as +e sear.hed vainy/
Minute foo+ed )inute/ And then> Dust as +e +ere despairing> +e found
hi)> and 'ore the apparenty ifeess 'ody of Arthur Car)i.hae to
shore/
As ong as I ive I sha never forget the hopeess agony of Phyis"s fa.e/
J0ot ; not ;J !er ips refused to fra)e the dreadfu +ord/
J0o> no> )y dear>J I .ried/ JWe" 'ring hi) round> never fear/J
%ut in+ardy I had itte hope/ !e had 'een under +ater for haf an hour/
I sent off Sette to the house for hot 'an1ets and other ne.essaries>
and 'egan )ysef to appy artifi.ia respiration/
We +or1ed vigorousy +ith hi) for over an hour> 'ut there +as no sign
of ife/ I )otioned to Sette to ta1e )y pa.e again> and I approa.hed
Phyis/
JI") afraid>J I said genty> Jthat it is no good/ Arthur is 'eyond our hep/J
She stayed 8uite sti for a )o)ent and then suddeny fung hersef
do+n on the ifeess 'ody/
JArthurGJ she .ried desperatey/ JArthurG Co)e 'a.1 to )eG Arthur ;
.o)e 'a.1 ; .o)e 'a.1GJ
!er voi.e e.hoed a+ay into sien.e/ Suddeny I tou.hed Sette"s ar)/
J#oo1GJ I said/
A faint tinge of .oour had .rept into the dro+ned )an"s fa.e/ I fet his
heart/
J,o on +ith the respiration>J I .ried/ J!e"s .o)ing roundGJ
The )o)ents see)ed to fy no+/ In a )arveousy short ti)e his eyes
opened/
Then suddeny I reai?ed a differen.e/ These +ere inteigent eyes>
hu)an eyes///
They rested on Phyis/
J!aoG Phi>J he said +ea1y/ JIs it youA I thought you +eren"t .o)ing
unti to)orro+/J
She .oud not yet trust hersef to spea1> 'ut she s)ied at hi)/ !e
oo1ed around +ith in.reasing 'e+ider)ent/
J%ut> I say> +here a) IA And ; ho+ rotten I feeG What"s the )atter +ith
)eA !ao> $r SetteGJ
J@ou"ve 'een neary dro+ned ; that"s +hat"s the )atter>J returned
Sette gri)y/
Sir Arthur )ade a gri)a.e/
JI"ve a+ays heard it +as 'easty .o)ing 'a.1 after+ardsG %ut ho+ did
it happenA Was I +a1ing in )y seepAJ
Sette shoo1 his head/
JWe )ust get hi) to the house>J I said> stepping for+ard/
!e stared at )e> and Phyis introdu.ed )e/ J$r Carstairs> +ho is
staying here/J
We supported hi) 'et+een us and started for the house/ !e oo1ed up
suddeny as though stru.1 'y an idea/
JI say> do.tor> this +on"t 1no.1 )e up for the t+efth> +i itAJ
JThe t+efthAJ I said so+y> Jyou )ean the t+efth of AugustAJ
J@es ; neBt Friday/J
JToday is the fourteenth of Septe)'er>J said Sette a'rupty/
!is 'e+ider)ent +as evident/
J%ut ; 'ut I thought it +as the eighth of AugustA I )ust have 'een i
thenAJ
Phyis interposed rather 8ui.1y in her gente voi.e/
J@es>J she said> Jyou"ve 'een very i/J
!e fro+ned/ JI .an"t understand it/ I +as perfe.ty a right +hen I +ent
to 'ed ast night ; at east of .ourse it +asn"t reay ast night/ I had
drea)s> though/ I re)e)'er> drea)s///J !is 'ro+ furro+ed itsef sti
)ore as he strove to re)e)'er/ JSo)ething ; +hat +as itA ; so)ething
dreadfu ; so)eone had done it to )e ; and I +as angry ; desperate///
And then I drea)ed I +as a .at ; yes> a .atG Funny> +asn"t itA %ut it
+asn"t a funny drea)/ It +as )ore ; horri'eG %ut I .an"t re)e)'er/ It a
goes +hen I thin1/J
I aid )y hand on his shouder/ J$on"t try to thin1> Sir Arthur> I said
gravey/ J%e .ontent ; to forget/J
!e oo1ed at )e in a pu??ed +ay and nodded/ I heard Phyis dra+ a
'reath of reief/ We had rea.hed the house/
J%y the +ay>J said Sir Arthur suddeny> J+here"s the )aterAJ
JShe has 'een ; i>J said Phyis after a )o)entary pause/
J<hG Poor od )aterGJ !is voi.e rang +ith genuine .on.ern/ JWhere is
sheA In her roo)AJ
J@es>J I said> J'ut you had 'etter not distur' ;J
The +ords fro?e on )y ips/ The door of the dra+ing roo) opened and
#ady Car)i.hae> +rapped in a dressing go+n> .a)e out into the ha/
!er eyes +ere fiBed on Arthur> and if ever I have seen a oo1 of a'soute
guit;stri.1en terror> I sa+ it then/ !er fa.e +as hardy hu)an in its
fren?ied terror/ !er hand +ent to her throat/
Arthur advan.ed to+ards her +ith 'oyish affe.tion/
J!ao> )aterG So you"ve 'een i tooA I say> I") a+fuy sorry/J
She shran1 'a.1 'efore hi)> her eyes diating/ Then suddeny> +ith the
shrie1 of a doo)ed sou> she fe 'a.1+ards through the open door/
I rushed and 'ent over her> then 'e.1oned to Sette/
J!ush>J I said/ JTa1e hi) upstairs 8uiety and then .o)e do+n again/
#ady Car)i.hae is dead/J
!e returned in a fe+ )inutes/
JWhat +as itAJ he as1ed/ JWhat .aused itAJ
JSho.1/J I said gri)y/ JThe sho.1 of seeing Arthur Car)i.hae> the rea
Arthur Car)i.hae> restored to ifeG <r you )ay .a it> as I prefer to> the
Dudg)ent of ,odGJ
J@ou )ean ;J !e hesitated/
I oo1ed at hi) in the eyes so that he understood/
JA ife for a ife>J I said signifi.anty/
J%ut ;J
J<hG I 1no+ that a strange and unforeseen a..ident per)itted the spirit
of Arthur Car)i.hae to return to his 'ody/ %ut> nevertheess> Arthur
Car)i.hae +as )urdered/J
!e oo1ed at )e haf fearfuy/ JWith prussi. a.idAJ he as1ed in a o+
tone/
J@es>J I ans+ered/ JWith prussi. a.id/J
Sette and I have never spo1en of our 'eief/ It is not one i1ey to 'e
.redited/ A..ording to the orthodoB point of vie+ Arthur Car)i.hae
)erey suffered fro) oss of )e)ory> #ady Car)i.hae a.erated her
o+n throat in a te)porary fit of )ania> and the apparition of the ,rey
Cat +as )ere i)agination/
%ut there are t+o fa.ts that to )y )ind are un)ista1a'e/ <ne is the
ripped .hair in the .orridor/ The other is even )ore signifi.ant/ A
.ataogue of the i'rary +as found> and after eBhaustive sear.h it +as
proved that the )issing vou)e +as an an.ient and .urious +or1 on the
possi'iities of the )eta)orphosis of hu)an 'eings into ani)asG
<ne thing )ore/ I a) than1fu to say that Arthur 1no+s nothing/ Phyis
has o.1ed the se.ret of those +ee1s in her o+n heart> and she +i
never> I a) sure> revea the) to the hus'and she oves so deary> and
+ho .a)e 'a.1 a.ross the 'arrier of the grave at the .a of her voi.e/
T!( WIT0(SS F<& T!( P&<S(C2TI<0
Mr Mayherne adDusted his pin.e;ne? and .eared his throat +ith a itte
dry;as;dust .ough that +as +hoy typi.a of hi)/ Then he oo1ed again
at the )an opposite hi)> the )an .harged +ith +ifu )urder/
Mr Mayherne +as a s)a )an> pre.ise in )anner> neaty> not to say
foppishy dressed> +ith a pair of very shre+d and pier.ing gray eyes/
%y no )eans a foo/ Indeed> as a soi.itor> Mr Mayherne"s reputation
stood very high/ !is voi.e> +hen he spo1e to his .ient> +as dry 'ut not
unsy)patheti./
JI )ust i)press upon you again that you are in very grave danger> and
that the ut)ost fran1ness is ne.essary/J
#eonard 7oe> +ho had 'een staring in a da?ed fashion at the 'an1 +a
in front of hi)> transferred his gan.e to the soi.itor/
JI 1no+>J he said hopeessy/ J@ou 1eep teing )e so/ %ut I .an"t see)
to reai?e yet that I") .harged +ith )urder ; )urder/ And su.h a
dastardy .ri)e too/J
Mr Mayherne +as pra.ti.a> not e)otiona/ !e .oughed again> too1 off
his pin.e;ne?> poished the) .arefuy> and repa.ed the) on his nose/
Then he saidH
J@es> yes> yes/ 0o+> )y dear Mr 7oe> +e"re going to )a1e a
deter)ined effort to get you off ; and +e sha su..eed ; +e sha
su..eed/ %ut I )ust have a the fa.ts/ I )ust 1no+ Dust ho+ da)aging
the .ase against you is i1ey to 'e/ Then +e .an fiB upon the 'est ine of
defense/J
Sti the young )an oo1ed at hi) in the sa)e da?ed> hopeess fashion/
To Mr Mayherne the .ase had see)ed 'a.1 enough> and the guit of the
prisoner assured/ 0o+> for the first ti)e> he fet a dou't/
J@ou thin1 I") guity>J said #eonard 7oe> in a o+ voi.e/ J%ut> 'y ,od> I
s+ear I") notG It oo1s pretty 'a.1 against )e> I 1no+ that/ I") i1e a
)an .aught in a net ; the )eshes of it a round )e> entanging )e
+hi.hever +ay I turn/ %ut I didn"t do it> Mr Mayherne> I didn"t do itGJ
In su.h a position a )an +as 'ound to protest his inno.en.e/ Mr
Mayherne 1ne+ that/ @et> in spite of hi)sef> he +as i)pressed/ It )ight
'e> after a> that #eonard 7oe +as inno.ent
J@ou are right> Mr 7oe>J he said gravey/ JThe .ase does oo1 very
'a.1 against you/ 0evertheess> I a..ept your assuran.e/ 0o+> et us
get to fa.ts/ I +ant you to te )e in your o+n +ords eBa.ty ho+ you
.a)e to )a1e the a.8uaintan.e of Miss ()iy Fren.h/J
JIt +as one day in <Bford Street/ I sa+ an edery ady .rossing the road/
She +as .arrying a ot of par.es/ In the )idde of the street she
dropped the)> tried to re.over the)> found a 'us +as a)ost on top of
her and Dust )anaged to rea.h the .ur' safey> da?ed and 'e+idered
'y peope having shouted at her/ I re.overed her par.es> +iped the
)ud off the) as 'est I .oud> retied the string of one> and returned
the) to her/J
JThere +as no 8uestion of your having saved her ifeAJ
J<h> dear )e> noG A I did +as to perfor) a .o))on a.t of .ourtesy/
She +as eBtre)ey gratefu> than1ed )e +ar)y> and said so)ething
a'out )y )anners not 'eing those of )ost of the younger generation ; I
.an"t re)e)'er the eBa.t +ords/ Then I ifted )y hat and +ent on/ I
never eBpe.ted to see her again/ %ut ife is fu of .oin.iden.es/ That
very evening I .a)e a.ross her at a party at a friend"s house/ She
re.ogni?ed )e at on.e and as1ed that I shoud 'e introdu.ed to her/ I
then found out that she +as a Miss ()iy Fren.h and that she ived at
Cri.1e+ood/ I ta1ed to her for so)e ti)e/ She +as> I i)agine> an od
ady +ho too1 sudden and vioent fan.ies to peope/ She too1 one to )e
on the strength of a perfe.ty si)pe a.tion +hi.h anyone )ight have
perfor)ed/ <n eaving> she shoo1 )e +ar)y 'y the hand> and as1ed
)e to .o)e and see her/ I repied> of .ourse> that I shoud 'e very
peased to do so> and she then urged )e to na)e a day/ I did not +ant
parti.uary to go> 'ut it +oud have see)ed .hurish to refuse> so I
fiBed on the foo+ing Saturday/ After she had gone> I earned
so)ething a'out her fro) )y friends/ That she +as ri.h> e..entri.>
ived aone +ith one )aid and o+ned no ess than eight .ats/J
JI see>J said Mr Mayherne/ JThe 8uestion of her 'eing +e off .a)e up
as eary as thatAJ
JIf you )ean that I in8uired ;J 'egan #eonard 7oe hoty> 'ut Mr
Mayherne stied hi) +ith a gesture/
JI have to oo1 at the .ase as it +i 'e presented 'y the other side/ An
ordinary o'server +oud not have supposed Miss Fren.h to 'e a ady of
)eans/ She ived poory> a)ost hu)'y/ 2ness you had 'een tod the
.ontrary> you +oud in a pro'a'iity have .onsidered her to 'e in poor
.ir.u)stan.es ; at any rate to 'egin +ith/ Who +as it eBa.ty +ho tod
you that she +as +e offAJ
JMy friend> ,eorge !arvey> at +hose house the party too1 pa.e/J
JIs he i1ey to re)e)'er having done soAJ
JI reay don"t 1no+/ <f .ourse it is so)e ti)e ago no+/J
J4uite so> Mr 7oe/ @ou see> the first ai) of the prose.ution +i 'e to
esta'ish that you +ere in o+ +ater finan.iay ; that is true> is it notAJ
#eonard 7oe fushed/
J@es>J he said> in a o+ voi.e/ JI"d 'een having a run of inferna 'ad u.1
Dust then/J
J4uite so>J said Mr Mayherne again/ JThat 'eing> as I say> in o+ +ater
finan.iay> you )et this ri.h od ady and .utivated her a.8uaintan.e
assiduousy/ 0o+ if +e are in a position to say that you had no idea she
+as +e off> and that you visited her out of pure 1indness of heart ;J
JWhi.h is the .ase/J
JI dare say/ I a) not disputing the point/ I a) oo1ing at it fro) the
outside point of vie+/ A great dea depends on the )e)ory of Mr
!arvey/ Is he i1ey to re)e)'er that .onversation or is he notA Coud
he 'e .onfused 'y .ounse into 'eieving that it too1 pa.e aterAJ
#eonard 7oe refe.ted for so)e )inutes/ Then he said steadiy enough>
'ut +ith a rather paer fa.eH
JI do not thin1 that that ine +oud 'e su..essfu> Mr Mayherne/ Severa
of those present heard his re)ar1> and one or t+o of the) .haffed )e
a'out )y .on8uest of a ri.h od ady/J
The soi.itor endeavored to hide his disappoint)ent +ith a +ave of the
hand/
J2nfortunate>J he said/ J%ut I .ongratuate you upon your pain
spea1ing> Mr 7oe/ It is to you I oo1 to guide )e/ @our Dudg)ent is 8uite
right/ To persist in the ine I spo1e of +oud have 'een disastrous/ We
)ust eave that point/ @ou )ade the a.8uaintan.e of Miss Fren.h> you
.aed upon her> the a.8uaintan.eship progressed/ We +ant a .ear
reason for a this/ Why did you> a young )an of thirty;three> goodoo1ing>
fond of sport> popuar +ith your friends> devote so )u.h of
your ti)e to an edery +o)an +ith +ho) you .oud hardy have
anything in .o))onAJ
#eonard 7oe fung out his hands in a nervous gesture/
JI .an"t te you ; I reay .an"t te you/ After the first visit> she pressed
)e to .o)e again> spo1e of 'eing oney and unhappy/ She )ade it
diffi.ut for )e to refuse/ She sho+ed so painy her fondness and
affe.tion for )e that I +as pa.ed in an a+1+ard position/ @ou see> Mr
Mayherne> I"ve got a +ea1 nature ; I drift ; I") one of those peope +ho
.an"t say "0o/" And 'eieve )e or not> as you i1e> after the third or
fourth visit I paid her I found )ysef getting genuiney fond of the od
thing/ My )other died +hen I +as young> an aunt 'rought )e up> and
she too died 'efore I +as fifteen/ If I tod you that I genuiney enDoyed
'eing )othered and pa)pered> I dare say you"d ony augh/J
Mr Mayherne did not augh/ Instead he too1 off his pin.e;ne? again and
poished the)> a sign +ith hi) that he +as thin1ing deepy/
JI a..ept your eBpanation> Mr 7oe>J he said at ast JI 'eieve it to 'e
psy.hoogi.ay pro'a'e/ Whether a Dury +oud ta1e that vie+ of it is
another )atter/ Pease .ontinue your narrative/ When +as it that Miss
Fren.h first as1ed you to oo1 into her 'usiness affairsAJ
JAfter )y third or fourth visit to her/ She understood very itte of )oney
)atters> and +as +orried a'out so)e invest)ents/J
Mr Mayherne oo1ed up sharpy/
J%e .arefu> Mr 7oe/ The )aid> *anet Ma.1en?ie> de.ares that her
)istress +as a good +o)an of 'usiness and transa.ted a her o+n
affairs> and this is 'orne out 'y the testi)ony of her 'an1ers/J
JI .an"t hep that>J said 7oe earnesty/ JThat"s +hat she said to )e/J
Mr Mayherne oo1ed at hi) for a )o)ent or t+o in sien.e/ Though he
had no intention of saying so> his 'eief in #eonard 7oe"s inno.en.e
+as at that )o)ent strengthened/ !e 1ne+ so)ething of the )entaity
of edery adies/ !e sa+ Miss Fren.h> infatuated +ith the good;oo1ing
young )an> hunting a'out for preteBts that +oud 'ring hi) to the
house/ What )ore i1ey than that she shoud pead ignoran.e of
'usiness> and 'eg hi) to hep her +ith her )oney affairsA She +as
enough of a +o)an of the +ord to reai?e that any )an is sighty
fattered 'y su.h an ad)ission of his superiority/ #eonard 7oe had
'een fattered/ Perhaps> too> she had not 'een averse to etting this
young )an 1no+ that she +as +eathy/ ()iy Fren.h had 'een a
strong;+ied od +o)an> +iing to pay her pri.e for +hat she +anted/
A this passed rapidy through Mr Mayherne"s )ind> 'ut he gave no
indi.ation of it> and as1ed instead a further 8uestion/
JAnd you did hande her affairs for her at re8uestAJ
JI did/J
JMr 7oe>J said the soi.itor> JI a) going to as1 you a very serious
8uestion> and one to +hi.h it is vita I shoud have a truthfu ans+er/
@ou +ere in o+ +ater finan.iay/ @ou had the handing of an od ady"s
affairs ; an od ady +ho> a..ording to her o+n state)ent> 1ne+ itte or
nothing of 'usiness/ $id you at any ti)e> or in any )anner> .onvert to
your o+n use the se.urities +hi.h you handedA $id you engage in any
transa.tion for your o+n pe.uniary advantage +hi.h +i not 'ear the
ight of dayAJ !e 8ueed the other"s response/ JWait a )inute 'efore
you ans+er/ There are t+o .ourses open to us/ (ither +e .an )a1e a
feature of your pro'ity and honesty in .ondu.ting her affairs +hist
pointing out ho+ uni1ey it is that you +oud .o))it )urder to o'tain
)oney +hi.h you )ight have o'tained 'y su.h infinitey easier )eans/
If> on the other hand> there is anything in your deaings +hi.h the
prose.ution +i get hod of ; if> to put it 'ady> it .an 'e proved that you
s+inded the od ady in any +ay> +e )ust ta1e the ine that you had no
)otive for the )urder> sin.e she +as aready a profita'e sour.e of
in.o)e to you/ @ou per.eive the distin.tion/ 0o+> I 'eg of you> ta1e
your ti)e 'efore you repy/J
%ut #eonard 7oe too1 no ti)e at a/
JMy deaings +ith Miss Fren.h"s affairs +ere a perfe.ty fair and a'ove
'oard/ I a.ted for her interests to the very 'est of )y a'iity> as anyone
+i find +ho oo1s into the )atter/J
JThan1 you>J said Mr Mayherne/ J@ou reieve )y )ind very )u.h/ I pay
you the .o)pi)ent of 'eieving that you are far too .ever to ie to )e
over su.h an i)portant )atter/J
JSurey>J said 7oe eagery> Jthe strongest point in )y favor is the a.1
of )otive/ ,ranted that I .utivated the a.8uaintan.eship of a ri.h od
ady in the hopes of getting )oney out of her ; that> I gather> is the
su'stan.e of +hat you have 'een saying ; surey her death frustrates a
)y hopesAJ
The soi.itor oo1ed at hi) steadiy/ Then> very dei'eratey> he
repeated his un.ons.ious tri.1 +ith his pin.e;ne?/ It +as not unti they
+ere fir)y repa.ed on his nose that he spo1e/
JAre you not a+are> Mr 7oe> that Miss Fren.h eft a +i under +hi.h
you are the prin.ipa 'enefi.iaryAJ
JWhatAJ The prisoner sprang to his feet/ !is dis)ay +as o'vious and
unfor.ed/ JMy ,odG What are you sayingA She eft her )oney to )eAJ
Mr Mayherne nodded so+y/ 7oe san1 do+n again> his head in his
hands/
J@ou pretend you 1no+ nothing of this +iAJ
JPretendA There"s no pretense a'out it I 1ne+ nothing a'out it/J
JWhat +oud you say if I tod you that the )aid> *anet Ma.1en?ie>
s+ears that you did 1no+A That her )istress tod her distin.ty that she
had .onsuted you in the )atter> and tod you of her intentionsAJ
JSayA That she"s yingG 0o> I go too fast/ *anet is an edery +o)an/ She
+as a faithfu +at.hdog to her )istress> and she didn"t i1e )e/ She +as
Deaous and suspi.ious/ I shoud say that Miss Fren.h .onfided her
intentions to *anet> and that *anet either )istoo1 so)ething she said>
or ese +as .onvin.ed in her o+n )ind that I had persuaded the od
ady into doing it/ I dare say that she hersef 'eieves no+ that Miss
Fren.h a.tuay tod her so/J
J@ou don"t thin1 she disi1es you enough to ie dei'eratey a'out the
)atterAJ
#eonard 7oe oo1ed sho.1ed and started/
J0o> indeedG Why shoud sheAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said Mr Mayherne thoughtfuy/ J%ut she"s very 'itter
against you/J
The +ret.hed young )an groaned again/
JI") 'eginning to see>J he )uttered/ JIt"s frightfu/ I )ade up to her>
that"s +hat they" say> I got her to )a1e a +i eaving her )oney to )e>
and then I go there that night> and there"s no'ody in the house ; they
find her the neBt day ; ohG )y ,od> it"s a+fuGJ
J@ou are +rong a'out there 'eing no'ody in the house>J said Mr
Mayherne/ J*anet> as you re)e)'er> +as to go out for the evening/ She
+ent> 'ut a'out haf;past nine she returned to fet.h the pattern of a
'ouse seeve +hi.h she had pro)ised to a friend/ She et hersef in 'y
the 'a.1 door> +ent upstairs and fet.hed it> and +ent out again/ She
heard voi.es in the sitting;roo)> though she .oud not distinguish +hat
they said> 'ut she +i s+ear that one of the) +as Miss Fren.h"s and
one +as a )an"s/J
JAt haf;past nine>J said #eonard 7oe/ JAt haf;past nine///J !e sprang
to his feet/ J%ut then I") saved ; saved ;J
JWhat do you )ean> savedAJ .ried Mr Mayherne> astonished/
J%y haf;past nine I +as at ho)e againG My +ife .an prove that/ I eft
Miss Fren.h a'out five )inutes to nine/ I arrived ho)e a'out t+enty
past nine/ My +ife +as there +aiting for )e/ <h> than1 ,od ; than1 ,odG
And 'ess *anet Ma.1en?ie"s seeve pattern/J
In his eBu'eran.e> he hardy noti.ed that the grave eBpression on the
soi.itor"s fa.e had not atered/ %ut the atter"s +ords 'rought hi) do+n
to earth +ith a 'u)p/
JWho> then> in your opinion> )urdered Miss Fren.hAJ
JWhy> a 'urgar> of .ourse> as +as thought at first/ The +indo+ +as
for.ed> you re)e)'er/ She +as 1ied +ith a heavy 'o+ fro) a
.ro+'ar> and the .ro+'ar +as found ying on the foor 'eside the 'ody/
And severa arti.es +ere )issing/ %ut for *anet"s a'surd suspi.ions
and disi1e of )e> the poi.e +oud never have s+erved fro) the right
tra.1/J
JThat +i hardy do> Mr 7oe>J said the soi.itor/ JThe things that +ere
)issing +ere )ere trifes of no vaue> ta1en as a 'ind/ And the )ar1s
on the +indo+ +ere not at a .on.usive/ %esides> thin1 for yoursef/
@ou say you +ere no onger in the house 'y haf;past nine/ Who> then>
+as the )an *anet heard ta1ing to Miss Fren.h in the sitting;roo)A
She +oud hardy 'e having an a)i.a'e .onversation +ith a 'urgarAJ
J0o>J said 7oe/ J0o ;J !e oo1ed pu??ed and dis.ouraged/ J%ut>
any+ay>J he added +ith reviving spirit> Jit ets )e out I"ve got an ai'i/
@ou )ust see &o)aine ; )y +ife ; at on.e/J
JCertainy>J a.8uies.ed the a+yer/ JI shoud aready have seen Mrs
7oe 'ut for her 'eing a'sent +hen you +ere arrested/ I +ired to
S.otand at on.e> and I understand that she arrives 'a.1 tonight/ I a)
going to .a upon her i))ediatey I eave here/J
7oe nodded> a great eBpression of satisfa.tion setting do+n over his
fa.e/
J@es> &o)aine +i te you/ My ,odG it"s a u.1y .han.e that/J
J(B.use )e> Mr 7oe> 'ut you are very fond of your +ifeAJ
J<f .ourse/J
JAnd she of youAJ
J&o)aine is devoted to )e/ She"d do anything in the +ord for )e/J
!e spo1e enthusiasti.ay> 'ut the soi.itor"s heart san1 a itte o+er/
The testi)ony of a devoted +ife ; +oud it gain .reden.eA
JWas there anyone ese +ho sa+ you return at nine;t+enty/ A )aid> for
instan.eAJ
JWe have no )aid/J
J$id you )eet anyone in the street on the +ay 'a.1AJ
J0o'ody I 1ne+/ I rode part of the +ay in a 'us/ The .ondu.tor )ight
re)e)'er/J
Mr Mayherne shoo1 his head dou'tfuy/
JThere is no one> then> +ho .an .onfir) your +ife"s testi)onyAJ
J0o/ %ut it isn"t ne.essary> sureyAJ
JI dare say not/ I dare say not>J said Mr Mayherne hastiy/ J0o+ there"s
Dust one thing )ore/ $id Miss Fren.h 1no+ that you +ere a )arried
)anAJ
J<h> yes/J
J@et you never too1 your +ife to see her/ Why +as thatAJ
For the first ti)e> #eonard 7oe"s ans+er .a)e hating and un.ertain/
JWe ; I don"t 1no+/J
JAre you a+are that *anet Ma.1en?ie says her )istress 'eieved you to
'e singe> and .onte)pated )arrying you in the futureAJ
7oe aughed/
JA'surdG There +as forty years" differen.e in age 'et+een us/J
JIt has 'een done>J said the soi.itor driy/ JThe fa.t re)ains/ @our +ife
never )et Miss Fren.hAJ
J0o ;J Again the .onstraint/
J@ou +i per)it )e to say>J said the a+yer> Jthat I hardy understand
your attitude in the )atter/J
7oe fushed> hesitated> and then spo1e/
JI" )a1e a .ean 'reast of it/ I +as hard up> as you 1no+/ I hoped that
Miss Fren.h )ight end )e so)e )oney/ She +as fond of )e> 'ut she
+asn"t at a interested in the strugges of a young .oupe/ (ary on> I
found that she had ta1en it for granted that )y +ife and I didn"t get on ;
+ere iving apart/ Mr Mayherne ; I +anted the )oney ; for &o)aine"s
sa1e/ I said nothing> and ao+ed the od ady to thin1 +hat she .hose/
She spo1e of )y 'eing an adopted son to her/ There +as never any
8uestion of )arriage ; that )ust 'e Dust *anet"s i)agination/J
JAnd that is aAJ
J@es ; that is a/J
Was there Dust a shade of hesitation in the +ordsA The a+yer fan.ied
so/ !e rose and hed out his hand/
J,ood;'ye> Mr 7oe/J !e oo1ed into the haggard young fa.e and spo1e
+ith an unusua i)puse/ JI 'eieve in your inno.en.e in spite of the
)utitude of fa.ts arrayed against you/ I hope to prove it and vindi.ate
you .o)petey/J
7oe s)ied 'a.1 at hi)/
J@ou" find the ai'i is a right>J he said .heerfuy/
Again he hardy noti.ed that the other did not respond/
JThe +hoe thing hinges a good dea on the testi)ony of *anet
Ma.1en?ie>J said Mr Mayherne/ JShe hates you/ That )u.h is .ear/J
JShe .an hardy hate )e>J protested the young )an/
The soi.itor shoo1 his head as he +ent out/
J0o+ for Mrs 7oe>J he said to hi)sef/
!e +as seriousy distur'ed 'y the +ay the thing +as shaping/
The 7oes ived in a s)a sha''y house near Paddington ,reen/ It +as
to this house that Mr Mayherne +ent/
In ans+er to his ring> a 'ig satterny +o)an> o'viousy a .har+o)an>
ans+ered the door/
JMrs 7oeA !as she returned yetAJ
J,ot 'a.1 an hour ago/ %ut I dunno if you .an see her/J
JIf you +i ta1e )y .ard to her>J said Mr Mayherne 8uiety> JI a) 8uite
sure that she +i do so/J
The +o)an oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy> +iped her hand on her apron and
too1 the .ard/ Then she .osed the door in his fa.e and eft hi) on the
step outside/ In a fe+ )inutes> ho+ever> she returned +ith a sighty
atered )anner/
JCo)e inside> pease/J
She ushered hi) into a tiny dra+ing;roo)/ Mr Mayherne> eBa)ining a
dra+ing on the +a> started up suddeny to fa.e a ta> pae +o)an +ho
had entered so 8uiety that he had not heard her/
JMr MayherneA @ou are )y hus'and"s soi.itor> are you notA @ou have
.o)e fro) hi)A Wi you pease sit do+nAJ
2nti she spo1e he had not reai?ed that she +as not (ngish/ 0o+>
o'serving her )ore .osey> he noti.ed the high .hee1'ones> the dense
'ue;'a.1 of the hair> and an o..asiona very sight )ove)ent of the
hands that +as distin.ty foreign/ A strange +o)an> very 8uiet/ So 8uiet
as to )a1e one uneasy/ Fro) the very first Mr Mayherne +as .ons.ious
that he +as up against so)ething that he did not understand/
J0o+> )y dear Mrs 7oe>J he 'egan> Jyou )ust not give +ay ;J
!e stopped/ It +as so very o'vious that &o)aine 7oe had not the
sightest intention of giving +ay/ She +as perfe.ty .a) and .o)posed/
JWi you pease te )e a'out itAJ she said/ JI )ust 1no+ everything/ $o
not thin1 to spare )e/ I +ant to 1no+ the +orst/J She hesitated> then
repeated in a o+er tone> +ith a .urious e)phasis +hi.h the a+yer did
not understandH JI +ant to 1no+ the +orst/J
Mr Mayherne +ent over his intervie+ +ith #eonard 7oe/ She istened
attentivey> nodding her head no+ and then/
JI see>J she said> +hen he had finished/ J!e +ants )e to say that he
.a)e in at t+enty )inutes past nine that nightAJ
J!e did .o)e in at that ti)eAJ said Mr Mayherne sharpy/
JThat is not the point>J she said .ody/ JWi )y saying so a.8uit hi)A
Wi they 'eieve )eAJ
Mr Mayherne +as ta1en a'a.1/ She had gone so 8ui.1y to the .ore of
the )atter/
JThat is +hat I +ant to 1no+>J she said/ JWi it 'e enoughA Is there
anyone ese +ho .an support )y eviden.eAJ
There +as a suppressed eagerness in her )anner that )ade hi)
vaguey uneasy/
JSo far there is no one ese>J he said reu.tanty/
JI see>J said &o)aine 7oe/
She sat for a )inute or t+o perfe.ty sti/ A itte s)ie payed over her
ips/
The a+yer"s feeing of aar) gre+ stronger and stronger/
JMrs 7oe ;J he 'egan/ JI 1no+ +hat you )ust fee ;J
J$o youAJ she as1ed/ JI +onder/J
JIn the .ir.u)stan.es ;J
JIn the .ir.u)stan.es ; I intend to pay a one hand/J
!e oo1ed at her in dis)ay/
J%ut> )y dear Mrs 7oe ; you are over+rought/ %eing so devoted to your
hus'and ;J
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
The sharpness of her voi.e )ade hi) start/ !e repeated in a hesitating
)annerH
J%eing so devoted to your hus'and ;J
&o)aine 7oe nodded so+y> the sa)e strange s)ie on her ips/
J$id he te you that I +as devoted to hi)AJ she as1ed softy/ JAhG yes> I
.an see he did/ !o+ stupid )en areG Stupid ; stupid ; stupid ;J
She rose suddeny to her feet/ A the intense e)otion that the a+yer
had 'een .ons.ious of in the at)osphere +as no+ .on.entrated in her
tone/
JI hate hi)> I te youG I hate hi)/ I hate hi)/ I hate hi)G I +oud i1e to
see hi) hanged 'y the ne.1 ti he is dead/J
The a+yer re.oied 'efore her and the s)odering passion in her eyes/
She advan.ed a step nearer> and .ontinued vehe)entyH
JPerhaps I sha see it/ Supposing I te you that he did not .o)e in that
night at t+enty past nine> 'ut at t+enty past tenA @ou say that he tes
you he 1ne+ nothing a'out the )oney .o)ing to hi)/ Supposing I te
you he 1ne+ a a'out it> and .ounted on it> and .o))itted )urder to
get itA Supposing I te you that he ad)itted to )e that night +hen he
.a)e in +hat he had doneA That there +as 'ood on his .oatA What
thenA Supposing that I stand up in .ourt and say a these thingsAJ
!er eyes see)ed to .haenge hi)/ With an effort> he .on.eaed his
gro+ing dis)ay> and endeavored to spea1 in a rationa tone/
J@ou .annot 'e as1ed to give eviden.e against your hus'and ;J
J!e is not )y hus'andGJ
The +ords .a)e out so 8ui.1y that he fan.ied he had )isunderstood
her/
JI 'eg your pardonA I ;J
J!e is not )y hus'and/J
The sien.e +as so intense that you .oud have heard a pin drop/
JI +as an a.tress in 7ienna/ My hus'and is aive 'ut in a )adhouse/ So
+e .oud not )arry/ I a) gad no+/J
She nodded defianty/
JI shoud i1e you to te )e one thing>J said Mr Mayherne/ !e .ontrived
to appear as .oo and une)otiona as ever/ JWhy are you so 'itter
against #eonard 7oeAJ
She shoo1 her head> s)iing a itte/
J@es> you +oud i1e to 1no+/ %ut I sha not te you/ I +i 1eep )y
se.ret///J
Mr Mayherne gave his dry itte .ough and rose/
JThere see)s no point in proonging this intervie+>J he re)ar1ed/ J@ou
+i hear fro) )e again after I have .o))uni.ated +ith )y .ient/J
She .a)e .oser to hi)> oo1ing into his eyes +ith her o+n +onderfu
dar1 ones/
JTe )e>J she said> Jdid you 'eieve ; honesty; that he +as inno.ent
+hen you .a)e here todayAJ
JI did>J said Mr Mayherne/
J@ou poor itte )an>J she aughed/
JAnd I 'eieve so sti>J finished the a+yer/ J,ood evening> )ada)/J
!e +ent out of the roo)> ta1ing +ith hi) the )e)ory of her started
fa.e/
JThis is going to 'e the devi of a 'usiness>J said Mr Mayherne to
hi)sef as he strode aong the street/
(Btraordinary> the +hoe thing/ An eBtraordinary +o)an/ A very
dangerous +o)an/ Wo)en +ere the devi +hen they got their 1nife into
you/
What +as to 'e doneA That +ret.hed young )an hadn"t a eg to stand
upon/ <f .ourse> possi'y he did .o))it the .ri)e///
J0o>J said Mr Mayherne to hi)sef/ J0o ; there"s a)ost too )u.h
eviden.e against hi)/ I don"t 'eieve this +o)an/ She +as tru)ping up
the +hoe story/ %ut she" never 'ring it into .ourt/J
!e +ished he fet )ore .onvi.tion on the point/
The poi.e .ourt pro.eedings +ere 'rief and dra)ati./ The prin.ipa
+itnesses for the prose.ution +ere *anet Ma.1en?ie> )aid to the dead
+o)an> and &o)aine !eiger> Austrian su'De.t> the )istress of the
prisoner/
Mr Mayherne sat in .ourt and istened to the da)ning story that the
atter tod/ It +as on the ines she had indi.ated to hi) in their intervie+/
The prisoner reserved his defense and +as .o))itted for tria/
Mr Mayherne +as at his +its" end/ The .ase against #eonard 7oe +as
'a.1 'eyond +ords/ (ven the fa)ous -/C/ +ho +as engaged for the
defense hed out itte hope/
JIf +e .an sha1e that Austrian +o)an"s testi)ony> +e )ight do
so)ething>J he said du'iousy/ J%ut it"s a 'ad 'usiness/J
Mr Mayherne had .on.entrated his energies on one singe point/
Assu)ing #eonard 7oe to 'e spea1ing the truth> and to have eft the
)urdered +o)an"s house at nine o".o.1> +ho +as the )an *anet
heard ta1ing to Miss Fren.h at haf;past nineA
The ony ray of ight +as in the shape of a s.ape;gra.e nephe+ +ho had
in 'ygone days .aDoed and threatened his aunt out of various su)s of
)oney/ *anet Ma.1en?ie> the soi.itor earned> had a+ays 'een
atta.hed to this young )an> and had never .eased urging his .ai)s
upon her )istress/ It .ertainy see)ed possi'e that it +as this nephe+
+ho had 'een +ith Miss Fren.h after #eonard 7oe eft> espe.iay as he
+as not to 'e found in any of his od haunts/
In a other dire.tions> the a+yer"s resear.hes had 'een negative in
their resut/ 0o one had seen #eonard 7oe entering his o+n house> or
eaving that of Miss Fren.h/ 0o one had seen any other )an enter or
eave the house in Cri.1e+ood/ A in8uiries dre+ 'an1/
It +as the eve of the tria +hen Mr Mayherne re.eived the etter +hi.h
+as to ead his thoughts in an entirey ne+ dire.tion/
It .a)e 'y the siB o".o.1 post/ An iiterate s.ra+> +ritten on .o))on
paper and en.osed in a dirty enveope +ith the sta)p stu.1 on
.roo1ed/
Mr Mayherne read it through on.e or t+i.e 'efore he grasped its
)eaning/
$ear MisterH
@oure the a+yer .hap +ot a.ts for the young feer/ If you +ant that
painted foreign hussy sho+d up for +ot she is an her pa.1 of ies you
.o)e to 13 Sha+"s &ents Stepney tonight It u .a+st you 2 hundred
8uid Ars1 for Misses Mogson/
The soi.itor read and reread this strange episte/ It )ight> of .ourse>
'e a hoaB> 'ut +hen he thought it over> he 'e.a)e in.reasingy
.onvin.ed that it +as genuine> and aso .onvin.ed that it +as the one
hope for the prisoner/ The eviden.e of &o)aine !eiger da)ned hi)
.o)petey> and the ine the defense )eant to pursue> the ine that the
eviden.e of a +o)an +ho had ad)ittedy ived an i))ora ife +as not
to 'e trusted> +as at 'est a +ea1 one/
Mr Mayherne"s )ind +as )ade up/ It +as his duty to save his .ient at
a .osts/ !e )ust go to Sha+"s &ents/
!e had so)e diffi.uty in finding the pa.e> a ra)sha.1e 'uiding in an
evi;s)eing su)> 'ut at ast he did so> and on in8uiry for Mrs Mogson
+as sent up to a roo) on the third foor/ <n this door he 1no.1ed> and
getting no ans+er> 1no.1ed again/
At this se.ond 1no.1> he heard a shuffing sound inside> and presenty
the door +as opened .autiousy haf an in.h and a 'ent figure peered
out/
Suddeny the +o)an> for it +as a +o)an> gave a .hu.1e and opened
the door +ider/
JSo it"s you> dearie>J she said> in a +hee?y voi.e/ J0o'ody +ith you> is
thereA 0o paying tri.1sA That"s right/ @ou .an .o)e in ; you .an .o)e
in/J
With so)e reu.tan.e the a+yer stepped a.ross the threshod into the
s)a dirty roo)> +ith its fi.1ering gas Det/ There +as an untidy un)ade
'ed in a .orner> a pain dea ta'e and t+o ri.1ety .hairs/ For the first
ti)e Mr Mayherne had a fu vie+ of the tenant of this unsavory
apart)ent/ She +as a +o)an of )idde age> 'ent in figure> +ith a )ass
of untidy gray hair and a s.arf +ound tighty round her fa.e/
She sa+ hi) oo1ing at this and aughed again> the sa)e .urious>
toneess .hu.1e/
JWondering +hy I hide )y 'eauty> dearA !e> he> he/ Afraid it )ay te)pt
you> ehA %ut you sha see ; you sha see/J
She dre+ aside the s.arf and the a+yer re.oied invountariy 'efore
the a)ost for)ess 'ur of s.aret/ She repa.ed the s.arf again/
JSo you"re not +anting to 1iss )e> dearieA !e> he> I don"t +onder/ And
yet I +as a pretty gir on.e ; not so ong ago as you"d thin1> either/
7itrio> dearie> vitrio ; that"s +hat did that/ AhG 'ut I" 'e even +ith "e) ;
J
She 'urst into a hideous torrent of profanity +hi.h Mr Mayherne tried
vainy to 8ue/ She fe sient at ast> her hands .en.hing and
un.en.hing the)seves nervousy/
J(nough of that>J said the a+yer sterny/ JI"ve .o)e here 'e.ause I
have reason to 'eieve you .an give )e infor)ation +hi.h +i .ear )y
.ient> #eonard 7oe/ Is that the .aseAJ
!er eyes eered at hi) .unningy/
JWhat a'out the )oney> dearieAJ she +hee?ed/ JT+o hundred 8uid>
you re)e)'er/J
JIt is your duty to give eviden.e> and you .an 'e .aed upon to do so/J
JThat +on"t do> dearie/ I") an od +o)an> and I 1no+ nothing/ %ut you
give )e t+o hundred 8uid> and perhaps I .an give you a hint or t+o/
SeeAJ
JWhat 1ind of hintAJ
JWhat shoud you say to a etterA A etter fro) her/ 0ever )ind ho+ I
got hod of it/ That"s )y 'usiness/ It" do the tri.1/ %ut I +ant )y t+o
hundred 8uid/J
Mr Mayherne oo1ed at her .ody> and )ade up his )ind/
JI" give you ten pounds> nothing )ore/ And ony that if this etter is
+hat you say it is/J
JTen poundsAJ She s.rea)ed and raved at hi)/
JT+enty>J said Mr Mayherne> Jand that"s )y ast +ord/J
!e rose as if to go/ Then> +at.hing her .osey> he dre+ out a
po.1et'oo1> and .ounted out t+enty one;pound notes/
J@ou see>J he said/ JThat is a I have +ith )e/ @ou .an ta1e it or eave
it/J
%ut aready he 1ne+ that the sight of the )oney +as too )u.h for her/
She .ursed and raved i)potenty> 'ut at ast she gave in/ ,oing over to
the 'ed> she dre+ so)ething out fro) 'eneath the tattered )attress/
J!ere you are> da)n youGJ she snared/ JIt"s the top one you +ant/J
It +as a 'unde of etters that she thre+ to hi)> and Mr Mayherne untied
the) and s.anned the) in his usua .oo> )ethodi.a )anner/ The
+o)an> +at.hing hi) eagery> .oud gain no .ue fro) his i)passive
fa.e/
!e read ea.h etter through> then returned again to the top one and
read it a se.ond ti)e/ Then he tied the +hoe 'unde up again .arefuy/
They +ere ove etters> +ritten 'y &o)aine !eiger> and the )an they
+ere +ritten to +as not #eonard 7oe/ The top etter +as dated the day
of the atter"s arrest/
JI spo1e true> dearie> didn"t IAJ +hined the +o)an/ JIt" do for her> that
etterAJ
Mr Mayherne put the etters in his po.1et> then he as1ed a 8uestion/
J!o+ did you get hod of this .orresponden.eAJ
JThat"s teing>J she said +ith a eer/ J%ut I 1no+ so)ething )ore/ I
heard in .ourt +hat that hussy said/ Find out +here she +as at t+enty
past ten> the ti)e she says she +as at ho)e/ As1 at the #ion &oad
Cine)a/ They" re)e)'er ; a fine upstanding gir i1e that ; .urse herGJ
JWho is the )anAJ as1ed Mr Mayherne/ JThere"s ony a Christian na)e
here/J
The other"s voi.e gre+ thi.1 and hoarse> her hands .en.hed and
un.en.hed/ Finay she ifted one to her fa.e/
J!e"s the )an that did this to )e/ Many years ago no+/ She too1 hi)
a+ay fro) )e ; a .hit of a gir she +as then/ And +hen I +ent after hi) ;
and +ent for hi) too ; he thre+ the .ursed stuff at )eG And she aughed
; da)n herG I"ve had it in for her for years/ Foo+ed her> I have> spied
upon her/ And no+ I"ve got herG She" suffer for this> +on"t she> Mr
#a+yerA She" sufferAJ
JShe +i pro'a'y 'e senten.ed to a ter) of i)prison)ent for perDury>J
said Mr Mayherne 8uiety/
JShut a+ay ; that"s +hat I +ant/ @ou"re going> are youA Where"s )y
)oneyA Where"s that good )oneyAJ
Without a +ord> Mr Mayherne put do+n the notes on the ta'e/ Then>
dra+ing a deep 'reath> he turned and eft the s8uaid roo)/ #oo1ing
'a.1> he sa+ the od +o)an .rooning over the )oney/
!e +asted no ti)e/ !e found the .ine)a in #ion &oad easiy enough>
and> sho+n a photograph of &o)aine !eiger> the .o))issionaire
re.ogni?ed her at on.e/ She had arrived at the .ine)a +ith a )an so)e
ti)e after ten o".o.1 on the evening in 8uestion/ !e had not noti.ed her
es.ort parti.uary> 'ut he re)e)'ered the ady +ho had spo1en to hi)
a'out the pi.ture that +as sho+ing/ They stayed unti the end> a'out an
hour ater/
Mr Mayherne +as satisfied/ &o)aine !eiger"s eviden.e +as a tissue of
ies fro) 'eginning to end/ She had evoved it out of her passionate
hatred/ The a+yer +ondered +hether he +oud ever 1no+ +hat ay
'ehind that hatred/ What had #eonard 7oe done to herA !e had
see)ed du)'founded +hen the soi.itor had reported her attitude to
hi)/ !e had de.ared earnesty that su.h a thing +as in.redi'e ; yet it
had see)ed to Mr Mayherne that after the first astonish)ent his
protests had a.1ed sin.erity/
!e did 1no+/ Mr Mayherne +as .onvin.ed of it/ !e 1ne+> 'ut he had no
intention of reveaing the fa.t/ The se.ret 'et+een those t+o re)ained
a se.ret/ Mr Mayherne +ondered if so)e day he shoud .o)e to earn
+hat it +as/
The soi.itor gan.ed at his +at.h/ It +as ate> 'ut ti)e +as everything/
!e haied a taBi and gave an address/
JSir Chares )ust 1no+ of this at on.e>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef as he
got in/
The tria of #eonard 7oe for the )urder of ()iy Fren.h aroused
+idespread interest/ In the first pa.e the prisoner +as young and
good;oo1ing> then he +as a..used of a parti.uary dastardy .ri)e>
and there +as the further interest of &o)aine !eiger> the prin.ipa
+itness for the prose.ution/ There had 'een pi.tures of her in )any
papers> and severa fi.titious stories as to her origin and history/
The pro.eedings opened 8uiety enough/ 7arious te.hni.a eviden.e
.a)e first/ Then *anet Ma.1en?ie +as .aed/ She tod su'stantiay the
sa)e story as 'efore/ In .ross;eBa)ination .ounse for the defense
su..eeded in getting her to .ontradi.t hersef on.e or t+i.e over her
a..ount of 7oe"s asso.iation +ith Miss Fren.hI he e)phasi?ed the fa.t
that though she had heard a )an"s voi.e in the sitting;roo) that night>
there +as nothing to sho+ that it +as 7oe +ho +as there> and he
)anaged to drive ho)e a feeing that Deaousy and disi1e of the
prisoner +ere at the 'otto) of a good dea of her eviden.e/
Then the neBt +itness +as .aed/
J@our na)e is &o)aine !eigerAJ
J@es/J
J@ou are an Austrian su'De.tAJ
J@es/J
JFor the ast three years you have ived +ith the prisoner and passed
yoursef off as his +ifeAJ
*ust for a )o)ent &o)aine !eiger"s eyes )et those of the )an in the
do.1/ !er eBpression hed so)ething .urious and unfatho)a'e/
J@es/J
The 8uestions +ent on/ Word 'y +ord the da)ning fa.ts .a)e out/ <n
the night in 8uestion the prisoner had ta1en out a .ro+'ar +ith hi)/ !e
had returned at t+enty )inutes past ten> and had .onfessed to having
1ied the od ady/ !is .uffs had 'een stained +ith 'ood> and he had
'urned the) in the 1it.hen stove/ !e had terrori?ed her into sien.e 'y
)eans of threats/
As the story pro.eeded> the feeing of the .ourt +hi.h had> to 'egin
+ith> 'een sighty favora'e to the prisoner> no+ set dead against hi)/
!e hi)sef sat +ith do+n.ast head and )oody air> as though he 1ne+
he +ere doo)ed/
@et it )ight have 'een noted that her o+n .ounse sought to restrain
&o)aine"s ani)osity/ !e +oud have preferred her to 'e )ore un'iased/
For)ida'e and ponderous> .ounse for the defense arose/
!e put it to her that her story +as a )ai.ious fa'ri.ation fro) start to
finish> that she had not even 'een in her o+n house at the ti)e in
8uestion> that she +as in ove +ith another )an and +as dei'eratey
see1ing to send 7oe to his death for a .ri)e he did not .o))it/
&o)aine denied these aegations +ith super' insoen.e/
Then .a)e the surprising denoue)ent> the produ.tion of the etter/ It
+as read aoud in .ourt in the )idst of a 'reathess stiness/
MaB> 'eoved> the Fates have deivered hi) into our handsG !e has 'een
arrested for )urder ; 'ut> yes> the )urder of an od adyG #eonard> +ho
+oud not hurt a fyG At ast I sha have )y revenge/ The poor .hi.1enG I
sha say that he .a)e in that night +ith 'ood upon hi) ; that he
.onfessed to )e/ I sha hang hi)> MaB ; and +hen he hangs he +i
1no+ and reai?e that it +as &o)aine +ho sent hi) to his death/ And
then ; happiness> %eovedG !appiness at astG
There +ere eBperts present ready to s+ear that the hand+riting +as
that of &o)aine !eiger> 'ut they +ere not needed/ Confronted +ith the
etter> &o)aine 'ro1e do+n uttery and .onfessed everything/ #eonard
7oe had returned to the house at the ti)e he said> t+enty past nine/
She had invented the +hoe story to ruin hi)/
With the .oapse of &o)aine !eiger> the .ase for the Cro+n .oapsed
aso/ Sir Chares .aed his fe+ +itnesses> the prisoner hi)sef +ent
into the 'oB and tod his story in a )any straightfor+ard )anner>
unsha1en 'y .ross;eBa)ination/
The prose.ution endeavored to ray> 'ut +ithout great su..ess/ The
Dudge"s su))ing up +as not +hoy favora'e to the prisoner> 'ut a
rea.tion had set in and the Dury needed itte ti)e to .onsider their
verdi.t/
JWe find the prisoner not guity/J
#eonard 7oe +as freeG
#itte Mr Mayherne hurried fro) his seat/ !e )ust .ongratuate his
.ient/
!e found hi)sef poishing his pin.e;ne? vigorousy> and .he.1ed
hi)sef/ !is +ife had tod hi) ony the night 'efore that he +as getting a
ha'it of it/ Curious things> ha'its/ Peope the)seves never 1ne+ they
had the)/
An interesting .ase ; a very interesting .ase/ That +o)an> no+>
&o)aine !eiger/
The .ase +as do)inated for hi) sti 'y the eBoti. figure of &o)aine
!eiger/ She had see)ed a pae> 8uiet +o)an in the house at
Paddington> 'ut in .ourt she had fa)ed out against the so'er
'a.1ground> faunting hersef i1e a tropi.a fo+er/
If he .osed his eyes he .oud see her no+> ta and vehe)ent> her
eB8uisite 'ody 'ent for+ard a itte> her right hand .en.hing and
un.en.hing itsef un.ons.iousy a the ti)e/
Curious things> ha'its/ That gesture of hers +ith the hand +as her ha'it>
he supposed/ @et he had seen so)eone ese do it 8uite atey/ Who +as
it no+A 4uite atey ;
!e dre+ in his 'reath +ith a gasp as it .a)e 'a.1 to hi)/ The +o)an in
Sha+"s &ents///
!e stood sti> his head +hiring/ It +as i)possi'e ; i)possi'e ; @et>
&o)aine !eiger +as an a.tress/
The -/C/ .a)e up 'ehind hi) and .apped hi) on the shouder/
JCongratuated our )an yetA !e"s had a narro+ shave> you 1no+/
Co)e aong and see hi)/J
%ut the itte a+yer shoo1 off the other"s hand/
!e +anted one thing ony ; to see &o)aine !eiger fa.e to fa.e/
!e did not see her unti so)e ti)e ater> and the pa.e of their )eeting
is not reevant/
JSo you guessed>J she said> +hen he had tod her a that +as in his
)ind/ JThe fa.eA <hG that +as easy enough> and the ight of that gas Det
+as too 'ad for you to see the )a1eup/J
J%ut +hy ; +hy ;J
JWhy did I pay a one handAJ She s)ied a itte> re)e)'ering the ast
ti)e she had used the +ords/
JSu.h an ea'orate .o)edyGJ
JMy friend ; I had to save hi)/ The eviden.e of a +o)an devoted to hi)
+oud not have 'een enough ; you hinted as )u.h yoursef/ %ut I 1no+
so)ething of the psy.hoogy of .ro+ds/ #et )y eviden.e 'e +rung fro)
)e> as an ad)ission> da)ning )e in the eyes of the a+> and a rea.tion
in favor of the prisoner +oud i))ediatey set in/J
JAnd the 'unde of ettersAJ
J<ne aone> the vita one> )ight have see)ed i1e a ; +hat do you .a
itA ; put;up Do'/J
JThen the )an .aed MaBAJ
J0ever eBisted> )y friend/J
JI sti thin1>J said itte Mr Mayherne> in an aggrieved )anner> Jthat +e
.oud have got hi) off 'y the ; er ; nor)a pro.edure/J
JI dared not ris1 it/ @ou see you thought he +as inno.ent ;J
JAnd you 1ne+ itA I see>J said itte Mr Mayherne/
JMy dear Mr Mayherne>J said &o)aine> Jyou do not see at a/ I 1ne+ ;
he +as guityGJ
ContentsH
The Case of the Midde;Aged Wife
The Case of the $is.ontented Sodier
The Case of the $istressed #ady
The Case of the $is.ontented !us'and
The Case of the City Cer1
The Case of the &i.h Wo)an
!ave @ou ,ot (verything @ou WantA
The ,ate of %aghdad
The !ouse at Shira?
The Pear of Pri.e
$eath on the 0ie
The <ra.e at $ephi
T!( CAS( <F T!( MI$$#(;A,($ WIF(
Four grunts> an indignant voi.e as1ing +hy no'ody .oud eave a
hat aone> a sa))ed door> and Mr Pa.1ington had departed to
.at.h the eight;forty;five to the City/ Mrs Pa.1ington sat on at the
'rea1fast ta'e/ !er fa.e +as fushed> her ips +ere pursed> and
the ony reason she +as not .rying +as that at the ast )inute
anger had ta1en the pa.e of grief/
JI +on"t stand it>J said Mrs Pa.1ington/ JI +on"t stand itGJ She
re)ained for so)e )o)ents 'rooding> and then )ur)uredH JThe
)inB/ 0asty sy itte .atG !o+ ,eorge .an 'e su.h a fooGJ
Anger fadedI grief .a)e 'a.1/ Tears .a)e into Mrs Pa.1ington"s
eyes and roed so+y do+n her )idde;aged .hee1s/
JIt"s a very +e to say I +on"t stand it> 'ut +hat .an I doAJ
Suddeny she fet aone> hepess> uttery fororn/ So+y she too1 up
the )orning paper and read> not for the first ti)e> an advertise)ent
on the front page/
JA'surdGJ said Mrs Pa.1ington/ J2ttery a'surd/J ThenH JAfter a> I
)ight Dust see///J
Whi.h eBpains +hy at eeven o".o.1 Mrs Pa.1ington> a itte
nervous> +as 'eing sho+n into Mr Par1er Pyne"s private offi.e/
As has 'een said> Mrs Pa.1ington +as nervous> 'ut so)eho+ or
other> the )ere sight of Mr Par1er Pyne 'rought a feeing of
reassuran.e/ !e +as arge> not to say fatI he had a 'ad head of
no'e proportions> strong gasses and itte t+in1ing eyes/
JPray sit do+n>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou have .o)e in ans+er to
)y advertise)entAJ he added hepfuy/
J@es>J said Mrs Pa.1ington> and stopped there/
JAnd you are not happy>J said Mr Par1er Pyne in a .heerfu> )atterof;
fa.t voi.e/ J7ery fe+ peope are/ @ou +oud reay 'e surprised if
you 1ne+ ho+ fe+ peope are happy/J
JIndeedAJ said Mrs Pa.1ington> not feeing> ho+ever> that it
)attered +hether other peope +ere unhappy or not/
J0ot interesting to you> I 1no+>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> J'ut very
interesting to )e/ @ou see> for thirty;five years of )y ife I have 'een
engaged in the .o)piing of statisti.s in a govern)ent offi.e/ 0o+ I
have retired> and it has o..urred to )e to use the eBperien.e I have
gained in a nove fashion/ It is a so si)pe/ 2nhappiness .an 'e
.assified under five )ain heads ; no )ore> I assure you/ <n.e you
1no+ the .ause of a )aady> the re)edy shoud not 'e i)possi'e/
JI stand in the pa.e of the do.tor/ The do.tor first diagnoses the
patient"s disorder> then he pro.eeds to re.o))end a .ourse of
treat)ent/ There are .ases +here no treat)ent .an 'e of any avai/
If that is so> I say fran1y that I .an do nothing/ %ut I assure you> Mrs
Pa.1ington> that if I underta1e a .ase> the .ure is pra.ti.ay
guaranteed/J
Coud it 'e soA Was this nonsense> or .oud it> perhaps> 'e trueA
Mrs Pa.1ington ga?ed at hi) hopefuy/
JSha +e diagnose your .aseAJ said Mr Par1er Pyne> s)iing/ !e
eaned 'a.1 in his .hair and 'rought the tips of his fingers together/
JThe trou'e .on.erns your hus'and/ @ou have had> on the +hoe> a
happy )arried ife/ @our hus'and has> I thin1> prospered/ I thin1
there is a young ady .on.erned in the .ase ; perhaps a young ady
in your hus'and"s offi.e/J
JA typist>J said Mrs Pa.1ington/ JA nasty )ade;up itte )inB> a
ipsti.1 and si1 sto.1ings and .urs/J
The +ords rushed fro) her/
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded in a soothing )anner/
JThere is no rea har) in it ; that is your hus'and"s phrase> I have
no dou't/J
J!is very +ords/J
JWhy> therefore> shoud he not enDoy a pure friendship +ith this
young ady> and 'e a'e to 'ring a itte 'rightness> a itte peasure>
into her du eBisten.eA Poor .hid> she has so itte fun/ Those> I
i)agine> are his senti)ents/J
Mrs Pa.1ington nodded +ith vigor/ J!u)'ug ; a hu)'ugG !e ta1es
her on the river ; I") fond of going on the river )ysef> 'ut five or siB
years ago he said it interfered +ith his gof/ %ut he .an give up gof
for her/ I i1e the theater ; ,eorge has a+ays said he"s too tired to
go out at night/ 0o+ he ta1es her out to dan.e ; dan.eG And .o)es
'a.1 at three in the )orning/ I ; I ;J
JAnd dou'tess he depores the fa.t that +o)en are so Deaous> so
unreasona'y Deaous +hen there is a'soutey no .ause for
DeaousyAJ
Again Mrs Pa.1ington nodded/ JThat"s it/J She as1ed sharpyH J!o+
do you 1no+ a thisAJ
JStatisti.s>J Mr Par1er Pyne said si)py/
JI") so )isera'e>J said Mrs Pa.1ington/ JI"ve a+ays 'een a good
+ife to ,eorge/ I +or1ed )y fingers to the 'one in our eary days/ I
heped hi) to get on/ I"ve never oo1ed at any other )an/ !is things
are a+ays )ended> he gets good )eas> and the house is +e and
e.ono)i.ay run/ And no+ that +e"ve got on in the +ord and .oud
enDoy ourseves and go a'out a 'it and do a the things I"ve oo1ed
for+ard to doing so)e day ; +e> thisGJ She s+ao+ed hard/
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded gravey/ JI assure you I understand your
.ase perfe.ty/J
JAnd ; .an you do anythingAJ She as1ed it a)ost in +hisper/
JCertainy> )y dear ady/ There is a .ure/ <h> yes> there is a .ure/J
JWhat is itAJ She +aited> round;eyed> and eBpe.tant/
Mr Par1er Pyne spo1e 8uiety and fir)y/ J@ou +i pa.e yoursef in
)y hands> and the fee +i 'e t+o hundred guineas/J
JT+o hundred guineasGJ
J(Ba.ty/ @ou .an afford to pay su.h a fee> Mrs Pa.1ington/ @ou
+oud pay that su) for an operation/ !appiness is Dust as i)portant
as 'odiy heath/J
JI pay you after+ards> I supposeAJ
J<n the .ontrary>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou pay )e in advan.e/J
Mrs Pa.1ington rose/ JI") afraid I don"t see )y +ay ;J
JTo 'uying a pig in a po1eAJ said Mr Par1er Pyne .heerfuy/ JWe>
perhaps you"re right/ It"s a ot of )oney to ris1/ @ou"ve got to trust
)e> you see/ @ou"ve got to pay the )oney and ta1e a .han.e/ Those
are )y ter)s/J
JT+o hundred guineasGJ
J(Ba.ty/ T+o hundred guineas/ It"s a ot of )oney/ ,ood )orning>
Mrs Pa.1ington/ #et )e 1no+ if you .hange your )ind/J !e shoo1
hands +ith her> s)iing in an unpertur'ed fashion/
When she had gone he pressed a 'u??er on his des1/ A for'iddingoo1ing
young +o)an +ith spe.ta.es ans+ered it/
JA fie> pease> Miss #e)on/ And you )ight te Caude that I a)
i1ey to +ant hi) shorty/J
JA ne+ .ientAJ
JA ne+ .ient/ At the )o)ent she has Di''ed> 'ut she +i .o)e
'a.1/ Pro'a'y this afternoon a'out four/ (nter her/J
JS.hedue AAJ
JS.hedue A> of .ourse/ Interesting ho+ everyone thin1s his o+n
.ase uni8ue/ We> +e> +arn Caude/ 0ot too eBoti.> te hi)/ 0o
s.ent and he"d 'etter get his hair .ut short/J
It +as a 8uarter past four +hen Mrs Pa.1ington on.e )ore entered
Mr Par1er Pyne"s offi.e/ She dre+ out a .he.1 'oo1> )ade out a
.he.1 and passed it to hi)/ A re.eipt +as given/
JAnd no+AJ Mrs Pa.1ington oo1ed at hi) hopefuy/
JAnd no+>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> s)iing> Jyou +i return ho)e/ %y
the first post to)orro+ you +i re.eive .ertain instru.tions +hi.h I
sha 'e gad if you +i .arry out/J
Mrs Pa.1ington +ent ho)e in a state of peasant anti.ipation/
Mr Pa.1ington .a)e ho)e in a defensive )ood> ready to argue his
position if the s.ene at the 'rea1fast ta'e +as reopened/ !e +as
reieved> ho+ever> to find that his +ife did not see) to 'e in a
.o)'ative )ood/ She +as unusuay thoughtfu/
,eorge istened to the radio and +ondered +hether that dear .hid
0an.y +oud ao+ hi) to give her a fur .oat/ She +as very proud>
he 1ne+/ !e didn"t +ant to offend her/ Sti> she had .o)pained of
the .od/ That t+eed .oat of hers +as a .heap affairI it didn"t 1eep
the .od out/ !e .oud put it so that she +oudn"t )ind> perhaps///
They )ust have another evening out soon/ It +as a peasure to ta1e
a gir i1e that to a s)art restaurant/ !e .oud see severa young
feo+s +ere envying hi)/ She +as un.o))ony pretty/ And she
i1ed hi)/ To her> as she had tod hi)> he didn"t see) a 'it od/
!e oo1ed up and .aught his +ife"s eye/ !e fet suddeny guity>
+hi.h annoyed hi)/ What a narro+;)inded> suspi.ious +o)an
Maria +asG She grudged hi) any itte 'it of happiness/
!e s+it.hed off the radio and +ent to 'ed/
Mrs Pa.1ington re.eived t+o uneBpe.ted etters the foo+ing
)orning/ <ne +as a printed for) .onfir)ing an appoint)ent at a
noted 'eauty spe.iaist"s/ The se.ond +as an appoint)ent +ith a
dress)a1er/ The third +as fro) Mr Par1er Pyne> re8uesting the
peasure of her .o)pany at un.h at the &it? that day/
Mr Pa.1ington )entioned that he )ight not 'e ho)e to dinner that
evening as he had to see a )an on 'usiness/ Mrs Pa.1ington
)erey nodded a'senty> and Mr Pa.1ington eft the house
.ongratuating hi)sef of having es.aped the stor)/
The 'eauty spe.iaist +as i)pressive/ Su.h nege.t Mada)> 'ut
+hyA This shoud have 'een ta1en in hand years ago/ !o+ever> it
+as not too ate/
Things +ere done to her fa.eI it +as pressed 1neaded and
stea)ed/ It had )ud appied to it/ It had .rea)s appied to it/ It +as
dusted +ith po+der/ There +ere various finishing tou.hes/
At ast she +as given a )irror/ JI 'eieve I do oo1 younger>J she
thought to hersef/
The dress)a1ing sean.e +as e8uay eB.iting/ She e)erged feeing
s)art> )odish> up;to;date/
At haf;past;one> Mrs Pa.1ington 1ept her appoint)ent at the &it?/
Mr Par1er Pyne> fautessy dressed and .arrying +ith hi) his
at)osphere of soothing reassuran.e> +as +aiting for her/
JChar)ing>J he said> an eBperien.ed eye s+eeping her fro) head
to foot/ JI have ventured to order your White #ady/J
Mrs Pa.1ington> +ho had not .ontra.ted the .o.1tai ha'it> )ade
no de)ur/ As she sipped the eB.iting fuid gingery> she istened to
her 'enevoent instru.tor/
J@our hus'and> Mrs Pa.1ington>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> J)ust 'e
)ade to Sit 2p/ @ou understand ; to Sit 2p/ To assist in that> I a)
going to introdu.e to you a young friend of )ine/ @ou +i un.h +ith
hi) today/J
At that )o)ent a young )an .a)e aong> oo1ing fro) side to side/
!e espied Mr Par1er Pyne and .a)e gra.efuy to+ards the)/
JMr Caude #uttre> Mrs Pa.1ington/J
Mr Caude #uttre +as perhaps Dust short of thirty/ !e +as gra.efu>
de'onair> perfe.ty dressed> eBtre)ey handso)e/
J$eighted to )eet you>J he )ur)ured/
Three )inutes ater Mrs Pa.1ington +as fa.ing her ne+ )entor at a
s)a ta'e for t+o/
She +as shy at first> 'ut Mr #uttre soon put her at her ease/ !e
1ne+ Paris +e and had spent a good dea of ti)e on the &iviera/
!e as1ed Mrs Pa.1ington if she +ere fond of dan.ing/ Mrs
Pa.1ington said she +as> 'ut that she sedo) got any dan.ing
no+adays as Mr Pa.1ington didn"t .are to go out in the evenings/
J%ut he .oudn"t 'e so un1ind as to 1eep you at ho)e>J said Caude
#uttre> s)iing and dispaying a da??ing ro+ of teeth/ JWo)en +i
not toerate )ae Deaousy in these days/J
Mrs Pa.1ington neary said that Deaousy didn"t enter into the
8uestion/ %ut the +ords re)ained unspo1en/ After a> it +as an
agreea'e idea/
Caude #uttre spo1e airiy of night .u's/ It +as setted that on the
foo+ing evening Mrs Pa.1ington and Mr #uttre shoud patroni?e
the popuar #esser Ar.hange/ Mrs Pa.1ington +as a itte nervous
a'out announ.ing this fa.t to her hus'and/ ,eorge> she fet> +oud
thin1 it eBtraordinary and possi'y ridi.uous/ %ut she +as saved a
trou'e on this s.ore/ She had 'een too nervous to )a1e her
announ.e)ent at 'rea1fast> and at t+o o".o.1 a teephone
)essage .a)e to the effe.t that Mr Pa.1ington +oud 'e dining in
to+n/
The evening +as a great su..ess/ Mrs Pa.1ington had 'een a good
dan.er as a gir and under Caude #uttre"s s1ied guidan.e she
soon pi.1ed up )odern steps/ !e .ongratuated her on her go+n
and aso on the arrange)ent of her hair/ 9An appoint)ent had 'een
)ade her that )orning +ith a fashiona'e hairdresser/: At 'idding
her fare+e> he 1issed her hand in a )ost ee.trifying )anner/ Mrs
Pa.1ington had not enDoyed an evening so )u.h for years/
A 'e+idering ten days ensued/ Mrs Pa.1ington un.hed> teaed>
tangoed> dined> dan.ed and supped/ She heard a a'out Caude
#uttre"s sad .hidhood/ She heard the sad .ir.u)stan.es in +hi.h
his father ost his )oney/ She heard of his tragi. ro)an.e and his
'ittered feeings to+ards +o)en generay/
<n the eeventh day they +ere dan.ing at the &ed Ad)ira/ Mrs
Pa.1ington sa+ her spouse 'efore he sa+ her/ ,eorge +as +ith
the young ady fro) his offi.e/ %oth .oupes +ere dan.ing/
J!eo> ,eorge>J said Mrs Pa.1ington ighty> +hen their or'its
'rought the) together/
It +as +ith .onsidera'e a)use)ent that She sa+ her hus'and"s
fa.e gro+ first red> then purpe +ith astonish)ent/ With the
astonish)ent +as 'ended an eBpression of guit dete.ted/
Mrs Pa.1ington fet a)usedy )istress of the situation/ Poor od
,eorgeG Seated on.e )ore at her ta'e she +at.hed the)/ !o+
stout he +as> ho+ 'ad> ho+ terri'y he 'oun.ed on his feetG !e
dan.ed in the stye of t+enty years ago/ Poor ,eorge> ho+ terri'y
he +anted to 'e youngG And that poor gir he +as dan.ing +ith had
to pretend to i1e it/ She oo1ed 'ored enough no+> the fa.e over
his shouder +here he .oudn"t see it/
!o+ )u.h )ore envia'e> thought Mrs Pa.1ington .ontentedy>
+as her o+n situation/ She gan.ed at the perfe.t Caude> no+
ta.tfuy sient/ !o+ +e he understood her/ !e never Darred ; as
hus'ands so inevita'e did Dar after a apse of years/
She oo1ed at hi) again/ Their eyes )et/ !e s)iedI his 'eautifu
dar1 eyes> so )ean.hoy> so ro)anti.> oo1ed tendery into hers/
JSha +e dan.e againAJ he )ur)ured/
They dan.ed again/ It +as heavenG
She +as .ons.ious of ,eorge"s apope.ti. ga?e foo+ing the)/ It
had 'een the idea> she re)e)'ered> to )a1e ,eorge Deaous/ What
a ong ti)e ago that +asG She reay didn"t +ant ,eorge to 'e
Deaous no+/ It )ight upset hi)/ Why shoud he 'e upset> poor
thingA (veryone +as so happy///
Mr Pa.1ington had 'een ho)e an hour +hen Mrs Pa.1ington got in/
!e oo1ed 'e+idered and unsure of hi)sef/
J!u)ph>J he re)ar1ed/ JSo you"re 'a.1/J
Mrs Pa.1ington .ast off an evening +rap +hi.h had .ost her forty
guineas that very )orning/ J@es>J she said> s)iing/ JI") 'a.1/J
,eorge .oughed/ J(r ; rather odd )eeting you/J
JWasn"t itAJ said Mrs Pa.1ington/
JI ; +e> I thought it +oud 'e a 1indness to ta1e that gir
so)e+here/ She"s 'een having a ot of trou'e at ho)e/ I thought ;
+e> 1indness you 1no+/J
Mrs Pa.1ington nodded/ Poor od ,eorge ; 'oun.ing on his feet and
getting so hot and 'eing so peased +ith hi)sef/
JWho"s that .hap you +ere +ithA I don"t 1no+ hi)> do IAJ
J#uttre> his na)e is/ Caude #uttre/J
J!o+ did you .o)e a.ross hi)AJ
J<h> so)eone introdu.ed )e>J said Mrs Pa.1ington vaguey/
J&ather a 8ueer thing for you to go out dan.ing ; at your ti)e of ife/
Mustn"t )a1e a foo of yoursef> )y dear/J
Mrs Pa.1ington s)ied/ She +as feeing )u.h too 1indy to the
universe in genera to )a1e the o'vious repy/ JA .hange is a+ays
ni.e>J she said a)ia'y/
J@ou"ve got to 'e .arefu> you 1no+/ A ot of these ounge;i?ard
feo+s going a'out/ Midde;aged +o)en so)eti)es )a1e a+fu
foos of the)seves/ I") Dust +arning you> )y dear/ I don"t i1e to see
you doing anything unsuita'e/J
JI find the eBer.ise very 'enefi.ia>J said Mrs Pa.1ington/
J2) ; yes/J
JI eBpe.t you do> too>J said Mrs Pa.1ington 1indy/ JThe great thing
is to 'e happy> isn"t itA I re)e)'er your saying so one )orning at
'rea1fast> a'out ten days ago/J
!er hus'and oo1ed at her sharpy> 'ut her eBpression +as devoid
of sar.as)/ She ya+ned/
JI )ust go to 'ed/ %y the +ay> ,eorge> I"ve 'een dreadfuy
eBtravagant atey/ So)e terri'e 'is +i 'e .o)ing in/ @ou don"t
)ind> do youAJ
J%isAJ said Mr Pa.1ington/
J@es/ For .othes/ And )assage/ And hair treat)ent/ Wi.1edy
eBtravagant I"ve 'een ; 'ut I 1no+ you +on"t )ind/J
She passed up the stairs/ Mr Pa.1ington re)ained +ith his )outh
open/ Maria had 'een a)a?ingy ni.e a'out this evening"s 'usinessI
she hadn"t see)ed to .are at a/ %ut it +as a pity she had suddeny
ta1en to spending )oney/ Maria ; that )ode of e.ono)yG
Wo)enG ,eorge Pa.1ington shoo1 his head/ The s.rapes that gir"s
'rothers had 'een getting into atey/ We> he"d 'een gad to hep/
A the sa)e ; and dash it a> things +eren"t going too +e in the
City/
Sighing> Mr Pa.1ington in his turn so+y .i)'ed the stairs/
So)eti)es +ords that fai to )a1e their effe.t at the ti)e are
re)e)'ered ater/ 0ot ti the foo+ing )orning did .ertain +ords
uttered 'y Mr Pa.1ington reay penetrate his +ife"s .ons.iousness/
#ounge i?ardsI )idde;aged +o)enI a+fu foos of the)seves/
Mrs Pa.1ington +as .ourageous at heart/ She sat do+n and fa.ed
fa.ts/ A gigoo/ She had read a a'out gigoos in the papers/ !ad
read> too> of the foies of )idde;aged +o)en/
Was Caude a gigooA She supposed he +as/ %ut then> gigoos +ere
paid for and Caude a+ays paid for her/ @es> 'ut it +as Mr Par1er
Pyne +ho paid> not Caude ; or> rather> it +as reay her o+n t+o
hundred guineas/
Was she a )idde;aged fooA $id Caude #uttre augh at her 'ehind
her 'a.1A !er fa.e fushed at the thought/
We> +hat of itA Caude +as a gigoo/ She +as a )idde;aged foo/
She supposed she shoud have given hi) so)ething/ A god
.igarette .ase/ That sort of thing/
A 8ueer i)puse drove her out of there and then to Asprey"s/ The
.igarette .ase +as .hosen and paid for/ She +as to )eet Caude at
Caridge"s for un.h/
As they +ere sipping .offee she produ.ed it fro) her 'ag/ JA itte
present>J she )ur)ured/
!e oo1ed up> fro+ned/ JFor )eAJ
J@es/ I ; I hope you i1e it/J
!is hand .osed over it and he sid it vioenty a.ross the ta'e/
JWhy do you give )e thatA I +on"t ta1e it/ Ta1e it 'a.1/ Ta1e it 'a.1>
I say/J !e +as angry/ !is dar1 eyes fashed/
She )ur)ured> JI") sorry>J and put it a+ay in her 'ag again/
There +as .onstraint 'et+een the) that day/
The foo+ing )orning he rang her up/ JI )ust see you/ Can I .o)e
to your house this afternoonAJ
She tod hi) to .o)e at three o".o.1/
!e arrived very +hite> very tense/ They greeted ea.h other/ The
.onstraint +as )ore evident/
Suddeny he sprang up and stood fa.ing her/ JWhat do you thin1 I
a)A That is +hat I"ve .o)e to as1 youA We"ve 'een friends> haven"t
+eA @es> friends/ %ut a the sa)e> you thin1 I") ; +e> a gigoo/ A
.reature +hi.h ives on +o)en/ A ounge i?ard/ @ou do> don"t youAJ
J0o> no/J
!e s+ept aside her protest/ !is fa.e had gone yeo+ +hite/
J@ou do thin1 thatG We> it"s true/ That"s +hat I"ve .o)e to say/ It"s
trueG I had )y orders to ta1e you a'out> to a)use you> to )a1e ove
to you> to )a1e you forget your hus'and/ That +as )y Do'/ A
despi.a'e one> ehAJ
JWhy are you teing )e thisAJ she as1ed/
J%e.ause I") through +ith it/ I .an"t .arry on +ith it/ 0ot +ith you/
@ou"re different/ @ou"re the 1ind of +o)an I .oud 'eieve in> trust>
adore/ @ou thin1 I a) Dust saying thisI that it"s part of the ga)e/J !e
.a)e .oser to her/ JI") going to prove to you it isn"t/ I") going
a+ay ; 'e.ause of you/ I") going to )a1e )ysef into a )an instead
of the oathso)e .reature I a) 'e.ause of you/J
!e too1 her suddeny in his ar)s/ !is ips .osed on hers/ Then he
reeased her and stood a+ay/
J,ood;'y/ I"ve 'een a rotter ; a+ays/ %ut I s+ear it +i 'e different
no+/ $o you re)e)'er on.e saying you i1ed to read the
advertise)ents in the Agony .ou)nA <n this day every year you"
find there a )essage fro) )e saying that I re)e)'er and a)
)a1ing good/ @ou" 1no+> then> a you"ve )eant to )e/ <ne thing
)ore/ I"ve ta1en nothing fro) you/ I +ant you to ta1e so)ething
fro) )e/J !e dre+ a pain god sea ring fro) his finger/ JThis +as
)y )other"s/ I"d i1e you to have it/ 0o+ good;'y/J
!e eft her standing there a)a?ed> the god ring in her hand/
,eorge Pa.1ington .a)e ho)e eary/ !e found his +ife ga?ing into
the fire +ith a far;a+ay oo1/ She spo1e 1indy 'ut a'senty to hi)/
J#oo1 here> Maria>J he Der1ed out suddeny/
JA'out that girAJ
J@es> dearAJ
JI ; I never )eant to upset you> you 1no+/ A'out her/ 0othing in it/J
JI 1no+/ I +as fooish/ See as )u.h as you i1e of her if it )a1es you
happy/J
These +ords> surey> shoud have .heered ,eorge Pa.1ington/
Strangey enough> they annoyed hi)/ !o+ .oud you enDoy ta1ing a
gir a'out +hen your +ife fairy urged you onA $ash it a> it +asn"t
de.entG A that feeing of 'eing a gay dog> of 'eing a strong )an
paying +ith fire> fi??ed out and died an igno)inious death/ ,eorge
Pa.1ington fet suddeny tired and a great dea poorer in his
po.1et/ The gir +as a shre+d itte pie.e/
JWe )ight go a+ay together so)e+here for a 'it if you i1e> MariaAJ
he suggested ti)idy/
J<h> never )ind a'out )e/ I") 8uite happy/J
J%ut I"d i1e to ta1e you a+ay/ We )ight go to the &iviera/J
Mrs Pa.1ington s)ied at hi) fro) a distan.e/
Poor od ,eorge/ She +as fond of hi)/ !e +as su.h a patheti. od
dear/ There +as no se.ret spendor in his ife as there +as in hers/
She s)ied )ore tendery sti/
JThat +oud 'e ovey> )y dear>J she said/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as spea1ing to Miss #e)on/
J(ntertain)ent a..ountAJ
J<ne hundred and t+o pounds> fourteen and siBpen.e>J said Miss
#e)on/
The door +as pushed open and Caude #uttre entered/ !e oo1ed
)oody/
JMorning> Caude>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J(verything go off
satisfa.toriyAJ
JI suppose so/J
JThe ringA What na)e did you put in it> 'y the +ayAJ
JMatida>J said Caude goo)iy/ J1O99/J
J(B.eent/ What +ording for the advertise)entAJ
J"Ma1ing good/ Sti re)e)'er/ Caude/"J
JMa1e a note of that> pease/ Miss #e)on/ The Agony .ou)n/
0ove)'er third for ; et )e see> eBpenses a hundred and t+o
pounds> fourteen and siB/ @es> for ten years> I thin1/ That eaves us
a profit of ninety;t+o pounds> t+o and fourpen.e/ Ade8uate/ 4uite
ade8uate/J
Miss #e)on departed/
J#oo1 here>J Caude 'urst out/ JI don"t i1e this/ It"s a rotten ga)e/J
JMy dear 'oyGJ
JA rotten ga)e/ That +as a de.ent +o)an ; a good sort/ Teing her
a those ies> fiing her up +ith this so' stuff> dash it a> it )a1es
)e si.1GJ
Mr Par1er Pyne adDusted his gasses and oo1ed at Caude +ith a
1ind of s.ientifi. interest/ J$ear )eGJ he said dryy/ JI do not see)
to re)e)'er that your .ons.ien.e ever trou'ed you during your
so)e+hat ; ahe)G ; notorious .areer/ @our affairs on the &iviera
+ere parti.uary 'ra?en> and your eBpoitation of Mrs !attie West>
the Caifornian Cu.u)'er -ing"s +ife> +as espe.iay nota'e for
the .aous )er.enary instin.t you dispayed/J
JWe> I") 'eginning to fee different>J gru)'ed Caude/ JIt isn"t ;
ni.e> this ga)e/J
Mr Par1er Pyne spo1e in the voi.e of a head )aster ad)onishing a
favorite pupi/ J@ou have> )y dear Caude> perfor)ed a )eritorious
a.tion/ @ou have given an unhappy +o)an +hat every +o)an
needs ; a ro)an.e/ A +o)an tears a passion to pie.es and gets no
good fro) it> 'ut a ro)an.e .an 'e aid up in avender and oo1ed
at a through the ong years to .o)e/ I 1no+ hu)an nature> )y 'oy>
and I te you that a +o)an .an feed on su.h an in.ident for years/J
!e .oughed/ JWe have dis.harged our .o))ission to Mrs
Pa.1ington very satisfa.toriy/J
JWe>J )uttered Caude> JI don"t i1e it/J !e eft the roo)/
Mr Par1er Pyne too1 a ne+ fie fro) a dra+er/ !e +roteH
JInteresting vestiges of a .ons.ien.e noti.ea'e in hardened
#ounge #i?ard/ 0oteH Study deveop)ents/J
T!( CAS( <F T!( $ISC<0T(0T($ S<#$I(&
MaDor Wi'raha) hesitated outside the door of Mr Par1er Pyne"s
offi.e to read> not for the first ti)e> the advertise)ent fro) the
)orning paper +hi.h had 'rought hi) there/ It +as si)pe enoughH
The )aDor too1 a deep 'reath and a'rupty punged through the
s+ing door eading to the outer offi.e/ A pain young +o)an oo1ed
up fro) her type+riter and gan.ed at hi) in8uiringy/
JMr Par1er PyneAJ said MaDor Wi'raha)> 'ushing/
JCo)e this +ay> pease/J
!e foo+ed her into an inner offi.e ; into the presen.e of the 'and
Mr Par1er Pyne/
J,ood )orning>J said Mr Pyne/ JSit do+n> +on"t youA And no+ te
)e +hat I .an do for you/J
JMy na)e is Wi'raha) ;J 'egan the other/
JMaDorA CooneAJ said Mr Pyne/
JMaDor/J
JAhG And re.enty returned fro) a'roadA IndiaA (ast Afri.aAJ
J(ast Afri.a/J
JA fine .ountry> I 'eieve/ We> so you are ho)e again ; and you
don"t i1e it/ Is that the trou'eAJ
J@ou"re a'soutey right/ Though ho+ you 1ne+ ;J
Mr Par1er Pyne +aved an i)pressive hand/ JIt is )y 'usiness to
1no+/ @ou see> for thirty;five years of )y ife I have 'een engaged
in the .o)piing of statisti.s in a govern)ent offi.e/ 0o+ I have
retired and it has o..urred to )e to use the eBperien.e I have
gained in a nove fashion/ It is a so si)pe/ 2nhappiness .an 'e
.assified under five )ain heads ; no )ore> I assure you/ <n.e you
1no+ the .ause of a )aady> the re)edy shoud not 'e i)possi'e/
JI stand in the pa.e of the do.tor/ The do.tor first diagnoses the
patient"s disorder> then he re.o))ends a .ourse of treat)ent/
There are .ases +here no treat)ent .an 'e of any avai/ If that is
so> I say 8uite fran1y that I .an do nothing a'out it/ %ut if I
underta1e a .ase> the .ure is pra.ti.ay guaranteed/
JI .an assure you> MaDor Wi'raha)> that ninety;siB per.ent of
retired e)pire 'uiders ; as I .a the) ; are unhappy/ They
eB.hange an a.tive ife> a ife fu of responsi'iity> a ife of possi'e
danger> for ; +hatA Straitened )eans> a dis)a .i)ate and a
genera feeing of 'eing a fish out of +ater/J
JA you"ve said is true>J said the )aDor/ JIt"s the 'oredo) I o'De.t
to/ The 'oredo) and the endess titte;tatte a'out petty viage
)atters/ %ut +hat .an I do a'out itA I"ve got a itte )oney 'esides
)y pension/ I"ve a ni.e .ottage near Co'ha)/ I .an"t afford to hunt
or shoot or fish/ I") not )arried/ My neigh'ors are a peasant fo1>
'ut they"ve no ideas 'eyond this isand/J
JThe ong and short of the )atter is that you find ife ta)e>J said Mr
Par1er Pyne/
J$a)ned ta)e/J
J@ou +oud i1e eB.ite)ent> possi'y dangerAJ as1ed Mr Pyne/
The sodier shrugged/ JThere"s no su.h thing in this tin;pot
.ountry/J
JI 'eg your pardon>J said Mr Pyne seriousy/ JThere you are +rong/
There is penty of danger> penty of eB.ite)ent> here in #ondon if
you 1no+ +here to go for it/ @ou have seen ony the surfa.e of our
(ngish ife> .a)> peasant/ %ut there is another side/ If you +ish it>
I .an sho+ you that other side/J
MaDor Wi'raha) regarded hi) thoughtfuy/ There +as so)ething
reassuring a'out Mr Pyne/ !e +as arge> not to say fatI he had a
'ad head of no'e proportions> strong gasses and itte t+in1ing
eyes/ And had an aura ; an aura of dependa'iity/
JI shoud +arn you> ho+ever>J .ontinued Mr Pyne Jthat there is an
ee)ent of ris1/J
The sodier"s eye 'rightened/ JThat"s a right>J he said/ Then>
a'ruptyH JAnd ; your feesAJ
JMy fee>J said Mr Pyne> Jis fifty pounds> paya'e in advan.e/ If in a
)onth"s ti)e you are sti in the sa)e state of 'oredo)> I +i refund
your )oney/J
Wi'raha) .onsidered/ JFair enough>J he said at ast/ JI agree/ I"
give you a .he.1 no+/J
The transa.tion +as .o)peted/ Mr Par1er Pyne pressed a 'u??er
on his des1/
JIt is no+ one o".o.1>J he said/ JI a) going to as1 you to ta1e a
young ady out to un.h/J The door opened/ JAh> Madeeine> )y
dear> et )e introdu.e MaDor Wi'raha)> +ho is going to ta1e you
out to un.h/J
Wi'raha) 'in1ed sighty> +hi.h +as hardy to 'e +ondered at/
The gir +ho entered the roo) +as dar1> anguorous> +ith
+onderfu eyes and ong 'a.1 ashes> a perfe.t .o)peBion and a
vouptuous s.aret )outh/ !er eB8uisite .othes set off the saving
gra.e of her figure/ Fro) head to foot she +as perfe.t/
J(r ; deighted>J said MaDor Wi'raha)/
JMiss de Sara>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J!o+ very 1ind of you>J )ur)ured Madeeine de Sara/
JI have your address here>J announ.ed Mr Par1er Pyne/ JTo)orro+
)orning you +i re.eive )y further instru.tions/J
MaDor Wi'raha) and the ovey Madeeine departed/
It +as three o".o.1 +hen Madeeine returned/
Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed up/ JWeAJ he de)anded/
Madeeine shoo1 her head/ JS.ared of )e>J she said/ JThin1s I") a
va)p/J
JI thought as )u.h>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou .arried out )y
instru.tionsAJ
J@es/ We dis.ussed the o..upants of the other ta'es freey/ The
type he i1es is fair;haired> 'ue;eyed> sighty anae)i.> not too ta/J
JThat shoud 'e easy>J said Mr Pyne/ J,et )e S.hedue % and et
)e see +hat +e have in sto.1 at present/J
!e ran his finger do+n a ist> finay stopping at a na)e/ JFreda
Cegg/ @es> I thin1 Freda Cegg +i do eB.eenty/ I had 'etter see
Mrs <iver a'out it/J
The neBt day MaDor Wi'raha) re.eived a note +hi.h readH
<n Monday )orning neBt at eeven o".o.1 go to (age)ont> Friars
#ane> !a)pstead> and as1 for Mr *ones/ @ou +i represent yoursef
as .o)ing fro) the ,uava Shipping Co)pany/
<'edienty on the foo+ing Monday> +hi.h happened to 'e %an1
!oiday> MaDor Wi'raha) set for (age)ont> Friars #ane/ !e set
out> I say> 'ut never got there/ For 'efore he got there> so)ething
happened/
A the +ord and his +ife see)ed to 'e on their +ay to !a)pstead/
MaDor Wi'raha) got entanged in .ro+ds> suffo.ated in the tu'e
and found it hard dis.over the +herea'outs of Friars #ane/
Friars #ane +as a .u;de;sa.> a nege.ted road fu of ruts> +ith
houses on either side standing 'a.1 fro) the road/ They +ere
argish houses +in.h had seen 'etter days and had 'een ao+ed to
fa into disrepair/
Wi'raha) +a1ed aong peering at the haf;erased na)es on the
gateposts> +hen suddeny he heard so)ething that )ade hi)
stiffen to attention/ It +as a 1ind of gurging> haf;.ho1ed .ry/
It .a)e again and this ti)e it +as fainty re.ogni?a'e as the +ord
J!epGJ It .a)e fro) inside the +a of the house he +as passing/
Without a )o)ent"s hesitation> MaDor Wi'raha) pushed open the
ri.1ety gate and sprinted noiseessy to the +eed;.overed drive/
There in the shru''ery +as a gir strugging in the grasp of t+o
enor)ous 0egroes/
She +as putting up a 'rave fight> t+isting and 1i.1ing/ <ne 0egro
hed his hand over her )outh in spite of her furious efforts to get
her head free/
Intent on their strugge +ith the gir> neither of the 'a.1s had
noti.ed Wi'raha)"s approa.h/ The first they 1ne+ of it +as +hen a
vioent pun.h on the Da+ sent the )an +ho +as .overing the gir"s
)outh reeing 'a.1+ards/ Ta1en 'y surprise> the other )an
rein8uished his hod of the gir and turned/ Wi'raha) +as ready
for hi)/ <n.e again his fist shot out> and the 0egro reeed
'a.1+ards and fe/ Wi'raha) turned on the other )an> +ho +as
.osing in 'ehind hi)/
%ut the t+o )en had had enough/ The se.ond one roed over> sat
upI then> rising> he )ade a dash for the gate/ !is .o)panion
foo+ed suit/ Wi'raha) started after the)> 'ut .hanged his )ind
and turned to+ards the gir> +ho +as eaning against a tree>
panting/
J<h> than1 youGJ she gasped/ JIt +as terri'e/J
MaDor Wi'raha) sa+ for the first ti)e +ho it +as he had res.ued
so opportuney/ She +as a gir of a'out t+enty;one or ;t+o> fairhaired
and 'ue;eyed> pretty in a rather .ooress +ay/
JIf you hadn"t .o)eGJ she gasped/
JThere> there>J said Wi'raha) soothingy/ JIt"s a right no+/ I
thin1> though> that +e"d 'etter get a+ay fro) here/ It"s possi'e
those feo+s )ight .o)e 'a.1/J
A faint s)ie .a)e to the gir"s ips/ JI don"t thin1 they +i ; not after
the +ay you hit the)/ <h> it +as spendid of youGJ
MaDor Wi'raha) 'ushed under the +ar)th of her gan.e of
ad)iration/
J0othin" at a>J he said indistin.ty/ JA in day"s +or1/ #ady 'eing
annoyed/ #oo1 here> if you ta1e )y ar)> .an you +a1A It"s 'een a
nasty sho.1> I 1no+/J
JI") a right no+>J said the gir/ !o+ever> she too1 the proffered
ar)/ She +as sti rather sha1y/ She gan.ed 'ehind her at the
house as they e)erged through the gate/ JI .an"t understand it>J
she )ur)ured/ JThat"s .eary an e)pty house/J
JIt"s e)pty> right enough>J agreed the )aDor> oo1ing up at the
shuttered +indo+s and genera air of de.ay/
JAnd yet it is Whitefriars/J She pointed to a haf;o'iterated na)e on
the gate/ JAnd Whitefriars +as the pa.e I +as to go/J
J$on"t +orry a'out anything no+>J said Wi'raha)/ JIn a )inute or
t+o +e" 'e a'e to get a taBi/ Then +e" drive so)e+here and have
a .up of .offee/J
At the end of the ane they .a)e out into a )ore fre8uented street>
and 'y good fortune a taBi had Dust set do+n a fare at one of the
houses/ Wi'raha) haied it> gave an address to the driver and they
got in/
J$on"t try to ta1>J he ad)onished his .o)panion/ J*ust ie 'a.1/
@ou"ve had a nasty eBperien.e/J
She s)ied at hi) gratefuy/
J%y the +ay ; er ; )y na)e is Wi'raha)/J
JMine is Cegg ; Freda Cegg/J
Ten )inutes ater> Freda +as sipping hot .offee and oo1ing
gratefuy a.ross a s)a ta'e at her res.uer/
JIt see)s i1e a drea)>J she said/ JA 'ad drea)/J She shuddered/
JAnd ony a short +hie ago I +as +ishing for so)ething to happen ;
anythingG <h> I don"t i1e adventures/J
JTe )e ho+ it happened/J
JWe> to te you propery I sha have to ta1 a ot a'out )ysef> I")
afraid/J
JAn eB.eent su'De.t>J said Wi'raha)> +ith a 'o+/
JI a) an orphan/ My father ; he +as a sea .aptain ; died +hen I +as
eight/ My )other died three years ago/ I +or1 in the City/ I a) +ith
the 7a.uu) ,as Co)pany ; a .er1/ <ne evening ast +ee1 I found
a gente)an +aiting to see )e +hen I returned to )y odgings/ !e
+as a a+yer> a Mr &eid fro) Me'ourne/
J!e +as very poite and as1ed )e severa 8uestions a'out )y
fa)iy/ !e eBpained that he had 1no+n )y father )any years ago/
In fa.t> he had transa.ted so)e ega 'usiness for hi)/ Then he tod
)e the o'De.t of his visit/ "Miss Cegg>" he said> "I have reason to
suppose that you )ight 'enefit as the resut of a finan.ia
transa.tion entered into 'y your father severa years 'efore he
died/" I +as very )u.h surprised> of .ourse/
J"It is uni1ey that you +oud ever have heard anything of the
)atter>" he eBpained/ "*ohn Cegg never too1 the affair seriousy> I
fan.y/ !o+ever> it has )ateriai?ed uneBpe.tedy> 'ut I a) afraid
any .ai) you )ight put in +oud depend on your o+nership of
.ertain papers/ These papers +oud 'e part of your father"s estate>
and of .ourse it is possi'e that they have 'een destroyed as
+orthess/ !ave you 1ept any of your father"s papersA"
JI eBpained that )y )other had 1ept various things of )y father"s
in an od sea .hest/ I had oo1ed through it .ursoriy 'ut had
dis.overed nothing of interest/
J"@ou +oud hardy 'e i1ey to re.ogni?e the i)portan.e of these
do.u)ents> perhaps>" he said> s)iing/
JWe> I +ent to the .hest> too1 out the fe+ papers it .ontained and
'rought the) to hi)/ !e oo1ed at the)> 'ut said it +as i)possi'e
to say offhand +hat )ight or )ight not 'e .onne.ted +ith the
)atter in 8uestion/ !e +oud ta1e the) a+ay +ith hi) and +oud
.o))uni.ate +ith )e if anything turned up/
J%y the ast post on Saturday I re.eived a etter fro) hi) in +hi.h
he suggested that I .o)e to his house to dis.uss the )atter/ !e
gave )e the addressH Whitefriars> Friars #ane> !a)pstead/ I +as to
'e there at a 8uarter to eeven this )orning/
JI +as a itte ate finding the pa.e/ I hurried through the gate and
up to+ards the house> +hen suddeny those t+o dreadfu )en
sprang at )e fro) the 'ushes/ I hadn"t ti)e to .ry out/ <ne )an put
his hand over )y )outh/ I +ren.hed )y head free and s.rea)ed
for hep/ #u.1iy you heard )e/ If it hadn"t 'een for you ;J She
stopped/ !er oo1s +ere )ore eo8uent than further +ords/
J7ery gad I happened to 'e on the spot/ %y ,ad> I"d i1e to get hod
of those t+o 'rutes/ @ou"d never seen the) 'efore> I supposeAJ
She shoo1 her head/ JWhat do you thin1 it )eansAJ
J$iffi.ut to say/ %ut one thing see)s pretty si)pe/ There"s
so)ething so)eone +ants a)ong your father"s papers/ This )an
&eid tod you a .o.1;and;'u story as to get the opportunity of
oo1ing through the papers/ (videnty +hat he +anted +asn"t
there/J
J<hGJ said Freda/ JI +onder/ When I got ho)e on Saturday I thought
)y things had 'een ta)pered +ith/ To te you the truth> I
suspe.ted )y andady of having pried a'out in )y roo) out of
.uriosity/ %ut no+ ;J
J$epend upon it> that"s it/ So)eone gained ad)ission to your roo)
and sear.hed it> +ithout finding +hat he +as after/ !e suspe.ted
that you 1ne+ the vaue of this paper> +hatever it +as> and that you
.arried it a'out on your person/ So he panned this a)'ush/ If you
had had it +ith you> it +oud have 'een ta1en fro) you/ If not> you
+oud have 'een hed prisoner +hie they tried to )a1e you te
+here it +as hidden/J
J%ut +hat .an it possi'y 'eAJ .ried Freda/
JI don"t 1no+/ %ut it )ust 'e so)ething pretty good for hi) to go to
this ength/J
JIt doesn"t see) possi'e/J
J<h> I don"t 1no+/ @our father +as a saior/ !e +ent to out;of;the+ay
pa.es/ !e )ight have .o)e a.ross so)ething the vaue of
+hi.h he never 1ne+/J
J$o you reay thin1 soAJ A pin1 fush of eB.ite)ent sho+ed in the
gir"s pae .hee1s/
JI do indeed/ The 8uestion is> +hat sha +e do neBtA @ou don"t +ant
to go to the poi.e> I supposeAJ
J<h> no> pease/J
JI") gad you say that/ I don"t see +hat good the poi.e .oud do>
and it +oud ony )ean unpeasantness for you/ 0o+ I suggest that
you ao+ )e to give you un.h so)e+here and that I then
a..o)pany you 'a.1 to your odgings> so as to 'e sure you rea.h
the) safey/ And then> +e )ight have a oo1 for the paper/
%e.ause> you 1no+> it )ust 'e so)e+here/J
JFather )ay have destroyed it hi)sef/J
J!e )ay> of .ourse> 'ut the other side evidenty doesn"t thin1 so>
and that oo1s hopefu for us/J
JWhat do you thin1 it .an 'eA !idden treasureAJ
J%y *ove> it )ight 'eGJ eB.ai)ed MaDor Wi'raha)> a the 'oy in
hi) rising Doyfuy to the suggestion/
J%ut no+> Miss Cegg> un.hGJ
They had a peasant )ea together/ Wi'raha) tod Freda a a'out
his ife in (ast Afri.a/ !e des.ri'ed eephant hunts> and the gir +as
thried/ When they had finished> he insisted on ta1ing her ho)e in a
taBi/
!er odgings +ere near 0otting !i ,ate/ <n arriving there> Freda
had a 'rief .onversation +ith her andady/
She returned to Wi'raha) and too1 hi) up to the se.ond foor>
+here she had a tiny 'edroo) and sitting roo)/
JIt"s eBa.ty as +e thought>J she said/ JA )an .a)e on Saturday
)orning to see a'out aying a ne+ ee.tri. .a'eI he tod her there
+as a faut in the +iring in )y roo)/ !e +as there so)e ti)e/J
JSho+ )e this .hest of your father"s>J said Wi'raha)/
Freda sho+ed hi) a 'rass;'ound 'oB/ J@ou see>J she said> raising
the id> JIt"s e)pty/J
The sodier nodded thoughtfuy/ JAnd there are no papers
any+here eseAJ
JI") sure there aren"t/ Mother 1ept everything in here/J
Wi'raha) eBa)ined the inside of the .hest/ Suddeny he uttered
an eB.a)ation/ J!ere"s a sit in the ining/J Carefuy he inserted his
hand> feeing a'out/ A sight .ra.1e re+arded hi)/ JSo)ething"s
sipped do+n 'ehind/J
In another )inute he had dra+n out his find/ A pie.e of dirty paper
foded severa ti)es/ !e s)oothed it out on the ta'eI Freda +as
oo1ing over his shouder/ She uttered an eB.a)ation of
disappoint)ent/
JIt"s Dust a ot of 8ueer )ar1s/J
JWhy> the thing"s in S+ahii/ S+ahii> of a thingsGJ .ried MaDor
Wi'raha)/ J(ast Afri.an native diae.t> you 1no+/J
J!o+ eBtraordinaryGJ said Freda/ JCan you read it> thenAJ
J&ather/ %ut +hat an a)a?ing thing/J !e too1 the paper to the
+indo+/
JIs it anythingAJ as1ed Freda tre)uousy/ Wi'raha) read the thing
through t+i.e> and then .a)e 'a.1 to the gir/ JWe>J he said +ith a
.hu.1e> Jhere"s your hidden treasure> a right/J
J!idden treasureA 0ot reayA @ou )ean Spanish god ; a sun1en
gaeon ; that sort of thingAJ
J0ot 8uite so ro)anti. as that> perhaps/ %ut it .o)es to the sa)e
thing/ This paper gives the hiding pa.e of a .a.he of ivory/J
JIvoryAJ said the gir> astonished/
J@es/ (ephants> you 1no+/ There"s a a+ a'out the nu)'er you"re
ao+ed to shoot/ So)e hunter got a+ay +ith 'rea1ing that a+ on a
grand s.ae/ They +ere on his trai and he .a.hed the stuff/ There"s
a thundering ot of it ; and this gives fairy .ear dire.tions ho+ to
find it/ #oo1 here> +e" have to go after this> you and I/J
J@ou )ean there"s reay a ot of )oney in itAJ
J4uite a ni.e itte fortune for you/J
J%ut ho+ did that paper .o)e to 'e a)ong )y father"s thingsAJ
Wi'raha) shrugged/ JMay'e the *ohnny +as dying or so)ething/
!e )ay have +ritten the thing do+n in S+ahii for prote.tion and
given it to your father> +ho possi'y had 'efriended hi) in so)e
+ay/ @our father> not 'eing a'e to read it> atta.hed no i)portan.e
to it/ That"s ony a guess on )y part> 'ut I dare say it"s not far
+rong/J
Freda gave a sigh/ J!o+ frightfuy eB.itingGJ
JThe thing is ; +hat to do +ith the pre.ious do.u)ent>J said
Wi'raha)/ JI don"t i1e eaving it here/ They )ight .o)e and have
another oo1/ I suppose you +oudn"t entrust it to )eAJ
J<f .ourse I +oud/ %ut ; )ightn"t it 'e dangerous for youAJ she
fatered/
JI") a tough nut>J said Wi'raha) gri)y/ J@ou needn"t +orry a'out
)e/J !e foded up the paper and put it in his po.1et'oo1/ JMay I
.o)e to see you to)orro+ eveningAJ he as1ed/ JI" have +or1ed
out a pan 'y then> and I" oo1 up the pa.es on )y )ap/ What ti)e
do you get 'a.1 fro) the CityAJ
JI get 'a.1 a'out haf;past;siB/J
JCapita/ We" have a po+;+o+> and then perhaps you" et )e ta1e
you out to dinner/ We ought to .ee'rate/ So ong> then/ To)orro+
at haf;past;siB/J
MaDor Wi'raha) arrived pun.tuay on the foo+ing day/ !e rang
the 'e and in8uired for Miss Cegg/ A )aid;servant had ans+ered
the door/
JMiss CeggA She"s out/J
J<hGJ Wi'raha) did not i1e to suggest that he .o)e in and +ait/ I"
.a 'a.1 presenty>J he said/
!e hung a'out in the street outside> eBpe.ting every )inute to see
Freda tripping to+ards hi)/ The )inutes passed/ 4uarter to seven/
Seven/ 4uarter past seven/ Sti no Freda/ A feeing of uneasiness
s+ept over hi)/ !e +ent 'a.1 to the house and rang the 'e again/
J#oo1 hereJ he said> JI had an appoint)ent +ith Miss Cegg at hafpast;
siB/ Are you sure she isn"t in> or hasn"t ; er ; eft any )essageAJ
JAre you MaDor Wi'raha)AJ as1ed the servant/
J@es/J
JThen there"s a note for you/ It .o)e 'y hand/J
Wi'raha) too1 it fro) her and tore it open/ It ran as foo+sH
$ear MaDor Wi'raha)H
So)ething rather strange has happened/ I +on"t +rite )ore no+>
'ut +i you )eet )e at WhitefriarsA
,o there as soon as you get this/
@ours sin.erey>
Freda Cegg
Wi'raha) dre+ his 'ro+s together as he thought rapidy/ !is hand
dre+ a etter a'sent;)indedy fro) his po.1et/ It +as to his taior/ JI
+onder>J he said to the )aidservant> Jif you .oud et )e have a
sta)p/J
JI eBpe.t Mrs Par1ins .oud o'ige you/J
She returned in a )o)ent +ith the sta)p/ It +as paid for +ith a
shiing/ In another )inute Wi'raha) +as +a1ing to+ards the tu'e
station> dropping the enveope in a 'oB as he passed/
Freda"s etter had )ade hi) )ost uneasy/ What .oud have ta1en
the gir> aone> to the s.ene of yesterday"s sinister en.ounterA
!e shoo1 his head/ <f a the fooish things to doG !ad &eid
reappearedA !ad he so)eho+ or other prevaied upon the gir to
trust hi)A What had ta1en her to !a)psteadA
!e oo1ed at his +at.h/ 0eary haf;past;seven/ She +oud have
.ounted on his starting at haf;past;siB/ An hour ate/ Too )u.h/ If
ony she had had the sense to give hi) so)e hint/
The etter pu??ed hi)/ So)eho+> its independent tone +as not
.hara.teristi. of Freda Cegg/
It +as ten )inutes to eight +hen he rea.hed Friars #ane/ It +as
getting dar1/ !e oo1ed sharpy a'out hi)I there +as no one in
sight/ ,enty he pushed the ri.1ety gate so that it s+ung noiseessy
on its hinges/ The drive +as deserted/ The house +as dar1/ !e
+ent up the path .autiousy> 1eeping a oo1out fro) side to side/ !e
did not intend to 'e .aught 'y surprise/
Suddeny he stopped/ *ust for a )inute a .hin1 of ight had shone
through one of the shutters/ The house +as not e)pty/ There +as
so)eone inside/
Softy Wi'raha) sipped into the 'ushes and +or1ed his +ay round
to the 'a.1 of the house/ At ast he found +hat he +as oo1ing for/
<ne of the +indo+s on the ground foor +as unfastened/ It +as the
+indo+ of a 1ind of s.uery/ !e raised the sash> fashed a tor.h 9he
had 'ought it at a shop on the +ay over: around the deserted
interior and .i)'ed in/
Carefuy he opened the s.uery door/ There +as no sound/ !e
fashed the tor.h on.e )ore/ A 1it.hen ; e)pty/ <utside the 1it.hen
+ere haf a do?en steps and a door evidenty eading to the front
part of the house/ !e pushed open the door and istened/ 0othing/
!e sipped through/ !e +as no+ in the front ha/ Sti there +as no
sound/ There +as a door to the right and a door to the eft/ !e
.hose the right;hand door> istened for a ti)e> then turned the
hande/ It gave/ In.h 'y in.h he opened the door and stepped
inside/
Again he fashed the tor.h/ The roo) +as unfurnished and 'are/
*ust at that )o)ent he heard a sound 'ehind hi)> +hired round ;
too ate/ So)ething .a)e do+n on his head and he pit.hed for+ard
into un.ons.iousness/
!o+ )u.h ti)e eapsed 'efore he regained .ons.iousness
Wi'raha) had no idea/ !e returned painfuy to ife> his head
a.hing/ !e tried to )ove and found it i)possi'e/ !e +as 'ound
+ith ropes/
!is +its .a)e 'a.1 to hi) suddeny/ !e re)e)'ered no+/ !e had
'een hit on the head/
A faint ight fro) a gas Det high up on the +a sho+ed hi) that he
+as in a s)a .ear/ !e oo1ed around and his heart gave a eap/ A
fe+ feet a+ay ay Freda> 'ound i1e hi)sef/ !er eyes +ere .osed>
'ut even as he +at.hed her anBiousy> she sighed and they opened/
!er 'e+idered ga?e fe on hi) and Doyous re.ognition eaped into
the)/
J@ou> tooGJ she said/ JWhat has happenedAJ
JI"ve et you do+n 'ady>J said Wi'raha)/ JTu)'ed headong into
the trap/ Te )e> did you send )e a note as1ing )e to )eet you
hereAJ
The gir"s eyes opened in astonish)ent/ JIA %ut you sent )e one/J
J<h> I sent you one> did IAJ
J@es/ I got it at the offi.e/ It as1ed )e to )eet you here instead of at
ho)e/J
JSa)e )ethod for 'oth of us>J he groaned> and he eBpained the
situation/
JI see>J said Freda/ JThen the idea +as ;J
JTo get the paper/ We )ust have 'een foo+ed yesterday/ That"s
ho+ they got on to )e/J
JAnd ; have they got itAJ as1ed Freda/
J2nfortunatey> I .an"t fee and see>J said the sodier> regarding his
'ound hands ruefuy/
And then they 'oth started/ For a voi.e spo1e> a voi.e that see)ed
to .o)e fro) the e)pty air/
J@es> than1 you>J it said/ JI"ve got it> a right/ 0o )ista1e a'out
that/J
The unseen voi.e )ade the) 'oth shiver/
JMr &eid>J )ur)ured Freda/
JMr &eid is one of )y na)es> )y dear young ady>J said the voi.e/
J%ut ony one of the)/ I have a great )any/ 0o+> I a) sorry to say
that you t+o have interfered +ith )y pans ; a thing I never ao+/
@our dis.overy of this house is a serious )atter/ @ou have not tod
the poi.e a'out it yet> 'ut you )ight do so in the future/
JI very )u.h fear that I .annot trust you in the )atter/ @ou )ight
pro)ise ; 'ut pro)ises are sedo) 1ept/ And you see> this house is
very usefu to )e/ It is> you )ight say> )y .earing house/ The
house fro) +hi.h there is no return/ Fro) here you pass on ;
ese+here/ @ou> I a) sorry to say> are so passing on/ &egretta'e ;
'ut ne.essary/J
The voi.e paused for a 'rief se.ond> then resu)edH
J0o 'oodshed/ I a'hor 'oodshed/ My )ethod is )u.h si)per/ And
reay not too painfu> so I understand/ We> I )ust 'e getting aong/
,ood evening to you 'oth/J
J#oo1 hereGJ It +as Wi'raha) +ho spo1e/ J$o +hat you i1e to )e>
'ut this young ady has done nothing ; nothing/ It .an"t hurt you to
et her go/J
%ut there +as no ans+er/
At that )o)ent there .a)e a .ry fro) Freda/ JThe +ater ; the
+aterGJ
Wi'raha) t+isted hi)sef painfuy and foo+ed the dire.tion of
her eyes/ Fro) a hoe up near the .eiing a steady tri.1e of +ater
+as pouring in/
Freda gave a hysteri.a .ry/ JThey"re going to dro+n usGJ
The perspiration 'ro1e out on Wi'raha)"s 'ro+/
JWe"re not done yet>J he said/ JWe" shout for hep/ Surey
so)e'ody +i hear/ 0o+> 'oth together/J
They yeed and shouted at the top of their voi.es/ 0ot ti they +ere
hoarse did they stop/
J0o use> I") afraid>J said Wi'raha) sady/ JWe"re too far
underground and I eBpe.t the doors are )uffed/ After a> if +e
.oud 'e heard> I"ve no dou't that 'rute +oud have gagged us/J
J<hGJ .ried Freda/ JAnd it"s a )y faut/ I got you into this/J
J$on"t +orry a'out that> itte gir/ It"s you I") thin1ing a'out/ I"ve
'een in tight .orners 'efore no+ and got out of the)/ $on"t you ose
heart/ I" get you out of this/ We"ve penty of ti)e/ At the rate that
+ater"s fo+ing in> it +i 'e hours 'efore the +orst happens/J
J!o+ +onderfu you areGJ said Freda/ JI"ve never )et any'ody i1e
you ; eB.ept in 'oo1s/J
J0onsense ; Dust .o))on sense/ 0o+> I"ve got to oosen these
inferna ropes/J
At the end of a 8uarter of an hour> 'y dint of straining and t+isting>
Wi'raha) had the satisfa.tion of feeing that his 'onds +ere
appre.ia'y oosened/ !e )anaged to 'end his head do+n and his
+rists up ti he +as a'e to atta.1 the 1nots +ith his teeth/
<n.e his hands +ere free> the rest +as ony a )atter of ti)e/
Cra)ped> stiff> 'ut free> he 'ent over the gir/ A )inute ater she
aso +as free/
So far the +ater +as ony up to their an1es/
JAnd no+>J said the sodier> Jto get out of here/J
The door of the .ear +as up a fe+ stairs/ MaDor Wi'raha)
eBa)ined it/
J0o diffi.uty here>J he said/ JFi)sy stuff> it +i soon give at the
hinges/J !e set his shouders to it and heaved/
There +as the .ra.1ing of +ood ; a .rash> and the door 'urst fro)
its hinges/
<utside +as a fight of stairs/ At the top +as another door ; a very
different affair ; of soid +ood> +ith iron/
JA 'it )ore diffi.ut> this>J said Wi'raha)/ J!eo> here"s a pie.e of
u.1/ It"s uno.1ed/J
!e pushed it open> peered round it> then 'e.1oned the gir to .o)e
on/ They e)erged into a passage 'ehind the 1it.hen/ In another
)o)ent they +ere standing under the stars in Friars #ane/
J<hGJ Freda gave a itte so'/ J<h> ho+ dreadfu it"s 'eenGJ
JMy poor daring/J !e .aught her in his ar)s/ J@ou"ve 'een so
+onderfuy 'rave/ Freda ; daring ange ; .oud you ever ; I )ean>
+oud you ; I ove you> Freda/ Wi you )arry )eAJ
After a suita'e interva> highy satisfa.tory to 'oth parties> MaDor
Wi'raha) said +ith a .hu.1eH
JAnd +hat"s )ore> +e"ve sti got the se.ret of the ivory .a.he/J
J%ut they too1 it fro) youGJ
The )aDor .hu.1ed again/ JThat"s Dust +hat they didn"t doG @ou see>
I +rote out a spoof .opy> and 'efore Doining you here tonight> I put
the rea thing in a etter I +as sending to )y taior and posted it/
They"ve got the spoof .opy ; and I +ish the) Doy of itG $o you 1no+
+hat +e" do> s+eetheartA We" go to (ast Afri.a for our
honey)oon and hunt out the .a.he/J
Mr Par1er Pyne eft his offi.e and .i)'ed t+o fights of stairs/ !ere
in a roo) at the top of the house sat Mrs <iver> the sensationa
noveist> no+ a )e)'er of Mr> Pyne"s staff/
Mr/ Par1er Pyne tapped at the door and entered/
Mrs <iver sat at a ta'e on +hi.h +ere a type+riter> severa
note'oo1s> a genera .onfusion of oose )anus.ripts and a arge
'ag of appes/
JA very good story> Mrs <iver>J said Mr Par1er Pyne geniay/
JIt +ent off +eAJ said Mrs <iver/ JI") gad/J
JThat +ater;in;the;.ear 'usiness>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou
don"t thin1> on a future o..asion> that so)ething )ore origina ;
perhapsAJ !e )ade the suggestion +ith proper diffiden.e/
Mrs <iver shoo1 her head and too1 an appe fro) the 'ag/ JI thin1
not Mr Pyne/ @ou see> peope are used to reading a'out su.h
things/ Water rising in a .ear> poison gas> et .etera/ -no+ing
a'out it 'eforehand gives it an eBtra thri +hen it happens to
onesef/ The pu'i. is .onservative> Mr PyneI it i1es the od +e+orn
gadgets/J
JWe> you shoud 1no+>J ad)itted Mr Par1er Pyne> )indfu of the
authoress" forty;siB su..essfu +or1s of fi.tion> a 'est seers in
(ngand and A)eri.a> and freey transated into Fren.h> ,er)an>
Itaian> !ungarian> Finnish> *apanese and A'yssinian/ J!o+ a'out
eBpensesAJ
Mrs <iver dre+ a paper to+ards her/ J7ery )oderate> on the
+hoe/ The t+o 0egroes> Per.y and *erry> +anted very itte/ @oung
#orri)er> the a.tor> +as +iing to ena.t the part of Mr &eid for five
guineas/ The .ear spee.h +as a phonograph re.ord> of .ourse/J
JWhitefriars has 'een eBtre)ey usefu to )e>J said Mr Pyne/ JI
'ought it for a song and it has aready 'een the s.ene of eeven
eB.iting dra)as/J
J<h> I forgot>J said Mrs <iver/ J*ohnny"s +ages/ Five shiings/J
J*ohnnyAJ
J@es/ The 'oy +ho poured the +ater fro) the +atering .ans
through the hoe in the +a/J
JAh> yes/ %y the +ay> Mrs <iver ho+ did you happen to 1no+
S+ahiiAJ
JI didn"t/J
JI see/ The %ritish Museu)> perhapsAJ
J0o/ $efridge"s Infor)ation %ureau/J
J!o+ )arveous are the resour.es of )odern .o))er.eGJ he
)ur)ured/
JThe ony thing that +orries )e>J said Mrs <iver> Jis that those t+o
young peope +on"t find any .a.he +hen they get there/J
J<ne .annot have everything in this +ord>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThey +i have had a honey)oon/J
Mrs Wi'raha) +as sitting in a de.1 .hair/ !er hus'and +as +riting
a etter/ JWhat"s the date> FredaAJ
JThe siBteenth/J
JThe siBteenth/ %y *oveGJ
JWhat is it> dearAJ
J0othing/ I Dust re)e)'ered a .hap na)ed *ones/J
!o+ever happiy )arried> there are so)e things one never tes/
J$ash it a>J thought MaDor Wi'raha)> JI ought to have .aed at
that pa.e and got )y )oney 'a.1/J
And then> 'eing a fair;)inded )an> he oo1ed at the other side of
the 8uestion/ JAfter a> it +as I +ho 'ro1e the 'argain/ I suppose if
I"d gone to see *ones so)ething +oud have happened/ And
any+ay> as it turns out> if I hadn"t 'een going to see *ones> I shoud
never have heard Freda .ry for hep> and +e )ight never have )et/
So> indire.ty> perhaps they have a right to the fifty poundsGJ
Mrs Wi'raha) +as aso foo+ing out a train of thought/ JWhat a
siy itte foo I +as to 'eieve in that advertise)ent and pay those
peope three guineas/ <f .ourse> they never did anything for it and
nothing ese happened/ If I"d ony 1no+n +hat +as .o)ing ; first Mr
&eid> and then the 8ueer> ro)anti. +ay that Charie .a)e into )y
ife/ And to thin1 that 'ut for pure .han.e I )ight never have )et
hi)GJ
She turned and s)ied adoringy at her hus'and/
T!( CAS( <F T!( $IST&(SS($ #A$@
The 'u??er on Mr Par1er Pyne"s des1 purred dis.reety/
J@esAJ said the great )an/
JA young ady +ishes to see you>J announ.ed his se.retary/ JShe
has no appoint)ent/J
J@ou )ay send her in> Miss #e)on/J A )o)ent ater he +as sha1ing
hands +ith his visitor/ J,ood )orning>J he said/ J$o sit do+n/J
The gir sat do+ and oo1ed at Mr Par1er Pyne/ She +as a pretty gir
and 8uite young/ !er hair +as dar1 and +avy +ith a ro+ of .urs at
the nape of the ne.1/ She +as 'eautifuy turned out fro) the +hite
1nitted .ap on her head to the .o'+e' sto.1ings and dainty shoes/
Ceary she +as nervous/
J@ou are Mr Par1er PyneAJ she as1ed/
JI a)/J
JThe one +ho ; +ho ; advertisesAJ
JThe one +ho advertises/J
J@ou say that if peope aren"t ; aren"t happy ; to ; to .o)e to you/J
J@es/J
She too1 the punge/ JWe> I") frightfuy unhappy/ So I thought I"d
.o)e aong and Dust ; and Dust see/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +aited/ !e fet there +as )ore to .o)e/
JI ; I") in frightfu trou'e/J She .en.hed her hands nervousy/
JSo I see>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J$o you thin1 you .oud te )e
a'out itEJ
That> it see)ed> +as +hat the gir +as 'y no )eans sure of/ She
stared at Mr Par1er Pyne +ith a desperate intentness/ Suddeny
she spo1e +ith a rush/
J@es> I +i te you/ ; I"ve )ade up )y )ind no+/ I"ve 'een neary
.ra?y +ith +orry/ I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do or +ho) to go to/ And
then I sa+ your advertise)ent/ I thought it +as pro'a'y Dust a
ra)p> 'ut it stayed in )y )ind/ It sounded so .o)forting> so)eho+/
And then I thought ; +e> it +oud do no har) to .o)e and see/ I
.oud a+ays )a1e an eB.use and get a+ay again if I didn"t ; +e> if
didn"t ;J
J4uite soI 8uite so>J said Mr Pyne/
J@ou see>J said the gir> Jit )eans ; +e> trusting so)e'ody/J
JAnd you fee you .an trust )eAJ he said> s)iing/
JIt"s odd>J said the gir +ith un.ons.ious rudeness> J'ut I do/
Without 1no+ing anything a'out youG I") sure I .an trust you/J
JI .an assure you>J said Mr Pyne> Jthat your trust +i not 'e
)ispa.ed/J
JThen>J said the gir> JI" te you a'out it/ My na)e is $aphne St/
*ohn/J
J@es> Miss St/ *ohn/J
JMrs/ I") ; I") )arried/J
JPsha+GJ )uttered Mr Pyne> annoyed +ith hi)sef as he noted the
patinu) .ir.et on the third finger of her heft hand/ JStupid of )e/J
JIf I +eren"t )arried>J said the gir> JI shoudn"t )ind so )u.h/ I
)ean> it +oudn"t )atter so )u.h/ It"s the thought of ,erad ; We>
here ; here"s +hat a the trou'e"s a'outGJ
She dived in her 'ag> too1 so)ething out and fung it do+n on the
des1 +here> gea)ing and fashing> it roed over to Mr Par1er Pyne/
It +as a patinu) ring +ith a arge soitaire dia)ond/ Mr Pyne
pi.1ed it up> too1 it to the +indo+> tested it on the pane> appied a
De+eer"s ens to his eye and eBa)ined it .osey/
JAn eB.eedingy fine dia)ond>J he re)ar1ed> .o)ing 'a.1 to the
ta'eI J+orth> I shoud say> a'out t+o thousand pounds at east/J
J@es/ And it"s stoenG I stoe itG And I don"t 1no+ +hat to do/J
J$ear )eGJ said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThis is very interesting/J
!is .ient 'ro1e do+n and so''ed into an inade8uate hand1er.hief/
J0o+> no+>J said Mr Pyne/ J(verything"s going to 'e a right/J
The gir dried her eyes and sniffed/ JIs itAJ she said/ J<h> is itAJ
J<f .ourse it is/ 0o+> Dust te )e the +hoe story/J
JWe> it 'egan 'y )y 'eing hard up/ @ou see> I") frightfuy
eBtravagant/ And ,erad gets so annoyed a'out it/ ,erad"s )y
hus'and/ !e"s a ot oder than I a)> and he"s got very ; +e> very
austere ideas/ !e thin1s running into de't is dreadfu/ So I didn"t te
hi)/ And I +ent over to #e Tou8uet +ith so)e friends and I thought
perhaps I )ight 'e u.1y at .he))y and get straight again/ I did
+in at first/ And then I ost> and then I thought I )ust go on/ And I
+ent on/ And ; and ;J
J@es> yes>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou need not go into detais/ @ou
+ere in a +orse pight than ever/ That is right> is it notAJ
$aphne St/ *ohn nodded/ JAnd 'y then> you see> I si)py .oudn"t
te ,erad/ %e.ause he hates ga)'ing/ <h> I +as in an a+fu )ess/
We> +e +ent do+n to stay +ith the $orthei)ers near Co'ha)/
!e"s frightfuy ri.h> of .ourse/ !is +ife> 0ao)i> +as at s.hoo +ith
)e/ She"s pretty and a dear/ Whie +e +ere there> the setting of this
ring got oose/ <n the )orning +e +ere eaving> she as1ed )e to
ta1e it up to to+n and drop it at her De+eer"s in %ond Street/J She
paused/
JAnd no+ +e .o)e to the diffi.ut part>J said Mr Pyne hepfuy/ J,o
on> Mrs St/ *ohn/J
J@ou +on"t ever te> +i youAJ de)anded the gir peadingy/
JMy .ients" .onfiden.es are sa.red/ And any+ay> Mrs St/ *ohn> you
have tod )e so )u.h aready that I .oud pro'a'y finish the story
for )ysef/J
JThat"s true/ A right/ %ut I hate saying it ; it sounds so a+fu/ I +ent
to %ond Street/ There"s another shop there ; 7iro"s/ They ; .opy
De+ery/ Suddeny I ost )y head/ I too1 the ring in and said I +anted
an eBa.t .opyI I said I +as going a'road and didn"t +ant to ta1e rea
De+ery +ith )e/ They see)ed to thin1 it 8uite natura/
JWe> I got the paste repi.a ; it +as so good you .oudn"t have tod
it fro) the origina ; and I sent it off 'y registered post to #ady
$orthei)er/ I had a 'oB +ith the De+eer"s na)e on it> so that +as a
right> and I )ade a professiona;oo1ing par.e/ And then I ; I ;
pa+ned the rea one/J She hid her fa.e in her hands/ J!o+ .oud IA
!o+ .oud IA I +as Dust a o+> )ean> .o))on thief/J
Mr Par1er Pyne .oughed/ JI do not thin1 you have 8uite finished>J
he said/
J0o> I haven"t/ This> you understand> +as a'out siB +ee1s ago/ I
paid off a )y de'ts and got s8uare again> 'ut of .ourse I +as
)isera'e a the ti)e/ And then an od .ousin of )ine died and I
.a)e into so)e )oney/ The first thing I did +as to redee) the
+ret.hed ring/ We> that"s a rightI here it is/ %ut so)ething terri'y
diffi.ut has happened/J
J@esAJ
JWe"ve had a 8uarre +ith the $orthei)ers/ It"s over so)e shares
that Sir &eu'en persuaded ,erad to 'uy/ !e +as terri'y et in over
the) and he tod Sir &eu'en +hat he thought of hi) ; and oh> it"s a
dreadfuG And no+> you see> I .an"t get the ring 'a.1/J
JCoudn"t you send it to #ady $orthei)er anony)ousyAJ
JThat gives the +hoe thing a+ay/ She" eBa)ine her o+n ring> find
it"s a fa1e and guess at on.e +hat I"ve done/J
J@ou say she is a friend of yours/ What a'out teing her the +hoe
truth ; thro+ing yoursef on her )er.yAJ
Mrs St/ *ohn shoo1 her head/ JWe"re not su.h friends as that/
Where )oney or De+ery is .on.erned> 0ao)i"s as hard as nais/
Perhaps she .oudn"t prose.ute )e if I gave the ring 'a.1> 'ut she
.oud te everyone +hat I"ve done and I"d 'e ruined/ ,erad +oud
1no+ and he +oud never forgive )e/ <h> ho+ a+fu everything isGJ
She 'egan to .ry again/ JI"ve thought and I"ve thought> and I .an"t
see +hat to doG <h> Mr Pyne> .an"t you do anythingAJ
JSevera things>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou .anA &eayAJ
JCertainy/ I suggested the si)pest +ay 'e.ause in )y ong
eBperien.e I have a+ays found it the 'est/ It avoids unoo1ed;for
.o)pi.ations/ Sti> I see the for.e of your o'De.tions/ At present no
one 1no+s of this unfortunate o..urren.e 'ut yoursefAJ
JAnd you>J said Mrs St/ *ohn/
J<h> I do not .ount/ We> then> your se.ret is safe a present/ A that
is needed is to eB.hange the rings in so)e unsuspi.ious )anner/J
JThat"s it>J the gir said eagery/
JThat shoud not 'e diffi.ut/ We )ust ta1e a itte ti)e to .onsider
the 'est )ethod ;J
She interrupted hi)/ J%ut there is no ti)eG That"s +hat"s driving )e
neary .ra?y/ She"s going to have the ring reset/J
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ
J*ust 'y .han.e/ I +as un.hing +ith a +o)an the other day and I
ad)ired a ring she had on ; a 'it e)erad/ She said it +as the
ne+est thing ; and that 0ao)i $orthei)er +as going to have her
dia)ond reset that +ay/J
JWhi.h )eans that +e sha have to a.t 8ui.1y>J said Mr Pyne
thoughtfuy/
J@es> yes/J
JIt )eans gaining ad)ission to the house ; and possi'e not in a
)enia .apa.ity/ Servants have itte .han.e of handing vaua'e
rings/ !ave you any idea yoursef> Mrs St/ *ohnAJ
JWe> 0ao)i is giving a 'ig party on Wednesday/ And this friend of
)ine )entioned that she had 'een oo1ing for so)e eBhi'ition
dan.ers/ I don"t 1no+ if anything has 'een setted ;J
JI thin1 that .an 'e )anaged>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIf the )atter is
aready setted it +i 'e )ore pensive> that is a/ <ne thing )ore>
do you happen to 1no+ +here the )ain ight s+it.h is situatedAJ
JAs it happens I do 1no+ that> 'e.ause a fuse 'e+ out ate one
night +hen the servants had a gone to 'ed/ It"s a 'oB at the 'a.1 of
the ha ; inside a itte .up'oard/J
At Mr Par1er Pyne"s re8uest she dre+ hi) a s1et.h/
JAnd no+>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jeverything is going to 'e a right>
so don"t +orry> Mrs St/ *ohn/ What a'out the ringA Sha I ta1e it
no+> or +oud you rather 1eep it ti WednesdayAJ
JWe> perhaps I"d 'etter 1eep it/J
J0o+> no )ore +orry> )ind you>J Mr Par1er Pyne ad)onished her/
JAnd your ; feeAJ she as1ed ti)idy/
JThat .an stand over for the )o)ent/ I +i et you 1no+ on
Wednesday +hat eBpenses have 'een ne.essary/ The fee +i 'e
no)ina> I assure you/J
!e .ondu.ted her to the door> then rang the 'u??er on his des1/
JSend Caude and Madeeine here/J
Caude #uttre +as one of the handso)est spe.i)ens of ounge
i?ard to 'e found in (ngand/ Madeeine de Sara +as the )ost
sedu.tive of va)ps/
Mr Par1er Pyne surveyed the) +ith approva/ JMy .hidren>J he
said> JI have a Do' for you/ @ou are going to 'e internationay
fa)ous eBhi'ition dan.ers/ 0o+> attend to this .arefuy> Caude>
and )ind you get it right///J
#ady $orthei)er +as fuy satisfied +ith the arrange)ents for her
'a/ She surveyed the fora de.orations and approved> gave a fe+
ast orders to the 'uter> and re)ar1ed to her hus'and that so far
nothing had gone +rongG
It +as a sight disappoint)ent that Mi.hae and *uanita> the
dan.ers fro) the &ed Ad)ira> had 'een una'e to fufi their
.ontra.t at the ast )o)ent> o+ing to *uanita"s spraining her an1e>
'ut instead> t+o ne+ dan.ers +ere 'eing sent 9so ran the story
over the teephone: +ho had .reated a furor in Paris/
The dan.ers duy arrived and #ady $orthei)er approved/ The
evening +ent spendidy/ *ues and San.hia did their turn> and )ost
sensationa it +as/ A +id Spanish &evoution dan.e/ Then a dan.e
.aed the $egenerate"s $rea)/ Then an eB8uisite eBhi'ition of
)odern dan.ing/
The J.a'aretJ over> nor)a dan.ing +as resu)ed/
The handso)e *ues re8uested a dan.e +ith #ady $orthei)er/
They foated a+ay/ 0ever had #ady $orthei)er had su.h a perfe.t
partner/
Sir &eu'en +as sear.hing for the sedu.tive San.hia ; in vain/ She
+as not in the 'aroo)/
She +as> as a )atter of fa.t> out in the deserted ha near a s)a
'oB> +ith her eyes fiBed on the De+eed +at.h +hi.h she +ore
round her +rist/
J@ou are not (ngish ; you .annot 'e (ngish ; to dan.e as you do>J
)ur)ured *ues into #ady $orthei)er"s ear/ J@ou are the sprite> the
spirit of the +ind/ $roush.1a petrov1a navarou.hi/J
JWhat is that anguageAJ
J&ussian>J said *ues )enda.iousy/ JI say so)ething to you in
&ussian that I dare not say in (ngish/J
#ady $orthei)er .osed her eyes/ *ues pressed her .oser to hi)/
Suddeny the ights +ent out/ In the dar1ness *ues 'ent and 1issed
the hand that ay on his shouder/ As she )ade to dra+ it a+ay> he
.aught it> raised it to his ips again/ So)eho+> a ring sipped fro)
her finger into his hand/
To #ady $orthei)er it see)ed ony a se.ond 'efore the ights +ent
on again/ *ues +as s)iing at her/
J@our ring>J he said/ JIt sipped off/ @ou per)itAJ
!e repa.ed it on her finger/ !is eyes said a nu)'er of things +hie
he +as doing it/
Sir &eu'en +as ta1ing a'out the )ain s+it.h/ JSo)e idiot/
Pra.ti.a Do1e> I suppose/J
#ady $orthei)er +as not interested/ Those fe+ )inutes of
dar1ness had 'een very peasant/
Mr Par1er Pyne arrived at his offi.e on Thursday )orning to find
Mrs St/ *ohn aready a+aiting hi)/
JSho+ her in>J said Mr Pyne/
JWeAJ She +as a eagerness/
J@ou oo1 pae>J he said a..usingy/
She shoo1 her head/ JI .oudn"t seep ast night/ I +as +ondering ;J
J0o+> here is the itte 'i for eBpenses/ Train fares> .ostu)es> and
fifty pounds to Mi.hae and *uanita/ SiBty;five pounds> seventeen
shiings/J
J@es> yesG %ut a'out ast night ; +as it a rightA $id it happenAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed at her in surprise/ JMy dear young ady>
naturay it is a right/ I too1 it for granted that you understood
that/J
JWhat a reiefG I +as afraid ;J
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head reproa.hfuy/
JFaiure is a +ord not toerated in this esta'ish)ent/ If I do not
thin1 I .an su..eed I refuse to underta1e a .ase/ If I do ta1e a .ase>
its su..ess is pra.ti.ay a foregone .on.usion/J
JShe"s reay got her ring 'a.1 and suspe.ts nothingAJ
J0othing +hatever/ The operation +as )ost dei.atey .ondu.ted/J
$aphne St/ *ohn sighed/ J@ou don"t 1no+ the oad off )y )ind/
What +ere you saying a'out eBpensesAJ
JSiBty;five pounds> seventeen shiings/J
Mrs St/ *ohn opened her 'ag and .ounted out the )oney/ Mr Par1er
Pyne than1ed her and +rote out a re.eipt/
J%ut your feeAJ )ur)ured $aphne/ JThis is ony for eBpenses/J
JIn this .ase there is no fee/J
J<h> Mr PyneG I .oudn"t> reayGJ
JMy dear young ady> I insist/ I +i not tou.h a penny/ It +oud 'e
against )y prin.ipes/ !ere is your re.eipt/ And no+ ;J
With the s)ie of a happy .onDurer 'ringing off a su..essfu tri.1>
he dre+ a s)a 'oB fro) his po.1et and pushed it a.ross the ta'e/
$aphne opened it/ Inside> to a appearan.es> ay the identi.a
dia)ond ring/
J%ruteGJ said Mrs St/ *ohn> )a1ing a fa.e at it/ J!o+ I hate youG I"ve
a good )ind to thro+ you out of the +indo+/J
JI shoudn"t do that>J said Mr Pyne/ JIt )ight surprise peope/J
J@ou"re 8uite sure it isn"t the rea oneAJ said $aphne/
J0o> noG The one you sho+ed )e the other day is safey on #ady
$orthei)er"s finger/J
JThen that"s a right/J $aphne rose +ith a happy augh/
JCurious your as1ing )e that>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J<f .ourse
Caude> poor feo+> hasn"t )any 'rains/ !e )ight easiy have got
)udded/ So> to )a1e sure> I had an eBpert oo1 at this thing this
)orning/J
Mrs St/ *ohn sat do+n again rather suddeny/ J<hG And he saidAJ
JThat it +as an eBtraordinariy good i)itation>J said Mr Par1er
Pyne> 'ea)ing/ JFirst;.ass +or1/ So that sets your )ind at rest>
doesn"t itAJ
Mrs St/ *ohn started to say so)ething> then stopped/
She +as staring at Mr Par1er Pyne/
The atter resu)ed his seat 'ehind the des1 and oo1ed at her
'enevoenty/ JThe .at +ho pued the .hestnuts out of the fire>J he
said drea)iy/ J0ot a peasant r/e/ 0ot a r/e I shoud .are to have
any of )y staff underta1e/ (B.use )e/ $id you say anythingAJ
JI ; no> nothing/J
J,ood/ I +ant to te you a itte story> Mrs St/ *ohn/ It .on.erns a
young ady/ A fair;haired young ady> I thin1/ She is not )arried/ !er
na)e is not St/ *ohn/ !er Christian na)e is not $aphne/ <n the
.ontrary> her na)e is (rnestine &i.hards> and unti re.enty she
+as se.retary to #ady $orthei)er/
JWe> one day the setting of #ady $orthei)er"s dia)ond ring
'e.a)e oose and Miss &i.hards 'rought it up to to+n to have it
fiBed/ 4uite i1e your story here> is it notA The sa)e idea o..urred
to Miss &i.hards that o..urred to you/ She had the ring .opied/ %ut
she +as a far;sighted young ady/ She sa+ a day .o)ing +hen #ady
$orthei)er +oud dis.over the su'stitution/ When that happened>
she +oud re)e)'er +ho had ta1en the ring to to+n and Miss
&i.hards +oud 'e instanty suspe.ted/
JSo +hat happenedA First> I fan.y> Miss &i.hards invested in a #a
Merveieuse transfor)ation ; 0u)'er Seven side parting> I thin1 ;J
his eyes rested inno.enty on his .ient"s +avy o.1s ; Jshade dar1
'ro+n/ Then she .aed on )e/ She sho+ed )e the ring> ao+ed )e
to satisfy )ysef that it +as genuine> there'y disar)ing suspi.ion
on )y part/ That done and a pan of su'stitution arranged> the
young ady too1 the ring to the De+eer +ho in due .ourse returned
it to #ady $orthei)er/
J@esterday evening the other ring> the fase ring> +as hurriedy
handed over at the ast )inute at Wateroo Station/ 4uite righty>
Miss &i.hards did not .onsider that Mr #uttre +as i1ey to 'e an
authority on dia)onds/ %ut Dust to satisfy )ysef that everything
+as a'ove'oard I arranged for a friend of )ine> a dia)ond
)er.hant> to 'e on the train/ !e oo1ed at the ring and pronoun.ed
at on.e> "This is not a rea dia)ondI it is an eB.eent paste repi.a/"
J@ou see the point> of .ourse> Mrs St *ohnA When #ady $orthei)er
dis.overed her oss> +hat +oud she re)e)'erA The .har)ing
young dan.er +ho sipped the ring off her finger +hen the ights
+ent outG She +oud )a1e in8uiries and find that the dan.ers
originay engaged +ere 'ri'ed not to .o)e/ If )atters +ere tra.ed
'a.1 to )y offi.e> )y story of a Mrs St/ *ohn +oud see) fee'e in
the eBtre)e/ #ady $orthei)er never 1ne+ a Mrs St/ *ohn/ The story
+oud sound a fi)sy fa'ri.ation/
J0o+ you see> don"t you> that I .oud not ao+ that/ And so )y
friend Caude repa.ed on #ady $orthei)er"s finger the sa)e ring
that he too1 off/J Mr Par1er Pyne"s s)ie +as ess 'enevoent no+/
J@ou see +hy I .oud not ta1e a feeA I guarantee to give happiness/
Ceary I have not )ade you happy/ I +i say Dust one thing )ore/
@ou are youngI possi'y this is your first atte)pt at anything of the
1ind/ 0o+ I> on the .ontrary> a) .o)parativey advan.ed in years>
and I have had a ong eBperien.e in the .o)piation of statisti.s/
Fro) that eBperien.e I .an assure you that in eighty;seven per.ent
of .ases dishonesty does not pay/ (ighty;seven per.ent/ Thin1 of
itGJ
With a 'rus8ue )ove)ent the pseudo Mrs St/ *ohn rose/
J@ou oiy od 'ruteGJ she said/ J#eading )e onGJ Ma1ing )e pay
eBpensesG And a the ti)e ;J She .ho1ed> and rushed to+ard the
door/
J@our ring>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> hoding it out to her/
She snat.hed it fro) hi)> oo1ed at it and fung it out of the open
+indo+/
A door 'anged and she +as gone/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as oo1ing out of the +indo+ +ith so)e interest/
JAs I thought>J he said/ JConsidera'e surprise has 'een .reated/
The gente)an seing $is)a $es)onds does not 1no+ +hat to
)a1e of it/J
T!( CAS( <F T!( $ISC<0T(0T($ !2S%A0$
2ndou'tedy one of Mr Par1er Pyne"s greatest assets +as his
sy)patheti. )anner/ It +as a )anner that invited .onfiden.e/ !e
+as +e a.8uainted +ith the 1ind of paraysis that des.ended on
.ients as soon as they got inside his offi.e/ It +as Mr Pyne"s tas1 to
pave the +ay for the ne.essary dis.osures/
<n this parti.uar )orning he sat fa.ing a ne+ .ient> a Mr &eginad
Wade/ Mr Wade> he dedu.ed at on.e> +as the inarti.uate type/ The
type that finds it hard to put into +ords anything .onne.ted +ith the
e)otions/
!e +as a ta> 'roady 'uit )an +ith )id> peasant 'ue eyes and a
+e;tanned .o)peBion/ !e sat puing a'sent;)indedy at a itte
)usta.he +hie he oo1ed at Mr Par1er Pyne +ith a the pathos of a
du)' ani)a/
JSa+ your advertise)ent> you 1no+>J he Der1ed/ JThought I )ight
as +e .o)e aong/ &u) sort of sho+> 'ut you never 1no+> +hatAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne interpreted these .rypti. re)ar1s .orre.ty/ JWhen
things go 'ady> one is +iing to ta1e a .han.e>J he suggested/
JA .han.e ; any .han.e/ Things are in a 'ad +ay +ith )e> Mr Pyne/
I don"t 1no+ +hat to do a'out it/ $iffi.ut> you 1no+I da)ned
diffi.ut/J
JThat>J said Mr Pyne> Jis +here I .o)e in/ I do 1no+ +hat to doG I
a) a spe.iaist in every 1ind of hu)an trou'e/J
J<h> I say ; 'it of a ta order> thatGJ
J0ot reay/ !u)an trou'es are easiy .assified into a fe+ )ain
heads/ There is i heath/ There is 'oredo)/ There are +ives +ho
are in trou'e over their hus'ands/ There are hus'ands ;J he
paused ; J+ho are in trou'e over their +ives/J
JMatter of fa.t> you"ve hit it/ @ou"ve hit it a'soutey/J
JTe )e a'out it>J said Mr Pyne/
JThere"s nothing )u.h to te/ My +ife +ants )e to give her a
divor.e so that she .an )arry another .hap/J
J7ery .o))on indeed in these days/ 0o+ you> I gather> don"t see
eye to eye +ith her in this 'usinessAJ
JI") fond of her>J said Mr Wade si)py/ J@ou see ; +e> I") fond of
her/J
A si)pe and so)e+hat ta)e state)ent> 'ut if Mr Wade had said> JI
adore her/ I +orship the ground she +a1s on/ I +oud .ut )ysef
into itte pie.es for her>J he .oud not have 'een )ore eBpi.it to Mr
Par1er Pyne/
JA the sa)e> you 1no+>J +ent on Mr Wade> J+hat .an I doA I
)ean> a feo+"s so hepess/ If she prefers this other feo+ ; +e>
one"s got to pay the ga)eI stand aside and a that/J
JThe proposa is that she shoud divor.e youAJ
J<f .ourse/ I .oudn"t et her 'e dragged through the divor.e
.ourt/J
Mr Pyne oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy/ J%ut you .o)e to )eA WhyAJ
The other aughed in a sha)efa.ed )anner/ JI don"t 1no+/ @ou see>
I") not a .ever .hap/ I .an"t thin1 of things/ I thought you )ight ;
+e> suggest so)ething/ I"ve got siB )onths> you see/ She agreed
to that/ If at the end of siB )onths she is sti of the sa)e )ind ; +e>
then> I get out/ I thought you )ight give )e a hint or t+o/ At present
everything I do annoys her/
J@ou see> Mr Pyne> +hat it .o)es to is thisH I") not a .ever .hapG I
i1e 1no.1ing 'as a'out/ I i1e a round of gof and a good set of
tennis/ I") no good at )usi. and art and su.h things/ My +ife"s
.ever/ She i1es pi.tures and the opera and .on.erts> and naturay
she gets 'ored +ith )e/ This other feo+ ; nasty onghaired .hap ;
he 1no+s a a'out these things/ !e .an ta1 a'out the)/ I .an"t/ In a
+ay> I .an understand a .ever> 'eautifu +o)an getting fed up +ith
an ass i1e )e/J
Mr Par1er Pyne groaned/ J@ou have 'een )arried ; ho+ ongA///
0ine yearsA And I suppose you have adopted that attitude fro) the
start/ Wrong> )y dear sirI disastrousy +rongG 0ever adopt an
apoogeti. attitude +ith a +o)an/ She +i ta1e you at your o+n
vauation ; and you deserve it/ @ou shoud have goried in your
atheti. pro+ess/ @ou shoud have spo1en of art and )usi. as "a
that nonsense )y +ife i1es/" @ou shoud have .ondoed +ith her on
not 'eing a'e to pay ga)es 'etter/ The hu)'e spirit> )y dear sir>
is a +ashout in )atri)onyG 0o +o)an .an 'e eBpe.ted to stand up
against it/ 0o +onder your +ife has 'een una'e to ast the .ourse/J
Mr Wade +as oo1ing at hi) in 'e+ider)ent/
JWe>J he said> J+hat do you thin1 I ought to doAJ
JThat .ertainy is the 8uestion/ Whatever you shoud have done
nine years ago> it is too ate no+/ 0e+ ta.ti.s )ust 'e adopted/
!ave you ever had any affairs +ith other +o)enAJ
JCertainy not/J
JI shoud have said> perhaps> any ight firtationsAJ
JI never 'othered a'out +o)en )u.h/J
JA )ista1e/ @ou )ust start no+/J
Mr Wade oo1ed aar)ed/ J<h> oo1 here> I .oudn"t reay/ I )ean ;J
J@ou +i 'e put to no trou'e in the )atter/ <ne of )y staff +i 'e
suppied for the purpose/ She +i te you +hat is re8uired of you>
and any attentions you pay her she +i> of .ourse> understand to 'e
)erey a )atter of 'usiness/J
Mr Wade oo1ed reieved/ JThat"s 'etter/ %ut do you reay thin1 ; I
)ean> it see)s to )e that Iris +i 'e 1eener to get rid of )e than
ever/J
J@ou do not understand hu)an nature> Mr Wade/ Sti ess do you
understand fe)inine hu)an nature/ At the present )o)ent you are>
fro) the fe)inine point of vie+> )erey a +aste produ.t/ 0o'ody
+ants you/ What use has a +o)an for so)ething that no one
+antsA 0one +hatever/ %ut ta1e another ange/ Suppose your +ife
dis.overs that you are oo1ing for+ard to regaining your freedo)
as )u.h as she isAJ
JThen she ought to 'e peased/J
JShe ought to 'e> perhaps> 'ut she +i not 'eG Moreover> she +i
see that you have attra.ted a fas.inating young +o)an ; a young
+o)an +ho .oud pi.1 and .hoose/ I))ediatey your sto.1 goes
up/ @our +ife 1no+s that a her friends +i say it +as you +ho tired
of her and +ished to )arry a )ore attra.tive +o)an/ That +i
annoy her/J
J@ou thin1 soAJ
JI a) sure of it/ @ou +i no onger 'e "poor dear od &eggie/" @ou
+i 'e "that sy dog &eggie/" A the differen.e in the +ordG Without
rein8uishing the other )an> she +i dou'tess try to +in you 'a.1/
@ou +i not 'e +on/ @ou +i sensi'e and give to her a her
argu)ents/ "Mu.h 'etter to part/JTe)pera)entay unsuited/" @ou
reai?e that +hie +hat she said +as true ; that you had never
understood her ; it is aso true that she had never understood you/
%ut +e need not go into this no+I you +i 'e given fu instru.tions
+hen the ti)e .o)es/J
Mr Wade see)ed dou'tfu sti/ J@ou reay thin1 that this pan of
yours +i do the tri.1AJ he as1ed du'iousy/
JI +i not say I a) a'soutey sure of it>J said Mr Par1er Pyne
.autiousy/ JThere is a 'are possi'iity that your +ife )ay 'e so
over+he)ingy in ove +ith this other )an that nothing you .oud
say or do +i affe.t her> 'ut I .onsider that uni1ey/ She has
pro'a'y 'een driven into this affair through 'oredo) ; 'oredo)
+ith the at)osphere of un.riti.a devotion and a'soute fideity +ith
+hi.h you have )ost un+isey surrounded her/ If you foo+ )y
instru.tions> the .han.es are> I shoud say> ninety;seven per.ent in
your favor/J
J,ood enough>J said Mr Wade/ JI" do it/ %y the +ay ; er ; ho+
)u.hAJ
JMy fee is t+o hundred guineas> paya'e in advan.e/J
Mr Wade dre+ out a .he.1 'oo1/
The grounds of #orri)er Court +ere ovey in the afternoon
sunshine/ Iris Wade> ying on a ong .hair> )ade a dei.ious spot of
.oor/ She +as dressed in dei.ate shades of )auve and 'y s1ifu
)a1e;up )anaged to oo1 )u.h younger than her thirty;five years/
She +as ta1ing to her friend Mrs Massington> +ho) she a+ays
found sy)patheti./ %oth adies +ere affi.ted +ith atheti.
hus'ands +ho ta1ed sto.1s and shares and gof aternatey/
J; and so one earns to ive and et ive>J finished Iris/
J@ou"re +onderfu> daring>J said Mrs Massington and added too
8ui.1yH JTe )e> +ho is this girAJ
Iris raised a +eary shouder/ J$on"t as1 )eG &eggie found her/
She"s &eggie"s itte friendG So a)using/ @ou 1no+ he never oo1s at
girs as a rue/ !e .a)e to )e and he))ed and ha+ed> and finay
said he +anted to as1 this Miss de Sara do+n for the +ee1end/ <f
.ourse I aughed ; I .oudn"t hep it/ &eggie> you 1no+G We> here
she is/J
JWhere did he )eet herAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ !e +as very vague a'out it a/J
JPerhaps he"s 1no+n her so)e ti)e/J
J<h> I don"t thin1 so>J said Mrs Wade/ J<f .ourse>J she +ent on> JI")
deighted ; si)py deighted/ I )ean> it )a1es it so )u.h easier for
)e> as things are/ %e.ause I have 'een unhappy a'out &eggieI he"s
su.h a dear od thing/ That"s +hat I 1ept saying to Sin.air ; that it
+oud hurt &eggie so/ %ut he insisted that &eggie +oud soon get
over itI it oo1s as if he +ere right/ T+o days ago &eggie see)ed
heart'ro1en ; and no+ he +ants this gir do+nG As I say> I")
a)used/ I i1e to see &eggie enDoying hi)sef/ I fan.y the poor
feo+ a.tuay thought I )ight 'e Deaous/ Su.h an a'surd ideaG "<f
.ourse>" I said> "have your friend do+n/" Poor &eggie ; as though a
gir i1e that .oud ever .are a'out hi)/ She"s Dust a)using hersef/J
JShe"s eBtre)ey attra.tive>J said Mrs Massington/ JA)ost
dangerousy so> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ The sort of gir +ho .ares
ony for )en/ I don"t fee> so)eho+> she .an 'e a reay ni.e gir/J
JPro'a'y not>J said Mrs Wade/
JShe has )arveous .othes>J said Mrs Massington/
JA)ost too eBoti.> don"t you thin1AJ
J%ut very eBpensive/J
J<puent/ She"s too opuent;oo1ing/J
J!ere they .o)e>J said Mrs Massington/
Madeeine de Sara and &eggie Wade +ere +a1ing a.ross the a+n/
They +ere aughing and ta1ing together and see)ed very happy/
Madeeine fung hersef into a .hair> tore off the 'ret she +as
+earing and ran her hands through her eB8uisitey dar1 .urs/ She
+as undenia'y 'eautifu/
JWe"ve had su.h a )arveous afternoonGJ she .ried/ JI") terri'y
hot/ I )ust 'e oo1ing too dreadfu/J
&eggie Wade started nervousy at the sound of his .ue/ J@ou oo1 ;
you oo1 ;J !e gave a itte augh/ JI +on"t say it>J he finished/
Madeeine"s eyes )et his/ It +as a gan.e of .o)pete
understanding on her part/ Mrs Massington noted it aerty/
J@ou shoud pay gof>J said Madeeine to her hostess/ J@ou )iss
su.h a ot/ Why don"t you ta1e it upA I have a friend +ho did and
'e.a)e 8uite good> and she +as a ot oder than you/J
JI don"t .are for that sort of thing>J said Iris .ody/
JAre you 'ad at ga)esA !o+ rotten for youG It )a1es one fee so
out of things/ %ut reay> Mrs Wade> .oa.hing no+adays is so good
that a)ost anyone .an pay fairy +e/ I i)proved )y tennis no end
ast su))er/ <f .ourse I") hopeess at gof/J
J0onsenseGJ said &eggie/ J@ou ony need .oa.hing/ #oo1 ho+ you
+ere getting those 'rassie shots this afternoon/J
J%e.ause you sho+ed )e ho+/ @ou"re a +onderfu tea.her/ #ots of
peope si)py .an"t tea.h/ %ut you"ve got the gift/ It )ust 'e
+onderfu to 'e you ; you .an do everything/J
J0onsense/ I") no good ; no use +hatever/J &eggie +as .onfused/
J@ou )ust 'e very proud of hi)>J said Madeeine> turning to Mrs
Wade/ J!o+ have you )anaged to 1eep hi) a these yearsA @ou
)ust have 'een very .ever/ <r have you hidden hi) a+ayAJ
!er hostess )ade no repy/ She pi.1ed up her 'oo1 +ith a hand
that tre)'ed/
&eggie )ur)ured so)ething a'out .hanging> and +ent off/
JI do thin1 it"s so s+eet of you to have )e here>J said Madeeine to
her hostess/ JSo)e +o)en are so suspi.ious of their hus'ands"
friends/ I do thin1 Deaousy is a'surd> don"t youAJ
JI do indeed/ I shoud never drea) of 'eing Deaous of &eggie/J
JThat"s +onderfu of youG %e.ause anyone .an see that he"s a )an
+ho"s frightfuy attra.tive to +o)en/ It +as a sho.1 to )e +hen I
heard he +as )arried/ Why do a the attra.tive )en get snapped
up youngAJ
JI") gad you find &eggie so attra.tive>J said Mrs Wade/
JWe> he is> isn"t heA So good;oo1ing> and so frightfuy good at
ga)es/ And that pretended indifferen.e of his on +o)en/ That
spurs us one> of .ourse/J
JI suppose you have a ot of )en friends>J said Mrs Wade/
J<h> yes/ I i1e )en 'etter than +o)en/ Wo)en are never reay
ni.e to )e/ I .an"t thin1 +hy/J
JPerhaps you are too ni.e to their hus'ands>J said Mrs Massington
+ith a tin1y augh/
JWe> one"s sorry for peope so)eti)es/ So )any ni.e )en are tied
to su.h du +ives/ @ou 1no+> "arty" +o)en and high'ro+ +o)en/
0aturay> the )en +ant so)eone young and 'right to ta1 to/ I thin1
the )odern ideas of )arriage and divor.e are so sensi'e/ Start
again +hie one is sti young +ith so)eone +ho shares one"s tastes
and ideas/ It"s 'etter for every'ody in the end/ I )ean> the high'ro+
+ives pro'a'y pi.1 up so)e ong;haired .reature of their o+n type
+ho satisfies the)/ I thin1 .utting your osses and starting again is
a +ise pan> don"t you> Mrs WadeAJ
JCertainy/J
A .ertain frostiness in the at)osphere see)ed to penetrate
Madeeine"s .ons.iousness/ She )ur)ured so)ething a'out
.hanging for tea and eft the)/
J$etesta'e .reatures these )odern girs are>J said Mrs Wade/
J0ot an idea in their heads/J
JShe"s got one idea in hers> Iris>J said Mrs Massing ton/ JThat gir"s
in ove +ith &eggie/J
J0onsenseGJ
JShe is/ I sa+ the +ay she oo1ed at hi) Dust no+/ She doesn"t .are
a pin +hether he"s )arried or not/ She )eans to have hi)/
$isgusting> I .a it/J
Mrs Wade +as sient a )o)ent> then she aughed un.ertainy/
JAfter a>J she said> J+hat does it )atterAJ
Presenty Mrs Wade> too> +ent upstairs/ !er hus'and +as in his
dressing roo) .hanging/ !e +as singing/
J(nDoyed yoursef> dearAJ said Mrs Wade/
J<h> er ; rather> yes/J
JI") gad/ I +ant you to 'e happy/J
J@es> rather/J
A.ting a part +as not &eggie Wade"s strong point> 'ut as it
happened> the a.ute e)'arrass)ent o..asioned 'y his fan.ying he
+as doing so did Dust as +e/ !e avoided his +ife"s eye and Du)ped
+hen she spo1e to hi)/ !e fet asha)edI hated the far.e of it a/
0othing .oud have produ.ed a 'etter effe.t/ !e +as the pi.ture of
.ons.ious guit/
J!o+ ong have you 1no+n herAJ as1ed Mrs Wade suddeny/
J(r ; +hoAJ
JMiss de Sara> of .ourse/J
JWe I don"t 8uite 1no+/ I )ean ; oh so)e ti)e/J
J&eayA @ou never )entioned her/J
J$idn"t IA I suppose I forgot/J
JForgot indeedGJ said Mrs Wade/ She departed +ith a +his1 of
)auve draperies/
After tea Mr Wade sho+ed Miss de Sara the rose garden/ They
+a1ed a.ross the a+n .ons.ious of t+o pairs of eyes ra1ing their
'a.1s/
J#oo1 here/J Safe out of sight in the rose garden> Mr Wade
un'urdened hi)sef/ J#oo1 here> I thin1 +e" have to give this up/
My +ife oo1ed at )e Dust no+ as though she hated )e/J
J$on"t +orry>J said Madeeine/ JIt"s 8uite a right/J
J$o you thin1 soA I )ean> I don"t +ant to put her against )e/ She
said severa nasty things at tea/J
JIt"s a right>J said Madeeine again/ J@ou"re doing spendidy/J
J$o you reay thin1 soAJ
J@es/J In a o+er voi.e she +ent onH J@our +ife is +a1ing round the
.orner of the terra.e/ She +ants to see +hat +e"re doing/ @ou"d
'etter 1iss )e/J
J<hGJ said Mr Wade nervousy/ JMust IA I )ean ;J
J-iss )eGJ said Madeeine fier.ey/
Mr Wade 1issed her/ Any a.1 of ean in the perfor)an.e +as
re)edied 'y Madeeine/ She fung her ar)s round hi)/ Mr Wade
staggered/
J<hGJ he said/
J$id you hate it very )u.hAJ said Madeeine/
J0o> of .ourse not>J said Mr Wade gaanty/ JIt ; it Dust too1 )e 'y
surprise/J !e added +istfuyH J!ave +e 'een in the rose garden
ong enough> do you thin1AJ
JI thin1 so>J said Madeeine/ JWe"ve put in a 'it of good +or1 here/J
They returned to the a+n/ Mrs Massington infor)ed the) that Mrs
Wade had gone to ie do+n/ #ater> Mr Wade Doined Madeeine +ith a
pertur'ed fa.e/
JShe"s in an a+fu state ; hysteri.s/J
J,ood/J
JShe sa+ )e 1issing you/J
JWe> +e )eant her to/J
JI 1no+> 'ut I .oudn"t say that> .oud IA I didn"t 1no+ +hat to say/ I
said it had Dust ; Dust ; +e> happened/J
J(B.eent/J
JShe said you +ere s.he)ing to )arry )e and that you +ere no
'etter than you shoud 'e/ That upset )e ; it see)ed su.h a+fuy
rough u.1 on you/ I )ean> +hen you"re Dust doing a Do'/ I said that I
had the ut)ost respe.t for you and that +hat she said +asn"t true
at a> and I") afraid I got angry +hen she +ent on a'out it/J
JMagnifi.entGJ
JAnd then she tod )e to go a+ay/ She doesn"t +ant ever to spea1
to )e again/ She ta1ed of pa.1ing up and eaving/J !is fa.e +as
dis)ayed/
Madeeine s)ied/ JI" te you the ans+er to that one/ Te her that
you" 'e the one to goI that you" pa.1 up and .ear out to to+n/J
J%ut I don"t +ant toGJ
JThat"s a right/ @ou +on"t have to/ @our +ife +oud hate to thin1 of
you a)using yoursef in #ondon/J
The foo+ing )orning &eggie Wade had a fresh 'uetin to i)part/
JShe says she"s 'een thin1ing> and that it isn"t fair for her to go
a+ay +hen she agreed to stay siB )onths/ %ut she says that as I
have )y friends do+n here she doesn"t see +hy she shoudn"t have
hers/ She is as1ing Sin.air *ordan/J
JIs he the oneAJ
J@es> and I") da)ned if I" have hi) in )y houseGJ
J@ou )ust>J said Madeeine/ J$on"t +orry/ I" attend to hi)/ Say that
on thin1ing things over you have no o'De.tion> and that you 1no+
she +on"t )ind your as1ing )e to stay on> too/J
J<h> dearGJ sighed Mr Wade/
J0o+ don"t ose heart>J said Madeeine/ J(verything is going
spendidy/ Another fortnight ; and a your trou'es +i 'e over/J
JA fortnightA $o you reay thin1 soAJ de)anded Mr Wade/
JThin1 soA I") sure of it>J said Madeeine/
A +ee1 ater Madeeine de Sara entered Mr Par1er Pyne"s offi.e
and san1 +eariy into a .hair/
J(nter the 4ueen of 7a)ps>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> s)iing/
J7a)psGJ said Madeeine/ She gave a hoo+ augh/ JI"ve never had
su.h uphi +or1 'eing a va)p/ That )an is o'sessed 'y his +ifeG
It"s a disease/J
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/ J@es> indeed/ We> in one +ay it )ade our
tas1 easier/ It is not every )an> )y dear Madeeine> +ho) I +oud
eBpose to your fas.ination so ight;heartedy/J
The gir aughed/ JIf you 1ne+ the diffi.uty I had to )a1e hi) even
1iss )e as though he i1ed itGJ
JA nove eBperien.e for you> )y dear/ We> is your tas1
a..o)pishedAJ
J@es/ I thin1 a is +e/ We had a tre)endous s.ene ast night/ #et
)e see> )y ast report +as three days agoAJ
J@es/J
JWe> as I tod you> I ony had to oo1 at that )isera'e +or)>
Sin.air *ordan> on.e/ !e +as a over )e ; espe.iay as he thought
fro) )y .othes that I had )oney/ Mrs Wade +as furious> of .ourse/
!ere +ere 'oth her )en dan.ing attendan.e on )e/ I soon sho+ed
+here )y preferen.e ay/ I )ade fun of Sin.air *ordan> to his fa.e
and to her/ I aughed at his .othes> and at the ength of his hair/ I
pointed out that he had 1no.1;1nees/J
J(B.eent te.hni8ue>J said Mr Par1er Pyne appre.iativey/
J(verything 'oied up ast night/ Mrs Wade .a)e out in the open/
She a..used )e of 'rea1ing up her ho)e/ &eggie Wade )entioned
the itte )atter of Sin.air *ordan/ She said that that +as ony the
resut of her unhappiness and oneiness/ She had noti.ed her
hus'and"s a'stra.tion for so)e ti)e 'ut had had no idea as to the
.ause of it/ She said they had a+ays 'een ideay happy> that she
adored hi) and he 1ne+ it> and that she +anted hi) and ony hi)/
JI said it +as too ate for that/ Mr Wade foo+ed his instru.tions
spendidy/ !e said he didn"t give a da)nG !e +as going to )arry
)eG Mrs Wade .oud have her Sin.air as soon as she peased/
There +as no reason +hy the divor.e pro.eedings shoudn"t 'e
started at on.eI +aiting siB )onths +as a'surd/
JWithin a fe+ days> he said> she shoud have the ne.essary
eviden.e and .oud instru.t her soi.itors/ !e said he .oudn"t ive
+ithout )e/ Then Mrs Wade .ut.hed her .hest and ta1ed a'out
her +ea1 heart and had to 'e given 'randy/ !e didn"t +ea1en/ !e
+ent up to to+n this )orning> and I"ve no dou't she"s gone after
hi) 'y this ti)e/J
JSo that"s a right>J said Mr Pyne .heerfuy/ JA very satisfa.tory
.ase/J
The door fe+ open/ In the door+ay stood &eggie Wade/
JIs she hereAJ he de)anded> advan.ing into the roo)/ JWhere is
sheAJ !e .aught sight of Madeeine/
J$aringGJ he .ried/ !e sei?ed 'oth her hands/ J$aring> daring/
@ou 1ne+> didn"t you> that it +as rea ast night ; that I )eant every
+ord I said to IrisA I don"t 1no+ +hy I +as 'ind so ong/ %ut I"ve
1no+n for the ast three days/J
J-no+n +hatAJ said Madeeine fainty/
JThat I adored you/ That there +as no +o)an in the +ord for )e
'ut you/ Iris .an 'ring her divor.e and +hen it"s gone through you"
)arry )e> +on"t youA Say you +i/ Madeeine> I adore you/J
!e .aught the paray?ed Madeeine in his ar)s Dust as the door fe+
open again> this ti)e to ad)it a thin +o)an dressed in untidy
green/
JI thought soGJ said the ne+.o)er/ JI foo+ed youG I 1ne+ you"d go
to herGJ
JI .an assure you ;J 'egan Mr Par1er Pyne> re.overing fro) the
stupefa.tion that had des.ended upon hi)/
The intruder too1 no noti.e of hi)/ She s+ept onH
J<h> &eggie> you .an"t +ant to 'rea1 )y heartG <ny .o)e 'a.1G I"
not say a +ord a'out a this/ I" earn gof/ I +on"t have any friends
you don"t .are a'out/ After a these years> +hen +e"ve 'een so
happy together ;J
JI"ve never 'een happy ti no+>J said Mr Wade> sti ga?ing at
Madeeine/ J$ash it a> Iris> you +anted to )arry that ass *ordan/
Why don"t you go and do itAJ
Mrs Wade gave a +ai/ JI hate hi)G I hate the very sight of hi)/J She
turned to Madeeine/ J@ou +i.1ed +o)anG @ou horri'e va)pire ;
steaing )y hus'and fro) )e/J
JI don"t +ant your hus'and>J said Madeeine distra.tedy/
JMadeeineGJ Mr Wade +as ga?ing at her in agony/
JPease go a+ay>J said Madeeine/
J%ut oo1 here> I") not pretending/ I )ean it/J
J<h> go a+ayGJ .ried Madeeine hysteri.ay/ J,o a+ayGJ
&eggie )oved reu.tanty to+ards the door/ JI sha .o)e 'a.1>J he
+arned her/ J@ou"ve not seen the ast of )e/J !e +ent out> 'anging
the door/
J,irs i1e you ought to 'e fogged and 'randedGJ .ried Mrs Wade/
J&eggie +as an ange to )e a+ays ti you .a)e aong/ 0o+ he"s so
.hanged I don"t 1no+ hi)/J With a so'> she hurried out after her
hus'and/
Madeeine and Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed at ea.h other/
JI .an"t hep it>J said Madeeine hepessy/ J!e"s a very ni.e )an ; a
dear ; 'ut I don"t +ant to )arry hi)/ I"d no idea of a this/ If you
1ne+ the diffi.uty I had )a1ing hi) 1iss )eGJ
JAhe)GJ said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI regret to ad)it it> 'ut it +as an
error of Dudg)ent on )y part/J !e shoo1 his head sady> and
dra+ing Mr Wade"s fie to+ards hi)> +rote a.ross itH
FAI#2&( ; o+ing to natura .auses/
0/%/ They shoud have 'een foreseen/
T!( CAS( <F T!( CIT@ C#(&-
Mr Par1er Pyne eaned 'a.1 thoughtfuy in his s+ive .hair and
surveyed his visitor/ !e sa+ a s)a sturdiy 'uit )an of forty;five
+ith +istfu> pu??ed> ti)id eyes that oo1ed at hi) +ith a 1ind of
anBious hopefuness/
JI sa+ your advertise)ent in the paperJ said the itte )an
nervousy/
J@ou are in trou'e> Mr &o'ertsAJ
J0o> not in trou'e eBa.ty/J
J@ou are unhappyAJ
JI shoudn"t i1e to say that either/ I"ve a great dea to 'e than1fu
for/J
JWe a have>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J%ut +hen +e have to re)ind
ourseves of the fa.t it is a 'ad sign/J
JI 1no+>J said the itte )an eagery/ JThat"s Dust itG @ou"ve hit the
nai on the head> sir/J
JSupposing you te )e a a'out yoursef>J suggested Mr Par1er
Pyne/
JThere"s not )u.h to te> sir/ As I say> I"ve a great dea to 'e
than1fu for/ I have a Do'I I"ve )anaged to save a itte )oneyI the
.hidren are strong and heathy/J
JSo you +ant ; +hatAJ
JI ; I don"t 1no+/J !e fushed/ JI eBpe.t that sounds fooish to you>
sir/J
J0ot at a>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
%y s1ied 8uestioning he ei.ited further .onfiden.es/ !e heard of
Mr &o'erts" e)poy)ent in a +e;1no+n fir) and of his so+ 'ut
steady rise/ !e heard of his )arriageI of the strugge to present a
de.ent appearan.e> to edu.ate the .hidren and have the)
Joo1ing ni.eJI of the potting and panning and s1i)ping and
saving to put aside a fe+ pounds ea.h year/ !e heard> in fa.t> the
saga of a ife of .easeess effort to survive/
JAnd ; +e> you see ho+ it is>J .onfessed Mr &o'erts/ JThe +ife"s
a+ay/ Staying +ith her )other +ith the t+o .hidren/ #itte .hange
for the) and a rest for her/ 0o roo) for )e and +e .an"t afford to
go ese+here/ And 'eing aone> and reading the paper> I sa+ your
advertise)ent and it set )e thin1ing/ I") forty;eight/ I Dust
+ondered/// Things going on every+here>J he ended> a his +istfu
su'ur'an sou in his eyes/
J@ou +ant>J said Mr Pyne> Jto ive goriousy for ten )inutesAJ
JWe> I shoudn"t put it i1e that/ %ut perhaps you"re right/ *ust to
get out of the rut/ I"d go 'a.1 to it than1fu after+ards ; if ony I had
so)ething to thin1 a'out/J !e oo1ed at the other )an anBiousy/ JI
suppose there"s nothing possi'e> sirA I") afraid ; I") afraid I
.oudn"t afford to pay )u.h/J
J!o+ )u.h .oud you affordAJ
JI .oud )anage five pounds> sir/J !e +aited> 'reathess/
JFive pounds>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI fan.y ; I Dust fan.y +e )ight
'e a'e to )anage so)ething for five pounds/ $o you o'De.t to
dangerAJ he added sharpy/
A tinge of .oor .a)e into Mr &o'erts" sao+ fa.e/
J$anger> did you say> sirA <h> no> not at a/ I ; I"ve never done
anything dangerous/J
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/ JCo)e to see )e again to)orro+ and I"
te you +hat I .an do for you/J
The %on 7oyageur is a itte;1no+n hostery/ It is a restaurant
fre8uented 'y a fe+ ha'itu/s/ They disi1e ne+.o)ers/
To the %on 7oyageur .a)e Mr Pyne and +as greeted +ith
respe.tfu re.ognition/ JMr %onnington hereAJ he as1ed/
J@es> sir/ !e"s at his usua ta'e/J
J,ood/ I" Doin hi)/J
Mr %onnington +as a gente)an of )iitary appearan.e +ith a
so)e+hat 'ovine fa.e/ !e greeted his friend +ith peasures/
J!eo> Par1er/ !ardy ever see you no+adays/ $idn"t 1no+ you
.a)e here/J
JI do no+ and then/ (spe.iay +hen I +ant to ay )y hand on an od
friend/J
JMeaning )eAJ
JMeaning you/ As a )atter of fa.t> #u.as> I"ve 'een thin1ing over
+hat +e +ere ta1ing a'out the other day/J
JThe Peterfied 'usinessA Seen the atest in the papersA 0o> you
.an"t have/ It +on"t 'e in ti this evening/J
JWhat is the atestAJ
JThey )urdered Peterfied ast night>J said Mr %onnington> pa.idy
eating saad/
J,ood heavensGJ .ried Mr Pyne/
J<h> I") not surprised>J said Mr %onnington/ JPig;headed od )an>
Peterfied/ Woudn"t isten to us/ Insisted on 1eeping the pans in his
o+n hands/J
J$id they get the)AJ
J0oI it see)s so)e +o)an .a)e round and gave the professor a
re.ipe for 'oiing a ha)/ The od ass> a'sent;)inded as usua> put
the re.ipe for the ha) in his safe and the pans in the 1it.hen/J
JFortunate/J
JA)ost providentia/ %ut I sti don"t 1no+ +ho"s going to ta1e "e)
to ,eneva/ Maitand"s in the hospita/ Carsa1e"s in %erin/ I .an"t
eave/ It )eans young !ooper/J !e oo1ed at his friend/
J@ou"re sti of the sa)e opinionAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne/
JA'soutey/ !e"s 'een got atG I 1no+ it/ I haven"t a shado+ of proof>
'ut I te you> Par1er> I 1no+ +hen a .hap"s .roo1edG And I +ant
those pans to get to ,eneva/ The #eague needs "e)/ For the first
ti)e an invention isn"t going to 'e sod to a nation/ It"s going to 'e
handed over vountariy to the #eague/
JIt"s the finest pea.e gesture that"s ever 'een atte)pted> and it"s
got to 'e put through/ And !ooper"s .roo1ed/ @ou" see> he" 'e
drugged on the trainG If he goes in a pane it" .o)e do+n at so)e
.onvenient spotG %ut .onfound it a> I .an"t pass hi) over/
$is.ipineG @ou"ve got to have dis.ipineG That"s +hy I spo1e to you
the other day/J
J@ou as1ed )e +hether I 1ne+ of anyone/J
J@es/ Thought you )ight in your ine of 'usiness/ So)e fire eater
spoiing for a ro+/ Whoever I send stands a good .han.e of 'eing
done in/ @our )an +oud pro'a'y not 'e suspe.ted at a/ %ut he"s
got to have nerve/J
JI thin1 I 1no+ of so)eone +ho +oud do>J said Mr Pyne/
JThan1 ,od there are sti .haps +ho +i ta1e a ris1/ We> it"s
agreed> thenAJ
JIt"s agreed>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as su))ing up instru.tions/
J0o+> that"s 8uite .earA @ou +i trave in a first;.ass seeper to
,eneva/ @ou eave #ondon at ten;forty;five> via Fo1estone and
%ouogne> and you get into your first;.ass seeper at %ouogne/
@ou arrive at ,eneva at eight the foo+ing )orning/ !ere is the
address at +hi.h you +i report/ Pease )e)ori?e it and I +i
destroy it/ After+ards go to this hote and a+ait further
instru.tions/ !ere is suffi.ient )oney in Fren.h and S+iss notes
and .urren.y/ @ou understandAJ
J@es> sir/J &o'erts" eyes +ere shining +ith eB.ite)ent/ J(B.use )e>
sir> 'ut a) I ao+ed to ; er ; 1no+ anything of +hat it is I a)
.arryingAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied 'enefi.enty/ J@ou are .arrying a
.ryptogra) +hi.h reveas the se.ret hiding pa.e of the .ro+n
De+es of &ussia>J he said soe)ny/ J@ou .an understand> naturay>
that %oshevist agents +i 'e aert to inter.ept you/ If it is
ne.essary for you to ta1 a'out yoursef> I shoud re.o))end that
you say you have .o)e into )oney and are enDoying a itte hoiday
a'road/J
Mr &o'erts sipped a .up of .offee and oo1ed out over the #a1e of
,eneva/ !e +as happy 'ut at the sa)e ti)e he +as disappointed/
!e +as happy 'e.ause> for the first ti)e in his ife> he +as in a
foreign .ountry/ Moreover> he +as staying in the 1ind of hote he
+oud never stay in again> and not for one )o)ent had he had to
+orry a'out )oneyG !e had a roo) +ith private 'athroo)>
dei.ious )eas and attentive servi.e/ A these things Mr &o'erts
had enDoyed very )u.h indeed/
!e +as disappointed 'e.ause so far nothing that .oud 'e
des.ri'ed as adventure had .o)e his +ay/ 0o disguised
%oshevists or )ysterious &ussians had .rossed his path/ A
peasant .hat on the train +ith a Fren.h .o))er.ia traveer +ho
spo1e eB.eent (ngish +as the ony hu)an inter.ourse that had
.o)e his +ay/ !e had se.reted the papers in his sponge 'ag as he
had 'een tod to do and had deivered the) a..ording to
instru.tions/
There had 'een no dangers to over.o)e> no hair;'readth es.apes/
Mr &o'erts +as disappointed/
It +as at that )o)ent that a ta> 'earded )an )ur)ured>
JPardon>J and sat do+n on the other side of the itte ta'e/ J@ou +i
eB.use )e>J he said> J'ut I thin1 you 1no+ a friend of )ine/ "P/P/"
are the initias/J
Mr &o'erts +as peasanty thried/ !ere> at ast> +as a )ysterious
&ussian/ J4u;8uite right/J
JThen I thin1 +e understand ea.h other>J said the stranger/
Mr &o'erts oo1ed at hi) sear.hingy/ This +as far )ore i1e the
rea thing/ The stranger +as a )an of a'out fifty> of distinguished
though foreign appearan.e/
!e +ore an eyegass> and a s)a .oored ri''on in his 'uttonhoe/
J@ou have a..o)pished your )ission in the )ost satisfa.tory
)anner>J said the stranger/ JAre you prepared to underta1e a
further oneAJ
JCertainy/ <h> yes/J
J,ood/ @ou +i 'oo1 a seeper on the ,eneva;Paris train for
to)orro+ night/ @ou +i as1 for %erth 0u)'er 0ine/J
JSupposing it is not freeAJ
JIt +i 'e free/ That +i have 'een seen to/J
J%erth 0u)'er 0ine>J repeated &o'erts/ J@es> I"ve got that/J
J$uring the .ourse of your Dourney so)eone +i say to you> "Pardon
Monsieur> 'ut I thin1 you +ere re.enty at ,rasseA" To that you +i
repy> "@es> ast )onth/" The person +i then say> "@ou are
interested in s.entA" and you +i repy> "@es> I a) a )anufa.turer of
syntheti. <i of *as)ine/" After that you +i pa.e yoursef entirey
at the disposa of the person +ho has spo1en to you/ %y the +ay>
are you ar)edAJ
J0o>J said itte Mr &o'erts in a futter/ J0oI I never thought/ That is
;J
JThat .an soon 'e re)edied>J said the 'earded )an/ !e gan.ed
around/ 0o one +as near the)/ So)ething hard and shining +as
pressed into Mr &o'erts" hand/
JA s)a +eapon 'ut effi.a.ious>J said the stranger> s)iing/
Mr &o'erts> +ho had never fired a revover in his ife> sipped it
gingery into a po.1et/ !e had an uneasy feeing that it )ight go off
at any )inute/
They +ent over the pass+ords again/ Then &o'erts" ne+ friend
rose/
JI +ish you good u.1>J he said/ JMay you .o)e through safey/ @ou
are a 'rave )an> Mr &o'erts/J
JA) IAJ thought &o'erts> +hen the other had departed/ JI") sure I
don"t +ant to get 1ied/ That +oud never do/J
A peasant thri shot do+n his spine> sighty aduterated 'y a thri
that +as not 8uite so peasant/
!e +ent to his roo) and eBa)ined the +eapon/ !e +as sti
un.ertain a'out its )e.hanis) and hoped he +oud not 'e .aed
upon to use it/
!e +ent out to 'oo1 his seat/
The train eft ,eneva at nine;thirty/ &o'erts got to the station in
good ti)e/ The seeping;.ar .ondu.tor too1 his ti.1et and his
passport> and stood aside +hie an undering s+ung &o'erts"
suit.ase onto the ra.1/ There +as other uggage thereH pigs1in
.ase and a ,adstone 'ag/
J0u)'er 0ine is the o+er 'erth>J said the .ondu.tor/
As &o'erts turned to eave the .arriage he ran into a 'ig )an +ho
+as entering/ They dre+ apart +ith apoogies ; &o'erts" in (ngish
and the stranger"s in Fren.h/ !e +as a 'ig 'ury )an> +ith a .osey
shaven head and thi.1 eyegasses through +hi.h his eyes see)ed
to peer suspi.iousy/
JAn ugy .usto)er>J said the itte )an to hi)sef/ !e sensed
so)ething vaguey sinister a'out his traveing .o)panion/ Was it to
1eep a +at.h on this )an that he had 'een tod to as1 for %erth
0u)'er 0ineA !e fan.ied it )ight 'e/
!e +ent out again into the .orridor/ There +as sti ten )inutes
'efore the train +as due to start and he thought he +oud +a1 up
and do+n the patfor)/ !af+ay aong the passage he stood 'a.1 to
ao+ a ady to pass hi)/ She +as Dust entering the train and the
.ondu.tor pre.eded her> ti.1et in hand/ As she passed &o'erts she
dropped her hand 'ag/ The (ngish)an pi.1ed it up and handed it
to her/
JThan1 you> Monsieur/J She spo1e in (ngish 'ut her voi.e +as
foreign> a ri.h o+ voi.e very sedu.tive in 8uaity/ As she +as a'out
to pass on> she hesitated and )ur)uredH JPardon> Monsieur> 'ut I
thin1 you +ere re.enty at ,rasseAJ
&o'erts" heart eaped +ith eB.ite)ent/ !e +as to pa.e hi)sef at
the disposa of this ovey .reature ; for she +as ovey> of that there
+as no dou't/ 0ot ony ovey> 'ut aristo.rati. and +eathy/ She
+ore a traveing .oat of fur> a .hi. hat/ There +ere pears round her
ne.1/ She +as dar1 and her ips +ere s.aret/
&o'erts )ade the re8uired ans+erH J@es> ast )onth/J
J@ou are interested in s.entAJ
J@es> I a) a )anufa.turer of syntheti. <i of *as)ine/J
She 'ent her head and passed on> eaving a )ere +hisper 'ehind
herH JIn the .orridor as soon as the train starts/J
The neBt ten )inutes see)ed an age to &o'erts/ At ast the train
started/ !e +a1ed so+y aong the .orridor/ The ady in the fur
.oat +as strugging +ith a +indo+/ !e hurried to her assistan.e/
JThan1 you> Monsieur/ *ust a itte air 'efore they insist on .osing
everything/J And then in a soft> o+> rapid voi.eH JAfter the frontier>
+hen our feo+ traveer is aseep ; not 'efore ; go into the +ashing
pa.e and through into the .o)part)ent on the other side/ @ou
understandAJ
J@es/J !e et do+n the +indo+ and said in a ouder voi.eH JIs that
'etter> Mada)eAJ
JThan1 you very )u.h/J
!e retired to his .o)part)ent/ !is traveing .o)panion +as
aready stret.hed out in the upper 'erth/ !is preparations for the
night had evidenty 'een si)pe/ The re)ova of 'oots and a .oat> in
fa.t/
&o'erts de'ated his o+n .ostu)e/ Ceary if he +ere going into a
ady"s .o)part)ent he .oud not undress/
!e found a pair of sippers> su'stituted the) for his 'oots> and then
ay do+n> s+it.hing out the ight/ A fe+ )inutes ater> the )an
a'ove 'egan to snore/
*ust after ten o".o.1 they rea.hed the frontier/ The door +as
thro+n openI a perfun.tory 8uestion +as as1ed/ !ad Messieurs
anything to de.areA The door +as .osed again/ Presenty the train
dre+ out of %eegarde/
The )an in the upper 'erth +as snoring again/ &o'erts ao+ed
t+enty )inutes to eapse> then he sipped to his feet and opened
the door of the avatory .o)part)ent/ <n.e inside> he 'oted the
door 'ehind hi) and eyed the door on the farther side/ It +as not
'oted/ !e hesitated/ Shoud he 1no.1A
Perhaps it +oud 'e a'surd to 1no.1/ %ut he didn"t 8uite i1e
entering +ithout 1no.1ing/ !e .o)pro)ised> opened the door
genty a'out an in.h and +aited/ !e even ventured on a s)a
.ough/
The response +as pro)pt/ The door +as pued open> he +as
sei?ed 'y the ar)> pued through into the farther .o)part)ent>
and the gir .osed and 'oted the door 'ehind hi)/
&o'erts .aught his 'reath/ 0ever had he i)agined anything so
ovey/ She> +as +earing a ong foa)y gar)ent of .rea) .hiffon
and a.e/ She eaned against the door into the .orridor> panting/
&o'erts had often read of 'eautifu hunted .reatures at 'ay/ 0o+>
for the first ti)e> he sa+ one ; a thriing sight/
JThan1 ,odGJ )ur)ured the gir/
She +as 8uite young> &o'erts noted> and her oveiness +as su.h
that she see)ed to hi) i1e a 'eing fro) another +ord/ !ere +as
ro)an.e at ast ; and he +as in itG
She spo1e in a o+> hurried voi.e/ !er (ngish +as good 'ut the
infe.tion +as +hoy foreign/ JI a) so gad you have .o)e>J she
said/ JI have 'een horri'y frightened/ 7assiievit.h is on the train/
@ou understand +hat that )eansAJ
&o'erts did not understand in the east +hat it )eant> 'ut he
nodded/
JI thought I had given the) the sip/ I )ight have 1no+n 'etter/
What are +e to doA 7assiievit.h is in the neBt .arriage to )e/
Whatever happens> he )ust not get the De+es/ (ven if he )urders
)e> he )ust not get the De+es/J
J!e"s not going to )urder you and he"s not going to get the De+es>J
said &o'erts +ith deter)ination/
JThen +hat a) I to do +ith the)AJ
&o'erts oo1ed past her at the door/ JThe door"s 'oted>J he said/
The gir aughed/ JWhat are o.1ed doors to 7assiievit.hAJ
&o'erts fet )ore and )ore as though he +ere in the )idde of one
of his favorite noves/ JThere"s ony one thing to 'e done/ ,ive the)
to )e/J
She oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/ JThey are +orth a 8uarter of a
)iion/J
&o'erts fushed/ J@ou .an trust )e/J
The gir hesitated a )o)ent onger> thenH J@es> I +i trust you>J she
said/ She )ade a s+ift )ove)ent/ The neBt )inute she +as hoding
out to hi) a roed;up pair of sto.1ings ; sto.1ings of .o'+e' si1/
JTa1e the)> )y friend>J she said to the astonished &o'erts/
!e too1 the) and at on.e he understood/ Instead of 'eing ight as
air> the sto.1ings +ere uneBpe.tedy heavy/
JTa1e the) into your .o)part)ent>J she said/ J@ou .an give the)
to )e in the )orning ; if ; if I a) sti here/J
&o'erts .oughed/ J#oo1 here>J he said/ JA'out you/J !e paused/ JI
; I )ust 1eep guard over you/J
Then he fushed in an agony of propriety/ J0ot in here> I )ean/ I"
stay in there/J !e nodded to+ards the avatory .o)part)ent/
JIf you i1e to stay here ;J She gan.ed at the upper uno..upied
'erth/
&o'erts fushed to the roots of his hair/ J0o> no>J he protested/ JI
sha 'e a right in there/ If you need )e> .a out/J
JThan1 you> )y friend>J said the gir softy/
She sipped into the o+er 'erth> dre+ up the .overs and s)ied at
hi) gratefuy/ !e retreated into the +ashroo)/
Suddeny ; it )ust have 'een a .oupe of hours ater ; he thought he
heard so)ething/ !e istened ; nothing/ Perhaps he had 'een
)ista1en/ And yet it .ertainy see)ed to hi) that he had heard a
faint sound fro) the neBt .arriage/ Supposing ; Dust supposing///
!e opened the door softy/ The .o)part)ent +as as he had eft it>
+ith the tiny 'ue ight in the .eiing/ !e stood there +ith his eyes
straining through the di)ness ti they got a..usto)ed to it/ !e
)ade out the outine of the 'erth/
!e sa+ that it +as e)pty/ The gir +as not thereG !e s+it.hed the
ight fu on/ The .o)part)ent +as e)pty/ Suddeny he sniffed/ *ust
a +hiff 'ut he re.ogni?ed it ; the s+eet> si.1y odor of .horofor)G
!e stepped fro) the .o)part)ent 9uno.1ed no+> he noted: out
into the .orridor and oo1ed up and do+n/ ()ptyG !is eyes fastened
on the door neBt to the gir"s/
She had said that 7assiievit.h +as in the neBt .o)part)ent/
,ingery &o'erts tried the hande/ The door +as 'oted on the
inside/
What shoud he doA $e)and ad)ittan.eA %ut the )an +oud refuse
; and after a> the gir )ight not 'e thereG And if she +ere> +oud
she than1 hi) for )a1ing a pu'i. 'usiness of the )atterA !e had
gathered that se.re.y +as essentia in the ga)e they +ere paying/
A pertur'ed itte )an +andered so+y aong the .orridor/ !e
paused at the end .o)part)ent/ The door +as open> and the
.ondu.tor ay there seeping/ And a'ove hi)> on a hoo1> hung his
'ro+n unifor) .oat and a pea1ed .ap/
In a fash &o'erts had de.ided on his .ourse of a.tion/ In another
)inute he had donned the .oat and .ap and +as hurrying 'a.1
aong the .orridor/ !e stopped at the door neBt to that of the gir>
su))oned a his resoution and 1no.1ed pere)ptoriy/
When the su))ons +as not ans+ered> he 1no.1ed again/
JMonsieur>J he said> in his 'est a..ent/
The door opened a itte +ay and a head peered out ; the head of a
foreigner> .ean;shaven eB.ept for a 'a.1 )usta.he/ It +as an
angry> )aevoent fa.e/
J4u"est;.e 8u"i y aAJ he snapped/
J7otre passeport> )onsieur/J &o'erts stepped 'a.1 and 'e.1oned/
The other hesitated> then stepped out into the .orridor/ &o'erts
had .ounted on his doing that/ If he had the gir inside> he naturay
+oud not +ant the .ondu.tor to .o)e in/ #i1e a fash> &o'erts
a.ted/ With a his for.e he shoved the foreigner aside ; the )an
+as unprepared and the s+aying of the train heped ; 'oted into
the .arriage hi)sef> shut the door and o.1ed it/
#ying a.ross the end of the 'erth +as the gir> a gag a.ross her
)outh and her +rists tied together/ !e freed her 8ui.1y> and she
fe against hi) +ith a sigh/
JI fee so +ea1 and i>J she )ur)ured/ JIt +as .horofor)> I thin1/
$id he ; did he get the)AJ
J0o/J &o'erts tapped his po.1et/ JWhat are +e to do no+AJ he
as1ed/
The gir sat up/ !er +its +ere returning/ She too1 in his .ostu)e/
J!o+ .ever of you/ Fan.y thin1ing of thatG !e said he +oud 1i )e
if I did not te hi) +here the De+es +ere/ I have 'een so afraid ;
and then you .a)e/J Suddeny she aughed/ J%ut +e have out+itted
hi)G !e +i not dare do anything/ !e .annot even try to get 'a.1
into his o+n .o)part)ent/
JWe )ust stay here ti )orning/ Pro'a'y he +i eave the train at
$iDonI +e are due to stop there in a'out haf an hour/ !e +i
teegraph to Paris and they +i pi.1 up our trai there/ In the
)eanti)e> you had 'etter thro+ that .oat and .ap out of the
+indo+/ They )ight get you into trou'e/J
&o'erts o'eyed/
JWe )ust not seep>J the gir de.ided/ JWe )ust stay on guard ti
)orning/J
It +as a strange> eB.iting vigi/ At siB o".o.1 in the )orning>
&o'erts opened the door .arefuy and oo1ed out/ 0o one +as
a'out/ The gir sipped 8ui.1y into her o+n .o)part)ent/ &o'erts
foo+ed her in/ The pa.e had .eary 'een ransa.1ed/ !e regained
his o+n .arriage through the +ash;roo)/ !is feo+ traveer +as
sti snoring/
They rea.hed Paris at seven o".o.1/ The .ondu.tor +as
de.ai)ing at the oss of his .oat and .ap/ !e had not yet
dis.overed the oss of a passenger/
Then 'egan a )ost entertaining .hase/ The gir and &o'erts too1
taBi after taBi a.ross Paris/ They entered hotes and restaurants 'y
one door and eft the) 'y another/ At ast the gir gave a sigh/
JI fee sure +e are not foo+ed no+>J she said/ JWe have sha1en
the) off/J
They 'rea1fasted and drove to #e %ourget/ Three hours ater they
+ere at Croydon/ &o'erts had never fo+n 'efore/
At Croydon a ta od gente)an +ith a far;off rese)'an.e to Mr
&o'erts" )entor at ,eneva +as +aiting for the)/ !e greeted the
gir +ith espe.ia respe.t/
JThe .ar is here> )ada)>J he said/
JThis gente)an +i a..o)pany us> Pau>J said the gir/ And to
&o'ertsH JCount Pau Stepanyi/J
The .ar +as a vast i)ousine/ They drove for a'out an hour> then
they entered the grounds of a .ountry house and pued up at the
door of an i)posing )ansion/ Mr &o'erts +as ta1en to a roo)
furnished as study/ There he handed over the pre.ious pair of
sto.1ings/
!e +as eft aone for a +hie/ Presenty Count Stepanyi returned/
JMr &o'erts>J he said> Jour than1s and gratitude are due to you/
@ou have proved yoursef a 'rave and resour.efu )an/J !e hed
out a red )oro..o .ase/
JPer)it )e to .onfer upon you the <rder of St/ Stanisaus ; tenth
.ass +ith aures/J
As in a drea) &o'erts opened the .ase and oo1ed at the De+eed
order/ The od gente)an +as sti spea1ing/
JThe ,rand $u.hess <ga +oud i1e to than1 you hersef 'efore
you depart/J
!e +as ed to a 'ig dra+ing;roo)/ There> very 'eautifu in a fo+ing
ro'e> stood his traveing .o)panion/
She )ade an i)perious gesture of the hand> and the other )an eft
the)/
JI o+e you )y ife> Mr &o'erts>J said the grand du.hess/
She hed out her hand/ &o'erts 1issed it/ She eaned suddeny
to+ards hi)/
J@ou are a 'rave )an>J she said/
!is ips )et hersI a +aft of ri.h <rienta perfu)e surrounded hi)/
For a )o)ent he hed that sender> 'eautifu for) in his ar)s///
!e +as sti in a drea) +hen so)e'ody said to hi)H
JThe .ar +i ta1e you any+here you +ish/J
An hour ater> the .ar .a)e 'a.1 for the ,rand $u.hess <ga/ She
got into it and so did the +hite;haired )an/ !e had re)oved his
'eard for .ooness/
The .ar set do+n the ,rand $u.hess <ga at a house in Streatha)/
She entered it and an edery +o)an oo1ed up fro) a tea ta'e/
JAh> Maggie dear> so there you are/J
In the ,eneva;Paris eBpress this gir +as the ,rand $u.hess <gaI
in Mr Par1er Pyne"s offi.e she +as Madeeine de Sara> and in the
house at Streatha) she +as Maggie Sayers> fourth daughter of an
honest> hard;+or1ing fa)iy/
!o+ are the )ighty faenG
Mr Par1er Pyne +as un.hing +ith his friend/
JCongratuations>J said the atter> Jyour )an .arried the thing
through +ithout a hit.h/ The Tor)ai gang )ust 'e +id to thin1 the
pans of that gun have gone to the #eague/ $id you te your )an
+hat it +as he +as .arryingAJ
J0o/ I thought it 'etter to ; er ; e)'roider/J
J7ery dis.reet of you/J
JIt +asn"t eBa.ty dis.retion/ I +anted hi) to enDoy hi)sef/ I fan.ied
he )ight find a gun a itte ta)e/ I +anted hi) to have so)e
adventures/J
JTa)eAJ said Mr %onnington> staring at hi)/ JWhy> that ot +oud
)urder hi) as soon as oo1 at hi)/J
J@es>J said Mr Par1er Pyne )idy/ J%ut I didn"t +ant hi) to 'e
)urdered/J
J$o you )a1e a ot of )oney in your 'usiness> Par1erAJ as1ed Mr
%onnington/
JSo)eti)es I ose it>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThat is> if it is a
deserving .ase/J
Three angry gente)en +ere a'using one another in Paris/
JThat .onfounded !ooperGJ said one/ J!e et us do+n/J
JThe pans +ere not ta1en 'y anyone fro) the offi.e>J said the
se.ond/ J%ut they +ent Wednesday> I a) assured of that/ And so I
say you 'unged it/J
JI didn"t>J said the third su1iyI Jthere +as no (ngish)an on the
train eB.ept a itte .er1/ !e"d never heard of Peterfied or of the
gun/ I 1no+/ I tested hi)/ Peterfied and the gun )eant nothing to
hi)/J !e aughed/ J!e had a %oshevist .o)peB of so)e 1ind/J
Mr &o'erts +as sitting in front of a gas fire/ <n his 1nee +as a etter
fro) Mr Par1er Pyne/ It en.osed a .he.1 for fifty pounds Jfro)
.ertain peope +ho are deighted +ith the +ay a .ertain
.o))ission +as eBe.uted/J
<n the ar) of his .hair +as a i'rary 'oo1/ Mr &o'erts opened it at
rando)/ JShe .rou.hed against the door i1e a 'eautifu hunted
.reature at 'ay/J
We> he 1ne+ a a'out that/
!e read another senten.eH J!e sniffed the air/ The faint> si.1y odor
of .horofor) .a)e to his nostris/J
That he 1ne+ a'out> too/
J!e .aught her in his ar)s and fet the responsive 8uiver of her
s.aret ips/J
Mr &o'erts gave a sigh/ It +asn"t a drea)/ It had a happened/ The
Dourney out had 'een du enough> 'ut the Dourney ho)eG !e had
enDoyed it/ %ut he +as gad to 'e ho)e again/ !e fet vaguey that
ife .oud not 'e ived indefinitey at su.h a pa.e/ (ven the ,rand
$u.hess <ga ; even that ast 1iss ; partoo1 aready of the unrea
8uaity of a drea)/
Mary and the .hidren +oud 'e ho)e to)orro+/ Mr &o'erts s)ied
happiy/
She +oud sayH JWe"ve had su.h a ni.e hoiday/ I hated thin1ing of
you a aone here> poor od 'oy/J
And he"d sayH JThat"s a right> od gir/ I had to go to ,eneva for the
fir) on 'usiness ; dei.ate 'it of negotiation ; and oo1 +hat they"ve
sent )e/J And he"d sho+ her the .he.1 for fifty pounds/
!e thought of the <rder of St/ Stanisaus> tenth .ass +ith aures/
!e"d hidden it> 'ut supposing Mary found itG It +oud ta1e a 'it of
eBpaining///
Ah> that +as it ; he"d te her he"d pi.1ed it up a'road/ A .urio/
!e opened his 'oo1 again and read happiy/ 0o onger +as there a
+istfu eBpression on his fa.e/
!e too> +as of that gorious .o)pany to +ho) Things !appened/
T!( CAS( <F T!( &IC! W<MA0
The na)e of Mrs A'ner &y)er +as 'rought to Mr Par1er Pyne/ !e
1ne+ the na)e and he raised his eye'ro+s/ Presenty his .ient
+as sho+n into the roo)/
Mrs &y)er +as a ta +o)an> 'ig;'oned/ !er figure +as ungainy
and the vevet dress and the heavy fur .oat she +ore did not
disguise the fa.t/ The 1nu.1es of her arge hands +ere
pronoun.ed/ !er fa.e +as 'ig and 'road and highy .oored/ !er
'a.1 hair +as fashiona'y dressed> and there +ere )any tips of
.ured ostri.h in her hat/
She pu)ped hersef do+n on a .hair +ith a nod/
J,ood )orning>J she said/ !er voi.e had a rough a..ent/ JIf you"re
any good at a you" te )e ho+ to spend )y )oneyGJ
JMost origina>J )ur)ured Mr Par1er Pyne/ JFe+ as1 that in these
days/ So you reay find it diffi.ut Mrs &y)erAJ
J@es> I do>J said the ady 'unty/ JI"ve got three fur .oats> a ot of
Paris dresses and su.h i1e/ I"ve got a .ar and a house in Par1
#ane/ I"ve had a ya.ht 'ut I don"t i1e the sea/ I"ve got a ot of those
high;.ass servants that oo1 do+n their nose at you/ I"ve traveed a
'it and seen foreign parts/ And I") 'essed if I .an thin1 of anything
)ore to 'uy or do/J She oo1ed hopefuy at Mr Pyne/
JThere are hospitas>J he said/
JWhatA ,ive it a+ay> you )eanA 0o> that I +on"t doG That )oney
+as +or1ed for> et )e te you> +or1ed for hard/ If you thin1 I")
going to hand it out i1e so )u.h dirt ; +e> you"re )ista1en/ I +ant
to spend itI spend it and get so)e good out of it/ 0o+> if you"ve got
any ideas that are +orth +hie in that ine> you .an depend on a
good fee/J
J@our proposition interests )e>J said Mr Pyne/ J@ou do not )ention
a .ountry house/J
JI forgot it> 'ut I"ve got one/ %ores )e to death/J
J@ou )ust te )e )ore a'out yoursef/ @our pro'e) is not easy to
sove/J
JI" te you and +iing/ I") not asha)ed of +hat I"ve .o)e fro)/
Wor1ed in a far)house> I did> +hen I +as a gir/ !ard +or1 it +as>
too/ Then I too1 up +ith A'ner ; he +as a +or1)an in the )is near
'y/ !e .ourted )e for eight years> and then +e got )arried/J
JAnd you +ere happyAJ as1ed Mr Pyne/
JI +as/ !e +as a good )an to )e> A'ner/ We had a hard strugge of
it> thoughI he +as out of a Do' t+i.e> and .hidren .o)ing aong/
Four +e had> three 'oys and a gir/ And none of the) ived to gro+
up/ I dare say it +oud have 'een different if they had/J !er fa.e
softenedI oo1ed suddeny younger/
J!is .hest +as +ea1 ; A'ner"s +as/ They +oudn"t ta1e hi) for the
+ar/ !e did +e at ho)e/ !e +as )ade fore)an/ !e +as a .ever
feo+> A'ner/ !e +or1ed out a pro.ess/ They treated hi) fair> I +i
sayI gave hi) a good su) for it/ !e used that )oney for another
idea of his/ That 'rought in )oney hand over fist/ !e +as a )aster
no+> e)poying his o+n +or1)en/ !e 'ought t+o .on.erns that
+ere 'an1rupt and )ade the) pay/ The rest +as easy/ Money .a)e
in hand over fist/ It"s sti .o)ing in/
JMind you> it +as rare fun at first/ !aving a house and a tiptop
'athroo) and servants of one"s o+n/ 0o )ore .oo1ing and
s.ru''ing and +ashing to do/ *ust sit 'a.1 on your si1 .ushions in
the dra+ing;roo) and ring the 'e for tea ; i1e any .ountess )ightG
,rand fun it +as> and +e enDoyed it/ And then +e .a)e up to
#ondon/ I +ent to s+e dress)a1ers for )y .othes/ We +ent to
Paris and the &iviera/ &are fun it +as/J
JAnd thenAJ said Mr" Par1er Pyne/
JWe got used to it> I suppose>J said Mrs &y)er/ JAfter a 'it it didn"t
see) so )u.h fun/ Why> there +ere days +hen +e didn"t even fan.y
our )eas propery ; us> +ith any dish +e fan.ied to .hoose fro)G
As for 'aths ; +e> in the end> one 'ath a day"s enough for anyone/
And A'ner"s heath 'egan to +orry hi)/ Paid good )oney to
do.tors> +e did> 'ut they .oudn"t do anything/ They tried this and
they tried that/ %ut it +as no use/ !e died/J She paused/ J!e +as a
young )an> ony forty;three/J
Mr Pyne nodded sy)patheti.ay/
JThat +as five years ago/ Money"s sti roing in/ It see)s +astefu
not to 'e a'e to do anything +ith it/ %ut as I te you> I .an"t thin1 of
anything ese to 'uy that I haven"t got aready/J
JIn other +ords>J said Mr Pyne> Jyour ife is du/ @ou are not
enDoying it/J
JI") si.1 of it>J said Mrs &y)er goo)iy/ JI"ve no friends/ The ne+
ot ony +ant su's.riptions> and they augh at )e 'ehind )y 'a.1/
The od ot +on"t have anything to do +ith )e/ My roing up in a .ar
)a1es the) shy/ Can you do anything> or suggest anythingAJ
JIt is possi'e that I .an>J said Mr Pyne so+y/ JIt +i 'e diffi.ut>
'ut I 'eieve there is a .han.e of su..ess/ I thin1 it"s possi'e I .an
give you 'a.1 +hat you have ost ; your interest in ife/J
J!o+AJ de)anded Mrs &y)er .urty/
JThat>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jis )y professiona se.ret/ I never
dis.ose )y )ethods 'eforehand/ The 8uestion is> +i you ta1e a
.han.eA I do not guarantee su..ess> 'ut I do thin1 there is a
reasona'e possi'iity of it/J
JAnd ho+ )u.h +i it .ostAJ
JI sha have to adopt unusua )ethods> and therefore it +i 'e
eBpensive/ My .harges +i 'e one thousand pounds> paya'e in
advan.e/J
J@ou .an open your )outh a right> .an"t youAJ said Mrs &y)er
appre.iativey/ JWe> I" ris1 it/ I") used to paying top pri.e/ <ny
+hen I pay for a thing> I ta1e good .are that I get it/J
J@ou sha get it>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J0ever fear/J
JI" send you the .he.1 this evening>J said Mrs &y)er> rising/ JI")
sure I don"t 1no+ +hy I shoud trust you/ Foos and their )oney are
soon parted> they say/ I dare say I") a foo/ @ou"ve got nerve> to
advertise in a the papers that you .an )a1e peope happyGJ
JThose advertise)ents .ost )e )oney>J said Mr Pyne/ JIf I .oud
not )a1e )y +ords good> that )oney +oud 'e +asted/ I 1no+
+hat .auses unhappiness> and .onse8uenty I have a .ear idea of
ho+ to produ.e an opposite .ondition/J
Mrs &y)er shoo1 her head dou'tfuy and departed> eaving a .oud
of eBpensive )iBed essen.es 'ehind her/
The handso)e Caude #uttre stroed into the offi.e/
JSo)ething in )y ineAJ
Mr Pyne shoo1 his head/ J0othing so si)pe>J he said/ J0o> this is a
diffi.ut .ase/ We )ust> I fear> ta1e a fe+ ris1s/ We )ust atte)pt the
unusua/J
JMrs <iverAJ
Mr Pyne s)ied at the )ention of the +ord;fa)ous noveist/
JMrs <iver>J he said> Jis reay the )ost .onventiona of a of us/ I
have in )ind a 'od and auda.ious .oup/ %y the +ay> you )ight ring
up $o.tor Antro'us/J
JAntro'usAJ
J@es/ !is servi.es +i 'e needed/J
A +ee1 ater Mrs &y)er on.e )ore entered Mr Par1er Pyne"s
offi.e/ !e rose to re.eive her/
JThis deay> I assure you> has 'een ne.essary>J he said/ JMany
things had to 'e arranged> and I had to se.ure the servi.es of an
unusua )an +ho had to .o)e haf a.ross (urope/J
J<hGJ She said it suspi.iousy/ It +as .onstanty present in her )ind
that she had paid out a .he.1 for a thousand pounds and the .he.1
had 'een .ashed/
Mr Par1er Pyne tou.hed a 'u??er/ A young gir> dar1> <rientaoo1ing>
'ut dressed in +hite nurse"s 1it> ans+ered it/
JIs everything ready> 0urse de SaraAJ
J@es/ $o.tor Constantine is +aiting/J
JWhat are you going to doAJ as1ed Mrs &y)er> +ith a tou.h of
uneasiness/
JIntrodu.e you to so)e (astern )agi.> dear ady>J said Mr Par1er
Pyne/
Mrs &y)er foo+ed the nurse up to the neBt foor/
!ere she +as ushered into a roo) that 'ore no reation to the rest
of the house/ <rienta e)'roideries .overed the +as/ There +ere
divans +ith soft .ushions and 'eautifu rugs on the foor/ A )an +as
'ending over a .offeepot/ !e straightened as they entered/
J$o.tor Constantine>J said the nurse/
The do.tor +as dressed in (uropean .othes> 'ut his fa.e +as
s+arthy and his eyes +ere dar1 and o'i8ue +ith a pe.uiary
pier.ing po+er in their gan.e/
JSo this is )y patientAJ he said in a o+> vi'rant voi.e/
JI") not a patient>J said Mrs &y)er/
J@our 'ody is not si.1>J said the do.tor> J'ut your sou is +eary/ We
of the (ast 1no+ ho+ to .ure that disease/ Sit do+n and drin1 a .up
of .offee/J
Mrs &y)er sat do+n and a..epted a tiny .up of the fragrant 're+/
As she sipped it the do.tor ta1ed/
J!ere in the West> they treat ony the 'ody/ A )ista1e/ The 'ody is
ony the instru)ent/ A tune is payed upon it/ It )ay 'e a sad> +eary
tune/ It )ay 'e a gay tune fu of deight/ That ast is +hat +e sha
give you/ @ou have )oney/ @ou sha spend it and enDoy/ #ife sha
'e +orth iving again/ It is easy ; easy ; so easy///J
A feeing of anguor .rept over Mrs &y)er/ The figures of the do.tor
and the nurse gre+ ha?y/ She fet 'issfuy happy and very seepy/
The do.tor"s figure gre+ 'igger/ The +hoe +ord +as gro+ing
'igger/
The do.tor +as oo1ing into her eyes/ JSeep>J he +as saying/
JSeep/ @our eyeids are .osing/ Soon you +i seep/ @ou +i seep/
@ou +i seep///J
Mrs &y)er"s eyeids .osed/ She foated +ith a +onderfu great 'ig
+ord///
When her eyes opened it see)ed to her that a ong ti)e had
passed/ She re)e)'ered severa things vaguey ; strange>
i)possi'e drea)sI then a feeing of +a1ingI then further drea)s/
She re)e)'ered so)ething a'out a .ar and the dar1> 'eautifu gir
in nurse"s unifor) 'ending over her/
Any+ay> she +as propery a+a1e no+> and in her o+n 'ed/
At east> +as it her o+n 'edA It fet different/ It a.1ed the dei.ious
softness of her o+n 'ed/ It +as vaguey re)inis.ent of days a)ost
forgotten/ She )oved> and it .rea1ed/ Mrs &y)er"s 'ed in Par1
#ane never .rea1ed/
She oo1ed round/ $e.idedy> this +as not Par1 #ane/ Was it a
hospitaA 0o> she de.ided> not a hospita/ 0or +as it a hote/ It +as
a 'are roo)> the +as an un.ertain shade of ia./ There +as a dea
+ashstand +ith a Dug and 'asin upon it/ There +as a dea .hest of
dra+ers and a tin trun1/ There +ere unfa)iiar .othes hanging on
pegs/ There +as the 'ed .overed +ith a )u.h;)ended 8uit and
there +as hersef in it/
JWhere a) IAJ said Mrs &y)er/
The door opened and a pu)p itte +o)an 'usted in/ She had red
.hee1s and a good;hu)ored air/ !er seeves +ere roed up and
she +ore an apron/
JThereGJ she eB.ai)ed/ JShe"s a+a1e/ Co)e in> do.tor/J
Mrs &y)er opened her )outh to say severa things ; 'ut they
re)ained unsaid> for the )an +ho foo+ed the pu)p +o)an into
the roo) +as not in the east i1e the eegant> s+arthy $o.tor
Constantine/ !e +as a 'ent od )an +ho peered through thi.1
gasses/
JThat"s 'etter>J he said> advan.ing to the 'ed and ta1ing up Mrs
&y)er"s +rist/ J@ou" soon 'e 'etter no+> )y dear/J
JWhat"s 'een the )atter +ith )eAJ de)anded Mrs &y)er/
J@ou had a 1ind of sei?ure>J said the do.tor/ J@ou"ve 'een
un.ons.ious for a day or t+o/ 0othing to +orry a'out/J
J,ave us a fright> you did> !annah>J said the pu)p +o)an/ J@ou"ve
'een raving> too> saying the oddest things/J
J@es> yes> Mrs ,ardner>J said the do.tor repressivey/ J%ut +e
)ustn"t eB.ite the patient/ @ou" soon 'e up and a'out again> )y
dear/J
J%ut don"t you +orry a'out the +or1> !annah>J said Mrs ,ardner/
JMrs &o'erts has 'een in to give )e a hand and +e"ve got on fine/
*ust ie sti and get +e> )y dear/J
JWhy do you .a )e !annahAJ said Mrs &y)er/
JWe> it"s your na)e>J said Mrs ,ardner> 'e+idered/
J0o> it isn"t/ My na)e is A)eia/ A)eia &y)er/ Mrs A'ner &y)er/J
The do.tor and Mrs ,ardner eB.hanged gan.es/
JWe> Dust you ie sti>J said Mrs ,ardner/
J@es> yesI no +orry>J said the do.tor/
They +ithdre+/ Mrs &y)er ay pu??ing/ Why did they .a her
!annah> and +hy had they eB.hanged that gan.e of a)used
in.reduity +hen she had given the) her na)eA Where +as she>
and +hat had happenedA
She sipped out of 'ed/ She fet a itte un.ertain on her egs> 'ut
she +a1ed so+y to the s)a dor)er +indo+ and oo1ed out ; on a
far)yardG Co)petey )ystified> she +ent 'a.1 to 'ed/ What +as
she doing in a far)house that she had never seen 'eforeA
Mrs ,ardner re;entered the roo) +ith a 'o+ of soup on a tray/
Mrs &y)er 'egan her 8uestions/ JWhat a) I doing in this houseAJ
she de)anded/ JWho 'rought )e hereAJ
J0o'ody 'rought you> )y dear/ It"s your ho)e/ #east+ays> you"ve
ived here for the ast five years ; and )e not suspe.ting on.e that
you +ere ia'e to fits/J
J#ived hereA Five yearsAJ
JThat"s right/ Why> !annah> you don"t )ean that you sti don"t
re)e)'erAJ
JI"ve never ived hereG I"ve never seen you 'efore/J
J@ou see> you"ve had this iness and you"ve forgotten/J
JI"ve never ived here/J
J%ut you have> )y dear/J Suddeny Mrs ,ardner darted a.ross to
the .hest of dra+ers and 'rought to Mrs &y)er a faded photograph
in a fra)e/
It represented a group of four personsH a 'earded )an> a pu)p
+o)an 9Mrs ,ardner:> a ta> an1 )aid +ith a peasanty sheepish
grin> and so)e'ody in a pri) dress and apron ; hersefG
Stupefied> Mrs &y)er ga?ed at the photograph/ Mrs ,ardner put
the soup do+n 'eside her and 8uiety eft the roo)/
Mrs &y)er sipped the soup )e.hani.ay/ It +as good soup> strong
and hot/ A the ti)e her 'rain +as in a +hir/ Who +as )adA Mrs
,ardner or hersefA <ne of the) )ust 'eG %ut there +as the do.tor>
too/
JI") A)eia &y)er>J she said fir)y to hersef/ JI 1no+ I") A)eia
&y)er and no'ody"s going to te )e different/J
She had finished the soup/ She put the 'o+ 'a.1 or the tray/ A
foded ne+spaper .aught her eye and she pi.1ed it up and oo1ed
at the date on it> <.to'er 19/
What day had she gone to Mr Par1er Pyne"s offi.eA
(ither the fifteenth or the siBteenth/ Then she )ust have 'een i for
three days/
JThat ras.ay do.torGJ said Mrs &y)er +rathfuy/
A the sa)e> she +as a shade reieved/ She had heard of .ases
+here peope had forgotten +ho they +ere for years at a ti)e/ She
had 'een afraid so)e su.h thing had happened to her/
She 'egan turning the pages of the paper> s.anning the .ou)ns
idy> +hen suddeny a paragraph .aught her eye/
Mrs A'ner &y)er> +ido+ of A'ner &y)er> the J'utton shan1J 1ing>
+as re)oved yesterday to a private ho)e for )enta .ases/ For the
past t+o days she has persisted in de.aring she +as not hersef>
'ut a servant gir na)ed !annah Moorhouse/
J!annah MoorhouseG So that"s it>J said Mrs &y)er/ JShe"s )e> and
I") her/ -ind of dou'e> I suppose/ We> +e .an soon put that rightG
If that oiy hypo.rite of a Par1er Pyne is up to so)e ga)e or other ;J
%ut at this )inute her eye +as .aught 'y the na)e Constantine
staring at her fro) the printed page/ This ti)e it +as a headine/
$&/ C<0STA0TI0("S C#AIM
At a fare+e e.ture given ast night on the eve of his departure for
*apan> $r Caudius Constantine advan.ed so)e starting theories/
!e de.ared that it +as possi'e to prove the eBisten.e of the sou
'y transferring a sou fro) one 'ody to another/ In the .ourse of his
eBperi)ents in the (ast he had> he .ai)ed> su..essfuy effe.ted a
dou'e transfer ; the sou of a hypnoti?ed 'ody A 'eing transferred
to a hypnoti?ed 'ody % and the sou of % to the 'ody of A/ <n
re.overing fro) the hypnoti. seep> A de.ared hersef to 'e %> and
% thought hersef to 'e A/ For the eBperi)ent to su..eed> it +as
ne.essary to find t+o peope +ith a great 'odiy rese)'an.e/
It +as an undou'ted fa.t that t+o peope rese)'ing ea.h other
+ere en rapport/ This +as very noti.ea'e in the .ase of t+ins> 'ut
t+o strangers> varying +idey in so.ia position 'ut +ith a )ar1ed
si)iarity of feature> +ere found to eBhi'it the sa)e har)ony of
stru.ture/
Mrs &y)er .ast the paper fro) her/ JThe s.oundreG The 'a.1
s.oundreGJ
She sa+ the +hoe thing no+G It +as a dastardy pot to get hod of
her )oney/ This !annah Moorhouse +as Mr Pyne"s too ; possi'y
an inno.ent one/ !e and that devi Constantine had 'rought off this
fantasti. .oup/ %ut she"d eBpose hi)G She"d sho+ hi) upG She"d
have the a+ on hi)G She"d te everyone ;
A'rupty Mrs &y)er .a)e to a stop in the tide of her indignation/
She re)e)'ered that first paragraph/ !annah Moorhouse had not
'een a do.ie too/ She had protestedI had de.ared her
individuaity/ And +hat had happenedA
JCapped into a unati. asyu)> poor gir>J said Mrs &y)er/
A .hi ran do+n her spine/
A unati. asyu)/ They got you in there and they never et you get
out/ The )ore you said you +ere sane> the ess they"d 'eieve you/
There you +ere and there you stayed/ 0o> Mrs &y)er +asn"t going
to run the ris1 of that/
The door opened and Mrs ,ardner .a)e in/
JAh> you"ve drun1 your soup> )y dear/ That"s good/ @ou" soon 'e
'etter no+/J
JWhen +as I ta1en iAJ de)anded Mrs &y)er/
J#et )e see/ It +as three days ago ; on Wednesday/ That +as the
fifteenth/ @ou +ere too1 'ad a'out four o".o.1/J
JAhGJ The eDa.uation +as fraught +ith )eaning/ It had 'een Dust
a'out four o".o.1 +hen Mrs &y)er had entered the presen.e of
$o.tor Constantine/
J@ou sipped do+n in your .hair>J said Mrs ,ardner/ J"<hG" you
says/ "<hG" Dust i1e that/ And thenH "I") faing aseep>" you says in a
drea)y voi.e/ "I") faing aseep/" And fa aseep you did> and +e
put you to 'ed and sent for the do.tor> and here you"ve 'een ever
sin.e/J
JI suppose>J Mrs &y)er ventured> Jthere isn"t any +ay you .oud
1no+ +ho I a) ; apart fro) )y fa.e> I )ean/J
JWe> that"s a 8ueer thing to say>J said Mrs ,ardner/ JWhat is there
to go 'y 'etter than a person"s fa.e> I"d i1e to 1no+A There"s your
'irth)ar1> though> if that satisfies you 'etter/J
JA 'irth)ar1AJ said Mrs &y)er> 'rightening/ She had no su.h
thing/
JStra+'erry )ar1 Dust under the right e'o+>J said Mrs ,ardner/
J#oo1 for yoursef> )y dear/J
JThis +i prove it>J said Mrs &y)er to hersef/ She 1ne+ that she
had no stra+'erry )ar1 under the right e'o+/ She turned 'a.1 the
seeve of her nightdress/ The stra+'erry )ar1 +as there/
Mrs &y)er 'urst into tears/
Four days ater> Mrs &y)er rose fro) her 'ed/ She had thought out
severa pans of a.tion and reDe.ted the)/
She )ight sho+ the paragraph in the paper to Mrs ,ardner and the
do.tor and eBpain/ Woud they 'eieve herA Mrs &y)er +as sure
they +oud not/
She )ight go to the poi.e/ Woud they 'eieve herA Again she
thought not/
She )ight go to Mr Pyne"s offi.e/ That idea undou'tedy peased
her 'est/ For one thing> she +oud i1e to te that oiy s.oundre
+hat she thought of hi)/ She +as de'arred fro) putting this pan
into operation 'y a vita o'sta.e/ She +as at present in Corn+a
9as she had earned:> and she had no )oney for the Dourney to
#ondon/ T+o and four;pen.e in a +orn purse see)ed to represent
her finan.ia position/
And so> after four days> Mrs &y)er )ade a sporting de.ision/ For
the present she +oud a..ept thingsG She +as !annah Moorhouse/
7ery +e> she +oud 'e !annah Moorhouse/ For the present she
+oud a..ept the roe> and ater> +hen she had saved suffi.ient
)oney she +oud go to #ondon and 'eard the s+inder in his den/
And having thus de.ided> Mrs &y)er a..epted her roe +ith perfe.t
good te)per> even +ith a 1ind of sardoni. a)use)ent/ !istory +as
repeating itsef indeed/ This ife here re)inded her of her girhood/
!o+ ong ago that see)edG
The +or1 +as a 'it hard after her years of soft iving> 'ut after the
first +ee1 she found hersef sipping into the +ays of the far)/
Mrs ,ardner +as a good;te)pered> 1indy +o)an/
!er hus'and> a 'ig> ta.iturn )an> +as 1indy aso/ The an1>
sha)'ing )an of the photograph had gone and another far)hand
.a)e in his stead> a good;hu)ored giant of forty;five> so+ of
spee.h and thought> 'ut +ith a shy t+in1e in his 'ue eyes/
The +ee1s +ent 'y/ At ast the day .a)e +hen &y)er had enough
)oney to pay her fare to #ondon/ %ut she did not go/ She put it off/
Ti)e enough> she thought/ She +asn"t easy in her )ind a'out
asyu)s yet/ That s.oundre> Par1er Pyne> +as .ever/ !e"d get a
do.tor to say she +as )ad and she"d 'e .apped out of sight +ith
no one 1no+ing anything a'out it/
J%esides>J said Mrs &y)er to hersef> Ja 'it of a .hange does one
good/J
She rose eary and +or1ed hard/ *oe Wesh> the ne+ far)hand>
+as i that +inter> and she and Mrs ,ardner nursed hi)/ The 'ig
)an +as patheti.ay dependent on the)/
Spring .a)e ; a)'ing ti)eI there +ere +id fo+ers in the hedges>
a trea.herous softness in the air/ *oe Wesh gave !annah a hand
+ith her +or1/ !annah did *oe"s )ending/
So)eti)es> on Sundays> they +ent for a +a1 together/ *oe +as a
+ido+er/ !is +ife had died four years 'efore/ Sin.e her death he
had> he fran1y .onfessed it> ta1en a drop too )u.h/
!e didn"t go )u.h to the Cro+n no+adays/ !e 'ought hi)sef so)e
ne+ .othes/ Mr and Mrs ,ardner aughed/
!annah )ade fun of *oe/ She teased hi) a'out his .u)siness/ *oe
didn"t )ind/ !e oo1ed 'ashfu 'ut happy/
After spring .a)e su))er ; a good su))er that year/ (veryone
+or1ed hard/
!arvest +as over/ The eaves +ere red and goden on the trees/
It +as <.to'er eighth +hen !annah oo1ed up one day fro) a
.a''age she +as .utting and sa+ Mr Par1er Pyne eaning over the
fen.e/
J@ouGJ said !annah> aias Mrs &y)er/ J@ou///J
It +as so)e ti)e 'efore she got it a out> and +hen she had said
her say> she +as out of 'reath/
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied 'andy/ JI 8uite agree +ith you>J he said/
JA .heat and a iar> that"s +hat you areGJ said Mrs &y)er> repeating
hersef/ J@ou +ith your Constantines and your hypnoti?ing and that
poor gir !anna Moorhouse shut up +ith oonies/J
J0o>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthere you )isDudge )e/ !annah
Moorhouse is not in a unati. asyu) 'e.ause !annah Moorhouse
never eBisted/J
JIndeedAJ said Mrs &y)er/ JAnd +hat a'out the photograph of her
that I sa+ +ith )y o+n eyesAJ
JFa1ed>J said Mr Pyne/ J4uite a si)pe thing to )anage/J
JAnd the pie.e in the paper a'out herAJ
JThe +hoe paper +as fa1ed so as to in.ude ite)s in a natura
)anner +hi.h +oud .arry .onvi.tion/ As it did/J
JThat rogue> $o.tor ConstantineGJ
JAn assu)ed na)e ; assu)ed 'y a friend of )ine +ith a taent for
a.ting/J
Mrs &y)er snorted/ J!oG And I +asn"t hypnoti?ed either> I
supposeAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t> you +ere not/ @ou dran1 your .offee a
preparation of Indian he)p/ After that other drugs +ere
ad)inistered and you +ere 'rought do+n here 'y .ar and ao+ed
to re.over .ons.iousness/J
JThen Mrs ,ardner has 'een in it a the ti)eAJ said Mrs &y)er/
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/
J%ri'ed 'y you> I supposeG <r fied up +ith a ot of iesGJ
JMrs ,ardner trusts )e>J said Mr Pyne/ JI saved her ony son fro)
pena servitude/J
So)ething in his )anner sien.ed Mrs &y)er on the ta.1/ JWhat
a'out the 'irth)ar1AJ she de)anded/
Mr Pyne s)ied/ JIt is aready fading/ In another siB )onths it +i
have disappeared atogether/J
JAnd +hat"s the )eaning of a this to)fooeryA Ma1ing a foo of )e>
sti.1ing )e do+n here as a servant ; )e +ith a that good )oney in
the 'an1/ %ut I suppose I needn"t as1/ @ou"ve 'een heping yoursef
to it> )y fine feo+/ That"s the )eaning of a this/J
JIt is true>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthat I did o'tain fro) you> +hie
you +ere under the infuen.e of drugs> a po+er of attorney and that
during your ; er ; a'sen.e> I have assu)ed .ontro of your finan.ia
affairs> 'ut I .an assure you> )y dear )ada)> that apart fro) that
origina thousand pounds> no )oney of yours has found its +ay into
)y po.1et/ As a )atter of fa.t> 'y Dudi.ious invest)ents your
finan.ia position is a.tuay i)proved/J
!e 'ea)ed at her/
JThen +hy ;J 'egan Mrs &y)er/
JI a) going to as1 you a 8uestion> Mrs &y)er>J said Mr Pyne/ J@ou
are an honest +o)an/ @ou +i ans+er )e honesty> I 1no+/ I a)
going to as1 you if you are happy/J
J!appyG That"s a pretty 8uestionG Stea a +o)an"s )oney and as1
her if she"s happy/ I i1e your i)puden.eGJ
J@ou are sti angry>J he said/ JMost natura/ %ut eave )y )isdeeds
out of it for the )o)ent/ Mrs &y)er> +hen you .a)e to )y offi.e a
year ago today> you +ere an unhappy +o)an/ Wi you te )e that
you are unhappy no+A If so> I apoogi?e> and you are at i'erty to
ta1e +hat steps you pease against )e/ Moreover> I +i refund you
the thousand pounds you paid )e/ Co)e> Mrs &y)er> are you an
unhappy +o)an no+AJ
Mrs &y)er oo1ed at Mr Par1er Pyne> 'ut she dropped her eyes
+hen she spo1e at ast/
J0o>J she said/ JI") not unhappy/J A tone of +onder .rept into her
voi.e/ J@ou"ve got )e there/ I ad)it it/ I"ve not 'een as happy as I
a) no+ sin.e A'ner died/ I ; I") going to )arry a )an +ho +or1s
here ; *oe Wesh/ <ur 'anns are going up neBt SundayI that is> they
+ere going up neBt Sunday/J
J%ut no+> of .ourse>J said Mr Pyne> Jeverything is different/J
Mrs &y)er"s fa.e fa)ed/ She too1 a step for+ard/
JWhat do you )ean ; differentA $o you thin1 if I had a the )oney in
the +ord it +oud )a1e )e a adyA I don"t +ant to 'e a ady> than1
youI a hepess> good;for;nothing ot they are/ *oe"s good enough
for )e and I") good enough for hi)/ We suit ea.h other and +e"re
going to 'e happy/ As for you> Mr 0osey Par1er> you ta1e yoursef
off and don"t interfere +ith +hat doesn"t .on.ern youGJ
Mr Par1er Pyne too1 a paper fro) his po.1et and handed it to her/
JThe po+er of attorney>J he said/ JSha I tear it upA @ou +i
assu)e .ontro of your o+n fortune no+> I ta1e it/J
A strange eBpression .a)e over Mrs &y)er"s fa.e/ She thrust 'a.1
the paper/
JTa1e it/ I"ve said hard things to you ; and so)e of the) you
deserved/ @ou"re a do+ny feo+> 'ut a the sa)e I trust you/ Seven
hundred pounds I" have in the 'an1 here ; that" 'uy us a far)
+e"ve got our eye on/ The rest of it ; +e> et the hospitas have it/J
J@ou .annot )ean to hand over your entire fortune to hospitasAJ
JThat"s Dust +hat I do )ean/ *oe"s a dear> good feo+> 'ut he"s
+ea1/ ,ive hi) )oney and you"d ruin hi)/ I"ve got hi) off the drin1
no+> and I" 1eep hi) off it/ Than1 ,od> I 1no+ )y o+n )ind/ I") not
going to et )oney .o)e 'et+een )e and happiness/J
J@ou are a re)ar1a'e +o)an>J said Mr Pyne so+y/ J<ny one
+o)an in a thousand +oud a.t as you are doing/J
JThen ony one +o)an in a thousand"s got sense>J said Mrs &y)er/
JI ta1e off )y hat to you>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> and there +as an
unusua note in his voi.e/ !e raised his hat +ith soe)nity and
)oved a+ay/
JAnd *oe"s never to 1no+> )indGJ Mrs &y)er .aed after hi)/
She stood there +ith the dying sun 'ehind her> a great 'ue;green
.a''age in her hands> her head thro+n 'a.1 and her shouders
s8uared/ A grand figure of a peasant +o)an> outined against the
setting sun///
!A7( @<2 ,<T (7(&@T!I0, @<2 WA0TA
JPar i.i> Mada)e/J
A ta +o)an in a )in1 .oat foo+ed her heaviy en.u)'ered
porter aong the patfor) of the ,are de #yon/
She +ore a dar1 'ro+n 1nitted hat pued do+n over one eye and
ear/ The other side reveaed a .har)ing tip;tited profie and itte
goden .urs .ustering over a she;i1e ear/ Typi.ay an A)eri.an>
she +as atogether a very .har)ing;oo1ing .reature and )ore
than one )an turned to oo1 at her as she +a1ed past the high
.arriages of the +aiting train/
#arge pates +ere stu.1 in hoders on the sides of the .arriages/
PA&IS ; AT!(0S/ PA&IS ; %2C!A&(ST/ PA&IS ; STAM%<2#/
At the ast na)ed the porter .a)e to an a'rupt hat/ !e undid the
strap +hi.h hed the suit.ases together and they sipped heaviy to
the ground/ J7oi.i> Mada)e/J
The +agon;it .ondu.tor +as standing 'eside the steps/ !e .a)e
for+ard> re)ar1ing> J%onsoir> Mada)e>J +ith an e)presse)ent
perhaps due to the ri.hness and perfe.tion of the )in1 .oat/
The +o)an handed hi) her seeping;.ar ti.1et of fi)sy paper/
J0u)'er SiB>J he saidI Jthis +ay/J
!e sprang ni)'y into the train> the +o)an foo+ing hi)/ As she
hurried do+n the .orridor after hi)> she neary .oided +ith a
porty gente)an +ho +as e)erging fro) the .o)part)ent neBt to
hers/ She had a )o)entary gi)pse of a arge 'and fa.e +ith
'enevoent eyes/
J7oi.i> Mada)e/J
The .ondu.tor dispayed the .o)part)ent/ !e thre+ up the
+indo+ and signaed to the porter/ A esser e)poyee too1 in the
'aggage and put it up in the ra.1s/ The +o)an sat do+n/
%eside her on the seat she had pa.ed a s)a s.aret .ase and her
hand 'ag/ The .arriage +as hot> 'ut it did not see) to o..ur to her
to ta1e off her .oat/ She stared out of the +indo+ +ith unseeing
eyes/ Peope +ere hurrying up and do+n the patfor)/ There +ere
seers of ne+spapers> of pio+s> of .ho.oate> of fruit of )inera
+aters/ They hed up their +ares to her> 'ut her eyes oo1ed 'an1y
through the)/ The ,are de #yon had faded fro) her sight/ <n her
fa.e +ere sadness and anBiety/
JIf Mada)e +i give )e her passportAJ
The +ords )ade no i)pression on her/ The .ondu.tor> standing in
the door+ay> repeated the)/ (sie *effries roused hersef +ith a
start/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
J@our passport> Mada)e/J
She opened her 'ag> too1 out the passport and gave it to hi)/
JThat +i 'e a right> Mada)e> I +i attend to everything/J A sight
signifi.ant pause/ JI sha 'e going +ith Mada)e as far as
Sta)'ou/J
(sie dre+ out a fifty;fran. note and handed it to hi)/ !e a..epted
it in a 'usinessi1e )anner> and in8uired +hen she +oud i1e her
'ed )ade up and +hether she +as ta1ing dinner/
These )atters setted> he +ithdre+ and a)ost i))ediatey the
restaurant )an .a)e rushing do+n the .orridor ringing his itte
'e franti.ay> and 'a+ing out>
JPre)ier servi.e/ Pre)ier servi.e/J
(sie rose> divested hersef of the heavy fur .oat> too1 a 'rief
gan.e at hersef in the itte )irror> and pi.1ing up her hand 'ag
and De+e .ase> stepped out into the .orridor/ She had gone ony a
fe+ steps +hen the restaurant )an .a)e rushing aong on his
return Dourney/ To avoid hi)> (sie stepped 'a.1 for a )o)ent into
the door+ay of the adDoining .o)part)ent> +hi.h +as no+ e)pty/
As the )an passed and she prepared to .ontinue her Dourney to the
dining .ar> her gan.e fe idy on the a'e of a suit.ase +hi.h +as
ying on the seat/
It +as a stout pigs1in .ase> so)e+hat +orn/ <n the a'e +ere the
+ords> J*/ Par1er Pyne> passenger to Sta)'ou/J The suit.ase itsef
'ore the initias JP/P/J
A started eBpression .a)e over the gir"s fa.e/ She hesitated a
)o)ent in the .orridor> then going 'a.1 to her o+n .o)part)ent
she pi.1ed up a .opy of the Ti)es +hi.h she had aid do+n on the
ta'e +ith so)e )aga?ines and 'oo1s/
She ran her eye do+n the advertise)ent .ou)ns on the front page>
'ut +hat she +as oo1ing for +as not there/ A sight fro+n on her
fa.e> she )ade her +ay to the restaurant .ar/
The attendant aotted her a seat at a s)a ta'e aready tenanted
'y one person ; the )an +ith +ho) she had neary .oided in the
.orridor/ In fa.t> the o+ner of the pig;s1in suit.ase/
(sie oo1ed at hi) +ithout appearing to do so/ !e see)ed very
'and> very 'enevoent> and in so)e +ay i)possi'e to eBpain>
deightfuy reassuring/ !e 'ehaved in reserved %ritish fashion> and
it +as not ti the fruit +as on the ta'e that he spo1e/
JThey 1eep these pa.es terri'y hot>J he said/
JI 1no+>J said (sie/ JI +ish one .oud have the +indo+ open/J
!e gave a ruefu s)ie/ JI)possi'eG (very person present eB.ept
ourseves +oud protest/J
She gave an ans+ering s)ie/ 0either said any )ore/ Coffee +as
'rought and the usua inde.iphera'e 'i/ !aving aid so)e notes
upon it> (sie suddeny too1 her .ourage in 'oth hands/
J(B.use )e>J she )ur)ured/ JI sa+ your na)e upon your suit.ase
; Par1er Pyne/ Are you ; are you> 'y any .han.e ;AJ
She hesitated and he .a)e 8ui.1y to her res.ue/
JI 'eieve I a)/ That is ;J he 8uoted fro) the advertise)ent +hi.h
(sie had noti.ed )ore than on.e in the JTi)es>J and for +hi.h she
had sear.hed vainy Dust no+ ; J "Are you happyA If not> .onsut Mr
Par1er Pyne/" @es> I") that one> a right/J
JI see>J said (sie/ J!o+ ; ho+ eBtraordinaryGJ
!e shoo1 his head/ J0ot reay/ (Btraordinary fro) your point of
vie+> 'ut not fro) )ine/J !e s)ied reassuringy> then eaned
for+ard/ Most of the other diners had eft the .ar/ JSo you are
unhappyAJ he said/
JI ;J 'egan (sie> and stopped/
J@ou +oud not have said "!o+ eBtraordinary" other+ise>J he
pointed out/
(sie +as sient a )inute/ She fet strangey soothed 'y the )ere
presen.e of Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@e;es>J she ad)itted at ast/ JI a) ;
unhappy/ At east> I a) +orried/J
!e nodded sy)patheti.ay/
J@ou see>J she .ontinued> Ja very .urious thing has happened ; and
I don"t 1no+ in the east +hat to )a1e of it/J
JSuppose you te )e a'out it>J suggested Mr Pyne/ (sie thought of
the advertise)ent/ She and (d+ard had often .o))ented on it and
aughed/ She had never thought that she/// Perhaps she had 'etter
not/// If Mr Par1er Pyne +ere a .haratan/// %ut he oo1ed ; ni.eG
(sie )ade her de.ision/ Anything to get this +orry off her )ind/
JI" te you/ I") going to Constantinope to Doin )y hus'and/ !e
does a ot of <rienta 'usiness> and this year he found it ne.essary
to go there/ !e +ent a fortnight ago/ !e +as to get things ready for
)e to Doin hi)/ I"ve 'een very eB.ited at the thought of it/ @ou see>
I"ve never 'een a'road 'efore/ We"ve 'een in (ngand siB )onths/J
J@ou and your hus'and are 'oth A)eri.anAJ
J@es/J
JAnd you have not> perhaps> 'een )arried very ongAJ
JWe"ve 'een )arried a year and a haf/J
J!appiyAJ
J<h> yesG (d+ard"s a perfe.t ange/J She hesitated/ J0ot> perhaps>
very )u.h go to hi)/ *ust a itte ; +e> I"d .a it strait;a.ed/ #ot of
Puritan an.estry and a that/ %ut he"s a dear>J she added hastiy/
Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed at her thoughtfuy for a )o)ent or t+o>
then he said> J,o on/J
JIt +as a'out a +ee1 after (d+ard had started/ I +as +riting a
etter in his study> and I noti.ed that the 'otting paper +as a ne+
and .ean> eB.ept for a fe+ ines of +riting a.ross it/ I"d Dust 'een
reading a dete.tive story +ith a .ue in a 'otter and so> Dust for fun>
I hed it up to a )irror/ It reay +as Dust fun> Mr Pyne ; I )ean> I
+asn"t spying on (d+ard or anything i1e that/ I )ean> he"s su.h a
)id a)' one +oudn"t drea) of anything of that 1ind/J
J@es> yesI I 8uite understand/J
JThe thing +as 8uite easy to read/ First there +as the +ord "+ife>"
then "Si)pon (Bpress>" and o+er do+n> "Dust 'efore 7eni.e +oud
'e the 'est ti)e/"J She stopped/
JCurious>J said Mr Pyne/ J$istin.ty .urious/ It +as your hus'and"s
hand+ritingAJ
J<h> yes/ %ut I"ve .udgeed )y 'rains and I .annot see under +hat
.ir.u)stan.es he +oud +rite a etter +ith Dust those +ords in it/J
J"*ust 'efore 7eni.e +oud 'e the 'est ti)e>"J repeated Mr Par1er
Pyne/ J$istin.ty .urious/J
Mrs *effries +as eaning for+ard oo1ing at hi) +ith a fattering
hopefuness/ JWhat sha I doAJ she as1ed si)py/
JI a) afraid>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthat +e sha have to +ait unti
Dust 'efore 7eni.e/J !e too1 up a foder fro) the ta'e/ J!ere is the
s.hedue ti)e of our train/ It arrives at 7eni.e at t+o;t+enty;seven
to)orro+ afternoon/J
They oo1ed at ea.h other/
J#eave it to )e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
It +as five )inutes past t+o/ The Si)pon (Bpress +as eeven
)inutes ate/ It had passed Mestre a'out a 8uarter of an hour
'efore/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as sitting +ith Mrs *effries in her .o)part)ent/
So far the Dourney had 'een peasant and uneventfu/ %ut no+ the
)o)ent had arrived +hen> if anything +as going to happen> it
presu)a'y +oud happen/ Mr Par1er Pyne and (sie fa.ed ea.h
other/ !er heart +as 'eating fast> and her eyes sought his 1ind of
anguished appea for reassuran.e/
J-eep perfe.ty .a)>J he said/ J@ou are 8uite safe/ I a) here/J
Suddeny a s.rea) 'ro1e out fro) the .orridor/
J<h> oo1 ; oo1G The train is on fireGJ
With a 'ound (sie and Mr Par1er Pyne +ere in the .orridor/ An
agitated +o)an +ith a Sav .ountenan.e +as pointing a dra)ati.
finger/ <ut of one of the front .o)part)ents s)o1e +as pouring in
a .oud/ Mr Par1er Pyne and (sie ran aong the .orridor/ <thers
Doined the)/ The .o)part)ent in 8uestion +as fu of s)o1e/ The
first;.o)ers dre+ 'a.1> .oughing/ The .ondu.tor appeared/
JThe .o)part)ent is e)ptyGJ he .ried/ J$o not aar) yourseves>
)essieurs et da)es/ #e feu> it +i .ontroed/J
A do?en eB.ited 8uestions and ans+ers 'ro1e out/ The train +as
running over the 'ridge that Doins 7eni.e to the )ainand/
Suddeny Mr Par1er Pyne turned> for.ed his +ay through the itte
pa.1 of peope 'ehind hi) and hurried do+n the .orridor to (sie"s
.o)part)ent/ The ady +ith the Sav fa.e +as seated in it> dra+ing
deep 'reaths fro) the open +indo+/
J(B.use )e> Mada)e>J said Par1er Pyne/ J%ut this is not your
.o)part)ent/J
JI 1no+/ I 1no+>J said the Sav ady/ JPardon/ It is the sho.1> the
e)otion ; )y heart/" She san1 'a.1 on the seat and indi.ated the
open +indo+/ She dre+ her 'reath in great gasps/
Mr Par1er Pyne stood in the door+ay/ !is voi.e +as fathery and
reassuring/ J@ou )ust not 'e afraid>J he said/ JI do not thin1 for a
)o)ent that the fire is serious/J
J0otA Ah> +hat a )er.yG I fee restored/J She haf rose/ JI +i return
to )y o+n .o)part)ent/J
J0ot Dust yet/J Mr Par1er Pyne"s hand pressed her genty 'a.1/ JI
+i as1 of you to +ait a )o)ent> Mada)e/J
JMonsieur> this is an outrageGJ
JMada)e> you +i re)ain/J
!is voi.e rang out .ody/ The +o)an sat sti oo1ing at hi)/ (sie
Doined the)/
JIt see)s it +as a s)o1e 'o)'>J she said 'reathessy/ JSo)e
ridi.uous pra.ti.a Do1e/ The .ondu.tor is furious/ !e is as1ing
every'ody ;J She 'ro1e off> staring at the se.ond o..upant of the
.arriage/
JMrs *effries>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> J+hat do you .arry in your itte
s.aret .aseAJ
JMy De+ery/J
JPerhaps you +oud 'e so 1ind as to oo1 and see that everything is
there/J
There +as i))ediatey a torrent of +ords fro) the Sav ady/ She
'ro1e into Fren.h> the 'etter to do Dusti.e to her feeings/
In the )eanti)e (sie had pi.1ed up the De+e .ase/
J<hGJ she .ried/ JIt"s uno.1ed/J
J/// et De porterai painte / a Co)pagnie des Wagons;#its>J finished
the Sav ady/
JThey"re goneGJ .ried (sie/ J(verythingG My dia)ond 'ra.eet/ And
the ne.1a.e Pop gave )e/ And the e)erad and ru'y rings/ And
so)e ovey dia)ond 'roo.hes/ Than1 goodness I +as +earing )y
pears/ <h> Mr Pyne> +hat sha +e doAJ
JIf you +i fet.h the .ondu.tor>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> JI +i see
that this +o)an does not eave this .o)part)ent ti he .o)es/J
JS.//ratG MonstreGJ shrie1ed the Sav ady/ She +ent on to further
insuts/ The train dre+ in to 7eni.e/
The events of the neBt haf hour )ay 'e 'riefy su))ari?ed/ Mr
Par1er Pyne deat +ith severa different offi.ias in severa different
anguages ; and suffered defeat/ The suspe.ted ady .onsented to
'e sear.hed ; and e)erged +ithout a stain on her .hara.ter/ The
De+es +ere not on her/
%et+een 7eni.e and Trieste Mr Par1er Pyne and (sie dis.ussed
the .ase/
JWhen +as the ast ti)e you a.tuay sa+ your De+esAJ
JThis )orning/ I put a+ay so)e sapphire earrings I +as +earing
yesterday and too1 out a pair of pain pear ones/J
JAnd a the De+ery +as there inta.tAJ
JWe> I didn"t go through it a> naturay/ %ut it oo1ed the sa)e as
usua/ A ring or so)ething i1e that )ight have 'een )issing> 'ut
not )ore/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/ J0o+> +hen the .ondu.tor )ade up the
.o)part)ent this )orningAJ
JI had the .ase +ith )e ; in the restaurant .ar/ I a+ays ta1e it +ith
)e/ I"ve never eft it eB.ept +hen I ran out Dust no+/J
JTherefore>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthat inDured inno.ent> Mada)e
Su'ays1a> or +hatever she .as hersef> )ust have 'een the thief/
%ut +hat the devi did she do +ith the thingsA She +as ony in here
a )inute and a haf ; Dust ti)e to open the .ase +ith a dupi.ate 1ey
and ta1e out the stuff ; yes> 'ut +hat neBtAJ
JCoud she have handed the) to anyone eseAJ
J!ardy/ I had turned 'a.1 and +as for.ing )y +ay aong the
.orridor/ If anyone had .o)e out of this .o)part)ent I shoud have
seen the)/J
JPerhaps she thre+ the) out of the +indo+ to so)eone/J
JAn eB.eent suggestionI ony> as it happens> +e +ere passing
over the sea at that )o)ent/ We +ere on the 'ridge/J
JThen she )ust have hidden the) a.tuay in the .arriage/J
J#et"s hunt for the)/J
With true transatanti. energy (sie 'egan to oo1 a'out/ Mr Par1er
Pyne parti.ipated in the sear.h in a so)e+hat a'sent fashion/
&eproa.hed for not trying> he eB.used hi)sef/
JI") thin1ing that I )ust send a rather i)portant teegra) at
Trieste>J he eBpained/
(sie re.eived the eBpanation .ody/ Mr Par1er Pyne had faen
heaviy in her esti)ation/
JI") afraid you"re annoyed +ith )e> Mrs *effries>J he said )ee1y/
JWe> you"ve not 'een very su..essfu>J she retorted/
J%ut )y dear ady> you )ust re)e)'er I a) not a dete.tive/ Theft
and Cri)e are not in )y ine at a/ The hu)an heart is )y
provin.e/J
JWe> I +as a 'it unhappy +hen I got on this train>J said (sie> J'ut
nothing to +hat I a) no+G I .oud Dust .ry 'u.1ets/ My ovey> ovey
'ra.eet ; and the e)erad ring (d+ard gave )e +hen +e +ere
engaged/J
J%ut surey you are insured against theftAJ Mr Par1er Pyne
interpoated/
JA) IA I don"t 1no+/ @es> I suppose I a)/ %ut it"s the senti)ent of
the thing> Mr Pyne/J
The train sa.1ened speed/ Mr Par1er Pyne peered out of the
+indo+/ JTrieste>J he said/ JI )ust send )y teegra)/J
J(d+ardGJ (sie"s fa.e ighted up as she sa+ her hus'and hurrying
to )eet her on the patfor) at Sta)'ou/
For the )o)ent even the oss of her De+ery faded fro) her )ind/
She forgot the .urious +ords she had found on the 'otter/ She
forgot everything eB.ept that it +as a fortnight sin.e she had seen
her hus'and ast> and that in spite of 'eing so'er and strait;a.ed
he +as reay a )ost attra.tive person/
They +ere Dust eaving the station +hen (sie got a friendy tap on
the shouder and turned to find Mr Par1er Pyne/ !is 'and fa.e +as
'ea)ing good;naturedy/
JMrs *effries>J he said> J+i you .o)e to see )e at the !ote
To1atian in haf an hourA I thin1 I )ay have good ne+s for you/J
(sie oo1ed un.ertainy at (d+ard/ Then she )ade the
introdu.tion/ JThis ; er ; is )y hus'and ; Mr Par1er Pyne/J
JAs I 'eieve your +ife +ired you> her De+es have 'een stoen>J
said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI have 'een doing +hat I .an to hep her
re.over the)/ I thin1 I )ay have ne+s for her in a'out haf an hour/J
(sie oo1ed in8uiringy at (d+ard/ !e repied pro)ptyH
J@ou"d 'etter go> dear/ The To1atian> you said> Mr PyneA &ightI I"
see she )a1es it/J
It +as Dust haf an hour ater that (sie +as sho+n into Mr Par1er
Pyne"s private sitting roo)/ !e rose to re.eive her/
J@ou"ve 'een disappointed in )e> Mrs *effries>J he said/ J0o+>
don"t deny it/ We> I don"t pretend to 'e a )agi.ian> 'ut I do +hat I
.an/ Ta1e a oo1 inside here/J
!e passed aong the ta'e a s)a stout .ard'oard 'oB/ (sie
opened it/ &ings> 'roo.hes> 'ra.eet> ne.1a.e ; they +ere a there/
JMr Pyne> ho+ )arveousG !o+ ; ho+ too +onderfuGJ
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied )odesty/ JI a) gad not to have faied you>
)y dear young ady/J
J<h> Mr Pyne> you )a1e )e fee Dust )eanG (ver sin.e Trieste I"ve
'een horrid to you/ And no+ ; this/ %ut ho+ did you get hod of
the)A WhenA WhereAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head thoughtfuy/ JIt"s a ong story>J he
said/ J@ou )ay hear it one day/ In fa.t> you )ay hear it 8uite soon/J
JWhy .an"t I hear it no+AJ
JThere are reasons>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
And (sie had to depart +ith her .uriosity unsatisfied/
When she had gone> Mr Par1er Pyne too1 up his hat and sti.1 and
+ent out into the streets of Pera/ !e +a1ed aong s)iing to
hi)sef> .o)ing at ast to a itte .af/> deserted at the )o)ent>
+hi.h overoo1ed the ,oden !orn/ <n the other side> the )os8ues
of Sta)'ou sho+ed sender )inarets against the afternoon s1y/ It
+as very 'eautifu/ Mr Pyne sat do+n and ordered t+o .offees/
They .a)e thi.1 and s+eet/ !e had Dust 'egun to sip his +hen a
)an sipped into the seat opposite/
It +as (d+ard *effries/
JI have ordered so)e .offee for you>J said Mr Par1er Pyne>
indi.ating the itte .up/
(d+ard pushed the .offee aside/ !e eaned for+ard a.ross the
ta'e/ J!o+ did you 1no+AJ he as1ed/
Mr Par1er Pyne sipped his .offee drea)iy/ J@our +ife +i have tod
you a'out her dis.overy on the 'otterA 0oA <h> 'ut she +i te
youI it has sipped her )ind for the )o)ent/J
!e )entioned (sie"s dis.overy/
J7ery +eI that in1ed up perfe.ty +ith the .urious in.ident that
happened Dust 'efore 7eni.e/ For so)e reason or other you +ere
engineering the theft of your +ife"s De+es/ %ut +hy the phrase "Dust
'efore 7eni.e +oud 'e the 'est ti)e"A There see)ed no sense in
that/ Why did you not eave it to your ; agent ; to .hoose he o+n ti)e
and pa.eA
JAnd then> suddeny> I sa+ the point/ @our +ife De+es +ere stoen
'efore you yoursef eft #ondon and +ere repa.ed 'y paste
dupi.ates/ %ut that soution did not satisfy you/ @ou +ere a high)inded>
.ons.ientious young )an/ @ou have a horror of so)e
servant or other inno.ent person 'eing suspe.ted/ A theft )ust
a.tuay o..ur ; at a pa.e and in a )anner +hi.h +i eave no
suspi.ion atta.hed to any'ody of your a.8uaintan.e or househod/
J@our a..o)pi.e is provided +ith a 1ey to the De+e 'oB and a
s)o1e 'o)'/ At the .orre.t )o)ent she gives the aar)I darts into
your +ife"s .o)part)ent> uno.1s the De+e .ase and fings the
paste dupi.ate into the sea/ She )ay 'e suspe.ted and sear.hed>
'ut nothing .an 'e proved against her> sin.e the De+es are not in
her possession/
JAnd no+ the signifi.an.e of the pa.e .hosen 'e.o)es apparent/
If the De+es had )erey 'een thro+n out 'y the side of the ine> they
)ight have 'een found/ !en.e the i)portan.e of the one )o)ent
+hen the train is passing over the sea/
JIn the )eanti)e> you )a1e your arrange)ents for seing the
De+ery here/ @ou have ony to hand over the stones +hen the
ro''ery has a.tuay ta1en pa.e/ My +ire> ho+ever> rea.hed you in
ti)e/ @ou o'eyed )y instru.tions and deposited the 'oB of De+ery
at the To1atian to a+ait )y arriva> 1no+ing that other+ise I shoud
1eep )y threat of pa.ing the )atter in the hand of the poi.e/ @ou
aso o'eyed )y instru.tions in Doining )e here/J
(d+ard *effries oo1ed at Mr Par1er Pyne appeaingy/ !e +as a
good;oo1ing young )an> ta and fair +ith a round .hin and very
round eyes/ J!o+ .an I )a1e you understandAJ he said hopeessy/
JTo you I )ust see) Dust a .o))on thief/J
J0ot at a>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J<n the .ontrary> I shoud say you
are a)ost painfuy honest/ I a) a..usto)ed to the .assifi.ation of
types/ @ou> )y dear sir> fa naturay into the .ategory of vi.ti)s/
0o+> te )e the +hoe story/J
JI .an te you that in one +ord ; 'a.1)ai/J
J@es/J
J@ou"ve seen )y +ifeI you reai?e +hat a pure> inno.ent .reature
she is ; +ithout thought or 1no+edge of evi/
JShe has the )ost )arveousy pure ideas/ If she +ere to find out
a'out ; a'out anything I had done> she +oud eave )e/J
JI +onder/ %ut that is not the point/ What have you done> )y young
friendA I presu)e this is so)e affair +ith a +o)an/J
(d+ard *effries nodded/
JSin.e your )arriage ; or 'eforeAJ
J%efore ; oh> 'efore/J
JWe> +e> +hat happenedAJ
J0othingI nothing at a/ This is Dust the .rue part of it/ It +as at a
hote in the West Indies/ There +as a very attra.tive +o)an ; a Mrs
&ossiter ; staying there/ !er hus'and +as a vioent )anI he had the
)ost savage fits of te)per/ <ne night he threatened her +ith a
revover/ She es.aped fro) hi) and .a)e to )y roo)/ She +as haf
.ra?y +ith terror/ She ; she as1ed )e to et her stay there ti
)orning> I ; +hat ese .oud I doAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne ga?ed at the young )an> and the young )an ga?ed
'a.1 +ith .ons.ious re.titude/ Mr Par1er Pyne sighed/ JIn other
+ords> to put it painy> you +ere had for a )ug> Mr *effries/J
J&eay ;J
J@es> yes/ A very od tri.1 ; 'ut it often .o)es off su..essfuy +ith
8uiBoti. young )en/ I suppose> +hen your approa.hing )arriage
+as announ.ed> the s.re+ +as turnedAJ
J@es/ I re.eived a etter/ If I did not send a .ertain su) of )oney>
everything +oud 'e dis.osed to )y prospe.tive father;in;a+/ !o+
I had ; had aienated this young +o)an"s affe.tion fro) her
hus'andI ho+ she had 'een seen .o)ing to )y roo)/ The hus'and
+oud 'ring a suit for divor.e/ &eay> Mr Pyne> the +hoe thing
)ade )e out the )ost utter 'a.1guard/J
!e +iped his 'ro+ in a harassed )anner/
J@es> yes> I 1no+/ And so you paid/ And fro) ti)e to ti)e the s.re+
has 'een put on again/J
J@es/ This +as the ast stra+/ <ur 'usiness has 'een 'ady hit 'y
the su)p/ I si)py .oud not ay )y hands on any ready )oney/ I hit
upon this pan/J !e pi.1ed up his .up of .od .offee> oo1ed at it
a'senty> and dran1 it/ JWhat a) I to do no+AJ he de)anded
patheti.ay/ JWhat a) I to do> Mr PyneAJ
J@ou +i 'e guided 'y )e>J said Par1er Pyne fir)y/ JI +i dea +ith
your tor)entors/ As to your +ife> you +i go straight 'a.1 to her
and te her the truth ; or at east a portion of it/ The ony point
+here you +i deviate fro) the truth is .on.erning the a.tua fa.ts
in the West Indies/ @ou )ust .on.ea fro) her the fa.t that you
+ere ; +e> had for a )ug> as I said 'efore/J
J%ut ;J
JMy dear Mr *effries> you do not understand +o)en/ If a +o)an
has to .hoose 'et+een a )ug and a $on *uan> she +i .hoose $on
*uan every ti)e/ @our +ife> Mr *effries> is a .har)ing> inno.ent>
high;)inded gir> and the ony +ay she is going to get any 1i.1 out
of her ife +ith you is to 'eieve that she has refor)ed a ra1e/J
(d+ard *effries +as staring at hi) open;)outhed/
JI )ean +hat I say>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JAt the present )o)ent
your +ife is in ove +ith you> 'ut I see signs that she )ay not re)ain
so if you .ontinue to present to her a pi.ture of su.h goodness and
re.titude that it is a)ost synony)ous +ith duness/J
(d+ard +in.ed/
J,o to her> )y 'oy>J said Mr Par1er Pyne 1indy/ JConfess
everything ; that is> as )any things as you .an thin1 of/ Then
eBpain that fro) the )o)ent you )et her you gave up a this ife/
@ou even stoe so that it )ight not .o)e to her ears/ She +i forgive
you enthusiasti.ay/J
J%ut +hen there"s nothing reay to forgive ;J
JWhat is truthAJ said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIn )y eBperien.e it is usuay
the thing that upsets the appe .artG It is a funda)enta aBio) of
)arried ife that you )ust ie to a +o)an/ She i1es itG ,o and 'e
forgiven> )y 'oy/ And ive happiy ever after+ards/ I dare say your
+ife +i 1eep a +ary eye on you in future +henever a pretty +o)an
.o)es aong ; so)e )en +oud )ind that> 'ut I don"t thin1 you +i/J
JI never +ant to oo1 at any +o)an 'ut (sie>J said Mr *effries
si)py/
JSpendid> )y 'oy>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J%ut I shoudn"t et her
1no+ that if I +ere you/ 0o +o)an i1es to fee she"s ta1en on too
soft a Do'/J
(d+ard *effries rose/ J@ou reay thin1 ;AJ
JI 1no+>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> +ith for.e/
T!( ,AT( <F %A,!$A$
JFour great gates has the .ity of $a)as.us J
Mr/ Par1er Pine repeated Fe.1er"s ines softy to hi)sef/
JPostern of Fate> the $esert ,ate> $isaster"s Cavern> Fort of Fear>
The Porta of %agdad a) I> the $oor+ay of $iar'e1ir/J
!e +as standing in the streets of $a)as.us and dra+n up outside
the <rienta !ote he sa+ one of the huge siB;+heeed Pu)ans that
+as to transport hi) and eeven other peope a.ross the desert to
%aghdad on the )orro+/
JPass not 'eneath> < Caravan> or pass not singing/
!ave you heard
That sien.e +here the 'irds are dead yet so)ething pipeth i1e a
'irdA
Pass out 'eneath> < Caravan> $oo)"s Caravan> $eath"s CaravanGJ
So)ething of a .ontrast no+/ For)ery the ,ate of %aghdad had
'een the gate of $eath/ Four hundred )ies of desert to traverse 'y
.aravan/ #ong +eary )onths of trave/ 0o+ the u'i8uitous petrofed
)onsters did the Dourney in thirty;siB hours/
JWhat +ere you saying> Mr Par1er PyneA
It +as the eager voi.e of Miss 0etta Pry.e> youngest and )ost
.har)ing of the tourist ra.e/ Though en.u)'ered 'y a stern Aunt
+ith the suspi.ion of a 'eard and a thirst for %i'i.a 1no+edge>
0etta )anaged to enDoy hersef in )any frivoous +ays of +hi.h the
eder Miss Pry.e )ight possi'y have not approved/
Mr Par1er Pyne repeated Fe.1er"s ines to her/
J!o+ thriing>J said 0etta/
Three )en in Air For.e unifor) +ere standing near and one of
the)> an ad)irer of 0etta"s> stru.1 in/
JThere are sti thris to 'e got out of the Dourney>J he said/ J(ven
no+adays the .onvoy is o..asionay shot up 'y 'andits/ Then
there"s osing yoursef ; that happens so)eti)es/ And +e are sent
out to find you/ <ne feo+ +as ost for five days in the desert/
#u.1iy he had penty of +ater +ith hi)/ Then there are the 'u)ps/
So)e 'u)psG <ne )an +as 1ied/ It"s the truth I") teing youG !e
+as aseep and his head stru.1 the top of the .ar and it 1ied hi)/J
JIn the siB;+heeer> Mr <"&our1eAJ de)anded the eder Miss Pry.e/
J0o ; not in the siB;+heeer>J ad)itted the young )an/
J%ut +e )ust do so)e sight seeing>J .ried 0etta/
!er aunt dre+ out a guide 'oo1/
0etta edged a+ay/
JI 1no+ she" +ant to go to so)e pa.e +here St Pau +as o+ered
out of a +indo+>J she +hispered/ JAnd I do so +ant to see the
%a?aars/J
<"&our1e responded pro)pty/
JCo)e +ith )e/ We" start do+n the Street .aed Straight ;J
They drifted off/
Mr Par1er Pyne turned to a 8uiet )an standing 'eside hi)> !ensey
'y na)e/ !e 'eonged to the pu'i. +or1s depart)ent of %aghdad/
J$a)as.us is a itte disappointing +hen one sees it for the first
ti)e>J he said apoogeti.ay/ JA itte .iviised/ Tra)s and )odern
houses and shops/J
!ensey nodded/ !e +as a )an of fe+ +ords/
J0ot got ; 'a.1 of 'eyond ; +hen you thin1 you have>J he Der1ed out/
Another )an drifted up> a fair young )an +earing an od (tonian
tie/ !e had an a)ia'e 'ut sighty va.ant fa.e +hi.h at the )o)ent
oo1ed +orried/ !e and !ensey +ere in the sa)e depart)ent/
J!uo> S)ethurst>J said his friend/ J#ost anythingAJ
Captain S)ethurst shoo1 his head/ !e +as a young )an of
so)e+hat so+ intee.t/
J*ust oo1ing round>J he said vaguey/ Then he see)ed to rouse
hi)sef/ J<ught to have a 'eautifu night/ WhatAJ
The t+o friends +ent off together/ Mr Par1er Pine 'ought a o.a
paper printed in Fren.h/
!e did not find it very interesting/ The o.a ne+s )eant nothing to
hi) and nothing of i)portant see)ed to 'e going on ese+here/ !e
found a fe+ paragraphs headed #ondres/
The first referred to finan.ia )atters/ The se.ond deat +ith the
supposed destination of Mr Sa)ue #ong> the defauting finan.ier/
!is defa.ations no+ a)ounted to the su) of three )iions and it
+as ru)oured that he had rea.hed South A)eri.a/
J0ot too 'ad for a )an Dust turned thirty>J said Mr Par1er Pyne to
hi)sef/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
Par1er Pyne turned to .onfront an Itaian ,enera +ho had 'een on
the sa)e 'oat +ith hi) fro) %rindisi to %eirut/
Mr Par1er Pyne eBpained his re)ar1/ The Itaian ,enera nodded
his head severa ti)es/
J!e is a great .ri)ina> that )an/ (ven in Itay +e have suffered/ !e
inspired .onfiden.e a over the +ord/ !e is a )an of 'reeding> too>
they say/J
JWe> he +ent to (ton and <Bford>J said Mr Par1er Pyne .autiousy/
JWi he 'e .aught> do you thin1AJ
J$epends on ho+ )u.h of a start he got/ !e )ay 'e sti in (ngand/
!e )ay 'e ; any+here/J
J!ere +ith usAJ the ,enera aughed/
JPossi'y/J Mr Par1er Pyne re)ained serious/ JFor a you 1no+>
,enera> I )ay 'e he/J
The ,enera gave hi) a started gan.e/ Then his oive 'ro+n fa.e
reaBed into a s)ie of .o)prehension/
J<hG that is very good ; very good indeed/ %ut you ;J
!is eyes strayed do+n+ards fro) Mr Par1er Pyne"s fa.e/
Mr Par1er Pyne interpreted the gan.e .orre.ty/
J@ou )ustn"t Dudge 'y appearan.es>J he said/ JA itte additiona ; er
; e)'onpoint ; is easiy )anaged and has a re)ar1a'y ageing
effe.t/J
!e added drea)iy>
JThen there is hair dye> of .ourse> and fa.e stain> and even a
.hange of nationaity/J
,enera Poi +ithdre+ dou'tfuy/ !e never 1ne+ ho+ far the
(ngish +ere serious/
Mr Par1er Pyne a)used hi)sef that evening 'y going to a Cine)a/
After+ards he +as dire.ted to a J0ighty Paa.e of ,aieties/J It
appeared to hi) to 'e neither a paa.e nor gay/ 7arious adies
dan.ed +ith a distin.t a.1 of verve/ The appause +as anguid/
Suddeny Mr Par1er Pyne .aught sight of S)ethurst/ The young
)an +as sitting at a ta'e aone/ !is fa.e +as fushed and it
o..urred to Mr Par1er Pyne that he had aready drun1 )ore than
+as good for hi)/ !e +ent a.ross and Doined the young )an/
J$isgra.efu> the +ay these girs treat you>J said Captain S)ethurst
goo)iy/ J%ought her t+o drin1s ; three drin1s ; ots of drin1s/ Then
she goes off aughing +ith so)e dago/ Ca it a disgra.e/J
Mr Par1er Pyne sy)pathised/ !e suggested .offee/
J,ot so)e ara8 .o)ing>J said S)ethurst/ J*oy good stuff/ @ou try
it/J
Mr Par1er Pyne 1ne+ so)ething of the properties of ara8/ !e
e)poyed ta.t/ S)ethurst> ho+ever> shoo1 his head/
JI") in a 'it of a )ess>J he said/ J,ot to .heer )ysef up/ $on"t 1no+
+hat you"d do in )y pa.e/ $on"t i1e to go 'a.1 on a pa> +hatA I
)ean to say ; and yet ; +hat"s a feo+ to doAJ
!e studied Mr Par1er Pyne as though noti.ing hi) for the first ti)e/
JWho are youAJ he de)anded +ith the .urtness 'orn of his
potations/ JWhat do you doAJ
JThe .onfiden.e tri.1>J said Mr Par1er Pyne genty/
S)ethurst ga?ed at hi) in ivey .on.ern/
JWhat ; you tooAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne dre+ fro) his +aet a .utting/ !e aid it on the ta'e
in front of S)ethurst/
JAre you unhappyA 9So it ran: If so> .onsut Mr Par1er Pyne/J
S)ethurst fo.ussed it after so)e diffi.uty/
JWe> I") da)ned>J he eDa.uated/ J@ou )eantersay ; peope .o)e
and te you thingsAJ
JThey .onfide in )e ; yes/J
JPa.1 of idioti. +o)en> I suppose/J
JA good )any +o)en>J ad)itted Mr Par1er Pyne/ J%ut )en aso/
What a'out you> )y young friendA @ou +anted advi.e Dust no+AJ
JShut your da)ned head>J said Captain S)ethurst/ J0o 'usiness of
any'ody"s ; any'ody"s ".ept )ine/ Where"s that godda)ned ara8AJ
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head sady/
!e gave up Captain S)ethurst as a 'ad Do'/
The .onvoy for %aghdad started at seven o".o.1 in the )orning/
There +as a party of t+eve/ Mr Par1er Pyne and ,enera Poi> Miss
Pry.e and her nie.e> three Air For.e offi.ers> S)ethurst and
!ensey and an Ar)enian )other and son 'y na)e Pente)ian/
The Dourney started uneventfuy/ The fruit trees of $a)as.us +ere
soon eft 'ehind/ The s1y +as .oudy and the young driver oo1ed at
it dou'tfuy on.e or t+i.e/ !e eB.hanged re)ar1s +ith !ensey/
J%een raining a good 'it the other side of &ut'ah/ !ope +e shan"t
sti.1/J
They )ade a hat at )idday and s8uare .ard'oard 'oBes of un.h
+ere handed round/ The t+o drivers 're+ed tea +hi.h +as served
in .ard'oard .ups/ They drove on again a.ross the fat inter)ina'e
pain/
Mr Par1er Pyne thought of the so+ .aravans and the +ee1s of
Dourneying///
*ust at sunset they .a)e to the desert fort of &ut'ah/ The great
gates +ere un'arred and the siB;+heeer drove in through the)
into the inner .ourtyard of the fort/
JThis fees eB.iting>J said 0etta/
After a +ash she +as eager for a short +a1/ Fight #ieutenant
<"&our1e and Mr Par1er Pyne offered the)seves as es.orts/ As
they started the )anager .a)e up to the) and 'egged the) not to
go far a+ay as it )ight 'e diffi.ut to find their +ay 'a.1 after dar1/
JWe" ony go a short +ay>J <"&our1e pro)ised/
Wa1ing +as not> indeed> very interesting o+ing to the sa)eness of
the surroundings/
<n.e Mr Par1er Pyne 'ent and pi.1ed so)ething up/
JWhat is itAJ as1ed 0etta .uriousy/
!e hed it out to her/
JA prehistori. fint> Miss Pry.e ; a 'orer/J
J$id they ; 1i ea.h other +ith the)AJ
J0o ; it had a )ore pea.efu use/ %ut I eBpe.t they .oud have 1ied
+ith it if they"d +anted to/ It"s the +ish to 1i that .ounts ; the )ere
instru)ent doesn"t )atter/ So)ething .an a+ays 'e found/J
It +as getting dar1> and they ran 'a.1 to the fort/
After a dinner of )any .ourses of the tinned variety they sat and
s)o1ed/ At t+eve o".o.1 the siB;+heeer +as to pro.eed/
The driver oo1ed anBious/
JSo)e 'ad pat.hes near here>J he said/ JWe )ay sti.1/J
They a .i)'ed into the 'ig .ar and setted the)seves/ Miss Pry.e
+as annoyed not to 'e a'e to get at one of her suit.ases/
JI shoud i1e )y 'edroo) sippers>J she said/
JMore i1ey to need your gu) 'oots>J said S)ethurst/ JIf I 1no+ the
oo1 of things +e" 'e stu.1 in a sea of )ud/J
JI haven"t even got a .hange of sto.1ings>J said 0etta/
JThat"s a right/ @ou" stay put/ <ny the stronger seB has to get out
and heave/J
JA+ays .arry spare so.1s>J said !ensey patting his over.oat
po.1et/ J0ever 1no+/J
The ights +ere turned out/ The 'ig .ar started out into the night/
The going +as not too good/ They +ere not Doted as they +oud
have 'een in a touring .ar> 'ut nevertheess they got a 'ad 'u)p
no+ and then/
Mr Par1er Pyne had one of the front seats/ A.ross the aise +as the
Ar)enian ady shrouded in +raps and sha+s/ !er son +as 'ehind
her/ %ehind Mr Par1er Pyne +ere the t+o Miss Pry.es/ The ,enera>
S)ethurst> !ensey and the &/A/F/ )en +ere at the 'a.1/
The .ar rushed on through the night/ Mr Par1er Pyne found it hard
to seep/ !is position +as .ra)ped/ The Ar)enian ady"s feet stu.1
out and en.roa.hed on his preserve/ She> at any rate> +as
.o)forta'e/
(veryone ese see)ed to 'e aseep/ Mr Par1er Pyne fet dro+siness
steaing over hi)> +hen a sudden Dot thre+ hi) up to+ards the roof
of the .ar/ !e heard a dro+sy protest fro) the 'a.1 of the siB+heeer/
JSteady/ Want to 'rea1 our ne.1sAJ
Then the dro+siness returned/ A fe+ )inutes ater> his ne.1
sagging un.o)forta'y> Mr Par1er Pyne sept///
!e +as a+a1ened suddeny/ The siB;+heeer had stopped/ So)e of
the )en +ere getting out/ !ensey spo1e 'riefy/
JWe"re stu.1/J
AnBious to see a there +as to see> Mr Par1er Pyne stepped
gingery out in the )ud/ It +as not raining no+/ Indeed there +as a
)oon and 'y its ight the drivers .oud 'e seen franti.ay at +or1
+ith Da.1s and stones> striving to raise the +hees/ Most of the )en
+ere heping/ Fro) the +indo+s of the siB;+heeer the three
+o)en oo1ed out> Miss Pry.e and 0etta +ith interest> the
Ar)enian ady +ith i;.on.eaed disgust/
At a .o))and fro) the driver> the )ae passengers o'edienty
heaved/
JWhere"s that Ar)enian feo+AJ de)anded <"&our1e/ J-eeping his
toes +ar)ed and .o)forta'e i1e a .atA #et"s have hi) out too/J
JCaptain S)ethurst> too>J o'served ,enera Poi/ J!e is not +ith
us/J
JThe 'ighter"s aseep sti/ #oo1 at hi)/J
True enough> S)ethurst sti sat in his ar).hair> his head sagging
for+ard and his +hoe 'ody su)ped do+n/
JI" rouse hi)>J said <"&our1e/
!e sprang in through the door/ A )inute ater he reappeared/ !is
voi.e had .hanged/
JI say/ I thin1 he"s i ; or so)ething/ Where"s the do.torAJ
S8uadron #eader #oftus> the Air For.e do.tor> a 8uiet oo1ing )an
+ith greying hair deta.hed hi)sef fro) the group 'y the +hee/
JWhat"s the )atter +ith hi)AJ he as1ed/
JI ; don"t 1no+/J
The do.tor entered the .ar/ <"&our1e and Par1er Pyne foo+ed
hi)/ !e 'ent over the sagging figure/ <ne oo1 and tou.h +as
enough/
J!e"s dead>J he said 8uiety/
J$eadA %ut ho+AJ 4uestions shot out/ J<hG ho+ dreadfuGJ fro)
0etta/
#oftus oo1ed round in an irritated )anner/
JMust have hit his head against the top>J he said/ JWe +ent over
one 'ad 'u)p/J
JSurey that +oudn"t 1i hi)A Isn"t there anything eseAJ
JI .an"t te uness I eBa)ine hi) propery>J snapped #oftus/ !e
oo1ed round hi) +ith a harassed air/ The +o)en +ere pressing
.oser/ The )en outside +ere 'eginning to .ro+d in/
Mr Par1er Pyne spo1e to the driver/ !e +as a strong atheti. young
)an/ !e ifted ea.h fe)ae passenger in turn> .arrying her a.ross
the )ud and setting her do+n on dry and/ Mada)e Pente)ian and
0etta he )anaged easiy> 'ut he staggered under the +eight of the
hefty Miss Pry.e/
The interior of the siB;+heeer +as eft .ear for the do.tor to )a1e
his eBa)ination/
The )en +ent 'a.1 to their efforts to Da.1 up the .ar/ Presenty the
sun rose over the hori?on/ It +as a gorious day/ The )ud +as
drying rapidy> 'ut the .ar +as sti stu.1/ Three Da.1s had 'een
'ro1en and so far no efforts had 'een of any avai/ The drivers
started preparing 'rea1fast ; opening tins of sausages and 'oiing
+ater for tea/
A itte +ay apart S8uadron #eader #oftus +as giving his verdi.t/
JThere"s no )ar1 or +ound on hi)/ As I said he )ust have hit his
head against the top/J
J@ou"re satisfied he died naturayAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne/
There +as so)ething in his voi.e that )ade the do.tor oo1 at hi)
8ui.1y/
JThere"s ony one other possi'iity/J
J@esAJ
JWe> that so)eone hit hi) on the 'a.1 of the head +ith so)ething
in the nature of a sand'ag/J !is voi.e sounded apoogeti./
JThat"s not very i1ey>J said Wiia)son> the other Air For.e offi.er/
!e +as a .heru'i. oo1ing youth/ JI )ean> no'ody .oud do that
+ithout our seeing/J
JIf +e +ere aseepAJ suggested the do.tor/
JFeo+ .oudn"t 'e sure of that>J pointed out the other/ J,etting up
and a that +oud have roused so)eone or other/J
JThe ony +ay>J said ,enera Poi> J+oud 'e for anyone sitting
'ehind hi)/ !e .oud .hoose his )o)ent and need not even rise
fro) his seat/J
JWho +as sitting 'ehind Captain S)ethurstAJ as1ed the do.tor/
<"&our1e repied readiy/
J!ensey> sir ; so that"s no good/ !ensey +as S)ethurst"s 'est
pa/J
There +as a sien.e/ Then Mr Par1er Pyne"s voi.e rose +ith 8uiet
.ertainty/
JI thin1>J he said> Jthat Fight #ieutenant Wiia)son has so)ething
to te us/J
JI> sirA I ; +e ;J
J<ut +ith it> Wiia)son>J said <"&our1e/
JIt"s nothing> reay ; nothing at a/J
J<ut +ith it/J
JIt"s ony a s.rap of .onversation I overheard ; at &ut'ah ; in the
.ourtyard/ I"d got 'a.1 into the siB;+heeer to oo1 for )y .igarette
.ase/ I +as hunting a'out/ T+o feo+s +ere Dust outside ta1ing/
<ne of the) +as S)ethurst/ !e +as saying ;J
!e paused/
JCo)e on> )an> out +ith it/J
JSo)ething a'out not +anting to et a pa do+n/ !e sounded very
distressed/ Then he saidH "I" hod )y tongue ti %aghdad ; 'ut not a
)inute after+ards/ @ou" have to get out 8ui.1y/"J
JAnd the other )anAJ
JI don"t 1no+> sir/ I s+ear I don"t/ It +as dar1 and he ony said a
+ord or t+o and that I .oudn"t .at.h/J
JWho a)ongst you 1no+s S)ethurst +eAJ
JI don"t thin1 the +ords "a pa" .oud refer to any one 'ut !ensey>J
said <"&our1e so+y/ JI 1ne+ S)ethurst> 'ut very sighty/
Wiia)son is ne+ out ; so is S8uadron #eader #oftus/ I don"t thin1
either of the) have ever )et hi) 'efore/J
%oth )en agreed/
J@ou> ,eneraAJ
JI never sa+ the young )an unti +e .rossed the #e'anon in the
sa)e .ar fro) %eirut/J
JAnd that Ar)enian ratAJ
J!e .oudn"t 'e a pa>J said <"&our1e +ith de.ision/ JAnd no
Ar)enian +oud have the nerve to 1i anyone/J
JI have> perhaps> a s)a additiona pie.e of eviden.e>J said Mr
Par1er Pyne/
!e repeated the .onversation he had had +ith S)ethurst in the
.af/ at $a)as.us/
!e )ade use of the phrase ; Jdon"t i1e to go 'a.1 on a pa>J said
<"&our1e thoughtfuy/ JAnd he +as +orried/J
J!as no one ese anything to addAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne/
The do.tor .oughed/
JIt )ay have nothing to do +ith it ;J he 'egan/
!e +as en.ouraged/
JIt +as Dust that I heard S)ethurst say to !ensey> "@ou .an"t deny
that there is a ea1age in your depart)ent/"J
JWhen +as thisAJ
J*ust 'efore starting fro) $a)as.us yesterday )orning/ I thought
they +ere Dust ta1ing shop/ I didn"t i)agine ; J !e stopped/
JMy friends> this is interesting>J said the ,enera/ JPie.e 'y pie.e
you asse)'e the eviden.e/J
J@ou said a sand'ag> do.tor>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JCoud a )an
)anufa.ture su.h a +eaponAJ
JPenty of sand>J said the do.tor driy/ !e too1 so)e up in his hand
as he spo1e/
JIf you put so)e in a so.1>J 'egan <"&our1e and hesitated/
(veryone re)e)'ered t+o short senten.es spo1en 'y !ensey the
night 'efore/
JA+ays .arry spare so.1s/ 0ever 1no+/J
There +as sien.e/ Then Mr Par1er Pyne said 8uiety/ JS8uadron
#eader #oftus> I 'eieve Mr !ensey"s spare so.1s are in the po.1et
of his over.oat +hi.h is no+ in the .ar/J
Their eyes +ent for one )inute to +here a )oody figure +as pa.ing
to and fro) on the hori?on/ !ensey had hed aoof sin.e the
dis.overy of the dead )an/ !is +ish for soitude had 'een
respe.ted sin.e it +as 1no+n that he and the dead )an had 'een
friends/
Mr Par1er Pyne +ent on/
JWi you get the) and 'ring the) hereAJ
The do.tor hesitated/
JI don"t i1e ;J he )uttered/ !e oo1ed again at that pa.ing figure/
JSee)s a 'it o+ do+n ;J
J@ou )ust get the) pease>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThe
.ir.u)stan.es are unusua/ We are )arooned here/ And +e have
got to 1no+ the truth/ If you +i fet.h those so.1s I fan.y +e sha
'e a step nearer/J
#oftus turned a+ay o'edienty/
Mr Par1er Pyne dre+ ,enera Poi a itte aside/
J,enera> I thin1 it +as you +ho sat a.ross the aise fro) Captain
S)ethurst/J
JThat is so/J
J$id anyone get up and pass do+n the .arAJ
J<ny the (ngish ady> Miss Pry.e/ She +ent to the +ash pa.e at
the 'a.1/J
J$id she stu)'e at aAJ
JShe ur.hed a itte +ith the )ove)ent of the .ar> naturay/J
JShe +as the ony person you sa+ )oving a'outAJ
J@es/J
The ,enera oo1ed at hi) .uriousy and said> JWho are you> I
+onderA @ou ta1e .o))and> yet you are not a sodier/J
JI have seen a good dea of ife>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou have traveed> ehAJ
J0o>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI have sat in an offi.e/J
#oftus returned .arrying the so.1s/ Mr Par1er Pyne too1 the) fro)
hi) and eBa)ined the)/ To the inside of one of the) +et sand sti
adhered/
Mr Par1er Pyne dre+ a deep 'reath/
J0o+ I 1no+>J he said/
A their eyes +ent to the pa.ing figure on the hori?on/
JI shoud i1e to oo1 at the 'ody if I )ay>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
!e +ent +ith the do.tor to +here S)ethurst"s 'ody had 'een aid
do+n .overed +ith a tarpauin/
The do.tor re)oved the .over/
JThere"s nothing to see>J he said/
%ut Mr Par1er Pyne"s eyes +ere fiBed on the dead )an"s tie/
JSo S)ethurst +as an od (tonian>J he said/ #oftus oo1ed
surprised/
Then Mr Par1er Pyne surprised hi) sti further/
JWhat do you 1no+ of young Wiia)sonAJ he as1ed/
J0othing at a/ I ony )et hi) at %eirut/ I"d .o)e fro) (gypt/ %ut
+hyA Surey ;J
JWe> it"s on his eviden.e +e"re going to hang a )an> isn"t itAJ said
Mr Par1er Pyne .heerfuy/ J<ne"s got to 'e .arefu/J
!e sti see)ed to 'e interested in the dead )an"s tie and .oar/ !e
unfastened the studs and re)oved the .oar/ Then he uttered an
eB.a)ation/
JSee thatAJ
<n the 'a.1 of the .oar +as a s)a round 'ood;stain/
!e peered .oser do+n at the un.overed ne.1/
JThis )an +asn"t 1ied 'y a 'o+ on the head> do.tor>J he said
'ris1y/ J!e +as sta''ed ; at the 'ase of the s1u/ @ou .an Dust see
the tiny pun.ture/J
JAnd I )issed itGJ
J@ou"d got your pre.on.eived notion>J said Mr Par1er Pyne
apoogeti.ay/ JA 'o+ on the head/ It"s easy enough to )iss this/
@ou .an hardy see the +ound/ A 8ui.1 sta' +ith a s)a sharp
instru)ent and death +oud 'e instantaneous/ The vi.ti) +oudn"t
even .ry out/J
J$o you )ean a stiettoA @ou thin1 the ,enera ;J
JItaians and stiettos go together in the popuar fan.y ; !uo> here
.o)es a .arGJ
A touring .ar had appeared over the hori?on/
J,ood>J said <"&our1e as he .a)e up to Doin the)/ JThe adies .an
go on in that/J
JWhat a'out our )urdererAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou )ean !ensey ;J
J0o> I don"t )ean !ensey>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI happen to 1no+
that !ensey"s inno.ent/J
J@ou ; 'ut +hyAJ
JWe> you see> he had sand in his so.1/J
<"&our1e stared/
JI 1no+> )y 'oy>J said Mr Par1er Pyne genty> Jit doesn"t sound i1e
sense> 'ut it is/ S)ethurst +asn"t hit on the head> you see> he +as
sta''ed/J
!e paused a )inute and then +ent on/
J*ust .ast your )ind 'a.1 to the .onversation I tod you a'out ; the
.onversation +e had in the .af// @ou pi.1ed out +hat +as> to you>
the signifi.ant phrase/ %ut it +as another phrase that stru.1 )e/
When I said to hi) that I did the Confiden.e tri.1 he said "What> you
tooA" $oesn"t that stri1e you as rather .uriousA I don"t 1no+ that
you"d des.ri'e a series of spe.uations fro) a $epart)ent as a
"Confiden.e Tri.1/" Confiden.e Tri.1 is )ore des.riptive of
so)eone i1e the a's.onding Mr Sa)ue #ong> for instan.e/J
The do.tor started <"&our1e said/ J@es ; perhaps///J
JI said in Dest that perhaps the a's.onding Mr #ong +as one of our
party/ Suppose that that is the truth/J
JWhat ; 'ut it"s i)possi'eGJ
J0ot at a/ What do you 1no+ of peope 'esides their passports and
the a..ounts they give of the)seves/ A) I reay Mr Par1er PyneA
Is ,enera Poi reay an Itaian ,eneraA And +hat of the )as.uine
Miss Pry.e senior +ho needs a shave )ost distin.ty/J
J%ut he ; 'ut S)ethurst ; didn"t 1no+ #ongAJ
JS)ethurst is an od (tonian/ #ong> aso> +as at (ton/ S)ethurst
)ay have 1no+n hi) athough he didn"t te you so/ !e )ay have
re.ognised hi) a)ongst us/ And if so> +hat is he to doA !e has a
si)pe )ind> and he +orries over the )atter/ !e de.ides at ast to
say nothing ti %aghdad is rea.hed/ %ut after that he +i hod his
tongue no onger/J
J@ou thin1 one of us is #ong>J said <"&our1e> sti da?ed/
!e dre+ a deep 'reath/
JIt )ust 'e the Itaian feo+ ; it )ust/ <r +hat a'out the
Ar)enianAJ
JTo )a1e up as a foreigner and get a foreign passport is reay
)u.h )ore diffi.ut than to re)ain (ngish>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JMiss Pry.eAJ .ried <"&our1e in.reduousy/
J0o>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThis is our )anGJ
!e aid +hat see)ed an a)ost friendy hand on the shouder of the
)an 'eside hi)/ %ut there +as nothing friendy in his voi.e> and the
fingers +ere vi.e;i1e in their grip/
JS8uadron #eader #oftus or Mr Sa)ue #ong> it doesn"t )atter
+hi.h you .a hi)GJ
J%ut that"s i)possi'e ; i)possi'e>J sputtered <"&our1e/ J#oftus
has 'een in the servi.e for years/J
J%ut you"ve never )et hi) 'efore> have youA !e +as a stranger to
a of you/ It isn"t the rea #oftus> naturay/J
The 8uiet )an found his voi.e/
JCever of you to guess/ !o+ did you> 'y the +ayAJ
J@our ridi.uous state)ent that S)ethurst had 'een 1ied 'y
'u)ping his head/ <"&our1e put that idea into your head +hen +e
+ere standing ta1ing in $a)as.us yesterday/ @ou thought ; ho+
si)peG @ou +ere the ony do.tor +ith us ; +hatever you said +oud
'e a..epted/ @ou"d got #oftus"s 1it/ @ou"d got his instru)ents/ It
+as easy to see.t a neat itte too for your purpose/ @ou ean over
to spea1 to hi) and as you are spea1ing you drive the itte +eapon
ho)e/ @ou ta1 a )inute or t+o onger/ It is dar1 in the .ar/ Who +i
suspe.tA
JThen .o)es the dis.overy of the 'ody/ @ou give your verdi.t/ %ut it
does not go as easiy as you thought/ $ou'ts are raised/ @ou fa
'a.1 on a se.ond ine of defense/ Wiia)son repeats the
.onversation he has overheard S)ethurst having +ith you/ It is
ta1en to refer to !ensey and you add a da)aging itte invention of
your o+n a'out a ea1age in !ensey"s depart)ent/ And then I
)a1e a fina test/ I )ention the sand and the so.1s/ @ou are hoding
a handfu of sand/ I send you to find the so.1s so that +e )ay 1no+
the truth/ %ut 'y that I did not )ean +hat you thought I )eant/ I had
aready eBa)ined !ensey"s so.1s/ There +as no sand in either of
the)/ @ou put it there/J
Mr Sa)ue #ong it a .igarette/
JI give it up>J he said/ JMy u.1"s turned/ We> I had a good run +hie
it asted/ They +ere getting hot on )y trai +hen I rea.hed (gypt/ I
.a)e a.ross #oftus/ !e +as Dust going to Doin up in %aghdad ; and
he 1ne+ none of the) there/ It +as too good a .han.e to 'e )issed/
I 'ought hi)/ It .ost )e t+enty thousand pounds/ What +as that to
)eA Then> 'y .ursed i u.1> I run into S)ethurst ; an ass if there
ever +as oneG !e +as )y fag at (ton/ !e had a 'it of hero +orship
for )e in those days/ !e didn"t i1e the idea of giving )e a+ay/ I did
)y 'est and at ast he pro)ised to say nothing ti +e rea.hed
%aghdad/ What .han.e shoud I have thenA 0one at a/ There +as
ony one +ay ; to ei)inate hi)/ %ut I .an assure you I a) not a
)urderer 'y nature/ My taents ie in 8uite another dire.tion/J
!is fa.e .hanged ; .ontra.ted/ !e s+ayed and pit.hed for+ard/
<"&our1e 'ent over hi)/
JPro'a'y prussi. a.id ; in the .igarette>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThe ga)'er has ost his ast thro+/J
!e oo1ed round hi) ; at the +ide desert/ The sun 'eat do+n on
hi)/ <ny yesterday they had eft $a)as.us ; 'y the gate of
%aghdad/
JPass not 'eneath> < Caravan> or pass not singing/
!ave you heard
That sien.e +here the 'irds are dead yet so)ething pipeth i1e a
'irdAJ
T!( !<2S( AT S!I&AV
It +as siB in the )orning +hen Mr Par1er Pyne eft Persia after a
stop in %aghdad/
The passenger spa.e in the itte )onopan +as i)ited> and the
s)a +idth of the seats +as not suffi.ient to a..o))odate the 'u1
of Mr Par1er Pyne +ith so)ething i1e .o)fort/ There +ere t+o
feo+ traveingH a arge> forid )an +ho) Mr Par1er Pyne Dudged to
'e of a ta1ative ha'it> and a thin +o)an +ith pursed ips and a
deter)ined air/
JAt any rate>J thought Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthey don"t oo1 as though
they +oud +ant to .onsut professionay/J
0or did they/ The itte +o)an +as an A)eri.an )issionary> fu of
hard +or1 and happiness> and the )an +as e)poyed 'y an oi
.o)pany/ They had given their feo+ traveer a r/su)/ of their
ives 'efore the pane started/
JI a) )erey a tourist> I a) afraid>J Mr Par1er Pyne had said
depre.atingy/ JI a) going to Teheran and Ispahan and Shira?/J
And the sheer )usi. of the na)es en.hanted hi) so )u.h as he
said the) that he repeated the)/ Teheran/ Ispahan/ Shira?/
Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed out at the .ountry 'eo+ hi)/ It +as fat
desert/ !e fet the )ystery of these vast> unpopuated regions/
At -er)anshah the )a.hine .a)e do+n for passport eBa)inations
and .usto)s/ A 'ag of Mr Par1er Pyne"s +as opened/ A .ertain
s)a .ard'oard 'oB +as s.rutini?ed +ith so)e eB.ite)ent/
4uestions +ere as1ed/ Sin.e Mr Par1er Pyne did not spea1 or
understand Persian> the )atter +as diffi.ut/
The piot of the )a.hine stroed up/ !e +as a fair;haired young
,er)an> a fine;oo1ing )an> +ith deep 'ue eyes and a +eather'eaten
fa.e/ JPeaseAJ he in8uired peasanty/
Mr Par1er Pyne> +ho had 'een induging in so)e eB.eent reaisti.
panto)ine +ithout> it see)ed> )u.h su..ess> turned to hi) +ith
reief/ JIt"s 'ug po+der>J he said/ J$o you thin1 you .oud eBpain to
the)AJ
The piot oo1ed pu??ed/ JPeaseAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne repeated his pea in ,er)an/ The piot grinned and
transated the senten.e into Persian/ The grave and sad offi.ias
+ere peasedI their sorro+fu fa.es reaBedI they s)ied/ <ne even
aughed/ They found the idea hu)orous/
The three passengers too1 their pa.es in the )a.hine again and
the fight .ontinued/ They s+ooped do+n at !a)adan to drop the
)ais> 'ut the pane did not stop/ Mr Par1er Pyne peered do+n>
trying to see if he .oud distinguish the ro.1 of %ehistun> that
ro)anti. spot +here $arius des.ri'es the eBtent of his e)pire and
.on8uests in three different anguages ; %a'yonian> Median and
Persian/
It +as one o".o.1 +hen they arrived at Teheran/
There +ere )ore poi.e for)aities/ The ,er)an piot had .o)e up
and +as standing 'y s)iing as Mr Par1er Pyne finished ans+ering
a ong interrogation +hi.h he had not understood/
JWhat have I saidAJ he as1ed of the ,er)an/
JThat your father"s Christian na)e is Tourist> that your profession is
Chares> that the )aiden na)e of your )other is %aghdad> and that
you have .o)e fro) !arriet/J
J$oes it )atterAJ
J0ot the east in the +ord/ *ust ans+er so)ethingI that is a they
need/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as disappointed in Teheran/ !e found it
distressingy )odern/ !e said as )u.h the foo+ing evening +hen
he happened to run into !err S.haga> the piot> Dust as he +as
entering his hote/ <n an i)puse he as1ed the other )an to dine>
and the ,er)an a..epted/
The ,eorgian +aiter hovered over the) and issued his orders/ The
food arrived/ When they had rea.hed the stage of a tourte> a
so)e+hat sti.1y .onfe.tion of .ho.oate> the ,er)an saidH
JSo you go to Shira?AJ
J@es> I sha fy there/ Then I sha .o)e 'a.1 fro) Shira? to Ispahan
and Teheran 'y road/ Is it you +ho +i fy )e to Shira? to)orro+AJ
JA.h> no/ I return to %aghdad/J
J@ou have 'een ong hereAJ
JThree years/ It has ony 'een esta'ished three years> our servi.e/
So far> +e have never had an a..ident ; un'erufenGJ !e tou.hed the
ta'e/
Thi.1 .ups of s+eet .offee +ere 'rought/ The t+o )en s)o1ed/
JMy first passengers +ere t+o adies>J said the ,er)an
re)inis.enty/ JT+o (ngish adies/J
J@esAJ said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThe one she +as a young ady very +e 'orn> the daughter of one
of your )inisters> the ; ho+ does one say itA The #ady (sther Carr/
She +as handso)e> very handso)e> 'ut )ad/J
JMadAJ
JCo)petey )ad/ She ives there at Shira? in a 'ig native house/
She +ears (astern dress/ She +i see no (uropeans/ Is that a ife
for a +e;'orn ady to iveAJ
JThere have 'een others>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThere +as #ady
!ester Stanhope ; J
JThis one is )ad>J said the other a'rupty/ J@ou .oud see it in her
eyes/ *ust so have I seen the eyes of )y su')arine .o))ander in
the +ar/ !e is no+ in an asyu)/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as thoughtfu/ !e re)e)'ered #ord Mi.hedever>
#ady (sther Carr"s father> +e/ !e had +or1ed under hi) +hen the
atter +as !o)e Se.retary ; a 'ig 'ond )an +ith aughing 'ue
eyes/ !e had seen #ady Mi.hedever on.e ; a noted Irish 'eauty
+ith her 'a.1 hair and vioet;'ue eyes/ They +ere 'oth handso)e>
nor)a peope> 'ut for a that there +as insanity in the Carr fa)iy/
It .ropped out every no+ and then> after )issing a generation/ It
+as odd> he thought> that !err S.haga shoud stress the point/
JAnd the other adyAJ he as1ed idy/
JThe other ady ; is dead/J
So)ething in his voi.e )ade Mr Par1er Pyne oo1 up sharpy/
JI have a heart>J said !err S.haga/ JI fee/ She +as> to )e> )ost
'eautifu> that ady/ @ou 1no+ ho+ it is> these things .o)e over you
a of a sudden/ She +as a fo+er ; a fo+er/J !e sighed deepy/ JI
+ent to see the) on.e ; at the house at Shira?/ The #ady (sther>
she as1ed )e to .o)e/ My itte one> )y fo+er> she +as afraid of
so)ething> I .oud see it/ When neBt I .a 'a.1 fro) %aghdad> I hear
that she is dead/ $eadGJ
!e paused and then said thoughtfuyH JIt )ight that the other one
1ied her/ She +as )ad> I te you/J
!e sighed> and Mr Par1er Pyne ordered t+o %enedi.tines/
JThe .ura/ao> it is good>J said the ,eorgian +aiter and 'rought
the) t+o .ura/aos/
*ust after noon the foo+ing day> Mr Par1er Pyne had his first vie+
of Shira?/ They had fo+n over )ountain ranges +ith narro+>
desoate vaeys 'et+een> and a arid> par.hed> dry +iderness/
Then suddeny Shira? .a)e into vie+ ; an e)erad;green De+e in
the heart of the +iderness/
Mr Par1er Pyne enDoyed Shira? as he had not enDoyed Teheran/ The
pri)itive .hara.ter of the hote did not appa hi)> nor the e8uay
pri)itive .hara.ter of the streets/
!e found hi)sef in the )idst of a Persian hoiday/ The 0an &u?
festiva had 'egun on the previous evening ; the fifteen;day period
in +hi.h the Persians .ee'rate their 0e+ @ear/ !e +andered
through the e)pty 'a?aars and passed out into the great open
stret.h of .o))on on the north side of the .ity/ A Shira? +as
.ee'rating/
<ne day he +a1ed Dust outside the to+n/ !e had 'een to the to)'
of !anfi? the poet> and it +as on returning that he sa+ and +as
fas.inated 'y a house/ A house a tied in 'ue and rose and yeo+>
set in a green garden +ith +ater and orange trees and roses/ It
+as> he fet> the house of a drea)/
That night he +as dining +ith the (ngish .onsu and he as1ed
a'out the house/
JFas.inating pa.e> isn"t itA It +as 'uit 'y a for)er +eathy
governor of #uristan> +ho had )ade a good thing out of his offi.ia
position/ An (ngish+o)an"s got it no+/ @ou )ust have heard of
her/ #ady (sther Carr/ Mad as a hatter/ ,one .o)petey native/
Won"t have anything to do +ith anything or anyone %ritish/J
JIs she youngAJ
JToo young to pay the foo in this +ay/ She"s a'out thirty/J
JThere +as another (ngish+o)an +ith her> +asn"t thereA A
+o)an +ho diedAJ
J@esI that +as a'out three years ago/ !appened the day after I too1
up )y post here> as a )atter of fa.t/ %arha)> )y prede.essor> died
suddeny> you 1no+/J
J!o+ did she dieAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne 'unty/
JFe fro) that .ourtyard or 'a.ony pa.e on the first foor/ She
+as #ady (sther"s )aid or .o)panion> I forget +hi.h/ Any+ay> she
+as .arrying the 'rea1fast tray and stepped 'a.1 over the edge/
7ery sadI nothing to 'e doneI .ra.1ed her s1u on the stone
'eo+/J
JWhat +as her na)eAJ
J-ing> I thin1I or +as it WisA 0o> that"s the )issionary +o)an/
&ather a ni.e;oo1ing gir/J
JWas #ady (sther upsetAJ
J@es ; no> I don"t 1no+/ She +as very 8ueerI I .oudn"t )a1e her out/
She"s a very ; +e> i)perious .reature/ @ou .an see she is
so)e'ody> if you 1no+ +hat I )eanI she rather s.ared )e +ith her
.o))anding +ays and her dar1> fashing eyes/J
!e aughed haf apoogeti.ay> then oo1ed .uriousy at his
.o)panion/ Mr Par1er Pyne +as apparenty staring into spa.e/ The
)at.h he had Dust stru.1 to ight his .igarette +as 'urning a+ay
unheeded in his hand/ It 'urned do+n to his fingers and he dropped
it +ith an eDa.uation of pain/ Then he sa+ the .onsu"s astonished
eBpression and s)ied/
JI 'eg your pardon>J he said/
JWoogathering> +eren"t youAJ
JThree 'ags fu>J said Mr Par1er Pyne enig)ati.ay/
They ta1ed of other )atters/
That evening> 'y the ight of a s)a oi a)p> Mr Par1er Pyne +rote
a etter/ !e hesitated a good dea over its .o)position/ @et in the
end it +as very si)peH
JMr Par1er Pyne presents his .o)pi)ents to #ady (sther Carr and
'egs to state that he is staying at the !ote Fars for the neBt three
days shoud she +ish to .onsut hi)/ J
!e en.osed a .utting ; the fa)ous advertise)entH
JThat ought to do the tri.1>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> as he got gingery
into his rather un.o)forta'e 'ed/ J#et )e see> neary three yearsI
yes> it ought to do it/J
<n the foo+ing day a'out four o".o.1 the ans+er .a)e/ It +as
'rought 'y a Persian servant +ho 1ne+ no (ngish/
J#ady (sther Carr +i 'e gad if Mr Par1er Pyne +i .a upon her at
nine o".o.1 this evening/ J
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/
It +as the sa)e servant +ho re.eived hi) that evening/ !e +as
ta1en through the dar1 garden and up an outside stair.ase that ed
round to the 'a.1 of the house/ Fro) there a door +as opened and
he passed through into the .entra .ourt or 'a.ony> +hi.h +as
open to the night/ A 'ig divan +as pa.ed against the +a and on it
re.ined a stri1ing figure/
#ady (sther +as attired in (astern ro'es> and it )ight have 'een
suspe.ted that one reason for her preferen.e ay in the fa.t that
they suited her ri.h> <rienta stye of 'eauty/ I)perious> the .onsu
had .aed her> and indeed i)perious she oo1ed/ !er .hin +as hed
high and her 'ro+s +ere arrogant/
J@ou are Mr Par1er PyneA Sit do+n there/J
!er hand pointed to a heap of .ushions/ <n the third finger there
fashed a 'ig e)erad .arved +ith the ar)s of her fa)iy/ It +as an
heiroo) and )ust 'e +orth a s)a fortune> Mr Par1er Pyne
refe.ted/
!e o+ered hi)sef o'edienty> though +ith a itte diffi.uty/ For a
)an of his figure it is not easy to sit on the ground gra.efuy/
A servant appeared +ith .offee/ Mr Par1er Pyne too1 his .up and
sipped appre.iativey/
!is hostess had a.8uired the <rienta ha'it of infinite eisure/ She
did not rush into .onversation/ She> too> sipped her .offee +ith haf.osed
eyes/ At ast she spo1e/
JSo you hep unhappy peope>J she said/ JAt east> that is +hat your
advertise)ent .ai)s/J
J@es/J
JWhy did you send it to )eA Is it your +ay of ; doing 'usiness on
your travesAJ
There +as so)ething de.idedy offensive in her voi.e> 'ut Mr
Par1er Pyne ignored it/ !e ans+ered si)py>
J0o/ My idea in traveing is to have a .o)pete hoiday fro)
'usiness/J
JThen +hy send it to )eAJ
J%e.ause I had reason to 'eieve that you ; are unhappy/J
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e/ !e +as very .urious/ !o+ +oud
she ta1e thatA She gave hersef a )inute to de.ide that point/ Then
she aughed/
JI suppose you thought that anyone +ho eaves the +ord> +ho ives
as I do> .ut off fro) )y ra.e> fro) )y .ountry> )ust do so 'e.ause
she is unhappyG Sorro+> disappoint)ent ; you thin1 so)ething i1e
that drove )e into eBieA <h> +e> ho+ shoud you understandA
There ; in (ngand ; I +as a fish out of +ater/ !ere I a) )ysef/ I a)
an <rienta at heart/ I ove this se.usion/ I dare say you .an"t
understand that/ To you> I )ust see) ;J she hesitated a )o)ent ;
J)ad/J
J@ou"re not )ad>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
There +as a good dea of 8uiet assuran.e in his voi.e/ She oo1ed
at hi) .uriousy/
J%ut they"ve 'een saying I a)> I suppose/ FoosG It ta1es a 1inds to
)a1e a +ord/ I") perfe.ty happy/J
JAnd yet you tod )e to .o)e here>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JI +i ad)it I +as .urious to see you/J She hesitated/ J%esides> I
never +ant to go 'a.1 there ; to (ngand ; 'ut a the sa)e>
so)eti)es I i1e to hear +hat is going on in ;J
JIn the +ord you have eftAJ
She a.1no+edged the senten.e +ith a nod/
Mr Par1er Pyne 'egan to ta1/ !is voi.e> )eo+ and reassuring>
'egan 8uiety> then rose ever so itte as he e)phasi?ed this point
and that/
!e ta1ed of #ondon> of so.iety gossip> of fa)ous )en and +o)en>
of ne+ restaurants and ne+ night .u's> of ra.e )eetings and
shooting parties and .ountry;house s.andas/ !e ta1ed of .othes>
of fashions fro) Paris> of itte shops in unfashiona'e streets +here
)arveous 'argains .oud 'e had/ !e des.ri'ed theaters and
.ine)as> he gave fi) ne+s> he des.ri'ed the 'uiding of ne+
garden su'ur's> he ta1ed of 'u's and gardening> and he .a)e
ast to a ho)ey des.ription of #ondon in the evening> +ith the
tra)s and the 'usses and the hurrying .ro+ds going ho)e+ard
after the day"s +or1 and of the itte ho)es a+aiting the)> and of
the +hoe strange inti)ate pattern of (ngish fa)iy ife/
It +as a very re)ar1a'e perfor)an.e> dispaying as it did +ide and
unusua 1no+edge and a .ever )arshaing of the fa.ts/ #ady
(sther"s head had droopedI the arrogan.e of her poise had 'een
a'andoned/ For so)e ti)e her tears had 'een 8uiety faing> and
no+ that he had finished> she a'andoned a pretense and +ept
openy/
Mr Par1er Pyne said nothing/ !e sat there +at.hing her/ !is fa.e
had the 8uiet> satisfied eBpression of one +ho has .ondu.ted an
eBperi)ent and o'tained the desired resut/
She raised her head at ast/ JWe>J she said 'ittery> Jare you
satisfiedAJ
JI thin1 so ; no+/J
J!o+ sha I 'ear itI ho+ sha I 'ear itA 0ever to eave hereI never
to see ; anyone againGJ The .ry .a)e as though +rung out of her/
She .aught hersef up> fushing/ JWeAJ she de)anded fier.ey/
JAren"t you going to )a1e the o'vious re)ar1A Aren"t you going to
say> "If you +ant to go ho)e so )u.h> +hy not do soA"J
J0o/J Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head/ JIt"s not neary so easy as
that for you/J
For the first ti)e a itte oo1 of fear .rept into her eyes/ J$o you
1no+ +hy I .an"t goAJ
JI thin1 so/J
JWrong/J She shoo1 her head/ JThe reason I .an"t go is a reason
you"d never guess/J
JI don"t guess>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI o'serve ; and I .assify/J
She shoo1 her head/ J@ou don"t 1no+ anything at a/J
JI sha have to .onvin.e you> I see>J said Mr Par1er Pyne
peasanty/ JWhen you .a)e out here> #ady (sther> you fe+> I
'eieve> 'y the ne+ ,er)an Air Servi.e fro) %aghdad/J
J@esAJ
J@ou +ere fo+n 'y a young piot> !err S.haga> +ho after+ards
.a)e here to see you/J
J@es/J
A different JyesJ in so)e indes.ri'a'e +ay ; a softer Jyes/J
JAnd you had a friend> or .o)panion> +ho ; died/J A voi.e i1e stee
no+ ; .od> offensive/
JMy .o)panion/J
J!er na)e +asAJ
JMurie -ing/J
JWere you fond of herAJ
JWhat do you )ean> fondAJ She paused> .he.1ed hersef/ JShe +as
usefu to )e/J
She said it haughtiy and Mr Par1er Pyne +as re)inded of the
.onsu"s sayingH J@ou .an see she is so)e'ody> if you 1no+ +hat I
)ean/J
JWere you sorry +hen she diedAJ
JI ; naturayG &eay> Mr Pyne> is it ne.essary to go into a thisAJ
She spo1e angriy> and +ent on +ithout +aiting for an ans+erH JIt
has 'een very good of you to .o)e/ %ut I a) a itte tired/ If you +i
te )e +hat I o+e you ;AJ
%ut Mr Par1er Pyne did not )ove/ !e sho+ed no signs of ta1ing
offense/ !e +ent 8uiety on +ith his 8uestions/ JSin.e she died>
!err S.haga has not 'een to see you/ Suppose he +ere to .o)e>
+oud you re.eive hi)AJ
JCertainy not/J
J@ou refuse a'souteyAJ
JA'soutey/ !err S.haga +i not 'e ad)itted/J
J@es>J said Mr Par1er Pyne thoughtfuy/ J@ou .oud not say
anything ese/J
The defensive ar)or of her arrogan.e 'ro1e do+n a itte/ She said
un.ertainyH JI ; I don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
J$id you 1no+> #ady (sther> that young S.haga fe in ove +ith
Murie -ingA !e is a senti)enta young )an/ !e sti treasures her
)e)ory/J
J$oes heAJ !er voi.e +as a)ost a +hisper/
JWhat +as she i1eAJ
JWhat do you )ean> +hat +as she i1eA !o+ do I 1no+AJ
J@ou )ust have oo1ed at her so)eti)es>J said Mr Par1er Pyne
)idy/
J<h> thatG She +as 8uite a ni.e;oo1ing young +o)an/J
JA'out your o+n ageAJ
J*ust a'out/J There +as a pause> and then she saidH JWhy do you
thin1 that ; that S.haga .ared for herAJ
J%e.ause he tod )e so/ @es> yes> in the )ost un)ista1a'e ter)s/
As I say> he is a senti)enta young )an/ !e +as gad to .onfide in
)e/ !e +as very upset at her dying the +ay she did/J
#ady (sther sprang to her feet/ J$o you 'eieve I )urdered herAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne did not spring to his feet/ !e +as not a springing
1ind of )an/ J0o> )y dear .hid>J he said/ JI do not 'eieve that you
)urdered her> and that 'eing so> I thin1 the sooner you stop this
pay;a.ting and go ho)e> the 'etter/J
JWhat do you )ean> paya.tingAJ
JThe truth is> you ost your nerve/ @es> you did/ @ou ost your nerve
'ady/ @ou thought you"d 'e a..used of )urdering your e)poyer/J
The gir )ade a sudden )ove)ent/
Mr Par1er Pyne +ent on/ J@ou are not #ady (sther Carr/ I 1ne+ that
'efore I .a)e here> 'ut I"ve tested you to )a1e sure/J !is s)ie
'ro1e out> 'and and 'enevoent/ JWhen I said )y itte pie.e Dust
no+> I +as +at.hing you> and every ti)e you rea.ted as Murie
-ing> not as (sther Carr/ The .heap shops> the .ine)as> the ;
garden su'ur's> going ho)e 'y 'us and tra) ; you rea.ted to a
those/ Country;house gossip> ne+ night .u's> the .hatter of
Mayfair> ra.e )eetings ; none of those )eant anything at a to
you/J
!is voi.e 'e.a)e even )ore persuasive and fathery/
JSit do+n and te )e a'out it/ @ou didn"t )urder #ady (sther> 'ut
you thought you )ight 'e a..used of doing so/ *ust te )e ho+ it
a .a)e a'out/J
She too1 a ong 'reathI then she san1 do+n even )ore on the divan
and 'egan to spea1/ !er +ords .a)e hurriedy> in itte 'ursts/
JI )ust 'egin ; at the 'eginning/ I ; I +as afraid her/ She +as )ad ;
not 8uite )ade ; Dust a itte/ She 'rought )e out here +ith her/ #i1e
a foo I +as deightedI I thought it +as so ro)anti./ #itte foo/ That"s
+hat I +as> a itte foo/ There +as so)e 'usiness a'out a
.hauffeur/ She +as )an;)ad ; a'soutey )an;)ad/ !e +oudn"t
have anything to do +ith her> and it put her outI her friends got to
1no+ a'out it and aughed/ And so she 'ro1e oose fro) her fa)iy
and .a)e out here/
JIt +as a a pose to save her fa.e ; soitude in the desert ; a that
sort of thing/ She +oud have 1ept it up for a 'it> and then gone
'a.1/ %ut she got 8ueerer and 8ueerer/ And there +as the piot/
She ; she too1 a fan.y to hi)/ !e .a)e here to see )e> and she
thought ; +e> you .an understand/ %ut he )ust have )ade it .ear
to her///
JAnd then she suddeny turned on )e/ She +as a+fu> frightening/
She said I shoud never go ho)e again/ She said I +as in her po+er/
She said I +as a save/ *ust that ; a save/ She had the po+er of ife
and death over )e/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/ !e sa+ the situation unfoding/ #ady
(sther so+y going over the edge of sanity> as others of her fa)iy
had gone 'efore her> and the frightened gir> ignorant and
untraveed> 'eieving everything that +as said to her/
J%ut one day so)ething in )e see)ed to snap/ I stood up to herH I
tod her that if it .a)e to it I +as stronger than she +as/ I tod her I"d
thro+ her do+n onto the stones 'eo+/ She +as frightened> reay
frightened/ I suppose she"d Dust thought )e a +or)/ I too1 a step
to+ards her ; I don"t 1no+ +hat she thought I )eant to do/ She
)oved 'a.1+ardsI she ; she stepped 'a.1 off the edgeGJ Murie
-ing 'uried her fa.e in her hands/
JAnd thenAJ Mr Par1er Pyne pro)pted genty/
JI ost )y head/ I thought they"d say I"d pushed her over/ I thought
no'ody +oud isten to )e/ I thought I shoud 'e thro+n into so)e
a+fu prison out here/J
!er ips +or1ed/ Mr Par1er Pyne sa+ .eary enough the
unreasoning fear that had possessed her/ JAnd then it .a)e to )e ;
if it +ere IG I 1ne+ that there +oud 'e a ne+ %ritish .onsu +ho"d
never seen either of us/ The other one had died/
JI thought I .oud )anage the servants/ To the) +e +ere t+o )ad
(ngish+o)en/ When one +as dead> the other .arried on/ I gave
the) good presents of )oney and tod the) to send for the %ritish
.onsu/ !e .a)e and I re.eived hi) as #ady (sther/ I had her ring
on )y finger/ !e +as very ni.e and arranged everything/ 0o'ody
see)ed to have the east suspi.ion/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded thoughtfuy/ The prestige of a fa)ous
na)e/ #ady (sther Carr )ight 'e )ad as a hatter> 'ut she +as sti
#ady (sther Carr/
JAnd then after+ards>J .ontinued Murie> JI +ished I hadn"t/ I sa+
that I"d 'een 8uite )ad )ysef/ I +as .onde)ned to stay on here
paying a part/ I didn"t see ho+ I .oud ever get a+ay/ If I .onfessed
the truth no+ it +oud oo1 )ore than ever as though I"d )urdered
her/ <h> Mr Pyne> +hat sha I doA What sha I doAJ
J$oAJ Mr Par1er Pyne rose to his feet as 'ris1y as his figure
ao+ed/ JMy dear .hid> you +i .o)e +ith )e no+ to the %ritish
.onsu> +ho is a very a)ia'e and 1indy )an/ There +i 'e .ertain
unpeasant for)aities to go through/ I don"t pro)ise you that it +i
'e a pain saiing> 'ut you +on"t 'e hanged for )urder/ %y the +ay>
+hy +as the 'rea1fast tray found +ith the 'odyAJ
JI thre+ it over/ I ; I thought it +oud oo1 )ore i1e )e to have a
tray there/ Was it siy of )eAJ
JIt +as rather a .ever tou.h>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIn fa.t> it +as
the one point +hi.h )ade )e +onder if you )ight> perhaps> have
done a+ay +ith #ady (sther ; that is> unti I sa+ you/ When I sa+
you> I 1ne+ that +hatever ese you )ight do in your ife> you +oud
never 1i anyone/J
J%e.ause I haven"t the nerve> you )eanAJ
J@our refeBes +oudn"t +or1 that +ay>J said Mr Par1er Pyne>
s)iing/ J0o+> sha +e goA There"s an unpeasant Do' to 'e fa.ed>
'ut I" see you through it> and then ; ho)e to Streatha) !i ; it is
Streatha) !i> isn"t itA @es> I thought so/ I sa+ your fa.e .ontra.t
+hen I )entioned one parti.uar 'us nu)'er/ Are you .o)ing> )y
dearAJ
Murie -ing hung 'a.1/ JThey" never 'eieve )e>J she said
nervousy/ J!er fa)iy and a/ They +oudn"t 'eieve she .oud a.t
the +ay she did/J
J#eave it to )e>J said Mr ar1er Pyne/ JI 1no+ so)ething of the
fa)iy history> you see/ Co)e> .hid> don"t go on paying the
.o+ard/ &e)e)'er> there"s a young )an in Teheran sighing his
heart out/ We had 'etter arrange that it is in his pane you fy to
%aghdad/J
The gir s)ied and 'ushed/ JI") ready>J she said si)py/ Then as
she )oved to+ards the door> she turned 'a.1/ J@ou said you 1ne+ I
+as not #ady (sther Carr 'efore you sa+ )e/ !o+ .oud you
possi'y te thatAJ
JStatisti.s>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JStatisti.sAJ
J@es/ %oth #ord and #ady Mi.hedever had 'ue eyes/ When the
.onsu )entioned that their daughter had fashing dar1 eyes I 1ne+
there +as so)ething +rong/ %ro+n;eyed peope )ay produ.e a
'ue;eyed .hid> 'ut not the other +ay a'out/ A s.ientifi. fa.t> I
assure you/J
JI thin1 you"re +onderfuGJ said Murie -ing/
T!( P(A&# <F P&IC(
The party had had a ong and tiring day/ They had started fro)
A))an eary in the )orning +ith a te)perature of ninety;eight in
the shade> and had .o)e at ast Dust as it +as gro+ing dar1 into the
.a)p situated in the heart of that .ity of fantasti. and preposterous
red ro.1 +hi.h is Petra/
There +ere seven of the)/ Mr Cae' P/ %unde> that stout and
prosperous A)eri.an )agnate/ !is dar1 and good;oo1ing> if
so)e+hat ta.iturn> se.retary> *i) !urst/ Sir $onad Marve> M/P/> a
tired;oo1ing (ngish poiti.ian/ $o.tor Carver> a +ord;reno+ned
edery ar.haeoogist/ A gaant Fren.h)an> Coone $u'os.> on
eave fro) Syria/ A Mr Par1er Pyne> not perhaps so painy a'eed
+ith his profession> 'ut 'reathing an at)osphere of %ritish soidity/
And asty> there +as Miss Caro %unde ; pretty> spoied> and
eBtre)ey sure of hersef as the ony +o)an a)ong haf a do?en
)en/
They dined in the 'ig tent> having see.ted their tents or .aves for
seeping in/ They ta1ed of poiti.s in the 0ear (ast ; the (ngish)an
.autiousy> the Fren.h)an dis.reety> the A)eri.an so)e+hat
fatuousy> and the ar.haeoogist and Mr Par1er Pyne not at a/ %oth
of the)> it see)ed> preferred the r/e of isteners/ So aso did *i)
!urst/
Then they ta1ed of the .ity they had .o)e to visit/
JIt"s Dust too ro)anti. for +ords>J said Caro/ JTo thin1 of those ;
+hat do you .a "e)A ; 0a'ataeans iving here a that +hie ago>
a)ost 'efore ti)e 'eganGJ
J!ardy that>J said Mr Par1er Pyne )idy/ J(h> $o.tor CarverAJ
J<h> that"s an affair of a )ere t+o thousand years 'a.1> and if
ra.1eteers are ro)anti.> then I suppose the 0a'ataeans are> too/
They +ere a pa.1 of +eathy 'a.1guards I shoud say> +ho
.o)peed traveers to use their o+n .aravan routes> and sa+ to it
that a other routes +ere unsafe/ Petra +as the storehouse of their
ra.1eteering profits/J
J@ou thin1 they +ere Dust ro''ersAJ as1ed Caro/ J*ust .o))on
thievesAJ
JThieves is a ess ro)anti. +ord> Miss %unde/ A thief suggests a
petty piferer/ A ro''er suggests a arger .anvas/J
JWhat a'out a )odern finan.ierAJ suggested Mr Par1er Pyne +ith a
t+in1e/
JThat"s one for you> PopGJ said Caro/
JA )an +ho )a1es )oney 'enefits )an1ind>J said Mr %unde
sententiousy/
JMan1ind>J )ur)ured Mr Par1er Pyne> Jis so ungratefu/J
JWhat is honestyAJ de)anded the Fren.h)an/ JIt is a nuan.e> a
.onvention/ In different .ountries it )eans different things/ An Ara'
is not asha)ed of steaing/ !e is not asha)ed of ying/ With hi) it is
fro) +ho) he steas or to +ho) he ies that )atters/J
JThat is the point of vie+ ; yes>J agreed Carver/
JWhi.h sho+s the superiority of the West over the (ast>J said
%unde/ JWhen these poor .reatures get edu.ation ;J
Sir $onad entered anguidy into the .onversation/ J(du.ation is
rather rot> you 1no+/ Tea.hes feo+s ot of useess things/ And
+hat I )ean is> nothing aters +hat you are/J
J@ou )eanAJ
JWe> +hat I )ean to say is> for instan.e> on.e a thief a+ays a
thief/J
There +as a dead sien.e for a )o)ent/ Then Carver 'egan ta1ing
feverishy a'out )os8uitoes> and her father 'a.1ed her up/
Sir $onad> a itte pu??ed> )ur)ured to his neigh'or> Mr Par1er
PyneH JSee)s I dropped a 'ri.1> +hatAJ
JCurious>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
Whatever )o)entary e)'arrass)ent had 'een .aused> one
person had 8uite faied to noti.e it/ The ar.haeoogist had sat
sient> his eyes drea)y and a'stra.ted/ When a pause .a)e> he
spo1e suddeny and a'rupty/
J@ou 1no+>J he said> JI agree +ith that ; at any rate> fro) the
opposite point of vie+/ A )an"s funda)entay honest> or he isn"t/
@ou .an"t get a+ay fro) it/J
J@ou don"t 'eieve that sudden te)ptation> for instan.e> +i turn an
honest )an into a .ri)inaAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne/
JI)possi'eGJ said Carver/
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head genty/ JI +oud not say i)possi'e/
@ou see> there are so )any fa.tors to ta1e into a..ount/ There"s the
'rea1ing point> for instan.e/J
JWhat do you .a the 'rea1ing pointAJ as1ed young !urst>
spea1ing for the first ti)e/ !e had a deep> rather attra.tive voi.e/
JThe 'rain is adDusted to .arry so )u.h +eight/ The thing that
pre.ipitates the .risis ; that turns an honest )an into a dishonest
one ; )ay 'e a )ere trife/ That is +hy )ost .ri)es are a'surd/ The
.ause> nine ti)es out of ten> is that trife of over+eight ; the stra+
that 'rea1s the .a)e"s 'a.1/J
JIt is the psy.hoogy you ta1 there> )y friend>J said the Fren.h)an/
JIf a .ri)ina +ere a psy.hoogist> +hat a .ri)ina he .oud 'eGJ
said Mr Par1er Pyne/ !is voi.e d+et ovingy on the idea/ JWhen
you thin1 that of ten peope you )eet> at east nine of the) .an 'e
indu.ed to a.t in any +ay you pease 'y appying the right
sti)uus/J
J<h> eBpain thatGJ .ried Caro/
JThere"s the 'uya'e )an/ Shout oud enough at hi) ; and he
o'eys/ There"s the .ontradi.tory )an/ %uy hi) the opposite +ay
fro) that in +hi.h you +ant hi) to go/ Then there"s the suggesti'e
person> the .o))onest type of a/ Those are the peope +ho have
seen a )otor> 'e.ause they have heard a )otor hornI +ho see a
post)an 'e.ause they hear the ratte of the etter 'oBI +ho see a
1nife in a +ound 'e.ause they are tod a )an has 'een sta''edI or
+ho +i have heard the pisto if they are tod a )an has 'een shot/J
JI guess no one .oud put that sort of stuff over on )e>J said Caro
in.reduousy/
J@ou"re too s)art for that> honey>J said her father/
JIt is very true +hat you say>J said the Fren.h)an refe.tivey/ JThe
pre.on.eived idea> it de.eives the senses/J
Caro ya+ned/ JI") going to )y .ave/ I") tired to death/ A''as
(ffendi said +e had to start eary to)orro+/ !e"s going to ta1e us
up to the pa.e of sa.rifi.e ; +hatever that is/J
JIt"s +here they sa.rifi.e young and 'eautifu girs>J said Sir
$onad/
JMer.y> I hope notG We> good night> a/ <h> I"ve dropped )y
earring/J
Coone $u'os. pi.1ed it up fro) +here it had roed a.ross the
ta'e and returned it to her/
JAre they reaAJ as1ed Sir $onad a'rupty/ $is.ourteous for the
)o)ent> he +as staring at the t+o arge soitaire pears at her ears/
JThey"re rea> a right>J said Caro/
JCost )e eighty thousand doars>J said her father +ith reish/ JAnd
she s.re+s the) in so oosey that they fa off and ro a'out the
ta'e/ Want to ruin )e> girAJ
JI"d say it +oudn"t ruin you even if you had to 'uy )e a ne+ pair>J
said Caro fondy/
JI guess it +oudn"t>J her father a.8uies.ed/ JI .oud 'uy you three
pairs of earrings +ithout noti.ing it in )y 'an1 'aan.e/J !e oo1ed
proudy around/
J!o+ ni.e for youGJ said Sir $onad/
JWe> gente)en> I thin1 I" turn in no+>J said %unde/ J,ood
night/J @oung !urst +ent +ith hi)/ The other four s)ied at one
another> as though in sy)pathy over so)e thought/
JWe>J dra+ed Sir $onad> Jit"s ni.e to 1no+ he +oudn"t )iss the
)oney/ Purse;proud hogGJ he added vi.iousy/
JThey have too )u.h )oney> these A)eri.ans>J said $u'os./
JIt is diffi.ut>J said Mr Par1er Pyne genty> Jfor a ri.h )an to 'e
appre.iated 'y the poor/J
$u'os. aughed/ J(nvy and )ai.eAJ he suggested/
J@ou are right> Monsieur/ We a +ish to 'e ri.hI to 'uy the pear
earrings severa ti)es over/ (B.ept> perhaps> Monsieur here/J
!e 'o+ed to $o.tor Carver +ho> as see)ed usua +ith hi)> +as
on.e )ore far a+ay/ !e +as fidding +ith an o'De.t in his hand/
J!)AJ !e roused hi)sef/ J0o> I )ust ad)it I don"t .ovet pears/
Money is a+ays usefu> of .ourse/J !e put it +here it 'eonged J%ut
oo1 at this>J he said> Jthere is so)ething a hundred ti)es )ore
interesting than pears/J
JWhat is itAJ
JIt is a .yinder sea of 'a.1 he)atite and it"s got a .ei'ation s.ene
engraved on it ; a god introdu.ing a supi.ant to a )ore i)portant
enthroned god/ The supi.ant is .arrying a .hid as offer and the
)ore i)portant god has a servant +ith a pa);eaf to 1eep a+ay the
fies/ The ins.ription is very .ear and says that the )an is a servant
of !a))ura'i and so it )ust have 'een )ade Dust four thousand
years ago/J
!e too1 a u)p of pasti.ine fro) his po.1et and roed it out on the
ta'e/ Then he passed the .yinder sea over it and said>
J@ou seeAJ
The s.ene he had des.ri'ed +as very .eary sho+n on the
pasti.ine/
For a )o)ent the spe of the past +as aid upon the) a/ Then>
fro) outside> the voi.e of Mr %unde +as heard> un)usi.ay/
J!ey> you darned feo+sG Change )y 'aggage out of this .ave and
into a tentG The no;see;u)s are 'iting hard/ I shan"t get a +in1 of
seep/J
J0o;see;u)sAJ Sir $onad 8ueried/
JPro'a'y sand fies>J said $o.tor Carver/
JI i1e the no;see;u)s>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIt"s a )ore
suggestive na)e/J
The party started eary the foo+ing )orning> getting under +ay
after various eB.a)ations at the .oor and )ar1ing of the ro.1s/
The Jrose;redJ .ity +as indeed a frea1 invented 'y 0ature in her
)ost eBtravagant and .oorfu )ood/ The party pro.eeded so+y>
sin.e $o.tor Carver +a1ed +ith his eyes 'ent on the ground>
o..asionay pausing to pi.1 up s)a o'De.ts/
J@ou .an a+ays te the ar.haeoogist ; so>J said Coone $u'os.>
s)iing/ J!e regards never the s1y> nor the his> nor the 'eauties of
nature/ !e +a1s +ith head 'ent> sear.hing/J
J@es> 'ut +hat forAJ said Caro/ JWhat are the things you are
pi.1ing up> $o.tor CarverAJ
With a sight s)ie the ar.haeoogist hed out a .oupe of )uddy
frag)ents of pottery/
JThat ru''ishGJ .ried Caro s.ornfuy/
JPottery is )ore interesting than god>J said $o.tor Carver/ Caro
oo1ed dis'eieving/
They .a)e to a sharp 'end and passed t+o or three ro.1;.ut
to)'s/ The as.ent +as so)e+hat trying/ The %edouin guards +ent
ahead> s+inging up the pre.ipitous sopes un.on.ernedy> +ithout
a do+n+ard gan.e at the sheer drop on one side of the)/
Caro oo1ed rather pae/ <ne guard eaned do+n fro) a'ove and
eBtended a hand/ !urst sprang up in front of her and hed out his
sti.1 i1e a rai on the pre.ipitous side/ She than1ed hi) +ith a
gan.e> and a )inute ater stood safey on a 'road path of ro.1/ The
others foo+ed so+y/ The sun +as no+ high and the heat +as
'eginning to 'e fet/
At ast they rea.hed a 'road pateau a)ost at the top/ An easy
.i)' ed to the su))it of a 'ig s8uare 'o.1 of ro.1/ %unde
signified to the guide that the party +oud go up aone/ The
%edouins disposed the)seves .o)forta'y against the ro.1s and
'egan to s)o1e/ A fe+ short )inutes and the others had rea.hed
the su))it/
It +as a .urious> 'are pa.e/ The vie+ +as )arveous e)'ra.ing
the vaey on every side/ They stood on a pain re.tanguar foor>
+ith ro.1 'asins .ut in the side and a 1ind of sa.rifi.ia atar/
JA heaveny pa.e for sa.rifi.es>J said Caro +ith enthusias)/ J%ut
)y> they )ust have had a ti)e getting the vi.ti)s up hereGJ
JThere +as originay a 1ind of ?ig?ag ro.1 road>J eBpained $o.tor
Carver/ JWe sha see tra.es of it as +e go do+n the other +ay/J
They +ere so)e ti)e onger .o))enting and ta1ing/ Then there
+as a tiny .hin1> and $o.tor Carver saidH
JI 'eieve you"ve dropped your earring again> Miss %unde/J
Caro .apped a hand to her ear/ JWhy> so I have/J
$u'os. and !urst 'egan sear.hing a'out/
JIt )ust 'e Dust here>J said the Fren.h)an/ JIt .an"t have roed
a+ay> 'e.ause there is no+here for it to ro to/ The pa.e is i1e a
s8uare 'oB/J
JIt .an"t have roed into a .ra.1AJ 8ueried Caro/
JThere"s not a .ra.1 any+here>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou .an see
for yoursef/ The pa.e is perfe.ty s)ooth/ Ah> you have found
so)ething> CooneAJ
J<ny a itte pe''e>J said $u'os.> s)iing and thro+ing it a+ay/
,raduay a different spirit ; a spirit of tension ; .a)e over the
sear.h/ They +ere not said aoud> 'ut the +ords Jeighty thousand
doarsJ +ere present in every'ody"s )ind/
J@ou are sure you had it> CaroAJ snapped her father/ JI )ean>
perhaps you dropped it on the +ay up/J
JI had it Dust as +e stepped onto the pateau here>J said Caro/ JI
1no+> 'e.ause $o.tor Carver pointed out to )e that it +as oose
and he s.re+ed it up for That"s so> isn"t it> do.torAJ
$o.tor Carver assented/ It +as Sir $onad +ho voi.ed the thoughts
in every'ody"s )ind/
JThis is rather an unpeasant 'usiness> Mr %unde>J he said/ J@ou
+ere teing us ast night +hat the vaue of these earrings is/ <ne of
the) aone is +orth a s)a fortune/ If this earring is not found> and
it does not oo1 as though it +i 'e found> every one of us +i 'e
under a .ertain suspi.ion/J
JAnd for one> I as1 to 'e sear.hed>J 'ro1e in Coone $u'os./ JI do
not as1> I de)and it as a rightGJ
J@ou .an sear.h )e> too>J said !urst/ !is voi.e sounded harsh/
JWhat does everyone ese feeAJ as1ed Sir $onad> oo1ing around/
JCertainy>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JAn eB.eent idea>J said $o.tor Carver/
JI" 'e in on this too> gente)en>J said Mr %unde/ JI"ve got )y
reasons> though I don"t +ant to state the)/J
J*ust as you i1e> of .ourse> Mr %unde>J said Sir $onad
.ourteousy/
JCaro> )y dear> +i you go do+n and +ait +ith the guidesAJ
Without a +ord the gir eft the)/ !er fa.e +as sore and gri)/ There
+as a despairing oo1 upon it that .aught the attention of one
)e)'er of the party> at east/ !e +ondered Dust +hat it )eant/
The sear.h pro.eeded/ It +as drasti. and thorough and .o)petey
unsatisfa.tory/ <ne thing +as .ertain/
0o one +as .arrying the earring on his person/ It +as su'dued itte
troop that negotiated the des.ent and istened haf;heartedy to the
guide"s des.riptions and infor)ation/
Mr Par1er Pyne had Dust finished dressing for un.h> +hen a figure
appeared at the door of his tent/
JMr Pyne> )ay I .o)e inAJ
JCertainy> )y dear young ady> .ertainy/J
Caro .a)e in and sat do+n on the 'ed/ !er fa.e had the sa)e gri)
oo1 upon it that he had noti.ed earier in the day/
J@ou pretend to straighten out things for peope +hen they are
unhappy> don"t youAJ she de)anded/
JI a) on hoiday> Miss %unde/ I a) not ta1ing any .ases/J
JWe> you"re going to ta1e this one>J said the gir .a)y/ J#oo1
here> Mr Pyne> I") Dust as +ret.hed as anyone .oud +e 'e/J
JWhat is trou'ing youAJ he as1ed/ JIs it this 'usiness of the
earringAJ
JThat"s Dust it/ @ou"ve said it/ *i) !urst didn"t ta1e it> Mr Pyne/ I
1no+ he didn"t/J
JI don"t 8uite foo+ you> Miss %unde/ Why shoud anyone assu)e
he hadAJ
J%e.ause of his re.ord/ *i) !urst +as on.e a thief> Mr Pyne/ !e
+as .aught in our house/ I ; I +as sorry for hi)/ !e oo1ed so young
and desperate ;J
JAnd so good;oo1ingGJ thought Mr Par1er Pyne/
JI persuaded Pop to give hi) a .han.e to )a1e good/ My father +i
do anything for )e/ We> he gave *i) his .han.e and *i) has )ade
good/ Father"s .o)e to rey on hi) and to trust hi) +ith a his
'usiness se.rets/ And in the end he" .o)e around atogether> or
+oud have if this hadn"t happened/J
JWhen you say ".o)e around";AJ
JI )ean that I +ant to )arry *i) and he +ants to )arry )e/J
JAnd Sir $onadAJ
JSir $onad is Father"s idea/ !e"s not )ine/ $o you thin1 I +ant to
)arry a stuffed fish i1e Sir $onadAJ
Without eBpressing any vie+s as to this des.ription of the young
(ngish)an> Mr Par1er Pyne as1edH JAnd Sir $onad hi)sefAJ
JI dare say he thin1s I"d 'e good for his i)poverished a.res>J said
Caro s.ornfuy/
Mr Par1er Pyne .onsidered the situation/ JI shoud i1e to as1 you
a'out t+o things>J he said/ J#ast night the re)ar1 +as )ade> "on.e
a thief> a+ays a thief/"J
The gir nodded/
JI see no+ the reason for the e)'arrass)ent the re)ar1 see)ed to
.ause/J
J@es> it +as a+1+ard for *i) ; and for )e and Pop too/ I +as so
afraid *i)"s fa.e +oud sho+ so)ething that I Dust trotted out the
first re)ar1s I .oud thin1 of/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded thoughtfuy/ Then he as1edH J*ust +hy did
your father insist on 'eing sear.hed todayAJ
J@ou didn"t get thatA I did/ Pop had it in his )ind that I )ight thin1
the +hoe 'usiness +as a fra)e;up against *i)/ @ou see> he"s .ra?y
for )e to )arry the (ngish)an/ We> he +anted to sho+ )e that he
had not done the dirty on *i)/J
J$ear )e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> Jthis is a very iu)inating/ In a
genera sense> I )ean/ It hardy heps us in our parti.uar in8uiry/J
J@ou"re not going to hand in your .he.1sAJ
J0o> no/J !e +as sient a )o)ent> then he said> JWhat is it eBa.ty
you +ant )e to do> Miss CaroAJ
JProve it +asn"t *i) +ho too1 that pear/J
JAnd suppose ; eB.use )e ; that it +asAJ
JIf you thin1 so> you"re +rong ; dead +rong/J
J@es> 'ut have you reay .onsidered the .ase .arefuyA $on"t you
thin1 that the pear )ight prove a sudden te)ptation to Mr !urstA
The sae of it +oud 'ring in a arge su) of )oney ; a foundation on
+hi.h to spe.uate> sha +e sayA ; +hi.h +i )a1e hi)
independent> so that he .an )arry you +ith or +ithout your father"s
.onsent/J
J*i) didn"t do it>J said the gir si)py/
This ti)e Mr Par1er Pyne a..epted her state)ent/
JWe> I" do )y 'est/J
She nodded a'rupty and eft the tent/ Mr Par1er Pyne in his turn sat
do+n on the 'ed/ !e gave hi)sef up to thought/ Suddeny he
.hu.1ed/
JI") gro+ing so+;+itted>J he said> aoud/ At un.h he +as very
.heerfu/
The afternoon passed pea.efuy/ Most peope sept/ When Mr
Par1er Pyne .a)e into the 'ig tent at a 8uarter past four ony
$o.tor Carver +as there/ !e +as eBa)ining so)e frag)ents of
pottery/
JAhGJ said Mr Par1er Pyne> dra+ing up a .hair to the ta'e/ J*ust
the )an I +ant to see/ Can you et )e have that 'it of pasti.ine you
.arry a'outAJ
The do.tor fet in his po.1ets and produ.ed a sti.1 of pasti.ine>
+hi.h he offered to Mr Par1er Pyne/
J0o>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> +aving it a+ay> Jthat"s not the one I
+ant/ I +ant that u)p you had ast night/ To 'e fran1> it"s not the
pasti.ine I +ant/ It"s the .ontents of it/J
There +as a pause> and then $o.tor Carver said 8uiety/ JI don"t
thin1 I 8uite understand you/J
JI thin1 you do>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI +ant Miss %unde"s pear
earring/J
There +as a )inute"s dead sien.e/ Then Carver sipped his hand
into his po.1et and too1 out a shapeess u)p of pasti.ine/
JCever of you>J he said/ !is fa.e +as eBpressioness/
JI +ish you"d te )e a'out it>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ !is fingers
+ere 'usy/ With a grunt> he eBtra.ted a so)e+hat s)eared pear
earring/ J*ust .uriosity> I 1no+>J he added apoogeti.ay/ J%ut I
shoud i1e to hear a'out it/J
JI" te you>J said Carver> Jif you" te )e Dust ho+ you happened to
pit.h upon )e/ @ou didn"t see anything> did youAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head/ JI Dust thought a'out it>J he said/
JIt +as reay sheer a..ident> to start +ith>J said Carver/ JI +as
'ehind you a this )orning and I .a)e a.ross it ying in front of )e ;
it )ust have faen fro) the gir"s ear a )o)ent 'efore/ She hadn"t
noti.ed it/ 0o'ody had/ I pi.1ed it up and put it into )y po.1et>
)eaning to return it to her as soon as I .aught her up/ %ut I forgot/
JAnd then> haf+ay up that .i)'> I 'egan to thin1/ The De+e )eant
nothing to that foo of a gir ; her father +oud 'uy her another
+ithout noti.ing the .ost/ And it +oud )ean a ot to )e/ The sae of
that pear +oud e8uip an eBpedition/J !is i)passive fa.e suddeny
t+it.hed and .a)e to ife/ J$o you 1no+ the diffi.uty there is
no+adays in raising su's.riptions for diggingA 0o> you don"t/ The
sae of that pear +oud )a1e everything easy/ There"s a site I +ant
to dig up in %au.histan/ There"s a +hoe .hapter of the past there
+aiting to 'e dis.overed///
JWhat you said ast night .a)e into )y )ind ; a'out a suggesti'e
+itness/ I thought the gir +as that type/ As +e rea.hed the su))it
I tod her her earring +as oose/ I pretended to tighten it/ What I
reay did +as to press the point of a s)a pen.i into her ear/ A fe+
)inutes ater I dropped a itte pe''e/ She +as 8uite ready to
s+ear then that the earring had 'een in her ear and had Dust
dropped off/ In the )eanti)e I pressed the pear into a u)p of
pasti.ine in )y po.1et/ That"s )y story/ 0ot a very edifying one/
0o+ for your turn/J
JThere isn"t )u.h of )y story>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou +ere the
ony )an +ho"d pi.1ed up things fro) the ground ; that"s +hat
)ade )e thin1 of you/ And finding that itte pe''e +as signifi.ant/
It suggested the tri.1 you"d payed/ And then ;J
J,o on>J said Carver/
JWe> you see> you"d ta1ed a'out honesty a itte too vehe)enty
ast night/ Protesting over)u.h ; +e> you 1no+ +hat Sha1espeare
says/ It oo1ed> so)eho+> as though you +ere trying to .onvin.e
yoursef/ And you +ere a itte too s.ornfu a'out )oney/J
The fa.e of the )an in front of hi) oo1ed ined and +eary/ JWe>
that"s that>J he said/ JIt"s a up +ith )e no+/ @ou" give the gir 'a.1
her ge+ga+> I supposeA <dd thing> the 'ar'ari. instin.t for
orna)entation/ @ou find it going 'a.1 as far as paeoithi. ti)es/
<ne of the first instin.ts of the fe)ae seB/J
JI thin1 you )isDudge Miss Caro>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JShe has
'rains ; and +hat is )ore> a heart/ I thin1 she +i 1eep this
'usiness to hersef/J
JFather +on"t> though>J said the ar.haeoogist/
JI thin1 he +i/ @ou see> "Pop" has his o+n reasons for 1eeping
8uiet/ There"s no forty;thousand;doar tou.h a'out this earring/ A
)ere fiver +oud .over its vaue/J
J@ou )ean ;AJ
J@es/ The gir doesn"t 1no+/ She thin1s they are genuine> a right/ I
had )y suspi.ions ast night/ Mr %unde ta1ed a itte too )u.h
a'out a the )oney he had/ When things go +rong and you"re
.aught in the su)p ; +e> the 'est thing to do is to put a good fa.e
on it and 'uff/ Mr %unde +as 'uffing/J
Suddeny $o.tor Carver grinned/ It +as an engaging s)a;'oy
grin> strange to see on the fa.e of an edery )an/ JThen +e"re a
poor devis together>J he said/
J(Ba.ty>J said Mr Par1er Pyne and 8uoted> J"A feo+ feeing )a1es
us +ondrous 1ind/"J
$(AT! <0 T!( 0I#(
#ady ,raye +as nervous/ Fro) the )o)ent of .o)ing on 'oard the
S/S/ Fayou) she .o)pained of everything/ She did not i1e her
.a'in/ She .oud 'ear the )orning sun> 'ut not the afternoon sun/
Pa)ea ,raye> her nie.e> o'igingy gave up her .a'in on the other
side/ #ady ,raye a..epted it grudgingy/
She snapped at Miss Ma.0aughton> her nurse> for having given her
the +rong s.arf and for having pa.1ed her itte pio+ instead of
eaving it out/ She snapped at her hus'and> Sir ,eorge> for having
Dust 'ought her the +rong string of 'eads/ It +as apis she +anted>
not .arneian/ ,eorge +as a fooG
Sir ,eorge said anBiousy> JSorry> )e dear> sorry/ I" go 'a.1 and
.hange "e)/ Penty of ti)e/J
She did not snap at %asi West> her hus'and"s private se.retary>
'e.ause no'ody ever snapped at %asi/ !is s)ie disar)ed you
'efore you 'egan/
%ut the +orst of it fe assuredy to the drago)an ; an i)posing and
ri.hy dressed personage +ho) nothing .oud distur'/ When #ady
,raye .aught sight of a stranger in a 'as1et .hair and reai?ed that
he +as a feo+ passenger> the vias of her +rath +ere poured out
i1e +ater/
JThey tod )e distin.ty at the offi.e that +e +ere the ony
passengersG It +as the end of the season and there +as no one ese
goingGJ
JThat right> ady>J said Moha))ed .a)y/ J*ust you and party and
one gente)an> that"s a/J
J%ut I +as tod that there +oud 'e ony ourseves/J
JThat 8uite right> ady/J
JIt"s not a rightG It +as a ieG What is that )an doing thereAJ
J!e .o)e ater> ady/ After you ta1e ti.1ets/ !e ony de.ide .o)e
this )orning/J
JIt"s an a'soute s+indeGJ
JThat a right> adyI hi) very 8uiet gente)an> very ni.e> very
8uiet/J
J@ou"re a fooG @ou 1no+ nothing a'out it/ Miss Ma.0aughton>
+here are youA <h> there you are/ I"ve repeatedy as1ed you to stay
near )e/ I )ight fee faint/ !ep )e to )y .a'in and give )e an
aspirin> and don"t et Moha))ed .o)e near )e/ !e 1eeps on
saying "That right> ady>" ti I fee I .oud s.rea)/J
Miss Ma.0aughton proffered an ar) +ithout a +ord/ She +as a ta
+o)an of a'out thirty;five> handso)e in a 8uiet> dar1 +ay/ She
setted #ady ,raye in the .a'in> propped her up +ith .ushions>
ad)inistered an aspirin and istened to the thin fo+ of .o)paint/
#ady ,raye +as forty;eight/ She had suffered sin.e she +as
siBteen fro) the .o)paint of having too )u.h )oney/ She had
)arried that i)poverished 'aronet> Sir ,eorge ,raye> ten years
'efore/
She +as a 'ig +o)an> not 'ad;oo1ing as regarded features> 'ut
her fa.e +as fretfu and ined> and the avish )a1e;up she appied
ony a..entuated the 'e)ishes of ti)e and te)per/ !er hair had
'een in turn patinu);'ond and henna;red> and +as oo1ing tired in
.onse8uen.e/ She +as overdressed and +ore too )u.h De+ery/
JTe Sir ,eorge>J she finished> +hie the sient Miss Ma.0aughton
+aited +ith an eBpressioness fa.e> Jte Sir ,eorge that he )ust
get that )an off the 'oatG I )ust have priva.y/ A I"ve gone through
atey ;J She shut her eyes/
J@es> #ady ,raye>J said Miss Ma.0aughton> and eft the .a'in/
The offending ast;)inute passenger +as sti sitting in the de.1
.hair/ !e had his 'a.1 to #uBor and +as staring out a.ross the 0ie
to +here the distant his sho+ed goden a'ove a ine of dar1 green/
Miss Ma.0aughton gave hi) a s+ift> appraising gan.e as she
passed/
She found Sir ,eorge in the ounge/ !e +as hoding a string of
'eads in his hand and oo1ing at it dou'tfuy/
JTe )e> Miss Ma.0aughton> do you thin1 these +i 'e a rightAJ
Miss Ma.0aughton gave a s+ift gan.e at the apis/
J7ery ni.e indeed>J she said/
J@ou thin1 #ady ,raye +i 'e peased ; ehAJ
J<h> no> I shoudn"t say that> Sir ,eorge/ @ou see> nothing +oud
pease her/ That"s the rea truth of it/ %y the +ay> she sent )e +ith a
)essage to you/ She +ants you to get rid of this eBtra passenger/J
Sir ,eorge"s Da+ dropped/ J!o+ .an IA What .oud I say to the
feo+AJ
J<f .ourse you .an"t/J (sie Ma.0aughton"s voi.e +as 'ris1 and
1indy/ J*ust say there +as nothing to 'e done/J She added
en.ouragingy> JIt +i 'e a right/J
J@ou thin1 it +i> ehAJ !is fa.e +as udi.rousy patheti./
(sie Ma.0aughton"s voi.e +as sti 1inder as she saidH J@ou reay
)ust not ta1e these things to heart> Sir ,eorge/ It"s Dust heath> you
1no+/ $on"t ta1e it seriousy/J
J@ou thin1 she"s reay 'ad> nurseAJ
A shade .rossed the nurse"s fa.e/ There +as so)ething odd in her
voi.e as she ans+eredH J@es> I ; I don"t 8uite i1e her .ondition/ %ut
pease don"t +orry> Sir ,eorge/ @ou )ustn"t/ @ou reay )ustn"t/J
She gave hi) a friendy s)ie and +ent out/
Pa)ea .a)e in> very anguid and .oo in her +hite/
J!uo> 0un1s/J
J!uo> Pa)> )e dear/J
JWhat have you got thereA <h> ni.eGJ
JWe> I") gad you thin1 so/ $o you thin1 your aunt +i thin1 so>
tooAJ
JShe"s in.apa'e of i1ing anything/ I .an"t thin1 +hy you )arried
the +o)an> 0un1s/J
Sir ,eorge +as sient/ A .onfused panora)a of unsu..essfu
ra.ing> pressing .reditors and a handso)e> if do)ineering +o)an
rose 'efore his )enta vision/
JPoor od dear>J said Pa)ea/ JI suppose you had to do it/ %ut she
does give us 'oth rather he> doesn"t sheAJ
JSin.e she"s 'een i ;J 'egan Sir ,eorge/
Pa)ea interrupted hi)/ JShe"s not iG 0ot reay/ She .an a+ays do
anything she +ants to/ Why> +hie you +ere up at Assouan she +as
as )erry as a ; a .ri.1et/ I 'et you Miss Ma.0aughton 1no+s she"s a
fraud/J
JI don"t 1no+ +hat +e"d do +ithout Miss Ma.0aughton>J said Sir
,eorge> +ith a sigh/
JShe"s an effi.ient .reature>J ad)itted Pa)ea/ JI don"t eBa.ty dote
on her as you do> though> 0un1s/ <h> you doG $on"t .ontradi.t/ @ou
thin1 she"s +onderfu/ So she is> in a +ay/ %ut she"s a dar1 horse/ I
never 1no+ +hat she"s thin1ing/ Sti> she )anages the od .at 8uite
+e/J
J#oo1 here> Pa)> you )ustn"t spea1 of your aunt i1e that/ $ash it
a> she"s very good to you/J
J@es> she pays a our 'is> doesn"t sheA It"s the he of a ife>
though/J
Sir ,eorge passed on to a ess painfu su'De.t/ JWhat are +e to do
a'out this feo+ +ho"s .o)ing on the tripA @our aunt +ants the
'oat to hersef/J
JWe> she .an"t have it>J said Pa)ea .ooy/ JThe )an"s 8uite
presenta'e/ !is na)e"s Par1er Pyne/ I shoud thin1 he +as a .ivi
servant out of the &e.ords $epart)ent ; if there is su.h a thing/
Funny thing is> I see) to have heard the na)e so)e+here/ %asiGJ
The se.retary had Dust entered/ JWhere have I seen the na)e
Par1er PyneAJ
JFront page of the "Ti)es/" Agony Cou)n>J repied the young )an
pro)pty/ J"Are you happyA If not> .onsut Mr Par1er Pyne/"J
J0everG !o+ frightfuy a)usingG #et"s te hi) a our trou'es a
the +ay to Cairo/J
JI haven"t any>J said %asi West si)py/ JWe"re going to gide do+n
the goden 0ie> and see te)pes ;J he oo1ed 8ui.1y at Sir ,eorge>
+ho had pi.1ed up a paper ; Jtogether/J
The ast +ord +as ony Dust 'reathed> 'ut Pa)ea .aught it/ !er
eyes )et his/
J@ou"re right> %asi>J she said ighty/ JIt"s good to 'e aive/J
Sir ,eorge got up and +ent out/ Pa)ea"s fa.e .ouded over/
JWhat"s the )atter> )y s+eetAJ
JMy detested aunt;'y;)arriage ;J
J$on"t +orry>J said %asi 8ui.1y/ JWhat does it )atter +hat she
gets in her headA $on"t .ontradi.t her/ @ou see>J he aughed> Jit"s
good .a)oufage/J
The 'enevoent figure of Mr Par1er Pyne entered the ounge/
%ehind hi) .a)e the pi.tures8ue figure of Moha))ed> prepared to
say his pie.e/
J#ady> gente)ans> +e start no+/ In a fe+ )inutes +e pass te)pes
of -arna1 right;hand side/ I te you story no+ a'out itte 'oy +ho
+ent to 'uy a roasted a)' for his father///J
Mr Par1er Pyne )opped his forehead/ !e had Dust returned fro) a
visit to the Te)pe of $endera/ &iding on a don1ey +as> he fet> an
eBer.ise i suited to his figure/ !e +as pro.eeding to re)ove his
.oar +hen a note propped up on the dressing ta'e .aught his
attention/ !e opened it/ It ran as foo+sH
$ear Sir>
I shoud 'e o'iged if you +oud not visit the Te)pe of A'ydos 'ut
+oud re)ain on the 'oat> as I +ish to .onsut you/
@ours truy>
Ariadne ,raye
A s)ie .reased Mr Par1er Pyne"s arge> 'and fa.e/ !e rea.hed for
a sheet of paper and uns.re+ed his fountain pen/
$ear #ady ,raye 9he +rote:>
I a) sorry to disappoint you> 'ut I a) at present on hoiday and a)
not doing any professiona 'usiness/
!e signed his na)e and dispat.hed the etter 'y a ste+ard/ As he
.o)peted his .hange of toiet> another note +as 'rought to hi)/
$ear Mr Par1er Pyne>
I appre.iate the fa.t that you are on hoiday> 'ut I a) prepared to
pay a fee of a hundred pounds for a .onsutation/
@ours truy>
Ariadne ,raye
Mr Par1er Pyne"s eye'ro+s rose/ !e tapped his teeth thoughtfuy
+ith his fountain pen/ !e +anted to see A'ydos> 'ut a hundred
pounds +as a hundred pounds/ And (gypt had 'een even )ore
+i.1edy eBpensive than he had i)agined/
$ear #ady ,raye 9he +rote:>
I sha not visit the Te)pe of A'ydos/
@ours faithfuy>
*/ Par1er Pyne
Mr Par1er Pyne"s refusa to eave the 'oat +as a sour.e of great
grief to Moha))ed/
J7ery ni.e te)pe/ A )y gente)ans i1e see that te)pe/ I get you
.arriage/ I get you .hair> and saiors .arry you/J
Mr Par1er Pyne refused a these te)pting offers/ The others set
off/
Mr Par1er Pyne +aited on de.1/ Presenty the door of #ady ,raye"s
.a'in opened and the ady hersef traied out on de.1/
JSu.h a hot afternoon>J she o'served gra.iousy/ JI see you have
stayed 'ehind> Mr Pyne/ 7ery +ise of you/ Sha +e have so)e tea
together in the oungeAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne rose pro)pty and foo+ed her/ It .annot 'e denied
that he +as .urious/
It see)ed as though #ady ,raye fet so)e diffi.uty in .o)ing to
the point/ She futtered fro) this su'De.t to that/ %ut finay she
spo1e in an atered voi.e/
JMr Pyne> +hat I a) a'out to te you is in the stri.test .onfiden.eG
@ou do understand that> don"t youAJ
J0aturay/J
She paused> too1 a deep 'reath/ Mr Par1er Pyne +aited/
JI +ant to 1no+ +hether or not )y hus'and is poisoning )e/J
Whatever Mr Par1er Pyne had eBpe.ted> it +as not this/ !e sho+ed
his astonish)ent painy/ JThat is a very serious a..usation to
)a1e> #ady ,raye/J
JWe> I") not a foo and I +asn"t 'orn yesterday/ I"ve had )y
suspi.ions for so)e ti)e/ Whenever ,eorge goes a+ay I get 'etter/
My food doesn"t disagree +ith )e and I fee a different +o)an/
There )ust 'e so)e reason for that/J
JWhat you say is very serious> #ady ,raye/ @ou )ust re)e)'er I
a) not a dete.tive/ I a)> if you i1e to put it that +ay> a heart
spe.iaist ;J
She interrupted hi)/ J(h ; and don"t you thin1 it +orries )e> a thisA
It"s not a poi.e)an I +ant ; I .an oo1 after )ysef> than1 you ; it"s
.ertainty I +ant/ I"ve got to 1no+/ I") not a +i.1ed +o)an> Mr Pyne/
I a.t fairy 'y those +ho a.t fairy 'y )e/ A 'argain"s a 'argain/ I"ve
1ept )y side of it/ I"ve paid )y hus'and"s de'ts and I"ve not stinted
hi) in )oney/J
Mr Par1er Pyne had a feeting pang of pity for Sir ,eorge/
JAnd as for the gir> she"s had .othes and parties and this> that and
the other/ Co))on gratitude is a I as1/J
J,ratitude is not a thing that .an 'e produ.ed to order> #ady
,raye/J
J0onsenseGJ said #ady ,raye/ She +ent on/ JWe> there it isG Find
out the truth for )eG <n.e I 1no+ ;J
!e oo1ed at her .uriousy/ J<n.e you 1no+> +hat then> #ady
,rayeAJ
JThat"s )y 'usiness/J !er ips .osed sharpy/
Mr Par1er Pyne hesitated a )inute> then he saidH
J@ou +i eB.use )e> #ady ,raye> 'ut I have the i)pression that
you are not 'eing entirey fran1 +ith )e/J
JThat"s a'surd/ I"ve tod you eBa.ty +hat I +ant you to find out/J
J@es> 'ut not the reason +hyAJ
Their eyes )et/ !ers fe first/
JI shoud thin1 the reason +as sef;evident>J she said/
J0o> 'e.ause I a) in dou't upon one point/J
JWhat is thatAJ
J$o you +ant your suspi.ions proved right or +rongAJ
J&eay> Mr PyneGJ The ady rose to her feet> 8uivering +ith
indignation/
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded his head genty/ J@es> yes>J he said/ J%ut
that doesn"t ans+er )y 8uestion> you 1no+/J
J<hGJ Words see)ed to fai her/ She s+ept out of the roo)/
#eft aone> Mr Par1er Pyne 'e.a)e very thoughtfu/ !e +as so deep
in his o+n thoughts that he started per.epti'y +hen so)eone
.a)e in and sat do+n opposite hi)/ It +as Miss Ma.0aughton/
JSurey you"re a 'a.1 very soon>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThe others aren"t 'a.1/ I said I had a heada.he and .a)e 'a.1
aone/J She hesitated/ JWhere is #ady ,rayeAJ
JI shoud i)agine ying do+n in her .a'in/J
J<h> then that"s a right/ I don"t +ant her to 1no+ I"ve .o)e 'a.1/J
J@ou didn"t .o)e 'a.1 on her a..ount> thenAJ
Miss Ma.0aughton shoo1 her head/ J0o> I .a)e 'a.1 to see you/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as surprised/ !e +oud have said offhand that
Miss Ma.0aughton +as e)inenty .apa'e of oo1ing after her
trou'es hersef +ithout see1ing outside advi.e/ It see)ed that he
+as +rong/
JI"ve +at.hed you sin.e +e a .a)e on 'oard/ I thin1 you"re a
person of +ide eBperien.e and good Dudg)ent/ And I +ant advi.e
very 'ady/J
JAnd yet ; eB.use )e> Miss Ma.0aughton ; I thin1 you"re not the
type that usuay see1s advi.e/ I shoud say that you +ere a person
+ho +as 8uite .ontent to rey on her o+n Dudg)ent/J
J0or)ay> yes/ %ut I a) in a very pe.uiar position/J She hesitated
a )o)ent/ JI do not usuay ta1 a'out )y .ases/ %ut in this instan.e
I thin1 it is ne.essary/ Mr Pyne> +hen I eft (ngand +ith #ady ,ray
she +as a straightfor+ard .ase/ In pain anguage> there +as
nothing the )atter +ith her/ That"s not 8uite true> perhaps/ Too
)u.h eisure and too )u.h )oney do produ.e a definite
pathoogi.a .ondition/ !aving so)e foors to s.ru' every day and
five or siB .hidren to oo1 after +oud have )ade #ady ,raye a
perfe.ty heathy and a )u.h happier +o)an/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/
JAs a hospita nurse> one sees a ot of these nervous .ases/ #ady
,raye enDoyed her 'ad heath/ It +as )y part not to )ini)i?e her
sufferings> to 'e as ta.tfu as I .oud ; and to enDoy the trip )ysef
as )u.h as possi'e/J
J7ery sensi'e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J%ut Mr Pyne> things are not as they +ere/ The suffering that #ady
,raye .o)pains of no+ is rea and not i)agined/J
J@ou )eanAJ
JI have .o)e to suspe.t that #ady ,raye is 'eing poisoned/J
JSin.e +hen have you suspe.ted thisAJ
JFor the past three +ee1s/J
J$o you suspe.t ; any parti.uar personAJ
!er eyes dropped/ For the first ti)e her voi.e a.1ed sin.erity/
J0o/J
JI put it to you> Miss Ma.0aughton> that you do suspe.t one
parti.uar person> and that that person is Sir ,eorge ,raye/J
J<h> no> no> I .an"t 'eieve it of hi)G !e is so patheti.> so .hidi1e/
!e .oudn"t 'e a .od;'ooded poisoner/J !er voi.e had an
anguished note in it/
JAnd yet you have noti.ed that +henever Sir ,eorge is a'sent his
+ife is 'etter> and that her periods of iness .orrespond +ith his
return/J
She did not ans+er/
JWhat poison do you suspe.tA Arseni.AJ
JSo)ething of that 1ind/ Arseni. or anti)ony/J
JAnd +hat steps have you ta1enAJ
JI have done )y ut)ost to supervise +hat #ady ,raye eats and
drin1s/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/ J$o you thin1 #ady ,raye has any
suspi.ion hersefAJ he as1ed .asuay/
J<h> no> I") sure she hasn"t/J
JThere you are +rong>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J#ady ,raye does
suspe.t/J
Miss Ma.0aughton sho+ed her astonish)ent/
J#ady ,raye is )ore .apa'e of 1eeping a se.ret than you
i)agine>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JShe is a +o)an +ho 1no+s ho+ to
1eep her o+n .ounse very +e/J
JThat surprises )e very )u.h>J said Miss Ma.0aughton so+y/
JI shoud to as1 one )ore 8uestion> Miss Ma.0aughton/ $o you
thin1 #ady ,raye i1es youAJ
JI"ve never thought a'out it/J
They +ere interrupted/ Moha))ed .a)e in> his fa.e 'ea)ing> his
ro'es fo+ing 'ehind hi)/
J#ady> she hear you .o)e 'a.1I she as1 for you/ She say +hy you
not .o)e to herAJ
(sie Ma.0aughton rose hurriedy/ Mr Par1er Pyne rose aso/
JWoud a .onsutation eary to)orro+ )orning suit youAJ he as1ed/
J@es> that +oud 'e the 'est ti)e/ #ady ,raye seeps ate/ In the
)eanti)e> I sha 'e very .arefu/J
JI thin1 #ady ,raye +i 'e .arefu> too/J
Miss Ma.0aughton disappeared/
Mr Par1er Pyne did not see #ady ,raye ti Dust 'efore dinner/ She
+as sitting s)o1ing a .igarette and 'urning +hat see)ed to 'e a
etter/ She too1 no noti.e at a of hi)> 'y +hi.h he gathered that
she +as sti offended/
After dinner he payed 'ridge +ith Sir ,eorge> Pa)ea and %asi/
(veryone see)ed a itte distrait and the 'ridge ga)e 'ro1e up
eary/
It +as so)e hours ater +hen Mr Par1er Pyne +as roused/ It +as
Moha))ed +ho .a)e to hi)/
J<d ady> she very i/ 0urse> she very frightened/ I try get do.tor/J
Mr Par1er Pyne hurried on so)e .othes/ !e arrived in the door+ay
of #ady ,raye"s .a'in at the sa)e ti)e as %asi West/ Sir ,eorge
and Pa)ea +ere inside/ (sie Ma.0aughton +as +or1ing
desperatey over her patient/ As Mr Par1er Pyne arrived> a fina
.onvusion sei?ed the poor ady/ !er ar.hed 'ody +rithed and
stiffened/ Then she fe 'a.1 on her pio+s/
Mr Par1er Pyne dre+ Pa)ea genty outside/
J!o+ a+fuGJ the gir +as haf so''ing/ J!o+ a+fuG Is she> is she ;
AJ
J$eadA @es> I a) afraid it is a over/J
!e put her into %asi"s 1eeping/ Sir ,eorge .a)e out of the .a'in>
oo1ing da?ed/
JI never thought she +as reay i>J he +as )uttering/ J0ever
thought it for a )o)ent/J
Mr Par1er Pyne pushed past hi) and entered the .a'in/
(sie Ma.0aughton"s fa.e +as +hite and dra+n/
JThey have sent for a do.torAJ she as1ed/
J@es/J Then he saidH JStry.hnineAJ
J@es/ Those .onvusions are un)ista1a'e/ <h> I .an"t 'eieve itGJ
She san1 into a .hair> +eeping/ !e patted her shouder/
Then an idea see)ed to stri1e hi)/ !e eft the .a'in hurriedy and
+ent to the ounge/ There +as a itte s.rap of paper eft un'urnt in
an ash tray/ *ust a fe+ +ords +ere distinguisha'eH
J0o+> that"s interesting>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
Mr Par1er Pyne sat in the roo) of a pro)inent offi.ia/ JSo that"s the
eviden.e>J he said/
J@es> .o)pete/ Man )ust have 'een a .o)pete idiot/J
JI +oudn"t .a Sir ,eorge a 'rainy )an/J
The other re.apituatedH J#ady ,raye as1s for a .up of soup/ The
nurse )a1es it for her/ Then she as1s for a 'it of sherry in it/ Sir
,eorge produ.es the sherry/ T+o hours ater> #ady ,raye dies
+ith un)ista1a'e signs of stry.hnine poisoning/ A pa.1et of
stry.hnine is found in Sir ,eorge"s .a'in and another pa.1et
a.tuay in the po.1et of his dinner Da.1et/J
J7ery thorough>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JWhere did the stry.hnine
.o)e fro)> 'y the +ayAJ
JThere"s a itte dou't over that/ The nurse had so)e ; in .ase #ady
,raye"s heart trou'ed her ; 'ut she"s .ontradi.ted hersef on.e or
t+i.e/ First she said her suppy +as inta.t> and no+ she says it
isn"t/J
J7ery uni1e her not to 'e sure>J +as Mr Par1er Pyne"s .o))ent/
JThey +ere in it together> in )y opinion/ They"ve got a +ea1ness for
ea.h other> those t+o/J
JPossi'yI 'ut if Miss Ma.0aughton had 'een panning )urder>
she"d have done it a good dea 'etter/ She"s an effi.ient young
+o)an/J
JWe> there it is/ In )y opinion> Sir ,eorge is in for it/ !e hasn"t a
dog"s .han.e/J
JWe> +e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> JI )ust see +hat I .an do/J
!e sought out the pretty nie.e/
Pa)ea +as +hite and indignant/ J0un1s never did su.h a thing ;
never ; never ; neverGJ
JThen +ho didAJ said Mr Par1er Pyne pa.idy/
Pa)ea .a)e nearer/ J$o you 1no+ +hat I thin1A She did it hersef/
She"s 'een frightfuy 8ueer atey/ She used to i)agine things/J
JWhat thingsAJ
J4ueer things/ %asi> for instan.e/ She +as a+ays hinting that %asi
+as in ove +ith her/ And %asi and I are ; +e are ;J
JI reai?e that>J said Mr Par1er Pyne> s)iing/
JA that a'out %asi +as pure i)agination/ I thin1 she had a do+n
on poor itte 0un1s> and I thin1 she )ade up that story and tod it to
you> and then put the stry.hnine in his .a'in and in his po.1et and
poisoned hersef/ Peope have done things i1e that> haven"t theyAJ
JThey have>J ad)itted Mr Par1er Pyne/ J%ut I don"t thin1 that #ady
,raye did/ She +asn"t> if you" ao+ )e to say so> the type/J
J%ut the deusionsAJ
J@es> I"d i1e to as1 Mr West a'out that/J
!e found the young )an in his roo)/ %asi ans+ered his 8uestions
readiy enough/
JI don"t +ant to sound fatuous> 'ut she too1 a fan.y to )e/ That"s
+hy I daren"t et her 1no+ a'out )e and Pa)ea/ She"d have had Sir
,eorge fire )e/J
J@ou thin1 Miss ,raye"s theory a i1ey oneAJ
JWe> it"s possi'e> I suppose/J The young )an +as dou'tfu/
J%ut not good enough>J said Mr Par1er Pyne 8uiety/ J0o> +e )ust
find so)ething 'etter/J !e 'e.a)e ost in )editation for a )inute or
t+o/ JA .onfession +oud 'e 'est>J he said 'ris1y/ !e uns.re+ed
his fountain pen and produ.ed a sheet of paper/ J*ust +rite it out>
+i youAJ
%asi West stared at hi) in a)a?e)ent/ JMeA What on earth do you
)eanAJ
JMy dear young )an ;J Mr Par1er Pyne sounded a)ost paterna ; JI
1no+ a a'out it/ !o+ you )ade ove to the good ady/ !o+ she had
s.rupes/ !o+ you fe in ove +ith the pretty> penniess nie.e/ !o+
you arranged your pot/ So+ poisoning/ It )ight pass for natura
death fro) gastroenteritis ; if not> it +oud 'e aid to Sir ,eorge"s
doing> sin.e you +ere .arefu to et the atta.1s .oin.ide +ith his
presen.e/
JThen your dis.overy that the ady +as suspi.ious and had ta1ed
to )e a'out the )atter/ 4ui.1 a.tionG @ou a'stra.ted so)e
stry.hnine fro) Miss Ma.0aughton"s store/ Panted so)e of it in Sir
,eorge"s .a'in> and so)e in his po.1et and put suffi.ient into a
.a.het +hi.h you en.osed +ith a note to the ady> teing her it +as
a ".a.het of drea)s/"
JA ro)anti. idea/ She"d ta1e it as soon as the nurse had eft her>
and no one +oud 1no+ anything a'out it/ %ut you )ade one
)ista1e> )y young )an/ It is useess as1ing a ady to 'urn etters/
They never do/ I"ve got a that pretty .orresponden.e> in.uding
the one a'out the .a.het/J
%asi West had turned green/ A his good oo1s had vanished/ !e
oo1ed i1e a trapped rat/
J$a)n youGJ he snared/ JSo you 1no+ a a'out it/ @ou da)ned
interfering 0osey Par1er/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as saved fro) physi.a vioen.e 'y the
appearan.e of the +itnesses he had thoughtfuy arranged to have
istening outside the haf;.osed door/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as again dis.ussing the .ase +ith his friend the
high offi.ia/
JAnd I hadn"t a shred of eviden.eG <ny an a)ost inde.iphera'e
frag)ent> +ith "%urn thisG" on it/ I dedu.ed the +hoe story and tried
it on hi)/ It +or1ed/ I"d stu)'ed on the truth/ The etters did it/
#ady ,raye had 'urned every s.rap he +rote> 'ut he didn"t 1no+
that/
JShe +as reay a very unusua +o)an/ I +as pu??ed +hen she
.a)e to )e/ What she +anted +as for )e to te her that her
hus'and +as poisoning her/ In that .ase> she )eant to go off +ith
young West/ %ut she +anted to a.t fairy/ Curious .hara.ter/J
JThat poor itte gir is going to suffer>J said the other/
JShe" get over it>J said Mr Par1er Pyne .aousy/ JShe"s young/ I")
anBious that Sir ,eorge shoud get a itte enDoy)ent 'efore it"s too
ate/ !e"s 'een treated i1e a +or) for ten years/ 0o+> (sie
Ma.0aughton +i 'e very 1ind to hi)/J
!e 'ea)ed/ Then he sighed/ JI a) thin1ing of going in.ognito to
,ree.e/ I reay )ust have a hoidayGJ
T!( <&AC#( AT $(#P!I
Mrs Wiard */ Peters did not reay .are for ,ree.e/ And of $ephi
she had> in her se.ret heart> no opinion at a/
Mrs Peters" spiritua ho)es +ere Paris> #ondon and the &iviera/
She +as a +o)an +ho enDoyed hote ife> 'ut her idea of a hote
'edroo) +as a soft;pie .arpet> a uBurious 'ed> a profusion of
different arrange)ents of ee.tri. ight> in.uding a shaded 'edside
a)p> penty of hot and .od +ater and a teephone 'eside the 'ed>
'y )eans of +hi.h you .oud order tea> )eas> )inera +aters>
.o.1tais and spea1 to your friends/
In the hote at $ephi there +ere none of these things/ There +as a
)arveous vie+ fro) the +indo+s> the 'ed +as .ean and so +as
the +hite+ashed roo)/ There +as a .hair> a +ashstand and a .hest
of dra+ers/ %aths too1 pa.e 'y arrange)ent and +ere
o..asionay disappointing as regarded hot +ater/
It +oud> she supposed> 'e ni.e to say that you had 'een to $ephi>
and Mrs Peters had tried hard to ta1e an interest in An.ient ,ree.e>
'ut she found it diffi.ut/
Their statuary see)ed so unfinishedI so a.1ing in heads and ar)s
and egs/ Se.rety> she )u.h preferred the handso)e )ar'e ange
.o)pete +ith +ings +hi.h +as ere.ted on the ate Mr Wiard
Peters" to)'/ %ut a these se.ret opinions she 1ept .arefuy to
hersef> for fear her son Wiard shoud despise her/ It +as for
Wiard"s sa1e that she +as here> in this .hiy and un.o)forta'e
roo)> +ith a su1y )aid and a disgusted .hauffeur in the offing/
For Wiard 9unti re.enty .aed *unior ; a tite +hi.h he hated: +as
Mrs Peters" eighteen;year;od son> and she +orshiped hi) to
distra.tion/ It +as Wiard +ho had this strange passion for 'ygone
art/ It +as Wiard> thin> pae> spe.ta.ed and dyspepti.> +ho had
dragged his adoring )other on this tour through ,ree.e/
They had 'een to <y)pia> +hi.h Mrs Peters thought a sad )ess/
She had enDoyed the Parthenon> 'ut she .onsidered Athens a
hopeess .ity/ And a visit to Corinth and My.enae had 'een agony
to 'oth her and the .hauffeur/
$ephi> Mrs Peters thought unhappiy> +as the ast stra+/
A'soutey nothing to do 'ut +a1 aong the road and oo1 at the
ruins/ Wiard spent ong hours on his 1nees de.iphering ,ree1
ins.riptions> saying> JMother> Dust isten to thisG Isn"t it spendidAJ
And he +oud then read out so)ething that see)ed to Mrs Peters
the 8uintessen.e of duness/
This )orning Wiard had started eary to see so)e %y?antine
)osai.s/ Mrs Peters> feeing instin.tivey that %y?antine )osai.s
+oud eave her .od 9in the itera as +e as the spiritua sense:>
had eB.used hersef/
JI understand> Mother>J Wiard had said/ J@ou +ant to 'e aone Dust
to sit in the theater or up in the Stadiu) and oo1 do+n over it a
and et it sin1 in/J
JThat"s right> pet>J said Mrs Peters/
JI 1ne+ this pa.e +oud get you>J said Wiard eButanty> and
departed/
0o+> +ith a sigh> Mrs Peters prepared to rise and 'rea1fast/
She .a)e into the dining roo) to find it e)pty save for four peope/
A )other and daughter> dressed in +hat see)ed to Mrs Peters a
)ost pe.uiar stye 9not re.ogni?ing the pepu) as su.h:> +ho +ere
dis.oursing on the art of sef;eBpression in dan.ingI a pu)p>
)idde;aged gente)an +ho had res.ued a suit.ase for her +hen
she got off the train and +hose na)e +as Tho)psonI and a
ne+.o)er> a )idde;aged gente)an +ith a 'ad head +ho had
arrived on the pre.eding evening/
This personage +as the ast eft in the 'rea1fast roo)> and Mrs
Peters soon fe into .onversation +ith hi)/ She +as a friendy
+o)an and i1ed so)eone to ta1 to/ Mr Tho)pson had 'een
distin.ty dis.ouraging in )anner 9%ritish reserve> Mrs Peters
.aed it:> and the )other and daughter had 'een very superior and
high;'ro+> though the gir had got on rather +e +ith Wiard/
Mrs Peters found the ne+.o)er a very peasant person/ !e +as
infor)ative +ithout 'eing high'ro+/ !e tod her severa interesting>
friendy itte detais a'out the ,ree1s> +hi.h )ade her fee )u.h
)ore as though they +ere rea peope and not Dust tireso)e history
out of a 'oo1/
Mrs Peters tod her ne+ friend a a'out Wiard and +hat a .ever
'oy he +as> and ho+ Cuture )ight 'e said to 'e his )idde na)e/
There +as so)ething a'out this 'enevoent and 'and personage
+hi.h )ade hi) easy to ta1 to/
What he hi)sef did and +hat his na)e +as> Mrs Peters did not
earn/ %eyond the fa.t that he had 'een traveing and that he +as
having a .o)pete rest fro) 'usiness 9+hat 'usinessA: he +as not
.o))uni.ative a'out hi)sef/
Atogether> the day passed )ore 8ui.1y than )ight have 'een
anti.ipated/ The )other and daughter and Mr Tho)pson .ontinued
to 'e unso.ia'e/ They en.ountered the atter .o)ing out of the
)useu)> and he i))ediatey turned in the opposite dire.tion/
Mrs Peters" ne+ friend oo1ed after hi) +ith a itte fro+n/
J0o+> I +onder +ho that feo+ isGJ he said/
Mrs Peters suppied hi) +ith the other"s na)e> 'ut .oud do no
)ore/
JTho)pson ; Tho)pson/ 0o> I don"t thin1 I"ve )et hi) 'efore> and
yet so)eho+ or other his fa.e see)s fa)iiar/ %ut I .an"t pa.e
hi)/J
In the afternoon Mrs Peters enDoyed a 8uiet nap in a shady spot/
The 'oo1 she too1 +ith her to read +as not the eB.eent one on
,re.ian Art re.o))ended to her 'y her son> 'ut +as> on the
.ontrary> entited JThe &iver #aun.h Mystery/J It had four )urders
in it> three a'du.tions> and a arge and varied gang of dangerous
.ri)inas/ Mrs Peters found hersef 'oth invigorated and soothed
'y the perusa of it/
It +as four o".o.1 +hen she returned to the hote/ Wiard> she fet
sure> +oud 'e 'a.1 'y this ti)e/ So far +as she fro) any
presenti)ent of evi that she a)ost forgot to open a note +hi.h the
proprietor said had 'een eft for her 'y a strange )an during the
afternoon/
It +as an eBtre)ey dirty note/ Idy she ripped it open/ As she read
the first fe+ ines> her fa.e 'an.hed and she put out a hand to
steady hersef/ The hand+riting +as foreign 'ut the anguage
e)poyed +as (ngish/
#ady 9it 'egan:H
This to hand to infor) you that your son is 'eing hed .aptive 'y us
in pa.e of great se.urity/ 0o har) sha happen to honored young
gente)an if you o'ey orders of yours truy/ We de)and for hi)
ranso) of ten thousand (ngish pounds stering/ If you spea1 of this
to hote proprietor or poi.e or any su.h person your son +i 'e
1ied/ This is given you to refe.t/ To)orro+ dire.tions in +ay of
paying )oney +i 'e given/ If not o'eyed the honored young
gente)an"s ears +i 'e .ut off and sent you/ And foo+ing day if
sti not o'eyed he +i 'e 1ied/ Again this is not ide threat/ #et the
-yria refe.t and ; a'ove a ; 'e sient/
$e)etrius the %a.1 %ro+ed
It +ere ide to des.ri'e the poor ady"s state of )ind Preposterous
and .hidishy +orded as the de)and +as> it yet 'rought ho)e to
her a gri) at)osphere of peri/ Wiard> her 'oy> her pet> her
dei.ate> serious Wiard/
She +oud go at on.e to the poi.eI she +oud rouse the
neigh'orhood/ %ut perhaps> if she did/// She shivered/
Then> rousing hersef> she +ent out of her roo) in sear.h of the
hote proprietor ; the soe person in the hote +ho .oud spea1
(ngish/
JIt is getting ate>J she said/ JMy son has not returned yet/J
The peasant itte )an 'ea)ed at her/ JTrue/ Monsieur dis)issed
the )ues/ !e +ished to return on foot/ !e shoud have 'een here
'y no+> 'ut dou'tess he has ingered on the +ay/J !e s)ied
happiy/
JTe )e>J said Mrs Peters a'rupty> Jhave you any 'ad .hara.ters
in the neigh'orhoodAJ
%ad .hara.ters +as a ter) not e)'ra.ed 'y the itte )an"s
1no+edge of (ngish/ Mrs Peters )ade her )eaning painer/ She
re.eived in repy an assuran.e that a around $ephi +ere very
good> very 8uiet peope ; a +e disposed to+ards foreigners/
Words tre)'ed on her ips> 'ut she for.ed the) 'a.1/ That sinister
threat tied her tongue/ It )ight 'e the )erest 'uff/ %ut suppose it
+asn"tA A friend of hers in A)eri.a had had a .hid 1idnaped> and
on her infor)ing the poi.e> the .hid had 'een 1ied/ Su.h things
did happen/
She +as neary franti./ What +as she to doA Ten thousand pounds ;
+hat +as thatA ; 'et+een forty or fifty thousand doarsG What +as
that to her in .o)parison +ith Wiard"s safetyA %ut ho+ .oud she
o'tain su.h a su)A There +ere endess diffi.uties Dust no+ as
regarded )oney and the dra+ing of .ash/ A etter of .redit for a
fe+ hundred pounds +as a she had +ith her/
Woud the 'andits understand thisA Woud they 'e reasona'eA
Woud they +aitA
When her )aid .a)e to her> she dis)issed the gir fier.ey/ A 'e
sounded for dinner> and the poor ady +as driven to the dining
roo)/ She ate )e.hani.ay/ She sa+ no one/ The roo) )ight have
'een e)pty as far as she +as .on.erned/
With the arriva of fruit> a note +as pa.ed 'efore her/ She +in.ed>
'ut the hand+riting +as entirey different fro) that +hi.h she had
feared to see ; a neat> .er1y (ngish hand/ She opened it +ithout
)u.h interest> 'ut she found its .ontents intriguingH
At $ephi you .an no onger .onsut the <ra.e 9so it ran:> 'ut you
.an .onsut Mr Par1er Pyne/
%eo+ that +as a .utting of an advertise)ent pinned to the paper>
and at the 'otto) of the sheet a passport photograph +as
atta.hed/ It +as the photograph of her 'ad;headed friend of the
)orning/
Mrs Peters read the printed .utting t+i.e/
"Are you happyA If not> .onsut Mr Par1er Pyne/"
!appyA !appyA !ad anyone ever 'een so unhappyA It +as i1e an
ans+er to prayer/
!astiy she s.ri''ed on a oose sheet of paper she happened to
have in her 'agH
Pease hep )e/ Wi you )eet )e outside the hote in ten )inutesA
She en.osed it in an enveope and dire.ted the +aiter to ta1e it to
the gente)an at the ta'e 'y the +indo+/ Ten )inutes ater>
enveoped in a fur .oat> for the night +as .hiy> Mrs Peters +ent out
of the hote and stroed so+y aong the road to the ruins/ Mr
Par1er Pyne +as +aiting for her/
JIt"s Dust the )er.y of heaven you"re here>J said Mrs Peters
'reathessy/ J%ut ho+ did you guess the terri'e trou'e I") inA
That"s +hat I +ant to 1no+/J
JThe hu)an .ountenan.e> )y dear )ada)>J said Mr Par1er Pyne
genty/ JI 1ne+ at on.e that so)ething had happened> 'ut +hat it is
I a) +aiting for you to te )e/J
<ut it .a)e in a food/ She handed hi) the etter +hi.h he read 'y
the ight of his po.1et tor.h/
J!")>J he said/ JA re)ar1a'e do.u)ent/ A )ost re)ar1a'e
do.u)ent/ It has .ertain points ;J
%ut Mrs Peters +as in no )ood to isten to a dis.ussion of the finer
points of the etter/ What +as she to do a'out WiardA !er o+n
dear> dei.ate Wiard/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as soothing/ !e painted an attra.tive pi.ture of
,ree1 'andit ife/ They +oud 'e espe.iay .arefu of their .aptive>
sin.e he represented a potentia god )ine/ ,raduay he .a)ed
her do+n/
J%ut +hat a) I to doAJ +aied Mrs Peters/
JWait ti to)orro+>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThat is> uness you
prefer to go straight to the poi.e/J
Mrs Peters interrupted hi) +ith a shrie1 of terror/ !er daring
Wiard +oud 'e )urdered out of handG
J@ou thin1 I" get Wiard 'a.1 safe and soundAJ
JThere is no dou't of that>J said Mr Par1er Pyne soothingy/ JThe
ony 8uestion is +hether you .an get hi) 'a.1 +ithout paying ten
thousand pounds/J
JA I +ant is )y 'oy/J
J@es> yes>J said Mr Par1er Pyne soothingy/ JWho 'rought the
etter> 'y the +ayAJ
JA )an the andord didn"t 1no+/ A stranger/J
JAhG There are possi'iities there/ The )an +ho 'rings the etter
to)orro+ )ight 'e foo+ed/ What are you teing the peope at the
hote a'out your son"s a'sen.eAJ
JI haven"t thought/J
JI +onder> no+/J Mr Par1er Pyne refe.ted/ JI thin1 you )ight 8uite
naturay eBpress aar) and .on.ern at his a'sen.e/ A sear.h party
.oud 'e sent out/J
J@ou don"t thin1 these fiends ;AJ She .ho1ed/
J0o> no/ So ong as there is no +ord of the 1idnaping or the ranso)>
they .annot turn nasty/ After a> you .an"t 'e eBpe.ted to ta1e your
son"s disappearan.e +ith no fuss at a/J
JCan I eave it a to youAJ
JThat is )y 'usiness>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
They started 'a.1 to+ards the hote again 'ut a)ost ran into a
'ury figure/
JWho +as thatAJ as1ed Mr Par1er Pyne sharpy/
JI thin1 it +as Mr Tho)pson/J
J<hGJ said Mr Par1er Pyne thoughtfuy/ JTho)pson> +as itA
Tho)pson ; h")/J
Mrs Peters fet as she +ent to 'ed that Mr Par1er Pyne"s idea a'out
the etter +as a good one/ Whoever 'rought it )ust 'e in tou.h +ith
the 'andits/ She fet .onsoed> and fe aseep )u.h sooner than
she .oud ever have 'eieved possi'e/
When she +as dressing on the foo+ing )orning> she suddeny
noti.ed so)ething ying on the foor 'y the +indo+/ She pi.1ed it
up ; and her heart )issed a 'eat/ The sa)e dirty> .heap enveopeI
the sa)e hatefu .hara.ters/ She tore it open/
,ood )orning> ady/ !ave you )ade refe.tionsA @our son is +e
and unhar)ed ; so far/ %ut +e )ust have the )oney/ It )ay not 'e
easy for you to get this su)> 'ut it has 'een tod us that you have
+ith you a ne.1a.e of dia)onds/ 7ery fine stones/ We +i 'e
satisfied +ith that> instead/ #isten> this is +hat you )ust do/ @ou> or
anyone you .hoose to send )ust ta1e this ne.1a.e and 'ring it to
the Stadiu)/ Fro) there go up to +here there is a tree 'y a 'ig
ro.1/ (yes +i +at.h and see that ony one person .o)es/ Then
your son +i 'e eB.hanged for ne.1a.e/ The ti)e )ust 'e
to)orro+ siB o".o.1 in )orning Dust after sunrise/ If you put poi.e
on us after+ards +e shoot your son as your .ar drives to station/
This is our ast +ord> ady/ If no ne.1a.e to)orro+ )orning your
son"s ears sent you/ 0eBt day he die/
With sautations> ady>
$e)etrius
Mrs Peters hurried to find Mr Par1er Pyne/ !e read the etter
attentivey/
JIs this true>J he as1ed> Ja'out a dia)ond ne.1a.eAJ
JA'soutey/ A hundred thousand doars> )y hus'and paid for it/J
J<ur +e;infor)ed thieves>J )ur)ured Mr Par1er Pyne/
JWhat"s that you sayAJ
JI +as Dust .onsidering .ertain aspe.ts of the affair/J
JMy +ord> Mr Pyne> +e haven"t got ti)e for aspe.ts> I"ve got to get
)y 'oy 'a.1/J
J%ut you are a +o)an of spirit> Mrs Peters/ $o you enDoy 'eing
'uied and .heated out of ten thousand poundsA $o you enDoy
giving up your dia)onds )ee1y to a set of ruffiansAJ
JWe> of .ourse> if you put it i1e thatGJ The +o)an of spirit in Mrs
Peters +rested +ith the )other/ J!o+ I"d i1e to get even +ith the)
; the .o+ardy 'rutesG The very )inute I get )y 'oy 'a.1> Mr Pyne> I
sha set the +hoe poi.e of the neigh'orhood on the)/ And if
ne.essary I sha hire an ar)ored .ar to ta1e Wiard and )ysef to
the rai+ay stationGJ Mrs Peters +as fushed and vindi.tive/
J@e;es>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J@ou see> )y dear )ada)> I") afraid
they +i 'e prepared for that )ove on your part/ They 1no+ that
on.e Wiard is restored to you nothing +i 1eep you fro) setting
the +hoe neigh'orhood on the aert/ Whi.h eads one to suppose
that they have prepared for that )ove/J
JWe> +hat do you +ant to doAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/ JI +ant to try a itte pan of )y o+n/J !e
oo1ed round the dining roo)/ It +as e)pty and the doors at 'oth
ends +ere .osed/ JMrs Peters> there is a )an I 1no+ in Athens ; a
De+eer/ !e spe.iai?es in good artifi.ia dia)onds ; first;.ass
stuff/J !is voi.e dropped to a +hisper/ JI" get hi) 'y teephone/ !e
.an get here this afternoon> 'ringing a good see.tion of stones
+ith hi)/J
J@ou )eanAJ
J!e" eBtra.t the rea dia)onds and repa.e the) +ith paste
repi.as/J
JWhy> if that isn"t the .utest thing I"ve ever heard ofGJ Mrs Peters
ga?ed at hi) +ith ad)iration/
JShG 0ot so oud/ Wi you do so)ething for )eAJ
JSurey/J
JSee that no'ody .o)es +ithin earshot of the teephone/J
Mrs Peters nodded/
The teephone +as in the )anager"s offi.e> +ho va.ated it
o'igingy> after having heped Mr Par1er Pyne to o'tain the
nu)'er/ When he e)erged> he found Mrs Peters outside/
JI") Dust +aiting for Mr Par1er Pyne>J she said/ JWe"re going for a
+a1/J
J<h> yes> Mada)/J
Mr Tho)pson +as aso in the ha/ !e .a)e to+ards the) and
engaged the )anager in .onversation/ Were there any vias to 'e
et in $ephiA 0oA %ut surey there +as one a'ove the hote/
JThat 'eongs to a ,ree1 gente)an> Monsieur/ !e does not et it/J
JAnd there are no other viasAJ
JThere is one 'eonging to an A)eri.an ady/ That on the other side
of the viage/ It is shut up no+/ And there is one 'eonging to an
(ngish gente)an> an artist ; that one is on the .iff edge oo1ing
do+n to Itea/J
Mrs Peters 'ro1e in/ 0ature had given her a ot of voi.e and she
purposey )ade it ouder/ JWhy>J she said> JI"d Dust adore to have a
via hereG So unspoied and natura/ I") si)py .ra?y a'out the
pa.e> aren"t you> Mr Tho)psonA %ut of .ourse you )ust 'e if you
+ant a via/ Is it your first visit hereA @ou don"t say so/J
She ran on deter)inedy ti Mr Par1er Pyne e)erged fro) the
offi.e/ !e gave her Dust the faintest s)ie of approva/
Mr Tho)pson +a1ed so+y do+n the steps and out into the road>
+here he Doined the high'ro+ )other and daughter> +ho see)ed to
'e feeing the +ind .od on their eBposed ar)s/
A +ent +e/ The De+eer arrived Dust 'efore dinner +ith a .ar fu
of other tourists/ Mrs Peters too1 her ne.1a.e to his roo)/ !e
grunted approva/ Then he spo1e in Fren.h/
JMada)e peut reste tran8uie/ *e reussirai/J !e eBtra.ted so)e
toos fro) his itte 'ag and 'egan +or1/
At eeven o".o.1> Mr Par1er Pyne tapped on Mrs Peters" door/
J!ere you areGJ
!e handed her a itte .ha)ois 'ag/ She gan.ed inside/
JMy dia)ondsGJ
J!ush/ !ere is the ne.1a.e +ith the paste repa.ing the dia)onds/
Pretty good> don"t you thin1AJ
JSi)py +onderfu/J
JAristopouos is a .ever feo+/J
J@ou don"t thin1 they" suspe.tAJ
J!o+ shoud theyA They 1no+ you have the ne.1a.e +ith you/ @ou
hand it over/ !o+ .an they suspe.t the tri.1AJ
JWe> I thin1 it"s +onderfu>J Mrs Peters reiterated> handing the
ne.1a.e 'a.1 to hi)/ JWi you ta1e it to the)A <r is that as1ing too
)u.h of youAJ
JCertainy I +i ta1e it/ *ust give )e the etter> so that I have the
dire.tions .ear/ Than1 you/ 0o+> good night and 'on .ourage/
@our 'oy +i 'e +ith you to)orro+ for 'rea1fast/J
J<h> if ony that"s trueGJ
J0o+> don"t +orry/ #eave everything in )y hands/J
Mrs Peters did not spend a good night/ When she sept> she had
terri'e drea)s/ $rea)s +here ar)ed 'andits in ar)ored .ars
fired off a fusiade at Wiia)> +ho +as running do+n the )ountain
in his paDa)as/
She +as than1fu to +a1e/ At ast .a)e the first gitter of da+n/ Mrs
Peters got up and dressed/ She sat up +aiting/
At seven o".o.1 there .a)e a tap on her door/ !er throat +as so
dry she .oud hardy spea1/
JCo)e in>J she said/
The door opened and Mr Tho)pson entered/ She stared at hi)/
Words faied her/ She had a sinister presenti)ent of disaster/ And
yet his voi.e +hen he spo1e +as .o)petey natura and )atter;offa.t/
It +as a ri.h> 'and voi.e/
J,ood )orning> Mrs Peters>J he said/
J!o+ dare you> sirG !o+ dare you ;J
J@ou )ust eB.use )y un.onventiona visit at so eary an hour>J said
Mr Tho)pson/ J%ut you see> I have a )atter of 'usiness to
transa.t/J
Mrs Peters eaned for+ard +ith a..using eyes/ JSo it +as you +ho
1idnaped )y 'oyG It +asn"t 'andits at aGJ
JIt .ertainy +asn"t 'andits/ Most un.onvin.ingy done> that part of
it> I thought/ Inartisti.> to say the east of it/J
Mrs Peters +as a +o)an of a singe idea/ JWhere is )y 'oyAJ she
de)anded> +ith the eyes of an angry tigress/
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Mr Tho)pson> Jhe is Dust outside the
door/J
JWiardGJ
The door +as fung open/ Wiard> sao+ and spe.ta.ed and
distin.ty unshaven> +as .asped to his )other"s heart/ Mr
Tho)pson stood oo1ing 'enigningy on/
JA the sa)e>J said Mrs Peters> suddeny re.overing hersef and
turning on hi)> JI" have the a+ on you for this/ @es> I +i/J
J@ou"ve got it a +rong> Mother>J said Wiard/ JThis gente)an
res.ued )e/J
JWhere +ere youAJ
JIn a house on the .iff point/ *ust a )ie fro) here/J
JAnd ao+ )e> Mrs Peters>J said Mr Tho)pson> Jto restore your
property/J
!e handed her a s)a pa.1et oosey +rapped in tissue paper/ The
paper fe a+ay and reveaed the dia)ond ne.1a.e/
J@ou need not treasure that other itte 'ag of stones> Mrs Peters>J
said Mr Tho)pson> s)iing/ JThe rea stones are sti in the
ne.1a.e/ The .ha)ois 'ag .ontains so)e eB.eent i)itation
stones/ As your friend said> Aristopouos is 8uite a genius/J
JI Dust don"t understand a +ord of a this>J said Mrs Peters fainty/
J@ou )ust oo1 at the .ase fro) )y point of vie+>J said Mr
Tho)pson/ JMy attention +as .aught 'y the use of a .ertain na)e/ I
too1 the i'erty of foo+ing you and your fat friend out of doors and
I istened ; I ad)it it fran1y ; to your eB.eedingy interesting
.onversation/ I found it re)ar1a'y suggestive> so )u.h so that I
too1 the )anager into )y .onfiden.e/ !e too1 a note of the nu)'er
to +hi.h your pausi'e friend teephoned> and he aso arranged
that a +aiter shoud isten to your .onversation in the dining roo)
this )orning/
JThe +hoe s.he)e +or1ed out very .eary/ @ou +ere 'eing )ade
the vi.ti) of a .oupe of .ever De+e thieves/ They 1no+ a a'out
your dia)ond ne.1a.eI they foo+ you hereI they 1idnap your son>
and +rite the rather .o)i. "'andit" etter> and they arrange that you
sha .onfide in the .hief instigator of the pot/
JAfter that> a is si)pe/ The good gente)an hands you a 'ag of
i)itation dia)onds and ; .ears out +ith his pa/ This )orning> +hen
your son did not appear> you +oud 'e franti./ The a'sen.e of your
friend +oud ead you to 'eieve that he had 'een 1idnaped> too/ I
gather that they had arranged for so)eone to go to the via
to)orro+/ That person +oud have dis.overed your son> and 'y the
ti)e you and he had put your heads together you )ight have got an
in1ing of the pot/ %ut 'y that ti)e the viains +oud have got an
eB.eent start/J
JAnd no+AJ
J<h> no+ they are safey under o.1 and 1ey/ I arranged for that/J
JThe viain>J said Mrs Peters> +rathfuy re)e)'ering her o+n
trustfu .onfiden.es/ JThe oiy> pausi'e viain/J
J0ot at a a ni.e feo+>J agreed Mr Tho)pson/
JIt 'eats )e ho+ you got on to it>J said Wiard ad)iringy/ JPretty
s)art of you/J
The other shoo1 his head depre.atingy/ J0o> no>J he said/ JWhen
you are traveing in.ognito and hear your o+n na)e 'eing ta1en in
vain ;J
Mrs Peters stared at hi)/ JWho are youAJ she de)anded a'rupty/
JI a) Mr Par1er Pyne> J eBpained that gente)an/
Contents
The #isterdae Mystery
Phio)e Cottage
The ,ir in the Train
Sing a Song of SiBpen.e
The Manhood of (d+ard &o'inson
A..ident
*ane in Sear.h of a *o'
A Fruitfu Sunday
Mr (ast+ood"s Adventure
The ,oden %a
The &aDah"s ()erad
S+an Song
T!( #IST(&$A#( M@ST(&@
Mrs St 7in.ent +as adding up figures/ <n.e or t+i.e she sighed>
and her hand stoe to her a.hing forehead/ She had a+ays
disi1ed arith)eti./ It +as unfortunate that no+adays her ife
shoud see) to 'e .o)posed entirey of one parti.uar 1ind of
su)> the .easeess adding together of s)a ne.essary ite)s of
eBpenditure )a1ing a tota that never faied to surprise and aar)
her/
Surey it .oudn"t .o)e to thatG She +ent 'a.1 over the figures/
She had )ade a trifing error in the pen.e> 'ut other+ise the
figures +ere .orre.t/
Mrs St 7in.ent sighed again/ !er heada.he 'y no+ +as very 'ad
indeed/ She oo1ed up as the door opened and her daughter
%ar'ara .a)e into the roo)/ %ar'ara St 7in.ent +as a very pretty
girI she had her )other"s dei.ate features> and the sa)e proud
turn of the head> 'ut her eyes +ere dar1 instead of 'ue> and she
had a different )outh> a su1y red )outh not +ithout attra.tion/
J<h> MotherGJ she .ried/ JSti Dugging +ith those horrid od
a..ountsA Thro+ the) a into the fire/J
JWe )ust 1no+ +here +e are>J said Mrs St 7in.ent un.ertainy/
The gir shrugged her shouders/
JWe"re a+ays in the sa)e 'oat>J she said dryy/ J$a)ned hard up/
$o+n to the ast penny as usua/J
Mrs St 7in.ent sighed/
JI +ish ;J she 'egan> and then stopped/
JI )ust find so)ething to do>J said %ar'ara in hard tones/ JAnd
find it 8ui.1y/ After a> I have ta1en that shorthand and typing
.ourse/ So have a'out one )iion other girs fro) a I .an seeG
"What eBperien.eA" "0one> 'ut ;" "<hG Than1 you> good )orning/
We" et you 1no+/" %ut they never doG I )ust find so)e other 1ind
of a Do' ; any Do'/J
J0ot yet> dear>J peaded her )other/ JWait a itte onger/J
%ar'ara +ent to the +indo+ and stood oo1ing out +ith unseeing
eyes that too1 no note of the dingy ine of houses opposite/
JSo)eti)es>J she said so+y> JI") sorry Cousin A)y too1 )e +ith
her to (gypt ast +inter/ <hG I 1no+ I had fun ; a'out the ony fun
I"ve ever had or a) i1ey to have in )y ife/ I did enDoy )ysef ;
enDoyed )ysef thoroughy/ %ut it +as very unsetting/ I )ean ;
.o)ing 'a.1 to this/J
She s+ept a hand round the roo)/ Mrs St 7in.ent foo+ed it +ith
her eyes and +in.ed/ The roo) +as typi.a of .heap furnished
odgings/ A dusty aspidistra> sho+iy orna)enta furniture> a gaudy
+apaper faded in pat.hes/ There +ere signs that the personaity
of the tenants had strugged +ith that of the andadyI one or t+o
pie.es of good .hina> )u.h .ra.1ed and )ended> so that their
saea'e vaue +as ni> a pie.e of e)'roidery thro+n over the 'a.1
of the sofa> a +ater .oour s1et.h of a young gir in the fashion of
t+enty years ago> near enough sti to Mrs St 7in.ent not to 'e
)ista1en/
JIt +oudn"t )atter>J .ontinued %ar'ara> Jif +e"d never 1no+n
anything ese/ %ut to thin1 of Ansteys ;J
She 'ro1e off> not trusting hersef to spea1 of that deary oved
ho)e +hi.h had 'eonged to the St 7in.ent fa)iy for .enturies
and +hi.h +as no+ in the hands of strangers/
JIf ony Father ; hadn"t spe.uated ; and 'orro+ed ;J
JMy dear>J said Mrs St 7in.ent/ J@our father +as never> in any
sense of the +ord> a 'usiness)an/J
She said it +ith a gra.efu 1ind of finaity> and %ar'ara .a)e over
and gave her an ai)ess sort of 1iss as she )ur)ured> JPoor od
Mu)s/ I +on"t say anything/J
Mrs St 7in.ent too1 up her pen again and 'ent over her des1/
%ar'ara +ent 'a.1 to the +indo+/ Presenty the gir saidH
JMother/ I heard fro) ; fro) *i) Masterton this )orning/ !e +ants
to .o)e and see )e/J
Mrs St 7in.ent aid do+n her pen and oo1ed up sharpy/
J!ereAJ she eB.ai)ed/
JWe> +e .an"t as1 hi) to dinner at the &it? very +e>J sneered
%ar'ara/
!er )other oo1ed unhappy/ Again she oo1ed round the roo)
+ith innate distaste/
J@ou"re right>J said %ar'ara/ JIt"s a disgusting pa.e/ ,entee
povertyG Sounds a right ; a +hite+ashed .ottage in the .ountry>
sha''y .hint?es of good design> 'o+s of roses> .ro+n $er'y tea
servi.e that you +ash up yoursef/ That"s +hat it"s i1e in 'oo1s/ In
rea ife> +ith a son starting on the 'otto) rung of offi.e ife> it
)eans #ondon/ Fro+sy andadies> dirty .hidren on the stairs>
haddo.1s for 'rea1fasts that aren"t 8uite ; 8uite and so on/J
JIf ony ;J 'egan Mrs St 7in.ent/ J%ut> reay> I") 'eginning to 'e
afraid +e .an"t afford even this roo) )u.h onger/J
JThat )eans a 'ed;sitting;roo) ; horrorG ; for you and )e>J said
%ar'ara/ JAnd a .up'oard under the ties for &upert/ And +hen
*i) .o)es to .a> I" re.eive hi) in that dreadfu roo) do+nstairs
+ith ta''ies a round the +as 1nitting> and stating at us> and
.oughing that dreadfu 1ind of guping .ough they haveGJ
There +as a pause/
J%ar'ara>J said Mrs St 7in.ent at ast/ J$o you ; I )ean ; +oud you
;AJ
She stopped> fushing a itte/
J@ou needn"t 'e dei.ate> Mother>J said %ar'ara/ J0o'ody is
no+adays/ Marry hi)> I suppose you )eanA I +oud i1e a shot if he
as1ed )e/ %ut I") so a+fuy afraid he +on"t/J
J<hG %ar'ara> dear/J
JWe> it"s one thing seeing )e out there +ith Cousin A)y> )oving
9as they say in noveettes: in the 'est so.iety/ !e did ta1e a fan.y
to )e/ 0o+ he" .o)e here and see )e in thisG And he"s a funny
.reature> you 1no+> fastidious and od;fashioned/ I ; I rather i1e
hi) for that/ It re)inds )e of Ansteys and the viage ; everything a
hundred years 'ehind the ti)es> 'ut so ; so ; ohG I don"t 1no+ ; so
fragrant/ #i1e avenderGJ
She aughed> haf;asha)ed of her eagerness/ Mrs 7in.ent spo1e
+ith a 1ind of earnest si)pi.ity/
JI shoud i1e you to )arry *i) Masterton>J she said/ J!e is ; one of
us/ !e is very +e off> aso> 'ut that I don"t )ind a'out so )u.h/J
JI do>J said %ar'ara/ JI") si.1 of 'eing hard up/J
J%ut> %ar'ara> it isn"t ;J
J<ny for thatA 0o/ I do reay/ I ; ohG Mother> .an"t you see I doAJ
Mrs St 7in.ent oo1ed very unhappy/
JI +ish he .oud see you in your proper setting> daring>J she said
+istfuy/
J<h> +eGJ said %ar'ara/ JWhy +orryA We )ight as +e try and 'e
.heerfu a'out things/ Sorry I"ve had su.h a grou.h/ Cheer up>
daring/J
She 'ent over her )other> 1issed her forehead ighty> and +ent
out/ Mrs St 7in.ent> rein8uishing a atte)pts at finan.e> sat do+n
on the un.o)forta'e sofa/ !er thoughts ran round in .ir.es i1e
s8uirres in a .age/
J<ne )ay say +hat one i1es> appearan.es do put a )an off/ 0ot
ater ; not if they +ere reay engaged/ !e"d 1no+ then +hat a
s+eet> dear gir she is/ %ut it"s so easy for young peope to ta1e the
tone of their surroundings/ &upert> no+> he"s 8uite different fro)
+hat he used to 'e/ 0ot that I +ant )y .hidren to 'e stu.1;up/
That"s not it a 'it/ %ut I shoud hate it if &upert got engaged to that
dreadfu gir in the to'a..onist"s/ I daresay she )ay 'e a very ni.e
gir> reay/ %ut she"s not our 1ind/ It"s a so diffi.ut/ Poor itte
%a's/ If I .oud do anything ; anything/ %ut +here"s the )oney to
.o)e fro)A We"ve sod everything to give &upert his start/ We
reay .an"t even afford this/J
To distra.t hersef Mrs St 7in.ent pi.1ed up the Morning Post and
gan.ed do+n the advertise)ents on the front page/ Most of the)
she 1ne+ 'y heart/ Peope +ho +anted .apita> peope +ho had
.apita and +ere anBious to dispose of it on note of hand aone>
peope +ho +anted to 'uy teeth 9she a+ays +ondered +hy:>
peope +ho +anted to se furs and go+ns and +ho had opti)isti.
ideas on the su'De.t of pri.e/
Suddeny she stiffened to attention/ Again and again she read the
printed +ords/
JTo gentepeope ony/ S)a house in West)inster> eB8uisitey
furnished> offered to those +ho +oud reay .are for it/ &ent
purey no)ina/ 0o agents/J
A very ordinary advertise)ent/ She had read )any the sa)e or ;
+e> neary the sa)e/ 0o)ina rent> that +as +here the trap ay/
@et> sin.e she +as restess and anBious to es.ape fro) her
thoughts> she put on her hat straighta+ay and too1 a .onvenient
'us to the address given in the advertise)ent/
It proved to 'e that of a fir) of house agents/ 0ot a ne+ 'usting
fir) ; a rather de.repit> od;fashioned pa.e/ &ather ti)idy she
produ.ed the advertise)ent> +hi.h she had torn out> and as1ed
for parti.uars/
The +hite;haired od gente)an +ho +as attending to her stro1ed
his .hin thoughtfuy/
JPerfe.ty/ @es> perfe.ty> )ada)/ That house> the house
)entioned in the advertise)ent> is 0o/ E Cheviot Pa.e/ @ou +oud
i1e an orderAJ
JI shoud i1e to 1no+ the rent firstAJ said Mrs St 7in.ent/
JAhG The rent/ The eBa.t figure is not setted> 'ut I .an assure you
that it is purey no)ina/J
JIdeas of +hat is purey no)ina .an vary>J said Mrs St 7in.ent/
The od gente)an per)itted hi)sef to .hu.1e a itte/
J@es> that"s an od tri.1 ; an od tri.1/ %ut you .an ta1e )y +ord for
it> it isn"t so in this .ase/ T+o or three guineas a +ee1> perhaps>
not )ore/J
Mrs St 7in.ent de.ided to have the order/ 0ot> of .ourse> that
there +as any rea i1eihood of her 'eing a'e to afford the pa.e/
%ut> after a> she )ight Dust see it/ There )ust 'e so)e grave
disadvantage atta.hing to it> to 'e offered at su.h a pri.e/
%ut her heart gave a itte thro' as she oo1ed up at the outside of E
Cheviot Pa.e/ A ge) of a house/ 4ueen Anne> and in perfe.t
.onditionG A 'uter ans+ered the door/ !e had grey hair and itte
side +his1ers> and the )editative .a) of an ar.h'ishop/ A 1indy
ar.h'ishop> Mrs St 7in.ent thought/
!e a..epted the order +ith a 'enevoent air/
JCertainy> )ada)> I +i sho+ you over/ The house is ready for
o..upation/J
!e +ent 'efore her> opening doors> announ.ing roo)s/
JThe dra+ing roo)> the +hite study> a po+der .oset through
here> )ada)/J
It +as perfe.t ; a drea)/ The furniture a of the period> ea.h pie.e
+ith signs of +ear> 'ut poished +ith oving .are/ The oose rugs
+ere of 'eautifu di) od .oours/ In ea.h roo) +ere 'o+s of
fresh fo+ers/ The 'a.1 of the house oo1ed over the ,reen Par1/
The +hoe pa.e radiated an od;+ord .har)/
The tears .a)e into Mrs St 7in.ent"s eyes> and she fought the)
'a.1 +ith diffi.uty/ So had Ansteys oo1ed ; Ansteys///
She +ondered +hether the 'uter had noti.ed her e)otion/ If so>
he +as too )u.h the perfe.ty trained servant to sho+ it/ She i1ed
these od servants> one fet safe +ith the)> at ease/ They +ere i1e
friends/
JIt is a 'eautifu house>J she said softy/ J7ery 'eautifu/ I a) gad
to have seen it/J
JIs it for yoursef aone> )ada)AJ
JFor )ysef and )y son and daughter/ %ut I") afraid ;J
She 'ro1e off/ she +anted it so dreadfuy ; so dreadfuy/
She fet instin.tivey that the 'uter understood/ !e did not oo1 at
her> as he said in a deta.hed> i)persona +ayH
JI happen to 'e a+are> )ada)> that the o+ner re8uires a'ove a
suita'e tenants/ The rent is of no i)portan.e to hi)/ !e +ants the
house to 'e tenanted 'y so)eone +ho +i reay .are for and
appre.iate it/J
JI shoud appre.iate it>J said Mrs St 7in.ent in a o+ voi.e/
She turned to go/
JThan1 you for sho+ing )e over>J she said .ourteousy/
J0ot at a> )ada)/J
!e stood in the door+ay> very .orre.t and upright as she +a1ed
a+ay do+n the street/ She thought to hersefH J!e 1no+s/ !e"s
sorry for )e/ !e"s one of the od ot too/ !e"d i1e )e to have it ; not
a a'our )e)'er> or a 'utton )anufa.turerG We"re dying out> our
sort> 'ut +e hang together/J
In the end she de.ided not to go 'a.1 to the agents/ What +as the
goodA She .oud afford the rent ; 'ut there +ere servants to 'e
.onsidered/ There +oud have to 'e servants in a house i1e that/
The neBt )orning a etter ay 'y her pate/ It +as fro) the house
agents/ It offered her the tenan.y of E Cheviot Pa.e for siB )onths
at t+o guineas a +ee1> and +ent onH J@ou have> I presu)e> ta1en
into .onsideration the fa.t that the servants are re)aining at the
andord"s eBpenseA It is reay a uni8ue offer/J
It +as/ So started +as she 'y it> that she read the etter out/ A fire
of 8uestions foo+ed and she des.ri'ed her visit of yesterday/
JSe.retive itte Mu)sGJ .ried %ar'ara/ JIs it reay so oveyAJ
&upert .eared his throat and 'egan a Dudi.ia .ross;8uestioning/
JThere"s so)ething 'ehind a this/ It"s fishy> if you as1 )e/
$e.idedy fishy/J
JSo"s )y egg>J said %ar'ara> +rin1ing her nose/ J2ghG Why shoud
there 'e so)ething 'ehind itA That"s Dust i1e you> &upert> a+ays
)a1ing )ysteries out of nothing/ It"s those dreadfu dete.tive
stories you"re a+ays reading/J
JThe rent"s a Do1e>J said &upert/ JIn the .ity>J he added
i)portanty> Jone gets +ise to a sorts of 8ueer things/ I te you>
there"s so)ething very fishy a'out this 'usiness/J
J0onsense>J said %ar'ara/ J!ouse 'eongs to a )an +ith ots of
)oney> he"s fond of it> and he +ants it ived in 'y de.ent peope
+hie he"s a+ay/ So)ething of that 1ind/ Money"s pro'a'y no
o'De.t to hi)/J
JWhat did you say the address +asAJ as1ed &upert of his )other/
JSeven Cheviot Pa.e/J
JWhe+GJ !e pushed 'a.1 his .hair/ JI say> this is eB.iting/ That"s
the house #ord #isterdae disappeared fro)/J
JAre you sureAJ as1ed Mrs St 7in.ent dou'tfuy/
JPositive/ !e"s got a ot of other houses a over #ondon> 'ut this is
the one he ived in/ !e +a1ed out of it one evening saying he +as
going to his .u'> and no'ody ever sa+ hi) again/ Supposed to
have done a 'un1 to (ast Afri.a or so)e+here i1e that> 'ut
no'ody 1no+s +hy/ $epend upon it> he +as )urdered in hat
house/ @ou say there"s a ot of paneingAJ
J@e;es>J said Mrs St 7in.ent faintyI J'ut ;J
&upert gave her no ti)e/ !e +ent on +ith i))ense enthusias)/
JPaneingG There you are/ Sure to 'e a se.ret re.ess so)e+here/
%ody"s 'een stuffed in there and has 'een there ever sin.e/
Perhaps it +as e)'a)ed first/J
J&upert> dear> don"t ta1 nonsense>J said his )other/
J$on"t 'e a dou'e;dyed idiot>J said %ar'ara/ J@ou"ve 'een ta1ing
that peroBide 'onde to the pi.tures too )u.h/J
&upert rose +ith dignity ; su.h dignity as his an1y and a+1+ard
age ao+ed> and deivered a fina uti)atu)/
J@ou ta1e that house> Mu)s/ I" ferret out the )ystery/ @ou see if I
don"t/J
&upert departed hurriedy> in fear of 'eing ate at the offi.e/
The eyes of the t+o +o)en )et/
JCoud +e> MotherAJ )ur)ured %ar'ara tre)uousy/ J<hG If +e
.oud/J
JThe servants>J said Mrs St 7in.ent patheti.ay> J+oud eat> you
1no+/ I )ean> of .ourse> one +oud +ant the) to ; 'ut that"s the
dra+'a.1/ <ne .an so easiy ; Dust do +ithout things ; +hen it"s
ony onesef/J
She oo1ed piteousy at %ar'ara> and the gir nodded/
JWe )ust thin1 it over>J said the )other/
%ut in reaity her )ind +as )ade up/ She had seen the spar1e in
the gir"s eyes/ She thought to hersefH J*i) Masterton )ust see
her in proper surroundings/ This is a .han.e ; a +onderfu .han.e/
I )ust ta1e it/J
She sat do+n and +rote to the agents a..epting their offer/
II
J4uentin> +here did the iies .o)e fro)A I reay .an"t 'uy
eBpensive fo+ers/J
JThey +ere sent up fro) -ing"s Cheviot> )ada)/ It has a+ays
'een the .usto) here/J
The 'uter +ithdre+/ Mrs St 7in.ent heaved a sigh of reief/ What
+oud she do +ithout 4uentinA !e )ade everything so easy/ She
thought to hersefH JIt"s too good to ast/ I sha +a1e up soon> I
1no+ I sha> and find it"s 'een a a drea)/ I") so happy here ; t+o
)onths aready> and it"s passed i1e a fash/J
#ife indeed had 'een astonishingy peasant/ 4uentin> the 'uter>
had dispayed hi)sef the auto.rat of E Cheviot Pa.e/ JIf you +i
eave everything to )e> )ada)>J he had said respe.tfuy/ J@ou
+i find it the 'est +ay/J
(a.h +ee1> he 'rought her the house1eeping 'oo1s> their totas
astonishingy o+/ There +ere ony t+o other servants> a .oo1 and
a house)aid/ They +ere peasant in )anner> and effi.ient in their
duties> 'ut it +as 4uentin +ho ran the house/ ,a)e and poutry
appeared on the ta'e so)eti)es> .ausing Mrs St 7in.ent
soi.itude/ 4uentin reassured her/ Sent up fro) #ord #isterdae"s
.ountry seat> -ing"s Cheviot> or fro) his @or1shire )oor/ JIt has
a+ays 'een the .usto)> )ada)/J
Privatey Mrs St 7in.ent dou'ted +hether the a'sent #ord
#isterdae +oud agree +ith those +ords/ She +as in.ined to
suspe.t 4uentin of usurping his )aster"s authority/ It +as .ear
that he had ta1en a fan.y to the)> and that in his eyes nothing +as
too good for the)/
!er .uriosity aroused 'y &upert"s de.aration> Mrs St 7in.ent had
)ade a tentative referen.e to #ord #isterdae +hen she neBt
intervie+ed the house agents/ The +hite;haired od gente)an had
responded i))ediatey/
@es> #ord #isterdae +as in (ast Afri.a> had 'een there for the ast
eighteen )onths/
J<ur .ient is rather an e..entri. )an>J he had said> s)iing
'roady/ J!e eft #ondon in a )ost un.onventiona )anner> as you
)ay perhaps re)e)'erA 0ot a +ord to anyone/ The ne+spapers
got hod of it/ There +ere a.tuay in8uiries on foot at S.otand
@ard/ #u.1iy> ne+s +as re.eived fro) #ord #isterdae hi)sef
fro) (ast Afri.a/ !e invested his .ousin> Coone CarfaB> +ith
po+er of attorney/ It is the atter +ho .ondu.ts a #ord
#isterdae"s affairs/ @es> rather e..entri.> I fear/ !e has a+ays
'een a great traveer in the +ids ; it is 8uite on the .ards that he
)ay not return for years to (ngand> though he is getting on in
years/J
JSurey ie is not so very od>J said Mrs St 7in.ent> +ith a sudden
)e)ory of a 'uff> 'earded fa.e> rather i1e an (i?a'ethan saior>
+hi.h she had on.e noti.ed in an iustrated )aga?ine/
JMidde;aged>J said the +hite;haired gente)an/ JFifty;three>
a..ording to $e'rett/J
This .onversation Mrs St 7in.ent had retaied to &upert +ith the
intention of re'u1ing that young gente)an/
&upert> ho+ever> +as undis)ayed/
JIt oo1s fishier than ever to )e>J he had de.ared/ JWho"s this
Coone CarfaBA Pro'a'y .o)es into the tite if anything happens
to #isterdae/ The etter fro) (ast Afri.a +as pro'a'y forged/ In
three years> or +hatever it is> this CarfaB +i presu)e death> and
ta1e the tite/ Meanti)e> he"s got a the handing of the estate/
7ery fishy> I .a it/J
!e had .ondes.ended gra.iousy to approve the house/ In his
eisure )o)ents he +as in.ined to tap the paneing and )a1e
ea'orate )easure)ents for the possi'e o.ation of a se.ret
roo)> 'ut itte 'y itte his interest in the )ystery of #ord
#isterdae a'ated/ !e +as aso ess enthusiasti. on the su'De.t of
the to'a..onist"s daughter/ At)osphere tes/
To %ar'ara the house had 'rought great satisfa.tion/ *i)
Masterton had .o)e ho)e> and +as a fre8uent visitor/ !e and Mrs
St 7in.ent got on spendidy together> and he said so)ething to
%ar'ara one day that started her/
JThis house is a +onderfu setting for your )other> you 1no+/J
JFor MotherAJ
J@es/ It +as )ade for herG She 'eongs to it in an eBtraordinary
+ay/ @ou 1no+ there"s so)ething 8ueer a'out this house
atogether> so)ething un.anny and haunting/J
J$on"t get i1e &upert>J %ar'ara i)pored hi)/ J!e is .onvin.ed
that the +i.1ed Coone CarfaB )urdered #ord #isterdae and hid
his 'ody under the foor/J
Masterton aughed/
JI ad)ire &upert"s dete.tive ?ea/ 0o> I didn"t )ean anything of that
1ind/ %ut there"s so)ething in the air> so)e at)osphere that one
doesn"t 8uite understand/J
They had 'een three )onths in Cheviot Pa.e +hen %ar'ara .a)e
to her )other +ith a radiant fa.e/
J*i) and I ; +e"re engaged/ @es ; ast night/ <h> MotherG It a
see)s i1e a fairy tae .o)e true/J
J<h> )y dearG I") so gad ; so gad/J
Mother and daughter .asped ea.h other .ose/
J@ou 1no+ *i)"s a)ost as )u.h in ove +ith you as he is +ith )e>J
said %ar'ara at ast> +ith a )is.hievous augh/
Mrs St 7in.ent 'ushed very prettiy/
J!e is>J persisted the gir/ J@ou thought this house +oud )a1e
su.h a 'eautifu setting for )e> and a the ti)e it"s reay a setting
for you/ &upert and I don"t 8uite 'eong here/ @ou do/J
J$on"t ta1 nonsense> daring/J
JIt"s not nonsense/ There"s a favour of en.hanted .aste a'out it>
+ith you as an en.hanted prin.ess and 4uentin as ; as ; ohG ; a
'enevoent )agi.ian/J
Mrs St 7in.ent aughed and ad)itted the ast ite)/
&upert re.eived the ne+s of his sister"s engage)ent very .a)y/
JI thought there +as so)ething of the 1ind in the +ind>J he
o'served sapienty/
!e and his )other +ere dining aone together/ %ar'ara +as out
+ith *i)/
4uentin pa.ed the port in front of hi) and +ithdre+ noiseessy/
JThat"s a ru) od 'ird>J said &upert> nodding to+ards the .osed
door/ JThere"s so)ething odd a'out hi)> you 1no+> so)ething ;J
J0ot fishyAJ interrupted Mrs St 7in.ent> +ith a faint s)ie/
JWhy> Mother> ho+ did you 1no+ +hat I +as going to sayAJ
de)anded &upert in a seriousness/
JIt"s rather a +ord of yours> daring/ @ou thin1 everything is fishy/ I
suppose you have an idea that it +as 4uentin +ho did a+ay +ith
#ord #isterdae and put hi) under the foorAJ
J%ehind the paneing>J .orre.ted &upert/ J@ou a+ays get things a
itte 'it +rong> Mother/ 0o> I"ve in8uired a'out that/ 4uentin +as
do+n at -ing"s Cheviot at the ti)e/J
Mrs St 7in.ent s)ied at hi)> as she rose fro) the ta'e and +ent
up to the dra+ing roo)/ In so)e +ays &upert +as a ong ti)e
gro+ing up/
@et a sudden +onder s+ept over her for the first ti)e as to #ord
#isterdae"s reasons for eaving (ngand so a'rupty/ There )ust
'e so)ething 'ehind it> to a..ount for that sudden de.ision/ She
+as sti thin1ing the )atter over +hen 4uentin .a)e in +ith the
.offee tray> and she spo1e out i)pusivey/
J@ou have 'een +ith #ord #isterdae a ong ti)e> haven"t you>
4uentinAJ
J@es> )ada)I sin.e I +as a ad of t+enty;one/ That +as in the ate
ord"s ti)e/ I started as third foot)an/J
J@ou )ust 1no+ #ord #isterdae very +e/ What 1ind of a )an is
heAJ
The 'uter turned the tray a itte> so that she .oud hep hersef to
sugar )ore .onvenienty> as he repied in even une)otiona tonesH
J#ord #isterdae +as a very sefish gente)an> )ada)I +ith no
.onsideration for others/J
!e re)oved the tray and 'ore it fro) the roo)/ Mrs St 7in.ent sat
+ith her .offee .up in her hand and a pu??ed fro+n on her fa.e/
So)ething stru.1 her as odd in the spee.h apart fro) the vie+s it
eBpressed/ In another )inute it fashed ho)e to her/
4uentin had used the +ord J+as>J not Jis/J %ut then> he )ust thin1
; )ust 'eieve ; She pued hersef up/ She +as as 'ad as &upertG
%ut a very definite uneasiness assaied her/ After+ards she dated
her first suspi.ions fro) that )o)ent/
With %ar'ara"s happiness and future assured> she had ti)e to
thin1 her o+n thoughts> and against her +i> they 'egan to .entre
round the )ystery of #ord #isterdae/ What +as the rea storyA
Whatever it +as> 4uentin 1ne+ so)ething a'out it/ Those had
'een odd +ords of his ; Ja very sefish gente)an ; no
.onsideration for others/J What ay 'ehind the)A !e had spo1en
as a Dudge )ight spea1> deta.hedy and i)partiay/
Was 4uentin invoved in #ord #isterdae"s disappearan.eA !ad he
ta1en an a.tive part in any tragedy there )ight have 'eenA After
a> ridi.uous as &upert"s assu)ption had see)ed at the ti)e> that
singe etter +ith its po+er of attorney .o)ing fro) (ast Afri.a
+as ; +e> open to suspi.ion/
%ut try as she +oud> she .oud not 'eieve any rea evi of 4uentin/
4uentin> she tod hersef over and over again> +as good ; she used
the +ord as si)py as a .hid )ight have done/ 4uentin +as good/
%ut he 1ne+ so)ethingG
She never spo1e +ith hi) again of his )aster/ The su'De.t +as
apparenty forgotten/ &upert and %ar'ara had other things to thin1
of> and there +ere no further dis.ussions/
It +as to+ards the end of August that her vague sur)ises
.rystai?ed into reaities/ &upert had gone for a fortnight"s hoiday
+ith a friend +ho had a )otor.y.e and traier/ It +as so)e ten
days after his departure that Mrs St 7in.ent +as started to see
hi) rush into the roo) +here she sat +riting/
J&upertGJ she eB.ai)ed/
JI 1no+> Mother/ @ou didn"t eBpe.t to see )e for another three
days/ %ut so)ething"s happened/ Anderson ; )y pa> you 1no+ ;
didn"t )u.h .are +here he +ent> so I suggested having a oo1 in at
-ing"s Cheviot ;J
J-ing"s CheviotA %ut +hy ;AJ
J@ou 1no+ perfe.ty +e> Mother> that I"ve a+ays s.ented
so)ething fishy a'out things here/ We> I had a oo1 at the od
pa.e ; it"s et> you 1no+ ; nothing there/ 0ot that I a.tuay
eBpe.ted to find anything ; I +as Dust nosing round> so to spea1/J
@es> she thought> &upert +as very i1e a dog at this )o)ent/
!unting in .ir.es for so)ething vague and undefined> ed 'y
instin.t> 'usy and happy/
JIt +as +hen +e +ere passing through a viage a'out eight or nine
)ies a+ay that it happened ; that I sa+ hi)> I )ean/J
JSa+ +ho)AJ
J4uentin ; Dust going into a itte .ottage/ So)ething fishy here> I
said to )ysef> and +e stopped the 'us> and I +ent 'a.1/ I rapped
on the door and he hi)sef opened it/J
J%ut I don"t understand/ 4uentin hasn"t 'een a+ay ;J
JI") .o)ing to that> Mother/ If you"d ony isten and not interrupt/ It
+as 4uentin> and it +asn"t 4uentin> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/J
Mrs St 7in.ent .eary did not 1no+> so he eu.idated )atters
further/
JIt +as 4uentin a right> 'ut it +asn"t our 4uentin/ It +as the rea
)an/J
J&upertGJ
J@ou isten/ It +as ta1en in )ysef at first> and saidH "It is 4uentin>
isn"t itA" And the od Dohnny saidH "4uite right> sir> that is )y na)e/
What .an I do for youA" And then I sa+ that it +asn"t our )an>
though it +as pre.ious i1e hi)> voi.e and a/ I as1ed a fe+
8uestions> and it a .a)e out/ The od .hap hadn"t an idea of
anything fishy 'eing on/ !e"d 'een 'uter to #ord #isterdae> a
right> and +as retired on a pension and given this .ottage Dust
a'out the ti)e that #ord #isterdae +as supposed to have gone off
to Afri.a/ @ou see +here that eads us/ This )an"s an i)postor ;
he"s paying the part of 4uentin for purposes of his o+n/ My theory
is that he .a)e up to to+n that evening> pretending to 'e the
'uter fro) -ing"s Cheviot> got an intervie+ +ith #ord #isterdae>
1ied hi) and hid his 'ody 'ehind the paneing/ It"s an od house>
there"s sure to 'e a se.ret re.ess ;J
J<h> don"t et"s go into a that again>J interrupted Mrs St 7in.ent
+idy/ JI .an"t 'ear it/ Why shoud he ; that"s +hat I +ant to 1no+ ;
+hyA If he did su.h a thing ; +hi.h I don"t 'eieve for one )inute>
)ind you ; +hat +as the reason for it aAJ
J@ou"re right>J said &upert/ JMotive ; that"s i)portant/ 0o+ I"ve
)ade in8uiries/ #ord #isterdae had a ot of house property/ In the
ast t+o days I"ve dis.overed that pra.ti.ay every one of these
houses of his have 'een et in the ast eighteen )onths to peope
i1e ourseves for a )erey no)ina rent ; and +ith the proviso that
the servants shoud re)ain/ And in every .ase 4uentin hi)sef ;
the )an .aing hi)sef 4uentin> I )ean ; has 'een there for part of
the ti)e as 'uter/ That oo1s as though there +ere so)ething ;
De+es> or papers ; se.reted in one of #ord #isterdae"s houses>
and the gang doesn"t 1no+ +hi.h/ I") assu)ing a gang> 'ut of
.ourse this feo+ 4uentin )ay 'e in it singe;handed/ There"s a ;J
Mrs St 7in.ent interrupted hi) +ith a .ertain a)ount of
deter)inationH
J&upertG $o stop ta1ing for one )inute/ @ou"re )a1ing )y head
spin/ Any+ay> +hat you are saying is nonsense ; a'out gangs and
hidden papers/J
JThere"s another theory>J ad)itted &upert/ JThis 4uentin )ay 'e
so)eone that #ord #isterdae has inDured/ The rea 'uter tod )e a
ong story a'out a )an .aed Sa)ue #o+e ; an undergardener he
+as> and a'out the sa)e height and 'uid as 4uentin hi)sef/ !e"d
got a grudge against #isterdae ;J
Mrs St 7in.ent started/
JWith no .onsideration for others/J The +ords .a)e 'a.1 to her
)ind in their passioness> )easured a..ents/ Inade8uate +ords>
'ut +hat )ight they not stand forA
In her a'sorption she hardy istened to &upert/ !e )ade a rapid
eBpanation of so)ething that she did not ta1e in> and +ent
hurriedy fro) the roo)/
Then she +o1e up/ Where had &upert goneA What +as he going to
doA She had not .aught his ast +ords/ Perhaps he +as going for
the poi.e/ In that .ase ;
She rose a'rupty and rang the 'e/ With his usua pro)ptness>
4uentin ans+ered it/
J@ou rang> )ada)AJ
J@es/ Co)e in> pease> and shut the door/J
The 'uter o'eyed> and Mrs St 7in.ent +as sient a )o)ent +hie
she studied hi) +ith earnest eyes/
She thoughtH J!e"s 'een 1ind to )e ; no'ody 1no+s ho+ 1ind/ The
.hidren +oudn"t understand/ This +id story of &upert"s )ay 'e
a nonsense ; <n the other hand> there )ay ; yes> there )ay ; 'e
so)ething in it/ Why shoud one DudgeA <ne .an"t 1no+/ The rights
and +rongs of it> I )ean/// And I"d sta1e )y ife ; yes> I +oudG ; on
his 'eing a good )an/J
Fushed and tre)uous> she spo1e/
J4uentin> Mr &upert has Dust got 'a.1/ !e has 'een do+n to -ing"s
Cheviot ; to a viage near there ;J
She stopped> noti.ing the 8ui.1 start he +as not a'e to .on.ea/
J!e has ; seen so)eone>J she +ent on in )easured a..ents/
She thought to hersefH JThere ; he"s +arned/ At any rate> he"s
+arned/J
After that first 8ui.1 start> 4uentin had resu)ed his unruffed
de)eanour> 'ut his eyes +ere fiBed on her fa.e> +at.hfu and
1een> +ith so)ething in the) she had not seen there 'efore/ They
+ere> for the first ti)e> the eyes of a )an and not of a servant/
!e hesitated for a )inute> then said in a voi.e +hi.h aso had
su'ty .hangedH
JWhy do you te )e this> Mrs St 7in.entAJ
%efore she .oud ans+er> the door fe+ open and &upert strode
into the roo)/ With hi) +as a dignified )idde;aged )an +ith itte
side +his1ers and the air of a 'enevoent ar.h'ishop/ 4uentinG
J!ere he is>J said &upert/ JThe rea 4uentin/ I had hi) outside in
the taBi/ 0o+> 4uentin> oo1 at this )an and te )e ; is he Sa)ue
#o+eAJ
It +as for &upert a triu)phant )o)ent/ %ut it +as short;ivedI
a)ost at on.e he s.ented so)ething +rong/ For +hie the rea
4uentin +as oo1ing a'ashed and highy un.o)forta'e> the
se.ond 4uentin +as s)iing a 'road s)ie of undisguised
enDoy)ent/
!e sapped his e)'arrassed dupi.ate on the 'a.1/
JIt"s a right> 4uentin/ ,ot to et the .at out of the 'ag so)eti)e> I
suppose/ @ou .an te "e) +ho I a)/J
The dignified stranger dre+ hi)sef up/
JThis> sir>J he announ.ed in a reproa.hfu tone> Jis )y )aster>
#ord #isterdae> sir/J
The neBt )inute 'ehed )any things/ First> the .o)pete .oapse
of the .o.1sure &upert/ %efore he 1ne+ +hat +as happening> his
)outh sti open fro) the sho.1 of the dis.overy> he found hi)sef
'eing genty )anoeuvred to+ards the door> a friendy voi.e that
+as> and yet +as not> fa)iiar in his ear/
JIt"s 8uite a right> )y 'oy/ 0o 'ones 'ro1en/ %ut I +ant a +ord
+ith your )other/ 7ery good +or1 of yours> to ferret )e out i1e
this/J
!e +as outside on the anding ga?ing at the shut door/ The rea
4uentin +as standing 'y his side> a gente strea) of eBpanation
fo+ing fro) his ips/ Inside the roo) #ord #isterdae +as fronting
Mrs St 7in.ent/
J#et )e eBpain ; if I .anG I"ve 'een a sefish devi a )y ife ; the
fa.t .a)e ho)e to )e one day/ I thought I"d try a itte atruis) for
a .hange> and 'eing a fantasti. 1ind of foo> I started )y .areer
fantasti.ay/ I"d sent su's.riptions to odd things> 'ut I fet the
need of doing so)ething ; +e> so)ething persona/ I"ve 'een
sorry a+ays for the .ass that .an"t 'eg> that )ust suffer in sien.e
; poor gentefo1/ I have a ot of house property/ I .on.eived the
idea of easing these houses to peope +ho ; +e> needed and
appre.iated the)/ @oung .oupes +ith their +ay to )a1e> +ido+s
+ith sons and daughters starting in the +ord/ 4uentin has 'een
)ore than 'uter to )eI he"s a friend/ With his .onsent and
assistan.e I 'orro+ed his personaity/ I"ve a+ays had a taent for
a.ting/ The idea .a)e to )e on )y +ay to the .u' one night> and I
+ent straight off to ta1 it over +ith 4uentin/ When I found they
+ere )a1ing a fuss a'out )y disappearan.e> I arranged that a
etter shoud .o)e fro) )e in (ast Afri.a/ In it> I gave fu
instru.tions to )y .ousin> Mauri.e CarfaB/ And ; +e> that"s the
ong and short of it/J
!e 'ro1e off rather a)ey> +ith an appeaing gan.e at Mrs St
7in.ent/ She stood very straight> and her eyes )et his steadiy/
JIt +as a 1ind pan>J she said/ JA very unusua one> and one that
does you .redit/ I a) ; )ost gratefu/ %ut ; of .ourse> you
understand that +e .annot stayAJ
JI eBpe.ted that>J he said/ J@our pride +on"t et you a..ept +hat
you"d pro'a'y stye ".harity/"J
JIsn"t that +hat it isAJ she as1ed steadiy/
J0o>J he ans+ered/ J%e.ause I as1 so)ething in eB.hange/J
JSo)ethingAJ
J(verything/J !is voi.e rang out> the voi.e of one a..usto)ed to
do)inate/
JWhen I +as t+enty;three>J he +ent on> JI )arried the gir I oved/
She died a year ater/ Sin.e then I have 'een very oney/ I have
+ished very )u.h I .oud find a .ertain ady ; the ady of )y
drea)s///J
JA) I thatAJ she as1ed> very o+/ JI a) so od ; so faded/J
!e aughed/
J<dA @ou are younger than either of your .hidren/ 0o+ I a) od> if
you i1e/J
%ut her augh rang out in turn> a soft rippe of a)use)ent/
J@ouA @ou ar. a 'oy sti/ A 'oy +ho oves to dress upGJ
She hed out her hands and he .aught the) in his/
P!I#<M(# C<TTA,(
J,ood;'ye> daring/J
J,ood;'ye> s+eetheart/J
AiB Martin stood eaning over the s)a rusti. gate> +at.hing the
retreating figure of her hus'and> as he +a1ed do+n the road in
the dire.tion of the viage/
Presenty he turned a 'end and +as ost to sight> 'ut AiB sti
stayed in the sa)e position> a'sent)indedy s)oothing a o.1 of
the ri.h 'ro+n hair +hi.h had 'o+n a.ross her fa.e> her eyes fara+ay
and drea)y/
AiB Martin +as not 'eautifu> nor even> stri.ty spea1ing> pretty/
%ut her fa.e> the fa.e of a +o)an no onger in her first youth> +as
irradiated and softened unti her for)er .oeagues of the od
offi.e days +oud hardy have re.ogni?ed her/ Miss AiB -ing had
'een a tri) 'usiness;i1e young +o)an> effi.ient> sighty 'rus8ue
in )anner> o'viousy .apa'e and )atter;of;fa.t/ She had )ade
the east> not the )ost> of her 'eautifu 'ro+n hair/ !er )outh> not
ungenerous in its ines> had a+ays 'een severey .o)pressed/
!er .othes had 'een neat and suita'e> +ithout a hint of .o8uetry/
AiB had graduated in a hard s.hoo/ For fifteen years> fro) the age
of eighteen unti she +as thirty;three> she had 1ept hersef 9and for
seven years of the ti)e> an invaid )other: 'y her +or1 as a
shorthand;typist/ It +as the strugge for eBisten.e +hi.h had
hardened the soft ines of her girish fa.e/
True> there had 'een ro)an.e ; of a 1ind/ $i.1 Windyford> a feo+
.er1/ 7ery )u.h of a +o)an at heart> AiB had a+ays 1no+n
+ithout see)ing to 1no+ that he .ared/ <ut+ardy they had 'een
friends> nothing )ore/ <ut of his sender saary> $i.1 had 'een
hard put to it to provide for the s.hooing of a younger 'rother/ For
the )o)ent> he .oud not thin1 of )arriage/ 0evertheess> +hen
AiB envisaged the future> it +as +ith the haf a.1no+edged
.ertainty that she +oud one day 'e $i.1"s +ife/ They .ared for
one another> so she +oud have put it> 'ut they +ere 'oth sensi'e
peope/ Penty of ti)e> no need to do anything rash/ So the years
had gone on/
And then suddeny deiveran.e fro) daiy toi had .o)e to the gir
in the )ost uneBpe.ted )anner/ A distant .ousin had died eaving
her )oney to AiB/ A fe+ thousand pounds> enough to 'ring in a
.oupe of hundred a year/ To AiB> it +as freedo)> ife>
independen.e/ 0o+ she and $i.1 need +ait no onger/
%ut $i.1 rea.ted uneBpe.tedy/ !e had never dire.ty spo1en of
his ove to AiB> no+ he see)ed ess in.ined to do so than ever/ !e
avoided her> 'e.a)e )orose and goo)y/ AiB +as 8ui.1 to reai?e
the truth/ She had 'e.o)e a +o)an of )eans/ $ei.a.y and pride
stood in the +ay of $i.1"s as1ing her to 'e his +ife/
She i1ed hi) none the +orse for it and +as indeed dei'erating as
to +hether she hersef )ight not ta1e the first step +hen for the
se.ond ti)e the uneBpe.ted des.ended upon her/
She )et ,erad Martin at a friend"s house/ !e fe vioenty in ove
+ith her and +ithin a +ee1 they +ere engaged/ AiB> +ho had
a+ays .onsidered hersef Jnot the faing;in;ove 1ind>J +as s+ept
.ean off her feet/
2n+ittingy she had found the +ay to arouse her for)er over/ $i.1
Windyford had .o)e to her sta))ering +ith rage and anger/
JThe )an"s a perfe.t stranger to you/ @ou 1no+ nothing a'out
hi)/J
JI 1no+ that I ove hi)/J
J!o+ .an you 1no+ ; in a +ee1AJ
JIt doesn"t ta1e everyone eeven years to find out that they"re in
ove +ith a gir>J .ried AiB angriy/
!is fa.e +ent +hite/
JI"ve .ared for you ever sin.e I )et you/ I thought that you .ared
aso/J
AiB +as truthfu/
JI thought so> too>J she ad)itted/ J%ut that +as 'e.ause I didn"t
1no+ +hat ove +as/J
Then $i.1 had 'urst out again/ Prayers> entreaties> even threats/
Threats against the )an +ho had suppanted hi)/ It +as a)a?ing
to AiB to see the vo.ano that eBisted 'eneath the reserved
eBterior of the )an she thought she 1ne+ so +e/ Aso> it
frightened her a itte/// $i.1> of .ourse> .oudn"t possi'y )ean the
things he +as saying> the threats of vengean.e against ,erad
Martin/ !e +as angry> that +as a///
!er thoughts had gone 'a.1 to that intervie+ no+> on this sunny
)orning> as she eaned on the gate of the .ottage/ She had 'een
)arried a )onth> and she +as idyi.ay happy/ @et> in the
)o)entary a'sen.e of the hus'and +ho +as everything to her> a
tinge of anBiety invaded her perfe.t happiness> and the .ause of
that anBiety +as $i.1 Windyford/
Three ti)es sin.e her )arriage she had drea)ed the sa)e drea)/
The environ)ent differed> 'ut the )ain fa.ts +ere a+ays the
sa)e/ She sa+ her hus'and ying dead and $i.1 Windyford
standing over hi)> and she 1ne+ .eary and distin.ty that his +as
the hand +hi.h had deat the fata 'o+/
%ut horri'e though that +as> there +as so)ething )ore horri'e
sti ; horri'e that +as> on a+a1ening> for in the drea) it see)ed
perfe.ty natura and inevita'e/ She> AiB Martin> +as gad that her
hus'and +as dead ; she stret.hed out gratefu hands to the
)urderer> so)eti)es she than1ed hi)/ The drea) a+ays ended
the sa)e +ay> +ith hersef .asped in $i.1 Windyford"s ar)s/
She had said nothing of this drea) to her hus'and> 'ut se.rety it
had pertur'ed her )ore than she i1ed to ad)it/ Was it a +arning ;
a +arning against $i.1 WindyfordA !ad he so)e se.ret po+er
+hi.h he +as trying to esta'ish over her at a distan.eA She did
not 1no+ )u.h a'out hypnotis)> 'ut surey she had a+ays heard
that persons .oud not 'e hypnoti?ed against their +i/
AiB +as roused fro) her thoughts 'y the sharp ringing of the
teephone 'e fro) +ithin the house/ She entered the .ottage> and
pi.1ed up the re.eiver/ Suddeny she s+ayed> and put out a hand
to 1eep hersef fro) faing/
JWho did you say +as spea1ingAJ
JWhy> AiB> +hat"s the )atter +ith your voi.eA I +oudn"t have
1no+n it/ It"s $i.1/J
J<hGJ said AiB ; J<hG Where are youAJ
JAt the Traveers Ar)s ; that"s the right na)e> isn"t itA <r don"t you
even 1no+ of the eBisten.e of your viage pu'A I") on )y hoiday ;
doing a 'it of fishing here/ Any o'De.tion to )y oo1ing you t+o
good peope up this evening after dinnerAJ
J0o>J said AiB sharpy/ J@ou )ustn"t .o)e/J
There +as a pause> and $i.1"s voi.e> +ith a su'te ateration in it>
spo1e again/
JI 'eg your pardon>J he said for)ay/ J<f .ourse I +on"t 'other
you ;J
AiB 'ro1e in hastiy/ <f .ourse he )ust thin1 her 'ehavior too
eBtraordinary/ It +as eBtraordinary/ !er nerves )ust 'e a to
pie.es/ It +asn"t $i.1"s faut that she had these drea)s/
JI ony )eant that +e +ere ; engaged tonight>J she eBpained>
trying to )a1e her voi.e sound as natura as possi'e/ JWon"t you ;
+on"t you .o)e to dinner to)orro+ nightAJ
%ut $i.1 evidenty noti.ed the a.1 of .ordiaity in her tone/
JThan1s very )u.h>J he said> in the sa)e for)a voi.e/ J%ut I )ay
'e )oving on any ti)e/ $epends upon +hether a pa of )ine turns
up or not/ ,ood;'ye> AiB/J !e paused> and then added hastiy> in a
different tone> J%est of u.1 to you> )y dear/J
AiB hung up the re.eiver +ith a feeing of reief/
J!e )ustn"t .o)e here>J she repeated to hersef/ J!e )ustn"t
.o)e here/ <hG +hat a foo I a)G To i)agine )ysef into a state i1e
this/ A the sa)e> I") gad he"s not .o)ing/J
She .aught up a rusti. rush hat fro) a ta'e> and passed out into
the garden again> pausing to oo1 up at the na)e .arved over the
por.h> Phio)e Cottage/
JIsn"t it a very fan.ifu na)eAJ she had said to ,erad on.e 'efore
they +ere )arried/ !e had aughed/
J@ou itte Co.1ney>J he had said> affe.tionatey/ JI don"t 'eieve
you have ever heard a nightingae/ I") gad you haven"t
0ightingaes shoud sing ony for overs/ We" hear the) together
on a su))er"s evening outside our o+n ho)e/J
And at the re)e)'ran.e of ho+ they had indeed heard the)> AiB>
standing in the door+ay of her ho)e> 'ushed happiy/
It +as ,erad +ho had found Phio)e Cottage/ !e had .o)e to
AiB 'ursting +ith eB.ite)ent/ !e had found the very spot for the)
; uni8ue ; a ge) ; the .han.e of a ifeti)e/ And +hen AiB had seen
it> she too +as .aptivated/ It +as true that the situation +as rather
oney ; they +ere t+o )ies fro) the nearest viage ; 'ut the
.ottage itsef +as so eB8uisite +ith its <d Word appearan.e> and
its soid .o)fort of 'athroo)s> hot;+ater syste)> ee.tri. ight and
teephone> that she fe a vi.ti) to its .har) i))ediatey/ And then
a hit.h o..urred/ The o+ner> a ri.h )an +ho had )ade it his +hi)>
de.ined to rent it/ !e +oud ony se/
,erad Martin> though possessed of a good in.o)e> +as una'e to
tou.h his .apita/ !e .oud raise at )ost a thousand pounds/ The
o+ner +as as1ing three/ %ut AiB> +ho had set her heart on the
pa.e> .a)e to the res.ue/ !er o+n .apita +as easiy reai?ed>
'eing in 'earer 'onds/ She +oud .ontri'ute haf of it to the
pur.hase of the ho)e/ So Phio)e Cottage 'e.a)e their very
o+n> and never for a )inute had AiB regretted the .hoi.e/ It +as
true that servants did not appre.iate the rura soitude ; indeed at
the )o)ent they had none at a ; 'ut AiB> +ho had 'een starved of
do)esti. ife> thoroughy enDoyed .oo1ing dainty itte )eas and
oo1ing after the house/
The garden +hi.h +as )agnifi.enty sto.1ed +ith fo+ers +as
attended to 'y an od )an fro) the viage +ho .a)e t+i.e a +ee1>
and ,erad Martin> +ho +as 1een on gardening> spent )ost of his
ti)e there/
As she rounded the .orner of the house> AiB +as surprised to see
the od gardener in 8uestion 'usy over the fo+er 'eds/ She +as
surprised 'e.ause his days for +or1 +ere Mondays and Fridays>
and today +as Wednesday/
JWhy> ,eorge> +hat are you doing hereAJ she as1ed> as she .a)e
to+ards hi)/
The od )an straightened up +ith a .hu.1e> tou.hing the 'ri) of
an aged .ap/
JI thought as ho+ you"d 'e surprised> )a"a)/ %ut "tis this +ay/
There 'e a f/te over to S8uire"s on Friday> and I se? to )ysef> I
se?> neith Mr Martin nor yet his good ady +on"t ta1e it a)iss if I
.o)es for on.e on a Wednesday instead of a Friday/J
JThat"s 8uite a right>J said AiB/ JI hope you" enDoy yoursef at the
f/te/J
JI re.1on to>J said ,eorge si)py/ JIt"s a fine thing to 'e a'e to eat
your fi and 1no+ a the ti)e as it"s not you as is paying for it/
S8uire aus has a proper sit;do+n tea for "is tenants/ Then I
thought too> )a"a)> as I )ight as +e see you 'efore you goes
a+ay so as to earn your +ishes for the 'orders/ @ou" have no
idea +hen you" 'e 'a.1> )a"a)> I supposeAJ
J%ut I") not going a+ay/J
,eorge stared at her/
J%ain"t you going to #unnon to)orro+AJ
J0o/ What put su.h an idea into your headAJ
,eorge Der1ed his head over his shouder/
JMet Maister do+n to viage yesterday/ !e tod )e you +as 'oth
going a+ay to #unnon to)orro+> and it +as un.ertain +hen you"d
'e 'a.1 again/J
J0onsense>J said AiB> aughing/ J@ou )ust have )isunderstood
hi)/J
A the sa)e> she +ondered eBa.ty +hat it .oud have 'een that
,erad had said to ead the od )an into su.h a .urious )ista1e/
,oing to #ondonA She never +anted to go to #ondon again/
JI hate #ondon>J she said suddeny and harshy/
JAhGJ said ,eorge pa.idy/ JI )ust have 'een )istoo1 so)eho+>
and yet he said it pain enough it see)ed to )e/ I") gad you"re
stopping on here ; I don"t hod +ith a this gaivanting a'out> and I
don"t thin1 nothing of #unnon/ I"ve never needed to go there/ Too
)any )oty .ars ; that"s the trou'e no+adays/ <n.e peope have
got a )oty .ar> 'essed if they .an stay sti any+heres/ Mr A)es>
+ot used to have this house ; ni.e pea.efu sort of gente)an he
+as unti he 'ought one of the) things/ !adn"t "ad it a )onth
'efore he put up this .ottage for sae/ A tidy ot he"d spent on it>
too> +ith taps in a the 'edroo)s> and the ee.tri. ight and a/
"@ou" never see your )oney 'a.1>" I se? to hi)/ "It"s not everyone
as" have your fad for +ashing the)seves in every roo) in the
house> in a )anner of spea1ing/" %ut ",eorge>" he se? to )e> "I" get
every penny of t+o thousand pounds for this house/" And sure
enough> he did/J
J!e got three thousand>J said AiB> s)iing/
JT+o thousand>J repeated ,eorge/ JThe su) he +as as1ing +as
ta1ed of at the ti)e/ And a very high figure it +as thought to 'e/J
JIt reay +as three thousand>J said AiB/
JWo)en never understand figures>J said ,eorge> un.onvin.ed/
J@ou" not te )e that Mr A)es had the fa.e to stand up to you>
and say three thousand 'ra?en i1e in a oud voi.e/J
J!e didn"t say it to )e>J said AiB/ J!e said it to )y hus'and/J
,eorge stooped again to his fo+er 'ed/
JThe pri.e +as t+o thousand>J he said o'stinatey/
AiB did not trou'e to argue +ith hi)/ Moving to one of the further
'eds> she 'egan to pi.1 an ar)fu of fo+ers/ The sunshine> the
s.ent of the fo+ers> the faint hu) of hurrying 'ees> a .onspired
to )a1e the day a perfe.t thing/
As she )oved +ith her fragrant posy to+ards the house> AiB
noti.ed a s)a dar1 green o'De.t> peeping fro) 'et+een so)e
eaves in one of the 'eds/ She stooped and pi.1ed it up>
re.ogni?ing it for her hus'and"s po.1et diary/ It )ust have faen
fro) his po.1et +hen he +as +eeding/
She opened it> s.anning the entries +ith so)e a)use)ent/ A)ost
fro) the 'eginning of their )arried ife> she had reai?ed that the
i)pusive and e)otiona ,erad had the un.hara.teristi. virtues of
neatness and )ethod/ !e +as eBtre)ey fussy a'out )eas 'eing
pun.tua> and a+ays panned his day ahead +ith the a..ura.y of a
ti)e ta'e/ This )orning> for instan.e> he had announ.ed that he
shoud start for the viage after 'rea1fast ; at 16H1F/ And at 16H1F
to the )inute he had eft the house/
#oo1ing through the diary> she +as a)used to noti.e the entry on
the date of May 14th/ JMarry AiB St Peter"s 2H56/J
JThe 'ig siy>J )ur)ured AiB to hersef> turning the pages/
Suddeny she stopped/
JThursday> *une 1Oth ; +hy that"s today/J
In the spa.e for that day +as +ritten in ,erad"s neat pre.ise handH
J9 p/)/J 0othing ese/ What had ,erad panned to do at 9 p/)/ AiB
+ondered/ She s)ied to hersef as she reai?ed that had this 'een
a story> i1e those she had so often read> the diary +oud dou'tess
have furnished her +ith so)e sensationa reveation/ It +oud have
had in it for .ertain the na)e of another +o)an/ She futtered the
'a.1 pages idy/ There +ere dates> appoint)ents> .rypti.
referen.es to 'usiness deas> 'ut ony one +o)an"s na)e ; her
o+n/
@et as she sipped the 'oo1 into her po.1et and +ent on +ith her
fo+ers to the house> she +as a+are of a vague uneasiness/ Those
+ords of $i.1 Windyford"s re.urred to her> a)ost as though he
had 'een at her e'o+ repeating the)H JThe )an"s a perfe.t
stranger to you/ @ou 1no+ nothing a'out hi)/J
It +as true/ What did she 1no+ a'out hi)/ After a> ,erad +as
forty/ In forty years there )ust have 'een +o)en in his ife///
AiB shoo1 hersef i)patienty/ She )ust not give +ay to these
thoughts/ She had a far )ore instant preo..upation to dea +ith/
Shoud she> or shoud she not> te her hus'and that $i.1
Windyford had rung her upA
There +as the possi'iity to 'e .onsidered that ,erad )ight have
aready run a.ross hi) in the viage/ %ut in that .ase he +oud 'e
sure to )ention it to her i))ediatey upon his return and )atters
+oud 'e ta1en out of her hands/ <ther+ise ; +hatA AiB +as a+are
of a distin.t desire to say nothing a'out it/ ,erad had a+ays
sho+n hi)sef 1indy disposed to+ards the other/ JPoor devi>J he
had said on.e> JI 'eieve he"s Dust as 1een on you as I a)/ !ard
u.1 on hi) to 'e sheved/J !e had had no dou'ts of AiB"s o+n
feeings/
If she tod hi)> he +as sure to suggest as1ing $i.1 Windyford to
Phio)e Cottage/ Then she +oud have to eBpain that $i.1 had
proposed it hi)sef> and that she had )ade an eB.use to prevent
his .o)ing/ And +hen he as1ed her +hy she had done so> +hat
.oud she sayA Te hi) her drea)A %ut he +oud ony augh ; or
+orse> see that she atta.hed an i)portan.e to it +hi.h he did not/
Then he +oud thin1 ; ohG he )ight thin1 anythingG
In the end> rather sha)efa.edy> AiB de.ided to say nothing/ It
+as the first se.ret she had ever 1ept fro) her hus'and> and the
.ons.iousness of it )ade her fee i at ease/
When she heard ,erad returning fro) the viage shorty 'efore
un.h> she hurried into the 1it.hen and pretended to 'e 'usy +ith
the .oo1ing so as to hide her .onfusion/
It +as evident at on.e that ,erad had seen nothing of $i.1
Windyford/ AiB fet at on.e reieved and e)'arrassed/ She +as
definitey .o))itted no+ to a poi.y of .on.ea)ent/ For the rest
of the day she +as nervous and a'sent)inded> starting at every
sound> 'ut her hus'and see)ed to noti.e nothing/ !e hi)sef
see)ed to have his thoughts far a+ay> and on.e or t+i.e she had
to spea1 a se.ond ti)e 'efore he ans+ered so)e trivia re)ar1 of
hers/
It +as not unti after their si)pe evening )ea> +hen they +ere
sitting in the oa1 'ea)ed iving roo) +ith the +indo+s thro+n
open to et in the s+eet night air s.ented +ith the perfu)e of the
)auve and +hite sto.1s that gre+ outside> that AiB re)e)'ered
the po.1et diary> and sei?ed upon it gady to distra.t her thoughts
fro) their dou't and perpeBity/
J!ere"s so)ething you"ve 'een +atering the fo+ers +ith>J she
said> and thre+ it into his ap/
J$ropped it in the 'order> did IAJ
J@es> I 1no+ a your se.rets no+/J
J0ot guity>J said ,erad> sha1ing his head/
JWhat a'out your assignation at nine o".o.1 tonightAJ
J<hG that ;J he see)ed ta1en 'a.1 for a )o)ent> then he s)ied as
though so)ething afforded hi) parti.uar a)use)ent/ JIt"s an
assignation +ith a parti.uary ni.e gir> AiB/ She"s got 'ro+n hair
and 'ue eyes and she"s parti.uary i1e you/J
JI don"t understand>J said AiB> +ith )o.1 severity/ J@ou"re evading
the point/J
J0o> I") not/ As a )atter of fa.t> that"s a re)inder that I") going to
deveop so)e negatives tonight> and I +ant you to hep )e/J
,erad Martin +as an enthusiasti. photographer/
!e had a so)e+hat od;fashioned .a)era> 'ut +ith an eB.eent
ens> and he deveoped his o+n pates in a s)a .ear +hi.h he
had fitted up as a dar1 roo)/ !e +as never tired of posing AiB in
different positions/
JAnd it )ust 'e done at nine o".o.1 pre.isey>J said AiB teasingy/
,erad oo1ed a itte veBed/
JMy dear gir>J he said> +ith a shade of testiness in his )anner>
Jone shoud a+ays pan a thing for a definite ti)e/ Then one gets
through one"s +or1 propery/J
AiB sat for a )inute or t+o in sien.e +at.hing her hus'and as he
ay in his .hair s)o1ing> his dar1 head fung 'a.1 and the .ear;.ut
ines of his .ean;shaven fa.e sho+ing up against the so)'er
'a.1ground/ And suddeny> fro) so)e un1no+n sour.e> a +ave of
pani. surged over her> so that she .ried out 'efore she .oud stop
hersef/ J<hG ,erad> I +ish I 1ne+ )ore a'out you/J
!er hus'and turned an astonished fa.e upon her/
J%ut> )y dear AiB> you do 1no+ a a'out )e/ I"ve tod you of )y
'oyhood in 0orthu)'erand> of )y ife in South Afri.a> and these
ast ten years in Canada +hi.h have 'rought )e su..ess/J
J<h> 'usinessGJ
,erad aughed suddeny/
JI 1no+ +hat you )ean ; ove affairs/ @ou +o)en are a the sa)e/
0othing interests you 'ut the persona ee)ent/J
AiB fet her throat go dry> as she )uttered indistin.tyH JWe> 'ut
there )ust have 'een ; ove affairs/ I )ean ; If I ony 1ne+ ;J
There +as sien.e again for a )inute or t+o/ ,erad Martin +as
fro+ning> a oo1 of inde.ision on his fa.e/ When he spo1e> it +as
gravey> +ithout a tra.e of his for)er 'antering )anner/
J$o you thin1 it +ise> AiB ; this %ue'eard"s .ha)'er 'usinessA
There have 'een +o)en in )y ife> yes/ I don"t deny it/ @ou
+oudn"t 'eieve )e if I did deny it/ %ut I .an s+ear to you truthfuy
that not one of the) )eant anything to )e/J
There +as a ring of sin.erity in his voi.e +hi.h .o)forted the
istening +ife/
JSatisfied> AiBAJ he as1ed> +ith a s)ie/ Then he oo1ed at her +ith
a shade of .uriosity/
JWhat has turned your )ind onto these unpeasant su'De.ts
tonight of a nightsA @ou never )entioned the) 'efore/J
AiB got up and 'egan to +a1 a'out restessy/
J<hG I don"t 1no+>J she said/ JI"ve 'een nervy a day/J
JThat"s odd>J said ,erad> in a o+ voi.e> as though spea1ing to
hi)sef/ JThat"s very odd/J
JWhy is it oddAJ
J<h> )y dear gir> don"t fash out at )e so/ I ony said it +as odd
'e.ause as a rue you"re so s+eet and serene/J
AiB for.ed a s)ie/
J(verything"s .onspired to annoy )e today>J she .onfessed/ J(ven
od ,eorge had got so)e ridi.uous idea into his head that +e
+ere going a+ay to #ondon/ !e said you had tod hi) so/J
JWhere did you see hi)AJ as1ed ,erad sharpy/
J!e .a)e to +or1 today instead of Friday/J
JThe od foo>J said ,erad angriy/
AiB stared in surprise/ !er hus'and"s fa.e +as .onvused +ith
rage/ She had never seen hi) so angry/ Seeing her astonish)ent>
,erad )ade an effort to regain .ontro of hi)sef/
JWe> he is a stupid od foo>J he protested/
JWhat .an you have said to )a1e hi) thin1 thatAJ
JIA I never said anything/ At east ; <h> yes> I re)e)'er/ I )ade
so)e +ea1 Do1e a'out 'eing "off to #ondon in the )orning" and I
suppose he too1 it seriousy/ <r ese he didn"t hear propery/ @ou
unde.eived hi)> of .ourseAJ
!e +aited anBiousy for her repy/
J<f .ourse> 'ut he"s the sort of od )an +ho if on.e he gets an idea
in his head ; +e> it isn"t so easy to get it out again/J
Then she tod hi) of the gardener"s insisten.e on the su) as1ed
for the .ottage/
,erad +as sient for a )inute or t+o> then he said so+yH
JA)es +as +iing to ta1e t+o thousand in .ash and the re)aining
thousand on )ortgage/ That"s the origin of that )ista1e> I fan.y/J
J7ery i1ey>J agreed AiB/
Then she oo1ed up at the .o.1 and pointed to it +ith a
)is.hievous finger/
JWe ought to 'e getting do+n to it> ,erad/ Five )inutes 'ehind
s.hedue/J
A very pe.uiar s)ie .a)e over ,erad Martin"s fa.e/
JI"ve .hanged )y )ind>J he said 8uiety/ JI sha not do any
photography tonight/J
A +o)an"s )ind is a .urious thing/ When she +ent to 'ed that
Thursday night> AiB"s )ind +as .ontented and at rest/ !er
)o)entariy assaied happiness reasserted itsef> triu)phant as of
yore/
%ut 'y the evening of the foo+ing day> she reai?ed that so)e
su'te for.es +ere at +or1 under)ining it/ $i.1 Windyford had not
rung up again> nevertheess she fet +hat she supposed to 'e his
infuen.e at +or1/ Again and again those +ords of his re.urred to
her/ JThe )an"s a perfe.t stranger/ @ou 1no+ nothing a'out hi)/J
And +ith the) .a)e the )e)ory of her hus'and"s fa.e>
photographed .eary on her 'rain as he saidH J$o you thin1 it
+ise> AiB> this %ue'eard"s .ha)'er 'usinessAJ Why had he said
thatA What had he )eant 'y those +ordsA
There had 'een +arning in the) ; a hint of )ena.e/ It +as as
though he had said in effe.t ; J@ou had 'etter not pry into )y ife>
AiB/ @ou )ay get a nasty sho.1 if you do/J True> a fe+ )inutes
ater> he had s+orn to her that there had 'een no +o)an in his ife
that )attered ; 'ut AiB tried in vain to re.apture her sense of his
sin.erity/ Was he not 'ound to s+ear thatA
%y Friday )orning> AiB had .onvin.ed hersef that there had 'een
a +o)an in ,erad"s ife ; a %ue'eard"s .ha)'er that he had
seduousy sought to .on.ea fro) her/ !er Deaousy> so+ to
a+a1en> +as no+ ra)pant/
Was it a +o)an he had 'een going to )eet that night> at 9 p/)/A
Was his story of photographs to deveop a ie invented upon the
spur of the )o)entA With a 8ueer sense of sho.1 AiB reai?ed that
ever sin.e she had found that po.1et diary she had 'een in
tor)ent/ And there had 'een nothing in itA That +as the irony of
the +hoe thing/
Three days ago she +oud have s+orn that she 1ne+ her hus'and
through and through/ 0o+ it see)ed to her that he +as a stranger
of +ho) she 1ne+ nothing/ She re)e)'ered his unreasona'e
anger against od ,eorge> so at varian.e +ith his usua goodte)pered
)anner/ A s)a thing> perhaps> 'ut it sho+ed her that
she did not reay 1no+ the )an +ho +as her hus'and/
There +ere severa itte things re8uired on Friday fro) the viage
to .arry the) over the +ee1;end/ In the afternoon AiB suggested
that she shoud go for the) +hist ,erad re)ained in the garden>
'ut so)e+hat to her surprise he opposed this pan vehe)enty>
and insisted on going hi)sef +hist she re)ained at ho)e/ AiB
+as for.ed to give +ay to hi)> 'ut his insisten.e surprised and
aar)ed her/ Why +as he so anBious to prevent her going to the
viageA
Suddeny an eBpanation suggested itsef to her +hi.h )ade the
+hoe thing .ear/ Was it not possi'e that> +hist saying nothing to
her> ,erad had indeed .o)e a.ross $i.1 WindyfordA !er o+n
Deaousy> entirey dor)ant at the ti)e of their )arriage> had ony
deveoped after+ards/ Might it not 'e the sa)e +ith ,eradA Might
he not 'e anBious to prevent her seeing $i.1 Windyford againA
This eBpanation +as so .onsistent +ith the fa.ts> and so
.o)forting to AiB"s pertur'ed )ind> that she e)'ra.ed it eagery/
@et +hen tea ti)e had .o)e and past> she +as restess and i at
ease/ She +as strugging +ith a te)ptation that had assaied her
ever sin.e ,erad"s departure/ Finay> pa.ifying her .ons.ien.e
+ith the assuran.e that the roo) did need a thorough tidying> she
+ent upstairs to her hus'and"s dressing roo)/ She too1 a duster
+ith her to 1eep up the pretense of house+ifery/
JIf I +ere ony sure>J she repeated to hersef/ JIf I .oud ony 'e
sure/J
In vain she tod hersef that anything .o)pro)ising +oud have
'een destroyed ages ago/ Against that she argued that )en do
so)eti)es 1eep the )ost da)ning pie.e of eviden.e through an
eBaggerated senti)entaity/
In the end AiB su..u)'ed/ !er .hee1s ; 'urning +ith the sha)e of
her a.tion> she hunted 'reathessy through pa.1ets of etters and
do.u)ents> turned out the dra+ers> even +ent through the
po.1ets of her hus'and"s .othes/ <ny t+o dra+ers euded her ;
the o+er dra+er of the .hest of dra+ers and the s)a right;hand
dra+er of the +riting des1 +ere 'oth o.1ed/ %ut AiB +as 'y no+
ost to a sha)e/ In one of those dra+ers she +as .onvin.ed that
she +oud find eviden.e of this i)aginary +o)an of the past +ho
o'sessed her/
She re)e)'ered that ,erad had eft his 1eys ying .areessy on
the side'oard do+nstairs/ She fet.hed the) and tried the) one 'y
one/ The third 1ey fitted the +riting ta'e dra+er/ AiB pued it
open eagery/ There +as a .he.1 'oo1 and a +aet +e stuffed
+ith notes> and at the 'a.1 of the dra+er a pa.1et of etters tied up
+ith a pie.e of tape/
!er 'reath .o)ing uneveny> AiB untied the tape/ Then a deep
'urning 'ush overspread her fa.e> and she dropped the etters
'a.1 into the dra+er> .osing and reo.1ing it/ For the etters +ere
her o+n> +ritten to ,erad Martin 'efore she )arried hi)/
She turned no+ to the .hest of dra+ers> )ore +ith a +ish to fee
that she had eft nothing undone> than fro) any eBpe.tation of
finding +hat she sought/ She +as asha)ed and a)ost .onvin.ed
of the )adness of her o'session/
To her annoyan.e none of the 1eys on ,erad"s 'un.h fitted the
dra+er in 8uestion/ 0ot to 'e defeated> AiB +ent into the other
roo)s and 'rought 'a.1 a see.tion of 1eys +ith her/ To her
satisfa.tion> the 1ey of the spare roo) +ardro'e aso fitted the
.hest of dra+ers/ She uno.1ed the dra+er and pued it open/ %ut
there +as nothing in it 'ut a ro of ne+spaper .ippings aready
dirty and dis.oored +ith age/
AiB 'reathed a sigh of reief/ 0evertheess she gan.ed at the
.ippings> .urious to 1no+ +hat su'De.t had interested ,erad so
)u.h that he had ta1en the trou'e to 1eep the dusty ro/ They
+ere neary a A)eri.an papers> dated so)e seven years ago>
and deaing +ith the trai of the notorious s+inder and 'iga)ist>
Chares #eMaitre/ #eMaitre had 'een suspe.ted of doing a+ay
+ith his +o)en vi.ti)s/ A s1eeton had 'een found 'eneath the
foor of one of the houses he had rented> and )ost of the +o)en
he had J)arriedJ had never 'een heard of again/
!e had defended hi)sef fro) the .harge +ith .onsu))ate s1i>
aided 'y so)e of the 'est ega taent in the 2nited States/ The
S.ottish verdi.t of J0on provenJ )ight perhaps have stated the
.ase 'est/ In its a'sen.e> he +as found 0ot ,uity on the .apita
.harge> though senten.ed to a ong ter) of i)prison)ent on the
other .harges proferred against hi)/
AiB re)e)'ered the eB.ite)ent .aused 'y the .ase at the ti)e>
and aso the sensation aroused 'y the es.ape of #eMaitre so)e
three years ater/ !e had never 'een re.aptured/ The personaity
of the )an and his eBtraordinary po+er over +o)en had 'een
dis.ussed at great ength in the (ngish papers at the ti)e>
together +ith an a..ount of his eB.ita'iity in .ourt> his passionate
protestations> and his o..asiona sudden physi.a .oapses> due
to the fa.t that he had a +ea1 heart> though the ignorant
a..redited it to his dra)ati. po+ers/
There +as a pi.ture of hi) in one of the .ippings AiB hed> and
she studied it +ith so)e interest ; a ong;'earded> s.hoary
oo1ing gente)an/ It re)inded her of so)eone> 'ut for the
)o)ent she .oud not te +ho that so)eone +as/ She had never
1no+n that ,erad too1 an interest in .ri)e and fa)ous trias>
though she 1ne+ that it +as a ho''y +ith )any )en/
Who +as it the fa.e re)inded her ofA Suddeny> +ith a sho.1> she
reai?ed that it +as ,erad hi)sef/ The eyes and 'ro+s 'ore a
strong rese)'an.e to hi)/ Perhaps he had 1ept the .utting for
that reason/ !er eyes +ent on to the paragraph 'eside the pi.ture/
Certain dates> it see)ed> had 'een entered in the a..used"s
po.1et'oo1> and it +as .ontended that these +ere dates +hen he
had done a+ay +ith his vi.ti)s/ Then a +o)an gave eviden.e and
identified the prisoner positivey 'y the fa.t that he had a )oe on
his eft +rist> Dust 'eo+ the pa) of the eft hand
AiB dropped the papers fro) a nerveess hand> and s+ayed as
she stood/ <n his eft +rist> Dust 'eo+ the pa)> ,erad had a s)a
s.ar///
The roo) +hired round her/// After+ards it stru.1 her as strange
that she shoud have eaped at on.e to su.h a'soute .ertainty/
,erad Martin +as Chares #eMaitreG She 1ne+ it and a..epted it
in a fash/ $isDointed frag)ents +hired through her 'rain> i1e
pie.es of a Digsa+ pu??e fitting into pa.e/
The )oney paid for the house ; her )oney ; her )oney ony/ The
%earer 'onds she had entrusted to his 1eeping/ (ven her drea)
appeared in its true signifi.an.e/ $eep do+n in her> her
su'.ons.ious sef had a+ays feared ,erad Martin and +ished to
es.ape fro) hi)/ And it +as to $i.1 Windyford this sef of hers had
oo1ed for hep/ That> too> +as +hy she +as a'e to a..ept the
truth so easiy> +ithout dou't or hesitation/ She +as to have 'een
another of #eMaitre"s vi.ti)s/ 7ery soon> perhaps/
A haf .ry es.aped her as she re)e)'ered so)ething/ Thursday 9
p/)/ The .ear> +ith the fagstones that +ere so easiy raised/
<n.e 'efore> he had 'uried one of his vi.ti)s in a .ear/ It had
'een a panned for Thursday night/ %ut to +rite it do+n
'eforehand in that )ethodi.a )anner ; insanityG 0o> it +as ogi.a/
,erad a+ays )ade a )e)orandu) of his engage)ents ; )urder
+as> to hi)> a 'usiness proposition i1e any other/
%ut +hat had saved herA What .oud possi'y have saved herA !ad
he reented at the ast )inuteA 0o ; in a fash the ans+er .a)e to
her/ <d ,eorge/ She understood no+ her hus'and"s
un.ontroa'e anger/ $ou'tess he had paved the +ay 'y teing
everyone he )et that they +ere going to #ondon the neBt day/
Then ,eorge had .o)e to +or1 uneBpe.tedy> had )entioned
#ondon to her> and she had .ontradi.ted the story/ Too ris1y to do
a+ay +ith her that night> +ith od ,eorge repeating that
.onversation/ %ut +hat an es.apeG If she had not happened to
)ention that trivia )atter ; AiB shuddered/
%ut there +as no ti)e to 'e ost/ She )ust get a+ay at on.e ;
'efore he .a)e 'a.1/ For nothing on earth +oud she spend
another night under the sa)e roof +ith hi)/ She hurriedy
repa.ed the ro of .ippings in the dra+er> shut it to and o.1ed it/
And then she stayed )otioness as though fro?en to stone/ She
had heard the .rea1 of the gate into the road/ !er hus'and had
returned/
For a )o)ent AiB stayed as though petrified> then she .rept on
tiptoe to the +indo+> oo1ing out fro) 'ehind the sheter of the
.urtain/
@es> it +as her hus'and/ !e +as s)iing to hi)sef and hu))ing a
itte tune/ In his hand he hed an o'De.t +hi.h a)ost )ade the
terrified gir"s heart stop 'eating/ It +as a 'rand ne+ spade/
AiB eaped to a 1no+edge 'orn of instin.t/ It +as to 'e tonight///
%ut there +as sti a .han.e/ ,erad> sti hu))ing his itte tune>
+ent round to the 'a.1 of the house/
J!e"s going to put it in the .ear ; ready>J thought AiB +ith a
shiver/
Without hesitating a )o)ent> she ran do+n the stairs and out of
the .ottage/ %ut Dust as she e)erged fro) the door> her hus'and
.a)e round the other side of the house/
J!uo>J he said/ JWhere are you running off to in su.h a hurryAJ
AiB strove desperatey to appear .a) and as usua/ !er .han.e
+as gone for the )o)ent> 'ut if she +as .arefu not to arouse his
suspi.ions> it +oud .o)e again ater/ (ven no+> perhaps///
JI +as going to +a1 to the end of the ane and 'a.1>J she said> in a
voi.e that sounded +ea1 and un.ertain to her o+n ears/
J&ight>J said ,erad> JI" .o)e +ith you/J
J0o ; pease> ,erad/ I") ; nervy> heada.hy ; I"d rather go aone/J
!e oo1ed at her attentivey/ She fan.ied a )o)entary suspi.ion
gea)ed in his eye/
JWhat"s the )atter +ith you> AiBA @ou"re pae ; tre)'ing/J
J0othing>J she for.ed hersef to 'e 'rus8ue ; s)iing/ JI"ve got a
heada.he> that"s a/ A +a1 +i do )e good/J
JWe> it"s no good you"re saying you don"t +ant )e>J de.ared
,erad +ith his easy augh/ JI") .o)ing +hether you +ant )e or
not/J
She dared not protest further/ If he suspe.ted that she 1ne+ ;
With an effort she )anaged to regain so)ething of her nor)a
)anner/ @et she had an uneasy feeing that he oo1ed at her
side+ays every no+ and then> as though not 8uite satisfied/ She
fet that his suspi.ions +ere not .o)petey aayed/
When they returned to the house> he insisted on her ying do+n>
and 'rought so)e eau de .oogne to 'athe her te)pes/ !e +as>
as ever> the devoted hus'and> yet AiB fet hersef as hepess as
though 'ound hand and foot in a trap/
0ot for a )inute +oud he eave her aone/ !e +ent +ith her into
the 1it.hen and heped her to 'ring in the si)pe .od dishes she
had aready prepared/
Supper +as a )ea that .ho1ed her> yet she for.ed hersef to eat>
and even to appear gay and natura/ She 1ne+ no+ that she +as
fighting for her ife/ She +as aone +ith this )an> )ies fro) hep>
a'soutey at his )er.y/ !er ony .han.e +as so to u his
suspi.ions that he +oud eave her aone for a fe+ )o)ents ; ong
enough for her to get to the teephone in the ha and su))on
assistan.e/ That +as her ony hope no+/ !e +oud overta1e her if
she too1 to fight ong 'efore she .oud rea.h assistan.e/
A )o)entary hope fashed over her as she re)e)'ered ho+ he
had a'andoned his pan 'efore/ Suppose she tod hi) that $i.1
Windyford +as .o)ing up to see the) that eveningA
The +ords tre)'ed on her ips ; then she reDe.ted the) hastiy/
This )an +oud not 'e 'a1ed a se.ond ti)e/ There +as a
deter)ination> an eation underneath his .a) 'earing that
si.1ened her/ She +oud ony pre.ipitate the .ri)e/ !e +oud
)urder her there and then> and .a)y ring up $i.1 Windyford +ith
a tae of having 'een suddeny .aed a+ay/ <hG if ony $i.1
Windyford +ere .o)ing to the house this evening/ If $i.1 ;
A sudden idea fashed into her )ind/ She oo1ed sharpy side+ays
at her hus'and as though she feared that he )ight read her )ind/
With the for)ing of a pan> her .ourage +as reinfor.ed/ She
'e.a)e so .o)petey natura in )anner that she )arveed at
hersef/ She fet that ,erad no+ +as .o)petey reassured/
She )ade the .offee and too1 it out to the por.h +here they often
sat on fine evenings/
J%y the +ay>J said ,erad suddeny> J+e" do those photographs
ater/J
AiB fet a shiver run through her> 'ut she repied non.haantyH
JCan"t you )anage aoneA I") rather tired tonight/J
JIt +on"t ta1e ong/J !e s)ied to hi)sef/ JAnd I .an pro)ise you
you +on"t 'e tired after+ards/J
The +ords see)ed to a)use hi)/ AiB shuddered/ 0o+ or never
+as the ti)e to .arry out her pan/
She rose to her feet/
JI") Dust going to teephone to the 'ut.her>J she announ.ed
non.haanty/ J$on"t you 'other to )ove/J
JTo the 'ut.herA At this ti)e of nightAJ
J!is shop"s shut> of .ourse> siy/ %ut he"s in his house a right/ And
to)orro+"s Saturday> and I +ant hi) to 'ring )e so)e vea .utets
eary> 'efore so)eone ese gra's the) fro) hi)/ The od dear +i
do anything for )e/J
She passed 8ui.1y into the house> .osing the door 'ehind her/
She heard ,erad say> J$on"t shut the door>J and +as 8ui.1 +ith
her ight repy/ JIt 1eeps the )oths out/ I hate )oths/ Are you
afraid I") going to )a1e ove to the 'ut.her> siyAJ
<n.e inside she snat.hed do+n the teephone re.eiver and gave
the nu)'er of the Traveers Ar)s/ She +as put through at on.e/
JMr WindyfordA Is he sti thereA May I spea1 to hi)AJ
Then her heart gave a si.1ening thu)p/ The door +as pushed
open> and her hus'and .a)e into the ha/
J$o go a+ay> ,erad>J she said pettishy/ JI hate anyone istening
+hen I") teephoning/J
!e )erey aughed and thre+ hi)sef into a .hair/
JSure it reay is the 'ut.her you"re teephoning toAJ he 8ui??ed/
AiB +as in despair/ !er pan had faied/ In a )inute $i.1 Windyford
+oud .o)e to the phone/ Shoud she ris1 a and .ry out an appea
for hep/ Woud he grasp +hat she )eant 'efore ,erad +ren.hed
her a+ay fro) the phone/ <r +oud he )erey treat it as a pra.ti.a
Do1e/
And then as she nervousy depressed and reeased the itte 1ey in
the re.eiver she +as hoding> +hi.h per)its the voi.e to 'e heard
or not heard at the other end> another pan fashed into her head/
JIt +i 'e diffi.ut>J she thought/ JIt )eans 1eeping )y head> and
thin1ing of the right +ords> and not fatering for a )o)ent> 'ut I
'eieve I .oud do it/ I )ust do it/J
And at that )inute she heard $i.1 Windyford"s voi.e at the other
end of the phone/
AiB dre+ a deep 'reath/ Then she depressed the 1ey fir)y and
spo1e/
JMrs Martin spea1ing ; fro) Phio)e Cottage/ Pease .o)e 9she
reeased the 1ey: to)orro+ )orning +ith siB ni.e vea .utets 9she
depressed the 1ey again: It"s very i)portant 9she reeased the 1ey:
Than1 you so )u.h> Mr !eB+orthy> you don"t )ind )y ringing you
up so ate> I hope> 'ut those vea .utets are reay a )atter of 9she
depressed the 1ey again: ife or death/// 9she reeased it: 7ery +e
; to)orro+ )orning ; 9she depressed it: as soon as possi'e///J
She repa.ed the re.eiver on the hoo1 and turned to fa.e her
hus'and> 'reathing hard/
JSo that"s ho+ you ta1 to your 'ut.her> is itAJ said ,erad/
JIt"s the fe)inine tou.h>J said AiB ighty/
She +as si))ering +ith eB.ite)ent/ !e had suspe.ted nothing/
Surey $i.1> even if he didn"t understand> +oud .o)e/
She passed into the sitting roo) and s+it.hed on the ee.tri. ight/
,erad foo+ed her/
J@ou see) very fu of spirits no+>J he said> +at.hing her
.uriousy/
J@es>J said AiB> J)y heada.he"s gone/J
She sat do+n in her usua seat and s)ied at her hus'and> as he
san1 into his o+n .hair opposite her/ She +as saved/ It +as ony
five and t+enty past eight/ #ong 'efore nine o".o.1 $i.1 +oud
have arrived/
JI didn"t thin1 )u.h of that .offee you gave )e>J .o)pained
,erad/ JIt tasted very 'itter/J
JIt"s a ne+ 1ind I +as trying/ We +on"t have it again if you don"t i1e
it> dear/J
AiB too1 up a pie.e of neede+or1 and 'egan to stit.h/ She fet
.o)pete .onfiden.e in her o+n a'iity to 1eep up the part of the
devoted +ife/ ,erad read a fe+ pages of his 'oo1/ Then he
gan.ed up at the .o.1 and tossed the 'oo1 a+ay/
J!af;past eight/ Ti)e to go do+n to the .ear and start +or1/J
The +or1 sipped fro) AiB"s fingers/
J<hG not yet/ #et us +ait unti nine o".o.1/J
J0o> )y gir> haf;past eight/ That"s the ti)e I fiBed/ @ou" 'e a'e to
get to 'ed a the earier/J
J%ut I"d rather +ait unti nine/J
J!af;past eight>J said ,erad o'stinatey/ J@ou 1no+ +hen I fiB a
ti)e> I a+ays sti.1 to it/ Co)e aong> AiB/ I") not going to +ait a
)inute onger/J
AiB oo1ed up at hi)> and in spite of hersef she fet a +ave of
terror side over her/ The )as1 had 'een iftedI ,erad"s hands
+ere t+it.hingI his eyes +ere shining +ith eB.ite)entI he +as
.ontinuay passing his tongue over his dry ips/ !e no onger
.ared to .on.ea his eB.ite)ent/
AiB thoughtH JIt"s true ; he .an"t +ait ; he"s i1e a )ad)an/J
!e strode over to her> and Der1ed her onto her feet +ith a hand on
her shouder/
JCo)e on> )y gir ; or I" .arry you there/J
!is tone +as gay> 'ut there +as an undisguised fero.ity 'ehind it
that appaed her/ With a supre)e effort she Der1ed hersef free
and .ung .o+ering against the +a/ She +as po+eress/ She
.oudn"t get a+ay ; she .oudn"t do anything ; and he +as .o)ing
to+ards her/
J0o+> AiB ;J
J0o ; no/J
She s.rea)ed> her hands hed out i)potenty to +ard hi) off/
J,erad ; stop ; I"ve got so)ething to te you> so)ething to
.onfess///J
!e did stop/
JTo .onfessAJ he said .uriousy/
J@es> to .onfess/J She +ent on desperatey> see1ing to hod his
arrested attention/ JSo)ething I ought to have tod you 'efore/J
A oo1 of .onte)pt s+ept over his fa.e/ The spe +as 'ro1en/
JA for)er over> I suppose>J he sneered/
J0o>J said AiB/ JSo)ething ese/ @ou"d .a it> I eBpe.t ; yes> you"d
.a it a .ri)e/J
And at on.e she sa+ that she had stru.1 the right note/ Again his
attention +as arrested> hed/ Seeing that> her nerve .a)e 'a.1 to
her/ She fet )istress of the situation on.e )ore/
J@ou had 'etter sit do+n again>J she said 8uiety/
She hersef .rossed the roo) to her od .hair and sat do+n/ She
even stooped and pi.1ed up her neede+or1/ %ut 'ehind her
.a)ness she +as thin1ing and inventing feverishy/ For the story
she invented )ust hod his interest unti hep arrived/
JI tod you>J she said> Jthat I had 'een a shorthand typist for fifteen
years/ That +as not entirey true/ There +ere t+o intervas/ The
first o..urred +hen I +as t+enty;t+o/ I .a)e a.ross a )an> an
edery )an +ith a itte property/ !e fe in ove +ith )e and as1ed
)e to )arry hi)/ I a..epted/ We +ere )arried/J She paused/ JI
indu.ed hi) to insure his ife in )y favor/J
She sa+ a sudden 1een interest spring up in her hus'and"s fa.e>
and +ent on +ith rene+ed assuran.e/
J$uring the +ar I +or1ed for a ti)e in a !ospita $ispensary/ There
I had the handing of a 1inds of rare drugs and poisons/ @es>
poisons/J
She paused refe.tivey/ !e +as 1eeny interested no+> not a
dou't of it/ The )urderer is 'ound to have an interest in )urder/
She had ga)'ed on that> and su..eeded/ She stoe a gan.e at
the .o.1/ It +as five and t+enty to nine/
JThere is one poison ; it is a itte +hite po+der/ A pin.h of it )eans
death/ @ou 1no+ so)ething a'out poisons perhapsAJ
She put the 8uestion in so)e trepidation/ If he did> she +oud have
to 'e .arefu/
J0o>J said ,erad> JI 1no+ very itte a'out the)/J
She dre+ a 'reath of reief/ This )ade her tas1 easier/
J@ou have heard of hyos.ine> of .ourseA This is a drug that a.ts
)u.h the sa)e +ay> 'ut it is a'soutey untra.ea'e/ Any do.tor
+oud give a .ertifi.ate of heart faiure/ I stoe a s)a 8uantity of
this drug and 1ept it 'y )e/J
She paused> )arshaing her for.es/
J,o on>J said ,erad/
J0o/ I") afraid/ I .an"t te you/ Another ti)e/J
J0o+>J he said i)patienty/ JI +ant to hear/J
JWe had 'een )arried a )onth/ I +as very good to )y edery
hus'and> very 1ind and devoted/ !e spo1e in praise of )e to a the
neigh'ors/ (veryone 1ne+ +hat a devoted +ife I +as/ I a+ays
)ade his .offee )ysef every evening/ <ne evening> +hen +e +ere
aone together> I put a pin.h of the deady a1aoid in his .up/J
AiB paused> and .arefuy rethreaded her neede/ She> +ho had
never a.ted in her ife> rivaed the greatest a.tress in the +ord at
this )o)ent/ She +as a.tuay iving the part of the .od;'ooded
poisoner/
JIt +as very pea.efu/ I sat +at.hing hi)/ <n.e he gasped a itte
and as1ed for air/ I opened the +indo+/ Then he said he .oud not
)ove fro) his .hair/ Presenty he died/J
She stopped> s)iing/ It +as a 8uarter to nine/ Surey they +oud
.o)e soon/
J!o+ )u.h>J said ,erad> J+as the insuran.e )oneyAJ
JA'out t+o thousand pounds/ I spe.uated +ith it> and ost it/ I
+ent 'a.1 to )y offi.e +or1/ %ut I never )eant to re)ain there
ong/ Then I )et another )an/ I had stu.1 to )y )aiden na)e at
the offi.e/ !e didn"t 1no+ I had 'een )arried 'efore/ !e +as a
younger )an> rather good;oo1ing> and 8uite +e off/ We +ere
)arried 8uiety in SusseB/ !e didn"t +ant to insure his ife> 'ut of
.ourse he )ade a +i in )y favor/ !e i1ed )e to )a1e his .offee
)ysef aso> Dust as )y first hus'and had done/J
AiB s)ied refe.tivey> and added si)pyH
JI )a1e very good .offee/J
Then she +ent on/
JI had severa friends in the viage +here +e +ere iving/ They
+ere very sorry for )e> +ith )y hus'and dying suddeny of heart
faiure one evening after dinner/ I didn"t 8uite i1e the do.tor/ I
don"t thin1 he suspe.ted )e> 'ut he +as .ertainy very surprised
at )y hus'and"s sudden death/ I don"t 8uite 1no+ +hy I drifted
'a.1 to the offi.e again/ !a'it> I suppose/ My se.ond hus'and eft
a'out four thousand pounds/ I didn"t spe.uate +ith it this ti)e/ I
invested it/ Then> you see ;J
%ut she +as interrupted/ ,erad Martin> his fa.e suffused +ith
'ood> haf .ho1ing> +as pointing a sha1ing forefinger at her/
JThe .offee ; )y ,odG the .offeeGJ
She stared at hi)/
JI understand no+ +hy it +as 'itter/ @ou devi/ @ou"ve poisoned
)e/J
!is hands gripped the ar)s of his .hair/ !e +as ready to spring
upon her/
J@ou"ve poisoned )e/J
AiB had retreated fro) hi) to the firepa.e/ 0o+> terrified> she
opened her ips to deny ; and then paused/ In another )inute he
+oud spring upon her/ She su))oned a her strength/ !er eyes
hed his steadiy> .o)peingy/
J@es>J she said> JI poisoned you/ Aready the poison is +or1ing/ At
this )inute you .an"t )ove fro) your .hair ; you .an"t )ove ;J
If she .oud 1eep hi) there ; even a fe+ )inutes ;
AhG +hat +as thatA Footsteps on the road/ The .rea1 of the gate/
Then footsteps on the path outside/ The door of the ha opened ;
J@ou .an"t )ove>J she said again/
Then she sipped past hi) and fed headong fro) the roo) to fa>
haf fainting> into $i.1 Windyford"s ar)s/
JMy ,odG AiBGJ he .ried/
Then he turned to the )an +ith hi)> a ta sta+art figure in
poi.e)an"s unifor)/
J,o and see +hat"s 'een happening in that roo)/J
!e aid AiB .arefuy do+n on a .ou.h and 'ent over her/
JMy itte gir>J he )ur)ured/ JMy poor itte gir/ What have they
'een doing to youAJ
!er eyeids futtered and her ips Dust )ur)ured his na)e/
$i.1 +as aroused fro) tu)utuous thoughts 'y the poi.e)an"s
tou.hing hi) on the ar)/
JThere"s nothing in that roo)> sir> 'ut a )an sitting in a .hair/
#oo1s as though he"d had so)e 1ind of 'ad fright> and ;J
J@esAJ
JWe> sir> he"s ; dead/J
They +ere started 'y hearing AiB"s voi.e/ She spo1e as though in
so)e 1ind of drea)/
JAnd presenty>J she said> a)ost as though she +ere 8uoting fro)
so)ething> Jhe died///J
T!( ,I&# I0 T!( T&AI0
JAnd that"s thatGJ o'served ,eorge &o+and ruefuy> as he ga?ed
up at the i)posing s)o1e;gri)ed fa/ade of the 'uiding he had Dust
8uitted/
It )ight 'e said to represent very apty the po+er of Money ; and
Money> in the person of Wiia) &o+and> un.e to the
afore)entioned ,eorge> had Dust spo1en its )ind very freey/ In
the .ourse of a 'rief ten )inutes> fro) 'eing the appe of his
un.e"s eye> the heir to his +eath> and a young )an +ith a
pro)ising 'usiness .areer in front of hi)> ,eorge had suddeny
'e.o)e one of the vast ar)y of the une)poyed/
JAnd in these .othes they +on"t even give )e the doe>J refe.ted
Mr &o+and goo)iy> Jand as for +riting poe)s and seing the)
at the door at t+open.e 9or "+hat you .are to give> ydy": I si)py
haven"t got the 'rains/J
It +as true that ,eorge e)'odied a verita'e triu)ph of the taior"s
art/ !e +as eB8uisitey and 'eautifuy arrayed/ Soo)on and the
iies of the fied +ere si)py not in it +ith ,eorge/ %ut )an .annot
ive 'y .othes aone ; uness he has had so)e .onsidera'e
training in the art ; and Mr &o+and +as painfuy a+are of the fa.t/
JAnd a 'e.ause of that rotten sho+ ast night>J he refe.ted sady/
The rotten sho+ ast night had 'een a Covent ,arden %a/ Mr
&o+and had returned fro) it at a so)e+hat ate ; or rather eary ;
hour ; as a )atter of fa.t> he .oud not stri.ty say that he
re)e)'ered returning at a/ &ogers> his un.e"s 'uter> +as a
hepfu feo+> and .oud dou'tess give )ore detais on the
)atter/ A spitting head> a .up of strong tea> and an arriva at the
offi.e at five )inutes to t+eve instead of haf;past nine had
pre.ipitated the .atastrophe/ Mr &o+and> senior> +ho for t+enty;
four years had .ondoned and paid up as a ta.tfu reative shoud>
had suddeny a'andoned these ta.ti.s and reveaed hi)sef in a
totay ne+ ight/ The in.onse8uen.e of ,eorge"s repies 9the
young )an"s head +as sti opening and shutting i1e so)e
)ediaeva instru)ent of the In8uisition: had dispeased hi) sti
further/ Wiia) &o+and +as nothing if not thorough/ !e .ast his
nephe+ adrift upon the +ord in a fe+ short su..in.t +ords> and
then setted do+n to his interrupted survey of so)e oi fieds in
Peru/
,eorge &o+and shoo1 the dust of his un.e"s offi.e fro) off his
feet> and stepped out into the City of #ondon/ ,eorge +as a
pra.ti.a feo+/ A good un.h> he .onsidered> +as essentia to a
revie+ of the situation/ !e had it/ Then he retra.ed his steps to the
fa)iy )ansion/ &ogers opened the door/ !is +e;trained fa.e
eBpressed no surprise at seeing ,eorge at this unusua hour/
J,ood afternoon> &ogers/ *ust pa.1 up )y things for )e> +i youA
I") eaving here/J
J@es> sir/ *ust for a short visit> sirAJ
JFor good> &ogers/ I a) going to the .oonies this afternoon/J
JIndeed> sirAJ
J@es/ That is> if there is a suita'e 'oat/ $o you 1no+ anything
a'out the 'oats> &ogersAJ
JWhi.h .oony +ere you thin1ing of visiting> sirAJ
JI") not parti.uar/ Any of "e) +i do/ #et"s say Austraia/ What do
you thin1 of the idea> &ogersAJ
&ogers .oughed dis.reety/
JWe> sir> I"ve .ertainy heard it said that there"s roo) out there for
anyone +ho reay +ants to +or1/J
Mr &o+and ga?ed at hi) +ith interest and ad)iration/
J7ery neaty put> &ogers/ *ust +hat I +as thin1ing )ysef/ I shan"t
go to Austraia ; not today> at any rate/ Fet.h )e an A%C> +i youA
We +i see.t so)ething nearer at hand/J
&ogers 'rought the re8uired vou)e/ ,eorge opened it at rando)
and turned the pages +ith a rapid hand/
JPerth ; too far a+ay ; Putney %ridge ; too near at hand/
&a)sgateA I thin1 not/ &eigate aso eaves )e .od/ Why ; +hat an
eBtraordinary thingG There"s a.tuay a pa.e .aed &o+and"s
Caste/ (ver heard of it> &ogersAJ
JI fan.y> sir> that you go there fro) Wateroo/J
JWhat an eBtraordinary feo+ you are> &ogers/ @ou 1no+
everything/ We> +e> &o+and"s CasteG I +onder +hat sort of a
pa.e it is/J
J0ot )u.h of a pa.e> I shoud say> sir/J
JA the 'etterI there" 'e ess .o)petition/ These 8uiet itte
.ountry ha)ets have a ot of the od feuda spirit 1no.1ing a'out/
The ast of the origina &o+ands ought to )eet +ith instant
appre.iation/ I shoudn"t +onder if they ee.ted )e )ayor in a
+ee1/J
!e shut up the A%C +ith a 'ang/
JThe die is .ast/ Pa.1 )e a s)a suit.ase> +i you> &ogersA Aso
)y .o)pi)ents to the .oo1> and +i she o'ige )e +ith a oan of
the .at/ $i.1 Whittington> you 1no+/ When you set out to 'e.o)e a
#ord Mayor> a .at is essentia/J
JI") sorry> sir> 'ut the .at is not avaia'e at the present )o)ent/J
J!o+ is thatAJ
JA fa)iy of eight> sir/ Arrived this )orning/J
J@ou don"t say so/ I thought its na)e +as Peter/J
JSo it is> sir/ A great surprise to a of us/J
JA .ase of .areess .hristening and the de.eitfu seB> ehA We>
+e> I sha have to go .atess/ Pa.1 up those things at on.e> +i
youAJ
J7ery good> sir/J
&ogers +ithdre+> to reappear ten )inutes ater/
JSha I .a a taBi> sirAJ
J@es> pease/J
&ogers hesitated> then advan.ed a itte farther into the roo)/
J@ou" eB.use the i'erty> sir> 'ut if I +as you> I shoudn"t ta1e too
)u.h noti.e of anything Mr &o+and said this )orning/ !e +as at
one of those .ity dinners ast night and ;J
JSay no )ore>J said ,eorge/ JI understand/J
JAnd 'eing in.ined to gout ;J
JI 1no+> I 1no+/ &ather a strenuous evening for you> &ogers> +ith
t+o of us> ehA %ut I"ve set )y heart on distinguishing )ysef at
&o+and"s Caste ; the .rade of )y histori. ra.e ; that +oud go
+e in a spee.h> +oudn"t itA A +ire to )e there> or a dis.reet
advertise)ent in the )orning papers> +i re.a )e at any ti)e if a
fri.assee of vea is in preparation/ And no+ ; to WaterooG ; as
Weington said on the eve of the histori. 'atte/J
Wateroo Station +as not at its 'rightest and 'est that afternoon/
Mr &o+and eventuay dis.overed a train that +oud ta1e hi) to
his destination> 'ut it +as an undistinguished train> an uni)posing
train ; a train that no'ody see)ed anBious to trave 'y/ Mr &o+and
had a first;.ass .arriage to hi)sef> up in the front of the train/ A
fog +as des.ending in an indeter)inate +ay over the )etropois>
no+ it ifted> no+ it des.ended/ The patfor) +as deserted> and
ony the asth)ati. 'reathing of the engine 'ro1e the sien.e/
And then> a of a sudden> things 'egan to happen +ith 'e+idering
rapidity/
A gir happened first/ She +ren.hed open the door and Du)ped in>
rousing Mr &o+and fro) so)ething periousy near a nap>
eB.ai)ing as she did soH J<hG !ide )e ; ohG Pease hide )e/J
,eorge +as essentiay a )an of a.tion ; his not to reason +hy> his
'ut to do and die> et./ There is ony one pa.e to hide in a rai+ay
.arriage ; under the seat/ In seven se.onds the gir +as 'esto+ed
there> and ,eorge"s suit.ase> negigenty standing on end>
.overed her retreat/ 0one too soon/ An infuriated fa.e appeared at
the .arriage +indo+/
JMy nie.eG @ou have her here/ I +ant )y nie.e/J
,eorge> a itte 'reathess> +as re.ining in the .orner> deep in the
sporting .ou)n of the evening paper> one;thirty edition/ !e aid it
aside +ith the air of a )an re.aing hi)sef fro) far a+ay/
JI 'eg your pardon> sirAJ he said poitey/
JMy nie.e ; +hat have you done +ith herAJ
A.ting on the poi.y that atta.1 is a+ays 'etter than defen.e>
,eorge eaped into a.tion/
JWhat the devi do you )eanAJ he .ried> +ith a very .redita'e
i)itation of his o+n un.e"s )anner/
The other paused a )inute> ta1en a'a.1 'y this sudden
fier.eness/ !e +as a fat )an> sti panting a itte as though he had
run so)e +ay/ !is hair +as .ut en 'rosse> and he had a
)ousta.he of the !ohen?oern persuasion/ !is a..ents +ere
de.idedy guttura> and the stiffness of his .arriage denoted that
he +as )ore at ho)e in unifor) than out of it/ ,eorge had the
true'orn %riton"s preDudi.e against foreigners ; and an espe.ia
distaste for ,er)an;oo1ing foreigners/
JWhat the devi do you )ean> sirAJ he repeated angriy/
JShe .a)e in here>J said the other/ JI sa+ her/ What have you done
+ith herAJ
,eorge fung aside the paper and thrust his head and shouders
through the +indo+/
JSo that"s it> is itAJ he roared/ J%a.1)ai/ %ut you"ve tried it on the
+rong person/ I read a a'out you in the $aiy Mai this )orning/
!ere> guard> guardGJ
Aready attra.ted fro) afar 'y the ater.ation> that fun.tionary
.a)e hurrying up/
J!ere> guard>J said Mr &o+and> +ith that air of authority +hi.h
the o+er .asses so adore/ JThis feo+ is annoying )e/ I" give
hi) in .harge for atte)pted 'a.1)ai if ne.essary/ Pretends I"ve
got his nie.e hidden in here/ There"s a reguar gang of these
foreigners trying this sort of thing on/ It ought to 'e stopped/ Ta1e
hi) a+ay> +i youA !ere"s )y .are if you +ant it/J
The guard oo1ed fro) one to the other/ !is )ind +as soon )ade
up/ !is training ed hi) to despise foreigners and to respe.t and
ad)ire +e;dressed gente)en +ho traveed first;.ass/
!e aid his hand on the shouder of the intruder/
J!ere>J he said> Jyou .o)e out of this/J
At this .risis the stranger"s (ngish faied hi)> and he punged into
passionate profanity in his native tongue/
JThat"s enough of that>J said the guard/ JStand a+ay> +i youA
She"s due out/J
Fags +ere +aved and +histes +ere 'o+n/ With an un+iing Der1
the train dre+ out of the station/
,eorge re)ained at his o'servation post unti they +ere .ear of
the patfor)/ Then he dre+ in his head> and pi.1ing up the suit.ase
tossed it into the ra.1/
JIt"s 8uite a right/ @ou .an .o)e out>J he said reassuringy/
The gir .ra+ed out/
J<hGJ she gasped/ J!o+ .an I than1 youAJ
JThat"s 8uite a right/ It"s 'een a peasure> I assure you>J returned
,eorge non.haanty/
!e s)ied at her reassuringy/ There +as a sighty pu??ed oo1 in
her eyes/ She see)ed to 'e )issing so)ething to +hi.h she +as
a..usto)ed/ At that )o)ent> she .aught sight of hersef in the
narro+ gass opposite> and gave a heartfet gasp/
Whether the .arriage .eaners do> or do not> s+eep under the
seats every day is dou'tfu/ Appearan.es +ere against their doing
so> 'ut it )ay 'e that every parti.e of dirt and s)o1e finds its +ay
there i1e a ho)ing 'ird/ ,eorge had hardy had ti)e to ta1e in the
gir"s appearan.e> so sudden had 'een her arriva> and so 'rief the
spa.e of ti)e 'efore she .ra+ed into hiding> 'ut it +as .ertainy a
tri) and +e;dressed young +o)an +ho had disappeared under
the seat/ 0o+ her itte red hat +as .rushed and dented> and her
fa.e +as disfigured +ith ong strea1s of dirt/
J<hGJ said the gir/
She fu)'ed for her 'ag/ ,eorge> +ith the ta.t of a true
gente)an> oo1ed fiBedy out of the +indo+ and ad)ired the
streets of #ondon south of the Tha)es/
J!o+ .an I than1 youAJ said the gir again/
Ta1ing this as a hint that .onversation )ight no+ 'e resu)ed>
,eorge +ithdre+ his ga?e and )ade another poite dis.ai)er> 'ut
this ti)e +ith a good dea of added +ar)th in his )anner/
The gir +as a'soutey oveyG 0ever 'efore> ,eorge tod hi)sef>
had he seen su.h a ovey gir/ The e)presse)ent of his )anner
'e.a)e even )ore )ar1ed/
JI thin1 it +as si)py spendid of you>J said the gir +ith
enthusias)/
J0ot at a/ (asiest thing in the +ord/ <ny too peased 'een of
use>J )u)'ed ,eorge/
JSpendid>J she reiterated e)phati.ay/
It is undou'tedy peasant to have the oveiest gir you have ever
seen ga?ing into your eyes and teing you ho+ spendid you are/
,eorge enDoyed it as )u.h as anyone +oud/
Then there .a)e a rather diffi.ut sien.e/ It see)ed to da+n upon
the gir that further eBpanation )ight 'e eBpe.ted/ She fushed a
itte/
JThe a+1+ard part of it is>J she said nervousy> Jthat I") afraid I
.an"t eBpain/J
She oo1ed at hi) +ith a piteous air of un.ertainty/
J@ou .an"t eBpainAJ
J0o/J
J!o+ perfe.ty spendidGJ said Mr &o+and +ith enthusias)/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
JI said> "!o+ perfe.ty spendid/" *ust i1e one of those 'oo1s that
1eep you up a night/ The heroine a+ays says> "I .an"t eBpain" in
the first .hapter/ She eBpains in the ast> of .ourse> and there"s
never any rea reason +hy she shoudn"t have done so in the
'eginning ; eB.ept that it +oud spoi the story/ I .an"t te you ho+
peased I a) to 'e )iBed up in a rea )ystery ; I didn"t 1no+ there
+ere su.h things/ I hope it"s got so)ething to do +ith se.ret
do.u)ents of i))ense i)portan.e> and the %a1an eBpress/ I dote
upon the %a1an eBpress/J
The gir stared at hi) +ith +ide> suspi.ious eyes/
JWhat )a1es you say the %a1an eBpressAJ she as1ed sharpy/
JI hope I haven"t 'een indis.reet>J ,eorge hastened to put in/
J@our un.e traveed 'y it> perhaps/J
JMy un.e ;J She paused> then 'egan again> JMy un.e ;J
J4uite soJ said ,eorge sy)patheti.ay/ JI"ve got an un.e )ysef/
0o'ody shoud 'e hed responsi'e for their un.es/ 0ature"s itte
thro+'a.1s ; that"s ho+ I oo1 at it/J
The gir 'egan to augh suddeny/ When she spo1e> ,eorge +as
a+are of the sight foreign infe.tion in her voi.e/ At first he had
ta1en her to 'e (ngish/
JWhat a refreshing and unusua person you are> Mr ;J
J&o+and/ ,eorge to )y friends/J
JMy na)e is (i?a'eth ;J
She stopped a'rupty/
JI i1e the na)e of (i?a'eth>J said ,eorge> to .over her
)o)entary .onfusion/ JThey don"t .a you %essie or anything
horri'e i1e that> I hopeAJ
She shoo1 her head/
JWe>J said ,eorge> Jno+ that +e 1no+ ea.h other> +e"d 'etter
get do+n to 'usiness/ If you" stand up> (i?a'eth> I" 'rush do+n
the 'a.1 of your .oat/J She stood up o'edienty> and ,eorge +as
as good as his +ord/
JThan1 you> Mr &o+and/J
J,eorge/ ,eorge to )y friends> re)e)'er/ And you .an"t .o)e
into )y ni.e e)pty .arriage> ro under the seat> indu.e )e to te
ies to your un.e> and then refuse to 'e friends> .an youAJ
JThan1 you> ,eorge/J
JThat"s 'etter/J
J$o I oo1 8uite a right no+AJ as1ed (i?a'eth> trying to see over
her eft shouder/
J@ou oo1 ; ohG you oo1 ; you oo1 a right>J said ,eorge> .ur'ing
hi)sef sterny/
JIt +as a so sudden> you see>J eBpained the gir/
JIt )ust have 'een/J
J!e sa+ us in the taBi> and then at the station I Dust 'oted in here
1no+ing he +as .ose 'ehind )e/ Where is this train going to> 'y
the +ayAJ
J&o+and"s Caste>J said ,eorge fir)y/
The gir oo1ed pu??ed/
J&o+and"s CasteAJ
J0ot at on.e> of .ourse/ <ny after a good dea of stopping and
so+ going/ %ut I .onfidenty eBpe.t to 'e there 'efore )idnight/
The od South;Western +as a very reia'e ine ; so+ 'ut sure ; and
I") sure the Southern &ai+ay is 1eeping up the od traditions/J
JI don"t 1no+ that I +ant to go to &o+and"s Caste>J said (i?a'eth
dou'tfuy/
J@ou hurt )e/ It"s a deightfu spot/J
J!ave you ever 'een thereAJ
J0ot eBa.ty/ %ut there are ots of other pa.es you .an go to> if you
don"t fan.y &o+and"s Caste/ There"s Wo1ing> and Wey'ridge> and
Wi)'edon/ The train is sure to stop at one or other of the)/J
JI see>J said the gir/ J@es> I .an get out there> and perhaps )otor
'a.1 to #ondon/ That +oud 'e the 'est pan> I thin1/J
(ven as she spo1e> the train 'egan to so+ up/ Mr &o+and ga?ed
at her +ith appeaing eyes/
JIf I .an do anything ;J
J0o> indeed/ @ou"ve done a ot aready/J
There +as a pause> then the gir 'ro1e out suddenyH
JI ; I +ish I .oud eBpain/ I ;J
JFor heaven"s sa1e> don"t do thatG It +oud spoi everything/ %ut
oo1 here> isn"t there anything that I .oud doA Carry the se.ret
papers to 7ienna ; or so)ething of that 1indA There a+ays are
se.ret papers/ $o give )e a .han.e/J
The train had stopped/ (i?a'eth Du)ped 8ui.1y out onto the
patfor)/ She turned and spo1e to hi) through the +indo+/
JAre you in earnestA Woud you reay do so)ething for us ; for
)eAJ
JI"d do anything in the +ord for you> (i?a'eth/J
J(ven if I .oud give you no reasonsAJ
J&otten things> reasonsGJ
J(ven if it +ere ; dangerousAJ
JThe )ore danger> the 'etter/J
She hesitated a )inute> then see)ed to )a1e up her )ind/
J#ean out of the +indo+/ #oo1 do+n the patfor) as though you
+eren"t reay oo1ing/J Mr &o+and endeavoured to .o)py +ith
this so)e+hat diffi.ut re.o))endation/ J$o you see that )an
getting in ; +ith a s)a dar1 'eard ; ight over.oatA Foo+ hi)>
see +hat he does and +here he goes/J
JIs that aAJ as1ed Mr &o+and/ JWhat do I ;J
She interrupted hi)/
JFurther instru.tions +i 'e sent to you/ Wat.h hi) ; and guard
this/J She thrust a s)a seaed pa.1et into his hand/ J,uard it +ith
your ife/ It"s the 1ey to everything/J
The train +ent on/ Mr &o+and re)ained staring out of the +indo+>
+at.hing (i?a'eth"s ta> gra.efu figure threading its +ay do+n
the patfor)/ In his hand he .ut.hed the s)a seaed pa.1et/
The rest of his Dourney +as 'oth )onotonous and uneventfu/ The
train +as a so+ one/ It stopped every+here/ At every station>
,eorge"s head shot out of the +indo+> in .ase his 8uarry shoud
aight/ <..asionay he stroed up and do+n the patfor) +hen the
+ait pro)ised to 'e a ong one> and reassured hi)sef that the
)an +as sti there/
The eventua destination of the train +as Ports)outh> and it +as
there that the 'a.1;'earded traveer aighted/ !e )ade his +ay to
a s)a se.ond;.ass hote +here he 'oo1ed a roo)/ Mr &o+and
aso 'oo1ed a roo)/
The roo)s +ere in the sa)e .orridor> t+o doors fro) ea.h other/
The arrange)ent see)ed satisfa.tory to ,eorge/ !e +as a
.o)pete novi.e in the art of shado+ing> 'ut +as anBious to a.8uit
hi)sef +e> and Dustify (i?a'eth"s trust in hi)/
At dinner ,eorge +as given a ta'e not far fro) that of his 8uarry/
The roo) +as not fu> and the )aDority of the diners ,eorge put
do+n as .o))er.ia traveers> 8uiet respe.ta'e )en +ho ate
their food +ith appetite/ <ny one )an attra.ted his spe.ia noti.e>
a s)a )an +ith ginger hair and )ousta.he and a suggestion of
horsiness in his appare/ !e see)ed to 'e interested in ,eorge
aso> and suggested a drin1 and a ga)e of 'iiards +hen the )ea
had .o)e to a .ose/ %ut ,eorge had Dust espied the 'a.1'earded
)an putting on his hat and over.oat> and de.ined
poitey/ In another )inute he +as out in the street> gaining fresh
insight into the diffi.ut art of shado+ing/ The .hase +as a ong
and a +eary one ; and in the end it see)ed to ead no+here/ After
t+isting and turning through the streets of Ports)outh for a'out
four )ies> the )an returned to the hote> ,eorge hard upon his
hees/ A faint dou't assaied the atter/ Was it possi'e that the
)an +as a+are of his presen.eA As 'e de'ated this point>
standing in the ha> the outer door +as pushed open> and the itte
ginger )an entered/ (videnty he> too> had 'een out for a stro/
,eorge +as suddeny a+are that the 'eauteous da)se in the
offi.e +as addressing hi)/
JMr &o+and> isn"t itA T+o gente)en have .aed to see you/ T+o
foreign gente)en/ They are in the itte roo) at the end of the
passage/J
So)e+hat astonished> ,eorge sought the roo) in 8uestion/ T+o
)en +ho +ere sitting there rose to their feet and 'o+ed
pun.tiiousy/
JMr &o+andA I have no dou't> sir> that you .an guess our
identity/J
,eorge ga?ed fro) one to the other of the)/ The spo1es)an +as
the eder of the t+o> a grey;haired> po)pous gente)an +ho spo1e
eB.eent (ngish/ The other +as a ta> so)e+hat pi)py young
)an> +ith a 'ond Teutoni. .ast of .ountenan.e +hi.h +as not
rendered )ore attra.tive 'y the fier.e s.o+ +hi.h he +ore at the
present )o)ent/
So)e+hat reieved to find that neither of his visitors +as the od
gente)an he had en.ountered at Wateroo ,eorge assu)ed his
)ost de'onair )anner/
JPray sit do+n> gente)en/ I") deighted to )a1e your
a.8uaintan.e/ !o+ a'out a drin1AJ
The eder )an hed up a protesting hand/
JThan1 you> #ord &o+and ; not for us/ We have 'ut a fe+ 'rief
)o)ents ; Dust ti)e for you to ans+er one 8uestion/J
JIt"s very 1ind of you to ee.t )e to the peerage>J said ,eorge/ JI")
sorry you +on"t have a drin1/ And +hat is this )o)entous
8uestionAJ
J#ord &o+and> you eft #ondon in .o)pany +ith a .ertain ady/
@ou arrived here aone/ Where is the adyAJ
,eorge rose to his feet/
JI fai to understand the 8uestion>J he said .ody> spea1ing as
)u.h i1e the hero of a nove as he .oud/ JI have the honour to
+ish you good evening> gente)en/J
J%ut you do understand it/ @ou understand it perfe.ty>J .ried the
younger )an> 'rea1ing out suddeny/ JWhat have you done +ith
AeBaAJ
J%e .a)> sir>J )ur)ured the other/ JI 'eg of you to 'e .a)/J
JI .an assure you>J said ,eorge> Jthat I 1no+ no ady of that na)e/
There is so)e )ista1e/J
The oder )an +as eyeing hi) 1eeny/
JThat .an hardy 'e>J he said dryy/ JI too1 the i'erty of eBa)ining
the hote register/ @ou entered yoursef as Mr ,/ &o+and of
&o+and"s Caste/J
,eorge +as for.ed to 'ush/
JA ; a itte Do1e of )ine>J he eBpained fee'y/
JA so)e+hat poor su'terfuge/ Co)e> et us not 'eat a'out the
'ush/ Where is !er !ighnessAJ
JIf you )ean (i?a'eth ;J
With a ho+ of rage the young )an fung hi)sef for+ard again/
JInsoent pig;dogG To spea1 of her thus/J
JI a) referring>J said the other so+y> Jas you very +e 1no+> to
the ,rand $u.hess Anastasia Sophia AeBandra Marie !eena
<ga (i?a'eth of Catonia/J
J<hGJ said Mr &o+and hepessy/
!e tried to re.a a that he had ever 1no+n of Catonia/ It +as> as
far as he re)e)'ered> a s)a %a1an 1ingdo)> and he see)ed to
re)e)'er so)ething a'out a revoution having o..urred there/
!e raied hi)sef +ith an effort/
J(videnty +e )ean the sa)e person>J he said .heerfuy> Jony I
.a her (i?a'eth/J
J@ou +i give )e satisfa.tion for that>J snared the younger )an/
JWe +i fight/J
JFightAJ
JA due/J
JI never fight dues>J said Mr &o+and fir)y/
JWhy notAJ de)anded the other unpeasanty/
JI") too afraid of getting hurt/J
JAhaG Is that soA Then I +i at east pu your nose for you/J
The young )an advan.ed fier.ey/ (Ba.ty +hat happened +as
diffi.ut to see> 'ut he des.ri'ed a sudden se)i.ir.e in the air and
fe to the ground +ith a heavy thud/ !e pi.1ed hi)sef up in a
da?ed )anner/ Mr &o+and +as s)iing peasanty/
JAs I +as saying>J he re)ar1ed> JI") a+ays afraid of getting hurt/
That"s +hy I thought it +e to earn Du;Ditsu/J
There +as a pause/ The t+o foreigners oo1ed dou'tfuy at this
a)ia'e;oo1ing young )an> as though they suddeny reai?ed that
so)e dangerous 8uaity ur1ed 'ehind the peasant non.haan.e
of his )anner/ The young Teuton +as +hite +ith passion/
J@ou +i repent this>J he hissed/
The oder )an retained his dignity/
JThat is your ast +ord> #ord &o+andA @ou refuse to te us !er
!ighness"s +herea'outsAJ
JI a) una+are of the) )ysef/J
J@ou .an hardy eBpe.t )e to 'eieve that/J
JI a) afraid you are of an un'eieving nature> sir/J
The other )erey shoo1 his head> and )ur)uringH JThis is not the
endI you +i hear fro) us again>J the t+o )en too1 their eave/
,eorge passed his hand over his 'ro+/ (vents +ere pro.eeding at
a 'e+idering rate/ !e +as evidenty )iBed up in a first;.ass
(uropean s.anda/
JIt )ight even )ean another +ar>J said ,eorge hopefuy> as he
hunted round to see +hat had 'e.o)e of the )an +ith the 'a.1
'eard/
To his great reief> he dis.overed hi) sitting in a .orner of the
.o))er.ia roo)/ ,eorge sat do+n in another .orner/ In a'out
three )inutes the 'a.1;'earded )an got up and +ent up to 'ed/
,eorge foo+ed and sa+ hi) go into his roo) and .ose the door/
,eorge heaved a sigh of reief/
JI need a night"s rest>J he )ur)ured/ J0eed it 'ady/J
Then a dire thought stru.1 hi)/ Supposing the 'a.1;'earded )an
had reai?ed that ,eorge +as on his traiA Supposing that he
shoud sip a+ay during the night +hie ,eorge hi)sef +as
seeping the seep of the DustA A fe+ )inutes" refe.tion suggested
to Mr &o+and a +ay of deaing +ith this diffi.uty/ !e unraveed
one of his so.1s ti he got a good ength of neutra;.ooured +oo>
then .reeping 8uiety out of his roo)> he pasted one end of the
+oo to the farther side of the stranger"s door +ith sta)p paper>
.arrying the +oo a.ross it and aong to his o+n roo)/ There he
hung the end +ith a s)a siver 'e ; a rei. of ast night"s
entertain)ent/ !e surveyed these arrange)ents +ith a good dea
of satisfa.tion/ Shoud the 'a.1;'earded )an atte)pt to eave his
roo)> ,eorge +oud 'e instanty +arned 'y the ringing of the 'e/
This )atter disposed of> ,eorge ost no ti)e in see1ing his .ou.h/
The s)a pa.1et he pa.ed .arefuy under his pio+/ As he did so>
he fe into a )o)entary 'ro+n study/ !is thoughts .oud have
'een transated thusH
JAnastasia Sophia Marie AeBandra <ga (i?a'eth/ !ang it a> I"ve
)issed out one/ I +onder no+ ;J
!e +as una'e to go to seep i))ediatey> 'eing tantai?ed +ith his
faiure to grasp the situation/ What +as it a a'outA What +as the
.onne.tion 'et+een the es.aping ,rand $u.hess> the seaed
pa.1et and the 'a.1;'earded )anA What +as the ,rand $u.hess
es.aping fro)A Were the t+o foreigners a+are that the seaed
pa.1et +as in his possessionA What +as it i1ey to .ontainA
Pondering these )atters> +ith an irritated sense that he +as no
nearer their soution> Mr &o+and fe aseep/
!e +as a+a1ened 'y the faint Dange of a 'e/ 0ot one of those
)en +ho a+a1e to instant a.tion> it too1 hi) Dust a )inute and a
haf to reai?e the situation/ Then he Du)ped up> thrust on so)e
sippers> and> opening the door +ith the ut)ost .aution> sipped
out into the .orridor/ A faint )oving pat.h of shado+ at the far end
of the passage sho+ed hi) the dire.tion ta1en 'y his 8uarry/
Moving as noiseessy as possi'e> Mr &o+and foo+ed the trai/
!e +as Dust in ti)e to see the 'a.1;'earded )an disappear into a
'athroo)/ That +as pu??ing> parti.uary so as there +as a
'athroo) Dust opposite his o+n roo)/ Moving up .ose to the door>
+hi.h +as aDar> ,eorge peered through the .ra.1/ The )an +as
on his 1nees 'y the side of the 'ath> doing so)ething to the
s1irting 'oard i))ediatey 'ehind it/ !e re)ained there for a'out
five )inutes> then he rose to his feet> and ,eorge 'eat a prudent
retreat/ Safe in the shado+ of his o+n door> he +at.hed the other
pass and regain his o+n roo)/
J,ood>J said ,eorge to hi)sef/ JThe )ystery of the 'athroo) +i
'e investigated to)orro+ )orning/J
!e got into 'ed and sipped his hand under the pio+ to assure
hi)sef that the pre.ious pa.1et +as sti there/ In another )inute>
he +as s.attering the 'ed.othes in a pani./ The pa.1et +as goneG
It +as a sady .hastened ,eorge +ho sat .onsu)ing eggs and
'a.on the foo+ing )orning/ !e had faied (i?a'eth/ !e had
ao+ed the pre.ious pa.1et she had entrusted to his .harge to 'e
ta1en fro) hi)> and the JMystery of the %athroo)J +as )isera'y
inade8uate/ @es> undou'tedy ,eorge had )ade a )utt of hi)sef/
After 'rea1fast he stroed upstairs again/ A .ha)'er)aid +as
standing in the passage oo1ing perpeBed/
JAnything +rong> )y dearAJ said ,eorge 1indy/
JIt"s the gente)an here> sir/ !e as1ed to 'e .aed at haf;past
eight> and I .an"t get any ans+er and the door"s o.1ed/J
J@ou don"t say so>J said ,eorge/
An uneasy feeing arose in his o+n 'reast/ !e hurried into his
roo)/ Whatever pans he +as for)ing +ere instanty 'rushed
aside 'y a )ost uneBpe.ted sight/ There on the dressing ta'e +as
the itte pa.1et +hi.h had 'een stoen fro) hi) the night 'eforeG
,eorge pi.1ed it up and eBa)ined it/ @es> it +as undou'tedy the
sa)e/ %ut the seas had 'een 'ro1en/ After a )inute"s hesitation>
he un+rapped it/ If other peope had seen its .ontents> there +as
no reason +hy he shoud not see the) aso/ %esides> it +as
possi'e that the .ontents had 'een a'stra.ted/ The un+ound
paper reveaed a s)a .ard'oard 'oB> su.h as De+eers use/
,eorge opened it/ Inside> nesting on a 'ed of .otton +oo> +as a
pain god +edding ring/
!e pi.1ed it up and eBa)ined it/ There +as no ins.ription inside ;
nothing +hatever to )ar1 it out fro) any other +edding ring/
,eorge dropped his head into his hands +ith a groan/
J#una.y>J he )ur)ured/ JThat"s +hat it is/ Star1> staring una.y/
There"s no sense any+here/J
Suddeny he re)e)'ered the .ha)'er)aid"s state)ent> and at
the sa)e ti)e he o'served that there +as a 'road parapet outside
the +indo+/ It +as not a feat he +oud ordinariy have atte)pted>
'ut he +as so afa)e +ith .uriosity and anger that he +as in the
)ood to )a1e ight of diffi.uties/ !e sprang upon the +indo+ si/
A fe+ se.onds ater he +as peering in at the +indo+ of the roo)
o..upied 'y the 'a.1;'earded )an/ The +indo+ +as open and
the roo) +as e)pty/ A itte farther aong +as a fire es.ape/ It +as
.ear ho+ the 8uarry had ta1en his departure/
,eorge Du)ped in through the +indo+/ The )issing )an"s effe.ts
+ere sti s.attered a'out/ There )ight 'e so)e .ue a)ong the)
to shed ight on ,eorge"s perpeBities/ !e 'egan to hunt a'out>
starting +ith the .ontents of a 'attered 1it 'ag/
It +as a sound that arrested his sear.h ; a very sight sound> 'ut a
sound indu'ita'y in the roo)/ ,eorge"s gan.e eapt to the 'ig
+ardro'e/ !e sprang up and +ren.hed open the door/ As he did
so> a )an Du)ped out fro) it and +ent roing over the foor o.1ed
in ,eorge"s e)'ra.e/ !e +as no )ean antagonist/ A ,eorge"s
spe.ia tri.1s avaied very itte/ They fe apart at ength in sheer
eBhaustion> and for the first ti)e ,eorge sa+ +ho his adversary
+as/ It +as the itte )an +ith the ginger )ousta.heG
JWho the devi are youAJ de)anded ,eorge/
For ans+er the other dre+ out a .ard and handed it to hi)/ ,eorge
read it aoud/
J$ete.tive;Inspe.tor *arrod> S.otand @ard/J
JThat"s right> sir/ And you"d do +e to te )e a you 1no+ a'out
this 'usiness/J
JI +oud> +oud IAJ said ,eorge thoughtfuy/ J$o you 1no+>
inspe.tor> I 'eieve you"re right/ Sha +e adDourn to a )ore
.heerfu spotAJ
In a 8uiet .orner of the 'ar ,eorge unfoded his sou/ Inspe.tor
*arrod istened sy)patheti.ay/
J7ery pu??ing> as you say> sir>J he re)ar1ed +hen ,eorge had
finished/ JThere"s a ot as I .an"t )a1e head or tai of )ysef> 'ut
there"s one or t+o points I .an .ear up for you/ I +as here after
Marden'erg 9your 'a.1;'earded friend: and your turning up and
+at.hing hi) the +ay you did )ade )e suspi.ious/ I .oudn"t pa.e
you/ I sipped into your roo) ast night +hen you +ere out of it> and
it +as I +ho snea1ed the itte pa.1et fro) under your pio+/ When
I opened it and found it +asn"t +hat I +as after> I too1 the first
opportunity of returning it to your roo)/J
JThat )a1es things a itte .earer .ertainy>J said ,eorge
thoughtfuy/ JI see) to have )ade rather an ass of )ysef a
through/J
JI +oudn"t say that> sir/ @ou did un.o))on +e for a 'eginner/
@ou say you visited the 'athroo) this )orning and too1 a+ay +hat
+as .on.eaed 'ehind the s1irting 'oardAJ
J@es/ %ut it"s ony a rotten ove etter>J said ,eorge goo)iy/
J$ash it a> I didn"t )ean to go nosing out the poor feo+"s private
ife/J
JWoud you )ind etting )e see it> sirAJ
,eorge too1 a foded etter fro) his po.1et and passed it to the
inspe.tor/ The atter unfoded it/
JAs you say> sir/ %ut I rather fan.y that if you dre+ ines fro) one
dotted i to another> you"d get a different resut/ Why> 'ess you> sir>
this is a pan of the Ports)outh har'our defen.es/J
JWhatAJ
J@es/ We"ve had our eye on the gente)an for so)e ti)e/ %ut he
+as too sharp for us/ ,ot a +o)an to do )ost of the dirty +or1/J
JA +o)anAJ said ,eorge in a faint voi.e/ JWhat +as her na)eAJ
JShe goes 'y a good )any> sir/ Most usuay 1no+n as %etty
%righteyes/ A re)ar1a'y good;oo1ing young +o)an she is/J
J%etty ; %righteyes>J said ,eorge/ JThan1 you> inspe.tor/J
J(B.use )e> sir> 'ut you"re not oo1ing +e/J
JI") not +e/ I") very i/ In fa.t> I thin1 I"d 'etter ta1e the first train
'a.1 to to+n/J
The inspe.tor oo1ed at his +at.h/
JThat +i 'e a so+ train> I") afraid> sir/ %etter +ait for the
eBpress/J
JIt doesn"t )atter>J said ,eorge goo)iy/ J0o train .oud 'e
so+er than the one I .a)e do+n 'y yesterday/J
Seated on.e )ore in a first;.ass .arriage> ,eorge eisurey
perused the day"s ne+s/ Suddeny he sat 'ot upright and stared at
the sheet in front of hi)/
JA ro)anti. +edding too1 pa.e yesterday in #ondon +hen #ord
&oand ,aigh> se.ond son of the Mar8uis of AB)inster> +as
)arried to the ,rand $u.hess Anastasia of Catonia/ The
.ere)ony +as 1ept a profound se.ret/ The ,rand $u.hess has
'een iving in Paris +ith her un.e sin.e the upheava in Catonia/
She )et #ord &oand +hen he +as se.retary to the %ritish
()'assy in Catonia and their atta.h)ent dates fro) that ti)e/J
JWe> I") ;J
Mr &o+and .oud not thin1 of anything strong enough to eBpress
his feeings/ !e .ontinued to stare into spa.e/ The train stopped at
a s)a station and a ady got in/ She sat do+n opposite hi)/
J,ood )orning> ,eorge>J she said s+eety/
J,ood heavensGJ .ried ,eorge/ J(i?a'ethGJ
She s)ied at hi)/ She +as> if possi'e> oveier than ever/
J#oo1 here>J .ried ,eorge> .ut.hing his head/ JFor ,od"s sa1e te
)e/ Are you the ,rand $u.hess Anastasia> or are you %etty
%righteyesAJ
She stared at hi)/
JI") not either/ I") (i?a'eth ,aigh/ I .an te you a a'out it no+/
And I"ve got to apoogi?e too/ @ou see> &oand 9that"s )y 'rother:
has a+ays 'een in ove +ith AeBa ;J
JMeaning the ,rand $u.hessAJ
J@es that"s +hat the fa)iy .a her/ We> as I say> &oand +as
a+ays in ove +ith her> and she +ith hi)/ And then the revoution
.a)e> and AeBa +as in Paris> and they +ere Dust going to fiB it up
+hen od St/r)> the .han.eor> .a)e aong and insisted on
.arrying off AeBa and for.ing her to )arry Prin.e -ar> her .ousin>
a horrid pi)py person ;J
JI fan.y I"ve )et hi)>J said ,eorge/
JWho) she si)py hates/ And od Prin.e <sri.> her un.e> for'ade
her to see &oand again/ So she ran a+ay to (ngand> and I .a)e
up to to+n and )et her> and +e +ired to &oand> +ho +as in
S.otand/ And Dust at the very ast )inute> +hen +e +ere driving to
the &egistry <ffi.e in a taBi> +ho) shoud +e )eet in another taBi
fa.e to fa.e> 'ut od Prin.e <sri./ <f .ourse he foo+ed us> and
+e +ere at our +its" end +hat to do 'e.ause he"d have )ade the
)ost fearfu s.ene> and> any+ay> he is her guardian/ Then I had the
'riiant idea of .hanging pa.es/ @ou .an pra.ti.ay see nothing
of a gir no+adays 'ut the tip of her nose/ I put on AeBa"s red hat
and 'ro+n +rap .oat> and she put on )y grey/ Then +e tod the
taBi to go to Wateroo> and I s1ipped out there and hurried into the
station/ <d <sri. foo+ed the red hat a right> +ithout a thought
for the other o..upant of the taBi sitting hudded up inside> 'ut of
.ourse it +oudn"t do for hi) to see )y fa.e/ So I Dust 'oted into
your .arriage and thre+ )ysef on your )er.y/J
JI"ve got that a right>J said ,eorge/ JIt"s the rest of it/J
JI 1no+/ That"s +hat I"ve got to apoogi?e a'out/ I hope you +on"t
'e a+fuy .ross/ @ou see> you oo1ed so 1een on its 'eing a rea
)ystery ; i1e in 'oo1s> that I reay .oudn"t resist the te)ptation/ I
pi.1ed out a rather sinister;oo1ing )an on the patfor) and tod
you to foo+ hi)/ And then I thrust the par.e on you/J
JContaining a +edding ring/J
J@es/ AeBa and I 'ought that> 'e.ause &oand +asn"t due to arrive
fro) S.otand unti Dust 'efore the +edding/ And of .ourse I 1ne+
that 'y the ti)e I got to #ondon> they +oudn"t +ant it ; they +oud
have had to use a .urtain ring or so)ething/J
JI see>J said ,eorge/ JIt"s i1e a these things ; so si)pe +hen you
1no+G Ao+ )e> (i?a'eth/J
!e stripped off her eft gove and uttered a sigh of reief at the
sight of the 'are third finger/
JThat"s a right>J he re)ar1ed/ JThat ring +on"t 'e +asted after
a/J
J<hGJ .ried (i?a'eth/ J%ut I don"t 1no+ anything a'out you/J
J@ou 1no+ ho+ ni.e I a)>J said ,eorge/ J%y the +ay> it has Dust
o..urred to )e> you are the #ady (i?a'eth ,aigh> of .ourse/J
J<hG ,eorge> are you a sno'AJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t> I a)> rather/ My 'est drea) +as one +here
-ing ,eorge 'orro+ed haf a .ro+n fro) )e to see hi) over the
+ee1end/ %ut I +as thin1ing of )y un.e ; the one fro) +ho) I a)
estranged/ !e"s a frightfu sno'/ When he 1no+s I") going to
)arry you> and that +e" have a tite in the fa)iy> he" )a1e )e a
partner at on.eGJ
J<hG ,eorge> is he very ri.hAJ
J(i?a'eth> are you )er.enaryAJ
J7ery/ I adore spending )oney/ %ut I +as thin1ing of Father/ Five
daughters> fu of 'eauty and 'ue 'ood/ !e"s Dust yearning for a
ri.h son;in;a+/J
J!")>J said ,eorge/ JIt +i 'e one of those )arriages )ade in
heaven and approved on earth/ Sha +e ive at &o+and"s CasteA
They"d 'e sure to )a1e )e #ord Mayor +ith you for a +ife/ <hG
(i?a'eth> daring> it"s pro'a'y .ontravening the .o)pany"s
'ya+s> 'ut I si)py )ust 1iss youGJ
SI0, A S<0, <F SIZP(0C(
Sir (d+ard Paiser> -/C/> ived at 0o/ 9 4ueen Anne"s Cose/
4ueen Anne"s Cose is a .u;de;sa./ In the very heart of
West)inster it )anages to have a pea.efu <d Word at)osphere
far re)oved fro) the tur)oi of the t+entieth .entury/ It suited Sir
(d+ard Paiser ad)ira'y/
Sir (d+ard had 'een one of the )ost e)inent .ri)ina 'arristers
of his day and no+ that he no onger pra.ti.ed at the 'ar he had
a)used hi)sef 'y a)assing a very fine .ri)inoogi.a i'rary/ !e
+as aso the author of a vou)e of &e)inis.en.es of ()inent
Cri)inas/
<n this parti.uar evening Sir (d+ard +as sitting in front of his
i'rary fire> sipping so)e very eB.eent 'a.1 .offee and sha1ing
his head over a vou)e of #o)'roso/ Su.h ingenious theories and
so .o)petey out of dateG
The door opened a)ost noiseessy and his +e;trained
)anservant approa.hed over the thi.1 pie .arpet> and )ur)ured
dis.reetyH
JA young ady +ishes to see you> sir/J
JA young adyGJ
Sir (d+ard +as surprised/ !ere +as so)ething 8uite out of the
usua .ourse of events/ Then he refe.ted that it )ight 'e his
nie.e> (the ; 'ut no> in that .ase Ar)our +oud have said so/
!e in8uired .autiousy/ JThe ady did not give her na)eAJ
J0o> sir> 'ut she said she +as 8uite sure you +oud +ish to see
her/J
JSho+ her in>J said Sir (d+ard Paiser/ !e fet peasura'y
intrigued/
A ta> dar1 gir of .ose on thirty> +earing a 'a.1 .oat and s1irt>
+e .ut> and a itte 'a.1 hat> .a)e to Sir (d+ard +ith
outstret.hed hand and a oo1 of eager re.ognition on her fa.e/
Ar)our +ithdre+> .osing the door noiseessy 'ehind hi)/
JSir (d+ard ; you do 1no+ )e> don"t youA I") Magdaen 7aughan/J
JWhy> of .ourse/J !e pressed the outstret.hed hand +ar)y/
!e re)e)'ered her perfe.ty no+/ That trip ho)e fro) A)eri.a
on the Siuri.G This .har)ing .hid ; for she had 'een itte )ore
than a .hid/ !e had )ade ove to her> he re)e)'ered> in a
dis.reet> edery )an;of;the;+ord fashion/ She had 'een so
adora'y young ; so eager ; so fu of ad)iration and hero;+orship ;
Dust )ade to .aptivate the heart of a )an near siBty/ The
re)e)'ran.e 'rought additiona +ar)th into the pressure of his
hand/
JThis is )ost deightfu of you/ Sit do+n> +on"t you/J !e arranged
an ar).hair for her> ta1ing easiy and eveny> +ondering a the
ti)e +hy she had .o)e/ When at ast he 'rought the easy fo+ of
s)a ta1 to an end> there +as a sien.e/
!er hand .osed and un.osed on the ar) of the .hair> she
)oistened her ips/ Suddeny she spo1e ; a'rupty/
JSir (d+ard ; I +ant you to hep )e/J
!e +as surprised and )ur)ured )e.hani.ayH J@esAJ
She +ent on> spea1ing )ore intenseyH J@ou said that if ever I
needed hep ; that if there +ere anything in the +ord you .oud do
for )e ; you +oud do it/J
@es> he had said that/ It +as the sort of thing one did say ;
parti.uary at the )o)ent of parting/ !e .oud re.a the 'rea1 in
his voi.e ; the +ay he had raised her hand to his ips/
JIf there is ever anything I .an do ; re)e)'er> I )ean it///J
@es> one said that sort of thing/// %ut very> very rarey did one have
to fufi one"s +ordsG And .ertainy not after ; ho+ )anyA ; nine or
ten years/ !e fashed a 8ui.1 gan.e at her ; she +as sti a very
good;oo1ing gir> 'ut she had ost +hat had 'een to hi) her .har)
; that oo1 of de+y untou.hed youth/ It +as a )ore interesting fa.e
no+> perhaps ; a younger )an )ight have thought so ; 'ut Sir
(d+ard +as far fro) feeing the tide of +ar)th and e)otion that
had 'een his at the end of that Atanti. voyage/
!is fa.e 'e.a)e ega and .autious/ !e said in a rather 'ris1 +ayH
JCertainy> )y dear young ady> I sha 'e deighted to do anything
in )y po+er ; though I dou't if I .an 'e very hepfu to anyone in
these days/J
If he +ere preparing his +ay of retreat she did not noti.e it/ She
+as of the type that .an ony see one thing at a ti)e and +hat she
+as seeing at this )o)ent +as her o+n need/ She too1 Sir
(d+ard"s +iingness to hep for granted/
JWe are in terri'e trou'e> Sir (d+ard/J
JWeA @ou are )arriedAJ
J0o ; I )eant )y 'rother and I/ <h> and Wiia) and ()iy> too> for
that )atter/ %ut I )ust eBpain/ I have ; I had an aunt ; Miss
Cra'tree/ @ou )ay have read a'out her in the papersA It +as
horri'e/ She +as 1ied ; )urdered/J
JAhGJ A fash of interest it up Sir (d+ard"s fa.e/ JA'out a )onth
ago> +asn"t itAJ
The gir nodded/ J&ather ess than that ; three +ee1s/J
J@es> I re)e)'er/ She +as hit on the head in her o+n house/ They
didn"t get the feo+ +ho did it/J
Again Magdaen 7aughan nodded/ JThey didn"t get the )an ; I
don"t 'eieve they ever +i get the )an/ @ou see ; there )ightn"t 'e
any )an to get/J
JWhatAJ
J@es ; it"s a+fu/ 0othing"s .o)e out a'out it in the papers/ %ut
that"s +hat the poi.e thin1/ They 1no+ no'ody .a)e to the house
that night/J
J@ou )ean ;AJ
JThat it"s one of us four/ It )ust 'e/ They don"t 1no+ +hi.h ; and
+e don"t 1no+ +hi.h/// We don"t 1no+/ And +e sit there every day
oo1ing at ea.h other surreptitiousy and +ondering/ <hG if ony it
.oud have 'een so)eone fro) outside ; 'ut I don"t see ho+ it
.an///J
Sir (d+ard stared at her> his interest rising/
J@ou )ean that the )e)'ers of the fa)iy are under suspi.ionAJ
J@es> that"s +hat I )ean/ The poi.e haven"t said so> of .ourse/
They"ve 'een 8uite poite and ni.e/ %ut they"ve ransa.1ed the
house> they"ve 8uestioned us a> and Martha again and again///
And 'e.ause they don"t 1no+ +hi.h> they"re hoding their hand/ I")
so frightened ; so horri'y frightened///J
JMy dear .hid/ Co)e no+> surey you are eBaggerating/J
JI") not/ It"s one of us four ; it )ust 'e/J
JWho are the four to +ho) you referAJ
Magdaen sat up straight and spo1e )ore .o)posedy/
JThere"s )ysef and Matthe+/ Aunt #iy +as our great aunt/ She
+as )y grand)other"s sister/ We"ve ived +ith her ever sin.e +e
+ere fourteen 9+e"re t+ins> you 1no+:/ Then there +as Wiia)
Cra'tree/ !e +as her nephe+ ; her 'rother"s .hid/ !e ived there>
too> +ith his +ife> ()iy/J
JShe supported the)AJ
JMore or ess/ !e has a itte )oney of his o+n> 'ut he"s not strong
and has to ive at ho)e/ !e"s a 8uiet> drea)y sort of )an/ I") sure
it +oud have 'een i)possi'e for hi) to have ; ohG it"s a+fu of )e
to thin1 of it evenGJ
JI a) sti very far fro) understanding the position/ Perhaps you
+oud not )ind running over the fa.ts ; if it does not distress you
too )u.h/J
J<h> noG I +ant to te you/ And it"s a 8uite .ear in )y )ind sti ;
horri'y .ear/ We"d had tea> you understand> and +e"d a gone off
to do things of our o+n/ I to do so)e dress)a1ing> Matthe+ to type
an arti.e ; he does a itte Dournais)I Wiia) to do his sta)ps/
()iy hadn"t 'een do+n to tea/ She"d ta1en a heada.he po+der
and +as ying do+n/ So there +e +ere> a of us> 'usy and
o..upied/ And +hen Martha +ent in to ay supper at haf;past
seven> there Aunt #iy +as ; dead/ !er head ; oh> it"s horri'eG ; a
.rushed in/J
JThe +eapon +as found> I thin1AJ
J@es/ It +as a heavy paper +eight that a+ays ay on the ta'e 'y
the door/ The poi.e tested it for fingerprints> 'ut there +ere none/
It had 'een +iped .ean/J
JAnd your first sur)iseAJ
JWe thought> of .ourse> it +as a 'urgar/ There +ere t+o or three
dra+ers of the 'ureau pued out> as though a thief had 'een
oo1ing for so)ething/ <f .ourse +e thought it +as a 'urgarG And
then the poi.e .a)e ; and they said she had 'een dead at east an
hour> and as1ed Martha +ho had 'een to the house> and Martha
said no'ody/ And a the +indo+s +ere fastened on the inside> and
there see)ed no signs of anything having 'een ta)pered +ith/
And then they 'egan to as1 us 8uestions///J
She stopped/ !er 'reast heaved/ !er eyes> frightened and
i)poring> sought Sir (d+ard"s in sear.h of reassuran.e/
JFor instan.e> +ho 'enefited 'y your aunt"s deathAJ
JThat"s si)pe/ We a 'enefit e8uay/ She eft her )oney to 'e
divided in e8ua shares a)ong the four of us/J
JAnd +hat +as the vaue of her estateAJ
JThe a+yer tod us it +i .o)e to a'out eighty thousand pounds
after the death duties are paid/J
Sir (d+ard opened his eyes in so)e sight surprise/
JThat is 8uite a .onsidera'e su)/ @ou 1ne+> I suppose> the tota
of your aunt"s fortuneAJ
Magdaen shoo1 her head/
J0o ; it .a)e 8uite as a surprise to us/ Aunt #iy +as a+ays
terri'y .arefu a'out )oney/ She 1ept Dust the one servant and
a+ays ta1ed a ot a'out e.ono)y/J
Sir (d+ard nodded thoughtfuy/ Magdaen eaned for+ard a itte
in her .hair/
J@ou +i hep )e ; you +iAJ
!er +ords .a)e to Sir (d+ard as an unpeasant sho.1 Dust at the
)o)ent +hen he +as 'e.o)ing interested in her story for its o+n
sa1e/
JMy dear young ady ; +hat .an I possi'y doA If you +ant good
ega advi.e> I .an give you the na)e ;J
She interrupted hi)/ J<hG I don"t +ant that sort of thingG I +ant you
to hep )e personay ; as a friend/J
JThat"s very .har)ing of you> 'ut ;J
JI +ant you to .o)e to our house/ I +ant you to as1 8uestions/ I
+ant you to see and Dudge for yoursef/ J
J%ut )y dear young ;J
J&e)e)'er> you pro)ised/ Any+here ; any ti)e ; you said> if I
+anted hep///J
!er eyes> peading yet .onfident> oo1ed into his/ !e fet asha)ed
and strangey tou.hed/ That terrifi. sin.erity of hers> that a'soute
'eief in an ide pro)ise> ten years od> as a sa.red 'inding thing/
!o+ )any )en had not said those sef;sa)e +ords ; a .i.h/
a)ostG ; and ho+ fe+ of the) had ever 'een .aed upon to )a1e
good/
!e said rather +ea1yH JI") sure there are )any peope +ho +oud
advise you 'etter than I .oud/J
JI"ve got ots of friends ; naturay/J 9!e +as a)used 'y the naive
sef;assuran.e of that/: J%ut> you see> none of the) are .ever/ 0ot
i1e you/ @ou"re used to 8uestioning peope/ And +ith a your
eBperien.e you )ust 1no+/J
J-no+ +hatAJ
JWhether they"re inno.ent or guity/J
!e s)ied rather gri)y to hi)sef/ !e fattered hi)sef that> on the
+hoe> he usuay had 1no+nG Though> on )any o..asions> his
private opinion had not 'een that of the Dury/
Magdaen pushed 'a.1 her hat fro) her forehead +ith a nervous
gesture> oo1ed round the roo)> and saidH J!o+ 8uiet it is here/
$on"t you so)eti)es ong for so)e noiseAJ
The .u;de;sa.G A un+ittingy her +ords> spo1en at rando)>
tou.hed hi) on the ra+/ A .u;de;sa./ @es> 'ut there +as a+ays a
+ay out ; the +ay you had .o)e ; the +ay 'a.1 into the +ord///
So)ething i)petuous and youthfu stirred in hi)/ !er si)pe trust
appeaed to the 'est side of his nature ; and the .ondition of her
pro'e) appeaed to so)ething ese ; the innate .ri)inoogist in
hi)/ !e +anted to see these peope of +ho) she spo1e/ !e
+anted to for) his o+n Dudg)ent/
!e saidH JIf you are reay .onvin.ed I .an 'e of any use/// Mind> I
guarantee nothing/J
!e eBpe.ted her to 'e over+he)ed +ith deight> 'ut she too1 it
very .a)y/
JI 1ne+ you +oud do it/ I"ve a+ays thought of you as a rea friend/
Wi you .o)e 'a.1 +ith )e no+AJ
J0o/ I thin1 if I pay you a visit to)orro+ it +i 'e )ore satisfa.tory/
Wi you give )e the na)e and address of Miss Cra'tree"s a+yerA
I )ay +ant to as1 hi) a fe+ 8uestions/J
She +rote it do+n and handed it to hi)/ Then she got up and said
rather shyyH JI ; I") reay )ost a+fuy gratefu/ ,ood;'ye/J
JAnd your o+n addressAJ
J!o+ stupid of )e/ 1O Paatine Wa1> Chesea/J
It +as three o".o.1 on the foo+ing afternoon +hen Sir (d+ard
Paiser approa.hed the 1O Paatine Wa1 +ith a so'er> )easured
tread/ In the interva he had found out severa things/ !e had paid
a visit that )orning to S.otand @ard> +here the Assistant
Co))issioner +as an od friend of his> and he had aso had an
intervie+ +ith the ate Miss Cra'tree"s a+yer/ As a resut he had a
.earer vision of the .ir.u)stan.es/ Miss Cra'tree"s arrange)ents
in regard to )oney had 'een so)e+hat pe.uiar/ She never )ade
use of a .he.1 'oo1/ Instead she +as in the ha'it of +riting to her
a+yer and as1ing hi) to have a .ertain su) in five;pound notes
+aiting for her/ It +as neary a+ays the sa)e su)/ Three hundred
pounds four ti)es a year/ She .a)e to fet.h it hersef in a four+heeer>
+hi.h she regarded as the ony safe )eans of
.onveyan.e/ At other ti)es she never eft the house/
At S.otand @ard Sir (d+ard earned that the 8uestion of finan.e
had 'een gone into very .arefuy/ Miss Cra'tree had 'een a)ost
due for her neBt insta)ent of )oney/ Presu)a'y the previous
three hundred had 'een spent ; or a)ost spent/ %ut this +as
eBa.ty the point that had not 'een easy to as.ertain/ %y .he.1ing
the househod eBpenditure> it +as soon evident that Miss
Cra'tree"s eBpenditure per 8uarter fe a good dea short of the
three hundred/ <n the other hand> she +as in the ha'it of sending
five;pound notes to needy friends and reatives/ Whether there had
'een )u.h or itte )oney in the house at the ti)e of her death +as
a de'ata'e point/ 0one had 'een found/
It +as this parti.uar point +hi.h Sir (d+ard +as revoving in his
)ind as he approa.hed Paatine Wa1/
The door of the house 9+hi.h +as a non;'ase)ent one: +as
opened to hi) 'y a s)a edery +o)an +ith an aert ga?e/ !e +as
sho+n into a 'ig dou'e roo) on the eft of the s)a ha+ay and
there Magdaen .a)e to hi)/ More .eary than 'efore> he sa+ the
tra.es of nervous strain in her fa.e/
J@ou tod )e to as1 8uestions> and I have .o)e to do so>J said Sir
(d+ard> s)iing as he shoo1 hands/ JFirst of a> I +ant to 1no+
+ho ast sa+ your aunt and eBa.ty +hat ti)e that +asAJ
JIt +as after tea ; five o".o.1/ Martha +as the ast person +ith her/
She had 'een paying the 'oo1s that afternoon> and 'rought Aunt
#iy the .hange and the a..ounts/J
J@ou trust MarthaAJ
J<h> a'soutey/ She +as +ith Aunt #iy for ; oh> thirty years> I
suppose/ She"s honest as the day/J
Sir (d+ard nodded/
JAnother 8uestion/ Why did your .ousin> Mrs Cra'tree> ta1e a
heada.he po+derAJ
JWe> 'e.ause she had a heada.he/J
J0aturay> 'ut +as there any parti.uar reason +hy she shoud
have a heada.heAJ
JWe> yes> in a +ay/ There +as rather a s.ene at un.h/ ()iy is
very eB.ita'e and highy strung/ She and Aunt #iy used to have
ro+s so)eti)es/J
JAnd they had one at un.hAJ
J@es/ Aunt #iy +as rather trying a'out itte things/ It a started
out of nothing ; and then they +ere at it ha))er and tongs ; +ith
()iy saying a sorts of things she .oudn"t possi'y have )eant ;
that she"d eave the house and never .o)e 'a.1 ; that she +as
grudged every )outhfu she ate ; oh> a sorts of siy things/ And
Aunt #iy said the sooner she and her hus'and pa.1ed their 'oBes
and +ent the 'etter/ %ut it a )eant nothing> reay/J
J%e.ause Mr and Mrs Cra'tree .oudn"t afford to pa.1 up and goAJ
J<h> not ony that/ Wiia) +as fond of Aunt ()iy/ !e reay +as/J
JIt +asn"t a day of 8uarres> 'y any .han.eAJ
Magdaen"s .oor heightened/
J@ou )ean )eA The fuss a'out )y +anting to 'e a )ani1inAJ
J@our aunt +oudn"t agreeAJ
J0o/J
JWhy did you +ant to 'e a )ani1in> Miss MagdaenA $oes the ife
stri1e you as a very attra.tive oneAJ
J0o> 'ut anything +oud 'e 'etter than going on iving here/J
J@es> then/ %ut no+ you +i have a .o)forta'e in.o)e> +on"t
youAJ
J<h> yes> it"s 8uite different no+/J
She )ade the ad)ission +ith the ut)ost si)pi.ity/
!e s)ied 'ut pursued the su'De.t no further/ Instead he saidH
JAnd your 'rotherA $id he have a 8uarre> tooAJ
JMatthe+A <h> no/J
JThen no one .an say he had a )otive for +ishing his aunt out of
the +ayAJ
!e +as 8ui.1 to sei?e on the )o)entary dis)ay that sho+ed in
her fa.e/
JI forgot>J he said .asuay/ J!e o+ed a good dea of )oney> didn"t
heAJ
J@esI poor od Matthe+/J
JSti> that +i 'e a right no+/J
J@es ;J She sighed/ JIt is a reief/J
And sti she sa+ nothingG !e .hanged the su'De.t hastiy/
J@our .ousins and your 'rother are at ho)eAJ
J@esI I tod the) you +ere .o)ing/ They are a so anBious to hep/
<h> Sir (d+ard ; I fee> so)eho+> that you are going to find out that
everything is a right ; that none of us had anything to do +ith it ;
that> after a> it +as an outsider/J
JI .an"t do )ira.es/ I )ay 'e a'e to find out the truth> 'ut I .an"t
)a1e the truth 'e +hat you +ant it to 'e/J
JCan"t youA I fee that you .oud do anything ; anything/J
She eft the roo)/ !e thought> distur'ed> JWhat did she )ean 'y
thatA $oes she +ant )e to suggest a ine of defenseA For +ho)AJ
!is )editations +ere interrupted 'y the entran.e of a )an a'out
fifty years of age/ !e had a naturay po+erfu fra)e> 'ut stooped
sighty/ !is .othes +ere untidy and his hair .areessy 'rushed/
!e oo1ed good;natured 'ut vague/
JSir (d+ard PaiserA <h> ho+ do you doA Magdaen sent )e
aong> It"s very good of you> I") sure> to +ish to hep us> though I
don"t thin1 any'ody +i ever 'e reay dis.overed/ I )ean> they
+on"t .at.h the feo+/
J@ou thin1 it +as a 'urgar> then ; so)eone fro) outsideAJ
JWe> it )ust have 'een/ It .oudn"t 'e one of the fa)iy/ These
feo+s are very .ever no+adays> they .i)' i1e .ats and they get
in and out as they i1e/J
JWhere +ere you> Mr Cra'tree> +hen the tragedy o..urredAJ
JI +as 'usy +ith )y sta)ps ; in )y itte sitting;roo) upstairs/J
J@ou didn"t hear anythingAJ
J0o ; 'ut then I never do hear anything +hen I") a'sor'ed/ 7ery
fooish of )e> 'ut there it is/J
JIs the sitting;roo) you refer to over this roo)AJ
J0o> it"s at the 'a.1/J
Again the door opened/ A s)a> fair +o)an entered/ !er hands
+ere t+it.hing nervousy/ She oo1ed fretfu and eB.ited/
JWiia)> +hy didn"t you +ait for )eA I said "+ait/"J
JSorry> )y dear> I forgot/ Sir (d+ard Paiser ; )y +ife/J
J!o+ do you do> Mrs Cra'treeA I hope you don"t )ind )y .o)ing
here to as1 a fe+ 8uestions/ I 1no+ ho+ anBious you> )ust a 'e to
have things .eared up/J
J0aturay/ %ut I .an"t te you anything ; .an I> Wiia)A I +as
aseep ; on )y 'ed ; I ony +o1e up +hen Martha s.rea)ed/J
!er hands .ontinued to t+it.h/
JWhere is your roo)> Mrs Cra'treeAJ
JIt"s over this/ %ut I didn"t hear anything ; ho+ .oud IA I +as
aseep/J
!e .oud get nothing out of her 'ut that/ She 1ne+ nothing ; she
had heard nothing ; she had 'een aseep/ She reiterated it +ith the
o'stina.y of a frightened +o)an/ @et Sir (d+ard 1ne+ very +e
that it )ight easiy 'e ; pro'a'y +as ; the 'are truth/
!e eB.used hi)sef at ast ; said he +oud i1e to put a fe+
8uestions to Martha/ Wiia) Cra'tree vounteered to ta1e hi) to
the 1it.hen/ In the ha Sir (d+ard neary .oided +ith a ta> dar1
young )an +ho +as striding to+ards the front door/
JMr Matthe+ 7aughanAJ
J@es ; 'ut> oo1 here> I .an"t +ait/ I"ve got an appoint)ent/J
JMatthe+GJ It +as his sister"s voi.e fro) the stairs/ J<h> Matthe+>
you pro)ised ;J
JI 1no+> sis/ %ut I .an"t/ ,ot to )eet a feo+/ And> any+ay> +hat"s
the good of ta1ing a'out the da)ned thing over and over again/
We have enough of that +ith the poi.e/ I") fed up +ith the +hoe
sho+/J
The front door 'anged/ Mr Matthe+ 7aughan had )ade his eBit/
Sir (d+ard +as introdu.ed into the 1it.hen/ Martha +as ironing/
She paused> iron in hand/ Sir (d+ard shut the door 'ehind hi)/
JMiss 7aughan has as1ed )e to hep her>J he said/ JI hope you
+on"t o'De.t to )y as1ing you a fe+ 8uestions/J
She oo1ed at hi)> then shoo1 her head/
J0one of the) did it> sir/ I 1no+ +hat you"re thin1ing> 'ut it isn"t so/
As ni.e a set of adies and gente)en as you .oud +ish to see/J
JI"ve no dou't of it/ %ut their ni.eness isn"t +hat +e .a eviden.e>
you 1no+/J
JPerhaps not/ sir/ The a+"s a funny thing/ %ut there is eviden.e ;
as you .a it/ sir/ 0one of the) .oud have done it +ithout )y
1no+ing/J
J%ut surey ;J
JI 1no+ +hat I") ta1ing a'out> sir/ There> isten to that ;J
JThatJ +as a .rea1ing sound a'ove their heads/
JThe stairs> sir/ (very ti)e anyone goes up or do+n> the stairs
.rea1 so)ething a+fu/ It doesn"t )atter ho+ 8uiet you go/ Mrs
Cra'tree> she +as ying on her 'ed> and Mr Cra'tree +as fidding
a'out +ith the) +ret.hed sta)ps of his> and Miss Magdaen she
+as up a'ove> +or1ing her se+ing )a.hine> and if anyone of those
three had .o)e do+n the stairs I shoud have 1no+n it/ And they
didn"tGJ
She spo1e +ith a positive assuran.e +hi.h i)pressed the
'arrister/ !e thoughtH JA good +itness/ She"d .arry +eight/J
J@ou )ightn"t have noti.ed/J
J@es> I +oud/ I"d have noti.ed +ithout noti.ing> so to spea1/ #i1e
you noti.e +hen a door shuts and so)e'ody goes out/J
Sir (d+ard shifted his ground/
JThat is three of the) a..ounted for> 'ut there is a fourth/ Was Mr
Matthe+ 7aughan upstairs asoAJ
J0o> 'ut he +as in the itte roo) do+nstairs/ 0eBt door/ And he
+as type+riting/ @ou .an hear it pain in here/ !is )a.hine never
stopped for a )o)ent/ 0ot for a )o)ent> sir/ I .an s+ear to it/ A
nasty> irritating tap;tapping noise it is> too/J
Sir (d+ard paused a )inute/
JIt +as you +ho found her> +asn"t itAJ
J@es> sir> it +as/ #ying there +ith 'ood on her poor hair/ And no
one hearing a sound on a..ount of the tap;tapping of Mr Matthe+"s
type+riter/J
JI understand you are positive that no one .a)e to the houseAJ
J!o+ .oud they> sir> +ithout )y 1no+ingA The 'e rings in here/
And there"s ony the one door/J
!e oo1ed at her straight in the fa.e/
J@ou +ere atta.hed to Miss Cra'treeAJ
A +ar) go+ ; genuine ; un)ista1a'e ; .a)e into her fa.e/
J@es> indeed> I +as> sir/ %ut for Miss Cra'tree ; +e> I") getting on
and I don"t )ind spea1ing of it no+/ I got into trou'e> sir> +hen I
+as a gir> and Miss Cra'tree stood 'y )e ; too1 )e 'a.1 into her
servi.e> she did/ +hen it +as a over/ I"d have died for her ; I +oud
indeed/J
Sir (d+ard 1ne+ sin.erity +hen he heard it/ Martha +as sin.ere/
JAs far as you 1no+> no one .a)e to the door ;AJ
J0o one .oud have .o)e/J
JI said as far as you 1no+/ %ut if Miss Cra'tree had 'een eBpe.ting
so)eone ; if she opened the door to that so)eone hersef///J
J<hGJ Martha see)ed ta1en 'a.1/
JThat"s possi'e> I supposeAJ Sir (d+ard urged/
JIt"s possi'e ; yes ; 'ut it isn"t very i1ey/ I )ean///J
She +as .eary ta1en a'a.1/ She .oudn"t deny and yet she
+anted to do so/ WhyA %e.ause she 1ne+ that the truth ay
ese+here/ Was that itA The four peope in the house ; one of the)
guityA $id Martha +ant to shied that guity partyA !ad the stairs
.rea1edA !ad so)eone .o)e steathiy do+n and did Martha 1no+
+ho that so)eone +asA
She hersef +as honest ; Sir (d+ard +as .onvin.ed of that/
!e pressed his point> +at.hing her/
JMiss Cra'tree )ight have done that> I supposeA The +indo+ of
that roo) fa.es the street/ She )ight have seen +hoever it +as
she +as +aiting for fro) the +indo+ and gone out into the ha and
et hi) ; or her ; in/ She )ight even have +ished that no one shoud
see the person/J
Martha oo1ed trou'ed/ She said at ast reu.tantyH
J@es> you )ay 'e right> sir/ I never thought of that/ That she +as
eBpe.ting a gente)an ; yes> it +e )ight 'e/J
It +as as though she 'egan to per.eive advantages in the idea/
J@ou +ere the ast person to see her> +ere you notAJ
J@es> sir/ After I"d .eared a+ay the tea/ I too1 the re.eipted 'oo1s
to her and the .hange fro) the )oney she"d given )e/J
J!ad she given the )oney to you in five;pound notesAJ
JA five;pound note> sir>J said Martha in a sho.1ed voi.e/ JThe
'oo1s never .a)e up as high as five pounds/ I") very .arefu/J
JWhere did she 1eep her )oneyAJ
JI don"t righty 1no+> sir/ I shoud say that she .arried it a'out +ith
her ; in her 'a.1 vevet 'ag/ %ut of .ourse she )ay have 1ept it in
one of the dra+ers in her 'edroo) that +ere o.1ed/ She +as very
fond of o.1ing up things> though prone to ose her 1eys/J
Sir (d+ard nodded/ J@ou don"t 1no+ ho+ )u.h )oney she had ; in
five;pound notes> I )eanAJ
J0o> sir> I .oudn"t say +hat the eBa.t a)ount +as/J
JAnd she said nothing to you that .oud ead you to 'eieve that she
+as eBpe.ting any'odyAJ
J0o> sir/J
J@ou"re 8uite sureA What eBa.ty did she sayAJ
JWe>J Martha .onsidered> Jshe said the 'ut.her +as nothing
)ore than a rogue and a .heat> and she said I"d had in a 8uarter of
a pound of tea )ore than I ought> and she said Mrs Cra'tree +as
fu of nonsense for not i1ing to eat )argarine> and she didn"t i1e
one of the siBpen.es I"d 'rought her 'a.1 ; one of the ne+ ones
+ith oa1 eaves on it ; she said it +as 'ad> and I had a ot of trou'e
to .onvin.e her/ And she said ; oh> that the fish)onger had sent
haddo.1s instead of +hitings> and had I tod hi) a'out it> and I
said I had ; and> reay> I thin1 that"s a> sir/J
Martha"s spee.h had )ade the de.eased ady oo) .ear to Sir
(d+ard as a detaied des.ription +oud never have done/ !e said
.asuayH J&ather a diffi.ut )istress to pease> ehAJ
JA 'it fussy> 'ut there> poor dear> she didn"t often get out> and
staying .ooped up she had to eave so)ething to a)use hersef
i1e/ She +as perni.1ety 'ut 1indhearted ; never a 'eggar sent
a+ay fro) the door +ithout so)ething/ Fussy she )ay have 'een>
'ut a rea .harita'e ady/J
JI a) gad> Martha> that she eaves one person to regret her/J
The od servant .aught her 'reath/
J@ou )ean ; oh> 'ut they +ere a fond of her ; reay ; underneath/
They a had +ords +ith her no+ and again> 'ut it didn"t )ean
anything/J
Sir (d+ard ifted his head/ There +as a .ra.1 a'ove/
JThat"s Miss Magdaen .o)ing do+n/J
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ he shot at her/
The od +o)an fushed/ JI 1no+ her step>J she )uttered/
Sir (d+ard eft the 1it.hen rapidy/ Martha had 'een right/
Magdaen had Dust rea.hed the 'otto) stair/ She oo1ed at hi)
hopefuy/
J0ot very far on as yet>J said Sir (d+ard> ans+ering her oo1> and
added> J@ou don"t happen to 1no+ +hat etters your aunt re.eived
on the day of her deathAJ
JThey are a together/ The poi.e have 'een through the)> of
.ourse/J
She ed the +ay to the 'ig dou'e dra+ing;roo) and> uno.1ing a
dra+er> too1 out a arge 'a.1 vevet 'ag +ith an od;fashioned
siver .asp/
JThis is Aunt"s 'ag/ (verything is in here Dust as it +as on the day
of her death/ I"ve 1ept it i1e that/J
Sir (d+ard than1ed her and pro.eeded to turn out the .ontents of
the 'ag on the ta'e/ It +as> he fan.ied> a fair spe.i)en of an
e..entri. edery ady"s hand'ag/
There +ere so)e odd siver .hange> t+o ginger nuts> three
ne+spaper .uttings a'out *oanna South.ott"s 'oB> a trashy>
printed poe) a'out the une)poyed> an <d Moore"s A)ana.1> a
arge pie.e of .a)phor> so)e spe.ta.es> and three etters/ A
spidery one fro) so)eone .aed JCousin #u.y>J a 'i for )ending
a +at.h> and an appea fro) a .harita'e institution/
Sir (d+ard +ent through everything very .arefuy> then repa.1ed
the 'ag and handed it to Magdaen +ith a sigh/
JThan1 you> Miss Magdaen/ I") afraid there isn"t )u.h there/J
!e rose> o'served that the +indo+ .o))anded a good vie+ of the
front door steps> then too1 Magdaen"s hand in his/
J@ou are goingAJ
J@es/J
J%ut it"s ; it"s going to 'e a rightAJ
J0o'ody .onne.ted +ith the a+ ever .o))its hi)sef to a rash
state)ent i1e that>J said Sir (d+ard soe)ny> and )ade his
es.ape/
!e +a1ed aong the street> ost in thought/ The pu??e +as there
under his hand ; and he had not soved it/ It needed so)ething ;
so)e itte thing/ *ust to point the +ay/
A hand fe on his shouder and he started/ It +as Matthe+
7aughan> so)e+hat out of 'reath/
JI"ve 'een .hasing you> Sir (d+ard/ I +ant to apoogi?e/ For )y
rotten )anners haf an hour ago/ %ut I"ve not got the 'est te)per
in the +ord> I") afraid/ It"s a+fuy good of you to 'other a'out this
'usiness/ Pease as1 )e +hatever you i1e/ If there"s anything I
.an do to hep ;J
Suddeny Sir (d+ard stiffened/ !is gan.e +as fiBed ; not on
Matthe+ ; 'ut a.ross the street/ So)e+hat 'e+idered> Matthe+
repeatedH JIf there"s anything I .an do to hep ;J
J@ou have aready done it> )y dear young )an>J said Sir (d+ard/
J%y stopping )e at this parti.uar spot and so fiBing )y attention
on so)ething I )ight other+ise have )issed/J
!e pointed a.ross the street to a s)a restaurant opposite/
JThe Four and T+enty %a.1'irdsAJ as1ed Matthe+ in a pu??ed
voi.e/
J(Ba.ty/J
JIt"s an odd na)e ; 'ut you get 8uite de.ent food there> I 'eieve/J
JI sha not ta1e the ris1 of eBperi)enting>J said Sir (d+ard/ J%eing
further fro) )y nursery days than you are> )y young friend> I
pro'a'y re)e)'er )y nursery rhy)es 'etter/ There is a .assi.
that runs thus> if I re)e)'er rightyH Sing a song of siBpen.e> a
po.1et fu of rye> Four and t+enty 'a.1'irds 'a1ed in a pie ; and
so on/ The rest of it does not .on.ern us/J
!e +heeed round sharpy/
JWhere are you goingAJ as1ed Matthe+ 7aughan/
J%a.1 to your house> )y friend/J
They +a1ed there in sien.e> Matthe+ 7aughan shooting pu??ed
gan.es at his .o)panion/ Sir (d+ard entered> strode to a dra+er>
ifted out a vevet 'ag> and opened it/ !e oo1ed at Matthe+ and
the young )an reu.tanty eft the roo)/
Sir (d+ard tu)'ed out the siver .hange on the ta'e/ Then he
nodded/ !is )e)ory had not 'een at faut/
!e got up and rang the 'e> sipping so)ething into the pa) of his
hand as he did so/
Martha ans+ered the 'e/
J@ou tod )e> Martha> if I re)e)'er righty> that you had a sight
ater.ation +ith your ate )istress over one of the ne+ siBpen.es/J
J@es> sir/J
JAhG 'ut the .urious thing is> Martha> that a)ong this oose
.hange> there is no ne+ siBpen.e/ There are t+o siBpen.es> 'ut
they are 'oth od ones/J
She stared at hi) in a pu??ed fashion/
J@ou see +hat that )eansA So)eone did .o)e to the house that
evening ; so)eone to +ho) your )istress gave siBpen.e/// I thin1
she gave it to hi) in eB.hange for this///J
With a s+ift )ove)ent he shot his hand for+ard> hoding out the
doggere verse a'out une)poy)ent/
<ne gan.e at her fa.e +as enough/
JThe ga)e is up> Martha ; you see> I 1no+/ @ou )ay as +e te )e
everything/J
She san1 do+n on a .hair ; the tears ra.ed do+n her fa.e/
JIt"s true ; it"s true ; the 'e didn"t ring propery ; I +asn"t sure> and
then I thought I"d 'etter go and see/ I got to the door Dust as he
stru.1 her do+n/ The ro of five;pound notes +as on the ta'e in
front of her ; it +as the sight of the) as )ade hi) do it ; that and
thin1ing she +as aone in the house as she"d et hi) in/ I .oudn"t
s.rea)/ I +as too paray?ed and then he turned ; and I sa+ it +as
)y 'oy///
J<h> he"s 'een a 'ad one a+ays/ I gave hi) a the )oney I .oud/
!e"s 'een in Dai t+i.e/ !e )ust have .o)e around to see )e> and
then Miss Cra'tree> seeing as I didn"t ans+er the door> +ent to
ans+er it hersef> and he +as ta1en a'a.1 and pued out one of
those une)poy)ent eafets> and the )istress 'eing 1ind of
.harita'e> tod hi) to .o)e in> and got out a siBpen.e/ And a the
ti)e that ro of notes +as ying on the ta'e +here it had 'een
+hen I +as giving her the .hange/ And the devi got into )y %en
and he got 'ehind her and stru.1 her do+n/J
JAnd thenAJ as1ed Sir (d+ard/
J<h> sir> +hat .oud I doA My o+n fesh and 'ood/ !is father +as a
'ad one> and %en ta1es after hi) ; 'ut he +as )y o+n son/ I
husted hi) out> and I +ent 'a.1 to the 1it.hen> and I +ent to ay
for supper at the usua ti)e/ $o you thin1 it +as very +i.1ed of )e>
sirA I tried to te you no ies +hen you +as as1ing )e 8uestions/J
Sir (d+ard rose/
JMy poor +o)an>J he said +ith feeing in his voi.e/ JI a) very
sorry for you/ A the sa)e> the a+ +i have to ta1e its .ourse> you
1no+/J
J!e"s fed the .ountry> sir/ I don"t 1no+ +here he is/J
JThere"s a .han.e> then> that he )ay es.ape the gao+s> 'ut don"t
'uid upon it/ Wi you send Miss Magdaen to )eAJ
J<h> Sir (d+ard/ !o+ +onderfu of you ; ho+ +onderfu you are>J
said Magdaen +hen he had finished his 'rief re.ita/ J@ou"ve
saved us a/ !o+ .an I ever than1 youAJ
Sir (d+ard s)ied do+n at her and patted her hand genty/ !e +as
very )u.h the great )an/ #itte Magdaen had 'een very .har)ing
on the Siuri./ That 'oo) of seventeen ; +onderfuG She had
.o)petey ost it no+> of .ourse/
J0eBt ti)e you need a friend ;J he said/
JI" .o)e straight to you/J
J0o> no>J .ried Sir (d+ard in aar)/ JThat"s Dust +hat I don"t +ant
you to do/ ,o to a younger )an/J
!e eBtri.ated hi)sef +ith deBterity fro) the gratefu househod
and haiing a taBi san1 into it +ith a sigh of reief/ (ven the .har) of
a de+y seventeen see)ed dou'tfu/
It .oud not reay .o)pare +ith a reay +e;sto.1ed i'rary on
.ri)inoogy/
The taBi turned into 4ueen Anne"s Cose/
!is .u;de;sa./
T!( MA0!<<$ <F ($WA&$ &<%I0S<0
JWith a s+ing of his )ighty ar)s> %i ifted her right off her feet>
.rushing her to his 'reast/ With a deep sigh she yieded her ips in
su.h a 1iss as he had never drea)ed of ;J
With a sigh> Mr (d+ard &o'inson put do+n "When #ove Is -ing"
and stared out of the +indo+ of the underground train/ They +ere
running through Sta)ford %roo1/ (d+ard &o'inson +as thin1ing
a'out %i/ %i +as the rea hundred per .ent he;)an 'eoved of
ady noveists/ (d+ard envied hi) his )us.es> his rugged good
oo1s> and his terrifi. passions/ !e pi.1ed up the 'oo1 again and
read the des.ription of the proud Mar.hesa %ian.a 9she +ho had
yieded her ips:/ So ravishing +as her 'eauty> the intoBi.ation of
her +as so great> that strong )en +ent do+n 'efore her i1e
ninepins> faint and hepess +ith ove/
J<f .ourse>J said (d+ard to hi)sef> Jit"s a 'osh> this sort of stuff/
A 'osh> it is/ And yet> I +onder ;J
!is eyes oo1ed +istfu/ Was there su.h a thing as a +ord of
ro)an.e and adventure so)e+hereA Where there +o)en +hose
'eauty intoBi.atedA Was there su.h a thing as ove that devoured
one i1e a fa)eA
JThis is rea ife> this is>J said (d+ard/ JI"ve got to go on the sa)e
Dust i1e a the other .haps/J
<n the +hoe> he supposed> he ought to .onsider hi)sef a u.1y
young )an/ !e had an eB.eent 'erth ; a .er1ship in a fourishing
.on.ern/ !e had good heath> no one dependent upon hi)> and he
+as engaged to Maud/
%ut the )ere thought of Maud 'rought a shado+ over his fa.e/
Though he +oud never have ad)itted it> he +as afraid of Maud/
!e oved her ; yes ; he sti re)e)'ered the thri +ith +hi.h he had
ad)ired the 'a.1 of her +hite ne.1 rising out of the .heap four
and eevenpenny 'ouse on the first o..asion they had )et/ !e had
sat 'ehind her at the .ine)a> and the friend he +as +ith had
1no+n her and had introdu.ed the)/ 0o dou't a'out it> Maud +as
very superior/ She +as good;oo1ing and .ever and very adyi1e>
and she +as a+ays right a'out everything/ The 1ind of gir>
everyone said> +ho +oud )a1e su.h an eB.eent +ife/
(d+ard +ondered +hether the Mar.hesa %ian.a +oud have )ade
an eB.eent +ife/ So)eho+> he dou'ted it/ !e .oudn"t pi.ture the
vouptuous %ian.a> +ith her red ips and her s+aying for)> ta)ey
se+ing on 'uttons> say> for the virie %i/ 0o> %ian.a +as
&o)an.e> and this +as rea ife/ !e and Maud +oud 'e very happy
together/ She had so )u.h .o))on sense///
%ut a the sa)e> he +ished that she +asn"t 8uite so ; +e> sharp in
)anner/ So prone to JDu)p upon hi)/J
It +as> of .ourse> her pruden.e and her .o))on sense +hi.h
)ade her do so/ Maud +as very sensi'e/ And> as a rue> (d+ard
+as very sensi'e> too> 'ut so)eti)es ; !e had +anted to get
)arried this Christ)as> for instan.e/ Maud had pointed out ho+
)u.h )ore prudent it +oud 'e to +ait a +hie ; a year or t+o>
perhaps/ !is saary +as not arge/ !e had +anted to give her an
eBpensive ring ; she had 'een horror;stri.1en> and had for.ed hi)
to ta1e it 'a.1 and eB.hange it for a .heaper one/ !er 8uaities
+ere a eB.eent 8uaitites> 'ut so)eti)es (d+ard +ished that
she had )ore fauts and ess virtues/ It +as her virtues that drove
hi) to desperate deeds/
For instan.e ;
A 'ush of guit overspread his fa.e/ !e had got to te her ; and te
her soon/ !is se.ret guit +as aready )a1ing hi) 'ehave
strangey/ To)orro+ +as the first of three days" hoiday>
Christ)as (ve> Christ)as $ay and %oBing $ay/ She had suggested
that he shoud .o)e around and spend the day +ith her peope>
and in a .u)sy> fooish )anner> a )anner that .oud not fai to
arouse her suspi.ions> he had )anaged to get out of it ; had tod a
ong> ying story a'out a pa of his in the .ountry +ith +ho) he had
pro)ised to spend the day/ And there +as no pa in the .ountry/
There +as ony his guity se.ret/
Three )onths ago> (d+ard &o'inson> in .o)pany +ith a fe+
hundred thousand other young )en> had gone in for a .o)petition
in one of the +ee1y papers/ T+eve girs" na)es had to 'e
arranged in order of popuarity/ (d+ard had had a 'riiant idea/
!is o+n preferen.e +as sure to 'e +rong ; he had noti.ed that in
severa si)iar .o)petitions/ !e +rote do+n the t+eve na)es
arranged in his o+n order of )erit> then he +rote the) do+n
again> this ti)e pa.ing one fro) the top and one fro) the 'otto)
of the ist aternatey/
When the resut +as announ.ed> (d+ard had got eight right out of
the t+eve> and +as a+arded the first pri?e of /F66/ This resut>
+hi.h )ight easiy 'e as.ri'ed to u.1> (d+ard persisted in
regarding as the dire.t out.o)e of his Jsyste)/J !e +as
inordinatey proud of hi)sef/
The neBt thing +as> +hat to do +ith the /F66A !e 1ne+ very +e
+hat Maud +oud say/ Invest it/ A ni.e itte nest egg for the future/
And> of .ourse> Maud +oud 'e 8uite right> he 1ne+ that/ %ut to +in
)oney as the resut of a .o)petition is an entirey different feeing
fro) anything ese in the +ord/
!ad the )oney 'een eft to hi) as a ega.y> (d+ard +oud have
invested it reigiousy in Conversion #oan or Savings Certifi.ates
as a )atter of .ourse/ %ut )oney that one has a.hieved 'y a )ere
stro1e of the pen> 'y a u.1y and un'eieva'e .han.e> .o)es
under the sa)e heading as a .hid"s siBpen.e ; Jfor your very o+n ;
to spend as you i1e/J
And in a .ertain ri.h shop +hi.h he passed daiy on his +ay to the
offi.e> +as the un'eieva'e drea)> a s)a t+o;seater .ar> +ith a
ong shining nose> and the pri.e .eary dispayed on it ; /43F/
JIf I +ere ri.h>J (d+ard had said to it> day after day/ JIf I +ere ri.h>
I"d have you/J
And no+ he +as ; if not ri.h ; at east possessed of a u)p su) of
)oney suffi.ient to reai?e his drea)/ That .ar> that shining>
auring pie.e of oveiness> +as his if he .ared to pay the pri.e/
!e had )eant to te Maud a'out the )oney/ <n.e he had tod her>
he +oud have se.ured hi)sef against te)ptation/ In fa.e of
Maud"s horror and disapprova> he +oud never have the .ourage
to persist in his )adness/ %ut> as it .han.ed> it +as Maud hersef
+ho .in.hed the )atter/ !e had ta1en her to the .ine)a ; and to
the 'est seats in the house/ She had pointed out to hi)> 1indy 'ut
fir)y> the .ri)ina foy of his 'ehaviour ; +asting good )oney ;
three and siBpen.e against t+o and fourpen.e> +hen one sa+ Dust
as +e fro) the atter pa.es/
(d+ard too1 her reproa.hes in suen sien.e/ Maud fet
.ontentedy that she +as )a1ing an i)pression/ (d+ard .oud not
'e ao+ed to .ontinue in these eBtravagant +ays/ She oved
(d+ard> 'ut she reai?ed that he +as +ea1 ; hers the tas1 of 'eing
ever at hand to infuen.e hi) in the +ay he shoud go/ She
o'served his +or)i1e de)eanour +ith satisfa.tion/
(d+ard +as indeed +or)i1e/ #i1e +or)s> he turned/ !e re)ained
.rushed 'y her +ords> 'ut it +as at that pre.ise )inute that he
)ade up his )ind to 'uy the .ar/
J$a)n it>J said (d+ard to hi)sef/ JFor on.e in )y ife> I" do +hat
I i1e/ Maud .an go hangGJ
And the very neBt )orning he had +a1ed into that paa.e of pate
gass> +ith its ordy in)ates in their gory of gea)ing ena)e and
shi))ering )eta> and +ith an insou.ian.e that surprised hi)sef>
he 'ought the .ar/ It +as the easiest thing in the +ord> 'uying a
.arG
It had 'een his for four days no+/ !e had gone a'out> out+ardy
.a)> 'ut in+ardy 'athed in e.stasy/ And to Maud he had as yet
'reathed no +ord/ For four days> in his un.heon hour> he had
re.eived instru.tion in the handing of the ovey .reature/ !e +as
an apt pupi/
To)orro+> Christ)as (ve> he +as to ta1e her out into the .ountry/
!e had ied to Maud> and he +oud ie again if need 'e/ !e +as
ensaved 'ody and sou 'y his ne+ possession/ It stood to hi) for
&o)an.e> for Adventure> for a the things that he had onged for
and had never had/ To)orro+> he and his )istress +oud ta1e the
road together/ They +oud rush through the 1een .od air> eaving
the thro' and fret of #ondon far 'ehind the) ; out into the +ide>
.ear spa.es///
At this )o)ent> (d+ard> though he did not 1no+ it> +as very near
to 'eing a poet/
To)orro+ ;
!e oo1ed do+n at the 'oo1 in his hand ; When #ove Is -ing/ !e
aughed and stuffed it into his po.1et/ The .ar> and the red ips of
the Mar.hesa %ian.a> and the a)a?ing pro+ess of %i see)ed a
)iBed up together/
To)orro+ ;
The +eather> usuay a sorry Dade to those +ho .ount upon her>
+as 1indy disposed to+ards (d+ard/ She gave hi) the day of his
drea)s> a day of gittering frost> and pae;'ue s1y> and a
pri)rose;yeo+ sun/
So> in a )ood of high adventure> of daredevi +i.1edness> (d+ard
drove out of #ondon/ There +as trou'e at !yde Par1 Corner> and
a sad .ontrete)ps at Putney %ridge> there +as )u.h protesting of
gears> and a fre8uent Darring of 'ra1es> and )u.h a'use +as
freey sho+ered upon (d+ard 'y the drivers of other vehi.es/ %ut
for a novi.e he did not a.8uit hi)sef so 'ady> and presenty he
.a)e out onto one of those fair> +ide roads that are the Doy of the
)otorist/ There +as itte .ongestion on this parti.uar road today/
(d+ard drove on and on> drun1 +ith his )astery over this .reature
of the gea)ing sides> speeding through the .od +hite +ord +ith
the eation of a god/
It +as a deirious day/ !e stopped for un.h at an od;fashioned
inn> and again ater for tea/ Then reu.tanty he turned ho)e+ards
; 'a.1 again to #ondon> to Maud> to the inevita'e eBpanation>
re.ri)inations///
!e shoo1 off the thought +ith a sigh/ #et to)orro+ oo1 after itsef/
!e sti had today/ And +hat .oud 'e )ore fas.inating than thisA
&ushing through the dar1ness +ith the headights sear.hing out
the +ay in front/ Why> this +as the 'est of aG
!e Dudged that he had no ti)e to stop any+here for dinner/ This
driving through the dar1ness +as a ti.1ish 'usiness/ It +as going
to ta1e onger to get 'a.1 to #ondon than he had thought/ It +as
Dust eight o".o.1 +hen he passed through !indhead and .a)e out
upon the ri) of the $evi"s Pun.h %o+/ There +as )oonight> and
the sno+ that had faen t+o days ago +as sti un)eted/
!e stopped the .ar and stood staring/ What did it )atter if he
didn"t get 'a.1 to #ondon unti )idnightA What did it )atter if he
never got 'a.1A !e +asn"t going to tear hi)sef a+ay fro) this a
at on.e/
!e got out of the .ar and approa.hed the edge/ There +as a path
+inding do+n te)ptingy near hi)/ (d+ard yieded to the spe/
For the neBt haf;hour he +andered deiriousy in a sno+'ound
+ord/ 0ever had he i)agined anything 8uite i1e this/ And it +as
his> his very o+n> given to hi) 'y his shining )istress +ho +aited
for hi) faithfuy on the road a'ove/
!e .i)'ed up again> got into the .ar and drove off> sti a itte
di??y fro) that dis.overy of sheer 'eauty +hi.h .o)es to the )ost
prosai. )en on.e in a +hie/
Then> +ith a sigh> he .a)e to hi)sef> and thrust his hand into the
po.1et of the .ar +here he had stuffed an additiona )uffer earier
in the day/
%ut the )uffer +as no onger there/ The po.1et +as e)pty/ 0o>
not .o)petey e)pty ; there +as so)ething s.rat.hy and hard ;
i1e pe''es/
(d+ard thrust his hand deep do+n/ In another )inute he +as
staring i1e a )an 'ereft of his senses/ The o'De.t that he hed in
his hand> danging fro) his fingers> +ith the )oonight stri1ing a
hundred fires fro) it> +as a dia)ond ne.1a.e/
(d+ard stared and stared/ %ut there +as no dou'ting possi'e/ A
dia)ond ne.1a.e +orth pro'a'y thousands of pounds 9for the
stones +ere arge ones: had 'een .asuay reposing in the side
po.1et of the .ar/
%ut +ho had put it thereA It had .ertainy not 'een there +hen he
started fro) to+n/ So)eone )ust have .o)e aong +hen he +as
+a1ing a'out in the sno+ and dei'eratey thrust it in/ %ut +hyA
Why .hoose his .arA !ad the o+ner of the ne.1a.e )ade a
)ista1eA <r +as it ; .oud it possi'y 'e ; a stoen ne.1a.eA
And then> as a these thoughts +ent +hiring through his 'rain>
(d+ard suddeny stiffened and +ent .od a over/ This +as not his
.ar/
It +as very i1e it> yes/ It +as the sa)e 'riiant shade of s.aretred
as the Mar.hesa %ian.a"s ips ; it had the sa)e ong and
gea)ing nose> 'ut 'y a thousand s)a signs> (d+ard reai?ed
that it +as not his .ar/ Its shining ne+ness +as s.arred here and
there> it 'ore signs> faint 'ut un)ista1a'e> of +ear and tear/ In
that .ase///
(d+ard> +ithout )ore ado> )ade haste to turn the .ar/ Turning
+as not his strong point/ With the gear in reverse> he invaria'y
ost his head and t+isted the +hee the +rong +ay/ Aso> he
fre8uenty 'e.a)e entanged 'et+een the a..eerator and the
foot 'ra1e +ith disastrous resuts/ In the end> ho+ever> he
su..eeded> and straighta+ay the .ar 'egan purring up the hi
again/
(d+ard re)e)'ered that there had 'een another .ar standing
so)e itte distan.e a+ay/ !e had not noti.ed it parti.uary at the
ti)e/ !e had returned fro) his +a1 'y a different path fro) that
'y +hi.h he had gone do+n into the hoo+/ This se.ond path had
'rought hi) out on the road i))ediatey 'ehind> as he had
thought> his o+n .ar/ It )ust reay have 'een the other one/
In a'out ten )inutes he +as on.e )ore at the spot +here he had
hated/ %ut there +as no+ no .ar at a 'y the roadside/ Whoever
had o+ned this .ar )ust no+ have gone off in (d+ard"s ; he aso>
perhaps> )ised 'y the rese)'an.e/
(d+ard too1 out the dia)ond ne.1a.e fro) his po.1et and et it
run through his fingers perpeBedy/
What to do neBtA &un on to the nearest poi.e stationA (Bpain the
.ir.u)stan.es> hand over the ne.1a.e> and give the nu)'er of
his o+n .ar/
%y the 'y> +hat +as the nu)'er of his .arA (d+ard thought and
thought> 'ut for the ife of hi) he .oudn"t re)e)'er/ !e fet a .od
sin1ing sensation/ !e +as going to oo1 the )ost utter foo at the
poi.e station/ There +as an eight in it> that +as a that he .oud
re)e)'er/ <f .ourse> it didn"t reay )atter ; at east/// !e oo1ed
un.o)forta'y at the dia)onds/ Supposing they shoud thin1 ; oh>
'ut they +oudn"t ; and yet again they )ight ; that he had stoen the
.ar and the dia)ondsA %e.ause> after a> +hen one .a)e to thin1
of it> +oud anyone in their senses thrust a vaua'e dia)ond
ne.1a.e .areessy into the open po.1et of a .arA
(d+ard got out and +ent round to the 'a.1 of the )otor/ Its
nu)'er +as Z&I663/ %eyond the fa.t that that +as .ertainy not
the nu)'er of his .ar> it .onveyed nothing to hi)/ Then he set to
+or1 syste)ati.ay to sear.h a the po.1ets/ In the one +here he
had found the dia)onds he )ade a dis.overy ; a s)a s.rap of
paper +ith so)e +ords pen.ied on it/ %y the ight of the
headights> (d+ard read the) easiy enough/
JMeet )e> ,reane> .orner of Sater"s #an.e> ten o".o.1/J
!e re)e)'ered the na)e ,reane/ !e had seen it on a signpost
earier in the day/ In a )inute> his )ind +as )ade up/ !e +oud go
to this viage> ,reane> find Sater"s #ane> )eet the person +ho had
+ritten the note> and eBpain the .ir.u)stan.es/ That +oud 'e
)u.h 'etter than oo1ing a foo in the o.a poi.e station/
!e started off a)ost happiy/ After a> this +as an adventure/ This
+as the sort of thing that didn"t happen every day/ The dia)ond
ne.1a.e )ade it eB.iting and )ysterious/
!e had so)e itte diffi.uty in finding ,reane> and sti )ore
diffi.uty in finding Sater"s #ane> 'ut after .aing at t+o .ottages>
he su..eeded/
Sti> it +as a fe+ )inutes after the appointed hour +hen he drove
.autiousy aong a narro+ road> 1eeping a sharp oo1out on the
eft;hand side> +here he had 'een tod Sater"s #ane 'ran.hed off/
!e .a)e upon it 8uite suddeny round a 'end> and even as he
dre+ up> a figure .a)e for+ard out of the dar1ness/
JAt astGJ a gir"s voi.e .ried/ JWhat an age you"ve 'een> ,eradGJ
As she spo1e> the gir stepped right into the gare of the
headights> and (d+ard .aught his 'reath/ She +as the )ost
gorious .reature he had ever seen/
She +as 8uite young> +ith hair 'a.1 as night> and +onderfu
s.aret ips/ The heavy .oa1 that she +ore s+ung open> and
(d+ard sa+ that she +as in fu evening dress ; a 1ind of fa)e;
.ooured sheath> outining her perfe.t 'ody/ &ound her ne.1 +as a
ro+ of eB8uisite pears/
Suddeny the gir started/
JWhy>J she .riedI Jit isn"t ,erad/J
J0o>J said (d+ard hastiy/ JI )ust eBpain/J !e too1 the dia)ond
ne.1a.e fro) his po.1et and hed it out to her/ JMy na)e is
(d+ard ;J
!e got no further> for the gir .apped her hands and 'ro1e inH
J(d+ard> of .ourseG I a) so gad/ %ut that idiot *i))y tod )e over
the phone that he +as sending ,erad aong +ith the .ar/ It"s
a+fuy sporting of you to .o)e/ I"ve 'een dying to )eet you/
&e)e)'er I haven"t seen you sin.e I +as siB years od/ I see
you"ve got the ne.1a.e a right/ Shove it in your po.1et again/ The
viage poi.e)an )ight .o)e aong and see it/ %rrr> it"s .od as i.e
+aiting hereG #et )e get in/J
As though in a drea) (d+ard opened the door> and she sprang
ighty in 'eside hi)/ !er furs s+ept his .hee1> and an eusive
s.ent> i1e that of vioets after rain> assaied his nostris/
!e had no pan> no definite thought even/ In a )inute> +ithout
.ons.ious voition> he had yieded hi)sef to the adventure/ She
had .aed hi) (d+ard ; +hat )atter if he +ere the +rong
(d+ardA She +oud find hi) out soon enough/ In the )eanti)e> et
the ga)e go on/ !e et in the .ut.h and they gided off/
Presenty the gir aughed/ !er augh +as Dust as +onderfu as the
rest of her/
JIt"s easy to see you don"t 1no+ )u.h a'out .ars/ I suppose they
don"t have the) out thereAJ
JI +onder +here "out there" isAJ thought (d+ard/ Aoud he said>
J0ot )u.h/J
J%etter et )e drive>J said the gir/ JIt"s tri.1y +or1 finding your
+ay round these anes unti +e get on the )ain road again/J
!e rein8uished his pa.e to her gady/ Presenty they +ere
hu))ing through the night at a pa.e and +ith a re.1essness that
se.rety appaed (d+ard/ She turned her head to+ards hi)/
JI i1e pa.e/ $o youA @ou 1no+ ; you"re not a 'it i1e ,erad/ 0o one
+oud ever ta1e you to 'e 'rothers/ @ou"re not a 'it i1e +hat I
i)agined> either/J
JI suppose>J said (d+ard> Jthat I") so .o)petey ordinary/ Is that
itAJ
J0ot ordinary ; different/ I .an"t )a1e you out/ !o+"s poor od
*i))yA 7ery fed;up> I supposeAJ
J<h> *i))y"s a right>J said (d+ard/
JIt"s easy enough to say that ; 'ut it"s rough u.1 on hi) having a
sprained an1e/ $id he te you the +hoe storyAJ
J0ot a +ord/ I") .o)petey in the dar1/ I +ish you"d enighten )e/J
J<h> the thing +or1ed i1e a drea)/ *i))y +ent in at the front
door> togged up in his gir"s .othes/ I gave hi) a )inute or t+o>
and then s1inned up to the +indo+/ Agnes #area"s )aid +as
there aying out Agnes"s dress and De+es> and a the rest/ Then
there +as a great ye do+nstairs> and the s8ui' +ent off> and
everyone shouted fire/ The )aid dashed out> and I hopped in>
heped )ysef to the ne.1a.e> and +as out and do+n in a fash>
and out of the pa.e the 'a.1 +ay a.ross the Pun.h %o+/ I shoved
the ne.1a.e and the noti.e +here to pi.1 )e up in the po.1et of
the .ar in passing/ Then I Doined #ouise at the hote> having shed
)y sno+ 'oots> of .ourse/ Perfe.t ai'i for )e/ She"d no idea I"d
'een out at a/J
JAnd +hat a'out *i))yAJ
JWe> you 1no+ )ore a'out that than I do/J
JWe> in the genera rag> he .aught his foot in his s1irt and
)anaged to sprain it/ They had to .arry hi) to the .ar> and the
#areas" .hauffeur drove hi) ho)e/ *ust fan.y if the .hauffeur had
happened to put his hand in the po.1etGJ
(d+ard aughed +ith her> 'ut his )ind +as 'usy/ !e understood
the position )ore or ess no+/ The na)e of #area +as vaguey
fa)iiar to hi) ; it +as a na)e that spet +eath/ This gir> and an
un1no+n )an .aed *i))y> had .onspired together to stea the
ne.1a.e> and had su..eeded/ <+ing to his sprained an1e and the
presen.e of the #areas" .hauffeur> *i))y had not 'een a'e to
oo1 in the po.1et of the .ar 'efore teephoning to the gir ;
pro'a'y had had no +ish to do so/ %ut it +as a)ost .ertain that
the other un1no+n J,eradJ +oud do so at any eary opportunity/
And in it> he +oud find (d+ard"s )ufferG
J,ood going>J said the gir/
A train fashed past the)> they +ere on the outs1irts of #ondon/
They fashed in and out of the traffi./ (d+ard"s heart stood in his
)outh/ She +as a +onderfu driver> this gir> 'ut she too1 ris1sG
4uarter of an hour ater they dre+ up 'efore an i)posing house in
a frigid s8uare/
JWe .an shed so)e of our .othing here>J said the gir> J'efore +e
go on to &itson"s/J
J&itson"sAJ 8ueried (d+ard/ !e )entioned the fa)ous night.u'
a)ost reverenty/
J@es> didn"t ,erad te youAJ
J!e did not>J said (d+ard gri)y/ JWhat a'out )y .othesAJ
She fro+ned/
J$idn"t they te you anythingA We" rig you up so)eho+/ We"ve got
to .arry this through/J
A statey 'uter opened the door and stood aside to et the) enter/
JMr ,erad Cha)pneys rang up> your adyship/ !e +as very
anBious to spea1 to you> 'ut he +oudn"t eave a )essage/J
JI 'et he +as anBious to spea1 to her>J said (d+ard to hi)sef/ JAt
any rate> I 1no+ )y fu na)e no+/ (d+ard Cha)pneys/ %ut +ho is
sheA @our adyship> they .aed her/ What does she +ant to stea a
ne.1a.e forA %ridge de'tsAJ
In the )aga?ine stories +hi.h he o..asionay read> the 'eautifu
and tited heroine +as a+ays driven desperate 'y 'ridge de'ts/
(d+ard +as ed a+ay 'y the statey 'uter and deivered over to a
s)ooth;)annered vaet/ A 8uarter of an hour ater he reDoined his
hostess in the ha> eB8uisitey attired in evening .othes )ade in
Savie &o+ +hi.h fitted hi) to a ni.ety/
!eavensG What a nightG
They drove in the .ar to the fa)ous &itson"s/ In .o))on +ith
everyone ese> (d+ard had read s.andaous paragraphs
.on.erning &itson"s/ Anyone +ho +as anyone turned up at
&itson"s sooner or ater/ (d+ard"s ony fear +as that so)eone +ho
1ne+ the rea (d+ard Cha)pneys )ight turn up/ !e .onsoed
hi)sef 'y the refe.tion that the rea )an had evidenty 'een out
of (ngand for so)e years/
Sitting at a itte ta'e against the +a> they sipped .o.1tais/
Co.1taisG To the si)pe (d+ard they represented the
8uintessen.e of the fast ife/ The gir> +rapped in a +onderfu
e)'roidered sha+> sipped non.haanty/ Suddeny she dropped
the sha+ fro) her shouders and rose/
J#et"s dan.e/J
0o+ the one thing that (d+ard .oud do to perfe.tion +as to
dan.e/ When he and Maud too1 the foor together at the Paais de
$anse> esser ights stood sti and +at.hed in ad)iration/
JI neary forgot>J said the gir suddeny/ JThe ne.1a.eAJ
She hed out her hand/ (d+ard> .o)petey 'e+idered dre+ it
fro) his po.1et and gave it to her/ To his utter a)a?e)ent> she
.ooy .asped it round her ne.1/ Then she s)ied up at hi)
intoBi.atingy/
J0o+>J she said softy> J+e" dan.e/J
They dan.ed/ And in a &itson"s nothing )ore perfe.t .oud 'e
seen/
Then> as at ength they returned to their ta'e> an od gente)an
+ith a +oud;'e ra1ish air a..osted (d+ard"s .o)panion/
JAhG #ady 0oreen> a+ays dan.ingG @es> yes/ Is Captain Foiot
here tonightAJ
J*i))y"s ta1en a toss ; ra.1ed his an1e/J
J@ou don"t say soA !o+ did that happenAJ
J0o detais as yet/J
She aughed and passed on/
(d+ard foo+ed> his 'rain in a +hir/ !e 1ne+ no+/ #ady 0oreen
(iot> the fa)ous #ady 0oreen hersef> perhaps the )ost ta1ed;of
gir in (ngand/ Cee'rated for her 'eauty> for her daring ; the
eader of that set 1no+n as the %right @oung Peope/ !er
engage)ent to Captain *a)es Foiot> 7/C/> of the !ousehod
Cavary> had 'een re.enty announ.ed/
%ut the ne.1a.eA !e sti .oudn"t understand the ne.1a.e/ !e
)ust ris1 giving hi)sef a+ay> 'ut 1no+ he )ust/
As they sat do+n again> he pointed to it/
JWhy that> 0oreenAJ he said/ JTe )e +hyAJ
She s)ied drea)iy> her eyes far a+ay> the spe of the dan.e sti
hoding her/
JIt"s diffi.ut for you to understand> I suppose/ <ne gets so tired to
the sa)e thing ; a+ays the sa)e thing/ Treasure hunts +ere a
very +e for a +hie> 'ut one gets used to everything/ "%urgaries"
+ere )y idea/ Fifty pounds" entran.e fee> and ots to 'e dra+n/
This is the third/ *i))y and I dre+ Agnes #area/ @ou 1no+ the
ruesA %urgary to 'e .arried out +ithin three days and the oot to
'e +orn for at east an hour in a pu'i. pa.e> or you forfeit your
sta1e and a hundred;pound fine/ It"s rough u.1 on *i))y
spraining his an1e> 'ut +e" s.oop the poo a right/J
JI see>J said (d+ard> dra+ing a deep 'reath/ JI see/J
0oreen rose suddeny> puing her sha+ round her/
J$rive )e so)e+here in the .ar/ $o+n to the do.1s/ So)e+here
horri'e and eB.iting/ Wait a )inute ;J She rea.hed up and
un.asped the dia)onds fro) her ne.1/ J@ou"d 'etter ta1e these
again/ I don"t +ant to 'e )urdered for the)/J
They +ent out of &itson"s together/ The .ar stood in a s)a 'ystreet>
narro+ and dar1/ As they turned the .orner to+ards it>
another .ar dre+ up to the .ur'> and a young )an sprang out/
JThan1 the #ord> 0oreen> I"ve got hod of you at ast>J he .ried/
JThere"s the devi to pay/ That ass *i))y got off +ith the +rong
.ar/ ,od 1no+s +here those dia)onds are at this )inute/ We"re in
the devi of a )ess/J
#ady 0oreen stared at hi)/
JWhat do you )eanA We"ve got the dia)onds ; at east (d+ard
has/J
J(d+ardAJ
J@es/J She )ight a sight gesture to indi.ate the figure 'y her side/
JIt"s I +ho a) in the devi of a )ess>J thought (d+ard/ JTen to one
this is 'rother ,erad/J
The young )an stared at hi)/
JWhat do you )eanAJ he said so+y/ J(d+ard"s in S.otand/J
J<hGJ .ried the gir/ She stared at (d+ard/ J<hGJ
!er .oour .a)e and +ent/
JSo you>J she said in a o+ voi.e> Jare the rea thingAJ
It too1 (d+ard Dust one )inute to grasp the situation/ There +as
a+e in the gir"s eyes ; +as it> .oud it 'e ; ad)irationA Shoud he
eBpainA 0othing so ta)eG !e +oud pay up to the end/
!e 'o+ed .ere)oniousy/
JI have to than1 you> #ady 0oreen>J he said in the 'est
high+ay)an )anner> Jfor a )ost deightfu evening/J
<ne 8ui.1 oo1 he .ast at the .ar fro) +hi.h the other had Dust
aighted/ A s.aret .ar +ith a shining 'onnet/ !is .arG
JAnd I +i +ish you good evening/J
<ne 8ui.1 spring and he +as inside> his foot on the .ut.h/ The .ar
started for+ard/ ,erad stood paray?ed> 'ut the gir +as 8ui.1er/
As the .ar sid past> she eapt for it> aighting on the running 'oard/
The .ar s+erved> shot 'indy round the .orner and pued up>
0oreen> sti panting fro) her spring> aid her hand on (d+ard"s
ar)/
J@ou )ust give it )e ; oh> you )ust give it )e/ I"ve got to return it
to Agnes #area/ %e a sport ; +e"ve had a good evening together ;
+e"ve dan.ed ; +e"ve 'een ; pas/ Won"t you give it to )eA To )eAJ
A +o)an +ho intoBi.ated you +ith her 'eauty/ There +ere su.h
+o)en then///
Aso> (d+ard +as ony too anBious to get rid of the ne.1a.e/ It
+as a heaven;sent opportunity for a 'eau geste/
!e too1 it fro) his po.1et and dropped it into her outstret.hed
hand/
JWe"ve 'een ; pas>J he said/
JAhGJ !er eyes s)oudered ; it up/
Then surprisingy she 'ent her head to hi)/ For a )o)ent he hed
her> her ips against his///
Then she Du)ped off/ The s.aret .ar sped for+ard +ith a great
eap/
&o)an.eG
AdventureG
At t+eve o".o.1 on Christ)as $ay> (d+ard &o'inson strode into
the tiny dra+ing roo) of a house in Capha)> +ith the .usto)ary
greeting of JMerry Christ)as/J
Maud> +ho +as rearranging a pie.e of hoy> greeted hi) .ody/
J!ave a good day in the .ountry +ith that friend of yoursAJ she
in8uired/
J#oo1 here>J said (d+ard/ JThat +as a ie I tod you/ I +on a
.o)petition ; /F66> and I 'ought a .ar +ith it/ I didn"t te you
'e.ause I 1ne+ you"d 1i.1 up a ro+ a'out it/ That"s the first thing/
I"ve 'ought the .ar and there"s nothing )ore to 'e said a'out it/
The se.ond thing is this ; I") not going to hang a'out for years/ My
prospe.ts are 8uite good enough and I )ean to )arry you neBt
)onth/ SeeAJ
J<hGJ said Maud fainty/
Was this ; .oud this 'e ; (d+ard spea1ing in this )asterfu
fashionA
JWi youAJ said (d+ard/ J@es or noAJ
She ga?ed at hi)> fas.inated/ There +as a+e and ad)iration in
her eyes> and the sight of that oo1 +as intoBi.ating to (d+ard/
,one +as that patient )otheriness +hi.h had roused hi) to
eBasperation/
So had the #ady 0oreen oo1ed at hi) ast night/ %ut the #ady
0oreen had re.eded far a+ay> right into the region of &o)an.e>
side 'y side +ith the Mar.hesa %ian.a/ This +as the &ea Thing/
This +as his +o)an/
J@es or noAJ he repeated> and dre+ a step nearer/
J@e;ye;es>J fatered Maud/ J%ut> oh> (d+ard> +hat has happened
to youA @ou"re 8uite different today/J
J@es>J said (d+ard/ JFor t+enty;four hours I"ve 'een a )an
instead of a +or) ; and> 'y ,od> it paysGJ
!e .aught her in his ar)s a)ost as %i the super)an )ight have
done/
J$o you ove )e> MaudA Te )e> do you ove )eAJ
J<h> (d+ardGJ 'reathed Maud/ JI adore you///J
ACCI$(0T
JAnd I te you this ; it"s the sa)e +o)an ; not a dou't of itGJ
Captain !aydo.1 oo1ed into the eager> vehe)ent fa.e of his
friend and sighed/ !e +ished (vans +oud not 'e so positive and
so Du'iant/ In the .ourse of a .areer spent at sea> the od sea
.aptain had earned to eave things that did not .on.ern hi) +e
aone/ !is friend (vans> ate C/I/$/ Inspe.tor> had a different
phiosophy of ife/ JA.ting on infor)ation re.eived ;J had 'een his
)otto in eary days> and he had i)proved upon it to the eBtent of
finding out his o+n infor)ation/ Inspe.tor (vans had 'een a very
s)art> +ide;a+a1e offi.er> and had Dusty earned the pro)otion
+hi.h had 'een his/ (ven no+> +hen he had retired fro) the for.e>
and had setted do+n in the .ountry .ottage of his drea)s> his
professiona instin.t +as sti a.tive/
J$on"t often forget a fa.e>J he reiterated .o)pa.enty/ JMrs
Anthony ; yes> it"s Mrs Anthony right enough/ When you said Mrs
Merro+dene ; I 1ne+ her at on.e/J
Captain !aydo.1 stirred uneasiy/ The Merro+denes +ere his
nearest neigh'ors> 'arring (vans hi)sef> and this identifying of
Mrs Merro+dene +ith a for)er heroine of a .ause .//'re
distressed hi)/
JIt"s a ong ti)e ago>J he said rather +ea1y/
J0ine years>J said (vans> a..urate as ever/ J0ine years and three
)onths/ @ou re)e)'er the .aseAJ
JIn a vague sort of +ay/J
JAnthony turned out to 'e an arseni. eater>J said (vans> Jso they
a.8uitted her/J
JWe> +hy shoudn"t theyAJ
J0o reason in the +ord/ <ny verdi.t they .oud give on the
eviden.e/ A'soutey .orre.t/J
JThen> that"s a right>J said !aydo.1/ JAnd I don"t see +hat +e"re
'othering a'out/J
JWho"s 'otheringAJ
JI thought you +ere/J
J0ot at a/J
JThe thing"s over and done +ith>J su))ed up the Captain/ JIf Mrs
Merro+dene at one ti)e of her ife +as unfortunate enough to 'e
tried and a.8uitted of )urder ;J
JIt"s not usuay .onsidered unfortunate to 'e a.8uitted>J put in
(vans/
J@ou 1no+ +hat I )ean>J said Captain !aydo.1> irrita'y/ JIf the
poor ady has 'een through that harro+ing eBperien.e> it"s no
'usiness of ours to ra1e it up> is itAJ
(vans did not ans+er/
JCo)e no+> (vans/ The ady +as inno.ent ; you"ve Dust said so/J
JI didn"t say she +as inno.ent/ I said she +as a.8uitted/J
JIt"s the sa)e thing/J
J0ot a+ays/J
Captain !aydo.1> +ho had .o))en.ed to tap his pipe out against
the side of his .hair> stopped> and sat up +ith a very aert
eBpressionH
J!uo;uo;uo>J he said/ JThe +ind"s in that 8uarter> is itA @ou
thin1 she +asn"t inno.entAJ
JI +oudn"t say that/ I Dust ; don"t 1no+/ Anthony +as in the ha'it of
ta1ing arseni./ !is +ife got it for hi)/ <ne day> 'y )ista1e> he
ta1es far too )u.h/ Was the )ista1e his or his +ife"sA 0o'ody
.oud te> and the Dury very propery gave her the 'enefit of the
dou't/ That"s a 8uite right and I") not finding faut +ith it/ A the
sa)e ; I"d i1e to 1no+/J
Captain !aydo.1 transferred his attention to his pipe on.e )ore/
JWe>J he said .o)forta'y> Jit"s none of our 'usiness/J
JI") not so sure///J
J%ut> surey ;J
J#isten to )e a )inute/ This )an> Merro+dene ; in his a'oratory
this evening> fidding round +ith tests ; you re)e)'er ;J
J@es/ !e )entioned Marsh"s test for arseni./ Said you +oud 1no+
a a'out it ; it +as in your ine ; and .hu.1ed/ !e +oudn"t have
said that if he"d thought for one )o)ent ;J
(vans interrupted hi)/
J@ou )ean he +oudn"t have said that if he 1ne+/ They"ve 'een
)arried ho+ ong;siB years> you tod )eA I 'et you anything he has
no idea his +ife is the on.e notorious Mrs Anthony/J
JAnd he +i .ertainy not 1no+ it fro) )e>J said Captain !aydo.1
stiffy/
(vans paid no attention> 'ut +ent on/
J@ou interrupted )e Dust no+/ After Marsh"s test> Merro+dene
heated a su'stan.e in a test tu'e> the )etai. residue he
dissoved in +ater and then pre.ipitated it 'y adding siver nitrate/
That +as a test for .horates/ A neat> unassu)ing itte test/ %ut I
.han.ed to read these +ords in a 'oo1 that stood open on the
ta'e/ !2S<4 de.o)poses .horates +ith evoution of C2<4/ If
heated> vioent eBposions o..ur> the )iBture ought therefore to 'e
1ept .oo and ony very s)a 8uantities used/J
!aydo.1 stared at his friend/
JWe> +hat a'out itAJ
J*ust this/ In )y profession +e"ve got tests> too ; tests for )urder/
There"s adding up the fa.ts ; +eighing the)> disse.ting the
residue +hen you"ve ao+ed for preDudi.e and the genera
ina..ura.y of +itnesses/ %ut there"s another test for )urder ; one
that is fairy a..urate> 'ut rather ; dangerousG A )urderer is
sedo) .ontent +ith one .ri)e/ ,ive hi) ti)e and a a.1 of
suspi.ion and he" .o))it another/ @ou .at.h a )an ; has he
)urdered his +ife or hasn"t heA ; perhaps the .ase isn"t very 'a.1
against hi)/ #oo1 into his past ; if you find that he"s had severa
+ives ; and that they"ve a died> sha +e say ; rather .uriousyA ;
then you 1no+G I") not spea1ing egay> you understand/ I")
spea1ing of )ora .ertainty/ <n.e you 1no+> you .an go ahead
oo1ing for eviden.e/J
JWeAJ
JI") .o)ing to the point/ That"s a right if there is a past to oo1
into/ %ut suppose you .at.h your )urderer at his or her first
.ri)eA Then that test +i 'e one fro) +hi.h you get no rea.tion/
%ut the prisoner a.8uitted ; starting ife under another na)e/ Wi
or +i not the )urderer repeat the .ri)eAJ
JThat"s a horri'e idea/J
J$o you sti say it"s none of our 'usinessAJ
J@es> I do/ @ou"ve no reason to thin1 that Mrs Merro+dene is
anything 'ut a perfe.ty inno.ent +o)an/J
The eB;Inspe.tor +as sient for a )o)ent/ Then he said so+yH
JI tod you that +e oo1ed into her past and found nothing/ That"s
not 8uite true/ There +as a stepfather/ As a gir of eighteen she
had a fan.y for so)e young )an ; and her stepfather eBerted his
authority to 1eep the) apart/ She and her stepfather +ent for a
+a1 aong a rather dangerous part of the .iff/ There +as an
a..ident ; the stepfather +ent too near the edge ; it gave +ay and
he +ent over and +as 1ied/J
J@ou don"t thin1 ;J
JIt +as an a..ident/ A..identG Anthony"s overdose of arseni. +as
an a..ident/ She"d never have 'een tried if it hadn"t transpired that
there +as another )an ; he sheered off> 'y the +ay/ #oo1ed as
though he +eren"t satisfied even if the Dury +ere/ I te you>
!aydo.1> +here that +o)an is .on.erned I") afraid of another ;
a..identGJ
The od Captain shrugged his shouders/
JWe> I don"t 1no+ ho+ you"re going to guard against that/J
J0either do I>J said (vans ruefuy/
JI shoud eave +e enough aone>J said Captain !aydo.1/ J0o
good ever .a)e of 'utting into other peope"s affairs/J
%ut that advi.e +as not paata'e to the eB;Inspe.tor/ !e +as a
)an of patien.e 'ut deter)ination/ Ta1ing eave of his friend> he
sauntered do+n to the viage> revoving in his )ind the
possi'iities of so)e 1ind of su..essfu a.tion/
Turning into the post offi.e to 'uy so)e sta)ps> he ran into the
o'De.t of his soi.itude> ,eorge Merro+dene/ The eB;.he)istry
professor +as a s)a> drea)y;oo1ing )an> gente and 1indy in
)anner> and usuay .o)petey a'sent;)inded/ !e re.ogni?ed the
other and greeted hi) a)i.a'y> stooping to re.over the etters
that the i)pa.t had .aused hi) to drop on the ground/ (vans
stooped aso and> )ore rapid in his )ove)ents than the other>
se.ured the) first> handing the) 'a.1 to their o+ner +ith an
apoogy/
!e gan.ed do+n at the) in doing so> and the address on the
top)ost suddeny a+a1ened a his suspi.ions ane+/ It 'ore the
na)e of a +e;1no+n insuran.e fir)/
Instanty his )ind +as )ade up/ The guieess ,eorge Merro+dene
hardy reai?ed ho+ it .a)e a'out that he and the eB;Inspe.tor
+ere stroing do+n the viage together> and sti ess .oud he
have said ho+ it .a)e a'out that the .onversation shoud .o)e
round to the su'De.t of ife insuran.e/
(vans had no diffi.uty in attaining his o'De.t/ Merro+dene of his
o+n a..ord vounteered the infor)ation that he had Dust insured
his ife for his +ife"s 'enefit> and as1ed (vans"s opinion of the
.o)pany in 8uestion/
JI )ade so)e rather un+ise invest)ents>J he eBpained/ JAs a
resut> )y in.o)e has di)inished/ If anything +ere to happen to
)e> )y +ife +oud 'e eft very 'ady off/ This insuran.e +i put
things right/J
JShe didn"t o'De.t to the ideaAJ in8uired (vans .asuay/ JSo)e
adies do> you 1no+/ Fee it"s unu.1y ; that sort of thing/J
J<h> Margaret is very pra.ti.a>J said Merro+dene> s)iing/ J0ot
at a superstitious/ In fa.t> I 'eieve it +as her idea originay/ She
didn"t i1e )y 'eing so +orried/J
(vans had got the infor)ation he +anted/ !e eft the other shorty
after+ards> and his ips +ere set in a gri) ine/ The ate Mr
Anthony had insured his ife in his +ife"s favor a fe+ +ee1s 'efore
his death/
A..usto)ed to rey on his instin.ts> he +as perfe.ty sure in his
o+n )ind/ %ut ho+ to a.t +as another )atter/ !e +anted> not to
arrest a .ri)ina red;handed> 'ut to prevent a .ri)e 'eing
.o))itted and that +as a very different and a very )u.h )ore
diffi.ut thing/
A day he +as very thoughtfu/ There +as a Pri)rose #eague F/te
that afternoon hed in the grounds of the o.a s8uire> and he +ent
to it> induging in the penny dip> guessing the +eight of a pig> and
shying at .o.onuts> a +ith the sa)e oo1 of a'stra.ted
.on.entration on his fa.e/ !e even induged in haf a .ro+n"s
+orth of Vara the Crysta ,a?er> s)iing a itte to hi)sef as he did
so> re)e)'ering his o+n a.tivities against fortune;teers in his
offi.ia days/
!e did not pay very )u.h heed to her singsong> droning voi.e ti
the end of a senten.e hed his attention/
J; and you +i very shorty ; very shorty indeed;'e engaged on a
)atter of ife or death ; ife or death to one person/J
J(h ; +hat"s thatAJ he as1ed a'rupty/
JA de.ision ; you have a de.ision to )a1e/ @ou )ust 'e very
.arefu ; very> very .arefu/// If you +ere to )a1e a )ista1e ; the
s)aest )ista1e ;J
J@esAJ
The fortune;teer shivered/ Inspe.tor (vans 1ne+ it +as a
nonsense> 'ut he +as nevertheess i)pressed/
JI +arn you ; you )ust not )a1e a )ista1e/ If you do> I see the
resut .eary> a death///J
<dd> da)ned oddG A death/ Fan.y her ighting upon thatG
JIf I )a1e a )ista1e a death +i resutA Is that itAJ
J@es/J
JIn that .ase>J said (vans> rising to his feet and handing over haf a
.ro+n> JI )ustn"t )a1e a )ista1e> ehAJ
!e spo1e ighty enough> 'ut as he +ent out of the tent> his Da+ set
deter)inedy/ (asy to say ; not so easy to 'e sure of doing/ !e
)ustn"t )a1e a sip/ A ife> a vaua'e hu)an ife depended on it/
And there +as no one to hep hi)/ !e oo1ed a.ross at the figure of
his friend !aydo.1 in the distan.e/ 0o hep there/ J#eave things
aone>J +as !aydo.1"s )otto/ And that +oudn"t do here/
!aydo.1 +as ta1ing to a +o)an/ She )oved a+ay fro) hi) and
.a)e to+ards (vans> and the Inspe.tor re.ogni?ed her/ It +as Mrs
Merro+dene/ <n an i)puse he put hi)sef dei'eratey in her
path/
Mrs Merro+dene +as rather a fine;oo1ing +o)an/ She had a
'road serene 'ro+> very 'eautifu 'ro+n eyes> and a pa.id
eBpression/ She had the oo1 of an Itaian Madonna +hi.h she
heightened 'y parting her hair in the )idde and ooping it over her
ears/ She had a deep> rather seepy voi.e/
She s)ied up at (vans> a .ontented> +e.o)ing s)ie/
JI thought it +as you> Mrs Anthony ; I )ean Mrs Merro+dene>J he
said gi'y/
!e )ade the sip dei'eratey> +at.hing her +ithout see)ing to do
so/ !e sa+ her eyes +iden> heard the 8ui.1 inta1e of her 'reath/
%ut her eyes did not fater/ She ga?ed at hi) steadiy and proudy/
JI +as oo1ing for )y hus'and>J she said 8uiety/ J!ave you seen
hi) any+here a'outAJ
J!e +as over in that dire.tion +hen I ast sa+ hi)/J
They +ent side 'y side in the dire.tion indi.ated> .hatting 8uiety
and peasanty/ The Inspe.tor fet his ad)iration )ounting/ What a
+o)anG What sef;.o))andG What +onderfu poiseG A re)ar1a'e
+o)an ; and a very dangerous one/ !e fet sure ; a very dangerous
one/
!e sti fet very uneasy> though he +as satisfied +ith his initia
step/ !e had et her 1no+ that he re.ogni?ed her/ That +oud put
her on her guard/ She +oud not dare atte)pt anything rash/ There
+as the 8uestion of Merro+dene/ If he .oud 'e +arned///
They found the itte )an a'senty .onte)pating a .hina do
+hi.h had faen to his share in the penny dip/ !is +ife suggested
ho)e and he agreed eagery/ Mrs Merro+dene turned to the
Inspe.tor/
JWon"t you .o)e 'a.1 +ith us and have a 8uiet .up of tea> Mr
(vansAJ
Was there a faint note of .haenge in her voi.eA !e thought there
+as/
JThan1 you> Mrs Merro+dene/ I shoud i1e to very )u.h/J
They +a1ed there> ta1ing together of peasant ordinary things/
The sun shone> a 'ree?e 'e+ genty> everything around the) +as
peasant and ordinary/
Their )aid +as out at the F/te> Mrs Merro+dene eBpained> +hen
they arrived at the .har)ing <d Word .ottage/ She +ent into her
roo) to re)ove her hat> returning to set out tea and 'oi the 1ette
on a itte siver a)p/ Fro) a shef near the firepa.e she too1
three s)a 'o+s and sau.ers/
JWe have so)e very spe.ia Chinese tea>J she eBpained/ JAnd +e
a+ays drin1 it in the Chinese )anner ; out of 'o+s> not .ups/J
She 'ro1e off> peered into a .up> and eB.hanged it for another>
+ith an eB.a)ation of annoyan.e/
J,eorge ; it"s too 'ad of you/ @ou"ve 'een ta1ing these 'o+s
again/J
JI") sorry> dear>J said the professor apoogeti.ay/ JThey"re su.h
a .onvenient si?e/ The ones I ordered haven"t .o)e/J
J<ne of these days you" poison us a>J said his +ife +ith a haf
augh/ JMary finds the) in the a'oratory and 'rings the) 'a.1
here and never trou'es to +ash the) out uness they"ve
so)ething very noti.ea'e in the)/ Why> you +ere using one of
the) for potassiu) .yanide the other day/ &eay> ,eorge> it"s
frightfuy dangerous/J
Merro+dene oo1ed a itte irritated/
JMary"s no 'usiness to re)ove things fro) the a'oratory/ She"s
not to tou.h anything there/J
J%ut +e often eave our tea.ups there after tea/ !o+ is she to
1no+A %e reasona'e> dear/J
The professor +ent into his a'oratory> )ur)uring to hi)sef> and
+ith a s)ie/ Mrs Merro+dene poured 'oiing +ater on the tea and
'e+ out the fa)e of the itte siver a)p/
(vans +as pu??ed/ @et a gi))ering of ight penetrated to hi)/
For so)e reason or other> Mrs Merro+dene +as sho+ing her
hand/ Was this to 'e the Ja..identJA Was she spea1ing of a this
so as dei'eratey to prepare her ai'i 'eforehand/ So that +hen>
one day> the Ja..identJ happened> he +oud 'e for.ed to give
eviden.e in her favor/ Stupid of her> if so> 'e.ause 'efore that ;
Suddeny he dre+ in his 'reath/ She had poured the tea into the
three 'o+s/ <ne she set 'efore hi)> one 'efore hersef> the other
she pa.ed on a itte ta'e 'y the fire near the .hair her hus'and
usuay sat in> and it +as as she pa.ed this ast one on the ta'e
that a itte strange s)ie .urved round her ips/ It +as the s)ie
that did it
!e 1ne+G
A re)ar1a'e +o)an ; a dangerous +o)an/ 0o +aiting ; no
preparation/ This afternoon ; this very afternoon ; +ith hi) here as
+itness/ The 'odness of it too1 his 'reath a+ay/
It +as .ever ; it +as da)na'y .ever/ !e +oud 'e a'e to prove
nothing/ She .ounted on his not suspe.ting ; si)py 'e.ause it +as
Jso soon/J A +o)an of ightning rapidity of thought and a.tion/
!e dre+ a deep 'reath and eaned for+ard/
JMrs Merro+dene> I") a )an of 8ueer +hi)s/ Wi you 'e very 1ind
and induge )e in one of the)AJ
She oo1ed in8uiring 'ut unsuspi.ious/
!e rose> too1 the 'o+ fro) in front of her> and .rossed to the itte
ta'e> +here he su'stituted it for the other/ This other he 'rought
'a.1 and pa.ed in front of her/
JI +ant to see you drin1 this/J
!er eyes )et his/ They +ere steady> unfatho)a'e/ The .oor
so+y drained fro) her fa.e/
She stret.hed out her hand> raised the .up/ !e hed his 'reath/
Supposing a aong he had )ade a )ista1e/
She raised it to her ips ; at the ast )o)ent> +ith a shudder she
eaned for+ard and 8ui.1y poured it into a pot .ontaining a fern/
Then she sat 'a.1 and ga?ed at hi) defianty/
!e dre+ a ong sigh of reief> and sat do+n again/
JWeAJ she said/
!er voi.e had atered/ It +as sighty )o.1ing ; defiant/
!e ans+ered her so'ery and 8uiety/
J@ou are a very .ever +o)an> Mrs Merro+dene/ I thin1 you
understand )e/ There )ust 'e no ; repetition/ @ou 1no+ +hat I
)eanAJ
JI 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
!er voi.e +as even> devoid of eBpression/ !e nodded his head>
satisfied/ She +as a .ever +o)an> and she didn"t +ant to 'e
'anged/
JTo your ong ife and to that of your hus'and>J he said
signifi.anty and raised his tea to his ips/ Then his fa.e .hanged/ It
.ontorted horri'y/// he tried to rise ; to .ry out/// !is 'ody
stiffened ; his fa.e +ent purpe/ !e fe 'a.1 spra+ing over the
.hair ; his i)'s .onvused/
Mrs Merro+dene eaned for+ard> +at.hing hi)/ A itte s)ie
.rossed her ips/ She spo1e to hi) ; very softy and genty/
J@ou )ade a )ista1e> Mr (vans/ @ou thought I +anted to 1i
,eorge/// !o+ stupid of you ; ho+ very stupid/J
She sat there a )inute onger oo1ing at the dead )an> the third
)an +ho had threatened to .ross her path and separate her fro)
the )an she oved///
!er s)ie 'roadened/ She oo1ed )ore than ever i1e a Madonna/
Then she raised her voi.e and .aed/
J,eorge ; ,eorge/// <hG $o .o)e here/ I") afraid there"s 'een the
)ost dreadfu a..ident/// Poor Mr (vans///J
*A0( I0 S(A&C! <F A *<%
*ane Ceveand rusted the pages of the $aiy #eader and sighed ;
a deep sigh that .a)e fro) the inner)ost re.esses of her 'eing/
She oo1ed +ith distaste at the )ar'e;topped ta'e> the poa.hed
egg on toast +hi.h reposed on it> and the s)a pot of tea/ 0ot
'e.ause she +as not hungry/ That +as far fro) 'eing the .ase/
*ane +as eBtre)ey hungry/ At that )o)ent she fet i1e
.onsu)ing a pound and a haf of +e;.oo1ed 'eefstea1> +ith .hip
potatoes> and possi'y Fren.h 'eans/ The +hoe +ashed do+n
+ith so)e )ore eB.iting vintage than tea/
%ut young +o)en +hose eB.he8uers are in a parous .ondition
.annot 'e .hoosers/ *ane +as u.1y to 'e a'e to order a poa.hed
egg and a pot of tea/ It see)ed uni1ey that she +oud 'e a'e to
do so to)orro+/ That is uness ;
She turned on.e )ore to the advertise)ent .ou)ns of the $aiy
#eader/ To put it painy> *ane +as out of a Do'> and the position
+as 'e.o)ing a.ute/ Aready the gentee ady +ho presided over
the sha''y 'oarding house +as oo1ing as1an.e at this parti.uar
young +o)an/
JAnd yet>J said *ane to hersef> thro+ing up her .hin indignanty>
+hi.h +as a ha'it of hers> Jand yet I") inteigent and good;oo1ing
and +e;edu.ated/ What )ore does anyone +antAJ
A..ording to the $aiy #eader> they see)ed to +ant shorthandtypists
of vast eBperien.e> )anagers for 'usiness houses +ith a
itte .apita to invest> adies to share in the profits of poutry
far)ing 9here again a itte .apita +as re8uired:> and innu)era'e
.oo1s> house)aids and parour)aids ; parti.uary parour)aids/
JI +oudn"t )ind 'eing a parour)aid>J said *ane to hersef/ J%ut
there again> no one +oud ta1e )e +ithout eBperien.e/ I .oud go
so)e+here> I dare say> as a Wiing @oung ,ir ; 'ut they don"t pay
+iing young girs anything to spea1 of/J
She sighed again> propped the paper up in front of her> and
atta.1ed the poa.hed egg +ith a the vigour of heathy youth/
When the ast )outhfu had 'een despat.hed> she turned the
paper and studied the Agony and Persona .ou)n +hie she dran1
her tea/ The Agony .ou)n +as a+ays the ast hope/
!ad she 'ut possessed a .oupe of thousand pounds> the thing
+oud have 'een easy enough/ There +ere at east seven uni8ue
opportunities ; a yieding not ess than three thousand a year/
*ane"s ip .ured a itte/
JIf I had t+o thousand pounds>J she )ur)ured> Jit +oudn"t 'e
easy to separate fro) it/J
She .ast her eyes rapidy do+n to the 'otto) of the .ou)n and
as.ended +ith the ease 'orn of ong pra.ti.e/
There +as the ady +ho gave su.h +onderfu pri.es for .astoff
.othing/ J#adies" +ardro'es inspe.ted at their o+n d+eings/J
There +ere the gente)en +ho 'ought A0@T!I0, ; 'ut prin.ipay
T((T!/ There +ere adies of tite going a'road +ho +oud dispose
of their furs at a ridi.uous figure/ There +as the distressed
.ergy)an and the hard+or1ing +ido+> and the disa'ed offi.er>
a needing su)s varying fro) fifty pounds to t+o thousand/ And
then suddeny *ane .a)e to an a'rupt hat/ She put do+n her
tea.up and read the advertise)ent through again/
JThere"s a .at.h in it> of .ourse>J she )ur)ured/ JThere a+ays is
a .at.h in these sort of things/ I sha have to 'e .arefu/ %ut sti ;J
The advertise)ent +hi.h so intrigued *ane Ceveand ran as
foo+sH
If a young ady of t+enty;five to thirty years of age> eyes dar1 'ue>
very fair hair> 'a.1 ashes and 'ro+s> straight nose> si) figure>
height five feet seven in.hes> good )i)i. and a'e to spea1
Fren.h> +i .a at E (nderseigh Street> 'et+een F and 3 P/M/> she
+i hear of so)ething to her advantage/
J,uieess ,+endoen> or +hy girs go +rong>J )ur)ured *ane/ JI
sha .ertainy have to 'e .arefu/ %ut there are too )any
spe.ifi.ations> reay> for that sort of thing/ I +onder no+/// #et us
overhau the .ataogue/J
She pro.eeded to do so/
JT+enty;five to thirty ; I") t+enty;siB/ (yes dar1 'ue> that"s right/
!air very fair ; 'a.1 ashes and 'ro+s ; a </-/ Straight noseA @ees
; straight enough> any+ay/ It doesn"t hoo1 or turn up/ And I"ve
got a si) figure ; si) even for no+adays/ I") ony five feet siB
in.hes ; 'ut I .oud +ear high hees/ I a) a good )i)i. ; nothing
+onderfu> 'ut I .an .opy peope"s voi.es> and I spea1 Fren.h i1e
an ange or a Fren.h+o)an/ In fa.t> I") a'soutey the goods/ They
ought to tu)'e over the)seves +ith deight +hen I turn up/ *ane
Ceveand> go in and +in/J
&esoutey *ane tore out the advertise)ent and pa.ed it in her
hand'ag/ Then she de)anded her 'i> +ith a ne+ 'ris1ness in her
voi.e/
At ten )inutes to five *ane +as re.onnoitring in the
neigh'ourhood of (nderseigh Street/ (nderseigh Street itsef is a
s)a street sand+i.hed 'et+een t+o arger streets in the
neigh'ourhood of <Bford Cir.us/ It is dra'> 'ut respe.ta'e/
0o/ E see)ed in no +ay different fro) the neigh'ouring houses/ It
+as .o)posed i1e they +ere of offi.es/ %ut oo1ing up at it> it
da+ned upon *ane for the first ti)e that she +as not the ony 'ueeyed>
fair;haired> straight;nosed> si);figured gir of 'et+een
t+enty;five and thirty years of age/ #ondon +as evidenty fu of
su.h girs> and forty or fifty of the) at east +ere grouped outside
0o/E (nderseigh Street/
JCo)petition>J said *ane/ JI"d 'etter Doin the 8ueue 8ui.1y/J
She did so> Dust as three )ore girs turned the .orner of the street/
<thers foo+ed the)/ *ane a)used hersef 'y ta1ing sto.1 of her
i))ediate neigh'ours/ In ea.h .ase she )anaged to find
so)ething +rong ; fair eyeashes instead of dar1> eyes )ore grey
than 'ue> fair hair that o+ed its fairness to art and not to nature>
interesting variations in noses> and figures that ony an ae)'ra.ing
.harity .oud have des.ri'ed as si)/ *ane"s spirits
rose/
JI 'eieve I"ve got as good an a;around .han.e as anyone>J she
)ur)ured to hersef/ JI +onder +hat it"s a a'outA A 'eauty
.horus> I hope/J
The 8ueue +as )oving so+y 'ut steadiy for+ard/ Presenty a
se.ond strea) of girs 'egan> issuing fro) inside the house/ So)e
of the) tossed their heads> so)e of the) s)ir1ed/
J&eDe.ted>J said *ane +ith gee/ JI hope to goodness they +on"t 'e
fu up 'efore I get in/J
And sti the 8ueue of girs )oved for+ard/ There +ere anBious
gan.es in tiny )irrors> and a fren?ied po+dering of noses/
#ipsti.1s +ere 'randished freey/
JI +ish I had a s)arter hat>J said *ane to hersef sady/
At ast it +as her turn/ Inside the door of the house +as a gass
door at one side> +ith the egend Messrs Cuth'ertsons ins.ri'ed
on it/ It +as through this gass door that the appi.ants +ere
passing one 'y one/ *ane"s turn .a)e/ She dre+ a deep 'reath
and entered/
Inside +as an outer offi.e> o'viousy intended for .er1s/ At the
end +as another gass door/ *ane +as dire.ted to pass through
this> and did so/ She found hersef in a s)aer roo)/ There +as a
'ig des1 in it> and 'ehind the des1 +as a 1een;eyed )an of )idde
age +ith a thi.1> rather foreign;oo1ing )ousta.he/ !is gan.e
s+ept over *ane> then he pointed to a door on the eft/
JWait in there> pease>J he said .rispy/
*ane o'eyed/ The apart)ent she entered +as aready o..upied/
Five girs sat there> a very upright and a garing at ea.h other/ It
+as .ear to *ane that she had 'een in.uded a)ong the i1ey
.andidates> and her spirits rose/ 0evertheess> she +as for.ed to
ad)it that these five girs +ere e8uay eigi'e +ith hersef as far
as the ter)s of the advertise)ent +ent/
The ti)e passed/ Strea)s of girs +ere evidenty passing through
the inner offi.e/ Most of the) +ere dis)issed through another
door giving on the .orridor> 'ut every no+ and then a re.ruit
arrived to s+e the see.t asse)'y/ At haf;past siB there +ere
fourteen girs asse)'ed there/
*ane heard a )ur)ur of voi.es fro) the inner offi.e> and then the
foreign;oo1ing gente)an> +ho) she had ni.1na)ed in her )ind
Jthe CooneJ o+ing to the )iitary .hara.ter of his )ousta.hes>
appeared in the door+ay/
JI +i see you adies one at a ti)e> if you pease>J he announ.ed/
JIn the order in +hi.h you arrived> pease/J
*ane +as> of .ourse> the siBth on the ist/ T+enty )inutes eapsed
'efore she +as .aed in/ JThe CooneJ +as standing +ith his
hands 'ehind his 'a.1/ !e put her through a rapid .ate.his)>
tested her 1no+edge of Fren.h> and )easured her height/
JIt is possi'e> )ade)oisee>J he Said in Fren.h> Jthat you )ay
suit/ I do not 1no+/ %ut it is possi'e/J
JWhat is this post> )ay I as1AJ said *ane 'unty/
!e shrugged his shouders/
JThat I .annot te you as yet/ If you are .hosen ; then you sha
1no+/J
JThis see)s very )ysterious>J o'De.ted *ane/ JI .oudn"t possi'y
ta1e up anything +ithout 1no+ing a a'out it/ Is it .onne.ted +ith
the stage> )ay I as1AJ
JThe stageA Indeed> no/J
J<hGJ said *ane> rather ta1en a'a.1/
!e +as oo1ing at her 1eeny/
J@ou have inteigen.e> yesA And dis.retionAJ
JI"ve 8uantities of inteigen.e and dis.retion>J said *ane .a)y/
JWhat a'out the payAJ
JThe pay +i a)ount to t+o thousand pounds ; for a fortnight"s
+or1/J
J<hGJ said *ane fainty/
She +as too ta1en a'a.1 'y the )agnifi.en.e of the su) na)ed to
re.over a at on.e/
The Coone resu)ed spea1ing/
J<ne other young ady I have aready see.ted/ @ou and she are
e8uay suita'e/ There )ay 'e others I have not yet seen/ I +i
give you instru.tions as to your further pro.eedings/ @ou 1no+
!arridge"s !oteAJ
*ane gasped/ Who in (ngand did not 1no+ !arridge"s !ote> that
fa)ous hostery situated )odesty in a 'ystreet of Mayfair> +here
nota'iities and royaties arrived and departed as a )atter of
.ourseA <ny this )orning *ane had read of the arriva of the
,rand $u.hess Pauine of <strova/ She had .o)e over to open a
'ig 'a?aar in aid of &ussian refugees> and +as> of .ourse> staying
at !arridge"s/
J@es>J said *ane> in ans+er to the Coone"s 8uestion/
J7ery good/ ,o there/ As1 for Count Streptit.h/ Send up your .ard
; you have a .ardAJ
*ane produ.ed one/ The Coone too1 it fro) her and ins.ri'ed in
the .orner a )inute P/ !e handed the .ard 'a.1 to her/
JThat ensures that the .ount +i see you/ !e +i understand that
you .o)e fro) )e/ The fina de.ision ies +ith hi) ; and another/ If
he .onsiders you suita'e> he +i eBpain )atters to you> and you
.an a..ept or de.ine his proposa/ Is that satisfa.toryAJ
JPerfe.ty satisfa.tory>J said *ane/
JSo far>J she )ur)ured to hersef as she e)erged into the street>
JI .an"t see the .at.h/ And yet> there )ust 'e one/ There"s no su.h
thing as )oney for nothing/ It )ust 'e .ri)eG There"s nothing ese
eft/J
!er spirits rose/ In )oderation *ane did not o'De.t to .ri)e/ The
papers had 'een fu atey of the eBpoits of various gir 'andits/
*ane had seriousy thought of 'e.o)ing one if a ese faied/
She entered the eB.usive portas of !arridge"s +ith sight
trepidation/ More than ever> she +ished that she had a ne+ hat/
%ut she +a1ed 'ravey up to the 'ureau and produ.ed her .ard
and as1ed for Count Streptit.h +ithout a shade of hesitation in her
)anner/ She fan.ied that the .er1 oo1ed at her rather .uriousy/
!e too1 the .ard> ho+ever> and gave it to a s)a page 'oy +ith
so)e o+;voi.ed instru.tions +hi.h *ane did not .at.h/ Presenty
the page returned> and *ane +as invited to a..o)pany hi)/ They
+ent up in the ift and aong a .orridor to so)e 'ig dou'e doors
+here the page 1no.1ed/ A )o)ent ater *ane found hersef in a
'ig roo)> fa.ing a ta thin )an +ith a fair 'eard> +ho +as hoding
her .ard in a anguid +hite hand/
JMiss *ane Ceveand>J he read so+y/ JI a) Count Streptit.h/J
!is ips parted suddeny in +hat +as presu)a'y intended to 'e a
s)ie> dis.osing t+o ro+s of +hite even teeth/ %ut no effe.t of
)erri)ent +as o'tained/
JI understand that you appied in ans+er to our advertise)ent>J
.ontinued the .ount/ JThe good Coone -ranin sent you on here/J
J!e +as a .oone>J thought *ane> peased +ith her perspi.a.ity>
'ut she )erey 'o+ed her head/
J@ou +i pardon )e if I as1 you a fe+ 8uestionsAJ
!e did not +ait for a repy> 'ut pro.eeded to put *ane through a
.ate.his) very si)iar to that of Coone -ranin/ !er repies
see)ed to satisfy hi)/ !e nodded his head on.e or t+i.e/
JI +i as1 you no+> )ade)oisee> to +a1 to the door and 'a.1
again so+y/J
JPerhaps they +ant )e to 'e a )anne8uin>J thought *ane as she
.o)pied/ J%ut they +oudn"t pay t+o thousand pounds to a
)anne8uin/ Sti> I suppose I"d 'etter not as1 8uestions yet
a+hie/J
Count Streptit.h +as fro+ning/ !e tapped on the ta'e +ith his
+hite fingers/ Suddeny he rose> and opening the door of an
adDoining roo)> he spo1e to so)eone inside/ !e returned to his
seat> and a short )idde;aged ady .a)e through the door> .osing
it 'ehind her/ She +as pu)p and eBtre)ey ugy> 'ut had
nevertheess the air of 'eing a person of i)portan.e/
JWe> Anna Mi.haeovna>J said the .ount/ JWhat do you thin1 of
herAJ
The ady oo1ed *ane up and do+n )u.h as though the gir had
'een a +aB+or1 at a sho+/ She )ade no preten.e of any greeting/
JShe )ight do>J she said at ength/ J<f a.tua i1eness in the rea
sense of the +ord> there is very itte/ %ut the figure and the
.oouring are very good> 'etter than any of the others/ What do
you thin1 of it> Feodor AeBandrovit.hAJ
JI agree +ith you> Anna Mi.haeovna/J
J$oes she spea1 Fren.hAJ
J!er Fren.h is eB.eent/J
*ane fet )ore and )ore of a du))y/ 0either of these strange
peope appeared to re)e)'er that she +as a hu)an 'eing/
J%ut +i she 'e dis.reetAJ as1ed the ady> fro+ning heaviy at the
gir/
JThis is the Prin.ess Poporens1y>J said Count Streptit.h to *ane in
Fren.h/ JShe as1s +hether you .an 'e dis.reetAJ
*ane addressed her repy to the prin.ess/
J2nti I have had the position eBpained to )e> I .an hardy )a1e
pro)ises/J
JIt is Dust +hat she says there> the itte one>J re)ar1ed the ady/ JI
thin1 she is inteigent> Feodor AeBandrovit.h ; )ore inteigent
than the others/ Te )e> itte one> have you aso .ourageAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said *ane> pu??ed/ JI don"t parti.uary i1e 'eing
hurt> 'ut I .an 'ear it/J
JAhG That is not +hat I )ean/ @ou do not )ind danger> noAJ
J<hGJ said *ane/ J$angerG That"s a right/ I i1e danger/J
JAnd you are poorA @ou +oud i1e to earn )u.h )oneyAJ
JTry )e>J said *ane +ith so)ething approa.hing enthusias)/
Count Streptit.h and Prin.ess Poporens1y eB.hanged gan.es/
Then> si)utaneousy> they nodded/
JSha I eBpain )atters> Anna Mi.haeovnaAJ the for)er as1ed/
The prin.ess shoo1 her head/
J!er !ighness +ishes to do that hersef/J
JIt is unne.essary ; and un+ise/J
J0evertheess those are her .o))ands/ I +as to 'ring the gir in
as soon as you had done +ith her/J
Streptit.h shrugged his shouders/ Ceary he +as not peased/
(8uay .eary he had no intention of diso'eying the edi.t/ !e
turned to *ane/
JThe Prin.ess Poporens1y +i present you to !er !ighness the
,rand $u.hess Pauine/ $o not 'e aar)ed/J
*ane +as not in the east aar)ed/ She +as deighted at the idea of
'eing presented to a rea ive grand du.hess/ There +as nothing of
the So.iaist a'out *ane/ For the )o)ent she had even .eased to
+orry a'out her hat/
The Prin.ess Poporens1y ed the +ay> +adding aong +ith a gait
that she )anaged to invest +ith a .ertain dignity in spite of
adverse .ir.u)stan.es/ They passed through the adDoining roo)>
+hi.h +as a 1ind of ante.ha)'er> and the prin.ess 1no.1ed upon
a door in the farther +a/ A voi.e fro) inside repied and the
prin.ess opened the door and passed in> *ane .ose upon her
hees/
J#et )e present to you> )ada)e>J said the prin.ess in a soe)n
voi.e> JMiss *ane Ceveand/J
A young +o)an +ho had 'een sitting in a 'ig ar).hair at the other
end of the roo) Du)ped up and ran for+ard/
She stared fiBedy at *ane for a )inute or t+o> and then aughed
)erriy/
J%ut this is spendid> Anna>J she .ried/ JI never i)agined +e
shoud su..eed so +e/ Co)e> et us see ourseves side 'y side/J
Ta1ing *ane"s ar)> she dre+ the gir a.ross the roo)> pausing
'efore a fu;ength )irror +hi.h hung on the +a/
J@ou seeAJ she .ried deightedy/ JIt is a perfe.t )at.hGJ
Aready> +ith her first gan.e at the ,rand $u.hess Pauine> *ane
had 'egun to understand/ The ,rand $u.hess +as a young +o)an
perhaps a year or t+o oder than *ane/ She had the sa)e shade of
fair hair> and the sa)e si) figure/ She +as> perhaps> a shade
taer/ 0o+ that they stood side 'y side> the i1eness +as very
apparent/ $etai for detai> the .oouring +as a)ost eBa.ty the
sa)e/
The ,rand $u.hess .apped her hands/ She see)ed an eBtre)ey
.heerfu young +o)an/
J0othing .oud 'e 'etter>J she de.ared/ J@ou )ust .ongratuate
Feodor AeBandrovit.h for )e> Anna/ !e has indeed done +e/J
JAs yet> )ada)e>J )ur)ured the prin.ess in a o+ voi.e> Jthis
young +o)an does not 1no+ +hat is re8uired of her/J
JTrue>J said the ,rand $u.hess> 'e.o)ing so)e+hat .a)er in
)anner/ JI forgot/ We> I +i enighten her/ #eave us together>
Anna Mi.haeovna/J
J%ut> )ada)e ;J
J#eave us aone> I say/J
She sta)ped her foot angriy/ With .onsidera'e reu.tan.e Anna
Mi.haeovna eft the roo)/ The ,rand $u.hess sat do+n and
)otioned to *ane to do the sa)e/
JThey are tireso)e> these od +o)en>J re)ar1ed Pauine/ J%ut
one has to have the)/ Anna Mi.haeovna is 'etter than )ost/ 0o+>
then> Miss ; ah> yes> Miss *ane Ceveand/ I i1e the na)e/ I i1e you
too/ @ou are sy)patheti./ I .an te at on.e if peope are
sy)patheti./J
JThat"s very .ever of you> )a"a)>J said *ane> spea1ing for the first
ti)e/
JI a) .ever>J said Pauine .a)y/ JCo)e no+> I +i eBpain things
to you/ 0ot that there is )u.h to eBpain/ @ou 1no+ the history of
<strova/ Pra.ti.ay a of )y fa)iy are dead ; )assa.red 'y the
Co))unists/ I a)> perhaps> the ast of )y ine/ I a) a +o)an> I
.annot sit upon the throne/ @ou thin1 they +oud et )e 'e/ %ut no>
+herever I go> atte)pts are )ade to assassinate )e/ A'surd> is it
notA These vod1a;soa1ed 'rutes never have any sense of
proportion/J
JI see>J said *ane> feeing that so)ething +as re8uired of her/
JFor the )ost part I ive in retire)ent ; +here I .an ta1e
pre.autions> 'ut no+ and then I have to ta1e part in pu'i.
.ere)onies/ Whie I a) here> for instan.e> I have to attend severa
se)i;pu'i. fun.tions/ Aso in Paris on )y +ay 'a.1/ I have an
estate in !ungary> you 1no+/ The sport there is )agnifi.ent/J
JIs it reayAJ said *ane/
JSuper'/ I adore sport/ Aso ; I ought not to te you this> 'ut I sha
'e.ause your fa.e is so sy)patheti. ; there are pans 'eing )ade
there ; very 8uiety> you understand/ Atogether it is very i)portant
that I shoud not 'e assassinated during the neBt t+o +ee1s/J
J%ut surey the poi.e ;J 'egan *ane/
JThe poi.eA <h> yes> they are very good> I 'eieve/ And +e too ;
+e have our spies/ It is possi'e that I sha 'e fore+arned +hen
the atte)pt is to ta1e pa.e/ %ut then> again> I )ight not/J
She shrugged her shouders/
JI 'egin to understand>J said *ane so+y/ J@ou +ant )e to ta1e
your pa.eAJ
J<ny on .ertain o..asions>J said the ,rand $u.hess eagery/
J@ou )ust 'e so)e+here at hand> you understandA I )ay re8uire
you t+i.e> three ti)es> four ti)es in the neBt fortnight/ (a.h ti)e it
+i 'e upon the o..asion of so)e pu'i. fun.tion/ 0aturay in
inti)a.y of any 1ind> you .oud not represent )e/J
J<f .ourse not>J agreed *ane/
J@ou +i do very +e indeed/ It +as .ever of Feodor
AeBandrovit.h to thin1 of an advertise)ent> +as it notAJ
JSupposing>J said *ane> Jthat I get assassinatedAJ
The ,rand $u.hess shrugged her shouders/
JThere is the ris1> of .ourse> 'ut a..ording to our o+n se.ret
infor)ation> they +ant to 1idnap )e> not 1i )e outright/ %ut I +i
'e 8uite honest ; it is a+ays possi'e that they )ight thro+ a
'o)'/J
JI see>J said *ane/
She tried to i)itate the ighthearted )anner of Pauine/ She
+anted very )u.h to .o)e to the 8uestion of )oney> 'ut did not
8uite see ho+ 'est to introdu.e the su'De.t/ %ut Pauine saved her
the trou'e/
JWe +i pay you +e> of .ourse>J she said .areessy/ JI .annot
re)e)'er no+ eBa.ty ho+ )u.h Feodor AeBandrovit.h
suggested/ We +ere spea1ing in fran.s or 1ronen/J
JCoone -ranin>J said *ane> Jsaid so)ething a'out t+o thousand
pounds/J
JThat +as it>J said Pauine> 'rightening/ JI re)e)'er no+/ It is
enough> I hopeA <r +oud you rather have three thousandAJ
JWe>J said *ane> Jif it"s a the sa)e to you> I"d rather have three
thousand/J
J@ou are 'usinessi1e> I see>J said the ,rand $u.hess 1indy/ JI
+ish I +as/ %ut I have no idea of )oney at a/ What I +ant I have to
have> that is a/J
It see)ed to *ane a si)pe 'ut ad)ira'e attitude of )ind/
JAnd of .ourse> as you say> there is danger>J Pauine .ontinued
thoughtfuy/ JAthough you do not oo1 to )e as though you
)inded danger/ I do not )ysef/ I hope you do not thin1 that it is
'e.ause I a) a .o+ard that I +ant you to ta1e )y pa.eA @ou see>
it is )ost i)portant for <strova that I shoud )arry and have at
east t+o sons/ After that> it does not )atter +hat happens to )e/J
JI see>J said *ane/
JAnd you a..eptA
J@es>J said *ane resoutey/ JI a..ept/J
Pauine .apped her hands vehe)enty severa ti)es/ Prin.ess
Poporens1y appeared i))ediatey/
JI have tod her a> Anna>J announ.ed the ,rand $u.hess/ JShe
+i do +hat +e +ant> and she is to have three thousand pounds/
Te Feodor to )a1e a note of it/ She is reay very i1e )e> is she
notA I thin1 she is 'etter;oo1ing> though/J
The prin.ess +added out of the roo)> and returned +ith Count
Streptit.h/
JWe have arranged everything> Feodor AeBandrovit.h>J the ,rand
$u.hess said/
!e 'o+ed/
JCan she pay her part> I +onderAJ he 8ueried> eyeing *ane
dou'tfuy/
JI" sho+ you>J said the gir suddeny/ J@ou per)it> )a"a)AJ she
said to the ,rand $u.hess/ The atter nodded deightedy/
*ane stood up/
J%ut this is spendid> Anna>J she said/ JI never i)agined +e shoud
su..eed so +e/ Co)e> et us see ourseves side 'y side/J
And> as Pauine had done> she dre+ the other gir to the gass/
J@ou seeA A perfe.t )at.hGJ
Words> )anner and gesture> it +as an eB.eent i)itation of
Pauine"s greeting/ The prin.ess nodded her head and uttered a
grunt of appro'ation/
JIt is good> that>J she de.ared/ JIt +oud de.eive )ost peope/J
J@ou are very .ever>J said Pauine appre.iativey/ JI .oud not
i)itate anyone ese to save )y ife/J
*ane 'eieved her/ It had aready stru.1 her that Pauine +as a
young +o)an +ho +as very )u.h hersef/
JAnna +i arrange detais +ith you>J said the ,rand $u.hess/
JTa1e her into )y 'edroo)> Anna> and try so)e of )y .othes on
her/J
She nodded a gra.ious fare+e> and *ane +as .onvoyed a+ay 'y
the Prin.ess Poporens1y/
JThis is +hat !er !ighness +i +ear to open the 'a?aar>J
eBpained the od ady> hoding up a daring .reation of +hite and
'a.1/ JThat is in three days" ti)e/ It )ay 'e ne.essary for you to
ta1e her pa.e there/ We do not 1no+/ We have not yet re.eived
infor)ation/J
At Anna"s 'idding> *ane sipped off her o+n sha''y gar)ents and
tried on the fro.1/ It fitted her perfe.ty/ The other nodded
approvingy/
JIt is a)ost perfe.t ; Dust a shade ong on you> 'e.ause you are an
in.h or so shorter than !er !ighness/J
JThat is easiy re)edied>J said *ane 8ui.1y/ The ,rand $u.hess
+ears o+;heeed shoes> I noti.ed/ If I +ear the sa)e 1ind of
shoes> 'ut +ith high hees> it +i adDust things ni.ey/J
Anna Mi.haeovna sho+ed her the shoes that the ,rand $u.hess
usuay +ore +ith the dress ; i?ard s1in +ith a strap a.ross/ *ane
)e)ori?ed the)> and arranged to get a pair Dust i1e the)> 'ut
+ith different hees/
JI +oud 'e +e>J said Anna Mi.haeovna> Jfor you to have a dress
of distin.tive .oour and )ateria 8uite uni1e !er !ighness"s/
Then in .ase it 'e.o)es ne.essary for you to .hange pa.es at a
)o)ent"s noti.e> the su'stitution is ess i1ey to 'e noti.ed/J
*ane thought a )inute/
JWhat a'out fa)e;red )aro.ainA And I )ight> perhaps> have pain
gass pin.e;ne?/ That aters the appearan.e very )u.h/J
%oth suggestions +ere approved> and they +ent into further
detais/
*ane eft the hote +ith 'an1notes for a hundred pounds in her
purse and instru.tions to pur.hase the ne.essary outfit and
engage roo)s at the %it? !ote as Miss Montresor of 0e+ @or1/
<n the se.ond day after this> Count Streptit.h .aed upon her
there/
JA transfor)ation indeed>J he said as he 'o+ed/
*ane )ade hi) a )o.1 'o+ in return/ She +as enDoying the ne+
.othes and the uBury of her ife very )u.h/
JA this is very ni.e>J she sighed/ J%ut I suppose that your visit
)eans I )ust get 'usy and earn )y )oney/J
JThat is so/ We have re.eived infor)ation/ It see)s possi'e that
an atte)pt +i 'e )ade to 1idnap !er !ighness on the +ay ho)e
fro) the 'a?aar/ That is to ta1e pa.e> as you 1no+> at <rion
!ouse> +hi.h is a'out ten )ies out of #ondon/ !er !ighness +i
'e for.ed to attend the 'a?aar in person> as the Countess of
An.hester> +ho is pro)oting it> 1no+s her personay/ %ut the
foo+ing is the pan have .on.o.ted/J
*ane istened attentivey as he outined it to her/
She as1ed a fe+ 8uestions and finay de.ared that she
understood perfe.ty the part that she had to pay/
The neBt day da+ned 'right and .ear ; a perfe.t day for one of the
great events of the #ondon Season> the 'a?aar at <rion !ouse>
pro)oted 'y the Countess of An.hester in aid of <strovian
refugees in this .ountry/
!aving regard to the un.ertainty of the (ngish .i)ate> the 'a?aar
itsef too1 pa.e +ithin the spa.ious roo)s of <rion !ouse> +hi.h
has 'een for five hundred years in the possession of the (ars of
An.hester/ 7arious .oe.tions had 'een oaned> and a .har)ing
idea +as the gift 'y a hundred so.iety +o)en of one pear ea.h
ta1en fro) their o+n ne.1a.es> ea.h pear to 'e sod 'y au.tion
on the se.ond day/ There +ere aso nu)erous side sho+s and
attra.tions in the grounds/
*ane +as there eary in the r/e of Miss Montresor/ She +ore a
dress of fa)e;.ooured )aro.ain> and a s)a red .o.he hat/ <n
her feet +ere high;heeed i?ard;s1in shoes/
The arriva of the ,rand $u.hess Pauine +as a great event/ She
+as es.orted to the patfor) and duy presented +ith a 'ou8uet of
roses 'y a s)a .hid/ She )ade a short 'ut .har)ing spee.h and
de.ared the 'a?aar open/ Count Streptit.h and Prin.ess
Poporens1y +ere in attendan.e upon her/
She +ore the dress that *ane had seen> +hite +ith a 'od design of
'a.1> and her hat +as a s)a .o.he of 'a.1 +ith a profusion of
+hite ospreys hanging over the 'ri) and a tiny a.e vei .o)ing
haf+ay do+n the fa.e/ *ane s)ied to hersef/
The ,rand $u.hess +ent round the 'a?aar> visiting every sta>
)a1ing a fe+ pur.hases> and 'eing unifor)y gra.ious/ Then she
prepared to depart/
*ane +as pro)pt to ta1e up her .ue/ She re8uested a +ord +ith
the Prin.ess Poporens1y and as1ed to 'e presented to the ,rand
$u.hess/
JAh> yesGJ said Pauine in a .ear voi.e/ JMiss Montresor> I
re)e)'er the na)e/ She is an A)eri.an Dournaist> I 'eieve/ She
has done )u.h for our .ause/ I shoud 'e gad to give her a short
intervie+ for her paper/ Is there any+here +here +e .oud 'e
undistur'edAJ
A s)a anteroo) +as i))ediatey pa.ed at the ,rand $u.hess"s
disposa> and Count Streptit.h +as despat.hed to 'ring in Miss
Montresor/ As soon as he had done so and +ithdra+n again> the
Prin.ess Poporens1y re)aining in attendan.e> a rapid eB.hange
of gar)ents too1 pa.e/
Three )inutes ater> the door opened and the ,rand $u.hess
e)erged> her 'ou8uet of roses hed up to her fa.e/ %o+ing
gra.iousy> and uttering a fe+ +ords of fare+e to #ady An.hester
in Fren.h> she passed out and entered her .ar> +hi.h +as +aiting/
Prin.ess Poporens1y too1 a pa.e 'eside her> and the .ar drove
off/
JWe>J said *ane> Jthat"s done/ I +onder ho+ Miss Montresor"s
getting on/J
J0o one +i noti.e her/ She .an sip out 8uiety/J
JThat"s true>J said *ane/ JI did it ni.ey> didn"t IAJ
J@ou a.ted your part +ith great dis.retion/J
JWhy isn"t the Count +ith usAJ
J!e +as for.ed to re)ain/ So)eone )ust +at.h over the safety of
!er !ighness/J
JI hope no'ody"s going to thro+ 'o)'s>J said *ane aprehensivey/
J!iG We"re turning off the )ain road/ Why thatAJ
,athering speed> the .ar +as shooting do+n a side road *ane
Du)ped up and put her head out of the +indo+ re)onstrating +ith
the driver/ !e ony aughed and in.reased his speed/ *ane san1
'a.1 into her seat again/
J@our spies +ere right>J she said +ith a augh/ JWe"re for it> a
right/ I suppose the onger I 1eep it up> the safer it is for the ,rand
$u.hess/ At a events +e )ust give her ti)e to return to #ondon
safey/J
At the prospe.t of danger> *ane"s spirits rose/ She has not reished
the prospe.t of a 'o)'> 'ut this type of a venture appeaed to her
sporting instin.ts/
Suddeny> +ith a grinding of 'ra1es> the .ar pued up in its o+n
ength/ A )an Du)ped on the step/ In his hand +as a revover/
JPut your hands up>J he snared/
The Prin.ess Poporens1y"s hands rose s+ifty> 'ut *ane )erey
oo1ed at hi) disdainfuy and 1ept her hands on her ap/
JAs1 hi) the )eaning of this outrage>J she said in Fren.h to her
.o)panion/
%ut 'efore the atter had ti)e to say a +ord> the )an 'ro1e in/ !e
poured out a torrent of +ords in so)e foreign anguage/
0ot understanding a singe thing> *ane )erey shrugged her
shouders and said nothing/ The .hauffeur had got do+n fro) his
seat and Doined the other )an/
JWi the iustrious ady 'e peased to des.endAJ he as1ed +ith a
grin/
&aising the fo+ers to her fa.e again> *ane stepped out of the .ar/
The Prin.ess Poporens1y foo+ed her/
JWi the iustrious ady .o)e this +ayAJ
*ane too1 no noti.e of the )an"s )o.1 insoent )anner> 'ut of her
o+n a..ord she +a1ed to+ards a o+;'uit ra)'ing house +hi.h
stood a'out a hundred yards a+ay fro) +here the .ar had
stopped/ The road had 'een a .u;de;sa. ending in the gate+ay
and drive +hi.h ed to this apparenty untenanted 'uiding/
The )an> sti 'randishing his pisto> .a)e .ose 'ehind the t+o
+o)en/ As they passed up the steps> he 'rushed past the) and
fung open a door on the eft/ It +as an e)pty roo)> into +hi.h a
ta'e and t+o .hairs had evidenty 'een 'rought/
*ane passed in and sat do+n/ Anna Mi.haeovna foo+ed her/ The
)an 'anged the door and turned the 1ey/
*ane +a1ed to the +indo+ and oo1ed out/
JI .oud Du)p out> of .ourse>J she re)ar1ed/ J%ut I shoudn"t get
far/ 0o> +e" Dust" have to stay here for the present and )a1e the
'est of it/ I +onder if they" 'ring us anything to eatAJ
A'out haf an hour ater her 8uestion +as ans+ered/
A 'ig 'o+ of stea)ing soup +as 'rought in and pa.ed on the
ta'e in front of her/ Aso t+o pie.es of dry 'read/
J0o uBury for aristo.rats evidenty>J re)ar1ed *ane .heeriy as
the door +as shut and o.1ed again/ JWi you start> or sha IAJ
The Prin.ess Poporens1y +aved the )ere idea of food aside +ith
horror/
J!o+ .oud I eatA Who 1no+s +hat danger )y )istress )ight not
'e inAJ
JShe"s a right>J said *ane/ JIt"s )ysef I") +orrying a'out/ @ou
1no+ these peope +on"t 'e at a peased +hen they find they have
got hod of the +rong person/ In fa.t> they )ay 'e very unpeasant/
I sha 1eep up the haughty ,rand $u.hess stunt as ong as I .an>
and do a 'un1 if the opportunity offers/J
The Prin.ess Poporens1y offered no repy/
*ane> +ho +as hungry> dran1 up a the soup/ It had a .urious
taste> 'ut +as hot and savoury/
After+ards she fet rather seepy/ The Prin.ess Poporens1y
see)ed to 'e +eeping 8uiety/ *ane arranged hersef on her
un.o)forta'e .hair in the east un.o)forta'e +ay> and ao+ed
her head to droop/
She sept/
*ane a+o1e +ith a start/ She had an idea that she had 'een a very
ong ti)e aseep/ !er head fet heavy and un.o)forta'e/
And then suddeny she sa+ so)ething that Der1ed her fa.uties
+ide a+a1e again/
She +as +earing the fa)e;.ooured )aro.ain fro.1/ She sat up
and oo1ed around her/ @es> she +as sti in the roo) in the e)pty
house/ (verything +as eBa.ty as it had 'een +hen she +ent to
seep> eB.ept for t+o fa.ts/ The first fa.t +as that the Prin.ess
Poporens1y +as no onger sitting on the other .hair/ The se.ond
+as her o+n ineBpi.a'e .hange of .ostu)e/
JI .an"t have drea)t it>J said *ane/ J%e.ause if I"d drea)t it> I
shoudn"t 'e here/J
She oo1ed a.ross at the +indo+ and registered a se.ond
signifi.ant fa.t/ When she had gone to seep> the sun had 'een
pouring through the +indo+/ 0o+ the house thre+ a sharp shado+
on the sunit drive/
JThe house fa.es +est>J she refe.ted/ JIt +as afternoon +hen I
+ent to seep/ Therefore it )ust 'e to)orro+ )orning no+/
Therefore that soup +as drugged/ Therefore ; oh> I don"t 1no+/ It
a see)s )ad/J
She got up and +ent to the door/ It +as uno.1ed/ She eBpored the
house/ It +as sient and e)pty/
*ane put her hand to her a.hing head and tried to thin1/
And then she .aught sight of a torn ne+spaper ying 'y the front
door/ It had garing headines +hi.h .aught her eye/
JA)eri.an ,ir %andit in (ngand>J she read/ JThe ,ir in the &ed
$ress/ Sensationa !odup at <rion !ouse %a?aar/J
*ane staggered out into the sunight/ Sitting on the steps> she
read> her eyes gro+ing 'igger and 'igger/ The fa.ts +ere short
and su..in.t/
*ust after the departure of the ,rand $u.hess Pauine> three )en
and a gir in a red dress had produ.ed revovers and su..essfuy
hed up the .ro+d/ They had anneBed the hundred pears and
)ade a geta+ay in a fast ra.ing .ar/ 2p to no+> they had not 'een
tra.ed/
In the stop press 9it +as a ate evening paper: +ere a fe+ +ords to
the effe.t that the Jgir 'andit in the red dressJ had 'een staying at
the %it? as a Miss Montresor of 0e+ @or1/
JI") dished>J said *ane/ JA'soutey dished/ I a+ays 1ne+ there
+as a .at.h in it/J
And then she started/ A strange sound had s)ote the air/ The
voi.e of a )an> uttering one +ord at fre8uent intervas/
J$a)n>J it said/ J$a)n/J And yet again> J$a)nGJ
*ane thried to the sound/ It eBpressed so eBa.ty her o+n
feeings/ She ran do+n the steps/ %y the .orner of the) ay a
young )an/ !e +as endeavouring to raise his head fro) the
ground/ !is fa.e stru.1 *ane as one of the ni.est fa.es she had
ever seen/ It +as fre.1ed and sighty 8ui??i.a in eBpression/
J$a)n )y head>J said the young )an/ J$a)n it/ I ;J
!e 'ro1e off and stared at *ane/
JI )ust 'e drea)ing>J he said fainty/
JThat"s +hat I said>J said *ane/ J%ut +e"re not/ What"s the )atter
+ith your headAJ
JSo)e'ody hit )e on it/ Fortunatey it"s a thi.1 one/J
!e pued hi)sef into a sitting position> and )ade a +ry fa.e/
JMy 'rain +i 'egin to fun.tion shorty> I eBpe.t/ I") sti in the
sa)e od spot> I see/J
J!o+ did you get hereAJ as1ed *ane .uriousy/
JThat"s a ong story/ %y the +ay> you"re not the ,rand $u.hess
What"s;her;na)e> are youAJ
JI") not/ I") pain *ane Ceveand/J
J@ou"re not pain> any+ay>J said the young )an> oo1ing at her +ith
fran1 ad)iration/
*ane 'ushed/
JI ought to get you so)e +ater or so)ething> oughtn"t IAJ she
as1ed un.ertainy/
JI"'eieve it is .usto)ary>J agreed the young )an/ JA the sa)e>
I"d rather have +his1y if you .an find it/J
*ane +as una'e to find any +his1y/ The young )an too1 a deep
draught of +ater> and announ.ed hi)sef 'etter/
JSha I reate )y adventures> or +i you reate yoursAJ he as1ed/
J@ou first/J
JThere"s nothing )u.h to )ine/ I happened to noti.e that the
,rand $u.hess +ent into that roo) +ith o+;heeed shoes on and
.a)e out +ith high;heeed ones/ It stru.1 )e as rather odd/ I don"t
i1e things to 'e odd/
JI foo+ed the .ar on )y )otor 'i.y.e/ I sa+ you ta1en into the
house/ A'out ten )inutes ater a 'ig ra.ing .ar .a)e tearing up/ A
gir in red got out and three )en/ She had o+;heeed shoes on> a
right/ They +ent into the house/ Presenty o+ hees .a)e out
dressed in 'a.1 and +hite> and +ent off in the first .ar> +ith an od
pussy and a ta )an +ith a fair 'eard/ The others +ent off in the
ra.ing .ar/ I thought they"d a gone> and +as Dust trying to get in at
that +indo+ and res.ue you +hen so)eone hit )e on the head
fro) 'ehind/ That"s a/ 0o+ for your turn/J
*ane reated her adventures/
JAnd it"s a+fuy u.1y for )e that you did foo+>J she ended/ J$o
you see +hat an a+fu hoe I shoud have 'een in other+iseA The
,rand $u.hess +oud have had a perfe.t ai'i/ She eft the 'a?aar
'efore the hodup 'egan> and arrived in #ondon in her .ar/ Woud
any'ody ever have 'eieved )y fantasti.> i)pro'a'e storyAJ
J0ot on your ife>J said the young )an +ith .onvi.tion/ They had
'een so a'sor'ed in their respe.tive narratives> that they had
'een 8uite o'ivious of their surroundings/
They oo1ed up no+ +ith a sight start to see a ta sad;fa.ed )an
eaning against the house/ !e nodded at the)/
J7ery interesting>J he .o))ented/
JWho are youAJ de)anded *ane/
The sad;fa.ed )an"s eyes t+in1ed a itte/
J$ete.tive;Inspe.tor Farre>J he said genty/ JI"ve 'een very
interested in hearing your story and this young ady"s/ We )ight
have found a itte diffi.uty in 'eieving hers> 'ut for one or t+o
things/J
JFor instan.eAJ
JWe> you see> +e heard this )orning that the rea ,rand $u.hess
had eoped +ith a .hauffeur in Paris/J
*ane gasped/
JAnd then +e 1ne+ that this A)eri.an "gir 'andit" had .o)e to this
.ountry> and +e eBpe.ted a .oup of so)e 1ind/ We" have aid
hands on the) very soon> I .an pro)ise you that/ (B.use )e a
)inute> +i youAJ
!e ran up the steps into the house/
JWeGJ said *ane/ She put a ot of for.e into the eBpression/
JI thin1 it +as a+fuy .ever of you to noti.e those shoes>J she said
suddeny/
J0ot at a>J said the young )an/ JI +as 'rought up in the 'oot
trade/ My father"s a sort of 'oot 1ing/ !e +anted )e to go into the
trade ; )arry and sette do+n/ A that sort of thing/ 0o'ody in
parti.uar ; Dust the prin.ipe of the thing/ %ut I +anted to 'e an
artist/J !e sighed/
JI") so sorry>J said *ane 1indy/
JI"ve 'een trying for siB years/ There"s no 'in1ing it/ I") a rotten
painter/ I"ve a good )ind to .hu.1 it and go ho)e i1e the prodiga
son/ There"s a good 'iet +aiting for )e/J
JA Do' is the great thing>J agreed *ane +istfuy/ J$o you thin1 you
.oud get )e one trying on 'oots so)e+hereAJ
JI .oud give you a 'etter one than that ; if you"d ta1e it/J
J<h> +hatAJ
J0ever )ind no+/ I" te you ater/ @ou 1no+> unti yesterday I
never sa+ a gir I fet I .oud )arry/J
J@esterdayAJ
JAt the 'a?aar/ And then I sa+ her ; the one and ony !erGJ
!e oo1ed very hard at *ane/
J!o+ 'eautifu the dephiniu)s are>J said *ane hurriedy> +ith very
pin1 .hee1s/
JThey"re upins>J said the young )an/
JIt doesn"t )atter>J said *ane/
J0ot a 'it>J he agreed/ And he dre+ a itte nearer/
A F&2ITF2# S20$A@
JWe> reay> I .a this too deightfu>J said Miss $orothy Pratt for
the fourth ti)e/ J!o+ I +ish the od .at .oud see )e no+/ She and
her *anesGJ
The Jod .atJ thus s.athingy auded to +as Miss Pratt"s highy
esti)a'e e)poyer> Mrs Ma.1en?ie *ones> +ho had strong vie+s
upon the Christian na)es suita'e for parour)aids and had
repudiated $orothy in favour of Miss Pratt"s despised se.ond
na)e of *ane/
Miss Pratt"s .o)panion did not repy at on.e ; for the 'est of
reasons/ When you have Dust pur.hased a %a'y Austin> fourth
hand> for the su) of t+enty pounds> and are ta1ing it out for the
se.ond ti)e ony> your +hoe attention is ne.essariy fo.used on
the diffi.ut tas1 of using 'oth hands and feet as the e)ergen.ies
of the )o)ent di.tate/
J(r ; ahGJ said Mr (d+ard Pagrove> and negotiated a .risis +ith a
horri'e grinding sound that +oud have set a true )otorist"s teeth
on edge/
JWe> you don"t ta1 to a gir )u.h>J .o)pained $orothy/
Mr Pagrove +as saved fro) having to respond as at that )o)ent
he +as roundy and soundy .ursed 'y the driver of a )otor
o)ni'us/
JWe> of a the i)puden.e>J said Miss Pratt> tossing her head/
JI ony +ish he had this foot 'ra1e>J said her s+ain 'ittery/
JIs there anything +rong +ith itAJ
J@ou .an put your foot on it ti 1ingdo) .o)es>J said Mr Pagrove/
J%ut nothing happens/J
J<h> +e> Ted> you .an"t eBpe.t everything for t+enty pounds/
After a> here +e are> in a rea .ar> on Sunday afternoon going out
of to+n the sa)e as every'ody ese/J
More grinding and .rashing sounds/
JAh>J said Ted> fushed +ith triu)ph/ JThat +as a 'etter .hange/J
J@ou do drive so)ething 'eautifu>J said $orothy ad)iringy/
()'odened 'y fe)inine appre.iation> Mr Pagrove atte)pted a
dash a.ross !a))ers)ith %road+ay> and +as severey spo1en to
'y a poi.e)an/
JWe> I never>J said $orothy as they pro.eeded to+ards
!a))ers)ith %ridge in a .hastened fashion/ JI don"t 1no+ +hat
the poi.e are .o)ing to/ @ou"d thin1 they"d 'e a 'it )ore .ivispo1en>
seeing the +ay they"ve 'een sho+n up atey/J
JAny+ay> I didn"t +ant to go aong this road>J said (d+ard sady/ JI
+anted to go do+n the ,reat West &oad and do a 'ust/J
JAnd 'e .aught in a trap as i1ey not>J said $orothy/ JThat"s +hat
happened to the )aster the other day/ Five pounds and .osts/J
JThe poi.e aren"t so dusty after a>J said (d+ard generousy/
JThey pit.h into the ri.h> a right/ 0o favour/ It )a1es )e )ad to
thin1 of these s+es +ho .an +a1 into a pa.e and 'uy a .oupe of
&os;&oy.es +ithout turning a hair/ There"s no sense in it/ I") as
good as they are/J
JAnd the De+eery>J said $orothy> sighing/ JThose shops in %ond
Street/ $ia)onds and pears and I don"t 1no+ +hatG And )e +ith a
string of Woo+orth pears/J
She 'rooded sady upon the su'De.t/ (d+ard +as a'e on.e )ore
to give fu attention to his driving/ They )anaged to get through
&i.h)ond +ithout )ishap/ The ater.ation +ith the poi.e)an had
sha1en (d+ard"s nerve/ !e no+ too1 the ine of east resistan.e>
foo+ing 'indy 'ehind any .ar in front +henever a .hoi.e of
thoroughfares presented itsef/
In this +ay he presenty found hi)sef foo+ing a shady .ountry
ane +hi.h )any an eBperien.ed )otorist +oud have given his
sou to find/
J&ather .ever turning off the +ay I did>J said (d+ard> ta1ing a
the .redit to hi)sef/
JS+eety pretty> I .a it>J said Miss Pratt/ JAnd I do de.are> there"s
a )an +ith fruit to se/J
Sure enough> at a .onvenient .orner +as a s)a +i.1er ta'e +ith
'as1ets of fruit on it> and the egend "(at More Fruit" dispayed on a
'anner/
J!o+ )u.hAJ said (d+ard apprehensivey> +hen fren?ied puing
of the hand 'ra1e had produ.ed the desired resut/
J#ovey stra+'erries>J said the )an in .harge/
!e +as an unprepossessing;oo1ing individua +ith a eer/
J*ust the thing for the ady/ &ipe fruit> fresh;pi.1ed/ Cherries> too/
,enuine (ngish/ !ave a 'as1et of .herries> adyAJ
JThey do oo1 ni.e ones>J said $orothy/
J#ovey> that"s +hat they are>J said the )an hoarsey/ J%ring you
u.1> ady> that 'as1et +i/J !e at ast .ondes.ended to repy to
(d+ard/ JT+o shiings> sir> and dirt;.heap/ @ou"d say so if you
1ne+ +hat +as inside the 'as1et/J
JThey oo1 a+fuy ni.e>J said $orothy/
(d+ard sighed and paid over t+o shiings/ !is )ind +as o'sessed
'y .a.uation/ Tea ater> petro ; this Sunday )otoring 'usiness
+asn"t +hat you"d .a .heap/ That +as the +orst of ta1ing girs
outG They a+ays +anted everything they sa+/
JThan1 you> sir>J said the unprepossessing;oo1ing one/ Jyou"ve
got )ore than your )oney"s +orth in that 'as1et of .herries/J
(d+ard shoved his foot savagey do+n and the %a'y Austin eaped
at the .herry vendor after the )anner of an infuriated Asatian/
JSorry>J said (d+ard/ JI forgot she +as in gear/J
J@ou ought to 'e .arefu> dear>J said $orothy/ J@ou )ight have
hurt hi)/J
(d+ard did not repy/ Another haf;)ie 'rought the) to an idea
spot 'y the 'an1s of a strea)/ The Austin +as eft 'y the side of
the road and (d+ard and $orothy sat affe.tionatey upon the river
'an1 and )un.hed .herries/ A Sunday paper ay unheeded at their
feet/
JWhat"s the ne+sAJ said (d+ard at ast> stret.hing hi)sef fat on
his 'a.1 and titing his hat to shade his eyes/
$orothy gan.ed over the headines/
JThe Woefu Wife/ (Btraordinary Story/ T+enty;eight Peope
$ro+ned #ast Wee1/ &eported $eath of Air)an/ Starting *e+e
&o''ery/ &u'y 0e.1a.e Worth Fifty Thousand Pounds Missing/
<h> TedG Fifty thousand pounds/ *ust fan.yGJ She +ent on reading/
JThe ne.1a.e is .o)posed of t+enty;one stones set in patinu)
and +as sent 'y registered post fro) Paris/ <n arriva> the pa.1et
+as found to .ontain a fe+ pe''es and the De+es +ere )issing/J
JPin.hed in the post>J said (d+ard/ JThe posts in Fran.e are
a+fu> I 'eieve/J
JI"d i1e to see a ne.1a.e i1e that>J said $orothy/ JA go+ing i1e
'ood ; pigeon"s 'ood> that"s +hat they .a the .oour/ I +onder
+hat it +oud fee i1e to have a thing i1e that hanging round your
ne.1/J
JWe> you"re never i1ey to 1no+> )y gift>J said (d+ard
fa.etiousy/
$orothy tossed her head/
JWhy not> I shoud i1e to 1no+/ It"s a)a?ing the +ay girs .an get
on in the +ord/ I )ight go on the stage/J
J,irs that 'ehave the)seves don"t get any+here>J said (d+ard
dis.ouragingy/
$orothy opened her )outh to repy> .he.1ed hersef> and
)ur)ured> JPass )e the .herries/J
JI"ve 'een eating )ore than you have>J she re)ar1ed/ JI" divide
up +hat"s eft and ; +hy> +hatever"s this at the 'otto) of the
'as1etAJ
She dre+ it out as she spo1e ; a ong gittering .hain of 'ood;red
stones/
They 'oth stared at it in a)a?e)ent/
JIn the 'as1et> did you sayAJ said (d+ard at ast/
$orothy nodded/
J&ight at the 'otto) ; under the fruit/J
Again they stared at ea.h other/
J!o+ did it get there> do you thin1AJ
JI .an"t i)agine/ It"s odd> Ted> Dust after reading that 'it in the
paper ; a'out the ru'ies/J
(d+ard aughed/
J@ou don"t i)agine you"re hoding fifty thousand pounds in your
hand> do youAJ
JI Dust said it +as odd/ &u'ies set in patinu)/ Patinu) is that sort
of du sivery stuff ; i1e this/ $on"t they spar1e and aren"t they a
ovey .oourA I +onder ho+ )any of the) there areAJ She
.ounted/ JI say> Ted> there are t+enty;one eBa.ty/J
J0oGJ
J@es/ The sa)e nu)'er as the paper said/ <h> Ted> you don"t thin1
;J
JIt .oudn"t 'e/J %ut he spo1e irresoutey/ JThere"s so)e sort of
+ay you .an te ; s.rat.hing the) on gass/J
JThat"s dia)onds/ %ut you 1no+> Ted> that +as a very odd;oo1ing
)an ; the )an +ith the fruit ; a nasty;oo1ing )an/ And he +as
funny a'out it ; said +e"d got )ore than our )oney"s +orth in the
'as1et/J
J@es> 'ut oo1 here> $orothy/ What +oud he +ant to hand us over
fifty thousand pounds forAJ
Miss Pratt shoo1 her head> dis.ouraged/
JIt doesn"t see) to )a1e sense>J she ad)itted/ J2ness the poi.e
+ere after hi)/J
JThe poi.eAJ (d+ard paed sighty/
J@es/ It goes on to say in the paper ; "the poi.e have a .ue/"J
Cod shivers ran do+n (d+ard"s spine/
JI don"t i1e this> $orothy/ Supposing the poi.e get after us/J
$orothy stared at hi) +ith her )outh open/
J%ut +e haven"t done anything> Ted/ We found it in the 'as1et/J
JAnd that" sound a siy sort of story to teG It isn"t i1ey/J
JIt isn"t very>J ad)itted $orothy/ J<h> Ted> do you reay thin1 it is
itA It"s i1e a fairy storyGJ
JI don"t thin1 it sounds i1e a fairy story>J said (d+ard/ JIt sounds
to )e )ore i1e the 1ind of story +here the hero goes to $art)oor
unDusty a..used for fourteen years/J
%ut $orothy +as not istening/ She had .asped the ne.1a.e
round her ne.1 and +as Dudging the effe.t in a s)a )irror ta1en
fro) her hand'ag/
JThe sa)e as a du.hess )ight +ear>J she )ur)ured e.stati.ay/
JI +on"t 'eieve it>J said (d+ard vioenty/ JThey"re i)itation/ They
)ust 'e i)itation/J
J@es> dear>J said $orothy> sti intent on her refe.tion in the
)irror/ J7ery i1ey/J
JAnything ese +oud 'e too )u.h of a ; a .oin.iden.e/J
JPigeon"s 'ood>J )ur)ured $orothy/
JIt"s a'surd/ That"s +hat I say/ A'surd/ #oo1 here> $orothy> are
you istening to +hat I say> or are you notAJ
$orothy put a+ay the )irror/ She turned to hi)> one hand on the
ru'ies round her ne.1/
J!o+ do I oo1AJ she as1ed/
(d+ard stared at her> his grievan.e forgotten/ !e had never seen
$orothy 8uite i1e this/ There +as a triu)ph a'out her> a 1ind of
rega 'eauty that +as .o)petey ne+ to hi)/ The 'eief that she
had De+es round her ne.1 +orth fifty thousand pounds had )ade
of $orothy Pratt a ne+ +o)an/ She oo1ed insoenty serene a 1ind
of Ceopatra and Se)ira)is and Veno'ia roed into one/
J@ou oo1 ; you oo1 ; stunning>J said (d+ard hu)'y/ $orothy
aughed> and her augh> too> +as entirey different/
J#oo1 here>J said (d+ard/ JWe"ve got to do so)ething/ We )ust
ta1e the) to a poi.e station or so)ething/J
J0onsense>J said $orothy/ J@ou said yoursef Dust no+ that they
+oudn"t 'eieve you/ @ou" pro'a'y 'e sent to prison for steaing
the)/J
J%ut ; 'ut +hat ese .an +e doAJ
J-eep the)>J said the ne+ $orothy Pratt/
(d+ard stared at her/
J-eep the)A @ou"re )ad/J
JWe found the)> didn"t +eA Why shoud +e thin1 they"re vaua'eE
We" 1eep the) and I sha +ear the)/J
JAnd the poi.e +i pin.h you/J
$orothy .onsidered this for a )inute or t+o/
JA right>J she said/ JWe" se the)/ And you .an 'uy a &os;
&oy.e> or t+o &os;&oy.es> and I" 'uy a dia)ond headthing and
so)e rings/J
Sti (d+ard stared/ $orothy sho+ed i)patien.e/
J@ou"ve got your .han.e no+ ; it"s up to you to ta1e it/ We didn"t
stea the thing ; I +oudn"t hod +ith that/ It"s .o)e to us and it"s
pro'a'y the ony .han.e +e" ever have of getting a the things
+e +ant/ !aven"t you got any spun1 at a> (d+ard PagroveAJ
(d+ard found his voi.e/
JSe it> you sayA That +oudn"t 'e so Doy easy/ Any De+eer +oud
+ant to 1no+ +here I got the 'oo)ing thing/J
J@ou don"t ta1e it to a De+eer/ $on"t you ever read dete.tive
stories> TedA @ou ta1e it to a "fen.e>" of .ourse/J
JAnd ho+ shoud I 1no+ any fen.esA I"ve 'een 'rought up
respe.ta'e/J
JMen ought to 1no+ everything>J said $orothy/ JThat"s +hat
they"re for/J
!e oo1ed at her/ She +as serene and unyieding/
JI +oudn"t have 'eieved it of you>J he said +ea1y/
JI thought you had )ore spirit/J
There +as a pause/ Then $orothy rose to her feet/
JWe>J she said ighty/ JWe"d 'est 'e getting ho)e/J
JWearing that thing round your ne.1AJ
$orothy re)oved the ne.1a.e> oo1ed at it reverenty and
dropped it into her hand'ag/
J#oo1 here>J said (d+ard/ J@ou give that to )e/J
J0o/J
J@es> you do/ I"ve 'een 'rought up honest> )y gir/J
JWe> you .an go on 'eing honest/ @ou need have nothing to do
+ith it/J
J<h> hand it over>J said (d+ard re.1essy/ JI" do it/ I" find a
fen.e/ As you say> it"s the ony .han.e +e sha ever have/ We
.a)e 'y it honest ; 'ought it for t+o shiings/ It"s no )ore than
+hat gente)en do in anti8ue shops every day of their ife and are
proud of it/J
JThat"s itGJ said $orothy/ J<h> (d+ard> you"re spendidGJ
She handed over the ne.1a.e and he dropped it into his po.1et/
!e fet +or1ed up> eBated> the very devi of a feo+G In this )ood>
he started the Austin/ They +ere 'oth too eB.ited to re)e)'er
tea/ They drove 'a.1 to #ondon in sien.e/ <n.e at a .rossroads> a
poi.e)an stepped to+ards the .ar> and (d+ard"s heart )issed a
'eat/ %y a )ira.e> they rea.hed ho)e +ithout )ishap/
(d+ard"s ast +ords to $orothy +ere i)'ued +ith the adventurous
spirit/
JWe" go through +ith this/ Fifty thousand poundsG It"s +orth itGJ
!e drea)t that night of 'road arro+s and $art)oor> and rose
eary> haggard> and unrefreshed/ !e had to set a'out finding a
fen.e ; and ho+ to do it he had not the re)otest ideaG
!is +or1 at the offi.e +as soveny and 'rought do+n upon hi)
t+o sharp re'u1es 'efore un.h/
!o+ did one find a Jfen.eJA White.hape> he fan.ied> +as the
.orre.t neigh'ourhood ; or +as it StepneyA
<n his return to the offi.e a .a .a)e though for hi) on the
teephone/ $orothy"s voi.e spo1e ; tragi. and tearfu/
JIs that you> TedA I") using the teephone> 'ut she )ay .o)e in
any )inute> and I" have to stop/ Ted> you haven"t done anything>
have youAJ
(d+ard repied in the negative/
JWe> oo1 here> Ted> you )ustn"t/ I"ve 'een ying a+a1e a night/
It"s 'een a+fu/ Thin1ing of ho+ it says in the %i'e you )ustn"t
stea/ I )ust have 'een )ad yesterday ; I reay )ust/ @ou +on"t do
anything> +i you> Ted> dearAJ
$id a feeing of reief stea over Mr PagroveA Possi'y it did ; 'ut
he +asn"t going to ad)it any su.h thing/
JWhen I say I") going through +ith a thing> I go through +ith it>J he
said in a voi.e su.h as )ight 'eong to a strong super)an +ith
eyes of stee/
J<h> 'ut> Ted> dear> you )ustn"t/ <h> #ord> she"s .o)ing/ #oo1
here> Ted> she"s going out to dinner tonight/ I .an sip out and )eet
you/ $on"t do anything ti you"ve seen )e/ (ight o".o.1/ Wait for
)e round the .orner/J !er voi.e .hanged to a seraphi. )ur)ur/
J@es> )a"a)> I thin1 it +as a +rong nu)'er/ It +as %oo)s'ury
6245 they +anted/J
As (d+ard eft the offi.e at siB o".o.1> a huge headine .aught his
eyes/
*(W(## &<%%(&@/
#AT(ST $(7(#<PM(0TS
!urriedy he eBtended a penny/ Safey ens.on.ed in the tu'e>
having deBterousy )anaged to gain a seat> he eagery perused
the printed sheet/ !e found +hat he sought easiy enough/
A suppressed +histe es.aped hi)/
JWe ; I") ;J
And then another adDa.ent paragraph .aught his eye/ !e read it
through and et the paper sip to the foor unheeded/
Pre.isey at eight o".o.1> he +as +aiting at the rende?vous/ A
'reathess $orothy> oo1ing pae 'ut pretty> .a)e hurrying aong
to Doin hi)/
J@ou haven"t done anything> TedAJ
JI haven"t done anything/J !e too1 the ru'y .hain fro) his po.1et/
J@ou .an put it on/J
J%ut> Ted ;J
JThe poi.e have got the ru'ies a right ; and the )an +ho pin.hed
the)/ And no+ read thisGJ
!e thrust a ne+spaper paragraph under her nose $orothy readH
0(W A$7(&TISI0, ST20T
A .ever ne+ advertising dodge is 'eing adopted 'y the A;(ngish
Fivepenny Fair +ho intend to .haenge the fa)ous Woo+orths/
%as1ets of fruit +ere sod yesterday and +i 'e on sae every
Sunday/ <ut of every fifty 'as1ets> one +i .ontain an i)itation
ne.1a.e in different .ooured stones/ These ne.1a.es are reay
+onderfu vaue for the )oney/ ,reat eB.ite)ent and )erri)ent
+as .aused 'y the) yesterday and (AT M<&( F&2IT +i have a
great vogue neBt Sunday/ We .ongratuate the Fivepenny Fair on
their resour.e and +ish the) a good u.1 in their .a)paign of
%uy %ritish ,oods/
JWe ;J said $orothy/
And after a pauseH JWeGJ
J@es>J said (d+ard/ JI fet the sa)e/J
A passing )an thrust a paper into his hand/
JTa1e one> 'rother>J he said/
JThe pri.e of a virtuous +o)an is far a'ove ru'ies/J
JThereGJ said (d+ard/ JI hope that .heers you up/J
JI don"t 1no+>J said $orothy dou'tfuy/ JI don"t eBa.ty +ant to
oo1 i1e a good +o)an/J
J@ou don"t>J said (d+ard/ JThat"s +hy the )an gave )e that paper/
With those ru'ies round your ne.1 you don"t oo1 one itte 'it i1e a
good +o)an/J
$orothy aughed/
J@ou"re rather a dear> Ted>J she said/ JCo)e on> et"s go to the
pi.tures/J
M& (ASTW<<$"S A$7(0T2&(
Mr (ast+ood oo1ed at the .eiing/ Then he oo1ed do+n at the
foor/ Fro) the foor his ga?e traveed so+y up the right;hand
+a/ Then> +ith a sudden stern effort> he fo.used his ga?e on.e
)ore upon the type+riter 'efore hi)/
The virgin +hite of the sheet of paper +as defa.ed 'y a tite
+ritten in .apita etters/
JT!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( S(C<0$ C2C2M%(&>J so it ran/ A
peasing tite/ Anthony (ast+ood fet that anyone reading that tite
+oud 'e at on.e intrigued and arrested 'y it JThe Mystery of the
Se.ond Cu.u)'er>J they +oud say/ JWhat .an that 'e a'outA A
.u.u)'erA The se.ond .u.u)'erA I )ust .ertainy read that
story/J And they +oud 'e thried and .har)ed 'y the
.onsu))ate ease +ith +hi.h this )aster of dete.tive fi.tion had
+oven an eB.iting pot round this si)pe vegeta'e/
That +as a very +e/ Anthony (ast+ood 1ne+ as +e as anyone
+hat the story ought to 'e i1e ; the 'other +as that so)eho+ or
other he .oudn"t get on +ith it/ The t+o essentias for a story +ere
a tite and a pot ; the rest +as )ere spade;+or1I so)eti)es the
tite ed to a pot a 'y itsef> as it +ere> and then a +as pain
saiing ; 'ut in this .ase the tite .ontinued to adorn the top of the
page> and not the vestige of a pot +as forth.o)ing/
Again Anthony (ast+ood"s ga?e sought inspiration fro) the
.eiing> the foor> and the +apaper> and sti nothing )ateriai?ed/
JI sha .a the heroine Sonia>J said Anthony> to urge hi)sef on/
JSonia or possi'y $oores ; she sha have a s1in of ivory paor ;
the 1ind that"s not due to i;heath> and eyes i1e fatho)ess poos/
The hero sha 'e .aed ,eorge> or possi'y *ohn ; so)ething
short and %ritish/ Then the gardener ; I suppose there +i have to
'e a gardener> +e"ve got to drag that 'easty .u.u)'er in
so)eho+ or other ; the gardener )ight 'e S.ottish> and a)usingy
pessi)isti. a'out the eary frosts/J
This )ethod so)eti)es +or1ed> 'ut it didn"t see) to 'e going to
this )orning/ Athough Anthony .oud see Sonia and ,eorge and
the .o)i. gardener 8uite .eary> they didn"t sho+ any +iingness
to 'e a.tive and do things/
JI .oud )a1e it a 'anana> of .ourse>J thought Anthony
desperatey/ J<r a ettu.e> or a %russes sprout ; %russes sprout>
no+> ho+ a'out thatA &eay a .ryptogra) for %russes ; stoen
'earer 'onds ; sinister %egian 'aron/J
For a )o)ent a gea) of ight see)ed to sho+> 'ut it died do+n
again/ The %egian 'aron +oudn"t )ateriai?e> and Anthony
suddeny re)e)'ered that eary frosts and .u.u)'ers +ere
in.o)pati'e> +hi.h see)ed to put the id on the a)using re)ar1s
of the S.ottish gardener/
J<hG $a)nGJ said Mr (ast+ood/
!e rose and sei?ed the $aiy Mai/ It +as Dust possi'e that
so)eone or other had 'een done to death in su.h a +ay as to end
inspiration to a perspiring author/ %ut the ne+s this )orning +as
)ainy poiti.a and foreign/ Mr (ast+ood .ast do+n the paper in
disgust/
0eBt sei?ing a nove fro) the ta'e> he .osed his eyes and da''ed
his finger do+n on one of the pages/ The +ord thus indi.ated 'y
fate +as Jsheep/J I))ediatey> +ith starting 'riian.e> a +hoe
story unroed itsef in Mr (ast+ood"s 'rain/ #ovey gir ; over 1ied
in the +ar> her 'rain unhinged ; tends sheep on the S.ottish
)ountains ; )ysti. )eeting +ith dead over> fina effe.t of sheep
and )oonight i1e A.ade)y pi.ture> +ith gir ying dead in the
sno+> and t+o trais of footsteps///
It +as a 'eautifu story/ Anthony .a)e out of its .on.eption +ith a
sigh and a sad sha1e of the head/ !e 1ne+ ony too +e that the
editor in 8uestion did not +ant that 1ind of story ; 'eautifu though
it )ight 'e/ The 1ind of story he +anted> and insisted on having
9and in.identay paid handso)ey for getting:> +as a a'out
)ysterious dar1 +o)en> sta''ed to the heart> a young hero
unDusty suspe.ted> and the sudden unraveing of the )ystery and
fiBing of the guit on the east i1ey person> 'y )eans of +hoy
inade8uate .ues ; in fa.t> JT!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( S(C<0$
C2C2M%(&/J
JAthough>J refe.ted Anthony> Jten to one he" ater the tite and
.a it so)ething rotten> i1e "Murder Most Fou/" +ithout so )u.h
as as1ing )eG <h> .urse that teephone/J
!e strode angriy to it> and too1 do+n the re.eiver/ T+i.e aready
in the ast hour he had 'een su))oned to it ; on.e for a +rong
nu)'er> and on.e to 'e roped in for dinner 'y a s1ittish so.iety
da)e +ho) he hated 'ittery> 'ut +ho had 'een too pertina.ious
to defeat/
J!aoGJ he gro+ed into the re.eiver/
A +o)an"s voi.e ans+ered hi)> a soft> .aressing voi.e +ith a
tra.e of foreign a..ent/
JIs that you> 'eovedAJ it said/
JWe ; er ; I don"t 1no+>J said Mr (ast+ood .autiousy/ JWho"s
spea1ingAJ
JIt is I/ Car)en/ #isten> 'eoved/ I a) pursued ; in danger ; you
)ust .o)e at on.e/ It is ife or death no+/J
JI 'eg your pardon>J said Mr (ast+ood poitey/ JI") afraid you"ve
got the +rong ;J
She 'ro1e in 'efore he .oud .o)pete the senten.e/
JMadre de $iosG They are .o)ing/ If they find out +hat I a) doing>
they +i 1i )e/ $o not fai )e/ Co)e at on.e/ It is death for )e if
you don"t .o)e/ @ou 1no+> 526 -ir1 Street/ The +ord is
.u.u)'er/// !ush///J
!e heard the faint .i.1 as she hung up the re.eiver at the other
end/ JWe> I") da)ned>J said Mr (ast+ood> very )u.h astonished/
!e .rossed over to his to'a..o Dar> and fied his pipe .arefuy/
JI suppose>J he )used> Jthat that +as so)e .urious effe.t of )y
su'.ons.ious sef/ She .an"t have said .u.u)'er/ The +hoe thing
is very eBtraordinary/ $id she say .u.u)'er> or didn"t sheAJ
!e stroed up and do+n irresoutey/
J526 -ir1 Street/ I +onder +hat it"s a a'outA She" 'e eBpe.ting
the other )an to turn up/ I +ish I .oud have eBpained/ 526 -ir1
Street/ The +ord is .u.u)'er ; oh> i)possi'e> a'surd ;
hau.ination of a 'usy 'rain/J
!e gan.ed )aevoenty at the type+riter/
JWhat good are you> I shoud i1e to 1no+A I"ve 'een oo1ing at you
a the )orning> and a ot of good it"s done )e/ An author shoud
get his pots fro) ife ; fro) ife> do you hearA I") going out to get
one no+/J
!e .apped a hat on his head> ga?ed affe.tionatey at his pri.eess
.oe.tion of od ena)es> and eft the fat/
-ir1 Street> as )ost #ondoners 1no+> is a ong> stragging
thoroughfare> .hiefy devoted to anti8ue shops> +here a 1inds of
spurious goods are offered at fan.y pri.es/ There are aso od
'rass shops> gass shops> de.ayed se.ond;hand shops> and
se.ond;hand .othes deaers/
0o/ 526 +as devoted to the sae of od gass/ ,ass+are of a 1inds
fied it to overfo+ing/ It +as ne.essary for Anthony to )ove
gingery as he advan.ed up a .enter aise fan1ed 'y +ine gasses
and +ith usters and .handeiers s+aying and t+in1ing over his
head/
A very od ady +as sitting at the 'a.1 of the shop/ She had a
'udding )usta.he that )any an undergraduate )ight have
envied> and a tru.uent )anner/
She oo1ed at Anthony and said> JWeAJ in a for'idding voi.e/
Anthony +as a young )an so)e+hat easiy dis.o)posed/ !e
i))ediatey in8uired the pri.e of so)e ho.1 gasses/
JForty;five shiings for haf a do?en/J
J<h> reay>J said Anthony/ J&ather ni.e> aren"t theyA !o+ )u.h
are these thingsAJ
J%eautifu> they are> od Waterford/ #et you have the pair for
eighteen guineas/J
Mr (ast+ood fet that he +as aying up trou'e for hi)sef/ In
another )inute he +oud 'e 'uying so)ething> hypnoti?ed 'y this
fier.e od +o)an"s eye/ And yet he .oud not 'ring hi)sef to eave
the shop/
JWhat a'out thatAJ he as1ed> and pointed to a .handeier/
JThirty;five guineas/J
JAhGJ said Mr (ast+ood regretfuy/ JThat"s rather )ore than I .an
afford/J
JWhat do you +antAJ as1ed the od ady/ JSo)ething for a +edding
presentAJ
JThat"s it>J said Anthony> snat.hing at the eBpanation/ J%ut they"re
very diffi.ut to suit/J
JAh> +e>J said the ady> rising +ith an air of deter)ination/ JA
ni.e pie.e of od gass .o)es a)iss to no'ody/ I"ve got a .oupe of
od de.anters here ; and there"s a ni.e itte i8ueur set> Dust the
thing for a 'ride ;J
For the neBt ten )inutes Anthony endured agonies/ The ady had
hi) fir)y in hand/ (very .on.eiva'e spe.i)en of the gass
)a1er"s art +as paraded 'efore his eyes/ !e 'e.a)e desperate/
J%eautifu> 'eautifu>J he eB.ai)ed in a perfun.tory )anner> as he
put do+n a arge go'et that +as 'eing for.ed on his attention/
Then 'urted out hurriedy> JI say> are you on the teephone hereAJ
J0o> +e"re not/ There"s a .a offi.e at the post offi.e Dust opposite/
0o+> +hat do you say> the go'et ; or these fine od ru))ersAJ
0ot 'eing a +o)an> Anthony +as 8uite unversed in the gente art
of getting out of a shop +ithout 'uying anything/
JI"d 'etter have the i8ueur set>J he said goo)iy/
It see)ed the s)aest thing/ !e +as terrified of 'eing anded +ith
the .handeier/
With 'itterness in his heart he paid for his pur.hase/ And then> as
the od ady +as +rapping up the par.e> .ourage suddeny
returned to hi)/ After a> she +oud ony thin1 hi) e..entri.> and>
any+ay> +hat the devi did it )atter +hat she thoughtA
JCu.u)'er>J he said> .eary and fir)y/
The od .rone paused a'rupty in her +rapping operations/
J(hA What did you sayAJ
J0othing>J ied Anthony hastiy/
J<hG I thought you said .u.u)'er/J
JSo I did>J said Anthony defianty/
JWe>J said the od ady/ JWhy ever didn"t you say that 'eforeA
Wasting )y ti)e/ Through that door there and upstairs/ She"s
+aiting for you/J
As though in a drea)> Anthony passed through the door indi.ated>
and .i)'ed so)e eBtre)ey dirty stairs/ At the top of the) a door
stood aDar dispaying a tiny sitting;roo)/
Sitting on a .hair> her eyes fiBed on the door> and an eBpression of
eager eBpe.tan.y on her fa.e> +as a gir/
Su.h a girG She reay had the ivory paor that Anthony had so
often +ritten a'out/ And her eyesG Su.h eyesG She +as not (ngish>
that .oud 'e seen at a gan.e/ She had a foreign eBoti. 8uaity
+hi.h sho+ed itsef even in the .osty si)pi.ity of her dress/
Anthony paused in the door+ay> so)e+hat a'ashed/ The )o)ent
of eBpanations see)ed to have arrived/ %ut +ith a .ry of deight
the gir rose and fe+ into his ar)s/
J@ou have .o)e>J she .ried/ J@ou have .o)e/ <h> the saints and
the !oy Madonna 'e praised/J
Anthony> never one to )iss opportunities> e.hoed her ferventy/
She dre+ a+ay at ast> and oo1ed up in his fa.e +ith a .har)ing
shyness/
JI shoud never have 1no+n you>J she de.ared/ JIndeed I shoud
not/J
JWoudn"t youAJ said Anthony fee'y/
J0o> even your eyes see) different ; and you are ten ti)es
handso)er than I ever thought you +oud 'e/J
JA) IAJ
To hi)sef Anthony +as saying> J-eep .a)> )y 'oy> 1eep .a)/
The situation is deveoping very ni.ey> 'ut don"t ose your head/J
JI )ay 1iss you again> yesAJ
J<f .ourse you .an>J said Anthony heartiy/ JAs often as you i1e/J
There +as a very peasant interude/
JI +onder +ho the devi I a)AJ thought Anthony/ JI hope to
goodness the rea feo+ +on"t turn up/ What a perfe.t daring she
is/J
Suddeny the gir dre+ a+ay fro) hi)> and terror sho+ed in her
fa.e/
J@ou +ere not foo+ed hereAJ
J#ord> no/J
JAh> 'ut they are very .unning/ @ou do not 1no+ the) as I do/
%oris> he is a fiend/J
JI" soon sette %oris for you/J
J@ou are a ion ; yes> 'ut a ion/ As for the)> they are .anaie ; a
of the)/ #isten> I have itG They +oud have 1ied )e had they
1no+n/ I +as afraid ; I did not 1no+ +hat to do> and then I thought
of you/// !ush> +hat +as thatAJ
It +as a sound in the shop 'eo+/ Motioning to hi) to re)ain +here
he +as> she tiptoed out on to the stairs/ She returned +ith a +hite
fa.e and staring eyes/
JMadre de $iosG It is the poi.e/ They are .o)ing up here/ @ou have
a 1nifeA A revoverA Whi.hAJ
JMy dear gir> you don"t seriousy eBpe.t )e to )urder a
poi.e)anAJ
J<h> 'ut you are )ad ; )adG They +i ta1e you a+ay and hang you
'y the ne.1 unti you"re dead/J
JThey" +hatAJ said Mr (ast+ood> +ith a very unpeasant feeing
going up and do+n his spine/
Steps sounded on the stair/
J!ere they .o)e>J +hispered the gir/ J$eny everything/ It is the
ony hope/J
JThat"s easy enough>J )uttered Mr (ast+ood> sotto vo.e/
In another )inute t+o )en had entered the roo)/ They +ere in
pain .othes> 'ut they had an offi.ia 'earing that spo1e of ong
training/ The s)aer of the t+o> a itte dar1 )an +ith 8uiet gray
eyes> +as the spo1es)an/
JI arrest you> Conrad Fe.1)an>J he said> Jfor the )urder of Anna
&osen'erg/ Anything you say +i 'e used in eviden.e against you/
!ere is )y +arrant and you +i do +e to .o)e 8uiety/J
A haf;stranged s.rea) 'urst fro) the gir"s ips/ Anthony stepped
for+ard +ith a .o)posed s)ie/
J@ou are )a1ing a )ista1e> offi.er>J he said peasanty/ JMy na)e
is Anthony (ast+ood/J
The t+o dete.tives see)ed .o)petey uni)pressed 'y his
state)ent/
JWe" see a'out that ater>J said one of the)> the one +ho had not
spo1en 'efore/ JIn the )eanti)e> you .o)e aong +ith us/J
JConrad>J +aied the gir/ JConrad> do not et the) ta1e you/J
Anthony oo1ed at the dete.tives/
J@ou +i per)it )e> I a) sure> to say good;'ye to this young
adyAJ
With )ore de.en.y of feeing than he had eBpe.ted> the t+o )en
)oved to+ards the door/ Anthony dre+ the gir into the .orner 'y
the +indo+> and spo1e to her in a rapid undertone/
J#isten to )e/ What I said +as true/ I a) not Conrad Fe.1)an/
When you rang up this )orning> they )ust have given you the
+rong nu)'er/ My na)e is Anthony (ast+ood/ I .a)e in ans+er to
your appea 'e.ause ; +e> I .a)e/J
She stared at hi) in.reduousy/
J@ou are not Conrad Fe.1)anAJ
J0o/J
J<hGJ she .ried> +ith a deep a..ent of distress/ JAnd I 1issed youGJ
JThat"s a right>J Mr (ast+ood assured her/ JThe eary Christians
)ade a pra.ti.e of that sort of thing/ *oy sensi'e/ 0o+> oo1
here/ I" too off these peope/ I sha soon prove )y identity/ In the
)eanti)e> they +on"t +orry you> and you .an +arn this pre.ious
Conrad of yours/ After+ards ;J
J@esAJ
JWe ; Dust this/ My teephone nu)'er is 0orth+estern 1E45 ; and
)ind they don"t give you the +rong one/J
She gave hi) an en.hanting gan.e> haf;tears> haf a s)ie/
JI sha not forget ; indeed> I sha not forget/J
JThat"s a right then/ ,ood;'ye/ I say ;J
J@esAJ
JTa1ing of the eary Christians ; on.e )ore +oudn"t )atter> +oud
itAJ
She fung her ar)s round his ne.1/ !er ips Dust tou.hed his/
JI do i1e you ; yes> I do i1e you/ @ou +i re)e)'er that> +hatever
happens> +on"t youAJ
Anthony disengaged hi)sef reu.tanty and approa.hed his
.aptors/
JI a) ready to .o)e +ith you/ @ou don"t +ant to detain this young
ady> I supposeAJ
J0o> sir> that +i 'e 8uite a right>J said the s)a )an .iviy/
J$e.ent feo+s> these S.otand @ard )en>J thought Anthony to
hi)sef> as he foo+ed the) do+n the narro+ stair+ay/
There +as no sign of the od +o)an in the shop> 'ut Anthony
.aught a heavy 'reathing fro) a door at the rear> and guessed
that she stood 'ehind it> .autiousy o'serving events/
<n.e out in the dinginess of -ir1 Street> Anthony dre+ a ong
'reath> and addressed the s)aer of the t+o )en/
J0o+> then> Inspe.tor ; you are an inspe.tor> I supposeAJ
J@es> sir/ $ete.tive;Inspe.tor 7erra/ This is $ete.tive;Sergeant
Carter/J
JWe> Inspe.tor 7erra> the ti)e has .o)e to ta1 sense ; and to
isten to it/ too/ I") not Conrad What"s;his;na)e/ My na)e is
Anthony (ast+ood> as I tod you> and I a) a +riter 'y profession/ If
you +i a..o)pany )e to )y fat/ I thin1 that I sha 'e a'e to
satisfy you of )y identity/J
So)ething in the )atter;of;fa.t +ay Anthony spo1e see)ed to
i)press the dete.tives/ For the first ti)e an eBpression of dou't
passed over 7erra"s fa.e/
Carter> apparenty> +as harder to .onvin.e/
JI dare say>J he sneered/ J%ut you" re)e)'er the young ady +as
.aing you "Conrad" a right/J
JAhG that"s another )atter/ I don"t )ind ad)itting to you 'oth that
for ; er ; reasons of )y o+n> I +as passing )ysef off upon that ady
as a person .aed Conrad/ A private )atter> you understand/J
J#i1ey story> isn"t itAJ o'served Carter/ J0o> sir> you .o)e aong
+ith us/ !ai that taBi> *oe/J
A passing taBi +as stopped> and the three )en got inside/ Anthony
)ade a ast atte)pt> addressing hi)sef to 7erra as the )ore
easiy .onvin.ed of the t+o/
J#oo1 here> )y dear Inspe.tor> +hat har) is it going to do you to
.o)e aong to )y fat and see if I") spea1ing the truthA @ou .an
1eep the taBi if you i1e ; there"s a generous offerG It +on"t )a1e
five )inutes differen.e either +ay/J
7erra oo1ed at hi) sear.hingy/
JI" do it>J he said suddeny/ JStrange as it appears> I 'eieve
you"re spea1ing the truth/ We don"t +ant to )a1e foos of
ourseves at the station 'y arresting the +rong )an/ What"s the
addressAJ
JForty;eight %randen'urg Mansions/J
7erra eaned out and shouted the address to the taBi driver/ A
three sat in sien.e unti they arrived at their destination> +hen
Carter sprang out> and 7erra )otioned to Anthony to foo+ hi)/
J0o need for any unpeasantness>J he eBpained> as he too
des.ended/ JWe" go in friendy i1e> as though Mr (ast+ood +as
'ringing a .oupe of pas ho)e/J
Anthony fet eBtre)ey gratefu for the suggestion and his opinion
of the Cri)ina Investigation $epart)ent rose every )inute/
In the ha+ay they +ere fortunate enough to )eet &ogers> the
porter/ Anthony stopped/
JAhG ,ood evening> &ogers>J he re)ar1ed .asuay/
J,ood evening> Mr (ast+ood>J repied the porter respe.tfuy/
!e +as atta.hed to Anthony> +ho set an eBa)pe of i'eraity not
a+ays foo+ed 'y his neigh'ors/
Anthony paused +ith his foot on the 'otto) step of the stairs/
J%y the +ay> &ogers>J he said .asuay> Jho+ ong have I 'een
iving hereA I +as Dust having a itte dis.ussion a'out it +ith these
friends of )ine/J
J#et )e see> sir> it )ust 'e getting on for .ose on four years no+/J
J*ust +hat I thought/J
Anthony fung a gan.e of triu)ph at the t+o dete.tives/ Carter
grunted> 'ut 7erra +as s)iing 'roady/
J,ood> 'ut not good enough> sir>J he re)ar1ed/ JSha +e go upAJ
Anthony opened the door of the fat +ith his at.h1ey/ !e +as
than1fu to re)e)'er that Sea)ar1> his )an> +as out/ The fe+er
+itnesses of this .atastrophe the 'etter/
The type+riter +as as he had eft it/ Carter strode a.ross to the
ta'e and read the headine on the paper/ JT!( M@ST(&@ <F T!(
S(C<0$ C2C2M%(&AJ he announ.ed in a goo)y voi.e/
JA story of )ine>J eB.ai)ed Anthony non.haanty/
JThat"s another good point> sir>J said 7erra nodding his head> his
eyes t+in1ing/ J%y the +ay> sir> +hat +as it a'outA What +as the
)ystery of the se.ond .u.u)'erAJ
JAh> there you have )e>J said Anthony/ JIt"s that se.ond .u.u)'er
that"s at the 'otto) of this trou'e/J
Carter +as oo1ing at hi) intenty/ Suddeny he shoo1 his head and
tapped his forehead signifi.anty/
J%a)y> poor young feo+>J he )ur)ured in an audi'e aside/
J0o+> gente)en>J said Mr (ast+ood 'ris1y> Jto 'usiness/ !ere
are etters addressed to )e> )y 'an1;'oo1> .o))uni.ations fro)
editors/ What )ore do you +antAJ
7erra eBa)ined the papers that Anthony thrust upon hi)/
JSpea1ing for )ysef> sir>J he said respe.tfuy> JI +ant nothing
)ore/ I") 8uite .onvin.ed/ %ut I .an"t ta1e the responsi'iity of
reeasing you upon )ysef/ @ou see> athough it see)s positive that
you have 'een residing here as Mr (ast+ood for so)e years> yet it
is possi'e that Conrad Fe.1)an and Anthony (ast+ood are one
and the sa)e person/ I )ust )a1e a thorough sear.h of the fat>
ta1e your fingerprints> and teephone to head8uarters/J
JThat see)s a .o)prehensive progra)>J re)ar1ed Anthony/ JI
.an assure you that you"re +e.o)e to any guity se.rets of )ine
you )ay ay your hands on/J
The inspe.tor grinned/ For a dete.tive he +as a singuary hu)an
person/
JWi you go into the itte end roo)> sir> +ith Carter> +hie I")
getting 'usyAJ
JA right>J said Anthony un+iingy/ JI suppose it .oudn"t 'e the
other +ay a'out> .oud itAJ
JMeaningAJ
JThat you and I and a .oupe of +his1ies and sodas shoud o..upy
the end roo) +hie our friend> the sergeant> does the heavy
sear.hing/J
JIf you prefer it> sirAJ
JI do prefer it/J
They eft Carter investigating the .ontents of the des1 +ith
'usiness;i1e deBterity/ As they passed out of the roo)> they heard
hi) ta1e do+n the teephone and .a up S.otand @ard/
JThis isn"t so 'ad>J said Anthony> setting hi)sef +ith a +his1y and
soda 'y his side> having hospita'y attended to the +ants of
Inspe.tor 7erra/ JSha I drin1 first> Dust to sho+ you that the
+his1y isn"t poisonedAJ
The inspe.tor s)ied/
J7ery irreguar> a this>J he re)ar1ed/ J%ut +e 1no+ a thing or t+o
in our profession/ I reai?ed right fro) the start that +e"d )ade a
)ista1e/ %ut of .ourse one had to o'serve a the usua for)s/ @ou
.an"t get a+ay fro) red tape> .an you> sirAJ
JI suppose not>J said Anthony regretfuy/ JThe sergeant doesn"t
see) very )atey yet> though> does heAJ
JAh> he"s a fine )an> $ete.tive;Sergeant Carter/ @ou +oudn"t find
it easy to put anything over on hi)/J
JI"ve noti.ed that/J said Anthony/ J%y the +ay> Inspe.tor>J he
added> Jis there any o'De.tion to )y hearing so)ething a'out
)ysefAJ
JIn +hat +ay> sirAJ
JCo)e> no+> don"t you reai?e that I") devoured 'y .uriosityA Who
+as Anna &osen'erg> and +hy did I )urder herAJ
J@ou" read a a'out it in the ne+spapers to)orro+> sir/J
J"To)orro+ I )ay 'e Mysef +ith @esterday"s ten thousand years>"J
8uoted Anthony/ JI reay thin1 you )ight satisfy )y perfe.ty
egiti)ate .uriosity> Inspe.tor/ Cast aside your offi.ia reti.en.e>
and te )e a/J
JIt"s 8uite irreguar> sir/J
JMy dear Inspe.tor> +hen +e are 'e.o)ing su.h fast friendsAJ
JWe> sir> Anna &osen'erg +as a ,er)an +ho ived at
!a)pstead/ With no visi'e )eans of iveihood> she gre+ yeary
ri.her and ri.her/J
JI") Dust the opposite>J .o))ented Anthony/ JI have a visi'e
)eans of iveihood and I get yeary poorer and poorer/ Perhaps I
shoud do 'etter if I ived in !a)pstead/ I"ve a+ays heard
!a)pstead is very 'ra.ing/J
JAt one ti)e>J .ontinued 7erra> Jshe +as a se.ond;hand .othes
deaer ;J
JThat eBpains it>J interrupted Anthony/ JI re)e)'er seing )y
unifor) after the +ar ; not 1ha1i> the other stuff/ The +hoe fat +as
fu of red trousers and god a.e> spread out to 'est advantage/ A
fat )an in a .he.1 suit arrived in a &os &oy.e +ith a fa.totu)
.o)pete +ith 'ag/ !e 'id one pound ten for the ot/ In the end I
thre+ in a hunting .oat and so)e Veiss gasses and at a given
signa the fa.totu) opened the 'ag and shoveed the goods inside>
and the fat )an tendered )e a ten;pound note and as1ed )e for
.hange/J
JA'out ten years ago>J .ontinued the inspe.tor> Jthere +ere
severa Spanish poiti.a refugees in #ondon ; a)ong the) a
.ertain $on Fernando Ferrare? +ith his young +ife and .hid/ They
+ere very poor> and the +ife +as i/ Anna &osen'erg visited the
pa.e +here they +ere odging and as1ed if they had anything to
se/ $on Fernando +as out> and his +ife de.ided to part +ith a
very +onderfu Spanish sha+> e)'roidered in a )arveous
)anner> +hi.h had 'een one of her hus'and"s ast presents to her
'efore fying fro) Spain/ When $on Fernando returned> he fe+
into a terri'e rage on hearing the sha+ had 'een sod> and tried
vainy to re.over it/ When he at ast su..eeded in finding the
se.ond;hand .othes +o)an in 8uestion> she de.ared that she
had resod the sha+ to a +o)an +hose na)e she did not 1no+/
$on Fernando +as in despair/ T+o )onths ater he +as sta''ed in
the street and died as a resut of his +ounds/ Fro) that ti)e
on+ard> Anna &osen'erg see)ed suspi.iousy fush of )oney/ In
the ten years that foo+ed> her house at !a)pstead +as 'urged
no ess than eight ti)es/ Four of the atte)pts +ere frustrated and
nothing +as ta1enI on the other four o..asions> an e)'roidered
sha+ of so)e 1ind +as a)ong the 'ooty/J
The inspe.tor paused> and then +ent on in o'edien.e to an urgent
gesture fro) Anthony/
JA +ee1 ago> Car)en Ferrare?> the young daughter of $on
Fernando> arrived in this .ountry fro) a .onvent in Fran.e/ !er
first a.tion +as to see1 out Anna &osen'erg at !a)pstead/ There
she is reported to have had a vioent s.ene +ith the od +o)an>
and her +ords at eaving +ere overheard 'y one of the servants/
J"@ou have it sti>" she .ried/ "A these years you have gro+n ri.h
on it ; 'ut I say to you soe)ny that in the end it +i 'ring you 'ad
u.1/ @ou have no )ora right to it> and the day +i .o)e +hen you
+i +ish you had never seen the Sha+ of the Thousand Fo+ers/"
JThree days after that> Car)en Ferrare?> disappeared
)ysteriousy fro) the hote +here she +as staying/ In her roo)
+as found a na)e and address ; the na)e of Conrad Fe.1)an>
and aso a note fro) a )an purporting to 'e an anti8ue deaer
as1ing if she +ere disposed to part +ith a .ertain e)'roidered
sha+ +hi.h he 'eieved she had in her possession/ The address
given on the note +as a fase one/
JIt is .ear that the sha+ is the .enter of the +hoe )ystery/
@esterday )orning Conrad Fe.1)an .aed upon Anna
&osen'erg/ She +as shut up +ith hi) for an hour or )ore> and
+hen he eft she +as o'iged to go to 'ed> so +hite and sha1en
+as she 'y the intervie+/ %ut she gave orders that if he .a)e to
see her again he +as a+ays to 'e ad)itted/ #ast night she got up
and +ent out a'out nine o".o.1> and did not return/ She +as found
this )orning in the house o..upied 'y Conrad Fe.1)an> sta''ed
through the heart/ <n the foor 'eside her +as ; +hat do you
thin1AJ
JThe sha+AJ 'reathed Anthony/ JThe Sha+ of a Thousand
Fo+ers/J
JSo)ething far )ore grueso)e than that/ So)ething +hi.h
eBpained the +hoe )ysterious 'usiness of the sha+ and )ade its
hidden vaue .ear/// (B.use )e> I fan.y that"s the .hief ;J
There had indeed 'een a ring at the 'e/ Anthony .ontained his
i)patien.e as 'est he .oud> and +aited for the inspe.tor to
return/ !e +as pretty +e at ease a'out his o+n position no+/ As
soon as they too1 his fingerprints they +oud reai?e their )ista1e/
And then> perhaps> Car)en +oud ring up///
The Sha+ of a Thousand Fo+ersG What a strange story ; Dust the
1ind of story to )a1e an appropriate setting for the gir"s eB8uisite
dar1 'eauty/
Car)en Ferrare?///
!e Der1ed hi)sef 'a.1 fro) day drea)ing/ What a ti)e that
inspe.tor feo+ +as/ !e rose and pued the door open/ The fat
+as strangey sient/ Coud they have goneA Surey not +ithout a
+ord to hi)/
!e strode out into the neBt roo)/ It +as e)pty ; so +as the sittingroo)/
Strangey e)ptyG It had a 'are> disheveed appearan.e/
,ood heavensG !is ena)es ; the siverG
!e rushed +idy through the fat/ It +as the sa)e tae every+here/
The pa.e had 'een denuded/ (very singe thing of vaue> and
Anthony had a very pretty .oe.tor"s taste in s)a things> had
'een ta1en/
With a groan Anthony staggered to a .hair> his head in his hands/
!e +as aroused 'y the ringing of the front door 'e/ !e opened it
to .onfront &ogers/
J@ou" eB.use )e> sir>J said &ogers/ J%ut the gente)en fan.ied
you )ight 'e +anting so)ething/J
JThe gente)enAJ
JThose t+o friends of yours> sir/ I heped the) +ith the pa.1ing as
'est I .oud/ 7ery fortunatey I happened to have the) t+o good
.ases in the 'ase)ent/J !is eyes dropped to the foor/ JI"ve s+ept
up the stra+ as 'est I .oud> sir/J
J@ou pa.1ed the things in hereAJ groaned Anthony/
J@es> sir/ Was that not your +ishes> sirA It +as the ta gente)en
tod )e to do so> sir> and seeing as you +ere 'usy ta1ing to the
other gente)an in the itte end roo)> I didn"t i1e to distur' you/J
JI +asn"t ta1ing to hi)>J said Anthony/ J!e +as ta1ing to )e ;
.urse hi)/J
&ogers .oughed/
JI") sure I") very sorry for the ne.essity> sir>J he )ur)ured/
J0e.essityAJ
J<f parting +ith your itte treasures> sir/J
J(hA <h> yes/ !a> haGJ !e gave a )irthess augh/ JThey"ve driven
off 'y no+> I suppose/ Those ; those friends of )ine> I )eanAJ
J<h> yes> sir> so)e ti)e ago/ I put the .ases on the taBi and the ta
gente)an +ent upstairs again> and then they 'oth .a)e running
do+n and drove off at on.e/// (B.use )e> sir> 'ut is anything
+rong> sirAJ
&ogers )ight +e as1/ The hoo+ groan +hi.h Anthony e)itted
+oud have aroused sur)ise any+here/
J(verything is +rong> than1 you> &ogers/ %ut I see .eary that you
+ere not to 'a)e/ #eave )e> I +oud .o))une a +hie +ith )y
teephone/J
Five )inutes ater sa+ Anthony pouring his tae into the ears of
Inspe.tor $river> +ho sat opposite to hi)> note'oo1 in hand/ An
unsy)patheti. )an> Inspe.tor $river> and not 9Anthony refe.ted:
neary so i1e a rea inspe.torG $istin.ty stagey> in fa.t/ Another
stri1ing eBa)pe of the superiority of Art over 0ature/
Anthony rea.hed the end of his tae/ The inspe.tor shut up his
note'oo1/
JWeAJ said Anthony anBiousy/
JCear as paint>J said the inspe.tor/ JIt"s the Patterson gang/
They"ve done a ot of s)art +or1 atey/ %ig fair )an> s)a dar1
)an> and the gir/J
JThe girAJ
J@es> dar1 and )ighty good;oo1ing/ A.ts as de.oy usuay/J
JA ; a Spanish girAJ
JShe )ight .a hersef that/ She +as 'orn in !a)pstead/J
JI said it +as a 'ra.ing pa.e>J )ur)ured Anthony/
J@es> it"s .ear enough>J said the inspe.tor> rising to depart/ JShe
got you on the phone and pit.hed you a tae ; she guessed you"d
.o)e aong a right/ Then she goes aong to od Mother ,i'son"s>
+ho isn"t a'ove a..epting a tip for the use of her roo) for the) as
finds it a+1+ard to )eet in pu'i. ; overs> you understand>
nothing .ri)ina/ @ou fa for it a right> they get you 'a.1 here>
and +hie one of the) pit.hes you a tae> the other gets a+ay +ith
the s+ag/ It"s the Pattersons a right ; Dust their tou.h/J
JAnd )y thingsAJ as1ed Anthony anBiousy/
JWe" do +hat +e .an> sir/ %ut the Pattersons are un.o))on
sharp/J
JThey see) to 'e>J said Anthony 'ittery/
The inspe.tor departed> and s.ar.ey had he gone 'efore there
.a)e a ring at the door/ Anthony opened it/ A s)a 'oy stood
there> hoding a pa.1age/
JPar.e for you> sir/J
Anthony too1 it +ith so)e surprise/ !e +as not eBpe.ting a par.e
of any 1ind/ &eturning to the sitting;roo) +ith it> he .ut the string/
It +as a i8ueur setG
J$a)nGJ said Anthony/
Then he noti.ed that at the 'otto) of one of the gasses there +as
a tiny artifi.ia rose/ !is )ind fe+ 'a.1 to the upper roo) in -ir1
Street/
JI do i1e you ; yes> I do i1e you/ @ou +i re)e)'er that +hatever
happens> +on"t youAJ
That +as +hat she had said/ Whatever happens/// $id she )ean ;
Anthony too1 hod of hi)sef sterny/
JThis +on"t do>J he ad)onished hi)sef/
!is eye fe on the type+riter> and he sat do+n +ith a resoute fa.e/
T!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( S(C<0$ C2C2M%(&
!is fa.e gre+ drea)y again/ The Sha+ of a Thousand Fo+ers/
What +as it that +as found on the foor 'eside the dead 'odyA The
grueso)e thing that eBpained the +hoe )ysteryA
0othing> of .ourse> sin.e it +as ony a tru)ped;up tae to hod his
attention> and the teer had used the od Ara'ian 0ights" tri.1 of
'rea1ing off at the )ost interesting point/ %ut .oudn"t there 'e a
grueso)e thing that eBpained the +hoe )ysteryA Coudn"t thereA
If one gave one"s )ind to itA
Anthony tore the sheet of paper fro) his type+riter and
su'stituted another/ !e typed a headineH
T!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( SPA0IS! S!AW#
!e surveyed it for a )o)ent or t+o in sien.e/
Then he 'egan to type rapidy///
T!( ,<#$(0 %A##
,eorge $undas stood in the City of #ondon )editating/
A a'out hi) toiers and )oney)a1ers surged and fo+ed i1e an
enveoping tide/ %ut ,eorge> 'eautifuy dressed> his trousers
eB8uisitey .reasedI too1 no heed of the)/ !e +as 'usy thin1ing
+hat to do neBt/
So)ething had o..urredG %et+een ,eorge and his ri.h un.e
9(phrai) #ead'etter of the fir) of #ead'etter and ,iing: there
had 'een +hat is .aed in a o+er +a1 of ife J+ords/J To 'e
stri.ty a..urate> the +ords had 'een a)ost entirey on Mr
#ead'etter"s side/ They had fo+ed fro) his ips in a steady strea)
of 'itter indignation> and the fa.t that they .onsisted a)ost
entirey of repetition did not see) to have +orried hi)/ To say a
thing on.e 'eautifuy and then et it aone +as not one of Mr
#ead'etter"s )ottoes/
The the)e +as a si)pe one ; the .ri)ina foy and +i.1edness of
a young )an> +ho has his +ay to )a1e> ta1ing a day off in the
)idde of the +ee1 +ithout even as1ing eave/ Mr #ead'etter>
+hen he had said everything he .oud thin1 of and severa things
t+i.e> paused for 'reath and as1ed ,eorge +hat he )eant 'y it/
,eorge repied si)py that he had fet he +anted a day off/ A
hoiday> in fa.t/
And +hat> Mr #ead'etter +anted to 1no+> +ere Saturday
afternoon and SundayA To say nothing of Whitsuntide> not ong
past> and August %an1 !oiday to .o)eA
,eorge said he didn"t .are for Saturday afternoons> Sundays or
%an1 !oidays/ !e )eant a rea day> +hen it )ight 'e possi'e to
find so)e spot +here haf #ondon +as not asse)'ed aready/
Mr #ead'etter then said that he had done his 'est 'y his dead
sister"s son ; no'ody .oud say he hadn"t given hi) a .han.e/ %ut it
+as pain that it +as no use/ And in future ,eorge .oud have five
rea days +ith Saturday and Sunday added to do +ith as he i1ed/
JThe goden 'a of opportunity has 'een thro+n up for you> )y
'oy>J said Mr #ead'etter in a ast tou.h of poeti.a fan.y/ JAnd you
have faied to grasp it/J
,eorge said it see)ed to hi) that that +as Dust +hat he had done>
and Mr #ead'etter dropped poetry for +rath and tod hi) to get
out/
!en.e ,eorge ; )editating/ Woud his un.e reent or +oud he
notA !ad he any se.ret affe.tion for ,eorge> or )erey a .od
distasteA
It +as Dust at that )o)ent that a voi.e ; a )ost uni1ey voi.e ; said>
J!aoGJ
A s.aret touring .ar +ith an i))ense ong hood had dra+n up to
the .ur' 'eside hi)/ At the +hee +as that 'eautifu and popuar
so.iety gir> Mary Montresor/ 9The des.ription is that of the
iustrated papers +ho produ.ed a portrait of her at east four
ti)es a )onth/: She +as s)iing at ,eorge in an a..o)pished
)anner/
JI never 1ne+ a )an .oud oo1 so i1e an isand>J said Mary
Montresor/ JWoud you i1e to get inAJ
JI shoud ove it a'ove a things>J said ,eorge +ith no hesitation>
and stepped in 'eside her/
They pro.eeded so+y 'e.ause the traffi. for'ade anything ese/
JI") tired of the .ity>J said Mary Montresor/ JI .a)e to see +hat it
+as i1e/ I sha go 'a.1 to #ondon/J
Without presu)ing to .orre.t her geography> ,eorge said it +as a
spendid idea/ They pro.eeded so)eti)es so+y> so)eti)es +ith
+id 'ursts of speed +hen Mary Montresor sa+ a .han.e of .utting
in/ It see)ed to ,eorge that she +as so)e+hat opti)isti. in the
atter vie+> 'ut he refe.ted that one .oud ony die on.e/ !e
thought it 'est> ho+ever> to essay no .onversation/ !e preferred
his fair driver to 1eep stri.ty to the Do' in hand/
It +as she +ho reopened the .onversation> .hoosing the )o)ent
+hen they +ere doing a +id s+eep round !yde Par1 Corner/
J!o+ +oud you i1e to )arry )eAJ she in8uired .asuay/
,eorge gave a gasp> 'ut that )ay have 'een due to a arge 'us
that see)ed to spe .ertain destru.tion/ !e prided hi)sef on his
8ui.1ness in response/
JI shoud ove it>J he repied easiy/
JWe>J said Mary Montresor vaguey/ JPerhaps you )ay
so)eday/J
They turned into the straight +ithout a..ident> and at that )o)ent
,eorge per.eived arge ne+ 'is at !yde Par1 Corner tu'e
station/ Sand+i.hed 'et+een ,&A7( P<#ITICA# SIT2ATI<0 and
C<#<0(# I0 $<C-> one said S<CI(T@ ,I&# T< MA&&@ $2-(>
and the other $2-( <F ($,(!I## A0$ MISS M<0T&(S<&/
JWhat"s this a'out the $u1e of (dgehiAJ de)anded ,eorge
sterny/
JMe and %ingoA We"re engaged/J
J%ut then ; +hat you said Dust no+ ;J
J<h> that>J said Mary Montresor/ J@ou see> I haven"t )ade up )y
)ind +ho I sha a.tuay )arry/J
JThen +hy did you get engaged to hi)AJ
J*ust to see if I .oud/ (very'ody see)ed to thin1 it +oud 'e
frightfuy diffi.ut> and it +asn"t a 'itGJ
J7ery rough u.1 on ; er ; %ingo>J said ,eorge> )astering his
e)'arrass)ent at .aing a rea ive du1e 'y a ni.1na)e/ J0ot at
a>J said Mary Montresor/ JIt +i 'e good for %ingo> if anything
.oud do hi) good ; +hi.h I dou't/J
,eorge )ade another dis.overy ; again aided 'y a .onvenient
poster/
JWhy> of .ourse> it"s .up day at As.ot/ I shoud have thought that
+as the one pa.e you +ere si)py 'ound to 'e today/J
Mary Montresor sighed/
JI +anted a hoiday>J she said paintivey/
JWhy> so did I>J said ,eorge> deighted/ JAnd as a resut )y un.e
has 1i.1ed )e out to starve/J
JThen in .ase +e )arry>J said Mary> J)y t+enty thousand a year
)ay .o)e in usefuAJ
JIt +i .ertainy provide us +ith a fe+ ho)e .o)forts>J said
,eorge/
JTa1ing of ho)es>J said Mary> Jet"s go in the .ountry and find a
ho)e +e +oud i1e to ive in/J
It see)ed a si)pe and .har)ing pan/ They negotiated Putney
%ridge> rea.hed the -ingston 'y;pass and +ith a sigh of
satisfa.tion Mary pressed her foot do+n on the a..eerator/ They
got into the .ountry very 8ui.1y/ It +as haf an hour ater that +ith
a sudden eB.a)ation Mary shot out a dra)ati. hand and pointed/
<n the 'ro+ of a hi in front of the) there nested a house of +hat
house agents des.ri'e 9'ut sedo) truthfuy: as Jod;+ord
.har)/J I)agine the des.ription of )ost houses in the .ountry
reay .o)e true for on.e> and you get an idea of this house/
Mary dre+ up outside a +hite gate/
JWe" eave the .ar and go up and oo1 at it/ It"s our houseGJ
J$e.idedy> it"s our house>J agreed ,eorge/ J%ut Dust for the
)o)ent other peope see) to 'e iving in it/J
Mary dis)issed the other peope +ith a +ave of her hand/ They
+a1ed up the +inding drive together/ The house appeared even
)ore desira'e at .ose 8uarters/
JWe" go and peep in at a the +indo+s>J said Mary/
,eorge de)urred/
J$o you thin1 the other peope ;J
JI shan"t .onsider the)/ It"s our house ; they"re ony iving in it 'y a
sort of a..ident/ %esides> it"s a ovey day and they"re sure to 'e
out/ And if anyone does .at.h us> I sha say ; I sha say ; that I
thought it +as Mrs ; Mrs Pardonstenger"s house> and that I a) so
sorry I )ade a )ista1e/J
JWe> that ought to 'e safe enough>J said ,eorge refe.tivey/
They oo1ed in through +indo+s/ The house +as deightfuy
furnished/ They had Dust got to the study +hen footsteps .run.hed
on the grave 'ehind the) and they turned to fa.e a )ost
irreproa.ha'e 'uter/
J<hGJ said Mary/ And then putting on her )ost en.hanting s)ie>
she said> JIs Mrs Pardonstenger inA I +as oo1ing to see if she +as
in the study/J
JMrs Pardonstenger is at ho)e> )ada)>J said the 'uter/ JWi you
.o)e this +ay> pease/J
They did the ony thing they .oud/ They foo+ed hi)/ ,eorge +as
.a.uating +hat the odds against this happening .oud possi'y
'e/ With a na)e i1e Pardonstenger he .a)e to the .on.usion it
+as a'out one in t+enty thousand/ !is .o)panion +hispered>
J#eave it to )e/ It +i 'e a right/J
,eorge +as ony too peased to eave it to her/ The situation> he
.onsidered> .aed for fe)inine finesse/
They +ere sho+n into a dra+ing roo)/ 0o sooner had the 'uter
eft the roo) than the door a)ost i))ediatey reopened and a 'ig
forid ady +ith peroBide hair .a)e in eBpe.tanty/
Mary Montresor )ade a )ove)ent to+ards her> then paused in
+e;sti)uated surprise/
JWhyGJ she eB.ai)ed/ JIt isn"t A)yG What an eBtraordinary thingGJ
JIt is an eBtraordinary thing>J said a gri) voi.e/
A )an had entered 'ehind Mrs Pardonstenger> an enor)ous )an
+ith a 'udog fa.e and a sinister fro+n/ ,eorge thought he had
never seen su.h an unpeasant 'rute/ The )an .osed the door
and stood +ith his 'a.1 against it/
JA very eBtraordinary thing>J he repeated sneeringy/ J%ut I fan.y
+e understand your itte ga)eGJ !e suddeny produ.ed +hat
see)ed an outsi?e in revovers/ J!ands up/ !ands up> I say/ Fris1
"e)> %ea/J
,eorge in reading dete.tive stories had often +ondered +hat it
)eant to 'e fris1ed/ 0o+ he 1ne+/ %ea 9aias Mrs P/: satisfied
hersef that neither he nor Mary .on.eaed any etha +eapons on
their persons/
JThought you +ere )ighty .ever> didn"t youAJ sneered the )an/
JCo)ing here i1e this and paying the inno.ents/ @ou"ve )ade a
)ista1e this ti)e ; a 'ad )ista1e/ In fa.t> I very )u.h dou't
+hether your friends and reations +i ever see you again/ AhG @ou
+oud> +oud youAJ as ,eorge )ade a )ove)ent/ J0one of your
ga)es/ I"d shoot you as soon as oo1 at you/J
J%e .arefu> ,eorge>J 8uavered Mary/
JI sha>J said ,eorge +ith feeing/ J7ery .arefu/J
JAnd no+ )ar.h>J said the )an/ J<pen the door> %ea/ -eep your
hands a'ove your heads> you t+o/ The ady first ; that"s right/ I"
.o)e 'ehind you 'oth/ A.ross the ha/ 2pstairs///J
They o'eyed/ What ese .oud they doA Mary )ounted the stairs>
her hands hed high/ ,eorge foo+ed/ %ehind the) .a)e the huge
ruffian> revover in hand/
Mary rea.hed the top of the stair.ase and turned the .orner/ At
the sa)e )o)ent> +ithout the east +arning> ,eorge unged out a
fier.e 'a.1+ard 1i.1/ !e .aught the )an fu in the )idde and he
.apsi?ed 'a.1+ards do+n the stairs/ In a )o)ent ,eorge had
turned and eaped do+n after hi)> 1neeing on his .hest/ With his
right hand> he pi.1ed up the revover +hi.h had faen fro) the
other"s hand as he fe/
%ea gave a s.rea) and retreated through a 'ai?e door/ Mary
.a)e running do+n the stairs> her fa.e as +hite as paper/
J,eorge> you haven"t 1ied hi)AJ
The )an +as ying a'soutey sti/ ,eorge 'ent over hi)/
JI don"t thin1 I"ve 1ied hi)>J he said regretfuy/ J%ut he"s .ertainy
ta1en the .ount a right/J
JThan1 ,od/J She +as 'reathing rapidy/
JPretty neat>J said ,eorge +ith per)issi'e sef;ad)iration/ JMany
a esson to 'e earnt fro) a Doy od )ue/ (h> +hatAJ
Mary pued at his hand/
JCo)e a+ay>J she .ried feverishy/ JCo)e a+ay 8ui.1/J
JIf +e had so)ething to tie this feo+ up +ith>J said ,eorge> intent
on his o+n pans/ JI suppose you .oudn"t find a 'it of rope or .ord
any+hereAJ
J0o> I .oudn"t>J said Mary/ JAnd .o)e a+ay> pease ; pease ; I")
so frightened/J
J@ou needn"t 'e frightened>J said ,eorge +ith )any arrogan.e/
JI") here/J
J$aring ,eorge> pease ; for )y sa1e/ I don"t +ant to 'e )iBed up
in this/ Pease et"s go/J
The eB8uisite +ay in +hi.h she 'reathed the +ords Jfor )y sa1eJ
shoo1 ,eorge"s resoution/ !e ao+ed hi)sef to 'e ed forth fro)
the house and hurried do+n the drive to the +aiting .ar/ Mary said
faintyH J@ou drive/ I don"t fee I .an/J ,eorge too1 .o))and of the
+hee/
J%ut +e"ve got to see this thing through>J he said/ J!eaven 1no+s
+hat 'a.1guardis) that nasty;oo1ing feo+ is up to/ I +on"t 'ring
the poi.e into it if you don"t +ant )e to ; 'ut I" have a try on )y
o+n/ I ought to 'e a'e to get on their tra.1 a right/J
J0o> ,eorge> I don"t +ant you to/J
JWe have a first;.ass adventure i1e this> and you +ant )e to 'a.1
out of itA 0ot on )y ife/J
JI"d no idea you +ere so 'oodthirsty>J said Mary tearfuy/
JI") not 'oodthirsty/ I didn"t 'egin it/ The da)ned .hee1 of the
feo+ ; threatening us +ith an outsi?e revover/ %y the +ay ; +hy
on earth didn"t that revover go off +hen I 1i.1ed hi) do+nstairsAJ
!e stopped the .ar and fished the revover out of the side po.1et
of the .ar +here he had pa.ed it/ After eBa)ining it> he +histed/
JWe> I") da)nedG The thing isn"t oaded/ If I"d 1no+n that ;J !e
paused> +rapped in thought/ JMary> this is a very .urious
'usiness/J
JI 1no+ it is/ That"s +hy I") 'egging you to eave it aone/J
J0ever>J said ,eorge fir)y/
Mary uttered a heart;rending sigh/
JI see>J she said> Jthat I sha have to te you/ And the +orst of it is
that I haven"t the east idea ho+ you" ta1e it/J
JWhat do you )ean ; te )eAJ
J@ou see> it"s i1e this/J She paused/ JI fee girs shoud sti.1
together no+adays ; they shoud insist on 1no+ing so)ething
a'out the )en they )eet/J
JWeAJ said ,eorge> uttery fogged/
JAnd the )ost i)portant thing to a gir is ho+ a )an +i 'ehave in
an e)ergen.y ; has he got presen.e of )ind ; .ourage ; 8ui.1+ittednessA
That"s the 1ind of thing you .an hardy ever 1no+ ;
unti it"s too ate/ An e)ergen.y )ightn"t arise unti you"d 'een
)arried for years/ A you do 1no+ a'out a )an is ho+ he dan.es
and if he"s good at getting taBis on a +et night/J
J%oth very usefu a..o)pish)ents>J ,eorge pointed out/
J@es> 'ut one +ants to fee a )an is a )an/J
JThe great +ide;open spa.es +here )en are )en>J ,eorge
8uoted a'senty/
J(Ba.ty/ %ut +e have no +ide;open spa.es in (ngand/ So one has
to .reate a situation artifi.iay/ That"s +hat I did/J
J$o you )ean ;J
JI do )ean/ That house> as it happens> a.tuay is )y house/ We
.a)e to it 'y design ; not 'y .han.e/ And the )an ; that )an that
you neary 1ied ;J
J@esAJ
J!e"s &u'e Waa.e ; the fi) a.tor/ !e does pri?e fighters> you
1no+/ The dearest and gentest of )en/ I engaged hi)/ %ea"s his
+ife/ That"s +hy I +as so terrified that you"d 1ied hi)/ <f .ourse
the revover +asn"t oaded/ It"s a stage property/ <h> ,eorge> are
you very angryAJ
JA) I the first person you have ; er ; tried this test onAJ
J<h> no/ There have 'een ; et )e see ; nine and a hafGJ
JWho +as the hafAJ in8uired ,eorge +ith .uriosity/
J%ingo>J repied Mary .ody/
J$id any of the) thin1 of 1i.1ing i1e a )ueAJ
J0o ; they didn"t/ So)e tried to 'uster and so)e gave in at on.e>
'ut they a ao+ed the)seves to 'e )ar.hed upstairs and tied
up> and gagged/ Then> of .ourse> I )anaged to +or1 )ysef oose
fro) )y 'onds ; i1e in 'oo1s ; and I freed the) and +e got a+ay ;
finding the house e)pty/J
JAnd no'ody thought of the )ue tri.1 or anything i1e itAJ
J0o/J
JIn that .ase>J said ,eorge gra.iousy> JI forgive you/J
JThan1 you> ,eorge>J said Mary )ee1y/
JIn fa.t>J said ,eorge> Jthe ony 8uestion that arises isH Where do
+e go no+A I") not sure if it"s #a)'eth Paa.e or $o.tor"s
Co))ons> +herever that is/J
JWhat are you ta1ing a'outAJ
JThe i.ense/ A spe.ia i.ense> I thin1> is indi.ated/ @ou"re too fond
of getting engaged to one )an and then i))ediatey as1ing
another one to )arry you/J
JI didn"t as1 you to )arry )eGJ
J@ou did/ At !yde Par1 Corner/ 0ot a pa.e I shoud .hoose for a
proposa )ysef> 'ut everyone has their idiosyn.rasies in these
)atters/J
JI did nothing of the 1ind/ I Dust as1ed> as a Do1e> +hether you
+oud .are to )arry )eA It +asn"t intended seriousy/J
JIf I +ere to ta1e .ounse"s opinion> I a) sure that he +oud say it
.onstituted a genuine proposa/ %esides> you 1no+ you +ant to
)arry )e/J
JI don"t/J
J0ot after nine and a haf faiuresA Fan.y +hat a feeing of se.urity
it +i give you to go through ife +ith a )an +ho .an eBtri.ate you
fro) any dangerous situation/J
Mary appeared to +ea1en sighty at this teing argu)ent/ %ut she
said fir)yH JI +oudn"t )arry any )an uness he +ent on his 1nees
to )e/J
,eorge oo1ed at her/ She +as adora'e/ %ut ,eorge had other
.hara.teristi.s of the )ue 'esides its 1i.1/ !e said +ith e8ua
fir)nessH
JTo go on one"s 1nees to any +o)an is degrading/ I +i not do it/J
Mary said +ith en.hanting +istfunessH JWhat a pity/J
They drove 'a.1 to #ondon/ ,eorge +as stern and sient/ Mary"s
fa.e +as hidden 'y the 'ri) of her hat/ As they passed !yde Par1
Corner> she )ur)ured softyH JCoudn"t you go on your 1nees to
)eAJ
,eorge said fir)yH J0o/J
!e fet he +as 'eing a super)an/ She ad)ired hi) for his attitude/
%ut unu.1iy he suspe.ted her of )uish tenden.ies hersef/ !e
dre+ up suddeny/
J(B.use )e>J he said/
!e Du)ped out of the .ar> retra.ed his steps to a fruit 'arro+ they
had passed and returned so 8ui.1y that the poi.e)an +ho +as
'earing do+n upon the) to as1 +hat they )eant 'y it> had not had
ti)e to arrive/
,eorge drove on> ighty tossing an appe into Mary"s ap/
J(at )ore fruit>J he said/ JAso sy)'oi.a/J
JSy)'oi.aAJ
J@es> originay (ve gave Ada) an appe/ 0o+adays Ada) gives
(ve one/ SeeAJ
J@es>J said Mary rather dou'tfuy/
JWhere sha I drive youAJ in8uired ,eorge for)ay/
J!o)e> pease/J
!e drove to ,rosvenor S8uare/ !is fa.e +as a'soutey i)passive/
!e Du)ped out and .a)e round to hep her out/ She )ade a ast
appea/
J$aring ,eorge ; .oudn"t youA *ust to pease )eAJ
J0ever>J said ,eorge/
And at that )o)ent it happened/ !e sipped> tried to re.over his
'aan.e and faied/ !e +as 1neeing in the )ud 'efore her/ Mary
gave a s8uea of Doy and .apped her hands/
J$aring ,eorgeG 0o+ I +i )arry you/ @ou .an go straight to
#a)'eth Paa.e and fiB up +ith the Ar.h'ishop of Canter'ury
a'out it/J
JI didn"t )ean to>J said ,eorge hoty/ JIt +as a ' ; er ; a 'anana
s1in/J !e hed the offender up reproa.hfuy/
J0ever )ind>J said Mary/ JIt happened/ When +e 8uarre and you
thro+ it in )y teeth that I proposed to you> I .an retort that you had
to go on your 1nees to )e 'efore I +oud )arry you/ And a
'e.ause of that 'essed 'anana s1inG It +as a 'essed 'anana s1in
you +ere going to sayAJ
JSo)ething of the sort>J said ,eorge/
At five;thirty that afternoon> Mr #ead'etter +as infor)ed that his
nephe+ had .aed and +oud i1e to see hi)/
JCaed to eat hu)'e pie>J said Mr #ead'etter to hi)sef/ JI dare
say I +as rather hard on the ad> 'ut it +as for his o+n good/J
And he gave orders that ,eorge shoud 'e ad)itted/ ,eorge .a)e
in airiy/
JI +ant a fe+ +ords +ith you> 2n.e>J he said/ J@ou did )e a grave
inDusti.e this )orning/ I shoud i1e to 1no+ +hether> at )y age>
you .oud have gone out into the street> diso+ned 'y your
reatives> and 'et+een the hours of eeven;fifteen and five;thirty
a.8uire an in.o)e of t+enty thousand a year/ That is +hat I have
doneGJ
J@ou"re )ad> 'oy/J
J0ot )adI resour.efuG I a) going to )arry a young> ri.h> 'eautifu
so.iety gir/ <ne> )oreover> +ho is thro+ing over a du1e for )y
sa1e/J
JMarrying a gir for her )oneyA I"d not have thought it of you/J
JAnd you"d have 'een right/ I +oud never have dared to as1 her if
she hadn"t ; very fortunatey ; as1ed )e/ She retra.ted after+ards>
'ut I )ade her .hange her )ind/ And do you 1no+> 2n.e> ho+ a
this +as doneA %y a Dudi.ious eBpenditure of t+open.e and a
grasping of the goden 'a of opportunity/J
JWhy the tuppen.eAJ as1ed Mr #ead'etter> finan.iay interested/
J<ne 'anana ; off a 'arro+/ 0ot everyone +oud have thought of
that 'anana/ Where do you get a )arriage i.enseA Is it $o.tor"s
Co))ons or #a)'eth Paa.eAJ
T!( &A*A!"S (M(&A#$
With a serious effort *a)es %ond 'ent his attention on.e )ore on
the itte yeo+ 'oo1 in his hand/ <n its outside the 'oo1 'ore the
si)pe 'ut peasing egend> J$o you +ant your saary in.reased 'y
/566 per annu)AJ Its pri.e +as one shiing/ *a)es had Dust
finished reading t+o pages of .risp paragraphs instru.ting hi) to
oo1 his 'oss in the fa.e> to .utivate a dyna)i. personaity> and to
radiate an at)osphere of effi.ien.y/ !e had no+ arrived at su'ter
)atter> JThere is a ti)e for fran1ness> there is a ti)e for
dis.retion>J the itte yeo+ 'oo1 infor)ed hi)/ JA strong )an
does not a+ays 'urt out a he 1no+s/J *a)es et the itte 'oo1
.ose and> raising his head> ga?ed out over a 'ue eBpanse of
o.ean/ A horri'e suspi.ion assaied hi)> that he +as not a strong
)an/ A strong )an +oud have 'een in .o))and of the present
situation> not a vi.ti) to it/ For the siBtieth ti)e that )orning
*a)es rehearsed his +rongs/
This +as his hoiday/ !is hoidayG !a> haG Sardoni. aughter/ Who
had persuaded hi) to .o)e to that fashiona'e seaside resort>
-i)pton;on;SeaA ,ra.e/ Who had urged hi) into an eBpenditure
of )ore than he .oud affordA ,ra.e/ And he had faen in +ith the
pan eagery/ She had got hi) here> and +hat +as the resutA
Whie he +as staying in an o's.ure 'oarding house a'out a )ie
and a haf fro) the sea front> ,ra.e> +ho shoud have 'een in a
si)iar 'oarding house 9not the sa)e one ; the proprieties of
*a)es"s .ir.e +ere very stri.t:> had fagranty deserted hi) and
+as staying at no ess than the (spanade !ote upon the sea front/
It see)ed that she had friends there/ FriendsG Again *a)es
aughed sardoni.ay/ !is )ind +ent 'a.1 over the ast three years
of his eisurey .ourtship of ,ra.e/ (Btre)ey peased she had
'een +hen he ust singed her out for noti.e/ That +as 'efore she
had risen to heights of gory in the )iinery saons at Messrs/
%artes in the !igh Street/ In those eary days it had 'een *a)es
+ho gave hi)sef airsI no+> aasG the 'oot +as on the other eg/
,ra.e +as +hat is te.hni.ay 1no+n as Jearning good )oney/J It
had )ade her uppish/ @es> that +as it> thoroughy uppish/ A
.onfused frag)ent out of a poetry 'oo1 .a)e 'a.1 to *a)es"s
)ind> so)ething a'out Jthan1ing heaven fasting> for a good )an"s
ove/J %ut there +as nothing of that 1ind of thing o'serva'e a'out
,ra.e/ We;fed on an (spanade !ote 'rea1fast> she +as ignoring
the good )an"s ove uttery/ She +as indeed a..epting the
attentions of a poisonous idiot .aed Caud Sop+orth> a )an>
*a)es fet .onvin.ed> of no )ora +orth +hatsoever/
*a)es ground a hee into the earth and s.o+ed dar1y at the
hori?on/ -i)pton;on;Sea/ What had possessed hi) to .o)e to
su.h a pa.eA It +as pre;e)inenty a resort of the ri.h and
fashiona'e> it possessed t+o arge hotes> and severa )ies of
pi.tures8ue 'ungao+s 'eonging to fashiona'e a.tresses> ri.h
)er.hants and those )e)'ers of the (ngish aristo.ra.y +ho had
)arried +eathy +ives/ The rent> furnished> of the s)aest
'ungao+ +as t+enty;five guineas a +ee1/ I)agination 'ogged at
+hat the rent of the arge ones )ight a)ount to/ There +as one of
these paa.es i))ediatey 'ehind *a)es"s seat/ It 'eonged to
that fa)ous sports)an #ord (d+ard Ca)pion> and there +ere
staying there at the )o)ent a housefu of distinguished guests
in.uding the &aDah of Maraputna> +hose +eath +as fa'uous/
*a)es had read a a'out hi) in the o.a +ee1y ne+spaper that
)orningH the eBtent of his Indian possessions> his paa.es> his
+onderfu .oe.tion of De+es> +ith a spe.ia )ention of one
fa)ous e)erad +hi.h the papers de.ared enthusiasti.ay +as
the si?e of a pigeon"s egg/ *a)es> 'eing to+n;'red> +as so)e+hat
ha?y a'out the si?e of a pigeon"s egg> 'ut the i)pression eft on his
)ind +as good/
JIf I had an e)erad i1e that>J said *a)es> s.o+ing at the hori?on
again> JI"d sho+ ,ra.e/J
The senti)ent +as vague> 'ut the enun.iation of it )ade *a)es
fee 'etter/ #aughing voi.es haied hi) fro) 'ehind> and he turned
a'rupty to .onfront ,ra.e/ With her +as Cara Sop+orth> Ai.e
Sop+orth> $orothy Sop+orth and ; aasG Caud Sop+orth/ The girs
+ere ar);in;ar) and gigging/
JWhy> you are 8uite a stranger>J .ried ,ra.e ar.hy/
J@es>J said *a)es/
!e .oud> he fet> have found a )ore teing retort/ @ou .annot
.onvey the i)pression of a dyna)i. personaity 'y the use of the
one +ord Jyes/J !e oo1ed +ith intense oathing at Caud
Sop+orth/ Caud Sop+orth +as a)ost as 'eautifuy dressed as
the hero of a )usi.a .o)edy/ *a)es onged passionatey for the
)o)ent +hen an enthusiasti. 'ea.h dog shoud pant +et> sandy
forefeet on the unsuied +hiteness of Caud"s fanne trousers/ !e
hi)sef +ore a servi.ea'e pair of dar1;grey fanne trousers +hi.h
had seen 'etter days/
JIsn"t the air 'eau;tifuAJ said Cara> sniffing it appre.iativey/
J4uite sets you up> doesn"t itAJ
She gigged/
JIt"s o?one>J said Ai.e Sop+orth/ JIt"s as good as a toni.> you
1no+/J And she gigged aso/
*a)es thoughtH JI shoud i1e to 1no.1 their siy heads together/
What is the sense of aughing a the ti)eA They are not saying
anything funny/J
The i))a.uate Caud )ur)ured anguidyH JSha +e have a
'athe> or is it too )u.h of a fagAJ
The idea of 'athing +as a..epted shriy/ *a)es fe into ine +ith
the)/ !e even )anaged> +ith a .ertain a)ount of .unning> to dra+
,ra.e a itte 'ehind the others/
J#oo1 hereGJ he .o)pained/ JI a) hardy seeing anything of you/J
JWe> I a) sure +e are a together no+>J said ,ra.e> Jand you
.an .o)e and un.h +ith us at the hote> at east ;J
She oo1ed du'iousy at *a)es"s egs/
JWhat is the )atterAJ de)anded *a)es fero.iousy/ J0ot s)art
enough for you> I supposeAJ
JI do thin1> dear> you )ight ta1e a itte )ore pains>J said ,ra.e/
J(veryone is so fearfuy s)art here/ #oo1 at Caud Sop+orthGJ
JI have oo1ed at hi)>J said *a)es gri)y/ JI have never seen a
)an +ho oo1ed a )ore .o)pete ass than he does/J
,ra.e dre+ hersef up/
JThere is no need to .riti.i?e )y friends> *a)esI it"s not )anners/
!e"s dressed Dust i1e any other gente)an at the hote is dressed/J
J%ahGJ said *a)es/ J$o you 1no+ +hat I read the other day in
"So.iety Snippets"A Why> that the $u1e of ; the $u1e of> I .an"t
re)e)'er> 'ut one du1e> any+ay> +as the +orst;dressed )an in
(ngand> thereGJ
JI dare say>J said ,ra.e> J'ut then> you see> he is a du1e/J
JWeAJ de)anded *a)es/ JWhat is +rong +ith )y 'eing a du1e
so)edayA At east> +e> not perhaps a du1e> 'ut a peer/J
!e sapped the yeo+ 'oo1 in his po.1et and re.ited to her a ong
ist of peers of the rea) +ho had started ife )u.h )ore o's.urey
than *a)es %ond/ ,ra.e )erey gigged/
J$on"t 'e so soft> *a)es>J she said/ JFan.y you (ar of -i)ptonon;
SeaGJ
*a)es ga?ed at her in )inged rage and despair/ The air of
-i)pton;on;Sea had .ertainy gone to ,ra.e"s head/
The 'ea.h at -i)pton is a ong> straight stret.h of sand/ A ro+ of
'athing huts and 'oBes stret.hes eveny aong it for a'out a )ie
and a haf/ The party had Dust stopped 'efore a ro+ of siB huts a
a'eed i)posingy> JFor visitors to the (spanade !ote ony/J
J!ere +e are>J said ,ra.e 'rightyI J'ut I") afraid you .an"t .o)e
in +ith us> *a)esI you" have to go aong to the pu'i. tents over
thereI +e" )eet you in the sea/ So ongGJ
JSo ongGJ said *a)es> and he strode off in the dire.tion indi.ated/
T+eve diapidated tents stood soe)ny .onfronting the o.ean/ An
aged )ariner guarded the)> a ro of 'ue paper in his hand/ !e
a..epted a .oin of the rea) fro) *a)es> tore hi) off a 'ue ti.1et
fro) his ro> thre+ hi) over a to+e> and Der1ed one thu)' over
his shouder/
JTa1e your turn>J he said hus1iy/
It +as then that *a)es a+o1e to the fa.t of .o)petition/ <thers
'esides hi)sef had .on.eived the idea of entering the sea/ 0ot
ony +as ea.h tent o..upied> 'ut outside ea.h tent +as a
deter)ined;oo1ing .ro+d of peope garing at ea.h other/ *a)es
atta.hed hi)sef to the s)aest group and +aited/ The strings of
the tent parted> and a 'eautifu young +o)an> sparsey .ad>
e)erged on the s.ene setting her 'athing .ap +ith the air of one
+ho had the> +hoe )orning to +aste/ She stroed do+n to the
+ater"s edge and sat do+n drea)iy on the sands/
JThat"s no good>J said *a)es to hi)sef> and atta.hed hi)sef
forth+ith to other group/
After +aiting five )inutes> sounds of a.tivity +ere apparent in the
se.ond tent/ With heavings and strainings> the faps parted
asunder and four .hidren and a father and )other e)erged/ The
tent 'eing so s)a> it had so)ething of the appearan.e of a
.onDuring tri.1/ <n the instant t+o +o)en sprang for+ard> ea.h
grasping one fap of the tent/
J(B.use )e>J said the first young +o)an> panting a itte/
J(B.use )e>J said the other young +o)an> garing/
JI +oud have you 1no+ I +as here 8uite ten )inutes 'efore you
+ere>J said the first young +o)an rapidy/
JI have 'een here a good 8uarter of an hour> as anyone +i te
you>J said the se.ond young +o)an defianty/
J0o+ then> no+ then>J said the aged )ariner> dra+ing near/
%oth young +o)en spo1e to hi) shriy/ When they had finished he
Der1ed his thu)' at the se.ond young +o)an and said 'riefyH JIt"s
yours/J
Then he departed> deaf to re)onstran.es/ !e neither 1ne+ nor
.ared +hi.h had 'een there first> 'ut his de.ision> as they say in
ne+spaper .o)petitions> +as fina/ The despairing *a)es .aught
at his ar)/
J#oo1 hereG I sayGJ
JWe> )isterA"
J!o+ ong is it going to 'e 'efore I get a tentAJ
The aged )ariner thre+ a dispassionate gan.e over the +aiting
throng/
JMight 'e an hour> )ight 'e an hour and a hafI I .an"t say/J
At that )o)ent *a)es espied ,ra.e and the Sop+orth girs
running ighty do+n the sands to+ards the sea/
J$a)nGJ said *a)es to hi)sef/ J<h> da)nGJ
!e pu.1ed on.e )ore at the aged )ariner/
JCan"t I get a tent any+here eseA What a'out one of these huts
aong hereA They a see) e)pty/J
JThe huts>J said the an.ient )ariner +ith dignity> Jare private/J
!aving uttered this re'u1e> he passed on/ With a 'itter feeing of
having 'een tri.1ed> *a)es deta.hed hi)sef fro) the +aiting
groups and strode savagey do+n the 'ea.h/ It +as the i)itG It
+as the a'soute> .o)pete i)itG !e gared savagey at the tri)
'athing huts he passed/ In that )o)ent fro) 'eing an
Independent #i'era> he 'e.a)e a red;hot So.iaist/ Why shoud
the ri.h have 'athing huts and 'e a'e to 'athe any )inute they
.hose +ithout +aiting in a .ro+dA JThis syste) of ours>J said
*a)es vaguey> Jis a +rong/J
Fro) the sea .a)e the .o8uettish s.rea)s of the spashed/
,ra.e"s voi.eG And a'ove her s8uea1s> the inane J!a> ha> haJ of
Caud Sop+orth/
J$a)nGJ said *a)es> grinding his teeth> a thing +hi.h he had
never 'efore atte)pted> ony read a'out in +or1s of fi.tion/
!e .a)e to a stop> t+iring his sti.1 savagey> and turning his 'a.1
fir)y on the sea/ Instead> he ga?ed +ith .on.entrated hatred
upon (age"s 0est> %uena 7ista> and Mon $esir/ It +as the .usto)
of the inha'itants of -i)pton;on;Sea to a'e their 'athing huts
+ith fan.y na)es/ (age"s 0est )erey stru.1 *a)es as 'eing siy>
and %uena 7ista +as 'eyond his inguisti. a..o)pish)ents/ %ut
his 1no+edge of Fren.h +as suffi.ient to )a1e hi) reai?e the
appositeness of the third na)e/
JMon $esir>J said *a)es/ JI shoud Doy +e thin1 it +as/J
And on that )o)ent he sa+ that +hie the doors of the other
'athing huts +ere tighty .osed> that of Mon $esir +as aDar/ *a)es
oo1ed thoughtfuy up and do+n the 'ea.hI this parti.uar spot
+as )ainy o..upied 'y )others of arge fa)iies> 'usiy engaged
in superintending their offspring/ It +as ony ten o".o.1> too eary
as yet for the aristo.ra.y of -i)pton;on;Sea to have .o)e do+n to
'athe/
J(ating 8uais and )ushroo)s in their 'eds as i1ey as not>
'rought to the) on trays 'y po+dered foot)en> pahG 0ot one of
the) +i 'e do+n here 'efore t+eve o".o.1>J thought *a)es/
!e oo1ed again to+ards the sea/ With the o'edien.e of a +etrained
Jeit )otif>J the shri s.rea) of ,ra.e rose upon the air/ It
+as foo+ed 'y the J!a> ha> haJ of Caud Sop+orth/
JI +i>J said *a)es 'et+een his teeth/
!e pushed open the door of Mon $esir and entered/ For the
)o)ent he had a fright> as he .aught sight of sundry gar)ents
hanging fro) pegs> 'ut he +as 8ui.1y reassured/ The hut +as
partitioned into t+oI on the right;hand side> a gir"s yeo+ s+eater>
a 'attered pana)a hat and a pair of 'ea.h shoes +ere depending
fro) a peg/ <n the eft;hand side an od pair of grey fanne
trousers> a puover> and a sou"+ester pro.ai)ed the fa.t that the
seBes +ere segregated/ *a)es hastiy transferred hi)sef to the
gente)en"s part of the hut> and undressed rapidy/ Three )inutes
ater> he +as in the sea puffing and snorting i)portanty> doing
eBtre)ey short 'ursts of professiona;oo1ing s+i))ing ; head
under the +ater> ar)s ashing the sea ; that stye/
J<h> there you areGJ .ried ,ra.e/ JI +as afraid you +oudn"t 'e in
for ages +ith a that .ro+d of peope +aiting there/J
J&eayAJ said *a)es/
!e thought +ith affe.tionate oyaty of the yeo+ 'oo1/ JThe
strong )an .an on o..asions 'e dis.reet/J For the )o)ent his
te)per +as 8uite restored/ !e +as a'e to say peasanty 'ut
fir)y to Caud Sop+orth> +ho +as tea.hing ,ra.e the overar)
stro1eH
J0o> no od )anI you have got it a +rong/ I" sho+ her/J
And su.h +as the assuran.e of his tone> that Caud +ithdre+
dis.o)fited/ The ony pity of it +as that his triu)ph +as shortived/
The te)perature of our (ngish +aters is not su.h as to
indu.e 'athers to re)ain in the) for any ength of ti)e/ ,ra.e and
the Sop+orth girs +ere aready dispaying 'ue .hins and
.hattering teeth/ They ra.ed up the 'ea.h> and *a)es pursued his
soitary +ay 'a.1 to Mon $esir/ As he to+eed hi)sef vigorousy
and sipped his shirt over his head> he +as peased +ith hi)sef/
!e had> he fet> dispayed a dyna)i. personaity/
And then suddeny he stood sti> fro?en +ith terror/ ,irish voi.es
sounded fro) outside> and voi.es 8uite different fro) those of
,ra.e and her friends/ A )o)ent ater he had reai?ed the truthI
the rightfu o+ners of Mon $esir +ere arriving/ It is possi'e that if
*a)es had 'een fuy dressed> he +oud have +aited their advent
in a dignified )anner and atte)pted an eBpanation/ As it +as> he
a.ted on pani./ The +indo+s of Mon $esir +ere )odesty
s.reened 'y dar1 green .urtains/ *a)es fung hi)sef on the door
and hed the 1no' in a desperate .ut.h/ !ands tried ineffe.tuay
to turn it fro) outside/
JIt"s o.1ed after a>J said a gir"s voi.e/ JI thought Pug said it +as
open/J
J0o> Wogge said so/J
JWogge is the i)it>J said the other gir/ J!o+ perfe.ty fouI +e
sha have to go 'a.1 for the 1ey/J
*a)es heard their footsteps retreating/ !e dre+ a ong> deep
'reath/ In desperate haste he hudded on the rest of his gar)ents/
T+o )inutes ater sa+ hi) stroing negigenty do+n the 'ea.h
+ith an a)ost aggressive air of inno.en.e/ ,ra.e and the
Sop+orth girs Doined hi) on the 'ea.h a 8uarter of an hour ater/
The rest of the )orning passed agreea'y in stone thro+ing>
+riting in the sand and ight 'adinage/ Then Caud gan.ed at his
+at.h/
J#un.hti)e>J he o'served/ JWe"d 'etter 'e stroing 'a.1/J
JI") terri'y hungry>J said Ai.e Sop+orth/
A the other girs said that they +ere terri'y hungry too/
JAre you .o)ing> *a)esAJ as1ed ,ra.e/
$ou'tess *a)es +as unduy tou.hy/ !e .hose to ta1e offen.e at
her tone/
J0ot if )y .othes are not good enough for you>J he said 'ittery/
JPerhaps> as you are so parti.uar> I"d 'etter not .o)e/J
That +as ,ra.e"s .ue for )ur)ured protestations> 'ut the seaside
air had affe.ted ,ra.e unfavoura'y/ She )erey repiedH J7ery
+e/ *ust as you i1eI see you this afternoon then/J
*a)es +as eft du)'founded/
JWeGJ he said> staring after the retreating group/ JWe> of a the ;
J
!e stroed )oodiy into the to+n/ There are t+o .af/s in -i)ptonon;
SeaI they are 'oth hot> noisy and over;.ro+ded/ It +as the
affair of the 'athing huts on.e )ore/ *a)es had to +ait his turn/
!e had to +ait onger than his turn> an uns.rupuous )atron +ho
had Dust arrived forestaing hi) +hen a va.ant seat did present
itsef/ At ast he +as seated at a s)a ta'e/ Cose to his eft ear
three raggedy 'o''ed )aidens +ere )a1ing a deter)ined hash
of Itaian opera/ Fortunatey *a)es +as not )usi.a/ !e studied
the 'i of fare dispassionatey> his hands thrust deep into his
po.1ets/ !e thought to hi)sefH
JWhatever I as1 for> it"s sure to 'e "off/" That"s the 1ind of feo+ I
a)/J
!is right hand> groping in the re.esses of his po.1et> tou.hed an
unfa)iiar o'De.t/ It fet i1e a pe''e> a arge round pe''e/
JWhat on earth did I +ant to put a stone in )y po.1et forAJ thought
*a)es/
!is fingers .osed round it/ A +aitress drifted up to hi)/
JFried pai.e and .hipped potatoes> pease>J said *a)es/
JFried pai.e is "off>"J )ur)ured the +aitress> her fiBed drea)iy on
the .eiing/
JThen I" have .urried 'eef>J said *a)es/
JCurried 'eef is "off/"J
JIs there anything on this 'easty )enu that isn"t "off"AJ de)anded
*a)es/
The +aitress oo1ed pained and pa.ed a pae;grey finger against
hari.ot )utton/ *a)es resigned hi)sef inevita'e and ordered
hari.ot )utton/ !is )ind sti seething +ith resent)ent against the
+ays of .af/s> he dre+ his hand out of his po.1et> the stone sti in
it/ 2n.osing fingers> he oo1ed a'sent;)indedy at the o'De.t in
his pa)/ Then +ith a sho.1 a esser )atters passed fro) his
)ind> and he stared +ith a his eyes/ The thing he hed +as not a
pe''e> it +as ; he .oud hardy dou't it ; an an enor)ous green
e)erad/ *a)es stared at it horror;stri.1en/ 0o> it .oudn"t 'e an
e)eradI it )ust 'e .ooured gass/ There .oudn"t 'e an e)erad
of that si?e> uness ; printed +ords dan.ed 'efore *a)es"s eyes>
JThe &aDah of Maraputna ; fa)ous e)erad the si?e of a pigeon"s
egg/J Was it ; .oud it 'e ; that e)erad at +hi.h he +as oo1ing
no+A The +aitress returned +ith the hari.ot )utton> and *a)es
.osed his fingers spas)odi.ay/ !ot and .od shivers .hased
the)seves up and do+n his spine/ !e had the sense of 'eing
.aught in a terri'e die))a/ If this +as the e)erad ; 'ut +as itA
Coud it 'eA !e un.osed his fingers and peeped anBiousy/ *a)es
+as no eBpert on pre.ious stones> 'ut the depth and the go+ of
the De+e .onvin.ed hi) this +as the rea thing/ !e put 'oth
e'o+s on the ta'e and eaned for+ard staring +ith unseeing eyes
at the hari.ot )utton so+y .ongeaing on the dish in front of hi)/
!e had got to thin1 this out/ If this +as the &aDah"s e)erad> +hat
+as he going to do a'out itA The +ord Jpoi.eJ fashed into his
)ind/ If you found anything of vaue> you too1 it to the poi.e
station/ 2pon this aBio) had *a)es 'een 'rought up/
@es> 'ut ; ho+ on earth had the e)erad got into his trouser
po.1etA That +as dou'tess the 8uestion the poi.e +oud as1/ It
+as an a+1+ard 8uestion> and it +as )oreover a 8uestion to
+hi.h he had at the )o)ent no ans+er/ !o+ had the e)erad got
into his trouser po.1etA !e oo1ed despairingy do+n at his egs>
and as he did so> a )isgiving shot through hi)/ !e oo1ed )ore
.osey/ <ne pair of od grey fanne trousers is very )u.h i1e
another pair of od grey fanne trousers> 'ut a the sa)e> *a)es
had an instin.tive feeing that these +ere not his trousers after a/
!e sat 'a.1 in his .hair stunned +ith the for.e of the dis.overy/ !e
sa+ no+ +hat had happenedI in the hurry of getting out of the
'athing hut> he had ta1en the +rong trousers/ !e had hung his
o+n> he re)e)'ered> on an adDa.ent peg to the od pair hanging
there/ @es> that eBpained )atters so farI he had ta1en the +rong
trousers/ %ut a the sa)e> +hat on earth +as an e)erad +orth
hundreds and thousands of pounds doing thereA The )ore he
thought a'out it> the )ore .urious it see)ed/ !e .oud> of .ourse>
eBpain to the poi.e ;
It +as a+1+ard> no dou't a'out it> it +as de.idedy a+1+ard/ <ne
+oud have to )ention the fa.t that one had dei'eratey entered
so)eone ese"s 'athing hut/ It +as not> of .ourse> a serious
offen.e> 'ut it started hi) off +rong/
JCan I 'ring you anything ese> sirAJ
It +as the +aitress again/ She +as oo1ing pointedy at the
untou.hed hari.ot )utton/ *a)es hastiy du)ped so)e of it on his
pate and as1ed for his 'i/ !aving o'tained it> he paid and +ent
out/ As he stood unde.idedy in the street> a poster opposite
.aught his eye/ The adDa.ent to+n of !ar.hester possessed an
evening paper> and it +as the .ontents 'i of this paper that *a)es
+as oo1ing at/ It announ.ed a si)pe> sensationa fa.tH JT!(
&A*A!"S (M(&A#$ ST<#(0/J
JMy ,od>J said *a)es fainty> and eaned against a piar/ Puing
hi)sef together> he fished out a penny and pur.hased a .opy of
the paper/ !e +as not ong in finding +hat he sought/ Sensationa
ite)s of o.a ne+s +ere fe+ and far 'et+een/ #arge headines
adorned the front page/ JSensationa %urgary at #ord (d+ard
Ca)pion"s/ Theft of Fa)ous !istori.a ()erad/ &aDah of
Maraputna"s Terri'e #oss/J The fa.ts +ere fe+ and si)pe/ #ord
(d+ard Ca)pion had entertained severa friends the evening
'efore/ Wishing to sho+ the stone to one of the adies present> the
&aDah had gone to fet.h it and had found it )issing/ The poi.e had
'een .aed in/ So far no .ue had 'een o'tained/ *a)es et the
paper fa to the ground/ It +as sti not .ear to hi) ho+ the
e)erad had .o)e to 'e reposing in the po.1et of an od pair of
fanne trousers in a 'athing hut> 'ut it +as 'orne in upon hi)
every )inute that the poi.e +oud .ertainy regard his o+n story
as suspi.ious/ What on earth +as he to doA !ere he +as> standing
in the prin.ipa street of -i)pton;on;Sea +ith stoen 'ooty +orth a
1ing"s ranso) reposing idy in his po.1et> +hie the entire poi.e
for.e of the distri.t +ere 'usiy sear.hing for Dust that sa)e 'ooty/
There +ere t+o .ourses open to hi)/ Course nu)'er one> to go
straight to the poi.e station and te his story ; 'ut it )ust 'e
ad)itted that *a)es fun1ed that .ourse 'ady/ Course nu)'er
t+o> so)eho+ or other to get rid of the e)erad/ It o..urred to hi)
to do it up in a neat itte par.e and post it 'a.1 to the &aDah/ Then
he shoo1 his head/ !e had read too )any dete.tive stories for that
sort of thing/ !e 1ne+ ho+ your super;seuth .oud get 'usy +ith a
)agnifying gass and every 1ind of patent devi.e/ Any dete.tive
+orth his sat +oud get 'usy on *a)es"s par.e and +oud in haf
an hour or so have dis.overed the sender"s profession> age>
ha'its> and persona appearan.e/ After that it +oud 'e a )ere
)atter of hours 'efore he +as tra.1ed do+n/
It +as then that a s.he)e of da??ing si)pi.ity suggested itsef to
*a)es/ It +as the un.heon hour> the 'ea.h +oud 'e
.o)parativey deserted/ !e +oud return to Mon $esir> hang up
the trousers +here he had found the)> and regain his o+n
gar)ents/ !e started 'ris1y to+ards the 'ea.h/
0evertheess> his .ons.ien.e pri.1ed hi) sighty/ The e)erad
ought to 'e returned to the &aDah/ !e .on.eived the idea that he
)ight perhaps do a itte dete.tive +or1 ; on.e> that is> that he had
regained his o+n trousers and repa.ed the others/ In pursuan.e
of this idea> he dire.ted his steps to+ards the aged )ariner> +ho)
he righty regarded as 'eing an ineBhausti'e sour.e of -i)pton
infor)ation/
J(B.use )eGJ said *a)es poiteyI J'ut I 'eieve a friend of )ine
has a hut on this 'ea.h> Mr Chares #a)pton/ It is .aed Mon
$esir> I fan.yAJ
The aged )ariner +as sitting very s8uarey in a .hair> a pipe in his
)outh> ga?ing out to sea/ !e shifted his pipe a itte and repied
+ithout re)oving his ga?e fro) the hori?onH
JMon $esir 'eongs to his ordship> #ord (d+ard Ca)pionI
everyone 1no+s that/ I never heard of Mr Chares #a)ptonI he
)ust 'e a ne+.o)er/J
JThan1 you>J said *a)es> and +ithdre+/
The infor)ation staggered hi)/ Surey the &aDah .oud not hi)sef
have sipped the stone into the po.1et and forgotten it/ *a)es
shoo1 his head/ The theory did not satisfy hi)> 'ut evidenty so)e
)e)'er of the house party )ust 'e the thief/ The situation
re)inded *a)es of so)e of his favourite +or1s of fi.tion/
0evertheess> his o+n purpose re)ained unatered/ A fe out
easiy enough/ The 'ea.h +as> as he hoped it +oud 'e> pra.ti.ay
deserted/ More fortunate sti> the door of Mon $esir re)ained aDar/
To sip in +as the +or1 of a )o)ent> (d+ard +as Dust ifting his
o+n trousers fro) the hoo1> +hen a voi.e 'ehind hi) )ade hi)
spin round suddeny/
JSo I have .aught you> )y )anGJ said the voi.e/
*a)es stared open;)outhed/ In the door+ay of Mon $esir stood a
stranger ; a +e;dressed )an of a'out forty years of age> his fa.e
1een and ha+1i1e/
JSo I have .aught youGJ the stranger repeated/
JWho ; +ho are youAJ sta))ered *a)es/
J$ete.tive;Inspe.tor Merriees fro) the @ard>J said the other
.rispy/ JAnd I +i trou'e you to hand over that e)erad/J
JThe ; the e)eradAJ
*a)es +as see1ing to gain ti)e/
JThat"s +hat I said> didn"t IAJ said Inspe.tor Merriees/
!e had a .risp> 'usinessi1e enun.iation/ *a)es tried to pu
hi)sef together/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you are ta1ing a'out>J he said +ith an
assu)ption of dignity/
J<h> yes> )y ad> I thin1 you do/J
JThe +hoe thing>J said *a)es> Jis a )ista1e/ I .an eBpain it 8uite
easiy ;J !e paused/
A oo1 of +eariness had setted on the fa.e of the other/
JThey a+ays say that>J )ur)ured the S.otand @ard )an dryy/ JI
suppose you pi.1ed it up as you +ere stroing aong the 'ea.h>
ehA That is the sort of eBpanation/J
It did indeed 'ear a rese)'an.e to it/ *a)es re.ogni?ed the fa.t>
'ut sti he tried to gain ti)e/
J!o+ do I 1no+ you are +hat you say you areAJ he de)anded
+ea1y/
Merriees fapped 'a.1 his .oat for a )o)ent> sho+ing a 'adge/
(d+ard stared at hi) +ith eyes that popped out of his head/
JAnd no+>J said the other a)ost geniay> Jyou see +hat you are
up againstG @ou are a novi.e ; I .an te that/ @our first Do'> isn"t itAJ
*a)es nodded/
JI thought as )u.h/ 0o+> )y 'oy> are you going to hand over that
e)erad> or have I got to sear.h youAJ
*a)es found his voi.e/
JI ; I haven"t got it on )e>J he de.ared/
!e +as thin1ing desperatey/
J#eft it at your odgingsAJ 8ueried Merriees/
*a)es nodded/
J7ery +e> then>J said the dete.tive> J+e +i go there together/J
!e sipped his ar) through *a)es"s/
JI a) ta1ing no .han.es of your getting a+ay fro) )e>J he said
genty/ JWe +i go to your odgings> and you +i hand that stone
over to )e/J
*a)es spo1e unsteadiy/
JIf I do> +i you et )e goAJ he as1ed tre)uousy/
Merriees appeared e)'arrassed/
JWe 1no+ Dust ho+ that stone +as ta1en>J he eBpained> Jand
a'out the ady invoved> and> of .ourse> as far as that goes ; +e>
the &aDah +ants it hushed up/ @ou 1no+ +hat these native ruers
areAJ
*a)es> +ho 1ne+ nothing +hatsoever a'out native ruers> eB.ept
for one .ause .//'re> nodded his head +ith an appearan.e of
eager .o)prehension/
JIt +i 'e )ost irreguar> of .ourse>J said the dete.tive> J'ut you
)ay get off s.ot;free/J
Again *a)es nodded/ They had +a1ed the ength of the
(spanade> and +ere no+ turning into the to+n/ *a)es inti)ated
the dire.tion> 'ut the other )an never rein8uished his sharp grip
on *a)es"s ar)/
Suddeny *a)es hesitated and haf spo1e/ Merriees oo1ed up
sharpy> and then aughed/ They +ere Dust passing the poi.e
station> and he noti.ed *a)es"s agoni?ed gan.es at it/
JI a) giving you a .han.e first>J he said good;hu)ouredy/
It +as at that )o)ent that things 'egan to happen/ A oud 'eo+
'ro1e fro) *a)esI he .ut.hed the other"s ar)> and yeed at the
top of his voi.eH J!epG Thief/ !epG Thief/J
A .ro+d surrounded the) in ess than a )inute/ Merriees +as
trying to +ren.h his ar) fro) *a)es"s grasp/
JI .harge this )an>J .ried *a)es/ JI .harge this )anI he pi.1ed )y
po.1et/J
JWhat are you ta1ing a'out> you fooAJ .ried the other/
A .onsta'e too1 .harge of )atters/ Mr Merriees and *a)es +ere
es.orted into the poi.e station/ *a)es reiterated his .o)paint/
JThis )an has Dust pi.1ed )y po.1et>J he de.ared eB.itedy/ J!e
has got )y note.ase in his right;hand po.1et> thereGJ
JThe )an is )ad>J gru)'ed the other/ J@ou .an oo1 for yoursef>
inspe.tor> and see if he is teing the truth/J
At a sign fro) the inspe.tor> the .onsta'e sipped his hand
deferentiay into Merriees"s po.1et/ !e dre+ so)ething up and
hed it out +ith a gasp of astonish)ent/
JMy ,odGJ said the inspe.tor> started out of professiona
de.oru)/ JIt )ust 'e the &aDah"s e)erad/J
Merriees oo1ed )ore in.reduous than anyone ese/
JThis is )onstrous>J he sputteredI J)onstrous/ The )an )ust
have put it into )y po.1et hi)sef as +e +ere +a1ing aong
together/ It"s a pant/J
The for.efu personaity of Merriees .aused the inspe.tor to
+aver/ !is suspi.ions s+ung round to *a)es/ !e +hispered
so)ething to the .onsta'e> and the atter +ent out/
J0o+ then> gente)en>J said the inspe.tor> Jet )e have your
state)ents pease> one at a ti)e/J
JCertainy>J said *a)es/ JI +as +a1ing aong the 'ea.h +hen I
)et this gente)an> and he pretended he +as a.8uainted +ith )e/
I .oud not re)e)'er having )et hi) 'efore> 'ut I +as too poite to
say so/ We +a1ed aong together/ I had )y suspi.ions of hi)> and
Dust +hen +e got opposite the poi.e station> I found his hand in )y
po.1et/ I hed on to hi) and shouted for hep/J
The inspe.tor transferred his gan.e to Merriees/
JAnd no+ you> sir/J
Merriees see)ed a itte e)'arrassed/
JThe story is very neary right>J he said so+y> J'ut not 8uite/ It
+as not I +ho s.raped a.8uaintan.e +ith hi)> 'ut he +ho s.raped
a.8uaintan.e +ith )e/ $ou'tess he +as trying to get rid of the
e)erad> and sipped it into )y po.1et +hie +e +ere ta1ing/J
The inspe.tor stopped +riting/ JAhGJ he said i)partiay/ JWe>
there +i 'e a gente)an here in a )inute +ho +i hep us to get to
the 'otto) of the .ase/J
Merriees fro+ned/
JIt is reay i)possi'e for )e to +ait>J he )ur)ured> puing out
his +at.h/ JI have an appoint)ent/ Surey> inspe.tor> you .an"t 'e
so ridi.uous as to suppose I"d stea the e)erad and +a1 aong
+ith it in )y po.1etAJ
JIt is not i1ey> sir> I agree>J the inspe.tor repied/ J%ut you +i
have to +ait Dust a )atter of five or ten )inutes ti +e get this thing
.eared up/ AhG !ere is his ordship/J
A ta )an of forty strode into the roo)/ !e +as +earing a pair of
diapidated trousers and an od s+eater/
J0o+ then> inspe.tor> +hat is a thisAJ he said/ J@ou have got hod
of the e)erad> you sayA That"s spendidI very s)art +or1/ Who
are these peope you have got hereAJ
!is eye ranged over *a)es and .a)e to rest on Merriees/ The
for.efu personaity of the atter see)ed to d+inde and shrin1/
JWhy ; *onesGJ eB.ai)ed #ord (d+ard Ca)pion/
J@ou re.ogni?e this )an> #ord (d+ardAJ as1ed the inspe.tor
sharpy/
JCertainy I do>J said #ord (d+ard dryy/ J!e is )y vaet> .a)e to
)e a )onth ago/ The feo+ they sent do+n fro) #ondon +as on to
hi) at on.e> 'ut there +as not a tra.e of the e)erad any+here
a)ong his 'eongings/J
J!e +as .arrying it in his .oat po.1et>J the inspe.tor de.ared/
JThis gente)an put us on to hi)/J !e indi.ated *a)es/
In another )inute *a)es +as 'eing +ar)y .ongratuated and
sha1en 'y the hand/
JMy dear feo+>J said #ord (d+ard Ca)pion/ JSo you suspe.ted
hi) a aong> you sayAJ
J@es>J said *a)es/ JI had to tru)p up the story a'out )y po.1et
'eing pi.1ed to get hi) into the poi.e station/J
JWe> it is spendid>J said #ord (d+ard> Ja'soutey spendid/ @ou
)ust .o)e 'a.1 and un.h +ith usI that is> if you haven"t un.hedA
It is ate> I 1no+> getting on for t+o o".o.1/J
J0o>J said *a)esI JI haven"t un.hed ; 'ut ;J
J0ot a +ord> not a +ord>J said #ord (d+ard/ JThe &aDah> you
1no+> +i +ant to than1 you for getting 'a.1 his e)erad for hi)/
0ot that I have 8uite got the hang of the story yet/J
They +ere out of the poi.e station 'y no+> standing on the steps/
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said *a)es> JI thin1 I shoud i1e to te you
the true story/J
!e did so/ !is ordship +as very )u.h entertained/
J%est thing I ever heard in )y ife>J he de.ared/ JI see it a no+/
*ones )ust have hurried do+n to the 'athing hut as soon as he
had pin.hed the thing> 1no+ing that the poi.e +oud )a1e a
thorough sear.h of the house/ That od pair of trousers I
so)eti)es put on for going out fishingI no'ody +as i1ey to tou.h
the)> and he .oud re.over the De+e at his eisure/ Must have
'een a sho.1 to hi) +hen he .a)e today to find it gone/ As soon
as you appeared> he reai?ed that you +ere the person +ho had
re)oved the stone/ I sti don"t 8uite see ho+ you )anaged to see
through that dete.tive pose of his> thoughGJ
JA strong )an>J thought *a)es to hi)sef> J1no+s +hen to 'e
fran1 and +hen to 'e dis.reet/J
!e s)ied depre.atingy +hie his fingers passed genty over the
inside of his .oat ape feeing the s)a siver 'adge of that itte1no+n
.u'> the Merton Par1 Super Cy.ing Cu'/ An astonishing
.oin.iden.e that the )an *ones shoud aso 'e a )e)'er> 'ut
there it +asG
J!ao> *a)esGJ
!e turned/ ,ra.e and the Sop+orth girs +ere .aing to hi) fro)
the other side of the road/ !e turned to #ord (d+ard/
J(B.use )e a )o)entAJ
!e .rossed the road to the)/
JWe are going to the pi.tures>J said ,ra.e/ JThought you )ight
i1e to .o)e/J
JI a) sorry>J said *a)es/ JI a) Dust going 'a.1 to un.h +ith #ord
(d+ard Ca)pion/ @es> that )an over there in the .o)forta'e od
.othes/ !e +ants )e to )eet the &aDah of Maraputna/J
!e raised his hat poitey and reDoined #ord (d+ard/
SWA0 S<0,
It +as eeven o".o.1 on a May )orning in #ondon/ Mr Co+an +as
oo1ing out of the +indo+I 'ehind hi) +as the so)e+hat ornate
spendour of a sitting roo) in a suite at the &it? !ote/ The suite in
8uestion had 'een reserved for M)e Paua 0a?or1off> the fa)ous
operati. star> +ho had Dust arrived in #ondon/ Mr Co+an> +ho +as
Mada)e"s prin.ipa )an of 'usiness> +as a+aiting an intervie+
+ith the ady/ !e turned his head suddeny as the door opened> 'ut
it +as ony Miss &ead> M)e 0a?or1off"s se.retary> a pae gir +ith
an effi.ient )anner/
J<h> so it"s you> )y dear>J said Mr Co+an/ JMada)e not up yet>
ehAJ
Miss &ead shoo1 her head/
JShe tod )e to .o)e round at ten o".o.1>J Mr Co+an said/ JI have
'een +aiting an hour/J
!e dispayed neither resent)ent nor surprise/ Mr Co+an +as
indeed a..usto)ed to the vagaries of the artisti. te)pera)ent/ !e
+as a ta )an> .ean;shaven> +ith a fra)e rather too +e .overed>
and .othes that +ere rather too fautess/ !is hair +as very 'a.1
and shining> and his teeth +ere aggressivey +hite/ When he
spo1e> he had a +ay of surring his Js"sJ +hi.h +as not 8uite a isp>
'ut .a)e periousy near to it/ At that )inute a door at the other
side of the roo) opened> and a tri) Fren.h gift hurried through/
JMada)e getting upAJ in8uired Co+an hopefuy/ JTe us the
ne+s> (ise/J
(ise i))ediatey eevated 'oth hands to heaven/
JMada)e she is i1e seventeen devis this )orningI nothing
peases herG The 'eautifu yeo+ roses +hi.h )onsieur sent to her
ast night> she says they are a very +e for 0e+ @or1> 'ut that it is
i)'/.ie to send the) to her in #ondon/ In #ondon> she says> red
roses are the ony things possi'e> and straighta+ay she opens the
door and pre.ipitates the yeo+ roses into the passage> +here
they des.end upon a )onsieur> tr/s .o))e i faut> a )iitary
gente)an> I thin1> and he is Dusty indignant> that oneGJ
Co+an raised his eye'ro+s> 'ut dispayed no other signs of
e)otion/ Then he too1 fro) his po.1et a s)a )e)orandu) 'oo1
and pen.ied in it the +ords Jred roses/J
(ise hurried out through the other door> and Co+an turned on.e
)ore to the +indo+/ 7era &ead sat do+n at the des1 and 'egan
opening etters and sorting the)/ Ten )inutes passed in sien.e>
and then the door of the 'edroo) 'urst open> and Paua 0a?or1off
fa)ed into the fro)/ !er i))ediate effe.t upon it +as to )a1e it
see) s)aerI 7era &ead appeared )ore .oouress> and Co+an
retreated into a )ere figure in the 'a.1ground/
JAh> haG My .hidren>J said the pri)a donna/ JA) I not pun.tuaAJ
She +as a ta +o)an> and for a singer not unduy fat/ !er ar)s
and egs +ere sti sender> and her ne.1 +as a 'eautifu .ou)n/
!er hair> +hi.h +as .oied in a great ro haf+ay do+n her ne.1>
+as of a dar1> go+ing red/ If it o+ed so)e at east of its .oour to
henna> the resut +as none the ess effe.tive/ She +as not a young
+o)an> forty at east> 'ut the ines of her fa.e +ere sti ovey>
though the s1in +as oosened and +rin1ed round the fashing>
dar1 eyes/ She had the augh of a .hid> the digestion of an ostri.h>
and the te)per of a fiend> and she +as a.1no+edged to 'e the
greatest dra)ati. soprano of her day/ She turned dire.ty upon
Co+an/
J!ave you done as I as1ed youA !ave you ta1en that a'o)ina'e
(ngish piano a+ay and thro+n it into the Tha)esAJ
JI have got another for you>J said Co+an> and gestured to+ards
+here it stood in the .orner/
0a?or1off rushed a.ross to it and ifted the id/
JAn (rard>J she saidI Jthat is 'etter/ 0o+ et us see/J
The 'eautifu soprano voi.e rang out in an arpeggio> then it ran
ighty up and do+n the s.ae t+i.e> then too1 a soft itte run up to
a high note> hed it> its vou)e> s+eing ouder and ouder> then
softened again ti it died a+ay in nothingness/
JAhGJ said Paua 0a?or1off in na/ve satisfa.tion/ JWhat a 'eautifu
voi.e I haveG (ven in #ondon I have a 'eautifu voi.e/J
JThat is so>J agreed Co+an in hearty .ongratuation/ JAnd you 'et
#ondon is going to fai for you a right> Dust as 0e+ @or1 did/J
J@ou thin1 soAJ 8ueried the singer/
There +as a sight s)ie on her ips> and it +as evident that for her
the 8uestion +as a )ere .o))onpa.e/
JSure thing>J said Co+an/
Paua 0a?or1off .osed the piano id do+n and +a1ed a.ross to
the ta'e +ith that so+ unduating +a1 that proved so effe.tive on
the stage/
JWe> +e>J she said> Jet us get to 'usiness/ @ou have a the
arrange)ents there> )y friendAJ
Co+an too1 so)e papers out of the portfoio he had aid on a .hair/
J0othing has 'een atered )u.h>J he re)ar1ed/ J@ou +i sing five
ti)es at Covent ,arden> three ti)es in Tos.a> t+i.e in A/da/J
JA/daG Pah>J said the pri)a donna> Jit +i 'e unuttera'e
'oredo)/ Tos.a> that is different/J
JAh> yes>J said Co+an/ JTos.a is your part/J
Paua 0a?or1off dre+ hersef up/
JI a) the greatest Tos.a in the +ord>J she said si)py/
JThat is so>J agreed Co+an/ J0o one .an tou.h you/J
J&os.ari +i sing "S.arpia>" I supposeAJ
Co+an nodded/
JAnd ()ie #ippi/J
JWhatAJ shrie1ed 0a?or1off/ J#ippi ; that hideous itte 'ar1ing
frog> .roa1 ; .roa1 ; .roa1/ I +i not sing +ith hi)/ I +i 'ite hi)/ I
+i s.rat.h his fa.e/J
J0o+> no+>J said Co+an soothingy/
J!e does not sing> I te you> he is a )ongre dog +ho 'ar1s/J
JWe> +e" seeI +e" see>J said Co+an/
!e +as too +ise ever to argue +ith te)pera)enta singers/
JThe CavaradossiAJ de)anded 0a?or1off/
JThe A)eri.an tenor> !ensdae/J
The other nodded/
J!e is a ni.e itte 'oyI he sings prettiy/J
JAnd %arr/re is to sing it on.e> I 'eieve/J
J!e is an artist>J said Mada)e generousy/ J%ut to et that
.roa1ing frog #ippi 'e S.arpiaG %ah ; I" not sing +ith hi)/J
J@ou eave it to )e>J said Co+an soothingy/
!e .eared his throat and too1 up a fresh set of papers/
JI a) arranging for a spe.ia .on.ert at the A'ert !a/J
0a?or1off )ade a gri)a.e/
JI 1no+> I 1no+>J said Co+anI J'ut every'ody does it/J
JI +i 'e good>J said 0a?or1off> Jand it +i 'e fied to the .eiing>
and I sha have )u.h )oney/ (..o/J
Again Co+an shuffed papers/
J0o+ here is 8uite a different proposition>J he said> Jfro) #ady
&uston'ury/ She +ants you to go do+n and sing/J
J&uston'uryAJ
The pri)a donna"s 'ro+ .ontra.ted as if in the effort to re.oe.t
so)ething/
JI have read the na)e atey> very atey/ It is a to+n ; or a viage>
isn"t itAJ
JThat"s right> pretty itte pa.e in !ertfordshire/ As for #ord
&uston'ury"s pa.e> &uston'ury Caste> it"s a rea dandy od feuda
seat> ghosts and fa)iy pi.tures> and se.ret stair.ases> and a sapup
private theatre/ &oing in )oney they are> and a+ays giving
so)e private sho+/ She suggests that +e give a .o)pete opera>
prefera'y %utterfy/J
J%utterfyAJ
Co+an nodded/
JAnd they are prepared to pay/ We" have to s8uare Covent
,arden> of .ourse> 'ut even after that it +i 'e +e +orth your
+hie finan.iay/ In a pro'a'iity> royaty +i 'e present/ It +i 'e
a sap;up advertise)ent/J
Mada)e raised her sti 'eautifu .hin/
J$o I need advertise)entAJ she de)anded proudy/
J@ou .an"t have too )u.h of a good thing>J said Co+an>
una'ashed/
J&uston'ury>J )ur)ured the singerI J+here did I see ;J
She sprang up suddeny and> running to the .enter ta'e> 'egan
turning over the pages of an iustrated paper +hi.h ay there/
There +as a sudden pause as her hand stopped> hovering over
one of the pages> then she et the periodi.a sip to the foor and
returned so+y to her seat/ With one of her s+ift .hanges of )ood>
she see)ed no+ an entirey different personaity/ !er )anner +as
very 8uiet> a)ost austere/
JMa1e a arrange)ents for &uston'ury/ I +oud i1e to sing there>
'ut there is one .ondition ; the opera )ust 'e Tos.a/J
Co+an oo1ed dou'tfu/
JThat +i 'e rather diffi.ut ; for a private sho+> you 1no+> s.enery
and a that/J
JTos.a or nothing/J
Co+an oo1ed at her very .osey/ What he sa+ see)ed to
.onvin.e hi)I he gave a 'rief nod and rose to his feet/
JI +i see +hat I .an arrange>J he said 8uiety/
0a?or1off rose too/ She see)ed )ore anBious than +as usua> +ith
her> to eBpain her de.ision/
JIt is )y greatest roe> Co+an/ I .an sing that part as no other
+o)an has ever sung it/J
JIt is a fine part>J said Co+an/ J*erit?a )ade a great hit in it ast
year/J
J*erit?aAJ .ried the other> a fush )ounting in her .hee1s/ She
pro.eeded to give hi) at great ength her opinion of *erit?a/
Co+an> +ho +as used to istening to singers" opinions of other
singers> a'stra.ted his attention ti the tirade +as overI he then
said o'stinateyH
JAny+ay> she sings "7issi $"Arte" ying on her sto)a.h/J
JAnd +hy notAJ de)anded 0a?or1off/ JWhat is there to prevent
herA I +i sing it on )y 'a.1 +ith )y egs +aving in the air/J
Co+an shoo1 his head +ith perfe.t seriousness/
JI don"t 'eieve that +oud go do+n any>J he infor)ed her/ JA the
sa)e> that sort of thing ta1es on> you 1no+/J
J0o one .an sing "7issi $"Arte" as I .an>J said 0a?or1off
.onfidenty/ JI sing it in the voi.e of the .onvent ; as the good nuns
taught )e to sing years and years ago/ In the voi.e of a .hoir 'oy
or an ange> +ithout feeing> +ithout passion/J
JI 1no+>J said Co+an heartiy/ JI have heard youI you are
+onderfu/J
JThat is art>J said the pri)a donna> Jto pay the pri.e> to suffer> to
endure> and in the end not ony to have a 1no+edge> 'ut aso the
po+er to go 'a.1> right 'a.1 to the 'eginning and re.apture the
ost 'eauty of the heart of a .hid/J
Co+an oo1ed at her .uriousy/ She +as stating past hi) +ith a
strange> 'an1 oo1 in her eyes> and so)ething a'out that oo1 of
hers gave hi) a .reepy feeing/ !er ips Dust parted> and she
+hispered a fe+ +ords softy to hersef/ !e ony Dust .aught the)/
JAt ast>J she )ur)ured/ JAt ast ; after a these years/J
II
#ady &uston'ury +as 'oth an a)'itious and an artisti. +o)anI
she ran the t+o 8uaities in harness +ith .o)pete su..ess/ She
had the good fortune to have a hus'and +ho .ared for neither
a)'ition nor art and +ho therefore did not ha)per her in any +ay/
The (ar of &uston'ury +as a arge> s8uare )an> +ith an interest
in horsefesh and in nothing ese/ !e ad)ired his +ife> and +as
proud of her> and +as gad that his great +eath ena'ed her to
induge a her s.he)es/ The private theatre had 'een 'uit ess
than a hundred years ago 'y his grandfather/ It +as #ady
&uston'ury"s .hief toy ; she had aready given an I'sen dra)a in it>
and a pay of the utra ne+ s.hooI a divor.e and drugs> aso a
poeti.a fantasy +ith Cu'ist s.enery/ The forth.o)ing
perfor)an.e of Tos.a had .reated +idespread interest/ #ady
&uston'ury +as entertaining a very distinguished house party for
it> and a #ondon that .ounted +as )otoring do+n to attend/
M)e 0a?or1off and her .o)pany had arrived Dust 'efore un.heon/
The ne+ young A)eri.an tenor> !ensdae> +as to sing
JCavaradossi>J and &os.ari> the fa)ous Itaian 'aritone> +as to 'e
S.arpia/ The eBpense of the produ.tion had 'een enor)ous> 'ut
no'ody .ared a'out that/ Paua 0a?or1off +as in the 'est of
hu)oursI she +as .har)ing> gra.ious> her )ost deightfu and
.os)opoitan sef/ Co+an +as agreea'y surprised> and prayed
that this state of things )ight .ontinue/
After un.heon the .o)pany +ent out to the theatre and inspe.ted
the s.enery and various appoint)ents/ The or.hestra +as under
the dire.tion of Mr Sa)ue &idge> one of (ngand"s )ost fa)ous
.ondu.tors/ (verything see)ed to 'e going +ithout a hit.h> and
strangey enough> that fa.t +orried Mr Co+an/ !e +as )ore at
ho)e in an at)osphere of trou'eI this unusua pea.e distur'ed
hi)/
J(verything is going a darned sight too s)oothy>J )ur)ured Mr
Co+an to hi)sef/ JMada)e is i1e a .at that has 'een fed on
.rea)/ It"s too good to astI so)ething is 'ound to happen/J
Perhaps as the resut of his ong .onta.t +ith the operati. +ord>
Mr Co+an had deveoped the siBth sense> .ertainy his
prognosti.ations +ere Dustified/ It +as Dust 'efore seven o".o.1
that evening +hen the Fren.h )aid> (ise> .a)e running to hi) in
great distress/
JAh> Mr Co+an> .o)e 8ui.1yI I 'eg of you .o)e 8ui.1y/J
JWhat"s the )atterAJ de)anded Co+an anBiousy/ JMada)e got
her 'a.1 up a'out anything ; ru.tions> eh> is that itAJ
J0o> no> it is not Mada)eI it is Signor &os.ari/ !e is iI he is
dyingGJ
J$yingA <h> .o)e no+/J
Co+an hurried after her as she ed the +ay to the stri.1en Itaian"s
'edroo)/ The itte )an +as ying on his 'ed> or rather Der1ing
hi)sef a over it in a series of .ontortions that +oud have 'een
hu)orous had they 'een ess grave/ Paua 0a?or1off +as 'ending
over hi)I she greeted Co+an i)periousy/
JAhG There you are/ <ur poor &os.ari> he suffers horri'y/
$ou'tess he has eaten so)ething/J
JI a) dying>J groaned the itte )an/ JThe pain ; it is terri'e/ <+GJ
!e .ontorted hi)sef again> .asping 'oth hands to his sto)a.h>
and roing a'out on the 'ed/
JWe )ust send for a do.tor>J said Co+an/
Paua arrested hi) as he +as a'out to )ove to the door/
JThe do.tor is aready on his +ayI he +i do a that .an 'e done
for the poor suffering one> that is arranged for> 'ut never> never
+i &os.ari 'e a'e to sing tonight/J
JI sha never sing againI I a) dying>J groaned the Itaian/
J0o> no> you are not dying>J said Paua/ JIt is 'ut an indigestion>
'ut a the sa)e> i)possi'e that you shoud sing/J
JI have 'een poisoned/J
J@es> it is the pto)aine +ithout dou't>J said Paua/ JStay +ith hi)>
(ise> ti the do.tor .o)es/J
The singer s+ept Co+an +ith her fro) the roo)/
JWhat are +e to doAJ she de)anded/
Co+an shoo1 his head hopeessy/ The hour +as so far advan.ed
that it +oud not 'e possi'e to get anyone fro) #ondon to ta1e
&os.ari"s pa.e/ #ady &uston'ury> +ho had Dust 'een infor)ed of
her guest"s iness> .a)e hurrying aong the .orridor to Doin the)/
!er prin.ipa .on.ern> i1e Paua 0a?or1off"s> +as the su..ess of
Tos.a/
JIf there +ere ony so)eone near at hand>J groaned the pri)a
donna/
JAhGJ #ady &uston'ury gave a sudden .ry/ J<f .ourseG %r/on/J
J%r/onAJ
J@es> (douard %r/on> you 1no+> the fa)ous Fren.h 'aritone/ !e
ives near here/ There +as a pi.ture of his house in this +ee1"s
Country !o)es/ !e is the very )an/J
JIt is an ans+er fro) heaven>J .ried 0a?or1off/ J%r/on as S.arpia>
I re)e)'er hi) +e> it +as one of his greatest r/es/ %ut he has
retired> has he notAJ
JI +i get hi)>J said #ady &uston'ury/ J#eave it to )e/J
And 'eing a +o)an of de.ision> she straight+ay ordered out the
!ispano Sui?a/ Ten )inutes ater> M/ (douard %r/on"s .ountry
retreat +as invaded 'y an agitated .ountess/ #ady &uston'ury>
on.e she had )ade her )ind up> +as a very deter)ined +o)an>
and dou'tess M/ %r/on reai?ed that there +as nothing for it 'ut to
su')it/ Aso> it )ust 'e .onfessed> he had a +ea1ness for
.ountesses/ !i)sef a )an of very hu)'e origin> he had .i)'ed
to the top of his profession> and had .onsorted on e8ua ter)s +ith
du1es and prin.es> and the fa.t never faied to gratify hi)/ @et>
sin.e his retire)ent to this od;+ord (ngish spot> he had 1no+n
dis.ontent/ !e )issed the ife of aduation and appause> and the
(ngish .ounty had not 'een as pro)pt to re.ogni?e hi) as he
thought they shoud have 'een/ So he +as greaty fattered and
.har)ed 'y #ady &uston'ury"s re8uest/
JI +i do )y poor 'est>J he said> s)iing/ JAs you 1no+> I have not
sung in pu'i. for a ong ti)e no+/ I do not even ta1e pupis> ony
one or t+o as a great favour/ %ut there ; sin.e Signor &os.ari is
unfortunatey indisposed ;J
JIt +as a terri'e 'o+>J said #ady &uston'ury/
J0ot that he is reay a singer>J said %r/on/
!e tod her at so)e ength +hy this +as so/ There had 'een> it
see)ed> no 'aritone of distin.tion sin.e (douard %r/on retired/
JM)e 0a?or1off is singing "Tos.a>"J said #ady &uston'ury/ J@ou
1no+ her> I dare sayAJ
JI have never )et her>J said %r/on/ JI heard her sing on.e in 0e+
@or1/ A great artist ; she has a sense of dra)a/J
#ady &uston'ury fet reieved ; one never 1ne+ +ith these singers
; they had su.h 8ueer Deaousies and antipathies/
She re;entered the ha at the .aste so)e t+enty )inutes ater
+aving a triu)phant hand/
JI have got hi)>J she .ried> aughing/ J$ear M/ %r/on has reay
'een too 1ind/ I sha never forget it/J
(veryone .ro+ded round the Fren.h)an> and their gratitude and
appre.iation +ere as in.ense to hi)/ (douard %r/on> though no+
.ose on siBty> +as sti a fine;oo1ing )an> 'ig and dar1> +ith a
)agneti. personaity/
J#et )e see>J said #ady &uston'ury/ JWhere is Mada)e ;A <hG
There she is/J
Paua 0a?or1off had ta1en no part in the genera +e.o)ing of the
Fren.h)an/ She had re)ained 8uiety sitting in a high oa1 .hair in
the shado+ of the firepa.e/ There +as> of .ourse> no fire> for the
evening +as a +ar) one and the singer +as so+y fanning hersef
+ith an i))ense pa);eaf fan/ So aoof and deta.hed +as she>
that #ady &uston'ury feared she had ta1en offen.e/
JM/ %r/on/J She ed hi) up to the singer/ J@ou have never yet )et
Mada)e 0a?or1off> you say/J
With a ast +ave> a)ost a fourish> of the pa) eaf> Paua
0a?or1off aid it do+n and stret.hed out her hand to the
Fren.h)an/ !e too1 it and 'o+ed o+ over it> and a faint sigh
es.aped fro) the pri)a donna"s ips/
JMada)e>J said %r/on> J+e have never sung together/ That is the
penaty of )y ageG %ut Fate has 'een 1ind to )e> and .o)e to )y
res.ue/J
Paua aughed softy/
J@ou are too 1ind> M/ %r/on/ When I +as sti 'ut a poor itte
un1no+n singer> I have sat at your feet/ @our "&igoetto" ; +hat art>
+hat perfe.tionG 0o one .oud tou.h you/J
JAasGJ said %r/on> pretending to sigh/ JMy day is over/ S.arpia>
&igoetto> &ada)s> Sharpess> ho+ )any ti)es have I not sung
the)> and no+ ; no )oreGJ
J@es ; tonight/J
JTrue> )ada)e ; I forgot/ Tonight/J
J@ou have sung +ith )any "Tos.a"s>J said 0a?or1off arroganty>
J'ut never +ith )eGJ
The Fren.h)an 'o+ed/
JIt +i 'e an honour>J he said softy/ JIt is a great part> )ada)e/J
JIt needs not ony a singer> 'ut an a.tress>J put in #ady
&uston'ury/
JThat is true>J %r/on agreed/ JI re)e)'er +hen I +as a young )an
in Itay> going to a itte out;of;the;+ay theatre in Mian/ My seat
.ost )e ony a .oupe of ira> 'ut I heard as good singing that night
as I have heard in the Metropoitan <pera !ouse in 0e+ @or1/
4uite a young gir sang "Tos.a"I she sang it i1e an ange/ 0ever
sha I forget her voi.e in "7issi $"Arte>" the .earness of it> the
purity/ %ut the dra)ati. for.e> that +as a.1ing/J
0a?or1off nodded/
JThat .o)es ater>J she said 8uiety/
JTrue/ This young gir ; %ian.a Capei her na)e +as ; I interested
)ysef in her .areer/ Through )e she had the .han.e of 'ig
engage)ents> 'ut she +as fooish ; regretta'y fooish/J
!e shrugged his shouders/
J!o+ +as she fooishAJ
It +as #ady &uston'ury"s t+enty;four;year;od daughter> %an.he
A)ery> +ho spo1e ; a sender gir +ith +ide 'ue eyes/
The Fren.h)an turned to her at on.e poitey/
JAasG Made)oisee> she had e)'roied hersef +ith so)e o+
feo+> a ruffian> a )e)'er of the Ca)orra/ !e got into trou'e +ith
the poi.e> +as .onde)ned to deathI she .a)e to )e 'egging )e
to do so)ething to save her over/J
%an.he Avery +as staring at hi)/
JAnd did youAJ she as1ed 'reathessy/
JMe> )ade)oisee> +hat .oud I doA A stranger in the .ountry/J
J@ou )ight have had infuen.eAJ suggested 0a?or1off in her o+>
vi'rant voi.e/
JIf I had> I dou't +hether I shoud have eBerted it/ The )an +as not
+orth it/ I did +hat I .oud for the gir/J
!e s)ied a itte> and his s)ie suddeny stru.1 the (ngish gir as
having so)ething pe.uiary disagreea'e a'out it/ She fet that> at
that )o)ent> his +ords fe far short of representing his thoughts/
J@ou did +hat you .oud>J said 0a?or1off/ JThat +as 1ind of you>
and she +as gratefu> ehAJ
The Fren.h)an shrugged his shouders/
JThe )an +as eBe.uted>J he said> Jand the gir entered a .onvent/
(h> voi/G The +ord has ost a singer/J
0a?or1off gave a o+ augh/
JWe &ussians are )ore fi.1e>J she said ighty/
%an.he A)ery happened to 'e +at.hing Co+an Dust as the singer
spo1e> and she sa+ his 8ui.1 oo1 of astonish)ent> and his ips
that haf opened and then shut tight in o'edien.e to so)e +arning
gan.e fro) Paua/
The 'uter appeared in the door+ay/
J$inner>J said #ady &uston'ury> rising/ J@ou poor things> I a) so
sorry for you/ It )ust 'e dreadfu a+ays to have to starve yoursef
'efore singing/ %ut there +i 'e a very good supper after+ards/J
JWe sha oo1 for+ard to it>J said Paua 0a?or1off/ She aughed
softy/ JAfter+ardsGJ
III
Inside the theatre> the first a.t of Tos.a had Dust dra+n to a .ose/
The audien.e stirred> spo1e to ea.h other/ The royaties> .har)ing
and gra.ious> sat in the three vevet .hairs in the front ro+/
(veryone +as +hispering and )ur)uring to ea.h otherI there +as
a genera feeing that in the first a.t 0a?or1off had hardy ived up
to her great reputation/ Most of the audien.e did not reai?e that in
this the singer sho+ed her artI in the first a.t she +as saving her
voi.e and hersef/ She )ade of #a Tos.a a ight> frivoous figure>
toying +ith ove> .o8uettishy Deaous and eBa.ting/ %r/on> though
the gory of his voi.e +as past its pri)e> sti stru.1 a )agnifi.ent
figure as the .yni.a S.arpia/ There +as no hint of the de.repit
rou/ in his .on.eption of the part/ !e )ade of S.arpia a
handso)e> a)ost 'enign figure> +ith Dust a hint of the su'te
)aevoen.e that underay the out+ard see)ing/ In the ast
passage> +ith the organ and the pro.ession> +hen S.arpia stands
ost in thought> goating over his pan to se.ure Tos.a> %r/on had
dispayed a +onderfu art/ 0o+ the .urtain rose upon the se.ond
a.t> the s.ene in S.arpia"s apart)ents/
This ti)e> +hen Tos.a entered> the art of 0a?or1off at on.e
'e.a)e apparent/ !ere +as a +o)an in deady terror paying her
part +ith the assuran.e of a fine a.tress/ !er easy greeting of
S.arpia> her non.haan.e> her s)iing repies to hi)G In this s.ene>
Paua 0a?or1off a.ted +ith her eyesI she .arried hersef +ith
deady 8uietness> +ith an i)passive> s)iing fa.e/ <ny her eyes
that 1ept darting gan.es at S.arpia 'etrayed her true feeings/
And so the story +ent fro) the torture s.ene> the 'rea1ing do+n
of Tos.a"s .o)posure> and her utter a'andon)ent +hen she fe at
S.arpia"s feet i)poring hi) vainy for )er.y/ <d #ord
#e.on)ere> a .onnoisseur of )usi.> )oved appre.iativey> and a
foreign a)'assador sitting neBt to hi) )ur)uredH
JShe surpasses hersef> 0a?or1off> tonight/ There is no other
+o)an on the stage +ho .an et hersef go as she does/J
#e.on)ere nodded/
And no+ S.arpia has na)ed his pri.e> and Tos.a> horrified> fies
fro) hi) to the +indo+/ Then .o)es the 'eat of dru)s fro) afar>
and Tos.a fings hersef +eariy do+n on the sofa/ S.arpia>
standing over her> re.ites ho+ his peope are raising up the
gao+s ; and then sien.e> and again the far;off 'eat of dru)s/
0a?or1off ay prone on the sofa> her head hanging do+n+ards
a)ost tou.hing the foor> )as1ed 'y her hair/ Then> in eB8uisite
.ontrast to the passion and stress of the ast t+enty )inutes> her
voi.e rang out> high and .ear> the voi.e> as she had tod Co+an> of
a .hoir 'oy or an ange/
J7issi d"arte> vissi d"a)ore> no fe.i )ai )ae ad ani)a viva/ Con
)an furtiva 8uante )iserie .ono''i> aiu;tai/J
It +as the voi.e of a +ondering> pu??ed .hid/ Then she is on.e
)ore 1neeing and i)poring> ti the instant +hen Spoetta enters/
Tos.a> eBhausted> gives in> and S.arpia utters his fatefu +ords of
dou'e;edged )eaning/ Spoetta departs on.e )ore/ Then .o)es
the dra)ati. )o)ent +hen Tos.a> raising a gass of +ine in her
tre)'ing hand> .at.hes sight of the 1nife on the ta'e and sips it
'ehind her/
%r/on rose up> handso)e> saturnine> infa)ed +ith passion/
JTos.a> fina)ente )iaGJ The ightning sta' +ith the 1nife> and
Tos.a"s hiss of vengean.eH
J4uesto e i 'a..io di Tos.aGJ 9JIt is thus that Tos.a 1isses/J:
0ever had 0a?or1off sho+n su.h an appre.iation of Tos.a"s a.t of
vengean.e/ That ast fier.e +hispered JMuori dannato>J and then
in a strange> 8uiet voi.e that fied the theatreH
J<r gi perdonoGJ 9J0o+ I forgive hi)GJ:
The soft death tune 'egan as Tos.a set a'out her .ere)onia>
pa.ing the .andes ea.h side of his head> the .ru.ifiB on his
'reast> her ast pause in the door+ay oo1ing 'a.1> the ro of
distant dru)s> and the .urtain fe/
This ti)e rea enthusias) 'ro1e out in the audien.e> 'ut it +as
short;ived/ So)eone hurried out fro) 'ehind the +ings and spo1e
to #ord &uston'ury/ !e rose> and after a )inute or t+o"s
.onsutation> turned and 'e.1oned to $onad Cathorp> +ho +as
an e)inent physi.ian/ A)ost i))ediatey the truth spread
through the audien.e/ So)ething had happenedI an a..identI
so)eone +as 'ady hurt/ <ne of the singers appeared 'efore the
.urtain and eBpained that M/ %r/on had unfortunatey )et +ith an
a..ident ;the opera .oud not pro.eed/ Again the ru)our +ent
round> %r/on had 'een sta''ed> 0a?or1off had ost her head> had
ived in her part so .o)petey that she had a.tuay sta''ed the
)an +ho +as a.ting +ith her/ #ord #e.on)ere> ta1ing to his
a)'assador friend> fet a tou.h on his ar)> and turned to oo1 into
%an.he A)ery"s eyes/
JIt +as not an a..ident>J the gir +as saying/ JI a) sure it +as not
an a..ident/ $idn"t you hear> Dust 'efore dinner> that story he +as
teing a'out the gir in ItayA That gir +as Paua 0a?or1off/ *ust
after> she said so)ething a'out 'eing &ussian> and I sa+ Mr
Co+an oo1 a)a?ed/ She )ay have ta1en a &ussian na)e> 'ut he
1no+s +e enough that she is Itaian/J
JMy dear %an.he>J said #ord #e.on)ere/
JI te you I a) sure of it/ She had a pi.ture paper in 'edroo)
opened at the page sho+ing M/ %r/on in his (ngish .ountry ho)e/
She 1ne+ 'efore she .a)e do+n here/ I 'eieve she gave
so)ething to that poor itte Itaian )an to )a1e hi) i/J
J%ut +hyAJ .ried #ord #e.on)ere/ JWhyAJ
J$on"t you seeA It"s the story of Tos.a a over again/ !e +anted
her in Itay> 'ut she +as faithfu to her over> and she +ent to hi) to
try to get hi) to save her over> and he pretended he +oud/
Instead 'e et hi) die/ And no+ at ast her revenge has .o)e/
$idn"t you hear the +ay she hissed "I a) Tos.a"A And I sa+ %r/on"s
fa.e +hen she said it> he 1ne+ then ; he re.ogni?ed herGJ
In her dressing roo)> Paua 0a?or1off sat )otioness> a +hite
er)ine .oa1 hed round her/ There +as a 1no.1 at the door/
JCo)e in>J said the pri)a donna/
(ise entered/ She +as so''ing/
JMada)e> )ada)e> he is deadG And ;J
J@esAJ
JMada)e> ho+ .an I te youA There are t+o gente)en of the
poi.e thereI they +ant to spea1 to you/J
Paua 0a?or1off rose to her fu height/
JI +i go to the)>J she said 8uiety/
She unt+isted a .oar of pears fro) her ne.1 and put the) into
the Fren.h gir"s hands/
JThose are for you> (iseI you have 'een a good gir/ I sha not
need the) no+ +here I a) going/ @ou understand> (iseA I sha
not sing "Tos.a" again/J
She stood a )o)ent 'y the door> her eyes s+eeping over the
dressing roo)> as though she oo1ed 'a.1 over the past thirty
years of her .areer/
Then softy 'et+een her teeth> she )ur)ured the ast ine of
another operaH
J#a .o))edia e finitaGJ
Contents
Murder in the Me+s
The In.redi'e Theft
$ead ManNs Mirror
Triange at &hodes
Murder in the Me+s
Chapter 1
I
bPenny for the guy> sirAN
A s)a 'oy +ith a gri)y fa.e grinned ingratiatingy/
bCertainy notGN said Chief Inspe.tor *app/ bAnd> oo1 here> )y ad ; N
A short ho)iy foo+ed/ The dis)ayed ur.hin 'eat a pre.ipitate
retreat> re)ar1ing 'riefy and su..in.ty to his youthfu friendsH
b%i)ey> if it ainNt a .op a togged upGN
The 'and too1 to its hees> .hanting the in.antationH
&e)e)'er> re)e)'er
The fifth of 0ove)'er
,unpo+der treason and pot
We see no reason
Why gunpo+der treason
Shoud ever 'e forgot
The .hief inspe.torNs .o)panion> a s)a> edery )an +ith an eggshaped
head and arge> )iitary;oo1ing )ousta.hes> +as s)iing to
hi)sef/
bTrSs 'ien> *app>N he o'served/ b@ou prea.h the ser)on very +eG I
.ongratuate youGN b&an1 eB.use for 'egging> thatNs +hat ,uy
Fa+1esN $ay isGN said *app/
bAn interesting surviva>N )used !er.ue Poirot/ bThe fire+or1s go up
; .ra.1 ; .ra.1 ; ong after the )an they .o))e)orate and his deed
are forgotten/N
The S.otand @ard )an agreed/
b$onNt suppose )any of those 1ids reay 1no+ +ho ,uy Fa+1es
+as/N
bAnd soon> dou'tess> there +i 'e .onfusion of thought/ Is it in
honour or in eBe.ration that on the fifth of 0ove)'er the feu
dNartifi.e are sent upA To 'o+ up an (ngish Paria)ent> +as it a sin
or a no'e deedAN
*app .hu.1ed/
bSo)e peope +oud say undou'tedy the atter/N
Turning off the )ain road> the t+o )en passed into the .o)parative
8uiet of a )e+s/ They had 'een dining together and +ere no+ ta1ing
a short .ut to !er.ue PoirotNs fat/
As they +a1ed aong the sound of s8ui's +as sti heard
periodi.ay/ An o..asiona sho+er of goden rain iu)inated the
s1y/
b,ood night for a )urder>N re)ar1ed *app +ith professiona interest/
b0o'ody +oud hear a shot> for instan.e> on a night i1e this/N
bIt has a+ays see)ed odd to )e that )ore .ri)inas do not ta1e
advantage of the fa.t>N said !er.ue Poirot/
b$o you 1no+> Poirot> I a)ost +ish so)eti)es that you +oud
.o))it a )urder/N bMon .herGN
b@es> INd i1e to see Dust ho+ youNd set a'out it/N
bMy dear *app> if I .o))itted a )urder you +oud not have the east
.han.e of seeing ; ho+ I set a'out itG @ou +oud not even 'e a+are>
pro'a'y> that a )urder had 'een .o))itted/N
*app aughed good;hu)ouredy and affe.tionatey/ bCo.1y itte
devi> arenNt youAN he said indugenty/
II
At haf;past eeven the foo+ing )orning> !er.ue PoirotNs
teephone rang/ b NAoA NAoAN
b!ao> that you> PoirotAN b<ui> .Nest )oi/N
b*app spea1ing here/ &e)e)'er +e .a)e ho)e ast night through
%ardsey ,ardens Me+sAN b@esAN
bAnd that +e ta1ed a'out ho+ easy it +oud 'e to shoot a person
+ith a those s8ui's and .ra.1ers and the rest of it going offAN
bCertainy/N
bWe> there +as a sui.ide in that )e+s/ 0o/ 14/ A young +ido+ ; Mrs
Aen/ IN) going round there no+/ #i1e to .o)eAN
b(B.use )e> 'ut does so)eone of your e)inen.e> )y dear friend>
usuay get sent to a .ase of sui.ideAN
bSharp feo+/ 0o ; he doesnNt/ As a )atter of fa.t our do.tor see)s
to thin1 thereNs so)ething funny a'out this/ Wi you .o)eA I 1ind of
fee you ought to 'e in on it/N
bCertainy I +i .o)e/ 0o/ 14> you sayAN bThatNs right/N
III
Poirot arrived at 0o/ 14 %ardsey ,ardens Me+s a)ost at the sa)e
)o)ent as a .ar dre+ up .ontaining *app and three other )en/
0o/ 14 +as .eary )ar1ed out as the .entre of interest/ A 'ig .ir.e
of peope> .hauffeurs> their +ives> errand 'oys> oafers> +e;dressed
passers;'y and innu)era'e .hidren +ere dra+n up a staring at
0o/ 14 +ith open )ouths and a fas.inated stare/
A poi.e .onsta'e in unifor) stood on the step and did his 'est to
1eep 'a.1 the .urious/ Aert;oo1ing young )en +ith .a)eras +ere
'usy and surged for+ard as *app aighted/
b0othing for you no+>N said *app> 'rushing the) aside/ !e nodded to
Poirot/ bSo here you are/ #etNs get inside/N
They passed in 8ui.1y> the door shut 'ehind the) and they found
the)seves s8uee?ed together at the foot of a adder;i1e fight of
stairs/
A )an .a)e to the top of the stair.ase> re.ogni?ed *app and saidH
b2p here> sir/N
*app and Poirot )ounted the stairs/
The )an at the stairhead opened a door on the eft and they found
the)seves in a s)a 'edroo)/ bThought youNd i1e )e to run over
the .hief points> sir/N
b4uite right> *a)eson>N said *app/ bWhat a'out itAN $ivisiona
Inspe.tor *a)eson too1 up the tae/
b$e.easedNs a Mrs Aen> sir/ #ived here +ith a friend ; a Miss
Pendereith/ Miss Pendereith +as a+ay staying in the .ountry and
returned this )orning/ She et hersef in +ith her 1ey> +as surprised
to find no one a'out/ A +o)an usuay .o)es in at nine oN.o.1 to do
for the)/ She +ent upstairs first into her o+n roo) 9thatNs this roo):
then a.ross the anding to her friendNs roo)/ $oor +as o.1ed on the
inside/ She ratted the hande> 1no.1ed and .aed> 'ut .oudnNt get
any ans+er/ In the end getting aar)ed she rang up the poi.e
station/ That +as at ten forty;five/ We .a)e aong at on.e and for.ed
the door open/ Mrs Aen +as ying in a heap on the ground shot
through the head/ There +as an auto)ati. in her hand ; a We'ey /2F
; and it oo1ed a .ear .ase of sui.ide/N
bWhere is Miss Pendereith no+AN
bSheNs do+nstairs in the sitting;roo)> sir/ A very .oo> effi.ient
young ady> I shoud say/ ,ot a head on her/N
bIN ta1 to her presenty/ INd 'etter see %rett no+/N
A..o)panied 'y Poirot he .rossed the anding and entered the
opposite roo)/ A ta> edery )an oo1ed up and nodded/
b!ao> *app> gad youNve got here/ Funny 'usiness> this/N
*app advan.ed to+ards hi)/ !er.ue Poirot sent a 8ui.1 sear.hing
gan.e round the roo)/
It +as )u.h arger than the roo) they had Dust 8uitted/ It had a 'uitout
'ay +indo+> and +hereas the other roo) had 'een a 'edroo)
pure and si)pe> this +as e)phati.ay a 'edroo) disguised as a
sitting;roo)/
The +as +ere siver and the .eiing e)erad green/ There +ere
.urtains of a )odernisti. pattern in siver and green/ There +as a
divan .overed +ith a shi))ering e)erad green si1 8uit and
nu)'ers of god and siver .ushions/ There +as a ta anti8ue +anut
'ureau> a +anut ta'oy> and severa )odern .hairs of gea)ing
.hro)iu)/ <n a o+ gass ta'e there +as a 'ig ashtray fu of
.igarette stu's/
$ei.atey !er.ue Poirot sniffed the air/ Then he Doined *app +here
the atter stood oo1ing do+n at the 'ody/
In a heap on the foor> ying as she had faen fro) one of the
.hro)iu) .hairs> +as the 'ody of a young +o)an of perhaps
t+enty;seven/ She had fair hair and dei.ate features/ There +as
very itte )a1e;up on the fa.e/ It +as a pretty> +istfu> perhaps
sighty stupid fa.e/ <n the eft side of the head +as a )ass of
.ongeaed 'ood/ The fingers of the right hand +ere .asped round a
s)a pisto/ The +o)an +as dressed in a si)pe fro.1 of dar1 green
high to the ne.1/
bWe> %rett> +hatNs the trou'eAN
*app +as oo1ing do+n aso at the hudded figure/
bPositionNs a right>N said the do.tor/ bIf she shot hersef sheNd
pro'a'y have sipped fro) the .hair into Dust that position/ The door
+as o.1ed and the +indo+ +as fastened on the inside/N
bThatNs a right> you say/ Then +hatNs +rongAN
bTa1e a oo1 at the pisto/ I havenNt handed it ; +aiting for the
fingerprint )en/ %ut you .an see 8uite +e +hat I )ean/N
Together Poirot and *app 1net do+n and eBa)ined the pisto
.osey/
bI see +hat you )ean>N said *app rising/ bItNs in the .urve of her hand/
It oo1s as though sheNs hoding it ; 'ut as a )atter of fa.t she isnNt
hoding it/ Anything eseAN
bPenty/ SheNs got the pisto in her right hand/ 0o+ ta1e a oo1 at the
+ound/ The pisto +as hed .ose to the head Dust a'ove the eft ear `
the eft ear> )ar1 you/N
b!N)>N said *app/ bThat does see) to sette it/ She .oudnNt hod a
pisto and fire it in that position +ith her right handAN
bPu)' i)possi'e> I shoud say/ @ou )ight get your ar) round 'ut I
dou't if you .oud fire the shot/N
bThat see)s pretty o'vious then/ So)eone ese shot her and tried to
)a1e it oo1 i1e sui.ide/ What a'out the o.1ed door and +indo+>
thoughAN
Inspe.tor *a)eson ans+ered this/
bWindo+ +as .osed and 'oted> sir> 'ut athough the door +as
o.1ed +e havenNt 'een a'e to find the 1ey/N
*app nodded/
b@es> that +as a 'ad 'rea1/ Whoever did it o.1ed the door +hen he
eft and hoped the a'sen.e of the 1ey +oudnNt 'e noti.ed/N
Poirot )ur)uredH bCNest 'Mte> LaGN
b<h> .o)e no+> Poirot> od )an> you )ustnNt Dudge every'ody ese
'y the ight of your shining intee.tG As a )atter of fa.t thatNs the sort
of itte detai thatNs 8uite apt to 'e overoo1ed/ $oorNs o.1ed/ Peope
'rea1 in/ Wo)an found dead ; pisto in her hand ; .ear .ase of
sui.ide ; she o.1ed hersef in to do it/ They donNt go hunting a'out
for 1eys/ As a )atter of fa.t> Miss PendereithNs sending for the
poi.e +as u.1y/ She )ight have got one or t+o of the .hauffeurs to
.o)e and 'urst in the door ; and then the 1ey 8uestion +oud have
'een overoo1ed atogether/N
b@es> I suppose that is true>N said !er.ue Poirot/ bIt +oud have 'een
)any peopeNs natura rea.tion/ The poi.e> they are the ast
resour.e> are they notAN
!e +as sti staring do+n at the 'ody/ bAnything stri1e youAN *app
as1ed/
The 8uestion +as .areess 'ut his eyes +ere 1een and attentive/
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head so+y/
bI +as oo1ing at her +rist;+at.h/N
!e 'ent over and Dust tou.hed it +ith a finger;tip/ It +as a dainty
De+eed affair on a 'a.1 )oir= strap on the +rist of the hand that
hed the pisto/
b&ather a s+e pie.e that>N o'served *app/ bMust have .ost )oneyGN
!e .o.1ed his head in8uiringy at Poirot/ bSo)ething in that )ay'eAN
bIt is possi'e ; yes/N
Poirot strayed a.ross to the +riting;'ureau/ It +as the 1ind that has
a front fap that ets do+n/ This +as daintiy set out to )at.h the
genera .oour s.he)e/
There +as a so)e+hat )assive siver in1stand in the .entre> in front
of it a handso)e green a.8uer 'otter/ To the eft of the 'otter +as
an e)erad gass pen;tray .ontaining a siver penhoder ; a sti.1 of
green seaing;+aB> a pen.i and t+o sta)ps/ <n the right of the
'otter +as a )ova'e .aendar giving the day of the +ee1> date and
)onth/ There +as aso a itte gass Dar of shot and standing in it a
fa)'oyant green 8ui pen/ Poirot see)ed interested in the pen/ !e
too1 it out and oo1ed at it 'ut the 8ui +as inno.ent of in1/ It +as
.eary a de.oration ; nothing )ore/ The siver penhoder +ith the
in1;stained ni' +as the one in use/ !is eyes strayed to the .aendar/
bTuesday> 0ove)'er fifth>N said *app/ b@esterday/ ThatNs a .orre.t/N
!e turned to %rett/
b!o+ ong has she 'een deadAN
bShe +as 1ied at eeven thirty;three yesterday evening>N said %rett
pro)pty/ Then he grinned as he sa+ *appNs surprised fa.e/
bSorry> od 'oy>N he said/ b!ad to do the super do.tor of fi.tionG As a
)atter of fa.t eeven is a'out as near as I .an put it ; +ith a )argin of
a'out an hour either +ay/N
b<h> I thought the +rist;+at.h )ight have stopped ; or so)ething/N
bItNs stopped a right> 'ut itNs stopped at a 8uarter past four/N
bAnd I suppose she .oudnNt have 'een 1ied possi'y at a 8uarter
past four/N b@ou .an put that right out of your )ind/N
Poirot had turned 'a.1 the .over of the 'otter/ b,ood idea>N said
*app/ b%ut no u.1/N
The 'otter sho+ed an inno.ent +hite sheet of 'otting;paper/ Poirot
turned over the eaves 'ut they +ere a the sa)e/
!e turned his attention to the +aste;paper 'as1et/
It .ontained t+o or three torn;up etters and .ir.uars/ They +ere
ony torn on.e and +ere easiy re.onstru.ted/ An appea for )oney
fro) so)e so.iety for assisting eB;servi.e )en> an invitation to a
.o.1tai party on 0ove)'er 5rd> an appoint)ent +ith a dress)a1er/
The .ir.uars +ere an announ.e)ent of a furrierNs sae and a
.ataogue fro) a depart)ent store/
b0othing there>N said *app/ b0o> it is oddcN said Poirot/
b@ou )ean they usuay eave a etter +hen itNs sui.ideAN b(Ba.ty/N
bIn fa.t> one )ore proof that it isnNt sui.ide/N !e )oved a+ay/
bIN have )y )en get to +or1 no+/ WeNd 'etter go do+n and
intervie+ this Miss Pendereith/ Co)ing> PoirotAN
Poirot sti see)ed fas.inated 'y the +riting;'ureau and its
appoint)ents/
!e eft the roo)> 'ut at the door his eyes +ent 'a.1 on.e )ore to the
faunting e)erad 8ui pen/
Chapter 2
At the foot of the narro+ fight of stairs a door gave ad)ission to a
arge;si?ed iving;roo) ; a.tuay the .onverted sta'e/ In this roo)>
the +as of +hi.h +ere finished in a roughened paster effe.t and on
+hi.h hung et.hings and +ood.uts> t+o peope +ere sitting/
<ne> in a .hair near the firepa.e> her hand stret.hed out to the
'a?e> +as a dar1 effi.ient;oo1ing young +o)an of t+enty;seven or
eight/ The other> an edery +o)an of a)pe proportions +ho .arried
a string 'ag> +as panting and ta1ing +hen the t+o )en entered the
roo)/
b ; and as I said> Miss> su.h a turn it gave )e I neary dropped do+n
+here I stood/ And to thin1 that this )orning of a )ornings ; N
The other .ut her short/
bThat +i do> Mrs Pier.e/ These gente)en are poi.e offi.ers> I
thin1/N bMiss PendereithAN as1ed *app> advan.ing/
The gir nodded/
bThat is )y na)e/ This is Mrs Pier.e +ho .o)es in to +or1 for us
every day/N The irrepressi'e Mrs Pier.e 'ro1e out again/
bAnd as I +as saying to Miss Pendereith> to thin1 that this )orning
of a )ornings> )y sisterNs #ouisa Maud shoud have 'een too1 +ith
a fit and )e the ony one handy and as I say fesh and 'ood is fesh
and 'ood> and I didnNt thin1 Mrs Aen +oud )ind> though I never
i1es to disappoint )y adies ; N
*app 'ro1e in +ith so)e deBterity/
b4uite so> Mrs Pier.e/ 0o+ perhaps you +oud ta1e Inspe.tor
*a)eson into the 1it.hen and give hi) a 'rief state)ent/N
!aving then got rid of the vou'e Mrs Pier.e> +ho departed +ith
*a)eson ta1ing thirteen to the do?en> *app turned his attention
on.e )ore to the gir/
bI a) Chief Inspe.tor *app/ 0o+> Miss Pendereith> I shoud i1e to
1no+ a you .an te )e a'out this 'usiness/N
bCertainy/ Where sha I 'eginAN
!er sef;possession +as ad)ira'e/ There +ere no signs of grief or
sho.1 save for an a)ost unnatura rigidity of )anner/
b@ou arrived this )orning at +hat ti)eAN
bI thin1 it +as Dust 'efore haf;past ten/ Mrs Pier.e> the od iar>
+asnNt here> I found ; N
bIs that a fre8uent o..urren.eAN
*ane Pendereith shrugged her shouders/
bA'out t+i.e a +ee1 she turns up at t+eve ; or not at a/ SheNs
supposed to .o)e at nine/ A.tuay> as I say> t+i.e a +ee1 she either
X.o)es over 8ueer>Y or ese so)e )e)'er of her fa)iy is overta1en
'y si.1ness/ A these daiy +o)en are i1e that ; fai you no+ and
again/ SheNs not 'ad as they go/N
b@ouNve had her ongAN
b*ust over a )onth/ <ur ast one pin.hed things/N bPease go on>
Miss Pendereith/N
bI paid off the taBi> .arried in )y suit.ase> oo1ed round for Mrs P/>
.oudnNt see her and +ent upstairs to )y roo)/ I tidied up a 'it then I
+ent a.ross to %ar'ara ; Mrs Aen ; and found the door o.1ed/ I
ratted the hande and 1no.1ed 'ut .oud get no repy/ I .a)e
do+nstairs and rang up the poi.e station/N
bPardonGN Poirot interposed a 8ui.1> deft 8uestion/ bIt did not o..ur
to you to try and 'rea1 do+n the door ; +ith the hep of one of the
.hauffeurs in the )e+s> sayAN
!er eyes turned to hi) ; .oo> grey;green eyes/ !er gan.e see)ed
to s+eep over hi) 8ui.1y and appraisingy/
b0o> I donNt thin1 I thought of that/ If anything +as +rong> it see)ed
to )e that the poi.e +ere the peope to send for/N
bThen you thought ; pardon> )ade)oisee ; that there +as
so)ething +rongAN b0aturay/N
b%e.ause you .oud not get a repy to your 1no.1sA %ut possi'y
your friend )ight have ta1en a seeping draught or so)ething of that
1ind ; N
bShe didnNt ta1e seeping draughts/N The repy .a)e sharpy/
b<r she )ight have gone a+ay and o.1ed her door 'efore goingAN
bWhy shoud she o.1 itA In any .ase she +oud have eft a note for
)e/N bAnd she did not ; eave a note for youA @ou are 8uite sure of
thatAN b<f .ourse I a) sure of it/ I shoud have seen it at on.e/N
The sharpness of her tone +as a..entuated/ *app saidH
b@ou didnNt try and oo1 through the 1eyhoe> Miss PendereithAN
b0o>N said *ane Pendereith thoughtfuy/ bI never thought of that/ %ut
I .oudnNt have seen anything> .oud IA %e.ause the 1ey +oud have
'een in itAN
!er in8uiring ga?e> inno.ent> +ide;eyed> )et *appNs/ Poirot s)ied
suddeny to hi)sef/
b@ou did 8uite right> of .ourse> Miss Pendereith>N said *app/ bI
suppose youNd no reason to 'eieve that your friend +as i1ey to
.o))it sui.ideAN
b<h> no/N
bShe hadnNt see)ed +orried ; or distressed in any +ayAN
There +as a pause ; an appre.ia'e pause 'efore the gir ans+ered/
b0o/N
b$id you 1no+ she had a pistoAN *ane Pendereith nodded/
b@es> she had it out in India/ She a+ays 1ept it in a dra+er in her
roo)/N b!N)/ ,ot a i.en.e for itAN
bI i)agine so/ I donNt 1no+ for .ertain/N
b0o+> Miss Pendereith> +i you te )e a you .an a'out Mrs Aen>
ho+ ong youNve 1no+n her> +here her reations are ; everything in
fa.t/N
*ane Pendereith nodded/
bINve 1no+n %ar'ara a'out five years/ I )et her first traveing
a'road ; in (gypt to 'e eBa.t/ She +as on her +ay ho)e fro) India/
INd 'een at the %ritish S.hoo in Athens for a 'it and +as having a fe+
+ee1s in (gypt 'efore going ho)e/ We +ere on a 0ie .ruise
together/ We )ade friends> de.ided +e i1ed ea.h other/ I +as
oo1ing at the ti)e for so)eone to share a fat or a tiny house +ith
)e/ %ar'ara +as aone in the +ord/ We thought +eNd get on +e
together/N
bAnd you did get on +e togetherAN as1ed Poirot/
b7ery +e/ We ea.h had our o+n friends ; %ar'ara +as )ore so.ia
in her i1ings ; )y friends +ere )ore of the artisti. 1ind/ It pro'a'y
+or1ed 'etter that +ay/N
Poirot nodded/ *app +ent onH
bWhat do you 1no+ a'out Mrs AenNs fa)iy and her ife 'efore she
)et youAN *ane Pendereith shrugged her shouders/
b0ot very )u.h reay/ !er )aiden na)e +as Ar)itage> I 'eieve/N
b!er hus'andAN
bI donNt fan.y that he +as anything to +rite ho)e a'out/ !e dran1> I
thin1/ I gather he died a year or t+o after the )arriage/ There +as
one .hid> a itte gir> +hi.h died +hen it +as three years od/
%ar'ara didnNt ta1 )u.h a'out her hus'and/ I 'eieve she )arried
hi) in India +hen she +as a'out seventeen/ Then they +ent off to
%orneo or one of the ,od;forsa1en spots you send neNer;do;+es to ;
'ut as it +as o'viousy a painfu su'De.t I didnNt refer to it/N
b$o you 1no+ if Mrs Aen +as in any finan.ia diffi.utiesAN b0o> IN)
sure she +asnNt/N
b0ot in de't ; anything of that 1indAN
b<h> noG IN) sure she +asnNt in that 1ind of a Da)/N
b0o+ thereNs another 8uestion I )ust as1 ; and I hope you +onNt 'e
upset a'out it> Miss Pendereith/ !ad Mrs Aen any parti.uar )an
friend or )en friendsAN
*ane Pendereith ans+ered .ooyH
bWe> she +as engaged to 'e )arried if that ans+ers your 8uestion/N
bWhat is the na)e of the )an she +as engaged toAN
bChares #averton;West/ !eNs M/P/ for so)e pa.e in !a)pshire/N
b!ad she 1no+n hi) ongAN
bA itte over a year/N
bAnd she has 'een engaged to hi) ; ho+ ongAN bT+o ; no ; nearer
three )onths/N
bAs far as you 1no+ there has not 'een any 8uarreAN Miss
Pendereith shoo1 her head/
b0o/ I shoud have 'een surprised if there had 'een anything of that
sort/ %ar'ara +asnNt the 8uarreing 1ind/N
b!o+ ong is it sin.e you ast sa+ Mrs AenAN
bFriday ast> Dust 'efore I +ent a+ay for the +ee1end/N bMrs Aen
+as re)aining in to+nAN
b@es/ She +as going out +ith her fian.= on the Sunday> I 'eieve/N
bAnd you yoursef> +here did you spend the +ee1endAN bAt #aides
!a> #aides> (sseB/N
bAnd the na)e of the peope +ith +ho) you +ere stayingAN bMr and
Mrs %entin.1/N
b@ou ony eft the) this )orningAN b@es/N
b@ou )ust have eft very earyAN
bMr %entin.1 )otored )e up/ !e starts eary 'e.ause he has to get
to the .ity 'y ten/N bI see/N
*app nodded .o)prehendingy/ Miss PendereithNs repies had a
'een .risp and .onvin.ing/ Poirot in his turn put a 8uestion/
bWhat is your o+n opinion of Mr #averton;WestAN The gir shrugged
her shouders/
b$oes that )atterAN
b0o> it does not )atter> perhaps> 'ut I shoud i1e to have your
opinion/N
bI donNt 1no+ that INve thought a'out hi) one +ay or the other/ !eNs
young ; not )ore than thirty;one or t+o ; a)'itious ; a good pu'i.
spea1er ; )eans to get on in the +ord/N
bThat is on the .redit side ; and on the de'itAN
bWe>N Miss Pendereith .onsidered for a )o)ent or t+o/ bIn )y
opinion heNs .o))onpa.e ; his ideas are not parti.uary origina ;
and heNs sighty po)pous/N
bThose are not very serious fauts> )ade)oisee>N said Poirot>
s)iing/ b$onNt you thin1 soAN
!er tone +as sighty ironi./ bThey )ight 'e to you/N
!e +as +at.hing her> sa+ her oo1 a itte dis.on.erted/ !e pursued
his advantage/ b%ut to Mrs Aen ; no> she +oud not noti.e the)/N
b@ouNre perfe.ty right/ %ar'ara thought he +as +onderfu ; too1 hi)
entirey at his o+n vauation/N
Poirot said gentyH
b@ou +ere fond of your friendAN
!e sa+ the hand .en.h on her 1nee> the tightening of the ine of the
Da+> yet the ans+er .a)e in a )atter;of;fa.t voi.e free fro) e)otion/
b@ou are 8uite right/ I +as/N *app saidH
b*ust one other thing> Miss Pendereith/ @ou and she didnNt have a
8uarreA There +as no upset 'et+een youAN
b0one +hatever/N
b0ot over this engage)ent 'usinessAN
bCertainy not/ I +as gad she +as a'e to 'e so happy a'out it/N
There +as a )o)entary pause> then *app saidH
bAs far as you 1no+> did Mrs Aen have any ene)iesAN
This ti)e there +as a definite interva 'efore *ane Pendereith
repied/ When she did so> her tone had atered very sighty/
bI donNt 1no+ 8uite +hat you )ean 'y ene)iesAN bAnyone> for
instan.e> +ho +oud profit 'y her deathAN
b<h> no> that +oud 'e ridi.uous/ She had a very s)a in.o)e
any+ay/N bAnd +ho inherits that in.o)eAN
*a)e PendereithNs voi.e sounded )idy surprised as she saidH
b$o you 1no+> I reay donNt 1no+/ I shoudnNt 'e surprised if I did/
That is> if she ever )ade a +i/N
bAnd no ene)ies in any other senseAN *app sid off to another aspe.t
8ui.1y/ bPeope +ith a grudge against herAN
bI donNt thin1 anyone had a grudge against her/ She +as a very
gente .reature> a+ays anBious to pease/ She had a reay s+eet>
ova'e nature/N
For the first ti)e that hard> )atter;of;fa.t voi.e 'ro1e a itte/ Poirot
nodded genty/ *app saidH
bSo it a)ounts to this ; Mrs Aen has 'een in good spirits atey> she
+asnNt in any finan.ia diffi.uty>
she +as engaged to 'e )arried and +as happy in her engage)ent/
There +as nothing in the +ord to )a1e her .o))it sui.ide/ ThatNs
right> isnNt itAN
There +as a )o)entary sien.e 'efore *ane saidH b@es/N
*app rose/
b(B.use )e> I )ust have a +ord +ith Inspe.tor *a)eson/N !e eft
the roo)/
!er.ue Poirot re)ained tMte P tMte +ith *ane Pendereith/
Chapter 5
For a fe+ )inutes there +as sien.e/
*ane Pendereith shot a s+ift appraising gan.e at the itte )an> 'ut
after that she stared in front of her and did not spea1/ @et a
.ons.iousness of his presen.e sho+ed itsef in a .ertain nervous
tension/ !er 'ody +as sti 'ut not reaBed/ When at ast Poirot did
'rea1 the sien.e the )ere sound of his voi.e see)ed to give her a
.ertain reief/ In an agreea'e everyday voi.e he as1ed a 8uestion/
bWhen did you ight the fire> )ade)oiseeAN
bThe fireAN !er voi.e sounded vague and rather a'sent;)inded/ b<h>
as soon as I arrived this )orning/N b%efore you +ent upstairs or
after+ardsAN
b%efore/N
bI see/ @es> naturayc And it +as aready aid ; or did you have to ay
itAN bIt +as aid/ I ony had to put a )at.h to it/N
There +as a sight i)patien.e in her voi.e/ Ceary she suspe.ted
hi) of )a1ing .onversation/ Possi'y that +as +hat he +as doing/ At
any rate he +ent on in 8uiet .onversationa tones/
b%ut your friend ; in her roo) I noti.ed there +as a gas fire onyAN
*ane Pendereith ans+ered )e.hani.ay/
bThis is the ony .oa fire +e have ; the others are a gas fires/N bAnd
you .oo1 +ith gas> tooAN
bI thin1 everyone does no+adays/N bTrue/ It is )u.h a'our saving/N
The itte inter.hange died do+n/ *ane Pendereith tapped on the
ground +ith her shoe/ Then she said a'ruptyH
bThat )an ; Chief Inspe.tor *app ; is he .onsidered .everAN
b!e is very sound/ @es> he is +e thought of/ !e +or1s hard and
painsta1ingy and very itte es.apes hi)/N
bI +onder ; N )uttered the gir/
Poirot +at.hed her/ !is eyes oo1ed very green in the fireight/ !e
as1ed 8uietyH bIt +as a great sho.1 to you> your friendNs deathAN
bTerri'e/N
She spo1e +ith a'rupt sin.erity/ b@ou did not eBpe.t it ; noAN b<f
.ourse not/N
bSo that it see)ed to you at first> perhaps> that it +as i)possi'e ;
that it .oud not 'eAN
The 8uiet sy)pathy of his tone see)ed to 'rea1 do+n *ane
PendereithNs defen.es/ She repied eagery> naturay> +ithout
stiffness/
bThatNs Dust it/ (ven if %ar'ara did 1i hersef> I .anNt i)agine her
1iing hersef that +ay/N b@et she had a pistoAN
*ane Pendereith )ade an i)patient gesture/
b@es> 'ut that pisto +as a ; ohG a hang over/ SheNd 'een in out;of;the+ay
pa.es/ She 1ept it out of ha'it ; not +ith any other idea/ IN) sure
of that/N
bAhG and +hy are you sure of thatAN b<h> 'e.ause of the things she
said/N bSu.h as ; AN
!is voi.e +as very gente and friendy/ It ed her on su'ty/
bWe> for instan.e> +e +ere dis.ussing sui.ide on.e and she said
)u.h the easiest +ay +oud 'e to turn the gas on and stuff up a the
.ra.1s and Dust go to 'ed/ I said I thought that +oud 'e i)possi'e ;
to ie there +aiting/ I said INd far rather shoot )ysef/ And she said
no> she .oud never shoot hersef/ SheNd 'e too frightened in .ase it
didnNt .o)e off and any+ay she said sheNd hate the 'ang/N
bI see>N said Poirot/ bAs you say> it is oddc %e.ause> as you have Dust
tod )e> there +as a gas fire in her roo)/N
*ane Pendereith oo1ed at hi)> sighty started/
b@es> there +asc I .anNt understand ; no> I .anNt understand +hy
she didnNt do it that +ay/N Poirot shoo1 his head/
b@es> it see)s ; odd ; not natura so)eho+/N
bThe +hoe thing doesnNt see) natura/ I sti .anNt 'eieve she 1ied
hersef/ I suppose it )ust 'e sui.ideAN
bWe> there is one other possi'iity/N bWhat do you )eanAN
Poirot oo1ed straight at her/ bIt )ight 'e ; )urder/N
b<h> noAN *ane Pendereith shran1 'a.1/ b<h noG What a horri'e
suggestion/N b!orri'e> perhaps> 'ut does it stri1e you as an
i)possi'e oneAN
b%ut the door +as o.1ed on the inside/ So +as the +indo+/N
bThe door +as o.1ed ; yes/ %ut there is nothing to sho+ if it +ere
o.1ed fro) the inside or the outside/ @ou see> the 1ey +as )issing/N
b%ut then ; if it is )issingcN She too1 a )inute or t+o/ bThen it )ust
have 'een o.1ed fro) the outside/ <ther+ise it +oud 'e
so)e+here in the roo)/N
bAh> 'ut it )ay 'e/ The roo) has not 'een thoroughy sear.hed yet>
re)e)'er/ <r it )ay have 'een thro+n out of the +indo+ and
so)e'ody )ay have pi.1ed it up/N
bMurderGN said *ane Pendereith/ She turned over the possi'iity> her
dar1 .ever fa.e eager on the s.ent/ bI 'eieve youNre right/N
b%ut if it +ere )urder there +oud have 'een a )otive/ $o you 1no+
of a )otive> )ade)oiseeAN
So+y she shoo1 her head/ And yet> in spite of the denia> Poirot
again got the i)pression that *ane Pendereith +as dei'eratey
1eeping so)ething 'a.1/ The door opened and *app .a)e in/
Poirot rose/
bI have 'een suggesting to Miss Pendereith>N he said> bthat her
friendNs death +as not sui.ide/N *app oo1ed )o)entariy put out/
!e .ast a gan.e of reproa.h at Poirot/
bItNs a 'it eary to say anything definite>N he re)ar1ed/ bWeNve a+ays
got to ta1e a possi'iities into a..ount> you understand/ ThatNs a
there is to it at the )o)ent/N *ane Pendereith repied 8uiety/
bI see/N
*app .a)e to+ards her/
b0o+ then> Miss Pendereith> have you ever seen this 'eforeAN
<n the pa) of his hand he hed out a s)a ova of dar1 'ue ena)e/
*ane Pendereith shoo1 her head/
b0o> never/N
bItNs not yours nor Mrs AenNsAN
b0o/ ItNs not the 1ind of thing usuay +orn 'y our seB> is itAN b<hG so
you re.ogni?e it/N
bWe> itNs pretty o'vious> isnNt itA ThatNs haf of a )anNs .uff in1/N
Chapter 4
bThat young +o)anNs too .o.1y 'y haf>N *app .o)pained/
The t+o )en +ere on.e )ore in Mrs AenNs 'edroo)/ The 'ody had
'een photographed and re)oved and the fingerprint )an had done
his +or1 and departed/
bIt +oud 'e unadvisa'e to treat her as a foo>N agreed Poirot/ bShe
)ost e)phati.ay is not a foo/ She is> in fa.t> a parti.uary .ever
and .o)petent young +o)an/N
bThin1 she did itAN as1ed *app +ith a )o)entary ray of hope/ bShe
)ight have> you 1no+/ WeN have to get her ai'i oo1ed into/ So)e
8uarre over this young )an ; this 'udding M/P/ SheNs rather too
s.athing a'out hi)> I thin1G Sounds fishy/ &ather as though she +ere
s+eet on hi) hersef and heNd turned her do+n/ SheNs the 1ind that
+oud 'u)p anyone off if she fet i1e it> and 1eep her head +hie she
+as doing it> too/ @es> +eN have to oo1 into that ai'i/ She had it
very pat and after a (sseB isnNt very far a+ay/ Penty of trains/ <r a
fast .ar/ ItNs +orth +hie finding out if she +ent to 'ed +ith a
heada.he for instan.e ast night/N
b@ou are right>N agreed Poirot/
bIn any .ase>N .ontinued *app> bsheNs hoding out on us/ (hA $idnNt
you fee that tooA That young +o)an 1no+s so)ething/N
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ b@es> that .oud 'e .eary seen/N
bThatNs a+ays a diffi.uty in these .ases>N *app .o)pained/ bPeope
+i hod their tongues ; so)eti)es out of the )ost honoura'e
)otives/N
bFor +hi.h one .an hardy 'a)e the)> )y friend/N
b0o> 'ut it )a1es it )u.h harder for us>N *app gru)'ed/
bIt )erey dispays to its fu advantage your ingenuity>N Poirot
.onsoed hi)/ bWhat a'out fingerprints> 'y the +ayAN
bWe> itNs )urder a right/ 0o prints +hatever on the pisto/ Wiped
.ean 'efore 'eing pa.ed in her hand/ (ven if she )anaged to +ind
her ar) round her head in so)e )arveous a.ro'ati. fashion she
.oud hardy fire off a pisto +ithout hanging on to it and she .oudnNt
+ipe it after she +as dead/N
b0o> no> an outside agen.y is .eary indi.ated/N
b<ther+ise the prints are disappointing/ 0one on the door;hande/
0one on the +indo+/ Suggestive> ehA Penty of Mrs AenNs a over
the pa.e/N
b$id *a)eson get anythingAN
b<ut of the daiy +o)anA 0o/ She ta1ed a ot 'ut she didnNt reay
1no+ )u.h/ Confir)ed the fa.t that Aen and Pendereith +ere on
good ter)s/ INve sent *a)eson out to )a1e in8uiries in the )e+s/
WeN have to have a +ord +ith Mr #averton;West too/ Find out +here
he +as and +hat he +as doing ast night/ In the )eanti)e +eN have
a oo1 through her papers/N
!e set to +ithout )ore ado/ <..asionay he grunted and tossed
so)ething over to Poirot/ The sear.h did not ta1e ong/ There +ere
not )any papers in the des1 and +hat there +ere +ere neaty
arranged and do.1eted/
Finay *app eant 'a.1 and uttered a sigh/ b0ot very )u.h> is
thereAN
bAs you say/N
bMost of it 8uite straightfor+ard ; re.eipted 'is> a fe+ 'is as yet
unpaid ; nothing parti.uary outstanding/ So.ia stuff ; invitations/
0otes fro) friends/ These ; N he aid his hand on a pie of seven or
eight etters ; band her .he8ue 'oo1 and pass'oo1/ Anything stri1e
you thereAN
b@es> she +as overdra+n/N bAnything eseAN
Poirot s)ied/
bIs it an eBa)ination that you put )e throughA %ut yes> I noti.ed
+hat you are thin1ing of/ T+o hundred pounds dra+n to sef three
)onths ago ; and t+o hundred pounds dra+n out yesterday ; N
bAnd nothing on the .ounterfoi of the .he8ue 'oo1/ 0o other
.he8ues to sef eB.ept s)a su)s ` fifteen pounds the highest/ And
IN te you this ; thereNs no su.h su) of )oney in the house/ Four
pounds ten in a hand'ag and an odd shiing or t+o in another 'ag/
ThatNs pretty .ear> I thin1/N
bMeaning that she paid that su) a+ay yesterday/N b@es/ 0o+ +ho
did she pay it toAN
The door opened and Inspe.tor *a)eson entered/ bWe> *a)eson>
get anythingAN
b@es> sir> severa things/ To 'egin +ith> no'ody a.tuay heard the
shot/ T+o or three +o)en say they did 'e.ause they +ant to thin1
they did ; 'ut thatNs a there is to it/ With a those fire+or1s going off
there isnNt a dogNs .han.e/N
*app grunted/
b$onNt suppose there is/ ,o on/N
bMrs Aen +as at ho)e )ost of yesterday afternoon and evening/
Ca)e in a'out five oN.o.1/ Then she +ent out again a'out siB 'ut
ony to the post 'oB at the end of the )e+s/ At a'out nine;thirty a .ar
drove up ; Standard S+ao+ saoon ; and a )an got out/ $es.ription
a'out forty;five> +e set up )iitary;oo1ing gent> dar1 'ue over.oat>
'o+er hat> tooth'rush )ousta.he/ *a)es !ogg> .hauffeur fro) 0o/
1O says heNs seen hi) .aing on Mrs Aen 'efore/N
bForty;five>N said *app/ bCanNt very +e 'e #averton;West/N
bThis )an> +hoever he +as> stayed here for Dust under an hour/ #eft
at a'out ten;t+enty/ Stopped in the door+ay to spea1 to Mrs Aen/
S)a 'oy> Frederi.1 !ogg> +as hanging a'out 8uite near and heard
+hat he said/N
bAnd +hat did he sayAN
b XWe> thin1 it over and et )e 1no+/Y And then she said so)ething
and he ans+eredH XA right/ So ong/Y After that he got in his .ar and
drove a+ay/N
bThat +as at ten;t+enty>N said Poirot thoughtfuy/ *app ru''ed his
nose/
bThen at ten;t+enty Mrs Aen +as sti aive>N he said/ bWhat neBtAN
b0othing )ore> sir> as far as I .an earn/ The .hauffeur at 0o/ 22 got
in at haf;past ten and heNd pro)ised his 1ids to et off so)e
fire+or1s for the)/ TheyNd 'een +aiting for hi) ; and a the other
1ids in the )e+s too/ !e et Ne) off and every'ody around a'out +as
'usy +at.hing the)/ After that everyone +ent to 'ed/N
bAnd no'ody ese +as seen to enter 0o/ 14AN
b0o ; 'ut thatNs not to say they didnNt/ 0o'ody +oud have noti.ed/N
b!N)>N said *app/ bThatNs true/ We> +eN have to get hod of this
X)iitary gente)an +ith the tooth'rush )ousta.he/Y ItNs pretty .ear
that he +as the ast person to see her aive/ I +onder +ho he +asAN
bMiss Pendereith )ight te us>N suggested Poirot/
bShe )ight>N said *app goo)iy/ b<n the other hand she )ight not/
INve no dou't she .oud te us a good dea if she i1ed/ What a'out
you> Poirot> od 'oyA @ou +ere aone +ith her for a 'it/ $idnNt you trot
out that Father Confessor )anner of yours that so)eti)es )a1es
su.h a hitAN
Poirot spread out his hands/ bAas> +e ta1ed ony of gas fires/N
b,as fires ; gas fires/N *app sounded disgusted/ bWhatNs the )atter
+ith you> od .o.1A (ver sin.e youNve 'een here the ony things
youNve ta1en an interest in are 8ui pens and +aste;paper 'as1ets/
<h> yes> I sa+ you having a 8uiet oo1 into the one do+nstairs/
Anything in itAN
Poirot sighed/
bA .ataogue of 'u's and an od )aga?ine/N
bWhatNs the idea> any+ayA If anyone +ants to thro+ a+ay an
in.ri)inating do.u)ent or +hatever it is you have in )ind theyNre not
i1ey Dust to pit.h it into a +aste;paper 'as1et/N
bThat is very true +hat you say there/ <ny so)ething 8uite
uni)portant +oud 'e thro+n a+ay i1e that/N
Poirot spo1e )ee1y/ 0evertheess *app oo1ed at hi) suspi.iousy/
bWe>N he said/ bI 1no+ +hat IN) going to do neBt/ What a'out youAN
b(h 'ien>N said Poirot/ bI sha .o)pete )y sear.h for the
uni)portant/ There is sti the dust'in/N !e s1ipped ni)'y out of the
roo)/ *app oo1ed after hi) +ith an air of disgust/
bPotty>N he said/ bA'soutey potty/N
Inspe.tor *a)eson preserved a respe.tfu sien.e/ !is fa.e said
+ith %ritish superiorityH bForeignersGN Aoud he saidH
bSo thatNs Mr !er.ue PoirotG INve heard of hi)/N
b<d friend of )ine>N eBpained *app/ b0ot haf as 'a)y as he oo1s>
)ind you/ A the sa)e heNs getting on no+/N
b,one a 'it gaga as they say> sir>N suggested Inspe.tor *a)eson/ bAh
+e> age +i te/N bA the sa)e>N said *app> bI +ish I 1ne+ +hat he
+as up to/N
!e +a1ed over to the +riting;ta'e and stared uneasiy at an
e)erad green 8ui pen/
Chapter F
*app +as Dust engaging his third .hauffeurNs +ife in .onversation
+hen Poirot> +a1ing noiseessy as a .at> suddeny appeared at his
e'o+/
bWhe+> you )ade )e Du)p>N said *app/ b,ot anythingAN b0ot +hat I
+as oo1ing for/N
*app turned 'a.1 to Mrs *a)es !ogg/
bAnd you say youNve seen this gente)an 'eforeAN
b<h> yes sir/ And )y hus'and too/ We 1ne+ hi) at on.e/N
b0o+ oo1 here> Mrs !ogg> youNre a shre+d +o)an> I .an see/ INve
no dou't that you 1no+ a a'out everyone in the )e+s/ And youNre a
+o)an of Dudg)ent ; unusuay good Dudg)ent> I .an te that ; N
2n'ushingy he repeated this re)ar1 for the third ti)e/ Mrs !ogg
'rided sighty and assu)ed an eBpression of superhu)an
inteigen.e/ b,ive )e a ine on those t+o young +o)en ; Mrs Aen
and Miss Pendereith/ What +ere they i1eA ,ayA #ots of partiesA
That sort of thingAN
b<h> no sir> nothing of the 1ind/ They +ent out a good 'it ; Mrs Aen
espe.iay ; 'ut theyNre .ass> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ 0ot i1e so)e
as I .oud na)e do+n the other end/ IN) sure the +ay that Mrs
Stevens goes on ; if she is a Mrs at a +hi.h I dou't ; +e I shoudnNt
i1e to te you +hat goes on there ; IcN
b4uite so>N said *app> deBterousy stopping the fo+/ b0o+ thatNs very
i)portant +hat youNve tod )e/ Mrs Aen and Miss Pendereith +ere
+e i1ed> thenAN
b<h yes> sir> very ni.e adies> 'oth of the) ; espe.iay Mrs Aen/
A+ays spo1e a ni.e +ord to the .hidren> she did/ #ost her o+n itte
gir> I 'eieve> poor dear/ Ah +e> INve 'uried three )ysef/ And +hat I
say iscN
b@es> yes> very sad/ And Miss PendereithAN
bWe> of .ourse she +as a ni.e ady too> 'ut )u.h )ore a'rupt if you
1no+ +hat I )ean/ *ust go 'y +ith a nod> she +oud> and not stop to
pass the ti)e of day/ %ut INve nothing against her ; nothing at a/N
bShe and Mrs Aen got on +e togetherAN
b<h> yes sir/ 0o 8uarreing ; nothing i1e that/ 7ery happy and
.ontented they +ere ; IN) sure Mrs Pier.e +i 'ear )e out/N
b@es> +eNve ta1ed to her/ $o you 1no+ Mrs AenNs fian.= 'y sightAN
bThe gente)an sheNs going to )arryA <h> yes/ !eNs 'een here 8uite
a 'it off and on/ Me)'er of Paria)ent> they do say/N
bIt +asnNt he +ho .a)e ast nightAN
b0o> sir> it +as not/N Mrs !ogg dre+ hersef up/ A note of eB.ite)ent
disguised 'eneath intense pri)ness .a)e into her voi.e/ bAnd if you
as1 )e> sir> +hat you are thin1ing is a +rong/ Mrs Aen +asnNt that
1ind of ady> IN) sure/ ItNs true there +as no one in the house> 'ut I do
not 'eieve anything of the 1ind ; I said so to !ogg ony this )orning/
X0o> !ogg>Y I said> XMrs Aen +as a ady ; a rea ady ; so donNt go
suggesting thingsY ; 1no+ing +hat a )anNs )ind is> if youN eB.use
)y )entioning it/ A+ays .oarse in their ideas/N
Passing this insut 'y> *app pro.eededH
b@ou sa+ hi) arrive and you sa+ hi) eave ; thatNs so> isnNt itAN
bThatNs so> sir/N
bAnd you didnNt hear anything eseA Any sounds of a 8uarreAN
b0o> sir> nor i1ey to/ 0ot> that is to say> that su.h things .oudnNt 'e
heard ; 'e.ause the .ontrary to that is +e 1no+n ; and do+n the
other end the +ay Mrs Stevens goes for that poor frightened )aid of
hers is .o))on ta1 ; and one and a +eNve advised her not to stand
it> 'ut there> the +ages is good ; te)per of the devi she )ay have
'ut pays for it ; thirty shiings a +ee1cN
*app said 8ui.1yH
b%ut you didnNt hear anything of the 1ind at 0o/ 14AN
b0o> sir/ 0or i1ey to +ith fire+or1s popping off here> there and
every+here and )y (ddie +ith his eye'ro+s singed off as near as
nothing/N
bThis )an eft at ten;t+enty ; thatNs right> is itAN
bIt )ight 'e> sir/ I .oudnNt say )ysef/ %ut !ogg says so and heNs a
very reia'e> steady )an/N b@ou a.tuay sa+ hi) eave/ $id you hear
+hat he saidAN
b0o> sir/ I +asnNt near enough for that/ *ust sa+ hi) fro) )y
+indo+s> standing in the door+ay ta1ing to Mrs Aen/N
bSee her tooAN
b@es> sir> she +as standing Dust inside the door+ay/N b0oti.e +hat
she +as +earingAN
b0o+ reay> sir> I .oudnNt say/ 0ot noti.ing parti.uary as it +ere/N
Poirot saidH
b@ou did not even noti.e if she +as +earing day dress or evening
dressAN b0o> sir> I .anNt say I did/N
Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy up at the +indo+ a'ove and then a.ross to
0o/ 14/ !e s)ied and for a )o)ent his eye .aught *appNs/
bAnd the gente)anAN
b!e +as in a dar1;'ue over.oat and a 'o+er hat/ 7ery s)art and
+e set up/N
*app as1ed a fe+ )ore 8uestions and then pro.eeded to his neBt
intervie+/ This +as +ith Master Frederi.1 !ogg> an i)pish;fa.ed>
'right;eyed ad> .onsidera'y s+oen +ith sef;i)portan.e/
b@es> sir/ I heard the) ta1ing/ XThin1 it over and et )e 1no+>Y the
gent said/ Peasant i1e> you 1no+/ And then she said so)ething and
he ans+ered> XA right/ So ong/Y And he got into the .ar ; I +as
hoding the door open 'ut he didnNt give )e nothing>N said Master
!ogg +ith a sight tinge of depression in his tone/ bAnd he drove
a+ay/N
b@ou didnNt hear +hat Mrs Aen saidAN b0o> sir> .anNt say I did/N
bCan you te )e +hat she +as +earingA What .oour> for instan.eAN
bCoudnNt say> sir/ @ou see> I didnNt reay see her/ She )ust have
'een round 'ehind the door/N
b*ust so>N said *app/ b0o+ oo1 here> )y 'oy> I +ant you to thin1 and
ans+er )y neBt 8uestion very .arefuy/ If you donNt 1no+ and .anNt
re)e)'er> say so/ Is that .earAN
b@es> sir/N
Master !ogg oo1ed at hi) eagery/
bWhi.h of Ne) .osed the door> Mrs Aen or the gente)anAN bThe
front doorAN
bThe front door> naturay/N
The .hid refe.ted/ !is eyes s.re+ed the)seves up in an effort of
re)e)'ran.e/
bThin1 the ady pro'a'y did ; 0o> she didnNt/ !e did/ Pued it to +ith
a 'it of a 'ang and Du)ped into the .ar 8ui.1/ #oo1ed as though he
had a date so)e+here/N
b&ight/ We> young )an> you see) a 'right 1ind of shaver/ !ereNs
siBpen.e for you/N $is)issing Master !ogg> *app turned to his
friend/ So+y +ith one a..ord they nodded/ bCoud 'eGN said *app/
bThere are possi'iities>N agreed Poirot/
!is eyes shone +ith a green ight/ They oo1ed i1e a .atNs/
Chapter 3
<n re;entering the sitting;roo) of 0o/ 14> *app +asted no ti)e in
'eating a'out the 'ush/ !e .a)e straight to the point/
b0o+ oo1 here> Miss Pendereith> donNt you thin1 itNs 'etter to spi
the 'eans here and no+/ ItNs going to .o)e to that in the end/N
*ane Pendereith raised her eye'ro+s/ She +as standing 'y the
)antepie.e> genty +ar)ing one foot at the fire/
bI reay donNt 1no+ +hat you )ean/N bIs that 8uite true> Miss
PendereithAN She shrugged her shouders/
bINve ans+ered a your 8uestions/ I donNt see +hat )ore I .an do/N
bWe> itNs )y opinion you .oud do a ot )ore ; if you .hose/N bThatNs
ony an opinion> though> isnNt it> Chief Inspe.torAN
*app gre+ rather red in the fa.e/
bI thin1>N said Poirot> bthat )ade)oisee +oud appre.iate 'etter the
reason for your 8uestions if you tod her Dust ho+ the .ase stands/N
bThatNs very si)pe/ 0o+ then> Miss Pendereith> the fa.ts are as
foo+s/ @our friend +as found shot through the head +ith a pisto in
her hand and the door and the +indo+ fastened/ That oo1ed i1e a
pain .ase of sui.ide/ %ut it +asnNt sui.ide/ The )edi.a eviden.e
aone proves that/N
b!o+AN
A her ironi. .ooness had disappeared/ She eaned for+ard ; intent
; +at.hing his fa.e/
bThe pisto +as in her hand ; 'ut the fingers +erenNt grasping it/
Moreover there +ere no fingerprints at a on the pisto/ And the
ange of the +ound )a1es it i)possi'e that the +ound shoud have
'een sef;infi.ted/ Then again> she eft no etter ; rather an unusua
thing for a sui.ide/ And though the door +as o.1ed the 1ey has not
'een found/N
*ane Pendereith turned so+y and sat do+n in a .hair fa.ing the)/
bSo thatNs itGN she said/ bA aong INve fet it +as i)possi'e that she
shoud have 1ied hersefG I +as rightG She didnNt 1i hersef/
So)eone ese 1ied her/N
For a )o)ent or t+o she re)ained ost in thought/ Then she raised
her head 'rus8uey/ bAs1 )e any 8uestions you i1e>N she said/ bI +i
ans+er the) to the 'est of )y a'iity/N
*app 'eganH
b#ast night Mrs Aen had a visitor/ !e is des.ri'ed as a )an of fortyfive>
)iitary 'earing> tooth'rush )ousta.he> s)arty dressed and
driving a Standard S+ao+ saoon .ar/ $o you 1no+ +ho that isAN
bI .anNt 'e sure> of .ourse> 'ut it sounds i1e MaDor (usta.e/N bWho is
MaDor (usta.eA Te )e a you .an a'out hi)AN
b!e +as a )an %ar'ara had 1no+n a'road ; in India/ !e turned up
a'out a year ago> and +eNve seen hi) on and off sin.e/N
b!e +as a friend of Mrs AenNsAN
b!e 'ehaved i1e one>N said *ane dryy/ bWhat +as her attitude to
hi)AN
bI donNt thin1 she reay i1ed hi) ; in fa.t> IN) sure she didnNt/N b%ut
she treated hi) +ith out+ard friendinessAN
b@es/N
b$id she ever see) ; thin1 .arefuy> Miss Pendereith ; afraid of
hi)AN
*ane Pendereith .onsidered this thoughtfuy for a )inute or t+o/
Then she saidH b@es ; I thin1 she +as/ She +as a+ays nervous +hen
he +as a'out/N
b$id he and Mr #averton;West )eet at aAN
b<ny on.e> I thin1/ They didnNt ta1e to ea.h other )u.h/ That is to
say> MaDor (usta.e )ade hi)sef as agreea'e as he .oud to
Chares> 'ut Chares +asnNt having any/ Chares has got a very good
nose for any'ody +ho isnNt +e ; 8uite ; 8uite/N
bAnd MaDor (usta.e +as not ; +hat you .a ; 8uite ; 8uiteAN as1ed
Poirot/ The gir said dryyH
b0o> he +asnNt/ %it hairy at the hee/ $efinitey not out of the top
dra+er/N
bAas ; I do not 1no+ those t+o eBpressions/ @ou )ean to say he +as
not the pu11a sahi'AN A feeting s)ie passed a.ross *ane
PendereithNs fa.e> 'ut she repied gravey> b0o/N
bWoud it .o)e as a great surprise to you> Miss Pendereith> if I
suggested that this )an +as 'a.1)aiing Mrs AenAN
*app sat for+ard to o'serve the resut of his suggestion/
!e +as +e satisfied/ The gir started for+ard> the .oour rose in her
.hee1s> she 'rought do+n her hand sharpy on the ar) of her .hair/
bSo that +as itG What a foo I +as not to have guessed/ <f .ourseGN
b@ou thin1 the suggestion feasi'e> )ade)oiseeAN as1ed Poirot/
bI +as a foo not to have thought of itG %ar'araNs 'orro+ed s)a
su)s off )e severa ti)es during the ast siB )onths/ And INve seen
her sitting poring over her pass'oo1/ I 1ne+ she +as iving +e
+ithin her in.o)e> so I didnNt 'other> 'ut> of .ourse> if she +as
paying out su)s of )oney ; N
bAnd it +oud a..ord +ith her genera de)eanour ; yesAN as1ed
Poirot/
bA'soutey/ She +as nervous/ 4uite Du)py so)eti)es/ Atogether
different fro) +hat she used to 'e/N Poirot said gentyH
b(B.use )e> 'ut that is not Dust +hat you tod us 'efore/N
bThat +as different>N *ane Pendereith +aved an i)patient hand/
bShe +asnNt depressed/ I )ean she +asnNt feeing sui.ida or
anything i1e that/ %ut 'a.1)ai ; yes/ I +ish sheNd tod )e/ INd have
sent hi) to the devi/N
b%ut he )ight have gone ; not to the devi> 'ut to Mr Chares
#averton;WestAN o'served Poirot/ b@es>N said *ane Pendereith
so+y/ b@esc thatNs truecN
b@ouNve no idea of +hat this )anNs hod over her )ay have 'eenAN
as1ed *app/ The gir shoo1 her head/
bI havenNt the faintest idea/ I .anNt 'eieve> 1no+ing %ar'ara> that it
.oud have 'een anything reay serious/ <n the other hand ; N she
paused> then +ent on/ bWhat I )ean is> %ar'ara +as a 'it of a
si)peton in so)e +ays/ SheNd 'e very easiy frightened/ In fa.t> she
+as the 1ind of gir +ho +oud 'e a positive gift to a 'a.1)aierG The
nasty 'ruteGN
She snapped out the ast three +ords +ith rea veno)/
b2nfortunatey>N said Poirot> bthe .ri)e see)s to have ta1en pa.e
the +rong +ay round/ It is the vi.ti) +ho shoud 1i the 'a.1)aier>
not the 'a.1)aier his vi.ti)/N
*ane Pendereith fro+ned a itte/
b0o ; that is true ; 'ut I .an i)agine .ir.u)stan.es ; N bSu.h asAN
bSupposing %ar'ara got desperate/ She )ay have threatened hi)
+ith that siy itte pisto of hers/ !e tries to +ren.h it a+ay fro) her
and in the strugge he fires it and 1is her/ Then heNs horrified at
+hat heNs done and tries to pretend it +as sui.ide/N
bMight 'e>N said *app/ b%ut thereNs a diffi.uty/N She oo1ed at hi)
in8uiringy/
bMaDor (usta.e 9if it +as hi): eft here ast night at ten;t+enty and
said good'ye to Mrs Aen on the doorstep/N
b<h>N the girNs fa.e fe/ bI see/N She paused a )inute or t+o/ b%ut he
)ight have .o)e 'a.1 ater>N she said so+y/
b@es> that is possi'e>N said Poirot/ *app .ontinuedH
bTe )e> Miss Pendereith> +here +as Mrs Aen in the ha'it of
re.eiving guests> here or in the roo) upstairsAN
b%oth/ %ut this roo) +as used for )ore .o))una parties or for )y
o+n spe.ia friends/ @ou see> the arrange)ent +as that %ar'ara had
the 'ig 'edroo) and used it as a sitting;roo) as +e> and I had the
itte 'edroo) and used this roo)/N
bIf MaDor (usta.e .a)e 'y appoint)ent ast night> in +hi.h roo) do
you thin1 Mrs Aen +oud have re.eived hi)AN
bI thin1 she +oud pro'a'y 'ring hi) in here/N The gir sounded a
itte dou'tfu/ bIt +oud 'e ess inti)ate/ <n the other hand> if she
+anted to +rite a .he8ue or anything of that 1ind> she +oud
pro'a'y ta1e hi) upstairs/ There are no +riting )aterias do+n
here/N
*app shoo1 his head/
bThere +as no 8uestion of a .he8ue/ Mrs Aen dre+ out t+o hundred
pounds in .ash yesterday/ And so far +eNve not 'een a'e to find any
tra.e of it in the house/N
bAnd she gave it to that 'ruteA <h> poor %ar'araG Poor> poor
%ar'araGN Poirot .oughed/
b2ness> as you suggest> it +as )ore or ess an a..ident> it sti
see)s a re)ar1a'e fa.t that he shoud 1i an apparenty reguar
sour.e of in.o)e/N
bA..identA It +asnNt an a..ident/ !e ost his te)per and sa+ red and
shot her/N bThat is ho+ you thin1 it happenedAN
b@es/N She added vehe)enty> bIt +as )urder ; )urderGN Poirot said
graveyH
bI +i not say that you are +rong> )ade)oisee/N
*app saidH
bWhat .igarettes did Mrs Aen s)o1eAN b,aspers/ There are so)e in
that 'oB/N
*app opened the 'oB> too1 out a .igarette and nodded/ !e sipped
the .igarette into his po.1et/ bAnd you> )ade)oiseeAN as1ed
Poirot/
bThe sa)e/N
b@ou do not s)o1e Tur1ishAN b0ever/N
b0or Mrs AenAN
b0o/ She didnNt i1e the)/N Poirot as1edH
bAnd Mr #averton;West/ What did he s)o1eAN She stared hard at
hi)/
bCharesA What does it )atter +hat he s)o1edA @ouNre not going to
pretend thathe 1ied herAN Poirot shrugged his shouders/
bA )an has 1ied the +o)an he oved 'efore no+> )ade)oisee/N
*ane shoo1 her head i)patienty/
bChares +oudnNt 1i any'ody/ !eNs a very .arefu )an/N
bA the sa)e> )ade)oisee> it is the .arefu )en +ho .o))it the
.everest )urders/N She stared at hi)/
b%ut not for the )otive you have Dust advan.ed> M/ Poirot/N !e
'o+ed his head/
b0o> that is true/N *app rose/
bWe> I donNt thin1 that thereNs )u.h )ore I .an do here/ INd i1e to
have one )ore oo1 round/N
bIn .ase that )oney shoud 'e tu.1ed a+ay so)e+hereA Certainy/
#oo1 any+here you i1e/ And in )y roo) too ; athough it isnNt i1ey
%ar'ara +oud hide it there/N
*appNs sear.h +as 8ui.1 'ut effi.ient/ The iving;roo) had given up
a its se.rets in a very fe+ )inutes/ Then he +ent upstairs/ *ane
Pendereith sat on the ar) of a .hair> s)o1ing a .igarette and
fro+ning at the fire/ Poirot +at.hed her/
After so)e )inutes> he said 8uietyH
b$o you 1no+ if Mr #averton;West is in #ondon at presentAN
bI donNt 1no+ at a/ I rather fan.y heNs in !a)pshire +ith his peope/
I suppose I ought to have +ired hi)/ !o+ dreadfu/ I forgot/N
bIt is not easy to re)e)'er everything> )ade)oisee> +hen a
.atastrophe o..urs/ And after a> the 'ad ne+s> it +i 1eep/ <ne
hears it ony too soon/N
b@es> thatNs true>N the gir said a'senty/
*appNs footsteps +ere heard des.ending the stairs/ *ane +ent out to
)eet hi)/ bWeAN
*app shoo1 his head/
b0othing hepfu> IN) afraid> Miss Pendereith/ INve 'een over the
+hoe house no+/ <h> I suppose INd 'etter Dust have a oo1 in this
.up'oard under the stairs/N
!e .aught hod of the hande as he spo1e> and pued/ *ane
Pendereith saidH
bItNs o.1ed/N
So)ething in her voi.e )ade 'oth )en oo1 at her sharpy/
b@es>N said *app peasanty/ bI .an see itNs o.1ed/ Perhaps youN get
the 1ey/N The gir +as standing as though .arved in stone/
bI ; IN) not sure +here it is/N
*app shot a 8ui.1 gan.e at her/ !is voi.e .ontinued resoutey
peasant and off;hand/
b$ear )e> thatNs too 'ad/ $onNt +ant to spinter the +ood> opening it
'y for.e/ IN send *a)eson out to get an assort)ent of 1eys/N
She )oved for+ard stiffy/
b<h>N she said/ b<ne )inute/ It )ight 'e ; N
She +ent 'a.1 into the iving;roo) and reappeared a )o)ent ater
hoding a fair;si?ed 1ey in her hand/
bWe 1eep it o.1ed>N she eBpained> b'e.ause oneNs u)'reas and
things have a ha'it of getting pin.hed/N
b7ery +ise pre.aution>N said *app> .heerfuy a..epting the 1ey/
!e turned it in the o.1 and thre+ the door open/ It +as dar1 inside
the .up'oard/ *app too1 out his po.1et fashight and et it pay
round the inside/
Poirot fet the gir at his side stiffen and stop 'reathing for a se.ond/
!is eyes foo+ed the s+eep of *appNs tor.h/
There +as not very )u.h in the .up'oard/ Three u)'reas ; one
'ro1en> four +a1ing sti.1s> a set of gof .u's> t+o tennis ra.8uets>
a neaty;foded rug and severa sofa .ushions in various stages of
diapidation/ <n the top of these ast reposed a s)a> s)art;oo1ing
atta.h=;.ase/
As *app stret.hed out a hand to+ards it> *ane Pendereith said
8ui.1yH
bThatNs )ine/ I ; it .a)e 'a.1 +ith )e this )orning/ So there .anNt 'e
anything there/N b*ust as +e to )a1e 8uite sure>N said *app> his
.heery friendiness in.reasing sighty/
The .ase +as uno.1ed/ Inside it +as fitted +ith shagreen 'rushes
and toiet 'ottes/ There +ere t+o )aga?ines in it 'ut nothing ese/
*app eBa)ined the +hoe outfit +ith )eti.uous attention/ When at
ast he shut the id and 'egan a .ursory eBa)ination of the .ushions>
the gir gave an audi'e sigh of reief/
There +as nothing ese in the .up'oard 'eyond +hat +as painy to
'e seen/ *appNs eBa)ination +as soon finished/
!e reo.1ed the door and handed the 1ey to *ane Pendereith/
bWe>N he said> bthat .on.udes )atters/ Can you give )e Mr
#averton;WestNs addressAN bFares.o)'e !a> #itte #ed'ury>
!a)pshire/N
bThan1 you> Miss Pendereith/ ThatNs a for the present/ I )ay 'e
round again ater/ %y the +ay> )u)Ns the +ord/ #eave it at sui.ide as
far as the genera pu'i.Ns .on.erned/N
b<f .ourse> I 8uite understand/N She shoo1 hands +ith the) 'oth/
As they +a1ed a+ay do+n the )e+s> *app eBpodedH
bWhat the ; the he +as there in that .up'oardA There +as
so)ething/N b@es> there +as so)ething/N
bAnd IN 'et ten to one it +as so)ething to do +ith the atta.h=;.aseG
%ut i1e the dou'e;dyed )utt I )ust 'e> I .oudnNt find anything/
#oo1ed in a the 'ottes ; fet the ining ; +hat the devi .oud it 'eAN
Poirot shoo1 his head thoughtfuy/
bThat girNs in it so)eho+>N *app +ent on/ b%rought that .ase 'a.1
this )orningA 0ot on your ife> she didnNtG 0oti.e that there +ere t+o
)aga?ines in itAN
b@es/N
bWe> one of the) +as for ast *uyGN
Chapter E
I
It +as the foo+ing day +hen *app +a1ed into PoirotNs fat> fung
his hat on the ta'e in deep disgust and dropped into a .hair/
bWe>N he gro+ed/ bSheNs out of itGN bWho is out of itAN
bPendereith/ Was paying 'ridge up to )idnight/ !ost> hostess>
nava;.o))ander guest and t+o servants .an a s+ear to that/ 0o
dou't a'out it> +eNve got to give up any idea of her 'eing .on.erned
in the 'usiness/ A the sa)e> INd i1e to 1no+ +hy she +ent a hot
and 'othered a'out that itte atta.h=;.ase under the stairs/ ThatNs
so)ething in your ine> Poirot/ @ou i1e soving the 1ind of triviaity
that eads no+here/ The Mystery of the S)a Atta.h=;Case/ Sounds
8uite pro)isingGN
bI +i give you yet another suggestion for a tite/ The Mystery of the
S)e of Cigarette S)o1e/N
bA 'it .u)sy for a tite/ S)e ; ehA Was that +hy you +ere sniffing
so +hen +e first eBa)ined the 'odyA I sa+ you ` and heard youG Sniff
; sniff ; sniff/ Thought you had a .od in your head/N
b@ou +ere entirey in error/N *app sighed/
bI a+ays thought it +as the itte grey .es of the 'rain/ $onNt te )e
the .es of your nose are e8uay superior to anyone eseNs/N
b0o> no> .a) yoursef/N
bI didnNt s)e any .igarette s)o1e>N +ent on *app suspi.iousy/ b0o
)ore did I> )y friend/N
*app oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/ Then he eBtra.ted a .igarette fro)
his po.1et/
bThatNs the 1ind Mrs Aen s)o1ed ; gaspers/ SiB of those stu's +ere
hers/ The other three +ere Tur1ish /N b(Ba.ty/N
b@our +onderfu nose 1ne+ that +ithout oo1ing at the)> I supposeGN
bI assure you )y nose does not enter into the )atter/ My nose
registered nothing/N b%ut the 'rain .es registered a otAN
bWe ; there +ere .ertain indi.ations ; do you not thin1 soAN *app
oo1ed at hi) side+ays/
bSu.h asAN
b(h 'ien> there +as very definitey so)ething )issing fro) the roo)/
Aso so)ething added> I thin1c And then> on the +riting;'ureaucN
bI 1ne+ itG WeNre .o)ing to that da)ned 8ui penGN b$u tout/ The
8ui pen pays a purey negative rUe/N *app retreated to safer
ground/
bINve got Chares #averton;West .o)ing to see )e at S.otand @ard
in haf an hour/ I thought you )ight i1e to 'e there/N
bI shoud very )u.h/N
bAnd youN 'e gad to hear +eNve tra.1ed do+n MaDor (usta.e/ ,ot a
servi.e fat in the Cro)+e &oad/N
b(B.eent/N
bAnd +eNve got a itte to go on there/ 0ot at a a ni.e person> MaDor
(usta.e/ After INve seen #averton;West> +eN go and see hi)/ That
suit youAN
bPerfe.ty/N
bWe> .o)e aong then/N
II
At haf;past eeven> Chares #averton;West +as ushered into Chief
Inspe.tor *appNs roo)/ *app rose and shoo1 hands/
The M/P/ +as a )an of )ediu) height +ith a very definite
personaity/ !e +as .ean;shaven> +ith the )o'ie )outh of an a.tor>
and the sighty pro)inent eyes that so often go +ith the gift of
oratory/ !e +as good;oo1ing in a 8uiet> +e;'red +ay/
Though oo1ing pae and so)e+hat distressed> his )anner +as
perfe.ty for)a and .o)posed/ !e too1 a seat> aid his goves and
hat on the ta'e and oo1ed to+ards *app/
bINd i1e to say> first of a> Mr #averton;West> that I fuy appre.iate
ho+ distressing this )ust 'e to you/N
#averton;West +aved this aside/
b$o not et us dis.uss )y feeings/ Te )e> Chief Inspe.tor> have you
any idea +hat .aused )y ; Mrs Aen to ta1e her o+n ifeAN
b@ou yoursef .annot hep us in any +ayAN b0o> indeed/N
bThere +as no 8uarreA 0o estrange)ent of any 1ind 'et+een youAN
b0othing of the 1ind/ It has 'een the greatest sho.1 to )e/N
bPerhaps it +i 'e )ore understanda'e> sir> if I te you that it +as
not sui.ide ; 'ut )urderGN bMurderAN Chares #averton;WestNs eyes
popped neary out of his head/ b@ou say )urderAN
b4uite .orre.t/ 0o+> Mr #averton;West> have you any idea +ho
)ight 'e i1ey to )a1e a+ay +ith Mrs AenAN
#averton;West fairy sputtered out his ans+er/
b0o ; no> indeed ; nothing of the sortG The )ere idea is ` is
uni)agina'eGN
bShe never )entioned any ene)iesA Anyone +ho )ight have a
grudge against herAN b0ever/N
b$id you 1no+ that she had a pistoAN bI +as not a+are of the fa.t/N
!e oo1ed a itte started/
bMiss Pendereith says that Mrs Aen 'rought this pisto 'a.1 fro)
a'road +ith her so)e years ago/N b&eayAN
b<f .ourse> +e have ony Miss PendereithNs +ord for that/ It is 8uite
possi'e that Mrs Aen fet hersef to 'e in danger fro) so)e sour.e
and 1ept the pisto handy for reasons of her o+n/N
Chares #averton;West shoo1 his head dou'tfuy/ !e see)ed 8uite
'e+idered and da?ed/
bWhat is your opinion of Miss Pendereith> Mr #averton;WestA I
)ean> does she stri1e you as a reia'e> truthfu personAN
The other pondered a )inute/
bI thin1 so ; yes> I shoud say so/N
b@ou donNt i1e herAN suggested *app> +ho had 'een +at.hing hi)
.osey/
bI +oudnNt say that/ She is not the type of young +o)an I ad)ire/
That sar.asti.> independent type is not attra.tive to )e> 'ut I shoud
say she +as 8uite truthfu/N
b!N)>N said *app/ b$o you 1no+ a MaDor (usta.eAN
b(usta.eA (usta.eA Ah> yes> I re)e)'er the na)e/ I )et hi) on.e at
%ar'araNs ; Mrs AenNs/ &ather a dou'tfu .usto)er in )y opinion/ I
said as )u.h to )y ; to Mrs Aen/ !e +asnNt the type of )an I shoud
have en.ouraged to .o)e to the house after +e +ere )arried/N
bAnd +hat did Mrs Aen sayAN
b<hG she 8uite agreed/ She trusted )y Dudg)ent i)pi.ity/ A )an
1no+s other )en 'etter than a +o)an .an do/ She eBpained that
she .oudnNt very +e 'e rude to a )an +ho) she had not seen for
so)e ti)e ; I thin1 she fet espe.iay a horror of 'eing sno''ishG
0aturay> as )y +ife> she +oud find a good )any of her od
asso.iates +e ; unsuita'e> sha +e sayAN
bMeaning that in )arrying you she +as 'ettering her positionAN *app
as1ed 'unty/ #averton;West hed up a +e;)ani.ured hand/
b0o> no> not 8uite that/ As a )atter of fa.t> Mrs AenNs )other +as a
distant reation of )y o+n fa)iy/ She +as fuy )y e8ua in 'irth/ %ut
of .ourse> in )y position> I have to 'e espe.iay .arefu in .hoosing
)y friends ; and )y +ife in .hoosing hers/ <ne is to a .ertain eBtent
in the i)eight/N
b<h> 8uite>N said *app dryy/ !e +ent on> bSo you .anNt hep us in any
+ayAN b0o indeed/ I a) uttery at sea/ %ar'araG MurderedG It see)s
in.redi'e/N
b0o+> Mr #averton;West> .an you te )e +hat your o+n )ove)ents
+ere on the night of 0ove)'er fifthAN
bMy )ove)entsA My )ove)entsAN #averton;WestNs voi.e rose in
shri protest/
bPurey a )atter of routine>N eBpained *app/ bWe ; er ; have to as1
every'ody/N Chares #averton;West oo1ed at hi) +ith dignity/
bI shoud hope that a )an in )y position )ight 'e eBe)pt/N *app
)erey +aited/
bI +as ; no+ et )e seec Ah> yes/ I +as at the !ouse/ #eft at hafpast
ten/ Went for a +a1 aong the ()'an1)ent/ Wat.hed so)e of
the fire+or1s/N
b0i.e to thin1 there arenNt any pots of that 1ind no+adays>N said
*app .heeriy/ #averton;West gave hi) a fish;i1e stare/
bThen I ; er ; +a1ed ho)e/N
b&ea.hing ho)e ; your #ondon address is <nso+ S8uare> I thin1 ; at
+hat ti)eAN bI hardy 1no+ eBa.ty/N
b(evenA !af;pastAN bSo)e+here a'out then/N bPerhaps so)eone
et you in/N b0o> I have )y 1ey/N
bMeet any'ody +hist you +ere +a1ingAN
b0o ; er ; reay> Chief Inspe.tor> I resent these 8uestions very
)u.hGN
bI assure you> itNs Dust a )atter of routine> Mr #averton;West/ They
arenNt persona> you 1no+/N The repy see)ed to soothe the irate
M/P/
bIf that is a ; N
bThat is a for the present> Mr #averton;West/N b@ou +i 1eep )e
infor)ed ; N
b0aturay> sir/ %y the +ay> et )e introdu.e M/ !er.ue Poirot/ @ou
)ay have heard of hi)/N Mr #averton;WestNs eye fastened itsef
interestedy on the itte %egian/
b@es ; yes ; I have heard the na)e/N
bMonsieur>N said Poirot> his )anner suddeny very foreign/ b%eieve
)e> )y heart 'eeds for you/ Su.h a ossG Su.h agony as you )ust 'e
enduringG Ah> 'ut I +i say no )ore/ !o+ )agnifi.enty the (ngish
hide their e)otions/N !e +hipped out his .igarette .ase/ bPer)it )e ;
Ah> it is e)pty/ *appAN
*app sapped his po.1ets and shoo1 his head/
#averton;West produ.ed his o+n .igarette .ase> )ur)ured> b(r ;
have one of )ine> M/ Poirot/N bThan1 you ; than1 you/N The itte )an
heped hi)sef/
bAs you say> M/ Poirot>N resu)ed the other> b+e (ngish do not parade
our e)otions/ A stiff upper ip ; that is our )otto/N
!e 'o+ed to the t+o )en and +ent out/
b%it of a stuffed fish>N said *app disgustedy/ bAnd a 'oied o+G The
Pendereith gir +as 8uite right a'out hi)/ @et heNs a good;oo1ing
sort of .hap ; )ight go do+n +e +ith so)e +o)an +ho had no
sense of hu)our/ What a'out that .igaretteAN
Poirot handed it over> sha1ing his head/ b(gyptian/ An eBpensive
variety/N
b0o> thatNs no good/ A pity> for INve never heard a +ea1er ai'iG In
fa.t> it +asnNt an ai'i at ac @ou 1no+> Poirot> itNs a pity the 'oot
+asnNt on the other eg/ If sheNd 'een 'a.1)aiing hi)c !eNs a
ovey type for 'a.1)ai ; +oud pay out i1e a a)'G Anything to
avoid a s.anda/N
bMy friend> it is very pretty to re.onstru.t the .ase as you +oud i1e
it to 'e> 'ut that is not stri.ty our affair/N
b0o> (usta.e is our affair/ INve got a fe+ ines on hi)/ $efinitey a
nasty feo+/N b%y the +ay> did you do as I suggested a'out Miss
PendereithAN
b@es/ Wait a se.> IN ring through and get the atest/N
!e pi.1ed up the teephone re.eiver and spo1e through it/ After a
'rief inter.hange he repa.ed it and oo1ed up at Poirot/
bPretty heartess pie.e of goods/ ,one off to pay gof/ ThatNs a ni.e
thing to do +hen your friendNs 'een )urdered ony the day 'efore/N
Poirot uttered an eB.a)ation/ bWhatNs the )atter no+AN as1ed
*app/ %ut Poirot +as )ur)uring to hi)sef/
b<f .oursec of .oursec 'ut naturayc What an i)'e.ie I a) ;
+hy> it eapt to the eyeGN *app said rudeyH
bStop Da''ering to yoursef and etNs go and ta.1e (usta.e/N
!e +as a)a?ed to see the radiant s)ie that spread over PoirotNs
fa.e/
b%ut ; yes ; )ost .ertainy et us ta.1e hi)/ For no+> see you> I 1no+
everything ; 'ut everythingGN
Chapter O
MaDor (usta.e re.eived the t+o )en +ith the easy assuran.e of a
)an of the +ord/
!is fat +as s)a> a )ere pied P terre> as he eBpained/ !e offered
the t+o )en a drin1 and +hen that +as refused he too1 out his
.igarette .ase/
%oth *app and Poirot a..epted a .igarette/ A 8ui.1 gan.e passed
'et+een the)/ b@ou s)o1e Tur1ish> I see>N said *app as he t+ired
the .igarette 'et+een his fingers/ b@es/ IN) sorry> do you prefer a
gasperA INve got one so)e+here a'out/N
b0o> no> this +i do )e very +e/N Then he eaned for+ard ; his tone
.hanged/ bPerhaps you .an guess> MaDor (usta.e> +hat it +as I .a)e
to see you a'outAN
The other shoo1 his head/ !is )anner +as non.haant/ MaDor
(usta.e +as a ta )an> good;oo1ing in a so)e+hat .oarse fashion/
There +as a puffiness round the eyes ; s)a> .rafty eyes that 'eied
the good;hu)oured geniaity of his )anner/
!e saidH
b0o ; INve no idea +hat 'rings su.h a 'ig gun as a .hief inspe.tor to
see )e/ Anything to do +ith )y .arAN
b0o> it is not your .ar/ I thin1 you 1ne+ a Mrs %ar'ara Aen> MaDor
(usta.eAN The )aDor eant 'a.1> puffed out a .oud of s)o1e> and
said in an enightened voi.eH b<h> so thatNs itG <f .ourse> I )ight have
guessed/ 7ery sad 'usiness/N
b@ou 1no+ a'out itAN
bSa+ it in the paper ast night/ Too 'ad/N b@ou 1ne+ Mrs Aen out in
India> I thin1/N b@es> thatNs so)e years ago no+/N
b$id you aso 1no+ her hus'andAN
There +as a pause ; a )ere fra.tion of a se.ond ; 'ut during that
fra.tion the itte pig eyes fashed a 8ui.1 oo1 at the fa.es of the t+o
)en/ Then he ans+eredH
b0o> as a )atter of fa.t> I never .a)e a.ross Aen/N b%ut you 1no+
so)ething a'out hi)AN
b!eard he +as 'y +ay of 'eing a 'ad hat/ <f .ourse> that +as ony
ru)our/N
bMrs Aen did not say anythingAN b0ever ta1ed a'out hi)/N
b@ou +ere on inti)ate ter)s +ith herAN MaDor (usta.e shrugged his
shouders/
bWe +ere od friends> you 1no+> od friends/ %ut +e didnNt see ea.h
other very often/N b%ut you did see her that ast eveningA The
evening of 0ove)'er fifthAN
b@es> as a )atter of fa.t> I did/N b@ou .aed at her house> I thin1/N
MaDor (usta.e nodded/ !is voi.e too1 on a gente> regretfu note/
b@es> she as1ed )e to advise her a'out so)e invest)ents/ <f
.ourse> I .an see +hat youNre driving at ; her state of )ind ; a that
sort of thing/ We> reay> itNs very diffi.ut to say/ !er )anner
see)ed nor)a enough and yet she +as a 'it Du)py> .o)e to thin1 of
it/N
b%ut she gave you no hint as to +hat she .onte)pated doingAN
b0ot the east in the +ord/ As a )atter of fa.t> +hen I said good'ye I
said INd ring her up soon and +eNd do a sho+ together/N
b@ou said youNd ring her up/ Those +ere your ast +ordsAN b@es/N
bCurious/ I have infor)ation that you said so)ething 8uite different/N
(usta.e .hanged .oour/
bWe> of .ourse> I .anNt re)e)'er the eBa.t +ords/N
bMy infor)ation is that +hat you a.tuay said +as> XWe> thin1 it
over and et )e 1no+/YN
b#et )e see> yes I 'eieve youNre right/ 0ot eBa.ty that/ I thin1 I +as
suggesting she shoud et )e 1no+ +hen she +as free/N
b0ot 8uite the sa)e thing> is itAN said *app/ MaDor (usta.e shrugged
his shouders/
bMy dear feo+> you .anNt eBpe.t a )an to re)e)'er +ord for +ord
+hat he said on any given o..asion/N
bAnd +hat did Mrs Aen repyAN
bShe said sheNd give )e a ring/ That is> as near as I .an re)e)'er/N
bAnd then you said> XA right/ So ong/YN
bPro'a'y/ So)ething of the 1ind any+ay/N *app said 8uietyH
b@ou say that Mrs Aen as1ed you to advise her a'out her
invest)ents/ $id she> 'y any .han.e> entrust you +ith the su) of t+o
hundred pounds in .ash to invest for herAN
(usta.eNs fa.e fushed a dar1 purpe/ !e eaned for+ard and
gro+ed outH bWhat the devi do you )ean 'y thatAN
b$id she or did she notAN
bThatNs )y 'usiness> Mr Chief Inspe.tor/N *app said 8uietyH
bMrs Aen dre+ out the su) of t+o hundred pounds in .ash fro) her
'an1/ So)e of the )oney +as in five;pound notes/ The nu)'ers of
these .an> of .ourse> 'e tra.ed/N
bWhat if she didAN
bWas the )oney for invest)ent ; or +as it ; 'a.1)ai> MaDor
(usta.eAN bThatNs a preposterous idea/ What neBt +i you suggestAN
*app said in his )ost offi.ia )annerH
bI thin1> MaDor (usta.e> that at this point I )ust as1 you if you are
+iing to .o)e to S.otand @ard and )a1e a state)ent/ There is> of
.ourse> no .o)pusion and you .an> if you prefer it> have your
soi.itor present/N
bSoi.itorA What the devi shoud I +ant +ith a soi.itorA And +hat
are you .autioning )e forAN bI a) in8uiring into the .ir.u)stan.es of
the death of Mrs Aen/N
b,ood ,od> )an> you donNt suppose ; Why> thatNs nonsenseG #oo1
here> +hat happened +as this/ I .aed round to see %ar'ara 'y
appoint)entcN
bThat +as at +hat ti)eAN
bAt a'out haf;past nine> I shoud say/ We sat and ta1edcN bAnd
s)o1edAN
b@es> and s)o1ed/ Anything da)aging in thatAN de)anded the )aDor
'eigerenty/
bWhere did this .onversation ta1e pa.eAN
bIn the sitting;roo)/ #eft of the door as you go in/ We ta1ed together
8uite a)i.a'y> as I say/ I eft a itte 'efore haf;past ten/ I stayed for
a )inute on the doorstep for a fe+ ast +ordscN
b#ast +ords ; pre.isey>N )ur)ured Poirot/
bWho are you> INd i1e to 1no+AN (usta.e turned and spat the +ords
at hi)/ bSo)e 1ind of da)ned dagoG What are you 'utting in forAN
bI a) !er.ue Poirot>N said the itte )an +ith dignity/
bI donNt .are if you are the A.hies statue/ As I say> %ar'ara and I
parted 8uite a)i.a'y/ I drove straight to the Far (ast Cu'/ ,ot
there at five and t+enty to eeven and +ent straight up to the .ardroo)/
Stayed there paying 'ridge unti one;thirty/ 0o+ then> put that
in your pipe and s)o1e it/N
bI do not s)o1e the pipe>N said Poirot/ bIt is a pretty ai'i you have
there/N
bIt shoud 'e a pretty .ast iron one any+ayG 0o+ then> sir>N he oo1ed
at *app/ bAre you satisfiedAN b@ou re)ained in the sitting;roo)
throughout your visitAN
b@es/N
b@ou did not go upstairs to Mrs AenNs o+n 'oudoirAN
b0o> I te you/ We stayed in the one roo) and didnNt eave it/N *app
oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy for a )inute or t+o/ Then he saidH b!o+
)any sets of .uff in1s have youAN
bCuff in1sA Cuff in1sA WhatNs that got to do +ith itAN b@ou are not
'ound to ans+er the 8uestion> of .ourse/N
bAns+er itA I donNt )ind ans+ering it/ INve got nothing to hide/ And I
sha de)and an apoogy/ There are thesecN he stret.hed out his
ar)s/
*app noted the god and patinu) +ith a nod/ bAnd INve got these/N
!e rose> opened a dra+er and ta1ing out a .ase> he opened it and
shoved it rudey a)ost under *appNs nose/
b7ery ni.e design>N said the .hief inspe.tor/ bI see one is 'ro1en ; 'it
of ena)e .hipped off/N bWhat of itAN
b@ou donNt re)e)'er +hen that happened> I supposeAN
bA day or t+o ago> not onger/N
bWoud you 'e surprised to hear that it happened +hen you +ere
visiting Mrs AenAN
bWhy shoudnNt itA INve not denied that I +as there/N The )aDor spo1e
haughtiy/ !e .ontinued to 'uster> to a.t the part of the Dusty
indignant )an> 'ut his hands +ere tre)'ing/
*app eaned for+ard and said +ith e)phasisH
b@es> 'ut that 'it of .uff in1 +asnNt found in the sitting;roo)/ It +as
found upstairs in Mrs AenNs 'oudoir ; there in the roo) +here she
+as 1ied> and +here a )an sat s)o1ing the sa)e 1ind of .igarettes
as you s)o1e/N
The shot tod/ (usta.e fe 'a.1 into his .hair/ !is eyes +ent fro)
side to side/ The .oapse of the 'uy and the appearan.e of the
.raven +as not a pretty sight/
b@ouNve got nothing on )e/N !is voi.e +as a)ost a +hine/ b@ouNre
trying to fra)e )ec %ut you .anNt do it/ INve got an ai'ic I never
.a)e near the house again that nightcN
Poirot in his turn> spo1e/
b0o> you did not .o)e near the house againc @ou did not need toc
For perhaps Mrs Aen +as aready dead +hen you eft it /N
bThatNs i)possi'e ; i)possi'e ; She +as Dust inside the door ; she
spo1e to )e ; Peope )ust have heard her ; seen hercN
Poirot said softyH
bThey heard you spea1ing to herc and pretending to +ait for her
ans+er and then spea1ing againc It is an od tri.1 thatc Peope
)ay have assu)ed she +as there> 'ut they did not see her> 'e.ause
they .oud not even say +hether she +as +earing evening dress or
not ; not even )ention +hat .oour she +as +earingcN
bMy ,od ; it isnNt true ; it isnNt true ; N !e +as sha1ing no+ ;
.oapsedc
*app oo1ed at hi) +ith disgust/ !e spo1e .rispy/ bIN have to as1
you> sir> to .o)e +ith )e/N b@ouNre arresting )eAN
b$etained for in8uiry ; +eN put it that +ay/N
The sien.e +as 'ro1en +ith a ong> shuddering sigh/ The despairing
voi.e of the erst+hie 'ustering MaDor (usta.e saidH
bIN) sun1cN
!er.ue Poirot ru''ed his hands together and s)ied .heerfuy/ !e
see)ed to 'e enDoying hi)sef/
Chapter 9
bPretty the +ay he +ent a to pie.es>N said *app +ith professiona
appre.iation> ater that day/ !e and Poirot +ere driving in a .ar
aong the %ro)pton &oad/
b!e 1ne+ the ga)e +as up>N said Poirot a'senty/
bWeNve got penty on hi)>N said *app/ bT+o or three different aiases>
a tri.1y 'usiness over a .he8ue> and a very ni.e affair +hen he
stayed at the &it? and .aed hi)sef Coone de %athe/ S+inded haf
a do?en Pi..adiy trades)en/ WeNre hoding hi) on that .harge for
the )o)ent ; unti +e get this affair finay s8uared up/ WhatNs the
idea of this rush to the .ountry> od )anAN
bMy friend> an affair )ust 'e rounded off propery/ (verything )ust
'e eBpained/ I a) on the 8uest of the )ystery you suggested/ The
Mystery of the Missing Atta.h=;Case/N
bThe Mystery of the S)a Atta.h=;Case ; thatNs +hat I .aed it ; It
isnNt )issing that I 1no+ of/N bWait> )on a)i/ N
The .ar turned into the )e+s/ At the door of 0o/ 14> *ane
Pendereith +as Dust aighting fro) a s)a Austin Seven/ She +as in
gofing .othes/
She oo1ed fro) one to the other of the t+o )en> then produ.ed a
1ey and opened the door/ bCo)e in> +onNt youAN
She ed the +ay/ *app foo+ed her into the sitting;roo)/ Poirot
re)ained for a )inute or t+o in the ha> )uttering so)ething a'outH
bCNest e)'Mtant ; ho+ diffi.ut to get out of these seeves/N
In a )o)ent or t+o he aso entered the sitting;roo) )inus his
over.oat 'ut *appNs ips t+it.hed under his )ousta.he/ !e had
heard the very faint s8uea1 of an opening .up'oard door/
*app thre+ Poirot an in8uiring gan.e and the other gave a hardy
per.epti'e nod/ bWe +onNt detain you> Miss Pendereith>N said *app
'ris1y/
b<ny .a)e to as1 if you .oud te us the na)e of Mrs AenNs
soi.itor/N
b!er soi.itorAN The gir shoo1 her head/ bI donNt even 1no+ that she
had one/N
bWe> +hen she rented this house +ith you> so)eone )ust have
dra+n up the agree)entAN
b0o> I donNt thin1 so/ @ou see> I too1 the house> the ease is in )y
na)e/ %ar'ara paid )e haf the rent/ It +as 8uite infor)a/N
bI see/ <hG +e> I suppose thereNs nothing doing then/N bIN) sorry I
.anNt hep you>N said *ane poitey/
bIt doesnNt reay )atter very )u.h/N *app turned to+ards the door/
b%een paying gofAN
b@es/N She fushed/ bI suppose it see)s rather heartess to you/ %ut
as a )atter of fa.t it got )e do+n rather> 'eing here in this house/ I
fet I )ust go out and do so)ething ; tire )ysef ; or INd .ho1eGN
She spo1e +ith intensity/ Poirot said 8ui.1yH
bI .o)prehend> )ade)oisee/ It is )ost understanda'e ; )ost
natura/ To sit in this house and thin1 ; no> it +oud not 'e peasant/N
bSo ong as you understand>N said *ane shorty/ b@ou 'eong to a
.u'AN
b@es> I pay at Went+orth/N
bIt has 'een a peasant day>N said Poirot/
bAas> there are fe+ eaves eft on the trees no+G A +ee1 ago the
+oods +ere )agnifi.ent/N bIt +as 8uite ovey today/N
b,ood afternoon> Miss Pendereith>N said *app for)ay/ bIN et you
1no+ +hen thereNs anything definite/ As a )atter of fa.t +e have got
a )an detained on suspi.ion/N
bWhat )anAN
She oo1ed at the) eagery/ bMaDor (usta.e/N
She nodded and turned a+ay> stooping do+n to put a )at.h to the
fire/ bWeAN said *app as the .ar turned the .orner of the )e+s/
Poirot grinned/
bIt +as 8uite si)pe/ The 1ey +as in the door this ti)e/N bAnd ; AN
Poirot s)ied/
b(h> 'ien> the gof .u's had gone ; N
b0aturay/ The gir isnNt a foo> +hatever ese she is/ Anything ese
gone AN Poirot nodded his head/
b@es> )y friend ; the itte atta.h=;.aseGN The a..eerator eaped
under *appNs foot/
b$a)nationGN he said/ bI 1ne+ there +as so)ething/ %ut +hat the
devi is itA I sear.hed that .ase pretty thoroughy/N
bMy poor *app ; 'ut it is ; ho+ do you say> Xo'vious> )y dear
WatsonYAN *app thre+ hi) an eBasperated oo1/
bWhere are +e goingAN he as1ed/ Poirot .onsuted his +at.h/
bIt is not yet four oN.o.1/ We .oud get to Went+orth> I thin1> 'efore
it is dar1/N b$o you thin1 she reay +ent thereAN
bI thin1 so ; yes/ She +oud 1no+ that +e )ight )a1e in8uiries/ <h>
yes> I thin1 +e +i find that she has 'een there/N
*app grunted/
b<h +e> .o)e on/N !e threaded his +ay deBterousy through the
traffi./ bThough +hat this atta.h=;.ase 'usiness has to do +ith the
.ri)e I .anNt i)agine/ I .anNt see that itNs got anything at a to do
+ith it/N
bPre.isey> )y friend> I agree +ith you ; it has nothing to do +ith it/N
bThen +hy ; 0o> donNt te )eG <rder and )ethod and everything
ni.ey rounded offG <h> +e> itNs a fine day/N
The .ar +as a fast one/ They arrived at Went+orth ,of Cu' a itte
after haf;past four/ There +as no great .ongestion there on a +ee1
day/
Poirot +ent straight to the .addie;)aster and as1ed for Miss
PendereithNs .u's/ She +oud 'e paying on a different .ourse
to)orro+> he eBpained/
The .addie;)aster raised his voi.e and a 'oy sorted through so)e
gof .u's standing in a .orner/ !e finay produ.ed a 'ag 'earing
the initias> */P/
bThan1 you>N said Poirot/ !e )oved a+ay> then turned .areessy and
as1ed> bShe did not eave +ith you a s)a atta.h=;.ase aso> did
sheAN
b0ot today> sir/ May have eft it in the .u'house/N
bShe +as do+n here todayAN b<h> yes> I sa+ her/N
bWhi.h .addie did she have> do you 1no+A SheNs )isaid an atta.h=.ase
and .anNt re)e)'er +here she had it ast/N
bShe didnNt ta1e a .addie/ She .a)e in here and 'ought a .oupe of
'as/ *ust too1 out a .oupe of irons/ I rather fan.y she had a itte
.ase in her hand then/N
Poirot turned a+ay +ith a +ord of than1s/ The t+o )en +a1ed
round the .u'house/ Poirot stood a )o)ent ad)iring the vie+/
bIt is 'eautifu> is it not> the dar1 pine trees ; and then the a1e/ @es>
the a1e ; N *app gave hi) a 8ui.1 gan.e/
bThatNs the idea> is itAN Poirot s)ied/
bI thin1 it possi'e that so)eone )ay have seen so)ething/ I shoud
set the in8uiries in )otion if I +ere you/N
Chapter 16
I
Poirot stepped 'a.1> his head a itte on one side as he surveyed the
arrange)ent of the roo)/ A .hair here ; another .hair there/ @es>
that +as very ni.e/ And no+ a ring at the 'e ; that +oud 'e *app/
The S.otand @ard )an .a)e in aerty/
b4uite right> od .o.1G Straight fro) the horseNs )outh/ A young
+o)an +as seen to thro+ so)ething into the a1e at Went+orth
yesterday/ $es.ription of her ans+ers to *ane Pendereith/ We
)anaged to fish it up +ithout )u.h diffi.uty/ A ot of reeds Dust
there/N
bAnd it +asAN
bIt +as the atta.h=;.ase a rightG %ut +hy> in heavenNs na)eA We> it
'eats )eG 0othing inside it ; not even the )aga?ines/ Why a
presu)a'y sane young +o)an shoud +ant to fing an eBpensiveyfitted
dressing;.ase into a a1e ; dNyou 1no+> I +orried a night
'e.ause I .oudnNt get the hang of it/N
bMon pauvre *appG %ut you need +orry no onger/ !ere is the
ans+er .o)ing/ The 'e has Dust rung/N ,eorge> PoirotNs i))a.uate
)an;servant> opened the door and announ.edH
bMiss Pendereith/N
The gir .a)e into the roo) +ith her usua air of .o)pete sefassuran.e/
She greeted the t+o )en/
bI as1ed you to .o)e here ; N eBpained Poirot/ bSit here> +i you not>
and you here> *app ; 'e.ause I have .ertain ne+s to give you/N
The gir sat do+n/ She oo1ed fro) one to the other> pushing aside
her hat/ She too1 it off and aid it aside i)patienty/
bWe>N she said/ bMaDor (usta.e has 'een arrested/N b@ou sa+ that> I
eBpe.t> in the )orning paperAN b@es/N
b!e is at the )o)ent .harged +ith a )inor offen.e>N +ent on Poirot/
bIn the )eanti)e +e are gathering eviden.e in .onne.tion +ith the
)urder/N
bIt +as )urder> thenAN The gir as1ed it eagery/ Poirot nodded his
head/
b@es>N he said/ bIt +as )urder/ The +ifu destru.tion of one hu)an
'eing 'y another hu)an 'eing/N She shivered a itte/
b$onNt>N she )ur)ured/ bIt sounds horri'e +hen you say it i1e that/N
b@es ; 'ut it is horri'eGN
!e paused ; then he saidH
b0o+> Miss Pendereith> I a) going to te you Dust ho+ I arrived at
the truth in this )atter/N She oo1ed fro) Poirot to *app/ The atter
+as s)iing/
b!e has his )ethods> Miss Pendereith>N he said/ bI hu)our hi)> you
1no+/ I thin1 +eN isten to +hat he has to say/N
Poirot 'eganH
bAs you 1no+> )ade)oisee> I arrived +ith )y friend at the s.ene of
the .ri)e on the )orning of 0ove)'er the siBth/ We +ent into the
roo) +here the 'ody of Mrs Aen had 'een found and I +as stru.1 at
on.e 'y severa signifi.ant detais/ There +ere things> you see> in
that roo) that +ere de.idedy odd/N
b,o on>N said the gir/
bTo 'egin +ith>N said Poirot> bthere +as the s)e of .igarette s)o1e/N
bI thin1 youNre eBaggerating there> Poirot>N said *app/ bI didnNt s)e
anything/N Poirot turned on hi) in a fash/
bPre.isey/ @ou did not s)e any stae s)o1e/ 0o )ore did I/ And
that +as very> very strange ; for the door and the +indo+ +ere 'oth
.osed and on an ashtray there +ere the stu's of no fe+er than ten
.igarettes/ It +as odd> very odd> that the roo) shoud s)e ; as it
did> perfe.ty fresh/N
bSo thatNs +hat you +ere getting atGN *app sighed/ bA+ays have to
get at things in su.h a tortuous +ay/N
b@our Shero.1 !o)es did the sa)e/ !e dre+ attention> re)e)'er>
to the .urious in.ident of the dog in the night;ti)e ; and the ans+er
to that +as there +as no .urious in.ident/ The dog did nothing in the
night;ti)e/ To pro.eedH
bThe neBt thing that attra.ted )y attention +as a +rist;+at.h +orn
'y the dead +o)an/N bWhat a'out itAN
b0othing parti.uar a'out it> 'ut it +as +orn on the right +rist/ 0o+
in )y eBperien.e it is )ore usua for a +at.h to 'e +orn on the eft
+rist/N
*app shrugged his shouders/ %efore he .oud spea1> Poirot hurried
onH
b%ut as you say> there is nothing very definite a'out that/ So)e
peope prefer to +ear one on the right hand/ And no+ I .o)e to
so)ething reay interesting ; I .o)e> )y friends> to the +riting'ureau/N
b@es> I guessed that>N said *app/
bThat +as reay very odd ` very re)ar1a'eG For t+o reasons/ The
first reason +as that so)ething +as )issing fro) that +riting;ta'e/N
*ane Pendereith spo1e/ bWhat +as )issingAN Poirot turned to her/
bA sheet of 'otting;paper> )ade)oisee/ The 'otting;'oo1 had on
top a .ean> untou.hed pie.e of 'otting;paper/N
*ane shrugged her shouders/
b&eay> M/ Poirot/ Peope do o..asionay tear off a very )u.h used
sheetGN
b@es> 'ut +hat do they do +ith itA Thro+ it into the +aste;paper
'as1et> do they notA %ut it +as not in the +aste;paper 'as1et/ I
oo1ed/N
*ane Pendereith see)ed i)patient/
b%e.ause it had pro'a'y 'een aready thro+n a+ay the day 'efore/
The sheet +as .ean 'e.ause %ar'ara hadnNt +ritten any etters that
day/N
bThat .oud hardy 'e the .ase> )ade)oisee/ For Mrs Aen +as
seen going to the post;'oB that evening/ Therefore she )ust have
'een +riting etters/ She .oud not +rite do+nstairs ; there +ere no
+riting )aterias/ She +oud 'e hardy i1ey to go to your roo) to
+rite/ So> then> +hat had happened to the sheet of paper on +hi.h
she had 'otted her ettersA It is true that peope so)eti)es thro+
things in the fire instead of the +aste;paper 'as1et> 'ut there +as
ony a gas fire in the roo)/ And the fire do+nstairs had not 'een
aight the previous day> sin.e you tod )e it +as a aid ready +hen
you put a )at.h to it /N
!e paused/
bA .urious itte pro'e)/ I oo1ed every+here> in the +aste;paper
'as1ets> in the dust'in> 'ut I .oud not find a sheet of used 'ottingpaper
; and that see)ed to )e very i)portant/ It oo1ed as though
so)eone had dei'eratey ta1en that sheet of 'otting paper a+ay/
WhyA %e.ause there +as +riting on it that .oud easiy have 'een
read 'y hoding it up to a )irror/
b%ut there +as a se.ond .urious point a'out the +riting;ta'e/
Perhaps> *app> you re)e)'er roughy the arrange)ent of itA %otter
and in1stand in the .entre> pen tray to the eft> .aendar and 8ui pen
to the right/ (h 'ienA @ou do not seeA The 8ui pen> re)e)'er> I
eBa)ined> it +as for sho+ ony ; it had not 'een used/ AhG sti you do
not seeA I +i say it again/ %otter in the .entre> pen tray to the eft ;
to the eft> *app/ %ut is it not usua to find a pen trayon the right>
.onvenient to the right handA
bAh> no+ it .o)es to you> does it notA The pen tray on the eft ; the
+rist;+at.h on the right +rist ; the 'otting;paper re)oved ; and
so)ething ese 'rought into the roo) ; the ashtray +ith the .igarette
endsG
bThat roo) +as fresh and pure s)eing> *app> a roo) in +hi.h the
+indo+ had 'een open> not .osed a nightc And I )ade )ysef a
pi.ture/N
!e spun round and fa.ed *ane/
bA pi.ture of you> )ade)oisee> driving up in your taBi> paying it off>
running up the stairs> .aing perhaps> X%ar'araY ; and you open the
door and you find your friend there ying dead +ith the pisto .asped
in her hand ; the eft hand> naturay> sin.e she is eft;handed and
therefore> too> the 'uet has entered on the eft side of the head/
There is a note there addressed to you/ It tes you +hat it is that has
driven her to ta1e her o+n ife/ It +as> I fan.y> a very )oving etterc
A young> gente> unhappy +o)an driven 'y 'a.1)ai to ta1e her
ifec
bI thin1 that> a)ost at on.e> the idea fashed into your head/ This
+as a .ertain )anNs doing/ #et hi) 'e punished ; fuy and
ade8uatey punishedG @ou ta1e the pisto> +ipe it and pa.e it in the
right hand/ @ou ta1e the note and you tear off the top sheet of the
'otting;paper on +hi.h the note has 'een 'otted/ @ou go do+n>
ight the fire and put the) 'oth on the fa)es/ Then you .arry up the
ashtray ; to further the iusion that t+o peope sat there ta1ing ; and
you aso ta1e up a frag)ent of ena)e .uff in1 that is on the foor/
That is a u.1y find and you eBpe.t it to .in.h )atters/ Then you
.ose the +indo+ and o.1 the door/ There )ust 'e no suspi.ion that
you have ta)pered +ith the roo)/ The poi.e )ust see it eBa.ty as it
is ; so you do not see1 hep in the )e+s 'ut ring up the poi.e
straighta+ay/
bAnd so it goes on/ @ou pay your .hosen rUe +ith Dudg)ent and
.ooness/ @ou refuse at first to say anything 'ut .every you suggest
dou'ts of sui.ide/ #ater you are 8uite ready to set us on the trai of
MaDor (usta.ec
b@es> )ade)oisee> it +as .ever ; a very .ever )urder ; for that is
+hat it is/ The atte)pted )urder of MaDor (usta.e/N
*ane Pendereith sprang to her feet/
bIt +asnNt )urder ; it +as Dusti.e/ That )an hounded poor %ar'ara to
her deathG She +as so s+eet and hepess/ @ou see> poor 1id> she got
invoved +ith a )an in India +hen she first +ent out/ She +as ony
seventeen and he +as a )arried )an years oder than her/ Then she
had a 'a'y/ She .oud have put it in a ho)e 'ut she +oudnNt hear of
that/ She +ent off to so)e out of the +ay spot and .a)e 'a.1 .aing
hersef Mrs Aen/ #ater the .hid died/ She .a)e 'a.1 here and she
fe in ove +ith Chares ; that po)pous> stuffed o+I she adored hi) ;
and he too1 her adoration very .o)pa.enty/ If he had 'een a
different 1ind of )an INd have advised her to te hi) everything/ %ut
as it +as> I urged her to hod her tongue/ After a> no'ody 1ne+
anything a'out that 'usiness eB.ept )e/
bAnd then that devi (usta.e turned upG @ou 1no+ the rest/ !e 'egan
to 'eed her syste)ati.ay> 'ut it +asnNt ti that ast evening that she
reaised that she +as eBposing Chares too> to the ris1 of s.anda/
<n.e )arried to Chares> (usta.e had got her +here he +anted her ;
)arried to a ri.h )an +ith a horror of any s.andaG When (usta.e
had gone +ith the )oney she had got for hi) she sat thin1ing it over/
Then she .a)e up and +rote a etter to )e/ She said she oved
Chares and .oudnNt ive +ithout hi)> 'ut that for his o+n sa1e she
)ustnNt )arry hi)/ She +as ta1ing the 'est +ay out> she said/N
*ane fung her head 'a.1/
b$o you +onder I did +hat I didA And you stand there .aing it
)urderGN
b%e.ause it is )urder>N PoirotNs voi.e +as stern/ bMurder .an
so)eti)es see) Dustified> 'ut it is )urder a the sa)e/ @ou are
truthfu and .ear;)inded ; fa.e the truth> )ade)oiseeG @our friend
died> in the ast resort> 'e.ause she had not the .ourage to ive/ We
)ay sy)pathi?e +ith her/ We )ay pity her/ %ut the fa.t re)ains ; the
a.t +as hers ; not another/N
!e paused/
bAnd youA That )an is no+ in prison> he +i serve a ong senten.e
for other )atters/ $o you reay +ish> of your o+n voition> to destroy
the ife ` the ife> )ind ` of any hu)an 'eingAN
She stared at hi)/ !er eyes dar1ened/ Suddeny she )utteredH b0o/
@ouNre right/ I donNt/N
Then> turning on her hee> she +ent s+ifty fro) the roo)/ The outer
door 'angedc
II
*app gave a ong ; a very proonged ; +histe/ bWe> IN) da)nedGN he
said/
Poirot sat do+n and s)ied at hi) a)ia'y/ It +as 8uite a ong ti)e
'efore the sien.e +as 'ro1en/ Then *app saidH
b0ot )urder disguised as sui.ide> 'ut sui.ide )ade to oo1 i1e
)urderGN
b@es> and very .every done> too/ 0othing overe)phasi?ed/N *app
said suddenyH
b%ut the atta.h=;.aseA Where did that .o)e inAN
b%ut> )y dear> )y very dear friend> I have aready tod you that it did
not .o)e in /N bThen +hy ; N
bThe gof .u's/ The gof .u's> *app/ They +ere the gof .u's of a
eft;handed person/ *ane Pendereith 1ept her .u's at Went+orth/
Those +ere %ar'ara AenNs .u's/ 0o +onder the gir got> as you
say> the +ind up +hen +e opened that .up'oard/ !er +hoe pan
)ight have 'een ruined/ %ut she is 8ui.1> she reai?ed that she had>
for one short )o)ent> given hersef a+ay/ She sa+ that +e sa+/ So
she does the 'est thing she .an thin1 of on the spur of the )o)ent/
She tries to fo.us our attention on the +rong o'De.t/ She says of the
atta.h=;.ase XThatNs )ine/ I ; it .a)e 'a.1 +ith )e this )orning/ So
there .anNt 'e anything there/Y And> as she hoped> a+ay you go on
the fase trai/ For the sa)e reason> +hen she sets out the foo+ing
day to get rid of the gof .u's> she .ontinues to use the atta.h=;.ase
as a ; +hat is it ; 1ippered herringAN
b&ed herring/ $o you )ean that her rea o'De.t +as ; AN
bConsider> )y friend/ Where is the 'est pa.e to get rid of a 'ag of
gof .u'sA <ne .annot 'urn the) or put the) in a dust'in/ If one
eaves the) so)e+here they )ay 'e returned to you/ Miss
Pendereith too1 the) to a gof .ourse/ She eaves the) in the
.u'house +hie she gets a .oupe of irons fro) her o+n 'ag> and
then she goes round +ithout a .addy/ $ou'tess at Dudi.ious
intervas she 'rea1s a .u' in haf and thro+s it into so)e deep
undergro+th> and ends 'y thro+ing the e)pty 'ag a+ay/ If anyone
shoud find a 'ro1en gof .u' here and there it +i not .reate
surprise/ Peope have 'een 1no+n to 'rea1 and thro+ a+ay a their
.u's in a )ood of intense eBasperation over the ga)eG It is> in fa.t>
that 1ind of ga)eG
b%ut sin.e she reai?es that her a.tions )ay sti 'e a )atter of
interest> she thro+s that usefu red herring ; the atta.h=;.ase ; in a
so)e+hat spe.ta.uar )anner into the a1e ; and that> )y friend> is
the truth of XThe Mystery of the Atta.h=;Case/YN
*app oo1ed at his friend for so)e )o)ents in sien.e/ Then he
rose> .apped hi) on the shouder> and 'urst out aughing/
b0ot so 'ad for an od dogG 2pon )y +ord> you ta1e the .a1eG Co)e
out and have a spot of un.hAN
bWith peasure> )y friend> 'ut +e +i not have the .a1e/ Indeed> an
<)eette auB Cha)pignons> %an8uette de 7eau> Petits pois P a
Fran.aise> and ; to foo+ ; a %a'a au &hu)/N
b#ead )e to it>N said *app/
The In.redi'e Theft
Chapter 1
As the 'uter handed round the souff=> #ord Mayfied eaned
.onfidentiay to+ards his neigh'our on the right> #ady *uia
Carrington/ -no+n as a perfe.t host> #ord Mayfied too1 trou'e to
ive up to his reputation/ Athough un)arried> he +as a+ays
.har)ing to +o)en/
#ady *uia Carrington +as a +o)an of forty> ta> dar1 and viva.ious/
She +as very thin> 'ut sti 'eautifu/ !er hands and feet in parti.uar
+ere eB8uisite/ !er )anner +as a'rupt and restess> that of a
+o)an +ho ived on her nerves/
A'out opposite to her at the round ta'e sat her hus'and> Air
Marsha Sir ,eorge Carrington/ !is .areer had 'egun in the 0avy>
and he sti retained the 'uff 'ree?iness of the eB;0ava )an/ !e +as
aughing and .haffing the 'eautifu Mrs 7anderyn> +ho +as sitting
on the other side of her host/
Mrs 7anderyn +as an eBtre)ey good;oo1ing 'onde/ !er voi.e
hed a soupLon of A)eri.an a..ent> Dust enough to 'e peasant
+ithout undue eBaggeration/
<n the other side of Sir ,eorge Carrington sat Mrs Ma.atta> M/P/
Mrs Ma.atta +as a great authority on !ousing and Infant Wefare/
She 'ar1ed out short senten.es rather than spo1e the)> and +as
generay of so)e+hat aar)ing aspe.t/ It +as perhaps natura that
the Air Marsha +oud find his right hand neigh'our the peasanter to
ta1 to/
Mrs Ma.atta> +ho a+ays ta1ed shop +herever she +as> 'ar1ed out
short spates of infor)ation on her spe.ia su'De.ts to her eft;hand
neigh'our> young &eggie Carrington/
&eggie Carrington +as t+enty;one> and .o)petey uninterested in
!ousing> Infant Wefare> and indeed any poiti.a su'De.t/ !e said at
intervas> b!o+ frightfuGN and bI a'soutey agree +ith you>N and his
)ind +as .eary ese+here/ Mr Carie> #ord MayfiedNs private
se.retary> sat 'et+een young &eggie and his )other/ A pae young
)an +ith pin.e;ne? and an air of inteigent reserve> he ta1ed itte>
'ut +as a+ays ready to fing hi)sef into any .onversationa 'rea.h/
0oti.ing that &eggie Carrington +as strugging +ith a ya+n> he
eaned for+ard and adroity as1ed Mrs Ma.atta a 8uestion a'out her
bFitness for ChidrenN s.he)e/
&ound the ta'e> )oving sienty in the su'dued a)'er ight> a 'uter
and t+o foot)en offered dishes and fied up +ine;gasses/ #ord
Mayfied paid a very high saary to his .hef> and +as noted as a
.onnoisseur of +ines/
The ta'e +as a round one> 'ut there +as no )ista1ing +ho +as the
host/ Where #ord Mayfied sat +as so very de.idedy the head of the
ta'e/ A 'ig )an> s8uare;shoudered> +ith thi.1 sivery hair> a 'ig
straight nose and a sighty pro)inent .hin/ It +as a fa.e that ent
itsef easiy to .ari.ature/ As Sir Chares M.#aughin> #ord Mayfied
had .o)'ined a poiti.a .areer +ith 'eing the head of a 'ig
engineering fir)/ !e +as hi)sef a first;.ass engineer/ !is peerage
had .o)e a year ago> and at the sa)e ti)e he had 'een .reated first
Minister of Ar)a)ents> a ne+ )inistry +hi.h had ony Dust .o)e into
'eing/
The dessert had 'een pa.ed on the ta'e/ The port had .ir.uated
on.e/ Cat.hing Mrs 7anderynNs eye> #ady *uia rose/ The three
+o)en eft the roo)/
The port passed on.e )ore> and #ord Mayfied referred ighty to
pheasants/ The .onversation for five )inutes or so +as sporting/
Then Sir ,eorge saidH
b(Bpe.t youNd i1e to Doin the others in the dra+ing;roo)> &eggie> )y
'oy/ #ord Mayfied +onNt )ind/N The 'oy too1 the hint easiy enough/
bThan1s> #ord Mayfied> I thin1 I +i/N Mr Carie )ur)uredH
bIf youN eB.use )e> #ord Mayfied ; .ertain )e)oranda and other
+or1 to get throughcN
#ord Mayfied nodded/ The t+o young )en eft the roo)/ The
servants had retired so)e ti)e 'efore/ The Minister for Ar)a)ents
and the head of the Air For.e +ere aone/
After a )inute or t+o> Carrington saidH bWe ; </-/AN
bA'souteyG ThereNs nothing to tou.h this ne+ 'o)'er in any
.ountry in (urope/N bMa1e rings round Ne)> ehA ThatNs +hat I
thought/N
bSupre)a.y of the air>N said #ord Mayfied de.isivey/ Sir ,eorge
Carrington gave a deep sigh/
bA'out ti)eG @ou 1no+> Chares> +eNve 'een through a ti.1ish spe/
#ots of gunpo+der every+here a over (urope/ And +e +erenNt
ready> da)n itG WeNve had a narro+ s8uea1/ And +eNre not out of the
+ood yet> ho+ever )u.h +e hurry on .onstru.tion/N
#ord Mayfied )ur)uredH
b0evertheess> ,eorge> there are so)e advantages in starting ate/
A ot of the (uropean stuff is out of date aready ; and theyNre
periousy near 'an1rupt.y/N
bI donNt 'eieve that )eans anything>N said Sir ,eorge goo)iy/
b<neNs a+ays hearing this nation and that is 'an1ruptG %ut they
.arry on Dust the sa)e/ @ou 1no+> finan.e is an a'soute )ystery to
)e/N
#ord MayfiedNs eyes t+in1ed a itte/ Sir ,eorge Carrington +as
a+ays so very )u.h the od fashioned b'uff> honest od sea dogN/
There +ere peope +ho said that it +as a pose he dei'eratey
adopted/
Changing the su'De.t> Carrington said in a sighty over;.asua
)annerH bAttra.tive +o)an> Mrs 7anderyn ; ehAN
#ord Mayfied saidH
bAre you +ondering +hat sheNs doing hereAN !is eyes +ere a)used/
Carrington oo1ed a itte .onfused/ b0ot at a ; not at a/N
b<h> yes> you +ereG $onNt 'e an od hu)'ug> ,eorge/ @ou +ere
+ondering> in a sighty dis)ayed fashion> +hether I +as the atest
vi.ti)GN
Carrington said so+yH
bIN ad)it that it did see) a trife odd to )e that she shoud 'e here ;
+e> this parti.uar +ee1end/N #ord Mayfied nodded/
bWhere the .ar.ass is> there are the vutures gathered together/
WeNve got a very definite .ar.ass> and Mrs 7anderyn )ight 'e
des.ri'ed as 7uture 0o/ 1/N
The Air Marsha said a'ruptyH
b-no+ anything a'out this 7anderyn +o)anAN
#ord Mayfied .ipped off the end of a .igar> it it +ith pre.ision and>
thro+ing his head 'a.1> dropped out his +ords +ith .arefu
dei'eration/
bWhat do I 1no+ a'out Mrs 7anderynA I 1no+ that sheNs an
A)eri.an su'De.t/ I 1no+ that sheNs had three hus'ands> one Itaian>
one ,er)an and one &ussian> and that in .onse8uen.e she has
)ade usefu +hat I thin1 are .aed X.onta.tsY in three .ountries/ I
1no+ that she )anages to 'uy very eBpensive .othes and ive in a
very uBurious )anner> and that there is so)e sight un.ertainty as
to +here the in.o)e .o)es fro) +hi.h per)its her to do so/N
With a grin> Sir ,eorge Carrington )ur)uredH b@our spies have not
'een ina.tive> Chares> I see/N
bI 1no+>N #ord Mayfied .ontinued> bthat in addition to having a
sedu.tive type of 'eauty> Mrs 7anderyn is aso a very good istener>
and that she .an dispay a fas.inating interest in +hat +e .a
XshopY/ That is to say> a )an .an te her a a'out his Do' and fee
that he is 'eing intensey interesting to the adyG Sundry young
offi.ers have gone a itte too far in their ?ea to 'e interesting> and
their .areers have suffered in .onse8uen.e/ They have tod Mrs
7anderyn a itte )ore than they shoud have done/ 0eary a the
adyNs friends are in the Servi.es ; 'ut ast +inter she +as hunting in
a .ertain .ounty near one of our argest ar)a)ent fir)s> and she
for)ed various friendships not at a sporting in .hara.ter/ To put it
'riefy> Mrs 7anderyn is a very usefu person tocN !e des.ri'ed a
.ir.e in the air +ith his .igar/ bPerhaps +e had 'etter not say to
+ho)G We +i Dust say to a (uropean po+er ; and perhaps to )ore
than one (uropean po+er/N
Carrington dre+ a deep 'reath/
b@ou ta1e a great oad off )y )ind> Chares/N
b@ou thought I had faen for the sirenA My dear ,eorgeG Mrs
7anderyn is Dust a itte too o'vious in her )ethods for a +ary od
'ird i1e )e/ %esides> she is> as they say> not 8uite so young as she
on.e +as/ @our young s8uadron eaders +oudnNt noti.e that/ %ut I
a) fifty;siB> )y 'oy/ In another four years I sha pro'a'y 'e a nasty
od )an .ontinuay haunting the so.iety of un+iing de'utantes/N
bI +as a foo>N said Carrington apoogeti.ay> b'ut it see)ed a 'it odd
; N
bIt see)ed to you odd that she shoud 'e here> in a so)e+hat
inti)ate fa)iy party Dust at the )o)ent +hen you and I +ere to hod
an unoffi.ia .onferen.e over a dis.overy that +i pro'a'y
revoutioni?e the +hoe pro'e) of air defen.eAN
Sir ,eorge Carrington nodded/ #ord Mayfied said> s)iingH bThatNs
eBa.ty it/ ThatNs the 'ait/N bThe 'aitAN
b@ou see> ,eorge> to use the anguage of the )ovies> +eNve nothing
a.tuay XonY the +o)an/ And +e +ant so)ethingG SheNs got a+ay
+ith rather )ore than she shoud in the past/ %ut sheNs 'een .arefu ;
da)na'y .arefu/ We 1no+ +hat sheNs 'een up to> 'ut +eNve got no
definite proof of it/ WeNve got to te)pt her +ith so)ething 'ig/N
bSo)ething 'ig 'eing the spe.ifi.ation of the ne+ 'o)'erAN
b(Ba.ty/ ItNs got to 'e so)ething 'ig enough to indu.e her to ta1e a
ris1 ; to .o)e out into the open/ And then ; +eNve got herGN
Sir ,eorge grunted/
b<h> +e>N he said/ bI dare say itNs a right/ %ut suppose she +onNt
ta1e the ris1AN bThat +oud 'e a pity>N said #ord Mayfied/ Then he
addedH b%ut I thin1 she +icN !e rose/
bSha +e Doin the adies in the dra+ing;roo)A We )ustnNt deprive
your +ife of her 'ridge/N Sir ,eorge gruntedH
b*uiaNs a da)ned sight too fond of her 'ridge/ $rops a pa.1et over
it/ She .anNt afford to pay as high as she does> and INve tod her so/
The trou'e is> *uiaNs a 'orn ga)'er/N
Co)ing round the ta'e to Doin his host> he saidH bWe> I hope your
pan .o)es off> Chares/N
Chapter 2
In the dra+ing;roo) .onversation had fagged )ore than on.e/ Mrs
7anderyn +as usuay at a disadvantage +hen eft aone +ith
)e)'ers of her o+n seB/ That .har)ing sy)patheti. )anner of
hers> so )u.h appre.iated 'y )e)'ers of the )ae seB> did not for
so)e reason or other .o))end itsef to +o)en/ #ady *uia +as a
+o)an +hose )anners +ere either very good or very 'ad/ <n this
o..asion she disi1ed Mrs 7anderyn> and +as 'ored 'y Mrs Ma.atta>
and )ade no se.ret of her feeings/ Conversation anguished> and
)ight have .eased atogether 'ut for the atter/
Mrs Ma.atta +as a +o)an of great earnestness of purpose/ Mrs
7anderyn she dis)issed i))ediatey as a useess and parasiti.
type/ #ady *uia she tried to interest in a forth.o)ing .harity
entertain)ent +hi.h she +as organi?ing/ #ady *uia ans+ered
vaguey> stifed a ya+n or t+o and retired into her o+n inner
preo..upation/ Why didnNt Chares and ,eorge .o)eA !o+ tireso)e
)en +ere/ !er .o))ents 'e.a)e even )ore perfun.tory as she
'e.a)e a'sor'ed in her o+n thoughts and +orries/
The three +o)en +ere sitting in sien.e +hen the )en finay
entered the roo)/ #ord Mayfied thought to hi)sefH
b*uia oo1s i tonight/ What a )ass of nerves the +o)an is/N Aoud
he saidH
bWhat a'out a ru''er ; ehAN
#ady *uia 'rightened at on.e/ %ridge +as as the 'reath of ife to
her/
&eggie Carrington entered the roo) at that )inute> and a four +as
arranged/ #ady *uia> Mrs 7anderyn> Sir ,eorge and young &eggie
sat do+n to the .ard;ta'e/ #ord Mayfied devoted hi)sef to the tas1
of entertaining Mrs Ma.atta/
When t+o ru''ers had 'een payed> Sir ,eorge oo1ed
ostentatiousy at the .o.1 on the )antepie.e/ b!ardy +orth +hie
'eginning another>N he re)ar1ed/
!is +ife oo1ed annoyed/
bItNs ony a 8uarter to eeven/ A short one/N
bThey never are> )y dear>N said Sir ,eorge good;te)peredy/
bAny+ay> Chares and I have so)e +or1 to do/N
Mrs 7anderyn )ur)uredH
b!o+ i)portant that soundsG I suppose you .ever )en +ho are at
the top of things never get a rea rest/N
b0o forty;eight hour +ee1 for us>N said Sir ,eorge/ Mrs 7anderyn
)ur)uredH
b@ou 1no+> I fee rather asha)ed of )ysef as a ra+ A)eri.an> 'ut I
do get so thried at )eeting peope +ho .ontro the destinies of a
.ountry/ I eBpe.t that see)s a very .rude point of vie+ to you> Sir
,eorge/N
bMy dear Mrs 7anderyn> I shoud never thin1 of you as X.rudeY or
Xra+/YN
!e s)ied into her eyes/ There +as> perhaps> a hint of irony in the
voi.e +hi.h she did not )iss/ Adroity she turned to &eggie> s)iing
s+eety into his eyes/
bIN) sorry +eNre not .ontinuing our partnership/ That +as a frightfuy
.ever four no;tru)p .a of yours/N
Fushed and peased> &eggie )u)'edH b%it of a fu1e that it .a)e
off/N
b<h> no> it +as reay a .ever 'it of dedu.tion on your part/ @ouNd
dedu.ed fro) the 'idding eBa.ty +here the .ards )ust 'e> and you
payed a..ordingy/ I thought it +as 'riiant/N
#ady *uia rose a'rupty/
bThe +o)an ays it on +ith a paette;1nife>N she thought disgustedy/
Then her eyes softened as they rested on her son/ !e 'eieved it a/
!o+ patheti.ay young and peased he oo1ed/ !o+ in.redi'y naive
he +as/ 0o +onder he got into s.rapes/ !e +as too trusting/ The
truth of it +as he had too s+eet a nature/ ,eorge didnNt understand
hi) in the east/ Men +ere so unsy)patheti. in their Dudg)ents/ They
forgot that they had ever 'een young the)seves/ ,eorge +as )u.h
too harsh +ith &eggie/
Mrs Ma.atta had risen/ ,oodnights +ere said/
The three +o)en +ent out of the roo)/ #ord Mayfied heped hi)sef
to a drin1 after giving one to Sir ,eorge> then he oo1ed up as Mr
Carie appeared at the door/
b,et out the fies and a the papers> +i you> CarieA In.uding the
pans and the prints/ The Air Marsha and I +i 'e aong shorty/ WeN
Dust ta1e a turn outside first> eh> ,eorgeA ItNs stopped raining/N
Mr Carie> turning to depart> )ur)ured an apoogy as he a)ost
.oided +ith Mrs 7anderyn/ She drifted to+ards the)> )ur)uringH
bMy 'oo1> I +as reading it 'efore dinner/N &eggie sprang for+ard
and hed up a 'oo1/ bIs this itA <n the sofaAN
b<h> yes/ Than1 you so )u.h/N
She s)ied s+eety> said goodnight again and +ent out of the roo)/
Sir ,eorge had opened one of the fren.h +indo+s/
b%eautifu night no+>N he announ.ed/ b,ood idea of yours to ta1e a
turn/N &eggie saidH
bWe> goodnight> sir/ IN 'e todding off to 'ed/N
b,oodnight> )y 'oy>N said #ord Mayfied/
&eggie pi.1ed up a dete.tive story +hi.h he had 'egun earier in the
evening and eft the roo)/ #ord Mayfied and Sir ,eorge stepped out
upon the terra.e/
It +as a 'eautifu night> +ith a .ear s1y studded +ith stars/ Sir
,eorge dre+ a deep 'reath/
bPhe+> that +o)an uses a ot of s.ent>N he re)ar1ed/ #ord Mayfied
aughed/
bAny+ay> itNs not .heap s.ent/ <ne of the )ost eBpensive 'rands on
the )ar1et> I shoud say/N Sir ,eorge gave a gri)a.e/
bI suppose one shoud 'e than1fu for that/N
b@ou shoud> indeed/ I thin1 a +o)an s)othered in .heap s.ent is
one of the greatest a'o)inations 1no+n to )an1ind/N
Sir ,eorge gan.ed up at the s1y/
b(Btraordinary the +ay itNs .eared/ I heard the rain 'eating do+n
+hen +e +ere at dinner/N The t+o )en stroed genty aong the
terra.e/
The terra.e ran the +hoe ength of the house/ %eo+ it the ground
soped genty a+ay> per)itting a )agnifi.ent vie+ over the SusseB
+ead/
Sir ,eorge it a .igar/
bA'out this )eta aoy ; N he 'egan/ The ta1 'e.a)e te.hni.a/
As they approa.hed the far end of the terra.e for the fifth ti)e> #ord
Mayfied said +ith a sighH b<h> +e> I suppose +eNd 'etter get do+n
to it/N
b@es> good 'it of +or1 to get through/N
The t+o )en turned> and #ord Mayfied uttered a surprised
eDa.uation/ b!aoG See thatAN
bSee +hatAN as1ed Sir ,eorge/
bThought I sa+ so)eone sip a.ross the terra.e fro) )y study
+indo+/N
b0onsense> od 'oy/ I didnNt see anything/N bWe> I did ; or I thought I
did/N
b@our eyes are paying tri.1s on you/ I +as oo1ing straight do+n the
terra.e> and INd have seen anything there +as to 'e seen/ ThereNs
pre.ious itte I donNt see ; even if I do have to hod a ne+spaper at
ar)Ns ength/N
#ord Mayfied .hu.1ed/
bI .an put one over on you there> ,eorge/ I read easiy +ithout
gasses/N
b%ut you .anNt a+ays distinguish the feo+ on the other side of the
!ouse/ <r is that eyegass of yours sheer inti)idationAN
#aughing> the t+o )en entered #ord MayfiedNs study> the fren.h
+indo+ of +hi.h +as open/ Mr Carie +as 'usy arranging so)e
papers in a fie 'y the safe/
!e oo1ed up as they entered/ b!a> Carie> everything readyAN
b@es> #ord Mayfied> a the papers are on your des1/N
The des1 in 8uestion +as a 'ig i)portant;oo1ing +riting;ta'e of
)ahogany set a.ross a .orner 'y the +indo+/ #ord Mayfied +ent
over to it> and 'egan sorting through the various do.u)ents aid out/
b#ovey night no+>N said Sir ,eorge/ Mr Carie agreed/
b@es> indeed/ &e)ar1a'e the +ay itNs .eared up after the rain/N
Putting a+ay his fie> Mr Carie as1edH
bWi you +ant )e any )ore tonight> #ord MayfiedAN
b0o> I donNt thin1 so> Carie/ IN put a these a+ay )ysef/ We sha
pro'a'y 'e ate/ @ouNd 'etter turn in/N
bThan1 you/ ,oodnight> #ord Mayfied/ ,oodnight> Sir ,eorge/N
b,oodnight> Carie/N
As the se.retary +as a'out to eave the roo)> #ord Mayfied said
sharpyH b*ust a )inute> Carie/ @ouNve forgotten the )ost i)portant
of the ot/N
bI 'eg your pardon> #ord Mayfied/N
bThe a.tua pans of the 'o)'er> )an/N The se.retary stared/
bTheyNre right on the top> sir/N bTheyNre nothing of the sort/N b%ut INve
Dust put the) there/N b#oo1 for yoursef> )an/N
With a 'e+idered eBpression> the young )an .a)e for+ard and
Doined #ord Mayfied at the des1/
So)e+hat i)patienty the Minister indi.ated the pie of papers/
Carie sorted through the)> his eBpression of 'e+ider)ent
gro+ing/
b@ou see> theyNre not there/N The se.retary sta))eredH
b%ut ; 'ut itNs in.redi'e/ I aid the) there not three )inutes ago/N
#ord Mayfied said good;hu)ouredyH
b@ou )ust have )ade a )ista1e> they )ust 'e sti in the safe/N bI
donNt see ho+ ; I 1no+ I put the) thereGN
#ord Mayfied 'rushed past hi) to the open safe/ Sir ,eorge Doined
the)/ A very fe+ )inutes suffi.ed to sho+ that the pans of the
'o)'er +ere not there/
$a?ed and un'eieving> the three )en returned to the des1 and on.e
)ore turned over the papers/ bMy ,odGN said Mayfied/ bTheyNre
goneGN
Mr Carie .riedH b%ut itNs i)possi'eGN
bWhoNs 'een in this roo)AN snapped out the Minister/ b0o one/ 0o
one at a/N
b#oo1 here> Carie> those pans havenNt vanished into thin air/
So)eone has ta1en the)/ !as Mrs 7anderyn 'een in hereAN
bMrs 7anderynA <h> no> sir/N
bIN 'a.1 that>N said Carrington/ !e sniffed the airG b@ouNd soon s)e
if she had/ That s.ent of hers/N
b0o'ody has 'een in here>N insisted Carie/ bI .anNt understand it/N
b#oo1 here> Carie>N said #ord Mayfied/ bPu yoursef together/
WeNve got to get to the 'otto) of this/ @ouNre a'soutey sure the
pans +ere in the safeAN
bA'soutey/N
b@ou a.tuay sa+ the)A @ou didnNt Dust assu)e they +ere a)ong
the othersAN b0o> no> #ord Mayfied/ I sa+ the)/ I put the) on top of
the others on the des1/N
bAnd sin.e then> you say> no'ody has 'een in the roo)/ !ave you
'een out of the roo)AN b0o ; at east ; yes/N
bAhGN .ried Sir ,eorge/ b0o+ +eNre getting at itGN #ord Mayfied said
sharpyH
bWhat on earth ; N +hen Carie interrupted/
bIn the nor)a .ourse of events> #ord Mayfied> I shoud not> of
.ourse> have drea)t of eaving the roo)/ +hen i)portant papers
+ere ying a'out> 'ut hearing a +o)an s.rea) ; N
bA +o)an s.rea)AN eDa.uated #ord Mayfied in a surprised voi.e/
b@es> #ord Mayfied/ It started )e )ore than I .an say/ I +as Dust
aying the papers on the des1 +hen I heard it> and naturay I ran out
into the ha/N
bWho s.rea)edAN
bMrs 7anderynNs Fren.h )aid/ She +as standing haf;+ay up the
stairs> oo1ing very +hite and upset and sha1ing a over/ She said
she had seen a ghost/N
bSeen a ghostAN
b@es> a ta +o)an dressed a in +hite +ho )oved +ithout a sound
and foated in the air/N bWhat a ridi.uous storyGN
b@es> #ord Mayfied> that is +hat I tod her/ I )ust say she see)ed
rather asha)ed of hersef/ She +ent off upstairs and I .a)e 'a.1 in
here/N
b!o+ ong ago +as thisAN
b*ust a )inute or t+o 'efore you and Sir ,eorge .a)e in/N bAnd you
+ere out of the roo) ; ho+ ongAN
The se.retary .onsidered/
bT+o )inutes ; at the )ost three/N
b#ong enough>N groaned #ord Mayfied/ Suddeny he .ut.hed his
friendNs ar)/
b,eorge> that shado+ I sa+ ; sin1ing a+ay fro) this +indo+/ That
+as itG As soon as Carie eft the roo)> he nipped in> sei?ed the pans
and )ade off/N
b$irty +or1>N said Sir ,eorge/ Then he sei?ed his friend 'y the ar)/
b#oo1 here> Chares> this is the devi of a 'usiness/ What the he are
+e going to do a'out itAN
Chapter 5
bAt any rate give it a tria> Chares/N
It +as haf an hour ater/ The t+o )en +ere in #ord MayfiedNs study>
and Sir ,eorge had 'een eBpending a .onsidera'e a)ount of
persuasion to indu.e his friend to adopt a .ertain .ourse/
#ord Mayfied> at first )ost un+iing> +as graduay 'e.o)ing ess
averse to the idea/ Sir ,eorge +ent onH
b$onNt 'e so da)ned pig;headed> Chares/N #ord Mayfied said
so+yH
bWhy drag in a +ret.hed foreigner +e 1no+ nothing a'outAN b%ut I
happen to 1no+ a ot a'out hi)/ The )anNs a )arve/N b!u)ph/N
b#oo1 here> Chares/ ItNs a .han.eG $is.retion is the essen.e of this
'usiness/ If it ea1s out ; N bWhen it ea1s out is +hat you )eanGN
b0ot ne.essariy/ This )an> !er.ue Poirot ; N
bWi .o)e do+n here and produ.e the pans i1e a .onDurer ta1ing
ra''its out of his hat> I supposeAN
b!eN get at the truth/ And the truth is +hat +e +ant/ #oo1 here>
Chares> I ta1e a responsi'iity on )ysef/N
#ord Mayfied said so+yH
b<h> +e> have it your o+n +ay> 'ut I donNt see +hat the feo+ .an
docN
Sir ,eorge pi.1ed up the phone/
bIN) going to get through to hi) ; no+/N b!eN 'e in 'ed/N
b!e .an get up/ $ash it a> Chares> you .anNt et that +o)an get
a+ay +ith it/N bMrs 7anderyn> you )eanAN
b@es/ @ou donNt dou't> do you> that sheNs at the 'otto) of thisAN
b0o> I donNt/ SheNs turned the ta'es on )e +ith a vengean.e/ I donNt
i1e ad)itting> ,eorge> that a +o)anNs 'een too .ever for us/ It goes
against the grain/ %ut itNs true/ We shanNt 'e a'e to prove anything
against her> and yet +e 'oth 1no+ that sheNs 'een the pri)e )over
in the affair/N
bWo)en are the devi>N said Carrington +ith feeing/
b0othing to .onne.t her +ith it> da)n it aG We )ay 'eieve that she
put the gir up to that s.rea)ing tri.1> and that the )an ur1ing
outside +as her a..o)pi.e> 'ut the devi of it is +e .anNt prove it/N
bPerhaps !er.ue Poirot .an/N Suddeny #ord Mayfied aughed/
b%y the #ord> ,eorge> I thought you +ere too )u.h of an od *ohn
%u to put your trust in a Fren.h)an> ho+ever .ever/N
b!eNs not even a Fren.h)an> heNs a %egian>N said Sir ,eorge in a
rather sha)efa.ed )anner/
bWe> have your %egian do+n/ #et hi) try his +its on this 'usiness/
IN 'et he .anNt )a1e )ore of it than +e .an/N
Without repying> Sir ,eorge stret.hed a hand to the teephone/
Chapter 4
%in1ing a itte> !er.ue Poirot turned his head fro) one )an to the
other/ 7ery dei.atey he s)othered a ya+n/
It +as haf;past t+o in the )orning/ !e had 'een roused fro) seep
and rushed do+n through the dar1ness in a 'ig &os &oy.e/ 0o+ he
had Dust finished hearing +hat the t+o )en had to te hi)/
bThose are the fa.ts> M/ Poirot>N said #ord Mayfied/
!e eaned 'a.1 in his .hair> and so+y fiBed his )ono.e in one eye/
Through it a shre+d> pae;'ue eye +at.hed Poirot attentivey/
%esides 'eing shre+d the eye +as definitey s.epti.a/ Poirot .ast a
s+ift gan.e at Sir ,eorge Carrington/
That gente)an +as eaning for+ard +ith an eBpression of a)ost
.hidi1e hopefuness on his fa.e/
Poirot said so+yH
bI have the fa.ts> yes/ The )aid s.rea)s> the se.retary goes out> the
na)eess +at.her .o)es in> the pans are there on top of the des1>
he snat.hes the) up and goes/ The fa.ts ; they are a very
.onvenient/N
So)ething in the +ay he uttered the ast phrase see)ed to attra.t
#ord MayfiedNs attention/ !e sat up a itte straighter> his )ono.e
dropped/ It +as as though a ne+ aertness .a)e to hi)/
bI 'eg your pardon> M/ PoirotAN
bI said> #ord Mayfied> that the fa.ts +ere a very .onvenient ; for the
thief/ %y the +ay> you are sure it +as a )an you sa+AN
#ord Mayfied shoo1 his head/
bThat I .oudnNt say/ It +as Dust a ; shado+/ In fa.t> I +as a)ost
dou'tfu if I had seen anyone/N Poirot transferred his ga?e to the Air
Marsha/
bAnd you> Sir ,eorgeA Coud you say if it +as a )an or a +o)anAN bI
didnNt see anyone )ysef/N
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ Then he s1ipped suddeny to his feet and
+ent over to the +riting;ta'e/
bI .an assure you that the pans are not there>N said #ord Mayfied/
bWe have a three 'een through those papers haf a do?en ti)es/N
bA threeA @ou )ean> your se.retary asoAN b@es> Carie/N
Poirot turned suddeny/
bTe )e> #ord Mayfied> +hi.h paper +as on top +hen you +ent over
to the des1AN Mayfied fro+ned a itte in the effort of re)e)'ran.e/
b#et )e see ; yes> it +as a rough )e)orandu) of so)e sort of our
air defen.e positions/N $efty> Poirot nipped out a paper and 'rought
it over/
bIs this the one> #ord MayfiedAN
#ord Mayfied too1 it and gan.ed over it/ b@es> thatNs the one/N
Poirot too1 it over to Carrington/
b$id you noti.e this paper on the des1AN
Sir ,eorge too1 it> hed it a+ay fro) hi)> then sipped on his pin.ene?/
b@es> thatNs right/ I oo1ed through the) too> +ith Carie and
Mayfied/ This +as on top/N
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ !e repa.ed the paper on the des1/
Mayfied oo1ed at hi) in a sighty pu??ed )anner/
bIf there are any other 8uestions ; N he 'egan/
b%ut yes> .ertainy there is a 8uestion/ Carie/ Carie is the
8uestionGN #ord MayfiedNs .oour rose a itte/
bCarie> M/ Poirot> is 8uite a'ove suspi.ionG !e has 'een )y
.onfidentia se.retary for nine years/ !e has a..ess to a )y private
papers> and I )ay point out to you that he .oud have )ade a .opy of
the pans and a tra.ing of the spe.ifi.ations 8uite easiy +ithout
anyone 'eing the +iser/N
bI appre.iate your point>N said Poirot/ bIf he had 'een guity there
+oud 'e no need for hi) to stage a .u)sy ro''ery/N
bIn any .ase>N said #ord Mayfied> bI a) sure of Carie/ I +i
guarantee hi)/N bCarie>N said Carrington gruffy> bis a right/N
Poirot spread out his hands gra.efuy/
bAnd this Mrs 7anderyn ; she is a +rongAN bSheNs a +rong Nun a
right>N said Sir ,eorge/ #ord Mayfied said in )ore )easured tonesH
bI thin1> M/ Poirot> that there .an 'e no dou't of Mrs 7anderynNs ;
+e ; a.tivities/ The Foreign <ffi.e .an give you )ore pre.ious data
as to that/N
bAnd the )aid> you ta1e it> is in +ith her )istressAN b0ot a dou't of
it>N said Sir ,eorge/
bIt see)s to )e a pausi'e assu)ption>N said #ord Mayfied )ore
.autiousy/
There +as a pause/ Poirot sighed> and a'sent;)indedy rearranged
one or t+o arti.es on a ta'e at his right hand/ Then he saidH
bI ta1e it that these papers represented )oneyA That is> the stoen
papers +oud 'e definitey +orth a arge su) in .ash/N
bIf presented in a .ertain 8uarter ; yes/N
bSu.h asAN
Sir ,eorge )entioned the na)es of t+o (uropean po+ers/ Poirot
nodded/
bThat fa.t +oud 'e 1no+n to anyone> I ta1e itAN bMrs 7anderyn
+oud 1no+ it a right/N
bI said to anyoneAN bI suppose so> yes/N
bAnyone +ith a )ini)u) of inteigen.e +oud appre.iate the .ash
vaue of the pansAN b@es> 'ut M/ Poirot ; N #ord Mayfied +as oo1ing
rather un.o)forta'e/
Poirot hed up a hand/
bI do +hat you .a eBpore a the avenues/N
Suddeny he rose again> stepped ni)'y out of the +indo+ and +ith
a fashight eBa)ined the edge of the grass at the farther side of the
terra.e/
The t+o )en +at.hed hi)/
!e .a)e in again> sat do+n and saidH
bTe )e> #ord Mayfied> this )aefa.tor> this s1u1er in the shado+s>
you do not have hi) pursuedAN #ord Mayfied shrugged his
shouders/
bAt the 'otto) of the garden he .oud )a1e his +ay out to a )ain
road/ If he had a .ar +aiting there> he +oud soon 'e out of rea.h ; N
b%ut there are the poi.e ; the A/A/ s.outs ; N Sir ,eorge interrupted/
b@ou forget> M/ Poirot/ We .annot ris1 pu'i.ity/ If it +ere to get out
that these pans had 'een stoen> the resut +oud 'e eBtre)ey
unfavoura'e to the Party/N
bAh> yes>N said Poirot/ b<ne )ust re)e)'er #a Poiti8ue/ The great
dis.retion )ust 'e o'served/ @ou send instead for )e/ Ah +e>
perhaps it is si)per/N
b@ou are hopefu of su..ess> M/ PoirotAN #ord Mayfied sounded a
trife in.reduous/ The itte )an shrugged his shouders/
bWhy notA <ne has ony to reason ; to refe.t/N !e paused a )o)ent
and then saidH
bI +oud i1e no+ to spea1 to Mr Carie/N
bCertainy/N #ord Mayfied rose/ bI as1ed hi) to +ait up/ !e +i 'e
so)e+here at hand/N !e +ent out of the roo)/
Poirot oo1ed at Sir ,eorge/
b(h 'ien>N he said/ bWhat a'out this )an on the terra.eAN
bMy dear M/ Poirot/ $onNt as1 )eG I didnNt see hi)> and I .anNt
des.ri'e hi)/N Poirot eaned for+ard/
bSo you have aready said/ %ut it is a itte different fro) that is it
notAN bWhat dNyou )eanAN as1ed Sir ,eorge a'rupty/
b!o+ sha I say itA @our dis'eief> it is )ore profound/N Sir ,eorge
started to spea1> then stopped/
b%ut yes>N said Poirot en.ouragingy/ bTe )e/ @ou are 'oth at the
end of the terra.e/ #ord Mayfied sees a shado+ sip fro) the
+indo+ and a.ross the grass/ Why do you not see that shado+AN
Carrington stared at hi)/
b@ouNve hit it> M/ Poirot/ INve 'een +orrying a'out that ever sin.e/
@ou see> INd s+ear that no one did eave this +indo+/ I thought
Mayfied had i)agined it ; 'ran.h of a tree +aving ; so)ething of that
1ind/ And then +hen +e .a)e in here and found there had 'een a
ro''ery> it see)ed as though Mayfied )ust have 'een right and INd
'een +rong/ And yet ; N
Poirot s)ied/
bAnd yet you sti in your heart of hearts 'eieve in the eviden.e 9the
negative eviden.e: of your o+n eyesAN
b@ouNre right> M/ Poirot> I do/N Poirot gave a sudden s)ie/ b!o+
+ise you are/N
Sir ,eorge said sharpyH
bThere +ere no footprints on the grass edgeAN
Poirot nodded/
b(Ba.ty/ #ord Mayfied> he fan.ies he sees a shado+/ Then there
.o)es the ro''ery and he is sure ; 'ut sureG It is no onger a fan.y ;
he a.tuay sa+ the )an/ %ut that is not so/ Me> I do not .on.ern
)ysef )u.h +ith footprints and su.h things 'ut for +hat it is +orth
+e have that negative eviden.e/ There +ere no footprints on the
grass/ It had rained heaviy this evening/ If a )an had .rossed the
terra.e to the grass this evening his footprints +oud have sho+n/N
Sir ,eorge said> staringH b%ut then ; 'ut then ; N
bIt 'rings us 'a.1 to the house/ To the peope in the house/N
!e 'ro1e off as the door opened and #ord Mayfied entered +ith Mr
Carie/
Though sti oo1ing very pae and +orried> the se.retary had
regained a .ertain .o)posure of )anner/ AdDusting his pin.ene? he
sat do+n and oo1ed at Poirot in8uiringy/
b!o+ ong had you 'een in this roo) +hen you heard the s.rea)>
)onsieurAN Carie .onsidered/
b%et+een five and ten )inutes> I shoud say/N
bAnd 'efore that there had 'een no distur'an.e of any 1indAN b0o/N
bI understand that the house;party had 'een in one roo) for the
greater part of the evening/N b@es> the dra+ing;roo)/N
Poirot .onsuted his note'oo1/
bSir ,eorge Carrington and his +ife/ Mrs Ma.atta/ Mrs 7anderyn/ Mr
&eggie Carrington/ #ord Mayfied and yoursef/ Is that rightAN
bI )ysef +as not in the dra+ing;roo)/ I +as +or1ing here the
greater part of the evening/N Poirot turned to #ord Mayfied/
bWho +ent up to 'ed firstAN
b#ady *uia Carrington> I thin1/ As a )atter of fa.t> the three adies
+ent out together/N bAnd thenAN
bMr Carie .a)e in and I tod hi) to get out the papers as Sir ,eorge
and I +oud 'e aong in a )inute/N bIt +as then that you de.ided to
ta1e a turn on the terra.eAN
bIt +as/N
bWas anything said in Mrs 7anderynNs hearing as to your +or1ing in
the studyAN bThe )atter +as )entioned> yes/N
b%ut she +as not in the roo) +hen you instru.ted Mr Carie to get
out the papersAN b0o/N
b(B.use )e> #ord Mayfied>N said Carie/ b*ust after you had said
that> I .oided +ith her in the door+ay/ She had .o)e 'a.1 for a
'oo1/N
bSo you thin1 she )ight have overheardAN bI thin1 it 8uite possi'e>
yes/N
bShe .a)e 'a.1 for a 'oo1>N )used Poirot/ b$id you find her her
'oo1> #ord MayfiedAN b@es> &eggie gave it to her/N
bAh> yes> it is +hat you .a the od gasp ; no> pardon> the od +hee?e
; that ; to .o)e 'a.1 for a 'oo1/ It is often usefuGN
b@ou thin1 it +as dei'erateAN Poirot shrugged his shouders/
bAnd after that> you t+o gente)en go out on the terra.e/ And Mrs
7anderynAN bShe +ent off +ith her 'oo1/N
bAnd the young M/ &eggie/ !e +ent to 'ed asoAN b@es/N
bAnd Mr Carie he .o)es here and so)eti)e 'et+een five and ten
)inutes ater he heard a s.rea)/ Continue> M/ Carie/ @ou heard a
s.rea) and you +ent out into the ha/ Ah> perhaps it +oud 'e
si)pest if you reprodu.ed eBa.ty your a.tions/N
Mr Carie got up a itte a+1+ardy/
b!ere I s.rea)>N said Poirot hepfuy/ !e opened his )outh and
e)itted a shri 'eat/ #ord Mayfied turned his head a+ay to hide a
s)ie and Mr Carie oo1ed eBtre)ey un.o)forta'e/
bAe?G For+ardG Mar.hGN .ried Poirot/ bIt is your .ue that I give you
there/N
Mr Carie +a1ed stiffy to the door> opened it and +ent out/ Poirot
foo+ed hi)/ The other t+o .a)e 'ehind/
bThe door> did you .ose it after you or eave it openAN
bI .anNt reay re)e)'er/ I thin1 I )ust have eft it open/N b0o )atter/
Pro.eed/N
Sti +ith eBtre)e stiffness> Mr Carie +a1ed to the 'otto) of the
stair.ase and stood there oo1ing up/ Poirot saidH
bThe )aid> you say> +as on the stairs/ Wherea'outsAN bA'out haf+ay
up/N
bAnd she +as oo1ing upset/N b$efinitey so/N
b(h 'ien> )e> I a) the )aid/N Poirot ran ni)'y up the stairs/ bA'out
hereAN bA step or t+o higher/N
b#i1e thisAN
Poirot stru.1 an attitude/ bWe ; er ; not 8uite i1e that/N b!o+ thenAN
bWe> she had her hands to her head/N
bAh> her hands to her head/ That is very interesting/ #i1e thisAN
Poirot raised his ar)s> his hands rested on his head Dust a'ove ea.h
ear/
b@es thatNs it/N
bAhaG And te )e> M/ Carie> she +as a pretty gir ; yesAN b&eay> I
didnNt noti.e/N
CarieNs voi.e +as repressive/
bAha> you did not noti.eA %ut you are a young )an/ $oes not a young
)an noti.e +hen a gir is prettyAN b&eay> M/ Poirot> I .an ony repeat
that I did not do so/N
Carie .ast an agoni?ed gan.e at his e)poyer/ Sir ,eorge
Carrington gave a sudden .hu.1e/ bM/ Poirot see)s deter)ined to
)a1e you out a gay dog> Carie>N he re)ar1ed/
bMe> I a+ays noti.e +hen a gir is pretty>N announ.ed Poirot as he
des.ended the stairs/
The sien.e +ith +hi.h Mr Carie greeted this re)ar1 +as so)e+hat
pointed/ Poirot +ent onH bAnd it +as then she tod this tae of having
seen a ghostAN
b@es/N
b$id you 'eieve the storyAN bWe> hardy> M/ PoirotGN
bI do not )ean> do you 'eieve in ghosts/ I )ean> did it stri1e you that
the gir hersef reay thought she had seen so)ethingAN
b<h> as to that> I .oudnNt say/ She +as .ertainy 'reathing fast and
see)ed upset/N b@ou did not see or hear anything of her )istressAN
b@es> as a )atter of fa.t I did/ She .a)e out of her roo) in the
gaery a'ove and .aed> X#eonie/YN bAnd thenAN
bThe gir ran up to her and I +ent 'a.1 to the study/N
bWhist you +ere standing at the foot of the stairs here> .oud anyone
have entered the study 'y the door you had eft openAN
Carie shoo1 his head/
b0ot +ithout passing )e/ The study door is at the end of the
passage> as you see/N Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ Mr Carie +ent on
in his .arefu> pre.ise voi.e/
bI )ay say that I a) very than1fu that #ord Mayfied a.tuay sa+ the
thief eaving the +indo+/ <ther+ise I )ysef shoud 'e in a very
unpeasant position/N
b0onsense> )y dear Carie>N 'ro1e in #ord Mayfied i)patienty/ b0o
suspi.ion .oud possi'y atta.h to you/N
bIt is very 1ind of you to say so> #ord Mayfied> 'ut fa.ts are fa.ts>
and I .an 8uite see that it oo1s 'ady for )e/ In any .ase I hope that
)y 'eongings and )ysef )ay 'e sear.hed/N
b0onsense> )y dear feo+>N said Mayfied/ Poirot )ur)uredH
b@ou are serious in +ishing thatAN bI shoud infinitey prefer it/N
Poirot oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy for a )inute or t+o and )ur)ured>
bI see/N
Then he as1edH
bWhere is Mrs 7anderynNs roo) situated in regard to the studyAN bIt
is dire.ty over it/N
bWith a +indo+ oo1ing out over the terra.eAN b@es/N
Again Poirot nodded/ Then he saidH b#et us go to the dra+ing;roo)/N
!ere he +andered round the roo)> eBa)ined the fastenings of the
+indo+s> gan.ed at the s.orers on the 'ridge ta'e and then finay
addressed #ord Mayfied/
bThis affair>N he said> bis )ore .o)pi.ated than it appears/ %ut one
thing is 8uite .ertain/ The stoen pans have not eft this house/N
#ord Mayfied stared at hi)/
b%ut> )y dear M/ Poirot> the )an I sa+ eaving the study ; N bThere
+as no )an/N
b%ut I sa+ hi) ; N
bWith the greatest respe.t> #ord Mayfied> you i)agined you sa+
hi)/ The shado+ .ast 'y the 'ran.h of a tree de.eived you/ The fa.t
that a ro''ery o..urred naturay see)ed a proof that +hat you had
i)agined +as true/N
b&eay> M/ Poirot> the eviden.e of )y o+n eyes ; N
b%a.1 )y eyes against yours any day> od 'oy>N put in Sir ,eorge/
b@ou )ust per)it )e> #ord Mayfied> to 'e very definite on that point/
0o one .rossed the terra.e to the grass/N
#oo1ing very pae and spea1ing stiffy> Mr Carie saidH
bIn that .ase> if M/ Poirot is .orre.t> suspi.ion auto)ati.ay atta.hes
itsef to )e/ I a) the ony person +ho .oud possi'y have .o))itted
the ro''ery/N
#ord Mayfied sprang up/
b0onsense/ Whatever M/ Poirot thin1s a'out it> I donNt agree +ith
hi)/ I a) .onvin.ed of your inno.en.e> )y dear Carie/ In fa.t> IN)
+iing to guarantee it/N
Poirot )ur)ured )idyH
b%ut I have not said that I suspe.t M/ Carie/N Carie ans+eredH
b0o> 'ut youNve )ade it perfe.ty .ear that no one ese had a .han.e
to .o))it the ro''ery/N b$u toutG $u toutGN
b%ut I have tod you no'ody passed )e in the ha to get to the study
door/N bI agree/ %ut so)eone )ight have .o)e in through the study
+indo+/N b%ut that is Dust +hat you said did not happenAN
bI said that no one fro) outside .oud have .o)e and eft +ithout
eaving )ar1s on the grass/ %ut it .oud have 'een )anaged fro)
inside the house/ So)eone .oud have gone out fro) his roo) 'y
one of these +indo+s> sipped aong the terra.e> in at the study
+indo+> and 'a.1 again in here/N
Mr Carie o'De.tedH
b%ut #ord Mayfied and Sir ,eorge Carrington +ere on the terra.e/N
bThey +ere on the terra.e> yes> 'ut they +ere en pro)enade/ Sir
,eorge CarringtonNs eyes )ay 'e of the )ost reia'eN ; Poirot )ade
a itte 'o+ ; b'ut he does not 1eep the) in the 'a.1 of his headG The
study +indo+ is at the eBtre)e eft of the terra.e> the +indo+s of
this roo) .o)e neBt> 'ut the terra.e .ontinues to the right past one>
t+o> three> perhaps four roo)sAN
b$ining;roo)> 'iiard;roo)> )orning roo) and i'rary>N said #ord
Mayfied/ bAnd you +a1ed up and do+n the terra.e> ho+ )any
ti)esAN
bAt east five or siB/N
b@ou see> it is easy enough> the thief has ony to +at.h for the right
)o)entGN Carie said so+yH
b@ou )ean that +hen I +as in the ha> ta1ing to the Fren.h gir> the
thief +as +aiting in the dra+ing;roo)AN
bThat is )y suggestion/ It is> of .ourse> ony a suggestion/N
bIt doesnNt sound very pro'a'e to )e>N said #ord Mayfied/ bToo
ris1y/N The Air Marsha de)urred/
bI donNt agree +ith you> Chares/ ItNs perfe.ty possi'e/ Wonder I
hadnNt the +its to thin1 of it for )ysef/N
bSo you see>N said Poirot> b+hy I 'eieve that the pans are sti in the
house/ The pro'e) no+ is to find the)GN
Sir ,eorge snorted/
bThatNs si)pe enough/ Sear.h every'ody/N
#ord Mayfied )ade a )ove)ent of dissent> 'ut Poirot spo1e 'efore
he .oud/
b0o> no> it is not so si)pe as that/ The person +ho too1 those pans
+i anti.ipate that a sear.h +i 'e )ade and +i )a1e 8uite sure
that they are not found a)ongst his or her 'eongings/ They +i have
'een hidden in neutra ground/N
b$o you suggest that +eNve got to go paying hide and see1 a over
the 'ay houseAN Poirot s)ied/
b0o> no> +e need not 'e so .rude as that/ We .an arrive at the
hiding;pa.e 9or aternativey at the identity of the guity person: 'y
refe.tion/ That +i si)pify )atters/ In the )orning I +oud i1e an
intervie+ +ith every person in the house/ It +oud> I thin1> 'e un+ise
to see1 those intervie+s no+/N
#ord Mayfied nodded/
bCause too )u.h .o))ent>N he said> bif +e dragged every'ody out of
their 'eds at three in the )orning/ In any .ase youN have to pro.eed
+ith a good dea of .a)oufage> M/ Poirot/ This )atter has got to 'e
1ept dar1/N
Poirot +aved an airy hand/
b#eave it to !er.ue Poirot/ The ies I invent are a+ays )ost dei.ate
and )ost .onvin.ing/ To)orro+> then> I .ondu.t )y investigations/
%ut tonight> I shoud i1e to 'egin 'y intervie+ing you> Sir ,eorge
and you> #ord Mayfied/N
!e 'o+ed to the) 'oth/ b@ou )ean ; aoneAN bThat +as )y
)eaning/N
#ord Mayfied raised his eyes sighty> then he saidH
bCertainy/ IN eave you aone +ith Sir ,eorge/ When you +ant )e>
youN find )e in )y study/ Co)e> Carie/N
!e and the se.retary +ent out> shutting the door 'ehind the)/
Sir ,eorge sat do+n> rea.hing )e.hani.ay for a .igarette/ !e
turned a pu??ed fa.e to Poirot/ b@ou 1no+>N he said so+y/ bI donNt
8uite get this/N
bThat is very si)py eBpained>N said Poirot +ith a s)ie/ bIn t+o
+ords> to 'e a..urate/ Mrs 7anderynGN b<h>N said Carrington/ bI thin1
I see/ Mrs 7anderynAN
bPre.isey/ It )ight 'e> you see> that it +oud not 'e very dei.ate to
as1 #ord Mayfied the 8uestion I +ant to as1/ Why Mrs 7anderynA
This ady> she is 1no+n to 'e a suspi.ious .hara.ter/ Why> then>
shoud she 'e hereA I say to )ysef there are three eBpanations/
<ne> that #ord Mayfied has a pen.hant for the ady 9and that is +hy I
see1 to ta1 to you aone/ I do not +ish to e)'arrass hi):/ T+o> that
Mrs 7anderyn is perhaps the dear friend of so)eone ese in the
houseAN
b@ou .an .ount )e outGN said Sir ,eorge +ith a grin/
bThen> if neither of those .ases is true> the 8uestion returns in
redou'ed for.e/ Why Mrs 7anderynA And it see)s to )e I per.eive
a shado+y ans+er/ There +as a reason/ !er presen.e at this
parti.uar Dun.ture +as definitey desired 'y #ord Mayfied for a
spe.ia reason/ A) I rightAN
Sir ,eorge nodded/
b@ouNre 8uite right>N he said/ bMayfied is too od a 'ird to fa for her
+ies/ !e +anted her here for 8uite another reason/ It +as i1e this/N
!e retaied the .onversation that had ta1en pa.e at the dinnerta'e/
Poirot istened attentivey/
bAh>N he said/ bI .o)prehend no+/ 0evertheess> it see)s that the
ady has turned the ta'es on you 'oth rather neatyGN
Sir ,eorge s+ore freey/
Poirot +at.hed hi) +ith so)e sight a)use)ent> then he saidH
b@ou do not dou't that this theft is her doing ; I )ean> that she is
responsi'e for it> +hether or no she payed an a.tive partAN
Sir ,eorge stared/
b<f .ourse notG There isnNt any dou't of that/ Why> +ho ese +oud
have any interest in steaing those pansAN
bAhGN said !er.ue Poirot/ !e eaned 'a.1 and oo1ed at the .eiing/
bAnd yet> Sir ,eorge> +e agreed> not a 8uarter of an hour ago> that
these papers represented very definitey )oney/ 0ot perhaps> in
8uite so o'vious a for) as 'an1notes> or god> or De+eery> 'ut
nevertheess they +ere potentia )oney/ If there +ere anyone here
+ho +as hard up ; N
The other interrupted hi) +ith a snort/
bWho isnNt these daysA I suppose I .an say it +ithout in.ri)inating
)ysef/N !e s)ied and Poirot s)ied poitey 'a.1 at hi) and
)ur)uredH
bMais oui> you .an say +hat you i1e> for you> Sir ,eorge> have the
one uni)pea.ha'e ai'i in this affair/N
b%ut IN) da)ned hard up )ysefGN
Poirot shoo1 his head sady/
b@es> indeed> a )an in your position has heavy iving eBpenses/ Then
you have a young son at a )ost eBpensive age ; N
Sir ,eorge groaned/
b(du.ationNs 'ad enough> then de'ts on top of it/ Mind you> this adNs
not a 'ad ad/N
Poirot istened sy)patheti.ay/ !e heard a ot of the Air MarshaNs
a..u)uated grievan.es/ The a.1 of grit and sta)ina in the younger
generation> the fantasti. +ay in +hi.h )others spoit their .hidren
and a+ays too1 their side> the .urse of ga)'ing on.e it got hod of
a +o)an> the foy of paying for higher sta1es than you .oud afford/
It +as .ou.hed in genera ter)s> Sir ,eorge did not aude dire.ty to
either his +ife or his son> 'ut his natura transparen.y )ade his
generai?ations very easy to see through/
!e 'ro1e off suddeny/
bSorry> )ustnNt ta1e up your ti)e +ith so)ething thatNs right off the
su'De.t> espe.iay at this hour of the night ; or rather> )orning/N
!e stifed a ya+n/
bI suggest> Sir ,eorge> that you shoud go to 'ed/ @ou have 'een
)ost 1ind and hepfu/N b&ight> thin1 I +i turn in/ @ou reay thin1
there is a .han.e of getting the pans 'a.1AN Poirot shrugged his
shouders/
bI )ean to try/ I do not see +hy not/N bWe> IN 'e off/ ,oodnight/N
!e eft the roo)/
Poirot re)ained in his .hair staring thoughtfuy at the .eiing> then
he too1 out a itte note'oo1 and turning to a .ean page> he +roteH
Mrs 7anderynA
#ady *uia CarringtonA Mrs Ma.attaA
&eggie CarringtonA Mr CarieA 2nderneath he +roteH
Mrs 7anderyn and Mr &eggie CarringtonA
Mrs 7anderyn and #ady *uiaA Mrs 7anderyn and Mr CarieA
!e shoo1 his head in a dissatisifed )anner> )ur)uringH bCNest pus
si)pe 8ue La/N Then he added a fe+ short senten.es/
$id #ord Mayfied see a bshado+NA If not> +hy did he say he didA $id
Sir ,eorge see anythingA !e +as positive he had seen nothing
AFT(& I eBa)ined fo+er;'ed/ 0oteH #ord Mayfied is near;sighted>
.an read +ithout gasses 'ut has to use a )ono.e to oo1 a.ross a
roo)/ Sir ,eorge is ong;sighted/ Therefore> fro) the far end of the
terra.e> his sight is )ore to 'e depended upon than #ord MayfiedNs/
@et #ord Mayfied is very positive that he $I$ see so)ething and is
8uite unsha1en 'y his friendNs denia/
Can anyone 'e 8uite as a'ove suspi.ion as Mr Carie appears to
'eA #ord Mayfied is very e)phati. as to his inno.en.e/ Too )u.h
so/ WhyA %e.ause he se.rety suspe.ts hi) and is asha)ed of his
suspi.ionsA <r 'e.ause he definitey suspe.ts so)e other personA
That is to say> so)e person <T!(& than Mrs 7anderynA
!e put the note'oo1 a+ay/
Then> getting up> he +ent aong to the study/
Chapter F
#ord Mayfied +as seated at his des1 +hen Poirot entered the study/
!e s+ung round> aid do+n his pen> and oo1ed up in8uiringy/
bWe> M/ Poirot> had your intervie+ +ith CarringtonAN Poirot s)ied
and sat do+n/
b@es> #ord Mayfied/ !e .eared up a point that had pu??ed )e/N
bWhat +as thatAN
bThe reason for Mrs 7anderynNs presen.e here/ @ou .o)prehend> I
thought it possi'e ; N Mayfied +as 8ui.1 to reai?e the .ause of
PoirotNs so)e+hat eBaggerated e)'arrass)ent/
b@ou thought I had a +ea1ness for the adyA 0ot at a/ Far fro) it/
Funniy enough> Carrington thought the sa)e/N
b@es> he has tod )e of the .onversation he hed +ith you on the
su'De.t/N #ord Mayfied oo1ed rather ruefu/
bMy itte s.he)e didnNt .o)e off/ A+ays annoying to have to ad)it
that a +o)an has got the 'etter of you/N
bAh> 'ut she has not got the 'etter of you yet> #ord Mayfied/N
b@ou thin1 +e )ay yet +inA We> IN) gad to hear you say so/ INd i1e
to thin1 it +as true/N !e sighed/
bI fee INve a.ted i1e a .o)pete foo ; so peased +ith )y stratage)
for entrapping the ady/N !er.ue Poirot said> as he it one of his tiny
.igarettesH
bWhat +as your stratage) eBa.ty> #ord MayfiedAN
bWe>N #ord Mayfied hesitated/ bI hadnNt eBa.ty got do+n to detais/N
b@ou didnNt dis.uss it +ith anyoneAN
b0o/N
b0ot even +ith Mr CarieAN b0o/N
Poirot s)ied/
b@ou prefer to pay a one hand> #ord Mayfied/N
bI have usuay found it the 'est +ay>N said the other a itte gri)y/
b@es> you are +ise/ Trust no one/ %ut you did )ention the )atter to
Sir ,eorge CarringtonAN bSi)py 'e.ause I reai?ed that the dear
feo+ +as seriousy pertur'ed a'out )e/N
#ord Mayfied s)ied at the re)e)'ran.e/ b!e is an od friend of
yoursAN
b@es/ I have 1no+n hi) for over t+enty years/N bAnd his +ifeAN
bI have 1no+n his +ife aso> of .ourse/N
b%ut 9pardon )e if I a) i)pertinent: you are not on the sa)e ter)s
of inti)a.y +ith herAN
bI donNt reay see +hat )y persona reationships to peope has to do
+ith the )atter in hand> M/ Poirot/N
b%ut I thin1> #ord Mayfied> that they )ay have a good dea to do +ith
it/ @ou agreed> did you not> that )y theory of so)eone in the
dra+ing;roo) +as a possi'e oneAN
b@es/ In fa.t> I agree +ith you that that is +hat )ust have happened/N
bWe +i not say X)ust/Y That is too sef;.onfident a +ord/ %ut if that
theory of )ine is true> +ho do you thin1 the person in the dra+ingroo)
.oud have 'eenAN
b<'viousy Mrs 7anderyn/ She had 'een 'a.1 there on.e for a 'oo1/
She .oud have .o)e 'a.1 for another 'oo1> or a hand'ag> or a
dropped hand1er.hief ; one of a do?en fe)inine eB.uses/ She
arranges +ith her )aid to s.rea) and get Carie a+ay fro) the
study/ Then she sips in and out 'y the +indo+s as you said/N
b@ou forget it .oud not have 'een Mrs 7anderyn/ Carie heard her
.a the )aid fro) upstairs +hie he +as ta1ing to the gir/N
#ord Mayfied 'it his ip/
bTrue/ I forgot that/N !e oo1ed throughy annoyed/
b@ou see>N said Poirot genty/ bWe progress/ We have first the si)pe
eBpanation of a thief +ho .o)es fro) outside and )a1es off +ith the
'ooty/ A very .onvenient theory as I said at the ti)e> too .onvenient
to 'e readiy a..epted/ We have disposed of that/ Then +e .o)e to
the theory of the foreign agent> Mrs 7anderyn> and that again see)s
to fit together 'eautifuy up to a .ertain point/ %ut no+ it oo1s as
though that> too> +as too easy ; too .onvenient ; to 'e a..epted/N
b@ouNd +ash Mrs 7anderyn out of it atogetherAN
bIt +as not Mrs 7anderyn in the dra+ing;roo)/ It )ay have 'een an
ay of Mrs 7anderynNs +ho .o))itted the theft> 'ut it is Dust possi'e
that it +as .o))itted 'y another person atogether/ If so> +e have to
.onsider the 8uestion of )otive/N
bIsnNt this rather far;fet.hed> M/ PoirotAN
bI do not thin1 so/ 0o+ +hat )otives .oud there 'eA There is the
)otive of )oney/ The papers )ay have 'een stoen +ith the o'De.t of
turning the) into .ash/ That is the si)pest )otive to .onsider/ %ut
the )otive )ight possi'y 'e so)ething 8uite different/N
bSu.h as ; N Poirot said so+yH
bIt )ight have 'een done definitey +ith the idea of da)aging
so)eone/N bWhoAN
bPossi'y Mr Carie/ !e +oud 'e the o'vious suspe.t/ %ut there
)ight 'e )ore to it than that/ The )en +ho .ontro the destiny of a
.ountry> #ord Mayfied> are parti.uary vunera'e to dispays of
popuar feeing/N
bMeaning that the theft +as ai)ed at da)aging )eAN Poirot nodded/
bI thin1 I a) .orre.t in saying> #ord Mayfied> that a'out five years
ago you passed through a so)e+hat trying ti)e/ @ou +ere
suspe.ted of friendship +ith a (uropean Po+er at that ti)e 'ittery
unpopuar +ith the ee.torate of this .ountry/N
b4uite true> M/ Poirot/N
bA states)an in these days has a diffi.ut tas1/ !e has to pursue the
poi.y he dee)s advantageous to his .ountry> 'ut he has at the sa)e
ti)e to re.ogni?e the for.e of popuar feeing/ Popuar feeing is very
often senti)enta> )udde;headed> and e)inenty unsound> 'ut it
.annot 'e disregarded for a that/N
b!o+ +e you eBpress itG That is eBa.ty the .urse of a poiti.ianNs
ife/ !e has to 'o+ to the .ountryNs feeing> ho+ever dangerous and
foohardy he 1no+s it to 'e/N
bThat +as your die))a> I thin1/ There +ere ru)ours that you had
.on.uded an agree)ent +ith the .ountry in 8uestion/ This .ountry
and the ne+spapers +ere up in ar)s a'out it/ Fortunatey the Pri)e
Minister +as a'e .ategori.ay to deny the story> and you repudiated
it> though sti )a1ing no se.ret of the +ay your sy)pathies ay/N
bA this is 8uite true> M/ Poirot> 'ut +hy ra1e up past historyAN
b%e.ause I .onsider it possi'e that an ene)y> disappointed in the
+ay you sur)ounted that .risis> )ight endeavour to stage a further
die))a/ @ou soon regained pu'i. .onfiden.e/ Those parti.uar
.ir.u)stan.es have passed a+ay> you are no+> deservedy> one of
the )ost popuar figures in poiti.a ife/ @ou are spo1en of freey as
the neBt Pri)e Minister +hen Mr !un'ery retires/N
b@ou thin1 this is an atte)pt to dis.redit )eA 0onsenseGN
bTout de )M)e> #ord Mayfied> it +oud not oo1 +e if it +ere 1no+n
that the pans of %ritainNs ne+ 'o)'er had 'een stoen during a
+ee1end +hen a .ertain very .har)ing ady had 'een your guest/
#itte hints in the ne+spapers as to your reationship +ith that ady
+oud .reate a feeing of distrust in you/N
bSu.h a thing .oud not reay 'e ta1en seriousy/N
bMy dear #ord Mayfied> you 1no+ perfe.ty +e it .oudG It ta1es so
itte to under)ine pu'i. .onfiden.e in a )an/N
b@es> thatNs true>N said #ord Mayfied/ !e oo1ed suddeny very
+orried/ b,odG ho+ desperatey .o)pi.ated this 'usiness is
'e.o)ing/ $o you reay thin1 ; 'ut itNs i)possi'e ; i)possi'e/N
b@ou 1no+ of no'ody +ho is ; Deaous of youAN bA'surdGN
bAt any rate you +i ad)it that )y 8uestions a'out your persona
reationships +ith the )e)'ers of this house;party are not totay
irreevant/N
b<h> perhaps ; perhaps/ @ou as1ed )e a'out *uia Carrington/
ThereNs reay not very )u.h to say/ INve never ta1en to her very
)u.h> and I donNt thin1 she .ares for )e/ SheNs one of these restess>
nervy +o)en> re.1essy eBtravagant and )ad a'out .ards/ SheNs
od;fashioned enough> I thin1> to despise )e as 'eing a sef;)ade
)an/N
Poirot saidH
bI oo1ed you up in WhoNs Who 'efore I .a)e do+n/ @ou +ere the
head of a fa)ous engineering fir) and you are yoursef a first;.ass
engineer/N
bThereNs .ertainy nothing I donNt 1no+ a'out the pra.ti.a side/ INve
+or1ed )y +ay up fro) the 'otto)/N
#ord Mayfied spo1e rather gri)y/
b<h a aGN .ried Poirot/ bI have 'een a foo ; 'ut a fooGN The other
stared at hi)/
bI 'eg your pardon> M/ PoirotAN
bIt is that a portion of the pu??e has 'e.o)e .ear to )e/ So)ething
I did not see 'eforec %ut it a fits in/ @es ; it fits in +ith 'eautifu
pre.ision/N
#ord Mayfied oo1ed at hi) in so)e+hat astonished in8uiry/ %ut
+ith a sight s)ie Poirot shoo1 his head/
b0o> no> not no+/ I )ust arrange )y ideas a itte )ore .eary/N !e
rose/
b,oodnight> #ord Mayfied/ I thin1 I 1no+ +here those pans are/N
#ord Mayfied .ried outH
b@ou 1no+A Then et us get hod of the) at on.eGN Poirot shoo1 his
head/
b0o> no> that +oud not do/ Pre.ipitan.y +oud 'e fata/ %ut eave it
a to !er.ue Poirot/N !e +ent out of the roo)/ #ord Mayfied raised
his shouders in .onte)pt/
bManNs a )ounte'an1>N he )uttered/ Then> putting a+ay his papers
and turning out the ights> he> too> )ade his +ay up to 'ed/
Chapter 3
bIf thereNs 'een a 'urgary> +hy the devi doesnNt od Mayfied send
for the poi.eAN de)anded &eggie Carrington/
!e pushed his .hair sighty 'a.1 fro) the 'rea1fast ta'e/
!e +as the ast do+n/ !is host> Mrs Ma.atta and Sir ,eorge had
finished their 'rea1fasts so)e ti)e 'efore/ !is )other and Mrs
7anderyn +ere 'rea1fasting in 'ed/
Sir ,eorge> repeating his state)ent on the ines agreed upon
'et+een #ord Mayfied and !er.ue Poirot> had a feeing that he +as
not )anaging it as +e as he )ight have done/
bTo send for a 8ueer foreigner i1e this see)s very odd to )e>N said
&eggie/ bWhat has 'een ta1en> FatherAN
bI donNt 1no+ eBa.ty> )y 'oy/N
&eggie got up/ !e oo1ed rather nervy and on edge this )orning/
b0othing ; i)portantA 0o ; papers or anything i1e thatAN
bTo te you the truth> &eggie> I .anNt te you eBa.ty/N b7ery hushhush>
is itA I see/N
&eggie ran up the stairs> paused for a )o)ent haf;+ay +ith a fro+n
on his fa.e> and then .ontinued his as.ent and tapped on his
)otherNs door/ !er voi.e 'ade hi) enter/
#ady *uia +as sitting up in 'ed> s.ri''ing figures on the 'a.1 of an
enveope/ b,ood )orning> daring/N She oo1ed up> then said sharpyH
b&eggie> is anything the )atterAN
b0othing )u.h> 'ut it see)s there +as a 'urgary ast night/N bA
'urgaryA What +as ta1enAN
b<h> I donNt 1no+/ ItNs a very hush hush/ ThereNs so)e odd 1ind of
private;in8uiry agent do+nstairs as1ing every'ody 8uestions/N
b!o+ eBtraordinaryGN
bItNs rather unpeasant>N said &eggie so+y> bstaying in a house +hen
that 1ind of thing happens/N bWhat did happen eBa.tyAN
b$onNt 1no+/ It +as so)e ti)e after +e a +ent to 'ed/ #oo1 out>
Mother> youN have that tray off/N !e res.ued the 'rea1fast;tray and
.arried it to a ta'e 'y the +indo+/
bWas )oney ta1enAN
bI te you I donNt 1no+/N #ady *uia said so+yH
bI suppose this in8uiry )an is as1ing every'ody 8uestionsAN
bI suppose so/N
bWhere they +ere ast nightA A that 1ind of thingAN
bPro'a'y/ We> I .anNt te hi) )u.h/ I +ent straight up to 'ed and
+as aseep in neBt to no ti)e/N #ady *uia did not ans+er/
bI say> Mother> I suppose you .oudnNt et )e have a spot of .ash/ IN)
a'soutey 'ro1e/N
b0o> I .oudnNt>N his )other repied de.isivey/ bINve got the )ost
frightfu overdraft )ysef/ I donNt 1no+ +hat your father +i say +hen
he hears a'out it/N
There +as a tap at the door and Sir ,eorge entered/
bAh> there you are> &eggie/ Wi you go do+n to the i'raryA M/
!er.ue Poirot +ants to see you/N Poirot had Dust .on.uded an
intervie+ +ith the redou'ta'e Mrs Ma.atta/
A fe+ 'rief 8uestions had ei.ited the infor)ation that Mrs Ma.atta
had gone up to 'ed Dust 'efore eeven> and had heard or seen
nothing hepfu/
Poirot sid genty fro) the topi. of the 'urgary to )ore persona
)atters/ !e hi)sef had a great ad)iration for #ord Mayfied/ As a
)e)'er of the genera pu'i. he fet that #ord Mayfied +as a truy
great )an/ <f .ourse> Mrs Ma.atta> 'eing in the 1no+> +oud have a
far 'etter )eans of esti)ating that than hi)sef/
b#ord Mayfied has 'rains>N ao+ed Mrs Ma.atta/ bAnd he has .arved
his .areer out entirey for hi)sef/ !e o+es nothing to hereditary
infuen.e/ !e has a .ertain a.1 of vision> perhaps/ In that I find a
)en sady ai1e/ They a.1 the 'readth of a +o)anNs i)agination/
Wo)an> M/ Poirot> is going to 'e the great for.e in govern)ent in ten
yearsN ti)e/N
Poirot said that he +as sure of it/
!e sid to the topi. of Mrs 7anderyn/ Was it true> as he had heard
hinted> that she and #ord Mayfied +ere very .ose friendsA
b0ot in the east/ To te you the truth I +as very surprised to )eet
her here/ 7ery surprised indeed/N Poirot invited Mrs Ma.attaNs
opinion of Mrs 7anderyn ; and got it/
b<ne of those a'soutey useess +o)en> M/ Poirot/ Wo)en that
)a1e one despair of oneNs o+n seBG A parasite> first and ast a
parasite/N
bMen ad)ired herAN
bMenGN Mrs Ma.atta spo1e the +ord +ith .onte)pt/ bMen are a+ays
ta1en in 'y those very o'vious good oo1s/ That 'oy> no+> young
&eggie Carrington> fushing up every ti)e she spo1e to hi)> a'surdy
fattered 'y 'eing ta1en noti.e of 'y her/ And the siy +ay she
fattered hi) too/ Praising his 'ridge ; +hi.h a.tuay +as far fro)
'riiant/N
b!e is not a good payerAN
b!e )ade a sorts of )ista1es ast night/N b#ady *uia is a good
payer> is she notAN
bMu.h too good in )y opinion>N said Mrs Ma.atta/ bItNs a)ost a
profession +ith her/ She pays )orning> noon> and night/N
bFor high sta1esAN
b@es> indeed> )u.h higher than I +oud .are to pay/ Indeed I
shoudnNt .onsider it right/N bShe )a1es a good dea of )oney at the
ga)eAN
Mrs Ma.atta gave a oud and virtuous snort/
bShe re.1ons on paying her de'ts that +ay/ %ut sheNs 'een having a
run of 'ad u.1 atey> so INve heard/ She oo1ed ast night as though
she had so)ething on her )ind/ The evis of ga)'ing> M/ Poirot> are
ony sighty ess than the evis .aused 'y drin1/ If I had )y +ay this
.ountry shoud 'e purified ; N
Poirot +as for.ed to isten to a so)e+hat engthy dis.ussion on the
purifi.ation of (ngandNs )oras/ Then he .osed the .onversation
adroity and sent for &eggie Carrington/
!e su))ed the young )an up .arefuy as he entered the roo)> the
+ea1 )outh .a)oufaged 'y the rather .har)ing s)ie> the
inde.isive .hin> the eyes set far apart> the rather narro+ head/ !e
thought that he 1ne+ &eggie CarringtonNs type fairy +e/
bMr &eggie CarringtonAN b@es/ Anything I .an doAN
b*ust te )e +hat you .an a'out ast nightAN
bWe> et )e see> +e payed 'ridge ; in the dra+ing;roo)/ After that I
+ent up to 'ed/N bThat +as at +hat ti)eAN
b*ust 'efore eeven/ I suppose the ro''ery too1 pa.e after thatAN
b@es> after that/ @ou did not hear or see anythingAN
&eggie shoo1 his head regretfuy/
bIN) afraid not/ I +ent straight to 'ed and I seep pretty soundy/N
b@ou +ent straight up fro) the dra+ing;roo) to your 'edroo) and
re)ained there unti the )orningAN bThatNs right/N
bCurious>N said Poirot/ &eggie said sharpyH
bWhat do you )ean> .uriousAN
b@ou did not> for instan.e> hear a s.rea)AN b0o> I didnNt/N
bAh> very .urious/N
b#oo1 here> I donNt 1no+ +hat you )ean/N b@ou are> perhaps> sighty
deafAN bCertainy not/N
PoirotNs ips )oved/ It +as possi'e that he +as repeating the +ord
.urious for the third ti)e/ Then he saidH
bWe> than1 you> Mr Carrington> that is a/N &eggie got up and stood
rather irresoutey/
b@ou 1no+>N he said> bno+ you .o)e to )ention it> I 'eieve I did hear
so)ething of the 1ind/N bAh> you did hear so)ethingAN
b@es> 'ut you see> I +as reading a 'oo1 ; a dete.tive story as a
)atter of fa.t ; and I ; +e> I didnNt reay 8uite ta1e it in/N
bAh>N said Poirot> ba )ost satisfying eBpanation/N !is fa.e +as 8uite
i)passive/
&eggie sti hesitated> then he turned and +a1ed so+y to the door/
There he paused and as1edH bI say> +hat +as stoenAN
bSo)ething of great vaue> Mr Carrington/ That is a I a) at i'erty to
say/N b<h>N said &eggie rather 'an1y/
!e +ent out/
Poirot nodded his head/
bIt fits>N he )ur)ured/ bIt fits very ni.ey/N
!e tou.hed a 'e and in8uired .ourteousy if Mrs 7anderyn +as up
yet/
Chapter E
Mrs 7anderyn s+ept into the roo) oo1ing very handso)e/ She +as
+earing an artfuy;.ut russet sports;suit that sho+ed up the +ar)
ights of her hair/ She s+ept to a .hair and s)ied in a da??ing
fashion at the itte )an in front of her/
For a )o)ent so)ething sho+ed through the s)ie/ It )ight have
'een triu)ph> it )ight a)ost have 'een )o.1ery/ It +as gone
a)ost i))ediatey> 'ut it had 'een there/ Poirot found the
suggestion of it interesting/
b%urgarsA #ast nightA %ut ho+ dreadfuG Why no> I never heard a
thing/ What a'out the poi.eA CanNt they do anythingAN
Again> Dust for a )o)ent> the )o.1ery sho+ed in her eyes/ !er.ue
Poirot thoughtH
bIt is very .ear that you are not afraid of the poi.e> )y ady/ @ou
1no+ very +e that they are not going to 'e .aed in/N
And fro) that foo+ed ; +hatA !e said so'eryH
b@ou .o)prehend> )ada)e> it is an affair of the )ost dis.reet/N
bWhy> naturay> M/ ; Poirot ; isnNt itA ; I shoudnNt drea) of 'reathing
a +ord/ IN) )u.h too great an ad)irer of dear #ord MayfiedNs to do
anything to .ause hi) the east itte 'it of +orry/N
She .rossed her 1nees/ A highy;poished sipper of 'ro+n eather
danged on the tip of her si1;shod foot/
She s)ied> a +ar)> .o)peing s)ie of perfe.t heath and deep
satisfa.tion/ b$o te )e if thereNs anything at a I .an doAN
bI than1 you> )ada)e/ @ou payed 'ridge in the dra+ing;roo) ast
nightAN b@es/N
bI understand that then a the adies +ent up to 'edAN bThat is right/N
b%ut so)eone .a)e 'a.1 to fet.h a 'oo1/ That +as you> +as it not>
Mrs 7anderynAN bI +as the first one to .o)e 'a.1 ; yes/N
bWhat do you )ean ` the first oneAN said Poirot sharpy/
bI .a)e 'a.1 right a+ay>N eBpained Mrs 7anderyn/ bThen I +ent up
and rang for )y )aid/ She +as a ong ti)e in .o)ing/ I rang again/
Then I +ent out on the anding/ I heard her voi.e and I .aed her/
After she had 'rushed )y hair I sent her a+ay> she +as in a nervous>
upset state and tanged the 'rush in )y hair on.e or t+i.e/ It +as
then> Dust as I sent her a+ay> that I sa+ #ady *uia .o)ing up the
stairs/ She tod )e she had 'een do+n again for a 'oo1> too/
Curious> +asnNt itAN
Mrs 7anderyn s)ied as she finished> a +ide> rather feine s)ie/
!er.ue Poirot thought to hi)sef that Mrs 7anderyn did not i1e
#ady *uia Carrington/
bAs you say> )ada)e/ Te )e> did you hear your )aid s.rea)AN
bWhy> yes> I did hear so)ething of that 1ind/N
b$id you as1 her a'out itAN
b@es/ She tod )e she thought she had seen a foating figure in +hite
; su.h nonsenseGN bWhat +as #ady *uia +earing ast nightAN
b<h> you thin1 perhaps ; @es> I see/ She +as +earing a +hite
evening;dress/ <f .ourse> that eBpains it/ She )ust have .aught
sight of her in the dar1ness Dust as a +hite figure/ These girs are so
superstitious/N
b@our )aid has 'een +ith you a ong ti)e> )ada)eAN
b<h> no/N Mrs 7anderyn opened her eyes rather +ide/ b<ny a'out
five )onths/N bI shoud i1e to see her presenty> if you do not )ind>
)ada)e/N
Mrs 7anderyn raised her eye'ro+s/ b<h> .ertainy>N she said rather
.ody/
bI shoud i1e> you understand> to 8uestion her/N b<h> yes/N
Again a fi.1er of a)use)ent/ Poirot rose and 'o+ed/
bMada)e>N he said/ b@ou have )y .o)pete ad)iration/N Mrs
7anderyn for on.e see)ed a trife ta1en a'a.1/ b<h> M/ Poirot> ho+
ni.e of you> 'ut +hyAN
b@ou are> )ada)e> so perfe.ty ar)oured> so .o)petey sure of
yoursef/N Mrs 7anderyn aughed a itte un.ertainy/
b0o+ I +onder>N she said> bif I a) to ta1e that as a .o)pi)entAN
Poirot saidH
bIt is> perhaps> a +arning ; not to treat ife +ith arrogan.e/N
Mrs 7anderyn aughed +ith )ore assuran.e/ She got up and hed
out a hand/
b$ear M/ Poirot> I do +ish you a su..ess/ Than1 you for a the
.har)ing things you have said to )e/N She +ent out/ Poirot
)ur)ured to hi)sefH
b@ou +ish )e su..ess> do youA Ah> 'ut you are very sure I a) not
going to )eet +ith su..essG @es> you are very sure indeed/ That> it
annoys )e very )u.h/N
With a .ertain petuan.e> he pued the 'e and as1ed that
Made)oisee #eonie )ight 'e sent to hi)/
!is eyes roa)ed over her appre.iativey as she stood hesitating in
the door+ay> de)ure in her 'a.1 dress +ith her neaty;parted 'a.1
+aves of hair and her )odesty;dropped eyeids/ !e nodded so+
approva/
bCo)e in> Made)oisee #eonie>N he said/ b$o not 'e afraid/N She
.a)e in and stood de)urey 'efore hi)/
b$o you 1no+>N said Poirot +ith a sudden .hange of tone> bthat I find
you very good to oo1 at/N
#eonie responded pro)pty/ She fashed hi) a gan.e out of the
.orner of her eyes and )ur)ured softyH bMonsieur is very 1ind/N
bFigure to yoursef>N said Poirot/ bI de)and of M/ Carie +hether you
are or not good;oo1ing and he repies that he does not 1no+GN
#eonie .o.1ed her .hin up .onte)ptuousy/ bThat i)ageGN
bThat des.ri'es hi) very +e/N
bI do not 'eieve he has ever oo1ed at a gir in his ife> that one/N
bPro'a'y not/ A pity/ !e has )issed a ot/ %ut there are others in
this house +ho are )ore appre.iative> is it not soAN
b&eay> I do not 1no+ +hat )onsieur )eans/N
b<h> yes> Made)oisee #eonie> you 1no+ very +e/ A pretty history
that you re.ount ast night a'out a ghost that you have seen/ As soon
as I hear that you are standing there +ith your hands to your head> I
1no+ very +e that there is no 8uestion of ghosts/ If a gir is
frightened she .asps her heart> or she raises her hands to her
)outh to stife a .ry> 'ut if her hands are on her hair it )eans
so)ething very different/ It )eans that her hair has 'een ruffed and
that she is hastiy getting it into shape againG 0o+ then>
)ade)oisee> et us have the truth/ Why did you s.rea) on the
stairsAN
b%ut )onsieur it is true> I sa+ a ta figure a in +hite ; N
bMade)oisee> do not insut )y inteigen.e/ That story> it )ay have
'een good enough for M/ Carie> 'ut it is not good enough for
!er.ue Poirot/ The truth is that you had Dust 'een 1issed> is it not
soA And I +i )a1e a guess that it +as M/ &eggie Carrington +ho
1issed you/N
#eonie t+in1ed an una'ashed eye at hi)/
b(h 'ien>N she de)anded> bafter a> +hat is a 1issAN bWhat> indeedAN
said Poirot gaanty/
b@ou see> the young gente)an he .a)e up 'ehind )e and .aught
)e round the +aist ; and so naturay he started )e and I s.rea)ed/
If I had 1no+n ; +e> then naturay I +oud not have s.rea)ed/N
b0aturay>N agreed Poirot/
b%ut he .a)e upon )e i1e a .at/ Then the study door opened and
out .a)e M/ e se.r=taire and the young gente)an sipped a+ay
upstairs and there I +as oo1ing i1e a foo/ 0aturay I had to say
so)ething ; espe.iay to ; N she 'ro1e into Fren.h> bun Deune ho))e
.o))e La> tee)ent .o))e i fautGN
bSo you invent a ghostAN
bIndeed> )onsieur> it +as a I .oud thin1 of/ A ta figure a in +hite>
that foated/ It is ridi.uous 'ut +hat ese .oud I doAN
b0othing/ So no+> a is eBpained/ I had )y suspi.ions fro) the first/N
#eonie shot hi) a provo.ative gan.e/
bMonsieur is very .ever> and very sy)patheti./N
bAnd sin.e I a) not going to )a1e you any e)'arrass)ents over the
affair you +i do so)ething for )e in returnAN
bMost +iingy> )onsieur/N
b!o+ )u.h do you 1no+ of your )istressNs affairsAN The gir
shrugged her shouders/
b0ot very )u.h> )onsieur/ I have )y ideas> of .ourse/N bAnd those
ideasAN
bWe> it does not es.ape )e that the friends of )ada)e are a+ays
sodiers or saiors or air)en/ And then there are other friends ;
foreign gente)en +ho .o)e to see her very 8uiety so)eti)es/
Mada)e is very handso)e> though I do not thin1 she +i 'e so )u.h
onger/ The young )en> they find her very attra.tive/ So)eti)es I
thin1> they say too )u.h/ %ut it is ony )y idea> that/ Mada)e does
not .onfide in )e/N
bWhat you +oud have )e to understand is that )ada)e pays a one
handAN bThat is right> )onsieur/N
bIn other +ords> you .annot hep )e/N
bI fear not> )onsieur/ I +oud do if I .oud/N
bTe )e> your )istress is in a good )ood todayAN b$e.idedy>
)onsieur/N
bSo)ething has happened to pease herAN
bShe has 'een in good spirits ever sin.e she .a)e here/N bWe>
#eonie> you shoud 1no+/N
The gir ans+ered .onfidentyH
b@es> )onsieur/ I .oud not 'e )ista1en there/ I 1no+ a )ada)eNs
)oods/ She is in high spirits/N bPositivey triu)phantAN
bThat is eBa.ty the +ord> )onsieur/N Poirot nodded goo)iy/
bI find that ; a itte hard to 'ear/ @et I per.eive that it is inevita'e/
Than1 you> )ade)oisee> that is a/N #eonie thre+ hi) a .o8uettish
gan.e/
bThan1 you> )onsieur/ If I )eet )onsieur on the stairs> 'e +e
assured that I sha not s.rea)/N
bMy .hid>N said Poirot +ith dignity/ bI a) of advan.ed years/ What
have I to do +ith su.h frivoitiesAN %ut +ith a itte t+itter of aughter>
#eonie too1 hersef off/
Poirot pa.ed so+y up and do+n the roo)/ !is fa.e 'e.a)e grave
and anBious/ bAnd no+>N he said at ast> bfor #ady *uia/ What +i she
say> I +onderAN
#ady *uia .a)e into the roo) +ith a 8uiet air of assuran.e/ She
'ent her head gra.iousy> a..epted the .hair that Poirot dre+
for+ard and spo1e in a o+> +e;'red voi.e/
b#ord Mayfied says that you +ish to as1 )e so)e 8uestions/N
b@es> )ada)e/ It is a'out ast night/N bA'out ast night> yesAN
bWhat happened after you had finished your ga)e of 'ridgeAN
bMy hus'and thought it +as too ate to 'egin another/ I +ent up to
'ed/N bAnd thenAN
bI +ent to seep/N bThat is aAN
b@es/ IN) afraid I .anNt te you anything of )u.h interest/ When did
thisN ; she hesitated ; b'urgary o..urAN
b7ery soon after you +ent upstairs/N bI see/ And +hat eBa.ty +as
ta1enAN bSo)e private papers> )ada)e/N bI)portant papersAN
b7ery i)portant/N
She fro+ned a itte and then saidH bThey +ere ; vaua'eAN
b@es> )ada)e> they +ere +orth a good dea of )oney/N bI see/N
There +as a pause> and then Poirot saidH bWhat a'out your 'oo1>
)ada)eAN
bMy 'oo1AN She raised 'e+idered eyes to hi)/
b@es> I understand Mrs 7anderyn to say that so)e ti)e after you
three adies had retired you +ent do+n again to fet.h a 'oo1/N
b@es> of .ourse> so I did/N
bSo that> as a )atter of fa.t> you did not go straight to 'ed +hen you
+ent upstairsA @ou returned to the dra+ing;roo)AN
b@es> that is true/ I had forgotten/N
bWhie you +ere in the dra+ing;roo)> did you hear so)eone
s.rea)AN b0o ; yes ; I donNt thin1 so/N
bSurey> )ada)e/ @ou .oud not have faied to hear it in the dra+ingroo)/N
#ady *uia fung her head 'a.1 and said fir)yH
bI heard nothing/N
Poirot raised his eye'ro+s> 'ut did not repy/
The sien.e gre+ un.o)forta'e/ #ady *uia as1ed a'ruptyH bWhat
is 'eing doneAN
b%eing doneA I do not understand you> )ada)e/N
bI )ean a'out the ro''ery/ Surey the poi.e )ust 'e doing
so)ething/N Poirot shoo1 his head/
bThe poi.e have not 'een .aed in/ I a) in .harge/N
She stared at hi)> her restess haggard fa.e sharpened and tense/
!er eyes> dar1 and sear.hing> sought to pier.e his i)passivity/
They fe at ast ; defeated/
b@ou .annot te )e +hat is 'eing doneAN
bI .an ony assure you> )ada)e> that I a) eaving no stone
unturned/N bTo .at.h the thief ; or to ; re.over the papersAN
bThe re.overy of the papers is the )ain thing> )ada)e/N !er
)anner .hanged/ It 'e.a)e 'ored> istess/
b@es>N she said indifferenty/ bI suppose it is/N There +as another
pause/
bIs there anything ese> M/ PoirotAN
b0o> )ada)e/ I +i not detain you further/N bThan1 you/N
!e opened the door for her/ She passed out +ithout gan.ing at hi)/
Poirot +ent 'a.1 to the firepa.e and .arefuy rearranged the
orna)ents on the )antepie.e/ !e +as sti at it +hen #ord Mayfied
.a)e in through the +indo+/
bWeAN said the atter/
b7ery +e> I thin1/ (vents are shaping the)seves as they shoud/N
#ord Mayfied said> staring at hi)H
b@ou are peased/N
b0o> I a) not peased/ %ut I a) .ontent/N b&eay> M/ Poirot> I .annot
)a1e you out/N bI a) not su.h a .haratan as you thin1/N
bI never said ; N
b0o> 'ut you thoughtG 0o )atter/ I a) not offended/ It is so)eti)es
ne.essary for )e to adopt a .ertain pose/N
#ord Mayfied oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy +ith a .ertain a)ount of
distrust/ !er.ue Poirot +as a )an he did not understand/ !e +anted
to despise hi)> 'ut so)ething +arned hi) that this ridi.uous itte
)an +as not so futie as he appeared/ Chares M.#aughin had
a+ays 'een a'e to re.ogni?e .apa'iity +hen he sa+ it/
bWe>N he said> b+e are in your hands/ What do you advise neBtAN
bCan you get rid of your guestsAN
bI thin1 it )ight 'e arrangedc I .oud eBpain that I have to go to
#ondon over this affair/ They +i then pro'a'y offer to eave/N
b7ery good/ Try and arrange it i1e that/N #ord Mayfied hesitated/
b@ou donNt thin1 ; AN
bI a) 8uite sure that that +oud 'e the +ise .ourse to ta1e/N #ord
Mayfied shrugged his shouders/
bWe> if you say so/N !e +ent out/
Chapter O
The guests eft after un.h/ Mrs 7anderyn and Mrs Ma.atta +ent 'y
train> the Carringtons had their .ar/ Poirot +as standing in the ha as
Mrs 7anderyn 'ade her host a .har)ing fare+e/
bSo terri'y sorry for you having this 'other and anBiety/ I do hope it
+i turn out a right for you/ I shanNt 'reathe a +ord of anything/N
She pressed his hand and +ent out to +here the &os +as +aiting to
ta1e her to the station/ Mrs Ma.atta +as aready inside/ !er adieu
had 'een .urt and unsy)patheti./
Suddeny #eonie> +ho had 'een getting in front +ith the .hauffeur>
.a)e running 'a.1 into the ha/ bThe dressing;.ase of )ada)e> it is
not in the .ar>N she eB.ai)ed/
There +as a hurried sear.h/ At ast #ord Mayfied dis.overed it
+here it had 'een put do+n in the shado+ of an od oa1 .hest/
#eonie uttered a gad itte .ry as she sei?ed the eegant affair of
green )oro..o> and hurried out +ith it/
Then Mrs 7anderyn eaned out of the .ar/
b#ord Mayfied> #ord Mayfied/N She handed hi) a etter/ bWoud you
)ind putting this in your post;'agA If I 1eep it )eaning to post it in
to+n> IN) sure to forget/ #etters Dust stay in )y 'ag for days/N
Sir ,eorge Carrington +as fidgeting +ith his +at.h> opening and
shutting it/ !e +as a )ania. for pun.tuaity/
bTheyNre .utting it fine>N he )ur)ured/ b7ery fine/ 2ness theyNre
.arefu> theyN )iss the train ; N !is +ife said irrita'yH
b<h> donNt fuss> ,eorge/ After a> itNs their train> not oursGN !e
oo1ed at her reproa.hfuy/
The &os drove off/
&eggie dre+ up at the front door in the CarringtonsN Morris/ bA
ready> Father>N he said/
The servants 'egan 'ringing out the CarringtonsN uggage/ &eggie
supervised its disposa in the di.1ey/ Poirot )oved out of the front
door> +at.hing the pro.eedings/
Suddeny he fet a hand on his ar)/ #ady *uiaNs voi.e spo1e in an
agitated +hisper/ bM/ Poirot/ I )ust spea1 to you ; at on.e/N
!e yieded to her insistent hand/ She dre+ hi) into a s)a )orningroo)
and .osed the door/ She .a)e .ose to hi)/
bIs it true +hat you said ; that the dis.overy of the papers is +hat
)atters )ost to #ord MayfiedAN
Poirot oo1ed at her .uriousy/ bIt is 8uite true> )ada)e/N
bIf ; if those papers +ere returned to you> +oud you underta1e that
they shoud 'e given 'a.1 to #ord Mayfied> and no 8uestion as1edAN
bI a) not sure that I understand you/N
b@ou )ustG I a) sure that you doG I a) suggesting that the ; the thief
shoud re)ain anony)ous if the papers are returned/N
Poirot as1edH
b!o+ soon +oud that 'e> )ada)eAN b$efinitey +ithin t+eve hours/N
b@ou .an pro)ise thatAN
bI .an pro)ise it/N
As he did not ans+er> she repeated urgentyH
bWi you guarantee that there +i 'e no pu'i.ityAN !e ans+ered
then ; very graveyH
b@es> )ada)e> I +i guarantee that/N bThen everything .an 'e
arranged/N
She passed a'rupty fro) the roo)/ A )o)ent ater Poirot heard the
.ar drive a+ay/
!e .rossed the ha and +ent aong the passage to the study/ #ord
Mayfied +as there/ !e oo1ed up as Poirot entered/
bWeAN he said/
Poirot spread out his hands/
bThe .ase is ended> #ord Mayfied/N bWhatAN
Poirot repeated +ord for +ord the s.ene 'et+een hi)sef and #ady
*uia/ #ord Mayfied oo1ed at hi) +ith a stupefied eBpression/
b%ut +hat does it )eanA I donNt understand/N
bIt is very .ear> is it notA #ady *uia 1no+s +ho stoe the pans/N b@ou
donNt )ean she too1 the) hersefAN
bCertainy not/ #ady *uia )ay 'e a ga)'er/ She is not a thief/ %ut if
she offers to return the pans> it )eans that they +ere ta1en 'y her
hus'and or her son/ 0o+ Sir ,eorge Carrington +as out on the
terra.e +ith you/ That eaves us the son/ I thin1 I .an re.onstru.t the
happenings of ast night fairy a..uratey/ #ady *uia +ent to her
sonNs roo) ast night and found it e)pty/ She .a)e do+nstairs to
oo1 for hi)> 'ut did not find hi)/ This )orning she hears of the theft>
and she aso hears that her son de.ares that he +ent straight to his
roo) and never eft it/ That> she 1no+s> is not true/ And she 1no+s
so)ething ese a'out her son/ She 1no+s that he is +ea1> that he is
desperatey hard;up for )oney/ She has o'served his infatuation for
Mrs 7anderyn/ The +hoe thing is .ear to her/ Mrs 7anderyn has
persuaded &eggie to stea the pans/ %ut she deter)ines to pay her
part aso/ She +i ta.1e &eggie> get hod of the papers and return
the)/N
b%ut the +hoe thing is 8uite i)possi'e>N .ried #ord Mayfied/
b@es> it is i)possi'e> 'ut #ady *uia does not 1no+ that/ She does
not 1no+ +hat I> !er.ue Poirot> 1no+> that young &eggie Carrington
+as not steaing papers ast night> 'ut instead +as phiandering +ith
Mrs 7anderynNs Fren.h )aid/N
bThe +hoe thing is a )areNs nestGN b(Ba.ty/N
bAnd the .ase is not ended at aGN
b@es> it is ended/ I> !er.ue Poirot> 1no+ the truth/ @ou do not 'eieve
)eA @ou did not 'eieve )e yesterday +hen I said I 1ne+ +here the
pans +ere/ %ut I did 1no+/ They +ere very .ose at hand/N
bWhereAN
bThey +ere in your po.1et> )y ord/N
There +as a pause> then #ord Mayfied saidH
b$o you reay 1no+ +hat you are saying> M/ PoirotAN
b@es> I 1no+/ I 1no+ that I a) spea1ing to a very .ever )an/ Fro)
the first it +orried )e that you> +ho +ere ad)ittedy short;sighted>
shoud 'e so positive a'out the figure you had seen eaving the
+indo+/ @ou +anted that soution ; the .onvenient soution ; to 'e
a..epted/ WhyA #ater> one 'y one> I ei)inated everyone ese/ Mrs
7anderyn +as upstairs> Sir ,eorge +as +ith you on the terra.e>
&eggie Carrington +as +ith the Fren.h gir on the stairs> Mrs
Ma.atta +as 'a)eessy in her 'edroo)/ 9It is neBt to the house1eeperNs
roo)> and Mrs Ma.atta snoresG: #ady *uia .eary 'eieved
her son guity/ So there re)ained ony t+o possi'iities/ (ither Carie
did not put the papers on the des1 'ut into his o+n po.1et 9and that
is not reasona'e> 'e.ause> as you pointed out> he .oud have ta1en
a tra.ing of the):> or ese ; or ese the pans +ere there +hen you
+a1ed over to the des1> and the ony pa.e they .oud have gone
+as into your po.1et/ In that .ase everything +as .ear/ @our
insisten.e on the figure you had seen> your insisten.e on CarieNs
inno.en.e> your disin.ination to have )e su))oned/
b<ne thing did pu??e )e ; the )otive/ @ou +ere> I +as .onvin.ed> an
honest )an> a )an of integrity/ That sho+ed in your anBiety that no
inno.ent person shoud 'e suspe.ted/ It +as aso o'vious that the
theft of the pans )ight easiy affe.t your .areer unfavoura'y/ Why>
then> this +hoy unreasona'e theftA And at ast the ans+er .a)e to
)e/ The .risis in your .areer> so)e years ago> the assuran.es given
to the +ord 'y the Pri)e Minister that you had had no negotiations
+ith the po+er in 8uestion/ Suppose that that +as not stri.ty true>
that there re)ained so)e re.ord ; a etter> perhaps ; sho+ing that in
a.tua fa.t you had done +hat you had pu'i.y denied/ Su.h a denia
+as ne.essary in the interests of pu'i. poi.y/ %ut it is dou'tfu if the
)an in the street +oud see it that +ay/ It )ight )ean that at the
)o)ent +hen supre)e po+er )ight 'e given into your hands> so)e
stupid e.ho fro) the past +oud undo everything/
bI suspe.t that that etter has 'een preserved in the hands of a
.ertain govern)ent> that that govern)ent offered to trade +ith you ;
the etter in eB.hange for the pans of the ne+ 'o)'er/ So)e )en
+oud have refused/ @ou ; did notG @ou agreed/ Mrs 7anderyn +as
the agent in the )atter/ She .a)e here 'y arrange)ent to )a1e the
eB.hange/ @ou gave yoursef a+ay +hen you ad)itted that you had
for)ed no definite stratage) for entrapping her/ That ad)ission
)ade your reason for inviting her here in.redi'y +ea1/
b@ou arranged the ro''ery/ Pretended to see the thief on the terra.e
; there'y .earing Carie of suspi.ion/ (ven if he had not eft the
roo)> the des1 +as so near the +indo+ that a thief )ight have ta1en
the pans +hie Carie +as 'usy at the safe +ith his 'a.1 turned/ @ou
+a1ed over to the des1> too1 the pans and 1ept the) on your o+n
person unti the )o)ent +hen> 'y prearranged pan> you sipped
the) into Mrs 7anderynNs dressing;.ase/ In return she handed you
the fata etter disguised as an unposted etter of her o+n/N
Poirot stopped/ #ord Mayfied saidH
b@our 1no+edge is very .o)pete> M/ Poirot/ @ou )ust thin1 )e an
unuttera'e s1un1/N Poirot )ade a 8ui.1 gesture/
b0o> no> #ord Mayfied/ I thin1> as I said> that you are a very .ever
)an/ It .a)e to )e suddeny as +e ta1ed here ast night/ @ou are a
first;.ass engineer/ There +i 'e> I thin1> so)e su'te aterations in
the spe.ifi.ations of that 'o)'er> aterations done so s1ifuy that it
+i 'e diffi.ut to grasp +hy the )a.hine is not the su..ess it ought
to 'e/ A .ertain foreign po+er +i find the type a faiurec It +i 'e a
disappoint)ent to the)> I a) surecN
Again there +as a sien.e ; then #ord Mayfied saidH
b@ou are )u.h too .ever> M/ Poirot/ I +i ony as1 you to 'eieve one
thing/ I have faith in )ysef/ I 'eieve that I a) the )an to guide
(ngand through the days of .risis that I see .o)ing/ If I did not
honesty 'eieve that I a) needed 'y )y .ountry to steer the ship of
state> I +oud not have done +hat I have done ; )ade the 'est of 'oth
+ords ; saved )ysef fro) disaster 'y a .ever tri.1/N
bMy ord>N said Poirot> bif you .oud not )a1e the 'est of 'oth +ords>
you .oud not 'e a poiti.ianGN
$ead ManNs Mirror
Chapter 1
I
The fat +as a )odern one/ The furnishings of the roo) +ere
)odern> too/ The ar).hairs +ere s8uarey 'uit> the upright .hairs
+ere anguar/ A )odern +riting;ta'e +as set s8uarey in front of the
+indo+> and at it sat a s)a> edery )an/ !is head +as pra.ti.ay
the ony thing in the roo) that +as not s8uare/ It +as egg;shaped/
M/ !er.ue Poirot +as reading a etterH
StationH Whi)perey/ !a)'orough Cose>
Teegra)sH !a)'orough St Mary
!a)'orough St/ *ohn/ Westshire/
M/ !er.ue Poirot/
Septe)'er 24th> 1953/
$ear Sir> ; A )atter has arisen +hi.h re8uires handing +ith great
dei.a.y and dis.retion/ I have heard good a..ounts of you> and
have de.ided to entrust the )atter to you/ I have reason to 'eieve
that I a) the vi.ti) of fraud> 'ut for fa)iy reasons I do not +ish to
.a in the poi.e/ I a) ta1ing .ertain )easures of )y o+n to dea
+ith the 'usiness> 'ut you )ust 'e prepared to .o)e do+n here
i))ediatey on re.eipt of a teegra)/ I shoud 'e o'iged if you +i
not ans+er this etter/
@ours faithfuy>
,ervase CheveniB;,ore/
The eye'ro+s of M/ !er.ue Poirot .i)'ed so+y up his forehead
unti they neary disappeared into his hair/
bAnd +ho> then>N he de)anded of spa.e> bis this ,ervase CheveniB;
,oreAN !e .rossed to a 'oo1.ase and too1 out a arge> fat 'oo1/
!e found +hat he +anted easiy enough/
CheveniB;,ore> Sir ,ervase Fran.is Zavier> 16th %t/ .r/ 1394I
for)ery Captain 1Eth #an.ersI '/ 1Oth May> 1OEOI e/s/ of Sir ,uy
CheveniB;,ore> 9th %t/> and #ady Caudia %retherton> 2nd/ d/ of Oth
(ar of Waingford/ S/ father> 1911I )/ 1912> 7anda (i?a'eth> e/d/ of
Coone Frederi.1 Ar'uthnot> 8/v/I edu./ (ton/ Served (uropean
War> 1914`1O/ &e.reationsH traveing> 'ig;ga)e hunting/ AddressH
!a)'orough St Mary> Westshire> and 21O #o+ndes S8uare> S/W/1/
Cu'sH Cavary/ Traveers/
Poirot shoo1 his head in a sighty dissatisfied )anner/ For a
)o)ent or t+o he re)ained ost in thought> then he +ent to the des1>
pued open a dra+er and too1 out a itte pie of invitation .ards/
!is fa.e 'rightened/
bA a 'onne heureG (Ba.ty )y affairG !e +i .ertainy 'e there/N
II
A du.hess greeted M/ !er.ue Poirot in fuso)e tones/
bSo you .oud )anage to .o)e after a> M/ PoirotG Why> thatNs
spendid/N bThe peasure is )ine> )ada)e>N )ur)ured Poirot>
'o+ing/
!e es.aped fro) severa i)portant and spendid 'eings ; a fa)ous
dipo)at> an e8uay fa)ous a.tress and a +e;1no+n sporting peer
; and found at ast the person he had .o)e to see1> that invaria'y
baso presentN guest> Mr Satterth+aite/
Mr Satterth+aite t+ittered a)ia'y/
bThe dear du.hess ; I a+ays enDoy her partiesc Su.h a personaity>
if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ I sa+ a ot of her in Corsi.a so)e years
agocN
Mr Satterth+aiteNs .onversation +as apt to 'e unduy 'urdened 'y
)entions of his tited a.8uaintan.es/ It is possi'e that he )ay
so)eti)es have found peasure in the .o)pany of Messrs/ *ones>
%ro+n or &o'inson> 'ut> if so> he did not )ention the fa.t/ And yet> to
des.ri'e Mr Satterth+aite as a )ere sno' and eave it at that +oud
have 'een to do hi) an inDusti.e/ !e +as a 1een o'server of hu)an
nature> and if it is true that the oo1er;on 1no+s )ost of the ga)e> Mr
Satterth+aite 1ne+ a good dea/
b@ou 1no+> )y dear feo+> it is reay ages sin.e I sa+ you/ I a+ays
fee )ysef privieged to have seen you +or1 at .ose 8uarters in the
Cro+Ns 0est 'usiness/ I fee sin.e then that I a) in the 1no+> so to
spea1/ I sa+ #ady Mary ony ast +ee1> 'y the +ay/ A .har)ing
.reature ; pot;pourri and avenderGN
After passing ighty on one or t+o s.andas of the )o)ent ; the
indis.retions of an earNs daughter> and the a)enta'e .ondu.t of a
vis.ount ; Poirot su..eeded in introdu.ing the na)e of ,ervase
CheveniB;,ore/
Mr Satterth+aite responded i))ediatey/
bAh> no+> there is a .hara.ter> if you i1eG The #ast of the %aronets ;
thatNs his ni.1na)e/N bPardon> I do not 8uite .o)prehend/N
Mr Satterth+aite un'ent indugenty to the o+er .o)prehension of
a foreigner/
bItNs a Do1e> you 1no+ ` a Do1e/ 0aturay> heNs not reay the ast
'aronet in (ngand ; 'ut he does represent the end of an era/ The
%od %ad %aronet ; the )ad haru);s.aru) 'aronet so popuar in the
noves of the ast .entury ; the 1ind of feo+ +ho aid i)possi'e
+agers and +on Ne)/N
!e +ent on to eBpound +hat he )eant in )ore detai/ In younger
years> ,ervase CheveniB;,ore had saied round the +ord in a
+indDa))er/ !e had 'een on an eBpedition to the Poe/ !e had
.haenged a ra.ing peer to a due/ For a +ager he had ridden his
favourite )are up the stair.ase of a du.a house/ !e had on.e eapt
fro) a 'oB to the stage and .arried off a +e;1no+n a.tress in the
)idde of her rUe/
The ane.dotes of hi) +ere innu)era'e/
bItNs an od fa)iy>N +ent on Mr Satterth+aite/ bSir ,uy de CheveniB
+ent on the first .rusade/ 0o+> aas> the ine oo1s i1e .o)ing to an
end/ <d ,ervase is the ast CheveniB;,ore/N
bThe estate> it is i)poverishedAN
b0ot a 'it of it/ ,ervase is fa'uousy +eathy/ <+ns vaua'e house
property ; .oafieds ; and in addition he sta1ed out a .ai) to so)e
)ine in Peru or so)e+here in South A)eri.a> +hen he +as a young
)an> +hi.h has yieded hi) a fortune/ An a)a?ing )an/ A+ays u.1y
in everything heNs underta1en/N
b!e is no+ an edery )an> of .ourseAN
b@es> poor od ,ervase/N Mr Satterth+aite sighed> shoo1 his head/
bMost peope +oud des.ri'e hi) to you as )ad as a hatter/ ItNs true>
in a +ay/ !e is )ad ; not in the sense of 'eing .ertifia'e or having
deusions ; 'ut )ad in the sense of 'eing a'nor)a/ !eNs a+ays
'een a )an of great originaity of .hara.ter/N
bAnd originaity 'e.o)es e..entri.ity as the years go 'yAN
suggested Poirot/ b7ery true/ ThatNs eBa.ty +hatNs happened to
poor od ,ervase/N
b!e has perhaps> a s+oen idea of his o+n i)portan.eAN
bA'soutey/ I shoud i)agine that> in ,ervaseNs )ind> the +ord has
a+ays 'een divided into t+o parts ; there are the CheveniB;,ores>
and the other peopeGN
bAn eBaggerated sense of fa)iyGN
b@es/ The CheveniB;,ores are a arrogant as the devi ; a a+ unto
the)seves/ ,ervase> 'eing the ast of the)> has got it 'ady/ !e is ;
+e> reay> you 1no+> to hear hi) ta1> you )ight i)agine hi) to 'e ;
er> the A)ightyGN
Poirot nodded his head so+y and thoughtfuy/
b@es> I i)agined that/ I have had> you see> a etter fro) hi)/ It +as an
unusua etter/ It did not de)and/ It su))onedGN
bA roya .o))and>N said Mr Satterth+aite> tittering a itte/
bPre.isey/ It did not see) to o..ur to this Sir ,ervase that I> !er.ue
Poirot> a) a )an of i)portan.e> a )an of infinite affairsG That it +as
eBtre)ey uni1ey that I shoud 'e a'e to fing everything aside and
.o)e hastening i1e an o'edient dog ; i1e a )ere no'ody> gratified
to re.eive a .o))issionGN
Mr Satterth+aite 'it his ip in an effort to suppress a s)ie/ It )ay
have o..urred to hi) that +here egois) +as .on.erned> there +as
not )u.h to .hoose 'et+een !er.ue Poirot and ,ervase CheveniB;
,ore/
!e )ur)uredH
b<f .ourse> if the .ause of the su))ons +as urgent ; AN
bIt +as notGN PoirotNs hands rose in the air in an e)phati. gesture/ bI
+as to hod )ysef at his disposition> that +as a> in .ase he shoud
re8uire )eG (nfin> De vous de)andeG N
Again the hands rose eo8uenty> eBpressing 'etter than +ords .oud
do M/ !er.ue PoirotNs sense of utter outrage/
bI ta1e it>N said Mr Satterth+aite> bthat you refusedAN
bI have not yet had the opportunity>N said Poirot so+y/ b%ut you +i
refuseAN
A ne+ eBpression passed over the itte )anNs fa.e/ !is 'ro+
furro+ed itsef perpeBedy/ !e saidH
b!o+ .an I eBpress )ysefA To refuse ; yes> that +as )y first
instin.t/ %ut I do not 1no+c <ne has> so)eti)es> a feeing/ Fainty> I
see) to s)e the fishcN
Mr Satterth+aite re.eived this ast state)ent +ithout any sign of
a)use)ent/ b<hAN he said/ bThat is interestingcN
bIt see)s to )e>N +ent on !er.ue Poirot> bthat a )an su.h as you
have des.ri'ed )ight 'e very vunera'e ; N
b7unera'eAN 8ueried Mr Satterth+aite/ For the )o)ent he +as
surprised/ The +ord +as not one that he +oud naturay have
asso.iated +ith ,ervase CheveniB;,ore/ %ut he +as a )an of
per.eption> 8ui.1 in o'servation/ !e said so+yH
bI thin1 I see +hat you )ean/N
bSu.h a one is en.ased> is he not> in an ar)our ; su.h an ar)ourG
The ar)our of the .rusaders +as nothing to it ; an ar)our of
arrogan.e> of pride> of .o)pete sef;estee)/ This ar)our> it is in
so)e +ays a prote.tion> the arro+s> the everyday arro+s of ife
gan.e off it/ %ut there is this dangerH so)eti)es a )an in ar)our
)ight not even 1no+ he +as 'eing atta.1ed/ !e +i 'e so+ to see>
so+ to hear ; so+er sti to fee/N
!e paused> then as1ed +ith a .hange of )annerH
b<f +hat does the fa)iy of this Sir ,ervase .onsistAN
bThereNs 7anda ; his +ife/ She +as an Ar'uthnot ; very handso)e
gir/ SheNs sti 8uite a handso)e +o)an/ Frightfuy vague> though/
$evoted to ,ervase/ SheNs got a eaning to+ards the o..ut> I
'eieve/ Wears a)uets and s.ara's and gives out that sheNs the
rein.arnation of an (gyptian 4ueenc Then thereNs &uth ; sheNs their
adopted daughter/ TheyNve no .hidren of their o+n/ 7ery attra.tive
gir in the )odern stye/ ThatNs a the fa)iy/ (B.ept> of .ourse> for
!ugo Trent/ !eNs ,ervaseNs nephe+/ Pa)ea CheveniB;,ore )arried
&eggie Trent and !ugo +as their ony .hid/ !eNs an orphan/ !e .anNt
inherit the tite> of .ourse> 'ut I i)agine heN .o)e in for )ost of
,ervaseNs )oney in the end/ ,ood;oo1ing ad> heNs in the %ues/N
Poirot nodded his head thoughtfuy/ Then he as1edH
bIt is a grief to Sir ,ervase> yes> that he has no son to inherit his
na)eAN bI shoud i)agine that it .uts pretty deep/N
bThe fa)iy na)e> it is a passion +ith hi)AN b@es/N
Mr Satterth+aite +as sient a )o)ent or t+o/ !e +as very intrigued/
Finay he venturedH b@ou see a definite reason for going do+n to
!a)'orough CoseAN
So+y> Poirot shoo1 his head/
b0o>N he said/ bAs far as I .an see> there is no reason at a/ %ut> a
the sa)e> I fan.y I sha go/N
Chapter 2
!er.ue Poirot sat in the .orner of a first;.ass .arriage speeding
through the (ngish .ountryside/ Meditativey he too1 fro) his
po.1et a neaty;foded teegra)> +hi.h he opened and re;readH Ta1e
four;thirty fro) St Pan.ras instru.t guard have eBpress stopped at
Whi)perey/ CheveniB;,ore/
!e foded up the teegra) again and put it 'a.1 in his po.1et/
The guard on the train had 'een o'se8uious/ The gente)an +as
going to !a)'orough CoseA <h> yes> Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,oreNs
guests a+ays had the eBpress stopped at Whi)perey/ bA spe.ia
1ind of prerogative> I thin1 it is> sir/N
Sin.e then the guard had paid t+o visits to the .arriage ; the first in
order to assure the traveer that everything +oud 'e done to 1eep
the .arriage for hi)sef> the se.ond to announ.e that the eBpress
+as running ten )inutes ate/
The train +as due to arrive at E/F6> 'ut it +as eBa.ty t+o )inutes
past eight +hen !er.ue Poirot des.ended on to the patfor) of the
itte .ountry station and pressed the eBpe.ted haf;.ro+n into the
attentive guardNs hand/
There +as a +histe fro) the engine> and the 0orthern (Bpress
'egan to )ove on.e )ore/ A ta .hauffeur in dar1 green unifor)
stepped up to Poirot/
bMr PoirotA For !a)'orough CoseAN
!e pi.1ed up the dete.tiveNs neat vaise and ed the +ay out of the
station/ A 'ig &os +as +aiting/ The .hauffeur hed the door open for
Poirot to get in> arranged a su)ptuous fur rug over his 1nees> and
they drove off/
After so)e ten )inutes of .ross;.ountry driving> round sharp
.orners and do+n .ountry anes> the .ar turned in at a +ide gate+ay
fan1ed +ith huge stone griffons/
They drove through a par1 and up to the house/ The door of it +as
opened as they dre+ up> and a 'uter of i)posing proportions
sho+ed hi)sef upon the front step/
bMr PoirotA This +ay> sir/N
!e ed the +ay aong the ha and thre+ open a door haf;+ay aong
it on the right/ bMr !er.ue Poirot>N he announ.ed/
The roo) .ontained a nu)'er of peope in evening dress> and as
Poirot +a1ed in his 8ui.1 eyes per.eived at on.e that his
appearan.e +as not eBpe.ted/ The eyes of a present rested on hi)
in unfeigned surprise/
Then a ta +o)an> +hose dar1 hair +as threaded +ith grey> )ade
an un.ertain advan.e to+ards hi)/ Poirot 'o+ed over her hand/
bMy apoogies> )ada)e>N he said/ bI fear that )y train +as ate/N
b0ot at a>N said #ady CheveniB;,ore vaguey/ !er eyes sti stared at
hi) in a pu??ed fashion/ b0ot at a> Mr ; er ; I didnNt 8uite hear ; N
b!er.ue Poirot/N
!e said the na)e .eary and distin.ty/
So)e+here 'ehind hi) he heard a sudden sharp inta1e of 'reath/
At the sa)e ti)e he reai?ed that .eary his host .oud not 'e in the
roo)/ !e )ur)ured gentyH b@ou 1ne+ I +as .o)ing> )ada)eAN
b<h ; oh> yescN !er )anner +as not .onvin.ing/ bI thin1 ; I )ean I
suppose so> 'ut I a) so terri'y i)pra.ti.a> M/ Poirot/ I forget
everything/N !er tone hed a )ean.hoy peasure in the fa.t/ bI a)
tod things/ I appear to ta1e the) in ; 'ut they Dust pass through )y
'rain and are goneG 7anishedG As though they had never 'een/N
Then> +ith a sight air of perfor)ing a duty ong overdue> she
gan.ed round her vaguey and )ur)uredH bI eBpe.t you 1no+
every'ody/N
Though this +as patenty not the .ase> the phrase +as .eary a +e+orn
for)ua 'y )eans of +hi.h #ady CheveniB;,ore spared hersef
the trou'e of introdu.tion and the strain of re)e)'ering peopeNs
right na)es/
Ma1ing a supre)e effort to )eet the diffi.uties of this parti.uar
.ase> she addedH bMy daughter ; &uth/N
The gir +ho stood 'efore hi) +as aso ta and dar1> 'ut she +as of
a very different type/ Instead of the fattish> indeter)inate features of
#ady CheveniB;,ore> she had a +e;.hiseed nose> sighty a8uiine>
and a .ear> sharp ine of Da+/ !er 'a.1 hair s+ept 'a.1 fro) her
fa.e into a )ass of itte tight .urs/ !er .oouring +as of .arnation
.earness and 'riian.e> and o+ed itte to )a1e;up/ She +as> so
!er.ue Poirot thought> one of the oveiest girs he had seen/
!e re.ogni?ed> too> that she had 'rains as +e as 'eauty> and
guessed at .ertain 8uaities of pride and te)per/ !er voi.e> +hen
she spo1e> .a)e +ith a sight dra+ that stru.1 hi) as dei'eratey
put on/
b!o+ eB.iting>N she said> bto entertain M/ !er.ue PoirotG The od )an
arranged a itte surprise for us> I suppose/N
bSo you did not 1no+ I +as .o)ing> )ade)oiseeAN he said 8ui.1y/
bI hadnNt an idea of it/ As it is> I )ust postpone getting )y autograph
'oo1 unti after dinner/N The notes of a gong sounded fro) the ha>
then the 'uter opened the door and announ.edH b$inner is served/N
And then> a)ost 'efore the ast +ord> bservedN> had 'een uttered>
so)ething very .urious happened/ The pontifi.ia do)esti. figure
'e.a)e> Dust for one )o)ent> a highy;astonished hu)an 'eingc
The )eta)orphosis +as so 8ui.1 and the )as1 of the +e;trained
servant +as 'a.1 again so soon> that anyone +ho had not happened
to 'e oo1ing +oud not have noti.ed the .hange/ Poirot> ho+ever>
had happened to 'e oo1ing/ !e +ondered/
The 'uter hesitated in the door+ay/ Though his fa.e +as again
.orre.ty eBpressioness> an air of tension hung a'out his figure/
#ady CheveniB;,ore said un.ertainyH
b<h> dear ; this is )ost eBtraordinary/ &eay> I ; one hardy 1no+s
+hat to do/N &uth said to PoirotH
bThis singuar .onsternation> M/ Poirot> is o..asioned 'y the fa.t
that )y father> for the first ti)e for at east t+enty years> is ate for
dinner/N
bIt is )ost eBtraordinary ; N +aied #ady CheveniB;,ore/ b,ervase
never ; N
An edery )an of upright sodiery .arriage .a)e to her side/ !e
aughed geniay/
b,ood od ,ervaseG #ate at astG 2pon )y +ord> +eN rag hi) over
this/ (usive .oar;stud> dNyou thin1A <r is ,ervase i))une fro) our
.o))on +ea1nessesAN
#ady CheveniB;,ore said in a o+> pu??ed voi.eH b%ut ,ervase is
never ate/N
It +as a)ost udi.rous> the .onsternation .aused 'y this si)pe
.ontrete)ps/ And yet> to !er.ue Poirot> it +as not udi.rousc
%ehind the .onsternation he fet uneasiness ; perhaps even
apprehension/ And he> too> found it strange that ,ervase CheveniB;
,ore shoud not appear to greet the guest he had su))oned in su.h
a )ysterious )anner/
In the )eanti)e> it +as .ear that no'ody 1ne+ 8uite +hat to do/ An
unpre.edented situation had arisen +ith +hi.h no'ody 1ne+ ho+ to
dea/
#ady CheveniB;,ore at ast too1 the initiative> if initiative it .an 'e
.aed/ Certainy her )anner +as vague in the eBtre)e/
bSne>N she said> bis your )aster ; AN
She did not finish the senten.e> )erey oo1ed at the 'uter
eBpe.tanty/
Sne> +ho +as .eary used to his )istressNs )ethods of see1ing
infor)ation> repied pro)pty to the unspe.ified 8uestionH
bSir ,ervase .a)e do+nstairs at five )inutes to eight> )Nady> and
+ent straight to the study/N
b<h> I see ; N !er )outh re)ained open> her eyes see)ed far a+ay/
b@ou donNt thin1 ; I )ean ; he heard the gongAN
bI thin1 he )ust have done so> )Nady> the gong 'eing i))ediatey
outside the study door/ I did not> of .ourse> 1no+ that Sir ,ervase
+as sti in the study> other+ise I shoud have announ.ed to hi) that
dinner +as ready/ Sha I do so no+> )NadyAN
#ady CheveniB;,ore sei?ed on the suggestion +ith )anifest reief/
b<h> than1 you> Sne/ @es> pease do/ @es> .ertainy/N
She said> as the 'uter eft the roo)H
bSne is su.h a treasure/ I rey on hi) a'soutey/ I reay donNt 1no+
+hat I shoud do +ithout Sne/N
So)e'ody )ur)ured a sy)patheti. assent> 'ut no'ody spo1e/
!er.ue Poirot> +at.hing that roo) fu of peope +ith suddeny
sharpened attention> had an idea that one and a +ere in a state of
tension/ !is eyes ran 8ui.1y over the)> ta'uating the) roughy/
T+o edery )en> the sodiery one +ho had spo1en Dust no+> and a
thin> spare> grey;haired )an +ith .osey pin.hed ega ips/ T+o
youngish )en ; very different in type fro) ea.h other/ <ne +ith a
)ousta.he and an air of )odest arrogan.e> he guessed to 'e
possi'y Sir ,ervaseNs nephe+> the one in the %ues/ The other> +ith
see1 'rushed;'a.1 hair and a rather o'vious stye of good oo1s> he
put do+n as of a definitey inferior so.ia .ass/ There +as a s)a
)idde;aged +o)an +ith pin.e;ne? and inteigent eyes> and there
+as a gir +ith fa)ing red hair/
Sne appeared at the door/ !is )anner +as perfe.t> 'ut on.e again
the veneer of the i)persona 'uter sho+ed signs of the pertur'ed
hu)an 'eing 'eneath the surfa.e/
b(B.use )e> )Nady> the study door is o.1ed/N b#o.1edAN
It +as a )anNs voi.e ; young> aert> +ith a ring of eB.ite)ent in it/ It
+as the good;oo1ing young )an +ith the si.1ed;'a.1 hair +ho had
spo1en/ !e +ent on> hurrying for+ardH bSha I go and see ; AN
%ut very 8uiety !er.ue Poirot too1 .o))and/ !e did it so naturay
that no one thought it odd that this stranger> +ho had Dust arrived>
shoud suddeny assu)e .harge of the situation/
bCo)e>N he said/ b#et us go to the study/N !e .ontinued> spea1ing to
SneH
b#ead the +ay> if you pease/N
Sne o'eyed/ Poirot foo+ed .ose 'ehind hi)> and> i1e a fo.1 of
sheep> everyone ese foo+ed/
Sne ed the +ay through the 'ig ha> past the great 'ran.hing
.urve of the stair.ase> past an enor)ous grandfather .o.1 and a
re.ess in +hi.h stood a gong> aong a narro+ passage +hi.h ended
in a door/
!ere Poirot passed Sne and genty tried the hande/ It turned> 'ut
the door did not open/ Poirot rapped genty +ith his 1nu.1es on the
pane of the door/ !e rapped ouder and ouder/ Then> suddeny
desisting> he dropped to his 1nees and appied his eye to the
1eyhoe/
So+y he rose to his feet and oo1ed round/ !is fa.e +as stern/
b,ente)enGN he said/ bThis door )ust 'e 'ro1en open i))ediateyGN
2nder his dire.tion the t+o young )en> +ho +ere 'oth ta and
po+erfuy 'uit> atta.1ed the door/ It +as no easy )atter/ The doors
of !a)'orough Cose +ere soidy 'uit/
At ast> ho+ever> the o.1 gave> and the door s+ung in+ards +ith a
noise of spintering> rending +ood/
And then> for a )o)ent> everyone stood sti> hudded in the
door+ay oo1ing at the s.ene inside/ The ights +ere on/ Aong the
eft;hand +a +as a 'ig +riting;ta'e> a )assive affair of soid
)ahogany/ Sitting> not at the ta'e> 'ut side+ays to it> so that his
'a.1 +as dire.ty to+ards the)> +as a 'ig )an sou.hed do+n in a
.hair/ !is head and the upper part of his 'ody hung do+n over the
right side of the .hair> and his right hand and ar) hung i)py do+n/
*ust 'eo+ it on the .arpet +as a s)a> gea)ing pistoc
There +as no need of spe.uation/ The pi.ture +as .ear/ Sir
,ervase CheveniB;,ore had shot hi)sef/
Chapter 5
For a )o)ent or t+o the group in the door+ay stood )otioness>
staring at the s.ene/ Then Poirot strode for+ard/
At the sa)e )o)ent !ugo Trent said .rispyH bMy ,od> the <d
ManNs shot hi)sefGN
And there +as a ong> shuddering )oan fro) #ady CheveniB;,ore/
b<h> ,ervase ; ,ervaseGN
<ver his shouder Poirot said sharpyH
bTa1e #ady CheveniB;,ore a+ay/ She .an do nothing here/N The
edery sodiery )an o'eyed/ !e saidH
bCo)e> 7anda/ Co)e> )y dear/ @ou .an do nothing/ ItNs a over/
&uth> .o)e and oo1 after your )other/N
%ut &uth CheveniB;,ore had pressed into the roo) and stood .ose
'y PoirotNs side as he 'ent over the dreadfu spra+ed figure in the
.hair ; the figure of a )an of !er.uean 'uid +ith a 7i1ing 'eard/
She said in a o+> tense voi.e> .uriousy restrained and )uffedH
b@ouNre 8uite sure heNs ; deadAN
Poirot oo1ed up/
The girNs fa.e +as aive +ith so)e e)otion ; an e)otion sterny
.he.1ed and repressed ; that he did not 8uite understand/ It +as not
grief ; it see)ed )ore i1e a 1ind of haf;fearfu eB.ite)ent/
The itte +o)an in the pin.e;ne? )ur)uredH b@our )other> )y dear
; donNt you thin1 ; AN
In a high> hysteri.a voi.e the gir +ith the red hair .ried outH
bThen it +asnNt a .ar or a .ha)pagne .or1G It +as a shot +e heardcN
Poirot turned and fa.ed the) a/
bSo)e'ody )ust .o))uni.ate +ith the poi.e ; N &uth CheveniB;
,ore .ried out vioentyH
b0oGN
The edery )an +ith the ega fa.e saidH
b2navoida'e> I a) afraid/ Wi you see to that> %urro+sA !ugo ; N
Poirot saidH
b@ou are Mr !ugo TrentAN to the ta young )an +ith the )ousta.he/
bIt +oud 'e +e> I thin1> if everyone eB.ept you and I +ere to eave
this roo)/N
Again his authority +as not 8uestioned/ The a+yer shepherded the
others a+ay/ Poirot and !ugo Trent +ere eft aone/
The atter said> staringH
b#oo1 here ` +ho are youA I )ean> I havenNt the foggiest idea/ What
are you doing hereAN Poirot too1 a .ard;.ase fro) his po.1et and
see.ted a .ard/
!ugo Trent said> staring at itH
bPrivate dete.tive ; ehA <f .ourse> INve heard of youc %ut I sti
donNt see +hat you are doing here/N b@ou did not 1no+ that your
un.e ; he +as your un.e> +as he not ; AN
!ugoNs eyes dropped for a feeting )o)ent to the dead )an/ bThe
<d ManA @es> he +as )y un.e a right/N
b@ou did not 1no+ that he had sent for )eAN
!ugo shoo1 his head/ !e said so+yH bINd no idea of it/N
There +as an e)otion in his voi.e that +as rather hard to .assify/
!is fa.e oo1ed +ooden and stupid ; the 1ind of eBpression> Poirot
thought> that )ade a usefu )as1 in ti)es of stress/
Poirot said 8uietyH
bWe are in Westshire> are +e notA I 1no+ your Chief Consta'e>
MaDor &idde> very +e/N !ugo saidH
b&idde ives a'out haf a )ie a+ay/ !eN pro'a'y .o)e over
hi)sef/N bThat>N said Poirot> b+i 'e very .onvenient/N
!e 'egan pro+ing genty round the roo)/ !e t+it.hed aside the
+indo+ .urtain and eBa)ined the fren.h +indo+s> trying the)
genty/ They +ere .osed/
<n the +a 'ehind the des1 there hung a round )irror/ The )irror
+as shivered/ Poirot 'ent do+n and pi.1ed up a s)a o'De.t/
bWhatNs thatAN as1ed !ugo Trent/ bThe 'uet/N
bIt passed straight through his head and stru.1 the )irrorAN bIt
see)s so/N
Poirot repa.ed the 'uet )eti.uousy +here he had found it/ !e
.a)e up to the des1/ So)e papers +ere arranged neaty sta.1ed in
heaps/ <n the 'otting;pad itsef there +as a oose sheet of paper
+ith the +ord S<&&@ printed a.ross it in arge> sha1y hand+riting/
!ugo saidH b!e )ust have +ritten that Dust 'efore he ; did it/N Poirot
nodded thoughtfuy/
!e oo1ed again at the s)ashed )irror> then at the dead )an/ !is
'ro+ .reased itsef a itte as though in perpeBity/ !e +ent over to
the door> +here it hung .roo1edy +ith its spintered o.1/ There +as
no 1ey in the door> as he 1ne+ ; other+ise he +oud not have 'een
a'e to see through the 1eyhoe/ There +as no sign of it on the foor/
Poirot eaned over the dead )an and ran his fingers over hi)/
b@es>N he said/ bThe 1ey is in his po.1et/N
!ugo dre+ out a .igarette;.ase and ighted a .igarette/ !e spo1e
rather hoarsey/
bIt see)s a 8uite .ear>N he said/ bMy un.e shut hi)sef up in here>
s.ra+ed that )essage on a pie.e of paper> and then shot hi)sef/N
Poirot nodded )editativey/ !ugo +ent onH
b%ut I donNt understand +hy he sent for you/ What +as it a a'outAN
bThat is rather )ore diffi.ut to eBpain/ Whie +e are +aiting> Mr
Trent> for the authorities to ta1e .harge> perhaps you +i te )e
eBa.ty +ho a the peope are +ho) I sa+ tonight +hen I arrivedAN
bWho they areAN !ugo spo1e a)ost a'senty/ b<h> yes> of .ourse/
Sorry/ Sha +e sit do+nAN !e indi.ated a settee in the farthest
.orner of the roo) fro) the 'ody/ !e +ent on> spea1ing Der1iyH
bWe> thereNs 7anda ; )y aunt> you 1no+/ And &uth> )y .ousin/ %ut
you 1no+ the)/ Then the other gir is Susan Card+e/ SheNs Dust
staying here/ And thereNs Coone %ury/ !eNs an od friend of the
fa)iy/ And Mr For'es/ !eNs an od friend> too> 'eside 'eing the
fa)iy a+yer and a that/ %oth the od 'oys had a passion for 7anda
+hen she +as young> and they sti hang round in a faithfu> devoted
sort of +ay/ &idi.uous> 'ut rather tou.hing/ Then thereNs ,odfrey
%urro+s> the <d ManNs ; I )ean )y un.eNs ; se.retary> and Miss
#ingard> +hoNs here to hep hi) +rite a history of the CheveniB;
,ores/ She )ugs up histori.a stuff for +riters/ ThatNs the ot> I thin1/N
Poirot nodded/ Then he saidH
bAnd I understand you a.tuay heard the shot that 1ied your
un.eAN
b@es> +e did/ Thought it +as a .ha)pagne .or1 ; at east> I did/
Susan and Miss #ingard thought it +as a .ar 'a.1firing outside ; the
road runs 8uite near> you 1no+/N
bWhen +as thisAN
b<h> a'out ten past eight/ Sne had Dust sounded the first gong/N
bAnd +here +ere you +hen you heard itAN
bIn the ha/ We ; +e +ere aughing a'out it ; arguing> you 1no+> as to
+here the sound .a)e fro)/ I said it .a)e fro) the dining;roo)> and
Susan said it .a)e fro) the dire.tion of the dra+ing;roo)> and Miss
#ingard said it sounded i1e upstairs> and Sne said it .a)e fro) the
road outside> ony it .a)e through the upstairs +indo+s/ And Susan
said> bAny )ore theoriesAN And I aughed and said there +as a+ays
)urderG See)s pretty rotten to thin1 of it no+/N
!is fa.e t+it.hed nervousy/
bIt did not o..ur to anyone that Sir ,ervase )ight have shot
hi)sefAN b0o> of .ourse not/N
b@ou have> in fa.t> no idea +hy he shoud have shot hi)sefAN !ugo
said so+yH
b<h> +e> I shoudnNt say that ; N b@ou have an ideaAN
b@es ; +e ; itNs diffi.ut to eBpain/ 0aturay I didnNt eBpe.t hi) to
.o))it sui.ide> 'ut a the sa)e IN) not frightfuy surprised/ The
truth of it is that )y un.e +as as )ad as a hatter> M/ Poirot/
(veryone 1ne+ that/N
bThat stri1es you as a suffi.ient eBpanationAN
bWe> peope do shoot the)seves +hen theyNre a 'it 'ar)y/N bAn
eBpanation of an ad)ira'e si)pi.ity/N
!ugo stared/
Poirot got up again and +andered ai)essy round the roo)/ It +as
.o)forta'y furnished> )ainy in a rather heavy 7i.torian stye/
There +ere )assive 'oo1.ases> huge ar);.hairs> and so)e upright
.hairs of genuine Chippendae/ There +ere not )any orna)ents> 'ut
so)e 'ron?es on the )ante;pie.e attra.ted PoirotNs attention and
apparenty stirred his ad)iration/ !e pi.1ed the) up one 'y one>
.arefuy eBa)ining the) 'efore repa.ing the) +ith .are/ Fro) the
one on the eBtre)e eft he deta.hed so)ething +ith a fingernai/
bWhatNs thatAN as1ed !ugo +ithout )u.h interest/ b0othing very
)u.h/ A tiny siver of oo1ing;gass/N !ugo saidH
bFunny the +ay that )irror +as s)ashed 'y the shot/ A 'ro1en
)irror )eans 'ad u.1/ Poor od ,ervasec I suppose his u.1 had
hed a 'it too ong/N
b@our un.e +as a u.1y )anAN !ugo gave a short augh/
bWhy> his u.1 +as prover'iaG (verything he tou.hed turned to godG
If he 'a.1ed an outsider> it ro)ped ho)eG If he invested in a dou'tfu
)ine> they stru.1 a vein of ore at on.eG !eNs had the )ost a)a?ing
es.apes fro) the tightest of tight pa.es/ !is ifeNs 'een saved 'y a
1ind of )ira.e )ore than on.e/ !e +as rather a fine od 'oy> in his
+ay> you 1no+/ !eNd .ertainy X'een pa.es and seen thingsY ; )ore
than )ost of his generation/N
Poirot )ur)ured in a .onversationa toneH
b@ou +ere atta.hed to your un.e> Mr TrentAN !ugo Trent see)ed a
itte started 'y the 8uestion/
b<h ; er ; yes> of .ourse>N he said rather vaguey/ b@ou 1no+> he +as
a 'it diffi.ut at ti)es/ Frightfu strain to ive +ith> and a that/
Fortunatey I didnNt have to see )u.h of hi)/N
b!e +as fond of youAN
b0ot so that youNd noti.e itG As a )atter of fa.t> he rather resented
)y eBisten.e> so to spea1/N
b!o+ +as that> Mr TrentAN
bWe> you see> he had no son of his o+n ; and he +as pretty sore
a'out it/ !e +as )ad a'out fa)iy and a that sort of thing/ I 'eieve
it .ut hi) to the 8ui.1 to 1no+ that +hen he died the CheveniB;,ores
+oud .ease to eBist/ TheyNve 'een going ever sin.e the 0or)an
Con8uest> you 1no+/ The <d Man +as the ast of the)/ I suppose it
+as rather rotten fro) his point of vie+/N
b@ou yoursef do not share that senti)entAN !ugo shrugged his
shouders/
bA that sort of thing see)s to )e rather out of date/N bWhat +i
happen to the estateAN
b$onNt reay 1no+/ I )ight get it/ <r he )ay have eft it to &uth/
Pro'a'y 7anda has it for her ifeti)e/N b@our un.e did not definitey
de.are his intentionsAN
bWe> he had his pet idea/N bAnd +hat +as thatAN
b!is idea +as that &uth and I shoud )a1e a )at.h of it/N bThat +oud
dou'tess have 'een very suita'e/N
b()inenty suita'e/ %ut &uth ; +e> &uth has very de.ided vie+s of
her o+n a'out ife/ Mind you> sheNs an eBtre)ey attra.tive young
+o)an> and she 1no+s it/ SheNs in no hurry to )arry and sette
do+n/N
Poirot eaned for+ard/
b%ut you yoursef +oud have 'een +iing> M/ TrentAN !ugo said in a
'ored tone of voi.eH
bI reay .anNt see it )a1es a haNpNorth of differen.e +ho you )arry
no+adays/ $ivor.e is so easy/ If youNre not hitting it off> nothing is
easier than to .ut the tange and start again/N
The door opened and For'es entered +ith a ta> spru.e;oo1ing
)an/ The atter nodded to Trent/
b!ao> !ugo/ IN) eBtre)ey sorry a'out this/ 7ery rough on a of
you/N !er.ue Poirot .a)e for+ard/
b!o+ do you do> MaDor &iddeA @ou re)e)'er )eAN
b@es> indeed/N The .hief .onsta'e shoo1 hands/ bSo youNre do+n
hereAN
There +as a )editative note in his voi.e/ !e gan.ed .uriousy at
!er.ue Poirot/
Chapter 4
bWeAN said MaDor &idde/
It +as t+enty )inutes ater/ The .hief .onsta'eNs interrogative
bWeAN +as addressed to the poi.e surgeon> a an1 edery )an +ith
gri??ed hair/
The atter shrugged his shouders/
b!eNs 'een dead over haf an hour ; 'ut not )ore than an hour/ @ou
donNt +ant te.hni.aities> I 1no+> so IN spare you the)/ The )an +as
shot through the head> the pisto 'eing hed a fe+ in.hes fro) the
right te)pe/ %uet passed right through the 'rain and out again/N
bPerfe.ty .o)pati'e +ith sui.ideAN
b<h> perfe.ty/ The 'ody then su)ped do+n in the .hair> and the
pisto dropped fro) his hand/N b@ouNve got the 'uetAN
b@es/N The do.tor hed it up/
b,ood>N said MaDor &idde/ bWeN 1eep it for .o)parison +ith the
pisto/ ,ad itNs a .ear .ase and no diffi.uties/N
!er.ue Poirot as1ed gentyH
b@ou are sure there are no diffi.uties> $o.torAN The do.tor repied
so+yH
bWe> I suppose you )ight .a one thing a itte odd/ When he shot
hi)sef he )ust have 'een eaning sighty over to the right/
<ther+ise the 'uet +oud have hit the +a 'eo+ the )irror>
instead of pu)' in the )idde/N
bAn un.o)forta'e position in +hi.h to .o))it sui.ide>N said Poirot/
The do.tor shrugged his shouders/
b<h> +e ; .o)fort ; if youNre going to end it a ; N !e eft the
senten.e unfinished/ MaDor &idde saidH
bThe 'ody .an 'e )oved no+AN
b<h> yes/ INve done +ith it unti the P/;M/N
bWhat a'out you> Inspe.torAN MaDor &idde spo1e to a ta i)passivefa.ed
)an in pain .othes/
b</-/> sir/ WeNve got a +e +ant/ <ny the de.easedNs fingerprints on
the pisto/N bThen you .an get on +ith it/N
The )orta re)ains of ,ervase CheveniB;,ore +ere re)oved/ The
.hief .onsta'e and Poirot +ere eft together/
bWe>N said &idde> beverything see)s 8uite .ear and a'ove'oard/
$oor o.1ed> +indo+ fastened> 1ey of door in dead )anNs po.1et/
(verything a..ording to Co.1er ; 'ut for one .ir.u)stan.e/N
bAnd +hat is that> )y friendAN in8uired Poirot/
b@ouGN said &idde 'unty/ bWhat are you doing do+n hereAN
%y +ay of repy> Poirot handed to hi) the etter he had re.eived
fro) the dead )an a +ee1 ago> and the teegra) +hi.h had finay
'rought hi) there/
b!u)ph>N said the .hief .onsta'e/ bInteresting/ WeN have to get to
the 'otto) of this/ I shoud say it had a dire.t 'earing upon his
sui.ide/N
bI agree/N
bWe )ust .he.1 up on +ho is in the house/N
bI .an te you their na)es/ I have Dust 'een )a1ing in8uiries of Mr
Trent/N !e repeated the ist of na)es/
bPerhaps you> MaDor &idde> 1no+ so)ething a'out these peopeAN
bI 1no+ so)ething of the)> naturay/ #ady CheveniB;,ore is 8uite as
)ad in her o+n +ay as od Sir ,ervase/ They +ere devoted to ea.h
other ; and 'oth 8uite )ad/ SheNs the vaguest .reature that ever
ived> +ith an o..asiona un.anny shre+dness that stri1es the nai on
the head in the )ost surprising fashion/ Peope augh at her a good
dea/ I thin1 she 1no+s it> 'ut she doesnNt .are/ SheNs a'soutey no
sense of hu)our/N
bMiss CheveniB;,ore is ony their adopted daughter> I understandAN
b@es/N
bA very handso)e young ady/N
bSheNs a deviishy attra.tive gir/ !as payed havo. +ith )ost of the
young feo+s round here/ #eads the) a on and then turns round
and aughs at the)/ ,ood seat on a horse> and +onderfu hands/N
bThat> for the )o)ent> does not .on.ern us/N
b(r ; no> perhaps notc We> a'out the other peope/ I 1no+ od %ury>
of .ourse/ !eNs here )ost of the ti)e/ A)ost a ta)e .at a'out the
house/ -ind of A/$/C/ to #ady CheveniB;,ore/ !eNs a very od friend/
TheyNve 1no+n hi) a their ives/ I thin1 he and Sir ,ervase +ere
'oth interested in so)e .o)pany of +hi.h %ury +as a dire.tor/N
b<s+ad For'es> do you 1no+ anything of hi)AN bI rather 'eieve INve
)et hi) on.e/N
bMiss #ingardAN
b0ever heard of her/N bMiss Susan Card+eAN
b&ather a good;oo1ing gir +ith red hairA INve seen her a'out +ith
&uth CheveniB;,ore the ast fe+ days/N
bMr %urro+sAN
b@es> I 1no+ hi)/ CheveniB;,oreNs se.retary/ %et+een you and )e> I
donNt ta1e to hi) )u.h/ !eNs good;oo1ing> and 1no+s it/ 0ot 8uite
out of the top dra+er/N
b!ad he 'een +ith Sir ,ervase ongAN bA'out t+o years> I fan.y/N
bAnd there is no one ese ; AN Poirot 'ro1e off/
A ta> fair;haired )an in a ounge suit .a)e hurrying in/ !e +as out
of 'reath and oo1ed distur'ed/
b,ood evening> MaDor &idde/ I heard a ru)our that Sir ,ervase had
shot hi)sef> and I hurried up here/ Sne tes )e itNs true/ ItNs
in.redi'eG I .anNt 'eieve itGN
bItNs true enough> #a1e/ #et )e introdu.e you/ This is Captain #a1e>
Sir ,ervaseNs agent for the estate/ M/ !er.ue Poirot> of +ho) you
)ay have heard/N
#a1eNs fa.e it up +ith +hat see)ed a 1ind of deighted in.reduity/
bM/ !er.ue PoirotA IN) )ost a+fuy peased to )eet you/ At east ; N
!e 'ro1e off> the 8ui.1 .har)ing s)ie vanished ; he oo1ed
distur'ed and upset/ bThere isnNt anything ; fishy ; a'out this sui.ide>
is there> sirAN
bWhy shoud there 'e anything Xfishy>Y as you .a itAN as1ed the
.hief .onsta'e sharpy/
bI )ean> 'e.ause M/ Poirot is here/ <h> and 'e.ause the +hoe
'usiness see)s so in.redi'eGN
b0o> no>N said Poirot 8ui.1y/ bI a) not here on a..ount of the death
of Sir ,ervase/ I +as aready in the house ; as a guest/N
b<h> I see/ Funny> he never tod )e you +ere .o)ing +hen I +as
going over a..ounts +ith hi) this afternoon/N
Poirot said 8uietyH
b@ou have t+i.e used the +ord Xin.redi'e>Y Captain #a1e/ Are you>
then> so surprised to hear of Sir ,ervase .o))itting sui.ideAN
bIndeed I a)/ <f .ourse> he +as )ad as a hatterI everyone +oud
agree a'out that/ %ut a the sa)e> I si)py .anNt i)agine his thin1ing
the +ord +oud 'e a'e to get on +ithout hi)/N
b@es>N said Poirot/ bIt is a point> that/N And he oo1ed +ith
appre.iation at the fran1> inteigent .ountenan.e of the young )an/
MaDor &idde .eared his throat/
bSin.e you are here> Captain #a1e> perhaps you +i sit do+n and
ans+er a fe+ 8uestions/N bCertainy> sir/N
#a1e too1 a .hair opposite the other t+o/ bWhen did you ast see Sir
,ervaseAN
bThis afternoon> Dust 'efore three oN.o.1/ There +ere so)e
a..ounts to 'e .he.1ed> and the 8uestion of a ne+ tenant for one of
the far)s/N
b!o+ ong +ere you +ith hi)AN bPerhaps haf an hour/N
bThin1 .arefuy> and te )e +hether you noti.ed anything unusua in
his )anner/N The young )an .onsidered/
b0o> I hardy thin1 so/ !e +as> perhaps> a trife eB.ited ; 'ut that
+asnNt unusua +ith hi)/N b!e +as not depressed in any +ayAN
b<h> no> he see)ed in good spirits/ !e +as enDoying hi)sef very
)u.h Dust no+> +riting up a history of the fa)iy/N
b!o+ ong had he 'een doing thisAN b!e 'egan it a'out siB )onths
ago/N
bIs that +hen Miss #ingard .a)e hereAN
b0o/ She arrived a'out t+o )onths ago +hen he had dis.overed that
he .oud not )anage the ne.essary resear.h +or1 'y hi)sef/N
bAnd you .onsider he +as enDoying hi)sefAN
b<h> si)py enor)ousyG !e reay didnNt thin1 that anything ese
)attered in the +ord eB.ept his fa)iy/N
There +as a )o)entary 'itterness in the young )anNs tone/
bThen> as far as you 1no+> Sir ,ervase had no +orries of any 1indAN
There +as a sight ; a very sight ; pause 'efore Captain #a1e
ans+ered/ b0o/N
Poirot suddeny interposed a 8uestionH
bSir ,ervase +as not> you thin1> +orried a'out his daughter in any
+ayAN b!is daughterAN
bThat is +hat I said/N
b0ot as far as I 1no+>N said the young )an stiffy/ Poirot said nothing
further/ MaDor &idde saidH
bWe> than1 you> #a1e/ Perhaps youNd stay around in .ase I )ight
+ant to as1 you anything/N bCertainy> sir/N !e rose/ bAnything I .an
doAN
b@es> you )ight send the 'uter here/ And perhaps youNd find out for
)e ho+ #ady CheveniB;,ore is> and if I .oud have a fe+ +ords +ith
her presenty> or if sheNs too upset/N
The young )an nodded and eft the roo) +ith a 8ui.1> de.isive step/
bAn attra.tive personaity>N said !er.ue Poirot/
b@es> ni.e feo+> and good at his Do'/ (veryone i1es hi)/N
Chapter F
bSit do+n> Sne>N said MaDor &idde in a friendy tone/ bINve a good
)any 8uestions to as1 you> and I eBpe.t this has 'een a sho.1 to
you/N
b<h> it has indeed> sir/ Than1 you> sir/N Sne sat do+n +ith su.h a
dis.reet air that it +as pra.ti.ay the sa)e as though he had
re)ained on his feet/
b%een here a good ong ti)e> havenNt youAN
bSiBteen years> sir> ever sin.e Sir ,ervase ; er ; setted do+n> so to
spea1/N bAh> yes> of .ourse> your )aster +as a great traveer in his
day/N
b@es> sir/ !e +ent on an eBpedition to the Poe and )any other
interesting pa.es/N
b0o+> Sne> .an you te )e +hen you ast sa+ your )aster this
eveningAN
bI +as in the dining;roo)> sir> seeing that the ta'e arrange)ents
+ere a .o)pete/ The door into the ha +as open> and I sa+ Sir
,ervase .o)e do+n the stairs> .ross the ha and go aong the
passage to the study/N
bThat +as at +hat ti)eAN
b*ust 'efore eight oN.o.1/ It )ight have 'een as )u.h as five
)inutes 'efore eight/N bAnd that +as the ast you sa+ of hi)AN
b@es> sir/N
b$id you hear a shotAN
b<h> yes> indeed> sirI 'ut of .ourse I had no idea at the ti)e ; ho+
shoud I have hadAN bWhat did you thin1 it +asAN
bI thought it +as a .ar> sir/ The road runs 8uite near the par1 +a/ <r
it )ight have 'een a shot in the +oods ; a poa.her> perhaps/ I never
drea)ed ; N
MaDor &idde .ut hi) short/ bWhat ti)e +as thatAN
bIt +as eBa.ty eight )inutes past eight> sir/N The .hief .onsta'e
said sharpyH
b!o+ is it you .an fiB the ti)e to a )inuteAN bThatNs easy> sir/ I had
Dust sounded the first going/N bThe first gongAN
b@es> sir/ %y Sir ,ervaseNs orders> a gong +as a+ays to 'e sounded
seven )inutes 'efore the a.tua dinner gong/ 7ery parti.uar he +as>
sir> that everyone shoud 'e asse)'ed ready in the dra+ing;roo)
+hen the se.ond gong +ent/ As soon as I had sounded the se.ond
gong> I +ent to the dra+ing;roo) and announ.ed dinner> and
everyone +ent in/N
bI 'egin to understand>N said !er.ue Poirot> b+hy you oo1ed so
surprised +hen you announ.ed dinner this evening/ It +as usua for
Sir ,ervase to 'e in the dra+ing;roo)AN
bINd never 1no+n hi) not 'e there 'efore> sir/ It +as 8uite a sho.1/ I
itte thought ; N Again MaDor &idde interrupted adroityH
bAnd +ere the others aso usuay thereAN
Sne .oughed/
bAnyone +ho +as ate for dinner> sir> +as never as1ed to the house
again/N b!N)> very drasti./N
bSir ,ervase> sir> e)poyed a .hef +ho +as for)ery +ith the
()peror of Moravia/ !e used to say> sir> that dinner +as as
i)portant as a reigious ritua/N
bAnd +hat a'out his o+n fa)iyAN
b#ady CheveniB;,ore +as a+ays very parti.uar not to upset hi)>
sir> and even Miss &uth dared not 'e ate for dinner/N
bInteresting>N )ur)ured !er.ue Poirot/
bI see>N said &idde/ bSo> dinner 'eing at a 8uarter past eight> you
sounded the first gong at eight )inutes past as usuaAN
bThat is so> sir ; 'ut it +asnNt as usua/ $inner +as usuay at eight/
Sir ,ervase gave orders that dinner +as to 'e a 8uarter of an hour
ater this evening> as he +as eBpe.ting a gente)an 'y the ate train/N
Sne )ade a itte 'o+ to+ards Poirot as he spo1e/
bWhen your )aster +ent to the study> did he oo1 upset or +orried in
any +ayAN
bI .oud not say> sir/ It +as too far for )e to Dudge of his eBpression/ I
Dust noti.ed hi)> that +as a/N bWas he eft aone +hen he +ent to the
studyAN
b@es> sir/N
b$id anyone go to the study after thatAN
bI .oud not say> sir/ I +ent to the 'uterNs pantry after that> and +as
there unti I sounded the first gong at eight )inutes past eight/N
bThat +as +hen you heard the shotAN b@es> sir/N
Poirot genty interposed a 8uestion/
bThere +ere others> I thin1> +ho aso heard the shotAN b@es> sir/ Mr
!ugo and Miss Card+e/ And Miss #ingard/N bThese peope +ere
aso in the haAN
bMiss #ingard .a)e out fro) the dra+ing;roo)> and Miss Card+e
and Mr !ugo +ere Dust .o)ing do+n the stairs/N Poirot as1edH
bWas there any .onversation a'out the )atterAN
bWe> sir> Mr !ugo as1ed if there +as .ha)pagne for dinner/ I tod
hi) that sherry> ho.1 and 'urgundy +ere 'eing served/N
b!e thought it +as a .ha)pagne .or1AN b@es> sir/N
b%ut no'ody too1 it seriousyAN
b<h> no> sir/ They a +ent into the dra+ing;roo) ta1ing and
aughing/N bWhere +ere the other )e)'ers of the househodAN
bI .oud not say> sir/N MaDor &idde saidH
b$o you 1no+ anything a'out this pistoAN !e hed it out as he spo1e/
b<h> yes> sir/ That 'eonged to Sir ,ervase/ !e a+ays 1ept it in the
dra+er of his des1 in here/N bWas it usuay oadedAN
bI .oudnNt say> sir/N
MaDor &idde aid do+n the pisto and .eared his throat/
b0o+> Sne> IN) going to as1 you a rather i)portant 8uestion/ I hope
you +i ans+er it as truthfuy as you .an/ $o you 1no+ of any reason
+hi.h )ight ead your )aster to .o))it sui.ideA N
b0o> sir/ I 1no+ of nothing/N
bSir ,ervase had not 'een odd in his )anner of ateA 0ot
depressedA <r +orriedAN Sne .oughed apoogeti.ay/
b@ouN eB.use )y saying it> sir> 'ut Sir ,ervase +as a+ays +hat
)ight have see)ed to strangers a itte odd in his )anner/ !e +as a
highy origina gente)an> sir/N
b@es> yes> I a) 8uite a+are of that/N
b<utsiders> sir> did not a+ays 2nderstand Sir ,ervase/N Sne gave
the phrase a definite vaue of .apita etter/
bI 1no+/ I 1no+/ %ut there +as nothing that you +oud have .aed
unusuaAN The 'uter hesitated/
bI thin1> sir> that Sir ,ervase +as +orried a'out so)ething>N he said
at ast/ bWorried and depressedAN
bI shoudnNt say depressed> sir/ %ut +orried> yes/N b!ave you any
idea of the .ause of that +orryAN b0o> sir/N
bWas it .onne.ted +ith any parti.uar person> for instan.eAN
bI .oud not say at a> sir/ In any .ase> it is ony an i)pression of
)ine/N Poirot spo1e again/
b@ou +ere surprised at his sui.ideAN
b7ery surprised> sir/ It has 'een a terri'e sho.1 to )e/ I never
drea)ed of su.h a thing/N Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
&idde gan.ed at hi)> then he saidH
bWe> Sne> I thin1 that is a +e +ant to as1 you/ @ou are 8uite sure
that there is nothing ese you .an te us ; no unusua in.ident> for
instan.e> that has happened in the ast fe+ daysAN
The 'uter> rising to his feet> shoo1 his head/ bThere is nothing> sir>
nothing +hatever/N bThen you .an go/N
bThan1 you> sir/N
Moving to+ards the door+ay> Sne dre+ 'a.1 and stood aside/ #ady
CheveniB;,ore foated into the roo)/
She +as +earing an orienta;oo1ing gar)ent of purpe and orange
si1 +ound tighty round her 'ody/ !er fa.e +as serene and her
)anner .oe.ted and .a)/
b#ady CheveniB;,ore/N MaDor &idde sprang to his feet/ She saidH
bThey tod )e you +oud i1e to ta1 to )e> so I .a)e/N
bSha +e go into another roo)A This )ust 'e painfu for you in the
eBtre)e/N
#ady CheveniB;,ore shoo1 her head and sat do+n on one of the
Chippendae .hairs/ She )ur)uredH b<h> no> +hat does it )atterAN
bIt is very good of you> #ady CheveniB;,ore> to put your feeings
aside/ I 1no+ +hat a frightfu sho.1 this )ust have 'een and ; N
She interrupted hi)/
bIt +as rather a sho.1 at first>N she ad)itted/ !er tone +as easy and
.onversationa/ b%ut there is no su.h thing as $eath> reay> you
1no+> ony Change/N She addedH bAs a )atter of fa.t> ,ervase is
standing Dust 'ehind your eft shouder no+/ I .an see hi) distin.ty/N
MaDor &iddeNs eft shouder t+it.hed sighty/ !e oo1ed at #ady
CheveniB;,ore rather dou'tfuy/ She s)ied at hi)> a vague> happy
s)ie/
b@ou donNt 'eieve> of .ourseG So fe+ peope +i/ To )e> the spirit
+ord is 8uite as rea as this one/ %ut pease as1 )e anything you
i1e> and donNt +orry a'out distressing )e/ IN) not in the east
distressed/ (verything> you see> is Fate/ <ne .annot es.ape oneNs
-ar)a/ It a fits in ; the )irror ; everything/N
bThe )irror> )ada)eAN as1ed Poirot/ She nodded her head to+ards
it vaguey/
b@es/ ItNs spintered> you see/ A sy)'oG @ou 1no+ TennysonNs
poe)A I used to read it as a gir ; though> of .ourse> I didnNt reaise
then the esoteri. side of it/ XThe )irror .ra.1ed fro) side to side/
bThe .urse is .o)e upon )eGN .ried the #ady of Shaott/Y ThatNs +hat
happened to ,ervase/ The Curse .a)e upon hi) suddeny/ I thin1>
you 1no+> )ost very od fa)iies have a .ursec the )irror .ra.1ed/
!e 1ne+ that he +as doo)edG The Curse had .o)eG N
b%ut> )ada)e> it +as not a .urse that .ra.1ed the )irror ; it +as a
'uetGN #ady CheveniB;,ore said> sti in the sa)e s+eet vague
)annerH
bItNs a the sa)e thing> reayc It +as Fate/N b%ut your hus'and shot
hi)sef/N
#ady CheveniB;,ore s)ied indugenty/
b!e shoudnNt have done that> of .ourse/ %ut ,ervase +as a+ays
i)patient/ !e .oud never +ait/ !is hour had .o)e ; he +ent for+ard
to )eet it/ ItNs a so si)pe> reay/N
MaDor &idde> .earing his throat in eBasperation> said sharpyH
bThen you +erenNt surprised at your hus'andNs ta1ing his o+n ifeA
!ad you 'een eBpe.ting su.h a thing to happenAN
b<h> no/N !er eyes opened +ide/ b<ne .anNt a+ays foresee the
future/ ,ervase> of .ourse> +as a very strange )an> a very unusua
)an/ !e +as 8uite uni1e anyone ese/ !e +as one of the ,reat <nes
'orn again/ INve 1no+n that for so)e ti)e/ I thin1 he 1ne+ it hi)sef/
!e found it very hard to .onfor) to the siy itte standards of the
everyday +ord/N She added> oo1ing over MaDor &iddeNs shouder>
b!eNs s)iing no+/ !eNs thin1ing ho+ fooish +e a are/ So +e are
reay/ *ust i1e .hidren/ Pretending that ife is rea and that it
)attersc #ife is ony one of the ,reat Iusions/N
Feeing that he +as fighting a osing 'atte> MaDor &idde as1ed
desperateyH b@ou .anNt hep us at a as to +hy your hus'and shoud
have ta1en his ifeAN She shrugged her thin shouders/
bFor.es )ove us ; they )ove usc @ou .annot understand/ @ou )ove
ony on the )ateria pane/N Poirot .oughed/
bTa1ing of the )ateria pane> have you any idea> )ada)e> as to
ho+ your hus'and has eft his )oneyAN bMoneyAN she stared at hi)/ bI
never thin1 of )oney/N
!er tone +as disdainfu/
Poirot s+it.hed to another point/
bAt +hat ti)e did you .o)e do+nstairs to dinner tonightAN bTi)eA
What is Ti)eA Infinite> that is the ans+er/ Ti)e is infinite/N Poirot
)ur)uredH
b%ut your hus'and> )ada)e> +as rather parti.uar a'out ti)e ;
espe.iay> so I have 'een tod> as regards the dinner hour/N
b$ear ,ervase>N she s)ied indugenty/ b!e +as very fooish a'out
that/ %ut it )ade hi) happy/ So +e +ere never ate/N
bWere you in the dra+ing;roo)> )ada)e> +hen the first gong +entAN
b0o> I +as in )y roo) then/N
b$o you re)e)'er +ho +as in the dra+ing;roo) +hen you did .o)e
do+nAN b0eary every'ody> I thin1>N said #ady CheveniB;,ore
vaguey/ b$oes it )atterAN
bPossi'y not>N ad)itted Poirot/ bThen there is so)ething ese/ $id
your hus'and ever te you that he suspe.ted he +as 'eing ro''edAN
#ady CheveniB;,ore did not see) )u.h interested in the 8uestion/
b&o''edA 0o> I donNt thin1 so/N
b&o''ed> s+inded ; vi.ti)i?ed in so)e +ay ; AN
b0o ; no ; I donNt thin1 soc ,ervase +oud have 'een very angry if
any'ody had dared to do anything i1e that/N
bAt any rate he said nothing a'out it to youAN
b0o ; no/N #ady CheveniB;,ore shoo1 her head> sti +ithout )u.h
rea interest/ bI shoud have re)e)'eredcN
bWhen did you ast see your hus'and aiveAN
b!e oo1ed in> as usua> on his +ay do+nstairs 'efore dinner/ My
)aid +as there/ !e Dust said he +as going do+n/N
bWhat has he ta1ed a'out )ost in the ast fe+ +ee1sAN
b<h> the fa)iy history/ !e +as getting on so +e +ith it/ !e found
that funny od thing> Miss #ingard> 8uite invaua'e/ She oo1ed up
things for hi) in the %ritish Museu) ; a that sort of thing/ She
+or1ed +ith #ord Mu.aster on his 'oo1> you 1no+/ And she +as
ta.tfu ; I )ean> she didnNt oo1 up the +rong things/ After a> there
are an.estors one doesnNt +ant ra1ed up/ ,ervase +as very
sensitive/ She heped )e> too/ She got a ot of infor)ation for )e
a'out !atshepsut/ I a) a rein.arnation of !atshepsut> you 1no+/N
#ady CheveniB;,ore )ade this announ.e)ent in a .a) voi.e/
b%efore that>N she +ent on> bI +as a Priestess in Atantis/N MaDor
&idde shifted a itte in his .hair/
b(r ; er ; very interesting>N he said/ bWe> reay> #ady CheveniB;,ore>
I thin1 that +i 'e a/ 7ery 1ind of you/N
#ady CheveniB;,ore rose> .asping her orienta ro'es a'out her/
b,oodnight>N she said/ And then> her eyes shifting to a point 'ehind
MaDor &idde/ b,oodnight> ,ervase dear/ I +ish you .oud .o)e> 'ut I
1no+ you have to stay here/N She added in an eBpanatory fashion>
b@ou have to stay in the pa.e +here youNve passed over for at east
t+enty;four hours/ ItNs so)e ti)e 'efore you .an )ove a'out freey
and .o))uni.ate/N
She traied out of the roo)/ MaDor &idde +iped his 'ro+/
bPhe+>N he )ur)ured/ bSheNs a great dea )adder than I ever
thought/ $oes she reay 'eieve a that nonsenseAN
Poirot shoo1 his head thoughtfuy/
bIt is possi'e that she finds it hepfu>N he said/ bShe needs> at this
)o)ent> to .reate for hersef a +ord of iusion so that she .an
es.ape the star1 reaity of her hus'andNs death/N
bShe see)s a)ost .ertifia'e to )e>N said MaDor &idde/ bA ong
farrago of nonsense +ithout one +ord of sense in it/N
b0o> no> )y friend/ The interesting thing is> as Mr !ugo Trent
.asuay re)ar1ed to )e> that a)idst a the vapouring there is an
o..asiona shre+d thrust/ She sho+ed it 'y her re)ar1 a'out Miss
#ingardNs ta.t in not stressing undesira'e an.estors/ %eieve )e>
#ady CheveniB;,ore is no foo/N
!e got up and pa.ed up and do+n the roo)/
bThere are things in this affair that I do not i1e/ 0o> I do not i1e the)
at a/N &idde oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
b@ou )ean the )otive for his sui.ideAN
bSui.ide ; sui.ideG It is a +rong> I te you/ It is +rong
psy.hoogi.ay/ !o+ did CheveniB;,ore thin1 of hi)sefA As a
Coossus> as an i))ensey i)portant person> as the .entre of the
universeG $oes su.h a )an destroy hi)sefA Surey not/ !e is far
)ore i1ey to destroy so)eone ese ; so)e )isera'e .ra+ing ant of
a hu)an 'eing +ho had dared to .ause hi) annoyan.ec Su.h an
a.t he )ight regard as ne.essary ; as san.tifiedG %ut sefdestru.tionA
The destru.tion of su.h a SefAN
bItNs a very +e> Poirot/ %ut the eviden.e is .ear enough/ $oor
o.1ed> 1ey in his o+n po.1et/ Windo+ .osed and fastened/ I 1no+
these things happen in 'oo1s ; 'ut INve never .o)e a.ross the) in
rea ife/ Anything eseAN
b%ut yes> there is so)ething ese/N Poirot sat do+n in the .hair/ b!ere
I a)/ I a) CheveniB;,ore/ I a) sitting at )y des1/ I a) deter)ined to
1i )ysef ; 'e.ause> et us say> I have )ade a dis.overy .on.erning
so)e terrifi. dishonour to the fa)iy na)e/ It is not very .onvin.ing>
that> 'ut it )ust suffi.e/
b(h 'ien> +hat do I doA I s.ra+ on a pie.e of paper the +ord
S<&&@/ @es> that is 8uite possi'e/ Then I open a dra+er of the des1>
ta1e out the pisto +hi.h I 1eep there> oad it> if it is not oaded> and
then ; do I pro.eed to shoot )ysefA 0o> I first turn )y .hair round ;
so> and I ean over a itte to the right ; so ; and then I put the pisto to
)y te)pe and fireGN
Poirot sprang up fro) his .hair> and +heeing round> de)andedH
bI as1 you> does that )a1e senseA Why turn the .hair roundA If> for
instan.e> there had 'een a pi.ture on the +a there> then> yes> there
)ight 'e an eBpanation/ So)e portrait +hi.h a dying )an )ight
+ish to 'e the ast thing on earth his eyes +oud see> 'ut a +indo+.urtain
; ah non> that does not )a1e sense/N
b!e )ight have +ished to oo1 out of the +indo+/ #ast vie+ out over
the estate/N
bMy dear friend> you do not suggest that +ith any .onvi.tion/ In fa.t>
you 1no+ it is nonsense/ At eight )inutes past eight it +as dar1> and
in any .ase the .urtains are dra+n/ 0o> there )ust 'e so)e other
eBpanationcN
bThereNs ony one as far as I .an see/ ,ervase CheveniB;,ore +as
)ad/N
Poirot shoo1 his head in a dissatisfied )anner/ MaDor &idde rose/
bCo)e>N he said/ b#et us go and intervie+ the rest of the party/ We
)ay get at so)ething that +ay/N
Chapter 3
After the diffi.uties of getting a dire.t state)ent fro) #ady
CheveniB;,ore> MaDor &idde found .onsidera'e reief in deaing
+ith a shre+d a+yer i1e For'es/
Mr For'es +as eBtre)ey guarded and .autious in his state)ents>
'ut his repies +ere a dire.ty to the point/
!e ad)itted that Sir ,ervaseNs sui.ide had 'een a great sho.1 to
hi)/ !e shoud never have .onsidered Sir ,ervase the 1ind of )an
+ho +oud ta1e his o+n ife/ !e 1ne+ nothing of any .ause for su.h
an a.t/
bSir ,ervase +as not ony )y .ient> 'ut +as a very od friend/ I have
1no+n hi) sin.e 'oyhood/ I shoud say that he had a+ays enDoyed
ife/N
bIn the .ir.u)stan.es> Mr For'es> I )ust as1 you to spea1 8uite
.andidy/ @ou did not 1no+ of any se.ret anBiety or sorro+ in Sir
,ervaseNs ifeAN
b0o/ !e had )inor +orries> i1e )ost )en> 'ut there +as nothing of a
serious nature/N b0o inessA 0o trou'e 'et+een hi) and his +ifeAN
b0o/ Sir ,ervase and #ady CheveniB;,ore +ere devoted to ea.h
other/N MaDor &idde said .autiousyH
b#ady CheveniB;,ore appears to hod so)e+hat .urious vie+s/N Mr
For'es s)ied ; an indugent> )any s)ie/
b#adies>N he said> b)ust 'e ao+ed their fan.ies/N The .hief
.onsta'e +ent onH
b@ou )anaged a Sir ,ervaseNs ega affairsAN
b@es> )y fir)> For'es> <givie and Spen.e> have a.ted for the
CheveniB;,ore fa)iy for +e over a hundred years/N
bWere there any ; s.andas in the CheveniB;,ore fa)iyAN Mr
For'esNs eye'ro+s rose/
b&eay> I fai to understand youAN
bM/ Poirot> +i you sho+ Mr For'es the etter you sho+ed )eAN
In sien.e Poirot rose and handed the etter to Mr For'es +ith a itte
'o+/ Mr For'es read it and his eye'ro+s rose sti )ore/
bA )ost re)ar1a'e etter>N he said/ bI appre.iate your 8uestion no+/
0o> so far as )y 1no+edge +ent> there +as nothing to Dustify the
+riting of su.h a etter/N
bSir ,ervase said nothing of this )atter to youAN
b0othing at a/ I )ust say I find it very .urious that he shoud not
have done so/N b!e +as a..usto)ed to .onfide in youAN
bI thin1 he reied on )y Dudg)ent/N
bAnd you have no idea as to +hat this etter refersAN bI shoud not
i1e to )a1e any rash spe.uations/N MaDor &idde appre.iated the
su'tety of this repy/
b0o+> Mr For'es> perhaps you .an te us ho+ Sir ,ervase has eft
his property/N
bCertainy/ I see no o'De.tion to su.h a .ourse/ To his +ife> Sir
,ervase eft an annua in.o)e of siB thousand pounds .hargea'e on
the estate> and the .hoi.e of the $o+er !ouse or the to+n house in
#o+ndes S8uare> +hi.hever she shoud prefer/ There +ere> of
.ourse> severa ega.ies and 'e8uests> 'ut nothing of an outstanding
nature/ The residue of his property +as eft to his adopted daughter>
&uth> on .ondition that> if she )arried> her hus'and shoud ta1e the
na)e of CheveniB;,ore/N
bWas nothing eft to his nephe+> Mr !ugo TrentAN b@es/ A ega.y of
five thousand pounds/N
bAnd I ta1e it that Sir ,ervase +as a ri.h )anAN
b!e +as eBtre)ey +eathy/ !e had a vast private fortune apart fro)
the estate/ <f .ourse> he +as not 8uite so +e;off as in the past/
Pra.ti.ay a invested in.o)es have fet the strain/ Aso> Sir
,ervase had dropped a good dea of )oney over a .ertain .o)pany ;
the Paragon Syntheti. &u''er Su'stitute in +hi.h Coone %ury
persuaded hi) to invest a good dea of )oney/N
b0ot very +ise advi.eAN Mr For'es sighed/
b&etired sodiers are the +orst sufferers +hen they engage in
finan.ia operations/ I have found that their .reduity far eB.eeds that
of +ido+s ; and that is saying a good dea/N
b%ut these unfortunate invest)ents did not seriousy affe.t Sir
,ervaseNs in.o)eAN
b<h> no> not seriousy/ !e +as sti an eBtre)ey ri.h )an/N bWhen
+as this +i )adeAN
bT+o years ago/N Poirot )ur)uredH
bThis arrange)ent> +as it not possi'y a itte unfair to Mr !ugo
Trent> Sir ,ervaseNs nephe+A !e is> after a> Sir ,ervaseNs nearest
'ood reation/N
Mr For'es shrugged his shouders/
b<ne has to ta1e a .ertain a)ount of fa)iy history into a..ount/N
bSu.h as ; AN
Mr For'es see)ed sighty un+iing to pro.eed/ MaDor &idde saidH
b@ou )ustnNt thin1 +eNre unduy .on.erned +ith ra1ing up od
s.andas or anything of that sort/ %ut this etter of Sir ,ervaseNs to M/
Poirot has got to 'e eBpained/N
bThere is .ertainy nothing s.andaous in the eBpanation of Sir
,ervaseNs attitude to his nephe+>N said Mr For'es 8ui.1y/ bIt +as
si)py that Sir ,ervase a+ays too1 his position as head of the fa)iy
very seriousy/ !e had a younger 'rother and sister/ The 'rother>
Anthony CheveniB;,ore> +as 1ied in the +ar/ The sister> Pa)ea>
)arried> and Sir ,ervase disapproved of the )arriage/ That is to
say> he .onsidered that she ought to o'tain his .onsent and approva
'efore )arrying/ !e thought that Captain TrentNs fa)iy +as not of
suffi.ient pro)inen.e to 'e aied +ith a CheveniB;,ore/ !is sister
+as )erey a)used 'y his attitude/ As a resut> Sir ,ervase has
a+ays 'een in.ined to disi1e his nephe+/ I thin1 that disi1e )ay
have infuen.ed hi) in de.iding to adopt a .hid/N
bThere +as no hope of his having .hidren of his o+nAN
b0o/ There +as a sti;'orn .hid a'out a year after his )arriage/ The
do.tors tod #ady CheveniB;,ore that she +oud never 'e a'e to
have another .hid/ A'out t+o years ater he adopted &uth/N
bAnd +ho +as Made)oisee &uthA !o+ did they .o)e to sette upon
herAN bShe +as> I 'eieve> the .hid of a distant .onne.tion/N
bThat I had guessed>N said Poirot/ !e oo1ed up at the +a +hi.h +as
hung +ith fa)iy portraits/ b<ne .an see that she +as of the sa)e
'ood ; the nose> the ine of the .hin/ It repeats itsef on these +as
)any ti)es/N
bShe inherits the te)per too>N said Mr For'es dryy/
bSo I shoud i)agine/ !o+ did she and her adopted father get onAN
bMu.h as you )ight i)agine/ There +as a fier.e .ash of +is )ore
than on.e/ %ut in spite of these 8uarres I 'eieve there +as aso an
underying har)ony/N b0evertheess> she .aused hi) a good dea of
anBietyAN
bIn.essant anBiety/ %ut I .an assure you not to the point of .ausing
hi) to ta1e his o+n ife/N
bAh> that> no>N agreed Poirot/ b<ne does not 'o+ oneNs 'rains out
'e.ause one has a headstrong daughterG And so )ade)oisee
inheritsG Sir ,ervase> he never thought of atering his +iAN
bAhe)GN Mr For'es .oughed to hide a itte dis.o)posure/ bAs a
)atter of fa.t> I too1 instru.tions fro) Sir ,ervase on )y arriva here
9t+o days ago> that is to say: as to the drafting of a ne+ +i/N
bWhatNs thisAN MaDor &idde hit.hed his .hair a itte .oser/ b@ou
didnNt te us this/N Mr For'es said 8ui.1yH
b@ou )erey as1ed )e +hat the ter)s of Sir ,ervaseNs +i +ere/ I
gave you the infor)ation for +hi.h you as1ed/ The ne+ +i +as not
even propery dra+n up ; )u.h ess signed/N
bWhat +ere its provisionsA They )ay 'e so)e guide to Sir ,ervaseNs
state of )ind/N
bIn the )ain> they +ere the sa)e as 'efore> 'ut Miss CheveniB;,ore
+as ony to inherit on .ondition that she )arried Mr !ugo Trent/N
bAha>N said Poirot/ b%ut there is a very de.ided differen.e there/N
bI did not approve of the .ause>N said Mr For'es/ bAnd I fet 'ound to
point out that it +as 8uite possi'e it )ight 'e .ontested
su..essfuy/ The Court does not oo1 upon su.h .onditiona
'e8uests +ith approva/ Sir ,ervase> ho+ever> +as 8uite de.ided/N
bAnd if Miss CheveniB;,ore 9or> in.identay> Mr Trent: refused to
.o)pyAN
bIf Mr Trent +as not +iing to )arry Miss CheveniB;,ore> then the
)oney +ent to her un.onditionay/ %ut if he +as +iing and she
refused> then the )oney +ent to hi) instead/N
b<dd 'usiness>N said MaDor &idde/
Poirot eaned for+ard/ !e tapped the a+yer on the 1nee/
b%ut +hat is 'ehind itA What +as in the )ind of Sir ,ervase +hen he
)ade that stipuationA There )ust have 'een so)ething very
definitec There )ust> I thin1> have 'een the i)age of another )anc
a )an of +ho) he disapproved/ I thin1> Mr For'es> that you )ust
1no+ +ho that )an +asAN
b&eay> M/ Poirot> I have no infor)ation/N b%ut you .oud )a1e a
guess/N
bI never guess>N said Mr For'es> and his tone +as s.andai?ed/
&e)oving his pin.e;ne?> he +iped the) +ith a si1 hand1er.hief and
in8uiredH
bIs there anything ese that you desire to 1no+AN
bAt the )o)ent> no>N said Poirot/ b0ot> that is> as far as I a)
.on.erned/N
Mr For'es oo1ed as though> in his opinion> that +as not very far>
and 'ent his attention on the .hief .onsta'e/
bThan1 you> Mr For'es/ I thin1 thatNs a/ I shoud i1e> if I )ay> to
spea1 to Miss CheveniB;,ore/N bCertainy/ I thin1 she is upstairs +ith
#ady CheveniB;,ore/N
b<h> +e> perhaps IN have a +ord +ith ; +hatNs his na)eA ;
%urro+s> first> and the fa)iy;history +o)an/N
bTheyNre 'oth in the i'rary/ I +i te the)/N
Chapter E
b!ard +or1> that>N said MaDor &idde> as the a+yer eft the roo)/
b(Btra.ting infor)ation fro) these od;fashioned ega +aahs ta1es
a 'it of doing/ The +hoe 'usiness see)s to )e to .entre a'out the
gir/N
bIt +oud see) so ; yes/N bAh> here .o)es %urro+s/N
,odfrey %urro+s .a)e in +ith a peasant eagerness to 'e of use/
!is s)ie +as dis.reety te)pered +ith goo) and sho+ed ony a
fra.tion too )u.h teeth/ It see)ed )ore )e.hani.a than
spontaneous/
b0o+> Mr %urro+s> +e +ant to as1 you a fe+ 8uestions/N bCertainy>
MaDor &idde/ Anything you i1e/N
bWe> first and fore)ost> to put it 8uite si)py> have you any ideas of
your o+n a'out Sir ,ervaseNs sui.ideAN
bA'soutey none/ It +as the greatest sho.1 to )e/N b@ou heard the
shotAN
b0oI I )ust have 'een in the i'rary at the ti)e> as far as I .an )a1e
out/ I .a)e do+n rather eary and +ent to the i'rary to oo1 up a
referen.e I +anted/ The i'raryNs right the other side of the house
fro) the study> so I shoudnNt hear anything/N
bWas anyone +ith you in the i'raryAN as1ed Poirot/ b0o one at a/N
b@ouNve no idea +here the other )e)'ers of the househod +ere at
that ti)eAN
bMosty upstairs dressing> I shoud i)agine/N bWhen did you .o)e to
the dra+ing;roo)AN
b*ust 'efore M/ Poirot arrived/ (very'ody +as there then ; eB.ept Sir
,ervase> of .ourse/N b$id it stri1e you as strange that he +asnNt
thereAN
b@es> it did> as a )atter of fa.t/ As a rue he +as a+ays in the
dra+ing;roo) 'efore the first gong sounded/N
b!ave you noti.ed any differen.e in Sir ,ervaseNs )anner ateyA
!as he 'een +orriedA <r anBiousA $epressedAN
,odfrey %urro+s .onsidered/
b0o ; I donNt thin1 so/ A itte ; +e> preo..upied> perhaps/N
b%ut he did not appear to 'e +orried a'out any one definite )atterAN
b<h> no/N
b0o ; finan.ia +orries of any 1indAN
b!e +as rather pertur'ed a'out the affairs of one parti.uar
.o)pany ; the Paragon Syntheti. &u''er Co)pany to 'e eBa.t/N
bWhat did he a.tuay say a'out itAN
Again ,odfrey %urro+sN )e.hani.a s)ie fashed out> and again it
see)ed sighty unrea/
bWe ; as a )atter of fa.t ; +hat he said +as> X<d %uryNs either a
foo or a 1nave/ A foo> I suppose/ I )ust go easy +ith hi) for 7andaNs
sa1e/YN
bAnd +hy did he say that ; for 7andaNs sa1eAN in8uired Poirot/
bWe> you see> #ady CheveniB;,ore +as very fond of Coone %ury>
and he +orshipped her/ Foo+ed her a'out i1e a dog/N
bSir ,ervase +as not ; Deaous at aAN
b*eaousAN %urro+s stared and then aughed/ bSir ,ervase DeaousA
!e +oudnNt 1no+ ho+ to set a'out it/ Why> it +oud never have
entered his head that anyone .oud ever prefer another )an to hi)/
Su.h a thing .oudnNt 'e> you understand/N
Poirot said gentyH
b@ou did not> I thin1> i1e Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,ore very )u.hAN
%urro+s fushed/
b<h> yes> I did/ At east ; +e> a that sort of thing stri1es one as
rather ridi.uous no+adays/N bA +hat sort of thingAN as1ed Poirot/
bWe> the feuda )otif> if you i1e/ This +orship of an.estry and
persona arrogan.e/ Sir ,ervase +as a very a'e )an in )any +ays>
and had ed an interesting ife> 'ut he +oud have 'een )ore
interesting if he hadnNt 'een so entirey +rapped up in hi)sef and
his o+n egois)/N
b$id his daughter agree +ith you thereAN %urro+s fushed again ;
this ti)e a deep purpe/ !e saidH
bI shoud i)agine Miss CheveniB;,ore is 8uite one of the )odernsG
0aturay> I shoudnNt dis.uss her father +ith her/N
b%ut the )oderns do dis.uss their fathers a good deaGN said Poirot/
bIt is entirey in the )odern spirit to .riti.i?e your parentsGN
%urro+s shrugged his shouders/ MaDor &idde as1edH
bAnd there +as nothing ese ; no other finan.ia anBietyA Sir ,ervase
never spo1e of having 'een vi.ti)i?edAN
b7i.ti)i?edAN %urro+s sounded very astonished/ b<h> no/N bAnd you
yoursef +ere on 8uite good ter)s +ith hi)AN bCertainy I +as/ Why
notAN
bI a) as1ing you> Mr %urro+s/N The young )an oo1ed su1y/ bWe
+ere on the 'est of ter)s/N
b$id you 1no+ that Sir ,ervase had +ritten to M/ Poirot as1ing hi) to
.o)e do+n hereAN b0o/N
b$id Sir ,ervase usuay +rite his o+n ettersAN b0o> he neary
a+ays di.tated the) to )e/N b%ut he did not do so in this .aseAN
b0o/N
bWhy +as that> do you thin1AN bI .anNt i)agine/N
b@ou .an suggest no reason +hy he shoud have +ritten this
parti.uar etter hi)sefAN b0o> I .anNt/N
bAhGN said MaDor &idde> adding s)oothy> b&ather .urious/ When did
you ast see Sir ,ervaseAN b*ust 'efore I +ent to dress for dinner/ I
too1 hi) so)e etters to sign/N
bWhat +as his )anner thenAN
b4uite nor)a/ In fa.t I shoud say he +as feeing rather peased +ith
hi)sef a'out so)ething/N Poirot stirred a itte in his .hair/
bAhAN he said/ bSo that +as your i)pression> +as itA That he +as
peased a'out so)ething/ And yet> not so very ong after+ards> he
shoots hi)sef/ It is odd> thatGN
,odfrey %urro+s shrugged his shouders/ bIN) ony teing you )y
i)pressions/N
b@es> yes> they are very vaua'e/ After a> you are pro'a'y one of
the ast peope +ho sa+ Sir ,ervase aive/N
bSne +as the ast person to see hi)/N
bTo see hi)> yes> 'ut not to spea1 to hi)/N %urro+s did not repy/
MaDor &idde saidH
bWhat ti)e +as it +hen you +ent up to dress for dinnerAN bA'out five
)inutes past seven/N
bWhat did Sir ,ervase doAN bI eft hi) in the study/N
b!o+ ong did he usuay ta1e to .hangeAN
b!e usuay gave hi)sef a fu three;8uarters of an hour/N
bThen> if dinner +as at a 8uarter;past eight> he +oud pro'a'y have
gone up at haf;past seven at the atestAN
b7ery i1ey/N
b@ou yoursef +ent to .hange earyAN
b@es> I thought I +oud .hange and then go to the i'rary and oo1 up
the referen.es I +anted/N Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ MaDor &idde
saidH
bWe> I thin1 thatNs a for the )o)ent/ Wi you send Miss WhatNsher;
na)e aongAN
#itte Miss #ingard tripped in a)ost i))ediatey/ She +as +earing
severa .hains +hi.h tin1ed a itte as she sat do+n and oo1ed
in8uiringy fro) one to the other of the t+o )en/
bThis is a very ; er ; sad> Miss #ingard>N 'egan MaDor &idde/ b7ery
sad indeed>N said Miss #ingard de.orousy/
b@ou .a)e to this house ; +henAN
bA'out t+o )onths ago/ Sir ,ervase +rote to a friend of his in the
Museu) ; Coone Fotheringary it +as ; and Coone Fotheringary
re.o))ended )e/ I have done a good dea of histori.a resear.h
+or1/N
b$id you find Sir ,ervase diffi.ut to +or1 forAN
b<h> not reay/ <ne had to hu)our hi) a itte> of .ourse/ %ut then I
a+ays find one has to do that +ith )en/N
With an uneasy feeing that Miss #ingard +as pro'a'y hu)ouring
hi) at this )o)ent> MaDor &idde +ent onH
b@our +or1 here +as to hep Sir ,ervase +ith the 'oo1 he +as
+ritingAN b@es/N
bWhat did it invoveAN
For a )o)ent> Miss #ingard oo1ed 8uite hu)an/ !er eyes t+in1ed
as she repiedH
bWe> a.tuay> you 1no+> it invoved +riting the 'oo1G I oo1ed up a
the infor)ation and )ade notes> and arranged the )ateria/ And
then> ater> I revised +hat Sir ,ervase had +ritten/N
b@ou )ust have had to eBer.ise a good dea of ta.t> )ade)oisee>N
said Poirot/ bTa.t and fir)ness/ <ne needs the) 'oth>N said Miss
#ingard/
bSir ,ervase did not resent your ; er ; fir)nessAN
b<h not at a/ <f .ourse I put it to hi) that he )ustnNt 'e 'othered
+ith a the petty detai/N b<h> yes> I see/N
bIt +as 8uite si)pe> reay>N said Miss #ingard/ bSir ,ervase +as
perfe.ty easy to )anage if one too1 hi) the right +ay/N
b0o+> Miss #ingard> I +onder if you 1no+ anything that .an thro+
ight on this tragedyAN Miss #ingard shoo1 her head/
bIN) afraid I donNt/ @ou see> naturay he +oudnNt .onfide in )e at a/
I +as pra.ti.ay a stranger/ In any .ase I thin1 he +as far too proud
to spea1 to anyone of fa)iy trou'es/N
b%ut you thin1 it +as fa)iy trou'es that .aused hi) to ta1e his ifeAN
Miss #ingard oo1ed rather surprised/
b%ut of .ourseG Is there any other suggestionAN
b@ou fee sure that there +ere fa)iy trou'es +orrying hi)AN bI
1no+ that he +as in great distress of )ind/N
b<h> you 1no+ thatAN bWhy> of .ourse/N
bTe )e> )ade)oisee> did he spea1 to you of the )atterAN b0ot
eBpi.ity/N
bWhat did he sayAN
b#et )e see/ I found that he didnNt see) to 'e ta1ing in +hat I +as
saying ; N b<ne )o)ent/ Pardon/ When +as thisAN
bThis afternoon/ We usuay +or1ed fro) three to five/N bPray go on/N
bAs I say> Sir ,ervase see)ed to 'e finding it hard to .on.entrate ;
in fa.t> he said as )u.h> adding that he had severa grave )atters
preying on his )ind/ And he said ; et )e see ; so)ething i1e this ;
9of .ourse> I .anNt 'e sure of the eBa.t +ords:H XItNs a terri'e thing>
Miss #ingard> +hen a fa)iy has 'een one of the proudest in the and>
that dishonour shoud 'e 'rought on it/YN
bAnd +hat did you say to thatAN
b<h> Dust so)ething soothing/ I thin1 I said that every generation had
its +ea1ings ; that that +as one of the penaties of greatness ; 'ut
that their faiings +ere sedo) re)e)'ered 'y posterity/N
bAnd did that have the soothing effe.t you hopedAN
bMore or ess/ We got 'a.1 to Sir &oger CheveniB;,ore/ I had found a
)ost interesting )ention of hi) in a .onte)porary )anus.ript/ %ut
Sir ,ervaseNs attention +andered again/ In the end he said he +oud
not do any )ore +or1 that afternoon/ !e said he had had a sho.1/N
bA sho.1AN
bThat is +hat he said/ <f .ourse> I didnNt as1 any 8uestions/ I Dust
said> XI a) sorry to hear it> Sir ,ervase/Y And then he as1ed )e to
te Sne that M/ Poirot +oud 'e arriving and to put off dinner unti
eight;fifteen> and send the .ar to )eet the seven;fifty train/N
b$id he usuay as1 you to )a1e these arrange)entsAN
bWe ; no ; that +as reay Mr %urro+sNs 'usiness/ I did nothing 'ut
)y o+n iterary +or1/ I +asnNt a se.retary in any sense of the +ord/N
Poirot as1edH
b$o you thin1 Sir ,ervase had a definite reason for as1ing you to
)a1e these arrange)ents> instead of as1ing Mr %urro+s to do soAN
Miss #ingard .onsidered/
bWe> he )ay have hadc I did not thin1 of it at the ti)e/ I thought it
+as Dust a )atter of .onvenien.e/ Sti> itNs true no+ I .o)e to thin1
of it> that he did as1 )e not to te anyone that M/ Poirot +as .o)ing/
It +as to 'e a surprise> he said/N
bAhG he said that> did heA 7ery .urious> very interesting/ And did you
te anyoneAN
bCertainy not> M/ Poirot/ I tod Sne a'out dinner and to send the
.hauffeur to )eet the seven;fifty as a gente)an +as arriving 'y it/N
b$id Sir ,ervase say anything ese that )ay have had a 'earing on
the situationAN Miss #ingard thought/
b0o ; I donNt thin1 so ; he +as very )u.h strung;up ; I do re)e)'er
that Dust as I +as eaving the roo)> he said> X0ot that itNs any good
his .o)ing no+/ ItNs too ate/YN
bAnd you have no idea at a +hat he )eant 'y thatAN b0 ; no/N
*ust the faintest suspi.ion of inde.ision a'out the si)pe negative/
Poirot repeated +ith a fro+nH bXToo ate/Y That is +hat he said> is itA
XToo ate/YN
MaDor &idde saidH
b@ou .an give us no idea> Miss #ingard> as to the nature of the
.ir.u)stan.e that so distressed Sir ,ervaseAN
Miss #ingard said so+yH
bI have an idea that it +as in so)e +ay .onne.ted +ith Mr !ugo
Trent/N bWith !ugo TrentA Why do you thin1 thatAN
bWe> it +as nothing definite> 'ut yesterday afternoon +e +ere Dust
tou.hing on Sir !ugo de CheveniB 9+ho> IN) afraid> didnNt 'ear too
good a .hara.ter in the Wars of the &oses:> and Sir ,ervase said>
XMy sister +oud .hoose the fa)iy na)e of !ugo for her sonG ItNs
a+ays 'een an unsatisfa.tory na)e in our fa)iy/ She )ight have
1no+n no !ugo +oud turn out +e/YN
bWhat you te us there is suggestive>N said Poirot/ b@es> it suggests a
ne+ idea to )e/N bSir ,ervase said nothing )ore definite than thatAN
as1ed MaDor &idde/
Miss #ingard shoo1 her head/
b0o> and of .ourse it +oudnNt have done for )e to say anything/ Sir
,ervase +as reay Dust ta1ing to hi)sef/ !e +asnNt reay spea1ing
to )e/N
b4uite so/N Poirot saidH
bMade)oisee> you> a stranger> have 'een here for t+o )onths/ It
+oud 'e> I thin1> very vaua'e if you +ere to te us 8uite fran1y
your i)pressions of the fa)iy and househod/N
Miss #ingard too1 off her pin.e;ne? and 'in1ed refe.tivey/
bWe> at first> 8uite fran1y> I fet as though INd +a1ed straight into a
)adhouseG What +ith #ady CheveniB;,ore .ontinuay seeing things
that +erenNt there> and Sir ,ervase 'ehaving i1e ; i1e a 1ing ; and
dra)ati?ing hi)sef in the )ost eBtraordinary +ay ; +e> I reay did
thin1 they +ere the 8ueerest peope I had ever .o)e a.ross/ <f
.ourse> Miss CheveniB;,ore +as perfe.ty nor)a> and I soon found
that #ady CheveniB;,ore +as reay an eBtre)ey 1ind> ni.e +o)an/
0o'ody .oud 'e 1inder and ni.er to )e than she has 'een/ Sir
,ervase ; +e> I reay thin1 he +as )ad/ !is ego)ania ; isnNt that
+hat you .a itA ; +as getting +orse and +orse every day/N
bAnd the othersAN
bMr %urro+s had rather a diffi.ut ti)e +ith Sir ,ervase> I shoud
i)agine/ I thin1 he +as gad that our +or1 on the 'oo1 gave hi) a
itte )ore 'reathing spa.e/ Coone %ury +as a+ays .har)ing/ !e
+as devoted to #ady CheveniB;,ore and he )anaged Sir ,ervase
8uite +e/ Mr Trent> Mr For'es and Miss Card+e have ony 'een
here a fe+ days> so of .ourse I donNt 1no+ )u.h a'out the)/N
bThan1 you> )ade)oisee/ And +hat a'out Captain #a1e> the
agentAN b<h> heNs very ni.e/ (very'ody i1ed hi)/N
bIn.uding Sir ,ervaseAN
b<h> yes/ INve heard hi) say #a1e +as )u.h the 'est agent heNd had/
<f .ourse> Captain #a1e had his diffi.uties +ith Sir ,ervase> too ;
'ut he )anaged pretty +e on the +hoe/ It +asnNt easy/N
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ !e )ur)ured> bThere +as so)ething ;
so)ething ; that I had in )ind to as1 you ; so)e itte thingc What
+as it no+AN
Miss #ingard turned a patient fa.e to+ards hi)/ Poirot shoo1 his
head veBedy/
bT.hahG It is on the tip of )y tongue/N
MaDor &idde +aited a )inute or t+o> then as Poirot .ontinued to
fro+n perpeBedy> he too1 up the interrogation on.e )ore/
bWhen +as the ast ti)e you sa+ Sir ,ervaseAN bAt tea;ti)e> in this
roo)/N
bWhat +as his )anner thenA 0or)aAN bAs nor)a as it ever +as/N
bWas there any sense of strain a)ong the partyAN b0o> I thin1
every'ody see)ed 8uite ordinary/N bWhere did Sir ,ervase go after
teaAN
b!e too1 Mr %urro+s +ith hi) into the study> as usua/N bThat +as
the ast ti)e you sa+ hi)AN
b@es/ I +ent to the s)a )orning;roo) +here I +or1ed> and typed a
.hapter of the 'oo1 fro) the notes I had gone over +ith Sir ,ervase>
unti seven oN.o.1> +hen I +ent upstairs to rest and dress for
dinner/N
b@ou a.tuay heard the shot> I understandAN
b@es> I +as in this roo)/ I heard +hat sounded i1e a shot and I +ent
out into the ha/ Mr Trent +as there> and Miss Card+e/ Mr Trent
as1ed Sne if there +as .ha)pagne for dinner> and )ade rather a
Do1e of it/ It never entered our heads to ta1e the )atter seriousy> IN)
afraid/ We fet sure it )ust have 'een a .ar 'a.1;firing/N
Poirot saidH
b$id you hear Mr Trent say> XThereNs a+ays )urderYAN
bI 'eieve he did say so)ething i1e that ; Do1ing> of .ourse/N bWhat
happened neBtAN
bWe a .a)e in here/N
bCan you re)e)'er the order in +hi.h the others .a)e do+n to
dinnerAN
bMiss CheveniB;,ore +as the first> I thin1> and then Mr For'es/ Then
Coone %ury and #ady CheveniB;,ore together> and Mr %urro+s
i))ediatey after the)/ I thin1 that +as the order> 'ut I .anNt 'e 8uite
sure 'e.ause they )ore or ess .a)e in a together/N
b,athered 'y the sound of the first gongAN
b@es/ (veryone a+ays husted +hen they heard that gong/ Sir
,ervase +as a terri'e sti.1er for pun.tuaity in the evening/N
bWhat ti)e did he hi)sef usuay .o)e do+nAN
b!e +as neary a+ays in the roo) 'efore the first gong +ent/N b$id
it surprise you that he +as not do+n on this o..asionAN b7ery )u.h/N
bAh> I have itGN .ried Poirot/
As the other t+o oo1ed in8uiringy at hi) he +ent onH
bI have re)e)'ered +hat I +anted to as1/ This evening>
)ade)oisee> as +e a +ent aong to the study on SneNs reporting
it to 'e o.1ed> you stooped and pi.1ed so)ething up/N
bI didAN Miss #ingard see)ed very surprised/
b@es> Dust as +e turned into the straight passage to the study/
So)ething s)a and 'right/N
b!o+ eBtraordinary ; I donNt re)e)'er/ Wait a )inute ; yes> I do/
<ny I +asnNt thin1ing/ #et )e see ; it )ust 'e in here/N
<pening her 'a.1 satin 'ag> she poured the .ontents on a ta'e/
Poirot and MaDor &idde surveyed the .oe.tion +ith interest/ There
+ere t+o hand1er.hiefs> a po+der;.o)pa.t> a s)a 'un.h of 1eys>
a spe.ta.e;.ase and one other o'De.t on +hi.h Poirot poun.ed
eagery/
bA 'uet> 'y DoveGN said MaDor &idde/
The thing +as indeed shaped i1e a 'uet> 'ut it proved to 'e a s)a
pen.i/ bThatNs +hat I pi.1ed up>N said Miss #ingard/ bINd forgotten a
a'out it/N b$o you 1no+ +ho this 'eongs to> Miss #ingardAN
b<h> yes> itNs Coone %uryNs/ !e had it )ade out of a 'uet that hit
hi) ; or rather> didnNt hit hi)> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean ; in the South
Afri.an War/N
b$o you 1no+ +hen he had it astAN
bWe> he had it this afternoon +hen they +ere paying 'ridge>
'e.ause I noti.ed hi) +riting +ith it on the s.ore +hen I .a)e in to
tea/N
bWho +as paying 'ridgeAN
bCoone %ury> #ady CheveniB;,ore> Mr Trent and Miss Card+e/N
bI thin1>N said Poirot genty> b+e +i 1eep this and return it to the
.oone ourseves/N b<h> pease do/ I a) so forgetfu> I )ight not
re)e)'er to do so/N
bPerhaps> )ade)oisee> you +oud 'e so good as to as1 Coone
%ury to .o)e here no+AN bCertainy/ I +i go and find hi) at on.e/N
She hurried a+ay/ Poirot got up and 'egan +a1ing ai)essy round
the roo)/
bWe 'egin>N he said> bto re.onstru.t the afternoon/ It is interesting/
At haf;past t+o Sir ,ervase goes over a..ounts +ith Captain #a1e/
!e is sighty preo..upied/ At three> he dis.usses the 'oo1 he is
+riting +ith Miss #ingard/ !e is in great distress of )ind/ Miss
#ingard asso.iates that distress of )ind +ith !ugo Trent on the
strength of a .han.e re)ar1/ At teati)e his 'ehaviour is nor)a/
After tea> ,odfrey %urro+s tes us he +as in good spirits over
so)ething/ At five )inutes to eight he .o)es do+nstairs> goes to his
study> s.ra+s XSorryY on a sheet of paper> and shoots hi)sefGN
&idde said so+yH
bI see +hat you )ean/ It isnNt .onsistent/N
bStrange ateration of )oods in Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,oreG !e is
preo..upied ; he is seriousy upset ; he is nor)a ; he is in high
spiritsG There is so)ething very .urious hereG And then that phrase
he used> XToo ate/Y That I shoud get here XToo ate/Y We> it is true
that/ I did get here too ate ; to see hi) aive/N
bI see/ @ou reay thin1 ; AN
bI sha never 1no+ no+ +hy Sir ,ervase sent for )eG That is
.ertainGN
Poirot +as sti +andering round the roo)/ !e straightened one or
t+o o'De.ts on the )antepie.eI he eBa)ined a .ard;ta'e that stood
against a +a> he opened the dra+er of it and too1 out the 'ridge)ar1ers/
Then he +andered over to the +riting;ta'e and peered into
the +astepaper 'as1et/ There +as nothing in it 'ut a paper 'ag/
Poirot too1 it out> s)et it> )ur)ured b<rangesN and fattened it out>
reading the na)e on it/ bCarpenter and Sons> Fruiterers>
!a)'orough St Mary/N !e +as Dust foding it neaty into s8uares
+hen Coone %ury entered the roo)/
Chapter O
The Coone dropped into a .hair> shoo1 his head> sighed and saidH
bTerri'e 'usiness> this> &idde/ #ady CheveniB;,ore is 'eing
+onderfu ; +onderfu/ ,rand +o)anG Fu of .ourageGN
Co)ing softy 'a.1 to his .hair> Poirot saidH b@ou have 1no+n her
very )any years> I thin1AN
b@es> indeed> I +as at her .o)ing;out dan.e/ Wore rose'uds in her
hair> I re)e)'er/ And a +hite> fuffy dressc WasnNt anyone to tou.h
her in the roo)GN
!is voi.e +as fu of enthusias)/ Poirot hed out the pen.i to hi)/
bThis is yours> I thin1AN
b(hA WhatA <h> than1 you> had it this afternoon +hen +e +ere
paying 'ridge/ A)a?ing> you 1no+> I hed a hundred honours in
spades three ti)es running/ 0ever done su.h a thing 'efore/N
b@ou +ere paying 'ridge 'efore tea> I understandAN said Poirot/
bWhat +as Sir ,ervaseNs fra)e of )ind +hen he .a)e in to teaAN
b2sua ; 8uite usua/ 0ever drea)ed he +as thin1ing of )a1ing a+ay
+ith hi)sef/ Perhaps he +as a itte )ore eB.ita'e than usua> no+ I
.o)e to thin1 of it/N
bWhen +as the ast ti)e you sa+ hi)AN
bWhy> thenG Tea;ti)e/ 0ever sa+ the poor .hap aive again/N b@ou
didnNt go to the study at a after teaAN
b0o> never sa+ hi) again/N
bWhat ti)e did you .o)e do+n to dinnerAN bAfter the first gong
+ent/N
b@ou and #ady CheveniB;,ore .a)e do+n togetherAN
b0o> +e ; er ; )et in the ha/ I thin1 sheNd 'een into the dining;roo)
to see to the fo+ers ; so)ething i1e that/N
MaDor &idde saidH
bI hope you +onNt )ind> Coone %ury> if I as1 you a so)e+hat
persona 8uestion/ Was there any trou'e 'et+een you and Sir
,ervase over the 8uestion of the Paragon Syntheti. &u''er
Co)panyAN
Coone %uryNs fa.e 'e.a)e suddeny purpe/ !e sputtered a itte/
b0ot at a/ 0ot at a/ <d ,ervase +as an unreasona'e sort of
feo+/ @ouNve got to re)e)'er that/ !e a+ays eBpe.ted everything
he tou.hed to turn out tru)psG $idnNt see) to reai?e that the +hoe
+ord +as going through a period of .risis/ A sto.1s and shares
'ound to 'e affe.ted/N
bSo there +as a .ertain a)ount of trou'e 'et+een youAN b0o
trou'e/ *ust da)ned unreasona'e of ,ervaseGN b!e 'a)ed you for
.ertain osses he had sustainedAN
b,ervase +asnNt nor)aG 7anda 1ne+ that/ %ut she .oud a+ays
hande hi)/ I +as .ontent to eave it a in her hands/N
Poirot .oughed and MaDor &idde> after gan.ing at hi)> .hanged the
su'De.t/
b@ou are a very od friend of the fa)iy> I 1no+> Coone %ury/ !ad
you any 1no+edge as to ho+ Sir ,ervase had eft his )oneyAN
bWe> I shoud i)agine the 'u1 of it +oud go to &uth/ ThatNs +hat I
gathered fro) +hat ,ervase et fa/N
b@ou donNt thin1 that +as at a unfair on !ugo TrentAN b,ervase
didnNt i1e !ugo/ 0ever .oud sti.1 hi)/N
b%ut he had a great sense of fa)iy/ Miss CheveniB;,ore +as> after
a> ony his adopted daughter/N Coone %ury hesitated> then after
hu))ing and ha+ing a )o)ent> he saidH
b#oo1 here> I thin1 INd 'etter te you so)ething/ Stri.t .onfiden.e>
and a that/N b<f .ourse ; of .ourse/N
b&uthNs iegiti)ate> 'ut sheNs a CheveniB;,ore a right/ $aughter of
,ervaseNs 'rother> Anthony> +ho +as 1ied in the +ar/ See)ed heNd
had an affair +ith a typist/ When he +as 1ied> the gir +rote to
7anda/ 7anda +ent to see her ; gir +as eBpe.ting a 'a'y/ 7anda
too1 it up +ith ,ervase> sheNd Dust 'een tod that she hersef .oud
never have another .hid/ &esut +as they too1 over the .hid +hen it
+as 'orn> adopted it egay/ The )other renoun.ed a rights in it/
TheyNve 'rought &uth up as their o+n daughter and to a intents and
purposes> she is their o+n daughter> and youNve ony got to oo1 at
her to reaise sheNs a CheveniB;,ore a rightGN
bAha>N said Poirot/ bI see/ That )a1es Sir ,ervaseNs attitude very
)u.h .earer/ %ut if he did not i1e Mr !ugo Trent> +hy +as he so
anBious to arrange a )arriage 'et+een hi) and Made)oisee
&uthAN
bTo reguari?e the fa)iy position/ It peased his sense of fitness/N
b(ven though he did not i1e or trust the young )anAN
Coone %ury snorted/
b@ou donNt understand od ,ervase/ !e .oudnNt regard peope as
hu)an 'eings/ !e arranged aian.es as though the parties +ere
roya personagesG !e .onsidered it fitting that &uth and !ugo shoud
)arry> !ugo ta1ing the na)e of CheveniB;,ore/ What !ugo and &uth
thought a'out it didnNt )atter/N
bAnd +as Made)oisee &uth +iing to fa in +ith this arrange)entAN
Coone %ury .hu.1ed/
b0ot sheG SheNs a tartarGN
b$id you 1no+ that shorty 'efore his death Sir ,ervase +as drafting
a ne+ +i 'y +hi.h Miss CheveniB;,ore +oud inherit ony on
.ondition that she shoud )arry Mr TrentAN
Coone %ury +histed/
bThen he reay had got the +ind;up a'out her and %urro+s ; N
As soon as he had spo1en> he 'it the +ords off> 'ut it +as too ate/
Poirot had poun.ed upon the ad)ission/
bThere +as so)ething 'et+een Made)oisee &uth and young
Monsieur %urro+sAN bPro'a'y nothing in it ; nothing in it at a/N
MaDor &idde .oughed and saidH
bI thin1> Coone %ury> that you )ust te us a you 1no+/ It )ight
have a dire.t 'earing on Sir ,ervaseNs state of )ind/N
bI suppose it )ight>N said Coone %ury> dou'tfuy/ bWe> the truth of
it is> young %urro+s is not a 'ad;oo1ing .hap ; at east> +o)en see)
to thin1 so/ !e and &uth see) to have got as thi.1 as thieves Dust
atey> and ,ervase didnNt i1e it ; didnNt i1e it at a/ $idnNt i1e to
sa.1 %urro+s for fear of pre.ipitating )atters/ !e 1no+s +hat
&uthNs i1e/ She +onNt 'e di.tated to in any +ay/ So I suppose he hit
on this s.he)e/ &uthNs not the sort of gir to sa.rifi.e everything for
ove/ SheNs fond of the feshpots and she i1es )oney/N
b$o you yoursef approve of Mr %urro+sAN
The .oone deivered hi)sef of the opinion that ,odfrey %urro+s
+as sighty hairy at the hee> a pronoun.e)ent +hi.h 'affed Poirot
.o)petey> 'ut )ade MaDor &idde s)ie into his )ousta.he/
A fe+ )ore 8uestions +ere as1ed and ans+ered> and then Coone
%ury departed/ &idde gan.ed over at Poirot +ho +as sitting
a'sor'ed in thought/
bWhat do you )a1e of it a> M/ PoirotAN The itte )an raised his
hands/
bI see) to see a pattern ; a purposefu design/N &idde said> bItNs
diffi.ut/N
b@es> it is diffi.ut/ %ut )ore and )ore one phrase> ighty uttered>
stri1es )e as signifi.ant/N
bWhat +as thatAN
bThat aughing senten.e spo1en 'y !ugo TrentH XThereNs a+ays
)urderYcN &idde said sharpyH
b@es> I .an see that youNve 'een eaning that +ay a aong/N
b$o you not agree> )y friend> that the )ore +e earn> the ess and
ess )otive +e find for sui.ideA %ut for )urder> +e 'egin to have a
surprising .oe.tion of )otivesGN
bSti> youNve got to re)e)'er the fa.ts ; door o.1ed> 1ey in dead
)anNs po.1et/ <h> I 1no+ there are +ays and )eans/ %ent pins>
strings ; a sorts of devi.es/ It +oud> I suppose> 'e possi'ec %ut
do those things reay +or1A ThatNs +hat I very )u.h dou't/N
bAt a events> et us eBa)ine the position fro) the point of vie+ of
)urder> not of sui.ide/N b<h> a right/ As you are on the s.ene> it
pro'a'y +oud 'e )urderGN
For a )o)ent Poirot s)ied/ bI hardy i1e that re)ar1/N
Then he 'e.a)e grave on.e )ore/
b@es> et us eBa)ine the .ase fro) the standpoint of )urder/ The
shot is heard> four peope are in the ha> Miss #ingard> !ugo Trent>
Miss Card+e and Sne/ Where are a the othersAN
b%urro+s +as in the i'rary> a..ording to his o+n story/ 0o one to
.he.1 that state)ent/ The others +ere presu)a'y in their roo)s>
'ut +ho is to 1no+ if they +ere reay thereA (very'ody see)s to
have .o)e do+n separatey/ (ven #ady CheveniB;,ore and %ury
ony )et in the ha/ #ady CheveniB;,ore .a)e fro) the dining;roo)/
Where did %ury .o)e fro)A IsnNt it possi'e that he .a)e> not fro)
upstairs> 'ut fro) the study A ThereNs that pen.i/N
b@es> the pen.i is interesting/ !e sho+ed no e)otion +hen I
produ.ed it> 'ut that )ight 'e 'e.ause he did not 1no+ +here I
found it and +as una+are hi)sef of having dropped it/ #et us see>
+ho ese +as paying 'ridge +hen the pen.i +as in useA !ugo Trent
and Miss Card+e/ TheyNre out of it/ Miss #ingard and the 'uter .an
vou.h for their ai'is/ The fourth +as #ady CheveniB;,ore/N
b@ou .anNt seriousy suspe.t her/N
bWhy not> )y friendA I te you> )e> I .an suspe.t every'odyG
Supposing that> in spite of her apparent devotion to her hus'and> it is
the faithfu %ury she reay ovesAN
b!N)>N said &idde/ bIn a +ay it has 'een a 1ind of )=nage P trois for
years/N
bAnd there is so)e trou'e a'out this .o)pany 'et+een Sir ,ervase
and Coone %ury/N
bItNs true that Sir ,ervase )ight have 'een )eaning to turn reay
nasty/ We donNt 1no+ the ins;and;outs of it/ It )ight fit in +ith that
su))ons to you/ Say Sir ,ervase suspe.ts that %ury has
dei'eratey fee.ed hi)> 'ut he doesnNt +ant pu'i.ity 'e.ause of a
suspi.ion that his +ife )ay 'e )iBed up in it/ @es> thatNs possi'e/
That gives either of those t+o a possi'e )otive/ And it is a 'it odd
reay that #ady CheveniB;,ore shoud ta1e her hus'andNs death so
.a)y/ A this spirit 'usiness )ay 'e a.tingGN
bThen there is the other .o)pi.ation>N said Poirot/ bMiss CheveniB;
,ore and %urro+s/ It is very )u.h to their interest that Sir ,ervase
shoud not sign the ne+ +i/ As it is> she gets everything on .ondition
that her hus'and ta1es the fa)iy na)e ; N
b@es> and %urro+sNs a..ount of Sir ,ervaseNs attitude this evening is
a 'it fishy/ !igh spirits> peased a'out so)ethingG That doesnNt fit
+ith anything ese +eNve 'een tod/N
bThere is> too> Mr For'es/ Most .orre.t> )ost severe> of an od and
+e;esta'ished fir)/ %ut a+yers> even the )ost respe.ta'e> have
'een 1no+n to e)'e??e their .ientNs )oney +hen they the)seves
are in a hoe/N
b@ouNre getting a 'it too sensationa> I thin1> Poirot/N
b@ou thin1 +hat I suggest is too i1e the pi.turesA %ut ife> MaDor
&idde> is often a)a?ingy i1e the pi.tures/N
bIt has 'een> so far> in Westshire>N said the .hief .onsta'e/ bWeNd
'etter finish intervie+ing the rest of the)> donNt you thin1A ItNs
getting ate/ We havenNt seen &uth CheveniB;,ore yet> and sheNs
pro'a'y the )ost i)portant of the ot/N
bI agree/ There is Miss Card+e> too/ Perhaps +e )ight see her first>
sin.e that +i not ta1e ong> and intervie+ Miss CheveniB;,ore ast/
b4uite a good idea/N
Chapter 9
That evening Poirot had ony given Susan Card+e a feeting gan.e/
!e eBa)ined her no+ )ore attentivey/ An inteigent fa.e> he
thought> not stri.ty good;oo1ing> 'ut possessing an attra.tion that
a )erey pretty gir )ight envy/ !er hair +as )agnifi.ent> her fa.e
s1ifuy )ade;up/ !er eyes> he thought> +ere +at.hfu/
After a fe+ prei)inary 8uestions> MaDor &idde saidH
bI donNt 1no+ ho+ .ose a friend you are of the fa)iy> Miss
Card+eAN
bI donNt 1no+ the) at a/ !ugo arranged that I shoud 'e as1ed
do+n here/N b@ou are> then> a friend of !ugo TrentNsAN
b@es> thatNs )y position/ !ugoNs gir;friend/N Susan Card+e s)ied
as she dra+ed out the +ords/ b@ou have 1no+n hi) a ong ti)eAN
b<h> no> Dust a )onth or so/N She paused and then addedH
bIN) 'y +ay of 'eing engaged to hi)/N
bAnd he 'rought you do+n here to introdu.e you to his peopeAN
b<h> dear no> nothing i1e that/ We +ere 1eeping it very hush;hush/ I
Dust .a)e do+n to spy out the and/ !ugo tod )e the pa.e +as Dust
i1e a )adhouse/ I thought INd 'etter .o)e and see for )ysef/ !ugo>
poor s+eet> is a perfe.t pet> 'ut heNs got a'soutey no 'rains/ The
position> you see> +as rather .riti.a/ 0either !ugo nor I have any
)oney> and od Sir ,ervase> +ho +as !ugoNs )ain hope> had set his
heart on !ugo )a1ing a )at.h of it +ith &uth/ !ugoNs a 'it +ea1> you
1no+/ !e )ight agree to this )arriage and .ount on 'eing a'e to get
out of it ater/N
bThat idea did not .o))end itsef to you> )ade)oiseeAN in8uired
Poirot genty/
b$efinitey not/ &uth )ight have gone a pe.uiar and refused to
divor.e hi) or so)ething/ I put )y foot do+n/ 0o trotting off to St
PauNs> -nights'ridge> unti I .oud 'e there dithering +ith a sheaf of
iies/N
bSo you .a)e do+n to study the situation for yoursefAN b@es/N
b(h 'ienGN said Poirot/
bWe> of .ourse> !ugo +as rightG The +hoe fa)iy +ere 'ughouseG
(B.ept &uth> +ho see)s perfe.ty sensi'e/ SheNd got her o+n 'oyfriend
and +asnNt any 1eener on the )arriage idea than I +as/N
b@ou refer to M/ %urro+sAN
b%urro+sA <f .ourse not/ &uth +oudnNt fa for a 'ogus person i1e
that/N bThen +ho +as the o'De.t of her affe.tionAN
Susan Card+e paused> stret.hed for a .igarette> it it> and
re)ar1edH b@ouNd 'etter as1 her that/ After a> it isnNt )y 'usiness/N
MaDor &idde as1edH
bWhen +as the ast ti)e you sa+ Sir ,ervaseAN bAt tea/N
b$id his )anner stri1e you as pe.uiar in any +ayAN The gir
shrugged her shouders/
b0ot )ore than usua/N bWhat did you do after teaAN bPayed 'iiards
+ith !ugo/N
b@ou didnNt see Sir ,ervase againAN b0o/N
bWhat a'out the shotAN
bThat +as rather odd/ @ou see> I thought the first gong had gone> so I
hurried up +ith )y dressing> .a)e dashing out of )y roo)> heard>
as I thought> the se.ond gong and fairy ra.ed do+n the stairs/ INd
'een one )inute ate for dinner the first night I +as here and !ugo
tod )e it had a'out +re.1ed our .han.es +ith the od )an> so I
fairy hared do+n/ !ugo +as Dust ahead of )e and then there +as a
8ueer 1ind of pop;'ang and !ugo said it +as a .ha)pagne .or1> 'ut
Sne said X0oY to that and> any+ay> I didnNt thin1 it had .o)e fro)
the dining;roo)/ Miss #ingard thought it .a)e fro) upstairs> 'ut
any+ay +e agreed it +as a 'a.1;fire and +e trooped into the
dra+ing;roo) and forgot a'out it/N
bIt did not o..ur to you for one )o)ent that Sir ,ervase )ight have
shot hi)sefAN as1ed Poirot/
bI as1 you> shoud I 'e i1ey to thin1 of su.h a thingA The <d Man
see)ed to enDoy hi)sef thro+ing his +eight a'out/ I never i)agined
heNd do su.h a thing/ I .anNt thin1 +hy he did it/ I suppose Dust
'e.ause he +as nuts/N
bAn unfortunate o..urren.e/N
b7ery ; for !ugo and )e/ I gather heNs eft !ugo nothing at a> or
pra.ti.ay nothing/N bWho tod you thatAN
b!ugo got it out of od For'es/N
bWe> Miss Card+e ; N MaDor &idde paused a )o)ent> bI thin1 thatNs
a/ $o you thin1 Miss CheveniB;,ore is feeing +e enough to .o)e
do+n and ta1 to usAN
b<h> I shoud thin1 so/ IN te her/N Poirot intervened/
bA itte )o)ent> )ade)oisee/ !ave you seen this 'eforeAN !e hed
out the 'uet pen.i/
b<h> yes> +e had it at 'ridge this afternoon/ %eongs to od Coone
%ury> I thin1/N b$id he ta1e it +hen the ru''er +as overAN
bI havenNt the faintest idea/N
bThan1 you> )ade)oisee/ That is a/N b&ight> IN te &uth/N
&uth CheveniB;,ore .a)e into the roo) i1e a 8ueen/ !er .oour
+as vivid> her head hed high/ %ut her eyes> i1e the eyes of Susan
Card+e> +ere +at.hfu/ She +ore the sa)e fro.1 she had had on
+hen Poirot arrived/ It +as a pae shade of apri.ot/ <n her shouder
+as pinned a deep> sa)on;pin1 rose/ It had 'een fresh and
'oo)ing an hour earier> no+ it drooped/
bWeAN said &uth/
bIN) eBtre)ey sorry to 'other you>N 'egan MaDor &idde/ She
interrupted hi)/
b<f .ourse you have to 'other )e/ @ou have to 'other everyone/ I
.an save you ti)e> though/ I havenNt the faintest idea +hy the <d
Man 1ied hi)sef/ A I .an te you is that it +asnNt a 'it i1e hi)/N
b$id you noti.e anything a)iss in his )anner todayA Was he
depressed> or unduy eB.ited ; +as there anything at a a'nor)aAN
bI donNt thin1 so/ I +asnNt noti.ing ; N bWhen did you see hi) astAN
bTea;ti)e/N
Poirot spo1eH
b@ou did not go to the study ; aterAN
b0o/ The ast I sa+ of hi) +as in this roo)/ Sitting there/N She
indi.ated a .hair/
bI see/ $o you 1no+ this pen.i> )ade)oiseeAN bItNs Coone %uryNs/N
b!ave you seen it ateyAN bI donNt reay re)e)'er/N
b$o you 1no+ anything of a ; disagree)ent 'et+een Sir ,ervase and
Coone %uryAN b<ver the Paragon &u''er Co)pany> you )eanAN
b@es/N
bI shoud thin1 so/ The <d Man +as ra'id a'out itGN b!e .onsidered>
perhaps> that he had 'een s+indedAN &uth shrugged her shouders/
b!e didnNt understand the first thing a'out finan.e/N
Poirot saidH
bMay I as1 you a 8uestion> )ade)oisee ; a so)e+hat i)pertinent
8uestionAN bCertainy> if you i1e/N
bIt is this ; are you sorry that your ; father is deadAN She stared at
hi)/
b<f .ourse IN) sorry/ I donNt induge in so';stuff/ %ut I sha )iss
hi)c I +as fond of the <d Man/ ThatNs +hat +e .aed hi)> !ugo
and I> a+ays/ The X<d ManY ; you 1no+ ; so)ething of the pri)itive ;
anthropoid;ape;origina;Patriar.h;of;the;tri'e 'usiness/ It sounds
disrespe.tfu> 'ut thereNs reay a ot of affe.tion 'ehind it/ <f .ourse>
he +as reay the )ost .o)pete> )udde;headed od ass that ever
ivedGN
b@ou interest )e> )ade)oisee/N
bThe <d Man had the 'rains of a ouseG Sorry to have to say it> 'ut
itNs true/ !e +as in.apa'e of any 1ind of head+or1/ Mind you> he
+as a .hara.ter/ Fantasti.ay 'rave and a thatG Coud go .areering
off to the Poe> or fighting dues/ I a+ays thin1 that he 'ustered su.h
a ot 'e.ause he reay 1ne+ that his 'rains +erenNt up to )u.h/
Anyone .oud have got the 'etter of hi)/N
Poirot too1 the etter fro) his po.1et/ b&ead this> )ade)oisee/N
She read it through and handed it 'a.1 to hi)/ bSo thatNs +hat
'rought you hereGN
b$oes it suggest anything to you> that etterAN She shoo1 her head/
b0o/ ItNs pro'a'y 8uite true/ Anyone .oud have ro''ed the poor od
pet/ *ohn says the ast agent 'efore hi) s+inded hi) right and eft/
@ou see> the <d Man +as so grand and so po)pous that he never
reay .ondes.ended to oo1 into detaisG !e +as an invitation to
.roo1s/N
b@ou paint a different pi.ture of hi)> )ade)oisee> fro) the
a..epted one/N
b<h> +e ; he put up a pretty good .a)oufage/ 7anda 9)y )other:
'a.1ed hi) for a she +as +orth/ !e +as so happy sta1ing round
pretending he +as ,od A)ighty/ ThatNs +hy> in a +ay> IN) gad heNs
dead/ ItNs the 'est thing for hi)/N
bI do not 8uite foo+ you> )ade)oisee/N &uth said 'roodingyH
bIt +as gro+ing on hi)/ <ne of these days he +oud have had to 'e
o.1ed upc Peope +ere 'eginning to ta1 as it +as/N
b$id you 1no+> )ade)oisee> that he +as .onte)pating a +i
+here'y you .oud ony inherit his )oney if you )arried Mr TrentAN
She .riedH
b!o+ a'surdG Any+ay> IN) sure that .oud 'e set aside 'y a+c IN)
sure you .anNt di.tate to peope a'out +ho) they sha )arry/N
bIf he had a.tuay signed su.h a +i> +oud you have .o)pied +ith
its provisions> )ade)oiseeAN She stared/
bI ; I ; N
She 'ro1e off/ For t+o or three )inutes she sat irresoute> oo1ing
do+n at her danging sipper/ A itte pie.e of earth deta.hed itsef
fro) the hee and fe on the .arpet/
Suddeny &uth CheveniB;,ore saidH bWaitGN
She got up and ran out of the roo)/ She returned a)ost
i))ediatey +ith Captain #a1e 'y her side/
bItNs got to .o)e out>N she said rather 'reathessy/ b@ou )ight as
+e 1no+ no+/ *ohn and I +ere )arried in #ondon three +ee1s ago/N
Chapter 16
<f the t+o of the)> Captain #a1e oo1ed far the )ore e)'arrassed/
bThis is a great surprise> Miss CheveniB;,ore ; Mrs #a1e> I shoud
say>N said MaDor &idde/ b$id no one 1no+ of this )arriage of yoursAN
b0o> +e 1ept it 8uite dar1/ *ohn didnNt i1e that part of it )u.h/N #a1e
said> sta))ering a itteH
bI ; I 1no+ that it see)s rather a rotten +ay to set a'out things/ I
ought to have gone straight to Sir ,ervase ; N
&uth interruptedH
bAnd tod hi) you +anted to )arry his daughter> and have 'een
1i.1ed out on your head and heNd pro'a'y have disinherited )e>
raised he generay in the house> and +e .oud have tod ea.h other
ho+ 'eautifuy +eNd 'ehavedG %eieve )e> )y +ay +as 'etterG If a
thingNs done> itNs done/ There +oud sti have 'een a ro+ ; 'ut heNd
have .o)e round/N
#a1e sti oo1ed unhappy/ Poirot as1edH
bWhen did you intend to 'rea1 the ne+s to Sir ,ervaseAN &uth
ans+eredH
bI +as preparing the ground/ !eNd 'een rather suspi.ious a'out )e
and *ohn> so I pretended to turn )y attentions to ,odfrey/ 0aturay>
he +as ready to go 8uite off the deep;end a'out that/ I figured it out
that the ne+s I +as )arried to *ohn +oud .o)e a)ost as a reiefGN
b$id any'ody at a 1no+ of this )arriageAN
b@es> I tod 7anda in the end/ I +anted to get her on )y side/N bAnd
you su..eeded in doing soAN
b@es/ @ou see> she +asnNt very 1een a'out )y )arrying !ugo ;
'e.ause he +as a .ousin> I thin1/ She see)ed to thin1 the fa)iy +as
so 'atty aready that +eNd pro'a'y have .o)petey 'atty .hidren/
That +as pro'a'y rather a'surd> 'e.ause IN) ony adopted> you
1no+/ I 'eieve IN) so)e 8uite distant .ousinNs .hid/N
b@ou are sure Sir ,ervase had no suspi.ion of the truthAN b<h> no/N
Poirot saidH
bIs that true> Captain #a1eA In your intervie+ +ith Sir ,ervase this
afternoon> are you 8uite sure the )atter +as not )entionedAN
b0o> sir/ It +as not/N
b%e.ause> you see> Captain #a1e> there is .ertain eviden.e to sho+
that Sir ,ervase +as in a highy;eB.ita'e .ondition after the ti)e he
spent +ith you> and that he spo1e on.e or t+i.e of fa)iy dishonour/N
bThe )atter +as not )entioned>N #a1e repeated/ !is fa.e had gone
very +hite/ bWas that the ast ti)e you sa+ Sir ,ervaseAN
b@es> I have aready tod you so/N
bWhere +ere you at eight )inutes past eight this eveningAN
bWhere +as IA In )y house/ At the end of the viage> a'out haf a
)ie a+ay/N b@ou did not .o)e up to !a)'orough Cose round a'out
that ti)eAN
b0o/N
Poirot turned to the gir/
bWhere +ere you> )ade)oisee> +hen your father shot hi)sefAN bIn
the garden/N
bIn the gardenA @ou heard the shotAN
b<h> yes/ %ut I didnNt thin1 a'out it parti.uary/ I thought it +as
so)eone out shooting ra''its> athough no+ I re)e)'er I did thin1 it
sounded 8uite .ose at hand/N
b@ou returned to the house ; +hi.h +ayAN bI .a)e in through this
+indo+/N
&uth indi.ated +ith a turn of her head the +indo+ 'ehind her/ bWas
anyone in hereAN
b0o/ %ut !ugo and Susan and Miss #ingard .a)e in fro) the ha
a)ost i))ediatey/ They +ere ta1ing a'out shooting and )urders
and things/N
bI see>N said Poirot/ b@es> I thin1 I see no+cN MaDor &idde said rather
dou'tfuyH
bWe ; er ; than1 you/ I thin1 thatNs a for the )o)ent/N &uth and her
hus'and turned and eft the roo)/
bWhat the devi ; N 'egan MaDor &idde> and ended rather hopeessyH
bIt gets )ore and )ore diffi.ut to 1eep tra.1 of this 'usiness/N
Poirot nodded/ !e had pi.1ed up the itte pie.e of earth that had
faen fro) &uthNs shoe and +as hoding it thoughtfuy in his hand/
bIt is i1e the )irror s)ashed on the +a>N he said/ bThe dead )anNs
)irror/ (very ne+ fa.t +e .o)e a.ross sho+s us so)e different
ange of the dead )an/ !e is refe.ted fro) every .on.eiva'e point
of vie+/ We sha have soon a .o)pete pi.turecN
!e rose and put the itte pie.e of earth tidiy in the +aste;paper
'as1et/
bI +i te you one thing> )y friend/ The .ue to the +hoe )ystery is
the )irror/ ,o into the study and oo1 for yoursef> if you do not
'eieve )e/N
MaDor &idde> said de.isiveyH
bIf itNs )urder> itNs up to you to prove it/ If you as1 )e> I say itNs
definitey sui.ide/ $id you noti.e +hat the gir said a'out a for)er
agent having s+inded od ,ervaseA I 'et #a1e tod that tae for his
o+n purposes/ !e +as pro'a'y heping hi)sef a 'it> Sir ,ervase
suspe.ted it> and sent for you 'e.ause he didnNt 1no+ ho+ far things
had gone 'et+een #a1e and &uth/ Then this afternoon #a1e tod hi)
they +ere )arried/ That 'ro1e ,ervase up/ It +as Xtoo ateY no+ for
anything to 'e done/ !e deter)ined to get out of it a/ In fa.t his
'rain> never very +e 'aan.ed at the 'est of ti)es> gave +ay/ In )y
opinion thatNs +hat happened/ What have you got to say against itAN
Poirot stood sti in the )idde of the roo)/
bWhat have I to sayA ThisH I have nothing to say against your theory ;
'ut it does not go far enough/ There are .ertain things it does not
ta1e into a..ount/N
bSu.h asAN
bThe dis.repan.ies in Sir ,ervaseNs )oods today> the finding of
Coone %uryNs pen.i> the eviden.e of Miss Card+e 9+hi.h is very
i)portant:> the eviden.e of Miss #ingard as to the order in +hi.h
peope .a)e do+n to dinner> the position of Sir ,ervaseNs .hair
+hen he +as found> the paper 'ag +hi.h had hed oranges and>
finay> the a;i)portant .ue of the 'ro1en )irror/N
MaDor &idde stared/
bAre you going to te )e that that rig)aroe )a1es senseAN he
as1ed/ !er.ue Poirot repied softyH
bI hope to )a1e it do so ; 'y to)orro+/N
Chapter 11
It +as Dust after da+n +hen !er.ue Poirot a+o1e on the foo+ing
)orning/ !e had 'een given a 'edroo) on the east side of the
house/
,etting out of 'ed> he dre+ aside the +indo+;'ind and satisfied
hi)sef that the sun had risen> and that it +as a fine )orning/
!e 'egan to dress +ith his usua )eti.uous .are/ !aving finished
his toiet> he +rapped hi)sef up in a thi.1 over.oat and +ound a
)uffer round his ne.1/
Then he tiptoed out of his roo) and through the sient house do+n to
the dra+ing;roo)/ !e opened the fren.h +indo+s noiseessy and
passed out into the garden/
The sun +as Dust sho+ing no+/ The air +as )isty> +ith the )ist of a
fine )orning/ !er.ue Poirot foo+ed the terra.ed +a1 round the
side of the house ti he .a)e to the +indo+s of Sir ,ervaseNs study/
!ere he stopped and surveyed the s.ene/
I))ediatey outside the +indo+s +as a strip of grass that ran
parae +ith the house/ In front of that +as a +ide her'a.eous
'order/ The )i.hae)as daisies sti )ade a fine sho+/ In front of the
'order +as the fagged +a1 +here Poirot +as standing/ A strip of
grass ran fro) the grass +a1 'ehind the 'order to the terra.e/
Poirot eBa)ined it .arefuy> then shoo1 his head/ !e turned his
attention to the 'order on either side of it/
7ery so+y he nodded his head/ In the right;hand 'ed> distin.t in the
soft )oud> there +ere footprints/ As he stared do+n at the)>
fro+ning> a sound .aught his ears and he ifted his head sharpy/
A'ove hi) a +indo+ had 'een pushed up/ !e sa+ a red head of hair/
Fra)ed in an aureoe of goden red he sa+ the inteigent fa.e of
Susan Card+e/
bWhat on earth are you doing at this hour> M/ PoirotA A spot of
seuthingAN Poirot 'o+ed +ith the ut)ost .orre.titude/
b,ood )orning> )ade)oisee/ @es> it is as you say/ @ou no+ 'ehod
a dete.tive ; a great dete.tive> I )ay say ; in the a.t of dete.tingGN
The re)ar1 +as a itte fa)'oyant/ Susan put her head on one side/
bI )ust re)e)'er this in )y )e)oirs>N she re)ar1ed/ bSha I .o)e
do+n and hepAN bI shoud 'e en.hanted/N
bI thought you +ere a 'urgar at first/ Whi.h +ay did you get outAN
bThrough the dra+ing;roo) +indo+/N
b*ust a )inute and IN 'e +ith you/N
She +as as good as her +ord/ To a appearan.es Poirot +as eBa.ty
in the sa)e position as +hen she had first seen hi)/
b@ou are a+a1e very eary> )ade)oiseeAN
bI havenNt 'een to seep reay propery/ I +as Dust getting that
desperate feeing that one does get at five in the )orning/N
bItNs not 8uite so eary as thatGN
bIt fees i1e itG 0o+ then> )y super;seuth> +hat are +e oo1ing atAN
b%ut o'serve> )ade)oisee> footprints/N
bSo they are/N
bFour of the)>N .ontinued Poirot/ bSee> I +i point the) out to you/
T+o going to+ards the +indo+> t+o .o)ing fro) it/N
bWhose are theyA The gardenerNsAN
bMade)oisee> )ade)oiseeG Those foot)ar1s are )ade 'y the
s)a dainty high;heeed shoes of a +o)an/ See> .onvin.e yoursef/
Step> I 'eg of you> in the earth here 'eside the)/N
Susan hesitated a )inute> then pa.ed a foot gingery on to the
)oud in the pa.e indi.ated 'y Poirot/ She +as +earing s)a highheeed
sippers of dar1 'ro+n eather/
b@ou see> yours are neary the sa)e si?e/ 0eary> 'ut not 8uite/
These others are )ade 'y a rather onger foot than yours/ Perhaps
Miss CheveniB;,oreNs ; or Miss #ingardNs ; or even #ady CheveniB;
,oreNs/N
b0ot #ady CheveniB;,ore ; sheNs got tiny feet/ Peope did in those
days ; )anage to have s)a feet> I )ean/ And Miss #ingard +ears
8ueer fat;heeed things/N
bThen they are the )ar1s of Miss CheveniB;,ore/ Ah> yes> I
re)e)'er she )entioned having 'een out in the garden yesterday
evening/N
!e ed the +ay 'a.1 round the house/ bAre +e sti seuthingAN as1ed
Susan/
b%ut .ertainy/ We +i go no+ to Sir ,ervaseNs study/N !e ed the
+ay/ Susan Card+e foo+ed hi)/
The door sti hung in a )ean.hoy fashion/ Inside> the roo) +as as
it had 'een ast night/ Poirot pued the .urtains and ad)itted the
dayight/
!e stood oo1ing out at the 'order a )inute or t+o> then he saidH
b@ou have not> I presu)e> )ade)oisee> )u.h a.8uaintan.e +ith
'urgarsAN Susan Card+e shoo1 her red head regretfuy/
bIN) afraid not> M/ Poirot/N
bThe .hief .onsta'e> he> too> has not had the advantages of a
friendy reationship +ith the)/ !is .onne.tion +ith the .ri)ina
.asses has a+ays 'een stri.ty offi.ia/ With )e that is not so/ I had
a very peasant .hat +ith a 'urgar on.e/ !e tod )e an interesting
thing a'out fren.h +indo+s ; a tri.1 that .oud so)eti)es 'e
e)poyed if the fastening +as suffi.ienty oose/N
!e turned the hande of the eft;hand +indo+ as he spo1e> the
)idde shaft .a)e up out of the hoe in the ground> and Poirot +as
a'e to pu the t+o doors of the +indo+ to+ards hi)/ !aving opened
the) +ide> he .osed the) again ; .osed the) +ithout turning the
hande> so as not to send the shaft do+n into its so.1et/ !e et go of
the hande> +aited a )o)ent> then stru.1 a 8ui.1> Darring 'o+ high
up on the .entre of the shaft/ The Dar of the 'o+ sent the shaft do+n
into the so.1et in the ground ; the hande turned of its o+n a..ord/
b@ou see> )ade)oiseeAN bI thin1 I do/N
Susan had gone rather pae/
bThe +indo+ is no+ .osed/ It is i)possi'e to enter a roo) +hen the
+indo+ is .osed> 'ut it is possi'e to eave a roo)> pu the doors to
fro) outside> then hit it as I did> and the 'ot goes do+n into the
ground> turning the hande/ The +indo+ then is fir)y .osed> and
anyone oo1ing at it +oud say it had 'een .osed fro) the inside/N
bIs thatN ; SusanNs voi.e shoo1 a itte ; bis that +hat happened ast
nightAN
bI thin1 so> yes> )ade)oisee/N Susan said vioentyH
bI donNt 'eieve a +ord of it/N
Poirot did not ans+er/ !e +a1ed over to the )antepie.e/ !e
+heeed sharpy round/
bMade)oisee> I have need of you as a +itness/ I have aready one
+itness> Mr Trent/ !e sa+ )e find this tiny siver of oo1ing;gass ast
night/ I spo1e of it to hi)/ I eft it +here it +as for the poi.e/ I even
tod the .hief .onsta'e that a vaua'e .ue +as the 'ro1en )irror/
%ut he did not avai hi)sef of )y hint/ 0o+ you are a +itness that I
pa.e this siver of oo1ing;gass 9to +hi.h> re)e)'er> I have aready
.aed Mr TrentNs attention: into a itte enveope ; so/N !e suited the
a.tion to the +ord/ bAnd I +rite on it ; so ; and sea it up/ @ou are a
+itness> )ade)oiseeAN
b@es ; 'ut ; 'ut I donNt 1no+ +hat it )eans/N
Poirot +a1ed over to the other side of the roo)/ !e stood in front of
the des1 and stared at the shattered )irror on the +a in front of
hi)/
bI +i te you +hat it )eans> )ade)oisee/ If you had 'een standing
here ast night> oo1ing into this )irror> you .oud have seen in it
)urder 'eing .o))itted cN
Chapter 12
I
For on.e in her ife &uth CheveniB;,ore ; no+ &uth #a1e ; .a)e
do+n to 'rea1fast in good ti)e/ !er.ue Poirot +as in the ha and
dre+ her aside 'efore she +ent into the dining;roo)/
bI have a 8uestion to as1 you> )ada)e/N b@esAN
b@ou +ere in the garden ast night/ $id you at any ti)e step in the
fo+er;'ed outside Sir ,ervaseNs study +indo+AN
&uth stared at hi)/ b@es> t+i.e/N
bAhG T+i.e/ !o+ t+i.eAN
bThe first ti)e I +as pi.1ing )i.hae)as daisies/ That +as a'out
seven oN.o.1/N bWas it not rather an odd ti)e of day to pi.1
fo+ersAN
b@es> it +as> as a )atter of fa.t/ INd done the fo+ers yesterday
)orning> 'ut 7anda said after tea that the fo+ers on the dinner;ta'e
+erenNt good enough/ I had thought they +oud 'e a right> so I
hadnNt done the) fresh/N
b%ut your )other re8uested you to do the)A Is that rightAN
b@es/ So I +ent out Dust 'efore seven/ I too1 the) fro) that part of
the 'order 'e.ause hardy anyone goes round there> and so it didnNt
)atter spoiing the effe.t/N
b@es> yes> 'ut the se.ond ti)e/ @ou +ent there a se.ond ti)e> you
saidAN
bThat +as Dust 'efore dinner/ I had dropped a spot of 'riiantine on
)y dress ; Dust 'y the shouder/ I didnNt +ant to 'other to .hange>
and none of )y artifi.ia fo+ers +ent +ith the yeo+ of that dress/ I
re)e)'ered INd seen a ate rose +hen I +as pi.1ing the )i.hae)as
daisies> so I hurried out and got it and pinned it on )y shouder/N
Poirot nodded his head so+y/
b@es> I re)e)'er that you +ore a rose ast night/ What ti)e +as it>
)ada)e> +hen you pi.1ed that roseAN
bI donNt reay 1no+/N
b%ut it is essentia> )ada)e/ Consider ; refe.t/N
&uth fro+ned/ She oo1ed s+ifty at Poirot and then a+ay again/
bI .anNt say eBa.ty>N she said at ast/ bIt )ust have 'een ; oh> of
.ourse ; it )ust have 'een a'out five )inutes past eight/ It +as +hen
I +as on )y +ay 'a.1 round the house that I heard the gong go> and
then that funny 'ang/ I +as hurrying 'e.ause I thought it +as the
se.ond gong and not the first/N
bAh> so you thought that ; and did you not try the study +indo+ +hen
you stood there in the fo+er;'edAN
bAs a )atter of fa.t> I did/ I thought it )ight 'e open> and it +oud 'e
8ui.1er to .o)e in that +ay/ %ut it +as fastened/N
bSo everything is eBpained/ I .ongratuate you> )ada)e/N She
stared at hi)/
bWhat do you )eanAN
bThat you have an eBpanation for everything> for the )oud on your
shoes> for your footprints in the fo+er;'ed> for your fingerprints on
the outside of the +indo+/ It is very .onvenient that/N
%efore &uth .oud ans+er> Miss #ingard .a)e hurrying do+n the
stairs/ There +as a 8ueer purpe fush on her .hee1s> and she oo1ed
a itte started at seeing Poirot and &uth standing together/
bI 'eg your pardon>N she said/ bIs anything the )atterAN &uth said
angriyH
bI thin1 M/ Poirot has gone )adGN
She s+ept 'y the) and into the dining;roo)/ Miss #ingard turned an
astonished fa.e on Poirot/ !e shoo1 his head/
bAfter 'rea1fast>N he said/ bI +i eBpain/ I shoud i1e everyone to
asse)'e in Sir ,ervaseNs study at ten oN.o.1/N
!e repeated this re8uest on entering the dining;roo)/
Susan Card+e gave hi) a 8ui.1 gan.e> then transferred her ga?e
to &uth/ When !ugo saidH b(hA WhatNs the ideaAN she gave hi) a
sharp nudge in the side> and he shut up o'edienty/
When he had finished his 'rea1fast> Poirot rose and +a1ed to the
door/ !e turned and dre+ out a arge od;fashioned +at.h/
bIt is five )inutes to ten/ In five )inutes ; in the study/N
II
Poirot oo1ed round hi)/ A .ir.e of interested fa.es stared 'a.1 at
hi)/ (veryone +as there> he noted> +ith one eB.eption> and at that
very )o)ent the eB.eption s+ept into the roo)/ #ady CheveniB;,ore
.a)e in +ith a soft> giding step/ She oo1ed haggard and i/
Poirot dre+ for+ard a 'ig .hair for her> and she sat do+n/
She oo1ed up at the 'ro1en )irror> shivered> and pued her .hair a
itte +ay round/
b,ervase is sti here>N she re)ar1ed in a )atter;of;fa.t tone/ bPoor
,ervasec !e +i soon 'e free no+/N
Poirot .eared his throat and announ.edH
bI have as1ed you a to .o)e here so that you )ay hear the true
fa.ts of Sir ,ervaseNs sui.ide/N bIt +as Fate>N said #ady CheveniB;
,ore/ b,ervase +as strong> 'ut his Fate +as stronger/N Coone %ury
)oved for+ard a itte/
b7anda ; )y dear/N
She s)ied up at hi)> then put up her hand/ !e too1 it in his/ She
said softyH b@ou are su.h a .o)fort> 0ed/N
&uth said sharpyH
bAre +e to understand> M/ Poirot> that you have definitey
as.ertained the .ause of )y fatherNs sui.ideAN
Poirot shoo1 his head/ b0o> )ada)e/N
bThen +hat is a this rig)aroe a'outAN Poirot said 8uietyH
bI do not 1no+ the .ause of Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,oreNs sui.ide>
'e.ause Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,ore did not .o))it sui.ide/ !e did
not 1i hi)sef/ !e +as 1iedcN
b-iedAN Severa voi.es e.hoed the +ord/ Started fa.es +ere
turned in PoirotNs dire.tion/ #ady CheveniB;,ore oo1ed up> said>
b-iedA <h> noGN and genty shoo1 her head/
b-ied> did you sayAN It +as !ugo +ho spo1e no+/ bI)possi'e/
There +as no one in the roo) +hen +e 'ro1e in/ The +indo+ +as
fastened/ The door +as o.1ed on the inside> and the 1ey +as in )y
un.eNs po.1et/ !o+ .oud he have 'een 1iedAN
b0evertheess> he +as 1ied/N
bAnd the )urderer es.aped through the 1eyhoe> I supposeAN said
Coone %ury s.epti.ay/ b<r fe+ up the .hi)neyAN
bThe )urderer>N said Poirot> b+ent out through the +indo+/ I +i
sho+ you ho+/N !e repeated his )anoeuvres +ith the +indo+/
b@ou seeAN he said/ bThat +as ho+ it +as doneG Fro) the first I .oud
not .onsider it i1ey that Sir ,ervase had .o))itted sui.ide/ !e had
pronoun.ed ego)ania> and su.h a )an does not 1i hi)sef/
bAnd there +ere other thingsG Apparenty> Dust 'efore his death> Sir
,ervase had sat do+n at his des1> s.ra+ed the +ord S<&&@ on a
sheet of note;paper and had then shot hi)sef/ %ut 'efore this ast
a.tion he had> for so)e reason or other atered the position of his
.hair> turning it so that it +as side+ays to the des1/ WhyA There )ust
'e so)e reason/ I 'egan to see ight +hen I found> sti.1ing to the
'ase of a heavy 'ron?e statuette> a tiny siver of oo1ing;gassc
bI as1ed )ysef> ho+ does a siver of 'ro1en oo1ing;gass .o)e to
'e thereA ; and an ans+er suggested itsef to )e/ The )irror had
'een 'ro1en> not 'y a 'uet> 'ut 'y 'eing stru.1 +ith the heavy
'ron?e figure/ That )irror had 'een 'ro1en dei'eratey/
b%ut +hyA I returned to the des1 and oo1ed do+n at the .hair/ @es> I
sa+ no+/ It +as a +rong/ 0o sui.ide +oud turn his .hair round>
ean over the edge of it> and then shoot hi)sef/ The +hoe thing +as
arranged/ The sui.ide +as a fa1eG
bAnd no+ I .o)e to so)ething very i)portant/ The eviden.e of Miss
Card+e/ Miss Card+e said that she hurried do+nstairs ast night
'e.ause she thought that the se.ond gong had sounded/ That is to
say> she thought that she had aready heard the first gong/
b0o+ o'serve> if Sir ,ervase +as sitting at his des1 in the nor)a
fashion +hen he +as shot> +here +oud the 'uet goA Traveing in a
straight ine> it +oud pass through the door> if the door +ere open>
and finay hit the gongG
b@ou see no+ the i)portan.e of Miss Card+eNs state)entA 0o one
ese heard the first gong> 'ut> then> her roo) is situated i))ediatey
a'ove this one> and she +as in the 'est position for hearing it/ It
+oud .onsist of ony one singe note> re)e)'er/
bThere .oud 'e no 8uestion of Sir ,ervaseNs shooting hi)sef/ A
dead )an .annot get up> shut the door> o.1 it and arrange hi)sef in
a .onvenient positionG So)e'ody ese +as .on.erned> and therefore
it +as not sui.ide> 'ut )urder/ So)eone +hose presen.e +as easiy
a..epted 'y Sir ,ervase> stood 'y his side ta1ing to hi)/ Sir
,ervase +as 'usy +riting> perhaps/ The )urderer 'rings the pisto
up to the right side of his head and fires/ The deed is doneG Then
8ui.1> to +or1G The )urderer sips on goves/ The door is o.1ed> the
1ey put in Sir ,ervaseNs po.1et/ %ut supposing that one oud note of
the gong has 'een heardA Then it +i 'e reai?ed that the door +as
open> not shut> +hen the shot +as fired/ So the .hair is turned> the
'ody rearranged> the dead )anNs fingers pressed on the pisto> the
)irror dei'eratey s)ashed/ Then the )urderer goes out through
the +indo+> Dars it shut> steps> not on the grass> 'ut in the fo+er;'ed
+here footprints .an 'e s)oothed out after+ardsI then round the
side of the house and into the dra+ing;roo)/N
!e paused and saidH
bThere +as ony one person +ho +as out in the garden +hen the
shot +as fired/ That sa)e person eft her footprints in the fo+er;'ed
and her fingerprints on the outside of the +indo+/N
!e .a)e to+ards &uth/
bAnd there +as a )otive> +asnNt thereA @our father had earnt of
your se.ret )arriage/ !e +as preparing to disinherit you/N
bItNs a ieGN &uthNs voi.e .a)e s.ornfu and .ear/ bThereNs not a +ord
of truth in your story/ ItNs a ie fro) start to finishGN
bThe proofs against you are very strong> )ada)e/ A Dury )ay
'eieve you/ It )ay notGN bShe +onNt have to fa.e a Dury/N
The others turned ; started/ Miss #ingard +as on her feet/ !er fa.e
atered/ She +as tre)'ing a over/
bI shot hi)/ I ad)it itG I had )y reason/ I ; INve 'een +aiting for so)e
ti)e/ M/ Poirot is 8uite right/ I foo+ed hi) in here/ I had ta1en the
pisto out of the dra+er earier/ I stood 'eside hi) ta1ing a'out the
'oo1 ; and I shot hi)/ That +as Dust after eight/ The 'uet stru.1 the
gong/ I never drea)t it +oud pass right through his head i1e that/
There +asnNt ti)e to go out and oo1 for it/ I o.1ed the door and put
the 1ey in his po.1et/ Then I s+ung the .hair round> s)ashed the
)irror> and> after s.ra+ing bSorryN on a pie.e of paper> I +ent out
through the +indo+ and shut it the +ay M/ Poirot sho+ed you/ I
stepped in the fo+er;'ed> 'ut I s)oothed out the footprints +ith a
itte ra1e I had put there ready/ Then I +ent round to the dra+ingroo)/
I had eft the +indo+ open/ I didnNt 1no+ &uth had gone out
through it/ She )ust have .o)e round the front of the house +hie I
+ent round the 'a.1/ I had to put the ra1e a+ay> you see> in a shed/ I
+aited in the dra+ing;roo) ti I heard so)eone .o)ing do+nstairs
and Sne going to the gong> and then ; N
She oo1ed at Poirot/
b@ou donNt 1no+ +hat I did thenAN
b<h yes> I do/ I found the 'ag in the +astepaper 'as1et/ It +as very
.ever> that idea of yours/ @ou did +hat .hidren ove to do/ @ou 'e+
up the 'ag and then hit it/ It )ade a satisfa.tory 'ig 'ang/ @ou thre+
the 'ag into the +astepaper 'as1et and rushed out into the ha/ @ou
had esta'ished the ti)e of the sui.ide ; and an ai'i for yoursef/ %ut
there +as sti one thing that +orried you/ @ou had not had ti)e to
pi.1 up the 'uet/ It )ust 'e so)e+here near the gong/ It +as
essentia that the 'uet shoud 'e found in the study so)e+here
near the )irror/ I didnNt 1no+ +hen you had the idea of ta1ing
Coone %uryNs pen.i ; N
bIt +as Dust then>N said Miss #ingard/ bWhen +e a .a)e in fro) the
ha/ I +as surprised to see &uth in the roo)/ I reai?ed she )ust
have .o)e fro) the garden through the +indo+/ Then I noti.ed
Coone %uryNs pen.i ying on the 'ridge ta'e/ I sipped it into )y
'ag/ If> ater> anyone sa+ )e pi.1 up the 'uet> I .oud pretend it
+as the pen.i/ As a )atter of fa.t> I didnNt thin1 anyone sa+ )e pi.1
up the 'uet/ I dropped it 'y the )irror +hie you +ere oo1ing at the
'ody/ When you ta.1ed )e on the su'De.t> I +as very gad I had
thought of the pen.i/N
b@es> that +as .ever/ It .onfused )e .o)petey/N
bI +as afraid so)eone )ust hear the rea shot> 'ut I 1ne+ everyone
+as dressing for dinner> and +oud 'e shut a+ay in their roo)s/ The
servants +ere in their 8uarters/ Miss Card+e +as the ony one at a
i1ey to hear it> and she +oud pro'a'y thin1 it +as a 'a.1fire/ What
she did hear +as the gong/ I thought ; I thought everything had gone
+ithout a hit.hcN
Mr For'es said so+y in his pre.ise tonesH
bThis is a )ost eBtraordinary story/ There see)s no )otive ; N Miss
#ingard said .earyH bThere +as a )otivecN
She added fier.eyH
b,o on> ring up the poi.eG What are you +aiting forAN Poirot said
gentyH
bWi you a pease eave the roo)A Mr For'es> ring up MaDor &idde/
I +i stay here ti he .o)es/N
So+y> one 'y one> the fa)iy fied out of the roo)/ Pu??ed>
un.o)prehending> sho.1ed> they .ast a'ashed gan.es at the tri)>
upright figure +ith its neaty;parted grey hair/
&uth +as the ast to go/ She stood> hesitating in the door+ay/
bI donNt understand/N She spo1e angriy> defianty> a..using Poirot/
b*ust no+> you thought I had done it/N b0o> no>N Poirot shoo1 his head/
b0o> I never thought that/N
&uth +ent out so+y/
Poirot +as eft +ith the itte )idde;aged pri) +o)an +ho had Dust
.onfessed to a .every;panned and .od;'ooded )urder/
b0o>N said Miss #ingard/ b@ou didnNt thin1 she had done it/ @ou
a..used her to )a1e )e spea1/ ThatNs right> isnNt itAN
Poirot 'o+ed his head/
bWhie +eNre +aiting>N said Miss #ingard in a .onversationa tone>
byou )ight te )e +hat )ade you suspe.t )e/N
bSevera things/ To 'egin +ith> your a..ount of Sir ,ervase/ A proud
)an i1e Sir ,ervase +oud never spea1 disparagingy of his nephe+
to an outsider> espe.iay so)eone in your position/ @ou +anted to
strengthen the theory of sui.ide/ @ou aso +ent out of your +ay to
suggest that the .ause of the sui.ide +as so)e dishonoura'e
trou'e .onne.ted +ith !ugo Trent/ That> again> +as a thing Sir
,ervase +oud never have ad)itted to a stranger/ Then there +as
the o'De.t you pi.1ed up in the ha> and the very signifi.ant fa.t that
you did not )ention that &uth> +hen she entered the dra+ing;roo)>
did so fro) the garden/ And then I found the paper 'ag ; a )ost
uni1ey o'De.t to find in the +astepaper 'as1et in the dra+ing;roo)
of a house i1e !a)'orough CoseG @ou +ere the ony person +ho
had 'een in the dra+ing;roo) +hen the XshotY +as heard/ The paper
'ag tri.1 +as one that +oud suggest itsef to a +o)an ; an
ingenious ho)e)ade devi.e/ So everything fitted in/ The endeavour
to thro+ suspi.ion on !ugo> and to 1eep it a+ay fro) &uth/ The
)e.hanis) of .ri)e ; and its )otive/N
The itte grey;haired +o)an stirred/ b@ou 1no+ the )otiveAN
bI thin1 so/ &uthNs happiness ; that +as the )otiveG I fan.y that you
had seen her +ith *ohn #a1e ; you 1ne+ ho+ it +as +ith the)/ And
then +ith your easy a..ess to Sir ,ervaseNs papers> you .a)e
a.ross the draft of his ne+ +i ; &uth disinherited uness she )arried
!ugo Trent/ That de.ided you to ta1e the a+ into your o+n hands>
using the fa.t that Sir ,ervase had previousy +ritten to )e/ @ou
pro'a'y sa+ a .opy of that etter/ What )udded feeing of suspi.ion
and fear had .aused hi) to +rite originay> I do not 1no+/ !e )ust
have suspe.ted either %urro+s or #a1e of syste)ati.ay ro''ing
hi)/ !is un.ertainty regarding &uthNs feeings )ade hi) see1 a
private investigation/ @ou used that fa.t and dei'eratey set the
stage for sui.ide> 'a.1ing it up 'y your a..ount of his 'eing very
distressed over so)ething .onne.ted +ith !ugo Trent/ @ou sent a
teegra) to )e and reported Sir ,ervase as having said I shoud
arrive Xtoo ate/YN
Miss #ingard said fier.eyH
b,ervase CheveniB;,ore +as a 'uy> a sno' and a +ind'agG I +asnNt
going to have hi) ruin &uthNs happiness/N
Poirot said gentyH b&uth is your daughterAN
b@es ; she is )y daughter ; INve often ; thought a'out her/ When I
heard Sir ,ervase CheveniB;,ore +anted so)eone to hep hi) +ith
a fa)iy history> I Du)ped at the .han.e/ I +as .urious to see )y ; )y
gir/ I 1ne+ #ady CheveniB;,ore +oudnNt re.ogni?e )e/ It +as years
ago ; I +as young and pretty then> and I .hanged )y na)e after that
ti)e/ %esides #ady CheveniB;,ore is too vague to 1no+ anything
definitey/ I i1ed her> 'ut I hated the CheveniB;,ore fa)iy/ They
treated )e i1e dirt/ And here +as ,ervase going to ruin &uthNs ife
+ith pride and sno''ery/ %ut I deter)ined that she shoud 'e happy/
And she +i 'e happy ; if she never 1no+s a'out )eGN It +as a pea ;
not a 8uestion/
Poirot 'ent his head genty/ b0o one sha 1no+ fro) )e/N Miss
#ingard said 8uietyH bThan1 you/N
III
#ater> +hen the poi.e had .o)e and gone> Poirot found &uth #a1e
+ith her hus'and in the garden/ She said .haengingyH
b$id you reay thin1 that I had done it> M/ PoirotAN
bI 1ne+> )ada)e> that you .oud not have done it ; 'e.ause of the
)i.hae)as daisies/N bThe )i.hae)as daisiesA I donNt understand/N
bMada)e> there +ere four footprints and four foot printsony in the
'order/ %ut if you had 'een pi.1ing fo+ers there +oud have 'een
)any )ore/ That )eant that 'et+een your first visit and your
se.ond> so)eone had s)oothed a those footsteps a+ay/ That .oud
ony have 'een done 'y the guity person> and sin.e your footprints
had not 'een re)oved> you +ere not the guity person/ @ou +ere
auto)ati.ay .eared/N
&uthNs fa.e ightened/
b<h> I see/ @ou 1no+ ; I suppose itNs dreadfu> 'ut I fee rather sorry
for that poor +o)an/ After a> she did .onfess rather than et )e 'e
arrested ; or at any rate> that is +hat she thought/ That +as ; rather
no'e in a +ay/ I hate to thin1 of her going through a tria for )urder/N
Poirot said gentyH
b$o not distress yoursef/ It +i not .o)e to that/ The do.tor> he tes
)e that she has serious heart trou'e/ She +i not ive )any +ee1s/N
bIN) gad of that/N &uth pi.1ed an autu)n .ro.us and pressed it idy
against her .hee1/ bPoor +o)an/ I +onder +hy she did itcN
Triange at &hodes
Chapter 1
!er.ue Poirot sat on the +hite sand and oo1ed out a.ross the
spar1ing 'ue +ater/ !e +as .arefuy dressed in a dandified fashion
in +hite fannes and a arge pana)a hat prote.ted his head/ !e
'eonged to the od;fashioned generation +hi.h 'eieved in .overing
itsef .arefuy fro) the sun/ Miss Pa)ea #ya> +ho sat 'eside hi)
and ta1ed .easeessy> represented the )odern s.hoo of thought in
that she +as +earing the 'arest )ini)u) of .othing on her sun'ro+ned
person/
<..asionay her fo+ of .onversation stopped +hist she reanointed
hersef fro) a 'otte of oiy fuid +hi.h stood 'eside her/
<n the farther side of Miss Pa)ea #ya her great friend> Miss Sarah
%a1e> ay fa.e do+n+ards on a gaudiy;striped to+e/ Miss %a1eNs
tanning +as as perfe.t as possi'e and her friend .ast dissatisfied
gan.es at her )ore than on.e/
bIN) so pat.hy sti>N she )ur)ured regretfuy/ bM/ Poirot ` +oud you
)indA *ust 'eo+ the right shouder;'ade ; I .anNt rea.h to ru' it in
propery/N
M/ Poirot o'iged and then +iped his oiy hand .arefuy on his
hand1er.hief/ Miss #ya> +hose prin.ipa interests in ife +ere the
o'servation of peope round her and the sound of her o+n voi.e>
.ontinued to ta1/
bI +as right a'out that +o)an ; the one in the Chane )ode ` it is
7aentine $a.res ; Chantry> I )ean/ I thought it +as/ I re.ogni?ed her
at on.e/ SheNs reay rather )arveous> isnNt sheA I )ean I .an
understand ho+ peope go 8uite .ra?y a'out her/ She Dust o'viousy
eBpe.ts the) toG ThatNs haf the 'atte/ Those other peope +ho .a)e
ast night are .aed ,od/ !eNs terri'y good;oo1ing/N
b!oney)oonersAN )ur)ured Sarah in a stifed voi.e/ Miss #ya
shoo1 her head in an eBperien.ed )anner/
b<h> no ; her .othes arenNt ne+ enough/ @ou .an a+ays te 'ridesG
$onNt you thin1 itNs the )ost fas.inating thing in the +ord to +at.h
peope> M/ Poirot> and see +hat you .an find out a'out the) 'y Dust
oo1ingAN
b0ot Dust oo1ing> daring>N said Sarah s+eety/ b@ou as1 a ot of
8uestions> too/N
bI havenNt even spo1en to the ,ods yet>N said Miss #ya +ith dignity/
bAnd any+ay I donNt see +hy one shoudnNt 'e interested in oneNs
feo+;.reaturesA !u)an nature is si)py fas.inating/ $onNt you
thin1 so> M/ PoirotAN
This ti)e she paused ong enough to ao+ her .o)panion to repy/
Without ta1ing his eyes off the 'ue +ater> M/ Poirot repiedH
bQa depend/N Pa)ea +as sho.1ed/
b<h> M/ PoirotG I donNt thin1 anythingNs so interesting ` so
in.a.ua'e as a hu)an 'eingGN bIn.a.ua'eA That> no/N
b<h> 'ut they are/ *ust as you thin1 youNve got the) 'eautifuy taped
; they do so)ething .o)petey uneBpe.ted/N
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
b0o> no> that is not true/ It is )ost rare that anyone does an a.tion
that is not dans son .ara.tSre/ It is in the end )onotonous/N
bI donNt agree +ith you at aGN said Miss Pa)ea #ya/
She +as sient for 8uite a )inute and a haf 'efore returning to the
atta.1/
bAs soon as I see peope I 'egin +ondering a'out the) ; +hat
theyNre i1e ; +hat reations they are to ea.h other ; +hat theyNre
thin1ing and feeing/ ItNs ; oh> itNs 8uite thriing/N
b!ardy that>N said !er.ue Poirot/ b0ature repeats hersef )ore than
one +oud i)agine/ The sea>N he added thoughtfuy> bhas infinitey
)ore variety/N
Sarah turned her head side+ays and as1edH
b@ou thin1 that hu)an 'eings tend to reprodu.e .ertain patternsA
Stereotyped patternsAN bPr=.is=)ent>N said Poirot> and tra.ed a
design in the sand +ith his finger/
bWhatNs that youNre dra+ingAN as1ed Pa)ea .uriousy/ bA triange>N
said Poirot/
%ut Pa)eaNs attention had 'een diverted ese+here/ b!ere are the
Chantrys>N she said/
A +o)an +as .o)ing do+n the 'ea.h ; a ta +o)an> very
.ons.ious of hersef and her 'ody/ She gave a haf;nod and s)ie
and sat do+n a itte distan.e a+ay on the 'ea.h/ The s.aret and
god si1 +rap sipped do+n fro) her shouders/ She +as +earing a
+hite 'athing;dress/
Pa)ea sighed/
b!asnNt she got a ovey figureAN
%ut Poirot +as oo1ing at her fa.e ; the fa.e of a +o)an of thirtynine
+ho had 'een fa)ous sin.e siBteen for her 'eauty/
!e 1ne+> as everyone 1ne+> a a'out 7aentine Chantry/ She had
'een fa)ous for )any things ; for her .apri.es> for her +eath> for
her enor)ous sapphire;'ue eyes> for her )atri)onia ventures and
adventures/ She had had five hus'ands and innu)era'e overs/ She
had in turn 'een the +ife of an Itaian .ount> of an A)eri.an stee
)agnate> of a tennis professiona> of a ra.ing )otorist/ <f these four
the A)eri.an had died> 'ut the others had 'een shed negigenty in
the divor.e .ourt/ SiB )onths ago she had )arried a fifth ti)e ; a
.o))ander in the navy/
!e it +as +ho .a)e striding do+n the 'ea.h 'ehind her/ Sient> dar1
; +ith a pugna.ious Da+ and a suen )anner/ A tou.h of the pri)eva
ape a'out hi)/ She saidH
bTony daring ; )y .igarette .asecN
!e had it ready for her ; ighted her .igarette ; heped her to sip the
straps of the +hite 'athing;dress fro) her shouders/ She ay> ar)s
outstret.hed in the sun/ !e sat 'y her i1e so)e +id 'east that
guards its prey/
Pa)ea said> her voi.e Dust o+ered suffi.ientyH
b@ou 1no+ they interest )e frightfuyc !eNs su.h a 'ruteG So sient
and ; sort of go+ering/ I suppose a +o)an of her 1ind i1es that/ It
)ust 'e i1e .ontroing a tigerG I +onder ho+ ong it +i ast/ She
gets tired of the) very soon> I 'eieve ; espe.iay no+adays/ A the
sa)e> if she tried to get rid of hi)> I thin1 he )ight 'e dangerous/N
Another .oupe .a)e do+n the 'ea.h ; rather shyy/ They +ere the
ne+.o)ers of the night 'efore/ Mr and Mrs $ougas ,od as Miss
#ya 1ne+ fro) her inspe.tion of the hote visitorsN 'oo1/ She 1ne+>
too> for su.h +ere the Itaian reguations ; their Christian na)es and
their ages as set do+n fro) their passports/
Mr $ougas Ca)eron ,od +as thirty;one and Mrs MarDorie ())a
,od +as thirty;five/
Miss #yaNs ho''y in ife> as has 'een said> +as the study of hu)an
'eings/ 2ni1e )ost (ngish peope> she +as .apa'e of spea1ing to
strangers on sight instead of ao+ing four days to a +ee1 to eapse
'efore )a1ing the first .autious advan.e as is the .usto)ary %ritish
ha'it/ She> therefore> noting the sight hesitan.y and shyness of Mrs
,odNs advan.e> .aed outH
b,ood )orning> isnNt it a ovey dayAN
Mrs ,od +as a s)a +o)an ; rather i1e a )ouse/ She +as not 'adoo1ing>
indeed her features +ere reguar and her .o)peBion good>
'ut she had a .ertain air of diffiden.e and do+diness that )ade her
ia'e to 'e overoo1ed/ !er hus'and> on the other hand> +as
eBtre)ey good;oo1ing> in an a)ost theatri.a )anner/ 7ery fair>
.rispy .uring hair> 'ue eyes> 'road shouders> narro+ hips/ !e
oo1ed )ore i1e a young )an on the stage than a young )an in rea
ife> 'ut the )o)ent he opened his )outh that i)pression faded/ !e
+as 8uite natura and unaffe.ted> even> perhaps> a itte stupid/
Mrs ,od oo1ed gratefuy at Pa)ea and sat do+n near her/ bWhat
a ovey shade of 'ro+n you are/ I fee terri'y underdoneGN
b<ne has to ta1e a frightfu ot of trou'e to 'ro+n eveny>N sighed
Miss #ya/ She paused a )inute and then +ent onH
b@ouNve ony Dust arrived> havenNt youAN
b@es/ #ast night/ We .a)e on the 7apo dNItaia 'oat/N b!ave you ever
'een to &hodes 'eforeAN
b0o/ It is ovey> isnNt itAN !er hus'and saidH
bPity itNs su.h a ong +ay to .o)e/N b@es> if it +ere ony nearer
(ngand ; N In a )uffed voi.e Sarah saidH
b@es> 'ut then it +oud 'e a+fu/ &o+s and ro+s of peope aid out
i1e fish on a sa'/ %odies every+hereGN
bThatNs true> of .ourse>N said $ougas ,od/ bItNs a nuisan.e the
Itaian eB.hange is so a'soutey ruinous at present/N
bIt does )a1e a differen.e> doesnNt itAN
The .onversation +as running on stri.ty stereotyped ines/ It .oud
hardy have 'een .aed 'riiant/
A itte +ay aong the 'ea.h> 7aentine Chantry stirred and sat up/
With one hand she hed her 'athing;dress in position a.ross her
'reast/
She ya+ned> a +ide yet dei.ate .at;i1e ya+n/ She gan.ed .asuay
do+n the 'ea.h/ !er eyes santed past MarDorie ,od ; and stayed
thoughtfuy on the .risp> goden head of $ougas ,od/
She )oved her shouders sinuousy/ She spo1e and her voi.e +as
raised a itte higher than it need have 'een/
bTony daring ; isnNt it divine ; this sunA I si)py )ust have 'een a
sun +orshipper on.e ; donNt you thin1 soAN
!er hus'and grunted so)ething in repy that faied to rea.h the
others/ 7aentine Chantry +ent on in that high> dra+ing voi.e/
b*ust pu that to+e a itte fatter> +i you> daringAN
She too1 infinite pains in the resetting of her 'eautifu 'ody/
$ougas ,od +as oo1ing no+/ !is eyes +ere fran1y interested/
Mrs ,od .hirped happiy in a su'dued 1ey to Miss #ya/ bWhat a
'eautifu +o)anGN
Pa)ea> as deighted to give as to re.eive infor)ation> repied in a
o+er voi.eH
bThatNs 7aentine Chantry ; you 1no+> +ho used to 'e 7aentine
$a.res ` she is rather )arveous> isnNt sheA !eNs si)py .ra?y a'out
her ; +onNt et her out of his sightGN
Mrs ,od oo1ed on.e )ore aong the 'ea.h/ Then she saidH
bThe sea reay is ovey ; so 'ue/ I thin1 +e ought to go in no+> donNt
you> $ougasAN
!e +as sti +at.hing 7aentine Chantry and too1 a )inute or t+o to
ans+er/ Then he said> rather a'sentyH
b,o inA <h> yes> rather> in a )inute/N
MarDorie ,od got up and stroed do+n to the +aterNs edge/
7aentine Chantry roed over a itte on one side/ !er eyes oo1ed
aong at $ougas ,od/ !er s.aret )outh .urved fainty into a s)ie/
The ne.1 of Mr $ougas ,od 'e.a)e sighty red/ 7aentine
Chantry saidH
bTony daring ; +oud you )indA I +ant a itte pot of fa.e;.rea) ; itNs
up on the dressing;ta'e/ I )eant to 'ring it do+n/ $o get it for )e ;
thereNs an ange/N
The .o))ander rose o'edienty/ !e sta1ed off into the hote/
MarDorie ,od punged into the sea> .aing outH
bItNs ovey> $ougas ; so +ar)/ $o .o)e/N Pa)ea #ya said to hi)H
bArenNt you going inAN !e ans+ered vagueyH
b<hG I i1e to get +e hotted up first/N
7aentine Chantry stirred/ !er head +as ifted for a )o)ent as
though to re.a her hus'and ; 'ut he +as Dust passing inside the +a
of the hote garden/
bI i1e )y dip the ast thing>N eBpained Mr ,od/
Mrs Chantry sat up again/ She pi.1ed up a fas1 of sun'athing oi/
She had so)e diffi.uty +ith it ; the s.re+ top see)ed to resist her
efforts/
She spo1e oudy and petuanty/
b<h> dear ` I .anNt get this thing undoneGN She oo1ed to+ards the
other bI +onder ; N
A+ays gaant> Poirot rose to his feet> 'ut $ougas ,od had the
advantage of youth and suppeness/ !e +as 'y her side in a )o)ent/
bCan I do it for youAN
b<h> than1 you ; N It +as the s+eet> e)pty dra+ again/
b@ou are 1ind/ IN) su.h a foo at undoing things ; I a+ays see) to
s.re+ the) the +rong +ay/ <hG youNve done itG Than1 you ever so
)u.h ; N
!er.ue Poirot s)ied to hi)sef/
!e got up and +andered aong the 'ea.h in the opposite dire.tion/
!e did not go very far 'ut his progress +as eisurey/ As he +as on
his +ay 'a.1> Mrs ,od .a)e out of the sea and Doined hi)/ She had
'een s+i))ing/ !er fa.e> under a singuary un'e.o)ing 'athing
.ap> +as radiant/
She said 'reathessy> bI do ove the sea/ And itNs so +ar) and ovey
here/N She +as> he per.eived> an enthusiasti. 'ather/
She said> b$ougas and I are si)py )ad on 'athing/ !e .an stay in
for hours/N
And at that !er.ue PoirotNs eyes sid over her shouder to the spot
on the 'ea.h +here that enthusiasti. 'ather> Mr $ougas ,od> +as
sitting ta1ing to 7aentine Chantry/
!is +ife saidH
bI .anNt thin1 +hy he doesnNt .o)ecN
!er voi.e hed a 1ind of .hidish 'e+ider)ent/
PoirotNs eyes rested thoughtfuy on 7aentine Chantry/ !e thought
that other +o)en in their ti)e had )ade that sa)e re)ar1/
%eside hi)> he heard Mrs ,od dra+ in her 'reath sharpy/ She said
; and her voi.e +as .odH
bSheNs supposed to 'e very attra.tive> I 'eieve/ %ut $ougas doesnNt
i1e that type of +o)an/N !er.ue Poirot did not repy/
Mrs ,od punged into the sea again/
She s+a) a+ay fro) the shore +ith so+> steady stro1es/ @ou .oud
see that she oved the +ater/ Poirot retra.ed his steps to the group
on the 'ea.h/
It had 'een aug)ented 'y the arriva of od ,enera %arnes> a
veteran +ho +as usuay in the .o)pany of the young/ !e +as sitting
no+ 'et+een Pa)ea and Sarah> and he and Pa)ea +ere engaged
in dishing up various s.andas +ith appropriate e)'eish)ents/
Co))ander Chantry had returned fro) his errand/ !e and $ougas
,od +ere sitting on either side of 7aentine/
7aentine +as sitting up very straight 'et+een the t+o )en and
ta1ing/ She ta1ed easiy and ighty in her s+eet> dra+ing voi.e>
turning her head to ta1e first one )an and then the other in the
.onversation/
She +as Dust finishing an ane.dote/
b ; and +hat do you thin1 the fooish )an saidA XIt )ay have 'een
ony a )inute> 'ut INd re)e)'er you any+here> Mu)GY $idnNt he>
TonyA And you 1no+> I thought it +as so s+eet of hi)/ I do thin1 itNs
su.h a 1ind +ord ; I )ean> every'ody is so frightfuy 1ind to)e
a+ays ; I donNt 1no+ +hy ; they Dust are/ %ut I said to Tony ; dNyou
re)e)'er> daring ; XTony> if you +ant to 'e a teeny;+eeny 'it
Deaous> you .an 'e Deaous of that .o))issionaire/Y %e.ause he
reay +as too adora'ecN
There +as a pause and $ougas ,od saidH b,ood feo+s ; so)e of
these .o))issionaires/N
b<h> yes ; 'ut he too1 su.h trou'e ; reay an i))ense a)ount of
trou'e ; and see)ed Dust peased to 'e a'e to hep )e/N
$ougas ,od saidH
b0othing odd a'out that/ Anyone +oud for you> IN) sure/N She .ried
deightedyH
b!o+ ni.e of youG Tony> did you hear thatAN Co))ander Chantry
grunted/
!is +ife sighedH
bTony never )a1es pretty spee.hes ; do you> )y a)'AN !er +hite
hand +ith its ong red nais ruffed up his dar1 head/ !e gave her a
sudden sideong oo1/ She )ur)uredH
bI donNt reay 1no+ ho+ he puts up +ith )e/ !eNs si)py frightfuy
.ever ; a'soutey franti. +ith 'rains ; and I Dust go on ta1ing
nonsense the +hoe ti)e> 'ut he doesnNt see) to )ind/ 0o'ody
)inds +hat I do or say ; every'ody spois )e/ IN) sure itNs frightfuy
'ad for )e/N
Co))ander Chantry said a.ross her to the other )anH bThat your
)issus in the seaAN
b@es/ (Bpe.t itNs a'out ti)e I Doined her/N 7aentine )ur)uredH
b%ut itNs so ovey here in the sun/ @ou )ustnNt go into the sea yet/
Tony daring> I donNt thin1 I sha a.tuay 'athe today ; not )y first
day/ I )ight get a .hi or so)ething/ %ut +hy donNt you go in no+>
Tony daringA Mr ; Mr ,od +i stay and 1eep )e .o)pany +hie
youNre in/N
Chantry said rather gri)yH
b0o> than1s/ ShanNt go in Dust yet/ @our +ife see)s to 'e +aving to
you> ,od/N 7aentine saidH
b!o+ +e your +ife s+i)s/ IN) sure sheNs one of those terri'y
effi.ient +o)en +ho do everything +e/ They a+ays frighten )e so
'e.ause I fee they despise )e/ IN) so frightfuy 'ad at everything ;
an a'soute duffer> arenNt I> Tony daringAN
%ut again Co))ander Chantry ony grunted/ !is +ife )ur)ured
affe.tionateyH
b@ouNre too s+eet to ad)it it/ Men are so +onderfuy oya ; thatNs
+hat I i1e a'out the)/ I do thin1 )en are so )u.h )ore oya than
+o)en ; and they never say nasty things/ Wo)en> I a+ays thin1> are
rather petty/N
Sarah %a1e roed over on her side to+ards Poirot/ She )ur)ured
'et+een her teeth/
b(Ba)pes of pettiness> to suggest that dear Mrs Chantry is in any
+ay not a'soute perfe.tionG What a .o)pete idiot the +o)an isG I
reay do thin1 7aentine Chantry is very neary the )ost idioti.
+o)an I ever )et/ She .anNt do anything 'ut say> XTony> daring>Y
and ro her eyes/ I shoud fan.y sheNd got .otton +oo padding
instead of 'rains/N
Poirot raised his eBpressive eye'ro+s/ b2n peu s=vSreGN
b<h> yes/ Put it do+n as pure XCat>Y if you i1e/ She .ertainy has her
)ethodsG CanNt she eave any )an aoneA !er hus'andNs oo1ing i1e
thunder/N
#oo1ing out to sea> Poirot re)ar1edH bMrs ,od s+i)s +e/N
b@es> she isnNt i1e us +ho find it a nuisan.e to get +et/ I +onder if
Mrs Chantry +i ever go into the sea at a +hie sheNs out here/N
b0ot she>N said ,enera %arnes hus1iy/ bShe +onNt ris1 that )a1e;up
of hers .o)ing off/ 0ot that she isnNt a fine;oo1ing +o)an athough
perhaps a 'it ong in the tooth/N
bSheNs oo1ing your +ay> ,enera>N said Sarah +i.1edy/ bAnd youNre
+rong a'out the )a1e;up/ WeNre a +aterproof and 1issproof
no+adays/N
bMrs ,odNs .o)ing out>N announ.ed Pa)ea/
b!ere +e go gathering nuts and )ay>N hu))ed Sarah/ b!ere .o)es
his +ife to fet.h hi) a+ay ; fet.h hi) a+ay ; fet.h hi) a+aycN
Mrs ,od .a)e straight up the 'ea.h/ She had 8uite a pretty figure
'ut her pain> +aterproof .ap +as rather too servi.ea'e to 'e
attra.tive/
bArenNt you .o)ing> $ougasAN she de)anded i)patienty/ bThe sea
is ovey and +ar)/N b&ather/N
$ougas ,od rose hastiy to his feet/ !e paused a )o)ent and as he
did so 7aentine Chantry oo1ed up at hi) +ith a s+eet s)ie/
bAu revoir>N she said/
,od and his +ife +ent do+n the 'ea.h/
As soon as they +ere out of earshot> Pa)ea said .riti.ayH
bI donNt thin1> you 1no+> that that +as +ise/ To snat.h your hus'and
a+ay fro) another +o)an is a+ays 'ad poi.y/ It )a1es you see)
so possessive/ And hus'ands hate that/N
b@ou see) to 1no+ a ot a'out hus'ands> Miss Pa)ea>N said ,enera
%arnes/ b<ther peopeNs ; not )y o+nGN
bAhG thatNs +here the differen.e .o)es in/N
b@es> 'ut ,enera> I sha have earnt a ot of $o 0ots/N
bWe> daring>N said Sarah> bI shoudnNt +ear a .ap i1e that for one
thingcN
bSee)s very sensi'e to )e>N said the ,enera/ bSee)s a ni.e>
sensi'e itte +o)an atogether/N
b@ouNve hit it eBa.ty> ,enera>N said Sarah/ b%ut you 1no+ thereNs a
i)it to the sensi'eness of sensi'e +o)en/ I have a feeing she
+onNt 'e so sensi'e +hen itNs a .ase of 7aentine Chantry/N
She turned her head and eB.ai)ed in a o+> eB.ited +hisperH
b#oo1 at hi) no+/ *ust i1e thunder/ That )an oo1s as though he
had got the )ost frightfu te)percN
Co))ander Chantry +as indeed s.o+ing after the retreating
hus'and and +ife in a singuary unpeasant fashion/
Sarah oo1ed up at Poirot/
bWeAN she said/ bWhat do you )a1e of a thisAN
!er.ue Poirot did not repy in +ords> 'ut on.e again his forefinger
tra.ed a design in the sand/ The sa)e design ; a triange/
bThe eterna triange>N )used Sarah/ bPerhaps youNre right/ If so>
+eNre in for an eB.iting ti)e in the neBt fe+ +ee1s/N
Chapter 2
M/ !er.ue Poirot +as disappointed +ith &hodes/ !e had .o)e to
&hodes for a rest and for a hoiday/ A hoiday> espe.iay> fro) .ri)e/
In ate <.to'er> so he had 'een tod> &hodes +oud 'e neary e)pty/
A pea.efu> se.uded spot/
That> in itsef> +as true enough/ The Chantrys> the ,ods> Pa)ea
and Sarah> the ,enera and hi)sef and t+o Itaian .oupes +ere the
ony guests/ %ut +ithin that restri.ted .ir.e the inteigent 'rain of M/
Poirot per.eived the inevita'e shaping of events to .o)e/
bIt is that I a) .ri)ina;)inded>N he tod hi)sef reproa.hfuy/ bI have
the indigestionG I i)agine things/N %ut sti he +orried/
<ne )orning he .a)e do+n to find Mrs ,od sitting on the terra.e
doing neede+or1/
As he .a)e up to her he had the i)pression that there +as the
fi.1er of a .a)'ri. hand1er.hief s+ifty +his1ed out of sight/
Mrs ,odNs eyes +ere dry> 'ut they +ere suspi.iousy 'right/ !er
)anner> too> stru.1 hi) as 'eing a shade too .heerfu/ The
'rightness of it +as a shade overdone/
She saidH
b,ood )orning> M/ Poirot>N +ith su.h enthusias) as to arouse his
dou'ts/
!e fet that she .oud not possi'y 'e 8uite as peased to see hi) as
she appeared to 'e/ For she did not> after a> 1no+ hi) very +e/
And though !er.ue Poirot +as a .on.eited itte )an +here his
profession +as .on.erned> he +as 8uite )odest in his esti)ate of
his persona attra.tions/
b,ood )orning> )ada)e>N he responded/ bAnother 'eautifu day/N
b@es> isnNt it fortunateA %ut $ougas and I are a+ays u.1y in our
+eather/N bIndeedAN
b@es/ WeNre reay very u.1y atogether/ @ou 1no+> M/ Poirot> +hen
one sees so )u.h trou'e and unhappiness> and so )any .oupes
divor.ing ea.h other and a that sort of thing> +e> one does fee
very gratefu for oneNs o+n happiness/N
bIt is peasant to hear you say so> )ada)e/N
b@es/ $ougas and I are so +onderfuy happy together/ WeNve 'een
)arried five years> you 1no+> and after a> five years is 8uite a ong
ti)e no+adays ; N
bI have no dou't that in so)e .ases it .an see) an eternity>
)ada)e>N said Poirot dryy/
b ; 'ut I reay 'eieve that +eNre happier no+ than +hen +e +ere
first )arried/ @ou see> +eNre so a'soutey suited to ea.h other/N
bThat> of .ourse> is everything/N
bThatNs +hy I fee so sorry for peope +ho arenNt happy/N b@ou )ean ;
N
b<hG I +as spea1ing generay> M/ Poirot/N bI see/ I see/N
Mrs ,od pi.1ed up a strand of si1> hed it to the ight> approved of
it> and +ent onH bMrs Chantry> for instan.e ; N
b@es> Mrs ChantryAN
bI donNt thin1 sheNs at a a ni.e +o)an/N b0o/ 0o> perhaps not/N
bIn fa.t> IN) 8uite sure sheNs not a ni.e +o)an/ %ut in a +ay one
fees sorry for her/ %e.ause in spite of her )oney and her good oo1s
and a thatN ; Mrs ,odNs fingers +ere tre)'ing and she +as 8uite
una'e to thread her neede ; bsheNs not the sort of +o)an )en reay
sti.1 to/ SheNs the sort of +o)an> I thin1> that )en +oud get tired of
very easiy/ $onNt you thin1 soAN
bI )ysef shoud .ertainy get tired of her .onversation 'efore any
great spa.e of ti)e had passed>N said Poirot .autiousy/
b@es> thatNs +hat I )ean/ She has> of .ourse> a 1ind of appeacN Mrs
,od hesitated> her ips tre)'ed> she sta''ed un.ertainy at her
+or1/ A ess a.ute o'server than !er.ue Poirot .oud not have
faied to noti.e her distress/ She +ent on in.onse8uentyH
bMen are Dust i1e .hidrenG They 'eieve anythingcN
She 'ent over her +or1/ The tiny +isp of .a)'ri. .a)e out again
uno'trusivey/ Perhaps !er.ue Poirot thought it +e to .hange the
su'De.t/
!e saidH
b@ou do not 'athe this )orningA And )onsieur your hus'and> is he
do+n on the 'ea.hAN Mrs ,od oo1ed up> 'in1ed> resu)ed her
defianty 'right )anner and repiedH
b0o> not this )orning/ We arranged to go round the +as of the od
.ity/ %ut so)eho+ or other +e ; +e )issed ea.h other/ They started
+ithout )e/N
The pronoun +as reveaing> 'ut 'efore Poirot .oud say anything>
,enera %arnes .a)e up fro) the 'ea.h 'eo+ and dropped into a
.hair 'eside the)/
b,ood )orning> Mrs ,od/ ,ood )orning> Poirot/ %oth deserters this
)orningA A ot of a'sentees/ @ou t+o> and your hus'and> Mrs ,od ;
and Mrs Chantry/N
bAnd Co))ander ChantryAN in8uired Poirot .asuay/
b<h> no> heNs do+n there/ Miss Pa)eaNs got hi) in hand/N The
,enera .hu.1ed/ bSheNs finding hi) a itte 'it diffi.utG <ne of the
strong> sient )en you hear a'out in 'oo1s/N
MarDorie ,od said +ith a itte shiverH
b!e frightens )e a itte> that )an/ !e ; he oo1s so 'a.1 so)eti)es/
As though he )ight do ; anythingGN
She shivered/
b*ust indigestion> I eBpe.t>N said the ,enera .heerfuy/ b$yspepsia
is responsi'e for )any a reputation for ro)anti. )ean.hoy or
ungoverna'e rages/N
MarDorie ,od s)ied a poite itte s)ie/
bAnd +hereNs your good )anAN in8uired the ,enera/
!er repy .a)e +ithout hesitation ; in a natura> .heerfu voi.e/
b$ougasA <h> he and Mrs Chantry have gone into the to+n/ I 'eieve
theyNve gone to have a oo1 at the +as of the od .ity/N
b!a> yes ; very interesting/ Ti)e of the 1nights and a that/ @ou
ought to have gone too> itte ady/N Mrs ,od saidH
bIN) afraid I .a)e do+n rather ate/N
She got up suddeny +ith a )ur)ured eB.use and +ent into the
hote/
,enera %arnes oo1ed after her +ith a .on.erned eBpression>
sha1ing his head genty/
b0i.e itte +o)an> that/ Worth a do?en painted troops i1e
so)eone +hose na)e +e +onNt )entionG !aG !us'andNs a fooG
$oesnNt 1no+ +hen heNs +e off/N
!e shoo1 his head again/ Then> rising> he +ent indoors/
Sarah %a1e had Dust .o)e up fro) the 'ea.h and had heard the
,eneraNs ast spee.h/ Ma1ing a fa.e at the departing +arriorNs
'a.1> she re)ar1ed as she fung hersef into a .hairH
b0i.e itte +o)an ; ni.e itte +o)anG Men a+ays approve of do+dy
+o)en ; 'ut +hen it .o)es to 'rass ta.1s the dress;up troops +in
hands do+nG Sad> 'ut there it is/N bMade)oisee>N said Poirot> and
his voi.e +as a'rupt/ bI do not i1e a thisGN
b$onNt youA 0or do I/ 0o> etNs 'e honest> I suppose I do i1e it reay/
There is a horrid side of one that enDoys a..idents and pu'i.
.aa)ities and unpeasant things that happen to oneNs friends/N
Poirot as1edH
bWhere is Co))ander ChantryAN
b<n the 'ea.h 'eing disse.ted 'y Pa)ea 9sheNs enDoying hersef if
you i1eG: and not 'eing i)proved in te)per 'y the pro.eeding/ !e
+as oo1ing i1e a thunder .oud +hen I .a)e up/ There are s8uas
ahead> 'eieve )e/N
Poirot )ur)uredH
bThere is so)ething I do not understand ; N
bItNs not easy to understand>N said Sarah/ b%ut +hatNs going to
happen thatNs the 8uestion/N Poirot shoo1 his head and )ur)uredH
bAs you say> )ade)oisee ; it is the future that .auses one
in8uietude/N bWhat a ni.e +ay of putting it>N said Sarah and +ent into
the hote/
In the door+ay she a)ost .oided +ith $ougas ,od/ The young
)an .a)e out oo1ing rather peased +ith hi)sef 'ut at the sa)e
ti)e sighty guity/ !e saidH
b!ao> M/ Poirot>N and added rather sef;.ons.iousy> b%een sho+ing
Mrs Chantry the CrusadersN +as/ MarDorie didnNt fee up to going/N
PoirotNs eye'ro+s rose sighty> 'ut even had he +ished he +oud
have had no ti)e to )a1e a .o))ent for 7aentine Chantry .a)e
s+eeping out> .rying in her high voi.eH
b$ougas ; a pin1 gin ; positivey I )ust have a pin1 gin/N
$ougas ,od +ent off to order the drin1/ 7aentine san1 into a .hair
'y Poirot/ She +as oo1ing radiant this )orning/
She sa+ her hus'and and Pa)ea .o)ing up to+ards the) and
+aved a hand> .rying outH b!ave a ni.e 'athe> Tony daringA IsnNt it a
divine )orningAN
Co))ander Chantry did not ans+er/ !e s+ung up the steps> passed
her +ithout a +ord or a oo1 and vanished into the 'ar/
!is hands +ere .en.hed 'y his sides and that faint i1eness to a
goria +as a..entuated/ 7aentine ChantryNs perfe.t 'ut rather
fooish )outh fe open/
She said> b<h>N rather 'an1y/
Pa)ea #yaNs fa.e eBpressed 1een enDoy)ent of the situation/
Mas1ing it as far as +as possi'e to one of her ingenuous disposition
she sat do+n 'y 7aentine Chantry and in8uiredH
b!ave you had a ni.e )orningAN
As 7aentine 'egan> bSi)py )arveous/ We ; N Poirot got up and in
his turn stroed genty to+ards the 'ar/ !e found young ,od +aiting
for the pin1 gin +ith a fushed fa.e/ !e oo1ed distur'ed and angry/
!e said to Poirot> bThat )anNs a 'ruteGN And he nodded his head in
the dire.tion of the retreating figure of Co))ander Chantry/
bIt is possi'e>N said Poirot/ b@es> it is 8uite possi'e/ %ut es fe))es>
they i1e 'rutes> re)e)'er thatGN $ougas )utteredH
bI shoudnNt 'e surprised if he i;treats herGN bShe pro'a'y i1es that
too/N
$ougas ,od oo1ed at hi) in a pu??ed +ay> too1 up the pin1 gin
and +ent out +ith it/
!er.ue Poirot sat on a stoo and ordered a sirop de .assis/ Whist
he +as sipping it +ith ong sighs of enDoy)ent> Chantry .a)e in and
dran1 severa pin1 gins in rapid su..ession/
!e said suddeny and vioenty to the +ord at arge rather than to
PoirotH
bIf 7aentine thin1s she .an get rid of )e i1e sheNs got rid of a ot of
other da)ned foos> sheNs )ista1enG INve got her and I )ean to 1eep
her/ 0o other feo+Ns going to get her eB.ept over )y dead 'ody/N
!e fung do+n so)e )oney> turned on his hee and +ent out/
Chapter 5
It +as three days ater that !er.ue Poirot +ent to the Mount of the
Prophet/ It +as a .oo> agreea'e drive through the goden green fir
trees> +inding higher and higher> far a'ove the petty +ranging and
s8ua''ing of hu)an 'eings/ The .ar stopped at the restaurant/
Poirot got out and +andered into the +oods/ !e .a)e out at ast on a
spot that see)ed truy on top of the +ord/ Far 'eo+> deepy and
da??ingy 'ue> +as the sea/
!ere at ast he +as at pea.e ; re)oved fro) .ares ; a'ove the
+ord/ Carefuy pa.ing his foded over.oat on a tree stu)p> !er.ue
Poirot sat do+n/
b$ou'tess e 'on $ieu 1no+s +hat he does/ %ut it is odd that he
shoud have per)itted hi)sef to fashion .ertain hu)an 'eings/ (h
'ien> here for a +hie at east I a) a+ay fro) these veBing pro'e)s/N
Thus he )used/
!e oo1ed up +ith a start/ A itte +o)an in a 'ro+n .oat and s1irt
+as hurrying to+ards hi)/ It +as MarDorie ,od and this ti)e she had
a'andoned a preten.e/ !er fa.e +as +et +ith tears/
Poirot .oud not es.ape/ She +as upon hi)/
bM/ Poirot/ @ouNve got to hep )e/ IN) so )isera'e I donNt 1no+ +hat
to doG <h> +hat sha I doA What sha I doAN
She oo1ed up at hi) +ith a distra.ted fa.e/ !er fingers fastened on
his .oat seeve/ Then> as so)ething she sa+ in his fa.e aar)ed her>
she dre+ 'a.1 a itte/
bWhat ; +hat is itAN she fatered/
b@ou +ant )y advi.e> )ada)eA It is that you as1AN She sta))ered>
b@esc @escN
b(h 'ien ; here it is/N !e spo1e .urty ; tren.hanty/ b#eave this pa.e
at on.e ; 'efore it is too ate/N bWhatAN She stared at hi)/
b@ou heard )e/ #eave this isand/N b#eave the isandAN
She stared at hi) stupefied/ bThat is +hat I say/N
b%ut +hy ; +hyAN
bIt is )y advi.e to you ; if you vaue your ife/N She gave a gasp/
b<hG +hat do you )eanA @ouNre frightening )e ; youNre frightening
)e/N b@es>N said Poirot gravey> bthat is )y intention/N
She san1 do+n> her fa.e in her hands/
b%ut I .anNtG !e +oudnNt .o)eG $ougas +oudnNt> I )ean/ She
+oudnNt et hi)/ SheNs got hod of hi) ; 'ody and sou/ !e +onNt
isten to anything against herc !eNs .ra?y a'out herc !e 'eieves
everything she tes hi) ; that her hus'and i;treats her ; that sheNs
an inDured inno.ent ; that no'ody has ever understood herc !e
doesnNt even thin1 a'out )e any )ore ; I donNt .ount ; IN) not rea to
hi)/ !e +ants )e to give hi) his freedo) ; to divor.e hi)/ !e
'eieves that sheN divor.e her hus'and and )arry hi)/ %ut IN)
afraidc Chantry +onNt give her up/ !eNs not that 1ind of )an/ #ast
night she sho+ed $ougas 'ruises on her ar) ; said her hus'and had
done it/ It )ade $ougas +id/ !eNs so .hivarousc <hG IN) afraidG
What +i .o)e of it aA Te )e +hat to doGN
!er.ue Poirot stood oo1ing straight a.ross the +ater to the 'ue
ine of his on the )ainand of Asia/
!e saidH
bI have tod you/ #eave the isand 'efore it is too atecN She shoo1
her head/
bI .anNt ; I .anNt ; uness $ougascN Poirot sighed/
!e shrugged his shouders/
Chapter 4
!er.ue Poirot sat +ith Pa)ea #ya on the 'ea.h/
She said +ith a .ertain a)ount of gusto> bThe triangeNs going
strongG They sat one ea.h side of her ast night ; go+ering at ea.h
otherG Chantry had had too )u.h to drin1/ !e +as positivey insuting
to $ougas ,od/ ,od 'ehaved very +e/ -ept his te)per/ The
7aentine +o)an enDoyed it> of .ourse/ Purred i1e the )an;eating
tiger she is/ What do you thin1 +i happenAN
Poirot shoo1 his head/
bI a) afraid/ I a) very )u.h afraidcN
b<h> +e a are>N said Miss #ya hypo.riti.ay/ She added> bThis
'usiness is rather in your ine/ <r it )ay .o)e to 'e/ CanNt you do
anythingAN
bI have done +hat I .oud/N
Miss #ya eaned for+ard eagery/
bWhat have you doneAN she as1ed +ith peasura'e eB.ite)ent/ bI
advised Mrs ,od to eave the isand 'efore it +as too ate/N b<o;er ;
so you thin1 ; N she stopped/
b@es> )ade)oiseeAN
bSo thatNs +hat you thin1 is going to happenGN said Pa)ea so+y/
b%ut he .oudnNt ; heNd never do a thing i1e thatc !eNs so ni.e reay/
ItNs a that Chantry +o)an/ !e +oudnNt ; !e +oudnNt ; do ; N
She stopped ; then she said softyH
bMurderA Is that ; is that reay the +ord thatNs in your )indAN bIt is in
so)eoneNs )ind> )ade)oisee/ I +i te you that/N Pa)ea gave a
sudden shiver/
bI donNt 'eieve it>N she de.ared/
Chapter F
The se8uen.e of events on the night of <.to'er the t+enty;ninth
+as perfe.ty .ear/
To 'egin +ith> there +as a s.ene 'et+een the t+o )en ; ,od and
Chantry/ ChantryNs voi.e rose ouder and ouder and his ast +ords
+ere overheard 'y four persons ; the .ashier at the des1> the
)anager> ,enera %arnes and Pa)ea #ya/
b@ou god;da)ned s+ineG If you and )y +ife thin1 you .an put this
over on )e> youNre )ista1enG As ong as IN) aive> 7aentine +i
re)ain )y +ife/N
Then he had fung out of the hote> his fa.e ivid +ith rage/
That +as 'efore dinner/ After dinner 9ho+ arranged no one 1ne+: a
re.on.iiation too1 pa.e/ 7aentine as1ed MarDorie ,od to .o)e out
for a )oonight drive/ Pa)ea and Sarah +ent +ith the)/ ,od and
Chantry payed 'iiards together/ After+ards they Doined !er.ue
Poirot and ,enera %arnes in the ounge/
For the first ti)e a)ost> ChantryNs fa.e +as s)iing and goodte)pered/
b!ave a good ga)eAN as1ed the ,enera/
The Co))ander saidH
bThis feo+Ns too good for )eG &an out +ith a 'rea1 of forty;siB/N
$ougas ,od depre.ated this )odesty/
bPure fu1e/ I assure you it +as/ WhatN you haveA IN go and get hod
of a +aiter/N bPin1 gin for )e> than1s/N
b&ight/ ,eneraAN
bThan1s/ IN have a +his1y and soda/N bSa)e for )e/ What a'out
you> M/ PoirotAN
b@ou are )ost a)ia'e/ I shoud i1e a sirop de .assis/N bA sirop ;
eB.use )eAN
bSirop de .assis/ The syrup of 'a.1.urrants/N
b<h> a i8ueurG I see/ I suppose they have it hereA I never heard of it/N
bThey have it> yes/ %ut it is not a i8ueur/N
$ougas ,od said> aughingH
bSounds a funny taste to )e ; 'ut every )an his o+n poisonG IN go
and order the)/N
Co))ander Chantry sat do+n/ Though not 'y nature a ta1ative or a
so.ia )an> he +as .eary doing his 'est to 'e genia/
b<dd ho+ one gets used to doing +ithout any ne+s>N he re)ar1ed/
The ,enera grunted/
bCanNt say the Continenta $aiy Mai four days od is )u.h use to)e/
<f .ourse I get The Ti)es sent to )e and Pun.h every +ee1> 'ut
theyNre a deviish ong ti)e in .o)ing/N
bWonder if +eN have a genera ee.tion over this Paestine
'usinessAN
bWhoe thingNs 'een 'ady )is)anaged>N de.ared the ,enera Dust
as $ougas ,od reappeared foo+ed 'y a +aiter +ith the drin1s/
The ,enera had Dust 'egun on an ane.dote of his )iitary .areer in
India in the year 196F/ The t+o (ngish)en +ere istening poitey> if
+ithout great interest/ !er.ue Poirot +as sipping his sirop de
.assis/
The ,enera rea.hed the point of his narrative and there +as dutifu
aughter a round/
Then the +o)en appeared at the door+ay of the ounge/ They a
four see)ed in the 'est of spirits and +ere ta1ing and aughing/
bTony> daring> it +as too divine>N .ried 7aentine as she dropped into
a .hair 'y his side/ bThe )ost )arveous idea of Mrs ,odNs/ @ou a
ought to have .o)eGN
!er hus'and saidH bWhat a'out a drin1AN
!e oo1ed in8uiringy at the others/ bPin1 gin for )e> daring>N said
7aentine/ b,in and ginger 'eer>N said Pa)ea/ bSide.ar>N said Sarah/
b&ight/N Chantry stood up/ !e pushed his o+n untou.hed pin1 gin
over to his +ife/ b@ou have this/ IN order another for )ysef/ WhatNs
yours> Mrs ,odAN
Mrs ,od +as 'eing heped out of her .oat 'y her hus'and/ She
turned s)iingH bCan I have an orangeade> peaseAN
b&ight you are/ <rangeade/N
!e +ent to+ards the door/ Mrs ,od s)ied up in her hus'andNs fa.e/
bIt +as so ovey> $ougas/ I +ish you had .o)e/N
bI +ish I had too/ WeN go another night> sha +eAN They s)ied at
ea.h other/ 7aentine Chantry pi.1ed up the pin1 gin and drained it/
b<oG I needed that>N she sighed/
$ougas ,od too1 MarDorieNs .oat and aid it on a settee/ As he
stroed 'a.1 to the others he said sharpyH
b!ao> +hatNs the )atterAN
7aentine Chantry +as eaning 'a.1 in her .hair/ !er ips +ere 'ue
and her hand had gone to her heart/ bI fee ; rather 8ueercN
She gasped> fighting for 'reath/
Chantry .a)e 'a.1 into the roo)/ !e 8ui.1ened his step/ b!ao>
7a> +hatNs the )atterAN
bI ; I donNt 1no+c That drin1 ; it tasted 8ueercN bThe pin1 ginAN
Chantry s+ung round his fa.e +or1ed/ !e .aught $ougas ,od 'y
the shouder/ bThat +as )y drin1c ,od> +hat the he did you put in
itAN
$ougas ,od +as staring at the .onvused fa.e of the +o)an in the
.hair/ !e had gone dead +hite/ bI ; I ; never ; N
7aentine Chantry sipped do+n in her .hair/ ,enera %arnes .ried
outH
b,et a do.tor ; 8ui.1cN
Five )inutes ater 7aentine Chantry diedc
Chapter 3
There +as no 'athing the neBt )orning/
Pa)ea #ya> +hite;fa.ed> .ad in a si)pe dar1 dress> .ut.hed at
!er.ue Poirot in the ha and dre+ hi) into the itte +riting;roo)/
bItNs horri'eGN she said/ b!orri'eG @ou said soG @ou foresa+ itG
MurderGN !e 'ent his head gravey/
b<hGN she .ried out/ She sta)ped her foot on the foor/ b@ou shoud
have stopped itG So)eho+G It .oud have 'een stoppedGN
b!o+AN as1ed !er.ue Poirot/
That 'rought her up short for the )o)ent/ bCoudnNt you go to
so)eone ; to the poi.e ; AN
bAnd say +hatA What is there to say ; 'efore the eventA That
so)eone has )urder in their heartA I te you> )on enfant> if one
hu)an 'eing is deter)ined to 1i another hu)an 'eing ; N
b@ou .oud +arn the vi.ti)>N insisted Pa)ea/ bSo)eti)es>N said
!er.ue Poirot> b+arnings are useess/N
Pa)ea said so+y> b@ou .oud +arn the )urderer ; sho+ hi) that
you 1ne+ +hat +as intendedcN Poirot nodded appre.iativey/
b@es ; a 'etter pan> that/ %ut even then you have to re.1on +ith a
.ri)inaNs .hief vi.e/N bWhat is thatAN
bCon.eit/ A .ri)ina never 'eieves that his .ri)e .an fai/N
b%ut itNs a'surd ; stupid>N .ried Pa)ea/ bThe +hoe .ri)e +as
.hidishG Why> the poi.e arrested $ougas ,od at on.e ast night/N
b@es/N !e added thoughtfuy> b$ougas ,od is a very stupid young
)an/N bIn.redi'y stupidG I hear that they found the rest of the poison
; +hatever it +as ; AN bA for) of stropanthin/ A heart poison/N
bThat they a.tuay found the rest of it in his dinner Da.1et po.1etAN
b4uite true/N
bIn.redi'y stupidGN said Pa)ea again/ bPerhaps he )eant to get rid
of it ; and the sho.1 of the +rong person 'eing poisoned paraysed
hi)/ What a s.ene it +oud )a1e on the stage/ The over putting the
stropanthin in the hus'andNs gass and then> Dust +hen his attention
is ese+here> the +ife drin1s it insteadc Thin1 of the ghasty )o)ent
+hen $ougas ,od turned round and reai?ed he had 1ied the
+o)an he ovedcN She gave a itte shiver/
b@our triange/ The (terna TriangeG Who +oud have thought it
+oud end i1e thisAN bI +as afraid of it>N )ur)ured Poirot/
Pa)ea turned on hi)/
b@ou +arned her ; Mrs ,od/ Then +hy didnNt you +arn hi) as +eAN
b@ou )ean> +hy didnNt I +arn $ougas ,odAN
b0o/ I )ean Co))ander Chantry/ @ou .oud have tod hi) that he
+as in danger ; after a> he +as the rea o'sta.eG INve no dou't
$ougas ,od reied on 'eing a'e to 'uy his +ife into giving hi) a
divor.e ; sheNs a )ee1;spirited itte +o)an and terri'y fond of hi)/
%ut Chantry is a )uish sort of devi/ !e +as deter)ined not to give
7aentine her freedo)/N
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
bIt +oud have 'een no good )y spea1ing to Chantry>N he said/
bPerhaps not>N Pa)ea ad)itted/ b!eNd pro'a'y have said he .oud
oo1 after hi)sef and tod you to go to the devi/ %ut I do fee there
ought to have 'een so)ething one .oud have done/N
bI did thin1>N said Poirot so+y> bof trying to persuade 7aentine
Chantry to eave the isand> 'ut she +oud not have 'eieved +hat I
had to te her/ She +as far too stupid a +o)an to ta1e in a thing i1e
that/ Pauvre fe))e> her stupidity 1ied her/N
bI donNt 'eieve it +oud have 'een any good if she had eft the
isand>N said Pa)ea/ b!e +oud si)py have foo+ed her/N
b!eAN
b$ougas ,od/N
b@ou thin1 $ougas ,od +oud have foo+ed herA <h> no>
)ade)oisee> you are +rong ; you are .o)petey +rong/ @ou have
not yet appre.iated the truth of this )atter/ If 7aentine Chantry had
eft the isand> her hus'and +oud have gone +ith her/N
Pa)ea oo1ed pu??ed/ bWe> naturay/N
bAnd then> you see> the .ri)e +oud si)py have ta1en pa.e
so)e+here ese/N bI donNt understand youAN
bI a) saying to you that the sa)e .ri)e +oud have o..urred
so)e+here ese ; that .ri)e 'eing the )urder of 7aentine Chantry
'y her hus'and/N
Pa)ea stared/
bAre you trying to say that it +as Co))ander Chantry ; Tony
Chantry ; +ho )urdered 7aentineAN
b@es/ @ou sa+ hi) do itG $ougas ,od 'rought hi) his drin1/ !e sat
+ith it in front of hi)/ When the +o)en .a)e in +e a oo1ed a.ross
the roo)> he had the stropanthin ready> he dropped it into the pin1
gin and presenty> .ourteousy> he passed it aong to his +ife and she
dran1 it/N
b%ut the pa.1et of stropanthin +as found in $ougas ,odNs po.1etGN
bA very si)pe )atter to sip it there +hen +e +ere a .ro+ding
round the dying +o)an/N It +as 8uite t+o )inutes 'efore Pa)ea got
her 'reath/
b%ut I donNt understand a +ordG The triange ; you said yoursef ; N
!er.ue Poirot nodded his head vigorousy/
bI said there +as a triange ; yes/ %ut you> you i)agined the +rong
one/ @ou +ere de.eived 'y so)e very .ever a.tingG @ou thought> as
you +ere )eant to thin1> that 'oth Tony Chantry and $ougas ,od
+ere in ove +ith 7aentine Chantry/ @ou 'eieved> as you +ere
)eant to 'eieve> that $ougas ,od> 'eing in ove +ith 7aentine
Chantry 9+hose hus'and refused to divor.e her: too1 the desperate
step of ad)inistering a po+erfu heart poison to Chantry and that> 'y
a fata )ista1e> 7aentine Chantry dran1 that poison instead/ A that
is iusion/ Chantry has 'een )eaning to do a+ay +ith his +ife for
so)e ti)e/ !e +as 'ored to death +ith her> I .oud see that fro) the
first/ !e )arried her for her )oney/ 0o+ he +ants to )arry another
+o)an ; so he panned to get rid of 7aentine and 1eep her )oney/
That entaied )urder/N
bAnother +o)anAN
Poirot said so+yH
b@es> yes ; the itte MarDorie ,od/ It +as the eterna triange a rightG
%ut you sa+ it the +rong +ay round/ 0either of those t+o )en .ared
in the east for 7aentine Chantry/ It +as her vanity and MaDorie
,odNs very .ever stage )anaging that )ade you thin1 they didG A
very .ever +o)an> Mrs ,od> and a)a?ingy attra.tive in her
de)ure Madonna> poor;itte;thing;+ayG I have 1no+n four +o)en
.ri)inas of the sa)e type/ There +as Mrs Ada)s +ho +as a.8uitted
of )urdering her hus'and> 'ut every'ody 1no+s she did it/ Mary
Par1er did a+ay +ith an aunt> a s+eetheart and t+o 'rothers 'efore
she got a itte .areess and +as .aught/ Then there +as Mrs
&o+den> she +as hanged a right/ Mrs #e.ray es.aped 'y the s1in of
her teeth/ This +o)an is eBa.ty the sa)e type/ I re.ogni?ed it as
soon as I sa+ herG That type ta1es to .ri)e i1e a du.1 to +aterG And
a very pretty 'it of +e;panned +or1 it +as/ Te )e> +hat eviden.e
did you ever have that $ougas ,od +as in ove +ith 7aentine
ChantryA When you .o)e to thin1 it out> you +i reai?e that there
+as ony Mrs ,odNs .onfiden.es and ChantryNs Deaous 'uster/ @esA
@ou seeAN
bItNs horri'e>N .ried Pa)ea/
bThey +ere a .ever pair>N said Poirot +ith professiona deta.h)ent/
bThey panned to X)eetY here and stage their .ri)e/ That MarDorie
,od> she is a .od;'ooded deviG She +oud have sent her poor>
inno.ent foo of a hus'and to the s.affod +ithout the east re)orse/N
Pa)ea .ried outH
b%ut he +as arrested and ta1en a+ay 'y the poi.e ast night/N
bAh>N said !er.ue Poirot> b'ut after that> )e> I had a fe+ itte +ords
+ith the poi.e/ It is true that I did not see Chantry put the
stropanthin in the gass/ I> i1e everyone ese> oo1ed up +hen the
adies .a)e in/ %ut the )o)ent I reai?ed that 7aentine Chantry had
'een poisoned> I +at.hed her hus'and +ithout ta1ing )y eyes off
hi)/ And so> you see> I a.tuay sa+ hi) sip the pa.1et of
stropanthin in $ougas ,odNs .oat po.1etcN
!e added +ith a gri) eBpression on his fa.eH
bI a) a good +itness/ My na)e is +e 1no+n/ The )o)ent the poi.e
heard )y story they reai?ed that it put an entirey different
.o)peBion on the )atter/N
bAnd thenAN de)anded Pa)ea> fas.inated/
b(h 'ien> then they as1ed Co))ander Chantry a fe+ 8uestions/ !e
tried to 'uster it out> 'ut he is not reay .ever> he soon 'ro1e
do+n/N
bSo $ougas ,od +as set at i'ertyAN b@es/N
bAnd ; MarDorie ,odAN PoirotNs fa.e gre+ stern/
bI +arned her>N he said/ b@es> I +arned herc 2p on the Mount of the
Prophetc It +as the ony .han.e of averting the .ri)e/ I as good as
tod her that I suspe.ted her/ She understood/ %ut she 'eieved
hersef too .everc I tod her to eave the isand if she vaued her ife/
She .hose ; to re)aincN
F<&(W<&$
!er.ue Poirot"s fat +as essentiay )odern in its furnishings/ It
gea)ed +ith .hro)iu)/ Its easy;.hairs> though .o)forta'y padded>
+ere s8uare and un.o)pro)ising in outine/
<n one of these .hairs sat !er.ue Poirot> neaty ; in the )idde of the
.hair/ <pposite hi)> in another .hair> sat $r %urton> Feo+ of A
Sous> sipping appre.iativey at a gass of Poirot"s ChTteau Mouton
&oths.hid/ There +as no neatness a'out $r %urton/ !e +as pu)p>
untidy> and 'eneath his that.h of +hite hair 'ea)ed a ru'i.und and
'enign .ountenan.e/ !e had a deep +hee?y .hu.1e and the ha'it of
.overing hi)sef and everything round hi) +ith to'a..o ash/ In vain
did Poirot surround hi) +ith ashtrays/
$r %urton +as as1ing a 8uestion/
JTe )e>J he said/ JWhy !er.ueAJ
J@ou )ean> )y Christian na)eAJ
J!ardy a Christian na)e>J the other de)urred/ J$efinitey pagan/ %ut
+hyA That"s +hat I +ant to 1no+/ Father"s fan.yA Mother"s +hi)A
Fa)iy reasonsA If I re)e)'er righty ; though )y )e)ory isn"t +hat it
+as ; you had a 'rother .aed A.hie> did you notAJ
Poirot"s )ind ra.ed 'a.1 over the detais of A.hie Poirot"s .areer/
!ad a that reay happenedA
J<ny for a short spa.e of ti)e>J he repied/
$r %urton passed ta.tfuy fro) the su'De.t of A.hie Poirot/
JPeope shoud 'e )ore .arefu ho+ they na)e their .hidren>J he
ru)inated/ JI"ve got god;.hidren/ I 1no+/ %an.he> one of "e) is .aed
; dar1 as a gipsyG Then there"s $eirdre> $eirdre of the Sorro+s ; she"s
turned out )erry as a grig/ As for young Patien.e> she )ight as +e
have 'een na)ed I)patien.e and 'e done +ith itG And $iana ; +e>
$iana ;J the od Cassi.a s.hoar shuddered/ JWeighs t+eve stone
no+ ; and she"s ony fifteenG They say it"s puppy fat ; 'ut it doesn"t oo1
that +ay to )e/ $ianaG They +anted to .a her !een> 'ut I did put )y
foot do+n there/ -no+ing +hat her father and )other oo1ed i1eG And
her grand)other for that )atterG I tried hard for Martha or $or.as or
so)ething sensi'e ; 'ut it +as no good ; +aste of 'reath/ &u) peope>
parents///J
!e 'egan to +hee?e genty ; his s)a fat fa.e .rin1ed up/
Poirot oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
JThin1ing of an i)aginary .onversation/ @our )other and the ate Mrs
!o)es> sitting se+ing itte gar)ents or 1nittingH "A.hie> !er.ue>
Shero.1> My.roft///"J
Poirot faied to share his friend"s a)use)ent/
JWhat I understand you to )ean is> that in physi.a appearan.e I do
not rese)'e a !er.uesAJ
$r %urton"s eyes s+ept over !er.ue Poirot> over his s)a neat person
attired in striped trousers> .orre.t 'a.1 Da.1et and natty 'o+ tie>
s+ept up fro) his patent eather shoes to his egg;shaped head and the
i))ense )ousta.he that adorned his upper ip/
JFran1y> Poirot>J said $r %urton> Jyou don"tG I gather>J he added> Jthat
you"ve never had )u.h ti)e to study the Cassi.sAJ
JThat is so/J
JPity/ Pity/ @ou"ve )issed a ot/ (veryone shoud 'e )ade to study the
Cassi.s if I had )y +ay/J
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
J(h 'ien> I have got on very +e +ithout the)/J
J,ot onG ,ot onG It"s not a 8uestion of getting on/ That"s the +rong vie+
atogether/ The Cassi.s aren"t a adder eading to 8ui.1 su..ess i1e a
)odern .orresponden.e .ourseG It"s not a )an"s +or1ing hours that
are i)portant ; it"s his eisure hours/ That"s the )ista1e +e a )a1e/
Ta1e yoursef no+> you"re getting on> you" 'e +anting to get out of
things> to ta1e things easy ; +hat are you going to do then +ith your
eisure hoursAJ
Poirot +as ready +ith his repy/
JI a) going to attend ; seriousy ; to the .utivation of vegeta'e
)arro+s/J
$r %urton +as ta1en a'a.1/
J7egeta'e )arro+sA What d"yer )eanA Those great s+oen green
things that taste of +aterAJ
JAh>J Poirot spo1e enthusiasti.ay/ J%ut that is the +hoe point of it/
They need not taste of +ater/J
J<hG I 1no+ ; sprin1e "e) +ith .heese> or )in.ed onion or +hite
sau.e/J
J0o> no ; you are in error/ It is )y idea that the a.tua favour of the
)arro+ itsef .an 'e i)proved/ It .an 'e given>J he s.re+ed up his
eyes> Ja 'ou8uet ;J
J,ood ,od> )an> it"s not a .aret/J The +ord 'ou8uet re)inded $r
%urton of the gass at his e'o+/ !e sipped and savoured/ J7ery good
+ine> this/ 7ery sound/ @es/J !is head nodded in appro'ation/ J%ut this
vegeta'e )arro+ 'usiness ; you"re not seriousA @ou don"t )ean ;J he
spo1e in ivey horror ; Jthat you"re a.tuay going to stoop ;J his hands
des.ended in sy)patheti. horror on his o+n pu)p sto)a.h ; Jstoop>
and for1 dung on the things> and feed "e) +ith strands of +oo dipped
in +ater and a the rest of itAJ
J@ou see)>J Poirot said> Jto 'e +e a.8uainted +ith the .uture of the
)arro+AJ
JSeen gardeners doing it +hen I"ve 'een staying in the .ountry/ %ut
seriousy> Poirot> +hat a ho''yG Co)pare that to ;J his voi.e san1 to an
appre.iative purr ; Jan easy;.hair in front of a +ood fire in a ong> o+
roo) ined +ith 'oo1s ; )ust 'e a ong roo) ; not a s8uare one/ %oo1s
a round one/ A gass of port ; and a 'oo1 open in your hand/ Ti)e ros
'a.1 as you read>J he 8uoted sonorousy> transating fro) the ,ree1H
"%y s1i again> the piot on the +ine;dar1 sea straightens
The s+ift ship 'uffeted 'y the +inds/"
J<f .ourse you .an never reay get the spirit of the origina/J
For the )o)ent> in his enthusias)> he had forgotten Poirot/ And
Poirot> +at.hing hi)> fet suddeny a dou't ; an un.o)forta'e t+inge/
Was there> here> so)ething that he had )issedA So)e ri.hness of the
spiritA Sadness .rept over hi)/ @es> he shoud have 'e.o)e
a.8uainted +ith the Cassi.s/// #ong ago/// 0o+> aas> it +as too ate///
$r %utton interrupted his )ean.hoy/
J$o you )ean that you reay are thin1ing of retiringAJ
J@es/J
The other .hu.1ed/ J@ou +on"tGJ
J%ut I assure you ;J
J@ou +on"t 'e a'e to do it> )an/ @ou"re too interested in your +or1/J
J0o ; indeed ; I )a1e a the arrange)ents/ A fe+ )ore .ases ;
spe.iay see.ted ones ; not> you understand> everything that presents
itsef ; Dust pro'e)s that have a persona appea/J
$r %urton grinned/
JThat"s the +ay of it/ *ust a .ase or t+o> Dust one .ase )ore ; and so
on/ The Pri)a $onna"s fare+e perfor)an.e +on"t 'e in it +ith yours>
PoirotGJ
!e .hu.1ed and rose so+y to his feet> an a)ia'e +hite;haired
gno)e/
J@ours aren"t the #a'ours of !er.ues>J he said/ J@ours are a'ours of
ove/ @ou" see if I") not right/ %et you that in t+eve )onths" ti)e you"
sti 'e here> and vegeta'e )arro+s +i sti 'e ;J he shuddered ;
J)erey )arro+s/J
Ta1ing eave of his host> $r %urton eft the severe re.tanguar roo)/
!e passes out of these pages not to return to the)/ We are .on.erned
ony +ith +hat he eft 'ehind hi)> +hi.h +as an Idea/
For after his departure !er.ue Poirot sat do+n again so+y i1e a )an
in a drea) and )ur)uredH
JThe #a'ours of !er.ues/// Mais oui> ."est une id=e> La///J
The foo+ing day sa+ !er.ue Poirot perusing a arge .af;'ound
vou)e and other si))er +or1s> +ith o..asiona harried gan.es at
various type+ritten sips of paper/
!is se.retary/ Miss #e)on> had 'een detaied to .oe.t infor)ation on
the su'De.t of !er.ues and to pa.e sa)e 'efore hi)/
Without interest 9hers not the type to +onder +hyG: 'ut +ith perfe.t
effi.ien.y> Miss #e)on had fufied her tas1/
!er.ue Poirot +as punged head first in a 'e+idering sea of .assi.a
ore +ith parti.uar referen.e to J!er.ues> a .ee'rated hero +ho>
after death> +as ran1ed a)ong the gods> and re.eived divine
honours/J
So far> so good ; 'ut thereafter it +as far fro) pain saiing/ For t+o
hours Poirot read diigenty> )a1ing notes> fro+ning> .onsuting his
sips of paper and his other 'oo1s of referen.e/ Finay he san1 'a.1 in
his .hair and shoo1 his head/ !is )ood of the previous evening +as
dispeed/ What peopeG
Ta1e this !er.ues ; this heroG !ero> indeedG What +as he 'ut a arge
)us.uar .reature of o+ inteigen.e and .ri)ina tenden.iesG Poirot
+as re)inded of one Adofe $urand> a 'ut.her> +ho had 'een tried at
#yons in 1O9F ; a .reature of oB;i1e strength +ho had 1ied severa
.hidren/ The defen.e had 'een epiepsy ; fro) +hi.h he undou'tedy
suffered ; though +hether grand )a or petit )a had 'een an
argu)ent of severa days" dis.ussion/ This an.ient !er.ues pro'a'y
suffered fro) grand )a/ 0o> Poirot shoo1 his head> if that +as the
,ree1s" idea of a hero> then )easured 'y )odern standards it
.ertainy +oud not do/ The +hoe .assi.a pattern sho.1ed hi)/
These gods and goddesses ; they see)ed to have as )any different
aiases as a )odern .ri)ina/ Indeed they see)ed to 'e definitey
.ri)ina types/ $rin1> de'au.hery> in.est> rape> oot> ho)i.ide and
.hi.anery ; enough to 1eep a Duge d"Instru.tion .onstanty 'usy/ 0o
de.ent fa)iy ife/ 0o order> no )ethod/ (ven in their .ri)es> no order
or )ethodG
J!er.ues indeedGJ said !er.ue Poirot> rising to his feet> disiusioned/
!e oo1ed round hi) +ith approva/ A s8uare roo)> +ith good s8uare
)odern furniture ; even a pie.e of good )odern s.upture
representing one .u'e pa.ed on another .u'e and a'ove it a
geo)etri.a arrange)ent of .opper +ire/ And in the )idst of this
shining and ordery roo)> hi)sef/ !e oo1ed at hi)sef in the gass/
!ere> then> +as a )odern !er.ues ; very distin.t fro) that unpeasant
s1et.h of a na1ed figure +ith 'uging )us.es> 'randishing a .u'/
Instead> a s)a .o)pa.t figure attired in .orre.t ur'an +ear +ith a
)ousta.he ; su.h a )ousta.he as !er.ues never drea)ed of
.utivating ; a )ousta.he )agnifi.ent yet sophisti.ated/
@et there +as 'et+een this !er.ue Poirot and the !er.ues of
Cassi.a ore one point of rese)'an.e/ %oth of the)> undou'tedy>
had 'een instru)enta in ridding the +ord of .ertain pests/// (a.h of
the) .oud 'e des.ri'ed as a 'enefa.tor to the So.iety he ived in///
What had $r %urton said ast night as he eftH J@ours are not the
#a'ours of !er.ues///J
Ah> 'ut there he +as +rong> the od fossi/ There shoud 'e> on.e
again> the #a'ours of !er.ues ; a )odern !er.ues/ An ingenious and
a)using .on.eitG In the period 'efore his fina retire)ent he +oud
a..ept t+eve .ases> no )ore> no ess/ And those t+eve .ases shoud
'e see.ted +ith spe.ia referen.e to the t+eve a'ours of an.ient
!er.ues/ @es> that +oud not ony 'e a)using> it +oud 'e artisti.> it
+oud 'e spiritua/
Poirot pi.1ed up the Cassi.a $i.tionary and i))ersed hi)sef on.e
)ore in .assi.a ore/ !e did not intend to foo+ his prototype too
.osey/ There shoud 'e no +o)en> no shirt of 0essus/// The #a'ours
and the #a'ours ony/
The first #a'our> then> +oud 'e that of the 0e)ean #ion/
JThe 0e)ean #ion>J he repeated> trying it over on his tongue/
0aturay he did not eBpe.t a .ase to present itsef a.tuay invoving a
fesh and 'ood ion/ It +oud 'e too )u.h of a .oin.iden.e shoud he
'e approa.hed 'y the $ire.tors of the Vooogi.a ,ardens to sove a
pro'e) for the) invoving a rea ion/
0o> here sy)'ois) )ust 'e invoved/ The first .ase )ust .on.ern
so)e .ee'rated pu'i. figure> it )ust 'e sensationa and of the first
i)portan.eG So)e )aster .ri)ina ; or aternatey so)eone +ho +as a
ion in the pu'i. eye/ So)e +e;1no+n +riter> or poiti.ian> or painter
; or even &oyatyA
!e i1ed the idea of &oyaty///
!e +oud not 'e in a hurry/ !e +oud +ait ; +ait for that .ase of high
i)portan.e that shoud 'e the first of his sef;i)posed #a'ours/
Chapter 1
T!( 0(M(A0 #I<0
JAnything of interest this )orning> Miss #e)onAJ he as1ed as he
entered the roo) the foo+ing )orning/
!e trusted Miss #e)on/ She +as a +o)an +ithout i)agination> 'ut she
had an instin.t/ Anything that she )entioned as +orth .onsideration
usuay +as +orth .onsideration/ She +as a 'orn se.retary/
J0othing )u.h> M/ Poirot/ There is Dust one etter that I thought )ight
interest you/ I have put it on the top of the pie/J
JAnd +hat is thatAJ he too1 an interested step for+ard/
JIt"s fro) a )an +ho +ants you to investigate the disappearan.e of his
+ife"s Pe1inese dog/J
Poirot paused +ith his foot sti in the air/ !e thre+ a gan.e of deep
reproa.h at Miss #e)on/ She did not noti.e it/ She had 'egun to type/
She typed +ith the speed and pre.ision of a 8ui.1;firing tan1/
Poirot +as sha1enI sha1en and e)'ittered/ Miss #e)on> the effi.ient
Miss #e)on> had et hi) do+nG A Pe1inese dog/ A Pe1inese dogG And
after the drea) he had had ast night/ !e had 'een eaving
%u.1ingha) Paa.e after 'eing personay than1ed +hen his vaet had
.o)e in +ith his )orning .ho.oateG
Words tre)'ed on his ips ; +itty .austi. +ords/ !e did not utter the)
'e.ause Miss #e)on> o+ing to the speed and effi.ien.y of her typing>
+oud not have heard the)/
With a grunt of disgust he pi.1ed up the top)ost etter fro) the itte
pie on the side of his des1/
@es> it +as eBa.ty as Miss #e)on had said/ A .ity address ; a .urt
'usinessi1e unrefined de)and/ The su'De.t ; the 1idnapping of a
Pe1inese dog/ <ne of those 'uging;eyed> over;pa)pered pets of a
ri.h +o)an/ !er.ue Poirot"s ip .ured as he read it/
0othing unusua a'out this/ 0othing out of the +ay or ; %ut yes> yes> in
one s)a detai/ Miss #e)on +as right/ In one s)a detai there +as
so)ething unusua/
!er.ue Poirot sat do+n/ !e read the etter so+y and .arefuy/ It +as
not the 1ind of .ase he +anted> it +as not the 1ind of .ase he had
pro)ised hi)sef/ It +as not in any sense an i)portant .ase> it +as
supre)ey uni)portant/ It +as not ; and here +as the .ruB of his
o'De.tion ; it +as not a proper #a'our of !er.ues/
%ut unfortunatey he +as .urious/// @es> he +as .urious///
!e raised his voi.e so as to 'e heard 'y Miss #e)on a'ove the noise of
her typing/
J&ing up this Sir *oseph !oggin>J he ordered> Jand )a1e an
appoint)ent for )e to see hi) at his offi.e as he suggests/J
As usua/ Miss #e)on had 'een right/
II
JI") a pain )an> M/ Poirot>J said Sir *oseph !oggin/
!er.ue Poirot )ade a non.o))itta gesture +ith his right hand/ It
eBpressed 9if you .hose to ta1e it so: ad)iration for the soid +orth of
Sir *oseph"s .areer and an appre.iation of his )odesty in so
des.ri'ing hi)sef/ It .oud aso have .onveyed a gra.efu depre.ation
of the state)ent/ In any .ase it gave no .ue to the thought then
upper)ost in !er.ue Poirot"s )ind> +hi.h +as that Sir *oseph
.ertainy +as 9using the ter) in its )ore .oo8uia sense: a very pain
)an indeed/ !er.ue Poirot"s eyes rested .riti.ay on the s+eing
Do+> the s)a pig eyes> the 'u'ous nose and the .ose;ipped )outh/
The +hoe genera effe.t re)inded hi) of so)eone or so)ething ; 'ut
for the )o)ent he .oud not re.oe.t +ho or +hat it +as/ A )e)ory
stirred di)y/ A ong ti)e ago/// in %egiu)/// so)ething> surey> to do
+ith soap///
Sir *oseph +as .ontinuing/
J0o fris a'out )e/ I don"t 'eat a'out the 'ush/ Most peope> M/ Poirot>
+oud et this 'usiness go/ Write it off as a 'ad de't and forget a'out it/
%ut that"s not *oseph !oggin"s +ay/ I") a ri.h )an ; and in a )anner of
spea1ing t+o hundred pounds is neither here nor there to )e ;J
Poirot interpoated s+iftyH JI .ongratuate you/J
J(hAJ Sir *oseph paused a )inute/ !is s)a eyes narro+ed
the)seves sti )ore/ !e said sharpyH JThat"s not to say that I") in the
ha'it of thro+ing )y )oney a'out/ What I +ant I pay for/ %ut I pay the
)ar1et pri.e ; no )ore/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou reaise that )y fees are highAJ
J@es> yes/ %ut this>J Sir *oseph oo1ed at hi) .unningy> Jis a very
s)a )atter/J
!er.ue Poirot shrugged his shouders/
!e saidH JI do not 'argain/ I a) an eBpert/ For the servi.es of an eBpert
you have to pay/J
Sir *oseph said fran1yH JI 1no+ you"re a tip;top )an at this sort of
thing/ I )ade in8uiries and I +as tod that you +ere the 'est )an
avaia'e/ I )ean to get to the 'otto) of this 'usiness and I don"t
grudge the eBpense/ That"s +hy I got you to .o)e here/J
J@ou +ere fortunate>J said !er.ue Poirot/
Sir *oseph said J(hAJ again/
J(B.eedingy fortunate>J said !er.ue Poirot fir)y/ JI a)> I )ay say so
+ithout undue )odesty> at the apeB of )y .areer/ 7ery shorty I intend
to retire ; to ive in the .ountry> to trave o..asionay to see the +ord ;
aso> it )ay 'e> to .utivate )y garden ; +ith parti.uar attention to
i)proving the strain of vegeta'e )arro+s/ Magnifi.ent vegeta'es ;
'ut they a.1 favour/ That> ho+ever> is not the point/ I +ished )erey
to eBpain that 'efore retiring I had i)posed upon )ysef a .ertain
tas1/ I have de.ided to a..ept t+eve .ases ; no )ore> no ess/ A sefi)posed
"#a'ours of !er.ues" if I )ay so des.ri'e it/ @our .ase/ Sir
*oseph> is the first of the t+eve/ I +as attra.ted to it>J he sighed> J'y
its stri1ing uni)portan.e/J
JI)portan.eAJ said Sir *oseph/
J2ni)portan.e +as +hat I said/ I have 'een .aed in for varying
.auses ; to investigate )urders> uneBpained deaths> ro''eries> thefts
of De+eery/ This is the first ti)e that I have 'een as1ed to turn )y
taents to eu.idate the 1idnapping of a Pe1inese dog/J
Sir *oseph grunted/ !e saidH J@ou surprise )eG I shoud have said
you"d have had no end of +o)en pestering you a'out their pet dogs/J
JThat> .ertainy/ %ut it is the first ti)e that I a) su))oned 'y the
hus'and in the .ase/J
Sir *oseph"s itte eyes narro+ed appre.iativey/
!e saidH JI 'egin to see +hy they re.o))ended you to )e/ @ou"re a
shre+d feo+> Mr Poirot/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JIf you +i no+ te )e the fa.ts of the .ase/ The dog
disappeared> +henAJ
J(Ba.ty a +ee1 ago/J
JAnd your +ife is 'y no+ 8uite franti.> I presu)eAJ
Sir *oseph stared/
!e saidH J@ou don"t understand/ The dog has 'een returned/J
J&eturnedA Then> per)it )e to as1> +here do I enter the )atterAJ
Sir *oseph +ent .ri)son in the fa.e/
J%e.ause I") da)ned if I" 'e s+indedG 0o+ then> Mr Poirot> I") going
to te you the +hoe thing/ The dog +as stoen a +ee1 ago ; nipped in
-ensington ,ardens +here he +as out +ith )y +ife"s .o)panion/ The
neBt day )y +ife got a de)and for t+o hundred pounds/ I as1 you ; t+o
hundred poundsG For a da)ned yapping itte 'rute that"s a+ays
getting under your feet any+ayGJ
Poirot )ur)uredH J@ou did not approve of paying su.h a su)>
naturayAJ
J<f .ourse I didn"t ; or +oudn"t have if I"d 1no+n anything a'out itG
Miy 9)y +ife: 1ne+ that +e enough/ She didn"t say anything to )e/
*ust sent off the )oney ; in one;pound notes as stipuated ; to the
address given/J
JAnd the dog +as returnedAJ
J@es/ That evening the 'e rang and there +as the itte 'rute sitting on
the doorstep/ And not a sou to 'e seen/J
JPerfe.ty/ Continue/J
JThen> of .ourse> Miy .onfessed +hat she"d done and I ost )y te)per
a 'it/ !o+ever> I .a)ed do+n after a +hie ; after a> the thing +as
done and you .an"t eBpe.t a +o)an to 'ehave +ith any sense ; and I
daresay I shoud have et the +hoe thing go if it hadn"t 'een for
)eeting od Sa)ueson at the Cu'/J
J@esAJ
J$a)n it a> this thing )ust 'e a positive ra.1etG (Ba.ty the sa)e
thing had happened to hi)/ Three hundred pounds they"d roo1ed his
+ife ofG We> that +as a 'it too )u.h/ I de.ided the thing had got to 'e
stopped/ I sent for you/J
J%ut surey/ Sir *oseph> the proper thing 9and a very )u.h )ore
ineBpensive thing: +oud have 'een to send for the poi.eAJ
Sir *oseph ru''ed his nose/
!e saidH JAre you )arried> Mr PoirotAJ
JAas>J said Poirot> JI have not that fei.ity/J
J!")>J said Sir *oseph/ J$on"t 1no+ a'out fei.ity> 'ut if you +ere>
you"d 1no+ that +o)en are funny .reatures/ My +ife +ent into
hysteri.s at the )ere )ention of the poi.e ; she"d got it into her head
that so)ething +oud happen to her pre.ious Shan Tung if I +ent to
the)/ She +oudn"t hear of the idea ; and I )ay say she doesn"t ta1e
very 1indy to the idea of your 'eing .aed in/ %ut I stood fir) there
and at ast she gave +ay/ %ut> )ind you> she doesn"t i1e it/J
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH JThe position is> I per.eive> a dei.ate one/
It +oud 'e as +e> perhaps> if I +ere to intervie+ Mada)e your +ife
and gain further parti.uars fro) her +hist at the sa)e ti)e
reassuring her as to the future safety of her dogAJ
Sir *oseph nodded and rose to his feet/
!e saidH JI" ta1e you aong in the .ar right a+ay/J
III
In a arge> hot> ornatey;furnished dra+ing;roo) t+o +o)en +ere
sitting/
As Sir *oseph and !er.ue Poirot entered> a s)a Pe1inese dog
rushed for+ard> 'ar1ing furiousy> and .ir.ing dangerousy round
Poirot"s an1es/
JShan ; Shan> .o)e here/ Co)e here to )other> ovey ; Pi.1 hi) up/
Miss Carna'y/J
The se.ond +o)an hurried for+ard and !er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH
JA verita'e ion> indeed/J
&ather 'reathessy Shan Tung"s .aptor agreed/
J@es> indeed> he"s su.h a good +at.hdog/ !e"s not frightened of
anything or any one/ There"s a ovey 'oy> then/J
!aving perfor)ed the ne.essary introdu.tion> Sir *oseph saidH JWe>
Mr Poirot> I" eave you to get on +ith it>J and +ith a short nod he eft
the roo)/
#ady !oggin +as a stout> petuant;oo1ing +o)an +ith dyed henna red
hair/ !er .o)panion> the futtering Miss Carna'y> +as a pu)p>
a)ia'e;oo1ing .reature 'et+een forty and fifty/ She treated #ady
!oggin +ith great deferen.e and +as .eary frightened to death of
her/
Poirot saidH J0o+ te )e/ #ady !oggin> the fu .ir.u)stan.es of this
a'o)ina'e .ri)e/J
#ady !oggin fushed/ JI") very gad to hear you say that> Mr Poirot/ For
it +as a .ri)e/ Pe1inese are terri'y sensitive ; Dust as sensitive as
.hidren/ Poor Shan Tung )ight have died of fright if of nothing ese/J
Miss Carna'y .hi)ed in 'reathessyH J@es> it +as +i.1ed ; +i.1edGJ
JPease te )e the fa.ts/J
JWe> it +as i1e this/ Shan Tung +as out for his +a1 in the Par1 +ith
Miss Carna'y ;J
J<h dear )e> yes> it +as a )y faut>J .hi)ed in the .o)panion/ J!o+
.oud I have 'een so stupid ; so .areess ;J
#ady !oggin said a.idyH JI don"t +ant to reproa.h you> Miss Carna'y>
'ut I do thin1 you )ight have 'een )ore aert/J
Poirot transferred his ga?e to the .o)panion/
JWhat happenedAJ
Miss Carna'y 'urst into vou'e and sighty fustered spee.h/
JWe> it +as the )ost eBtraordinary thingG We had Dust 'een aong the
fo+er +a1 ; Shan Tung +as on the ead> of .ourse ; he"d had his itte
run on the grass ; and I +as Dust a'out to turn and go ho)e +hen )y
attention +as .aught 'y a 'a'y in a pra) ; su.h a ovey 'a'y ; it
s)ied at )e ; ovey rosy .hee1s and su.h .urs/ I .oudn"t Dust resist
spea1ing to the nurse in .harge and as1ing ho+ od it +as ; seventeen
)onths> she said ; and I") sure I +as ony spea1ing to her for a'out a
)inute or t+o> and then suddeny I oo1ed do+n and Shan +asn"t there
any )ore/ The ead had 'een .ut right through ;J
#ady !oggin saidH JIf you"d 'een paying proper attention to your
duties> no'ody .oud have snea1ed up and .ut that ead/J
Miss Carna'y see)ed in.ined to 'urst into tears/ Poirot said hastiyH
JAnd +hat happened neBtAJ
JWe> of .ourse I oo1ed every+here/ And .aedG And I as1ed the par1
attendant if he"d seen a )an .arrying a Pe1inese dog 'ut he hadn"t
noti.ed anything of the 1ind ; and I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do ; and I +ent
on sear.hing> 'ut at ast> of .ourse> I had to .o)e ho)e ;J
Miss Carna'y stopped dead/ Poirot .oud i)agine the s.ene that
foo+ed +e enough/ !e as1edH
JAnd then you re.eived a etterAJ
#ady !oggin too1 up the tae/
J%y the first post the foo+ing )orning/ It said that if I +anted to see
Shan Tung aive I +as to send 266 pounds in one;pound notes in an
unregistered pa.1et to Captain Curtis> 5O %oo)s'ury &oad S8uare/ It
said that if the )oney +ere )ar1ed or the poi.e infor)ed then ; then ;
Shan Tung"s ears and tai +oud 'e ; .ut offGJ
Miss Carna'y 'egan to sniff/
JSo a+fu>J she )ur)ured/ J!o+ peope .an 'e su.h fiendsGJ
#ady !oggin +ent onH JIt said that if I sent the )oney at on.e> Shan
Tung +oud 'e returned the sa)e evening aive and +e> 'ut that if ; if
after+ards I +ent to the poi.e> it +oud 'e Shan Tung +ho +oud
suffer for it ;J
Miss Carna'y )ur)ured tearfuyH J<h dear> I") so afraid that even
no+ ; of .ourse> M/ Poirot isn"t eBa.ty the poi.e ;J
#ady !oggin said anBiousyH JSo you see> Mr Poirot> you +i have to 'e
very .arefu/J
!er.ue Poirot +as 8ui.1 to aay her anBiety/
J%ut I> I a) not of the poi.e/ My in8uiries> they +i 'e .ondu.ted very
dis.reety> very 8uiety/ @ou .an 'e assured> #ady !oggin> that Shan
Tung +i 'e perfe.ty safe/ That I +i guarantee/J
%oth adies see)ed reieved 'y the )agi. +ord/ Poirot +ent onH
J@ou have here the etterAJ
#ady !oggin shoo1 her head/
J0o> I +as instru.ted to en.ose it +ith the )oney/J
JAnd you did soAJ
J@es/J
J!")> that is a pity/J
Miss Carna'y said 'rightyH J%ut I have the dog ead sti/ Sha I get itAJ
She eft the roo)/ !er.ue Poirot profited 'y her a'sen.e to as1 a fe+
pertinent 8uestions/
JA)y Carna'yA <hG she"s 8uite a right/ A good sou> though fooish> of
.ourse/ I have had severa .o)panions and they have a 'een
.o)pete foos/ %ut A)y +as devoted to Shan Tung and she +as
terri'y upset over the +hoe thing ; as +e she )ight 'e ; hanging
over pera)'uators and nege.ting )y itte s+eetheartG These od
)aids are a the sa)e> idioti. over 'a'iesG 0o> I") 8uite sure she had
nothing +hatever to do +ith it/J
JIt does not see) i1ey>J Poirot agreed/ J%ut as the dog disappeared
+hen in her .harge one )ust )a1e 8uite .ertain of her honesty/ She
has 'een +ith you ongAJ
J0eary a year/ I had eB.eent referen.es +ith her/ She +as +ith od
#ady !artingfied unti she died ; ten years> I 'eieve/ After that she
oo1ed after an invaid sister for a +hie/ She is reay an eB.eent
.reature ; 'ut a .o)pete foo> as I said/J
A)y Carna'y returned at this )inute> sighty )ore out of 'reath> and
produ.ed the .ut dog ead +hi.h she handed to Poirot +ith the ut)ost
soe)nity> oo1ing at hi) +ith hopefu eBpe.tan.y/
Poirot surveyed it .arefuy/
JMais oui>J he said/ JThis has undou'tedy 'een .ut/J
The t+o +o)en sti +aited eBpe.tanty/
!e saidH JI +i 1eep this/J
Soe)ny he put it in his po.1et/ The t+o +o)en 'reathed a sigh of
reief/ !e had .eary done +hat +as eBpe.ted of hi)/
I7
It +as the ha'it of !er.ue Poirot to eave nothing untested/
Though on the fa.e of it it see)ed uni1ey that Miss Carna'y +as
anything 'ut the fooish and rather )uddeheaded +o)an that she
appeared to 'e> Poirot nevertheess )anaged to intervie+ a so)e+hat
for'idding ady +ho +as the nie.e of the ate #ady !artingfied/
JA)y Carna'yAJ said Miss Matravers/ J<f .ourse> re)e)'er her
perfe.ty/ She +as a good sou and suited Aunt *uia do+n to the
ground/ $evoted to dogs and eB.eent at reading aoud/ Ta.tfu> too>
never .ontradi.ted an invaid/ What"s happened to herA 0ot in distress
of any 1ind> I hope/ I gave her a referen.e a'out a year ago to so)e
+o)an ; na)e 'egan +ith ! ;J
Poirot eBpained hastiy that Miss Carna'y +as sti in her post/ There
had 'een> he said> a itte trou'e over a ost dog/
JA)y Carna'y is devoted to dogs/ My aunt had a Pe1inese/ She eft it
to Miss Carna'y +hen she died and Miss Carna'y +as devoted to it/ I
'eieve she +as 8uite heart;'ro1en +hen it died/ <h yes> she"s a good
sou/ 0ot> of .ourse> pre.isey intee.tua/J
!er.ue Poirot agreed that Miss Carna'y .oud not> perhaps 'e
des.ri'ed as intee.tua/
!is neBt pro.eeding +as to dis.over the Par1 -eeper to +ho) Miss
Carna'y had spo1en on the fatefu afternoon/ This he did +ithout )u.h
diffi.uty/ The )an re)e)'ered the in.ident in 8uestion/
JMidde;aged ady> rather stout ; in a reguar state she +as ; ost her
Pe1inese dog/ I 1ne+ her +e 'y sight ; 'rings the dog aong )ost
afternoons/ I sa+ her .o)e in +ith it/ She +as in a rare ta1ing +hen
she ost it/ Ca)e running to )e to 1no+ if I"d seen any one +ith a
Pe1inese dogG We> I as1 youG I .an te you> the ,ardens is fu of dogs
; every 1ind ; terriers> Pe1es> ,er)an sausage;dogs ; even the)
%or?ois ; a 1inds +e have/ 0ot i1ey as I"d noti.e one Pe1e )ore than
another/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded his head thoughtfuy/
!e +ent to 5O %oo)s'ury &oad S8uare/
0os/ 5O> 59> and 46 +ere in.orporated together as the %aa.ava
Private !ote/ Poirot +a1ed up the steps and pushed open the door/
!e +as greeted inside 'y goo) and a s)e of .oo1ing .a''age +ith a
re)inis.en.e of 'rea1fast 1ippers/ <n his eft +as a )ahogany ta'e
+ith a sad;oo1ing .hrysanthe)u) pant on it/ A'ove the ta'e +as a
'ig 'ai?e;.overed ra.1 into +hi.h etters +ere stu.1/ Poirot stared at
the 'oard thoughtfuy for so)e )inutes/ !e pushed open a door on his
right/ It ed into a 1ind of ounge +ith s)a ta'es and so)e so;.aed
easy;.hairs .overed +ith a depressing pattern of .retonne/ Three od
adies and one fier.e;oo1ing od gente)an raised their heads and
ga?ed at the intruder +ith deady veno)/ !er.ue Poirot 'ushed and
+ithdre+/
!e +a1ed farther aong the passage and .a)e to a stair.ase/ <n his
right a passage 'ran.hed at right anges to +hat +as evidenty the
dining;roo)/
A itte +ay aong this passage +as a door )ar1ed Joffi.eJ/
<n this Poirot tapped/ &e.eiving no response> he opened the door and
oo1ed in/ There +as a arge des1 in the roo) .overed +ith papers 'ut
there +as no one to 'e seen/ !e +ithdre+> .osing the door again/ !e
penetrated to the dining;roo)/
A sad;oo1ing gir in a dirty apron +as shuffing a'out +ith a 'as1et of
1nives and for1s +ith +hi.h she +as aying the ta'es/
!er.ue Poirot said apoogeti.ayH J(B.use )e> 'ut .oud I see the
)anageressAJ
The gir oo1ed at hi) +ith a.1ustre eyes/
She saidH JI don"t 1no+> I") sure/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThere is no one in the offi.e/J
JWe> I don"t 1no+ +here she"d 'e> I") sure/J
JPerhaps>J !er.ue Poirot said> patient and persistent> Jyou .oud find
outAJ
The gir sighed/ $reary as her day"s round +as> it had no+ 'een )ade
additionay so 'y this ne+ 'urden aid upon her/ She said sadyH
JWe> I" see +hat I .an do/J
Poirot than1ed her and re)oved hi)sef on.e )ore to the ha> not
daring to fa.e the )aevoent gare of the o..upants of the ounge/ !e
+as staring up at the 'ai?e;.overed etter ra.1 +hen a ruste and a
strong s)e of $evonshire vioets pro.ai)ed the arriva of the
Manageress/
Mrs !arte +as fu of gra.iousness/ She eB.ai)edH
JSo sorry I +as not in )y offi.e/ @ou +ere re8uiring roo)sAJ
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH J0ot pre.isey/ I +as +ondering if a friend
of )ine had 'een staying here atey/ A Captain Curtis/J
JCurtis>J eB.ai)ed Mrs !arte/ JCaptain CurtisA 0o+ +here have I
heard that na)eAJ
Poirot did not hep her/ She shoo1 her head veBedy/
!e saidH J@ou have not> then> had a Captain Curtis staying hereAJ
JWe> not atey> .ertainy/ And yet> you 1no+> the na)e is .ertainy
fa)iiar to )e/ Can you des.ri'e your friend at aAJ
JThat>J said !er.ue Poirot> J+oud 'e diffi.ut/J !e +ent onH JI
suppose it so)eti)es happens that etters arrive for peope +hen in
a.tua fa.t no one of that na)e is staying hereAJ
JThat does happen> of .ourse/J
JWhat do you do +ith su.h ettersAJ
JWe> +e 1eep the) for a ti)e/ @ou see> it pro'a'y )eans that the
person in 8uestion +i arrive shorty/ <f .ourse> if etters or par.es
are a ong ti)e here un.ai)ed> they are returned to the post offi.e/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
!e saidH JI .o)prehend/J !e addedH JIt is i1e this> you see/ I +rote a
etter to )y friend here/J
Mrs !arte"s fa.e .eared/
JThat eBpains it/ I )ust have noti.ed the na)e on an enveope/ %ut
reay +e have so )any eB;Ar)y gente)en staying here or passing
through ; #et )e see no+/J
She peered up at the 'oard/
!er.ue Poirot saidH JIt is not there no+/J
JIt )ust have 'een returned to the post)an> I suppose/ I a) so sorry/
0othing i)portant> I hopeAJ
J0o> no> it +as of no i)portan.e/J
As he )oved to+ards the door> Mrs !arte> enveoped in her pungent
odour of vioets> pursued hi)/
JIf your friend shoud .o)e ;J
JIt is )ost uni1ey/ I )ust have )ade a )ista1e///J
J<ur ter)s>J said Mrs !arte> Jare very )oderate/ Coffee after dinner is
in.uded/ I +oud i1e you to see one or t+o of our 'ed;sitting;roo)s///J
With diffi.uty !er.ue Poirot es.aped/
7
The dra+ing;roo) of Mrs Sa)ueson +as arger> )ore avishy
furnished> and enDoyed an even )ore stifing a)ount of .entra heating
than that of #ady !oggin/ !er.ue Poirot pi.1ed his +ay giddiy
a)ongst gided .onsoe ta'es and arge groups of statuary/
Mrs Sa)ueson +as taer than #ady !oggin and her hair +as dyed
+ith peroBide/ !er Pe1inese +as .aed 0an1i Poo/ !is 'uging eyes
surveyed !er.ue Poirot +ith arrogan.e/ Miss -e'e> Mrs Sa)ueson"s
.o)panion> +as thin and s.raggy +here Miss Carna'y had 'een
pu)p> 'ut she aso +as vou'e and sighty 'reathess/ She> too> had
'een 'a)ed for 0an1i Poo"s disappearan.e/
J%ut reay> Mr Poirot> it +as the )ost a)a?ing thing/ It a happened in
a se.ond/ <utside !arrods it +as/ A nurse there as1ed )e the ti)e ;J
Poirot interrupted her/
JA nurseA A hospita nurseAJ
J0o> no ; a .hidren"s nurse/ Su.h a s+eet 'a'y it +as> tooG A dear itte
)ite/ Su.h ovey rosy .hee1s/ They say .hidren don"t oo1 heathy in
#ondon> 'ut I") sure ;J
J(en>J said Mrs Sa)ueson/
Miss -e'e 'ushed> sta))ered> and su'sided into sien.e/
Mrs Sa)ueson said a.idyH JAnd +hie Miss -e'e +as 'ending over a
pera)'uator that had nothing to do +ith her> this auda.ious viain .ut
0an1i Poo"s ead and )ade off +ith hi)/J
Miss -e'e )ur)ured tearfuyH JIt a happened in a se.ond/ I oo1ed
round and the daring 'oy +as gone ; there +as Dust the danging ead
in )y hand/ Perhaps you"d i1e to see the ead> Mr PoirotAJ
J%y no )eans>J said Poirot hastiy/ !e had no +ish to )a1e a .oe.tion
of .ut dog eads/ JI understand>J he +ent on> Jthat shorty after+ards
you re.eived a etterAJ
The story foo+ed the sa)e .ourse eBa.ty ; the etter ; the threats of
vioen.e to 0an1i Poo"s ears and tai/ <ny t+o things +ere different ;
the su) of )oney de)anded ; R566 ; and the address to +hi.h it +as
to 'e sent> this ti)e it +as to Co))ander %a.1eigh> !arrington
!ote> E3 Con)e ,ardens> -ensington/
Mrs Sa)ueson +ent onH JWhen 0an1i Poo +as safey 'a.1 again> I
+ent to the pa.e )ysef> Mr Poirot/ After a> three hundred pounds is
three hundred pounds/J
JCertainy it is/J
JThe very first thing I sa+ +as )y etter en.osing the )oney in a 1ind
of ra.1 in the ha/ Whist I +as +aiting for the proprietress I sipped it
into )y 'ag/ 2nfortunatey ;J
Poirot saidH J2nfortunatey> +hen you opened it it .ontained ony 'an1
sheets of paper/J
J!o+ did you 1no+AJ Mrs Sa)ueson turned on hi) +ith a+e/
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
J<'viousy> .hSre Mada)e> the thief +oud ta1e .are to re.over the
)oney 'efore he returned the dog/ !e +oud then repa.e the notes
+ith 'an1 paper and return the etter to the ra.1 in .ase its a'sen.e
shoud 'e noti.ed/J
J0o su.h person as Co))ander %a.1eigh had ever stayed there/J
Poirot s)ied/
JAnd of .ourse> )y hus'and +as eBtre)ey annoyed a'out the +hoe
thing/ In fa.t> he +as ivid ; a'soutey ividGJ
Poirot )ur)ured .autiousyH J@ou did not ; er ; .onsut hi) 'efore
dispat.hing the )oneyAJ
JCertainy not>J said Mrs Sa)ueson +ith de.ision/
Poirot oo1ed a 8uestion/ The ady eBpained/
JI +oudn"t have ris1ed it for a )o)ent/ Men are so eBtraordinary +hen
it"s a 8uestion of )oney/ *a.o' +oud have insisted on going to the
poi.e/ I .oudn"t ris1 that/ My poor daring 0an1i Poo/ Anything )ight
have happened to hi)G <f .ourse> I had to te )y hus'and after+ards>
'e.ause I had to eBpain +hy I +as overdra+n at the %an1/J
Poirot )ur)uredH J4uite so ; 8uite so/J
JAnd I have reay never seen hi) so angry/ Men>J said Mrs Sa)ueson>
rearranging her handso)e dia)ond 'ra.eet and turning her rings on
her fingers> Jthin1 of nothing 'ut )oney/J
7I
!er.ue Poirot +ent up in the ift to Sir *oseph !oggin"s offi.e/ !e sent
in his .ard and +as tod that Sir *oseph +as engaged at the )o)ent
'ut +oud see hi) presenty/ A haughty 'onde saied out of Sir
*oseph"s roo) at ast +ith her hands fu of papers/ She gave the
8uaint itte )an a disdainfu gan.e in passing/
Sir *oseph +as seated 'ehind his i))ense )ahogany des1/ There +as
a tra.e of ipsti.1 on his .hin/
JWe> Mr PoirotA Sit do+n/ ,ot any ne+s for )eAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThe +hoe affair is of a peasing si)pi.ity/ In
ea.h .ase the )oney +as sent to one of those 'oarding houses or
private hotes +here there is no porter or ha attendant and +here a
arge nu)'er of guests are a+ays .o)ing and going> in.uding a fairy
arge preponderan.e of eB;Servi.e )en/ 0othing +oud 'e easier than
for any one to +a1 in> a'stra.t a etter fro) the ra.1> either ta1e it
a+ay or ese re)ove the )oney and repa.e it +ith 'an1 paper/
Therefore> in every .ase> the trai ends a'rupty in a 'an1 +a/J
J@ou )ean you"ve no idea +ho the feo+ isAJ
JI have .ertain ideas> yes/ It +i ta1e a fe+ days to foo+ the) up/J
Sir *oseph oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
J,ood +or1/ Then> +hen you have got anything to report ;J
JI +i report to you at your house/J
Sir *oseph saidH JIf you get to the 'otto) of this 'usiness> it +i 'e a
pretty good pie.e of +or1/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThere is no 8uestion of faiure/ !er.ue Poirot
does not fai/J
Sir *oseph !oggin oo1ed at the itte )an and grinned/
JSure of yoursef> aren"t youAJ he de)anded/
J(ntirey +ith reason/J
J<h +e/J Sir *oseph !oggin eaned 'a.1 in his .hair/ JPride goes
'efore a fa> you 1no+/J
7II
!er.ue Poirot> sitting in front of his ee.tri. radiator 9and feeing a
8uiet satisfa.tion in its neat geo)etri.a pattern: +as giving
instru.tions to his vaet and genera fa.totu)/
J@ou understand> ,eorgesAJ
JPerfe.ty> sir/J
JMore pro'a'y a fat or )aisonette/ And it +i definitey 'e +ithin
.ertain i)its/ South of the Par1> east of -ensington Chur.h> +est of
-nights'ridge %arra.1s and north of Fuha) &oad/J
JI understand perfe.ty> sir/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JA .urious itte .ase/ There is eviden.e here of a
very definite taent for organisation/ And there is> of .ourse> the
surprising invisi'iity of the star perfor)er ; the 0e)ean #ion hi)sef>
if I )ay so stye hi)/ @es> an interesting itte .ase/ I .oud +ish that I
fet )ore attra.ted to )y .ient ; 'ut he 'ears an unfortunate
rese)'an.e to a soap )anufa.turer of #iege +ho poisoned his +ife in
order to )arry a 'onde se.retary/ <ne of )y eary su..esses/J
,eorge shoo1 his head/ !e said graveyH JThese 'ondes> sir> they"re
responsi'e for a ot of trou'e/J
7III
It +as three days ater +hen the invaua'e ,eorge saidH
JThis is the address> sir/J
!er.ue Poirot too1 the pie.e of paper handed to hi)/
J(B.eent> )y good ,eorges/ And +hat day of the +ee1AJ
JThursdays> sir/J
JThursdays/ And today> )ost fortunatey> is a Thursday/ So there need
'e no deay/J
T+enty )inutes ater !er.ue Poirot +as .i)'ing the stairs of an
o's.ure 'o.1 of fats tu.1ed a+ay in a itte street eading off a )ore
fashiona'e one/ 0o/ 16 &osho) Mansions +as on the third and top
foor and there +as no ift/ Poirot toied up+ards round and round the
narro+ .or1s.re+ stair.ase/
!e paused to regain his 'reath on the top anding and fro) 'ehind the
door of 0o/ 16 a ne+ sound 'ro1e the sien.e ; the sharp 'ar1 of a dog/
!er.ue Poirot nodded his head +ith a sight s)ie/ !e pressed the 'e
of 0o/ 16/
The 'ar1ing redou'ed ; footsteps .a)e to the door> it +as opened///
Miss A)y Carna'y fe 'a.1> her hand +ent to her a)pe 'reast/
J@ou per)it that I enterAJ said !er.ue Poirot> and entered +ithout
+aiting for the repy/
There +as a sitting;roo) door open on the right and he +a1ed in/
%ehind hi) Miss Carna'y foo+ed as though in a drea)/
The roo) +as very s)a and )u.h over.ro+ded/ A)ongst the
furniture a hu)an 'eing .oud 'e dis.overed> an edery +o)an ying
on a sofa dra+n up to the gas fire/ As Poirot .a)e in> a Pe1inese dog
Du)ped off the sofa and .a)e for+ard uttering a fe+ sharp suspi.ious
'ar1s/
JAha>J said Poirot/ JThe .hief a.torG I saute you> )y itte friend/J
!e 'ent for+ard> eBtending his hand/ The dog sniffed at it> his
inteigent eyes fiBed on the )an"s fa.e/
Miss Carna'y )ur)ured faintyH JSo you 1no+AJ
!er.ue Poirot nodded/ J@es> I 1no+/J !e oo1ed at the +o)an on the
sofa/ J@our sister> I thin1AJ
Miss Carna'y said )e.hani.ayH J@es> ()iy> this ; this is Mr Poirot/J
()iy Carna'y gave a gasp/ She saidH J<hGJ
A)y Carna'y saidH JAugustus///J
The Pe1inese oo1ed to+ards her ; his tai )oved ; then he resu)ed his
s.rutiny of Poirot"s hand/ Again his tai )oved fainty/
,enty> Poirot pi.1ed the itte dog up and sat do+n +ith Augustus on
his 1nee/ !e saidH
JSo I have .aptured the 0e)ean #ion/ My tas1 is .o)peted/J
A)y Carna'y said in a hard dry voi.eH J$o you reay 1no+
everythingAJ
Poirot nodded/ JI thin1 so/ @ou organised this 'usiness ; +ith Augustus
to hep you/ @ou too1 your e)poyees dog out for his usua +a1>
'rought hi) here and +ent on to the Par1 +ith Augustus/ The Par1
-eeper sa+ you +ith a Pe1inese as usua/ The nurse gir> if +e ever
found her> +oud aso have agreed that you had a Pe1inese +ith you
+hen you spo1e to her/ Then> +hie you +ere ta1ing> you .ut the ead
and Augustus> trained 'y you> sipped off at on.e and )ade a 'ee;ine
'a.1 ho)e/ A fe+ )inutes ater you gave the aar) that the dog had
'een stoen/J
There +as a pause/ Then Miss Carna'y dre+ hersef up +ith a .ertain
patheti. dignity/ She saidH
J@es/ It is a 8uite true/ I ; I have nothing to say/J
The invaid +o)an on the sofa 'egan to .ry softy/
Poirot saidH J0othing at a/ Made)oiseeAJ
Miss Carna'y saidH J0othing/ I have 'een a thief ; and no+ I a) found
out/J
Poirot )ur)uredH J@ou have nothing to say ; in your o+n defen.eAJ
A spot of red sho+ed suddeny in A)y Carna'y"s +hite .hee1s/ She
saidH
JI ; I don"t regret +hat I did/ I thin1 that you are a 1ind )an> Mr Poirot>
and that possi'y you )ight understand/ @ou see> I"ve 'een so terri'y
afraidJ
JAfraidAJ
J@es> it"s diffi.ut for a gente)an to understand> I eBpe.t/ %ut you see>
I") not a .ever +o)an at a> and I"ve no training and I") getting oder
; and I") so terrified for the future/ I"ve not 'een a'e to save anything ;
ho+ .oud I +ith ()iy to 'e .ared forA ; and as I get oder and )ore
in.o)petent there +on"t 'e any one +ho +ants )e/ They" +ant
so)e'ody young and 'ris1/ I"ve ; I"ve 1no+n so )any peope i1e I a) ;
no'ody +ants you and you ive in one roo) and you .an"t have a fire or
any +ar)th and not very )u.h to eat> and at ast you .an"t even pay
the rent of your roo)/// There are Institutions> of .ourse> 'ut it"s not
very easy to get into the) uness you have infuentia friends> and I
haven"t/ There are a good )any others situated i1e I a) ; poor
.o)panions ; untrained useess +o)en +ith nothing to oo1 for+ard to
'ut a deady fear///J
!er voi.e shoo1/ She saidH JAnd so ; so)e of us ; got together and ;
and I thought of this/ It +as reay having Augustus that put it into )y
)ind/ @ou see> to )ost peope> one Pe1inese is very )u.h i1e another/
9*ust as +e thin1 the Chinese are/: &eay> of .ourse> it"s ridi.uous/ 0o
one +ho 1ne+ .oud )ista1e Augustus for 0an1i Poo or Shan Tung or
any of the other Pe1es/ !e"s far )ore inteigent for one thing> and he"s
)u.h handso)er> 'ut> as I say> to )ost peope a Pe1e is Dust a Pe1e/
Augustus put it into )y head ; that> .o)'ined +ith the fa.t that so
)any ri.h +o)en have Pe1inese dogs/J
Poirot said +ith a faint s)ieH JIt )ust have 'een a profita'e ; ra.1etG
!o+ )any are there in the ; the gangA <r perhaps I had 'etter as1 ho+
often operations have 'een su..essfuy .arried outAJ
Miss Carna'y said si)pyH JShang Tung +as the siBteenth/J
!er.ue Poirot raised his eye'ro+s/
JI .ongratuate you/ @our organisation )ust have 'een indeed
eB.eent/J
()iy Carna'y saidH JA)y +as a+ays good at organisation/ <ur father
; he +as the 7i.ar of -eington in (sseB ; a+ays said that A)y had
8uite a genius for panning/ She a+ays )ade a the arrange)ents for
the So.ias and the %a?aars and a that/J
Poirot said +ith a itte 'o+H JI agree/ As a .ri)ina/ Made)oisee> you
are 8uite in the first ran1/J
A)y Carna'y .riedH JA .ri)ina/ <h dear> I suppose I a)/ %ut ; 'ut it
never fet i1e that/J
J!o+ did it feeAJ
J<f .ourse> you are 8uite right/ It +as 'rea1ing the a+/ %ut you see ;
ho+ .an I eBpain itA 0eary a these +o)en +ho e)poy us are so
very rude and unpeasant/ #ady !oggin> for instan.e> doesn"t )ind
+hat she says to )e/ She said her toni. tasted unpeasant the other
day and pra.ti.ay a..used )e of ta)pering +ith it/ A that sort of
thing/J Miss Carna'y fushed/ JIt"s reay very unpeasant/ And not
'eing a'e to say anything or ans+er 'a.1 )a1es it ran1e )ore> if you
1no+ +hat I )ean/J
JI 1no+ +hat you )ean>J said !er.ue Poirot/
JAnd then seeing )oney frittered a+ay so +astefuy ; that is
upsetting/ And Sir *oseph> o..asionay he used to des.ri'e a .oup he
had )ade in the City ; so)eti)es so)ething that see)ed to )e 9of
.ourse> I 1no+ I"ve ony got a +o)an"s 'rain and don"t understand
finan.e: do+nright dishonest/ We> you 1no+> M/ Poirot> it a ; it a
unsetted )e> and I fet that to ta1e a itte )oney a+ay fro) these
peope +ho reay +oudn"t )iss it and hadn"t 'een too s.rupuous in
a.8uiring it ; +e> reay it hardy see)ed +rong at a/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JA )odern &o'in !oodG Te )e> Miss Carna'y> did
you ever have to .arry out the threats you used in your ettersAJ
JThreatsAJ
JWere you ever .o)peed to )utiate the ani)as in the +ay you
spe.ifiedAJ
Miss Carna'y regarded hi) in horror/
J<f .ourse> I +oud never have drea)ed of doing su.h a thingG That
+as Dust ; Dust an artisti. tou.h/J
J7ery artisti./ It +or1ed/J
JWe> of .ourse I 1ne+ it +oud/ I 1no+ ho+ I shoud have fet a'out
Augustus> and of .ourse I had to )a1e sure these +o)en never tod
their hus'ands unti after+ards/ The pan +or1ed 'eautifuy every
ti)e/ In nine .ases out of ten the .o)panion +as given the etter +ith
the )oney to post/ We usuay stea)ed it open> too1 out the notes> and
repa.ed the) +ith paper/ <n.e or t+i.e the +o)an posted it hersef/
Then> of .ourse> the .o)panion had to go to the hote and ta1e the
etter out of the ra.1/ %ut that +as 8uite easy> too/J
JAnd the nurse;)aid tou.hA Was it a+ays a nurse;)aidAJ
JWe> you see> M/ Poirot> od )aids are 1no+n to 'e fooishy
senti)enta a'out 'a'ies/ So it see)ed 8uite natura that they shoud
'e a'sor'ed over a 'a'y and not noti.e anything/J
!er.ue Poirot sighed/ !e saidH J@our psy.hoogy is eB.eent> your
organisation is first .ass> and you are aso a very fine a.tress/ @our
perfor)an.e the other day +hen I intervie+ed #ady !oggin +as
irreproa.ha'e/ 0ever thin1 of yoursef disparagingy> Miss Carna'y/
@ou )ay 'e +hat is ter)ed an untrained +o)an 'ut there is nothing
+rong +ith your 'rains or +ith your .ourage/J
Miss Carna'y said +ith a faint s)ieH JAnd yet I have 'een found out>
M/ Poirot/J
J<ny 'y )e/ That +as inevita'eG When I had intervie+ed Mrs
Sa)ueson I reaised that the 1idnapping of Shan Tung +as one of a
series/ I had aready earned that you had on.e 'een eft a Pe1inese
dog and had an invaid sister/ I had ony to as1 )y invaua'e servant to
oo1 for a s)a fat +ithin a .ertain radius o..upied 'y an invaid ady
+ho had a Pe1inese dog and a sister +ho visited her on.e a +ee1 on
her day out/ It +as si)pe/J
A)y Carna'y dre+ hersef up/
She saidH J@ou have 'een very 1ind/ It e)'odens )e to as1 you a
favour/ I .annot> I 1no+> es.ape the penaty for +hat I have done/ I
sha 'e sent to prison> I suppose/ %ut if you .oud> M/ Poirot> avert
so)e of the pu'i.ity/ So distressing for ()iy ; and for those fe+ +ho
1ne+ us in the od days/ I .oud not> I suppose> go to prison under a
fase na)eA <r is that a very +rong thing to as1AJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI thin1 I .an do )ore than that/ %ut first of a I
)ust )a1e one thing 8uite dear/ This ra)p has got to stop/ There )ust
'e no )ore disappearing dogs/ A that is finishedGJ
J@esG <h yesGJ
JAnd the )oney you eBtra.ted fro) #ady !oggin )ust 'e returned/J
A)y Carna'y .rossed the roo)> opened the dra+er of a 'ureau and
returned +ith a pa.1et of notes +hi.h she handed to Poirot/
JI +as going to pay it into the poo today/J
Poirot too1 the notes and .ounted the)/ !e got up/
JI thin1 it possi'e> Miss Carna'y> that I )ay 'e a'e to persuade Sir
*oseph not to prose.ute/J
J<h> M/ PoirotGJ
A)y Carna'y .asped her hands/ ()iy gave a .ry of Doy/ Augustus
'ar1ed and +agged his tai/
JAs for you> )on a)i>J said Poirot addressing hi)/ JThere is one thing
that I +ish you +oud give )e/ It is your )ante of invisi'iity that I
need/ In a these .ases no'ody for a )o)ent suspe.ted that there
+as a se.ond dog invoved/ Augustus possessed the ion"s s1in of
invisi'iity/J
J<f .ourse> M/ Poirot> a..ording to the egend> Pe1inese +ere ions
on.e/ And they sti have the hearts of ionsGJ
JAugustus is> I suppose> the dog that +as eft to you 'y #ady
!artingfied and +ho is reported to have diedA Were you never afraid
of hi) .o)ing ho)e aone through the traffi.AJ
J<h no> M/ Poirot> Augustus is very .ever a'out traffi./ I have trained
hi) )ost .arefuy/ !e has even grasped the prin.ipe of <ne Way
Streets/J
JIn that .ase>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jhe is superior to )ost hu)an
'eingsGJ
IZ
Sir *oseph re.eived !er.ue Poirot in his study/ !e saidH
JWe> Mr PoirotA Made your 'oast goodAJ
J#et )e first as1 you a 8uestion>J said Poirot as he seated hi)sef/ JI
1no+ +ho the .ri)ina is and I thin1 it possi'e that I .an produ.e
suffi.ient eviden.e to .onvi.t this person/ %ut in that .ase I dou't if
you +i ever re.over your )oney/J
J0ot get 'a.1 )y )oneyAJ Sir *oseph turned purpe/
!er.ue Poirot +ent onH J%ut I a) not a poi.e)an/ I a) a.ting in this
.ase soey in your interests/ I .oud> I thin1> re.over your )oney
inta.t> if no pro.eedings +ere ta1en/J
J(hAJ said Sir *oseph/ JThat needs a 'it of thin1ing a'out/J
JIt is entirey for you to de.ide/ Stri.ty spea1ing> I suppose you ought
to prose.ute in the pu'i. interest/ Most peope +oud say so/J
JI dare say they +oud>J said Sir *oseph sharpy/ JIt +oudn"t 'e their
)oney that had gone +est/ If there"s one thing I hate it"s to 'e
s+inded/ 0o'ody"s ever s+inded )e and got a+ay +ith it/J
JWe then> +hat do you de.ideAJ
Sir *oseph hit the ta'e +ith his fist/
JI" have the 'rassG 0o'ody"s going to say they got a+ay +ith t+o
hundred pounds of )y )oney/J
!er.ue Poirot rose> .rossed to the +riting;ta'e> +rote out a .he8ue
for t+o hundred pounds and handed it to the other )an/
Sir *oseph said in a +ea1 voi.eH JWe> I") da)nedG Who the devi is
this feo+AJ
Poirot shoo1 his head/ JIf you a..ept the )oney> there )ust 'e no
8uestions as1ed/J
Sir *oseph foded up the .he8ue and put it in his po.1et/
JThat"s a pity/ %ut the )oney"s the thing/ And +hat do I o+e you> Mr
PoirotAJ
JMy fees +i not 'e high/ This +as> as I said> a very uni)portant
)atter/J !e paused ; and added> J0o+adays neary a )y .ases are
)urder .ases///J
Sir *oseph started sighty/ JMust 'e interestingAJ he said/
JSo)eti)es/ Curiousy enough> you re.a to )e one of )y eary .ases
in %egiu)> )any years ago ; the .hief protagonist +as very i1e you in
appearan.e/ !e +as a +eathy soap )anufa.turer/ !e poisoned his
+ife in order to 'e free to )arry his se.retary/// @es ; the rese)'an.e
is very re)ar1a'e///J
A faint sound .a)e fro) Sir *oseph"s ips ; they had gone a 8ueer 'ue
.oour/ A the ruddy hue had faded fro) his .hee1s/ !is eyes> starting
out of his head> stared at Poirot/ !e sipped do+n a itte in his .hair/
Then> +ith a sha1ing hand> he fu)'ed in his po.1et/ !e dre+ out the
.he8ue and tore it into pie.es/
JThat"s +ashed out ; seeA Consider it as your fee/J
J<h 'ut> Sir *oseph> )y fee +oud not have 'een as arge as that/J
JThat"s a right/ @ou 1eep it/J
JI sha send it to a deserving .harity/J
JSend it any+here you da)n +e i1e/J
Poirot eaned for+ard/ !e saidH JI thin1 I need hardy point out/ Sir
*oseph> that in your position> you +oud do +e to 'e eB.eedingy
.arefu/J
Sir *oseph said> his voi.e a)ost inaudi'eH J@ou needn"t +orry/ I sha
'e .arefu a right/J
!er.ue Poirot eft the house/ As he +ent do+n the steps he said to
hi)sefH
JSo ; I +as right/J
Z
#ady !oggin said to her hus'andH JFunny> this toni. tastes 8uite
different/ It hasn"t got that 'itter taste any )ore/ I +onder +hyAJ
Sir *oseph gro+edH JChe)ist/ Careess feo+s/ Ma1e things up
differenty different ti)es/J
#ady !oggin said dou'tfuyH JI suppose that )ust 'e it/J
J<f .ourse it is/ What ese .oud it 'eAJ
J!as the )an found out anything a'out Shan TungAJ
J@es/ !e got )e )y )oney 'a.1 a right/J
JWho +as itAJ
J!e didn"t say/ 7ery .ose feo+> !er.ue Poirot/ %ut you needn"t
+orry/J
J!e"s a funny itte )an> isn"t heAJ
Sir *oseph gave a sight shiver and thre+ a side+ays gan.e up+ards
as though he fet the invisi'e presen.e of !er.ue Poirot 'ehind his
right shouder/ !e had an idea that he +oud a+ays fee it there/
!e saidH J!e"s a da)ned .ever itte deviGJ
And he thought to hi)sefH J,reta .an go hangG I") not going to ris1 )y
ne.1 for any da)ned patinu) 'ondeGJ
ZI
J<hGJ
A)y Carna'y ga?ed do+n in.reduousy at the .he8ue for t+o
hundred pounds/ She .riedH J()iyG ()iyG #isten to this/
$ear Miss Carna'y>
Ao+ )e to en.ose a .ontri'ution to your very deserving Fund 'efore
it is finay +ound up/
@ours very truy>
!er.ue Poirot/J
JA)y>J said ()iy Carna'y> Jyou"ve 'een in.redi'y u.1y/ Thin1 +here
you )ight 'e no+/J
JWor)+ood S.ru''s ; or is it !oo+ayAJ )ur)ured A)y Carna'y/
J%ut that"s a over no+ ; isn"t it> AugustusA 0o )ore +a1s to the Par1
+ith )other or )other"s friends and a itte pair of s.issors/J
A far a+ay +istfuness .a)e into her eyes/ She sighed/
J$ear AugustusG It see)s a pity/ !e"s so .ever/// <ne .an tea.h hi)
anything/J
Chapter 2
T!( #(&0(A0 !@$&A
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed en.ouragingy at the )an seated opposite hi)/
$r Chares <dfied +as a )an of perhaps forty/ !e had fair hair
sighty grey at the te)pes and 'ue eyes that hed a +orried
eBpression/ !e stooped a itte and his )anner +as a trife hesitant/
Moreover> he see)ed to find diffi.uty in .o)ing to the point/
!e said> sta))ering sightyH JI"ve .o)e to you> M/ Poirot> +ith rather
an odd re8uest/ And no+ that I") here> I") in.ined to fun1 the +hoe
thing/ %e.ause> as I see very +e no+> it"s the sort of thing that no one
.an possi'y do anything a'out/J
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH JAs to that> you )ust et )e Dudge/J
<dfied )utteredH JI don"t 1no+ +hy I thought that perhaps ;J
!e 'ro1e off/
!er.ue Poirot finished the senten.e/
JThat perhaps I .oud hep youA (h 'ien> perhaps I .an/ Te )e your
pro'e)/J
<dfied straightened hi)sef/ Poirot noted ane+ ho+ haggard the )an
oo1ed/
<dfied said> and his voi.e had a note of hopeessness in itH J@ou see>
it isn"t any good going to the poi.e/// They .an"t do anything/ And yet ;
every day it"s getting +orse and +orse/ I ; I don"t 1no+ +hat to do///J
JWhat is getting +orseAJ
JThe ru)ours/// <h> it"s 8uite si)pe> M/ Poirot/ *ust a itte over a year
ago> )y +ife died/ She had 'een an invaid for so)e years/ They are
saying> everyone is saying> that I 1ied her ; that I poisoned herGJ
JAha>J said Poirot/ JAnd did you poison herAJ
JM/ PoirotGJ $r <dfied sprang to his feet/
JCa) yoursef>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JAnd sit do+n again/ We +i ta1e
it> then> that you did not poison your +ife/ %ut your pra.ti.e> I i)agine>
is situated in a .ountry distri.t ;J
J@es/ Mar1et #ough'orough ; in %er1shire/ I have a+ays reaised that
it +as the 1ind of pa.e +here peope gossiped a good dea> 'ut I never
i)agined that it .oud rea.h the engths it has done/J !e dre+ his .hair
a itte for+ard/ JM/ Poirot> you have no idea of +hat I have gone
through/ At first I had no in1ing of +hat +as going on/ I did noti.e that
peope see)ed ess friendy> that there +as a tenden.y to avoid )e ;
'ut I put it do+n to ; to the fa.t of )y re.ent 'ereave)ent/ Then it
'e.a)e )ore )ar1ed/ In the street> even> peope +i .ross the road to
avoid spea1ing to )e/ My pra.ti.e is faing off/ Wherever I go I a)
.ons.ious of o+ered voi.es> of unfriendy eyes that +at.h )e +hist
)ai.ious tongues +hisper their deady poison/ I have had one or t+o
etters ; vie things/J
!e paused ; and then +ent onH
JAnd ; and I don"t 1no+ +hat to do a'out it/ I don"t 1no+ ho+ to fight
this ; this vie net+or1 of ies and suspi.ion/ !o+ .an one refute +hat
is never said openy to your fa.eA I a) po+eress ; trapped ; and
so+y and )er.iessy 'eing destroyed/J
Poirot nodded his head thoughtfuy/
!e saidH J@es/ &u)our is indeed the nine;headed !ydra of #ernea
+hi.h .annot 'e eBter)inated 'e.ause as fast as one head is .ropped
off t+o gro+ in its pa.e/J
$r <dfied saidH JThat"s Dust it/ There"s nothing I .an do ; nothingG I
.a)e to you as a ast resort ; 'ut I don"t suppose for a )inute that
there is anything you .an do either/J
!er.ue Poirot +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ Then he saidH JI a) not
so sure/ @our pro'e) interests )e> $o.tor <dfied/ I shoud i1e to try
)y hand at destroying the )any;headed )onster/ First of a> te )e a
itte )ore a'out the .ir.u)stan.es +hi.h gave rise to this )ai.ious
gossip/ @our +ife died> you say> Dust over a year ago/ What +as the
.ause of deathAJ
J,astri. u.er/J
JWas there an autopsyAJ
J0o/ She had 'een suffering fro) gastri. trou'e over a .onsidera'e
period/J
Poirot nodded/ JAnd the sy)pto)s of gastri. infa))ation and of
arseni.a poisoning are .osey ai1e ; a fa.t +hi.h every'ody 1no+s
no+adays/ Within the ast ten years there have 'een at east four
sensationa )urder .ases in ea.h of +hi.h the vi.ti) has 'een 'uried
+ithout suspi.ion +ith a .ertifi.ate of gastri. disorder/ Was your +ife
oder or younger than yoursefAJ
JShe +as five years oder/J
J!o+ ong had you 'een )arriedAJ
JFifteen years/J
J$id she eave any propertyAJ
J@es/ She +as a fairy +e;to;do +o)an/ She eft> roughy> a'out thirty
thousand pounds/J
JA very usefu su)/ It +as eft to youAJ
J@es/J
JWere you and your +ife on good ter)sA J
JCertainy/J
J0o 8uarresA 0o s.enesAJ
JWe ;J Chares <dfied hesitated/ JMy +ife +as +hat )ight 'e ter)ed
a diffi.ut +o)an/ She +as an invaid and very .on.erned over her
heath and in.ined> therefore> to 'e fretfu and diffi.ut to pease/
There +ere days +hen nothing I .oud do +as right/J
Poirot nodded/ !e saidH JAh yes> I 1no+ the type/ She +oud .o)pain>
possi'y> that she +as nege.ted> unappre.iated ; that her hus'and
+as tired of her and +oud 'e gad +hen she +as dead/J
<dfied"s fa.e registered the truth of Poirot"s sur)ise/
!e said +ith a +ry s)ieH J@ou"ve got it eBa.tyGJ
Poirot +ent onH J$id she have a hospita nurse to attend on herA <r a
.o)panionA <r a devoted )aidAJ
JA nurse;.o)panion/ A very sensi'e and .o)petent +o)an/ I reay
don"t thin1 she +oud ta1/J
J(ven the sensi'e and the .o)petent have 'een given tongues 'y e
'on $ieu ; and they do not a+ays e)poy their tongues +isey/ I have
no dou't that the nurse;.o)panion ta1ed> that the servants ta1ed>
that everyone ta1edG @ou have a the )aterias there for the starting
of a very enDoya'e viage s.anda/ 0o+ I +i as1 you one thing )ore/
Who is the adyAJ
JI don"t understand/J $r <dfied fushed angriy/
Poirot said gentyH JI thin1 you do/ I a) as1ing you +ho the ady is +ith
+ho) your na)e has 'een .ouped/J
$r <dfied rose to his feet/ !is fa.e +as stiff and .od/
!e saidH JThere is no "ady in the .ase"/ I") sorry> M/ Poirot> to have
ta1en up so )u.h of your ti)e/J
!e +ent to+ard the door/
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI regret it aso/ @our .ase interests )e/ I +oud
i1e to have heped you/ %ut I .annot do anything uness I a) tod the
+hoe truth/J
JI have tod you the truth/J
J0o/J
$r <dfied stopped/ !e +heeed round/
JWhy do you insist that there is a +o)an .on.erned in thisAJ
JMon .her do.teurG $o you not thin1 I 1no+ the fe)ae )entaityA The
viage gossip> it is 'ased a+ays> a+ays on the reations of the seBes/
If a )an poisons his +ife in order to trave to the 0orth Poe or to enDoy
the pea.e of a 'a.heor eBisten.e ; it +oud not interest his feo+
viagers for a )inuteG It is 'e.ause they are .onvin.ed that the )urder
has 'een .o))itted in order that the )an )ay )arry another +o)an
that the ta1 gro+s and spreads/ That is ee)enta psy.hoogy/J
<dfied said irrita'yH JI") not responsi'e for +hat a pa.1 of da)ned
gossiping 'usy;'odies thin1GJ
J<f .ourse you are not/J Poirot +ent onH JSo you )ight as +e .o)e
'a.1 and sit do+n and give )e the ans+er to the 8uestion I as1ed you
Dust no+/J
So+y> a)ost reu.tanty> <dfied .a)e 'a.1 and resu)ed his seat/
!e said> .oouring up to his eye'ro+sH JI suppose it"s possi'e that
they"ve 'een saying things a'out Miss Mon.rieffe/ *ean Mon.rieffe is
)y dispenser> a very fine gir indeed/J
J!o+ ong has she +or1ed for youAJ
JFor three years/J
J$id your +ife i1e herAJ
J(r ; +e> no> not eBa.ty/J
JShe +as DeaousAJ
JIt +as a'surdGJ
Poirot s)ied/ !e saidH JThe Deaousy of +ives is prover'ia/ %ut I +i
te you so)ething/ In )y eBperien.e Deaousy> ho+ever far;fet.hed
and eBtravagant it )ay see)> is neary a+ays 'ased on reaity/ There
is a saying> is there not> that the .usto)er is a+ays rightA We> the
sa)e is true of the Deaous hus'and or +ife/ !o+ever itte .on.rete
eviden.e there )ay 'e> funda)entay they are a+ays right/J
$r <dfied said ro'ustyH J0onsense/ I"ve never said anything to *ean
Mon.rieffe that )y +ife .oudn"t have overheard/J
JThat> perhaps/ %ut it does not ater the truth of +hat I said/J !er.ue
Poirot eaned for+ard/ !is voi.e +as urgent> .o)peing/ J$o.tor
<dfied> I a) going to do )y ut)ost in this .ase/ %ut I )ust have fro)
you the )ost a'soute fran1ness +ithout regard to .onventiona
appearan.es or to your o+n feeings/ It is true> is it not> that you had
.eased to .are for your +ife for so)e ti)e 'efore she diedAJ
<dfied +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ Then he saidH JThis 'usiness is
1iing )e/ I )ust have hope/ So)eho+ or other I fee that you +i 'e
a'e to do so)ething for )e/ I +i 'e honest +ith you> M/ Poirot/ I did
not .are deepy for )y +ife/ I )ade her> I thin1> a good hus'and> 'ut I
+as never reay in ove +ith her/J
JAnd this gir> *eanAJ
The perspiration .a)e out in a fine de+ on the do.tor"s forehead/
!e saidH JI ; I shoud have as1ed her to )arry )e 'efore no+ if it
+eren"t for a this s.anda and ta1/J
Poirot sat 'a.1 in his .hair/
!e saidH J0o+ at ast +e have .o)e to the true fa.tsG (h 'ien> $o.tor
<dfied> I +i ta1e up your .ase/ %ut re)e)'er this ; it is the truth that
I sha see1 out/J
<dfied said 'itteryH JIt isn"t the truth that"s going to hurt )eGJ
!e hesitated and saidH J@ou 1no+> I"ve .onte)pated the possi'iity of
an a.tion for sanderG If I .oud pin anyone do+n to a definite
a..usation ; surey then I shoud 'e vindi.atedA At east> so)eti)es I
thin1 so/// At other ti)es I thin1 it +oud ony )a1e things +orse ; give
'igger pu'i.ity to the +hoe thing and have peope sayingH "It )ayn"t
have 'een proved 'ut there"s no s)o1e +ithout fire"/J
!e oo1ed at Poirot/
JTe )e> honesty> is there any +ay out of this night)areAJ
JThere is a+ays a +ay>J said !er.ue Poirot/
II
JWe are going into the .ountry> ,eorges>J said !er.ue Poirot to his
vaet/
JIndeed> sirAJ said the i)pertur'a'e ,eorge/
JAnd the purpose of our Dourney is to destroy a )onster +ith nine
heads/J
J&eay> sirA So)ething after the stye of the #o.h 0ess MonsterAJ
J#ess tangi'e than that/ I did not refer to a fesh and 'ood ani)a>
,eorges/J
JI )isunderstood you> sir/J
JIt +oud 'e easier if it +ere one/ There is nothing so intangi'e> so
diffi.ut to pin do+n> as the sour.e of a ru)our/J
J<h yes> indeed> sir/ It"s diffi.ut to 1no+ ho+ a thing starts
so)eti)es/J
J(Ba.ty/J
!er.ue Poirot did not put up at $r <dfied"s house/ !e +ent instead to
the o.a inn/ The )orning after his arriva> he had his first intervie+
+ith *ean Mon.rieffe/
She +as a ta gir +ith .opper;.ooured hair and steady 'ue eyes/ She
had a'out her a +at.hfu oo1> as of one +ho is upon her guard/
She saidH JSo $o.tor <dfied did go to you/ I 1ne+ he +as thin1ing
a'out it/J
There +as a a.1 of enthusias) in her tone/
Poirot saidH JAnd you did not approveAJ
!er eyes )et his/ She said .odyH JWhat .an you doAJ
Poirot said 8uietyH JThere )ight 'e a +ay of ta.1ing the situation/J
JWhat +ayAJ She thre+ the +ords at hi) s.ornfuy/ J$o you )ean to
go round to a the +hispering od +o)en and say "&eay> pease> you
)ust stop ta1ing i1e this/ It"s so 'ad for poor $o.tor <dfied/" And
they"d ans+er you and sayH "<f .ourse> I have never 'eieved the
storyGJ That"s the +orst of the +hoe thing ; they don"t sayH "My dear>
has it ever o..urred to you that perhaps Mrs <dfied"s death +asn"t
8uite +hat it see)edA" 0o> they sayH "My dear> of .ourse I don"t 'eieve
that story a'out $o.tor <dfied and his +ife/ I") sure he +oudn"t do
su.h a thing> though it"s true that he did nege.t her Dust a itte
perhaps and I don"t thin1> reay it"s 8uite +ise to have 8uite a young
gir as his dispenser ; of .ourse> I") not saying for a )inute that there
+as anything +rong 'et+een the)/ <h no> I") sure it +as 8uite a
right///"J She stopped/ !er fa.e +as fushed and her 'reath .a)e
rather fast/
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou see) to 1no+ very +e Dust +hat is 'eing
said/J
!er )outh .osed sharpy/ She said 'itteryH JI 1no+ a rightGJ
JAnd +hat is your o+n soutionAJ
*ean Mon.rieffe saidH JThe 'est thing for hi) to do is to se his
pra.ti.e and start again so)e+here ese/J
J$on"t you thin1 the story )ight foo+ hi)AJ
She shrugged her shouders/
J!e )ust ris1 that/J
Poirot +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ Then he saidH JAre you going to
)arry $o.tor <dfied> Miss Mon.rieffeAJ She dispayed no surprise at
the 8uestion/
She said shortyH J!e hasn"t as1ed )e to )arry hi)/J
JWhy notAJ
!er 'ue eyes )et his and fi.1ered for a se.ond/ Then she saidH
J%e.ause I"ve .ho1ed hi) off/J
JAh> +hat a 'essing to find so)eone +ho .an 'e fran1GJ
JI +i 'e as fran1 as you pease/ When I reaised that peope +ere
saying that Chares had got rid of his +ife in order to )arry )e> it
see)ed to )e that if +e did )arry it +oud Dust put the id on things/ I
hoped that if there appeared to 'e no 8uestion of )arriage 'et+een
us> the siy s.anda )ight die do+n/J
J%ut it hasn"tAJ
J0o> it hasn"t/J
JSurey>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jthat is a itte oddAJ
*ean said 'itteryH JThey haven"t got )u.h to a)use the) do+n here/J
Poirot as1edH J$o you +ant to )arry Chares <dfiedAJ
The gir ans+ered .ooy enough/
J@es> I do/ I +anted to a)ost as soon as I )et hi)/J
JThen his +ife"s death +as very .onvenient for youAJ
*ean Mon.rieffe saidH JMrs <dfied +as a singuary unpeasant
+o)an/ Fran1y> I +as deighted +hen she died/J
J@es>J said Poirot/ J@ou are .ertainy fran1GJ
She gave the sa)e s.ornfu s)ie/
Poirot saidH JI have a suggestion to )a1e/J
J@esAJ
J$rasti. )eans are re8uired here/ I suggest that so)e'ody ; possi'y
yoursef ; )ight +rite to the !o)e <ffi.e/J
JWhat on earth do you )eanAJ
JI )ean that the 'est +ay of disposing of this story on.e and for a is
to get the 'ody eBhu)ed and an autopsy perfor)ed/J
She too1 a step 'a.1 fro) hi)/ !er ips opened> then shut again/
Poirot +at.hed her/
JWe> Made)oiseeAJ he said at ast/
*ean Mon.rieffe said 8uietyH JI don"t agree +ith you/J
J%ut +hy notA Surey a verdi.t of death fro) natura .auses +oud
sien.e a tonguesAJ
JIf you got that verdi.t> yes/J
J$o you 1no+ +hat you are suggesting> Made)oiseeAJ
*ean Mon.rieffe said i)patientyH JI 1no+ +hat I") ta1ing a'out/
@ou"re thin1ing of arseni. poisoning ; you .oud prove that she +as not
poisoned 'y arseni./ %ut there are other poisons ; the vegeta'e
a1aoids/ After a year> I dou't if you"d find any tra.es of the) even if
they had 'een used/ And I 1no+ +hat these offi.ia anayst peope are
i1e/ They )ight return a non;.o))itta verdi.t saying that there +as
nothing to sho+ +hat .aused death ; and then the tongues +oud +ag
faster than everGJ
!er.ue Poirot +as sient for a )inute or t+o> then he saidH JWho in
your opinion is the )ost inveterate ta1er in the viageAJ
The gir .onsidered/ She said at astH JI reay thin1 od Miss #eatheran
is the +orst .at of the ot/J
JAhG Woud it 'e possi'e for you to introdu.e )e to Miss #eatheran ; in
a .asua )anner if possi'eAJ
J0othing .oud 'e easier/ A the od ta''ies are pro+ing a'out doing
their shopping at this ti)e of the )orning/ We"ve ony got to +a1 do+n
the )ain street/J
As *ean had said> there +as no diffi.uty a'out the pro.edure/ <utside
the post offi.e> *ean stopped and spo1e to a ta> thin )idde;aged
+o)an +ith a ong nose and sharp in8uisitive eyes/
J,ood;)orning> Miss #eatheran/J
J,ood;)orning> *ean/ Su.h a ovey day> is it notAJ
The sharp eyes ranged in8uisitivey over *ean Mon.rieffe"s
.o)panion/
*ean saidH J#et )e introdu.e M/ Poirot> +ho is staying do+n here for a
fe+ days/J
III
0i''ing dei.atey at a s.one and 'aan.ing a .up of tea on his 1nee>
!er.ue Poirot ao+ed hi)sef to 'e.o)e .onfidentia +ith his
hostess/ Miss #eatheran had 'een 1ind enough to as1 hi) to tea and
had thereupon )ade it her 'usiness to find out eBa.ty +hat this eBoti.
itte foreigner +as doing in their )idst/
For so)e ti)e he parried her thrusts +ith deBterity ; there'y +hetting
her appetite/ Then> +hen he Dudged the )o)ent ripe> he eant for+ardH
JAh> Miss #eatheran>J he said/ JI .an see that you are too .ever for
)eG @ou have guessed )y se.ret/ I a) do+n here at the re8uest of the
!o)e <ffi.e/ %ut pease>J he o+ered his voi.e> J1eep this infor)ation
to yoursef/J
J<f .ourse ; of .ourse ;J Miss #eatheran +as futtered ; thried to the
.ore/ JThe !o)e <ffi.e ; you don"t )ean ; not poor Mrs <dfiedAJ
Poirot nodded his head so+y severa ti)es/
JWe;eGJ Miss #eatheran 'reathed into that one +ord a +hoe ga)ut of
peasura'e e)otion/
Poirot saidH JIt is a dei.ate )atter> you understand/ I have 'een
ordered to report +hether there is or is not a suffi.ient .ase for
eBhu)ation/J
Miss #eatheran eB.ai)edH J@ou are going to dig the poor thing up/
!o+ terri'eGJ
If she had said Jho+ spendidJ instead of Jho+ terri'eJ the +ords
+oud have suited her tone of voi.e 'etter/
JWhat is your o+n opinion> Miss #eatheranAJ
JWe> of .ourse> M/ Poirot> there has 'een a ot of ta1/ %ut I never
isten to ta1/ There is a+ays so )u.h unreia'e gossip going a'out/
There is no dou't that $o.tor <dfied has 'een very odd in his )anner
ever sin.e it happened> 'ut as I have said repeatedy +e surey need
not put that do+n to a guity .ons.ien.e/ It )ight 'e Dust grief/ 0ot> of
.ourse> that he and his +ife +ere on reay affe.tionate ter)s/ That I
do 1no+ ; on first hand authority/ 0urse !arrison> +ho +as +ith Mrs
<dfied for three or four years up to the ti)e of her death> has
ad)itted that )u.h/ And I have a+ays fet> you 1no+> that 0urse
!arrison had her suspi.ions ; not that she ever said anything> 'ut one
.an te> .an"t one> fro) a person"s )annerAJ
Poirot said sadyH J<ne has so itte to go upon/J
J@es> I 1no+> 'ut of .ourse> M/ Poirot> if the 'ody is eBhu)ed then you
+i 1no+J
J@es>J said Poirot> Jthen +e +i 1no+/J
JThere have 'een .ases i1e it 'efore> of .ourse>J said Miss #eatheran>
her nose t+it.hing +ith peasura'e eB.ite)ent/ JAr)strong> for
instan.e> and that other )an ; I .an"t re)e)'er his na)e ; and then
Crippen> of .ourse/ I"ve a+ays +ondered if (the #e 0eve +as in it
+ith hi) or not/ <f .ourse> *ean Mon.rieffe is a very ni.e gir> I")
sure/// I +oudn"t i1e to say she ed hi) on eBa.ty ; 'ut )en do get
rather siy a'out girs> don"t theyA And> of .ourse> they +ere thro+n
very )u.h togetherGJ
Poirot did not spea1/ !e oo1ed at her +ith an inno.ent eBpression of
in8uiry .a.uated to produ.e a further spate of .onversation/ In+ardy
he a)used hi)sef 'y .ounting the nu)'er of ti)es the +ords Jof
.ourseJ o..urred/
JAnd> of .ourse> +ith a post)orte) and a that> so )u.h +oud 'e
'ound to .o)e out> +oudn"t itA Servants and a that/ Servants a+ays
1no+ so )u.h> don"t theyA And> of .ourse> it"s 8uite i)possi'e to 1eep
the) fro) gossiping> isn"t itA The <dfieds" %eatri.e +as dis)issed
a)ost i))ediatey after the funera ; and I"ve a+ays thought that +as
odd ; espe.iay +ith the diffi.uty of getting )aids no+adays/ It oo1s
as though $o.tor <dfied +as afraid she )ight 1no+ so)ething/J
JIt .ertainy see)s as though there +ere grounds for an in8uiry>J said
Poirot soe)ny/
Miss #eatheran gave a itte shiver of reu.tan.e/
J<ne does so shrin1 fro) the idea>J she said/ J<ur dear 8uiet itte
viage ; dragged into the ne+spapers ; a the pu'i.ityGJ
JIt appas youAJ as1ed Poirot/
JIt does a itte/ I") od;fashioned> you 1no+/J
JAnd> as you say> it is pro'a'y nothing 'ut gossipGJ
JWe ; I +oudn"t i1e .ons.ientiousy to say that/ @ou 1no+> I do thin1
it"s so true ; the saying that there"s no s)o1e +ithout fire/J
JI )ysef +as thin1ing the sa)e thing>J said Poirot/
!e rose/
JI .an trust your dis.retion> Made)oiseeAJ
J<h> of .ourseG I sha not say a +ord to any'ody/J
Poirot s)ied and too1 his eave/
<n the doorstep he said to the itte )aid +ho handed hi) his hat and
.oatH
JI a) do+n here to in8uire into the .ir.u)stan.es of Mrs <dfied"s
death> 'ut I sha 'e o'iged if you +i 1eep that stri.ty to yoursef/J
Miss #eatheran"s ,adys neary fe 'a.1+ard into the u)'rea stand/
She 'reathed eB.itedyH J<h sir> then the do.tor did do her inAJ
J@ou"ve thought so for so)e ti)e> haven"t youAJ
JWe> sir> it +asn"t )e/ It +as %eatri.e/ She +as up there +hen Mrs
<dfied died/J
JAnd she thought there had 'een ;J Poirot see.ted the )eodra)ati.
+ords dei'eratey ;J"fou pay"AJ
,adys nodded eB.itedy/
J@es> she did/ And she said so did 0urse that +as up there/ 0urse
!arrison/ (ver so fond of Mrs <dfied 0urse +as> and ever so
distressed +hen she died> and %eatri.e a+ays said as ho+ 0urse
!arrison 1ne+ so)ething a'out it 'e.ause she turned right round
against the do.tor after+ards and she +oudn"t of done that uness
there +as so)ething +rong> +oud sheAJ
JWhere is 0urse !arrison no+AJ
JShe oo1s after od Miss %risto+ ; do+n at the end of the viage/ @ou
.an"t )iss it/ It"s got piars and a por.h/J
I7
It +as a very short ti)e after+ards that !er.ue Poirot found hi)sef
sitting opposite to the +o)an +ho .ertainy )ust 1no+ )ore a'out the
.ir.u)stan.es that had given rise to the ru)ours than any one ese/
0urse !arrison +as a sti handso)e +o)an nearing forty/ She had
the .a) serene features of a Madonna +ith 'ig sy)patheti. dar1
eyes/ She istened to hi) patienty and attentivey/ Then she said
so+yH
J@es> I 1no+ that there are these unpeasant stories going a'out/ I
have done +hat I .oud to stop the)> 'ut it"s hopeess/ Peope i1e the
eB.ite)ent> you 1no+/J
Poirot saidH J%ut there )ust have 'een so)ething to give rise to these
ru)oursAJ
!e noted that her eBpression of distress deepened/ %ut she )erey
shoo1 her head perpeBedy/
JPerhaps>J Poirot suggested> J$o.tor <dfied and his +ife did not get
on +e together and it +as that that started the ru)ourAJ
0urse !arrison shoo1 her head de.idedy/
J<h no/ $o.tor <dfied +as a+ays eBtre)ey 1ind and patient +ith his
+ife/J
J!e +as reay very fond of herAJ
She hesitated/
J0o ; I +oud not 8uite say that/ Mrs <dfied +as a very diffi.ut
+o)an> not easy to pease and )a1ing .onstant de)ands for
sy)pathy and attention +hi.h +ere not a+ays Dustified/J
J@ou )ean>J said Poirot> Jthat she eBaggerated her .onditionAJ
The nurse nodded/
J@es ; her 'ad heath +as argey a )atter of her o+n i)agination/J
JAnd yet>J said Poirot gravey> Jshe died///J
J<h> I 1no+ ; I 1no+///J
!e +at.hed her for a )inute or t+oI her trou'ed perpeBity ; her
papa'e un.ertainty/
!e saidH JI thin1 ; I a) sure ; that you do 1no+ +hat first gave rise to a
these stories/J
0urse !arrison fushed/
She saidH JWe ; I .oud> perhaps> )a1e a guess/ I 'eieve it +as the
)aid> %eatri.e> +ho started a these ru)ours and I thin1 I 1no+ +hat
put it into her head/J
J@esAJ
0urse !arrison said rather in.oherentyH J@ou see> it +as so)ething I
happened to overhear ; a s.rap of .onversation 'et+een $o.tor
<dfied and Miss Mon.rieffe ; and I") pretty .ertain %eatri.e
overheard it too> ony I don"t suppose she"d ever ad)it it/J
JWhat +as this .onversationAJ
0urse !arrison paused for a )inute as though to test the a..ura.y of
her o+n )e)ory> then she saidH
JIt +as a'out three +ee1s 'efore the ast atta.1 that 1ied Mrs
<dfied/ They +ere in the dining;roo)/ I +as .o)ing do+n the stairs
+hen I heard *ean Mon.rieffe sayH
J"!o+ )u.h onger +i it 'eA I .an"t 'ear to +ait )u.h onger/"
JAnd the do.tor ans+ered herH "0ot )u.h onger no+> daring> I s+ear
it/" And she said againH
J"I .an"t 'ear this +aiting/ @ou do thin1 it +i 'e a right> don"t youA"
And he saidH "<f .ourse/ 0othing .an go +rong/ This ti)e neBt year
+e" 'e )arried/"J
She paused/
JThat +as the very first in1ing I"d had> M/ Poirot> that there +as
anything 'et+een the do.tor and Miss Mon.rieffe/ <f .ourse I 1ne+ he
ad)ired her and that they +ere very good friends> 'ut nothing )ore/ I
+ent 'a.1 up the stairs again ; it had given )e 8uite a sho.1 ; 'ut I did
noti.e that the 1it.hen door +as open and I"ve thought sin.e that
%eatri.e )ust have 'een istening/ And you .an see> .an"t you> that the
+ay they +ere ta1ing .oud 'e ta1en t+o +aysA It )ight Dust )ean that
the do.tor 1ne+ his +ife +as very i and .oudn"t ive )u.h onger ;
and I"ve no dou't that that +as the +ay he )eant it ; 'ut to any one i1e
%eatri.e it )ight sound differenty ; it )ight oo1 as though the do.tor
and *ean Mon.rieffe +ere ; +e ; +ere definitey panning to do a+ay
+ith Mrs <dfied/J
J%ut you don"t thin1 so> yoursefAJ
J0o ; no> of .ourse not///J
Poirot oo1ed at her sear.hingy/
!e saidH J0urse !arrison> is there so)ething )ore that you 1no+A
So)ething that you haven"t tod )eAJ
She fushed and said vioentyH J0o/ 0o/ Certainy not/ What .oud
there 'eAJ
JI do not 1no+/ %ut I thought that there )ight 'e ; so)ethingAJ
She shoo1 her head/ The od trou'ed oo1 had .o)e 'a.1/
!er.ue Poirot saidH JIt is possi'e that the !o)e <ffi.e )ay order an
eBhu)ation of Mrs <dfied"s 'odyGJ
J<h> noGJ 0urse !arrison +as horrified/ JWhat a horri'e thingGJ
J@ou thin1 it +oud 'e a pityAJ
JI thin1 it +oud 'e dreadfuG Thin1 of the ta1 it +oud .reateG It +oud
'e terri'e ; 8uite terri'e for poor $o.tor <dfied/J
J@ou don"t thin1 that it )ight reay 'e a good thing for hi)AJ
J!o+ do you )eanAJ
Poirot saidH JIf he is inno.ent ; his inno.en.e +i 'e proved/J
!e 'ro1e off/ !e +at.hed the thought ta1e root in 0urse !arrison"s
)ind> sa+ her fro+n perpeBedy> and then sa+ her 'ro+ .ear/
She too1 a deep 'reath and oo1ed at hi)/
JI hadn"t thought of that>J she said si)py/ J<f .ourse> it is the ony
thing to 'e done/J
There +ere a series of thu)ps on the foor overhead/ 0urse !arrison
Du)ped up/
JIt"s )y od ady> Miss %risto+/ She"s +o1en up fro) her rest/ I )ust go
and get her .o)forta'e 'efore her tea is 'rought to her and I go out
for )y +a1/ @es> M/ Poirot> I thin1 you are 8uite right/ An autopsy +i
sette the 'usiness on.e for a/ It +i sette the +hoe thing and a
these dreadfu ru)ours against poor $o.tor <dfied +i die do+n/J
She shoo1 hands and hurried out of the roo)/
7
!er.ue Poirot +a1ed aong to the post offi.e and put through a .a to
#ondon/
The voi.e at the other end +as petuant/
JMust you go nosing out these things> )y dear PoirotA Are you sure it"s
a .ase for usA @ou 1no+ +hat these .ountry to+n ru)ours usuay
a)ount to ; Dust nothing at a/J
JThis>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jis a spe.ia .ase/J
J<h +e ; if you say so/ @ou have su.h a tireso)e ha'it of 'eing right/
%ut if it"s a a )are"s nest +e shan"t 'e peased +ith you> you 1no+/J
!er.ue Poirot s)ied to hi)sef/
!e )ur)uredH J0o> I sha 'e the one +ho is peased/J
JWhat"s that you sayA Can"t hear/J
J0othing/ 0othing at a/J
!e rang off/
()erging into the post offi.e he eaned a.ross the .ounter/ !e said in
his )ost engaging tonesH
JCan you 'y any .han.e te )e> Mada)e> +here the )aid +ho +as
for)ery +ith $o.tor <dfied ; %eatri.e her Christian na)e +as ; no+
residesAJ
J%eatri.e -ingA She"s had t+o pa.es sin.e then/ She"s +ith Mrs
Marey over the %an1 no+/J
Poirot than1ed her> 'ought t+o post.ards> a 'oo1 of sta)ps and a
pie.e of o.a pottery/ $uring the pur.hase> he .ontrived to 'ring the
death of the ate Mrs <dfied into the .onversation/ !e +as 8ui.1 to
note the pe.uiar furtive eBpression that stoe a.ross the post)istress"s
fa.e/ She saidH
J7ery sudden> +asn"t itA It"s )ade a ot of ta1 as you )ay have heard/J
A gea) of interest .a)e into her eyes as she as1edH JMay'e that"s
+hat you"d 'e +anting to see %eatri.e -ing forA We a thought it odd
the +ay she +as got out of there a of a sudden/ So)e'ody thought
she 1ne+ so)ething ; and )ay'e she did/ She"s dropped so)e pretty
'road hints/J
%eatri.e -ing +as a short rather sy;oo1ing gir +ith adenoids/ She
presented an appearan.e of stoid stupidity 'ut her eyes +ere )ore
inteigent than her )anner +oud have ed one to eBpe.t/ It see)ed>
ho+ever> that there +as nothing to 'e got out of %eatri.e -ing/ She
repeatedH
JI don"t 1no+ nothing a'out anything/// It"s not for )e to say +hat +ent
on up there/// I don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean 'y overhearing a
.onversation 'et+een the do.tor and Miss Mon.rieffe/ I") not one to
go istening to doors> and you"ve no right to say I did/ I don"t 1no+
nothing/J
Poirot saidH J!ave you ever heard of poisoning 'y arseni.AJ
A fi.1er of 8ui.1 furtive interest .a)e into the gir"s suen fa.e/
She saidH JSo that"s +hat it +as in the )edi.ine 'otteAJ
JWhat )edi.ine 'otteAJ
%eatri.e saidH J<ne of the 'ottes of )edi.ine +hat that Miss
Mon.rieffe )ade up for the Missus/ 0urse +as a upset ; I .oud see
that/ Tasted it> she did> and s)et it> and then poured it a+ay do+n the
sin1 and fied up the 'otte +ith pain +ater fro) the tap/ It +as +hite
)edi.ine i1e +ater> any+ay/ And on.e> +hen Miss Mon.rieffe too1 up
a pot of tea to the Missus> 0urse 'rought it do+n again and )ade it
fresh ; said it hadn"t 'een )ade +ith 'oiing +ater 'ut that +as Dust )y
eye> that +asG I thought it +as Dust the sort of fussing +ay nurses have
at the ti)e ; 'ut I dunno ; it )ay have 'een )ore than that/J
Poirot nodded/
!e saidH J$id you i1e Miss Mon.rieffe> %eatri.eAJ
JI didn"t )ind her/// A 'it standoffish/ <f .ourse> I a+ays 1ne+ as she
+as s+eet on the do.tor/ @ou"d ony to see the +ay she oo1ed at hi)/J
Again Poirot nodded his head/
!e +ent 'a.1 to the inn/ There he gave .ertain instru.tions to ,eorge/
7I
$r Aan ,ar.ia> the !o)e <ffi.e Anayst> ru''ed his hands and
t+in1ed at !er.ue Poirot/ !e saidH
JWe> this suits you> M/ Poirot> I supposeA The )an +ho"s a+ays
right/J
Poirot saidH J@ou are too 1ind/J
JWhat put you on to itA ,ossipAJ
JAs you say ; "(nter &u)our> painted fu of tongues/"J
The foo+ing day Poirot on.e )ore too1 a train to Mar1et
#ough'orough/
Mar1et #ough'orough +as 'u??ing i1e a 'eehive/ It had 'u??ed )idy
ever sin.e the eBhu)ation pro.eedings/ 0o+ that the findings of the
autopsy had ea1ed out> eB.ite)ent had rea.hed fever heat/
Poirot had 'een at the inn for a'out an hour and had Dust finished a
hearty un.h of stea1 and 1idney pudding +ashed do+n 'y 'eer +hen
+ord +as 'rought to hi) that a ady +as +aiting to see hi)/
It +as 0urse !arrison/ !er fa.e +as +hite and haggard/
She .a)e straight to Poirot/
JIs this trueA Is this reay true> M/ PoirotAJ
!e put her genty into a .hair/
J@es/ More than suffi.ient arseni. to .ause death has 'een found/J
0urse !arrison .riedH JI never thought ; I never for one )o)ent
thought ;J and 'urst into tears/
Poirot said gentyH JThe truth had to .o)e out> you 1no+/J
She so''ed/ JWi they hang hi)AJ
Poirot saidH JA ot has to 'e proved sti/ <pportunity ; a..ess to poison
; the vehi.e in +hi.h it +as ad)inistered/J
J%ut supposing> M/ Poirot> that he had nothing to do +ith it ; nothing at
a/J
JIn that .ase>J Poirot shrugged his shouders> Jhe +i 'e a.8uitted/J
0urse !arrison said so+yH JThere is so)ething ; so)ething that> I
suppose> I ought to have tod you 'efore ; 'ut I didn"t thin1 that there
+as reay anything in it/ It +as Dust 8ueer/J
JI 1ne+ there +as so)ething>J said Poirot/ J@ou had 'etter te it to )e
no+/J
JIt isn"t )u.h/ It"s Dust that one day +hen I +ent do+n to the dispensary
for so)ething> *ean Mon.rieffe +as doing so)ething rather ; odd/J
J@esAJ
JIt sounds so siy/ It"s ony that she +as fiing up her po+der .o)pa.t
; a pin1 ena)e one ;J
J@esAJ
J%ut she +asn"t fiing it up +ith po+der ; +ith fa.e po+der> I )ean/
She +as tipping so)ething into it fro) one of the 'ottes out of the
poison .up'oard/ When she sa+ )e she started and shut up the
.o)pa.t and +hipped it into her 'ag ; and put 'a.1 the 'otte 8ui.1y
into the .up'oard so that I .oudn"t see +hat it +as/ I daresay it doesn"t
)ean anything ; 'ut no+ that I 1no+ that Mrs <dfied reay +as
poisoned ;J She 'ro1e off/
Poirot saidH J@ou +i eB.use )eAJ
!e +ent out and teephoned to $ete.tive Sergeant ,rey of the
%er1shire Poi.e/
!er.ue Poirot .a)e 'a.1 and he and 0urse !arrison sat in sien.e/
Poirot +as seeing the fa.e of a gir +ith red hair and hearing a .ear
hard voi.e sayH JI don"t agree/J *ean Mon.rieffe had not +anted an
autopsy/ She had given a pausi'e enough eB.use> 'ut the fa.t
re)ained/ A .o)petent gir ; effi.ient ; resoute/ In ove +ith a )an
+ho +as tied to a .o)paining invaid +ife> +ho )ight easiy ive for
years sin.e> a..ording to 0urse !arrison> she had very itte the
)atter +ith her/
!er.ue Poirot sighed/
0urse !arrison saidH JWhat are you thin1ing ofAJ
Poirot ans+eredH JThe pity of things///J
0urse !arrison saidH JI don"t 'eieve for a )inute he 1ne+ anything
a'out it/J
Poirot saidH J0o/ I a) sure he did not/J
The door opened and $ete.tive Sergeant ,rey .a)e in/ !e had
so)ething in his hand> +rapped in a si1 hand1er.hief/ !e un+rapped
it and set it .arefuy do+n/ It +as a 'right rose pin1 ena)e .o)pa.t/
0urse !arrison saidH JThat"s the one I sa+/J
,rey saidH JFound it pushed right to the 'a.1 of Miss Mon.rieffe"s
'ureau dra+er/ Inside a hand1er.hief sa.het/ As far as I .an see there
are no fingerprints on it> 'ut I" 'e .arefu/J
With the hand1er.hief over his hand he pressed the spring/ The .ase
fe+ open/
,rey saidH JThis stuff isn"t fa.e po+der/J
!e dipped a finger and tasted it gingery on the tip of his tongue/
J0o parti.uar taste/J
Poirot saidH JWhite arseni. does not taste/J
,rey saidH JIt +i 'e anaysed at on.e/J !e oo1ed at 0urse !arrison/
J@ou .an s+ear to this 'eing the sa)e .aseAJ
J@es/ I") positive/ That"s the .ase I sa+ Miss Mon.rieffe +ith in the
dispensary a'out a +ee1 'efore Mrs <dfied"s death/J
Sergeant ,rey sighed/ !e oo1ed at Poirot and nodded/
The atter rang the 'e/
JSend )y servant here> pease/J
,eorge> the perfe.t vaet> dis.reet> uno'trusive> entered and oo1ed
in8uiringy at his )aster/
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou have identified this po+der .o)pa.t> Miss
!arrison> as one you sa+ in the possession of Miss Mon.rieffe over a
year ago/ Woud you 'e surprised to earn that this parti.uar .ase +as
sod 'y Messrs/ Woo+orth ony a fe+ +ee1s ago and that> )oreover> it
is of a pattern and .oour that has ony 'een )anufa.tured for the ast
three )onthsAJ
0urse !arrison gasped/ She stared at Poirot> her eyes round and dar1/
Poirot saidH J!ave you seen this .o)pa.t 'efore> ,eorgesAJ
,eorge stepped for+ard/
J@es> sir/ I o'served this person> 0urse !arrison> pur.hase it at
Woo+orth"s on Friday the 1Oth/ Pursuant to your instru.tions I
foo+ed this ady +henever she +ent out/ She too1 a 'us over to
$arnington on the day I have )entioned and pur.hased this .o)pa.t/
She too1 it ho)e +ith her/ #ater> the sa)e day> she .a)e to the house
in +hi.h Miss Mon.rieffe odges/ A.ting as 'y your instru.tions> I +as
aready in the house/ I o'served her go into Miss Mon.rieffe"s 'edroo)
and hide this in the 'a.1 of the 'ureau dra+er/ I had a good vie+
through the .ra.1 of the door/ She then eft the house 'eieving hersef
uno'served/ I )ay say that no one o.1s their front doors do+n here
and it +as dus1/J
Poirot said to 0urse !arrison> and his voi.e +as hard and veno)ousH
JCan you eBpain these fa.ts> 0urse !arrisonA I thin1 not/ There +as
no arseni. in that 'oB +hen it eft Messrs/ Woo+orth> 'ut there +as
+hen it eft Miss %risto+"s house/J !e added softy> JIt +as un+ise of
you to 1eep a suppy of arseni. in your possession/J
0urse !arrison 'uried her fa.e in her hands/
She said in a o+ du voi.eH JIt"s true ; it"s a true/// I 1ied her/ And a
for nothing ; nothing/// I +as )ad///J
7II
*ean Mon.rieffe saidH JI )ust as1 you to forgive )e> M/ Poirot/ I have
'een so angry +ith you ; so terri'y angry +ith you/ It see)ed to )e
that you +ere )a1ing everything so )u.h +orse/J
Poirot said +ith a s)ieH JSo I +as to 'egin +ith/ It is i1e in the od
egend of the #ernean !ydra/ (very ti)e a head +as .ut off> t+o heads
gre+ in its pa.e/ So> to 'egin +ith> the ru)ours gre+ and )utipied/
%ut you see )y tas1> i1e that of )y na)esa1e !er.ues> +as to rea.h
the first ; the origina head/ Who had started this ru)ourA It did not
ta1e )e ong to dis.over that the originator of the story +as 0urse
!arrison/ I +ent to see her/ She appeared to 'e a very ni.e +o)an ;
inteigent and sy)patheti./ %ut a)ost at on.e she )ade a 'ad
)ista1e ; she repeated to )e a .onversation +hi.h she had overheard
ta1ing pa.e 'et+een you and the do.tor> and that .onversation> you
see> +as a +rong/ It +as psy.hoogi.ay )ost uni1ey/ If you and the
do.tor had panned together to 1i Mrs <dfied> you are 'oth of you far
too inteigent and eve;headed to hod su.h a .onversation in a roo)
+ith an open door> easiy overheard 'y so)eone on the stairs or
so)eone in the 1it.hen/ Moreover> the +ords attri'uted to you did not
fit in at a +ith your )enta )a1e;up/ They +ere the +ords of a )u.h
oder +o)an and of one of a 8uite different type/ They +ere +ords
su.h as +oud 'e i)agined 'y 0urse !arrison as 'eing used 'y hersef
in i1e .ir.u)stan.es/
JI had> up to then> regarded the +hoe )atter as fairy si)pe/ 0urse
!arrison> I reaised> +as a fairy young and sti handso)e +o)an ; she
had 'een thro+n .osey +ith $o.tor <dfied for neary three years ;
the do.tor had 'een very fond of her and gratefu to her for her ta.t
and sy)pathy/ She had for)ed the i)pression that if Mrs <dfied died>
the do.tor +oud pro'a'y as1 her to )arry hi)/ Instead of that> after
Mrs <dfied"s death> she earns that $o.tor <dfied is in ove +ith you/
Straighta+ay> driven 'y anger and Deaousy> she starts spreading the
ru)our that $o.tor <dfied has poisoned his +ife/
JThat> as I say> +as ho+ I had visuaised the position at first/ It +as a
.ase of a Deaous +o)an and a ying ru)our/ %ut the od trite phrase
"no s)o1e +ithout fire" re.urred to )e signifi.anty/ I +ondered if
0urse !arrison had done )ore than spread a ru)our/ Certain things
she said rang strangey/ She tod )e that Mrs <dfied"s iness +as
argey i)aginary ; that she did not reay suffer )u.h pain/ %ut the
do.tor hi)sef had 'een in no dou't a'out the reaity of his +ife"s
suffering/ !e had not 'een surprised 'y her death/ !e had .aed in
another do.tor shorty 'efore her death and the other do.tor had
reaised the gravity of her .ondition/ Tentativey I 'rought for+ard the
suggestion of eBhu)ation/// 0urse !arrison +as at first frightened out
of her +its 'y the idea/ Then> a)ost at on.e> her Deaousy and hatred
too1 .o))and of her/ #et the) find arseni. ; no suspi.ion +oud
atta.h to her/ It +oud 'e the do.tor and *ean Mon.rieffe +ho +oud
suffer/
JThere +as ony one hope/ To )a1e 0urse !arrison overrea.h hersef/
If there +ere a .han.e that *ean Mon.rieffe +oud es.ape> I fan.ied
that 0urse !arrison +oud strain every nerve to invove her in the
.ri)e/ I gave instru.tions to )y faithfu ,eorges ; the )ost uno'trusive
of )en +ho) she did not 1no+ 'y sight/ !e +as to foo+ her .osey/
And so ; a ended +e/J
*ean Mon.rieffe saidH J@ou"ve 'een +onderfu/J
$r <dfied .hi)ed in/ !e saidH J@es> indeed/ I .an never than1 you
enough/ What a 'ind foo I +asGJ
Poirot as1ed .uriousyH JWere you as 'ind> Made)oiseeAJ
*ean Mon.rieffe said so+yH JI have 'een terri'y +orried/ @ou see>
the arseni. in the poison .up'oard didn"t tay///J
<dfied .riedH J*ean ; you didn"t thin1 ;AJ
J0o> no ; not you/ What I did thin1 +as that Mrs <dfied had so)eho+
or other got hod of it ; and that she +as ta1ing it so as to )a1e hersef
i and get sy)pathy and that she had inadvertenty ta1en too )u.h/
%ut I +as afraid that if there +as an autopsy and arseni. +as found>
they +oud never .onsider that theory and +oud eap to the
.on.usion that you"d done it/ That"s +hy I never said anything a'out
the )issing arseni./ I even .oo1ed the poison 'oo1G %ut the ast
person I +oud ever have suspe.ted +as 0urse !arrison/J
<dfied saidH JI too/ She +as su.h a gente +o)any .reature/ #i1e a
Madonna/J
Poirot said sadyH J@es> she +oud have )ade> pro'a'y> a good +ife
and )other/// !er e)otions +ere Dust a itte too strong for her/J !e
sighed and )ur)ured on.e )ore under his 'reathH JThe pity of it/J
Then he s)ied at the happy;oo1ing )idde;aged )an and the eagerfa.ed
gir opposite hi)/ !e said to hi)sefH
JThese t+o have .o)e out of its shado+ into the sun/// and I ; I have
perfor)ed the se.ond #a'our of !er.ues/J
Chapter 5
T!( A&CA$IA0 $((&
!er.ue Poirot sta)ped his feet> see1ing to +ar) the)/ !e 'e+ upon
his fingers/ Fa1es of sno+ )eted and dripped fro) the .orners of his
)ousta.he/
There +as a 1no.1 at the door and a .ha)'er)aid appeared/ She +as
a so+;'reathing thi.1set .ountry gir and she stared +ith a good dea
of .uriosity at !er.ue Poirot/ It +as possi'e that she had never seen
anything 8uite i1e hi) 'efore/
She as1edH J$id you ringAJ
JI did/ Wi you 'e so good as to ight the fireAJ
She +ent out and .a)e 'a.1 again i))ediatey +ith paper and sti.1s/
She 1net do+n in front of the 'ig 7i.torian grate and 'egan to ay a
fire/
!er.ue Poirot .ontinued to sta)p his feet> s+ing his ar)s and 'o+ on
his fingers/
!e +as annoyed/ !is .ar ; an eBpensive Messarro ,rat? ; had not
'ehaved +ith that )e.hani.a perfe.tion +hi.h he eBpe.ted of a .ar/
!is .hauffeur> a young )an +ho enDoyed a handso)e saary> had not
su..eeded in putting things right/ The .ar had staged a fina refusa in
a se.ondary road a )ie and a haf fro) any+here +ith a fa of sno+
'eginning/ !er.ue Poirot> +earing his usua patent eather shoes> had
'een for.ed to +a1 that )ie and a haf to rea.h the riverside viage of
!arty $ene ; a viage +hi.h> though sho+ing every sign of ani)ation
in su))erti)e> +as .o)petey )ori'und in +inter/ The %a.1 S+an
had registered so)ething i1e dis)ay at the arriva of a guest/ The
andord had 'een a)ost eo8uent as he pointed out that the o.a
garage .oud suppy a .ar in +hi.h the gente)an .oud .ontinue his
Dourney/
!er.ue Poirot repudiated the suggestion/ !is #atin thrift +as
offended/ !ire a .arA !e aready had a .ar ; a arge .ar ; an eBpensive
.ar/ In that .ar and no other he proposed to .ontinue his Dourney 'a.1
to to+n/ And in any .ase> even if repairs to it .oud 'e 8ui.1y effe.ted>
he +as not going on in this sno+ unti neBt )orning/ !e de)anded a
roo)> a fire and a )ea/ Sighing> the andord sho+ed hi) to the roo)>
sent the )aid to suppy the fire and then retired to dis.uss +ith his
+ife the pro'e) of the )ea/
An hour ater> his feet stret.hed out to+ards the .o)forting 'a?e>
!er.ue Poirot refe.ted enienty on the dinner he had Dust eaten/
True> the stea1 had 'een 'oth tough and fu of griste> the %russes
sprouts had 'een arge> pae> and definitey +atery> the potatoes had
had hearts of stone/ 0or +as there )u.h to 'e said for the portion of
ste+ed appe and .ustard +hi.h had foo+ed/ The .heese had 'een
hard> and the 'is.uits soft/ 0evertheess> thought !er.ue Poirot>
oo1ing gra.iousy at the eaping fa)es> and sipping dei.atey at a
.up of i8uid )ud euphe)isti.ay .aed .offee> it +as 'etter to 'e fu
than e)pty> and after tra)ping sno+'ound anes in patent eather
shoes> to sit in front of a fire +as ParadiseG
There +as a 1no.1 on the door and the .ha)'er)aid appeared/
JPease> sir> the )an fro) the garage is here and +oud i1e to see
you/J
!er.ue Poirot repied a)ia'yH J#et hi) )ount/J
The gir gigged and retired/ Poirot refe.ted 1indy that her a..ount of
hi) to her friends +oud provide entertain)ent for )any +inter days
to .o)e/
There +as another 1no.1 ; a different 1no.1 ; and Poirot .aedH
JCo)e in/J
!e oo1ed up +ith approva at the young )an +ho entered and stood
there oo1ing i at ease> t+isting his .ap in his hands/
!ere> he thought> +as one of the handso)est spe.i)ens of hu)anity
he had ever seen> a si)pe young )an +ith the out+ard se)'an.e of
a ,ree1 god/
The young )an said in a o+ hus1y voi.eH JA'out the .ar> sir> +e"ve
'rought it in/ And +e"ve got at the trou'e/ It"s a )atter of an hour"s
+or1 or so/J
Poirot saidH JWhat is +rong +ith itAJ
The young )an punged eagery into te.hni.a detais/ Poirot nodded
his head genty> 'ut he +as not istening/ Perfe.t physi8ue +as a thing
he ad)ired greaty/ There +ere> he .onsidered> too )any rats in
spe.ta.es a'out/ !e said to hi)sef approvingyH J@es> a ,ree1 god ; a
young shepherd in Ar.ady/J
The young )an stopped a'rupty/ It +as then that !er.ue Poirot"s
'ro+s 1nitted the)seves for a se.ond/ !is first rea.tion had 'een
aestheti.> his se.ond )enta/ !is eyes narro+ed the)seves .uriousy>
as he oo1ed up/
!e saidH JI .o)prehend/ @es> I .o)prehend/J !e paused and then
addedH JMy .hauffeur> he has aready tod )e that +hi.h you have Dust
said/J
!e sa+ the fush that .a)e to the others .hee1> sa+ the fingers grip
the .ap nervousy/
The young )an sta))eredH J@es ; er ; yes> sir/ I 1no+/J
!er.ue Poirot +ent on s)oothyH J%ut you thought that you +oud aso
.o)e and te )e yoursefAJ
J(r ; yes> sir> I thought I"d 'etter/J
JThat>J said !er.ue Poirot> J+as very .ons.ientious of you/ Than1
you/J
There +as a faint 'ut un)ista1a'e note of dis)issa in the ast +ords
'ut he did not eBpe.t the other to go and he +as right/ The young )an
did not )ove/
!is fingers )oved .onvusivey> .rushing the t+eed .ap> and he said in
a sti o+er e)'arrassed voi.eH
J(r ; eB.use )e> sir ; 'ut it"s true> isn"t it> that you"re the dete.tive
gente)an ; you"re Mr !er.ues P+arritAJ !e said the na)e .arefuy/
Poirot saidH JThat is so/J
&ed .rept up the young )an"s fa.e/
!e saidH JI read a pie.e a'out you in the paper/J
J@esAJ
The 'oy +as no+ s.aret/ There +as distress in his eyes ; distress and
appea/ !er.ue Poirot .a)e to his aid/
!e said gentyH J@esA What is it you +ant to as1 )eAJ
The +ords .a)e +ith a rush no+/
JI") afraid you )ay thin1 it"s a+fu .hee1 of )e> sir/ %ut your .o)ing
here 'y .han.e i1e this ; +e> it"s too good to 'e )issed/ !aving read
a'out you and the .ever things you"ve done/ Any+ay> I said as after a
I )ight as +e as1 you/ There"s no har) in as1ing> is thereAJ
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/ !e saidH J@ou +ant )y hep in so)e
+ayAJ
The other nodded/ !e said> his voi.e hus1y and e)'arrassedH JIt"s ; it"s
a'out a young ady/ If ; if you .oud find her for )e/J
JFind herA !as she disappeared> thenAJ
JThat"s right> sir/J
!er.ue Poirot sat up in his .hair/
!e said sharpyH JI .oud hep you> perhaps> yes/ %ut the proper peope
for you to go to are the poi.e/ It is their Do' and they have far )ore
resour.es at their disposa than I have/J
The 'oy shuffed his feet/
!e said a+1+ardyH JI .oudn"t do that> sir/ It"s not i1e that at a/ It"s a
rather pe.uiar> so to spea1/J
!er.ue Poirot stared at hi)/ Then he indi.ated a .hair/
J(h 'ien> then> sit do+n ; +hat is your na)eAJ
JWiia)son> sir> Ted Wiia)son/J
JSit do+n> Ted/ And te )e a a'out it/J
JThan1 you> sir/J !e dre+ for+ard the .hair and sat do+n .arefuy on
the edge of it/ !is eyes had sti that appeaing dog;i1e oo1/
!er.ue Poirot said gentyH JTe )e/J
Ted Wiia)son dre+ a deep 'reath/
JWe> you see> sir> it +as i1e this/ I never sa+ her 'ut the on.e/ And I
don"t 1no+ her right na)e nor anything/ %ut it"s 8ueer i1e> the +hoe
thing> and )y etter .o)ing 'a.1 and everything/J
JStart>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jat the 'eginning/ $o not hurry yoursef/
*ust te )e everything that o..urred/J
J@es> sir/ We> perhaps you 1no+ ,rassa+n> sir> that 'ig house do+n
'y the river past the 'ridgeAJ
JI 1no+ nothing at a/J
J%eongs to Sir ,eorge Sanderfied> it does/ !e uses it in the su))erti)e
for +ee1ends and parties ; rather a gay ot he has do+n as a rue/
A.tresses and that/ We> it +as ast *une ; and the +ireess +as out of
order and they sent )e up to see to it/J
Poirot nodded/
JSo I +ent aong/ The gente)an +as out on the river +ith his guests
and the .oo1 +as out and his )anservant had gone aong to serve the
drin1s and a that on the aun.h/ There +as ony this gir in the house ;
she +as the ady"s;)aid to one of the guests/ She et )e in and sho+ed
)e +here the set +as> and stayed there +hie I +as +or1ing on it/ And
so +e got to ta1ing and a that/// 0ita her na)e +as> so she tod )e>
and she +as ady"s;)aid to a &ussian dan.er +ho +as staying there/J
JWhat nationaity +as she> (ngishAJ
J0o> sir> she"d 'e Fren.h> I thin1/ She"d a funny sort of a..ent/ %ut she
spo1e (ngish a right/ She ; she +as friendy and after a 'it I as1ed
her if she .oud .o)e out that night and go to the pi.tures> 'ut she said
her ady +oud 'e needing her/ %ut then she said as ho+ she .oud get
off eary in the afternoon 'e.ause as ho+ they +asn"t going to 'e 'a.1
off the river ti ate/ So the ong and the short of it +as that I too1 the
afternoon off +ithout as1ing 9and neary got the sa.1 for it too: and +e
+ent for a +a1 aong 'y the river/J
!e paused/ A itte s)ie hovered on his ips/ !is eyes +ere drea)y/
Poirot said gentyH JAnd she +as pretty> yesAJ
JShe +as Dust the oveiest thing you ever sa+/ !er hair +as i1e god ;
it +ent up ea.h side i1e +ings ; and she had a gay 1ind of +ay of
tripping aong/ I ; I ; +e> I fe for her right a+ay> sir/ I") not pretending
anything ese/J
Poirot nodded/
The young )an +ent onH JShe said as ho+ her ady +oud 'e .o)ing
do+n again in a fortnight and +e fiBed up to )eet again then/J !e
paused/ J%ut she never .a)e/ I +aited for her at the spot she"d said>
'ut not a sign of her> and at ast I )ade 'od to go up to the house and
as1 for her/ The &ussian ady +as staying there a right and her )aid
too> they said/ Sent for her> they did> 'ut +hen she .a)e> +hy> it +asn"t
0ita at aG *ust a dar1 .atty;oo1ing gir ; a 'od ot if there ever +as
one/ Marie> they .aed her/ "@ou +ant to see )eA" she says> si)pering
a over/ She )ust have seen I +as too1 a'a.1/ I said +as she the
&ussian ady"s;)aid and so)ething a'out her not 'eing the one I"d
seen 'efore> and then she aughed and said that the ast )aid had
'een sent a+ay sudden/ "Sent a+ayA" I said/ "What forA" She sort of
shrugged her shouders and stret.hed out her hands/ "!o+ shoud I
1no+A" she said/ "I +as not there/"
JWe> sir> it too1 )e a'a.1/ At the )o)ent I .oudn"t thin1 of anything
to say/ %ut after+ards I pu.1ed up .ourage and I got to see this Marie
again and as1ed her to get )e 0ita"s address/ I didn"t et on to her that
I didn"t even 1no+ 0ita"s ast na)e/ I pro)ised her a present if she did
+hat I as1ed ; she +as the 1ind as +oudn"t do anything for you for
nothing/ We> she got it a right for )e ; an address in 0orth #ondon> it
+as> and I +rote to 0ita there ; 'ut the etter .a)e 'a.1 after a 'it ;
sent 'a.1 through the post offi.e +ith "0o onger at this address"
s.ra+ed on it/J
Ted Wiia)son stopped/ !is eyes> those deep 'ue steady eyes>
oo1ed a.ross at Poirot/ !e saidH
J@ou see ho+ it is> sirA It"s not a .ase for the poi.e/ %ut I +ant to find
her/ And I don"t 1no+ ho+ to set a'out it/ If ; if you .oud find her for
)e/J !is .oour deepened/ JI"ve ; I"ve a 'it put 'y/ I .oud )anage five
pounds ; or even ten/J
Poirot said gentyH JWe need not dis.uss the finan.ia side for the
)o)ent/ First refe.t on this point ; this gir> this 0ita ; she 1ne+ your
na)e and +here you +or1edAJ
J<h yes> sir/J
JShe .oud have .o))uni.ated +ith you if she had +anted toAJ
Ted said )ore so+yH J@es> sir/J
JThen do you not thin1 ; perhaps ;J
Ted Wiia)son interrupted hi)/
JWhat you"re )eaning> sir> is that I fe for her 'ut she didn"t fa for )eA
May'e that"s true in a +ay/// %ut she i1ed )e ; she did i1e )e ; it
+asn"t Dust a 'it of fun to her/// And I"ve 'een thin1ing> sir> as there
)ight 'e a reason for a this/ @ou see> sir> it +as a funny .ro+d she
+as )iBed up in/ She )ight 'e in a 'it of trou'e> if you 1no+ +hat I
)ean/J
J@ou )ean she )ight have 'een going to have a .hidA @our .hidAJ
J0ot )ine> sir/J Ted fushed/ JThere +asn"t nothing +rong 'et+een
us/J
Poirot oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy/
!e )ur)uredH JAnd if +hat you suggest is true ; you sti +ant to find
herAJ
The .oour surged up in Ted Wiia)son"s fa.e/
!e saidH J@es> I do> and that"s fatG I +ant to )arry her if she" have )e/
And that"s no )atter +hat 1ind of a Da) she"s inG If you" ony try and
find her for )e> sirAJ
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/ !e said> )ur)uring to hi)sefH J"!air i1e +ings
of god/" @es> I thin1 this is the third #a'our of !er.ues/// If I re)e)'er
righty> that happened in Ar.ady///J
II
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy at the sheet of paper on +hi.h Ted
Wiia)son had a'oriousy ins.ri'ed a na)e and address/
Miss 7aetta> 1E 2pper &enfre+ #ane> 0/1F/
!e +ondered if he +oud earn anything at that address/ So)eho+ he
fan.ied not/ %ut it +as the ony hep Ted .oud give hi)/
0o/ 1E 2pper &enfre+ #ane +as a dingy 'ut respe.ta'e street/ A
stout +o)an +ith 'eary eyes opened the door to Poirot"s 1no.1/
JMiss 7aettaAJ
J,one a+ay a ong ti)e ago> she has/J
Poirot advan.ed a step into the door+ay Dust as the door +as a'out to
.ose/
J@ou .an give )e> perhaps> her addressAJ
JCoudn"t say> I") sure/ She didn"t eave one/J
JWhen did she go a+ayAJ
J#ast su))er it +as/J
JCan you te )e eBa.ty +henAJ
A gente .in1ing noise .a)e fro) Poirot"s right hand +here t+o haf.ro+ns
Dosted ea.h other in friendy fashion/
The 'eary;eyed +o)an softened in an a)ost )agi.a )anner/ She
'e.a)e gra.iousness itsef/
JWe> I") sure I"d i1e to hep you> sir/ #et )e see no+/ August> no>
'efore that ; *uy ; yes> *uy it )ust have 'een/ A'out the first +ee1 in
*uy/ Went off in a hurry> she did/ %a.1 to Itay> I 'eieve/J
JShe +as an Itaian> thenAJ
JThat"s right> sir/J
JAnd she +as at one ti)e ady"s;)aid to a &ussian dan.er> +as she
notAJ
JThat"s right/ Mada)e Se)ouina or so)e su.h na)e/ $an.ed at the
Thespian in this %ay everyone"s so +id a'out/ <ne of the stars> she
+as/J
Poirot saidH J$o you 1no+ +hy Miss 7aetta eft her postAJ
The +o)an hesitated a )o)ent 'efore sayingH JI .oudn"t say> I")
sure/J
JShe +as dis)issed> +as she notAJ
JWe ; I 'eieve there +as a 'it of a dust upG %ut )ind you> Miss 7aetta
didn"t et on )u.h a'out it/ She +asn"t one to give things a+ay/ %ut she
oo1ed +id a'out it/ Wi.1ed te)per she had ; rea (yetaian ; her 'a.1
eyes a snapping and oo1ing as if she"d i1e to put a 1nife into you/ I
+oudn"t have .rossed her +hen she +as in one of her )oodsGJ
JAnd you are 8uite sure you do not 1no+ Miss 7aetta"s present
addressAJ
The haf;.ro+ns .in1ed again en.ouragingy/
The ans+er rang true enough/ JI +ish I did> sir/ I"d 'e ony too gad to
te you/ %ut there ; she +ent off in a hurry and there it isGJ
Poirot said to hi)sef thoughtfuyH J@es> there it is///J
III
A)'rose 7ande> diverted fro) his enthusiasti. a..ount of the d=.or
he +as designing for a forth.o)ing 'aet> suppied infor)ation easiy
enough/
JSanderfiedA ,eorge SanderfiedA 0asty feo+/ &oing in )oney 'ut
they say he"s a .roo1/ $ar1 horseG Affair +ith a dan.erA %ut of .ourse>
)y dear ; he had an affair +ith -atrina/ -atrina Sa)oushen1a/ @ou
)ust have seen herA <h> )y dear ; too dei.ious/ #ovey te.hni8ue/
The S+an of Tuoea ; you )ust have seen thatA My de.orG And that
other thing of $e'ussy or is it Mannine "#a %i.he au %ois"A She dan.ed
it +ith Mi.hae 0ovgin/ !e"s so )arveous> isn"t heAJ
JAnd she +as a friend of Sir ,eorge SanderfiedAJ
J@es> she used to +ee1end +ith hi) at his house on the river/
Marveous parties I 'eieve he gives/J
JWoud it 'e possi'e> )on .her> for you to introdu.e )e to
Made)oisee Sa)oushen1aAJ
J%ut> )y dear> she isn"t here any onger/ She +ent to Paris or
so)e+here 8uite suddeny/ @ou 1no+> they do say that she +as a
%oshevi1 spy or so)ething ; not that I 'eieved it )ysef ; you 1no+
peope ove saying things i1e that/ -atrina a+ays pretended that she
+as a White &ussian ; her father +as a Prin.e or a ,rand $u1e ; the
usua thingG It goes do+n so )u.h 'etter/J 7ande paused and
returned to the a'sor'ing su'De.t of hi)sef/ J0o+ as I +as saying> if
you +ant to get the spirit of %athshe'a you"ve got to steep yoursef in
the Se)iti. tradition/ I eBpress it 'y ;J
!e .ontinued happiy/
I7
The intervie+ that !er.ue Poirot )anaged to arrange +ith Sir ,eorge
Sanderfied did not start too auspi.iousy/
The Jdar1 horse>J as A)'rose 7ande had .aed hi)> +as sighty i at
ease/ Sir ,eorge +as a short s8uare )an +ith dar1 .oarse hair and a
ro of fat in his ne.1/
!e saidH JWe> M/ Poirot> +hat .an I do for youA (r ; +e haven"t )et
'efore> I thin1AJ
J0o> +e have not )et/J
JWe> +hat is itA I .onfess> I") 8uite .urious/J
J<h> it is very si)pe ; a )ere )atter of infor)ation/J
The other gave an uneasy augh/
JWant )e to give you so)e inside dope> ehA $idn"t 1no+ you +ere
interested in finan.e/J
JIt is not a )atter of es affaires/ It is a 8uestion of a .ertain ady/J
J<h> a +o)an/J Sir ,eorge Sanderfied eant 'a.1 in his ar).hair/ !e
see)ed to reaB/ !is voi.e hed an easier note/
Poirot saidH J@ou +ere a.8uainted> I thin1> +ith Made)oisee -atrina
Sa)oushen1aAJ
Sanderfied aughed/ J@es/ An en.hanting .reature/ Pity she"s eft
#ondon/J
JWhy did she eave #ondonAJ
JMy dear feo+> I don"t 1no+/ &o+ +ith the )anage)ent> I 'eieve/
She +as te)pera)enta> you 1no+ ; very &ussian in her )oods/ I")
sorry that I .an"t hep you 'ut I haven"t the east idea +here she is no+/
I haven"t 1ept up +ith her at a/J
There +as a note of dis)issa in his voi.e as he rose to his feet/
Poirot saidH J%ut it is not Made)oisee Sa)oushen1a that I a) anBious
to tra.e/J
JIt isn"tAJ
J0o> it is a 8uestion of her )aid/J
J!er )aidAJ Sanderfied stared at hi)/
Poirot saidH J$o you ; perhaps ; re)e)'er her )aidAJ
A Sanderfied"s uneasiness had returned/
!e said a+1+ardyH J,ood #ord> no> ho+ shoud IA I re)e)'er she had
one> of .ourse/// %it of a 'ad ot> too> I shoud say/ Snea1ing> prying
sort of gir/ If I +ere you I shoudn"t put any faith in a +ord that gir
says/ She"s the 1ind of gir +ho"s a 'orn iar/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JSo a.tuay> you re)e)'er 8uite a ot a'out herAJ
Sanderfied said hastiyH J*ust an i)pression> that"s a/// $on"t even
re)e)'er her na)e/ #et )e see> Marie so)ething or other ; no> I")
afraid I .an"t hep you to get hod of her/ Sorry/J
Poirot said gentyH JI have aready got the na)e of Marie !ein fro)
the Thespian Theatre ; and her address/ %ut I a) spea1ing/ Sir
,eorge> of the )aid +ho +as +ith Made)oisee Sa)oushen1a 'efore
Marie !ein/ I a) spea1ing of 0ita 7aetta/J
Sanderfied stared/
!e saidH J$on"t re)e)'er her at a/ Marie"s the ony one I re)e)'er/
#itte dar1 gir +ith a nasty oo1 in her eye/J
Poirot saidH JThe gir I )ean +as at your house ,rassa+n ast *une/J
Sanderfied said su1iyH JWe> a I .an say is I don"t re)e)'er her/
$on"t 'eieve she had a )aid +ith her/ I thin1 you"re )a1ing a
)ista1e/J
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/ !e did not thin1 he +as )a1ing a
)ista1e/
7
Marie !ein oo1ed s+ifty at Poirot out of s)a inteigent eyes and as
s+ifty oo1ed a+ay again/ She said in s)ooth> even tonesH
J%ut I re)e)'er perfe.ty/ Monsieur/ I +as engaged 'y Mada)e
Sa)oushen1a the ast +ee1 in *une/ !er for)er )aid had departed in
a hurry/J
J$id you ever hear +hy that )aid eftAJ
JShe +ent ; suddeny ; that is a I 1no+G It )ay have 'een iness ;
so)ething of that 1ind/ Mada)e did not say/J
Poirot saidH J$id you find your )istress easy to get on +ithAJ
The gir shrugged her shouders/
JShe had great )oods/ She +ept and aughed in turns/ So)eti)es she
+as so despondent she +oud not spea1 or eat/ So)eti)es she +as
+idy gay/ They are i1e that> these dan.ers/ It is te)pera)ent/J
JAnd Sir ,eorgeAJ
The gir oo1ed up aerty/ An unpeasant gea) .a)e into her eyes/
JAh> Sir ,eorge SanderfiedA @ou +oud i1e to 1no+ a'out hi)A
Perhaps it is that you reay +ant to 1no+A The other +as ony an
eB.use> ehA Ah> Sir ,eorge> I .oud te you so)e .urious things a'out
hi)> I .oud te you ;J
Poirot interruptedH JIt is not ne.essary/J
She stared at hi)> her )outh open/ Angry disappoint)ent sho+ed in
her eyes/
7I
JI a+ays say you 1no+ everything> AeBis Pavovit.h/J
!er.ue Poirot )ur)ured the +ords +ith his )ost fattering intonation/
!e +as refe.ting to hi)sef that this third #a'our of !er.ues had
ne.essitated )ore traveing and )ore intervie+s than .oud have
'een i)agined possi'e/ This itte )atter of a )issing ady"s;)aid +as
proving one of the ongest and )ost diffi.ut pro'e)s he had ever
ta.1ed/ (very .ue> +hen eBa)ined> ed eBa.ty no+here/
It had 'rought hi) this evening to the Sa)ovar &estaurant in Paris
+hose proprietor> Count AeBis Pavovit.h> prided hi)sef on 1no+ing
everything that +ent on in the artisti. +ord/
!e nodded no+ .o)pa.entyH
J@es> yes> )y friend> I 1no+ ; I a+ays 1no+/ @ou as1 )e +here she is
gone ; the itte Sa)oushen1a> the eB8uisite dan.erA AhG she +as the
rea thing> that itte one/J !e 1issed his fingertips/ JWhat fire ; +hat
a'andonG She +oud have gone far ; she +oud have 'een the Pre)iere
%aerina of her day ; and then suddeny it a ends ; she .reeps a+ay ;
to the end of the +ord ; and soon> ahG so soon> they forget her/J
JWhere is she thenAJ de)anded Poirot/
JIn S+it?erand/ At 7agray es Apes/ It is there that they go> those +ho
have the itte dry .ough and +ho gro+ thinner and thinner/ She +i
die> yes> she +i dieG She has a fataisti. nature/ She +i surey die/J
Poirot .oughed to 'rea1 the tragi. spe/ !e +anted infor)ation/
J@ou do not> 'y .han.e> re)e)'er a )aid she hadA A )aid .aed 0ita
7aettaAJ
J7aettaA 7aettaA I re)e)'er seeing a )aid on.e ; at the station +hen
I +as seeing -atrina off to #ondon/ She +as an Itaian fro) Pisa> +as
she notA @es> I a) sure she +as an Itaian +ho .a)e fro) Pisa/J
!er.ue Poirot groaned/
JIn that .ase>J he said> JI )ust no+ Dourney to Pisa/J
7II
!er.ue Poirot stood in the Ca)po Santo at Pisa and oo1ed do+n on a
grave/
So it +as here that his 8uest had .o)e to an end ; here 'y this hu)'e
)ound of earth/ 2nderneath it ay the Doyous .reature +ho had stirred
the heart and i)agination of a si)pe (ngish )e.hani./
Was this perhaps the 'est end to that sudden strange ro)an.eA 0o+
the gir +oud ive a+ays in the young )an"s )e)ory as he had seen
her for those fe+ en.hanted hours of a *une afternoon/ The .ash of
opposing nationaities> of different standards> the pain of
disiusion)ent> a that +as rued out for ever/
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head sady/ !is )ind +ent 'a.1 to his
.onversation +ith the 7aetta fa)iy/ The )other> +ith her 'road
peasant fa.e> the upright grief;stri.1en father> the dar1 hard;ipped
sister/
JIt +as sudden> Signore> it +as very sudden/ Though for )any years
she had had pains on and off/// The do.tor gave us no .hoi.e ; he said
there )ust 'e an operation i))ediatey for the appendi.itis/ !e too1
her off to the hospita then and there/// Si> si> it +as under the
anaestheti. she died/ She never re.overed .ons.iousness/J
The )other sniffed> )ur)uringH J%ian.a +as a+ays su.h a .ever gir/
It is terri'e that she shoud have died so young///J
!er.ue Poirot repeated to hi)sefH JShe died young///J
That +as the )essage he )ust ta1e 'a.1 to the young )an +ho had
as1ed his hep so .onfidingy/
JShe is not for you> )y friend/ She died young/J
!is 8uest had ended ; here +here the eaning To+er +as sihouetted
against the s1y and the first spring fo+ers +ere sho+ing pae and
.rea)y +ith their pro)ise of ife and Doy to .o)e/
Was it the stirring of spring that )ade hi) fee so re'eiousy
disin.ined to a..ept this fina verdi.tA <r +as it so)ething eseA
So)ething stirring at the 'a.1 of his 'rain ; +ords ; a phrase ; a na)eA
$id not the +hoe thing finish too neaty ; dovetai too o'viousyA
!er.ue Poirot sighed/ !e )ust ta1e one )ore Dourney to put things
'eyond any possi'e dou't/ !e )ust go to 7agray es Apes/
7III
!ere> he thought> reay +as the +ord"s end/ This shef of sno+ ; these
s.attered huts and sheters in ea.h of +hi.h ay a )otioness hu)an
'eing fighting an insidious death/
So he .a)e at ast to -atrina Sa)oushen1a/ When he sa+ her> ying
there +ith hoo+ .hee1s in ea.h of +hi.h +as a vivid red stain> and
ong thin e)a.iated hands stret.hed out on the .overet> a )e)ory
stirred in hi)/ !e had not re)e)'ered her na)e> 'ut he had seen her
dan.e ; had 'een .arried a+ay and fas.inated 'y the supre)e art that
.an )a1e you forget art/
!e re)e)'ered Mi.hae 0ovgin> the !unter> eaping and t+iring in
that outrageous and fantasti. forest that the 'rain of A)'rose 7ande
had .on.eived/ And he re)e)'ered the ovey fying !ind> eternay
pursued> eternay desira'e ; a goden 'eautifu .reature +ith horns
on her head and t+in1ing 'ron?e feet/ !e re)e)'ered her fina
.oapse> shot and +ounded> and Mi.hae 0ovgin standing 'e+idered>
+ith the 'ody of the sain $eer in his ar)s/
-atrina Sa)oushen1a +as oo1ing at hi) +ith faint .uriosity/
She saidH JI have never seen you 'efore> have IA What is it you +ant of
)eAJ
!er.ue Poirot )ade her a itte 'o+/
JFirst> Mada)e> I +ish to than1 you ; for your art +hi.h )ade for )e
on.e an evening of 'eauty/J
She s)ied fainty/
J%ut aso I a) here on a )atter of 'usiness/ I have 'een oo1ing>
Mada)e> for a ong ti)e for a .ertain )aid of yours ; her na)e +as
0ita/J
J0itaAJ
She stared at hi)/ !er eyes +ere arge and started/
She saidH JWhat do you 1no+ a'out ; 0itaA
JI +i te you/J
!e tod her of the evening +hen his .ar had 'ro1en do+n and of Ted
Wiia)son standing there t+isting his .ap 'et+een his fingers and
sta))ering out his ove and his pain/ She istened +ith .ose attention/
She said +hen he had finishedH JIt is tou.hing> that ; yes> it is
tou.hing///J
!er.ue Poirot nodded/
J@es>J he said/ JIt is a tae of Ar.ady> is it notA What .an you te )e>
Mada)e> of this girAJ
-atrina Sa)oushen1a sighed/
JI had a )aid ; *uanita/ She +as ovey> yes ; gay> ight of heart/ It
happened to her +hat happens so often to those the gods favour/ She
died young/J
They had 'een Poirot"s o+n +ords ; fina +ords ; irrevo.a'e +ords ;
0o+ he heard the) again ; and yet he persisted/
!e as1edH JShe is deadAJ
J@es> she is dead/J
!er.ue Poirot +as sient a )inute> then he saidH
J@et there is one thing I do not 8uite understand/ I as1ed Sir ,eorge
Sanderfied a'out this )aid of yours and he see)ed afraid/ Why +as
thatAJ
There +as a faint eBpression of disgust on the dan.er"s fa.e/
J@ou Dust said a )aid of )ine/ !e thought you )eant Marie ; the gir
+ho .a)e to )e after *uanita eft/ She tried to 'a.1)ai hi)> I 'eieve>
over so)ething that she found out a'out hi)/ She +as an odious gir ;
in8uisitive> a+ays prying into etters and o.1ed dra+ers/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JThen that eBpains that/J
!e paused a )inute> then he +ent on> sti persistentH
J*uanita"s other na)e +as 7aetta and she died of an operation for
appendi.itis in Pisa/ Is that .orre.tAJ
!e noted the hesitation> hardy per.epti'e 'ut nevertheess there>
'efore the dan.er 'o+ed her head/
J@es> that is right/J
Poirot said )editativeyH JAnd yet ; there is sti a itte point ; her
peope spo1e of her> not as *uanita 'ut as %ian.a/J
-atrina shrugged her thin shouders/
She saidH J%ian.a ; *uanita> does it )atterA I suppose her rea na)e
+as %ian.a 'ut she thought the na)e of *uanita +as )ore ro)anti.
and so .hose to .a hersef 'y it/J
JAh> you thin1 thatAJ !e paused and then> his voi.e .hanging> he saidH
JFor )e> there is another eBpanation/J
JWhat is itAJ
Poirot eaned for+ard/
!e saidH JThe gir that Ted Wiia)son sa+ had hair that he des.ri'ed
as 'eing i1e +ings of god/J
!e eaned sti a itte further for+ard/ !is finger Dust tou.hed the t+o
springing +aves of -atrina"s hair/
JWings of god> horns of godA It is as you oo1 at it> it is +hether one
sees you as devi or as angeG @ou )ight 'e either/ <r are they perhaps
ony the goden horns of the stri.1en deerAJ
-atrina )ur)uredH JThe stri.1en deer///J and her voi.e +as the voi.e
of one +ithout hope/
Poirot saidH JA aong Ted Wiia)son"s des.ription has +orried )e ; it
'rought so)ething to )y )ind ; that so)ething +as you> dan.ing on
your t+in1ing 'ron?e feet through the forest/ Sha I te you +hat I
thin1> Made)oiseeA I thin1 there +as a +ee1 +hen you had no )aid>
+hen you +ent do+n aone to ,rassa+n> for %ian.a 7aetta had
returned to Itay and you had not yet engaged a ne+ )aid/ Aready you
+ere feeing the iness +hi.h has sin.e overta1en you> and you stayed
in the house one day +hen the others +ent on an a day eB.ursion on
the river/ There +as a ring at the door and you +ent to it and you sa+ ;
sha I te you +hat you sa+A @ou sa+ a young )an +ho +as as si)pe
as a .hid and as handso)e as a godG And you invented for hi) a gir ;
not *uanita ; 'ut In.ognita ; and for a fe+ hours you +a1ed +ith hi) in
Ar.ady///J
There +as a ong pause/ Then -atrina said in a o+ hoarse voi.eH
JIn one thing at east I have tod you the truth/ I have given you the
right end to the story/ 0ita +i die young/J
JAh nonGJ !er.ue Poirot +as transfor)ed/ !e stru.1 his hand on the
ta'e/ !e +as suddeny prosai.> )undane> pra.ti.a/
!e saidH JIt is 8uite unne.essaryG @ou need not die/ @ou .an fight for
your ife> .an you not> as +e as anotherAJ
She shoo1 her head ; sady> hopeessy/
JWhat ife is there for )eAJ
J0ot the ife of the stage> 'ien entenduG %ut thin1> there is another ife/
Co)e no+> Made)oisee> 'e honest> +as your father reay a Prin.e
or a ,rand $u1e> or even a ,eneraAJ
She aughed suddeny/
She saidH J!e drove a orry in #eningradGJ
J7ery goodG And +hy shoud you not 'e the +ife of a garage hand in a
.ountry viageA And have .hidren as 'eautifu as gods> and +ith feet>
perhaps> that +i dan.e as you on.e dan.ed/J
-atrina .aught her 'reath/
J%ut the +hoe idea is fantasti.GJ
J0evertheess>J said !er.ue Poirot +ith great sef;satisfa.tion> JI
'eieve it is going to .o)e trueGJ
Chapter 4
T!( (&@MA0T!IA0 %<A&
The a..o)pish)ent of the third #a'our of !er.ues having 'rought
hi) to S+it?erand> !er.ue Poirot de.ided that 'eing there> he )ight
ta1e advantage of the fa.t and visit .ertain pa.es +hi.h +ere up to
no+ un1no+n to hi)/
!e passed an agreea'e .oupe of days at Cha)oniB> ingered a day or
t+o at MontreuB and then +ent on to Ader)att> a spot +hi.h he had
heard various friends praise highy/
Ader)att> ho+ever> affe.ted hi) unpeasanty/ It +as at the end of a
vaey +ith to+ering sno+;pea1ed )ountains shutting it in/ !e fet>
unreasona'y> that it +as diffi.ut to 'reathe/
JI)possi'e to re)ain here>J said !er.ue Poirot to hi)sef/ It +as at
that )o)ent that he .aught sight of a funi.uar rai+ay/ J$e.idedy> I
)ust )ount/J
The funi.uar> he dis.overed> as.ended first to #es Avines> then to
Caurou.het and finay to &o.hers 0eiges> ten thousand feet a'ove
sea eve/
Poirot did not propose )ounting as high as a that/ #es Avines> he
thought> +oud 'e 8uite suffi.ienty his affair/
%ut here he re.1oned +ithout that ee)ent of .han.e +hi.h pays so
arge a part in ife/ The funi.uar had started +hen the .ondu.tor
approa.hed Poirot and de)anded his ti.1et/ After he had inspe.ted it
and pun.hed it +ith a fearso)e pair of .ippers> he returned it +ith a
'o+/ At the sa)e ti)e Poirot fet a s)a +ad of paper pressed into his
hand +ith the ti.1et/
The eye'ro+s of !er.ue Poirot rose a itte on his forehead/ Presenty>
unostentatiousy> +ithout hurrying hi)sef> he s)oothed out the +ad of
paper/ It proved to 'e a hurriedy s.ri''ed note +ritten in pen.i/
I)possi'e 9it ran: to )ista1e those )ousta.hesG I saute you> )y dear
.oeague/ If you are +iing> you .an 'e of great assistan.e to )e/ @ou
have dou'tess read of the affaire SaeyA The 1ier ; Marras.aud ; is
'eieved to have a rende?vous +ith so)e )e)'ers of his gang at
&o.hers 0eiges ; of a pa.es in the +ordG <f .ourse the +hoe thing
)ay 'e a 'ague ; 'ut our infor)ation is reia'e ; there is a+ays
so)eone +ho s8ueas> is there notA So 1eep your eyes open> )y
friend/ ,et in tou.h +ith Inspe.tor $rouet +ho is on the spot/ !e is a
sound )an ; 'ut he .annot pretend to the 'riian.e of !er.ue Poirot/
It is i)portant> )y friend> that Marras.aud shoud 'e ta1en ; and ta1en
aive/ !e is not a )an ; he is a +id 'oar ; one of the )ost dangerous
1iers aive today/ I did not ris1 spea1ing to you at Ader)att as I )ight
have 'een o'served and you +i have a freer hand if you are thought
to 'e a )ere tourist/ ,ood huntingG @our od friend ; #e)enteui/
Thoughtfuy> !er.ue Poirot .aressed his )ousta.hes/ @es> indeed>
i)possi'e to )ista1e the )ousta.hes of !er.ue Poirot/ 0o+ +hat
+as a thisA !e had read in the papers the detais of the affaire Saey ;
the .od;'ooded )urder of a +e;1no+n Parisian 'oo1)a1er/ The
identity of the )urderer +as 1no+n/ Marras.aud +as a )e)'er of a
+e;1no+n ra.e;.ourse gang/ !e had 'een suspe.ted of )any other
1iings ; 'ut this ti)e his guit +as proved up to the hit/ !e had got
a+ay> out of Fran.e it +as thought> and the poi.e in every .ountry in
(urope +ere on the oo1 out for hi)/
So Marras.aud +as said to have a rende?vous at &o.hers 0eiges///
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head so+y/ !e +as pu??ed/ For &o.hers
0eiges +as a'ove the sno+ ine/ There +as a hote there> 'ut it
.o))uni.ated +ith the +ord ony 'y the funi.uar> standing as it did
on a ong narro+ edge overhanging the vaey/ The hote opened in
*une> 'ut there +as sedo) any one there unti *uy and August/ It +as
a pa.e i;suppied +ith entran.es and eBits ; if a )an +ere tra.1ed
there> he +as .aught in a trap/ It see)ed a fantasti. pa.e to .hoose
as the rende?vous of a gang of .ri)inas/
And yet> if #e)enteui said his infor)ation +as reia'e> then
#e)enteui +as pro'a'y right/ !er.ue Poirot respe.ted the S+iss
Co))issaire of Poi.e/ !e 1ne+ hi) as a sound and dependa'e )an/
So)e reason un1no+n +as 'ringing Marras.aud to this )eeting;pa.e
far a'ove .iviisation/
!er.ue Poirot sighed/ To hunt do+n a ruthess 1ier +as not his idea
of a peasant hoiday/ %rain +or1 fro) an ar).hair> he refe.ted> +as
)ore in his ine/ 0ot to ensnare a +id 'oar upon a )ountainside/
A +id 'oar ; that +as the ter) #e)enteui had used/ It +as .ertainy
an odd .oin.iden.e///
!e )ur)ured to hi)sefH JThe fourth #a'our of !er.ues/ The
(ry)anthian %oarAJ
4uiety> +ithout ostentation> he too1 .arefu sto.1 of his feo+
passengers/
<n the seat opposite hi) +as an A)eri.an tourist/ The pattern of his
.othes> of his over.oat> the grip he .arried> do+n to his hopefu
friendiness and his na^ve a'sorption in the s.enery> even the guide
'oo1 in his hand> a gave hi) a+ay and pro.ai)ed hi) a s)a to+n
A)eri.an seeing (urope for the first ti)e/ In another )inute or t+o>
Poirot Dudged> he +oud 'rea1 into spee.h/ !is +istfu dog;i1e
eBpression .oud not 'e )ista1en/
<n the other side of the .arriage a ta> rather distinguished oo1ing
)an +ith greyish hair and a 'ig .urved nose +as reading a ,er)an
'oo1/ !e had the strong )o'ie fingers of a )usi.ian or a surgeon/
Farther a+ay sti +ere three )en a of the sa)e type/ Men +ith 'o+ed
egs and an indes.ri'a'e suggestion of horsiness a'out the)/ They
+ere paying .ards/ Presenty> perhaps> they +oud suggest a stranger
.utting in on the ga)e/ At first the stranger +oud +in/ After+ards> the
u.1 +oud run the other +ay/
0othing very unusua a'out the three )en/ The ony thing that +as
unusua +as the pa.e +here they +ere/
<ne )ight have seen the) in any train on the +ay to a ra.e )eeting ;
or on an uni)portant iner/ %ut in an a)ost e)pty funi.uar ; noG
There +as one other o..upant of the .arriage ; a +o)an/ She +as ta
and dar1/ It +as a 'eautifu fa.e ; a fa.e that )ight have eBpressed a
+hoe ga)ut of e)otion ; 'ut +hi.h instead +as fro?en into a strange
ineBpressiveness/ She oo1ed at no one> staring out at the vaey
'eo+/
Presenty> as Poirot had eBpe.ted> the A)eri.an 'egan to ta1/ !is
na)e> he said> +as S.h+art?/ It +as his first visit to (urope/ The
s.enery> he said> +as Dust grand/ !e"d 'een very deepy i)pressed 'y
the Caste of Chion/ !e didn"t thin1 )u.h of Paris as a .ity ; overrated
; he"d 'een to the Foies %ergeres and the #ouvre and 0otre $a)e ;
and he"d noti.ed that none of these restaurants and .af=s .oud pay
hot Da?? propery/ The Cha)ps (ysees> he thought> +as pretty good>
and he i1ed the fountains espe.iay +hen they +ere foodit/
0o'ody got out at #es Avines or at Caurou.het/ It +as .ear that
everyone in the funi.uar +as going up to &o.hers 0eiges/
Mr S.h+art? eBpained his o+n reasons/ !e had a+ays +ished> he
said> to 'e high up a)ong sno+ )ountains/ Ten thousand feet +as
pretty good ; he"d heard that you .oudn"t 'oi an egg propery +hen
you +ere as high up as that/
In the inno.ent friendiness of his heart> Mr S.h+art? endeavoured to
dra+ the ta> grey;haired )an on the other side of the .arriage into the
.onversation> 'ut the atter )erey stared at hi) .ody over his pin.ene?
and returned to the perusa of his 'oo1/
Mr S.h+art? then offered to eB.hange pa.es +ith the dar1 ady ; she
+oud get a 'etter vie+> he eBpained/
It +as dou'tfu +hether she understood (ngish/ Any+ay> she )erey
shoo1 her head and shran1 .oser into the fur .oar of her .oat/
Mr S.h+art? )ur)ured to PoirotH JSee)s 1ind of +rong to see a
+o)an traveing a'out aone +ith no one to see to things for her/ A
+o)an needs a ot of oo1ing after +hen she"s traveing/J
&e)e)'ering .ertain A)eri.an +o)en he had )et on the Continent>
!er.ue Poirot agreed/
Mr S.h+art? sighed/ !e found the +ord unfriendy/ And surey> his
'ro+n eyes said eBpressivey> there"s no har) in a itte friendiness a
roundA
II
To 'e re.eived 'y a hote )anager .orre.ty gar'ed in fro.1 .oat and
patent eather shoes see)ed so)eho+ udi.rous in this out of the
+ord> or rather a'ove;the;+ord> spot/
The )anager +as a 'ig handso)e )an> +ith an i)portant )anner/ !e
+as very apoogeti./
So eary in the season/// The hot;+ater syste) +as out of order///
things +ere hardy in running order/// 0aturay> he +oud do
everything he .oud/// 0ot a fu staff yet/// !e +as 8uite .onfused 'y
the uneBpe.ted nu)'er of visitors/
It a .a)e roing out +ith professiona ur'anity and yet it see)ed to
Poirot that 'ehind the ur'ane faLade he .aught a gi)pse of so)e
poignant anBiety/ This )an> for a his easy )anner> +as not at ease/
!e +as +orried a'out so)ething/
#un.h +as served in a ong roo) overoo1ing the vaey far 'eo+/ The
soitary +aiter> addressed as ,ustave> +as s1ifu and adroit/ !e
darted here and there> advising on the )enu> +hipping out his +ine
ist/ The three horsy )en sat at a ta'e together/ They aughed and
ta1ed in Fren.h> their voi.es rising/
J,ood od *osephG ; What a'out the itte $enise> )on vieuBA ; $o you
re)e)'er that sa.r= pig of a horse that et us a do+n at AuteuiAJ
It +as a very hearty> very )u.h in .hara.ter ; and in.ongruousy out
of pa.eG
The +o)an +ith the 'eautifu fa.e sat aone at a ta'e in the .orner/
She oo1ed at no one/
After+ards> as Poirot +as sitting in the ounge> the )anager .a)e to
hi) and +as .onfidentia/
Monsieur )ust not Dudge the hote too hardy/ It +as out of the season/
0o one .a)e here ti the end of *uy/ That ady> Monsieur had noti.ed
her> perhapsA She .a)e at this ti)e every year/ !er hus'and had
'een 1ied .i)'ing three years ago/ It +as very sad/ They had 'een
very devoted/ She .a)e here a+ays 'efore the season .o))en.ed ;
so as to 'e 8uiet/ It +as a sa.red pigri)age/ The edery gente)an
+as a fa)ous do.tor/ $r -ar #ut?> fro) 7ienna/ !e had .o)e here> so
he said> for 8uiet and repose/
JIt is pea.efu> yes>J agreed !er.ue Poirot/ JAnd .es Messieurs
thereAJ !e indi.ated the three horsy )en/ J$o they aso see1 repose
do you thin1AJ
The )anager shrugged his shouders/ Again there appeared in his
eyes that +orried oo1/ !e said vagueyH
JAh> the tourists> they +ish a+ays a ne+ eBperien.e/// The atitude ;
that aone is a ne+ sensation/J
It +as not> Poirot thought> a very peasant sensation/ !e +as
.ons.ious of his o+n rapidy 'eating heart/ The ines of a nursery
rhy)e ran idioti.ay through his )ind/ J2p a'ove the +ord so high/
#i1e a tea tray in the s1y/J
S.h+art? .a)e into the ounge/ !is eyes 'rightened +hen he sa+
Poirot/ !e .a)e over to hi) at on.e/
JI"ve 'een ta1ing to that $o.tor/ !e spea1s (ngish after a fashion/
!e"s a *e+ ; 'een turned out of Austria 'y the 0a?is/ Say> I guess those
peope are Dust .ra?yG This $o.tor #ut? +as 8uite a 'ig )an> I gather ;
nerve spe.iaist ; psy.hoanaysis ; that 1ind of stuff/J
!is eyes +ent to +here the ta +o)an +as oo1ing out of a +indo+ at
re)orseess )ountains/ !e o+ered his voi.e/
JI got her na)e fro) the +aiter/ She"s a Mada)e ,randier/ !er
hus'and +as 1ied .i)'ing/ That"s +hy she .o)es here/ I sort of fee>
don"t you> that +e ought to do so)ething a'out it ; try to ta1e her out of
hersefAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JIf I +ere you I shoud not atte)pt it/J
%ut the friendiness of Mr S.h+art? +as indefatiga'e/
Poirot sa+ hi) )a1e his overtures> sa+ the re)orseess +ay in +hi.h
they +ere re'uffed/ The t+o stood together for a )inute sihouetted
against the ight/ The +o)an +as taer than S.h+art?/ !er head +as
thro+n 'a.1 and her eBpression +as .od and for'idding/ !e did not
hear +hat she said> 'ut S.h+art? .a)e 'a.1 oo1ing .restfaen/
J0othing doing>J he said/ !e added +istfuyH JSee)s to )e that as
+e"re a hu)an 'eings together there"s no reason +e shoudn"t 'e
friendy to one another/ $on"t you agree> Mr ; @ou 1no+> I don"t 1no+
your na)eAJ
JMy na)e>J said Poirot> Jis Poirier/J !e addedH JI a) a si1 )er.hant
fro) #yons/J
JI"d i1e to give you )y .ard> M/ Poirier> and if ever you .o)e to
Fountain Springs you" 'e sure of a +e.o)e/J
Poirot a..epted the .ard> .apped his hand to his o+n po.1et>
)ur)uredH
JAas> I have not a .ard on )e at the )o)ent///J
That night> +hen he +ent to 'ed> Poirot read through #e)enteui"s
etter .arefuy 'efore repa.ing it> neaty foded> in his +aet/ As he
got into 'ed he said to hi)sefH
JIt is .urious ; I +onder if///J
III
,ustave the +aiter 'rought !er.ue Poirot his 'rea1fast of .offee and
ros/ !e +as apoogeti. over the .offee/
JMonsieur .o)prehends> does he not> that at this atitude it is
i)possi'e to have the .offee reay hotA #a)enta'y> it 'ois too
soon/J
Poirot )ur)uredH J<ne )ust a..ept these vagaries of 0ature"s +ith
fortitude/J
,ustave )ur)uredH JMonsieur is a phiosopher/J
!e +ent to the door> 'ut instead of eaving the roo)> he too1 one 8ui.1
oo1 outside> then shut the door again and returned to the 'edside/
!e saidH JM/ !er.ue PoirotA I a) $rouet> Inspe.tor of Poi.e/J
JAh>J said Poirot> JI had aready suspe.ted as )u.h/J
$rouet o+ered his voi.e/
JM/ Poirot> so)ething very grave has o..urred/ There has 'een an
a..ident to the funi.uarGJ
JAn a..identAJ Poirot sat up/ JWhat 1ind of an a..identAJ
J0o'ody has 'een inDured/ It happened in the night/ It +as o..asioned>
perhaps> 'y natura .auses ; a s)a avaan.he that s+ept do+n
'ouders and ro.1s/ %ut it is possi'e that there +as hu)an agen.y at
+or1/ <ne does not 1no+/ In any .ase the resut is that it +i ta1e
)any days to repair and that in the )eanti)e +e are .ut off up here/
So eary in the season> +hen the sno+ is sti heavy> it is i)possi'e to
.o))uni.ate +ith the vaey 'eo+/J
!er.ue Poirot sat up in 'ed/
!e said softyH JThat is very interesting/J
The inspe.tor nodded/
J@es>J he said/ JIt sho+s that our .o))issaire"s infor)ation +as
.orre.t/ Marras.aud has a rende?vous here> and he has )ade sure
that that rende?vous sha not 'e interrupted/J
!er.ue Poirot .ried i)patientyH J%ut it is fantasti.GJ
JI agree/J Inspe.tor $rouet thre+ up his hands/ JIt does not )a1e the
.o))on sense ; 'ut there it is/ This Marras.aud> you 1no+> is a
fantasti. .reatureG Mysef>J he nodded> JI thin1 he is )ad/J
Poirot saidH JA )ad)an and a )urdererGJ
$rouet said dryyH JIt is not a)using> I agree/J
Poirot said so+yH J%ut if he has a rende?vous here> on this edge of
sno+ high a'ove the +ord> then it aso foo+s that Marras.aud
hi)sef is here aready> sin.e .o))uni.ations are no+ .ut/J
$rouet said 8uietyH JI 1no+/J
%oth )en +ere sient for a )inute or t+o/ Then Poirot as1edH
J$r #ut?A Can he 'e Marras.audAJ
$rouet shoo1 his head/
JI do not thin1 so/ There is a rea $r #ut? ; I have seen his pi.tures in
the papers ; a distinguished and +e;1no+n )an/ This )an rese)'es
these photographs .osey/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JIf Marras.aud is an artist in disguise> he )ight pay
the part su..essfuy/J
J@es> 'ut is heA I never heard of hi) as an eBpert in disguise/ !e has
not the guie and .unning of the serpent/ !e is a +id 'oar> fero.ious>
terri'e> +ho .harges in 'ind fury/J
Poirot saidH JA the sa)e///J
$rouet agreed 8ui.1y/
JAh yes> he is a fugitive fro) Dusti.e/ Therefore he is for.ed to
disse)'e/ So he )ay ; in fa.t he )ust 'e ; )ore or ess disguised/J
J@ou have his des.riptionAJ
The other shrugged his shouders/
J&oughy ony/ The offi.ia %ertion photograph and )easure)ents
+ere to have 'een sent up to )e today/ I 1no+ ony that he is a )an of
thirty odd> of a itte over )ediu) height and of dar1 .o)peBion/ 0o
distinguishing )ar1s/J
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
JThat .oud appy to any'ody/ What a'out the A)eri.an> S.h+art?AJ
JI +as going to as1 you that/ @ou have spo1en +ith hi)> and you have
ived> I thin1> )u.h +ith the (ngish and the A)eri.ans/ To a .asua
gan.e he appears to 'e the nor)a traveing A)eri.an/ !is passport
is in order/ It is perhaps strange that he shoud ee.t to .o)e here ; 'ut
A)eri.ans +hen traveing are 8uite in.a.ua'e/ What do you thin1
yoursefAJ
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head in perpeBity/
!e saidH J<n the surfa.e> at any rate> he appears to 'e a har)ess
sighty over;friendy> )an/ !e )ight 'e a 'ore> 'ut it see)s diffi.ut to
regard hi) as a danger/J !e +ent onH J%ut there are three )ore
visitors here/J
The Inspe.tor nodded> his fa.e suddeny eager/
J@es> and they are the type +e are oo1ing for/ I" ta1e )y oath> M/
Poirot> that those three )en are at any rate )e)'ers of Marras.aud"s
gang/ They"re ra.e;.ourse toughs if I ever sa+ the)G and one of the
three )ay 'e Marras.aud hi)sef/J
!er.ue Poirot refe.ted/ !e re.aed the three fa.es/
<ne +as a 'road fa.e +ith overhanging 'ro+s and a fat Do+ ; a
hoggish> 'estia fa.e/ <ne +as ean and thin +ith a sharp narro+ fa.e
and .od eyes/ The third )an +as a pasty;fa.ed feo+ +ith a sight
dandia.a air/
@es> one of the three )ight +e 'e Marras.aud> 'ut if so> the 8uestion
.a)e insistenty> +hyA Why shoud Marras.aud and t+o )e)'ers of
his gang Dourney together and as.end into a rat;trap on a )ountain
sideA A )eeting surey .oud 'e arranged in safer and ess fantasti.
surroundings ; in a .af= ; in a rai+ay station ; in a .ro+ded .ine)a ; in
a pu'i. par1 ; so)e+here +here there +ere eBits in penty ; not here
far a'ove the +ord in a +iderness of sno+/
So)ething of this he tried to .onvey to Inspe.tor $rouet and the atter
agreed readiy enough/
J%ut yes> it is fantasti.> it does not )a1e sense/J
JIf it is a rende?vous> +hy do they trave togetherA 0o> indeed> it does
not )a1e sense/J
$rouet said> his fa.e +orriedH JIn that .ase> +e have to eBa)ine a
se.ond supposition/ These three )en are )e)'ers of Marras.aud"s
gang and they have .o)e here to )eet Marras.aud hi)sef/ Who then
is Marras.audAJ
Poirot as1edH JWhat a'out the staff of the hoteAJ
$rouet shrugged his shouders/
JThere is no staff to spea1 of/ There is an od +o)an +ho .oo1s> there
is her od hus'and *a.8ues ; they have 'een here for fifty years I
shoud thin1/ There is the +aiter +hose pa.e I have ta1en> that is a/J
Poirot saidH JThe )anager> he 1no+s of .ourse +ho you areAJ
J0aturay/ It needed his .ooperation/J
J!as it stru.1 you>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jthat he oo1s +orriedAJ
The re)ar1 see)ed to stri1e $rouet/
!e said thoughtfuyH J@es> that is true/J
JIt )ay 'e that it is )erey the anBiety of 'eing invoved in poi.e
pro.eedings/J
J%ut you thin1 it )ay 'e )ore than thatA @ou thin1 that he )ay ; 1no+
so)ethingAJ
JIt o..urred to )e> that is a/J
$rouet said so)'reyH JI +onder/J
!e paused and then +ent onH JCoud one get it out of hi)> do you
thin1AJ
Poirot shoo1 his head dou'tfuy/
!e saidH JIt +oud 'e 'etter> I thin1> not to et hi) 1no+ of our
suspi.ions/ -eep your eye on hi)> that is a/J
$rouet nodded/ !e turned to+ards the door/
J@ou"ve no suggestions> M/ PoirotA I ; I 1no+ your reputation/ We have
heard of you in this .ountry of ours/J
Poirot said perpeBedyH JFor the )o)ent I .an suggest nothing/ It is
the reason +hi.h es.apes )e ; the reason for a rende?vous in this
pa.e/ In fa.t> the reason for a rende?vous at aAJ
JMoney>J said $rouet su..in.ty/
J!e +as ro''ed> then> as +e as )urdered> this poor feo+ SaeyAJ
J@es> he had a very arge su) of )oney on hi) +hi.h has
disappeared/J
JAnd the rende?vous is for the purpose of sharing out> you thin1AJ
JIt is the )ost o'vious idea/J
Poirot shoo1 his head in a dissatisfied )anner/
J@es> 'ut +hy hereAJ !e +ent on so+yH JThe +orst pa.e possi'e for
a rende?vous of .ri)inas/ %ut it is a pa.e> this> +here one )ight .o)e
to )eet a +o)an///J
$rouet too1 a step for+ard eagery/
!e said eB.itedyH J@ou thin1 ;AJ
JI thin1>J said Poirot> Jthat Mada)e ,randier is a very 'eautifu
+o)an/ I thin1 that anyone )ight +e )ount ten thousand feet for her
sa1e ; that is> if she had suggested su.h a thing/J
J@ou 1no+>J said $rouet> Jthat"s interesting/ I never thought of her in
.onne.tion +ith the .ase/ After a> she"s 'een to this pa.e severa
years running/J
Poirot said gentyH J@es ; and therefore her presen.e +oud not .ause
.o))ent/ It +oud 'e a reason> +oud it not> +hy &o.hers 0eiges
shoud have 'een the spot see.tedAJ
$rouet said eB.itedyH J@ou"ve had an idea> M/ Poirot/ I" oo1 into that
ange/J
I7
The day passed +ithout in.ident/ Fortunatey the hote +as +e
provisioned/ The )anager eBpained that there need 'e no anBiety/
Suppies +ere assured/
!er.ue Poirot endeavoured to get into .onversation +ith $r -ar #ut?
and +as re'uffed/ The do.tor inti)ated painy that psy.hoogy +as
his professiona preo..upation and that he +as not going to dis.uss it
+ith a)ateurs/ !e sat in a .orner reading a arge ,er)an to)e on the
su'.ons.ious and )a1ing .opious notes and annotations/
!er.ue Poirot +ent outside and +andered ai)essy round to the
1it.hen pre)ises/ There he entered into .onversation +ith the od )an
*a.8ues> +ho +as sury and suspi.ious/ !is +ife> the .oo1> +as )ore
forth.o)ing/ Fortunatey> she eBpained to Poirot> there +as a arge
reserve of tinned food ; 'ut she hersef thought itte of food in tins/ It
+as +i.1edy eBpensive and +hat nourish)ent .oud there 'e in itA
The good ,od had never intended peope to ive out of tins/
The .onversation .a)e round to the su'De.t of the hote staff/ (ary in
*uy the .ha)'er)aids and the eBtra +aiters arrived/ %ut for the neBt
three +ee1s> there +oud 'e no'ody or neBt to no'ody/ Mosty peope
+ho .a)e up and had un.h and then +ent 'a.1 again/ She and
*a.8ues and one +aiter .oud )anage that easiy/
Poirot as1edH JThere +as aready a +aiter here 'efore ,ustave .a)e>
+as there notAJ
J%ut yes> indeed> a poor 1ind of a +aiter/ 0o s1i> no eBperien.e/ 0o
.ass at a/J
J!o+ ong +as he here 'efore ,ustave repa.ed hi)AJ
JA fe+ days ony ; the inside of a +ee1/ 0aturay he +as dis)issed/ We
+ere not surprised/ It +as 'ound to .o)e/J
Poirot )ur)uredH J!e did not .o)pain unduyAJ
JAh no> he +ent 8uiety enough/ After a> +hat .oud he eBpe.tA This is
a hote of good .ass/ <ne )ust have proper servi.e here/J
Poirot nodded/
!e as1edH JWhere did he goAJ
JThat &o'ert> you )eanAJ She shrugged her shouders/ J$ou'tess
'a.1 to the o's.ure .af= he .a)e fro)/J
J!e +ent do+n in the funi.uarAJ
She oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
J0aturay> Monsieur/ What other +ay is there to goAJ
Poirot as1edH J$id anyone see hi) goAJ
They 'oth stared at hi)/
JAhG do you thin1 it i1ey that one goes to see off an ani)a i1e that ;
that one gives hi) the grand fare+eA <ne has one"s o+n affairs to
o..upy one/J
JPre.isey>J said !er.ue Poirot/
!e +a1ed so+y a+ay> staring up as he did so at the 'uiding a'ove
hi)/ A arge hote ; +ith ony one +ing open at present/ In the other
+ings +ere )any roo)s> .osed and shuttered +here no one +as
i1ey to enter/
!e .a)e round the .orner of the hote and neary ran into one of the
three .ard;paying )en/ It +as the one +ith the pasty fa.e and pae
eyes/ The eyes oo1ed at Poirot +ithout eBpression/ <ny the ips
.ured 'a.1 a itte sho+ing the teeth i1e a vi.ious horse/
Poirot passed hi) and +ent on/ There +as a figure ahead of hi) ; the
ta gra.efu figure of Mada)e ,randier/
!e hastened his pa.e a itte and .aught her up/
!e saidH JThis a..ident to the funi.uar> it is distressing/ I hope>
Mada)e> that it has not in.onvenien.ed youAJ
She saidH JIt is a )atter of indifferen.e to )e/J
!er voi.e +as very deep ; a fu .ontrato/ She did not oo1 at Poirot/
She s+erved aside and +ent into the hote 'y a s)a side door/
7
!er.ue Poirot +ent to 'ed eary/ !e +as a+a1ened so)e ti)e after
)idnight/
So)eone +as fu)'ing +ith the o.1 of the door/
!e sat up> putting on the ight/ At the sa)e )o)ent the o.1 yieded to
)anipuation and the door s+ung open/ Three )en stood there> the
three .ard;paying )en/ They +ere> Poirot thought> sighty drun1/
Their fa.es +ere fooish and yet )aevoent/ !e sa+ the gea) of a
ra?or 'ade/
The 'ig thi.1set )an advan.ed/ !e spo1e in a gro+ing voi.e/
JSa.red pig of a dete.tiveG %ahGJ
!e 'urst into a torrent of profanity/ The three of the) advan.ed
purposefuy on the defen.eess )an in the 'ed/
JWe" .arve hi) up> 'oys/ (h> itte horsesA We" sash Monsieur
$ete.tive"s fa.e open for hi)/ !e +on"t 'e the first one tonight/J
They .a)e on> steady> purposefu ; the ra?or 'ades fashed/
And then> starting in its .risp transatanti. tones> a voi.e saidH
JSti.1"e) up/J
They s+erved round/ S.h+art?> dressed in a pe.uiary vivid set of
striped pyDa)as stood in the door+ay/ In his hand he hed an
auto)ati./
JSti.1 "e) up> guys/ I") pretty good at shooting/J
!e pressed the trigger ; and a 'uet sang past the 'ig )an"s ear and
'uried itsef in the +ood+or1 of the +indo+/
Three pairs of hands +ere raised rapidy/
S.h+art? saidH JCan I trou'e you> M/ PoirierAJ
!er.ue Poirot +as out of 'ed in a fash/ !e .oe.ted the gea)ing
+eapons and passed his hands over the three )en"s 'odies to )a1e
sure they +ere not ar)ed/
S.h+art? saidH J0o+ then> )ar.hG There"s a 'ig .up'oard Dust aong
the .orridor/ 0o +indo+ in it/ *ust the thing/J
!e )ar.hed the) into it and turned the 1ey on the)/ !e s+ung round
to Poirot> his voi.e 'rea1ing +ith peasura'e e)otion/
JIf that doesn"t Dust sho+A $o you 1no+> M/ Poirier> there +ere fo1s in
Fountain Springs +ho aughed at )e 'e.ause I said I +as going to ta1e
a gun a'road +ith )e/ "Where do you thin1 you"re goingA" they as1ed/
"Into the DungeA" We> sir/ I"d say the augh is +ith )e/ $id you ever see
su.h an ugy 'un.h of toughsAJ
Poirot saidH JMy dear Mr S.h+art?> you appeared in the ni.1 of ti)e/ It
)ight have 'een a dra)a on the stageG I a) very )u.h in your de't/J
JThat"s nothing/ Where do +e go fro) hereA We ought to turn these
'oys over to the poi.e and that"s Dust +hat +e .an"t doG It"s a 1notty
pro'e)/ May'e +e"d 'etter .onsut the )anager/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JAh> the )anager/ I thin1 first +e +i .onsut the
+aiter ; ,ustave ; aias Inspe.tor $rouet/ %ut yes ; the +aiter ,ustave
is reay a dete.tive/J
S.h+art? stared at hi)/
JSo that"s +hy they did itGJ
JThat is +hy +ho did +hatAJ
JThis 'un.h of .roo1s got to you se.ond on the ist/ They"d aready
.arved up ,ustave/J
JWhatAJ
JCo)e +ith )e/ The do."s 'usy on hi) no+/J
$rouet"s roo) +as a s)a one on the top foor/ $r #ut?> in a dressinggo+n>
+as 'usy 'andaging the inDured )an"s fa.e/
!e turned his head as they entered/
JAhG It is you> Mr S.h+art?A A nasty 'usiness> this/ What 'ut.hersG
What inhu)an )onstersGJ
$rouet ay sti> )oaning fainty/
S.h+art? as1edH JIs he in dangerAJ
J!e +i not die if that is +hat you )ean/ %ut he )ust not spea1 ; there
)ust 'e no eB.ite)ent/ I have dressed the +ounds ; there +i 'e no
ris1 of septi.ae)ia/J
The three )en eft the roo) together/
S.h+art? said to PoirotH J$id you say ,ustave +as a poi.e offi.erAJ
!er.ue Poirot nodded/
J%ut +hat +as he doing up at &o.hers 0eigesAJ
J!e +as engaged in tra.1ing do+n a very dangerous .ri)ina/J
In a fe+ +ords Poirot eBpained the situation/
$r #ut? saidH JMarras.audA I read a'out the .ase in the paper/ I shoud
)u.h i1e to )eet that )an/ There is so)e deep a'nor)aity thereG I
shoud i1e to 1no+ the parti.uars of his .hidhood/J
JFor )ysef>J said !er.ue Poirot> JI shoud i1e to 1no+ eBa.ty +here
he is at this )inute/J
S.h+art? saidH JIsn"t he one of the three +e o.1ed in the .up'oardAJ
Poirot said in a dissatisfied voi.eH JIt is possi'e ; yes> 'ut )e> I a) not
sure/// I have an idea ;J
!e 'ro1e off> staring do+n at the .arpet/ It +as of a ight 'uff .oour
and there +ere )ar1s on it of a deep rusty 'ro+n/
!er.ue Poirot saidH JFootsteps ; footsteps that have trodden> I thin1>
in 'ood and they ead fro) the unused +ing of the hote/ Co)e ; +e
)ust 'e 8ui.1GJ
They foo+ed hi)> through a s+ing door and aong a di)> dusty
.orridor/ They turned the .orner of it> sti foo+ing the )ar1s on the
.arpet unti the tra.1s ed the) to a haf;open door+ay/
Poirot pushed the door open and entered/
!e uttered a sharp> horrified eB.a)ation/
The roo) +as a 'edroo)/ The 'ed had 'een sept in and there +as a
tray of food on the ta'e/
In the )idde of the foor ay the 'ody of a )an/ !e +as of Dust over
)idde height and he had 'een atta.1ed +ith savage and un'eieva'e
fero.ity/ There +ere a do?en +ounds on his ar)s and .hest and his
head and fa.e had 'een 'attered a)ost to a pup/
S.h+art? gave a haf;stifed eB.a)ation and turned a+ay oo1ing as
though he )ight 'e si.1/
$r #ut? uttered a horrified eB.a)ation in ,er)an/
S.h+art? said faintyH JWho is this guyA $oes anyone 1no+AJ
JI fan.y>J said Poirot> Jthat he +as 1no+n here as &o'ert> a rather
uns1ifu +aiter/J
#ut? had gone nearer> 'ending over the 'ody/ !e pointed +ith a finger/
There +as a paper pinned to the dead )an"s 'reast/ It had so)e +ords
s.ra+ed on it in in1/
Marras.aud +i 1i no )ore ; nor +i he ro' his friendsG
S.h+art? eDa.uatedH JMarras.audA So this is Marras.audG %ut +hat
'rought hi) up here to this out of the +ay spotA And +hy do you say
his na)e is &o'ertAJ
Poirot saidH J!e +as here )as8uerading as a +aiter ; and 'y a
a..ounts he +as a very 'ad +aiter/ So 'ad that no one +as surprised
+hen he +as given the sa.1/ !e eft ; presu)a'y to return to
Ander)att/ %ut no'ody sa+ hi) go/J
#ut? said in his o+ ru)'ing voi.eH JSo ; and +hat do you thin1
happenedAJ
Poirot repiedH JI thin1 +e have here the eBpanation of a .ertain
+orried eBpression on the hote )anager"s fa.e/ Marras.aud )ust
have offered hi) a 'ig 'ri'e to ao+ hi) to re)ain hidden in the
unused part of the hote///J
!e added thoughtfuyH J%ut the )anager +as not happy a'out it/ <h
no> he +as not happy at a/J
JAnd Marras.aud .ontinued to ive in this unused +ing +ith no one 'ut
the )anager 1no+ing a'out itAJ
JSo it see)s/ It +oud 'e 8uite possi'e> you 1no+/J
$r #ut? saidH JAnd +hy +as he 1iedA And +ho 1ied hi)AJ
S.h+art? .riedH JThat"s easy/ !e +as to share out the )oney +ith his
gang/ !e didn"t/ !e dou'e;.rossed the)/ !e .a)e here> to this out of
the +ay pa.e> to ie o+ for a +hie/ !e thought it +as the ast pa.e in
the +ord they"d ever thin1 of/ !e +as +rong/ So)eho+ or other they
got +ise to it and foo+ed hi)/J !e tou.hed the dead 'ody +ith the tip
of his shoe/ JAnd they setted his a..ount ; i1e this/J
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH J@es> it +as not 8uite the 1ind of
rende?vous +e thought/J
$r #ut? said irrita'yH JThese ho+s and +hys )ay 'e very interesting>
'ut I a) .on.erned +ith our present position/ !ere +e have a dead
)an/ I have a si.1 )an on )y hands and a i)ited a)ount of )edi.a
suppies/ And +e are .ut off fro) the +ordG For ho+ ongAJ
S.h+art? addedH JAnd +e"ve got three )urderers o.1ed in a
.up'oardG It"s +hat I"d .a 1ind of an interesting situation/J
$r #ut? saidH JWhat do +e doAJ
Poirot saidH JFirst> +e get hod of the )anager/ !e is not a .ri)ina>
that one> ony a )an +ho +as greedy for )oney/ !e is a .o+ard> too/
!e +i do everything +e te hi)/ My good friend *a.8ues> or his +ife>
+i perhaps provide so)e .ord/ <ur three )is.reants )ust 'e pa.ed
+here +e .an guard the) in safety unti the day +hen hep .o)es/ I
thin1 that Mr S.h+art?"s auto)ati. +i 'e effe.tive in .arrying out any
pans +e )ay )a1e/J
$r #ut? saidH JAnd IA What do I doAJ
J@ou> do.torAJ said Poirot gravey> J+i do a you .an for your patient/
The rest of us +i e)poy .easeess vigian.e ; and +ait/ There is
nothing ese +e .an do/J
7I
It +as three days ater that a itte party of )en appeared in front of the
hote in the eary hours of the )orning/
It +as !er.ue Poirot +ho opened the front door to the) +ith a
fourish/
JWe.o)e> )on vieuB/J
Monsieur #e)enteui> Co))issaire of Poi.e> sei?ed Poirot 'y 'oth
hands/
JAh> )y friend> +ith +hat e)otion I greet youG What stupendous events
; +hat e)otions you have passed throughG And +e 'eo+> our anBiety>
our fears ; 1no+ing nothing ; fearing everything/ 0o +ireess ; no
)eans of .o))uni.ation/ To heiograph> that +as indeed a stro1e of
genius on your part/J
J0o> no>J Poirot endeavoured to oo1 )odest/ JAfter a> +hen the
inventions of )an fai> one fas 'a.1 upon nature/ There is a+ays the
sun in the s1y/J
The itte party fied into the hote/
#e)enteui saidH JWe are not eBpe.tedAJ !is s)ie +as so)e+hat
gri)/
Poirot s)ied aso/ !e saidH J%ut noG It is 'eieved that the funi.uar is
not neary repaired yet/J
#e)enteui said +ith e)otionH JAh> this is a great day/ There is no
dou't> you thin1A It is reay Marras.audAJ
JIt is Marras.aud a right/ Co)e +ith )e/J
They +ent up the stairs/ A door opened and S.h+art? .a)e out in his
dressing;go+n/ !e stared +hen he sa+ the )en/
JI heard voi.es>J he eBpained/ JWhy> +hat"s thisAJ
!er.ue Poirot said grandio8uentyH J!ep has .o)eG A..o)pany us>
)onsieur/ This is a great )o)ent/J
!e started up the neBt fight of stairs/
S.h+art? saidH JAre you going up to $rouetA !o+ is he> 'y the +ayAJ
J$r #ut? reported hi) going +e ast night/J
They .a)e to the door of $rouet"s roo)/ Poirot fung it open/ !e
announ.edH
J!ere is your +id 'oar> gente)en/ Ta1e hi) aive and see to it that he
does not .heat the guiotine/J
The )an in the 'ed> his fa.e sti 'andaged> started up/ %ut the poi.e
offi.ers had hi) 'y the ar)s 'efore he .oud )ove/
S.h+art? .ried 'e+ideredH J%ut that"s ,ustave the +aiter ; that"s
Inspe.tor $rouet/J
JIt is ,ustave> yes ; 'ut it is not $rouet/ $rouet +as the first +aiter> the
+aiter &o'ert +ho +as i)prisoned in the unused part of the hote and
+ho) Marras.aud 1ied the sa)e night as the atta.1 +as )ade on
)e/J
7II
<ver 'rea1fast> Poirot eBpained genty to the 'e+idered A)eri.an/
J@ou .o)prehend> there are .ertain things one 1no+s ; 1no+s 8uite
.ertainy in the .ourse of one"s profession/ <ne 1no+s> for instan.e>
the differen.e 'et+een a dete.tive and a )urdererG ,ustave +as no
+aiter ; that I suspe.ted at on.e ; 'ut e8uay he +as not a poi.e)an/ I
have deat +ith poi.e)en a )y ife and I 1no+/ !e .oud pass as a
dete.tive to an outsider ; 'ut not to a )an +ho +as a poi.e)an
hi)sef/
JAnd so> at on.e> I +as suspi.ious/ That evening> I did not drin1 )y
.offee/ I poured it a+ay/ And I +as +ise/ #ate that evening a )an .a)e
into )y roo)> .a)e in +ith the easy .onfiden.e of one +ho 1no+s that
the )an +hose roo) he is sear.hing is drugged/ !e oo1ed through
)y affairs and he found the etter in )y +aet ; +here I had eft it for
hi) to findG The neBt )orning ,ustave .o)es into )y roo) +ith )y
.offee/ !e greets )e 'y na)e and a.ts his part +ith .o)pete
assuran.e/ %ut he is anBious ; horri'y anBious ; for so)eho+ or other
the poi.e have got on his tra.1G They have earnt +here he is and that
is for hi) a terri'e disaster/ It upsets a his pans/ !e is .aught up
here i1e a rat in a trap/J
S.h+art? saidH JThe da)n foo thing +as ever to .o)e hereG Why did
heAJ
Poirot said graveyH JIt is not so fooish as you thin1/ !e had need>
urgent need> of a retired spot> a+ay fro) the +ord> +here he .oud
)eet a .ertain person> and +here a .ertain happening .oud ta1e
pa.e/J
JWhat personAJ
J$r #ut?/J
J$r #ut?A Is he a .roo1 tooAJ
J$r #ut? is reay $r #ut? ; 'ut he is not a nerve spe.iaist ; not a
psy.hoanayst/ !e is a surgeon> )y friend> a surgeon +ho spe.iaises
in fa.ia surgery/ That is +hy he +as to )eet Marras.aud here/ !e is
poor no+> turned out of his .ountry/ !e +as offered a huge fee to )eet
a )an here and .hange that )an"s appearan.e 'y )eans of his
surgi.a s1i/ !e )ay have guessed that that )an +as a .ri)ina> 'ut if
so> he shut his eyes to the fa.t/ &eaise this> they dared not ris1 a
nursing ho)e in so)e foreign .ountry/ 0o> up here> +here no one ever
.o)es so eary in the season eB.ept for an odd visit> +here the
)anager is a )an in need of )oney +ho .an 'e 'ri'ed> +as an idea
spot/
J%ut> as I say> )atters +ent +rong/ Marras.aud +as 'etrayed/ The
three )en> his 'odyguard> +ho +ere to )eet hi) here and oo1 after
hi) had not yet arrived> 'ut Marras.aud a.ts at on.e/ The poi.e
offi.er +ho is pretending to 'e a +aiter is 1idnapped and Marras.aud
ta1es his pa.e/ The gang arrange for the funi.uar to 'e +re.1ed/ It is
a )atter of ti)e/ The foo+ing evening $rouet is 1ied and a paper is
pinned on the dead 'ody/ It is hoped that 'y the ti)e that
.o))uni.ations are esta'ished +ith the +ord $rouet"s 'ody )ay
have 'een 'uried as that of Marras.aud/ $r #ut? perfor)s his
operation +ithout deay/ %ut one )an )ust 'e sien.ed ; !er.ue
Poirot/ So the gang are sent to atta.1 )e/ Than1s to you> )y friend ;J
!er.ue Poirot 'o+ed gra.efuy to S.h+art? +ho saidH
JSo you"re reay !er.ue PoirotAJ
JPre.isey/J
JAnd you +ere never fooed 'y that 'ody for a )inuteA @ou 1ne+ a
aong that it +asn"t Marras.audAJ
JCertainy/J
JWhy didn"t you say soAJ
!er.ue Poirot"s fa.e +as suddeny stern/
J%e.ause I +anted to 'e 8uite sure of handing the rea Marras.aud
over to the poi.e/J
!e )ur)ured 'eo+ his 'reathH JTo .apture aive the +id 'oar of
(ry)anthea///J
Chapter F
T!( A2,(A0 STA%#(S
The situation is an eBtre)ey dei.ate one> M/ Poirot/J
A faint s)ie fitted a.ross !er.ue Poirot"s ips/ !e a)ost repiedH JIt
a+ays isGJ
Instead> he .o)posed his fa.e and put on +hat )ight 'e des.ri'ed as
a 'edside )anner of eBtre)e dis.retion/
Sir ,eorge Con+ay pro.eeded +eightiy/ Phrases fe easiy fro) his
ips ; the eBtre)e dei.a.y of the ,overn)ent"s position ; the interests
of the pu'i. ; the soidarity of the Party ; the ne.essity of presenting a
united front ; the po+er of the Press ; the +efare of the Country///
It a sounded +e ; and )eant nothing/ !er.ue Poirot fet that fa)iiar
a.hing of the Da+ +hen one ongs to ya+n and poiteness for'ids/ !e
had fet the sa)e so)eti)es +hen reading the paria)entary de'ates/
%ut on those o..asions there had 'een no need to restrain his ya+ns/
!e steeed hi)sef to endure patienty/ !e fet> at the sa)e ti)e> a
sy)pathy for Sir ,eorge Con+ay/ The )an o'viousy +anted to te
hi) so)ething ; and as o'viousy had ost the art of si)pe narration/
Words had 'e.o)e to hi) a )eans of o's.uring fa.ts ; not of reveaing
the)/ !e +as an adept in the art of the usefu phrase ; that is to say the
phrase that fas soothingy on the ear and is 8uite e)pty of )eaning/
The +ords roed on ; poor Sir ,eorge 'e.a)e 8uite red in the fa.e/ !e
shot a desperate gan.e at the other )an sitting at the head of the
ta'e> and that other )an responded/
(d+ard Ferrier saidH JA right> ,eorge/ I" te hi)/J
!er.ue Poirot shifted his ga?e fro) the !o)e Se.retary to the Pri)e
Minister/ !e fet a 1een interest in (d+ard Ferrier ; an interest aroused
'y a .han.e phrase fro) an od )an of eighty;t+o/ Professor Fergus
Ma.#eod> after disposing of a .he)i.a diffi.uty in the .onvi.tion of a
)urderer> had tou.hed for a )o)ent on poiti.s/ <n the retire)ent of
the fa)ous and 'eoved *ohn !a))ett 9no+ #ord Corn+orthy: his
son;in;a+> (d+ard Ferrier> had 'een as1ed to for) a Ca'inet/ As
poiti.ians go he +as a young )an ; under fifty/ Professor Ma.#eod
had saidH JFerrier +as on.e one of )y students/ !e"s a sound )an/J
That +as a> 'ut to !er.ue Poirot it represented a good dea/ If
Ma.#eod .aed a )an sound it +as a testi)onia to .hara.ter
.o)pared +ith +hi.h no popuar or press enthusias) .ounted at a/
It .oin.ided> it +as true> +ith the popuar esti)ate/ (d+ard Ferrier
+as .onsidered sound ; Dust that ; not 'riiant> not great> not a
parti.uary eo8uent orator> not a )an of deep earning/ !e +as a
sound )an ; a )an 'red in the tradition ; a )an +ho had )arried *ohn
!a))ett"s daughter ; +ho had 'een *ohn !a))ett"s right hand )an
and +ho .oud 'e trusted to .arry on the govern)ent of the .ountry in
the *ohn !a))ett tradition/
For *ohn !a))ett +as parti.uary dear to the peope and Press of
(ngand/ !e represented every 8uaity +hi.h +as dear to (ngish)en/
Peope said of hi)H J<ne does fee that !a))ett"s honest/J Ane.dotes
+ere tod of his si)pe ho)e ife> of his fondness for gardening/
Corresponding to %ad+in"s pipe and Cha)'erain"s u)'rea> there
+as *ohn !a))ett"s rain.oat/ !e a+ays .arried it ; a +eather+orn
gar)ent/ It stood as a sy)'o ; of the (ngish .i)ate> of the prudent
forethought of the (ngish ra.e> of their atta.h)ent to od
possessions/ Moreover> in his 'uff %ritish +ay> *ohn !a))ett +as an
orator/ !is spee.hes> 8uiety and earnesty deivered> .ontained those
si)pe senti)enta .i.hes +hi.h are so deepy rooted in the (ngish
heart/ Foreigners so)eti)es .riti.ise the) as 'eing 'oth hypo.riti.a
and un'eara'y no'e/ *ohn !a))ett did not in the east )ind 'eing
no'e ; in a sporting> pu'i. s.hoo> depre.ating fashion/
Moreover> he +as a )an of fine presen.e> ta> upstanding> +ith fair
.oouring and very 'right 'ue eyes/ !is )other had 'een a $ane and
he hi)sef had 'een for )any years First #ord of the Ad)iraty> +hi.h
gave rise to his ni.1na)e of Jthe 7i1ingJ/ When at ast i;heath for.ed
hi) to give up the reins of offi.e> deep uneasiness +as fet/ Who +oud
su..eed hi)A The 'riiant #ord Chares $eafiedA 9Too 'riiant ;
(ngand didn"t need 'riian.e/: (van WhitterA 9Cever ; 'ut perhaps a
itte uns.rupuous/: *ohn PotterA 9The sort of )an +ho )ight fan.y
hi)sef as $i.tator ; and +e didn"t +ant any di.tators in this .ountry>
than1 you very )u.h/: So a sigh of reief +ent up +hen the 8uiet
(d+ard Ferrier assu)ed offi.e/ Ferrier +as a right/ !e had 'een
trained 'y the <d Man> he had )arried the <d Man"s daughter/ In the
.assi. %ritish phrase> Ferrier +oud J.arry onJ/
!er.ue Poirot studied the 8uiet dar1;fa.ed )an +ith the o+ peasant
voi.e/ #ean and dar1 and tired;oo1ing/
(d+ard Ferrier +as sayingH JPerhaps> M/ Poirot> you are a.8uainted
+ith a +ee1y periodi.a .aed the Z;ray 0e+sAJ
JI have gan.ed at it>J ad)itted Poirot> 'ushing sighty/
The Pri)e Minister saidH JThen you 1no+ )ore or ess of +hat it
.onsists/ Se)i;i'eous )atter/ Snappy paragraphs hinting at
sensationa se.ret history/ So)e of the) true> so)e of the) har)ess
; 'ut a served up in a spi.y )anner/ <..asionay ;J
!e paused and then said> his voi.e atering a itteH J<..asionay
so)ething )ore/J
!er.ue Poirot did not spea1/
Ferrier +ent onH JFor t+o +ee1s no+ there have 'een hints of
i)pending dis.osures of a first;.ass s.anda in "the highest poiti.a
.ir.es"/ "Astonishing reveations of .orruption and Do''ery/"J
!er.ue Poirot said> shrugging his shoudersH JA .o))on tri.1/ When
the a.tua reveations .o)e they usuay disappoint the .ravers after
sensation 'ady/J
Ferrier said dryyH JThese +i not disappoint the)/J
!er.ue Poirot as1edH J@ou 1no+ then> +hat these reveations are
going to 'eAJ
JWith a fair a)ount of a..ura.y/J
(d+ard Ferrier paused a )inute> then he 'egan spea1ing/ Carefuy>
)ethodi.ay> he outined the story/
It +as not an edifying story/ A..usations of sha)eess .hi.anery> of
share Dugging> of a gross )isuse of Party Funds/ The .harges +ere
eveed against the ate Pri)e Minister> *ohn !a))ett/ They sho+ed
hi) to 'e a dishonest ras.a> a giganti. .onfiden.e tri.1ster> +ho had
used his position to a)ass for hi)sef a vast private fortune/
The Pri)e Minister"s 8uiet voi.e stopped at ast/
The !o)e Se.retary groaned/ !e sputtered outH JIt"s )onstrous ;
)onstrousG This feo+> Perry> +ho edits the rag> ought to 'e shotGJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThese so;.aed reveations are to appear in the
Z;ray 0e+sAJ
J@es/J
JWhat steps do you propose to ta1e a'out the)AJ
Ferrier said so+yH JThey .onstitute a private atta.1 on *ohn
!a))ett/ It is open to hi) to sue the paper for i'e/J
JWi he do thatAJ
J0o/J
JWhy notAJ
Ferrier saidH JIt is pro'a'e that there is nothing the Z;ray 0e+s +oud
i1e 'etter/ The pu'i.ity given the) +oud 'e enor)ous/ Their
defen.e +oud 'e fair .o))ent and that the state)ents .o)pained of
+ere true/ The +hoe 'usiness +oud 'e eBhaustivey hed up to vie+
in a 'a?e of i)eight/J
JSti> if the .ase +ent against the)> the da)ages +oud 'e eBtre)ey
heavy/J
Ferrier said so+yH JIt )ight not go against the)/J
JWhyAJ
Sir ,eorge said pri)y> JI reay thin1 that ;J
%ut (d+ard Ferrier +as aready spea1ing/
J%e.ause +hat they intend to print is ; the truth/J
A groan 'urst fro) Sir ,eorge Con+ay> outraged at su.h un;
Paria)entary fran1ness/ !e .ried outH
J(d+ard> )y dear feo+/ We don"t ad)it> surey ;J
The ghost of a s)ie passed over (d+ard Ferrier"s tired fa.e/ !e saidH
J2nfortunatey> ,eorge> there are ti)es +hen the star1 truth has got
to 'e tod/ This is one of the)/J
Sir ,eorge eB.ai)edH J@ou understand> M/ Poirot> a this is stri.ty in
.onfiden.e/ 0ot one +ord ;J
Ferrier interrupted hi)/ !e saidH JM/ Poirot understands that/J !e +ent
on so+y> JWhat he )ay not understand is thisH the +hoe future of the
Peope"s Party is at sta1e/ *ohn !a))ett> M/ Poirot> +as the Peope"s
Party/ !e stood for +hat it represents to the peope of (ngand ; he
stood for $e.en.y and !onesty/ 0o one has ever thought us 'riiant/
We have )udded and 'undered/ %ut +e have stood for the tradition
of doing one"s 'est ; and +e have stood> too> for funda)enta honesty/
<ur disaster is this ; that the )an +ho +as our figure;head> the !onest
Man of the Peope> par eB.een.e ; turns out to have 'een one of the
+orst .roo1s of this generation/J
Another groan 'urst fro) Sir ,eorge/
Poirot as1edH J@ou 1ne+ nothing of a thisAJ
Again the s)ie fashed a.ross the +eary fa.e/ Ferrier saidH J@ou )ay
not 'eieve )e> M/ Poirot> 'ut i1e everyone ese> I +as .o)petey
de.eived/ I never understood )y +ife"s .urious attitude of reserve
to+ards her father/ I understand it no+/ She 1ne+ his essentia
.hara.ter/J
!e paused and then saidH JWhen the truth 'egan to ea1 out> I +as
horrified> in.reduous/ We insisted on )y father;in;a+"s resignation on
the grounds of i;heath and +e set to +or1 to ; to .ean up the )ess>
sha I sayAJ
Sir ,eorge groaned/ JThe Augean Sta'esGJ
Poirot started/
Ferrier saidH JIt +i prove> I fear> too !er.uean a tas1 for us/ <n.e the
fa.ts 'e.o)e pu'i.> there +i 'e a +ave of rea.tion a over the
.ountry/ The ,overn)ent +i fa/ There +i 'e a ,enera (e.tion and
in a pro'a'iity (verhard and his party +i 'e returned to po+er/ @ou
1no+ (verhard"s poi.y/J
Sir ,eorge sputtered/ JA fire'rand ; a .o)pete fire'rand/J
Ferrier said graveyH J(verhard has a'iity ; 'ut he is re.1ess>
'eigerent and uttery ta.tess/ !is supporters are inept and
va.iating ; it +oud 'e pra.ti.ay a $i.tatorship/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded/
Sir ,eorge 'eated outH JIf ony the +hoe thing .an 'e hushed up///J
So+y> the Pre)ier shoo1 his head/ It +as a )ove)ent of defeat/
Poirot saidH J@ou do not 'eieve that it .an 'e hushed upAJ
Ferrier saidH JI sent for you> M/ Poirot> as a ast hope/ In )y opinion this
'usiness is too 'ig> too )any peope 1no+ a'out it> for it to 'e
su..essfuy .on.eaed/ The ony t+o )ethods open to us +hi.h are>
to put it 'unty> the use of for.e> or the adoption of 'ri'ery ; .annot
reay hope to su..eed/ The !o)e Se.retary .o)pared our trou'es
+ith the .eansing of the Augean Sta'es/ It needs> M/ Poirot> the
vioen.e of a river in spate> the disruption of the great natura for.es of
0ature ; nothing ess> in fa.t> than a )ira.e/J
JIt needs> in fa.t> a !er.ues>J said Poirot> nodding his head +ith a
peased eBpression/
!e addedH JMy na)e> re)e)'er> is !er.ue///J
(d+ard Ferrier saidH JCan you perfor) )ira.es> M/ PoirotAJ
JIt is +hy you sent for )e> is it notA %e.ause you thought that I )ightAJ
JThat is true/// I reaised that if savation +as to 'e a.hieved> it .oud
ony .o)e through so)e fantasti. and .o)petey unorthodoB
suggestion/J
!e paused a )inute> then he saidH J%ut perhaps> M/ Poirot> you ta1e an
ethi.a vie+ of the situationA *ohn !a))ett +as a .roo1> the egend of
*ohn !a))ett )ust 'e eBpoded/ Can one 'uid an honest house on
dishonest foundationsA I do not 1no+/ %ut I do 1no+ that I +ant to try/J
!e s)ied +ith a sudden sharp 'itterness/ JThe poiti.ian +ants to
re)ain in offi.e ; as usua fro) the highest )otives/J
!er.ue Poirot rose/
!e saidH JMonsieur> )y eBperien.e in the poi.e for.e has not>
perhaps> ao+ed )e to thin1 very highy of poiti.ians/ If *ohn
!a))ett +ere in offi.e ; I +oud not ift a finger ; no> not a itte finger/
%ut I 1no+ so)ething a'out you/ I have 'een tod> 'y a )an +ho is
reay great> one of the greatest s.ientists and 'rains of the day> that
you are ; a sound )an/ I +i do +hat I .an/J
!e 'o+ed and eft the roo)/
Sir ,eorge 'urst outH JWe> of a the da)ned .hee1 ;J
%ut (d+ard Ferrier sti s)iing saidH JIt +as a .o)pi)ent/J
II
<n his +ay do+nstairs> !er.ue Poirot +as inter.epted 'y a ta> fairhaired
+o)an/
She saidH JPease .o)e into )y sitting;roo)> M/ Poirot/J
!e 'o+ed and foo+ed her/
She shut the door> )otioned hi) to a .hair> and offered hi) a
.igarette/ She sat do+n opposite hi)/ She said 8uietyH
J@ou have Dust seen )y hus'and ; and he has tod you ; a'out )y
father/J
Poirot oo1ed at her +ith attention/ !e sa+ a ta +o)an> sti
handso)e> +ith .hara.ter and inteigen.e in her fa.e/ Mrs Ferrier +as
a popuar figure/ As the +ife of the Pri)e Minister she naturay .a)e
in for a good share of the i)eight/ As the daughter of her father> her
popuarity +as even greater/ $ag)ar Perrier represented the popuar
idea of (ngish +o)anhood/
She +as a devoted +ife> a fond )other> she shared her hus'and"s ove
of .ountry ife/ She interested hersef in Dust those aspe.ts of pu'i. ife
+hi.h +ere generay fet to 'e proper spheres of +o)any a.tivity/
She dressed +e> 'ut never in an ostentatiousy fashiona'e )anner/
She devoted )u.h of her ti)e and a.tivity to arge;s.ae .harities> she
had inaugurated spe.ia s.he)es for the reief of the +ives of
une)poyed )en/ She +as oo1ed up to 'y the +hoe nation and +as a
)ost vaua'e asset to the Party/
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou )ust 'e terri'y +orried> Mada)e/J
J<h> I a) ; you don"t 1no+ ho+ )u.h/ For years I have 'een dreading ;
so)ething/J
Poirot saidH J@ou had no idea of +hat +as going on a.tuayAJ
She shoo1 her head/ J0o ; not in the east/ I ony 1ne+ that )y father
+as not ; +as not +hat everyone thought hi)/ I reaised> fro) the ti)e
that I +as a .hid> that he +as a ; a hu)'ug/J
!er voi.e +as deep and 'itter/ She saidH JIt is through )arrying )e
that (d+ard ; that (d+ard +i ose everything/J
Poirot said in a 8uiet voi.eH J!ave you any ene)ies> Mada)eAJ
She oo1ed up at hi)> surprised/
J(ne)iesA I don"t thin1 so/J
Poirot said thoughtfuyH JI thin1 you have///J !e +ent onH J!ave you
.ourage> Mada)eA There is a great .a)paign afoot ; against your
hus'and ; and against yoursef/ @ou )ust prepare to defend yoursef/J
She .riedH J%ut it doesn"t )atter a'out )e/ <ny a'out (d+ardGJ
Poirot saidH JThe one in.udes the other/ &e)e)'er> Mada)e> you are
Caesar"s +ife/J
!e sa+ her .oour e''/ She eaned for+ard/
She saidH JWhat is it you are trying to te )eAJ
III
Per.y Perry> editor of the Z;ray 0e+s> sat 'ehind his des1 s)o1ing/
!e +as a s)a )an +ith a fa.e i1e a +ease/
!e +as saying in a soft> oiy voi.eH JWe" give "e) the dirt> a right/
#ovey ; oveyG <h 'oyGJ
!is se.ond;in;.o))and> a thin> spe.ta.ed youth> said uneasiyH
J@ou"re not nervousAJ
J(Bpe.ting strong ar) stuffA 0ot the)/ !aven"t got the nerve/ Woudn"t
do the) any good> either/ 0ot the +ay +e"ve got it far)ed out ; in this
.ountry and on the Continent and A)eri.a/J
The other saidH JThey )ust 'e in a pretty good ste+/ Won"t they do
anythingAJ
JThey" send so)eone to ta1 pretty ;J
A 'u??er sounded/ Per.y Perry pi.1ed up a re.eiver/
!e saidH JWho do you sayA &ight> send hi) up/J
!e put the re.eiver do+n ; grinned/
JThey"ve got that high;toned %egian di.1 on to it/ !e"s .o)ing up no+
to do his stuff/ Wants to 1no+ if +e" pay 'a/J
!er.ue Poirot .a)e in/ !e +as i))a.uatey dressed ; a +hite
.a)eia in his 'uttonhoe/
Per.y Perry saidH JPeased to )eet you> M/ Poirot/ <n your +ay to the
&oya (n.osure at As.otA 0oA My )ista1e/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI a) fattered/ <ne hopes to present a good
appearan.e/ It is even )ore i)portant>J his eyes roa)ed inno.enty
over the editor"s fa.e and so)e+hat soveny attire> J+hen one has
fe+ natura advantages/J
Perry said shortyH JWhat do you +ant to see )e a'outAJ
Poirot eaned for+ard> tapped hi) on the 1nee> and said +ith a
'ea)ing s)ieH J%a.1)ai/J
JWhat the devi do you )ean> 'a.1)aiAJ
JI have heard ; the itte 'ird has tod )e ; that on o..asions you have
'een on the point of pu'ishing .ertain very da)aging state)ents in
your so spiritue paper ; then> there has 'een a peasant itte in.rease
in your 'an1 'aan.e ; and after a> those state)ents have not 'een
pu'ished/J
Poirot eaned 'a.1 and nodded his head in a satisfied sort of +ay/
J$o you reaise that +hat you"re suggesting a)ounts to sanderAJ
Poirot s)ied .onfidenty/
JI a) sure you +i not ta1e offen.e/J
JI do ta1e offen.eG As to 'a.1)ai there is no eviden.e of )y ever
having 'a.1)aied any'ody/J
J0o> no> I a) 8uite sure of that/ @ou )isunderstand )e/ I +as not
threatening you/ I +as eading up to a si)pe 8uestion/ !o+ )u.hAJ
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you"re ta1ing a'out>J said Per.y Perry/
JA )atter of nationa i)portan.e> M/ Perry/J
They eB.hanged a signifi.ant gan.e/
Per.y Perry saidH JI") a refor)er> M/ Poirot/ I +ant to see poiti.s
.eaned up/ I") opposed to .orruption/ $o you 1no+ +hat the state of
poiti.s is in this .ountryA The Augean Sta'es> no )ore> no ess/J
JTiensGJ said !er.ue Poirot/ J@ou> too> use that phrase/J
JAnd +hat is needed>J +ent on the editor> Jto .eanse those sta'es is
the great purifying food of Pu'i. <pinion/J
!er.ue Poirot got up/ !e saidH JI appaud your senti)ents/J
!e addedH JIt is a pity that you do not fee in need of )oney/J
Per.y Perry said hurriedyH J!ere> +ait a se. ; I didn"t say that
eBa.ty///J
%ut !er.ue Poirot had gone through the door/
!is eB.use for ater events is that he does not i1e 'a.1)aiers/
I7
(verett $ash+ood> the .heery young )an on the staff of The %ran.h>
.apped !er.ue Poirot affe.tionatey on the 'a.1/
!e saidH JThere"s dirt and dirt> )y 'oy/ My dirt"s .ean dirt ; that"s a/J
JI +as not suggesting that you +ere on a par +ith Per.y Perry/J
J$a)ned itte 'oodsu.1er/ !e"s a 'ot on our profession/ We"d a
do+n hi) if +e .oud/J
JIt happens>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jthat I a) engaged at the )o)ent
on a itte )atter of .earing up a poiti.a s.anda/J
JCeaning out the Augean Sta'es> ehAJ said $ash+ood/ JToo )u.h for
you> )y 'oy/ <ny hope is to divert the Tha)es and +ash a+ay the
!ouses of Paria)ent/J
J@ou are .yni.a>J said !er.ue Poirot> sha1ing his head/
JI 1no+ the +ord> that"s a/J
Poirot saidH J@ou> I thin1> are Dust the )an I see1/ @ou have a re.1ess
disposition> you are the good sport> you i1e so)ething that is out of
the usua/J
JAnd granting a thatAJ
JI have a itte s.he)e to put into a.tion/ If )y ideas are right> there is a
sensationa pot to un)as1/ That> )y friend> sha 'e a s.oop for your
paper/J
JCan do>J said $ash+ood .heerfuy/
JIt +i .on.ern a s.urrious pot against a +o)an/J
J%etter and 'etter/ SeB stuff a+ays goes/J
JThen sit do+n and isten/J
7
Peope +ere ta1ing/
In the ,oose and Feathers at #itte Wi)pington/
JWe> I don"t 'eieve it/ *ohn !a))ett> he +as a+ays an honest )an>
he +asn"t i1e so)e of these poiti.a fo1/J
JThat"s +hat they say a'out a s+inders 'efore they"re found out/J
JThousands> they say he )ade> out of that Paestine <i 'usiness/ *ust
a .roo1 dea> it +as/J
JWhoe ot of "e) tarred +ith the sa)e 'rush/ $irty .roo1s> every one
of "e)/J
J@ou +oudn"t find (verhard doing that/ !e"s one of the od s.hoo/J
J(h> 'ut I .an"t 'eieve as *ohn !a))ett +as a +rong "un/ @ou .an"t
'eieve a these papers say/J
JFerrier"s +ife +as "is daughter/ !ave you seen +hat it says a'out
herAJ
They poured over a )u.h;thu)ped .opy of the Z;ray 0e+s/
Caesar"s +ifeA We hear that a .ertain highy;pa.ed poiti.a ady +as
seen in very strange surroundings the other day/ Co)pete +ith her
gigoo/ <h $ag)ar> $ag)ar> ho+ .oud you 'e so naughtyA
A rusti. voi.e said so+yH JMrs Ferrier"s not that 1ind/ ,igooA That"s
one of these dago s1un1s/J
Another voi.e saidH J@ou never .an te +ith +o)en/ The +hoe 'un.h
of "e) +rong "uns if you as1 )e/J
7I
Peope +ere ta1ing/
J%ut> daring> I 'eieve it"s a'soutey true/ 0ao)i had it fro) Pau and
he had it fro) Andy/ She"s a'soutey depraved/J
J%ut she +as a+ays so terri'y do+dy and proper and opening
%a?aars/J
J*ust .a)oufage> daring/ They say she"s a ny)pho)ania./ We> I
)eanG It"s a in the Z;ray 0e+s/ <h> not right out> 'ut you .an read
'et+een the ines/ I don"t 1no+ ho+ they get hod of these things/J
JWhat do you thin1 of a this poiti.a s.anda tou.hA They say her
father e)'e??ed the Party funds/J
7II
Peope +ere ta1ing/
JI don"t i1e to thin1 of it> and that"s a fa.t> Mrs &ogers/ I )ean> I a+ays
thought Mrs Ferrier +as a reay ni.e +o)an/J
J$o you thin1 a these a+fu things are trueAJ
JAs I say> I don"t i1e to thin1 it of her/ Why> she opened a %a?aar in
Pe.hester ony ast *une/ I +as as near to her as I a) to that sofa/ And
she had su.h a peasant s)ie/J
J@es> 'ut +hat I say is there"s no s)o1e +ithout fire/J
JWe> of .ourse that"s true/ <h dear> it see)s as though you .an"t
'eieve in anyoneGJ
7III
(d+ard Ferrier> his fa.e +hite and strained> said to PoirotH JThese
atta.1s on )y +ifeG They"re s.urrious ; a'soutey s.urriousG I")
'ringing an a.tion against that vie rag/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI do not advise you to do so/J
J%ut these da)ned ies have got to 'e stopped/J
JAre you sure they are iesAJ
J,od da)n you> yesGJ
Poirot said> his head hed a itte on one sideH JWhat does your +ife
sayAJ
For a )o)ent Ferrier oo1ed ta1en a'a.1/
JShe says it is 'est to ta1e no noti.e/// %ut I .an"t do that ; every'ody is
ta1ing/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@es> every'ody is ta1ing/J
IZ
And then .a)e the s)a 'ad announ.e)ent in a the papersH Mrs
Ferrier has had a sight nervous 'rea1do+n/ She has gone to S.otand
to re.uperate/
ConDe.tures> ru)ours ; positive infor)ation that Mrs Ferrier +as not in
S.otand> had never 'een to S.otand/
Stories> s.andaous stories> of +here Mrs Ferrier reay +as///
And again> peope ta1ing/
JI te you Andy sa+ her/ At that frightfu pa.eG She +as drun1 or
doped and +ith an a+fu Argentine gigoo ; &a)on/ @ou 1no+GJ
More ta1ing/
Mrs Ferrier had gone off +ith an Argentine dan.er/ She had 'een seen
in Paris> doped/ She had 'een ta1ing drugs for years/ She dran1 i1e a
fish/
So+y the righteous )ind of (ngand> at first un'eieving> had
hardened against Mrs Ferrier/ See)ed as though there )ust 'e
so)ething in itG That +asn"t the sort of +o)an to 'e the Pri)e
Minister"s +ife/ JA *e?e'e> that"s +hat she is> nothing 'etter than a
*e?e'eGJ
And then .a)e the .a)era re.ords/
Mrs Ferrier> photographed in Paris ; ying 'a.1 in a 0ight Cu'> her ar)
t+ined fa)iiary over the shouder of a dar1> oive;s1inned vi.iousoo1ing
young )an/
<ther snapshots ; haf;na1ed on a 'ea.h ; her head on the ounge
i?ard"s shouder/
And underneathH JMrs Ferrier has a good ti)e///J
T+o days ater an a.tion for i'e +as 'rought against the Z;ray 0e+s/
Z
The .ase for the prose.ution +as opened 'y Sir Morti)er Inge+ood>
-C/ !e +as dignified and fu of righteous indignation/ Mrs Ferrier +as
the vi.ti) of an infa)ous pot ; a pot ony to 'e e8uaed 'y the fa)ous
.ase of the 4ueen"s 0e.1a.e fa)iiar to readers of AeBandre $u)as/
That pot had 'een engineered to o+er 4ueen Marie Antoinette in the
eyes of the popua.e/ This pot> aso> had 'een engineered to dis.redit
a no'e and virtuous ady +ho +as in this .ountry in the position of
Caesar"s +ife/ Sir Morti)er spo1e +ith 'itter disparage)ent of
Fas.ists and Co))unists 'oth of +ho) sought to under)ine
$e)o.ra.y 'y every unfair )a.hination 1no+n/ !e then pro.eeded to
.a +itnesses/
The first +as the %ishop of 0orthu)'ria/
$r !enderson> the %ishop of 0orthu)'ria +as one of the 'est;1no+n
figures in the (ngish .hur.h> a )an of great saintiness and integrity
of .hara.ter/ !e +as 'road)inded> toerant> and a fine prea.her/ !e
+as oved and revered 'y a +ho 1ne+ hi)/
!e +ent into the 'oB and s+ore that 'et+een the dates )entioned Mrs
(d+ard Ferrier had 'een staying in the Paa.e +ith hi)sef and his
+ife/ Worn out 'y her a.tivities in good +or1s> she had 'een
re.o))ended a thorough rest/ !er visit had 'een 1ept a se.ret so as
to o'viate any +orry fro) the Press/
An e)inent do.tor foo+ed the %ishop and deposed to having ordered
Mrs Ferrier rest and .o)pete a'sen.e fro) +orry/
A o.a genera pra.titioner gave eviden.e to the effe.t that he had
attended Mrs Ferrier at the Paa.e/
The neBt +itness .aed +as The)a Andersen/
A thri +ent round the Court +hen she entered the +itness;'oB/
(veryone reaised at on.e +hat a strong rese)'an.e the +o)an 'ore
to Mrs (d+ard Ferrier/
J@our na)e is The)a AndersenAJ
J@es/J
J@ou are a $anish su'De.tAJ
J@es/ Copenhagen is )y ho)e/J
JAnd you for)ery +or1ed at a .af= thereAJ
J@es> sir/J
JPease te us in your o+n +ords +hat happened on the 1Oth Mar.h
ast/J
JThere is a gente)an +ho .o)es to )y ta'e there ; an (ngish
gente)an/ !e tes )e he +or1s for an (ngish paper ; the Z;ray
0e+s/J
J@ou are sure he )entioned that na)e ; Z;ray 0e+sAJ
J@es> I a) sure ; 'e.ause> you see> I thin1 at first it )ust 'e a )edi.a
paper/ %ut no> it see)s not so/ Then he tes )e there is an (ngish fi)
a.tress +ho +ants to find a "stand;in"> and that I a) Dust the type/ I do
not go to the pi.tures )u.h> and I do not re.ognise the na)e he says>
'ut he tes )e> yes> she is very fa)ous> and that she has not 'een +e
and so she +ants so)eone to appear as her in pu'i. pa.es> and for
that she +i pay very )u.h )oney/J
J!o+ )u.h )oney did this gente)an offer youAJ
JFive hundred pounds in (ngish )oney/ I do not at first 'eieve ; I thin1
it is so)e tri.1> 'ut he pays )e at on.e haf the )oney/ So then> I give
in )y noti.e +here I +or1/J
The tae +ent on/ She had 'een ta1en to Paris> suppied +ith s)art
.othes> and had 'een provided +ith an Jes.ortJ/ JA very ni.e
Argentinian gente)an ; very respe.tfu> very poite/J
It +as .ear that the +o)an had thoroughy enDoyed hersef/ She had
fo+n over to #ondon and 'een ta1en there to .ertain J0ight Cu'sJ 'y
her oive;s1inned .avaier/ She had 'een photographed in Paris +ith
hi)/ So)e of the pa.es to +hi.h she had gone +ere not> she ad)itted>
8uite ni.e/// Indeed> they +ere not respe.ta'eG And so)e of the
photographs ta1en> they too> had not 'een very ni.e/ %ut these things>
they had tod her> +ere ne.essary for Jadvertise)entJ ; and Sedor
&a)on hi)sef had a+ays 'een )ost respe.tfu/
In ans+er to 8uestioning she de.ared that the na)e of Mrs Ferrier
had never 'een )entioned and that she had had no idea that it +as
that ady she +as supposed to 'e understudying/ She had )eant no
har)/ She identified .ertain photographs +hi.h +ere sho+n to her as
having 'een ta1en of her in Paris and on the &iviera/
There +as the ha)ar1 of a'soute honesty a'out The)a Andersen/
She +as 8uite .eary a peasant> 'ut sighty stupid +o)an/ !er
distress at the +hoe thing> no+ that she understood it> +as patent to
everyone/
The defen.e +as un.onvin.ing/ A fren?ied denia of having any
deaings +ith the +o)an Andersen/ The photos in 8uestion had 'een
'rought to the #ondon offi.e and had 'een 'eieved to 'e genuine/ Sir
Morti)er"s .osing spee.h roused enthusias)/ !e des.ri'ed the +hoe
thing as a dastardy poiti.a pot> for)ed to dis.redit the Pri)e
Minister and his +ife/ A sy)pathy +oud 'e eBtended to the
unfortunate Mrs Ferrier/
The verdi.t> a foregone .on.usion> +as given a)idst unparaeed
s.enes/ $a)ages +ere assessed at an enor)ous figure/ As Mrs
Ferrier and her hus'and and father eft the .ourt they +ere greeted 'y
the appre.iative roars of a vast .ro+d/
ZI
(d+ard Ferrier grasped Poirot +ar)y 'y the hand/
!e saidH JI than1 you> M/ Poirot> a thousand ti)es/ We> that finishes
the Z;ray 0e+s/ $irty itte rag/ They"re +iped out .o)petey/ Serves
the) right for .oo1ing up su.h a s.urrious pot/ Against $ag)ar> too>
the 1indiest .reature in the +ord/ Than1 goodness you )anaged to
eBpose the +hoe thing for the +i.1ed ra)p it +as/// What put you on
to the idea that they )ight 'e using a dou'eAJ
JIt is not a ne+ idea>J Poirot re)inded hi)/ JIt +as e)poyed
su..essfuy in the .ase of *eanne de a Motte +hen she i)personated
Marie Antoinette/J
JI 1no+/ I )ust re;read The 4ueen"s 0e.1a.e/ %ut ho+ did you
a.tuay find the +o)an they +ere e)poyingAJ
JI oo1ed for her in $en)ar1> and I found her there/J
J%ut +hy $en)ar1AJ
J%e.ause Mrs Ferrier"s grand)other +as a $ane> and she hersef is a
)ar1edy $anish type/ And there +ere other reasons/J
JThe rese)'an.e is .ertainy stri1ing/ What a deviish ideaG I +onder
ho+ the itte rat .a)e to thin1 of itAJ
Poirot s)ied/
J%ut he did not/J
!e tapped hi)sef on the .hest/
JI thought of itGJ
(d+ard Ferrier stared/ JI don"t understand/ What do you )eanAJ
Poirot saidH JWe )ust go 'a.1 to an oder story than that of The
4ueen"s 0e.1a.e ; to the .eansing of the Augean Sta'es/ What
!er.ues used +as a river ; that is to say one of the great for.es of
0ature/ Modernise thatG What is a great for.e of 0atureA SeB> is it notA
It is the seB ange that ses stories> that )a1es ne+s/ ,ive peope
s.anda aied to seB and it appeas far )ore than any )ere poiti.a
.hi.anery or fraud/
J(h 'ien> that +as )y tas1G First to put )y o+n hands in the )ud i1e
!er.ues to 'uid up a da) that shoud turn the .ourse of that river/ A
Dournaisti. friend of )ine aided )e/ !e sear.hed $en)ar1 unti he
found a suita'e person to atte)pt the i)personation/ !e approa.hed
her> .asuay )entioned the Z;ray 0e+s to her> hoping she +oud
re)e)'er it/ She did/
JAnd so> +hat happenedA Mud ; a great dea of )udG Caesar"s +ife is
'espattered +ith it/ Far )ore interesting to every'ody than any
poiti.a s.anda/ And the resut ; the denoue)entA Why> &ea.tionG
7irtue vindi.atedG The pure +o)an .earedG A great tide of &o)an.e
and Senti)ent s+eeping through the Augean Sta'es/
JIf a the ne+spapers in the .ountry pu'ish the ne+s of *ohn
!a))ett"s defa.ations no+> no one +i 'eieve it/ It +i 'e put do+n
as another poiti.a pot to dis.redit the ,overn)ent/J
(d+ard Ferrier too1 a deep 'reath/ For a )o)ent !er.ue Poirot .a)e
nearer to 'eing physi.ay assauted than at any other ti)e in his
.areer/
JMy +ifeG @ou dared to use her ;J
Fortunatey> perhaps> Mrs Ferrier hersef entered the roo) at this
)o)ent/
JWe>J she said/ JThat +ent off very +e/J
J$ag)ar> did you ; 1no+ a aongAJ
J<f .ourse> dear>J said $ag)ar Ferrier/
And she s)ied> the gente> )aterna s)ie of a devoted +ife/
JAnd you never tod )eGJ
J%ut> (d+ard> you +oud never have et M/ Poirot do it/J
JIndeed I +oud notGJ
$ag)ar s)ied/ JThat"s +hat +e thought/J
JWeAJ
JI and M/ Poirot/J
She s)ied at !er.ue Poirot and at her hus'and/
She addedH JI had a very restfu ti)e +ith the dear %ishop ; I fee fu of
energy no+/ They +ant )e to .hristen the ne+ 'atteship at #iverpoo
neBt )onth ; I thin1 it +oud 'e a popuar thing to do/J
Chapter 3
T!( ST@MP!A#(A0 %I&$S
!arod Waring noti.ed the) first +a1ing up the path fro) the a1e/ !e
+as sitting outside the hote on the terra.e/ The day +as fine> the a1e
+as 'ue> and the sun shone/ !arod +as s)o1ing a pipe and feeing
that the +ord +as a pretty good pa.e/
!is poiti.a .areer +as shaping +e/ An under;se.retary;ship at the
age of thirty +as so)ething to 'e Dusty proud of/ It had 'een reported
that the Pri)e Minister had said to so)eone that Jyoung Waring +oud
go farJ/ !arod +as> not unnaturay> eated/ #ife presented itsef to hi)
in rosy .oours/ !e +as young> suffi.ienty good;oo1ing> in first;.ass
.ondition> and 8uite unen.u)'ered +ith ro)anti. ties/
!e had de.ided to ta1e a hoiday in !er?osova1ia so as to get right off
the 'eaten tra.1 and have a rea rest fro) everyone and everything/
The hote at #a1e Ste)p1a> though s)a> +as .o)forta'e and not
over.ro+ded/ The fe+ peope there +ere )osty foreigners/ So far the
ony other (ngish peope +ere an edery +o)an> Mrs &i.e> and her
)arried daughter> Mrs Cayton/ !arod i1ed the) 'oth/ (sie Cayton
+as pretty in a rather od;fashioned stye/ She )ade up very itte> if at
a> and +as gente and rather shy/ Mrs &i.e +as +hat is .aed a
+o)an of .hara.ter/ She +as ta> +ith a deep voi.e and a )asterfu
)anner> 'ut she had a sense of hu)our and +as good .o)pany/ !er
ife +as .eary 'ound up in that of her daughter/
!arod had spent so)e peasant hours in the .o)pany of )other and
daughter> 'ut they did not atte)pt to )onopoise hi) and reations
re)ained friendy and uneBa.ting 'et+een the)/
The other peope in the hote had not aroused !arod"s noti.e/ 2suay
they +ere hi1ers> or )e)'ers of a )otor.oa.h tour/ They stayed a
night or t+o and then +ent on/ !e had hardy noti.ed any one ese ;
unti this afternoon/
They .a)e up the path fro) the a1e very so+y and it Dust happened
that at the )o)ent +hen !arod"s attention +as attra.ted to the)> a
.oud .a)e over the sun/ !e shivered a itte/
Then he stared/ Surey there +as so)ething odd a'out these t+o
+o)enA They had ong> .urved noses> i1e 'irds> and their fa.es>
+hi.h +ere .uriousy ai1e> +ere 8uite i))o'ie/ <ver their shouders
they +ore oose .oa1s that fapped in the +ind i1e the +ings of t+o
'ig 'irds/
!arod thought to hi)sef/ JThey are i1e 'irds/J !e added a)ost
+ithout voition> J'irds of i o)en/J
The +o)en .a)e straight up on the terra.e and passed .ose 'y hi)/
They +ere not young ; perhaps nearer fifty than forty> and the
rese)'an.e 'et+een the) +as so .ose that they +ere o'viousy
sisters/ Their eBpression +as for'idding/ As they passed !arod the
eyes of 'oth of the) rested on hi) for a )inute/ It +as a .urious>
appraising gan.e ; a)ost inhu)an/
!arod"s i)pression of evi gre+ stronger/ !e noti.ed the hand of one
of the t+o sisters> a ong .a+;i1e hand/// Athough the sun had .o)e
out> he shivered on.e again/
!e thoughtH J!orri'e .reatures/ #i1e 'irds of prey///J
!e +as distra.ted fro) these i)aginings 'y the e)ergen.e of Mrs
&i.e fro) the hote/ !e Du)ped up and dre+ for+ard a .hair/ With a
+ord of than1s she sat do+n and> as usua> 'egan to 1nit vigorousy/
!arod as1edH J$id you see those t+o +o)en +ho Dust +ent into the
hoteAJ
JWith .oa1s onA @es> I passed the)/J
J(Btraordinary .reatures> didn"t you thin1AJ
JWe ; yes> perhaps they are rather odd/ They ony arrived yesterday> I
thin1/ 7ery ai1e ; they )ust 'e t+ins/J
!arod saidH JI )ay 'e fan.ifu> 'ut I distin.ty fet there +as so)ething
evi a'out the)/J
J!o+ .urious/ I )ust oo1 at the) )ore .osey and see if I agree +ith
you/J
She addedH JWe" find out fro) the .on.ierge +ho they are/ 0ot
(ngish> I i)agineAJ
J<h no/J
Mrs &i.e gan.ed at her +at.h/
She saidH JTea;ti)e/ I +onder if you"d )ind going in and ringing the
'e> Mr WaringAJ
JCertainy> Mrs &i.e/J
!e did so and then as he returned to his seat he as1edH
JWhere"s your daughter this afternoonAJ
J(sieA We +ent for a +a1 together/ Part of the +ay round the a1e and
then 'a.1 through the pine+oods/ It reay +as ovey/J
A +aiter .a)e out and re.eived orders for tea/ Mrs &i.e +ent on> her
needes fying vigorousyH
J(sie had a etter fro) her hus'and/ She )ayn"t .o)e do+n to tea/J
J!er hus'andAJ !arod +as surprised/ J$o you 1no+> I a+ays thought
she +as a +ido+/J
Mrs &i.e shot hi) a sharp gan.e/
She said dryyH J<h no> (sie isn"t a +ido+/J She added +ith e)phasisH
J2nfortunateyGJ
!arod +as started/
Mrs &i.e> nodding her head gri)y> saidH J$rin1 is responsi'e for a ot
of unhappiness> Mr Waring/J
J$oes he drin1AJ
J@es/ And a good )any other things as +e/ !e"s insaney Deaous and
has a singuary vioent te)per/J She sighed/ JIt"s a diffi.ut +ord> Mr
Waring/ I") devoted to (sie> she"s )y ony .hid ; and to see her
unhappy isn"t an easy thing to 'ear/J
!arod said +ith rea e)otionH JShe"s su.h a gente .reature/J
JA itte too gente> perhaps/J
J@ou )ean ;J
Mrs &i.e said so+yH JA happy .reature is )ore arrogant/ (sie"s
genteness .o)es> I thin1> fro) a sense of defeat/ #ife has 'een too
)u.h for her/J
!arod said +ith so)e sight hesitationH J!o+ ; did she .o)e to )arry
this hus'and of hersAJ
Mrs &i.e ans+eredH JPhiip Cayton +as a very attra.tive person/ !e
had 9sti has: great .har)> he had a .ertain a)ount of )oney ; and
there +as no one to advise us of his rea .hara.ter/ I had 'een a +ido+
for )any years/ T+o +o)en> iving aone> are not the 'est Dudges of a
)an"s .hara.ter/J
!arod said thoughtfuyH J0o> that"s true/J
!e fet a +ave of indignation and pity s+eep over hi)/ (sie Cayton
.oud not 'e )ore than t+enty;five at the )ost/ !e re.aed the .ear
friendiness of her 'ue eyes> the soft droop of her )outh/ !e reaised>
suddeny> that his interest in her +ent a itte 'eyond friendship/
And she +as tied to a 'rute///
II
That evening> !arod Doined )other and daughter after dinner/ (sie
Cayton +as +earing a soft du pin1 dress/ !er eyeids> he noti.ed>
+ere red/ She had 'een .rying/
Mrs &i.e said 'ris1yH JI"ve found out +ho your t+o harpies are> Mr
Waring/ Poish adies ; of very good fa)iy> so the .on.ierge says/J
!arod oo1ed a.ross the roo) to +here the Poish adies +ere sitting/
(sie said +ith interestH JThose t+o +o)en over thereA With the
henna;dyed hairA They oo1 rather horri'e so)eho+ ; I don"t 1no+
+hy/J
!arod said triu)phantyH JThat"s Dust +hat I thought/J
Mrs &i.e said +ith a aughH JI thin1 you are 'oth 'eing a'surd/ @ou
.an"t possi'y te +hat peope are i1e Dust 'y oo1ing at the)/J
(sie aughed/
She saidH JI suppose one .an"t/ A the sa)e I thin1 they"re vuturesGJ
JPi.1ing out dead )en"s eyesGJ said !arod/
J<h> don"t>J .ried (sie/
!arod said 8ui.1yH JSorry/J
Mrs &i.e said +ith a s)ieH JAny+ay they"re not i1ey to .ross our
path/J
(sie saidH JWe haven"t got any guity se.retsGJ
JPerhaps Mr Waring has>J said Mrs &i.e +ith a t+in1e/
!arod aughed> thro+ing his head 'a.1/
!e saidH J0ot a se.ret in the +ord/ My ife"s an open 'oo1/J And it
fashed a.ross his )indH JWhat foos peope are +ho eave the straight
path/ A .ear .ons.ien.e ; that"s a one needs in ife/ With that you .an
fa.e the +ord and te everyone +ho interferes +ith you to go to the
deviGJ
!e fet suddeny very )u.h aive ; very strong ; very )u.h )aster of
his fateG
III
!arod Waring> i1e )any other (ngish)en> +as a 'ad inguist/ !is
Fren.h +as hating and de.idedy %ritish in intonation/ <f ,er)an and
Itaian he 1ne+ nothing/
2p to no+> these inguisti. disa'iities had not +orried hi)/ In )ost
hotes on the Continent> he had a+ays found> everyone spo1e (ngish>
so +hy +orryA
%ut in this out;of;the;+ay spot> +here the native anguage +as a for)
of Sova1 and even the .on.ierge ony spo1e ,er)an it +as so)eti)es
gaing to !arod +hen one of his t+o +o)en friends a.ted as
interpreter for hi)/ Mrs &i.e> +ho +as fond of anguages> .oud even
spea1 a itte Sova1/
!arod deter)ined that he +oud set a'out earning ,er)an/ !e
de.ided to 'uy so)e teBt 'oo1s and spend a .oupe of hours ea.h
)orning in )astering the anguage/
The )orning +as fine and after +riting so)e etters> !arod oo1ed at
his +at.h and sa+ there +as sti ti)e for an hour"s stro 'efore un.h/
!e +ent do+n to+ards the a1e and then turned aside into the pine
+oods/ !e had +a1ed there for perhaps five )inutes +hen he heard
an un)ista1a'e sound/ So)e+here not far a+ay a +o)an +as
so''ing her heart out/
!arod paused a )inute> then he +ent in the dire.tion of the sound/
The +o)an +as (sie Cayton and +as she sitting on a faen tree +ith
her fa.e 'uried in her hands and her shouders 8uivering +ith the
vioen.e of her grief/
!arod hesitated a )inute> then he .a)e up to her/
!e said gentyH JMrs Cayton ; (sieAJ
She started vioenty and oo1ed up at hi)/ !arod sat do+n 'eside
her/
!e said +ith rea sy)pathyH JIs there anything I .an doA Anything at
aAJ
She shoo1 her head/
J0o ; no ; you"re very 1ind/ %ut there"s nothing any one .an do for )e/J
!arod said rather diffidentyH JIs it to do +ith ; your hus'andAJ
She nodded/ Then she +iped her eyes and too1 out her po+der
.o)pa.t> strugging to regain .o))and of hersef/
She said in a 8uavering voi.eH JI didn"t +ant Mother to +orry/ She"s so
upset +hen she sees )e unhappy/ So I .a)e out here to have a good
.ry/ It"s siy> I 1no+/ Crying doesn"t hep/ %ut ; so)eti)es ; one Dust
fees that ife is 8uite un'eara'e/J
!arod saidH JI") terri'y sorry/J
She thre+ hi) a gratefu gan.e/ Then she said hurriedyH JIt"s )y o+n
faut> of .ourse/ I )arried Phiip of )y o+n free +i/ It ; it"s turned out
'ady> I"ve ony )ysef to 'a)e/J
!arod saidH JIt"s very pu.1y of you to put it i1e that/J
(sie shoo1 her head/ J0o> I") not pu.1y/ I") not 'rave at a/ I") an
a+fu .o+ard/ That"s party the trou'e +ith Phiip/ I") terrified of hi) ;
a'soutey terrified ; +hen he gets in one of his rages/J
!arod said +ith feeingH J@ou ought to eave hi)GJ
JI daren"t/ !e ; he +oudn"t et )e/J
J0onsenseG What a'out a divor.eAJ
She shoo1 her head so+y/ JI"ve no grounds/J She straightened her
shouders/ J0o> I"ve got to .arry on/ I spend a fair a)ount of ti)e +ith
Mother> you 1no+/ Phiip doesn"t )ind that/ (spe.iay +hen +e go
so)e+here off the 'eaten tra.1 i1e this/J
She added> the .oour rising in her .hee1s> J@ou see> part of the
trou'e is that he"s insaney Deaous/ If ; if I so )u.h as spea1 to
another )an he )a1es the )ost frightfu s.enes/J
!arod"s indignation rose/ !e had heard )any +o)en .o)pain of the
Deaousy of a hus'and> and +hist professing sy)pathy> had 'een
se.rety of the opinion that the hus'and +as a)py Dustified/ %ut (sie
Cayton +asn"t one of those +o)en/ She had never thro+n hi) so
)u.h as a firtatious gan.e/
(sie dre+ a+ay fro) hi) +ith a sight shiver/ She gan.ed up at the
s1y/
JThe sun"s gone in/ It"s 8uite .od/ We"d 'etter get 'a.1 to the hote/ It
)ust 'e neary un.h ti)e/J
They got up and turned in the dire.tion of the hote/ They had +a1ed
for perhaps a )inute +hen they overtoo1 a figure going in the sa)e
dire.tion/ They re.ognised her 'y the fapping .oa1 she +ore/ It +as
one of the Poish sisters/
They passed her> !arod 'o+ing sighty/ She )ade no response 'ut
her eyes rested on the) 'oth for a )inute and there +as a .ertain
appraising 8uaity in the gan.e +hi.h )ade !arod fee suddeny hot/
!e +ondered if the +o)an had seen hi) sitting 'y (sie on the tree
trun1/ If so> she pro'a'y thought///
We> she oo1ed as though she thought/// A +ave of indignation
over+he)ed hi)G What fou )inds so)e +o)en hadG
<dd that the sun had gone in and that they shoud 'oth have shivered ;
perhaps Dust at the )o)ent that that +o)an +as +at.hing the)///
So)eho+> !arod fet a itte uneasy/
I7
That evening> !arod +ent to his roo) a itte after ten/ The (ngish
)ai had arrived and he had re.eived a nu)'er of etters> so)e of
+hi.h needed i))ediate ans+ers/
!e got into his pyDa)as and a dressing;go+n and sat do+n at the des1
to dea +ith his .orresponden.e/ !e had +ritten three etters and +as
Dust starting on the fourth +hen the door +as suddeny fung open and
(sie Cayton staggered into the roo)/
!arod Du)ped up> started/ (sie had pushed the door to 'ehind her
and +as standing .ut.hing at the .hest of dra+ers/ !er 'reath +as
.o)ing in great gasps> her fa.e +as the .oour of .ha1/ She oo1ed
frightened to death/
She gasped outH JIt"s )y hus'andG !e arrived uneBpe.tedy/ I ; I thin1
he" 1i )e/ !e"s )ad ; 8uite )ad/ I .a)e to you/ $on"t ; don"t et hi)
find )e/J
She too1 a step or t+o for+ard> s+aying so )u.h that she a)ost fe/
!arod put out an ar) to support her/
As he did so> the door +as fung open and a )an stood in the door+ay/
!e +as of )ediu) height +ith thi.1 eye'ro+s and a see1> dar1 head/
In his hand he .arried a heavy .ar spanner/ !is voi.e rose high and
shoo1 +ith rage/ !e a)ost s.rea)ed the +ords/
JSo that Poish +o)an +as rightG @ou are .arrying on +ith this feo+GJ
(sie .riedH J0o> no> Phiip/ It"s not true/ @ou"re +rong/J
!arod thrust the gir s+ifty 'ehind hi)> as Phiip Cayton advan.ed on
the) 'oth/ The atter .riedH
JWrong> a) IA When I find you here in his roo)A @ou she;devi/ I" 1i
you for this/J
With a s+ift> side+ays )ove)ent he dodged !arod"s ar)/ (sie> +ith a
.ry> ran round the other side of !arod> +ho s+ung round to fend the
other off/
%ut Phiip Cayton had ony one idea> to get at his +ife/ !e s+erved
round again/ (sie> terrified> rushed out of the roo)/ Phiip Cayton
dashed after her> and !arod> +ith not a )o)ent"s hesitation> foo+ed
hi)/
(sie had darted 'a.1 into her o+n 'edroo) at the end of the .orridor/
!arod .oud hear the sound of the 1ey turning in the o.1> 'ut it did not
turn in ti)e/ %efore the o.1 .oud .at.h Phiip Cayton +ren.hed the
door open/ !e disappeared into the roo) and !arod heard (sie"s
frightened .ry/ In another )inute !arod 'urst in after the)/
(sie +as standing at 'ay against the .urtains of the +indo+/ As
!arod entered Phiip Cayton rushed at her 'randishing the spanner/
She gave a terrified .ry> then snat.hing up a heavy paper;+eight fro)
the des1 'eside her> she fung it at hi)/
Cayton +ent do+n i1e a og/ (sie s.rea)ed/ !arod stopped petrified
in the door+ay/ The gir fe on her 1nees 'eside her hus'and/ !e ay
8uite sti +here he had faen/
<utside in the passage> there +as the sound of the 'ot of one of the
doors 'eing dra+n 'a.1/ (sie Du)ped up and ran to !arod/
JPease ; pease ;J !er voi.e +as o+ and 'reathess/ J,o 'a.1 to your
roo)/ They" .o)e ; they" find you here/J
!arod nodded/ !e too1 in the situation i1e ightning/ For the )o)ent>
Phiip Cayton +as hors de .o)'at/ %ut (sie"s s.rea) )ight have
'een heard/ If he +ere found in her roo) it .oud ony .ause
e)'arrass)ent and )isunderstanding/ %oth for her sa1e and his o+n
there )ust 'e no s.anda/
As noiseessy as possi'e> he sprinted do+n the passage and 'a.1
into his roo)/ *ust as he rea.hed it> he heard the sound of an opening
door/
!e sat in his roo) for neary haf an hour> +aiting/ !e dared not go out/
Sooner or ater> he fet sure> (sie +oud .o)e/
There +as a ight tap on his door/ !arod Du)ped up to open it/
It +as not (sie +ho .a)e in 'ut her )other and !arod +as aghast at
her appearan.e/ She oo1ed suddeny years oder/ !er grey hair +as
disheveed and there +ere deep 'a.1 .ir.es under her eyes/
!e sprang up and heped her to a .hair/ She sat do+n> her 'reath
.o)ing painfuy/
!arod said 8ui.1yH J@ou oo1 a in> Mrs &i.e/ Can I get you
so)ethingAJ
She shoo1 her head/ J0o/ 0ever )ind )e/ I") a right> reay/ It"s ony
the sho.1/ Mr Waring> a terri'e thing has happened/J
!arod as1edH JIs Cayton seriousy inDuredAJ
She .aught her 'reath/ JWorse than that/ !e"s dead///J
7
The roo) spun round/
A feeing as of i.y +ater tri.1ing do+n his spine rendered !arod
in.apa'e of spee.h for a )o)ent or t+o/
!e repeated duyH J$eadAJ
Mrs &i.e nodded/
She said> and her voi.e had the fat eve tones of .o)pete eBhaustionH
JThe .orner of that )ar'e paper+eight .aught hi) right on the te)pe
and he fe 'a.1 +ith his head on the iron fender/ I don"t 1no+ +hi.h it
+as that 1ied hi) ; 'ut he is .ertainy dead/ I have seen death often
enough to 1no+/J
$isaster ; that +as the +ord that rang insistenty in !arod"s 'rain/
$isaster> disaster> disaster///
!e said vehe)entyH JIt +as an a..ident/// I sa+ it happen/J
Mrs &i.e said sharpyH J<f .ourse it +as an a..ident/ I 1no+ that/ %ut ;
'ut ; is any one ese going to thin1 soA I") ; fran1y> I") frightened>
!arodG This isn"t (ngand/J
!arod said so+yH JI .an .onfir) (sie"s story/J
Mrs &i.e saidH J@es> and she .an .onfir) yours/ That ; that is Dust itGJ
!arod"s 'rain> naturay a 1een and .autious one> sa+ her point/ !e
revie+ed the +hoe thing and appre.iated the +ea1ness of their
position/
!e and (sie had spent a good dea of their ti)e together/ Then there
+as the fa.t that they had 'een seen together in the pine+oods 'y one
of the Poish +o)en under rather .o)pro)ising .ir.u)stan.es/ The
Poish adies apparenty spo1e no (ngish> 'ut they )ight nevertheess
understand it a itte/ The +o)an )ight have 1no+n the )eaning of
+ords i1e JDeaousyJ and Jhus'andJ if she had .han.ed to overhear
their .onversation/ Any+ay it +as .ear that it +as so)ething she had
said to Cayton that had aroused his Deaousy/ And no+ ; his death/
When Cayton had died> he> !arod> had 'een in (sie Cayton"s roo)/
There +as nothing to sho+ that he had not dei'eratey assauted
Phiip Cayton +ith the paper+eight/ 0othing to sho+ that the Deaous
hus'and had not a.tuay found the) together/ There +as ony his
+ord and (sie"s/ Woud they 'e 'eievedA
A .od fear gripped hi)/
!e did not i)agine ; no> he reay did not i)agine ; that either he or
(sie +as in danger of 'eing .onde)ned to death for a )urder they
had not .o))itted/ Surey> in any .ase> it .oud ony 'e a .harge of
)ansaughter 'rought against the)/ 9$id they have )ansaughter in
these foreign .ountriesA: %ut even if they +ere a.8uitted of 'a)e
there +oud have to 'e an in8uiry ; it +oud 'e reported in a the
papers/ An (ngish )an and +o)an a..used ; Deaous hus'and ; rising
poiti.ian/ @es> it +oud )ean the end of his poiti.a .areer/ It +oud
never survive a s.anda i1e that/
!e said on an i)puseH JCan"t +e get rid of the 'ody so)eho+A Pant it
so)e+hereAJ
Mrs &i.e"s astonished and s.ornfu oo1 )ade hi) 'ush/
She said in.isiveyH JMy dear !arod> this isn"t a dete.tive storyG To
atte)pt a thing i1e that +oud 'e 8uite .ra?y/J
JI suppose it +oud/J !e groaned/ JWhat .an +e doA My ,od> +hat .an
+e doAJ
Mrs &i.e shoo1 her head despairingy/ She +as fro+ning> her )ind
+or1ing painfuy/
!arod de)andedH JIsn"t there anything +e .an doA Anything to avoid
this frightfu disasterAJ
There> it +as out ; disasterG Terri'e ; unforeseen ; uttery da)ning/
They stared at ea.h other/
Mrs &i.e said hoarseyH J(sie ; )y itte gir/ I"d do anything/// It +i 1i
her if she has to go through a thing i1e this/J And she addedH J@ou too>
your .areer ; everything/J
!arod )anaged to sayH J0ever )ind )e/J
%ut he did not reay )ean it/
Mrs &i.e +ent on 'itteryH JAnd a so unfair ; so uttery untrueG It"s not
as though there had ever 'een anything 'et+een you/ I 1no+ that +e
enough/J
!arod suggested> .at.hing at a stra+H J@ou" 'e a'e to say that at
east ; that it +as a perfe.ty a right/J
Mrs &i.e said 'itteryH J@es> if they 'eieve )e/ %ut you 1no+ +hat
these peope out here are i1eGJ
!arod agreed goo)iy/ To the Continenta )ind> there +oud
undou'tedy 'e a guity .onne.tion 'et+een hi)sef and (sie> and a
Mrs &i.e"s denias +oud 'e ta1en as a )other ying hersef 'a.1 in
the fa.e for her daughter/
!arod said goo)iyH J@es> +e"re not in (ngand> +orse u.1/J
JAhGJ Mrs &i.e ifted her head/ JThat"s true/// It"s not (ngand/ I +onder
no+ if so)ething .oud 'e done ;J
J@esAJ !arod oo1ed at her eagery/
Mrs &i.e said a'ruptyH J!o+ )u.h )oney have you gotAJ
J0ot )u.h +ith )e/J !e addedH JI .oud +ire for )oney> of .ourse/J
Mrs &i.e said gri)yH JWe )ay need a good dea/ %ut I thin1 it"s +orth
trying/J
!arod fet a faint ifting of despair/
!e saidH JWhat is your ideaAJ
Mrs &i.e spo1e de.isivey/ JWe haven"t a .han.e of .on.eaing the
death ourseves> 'ut I do thin1 there"s Dust a .han.e of hushing it up
offi.iayGJ
J@ou reay thin1 soAJ !arod +as hopefu 'ut sighty in.reduous/
J@es> for one thing the )anager of the hote +i 'e on our side/ !e"d
)u.h rather have the thing hushed up/ It"s )y opinion that in these out
of the +ay .urious itte %a1an .ountries you .an 'ri'e anyone and
everyone ; and the poi.e are pro'a'y )ore .orrupt than anyone
eseGJ
!arod said so+yH J$o you 1no+> I 'eieve you"re right/J
Mrs &i.e +ent onH JFortunatey> I don"t thin1 anyone in the hote heard
anything/J
JWho has the roo) neBt to (sie"s on the other side fro) yoursAJ
JThe t+o Poish adies/ They didn"t hear anything/ They"d have .o)e
out into the passage if they had/ Phiip arrived ate> no'ody sa+ hi)
'ut the night porter/ $o you 1no+> !arod> I 'eieve it +i 'e possi'e
to hush the +hoe thing up ; and get Phiip"s death .ertified as due to
natura .ausesG It"s Dust a 8uestion of 'ri'ing high enough ; and finding
the right )an ; pro'a'y the Chief of Poi.eGJ
!arod s)ied fainty/ !e saidH JIt"s rather Co)i. <pera> isn"t itA We>
after a> +e .an 'ut try/J
7I
Mrs &i.e +as energy personified/ First the )anager +as su))oned/
!arod re)ained in his roo)> 1eeping out of it/ !e and Mrs &i.e had
agreed that the story tod had 'etter 'e that of a 8uarre 'et+een
hus'and and +ife/ (sie"s youth and prettiness +oud .o))and )ore
sy)pathy/
<n the foo+ing )orning various poi.e offi.ias arrived and +ere
sho+n up to Mrs &i.e"s 'edroo)/ They eft at )idday/ !arod had
+ired for )oney 'ut other+ise had ta1en no part in the pro.eedings ;
indeed he +oud have 'een una'e to do so sin.e none of these offi.ia
personages spo1e (ngish/
At t+eve o".o.1 Mrs &i.e .a)e to his roo)/ She oo1ed +hite and
tired> 'ut the reief on her fa.e tod its o+n story/
She said si)pyH JIt"s +or1edGJ
JThan1 heavenG @ou"ve reay 'een )arveousG It see)s in.redi'eGJ
Mrs &i.e said thoughtfuyH J%y the ease +ith +hi.h it +ent> you )ight
a)ost thin1 it +as 8uite nor)a/ They pra.ti.ay hed out their hands
right a+ay/ It"s ; it"s rather disgusting> reayGJ
!arod said dryyH JThis isn"t the )o)ent to 8uarre +ith the .orruption
of the pu'i. servi.es/ !o+ )u.hAJ
JThe tariff"s rather high/J
She read out a ist of figures/
The Chief of Poi.e/
The Co))issaire/
The Agent/
The $o.tor/
The !ote Manager/
The 0ight Porter/
!arod"s .o))ent +as )ereyH JThe night porter doesn"t get )u.h>
does heA I suppose it"s )osty a 8uestion of god a.e/J
Mrs &i.e eBpainedH JThe )anager stipuated that the death shoud not
have ta1en pa.e in his hote at a/ The offi.ia story +i 'e that Phiip
had a heart atta.1 in the train/ !e +ent aong the .orridor for air ; you
1no+ ho+ they a+ays eave those doors open ; and he fe out on the
ine/ It"s +onderfu +hat the poi.e .an do +hen they tryGJ
JWe>J said !arod/ JThan1 ,od our poi.e for.e isn"t i1e that/J
And in a %ritish and superior )ood he +ent do+n to un.h/
7II
After un.h !arod usuay Doined Mrs &i.e and her daughter for .offee/
!e de.ided to )a1e no .hange in his usua 'ehaviour/
This +as the first ti)e he had seen (sie sin.e the night 'efore/ She
+as very pae and +as o'viousy sti suffering fro) sho.1> 'ut she
)ade a gaant endeavour to 'ehave as usua> uttering s)a
.o))onpa.es a'out the +eather and the s.enery/
They .o))ented on a ne+ guest +ho had Dust arrived> trying to guess
his nationaity/ !arod thought a )ousta.he i1e that )ust 'e Fren.h ;
(sie said ,er)an ; and Mrs &i.e thought he )ight 'e Spanish/
There +as no one ese 'ut the)seves on the terra.e +ith the
eB.eption of the t+o Poish adies +ho +ere sitting at the eBtre)e end>
'oth doing fan.y+or1/
As a+ays +hen he sa+ the)> !arod fet a 8ueer shiver of
apprehension pass over hi)/ Those sti fa.es> those .urved 'ea1s of
noses> those ong .a+;i1e hands///
A page 'oy approa.hed and tod Mrs &i.e she +as +anted/ She rose
and foo+ed hi)/ At the entran.e to the hote they sa+ her en.ounter
a poi.e offi.ia in fu unifor)/
(sie .aught her 'reath/
J@ou don"t thin1 ; anything"s gone +rongAJ
!arod reassured her 8ui.1y/ J<h no> no> nothing of that 1ind/J
%ut he hi)sef 1ne+ a sudden pang of fear/
!e saidH J@our )other"s 'een +onderfuGJ
JI 1no+/ Mother is a great fighter/ She" never sit do+n under defeat/J
(sie shivered/ J%ut it is a horri'e> isn"t itAJ
J0o+> don"t d+e on it/ It"s a over and done +ith/J
(sie said in a o+ voi.eH JI .an"t forget that ; that it +as I +ho 1ied
hi)/J
!arod said urgentyH J$on"t thin1 of it that +ay/ It +as an a..ident/ @ou
1no+ that reay/J
!er fa.e gre+ a itte happier/
!arod addedH JAnd any+ay it"s past/ The past is the past/ Try never to
thin1 of it again/J
Mrs &i.e .a)e 'a.1/ %y the eBpression on her fa.e they sa+ that a
+as +e/
JIt gave )e 8uite a fright>J she said a)ost gaiy/ J%ut it +as ony a
for)aity a'out so)e papers/ (verything"s a right> )y .hidren/ We"re
out of the shado+/ I thin1 +e )ight order ourseves a i8ueur on the
strength of it/J
The i8ueur +as ordered and .a)e/ They raised their gasses/
Mrs &i.e saidH JTo the FutureGJ
!arod s)ied at (sie and saidH JTo your happinessGJ
She s)ied 'a.1 at hi) and said as she ifted her gassH JAnd to you ; to
your su..essG I") sure you"re going to 'e a very great )an/J
With the rea.tion fro) fear they fet gay> a)ost ight;headed/ The
shado+ had iftedG A +as +e///
Fro) the far end of the terra.e the t+o 'ird;i1e +o)en rose/ They
roed up their +or1 .arefuy/ They .a)e a.ross the stone fags/
With itte 'o+s they sat do+n 'y Mrs &i.e/ <ne of the) 'egan to
spea1/ The other one et her eyes rest on (sie and !arod/ There +as
a itte s)ie on her ips/ It +as not> !arod thought> a ni.e s)ie///
!e oo1ed over at Mrs &i.e/ She +as istening to the Poish +o)an and
though he .oudn"t understand a +ord> the eBpression on Mrs &i.e"s
fa.e +as .ear enough/ A the od anguish and despair .a)e 'a.1/
She istened and o..asionay spo1e a 'rief +ord/
Presenty the t+o sisters rose> and +ith stiff itte 'o+s +ent into the
hote/
!arod eaned for+ard/
!e said hoarseyH JWhat is itAJ
Mrs &i.e ans+ered hi) in the 8uiet hopeess tones of despair/
JThose +o)en are going to 'a.1)ai us/ They heard everything ast
night/ And no+ +e"ve tried to hush it up> it )a1es the +hoe thing a
thousand ti)es +orse///J
7III
!arod Waring +as do+n 'y the a1e/ !e had 'een +a1ing feverishy
for over an hour> trying 'y sheer physi.a energy to sti the .a)our of
despair that had atta.1ed hi)/
!e .a)e at ast to the spot +here he had first noti.ed the t+o gri)
+o)en +ho hed his ife and (sie"s in their evi taons/ !e said aoudH
JCurse the)G $a)n the) for a pair of deviish 'ood;su.1ing harpiesGJ
A sight .ough )ade hi) spin round/ !e found hi)sef fa.ing the
uBurianty )ousta.hed stranger +ho had Dust .o)e out fro) the
shade of the trees/
!arod found it diffi.ut to 1no+ +hat to say/ This itte )an )ust have
a)ost .ertainy overheard +hat he had Dust said/
!arod> at a oss> said so)e+hat ridi.uousyH J<h ; er ; goodafternoon/J
In perfe.t (ngish the other repiedH J%ut for you> I fear> it is not a good
afternoonAJ
JWe ; er ; I ;J !arod +as in diffi.uties again/
The itte )an saidH J@ou are> I thin1> in trou'e> MonsieurA Can I 'e of
any assistan.e to youAJ
J<h no than1s> no than1sG *ust 'o+ing off stea)> you 1no+/J
The other said gentyH J%ut I thin1> you 1no+> that I .oud hep you/ I a)
.orre.t> a) I not> in .onne.ting your trou'es +ith t+o adies +ho
+ere sitting on the terra.e Dust no+AJ !arod stared at hi)/
J$o you 1no+ anything a'out the)AJ !e addedH JWho are you>
any+ayAJ
As though .onfessing to roya 'irth the itte )an said )odestyH JI a)
!er.ue Poirot/ Sha +e +a1 a itte +ay into the +ood and you sha
te )e your storyA As I say> I thin1 I .an aid you/J
To this day> !arod is not 8uite .ertain +hat )ade hi) suddeny pour
out the +hoe story to a )an to +ho) he had ony spo1en a fe+
)inutes 'efore/ Perhaps it +as over;strain/ Any+ay> it happened/ !e
tod !er.ue Poirot the +hoe story/
The atter istened in sien.e/ <n.e or t+i.e he nodded his head
gravey/ When !arod .a)e to a stop the other spo1e drea)iy/
JThe Sty)phaean %irds> +ith iron 'ea1s> +ho feed on hu)an fesh
and +ho d+e 'y the Sty)phaean #a1e/// @es> it a..ords very +e/J
JI 'eg your pardon>J said !arod staring/
Perhaps> he thought> this .urious;oo1ing itte )an +as )adG
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/ JI refe.t> that is a/ I have )y o+n +ay of
oo1ing at things> you understand/ 0o+ as to this 'usiness of yours/
@ou are very unpeasanty pa.ed/J
!arod said i)patientyH JI don"t need you to te )e thatGJ
!er.ue Poirot +ent onH JIt is a serious 'usiness> 'a.1)ai/ These
harpies +i for.e you to pay ; and pay ; and pay againG And if you defy
the)> +e> +hat happensAJ
!arod said 'itteryH JThe +hoe thing .o)es out/ My .areer"s ruined>
and a +ret.hed gir +ho"s never done anyone any har) +i 'e put
through he> and ,od 1no+s +hat the end of it a +i 'eGJ
JTherefore>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jso)ething )ust 'e doneGJ
!arod said 'adyH JWhatAJ
!er.ue Poirot eaned 'a.1> haf;.osing his eyes/ !e said 9and again a
dou't of his sanity .rossed !arod"s )ind:H
JIt is the )o)ent for the .astanets of 'ron?e/J
!arod saidH JAre you 8uite )adAJ
The other shoo1 his head/ !e saidH JMais nonG I strive ony to foo+ the
eBa)pe of )y great prede.essor> !er.ues/ !ave a fe+ hours"
patien.e> )y friend/ %y to)orro+ I )ay 'e a'e to deiver you fro)
your perse.utors/J
IZ
!arod Waring .a)e do+n the foo+ing )orning to find !er.ue Poirot
sitting aone on the terra.e/ In spite of hi)sef !arod had 'een
i)pressed 'y !er.ue Poirot"s pro)ises/
!e .a)e up to hi) no+ and as1ed anBiousyH JWeAJ
!er.ue Poirot 'ea)ed upon hi)/ JIt is +e/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J(verything has setted itsef satisfa.toriy/J
J%ut +hat has happenedAJ
!er.ue Poirot repied drea)iyH JI have e)poyed the .astanets of
'ron?e/ <r> in )odern paran.e> I have .aused )eta +ires to hu) ; in
short I have e)poyed the teegraphG @our Sty)phaean %irds>
Monsieur> have 'een re)oved to +here they +i 'e una'e to eBer.ise
their ingenuity for so)e ti)e to .o)e/J
JThey +ere +anted 'y the poi.eA They have 'een arrestedAJ
JPre.isey/J
!arod dre+ a deep 'reath/ J!o+ )arveousG I never thought of that/J
!e got up/ JI )ust find Mrs &i.e and (sie and te the)/J
JThey 1no+/J
J<h good/J !arod sat do+n again/ JTe )e Dust +hat ;J
!e 'ro1e off/
Co)ing up the path fro) the a1e +ere t+o figures +ith fapping
.oa1s and profies i1e 'irds/
!e eB.ai)edH JI thought you said they had 'een ta1en a+ayGJ
!er.ue Poirot foo+ed his gan.e/
J<h> those adiesA They are very har)ess> Poish adies of good
fa)iy> as the porter tod you/ Their appearan.e is> perhaps> not very
peasing 'ut that is a/J
J%ut I don"t understandGJ
J0o> you do not understandG It is the other adies +ho +ere +anted 'y
the poi.e ; the resour.efu Mrs &i.e and the a.hry)ose Mrs CaytonG
It is they +ho are +e;1no+n 'irds of prey/ Those t+o> they )a1e their
iving 'y 'a.1)ai> )on .her/J
!arod had a sensation of the +ord spinning round hi)/
!e said faintyH J%ut the )an ; the )an +ho +as 1iedAJ
J0o one +as 1ied/ There +as no )anGJ
J%ut I sa+ hi)GJ
J<h no/ The ta deep;voi.ed Mrs &i.e is a very su..essfu )ae
i)personator/ It +as she +ho payed the part of the hus'and ; +ithout
her grey +ig and suita'y )ade up for the part/J
!e eaned for+ard and tapped the other on the 1nee/
J@ou )ust not go through ife 'eing too .reduous> )y friend/ The
poi.e of a .ountry are not so easiy 'ri'ed ; they are pro'a'y not to
'e 'ri'ed at a ; .ertainy not +hen it is a 8uestion of )urderG These
+o)en trade on the average (ngish)an"s ignoran.e of foreign
anguages/ %e.ause she spea1s Fren.h or ,er)an> it is a+ays this
Mrs &i.e +ho intervie+s the )anager and ta1es .harge of the affair/
The poi.e arrive and go to her roo)> yesG %ut +hat a.tuay passesA
@ou do not 1no+/ Perhaps she says she has ost a 'roo.h ; so)ething
of that 1ind/ Any eB.use to arrange for the poi.e to .o)e so that you
sha see the)/ For the rest> +hat a.tuay happensA @ou +ire for
)oney> a ot of )oney> and you hand it over to Mrs &i.e +ho is in
.harge of a the negotiationsG And that is thatG %ut they are greedy>
these 'irds of prey/ They have seen that you have ta1en an
unreasona'e aversion to these t+o unfortunate Poish adies/ The
adies in 8uestion .o)e and hod a perfe.ty inno.ent .onversation
+ith Mrs &i.e and she .annot resist repeating the ga)e/ She 1no+s
you .annot understand +hat is 'eing said/
JSo you +i have to send for )ore )oney +hi.h Mrs &i.e +i pretend
to distri'ute to a fresh set of peope/J
!arod dre+ a deep 'reath/ !e saidH JAnd (sie ; (sieAJ
!er.ue Poirot averted his eyes/
JShe payed her part very +e/ She a+ays does/ A )ost a..o)pished
itte a.tress/ (verything is very pure ; very inno.ent/ She appeas> not
to seB> 'ut to .hivary/J
!er.ue Poirot added drea)iyH JThat is a+ays su..essfu +ith
(ngish)en/J
!arod Waring dre+ a deep 'reath/ !e said .rispyH JI") going to set to
+or1 and earn every (uropean anguage there isG 0o'ody"s going to
)a1e a foo of )e a se.ond ti)eGJ
Chapter E
T!( C&(TA0 %2##
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy at his visitor/
!e sa+ a pae fa.e +ith a deter)ined;oo1ing .hin> eyes that +ere
)ore grey than 'ue> and hair that +as of that rea 'ue;'a.1 shade so
sedo) seen ; the hya.inthine o.1s of an.ient ,ree.e/
!e noted the +e;.ut> 'ut aso +e;+orn> .ountry t+eeds> the sha''y
hand'ag> and the un.ons.ious arrogan.e of )anner that ay 'ehind
the gir"s o'vious nervousness/ !e thought to hi)sefH
JAh yes> she is "the County" ; 'ut no )oneyG And it )ust 'e so)ething
8uite out of the +ay that +oud 'ring her to )e/J
$iana Ma'ery said> and her voi.e shoo1 a itteH
JI ; I don"t 1no+ +hether you .an hep )e or not> M/ Poirot/ It"s ; it"s a
very eBtraordinary position/J
Poirot saidH J%ut yesA Te )eAJ
$iana Ma'ery saidH JI"ve .o)e to you 'e.ause I don"t 1no+ +hat to doG
I don"t even 1no+ if there is anything to doGJ
JWi you et )e 'e the Dudge of thatAJ
The .oour surged suddeny into the gir"s fa.e/
She said rapidy and 'reathessyH JI"ve .o)e to you 'e.ause the )an
I"ve 'een engaged to for over a year has 'ro1en off our engage)ent/J
She stopped and eyed hi) defianty/
J@ou )ust thin1>J she said> Jthat I") .o)petey )enta/J
So+y> !er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
J<n the .ontrary/ Made)oisee> I have no dou't +hatever 'ut that you
are eBtre)ey inteigent/ It is .ertainy not )y )etier in ife to pat.h up
the overs" 8uarres> and I 1no+ very +e that you are 8uite a+are of
that/ It is> therefore> that there is so)ething unusua a'out the
'rea1ing of this engage)ent/ That is so> is it notAJ
The gir nodded/ She said in a .ear> pre.ise voi.e/ J!ugh 'ro1e off our
engage)ent 'e.ause he thin1s he is going )ad/ !e thin1s peope +ho
are )ad shoud not )arry/J
!er.ue Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose a itte/
JAnd do you not agreeAJ
JI don"t 1no+/// What is 'eing )ad> after aA (veryone is a itte )ad/J
JIt has 'een said so>J Poirot agreed .autiousy/
JIt"s ony +hen you 'egin thin1ing you"re a poa.hed egg or so)ething
that they have to shut you up/J
JAnd your fian.= has not rea.hed that stageAJ
$iana Ma'ery saidH JI .an"t see that there"s anything +rong +ith !ugh
at a/ !e"s> oh> he"s the sanest person I 1no+/ Sound ; dependa'e ;J
JThen +hy does he thin1 he is going )adAJ
Poirot paused a )o)ent 'efore going on/
JIs there> perhaps> )adness in his fa)iyAJ
&eu.tanty $iana Der1ed her head in assent/
She saidH J!is grandfather +as )enta> I 'eieve ; and so)e great;aunt
or other/ %ut +hat I say is> that every fa)iy has got so)eone 8ueer in
it/ @ou 1no+> a 'it haf;+itted or eBtra .ever or so)ethingGJ
!er eyes +ere appeaing/
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head sady/
!e saidH JI a) very sorry for you/ Made)oisee/J
!er .hin shot out/ She .riedH JI don"t +ant you to 'e sorry for )eG I
+ant you to do so)ethingGJ
JWhat do you +ant )e to doAJ
JI don"t 1no+ ; 'ut there"s so)ething +rong/J
JWi you te )e Made)oisee> a a'out your fian.=AJ
$iana spo1e rapidyH J!is na)e"s !ugh Chander/ !e"s t+enty;four/ !is
father is Ad)ira Chander/ They ive at #yde Manor/ It"s 'een in the
Chander fa)iy sin.e the ti)e of (i?a'eth/ !ugh"s the ony son/ !e
+ent into the 0avy ; a the Chanders are saiors ; it"s a sort of tradition
; ever sin.e Sir ,i'ert Chander saied +ith Sir Water &aeigh in
fifteen;so)ething;or;other/ !ugh +ent into the 0avy as a )atter of
.ourse/ !is father +oudn"t have heard of anything ese/ And yet ; and
yet> it +as his father +ho insisted on getting hi) out of itGJ
JWhen +as thatAJ
J0eary a year ago/ 4uite suddeny/J
JWas !ugh Chander happy in his professionAJ
JA'soutey/J
JThere +as no s.anda of any 1indAJ
JA'out !ughA A'soutey nothing/ !e +as getting on spendidy/ !e ;
he .oudn"t understand his father/J
JWhat reason did Ad)ira Chander hi)sef giveAJ
$iana said so+yH J!e never reay gave a reason/ <hG he said it +as
ne.essary !ugh shoud earn to )anage the estate ; 'ut ; 'ut that +as
ony a preteBt/ (ven ,eorge Fro'isher reaised that/J
JWho is ,eorge Fro'isherAJ
JCoone Fro'isher/ !e"s Ad)ira Chander"s odest friend and !ugh"s
godfather/ !e spends )ost of his ti)e do+n at the Manor/J
JAnd +hat did Coone Fro'isher thin1 of Ad)ira Chander"s
deter)ination that his son shoud eave the 0avyAJ
J!e +as du)'founded/ !e .oudn"t understand it at a/ 0o'ody
.oud/J
J0ot even !ugh Chander hi)sefAJ
$iana did not ans+er at on.e/
Poirot +aited a )inute> then he +ent onH JAt the ti)e> perhaps> he> too>
+as astonished/ %ut no+A !as he said nothing ; nothing at aAJ
$iana )ur)ured reu.tantyH J!e said ; a'out a +ee1 ago ; that ; that
his father +as right ; that it +as the ony thing to 'e done/J
J$id you as1 hi) +hyAJ
J<f .ourse/ %ut he +oudn"t te )e/J
!er.ue Poirot refe.ted for a )inute or t+o/ Then he saidH J!ave there
'een any unusua o..urren.es in your part of the +ordA Starting>
perhaps> a'out a year agoA So)ething that has given rise to a ot of
o.a ta1 and sur)iseAJ
She fashed outH JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )eanGJ
Poirot said 8uiety> 'ut +ith authority in his voi.eH J@ou had 'etter te
)e/J
JThere +asn"t anything ; nothing of the 1ind you )ean/J
J<f +hat 1ind thenAJ
JI thin1 you"re si)py odiousG 4ueer things often happen on far)s/ It"s
revenge ; or the viage idiot or so)e'ody/J
JWhat happenedAJ
She said reu.tantyH JThere +as a fuss a'out so)e sheep/// Their
throats +ere .ut/ <hG it +as horridG %ut they a 'eonged to one far)er
and he"s a very hard )an/ The poi.e thought it +as so)e 1ind of spite
against hi)/J
J%ut they didn"t .at.h the person +ho had done itAJ
J0o/J
She added fier.ey/ J%ut if you thin1 ;J
Poirot hed up his hand/ !e saidH J@ou do not 1no+ in the east +hat I
thin1/ Te )e this> has your fian.= .onsuted a do.torAJ
J0o> I") sure he hasn"t/J
JWoudn"t that 'e the si)pest thing for hi) to doAJ
$iana said so+yH J!e +on"t/ !e ; he hates do.tors/J
JAnd his fatherAJ
JI don"t thin1 the Ad)ira 'eieves )u.h in do.tors either/ Says they"re
a ot of hu)'ug )er.hants/J
J!o+ does the Ad)ira see) hi)sefA Is he +eA !appyAJ
$iana said in a o+ voi.eH J!e"s aged terri'y in ; in ;J
JIn the ast yearAJ
J@es/ !e"s a +re.1 ; a sort of shado+ of +hat he used to 'e/J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ Then he saidH J$id he approve of his son"s
engage)entAJ
J<h yes/ @ou see> )y peope"s and adDoins his/ We"ve 'een there for
generations/ !e +as frightfuy peased +hen !ugh and I fiBed it up/J
JAnd no+A What does he say to your engage)ent 'eing 'ro1en offAJ
The gir"s voi.e shoo1 a itte/ She saidH JI )et hi) yesterday )orning/
!e +as oo1ing ghasty/ !e too1 )y hand in 'oth of his/ !e saidH "It"s
hard on you> )y gir/ %ut the 'oy"s doing the right thing ; the ony thing
he .an do/"J
JAnd so>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jyou .a)e to )eAJ
She nodded/ She as1edH JCan you do anythingAJ
!er.ue Poirot repiedH JI do not 1no+/ %ut I .an at east .o)e do+n
and see for )ysef/J
II
It +as !ugh Chander"s )agnifi.ent physi8ue that i)pressed !er.ue
Poirot )ore than anything ese/ Ta> )agnifi.enty proportioned> +ith
a terrifi. .hest and shouders> and a ta+ny head of hair/ There +as a
tre)endous air of strength and viriity a'out hi)/
<n their arriva at $iana"s house> she had at on.e rung up Ad)ira
Chander> and they had forth+ith gone over to #yde Manor +here they
had found tea +aiting on the ong terra.e/ And +ith the tea> three )en/
There +as Ad)ira Chander> +hite haired> oo1ing oder than his
years> his shouders 'o+ed as though 'y an over;heavy 'urden> and
his eyes dar1 and 'rooding/ A .ontrast to hi) +as his friend Coone
Fro'isher> a dried;up> tough> itte )an +ith reddish hair turning grey
at the te)pes/ A restess> iras.i'e> snappy> itte )an> rather i1e a
terrier ; 'ut the possessor of a pair of eBtre)ey shre+d eyes/ !e had a
ha'it of dra+ing do+n his 'ro+s over his eyes and o+ering his head>
thrusting it for+ard> +hist those sa)e shre+d itte eyes studied you
pier.ingy/ The third )an +as !ugh/
JFine spe.i)en> ehAJ said Coone Fro'isher/
!e spo1e in a o+ voi.e> having noted Poirot"s .ose s.rutiny of the
young )an/
!er.ue Poirot nodded his head/ !e and Fro'isher +ere sitting .ose
together/ The other three had their .hairs on the far side of the teata'e
and +ere .hatting together in an ani)ated 'ut sighty artifi.ia
)anner/
Poirot )ur)uredH J@es> he is )agnifi.ent ; )agnifi.ent/ !e is the
young %u ; yes> one )ight say the %u dedi.ated to Poseidon/// A
perfe.t spe.i)en of heathy )anhood/J
J#oo1s fit enough> doesn"t heAJ
Fro'isher sighed/ !is shre+d itte eyes stoe side+ays> .onsidering
!er.ue Poirot/
Presenty he saidH JI 1no+ +ho you are> you 1no+/J
JAh that> it is no se.retGJ
Poirot +aved a roya hand/ !e +as not in.ognito> the gesture see)ed
to say/ !e +as traveing as hi)sef/
After a )inute or t+o Fro'isher as1edH J$id the gir get you do+n ;
over this 'usinessAJ
JThe 'usiness ;AJ
JThe 'usiness of young !ugh/// @es> I see you 1no+ a a'out it/ %ut I
.an"t 8uite see +hy she +ent to you/// Shoudn"t have thought this sort
of thing +as in your ine ; )eantersay it"s )ore a )edi.a sho+/J
JA 1inds of things are in )y ine/// @ou +oud 'e surprised/J
JI )ean I .an"t see 8uite +hat she eBpe.ted you .oud do/J
JMiss Ma'ery>J said Poirot> Jis a fighter/J
Coone Fro'isher nodded a +ar) assent/
J@es> she"s a fighter a right/ She"s a fine 1id/ She +on"t give up/ A the
sa)e> you 1no+> there are so)e things that you .an"t fight///J
!is fa.e oo1ed suddeny od and tired/
Poirot dropped his voi.e sti o+er/ !e )ur)ured dis.reetyH JThere is
; insanity> I understand> in the fa)iyAJ
Fro'isher nodded/
J<ny .rops up no+ and again>J he )ur)ured/ JS1ips a generation or
t+o/ !ugh"s grandfather +as the ast/J
Poirot thre+ a 8ui.1 gan.e in the dire.tion of the other three/ $iana
+as hoding the .onversation +e> aughing and 'antering !ugh/ @ou
+oud have said that the three of the) had not a .are in the +ord/
JWhat for) did the )adness ta1eAJ Poirot as1ed softy/
JThe od 'oy 'e.a)e pretty vioent in the end/ !e +as perfe.ty a
right up to thirty ; nor)a as .oud 'e/ Then he 'egan to go a 'it 8ueer/
It +as so)e ti)e 'efore peope noti.ed it/ Then a ot of ru)ours 'egan
going around/ Peope started ta1ing propery/ Things happened that
+ere hushed up/ %ut ; +e>J he raised his shouders Jended up as )ad
as a hatter> poor deviG !o)i.idaG !ad to 'e .ertified/J
!e paused for a )o)ent and then addedH
J!e ived to 'e 8uite an od )an> I 'eieve/// That"s +hat !ugh is afraid
of> of .ourse/ That"s +hy he doesn"t +ant to see a do.tor/ !e"s afraid of
'eing shut up and iving shut up for years/ Can"t say I 'a)e hi)/ I"d
fee the sa)e/J
JAnd Ad)ira Chander> ho+ does he feeAJ
JIt"s 'ro1en hi) up .o)petey>J Fro'isher spo1e shorty/
J!e is very fond of his sonAJ
JWrapped up in the 'oy/ @ou see> his +ife +as dro+ned in a 'oating
a..ident +hen the 'oy +as ony ten years od/ Sin.e then he"s ived for
nothing 'ut the .hid/J
JWas he very devoted to his +ifeAJ
JWorshipped her/ (very'ody +orshipped her/ She +as ; she +as one
of the oveiest +o)en I"ve ever 1no+n/J !e paused a )o)ent and
then said Der1iy> JCare to see her portraitAJ
JI shoud i1e to see it very )u.h/J
Fro'isher pushed 'a.1 his .hair and rose/
Aoud he saidH J,oing to sho+ M/ Poirot one or t+o things> Chares/
!e"s a 'it of a .onnoisseur/J
The Ad)ira raised a vague hand/ Fro'isher tra)ped aong the terra.e
and Poirot foo+ed hi)/ For a )o)ent $iana"s fa.e dropped its )as1
of gaiety and oo1ed an agonised 8uestion/ !ugh> too> raised his head>
and oo1ed steadiy at the s)a )an +ith the 'ig 'a.1 )ousta.he/
Poirot foo+ed Fro'isher into the house/ It +as so di) at first .o)ing
in out of the sunight that he .oud hardy distinguish one arti.e fro)
another/ %ut he reaised that the house +as fu of od and 'eautifu
things/
Coone Fro'isher ed the +ay to the Pi.ture ,aery/ <n the paneed
+as hung portraits of dead and gone Chanders/ Fa.es stern and gay>
)en in .ourt dress or in 0ava unifor)/ Wo)en in satin and pears/
Finay Fro'isher stopped under a portrait at the end of the gaery/
JPainted 'y <rpen>J he said gruffy/
They stood oo1ing up at a ta +o)an> her hand on a greyhound"s
.oar/ A +o)an +ith au'urn hair and an eBpression of radiant vitaity/
J%oy"s the spitting i)age of her>J said Fro'isher/ J$on"t you thin1 soAJ
JIn so)e things> yes/J
J!e hasn"t got her dei.a.y ; her fe)ininity> of .ourse/ !e"s a
)as.uine edition ; 'ut in a the essentia things ;J !e 'ro1e off/ JPity
he inherited fro) the Chanders the one thing he .oud +e have done
+ithout///J
They +ere sient/ There +as )ean.hoy in the air a around the) ; as
though dead and gone Chanders sighed for the taint that ay in their
'ood and +hi.h> re)orseessy> fro) ti)e to ti)e> they passed on/
!er.ue Poirot turned his head to oo1 at his .o)panion/ ,eorge
Fro'isher +as sti ga?ing up at the 'eautifu +o)an on the +a a'ove
hi)/
Poirot said softyH J@ou 1ne+ her +e///J
Fro'isher spo1e Der1iy/
JWe +ere 'oy and gir together/ I +ent off as a su'atern to India +hen
she +as siBteen/// When I got 'a.1 ; she +as )arried to Chares
Chander/J
J@ou 1ne+ hi) +e asoAJ
JChares is one of )y odest friends/ !e"s )y 'est friend ; a+ays has
'een/J
J$id you see )u.h of the) ; after the )arriageAJ
J2sed to spend )ost of )y eaves here/ #i1e a se.ond ho)e to )e> this
pa.e/ Chares and Caroine a+ays 1ept )y roo) here ; ready and
+aiting///J !e s8uared his shouders> suddeny thrust his head for+ard
pugna.iousy/ JThat"s +hy I") here no+ ; to stand 'y in .ase I")
+anted/ If Chares needs )e ; I") here/J
Again the shado+ of tragedy .rept over the)/
JAnd +hat do you thin1 ; a'out a thisAJ Poirot as1ed/
Fro'isher stood stiffy/ !is 'ro+s .a)e do+n over his eyes/
JWhat I thin1 is> the east said the 'etter/ And to 'e fran1> I don"t see
+hat you"re doing in the 'usiness> M/ Poirot/ I don"t see +hy $iana
roped you in and got you do+n here/J
J@ou are a+are that $iana Ma'ery"s engage)ent to !ugh Chander
has 'een 'ro1en offAJ
J@es> I 1no+ that/J
JAnd you 1no+ the reason for itAJ
Fro'isher repied stiffyH JI don"t 1no+ anything a'out that/ @oung
peope )anage these things 'et+een the)/ 0ot )y 'usiness to 'utt
in/J
Poirot saidH J!ugh Chander tod $iana that it +as not right that they
shoud )arry> 'e.ause he +as going out of his )ind/J
!e sa+ the 'eads of perspiration 'rea1 out on Fro'isher"s forehead/
Fro'isher saidH J!ave +e got to ta1 a'out the da)ned thingA What do
you thin1 you .an doA !ugh"s done the right thing> poor devi/ It"s not
his faut> it"s heredity ; ger) pas) ; 'rain .es/// %ut on.e he 1ne+>
+e> +hat ese .oud he do 'ut 'rea1 the engage)entA It"s one of
those things that Dust has to 'e done/J
JIf I .oud 'e .onvin.ed of that ;J
J@ou .an ta1e it fro) )e/J
J%ut you have tod )e nothing/J
JI te you I don"t +ant to ta1 a'out it/J
JWhy did Ad)ira Chander for.e his son to eave the 0avyAJ
J%e.ause it +as the ony thing to 'e done/J
JWhyAJ
Fro'isher shoo1 an o'stinate head/
Poirot )ur)ured softyH JWas it to do +ith so)e sheep 'eing 1iedAJ
The other )an said angriyH JSo you"ve heard a'out thatAJ
J$iana tod )e/J
JThat gir had far 'etter 1eep her )outh shut/J
JShe did not thin1 it +as .on.usive/J
JShe doesn"t 1no+/J
JWhat doesn"t she 1no+AJ
2n+iingy> Der1iy> angriy> Fro'isher spo1eH
J<h +e> if you )ust have it/// Chander heard a noise that night/
Thought it )ight 'e so)eone got in the house/ Went out to investigate/
#ight in the 'oy"s roo)/ Chander +ent in/ !ugh aseep on 'ed ; dead
aseep ; in his .othes/ %ood on the .othes/ %asin in the roo) fu of
'ood/ !is father .oudn"t +a1e hi)/ 0eBt )orning heard a'out sheep
'eing found +ith their throats .ut/ 4uestioned !ugh/ %oy didn"t 1no+
anything a'out it/ $idn"t re)e)'er going out ; and his shoes found 'y
the side door .a1ed in )ud/ Coudn"t eBpain the 'ood in the 'asin/
Coudn"t eBpain anything/ Poor devi didn"t 1no+> you understand/
JChares .a)e to )e> ta1ed it over/ What +as the 'est thing to 'e
doneA Then it happened again ; three nights ater/ After that ; +e> you
.an see for yoursef/ The 'oy had got to eave the servi.e/ If he +as
here> under Chares" eye> Chares .oud +at.h over hi)/ Coudn"t
afford to have a s.anda in the 0avy/ @es> it +as the ony thing to 'e
done/J
Poirot as1edH JAnd sin.e thenAJ
Fro'isher said fier.ey> JI") not ans+ering any )ore 8uestions/ $on"t
you thin1 !ugh 1no+s his o+n 'usiness 'estAJ
!er.ue Poirot did not ans+er/ !e +as a+ays oath to ad)it that
anyone .oud 1no+ 'etter than !er.ue Poirot/
III
As they .a)e into the ha> they )et Ad)ira Chander .o)ing in/ !e
stood for a )o)ent> a dar1 figure sihouetted against the 'right ight
outside/
!e said in a o+> gruff voi.eH J<h there you 'oth are/ M/ Poirot> I +oud
i1e a +ord +ith you/ Co)e into )y study/J
Fro'isher +ent out through the open door> and Poirot foo+ed the
Ad)ira/ !e had rather the feeing of having 'een su))oned to the
8uarter;de.1 to give an a..ount of hi)sef/
The Ad)ira )otioned Poirot to ta1e one of the 'ig easy .hairs and
hi)sef sat do+n in the other/ Poirot> +hist +ith Fro'isher> had 'een
i)pressed 'y the other"s restessness> nervousness and irrita'iity ; a
the signs of intense )enta strain/ With Ad)ira Chander he fet a
sense of hopeessness> of 8uiet> deep despair///
With a deep sigh/ Chander saidH JI .an"t hep 'eing sorry $iana has
'rought you into this/// Poor .hid> I 1no+ ho+ hard it is for her/ %ut ;
+e ; it is our o+n private tragedy> and I thin1 you +i understand> M/
Poirot> that +e don"t +ant outsiders/J
JI .an understand your feeing> .ertainy/J
J$iana> poor .hid> .an"t 'eieve it/// I .oudn"t at first/ Pro'a'y
+oudn"t 'eieve it no+ if I didn"t 1no+ ;J
!e paused/
J-no+ +hatAJ
JThat it"s in the 'ood/ The taint> I )ean/J
JAnd yet you agreed to the engage)entAJ
Ad)ira Chander fushed/
J@ou )ean> I shoud have put )y foot do+n thenA %ut at the ti)e I"d no
idea/ !ugh ta1es after his )other ; nothing a'out hi) to re)ind you of
the Chanders/ I hoped he"d ta1en after her in every +ay/ Fro) his
.hidhood up+ards> there"s never 'een a tra.e of a'nor)aity a'out
hi) unti no+/ I .oudn"t 1no+ that ; dash it a> there"s a tra.e of
insanity in neary every od fa)iyGJ
Poirot said softyH J@ou have not .onsuted a do.torAJ
Chander roaredH J0o> and I") not going toG The 'oy"s safe enough
here +ith )e to oo1 after hi)/ They shan"t shut hi) up 'et+een four
+as i1e a +id 'east///J
J!e is safe here> you say/ %ut are others safeAJ
JWhat do you )ean 'y thatAJ
Poirot did not repy/ !e oo1ed steadiy into Ad)ira Chander"s sad>
dar1 eyes/
The Ad)ira said 'itteryH J(a.h )an to his trade/ @ou"re oo1ing for a
.ri)inaG My 'oy"s not a .ri)ina> M/ Poirot/J
J0ot yet/J
JWhat do you )ean 'y "not yet"AJ
JThese things in.rease/// Those sheep ;J
JWho tod you a'out the sheepAJ
J$iana Ma'ery/ And aso your friend> Coone Fro'isher/J
J,eorge +oud have done 'etter to 1eep his )outh shut/J
J!e is a very od friend of yours> is he notAJ
JMy 'est friend>J the Ad)ira said gruffy/
JAnd he +as a friend of ; your +ife"s> tooAJ
Chander s)ied/
J@es/ ,eorge +as in ove +ith Caroine> I 'eieve/ When she +as very
young/ !e"s never )arried/ I 'eieve that"s the reason/ Ah +e> I +as
the u.1y one ; or so I thought/ I .arried her off ; ony to ose her/J
!e sighed and his shouders sagged/
Poirot saidH JCoone Fro'isher +as +ith you +hen your +ife +as ;
dro+nedAJ
Chander nodded/
J@es> he +as +ith us do+n in Corn+a +hen it happened/ She and I
+ere out in the 'oat together ; he happened to stay at ho)e that day/
I"ve never understood ho+ that 'oat .a)e to .apsi?e/// Must have
sprung a sudden ea1/ We +ere right out in the 'ay ; strong tide
running/ I hed her up as ong as I .oud///J !is voi.e 'ro1e/ J!er 'ody
+as +ashed up t+o days ater/ Than1 the #ord +e hadn"t ta1en itte
!ugh out +ith usG At east> that"s +hat I thought at the ti)e/ 0o+ ; +e ;
'etter for !ugh> poor devi> perhaps> if he had 'een +ith us/ If it had a
'een finished and done for then///J
Again there .a)e that deep> hopeess sigh/
JWe"re the ast of the Chanders> M/ Poirot/ There +i 'e no )ore
Chanders at #yde after +e"re gone/ When !ugh got engaged to $iana>
I hoped ; +e> it"s no good ta1ing of that/ Than1 ,od> they didn"t
)arry/ That"s a I .an sayGJ
I7
!er.ue Poirot sat on a seat in the rose garden/ %eside hi) sat !ugh
Chander/ $iana Ma'ery had Dust eft the)/
The young )an turned a handso)e> tortured fa.e to+ards his
.o)panion/
!e saidH J@ou"ve got to )a1e her understand> M/ Poirot/J
!e paused for a )inute and then +ent onH J@ou see> $i"s a fighter/ She
+on"t give in/ She +on"t a..ept +hat she"s darned +e got to a..ept/
She ; she +i go on 'eieving that I") ; sane/J
JWhie you yoursef are 8uite .ertain that you are ; pardon )e ;
insaneAJ
The young )an +in.ed/ !e saidH JI") not a.tuay hopeessy off )y
head yet ; 'ut it"s getting +orse/ $iana doesn"t 1no+> 'ess her/ She"s
ony seen )e +hen I a) ; a right/J
JAnd +hen you are ; a +rong> +hat happensAJ
!ugh Chander too1 a ong 'reath/ Then he saidH JFor one thing ; I
drea)/ And +hen I drea)> I a) )ad/ #ast night> for instan.e ; I +asn"t
a )an any onger/ I +as first of a a 'u ; a )ad 'u ; ra.ing a'out in
'a?ing sunight ; tasting dust and 'ood in )y )outh ; dust and 'ood///
And then I +as a dog ; a great savering dog/ I had hydropho'ia ;
.hidren s.attered and fed as I .a)e ; )en tried to shoot )e ;
so)eone set do+n a great 'o+ of +ater for )e and I .oudn"t drin1/ I
.oudn"t drin1///J
!e paused/ JI +o1e up/ And I 1ne+ it +as true/ I +ent over to the +ashstand/
My )outh +as par.hed ; horri'y par.hed ; and dry/ I +as
thirsty/ %ut I .oudn"t drin1> M/ Poirot/// I .oudn"t s+ao+/// <h> )y
,od> I +asn"t a'e to drin1///J
!er.ue Poirot )ade a gente )ur)ur/ !ugh Chander +ent on/ !is
hands +ere .en.hed on his 1nees/ !is fa.e +as thrust for+ard> his
eyes +ere haf .osed as though he sa+ so)ething .o)ing to+ards
hi)/
JAnd there are things that aren"t drea)s/ Things that I see +hen I")
+ide a+a1e/ Spe.tres> frightfu shapes/ They eer at )e/ And
so)eti)es I") a'e to fy> to eave )y 'ed> and fy through the air> to
ride the +inds ; and fiends 'ear )e .o)panyGJ
JT.ha> t.ha>J said !er.ue Poirot/
It +as a gente> depre.ating itte noise/
!ugh Chander turned to hi)/
J<h> there isn"t any dou't/ It"s in )y 'ood/ It"s )y fa)iy heritage/ I
.an"t es.ape/ Than1 ,od I found it out in ti)eG %efore I"d )arried
$iana/ Suppose +e"d had a .hid and handed on this frightfu thing to
hi)GJ
!e aid a hand on Poirot"s ar)/
J@ou )ust )a1e her understand/ @ou )ust te her/ She"s got to forget/
She"s got to/ There +i 'e so)eone ese so)eday/ There"s young
Steve ,raha) ; he"s .ra?y a'out her and he"s an a+fuy good .hap/
She"d 'e happy +ith hi) ; and safe/ I +ant her ; to 'e happy/ ,raha)"s
hard up> of .ourse> and so are her peope> 'ut +hen I") gone they" 'e
a right/J
!er.ue"s voi.e interrupted hi)/
JWhy +i they 'e "a right" +hen you are goneAJ
!ugh Chander s)ied/ It +as a gente> ova'e s)ie/
!e saidH JThere"s )y )other"s )oney/ She +as an heiress> you 1no+/ It
.a)e to )e/ I"ve eft it a to $iana/J
!er.ue Poirot sat 'a.1 in his .hair/ !e saidH JAhGJ
Then he saidH J%ut you )ay ive to 'e 8uite an od )an> Mr Chander/J
!ugh Chander shoo1 his head/
!e said sharpyH J0o> M/ Poirot/ I a) not going to ive to 'e an od
)an/J
Then he dre+ 'a.1 +ith a sudden shudder/
JMy ,odG #oo1GJ !e stared over Poirot"s shouder/ JThere ; standing 'y
you/// it"s a s1eeton ; its 'ones are sha1ing/ It"s .aing to )e ;
'e.1oning;J
!is eyes> the pupis +idey diated> stared into the sunshine/ !e eaned
suddeny side+ays as though .oapsing/
Then> turning to Poirot> he said in an a)ost .hidi1e voi.eH J@ou didn"t
see ; anythingAJ
So+y> !er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
!ugh Chander said hoarseyH JI don"t )ind this so )u.h ; seeing
things/ It"s the 'ood I") frightened of/ The 'ood in )y roo) ; on )y
.othes/// We had a parrot/ <ne )orning it +as there in )y roo) +ith
its throat .ut ; and I +as ying on the 'ed +ith the ra?or in )y hand +et
+ith its 'oodGJ
!e eant .oser to Poirot/
J(ven Dust atey things have 'een 1ied>J he +hispered/ JA around ;
in the viage ; out on the do+ns/ Sheep> young a)'s ; a .oie dog/
Father o.1s )e in at night> 'ut so)eti)es ; so)eti)es ; the door"s
open in the )orning/ I )ust have a 1ey hidden so)e+here 'ut I don"t
1no+ +here I"ve hidden it/ I don"t 1no+/ It isn"t I +ho do these things ;
it"s so)eone ese +ho .o)es into )e ; +ho ta1es possession of )e ;
+ho turns )e fro) a )an into a raving )onster +ho +ants 'ood and
+ho .an"t drin1 +ater///J
Suddeny he 'uried his fa.e in his hands/
After a )inute or t+o> Poirot as1edH JI sti do not understand +hy you
have not seen a do.torAJ
!ugh Chander shoo1 his head/ !e saidH J$on"t you reay understandA
Physi.ay I") strong/ I") as strong as a 'u/ I )ight ive for years ;
years ; shut up 'et+een four +asG That I .an"t fa.eG It +oud 'e 'etter
to go out atogether/// There are +ays> you 1no+/ An a..ident>
.eaning a gun/// that sort of thing/ $iana +i understand/// I"d rather
ta1e )y o+n +ay outGJ
!e oo1ed defianty at Poirot> 'ut Poirot did not respond to the
.haenge/ Instead he as1ed )idyH
JWhat do you eat and drin1AJ
!ugh Chander fung his head 'a.1/ !e roared +ith aughter/
J0ight)ares after indigestionA Is that your ideaAJ
Poirot )erey repeated gentyH JWhat do you eat and drin1AJ
J*ust +hat every'ody ese eats and drin1s/J
J0o spe.ia )edi.ineA Ca.hetsA PisAJ
J,ood #ord> no/ $o you reay thin1 patent pis +oud .ure )y
trou'eAJ !e 8uoted derisiveyH J"Canst though then )inister to a )ind
diseasedA"J
!er.ue Poirot said dryyH JI a) trying to/ $oes anyone in this house
suffer +ith eye trou'eAJ
!ugh Chander stared at hi)/ !e saidH JFather"s eyes give hi) a good
dea of trou'e/ !e has to go to an o.uist fairy often/J
JAhGJ Poirot )editated for a )o)ent or t+o/ Then he saidH JCoone
Fro'isher> I suppose> has spent )u.h of his ife in IndiaAJ
J@es> he +as in the Indian Ar)y/ !e"s very 1een on India ; ta1s a'out it
a ot ; native traditions ; and a that/J
Poirot )ur)ured JAhGJ again/
Then he re)ar1edH JI see that you have .ut your .hin/J
!ugh put his hand up/
J@es> 8uite a nasty gash/ Father started )e one day +hen I +as
shaving/ I") a 'it nervy these days> you 1no+/ And I"ve had a 'it of a
rash over )y .hin and ne.1/ Ma1es shaving diffi.ut/J
Poirot saidH J@ou shoud use a soothing .rea)/J
J<h> I do/ 2n.e ,eorge gave )e one/J
!e gave a sudden augh/
JWe"re ta1ing i1e a +o)an"s 'eauty parour/ #otions> soothing
.rea)s> patent pis> eye trou'e/ What does it a a)ount toA What are
you getting at> M/ PoirotAJ
Poirot said 8uietyH JI a) trying to do the 'est I .an for $iana Ma'ery/J
!ugh"s )ood .hanged/ !is fa.e so'ered/ !e aid a hand on Poirot"s
ar)/
J@es> do +hat you .an for her/ Te her she"s got to forget/ Te her that
it"s no good hoping/// Te her so)e of the things I"ve tod you/// Te her
; oh> te her for ,od"s sa1e to 1eep a+ay fro) )eG That"s the ony thing
she .an do for )e no+/ -eep a+ay ; and try to forgetGJ
7
J!ave you .ourage/ Made)oiseeA ,reat .ourageA @ou +i need it/J
$iana .ried sharpyH JThen it"s true/ It"s trueA !e is )adAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI a) not an aienist/ Made)oisee/ It is not I +ho
.an say> "This )an is )ad/ This )an is sane/"J
She .a)e .oser to hi)/
JAd)ira Chander thin1s !ugh is )ad/ ,eorge Fro'isher thin1s he is
)ad/ !ugh hi)sef thin1s he is )ad ;J
Poirot +as +at.hing her/
JAnd you> Made)oiseeAJ
JIA I say he isn"t )adG That"s +hy ;J She stopped/
JThat is +hy you .a)e to )eAJ
J@es/ I .oudn"t have had any other reason for .o)ing to you> .oud IAJ
JThat>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jis eBa.ty +hat I have 'een as1ing )ysef>
Made)oiseeGJ
JI don"t understand you/J
JWho is Stephen ,raha)AJ
She stared/ JStephen ,raha)A <h> he"s ; he"s Dust so)eone/J
She .aught hi) 'y the ar)/
JWhat"s in your )indA What are you thin1ing a'outA @ou Dust stand
there ; 'ehind that great )ousta.he of yours ; 'in1ing your eyes in the
sunight> and you don"t te )e anything/ @ou"re )a1ing )e afraid ;
horri'y afraid/ Why are you )a1ing )e afraidAJ
JPerhaps>J said Poirot> J'e.ause I a) afraid )ysef/J
The deep grey eyes opened +ide> stared up at hi)/ She said in a
+hisperH
JWhat are you afraid ofAJ
!er.ue Poirot sighed ; a deep sigh/
!e saidH JIt is )u.h easier to .at.h a )urderer than it is to prevent a
)urder/J
She .ried outH JMurderA $on"t use that +ord/J
J0evertheess>J said !er.ue Poirot> JI do use it/J
!e atered his tone> spea1ing 8ui.1y and authoritativey/
JMade)oisee> it is ne.essary that 'oth you and I shoud pass the
night at #yde Manor/ I oo1 to you to arrange the )atter/ @ou .an do
thatAJ
JI ; yes ; I suppose so/ %ut +hy ;AJ
J%e.ause there is no ti)e to ose/ @ou have tod )e that you have
.ourage/ Prove that .ourage no+/ $o +hat I as1 and )a1e no
8uestions a'out it/J
She nodded +ithout a +ord and turned a+ay/
Poirot foo+ed her into the house after the apse of a )o)ent or t+o/
!e heard her voi.e in the i'rary and the voi.es of three )en/ !e
passed up the 'road stair.ase/ There +as no one on the upper foor/
!e found !ugh Chander"s roo) easiy enough/ In the .orner of the
roo) +as a fitted +ash'asin +ith hot and .od +ater/ <ver it> on a
gass shef> +ere various tu'es and pots and 'ottes/
!er.ue Poirot +ent 8ui.1y and deBterousy to +or1///
What he had to do did not ta1e hi) ong/ !e +as do+nstairs again in
the ha +hen $iana .a)e out of the i'rary> oo1ing fushed and
re'eious/
JIt"s a right>J she said/
Ad)ira Chander dre+ Poirot into the i'rary and .osed the door/ !e
saidH J#oo1 here> M/ Poirot> I don"t i1e this/J
JWhat don"t you i1e> Ad)ira ChanderAJ
J$iana has 'een insisting that you and she shoud 'oth spend the night
here/ I don"t +ant to 'e inhospita'e ;J
JIt is not a 8uestion of hospitaity/J
JAs I say> I don"t i1e 'eing inhospita'e ; 'ut fran1y> I don"t i1e it> M/
Poirot/ I ; I don"t +ant it/ And I don"t understand the reason for it/ What
good .an it possi'y doAJ
JSha +e say that it is an eBperi)ent I a) tryingAJ
JWhat 1ind of an eBperi)entAJ
JThat> you +i pardon )e> is )y 'usiness///J
J0o+ oo1 here> M/ Poirot> I didn"t as1 you to .o)e here in the first
pa.e ;J
Poirot interrupted/
J%eieve )e> Ad)ira Chander> I 8uite understand and appre.iate
your point of vie+/ I a) here si)py and soey 'e.ause of the
o'stina.y of a gir in ove/ @ou have tod )e .ertain things/ Coone
Fro'isher has tod )e .ertain things/ !ugh hi)sef has tod )e .ertain
things/ 0o+ ; I +ant to see for )ysef/J
J@es> 'ut see +hatA I te you> there"s nothing to seeG I o.1 !ugh into
his roo) every night and that"s that/J
JAnd yet ; so)eti)es ; he tes )e that the door is not o.1ed in the
)orningAJ
JWhat"s thatAJ
J!ave you not found the door uno.1ed yoursefAJ
Chander +as fro+ning/
JI a+ays i)agined ,eorge had uno.1ed ; +hat do you )eanAJ
JWhere do you eave the 1ey ; in the o.1AJ
J0o> I ay it on the .hest outside/ I> or ,eorge> or Withers> the vaet>
ta1e it fro) there in the )orning/ We"ve tod Withers it"s 'e.ause !ugh
+a1s in his seep/// I daresay he 1no+s )ore ; 'ut he"s a faithfu
feo+> 'een +ith )e for years/J
JIs there another 1eyAJ
J0ot that I 1no+ of/J
J<ne .oud have 'een )ade/J
J%ut +ho ;J
J@our son thin1s that he hi)sef has one hidden so)e+here> athough
he is una+are of it in his +a1ing state/J
Coone Fro'isher> spea1ing fro) the far end of the roo)> saidH JI don"t
i1e it> Chares/// The gir ;J
Ad)ira Chander said 8ui.1yH J*ust +hat I +as thin1ing/ The gir
)ustn"t .o)e 'a.1 +ith you/ Co)e 'a.1 yoursef> if you i1e/J
Poirot saidH JWhy don"t you +ant Miss Ma'ery here tonightAJ
Fro'isher said in a o+ voi.eH JIt"s too ris1y/ In these .ases ;J
!e stopped/
Poirot saidH J!ugh is devoted to her///J
Chander .riedH JThat"s Dust +hyG $a)n it a> )an> everything"s topsyturvy
+here a )ad)an"s .on.erned/ !ugh 1no+s that hi)sef/ $iana
)ustn"t .o)e here/J
JAs to that>J said Poirot> J$iana )ust de.ide for hersef/J
!e +ent out of the i'rary/ $iana +as +aiting outside in the .ar/ She
.aed out> JWe" get +hat +e +ant for the night and 'e 'a.1 in ti)e for
dinner/J
As they drove do+n the ong drive> Poirot repeated to her the
.onversation he had Dust hed +ith the Ad)ira and Coone Fro'isher/
She aughed s.ornfuy/
J$o they thin1 !ugh +oud hurt )eAJ
%y +ay of repy> Poirot as1ed her if she +oud )ind stopping at the
.he)ist"s in the viage/ !e had forgotten> he said> to pa.1 a
tooth'rush/
The .he)ist"s shop +as in the )idde of the pea.efu viage street/
$iana +aited outside in the .ar/ It stru.1 her that !er.ue Poirot +as a
ong ti)e .hoosing a tooth'rush///
7I
In the 'ig 'edroo) +ith the heavy (i?a'ethan oa1 furniture> !er.ue
Poirot sat and +aited/ There +as nothing to do 'ut +ait/ A his
arrange)ents +ere )ade/
It +as to+ards eary )orning that the su))ons .a)e/
At the sound of footsteps outside> Poirot dre+ 'a.1 the 'ot and
opened the door/ There +ere t+o )en in the passage outside ; t+o
)idde;aged )en +ho oo1ed oder than their years/ The Ad)ira +as
stern;fa.ed and gri)/ Coone Fro'isher t+it.hed and tre)'ed/
Chander said si)pyH JWi you .o)e +ith us> M/ PoirotAJ
There +as a hudded figure ying outside $iana Ma'ery"s 'edroo)
door/ The ight fe on a ru)ped> ta+ny head/ !ugh Chander ay there
'reathing stertorousy/ !e +as in his dressing;go+n and sippers/ In
his right hand +as a sharpy;.urved> shining 1nife/ 0ot a of it +as
shining ; here and there it +as o's.ured 'y red gistening pat.hes/
!er.ue Poirot eB.ai)ed softyH JMon $ieuGJ
Fro'isher said sharpyH JShe"s a right/ !e hasn"t tou.hed her/J
!e raised his voi.e and .aedH J$ianaG It"s usG #et us inGJ
Poirot heard the Ad)ira groan and )utter under his 'reathH JMy 'oy/
My poor 'oy/J
There +as a sound of 'ots 'eing dra+n/ The door opened and $iana
stood there/ !er fa.e +as dead +hite/
She fatered outH JWhat"s happenedA There +as so)eone ; trying to
get in ; I heard the) ; feeing the door ; the hande ; s.rat.hing on the
panes ; <hG it +as a+fu/// i1e an ani)a///J
Fro'isher said sharpyH JThan1 ,od your door +as o.1edGJ
JM/ Poirot tod )e to o.1 it/J
Poirot saidH J#ift hi) up and 'ring hi) inside/J
The t+o )en stooped and raised the un.ons.ious )an/ $iana .aught
her 'reath +ith a itte gasp as they passed her/
J!ughA Is it !ughA What"s that ; on his handsAJ
!ugh Chander"s hands +ere sti.1y and +et +ith a 'ro+nish> red stain/
$iana 'reathedH JIs that 'oodAJ
Poirot oo1ed in8uiringy at the t+o )en/
The Ad)ira nodded/ !e saidH J0ot hu)an> than1 ,odG A .atG I found it
do+nstairs in the ha/ Throat .ut/ After+ards he )ust have .o)e up
here ;J
J!ereAJ $iana"s voi.e +as o+ +ith horror/ JTo )eAJ
The )an on the .hair stirred ; )uttered/ They +at.hed hi)>
fas.inated/ !ugh Chander sat up/ !e 'in1ed/
J!uo>J his voi.e +as da?ed ; hoarse/ JWhat"s happenedA Why a) I ;AJ
!e stopped/ !e +as staring at the 1nife +hi.h he hed sti .asped in
his hand/
!e said in a so+> thi.1 voi.eH JWhat have I doneAJ
!is eyes +ent fro) one to the other/ They rested at ast on $iana
shrin1ing 'a.1 against the +a/
!e said 8uietyH J$id I atta.1 $ianaAJ
!is father shoo1 his head/
!ugh saidH JTe )e +hat has happenedA I"ve got to 1no+GJ
They tod hi) ; tod hi) un+iingy ; hatingy/ !is 8uiet perseveran.e
dre+ it out of the)/
<utside the +indo+ the sun +as .o)ing up/ !er.ue Poirot dre+ a
.urtain aside/ The radian.e of the da+n .a)e into the roo)/
!ugh Chander"s fa.e +as .o)posed> his voi.e +as steady/
!e saidH JI see/J
Then he got up/ !e s)ied and stret.hed hi)sef/ !is voi.e +as 8uite
natura as he saidH
J%eautifu )orning> +hatA Thin1 I" go out in the +oods and try to get a
ra''it/J
!e +ent out of the roo) and eft the) staring after hi)/
Then the Ad)ira started for+ard/ Fro'isher .aught hi) 'y the ar)/
J0o> Chares> no/ It"s the 'est +ay ; for hi)> poor devi> if for no'ody
ese/J
$iana had thro+n hersef so''ing on the 'ed/
Ad)ira Chander said> his voi.e .o)ing unevenyH J@ou"re right>
,eorge ; you"re right> I 1no+/ The 'oy"s got guts///J
Fro'isher said> and his voi.e> too> +as 'ro1enH J!e"s a )an///J
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e and then Chander saidH
J$a)n it> +here"s that .ursed foreignerAJ
7II
In the gun;roo)> !ugh Chander had ifted his gun fro) the ra.1 and
+as in the a.t of oading it +hen !er.ue Poirot"s hand fe on his
shouder/
!er.ue Poirot"s voi.e said one +ord and said it +ith a strange
authority/
!e saidH J0o GJ
!ugh Chander stared at hi)/
!e said in a thi.1> angry voi.eH JTa1e your hands off )e/ $on"t
interfere/ There"s going to 'e an a..ident> I te you/ It"s the ony +ay
out/J
Again !er.ue Poirot repeated that one +ordH J0o/J
J$on"t you reaise that if it hadn"t 'een for the a..ident of her door
'eing o.1ed> I +oud have .ut $iana"s throat ; $iana"sG ; +ith that
1nifeAJ
JI reaise nothing of the 1ind/ @ou +oud not have 1ied Miss Ma'ery/J
JI 1ied the .at> didn"t IAJ
J0o> you did not 1i the .at/ @ou did not 1i the parrot/ @ou did not 1i
the sheep/J
!ugh stared at hi)/ !e de)andedH JAre you )ad> or a) IAJ
!er.ue Poirot repiedH J0either of us is )ad/J
It +as at that )o)ent that Ad)ira Chander and Coone Fro'isher
.a)e in/ %ehind the) .a)e $iana/
!ugh Chander said in a +ea1> da?ed voi.eH JThis .hap says I") not
)ad///J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI a) happy to te you that you are entirey and
.o)petey sane/J
!ugh aughed/ It +as a augh su.h as a unati. )ight popuary 'e
supposed to give/
JThat"s da)ned funnyG It"s sane> is it> to .ut the throats of sheep and
other ani)asA I +as sane> +as I> +hen I 1ied that parrotA And the .at
tonightAJ
JI te you you did not 1i the sheep ; or the parrot ; or the .at/J
JThen +ho didAJ
JSo)eone +ho has had at heart the soe o'De.t of proving you insane/
<n ea.h o..asion you +ere given a heavy soporifi. and a 'oodstained
1nife or ra?or +as panted 'y you/ It +as so)eone ese +hose
'oody hands +ere +ashed in your 'asin/J
J%ut +hyAJ
JIn order that you shoud do +hat you +ere Dust a'out to do +hen I
stopped you/J
!ugh stared/ Poirot turned to Coone Fro'isher/
JCoone Fro'isher> you ived for )any years in India/ $id you never
.o)e a.ross .ases +here persons +ere dei'eratey driven )ad 'y
the ad)inistration of drugsAJ
Coone Fro'isher"s fa.e it up/
!e saidH J0ever .a)e a.ross a .ase )ysef> 'ut I"ve heard of the)
often enough/ $atura poisoning/ It ends 'y driving a person insane/J
J(Ba.ty/ We> the a.tive prin.ipe of the datura is very .osey aied
to> if it is not a.tuay> the a1aoid atropine ; +hi.h is aso o'tained
fro) 'eadonna or deady nightshade/ %eadonna preparations are
fairy .o))on and atropine suphate itsef is pres.ri'ed freey for eye
treat)ents/ %y dupi.ating a pres.ription and getting it )ade up in
different pa.es a arge 8uantity of the poison .oud 'e o'tained
+ithout arousing suspi.ion/ The a1aoid .oud 'e eBtra.ted fro) it and
then introdu.ed into> say ; a soothing shaving .rea)/ Appied
eBternay it +oud .ause a rash> this +oud soon ead to a'rasions in
shaving and thus the drug +oud 'e .ontinuay entering the syste)/ It
+oud produ.e .ertain sy)pto)s ; dryness of the )outh and throat>
diffi.uty in s+ao+ing> hau.inations> dou'e vision ; a the
sy)pto)s> in fa.t> +hi.h Mr Chander has eBperien.ed/J
!e turned to the young )an/
JAnd to re)ove the ast dou't fro) your )ind> I +i te you that that is
not a supposition 'ut a fa.t/ @our shaving .rea) +as heaviy
i)pregnated +ith atropine suphate/ I too1 a sa)pe and had it tested/J
White> sha1ing> !ugh as1edH JWho did itAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThat is +hat I have 'een studying ever sin.e I
arrived here/ I have 'een oo1ing for a )otive for )urder/ $iana
Ma'ery gained finan.iay 'y your death> 'ut I did not .onsider her
seriousy ;J
!ugh Chander fashed outH JI shoud hope notGJ
JI envisaged another possi'e )otive/ The eterna triangeI t+o )en
and a +o)an/ Coone Fro'isher had 'een in ove +ith your )other/
Ad)ira Chander )arried her/J
Ad)ira Chander .ried outH J,eorgeA ,eorgeG I +on"t 'eieve it/J
!ugh said in an in.reduous voi.eH J$o you )ean that hatred .oud go
on ; to a sonAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH J2nder .ertain .ir.u)stan.es> yes/J
Fro'isher .ried outH JIt"s a da)ned ieG $on"t 'eieve hi)> Chares/J
Chander shran1 a+ay fro) hi)/ !e )uttered to hi)sefH
JThe datura/// India ; yes> I see/// And +e"d never suspe.t poison ; not
+ith )adness in the fa)iy aready///J
JMais ouiGJ !er.ue Poirot"s voi.e rose high and shri/ JMadness in the
fa)iy/ A )ad)an ; 'ent on revenge ; .unning ; as )ad)en are>
.on.eaing his )adness for years/J !e +hired round on Fro'isher/
JMon $ieu> you )ust have 1no+n> you )ust have suspe.ted> that !ugh
+as your sonA Why did you never te hi) soAJ
Fro'isher sta))ered> guped/
JI didn"t 1no+/ I .oudn"t 'e sure/// @ou see> Caroine .a)e to )e on.e ;
she +as frightened of so)ething ; in great trou'e/ I don"t 1no+> I
never have 1no+n> +hat it +as a a'out/ She ; I ; +e ost our heads/
After+ards I +ent a+ay at on.e ; it +as the ony thing to 'e done> +e
'oth 1ne+ +e"d got to pay the ga)e/ I ; +e> I +ondered> 'ut I .oudn"t
'e sure/ Caroine never said anything that ed )e to thin1 !ugh +as )y
son/ And then +hen this ; this strea1 of )adness appeared> it setted
things definitey> I thought/J
Poirot saidH J@es> it setted thingsG @ou .oud not see the +ay the 'oy
has of thrusting out his fa.e and 'ringing do+n his 'ro+s ; a tri.1 he
inherited fro) you/ %ut Chares Chander sa+ it/ Sa+ it years ago ; and
earnt the truth fro) his +ife/ I thin1 she +as afraid of hi) ; he"d 'egun
to sho+ her the )ad strea1 ; that +as +hat drove her into your ar)s ;
you +ho) she had a+ays oved/ Chares Chander panned his
revenge/ !is +ife died in a 'oating a..ident/ !e and she +ere out in
the 'oat aone and he 1no+s ho+ that a..ident .a)e a'out/ Then he
setted do+n to feed his .on.entrated hatred against the 'oy +ho 'ore
his na)e 'ut +ho +as not his son/ @our Indian stories put the idea of
datura poisoning into his head/ !ugh shoud 'e so+y driven )ad/
$riven to the stage +here he +oud ta1e his o+n ife in despair/ The
'ood ust +as Ad)ira Chander"s> not !ugh"s/ It +as Chares
Chander +ho +as driven to .ut the throats of sheep in oney fieds/
%ut it +as !ugh +ho +as to pay the penatyG
J$o you 1no+ +hen I suspe.tedA When Ad)ira Chander +as so
averse to his son seeing a do.tor/ For !ugh to o'De.t +as natura
enough/ %ut the fatherG There )ight 'e treat)ent +hi.h +oud save his
son ; there +ere a hundred reasons +hy he shoud see1 to have a
do.tor"s opinion/ %ut no> a do.tor )ust not 'e ao+ed to see !ugh
Chander ; in .ase a do.tor shoud dis.over that !ugh +as saneGJ
!ugh said very 8uietyH JSane/// I a) saneAJ
!e too1 a step to+ards $iana/
Fro'isher said in a gruff voi.eH J@ou"re sane enough/ There"s no taint in
our fa)iy/J
$iana saidH J!ugh///J
Ad)ira Chander pi.1ed up !ugh"s gun/
!e saidH JA a ot of nonsenseG Thin1 I" go and see if I .an get a ra''it
;J
Fro'isher started for+ard> 'ut the hand of !er.ue Poirot restrained
hi)/
Poirot saidH J@ou said yoursef ; Dust no+ ; that it +as the 'est +ay///J
!ugh and $iana had gone fro) the roo)/
The t+o )en> the (ngish)an and the %egian> +at.hed the ast of the
Chanders .ross the Par1 and go up into the +oods/
Presenty> they heard a shot///
Chapter O
T!( !<&S(S <F $I<M($(S
The teephone rang/
J!uo> Poirot> is that youAJ
!er.ue Poirot re.ognised the voi.e as that of young $r Stoddart/ !e
i1ed Mi.hae Stoddart> i1ed the shy friendiness of his grin> +as
a)used 'y his na^ve interest in .ri)e> and respe.ted hi) as a hard+or1ing
and shre+d )an in his .hosen profession/
JI don"t i1e 'othering you ;J the voi.e +ent on and hesitated/
J%ut so)ething is 'othering you ;J suggested !er.ue Poirot a.utey/
J(Ba.ty/J Mi.hae Stoddart"s voi.e sounded reieved/ J!it it in oneGJ
J(h 'ien> +hat .an I do for you> )y friendAJ
Stoddart sounded diffident/ !e sta))ered a itte +hen he ans+ered/
JI suppose it +oud 'e a+fu .;.;.hee1 if I as1ed you to .o)e round at
this ti)e of night/// %;';'ut I") in a 'it of a D;D;Da)/J
JCertainy I +i .o)e/ To your houseAJ
J0o ; as a )atter of fa.t I") at the Me+s that runs aong 'ehind/
Conning'y Me+s/ The nu)'er is 1E/ Coud you reay .o)eA I"d 'e no
end gratefu/J
JI arrive i))ediatey>J repied !er.ue Poirot/
II
!er.ue Poirot +a1ed aong the dar1 Me+s oo1ing up at the nu)'ers/
It +as past one o".o.1 in the )orning and for the )ost part the Me+s
appeared to have gone to 'ed> though there +ere sti ights in one or
t+o +indo+s/
As he rea.hed 1E> its door opened and $r Stoddart stood oo1ing out/
J,ood )anGJ he said/ JCo)e up> +i youAJ
A s)a adder;i1e stair+ay ed to the upper foor/ !ere> on the right>
+as a fairy 'ig roo)> furnished +ith divans> rugs> trianguar siver
.ushions and arge nu)'ers of 'ottes and gasses/
(verything +as )ore or ess in .onfusion> .igarette ends +ere
every+here and there +ere )any 'ro1en gasses/
J!aGJ said !er.ue Poirot/ JMon .her Watson> I dedu.e that there has
'een here a partyGJ
JThere"s 'een a party a right>J said Stoddart gri)y/ JSo)e party> I
shoud sayGJ
J@ou did not> then> attend it yoursefAJ
J0o> I") here stri.ty in )y professiona .apa.ity/J
JWhat happenedAJ
Stoddart saidH JThis pa.e 'eongs to a +o)an .aed Patien.e ,ra.e ;
Mrs Patien.e ,ra.e/J
JIt sounds>J said Poirot> Ja .har)ing od;+ord na)e/J
JThere"s nothing .har)ing or od;+ord a'out Mrs ,ra.e/ She"s goodoo1ing
in a tough sort of +ay/ She"s got through a .oupe of hus'ands>
and no+ she"s got a 'oy friend +ho) she suspe.ts of trying to run out
on her/ They started this party on drin1 and they finished it on dope ;
.o.aine> to 'e eBa.t/ Co.aine is stuff that starts off )a1ing you fee
Dust grand and +ith everything in the garden ovey/ It peps you up and
you fee you .an do t+i.e as )u.h as you usuay do/ Ta1e too )u.h of
it and you get vioent )enta eB.ite)ent> deusions and deiriu)/ Airs/
,ra.e had a vioent 8uarre +ith her 'oy friend> an unpeasant person
'y the na)e of !a+1er/ &esut> he +a1ed out on her then and there>
and she eaned out of the +indo+ and too1 a pot;shot at hi) +ith a
'rand;ne+ revover that so)eone had 'een foo enough to give her/J
!er.ue Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose/
J$id she hit hi)AJ
J0ot sheG %uet +ent severa yards +ide> I shoud say/ What she did hit
+as a )isera'e oafer +ho +as .reeping aong the Me+s oo1ing in
the dust'ins/ ,ot hi) through the feshy part of the ar)/ !e raised
!e> of .ourse> and the .ro+d husted hi) in here 8ui.1> got the +ind
up +ith a the 'ood that +as spiing out of hi) and .a)e round and
got )e/J
J@esAJ
JI pat.hed hi) up a right/ It +asn"t serious/ Then one or t+o of the
)en got 'usy on hi) and in the end he .onsented to a..ept a .oupe of
five pound notes and say no )ore a'out it/ Suited hi) a right> poor
devi/ Marveous stro1e of u.1/J
JAnd youAJ
JI had a 'it )ore +or1 to do/ Mrs ,ra.e hersef +as in raving hysteri.s
'y that ti)e/ I gave her a shot of so)ething and pa.1ed her off to 'ed/
There +as another gir +ho"d )ore or ess passed out ; 8uite young
she +as> and I attended to her too/ %y that ti)e everyone +as sin1ing
off as fast as they .oud eave/J
!e paused/
JAnd then>J said Poirot> Jyou had ti)e to thin1 over the situation/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Stoddart/ JIf it +as an ordinary drun1en 'inge> +e>
that +oud 'e the end of it/ %ut dope"s different/J
J@ou are 8uite sure of your fa.tsAJ
J<h> a'soutey/ 0o )ista1ing it/ It"s .o.aine a right/ I found so)e in a
a.8uer 'oB ; they snuff it up> you 1no+/ 4uestion is> +here does it
.o)e fro)A I re)e)'ered that you"d 'een ta1ing the other day a'out
a 'ig> ne+ +ave of drug;ta1ing and the in.rease of drug addi.ts/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded/ !e saidH JThe poi.e +i 'e interested in this
party tonight/J
Mi.hae Stoddart said unhappiyH JThat"s Dust it/J
Poirot oo1ed at hi) +ith suddeny a+a1ened interest/
!e saidH J%ut you ; you are not very anBious that the poi.e shoud 'e
interestedAJ
Mi.hae Stoddart )u)'edH JInno.ent peope get )iBed up in things///
hard ines on the)/J
JIs it Mrs Patien.e ,ra.e for +ho) you are soi.itousAJ
J,ood #ord> no/ She"s as hard;'oied as they )a1e the)GJ
!er.ue Poirot said gentyH JIt is> then> the other one ; the girAJ
$r Stoddart saidH J<f .ourse> she"s hard;'oied> too> in a +ay/ I )ean>
she"d des.ri'e hersef as hard;'oied/ %ut she"s reay Dust very young ;
a 'it +id and a that ; 'ut it"s Dust 1id fooishness/ She gets )iBed up in
a ra.1et i1e this 'e.ause she thin1s it"s s)art or )odern or so)ething
i1e that/J
A faint s)ie .a)e to Poirot"s ips/ !e said softyH JThis gir> you have
)et her 'efore tonightAJ
Mi.hae Stoddart nodded/ !e oo1ed very young and e)'arrassed/
J&an a.ross her in Mertonshire/ At the !unt %a/ !er father"s a retired
,enera ; 'ood and thunder> shoot "e) do+n ; pu11a Sahi' ; a that
sort of thing/ There are four daughters and they are a a 'it +id ;
driven to it +ith a father i1e that> I shoud say/ And it"s a 'ad part of the
.ounty +here they ive ; ar)a)ents +or1s near'y and a ot of )oney ;
none of the od;fashioned .ountry feeing ; a ri.h .ro+d and )ost of
the) pretty vi.ious/ The girs have got in +ith a 'ad set/J
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy for so)e )inutes/ Then he
saidH
JI per.eive no+ +hy you desired )y presen.e/ @ou +ant )e to ta1e
the affair in handAJ
JWoud youA I fee I ought to do so)ething a'out it ; 'ut I .onfess I"d
i1e to 1eep Sheia ,rant out of the i)eight if I .oud/J
JThat .an 'e )anaged I fan.y/ I shoud i1e to see the young ady/J
JCo)e aong/J
!e ed the +ay out of the roo)/ A voi.e .aed fretfuy fro) the door
opposite/
J$o.tor ; for ,od"s sa1e> do.tor> I") going .ra?y/J
Stoddart +ent into the roo)/ Poirot foo+ed/ It +as a 'edroo) in a
.o)pete state of .haos ; po+der spied on the foor ; pots and Dars
every+here> .othes fung a'out/ <n the 'ed +as a +o)an +ith
unnaturay 'onde hair and a va.ant> vi.ious fa.e/ She .aed outH
JI"ve got inse.ts .ra+ing a over )e/// I have/ I s+ear I have/ I") going
)ad/// For ,od"s sa1e> give )e a shot of so)ething/J
$r Stoddart stood 'y the 'ed> his tone +as soothing ; professiona/
!er.ue Poirot +ent 8uiety out of the roo)/ There +as another door
opposite hi)/ !e opened that/
It +as a tiny roo) ; a )ere sip of a roo) ; painy furnished/ <n the 'ed
a si)> girish figure ay )otioness/
!er.ue Poirot tip;toed to the side of the 'ed and oo1ed do+n upon
the gir/
$ar1 hair> a ong> pae fa.e ; and ; yes> young ; very young///
A gea) of +hite sho+ed 'et+een the gir"s ids/ !er eyes opened>
started> frightened eyes/ She stared> sat up> tossing her head in an
effort to thro+ 'a.1 the thi.1 )ane of 'ue;'a.1 hair/ She oo1ed i1e
a frightened fiy ; she shran1 a+ay a itte ; as a +id ani)a shrin1s
+hen it is suspi.ious of a stranger +ho offers it food/
She said ; and her voi.e +as young and thin and a'ruptH JWho the he
are youAJ
J$o not 'e afraid/ Made)oisee/J
JWhere"s $r StoddartAJ
That young )an .a)e into the roo) at that )inute/
The gir said +ith a note of reief in her voi.eH J<hG there you areG
Who"s thisAJ
JThis is a friend of )ine> Sheia/ !o+ are you feeing no+AJ
The gir saidH JA+fu/ #ousy/// Why did I ta1e that fou stuffAJ
Stoddart said dryyH JI shoudn"t do it again> if I +ere you/J
JI ; I shan"t/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JWho gave it to youAJ
!er eyes +idened> her upper ip t+it.hed a itte/
She saidH JIt +as here ; at the party/ We a tried it/ It ; it +as +onderfu
at first/J
!er.ue Poirot said gentyH J%ut +ho 'rought it hereAJ
She shoo1 her head/
JI don"t 1no+/// It )ight have 'een Tony ; Tony !a+1er/ %ut I don"t
reay 1no+ anything a'out it/J
Poirot said gentyH JIs it the first ti)e you have ta1en .o.aine>
Made)oiseeAJ
She nodded/
J@ou"d 'etter )a1e it the ast>J said Stoddart 'rus8uey/
J@es ; I suppose so ; 'ut it +as rather )arveous/J
J0o+ oo1 here> Sheia ,rant>J said Stoddart/ JI") a do.tor and I 1no+
+hat I") ta1ing a'out/ <n.e start this drug;ta1ing ra.1et and you"
and yoursef in un'eieva'e )isery/ I"ve seen so)e and I 1no+/ $rugs
ruin peope> 'ody and sou/ $rin1"s a gente itte pi.ni. .o)pared to
drugs/ Cut it right out fro) this )inute/ %eieve )e> it isn"t funnyG What
do you thin1 your father +oud say to tonight"s 'usinessAJ
JFatherAJ Sheia ,rant"s voi.e rose/ JFatherAJ She 'egan to augh/ JI
.an Dust see Father"s fa.eG !e )ustn"t 1no+ a'out it/ !e"d have seven
fitsGJ
JAnd 8uite right too>J said Stoddart/
J$o.tor ; do.tor ;J the ong +ai of Mrs ,ra.e"s voi.e .a)e fro) the
other roo)/
Stoddart )uttered so)ething un.o)pi)entary under his 'reath and
+ent out of the roo)/
Sheia ,rant stared at Poirot again/ She +as pu??ed/
She saidH JWho are you reayA @ou +eren"t at the party/J
J0o> I +as not at the party/ I a) a friend of $r Stoddart"s/J
J@ou"re a do.tor> tooA @ou don"t oo1 i1e a do.tor/J
JMy na)e>J said Poirot> .ontriving as usua to )a1e the si)pe
state)ent sound i1e the .urtain of the first a.t of a pay> J)y na)e is
!er.ue Poirot/J
The state)ent did not fai of its effe.t/ <..asionay Poirot +as
distressed to find that a .aous younger generation had never heard
of hi)/
%ut it +as evident that Sheia ,rant had heard of hi)/ She +as
fa''ergasted ; du)'founded/ She stared and stared/
III
It has 'een said> +ith or +ithout Dustifi.ation for the state)ent> that
everyone has an aunt in Tor8uay/
It has aso 'een said that everyone has at east a se.ond .ousin in
Mertonshire/ Mertonshire is a reasona'e distan.e fro) #ondon> it has
hunting> shooting and fishing> it has severa very pi.tures8ue 'ut
sighty sef;.ons.ious viages> it has a good syste) of rai+ays and a
ne+ arteria road fa.iitates )otoring to and fro) the )etropois/
Servants o'De.t to it ess than they do to other> )ore rura> portions of
the %ritish Ises/ As a resut> it is pra.ti.ay i)possi'e to ive in
Mertonshire uness you have an in.o)e that runs into four figures> and
+hat +ith in.o)e;taB and one thing and another> five figures is 'etter/
!er.ue Poirot 'eing a foreigner> had no se.ond .ousins in the .ounty>
'ut he had a.8uired 'y no+ a arge .ir.e of friends and he had no
diffi.uty in getting hi)sef invited for a visit in that part of the +ord/
!e had> )oreover> see.ted as hostess a dear ady +hose .hief deight
+as eBer.ising her tongue on the su'De.t of her neigh'ours ; the ony
dra+'a.1 'eing that Poirot had to su')it to hearing a great dea a'out
peope in +ho) he had no interest +hatever> 'efore .o)ing to the
su'De.t of the peope he +as interested in/
JThe ,rantsA <h yes> there are four of the)/ Four girs/ I don"t +onder
the poor ,enera .an"t .ontro the)/ What .an a )an do +ith four
girsAJ #ady Car)i.hae"s hands fe+ up eo8uenty/
Poirot saidH JWhat indeedAJ and the ady .ontinuedH
J2sed to 'e a great dis.ipinarian in his regi)ent> so he tod )e/ %ut
those girs defeat hi)/ 0ot i1e +hen I +as young/ <d Coone Sandys
+as su.h a )artinet> I re)e)'er> that his poor daughters ;J
9#ong eB.ursion into the trias of the Sandys girs and other friends of
#ady Car)i.hae"s youth/:
JMind you>J said #ady Car)i.hae> reverting to her first the)e/ JI don"t
say there"s anything reay +rong a'out those girs/ *ust high spirits ;
and getting in +ith an undesira'e set/ It"s not +hat it used to 'e do+n
here/ The oddest peope .o)e here/ There"s not +hat you )ight .a
".ounty" eft/ It"s a )oney> )oney> )oney no+adays/ And you do hear
the oddest storiesG Who did you sayA Anthony !a+1erA <h yes> I 1no+
hi)/ What I .a a very unpeasant young )an/ %ut apparenty roing in
)oney/ !e .o)es do+n here to hunt ; and he gives parties ; very avish
parties ; and rather pe.uiar parties> too> if one is to 'eieve a one is
tod ; not that I ever do> 'e.ause I do thin1 peope are so i;natured/
They a+ays 'eieve the +orst/ @ou 1no+> it"s 'e.o)e 8uite a fashion
to say a person drin1s or ta1es drugs/ So)e'ody said to )e the other
day that young girs +ere natura ine'riates> and I reay don"t thin1
that +as a ni.e thing to say at a/ And if anyone"s at a pe.uiar or
vague in their )anner> everyone says "drugs" and that"s unfair> too/
They say it a'out Mrs #ar1in and though I don"t .are for the +o)an> I
do reay thin1 it"s nothing )ore than a'sent;)indedness/ She"s a great
friend of your Anthony !a+1er> and that"s +hy> if you as1 )e> she"s so
do+n on the ,rant girs ; says they"re )an;eatersG I dare say they do
run after )en a 'it> 'ut +hy notA It"s natura> after a/ And they"re
good;oo1ing pie.es> every one of the)/J
Poirot interDe.ted a 8uestion/
JMrs #ar1inA My dear )an> it"s no good as1ing )e +ho she is/ Who"s
any'ody no+adaysA They say she rides +e and she"s o'viousy +e
off/ !us'and +as so)ething in the .ity/ !e"s dead> not divor.ed/ She"s
not 'een here very ong> .a)e here Dust after the ,rants did/ I"ve
a+ays thought she ;J
<d #ady Car)i.hae stopped/ !er )outh opened> her eyes 'uged/
#eaning for+ard she stru.1 Poirot a sharp 'o+ a.ross the 1nu.1es
+ith a paper;.utter she +as hoding/ $isregarding his +in.e of pain
she eB.ai)ed eB.itedyH
JWhy> of .ourseG So that"s +hy you"re do+n hereG @ou nasty> de.eitfu
.reature> I insist on your teing )e a a'out it/J
J%ut +hat is it I a) to te you a a'outAJ
#ady Car)i.hae ai)ed another payfu 'o+ +hi.h Poirot avoided
defty/
J$on"t 'e an oyster> !er.ue PoirotG I .an see your )ousta.hes
8uivering/ <f .ourse> it"s .ri)e 'rings you do+n here ; and you"re Dust
pu)ping )e sha)eessyG 0o+ et )e see> .an it 'e )urderA Who"s
died ateyA <ny od #ouisa ,i)ore and she +as eighty;five and had
dropsy too/ Can"t 'e her/ Poor #eo Staverton 'ro1e his ne.1 in the
hunting;fied and he"s a done up in paster ; that .an"t 'e it/ Perhaps it
isn"t )urder/ What a pityG I .an"t re)e)'er any spe.ia De+e ro''eries
atey/// Perhaps it"s Dust a .ri)ina you"re tra.1ing do+n/// Is it %ery
#ar1inA $id she poison her hus'andA Perhaps it"s re)orse that )a1es
her so vague/J
JMada)e> Mada)e>J .ried !er.ue Poirot/ J@ou go too fast/J
J0onsense/ @ou"re up to so)ething> !er.ue Poirot/J
JAre you a.8uainted +ith the .assi.s> Mada)eAJ
JWhat have the .assi.s to do +ith itAJ
JThey have this to do +ith it/ I e)uate )y great prede.essor !er.ues/
<ne of the #a'ours of !er.ues +as the ta)ing of the +id horses of
$io)edes/J
J$on"t te )e you .a)e do+n here to train horses ; at your age ; and
a+ays +earing patent;eather shoesG @ou don"t oo1 to )e as though
you"d ever 'een on a horse in your ifeGJ
JThe horses> Mada)e> are sy)'oi./ They +ere the +id horses +ho
ate hu)an fesh/J
J!o+ very unpeasant of the)/ I a+ays do thin1 these an.ient ,ree1s
and &o)ans are very unpeasant/ I .an"t thin1 +hy .ergy)en are so
fond of 8uoting fro) the .assi.s ; for one thing one never understands
+hat they )ean and it a+ays see)s to )e that the +hoe su'De.t
)atter of the .assi.s is very unsuita'e for .ergy)en/ So )u.h
in.est> and a those statues +ith nothing on ; not that I )ind that
)ysef 'ut you 1no+ +hat .ergy)en are ; 8uite upset if girs .o)e to
.hur.h +ith no sto.1ings on ; et )e see> +here +as IAJ
JI a) not 8uite sure/J
JI suppose> you +ret.h> you Dust +on"t te )e if Mrs #ar1in )urdered
her hus'andA <r perhaps Anthony !a+1er is the %righton trun1
)urdererAJ
She oo1ed at hi) hopefuy> 'ut !er.ue Poirot"s fa.e re)ained
i)passive/
JIt )ight 'e forgery>J spe.uated #ady Car)i.hae/ JI did see Mrs
#ar1in in the 'an1 the other )orning and she"d Dust .ashed a fifty
pound .he8ue to sef ; it see)ed to )e at the ti)e a ot of )oney to
+ant in .ash/ <h no> that"s the +rong +ay round ; if she +as a forger
she +oud 'e paying it in> +oudn"t sheA !er.ue Poirot> if you sit there
oo1ing i1e an o+ and saying nothing> I sha thro+ so)ething at you/J
J@ou )ust have a itte patien.e>J said !er.ue Poirot/
I7
Ashey #odge> the residen.e of ,enera ,rant> +as not a arge house/
It +as situated on the side of a hi> had good sta'es> and a stragging>
rather nege.ted> garden/
Inside> it +as +hat a house agent +oud have des.ri'ed as Jfuy
furnishedJ/ Cross;egged %uddhas eered do+n fro) .onvenient
ni.hes> 'rass %enares trays and ta'es en.u)'ered the foor spa.e/
Pro.essiona eephants garnished the )antepie.es and )ore tortured
'rass+or1 adorned the +as/
In the )idst of this Ango;Indian ho)e fro) ho)e/ ,enera ,rant +as
ens.on.ed in a arge> sha''y ar).hair +ith his eg> s+athed in
'andages> reposing on another .hair/
J,out>J he eBpained/ J(ver had the gout> Mr ; er ; PoirotA Ma1es a
feer da)ned 'ad te)peredG A )y father"s faut/ $ran1 port a his ife
; so did )y grandfather/ It"s payed the deu.e +ith )e/ !ave a drin1A
&ing that 'e> +i you> for that feer of )ineAJ
A tur'aned servant appeared/ ,enera ,rant addressed hi) as A'du
and ordered hi) to 'ring +his1y and soda/ When it .a)e he poured
out su.h a generous portion that Poirot +as )oved to protest/
JCan"t Doin you> I") afraid> Mr Poirot/J The ,enera eyed the tantaus
sady/ JMy do.tor +aah says it"s poison to )e to tou.h the stuff/ $on"t
suppose he 1no+s for a )inute/ Ignorant .haps do.tors/ Spoi;sports/
(nDoy 1no.1ing a )an off his food and drin1 and putting hi) on so)e
pap i1e stea)ed fish/ Stea)ed fish ; pahGJ
In his indignation the ,enera in.autiousy )oved his 'ad foot and
uttered a yep of agony at the t+inge that ensued/
!e apoogised for his anguage/
J#i1e a 'ear +ith a sore head> that"s +hat I a)/ My girs give )e a +ide
'erth +hen I"ve got an atta.1 of gout/ $on"t 1no+ that I 'a)e the)/
@ou"ve )et one of "e)> I hear/J
JI have had that peasure> yes/ @ou have severa daughters> have you
notAJ
JFour>J said the ,enera goo)iy/ J0ot a 'oy a)ongst "e)/ Four
'in1ing girs/ %it of a thought> these days/J
JThey are a four very .har)ing> I hearAJ
J0ot too 'ad ; not too 'ad/ Mind you> I never 1no+ +hat they"re up to/
@ou .an"t .ontro girs no+adays/ #aB ti)es ; too )u.h aBity
every+here/ What .an a )an doA Can"t o.1 "e) up> .an IAJ
JThey are popuar in the neigh'ourhood> I gather/J
JSo)e of the od .ats don"t i1e "e)>J said ,enera ,rant/ JA good dea
of )utton dressed as a)' round here/ A )an"s got to 'e .arefu/ <ne
of these 'ue;eyed +ido+s neary .aught )e ; used to .o)e round
here purring i1e a 1itten/ "Poor ,enera ,rant ; you )ust have had
su.h an interesting ife/"J The ,enera +in1ed and pa.ed one finger
against his nose/ JA itte 'it too o'vious> Mr Poirot/ <h +e> ta1e it a
round> I suppose it"s not a 'ad part of the +ord/ A 'it go ahead and
noisy for )y taste/ I i1ed the .ountry +hen it +as the .ountry ; not a
this )otoring and Da?? and that 'asted> eterna radio/ I +on"t have one
here and the girs 1no+ it/ A )an"s got a right to a itte pea.e in his
o+n ho)e/J
,enty Poirot ed the .onversation round to Anthony !a+1er/
J!a+1erA !a+1erA $on"t 1no+ hi)/ @es> I do> though/ 0asty oo1ing
feo+ +ith his eyes too .ose together/ 0ever trust a )an +ho .an"t
oo1 you in the fa.e/J
J!e is a friend> is he not> of your daughter Sheia"sAJ
JSheiaA Wasn"t a+are of it/ ,irs never te )e anything/J The 'ushy
eye'ro+s .a)e do+n over the nose ; the pier.ing> 'ue eyes oo1ed
out of the red fa.e straight into !er.ue Poirot"s/ J#oo1 here> Mr Poirot>
+hat"s a this a'outA Mind teing )e +hat you"ve .o)e to see )e
a'outAJ
Poirot said so+yH JThat +oud 'e diffi.ut ; perhaps I hardy 1no+
)ysef/ I +oud say ony thisH your daughter Sheia ; perhaps a your
daughters ; have )ade so)e undesira'e friends/J
J,ot into a 'ad set> have theyA I +as a 'it afraid of that/ <ne hears a
+ord dropped here and there/J !e oo1ed patheti.ay at Poirot/ J%ut
+hat a) I to do> Mr PoirotA What a) I to doAJ
Poirot shoo1 his head perpeBedy/
,enera ,rant +ent onH JWhat"s +rong +ith the 'un.h they"re running
+ithAJ he as1ed/
Poirot repied 'y another 8uestion/
J!ave you noti.ed/ ,enera ,rant> that any of your daughters have
'een )oody> eB.ited ; then depressed ; nervy ; un.ertain in their
te)persAJ
J$a))e> sir> you"re ta1ing i1e a patent )edi.ine/ 0o> I haven"t
noti.ed anything of the 1ind/J
JThat is fortunate>J said Poirot gravey/
JWhat the devi is the )eaning of a this> sirAJ
J$rugsGJ
JWhatGJ
The +ord .a)e in a roar/
Poirot saidH JAn atte)pt is 'eing )ade to indu.e your daughter Sheia
to 'e.o)e a drug addi.t/ The .o.aine ha'it is very 8ui.1y for)ed/ A
+ee1 or t+o +i suffi.e/ <n.e the ha'it is for)ed> an addi.t +i pay
anything> do anything> to get a further suppy of the drug/ @ou .an
reaise +hat a ri.h hau the person +ho peddes that drug .an )a1e/J
!e istened in sien.e to the sputtering> +rathfu 'asphe)ies that
poured fro) the od )an"s ips/ Then> as the fires died do+n> +ith a
fina .hoi.e des.ription of eBa.ty +hat he> the ,enera> +oud do to
the 'in1ety;'in1ety son of a 'an1 +hen he got hod of hi)> !er.ue
Poirot saidH
JWe have first> as your so ad)ira'e Mrs %eeton says> to .at.h the
hare/ <n.e +e have .aught our drug pedar> I +i turn hi) over to you
+ith the greatest peasure> ,enera/J
!e got up> tripped over a heaviy;.arved> s)a ta'e> regained his
'aan.e +ith a .ut.h at the ,enera> )ur)uredH
JA thousand pardons> and )ay I 'eg of you> ,enera ; you understand>
'eg of you ; to say nothing +hatever a'out a this to your daughters/J
JWhatA I" have the truth out of the)> that"s +hat I" haveGJ
JThat is eBa.ty +hat you +i not have/ A you +i get is a ie/J
J%ut da))e> sir ;J
JI assure you/ ,enera ,rant> you )ust hod your tongue/ That is vita ;
you understandA 7itaGJ
J<h +e> have it your o+n +ay>J gro+ed the od sodier/
!e +as )astered 'ut not .onvin.ed/
!er.ue Poirot pi.1ed his +ay .arefuy through the %enares 'rass and
+ent out/
7
Mrs #ar1in"s roo) +as fu of peope/
Mrs #ar1in hersef +as )iBing .o.1tais at a side ta'e/ She +as a ta
+o)an +ith pae au'urn hair roed into the 'a.1 of her ne.1/ !er eyes
+ere greenish;grey +ith 'ig> 'a.1 pupis/ She )oved easiy> +ith a
1ind of sinister gra.e/ She oo1ed as though she +ere in the eary
thirties/ <ny a .ose s.rutiny reveaed the ines at the .orners of the
eyes and hinted that she +as ten years oder than her oo1s/
!er.ue Poirot had 'een 'rought here 'y a 'ris1> )idde;aged +o)an>
a friend of #ady Car)i.hae"s/ !e found hi)sef given a .o.1tai and
further dire.ted to ta1e one to a gir sitting in the +indo+/ The gir +as
s)a and fair ; her fa.e +as pin1 and +hite and suspi.iousy angei./
!er eyes> !er.ue Poirot noti.ed at on.e> +ere aert and suspi.ious/
!e saidH JTo your .ontinued good heath/ Made)oisee/J
She nodded and dran1/ Then she said a'ruptyH J@ou 1no+ )y sister/J
J@our sisterA Ah> you are then one of the Miss ,rantsAJ
JI") Pa) ,rant/J
JAnd +here is your sister todayAJ
JShe"s out hunting/ <ught to 'e 'a.1 soon/J
JI )et your sister in #ondon/J
JI 1no+/J
JShe tod youAJ
Pa) ,rant nodded/ She said a'ruptyH JWas Sheia in a Da)AJ
JSo she did not te you everythingAJ
The gir shoo1 her head/ She as1edH JWas Tony !a+1er thereAJ
%efore Poirot .oud ans+er> the door opened and !a+1er and Sheia
,rant .a)e in/ They +ere in hunting 1it and Sheia had a strea1 of )ud
on her .hee1/
J!uo> peope> +e"ve .o)e in for a drin1/ Tony"s fas1 is dry/J
Poirot )ur)uredH JTa1 of the anges ;J
Pa) ,rant snappedH J$evis> you )ean/J
Poirot said sharpyH JIs it i1e thatAJ
%ery #ar1in had .o)e for+ard/
She saidH J!ere you are> Tony/ Te )e a'out the runA $id you dra+
,eert"s CopseAJ
She dre+ hi) a+ay s1ifuy to a sofa near the firepa.e/ Poirot sa+ hi)
turn his head and gan.e at Sheia 'efore he +ent/
Sheia had seen Poirot/ She hesitated a )inute> then .a)e over to the
t+o in the +indo+/
She said a'ruptyH JSo it +as you +ho .a)e to the house yesterdayAJ
J$id your father te youAJ
She shoo1 her head/ JA'du des.ri'ed you/ I ; guessed/J
Pa) eB.ai)edH J@ou +ent to see FatherAJ
Poirot saidH JAh ; yes/ We have ; so)e )utua friends/J
Pa) said sharpyH JI don"t 'eieve it/J
JWhat do you not 'eieveA That your father and I .oud have a )utua
friendAJ
The gir fushed/ J$on"t 'e stupid/ I )eant ; that +asn"t reay your
reason ;J
She turned on her sister/
JWhy don"t you say so)ething> SheiaAJ
Sheia started/ She saidH JIt +asn"t ; it +asn"t anything to do +ith Tony
!a+1erAJ
JWhy shoud it 'eAJ as1ed Poirot/
Sheia fushed and +ent 'a.1 a.ross the roo) to the others/
Pa) said +ith sudden vehe)en.e 'ut in a o+ered voi.eH JI don"t i1e
Tony !a+1er/ There ; there"s so)ething sinister a'out hi) ; and a'out
her ; Mrs #ar1in> I )ean/ #oo1 at the) no+/J
Poirot foo+ed heB gan.e/
!a+1er"s head +as .ose to that of his hostess/ !e appeared to 'e
soothing her/ !er voi.e rose for a )inute/
J; 'ut I .an"t +ait/ I +ant it no+GJ
Poirot said +ith a itte s)ieH J#es fe))es ; +hatever it is ; they a+ays
+ant it no+> do they notAJ
%ut Pa) ,rant did not respond/ !er fa.e +as .ast do+n/ She +as
nervousy peating and repeating her t+eed s1irt/
Poirot )ur)ured .onversationayH J@ou are 8uite a different type fro)
your sister/ Made)oisee/J
She fung her head up> i)patient of 'anaities/
She saidH JM/ Poirot/ What"s the stuff Tony"s 'een giving SheiaA What
is it that"s 'een )a1ing her ; differentAJ
!e oo1ed straight at her/ !e as1edH J!ave you ever ta1en .o.aine>
Miss ,rantAJ
She shoo1 her head/ J<h noG So that"s itA Co.aineA %ut isn"t that very
dangerousAJ
Sheia ,rant had .o)e over to the)> a fresh drin1 in her hand/
She saidH JWhat"s dangerousAJ
Poirot saidH JWe are ta1ing of the effe.ts of drug;ta1ing/ <f the so+
death of the )ind and spirit ; the destroying of a that is true and good
in a hu)an 'eing/J
Sheia ,rant .aught her 'reath/ The drin1 in her hand s+ayed and
spied on the foor/
Poirot +ent onH J$r Stoddart has> I thin1> )ade .ear to you Dust +hat
that death in ife entais/ It is so easiy done ; so hard to undo/ The
person +ho dei'eratey profits fro) the degradation and )isery of
other peope is a va)pire preying on fesh and 'ood/J
!e turned a+ay/ %ehind hi) he heard Pa) ,rant"s voi.e sayH JSheiaGJ
and .aught a +hisper ; a faint +hisper ; fro) Sheia ,rant/ It +as so
o+ he hardy heard it/
JThe fas1///J
!er.ue Poirot said good;'ye to Mrs #ar1in and +ent out into the ha/
<n the ha ta'e +as a hunting fas1 ying +ith a .rop and a hat/ Poirot
pi.1ed it up/ There +ere initias on itH A/!/
Poirot )ur)ured to hi)sefH JTony"s fas1 is e)ptyAJ
!e shoo1 it genty/ There +as no sound of i8uor/ !e uns.re+ed the
top/
Tony !a+1er"s fas1 +as not e)pty/ It +as fu ; of +hite po+der///
7I
!er.ue Poirot stood on the terra.e of #ady Car)i.hae"s house and
peaded +ith a gir/
!e saidH J@ou are very young/ Made)oisee/ It is )y 'eief that you
have not 1no+n> not reay 1no+n> +hat it is you and your sisters have
'een doing/ @ou have 'een feeding> i1e the )ares of $io)edes> on
hu)an fesh/J
Sheia shuddered and gave a so'/ She saidH JIt sounds horri'e> put
i1e that/ And yet it"s trueG I never reaised it unti that evening in
#ondon +hen $r Stoddart ta1ed to )e/ !e +as so grave ; so sin.ere/ I
sa+ then +hat an a+fu thing it +as I had 'een doing/// %efore that I
thought it +as ; <hG rather i1e drin1 after hours ; so)ething peope
+oud pay to get> 'ut not so)ething that reay )attered very )u.hGJ
Poirot saidH JAnd no+AJ
Sheia ,rant saidH JI" do anything you say/ I ; I" ta1 to the others>J
she added/// JI don"t suppose $r Stoddart +i ever spea1 to )e
again///J
J<n the .ontrary>J said Poirot/ J%oth $r Stoddart and I are prepared to
hep you in every +ay in our po+er to start afresh/ @ou .an trust us/
%ut one thing )ust 'e done/ There is one person +ho )ust 'e
destroyed ; destroyed uttery> and ony you and your sisters .an
destroy hi)/ It is your eviden.e and your eviden.e aone that +i
.onvi.t hi)/J
J@ou )ean ; )y fatherAJ
J0ot your father> Made)oisee/ $id I not te you that !er.ue Poirot
1no+s everythingA @our photograph +as easiy re.ognised in offi.ia
8uarters/ @ou are Sheia -ey ; a persistent young shop;ifter +ho +as
sent to a refor)atory so)e years ago/ When you .a)e out of that
refor)atory> you +ere approa.hed 'y the )an +ho .as hi)sef
,enera ,rant and offered this post ; the post of a "daughter"/ There
+oud 'e penty of )oney> penty of fun> a good ti)e/ A you had to do
+as to introdu.e the "snuff" to your friends> a+ays pretending that
so)eone ese had given it to you/ @our "sisters" +ere in the sa)e .ase
as yoursef/J
!e paused and saidH JCo)e no+/ Made)oisee ; this )an )ust 'e
eBposed and senten.ed/ After that ;J
J@es> after+ardsAJ
Poirot .oughed/ !e said +ith a s)ieH J@ou sha 'e dedi.ated to the
servi.e of the ,ods///J
7II
Mi.hae Stoddart stared at Poirot in a)a?e)ent/
!e saidH J,enera ,rantA ,enera ,rantAJ
JPre.isey> )on .her/ The +hoe )ise en s.ene> you 1no+> +as +hat
you +oud .a "very 'ogus"/ The %uddhas> the %enares 'rass> the
Indian servantG And the gout> tooG It is out of date> the gout/ It is od> od
gente)en +ho have the gout ; not the fathers of young adies of
nineteen/
JMoreover I )ade 8uite .ertain/ As I go out> I stu)'e> I .ut.h at the
gouty foot/ So pertur'ed is the gente)an 'y +hat I have 'een saying
that he did not even noti.e/ <h yes> he is very> very 'ogus> that
,eneraG Tout de )M)e> it is a s)art idea/ The retired Ango;Indian
,enera> the +e;1no+n .o)i. figure +ith a iver and a .hoeri.
te)per> he settes do+n ; not a)ongst other retired Ango;Indian Ar)y
offi.ers ; oh no> he goes to a )iieu far too eBpensive for the usua
retired Ar)y )an/ There are ri.h peope there> peope fro) #ondon>
an eB.eent fied to )ar1et the goods/ And +ho +oud suspe.t four
ivey> attra.tive> young girsA If anything .o)es out> they +i 'e
.onsidered as vi.ti)s ; that for a .ertaintyGJ
JWhat +as your idea eBa.ty +hen you +ent to see the od deviA $id
you +ant to put the +ind up hi)AJ
J@es/ I +anted to see +hat +oud happen/ I had not ong to +ait/ The
girs had their orders/ Anthony !a+1er> a.tuay one of their vi.ti)s>
+as to 'e the s.apegoat/ Sheia +as to te )e a'out the fas1 in the
ha/ She neary .oud not 'ring hersef to do so ; 'ut the other gir
rapped out an angry "Sheia" at her and she Dust fatered it out/J
Mi.hae Stoddart got up and pa.ed up and do+n/
!e saidH J@ou 1no+> I") not going to ose sight of that gir/ I"ve got a
pretty sound theory a'out those adoes.ent .ri)ina tenden.ies/ If you
oo1 into the ho)e ife> you neary a+ays find ;J
Poirot interrupted hi)/
!e saidH JMon .her> I have the deepest respe.t for your s.ien.e/ I have
no dou't that your theories +i +or1 ad)ira'y +here Miss Sheia
-ey is .on.erned/J
JThe others> too/J
JThe others> perhaps/ It )ay 'e/ The ony one I a) sure a'out is the
itte Sheia/ @ou +i ta)e her> not a dou't of itG In truth> she eats out of
your hand aready///J
Fushing> Mi.hae Stoddart saidH JWhat nonsense you ta1> Poirot/J
Chapter 9
T!( ,I&$#( <F !@PP<#ITA
<ne thing eads to another> as !er.ue Poirot is fond of saying +ithout
)u.h originaity/
!e adds that this +as never )ore .eary eviden.ed than in the .ase of
the stoen &u'ens/
!e +as never )u.h interested in the &u'ens/ For one thing &u'ens is
not a painter he ad)ires> and then the .ir.u)stan.es of the theft +ere
8uite ordinary/ !e too1 it up to o'ige AeBander Si)pson +ho +as 'y
the +ay of 'eing a friend of his and for a .ertain private reason of his
o+n not un.onne.ted +ith the .assi.sG
After the theft> AeBander Si)pson sent for Poirot and poured out a
his +oes/ The &u'ens +as a re.ent dis.overy> a hitherto un1no+n
)asterpie.e> 'ut there +as no dou't of its authenti.ity/ It had 'een
pa.ed on dispay at Si)pson"s ,aeries and it had 'een stoen in
'road dayight/ It +as at the ti)e +hen the une)poyed +ere pursuing
their ta.ti.s of ying do+n on the street .rossings and penetrating into
the &it?/ A s)a 'ody of the) had entered Si)pson"s ,aeries and
ain do+n +ith the sogan dispayed of JArt is a #uBury/ Feed the
!ungry/J The poi.e had 'een sent for> everyone had .ro+ded round
in eager .uriosity> and it +as not ti the de)onstrators had 'een
for.i'y re)oved 'y the ar) of the a+ that it +as noti.ed that the ne+
&u'ens had 'een neaty .ut out of its fra)e and re)oved asoG
JIt +as 8uite a s)a pi.ture> you see>J eBpained Mr Si)pson/ JA )an
.oud put it under his ar) and +a1 out +hie everyone +as oo1ing at
those )isera'e idiots of une)poyed/J
The )en in 8uestion> it +as dis.overed> had 'een paid for their
inno.ent part in the ro''ery/ They +ere to de)onstrate at Si)pson"s
,aeries/ %ut they had 1no+n nothing of the reason unti after+ards/
!er.ue Poirot thought that it +as an a)using tri.1 'ut did not see
+hat he .oud do a'out it/ The poi.e> he pointed out> .oud 'e trusted
to dea +ith a straightfor+ard ro''ery/
AeBander Si)pson saidH J#isten to )e> Poirot/ I 1no+ +ho stoe the
pi.ture and +here it is going/J
A..ording to the o+ner of Si)pson"s ,aeries it had 'een stoen 'y a
gang of internationa .roo1s on 'ehaf of a .ertain )iionaire +ho +as
not a'ove a.8uiring +or1s of art at a surprisingy o+ pri.e ; and no
8uestions as1edG The &u'ens> said Si)pson> +oud 'e s)ugged over
to Fran.e +here it +oud pass into the )iionaire"s possession/ The
(ngish and Fren.h poi.e +ere on the aert> nevertheess Si)pson
+as of the opinion that they +oud fai/
JAnd on.e it has passed into this dirty dog"s possession> it"s going to
'e )ore diffi.ut/ &i.h )en have to 'e treated +ith respe.t/ That"s
+here you .o)e in/ The situation"s going to 'e dei.ate/ @ou"re the
)an for that/J
Finay> +ithout enthusias)> !er.ue Poirot +as indu.ed to a..ept the
tas1/ !e agreed to depart for Fran.e i))ediatey/ !e +as not very
interested in his 8uest> 'ut 'e.ause of it> he +as introdu.ed to the
.ase of the Missing S.hoogir +hi.h interested hi) very )u.h indeed/
!e first heard of it fro) Chief Inspe.tor *app +ho dropped in to see
hi) Dust as Poirot +as eBpressing approva of his vaet"s pa.1ing/
J!a>J said *app/ J,oing to Fran.e> aren"t youAJ
Poirot saidH JMon .her> you are in.redi'y +e infor)ed at S.otand
@ard/J
*app .hu.1ed/ !e saidH JWe have our spiesG Si)pson"s got you on to
this &u'ens 'usiness/ $oesn"t trust us> it see)sG We> that"s neither
here nor there> 'ut +hat I +ant you to do is so)ething 8uite different/
As you"re going to Paris any+ay> I thought you )ight as +e 1i t+o
'irds +ith one stone/ $ete.tive Inspe.tor !earn"s over there
.ooperating +ith the Fren.hies ; you 1no+ !earnA ,ood .hap ; 'ut
perhaps not very i)aginative/ I"d i1e your opinion on the 'usiness/J
JWhat is this )atter of +hi.h you spea1AJ
JChid"s disappeared/ It" 'e in the papers this evening/ #oo1s as
though she"s 'een 1idnapped/ $aughter of a Canon do+n at
Cran.hester/ -ing> her na)e is> Winnie -ing/J
!e pro.eeded +ith the story/
Winnie had 'een on her +ay to Paris> to Doin that see.t and high;.ass
esta'ish)ent for (ngish and A)eri.an girs ; Miss Pope"s/ Winnie had
.o)e up fro) Cran.hester 'y the eary train ; had 'een seen a.ross
#ondon 'y a )e)'er of (der Sisters #td/ +ho undertoo1 su.h +or1 as
seeing girs fro) one station to another> had 'een deivered at 7i.toria
to Miss %ursha+> Miss Pope"s se.ond;in;.o))and> and had then> in
.o)pany +ith eighteen other girs> eft 7i.toria 'y the 'oat train/
0ineteen girs had .rossed the .hanne> had passed through the
.usto)s at Caais> had got into the Paris train> had un.hed in the
restaurant .ar/ %ut +hen> on the outs1irts of Paris> Miss %ursha+ had
.ounted heads> it +as dis.overed that ony eighteen girs .oud 'e
foundG
JAha>J Poirot nodded/ J$id the train stop any+hereAJ
JIt stopped at A)iens> 'ut at that ti)e the girs +ere in the restaurant
.ar and they a say positivey that Winnie +as +ith the) then/ They
ost her> so to spea1> on the return Dourney to their .o)part)ents/
That is to say> she did not enter her o+n .o)part)ent +ith the other
five girs +ho +ere in it/ They did not suspe.t anything +as +rong>
)erey thought she +as in one of the t+o other reserved .arriages/J
Poirot nodded/ JSo she +as ast seen ; +hen eBa.tyAJ
JA'out ten )inutes after the train eft A)iens/J *app .oughed
)odesty/ JShe +as ast seen ; er ; entering the toiette/J
Poirot )ur)uredH J7ery natura/J !e +ent onH JThere is nothing eseAJ
J@es> one thing/J *app"s fa.e +as gri)/ J!er hat +as found 'y the side
of the ine ; at a spot approBi)atey fourteen )ies fro) A)iens/J
J%ut no 'odyAJ
J0o 'ody/J
Poirot as1edH JWhat do you yoursef thin1AJ
J$iffi.ut to 1no+ +hat to thin1G As there"s no sign of her 'ody ; she
.an"t have faen off the train/J
J$id the train stop at a after eaving A)iensAJ
J0o/ It so+ed up on.e ; for a signa> 'ut it didn"t stop> and I dou't if it
so+ed up enough for anyone to have Du)ped off +ithout inDury/ @ou"re
thin1ing that the 1id got a pani. and tried to run a+ayA It +as her first
ter) and she )ight have 'een ho)esi.1> that"s true enough> 'ut a the
sa)e she +as fifteen and a haf ; a sensi'e age> and she"d 'een in
8uite good spirits a the Dourney> .hattering a+ay and a that/J
Poirot as1edH JWas the train sear.hedAJ
J<h yes> they +ent right through it 'efore it arrived at the 0ord station/
The gir +asn"t on the train> that"s 8uite .ertain/J
*app added in an eBasperated )annerH JShe Dust disappeared ; into
thin airG It doesn"t )a1e sense> M/ Poirot/ It"s .ra?yGJ
JWhat 1ind of a gir +as sheAJ
J<rdinary> nor)a type as far as I .an )a1e out/J
JI )ean ; +hat did she oo1 i1eAJ
JI"ve got a snap of her here/ She"s not eBa.ty a 'udding 'eauty/J
!e proffered the snapshot to Poirot +ho studied it in sien.e/
It represented a an1y gir +ith her hair in t+o i)p paits/ It +as not a
posed photograph> the su'De.t had .eary 'een .aught una+ares/ She
+as in the a.t of eating an appe> her ips +ere parted> sho+ing sighty
protruding teeth .onfined 'y a dentist"s pate/ She +ore spe.ta.es/
*app saidH JPain;oo1ing 1id ; 'ut then they are pain at that ageG Was
at )y dentist"s yesterday/ Sa+ a pi.ture in the S1et.h of Mar.ia ,aunt>
this season"s 'eauty/ I re)e)'er her at fifteen +hen I +as do+n at the
Caste over their 'urgary 'usiness/ Spotty> a+1+ard> teeth sti.1ing
out> hair a an1 and anyho+/ They gro+ into 'eauties overnight ; I
don"t 1no+ ho+ they do itG It"s i1e a )ira.e/J
Poirot s)ied/ JWo)en>J he said> Jare a )ira.uous seBG What a'out
the .hid"s fa)iyA !ave they anything hepfu to sayAJ
*app shoo1 his head/ J0othing that"s any hep/ Mother"s an invaid/
Poor od Canon -ing is a'soutey 'o+ed over/ !e s+ears that the gir
+as frightfuy 1een to go to Paris ; had 'een oo1ing for+ard to it/
Wanted to study painting and )usi. ; that sort of thing/ Miss Pope"s
girs go in for Art +ith a .apita A/ As you pro'a'y 1no+> Miss Pope"s
is a very +e;1no+n esta'ish)ent/ #ots of so.iety girs go there/
She"s stri.t ; 8uite a dragon ; and very eBpensive ; and eBtre)ey
parti.uar +ho) she ta1es/J
Poirot sighed/ JI 1no+ the type/ And Miss %ursha+ +ho too1 the girs
over fro) (ngandAJ
J0ot eBa.ty franti. +ith 'rains/ Terrified that Miss Pope +i say it"s
her faut/J
Poirot said thoughtfuyH JThere is no young )an in the .aseAJ
*app gesti.uated to+ards the snapshot/ J$oes she oo1 i1e itAJ
J0o> she does not/ %ut not+ithstanding her appearan.e> she )ay have
a ro)anti. heart/ Fifteen is not so young/J
JWe>J said *app/ JIf a ro)anti. heart spirited her off that train> I"
ta1e to reading ady noveists/J
!e oo1ed hopefuy at Poirot/
J0othing stri1es you ; ehAJ
Poirot shoo1 his head so+y/
!e saidH JThey did not> 'y any .han.e> find her shoes aso 'y the side
of the ineAJ
JShoesA 0o/ Why shoesAJ
Poirot )ur)uredH J*ust an idea///J
II
!er.ue Poirot +as Dust going do+n to his taBi +hen the teephone
rang/ !e too1 off the re.eiver/
J@esAJ
*app"s voi.e spo1e/
J,ad I"ve Dust .aught you/ It"s a off> od )an/ Found a )essage at the
@ard +hen I got 'a.1/ The gir"s turned up/ At the side of the )ain road
fifteen )ies fro) A)iens/ She"s da?ed and they .an"t get any .oherent
story fro) her> do.tor says she"s 'een doped ; !o+ever> she"s a
right/ 0othing +rong +ith her/J
Poirot said so+yH JSo you have> then> no need of )y servi.esAJ
JAfraid notG In fa.t ; sorrrry you have 'een trrrrou'ed/J
*app aughed at his +itti.is) and rang off/
!er.ue Poirot did not augh/ !e put 'a.1 the re.eiver so+y/ !is fa.e
+as +orried/
III
$ete.tive Inspe.tor !earn oo1ed at Poirot .uriousy/
!e saidH JI"d no idea you"d 'e so interested> sir/J
Poirot saidH J@ou had +ord fro) Chief Inspe.tor *app that I )ight
.onsut +ith you over this )atterAJ
!earn nodded/ J!e said you +ere .o)ing over on so)e other
'usiness> and that you"d give us a hand +ith this pu??e/ %ut I didn"t
eBpe.t you no+ it"s a .eared up/ I thought you"d 'e 'usy on your o+n
Do'/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JMy o+n 'usiness .an +ait/ It is this affair here
that interests )e/ @ou .aed it a pu??e> and you say it is no+ ended/
%ut the pu??e is sti there> it see)s/J
JWe> sir> +e"ve got the .hid 'a.1/ And she"s not hurt/ That"s the )ain
thing/J
J%ut it does not sove the pro'e) of ho+ you got her 'a.1> does itA
What does she hersef sayA A do.tor sa+ her> did he notA What did he
sayAJ
JSaid she"d 'een doped/ She +as sti ha?y +ith it/ Apparenty> she
.an"t re)e)'er anything )u.h after starting off fro) Cran.hester/ A
ater events see) to have 'een +iped out/ $o.tor thin1s she )ight
possi'y have had sight .on.ussion/ There"s a 'ruise on the 'a.1 of
her head/ Says that +oud a..ount for a .o)pete 'a.1out of
)e)ory/J
Poirot saidH JWhi.h is very .onvenient for ; so)eoneGJ
Inspe.tor !earn said in a dou'tfu voi.eH J@ou don"t thin1 she is
sha))ing> sirAJ
J$o youAJ
J0o> I") sure she isn"t/ She"s a ni.e 1id ; a 'it young for her age/J
J0o> she is not sha))ing/J Poirot shoo1 his head/ J%ut I +oud i1e to
1no+ ho+ she got off that train/ I +ant to 1no+ +ho is responsi'e ;
and +hyAJ
JAs to +hy> I shoud say it +as an atte)pt at 1idnapping> sir/ They
)eant to hod her to ranso)/J
J%ut they didn"tGJ
J#ost their nerve +ith the hue and .ry ; and panted her 'y the road
8ui.1/J
Poirot in8uired s.epti.ayH JAnd +hat ranso) +ere they i1ey to get
fro) a Canon of Cran.hester CathedraA (ngish Chur.h dignitaries
are not )iionaires/J
$ete.tive Inspe.tor !earn said .heerfuyH JMade a 'ot.h of the +hoe
thing> sir> in )y opinion/J
JAh> that"s your opinion/J
!earn said> his fa.e fushing sightyH JWhat"s yours> sirAJ
JI +ant to 1no+ ho+ she +as spirited off that train/J
The poi.e)an"s fa.e .ouded over/
JThat"s a rea )ystery> that is/ <ne )inute she +as there> sitting in the
dining;.ar> .hatting to the other girs/ Five )inutes ater she"s
vanished ; hey presto ; i1e a .onDuring tri.1/J
JPre.isey> i1e a .onDuring tri.1G Who ese +as there in the .oa.h of
the train +here Miss Pope"s reserved .o)part)ents +ereAJ
Inspe.tor !earn nodded/
JThat"s a good point> sir/ That"s i)portant/ It"s parti.uary i)portant
'e.ause it +as the ast .oa.h on the train and as soon as a the peope
+ere 'a.1 fro) the restaurant .ar> the doors 'et+een the .oa.hes
+ere o.1ed ; a.tuay so as to prevent peope .ro+ding aong to the
restaurant .ar and de)anding tea 'efore they"d had ti)e to .ear up
un.h and get ready/ Winnie -ing .a)e 'a.1 to the .oa.h +ith the
others ; the s.hoo had three reserved .o)part)ents there/J
JAnd in the other .o)part)ents of the .oa.hAJ
!earn pued out his note'oo1/
JMiss *ordan and Miss %utters ; t+o )idde;aged spinsters going to
S+it?erand/ 0othing +rong +ith the)> highy respe.ta'e> +e 1no+n
in !a)pshire +here they .o)e fro)/ T+o Fren.h .o))er.ia
traveers> one fro) #yons> one fro) Paris/ %oth respe.ta'e )iddeaged
)en/ A young )an> *a)es (iot> and his +ife ; fashy pie.e of
goods she +as/ !e"s got a 'ad reputation> suspe.ted 'y the poi.e of
'eing )iBed up in so)e 8uestiona'e transa.tions ; 'ut has never
tou.hed 1idnapping/ Any+ay> his .o)part)ent +as sear.hed and
there +as nothing in his hand uggage to sho+ that he +as )iBed up in
this/ $on"t see ho+ he .oud have 'een/ <ny other person +as an
A)eri.an ady> Mrs 7an Suyder> traveing to Paris/ 0othing 1no+n
a'out her/ #oo1s <-/ That"s the ot/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JAnd it is 8uite definite that the train did not stop
after it eft A)iensAJ
JA'soutey/ It so+ed do+n on.e> 'ut not enough to et any one Du)p
off ; not +ithout da)aging the)seves pretty severey and ris1ing
'eing 1ied/J
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH JThat is +hat )a1es the pro'e) so
pe.uiary interesting/ The s.hoogir vanishes into thin air ; Dust
outside A)iens/ She reappears fro) thin air Dust outside A)iens/
Where has she 'een in the )eanti)eAJ
Inspe.tor !earn shoo1 his head/
JIt sounds )ad> put i1e that/ <hG 'y the +ay> they tod )e you +ere
as1ing so)ething a'out shoes ; the gir"s shoes/ She had her shoes on
a right +hen she +as found> 'ut there +as a pair of shoes on the ine>
a signa)an found the)/ Too1 "e) ho)e +ith hi) as they see)ed in
good .ondition/ Stout 'a.1 +a1ing shoes/J
JAh>J said Poirot/ !e oo1ed gratified/
Inspe.tor !earn said .uriousyH JI don"t get the )eaning of the shoes>
sirA $o they )ean anythingAJ
JThey .onfir) a theory>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JA theory of ho+ the
.onDuring tri.1 +as done/J
I7
Miss Pope"s esta'ish)ent +as> i1e )any other esta'ish)ents of the
sa)e 1ind> situated in 0euiy/ !er.ue Poirot> staring up at its
respe.ta'e faLade> +as suddeny su')erged 'y a fo+ of girs
e)erging fro) its portas/
!e .ounted t+enty;five of the)> a dressed ai1e in dar1 'ue .oats
and s1irts +ith un.o)forta'e;oo1ing %ritish hats of dar1 'ue veour
on their heads> round +hi.h +as tied the distin.tive purpe and god of
Miss Pope"s .hoi.e/ They +ere of ages varying fro) fourteen to
eighteen> thi.1 and si)> fair and dar1> a+1+ard and gra.efu/ At the
end> +a1ing +ith one of the younger girs> +as a grey;haired> fussy
oo1ing +o)an +ho) Poirot Dudged to 'e Miss %ursha+/
Poirot stood oo1ing after the) a )inute> then he rang the 'e and
as1ed for Miss Pope/
Miss #avinia Pope +as a very different person fro) her se.ond;in.o))and/
Miss %ursha+/ Miss Pope had personaity/ Miss Pope +as
a+e inspiring/ (ven shoud Miss Pope un'end gra.iousy to parents>
she +oud sti retain that o'vious superiority to the rest of the +ord
+hi.h is su.h a po+erfu asset to a s.hoo)istress/
!er grey hair +as dressed +ith distin.tion> her .ostu)e +as severe
'ut .hi./ She +as .o)petent and o)nis.ient/
The roo) in +hi.h she re.eived Poirot +as the roo) of a +o)an of
.uture/ It had gra.efu furniture> fo+ers> so)e fra)ed> signed
photographs of those of Miss Pope"s pupis +ho +ere of note in the
+ord ; )any of the) in their presentation go+ns and feathers/ <n the
+as hung reprodu.tions of the +ord"s artisti. )asterpie.es and
so)e good +ater;.oour s1et.hes/ The +hoe pa.e +as .ean and
poished to the ast degree/ 0o spe.1 of dust> one fet> +oud have the
te)erity to deposit itsef in su.h a shrine/
Miss Pope re.eived Poirot +ith the .o)peten.e of one +hose
Dudg)ent sedo) fais/
JM/ !er.ue PoirotA I 1no+ your na)e> of .ourse/ I suppose you have
.o)e a'out this very unfortunate affair of Winnie -ing/ A )ost
distressing in.ident/J
Miss Pope did not oo1 distressed/ She too1 disaster as it shoud 'e
ta1en> deaing +ith it .o)petenty and there'y redu.ing it a)ost to
insignifi.an.e/
JSu.h a thing>J said Miss Pope> Jhas never o..urred 'efore/J
JAnd never +i againGJ her )anner see)ed to say/
!er.ue Poirot saidH JIt +as the gir"s first ter) here> +as it notAJ
JIt +as/J
J@ou had a prei)inary intervie+ +ith Winnie ; and +ith her parentsAJ
J0ot re.enty/ T+o years ago> I +as staying near Cran.hester ; +ith
the %ishop> as a )atter of fa.t ;J
Miss Pope"s )anner saidH JMar1 this> pease/ I a) the 1ind of person
+ho stays +ith %ishopsGJ
JWhie I +as there I )ade the a.8uaintan.e of Canon and Mrs -ing/
Mrs -ing> aas> is an invaid/ I )et Winnie then/ A very +e 'rought up
gir> +ith a de.ided taste for art/ I tod Mrs -ing that I shoud 'e happy
to re.eive her here in a year or t+o ; +hen her genera studies +ere
.o)peted/ We spe.iaise here> M/ Poirot> in Art and Musi./ The girs
are ta1en to the <pera> to the Co)edie FranLaise> they attend e.tures
at the #ouvre/ The very 'est )asters .o)e here to instru.t the) in
)usi.> singing> and painting/ The 'roader .uture> that is our ai)/J
Miss Pope re)e)'ered suddeny that Poirot +as not a parent and
added a'ruptyH JWhat .an I do for you> M/ PoirotAJ
JI +oud 'e gad to 1no+ +hat is the present position regarding
WinnieAJ
JCanon -ing has .o)e over to A)iens and is ta1ing Winnie 'a.1 +ith
hi)/ The +isest thing to do after the sho.1 the .hid has sustained/J
She +ent onH JWe do not ta1e dei.ate girs here/ We have no spe.ia
fa.iities for oo1ing after invaids/ I tod the Canon that in )y opinion
he +oud do +e to ta1e the .hid ho)e +ith hi)/J
!er.ue Poirot as1ed 'untyH JWhat in your opinion a.tuay o..urred>
Miss PopeAJ
JI have not the sightest idea> M/ Poirot/ The +hoe thing> as reported to
)e> sounds 8uite in.redi'e/ I reay .annot see that the )e)'er of )y
staff +ho +as in .harge of the girs +as in any +ay to 'a)e ; eB.ept
that she )ight> perhaps> have dis.overed the gir"s a'sen.e sooner/J
Poirot saidH J@ou have re.eived a visit> perhaps> fro) the poi.eAJ
A faint shiver passed over Miss Pope"s aristo.rati. for)/
She said ga.iayH JA Monsieur #efarge of the Prefe.ture .aed to see
)e> to see if I .oud thro+ any ight upon the situation/ 0aturay I +as
una'e to do so/ !e then de)anded to inspe.t Winnie"s trun1 +hi.h
had> of .ourse> arrived here +ith those of the other girs/ I tod hi) that
that had aready 'een .aed for 'y another )e)'er of the poi.e/
Their depart)ents> I fan.y> )ust overap/ I got a teephone .a> shorty
after+ards> insisting that I had not turned over a Winnie"s
possessions to the)/ I +as eBtre)ey short +ith the) over that/ <ne
)ust not su')it to 'eing 'uied 'y offi.iado)/J
Poirot dre+ a ong 'reath/ !e saidH J@ou have a spirited nature/ I
ad)ire you for it> Made)oisee/ I presu)e that Winnie"s trun1 had
'een unpa.1ed on arrivaAJ
Miss Pope oo1ed a itte put out of .ountenan.e/
J&outine>J she said/ JWe ive stri.ty 'y routine/ The girs" trun1s are
unpa.1ed on arriva and their things put a+ay in the +ay I eBpe.t the)
to 'e 1ept/ Winnie"s things +ere unpa.1ed +ith those of the other girs/
0aturay> they +ere after+ards repa.1ed> so that her trun1 +as
handed over eBa.ty as it had arrived/J
Poirot saidH J(Ba.tyAJ
!e stroed over to the +a/
JSurey this is a pi.ture of the fa)ous Cran.hester %ridge +ith the
Cathedra sho+ing in the distan.e/J
J@ou are 8uite right> M/ Poirot/ Winnie had evidenty painted that to
'ring to )e as a surprise/ It +as in her trun1 +ith a +rapper round it
and "For Miss Pope fro) Winnie" +ritten on it/ 7ery .har)ing of the
.hid/J
JAhGJ said Poirot/ JAnd +hat do you thin1 of it ; as a paintingAJ
!e hi)sef had seen )any pi.tures of Cran.hester %ridge/ It +as a
su'De.t that .oud a+ays 'e found represented at the A.ade)y ea.h
year ; so)eti)es as an oi painting ; so)eti)es in the +ater.oour
roo)/ !e had seen it painted +e> painted in a )edio.re fashion>
painted 'oringy/ %ut he had never seen it 8uite as .rudey
represented as in the present eBa)pe/
Miss Pope +as s)iing indugenty/
She saidH J<ne )ust not dis.ourage one"s girs> M/ Poirot/ Winnie +i
'e sti)uated to do 'etter +or1> of .ourse/J
Poirot said thoughtfuyH JIt +oud have 'een )ore natura> +oud it
not> for her to do a +ater;.oourAJ
J@es/ I did not 1no+ she +as atte)pting to paint in ois/J
JAh>J said !er.ue Poirot/ J@ou +i per)it )e/ Made)oiseeAJ
!e unhoo1ed the pi.ture and too1 it to the +indo+/ !e eBa)ined it>
then> oo1ing up> he saidH
JI a) going to as1 you> Made)oisee> to give )e this pi.ture/J
JWe> reay> M/ Poirot ;J
J@ou .annot pretend that you are very atta.hed to it/ The painting is
a'o)ina'e/J
J<h> it has no artisti. )erit> I agree/ %ut it is a pupi"s +or1 and ;J
JI assure you/ Made)oisee> that it is a )ost unsuita'e pi.ture to
have hanging upon your +a/J
JI don"t 1no+ +hy you shoud say that> M/ Poirot/J
JI +i prove it to you in a )o)ent/J !e too1 a 'otte> a sponge and
so)e rags fro) his po.1et/
!e saidH JFirst I a) going to te you a itte story> Made)oisee/ It has
a rese)'an.e to the story of the 2gy $u.1ing that turned into a
S+an/J
!e +as +or1ing 'usiy as he ta1ed/ The odour of turpentine fied the
roo)/
J@ou do not perhaps go )u.h to theatri.a revuesAJ
J0o> indeed> they see) to )e so trivia///J
JTrivia> yes> 'ut so)eti)es instru.tive/ I have seen a .ever revue
artist .hange her personaity in the )ost )ira.uous +ay/ In one
s1et.h she is a .a'aret star> eB8uisite and ga)orous/ Ten )inutes
ater> she is an undersi?ed> anae)i. .hid +ith adenoids> dressed in a
gy) tuni. ; ten )inutes ater sti> she is a ragged gypsy teing
fortunes 'y a .aravan/J
J7ery possi'e> no dou't> 'ut I do not see ;J
J%ut I a) sho+ing you ho+ the .onDuring tri.1 +as +or1ed on the
train/ Winnie> the s.hoogir> +ith her fair paits> her spe.ta.es> her
disfiguring denta pate ; goes into the Toiette/ She e)erges a 8uarter
of an hour ater as ; to use the +ords of $ete.tive Inspe.tor !ea) ; "a
fashy pie.e of goods"/ Sheer si1 sto.1ings> high heeed shoes ; a )in1
.oat to .over a s.hoo unifor)> a daring itte pie.e of vevet .aed a
hat per.hed on her .urs ; and a fa.e ; oh yes> a fa.e/ &ouge> po+der>
ipsti.1> )as.araG What is the rea fa.e of that 8ui.1 .hange artiste
reay i1eA Pro'a'y ony the good ,od 1no+sG %ut you/ Made)oisee>
you yoursef> you have often seen ho+ the a+1+ard s.hoogir
.hanges a)ost )ira.uousy into the attra.tive and +e;groo)ed
de'utante/J
Miss Pope gasped/
J$o you )ean that Winnie -ing disguised hersef as ;J
J0ot Winnie -ing ; no/ Winnie +as 1idnapped on the +ay a.ross
#ondon/ <ur 8ui.1 .hange artiste too1 her pa.e/ Miss %ursha+ had
never seen Winnie -ing ; ho+ +as she to 1no+ that the s.hoogir +ith
the an1 paits and the 'ra.e on her teeth +as not Winnie -ing at aA
So far> so good> 'ut the i)postor .oud not afford a.tuay to arrive
here> sin.e you +ere a.8uainted +ith the rea Winnie/ So hey presto>
Winnie disappears in the Toiette and e)erges as +ife to a )an .aed
*i) (iott +hose passport in.udes a +ifeG The fair paits> the
spe.ta.es> the ise thread sto.1ings> the denta pate ; a that .an go
into a s)a spa.e/ %ut the thi.1 unga)orous shoes and the hat ; that
very unyieding %ritish hat ; have to 'e disposed of ese+here ; they go
out of the +indo+/ #ater> the rea Winnie is 'rought a.ross the .hanne
; no one is oo1ing for a si.1> haf;doped .hid 'eing 'rought fro)
(ngand to Fran.e ; and is 8uiety deposited fro) a .ar 'y the side of
the )ain road/ If she has 'een doped a aong +ith s.opoa)ine> she
+i re)e)'er very itte of +hat has o..urred/J
Miss Pope +as staring at Poirot/
She de)andedH J%ut +hyA What +oud 'e the reason of su.h a
senseess )as8ueradeAJ
Poirot repied graveyH JWinnie"s uggageG These peope +anted to
s)ugge so)ething fro) (ngand into Fran.e ; so)ething that every
Custo)s )an +as on the oo1;out for ; in fa.t> stoen goods/ %ut +hat
pa.e is safer than a s.hoogir"s trun1A @ou are +e;1no+n> Miss
Pope> your esta'ish)ent is Dusty fa)ous/ At the ,are du 0ord the
trun1s of Mesde)oisees the itte Pensionnaires are passed en 'o./
It is the +e;1no+n (ngish s.hoo of Miss PopeG And then> after the
1idnapping> +hat )ore natura than to send and .oe.t the .hid"s
uggage ; ostensi'y fro) the Pr=fe.tureAJ
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/
J%ut fortunatey> there +as the s.hoo routine of unpa.1ing trun1s on
arriva ; and a present for you fro) Winnie ; 'ut not the sa)e present
that Winnie pa.1ed at Cran.hesterJ
!e .a)e to+ards her/
J@ou have given this pi.ture to )e/ <'serve no+> you )ust ad)it that
it is not suita'e for your see.t s.hooGJ
!e hed out the .anvas/
As though 'y )agi. Cran.hester %ridge had disappeared/ Instead +as
a .assi.a s.ene in ri.h> di) .oourings/
Poirot said softyH JThe ,irde of !yppoita/ !yppoita gives her girde
to !er.ues ; painted 'y &u'ens/ A great +or1 of art ; )ais tout de
)M)e not 8uite suita'e for your dra+ing roo)/J
Miss Pope 'ushed sighty/
!yppoita"s hand +as on her girde ; she +as +earing nothing ese///
!er.ues had a ion s1in thro+n ighty over one shouder/ The fesh of
&u'ens is ri.h> vouptuous fesh///
Miss Pope said> regaining her poiseH JA fine +or1 of art/// A the sa)e ;
as you say ; after a> one )ust .onsider the sus.epti'iities of parents/
So)e of the) are in.ined to 'e narro+/// if you 1no+ +hat I )ean///J
7
It +as Dust as Poirot +as eaving the house that the onsaught too1
pa.e/ !e +as surrounded> he))ed;in> over+he)ed 'y a .ro+d of
girs> thi.1> thin> dar1 and fair/
JMon $ieuGJ he )ur)ured/ J!ere indeed is the atta.1 'y the
A)a?onsGJ
A ta fair gir +as .rying outH JA ru)our has gone round ;J
They surged .oser/ !er.ue Poirot +as surrounded/ !e disappeared
in a +ave of young> vigorous fe)ininity/
T+enty;five voi.es arose> pit.hed in various 1eys 'ut a uttering the
sa)e )o)entous phrase/
JM/ Poirot> +i you +rite your na)e in )y autograph 'oo1AJ
Chapter 16
T!( F#<C- <F ,(&@<0
JI reay do apoogise for intruding i1e this> M/ Poirot/J
Miss Carna'y .asped her hands ferventy round her hand'ag and
eaned for+ard> peering anBiousy into Poirot"s fa.e/ As usua> she
sounded 'reathess/
!er.ue Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose/
She said anBiousyH J@ou do re)e)'er )e> don"t youAJ
!er.ue Poirot"s eyes t+in1ed/
!e saidH JI re)e)'er you as one of the )ost su..essfu .ri)inas that I
have ever en.ounteredGJ
J<h dear )e> M/ Poirot> )ust you reay say su.h thingsA @ou +ere so
1ind to )e/ ()iy and I often ta1 a'out you> and if +e see anything
a'out you in the paper +e .ut it out at on.e and paste it in a 'oo1/ As
for Augustus> +e have taught hi) a ne+ tri.1/ We say> J$ie for
Shero.1 !o)es> die for Mr Fortune> die for Sir !enry Merrivae> and
then die for M/ !er.ue Poirot" and he goes do+n and ies i1e a og ;
ies a'soutey sti +ithout )oving unti +e say the +ordGJ
JI a) gratified>J said Poirot/ JAnd ho+ is .e .her AugusteAJ
Miss Carna'y .asped her hands and 'e.a)e eo8uent in praise of her
Pe1inese/
J<h> M/ Poirot> he"s .everer than ever/ !e 1no+s everything/ $o you
1no+> the other day I +as Dust ad)iring a 'a'y in a pra) and suddeny
I fet a tug and there +as Augustus trying his hardest to 'ite through
his ead/ Wasn"t that .everAJ
Poirot"s eyes t+in1ed/ !e saidH JIt oo1s to )e as though Augustus
shared these .ri)ina tenden.ies +e +ere spea1ing of Dust no+GJ
Miss Carna'y did not augh/ Instead> her ni.e pu)p fa.e gre+ +orried
and sad/
She said in a 1ind of gaspH J<h> M/ Poirot> I") so +orriedGJ
Poirot said 1indyH JWhat is itAJ
J$o you 1no+> M/ Poirot> I") afraid ; I reay a) afraid ; that I )ust 'e a
hardened .ri)ina ; if I )ay use su.h a ter)/ Ideas .o)e to )eGJ
JWhat 1ind of ideasAJ
JThe )ost eBtraordinary ideasG For instan.e> yesterday> a reay )ost
pra.ti.a s.he)e for ro''ing a post offi.e .a)e into )y head/ I +asn"t
thin1ing a'out it ; it Dust .a)eG And another very ingenious +ay for
evading .usto) duties/// I fee .onvin.ed ; 8uite .onvin.ed ; that it
+oud +or1/J
JIt pro'a'y +oud>J said Poirot dryy/ JThat is the danger of your
ideas/J
JIt has +orried )e> M/ Poirot> very )u.h/ !aving 'een 'rought up +ith
stri.t prin.ipes> as I have 'een> it is )ost distur'ing that su.h a+ess
; su.h reay +i.1ed ; ideas shoud .o)e to )e/ The trou'e is party> I
thin1> that I have a good dea of eisure ti)e no+/ I have eft #ady
!oggin and I a) engaged 'y an od ady to read to her and to +rite her
etters every day/ The etters are soon done and the )o)ent I 'egin
reading she goes to seep> so I a) eft Dust sitting there ; +ith an ide
)ind ; and +e a 1no+ the use the devi has for ideness/J
JT.ha> t.ha>J said Poirot/
J&e.enty I have read a 'oo1 ; a very )odern 'oo1> transated fro) the
,er)an/ It thro+s a )ost interesting ight on .ri)ina tenden.ies/ <ne
)ust> so I understand> su'i)ate one"s i)pusesG That> reay> is +hy I
.a)e to you/J
J@esAJ said Poirot/
J@ou see> M/ Poirot/ I thin1 that it is reay not so )u.h +i.1edness as a
.raving for eB.ite)entG My ife has unfortunatey 'een very hu)dru)/
The ; er ; .a)paign of the Pe1inese dogs> I so)eti)es fee> +as the
ony ti)e I reay ived/ 7ery reprehensi'e> of .ourse> 'ut> as )y 'oo1
says> one )ust not turn one"s 'a.1 on the truth/ I .a)e to you> M/
Poirot> 'e.ause I hoped it )ight 'e possi'e to ; to su'i)ate that
.raving for eB.ite)ent 'y e)poying it> if I )ay put it that +ay> on the
side of the anges/J
JAha>J said Poirot/ JIt is then as a .oeague that you present
yoursefAJ
Miss Carna'y 'ushed/
JIt is very presu)ptuous of )e> I 1no+/ %ut you +ere so 1ind ;J
She stopped/ !er eyes> faded 'ue eyes> had so)ething in the) of the
peading of a dog +ho hopes against hope that you +i ta1e hi) for a
+a1/
JIt is an idea>J said !er.ue Poirot so+y/
JI a)> of .ourse> not at a .ever>J eBpained Miss Carna'y/ J%ut )y
po+ers of ; of dissi)uation are good/ They have to 'e ; other+ise one
+oud 'e dis.harged fro) the post of .o)panion i))ediatey/ And I
have a+ays found that to appear even stupider than one is>
o..asionay has good resuts/J
!er.ue Poirot aughed/ !e saidH J@ou en.hant )e> Made)oisee/J
J<h dear> M/ Poirot> +hat a very 1ind )an you are/ Then you do
en.ourage )e to hopeA As it happens> I have Dust re.eived a s)a
ega.y ; a very s)a one> 'ut it ena'es )y sister and )ysef to 1eep
and feed ourseves in a fruga )anner so that I a) not a'soutey
dependent on +hat I earn/J
JI )ust .onsider>J said Poirot> J+here your taents )ay 'est 'e
e)poyed/ @ou have no idea yoursef> I supposeAJ
J@ou 1no+> you )ust reay 'e a thought reader> M/ Poirot/ I have 'een
anBious atey a'out a friend of )ine/ I +as going to .onsut you/ <f
.ourse you )ay say it is a an od )aid"s fan.y ; Dust i)agination/ <ne
is prone> perhaps to eBaggerate> and to see design +here there )ay
'e ony .oin.iden.e/J
JI do not thin1 you +oud eBaggerate> Miss Carna'y/ Te )e +hat is on
your )ind/J
JWe> I have a friend> a very dear friend> though I have not seen very
)u.h of her of ate years/ !er na)e is ())eine Cegg/ She )arried a
)an in the 0orth of (ngand and he died a fe+ years ago eaving her
very .o)forta'y off/ She +as unhappy and oney after his death and I
a) afraid she is in so)e +ays a rather fooish and perhaps .reduous
+o)an/ &eigion> M/ Poirot> .an 'e a great hep and sustenan.e ; 'ut
'y that I )ean orthodoB reigion/J
J@ou refer to the ,ree1 Chur.hAJ as1ed Poirot/
Miss Carna'y oo1ed sho.1ed/
J<h no> indeed/ Chur.h of (ngand/ And though I do not approve of
&o)an Cathoi.s> they are at east re.ognised/ And the Weseyans and
Congregationaists ; they are a +e;1no+n respe.ta'e 'odies/ What
I a) ta1ing a'out are these odd se.ts/ They Dust spring up/ They have
a 1ind of e)otiona appea 'ut so)eti)es I have very grave dou'ts as
to +hether there is any true reigious feeing 'ehind the) at a/J
J@ou thin1 your friend is 'eing vi.ti)ised 'y a se.t of this 1indAJ
JI do/ <hG I .ertainy do/ The Fo.1 of the Shepherd> they .a
the)seves/ Their head8uarters is in $evonshire ; a very ovey estate
'y the sea/ The adherents go there for +hat they ter) a &etreat/ That
is a period of a fortnight ; +ith reigious servi.es and rituas/ And there
are three 'ig Festivas in the year> the Co)ing of the Pasture> the Fu
Pasture> and the &eaping of the Pasture/J
JWhi.h ast is stupid>J said Poirot/ J%e.ause one does not reap
pasture/J
JThe +hoe thing is stupid>J said Miss Carna'y +ith +ar)th/ JThe
+hoe se.t .enters round the head of the )ove)ent> the ,reat
Shepherd> he is .aed/ A $r Andersen/ A very handso)e;oo1ing )an>
I 'eieve> +ith a presen.e/J
JWhi.h is attra.tive to the +o)en> yesAJ
JI a) afraid so>J Miss Carna'y sighed/ JMy father +as a very
handso)e )an/ So)eti)es> it +as )ost a+1+ard in the parish/ The
rivary in e)'roidering vest)ents ; and the division of .hur.h +or1///J
She shoo1 her head re)inis.enty/
JAre the )e)'ers of the ,reat Fo.1 )osty +o)enAJ
JAt east three 8uarters of the)> I gather/ What )en there are> are
)osty .ran1sG It is upon the +o)en that the su..ess of the )ove)ent
depends and ; and on the funds they suppy/J
JAh>J said Poirot/ J0o+ +e .o)e to it/ Fran1y> you thin1 the +hoe
thing is a ra)pAJ
JFran1y> M/ Poirot> I do/ And another thing +orries )e/ I happen to
1no+ that )y poor friend is so 'ound up in this reigion that she has
re.enty )ade a +i eaving a her property to the )ove)ent/J
Poirot said sharpyH JWas that ; suggested to herAJ
JIn a fairness> no/ It +as entirey her o+n idea/ The ,reat Shepherd
had sho+n her a ne+ +ay of ife ; so a that she had +as to go on her
death to the ,reat Cause/ What reay +orries )e is ;J
J@es ; go on ;J
JSevera very +eathy +o)en have 'een a)ong the devotees/ In the
ast year three of the)> no ess> have died/J
J#eaving a their )oney to this se.tAJ
J@es/J
JTheir reations have )ade no protestA I shoud have thought it i1ey
that there )ight have 'een itigation/J
J@ou see> M/ Poirot> it is usuay oney +o)en +ho 'eong to this
gathering/ Peope +ho have no very near reations or friends/J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ Miss Carna'y hurried onH
J<f .ourse I"ve no right to suggest anything at a/ Fro) +hat I have
'een a'e to find out> there +as nothing +rong a'out any of these
deaths/ <ne> I 'eieve> +as pneu)onia foo+ing infuen?a and another
+as attri'uted to gastri. u.er/ There +ere a'soutey no suspi.ious
.ir.u)stan.es> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean> and the deaths did not ta1e
pa.e at ,reen !is San.tuary> 'ut at their o+n ho)es/ I"ve no dou't it
is 8uite a right> 'ut a the sa)e I ; +e ; I shoudn"t i1e anything to
happen to ())ie/J
She .asped her hands> her eyes appeaed to Poirot/
Poirot hi)sef +as sient for so)e )inutes/ When he spo1e there +as a
.hange in his voi.e/ It +as grave and deep/
!e saidH JWi you give )e> or +i you find out for )e> the na)es and
addresses of these )e)'ers of the se.t +ho have re.enty diedAJ
J@es indeed> M/ Poirot/J
Poirot said so+yH JMade)oisee> I thin1 you are a +o)an of great
.ourage and deter)ination/ @ou have good histrioni. po+ers/ Woud
you 'e +iing to underta1e a pie.e of +or1 that )ay 'e attended +ith
.onsidera'e dangerAJ
JI shoud i1e nothing 'etter>J said the adventurous Miss Carna'y/
Poirot said +arningyH JIf there is a ris1 at a> it +i 'e a grave one/ @ou
.o)prehend ; either this is a )are"s nest or ese it is serious/ To find
out +hi.h it is> it +i 'e ne.essary for you yoursef to 'e.o)e a
)e)'er of the ,reat Fo.1/ I +oud suggest that you eBaggerate the
a)ount of the ega.y that you re.enty inherited/ @ou are no+ a +eto;
do +o)an +ith no very definite ai) in ife/ @ou argue +ith your
friend ())eine a'out this reigion she has adopted ; assure her that it
is a nonsense/ She is eager to .onvert you/ @ou ao+ yoursef to 'e
persuaded to go do+n to ,reen !is San.tuary/ And there you fa a
vi.ti) to the persuasive po+ers and )agneti. infuen.e of $r
Andersen/ I thin1 I .an safey eave that part to youAJ
Miss Carna'y s)ied )odesty/
She )ur)uredH JI thin1 I .an )anage that a rightGJ
II
JWe> )y friend> +hat have you got for )eAJ
Chief Inspe.tor *app oo1ed thoughtfuy at the itte )an +ho as1ed
the 8uestion/
!e said ruefuyH J0ot at a +hat I"d i1e to have> Poirot/ I hate these
ong;haired> reigious .ran1s i1e poison/ Fiing up +o)en +ith a ot of
)u)'o;Du)'o/ %ut this feo+"s 'eing .arefu/ There"s nothing one .an
get hod of/ A sounds a 'it 'atty 'ut har)ess/J
J!ave you earned anything a'out this $r AndersenAJ
JI"ve oo1ed up his past history/ !e +as a pro)ising .he)ist and got
.hu.1ed out of so)e ,er)an 2niversity/ See)s his )other +as
*e+ish/ !e +as a+ays 1een on the study of <rienta Myths and
&eigions> spent a his spare ti)e on that and has +ritten various
arti.es on the su'De.t ; so)e of the arti.es sound pretty .ra?y to )e/J
JSo it is possi'e that he is a genuine fanati.AJ
JI") 'ound to say it see)s 8uite i1eyGJ
JWhat a'out those na)es and addresses I gave youAJ
J0othing doing there/ Miss (verett died of u.erative .oitis/ $o.tor
8uite positive there +as no han1y;pan1y/ Mrs #oyd died of 'ron.hopneu)onia/
#ady Western died of tu'er.uosis/ !ad suffered fro) it
)any years ago ; 'efore she even )et this 'un.h/ Miss #ee died of
typhoid ; attri'uted to so)e saad she ate so)e+here in the north of
(ngand/ Three of the) got i and died in their o+n ho)es> and Mrs
#oyd died in a hote in the south of Fran.e/ As far as those deaths go>
there"s nothing to .onne.t the) +ith the ,reat Fo.1 or +ith
Andersen"s pa.e do+n in $evonshire/ Must 'e pure .oin.iden.e/ A
a'soutey <- and a..ording to Co.1er/J
!er.ue Poirot sighed/ !e saidH JAnd yet> )on .her> I have a feeing
that this is the tenth #a'our of !er.ues> and that this $r Andersen is
the Monster ,eryon +ho) it is )y )ission to destroy/J
*app oo1ed at hi) anBiousy/
J#oo1 here> Poirot> you haven"t 'een reading any 8ueer iterature
yoursef atey> have youAJ
Poirot said +ith dignityH JMy re)ar1s are> as a+ays> apt> sound> and to
the point/J
J@ou )ight start a ne+ reigion yoursef>J said *app> J+ith the .reedH
"There is no one so .ever as !er.ue Poirot> A)en> $C/ &epeat ad
i'"GJ
III
JIt is the pea.e here that I find so +onderfu>J said Miss Carna'y>
'reathing heaviy and e.stati.ay/
JI tod you so> A)y>J said ())eine Cegg/
The t+o friends +ere sitting on the sope of a hiside overoo1ing a
deep and ovey 'ue sea/ The grass +as vivid green> the earths and
the .iffs a deep> go+ing red/ The itte estate no+ 1no+n as ,reen
!is San.tuary +as a pro)ontory .o)prising a'out siB a.res/ <ny a
narro+ ne.1 of and Doined it to the )ainand so that it +as a)ost an
isand/
Mrs Cegg )ur)ured senti)entayH JThe red and ; the and of go+
and pro)ise ; +here three;fod destiny is to 'e a..o)pished/J
Miss Carna'y sighed deepy and saidH JI thought the Master put it a so
'eautifuy at the servi.e ast night/J
JWait>J said her friend> Jfor the festiva tonight/ The Fu ,ro+th of the
PastureGJ
JI") oo1ing for+ard to it>J said Miss Carna'y/
J@ou +i find it a +onderfu spiritua eBperien.e>J her friend pro)ised
her/
Miss Carna'y had arrived at ,reen !is San.tuary a +ee1 previousy/
!er attitude on arriva had 'eenH J0o+ +hat"s a this nonsenseA
&eay> ())ie> a sensi'e +o)an i1e you ; et./> et./J
At a prei)inary intervie+ +ith $r Andersen> she had .ons.ientiousy
)ade her position 8uite .ear/
JI don"t +ant to fee that I a) here under fase preten.es> $r Andersen/
My father +as a .ergy)an of the Chur.h of (ngand and I have never
+avered in )y faith/ I don"t hod +ith heathen do.trines/J
The 'ig> goden;haired )an had s)ied at her ; a very s+eet and
understanding s)ie/ !e had oo1ed indugenty at the pu)p> rather
'eigerent figure sitting so s8uarey in her .hair/
J$ear Miss Carna'y>J he said/ J@ou are Mrs Cegg"s friend> and as
su.h +e.o)e/ And 'eieve )e> our do.trines are not heathen/ !ere a
reigions are +e.o)ed> and a honoured e8uay/J
JThen they shoudn"t 'e>J said the staun.h daughter of the ate
&everend Tho)as Carna'y/
#eaning 'a.1 in his .hair> the Master )ur)ured in his ri.h voi.eH JIn
)y Father"s !ouse are )any )ansions/// &e)e)'er that> Miss
Carna'y/J
As they eft the presen.e> Miss Carna'y )ur)ured to her friendH J!e
reay is a very handso)e )an/J
J@es>J said ())eine Cegg/ JAnd so +onderfuy spiritua/J
Miss Carna'y agreed/ It +as true ; she had fet it ; an aura of
un+ordiness ; of spirituaity///
She too1 a grip upon hersef/ She +as not here to fa a prey to the
fas.ination> spiritua or other+ise> of the ,reat Shepherd/ She
.onDured up a vision of !er.ue Poirot/ !e see)ed very far a+ay> and
.uriousy )undane///
JA)y>J said Miss Carna'y to hersef/ JTa1e a grip upon yoursef/
&e)e)'er +hat you are here for///J
%ut as the days +ent on> she found hersef surrendering ony too easiy
to the spe of ,reen !is/ The pea.e> the si)pi.ity> the dei.ious
though si)pe food> the 'eauty of the servi.es +ith their .hants of
#ove and Worship> the si)pe )oving +ords of the Master> appeaing
to a that +as 'est and highest in hu)anity ; here a the strife and
uginess of the +ord +as shut out/ !ere +as ony Pea.e and #ove///
And tonight +as the great su))er Festiva> the Festiva of the Fu
Pasture/ And at it> she> A)y Carna'y> +as to 'e.o)e initiated ; to
'e.o)e one of the Fo.1/
The Festiva too1 pa.e in the +hite> gittering> .on.rete 'uiding>
.aed 'y the Initiates the Sa.red Fod/ !ere the devotees asse)'ed
Dust 'efore the setting of the sun/ They +ore sheeps1in .oa1s and had
sandas on their feet/ Their ar)s +ere 'are/ In the .entre of the Fod
on a raised patfor) stood $r Andersen/ The 'ig )an> goden;haired
and 'ue;eyed> +ith his fair 'eard and his handso)e profie had never
see)ed )ore .o)peing/ !e +as dressed in a green ro'e and .arried
a shepherd"s .roo1 of god/
!e raised this aoft and a deathy sien.e fe on the asse)'y/
JWhere are )y sheepAJ
The ans+er .a)e fro) the .ro+d/ JWe are here> < Shepherd/J
J#ift up your hearts +ith Doy and than1sgiving/ This is the Feast of *oy/J
JThe Feast of *oy and +e are Doyfu/J
JThere sha 'e no )ore sorro+ for you> no )ore pain/ A is DoyGJ
JA is Doy///J
J!o+ )any heads has the ShepherdAJ
JThree heads> a head of god> a head of siver> a head of sounding
'rass/J
J!o+ )any 'odies have the SheepAJ
JThree 'odies> a 'ody of fesh> a 'ody of .orruption> and a 'ody of
ight/J
J!o+ sha you 'e seaed in the Fo.1AJ
J%y the Sa.ra)ent of %ood/J
JAre you prepared for that Sa.ra)entAJ
JWe are/J
J%ind your eyes and hod forth your right ar)/J
The .ro+d o'edienty 'ound their eyes +ith the green s.arves
provided for the purpose/ Miss Carna'y> i1e the rest hed her ar) out
in front of her/
The ,reat Shepherd )oved aong the ines of his Fo.1/ There +ere
itte .ries> )oans of either pain or e.stasy/
Miss Carna'y> to hersef> said fier.eyH JMost 'asphe)ous> the +hoe
thingG This 1ind of reigious hysteria is to 'e depored/ I sha re)ain
a'soutey .a) and o'serve the rea.tions of other peope/ I +i not 'e
.arried a+ay ; I +i not///J
The ,reat Shepherd had .o)e to her/ She fet her ar) ta1en> hed>
there +as a sharp> stinging pain i1e the pri.1 of a neede/ The
Shepherd"s voi.e )ur)uredH
JThe Sa.ra)ent of %ood that 'rings Doy///J
!e passed on/
Presenty there .a)e a .o))and/
J2nvei and enDoy the peasures of the spiritGJ
The sun +as Dust sin1ing/ Miss Carna'y oo1ed round her/ At one +ith
the others> she )oved so+y out of the Fod/ She fet suddeny
upifted> happy/ She san1 do+n on a soft> grassy 'an1/ Why had she
ever thought she +as a oney> un+anted> )idde;aged +o)anA #ife
+as +onderfu ; she hersef +as +onderfuG She had the po+er of
thought ; of drea)ing/ There +as nothing that she .oud not
a..o)pishG
A great rush of eBhiaration surged through her/ She o'served her
feo+ devotees round her ; they see)ed suddeny to have gro+n to an
i))ense stature/
J#i1e trees +a1ing///J said Miss Carna'y to hersef reverenty/
She ifted her hand/ It +as a purposefu gesture ; +ith it she .oud
.o))and the earth/ Caesar> 0apoeon> !iter ; poor> )isera'e> itte
feo+sG They 1ne+ nothing of +hat she> A)y Carna'y> .oud doG
To)orro+ she +oud arrange for Word Pea.e> for Internationa
%rotherhood/ There shoud 'e no )ore Wars ; no )ore Poverty ; no
)ore $isease/ She> A)y Carna'y> +oud design a 0e+ Word/
%ut there need 'e no hurry/ Ti)e +as infinite/// Minute su..eeded
)inute> hour su..eeded hourG Miss Carna'y"s i)'s fet heavy> 'ut her
)ind +as deightfuy free/ It .oud roa) at +i over the +hoe
universe/ She sept ; 'ut even as she sept she drea)t/// ,reat
spa.es/// vast 'uidings/// a ne+ and +onderfu +ord///
,raduay the +ord shran1/ Miss Carna'y ya+ned/ She )oved her stiff
i)'s/ What had happened sin.e yesterdayA #ast night she had
drea)t///
There +as a )oon/ %y it> Miss Carna'y .oud Dust distinguish the
figures on her +at.h/ To her stupefa.tion the hands pointed to a
8uarter to ten/ The sun> as she 1ne+> had set at eight;ten/ <ny an hour
and thirty;five )inutes agoA I)possi'e/ And yet ;
J7ery re)ar1a'e>J said Miss Carna'y to hersef/
I7
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou )ust o'ey )y instru.tions very .arefuy/
@ou understandAJ
J<h yes> Mr Poirot/ @ou )ay rey on )e/J
J@ou have spo1en of your intention to 'enefit the .utAJ
J@es> Mr Poirot/ I spo1e to the Master ; eB.use )e> to $r Andersen
)ysef/ I tod hi) very e)otionay +hat a +onderfu reveation the
+hoe thing had 'een ; ho+ I had .o)e to s.off and re)ained to
'eieve/ I ; reay it see)ed 8uite natura to say a these things/ $r
Andersen> you 1no+> has a ot of )agneti. .har)/J
JSo I per.eive>J said !er.ue Poirot dryy/
J!is )anner +as )ost .onvin.ing/ <ne reay fees he doesn"t .are
a'out )oney at a/ ",ive +hat you .an>" he said s)iing in that
+onderfu +ay of his> "if you .an give nothing> it does not )atter/ @ou
are one of the Fo.1 Dust the sa)e/" "<h> $r Andersen>" I said> "I a) not
so 'ady off as that/ I have Dust inherited a .onsidera'e a)ount of
)oney fro) a distant reative and though I .annot a.tuay tou.h any of
the )oney unti the ega for)aities are a .o)pied +ith> there is one
thing I +ant to do at on.e/" And then I eBpained that I +as )a1ing a +i
and that I +anted to eave a I had to the %rotherhood/ I eBpained that
I had no near reatives/J
JAnd he gra.iousy a..epted the 'e8uestAJ
J!e +as very deta.hed a'out it/ Said it +oud 'e )any ong years
'efore I passed over> that he .oud te I +as .ut out for a ong ife of
Doy and spiritua fufi)ent/ !e reay spea1s )ost )ovingy/J
JSo it +oud see)/J
Poirot"s tone +as dry/ !e +ent onH J@ou )entioned your heathAJ
J@es> Mr Poirot/ I tod hi) that I had had ung trou'e> and that it had
re.urred )ore than on.e> 'ut that a fina treat)ent in a Sanatoriu)
so)e years ago had> I hoped> 8uite .ured )e/J
J(B.eentGJ
JThough +hy it is ne.essary for )e to say that I a) .onsu)ptive +hen
)y ungs are as sound as a 'e I reay .annot see/J
J%e assured it is ne.essary/ @ou )entioned your friendAJ
J@es/ I tod hi) 9stri.ty in .onfiden.e: that dear ())eine> 'esides the
fortune she had inherited fro) her hus'and> +oud inherit an even
arger su) shorty fro) an aunt +ho +as deepy atta.hed to her/J
J(h 'ien> that ought to 1eep Mrs Cegg safe for the ti)e 'eingGJ
J<h> Mr Poirot> do you reay thin1 there is anything +rongAJ
JThat is +hat I a) going to endeavour to find out/ !ave you )et a Mr
Coe do+n at the San.tuaryAJ
JThere +as a Mr Coe there ast ti)e I +ent do+n/ A )ost pe.uiar
)an/ !e +ears grass;green shorts and eats nothing 'ut .a''age/ !e
is a very ardent 'eiever/J
J(h 'ien> a progresses +e ; I )a1e you )y .o)pi)ents on the +or1
you have done ; a is no+ set for the Autu)n Festiva/J
7
JMiss Carna'y ; Dust a )o)ent/J
Mr Coe .ut.hed at Miss Carna'y> his eyes 'right and feverish/
JI have had a 7ision ; a )ost re)ar1a'e 7ision/ I reay )ust te you
a'out it/J
Miss Carna'y sighed/ She +as rather afraid of Mr Coe and his 7isions/
There +ere )o)ents +hen she +as de.idedy of the opinion that Mr
Coe +as )ad/
And she found these 7isions of his so)eti)es very e)'arrassing/
They re.aed to her .ertain outspo1en passages in that very )odern
,er)an 'oo1 on the Su'.ons.ious Mind +hi.h she had read 'efore
.o)ing do+n to $evon/
Mr Coe> his eyes gistening> his ips t+it.hing> 'egan to ta1 eB.itedy/
JI had 'een )editating ; refe.ting on the Funess of #ife> on the
Supre)e *oy of <neness ; and then> you 1no+> )y eyes +ere opened
and I sa+ ;J
Miss Carna'y 'ra.ed hersef and hoped that +hat Mr Coe had seen
+oud not 'e +hat he had seen the ast ti)e ; +hi.h had 'een>
apparenty> a &itua Marriage in an.ient Su)eria 'et+een a god and
goddess/
JI sa+ ;J Mr Coe eant to+ards her> 'reathing hard> his eyes oo1ing
9yes> reay they did: 8uite )ad ; Jthe Prophet (iDah des.ending fro)
!eaven in his fiery .hariot/J
Miss Carna'y 'reathed a sigh of reief/ (iDah +as )u.h 'etter> she
didn"t )ind (iDah/
J%eo+>J +ent on Mr Coe> J+ere the atars of %aa ; hundreds and
hundreds of the)/ A 7oi.e .ried to )eH "#oo1> +rite and testify that
+hi.h you sha see ;"J
!e stopped and Miss Carna'y )ur)ured poiteyH J@esAJ
J<n the atars +ere the sa.rifi.es> 'ound there> hepess> +aiting for
the 1nife/ 7irgins ; hundreds of virgins ; young 'eautifu> na1ed virgins
;J
Mr Coe s)a.1ed his ips/ Miss Carna'y 'ushed/
JThen .a)e the ravens> the ravens of <din> fying fro) the 0orth/ They
)et the ravens of (iDah ; together they .ir.ed in the s1y ; they
s+ooped> they pu.1ed out the eyes of the vi.ti)s ; there +as +aiing
and gnashing of teeth ; and the 7oi.e .riedH "%ehod a Sa.rifi.e ; for on
this day sha *ehovah and <din sign 'ood 'rotherhoodG" Then the
Priests fe upon their vi.ti)s> they raised their 1nives ; they )utiated
their vi.ti)s ;J
$esperatey Miss Carna'y 'ro1e a+ay fro) her tor)entor +ho +as
no+ savering at the )outh in a 1ind of sadisti. fervourH
J(B.use )e one )o)ent/J
She hastiy a..osted #ips.o)'> the )an +ho o..upied the #odge
+hi.h gave ad)ission to ,reen !is and +ho providentiay happened
to 'e passing/
JI +onder>J she said> Jif you have found a 'roo.h of )ine/ I )ust have
dropped it so)e+here a'out the grounds/J
#ips.o)'> +ho +as a )an i))une fro) the genera s+eetness and
ight of ,reen !is> )erey gro+ed that he hadn"t seen any 'roo.h/ It
+asn"t his +or1 to go a'out oo1ing for things/ !e tried to sha1e off
Miss Carna'y 'ut she a..o)panied hi)> 'a''ing a'out her 'roo.h>
ti she had put a safe distan.e 'et+een hersef and the fervour of Mr
Coe/
At that )o)ent> the Master hi)sef .a)e out of the ,reat Fod and>
e)'odened 'y his 'enignant s)ie> Miss Carna'y ventured to spea1
her )ind to hi)/
$id he thin1 that Mr Coe +as 8uite ; +as 8uite ;
The Master aid a hand on her shouder/
J@ou )ust .ast out Fear>J he said/ JPerfe.t #ove .asteth out Fear///J
J%ut I thin1 Mr Coe is )ad/ Those 7isions he has ;J
JAs yet>J said the Master> Jhe sees I)perfe.ty/// through the ,ass of
his o+n Carna 0ature/ %ut the day +i .o)e +hen he sha see
Spirituay ; Fa.e to Fa.e/J
Miss Carna'y +as a'ashed/ <f .ourse> put i1e that ; She raied to
)a1e a s)aer protest/
JAnd reay>J she said> Jneed #ips.o)' 'e so a'o)ina'y rudeAJ
Again the Master gave his !eaveny s)ie/
J#ips.o)'>J he said> Jis a faithfu +at.h;dog/ !e is a .rude ; a
pri)itive sou ; 'ut faithfu ; uttery faithfu/J
!e strode on/ Miss Carna'y sa+ hi) )eet Mr Coe> pause> put a hand
on Mr Coe"s shouder/ She hoped that the Master"s infuen.e )ight
ater the s.ope of future visions/
In any .ase> it +as ony a +ee1 no+ to the Autu)n Festiva/
7I
<n the afternoon pre.eding the Festiva> Miss Carna'y )et !er.ue
Poirot in a s)a teashop in the seepy itte to+n of 0e+ton Wood'ury/
Miss Carna'y +as fushed and even )ore 'reathess than usua/ She
sat sipping tea and .ru)'ing a ro.1 'un 'et+een her fingers/
Poirot as1ed severa 8uestions to +hi.h she repied )onosya'i.ay/
Then he saidH J!o+ )any +i there 'e at the FestivaAJ
JI thin1 a hundred and t+enty/ ())eine is there> of .ourse> and Mr
Coe ; reay he has 'een very odd atey/ !e has visions/ !e des.ri'ed
so)e of the) to )e ; reay )ost pe.uiar ; I hope> I do hope> he is not
insane/ Then there +i 'e 8uite a ot of ne+ )e)'ers ; neary t+enty/J
J,ood/ @ou 1no+ +hat you have to doAJ
There +as a )o)ent"s pause 'efore Miss Carna'y said in a rather odd
voi.eH JI 1no+ +hat you tod )e> M> Poirot///J
JTrSs 'ienGJ
Then A)y Carna'y said .eary and distin.tyH J%ut I a) not going to do
itGJ
!er.ue Poirot stared at her/ Miss Carna'y rose to her feet/ !er voi.e
.a)e fast and hysteri.a/
J@ou sent )e here to spy on $r Andersen/ @ou suspe.ted hi) of a
sorts of things/ %ut he is a +onderfu )an ; a great Tea.her/ I 'eieve
in hi) heart and souG And I a) not going to do your spying +or1 any
)ore> M/ PoirotG I a) one of the Sheep of the Shepherd/ The Master
has a ne+ )essage for the Word and fro) no+ on> I 'eong to hi)
'ody and sou/ And I" pay for )y o+n tea> pease/J
With +hi.h sight anti.i)aB Miss Carna'y pan1ed do+n one and
threepen.e and rushed out of the teashop/
J0o) d"un no) d"un no)>J said !er.ue Poirot/
The +aitress had to as1 hi) t+i.e 'efore he reaised that she +as
presenting the 'i/ !e )et the interested stare of a sury oo1ing )an
at the neBt ta'e> fushed> paid the .he.1 and got up and +ent out/
!e +as thin1ing furiousy/
7II
<n.e again the Sheep +ere asse)'ed in the ,reat Fod/ The &itua
4uestions and Ans+ers had 'een .hanted/
JAre you prepared for the Sa.ra)entAJ
JWe are/J
J%ind your eyes and hod out your right ar)/J
The ,reat Shepherd> )agnifi.ent in his green ro'e> )oved aong the
+aiting ines/ Mr Coe> neBt to Miss Carna'y> gave a gup of painfu
e.stasy as the neede pier.ed his fesh/
The ,reat Shepherd stood 'y Miss Carna'y/ !is hands tou.hed her
ar) ;
J0o you don"t/ 0one of that///J
Words in.redi'e ; unpre.edented/ A s.uffe> a roar of anger/ ,reen
veis +ere torn fro) eyes ; to see an un'eieva'e sight ; the ,reat
Shepherd strugging in the grasp of the sheeps1inned Mr Coe aided
'y another devotee/
In rapid professiona tones> the erst+hie Mr Coe +as sayingH
J; and I have here a +arrant for your arrest/ I )ust +arn you that
anything you say )ay 'e used in eviden.e at your tria/J
There +ere other figures no+ at the door of the Sheep Fod ; 'ueunifor)ed
figures/
So)eone .riedH JIt"s the poi.e/ They"re ta1ing the Master///J
(veryone +as sho.1ed ; horrified/ To the) the ,reat Shepherd +as a
)artyr> suffering> as a great tea.hers suffer> fro) the ignoran.e and
perse.ution of the outside +ord/
Mean+hie $ete.tive Inspe.tor Coe +as .arefuy pa.1ing up the
hypoder)i. syringe that had faen fro) the ,reat Shepherd"s hand/
7III
JMy 'rave .oeagueGJ
Poirot shoo1 Miss Carna'y +ar)y 'y the hand and introdu.ed her to
Chief Inspe.tor *app/
JFirst;.ass +or1> Miss Carna'y>J said Chief Inspe.tor *app/ JWe
.oudn"t have done it +ithout you and that"s a fa.t/J
J<h dearGJ Miss Carna'y +as futtered/ JIt"s so 1ind of you to say so>
And I") afraid> you 1no+> that I"ve reay enDoyed it a/ The eB.ite)ent>
you 1no+> and paying )y part/ I got 8uite .arried a+ay so)eti)es/ I
reay fet I +as one of those fooish +o)en/J
JThat"s +here your su..ess ay>J said *app/ J@ou +ere the genuine
arti.e/ 0othing ess +oud have ta1en that gente)an inG !e"s a pretty
astute s.oundreGJ
Miss Carna'y turned to Poirot/
JThat +as a terri'e )o)ent in the teashop/ I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do/ I
Dust had to a.t on the spur of the )o)ent/J
J@ou +ere )agnifi.ent>J said Poirot +ar)y/ JFor a )o)ent I thought
that either you or I had ta1en eave of our senses/ I thought for one
itte )inute that you )eant it/J
JIt +as su.h a sho.1>J said Miss Carna'y/ J*ust +hen +e had 'een
ta1ing .onfidentiay/ I sa+ in the gass that #ips.o)'> +ho 1eeps the
#odge of the San.tuary> +as sitting at the ta'e 'ehind )e/ I don"t
1no+ no+ if it +as an a..ident or if he had a.tuay foo+ed )e/ As I
say> I had to do the 'est I .oud on the spur of the )inute and trust that
you +oud understand/J
Poirot s)ied/ JI did understand/ There +as ony one person sitting
near enough to overhear anything +e said and as soon as I eft the
teashop I arranged to have hi) foo+ed +hen he .a)e out/ When he
+ent straight 'a.1 to the San.tuary I understood that I .oud rey on
you and that you +oud not et )e do+n ; 'ut I +as afraid 'e.ause it
in.reased the danger for you/J
JWas ; +as there reay dangerA What +as there in the syringeAJ
*app saidH JWi you eBpain> or sha IAJ
Poirot said graveyH JMade)oisee> this $r Andersen had perfe.ted a
s.he)e of eBpoitation and )urder ; s.ientifi. )urder/ Most of his ife
has 'een spent in 'a.terioogi.a resear.h/ 2nder a different na)e he
has a .he)i.a a'oratory in Sheffied/ There he )a1es .utures of
various 'a.ii/ It +as his pra.ti.e> at the Festivas> to inDe.t into his
foo+ers a s)a 'ut suffi.ient dose of Canna'is Indi.a ; +hi.h is aso
1no+n 'y the na)es of !ashish or %ang/ This gives deusions of
grandeur and peasura'e enDoy)ent/ It 'ound his devotees to hi)/
These +ere the Spiritua *oys that he pro)ised the)/J
JMost re)ar1a'e>J said Miss Carna'y/ J&eay a )ost re)ar1a'e
sensation/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded/ JThat +as his genera sto.1 in trade ; a
do)inating personaity> the po+er of .reating )ass hysteria and the
rea.tions produ.ed 'y this drug/ %ut he had a se.ond ai) in vie+/
J#oney +o)en> in their gratitude and fervour> )ade +is eaving their
)oney to the Cut/ <ne 'y one> these +o)en died/ They died in their
o+n ho)es and apparenty of natura .auses/ Without 'eing too
te.hni.a I +i try to eBpain/ It is possi'e to )a1e intensified .utures
of .ertain 'a.teria/ The 'a.ius .oi.o))unis> for instan.e> the .ause
of u.erative .oitis/ Typhoid 'a.ii .an 'e introdu.ed into the syste)/
So .an the Pneu)o.o..us/ There is aso +hat is ter)ed <d
Tu'er.uin +hi.h is har)ess to a heathy person 'ut +hi.h sti)uates
any od tu'er.uar esion into a.tivity/ @ou per.eive the .everness of
the )anA These deaths +oud o..ur in different parts of the .ountry>
+ith different do.tors attending the) and +ithout any ris1 of arousing
suspi.ion/ !e had aso> I gather> .utivated a su'stan.e +hi.h had the
po+er of deaying 'ut intensifying the a.tion of the .hosen 'a.ius/J
J!e"s a devi> if there ever +as oneGJ said Chief Inspe.tor *app/
Poirot +ent onH J%y )y orders> you tod hi) that you +ere a
tu'er.uous su'De.t/ There +as <d Tu'er.uin in the syringe +hen
Coe arrested hi)/ Sin.e you +ere a heathy person it +oud not have
har)ed you> +hi.h is +hy I )ade you ay stress on your tu'er.uar
trou'e/ I +as terrified that even no+ he )ight .hoose so)e other
ger)> 'ut I respe.ted your .ourage and I had to et you ta1e the ris1/J
J<h> that"s a right>J said Miss Carna'y 'righty/ JI don"t )ind ta1ing
ris1s/ I") ony frightened of 'us in fieds and things i1e that/ %ut have
you enough eviden.e to .onvi.t this dreadfu personAJ
*app grinned/ JPenty of eviden.e>J he said/ JWe"ve got his a'oratory
and his .utures and the +hoe ayoutGJ
Poirot saidH JIt is possi'e> I thin1> that he has .o))itted a ong ine of
)urders/ I )ay say that it +as not 'e.ause his )other +as a *e+ess
that he +as dis)issed fro) that ,er)an 2niversity/ That )erey )ade
a .onvenient tae to a..ount for his arriva here and to gain sy)pathy
for hi)/ A.tuay> I fan.y> he is of pure Aryan 'ood/J
Miss Carna'y sighed/
J4u"est .e 8u"i y aAJ as1ed Poirot/
JI +as thin1ing>J said Miss Carna'y> Jof a )arveous drea) I had at
the First Festiva ; hashish> I suppose/ I arranged the +hoe +ord so
'eautifuyG 0o +ars> no poverty> no i heath> no uginess/// no
.ri)e///J
JIt )ust have 'een a fine drea)>J said *app enviousy/
Miss Carna'y Du)ped up/ She saidH JI )ust get ho)e/ ()iy has 'een
so anBious/ And dear Augustus has 'een )issing )e terri'y> I hear/J
!er.ue Poirot said +ith a s)ieH J!e +as afraid> perhaps> that i1e
hi)> you +ere going to "die for !er.ue Poirot"GJ
Chapter 11
T!( APP#(S <F T!( !(SP(&I$(S
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy into the fa.e of the )an 'ehind the
'ig )ahogany des1/ !e noted the generous 'ro+> the )ean )outh> the
rapa.ious ine of the Da+ and the pier.ing> visionary eyes/ !e
understood fro) oo1ing at the )an +hy ()ery Po+er had 'e.o)e the
great finan.ia for.e that he +as/
And his eyes faing to the ong dei.ate hands> eB8uisitey shaped> that
ay on the des1> he understood> too> +hy ()ery Po+er had attained
reno+n as a great .oe.tor/ !e +as 1no+n on 'oth sides of the
Atanti. as a .onnoisseur of +or1s of art/ !is passion for the artisti.
+ent hand in hand +ith an e8ua passion for the histori./ It +as not
enough for hi) that a thing shoud 'e 'eautifu ; he de)anded aso
that it shoud have a tradition 'ehind it/
()ery Po+er +as spea1ing/ !is voi.e +as 8uiet ; a s)a> distin.t
voi.e that +as )ore effe.tive than any )ere vou)e of sound .oud
have 'een/
J@ou do not> I 1no+> ta1e )any .ases no+adays/ %ut I thin1 you +i
ta1e this one/J
JIs it> then> an affair of great )o)entAJ
()ery Po+er saidH JIt is of )o)ent to )e/J
Poirot re)ained in an en8uiring attitude> his head sighty on one side/
!e oo1ed i1e a )editative ro'in/
The other +ent onH
JIt .on.erns the re.overy of a +or1 of art/ To 'e eBa.t> a god .hased
go'et> dating fro) the &enaissan.e/ It is said to 'e the go'et used 'y
Pope AeBander 7I ; &oderigo %orgia/ !e so)eti)es presented it to a
favoured guest to drin1 fro)/ That guest> M/ Poirot> usuay died/J
JA pretty history>J Poirot )ur)ured/
JIts .areer has a+ays 'een asso.iated +ith vioen.e/ It has 'een
stoen )ore than on.e/ Murder has 'een done to gain possession of it/
A trai of 'oodshed has foo+ed it through the ages/J
J<n a..ount of its intrinsi. vaue or for other reasonsAJ
JIts intrinsi. vaue is .ertainy .onsidera'e/ The +or1)anship is
eB8uisite 9it is said to have 'een )ade 'y %envenuto Ceini:/ The
design represents a tree round +hi.h a De+eed serpent is .oied and
the appes on the tree are for)ed of very 'eautifu e)erads/J
Poirot )ur)ured +ith an apparent 8ui.1ening of interestH JAppesAJ
JThe e)erads are parti.uary fine> so are the ru'ies in the serpent>
'ut of .ourse the rea vaue of the .up is its histori.a asso.iations/ It
+as put up for sae 'y the Mar.hese di San 7eratrino in 1929/
Coe.tors 'id against ea.h other and I se.ured it finay for a su)
e8uaing 9at the then rate of eB.hange: thirty thousand pounds/J
Poirot raised his eye'ro+s/
!e )ur)uredH JIndeed a prin.ey su)G The Mar.hese di San 7eratrino
+as fortunate/J
()ery Po+er saidH JWhen I reay +ant a thing> I a) +iing to pay for it>
M/ Poirot/J
!er.ue Poirot said softyH J@ou have no dou't heard the Spanish
prover'H "Ta1e +hat you +ant ; and pay for it> says ,od/"J
For a )o)ent the finan.ier fro+ned ; a s+ift ight of anger sho+ed in
his eyes/
!e said .odyH J@ou are 'y +ay of 'eing a phiosopher> M/ Poirot/J
JI have arrived at the age of refe.tion> Monsieur/J
J$ou'tess/ %ut it is not refe.tion that +i restore )y go'et to )e/J
J@ou thin1 notAJ
JI fan.y a.tion +i 'e ne.essary/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded pa.idy/ JA ot of peope )a1e the sa)e
)ista1e/ %ut I de)and your pardon> Mr Po+er> +e have digressed
fro) the )atter in hand/ @ou +ere saying that you had 'ought the .up
fro) the Mar.hese di San 7eratrinoAJ
J(Ba.ty/ What I have no+ to te you is that it +as stoen 'efore it
a.tuay .a)e into )y possession/J
J!o+ did that happenAJ
JThe Mar.hese"s Paa.e +as 'ro1en into on the night of the sae and
eight or ten pie.es of .onsidera'e vaue +ere stoen> in.uding the
go'et/J
JWhat +as done in the )atterAJ
Po+er shrugged his shouders/ JThe poi.e> of .ourse> too1 the )atter
in hand/ The ro''ery +as re.ognised to 'e the +or1 of a +e;1no+n
internationa gang of thieves/ T+o of their nu)'er> a Fren.h)an .aed
$u'ay and an Itaian .aed &i..ovetti> +ere .aught and tried ; so)e
of the stoen goods +ere found in their possession/J
J%ut not the %orgia go'etAJ
J%ut not the %orgia go'et/ There +ere> as far as the poi.e .oud
as.ertain> three )en a.tuay engaged in the ro''ery ; the t+o I have
Dust )entioned and a third> an Irish)an na)ed Patri.1 Casey/ This ast
+as an eBpert .at 'urgar/ It +as he +ho is said to have a.tuay stoen
the things/ $u'ay +as the 'rains of the group and panned their
.oups> &i..ovetti drove the .ar and +aited 'eo+ for the goods to 'e
o+ered do+n to hi)/J
JAnd the stoen goodsA Were they spit up into three partsAJ
JPossi'y/ <n the other hand> the arti.es that +ere re.overed +ere
those of east vaue/ It see)s possi'e that the )ore note+orthy and
spe.ta.uar pie.es had 'een hastiy s)ugged out of the .ountry/J
JWhat a'out the third )an> CaseyA Was he never 'rought to Dusti.eAJ
J0ot in the sense you )ean/ !e +as not a very young )an/ !is
)us.es +ere stiffer than for)ery/ T+o +ee1s ater he fe fro) the
fifth foor of a 'uiding and +as 1ied instanty/J
JWhere +as thisAJ
JIn Paris/ !e +as atte)pting to ro' the house of the )iionaire 'an1er>
$uvaugier/J
JAnd the go'et has never 'een seen sin.eAJ
J(Ba.ty/J
JIt has never 'een offered for saeAJ
JI a) 8uite sure it has not/ I )ay say that not ony the poi.e> 'ut aso
private in8uiry agents> have 'een on the oo1 out for it/J
JWhat a'out the )oney you had paid overAJ
JThe Mar.hese> a very pun.tiious person> offered to refund it to )e as
the .up had 'een stoen fro) his house/J
J%ut you did not a..eptAJ
J0o/J
JWhy +as thatAJ
JSha +e say 'e.ause I preferred to 1eep the )atter in )y o+n
handsAJ
J@ou )ean that if you had a..epted the Mar.hese"s offer> the go'et> if
re.overed> +oud 'e his property> +hereas no+ it is egay yoursAJ
J(Ba.ty/J
Poirot as1edH JWhat +as there 'ehind that attitude of yoursAJ
()ery Po+er said +ith a s)ieH J@ou appre.iate that point> I see/ We>
M/ Poirot> it is 8uite si)pe/ I thought I 1ne+ +ho +as a.tuay in
possession of the go'et/J
J7ery interesting/ And +ho +as itAJ
JSir &eu'en &osentha/ !e +as not ony a feo+ .oe.tor 'ut he +as
at the ti)e a persona ene)y/ We had 'een rivas in severa 'usiness
deas ; and on the +hoe I had .o)e out the 'etter/ <ur ani)osity
.u)inated in this rivary over the %orgia ,o'et/ (a.h of us +as
deter)ined to possess it/ It +as )ore or ess a point of honour/ <ur
appointed representatives 'id against ea.h other at the sae/J
JAnd your representative"s fina 'id se.ured the treasureAJ
J0ot pre.isey/ I too1 the pre.aution of having a se.ond agent ;
ostensi'y the representative of a Paris deaer/ 0either of us> you
understand> +oud have 'een +iing to yied to the other> 'ut to ao+
a third party to a.8uire the .up> +ith the possi'iity of approa.hing
that third party 8uiety after+ards ; that +as a very different )atter/J
JIn fa.t> une petite d=.eption/J
J(Ba.ty/J
JWhi.h +as su..essfu ; and i))ediatey after+ards Sir &eu'en
dis.overed ho+ he had 'een tri.1edAJ
Po+er s)ied/
It +as a reveaing s)ie/
Poirot saidH JI see the position no+/ @ou 'eieved that Sir &eu'en>
deter)ined not to 'e 'eaten> dei'eratey .o))issioned the theftAJ
()ery Po+er raised a hand/
J<h no> noG It +oud not 'e so .rude as that/ It a)ounted to this ;
shorty after+ards Sir &eu'en +oud have pur.hased a &enaissan.e
go'et> provenan.e unspe.ified/J
JThe des.ription of +hi.h +oud have 'een .ir.uated 'y the poi.eAJ
JThe go'et +oud not have 'een pa.ed openy on vie+/J
J@ou thin1 it +oud have 'een suffi.ient for Sir &eu'en to 1no+ that he
possessed itAJ
J@es/ Moreover> if I had a..epted the Mar.hese"s offer ; it +oud have
'een possi'e for Sir &eu'en to .on.ude a private arrange)ent +ith
hi) ater> thus ao+ing the go'et to pass egay into his possession/J
!e paused a )inute and then saidH
J%ut 'y retaining the ega o+nership> there +ere sti possi'iities eft
open to )e of re.overing )y property/J
J@ou )ean>J said Poirot 'unty> Jthat you .oud arrange for it to 'e
stoen fro) Sir &eu'en/J
J0ot stoen> M/ Poirot/ I shoud have 'een )erey re.overing )y o+n
property/J
J%ut I gather that you +ere not su..essfuAJ
JFor a very good reason/ &osentha has never had the go'et in his
possessionGJ
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ
J&e.enty there has 'een a )erger of oi interests/ &osentha"s
interests and )ine no+ .oin.ide/ We are aies and not ene)ies/ I
spo1e to hi) fran1y on the su'De.t and he at on.e assured )e that the
.up had never 'een in his possession/J
JAnd you 'eieve hi)AJ
J@es/J
Poirot said thoughtfuyH JThen for neary ten years you have 'een> as
they say in this .ountry> 'ar1ing up the )ista1en treeAJ
The finan.ier said 'itteryH J@es> that is eBa.ty +hat I have 'een
doingGJ
JAnd no+ ; it is a to start again fro) the 'eginningAJ
The other nodded/
JAnd that is +here I .o)e inA I a) the dog that you set upon the .od
s.ent ; a very .od s.ent/J
()ery Po+er said dryyH JIf the affair +ere easy it +oud not have 'een
ne.essary for )e to send for you/ <f .ourse> if you thin1 it i)possi'e ;
J
!e had found the right +ord/
!er.ue Poirot dre+ hi)sef up/ !e said .odyH JI do not re.ognise the
+ord i)possi'e> MonsieurG I as1 )ysef ony ; is this affair suffi.ienty
interesting for )e to underta1eAJ
()ery Po+er s)ied again/
!e saidH JIt has this interest ; you )ay na)e your o+n fee/J
The s)a )an oo1ed at the 'ig )an/
!e said softyH J$o you then desire this +or1 of art so )u.hA Surey
notGJ
()ery Po+er saidH JPut it that I> i1e yoursef> do not a..ept defeat/J
!er.ue Poirot 'o+ed his head/ !e saidH J@es ; put that +ay ; I
understand/J
II
Inspe.tor Wagstaffe +as interested/
JThe 7eratrino .upA @es> I re)e)'er a a'out it/ I +as in .harge of the
'usiness this end/ I spea1 a 'it of Itaiano> you 1no+> and I +ent over
and had a po++o+ +ith the Ma.aronis/ It"s never turned up fro) that
day to this/ Funny thing> that/J
JWhat is your eBpanationA A private saeAJ
Wagstaffe shoo1 his head/
JI dou't it/ <f .ourse it"s re)otey possi'e/// 0o> )y eBpanation is a
good dea si)per/ The stuff +as .a.hed ; and the ony )an +ho 1ne+
+here it +as is dead/J
J@ou )ean CaseyAJ
J@es/ !e )ay have .a.hed it so)e+here in Itay> or he )ay have
su..eeded in s)ugging it out of the .ountry/ %ut he hid it and
+herever he hid it> there it sti is/J
!er.ue Poirot sighed/ JIt is a ro)anti. theory/ Pears stuffed into
paster .asts ; +hat is the story ; the %ust of 0apoeon> is it notA %ut in
this .ase it is not De+es ; it is a arge> soid god .up/ 0ot so easy to
hide that> one +oud thin1/J
Wagstaffe said vagueyH J<h> I don"t 1no+/ It .oud 'e done> I suppose/
2nder the foor;'oards ; so)ething of that 1ind/J
J!ad Casey a house of his o+nAJ
J@es ; in #iverpoo/J !e grinned/ JIt +asn"t under the foor;'oards
there/ We )ade sure of that/J
JWhat a'out his fa)iyAJ
JWife +as a de.ent sort of +o)an ; tu'er.uar/ Worried to death 'y
her hus'and"s +ay of ife/ She +as reigious ; a devout Cathoi. ; 'ut
.oudn"t )a1e up her )ind to eave hi)/ She died a .oupe of years
ago/ $aughter too1 after her ; she 'e.a)e a nun/ The son +as
different ; a .hip off the od 'o.1/ #ast I heard of hi) he +as doing
ti)e in A)eri.a/J
!er.ue Poirot +rote> in his itte note'oo1> A)eri.a/
!e saidH JIt is possi'e that Casey"s son )ay have 1no+n the hidingpa.eAJ
J$on"t 'eieve he did/ It +oud have .o)e into the fen.es" hands 'y
no+/J
JThe .up )ight have 'een )eted do+n/J
JIt )ight/ 4uite possi'e> I shoud say/ %ut I don"t 1no+ ; its supre)e
vaue is to .oe.tors ; and there"s a ot of funny 'usiness goes on +ith
.oe.tors ; you"d 'e surprisedG So)eti)es>J said Wagstaffe virtuousy>
JI thin1 .oe.tors haven"t any )oras at a/J
JAhG Woud you 'e surprised if Sir &eu'en &osentha> for instan.e>
+ere engaged in +hat you des.ri'e as "funny 'usiness"AJ
Wagstaffe grinned/ JI +oudn"t put it past hi)/ !e"s not supposed to 'e
very s.rupuous +here +or1s of art are .on.erned/J
JWhat a'out the other )e)'ers of the gangAJ
J&i.ovetti and $u'ay 'oth got stiff senten.es/ I shoud i)agine they"
'e .o)ing out a'out no+/J
J$u'ay is a Fren.h)an> is he notAJ
J@es> he +as the 'rains of the gang/J
JWere there other )e)'ers of itAJ
JThere +as a gir ; &ed -ate she used to 'e .aed/ Too1 a Do' as
ady"s;)aid and found out a a'out a .ri' ; +here stuff +as 1ept and so
on/ She +ent to Austraia> I 'eieve> after the gang 'ro1e up/J
JAnyone eseAJ
JChap .aed @ougouian +as suspe.ted of 'eing in +ith the)/ !e"s a
deaer/ !ead8uarters in Sta)'ou 'ut he has a shop in Paris/ 0othing
proved against hi) ; 'ut he"s a sippery .usto)er/J
Poirot sighed/ !e oo1ed at his itte note'oo1/ In it +as +rittenH
A)eri.a> Austraia> Itay> Fran.e> Tur1ey///
!e )ur)uredH JI" put a girde round the earth ;J
JPardonAJ said Inspe.tor Wagstaffe/
JI +as o'serving>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jthat a +ord tour see)s
indi.ated/J
III
It +as the ha'it of !er.ue Poirot to dis.uss his .ases +ith his .apa'e
vaet> ,eorge/ That is to say> !er.ue Poirot +oud et drop .ertain
o'servations to +hi.h ,eorge +oud repy +ith the +ordy +isdo)
+hi.h he had a.8uired in the .ourse of his .areer as a gente)an"s
gente)an/
JIf you +ere fa.ed> ,eorges>J said Poirot> J+ith the ne.essity of
.ondu.ting investigations in five different parts of the go'e> ho+
+oud you set a'out itAJ
JWe> sir> air trave is very 8ui.1> though so)e say as it upsets the
sto)a.h/ I .oudn"t say )ysef/J
J<ne as1s onesef>J said !er.ue Poirot> J+hat +oud !er.ues have
doneAJ
J@ou )ean the 'i.y.e .hap> sirAJ
J<r>J pursued !er.ue Poirot> Jone si)py as1s> +hat did he doA And
the ans+er> ,eorges> is that he traveed energeti.ay/ %ut he +as
for.ed in the end to o'tain infor)ation ; as so)e say ; fro)
Pro)etheus ; others fro) 0ereus/J
JIndeed> sirAJ said ,eorge/ JI never heard of either of those
gente)en/ Are they trave agen.ies> sirAJ
!er.ue Poirot> enDoying the sound of his o+n voi.e> +ent onH
JMy .ient> ()ery Po+er> understands ony one thing ; a.tionG %ut it is
useess to dispense energy 'y unne.essary a.tion/ There is a goden
rue in ife> ,eorges> never do anything yoursef that others .an do for
you/
J(spe.iay>J added !er.ue Poirot> rising and going to the 'oo1shef>
J+hen eBpense is no o'De.tGJ
!e too1 fro) the shef a fie a'eed +ith the etter $ and opened it at
the +ords J$ete.tive Agen.ies ; &eia'eJ/
JThe )odern Pro)etheus>J he )ur)ured/ J%e so o'iging> ,eorges>
as to .opy out for )e .ertain na)es and addresses/ Messrs/
!an1erton> 0e+ @or1/ Messrs/ #aden and %osher> Sydney/ Signor
,iovanni Me??i> &o)e/ M/ 0ahu)> Sta)'ou/ Messrs/ &oget et
Fran.onard> Paris/J
!e paused +hie ,eorge finished this/ Then he saidH
JAnd no+ 'e so 1ind as to oo1 up the trains for #iverpoo/J
J@es> sir> you are going to #iverpoo> sirAJ
JI a) afraid so/ It is possi'e> ,eorges> that I )ay have to go even
further/ %ut not Dust yet/J
I7
It +as three )onths ater that !er.ue Poirot stood on a ro.1y point
and surveyed the Atanti. <.ean/ ,us rose and s+ooped do+n again
+ith ong )ean.hoy .ries/ The air +as soft and da)p/
!er.ue Poirot had the feeing> not un.o))on in those +ho .o)e to
Inishgo+an for the first ti)e> that he had rea.hed the end of the +ord/
!e had never in his ife i)agined anything so re)ote> so desoate> so
a'andoned/ It had 'eauty> a )ean.hoy> haunted 'eauty> the 'eauty of
a re)ote and in.redi'e past/ !ere> in the +est of Ireand> the &o)ans
had never )ar.hed> tra)p> tra)p> tra)pI had never fortified a .a)pI
had never 'uit a +e;ordered> sensi'e> usefu road/ It +as a and
+here .o))on sense and an ordery +ay of ife +ere un1no+n/
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed do+n at the tips of his patent;eather shoes and
sighed/ !e fet fororn and very )u.h aone/ The standards 'y +hi.h
he ived +ere here not appre.iated/
!is eyes s+ept so+y up and do+n the desoate .oast ine> then on.e
)ore out to sea/ So)e+here out there> so tradition had it> +ere the
Ises of the %est> the #and of @outh///
!e )ur)ured to hi)sefH JThe Appe Tree> the Singing and the ,od///J
And suddeny> !er.ue Poirot +as hi)sef again ; the spe +as 'ro1en>
he +as on.e )ore in har)ony +ith his patent;eather shoes and natty>
dar1 grey gent"s suiting/
0ot very far a+ay he had heard the to of a 'e/ !e understood that
'e/ It +as a sound he had 'een fa)iiar +ith fro) eary youth/
!e set off 'ris1y aong the .iff/ In a'out ten )inutes he .a)e in sight
of the 'uiding on the .iff/ A high +a surrounded it and a great
+ooden door studded +ith nais +as set in the +a/ !er.ue Poirot
.a)e to this door and 1no.1ed/ There +as a vast iron 1no.1er/ Then
he .autiousy pued at a rusty .hain and a shri itte 'e tin1ed
'ris1y inside the door/
A s)a pane in the door +as pushed aside and sho+ed a fa.e/ It +as
a suspi.ious fa.e> fra)ed in star.hed +hite/ There +as a distin.t
)ousta.he on the upper ip> 'ut the voi.e +as the voi.e of a +o)an> it
+as the voi.e of +hat !er.ue Poirot .aed a fe))e for)ida'e/
It de)anded his 'usiness/
JIs this the Convent of St Mary and A AngesAJ
The for)ida'e +o)an said +ith asperityH JAnd +hat ese +oud it 'eAJ
!er.ue Poirot did not atte)pt to ans+er that/ !e said to the dragonH
JI +oud i1e to see the Mother Superior/J
The dragon +as un+iing> 'ut in the end she yieded/ %ars +ere dra+n
'a.1> the door opened and !er.ue Poirot +as .ondu.ted to a s)a
'are roo) +here visitors to the Convent +ere re.eived/
Presenty a nun gided in> her rosary s+inging at her +aist/
!er.ue Poirot +as a Cathoi. 'y 'irth/ !e understood the at)osphere
in +hi.h he found hi)sef/
JI apoogise for trou'ing you> )a )Sre>J he said> J'ut you have here> I
thin1> a reigieuse +ho +as> in the +ord> -ate Casey/J
The Mother Superior 'o+ed her head/
She saidH JThat is so/ Sister Mary 2rsua in reigion/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThere is a .ertain +rong that needs righting/ I
'eieve that Sister Mary 2rsua .oud hep )e/ She has infor)ation that
)ight 'e invaua'e/J
The Mother Superior shoo1 her head/ !er fa.e +as pa.id> her voi.e
.a) and re)ote/ She saidH
JSister Mary 2rsua .annot hep you/J
J%ut I assure you ;J
!e 'ro1e off/ The Mother Superior saidH
JSister Mary 2rsua died t+o )onths ago/J
7
In the saoon 'ar of *i))y $onovan"s !ote> !er.ue Poirot sat
un.o)forta'y against the +a/ The hote did not .o)e up to his ideas
of +hat a hote shoud 'e/ !is 'ed +as 'ro1en ; so +ere t+o of the
+indo+ panes in his roo) ; there'y ad)itting that night air +hi.h
!er.ue Poirot distrusted so )u.h/ The hot +ater 'rought hi) had
'een tepid and the )ea he had eaten +as produ.ing .urious and
painfu sensations in his inside/
There +ere five )en in the 'ar and they +ere a ta1ing poiti.s/ For
the )ost part !er.ue Poirot .oud not understand +hat they said/ In
any .ase> he did not )u.h .are/
Presenty he found one of the )en sitting 'eside hi)/ This +as a )an
of sighty different .ass to the others/ !e had the sta)p of the seedy
to+ns)an upon hi)/
!e said +ith i))ense dignityH JI te you> sir/ I te you ; Pegeen"s Pride
hasn"t got a .han.e> not a .han.e/// 'ound to finish right do+n the
.ourse ; right do+n the .ourse/ @ou ta1e )y tip/// every'ody ought to
ta1e )y tip/ -no+ +ho I a)> sir> do you 1no+> I shayA Atas> thatsh +ho
I a) ; Atas of the $u'in Sun/// 'een tipping +innersh a the season///
$idn"t I give #arry"s ,irA T+enty;five to one ; t+enty;five to one/ Foo+
Atas and you .an"t go +rong/J
!er.ue Poirot regarded hi) +ith a strange reveren.e/ !e said> and
his voi.e tre)'edH
JMon $ieu> it is an o)enGJ
7I
It +as so)e hours ater/ The )oon sho+ed fro) ti)e to ti)e> peeping
out .o8uettishy fro) 'ehind the .ouds/ Poirot and his ne+ friend had
+a1ed so)e )ies/ The for)er +as i)ping/ The idea .rossed his
)ind that there +ere> after a> other shoes ; )ore suita'e to .ountry
+a1ing than patent;eather/ A.tuay ,eorge had respe.tfuy
.onveyed as )u.h/ JA ni.e pair of 'rogues>J +as +hat ,eorge had
said/
!er.ue Poirot had not .ared for the idea/ !e i1ed his feet to oo1 neat
and +e;shod/ %ut no+> tra)ping aong this stony path> he reaised
that there +ere other shoes///
!is .o)panion said suddenyH JIs it the +ay the Priest +oud 'e after
)e for thisA I" not have a )orta sin upon )y .ons.ien.e/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH J@ou are ony restoring to Caesar the things +hi.h
are Caesar"s/J
They had .o)e to the +a of the Convent/ Atas prepared to do his
part/
A groan 'urst fro) hi) and he eB.ai)ed in o+> poignant tones that
he +as destroyed entireyG
!er.ue Poirot spo1e +ith authority/
J%e 8uiet/ It is not the +eight of the +ord that you have to support ;
ony the +eight of !er.ue Poirot/J
7II
Atas +as turning over t+o ne+ five pound notes/
!e said hopefuyH JMay'e I" not re)e)'er in the )orning the +ay I
earned this/ I") after +orrying that Father <"&eiy +i 'e after )e/J
JForget everything> )y friend/ To)orro+ the +ord is yours/J
Atas )ur)uredH JAnd +hat" I put it onA There"s Wor1ing #ad> he"s a
grand horse> a ovey horse he isG And there"s Sheia %oyne/ E to 1 I"d
get on her/J
!e paused/
JWas it )y fan.y no+ or did I hear you )ention the na)e of a heathen
godA !er.ues> you said> and gory 'e to ,od> there"s a !er.ues
running in the three;thirty to)orro+/J
JMy friend>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jput your )oney on that horse/ I te
you this> !er.ues .annot fai/J
And it is .ertainy true that on the foo+ing day Mr &ossyn"s !er.ues
very uneBpe.tedy +on the %oynan Sta1es> starting pri.e 36 to 1/
7III
$efty !er.ue Poirot un+rapped the neaty done;up par.e/ First the
'ro+n paper> then the +adding> asty the tissue paper/
<n the des1 in front of ()ery Po+er he pa.ed a gea)ing goden .up/
Chased on it +as a tree 'earing appes of green e)erads/
The finan.ier dre+ a deep 'reath/ !e saidH JI .ongratuate you> M/
Poirot/J
!er.ue Poirot 'o+ed/
()ery Po+er stret.hed out a hand/ !e tou.hed the ri) of the go'et>
dra+ing his finger round it/
!e said in a deep voi.eH JMineGJ
!er.ue Poirot agreed/ J@oursGJ
The other gave a sigh/ !e eaned 'a.1 in his .hair/
!e said in a 'usinessi1e voi.eH JWhere did you find itAJ
!er.ue Poirot saidH JI found it on an atar/J
()ery Po+er stared/
Poirot +ent onH JCasey"s daughter +as a nun/ She +as a'out to ta1e
her fina vo+s at the ti)e of her father"s death/ She +as an ignorant
'ut a devout gir/ The .up +as hidden in her father"s house in
#iverpoo/ She too1 it to the Convent +anting> I thin1> to atone for her
father"s sins/ She gave it to 'e used to the gory of ,od/ I do not thin1
that the nuns the)seves ever reaised its vaue/ They too1 it>
pro'a'y> for a fa)iy heiroo)/ In their eyes it +as a .hai.e and they
used it as su.h/J
()ery Po+er saidH JAn eBtraordinary storyGJ !e addedH JWhat )ade
you thin1 of going thereAJ
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
JPerhaps ; a pro.ess of ei)ination/ And then there +as the
eBtraordinary fa.t that no one had ever tried to dispose of the .up/
That oo1ed> you see> as though it +ere in a pa.e +here ordinary
)ateria vaues did not appy/ I re)e)'ered that Patri.1 Casey"s
daughter +as a nun/J
Po+er said heartiyH JWe> as I said 'efore> I .ongratuate you/ #et )e
1no+ your fee and I" +rite you a .he8ue/J
!er.ue Poirot saidH JThere is no fee/J
The other stared at hi)/ JWhat do you )eanAJ
J$id you ever read fairy stories +hen you +ere a .hidA The -ing in
the) +oud sayH "As1 of )e +hat you +i"AJ
JSo you are as1ing so)ethingAJ
J@es> 'ut not )oney/ Merey a si)pe re8uest/J
JWe> +hat is itA $"you +ant a tip for the )ar1etsAJ
JThat +oud 'e ony )oney in another for)/ My re8uest is )u.h
si)per than that/J
JWhat is itAJ
!er.ue Poirot aid his hands on the .up/
JSend this 'a.1 to the Convent/J
There +as a pause/ Then ()ery Po+er saidH
JAre you 8uite )adAJ
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
J0o> I a) not )ad/ See> I +i sho+ you so)ething/J
!e pi.1ed up the go'et/ With his finger;nai> he pressed hard into the
open Da+s of the sna1e that +as .oied round the tree/ Inside the .up a
tiny portion of the god .hased interior sid aside eaving an aperture
into the hoo+ hande/
Poirot saidH J@ou seeA This +as the drin1ing .up of the %orgia Pope/
Through this itte hoe the poison passed into the drin1/ @ou have said
yoursef that the history of this .up is evi/ 7ioen.e and 'ood and evi
passions have a..o)panied its possession/ (vi +i perhaps .o)e to
you in turn/J
JSuperstitionGJ
JPossi'y/ %ut +hy +ere you so anBious to possess this thingA 0ot for
its 'eauty/ 0ot for its vaue/ @ou have a hundred ; a thousand perhaps ;
'eautifu and rare things/ @ou +anted it to sustain your pride/ @ou +ere
deter)ined not to 'e 'eaten/ (h 'ien> you are not 'eaten/ @ou +inG The
go'et is in your possession/ %ut no+> +hy not )a1e a great ; a
supre)e gestureA Send it 'a.1 to +here it has d+et in pea.e for
neary ten years/ #et the evi of it 'e purified there/ It 'eonged to the
Chur.h on.e ; et it return to the Chur.h/ #et it stand on.e )ore on the
atar> purified and a'soved as +e hope that the sous of )en sha 'e
aso purified and a'soved fro) their sins/J
!e eaned for+ard/
J#et )e des.ri'e for you the pa.e +here I found it ; the ,arden of
Pea.e> oo1ing out over the Western Sea to+ards a forgotten Paradise
of @outh and (terna %eauty/J
!e spo1e on> des.ri'ing in si)pe +ords the re)ote .har) of
Inishgo+an/
()ery Po+er sat 'a.1> one hand over his eyes/
!e said at astH JI +as 'orn on the +est .oast of Ireand/ I eft there as a
'oy to go to A)eri.a/J
Poirot said gentyH JI heard that/J
The finan.ier sat up/ !is eyes +ere shre+d again/ !e said> and there
+as a faint s)ie on his ipsH
J@ou are a strange )an> M/ Poirot/ @ou sha have your +ay/ Ta1e the
go'et to the Convent as a gift in )y na)e/ A pretty .osty gift/ Thirty
thousand pounds ; and +hat sha I get in eB.hangeAJ
Poirot said graveyH JThe nuns +i say Masses for your sou/J
The ri.h )an"s s)ie +idened ; a rapa.ious> hungry s)ie/
!e saidH JSo> after a> it )ay 'e an invest)entG Perhaps> the 'est one I
ever )ade///J
IZ
In the itte parour of the Convent> !er.ue Poirot tod his story and
restored the .hai.e to the Mother Superior/
She )ur)uredH JTe hi) +e than1 hi) and +e +i pray for hi)/J
!er.ue Poirot said gentyH J!e needs your prayers/J
JIs he then an unhappy )anAJ
Poirot saidH JSo unhappy that he has forgotten +hat happiness )eans/
So unhappy that he does not 1no+ he is unhappy/J
The nun said softyH JAh> a ri.h )an///J
!er.ue Poirot said nothing ; for he 1ne+ there +as nothing to say/
Chapter 12
T!( CAPT2&( <F C(&%(&2S
!er.ue Poirot> s+aying to and fro in the tu'e train> thro+n no+
against one 'ody> no+ against another> thought to hi)sef that there
+ere too )any peope in the +ordG Certainy there +ere too )any
peope in the 2nderground +ord of #ondon at this parti.uar )o)ent
93H56 p/)/: of the evening/ !eat> noise> .ro+d> .ontiguity ; the
un+e.o)e pressure of hands> ar)s> 'odies> shoudersG !e))ed in
and pressed around 'y strangers ; and on the +hoe 9he thought
distastefuy: a pain and uninteresting ot of strangersG !u)anity seen
thus en )asse +as not attra.tive/ !o+ sedo) did one see a fa.e
spar1ing +ith inteigen.e> ho+ sedo) a fe))e 'ien )iseG What +as
this passion that atta.1ed +o)en for 1nitting under the )ost
unpropitious .onditionsA A +o)an did not oo1 her 'est 1nittingI the
a'sorption> the gassy eyes> the restess> 'usy fingersG <ne needed
the agiity of a +id .at> and the +ipo+er of a 0apoeon to )anage to
1nit in a .ro+ded tu'e> 'ut +o)en )anaged itG If they su..eeded in
o'taining a seat> out .a)e a )isera'e itte strip of shri)p pin1 and
.i.1> .i.1 +ent the pinsG
0o repose> thought Poirot> no fe)inine gra.eG !is edery sou revoted
fro) the stress and hurry of the )odern +ord/ A these young +o)en
+ho surrounded hi) ; so ai1e> so devoid of .har)> so a.1ing in ri.h>
auring fe)ininityG !e de)anded a )ore fa)'oyant appea/ AhG to see
a fe))e du )onde> .hi.> sy)patheti.> spirituee ; a +o)an +ith
a)pe .urves> a +o)an ridi.uousy and eBtravaganty dressedG <n.e
there had 'een su.h +o)en/ %ut no+ ; no+ ;
The train stopped at a station> peope surged out> for.ing Poirot 'a.1
on to the points of 1nitting pins> surged in> s8uee?ing hi) into even
)ore sardine;i1e proBi)ity +ith his feo+ passengers/ The train
started off again +ith a Der1> Poirot +as thro+n against a stout +o)an
+ith 1no''y par.es> said JPardonGJ 'oun.ed off again into a ong
anguar )an +hose atta.h=;.ase .aught hi) in the s)a of the 'a.1/
!e said JPardonGJ again/ !e fet his )ousta.hes 'e.o)ing i)p and
un.ured/ 4ue enferG Fortunatey the neBt station +as hisG
It +as aso the station of +hat see)ed to 'e a'out a hundred and fifty
other peope> sin.e it happened to 'e Pi..adiy Cir.us/ #i1e a great
tida +ave they fo+ed out on to the patfor)/ Presenty Poirot +as
again Da))ed tighty on an es.aator 'eing .arried up+ards to+ards
the surfa.e of the earth/
2p> thought Poirot> fro) the Inferna &egions/// !o+ eB8uisitey painfu
+as a suit;.ase ra))ed into one"s 1nees fro) 'ehind on an as.ending
es.aatorG
At that )o)ent> a voi.e .ried his na)e/ Started> he raised his eyes/
<n the opposite es.aator> the one des.ending> his un'eieving eyes
sa+ a vision fro) the past/ A +o)an of fu and fa)'oyant for)I her
uBuriant henna red hair .ro+ned +ith a s)a pastron of stra+ to
+hi.h +as atta.hed a positive patoon of 'riianty feathered itte
'irds/ (Boti.;oo1ing furs dripped fro) her shouders/
!er .ri)son )outh opened +ide> her ri.h> foreign voi.e e.hoed
resoundingy/ She had good ungs/
JIt isGJ she s.rea)ed/ J%ut it isG Mon .her !er.ue PoirotG We )ust
)eet againG I insistGJ
%ut Fate itsef is not )ore ineBora'e than the 'ehaviour of t+o
es.aators )oving in an inverse dire.tion/ Steadiy> re)orseessy>
!er.ue Poirot +as 'orne up+ard> and the Countess 7era &ossa1off
+as 'orne do+n+ards/
T+isting hi)sef side+ays> eaning over the 'austrade> Poirot .ried
despairingyH
JChSre Mada)e ; +here .an I find youAJ
!er repy .a)e to hi) fainty fro) the depths/ It +as uneBpe.ted> yet
see)ed at the )o)ent strangey apposite/
JIn !e///J
!er.ue Poirot 'in1ed/ !e 'in1ed again/ Suddeny he ro.1ed on his
feet/ 2na+ares he had rea.hed the top ; and had nege.ted to step off
propery/ The .ro+d spread out round hi)/ A itte to one side a dense
.ro+d +as pressing on to the do+n+ard es.aator/ Shoud he Doin
the)A !ad that 'een the Countess"s )eaningA 0o dou't that traveing
in the 'o+es of the earth at the rush hour +as !e/ If that had 'een
the Countess"s )eaning> he .oud not agree +ith her )ore///
&esoutey Poirot .rossed over> sand+i.hed hi)sef into the
des.ending .ro+d and +as 'orne 'a.1 into the depths/ At the foot of
the es.aator no sign of the Countess/ Poirot +as eft +ith a .hoi.e of
'ue> a)'er> et./ ights to foo+/
Was the Countess patronising the %a1eroo or the Pi..adiy ineA
Poirot visited ea.h patfor) in turn/ !e +as s+ept a'out a)ongst
surging .ro+ds 'oarding or eaving trains> 'ut no+here did he espy
that fa)'oyant &ussian figure> the Countess 7era &ossa1off/
Weary> 'attered> and infinitey .hagrined> !er.ue Poirot on.e )ore
as.ended to ground eve and stepped out into the hu''u' of
Pi..adiy Cir.us/ !e rea.hed ho)e in a )ood of peasura'e
eB.ite)ent/
It is the )isfortune of s)a pre.ise )en to han1er after arge and
fa)'oyant +o)en/ Poirot had never 'een a'e to rid hi)sef of the
fata fas.ination the Countess hed for hi)/ Though it +as so)ething
i1e t+enty years sin.e he had seen her ast the )agi. sti hed/
,ranted that her )a1eup no+ rese)'ed a s.ene;painter"s sunset>
+ith the +o)an under the )a1e;up +e hidden fro) sight> to !er.ue
Poirot she sti represented the su)ptuous and the auring/ The itte
'ourgeois +as sti thried 'y the aristo.rat/ The )e)ory of the adroit
+ay she stoe De+eery roused the od ad)iration/ !e re)e)'ered the
)agnifi.ent apo)' +ith +hi.h she had ad)itted the fa.t +hen taBed
+ith it/ A +o)an in a thousand ; in a )iionG And he had )et her again ;
and ost herG
JIn !e>J she had said/ Surey his ears had not de.eived hi)A She had
said thatA
%ut +hat had she )eant 'y itA !ad she )eant #ondon"s 2nderground
&ai+aysA <r +ere her +ords to 'e ta1en in a reigious senseA Surey>
even if her o+n +ay of ife )ade !e the )ost pausi'e destination for
her after this ife> surey ; surey her &ussian .ourtesy +oud not
suggest that !er.ue Poirot +as ne.essariy 'ound for the sa)e
pa.eA
0o> she )ust have )eant so)ething 8uite different/ She )ust have
)eant ; !er.ue Poirot +as 'rought up short against 'e+ider)ent/
What an intriguing> +hat an unpredi.ta'e +o)anG A esser +o)an
)ight have shrie1ed JThe &it?J or JCaridge/J %ut 7era &ossa1off had
.ried poignanty and i)possi'yH J!eGJ
Poirot sighed/ %ut he +as not defeated/ In his perpeBity he too1 the
si)pest and )ost straightfor+ard .ourse on the foo+ing )orning> he
as1ed his se.retary> Miss #e)on/
Miss #e)on +as un'eieva'y ugy and in.redi'y effi.ient/ To her
Poirot +as no'ody in parti.uar ; he +as )erey her e)poyer/ She
gave hi) eB.eent servi.e/ !er private thoughts and drea)s +ere
.on.entrated on a ne+ fiing syste) +hi.h she +as so+y perfe.ting
in the re.esses of her )ind/
JMiss #e)on> )ay I as1 you a 8uestionAJ
J<f .ourse> M/ Poirot/J Miss #e)on too1 her fingers off the type+riter
1eys and +aited attentivey/
JIf a friend as1ed you to )eet her ; or hi) ; in !e> +hat +oud you
doAJ
Miss #e)on> as usua> did not pause/ She 1ne+> as the saying goes> a
the ans+ers/
JIt +oud 'e advisa'e> I thin1> to ring up for a ta'e>J she said/
!er.ue Poirot stared at her in a stupefied fashion/
!e said> sta..atoH J@ou ; +oud ; ring ; up ; for ; a ta'eAJ
Miss #e)on nodded and dre+ the teephone to+ards her/
JTonightAJ she as1ed> and ta1ing assent for granted sin.e he did not
spea1> she diaed 'ris1y/
JTe)pe %ar 14FEOA Is that !eA Wi you pease reserve a ta'e for
t+o/ M/ !er.ue Poirot/ (even o".o.1/J
She repa.ed the re.eiver and her fingers hovered over the 1eys of her
type+riter/ A sight ; a very sight oo1 of i)patien.e +as dis.erni'e
upon her fa.e/ She had done her part> the oo1 see)ed to say> surey
her e)poyer .oud no+ eave her to get on +ith +hat she +as doingA
%ut !er.ue Poirot re8uired eBpanations/
JWhat is it> then> this !eAJ he de)anded/
Miss #e)on oo1ed sighty surprised/
J<h didn"t you 1no+> M/ PoirotA It"s a night .u' ; 8uite ne+ and very
)u.h the rage at present ; run 'y so)e &ussian +o)an> I 'eieve/ I
.an fiB up for you to 'e.o)e a )e)'er 'efore this evening 8uite
easiy/J
Whereupon> having +asted 9as she )ade o'vious: 8uite ti)e enough/
Miss #e)on 'ro1e into a perfe.t fusiade of effi.ient typing/
At eeven that evening !er.ue Poirot passed through a door+ay over
+hi.h a 0eon sign dis.reety sho+ed one etter at a ti)e/ A gente)an
in red tais re.eived hi) and too1 fro) hi) his .oat/
A gesture dire.ted hi) to a fight of +ide shao+ stairs eading
do+n+ards/ <n ea.h step a phrase +as +ritten/
The first one ranH JI )eant +e/J
The se.ondH JWipe the sate .ean and start afresh/J
The thirdH JI .an give it up any ti)e I i1e/J
JThe good intentions that pave the +ay to !e>J !er.ue Poirot
)ur)ured appre.iativey/ JC"est 'ien i)agin=> LaGJ
!e des.ended the stairs/ At the foot +as a tan1 of +ater +ith s.aret
iies/ Spanning it +as a 'ridge shaped i1e a 'oat/ Poirot .rossed 'y it/
<n his eft in a 1ind of )ar'e grotto sat the argest and ugiest and
'a.1est dog Poirot had ever seenG It sat up very straight and gaunt
and i))ova'e/ It +as perhaps> he thought> 9and hopedG: not rea/ %ut
at that )o)ent the dog turned its fero.ious and ugy head and fro)
the depths of its 'a.1 'ody a o+> ru)'ing gro+ +as e)itted/ It +as
a terrifying sound/
And then Poirot noti.ed a de.orative 'as1et of s)a round dog
'is.uits/ They +ere a'eed> JA sop for Cer'erusGJ
It +as on the) that the dog"s eyes +ere fiBed/ <n.e again the o+>
ru)'ing gro+ +as heard/ !astiy Poirot pi.1ed up a 'is.uit and
tossed it to+ards the great hound/
A .avernous red )outh ya+ned> then .a)e a snap as the po+erfu
Da+s .osed again/ Cer'erus had a..epted his sopG Poirot )oved on
through an open door+ay/
The roo) +as not a 'ig one/ It +as dotted +ith itte ta'es> a spa.e of
dan.ing foor in the )idde/ It +as ighted +ith s)a red a)ps> there
+ere fres.oes on the +as> and at the far end +as a vast gri at +hi.h
offi.iated .hefs dressed as devis +ith tais and horns/
A this Poirot too1 in 'efore> +ith a the i)pusiveness of her &ussian
nature> Countess 7era &ossa1off> respendent in s.aret evening
dress> 'ore do+n upon hi) +ith outstret.hed hands/
JAh> you have .o)eG My dear ; )y very dear friendG +hat a Doy to see
you againG After su.h years ; so )any ; ho+ )anyA ; 0o> +e +i not say
ho+ )anyG To )e it see)s 'ut as yesterday/ @ou have not .hanged ;
not in the east have you .hangedGJ
J0or you> .hSre a)ie>J Poirot eB.ai)ed> 'o+ing over her hand/
0evertheess he +as fuy .ons.ious no+ that t+enty years is t+enty
years/ Countess &ossa1off )ight not un.harita'y have 'een
des.ri'ed as a ruin/ %ut she +as at east a spe.ta.uar ruin/ The
eBu'eran.e> the fu;'ooded enDoy)ent of ife +as sti there> and she
1ne+> none 'etter> ho+ to fatter a )an/
She dre+ Poirot +ith her to a ta'e at +hi.h t+o other peope +ere
sitting/
JMy friend> )y .ee'rated friend> M/ !er.ue Poirot>J she announ.ed/
J!e +ho is the terror of evidoersG I +as on.e afraid of hi) )ysef> 'ut
no+ I ead a ife of the eBtre)e> the )ost virtuous duness/ Is it not
soAJ
The ta thin edery )an to +ho) she spo1e said> J0ever say du>
Countess/J
JThe Professor #is1eard>J the Countess announ.ed/ J!e +ho 1no+s
everything a'out the past and +ho gave )e the vaua'e hints for the
de.orations here/J
The Ar.haeoogist shuddered sighty/
JIf I"d 1no+n +hat you )eant to doGJ he )ur)ured/ JThe resut is so
appaing/J
Poirot o'served the fres.oes )ore .osey/ <n the +a fa.ing hi)
<rpheus and his Da?? 'and payed> +hie (urydi.e oo1ed hopefuy
to+ards the gri/ <n the opposite +a <siris and Isis see)ed to 'e
thro+ing an (gyptian under+ord 'oating party/ <n the third +a so)e
'right young peope +ere enDoying )iBed 'athing in a state of 0ature/
JThe Country of the @oung>J eBpained the Countess and added in the
sa)e 'reath> .o)peting her introdu.tionsH JAnd this is )y itte Ai.e/J
Poirot 'o+ed to the se.ond o..upant of the ta'e> a severe;oo1ing gir
in a .he.1 .oat and s1irt/ She +ore horned;ri))ed gasses/
JShe is very> very .ever>J said Countess &ossa1off/ JShe has a degree
and she is a psy.hoogist and she 1no+s a the reasons +hy unati.s
are unati.sG It is not> as you )ight thin1> 'e.ause they are )adG 0o>
there are a sorts of other reasonsG I find that very pe.uiar/J
The gir .aed Ai.e s)ied 1indy 'ut a itte disdainfuy/ She as1ed
the Professor in a fir) voi.e if he +oud i1e to dan.e/ !e appeared
fattered 'ut du'ious/
JMy dear young ady> I fear I ony +at?/J
JThis is a +at?>J said Ai.e patienty/
They got up and dan.ed/ They did not dan.e +e/
The Countess &ossa1off sighed/ Foo+ing out a train of thought of her
o+n> she )ur)ured> JAnd yet she is not reay 'ad;oo1ing///J
JShe does not )a1e the )ost of hersef>J said Poirot Dudi.iay/
JFran1y>J .ried the Countess> JI .annot understand the young peope
of no+adays/ They do not try any )ore to pease ; a+ays> in )y youth>
I tried ; the .oours that suited )e ; a itte padding in the fro.1s ; the
.orset a.ed tight round the +aist ; the hair> perhaps> a )ore
interesting shade ;J
She pushed 'a.1 the heavy Titian tresses fro) her forehead ; it +as
undenia'e that she> at east> +as sti trying and trying hardG
JTo 'e .ontent +ith +hat 0ature has given you> that ; that is stupidG It
is aso arrogantG The itte Ai.e she +rites pages of ong +ords a'out
SeB> 'ut ho+ often> I as1 you> does a )an suggest to her that they
shoud go to %righton for the +ee1endA It is a ong +ords and +or1>
and the +efare of the +or1ers> and the future of the +ord/ It is very
+orthy> 'ut I as1 you> is it gayA And oo1> I as1 you> ho+ dra' these
young peope have )ade the +ordG It is a reguations and
prohi'itionsG 0ot so +hen I +as young/J
JThat re)inds )e> ho+ is your son> Mada)eAJ At the ast )o)ent he
su'stituted JsonJ> for Jitte 'oyJ> re)e)'ering that t+enty years had
passed/
The Countess"s fa.e it up +ith enthusiasti. )otherhood/
JThe 'eoved angeG So 'ig no+> su.h shouders> so handso)eG !e is
in A)eri.a/ !e 'uids there ; 'ridges> 'an1s> hotes> depart)ent
stores> rai+ays> anything the A)eri.ans +antGJ
Poirot oo1ed sighty pu??ed/
J!e is then an engineerA <r an ar.hite.tAJ
JWhat does it )atterAJ de)anded the Countess/ J!e is adora'eG !e is
+rapped up in iron girders> and )a.hinery> and things .aed stresses/
The 1ind of things that I have never understood in the east/ %ut +e
adore ea.h other ; a+ays +e adore ea.h otherG And so for his sa1e I
adore the itte Ai.e/ %ut yes> they are engaged/ They )eet on a pane
or a 'oat or a train> and they fa in ove> a in the )idst of ta1ing a'out
the +efare of the +or1ers/ And +hen she .o)es to #ondon she .o)es
to see )e and I ta1e her to )y heart/J The Countess .asped her ar)s
a.ross her vast 'oso)> JAnd I say ; "@ou and 0i1i ove ea.h other ; so I
too ove you ; 'ut if you ove hi) +hy do you eave hi) in A)eri.aA"
And she ta1s a'out her "Do'" and the 'oo1 she is +riting> and her
.areer> and fran1y I do not understand> 'ut I have a+ays saidH "<ne
)ust 'e toerant"/J She added a in one 'reath> JAnd +hat do you
thin1> .her a)i> of a this that I have i)agined hereAJ
JIt is very +e i)agined>J said Poirot> oo1ing round hi) approvingy/
JIt is .hi.GJ
The pa.e +as fu and it had a'out it that un)ista1a'e air of su..ess
+hi.h .annot 'e .ounterfeited/ There +ere anguid .oupes in fu
evening dress> %ohe)ians in .orduroy trousers> stout gente)en in
'usiness suits/ The 'and> dressed as devis> dispensed hot )usi./ 0o
dou't a'out it/ !e had .aught on/
JWe have a 1inds here>J said the Countess/ JThat is as it shoud 'e> is
it notA The gates of !e are open to aAJ
J(B.ept> possi'y> to the poorAJ Poirot suggested/
The Countess aughed/ JAre +e not tod that it is diffi.ut for a ri.h )an
to enter the -ingdo) of !eavenA 0aturay> then> he shoud have
priority in !e/J
The Professor and Ai.e +ere returning to the ta'e/ The Countess got
up/
JI )ust spea1 to Aristide/J
She eB.hanged so)e +ords +ith the head +aiter> a ean
Mephistophees> then +ent round fro) ta'e to ta'e> spea1ing to the
guests/
The Professor> +iping his forehead and sipping a gass of +ine>
re)ar1edH
JShe is a personaity> is she notA Peope fee it/J
!e eB.used hi)sef as he +ent over to spea1 to so)eone at another
ta'e/ Poirot> eft aone +ith the severe Ai.e> fet sighty e)'arrassed
as he )et the .od 'ue of her eyes/ !e re.ognised that she +as
a.tuay 8uite good;oo1ing> 'ut he found her distin.ty aar)ing/
JI do not yet 1no+ your ast na)e>J he )ur)ured/
JCunningha)/ $r Ai.e Cunningha)/ @ou have 1no+n 7era in past
days> I understandAJ
JT+enty years ago it )ust 'e/J
JI find her a very interesting study>J said $r Ai.e Cunningha)/
J0aturay I a) interested in her as the )other of the )an I a) going to
)arry> 'ut I a) interested in her fro) the professiona standpoint as
+e/J
JIndeedAJ
J@es/ I a) +riting a 'oo1 on .ri)ina psy.hoogy/ I find the night ife of
this pa.e very iu)inating/ We have severa .ri)ina types +ho .o)e
here reguary/ I have dis.ussed their eary ife +ith so)e of the)/ <f
.ourse you 1no+ a a'out 7era"s .ri)ina tenden.ies ; I )ean that she
steasAJ
JWhy> yes ; I 1no+ that>J said Poirot> sighty ta1en a'a.1/
JI .a it the Magpie .o)peB )ysef/ She ta1es> you 1no+> a+ays
gittering things/ 0ever )oney/ A+ays De+es/ I find that as a .hid she
+as petted and induged 'ut very )u.h shieded/ #ife +as
unendura'y du for her ; du and safe/ !er nature de)anded dra)a ;
it .raved for punish)ent/ That is at the root of her indugen.e in theft/
She +ants the i)portan.e> the notoriety of 'eing punishedGJ
Poirot o'De.ted> J!er ife .an surey not have 'een safe and du as a
)e)'er of the an.ien r=gi)e in &ussia during the &evoutionAJ
A oo1 of faint a)use)ent sho+ed in Miss Cunningha)"s pae 'ue
eyes/
JAh>J she said/ JA )e)'er of the an.ien r=gi)eA She has tod you
thatAJ
JShe is undenia'y an aristo.rat>J said Poirot staun.hy> fighting 'a.1
.ertain uneasy )e)ories of the +idy varying a..ounts of her eary
ife tod hi) 'y the Countess hersef/
J<ne 'eieves +hat one +ishes to 'eieve>J re)ar1ed Miss
Cunningha)> .asting a professiona eye on hi)/
Poirot fet aar)ed/ In a )o)ent> he fet> he +oud 'e tod +hat +as his
.o)peB/ !e de.ided to .arry the +ar into the ene)y"s .a)p/ !e
enDoyed the Countess &ossa1off"s so.iety party 'e.ause of her
aristo.rati. provenan.e> and he +as not going to have his enDoy)ent
spoied 'y a spe.ta.ed itte gir +ith 'oied goose'erry eyes and a
degree in psy.hoogyG
J$o you 1no+ +hat I find astonishingAJ he as1ed/
Ai.e Cunningha) did not ad)it in so )any +ords that she did not
1no+/ She .ontented hersef +ith oo1ing 'ored 'ut indugent/
Poirot +ent onH JIt a)a?es )e that you ; +ho are young> and +ho .oud
oo1 pretty if you too1 the trou'e ; +e> it a)a?es )e that you do not
ta1e the trou'eG @ou +ear the heavy .oat and s1irt +ith the 'ig
po.1ets as though you +ere going to pay the ga)e of gof/ %ut it is not
here the gof in1s> it is the underground .ear +ith the te)perature of
E1 Fahrenheit> and your nose it is hot and shines> 'ut you do not
po+der it> and the ipsti.1 you put it on your )outh +ithout interest>
+ithout e)phasi?ing the .urve of the ipsG @ou are a +o)an> 'ut you do
not dra+ attention to the fa.t of 'eing a +o)an/ And I say to you "Why
notA" It is a pityGJ
For a )o)ent he had the satisfa.tion of seeing Ai.e Cunningha) oo1
hu)an/ !e even sa+ a spar1 of anger in her eyes/ Then she regained
her attitude of s)iing .onte)pt/
JMy dear M/ Poirot>J she said> JI") afraid you"re out of tou.h +ith the
)odern ideoogy/ It is funda)entas that )atter ; not the trappings/J
She oo1ed up as a dar1 and very 'eautifu young )an .a)e to+ards
the)/
JThis is a )ost interesting type>J she )ur)ured +ith ?est/ JPau
7ares.oG #ives on +o)en and has strange depraved .ravingsG I +ant
hi) to te )e )ore a'out a nursery governess +ho oo1ed after hi)
+hen he +as three years od/J
A )o)ent or t+o ater she +as dan.ing +ith the young )an/ !e
dan.ed diviney/ As they drifted near Poirot"s ta'e> Poirot heard her
sayH JAnd after the su))er at %ognor she gave you a toy .raneA A
.rane ; yes> that"s very suggestive/J
For a )o)ent Poirot ao+ed hi)sef to toy +ith the spe.uation that
Miss Cunningha)"s interest in .ri)ina types )ight ead one day to her
)utiated 'ody 'eing found in a oney +ood/ !e did not i1e Ai.e
Cunningha)> 'ut he +as honest enough to reaise that the reason for
his disi1e +as the fa.t that she +as so papa'y uni)pressed 'y
!er.ue PoirotG !is vanity sufferedG
Then he sa+ so)ething that )o)entariy put Ai.e Cunningha) out of
his head/ At a ta'e on the opposite side of the foor sat a fair;haired
young )an/ !e +ore evening dress> his +hoe de)eanour +as that of
one +ho ives a ife of ease and peasure/ <pposite hi) sat the right
1ind of eBpensive gir/ !e +as ga?ing at her in a fatuous and fooish
)anner/ Any one seeing the) )ight have )ur)uredH JThe ide ri.hGJ
0evertheess Poirot 1ne+ very +e that the young )an +as neither
ri.h nor ide/ !e +as> in fa.t> $ete.tive Inspe.tor Chares Stevens> and
it see)ed pro'a'e to Poirot that $ete.tive Inspe.tor Stevens +as
here on 'usiness///
II
<n the foo+ing )orning Poirot paid a visit to S.otand @ard to his od
friend Chief Inspe.tor *app/
*app"s re.eption of his tentative in8uiries +as uneBpe.ted/
J@ou od foBGJ said *app affe.tionatey/ J!o+ you get on to these
things 'eats )eGJ
J%ut I assure you I 1no+ nothing ; nothing at aG It is Dust ide
.uriosity/J
*app said that Poirot .oud te that to the MarinesG
J@ou +ant to 1no+ a a'out this pa.e !eA We> on the surfa.e it"s
Dust another of these things/ It"s .aught onG They )ust 'e )a1ing a ot
of )oney> though of .ourse the eBpenses are pretty high/ There"s a
&ussian +o)an ostensi'y running it> .as hersef the Countess
So)ething or other ;J
JI a) a.8uainted +ith Countess &ossa1off>J said Poirot .ody/ JWe
are od friends/J
J%ut she"s Dust a du))y>J *app +ent on/ JShe didn"t put up the )oney/
It )ight 'e the head +aiter .hap> Aristide Papopoous ; he"s got an
interest in it ; 'ut +e don"t 'eieve it"s reay his sho+ either/ In fa.t +e
don"t 1no+ +hose sho+ it isGJ
JAnd Inspe.tor Stevens goes there to find outAJ
J<h> you sa+ Stevens> did youA #u.1y young dog anding a Do' i1e that
at the taBpayer"s eBpenseG A fat ot he"s found out so farGJ
JWhat do you suspe.t there is to find outAJ
J$opeG $rug ra.1et on a arge s.ae/ And the dope"s 'eing paid for not
in )oney> 'ut in pre.ious stones/J
JAhaAJ
JThis is ho+ it goes/ #ady %an1 ; or the Countess of Whatnot ; finds it
hard to get hod of .ash ; and in any .ase doesn"t +ant to dra+ arge
su)s out of the %an1/ %ut she"s got De+es ; fa)iy heiroo)s
so)eti)esG They"re ta1en aong to a pa.e for ".eaning" or "resetting" ;
there the stones are ta1en out of their settings and repa.ed +ith
paste/ The unset stones are sod over here or on the Continent/ It"s a
pain saiing ; there"s 'een no ro''ery> no hue and .ry after the)/ Say
sooner or ater it"s dis.overed that a .ertain tiara or ne.1a.e is a
fa1eA #ady %an1 is a inno.en.e and dis)ay ; .an"t i)agine ho+ or
+hen the su'stitution .an have ta1en pa.e ; ne.1a.e has never 'een
out of her possessionG Sends the poor> perspiring poi.e off on +idgoose
.hases after dis)issed )aids> or dou'tfu 'uters> or suspi.ious
+indo+;.eaners/
J%ut +e"re not 8uite so du)' as these so.ia 'irds thin1G We had
severa .ases .o)e up one after another ; and +e found a .o))on
fa.tor ; a the +o)en sho+ed signs of dope ; nerves> irrita'iity ;
t+it.hing> pupis of eyes diated> et.etera/ 4uestion +asH Where +ere
they getting the dope fro) and +ho +as running the ra.1etAJ
JAnd the ans+er> you thin1> is this pa.e !eAJ
JWe 'eieve it"s the head8uarters of the +hoe ra.1et/ We"ve
dis.overed +here the +or1 on the De+eery is done ; a pa.e .aed
,o.onda #td/ ; respe.ta'e enough on the surfa.e> high;.ass
i)itation De+eery/ There"s a nasty 'it of +or1 .aed Pau 7ares.o ;
ah> I see you 1no+ hi)AJ
JI have seen hi) ; in !e/J
JThat"s +here I"d i1e to see hi) ; in the rea pa.eG !e"s as 'ad as they
)a1e "e) ; 'ut +o)en ; even de.ent +o)en ; eat out of his handG !e"s
got so)e 1ind of .onne.tion +ith ,o.onda #td/ and I") pretty sure
he"s the )an 'ehind !e/ It"s idea for his purpose ; everyone goes
there> so.iety +o)en> professiona .roo1s ; it"s the perfe.t )eeting
pa.e/J
J@ou thin1 the eB.hange ; De+es for dope ; ta1es pa.e thereAJ
J@es/ We 1no+ the ,o.onda side of it ; +e +ant the other ; the dope
side/ We +ant to 1no+ +ho"s suppying the stuff and +here it"s .o)ing
fro)/J
JAnd so far you have no ideaAJ
JI thin1 it"s the &ussian +o)an ; 'ut +e"ve no eviden.e/ A fe+ +ee1s
ago +e thought +e +ere getting so)e+here/ 7ares.o +ent to the
,o.onda pa.e> pi.1ed up so)e stones there and +ent straight fro)
there to !e/ Stevens +as +at.hing hi)> 'ut he didn"t a.tuay see hi)
pass the stuff/ When 7ares.o eft +e pi.1ed hi) up ; the stones
+eren"t on hi)/ We raided the .u'> rounded up every'odyG &esut> no
stones> no dopeGJ
JA fias.o> in fa.tAJ
*app +in.ed/ J@ou"re teing )eG Might have got in a 'it of a Da)> 'ut
u.1iy in the round up +e got Pevere 9you 1no+> the %attersea
)urderer:/ Pure u.1> he +as supposed to have got a+ay to S.otand/
<ne of our s)art sergeants spotted hi) fro) his photos/ So a"s +e
that ends +e ; 1udos for us ; terrifi. 'oost for the .u' ; it"s 'een )ore
pa.1ed than ever sin.eGJ
Poirot saidH J%ut it does not advan.e the dope in8uiry/ There is>
perhaps> a pa.e of .on.ea)ent on the pre)isesAJ
JMust 'e/ %ut +e .oudn"t find it/ Went over the pa.e +ith a
tooth.o)'/ And 'et+een you and )e> there"s 'een an unoffi.ia
sear.h as +e ;J he +in1ed/ JStri.ty on the 4/T/ Spot of 'rea1ing and
entering/ 0ot a su..ess> our "unoffi.ia" )an neary got torn to pie.es
'y that ruddy great dogG It seeps on the pre)ises/J
JAha> Cer'erusAJ
J@es/ Siy na)e for a dog ; to .a it after a pa.1et of sat/J
JCer'erus>J )ur)ured Poirot thoughtfuy/
JSuppose you try your hand at it> Poirot>J suggested *app/ JIt"s a
pretty pro'e) and +orth doing/ I hate the drug ra.1et> destroys
peope 'ody and sou/ That reay is !e if you i1eGJ
Poirot )ur)ured )editativeyH JIt +oud round off things ; yes/ $o you
1no+ +hat the t+efth a'our of !er.ues +asAJ
J0o idea/J
JThe Capture of Cer'erus/ It is appropriate> is it notAJ
J$on"t 1no+ +hat you"re ta1ing a'out> od )an> 'ut re)e)'erH "$og
eats Man" is ne+s/J And *app eaned 'a.1 roaring +ith aughter/
III
JI +ish to spea1 to you +ith the ut)ost seriousness>J said Poirot/
The hour +as eary> the Cu' as yet neary e)pty/ The Countess and
Poirot sat at a s)a ta'e near the door+ay/
J%ut I do not fee serious>J she protested/ J#a petite Ai.e> she is
a+ays serious and> entre nous> I find it very 'oring/ My poor 0i1i> +hat
fun +i he haveA 0one/J
JI entertain for you )u.h affe.tion>J .ontinued Poirot steadiy/ JAnd I
do not +ant to see you in +hat is .aed the Da)/J
J%ut it is a'surd +hat you say thereG I a) on top of the +ord> the
)oney it ros inGJ
J@ou o+n this pa.eAJ
The Countess"s eye 'e.a)e sighty evasive/
JCertainy>J she repied/
J%ut you have a partnerAJ
JWho tod you thatAJ as1ed the Countess sharpy/
JIs your partner Pau 7ares.oAJ
J<hG Pau 7ares.oG What an ideaGJ
J!e has a 'ad ; a .ri)ina re.ord/ $o you reaise that you have
.ri)inas fre8uenting this pa.eAJ
The Countess 'urst out aughing/
JThere spea1s the 'on 'ourgeoisG 0aturay I reaiseG $o you not see
that that is haf the attra.tion of this pa.eA These young peope fro)
Mayfair ; they get tired of seeing their o+n 1ind round the) in the West
(nd/ They .o)e here> they see the .ri)inasI the thief> the
'a.1)aier> the .onfiden.e tri.1ster ; perhaps> even> the )urderer ;
the )an +ho +i 'e in the Sunday papers neBt +ee1G It is eB.iting> that
; they thin1 they are seeing ifeG So does the prosperous )an +ho a
the +ee1 ses the 1ni.1ers> the sto.1ings> the .orsetsG What a .hange
fro) his respe.ta'e ife and his respe.ta'e friendsG And then> a
further thri ; there at a ta'e> stro1ing his )ousta.he> is the Inspe.tor
fro) S.otand @ard ; an Inspe.tor in taisGJ
JSo you 1ne+ thatAJ said Poirot softy/
!er eyes )et his and he s)ied/
JMon .her a)i> I a) not so si)pe as you see) to supposeGJ
J$o you aso dea in drugs hereAJ
JAh> La noGJ The Countess spo1e sharpy/ JThat +oud 'e an
a'o)inationGJ
Poirot oo1ed at her for a )o)ent or t+o> then he sighed/
JI 'eieve you>J he said/ J%ut in that .ase it is a the )ore ne.essary
that you te )e +ho reay o+ns this pa.e/J
JI o+n it>J she snapped/
J<n paper> yes/ %ut there is so)eone 'ehind you/J
J$o you 1no+> )on a)i> I find you atogether too .uriousA Is he not
)u.h too .urious> $ou;douAJ
!er voi.e dropped to a .oo as she spo1e the ast +ords and she thre+
the du.1 'one fro) her pate to the 'ig 'a.1 hound +ho .aught it +ith
a fero.ious snap of the Da+s/
JWhat is it that you .a that ani)aAJ as1ed Poirot> diverted/
JC"est )on petit $ou;douGJ
J%ut it is ridi.uous> a na)e i1e thatGJ
J%ut he is adora'eG !e is a poi.e dogG !e .an do anything ; anything ;
WaitGJ
She rose> oo1ed round her> and suddeny snat.hed up a pate +ith a
arge su..uent stea1 +hi.h had Dust 'een deposited 'efore a diner at
a near'y ta'e/ She .rossed to the )ar'e ni.he and put the pate
do+n in front of the dog> at the sa)e ti)e uttering a fe+ +ords in
&ussian/
Cer'erus ga?ed in front of hi)/ The stea1 )ight not have eBisted/
J@ou seeA And it is not Dust a )atter of )inutesG 0o> he +i re)ain i1e
that for hours if need 'eGJ
Then she )ur)ured a +ord and i1e ightning Cer'erus 'ent his ong
ne.1 and the stea1 disappeared as though 'y )agi./
7era &ossa1off fung her ar)s round the dog"s ne.1 and e)'ra.ed
hi) passionatey> rising on tip;toe to do so/
JSee ho+ gente he .an 'eGJ she .ried/ JFor )e> for Ai.e> for his
friends ; they .an do +hat they i1eG %ut one has 'ut to give hi) the
+ord and PrestoG I .an assure you he +oud tear a ; poi.e inspe.tor>
for instan.e ; into itte pie.esG @es> into itte pie.esGJ
She 'urst out aughing/
JI +oud have 'ut to say the +ord ;J
Poirot interrupted hastiy/ !e )istrusted the Countess"s sense of
hu)our/ Inspe.tor Stevens )ight 'e in rea danger/
JProfessor #is1eard +ants to spea1 to you/J
The Professor +as standing reproa.hfuy at her e'o+/
J@ou too1 )y stea1>J he .o)pained/ JWhy did you ta1e )y stea1A It
+as a good stea1GJ
I7
JThursday night> od )an>J said *app/ JThat"s +hen the 'aoon goes
up/ It"s Andre+s" pigeon> of .ourse ; 0ar.oti. S8uad ; 'ut he" 'e
deighted to have you horn in/ 0o> than1s> I +on"t have any of your
fan.y sirops/ I have to ta1e .are of )y sto)a.h/ Is that +his1y I see
over thereA That"s )ore the ti.1etGJ
Setting his gass do+n> he +ent onH
JWe"ve soved the pro'e)> I thin1/ There"s another +ay out at that
Cu' ; and +e"ve found itGJ
JWhereAJ
J%ehind the gri/ Part of it s+ings round/J
J%ut surey you +oud see ;J
J0o> od 'oy/ When the raid started> the ights +ent out ; s+it.hed off
at the )ain ; and it too1 us a )inute or t+o to get the) turned on again/
0o'ody got out the front +ay 'e.ause it +as 'eing +at.hed> 'ut it"s
.ear no+ that so)e'ody .oud have nipped out 'y the se.ret +ay +ith
the doings/ We"ve 'een eBa)ining the house 'ehind the Cu' ; and
that"s ho+ +e tu)'ed to the tri.1/J
JAnd you propose to do ; +hatAJ
*app +in1ed/ J#et it go a..ording to pan ; the poi.e appear> the ights
go out ; and so)e'ody"s +aiting on the other side of that se.ret door
to see +ho .o)es through/ This ti)e +e"ve got "e)GJ
JWhy ThursdayAJ
Again *app +in1ed/ JWe"ve got the ,o.onda pretty +e taped no+/
There +i 'e stuff going out of there on Thursday/ #ady Carrington"s
e)erads/J
J@ou per)it>J said Poirot> Jthat I too )a1e one or t+o itte
arrange)entsAJ
Sitting at his usua s)a ta'e near the entran.e on Thursday night
Poirot studied his surroundings/ As usua !e +as going +ith a s+ingG
The Countess +as even )ore fa)'oyanty )ade up than usua if that
+as possi'e/ She +as 'eing very &ussian tonight> .apping her hands
and s.rea)ing +ith aughter/ Pau 7ares.o had arrived/ So)eti)es he
+ore fautess evening dress> so)eti)es> as tonight> he .hose to
present hi)sef in a 1ind of apa.he get;up> tighty;'uttoned .oat> s.arf
round the ne.1/ !e oo1ed vi.ious and attra.tive/ $eta.hing hi)sef
fro) a stout> )idde;aged +o)an pastered +ith dia)onds> he eaned
over Ai.e Cunningha) +ho +as sitting at a ta'e +riting 'usiy in a
itte note'oo1 and as1ed her to dan.e/ The stout +o)an s.o+ed at
Ai.e and oo1ed at 7ares.o +ith adoring eyes/
There +as no adoration in Miss Cunningha)"s eyes/ They gea)ed
+ith pure s.ientifi. interest> and Poirot .aught frag)ents of their
.onversation as they dan.ed past hi)/ She had progressed 'eyond
the nursery governess and +as no+ see1ing infor)ation a'out the
)atron at Pau"s preparatory s.hoo/
When the )usi. stopped> she sat do+n 'y Poirot oo1ing happy and
eB.ited/
JMost interesting>J she said/ J7ares.o +i 'e one of the )ost
i)portant .ases in )y 'oo1/ The sy)'ois) is un)ista1a'e/ Trou'e
a'out the vests for instan.e ; for vest read hair shirt +ith a its
asso.iations ; and the +hoe thing 'e.o)es 8uite pain/ @ou )ay say
that he"s a definitey .ri)ina type 'ut a .ure .an 'e effe.ted ;J
JThat she .an refor) a ra1e>;J said Poirot> Jhas a+ays 'een one of
+o)an"s dearest iusionsGJ
Ai.e Cunningha) oo1ed at hi) .ody/
JThere is nothing persona a'out this> M/ Poirot/J
JThere never is>J said Poirot/ JIt is a+ays pure disinterested atruis) ;
'ut the o'De.t of it is usuay an attra.tive )e)'er of the opposite seB/
Are you interested> for instan.e> in +here I +ent to s.hoo> or +hat
+as the attitude of the )atron to )eAJ
J@ou are not a .ri)ina type>J said Miss Cunningha)/
J$o you 1no+ a .ri)ina type +hen you see oneAJ
JCertainy I do/J
Professor #is1eard Doined the)/ !e sat do+n 'y Poirot/
JAre you ta1ing a'out .ri)inasA @ou shoud study the .ri)ina .ode
of !a))ura'i> M/ Poirot/ 1O66 %C/ Most interesting/ The )an +ho is
.aught steaing during a fire sha 'e thro+n into the fire/J
!e stared peasura'y ahead of hi) to+ards the ee.tri. gri/
JAnd there are oder> Su)erian a+s/ If a +ife hateth her hus'and and
saith unto hi)> "Thou art not )y hus'and" they sha thro+ her into the
river/ Cheaper and easier than the divor.e .ourt/ %ut if a hus'and says
that to his +ife he ony has to pay her a .ertain )easure of siver/
0o'ody thro+s hi) in the river/J
JThe sa)e od story>J said Ai.e Cunningha)/ J<ne a+ for the )an
and one for the +o)an/J
JWo)en> of .ourse> have a greater appre.iation of )onetary vaue>J
said the Professor thoughtfuy/ J@ou 1no+>J he added> JI i1e this
pa.e/ I .o)e here )ost evenings/ I don"t have to pay/ The Countess
arranged that ; very ni.e of her ; in .onsideration of )y having advised
her a'out the de.orations> she says/ 0ot that they"re anything to do
+ith )e reay ; I"d no idea +hat she +as as1ing )e 8uestions for ; and
naturay she and the artist have got everything 8uite +rong/ I hope
no'ody +i ever 1no+ I had the re)otest .onne.tion +ith the dreadfu
things/ I shoud never ive it do+n/ %ut she"s a +onderfu +o)an ;
rather i1e a %a'yonian> I a+ays thin1/ The %a'yonians +ere good
+o)en of 'usiness> you 1no+ ;J
The Professor"s +ords +ere dro+ned in a sudden .horus/ The +ord
"Poi.e" +as heard ; +o)en rose to their feet> there +as a 'a'e of
sound/ The ights +ent out and so did the ee.tri. gri/
As an undertone to the tur)oi the Professor"s voi.e +ent on tran8uiy
re.iting various eB.erpts fro) the a+s of !a))ura'i/
When the ights +ent on again !er.ue Poirot +as haf+ay up the +ide>
shao+ steps/ The poi.e offi.ers 'y the door sauted hi)> and he
passed out into the street and stroed to the .orner/ *ust round the
.orner> pressed against the +a +as a s)a and odoriferous )an +ith
a red nose/ !e spo1e in an anBious> hus1y +hisper/
JI") "ere guv"nor/ Ti)e for )e to do )y stuffAJ
J@es/ ,o on/J
JThere"s an a+fu ot of .oppers a'outGJ
JThat is a right/ They"ve 'een tod a'out you/J
JI "ope they +on"t interfere> that"s aAJ
JThey +i not interfere/ @ou"re sure you .an a..o)pish +hat you have
set out to doA The ani)a in 8uestion is 'oth arge and fier.e/J
J"( +on"t 'e fier.e to )e>J said the itte )an .onfidenty/ J0ot +ith
+hat I"ve got "ereG Any dog" foo+ )e to !e for itGJ
JIn this .ase>J )ur)ured !er.ue Poirot> Jhe has to foo+ you out of
!eGJ
7
In the s)a hours of the )orning the teephone rang/ Poirot pi.1ed up
the re.eiver/
*app"s voi.e saidH J@ou as1ed )e to ring you/J
J@es> indeed/ (h 'ienAJ
J0o dope ; +e got the e)erads/J
JWhereAJ
JIn Professor #is1eard"s po.1et/J
JProfessor #is1eardAJ
JSurprises you> tooA Fran1y I don"t 1no+ +hat to thin1G !e oo1ed as
astonished as a 'a'y> stared at the)> said he hadn"t the faintest idea
ho+ they got in his po.1et> and da))it I 'eieve he +as spea1ing the
truthG 7ares.o .oud have sipped the) into his po.1et easiy enough
in the 'a.1out/ I .an"t see a )an i1e od #is1eard 'eing )iBed up in
this sort of 'usiness/ !e 'eongs to a these highfautin" so.ieties> +hy
he"s even .onne.ted +ith the %ritish Museu)G The ony thing he ever
spends )oney on is 'oo1s> and )usty od se.ond;hand 'oo1s at that/
0o> he doesn"t fit/ I") 'eginning to thin1 +e"re +rong a'out the +hoe
thing ; there never has 'een any dope in that Cu'/J
J<h> yes there has> )y friend> it +as there tonight/ Te )e> did no one
.o)e out through your se.ret +ayAJ
J@es> Prin.e !enry of S.anden'erg and his e8uerry ; he ony arrived in
(ngand yesterday/ 7ita)ian (vans> the Ca'inet Minister 9devi of a Do'
'eing a #a'our Minister> you have to 'e so .arefuG 0o'ody )inds a
Tory poiti.ian spending )oney on riotous iving 'e.ause the
taBpayers thin1 it"s his o+n )oney ; 'ut +hen it"s a #a'our )an the
pu'i. fee it"s their )oney he"s spendingG And so it is in a )anner of
spea1ing/: #ady %eatri.e 7iner +as the ast ; she"s getting )arried the
day after to)orro+ to the priggish young $u1e of #eo)inster/ I don"t
'eieve any of that ot +ere )iBed up in this/J
J@ou 'eieve righty/ 0evertheess> the dope +as in the Cu' and
so)eone too1 it out of the Cu'/J
JWho didAJ
JI did> )on a)i>J said Poirot softy/
!e repa.ed the re.eiver> .utting off *app"s sputtering noises> as a
'e tried out/ !e +ent and opened the front door/ The Countess
&ossa1off saied in/
JIf it +ere not that +e are> aas> too od> ho+ .o)pro)ising this +oud
'eGJ she eB.ai)ed/ J@ou see> I have .o)e as you tod )e to do in your
note/ There is> I thin1> a poi.e)an 'ehind )e> 'ut he .an stay in the
street/ And no+> )y friend> +hat is itAJ
Poirot gaanty reieved her of her foB furs/
JWhy did you put those e)erads in Professor #is1eard"s po.1etAJ he
de)anded/ JCe n"est pas gentie> .e 8ue vous ave? fait PGJ
The Countess"s eyes opened +ide/
J0aturay> it +as in your po.1et I )eant to put the e)eradsGJ
J<h> in )y po.1etAJ
JCertainy/ I .ross hurriedy to the ta'e +here you usuay sit ; 'ut the
ights they are out and I suppose 'y inadverten.e I put the) in the
Professor"s po.1et/J
JAnd +hy did you +ish to put stoen e)erads in )y po.1etAJ
JIt see)ed to )e ; I had to thin1 8ui.1y> you understand ; the 'est
thing to doGJ
J&eay> 7era> you are i)paya'eGJ
J%ut> dear friend> .onsiderG The poi.e arrive> the ights go out 9our
itte private arrange)ent for the patrons +ho )ust not 'e
e)'arrassed: and a hand ta1es )y 'ag off the ta'e/ I snat.h it 'a.1>
'ut I fee through the vevet so)ething hard inside/ I sip )y hand in> I
find +hat I 1no+ 'y tou.h to 'e De+es and I .o)prehend at on.e +ho
has put the) thereGJ
J<h you doAJ
J<f .ourse I doG It is that saaudG It is that i?ard> that )onster> that
dou'e;fa.ed> dou'e;.rossing> s8uir)ing adder of a pig"s son> Pau
7ares.o/J
JThe )an +ho is your partner in !eAJ
J@es> yes> it is he +ho o+ns the pa.e> +ho puts up the )oney/ 2nti
no+ I do not 'etray hi) ; I .an 1eep faith> )eG %ut no+ that he dou'e.rosses
)e> that he tries to e)'roi )e +ith the poi.e ; ahG no+ I +i
spit his na)e out ; yes> spit it outGJ
JCa) yoursef>J said Poirot> Jand .o)e +ith )e into the neBt roo)/J
!e opened the door/ It +as a s)a roo) and see)ed for a )o)ent to
'e .o)petey fied +ith dog/ Cer'erus had oo1ed outsi?e even in the
spa.ious pre)ises of !e/ In the tiny dining;roo) of Poirot"s servi.e
fat there see)ed nothing ese 'ut Cer'erus in the roo)/ There +as
aso> ho+ever> the s)a and odoriferous )an/
JWe"ve turned up here a..ording to pan> guv"nor>J said the itte )an
in a hus1y voi.e/
J$ou;douGJ s.rea)ed the Countess/ JMy ange $ou;douGJ
Cer'erus 'eat the foor +ith his tai ; 'ut he did not )ove/
J#et )e introdu.e you to Mr Wiia) !iggs>J shouted Poirot> a'ove the
thunder of Cer'erus"s tai/ JA )aster in his profession/ $uring the
'rouhaha tonight>J +ent on Poirot> JMr !iggs indu.ed Cer'erus to
foo+ hi) up out of !e/J
J@ou indu.ed hi)AJ The Countess stared in.reduousy at the s)a
rat;i1e figure/ J%ut ho+A !o+AJ
Mr !iggs dropped his eyes 'ashfuy/
J"Ardy i1e to say afore a ady/ %ut there"s things no dogs +on"t resist/
Foo+ )e any+here a dog +i if I +ant "i) to/ <f .ourse you
understand it +on"t +or1 the sa)e +ay +ith 'it.hes ; no> that"s
different> that is/J
The Countess &ossa1off turned on Poirot/
J%ut +hyA WhyAJ
Poirot said so+yH JA dog trained for the purpose +i .arry an arti.e
in his )outh unti he is .o))anded to oose it/ !e +i .arry it if need
'e for hours/ Wi you no+ te your dog to drop +hat he hodsAJ
7era &ossa1off stared> turned> and uttered t+o .risp +ords/
The great Da+s of Cer'erus opened/ Then> it +as reay aar)ing>
Cer'erus"s tongue see)ed to drop out of his )outhG
Poirot stepped for+ard/ !e pi.1ed up a s)a pa.1age en.ased in
pin1> sponge'ag ru''er/ !e un+rapped it/ Inside it +as a pa.1et of
+hite po+der/
JWhat is itAJ the Countess de)anded sharpy/
Poirot said softyH JCo.aine/ Su.h a s)a 8uantity> it +oud see) ; 'ut
enough to 'e +orth thousands of pounds to those +iing to pay for it/
(nough to 'ring ruin and )isery to severa hundred peope/J
She .aught her 'reath/ She .ried outH JAnd you thin1 that I ; 'ut it is
not soG I s+ear to you it is not soG In the past I have a)used )ysef +ith
the De+es> the 'i'eots> the itte .uriosities ; it a heps one to ive> you
understand/ And +hat I fee is> +hy notA Why shoud one person o+n a
thing )ore than anotherAJ
J*ust +hat I fee a'out dogs>J Mr !iggs .hi)ed in/
J@ou have no sense of right or +rong>J said Poirot sady to the
Countess/
She +ent onH J%ut drugs ; that> noG For there one .auses )isery> pain>
degenerationG I had no idea ; no faintest idea ; that )y so .har)ing> so
inno.ent> so deightfu itte !e +as 'eing used for that purposeGJ
JI agree +ith you a'out dope>J said Mr !iggs/ J$oping of greyhounds ;
that"s dirty> that isG I +oudn"t never have nothing to do +ith anything
i1e that> and I never "ave "adGJ
J%ut say you 'eieve )e> )y friend>J i)pored the Countess/
J%ut of .ourse I 'eieve youG !ave I not ta1en ti)e and trou'e to
.onvi.t the rea organiser of the dope ra.1et/ !ave I not perfor)ed the
t+efth #a'our of !er.ues and 'rought Cer'erus up fro) !e to prove
)y .aseA For I te you this> I do not i1e to see )y friends fra)ed ; yes>
fra)ed ; for it +as you +ho +ere intended to ta1e the rap if things +ent
+rongG It +as in your hand'ag the e)erads +oud have 'een found
and if any one had 'een .ever enough 9i1e )e: to suspe.t a hidingpa.e
in the )outh of a savage dog ; eh 'ien> he is your dog> is he notA
(ven if he has a..epted a petite Ai.e to the point of o'eying her
orders asoG @es> you )ay +e open your eyesG Fro) the first I did not
i1e that young ady +ith her s.ientifi. Dargon and her .oat and s1irt
+ith the 'ig po.1ets/ @es> po.1ets/ 2nnatura that any +o)an shoud
'e so disdainfu of her appearan.eG And +hat does she say to )e ; that
it is funda)entas that .ountG AhaG +hat is funda)enta is po.1ets/
Po.1ets in +hi.h she .an .arry drugs and ta1e a+ay De+es ; a itte
eB.hange easiy )ade +hist she is dan.ing +ith her a..o)pi.e +ho)
she pretends to regard as a psy.hoogi.a .ase/ Ah> 'ut +hat a .overG
0o one suspe.ts the earnest> the s.ientifi. psy.hoogist +ith a )edi.a
degree and spe.ta.es/ She .an s)ugge in drugs> and indu.e her ri.h
patients to for) the ha'it> and put up the )oney for a night .u' and
arrange that it sha 'e run 'y so)eone +ith ; sha +e say> a itte
+ea1ness in her pastG %ut she despises !er.ue Poirot> she thin1s she
.an de.eive hi) +ith her ta1 of nursery governesses and vestsG (h
'ien> I a) ready for her/ The ights go off/ 4ui.1y I rise fro) )y ta'e
and go to stand 'y Cer'erus/ In the dar1ness I hear her .o)e/ She
opens his )outh and for.es in the pa.1age> and I ; dei.atey> unfet 'y
her> I snip +ith a tiny pair of s.issors a itte pie.e fro) her seeve/J
$ra)ati.ay he produ.ed a siver of )ateria/
J@ou o'serve ; the identi.a .he.1ed t+eed ; and I +i give it to *app
to fit it 'a.1 +here it 'eongs ; and )a1e the arrest ; and say ho+
.ever on.e )ore has 'een S.otand @ard/J
The Countess &ossa1off stared at hi) in stupefa.tion/ Suddeny she
et out a +ai i1e a foghorn/
J%ut )y 0i1i ; )y 0i1i/ This +i 'e terri'e for hi) ;J She paused/ J<r
do you thin1 notAJ
JThere are a ot of other girs in A)eri.a>J said !er.ue Poirot/
JAnd 'ut for you his )other +oud 'e in prison ; in prison ; +ith her
hair .ut off ; sitting in a .e ; and s)eing of disinfe.tantG Ah> 'ut you
are +onderfu ; +onderfu/J
Surging for+ard she .asped Poirot in her ar)s and e)'ra.ed hi)
+ith Savoni. fervour/ Mr !iggs oo1ed on appre.iativey/ The dog
Cer'erus 'eat his tai upon the foor/
Into the )idst of this s.ene of reDoi.ing .a)e the tri of a 'e/
J*appGJ eB.ai)ed Poirot> disengaging hi)sef fro) the Countess"s
ar)s/
JIt +oud 'e 'etter> perhaps> if I +ent into the other roo)>J said the
Countess/
She sipped through the .onne.ting door/ Poirot started to+ards the
door to the ha/
J,uv"nor>J +hee?ed Mr !iggs anBiousy> J'etter oo1 at yoursef in the
gass> "adn"t youAJ
Poirot did so and re.oied/ #ipsti.1 and )as.ara orna)ented his fa.e
in a fantasti. )edey/
JIf that"s Mr *app fro) S.otand @ard> "e"d thin1 the +orst ; sure to>J
said Mr !iggs/
!e added> as the 'e peaed again> and Poirot strove feverishy to
re)ove .ri)son grease fro) the points of his )ousta.heH
JWhat do yer +ant )e to do ; "oo1 it tooA What a'out this "ere "(
"<undAJ
JIf I re)e)'er righty>J said !er.ue Poirot> JCer'erus returned to
!e/J
J*ust as you i1e>J said Mr !iggs/ JAs a )atter of fa.t I"ve ta1en a 1ind
of fan.y to "i)/// Sti> "e"s not the 1ind I"d i1e to pin.h ; not per)anent ;
too noti.ea'e> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ And thin1 +hat he"d .ost )e
in shin of 'eef or "orsefeshG (ats as )u.h as a young ion> I eBpe.t/J
JFro) the 0e)ean #ion to the Capture of Cer'erus>J )ur)ured Poirot/
JIt is .o)pete/J
7I
A +ee1 ater Miss #e)on 'rought a 'i to her e)poyer/
J(B.use )e> M/ Poirot/ Is it in order for )e to pay thisA #eonora>
Forist/ &ed &oses/ (even pounds> eight shiings and siBpen.e/ Sent
to Countess 7era &ossa1off> !e> 15 (nd St> W/C/1/J
As the hue of red roses> so +ere the .hee1s of !er.ue Poirot/ !e
'ushed> 'ushed to the eye'as/
JPerfe.ty in order/ Miss #e)on/ A itte ; er> tri'ute ; to ; to an
o..asion/ The Countesses son has Dust 'e.o)e engaged in A)eri.a ;
to the daughter of his e)poyer> a stee )agnate/ &ed roses are ; I
see) to re)e)'er> her favourite fo+er/J
J4uite>J said Miss #e)on/ JThey"re very eBpensive this ti)e of year/J
!er.ue Poirot dre+ hi)sef up/
JThere are )o)ents>J he said> J+hen one does not e.ono)ise/J
!u))ing a itte tune> he +ent out of the door/ !is step +as ight>
a)ost sprighty/ Miss #e)on stared after hi)/ !er fiing syste) +as
forgotten/ A her fe)inine instin.ts +ere aroused/
J,ood gra.ious>J she )ur)ured/ JI +onder/// &eay ; at his ageG///
Surey not///J
Three %ind Mi.e
Three %ind Mi.e
See ho+ they run
See ho+ they run
They a ran after the far)er"s +ife
She .ut off their tais +ith a .arving 1nife
$id you ever see su.h a sight in your ife
As Three %ind Mi.e
***
It +as very .od/ The s1y +as dar1 and heavy +ith unshed sno+/
A )an in a dar1 over.oat> +ith his )uffer pued up round his fa.e>
and his hat pued do+n over his eyes> .a)e aong Cuver Street and
+ent up the steps of nu)'er E4/ !e put his finger on the 'e and heard
it shriing in the 'ase)ent 'eo+/
Mrs Casey> her hands 'usy in the sin1> said 'ittery> J$rat that 'e/
0ever any pea.e> there isn"t/J
Whee?ing a itte> she toied up the 'ase)ent stairs and opened the
door/
The )an standing sihouetted against the o+ering s1y outside as1ed
in a +hisper> JMrs #yonAJ
JSe.ond foor>J said Mrs Casey/ J@ou .an go on up/ $oes she eBpe.t
youAJ
The )an so+y shoo1 his head/
J<h> +e> go on up and 1no.1/J
She +at.hed hi) as he +ent up the sha''iy .arpeted stairs/
After+ard she said> he Jgave her a funny feeing/J %ut a.tuay a she
thought +as that he )ust have a pretty 'ad .od ony to 'e a'e to
+hisper i1e that ; and no +onder +ith the +eather +hat it +as/
When the )an got round the 'end of the stair.ase he 'egan to +histe
softy/ The tune he +histed +as JThree %ind Mi.e/J
Moy $avis stepped 'a.1 into the road and oo1ed up at the ne+y
painted 'oard 'y the gate/
M<0-SW(## MA0<& ,2(ST!<2S(
She nodded approva/ It oo1ed> it reay did oo1> 8uite professiona/
<r> perhaps> one )ight say a)ost professiona/ The T of ,uest !ouse
staggered uphi a itte> and the end of Manor +as sighty .ro+ded>
'ut on the +hoe ,ies had )ade a +onderfu Do' of it/
,ies +as reay very .ever/ There +ere so )any things that he .oud
do/ She +as a+ays )a1ing fresh dis.overies a'out this hus'and of
hers/ !e said so itte a'out hi)sef that it +as ony 'y degrees that she
+as finding out +hat a ot of varied taents he had/ An eB;nava )an
+as a+ays a Jhandy )an>J so peope said/
We> ,ies +oud have need of a his taents in their ne+ venture/
0o'ody .oud 'e )ore ra+ to the 'usiness of running a guest house
than she and ,ies/ %ut it +oud 'e great fun/ And it did sove the
housing pro'e)/
It had 'een Moy"s idea/ When Aunt -atherine died> and the a+yers
+rote to her and infor)ed her that her aunt had eft her Mon1s+e
Manor> the natura rea.tion of the young .oupe had 'een to se it/
,ies had as1ed> JWhat is it i1eAJ
And Moy had repied> J<h> a 'ig> ra)'ing od house> fu of stuffy> odfashioned
7i.torian furniture/ &ather a ni.e garden> 'ut terri'y
overgro+n sin.e the +ar> 'e.ause there"s 'een ony one od gardener
eft/J
So they had de.ided to put the house on the )ar1et> and 1eep Dust
enough furniture to furnish a s)a .ottage or fat for the)seves/
%ut t+o diffi.uties arose at on.e/ First> there +eren"t any s)a
.ottages or fats to 'e found> and se.ondy> a the furniture +as
enor)ous/
JWe>J said Moy> J+e" Dust have to se it a/ I suppose it +i seAJ
The soi.itor assured the) that no+adays anything +oud se/
J7ery pro'a'y>J he said> Jso)eone +i 'uy it for a hote or guest
house in +hi.h .ase they )ight i1e to 'uy it +ith the furniture
.o)pete/ Fortunatey the house is in very good repair/ The ate Miss
()ory had eBtensive repairs and )oderni?ations done Dust 'efore the
+ar> and there has 'een very itte deterioration/ <h> yes> it"s in good
shape/J
And it +as then that Moy had had her idea/
J,ies>J she said> J+hy shoudn"t +e run it as a guest house
oursevesAJ
At first her hus'and had s.offed at the idea> 'ut Moy had persisted/
JWe needn"t ta1e very )any peope ; not at first/ It"s an easy house to
run ; it"s got hot and .od +ater in the 'edroo)s and .entra heating
and a gas .oo1er/ And +e .an have hens and du.1s and our o+n eggs>
and vegeta'es/J
JWho"d do a the +or1 ; isn"t it very hard to get servantsAJ
J<h> +e"d have to do the +or1/ %ut +herever +e ived +e"d have to do
that/ A fe+ eBtra peope +oudn"t reay )ean )u.h )ore to do/ We"d
pro'a'y get a +o)an to .o)e in after a 'it +hen +e got propery
started/ If +e had ony five peope> ea.h paying seven guineas a +ee1 ;
J Moy departed into the rea)s of so)e+hat opti)isti. )enta
arith)eti./
JAnd thin1> ,ies>J she ended> Jit +oud 'e our o+n house/ With our
o+n things/ As it is> it see)s to )e it +i 'e years 'efore +e .an ever
find any+here to ive/J
That> ,ies ad)itted> +as true/ They had had so itte ti)e together
sin.e their hasty )arriage> that they +ere 'oth onging to sette do+n
in a ho)e/
So the great eBperi)ent +as set under +ay/ Advertise)ents +ere put
in the o.a paper and in the Ti)es> and various ans+ers .a)e/
And no+> today> the first of the guests +as to arrive/ ,ies had gone off
eary in the .ar to try and o'tain so)e ar)y +ire netting that had 'een
advertised as for sae on the other side of the .ounty/
Moy announ.ed the ne.essity of +a1ing to the viage to )a1e so)e
ast pur.hases/
The ony thing that +as +rong +as the +eather/ For the ast t+o days it
had 'een 'ittery .od> and no+ the sno+ +as 'eginning to fa/
Moy hurried up the drive> thi.1> feathery fa1es faing on her
+aterproofed shouders and 'right .ury hair/ The +eather fore.asts
had 'een ugu'rious in the eBtre)e/ !eavy sno+fa +as to 'e
eBpe.ted/
She hoped anBiousy that a the pipes +oudn"t free?e/ It +oud 'e too
'ad if everything +ent +rong Dust as they started/
She gan.ed at her +at.h/ Past teati)e/ Woud ,ies have got 'a.1
yetA Woud he 'e +ondering +here she +asA
JI had to go to the viage again for so)ething I had forgotten>J she
+oud say/ And he +oud augh and say> JMore tinsAJ
Tins +ere a Do1e 'et+een the)/ They +ere a+ays on the oo1out for
tins of food/ The arder +as reay 8uite ni.ey sto.1ed no+ in .ase of
e)ergen.ies/
And> Moy thought +ith a gri)a.e as she oo1ed up at the s1y> it
oo1ed as though e)ergen.ies +ere going to present the)seves very
soon/
The house +as e)pty/ ,ies +as not 'a.1 yet/
Moy +ent first into the 1it.hen> then upstairs> going round the ne+y
prepared 'edroo)s/ Mrs %oye in the south roo) +ith the )ahogany
and the four;poster/ MaDor Met.af in the 'ue roo) +ith the oa1/ Mr
Wren in the east roo) +ith the 'ay +indo+/ A the roo)s oo1ed very
ni.e ; and +hat a 'essing that Aunt -atherine had had su.h a spendid
sto.1 of inen/ Moy patted a .ounterpane into pa.e and +ent
do+nstairs again/
It +as neary dar1/ The house fet suddeny very 8uiet and e)pty/ It
+as a oney house> t+o )ies fro) a viage> t+o )ies> as Moy put it>
fro) any+here/
She had often 'een aone in the house 'efore ; 'ut she had never
'efore 'een so .ons.ious of 'eing aone in it/
The sno+ 'eat in a soft furry against the +indo+panes/ It )ade a
+hispery> uneasy sound/
Supposing ,ies .oudn"t get 'a.1 ; supposing the sno+ +as so thi.1
that the .ar .oudn"t get throughA Supposing she had to stay aone
here ; stay aone for days> perhaps/
She oo1ed round the 1it.hen ; a 'ig> .o)forta'e 1it.hen that see)ed
to .a for a 'ig> .o)forta'e .oo1 presiding at the 1it.hen ta'e> her
Da+s )oving rhyth)i.ay as she ate ro.1 .a1es and dran1 'a.1 tea ;
she shoud 'e fan1ed 'y a ta> edery parour;)aid on one side and a
round> rosy house)aid on the other> +ith a 1it.hen;)aid at the other
end of the ta'e o'serving her 'etters +ith frightened eyes/ And
instead there +as Dust hersef> Moy $avis> paying a roe that did not
yet see) a very natura roe to pay/
!er +hoe ife> at the )o)ent> see)ed unrea ; ,ies see)ed unrea/
She +as paying a part ; Dust paying a part/
A shado+ passed the +indo+> and she Du)ped ; a strange )an +as
.o)ing through the sno+/ She heard the ratte of the side door/ The
stranger stood there in the open door+ay> sha1ing off sno+> a strange
)an> +a1ing into the e)pty house/ And then> suddeny> iusion fed/
J<h ,ies>J she .ried> JI") so gad you"ve .o)eGJ
J!uo> s+eetheartG What fithy +eatherG #ord> I") fro?en/J
!e sta)ped his feet and 'e+ through his hands/
Auto)ati.ay Moy pi.1ed up the .oat that he had thro+n in a ,iesi1e
)anner onto the oa1 .hest/ She put it on a hanger> ta1ing out of
the stuffed po.1ets a )uffer> a ne+spaper> a 'a of string> and the
)orning"s .orresponden.e +hi.h he had shoved in pe )e/ Moving
into the 1it.hen> she aid do+n the arti.es on the dresser and put the
1ette on the gas/
J$id you get the nettingAJ she as1ed/ JWhat ages you"ve 'een/J
JIt +asn"t the right 1ind/ Woudn"t have 'een any good for us/ I +ent on
to another du)p> 'ut that +asn"t any good either/ What have you 'een
doing +ith yoursefA 0o'ody turned up yet> I supposeAJ
JMrs %oye isn"t .o)ing ti to)orro+> any+ay/J
JMaDor Met.af and Mr Wren ought to 'e here today/J
JMaDor Met.af sent a .ard to say he +oudn"t 'e here ti to)orro+/J
JThen that eaves us and Mr Wren for dinner/ What do you thin1 he"s
i1eA Corre.t sort of retired .ivi servant is )y idea/J
J0o> I thin1 he"s an artist/J
JIn that .ase>J said ,ies> J+e"d 'etter get a +ee1"s rent in advan.e/J
J<h> no> ,ies> they 'ring uggage/ If they don"t pay +e hang on to their
uggage/J
JAnd suppose their uggage is stones +rapped up in ne+spaperA The
truth is> Moy> +e don"t in the east 1no+ +hat +e"re up against in this
'usiness/ I hope they don"t spot +hat 'eginners +e are/J
JMrs %oye is sure to>J said Moy/ JShe"s that 1ind of +o)an/J J!o+ do
you 1no+A @ou haven"t seen herAJ
Moy turned a+ay/ She spread a ne+spaper on the ta'e> fet.hed
so)e .heese> and set to +or1 to grate it/
JWhat"s thisAJ in8uired her hus'and/
JIt"s going to 'e Wesh rare'it>J Moy infor)ed hi)/
J%read .ru)'s and )ashed potatoes and Dust a teeny;+eeny 'it of
.heese to Dustify its na)e/J
JAren"t you a .ever .oo1AJ said her ad)iring hus'and/
JI +onder/ I .an do one thing at a ti)e/ It"s asse)'ing the) that needs
so )u.h pra.ti.e/ %rea1fast is the +orst/J
JWhyAJ
J%e.ause it a happens at on.e ; eggs and 'a.on and hot )i1 and
.offee and toast/ The )i1 'ois over> or the toast 'urns> or the 'a.on
fri??es> or the eggs go hard/ @ou have to 'e as a.tive as a s.aded .at
+at.hing everything at on.e/J
JI sha have to .reep do+n uno'served to)orro+ )orning and +at.h
this s.aded;.at i)personation/J
JThe 1ette"s 'oiing>J said Moy/ JSha +e ta1e the tray into the i'rary
and hear the +ireessA It"s a)ost ti)e for the ne+s/J
JAs +e see) to 'e going to spend a)ost the +hoe of our ti)e in the
1it.hen> +e ought to have a +ireess there> too/J
J@es/ !o+ ni.e 1it.hens are/ I ove this 1it.hen/ I thin1 it"s far and a+ay
the ni.est roo) in the house/ I i1e the dresser and the pates> and I
si)py ove the avish feeing that an a'soutey enor)ous 1it.hen
range gives you ; though> of .ourse> I") than1fu I haven"t got to .oo1
on it/J
JI suppose a +hoe year"s fue ration +oud go in one day/J
JA)ost .ertainy> I shoud say/ %ut thin1 of the great Doints that +ere
roasted in it ; siroins of 'eef and saddes of )utton/ Coossa .opper
preserving;pans fu of ho)e)ade stra+'erry Da) +ith pounds and
pounds of sugar going into it/ What a ovey> .o)forta'e age the
7i.torian age +as/ #oo1 at the furniture upstairs> arge and soid and
rather ornate ; 'ut> ohG ; the heaveny .o)fort of it> +ith ots of roo)
for the .othes one used to have> and every dra+er siding in and out
so easiy/ $o you re)e)'er that s)art )odern fat +e +ere entA
(verything 'uit in and siding ; ony nothing sid ; it a+ays stu.1/ And
the doors pushed shut ; ony they never stayed shut> or if they did shut
they +oudn"t open/J
J@es> that"s the +orst of gadgets/ If they don"t go right> you"re sun1/J
JWe> .o)e on> et"s hear the ne+s/J
The ne+s .onsisted )ainy of gri) +arnings a'out the +eather> the
usua deado.1 in foreign affairs> spirited 'i.1erings in Paria)ent> and
a )urder in Cuver Street> Paddington/
J2gh>J said Moy> s+it.hing it off/ J0othing 'ut )isery/ I") not going to
hear appeas for fue e.ono)y a over again/ What do they eBpe.t you
to do> sit and free?eA I don"t thin1 +e ought to have tried to start a
guest house in the +inter/ We ought to have +aited unti the spring/J
She added in a different tone of voi.e> JI +onder +hat the +o)an +as
i1e +ho +as )urdered/J
JMrs #yonAJ
JWas that her na)eA I +onder +ho +anted to )urder her and +hy/J
JPerhaps she had a fortune under the foor 'oards/J
JWhen it says the poi.e are anBious to intervie+ a )an "seen in the
vi.inity" does that )ean he"s the )urdererAJ
JI thin1 it"s usuay that/ *ust a poite +ay of putting it/J
The shri note of a 'e )ade the) 'oth Du)p/
JThat"s the front door>J said ,ies/ J(nter ; a )urderer>J he added
fa.etiousy/
JIt +oud 'e> of .ourse> in a pay/ !urry up/ It )ust 'e Mr Wren/ 0o+
+e sha see +ho"s right a'out hi)> you or )e/J
Mr Wren and a furry of sno+ .a)e in together +ith a rush/ A that
Moy> standing in the i'rary door> .oud see of the ne+.o)er +as his
sihouette against the +hite +ord outside/
!o+ ai1e> thought Moy> +ere a )en in their ivery of .ivii?ation/
$ar1 over.oat> gray hat> )uffer round the ne.1/
In another )o)ent ,ies had shut the front door against the ee)ents>
Mr Wren +as un+inding his )uffer and .asting do+n his suit.ase and
finging off his hat ; a> it see)ed> at the sa)e ti)e> and aso ta1ing/
!e had a high;pit.hed> a)ost 8ueruous voi.e and stood reveaed in
the ight of the ha as a young )an +ith a sho.1 of ight> sun'urned
hair and pae> restess eyes/
JToo> too frightfu>J he +as saying/ JThe (ngish +inter at its +orst ; a
reversion to $i.1ens ; S.rooge and Tiny Ti) and a that/ <ne had to 'e
so terri'y hearty to stand up to it a/ $on"t you thin1 soA And I"ve had a
terri'e .ross;.ountry Dourney fro) Waes/ Are you Mrs $avisA %ut
ho+ deightfuGJ
Moy"s hand +as sei?ed in a 8ui.1> 'ony .asp/
J0ot at a as I"d i)agined you/ I"d pi.tured you> you 1no+> as an Indian
ar)y genera"s +ido+/ Terrifi.ay gri) and )e)sahi'ish ; and
%enares +hatnot ; a rea 7i.torian +hatnot/ !eaveny> si)py heaveny
; !ave you got any +aB fo+ersA <r 'irds of paradiseA <h> 'ut I")
si)py going to ove this pa.e/ I +as afraid> you 1no+> it +oud 'e very
<de Worde ; very> very Manor !ouse ; faiing the %enares 'rass> I
)ean/ Instead> it"s )arveous ; rea 7i.torian 'edro.1 respe.ta'iity/
Te )e> have you got one of those 'eautifu side'oards ; )ahogany ;
purpe;pu))y;)ahogany +ith great .arved fruitsAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t>J said Moy> rather 'reathess under this torrent of
+ords> J+e have/J J0oG Can I see itA At on.e/ In hereAJ
!is 8ui.1ness +as a)ost dis.on.erting/ !e had turned the hande of
the dining;roo) door> and .i.1ed on the ight/ Moy foo+ed hi) in>
.ons.ious of ,ies"s disapproving profie on her eft/
Mr Wren passed his ong 'ony fingers over the ri.h .arving of the
)assive side'oard +ith itte .ries of appre.iation/ Then he turned a
reproa.hfu gan.e upon his hostess/
J0o 'ig )ahogany dining;ta'eA A these itte ta'es dotted a'out
insteadAJ JWe thought peope +oud prefer it that +ay>J said Moy/
J$aring> of .ourse you"re 8uite right/ I +as 'eing .arried a+ay 'y )y
feeing for period/ <f .ourse> if you had the ta'e> you"d have to have
the right fa)iy round it/ Stern> handso)e father +ith a 'eard ; proifi.>
faded )other> eeven .hidren> a gri) governess> and so)e'ody
.aed "poor !arriet" ; the poor reation +ho a.ts as genera heper and
is very> very gratefu for 'eing given a good ho)e/ #oo1 at that grate ;
thin1 of the fa)es eaping up the .hi)ney and 'istering poor !arriet"s
'a.1/J
JI" ta1e your suit.ase upstairs>J said ,ies/ J(ast roo)AJ
J@es>J said Moy/
Mr Wren s1ipped out into the ha again as ,ies +ent upstairs/
J!as it got a four;poster +ith itte .hint? rosesAJ he as1ed/
J0o> it hasn"t>J said ,ies and disappeared round the 'end of the
stair.ase/
JI don"t 'eieve your hus'and is going to i1e )e>J said Mr Wren/
JWhat"s he 'een inA The navyAJ
J@esJ
J@es/
JI thought so/ They"re )u.h ess toerant than the ar)y and the air
for.e/ !o+ ong have you 'een )arriedA Are you very )u.h in ove
+ith hi)AJ
JPerhaps you"d i1e to .o)e up and see your roo)/J
J@es> of .ourse that +as i)pertinent/ %ut I did reay +ant to 1no+/ I
)ean> it"s interesting> don"t you thin1> to 1no+ a a'out peopeA What
they fee and thin1> I )ean> not Dust +ho they are and +hat they do/J
JI suppose>J said Moy in a de)ure voi.e> Jyou are Mr WrenAJ
The young )an stopped short> .ut.hed his hair in 'oth hands and
tugged at it/
J%ut ho+ frightfu ;1 never put first things first/ @es> I") Christopher
Wren ; no+> don"t augh/ My parents +ere a ro)anti. .oupe/ They
hoped I"d 'e an ar.hite.t/ So they thought it a spendid idea to .hristen
)e Christopher ; haf+ay ho)e> as it +ere/J
JAnd are you an ar.hite.tAJ as1ed Moy> una'e to hep s)iing/
J@es> I a)>J said Mr Wren triu)phanty/ JAt east I") neary one/ I") not
fuy 8uaified yet/ %ut it"s reay a re)ar1a'e eBa)pe of +ishfu
thin1ing .o)ing off for on.e/ Mind you> a.tuay the na)e +i 'e a
handi.ap/ I sha never 'e the Christopher Wren/ !o+ever> Chris
Wren"s Pre;Fa' 0ests )ay a.hieve fa)e/J
,ies .a)e do+n the stairs again> and Moy said> JI" sho+ you your
roo) no+> Mr Wren/J
When she .a)e do+n a fe+ )inutes ater> ,ies said> JWe> did he i1e
the pretty oa1 furnitureAJ
J!e +as very anBious to have a four;poster> so I gave hi) the rose
roo) instead/J ,ies grunted and )ur)ured so)ething that ended> J///
young t+erp/J
J0o+> oo1 here> ,ies>J Moy assu)ed a severe de)eanour/ JThis
isn"t a house party of guests +e"re entertaining/ This is 'usiness/
Whether you i1e Christopher Wren or not ;J
JI don"t>J ,ies interDe.ted/
J; has nothing +hatever to do +ith it/ !e"s paying seven guineas a
+ee1> and that"s a that )atters/J
JIf he pays it> yes/J
J!e"s agreed to pay it/ We"ve got his etter/J
J$id you transfer that suit.ase of his to the rose roo)AJ
J!e .arried it> of .ourse/J
J7ery gaant/ %ut it +oudn"t have strained you/ There"s .ertainy no
8uestion of stones +rapped up in ne+spaper/ It"s so ight that there
see)s to )e there"s pro'a'y nothing in it/J
JSsh> here he .o)es>J said Moy +arningy/
Christopher Wren +as .ondu.ted to the i'rary +hi.h oo1ed> Moy
thought> very ni.e> indeed> +ith its 'ig .hairs and its og fire/ $inner>
she tod hi)> +oud 'e in haf an hour"s ti)e/
In repy to a 8uestion> she eBpained that there +ere no other guests at
the )o)ent/ In that .ase> Christopher said> ho+ +oud it 'e if he .a)e
into the 1it.hen and hepedA
JI .an .oo1 you an o)eette if you i1e>J he said engagingy/
The su'se8uent pro.eedings too1 pa.e in the 1it.hen> and
Christopher heped +ith the +ashing up/
So)eho+> Moy fet> it +as not 8uite the right start for a .onventiona
guest house ; and ,ies had not i1ed it at a/ <h> +e> thought Moy>
as she fe aseep> to)orro+ +hen the others .a)e it +oud 'e
different/
The )orning .a)e +ith dar1 s1ies and sno+/ ,ies oo1ed grave> and
Moy"s heart fe/ The +eather +as going to )a1e everything very
diffi.ut/
Mrs %oye arrived in the o.a taBi +ith .hains on the +hees> and the
driver 'rought pessi)isti. reports of the state of the road/
J$rifts afore nightfa>J he prophesied/
Mrs %oye hersef did not ighten the prevaiing goo)/ She +as a arge>
for'idding;oo1ing +o)an +ith a resonant voi.e and a )asterfu
)anner/ !er natura aggressiveness had 'een heightened 'y a +ar
.areer of persistent and )iitant usefuness/
JIf I had not 'eieved this +as a running .on.ern> I shoud never have
.o)e>J she said/ JI naturay thought it +as a +e;esta'ished guest
house> propery run on s.ientifi. ines/J
JThere is no o'igation for you to re)ain if you are not satisfied> Mrs
%oye>J said ,ies/ J0o> indeed> and I sha not thin1 of doing so/J
JPerhaps> Mrs %oye>J said ,ies> Jyou +oud i1e to ring up for a taBi/
The roads are not yet 'o.1ed/ If there has 'een any )isapprehension
it +oud> perhaps> 'e 'etter if you +ent ese+here/J !e added> JWe
have had so )any appi.ations for roo)s that +e sha 'e a'e to fi
your pa.e 8uite easiy ; indeed> in future +e are .harging a higher rate
for our roo)s/J
Mrs %oye thre+ hi) a sharp gan.e/ JI a) .ertainy not going to eave
'efore I have tried +hat the pa.e is i1e/ Perhaps you +oud et )e
have a rather arge 'ath to+e> Mrs $avis/ I a) not a..usto)ed to
drying )ysef on a po.1et hand1er.hief/J
,ies grinned at Moy 'ehind Mrs %oye"s retreating 'a.1/ J$aring>
you +ere +onderfu>J said Moy/ JThe +ay you stood up to her/J
J%uies soon .i)' do+n +hen they get their o+n )edi.ine>J said
,ies/ J<h> dear>J said Moy/ JI +onder ho+ she" get on +ith
Christopher Wren/J JShe +on"t>J said ,ies/
And> indeed> that very afternoon> Mrs %oye re)ar1ed to Moy> JThat"s
a very pe.uiar young )an>J +ith distin.t disfavour in her voi.e/
The 'a1er arrived oo1ing i1e an Ar.ti. eBporer and deivered the
'read +ith the +arning that his neBt .a> due in t+o days" ti)e> )ight
not )ateriai?e/
J!od;ups every+here>J he announ.ed/ J,ot penty of stores in> I
hopeAJ
J<h> yes>J said Moy/ JWe"ve got ots of tins/ I"d 'etter ta1e eBtra four>
though/J
She thought vaguey that there +as so)ething the Irish )ade .aed
soda 'read/ If the +orst .a)e to the +orst she .oud pro'a'y )a1e
that/
The 'a1er had aso 'rought the papers> and she spread the) out on
the ha ta'e/ Foreign affairs had re.eded in i)portan.e/ The +eather
and the )urder of Mrs #yon o..upied the front page/
She +as staring at the 'urred reprodu.tion of the dead +o)an"s
features +hen Christopher Wren"s voi.e 'ehind her said> J&ather a
sordid )urder> don"t you thin1A Su.h a dra';oo1ing +o)an and su.h
a dra' street/ <ne .an"t fee> .an one> that there is any story 'ehind
itAJ
JI"ve no dou't>J said Mrs %oye +ith a snort> Jthat the .reature got no
)ore than she deserved/J
J<h/J Mr Wren turned to her +ith engaging eagerness/ JSo you thin1
it"s definitey a seB .ri)e> do youAJ
JI suggested nothing of the 1ind> Mr Wren/J
J%ut she +as stranged> +asn"t sheA I +onder ;J he hed out his ong
+hite hands ; J+hat it +oud fee i1e to strange anyone/J
J&eay> Mr WrenGJ
Christopher )oved nearer to her> o+ering his voi.e/ J!ave you
.onsidered> Mrs %oye> Dust +hat it +oud fee i1e to 'e strangedAJ
Mrs %oye said again> even )ore indignanty> J&eay> Mr WrenGJ
Moy read hurriedy out> "JThe )an the poi.e are anBious to intervie+
+as +earing a dar1 over.oat and a ight !o)'urg hat> +as of )ediu)
height> and +ore a +ooen s.arf/"J
JIn fa.t>J said Christopher Wren> Jhe oo1ed Dust i1e every'ody ese/J
!e aughed/ J@es>J said Moy/ J*ust i1e every'ody ese/J
In his roo) at S.otand @ard> Inspe.tor Par)inter said to $ete.tive
Sergeant -ane> JI" see those t+o +or1)en no+/J
J@es> sir/J
JWhat are they i1eAJ
J$e.ent .ass +or1ing)en/ &ather so+ rea.tions/ $ependa'e/J
J&ight/J Inspe.tor Par)inter nodded/
Presenty t+o e)'arrassed;oo1ing )en in their 'est .othes +ere
sho+n into his roo)/
Par)inter su))ed the) up +ith a 8ui.1 eye/ !e +as an adept at
setting peope at their ease/
JSo you thin1 you"ve so)e infor)ation that )ight 'e usefu to us on the
#yon .ase>J he said/ J,ood of you to .o)e aong/ Sit do+n/ S)o1eAJ
!e +aited +hie they a..epted .igarettes and it up/
JPretty a+fu +eather outside/J
JIt is that> sir/J
JWe> no+> then ; et"s have it/J
The t+o )en oo1ed at ea.h other> e)'arrassed no+ that it .a)e to
the diffi.uties of narration/
J,o ahead> *oe>J said the 'igger of the t+o/
*oe +ent ahead/ JIt +as i1e this> see/ We "adn"t got a )at.h/J
JWhere +as thisAJ
J*ar)an Street ; +e +as +or1ing on the road there ; gas )ains/J
Inspe.tor Par)inter nodded/ #ater he +oud get do+n to eBa.t detais
of ti)e and pa.e/ *ar)an Street> he 1ne+ +as in the .ose vi.inity of
Cuver Street +here the tragedy had ta1en pa.e/
J@ou hadn"t got a )at.h>J he repeated en.ouragingy/
J0o/ Finished )y 'oB> I "ad> and %i"s ighter +oudn"t +or1> and so I
spo1e to a 'o1e as +as passing/ "Can you give us a )at.h> )isterA" I
says/ $idn"t thin1 nothing parti.uar> I didn"t> not then/ !e +as Dust
passing ; i1e ots of others ;1 Dust "appened to ars1 "i)/J
Again Par)inter nodded/
JWe> he give us a )at.h> "e did/ $idn"t say nothing/ "Crue .od>" %i
said to "i)> and he Dust ans+ered> +hispering;i1e> "@es> it is/" ,ot a
.od on his .hest> I thought/ !e +as a +rapped up> any+ay/ "Than1s
)ister>" I says and gives hi) 'a.1 his )at.hes> and he )oves off
8ui.1> so 8ui.1 that +hen I sees "e"d dropped so)ething> it"s a)ost
too ate to .a "i) 'a.1/ It +as a itte note'oo1 as he )ust "ave pued
out of "is po.1et +hen he got the )at.hes out/ "!i> )isterC I .as after
"i)> "you"ve dropped so)ething/" %ut he didn"t see) to hear ; he Dust
8ui.1ens up and 'ots round the .orner> didn"t "e> %iAJ
JThat"s right>J agreed %i/ J#i1e a s.urrying ra''it/J
JInto the !arro+ &oad> that +as> and it didn"t see) as +e"d .at.h up
+ith hi) there> not the rate "e +as going> and> any+ay> 'y then it +as a
'it ate ; it +as ony a itte 'oo1> not a +aet or anything i1e that ;
)ay'e it +asn"t i)portant/ "Funny 'o1e>" I says/ "!is hat pued do+n
over his eyes> and a 'uttoned up ; i1e a .roo1 on the pi.tures>" I says
to %i> didn"t I> %iAJ
JThat"s +hat you said>J agreed %i/
JFunny I shoud have said that> not that I thought anything at the ti)e/
*ust in a hurry to get ho)e> that"s +hat I thought> and I didn"t 'a)e
"i)/ 0ot "arf .od> it +asGJ
J0ot" arf>J agreed %i/
JSo I says to %i> "#et"s "ave a oo1 at this itte 'oo1 and see if it"s
i)portant/" We> sir> I too1 a oo1/ "<ny a .oupe of addresses>" I says
to %i/ Seventy;Four Cuver Street and so)e 'in1ing )anor "ouse/J
J&it?y>J said %i +ith a snort of disapprova/
*oe .ontinued his tae +ith a .ertain gusto no+ that he had got +ound
up/
"JSeventy;Four Cuver Street>" I says to %i/ "That"s Dust round the
.orner fro) "ere/ When +e 1no.1 off> +e" ta1e it round" ; and then I
sees so)ething +ritten a.ross the top of the page/ "What"s thisA" I says
to %i/ And he ta1es it and reads it out/ "JThree 'ind )i.eJ ;)ust 'e off
"is -no.1er>" he says ; and Dust at that very )o)ent ; yes> it +as that
very )o)ent> sir> +e "ears so)e +o)an yeing> "MurderG" a .oupe of
streets a+ayGJ
*oe paused at this artisti. .i)aB/
J$idn"t haf ye> did sheAJ he resu)ed/ J"!ere>" I says to %i> "you nip
aong/" And 'y and 'y he .o)es 'a.1 and says there"s a 'ig .ro+d and
the poi.e are there and so)e +o)an"s had her throat .ut or 'een
stranged and that +as the andady +ho found her> yeing for the
poi.e/ "Where +as itA" I says to hi)/ "In Cuver Street>" he says/ "What
nu)'erA" I as1s> and he says he didn"t righty noti.e/J
%i .oughed and shuffed his feet +ith the sheepish air of one +ho has
not done hi)sef Dusti.e/
JSo I says> "We" nip around and )a1e sure>" and +hen +e finds it"s
nu)'er seventy;four +e ta1ed it over> and "May'e>" %i says> "the
address in the note'oo1"s got nothing to do +ith it>" and I says as
)ay'e it has> and> any+ay> after +e"ve ta1ed it over and heard the
poi.e +ant to intervie+ a )an +ho eft the "ouse a'out that ti)e> +e>
+e .o)e aong "ere and as1 if +e .an see the gente)an +ho"s
handing the .ase> and I") sure I "ope as +e aren"t +asting your ti)e/J
J@ou a.ted very propery>J said Par)inter approvingy/ J@ou"ve
'rought the note'oo1 +ith youA Than1 you/ 0o+ ;J
!is 8uestions 'e.a)e 'ris1 and professiona/ !e got pa.es> ti)es>
dates ; the ony thing he did not get +as a des.ription of the )an +ho
had dropped the note'oo1/ Instead he got the sa)e des.ription as he
had aready got fro) a hysteri.a andady> the des.ription of a hat
pued do+n over the eyes> a 'uttoned;up .oat> a )uffer s+athed
round the o+er part of a fa.e> a voi.e that +as ony a +hisper> goved
hands/
When the )en had gone he re)ained staring do+n at the itte 'oo1
ying open on his ta'e/ Presenty it +oud go to the appropriate
depart)ent to see +hat eviden.e> if any> of fingerprints it )ight revea/
%ut no+ his attention +as hed 'y the t+o addresses and 'y the ine of
s)a hand+riting aong the top of the page/
!e turned his head as Sergeant -ane .a)e into the roo)/ JCo)e here>
-ane/ #oo1 at this/J
-ane stood 'ehind hi) and et out a o+ +histe as he read out> "JThree
%ind Mi.eG" We> I") dashedGJ
J@es/J Par)inter opened a dra+er and too1 out a haf sheet of
notepaper +hi.h he aid 'eside the note'oo1 on his des1/ It had 'een
found pinned .arefuy to the )urdered +o)an/
<n it +as +ritten> This is the first/ %eo+ +as a .hidish dra+ing of
three )i.e and a 'ar of )usi./
-ane +histed the tune softy/ Three %ind Mi.e> See ho+ they run ;
JThat"s it> a right/ That"s the signature tune/J
JCra?y> isn"t it> sirAJ
J@es/J Par)inter fro+ned/ JThe identifi.ation of the +o)an is 8uite
.ertainAJ
J@es> sir/ !ere"s the report fro) the fingerprints depart)ent/ Mrs
#yon> as she .aed hersef> +as reay Maureen ,regg/ She +as
reeased fro) !oo+ay t+o )onths ago on .o)petion of her
senten.e/J
Par)inter said thoughtfuy> JShe +ent to Seventy;Four Cuver Street
.aing hersef Maureen #yon/ She o..asionay dran1 a 'it and she
had 'een 1no+n to 'ring a )an ho)e +ith her on.e or t+i.e/ She
dispayed no fear of anything or anyone/ There"s no reason to 'eieve
she thought hersef in any danger/ This )an rings the 'e> as1s for
her> and is tod 'y the andady to go up to the se.ond foor/ She .an"t
des.ri'e hi)> says ony that he +as of )ediu) height and see)ed to
have a 'ad .od and ost his voi.e/ She +ent 'a.1 again to the
'ase)ent and heard nothing of a suspi.ious nature/ She did not hear
the )an go out/ Ten )inutes or so ater she too1 tea to her odger and
dis.overed her stranged/J
JThis +asn"t a .asua )urder> -ane/ It +as .arefuy panned/J
!e paused and then added a'rupty> JI +onder ho+ )any houses there
are in (ngand .aed Mon1s+e ManorAJ
JThere )ight 'e ony one> sir/J
JThat +oud pro'a'y 'e too )u.h u.1/ %ut get on +ith it/ There"s no
ti)e to ose/J
The sergeant"s eye rested appre.iativey on t+o entries in the
note'oo1 ; E4 Cuver StreetI Mon1s+e Manor/ !e said> JSo you thin1 ;
J
Par)inter said s+ifty> J@es/ $on"t youAJ
JCoud 'e/ Mon1s+e Manor ; no+ +here ; $o you 1no+> sir> I .oud
s+ear I"ve seen that na)e 8uite atey/J
JWhereAJ
JThat"s +hat I") trying to re)e)'er/ Wait a )inute ; 0e+spaper ;
Ti)es/ %a.1 page/ Wait a )inute ; !otes and 'oarding;houses ; !af a
se.> sir ; it"s an od one/ I +as doing the .ross+ord/J
!e hurried out of the roo) and returned in triu)ph> J!ere you are> sir>
oo1/J The inspe.tor foo+ed the pointing finger/
JMon1s+e Manor> !arpeden> %er1s/J !e dre+ the teephone to+ard
hi)/ J,et )e the %er1shire County poi.e/J
With the arriva of MaDor Met.af> Mon1s+e Manor setted into its
routine as a going .on.ern/ MaDor Met.af +as neither for)ida'e i1e
Mrs %oye> nor errati. i1e Christopher Wren/ !e +as a stoid> )iddeaged
)an of spru.e )iitary appearan.e> +ho had done )ost of his
servi.e in India/ !e appeared satisfied +ith his roo) and its furniture>
and +hie he and Mrs %oye did not a.tuay find )utua friends> he had
1no+n .ousins of friends of hers ; Jthe @or1shire 'ran.h>J out in
Poonah/ !is uggage> ho+ever> t+o heavy pigs1in .ases> satisfied
even ,ies"s suspi.ious nature/
Truth to te> Moy and ,ies did not have )u.h ti)e for spe.uating
a'out their guests/ %et+een the)> dinner +as .oo1ed> served> eaten>
and +ashed up satisfa.toriy/ MaDor Met.af praised the .offee> and
,ies and Moy retired to 'ed> tired 'ut triu)phant ; to 'e roused
a'out t+o in the )orning 'y the persistent ringing of a 'e/
J$a)n>J said ,ies/ JIt"s the front door/ What on earth ;J
J!urry up>J said Moy/ J,o and see/J
Casting a reproa.hfu gan.e at her> ,ies +rapped his dressing;go+n
round hi) and des.ended the stairs/ Moy heard the 'ots 'eing
dra+n 'a.1 and a )ur)ur of voi.es in the ha/ Presenty> driven 'y
.uriosity> she .rept out of 'ed and +ent to peep fro) the top of the
stairs/ In the ha 'eo+> ,ies +as assisting a 'earded stranger out of
a sno+;.overed over.oat/ Frag)ents of .onversation foated up to
her/
J%rrr/J It +as an eBposive foreign sound/ JMy fingers are so .od I
.annot fee the)/ And )y feet ;J A sta)ping sound +as heard/
JCo)e in here/J ,ies thre+ open the i'rary door/ JIt"s +ar)/ @ou"d
'etter +ait here +hie I get a roo) ready/J
JI a) indeed fortunate>J said the stranger poitey/
Moy peered in8uisitivey through the 'anisters/ She sa+ an edery
)an +ith a s)a 'a.1 'eard and Mephistopheean eye'ro+s/ A )an
+ho )oved +ith a young and Daunty step in spite of the gray at his
te)pes/
,ies shut the i'rary door on hi) and .a)e 8ui.1y up the stairs/ Moy
rose fro) her .rou.hing position/
JWho is itAJ she de)anded/
,ies grinned/ JAnother guest for the guest house/ Car overturned in a
sno+drift/ !e got hi)sef out and +as )a1ing his +ay as 'est he .oud
; it"s a ho+ing 'i??ard sti> isten to it ; aong the road +hen he sa+
our 'oard/ !e said it +as i1e an ans+er to prayer/J
J@ou thin1 he"s;a rightAJ
J$aring> this isn"t the sort of night for a house'rea1er to 'e doing his
rounds/J
J!e"s a foreigner> isn"t heAJ
J@es/ !is na)e"s Paravi.ini/ I sa+ his +aet ;1 rather thin1 he sho+ed
it on purpose ;si)py .ra))ed +ith notes/ Whi.h roo) sha +e give
hi)AJ
JThe green roo)/ It"s a tidy and ready/ We" Dust have to )a1e up the
'ed/J
JI suppose I" have to end hi) paDa)as/ A his things are in the .ar/
!e said he had to .i)' out through the +indo+/J
Moy fet.hed sheets> pio+.ases> and to+es/
As they hurriedy )ade the 'ed up> ,ies said> JIt"s .o)ing do+n thi.1/
We"re going to 'e sno+ed up> Moy> .o)petey .ut off/ &ather eB.iting
in a +ay> isn"t itAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said Moy dou'tfuy/ J$o you thin1 I .an )a1e soda
'read> ,iesAJ J<f .ourse you .an/ @ou .an )a1e anything>J said her
oya hus'and/
JI"ve never tried to )a1e 'read/ It"s the sort of thing one ta1es for
granted/ It )ay 'e ne+ or it )ay 'e stae 'ut it"s Dust so)ething the
'a1er 'rings/ %ut if +e"re sno+ed up there +on"t 'e a 'a1er/J
J0or a 'ut.her> nor a post)an/ 0o ne+spapers/ And pro'a'y no
teephone/J J*ust the +ireess teing us +hat to doAJ JAt any rate +e
)a1e our o+n ee.tri. ight/J
J@ou )ust run the engine again to)orro+/ And +e )ust 1eep the
.entra heating +e sto1ed/J
JI suppose our neBt ot of .o1e +on"t .o)e in no+/ We"re very o+/J
J<h> 'other/ ,ies> I fee +e are in for a si)py frightfu ti)e/ !urry up
and get Para ;+hatever his na)e is/ I" go 'a.1 to 'ed/J
Morning 'rought .onfir)ation of ,ies"s fore'odings/ Sno+ +as pied
five feet high> drifting up against the doors and +indo+s/ <utside it
+as sti sno+ing/ The +ord +as +hite> sient> and ; in so)e su'te
+ay ; )ena.ing/
Mrs %oye sat at 'rea1fast/ There +as no one ese in the dining;roo)/
At the adDoining ta'e> MaDor Met.af"s pa.e had 'een .eared a+ay/
Mr Wren"s ta'e +as sti aid for 'rea1fast/ <ne eary riser>
presu)a'y> and one ate one/ Mrs %oye hersef 1ne+ definitey that
there +as ony one proper ti)e for 'rea1fast> nine o".o.1/
Mrs %oye had finished her eB.eent o)eette and +as .ha)ping toast
'et+een her strong +hite teeth/ She +as in a grudging and unde.ided
)ood/ Mon1s+e Manor +as not at a +hat she had i)agined it +oud
'e/ She had hoped for 'ridge> for faded spinsters +ho) she .oud
i)press +ith her so.ia position and .onne.tions> and to +ho) she
.oud hint at the i)portan.e and se.re.y of her +ar servi.e/
The end of the +ar had eft Mrs %oye )arooned> as it +ere> on a
desert shore/ She had a+ays 'een a 'usy +o)an> ta1ing fuenty of
effi.ien.y and organi?ation/ !er vigor and drive had prevented peope
as1ing +hether she +as> indeed> a good or effi.ient organi?er/
War a.tivities had suited her do+n to the ground/ She had 'ossed
peope and 'uied peope and +orried heads of depart)ents and> to
give her her due> had at no ti)e spared hersef/ Su'servient +o)en
had run to and fro> terrified of her sightest fro+n/ And no+ a that
eB.iting husting ife +as over/ She +as 'a.1 in private ife> and her
for)er private ife had vanished/
!er house> +hi.h had 'een re8uisitioned 'y the ar)y> needed
thorough repairing and rede.orating 'efore she .oud return to it> and
the diffi.uties of do)esti. hep )ade a return to it i)pra.ti.a'e in
any .ase/ !er friends +ere argey s.attered and dispersed/
Presenty> no dou't> she +oud find her ni.he> 'ut at the )o)ent it +as
a .ase of )ar1ing ti)e/ A hote or a 'oarding;house see)ed the
ans+er/ And she had .hosen to .o)e to Mon1s+e Manor/
She oo1ed round her disparagingy/
Most dishonest> she said to hersef> not to have tod )e they +ere ony
Dust starting/
She pushed her pate farther a+ay fro) her/ The fa.t that her
'rea1fast had 'een eB.eenty .oo1ed and served> +ith good .offee
and ho)e)ade )ar)aade> in a .urious +ay annoyed her sti )ore/ It
had deprived her of a egiti)ate .ause of .o)paint/ !er 'ed> too> had
'een .o)forta'e> +ith e)'roidered sheets and a soft pio+/ Mrs
%oye i1ed .o)fort> 'ut she aso i1ed to find faut/ The atter +as>
perhaps> the stronger passion of the t+o/
&ising )aDesti.ay> Mrs %oye eft the dining;roo)> passing in the
door+ay that very eBtraordinary young )an +ith the red hair/ !e +as
+earing this )orning a .he.1ed tie of viruent green ; a +ooen tie/
Preposterous> said Mrs %oye to hersef/ 4uite preposterous/
The +ay he oo1ed at her> too> side+ays out of those pae eyes of his ;
she didn"t i1e it/ There +as so)ething upsetting ; unusua ; a'out that
fainty )o.1ing gan.e/
2n'aan.ed )entay> I shoudn"t +onder> said Mrs %oye to hersef/
She a.1no+edged his fa)'oyant 'o+ +ith a sight in.ination of her
head and )ar.hed into the 'ig dra+ing;roo)/ Co)forta'e .hairs
here> parti.uary the arge rose;.oored one/ She had 'etter )a1e it
.ear that that +as to 'e her .hair/ She deposited her 1nitting on it as a
pre.aution and +a1ed over and aid a hand on the radiators/ As she
had suspe.ted> they +ere ony +ar)> not hot/ Mrs %oye"s eye gea)ed
)iitanty/ She .oud have so)ething to say a'out that/
She gan.ed out of the +indo+/ $readfu +eather ; 8uite dreadfu/
We> she +oudn"t stay here ong ; not uness )ore peope .a)e and
)ade the pa.e a)using/
So)e sno+ sid off the roof +ith a soft +hooshing sound/ Mrs %oye
Du)ped/ J0o>J she said out oud/ JI shan"t stay here ong/J
So)e'ody aughed ; a faint> high .hu.1e/ She turned her head
sharpy/ @oung Wren +as standing in the door+ay oo1ing at her +ith
that .urious eBpression of his/
0o>J he said/ JI don"t suppose you +i/J
MaDor Met.af +as heping ,ies to shove a+ay sno+ fro) the 'a.1
door/ !e +as a good +or1er> and ,ies +as 8uite vo.iferous in his
eBpressions of gratitude/
J,ood eBer.ise>J said MaDor Met.af/ JMust get eBer.ise every day/ ,ot
to 1eep fit> you 1no+/J
So the )aDor +as an eBer.ise fiend/ ,ies had feared as )u.h/ It +ent
+ith his de)and for 'rea1fast at haf past seven/
As though reading ,ies"s thoughts> the )aDor said> J7ery good of your
)issus to .oo1 )e an eary 'rea1fast/ 0i.e to get a ne+;aid egg> too/J
,ies had risen hi)sef 'efore seven> o+ing to the eBigen.ies of hote1eeping/
!e and Moy had had 'oied eggs and tea and had set to on
the sitting;roo)s/ (verything +as spi.1;and;span/ ,ies .oud not hep
thin1ing that if he had 'een a guest in his o+n esta'ish)ent> nothing
+oud have dragged hi) out of 'ed on a )orning su.h as this unti the
ast possi'e )o)ent/
The )aDor> ho+ever> had 'een up and 'rea1fasted> and roa)ed a'out
the house> apparenty fu of energy see1ing an outet/
We> thought ,ies> there"s penty of sno+ to shove/
!e thre+ a side+ays gan.e at his .o)panion/ 0ot an easy )an to
pa.e> reay/ !ard'itten> +e over )idde age> so)ething 8ueery
+at.hfu a'out the eyes/ A )an +ho +as giving nothing a+ay/ ,ies
+ondered +hy he had .o)e to Mon1s+e Manor/
$e)o'ii?ed> pro'a'y> and no Do' to go to/
Mr Paravi.ini .a)e do+n ate/ !e had .offee and a pie.e of toast ; a
fruga Continenta 'rea1fast/
!e so)e+hat dis.on.erted Moy +hen she 'rought it to hi) 'y rising
to his feet> 'o+ing in an eBaggerated )anner> and eB.ai)ing> JMy
.har)ing hostessA I a) right> a) I notAJ
Moy ad)itted rather shorty that he +as right/ She +as in no )ood for
.o)pi)ents at this hour/
JAnd +hy>J she said> as she pied .ro.1ery re.1essy in the sin1>
Jevery'ody has to have their 'rea1fast at a different ti)e ; It"s a 'it
hard/J
She sung the pates into the ra.1 and hurried upstairs to dea +ith the
'eds/ She .oud eBpe.t no assistan.e fro) ,ies this )orning/ !e had
to .ear a +ay to the 'oier house and to the henhouse/
Moy did the 'eds at top speed and ad)ittedy in the )ost soveny
)anner> s)oothing sheets and puing the) up as fast as she .oud/
She +as at +or1 on the 'aths +hen the teephone rang/
Moy first .ursed at 'eing interrupted> then fet a sight feeing of reief
that the teephone at east +as sti in a.tion> as she ran do+n to
ans+er it/ She arrived in the i'rary a itte 'reathess and ifted the
re.eiver/
J@esAJ
A hearty voi.e +ith a sight 'ut peasant .ountry 'urr as1ed> JIs that
Mon1s+e ManorAJ
JMon1s+e Manor ,uest !ouse/J
JCan I spea1 to Co))ander $avid> peaseAJ
JI") afraid he .an"t .o)e to the teephone Dust no+>J said Moy/ JThis
is Mrs $avis/ Who is spea1ing> peaseAJ
JSuperintendent !og'en> %er1shire Poi.e/J
Moy gave a sight gasp/ She said> J<h> yes ; er ; yesAJ
JMrs $avis> rather an urgent )atter has arisen/ I don"t +ish to say very
)u.h over the teephone> 'ut I have sent $ete.tive Sergeant Trotter
out to you> and he shoud 'e there any )inute no+/J
J%ut he +on"t get here/ We"re sno+ed up ; .o)petey sno+ed up/ The
roads are i)passa'e/J
There +as no 'rea1 in the .onfiden.e of the voi.e at the other end/
JTrotter +i get to you> a right>J it said/ JAnd pease i)press upon
your hus'and> Mrs $avis> to isten very .arefuy to +hat Trotter has to
te you> and to foo+ his instru.tions i)pi.ity/ That"s a/J
J%ut> Superintendent !og'en> +hat ;J
%ut there +as a de.isive .i.1/ !og'en had .eary said a he had to
say and rung off/ Moy +agged the teephone rest on.e or t+i.e> then
gave up/ She turned as the door opened/
J<h> ,ies daring> there you are/J
,ies had sno+ on his hair and a good dea of .oa gri)e on his fa.e/
!e oo1ed hot/
JWhat is it> s+eetheartA I"ve fied the .oa s.uttes and 'rought in the
+ood/ I" do the hens neBt and then have a oo1 at the 'oier/ Is that
rightA What"s the )atter> MoyA @ou oo1ed s.ared/J
J,ies> it +as the poi.e/J
JThe poi.eAJ ,ies sounded in.reduous/
J@es> they"re sending out an inspe.tor or a sergeant or so)ething/J
J%ut +hyA What have +e doneAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ $o you thin1 it .oud 'e that t+o pounds of 'utter +e
had fro) IreandAJ
,ies +as fro+ning/ JI did re)e)'er to get the +ireess i.ense> didn"t
IAJ
J@es> it"s in the des1/ ,ies> od Mrs %ido.1 gave )e five of her
.oupons for that od t+eed .oat of )ine/ I suppose that"s +rong ; 'ut I
thin1 it"s perfe.ty fair/ I") a .oat ess so +hy shoudn"t I have the
.ouponsA <h> dear> +hat ese is there +e"ve doneAJ
JI had a near shave +ith the .ar the other day/ %ut it +as definitey the
other feo+"s faut/ $efinitey/J
JWe )ust have done so)ething>J +aied Moy/
JThe trou'e is that pra.ti.ay everything one does no+adays is
iega>J said ,ies goo)iy/ JThat"s +hy one has a per)anent feeing
of guit/ A.tuay I eBpe.t it"s so)ething to do +ith running this pa.e/
&unning a guest house is pro'a'y .ho.1;fu of snags +e"ve never
heard of/J
JI thought drin1 +as the ony thing that )attered/ We haven"t given
anyone anything to drin1/ <ther+ise> +hy shoudn"t +e run our o+n
house any +ay +e peaseAJ
JI 1no+/ It sounds a right/ %ut as I say> everything"s )ore or ess
for'idden no+adays/J
J<h> dear>J sighed Moy/ JI +ish +e"d never started/ We"re going to 'e
sno+ed up for days> and every'ody +i 'e .ross and they" eat a our
reserves of tins ;J
JCheer up> s+eetheart>J said ,ies/ JWe"re having a 'ad 'rea1 at the
)o)ent> 'ut it +i pan out a right/J
!e 1issed the top of her head rather a'sent)indedy and> reeasing
her> said in a different voi.e> J@ou 1no+> Moy> .o)e to thin1 of it> it
)ust 'e so)ething pretty serious to send a poi.e sergeant tre11ing
out here in a this/J !e +aved a hand to+ard the sno+ outside/ !e
said> JIt )ust 'e so)ething reay urgent ;J
As they stared at ea.h other> the door opened> and Mrs %oye .a)e in/
JAh> here you are> Mr $avis>J said Mrs %oye/ J$o you 1no+ the .entra
heating in the dra+ing;roo) is pra.ti.ay stone;.odAJ
JI") sorry> Mrs %oye/ We"re rather short of .o1e and ;J
Mrs %oye .ut in ruthessy/ JI a) paying seven guineas a +ee1 here ;
seven guineas/ And I do not eBpe.t to free?e/J
,ies fushed/ !e said shorty> JI" go and sto1e it up/J !e +ent out of
the roo)> and Mrs %oye turned to Moy/
JIf you don"t )ind )y saying so> Mrs $avis> that is a very eBtraordinary
young )an you have staying here/ !is )anners ; and his ties ; And
does he never 'rush his hairAJ
J!e"s an eBtre)ey 'riiant young ar.hite.t>J said Moy/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
JChristopher Wren is an ar.hite.t and ;J
JMy dear young +o)an>J snapped Mrs %oye> JI have naturay heard
of Sir Christopher Wren/ <f .ourse he +as an ar.hite.t/ !e 'uit St/
Pau"s/ @ou young peope see) to thin1 that edu.ation .a)e in +ith the
(du.ation A.t/J
JI )eant this Wren/ !is na)e is Christopher/ !is parents .aed hi)
that 'e.ause they hoped he"d 'e an ar.hite.t/ And he is ; or neary ;
one> so it turned out a right/J
J!u)ph>J Mrs %oye snorted/ JIt sounds a very fishy story to )e/ I
shoud )a1e so)e in8uiries a'out hi) if I +ere you/ What do you 1no+
a'out hi)AJ
J*ust as )u.h as I 1no+ a'out you> Mrs %oye ; +hi.h is that 'oth you
and he are paying us seven guineas a +ee1/ That"s reay a that I need
to 1no+> isn"t itA And a that .on.erns )e/ It doesn"t )atter to )e
+hether I i1e )y guests> or +hether ;J Moy oo1ed very steadiy at
Mrs %oye ; Jor +hether I don"t/J
Mrs %oye fushed angriy/ J@ou are young and ineBperien.ed and
shoud +e.o)e advi.e fro) so)eone )ore 1no+edgea'e than
yoursef/ And +hat a'out this 8ueer foreignerA When did he arriveAJ
JIn the )idde of the night/J
JIndeed/ Most pe.uiar/ 0ot a very .onventiona hour/J
JTo turn a+ay 'ona fide traveers +oud 'e against the a+> Mrs
%oye/J Moy added s+eety/ J@ou )ay not 'e a+are of that/J
JA I .an say is that this Paravi.ini> or +hatever he .as hi)sef>
see)s to )e ;J J%e+are> 'e+are> dear ady/ @ou ta1 of the devi and
then ;J
Mrs %oye Du)ped as though it had 'een indeed the devi +ho
addressed her/ Mr Paravi.ini> +ho had )in.ed 8uiety in +ithout either
of the t+o +o)en noti.ing hi)> aughed and ru''ed his hands
together +ith a 1ind of edery satani. gee/
J@ou started )e>J said Mrs %oye/ JI did not hear you .o)e in/J
JI .o)e in on tiptoe> so>J said Mr Paravi.ini> Jno'ody ever hears )e
.o)e and go/ That I find very a)using/ So)eti)es I overhear things/
That> too> a)uses )e/J !e added softy> J%ut I do not forget +hat I
hear/J
Mrs %oye said rather fee'y> JIndeedA I )ust get )y 1nitting ;1 eft it in
the dra+ing;roo)/J
She +ent out hurriedy/ Moy stood oo1ing at Mr Paravi.ini +ith a
pu??ed eBpression/ !e approa.hed her +ith a 1ind of hop and s1ip/
JMy .har)ing hostess oo1s upset/J %efore she .oud prevent it> he
pi.1ed up her hand and 1issed it/ JWhat is it> dear adyAJ
Moy dre+ 'a.1 a step/ She +as not sure that she i1ed Mr Paravi.ini
)u.h/ !e +as eering at her i1e an edery satyr/
J(verything is rather diffi.ut this )orning>J she said ighty/ J%e.ause
of the sno+/J
J@es/J Mr Paravi.ini turned his head round to oo1 out of the +indo+/
JSno+ )a1es everything very diffi.ut> does it notA <r ese it )a1es
things very easy/J
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
J0o>J he said thoughtfuy/ JThere is 8uite a ot that you do not 1no+/ I
thin1> for one thing> that you do not 1no+ very )u.h a'out running a
guest house/J
Moy"s .hin +ent up 'eigerenty/ JI daresay +e don"t/ %ut +e )ean to
)a1e a go of it/J
J%ravo> 'ravo/J
JAfter a>J Moy"s voi.e 'etrayed sight anBiety> JI") not su.h a very
'ad .oo1 ;J
J@ou are> +ithout dou't> an en.hanting .oo1>J said Mr Paravi.ini/
What a nuisan.e foreigners +ere> thought Moy/
Perhaps Mr Paravi.ini read her thoughts/ At a events his )anner
.hanged/ !e spo1e 8uiety and 8uite seriousy/
JMay I give you a itte +ord of +arning> Mrs $avisA @ou and your
hus'and )ust not 'e too trusting> you 1no+/ !ave you referen.es +ith
these guests of yoursAJ
JIs that usuaAJ Moy oo1ed trou'ed/ JI thought peope Dust ;Dust
.a)e/J
JIt is advisa'e a+ays to 1no+ a itte a'out the peope +ho seep
under your roof/J !e eaned for+ard and tapped her on the shouder in
a )inatory 1ind of +ay/ JTa1e )ysef> for eBa)pe/ I turn up in the
)idde of the night/ My .ar> I say> is overturned in a sno+drift/ What do
you 1no+ of )eA 0othing at a/ Perhaps you 1no+ nothing> either> of
your other guests/J
JMrs %oye ;J 'egan Moy> 'ut stopped as that ady hersef re;entered
the roo)> 1nitting in hand/
JThe dra+ing;roo) is too .od/ I sha sit in here/J She )ar.hed to+ard
the firepa.e/ Mr Paravi.ini pirouetted s+ifty ahead of her/ JAo+ )e
to po1e the fire for you/J
Moy +as stru.1> as she had 'een the night 'efore> 'y the youthfu
Dauntiness of his step/ She noti.ed that he a+ays see)ed .arefu to
1eep his 'a.1 to the ight> and no+> as he 1net> po1ing the fire> she
thought she sa+ the reason for it/ Mr Paravi.ini"s fa.e +as .every 'ut
de.idedy J)ade up/J
So the od idiot tried to )a1e hi)sef oo1 younger than he +as> did
heA We> he didn"t su..eed/ !e oo1ed a his age and )ore/ <ny the
youthfu +a1 +as in.ongruous/
Perhaps that> too> had 'een .arefuy .ounterfeited/
She +as 'rought 'a.1 fro) spe.uation to the disagreea'e reaities
'y the 'ris1 entran.e of MaDor Met.af/
JMrs $avis/ I") afraid the pipes of the ; er ;J he o+ered his voi.e
)odesty> Jdo+nstairs .oa1roo) are fro?en/J
J<h> dear>J groaned Moy/ JWhat an a+fu day/ First the poi.e and
then the pipes/J
Mr Paravi.ini dropped the po1er into the grate +ith a .atter/ Mrs
%oye stopped 1nitting/
Moy> oo1ing at MaDor Met.af> +as pu??ed 'y his sudden stiff
i))o'iity and 'y the indes.ri'a'e eBpression on his fa.e/ It +as an
eBpression she .oud not pa.e/ It +as as though a e)otion had 'een
drained out of it> eaving so)ething .arved out of +ood 'ehind/
!e said in a short> sta..ato voi.e> JPoi.e> did you sayAJ
She +as .ons.ious that 'ehind the stiff i))o'iity of his de)eanour>
so)e vioent e)otion +as at +or1/ It )ight have 'een fear or aertness
or eB.ite)ent ; 'ut there +as so)ething/ This )an> she said to hersef>
.oud 'e dangerous/
!e said again> and this ti)e his voi.e +as Dust )idy .urious> JWhat"s
that a'out the poi.eAJ
JThey rang up>J said Moy/ J*ust no+/ To say they"re sending a
sergeant out here/J She oo1ed to+ard the +indo+/ J%ut I shoudn"t
thin1 he" ever get here>J she said hopefuy/
JWhy are they sending the poi.e hereAJ !e too1 a step nearer to her>
'ut 'efore she .oud repy the door opened> and ,ies .a)e in/
JThis ruddy .o1e"s )ore than haf stones>J he said angriy/ Then he
added sharpy> JIs anything the )atterAJ
MaDor Met.af turned to hi)/ JI hear the poi.e are .o)ing out here>J
he said/ JWhyAJ
J<h> that"s a right>J said ,ies/ J0o one .an ever get through in this/
Why> the drifts are five feet deep/ The road"s a 'an1ed up/ 0o'ody
+i get here today/J
And at that )o)ent there .a)e distin.ty three oud taps on the
+indo+/
It started the) a/ For a )o)ent or t+o they did not o.ate the sound/
It .a)e +ith the e)phasis and )ena.e of a ghosty +arning/ And then>
+ith a .ry> Moy pointed to the Fren.h +indo+/ A )an +as standing
there tapping on the pane> and the )ystery of his arriva +as eBpained
'y the fa.t that he +ore s1is/
With an eB.a)ation> ,ies .rossed the roo)> fu)'ed +ith the .at.h>
and thre+ open the Fren.h +indo+/
JThan1 you> sir>J said the ne+ arriva/ !e had a sighty .o))on>
.heerfu voi.e and a +e;'ron?ed fa.e/
J$ete.tive Sergeant Trotter>J he announ.ed hi)sef/
Mrs %oye peered at hi) over her 1nitting +ith disfavour/
J@ou .an"t 'e a sergeant>J she said disapprovingy/ J@ou"re too
young/J
The young )an> +ho +as indeed very young> oo1ed affronted at this
.riti.is) and said in a sighty annoyed tone> JI") not 8uite as young as
I oo1> )ada)/J
!is eye roved over the group and pi.1ed out ,ies/
JAre you Mr $avisA Can I get these s1is off and sto+ the)
so)e+hereAJ
J<f .ourse> .o)e +ith )e/J
Mrs %oye said a.idy as the door to the ha .osed 'ehind the)> JI
suppose that"s +hat +e pay our poi.e for.e for> no+adays> to go
round enDoying the)seves at +inter sports/J
Paravi.ini had .o)e .ose to Moy/ There +as 8uite a hiss in his voi.e
as he said in a 8ui.1> o+ voi.e> JWhy did you send for the poi.e> Mrs
$avisAJ
She re.oied a itte 'efore the steady )aignity of his gan.e/ This +as
a ne+ Mr Paravi.ini/ For a )o)ent she fet afraid/ She said hepessy>
J%ut I didn"t/ I didn"t/J
And then Christopher Wren .a)e eB.itedy through the door> saying in
a high penetrating +hisper> JWho"s that )an in the haA Where did he
.o)e fro)A So terri'y hearty and a over sno+/J
Mrs %oye"s voi.e 'oo)ed out over the .i.1 of her 1nitting;needes/
J@ou )ay 'eieve it or not> 'ut that )an is a poi.e)an/ A poi.e)an ;
s1iingGJ
The fina disruption of the o+er .asses had .o)e> so her )anner
see)ed to say/
MaDor Met.af )ur)ured to Moy> J(B.use )e> Mrs $avis> 'ut )ay I
use your teephoneAJ
J<f .ourse> MaDor Met.af/J
!e +ent over to the instru)ent> Dust as Christopher Wren said shriy>
J!e"s very handso)e> don"t you thin1 soA I a+ays thin1 poi.e)en are
terri'y attra.tive/J
J!uo> huo ;J MaDor Met.af +as ratting the teephone irrita'y/ !e
turned to Moy/ JMrs $avis> this teephone is dead> 8uite dead/J JIt +as
a right Dust no+/ I ;J
She +as interrupted/ Christopher Wren +as aughing> a high> shri>
a)ost hysteri.a augh/ JSo +e"re 8uite .ut off no+/ 4uite .ut off/
That"s funny> isn"t itAJ
JI don"t see anything to augh at>J said MaDor Met.af stiffy/ J0o>
indeed>J said Mrs %oye/
Christopher +as sti in fits of aughter/ JIt"s a private Do1e of )y o+n>J
he said/ J!sh>J he put his finger to his ips> Jthe seuth is .o)ing/J
,ies .a)e in +ith Sergeant Trotter/ The atter had got rid of his s1is
and 'rushed off the sno+ and +as hoding in his hand a arge note'oo1
and pen.i/ !e 'rought an at)osphere of unhurried Dudi.ia pro.edure
+ith hi)/
JMoy>J said ,ies> JSergeant Trotter +ants a +ord +ith us aone/J
Moy foo+ed the) 'oth out of the roo)/ JWe" go in the study>J ,ies
said/
They +ent into the s)a roo) at the 'a.1 of the ha +hi.h +as
dignified 'y that na)e/ Sergeant Trotter .osed the door .arefuy
'ehind hi)/
JWhat have +e done> SergeantAJ Moy de)anded paintivey/
J$oneAJ Sergeant Trotter stared at her/ Then he s)ied 'roady/ J<h>J
he said/ JIt"s nothing of that 1ind> )ada)/ I") sorry if there"s 'een a
)isapprehension of any 1ind/ 0o> Mrs $avis> it"s so)ething 8uite
different/ It"s )ore a )atter of poi.e prote.tion> if you understand
)e/J
0ot understanding hi) in the east> they 'oth oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
Sergeant Trotter +ent on fuenty> JIt reates to the death of Mrs #yon>
Mrs Maureen #yon> +ho +as )urdered in #ondon t+o days ago/ @ou
)ay have read a'out the .ase/J
J@es>J said Moy/
JThe first thing I +ant to 1no+ is if you +ere a.8uainted +ith this Mrs
#yonAJ
J0ever heard of her>J said ,ies> and Moy )ur)ured .on.urren.e/
JWe> that"s rather +hat +e eBpe.ted/ %ut as a )atter of fa.t #yon
+asn"t the )urdered +o)an"s rea na)e/ She had a poi.e re.ord> and
her fingerprints +ere on fie> so +e +ere a'e to identify her +ithout
any diffi.uty/ !er rea na)e +as ,reggI Maureen ,regg/ !er ate
hus'and> *ohn ,regg> +as a far)er +ho resided at #ongridge Far)
not very far fro) here/ @ou )ay have heard of the #ongridge Far)
.ase/J
The roo) +as very sti/ <ny one sound 'ro1e the stiness> a soft>
uneBpe.ted pop as sno+ sithered off the roof and fe to the ground
outside/ It +as a se.ret> a)ost sinister sound/
Trotter +ent on/ JThree eva.uee .hidren +ere 'ieted on the ,reggs
at #ongridge Far) in 1946/ <ne of those .hidren su'se8uenty died as
the resut of .ri)ina nege.t and i;treat)ent/ The .ase )ade 8uite a
sensation> and the ,reggs +ere 'oth senten.ed to ter)s of
i)prison)ent/ ,regg es.aped on his +ay to prison> he stoe a .ar and
had a .rash +hie trying to evade the poi.e/ !e +as 1ied outright/
Mrs ,regg served her senten.e and +as reeased t+o )onths ago/J
JAnd no+ she"s 'een )urdered>J said ,ies/ JWho do they thin1 did
itAJ
%ut Sergeant Trotter +as not to 'e hurried/ J@ou re)e)'er the .ase>
sirAJ he as1ed/
,ies shoo1 his head/ JIn 1946 I +as a )idship)an serving in the
Mediterranean/J
JI ;1 do re)e)'er hearing a'out it> I thin1>J said Moy rather
'reathessy/ J%ut +hy do you .o)e to usA What have +e to do +ith
itAJ
JIt"s a 8uestion of your 'eing in danger> Mrs $avisGJ J$angerAJ ,ies
spo1e in.reduousy/
JIt"s i1e this> sir/ A note'oo1 +as pi.1ed up near the s.ene of the
.ri)e/ In it +ere +ritten t+o addresses/ The first +as Seventy;Four
Cuver Street/J
JWhere the +o)an +as )urderedAJ Moy put in/
J@esJ Mrs $avis/ The other address +as Mon1s+e Manor/J
JWhatAJ Moy"s tone +as in.reduous/ J%ut ho+ eBtraordinary/J
J@es/ That"s +hy Superintendent !og'en thought it i)perative to find
out if you 1ne+ of any .onne.tion 'et+een you> or 'et+een this house>
and the #ongridge Far) .ase/J
JThere"s nothing ; a'soutey nothing>J said ,ies/ JIt )ust 'e so)e
.oin.iden.e/J
Sergeant Trotter said genty> JSuperintendent !og'en doesn"t thin1 it
is a .oin.iden.e/ !e"d have .o)e hi)sef if it had 'een at a possi'e/
2nder the +eather .onditions> and as I") an eBpert s1ier> he sent )e
+ith instru.tions to get fu parti.uars of everyone in this house> to
report 'a.1 to hi) 'y phone> and to ta1e a )easures I thought
eBpedient for the safety of the househod/J
,ies said sharpy/ JSafetyA ,ood #ord> )an> you don"t thin1 so)e'ody
is going to 'e 1ied hereAJ
Trotter said apoogeti.ay> JI didn"t +ant to upset the ady> 'ut yes>
that is Dust +hat Superintendent !og'en does thin1/J
J%ut +hat earthy reason .oud there 'e ;J
,ies 'ro1e off> and Trotter said> JThat"s Dust +hat I") here to find out/J
J%ut the +hoe thing"s .ra?y/J
J@es> sir> 'ut it"s 'e.ause it"s .ra?y that it"s dangerous/J
Moy said> JThere"s so)ething )ore you haven"t tod us yet> isn"t
there> SergeantAJ
J@es> )ada)/ At the top of the page in the note'oo1 +as +ritten>
"Three %ind Mi.e/" Pinned to the dead +o)an"s 'ody +as a paper +ith
"This is the first" +ritten on it/ And 'eo+ it a dra+ing of three )i.e and
a 'ar of )usi./ The )usi. +as the tune of the nursery rhy)e "Three
%ind Mi.e/"J
Moy sang softyH
JThree %ind Mi.e>
See ho+ they run/
They a ran after the far)er"s +ifeG
She ;J
She 'ro1e off/ J<h> it"s horri'e ; horri'e/ There +ere three .hidren>
+eren"t thereAJ J@es> Mrs $avis/ A 'oy of fifteen> a gir of fourteen> and
the 'oy of t+eve +ho died/J JWhat happened to the othersAJ
JThe gir +as> I 'eieve> adopted 'y so)eone/ We haven"t 'een a'e to
tra.e her/ The 'oy +oud 'e Dust on t+enty;three no+/ We"ve ost tra.1
of hi)/ !e +as said to have a+ays 'een a 'it ; 8ueer/ !e Doined up in
the ar)y at eighteen/ #ater he deserted/ Sin.e then he"s disappeared/
The ar)y psy.hiatrist says definitey that he"s not nor)a/J
J@ou thin1 that it +as he +ho 1ied Mrs #yonAJ ,ies as1ed/ JAnd that
he"s a ho)i.ida )ania. and )ay turn up here for so)e un1no+n
reasonAJ
JWe thin1 that there )ust 'e a .onne.tion 'et+een so)eone here and
the #ongridge Far) 'usiness/ <n.e +e .an esta'ish +hat that
.onne.tion is> +e +i 'e forear)ed/ 0o+ you state> sir> that you
yoursef have no .onne.tion +ith that .ase/ The sa)e goes for you>
Mrs $avisAJ
JI ; oh> yes ;yes/J
JPerhaps you +i te )e eBa.ty +ho ese there is in the houseAJ
They gave hi) the na)es/ Mrs %oye/ MaDor Met.af/ Mr Christopher
Wren/ Mr Paravi.ini/
!e +rote the) do+n in his note'oo1/
JServantsAJ
JWe haven"t any servants>J said Moy/ JAnd that re)inds )e> I )ust go
and put the potatoes on/J
She eft the study a'rupty/
Trotter turned to ,ies/ JWhat do you 1no+ a'out these peope> sirAJ
JI ; We ;J ,ies paused/ Then he said 8uiety> J&eay> +e don"t 1no+
anything a'out the)> Sergeant Trotter/ Mrs %oye +rote fro) a
%ourne)outh hote/ MaDor Met.af fro) #ea)ington/ Mr Wren fro) a
private hote in South -ensington/ Mr Paravi.ini Dust turned up out of
the 'ue ; or rather out of the +hite ; his .ar overturned in a sno+drift
near here/ Sti> I suppose they" have identity .ards> ration 'oo1s> that
sort of thingAJ
JI sha go into a that> of .ourse/J
JIn a +ay it"s u.1y that the +eather is so a+fu>J said ,ies/ JThe
)urderer .an"t very +e turn up in this> .an heAJ
JPerhaps he doesn"t need to> Mr $avis/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
Sergeant Trotter hesitated for a )o)ent and then he said> J@ou"ve got
to .onsider> sir> that he )ay 'e here aready/J
,ies stared at hi)/ JWhat do you )eanAJ
JMrs ,regg +as 1ied t+o days ago/ A your visitors here have arrived
sin.e then> Mr $avis/J
J@es> 'ut they"d 'oo1ed 'eforehand ; so)e ti)e 'eforehand ; eB.ept
for Paravi.ini/J Sergeant Trotter sighed/ !is voi.e sounded tired/
JThese .ri)es +ere panned in advan.e/J
JCri)esA %ut ony one .ri)e has happened yet/ Why are you sure that
there +i 'e anotherAJ
JThat it +i happen ; no/ I hope to prevent that/ That it +i 'e
atte)pted> yes/J
J%ut then ; if you"re right>J ,ies spo1e eB.itedy> Jthere"s ony one
person it .oud 'e/ There"s ony one person +ho"s the right age/
Christopher WrenGJ
Sergeant Trotter had Doined Moy in the 1it.hen/
JI"d 'e gad> Mrs $avis> if you +oud .o)e +ith )e to the i'rary/ I +ant
to )a1e a genera state)ent to everyone/ Mr $avis has 1indy gone to
prepare the +ay ;J
JA right ; Dust et )e finish these potatoes/ So)eti)es I +ish Sir
Water &aeigh had never dis.overed the 'easty things/J
Sergeant Trotter preserved a disapproving sien.e/ Moy said
apoogeti.ay> JI .an"t reay 'eieve it> you see ; It"s so fantasti. ;J
JIt isn"t fantasti.> Mrs $avis ; It"s Dust pain fa.ts/J
J@ou have a des.ription of the )anAJ Moy as1ed .uriousy/
JMediu) height> sight 'uid> +ore a dar1 over.oat and a ight hat>
spo1e in a +hisper> his fa.e +as hidden 'y a )uffer/ @ou see ; that
)ight 'e any'ody/J !e paused and added> JThere are three dar1
over.oats and ight hats hanging up in your ha here> Mrs $avis/J
JI don"t thin1 any of these peope .a)e fro) #ondon/J
J$idn"t they> Mrs $avisAJ With a s+ift )ove)ent Sergeant Trotter
)oved to the dresser and pi.1ed up a ne+spaper/
JThe (vening Standard of Fe'ruary 19th/ T+o days ago/ So)eone
'rought that paper here> Mrs $avis/J
J%ut ho+ eBtraordinary/J Moy stared> so)e faint .hord of )e)ory
stirred/ JWhere .an that paper have .o)e fro)AJ
J@ou )ustn"t ta1e peope a+ays at their fa.e vaue> Mrs $avis/ @ou
don"t reay 1no+ anything a'out these peope you have ad)itted to
your house/J !e added> JI ta1e it you and Mr $avis are ne+ to the
guest;house 'usinessAJ
J@es> +e are>J Moy ad)itted/ She fet suddeny young> fooish> and
.hidish/
J@ou haven"t 'een )arried ong> perhaps> eitherAJ
J*ust a year/J She 'ushed sighty/ JIt +as a rather sudden/J
J#ove at first sight>J said Sergeant Trotter sy)patheti.ay/
Moy fet 8uite una'e to snu' hi)/ J@es>J she said> and added in a
'urst of .onfiden.e> J+e"d ony 1no+n ea.h other a fortnight/J
!er thoughts +ent 'a.1 over those fourteen days of +hir+ind
.ourtship/ There hadn"t 'een any dou'ts ;they had 'oth 1no+n/ In a
+orrying> nerve;ra.1ed +ord> they had found the )ira.e of ea.h
other/ A itte s)ie .a)e to her ips/
She .a)e 'a.1 to the present to find Sergeant Trotter eying her
indugenty/ J@our hus'and doesn"t .o)e fro) these parts> does heAJ
J0o>J said Moy vaguey/ J!e .o)es fro) #in.onshire/J
She 1ne+ very itte of ,ies"s .hidhood and up'ringing/ !is parents
+ere dead> and he a+ays avoided ta1ing a'out his eary days/ !e had
had> she fan.ied> an unhappy .hidhood/
J@ou"re 'oth very young> if I )ay say so> to run a pa.e of this 1ind>J
said Sergeant Trotter/
J<h> I don"t 1no+/ I") t+enty;t+o and ;J
She 'ro1e off as the door opened and ,ies .a)e in/
J(verything"s a set/ I"ve given the) a rough outine>J he said/ JI hope
that"s a right> SergeantAJ
JSaves ti)e>J said Trotter/ JAre you ready> Mrs $avisAJ
Four voi.es spo1e at on.e as Sergeant Trotter entered the i'rary/
!ighest and shriest +as that of Christopher Wren de.aring that this
+as too> too thriing and he +asn"t going to seep a +in1 tonight> and
pease> pease .oud +e have a the gory detaisA
A 1ind of dou'e;'ass a..o)pani)ent .a)e fro) Mrs %oye/
JA'soute outrage ; sheer in.o)peten.e ; poi.e have no 'usiness to
et )urderers go roa)ing a'out the .ountryside/J
Mr Paravi.ini +as eo8uent .hiefy +ith his hands/ !is gesti.uations
+ere )ore eo8uent than his +ords> +hi.h +ere dro+ned 'y Mrs
%oye"s dou'e 'ass/ MaDor Met.af .oud 'e heard in an o..asiona
short sta..ato 'ar1/ !e +as as1ing for fa.ts/
Trotter +aited a )o)ent or t+o> then he hed up an authoritative hand
and> rather surprisingy> there +as sien.e/
JThan1 you>J he said/ J0o+> Mr $avis has given you an outine of +hy
I") here/ I +ant to 1no+ one thing> and one thing ony> and I +ant to
1no+ it 8ui.1/ Whi.h of you has so)e .onne.tion +ith the #ongridge
Far) .aseAJ
The sien.e +as un'ro1en/ Four 'an1 fa.es oo1ed at Sergeant
Trotter/ The e)otions of a fe+ )o)ents 'a.1 ; eB.ite)ent>
indignation> hysteria> in8uiry> +ere +iped a+ay as a sponge +ipes out
the .ha1 )ar1s on a sate/
Sergeant Trotter spo1e again> )ore urgenty/ JPease understand )e/
<ne of you> +e have reason to 'eieve> is in danger ; deady danger/ I
have got to 1no+ +hi.h one of you it isGJ
And sti no one spo1e or )oved/
So)ething i1e anger .a)e into Trotter"s voi.e/ J7ery +e ; I" as1 you
one 'y one/ Mr Paravi.iniAJ
A very faint s)ie fi.1ered a.ross Mr Paravi.ini"s fa.e/ !e raised his
hands in a protesting foreign gesture/
J%ut I a) a stranger in these parts> Inspe.tor/ I 1no+ nothing> 'ut
nothing> of these o.a affairs of 'ygone years/J
Trotter +asted no ti)e/ !e snapped out> JMrs %oyeAJ
J&eay I don"t see +hy ;1 )ean ; +hy shoud I have anything to do +ith
su.h a distressing 'usinessAJ
JMr WrenAJ
Christopher said shriy> JI +as a )ere .hid at the ti)e/ I don"t
re)e)'er even hearing a'out it/J
JMaDor Met.afAJ
The MaDor said a'rupty> J&ead a'out it in the papers/ I +as stationed
at (din'urgh at the ti)e/J
JThat"s a you have to say ; any of youAJ Sien.e again/
Trotter gave an eBasperated sigh/ JIf one of you gets )urdered>J he
said> Jyou" ony have yoursef to 'a)e/J !e turned a'rupty and +ent
out of the roo)/
JMy dears>J said Christopher/ J!o+ )eodra)ati.GJ !e added> J!e"s
very handso)e> isn"t heA I do ad)ire the poi.e/ So stern and hard'oied/
4uite a thri> this +hoe 'usiness/ "Three %ind Mi.e/" !o+ does
the tune goAJ
!e +histed the air softy> and Moy .ried out invountariy> J$on"tGJ
!e +hired round on her and aughed/ J%ut> daring>J he said> Jit"s )y
signature tune/ I"ve never 'een ta1en for a )urderer 'efore and I")
getting a tre)endous 1i.1 out of itGJ
JMeodra)ati. ru''ish>J said Mrs %oye/ JI don"t 'eieve a +ord of it/J
Christopher"s ight eyes dan.ed +ith an i)pish )is.hief/ J%ut Dust +ait>
Mrs %oye>J he o+ered his voi.e> Jti I .reep up 'ehind you and you
fee )y hands round your throat/J
Moy fin.hed/
,ies said angriy> J@ou"re upsetting )y +ife> Wren/ It"s a da)ned poor
Do1e> any+ay/J
JIt"s no Do1ing )atter>J said Met.af/
J<h> 'ut it is>J said Christopher/ JThat"s Dust +hat it is ; a )ad)an"s
Do1e/ That"s +hat )a1es it so dei.iousy )a.a're/J
!e oo1ed round at the) and aughed again/ JIf you .oud Dust see your
fa.es>J he said/ Then he +ent s+ifty out of the roo)/
Mrs %oye re.overed first/ JA singuary i;)annered and neuroti.
young )an>J she said/ JPro'a'y a .ons.ientious o'De.tor/J
J!e tes )e he +as 'uried during an air raid for forty;eight hours
'efore 'eing dug out>J said MaDor Met.af/ JThat a..ounts for a good
dea> I daresay/J
JPeope have so )any eB.uses for giving +ay to nerves>J said Mrs
%oye a.idy/ JI") sure I +ent through as )u.h as any'ody in the +ar>
and )y nerves are a right/J
JPerhaps that"s Dust as +e for you> Mrs %oye>J said Met.af/
JWhat do you )eanAJ
MaDor Met.af said 8uiety> JI thin1 you +ere a.tuay the 'ieting
offi.er for this distri.t in 1946> Mrs %oye/J
!e oo1ed at Moy +ho gave a grave nod/ JThat is so> isn"t itAJ
An angry fush appeared on Mrs %oye"s fa.e/ JWhat of itAJ she
de)anded/
Met.af said gravey> J@ou +ere responsi'e for sending three .hidren
to #ongridge Far)/J
J&eay> MaDor Met.af> I don"t see ho+ I .an 'e hed responsi'e for
+hat happened/ The Far) peope see)ed very ni.e and +ere )ost
anBious to have the .hidren/ I don"t see that I +as to 'a)e in any +ay
; or that I .an 'e hed responsi'e ;J !er voi.e traied off/
,ies said sharpy> JWhy didn"t you te Sergeant Trotter thisAJ
J0o 'usiness of the poi.e>J snapped Mrs %oye/ JI .an oo1 after
)ysef/J
MaDor Met.af said 8uiety> J@ou"d 'etter +at.h out/J
Then he> too> eft the roo)/
Moy )ur)ured> J<f .ourse> you +ere the 'ieting offi.er/ I
re)e)'er/J
JMoy> did you 1no+AJ ,ies stared at her/
J@ou had the 'ig house on the .o))on> didn"t youAJ
J&e8uisitioned>J said Mrs %oye/ JAnd .o)petey ruined>J she added
'ittery/ J$evastated/ Ini8uitous/J
Then> very softy> Mr Paravi.ini 'egan to augh/ !e thre+ his head
'a.1 and aughed +ithout restraint/
J@ou )ust forgive )e>J he gasped/ J%ut> indeed/ I find a this )ost
a)using/ I enDoy )ysef ; yes> I enDoy )ysef greaty/J
Sergeant Trotter re;entered the roo) at that )o)ent/ !e thre+ a
gan.e of disapprova at Mr Paravi.ini/ JI") gad>J he said a.idy> Jthat
everyone finds this so funny/J
JI apoogi?e> )y dear Inspe.tor/ I do apoogi?e/ I a) spoiing the effe.t
of your soe)n +arning/J
Sergeant Trotter shrugged his shouders/ JI"ve done )y 'est to )a1e
the position .ear>J he said/ JAnd I") not an inspe.tor/ I") ony a
sergeant/ I"d i1e to use the teephone> pease> Mrs $avis/J
JI a'ase )ysef>J said Mr Paravi.ini/ JI .reep a+ay/J
Far fro) .reeping> he eft the roo) +ith that Daunty and youthfu step
that Moy had noti.ed 'efore/
J!e"s an odd fish>J said ,ies/
JCri)ina typeJ>J said Trotter/ JWoudn"t trust hi) a yard/J
J<h>J said Moy/ J@ou thin1 he ; 'ut he"s far too od ; <r is he od at aA
!e uses )a1e up ;8uite a ot of it/ And his +a1 is young/ Perhaps> he"s
)ade up to oo1 od/ Sergeant Trotter> do you thin1 ;J
Sergeant Trotter snu''ed her severey/ JWe shan"t get any+here +ith
unprofita'e spe.uation> Mrs $avis>J he said/ JI )ust report to
Superintendent !og'en/J
!e .rossed to the teephone/
J%ut you .an"t>J said Moy/ JThe teephone"s dead/J
JWhatAJ Trotter s+ung round/
The sharp aar) in his voi.e i)pressed the) a/ J$eadA Sin.e +henAJ
JMaDor Met.af tried it Dust 'efore you .a)e/J
J%ut it +as a right 'efore that/ @ou got Superintendent !og'en"s
)essageAJ
J@es/ I suppose ; sin.e then ; the ine"s do+n ; +ith the sno+/J
%ut Trotter"s fa.e re)ained grave/ JI +onder>J he said/ JIt )ay have
'een ; .ut/J
Moy stared/ J@ou thin1 soAJ
JI") going to )a1e sure/J
!e hurried out of the roo)/ ,ies hesitated> then +ent after hi)/
Moy eB.ai)ed> J,ood heavensG 0eary un.h ti)e> I )ust get on ; or
+e" have nothing to eat/J
As she rushed fro) the roo)> Mrs %oye )uttered> JIn.o)petent .hitG
What a pa.e/ I shan"t pay seven guineas for this 1ind of thing/J
Sergeant Trotter 'ent do+n> foo+ing the +ires/ !e as1ed ,ies> JIs
there an eBtensionAJ J@es> in our 'edroo) upstairs/ Sha I go up and
see thereAJ
JIf you pease/J
Trotter opened the +indo+ and eaned out> 'rushing sno+ fro) the
si/ ,ies hurried up the stairs/
Mr Paravi.ini +as in the 'ig dra+ing;roo)/ !e +ent a.ross to the
grand piano and opened it/ Sitting on the )usi. stoo> he pi.1ed out a
tune softy +ith one finger/
Three %ind Mi.e> See ho+ they run///
Christopher Wren +as in his 'edroo)/ !e )oved a'out it> +histing
'ris1y/ Suddeny the +histe +avered and died/ !e sat do+n on the
edge of the 'ed !e 'uried his fa.e in his hands and 'egan to so'/ !e
)ur)ured .hidishy> JI .an"t go on/J
Then his )ood .hanged/ !e stood up> s8uared his shouders/ JI"ve got
to go on>J he said/ JI"ve got to go through +ith it/J
,ies stood 'y the teephone in his and Moy"s roo)/ !e 'ent do+n
to+ard the s1irting/ <ne of Moy"s goves ay there/ !e pi.1ed it up/ A
pin1 'us ti.1et dropped out of it/ ,ies stood oo1ing do+n at it as it
futtered to the ground/ Wat.hing it> his fa.e .hanged/ It )ight have
'een a different )an +ho +a1ed so+y> as though in a drea)> to the
door> opened it> and stood a )o)ent peering aong the .orridor
to+ard the head of the stairs/
Moy finished the potatoes> thre+ the) into the pot> and set the pot on
the fire/ She gan.ed into the oven/ (verything +as a set> going
a..ording to pan/
<n the 1it.hen ta'e +as the t+o;day;od .opy of the (vening
Standard/ She fro+ned as she oo1ed at it/ If she .oud ony Dust
re)e)'er ;
Suddeny her hands +ent to her eyes/ J<h> no>J said Moy/ J<h> noGJ
So+y she too1 her hands a+ay/ She oo1ed round the 1it.hen i1e
so)eone oo1ing at a strange pa.e/ So +ar) and .o)forta'e and
spa.ious> +ith its faint savory s)e of .oo1ing/
J<h> no>J she said again under her 'reath/
She )oved so+y> i1e a seep+a1er> to+ard the door into the ha/
She opened it/ The house +as sient eB.ept for so)eone +histing/
That tune ;
Moy shivered and retreated/ She +aited a )inute or t+o> gan.ing
on.e )ore round the fa)iiar 1it.hen/ @es> everything +as in order and
progressing/ She +ent on.e )ore to+ard the 1it.hen door/
MaDor Met.af .a)e 8uiety do+n the 'a.1 stairs/ !e +aited a )o)ent
or t+o in the ha> then he opened the 'ig .up'oard under the stairs
and peered in/ (verything see)ed 8uiet/ 0o'ody a'out/ As good a
ti)e as any to do +hat he had set out to do ;
Mrs %oye> in the i'rary> turned the 1no's of the radio +ith so)e
irritation/
!er first atte)pt had 'rought her into the )idde of a ta1 on the origin
and signifi.an.e of nursery rhy)es/ The ast thing she +anted to hear/
T+iring i)patienty> she +as infor)ed 'y a .utured voi.eH JThe
psy.hoogy of fear )ust 'e thoroughy understood/ Say you are aone
in a roo)/ A door opens softy 'ehind you ;J
A door did open/
Mrs %oye> +ith a vioent start> turned sharpy/
J<h> it"s you>J she said +ith reief/ JIdioti. progra)s they have on this
thing/ I .an"t find anything +orth istening toGJ
JI shoudn"t 'other to isten> Mrs %oye/J
Mrs %oye snorted/ JWhat ese is there for )e to doAJ she de)anded/
JShut up in a house +ith a possi'e )urderer ; not that I 'eieve that
)eodra)ati. story for a )o)ent ;J
J$on"t you> Mrs %oyeAJ JWhy ; +hat do you )ean ;J
The 'et of the rain.oat +as sipped round her ne.1 so 8ui.1y that she
hardy reai?ed its signifi.an.e/ The 1no' of the radio a)pifier +as
turned higher/ The e.turer on the psy.hoogy of fear shouted his
earned re)ar1s into the roo) and dro+ned +hat in.identa noises
there +ere attendant on Mrs %oye"s de)ise/
%ut there +asn"t )u.h noise/ The 1ier +as too eBpert for that/
They +ere a hudded in the 1it.hen/ <n the gas .oo1er the potatoes
'u''ed )erriy/ The savory s)e fro) the oven of stea1 and 1idney
pie +as stronger than ever/
Four sha1en peope stared at ea.h other> the fifth> Moy> +hite and
shivering> sipped at the gass of +his1y that the siBth> Sergeant
Trotter> had for.ed her to drin1/
Sergeant Trotter hi)sef> his fa.e set and angry> oo1ed round at the
asse)'ed peope/ *ust five )inutes had eapsed sin.e Moy"s
terrified s.rea)s had 'rought hi) and the others ra.ing to the i'rary/
JShe"d ony Dust 'een 1ied +hen you got to her> Mrs $avis>J he said/
JAre you sure you didn"t see or hear any'ody as you .a)e a.ross the
haAJ
JWhisting>J said Moy fainty/ J%ut that +as earier/ I thin1 ; I") not
sure ;1 thin1 I heard a door shut ; softy> so)e+here ; Dust as I ; as I ;
+ent into the i'rary/J
JWhi.h doorAJ
JI don"t 1no+/J
JThin1> Mrs $avis ; try and thin1 ; upstairs ; do+nstairs ; right> eftAJ
JI don"t 1no+> I te you>J .ried Moy/ JI") not even sure I heard
anything/J
JCan"t you stop 'uying herAJ said ,ies angriy/ JCan"t you see she"s
a inAJ
JI") investigating a )urder> Mr $avis ;1 'eg your pardon ; Co))ander
$avis/J
JI don"t use )y +ar ran1> Sergeant/J
J4uite so> sir/J Trotter paused> as though he had )ade so)e su'te
point/ JAs I say> I") investigating a )urder/ 2p to no+ no'ody has
ta1en this thing seriousy/ Mrs %oye didn"t/ She hed out on )e +ith
infor)ation/ @ou a hed out on )e/ We> Mrs %oye is dead/ 2ness +e
get to the 'otto) of this ; and 8ui.1y> )ind> there )ay 'e another
death/J
JAnotherA 0onsense/ WhyAJ
J%e.ause>J said Sergeant Trotter gravey> Jthere +ere three itte 'ind
)i.e/J
,ies said in.reduousy> JA death for ea.h of the)A %ut there +oud
have to 'e a .onne.tion ;1 )ean another .onne.tion +ith the .ase/J
J@es> there +oud have to 'e that/J J%ut +hy another death hereAJ
J%e.ause there +ere ony t+o addresses in the note'oo1/ There +as
ony one possi'e vi.ti) at Seventy;Four Cuver Street/ She"s dead/
%ut at Mon1s+e Manor there is a +ider fied/J
J0onsense> Trotter/ It +oud 'e a )ost uni1ey .oin.iden.e that there
shoud 'e t+o peope 'rought here 'y .han.e> 'oth of the) +ith a
share in the #ongridge Far) .ase/J
J,iven .ertain .ir.u)stan.es> it +oudn"t 'e so )u.h of a
.oin.iden.e/ Thin1 it out> Mr $avis/J !e turned to+ard the others/ JI"ve
had your a..ounts of +here you a +ere +hen Mrs %oye +as 1ied/ I"
.he.1 the) over/ @ou +ere in your roo)> Mr Wren> +hen you heard
Mrs $avis s.rea)AJ
J@es> Sergeant/J
JMr $avis> you +ere upstairs in your 'edroo) eBa)ining the teephone
eBtension thereAJ
J@es>J said ,ies/
JMr Paravi.ini +as in the dra+ing;roo) paying tunes on the piano/
0o'ody heard you> 'y the +ay> Mr Paravi.iniAJ
JI +as paying very> very softy> Sergeant> Dust +ith one finger/J JWhat
tune +as itAJ
"JThree %ind Mi.e>" Sergeant/J !e s)ied/ JThe sa)e tune that Mr
Wren +as +histing upstairs/ The tune that"s running through
every'ody"s head/J
JIt"s a horrid tune>J said Moy/
J!o+ a'out the teephone +ireAJ as1ed Met.af/ JWas it dei'eratey
.utAJ
J@es> MaDor Met.af/ A se.tion had 'een .ut out Dust outside the diningroo)
+indo+ ;1 had Dust o.ated the 'rea1 +hen Mrs $avis
s.rea)ed/J
J%ut it"s .ra?y/ !o+ .an he hope to get a+ay +ith itAJ de)anded
Christopher shriy/ The sergeant )easured hi) .arefuy +ith his eye/
JPerhaps he doesn"t very )u.h .are a'out that>J he said/ J<r again> he
)ay 'e 8uite sure he"s too .ever for us/ Murderers get i1e that/J !e
added> JWe ta1e a psy.hoogy .ourse> you 1no+> in our training/ A
s.hi?ophreni."s )entaity is very interesting/J
JSha +e .ut out the ong +ordsAJ said ,ies/
JCertainy> Mr $avis/ T+o siB;etter +ords are a that .on.ern us at the
)o)ent/ <ne"s ")urder" and the other"s "danger/" That"s +hat +e"ve
got to .on.entrate upon/ 0o+> MaDor Met.af> et )e 'e 8uite .ear
a'out your )ove)ents/ @ou say you +ere in the .ear ;WhyAJ
J#oo1ing around>J said the )aDor/ JI oo1ed in that .up'oard pa.e
under the stairs and then I noti.ed a door there and I opened it and
sa+ a fight of steps> so I +ent do+n there/ 0i.e .ear you"ve got>J he
said to ,ies/ JCrypt of an od )onastery> I shoud say/J
JWe"re not engaged in anti8uarian resear.h> MaDor Met.af/ We"re
investigating a )urder/ Wi you isten a )o)ent> Mrs $avisA I" eave
the 1it.hen door open/J !e +ent outI a door shut +ith a faint .rea1/ JIs
that +hat you heard> Mrs $avisAJ he as1ed as he reappeared in the
open door+ay/
JI ; it does sound i1e it/J
JThat +as the .up'oard under the stairs/ It .oud 'e> you 1no+> that
after 1iing Mrs %oye> the )urderer> retreating a.ross the ha> heard
you .o)ing out of the 1it.hen> and sipped into the .up'oard> puing
the door to after hi)/J
JThen his fingerprints +i 'e on the inside of the .up'oard>J .ried
Christopher/ JMine are there aready>J said MaDor Met.af/
J4uite so>J said Sergeant Trotter/ J%ut +e"ve a satisfa.tory
eBpanation for those> haven"t +eAJ he added s)oothy/
J#oo1 here> Sergeant>J said ,ies> Jad)ittedy you"re in .harge of this
affair/ %ut this is )y house> and in a .ertain degree I fee responsi'e
for the peope staying in it/ <ughtn"t +e to ta1e pre.autionary
)easuresAJ
JSu.h as> Mr $avisAJ
JWe> to 'e fran1> putting under restraint the person +ho see)s pretty
.eary indi.ated as the .hief suspe.t/J
!e oo1ed straight at Christopher Wren/
Christopher Wren sprang for+ard> his voi.e rose> shri and hysteri.a/
JIt"s not trueG It"s not trueG @ou"re a against )e/ (veryone"s a+ays
against )e/ @ou"re going to fra)e )e for this/ It"s perse.ution ;
perse.ution ;J
JSteady on> ad>J said MaDor Met.af/
JIt"s a right> Chris/J Moy .a)e for+ard/ She put her hand on his ar)/
J0o'ody"s against you/ Te hi) it"s a right>J she said to Sergeant
Trotter/
JWe don"t fra)e peope>J said Sergeant Trotter/ JTe hi) you"re not
going to arrest hi)/J
JI") not going to arrest anyone/ To do that> I need eviden.e/ There"s no
eviden.e ; at present/J
,ies .ried out> JI thin1 you"re .ra?y> Moy/ And you> too> Sergeant/
There"s ony one person +ho fits the 'i> and;J
JWait> ,ies> +ait ;J Moy 'ro1e in/ J<h> do 'e 8uiet/ Sergeant Trotter>
.an I ; .an I spea1 to you a )inuteAJ
JI") staying>J said ,ies/ J0o> ,ies> you> too> pease/J
,ies"s fa.e gre+ as dar1 as thunder/ !e said> JI don"t 1no+ +hat"s
.o)e over you> Moy/J !e foo+ed the others out of the roo)> 'anging
the door 'ehind hi)/ J@es> Mrs $avis> +hat is itAJ
JSergeant Trotter> +hen you tod us a'out the #ongridge Far) .ase>
you see)ed to thin1 that it )ust 'e the edest 'oy +ho is ; responsi'e
for a this/ %ut you don"t 1no+ thatAJ
JThat"s perfe.ty true> Mrs $avis/ %ut the pro'a'iities ie that +ay ;
)enta insta'iity> desertion fro) the ar)y> psy.hiatrist"s report/J
J<h> I 1no+> and therefore it a see)s to point to Christopher/ %ut I
don"t 'eieve it is Christopher/ There )ust 'e other ; possi'iities/
!adn"t those three .hidren any reations ;parents> for instan.eAJ
J@es/ The )other +as dead/ %ut the father +as serving a'road/J JWe>
+hat a'out hi)A Where is he no+AJ
JWe"ve no infor)ation/ !e o'tained his de)o'ii?ation papers ast
year/J JAnd if the son +as )entay unsta'e> the father )ay have
'een> too/J JThat is so/J
JSo the )urderer )ay 'e )idde;aged or od/ MaDor Met.af>
re)e)'er> +as frightfuy upset +hen I tod hi) the poi.e had rung
up/ !e reay +as/J
Sergeant Trotter said 8uiety> JPease 'eieve )e> Mrs $avis> I"ve had
a the possi'iities in )ind sin.e the 'eginning/ The 'oy> *i) ; the
father ; even the sister/ It .oud have 'een a +o)an> you 1no+/ I
haven"t overoo1ed anything/ I )ay 'e pretty sure in )y o+n )ind ;'ut
I don"t 1no+ ; yet/ It"s very hard reay to 1no+ a'out anything or
anyone ; espe.iay in these days/ @ou"d 'e surprised +hat +e see in
the poi.e for.e/ With )arriages> espe.iay/ !asty )arriages ; +ar
)arriages/ There"s no 'a.1ground> you see/ 0o fa)iies or reations to
)eet/ Peope a..ept ea.h other"s +ord/ Feo+ says he"s a fighter piot
or an ar)y )aDor ; the gir 'eieves hi) i)pi.ity/ So)eti)es she
doesn"t find out for a year or t+o that he"s an a's.onding 'an1 .er1
+ith a +ife and fa)iy> or an ar)y;deserter/J
!e paused and +ent on/
JI 1no+ 8uite +e +hat"s in your )ind> Mrs $avis/ There"s Dust one
thing I"d i1e to say to you/ The )urderer"s enDoying hi)sef/ That"s the
one thing I") 8uite sure of/J
!e +ent to+ard the door/
Moy stood very straight and sti> a red fush 'urning in her .hee1s/
After standing rigid for a )o)ent or t+o> she )oved so+y to+ard the
stove> 1net do+n> and opened the oven door/ A savory> fa)iiar s)e
.a)e to+ard her/ !er heart ightened/ It +as as though suddeny she
had 'een +afted 'a.1 into the dear> fa)iiar +ord of everyday things/
Coo1ing> house+or1> ho)e)a1ing> ordinary prosai. iving/
So> fro) ti)e i))e)oria +o)en had .oo1ed food for their )en/ The
+ord of danger ;of )adness> re.eded/ Wo)an> in her 1it.hen> +as
safe ; eternay safe/
The 1it.hen door opened/ She turned her head as Christopher Wren
entered/ !e +as a itte 'reathess/
JMy dear>J he said/ JSu.h ru.tionsG So)e'ody"s stoen the sergeant"s
s1isGJ JThe sergeant"s s1isA %ut +hy shoud anyone +ant to do thatAJ
JI reay .an"t i)agine/ I )ean> if the sergeant de.ided to go a+ay and
eave us> I shoud i)agine that the )urderer +oud 'e ony too
peased/ I )ean> it reay doesn"t )a1e sense> does itAJ
J,ies put the) in the .up'oard under the stairs/J
JWe> they"re not there no+/ Intriguing> isn"t itAJ !e aughed geefuy/
JThe sergeant"s a+fuy angry a'out it/ Snapping i1e a turte/ !e"s
'een pit.hing into poor MaDor Met.af/ The od 'oy sti.1s to it that he
didn"t noti.e +hether they +ere there or not +hen he oo1ed into the
.up'oard Dust 'efore Mrs %oye +as )urdered/ Trotter says he )ust
have noti.ed/ If you as1 )e>J Christopher o+ered his voi.e and
eaned for+ard> Jthis 'usiness is 'eginning to get Trotter do+n/J
JIt"s getting us a do+n>J said Moy/
J0ot )e/ I find it )ost sti)uating/ It"s a so deightfuy unrea/J
Moy said sharpy> J@ou +oudn"t say that if ; if you"d 'een the one to
find her/ Mrs %oye> I )ean/ I 1eep thin1ing of it ;1 .an"t forget it/ !er
fa.e ; a s+oen and purpe ;J
She shivered/ Christopher .a)e a.ross to her/ !e put a hand on her
shouder/ JI 1no+/ I") an idiot/ I") sorry/ I didn"t thin1/J
A dry so' rose in Moy"s throat/ JIt see)ed a right Dust no+ ; .oo1ing ;
the 1it.hen>J she spo1e .onfusedy> in.oherenty/ JAnd then suddeny ;
it +as a 'a.1 again ; i1e a night)are/J
There +as a .urious eBpression on Christopher Wren"s fa.e as he
stood there oo1ing do+n on her 'ent head/
JI see>J he said/ JI see/J !e )oved a+ay/ JWe> I"d 'etter .ear out and
; not interrupt you/J
Moy .ried> J$on"t goGJ Dust as his hand +as on the door hande/
!e turned round> oo1ing at her 8uestioningy/ Then he .a)e so+y
'a.1/
J$o you reay )ean thatAJ
JMean +hatAJ
J@ou definitey don"t +ant )e to ; goAJ
J0o> I te you/ I don"t +ant to 'e aone/ I") afraid to 'e aone/J
Christopher sat do+n 'y the ta'e/ Moy 'ent to the oven> ifted the pie
to a higher shef> shut the oven door> and .a)e and Doined hi)/
JThat"s very interesting>J said Christopher in a eve voi.e/
JWhat isAJ
JThat you"re not afraid to 'e ; aone +ith )e/ @ou"re not> are youAJ
She shoo1 her head/ J0o> I") not/J
JWhy aren"t you afraid> MoyAJ
JI don"t 1no+ ; I") not/J
JAnd yet I") the ony person +ho ; fits the 'i/ <ne )urderer as per
s.hedue/J
J0o>J said Moy/ JThere are ; other possi'iities> I"ve 'een ta1ing to
Sergeant Trotter a'out the)/J
J$id he agree +ith youAJ
J!e didn"t disagree>J said Moy so+y/
Certain +ords sounded over and over again in her head/ (spe.iay
that ast phraseH "I 1no+ eBa.ty +hat"s in your )ind> Mrs $avis/" %ut
did heA Coud he possi'y 1no+A !e had said> too> "that the )urderer
+as enDoying hi)sef/" Was that trueA
She said to Christopher> J@ou"re not eBa.ty enDoying yoursef> are
youA In spite of +hat you said Dust no+/J
J,ood ,od> no>J said Christopher> staring/ JWhat a very odd thing to
say/J
J<h> I didn"t say it/ Sergeant Trotter did/ I hate that )anG !e ; he puts
things into your head ; things that aren"t true ; that .an"t possi'y 'e
true/J
She put her hands to her head> .overing her eyes +ith the)/ 7ery
genty Christopher too1 those hands a+ay/
J#oo1 here> MoyC" he said> J+hat is a thisAJ
She et hi) for.e her genty into a .hair 'y the 1it.hen ta'e/ !is
)anner +as no onger hysteri.a or .hidish/
JWhat"s the )atter> MoyAJ he said/
Moy oo1ed at hi) ; a ong appraising gan.e/ She as1ed irreevanty>
J!o+ ong have I 1no+n you> ChristopherA T+o daysAJ
J*ust a'out/ @ou"re thin1ing> aren"t you> that though it"s su.h a short
ti)e> +e see) to 1no+ ea.h other rather +e/J
J@es ; it"s odd> isn"t itAJ
J<h> I don"t 1no+/ There"s a 1ind of sy)pathy 'et+een us/ Possi'y
'e.ause +e"ve 'oth ;'een up against it/J
It +as not a 8uestion/ It +as a state)ent/ Moy et it pass/ She said
very 8uiety> and again it +as a state)ent rather than a 8uestion> J@our
na)e isn"t reay Christopher Wren> is it/J
J0oJ
J0o/J
JWhy did you ;J
JChoose thatA <h> it see)ed rather a peasant +hi)sy/ They used to
Deer at )e and .a )e Christopher &o'in at s.hoo/ &o'in ; Wren ;
asso.iation of ideas> I suppose/J
JWhat"s your rea na)eAJ
Christopher said 8uiety> JI don"t thin1 +e" go into that/ It +oudn"t
)ean anything to you/ I") not an ar.hite.t/ A.tuay> I") a deserter
fro) the ar)y/J
*ust for a )o)ent s+ift aar) eaped into Moy"s eyes/
Christopher sa+ it/ J@es>J he said/ J*ust i1e our un1no+n )urderer/ I
tod you I +as the ony one the spe.ifi.ation fitted/J
J$on"t 'e stupid>J said Moy/ JI tod you I didn"t 'eieve you +ere the
)urderer/ ,o on ;te )e a'out yoursef/ What )ade you desert ;
nervesAJ
J%eing afraid> you )eanA 0o> .uriousy enough> I +asn"t afraid ; not
)ore than anyone ese> that is to say/ A.tuay I got a reputation for
'eing rather .oo under fire/ 0o> it +as so)ething 8uite different It +as
; )y )other/J
J@our )otherAJ
J@es ; you see> she +as 1ied ; in an air raid/ %uried/ They ; they had to
dig her out/ I don"t 1no+ +hat happened to )e +hen I heard a'out it ;1
suppose I +ent a itte )ad/ I thought> you see> it happened to )e/ I fet
I had to get ho)e 8ui.1y and ; and dig )ysef out ;1 .an"t eBpain ; it
+as a .onfused/J !e o+ered his head to his hands and spo1e in a
)uffed voi.e/ JI +andered a'out a ong ti)e> oo1ing for her ; or for
)ysef ;1 don"t 1no+ +hi.h/ And then> +hen )y )ind .eared up> I +as
afraid to go 'a.1 ; or to report ;1 1ne+ I .oud never eBpain/ Sin.e
then> I"ve Dust 'een ; nothing/J
!e stared at her> his young fa.e hoo+ +ith despair/
J@ou )ustn"t fee i1e that>J said Moy genty/ J@ou .an start again/J
JCan one ever do thatAJ
J<f .ourse ; you"re 8uite young/J
J@es> 'ut you see ; I"ve .o)e to the end/J
J0o>J said Moy/ J@ou haven"t .o)e to the end> you ony thin1 you
have/ I 'eieve everyone has that feeing on.e> at east> in their ives ;
that it"s the end> that they .an"t go on/J
J@ou"ve had it> haven"t you> MoyA @ou )ust have ; to 'e a'e to spea1
i1e that/J
J@es/J
JWhat +as yoursAJ
JMine +as Dust +hat happened to a ot of peope/ I +as engaged to a
young fighter piot ;and he +as 1ied/J
JWasn"t there )ore to it than thatAJ
JI suppose there +as/ I"d had a nasty sho.1 +hen I +as younger/ I
.a)e up against so)ething that +as rather .rue and 'easty/ It
predisposed )e to thin1 that ife +as a+ays ; horri'e/ When *a.1 +as
1ied it Dust .onfir)ed )y 'eief that the +hoe of ife +as .rue and
trea.herous/J
JI 1no+/ And then> I suppose>J said Christopher> +at.hing her> J,ies
.a)e aong/J J@es/J
!e sa+ the s)ie> tender> a)ost shy> that tre)'ed on her )outh/
J,ies .a)e ;everything fet right and safe and happy ; ,iesGJ
The s)ie fed fro) her ips/ !er fa.e +as suddeny stri.1en/ She
shivered as though +ith .od/
JWhat"s the )atter> MoyA What"s frightening youA @ou are frightened>
aren"t youAJ
She nodded/
JAnd it"s so)ething to do +ith ,iesA So)ething he"s said or doneAJ
JIt"s not ,ies> reay/ It"s that horri'e )anGJ
JWhat horri'e )anAJ Christopher +as surprised/ JParavi.iniAJ
J0o> no/ Sergeant Trotter/J
JSergeant TrotterAJ
JSuggesting things ; hinting things ; putting horri'e thoughts into )y
)ind a'out ,ies ;thoughts that I didn"t 1no+ +ere there/ <h> I hate
hi) ;1 hate hi)/J
Christopher"s eye'ro+s rose in so+ surprise/
J,iesA ,iesG @es> of .ourse> he and I are )u.h of an age/ !e see)s to
)e )u.h oder than I a) ; 'ut I suppose he isn"t> reay/ @es> ,ies
)ight fit the 'i e8uay +e/ %ut oo1 here> Moy> that"s a nonsense/
,ies +as do+n here +ith you the day that +o)an +as 1ied in
#ondon/J
Moy did not ans+er/
Christopher oo1ed at her sharpy/ JWasn"t he hereAJ
Moy spo1e 'reathessy> the +ords .o)ing out in an in.oherent
Du)'e/ J!e +as out a day ; in the .ar ; he +ent over to the other side
of the .ounty a'out so)e +ire netting in a sae there ; at east that"s
+hat he said ; that"s +hat I thought ; unti ; unti ;J
J2nti +hatAJ
So+y Moy"s hand rea.hed out and tra.ed the date of the (vening
Standard that .overed a portion of the 1it.hen ta'e/
Christopher oo1ed at it and said> J#ondon edition> t+o days ago/J
JIt +as in ,ies"s po.1et +hen he .a)e 'a.1/ !e ; he )ust have 'een
in #ondon/J
Christopher stared/ !e stared at the paper and he stared at Moy/ !e
pursed up his ips and 'egan to +histe> then .he.1ed hi)sef
a'rupty/ It +oudn"t do to +histe that tune Dust no+/
Choosing his +ords very .arefuy> and avoiding her eye> he said> J!o+
)u.h do you a.tuay ; 1no+ a'out ,iesAJ
J$on"t>J .ried Moy/ J$on"tG That"s Dust +hat that 'east Trotter said ; or
hinted/ That +o)en often didn"t 1no+ anything a'out the )en that they
)arried ; espe.iay in +arti)e/ They ; they Dust too1 the )an"s o+n
a..ount of hi)sef/J
That"s true enough> I suppose/J
J$on"t you say it> tooG I .an"t 'ear it/ It"s Dust 'e.ause +e"re a in su.h a
state> so +or1ed up/ We"d ; +e"d 'eieve any fantasti. suggestion ; It"s
not trueG I ;J
She stopped/ The 1it.hen door had opened/
,ies .a)e in/ There +as rather a gri) oo1 on his fa.e/ JA) I
interrupting anythingAJ he as1ed/
Christopher sipped fro) the ta'e/ JI") Dust ta1ing a fe+ .oo1ery
essons>J he said/
JIndeedA We> oo1 here> Wren> tete;a;tetes aren"t very heathy things
at the present ti)e/ @ou 1eep out of the 1it.hen> do you hearAJ
J<h> 'ut surey;J
J@ou 1eep a+ay fro) )y +ife> Wren/ She"s not going to 'e the neBt
vi.ti)/J
JThat>J said Christopher> Jis Dust +hat I") +orrying a'out/J
If there +as signifi.an.e in the +ords> ,ies did not apparenty noti.e
the)/ !e )erey turned a rather dar1er shade of 'ri.1;red/ JI" do the
+orrying>J he said/ JI .an oo1 after )y o+n +ife/ ,et the he out of
here/J
Moy said in a .ear voi.e> JPease go> Christopher/ @es ; reay/J
Christopher )oved so+y to+ard the door/ JI shan"t go very far>J he
said> and the +ords +ere addressed to Moy and hed a very definite
)eaning/
JWi you get out of hereAJ
Christopher gave a high .hidish gigge/ JAye> aye> Co))ander>J he
said/
The door shut 'ehind hi)/ ,ies turned on Moy/
JFor ,od"s sa1e> Moy> haven"t you got any senseA Shut in here aone
+ith a dangerous ho)i.ida )ania.GJ
J!e isn"t the ;J she .hanged her phrase 8ui.1y ; Jhe isn"t dangerous/
Any+ay> I") on )y guard/ I .an ; oo1 after )ysef/J
,ies aughed unpeasanty/ JSo .oud Mrs %oye/J
J<h> ,ies> don"t/J
JSorry> )y dear/ %ut I") het up/ That +ret.hed 'oy/ What you see in
hi) I .an"t i)agine/J
Moy said so+y> JI") sorry for hi)/J
JSorry for a ho)i.ida unati.AJ
Moy gave hi) a .urious gan.e/ JI .oud 'e sorry for a ho)i.ida
unati.>J she said/
JCaing hi) Christopher> too/ Sin.e +hen have you 'een on Christianna)e
ter)sAJ
J<h ,ies> don"t 'e ridi.uous/ (veryone a+ays uses Christian na)es
no+adays/ @ou 1no+ they do/J
J(ven after a .oupe of daysA %ut perhaps it"s )ore than that/ Perhaps
you 1ne+ Mr Christopher Wren> the phony ar.hite.t> 'efore he .a)e
hereA Perhaps you suggested to hi) that he shoud .o)e hereA
Perhaps you .oo1ed it a up 'et+een youAJ
Moy stared at hi)/ J,ies> have you gone out of your )indA What on
earth are you suggestingAJ
JI") suggesting that Christopher Wren is an od friend> that you"re on
rather .oser ter)s +ith hi) than you"d i1e )e to 1no+/J
J,ies> you )ust 'e .ra?yGJ
JI suppose you" sti.1 to it that you never sa+ hi) unti he +a1ed in
here/ &ather odd that he shoud .o)e and stay in an out;of;the;+ay
pa.e i1e this> isn"t itAJ
JIs it any odder than that MaDor Met.af and ; and Mrs %oye shoudAJ
J@es;I thin1 it is/ I"ve a+ays read that these )urdering oonies had a
pe.uiar fas.ination for +o)en/ #oo1s as though it +ere true/ !o+ did
you get to 1no+ hi)A !o+ ong has this 'een going onAJ
J@ou"re 'eing a'soutey a'surd> ,ies/ I never sa+ Christopher Wren
unti he arrived here/J
J@ou didn"t go up to #ondon to )eet hi) t+o days ago and fiB up to
)eet here as strangersAJ
J@ou 1no+ perfe.ty +e> ,ies> I haven"t 'een up to #ondon for
+ee1s/J
J!aven"t youA That"s interesting/J !e fished a fur;ined gove out of his
po.1et and hed it out/
JThat"s one of the goves you +ere +earing day 'efore yesterday> isn"t
itA The day I +as over at Saiha) getting the netting/J
JThe day you +ere over at Saiha) getting the netting>J said Moy>
eying hi) steadiy/ J@es> I +ore those goves +hen I +ent out/J
J@ou +ent to the viage> you said/ If you ony +ent to the viage> +hat
is this doing inside that goveAJ
A..usingy> he hed out a pin1 'us ti.1et/
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e/
J@ou +ent to #ondon>J said ,ies/
JA right>J said Moy/ !er .hin shot up/ JI +ent to #ondon/J
JTo )eet this .hap Christopher Wren/J
J0o> not to )eet Christopher/J
JThen +hy did you goAJ
J*ust at the )o)ent> ,ies>J said Moy> JI") not going to te you/J
JMeaning you" give yoursef ti)e to thin1 up a good storyGJ
JI thin1>J said Moy> Jthat I hate youGJ
JI don"t hate you>J said ,ies so+y/ J%ut I a)ost +ish I did/ I si)py
fee that ;1 don"t 1no+ you any )ore ;1 don"t 1no+ anything a'out
you/J
JI fee the sa)e>J said Moy/ J@ou ; you"re Dust a stranger/ A )an +ho
ies to )e ;J JWhen have I ever ied to youAJ
Moy aughed/ J$o you thin1 I 'eieved that story of yours a'out the
+ire nettingA @ou +ere in #ondon> too> that day/J
JI suppose you sa+ )e there>J said ,ies/ JAnd you didn"t trust )e
enough ;J JTrust youA I" never trust anyone ; ever; again/J
0either of the) had noti.ed the soft opening of the 1it.hen door/ Mr
Paravi.ini gave a itte .ough/
JSo e)'arrassing>J he )ur)ured/ JI do hope you young peope are
not 'oth saying Dust a itte )ore than you )ean/ <ne is so apt to in
these overs" 8uarres/J
J#overs" 8uarres>J said ,ies derisivey/ JThat"s good/J
J4uite so> 8uite so>J said Mr Paravi.ini/ JI 1no+ Dust ho+ you fee/ I
have 'een through a this )ysef +hen I +as a younger )an/ %ut +hat
I .a)e to say +as that the inspe.tor person is si)py insisting that +e
shoud a .o)e into the dra+ing;roo)/ It appears that he has an idea/J
Mr Paravi.ini sniggered genty/ JThe poi.e have a .ue ; yes> one
hears that fre8uenty/ %ut an ideaA I very )u.h dou't it/ A ?eaous and
painsta1ing offi.er> no dou't> our Sergeant Trotter> 'ut not> I thin1>
over;endo+ed +ith 'rains/J
J,o on> ,ies>J said Moy/ JI"ve got the .oo1ing to see to/ Sergeant
Trotter .an do +ithout )e/J
JTa1ing of .oo1ing>J said Mr Paravi.ini> s1ipping ni)'y a.ross the
1it.hen to Moy"s side> Jhave you ever tried .hi.1en ivers served on
toast that has 'een thi.1y spread +ith foie gras and a very thin rasher
of 'a.on s)eared +ith Fren.h )ustardAJ
J<ne doesn"t see )u.h foie gras no+adays>J said ,ies> JCo)e on>
Paravi.ini/J
JSha I stay and assist you> dear adyAJ
J@ou .o)e aong to the dra+ing;roo)> Paravi.ini>J said ,ies/
Mr Paravi.ini aughed softy/
J@our hus'and is afraid for you/ 4uite natura/ !e doesn"t fan.y the
idea of eaving you aone +ith )e/ It is )y sadisti. tenden.ies he fears
; not )y dishonora'e ones/ I yied to for.e/J !e 'o+ed gra.efuy and
1issed the tips of his fingers/
Moy said un.o)forta'y> J<h> Mr Paravi.ini> I") sure ;J
Mr Paravi.ini shoo1 his head/ !e said to ,ies> J@ou"re very +ise>
young )an/ Ta1e no .han.es/ Can I prove to you ; or to the inspe.tor
for that )atter ; that I a) not a ho)i.ida )ania.A 0o> I .annot/
0egatives are su.h diffi.ut things to prove/J
!e hu))ed .heerfuy/
Moy fin.hed/ JPease Mr Paravi.ini ; not that horri'e tune/J
"JThree %ind Mi.e" ; so it +asG The tune has got into )y head/ 0o+ I
.o)e to thin1 of it> it is a grueso)e itte rhy)e/ 0ot a ni.e itte rhy)e
at a/ %ut .hidren i1e grueso)e things/ @ou )ay have noti.ed thatA
That rhy)e is very (ngish ; the 'u.oi.> .rue (ngish .ountryside/
"She .ut off their tais +ith a .arving;1nife/" <f .ourse a .hid +oud
ove that ;I .oud te you things a'out .hidren ;J
JPease don"t>J said Moy fainty> JI thin1 you"re .rue> too/J !er voi.e
rose hysteri.ay/ J@ou augh and s)ie ; you"re i1e a .at paying +ith a
)ouse ; paying ;J
She 'egan to augh/
JSteady> Moy>J said ,ies/ JCo)e aong> +e" a go into the dra+ingroo)
together/ Trotter +i 'e getting i)patient/ 0ever )ind the
.oo1ing/ Murder is )ore i)portant than food/J
JI") not sure that I agree +ith you>J said Mr Paravi.ini as he foo+ed
the) +ith itte s1ipping steps/ JThe .onde)ned )an ate a hearty
'rea1fast ; that"s +hat they a+ays say/J
Christopher Wren Doined the) in the ha and re.eived a s.o+ fro)
,ies/ !e oo1ed at Moy +ith a 8ui.1> anBious gan.e> 'ut Moy> her
head hed high> +a1ed oo1ing straight ahead of her/ They )ar.hed
a)ost i1e a pro.ession to the dra+ing;roo) door/ Mr Paravi.ini
'rought up the rear +ith his itte s1ipping steps/
Sergeant Trotter and MaDor Met.af +ere standing +aiting in the
dra+ing;roo)/ The )aDor +as oo1ing su1y/ Sergeant Trotter +as
oo1ing fushed and energeti./
JThat"s right>J he said> as they entered/ JI +anted you a together/ I
+ant to )a1e a .ertain eBperi)ent ; and for that I sha re8uire your
.o;operation/J
JWi it ta1e ongAJ Moy as1ed/ JI") rather 'usy in the 1it.hen/ After
a> +e"ve got to have a )ea so)eti)e/J
J@es>J said Trotter/ JI appre.iate that> Mrs $avis/ %ut> if you" eB.use
)e> there are )ore i)portant things than )easG Mrs %oye> for
instan.e> +on"t need another )ea/J
J&eay> Sergeant>J said MaDor Met.af> Jthat"s an eBtraordinariy
ta.tess +ay of putting things/J
JI") sorry> MaDor Met.af> 'ut I +ant everyone to .ooperate in this/J
J!ave you found your s1is> Sergeant TrotterAJ as1ed Moy/
The young )an reddened/ J0o> I have not> Mrs $avis/ %ut I )ay say I
have a very shre+d suspi.ion +ho too1 the)/ And of +hy they +ere
ta1en/ I +on"t say any )ore at present/J
JPease don"t>J 'egged Mr Paravi.ini/ JI a+ays thin1 eBpanations
shoud 'e 1ept to the very end ; that eB.iting ast .hapter> you 1no+/J
JThis isn"t a ga)e> sir/J
JIsn"t itA 0o+ there I thin1 you"re +rong/ I thin1 it is a ga)e ; to
so)e'ody/J
JThe )urderer is enDoying hi)sef>J )ur)ured Moy softy/
The others oo1ed at her in astonish)ent/ She fushed/
JI") ony 8uoting +hat Sergeant Trotter said to )e/J
Sergeant Trotter did not oo1 too peased/ JIt"s a very +e> Mr
Paravi.ini> )entioning ast .hapters and spea1ing as though this +as a
)ystery thrier>J he said/ JThis is rea/ This is happening/J
JSo ong>J said Christopher Wren> fingering his ne.1 gingery> Jas it
doesn"t happen to )e/J
J0o+> then>J said MaDor Met.af/ J0one of that> young feo+/ The
sergeant here is going to te us Dust +hat he +ants us to do/J
Sergeant Trotter .eared his throat/ !is voi.e 'e.a)e offi.ia/
JI too1 .ertain state)ents fro) you a a short ti)e ago>J he said/
JThose state)ents reated to your positions at the ti)e +hen the
)urder of Mrs %oye o..urred/ Mr Wren and Mr $avis +ere in their
separate 'edroo)s/ Mrs $avis +as in the 1it.hen/ MaDor Met.af +as in
the .ear/ Mr Paravi.ini +as here in this roo) ;J
!e paused and then +ent on/
JThose are the state)ents you )ade/ I have no )eans of .he.1ing
those state)ents/ They )ay 'e true ; they )ay not/ To put it 8uite
.eary ; four of those state)ents are true ; 'ut one of the) is fase/
Whi.h oneAJ
!e oo1ed fro) fa.e to fa.e/ 0o'ody spo1e/
JFour of you are spea1ing the truth ; one is ying/ I have a pan that )ay
hep )e to dis.over the iar/ And if I dis.over that one of you ied to )e
; then I 1no+ +ho the )urderer is/J
,ies said sharpy> J0ot ne.essariy/ So)eone )ight have ied ;for
so)e other reason/J JI rather dou't that> Mr $avis/J
J%ut +hat"s the idea> )anA @ou"ve Dust said you"ve no )eans of
.he.1ing these state)entsAJ
J0o> 'ut supposing everyone +as to go through these )ove)ents a
se.ond ti)e/J J%ah>J said MaDor Met.af disparagingy/
J&e.onstru.tion of the .ri)e/ Foreign idea/J
J0ot a re.onstru.tion of the .ri)e> MaDor Met.af/ A re.onstru.tion of
the )ove)ents of apparenty inno.ent persons/J
JAnd +hat do you eBpe.t to earn fro) thatAJ
J@ou +i forgive )e if I don"t )a1e that .ear Dust at the )o)ent/J
J@ou +ant>J as1ed Moy> Ja repeat perfor)an.eAJ
JMore or ess> Mrs $avis/J
There +as a sien.e/ It +as> so)eho+> an uneasy sien.e/
It"s a trap> thought Moy/ It"s a trap ; 'ut I don"t see ho+ ;
@ou )ight have thought that there +ere five guity peope in the roo)>
instead of one guity and four inno.ent ones/ <ne and a .ast dou'tfu
side+ays gan.es at the assured> s)iing young )an +ho proposed
this inno.ent;sounding )aneuver/
Christopher 'urst out shriy> J%ut I don"t see ;1 si)py .an"t see ; +hat
you .an possi'y hope to find out ; Dust 'y )a1ing peope do the sa)e
thing they did 'efore/ It see)s to )e Dust nonsenseGJ
J$oes it> Mr WrenAJ
J<f .ourse>J said ,ies so+y> J+hat you say goes> Sergeant/ We" .ooperate/
Are +e a to do eBa.ty +hat +e did 'eforeAJ
JThe sa)e a.tions +i 'e perfor)ed> yes/J
A faint a)'iguity in the phrase )ade MaDor Met.af oo1 up sharpy/
Sergeant Trotter +ent on/
JMr Paravi.ini has tod us that he sat at the piano and payed a .ertain
tune/ Perhaps> Mr Paravi.ini> you +oud 1indy sho+ us eBa.ty +hat
you did doAJ
J%ut .ertainy> )y dear Sergeant/J
Mr Paravi.ini s1ipped ni)'y a.ross the roo) to the grand piano and
setted hi)sef on the )usi. stoo/
JThe )aestro at the piano +i pay the signature tune to a )urder>J he
said +ith a fourish/
!e grinned> and +ith ea'orate )anneris)s he pi.1ed out +ith one
finger the tune of JThree %ind Mi.e/J
!e"s enDoying hi)sef> thought Moy/ !e"s enDoying hi)sef/
In the 'ig roo) the soft> )uted notes had an a)ost eerie effe.t/
JThan1 you> Mr Paravi.ini>J said Sergeant Trotter/ JThat> I ta1e it> is
eBa.ty ho+ you payed the tune on the ; for)er o..asionAJ
J@es> Sergeant> it is/ I repeated it three ti)es/J
Sergeant Trotter turned to Moy/ J$o you pay the piano> Mrs $avisAJ
J@es> Sergeant Trotter/J
JCoud you pi.1 out the tune> as Mr Paravi.ini has done> paying it in
eBa.ty the sa)e )annerAJ
JCertainy I .oud/J
JThen +i you go and sit at the piano and 'e ready to do so +hen I give
the signaAJ
Moy oo1ed sighty 'e+idered/ Then she .rossed so+y to the piano/
Mr Paravi.ini rose fro) the piano stoo +ith a shri protest/ J%ut>
Sergeant> I understood that +e +ere ea.h to repeat our for)er roes/ I
+as at the piano here/J
JThe sa)e a.tions +i 'e perfor)ed as on the for)er o..asion ; 'ut
they +i not ne.essariy 'e perfor)ed 'y the sa)e peope/J
JI ; don"t see the point of that>J said ,ies/
JThere is a point> Mr $avis/ It is a )eans of .he.1ing up on the origina
state)ents ; and I )ay say of one state)ent in parti.uar/ 0o+> then>
pease/ I +i assign you your various stations/ Mrs $avis +i 'e here ;
at the piano/ Mr Wren> +i you 1indy go to the 1it.henA *ust 1eep an
eye on Mrs $avis"s dinner/ Mr Paravi.ini> +i you go to Mr Wren"s
'edroo)A There you .an eBer.ise your )usi.a taents 'y +histing
"Three %ind Mi.e" Dust as he did/ MaDor Met.af> +i you go up to Mr
$avis"s 'edroo) and eBa)ine the teephone thereA And you> Mr $avis>
+i you oo1 into the .up'oard in the ha and then go do+n to the
.earAJ
There +as a )o)ent"s sien.e/ Then four peope )oved so+y to+ard
the door/ Trotter foo+ed the)/ !e oo1ed over his shouder/
JCount up to fifty and then 'egin to pay> Mrs $avis>J he said/
!e foo+ed the others out/ %efore the door .osed Moy heard Mr
Paravi.ini"s voi.e say shriy> JI never 1ne+ the poi.e +ere so fond of
paror ga)es/J
JForty;eight> forty;nine> fifty/J
<'edienty> the .ounting finished> Moy 'egan to pay/ Again the soft
.rue itte tune .rept out into the 'ig> e.hoing roo)/
Three %ind Mi.e See ho+ they run///
Moy fet her heart 'eating faster and faster/ As Paravi.ini had said> it
+as a strangey haunting and grueso)e itte rhy)e/ It had that
.hidish in.o)prehension of pity +hi.h is so terrifying if )et +ith in an
adut/
7ery fainty> fro) upstairs> she .oud hear the sa)e tune 'eing
+histed in the 'edroo) a'ove ; Paravi.ini ena.ting the part of
Christopher Wren/
Suddeny> neBt door> the +ireess +ent on in the i'rary/ Sergeant
Trotter )ust have set that going/ !e hi)sef> then> +as paying the part
of Mrs %oye/
%ut +hyA What +as the point of it aA Where +as the trapA For there
+as a trap> of that she +as .ertain/
A draft of .od air 'e+ a.ross the 'a.1 of her ne.1/ She turned her
head sharpy/ Surey the door had opened/ So)eone had .o)e into the
roo) ; 0o> the roo) +as e)pty/ %ut suddeny she fet nervous ; afraid/
If so)eone shoud .o)e in/ Supposing Mr Paravi.ini shoud s1ip round
the door> shoud .o)e s1ipping over to the piano> his ong fingers
t+it.hing and t+isting ;
JSo you are paying your o+n funera )ar.h> dear ady> a happy
thought ;J 0onsense ;don"t 'e stupid ; don"t i)agine things/ %esides>
you .an hear hi) +histing over your head> Dust as he .an hear you/
She a)ost too1 her fingers off the piano as the idea .a)e to herG
0o'ody had heard Mr Paravi.ini paying/ Was that the trapA Was it>
perhaps> possi'e that Mr Paravi.ini hadn"t 'een paying at aA That he
had 'een> not in the dra+ing;roo)> 'ut in the i'rary/ In the i'rary>
stranging Mrs %oyeA !e had 'een annoyed> very annoyed> +hen
Trotter had arranged for her to pay/ !e had aid stress on the softness
+ith +hi.h he had pi.1ed out the tune/ <f .ourse> he had e)phasi?ed
the softness in the hopes that it +oud 'e too soft to 'e heard outside
the roo)/ %e.ause if anyone heard it this ti)e +ho hadn"t heard it ast
ti)e ; +hy then> Trotter +oud have got +hat he +anted ; the person
+ho had ied/
The door of the dra+ing;roo) opened/ Moy> strung up to eBpe.t
Paravi.ini> neary s.rea)ed/ %ut it +as ony Sergeant Trotter +ho
entered> Dust as she finished the third repetition of the tune/
JThan1 you> Mrs $avis>J he said/
!e +as oo1ing eBtre)ey peased +ith hi)sef> and his )anner +as
'ris1 and .onfident/
Moy too1 her hands fro) the 1eys/ J!ave you got +hat you +antedAJ
she as1ed/
J@es> indeed/J !is voi.e +as eButant/ JI"ve got eBa.ty +hat I +anted/J
JWhi.hA WhoAJ
J$on"t you 1no+> Mrs $avisA Co)e> no+ ; it"s not so diffi.ut/ %y the
+ay> you"ve 'een> if I )ay say so> eBtraordinariy fooish/ @ou"ve eft )e
hunting a'out for the third vi.ti)/ As a resut> you"ve 'een in serious
danger/J
JMeA I don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
JI )ean that you haven"t 'een honest +ith )e> Mrs $avis/ @ou hed out
on )e ;Dust as Mrs %oye hed out on )e/J
JI don"t understand/J
J<h> yes> you do/ Why> +hen I first )entioned the #ongridge Far)
.ase> you 1ne+ a a'out it/ <h> yes> you did/ @ou +ere upset/ And it
+as you +ho .onfir)ed that Mrs %oye +as the 'ieting offi.er for this
part of the .ountry/ %oth you and she .a)e fro) these parts/ So +hen
I 'egan to spe.uate +ho the third vi.ti) +as i1ey to 'e> I pu)ped at
on.e for you/ @ou"d sho+n firsthand 1no+edge of the #ongridge Far)
'usiness/ We poi.e)en aren"t so du)' as +e oo1> you 1no+/J
Moy said in a o+ voi.e> J@ou don"t understand/ I didn"t +ant to
re)e)'er/J
JI .an understand that/J !is voi.e .hanged a itte/ J@our )aiden na)e
+as Wain+right> +asn"t itAJ
J@es/J
JAnd you"re Dust a itte oder than you pretend to 'e/ In 1946> +hen this
thing happened> you +ere the s.hootea.her at A''eyvae s.hoo/J
J0oGJ
J<h> yes> you +ere> Mrs $avis/J
JI +asn"t> I te you/J
JThe .hid +ho died )anaged to get a etter posted to you/ !e stoe a
sta)p/ The etter 'egged for hep ; hep fro) his 1ind tea.her/ It"s a
tea.her"s 'usiness to find out +hy a .hid doesn"t .o)e to s.hoo/ @ou
didn"t find out/ @ou ignored the poor itte devi"s etter/J
JStop/J Moy"s .hee1s +ere fa)ing/ JIt"s )y sister you are ta1ing
a'out/ She +as the s.hoo)istress/ And she didn"t ignore his etter/
She +as i ; +ith pneu)onia/ She never sa+ the etter unti after the
.hid +as dead/ It upset her dreadfuy ; dreadfuy ; she +as a terri'y
sensitive person/ %ut it +asn"t her faut/ It"s 'e.ause she too1 it to
heart so dreadfuy that I"ve never 'een a'e to 'ear 'eing re)inded of
it/ It"s 'een a night)are to )e> a+ays/J
Moy"s hands +ent to her eyes> .overing the)/ When she too1 the)
a+ay> Trotter +as staring at her/
!e said softy> JSo it +as your sister/ We> after a ;J !e gave a sudden
8ueer s)ie/ JIt doesn"t )u.h )atter> does itA @our sister ; )y 'rother ;
J
!e too1 so)ething out of his po.1et/ !e +as s)iing no+> happiy/
Moy stared at the o'De.t he hed/ JI a+ays thought the poi.e didn"t
.arry revovers>J she said/
JThe poi.e don"t>J said the young )an/ !e +ent on> J%ut you see> Mrs
$avis> I") not a poi.e)an/ I") *i)/ I") ,eorgie"s 'rother/ @ou thought
I +as a poi.e)an 'e.ause I rang up fro) the .a 'oB in the viage
and said that Sergeant Trotter +as on his +ay/ Then I .ut the
teephone +ires outside the house +hen I got here> so that you
shoudn"t 'e a'e to ring 'a.1 to the poi.e station/J
Moy stared at hi)/ The revover +as pointing at her no+/
J$on"t )ove> Mrs $avis ; and don"t s.rea) ; or I pu the trigger at
on.e/J
!e +as sti s)iing/ It +as> Moy reai?ed +ith horror> a .hid"s s)ie/
And his voi.e> +hen he spo1e> +as 'e.o)ing a .hid"s voi.e/
J@es>J he said> JI") ,eorgie"s 'rother/ ,eorgie died at #ongridge
Far)/ That nasty +o)an sent us there> and the far)er"s +ife +as .rue
to us> and you +oudn"t hep us ; three itte 'ind )i.e/ I said then I"d
1i you a +hen I gre+ up/ I )eant it/ I"ve thought of it ever sin.e/J !e
fro+ned suddeny/ JThey 'othered )e a ot in the ar)y ; that do.tor
1ept as1ing )e 8uestions ;1 had to get a+ay/ I +as afraid they"d stop
)e doing +hat I +anted to do/ %ut I") gro+n up no+/ ,ro+n;ups .an
do +hat they i1e/J
Moy pued hersef together/ Ta1 to hi)> she said to hersef/ $istra.t
his )ind/ J%ut> *i)> isten/J she said/ J@ou" never get safey a+ay/J
!is fa.e .ouded over/ JSo)e'ody"s hidden )y s1is/ I .an"t find the)/J
!e aughed/ J%ut I daresay it +i 'e a right/ It"s your hus'and"s
revover/ I too1 it out of his dra+er/ I daresay they" thin1 he shot you/
Any+ay ;1 don"t )u.h .are/ It"s 'een su.h fun ; a of it PretendingG
That +o)an in #ondon> her fa.e +hen she re.ogni?ed )e/ That stupid
+o)an this )orningGJ
!e nodded his head/
Ceary> +ith eerie effe.t> .a)e a +histe/ So)eone +histing the tune
of JThree %ind Mi.e/J
Trotter started> the revover +avered ; a voi.e shouted> J$o+n> Mrs
$avis/J
Moy dropped to the foor as MaDor Met.af> rising fro) 'ehind the
.on.ea)ent of the sofa 'y the door fung hi)sef upon Trotter/ The
revover +ent off ; and the 'uet odged in one of the so)e+hat
)edio.re oi paintings dear to the heart of the ate Miss ()ory/
A )o)ent ater> a +as pande)oniu) ; ,ies rushed in> foo+ed 'y
Christopher and Mr Paravi.ini/
MaDor Met.af> retaining his grasp of Trotter> spo1e in short eBposive
senten.es/
JCa)e in +hie you +ere paying ; sipped 'ehind the sofa ; I"ve 'een
on to hi) fro) the 'eginning ; that"s to say> I 1ne+ he +asn"t a poi.e
offi.er/ I") a poi.e offi.er ; Inspe.tor Tanner/ We arranged +ith
Met.af I shoud ta1e his pa.e/ S.otand @ard thought it advisa'e to
have so)eone on the spot/ 0o+> )y ad ;J !e spo1e 8uite genty to the
no+ do.ie Trotter/ J@ou .o)e +ith )e/ 0o one +i hurt you/ @ou" 'e
a right/ We" oo1 after you/J
In a piteous .hid"s voi.e the 'ron?ed young )an as1ed> J,eorgie
+on"t 'e angry +ith )eAJ
Met.af said> J0o/ ,eorgie +on"t 'e angry/J
!e )ur)ured to ,ies as he passed hi)> JMad as a hatter> poor devi/J
They +ent out together/ Mr Paravi.ini tou.hed Christopher Wren on
the ar)/ J@ou> aso> )y friend>J he said> J.o)e +ith )e/J
,ies and Moy> eft aone> oo1ed at ea.h other/ In another )o)ent
they +ere in ea.h other"s ar)s/
J$aring>J said ,ies> Jyou"re sure he didn"t hurt youAJ
J0o> no> I") 8uite a right/ ,ies> I"ve 'een so terri'y )iBed up/ I
a)ost thought you ; +hy did you go to #ondon that dayAJ
J$aring> I +anted to get you an anniversary present> for to)orro+/ I
didn"t +ant you to 1no+/J
J!o+ eBtraordinaryG I +ent to #ondon to get you a present and I didn"t
+ant you to 1no+/J
JI +as insaney Deaous of that neuroti. ass/ I )ust have 'een )ad/
Forgive )e> daring/J The door opened> and Mr Paravi.ini s1ipped in in
his goati1e +ay/ !e +as 'ea)ing/
JInterrupting the re.on.iiation ; Su.h a .har)ing s.ene ; %ut> aas> I
)ust 'id you adieu/ A poi.e Deep has )anaged to get through/ I sha
persuade the) to ta1e )e +ith the)/J !e 'ent and +hispered
)ysteriousy in Moy"s ear> JI )ay have a fe+ e)'arrass)ents in the
near future ; 'ut I a) .onfident I .an arrange )atters> and if you
shoud re.eive a .ase ;+ith a goose> say> a tur1ey> so)e tins of foie
gras> a ha) ; so)e nyon sto.1ings> yesA We> you understand> it +i
'e +ith )y .o)pi)ents to a very .har)ing ady/ Mr $avis> )y .he.1 is
on the ha ta'e/J
!e 1issed Moy"s hand and s1ipped to the door/
J0yonsAJ )ur)ured Moy> JFoie grasA Who is Mr Paravi.iniA Santa
CausAJ
J%a.1;)ar1et stye> I suspe.t>J said ,ies/
Christopher Wren po1ed a diffident head in/ JMy dears>J he said> JI
hope I") not intruding> 'ut there"s a terri'e s)e of 'urning fro) the
1it.hen/ <ught I to do so)ething a'out itAJ
With an anguished .ry of JMy pieGJ Moy fed fro) the roo)/
ContentsH
The Adventure of the Christ)as Pudding
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest
The 2nder $og
Four;and;T+enty %a.1'irds
The $rea)
,reensha+"s Foy
F<&(W<&$ %@ A,AT!A C!&ISTI(
This 'oo1 of Christ)as fare )ay 'e des.ri'ed as JThe Chef"s
See.tion/J I a) the ChefG
There are t+o )ain .oursesH The Adventure of the Christ)as
Pudding and The Mystery of the Spanish ChestI a see.tion of
(ntr=esH ,reensha+"s Foy> The $rea)> and The 2nder $ogI and a
Sor'etH Four;and;T+enty %a.1'irds/
The Mystery of the Spanish Chest )ay 'e des.ri'ed as a !er.ue
Poirot Spe.ia/ It is a .ase in +hi.h he .onsiders he +as at his 'estG
Miss Marpe> in her turn> has a+ays 'een peased +ith her
perspi.uity in ,reensha+"s Foy/
The Adventure of the Christ)as Pudding is an indugen.e of )y
o+n> sin.e it re.as to )e> very peasura'y> the Christ)ases of )y
youth/
After )y father"s death> )y )other and I a+ays spent Christ)as
+ith )y 'rother;in;a+"s fa)iy in the north of (ngand ; and +hat
super' Christ)ases they +ere for a .hid to re)e)'erG A'ney !a
had everythingG The garden 'oasted a +aterfa> a strea)> and a
tunne under the driveG The Christ)as fare +as of gargantuan
proportions/ I +as a s1inny .hid> appearing dei.ate> 'ut a.tuay of
ro'ust heath and perpetuay hungryG The 'oys of the fa)iy and I
used to vie +ith ea.h other as to +ho .oud eat )ost on Christ)as
$ay/ <yster Soup and Tur'ot +ent do+n +ithout undue ?est> 'ut
then .a)e &oast Tur1ey> %oied Tur1ey and an enor)ous Siroin of
%eef/ The 'oys and I had t+o hepings of a threeG We then had
Pu) Pudding> Min.e;pies> Trife and every 1ind of dessert/ $uring
the afternoon +e ate .ho.oates soidy/ We neither fet> nor +ere>
si.1G !o+ ovey to 'e eeven years od and greedyG
What a day of deight fro) JSto.1ingsJ in 'ed in the )orning>
Chur.h and a the Christ)as hy)ns> Christ)as dinner> Presents>
and the fina #ighting of the Christ)as TreeG
And ho+ deep )y gratitude to the 1ind and hospita'e hostess +ho
)ust have +or1ed so hard to )a1e Christ)as $ay a +onderfu
)e)ory to )e sti in )y od age/
So et )e dedi.ate this 'oo1 to the )e)ory of A'ney !a> its
1indness and its hospitaity/
And a happy Christ)as to a +ho read this 'oo1/
Agatha Christie
T!( A$7(0T2&( <F T!( C!&ISTMAS P2$$I0,
JI regret eB.eedingy///J said M/ !er.ue Poirot/
!e +as interrupted/ 0ot rudey interrupted/ The interruption +as
suave> deBterous> persuasive rather than .ontradi.tory/
JPease don"t refuse offhand> M/ Poirot/ There are grave issues of
State/ @our .ooperation +i 'e appre.iated in the highest
8uarters/J
J@ou are too 1ind>J !er.ue Poirot +aved a hand> J'ut I reay
.annot underta1e to do as you as1/ At this season of the year///J
Again Mr *es)ond interrupted/ JChrist)as ti)e>J he said>
persuasivey/ JAn od;fashioned Christ)as in the (ngish
.ountryside/J
!er.ue Poirot shivered/ The thought of the Christ)as .ountryside
at this season of the year did not attra.t hi)/
JA good od;fashioned Christ)asGJ Mr *es)ond stressed it/
JMe ; I a) not an (ngish)an>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JIn )y .ountry>
Christ)as> it is for the .hidren/ The 0e+ @ear> that is +hat +e
.ee'rate/J
JAh>J said Mr *es)ond> J'ut Christ)as in (ngand is a great
institution and I assure you at -ings #a.ey you +oud see it at its
'est/ It"s a +onderfu od house> you 1no+/ Why> one +ing of it
dates fro) the fourteenth .entury/J
Again Poirot shivered/ The thought of a fourteenth;.entury (ngish
)anor house fied hi) +ith apprehension/ !e had suffered too
often in the histori. .ountry houses of (ngand/ !e oo1ed round
appre.iativey at his .o)forta'e )odern fat +ith its radiators and
the atest patent devi.es for eB.uding any 1ind of draught/
JIn the +inter>J he said fir)y> JI do not eave #ondon/J
JI don"t thin1 you 8uite appre.iate> Mr Poirot> +hat a very serious
)atter this is/J Mr *es)ond gan.ed at his .o)panion and then
'a.1 at Poirot/
Poirot"s se.ond visitor had up to no+ said nothing 'ut a poite and
for)a J!o+ do you do/J !e sat no+> ga?ing do+n at his +epoished
shoes> +ith an air of the ut)ost deDe.tion on his .offee.ooured
fa.e/ !e +as a young )an> not )ore than t+enty;three>
and he +as .eary in a state of .o)pete )isery/
J@es> yes>J said !er.ue Poirot/ J<f .ourse the )atter is serious/ I
do appre.iate that/ !is !ighness has )y heartfet sy)pathy/J
JThe position is one of the ut)ost dei.a.y>J said Mr *es)ond/
Poirot transferred his ga?e fro) the young )an to his oder
.o)panion/ If one +anted to su) up Mr *es)ond in a +ord> the
+ord +oud have 'een dis.retion/ (verything a'out Mr *es)ond
+as dis.reet/ !is +e;.ut 'ut in.onspi.uous .othes> his peasant>
+e;'red voi.e +hi.h rarey soared out of an agreea'e )onotone>
his ight;'ro+n hair Dust thinning a itte at the te)pes> his pae
serious fa.e/ It see)ed to !er.ue Poirot that he had 1no+n not one
Mr *es)ond 'ut a do?en Mr *es)onds in his ti)e> a using sooner
or ater the sa)e phrase ; Ja position of the ut)ost dei.a.y/J
JThe poi.e>J said !er.ue Poirot> J.an 'e very dis.reet> you 1no+/J
Mr *es)ond shoo1 his head fir)y/
J0ot the poi.e>J he said/ JTo re.over the ; er ; +hat +e +ant to
re.over +i a)ost inevita'y invove ta1ing pro.eedings in the a+
.ourts and +e 1no+ so itte/ We suspe.t> 'ut +e do not 1no+/J
J@ou have )y sy)pathy>J said !er.ue Poirot again/
If he i)agined that his sy)pathy +as going to )ean anything to his
t+o visitors> he +as +rong/ They did not +ant sy)pathy> they
+anted pra.ti.a hep/ Mr *es)ond 'egan on.e )ore to ta1 a'out
the deights of an (ngish Christ)as/
JIt"s dying out> you 1no+>J he said> Jthe rea od;fashioned type of
Christ)as/ Peope spend it at hotes no+adays/ %ut an (ngish
Christ)as +ith a the fa)iy gathered round> the .hidren and their
sto.1ings> the Christ)as tree> the tur1ey and pu) pudding> the
.ra.1ers/ The sno+;)an outside the +indo+///J
In the interests of eBa.titude> !er.ue Poirot intervened/
JTo )a1e a sno+;)an one has to have the sno+>J he re)ar1ed
severey/ JAnd one .annot have sno+ to order> even for an (ngish
Christ)as/J
JI +as ta1ing to a friend of )ine in the )eteoroogi.a offi.e ony
today>J said Mr *es)ond> Jand he tes )e that it is highy pro'a'e
there +i 'e sno+ this Christ)as/J
It +as the +rong thing to have said/ !er.ue Poirot shuddered )ore
for.efuy than ever/
JSno+ in the .ountryGJ he said/ JThat +oud 'e sti )ore
a'o)ina'e/ A arge> .od> stone )anor house/J
J0ot at a>J said Mr *es)ond/ JThings have .hanged very )u.h in
the ast ten years or so/ <i;fired .entra heating/J
JThey have oi;fired .entra heating at -ings #a.eyAJ as1ed Poirot/
For the first ti)e he see)ed to +aver/
Mr *es)ond sei?ed his opportunity/ J@es> indeed>J he said> Jand a
spendid hot +ater syste)/ &adiators in every 'edroo)/ I assure
you> )y dear M/ Poirot> -ings #a.ey is .o)fort itsef in the +inter
ti)e/ @ou )ight even find the house too +ar)/J
JThat is )ost uni1ey>J said !er.ue Poirot/
With pra.tised deBterity Mr *es)ond shifted his ground a itte/
J@ou .an appre.iate the terri'e die))a +e are in>J he said> in a
.onfidentia )anner/
!er.ue Poirot nodded/ The pro'e) +as> indeed> not a happy one/
A young potentate;to;'e> the ony son of the ruer of a ri.h and
i)portant native State had arrived in #ondon a fe+ +ee1s ago/ !is
.ountry had 'een passing through a period of restessness and
dis.ontent/ Though oya to the father +hose +ay of ife had
re)ained persistenty (astern> popuar opinion +as so)e+hat
du'ious of the younger generation/ !is foies had 'een Western
ones and as su.h oo1ed upon +ith disapprova/
&e.enty> ho+ever> his 'etrotha had 'een announ.ed/ !e +as to
)arry a .ousin of the sa)e 'ood> a young +o)an +ho> though
edu.ated at Ca)'ridge> +as .arefu to dispay no Western
infuen.es in her o+n .ountry/ The +edding day +as announ.ed
and the young prin.e had )ade a Dourney to (ngand> 'ringing +ith
hi) so)e of the fa)ous De+es of his house to 'e reset in
appropriate )odern settings 'y Cartier/ These had in.uded a very
fa)ous ru'y +hi.h had 'een re)oved fro) its .u)'erso)e odfashioned
ne.1a.e and had 'een given a ne+ oo1 'y the fa)ous
De+eers/ So far so good> 'ut after this .a)e the snag/ It +as not to
'e supposed that a young )an possessed of )u.h +eath and
.onvivia tastes> shoud not .o))it a fe+ foies of the peasanter
type/ As to that there +oud have 'een no .ensure/ @oung prin.es
+ere supposed to a)use the)seves in this fashion/ For the prin.e
to ta1e the gir friend of the )o)ent for a +a1 do+n %ond Street
and 'esto+ upon her an e)erad 'ra.eet or a dia)ond .ip as a
re+ard for the peasure she had afforded hi) +oud have 'een
regarded as 8uite natura and suita'e> .orresponding in fa.t to the
Cadia. .ars +hi.h his father invaria'y presented to his favourite
dan.ing gir of the )o)ent/
%ut the prin.e had 'een far )ore indis.reet than that/ Fattered 'y
the ady"s interest> he had dispayed to her the fa)ous ru'y in its
ne+ setting> and had finay 'een so un+ise as to a..ede to her
re8uest to 'e ao+ed to +ear it Dust for one eveningG
The se8ue +as short and sad/ The ady had retired fro) their
supper ta'e to po+der her nose/ Ti)e passed/ She did not return/
She had eft the esta'ish)ent 'y another door and sin.e then had
disappeared into spa.e/ The i)portant and distressing thing +as
that the ru'y in its ne+ setting had disappeared +ith her/
These +ere the fa.ts that .oud not possi'y 'e )ade pu'i.
+ithout the )ost dire .onse8uen.es/ The ru'y +as so)ething )ore
than a ru'y> it +as a histori.a possession of great signifi.an.e> and
the .ir.u)stan.es of its disappearan.e +ere su.h that any undue
pu'i.ity a'out the) )ight resut in the )ost serious poiti.a
.onse8uen.es/
Mr *es)ond +as not the )an to put these fa.ts into si)pe
anguage/ !e +rapped the) up> as it +ere> in a great dea of
ver'iage/ Who eBa.ty Mr *es)ond +as> !er.ue Poirot did not
1no+/ !e had )et other Mr *es)onds in the .ourse of his .areer/
Whether he +as .onne.ted +ith the !o)e <ffi.e> the Foreign
<ffi.e or so)e )ore dis.reet 'ran.h of pu'i. servi.e +as not
spe.ified/ !e +as a.ting in the interests of the Co))on+eath/ The
ru'y )ust 'e re.overed/
M/ Poirot> so Mr *es)ond dei.atey insisted> +as the )an to
re.over it/
JPerhaps ; yes>J !er.ue Poirot ad)itted> J'ut you .an te )e so
itte/ Suggestion ; suspi.ion ; a that is not very )u.h to go upon/J
JCo)e no+> Monsieur Poirot> surey it is not 'eyond your po+ers/
Ah> .o)e no+/J
JI do not a+ays su..eed/J
%ut this +as )o.1 )odesty/ It +as .ear enough fro) Poirot"s tone
that for hi) to underta1e a )ission +as a)ost synony)ous +ith
su..eeding in it/
J!is !ighness is very young>J Mr *es)ond said/ JIt +i 'e sad if his
+hoe ife is to 'e 'ighted for a )ere youthfu indis.retion/J
Poirot oo1ed 1indy at the do+n.ast young )an/ JIt is the ti)e for
foies> +hen one is young>J he said en.ouragingy> Jand for the
ordinary young )an it does not )atter so )u.h/ The good papa> he
pays upI the fa)iy a+yer> he heps to disentange the
in.onvenien.eI the young )an> he earns 'y eBperien.e and a
ends for the 'est/ In a position su.h as yours> it is hard indeed/ @our
approa.hing )arriage///J
JThat is it/ That is it eBa.ty/J For the first ti)e +ords poured fro)
the young )an/ J@ou see she is very> very serious/ She ta1es ife
very seriousy/ She has a.8uired at Ca)'ridge )any very serious
ideas/ There is to 'e edu.ation in )y .ountry/ There are to 'e
s.hoos/ There are to 'e )any things/ A in the na)e of progress>
you understand> of de)o.ra.y/ It +i not 'e> she says> i1e it +as in
)y father"s ti)e/ 0aturay she 1no+s that I +i have diversions in
#ondon> 'ut not the s.anda/ 0oG It is the s.anda that )atters/ @ou
see it is very> very fa)ous> this ru'y/ There is a ong trai 'ehind it> a
history/ Mu.h 'oodshed ; )any deathsGJ
J$eaths>J said !er.ue Poirot thoughtfuy/ !e oo1ed at Mr
*es)ond/ J<ne hopes>J he said> Jit +i not .o)e to thatAJ
Mr *es)ond )ade a pe.uiar noise rather i1e a hen +ho has
de.ided to ay an egg and then thought 'etter of it/
J0o> no> indeed>J he said> sounding rather pri)/ JThere is no
8uestion> I a) sure> of anything of that 1ind/J
J@ou .annot 'e sure>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JWhoever has the ru'y
no+> there )ay 'e others +ho +ant to gain possession of it> and
+ho +i not sti.1 at a trife> )y friend/J
JI reay don"t thin1>J said Mr *es)ond> sounding )ore pri) than
ever> Jthat +e need enter into spe.uations of that 1ind/ 4uite
unprofita'e/J
JMe>J said !er.ue Poirot> suddeny 'e.o)ing very foreign> J)e> I
eBpore a the avenues> i1e the poiti.ians/J
Mr *es)ond oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/ Puing hi)sef together> he
said> JWe> I .an ta1e it that is setted> M/ PoirotA @ou +i go to
-ings #a.eyAJ
JAnd ho+ do I eBpain )ysef thereAJ as1ed !er.ue Poirot/
Mr *es)ond s)ied +ith .onfiden.e/
JThat> I thin1> .an 'e arranged very easiy>J he said/ JI .an assure
you that it +i a see) 8uite natura/ @ou +i find the #a.eys )ost
.har)ing/ $eightfu peope/J
JAnd you do not de.eive )e a'out the oi;fired .entra heatingAJ
J0o> no> indeed/J Mr *ones sounded 8uite pained/ JI assure you you
+i find every .o)fort/J
JTout .onfort )oderne>J )ur)ured Poirot to hi)sef> re)inis.enty/
J(h 'ien>J he said> JI a..ept/J
II
The te)perature in the ong dra+ing;roo) at -ings #a.ey +as a
.o)forta'e siBty;eight as !er.ue Poirot sat ta1ing to Mrs #a.ey
'y one of the 'ig )uioned +indo+s/ Mrs #a.ey +as engaged in
neede+or1/ She +as not doing petit point or e)'roidering fo+ers
upon si1/ Instead> she appeared to 'e engaged in the prosai. tas1
of he))ing dish.othes/ As she se+ed she ta1ed in a soft
refe.tive voi.e that Poirot found very .har)ing/
JI hope you +i enDoy our Christ)as party here> M/ Poirot/ It"s ony
the fa)iy> you 1no+/ My granddaughter and a grandson and a
friend of his and %ridget +ho"s )y great;nie.e> and $iana +ho"s a
.ousin and $avid We+yn +ho is a very od friend/ *ust a fa)iy
party/ %ut (d+ina More.o)'e said that that"s +hat you reay
+anted to see/ An od;fashioned Christ)as/ 0othing .oud 'e )ore
od;fashioned than +e areG My hus'and> you 1no+> a'soutey ives
in the past/ !e i1es everything to 'e Dust as it +as +hen he +as a
'oy of t+eve years od> and used to .o)e here for his hoidays/J
She s)ied to hersef/ JA the sa)e od things> the Christ)as tree
and the sto.1ings hung up and the oyster soup and the tur1ey ; t+o
tur1eys> one 'oied and one roast ; and the pu) pudding +ith the
ring and the 'a.heor"s 'utton and a the rest of it in it/ <ne .an"t
have siBpen.es no+adays 'e.ause they"re not pure siver any
)ore/ %ut a the od desserts> the (vas pu)s and Cars'ad pu)s
and a)onds and raisins> and .rystaised fruit and ginger/ $ear )e>
I sound i1e a .ataogue fro) Fortnu) and MasonGJ
J@ou arouse )y gastrono)i. Dui.es> Mada)e/J
JI eBpe.t +e" a have frightfu indigestion 'y to)orro+ evening>J
said Mrs #a.ey/ J<ne isn"t used to eating so )u.h no+adays> is
oneAJ
She +as interrupted 'y so)e oud shouts and +hoops of aughter
outside the +indo+/ She gan.ed out/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat they"re doing out there/ Paying so)e ga)e or
other> I suppose/ I"ve a+ays 'een so afraid> you 1no+> that these
young peope +oud 'e 'ored 'y our Christ)as here/ %ut not at a>
it"s Dust the opposite/ 0o+ )y o+n son and daughter and their
friends> they used to 'e rather sophisti.ated a'out Christ)as/ Say
it +as a nonsense and too )u.h fuss and it +oud 'e far 'etter to
go out to a hote so)e+here and dan.e/ %ut the younger
generation see) to find a this terri'y attra.tive/ %esides>J added
Mrs #a.ey pra.ti.ay> Js.hoo'oys and s.hoogirs are a+ays
hungry> aren"t theyA I thin1 they )ust starve the) at these s.hoos/
After a> one does 1no+ .hidren of that age ea.h eat a'out as
)u.h as three strong )en/J
Poirot aughed and said> JIt is )ost 1ind of you and your hus'and>
Mada)e> to in.ude )e in this +ay in your fa)iy party/J
J<h> +e"re 'oth deighted> I") sure>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JAnd if you
find !ora.e a itte gruff>J she .ontinued> Jpay no attention/ It"s Dust
his )anner> you 1no+/J
What her hus'and> Coone #a.ey> had a.tuay said +asH JCan"t
thin1 +hy you +ant one of these da)ned foreigners here .uttering
up Christ)asA Why .an"t +e have hi) so)e other ti)eA Can"t sti.1
foreignersG A right> a right> so (d+ina More.o)'e +ished hi) on
us/ What"s it got to do +ith her> I shoud i1e to 1no+A Why doesn"t
she have hi) for Christ)asAJ
J%e.ause you 1no+ very +e>J Mrs #a.ey had said> Jthat (d+ina
a+ays goes to Caridge"s/J
!er hus'and had oo1ed at her pier.ingy and said> J0ot up to
so)ething> are you> ()AJ
J2p to so)ethingAJ said ()> opening very 'ue eyes/ J<f .ourse
not/ Why shoud I 'eAJ
<d Coone #a.ey aughed> a deep> ru)'ing augh/ JI +oudn"t put
it past you> ()>J he said/ JWhen you oo1 your )ost inno.ent is
+hen you are up to so)ething/J
&evoving these things in her )ind> Mrs #a.ey +ent onH J(d+ina
said she thought perhaps you )ight hep us/// I") sure I don"t 1no+
8uite ho+> 'ut she said that friends of yours had on.e found you
very hepfu in ; in a .ase so)ething i1e ours/ I ; +e> perhaps you
don"t 1no+ +hat I") ta1ing a'outAJ
Poirot oo1ed at her en.ouragingy/ Mrs #a.ey +as .ose on
seventy> as upright as a ra)rod> +ith sno+;+hite hair> pin1 .hee1s>
'ue eyes> a ridi.uous nose and a deter)ined .hin/
JIf there is anything I .an do I sha ony 'e too happy to do it>J said
Poirot/ JIt is> I understand> a rather unfortunate )atter of a young
gir"s infatuation/J
Mrs #a.ey nodded/ J@es/ It see)s eBtraordinary that I shoud ; +e>
+ant to ta1 to you a'out it/ After a> you are a perfe.t stranger///J
JAnd a foreigner>J said Poirot> in an understanding )anner/
J@es>J said Mrs #a.ey> J'ut perhaps that )a1es it easier> in a +ay/
Anyho+> (d+ina see)ed to thin1 that you )ight perhaps 1no+
so)ething ; ho+ sha I put it ; so)ething usefu a'out this young
$es)ond #ee;Wortey/J
Poirot paused a )o)ent to ad)ire the ingenuity of Mr *e)ond and
the ease +ith +hi.h he had )ade use of #ady More.o)'e to further
his o+n purposes/
J!e has not> I understand> a very good reputation> this young
)anAJ he 'egan dei.atey/
J0o> indeed> he hasn"tG A very 'ad reputationG %ut that"s no hep so
far as Sarah is .on.erned/ It"s never any good> is it> teing young
girs that )en have a 'ad reputationA It ; it Dust spurs the) onGJ
J@ou are so very right>J said Poirot/
JIn )y young day>J +ent on Mrs #a.ey/ J9<h dear> that"s a very ong
ti)e agoG: We used to 'e +arned> you 1no+> against .ertain young
)en> and of .ourse it did heighten one"s interest in the)> and if one
.oud possi'y )anage to dan.e +ith the)> or to 'e aone +ith the)
in a dar1 .onservatory///J she aughed/ JThat"s +hy I +oudn"t et
!ora.e do any of the things he +anted to do/J
JTe )e>J said Poirot> JeBa.ty +hat it is that trou'es youAJ
J<ur son +as 1ied in the +ar>J Mrs #a.ey/ JMy daughter;in;a+
died +hen Sarah +as 'orn so that she has a+ays 'een +ith us> and
+e"ve 'rought her up/ Perhaps +e"ve 'rought her up un+isey ; I
don"t 1no+/ %ut +e thought +e ought a+ays to eave her as free as
possi'e/J
JThat is desira'e> I thin1>J said Poirot/ J<ne .annot go against the
spirit of the ti)es/J
J0o>J said Mrs #a.ey> Jthat"s Dust +hat I fet a'out it/ And> of .ourse>
girs no+adays do do these sort of things/J
Poirot oo1ed at her in8uiringy/
JI thin1 the +ay one eBpresses it>J said Mrs #a.ey> Jis that Sarah
has got in +ith +hat they .a the .offee;'ar set/ She +on"t go to
dan.es or .o)e out propery or 'e a de' or anything of that 1ind/
Instead she has t+o rather unpeasant roo)s in Chesea do+n 'y
the river and +ears these funny .othes that they i1e to +ear> and
'a.1 sto.1ings or 'right green ones/ 7ery thi.1 sto.1ings/ 9So
pri.1y> I a+ays thin1G: And she goes a'out +ithout +ashing or
.o)'ing her hair/J
JQa> ."est tout P fait naturee>J said Poirot/ JIt is the fashion of the
)o)ent/ They gro+ out of it/J
J@es> I 1no+>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JI +oudn"t +orry a'out that sort of
thing/ %ut you see she"s ta1en up +ith this $es)ond #ee;Wortey
and he reay has a very unsavoury reputation/ !e ives )ore or ess
on +e;to;do girs/ They see) to go 8uite )ad a'out hi)/ !e very
neary )arried the !ope gir> 'ut her peope got her )ade a +ard of
.ourt or so)ething/ And of .ourse that"s +hat !ora.e +ants to do/
!e says he )ust do it for her prote.tion/ %ut I don"t thin1 it"s reay a
good idea> M/ Poirot/ I )ean> they" Dust run a+ay together and go
to S.otand or Ireand or the Argentine or so)e+here and either
get )arried or ese ive together +ithout getting )arried/ And
athough it )ay 'e .onte)pt of .ourt and a that ; +e> it isn"t reay
an ans+er> is it> in the endA (spe.iay if a 'a'y"s .o)ing/ <ne has
to give in then> and et the) get )arried/ And then> neary a+ays> it
see)s to )e> after a year or t+o there"s a divor.e/ And then the gir
.o)es ho)e and usuay after a year or t+o she )arries so)eone
so ni.e he"s a)ost du and settes do+n/ %ut it"s parti.uary sad> it
see)s to )e> if there is a .hid> 'e.ause it"s not the sa)e thing>
'eing 'rought up 'y a stepfather> ho+ever ni.e/ 0o> I thin1 it"s
)u.h 'etter if +e did as +e did in )y young days/ I )ean the first
young )an one fe in ove +ith +as a+ays so)eone undesira'e/ I
re)e)'er I had a horri'e passion for a young )an .aed ; no+
+hat +as his na)e no+A ; ho+ strange it is> I .an"t re)e)'er his
Christian na)e at aG Ti''itt> that +as his surna)e/ @oung Ti''itt/
<f .ourse> )y father )ore or ess for'ade hi) the house> 'ut he
used to get as1ed to the sa)e dan.es> and +e used to dan.e
together/ And so)eti)es +e"d es.ape and sit out together and
o..asionay friends +oud arrange pi.ni.s to +hi.h +e 'oth +ent/
<f .ourse> it +as a very eB.iting and for'idden and one enDoyed it
enor)ousy/ %ut one didn"t go to the +e> to the engths that girs
go no+adays/ And so> after a +hie> the Mr Ti''itts faded out/ And
do you 1no+> +hen I sa+ hi) four years ater I +as surprised +hat I
.oud ever have seen in hi)G !e see)ed to 'e su.h a du young
)an/ Fashy> you 1no+/ 0o interesting .onversation/J
J<ne a+ays thin1s the days of one"s o+n youth are 'est>J said
Poirot> so)e+hat sententiousy/
JI 1no+>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JIt"s tireso)e> isn"t itA I )ustn"t 'e
tireso)e/ %ut a the sa)e I don"t +ant Sarah> +ho"s a dear gir
reay> to )arry $es)ond #ee;Wortey/ She and $avid We+yn> +ho
is staying here> +ere a+ays su.h friends and so fond of ea.h
other> and +e did hope> !ora.e and I> that they +oud gro+ up and
)arry/ %ut of .ourse she Dust finds hi) du no+> and she"s
a'soutey infatuated +ith $es)ond/J
JI do not 8uite understand> Mada)e>J said Poirot/ J@ou have hi)
here no+> staying in the house> this $es)ond #ee;WorteyAJ
JThat"s )y doing>J said Mrs #a.ey/ J!ora.e +as a for for'idding
her to see hi) and a that/ <f .ourse> in !ora.e"s day> the father or
guardian +oud have .aed round at the young )an"s odgings +ith
a horse +hipG !ora.e +as a for for'idding the feo+ the house>
and for'idding the gir to see hi)/ I tod hi) that +as 8uite the
+rong attitude to ta1e/ "0o>" I said/ "As1 hi) do+n here/ We" have
hi) do+n for Christ)as +ith the fa)iy party/" <f .ourse> )y
hus'and said I +as )adG %ut I said> "At any rate> dear> et"s try it/ #et
her see hi) in our at)osphere and our house and +e" 'e very ni.e
to hi) and very poite> and perhaps then he" see) ess interesting
to her"GJ
JI thin1> as they say> you have so)ething there> Mada)e>J said
Poirot/ JI thin1 your point of vie+ is very +ise/ Wiser than your
hus'and"s/J
JWe> I hope it is>J said Mrs #a.ey dou'tfuy/ JIt doesn"t see) to 'e
+or1ing )u.h yet/ %ut of .ourse he"s ony 'een here a .oupe of
days/J A sudden di)pe sho+ed in her +rin1ed .hee1/ JI" .onfess
so)ething to you> M/ Poirot/ I )ysef .an"t hep i1ing hi)/ I don"t
)ean I reay i1e hi)> +ith )y )ind> 'ut I .an fee the .har) a
right/ <h yes> I .an see +hat Sarah sees in hi)/ %ut I") an od
enough +o)an and have enough eBperien.e to 1no+ that he"s
a'soutey no good/ (ven if I do enDoy his .o)pany/ Though I do
thin1>J added Mrs #a.ey> rather +istfuy> Jhe has so)e good
points/ !e as1ed if he )ight 'ring his sister here> you 1no+/ She"s
had an operation and +as in hospita/ !e said it +as so sad for her
'eing in a nursing ho)e over Christ)as and he +ondered if it +oud
'e too )u.h trou'e if he .oud 'ring her +ith hi)/ !e said he"d
ta1e a her )eas up to her and a that/ We no+> I do thin1 that
+as rather ni.e of hi)> don"t you> M/ PoirotAJ
JIt sho+s a .onsideration>J said Poirot> thoughtfuy> J+hi.h see)s
a)ost out of .hara.ter/J
J<h> I don"t 1no+/ @ou .an have fa)iy affe.tions at the sa)e ti)e
as +ishing to prey on a ri.h young gir/ Sarah +i 'e very ri.h> you
1no+> not ony +ith +hat +e eave her ; and of .ourse that +on"t 'e
very )u.h 'e.ause )ost of the )oney goes +ith the pa.e to Coin>
)y grandson/ %ut her )other +as a very ri.h +o)an and Sarah +i
inherit a her )oney +hen she"s t+enty;one/ She"s ony t+enty no+/
0o> I do thin1 it +as ni.e of $es)ond to )ind a'out his sister/ And
he didn"t pretend she +as anything very +onderfu or that/ She"s a
shorthand typist> I gather ; does se.retaria +or1 in #ondon/ And
he"s 'een as good as his +ord and does .arry up trays to her/ 0ot
a the ti)e> of .ourse> 'ut 8uite often/ So I thin1 he has so)e ni.e
points/ %ut a the sa)e>J said Mrs #a.ey +ith great de.ision> JI
don"t +ant Sarah to )arry hi)/J
JFro) a I have heard and 'een tod>J said Poirot> Jthat +oud
indeed 'e a disaster/J
J$o you thin1 it +oud 'e possi'e for you to hep us in any +ayAJ
as1ed Mrs #a.ey/
JI thin1 it is possi'e> yes>J said !er.ue Poirot> J'ut I do not +ish to
pro)ise too )u.h/ For the Mr $es)ond #ee;Worteys of this +ord
are .ever> Mada)e/ %ut do not despair/ <ne .an> perhaps> do a
itte so)ething/ I sha at any rate> put forth )y 'est endeavours> if
ony in gratitude for your 1indness in as1ing )e here for this
Christ)as festivity/J !e oo1ed round hi)/ JAnd it .annot 'e so
easy these days to have Christ)as festivities/J
J0o> indeed>J Mrs #a.ey sighed/ She eaned for+ard/ J$o you
1no+> M/ Poirot> +hat I reay drea) of ; +hat I +oud ove to haveAJ
J%ut te )e> Mada)e/J
JI si)py ong to have a s)a> )odern 'ungao+/ 0o> perhaps not a
'ungao+ eBa.ty> 'ut a s)a> )odern> easy to run house 'uit
so)e+here in the par1 here> and ive in it +ith an a'soutey up;todate
1it.hen and no ong passages/ (verything easy and si)pe/J
JIt is a very pra.ti.a idea> Mada)e/J
JIt"s not pra.ti.a for )e>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JMy hus'and adores this
pa.e/ !e oves iving here/ !e doesn"t )ind 'eing sighty
un.o)forta'e> he doesn"t )ind the in.onvenien.es and he +oud
hate> si)py hate> to ive in a s)a )odern house in the par1GJ
JSo you sa.rifi.e yoursef to his +ishesAJ
Mrs #a.ey dre+ hersef up/ JI do not .onsider it a sa.rifi.e> M/
Poirot>J she said/ JI )arried )y hus'and +ith the +ish to )a1e hi)
happy/ !e has 'een a good hus'and to )e and )ade )e very
happy a these years> and I +ish to give happiness to hi)/J
JSo you +i .ontinue to ive here>J said Poirot/
JIt"s not reay too un.o)forta'e>J said Mrs #a.ey/
J0o> no>J said Poirot> hastiy/ J<n the .ontrary> it is )ost
.o)forta'e/ @our .entra heating and your 'ath +ater are
perfe.tion/J
JWe spend a ot of )oney in )a1ing the house .o)forta'e to ive
in>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JWe +ere a'e to se so)e and/ &ipe for
deveop)ent> I thin1 they .a it/ Fortunatey right out of sight of the
house on the other side of the par1/ &eay rather an ugy 'it of
ground +ith no ni.e vie+> 'ut +e got a very good pri.e for it/ So
that +e have 'een a'e to have as )any i)prove)ents as
possi'e/J
J%ut the servi.e> Mada)eAJ
J<h> +e> that presents ess diffi.uty than you )ight thin1/ <f
.ourse> one .annot eBpe.t to 'e oo1ed after and +aited upon as
one used to 'e/ $ifferent peope .o)e in fro) the viage/ T+o
+o)en in the )orning> another t+o to .oo1 un.h and +ash it up>
and different ones again in the evening/ There are penty of peope
+ho +ant to .o)e and +or1 for a fe+ hours a day/ <f .ourse for
Christ)as +e are very u.1y/ My dear Mrs &oss a+ays .o)es in
every Christ)as/ She is a +onderfu .oo1> reay first;.ass/ She
retired a'out ten years ago> 'ut she .o)es in to hep us in any
e)ergen.y/ Then there is dear Pevere/J
J@our 'uterAJ
J@es/ !e is pensioned off and ives in the itte house near the odge>
'ut he is so devoted> and he insists on .o)ing to +ait on us at
Christ)as/ &eay> I") terrified> M/ Poirot> 'e.ause he"s so od and
so sha1y that I fee .ertain that if he .arries anything heavy he +i
drop it/ It"s reay an agony to +at.h hi)/ And his heart is not good
and I") afraid of his doing too )u.h/ %ut it +oud hurt his feeings
dreadfuy if I did not et hi) .o)e/ !e he)s and hahs and )a1es
disapproving noises +hen he sees the state our siver is in and
+ithin three days of 'eing here> it is a +onderfu again/ @es/ !e is
a dear faithfu friend/J She s)ied at Poirot/ JSo you see> +e are a
set for a happy Christ)as/ A +hite Christ)as> too>J she added as
she oo1ed out of the +indo+/ JSeeA It is 'eginning to sno+/ Ah> the
.hidren are .o)ing in/ @ou )ust )eet the)> M/ Poirot/J
Poirot +as introdu.ed +ith due .ere)ony/ First> to Coin and
Mi.hae> the s.hoo'oy grandson and his friend> ni.e poite ads of
fifteen> one dar1> one fair/ Then to their .ousin> %ridget> a 'a.1haired
gir of a'out the sa)e age +ith enor)ous vitaity/
JAnd this is )y granddaughter> Sarah>J said Mrs #a.ey/
Poirot oo1ed +ith so)e interest at Sarah> an attra.tive gir +ith a
)op of red hairI her )anner see)ed to hi) nervy and a trife
defiant> 'ut she sho+ed rea affe.tion for her grand)other/
JAnd this is Mr #ee;Wortey/J
Mr #ee;Wortey +ore a fisher)an"s Dersey and tight 'a.1 DeansI his
hair +as rather ong and it see)ed dou'tfu +hether he had shaved
that )orning/ In .ontrast to hi) +as a young )an introdu.ed as
$avid We+yn> +ho +as soid and 8uiet> +ith a peasant s)ie> and
rather o'viousy addi.ted to soap and +ater/ There +as one other
)e)'er of the party> a handso)e> rather intense;oo1ing gir +ho
+as introdu.ed as $iana Middeton/
Tea +as 'rought in/ A hearty )ea of s.ones> .ru)pets>
sand+i.hes and three 1inds of .a1e/ The younger )e)'ers of the
party appre.iated the tea/ Coone #a.ey .a)e in ast> re)ar1ing in
a non.o))itta voi.eH
J!ey> teaA <h yes> tea/J
!e re.eived his .up of tea fro) his +ife"s hand> heped hi)sef to
t+o s.ones> .ast a oo1 of aversion at $es)ond #ee;Wortey and
sat do+n as far a+ay fro) hi) as he .oud/ !e +as a 'ig )an +ith
'ushy eye'ro+s and a red> +eather;'eaten fa.e/ !e )ight have
'een ta1en for a far)er rather than the ord of the )anor/
JStarted to sno+>J he said/ JIt"s going to 'e a +hite Christ)as a
right/J
After tea the party dispersed/
JI eBpe.t they" go and pay +ith their tape re.orders no+>J said
Mrs #a.ey to Poirot/ She oo1ed indugenty after her grandson as
he eft the roo)/ !er tone +as that of one +ho says JThe .hidren
are going to pay +ith their toy sodiers/J
JThey"re frightfuy te.hni.a> of .ourse>J she said> Jand very grand
a'out it a/J
The 'oys and %ridget> ho+ever> de.ided to go aong to the a1e and
see if the i.e on it +as i1ey to )a1e s1ating possi'e/
JI thought +e .oud have s1ated on it this )orning>J said Coin/ J%ut
od !odg1ins said no/ !e"s a+ays so terri'y .arefu/J
JCo)e for a +a1> $avid>J said $iana Middeton> softy/ $avid
hesitated for haf a )o)ent> his eyes on Sarah"s red head/ She +as
standing 'y $es)ond #ee;Wortey> her hand on his ar)> oo1ing up
into his fa.e/
JA right>J said $avid We+yn> Jyes> et"s/J
$iana sipped a 8ui.1 hand through his ar) and they turned
to+ards the door into the garden/ Sarah saidH
JSha +e go> too> $es)ondA It"s fearfuy stuffy in the house/J
JWho +ants to +a1AJ said $es)ond/ JI" get )y .ar out/ We" go
aong to the Spe.1ed %oar and have a drin1/J
Sarah hesitated for a )o)ent 'efore sayingH
J#et"s go to Mar1et #ed'ury to the White !art/ It"s )u.h )ore fun/J
Though for a the +ord she +oud not have put it into +ords> Sarah
had an instin.tive revusion fro) going do+n to the o.a pu' +ith
$es)ond/ It +as> so)eho+> not in the tradition of -ings #a.ey/ The
+o)en of -ings #a.ey had never fre8uented the 'ar of the
Spe.1ed %oar/ She had an o's.ure feeing that to go there +oud
'e to et od Coone #a.ey and his +ife do+n/ And +hy notA
$es)ond #ee;Wortey +oud have said/ For a )o)ent of
eBasperation Sarah fet that he ought to 1no+ +hy notG <ne didn"t
upset su.h od darings as ,randfather and dear od () uness it
+as ne.essary/ They"d 'een very s+eet> reay> etting her ead her
o+n ife> not understanding in the east +hy she +anted to ive in
Chesea in the +ay she did> 'ut a..epting it/ That +as due to () of
.ourse/ ,randfather +oud have 1i.1ed up no end of a ro+/
Sarah had no iusions a'out her grandfather"s attitude/ It +as not
his doing that $es)ond had 'een as1ed to stay at -ings #a.ey/
That +as ()> and () +as a daring and a+ays had 'een/
When $es)ond had gone to fet.h his .ar> Sarah popped her head
into the dra+ing;roo) again/
JWe"re going over to Mar1et #ed'ury>J she said/ JWe thought +e"d
have a drin1 there at the White !art/J
There +as a sight a)ount of defian.e in her voi.e> 'ut Mrs #a.ey
did not see) to noti.e it/
JWe> dear>J she said> JI") sure that +i 'e very ni.e/ $avid and
$iana have gone for a +a1> I see/ I") so gad/ I reay thin1 it +as a
'rain+ave on )y part to as1 $iana here/ So sad 'eing eft a +ido+
so young ; ony t+enty;t+o ; I do hope she )arries again soon/J
Sarah oo1ed at her sharpy/ JWhat are you up to> ()AJ
JIt"s )y itte pan>J said Mrs #a.ey geefuy/ JI thin1 she"s Dust right
for $avid/ <f .ourse I 1no+ he +as terri'y in ove +ith you> Sarah
dear> 'ut you"d no use for hi) and I reaise that he isn"t your type/
%ut I don"t +ant hi) to go on 'eing unhappy> and I thin1 $iana +i
reay suit hi)/J
JWhat a )at.h)a1er you are> ()>J said Sarah/
JI 1no+>J said Mrs #a.ey/ J<d +o)en a+ays are/ $iana"s 8uite
1een on hi) aready> I thin1/ $on"t you thin1 she"d 'e Dust right for
hi)AJ
JI shoudn"t say so>J said Sarah/ JI thin1 $iana"s far too ; +e> too
intense> too serious/ I shoud thin1 $avid +oud find it terri'y
'oring 'eing )arried to her/J
JWe> +e" see>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JAny+ay> you don"t +ant hi)> do
you> dearAJ
J0o> indeed>J said Sarah> very 8ui.1y/ She added> in a sudden
rush> J@ou do i1e $es)ond> don"t you> ()AJ
JI") sure he"s very ni.e indeed>J said Mrs #a.ey/
J,randfather doesn"t i1e hi)>J said Sarah/
JWe> you .oud hardy eBpe.t hi) to> .oud youAJ said Mrs #a.ey
reasona'y> J'ut I dare say he" .o)e round +hen he gets used to
the idea/ @ou )ustn"t rush hi)> Sarah dear/ <d peope are very
so+ to .hange their )inds and your grandfather is rather
o'stinate/J
JI don"t .are +hat ,randfather thin1s or says>J said Sarah/ JI sha
get )arried to $es)ond +henever I i1eGJ
JI 1no+> dear> I 1no+/ %ut do try and 'e reaisti. a'out it/ @our
grandfather .oud .ause a ot of trou'e> you 1no+/ @ou"re not of
age yet/ In another year you .an do as you pease/ I eBpe.t !ora.e
+i have .o)e round ong 'efore that/J
J@ou"re on )y side aren"t you> daringAJ said Sarah/ She fung her
ar)s round her grand)other"s ne.1 and gave her an affe.tionate
1iss/
JI +ant you to 'e happy>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JAhG there"s your young
)an 'ringing his .ar round/ @ou 1no+> I i1e these very tight
trousers these young )en +ear no+adays/ They oo1 so s)art ony>
of .ourse> it does a..entuate 1no.1 1nees/J
@es> Sarah thought> $es)ond had got 1no.1 1nees> she had never
noti.ed it 'efore///
J,o on> dear> enDoy yoursef>J said Mrs #a.ey/
She +at.hed her go out to the .ar> then> re)e)'ering her foreign
guest> she +ent aong to the i'rary/ #oo1ing in> ho+ever> she sa+
that !er.ue Poirot +as ta1ing a peasant itte nap> and s)iing to
hersef> she +ent a.ross the ha and out into the 1it.hen to have a
.onferen.e +ith Mrs &oss/
JCo)e on> 'eautifu>J said $es)ond/ J@our fa)iy .utting up rough
'e.ause you"re .o)ing out to a pu'A @ears 'ehind the ti)es here>
aren"t theyAJ
J<f .ourse they"re not )a1ing a fuss>J said Sarah> sharpy as she
got into the .ar/
JWhat"s the idea of having that foreign feo+ do+nA !e"s a
dete.tive> isn"t heA What needs dete.ting hereAJ
J<h> he"s not here professionay>J said Sarah/ J(d+ina
More.o)'e> )y god)other> as1ed us to have hi)/ I thin1 he"s
retired fro) professiona +or1 ong ago/J
JSounds i1e a 'ro1en;do+n od .a' horse>J said $es)ond/
J!e +anted to see an od;fashioned (ngish Christ)as> I 'eieve>J
said Sarah vaguey/
$es)ond aughed s.ornfuy/ JSu.h a ot of tripe> that sort of thing>J
he said/ J!o+ you .an stand it I don"t 1no+/J
Sarah"s red hair +as tossed 'a.1 and her aggressive .hin shot up/
JI enDoy itGJ she said defianty/
J@ou .an"t> 'a'y/ #et"s .ut the +hoe thing to)orro+/ ,o over to
S.ar'orough or so)e+here/J
JI .oudn"t possi'y do that/J
JWhy notAJ
J<h> it +oud hurt their feeings/J
J<h> 'igeG @ou 1no+ you don"t enDoy this .hidish senti)enta
'osh/J
JWe> not reay perhaps> 'ut///J Sarah 'ro1e off/ She reaised +ith
a feeing of guit that she +as oo1ing for+ard a good dea to the
Christ)as .ee'ration/ She enDoyed the +hoe thing> 'ut she +as
asha)ed to ad)it that to $es)ond/ It +as not the thing to enDoy
Christ)as and fa)iy ife/ *ust for a )o)ent she +ished that
$es)ond had not .o)e do+n here at Christ)as ti)e/ In fa.t> she
a)ost +ished that $es)ond had not .o)e do+n here at a/ It +as
)u.h )ore fun seeing $es)ond in #ondon than here at ho)e/
In the )eanti)e the 'oys and %ridget +ere +a1ing 'a.1 fro) the
a1e> sti dis.ussing earnesty the pro'e)s of s1ating/ Fe.1s of
sno+ had 'een faing> and oo1ing up at the s1y it .oud 'e
prophesied that 'efore ong there +as going to 'e a heavy sno+fa/
JIt"s going to sno+ a night>J said Coin/ J%et you 'y Christ)as
)orning +e have a .oupe of feet of sno+/J
The prospe.t +as a peasura'e one/ J#et"s )a1e a sno+;)an>J
said Mi.hae/
J,ood ord>J said Coin/ JI haven"t )ade a sno+;)an sin.e ; +e>
sin.e I +as a'out four years od/J
JI don"t 'eieve it"s a 'it easy to do>J said %ridget/ JI )ean> you have
to 1no+ ho+/J
JWe )ight )a1e an effigy of M/ Poirot>J said Coin/ J,ive it a 'ig
'a.1 )ousta.he/ There is one in the dressing;up 'oB/J
JI don"t see> you 1no+>J said Mi.hae thoughtfuy> Jho+ M/ Poirot
.oud ever have 'een a dete.tive/ I don"t see ho+ he"d ever 'e a'e
to disguise hi)sef/J
JI 1no+>J said %ridget> Jand one .an"t i)agine hi) running a'out
+ith a )i.ros.ope and oo1ing for .ues or )easuring footprints/J
JI"ve got an idea>J said Coin/ J#et"s put on a sho+ for hi)GJ
JWhat do you )ean> a sho+AJ as1ed %ridget/
JWe> arrange a )urder for hi)/J
JWhat a gorgeous idea>J said %ridget/ J$o you )ean a 'ody in the
sno+ ; that sort of thingAJ
J@es/ It +oud )a1e hi) fee at ho)e> +oudn"t itAJ
%ridget gigged/
JI don"t 1no+ that I"d go as far as that/J
JIf it sno+s>J said Coin> J+e" have the perfe.t setting/ A 'ody and
footprints ; +e" have to thin1 that out rather .arefuy and pin.h
one of ,randfather"s daggers and )a1e so)e 'ood/J
They .a)e to a hat and o'ivious to the rapidy faing sno+>
entered into an eB.ited dis.ussion/
JThere"s a paint'oB in the od s.hooroo)/ We .oud )iB up so)e
'ood ; .ri)son;a1e> I shoud thin1/J
JCri)son;a1e"s a 'it too pin1> I thin1>J said %ridget/ JIt ought to 'e
a 'it 'ro+ner/J
JWho"s going to 'e the 'odyAJ as1ed Mi.hae/
JI" 'e the 'ody>J said %ridget 8ui.1y/
J<h> oo1 here>J said Coin> JI thought of it/J
J<h> no> no>J said %ridget> Jit )ust 'e )e/ It"s got to 'e a gir/ It"s
)ore eB.iting/ %eautifu gir ying ifeess in the sno+/J
J%eautifu girG Ah;ha>J said Mi.hae in derision/
JI"ve got 'a.1 hair> too>J said %ridget/
JWhat"s that got to do +ith itAJ
JWe> it" sho+ up so +e on the sno+ and I sha +ear )y red
pyDa)as/J
JIf you +ear red pyDa)as> they +on"t sho+ the 'oodstains>J said
Mi.hae in a pra.ti.a )anner/
J%ut they"d oo1 so effe.tive against the sno+>J said %ridget> Jand
they"ve got +hite fa.ings> you 1no+> so the 'ood .oud 'e on that/
<h> +on"t it 'e gorgeousA $o you thin1 he +i reay 'e ta1en inAJ
J!e +i if +e do it +e enough>J said Mi.hae/ JWe" have Dust your
footprints in the sno+ and one other person"s going to the 'ody and
.o)ing a+ay fro) it ; a )an"s> of .ourse/ !e +on"t +ant to distur'
the)> so he +on"t 1no+ that you"re not reay dead/ @ou don"t thin1>J
Mi.hae stopped> stru.1 'y a sudden idea/ The others oo1ed at
hi)/ J@ou don"t thin1 he" 'e annoyed a'out itAJ
J<h> I shoudn"t thin1 so>J said %ridget> +ith fa.ie opti)is)/ JI")
sure he" understand that +e"ve Dust done it to entertain hi)/ A sort
of Christ)as treat/J
JI don"t thin1 +e ought to do it on Christ)as $ay>J said Coin
refe.tivey/ JI don"t thin1 ,randfather +oud i1e that very )u.h/J
J%oBing $ay then>J said %ridget/
J%oBing $ay +oud 'e Dust right>J said Mi.hae/
JAnd it" give us )ore ti)e> too>J pursued %ridget/ JAfter a> there
are a ot of things to arrange/ #et"s go and have a oo1 at a the
props/J
They hurried into the house/
III
The evening +as a 'usy one/ !oy and )istetoe had 'een 'rought
in in arge 8uantities and a Christ)as tree had 'een set up at one
end of the dining;roo)/ (veryone heped to de.orate it> to put up
the 'ran.hes of hoy 'ehind pi.tures and to hang )istetoe in a
.onvenient position in the ha/
JI had no idea anything so ar.hai. sti +ent on>J )ur)ured
$es)ond to Sarah +ith a sneer/
JWe"ve a+ays done it>J said Sarah> defensivey/
JWhat a reasonGJ
J<h> don"t 'e tireso)e> $es)ond/ I thin1 it"s fun/J
JSarah )y s+eet> you .an"tGJ
JWe> not not reay perhaps 'ut I do in a +ay/J
JWho"s going to 'rave the sno+ and go to )idnight )assAJ as1ed
Mrs #a.ey at t+enty )inutes to t+eve/
J0ot )e>J said $es)ond/ JCo)e on> Sarah/J
With a hand on her ar) he guided her into the i'rary and +ent over
to the re.ord .ase/
JThere are i)its> daring>J said $es)ond/ JMidnight )assGJ
J@es>J said Sarah/ J<h yes/J
With a good dea of aughter> donning of .oats and sta)ping of feet>
)ost of the others got off/ The t+o 'oys> %ridget> $avid and $iana
set out for the ten )inutes" +a1 to the .hur.h through the faing
sno+/ Their aughter died a+ay in the distan.e/
JMidnight )assGJ said Coone #a.ey> snorting/ J0ever +ent to
)idnight )ass in )y young days/ Mass> indeedG Popish> that isG <h>
I 'eg your pardon> M/ Poirot/J
Poirot +aved a hand/ JIt is 8uite a right/ $o not )ind )e/J
JMatins is good enough for any'ody> I shoud say>J said the .oone/
JProper Sunday )orning servi.e/ "!ar1 the herad anges sing>" and
a the good od Christ)as hy)ns/ And then 'a.1 to Christ)as
dinner/ That"s right> isn"t it> ()AJ
J@es> dear>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JThat"s +hat +e do/ %ut the young
ones enDoy the )idnight servi.e/ And it"s ni.e> reay> that they +ant
to go/J
JSarah and that feo+ don"t +ant to go/J
JWe> there dear> I thin1 you"re +rong>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JSarah>
you 1no+> did +ant to go> 'ut she didn"t i1e to say so/J
J%eats )e +hy she .ares +hat that feo+"s opinion is/J
JShe"s very young> reay>J said Mrs #a.ey pa.idy/ JAre you going
to 'ed> M/ PoirotA ,ood night/ I hope you" seep +e/J
JAnd you> Mada)eA Are you not going to 'ed yetAJ
J0ot Dust yet>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JI"ve got the sto.1ings to fi> you
see/ <h> I 1no+ they"re a pra.ti.ay gro+n up> 'ut they do i1e
their sto.1ings/ <ne puts Do1es in the)G Siy itte things/ %ut it a
)a1es for a ot of fun/J
J@ou +or1 very hard to )a1e this a happy house at Christ)as
ti)e>J said Poirot/ JI honour you/J
!e raised her hand to his ips in a .ourty fashion/
J!)>J grunted Coone #a.ey> as Poirot departed/ JFo+ery sort of
feo+/ Sti he appre.iates you/J
Mrs #a.ey di)ped up at hi)/ J!ave you noti.ed> !ora.e> that I")
standing under the )istetoeAJ she as1ed +ith the de)ureness of a
gir of nineteen/
!er.ue Poirot entered his 'edroo)/ It +as a arge roo) +e
provided +ith radiators/ As he +ent over to+ard the 'ig four;poster
'ed he noti.ed an enveope ying on his pio+/ !e opened it and
dre+ out a pie.e of paper/ <n it +as a sha1iy printed )essage in
.apita etters/
J$<0"T (AT 0<0( <F T!( P#2M P2$$I0,/ <0( AS WIS!(S @<2
W(##/J
!er.ue Poirot stared at it/ !is eye'ro+s rose/ JCrypti.>J he
)ur)ured> Jand )ost uneBpe.ted/J
I7
Christ)as dinner too1 pa.e at 2 p/)/ and +as a feast indeed/
(nor)ous ogs .ra.1ed )erriy in the +ide firepa.e and a'ove
their .ra.1ing rose the 'a'e of )any tongues ta1ing together/
<yster soup had 'een .onsu)ed> t+o enor)ous tur1eys had .o)e
and gone> )ere .ar.asses of their for)er seves/ 0o+> the
supre)e )o)ent> the Christ)as pudding +as 'rought in> in stateG
<d Pevere> his hands and his 1nees sha1ing +ith the +ea1ness of
eighty years> per)itted no one 'ut hi)sef to 'ear it in/ Mrs #a.ey
sat> her hands pressed together in nervous apprehension/ <ne
Christ)as> she fet sure> Pevere +oud fa do+n dead/ !aving
either to ta1e the ris1 of etting hi) fa do+n dead or of hurting his
feeings to su.h an eBtent that he +oud pro'a'y prefer to 'e dead
than aive> she had so far .hosen the for)er aternative/ <n a siver
dish the Christ)as pudding reposed in its gory/ A arge foot'a of
a pudding> a pie.e of hoy stu.1 in it i1e a triu)phant fag and
gorious fa)es of 'ue and red rising round it/ There +as a .heer
and .ries of J<oh;ah/J
<ne thing Mrs #a.ey had doneH prevaied upon Pevere to pa.e the
pudding in front of her so that she .oud hep it rather than hand it
in turn round the ta'e/ She 'reathed a sigh of reief as it +as
deposited safey in front of her/ &apidy the pates +ere passed
round> fa)es sti i.1ing the portions/
JWish> M/ Poirot>J .ried %ridget/ JWish 'efore the fa)e goes/
4ui.1> ,ran daring> 8ui.1/J
Mrs #a.ey eant 'a.1 +ith a sigh of satisfa.tion/ <peration Pudding
had 'een a su..ess/ In front of everyone +as a heping +ith fa)es
sti i.1ing/ There +as a )o)entary sien.e a round the ta'e as
everyone +ished hard/
There +as no'ody to noti.e the rather .urious eBpression on the
fa.e of M/ Poirot as he surveyed the portion of pudding on his pate/
J$on"t eat none of the pu) pudding/J What on earth did that
sinister +arning )eanA There .oud 'e nothing different a'out his
portion of pu) pudding fro) that of everyone eseG Sighing as he
ad)itted hi)sef 'affed ; and !er.ue Poirot never i1ed to ad)it
hi)sef 'affed ; he pi.1ed up his spoon and for1/
J!ard sau.e> M/ PoirotAJ
Poirot heped hi)sef appre.iativey to hard sau.e/
JS+iped )y 'est 'randy again> eh> ()AJ said the .oone goodhu)ouredy
fro) the other end of the ta'e/ Mrs #a.ey t+in1ed at
hi)/
JMrs &oss insists on having the 'est 'randy> dear>J she said/ JShe
says it )a1es a the differen.e/J
JWe> +e>J said Coone #a.ey> JChrist)as .o)es 'ut on.e a year
and Mrs &oss is a great +o)an/ A great +o)an and a great .oo1/J
JShe is indeed>J said Coin/ JS)ashing pu) pudding> this/ M)))/J
!e fied an appre.iative )outh/
,enty> a)ost gingery> !er.ue Poirot atta.1ed his portion of
pudding/ !e ate a )outhfu/ It +as dei.iousG !e ate another/
So)ething tin1ed fainty on his pate/ !e investigated +ith a for1/
%ridget> on his eft> .a)e to his aid/
J@ou"ve got so)ething> M/ Poirot>J she said/ JI +onder +hat it is/J
Poirot deta.hed a itte siver o'De.t fro) the surrounding raisins
that .ung to it/
J<ooh>J said %ridget> Jit"s the 'a.heor"s 'uttonG M/ Poirot"s got the
'a.heor"s 'uttonGJ
!er.ue Poirot dipped the s)a siver 'utton into the finger;gass of
+ater that stood 'y his pate> and +ashed it .ear of pudding
.ru)'s/
JIt is very pretty>J he o'served/
JThat )eans you"re going to 'e a 'a.heor> M/ Poirot>J eBpained
Coin hepfuy/
JThat is to 'e eBpe.ted>J said Poirot gravey/ JI have 'een a
'a.heor for )any ong years and it is uni1ey that I sha .hange
that status no+/J
J<h> never say die>J said Mi.hae/ JI sa+ in the paper that so)eone
of ninety;five )arried a gir of t+enty;t+o the other day/J
J@ou en.ourage )e>J said !er.ue Poirot/
Coone #a.ey uttered a sudden eB.a)ation/ !is fa.e 'e.a)e
purpe and his hand +ent to his )outh/
JConfound it> ())eine>J he roared> J+hy on earth do you et the
.oo1 put gass in the puddingAJ
J,assGJ .ried Mrs #a.ey> astonished/
Coone #a.ey +ithdre+ the offending su'stan.e fro) his )outh/
JMight have 'ro1en a tooth>J he gru)'ed/ J<r s+ao+ed the
da)n" thing and had appendi.itis/J
!e dropped the pie.e of gass into the finger;'o+> rinsed it and
hed it up/
J,od 'ess )y sou>J he eDa.uated> JIt"s a red stone out of one of
the .ra.1er 'roo.hes/J !e hed it aoft/
J@ou per)itAJ
7ery defty M/ Poirot stret.hed a.ross his neigh'our> too1 it fro)
Coone #a.ey"s fingers and eBa)ined it attentivey/ As the s8uire
had said> it +as an enor)ous red stone the .oour of a ru'y/ The
ight gea)ed fro) its fa.ets as he turned it a'out/ So)e+here
around the ta'e a .hair +as pushed sharpy 'a.1 and then dra+n
in again/
JPhe+GJ .ried Mi.hae/ J!o+ +i?ard it +oud 'e if it +as rea/J
JPerhaps it is rea>J said %ridget hopefuy/
J<h> don"t 'e an ass> %ridget/ Why a ru'y of that si?e +oud 'e
+orth thousands and thousands of pounds/ Woudn"t it> M/ PoirotAJ
JIt +oud indeed>J said Poirot/
J%ut +hat I .an"t understand>J said Mrs #a.ey> Jis ho+ it got into
the pudding/J
J<ooh>J said Coin> diverted 'y his ast )outhfu> JI"ve got the pig/ It
isn"t fair/J
%ridget .hanted i))ediatey> JCoin"s got the pigG Coin"s got the
pigG Coin is the greedy gu??ing pigGJ
JI"ve got the ring>J said $iana in a .ear> high voi.e/
J,ood for you> $iana/ @ou" 'e )arried first> of us a/J
JI"ve got the thi)'e>J +aied %ridget/
J%ridget"s going to 'e an od )aid>J .hanted the t+o 'oys/ J@ah>
%ridget"s going to 'e an od )aid/J
JWho"s got the )oneyAJ de)anded $avid/ JThere"s a rea ten
shiing pie.e> god> in this pudding/ I 1no+/ Mrs &oss tod )e so/J
JI thin1 I") the u.1y one>J said $es)ond #ee;Wortey/
Coone #a.ey"s t+o neBt door neigh'ours heard hi) )utter> J@es>
you +oud 'e/J
JI"ve got a ring> too>J said $avid/ !e oo1ed a.ross at $iana/ J4uite
a .oin.iden.e> isn"t itAJ
The aughter +ent on/ 0o'ody noti.ed that M/ Poirot .areessy> as
though thin1ing of so)ething ese> had dropped the red stone into
his po.1et/
Min.e;pies and Christ)as dessert foo+ed the pudding/ The oder
)e)'ers of the party then retired for a +e.o)e siesta 'efore the
tea;ti)e .ere)ony of the ighting of the Christ)as tree/ !er.ue
Poirot> ho+ever> did not ta1e a siesta/ Instead> he )ade his +ay to
the enor)ous od;fashioned 1it.hen/
JIt is per)itted>J he as1ed> oo1ing round and 'ea)ing> Jthat I
.ongratuate the .oo1 on this )arveous )ea that I have Dust
eatenAJ
There +as a )o)ent"s pause and then Mrs &oss .a)e for+ard in a
statey )anner to )eet hi)/ She +as a arge +o)an> no'y 'uit
+ith a the dignity of a stage du.hess/ T+o ean grey;haired +o)en
+ere 'eyond in the s.uery +ashing up and a to+;haired gir +as
)oving to and fro 'et+een the s.uery and the 1it.hen/ %ut these
+ere o'viousy )ere )yr)idons/ Mrs &oss +as the 8ueen of the
1it.hen 8uarters/
JI a) gad to hear you enDoyed it> sir>J she said gra.iousy/
J(nDoyed itGJ .ried !er.ue Poirot/ With an eBtravagant foreign
gesture he raised his hand to his ips> 1issed it> and +afted the 1iss
to the .eiing/ J%ut you are a genius> Mrs &ossG A geniusG 0ever
have I tasted su.h a +onderfu )ea/ The oyster soup///J he )ade
an eBpressive noise +ith his ips/ J; and the stuffing/ The .hestnut
stuffing in the tur1ey> that +as 8uite uni8ue in )y eBperien.e/J
JWe> it"s funny that you shoud say that> sir>J said Mrs &oss
gra.iousy/ JIt"s a very spe.ia re.ipe> that stuffing/ It +as given )e
'y an Austrian .hef that I +or1ed +ith )any years ago/ %ut a the
rest>J she added> Jis Dust good> pain (ngish .oo1ing/J
JAnd is there anything 'etterAJ de)anded !er.ue Poirot/
JWe> it"s ni.e of you to say so> sir/ <f .ourse> you 'eing a foreign
gente)an )ight have preferred the .ontinenta stye/ 0ot 'ut +hat
I .an"t )anage .ontinenta dishes too/J
JI a) sure> Mrs &oss> you .oud )anage anythingG %ut you )ust
1no+ that (ngish .oo1ing ; good (ngish .oo1ing> not the .oo1ing
one gets in the se.ond;.ass hotes or the restaurants ; is )u.h
appre.iated 'y gour)ets on the .ontinent> and I 'eieve I a)
.orre.t in saying that a spe.ia eBpedition +as )ade to #ondon in
the eary eighteen hundreds> and a report sent 'a.1 to Fran.e of
the +onders of the (ngish puddings/ "We have nothing i1e that in
Fran.e>" they +rote/ "It is +orth )a1ing a Dourney to #ondon Dust to
taste the varieties and eB.een.ies of the (ngish puddings/" And
a'ove a puddings>J .ontinued Poirot> +e aun.hed no+ on a 1ind
of rhapsody> Jis the Christ)as pu) pudding> su.h as +e have
eaten today/ That +as a ho)e)ade pudding> +as it notA 0ot a
'ought oneAJ
J@es> indeed> sir/ <f )y o+n )a1ing and )y o+n re.ipe su.h as I"ve
)ade for )any> )any years/ When I .a)e here Mrs #a.ey said that
she"d ordered a pudding fro) a #ondon store to save )e the
trou'e/ %ut no> Mada)> I said> that )ay 'e 1ind of you 'ut no
'ought pudding fro) a store .an e8ua a ho)e)ade Christ)as
one/ Mind you>J said Mrs &oss> +ar)ing to her su'De.t i1e the artist
she +as> Jit +as )ade too soon 'efore the day/ A good Christ)as
pudding shoud 'e )ade so)e +ee1s 'efore and ao+ed to +ait/
The onger they"re 1ept> +ithin reason> the 'etter they are/ I )ind
no+ that +hen I +as a .hid and +e +ent to .hur.h every Sunday>
+e"d start istening for the .oe.t that 'egins "Stir up < #ord +e
'esee.h thee" 'e.ause that .oe.t +as the signa> as it +ere> that
the puddings shoud 'e )ade that +ee1/ And so they a+ays +ere/
We had the .oe.t on the Sunday> and that +ee1 sure enough )y
)other +oud )a1e the Christ)as puddings/ And so it shoud have
'een here this year/ As it +as> that pudding +as ony )ade three
days ago> the day 'efore you arrived> sir/ !o+ever> I 1ept to the od
.usto)/ (veryone in the house had to .o)e out into the 1it.hen and
have a stir and )a1e a +ish/ That"s an od .usto)> sir> and I"ve
a+ays hed to it/J
JMost interesting>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JMost interesting/ And so
everyone .a)e out into the 1it.henAJ
J@es> sir/ The young gente)en> Miss %ridget and the #ondon
gente)an +ho"s staying here> and his sister and Mr $avid and Miss
$iana ; Mrs Middeton> I shoud say/// A had a stir> they did/J
J!o+ )any puddings did you )a1eA Is this the ony oneAJ
J0o> sir> I )ade four/ T+o arge ones and t+o s)aer ones/ The
other arge one I panned to serve on 0e+ @ear"s $ay and the
s)aer ones +ere for Coone and Mrs #a.ey +hen they"re aone
i1e and not so )any in the fa)iy/J
JI see> I see>J said Poirot/
JAs a )atter of fa.t> sir>J said Mrs #a.ey> Jit +as the +rong pudding
you had for un.h today/J
JThe +rong puddingAJ Poirot fro+ned/ J!o+ is thatAJ
JWe> sir> +e have a 'ig Christ)as )oud/ A .hina )oud +ith a
pattern of hoy and )istetoe on top and +e a+ays have the
Christ)as $ay pudding 'oied in that/ %ut there +as a )ost
unfortunate a..ident/ This )orning> +hen Annie +as getting it
do+n fro) the shef in the arder> she sipped and dropped it and it
'ro1e/ We> sir> naturay I .oudn"t serve that> .oud IA There )ight
have 'een spinters in it/ So +e had to use the other one ; the 0e+
@ear"s $ay one> +hi.h +as in a pain 'o+/ It )a1es a ni.e round
'ut it"s not so de.orative as the Christ)as )oud/ &eay> +here
+e" get another )oud i1e that I don"t 1no+/ They don"t )a1e
things in that si?e no+adays/ A tiddy 'its of things/ Why> you .an"t
even 'uy a 'rea1fast dish that" ta1e a proper eight to ten eggs and
'a.on/ Ah> things aren"t +hat they +ere/J
J0o> indeed>J said Poirot/ J%ut today that is not so/ This Christ)as
$ay has 'een i1e the Christ)as $ays of od> is that not trueAJ
Mrs &oss sighed/ JWe> I") gad you say so> sir> 'ut of .ourse I
haven"t the hep no+ that I used to have/ 0ot s1ied hep> that is/
The girs no+adays///J she o+ered her voi.e sighty>J they )ean
very +e and they"re very +iing 'ut they"ve not 'een trained> sir> if
you understand +hat I )ean/J
JTi)es .hange> yes>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JI too find it sad
so)eti)es/J
JThis house> sir>J said Mrs &oss> Jit"s too arge> you 1no+> for the
)istress and the .oone/ The )istress> she 1no+s that/ #iving in a
.orner of it as they do> it"s not the sa)e thing at a/ It ony .o)es
aive> as you )ight say> at Christ)as ti)e +hen a the fa)iy
.o)e/J
JIt is the first ti)e> I thin1> that Mr #ee;Wortey and his sister have
'een hereAJ
J@es> sir/J A note of sight reserve .rept into Mrs &oss"s voi.e/ JA
very ni.e gente)an he is 'ut> +e ; it see)s a funny friend for Miss
Sarah to have> a..ording to our ideas/ %ut there ; #ondon +ays are
differentG It"s sad that his sister"s so poory/ !ad an operation> she
had/ She see)ed a right the first day she +as here> 'ut that very
day> after +e"d 'een stirring the puddings> she +as too1 'ad again
and she"s 'een in 'ed ever sin.e/ ,ot up too soon after her
operation> I eBpe.t/ Ah> do.tors no+adays> they have you out of
hospita 'efore you .an hardy stand on your feet/ Why> )y very
o+n nephe+"s +ife///J And Mrs &oss +ent into a ong and spirited
tae of hospita treat)ent as a..orded to her reations> .o)paring it
unfavoura'y +ith the .onsideration that had 'een avished upon
the) in oder ti)es/
Poirot duy .o))iserated +ith her/ JIt re)ains>J he said> Jto than1
you for this eB8uisite and su)ptuous )ea/ @ou per)it a itte
a.1no+edg)ent of )y appre.iationAJ
A .risp five pound note passed fro) his hand into that of Mrs &oss
+ho said perfun.toriyH
J@ou reay shoudn"t do that> sir/J
JI insist/ I insist/J
JWe> it"s very 1ind of you indeed> sir/J Mrs &oss a..epted the
tri'ute as no )ore than her due/ JAnd I +ish you> sir> a very happy
Christ)as and a prosperous 0e+ @ear/J
7
The end of Christ)as $ay +as i1e the end of )ost Christ)as $ays/
The tree +as ighted> a spendid Christ)as .a1e .a)e in for tea>
+as greeted +ith approva 'ut +as parta1en of ony )oderatey/
There +as .od supper/
%oth Poirot and his host and hostess +ent to 'ed eary/
J,ood night> M/ Poirot>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JI hope you"ve enDoyed
yoursef/J
JIt has 'een a +onderfu day> Mada)e> +onderfu/J
J@ou"re oo1ing very thoughtfu>J said Mrs #a.ey/
JIt is the (ngish pudding that I .onsider/J
J@ou found it a itte heavy> perhapsAJ as1ed Mrs #a.ey dei.atey/
J0o> no> I do not spea1 gastrono)i.ay/ I .onsider its signifi.an.e/J
JIt"s traditiona> of .ourse>J said Mrs #a.ey/ JWe> good night> M/
Poirot> and don"t drea) too )u.h of Christ)as puddings and
)in.e;pies/J
J@es>J )ur)ured Poirot to hi)sef as he undressed/ JIt is a pro'e)
.ertainy> that Christ)as pu) pudding/ There is here so)ething
that I do not understand at a/J !e shoo1 his head in a veBed
)anner/ JWe ; +e sha see/J
After )a1ing .ertain preparations> Poirot +ent to 'ed> 'ut not to
seep/
It +as so)e t+o hours ater that his patien.e +as re+arded/ The
door of his 'edroo) opened very genty/ !e s)ied to hi)sef/ It
+as as he had thought it +oud 'e/ !is )ind +ent 'a.1 feetingy to
the .up of .offee so poitey handed hi) 'y $es)ond #ee;Wortey/
A itte ater> +hen $es)ond"s 'a.1 +as turned> he had aid the .up
do+n for a fe+ )o)ents on a ta'e/ !e had then apparenty pi.1ed
it up again and $es)ond had had the satisfa.tion> if satisfa.tion it
+as> of seeing hi) drin1 the .offee to the ast drop/ %ut a itte s)ie
ifted Poirot"s )ousta.he as he refe.ted that it +as not he 'ut
so)eone ese +ho +as seeping a good sound seep tonight/ JThat
peasant young $avid>J said Poirot to hi)sef> Jhe is +orried>
unhappy/ It +i do hi) no har) to have a night"s reay sound seep/
And no+> et us see +hat +i happenAJ
!e ay 8uite sti> 'reathing in an even )anner +ith o..asionay a
suggestion> 'ut the very faintest suggestion> of a snore/
So)eone .a)e up to the 'ed and 'ent over hi)/ Then> satisfied>
that so)eone turned a+ay and +ent to the dressing;ta'e/ %y the
ight of a tiny tor.h the visitor +as eBa)ining Poirot"s 'eongings
neaty arranged on top of the dressing;ta'e/ Fingers eBpored the
+aet> genty pued open the dra+ers of the dressing;ta'e> then
eBtended the sear.h to the po.1ets of Poirot"s .othes/ Finay the
visitor approa.hed the 'ed and +ith great .aution sid his hand
under the pio+/ Withdra+ing his hand> he stood for a )o)ent or
t+o as though un.ertain +hat to do neBt/ !e +a1ed round the roo)
oo1ing inside orna)ents> +ent into the adDoining 'athroo) fro)
+hen.e he presenty returned/ Then> +ith a faint eB.a)ation of
disgust> he +ent out of the roo)/
JAh>J said Poirot> under his 'reath/ J@ou have disappoint)ent/ @es>
yes> a serious disappoint)ent/ %ahG To i)agine> even> that !er.ue
Poirot +oud hide so)ething +here you .oud find itGJ Then> turning
over on his other side> he +ent pea.efuy to seep/
!e +as aroused neBt )orning 'y an urgent soft tapping on his door/
J4ui est PA Co)e in> .o)e in/J
The door opened/ %reathess> red;fa.ed> Coin stood upon the
threshod/ %ehind hi) stood Mi.hae/
JMonsieur Poirot> Monsieur Poirot/J
J%ut yesAJ Poirot sat up in 'ed/ JIt is the eary teaA %ut no/ It is you>
Coin/ What has o..urredAJ
Coin +as> for a )o)ent> spee.hess/ !e see)ed to 'e under the
grip of so)e strong e)otion/ In a.tua fa.t it +as the sight of the
night.ap that !er.ue Poirot +ore that affe.ted for the )o)ent his
organs of spee.h/ Presenty he .ontroed hi)sef and spo1e/
JI thin1 ; M/ Poirot> .oud you hep usA So)ething rather a+fu has
happened/J
JSo)ething has happenedA %ut +hatAJ
JIt"s ; it"s %ridget/ She"s out there in the sno+/ I thin1 ; she doesn"t
)ove or spea1 and ; oh> you"d 'etter .o)e and oo1 for yoursef/ I")
terri'y afraid ; she )ay 'e dead/J
JWhatAJ Poirot .ast aside his 'ed .overs/ JMade)oisee %ridget is
deadGJ
JI thin1 ; I thin1 so)e'ody"s 1ied her/ There"s ; there"s 'ood and ;
oh do .o)eGJ
J%ut .ertainy/ %ut .ertainy/ I .o)e on the instant/J
With great pra.ti.aity Poirot inserted his feet into his outdoor
shoes and pued a fur;ined over.oat over his pyDa)as/
JI .o)e>J he said/ JI .o)e on the )o)ent/ @ou have aroused the
houseAJ
J0o/ 0o> so far I haven"t tod anyone 'ut you/ I thought it +oud 'e
'etter/ ,randfather and ,ran aren"t up yet/ They"re aying
'rea1fast do+nstairs> 'ut I didn"t say anything to Pevere/ She ;
%ridget ; she"s round the other side of the house> near the terra.e
and the i'rary +indo+/J
JI see/ #ead the +ay/ I +i foo+/J
Turning a+ay to hide his deighted grin> Coin ed the +ay
do+nstairs/ They +ent out through the side door/ It +as a .ear
)orning +ith the sun not yet high over the hori?on/ It +as not
sno+ing no+> 'ut it had sno+ed heaviy during the night and
every+here around +as an un'ro1en .arpet of thi.1 sno+/ The
+ord oo1ed very pure and +hite and 'eautifu/
JThereGJ said Coin 'reathessy/ JI ; it"s ; thereGJ !e pointed
dra)ati.ay/
The s.ene +as indeed dra)ati. enough/ A fe+ yards a+ay %ridget
ay in the sno+/ She +as +earing s.aret pyDa)as and a +hite +oo
+rap thro+n round her shouders/ The +hite +oo +rap +as
stained +ith .ri)son/ !er head +as turned aside and hidden 'y the
)ass of her outspread 'a.1 hair/ <ne ar) +as under her 'ody> the
other ay fung out> the fingers .en.hed> and standing up in the
.entre of the .ri)son stain +as the hit of a arge .urved -urdish
1nife +hi.h Coone #a.ey had sho+n to his guests ony the evening
'efore/
JMon $ieuGJ eDa.uated M/ Poirot/ JIt is so)ething on the stageGJ
There +as a faint .ho1ing noise fro) Mi.hae/ Coin thrust hi)sef
8ui.1y into the 'rea.h/
JI 1no+>J he said/ JIt ; it doesn"t see) rea so)eho+> does itA $o
you see those footprints ; I suppose +e )ustn"t distur' the)AJ
JAh yes> the footprints/ 0o> +e )ust 'e .arefu not to distur' those
footprints/J
JThat"s +hat I thought>J said Coin/ JThat"s +hy I +oudn"t et
anyone go near her unti +e got you/ I thought you"d 1no+ +hat to
do/J
JA the sa)e>J said !er.ue Poirot 'ris1y> Jfirst> +e )ust see if she
is sti aiveA Is not that soAJ
JWe ; yes ; of .ourse>J said Mi.hae> a itte dou'tfuy> J'ut you
see> +e thought> I )ean> +e didn"t i1ecJ
JAh> you have the pruden.eG @ou have read the dete.tive stories/ It
is )ost i)portant that nothing shoud 'e tou.hed and that the 'ody
shoud 'e eft as it is/ %ut +e .annot 'e sure as yet if it is a 'ody>
.an +eA After a> though pruden.e is ad)ira'e> .o))on hu)anity
.o)es first/ We )ust thin1 of the do.tor> )ust +e not> 'efore +e
thin1 of the poi.eAJ
J<h yes/ <f .ourse>J said Coin> sti a itte ta1en a'a.1/
JWe ony thought ; I )ean ; +e thought +e"d 'etter get you 'efore
+e did anything>J said Mi.hae hastiy/
JThen you +i 'oth re)ain here>J said Poirot/ JI +i approa.h fro)
the other side so as not to distur' these footprints/ Su.h eB.eent
footprints> are they not ; so very .earA The footprints of a )an and
a gir going out together to the pa.e +here she ies/ And then the
)an"s footsteps .o)e 'a.1 'ut the gir"s do not/J
JThey )ust 'e the footprints of the )urderer>J said Coin> +ith
'ated 'reath/
J(Ba.ty>J said Poirot/ JThe footprints of the )urderer/ A ong
narro+ foot +ith rather a pe.uiar type of shoe/ 7ery interesting/
(asy> I thin1> to re.ognise/ @es> those footprints +i 'e very
i)portant/J
At that )o)ent $es)ond #ee;Wortey .a)e out of the house +ith
Sarah and Doined the)/
JWhat on earth are you a doing hereAJ he de)anded in a
so)e+hat theatri.a )anner/ JI sa+ you fro) )y 'edroo) +indo+/
What"s upA ,ood ord> +hat"s thisA It ; it ; oo1s i1e///J
J(Ba.ty>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JIt oo1s i1e )urder> does it notAJ
Sarah gave a gasp> then shot a 8ui.1 suspi.ious gan.e at the t+o
'oys/
J@ou )ean so)eone"s 1ied the gir ; +hat"s;her;na)e ; %ridgetAJ
de)anded $es)ond/ JWho on earth +oud +ant to 1i herA It"s
un'eieva'eGJ
JThere are )any things that are un'eieva'e>J said Poirot/
J(spe.iay 'efore 'rea1fast> is it notA That is +hat one of your
.assi.s says/ SiB i)possi'e things 'efore 'rea1fast/J !e addedH
JPease +ait here> a of you/J
Carefuy )a1ing a .ir.uit> he approa.hed %ridget and 'ent for a
)o)ent do+n over the 'ody/ Coin and Mi.hae +ere no+ 'oth
sha1ing +ith suppressed aughter/ Sarah Doined the)> )ur)uring
JWhat have you t+o 'een up toAJ
J,ood od %ridget>J +hispered Coin/ JIsn"t she +onderfuA 0ot a
t+it.hGJ
JI"ve never seen anything oo1 so dead as %ridget does>J +hispered
Mi.hae/
!er.ue Poirot straightened up again/
JThis is a terri'e thing>J he said/ !is voi.e hed an e)otion it had
not hed 'efore/
<ver.o)e 'y )irth> Mi.hae and Coin 'oth turned a+ay/ In a
.ho1ed voi.e Mi.hae saidH
JWhat ; +hat )ust +e doAJ
JThere is ony one thing to do>J said Poirot/ JWe )ust send for the
poi.e/ Wi one of you teephone or +oud you prefer )e to do itAJ
JI thin1>J said Coin> JI thin1 ; +hat a'out it> Mi.haeAJ
J@es>J said Mi.hae> JI thin1 the Dig"s up no+/J !e stepped for+ard/
For the first ti)e he see)ed a itte unsure of hi)sef/ JI") a+fuy
sorry>J he said> JI hope you +on"t )ind too )u.h/ It ; er ; it +as a
sort of Do1e for Christ)as and a that> you 1no+/ We thought +e"d
+e> ay on a )urder for you/J
J@ou thought you +oud ay on a )urder for )eA Then this ; then
this///J
JIt"s Dust a sho+ +e put on>J eBpained Coin> Jto to )a1e you fee at
ho)e> you 1no+/J
JAha>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JI understand/ @ou )a1e of )e the Apri
foo> is that itA %ut today is not Apri the first> it is $e.e)'er the
t+enty;siBth/J
JI suppose +e oughtn"t to have done it reay>J said Coin> J'ut 'ut
you don"t )ind very )u.h> do you> M/ PoirotA Co)e on> %ridget>J he
.aed> Jget up/ @ou )ust 'e haf;fro?en to death aready/J
The figure in the sno+> ho+ever> did not stir/
JIt is odd>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jshe does not see) to hear you/J
!e oo1ed thoughtfuy at the)/ JIt is a Do1e> you sayA @ou are sure
this is a Do1eAJ
JWhy> yes/J Coin spo1e un.o)forta'y/ JWe ; +e didn"t )ean any
har)/J
J%ut +hy then does Made)oisee %ridget not get upAJ
JI .an"t i)agine>J said Coin/
JCo)e on> %ridget>J said Sarah i)patienty/ J$on"t go on ying there
paying the foo/J
JWe reay are very sorry> M/ Poirot>J said Coin apprehensivey/
JWe do reay apoogise/J
J@ou need not apoogise>J said Poirot> in a pe.uiar tone/
JWhat do you )eanAJ Coin stared at hi)/ !e turned again/
J%ridgetG %ridgetG What"s the )atterA Why doesn"t she get upA Why
does she go on ying thereAJ
Poirot 'e.1oned to $es)ond/ J@ou> Mr #ee;Wortey/ Co)e here///J
$es)ond Doined hi)/
JFee her puse>J said Poirot/
$es)ond #ee;Wortey 'end do+n/ !e tou.hed the ar) the +rist/
JThere"s no puse///J he stared at Poirot/ J!er ar)"s stiff/ ,ood ,od>
she reay is deadGJ
Poirot nodded/ J@es> she is dead>J he said/ JSo)eone has turned
the .o)edy into a tragedy/J
JSo)eone ; +hoAJ
JThere is a set of footprints going and returning/ A set of footprints
that 'ears a strong rese)'an.e to the footprints you have Dust
)ade> Mr #ee;Wortey> .o)ing fro) the path to this spot/J
$es)ond #ee;Wortey +heeed round/
JWhat on earth/// Are you a..using )eA MeA @ou"re .ra?yG Why on
earth shoud I +ant to 1i the girAJ
JAh ; +hyA I +onder/// #et us see/// J
!e 'ent do+n and very genty prised open the stiff fingers of the
gir"s .en.hed hand/
$es)ond dre+ a sharp 'reath/ !e ga?ed do+n un'eievingy/ In the
pa) of the dead gir"s hand +as +hat appeared to 'e a arge ru'y/
JIt"s that da)n" thing out of the puddingGJ he .ried/
JIs itAJ said Poirot/ JAre you sureAJ
J<f .ourse it is/J
With a s+ift )ove)ent $es)ond 'ent do+n and pu.1ed the red
stone out of %ridget"s hand/
J@ou shoud not do that>J said Poirot reproa.hfuy/ J0othing shoud
have 'een distur'ed/J
JI haven"t distur'ed the 'ody> have IA %ut this thing )ight )ight get
ost and it"s eviden.e/ The great thing is to get the poi.e here as
soon as possi'e/ I" go at on.e and teephone/J
!e +heeed round and ran sharpy to+ards the house/ Sarah .a)e
s+ifty to Poirot"s side/
JI don"t understand>J she +hispered/ !er fa.e +as dead +hite/ JI
don"t understand/J She .aught at Poirot"s ar)/ JWhat did you )ean
a'out a'out the footprintsAJ
J#oo1 for yoursef> Made)oisee/J
The footprints that ed to the 'ody and 'a.1 again +ere the sa)e as
the ones Dust )ade a..o)panying Poirot to the gir"s 'ody and
'a.1/
J@ou )ean ; that it +as $es)ondA 0onsenseGJ
Suddeny the noise of a .ar .a)e through the .ear air/ They
+heeed round/ They sa+ the .ar .eary enough driving at a furious
pa.e do+n the drive and Sarah re.ognised +hat .ar it +as/
JIt"s $es)ond>J she said/ JIt"s $es)ond"s .ar/ !e ; he )ust have
gone to fet.h the poi.e instead of teephoning/J
$iana Middeton .a)e running out of the house to Doin the)/
JWhat"s happenedAJ she .ried in a 'reathess voi.e/ J$es)ond Dust
.a)e rushing into the house/ !e said so)ething a'out %ridget
'eing 1ied and then he ratted the teephone 'ut it +as dead/ !e
.oudn"t get any ans+er/ !e said the +ires )ust have 'een .ut/ !e
said the ony thing +as to ta1e a .ar and go for the poi.e/ Why the
poi.e///AJ
Poirot )ade a gesture/
J%ridgetAJ $iana stared at hi)/ J%ut surey ; isn"t it a Do1e of so)e
1indA I heard so)ething ; so)ething ast night/ I thought that they
+ere going to pay a Do1e on you> M/ PoirotAJ
J@es>J said Poirot> Jthat +as the idea ; to pay a Do1e on )e/ %ut no+
.o)e into the house> a of you/ We sha .at.h our deaths of .od
here and there is nothing to 'e done unti Mr #ee;Wortey returns
+ith the poi.e/J
J%ut oo1 here>J said Coin> J+e .an"t ; +e .an"t eave %ridget here
aone/J
J@ou .an do her no good 'y re)aining>J said Poirot genty/ JCo)e>
it is a sad> a very sad tragedy> 'ut there is nothing +e .an do any
)ore to hep Made)oisee %ridget/ So et us .o)e in and get +ar)
and have perhaps a .up of tea or of .offee/J
They foo+ed hi) o'edienty into the house/ Pevere +as Dust
a'out to stri1e the gong/ If he thought it eBtraordinary for )ost of
the househod to 'e outside and for Poirot to )a1e an appearan.e
in pyDa)as and an over.oat> he dispayed no sign of it/ Pevere in
his od age +as sti the perfe.t 'uter/ !e noti.ed nothing that he
+as not as1ed to noti.e/ They +ent into the dining;roo) and sat
do+n/ When they a had a .up of .offee in front of the) and +ere
sipping it> Poirot spo1e/
JI have to re.ount to you>J he said> Ja itte history/ I .annot te you
a the detais> no/ %ut I .an give you the )ain outine/ It .on.erns a
young prin.eing +ho .a)e to this .ountry/ !e 'rought +ith hi) a
fa)ous De+e +hi.h he +as to have reset for the ady he +as going
to )arry> 'ut unfortunatey 'efore that he )ade friends +ith a very
pretty young ady/ This pretty young ady did not .are very )u.h for
the )an> 'ut she did .are for his De+e ; so )u.h so that one day
she disappeared +ith this histori. possession +hi.h had 'eonged
to his house for generations/ So the poor young )an> he is in a
8uandary> you see/ A'ove a he .annot have a s.anda/ I)possi'e
to go to the poi.e/ Therefore he .o)es to )e> to !er.ue Poirot/
"&e.over for )e>" he says> ")y histori. ru'y/" (h 'ien> this young
ady> she has a friend and the friend> he has put through severa
very 8uestiona'e transa.tions/ !e has 'een .on.erned +ith
'a.1)ai and he has 'een .on.erned +ith the sae of De+eery
a'road/ A+ays he has 'een very .ever/ !e is suspe.ted> yes> 'ut
nothing .an 'e proved/ It .o)es to )y 1no+edge that this very
.ever gente)an> he is spending Christ)as here in this house/ It is
i)portant that the pretty young ady> on.e she has a.8uired the
De+e> shoud disappear for a +hie fro) .ir.uation> so that no
pressure .an 'e put upon her> no 8uestions .an 'e as1ed her/ It is
arranged> therefore> that she .o)es here to -ings #a.ey>
ostensi'y as the sister of the .ever gente)an///J
Sarah dre+ a sharp 'reath/
J<h> no/ <h> no> not hereG 0ot +ith )e hereGJ
J%ut so it is>J said Poirot/ JAnd 'y a itte )anipuation I> too>
'e.o)e a guest here for Christ)as/ This young ady> she is
supposed to have Dust .o)e out of hospita/ She is )u.h 'etter
+hen she arrives here/ %ut then .o)es the ne+s that I> too> arrive>
a dete.tive a +e;1no+n dete.tive/ At on.e she has +hat you .a
the +ind up/ She hides the ru'y in the first pa.e she .an thin1 of>
and then very 8ui.1y she has a reapse and ta1es to her 'ed again/
She does not +ant that I shoud see her> for dou'tess I have a
photograph and I sha re.ognise her/ It is very 'oring for her> yes>
'ut she has to stay in her roo) and her 'rother> he 'rings her up
the trays/J
JAnd the ru'yAJ de)anded Mi.hae/
JI thin1>J said Poirot> Jthat at the )o)ent it is )entioned I arrive>
the young ady +as in the 1it.hen +ith the rest of you> a aughing
and ta1ing and stirring the Christ)as puddings/ The Christ)as
puddings are put into 'o+s and the young ady she hides the ru'y>
pressing it do+n into one of the pudding 'o+s/ 0ot the one that +e
are going to have on Christ)as $ay/ <h no> that one she 1no+s is in
a spe.ia )oud/ She puts it in the other one> the one that is
destined to 'e eaten on 0e+ @ear"s $ay/ %efore then she +i 'e
ready to eave> and +hen she eaves no dou't that Christ)as
pudding +i go +ith her/ %ut see ho+ fate ta1es a hand/ <n the very
)orning of Christ)as $ay there is an a..ident/ The Christ)as
pudding in its fan.y )oud is dropped on the stone foor and the
)oud is shattered to pie.es/ So +hat .an 'e doneA The good Mrs
&oss> she ta1es the other pudding and sends it in/J
J,ood ord>J said Coin> Jdo you )ean that on Christ)as $ay +hen
,randfather +as eating his pudding that that +as a rea ru'y he"d
got in his )outhAJ
JPre.isey>J said Poirot> Jand you .an i)agine the e)otions of Mr
$es)ond #ee;Wortey +hen he sa+ that/ (h 'ien> +hat happens
neBtA The ru'y is passed round/ I eBa)ine it and I )anage
uno'trusivey to sip it in )y po.1et/ In a .areess +ay as though I
+ere not interested/ %ut one person at east o'serves +hat I have
done/ When I ie in 'ed that person sear.hes )y roo)/ !e sear.hes
)e/ !e does not find the ru'y/ WhyAJ
J%e.ause>J said Mi.hae 'reathessy> Jyou had given it to %ridget/
That"s +hat you )ean/ And so that"s +hy 'ut I don"t understand
8uite ; I )ean/// #oo1 here> +hat did happenAJ
Poirot s)ied at hi)/
JCo)e no+ into the i'rary>J he said> Jand oo1 out of the +indo+
and I +i sho+ you so)ething that )ay eBpain the )ystery/J
!e ed the +ay and they foo+ed hi)/
JConsider on.e again>J said Poirot> Jthe s.ene of the .ri)e/J
!e pointed out of the +indo+/ A si)utaneous gasp 'ro1e fro) the
ips of a of the)/ There +as no 'ody ying on the sno+> no tra.e of
the tragedy see)ed to re)ain eB.ept a )ass of s.uffed sno+/
JIt +asn"t a a drea)> +as itAJ said Coin fainty/ JI ; has so)eone
ta1en the 'ody a+ayAJ
JAh>J said Poirot/ J@ou seeA The Mystery of the $isappearing
%ody/J !e nodded his head and his eyes t+in1ed genty/
J,ood ord>J .ried Mi.hae/ JM/ Poirot> you are ; you haven"t ; oh>
oo1> he"s 'een having us on a this ti)eGJ
Poirot t+in1ed )ore than ever/
JIt is true> )y .hidren> I aso have had )y itte Do1e/ I 1ne+ a'out
your itte pot> you see> and so I arranged a .ounterpot of )y o+n/
Ah> voiP Made)oisee %ridget/ 0one the +orse> I hope> for your
eBposure in the sno+A 0ever shoud I forgive )ysef if you
attrapped une fuBion de poitrine/J
%ridget had Dust .o)e into the roo)/ She +as +earing a thi.1 s1irt
and a +ooen s+eater/ She +as aughing/
JI sent a tisane to your roo)>J said Poirot severey/ J@ou have
drun1 itAJ
J<ne sip +as enoughGJ said %ridget/ JI") a right/ $id I do it +e> M/
PoirotA ,oodness> )y ar) hurts sti after that tourni8uet you )ade
)e put on it/J
J@ou +ere spendid> )y .hid>J said Poirot/ JSpendid/ %ut see> a
the others are sti in the fog/ #ast night I +ent to Made)oisee
%ridget/ I tod her that I 1ne+ a'out your itte .o)pot and I as1ed
her if she +oud a.t a part for )e/ She did it very .every/ She
)ade the footprints +ith a pair of Mr #ee;Wortey"s shoes/J
Sarah said in a harsh voi.eH
J%ut +hat"s the point of it a> M/ PoirotA What"s the point of sending
$es)ond off to fet.h the poi.eA They" 'e very angry +hen they
find out it"s nothing 'ut a hoaB/J
Poirot shoo1 his head genty/
J%ut I do not thin1 for one )o)ent> Made)oisee> that Mr #ee;
Wortey +ent to fet.h the poi.e>J he said/ JMurder is a thing in
+hi.h Mr #ee;Wortey does not +ant to 'e )iBed up/ !e ost his
nerve 'ady/ A he .oud see +as his .han.e to get the ru'y/ !e
snat.hed that> he pretended the teephone +as out of order and he
rushed off in a .ar on the preten.e of fet.hing the poi.e/ I thin1
)ysef it is the ast you +i see of hi) for so)e ti)e/ !e has> I
understand> his o+n +ays of getting out of (ngand/ !e has his o+n
pane> has he not> Made)oiseeAJ
Sarah nodded/ J@es>J she said/ JWe +ere thin1ing of///J she
stopped/
J!e +anted you to eope +ith hi) that +ay> did he notA (h 'ien> that
is a very good +ay of s)ugging a De+e out of the .ountry/ When
you are eoping +ith a gir> and that fa.t is pu'i.ised> then you +i
not 'e suspe.ted of aso s)ugging a histori. De+e out of the
.ountry/ <h yes> that +oud have )ade a very good .a)oufage/J
JI don"t 'eieve it>J said Sarah/ JI don"t 'eieve a +ord of itGJ
JThen as1 his sister>J said Poirot> genty nodding his head over her
shouder/ Sarah turned her head sharpy/
A patinu) 'onde stood in the door+ay/ She +ore a fur .oat and
+as s.o+ing/ She +as .eary in a furious te)per/
JSister )y footGJ she said> +ith a short unpeasant augh/ JThat
s+ine"s no 'rother of )ineG So he"s 'eaten it> has he> and eft )e to
.arry the .anA The +hoe thing +as his ideaG !e put )e up to itG
Said it +as )oney for Da)/ They"d never prose.ute 'e.ause of the
s.anda/ I .oud a+ays threaten to say that Ai had given )e his
histori. De+e/ $es and I +ere to have shared the s+ag in Paris and
no+ the s+ine runs out on )eG I"d i1e to )urder hi)GJ She s+it.hed
a'rupty/ JThe sooner I get out of here/// Can so)eone teephone
for a taBiAJ
JA .ar is +aiting at the front door to ta1e you to the station>
Made)oisee>J said Poirot/
JThin1 of everything> don"t youAJ
JMost things>J said Poirot .o)pa.enty/
%ut Poirot +as not to get off so easiy/ When he returned to the
dining;roo) after assisting the spurious Miss #ee;Wortey into the
+aiting .ar> Coin +as +aiting for hi)/
There +as a fro+n on his 'oyish fa.e/
J%ut oo1 here> M/ Poirot/ What a'out the ru'yA $o you )ean to say
you"ve et hi) get a+ay +ith itAJ
Poirot"s fa.e fe/ !e t+ired his )ousta.hes/ !e see)ed i at ease/
JI sha re.over it yet>J he said +ea1y/ JThere are other +ays/ I
sha sti///J
JWe> I do thin1GJ said Mi.hae/ JTo et that s+ine get a+ay +ith the
ru'yGJ
%ridget +as sharper/
J!e"s having us on again>J she .ried/ J@ou are> aren"t you> M/
PoirotAJ
JSha +e do a fina .onDuring tri.1> Made)oiseeA Fee in )y efthand
po.1et/J
%ridget thrust her hand in/ She dre+ it out again +ith a s.rea) of
triu)ph and hed aoft a arge ru'y 'in1ing in .ri)son spendour/
J@ou .o)prehend>J eBpained Poirot> Jthe one that +as .asped in
your hand +as a paste repi.a/ I 'rought it fro) #ondon in .ase it
+as possi'e to )a1e a su'stitution/ @ou understandA We do not
+ant the s.anda/ Monsieur $es)ond +i try and dispose of that
ru'y in Paris or in %egiu) or +herever it is that he has his
.onta.ts> and then it +i 'e dis.overed that the stone is not reaG
What .oud 'e )ore eB.eentA A finishes happiy/ The s.anda is
avoided> )y prin.eing re.eives his ru'y 'a.1 again> he returns to
his .ountry and )a1es a so'er and +e hope a happy )arriage/ A
ends +e/J
J(B.ept for )e>J )ur)ured Sarah under her 'reath/
She spo1e so o+ that no one heard her 'ut Poirot/ !e shoo1 his
head genty/
J@ou are in error> Made)oisee Sarah> in +hat you say there/ @ou
have gained eBperien.e/ A eBperien.e is vaua'e/ Ahead of you I
prophesy there ies happiness/J
JThat"s +hat you say>J said Sarah/
J%ut oo1 here> M/ Poirot>J Coin +as fro+ning/ J!o+ did you 1no+
a'out the sho+ +e +ere going to put on for youAJ
JIt is )y 'usiness to 1no+ things>J said !er.ue Poirot/ !e t+ired
his )ousta.he/
J@es> 'ut I don"t see ho+ you .oud have )anaged it/ $id so)eone
spit ; did so)eone .o)e and te youAJ
J0o> no> not that/J
JThen ho+A Te us ho+AJ
They a .horused> J@es> te us ho+/J
J%ut no>J Poirot protested/ J%ut no/ If I te you ho+ I dedu.ed that>
you +i thin1 nothing of it/ It is i1e the .onDuror +ho sho+s ho+ his
tri.1s are doneGJ
JTe us> M/ PoirotG ,o on/ Te us> te usGJ
J@ou reay +ish that I shoud sove for you this ast )ysteryAJ
J@es> go on/ Te us/J
JAh> I do not thin1 I .an/ @ou +i 'e so disappointed/J
J0o+> .o)e on> M/ Poirot> te us/ !o+ did you 1no+AJ
JWe> you see> I +as sitting in the i'rary 'y the +indo+ in a .hair
after tea the other day and I +as reposing )ysef/ I had 'een aseep
and +hen I a+o1e you +ere dis.ussing your pans Dust outside the
+indo+ .ose to )e> and the +indo+ +as open at the top/J
JIs that aAJ .ried Coin> disgusted/ J!o+ si)peGJ
JIs it notAJ said !er.ue Poirot> s)iing/ J@ou seeA @ou are
disappointed/J
J<h +e>J said Mi.hae> Jat any rate +e 1no+ everything no+/J
J$o +eAJ )ur)ured !er.ue Poirot to hi)sef/ JI do not/ I> +hose
'usiness it is to 1no+ things/J
!e +a1ed out into the ha> sha1ing his head a itte/ For perhaps
the t+entieth ti)e he dre+ fro) his po.1et a rather dirty pie.e of
paper/ J$<0"T (AT 0<0( <F T!( P#2M P2$$I0,/ <0( AS
WIS!(S @<2 W(##/J
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head refe.tivey/ !e +ho .oud eBpain
everything .oud not eBpain thisG !u)iiating/ Who had +ritten itA
Why had it 'een +rittenA 2nti he found that out he +oud never
1no+ a )o)ent"s pea.e/ Suddeny he .a)e out of his reverie to 'e
a+are of a pe.uiar gasping noise/ !e oo1ed sharpy do+n/ <n the
foor> 'usy +ith a dustpan and 'rush +as a to+;headed .reature in
a fo+ered overa/ She +as staring at the paper in his hand +ith
arge round eyes/
J<h sir>J said this apparition/ J<h> sir/ Pease> sir/J
JAnd +ho )ay you 'e> )on enfantAJ in8uired M/ Poirot geniay/
JAnnie %ates> sir> pease sir/ I .o)e here to hep Mrs &oss/ I didn"t
)ean> sir> I didn"t )ean to to do anything +hat I shoudn"t do/ I did
)ean it +e> sir/ For your good> I )ean/J
(nighten)ent .a)e to Poirot/ !e hed out the dirty pie.e of paper/
J$id you +rite that> AnnieAJ
JI didn"t )ean any har)> sir/ &eay I didn"t/J
J<f .ourse you didn"t> Annie/J !e s)ied at her/ J%ut te )e a'out
it/ Why did you +rite thisAJ
JWe> it +as the) t+o> sir/ Mr #ee;Wortey and his sister/ 0ot that
she +as his sister> I") sure/ 0one of us thought soG And she +asn"t
i a 'it/ We .oud a te that/ We thought ; +e a thought ;
so)ething 8ueer +as going on/ I" te you straight> sir/ I +as in her
'athroo) ta1ing in the .ean to+es> and I istened at the door/ !e
+as in her roo) and they +ere ta1ing together/ I heard +hat they
said pain as pain/ "This dete.ive>" he +as saying/ "This feo+ Poirot
+ho"s .o)ing here/ We"ve got to do so)ething a'out it/ We"ve got
to get hi) out of the +ay as soon as possi'e/" And then he says to
her in a nasty> sinister sort of +ay> o+ering his voi.e> "Where did
you put itA" And she ans+ered hi) "In the pudding/" <h> sir> )y
heart gave su.h a eap I thought it +oud stop 'eating/ I thought
they )eant to poison you in the Christ)as pudding/ I didn"t 1no+
+hat to doG" Mrs &oss> she +oudn"t isten to the i1es of )e/ Then
the idea .a)e to )e as I"d +rite you a +arning/ And I did and I put it
on your pio+ +here you"d find it +hen you +ent to 'ed/J Annie
paused 'reathessy/
Poirot surveyed her gravey for so)e )inutes/
J@ou see too )any sensationa fi)s> I thin1> Annie>J he said at ast>
Jor perhaps it is the teevision that affe.ts youA %ut the i)portant
thing is that you have the good heart and a .ertain a)ount of
ingenuity/ When I return to #ondon I +i send you a present/J
J<h than1 you> sir/ Than1 you very )u.h> sir/J
JWhat +oud you i1e> Annie> as a presentAJ
JAnything I i1e> sirA Coud I have anything I i1eAJ
JWithin reason>J said !er.ue Poirot prudenty> Jyes/J
J<h sir> .oud I have a vanity 'oBA A rea posh sap up vanity 'oB
i1e the one Mr #ee;Wortey"s sister> +ot +asn"t his sister> hadAJ
J@es>J said Poirot> Jyes> I thin1 that .oud 'e )anaged/J
JIt is interesting>J he )used/ JI +as in a )useu) the other day
o'serving so)e anti8uities fro) %a'yon or one of those pa.es>
thousands of years od and a)ong the) +ere .os)eti.s 'oBes/ The
heart of +o)en does not .hange/J
J%eg your pardon> sirAJ said Annie/
JIt is nothing>J said Poirot> JI refe.t/ @ou sha have your vanity 'oB>
.hid/J
J<h than1 you> sir/ <h than1 you very )u.h indeed> sir/J
Annie departed e.stati.ay/ Poirot oo1ed after her> nodding his
head in satisfa.tion/
JAh>J he said to hi)sef/ JAnd no+ ; I go/ There is nothing )ore to
'e done here/J
A pair of ar)s sipped round his shouders uneBpe.tedy/
JIf you +i stand Dust under the )istetoe///J said %ridget/
!er.ue Poirot enDoyed it/ !e enDoyed it very )u.h/ !e said to
hi)sef that he had had a very good Christ)as/
T!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( SPA0IS! C!(ST
Pun.tua to the )o)ent> as a+ays> !er.ue Poirot entered the
s)a roo) +here Miss #e)on> his effi.ient se.retary> a+aited her
instru.tions for the day/
At first sight Miss #e)on see)ed to 'e .o)posed entirey of anges
; thus satisfying Poirot"s de)and for sy))etry/
0ot that +here +o)en +ere .on.erned !er.ue Poirot .arried his
passion for geo)etri.a pre.ision so far/ !e +as> on the .ontrary>
od;fashioned/ !e had a .ontinenta preDudi.e for .urves ; it )ight
he said for vouptuous .urves/ !e i1ed +o)en to 'e +o)en/ !e
i1ed the) ush> highy .oored> eBoti./ There had 'een a .ertain
&ussian .ountess ; 'ut that +as ong ago no+/ A foy of earier
days/
%ut Miss #e)on he had never .onsidered as a +o)an/ She +as a
hu)an )a.hine ; an instru)ent of pre.ision/ !er effi.ien.y +as
terrifi./ She +as forty;eight years of age> and +as fortunate enough
to have no i)agination +hatever/
J,ood )orning> Miss #e)on/J
J,ood )orning> M/ Poirot/J
Poirot sat do+n and Miss #e)on pa.ed 'efore hi) the )orning"s
)ai> neaty arranged in .ategories/
She resu)ed her seat and sat +ith pad and pen.i at the ready/
%ut there +as to 'e this )orning a sight .hange in routine/ Poirot
had 'rought in +ith hi) the )orning ne+spaper> and his eyes +ere
s.anning it +ith interest/ The headines +ere 'ig and 'od/
JSPA0IS! C!(ST M@ST(&@/ #AT(ST $(7(#<PM(0TS/J
J@ou have read the )orning papers> I presu)e> Miss #e)onAJ
J@es> M/ Poirot/ The ne+s fro) ,eneva is not very good/J
Poirot +aved a+ay the ne+s fro) ,eneva in a .o)prehensive
s+eep of the ar)/
JA Spanish .hest>J he )used/ JCan you te )e> Miss #e)on> +hat
eBa.ty is a Spanish .hestAJ
JI suppose> M/ Poirot> that it is a .hest that .a)e originay fro)
Spain/J
J<ne )ight reasona'y suppose so/ @ou have then> no eBpert
1no+edgeAJ
JThey are usuay of the (i?a'ethan period> I 'eieve/ #arge> and
+ith a good dea of 'rass de.oration on the)/ They oo1 very ni.e
+hen +e 1ept and poished/ My sister 'ought one at a sae/ She
1eeps househod inen in it/ It oo1s very ni.e/J
JI a) sure that in the house of any sister of yours> a the furniture
+oud 'e +e 1ept>J said Poirot> 'o+ing gra.efuy/
Miss #e)on repied sady that servants did not see) to 1no+ +hat
e'o+ grease +as no+adays/
Poirot oo1ed a itte pu??ed> 'ut de.ided not to in8uire into the
in+ard )eaning of the )ysterious phrase Je'o+ grease/J
!e oo1ed do+n again at the ne+spaper> .onning over the na)esH
MaDor &i.h> Mr/ and Mrs/ Cayton> Co))ander M.#aren> Mr/ and
Mrs/ Spen.e/ 0a)es> nothing 'ut na)es to hi)I yet a possessed
of hu)an personaities> hating> oving> fearing/ A dra)a> this> in
+hi.h he> !er.ue Poirot> had no part/ And he +oud have i1ed to
have a part in itG SiB peope at an evening party> in a roo) +ith a 'ig
Spanish .hest against the +a> siB peope> five of the) ta1ing>
eating a 'uffet supper> putting re.ords on the gra)ophone>
dan.ing> and the siBth dead> in the Spanish .hest///
Ah> thought Poirot/ !o+ )y dear friend !astings +oud have
enDoyed thisG What ro)anti. fights of i)agination he +oud have
had/ What ineptitudes he +oud have utteredG Ah> .e .her !astings>
at this )o)ent> today> I )iss hi)/ Instead ;
!e sighed and oo1ed at Miss #e)on/ Miss #e)on> inteigenty
per.eiving that Poirot +as in no )ood to di.tate etters> had
un.overed her type+riter and +as a+aiting her )o)ent to get on
+ith .ertain arrears of +or1/ 0othing .oud have interested her ess
than sinister Spanish .hests .ontaining dead 'odies/
Poirot sighed and oo1ed do+n at a photographed fa.e/
&eprodu.tions in ne+sprint +ere never very good> and this +as
de.idedy s)udgy ; 'ut +hat a fa.eG Mrs/ Cayton> the +ife of the
)urdered )an///
<n an i)puse> he thrust the paper at Miss #e)on/
J#oo1>J he de)anded/ J#oo1 at that fa.e/J
Miss #e)on oo1ed at it o'edienty> +ithout e)otion/
JWhat do you thin1 of her> Miss #e)onA That is Mrs/ Cayton/J
Miss #e)on too1 the paper> gan.ed .asuay at the pi.ture> and
re)ar1edH
JShe"s a itte i1e the +ife of our 'an1 )anager +hen +e ived at
Croydon !eath/J
JInteresting>J said Poirot/ J&e.ount to )e> if you +i 'e so 1ind> the
history of your 'an1 )anager"s +ife/J
JWe> it"s not reay a very peasant story> M/ Poirot/J
JIt +as in )y )ind that it )ight not 'e/ Continue/J
JThere +as a good dea of ta1 ; a'out Mrs/ Ada)s and a young
artist/ Then Mr/ Ada)s shot hi)sef/ %ut Mrs/ Ada)s +oudn"t
)arry the other )an and he too1 so)e 1ind of poison ; 'ut they
pued hi) through a rightI and finay Mrs/ Ada)s )arried a young
soi.itor/ I 'eieve there +as )ore trou'e after that> ony of .ourse
+e"d eft Croydon !eath 'y then so I didn"t hear very )u.h )ore
a'out it/J
!er.ue Poirot nodded gravey/ JShe +as 'eautifuAJ
JWe ; not reay +hat you"d .a 'eautifu ; %ut there see)ed to 'e
so)ething a'out her ;J
J(Ba.ty/ What is that so)ething that they possess ; the sirens of
this +ord> the !eens of Troy> the Ceopatras ;AJ
Miss #e)on inserted a pie.e of paper vigorousy into her
type+riter/
J&eay> M/ Poirot> I"ve never thought a'out it/ It see)s a very siy
to )e/ If peope +oud Dust go on +ith their Do's and didn"t thin1
a'out su.h things it +oud 'e )u.h 'etter/J
!aving thus disposed of hu)an fraity and passion> Miss #e)on et
her fingers hover over the 1eys of the type+riter> +aiting
i)patienty to 'e ao+ed to 'egin her +or1/
JThat is your vie+>J said Poirot/ JAnd at this )o)ent it is your
desire that you shoud 'e ao+ed to get on +ith your Do'/ %ut your
Do'> Miss #e)on> is not ony to ta1e do+n )y etters> to fie )y
papers> to dea +ith )y teephone .as> to type+rite )y etters ; a
these things you do ad)ira'y/ %ut )e> I dea not ony +ith
do.u)ents 'ut +ith hu)an 'eings/ And there> too> I need
assistan.e/J
JCertainy> M/ Poirot>J said Miss #e)on patienty/ JWhat is it you
+ant )e to doAJ
JThis .ase interests )e/ I shoud 'e gad if you +oud )a1e a study
of this )orning"s report of it in a the papers and aso of any
additiona reports in the evening papers ; )a1e )e a pr=.is of the
fa.ts/J
J7ery good> M/ Poirot/J
Poirot +ithdre+ to his sitting roo)> a ruefu s)ie on his fa.e/
JIt is indeed the irony>J he said to hi)sef> Jthat after )y dear friend
!astings I shoud have Miss #e)on/ What greater .ontrast .an one
i)agineA Ce .her !astings ; ho+ he +oud have enDoyed hi)sef/
!o+ he +oud have +a1ed up and do+n ta1ing a'out it> putting
the )ost ro)anti. .onstru.tion on every in.ident> 'eieving as
gospe truth every +ord the papers have printed a'out it/ And )y
poor Miss #e)on> +hat I have as1ed her to do> she +i not enDoy at
aGJ
Miss #e)on .a)e to hi) in due .ourse +ith a type+ritten sheet/
JI"ve got the infor)ation you +anted> M/ Poirot/ I") afraid though> it
.an"t 'e regarded as reia'e/ The papers vary a good dea in their
a..ounts/ I shoudn"t i1e to guarantee that the fa.ts as stated are
)ore than siBty per .ent a..urate/J
JThat is pro'a'y a .onservative esti)ate>J )ur)ured Poirot/
JThan1 you> Miss #e)on> for the trou'e you have ta1en/J
The fa.ts +ere sensationa 'ut .ear enough/ MaDor Chares &i.h> a
+e;to;do 'a.heor> had given an evening party to a fe+ of his
friends> at his apart)ent/ These friends .onsisted of Mr/ and Mrs/
Cayton> Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e> and a Co))ander M.#aren/
Co))ander M.#aren +as a very od friend of 'oth &i.h and the
Caytons/ Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e> a younger .oupe> +ere fairy
re.ent a.8uaintan.es/ Arnod Cayton +as in the Treasury/ *ere)y
Spen.e +as a Dunior .ivi servant/ MaDor &i.h +as forty;eight>
Arnod Cayton +as fifty;five> Co))ander M.#aren +as forty;siB>
*ere)y Spen.e +as thirty;seven/ Mrs/ Cayton +as said to 'e
Jso)e years younger than her hus'and/J <ne person +as una'e to
attend the party/ At the ast )o)ent> Mr/ Cayton +as .aed a+ay
to S.otand on urgent 'usiness> and +as supposed to have eft
-ing"s Cross 'y the OH1F train/
The party pro.eeded as su.h parties do/ (veryone appeared to 'e
enDoying the)seves/ It +as neither a +id party nor a drun1en one/
It 'ro1e up a'out 11H4F/ The four guests eft together and shared a
taBi/ Co))ander M.#aren +as dropped first at his .u' and then
the Spen.es dropped Margharita Cayton at Cardigan ,ardens Dust
off Soane Street and +ent on the)seves to their house in Chesea/
The grueso)e dis.overy +as )ade on the foo+ing )orning 'y
MaDor &i.h"s )anservant> Wiia) %urgess/ The atter did not ive in/
!e arrived eary so as to .ear up the sitting roo) 'efore .aing
MaDor &i.h +ith his eary )orning tea/ It +as +hist .earing up that
%urgess +as started to find a 'ig stain dis.ooring the ight;.oored
rug on +hi.h stood the Spanish .hest/ It see)ed to have seeped
through fro) the .hest> and the vaet i))ediatey ifted up the id of
the .hest and oo1ed inside/ !e +as horrified to find there the 'ody
of Mr/ Cayton> sta''ed through the ne.1/
<'eying his first i)puse> %urgess rushed out into the street and
fet.hed the nearest poi.e)an/
Su.h +ere the 'ad fa.ts of the .ase/ %ut there +ere further detais/
The poi.e had i))ediatey 'ro1en the ne+s to Mrs/ Cayton> +ho
had 'een J.o)petey prostrated/J She had seen her hus'and for
the ast ti)e at a itte after siB o".o.1 on the evening 'efore/ !e
had .o)e ho)e )u.h annoyed> having 'een su))oned to
S.otand on urgent 'usiness in .onne.tion +ith so)e property that
he o+ned/ !e had urged his +ife to go to the party +ithout hi)/ Mr/
Cayton had then .aed in at his and Co))ander M.#aren"s .u'>
had had a drin1 +ith his friend> and had eBpained the position/ !e
had then said> oo1ing at his +at.h> that he had Dust ti)e on his +ay
to -ing"s Cross> to .a in on MaDor &i.h and eBpain/ !e had aready
tried to teephone hi)> 'ut the ine had see)ed to 'e out of order/
A..ording to Wiia) %urgess> Mr/ Cayton arrived at the fat at
a'out EHFF/ MaDor &i.h +as out 'ut +as due to return any )o)ent>
so %urgess suggested that Mr/ Cayton shoud .o)e in and +ait/
Cayton said he had no ti)e 'ut +oud .o)e in and +rite a note/ !e
eBpained that he +as on his +ay to .at.h a train at -ing"s Cross/
The vaet sho+ed hi) into the sitting roo) and hi)sef returned to
the 1it.hen> +here he +as engaged in the preparation of .anap=s
for the party/ The vaet did not hear his )aster return> 'ut a'out ten
)inutes ater> MaDor &i.h oo1ed into the 1it.hen and tod %urgess
to hurry out and get so)e Tur1ish .igarettes> +hi.h +ere Mrs/
Spen.e"s favorite s)o1ing/ The vaet did so and 'rought the) to his
)aster in the sitting roo)/ Mr/ Cayton +as not there> 'ut the vaet
naturay thought he had aready eft to .at.h his train/
MaDor &i.h"s story +as short and si)pe/ Mr/ Cayton +as not in the
fat +hen he hi)sef .a)e in and he had no idea that he had 'een
there/ 0o note had 'een eft for hi) and the first he heard of Mr/
Cayton"s Dourney to S.otand +as +hen Mrs/ Cayton and the
others arrived/
There +ere t+o additiona ite)s in the evening papers/ Mrs/
Cayton +ho +as Jprostrated +ith sho.1J had eft her fat in
Cardigan ,ardens and +as 'eieved to 'e staying +ith friends/
The se.ond ite) +as in the stop press/ MaDor Chares &i.h had
'een .harged +ith the )urder of Arnod Cayton and had 'een
ta1en into .ustody/
JSo that is that>J said Poirot> oo1ing up at Miss #e)on/ JThe arrest
of MaDor &i.h +as to 'e eBpe.ted/ %ut +hat a re)ar1a'e .ase/
What a very re)ar1a'e .aseG $o you not thin1 soAJ
JI suppose su.h things do happen> M/ Poirot>J said Miss #e)on
+ithout interest/
J<h .ertainyG They happen every day/ <r neary every day/ %ut
usuay they are 8uite understanda'e ; though distressing/J
JIt is .ertainy a very unpeasant 'usiness/J
JTo 'e sta''ed to death and sto+ed a+ay in a Spanish .hest is
.ertainy unpeasant for the vi.ti) ; supre)ey so/ %ut +hen I say
this is a re)ar1a'e .ase> I refer to the re)ar1a'e 'ehavior of
MaDor &i.h/J
Miss #e)on said +ith faint distasteH JThere see)s to 'e a
suggestion that MaDor &i.h and Mrs/ Cayton +ere very .ose
friends/// It +as a suggestion and not a proved fa.t> so I did not
in.ude it/J
JThat +as very .orre.t of you/ %ut it is an inferen.e that eaps to
the eye/ Is that a you have to sayAJ
Miss #e)on oo1ed 'an1/ Poirot sighed> and )issed the ri.h
.oorfu i)agination of his friend !astings/ $is.ussing a .ase +ith
Miss #e)on +as uphi +or1/
JConsider for a )o)ent this MaDor &i.h/ !e is in ove +ith Mrs/
Cayton ; granted/// !e +ants to dispose of her hus'and ; that> too>
+e grant> though if Mrs/ Cayton is in ove +ith hi)> and they are
having the affair together> +here is the urgen.yA It is> perhaps> that
Mr/ Cayton +i not give his +ife the divor.eA %ut it is not of a this
that I ta1/ MaDor &i.h> he is a retired sodier> and it is said
so)eti)es that sodiers are not 'rainy/ %ut> tout de )M)e> this
MaDor &i.h> is he> .an he 'e> a .o)pete i)'e.ieAJ
Miss #e)on did not repy/ She too1 this to 'e a purey rhetori.a
8uestion/
JWe>J de)anded Poirot/ JWhat do you thin1 a'out it aAJ
JWhat do I thin1AJ Miss #e)on +as started/
JMais oui ; youGJ
Miss #e)on adDusted her )ind to the strain put upon it/ She +as not
given to )enta spe.uation of any 1ind uness as1ed for it/ In su.h
eisure )o)ents as she had> her )ind +as fied +ith the detais of a
superativey perfe.t fiing syste)/ It +as her ony )enta
re.reation/
JWe ;J she 'egan> and paused/
JTe )e Dust +hat happened ; +hat you thin1 happened> on that
evening/ Mr/ Cayton is in the sitting roo) +riting a note> MaDor &i.h
.o)es 'a.1 ; +hat thenAJ
J!e finds Mr/ Cayton there/ They ; I suppose they have a 8uarre/
MaDor &i.h sta's hi)/ Then> +hen he sees +hat he has done> he ; he
puts the 'ody in the .hest/ After a> the guests> I suppose> )ight 'e
arriving any )inute/J
J@es> yes/ The guests arriveG The 'ody is in the .hest/ The evening
passes/ The guests depart/ And then ;J
JWe> then> I suppose MaDor &i.h goes to 'ed and ; <hGJ
JAh>J said Poirot/ J@ou see it no+/ @ou have )urdered a )an/ @ou
have .on.eaed his 'ody in a .hest/ And then ; you go pea.efuy to
'ed> 8uite unpertur'ed 'y the fa.t that your vaet +i dis.over the
.ri)e in the )orning/J
JI suppose it"s possi'e that the vaet )ight never have oo1ed
inside the .hestAJ
JWith an enor)ous poo of 'ood on the .arpet underneath itAJ
JPerhaps MaDor &i.h didn"t reai?e that the 'ood +as there/J
JWas it not so)e+hat .areess of hi) not to oo1 and seeAJ
JI dare say he +as upset>J said Miss #e)on/ Poirot thre+ up his
hands in despair/
Miss #e)on sei?ed the opportunity to hurry fro) the roo)/
The )ystery of the Spanish .hest +as> stri.ty spea1ing> no
'usiness of Poirot"s/ !e +as engaged at the )o)ent in a dei.ate
)ission for one of the arge oi .o)panies +here one of the high
ups +as possi'y invoved in so)e 8uestiona'e transa.tion/ It +as
hush;hush> i)portant> and eB.eedingy u.rative/ It +as suffi.ienty
invoved to .o))and Poirot"s attention> and had the great
advantage that it re8uired very itte physi.a a.tivity/ It +as
sophisti.ated and 'oodess/ Cri)e at the highest eves/
The )ystery of the Spanish .hest +as dra)ati. and e)otiona> t+o
8uaities +hi.h Poirot had often de.ared to !astings .oud 'e
)u.h overrated ; and indeed fre8uenty +ere so 'y the atter/ !e
had 'een severe +ith .e .her !astings on this point> and no+ here
he +as> 'ehaving )u.h as his friend )ight have done> o'sessed
+ith 'eautifu +o)en> .ri)es of passion> Deaousy> hatred> and a
the other ro)anti. .auses of )urderG !e +anted to 1no+ a'out it
a/ !e +anted to 1no+ +hat MaDor &i.h +as i1e> and +hat his
)anservant> %urgess> +as i1e> and +hat Margharita Cayton +as
i1e 9though that> he thought> he 1ne+: and +hat the ate Arnod
Cayton had 'een i1e 9sin.e he hed that the .hara.ter of the vi.ti)
+as of the first i)portan.e in a )urder .ase:> and even +hat
Co))ander M.#aren> the faithfu friend> and Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e>
the re.enty a.8uired a.8uaintan.es> +ere i1e/
And he did not see eBa.ty ho+ he +as going to gratify his .uriosityG
!e refe.ted on the )atter ater in the day/
Why did the +hoe 'usiness intrigue hi) so )u.hA !e de.ided>
after refe.tion> that it +as 'e.ause ; as the fa.ts +ere reated ; the
+hoe thing +as )ore or ess i)possi'eG @es> there +as a
(u.idean favor/
Starting fro) +hat one .oud a..ept> there had 'een a 8uarre
'et+een t+o )en/ Cause> presu)a'y> a +o)an/ <ne )an 1ied
the other in the heat of rage/ @es> that happened ; though it +oud
'e )ore a..epta'e if the hus'and had 1ied the over/ Sti ; the
over had 1ied the hus'and> sta''ed hi) +ith a dagger 9A:>
so)eho+ a rather uni1ey +eapon/ Perhaps MaDor &i.h had had an
Itaian )otherA So)e+here ; surey ; there shoud 'e so)ething to
eBpain the .hoi.e of a dagger as a +eapon/ Any+ay> one )ust
a..ept the dagger 9so)e papers .aed it a stiettoG:/ It +as to hand
and +as used/ The 'ody +as .on.eaed in the .hest/ That +as
.o))on sense and inevita'e/ The .ri)e had not 'een
pre)editated> and as the vaet +as returning at any )o)ent> and
four guests +oud 'e arriving 'efore very ong> it see)ed the ony
.ourse indi.ated/
The party is hed> the guests depart> the )anservant is aready
gone ; and ; MaDor &i.h goes to 'edG
To understand ho+ that .oud happen> one )ust see MaDor &i.h
and find out +hat 1ind of a )an a.ts in that +ay/
Coud it 'e that> over.o)e +ith horror at +hat he had done and the
ong strain of an evening trying to appear his nor)a sef> he had
ta1en a seeping pi of so)e 1ind or a tran8uii?er +hi.h had put
hi) into a heavy su)'er +hi.h asted ong 'eyond his usua hour
of +a1ingA Possi'e/ <r +as it a .ase> re+arding to a psy.hoogist>
+here MaDor &i.h"s feeing of su'.ons.ious guit )ade hi) +ant the
.ri)e to 'e dis.overedA
To )a1e up one"s )ind on that point one +oud have to see MaDor
&i.h/ It a .a)e 'a.1 to ;
The teephone rang/ Poirot et it ring for so)e )o)ents> unti he
reai?ed that Miss #e)on after 'ringing hi) his etters to sign> had
gone ho)e so)e ti)e ago> and that ,eorge had pro'a'y gone out/
!e pi.1ed up the re.eiver/
JM/ PoirotAJ
JSpea1ingGJ
J<h ho+ spendid/J Poirot 'in1ed sighty at the fervor of the
.har)ing fe)ae voi.e/ JIt"s A''ie Chatterton/J
JAh> #ady Chatterton/ !o+ .an I serve youAJ
J%y .o)ing over as 8ui.1y as you .an right a+ay to a si)py
frightfu .o.1tai party I a) giving/ 0ot Dust for the .o.1tai party ;
it"s for so)ething 8uite different reay/ I need you/ It"s a'soutey
vita/ Pease> pease> pease don"t et )e do+nG $on"t say you .an"t
)anage it/J
Poirot had not 'een going to say anything of the 1ind/ #ord
Chatterton> apart fro) 'eing a peer of the rea) and o..asionay
)a1ing a very du spee.h in the !ouse of #ords> +as no'ody in
parti.uar/ %ut #ady Chatterton +as one of the 'rightest De+es in
+hat Poirot .aed e haut= )onde/ (verything she did or said +as
ne+s/ She had 'rains> 'eauty> originaity> and enough vitaity to
a.tivate a ro.1et to the )oon/
She said againH JI need you/ *ust give that +onderfu )ousta.he of
yours a ovey t+ir> and .o)eGJ
It +as not 8uite so 8ui.1 as that/ Poirot had first to )a1e a
)eti.uous toiet/ The t+ir to the )ousta.hes +as added and he
then set off/
The door of #ady Chatterton"s deightfu house in Cheriton Street
+as aDar and a noise as of ani)as )utinying at the ?oo sounded
fro) +ithin/ #ady Chatterton> +ho +as hoding t+o a)'assadors>
an internationa rugger payer> and an A)eri.an evangeist in pay>
neaty Dettisoned the) +ith the rapidity of seight of hand and +as
at Poirot"s side/
JM/ Poirot> ho+ +onderfu to see youG 0o> don"t have that nasty
Martini/ I"ve got so)ething spe.ia for you ; a 1ind of sirop that the
shei1hs drin1 in Moro..o/ It"s in )y o+n itte roo) upstairs/J
She ed the +ay upstairs and Poirot foo+ed her/ She paused to say
over her shouderH JI didn"t put these peope off> 'e.ause it"s
a'soutey essentia that no one shoud 1no+ there"s anything
spe.ia going on here> and I"ve pro)ised the servants enor)ous
'onuses if not a +ord ea1s out/ After a> one doesn"t +ant one"s
house 'esieged 'y reporters/ And> poor daring> she"s 'een
through so )u.h aready/J
#ady Chatterton did not stop at the first;foor andingI instead she
s+ept on up to the foor a'ove/
,asping for 'reath and so)e+hat 'e+idered> !er.ue Poirot
foo+ed/
#ady Chatterton paused> gave a rapid gan.e do+n+ards over the
'anisters> and then fung open a door> eB.ai)ing as she did soH
JI"ve got hi)> MargharitaG I"ve got hi)G !ere he isGJ
She stood aside in triu)ph to et Poirot enter> then perfor)ed a
rapid introdu.tion/
JThis is Margharita Cayton/ She"s a very> very dear friend of )ine/
@ou" hep her> +on"t youA Margharita> this is that +onderfu
!er.ue Poirot/ !e" do Dust everything you +ant ; you +i> +on"t
you> dear M/ PoirotAJ
And +ithout +aiting for the ans+er +hi.h she o'viousy too1 for
granted 9#ady Chatterton had not 'een a spoied 'eauty a her ife
for nothing:> she dashed out of the door and do+n the stairs> .aing
'a.1 rather indis.reety> JI"ve got to go 'a.1 to a these a+fu
peope/J
The +o)an +ho had 'een sitting in a .hair 'y the +indo+ rose and
.a)e to+ards hi)/ !e +oud have re.ogni?ed her even if #ady
Chatterton had not )entioned her na)e/ !ere +as that +ide> that
very +ide 'ro+> the dar1 hair that sprang a+ay fro) it i1e +ings>
the grey eyes set far apart/ She +ore a .ose;fitting high;ne.1ed
go+n of du 'a.1 that sho+ed up the 'eauty of her 'ody and the
)agnoia;+hiteness of her s1in/ It +as an unusua fa.e rather than
a 'eautifu one ; one of those oddy proportioned fa.es that one
so)eti)es sees in an Itaian pri)itive/ There +as a'out her a 1ind
of )edieva si)pi.ity ; a strange inno.en.e that .oud 'e> Poirot
thought> )ore devastating than any vouptuous sophisti.ation/
When she spo1e it +as +ith a 1ind of .hidi1e .andor/
JA''ie says you +i hep )e ;J She oo1ed at hi) gravey and
in8uiringy/
For a )o)ent he stood 8uite sti> s.rutini?ing her .osey/ There
+as nothing i;'red in his )anner of doing it/ It +as )ore the 1ind
'ut sear.hing oo1 that a fa)ous .onsutant gives a ne+ patient/
JAre you sure> )ada)e>J he said at ast> Jthat I .an hep youAJ
A itte fush rose to her .hee1s/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
JWhat is it> )ada)e> that you +ant )e to doAJ
J<h>J she see)ed surprised/ JI thought ; you 1ne+ +ho I +asAJ
JI 1no+ +ho you are/ @our hus'and +as 1ied ; sta''ed> and a
MaDor &i.h has 'een arrested and .harged +ith his )urder/J
The fush heightened/
JMaDor &i.h did not 1i )y hus'and/J
4ui.1 as a fash Poirot saidH
JWhy notAJ
She stared> pu??ed/ JI ; I 'eg your pardonAJ
JI have .onfused you ; 'e.ause I have not as1ed the 8uestion that
every'ody as1s ; the poi.e ; the a+yers "Why shoud MaDor &i.h 1i
Arnod CaytonA" %ut I as1 the opposite/ I as1 you> )ada)e> +hy
you are sure that MaDor &i.h did not 1i hi)AJ
J%e.auseJ ; she paused a )o)ent ; J'e.ause I 1no+ MaDor &i.h so
+e/J
J@ou 1no+ MaDor &i.h so +e>J repeated Poirot toneessy/ !e
paused and then said sharpyH
J!o+ +eAJ
Whether she understood his )eaning> he .oud not guess/ !e
thought to hi)sef/ "!ere is either a +o)an of great si)pi.ity or of
great su'tety///" Many peope> he thought> )ust have +ondered
that a'out Margharita Cayton///
J!o+ +eAJ She +as oo1ing at hi) dou'tfuy/ JFive years ; no>
neary siB/J
JThat +as not pre.isey +hat I )eant/ @ou )ust understand>
)ada)e> that I sha have to as1 you the i)pertinent 8uestions/
Perhaps you +i spea1 the truth> perhaps you +i ie/ It is very
ne.essary for a +o)an to ie so)eti)es/ Wo)en )ust defend
the)seves> and the ie> it .an 'e a good +eapon/ %ut there are
three peope> )ada)e> to +ho) a +o)an shoud spea1 the truth/
To her Father .onfessor> to her hairdresser> and to her private
dete.tive ; if she trusts hi)/ $o you trust )e> )ada)eAJ
Margharita Cayton dre+ a deep 'reath/
J@es>J she said/ JI do/J And addedH JI )ust/J
J7ery +e> then/ What is it you +ant )e to do ; find out +ho 1ied
your hus'andAJ
JI suppose so ; yes/J
J%ut it is not essentiaA @ou +ant )e> then> to .ear MaDor &i.h fro)
suspi.ionAJ
She nodded 8ui.1y ; gratefuy/
JThat ; and that onyAJ
It +as> he sa+> an unne.essary 8uestion/ Margharita Cayton +as a
+o)an +ho sa+ ony one thing at a ti)e/
JAnd no+>J he said> Jfor the i)pertinen.e/ @ou and MaDor &i.h> you
are overs> yesAJ
J$o you )ean> +ere +e having an affair togetherA 0o/J
J%ut he +as in ove +ith youAJ
J@es/J
JAnd you ; +ere in ove +ith hi)AJ
JI thin1 so/J
J@ou do not see) 8uite sureAJ
JI a) sure ; no+/J
JAhG @ou did not> then> ove your hus'andAJ
J0o/J
J@ou repy +ith an ad)ira'e si)pi.ity/ Most +o)en +oud +ish to
eBpain at great ength Dust eBa.ty +hat their feeings +ere/ !o+
ong had you 'een )arriedAJ
J(even years/J
JCan you te )e a itte a'out your hus'and ; +hat 1ind of a )an he
+asAJ
She fro+ned/ JIt"s diffi.ut/ I don"t reay 1no+ +hat 1ind of a )an
Arnod +as/ !e +as very 8uiet ; very reserved/ <ne didn"t 1no+
+hat he +as thin1ing/ !e +as .ever> of .ourse ; everyone said he
+as 'riiant ; in his +or1> I )ean/ !e didn"t ; ho+ .an I put it ; he
never eBpained hi)sef at a/J
JWas he in ove +ith youAJ
J<h> yes/ !e )ust have 'een/ <r he +oudn"t have )inded so
)u.hcJ she .a)e to a sudden stop/
JA'out other )enA That is +hat you +ere going to sayA !e +as
DeaousAJ
Again she saidH
J!e )ust have 'een/J And then> as though she fet that the phrase
needed eBpanation> she said>
JSo)eti)es> for days> he +oudn"t spea1 ;J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
JThis vioen.e ; that has .o)e into your ife/ Is it the first that you
have 1no+nAJ
J7ioen.eAJ She fro+ned> then fushed/ JI ; you )ean ; that poor
'oy +ho shot hi)sefAJ
J@es>J said Poirot/ JI eBpe.t that is +hat I )ean ;J
JI"d no idea he fet i1e that/// I +as sorry for hi) ; he see)ed so shy
; so oney/ !e )ust have 'een very neuroti.> I thin1/ And there
+ere t+o Itaians and a duec it +as ridi.uousG Any+ay> no'ody
+as 1ied> than1 goodness/ And honesty> I didn"t .are a'out either
of the)G I never even pretended to .are/J
J0o/ @ou +ere Dust ; thereG And +here you are things happenG I have
seen that 'efore in )y ife/ It is 'e.ause you do not .are that )en
are driven )ad/ %ut for MaDor &i.h you do .are/ So +e )ust do +hat
+e .an ;J
!e +as sient for a )o)ent or t+o/
She sat there gravey> +at.hing hi)/
JWe turn fro) personaities> +hi.h are the reay i)portant things>
to pain fa.ts/ I 1no+ ony +hat has 'een in the papers/ <n the fa.ts
as given there> ony t+o persons had the opportunity of 1iing your
hus'and> ony t+o persons .oud have 1ied hi) ; MaDor &i.h and
MaDor &i.h"s )anservant/J
She said> stu''ornyH
JI 1no+ Chares didn"t 1i hi)/J
JSo> then> it )ust have 'een the vaet/ @ou agreeAJ
She said dou'tfuyH
JI see +hat you )ean ;J
J%ut you are du'ious a'out itAJ
JIt Dust see)s ` fantasti.GJ
J@et the possi'iity is there/ @our hus'and undou'tedy .a)e to the
fat> sin.e his 'ody +as found there/ If the vaet"s story is true>
MaDor &i.h 1ied hi)/ %ut if the vaet"s story is faseA Then the vaet
1ied hi) and hid the 'ody in the .hest 'efore his )aster returned/
An eB.eent +ay of disposing of the 'ody fro) his point of vie+/ !e
has ony got to "noti.e the 'oodstain" the neBt )orning and
"dis.over" it/ Suspi.ion +i i))ediatey fa on &i.h/J
J%ut +hy shoud he +ant to 1i ArnodAJ
JAh +hyA The )otive .annot 'e an o'vious one ; or the poi.e
+oud have investigated it/ It is possi'e that your hus'and 1ne+
so)ething to the vaet"s dis.redit> and +as a'out to a.8uaint MaDor
&i.h +ith the fa.ts/ $id your hus'and ever say anything to you
a'out this )an %urgessAJ
She shoo1 her head/
J$o you thin1 he +oud have done so ; if that had indeed 'een the
.aseAJ
She fro+ned/
JIt"s diffi.ut to say/ Possi'y not/ Arnod never ta1ed )u.h a'out
peope/ I tod you he +as reserved/ !e +asn"t ; he +as never ; a
.hatty )an/J
J!e +as a )an +ho 1ept his o+n .ounse/ @es> no+ +hat is your
opinion of %urgessAJ
J!e"s not the 1ind of )an you noti.e very )u.h/ A fairy good
servant/ Ade8uate> 'ut not poished/J
JWhat ageAJ
JA'out thirty;seven or eight> I shoud thin1/ !e"d 'een an ordery in
the ar)y during the +ar> 'ut he +asn"t a reguar sodier/J
J!o+ ong had he 'een +ith MaDor &i.hAJ
J0ot very ong/ A'out a year and a haf> I thin1/J
J@ou never noti.ed anything odd a'out his )anner to+ards your
hus'andAJ
JWe +eren"t there so very often/ 0o> I noti.ed nothing at a/J
JTe )e no+ a'out the events of that evening/ What ti)e +ere you
invitedAJ
J(ight;fifteen for haf past/J
JAnd Dust +hat 1ind of a party +as it to 'eAJ
JWe> there +oud 'e drin1s> and a 1ind of 'uffet supper ; usuay a
very good one/ Foie gras and hot toast/ S)o1ed sa)on/ So)eti)es
there +as a hot ri.e dish ; Chares had a spe.ia re.ipe he"d got in
the 0ear (ast ; 'ut that +as )ore for +inter/ Then +e used to have
)usi. ; Chares had got a very good stereophoni. gra)ophone/
%oth )y hus'and and *o.1 M.#aren +ere very fond of .assi.a
re.ords/ And +e had dan.e )usi. ; the Spen.es +ere very 1een
dan.ers/ It +as that sort of thing ; a 8uiet infor)a evening/ Chares
+as a very good host/J
JAnd this parti.uar evening ; it +as i1e other evenings thereA @ou
noti.ed nothing unusua ; nothing out of pa.eAJ
J<ut of pa.eAJ she fro+ned for a )o)ent/ JWhen you said that I ;
no> it"s gone/ There +as so)ething ;J
She shoo1 her head again/ J0o/ To ans+er your 8uestion> there
+as nothing unusua at a a'out that evening/ We enDoyed
ourseves/ (very'ody see)ed reaBed and happy/J She shivered/
JAnd to thin1 that a the ti)e ;J
Poirot hed up a 8ui.1 hand/
J$o not thin1/ This 'usiness that too1 your hus'and to S.otand>
ho+ )u.h do you 1no+ a'out thatAJ
J0ot very )u.h/ There +as so)e dispute over the restri.tions on
seing a pie.e of and +hi.h 'eonged to )y hus'and/ The sae had
apparenty gone through and then so)e sudden snag turned up/J
JWhat did your hus'and te you eBa.tyAJ
J!e .a)e in +ith a teegra) in his hand/ As far as I re)e)'er> he
said> "This is )ost annoying/ I sha have to ta1e the night )ai to
(din'urgh and see *ohnston first thing to)orro+ )orning/ Too
'ad> +hen one thought the thing +as going through s)oothy at
ast/" Then he said> "Sha I ring up *o.1 and get hi) to .a for youA"
and I said> "0onsense> I" Dust ta1e a taBi>" and he said that *o.1 or
the Spen.es +oud see )e ho)e/ I said did he +ant anything
pa.1ed and he said he"d Dust thro+ a fe+ things into a 'ag> and
have a 8ui.1 sna.1 at the .u'> 'efore .at.hing the train/ Then he
+ent off and ; and that"s the ast ti)e I sa+ hi)/J
!er voi.e 'ro1e a itte on the ast +ords/
Poirot oo1ed at her very hard/
J$id he sho+ you the teegra)AJ
J0o/J
JA pity/J
JWhy do you say thatAJ
!e did not ans+er that 8uestion/ Instead he said 'ris1yH
J0o+ to 'usiness/ Who are the soi.itors a.ting for MaDor &i.hAJ
She tod hi) and he )ade a note of the address/
JWi you +rite a fe+ +ords to the) and give it to )eA I sha +ant to
)a1e arrange)ents to see MaDor &i.h/J
J!e ; it"s 'een re)anded for a +ee1/J
J0aturay/ That is the pro.edure/ Wi you aso +rite a note to
Co))ander M.#aren and to your friends the Spen.esA I sha +ant
to see a of the)> and it is essentia that they do not at on.e sho+
)e the door/J
When she rose fro) the +riting des1> he saidH
J<ne thing )ore/ I sha register )y o+n i)pressions> 'ut I aso
+ant yours ; of Co))ander M.#aren and of Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e/J
J*o.1 is one of our odest friends/ I"ve 1no+n hi) ever sin.e I +as a
.hid/ !e appears to 'e 8uite a dour person> 'ut he"s reay a dear ;
a+ays the sa)e ; a+ays to 'e reied upon/ !e"s not gay and
a)using 'ut he"s a to+er of strength ; 'oth Arnod and I reied on
his Dudge)ent a ot/J
JAnd he> aso> is dou'tess in ove +ith youAJ Poirot"s eyes t+in1ed
sighty/
J<h yes>J said Margharita happiy/ J!e"s a+ays 'een in ove +ith
)e ; 'ut 'y no+ it"s 'e.o)e a 1ind of ha'it/J
JAnd the Spen.esAJ
JThey"re a)using ; and very good .o)pany/ #inda Spen.e is reay
rather a .ever gir/ Arnod enDoyed ta1ing +ith her/ She"s
attra.tive> too/J
J@ou are friendsAJ
JShe and IA In a +ay/ I don"t 1no+ that I reay i1e her/ She"s too
)ai.ious/J
JAnd her hus'andAJ
J<h> *ere)y is deightfu/ 7ery )usi.a/ -no+s a good dea a'out
pi.tures> too/ !e and I go to pi.ture sho+s a good dea together/J
JAh> +e> I sha see for )ysef/J !e too1 her hand in his> JI hope>
)ada)e> you +i not regret as1ing for )y hep/J
JWhy shoud I regret itAJ !er eyes opened +ide/
J<ne never 1no+s>J said Poirot .rypti.ay/
JAnd I ; I do not 1no+>J he said to hi)sef> as he +ent do+n the
stairs/ The .o.1tai party +as sti in fu spate> 'ut he avoided 'eing
.aptured and rea.hed the street/
J0o>J he repeated/ JI do not 1no+/J
It +as of Margharita Cayton he +as thin1ing/ That apparenty
.hidi1e .andor> that fran1 inno.en.e ; +as it Dust thatA <r did it
)as1 so)ething eseA There had 'een +o)en i1e that in )edieva
days ; +o)en on +ho) history had not 'een a'e to agree/
!e thought of Mary Stuart> the S.ottish 4ueen/ !ad she 1no+n> that
night in -ir1 o"Fieds> of the deed that +as to 'e doneA <r +as she
.o)petey inno.entA !ad the .onspirators tod her nothingA Was
she one of those .hidi1e si)pe +o)en +ho .an say to the)seves
JI do not 1no+J and 'eieve itA !e fet the spe of Margharita
Cayton/ %ut he +as not entirey sure a'out her///
Su.h +o)en .oud 'e> though inno.ent the)seves> the .ause of
.ri)es/
Su.h +o)en .oud 'e> in intent and design> .ri)inas the)seves>
though not in a.tion/
Theirs +as never the hand that hed the 1nife ; as to Margharita
Cayton ; no ; he did not 1no+G
!er.ue Poirot did not find MaDor &i.h"s soi.itors very hepfu/ !e
had not eBpe.ted to do so/
They )anaged to indi.ate> though +ithout saying so> that it +oud
'e in their .ient"s 'est interest if Mrs/ Cayton sho+ed no sign of
a.tivity on his 'ehaf/
!is visit to the) +as in the interests of J.orre.tness/J !e had
enough pu +ith the !o)e <ffi.e and the CI$ to arrange his
intervie+ +ith the prisoner/
Inspe.tor Mier> +ho +as in .harge of the Cayton .ase> +as not
one of Poirot"s favorites/ !e +as not> ho+ever> hostie on this
o..asion> )erey .onte)ptuous/
JCan"t +aste )u.h ti)e over the od dodderer>J he had said to his
assisting sergeant 'efore Poirot +as sho+n in/ JSti> I" have to 'e
poite/J
J@ou" reay have to pu so)e ra''its out of a hat if you"re going to
do anything +ith this one> M/ Poirot>J he re)ar1ed .heerfuy/
J0o'ody ese 'ut &i.h .oud have 1ied the 'o1e/J
J(B.ept the vaet/J
J<h> I" give you the vaetG As a possi'iity> that is/ %ut you +on"t
find anything there/ 0o )otives +hatever/J
J@ou .annot 'e entirey sure of that/ Motives are very .urious
things/J
JWe> he +asn"t a.8uainted +ith Cayton in any +ay/ !e"s got a
perfe.ty inno.uous past/ And he see)s to 'e perfe.ty right in his
head/ I don"t 1no+ +hat )ore you +antAJ
JI +ant to find out that &i.h did not .o))it the .ri)e/J
JTo pease the ady> ehAJ Inspe.tor Mier grinned +i.1edy/ JShe"s
'een getting at you> I suppose/ 4uite so)ething> isn"t sheA
Cher.he? a fe))e +ith a vengean.e/ If she"d had the opportunity>
you 1no+> she )ight have done it hersef/J
JThat> noGJ
J@ou"d 'e surprised/ I on.e 1ne+ a +o)an i1e that/ Put a .oupe of
hus'ands out of the +ay +ithout a 'in1 of her inno.ent 'ue eyes/
%ro1en;hearted ea.h ti)e> too/ The Dury +oud have a8uitted her if
they"d had haf a .han.e +hi.h they hadn"t> the eviden.e 'eing
pra.ti.ay .ast iron/J
JWe> )y friend> et us not argue/ What I )a1e so 'od as to as1 is a
fe+ reia'e detais on the fa.ts/ What a ne+spaper prints is ne+s ;
'ut not a+ays truthGJ
JThey have to enDoy the)seves/ What do you +antAJ
JTi)e of death as near as .an 'e/J
JWhi.h .an"t 'e very near 'e.ause the 'ody +asn"t eBa)ined unti
the foo+ing )orning/ $eath is esti)ated to have ta1en pa.e fro)
thirteen to ten hours previousy/ That is> 'et+een seven and ten
o".o.1 the night 'efore/// !e +as sta''ed through the Duguar vein ;
death )ust have 'een )atter of )o)ents/J
JAnd the +eaponAJ
JA 1ind of Itaian stietto ; 8uite s)a ; ra?or sharp/ 0o'ody has
ever seen it 'efore> or 1no+s +here it .o)es fro)/ %ut +e sha
1no+ ; in the end it"s a )atter of ti)e and patien.e/J
JIt .oud not have 'een pi.1ed up in the .ourse of a 8uarre/J
J0o/ The vaet says no su.h thing +as in the fat/J
JWhat interests )e is the teegra)>J said Poirot/ JThe teegra) that
.aed Arnod Cayton a+ay to S.ot; and/ Was that su))ons
genuineAJ
J0o/ There +as no hit.h or trou'e up there/ The and transfer> or
+hatever it +as> +as pro.eeding nor)ay/J
JThen +ho sent that teegra) ; I a) presu)ing there +as a
teegra)AJ
JThere )ust have 'een/ 0ot that +e"d ne.essariy 'eieve Mrs/
Cayton/ %ut Cayton tod the vaet he +as .aed 'y +ire to
S.otand/ And he aso tod Co))ander M.#aren/J
JWhat ti)e did he see Co))ander M.#arenAJ
JThey had a sna.1 together at their .u' ; Co)'ined Servi.es ; that
+as at a'out a 8uarter past seven/ Then Cayton too1 a taBi to
&i.h"s fat> arriving there Dust 'efore eight o".o.1/ After that ;J
Mier spread his hands out/
JAny'ody noti.ed anything at a odd a'out &i.h"s )anner that
eveningAJ
J<h +e> you 1no+ +hat peope are/ <n.e a thing has happened>
peope thin1 they noti.ed a ot of things I 'et they never sa+ at a/
Mrs/ Spen.e> no+> she says he +as distrait a the evening/ $idn"t
a+ays ans+er to the point/ As though he had "so)ething on his
)ind/" I 'et he had> too> if he had a 'ody in the .hestG Wondering
ho+ the he to get rid of itGJ
JWhy didn"t he get rid of itAJ
J%eats )e/ #ost his nerve> perhaps/ %ut it +as )adness to eave it
unti the neBt day/ !e had the 'est .han.e he"d ever have that night/
There"s no night porter on/ !e .oud have got his .ar round> pa.1ed
the 'ody in the 'oot ; it"s a 'ig 'oot ; driven out in the .ountry and
par1ed it so)e+here/ !e )ight have 'een seen getting the 'ody
into the .ar> 'ut the fats are in a side street and there"s a .ourtyard
you drive a .ar through/ At> say> three in the )orning> he had a
reasona'e .han.e/ And +hat does he doA ,oes to 'ed> seeps ate
the neBt )orning and +a1es up to find the poi.e in the fatGJ
J!e +ent to 'ed and sept +e as an inno.ent )an )ight do/J
J!ave it that +ay if you i1e/ %ut do you reay 'eieve that
yoursefAJ
JI sha have to eave that 8uestion unti I have seen the )an
)ysef/J
JThin1 you 1no+ an inno.ent )an +hen you see oneA It"s not so
easy as that/J
JI 1no+ it is not easy ; and I shoud not atte)pt to say I .oud do it/
What I +ant to )a1e up )y )ind a'out is +hether the )an is as
stupid as he see)s to 'e/J
Poirot had no intention of seeing Chares &i.h unti he had seen
everyone ese/
!e started +ith Co))ander M.#aren/
M.#aren +as a ta> s+arthy> un.o))uni.ative )an/ !e had a
rugged 'ut peasant fa.e/ !e +as a shy )an and not easy to ta1 to/
%ut Poirot persevered/
Fingering Margharita"s note> M.#aren said a)ost reu.tantyH
JWe> if Margharita +ants )e to te you a I .an> of .ourse I" do
so/ $on"t 1no+ +hat there is to te> though/ @ou"ve heard it a
aready/ %ut +hatever Margharita +ants ; I"ve a+ays done +hat
she +anted ; ever sin.e she +as siBteen/ She"s got a +ay +ith her>
you 1no+/J
JI 1no+>J said Poirot/ !e +ent on/ JFirst I shoud i1e you to ans+er
a 8uestion 8uite fran1y/ $o you thin1 MaDor &i.h is guityAJ
J@es> I do/ I +oudn"t say so to Margharita if she +ants to thin1 he"s
inno.ent> 'ut I si)py .an"t see it any other +ay/ !ang it a> the
feo+"s got to 'e guity/J
JWas there 'ad feeing 'et+een hi) and Mr/ CaytonAJ
J0ot in the east/ Arnod and Chares +ere the 'est of friends/
That"s +hat )a1es the +hoe thing so eBtraordinary/J
JPerhaps MaDor &i.h"s friendship +ith Mrs/ Cayton ;J
!e +as interrupted/
JFaughG A that stuff/ A the papers syy hinting at it/ $a)ned
innuendoesG Mrs/ Cayton and &i.h +ere good friends and that"s aG
Margharita"s got ots of friends/ I") her friend/ %een one for years/
And nothing the +hoe +ord )ightn"t 1no+ a'out it/ Sa)e +ith
Chares and Margharita/J
J@ou do not then .onsider that they +ere having an affair
togetherAJ
JCertainy notGJ M.#aren +as +rathfu/ J$on"t go istening to that
he.at Spen.e +o)an/ She"d say anything/J
J%ut perhaps Mr/ Cayton suspe.ted there )ight 'e so)ething
'et+een his +ife and MaDor &i.h/J
J@ou .an ta1e it fro) )e he did nothing of the sortG I"d have 1no+n
if so/ Arnod and I +ere very .ose/J
JWhat sort of )an +as heA @ou> if anyone> shoud 1no+/J
JWe> Arnod +as a 8uiet sort of .hap/ %ut he +as .ever ; 8uite
'riiant> I 'eieve/ What they .a a first;.ass finan.ia 'rain/ !e
+as 8uite high up in the Treasury> you 1no+/J
JSo I have heard/J
J!e read a good dea/ And he .oe.ted sta)ps/ And he +as
eBtre)ey fond of )usi./ !e didn"t dan.e> or .are )u.h for going
out/J
JWas it> do you thin1> a happy )arriageAJ
Co))ander M.#aren"s ans+er did not .o)e 8ui.1y/ !e see)ed to
'e pu??ing it out/
JThat sort of thing"s very hard to say/// @es> I thin1 they +ere happy/
!e +as devoted to her in his 8uiet +ay/ I") sure she +as fond of
hi)/ They +eren"t i1ey to spit up> if that"s +hat you"re thin1ing/
They hadn"t> perhaps> a ot in .o))on/J
Poirot nodded/ It +as as )u.h as he +as i1ey to get/ !e saidH
J0o+ te )e a'out that ast evening/ Mr/ Cayton dined +ith you at
the .u'/ What did he sayAJ
JTod )e he"d got to go to S.otand/ See)ed veBed a'out it/ We
didn"t have dinner> 'y the +ay/ 0o ti)e/ *ust sand+i.hes and a
drin1/ For hi)> that is/ I had ony the drin1/ I +as going out to a
'uffet supper> re)e)'er/J
JMr/ Cayton )entioned a teegra)AJ
J@es/J
J!e did not a.tuay sho+ you the teegra)AJ
J0o/J
J$id he say he +as going to .a on &i.hAJ
J0ot definitey/ In fa.t he said he dou'ted if he"d have ti)e/ !e said>
"Margharita .an eBpain or you .an>" And then he said> "See she gets
ho)e a right> +on"t youA" Then he +ent off/ It +as a 8uite natura
and easy/J
J!e had no suspi.ion at a that the teegra) +asn"t genuineAJ
JWasn"t itAJ Co))ander M.#aren oo1ed started/
JApparenty not/J
J!o+ very odd ;J Co))ander M.#aren +ent into a 1ind of .o)a>
e)erging suddeny to sayH
J%ut that reay is odd/ I )ean> +hat"s the pointA Why shoud
any'ody +ant hi) to go to S.otandAJ
JIt is a 8uestion that needs ans+ering> .ertainy/J
!er.ue Poirot eft> eaving the .o))ander apparenty sti pu??ing
on the )atter/
The Spen.es ived in a )inute house in Chesea/
#inda Spen.e re.eived Poirot +ith the ut)ost deight/
J$o te )e>J she said/ JTe )e a a'out MargharitaG Where is sheAJ
JThat I a) not at i'erty to state> )ada)e/J
JShe has hidden hersef +eG Margharita is very .ever at that sort
of thing/ %ut she" 'e .aed to give eviden.e at the tria> I supposeA
She .an"t +igge hersef out of that/J
Poirot oo1ed at her appraisingy/ !e de.ided grudgingy that she
+as attra.tive in the )odern stye 9+hi.h at that )o)ent
rese)'ed an underfed orphan .hid:/ It +as not a type he ad)ired/
The artisti.ay disordered hair fuffed out round her head> a pair of
shre+d eyes +at.hed hi) fro) a sighty dirty fa.e devoid of
)a1eup save for a vivid .erise )outh/ She +ore an enor)ous pae
yeo+ s+eater hanging a)ost to her 1nees> and tight 'a.1
trousers/
JWhat"s your part in a thisAJ de)anded Mrs/ Spen.e/ J,et the
'oyfriend out of it so)eho+A Is that itA What a hopeGJ
J@ou thin1 then> that he is guityAJ
J<f .ourse/ Who eseAJ
That> Poirot thought> +as very )u.h the 8uestion/ !e parried it 'y
as1ing another 8uestion/
JWhat did MaDor &i.h see) i1e to you on that fata eveningA As
usuaA <r not as usuaAJ
#inda Spen.e s.re+ed up her eyes Dudi.iay/
J0o> he +asn"t hi)sef/ !e +as ; different/J
J!o+ differentAJ
JWe> surey> if you"ve Dust sta''ed a )an in .od 'ood ;J
J%ut you +ere not a+are at the ti)e that he had Dust sta''ed a )an
in .od 'ood> +ere youAJ
J0o> of .ourse not/J
JSo ho+ did you a..ount for his 'eing "different"A In +hat +ayAJ
JWe ; distrait/ <h> I don"t 1no+/ %ut thin1ing it over after+ards I
de.ided that there had definitey 'een so)ething/J
Poirot sighed/
JWho arrived firstAJ
JWe did> *i) and I/ And then *o.1/ And finay Margharita/J
JWhen +as Mr/ Cayton"s departure for S.otand first )entionedAJ
JWhen Margharita .a)e/ She said to CharesH "Arnod"s terri'y
sorry/ !e"s had to rush off to (din'urgh 'y the night train/" And
Chares saidH "<h> that"s too 'ad/" And then *o.1 saidH "Sorry/
Thought you aready 1ne+/" And then +e had drin1s/J
JMaDor &i.h at no ti)e )entioned seeing Mr/ Cayton that eveningA
!e said nothing of his having .aed in on his +ay to the stationAJ
J0ot that I heard/J
JIt +as strange> +as it not>J said Poirot> Ja'out that teegra)AJ
JWhat +as strangeAJ
JIt +as a fa1e/ 0o'ody in (din'urgh 1no+s anything a'out it/J
JSo that"s it/ I +ondered at the ti)e/J
J@ou have an idea a'out the teegra)AJ
JI shoud say it rather eaps to the eye/J
J!o+ do you )ean eBa.tyAJ
JMy dear )an>J said #inda/ J$on"t pay the inno.ent/ 2n1no+n
hoaBer gets the hus'and out of the +ayG For that night> at a events>
the .oast is .ear/J
J@ou )ean that MaDor &i.h and Mrs/ Cayton panned to spend the
night together/J
J@ou have heard of su.h things> haven"t youAJ
#inda oo1ed a)used/
JAnd the teegra) +as sent 'y one or the other of the)AJ
JIt +oudn"t surprise )e/J
JMaDor &i.h and Mrs/ Cayton +ere having an affair together you
thin1AJ
J#et"s say I shoudn"t 'e surprised if they +ere/ I don"t 1no+ it for a
fa.t/J
J$id Mr/ Cayton suspe.tAJ
JArnod +as an eBtraordinary person/ !e +as a 'otted up> if you
1no+ +hat I )ean/ I thin1 he did 1no+/ %ut he +as the 1ind of )an
+ho +oud never have et on/ Anyone +oud thin1 he +as a dry sti.1
+ith no feeings at a/ %ut I") pretty sure he +asn"t i1e that
underneath/ The 8ueer thing is that I shoud have 'een )u.h ess
surprised if Arnod had sta''ed Chares than the other +ay a'out/
I"ve an idea Arnod +as reay an insaney Deaous person/J
JThat is interesting/J
JThough it"s )ore i1ey> reay> that he"d have done in Margharita/
<theo ; that sort of thing/ Margharita> you 1no+> has an
eBtraordinary effe.t on )en/J
JShe is a good;oo1ing +o)an>J said Poirot +ith Dudi.ious
understate)ent/
JIt +as )ore than that/ She had so)ething/ She +oud get )en a
het up ; )ad a'out her ; and turn round and oo1 at the) +ith a sort
of +ide;eyed surprise that drove the) 'ar)y/J
J2ne fe))e fatae/J
JThat"s pro'a'y the foreign na)e for it/J
J@ou 1no+ her +eAJ
JMy dear> she"s one of )y 'est friends ; and I +oudn"t trust her an
in.h/J
JAh>J said Poirot and shifted the su'De.t to Co))ander M.#aren/
J*o.1A <d faithfuA !e"s a pet/ %orn to 'e the friend of the fa)iy/
!e and Arnod +ere reay .ose friends/ I thin1 Arnod un'ent to
hi) )ore than to anyone ese/ And of .ourse he +as Margharita"s
ta)e .at/ !e"d 'een devoted to her for years/J
JAnd +as Mr/ Cayton Deaous of hi)> tooAJ
J*eaous of *o.1A What an ideaG Margharita"s genuiney fond of
*o.1> 'ut she"s never given hi) a thought of that 1ind/ I don"t thin1>
reay> that one ever +oud/// I don"t 1no+ +hy/// It see)s a sha)e/
!e"s so ni.e/J
Poirot s+it.hed to .onsideration of the vaet/ %ut 'eyond saying
vaguey that he )iBed a very good side .ar> #inda Spen.e see)ed
to have no ideas a'out %urgess> and indeed see)ed 'arey to have
noti.ed hi)/
%ut she +as 8uite 8ui.1 in the upta1e/
J@ou"re thin1ing> I suppose> that he .oud have 1ied Arnod Dust as
easiy as Chares .oudA It see)s to )e )ady uni1ey/J
JThat re)ar1 depresses )e> )ada)e/ %ut then> it see)s to )e
9though you +i pro'a'y not agree: that it is )ady uni1ey ; not
that MaDor &i.h shoud 1i Arnod Cayton ; 'ut that he shoud 1i
hi) in Dust the +ay he did/J
JStietto stuffA @es> definitey not in .hara.ter/ More i1ey the 'unt
instru)ent/ <r he )ight have stranged hi)> perhapsAJ
Poirot sighed/
JWe are 'a.1 at <theo/ @es> <theo/// you have given )e there a
itte idea J
J!ave IA What ;J There +as the sound of a at.h1ey and an opening
door/ J<h> here"s *ere)y/ $o you +ant to ta1 to hi)> tooAJ
*ere)y Spen.e +as a peasant oo1ing )an of thirty;odd> +e
groo)ed> and a)ost ostentatiousy dis.reet/ Mrs/ Spen.e said that
she had 'etter go and have a oo1 at a .asseroe in the 1it.hen and
+ent off> eaving the t+o )en together/
*ere)y Spen.e dispayed none of the engaging .andor of his +ife/
!e +as .eary disi1ing very )u.h 'eing )iBed up in the .ase at a>
and his re)ar1s +ere .arefuy noninfor)ative/ They had 1no+n
the Caytons so)e ti)e> &i.h not so +e/ !ad see)ed a peasant
feo+/ As far as he .oud re)e)'er> &i.h had see)ed a'soutey
as usua on the evening in 8uestion/ Cayton and &i.h a+ays
see)ed on good ter)s/ The +hoe thing see)ed 8uite
una..ounta'e/
Throughout the .onversation *ere)y Spen.e +as )a1ing it .ear
that he eBpe.ted Poirot to ta1e his departure/ !e +as .ivi> 'ut ony
Dust so/
JI a) afraid>J said Poirot> Jthat you do not i1e these 8uestionsAJ
JWe> +e"ve had 8uite a session of this +ith the poi.e/ I rather fee
that"s enough/ We"ve tod a +e 1no+ or sa+/ 0o+ ; I"d i1e to forget
it/J
J@ou have )y sy)pathy/ It is )ost unpeasant to 'e )iBed up in
this/ To 'e as1ed not ony +hat you 1no+ or +hat you sa+ 'ut
perhaps even +hat you thin1AJ
J%est not to thin1/J
J%ut .an one avoid itA $o you thin1> for instan.e> that Mrs/ Cayton
+as in it> tooA $id she pan the death of her hus'and +ith &i.hAJ
J,ood ord> no/J Spen.e sounded sho.1ed and dis)ayed/ JI"d no
idea that there +as any 8uestion of su.h a thingAJ
J!as your +ife not suggested su.h a possi'iityAJ
J<h #indaG @ou 1no+ +hat +o)en are ; a+ays got their 1nife into
ea.h other/ Margharita never gets )u.h of a sho+ fro) her o+n
seB ; a darned sight too attra.tive/ %ut surey this theory a'out &i.h
and Margharita panning )urder ; that"s fantasti.GJ
JSu.h things have 'een 1no+n/ The +eapon> for instan.e/ It is the
1ind of +eapon a +o)an )ight possess> rather than a )an/J
J$o you )ean the poi.e have tra.ed it to herc they .an"t haveG I
)ean ;J
JI 1no+ nothing>J said Poirot truthfuy> and es.aped hastiy/
Fro) the .onsternation on Spen.e"s fa.e> he Dudged that he had eft
that gente)an so)ething to thin1 a'outG
J@ou +i forgive )y saying> M/ Poirot> that I .annot see ho+ you .an
'e of assistan.e to )e in any +ay/J
Poirot did not ans+er/ !e +as oo1ing thoughtfuy at the )an +ho
had 'een .harged +ith the )urder of his friend Arnod Cayton/
!e +as oo1ing at the fir) Da+> the narro+ head/ A ean 'ro+n )an>
atheti. and sine+y/ So)ething of the greyhound a'out hi)/ A )an
+hose fa.e gave nothing a+ay> and +ho +as re.eiving his visitor
+ith a )ar1ed a.1 of .ordiaity/
JI 8uite understand that Mrs/ Cayton sent you to see )e +ith the
'est intentions/ %ut 8uite fran1y> I thin1 she +as un+ise/ 2n+ise
'oth for her o+n sa1e and )ine/J
J@ou )eanAJ
&i.h gave a nervous gan.e over his shouder/ %ut the attendant
+arder +as the reguation distan.e a+ay/ &i.h o+ered his voi.e/
JThey"ve got to find a )otive for this ridi.uous a..usation/ They"
try to 'ring that there +as an ; asso.iation 'et+een Mrs/ Cayton
and )ysef/ That> as I 1no+ Mrs/ Cayton +i have tod you> is 8uite
untrue/ We are friends> nothing )ore/ %ut surey it is advisa'e that
she shoud )a1e no )ove on )y 'ehaf/J
!er.ue Poirot ignored the point/ Instead he pi.1ed out a +ord/
J@ou said this "ridi.uous" a..usation/ %ut it is not that> you 1no+/J
JI did not 1i Arnod Cayton/J
JCa it then a fase a..usation/ Say the a..usation is not true/ %ut it
is not ridi.uous/ <n the .ontrary> it is highy pausi'e/ @ou )ust
1no+ that very +e/J
JI .an ony te you that to )e it see)s fantasti./J
JSaying that +i 'e of very itte use to you/ We )ust thin1 of
so)ething )ore usefu than that/J
JI a) represented 'y soi.itors/ They have 'riefed> I understand>
e)inent .ounse to appear for )y defen.e/ I .annot a..ept your
use of the +ord "+e/"J
2neBpe.tedy Poirot s)ied/
JAh>J he said> in his )ost foreign )anner> Jthat is the fea in the ear
you give )e/ 7ery +e/ I go/ I +anted to see you/ I have seen you/
Aready I have oo1ed up your .areer/ @ou passed high up into
Sandhurst/ @ou passed into the Staff Coege/ And so on and so on/ I
have )ade )y o+n Dudge)ent of you today/ @ou are not a stupid
)an/J
JAnd +hat has a that got to do +ith itAJ
J(verythingG It is i)possi'e that a )an of your a'iity shoud
.o))it a )urder in the +ay this one +as .o))itted/ 7ery +e/ @ou
are inno.ent/ Te )e no+ a'out your )anservant %urgess/J
J%urgessAJ
J@es/ If you didn"t 1i Cayton> %urgess )ust have done so/ The
.on.usion see)s ines.apa'e/ %ut +hyA There )ust 'e a "+hyA"
@ou are the ony person +ho 1no+s %urgess +e enough to )a1e a
guess at it/ Why> MaDor &i.h> +hyAJ
JI .an"t i)agine/ I si)py .an"t see it/ <h> I"ve foo+ed the sa)e ine
of reasoning as you have/ @es> %urgess had opportunity ; the ony
person +ho had eB.ept )ysef/ The trou'e is> I Dust .an"t 'eieve it/
%urgess is not the sort of )an you .an i)agine )urdering
any'ody/J
JWhat do your ega advisers thin1AJ
&i.h"s ips set in a gri) ine/
JMy ega advisers spend their ti)e as1ing )e> in a persuasive +ay>
if it isn"t true that I have suffered a )y ife fro) 'a.1outs +hen I
don"t reay 1no+ +hat I a) doingGJ
JAs 'ad as that>J said Poirot/ JWe> perhaps +e sha find it is
%urgess +ho is su'De.t to 'a.1outs/ It is a+ays an idea/ The
+eapon no+/ They sho+ed it to you and as1ed you if it +as yoursAJ
JIt +as not )ine/ I had never seen it 'efore/J
JIt +as not yours> no/ %ut are you 8uite sure you had never seen it
'eforeAJ
J0o/J Was there a faint hesitation/ JIt"s a 1ind of orna)enta toy ;
reay ; one sees things i1e that ying a'out in peope"s houses/J
JIn a +o)an"s dra+ing roo)> perhaps/ Perhaps in Mrs/ Cayton"s
dra+ing roo)AJ
JCertainy notGJ
The ast +ord .a)e out oudy and the +arder oo1ed up/
JTrSs 'ien/ Certainy not ; and there is no need to shout/ %ut
so)e+here> at so)e ti)e> you have seen so)ething very i1e it/
(hA I a) rightAJ
JI do not thin1 so/ In so)e .urio shop/// perhaps/J
JAh> very i1ey/J Poirot rose/ JI ta1e )y eave/J
JAnd no+>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jfor %urgess/ @es> at ong ast> for
%urgess/J
!e had earned so)ething a'out the peope in the .ase> fro)
the)seves and fro) ea.h other/ %ut no'ody had given hi) any
1no+edge of %urgess/ 0o .ue> no hint> of +hat 1ind of a )an he
+as/
When he sa+ %urgess he reai?ed +hy/
The vaet +as +aiting for hi) at MaDor &i.h"s fat> apprised of his
arriva 'y a teephone .a fro) Co))ander M.#aren/
JI a) M/ !er.ue Poirot/J
J@es> sir> I +as eBpe.ting you/J
%urgess hed 'a.1 the door +ith a deferentia hand and Poirot
entered/ A s)a s8uare entran.e ha> a door on the eft> open>
eading into the sitting roo)/ %urgess reieved Poirot of his hat and
.oat> and foo+ed hi) into the sitting roo)/
JAh>J said Poirot oo1ing round/ JIt +as here> then> that it
happenedAJ
J@es> sir/J
A 8uiet feo+> %urgess> +hite;fa.ed> a itte +eedy/ A+1+ard
shouders and e'o+s/ A fat voi.e +ith a provin.ia a..ent that
Poirot did not 1no+/ Fro) the east .oast> perhaps/ &ather a
nervous )an> perhaps ; 'ut other+ise no definite .hara.teristi.s/ It
+as hard to asso.iate hi) +ith positive a.tion of any 1ind/ Coud
one postuate a negative 1ierA
!e had those pae 'ue> rather shifty eyes that o'servant peope
often e8uate +ith dishonesty/ @et a iar .an oo1 you in the fa.e +ith
a 'od and .onfident eye/
JWhat is happening to the fatAJ Poirot in8uired/
JI") sti oo1ing after it> sir/ MaDor &i.h arranged for )y pay and to
1eep it ni.e unti ; unti ;J
The eyes shifted un.o)forta'y/
J2nti ;J agreed Poirot/
!e added in a )atter;of;fa.t )annerH JI shoud say that MaDor &i.h
+i a)ost .ertainy 'e .o))itted for tria/ The .ase +i .o)e up
pro'a'y +ithin three )onths/J
%urgess shoo1 his head> not in denia> si)py in perpeBity/
JIt reay doesn"t see) possi'e>J he said/
JThat MaDor &i.h shoud 'e a )urdererAJ
JThe +hoe thing/ That .hest ;J
!is eyes +ent a.ross the roo)/
JAh> so that is the fa)ous .hestAJ
It +as a )a))oth pie.e of furniture of very dar1 poished +ood>
studded +ith 'rass> +ith a great 'rass hasp and anti8ue o.1/
JA handso)e affair/J Poirot +ent over to it/
It stood against the +a near the +indo+> neBt to a )odern .a'inet
for hoding re.ords/ <n the other side of it +as a door> haf aDar/ The
door +as party )as1ed 'y a 'ig painted eather s.reen/
JThat eads into MaDor &i.h"s 'edroo)>J said %urgess/
Poirot nodded/ !is eyes traveed to the other side of the roo)/
There +ere t+o stereophoni. re.ord payers> ea.h on a o+ ta'e>
traiing sna1e;i1e ee.tri.a .ord/ There +ere easy .hairs ; a 'ig
ta'e/ <n the +as +ere a set of *apanese prints/ It +as a
handso)e roo)> .o)forta'e> 'ut not uBurious/
!e oo1ed 'a.1 at Wiia) %urgess/
JThe dis.overy>J he said 1indy> J)ust have 'een a great sho.1 to
you/J
J<h it +as> sir/ I" never forget it/J The vaet rushed into spee.h/
Words poured fro) hi)/ !e fet> perhaps> that 'y teing the story
often enough> he )ight at ast eBpunge it fro) his )ind/
JI"d gone round the roo)> sir/ Cearing up/ ,asses and so on/ I"d
Dust stooped to pi.1 up a .oupe of oives off the foor ; and I sa+ it ;
on the rug> a rusty dar1 stain/ 0o> the rug"s gone no+/ To the
.eaners/ The poi.e had done +ith it/ Whatever"s thatA I thought/
Saying to )ysef> a)ost in Do1e i1eH "&eay it )ight 'e 'oodG %ut
+here does it .o)e fro)A What got spiedA" And then I sa+ it +as
fro) the .hest ; do+n the side> here> +here there"s a .ra.1/ And I
said> sti not thin1ing anything> "We +hatever ;A" And I ifted up the
id i1e this ;J 9he suited the a.tion to the +ord: Jand there it +as the
'ody of a )an ying on his side dou'ed up ; i1e he )ight 'e aseep/
And that nasty foreign 1nife or dagger thing sti.1ing up out of his
ne.1/ I" never forget it ; neverG 0ot as ong as I iveG The sho.1 ; not
eBpe.ting it> you understandcJ
!e 'reathed deepy/
JI et the id fa and I ran out of the fat and do+n to the street/
#oo1ing for a poi.e)an ; and u.1y> I found one ; Dust round the
.orner/J
Poirot regarded hi) refe.tivey/ The perfor)an.e> if it +as a
perfor)an.e> +as very good/ !e 'egan to 'e afraid that it +as not a
perfor)an.e ; that it +as Dust ho+ things had happened/
J@ou did not thin1 of a+a1ening first MaDor &i.hAJ he as1ed/
JIt never o..urred to )e> sir/ What +ith the sho.1> I ; I Dust +anted
to get out of here ;J he s+ao+ed ; Jand ; and get hep/J
Poirot nodded/
J$id you reai?e that it +as Mr/ CaytonAJ he as1ed/
JI ought to have> sir> 'ut you 1no+> I don"t 'eieve I did/ <f .ourse>
as soon as I got 'a.1 +ith the poi.e offi.er> I said "Why> it"s Mr/
CaytonG" And he says "Who"s Mr/ CaytonA" And I saysH "!e +as here
ast night/"J
JAh>J said Poirot> Jast night/ $o you re)e)'er eBa.ty +hen it +as
Mr/ Cayton arrived hereAJ
J0ot to the )inute/ %ut as near as not a 8uarter to eight> I"d say/J
J@ou 1ne+ hi) +eAJ
J!e and Mrs/ Cayton had 'een here 8uite fre8uenty during the
year and a haf I"ve 'een e)poyed here/J
J$id he see) 8uite as usuaAJ
JI thin1 so/ A itte out of 'reath ; 'ut I too1 it he"d 'een hurrying/ !e
+as .at.hing a train> or so he said/J
J!e had a 'ag +ith hi)> I suppose> as he +as going to S.otandAJ
J0o> sir/ I i)agine he +as 1eeping a taBi do+n 'eo+/J
JWas he disappointed to find that MaDor &i.h +as outAJ
J0ot to noti.e/ *ust said he"d s.ri''e a note/ !e .a)e in here and
+ent over to the des1 and I +ent 'a.1 to the 1it.hen/ I +as a itte
'ehindhand +ith the an.hovy eggs/ The 1it.hen"s at the end of the
passage and you don"t hear very +e fro) there/ I didn"t hear hi)
go out or the )aster .o)e in ; 'ut then I +oudn"t eBpe.t to/J
JAnd the neBt thing ;J
JMaDor &i.h .aed )e/ !e +as standing in the door here/ !e said
he"d forgotten Mrs/ Spen.e"s Tur1ish .igarettes/ I +as to hurry out
and get the)/ So I did/ I 'rought the) 'a.1 and put the) on the
ta'e in here/ <f .ourse I too1 it that Mr/ Cayton had eft 'y then to
get his train/J
JAnd no'ody ese .a)e to the fat during the ti)e MaDor &i.h +as
out and you +ere in the 1it.henAJ
J0o> sir ; no one/J
JCan you 'e sure of thatAJ
J!o+ .oud anyone> sirA They"d have had to ring the 'e/J
Poirot shoo1 his head/ !o+ .oud anyoneA The Spen.es and
M.#aren and aso Mrs/ Cayton .oud> he aready 1ne+> a..ount for
every )inute of their ti)e/ M.#aren had 'een +ith a.8uaintan.es
at the .u'> the Spen.es had had a .oupe of friends in for a drin1
'efore starting/ Margharita Cayton had ta1ed to a friend on the
teephone at Dust that period/ 0ot that he thought of any of the) as
possi'iities/ There +oud have 'een 'etter +ays of 1iing Arnod
Cayton than foo+ing hi) to a fat +ith a )anservant there and the
host returning any )o)ent/ 0o> he had had a ast )inute hope of a
J)ysterious strangerJG So)eone out of Cayton"s apparenty
i)pe..a'e past> re.ogni?ing hi) in the street> foo+ing hi) here/
Atta.1ing hi) +ith the stietto> thrusting the 'ody into the .hest>
and feeing/ Pure )eodra)a> unreated to reason or to
pro'a'iitiesG In tune +ith ro)anti. histori.a fi.tions ; )at.hing the
Spanish .hest/
!e +ent 'a.1 a.ross the roo) to the .hest/ !e raised the id/ It
.a)e up easiy> noiseessy/ In a faint voi.e> %urgess saidH JIt"s
'een s.ru''ed out> sir> I sa+ to that/J
Poirot 'ent over it/ With a faint eB.a)ation he 'ent o+er/ !e
eBpored +ith his fingers/
JThese hoes ; at the 'a.1 and one side ; they oo1 ; they fee> as
though they had 'een )ade 8uite re.enty/J
J!oes> sirAJ The vaet 'ent to see/ JI reay .oudn"t say/ I"ve never
noti.ed the) parti.uary/J
JThey are not very o'vious/ %ut they are there/ What is their
purpose> +oud you sayAJ
JI reay +oudn"t 1no+> sir/ So)e ani)a> perhaps ; I )ean a 'eete>
so)ething of that 1ind/ So)ething that gna+s +oodAJ
JSo)e ani)aAJ said Poirot/ JI +onder/J
!e stepped 'a.1 a.ross the roo)/
JWhen you .a)e in here +ith the .igarettes> +as there anything at
a a'out this roo) that oo1ed differentA Anything at aA Chairs
)oved> ta'e> so)ething of that 1indAJ
JIt"s odd your saying that> sir/// 0o+ you .o)e to )ention it> there
+as/ That s.reen there that .uts off the draft fro) the 'edroo)
door> it +as )oved over a 'it )ore to the eft/J
J#i1e thisAJ Poirot )oved s+ifty/
JA itte )ore sti/// That"s right/J
The s.reen had aready )as1ed a'out haf of the .hest/ The +ay it
+as no+ arranged> it a)ost hid the .hest atogether/
JWhy did you thin1 it had 'een )ovedAJ
JI didn"t thin1> sir/J
9Another Miss #e)onG:
%urgess added dou'tfuyH
JI suppose it eaves the +ay into the 'edroo) .earer ; if the adies
+anted to eave their +raps/J
JPerhaps/ %ut there )ight 'e another reason/J %urgess oo1ed
in8uiring/ JThe s.reen hides the .hest no+> and it hides the rug
'eo+ the .hest/ If MaDor &i.h sta''ed Mr/ Cayton> 'ood +oud
presenty start dripping through the .ra.1s at the 'ase of the .hest/
So)eone )ight noti.e ; as you noti.ed the neBt )orning/ So ; the
s.reen +as )oved/J
JI never thought of that> sir/J
JWhat are the ights i1e here> strong or di)AJ
JI" sho+ you> sir/J
4ui.1y> the vaet dre+ the .urtains and s+it.hed on a .oupe of
a)ps/ They gave a soft )eo+ ight> hardy strong enough even to
read 'y/ Poirot gan.ed up at a .eiing ight/
JThat +asn"t on> sir/ It"s very itte used/J
Poirot oo1ed round in the soft go+/ The vaet saidH
JI don"t 'eieve you"d see any 'oodstains> sir> it"s too di)/J
JI thin1 you are right/ So> then> +hy +as the s.reen )ovedAJ
%urgess shivered/
JIt"s a+fu to thin1 of ; a ni.e gente)an i1e MaDor &i.h doing a
thing i1e that/J
J@ou"ve no dou't that he did do itA Why did he do it> %urgessAJ
JWe> he"d 'een through the +ar> of .ourse/ !e )ight have had a
head +ound> )ightn"t heA They do say as so)eti)es it a fares up
years after+ards/ They suddeny go a 8ueer and don"t 1no+ +hat
they"re doing/ And they say as often as not> it"s their nearest and
dearest as they goes for/ $o you thin1 it .oud have 'een i1e thatAJ
Poirot ga?ed at hi)/ !e sighed/ !e turned a+ay/ J0o>J he said> Jit
+as not i1e that/J
With the air of a .onDuror> a pie.e of .risp paper +as insinuated into
%urgess"s hand/
J<h than1 you> sir> 'ut reay I don"t ;J
J@ou have heped )e>J said Poirot/ J%y sho+ing )e this roo)/ %y
sho+ing )e +hat is in the roo)/ %y sho+ing )e +hat too1 pa.e
that evening/ The i)possi'e is never i)possi'eG &e)e)'er that/ I
said that there +ere ony t+o possi'iities ; I +as +rong/ There is a
third possi'iity/J !e oo1ed round the roo) again and gave a itte
shiver/ JPu 'a.1 the .urtains/ #et in the ight and the air/ This roo)
needs it/ It needs .eansing/ It +i 'e a ong ti)e> I thin1> 'efore it is
purified fro) +hat affi.ts it ; the ingering )e)ory of hate/J
%urgess> his )outh open> handed Poirot his hat and .oat/ !e
see)ed 'e+idered/ Poirot> +ho enDoyed )a1ing in.o)prehensi'e
state)ents> +ent do+n to the street +ith a 'ris1 step/
When Poirot got ho)e> he )ade a teephone .a to Inspe.tor Mier/
JWhat happened to Cayton"s 'agA !is +ife said he had pa.1ed
one/J
JIt +as at the .u'/ !e eft it +ith the porter/ Then he )ust have
forgotten it and gone off +ithout it/J
JWhat +as in itAJ
JWhat you"d eBpe.t/ PyDa)as> eBtra shirt> +ashing things/J
J7ery thorough/J
JWhat did you eBpe.t +oud 'e in itAJ
Poirot ignored that 8uestion/ !e saidH
JA'out the stietto/ I suggest that you get hod of +hatever .eaning
+o)an attends Mrs/ Spen.e"s house/ Find out if she ever sa+
anything i1e it ying a'out there/J
JMrs/ Spen.eAJ Mier +histed/ JIs that the +ay your )ind is
+or1ingA The Spen.es +ere sho+n the stietto/ They didn"t
re.ogni?e it/J
JAs1 the) again/J
J$o you )ean ;J
JAnd then et )e 1no+ +hat they say/J
JI .an"t i)agine +hat you thin1 you have got hod of/J
J&ead <theo> Mier/ Consider the .hara.ters in <theo/ We"ve
)issed out one of the)/J
!e rang off/ 0eBt he diaed #ady Chatterton/ The nu)'er +as
engaged/
!e tried again a itte ater/ Sti no su..ess/ !e .aed for ,eorge>
his vaet> and instru.ted hi) to .ontinue ringing the nu)'er unti he
got a repy/ #ady Chatterton> he 1ne+> +as an in.orrigi'e
teephoner/
!e sat do+n in a .hair> .arefuy eased off his patent eather shoes>
stret.hed his toes> and eaned 'a.1/
JI a) od>J said !er.ue Poirot/ JI tire easiy///J !e 'rightened/ J%ut
the .es ; they sti fun.tion/ So+y ; 'ut they fun.tion/ <theo> yes/
Who +as it said that to )eA Ah yes> Mrs/ Spen.e/ The 'ag/// the
s.reen/// the 'ody> ying there i1e a )an aseep/ A .ever )urder/
Pre)editated> panned/// I thin1> enDoyedG//J
,eorge announ.ed to hi) that #ady Chatterton +as on the ine/
J!er.ue Poirot here> )ada)e/ May I spea1 to your guestAJ
JWhy> of .ourseG <h M/ Poirot> have you done so)ething
+onderfuAJ
J0ot yet>J said Poirot/ J%ut possi'y> it )ar.hes/J
Presenty Margharita"s voi.e ; 8uiet> gente/
JMada)e> +hen I as1ed you if you noti.ed anything out of pa.e
that evening at the party> you fro+ned> as though you re)e)'ered
so)ething ; and then it es.aped you/ Woud it have 'een the
position of the s.reen that nightAJ
JThe s.reenA Why> of .ourse> yes/ It +as not 8uite in its usua
pa.e/J
J$id you dan.e that nightAJ
JPart of the ti)e/J
JWho did you dan.e +ith )ostyAJ
J*ere)y Spen.e/ !e"s a +onderfu dan.er/ Chares is good 'ut not
spe.ta.uar/ !e and #inda dan.ed> and no+ and then +e .hanged/
*o.1 M.#aren doesn"t dan.e/ !e got out the re.ords and sorted
the) and arranged +hat +e"d have/J
J@ou had serious )usi. aterAJ
J@es/J
There +as a pause/ Then Margharita saidH
JM/ Poirot> +hat is ; a thisA !ave you ; is there ; hopeAJ
J$o you ever 1no+> )ada)e> +hat the peope around you are
feeingAJ
!er voi.e> fainty surprised> saidH
JI ; suppose so/J
JI suppose not/ I thin1 you have no idea/ I thin1 that is the tragedy of
your ife/ %ut the tragedy is for other peope ; not for you/
JSo)eone today )entioned to )e <theo/ I as1ed you if your
hus'and +as Deaous> and you said you thought he )ust 'e/ %ut you
said it 8uite ighty/ @ou said it as $esde)ona )ight have said it> not
reai?ing danger/ She> too> re.ogni?ed Deaousy> 'ut she did not
understand it> 'e.ause she hersef never had> and never .oud>
eBperien.e Deaousy/ She +as> I thin1> 8uite una+are of the for.e of
a.ute physi.a passion/ She oved her hus'and +ith the ro)anti.
fervor of hero +orship> she oved her friend Cassio> 8uite
inno.enty> as a .ose .o)panion/ I thin1 that 'e.ause of her
i))unity to passion> she hersef drove )en )ad/ A) I )a1ing
sense to you> )ada)eAJ
There +as a pause ; and then Margharita"s voi.e ans+ered/ Coo>
s+eet> a itte 'e+ideredH
JI don"t ; I don"t reay understand +hat you are saying ;J
Poirot sighed/
!e spo1e in )atter;of;fa.t tones/ JThis evening>J he said> JI pay you
a visit/J
Inspe.tor Mier +as not an easy )an to persuade/ %ut e8uay
!er.ue Poirot +as not an easy )an to sha1e off unti he had got his
+ay/ Inspe.tor Mier gru)'ed> 'ut .apituated/
J; though +hat #ady Chatterton"s got to do +ith this ;J
J0othing> reay/ She has provided asyu) for a friend> that is a/J
JA'out those Spen.es ; ho+ did you 1no+AJ
JThat stietto .a)e fro) thereA It +as a )ere guess/ So)ething
*ere)y Spen.e said gave )e the idea/ I suggested that the stietto
'eonged to Margharita Cayton/ !e sho+ed that he 1ne+ positivey
that it did not/J !e paused/ JWhat did they sayAJ he as1ed +ith
so)e .uriosity/
JAd)itted that it +as very i1e a toy dagger they"d on.e had/ %ut it
had 'een )isaid so)e +ee1s ago> and they had reay forgotten
a'out it/ I suppose &i.h pin.hed it fro) there/J
JA )an +ho i1es to pay safe> Mr/ *ere)y Spen.e>J said !er.ue
Poirot/ !e )uttered to hi)sefH JSo)e +ee1s ago/ <h yes> the
panning 'egan a ong ti)e ago/J
J(h> +hat"s thatAJ
JWe arrive>J said Poirot/ The taBi dre+ up at #ady Chatterton"s
house in Cheriton Street/ Poirot paid the fare/
Margharita Cayton +as +aiting for the) in the roo) upstairs/ !er
fa.e hardened +hen she sa+ Mier/
JI didn"t 1no+ ;J
J@ou did not 1no+ +ho the friend +as I proposed to 'ringAJ
JInspe.tor Mier is not a friend of )ine/J
JThat rather depends on +hether you +ant to see Dusti.e done or
not> Mrs/ Cayton/ @our hus'and +as )urdered ;J
JAnd no+ +e have to ta1 of +ho 1ied hi)>J said Poirot 8ui.1y/
JMay +e sit do+n> )ada)eAJ
So+y Margharita sat do+n in a high;'a.1ed .hair fa.ing the t+o
)en/
JI as1>J said Poirot> addressing 'oth his hearers> Jto isten to )e
patienty/ I thin1 I no+ 1no+ +hat happened on that fata evening at
MaDor &i.h"s fat/ We started> a of us> 'y an assu)ption that +as
not true ; the assu)ption that there +ere ony t+o persons +ho had
the opportunity of putting the 'ody in the .hest ; that is to say>
MaDor &i.h or Wiia) %urgess/ %ut +e +ere +rong ; there +as a
third person at the fat that evening +ho had an e8uay good
opportunity to do so/J
JAnd +ho +as thatAJ de)anded Mier s.epti.ay/ JThe ift 'oyAJ
J0o/ Arnod Cayton/J
JWhatA Con.eaed his o+n dead 'odyA @ou"re .ra?y/J
J0aturay not a dead 'ody ; a ive one/ In si)pe ter)s> he hid
hi)sef in the .hest/ A thing that has often 'een done throughout
the .ourse of history/ The dead 'ride in the Mistetoe %ough>
Ia.hi)o +ith designs on the virtue of I)ogen> and so on/ I thought
of it as soon as I sa+ that there had 'een hoes 'ored in the .hest
8uite re.enty/ WhyA They +ere )ade so that there )ight 'e a
suffi.ien.y of air in the .hest/ Why +as the s.reen )oved fro) its
usua position that eveningA So as to hide the .hest fro) the peope
in the roo)/ So that the hidden )an .oud ift the id fro) ti)e to
ti)e and reieve his .ra)p> and hear 'etter +hat +ent on/J
J%ut +hy>J de)anded Margharita +ide;eyed +ith astonish)ent/
JWhy shoud Arnod +ant to hide in the .hestAJ
JIs it you +ho as1 that> )ada)eA @our hus'and +as a Deaous )an/
!e +as aso an inarti.uate )an/ "%otted up>" as your friend Mrs/
Spen.e put it/ !is Deaousy )ounted/ It tortured hi)G Were you or
+ere you not &i.h"s )istressA !e did not 1no+G !e had to 1no+G So
; a "teegra) fro) S.otand>" the teegra) that +as never sent and
that no one ever sa+G The overnight 'ag is pa.1ed and
.onvenienty forgotten at the .u'/ !e goes to the fat at a ti)e
+hen he has pro'a'y as.ertained &i.h +i 'e out/ !e tes the
vaet he +i +rite a note/ As soon as he is eft aone> he 'ores the
hoes in the .hest> )oves the s.reen> and .i)'s inside the .hest/
Tonight he +i 1no+ the truth/ Perhaps his +ife +i stay 'ehind the
others> perhaps she +i go 'ut .o)e 'a.1 again/ That night the
desperate> Deaousy ra.1ed )an +i 1no+cJ
J@ou"re not saying he sta''ed hi)sefAJ Mier"s voi.e +as
in.reduous/ J0onsenseGJ
J<h no> so)eone ese sta''ed hi)/ So)e'ody +ho 1ne+ he +as
there/ It +as )urder a right/ Carefuy panned> ong pre)editated
)urder/ Thin1 of the other .hara.ters in <theo/ It is Iago +e
shoud have re)e)'ered/ Su'te poisoning of Arnod Cayton"s
)indI hints> suspi.ions/ !onest Iago> the faithfu friend> the )an you
a+ays 'eieveG Arnod Cayton 'eieved hi)/ Arnod Cayton et his
Deaousy 'e payed upon> 'e roused to fever pit.h/ Was the pan of
hiding in the .hest Arnod"s o+n ideaA !e )ay have thought it +as ;
pro'a'y he did thin1 soG And so the s.ene is set/ The stietto>
8uiety a'stra.ted so)e +ee1s earier> is ready/ The evening
.o)es/ The ights are o+> the gra)ophone is paying> t+o .oupes
dan.e> the odd )an out is 'usy at the re.ord .a'inet> .ose to the
Spanish .hest and its )as1ing s.reen/ To sip 'ehind the s.reen>
ift the id and stri1e ; Auda.ious> 'ut 8uiet easyGJ
JCayton +oud have .ried outGJ
J0ot if he +ere drugged>J said Poirot/ JA..ording to the vaet> the
'ody +as "ying i1e a )an aseep/" Cayton +as aseep> drugged 'y
the ony )an +ho .oud have drugged hi)> the )an he had had a
drin1 +ith at the .u'/J
J*o.1AJ Margharita"s voi.e rose high in .hidi1e surprise/ J*o.1A
0ot dear od *o.1/ Why> I"ve 1no+n *o.1 a )y ifeG Why on earth
shoud *o.1///AJ
Poirot turned on her/
JWhy did t+o Itaians fight a dueA Why did a young )an shoot
hi)sefA *o.1 M.#aren is an inarti.uate )an/ !e has resigned
hi)sef> perhaps> to 'eing the faithfu friend to you and your
hus'and> 'ut then .o)es MaDor &i.h as +e/ It is too )u.hG In the
dar1ness of hate and desire> he pans +hat is +e nigh the perfe.t
)urder ; a dou'e )urder> for he is a)ost .ertain to 'e found guity
of it/ And +ith &i.h and your hus'and 'oth out of the +ay ; he thin1s
that at ast you )ay turn to hi)/ And perhaps> )ada)e> you +oud
have done/// (hAJ
She +as staring at hi)> +ide;eyed> horror;stru.1/ A)ost
un.ons.iousy she 'reathedH
JPerhaps/// I don"t 1no+///J
Inspe.tor Mier spo1e +ith sudden authority/
JThis is a very +e> Poirot/ It"s a theory> nothing )ore/ There"s not
a shred of eviden.e> pro'a'y not a +ord of it is true/J
JIt is a true/J
J%ut there"s no eviden.e/ There"s nothing +e .an a.t on/J
J@ou are +rong/ I thin1 that M.#aren> if this is put to hi)> +i ad)it
it/ That is> if it is )ade .ear to hi) that Margharita Cayton
1no+s///J
Poirot paused and addedH
J%e.ause> on.e he 1no+s that> he has ost/ The perfe.t )urder has
'een in vain/J
T!( 20$(& $<,
#iy Margrave s)oothed her goves out on her 1nee +ith a nervous
gesture> and darted a gan.e at the o..upant of the 'ig .hair
opposite her/
She had heard of M/ !er.ue Poirot> the +e;1no+n investigator>
'ut this +as the first ti)e she had seen hi) in the fesh/
The .o)i.> a)ost ridi.uous> aspe.t that he presented distur'ed
her .on.eption of hi)/ Coud this funny itte )an> +ith the eggshaped
head and the enor)ous )usta.hes> reay do the +onderfu
things that +ere .ai)ed for hi)A !is o..upation at the )o)ent
stru.1 her as parti.uary .hidish/ !e +as piing s)a 'o.1s of
.oored +ood one upon the other> and see)ed far )ore interested
in the resut than in the story she +as teing/
At her sudden sien.e> ho+ever> he oo1ed sharpy a.ross at her/
JMade)oisee> .ontinue> I pray of you/ It is not that I do not attendI
I attend very .arefuy> I assure you/J
!e 'egan on.e )ore to pie the itte 'o.1s of +ood one upon the
other> +hie the gir"s voi.e too1 up the tae again/ It +as a
grueso)e tae> a tae of vioen.e and tragedy> 'ut the voi.e +as so
.a) and une)otiona> the re.ita +as so .on.ise that so)ething of
the savor of hu)anity see)ed to have 'een eft out of it/
She stopped at ast/
JI hope>J she said anBiousy> Jthat I have )ade everything .ear/J
Poirot nodded his head severa ti)es in e)phati. assent/ Then he
s+ept his hand a.ross the +ooden 'o.1s> s.attering the) over the
ta'e> and> eaning 'a.1 in his .hair> his fingertips pressed together
and his eyes on the .eiing> he 'egan to re.apituate/
JSir &eu'en Ast+e +as )urdered ten days ago/ <n Wednesday>
the day 'efore yesterday> his nephe+> Chares #everson> +as
arrested 'y the poi.e/ The fa.ts against hi) as far as you 1no+ are
; you +i .orre.t )e if I a) +rong> Made)oisee/
JSir &eu'en +as sitting up ate +riting in his o+n spe.ia san.tu)>
the To+er roo)/ Mr #everson .a)e in ate> etting hi)sef in +ith a
at.h 1ey/ !e +as overheard 8uarreing +ith his un.e 'y the 'uter>
+hose roo) +as dire.ty 'eo+ the To+er roo)/ The 8uarre ended
+ith a sudden thud as of a .hair 'eing thro+n over and a hafs)othered
.ry/
JThe 'uter +as aar)ed> and thought of getting up to see +hat +as
the )atter> 'ut as a fe+ se.onds ater he heard Mr #everson eave
the roo) gaiy +histing a tune> he thought nothing )ore of it/ <n
the foo+ing )orning> ho+ever> a house)aid dis.overed Sir
&eu'en dead 'y his des1/ !e had 'een stru.1 do+n 'y so)e heavy
instru)ent/ The 'uter> I gather> did not at on.e te the story to the
poi.e/ That +as natura> I thin1> eh> Made)oiseeAJ
The sudden 8uestion )ade #iy Margrave start/
JI 'eg your pardonAJ she said/
J<ne oo1s for hu)anity in these )atters> does one notAJ said the
itte )an/ JAs you re.ited the story to )e ; so ad)ira'y> so
.on.isey ; you )ade of the a.tors in the dra)a )a.hines ;
puppets/ %ut )e> I oo1 a+ays for hu)an nature/ I say to )ysef>
this 'uter> this ; +hat did you say his na)e +asAJ
J!is na)e is Parsons/J
JThis Parsons> then> he +i have the .hara.teristi.s of his .ass> he
+i o'De.t very strongy to the poi.e> he +i te the) as itte as
possi'e/ A'ove a> he +i say nothing that )ight see) to
in.ri)inate a )e)'er of the househod/ A house'rea1er> a 'urgar>
he +i .ing to that idea +ith a the strength of eBtre)e o'stina.y/
@es> the oyaties of the servant .ass are an interesting study/J
!e eaned 'a.1 'ea)ing/
JIn the )eanti)e>J he +ent on> Jeveryone in the househod has tod
his or her tae> Mr #everson a)ong the rest> and his tae +as that he
had .o)e in ate and gone up to 'ed +ithout seeing his un.e/J
JThat is +hat he said/J
JAnd no one sa+ reason to dou't that tae>J )used Poirot> JeB.ept>
of .ourse> Parsons/ Then there .o)es do+n an inspe.tor fro)
S.otand @ard> Inspe.tor Mier you said> did you notA I 1no+ hi)> I
have .o)e a.ross hi) on.e or t+i.e in the past/ !e is +hat they
.a the sharp )an> the ferret> the +ease/
J@es I 1no+ hi)G And the sharp Inspe.tor Mier> he sees +hat the
o.a inspe.tor has not seen> that Parsons is i at ease and
un.o)forta'e> and 1no+s so)ething that he has not tod/ (h 'ien>
he )a1es short +or1 of Parsons/ %y no+ it has 'een .eary proved
that no one 'ro1e into the house that night> that the )urderer )ust
'e oo1ed for inside the house and not outside/ And Parsons is
unhappy and frightened> and fees very reieved to have his se.ret
1no+edge dra+n out of hi)/
J!e has done his 'est to avoid s.anda> 'ut there are i)itsI and so
Inspe.tor Mier istens to Parsons" story> and as1s a 8uestion or
t+o> and then )a1es so)e private investigations of his o+n/ The
.ase he 'uids up is very strong ; very strong/
J%ood;stained fingers rested on the .orner of the .hest in the
To+er roo) and the fingerprints +ere those of Chares #everson/
The house)aid tod hi) she e)ptied a 'asin of 'ood;stained +ater
in Mr #everson"s roo) the )orning after the .ri)e/ !e eBpained to
her that he had .ut his finger> and he had a itte .ut there> oh yes>
'ut su.h a very itte .utG The .uff of his evening shirt had 'een
+ashed> 'ut they found 'ood stains in the seeve of his .oat/ !e
+as hard pressed for )oney> and he inherited )oney at Sir
&eu'en"s death/ <h> yes> a very strong .ase> Made)oisee>J !e
paused/
JAnd yet you .o)e to )e today/J
#iy Margrave shrugged her sender shouders/
JAs I tod you> M/ Poirot> #ady Ast+e sent )e/J
J@ou +oud not have .o)e of your o+n a..ord> ehAJ
The itte )an gan.ed at her shre+dy/ The gir did not ans+er/
J@ou do not repy to )y 8uestion/J
#iy Margrave 'egan s)oothing her goves again/
JIt is rather diffi.ut for )e> M/ Poirot/ I have )y oyaty to #ady
Ast+e to .onsider/ Stri.ty spea1ing> I a) ony her paid
.o)panion> 'ut she has treated )e )ore as though I +ere a
daughter or a nie.e/ She has 'een eBtraordinariy 1ind> and
+hatever her fauts> I shoud not i1e to appear to .riti.ise her
a.tions> or ; +e> to preDudi.e you against ta1ing up the .ase/J
JI)possi'e to preDudi.e !er.ue Poirot> .ea ne se fait pas>J
de.ared the itte )an .heeriy/ I per.eive that you thin1 #ady
Ast+e has in her 'onnet the 'u??ing 'ee/ Co)e no+> is it not soAJ
JIf I )ust say ;J
JSpea1> Made)oisee/J
JI thin1 the +hoe thing is si)py siy/J
JIt stri1es you i1e that> ehAJ
JI don"t +ant to say anything against #ady Ast+e ;J
JI .o)prehend>J )ur)ured Poirot genty/ JI .o)prehend
perfe.ty/J !is eyes invited her to go on/
JShe reay is an a+fuy good sort> and frightfuy 1ind> 'ut she isn"t
; ho+ .an I put itA She isn"t an edu.ated +o)an/ @ou 1no+ she +as
an a.tress +hen Sir &eu'en )arried her> and she has a sorts of
preDudi.es and superstitions/ If she says a thing> it )ust 'e so> and
she si)py +on"t isten to reason/ The Inspe.tor +as not very ta.tfu
+ith her> and it put her 'a.1 up/ She says it is nonsense to suspe.t
Mr #everson and Dust the sort of stupid> pigheaded )ista1e the
poi.e +oud )a1e> and that> of .ourse> dear Chares did not do it/J
J%ut she has no reasons> ehAJ
J0one +hatever/J
J!aG Is that soA &eay> no+/J
JI tod her>J said #iy> Jthat it +oud 'e no good .o)ing to you +ith a
)ere state)ent i1e that and nothing to go on/J
J@ou tod her that>J said Poirot> Jdid you reayA That is interesting/J
!is eyes s+ept over #iy Margrave in a 8ui.1 .o)prehensive
survey> ta1ing in the detais of her neat 'a.1 taior;)ade> the tou.h
of +hite at her throat> an eBpensive .rMpe de Chine 'ouse sho+ing
dainty tu.1s> and the s)art itte 'a.1 fet hat/ !e sa+ the eegan.e
of her> the pretty fa.e +ith its sighty pointed .hin> and the dar1
'ue ong;ashed eyes/ Insensi'y his attitude .hangedI he +as
interested no+> not so )u.h in the .ase as in the gir sitting
opposite hi)/
J#ady Ast+e is> I shoud i)agine> Made)oisee> Dust a trife
in.ined to 'e un'aan.ed and hysteri.aAJ
#iy Margrave nodded eagery/
JThat des.ri'es her eBa.ty/ She is> as I tod you> very 1ind> 'ut it is
i)possi'e to argue +ith her or to )a1e her see things ogi.ay/J
JPossi'y she suspe.ts so)eone on her o+n a..ount>J suggested
Poirot> Jso)eone 8uite a'surd/J
JThat is eBa.ty +hat she does do>J .ried #iy/ JShe has ta1en great
disi1e to Sir &eu'en"s se.retary> poor )an/ She says she 1no+s he
did it> and yet it has 'een proved 8uite .on.usivey that poor Mr
<+en Trefusis .annot possi'y have done it/
JAnd she has no reasonsAJ
J<f .ourse notI it is a intuition +ith her/J
#iy Margrave"s voi.e +as very s.ornfu/
JI per.eive> Made)oisee> said Poirot> s)iing> Jthat you do not
'eieve in intuitionAJ
JI thin1 it is nonsense>J repied #iy/
Poirot eaned 'a.1 in his .hair/
J#es fe))es>J he )ur)ured> Jthey i1e to thin1 that it is a spe.ia
+eapon that the good ,od has given the)> and for every on.e that
it sho+s the) the truth> at east nine ti)es it eads the) astray/J
JI 1no+>J said #iy> J'ut I have tod you +hat #ady Ast+e is i1e/
@ou si)py .annot argue +ith her/J
JSo you> Made)oisee> 'eing +ise and dis.reet> .a)e aong to )e
as you +ere 'idden> and have )anaged to put )e au .ourant of the
situation/J
So)ething in the tone of his voi.e )ade the gir oo1 up sharpy/
J<f .ourse> I 1no+>J said #iy apoogeti.ay> Jho+ very vaua'e
your ti)e is/J
J@ou are too fattering> Made)oisee>J said Poirot> J'ut indeed ;
yes> it is true> at this present ti)e I have )any .ases of )o)ent on
hand/J
JI +as afraid that )ight 'e so>J said #iy> rising/ JI +i te #ady
Ast+e ;J
%ut Poirot did not rise aso/ Instead he ay 'a.1 in his .hair and
oo1ed steadiy up at the gir/
J@ou are in haste to 'e gone> Made)oiseeA Sit do+n one )ore
itte )o)ent> I pray of you/J
!e sa+ the .oor food into her fa.e and e'' out again/ She sat
do+n on.e )ore so+y and un+iingy/
JMade)oisee is 8ui.1 and de.isive>J said Poirot/ JShe )ust )a1e
ao+an.es for an od )an i1e )ysef> +ho .o)es to his de.isions
so+y/ @ou )istoo1 )e> Made)oisee/ I did not say that I +oud not
go do+n to #ady Ast+e/J
J@ou +i .o)e> thenAJ
The gir"s tone +as fat/ She did not oo1 at Poirot> 'ut do+n at the
ground> and so +as una+are of the 1een s.rutiny +ith +hi.h he
regarded her/
JTe #ady Ast+e> Made)oisee> that I a) entirey at her servi.e/ I
+i 'e at ; Mon &epos> is it notA ; this afternoon/J
!e rose/ The gir foo+ed suit/
JI ; I +i te her/ It is very good of you to .o)e> M/ Poirot/ I a)
afraid> though> you +i find you have 'een 'rought on a +id goose
.hase/J
J7ery i1ey> 'ut ; +ho 1no+sAJ
!e sa+ her out +ith pun.tiious .ourtesy to the door/ Then he
returned to the sitting;roo)> fro+ning> deep in thought/ <n.e or
t+i.e he nodded his head> then he opened the door and .aed to
his vaet/
JMy good ,eorge> prepare )e> I pray of you> a itte vaise/ I go
do+n to the .ountry this afternoon/J
J7ery good> sir>J said ,eorge/
!e +as an eBtre)ey (ngish;oo1ing person/ Ta> .adaverous and
une)otiona/
JA young gir is a very interesting pheno)enon> ,eorge>J said
Poirot> as he dropped on.e )ore into his ar).hair and ighted a
tiny .igarette/ J(spe.iay> you understand> +hen she has 'rains/
To as1 so)eone to do a thing and at the sa)e ti)e to put the)
against doing it> that is a dei.ate operation/ It re8uires finesse/ She
+as very adroit ; oh> very adroit ; 'ut !er.ue Poirot> )y good
,eorge> is of a .everness 8uite eB.eptiona/J
JI have heard you say so> sir/J
JIt is not the se.retary she has in )ind>J )used Poirot/ J#ady
Ast+e"s a..usation of hi) she treats +ith .onte)pt/ *ust the sa)e
she is anBious that no one shoud distur' the seeping dogs/ I> )y
good ,eorge> I go to distur' the)> I go to )a1e the dogs fightG
There is a dra)a there> at Mon &epos/ A hu)an dra)a> and it
eB.ites )e/ She +as adroit> the itte one> 'ut not adroit enough/ I
+onder ; I +onder +hat I sha find thereAJ
Into the dra)ati. pause +hi.h su..eeded these +ords ,eorge"s
voi.e 'ro1e apoogeti.ayH
JSha I pa.1 dress .othes> sirAJ
Poirot oo1ed at hi) sady/
JA+ays the .on.entration> the attention to your o+n Do'/ @ou are
very good for )e> ,eorge/J
When the 4HFF dre+ up at A''ots Cross station> there des.ended
fro) it M/ !er.ue Poirot> very neaty and foppishy attired> his
)usta.hes +aBed to a stiff point/ !e gave up his ti.1et> passed
through the 'arrier> and +as a..osted 'y a ta .hauffeur/
JMr PoirotAJ
The itte )an 'ea)ed upon hi)/
JThat is )y na)e/J
JThis +ay> sir> if you pease/J
!e hed open the door of the 'ig &os &oy.e i)ousine/
The house +as a 'are three )inutes fro) the station/
The .hauffeur des.ended on.e )ore and opened the door of the
.ar> and Poirot stepped out/ The 'uter +as aready hoding the
front door open/
Poirot gave the outside of the house a s+ift appraising gan.e
'efore passing through the open door/ It +as a 'ig> soidy 'uit red
'ri.1 )ansion> +ith no pretensions to 'eauty> 'ut +ith an air of
soid .o)fort/
Poirot stepped into the ha/ The 'uter reieved hi) defty of his hat
and over.oat> then )ur)ured +ith that deferentia undertone ony
to 'e a.hieved 'y the 'est servantsH
J!er #adyship is eBpe.ting you> sir/J
Poirot foo+ed the 'uter up the soft .arpeted stairs/ This> +ithout
dou't> +as Parsons> a very +e;trained servant> +ith a )anner
suita'y devoid of e)otion/ At the top of the stair.ase he turned to
the right aong a .orridor/ !e passed through a door into a itte
anteroo)> fro) +hi.h t+o )ore doors ed/ !e thre+ open the
efthand one of these> and announ.edH
JM/ Poirot> )"ady/J
The roo) +as not a very arge one> and it +as .ro+ded +ith
furniture and 1ni.11na.1s/ A +o)an> dressed in 'a.1> got up fro)
a sofa and .a)e 8ui.1y to+ard Poirot/
JM/ Poirot>J she said +ith outstret.hed hand/ !er eye ran rapidy
over the dandified figure/ She paused a )inute> ignoring the itte
)an"s 'o+ over her hand> and his )ur)ured JMy #ady>J and then>
reeasing his hand after a sudden vigorous pressure> she
eB.ai)edH
JI 'eieve in s)a )enG They are the .ever ones/J
JInspe.tor Mier>J )ur)ured Poirot> Jis> I thin1> a ta )anAJ
J!e is a 'u)ptious idiot>J said #ady Ast+e/ JSit do+n here 'y )e>
+i you> M/ PoirotAJ
She indi.ated the sofa and +ent onH
J#iy did her 'est to put )e off sending for you> 'ut I have not .o)e
to )y ti)e of ife +ithout 1no+ing )y o+n )ind/J
JA rare a..o)pish)ent>J said Poirot> as he foo+ed her to the
settee/
#ady Ast+e setted hersef .o)forta'y a)ong the .ushions and
turned so as to fa.e hi)/
J#iy is a dear gir>J said #ady Ast+e> J'ut she thin1s she 1no+s
everything> and as often as not in )y eBperien.e those sort of
peope are +rong/ I a) not .ever> M/ Poirot> I never have 'een> 'ut
I a) right +here )any a )ore stupid person is +rong/ I 'eieve in
guidan.e/ 0o+ do you +ant )e to te you +ho is the )urderer> or
do you notA A +o)an 1no+s> M/ Poirot/J
J$oes Miss Margrave 1no+AJ
JWhat did she te youAJ as1ed #ady Ast+e sharpy/
JShe gave )e the fa.ts of the .ase/J
JThe fa.tsA <h> of .ourse they are dead against Chares> 'ut I te
you> M/ Poirot> he didn"t do it/ I 1no+ he didn"tGJ
She 'ent upon hi) an earnestness that +as a)ost dis.on.erting/
J@ou are very positive> #ady Ast+eAJ
JTrefusis 1ied )y hus'and> M/ Poirot/ I a) sure of it/J
JWhyAJ
JWhy shoud he 1i hi)> do you )ean> or +hy a) I sureA I te you I
1no+ itG I a) funny a'out those things/ I )ade up )y )ind at on.e>
and I sti.1 to it/J
J$id Mr Trefusis 'enefit in any +ay 'y Sir &eu'en"s deathAJ
J0ever eft hi) a penny>J returned #ady Ast+e pro)pty/ J0o+
that sho+s you dear &eu'en .oudn"t have i1ed or trusted hi)/J
J!ad he 'een +ith Sir &eu'en ong> thenAJ
JCose on nine years/J
JThat is a ong ti)e>J said Poirot softy> Ja very ong ti)e to re)ain
in the e)poy)ent of one )an/ @es> Mr Trefusis> he )ust have
1no+n his e)poyer +e/J
#ady Ast+e stared at hi)/
JWhat are you driving atA I don"t see +hat that has to do +ith it/J
JI +as foo+ing out a itte idea of )y o+n>J said Poirot/ JA itte
idea> not interesting> perhaps> 'ut origina> on the effe.ts of
servi.e/J
#ady Ast+e sti stared/
J@ou are very .ever> aren"t youAJ she said in rather a dou'tfu tone/
J(very'ody says so/J
!er.ue Poirot aughed/
JPerhaps you sha pay )e that .o)pi)ent> too> Mada)e> one of
these days/ %ut et us return to the )otive/ Te )e no+ of your
househod> of the peope +ho +ere here in the house on the day of
the tragedy/J
JThere +as Chares> of .ourse/J
J!e +as your hus'and"s nephe+> I understand> not yours/J
J@es> Chares +as the ony son of &eu'en"s sister/ She )arried a
.o)parativey ri.h )an> 'ut one of those .rashes .a)e ; they do in
the .ity ; and he died> and his +ife> too> and Chares .a)e to ive
+ith us/ !e +as t+enty;three at the ti)e> and going to 'e a
'arrister/ %ut +hen the trou'e .a)e> &eu'en too1 hi) into his
offi.e/J
J!e +as industrious> M/ CharesAJ
JI i1e a )an +ho is 8ui.1 on the upta1e>J said #ady Ast+e +ith a
nod of approva/ J0o> that"s Dust the trou'e> Chares +as not
industrious/ !e +as a+ays having ro+s +ith his un.e over so)e
)udde or other that he had )ade/ 0ot that poor &eu'en +as an
easy )an to get on +ith/ Many"s the ti)e I"ve tod hi) that he had
forgotten +hat it +as to 'e young hi)sef/ !e +as very different in
those days> M/ Poirot/J
#ady Ast+e heaved a sigh of re)inis.en.e/
JChanges )ust .o)e> Miady>J said Poirot/ JIt is the a+/J
JSti>J said #ady Ast+e> Jhe +as never reay rude to )e/ At east if
he +as> he +as a+ays sorry after+ard ; poor dear &eu'en/J
J!e +as diffi.ut> ehAJ said Poirot/
JI .oud a+ays )anage hi)>J said #ady Ast+e +ith the air of a
su..essfu ion ta)er/ J%ut it +as rather a+1+ard so)eti)es +hen
he +oud ose his te)per +ith the servants/ There are +ays of
doing it> and &eu'en"s +as not the right +ay/J
J!o+ eBa.ty did Sir &eu'en eave his )oney> #ady Ast+eAJ
J!af to )e ; and haf to Chares>J repied #ady Ast+e pro)pty/
JThe a+yers don"t put it si)py i1e that> 'ut that"s +hat it a)ounts
to/J
Poirot nodded his head/
JI see ; I see>J he )ur)ured/ J0o+> #ady Ast+e> I +i de)and of
you that you +i des.ri'e to )e the househod/ There +as yoursef>
and Sir &eu'en"s nephe+> Mr Chares #everson> and the se.retary>
Mr <+en Trefusis> and there +as Miss #iy Margrave/ Perhaps you
+i te )e so)ething of that young ady/J
J@ou +ant to 1no+ a'out #iyAJ
J@es> she has 'een +ith you ongAJ
JA'out a year/ I have had a ot of se.retary;.o)panions> you 1no+>
'ut so)eho+ or other they a got on )y nerves/ #iy +as different/
She +as ta.tfu and fu of .o))on sense> and 'esides she oo1s so
ni.e/ I do i1e to have a pretty fa.e a'out )e> M/ Poirot/ I a) a funny
1ind of personI I ta1e i1es and disi1es straight a+ay/ As soon as I
sa+ that gir> I said to )ysefH "She" do/"J
J$id she .o)e to you through friends> #ady Ast+eAJ
JI thin1 she ans+ered an advertise)ent/ @es ; that +as it/J
J@ou 1no+ so)ething of her peope> of +here she .o)es fro)AJ
J!er father and )other are out in India> I 'eieve/ I don"t reay 1no+
)u.h a'out the)> 'ut you .an see at a gan.e that #iy is a ady>
.an"t you> M/ PoirotAJ
J<h perfe.ty> perfe.ty/J
J<f .ourse>J +ent on #ady Ast+e> JI a) not a ady )ysef/ I 1no+
it> and the servants 1no+ it> 'ut there is nothing )ean;spirited
a'out )e/ I .an appre.iate the rea thing +hen I see it> and no one
.oud 'e ni.er than #iy has 'een to )e/ I oo1 upon that gir a)ost
as a daughter> M/ Poirot> indeed I do/J
Poirot"s right hand strayed out and straightened one or t+o of the
o'De.ts ying on a ta'e near hi)/
J$id Sir &eu'en share this feeingAJ he as1ed/
!is eyes +ere on the 1ni.11na.1s> 'ut dou'tess he noted the
pause 'efore #ady Ast+e"s ans+er .a)e/
JWith a )an it"s different/ <f .ourse they ; they got on very +e>J
JThan1 you> Mada)e>J said Poirot/ !e +as s)iing to hi)sef/
JAnd these +ere the ony peope in the house that nightAJ he as1ed>
J(B.epting> of .ourse> the servants/J
J<h> there +as 7i.tor/J
J7i.torAJ
J@es )y hus'and"s 'rother> you 1no+> and his partner/J
J!e ived +ith youAJ
J0o> he had Dust arrived on a visit/ !e has 'een out in West Afri.a
for the past fe+ years/J
JWest Afri.a>J )ur)ured Poirot/
!e had earned that #ady Ast+e .oud 'e trusted to deveop a
su'De.t hersef if suffi.ient ti)e +as given her/
JThey say it"s a +onderfu .ountry> 'ut I thin1 it"s the 1ind of pa.e
that has a very 'ad effe.t upon a )an/ They drin1 too )u.h and
they get un.ontroed/ 0one of the Ast+es has a good te)per and
7i.tor"s> sin.e he .a)e 'a.1 fro) Afri.a> has 'een si)py too
sho.1ing/ !e has frightened )e on.e or t+i.e/J
J$id he frighten Miss Margrave> I +onderAJ )ur)ured Poirot
genty/
J#iyA <h I don"t thin1 he has seen )u.h of #iy/J
Poirot )ade a note or t+o in a di)inutive note'oo1I then he put the
pen.i 'a.1 in its oop and returned the note'oo1 to his po.1et/
JI than1 you> #ady Ast+e/ I +i no+> if I )ay> intervie+ Parsons/J
JWi you have hi) up hereAJ
#ady Ast+e"s hand )oved to+ard the 'e/ Poirot arrested the
gesture 8ui.1y/
J0o> no> a thousand ti)es no/ I +i des.end to hi)/J
JIf you thin1 it is 'etter ;J
#ady Ast+e +as .eary disappointed at not 'eing a'e to
parti.ipate in the forth.o)ing s.ene/ Poirot adopted an air of
se.re.y/
JIt is essentia>J he said )ysteriousy> and eft #ady Ast+e duy
i)pressed/
!e found Parsons in the 'uter"s pantry> poishing siver/ Poirot
opened the pro.eedings +ith one of his funny itte 'o+s/
JI )ust eBpain )ysef>J he said/ JI a) a dete.tive agent/J
J@es> sir>J said Parsons> J+e gathered as )u.h/J
!is tone +as respe.tfu 'ut aoof/
J#ady Ast+e sent for )e>J .ontinued Poirot/ JShe is not satisfiedI
no> she is not satisfied at a/J
JI have heard her #adyship say so on severa o..asions>J said
Parsons/
JIn fa.t>J said Poirot> JI re.ount to you the things you aready 1no+A
(hA #et us then not +aste ti)e on these 'agatees/ Ta1e )e> if you
+i 'e so good> to your 'edroo) and te )e eBa.ty +hat it +as you
heard there on the night of the )urder/J
The 'uter"s roo) +as on the ground foor> adDoining the servants
ha/ It had 'arred +indo+s> and the strong roo) +as in one .orner
of it/ Parsons indi.ated the narro+ 'ed/
JI had retired> sir> at 11 o".o.1/ Miss Margrave had gone to 'ed>
and #ady Ast+e +as +ith Sir &eu'en in the To+er roo)/J
J#ady Ast+e +as +ith Sir &eu'enA Ah> pro.eed/J
JThe To+er roo)> sir> is dire.ty over this/ If peope are ta1ing in it
one .an hear the )ur)ur of voi.es 'ut naturay not anything that is
said/ I )ust have faen aseep a'out haf;past eeven/ It +as Dust 12
o".o.1 +hen I +as a+a1ened 'y the sound of the front door 'eing
sa))ed to and 1ne+ Mr #everson had returned/ Presenty I heard
footsteps overhead> and a )inute or t+o ater Mr #everson"s voi.e
ta1ing to Sir &eu'en/
JIt +as )y fan.y at the ti)e> sir> that Mr #everson +as ; I shoud not
eBa.ty i1e to say drun1> 'ut in.ined to 'e a itte indis.reet and
noisy/ !e +as shouting at his un.e at the top of his voi.e/ I .aught
a +ord or t+o here or there 'ut not enough to understand +hat it
+as a a'out> and then there +as a sharp .ry and a heavy thud/J
There +as a pause> and Parsons repeated the ast +ords/ JA heavy
thud>J he said i)pressivey/
JIf I )ista1e not> it is a du thud in )ost +ords of ro)an.e>J
)ur)ured Poirot/
JMay'e> sir>J said Parsons severey/ JIt +as a heavy thud I heard/J
JA thousand pardons>J said Poirot/
J$o not )ention it> sir/ After the thud in the sien.e> I heard Mr
#everson"s voi.e as pain as pain .an 'e> raised high/ "My ,od>" he
said> "My ,od>" Dust i1e that> sir/J
Parsons> fro) his first reu.tan.e to te the tae> had no+
progressed to a thorough enDoy)ent of it/ !e fan.ied hi)sef
)ightiy as a narrator/ Poirot payed up to hi)/
JMon $ieu>J he )ur)ured/ JWhat e)otion you )ust have
eBperien.edGJ
J@es> indeed> sir>J said Parsons> Jas you say> sir/ 0ot that I thought
very )u.h of it at the ti)e/ %ut it did o..ur to )e to +onder if
anything +as a)iss> and +hether I had 'etter go up and see/ I +ent
to turn the ee.tri. ight on> and +as unfortunate enough to 1no.1
over a .hair/
JI opened the door> and +ent through the servants" ha> and
opened the other door +hi.h gives on a passage/ The 'a.1 stairs
ead up fro) there> and as I stood at the 'otto) of the)> hesitating>
I heard Mr #everson"s voi.e fro) up a'ove> spea1ing hearty and
.heery;i1e/ "0o har) done> u.1iy>" he says/ ",ood night>" and I
heard hi) )ove off aong the passage to his o+n roo)> +histing/
J<f .ourse I +ent 'a.1 to 'ed at on.e/ *ust so)ething 1no.1ed
over> that"s a I thought it +as/ I as1 you> sir> +as I to thin1 Sir
&eu'en +as )urdered> +ith Mr #everson saying good night and
aAJ
J@ou are sure it +as Mr #everson"s voi.e you heardAJ
Parsons oo1ed at the itte %egian pityingy> and Poirot sa+ .eary
enough that> right or +rong> Parsons" )ind +as )ade up on this
point/
JIs there anything further you +oud i1e to as1 )e> sirAJ
JThere is one thing/J said Poirot> Jdo you i1e Mr #eversonAJ
JI ; I 'eg your pardon> sirAJ
JIt is a si)pe 8uestion/ $o you i1e Mr #eversonAJ
Parsons> fro) 'eing started at first> no+ see)ed e)'arrassed/
JThe genera opinion in the servants" ha> sir>J he said> and paused/
J%y a )eans>J said Poirot> Jput it that +ay if it peases you/J
JThe opinion is> sir> that Mr #everson is an open;handed young
gente)an> 'ut not> if I )ay say so> parti.uary inteigent> sir/J
JAhGJ said Poirot/ J$o you 1no+> Parsons> that +ithout having seen
hi)> that is aso pre.isey )y opinion of Mr #everson/J
JIndeed> sir/J
JWhat is your opinion ; I 'eg your pardon ; the opinion of the
servants" ha of the se.retaryAJ
J!e is a very 8uiet> patient gente)an> sir/ AnBious to give no
trou'e/J
J7rai)ent>J said Poirot/
The 'uter .oughed/
J!er adyship> sir>J he )ur)ured> Jis apt to 'e a itte hasty in her
Dudg)ents/J
JThen> in the opinion of the servants" ha> Mr #everson .o))itted
the .ri)eAJ
JWe none of us +ish to thin1 it +as Mr #everson>J said Parsons/
JWe ; +e> painy +e didn"t thin1 he had it in hi)> sir/J
J%ut he has a so)e+hat vioent te)per> has he notAJ as1ed Poirot/
Parsons .a)e nearer to hi)/
JIf you are as1ing )e +ho had the )ost vioent te)per in the house
;J
Poirot hed up a hand/
JAhG %ut that is not the 8uestion I shoud as1>J he said softy/ JMy
8uestion +oud 'e> +ho has the 'est te)perAJ
Parsons stared at hi) open;)outhed/
Poirot +asted no further ti)e on hi)/ With an a)ia'e itte 'o+ ; he
+as a+ays a)ia'e ; he eft the roo) and +andered out into the 'ig
s8uare ha of Mon &epos/ There he stood a )inute or t+o in
thought> then> at a sight sound that .a)e to hi)> .o.1ed his head
on one side in the )anner of a per1y ro'in> and finay> +ith
noiseess steps> .rossed to one of the doors that ed out of the ha/
!e stood in the door+ay> oo1ing into the roo)I a s)a roo)
furnished as a i'rary/ At a 'ig des1 at the further end of it sat a
thin> pae young )an 'usiy +riting/ !e had a re.eding .hin> and
+ore a pin.e;ne?/
Poirot +at.hed hi) for so)e )inutes> and then he 'ro1e the
sien.e 'y giving a .o)petey artifi.ia and theatri.a .ough/
JAhe)GJ .oughed M/ !er.ue Poirot/
The young )an at the des1 stopped +riting and turned his head/ !e
did not appear unduy started> 'ut an eBpression of perpeBity
gathered on his fa.e as he eyed Poirot/
The atter .a)e for+ard +ith a itte 'o+/
JI have the honor of spea1ing to M/ Trefusis> yesA AhG )y na)e is
Poirot> !er.ue Poirot/ @ou )ay perhaps have heard of )e/J
J<h ; er ; yes> .ertainy>J said the young )an/
Poirot eyed hi) attentivey/
<+en Trefusis +as a'out thirty;three years of age> and the
dete.tive sa+ at on.e +hy no'ody +as in.ined to treat #ady
Ast+e"s a..usation seriousy/ Mr <+en Trefusis +as a pri)>
proper young )an> disar)ingy )ee1> the type of )an +ho .an 'e>
and is> syste)ati.ay 'uied/ <ne .oud fee 8uite sure that he
+oud never dispay resent)ent/
J#ady Ast+e sent for you> of .ourse>J said the se.retary/ JShe
)entioned that she +as going to do so/ Is there any +ay in +hi.h I
.an hep youAJ
!is )anner +as poite +ithout 'eing effusive/ Poirot a..epted a
.hair> and )ur)ured gentyH
J!as #ady Ast+e said anything to you of her 'eiefs and
suspi.ionsAJ
<+en Trefusis s)ied a itte/
JAs far as that goes>J he said> JI 'eieve she suspe.ts )e/ It is
a'surd> 'ut there it is/ She has hardy spo1en a .ivi +ord to )e
sin.e> and she shrin1s against the +a as I pass 'y/J
!is )anner +as perfe.ty natura> and there +as )ore a)use)ent
than resent)ent in his voi.e/ Poirot nodded +ith an air of engaging
fran1ness/
J%et+een ourseves>J he eBpained> Jshe said the sa)e thing to )e/
I did not argue +ith her ; )e> I have )ade it a rue never to argue
+ith very positive adies/ @ou .o)prehend> it is a +aste of ti)e/J
J<h> 8uite/J
JI say> yes> Miady ; oh> perfe.ty> Miady ; pre.ise)ent> Miady/
They )ean nothing> those +ords> 'ut they soothe a the sa)e/ I
)a1e )y investigations> for though it see)s a)ost i)possi'e that
anyone eB.ept M/ #everson .oud have .o))itted the .ri)e> yet ;
+e> the i)possi'e has happened 'efore no+/J
JI understand your position perfe.ty>J said the se.retary/ JPease
regard )e as entirey at your servi.e/J
J%on>J said Poirot/ JWe understand one another/ 0o+ re.ount to
)e the events of that evening/ %etter start +ith dinner/J
J#everson +as not at dinner> as you dou'tess 1no+>J said the
se.retary/ J!e had a serious disagree)ent +ith his un.e> and +ent
off to dine at the ,of Cu'/ Sir &eu'en +as in a very 'ad te)per in
.onse8uen.e/J
J0ot too a)ia'e> .e Monsieur> ehAJ hinted Poirot dei.atey/
Trefusis aughed/
J<hG !e +as a TartarG I haven"t +or1ed +ith hi) for nine years
+ithout 1no+ing )ost of his itte +ays/ !e +as an eBtraordinariy
diffi.ut )an> M/ Poirot/ !e +oud get into .hidish fits of rage and
a'use any'ody +ho .a)e near hi)/ I +as used to it 'y that ti)e/ I
got into the ha'it of paying a'soutey no attention to anything he
said/ !e +as not 'ad;hearted reay> 'ut he .oud 'e )ost fooish
and eBasperating in his )anner/ The great thing +as never to
ans+er hi) 'a.1/J
JWere other peope as +ise as you +ere in that respe.tAJ
Trefusis shrugged his shouders/
J#ady Ast+e enDoyed a good ro+>J he said/ JShe +as not in the
east afraid of Sir &eu'en> and she a+ays stood up to hi) and gave
hi) as good as she got/ They a+ays )ade up after+ard> and Sir
&eu'en +as reay devoted to her/J
J$id they 8uarre that ast nightAJ
The se.retary oo1ed at hi) side+ays> hesitated a )inute> then he
saidH
JI 'eieve soI +hat )ade you as1AJ
JAn idea> that is a/J
JI don"t 1no+> of .ourse>J eBpained the se.retary> J'ut things
oo1ed as though they +ere +or1ing up that +ay/J
Poirot did not pursue the topi./
JWho ese +as at dinnerAJ
JMiss Margrave> Mr 7i.tor Ast+e> and )ysef/J
JAnd after+ardAJ
JWe +ent into the dra+ing;roo)/ Sir &eu'en did not a..o)pany us/
A'out ten )inutes ater he .a)e in and haued )e over the .oas
for so)e trifing )atter a'out a etter/ I +ent up +ith hi) to the
To+er roo) and set the thing straightI then Mr 7i.tor Ast+e .a)e
in and said he had so)ething he +ished to ta1 to his 'rother a'out>
so I +ent do+nstairs and Doined the t+o adies/
JA'out a 8uarter of an hour ater I heard Sir &eu'en"s 'e ringing
vioenty> and Parsons .a)e to say I +as to go up to Sir &eu'en at
on.e/ As I entered the roo)> Mr 7i.tor Ast+e +as .o)ing out/ !e
neary 1no.1ed )e over/ So)ething had evidenty happened to
upset hi)/ !e has a very vioent te)per/ I reay 'eieve he didn"t
see )e/J
J$id Sir &eu'en )a1e any .o))ent on the )atterAJ
J!e saidH "7i.tor is a unati.I he +i do for so)e'ody so)e day
+hen he is in one of these rages/"J
JAhGJ said Poirot/ J!ave you any idea +hat the trou'e +as a'outAJ
JI .oudn"t say at a/J
Poirot turned his head very so+y and oo1ed at the se.retary/
Those ast +ords had 'een uttered too hastiy/ !e for)ed the
.onvi.tion that Trefusis .oud have said )ore had he +ished to do
so/ %ut on.e again Poirot did not press the 8uestion/
JAnd thenA Pro.eed> I pray of you/J
JI +or1ed +ith Sir &eu'en for a'out an hour and a haf/ At 11
o".o.1 #ady Ast+e .a)e in> and Sir &eu'en tod )e I .oud go to
'ed/J
JAnd you +entAJ
J@es/J
J!ave you any idea ho+ ong she stayed +ith hi)AJ
J0one at a/ !er roo) is on the first foor> and )ine is on the
se.ond> so I +oud not hear her go to 'ed/J
JI see/J
Poirot nodded his head on.e or t+i.e and sprang to his feet/
JAnd no+> Monsieur> ta1e )e to the To+er roo)/J
!e foo+ed the se.retary up the 'road stairs to the first anding/
!ere Trefusis ed hi) aong the .orridor> and through a 'ai?e door
at the end of it> +hi.h gave on the servants stair.ase and on a short
passage that ended in a door/ They passed through this door and
found the)seves on the s.ene of the .ri)e/
It +as a ofty roo) t+i.e as high as any of the others> and +as
roughy a'out thirty feet s8uare/ S+ords and assegais adorned the
+as> and )any native .urios +ere arranged a'out on ta'es/ At
the far end> in the e)'rasure of the +indo+> +as a arge +riting
ta'e/ Poirot .rossed straight to it/
JIt +as here Sir &eu'en +as foundAJ
Trefusis nodded/
J!e +as stru.1 fro) 'ehind> I understandAJ
Again the se.retary nodded/
JThe .ri)e +as .o))itted +ith one of these native .u's>J he
eBpained/ JA tre)endousy heavy thing/ $eath )ust have 'een
pra.ti.ay instantaneous/J
JThat strengthens the .onvi.tion that the .ri)e +as not
pre)editated/ A sharp 8uarre> and a +eapon snat.hed up a)ost
un.ons.iousy/J
J@es> it does not oo1 +e for poor #everson/J
JAnd the 'ody +as found faen for+ard on the des1AJ
J0o> it had sipped side+ays to the ground/J
JAh>J said Poirot> Jthat is .urious/J
JWhy .uriousAJ as1ed the se.retary/
J%e.ause of this/J
Poirot pointed to a round irreguar stain on the poished surfa.e of
the +riting ta'e/
JThat is a 'ood stain )on a)i>J
JIt )ay have spattered there>J suggested Trefusis> Jor it )ay have
'een )ade ater> +hen they )oved the 'ody/J
J7ery possi'y> very possi'y>J said the itte )an/ JThere is ony the
one door to this roo)AJ
JThere is a stair.ase here/J
Trefusis pued aside a vevet .urtain in the .orner of the roo)
nearest the door> +here a s)a spira stair.ase ed up+ard/
JThis pa.e +as originay 'uit 'y an astrono)er/ The stairs ead up
to the to+er +here the tees.ope +as fiBed/ Sir &eu'en had the
pa.e fitted up as a 'edroo)> and so)eti)es sept there if he +as
+or1ing very ate/J
Poirot +ent ni)'y up the steps/ The .ir.uar roo) upstairs +as
painy furnished> +ith a .a)p 'ed> a .hair and dressing;ta'e/
Poirot satisfied hi)sef that there +as no other eBit> and then .a)e
do+n again to +here Trefusis stood +aiting for hi)/
J$id you hear Mr #everson .o)e inAJ he as1ed/
Trefusis shoo1 his head/
JI +as fast aseep 'y that ti)e/J
Poirot nodded/ !e oo1ed so+y round the roo)/
J(h 'ienGJ he said at ast/ JI do not thin1 there is any thing further
here> uness ; perhaps you +oud 'e so 1ind as to dra+ the
.urtains/J
<'edienty Trefusis pued the heavy 'a.1 .urtains a.ross the
+indo+ at the far end of the roo)/ Poirot s+it.hed on the ight ;
+hi.h +as )as1ed 'y a 'ig aa'aster 'o+ hanging fro) the
.eiing/
JThere +as a des1 ightAJ he as1ed/
For repy the se.retary .i.1ed on a po+erfu green;shaded hand
a)p> +hi.h stood on the +riting ta'e/ Poirot s+it.hed the other
ight off> then on> then off again/
JC"est 'ienG I have finished here/J
J$inner is at haf;past seven>J )ur)ured the se.retary/
JI than1 you> M/ Trefusis> for your )any a)ia'iities/J
J0ot at a/J
Poirot +ent thoughtfuy aong the .orridor to the roo) appointed
for hi)/ The i))ova'e ,eorge +as there aying out his )aster"s
things/
JMy good ,eorge>J he said presenty> JI sha> I hope> )eet at
dinner a .ertain gente)an +ho 'egins to intrigue )e greaty/ A
)an +ho has .o)e ho)e fro) the tropi.s> ,eorge/ With a tropi.a
te)per ; so it is said/ A )an +ho) Parsons tries to te )e a'out>
and +ho) #iy Margrave does not )ention/ The ate Sir &eu'en had
a te)per of his o+n> ,eorge/ Supposing su.h a )an to .o)e into
.onta.t +ith a )an +hose te)per +as +orse than his o+n ; ho+ do
you say itA The fur +oud Du)p a'out> ehAJ
J"Woud fy" is the .orre.t eBpression> sir> and it is not a+ays the
.ase> sir> not 'y a ong +ay/J
J0oAJ
J0o> sir/ There +as )y Aunt *e)i)a> sir> a )ost shre+ish tongue
she had> 'uied a poor sister of hers +ho ived +ith her> so)ething
sho.1ing she did/ 0eary +orried the ife out of her/ %ut if anyone
.a)e aong +ho stood up to her> +e> it +as a very different thing/
It +as )ee1ness she .oudn"t 'ear/J
J!aGJ said Poirot> Jit is suggestive ; that/J
,eorge .oughed apoogeti.ay/
JIs there anything I .an do in any +ay>J he in8uired dei.atey> Jto ;
er ; assist you> sirAJ
JCertainy>J said Poirot pro)pty/ J@ou .an find out for )e +hat
.oor evening dress Miss #iy Margrave +ore that night> and +hi.h
house)aid attends her/J
,eorge re.eived these .o))ands +ith his usua stoidity/
J7ery good/ sir> I +i have the infor)ation for you in the )orning/J
Poirot rose fro) his seat and stood ga?ing into the fire/
J@ou are very usefu to )e> ,eorge>J he )ur)ured/ J$o you 1no+> I
sha not forget your Aunt *e)i)aAJ
Poirot did not> after a> see 7i.tor Ast+e that night/ A teephone
)essage .a)e fro) hi) that he +as detained in #ondon/
J!e attends to the affairs of your ate hus'and"s 'usiness> ehAJ
as1ed Poirot of #ady Ast+e/
J7i.tor is a partner>J she eBpained/ J!e +ent out to Afri.a to oo1
into so)e )ining .on.essions for the fir)/ It +as )ining> +asn"t it>
#iyAJ
J@es> #ady Ast+e/J
J,od )ines> I thin1> or +as it .opper or tinA @ou ought to 1no+>
#iy> you +ere a+ays as1ing &eu'en 8uestions a'out it a/ <h> do
'e .arefu> dear> you +i have that vase overGJ
JIt is dreadfuy hot in here +ith the fire>J said the gir/ JSha I ; sha
I open the +indo+ a itteAJ
JIf you i1e> dear>J said #ady Ast+e pa.idy/
Poirot +at.hed +hie the gir +ent a.ross to the +indo+ and
opened it/ She stood there a )inute or t+o 'reathing in the .oo
night air/ When she returned and sat do+n in her seat> Poirot said
to her poiteyH
JSo Made)oisee is interested in )inesAJ
J<h> not reay>J said the gir indifferenty> JI istened to Sir &eu'en>
'ut I don"t 1no+ anything a'out the su'De.t/J
J@ou pretended very +e> then>J said #ady Ast+e/ JPoor &eu'en
a.tuay thought you had so)e uterior )otive in as1ing a those
8uestions/J
The itte dete.tive"s eyes had not )oved fro) the fire> into +hi.h
he +as steadiy staring> 'ut nevertheess> he did not )iss the 8ui.1
fush of veBation on #iy Margrave"s fa.e/ Ta.tfuy he .hanged the
.onversation/ When the hour for good nights .a)e> Poirot said to
his hostessH
JMay I have Dust t+o itte +ords +ith you> Mada)eAJ
#iy Margrave vanished dis.reety/ #ady Ast+e oo1ed in8uiringy
at the dete.tive/
J@ou +ere the ast person to see Sir &eu'en aive that nightAJ
She nodded/ Tears sprang into her eyes> and she hastiy hed a
'a.1;edged hand1er.hief to the)/
JAh> do not distress yoursef> I 'eg of you do not distress yoursef/J
JIt"s a very +e> M/ Poirot> 'ut I .an"t hep it/J
JI a) a tripe i)'e.ie thus to veB you/J
J0o> no> go on/ What +ere you going to sayAJ
JIt +as a'out 11 o".o.1> I fan.y> +hen you +ent into the To+er
roo)> and Sir &eu'en dis)issed Mr Trefusis/ Is that rightAJ
JIt )ust have 'een a'out then/J
J!o+ ong +ere you +ith hi)AJ
JIt +as Dust a 8uarter to t+eve +hen I got up to )y roo)I I
re)e)'er gan.ing at the .o.1/J
J#ady Ast+e> +i you te )e +hat your .onversation +ith your
hus'and +as a'outAJ
#ady Ast+e san1 do+n on the sofa and 'ro1e do+n .o)petey/
!er so's +ere vigorous/
JWe ; 8ua ; 8ua ; 8uarreed>J she )oaned/
JWhat a'outAJ Poirot"s voi.e +as .oaBing> a)ost tender/
J# ; ; ots of things/ It ' ; ' ; 'egan +ith # ; #iy/ &eu'en too1 a
disi1e to her ; for no reason> and said he had .aught her interfering
+ith his papers/ !e +anted to send her a+ay> and I said she +as a
dear gir> and I +oud not have it/ And then he s ; s ; started
shouting )e do+n> and I +oudn"t have that> so I Dust tod hi) +hat I
thought of hi)/
J0ot that I reay )eant it> M/ Poirot> and he said he had ta1en )e
out of the gutter to )arry )e> and I said ; ah> 'ut +hat does it a
)atter no+A I sha never forgive )ysef/ @ou 1no+ ho+ it is> M
Poirot> I a+ays did say a good ro+ .ears the air> and ho+ +as I to
1no+ so)eone +as going to )urder hi) that very nightA Poor od
&eu'en/J
Poirot had istened sy)patheti.ay to a this out'urst/
JI have .aused you suffering>J he said/ JI apoogi?e/ #et us no+ 'e
very 'usiness;i1e ; very pra.ti.a> very eBa.t/ @ou sti .ing to your
idea that Mr Trefusis )urdered your hus'andAJ
#ady Ast+e dre+ hersef up/
JA +o)an"s instin.t> M/ Poirot>J she said soe)ny> Jnever ies/J
J(Ba.ty> eBa.ty>J said Poirot/ J%ut +hen did he do itAJ
JWhenA After I eft hi)> of .ourse/J
J@ou eft Sir &eu'en at a 8uarter to t+eve/ At five )inutes to t+eve
Mr #everson .a)e in/ In that ten )inutes you say the se.retary
.a)e do+n fro) his 'edroo) and )urdered hi)AJ
JIt is perfe.ty possi'e/J
JSo )any things are possi'e>J said Poirot/ JIt .oud 'e done in ten
)inutes/ <h> yesG %ut +as itAJ
J<f .ourse he says he +as in 'ed and fast aseep>J said #ady
Ast+e> J'ut +ho is to 1no+ if he +as or notAJ
J0o'ody sa+ hi) a'out>J Poirot re)inded her/
J(very'ody +as in 'ed and fast aseep>J said #ady Ast+e
triu)phanty/ J<f .ourse no'ody sa+ hi)/J
JI +onder>J said Poirot to hi)sef/
A short pause/
J(h 'ien> #ady Ast+e> I +i +ish you good night/J
,eorge deposited a tray of eary )orning .offee 'y his )aster"s
'edside/
JMiss Margrave> sir> +ore a dress of ight green .hiffon on the night
in 8uestion/J
JThan1 you> ,eorge> you are )ost reia'e/J
JThe third house)aid oo1s after Miss Margrave> sir/ !er na)e is
,adys/J
JThan1 you> ,eorge/ @ou are invaua'e/J
J0ot at at a> sir/J
JIt is a fine )orning>J said Poirot> oo1ing out of the +indo+> Jand
no one is i1ey to 'e astir very eary/ I thin1> )y good ,eorge> that
+e sha have the To+er roo) to ourseves if +e pro.eed there to
)a1e a itte eBperi)ent/J
J@ou need )e> sirAJ
JThe eBperi)ent">J said Poirot> J+i not 'e painfu/J
The .urtains +ere sti dra+n in the To+er roo) +hen they arrived
there/ ,eorge +as a'out to pu the)> +hen Poirot restrained hi)/
JWe +i eave the roo) as it is/ *ust turn on the des1 a)p/J
The vaet o'eyed/
J0o+> )y good ,eorge> sit do+n in that .hair/ $ispose yoursef as
though you +ere +riting/ TrSs 'ien/ Me> I sei?e a .u'> I stea up
'ehind you> so> and I hit you on the 'a.1 of the head/J
J@es> sir>J said ,eorge/
JAhGJ said Poirot> J'ut +hen I hit you> do not .ontinue to +rite/ @ou
.o)prehend I .annot 'e eBa.t/ I .annot hit you +ith the sa)e for.e
+ith +hi.h the assassin hit Sir &eu'en/ When it .o)es to that point>
+e )ust do the )a1e;'eieve/ I hit you on the head> and you
.oapse> so/ The ar)s +e reaBed> the 'ody i)p/ Per)it )e to
arrange you/ %ut no> do not feB your )us.es/J
!e heaved a sigh of eBasperation/
J@ou press ad)ira'y the trousers> ,eorge>J he said> J'ut the
i)agination> you possess it not/ ,et up and et )e ta1e your pa.e/J
Poirot in his turn sat do+n at the +riting ta'e/
JI +rite>J he de.ared> JI +rite 'usiy/ @ou stea up 'ehind )e you hit
)e on the head +ith the .u'/ CrashG The pen sips fro) )y fingers>
I drop for+ard> 'ut not very far for+ard> for the .hair is o+> and the
des1 is high> and> )oreover> )y ar)s support )e/ !ave the
goodness> ,eorge> to go 'a.1 to the door> stand there> and te )e
+hat you see/J
JAhe)GJ
J@es> ,eorgeAJ en.ouragingy/ JI see you> sir> sitting at the des1/J
JSitting at the des1AJ
JIt is a itte diffi.ut to see painy> sir>J eBpained ,eorge> J'eing
su.h a ong +ay a+ay> sir> and the a)p 'eing so heaviy shaded/ If
I )ight turn on this ight> sirAJ
!is hand rea.hed out to the s+it.h/
J0ot at a>J said Poirot sharpy/ JWe sha do very +e as +e are/
!ere a) I 'ending over the des1> there are you standing 'y the
door/ Advan.e no+> ,eorge> advan.e> and put your hand on )y
shouder/J
,eorge o'eyed/
J#ean on )e a itte> ,eorge> to steady yoursef on your feet> as it
+ere/ AhG 7oiP/J
!er.ue Poirot"s i)p 'ody sid artisti.ay side+ays/
JI .oapse ; soGJ he o'served/ J@es> it is very +e i)agined/ There
is no+ so)ething )ost i)portant that )ust 'e done/J
JIndeed> sirAJ said the vaet/
J@es it is ne.essary that I shoud 'rea1fast +e/J
The itte )an aughed heartiy at his o+n Do1e/
JThe sto)a.h> ,eorgeI it )ust not 'e ignored/J
,eorge )aintained a disapproving sien.e/ Poirot +ent do+nstairs
.hu.1ing happiy to hi)sef/ !e +as peased at the +ay things
+ere shaping/ After 'rea1fast he )ade the a.8uaintan.e of ,adys>
the third house)aid/ !e +as very interested in +hat she .oud te
hi) of the .ri)e/ She +as sy)patheti. to+ard Chares> athough
she had no dou't of his guit/
JPoor young gente)an> sir> it see)s hard> it does> hi) not 'eing
8uite hi)sef at the ti)e/J
J!e and Miss Margrave shoud have got on +e together>J
suggested Poirot> Jas the ony t+o young peope in the house/J
,adys shoo1 her head/
J7ery stand;offish Miss #iy +as +ith hi)/ She +oudn"t have no
.arryings;on> and she )ade it pain/J
J!e +as fond of her> +as heAJ
J<h> ony in passing> so to spea1I no har) in it> sir/ Mr 7i.tor
Ast+e> no+ he is propery gone on Miss #iy/J
She gigged/
JAh vrai)entGJ
,adys gigged again/
JS+eet on her straight a+ay he +as/ Miss #iy is Dust i1e a iy> isn"t
she> sirA So ta and su.h a ovey shade of god hair/J
JShe shoud +ear a green evening fro.1>J )used Poirot/ JThere is a
.ertain shade of green ;J
JShe has one> sir>J said ,adys/ J<f .ourse> she .an"t +ear it no+>
'eing in )ourning> 'ut she had it on the very night Sir &eu'en
died/J
JIt shoud 'e a ight green> not a dar1 green>J said Poirot/
JIt is a ight green> sir/ If you +ait a )inute I" sho+ it to you/ Miss
#iy has Dust gone out +ith the dogs/J
Poirot nodded/ !e 1ne+ that as +e as ,adys did/ In fa.t> it +as
ony after seeing #iy safey off the pre)ises that he had gone in
sear.h of the house)aid/ ,adys hurried a+ay> and returned a fe+
)inutes ater +ith a green evening dress on a hanger/
J(B8uisGJ )ur)ured Poirot> hoding up hands of ad)iration/
JPer)it )e to ta1e it to the ight a )inute/J
!e too1 the dress fro) ,adys> turned his 'a.1 on her and hurried
to the +indo+/ !e 'ent over it> then hed it out at ar)"s ength/
JIt is perfe.t>J he de.ared/ JPerfe.ty ravishing/ A thousand than1s
for sho+ing it to )e/J
J0ot at ai> sir>J said ,adys/ JWe a 1no+ that Fren.h)en are
interested in adies" dresses/J
J@ou are too 1ind>J )ur)ured Poirot/
!e +at.hed her hurry a+ay again +ith the dress/ Then he oo1ed
do+n at his t+o hands and s)ied/ In the right hand +as a tiny pair
of s)a nai s.issors> in the eft +as a neaty .ipped frag)ent of
green .hiffon/
JAnd no+>J he )ur)ured> Jto 'e heroi./J
!e returned to his o+n apart)ent and su))oned ,eorge/
J<n the dressing;ta'e> )y good ,eorge> you +i per.eive a god
s.arf pin/J
J@es> sir/J
J<n the +ashstand is a soution of .ar'oi./ I))erse> I pray you>
the point of the pin in the .ar'oi./J
,eorge did as he +as 'id/ !e had ong ago .eased to +onder at the
vagaries of his )aster/
JI have done that> sir/J
JTrSs 'ienG 0o+ approa.h/ I tender to you )y first fingerI insert the
point of the pin in it/J
J(B.use )e> sir> you +ant )e to pri.1 you> sirAJ
J%ut> yes> you have guessed .orre.ty/ @ou )ust dra+ 'ood> you
understand> 'ut not too )u.h/J
,eorge too1 hod of his )aster"s finger/ Poirot shut his eyes and
eaned 'a.1/ The vaet sta''ed at the finger +ith the s.arf pin> and
Poirot uttered a shri ye/
J*e vous re)er.ie> ,eorge>J he said/ JWhat you have done is
a)pe/J
Ta1ing a s)a pie.e of green .hiffon fro) his po.1et> he da''ed
his finger +ith it gingery/
JThe operation has su..eeded to a )ira.e>J he re)ar1ed> ga?ing
at the resut/ J@ou have no .uriosity> ,eorgeA 0o+> that is
ad)ira'eGJ
The vaet had Dust ta1en a dis.reet oo1 out of the +indo+/
J(B.use )e> sir>J he )ur)ured> Ja gente)an has driven up in a
arge .ar/J
JAhG AhGJ said Poirot/ !e rose 'ris1y to his feet/ JThe eusive Mr
7i.tor Ast+e/ I go do+n to )a1e his a.8uaintan.e/J
Poirot +as destined to hear Mr 7i.tor Ast+e so)e ti)e 'efore he
sa+ hi)/ A oud voi.e rang out fro) the ha/
JMind +hat you are doing> you da)ned idiotG That .ase has got
gass in it/ Curse you> Parsons> get out of the +ayG Put it do+n> you
fooGJ
Poirot s1ipped ni)'y do+n the stairs/ 7i.tor Ast+e +as a 'ig
)an/ Poirot 'o+ed to hi) poitey/
JWho the devi are youAJ roared the 'ig )an/
Poirot 'o+ed again/
JMy na)e is !er.ue Poirot/J
J#ordGJ said 7i.tor Ast+e/ JSo 0an.y sent for you> after a> did
sheAJ
!e put a hand on Poirot"s shouder and steered hi) into the i'rary/
JSo you are the feo+ they )a1e su.h a fuss a'out>J he re)ar1ed>
oo1ing hi) up and do+n/ JSorry for )y anguage Dust no+/ That
.hauffeur of )ine is a da)ned ass> and Parsons a+ays does get on
)y nerves> 'ithering od idiot/
JI don"t suffer foos gady> you 1no+>J he said> haf apoogeti.ay>
J'ut 'y a a..ounts you are not a foo> eh> M/ PoirotAJ
!e aughed 'ree?iy/
JThose +ho have thought so have 'een sady )ista1en>J said Poirot
pa.idy/
JIs that soA We> so 0an.y has .arted you do+n here ; got a 'ee in
her 'onnet a'out the se.retary/ There is nothing in thatI Trefusis is
as )id as )i1 ; drin1s )i1> too> I 'eieve/ The feo+ is a teetotaer/
&ather +aste of your ti)e> isn"t itAJ
JIf one has an opportunity to o'serve hu)an nature> ti)e is never
+asted>J said Poirot 8uiety/
J!u)an nature> ehAJ
7i.tor Ast+e stared at hi)> then he fung hi)sef do+n in a .hair/
JAnything I .an do for youAJ
J@es> you .an te )e +hat your 8uarre +ith your 'rother +as
a'out that evening/J
7i.tor Ast+e shoo1 his head/
J0othing to do +ith the .ase>J he said de.isivey/
J<ne .an never 'e sure>J said Poirot/
JIt had nothing to do +ith Chares #everson/J
J#ady Ast+e thin1s that Chares had nothing to do +ith the
)urder/J
J<h> 0an.yGJ
JParsons assu)es that it +as M/ Chares #everson +ho .a)e in
that night> 'ut he didn"t see hi)/ &e)e)'er no'ody sa+ hi)/J
J@ou are +rong there>J said Ast+e/ JI sa+ hi)/J
J@ou sa+ hi)AJ
JIt"s very si)pe/ &eu'en had 'een pit.hing into young Chares ; not
+ithout good reason> I )ust say/ #ater on he tried to 'uy )e/ I tod
hi) a fe+ ho)e truths and> Dust to annoy hi)> I )ade up )y )ind to
'a.1 the 'oy/ I )eant to see hi) that night> so as to te hi) ho+ the
and ay/ When I +ent up to )y roo) I didn"t go to 'ed/ Instead> I eft
the door aDar and sat on a .hair s)o1ing/ My roo) is on the se.ond
foor> M/ Poirot> and Chares"s roo) is neBt to it/J
JPardon )y interrupting you ; Mr Trefusis> he> too> seeps on that
foorAJ
Ast+e nodded/
J@es> his roo) is Dust 'eyond )ine/J
J0earer the stairsAJ
J0o> the other +ay/J
A .urious ight .a)e into Poirot"s fa.e> 'ut the other didn"t noti.e it
and +ent onH
JAs I say> I +aited up for Chares/ I heard the front door sa)> as I
thought> a'out five )inutes to t+eve> 'ut there +as no sign of
Chares for a'out ten )inutes/ When he did .o)e up the stairs I
sa+ that it +as no good ta.1ing hi) that night/
!e ifted his e'o+s signifi.anty/
JI see>J )ur)ured Poirot/
JPoor devi .oudn"t +a1 straight>J said Ast+e/ J!e +as oo1ing
pretty ghasty> too/ I put it do+n to his .ondition at the ti)e/ <f
.ourse> no+ I reai?e that he had .o)e straight fro) .o))itting the
.ri)e/J
Poirot interposed a 8ui.1 8uestion/
J@ou heard nothing fro) the To+er roo)AJ
J0o 'ut you )ust re)e)'er that I +as right at the other end of the
'uiding/ The +as are thi.1> and I don"t 'eieve you +oud even
hear a pisto shot fired fro) there/J
Poirot nodded/
JI as1ed if he +oud i1e so)e hep getting to 'ed>J .ontinued
Ast+e/ J%ut he said he +as a right and +ent into his roo) and
'anged the door/ I undressed and +ent to 'ed/J
Poirot +as staring thoughtfuy at the .arpet/
J@ou reai?e> M/ Ast+e>J he said at ast> Jthat your eviden.e is very
i)portantAJ
JI suppose so> at east ; +hat do you )eanAJ
J@our eviden.e that ten )inutes eapsed 'et+een the sa))ing of
the front door and #everson"s appearan.e upstairs/ !e hi)sef
says> so I understand> that he .a)e into the house and +ent
straight up to 'ed/ %ut there is )ore than that/ #ady Ast+e"s
a..usation of the se.retary is fantasti.> I ad)it> yet up to no+ it has
not 'een proved i)possi'e/ %ut your eviden.e .reates an ai'i/J
J!o+ is thatAJ
J#ady Ast+e says that she eft her hus'and at a 8uarter to t+eve>
+hie the se.retary had gone to 'ed at eeven o".o.1/ The ony ti)e
he .oud have .o))itted the .ri)e +as 'et+een a 8uarter to
t+eve and Chares #everson"s return/ 0o+> if> as you say> you sat
+ith your door open> he .oud not have .o)e do+n fro) his roo)
+ithout your seeing hi)/J
JThat is so>J agreed the other/
JThere is no other stair.aseAJ
J0o> to get do+n to the To+er roo) he +oud have had to pass )y
door> and he didn"t> I a) 8uite sure of that/ And> any+ay> M/ Poirot>
as I said Dust no+> the )an is as )ee1 as a parson> I assure you/J
J%ut yes> 'ut yes>J said Poirot soothingy> JI understand a that/J
!e paused/ JAnd you +i not te )e the su'De.t of your 8uarre +ith
Sir &eu'enAJ
The other"s fa.e turned a dar1 red/
J@ou" get nothing out of )e/J
Poirot oo1ed at the .eiing/
JI .an a+ays 'e dis.reet>J he )ur)ured> J+here a ady is
.on.erned/J
7i.tor Ast+e sprang to his feet/
J$a)n you> ho+ did you ; +hat do you )eanAJ
JI +as thin1ing>J said Poirot> Jof Miss #iy Margrave/J
7i.tor Ast+e stood unde.ided for a )inute or t+o then his .oor
su'sided> and he sat do+n again/
J@ou are too .ever for )e> M/ Poirot/ @es> it +as #iy +e 8uarreed
a'out/ &eu'en had his 1nife into herI he had ferreted out so)ething
or other a'out the gir ; fase referen.es> so)ething of that 1ind/ I
don"t 'eieve a +ord of it )ysef/
JAnd then he +ent further than he had any right to go> ta1ed a'out
her steaing do+n at night and getting out of the house to )eet
so)e feo+ or other/ My ,odG I gave it to hi)I I tod hi) that 'etter
)en than he had 'een 1ied for saying ess/ That shut hi) up/
&eu'en +as in.ined to 'e a 'it afraid of )e +hen I got going/J
JI hardy +onder at it>J )ur)ured Poirot poitey/
JI thin1 a ot of #iy Margrave>J said 7i.tor in another tone/ JA ni.e
gir through and through/J
Poirot did not ans+er/ !e +as staring in front of hi)> see)ingy ost
in a'stra.tion/ !e .a)e out of his 'ro+n study +ith a Der1/
JI )ust> I thin1> pro)enade )ysef a itte/ There is a hote here>
yesAJ
JT+o>J said 7i.tor Ast+e> Jthe ,of !ote up 'y the in1s and the
Mitre do+n 'y the station/J
JI than1 you>J said Poirot/ J@es> .ertainy I )ust pro)enade )ysef
a itte/J
The ,of !ote as 'efits its na)e> stands on the gof in1s a)ost
adDoining the .u' house/ It +as to this hostery that Poirot repaired
first in the .ourse of that Jpro)enadeJ +hi.h he had advertised
hi)sef as 'eing a'out to ta1e/ The itte )an had his o+n +ay of
doing things/ Three )inutes after he had entered the ,of !ote he
+as in private .onsutation +ith Miss #angdon> the )anageress/
JI regret to in.o))ode you in any +ay> Made)oisee>J said Poirot>
J'ut you see I a) a dete.tive/J
Si)pi.ity a+ays appeaed to hi)/ In this .ase the )ethod proved
effi.a.ious at on.e/
JA dete.tiveGJ eB.ai)ed Miss #angdon> oo1ing at hi) dou'tfuy/
J0ot fro) S.otand @ard>J Poirot assured her/ JIn fa.t ; you )ay
have noti.ed itA I a) not an (ngish)an/ 0o> I )a1e the private
in8uiries into the death of Sir &eu'en Ast+e/J
J@ou don"t say> no+GJ Miss #angdon gogged at hi) eBpe.tanty/
JPre.isey>J said Poirot> 'ea)ing/ J<ny to so)eone of dis.retion
i1e yoursef +oud I revea the fa.t/ I thin1> Made)oisee> you )ay
'e a'e to aid )e/ Can you te )e of any gente)an staying here on
the night of the )urder +ho +as a'sent fro) the hote that evening
and returned to it a'out t+eve or haf;pastAJ
Miss #angdon"s eyes opened +ider than ever/
J@ou don"t thin1 ;AJ she 'reathed/
JThat yon had the )urderer hereA 0o> 'ut I have reason to 'eieve
that a guest staying here pro)enaded hi)sef in the dire.tion of
Mon &epos that night> and if so he )ay have seen so)ething +hi.h>
though .onveying no )eaning to hi)> )ight 'e very usefu to )e/J
The )anageress nodded her head sapienty> +ith an air of one
thoroughy +e up in the annas of dete.tive a+/
JI understand perfe.ty/ 0o+> et )e seeI +ho did +e have staying
hereAJ
She fro+ned> evidenty running over the na)es in her )ind> and
heping her )e)ory 'y o..asionay .he.1ing the) off on her
fingertips/
JCaptain S+ann> Mr (1ins> MaDor %unt> od Mr %enson/ 0o> reay>
sir> I don"t 'eieve anyone +ent out that evening/J
J@ou +oud have noti.ed if they had done so> ehAJ
J<h> yes> sir> it is not very usua> you see/ I )ean gente)en go out
to dinner and a that> 'ut they don"t go out after dinner> 'e.ause ;
+e> there is no+here to go to> is thereAJ
The attra.tions of A''ots Cross +ere gof and nothing 'ut gof/
JThat is so>J agreed Poirot/ JThen> as far as you re)e)'er>
Made)oisee> no'ody fro) here +as out that nightAJ
JCaptain (ngand and his +ife +ere out to dinner/J
Poirot shoo1 his head/
JThat is not the 1ind of thing I )ean/ I +i try the other hoteI the
Mitre> is it notAJ
J<h> the Mitre>J said Miss #angdon/ J<f .ourse> anyone )ight have
gone out +a1ing fro) there/J
The disparage)ent of her tone> though vague> +as evident> and
Poirot 'eat a ta.tfu retreat/
Ten )inutes ater he +as repeating the s.ene this ti)e +ith Miss
Coe> the 'rus8ue )anageress of the Mitre> a ess pretentious hote
+ith o+er pri.es> situated .ose to the station/
JThere +as one gente)an out ate that night> .a)e in a'out hafpast
t+eve> as far as I .an re)e)'er/ 4uite a ha'it of his it +as> to
go out for a +a1 at that ti)e of the evening/ !e had done it on.e or
t+i.e 'efore/ #et )e see no+> +hat +as his na)eA *ust for the
)o)ent I .an"t re)e)'er it/J
She pued a arge edger to+ard her and 'egan turning over the
pages/
J0ineteenth> t+entieth> t+enty;first> t+enty;se.ond/ Ah> here +e
are/ 0ayor> Captain !u)phrey 0ayor/J
J!e had stayed here 'eforeA @ou 1no+ hi) +eAJ
J<n.e 'efore>J said Miss Coe> Ja'out a fortnight earier/ !e +ent
out then in the evening> I re)e)'er/J
J!e .a)e to pay gof> ehAJ
JI suppose so>J said Miss CoeI Jthat"s +hat )ost of the gente)en
.o)e for/J
J7ery true>J said Poirot/ JWe> Made)oisee> I than1 you infinitey>
and I +ish you good day/J
!e +ent 'a.1 to Mon &epos +ith a very thoughtfu fa.e/ <n.e or
t+i.e he dre+ so)ething fro) his po.1et and oo1ed at it/
JIt )ust 'e done>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef> Jand soon> as soon as I
.an )a1e the opportunity/J
!is first pro.eeding on re;entering the house +as to as1 Parsons
+here Miss Margrave )ight 'e found/ !e +as tod that she +as in
the s)a study deaing +ith #ady Ast+e"s .orresponden.e and
the infor)ation see)ed to afford Poirot satisfa.tion/
!e found the itte study +ithout diffi.uty/ #iy Margrave +as seated
at a des1 'y the +indo+> +riting/ %ut for her the roo) +as e)pty/
Poirot .arefuy shut the door 'ehind hi) and .a)e to+ard the gir/
JI )ay have a itte )inute of your ti)e> Made)oisee> you +i 'e so
1indAJ
JCertainy/J
#iy Margrave put the papers aside and turned to+ard hi)/
JWhat .an I do for youAJ
J<n the evening of the tragedy> Made)oisee> I understand that
+hen #ady Ast+e +ent to her hus'and you +ent straight up to
'ed/ Is that soAJ
#iy Margrave nodded/
J@ou did not .o)e do+n again> 'y any .han.eAJ
The gir shoo1 her head/
JI thin1 you said> Made)oisee> that you had not at any ti)e that
evening 'een in the To+er roo)AJ
JI don"t re)e)'er saying so> 'ut as a )atter of fa.t that is 8uite
true/ I +as not in the To+er roo) that evening/J
Poirot raised his eye'ro+s/
JCurious>J he )ur)ured/
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J7ery .urious>J )ur)ured !er.ue Poirot again/ J!o+ do you
a..ount> then> for thisAJ
!e dre+ fro) his po.1et a itte s.rap of stained green .hiffon and
hed it up for the gir"s inspe.tion/
!er eBpression did not .hange> 'ut he fet rather than heard the
sharp inta1e of 'reath/
JI don"t understand> M/ Poirot/J
J@ou +ore> I understand> a green .hiffon dress that evening>
Made)oisee/ This ;J he tapped the s.rap in his fingers ; J+as torn
fro) it/J
JAnd you found it in the To+er roo)AJ as1ed the gir sharpy/
JWherea'outsAJ
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed at the .eiing/
JFor the )o)ent sha +e Dust say ; in the To+er roo)AJ
For the first ti)e> a oo1 of fear sprang into the gir"s eyes/ She
'egan to spea1> then .he.1ed hersef/ Poirot +at.hed her s)a
+hite hands .en.hing the)seves on the edge of the des1/
JI +onder if I did go into the To+er roo) that eveningAJ she )used/
J%efore dinner> I )ean/ I don"t thin1 so/ I a) a)ost sure I didn t/ If
that s.rap has 'een in the To+er roo) a this ti)e> it see)s to )e a
very eBtraordinary thing the poi.e did not find it right a+ay/J
JThe poi.e>J said the itte )an> Jdo not thin1 of things that !er.ue
Poirot thin1s of/J
JI )ay have run in there for a )inute Dust 'efore dinner>J )used #iy
Margrave> Jor it )ay have 'een the night 'efore/ I +ore the sa)e
dress then/ @es> I a) a)ost sure it +as the night 'efore/J
JI thin1 not>J said Poirot eveny/
JWhyAJ
!e ony shoo1 his head so+y fro) side to side/
JWhat do you )eanAJ +hispered the gir/
She +as eaning for+ard> staring at hi)> a the .oor e''ing out of
her fa.e/
J@ou do not noti.e> Made)oisee> that this frag)ent is stainedA
There is no dou't a'out it> that stain is hu)an 'ood/J
J@ou )ean ;AJ
JI )ean> Made)oisee> that you +ere in the To+er roo) after the
.ri)e +as .o))itted> not 'efore/ I thin1 you +i do +e to te )e
the +hoe truth> est +orse shoud 'efa you/J
!e stood up no+> a stern itte figure of a )an> his forefinger
pointed a..usingy at the gir/
J!o+ did you find outAJ gasped #iy/
J0o )atter> Made)oisee/ I te you !er.ue Poirot 1no+s/ I 1no+
a a'out Captain !u)phrey 0ayor> and that you +ent do+n to
)eet hi) that night/J
#iy suddeny put her head do+n on her ar)s and 'urst into tears/
I))ediatey Poirot rein8uished his a..using attitude/
JThere> there> )y itte one>J he said> patting the gir on the
shouder/ J$o not distress yoursef/ I)possi'e to de.eive !er.ue
PoirotI on.e reai?e that and a your trou'es +i 'e at an end/ And
no+ you +i te )e the +hoe story> +i you notA @ou +i te od
Papa PoirotAJ
JIt is not +hat you thin1> it isn"t> indeed/ !u)phrey ; )y 'rother ;
never tou.hed a hair of his head/J
J@our 'rother> ehAJ said Poirot/ JSo that is ho+ the and ies/ We> if
you +ish to save hi) fro) suspi.ion> you )ust te )e the +hoe
story no+> +ithout reservations/J
#iy sat up again> pushing 'a.1 the hair fro) her forehead/ After a
)inute or t+o> she 'egan to spea1 in a o+> .ear voi.e/
JI +i te you the truth> M/ Poirot/ I .an see no+ that it +oud 'e
a'surd to do anything ese/ My rea na)e is #iy 0ayor> and
!u)phrey is )y ony 'rother/ So)e years ago> +hen he +as out in
Afri.a> he dis.overed a god )ine> or rather> I shoud say>
dis.overed the presen.e of god/ I .an"t te you this part of it
propery> 'e.ause I don"t understand the te.hni.a detais> 'ut +hat
it a)ounted to +as thisH
JThe thing see)ed i1ey to 'e a very 'ig underta1ing> and
!u)phrey .a)e ho)e +ith etters to Sir &eu'en Ast+e in the
hopes of getting hi) interested in the )atter/ I don"t understand the
rights of it even no+> 'ut I gather that Sir &eu'en sent out an eBpert
to report> and that he su'se8uenty tod )y 'rother that the
eBpert"s report +as unfavora'e and that he> !u)phrey> had )ade
a great )ista1e/ My 'rother +ent 'a.1 to Afri.a on an eBpedition
into the interior and +as ost sight of/ It +as assu)ed that he and
the eBpedition had perished/
JIt +as soon after that that a .o)pany +as for)ed to eBpoit the
Mpaa Cod Fieds/ When )y 'rother got 'a.1 to (ngand he at on.e
Du)ped to the .on.usion that these god fieds +ere identi.a +ith
those he had dis.overed/ Sir &eu'en Ast+e had apparenty
nothing to do +ith this .o)pany> and they had see)ingy
dis.overed the pa.e on their o+n/ %ut )y 'rother +as not
satisfiedI he +as .onvin.ed that Sir &eu'en had dei'eratey
s+inded hi)/
J!e 'e.a)e )ore and )ore vioent and unhappy a'out the )atter/
We t+o are aone in the +ord> M/ Poirot> and as it +as ne.essary
then for )e to go out and earn )y o+n iving> I .on.eived the idea
of ta1ing a post in this househod and trying to find out if any
.onne.tion eBisted 'et+een Sir &eu'en and the Mpaa ,od Fieds/
For o'vious reasons I .on.eaed )y rea na)e> and I" ad)it
fran1y that I used a forged referen.e/
JThere +ere )any appi.ants for the post> )ost of the) +ith 'etter
8uaifi.ations than )ine> so ; +e> M/ Poirot> I +rote a 'eautifu
etter fro) the $u.hess of Perthshire +ho I 1ne+ had Dust gone to
A)eri.a/ I thought a $u.hess +oud have a great effe.t upon #ady
Ast+e> and I +as 8uite right/ She engaged )e on the spot/
JSin.e then I have 'een that hatefu thing> a spy> and unti atey
+ith no su..ess/ Sir &eu'en is not a )an to give a+ay his 'usiness
se.rets> 'ut +hen 7i.tor Ast+e .a)e 'a.1 fro) Afri.a he +as
ess guarded in his ta1> and I 'egan to 'eieve that> after a>
!u)phrey had not 'een )ista1en/ My 'rother .a)e do+n here
a'out a fortnight 'efore the )urder> and I .rept out of the house to
)eet hi) se.rety at night/ I tod hi) the things 7i.tor Ast+e had
said> and he 'e.a)e very eB.ited and assured )e I +as definitey
on the right tra.1/
J%ut after that things 'egan to go +rongI so)eone )ust have seen
)e steaing out of the house and have reported the )atter to Sir
&eu'en/ !e 'e.a)e suspi.ious and hunted up )y referen.es> and
soon dis.overed the fa.t that they +ere forged/ The .risis .a)e on
the day of the )urder/ I thin1 he thought I +as after his +ife"s
De+es/ Whatever his suspi.ions +ere> he had no intention to ao+
)e to re)ain any onger at Mon &epos> though he agreed not to
prose.ute )e on a..ount of the referen.es/ #ady Ast+e too1 )y
part throughout and stood up vaianty to Sir &eu'en/J
She paused/ Poirot"s fa.e +as very grave/
JAnd no+> Made)oisee>J he said> J+e .o)e to the night of the
)urder/J
#iy s+ao+ed hard and nodded her head/
JTo 'egin +ith> M> Poirot> I )ust te you that )y 'rother had .o)e
do+n again> and that I had arranged to .reep out and )eet hi)
on.e )ore/ I +ent up to )y roo)> as I have said> 'ut I did not go to
'ed/ Instead> I +aited ti I thought everyone +as aseep> and then
stoe do+nstairs again and out 'y the side door/ I )et !u)phrey
and a.8uainted hi) in a fe+ hurried +ords +hat had o..urred/ I
tod hi) that I 'eieved the papers he +anted +ere in Sir &eu'en"s
safe in the To+er roo)> and +e agreed as a ast desperate
adventure to try and get hod of the) that night/
JI +as to go in first and see that the +ay +as .ear/ I heard the
.hur.h .o.1 stri1e t+eve as I +ent in 'y the side door/ I +as
haf+ay up the stairs eading to the To+er roo)> +hen I heard a
thud of so)ething faing> and a voi.e .ried out> "My ,odG" A )inute
or t+o after+ard the door of the To+er roo) opened> and Chares
#everson .a)e out/ I .oud see his fa.e 8uite .eary in the
)oonight> 'ut I +as .rou.hing so)e +ay 'eo+ hi) on the stairs
+here it +as dar1> and he did not see )e at a/
J!e stood there a )o)ent s+aying on his feet and oo1ing ghasty/
!e see)ed to 'e isteningI then +ith an effort he see)ed to pu
hi)sef together and> opening the door into the To+er roo)> .aed
out so)ething a'out there 'eing no har) done/ !is voi.e +as 8uite
Daunty and de'onair> 'ut his fa.e gave the ie to it/ !e +aited a
)inute )ore> and then so+y +ent on upstairs and out of sight/
JWhen he had gone I +aited a )inute or t+o and then .rept to the
To+er roo) door> I had a feeing that so)ething tragi. had
happened/ The )ain ight +as out> 'ut the des1 a)p +as on> and
'y its ight I sa+ Sir &eu'en ying on the foor 'y the des1/ I don"t
1no+ ho+ I )anaged it> 'ut I nerved )ysef at ast to go over and
1nee do+n 'y hi)/ I sa+ at on.e that he +as dead> stru.1 do+n
fro) 'ehind> and aso that he .oudn"t have 'een dead ongI I
tou.hed his hand and it +as sti 8uite +ar)/ It +as Dust horri'e> M/
Poirot/ !orri'eGJ
She shuddered again at the re)e)'ran.e/
JAnd thenAJ said Poirot> oo1ing at her 1eeny/
#iy Margrave nodded/
J@es> M/ Poirot> I 1no+ +hat you are thin1ing/ Why didn"t I give the
aar) and raise the houseA I shoud have done so> I 1no+> 'ut it
.a)e over )e in a fash> as I 1net there> that )y 8uarre +ith Sir
&eu'en> )y steaing out to )eet !u)phrey> the fa.t that I +as
'eing sent a+ay on the )orro+> )ade a fata se8uen.e/ They +oud
say that I had et !u)phrey in> and that !u)phrey had 1ied Sir
&eu'en out of revenge/ If I said that I had seen Chares #everson
eaving the roo)> no one +oud 'eieve )e/
JIt +as terri'e> M/ PoirotG I 1net there> and thought and thought>
and the )ore I thought the )ore )y nerve faied )e/ Presenty I
noti.ed Sir &eu'en"s 1eys +hi.h had dropped fro) his po.1et as he
fe/ A)ong the) +as the 1ey of the safe> the .o)'ination +ord I
aready 1ne+> sin.e #ady Ast+e had )entioned it on.e in )y
hearing/ I +ent over to that safe> M/ Poirot> uno.1ed it and
ru))aged through the papers I found there/
JIn the end I found +hat I +as oo1ing for/ !u)phrey had 'een
perfe.ty right/ Sir &eu'en +as 'ehind the Mpaa ,od Fieds> and
he had dei'eratey s+inded !u)phrey/ That )ade it a the +orse/
It gave a perfe.ty definite )otive for !u)phrey having .o)itted
the .ri)e/ I put the papers 'a.1 in the safe> eft the 1ey in the door
of it> and +ent straight upstairs to )y roo)/ In the )orning I
pretended to 'e surprised and horror;stri.1en> i1e everyone ese>
+hen the house)aid dis.overed the 'ody/J
She stopped and oo1ed piteousy a.ross at Poirot/
J@ou do 'eieve )e> M/ Poirot/ <h> do say you 'eieve )eGJ
JI 'eieve you> Made)oisee>J said PoirotI Jyou have eBpained
)any things that pu??ed )e/ @our a'soute .ertainty> for one thing>
that Chares #everson had .o))itted the .ri)e and at the sa)e
ti)e your persistent efforts to 1eep )e fro) .o)ing do+n here/J
#iy nodded/
JI +as afraid of you>J she ad)itted fran1y/ J#ady Ast+e .oud not
1no+> as I did> that Chares +as guity> and I .oudn"t say anything/ I
hoped against hope that you +oud refuse to ta1e the .ase/J
J%ut for that o'vious anBiety on your part> I )ight have done so>J
said Poirot dryy/
#iy oo1ed at hi) s+ifty> her ips tre)'ed a itte/
JAnd no+> M/ Poirot> +hat ; +hat are you going to doAJ
JAs far as you are .on.erned> Made)oisee> nothing/ I 'eieve your
story> and I a..ept it/ The neBt step is to go to #ondon and see
Inspe.tor Mier/J
JAnd thenAJ as1ed #iy/
JAnd then>J said Poirot> J+e sha see/J
<utside the door of the study he oo1ed on.e )ore at the itte
s8uare of stained green .hiffon +hi.h he hed in his hand/
JA)a?ing>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef .o)pa.enty> Jthe ingenuity of
!er.ue Poirot/J
$ete.tive Inspe.tor Mier +as not parti.uary fond of M/ !er.ue
Poirot/ !e did not 'eong to that s)a 'and of inspe.tors at the
@ard +ho +e.o)ed the itte %egian"s .ooperation/ !e +as +ont to
say that !er.ue Poirot +as )u.h overrated/ In this .ase he fet
pretty sure of hi)sef> and greeted Poirot +ith high good hu)or in
.onse8uen.e/
JA.ting for #ady Ast+e> are youA We> you have ta1en up a )are"s
nest in that .ase/J
JThere is> then> no possi'e dou't a'out the )atterAJ
Mier +in1ed/ J0ever +as a .earer .ase> short of .at.hing a
)urderer a'soutey red;handed/J
JM/ #everson has )ade a state)ent> I understandAJ
J!e had 'etter have 1ept his )outh shut>J said the dete.tive/ J!e
repeats over and over again that he +ent straight up to his roo)
and never +ent near his un.e/ That"s a foo story on the fa.e of it/J
JIt is .ertainy against the +eight of eviden.e>J )ur)ured Poirot/
J!o+ does he stri1e you> this young M/ #eversonAJ
J$arned young foo/J
JA +ea1 .hara.ter> ehAJ
The inspe.tor nodded/
J<ne +oud hardy thin1 a young )an of that type +oud have the ;
ho+ do you say it ; the 'o+es to .o))it su.h a .ri)e/J
J<n the fa.e of it> no>J agreed the inspe.tor/ J%ut> 'ess you> I have
.o)e a.ross the sa)e thing )any ti)es/ ,et a +ea1> dissipated
young )an into a .orner> fi hi) up +ith a drop too )u.h to drin1>
and for a i)ited a)ount of ti)e you .an turn hi) into a fire;eater/ A
+ea1 )an in a .orner is )ore dangerous than a strong )an/J
JThat is true> yesI that is true +hat you say/J
Mier un'ent a itte further/
J<f .ourse> it is a right for you> M/ Poirot>J he said/ J@ou get your
fees Dust the sa)e> and naturay you have to )a1e a pretense of
eBa)ining the eviden.e to satisfy her #adyship/ I .an understand a
that/J
J@ou understand su.h interesting things>J )ur)ured Poirot> and
too1 his eave/
!is neBt .a +as upon the soi.itor representing Chares #everson/
Mr Mayhe+ +as a thin> dry> .autious gente)an/ !e re.eived Poirot
+ith reserve/ Poirot> ho+ever> had his o+n +ays of indu.ing
.onfiden.e/ In ten )inutes" ti)e the t+o +ere ta1ing together
a)i.a'y/
J@ou +i understand>J said Poirot> JI a) a.ting in this .ase soey
on 'ehaf of M/ #everson/ That is #ady Ast+e"s +ish/ She is
.onvin.ed that he is not guity/J
J@es> yes> 8uite so>J said Mr Mayhe+ +ithout enthusias)/ Poirot"s
eyes t+in1ed/ J@ou do not perhaps atta.h )u.h i)portan.e to the
opinions> of #ady Ast+eAJ he suggested/
JShe )ight 'e Dust as sure of his guit to)orro+>J said the a+yer
dryy/
J!er intuitions are not eviden.e .ertainy>J agreed Poirot> Jand on
the fa.e of it the .ase oo1s very 'a.1 against this poor young
)an/J
JIt is a pity he said +hat he did to the poi.e>J said the a+yerI Jit
+i 'e no good his sti.1ing to that story/J
J!as he stu.1 to it +ith youAJ in8uired Poirot/
Mayhe+ nodded/ JIt never varies an iota/ !e repeats it i1e a
parrot/J
JAnd that is +hat destroys your faith in hi)>J )used the other/ JAh>
don"t deny it>J he added 8ui.1y> hoding up an arresting hand/ JI
see it ony too painy/ In your heart you 'eieve hi) guity/ %ut isten
no+ to )e> to )e> !er.ue Poirot/ I present to you a .ase/
JThis young )an .o)es ho)e> he has drun1 the .o.1tai> the
.o.1tai> and again the .o.1tai> aso +ithout dou't the (ngish
+his1y and soda )any ti)es/ !e is fu of> +hat you .a itA the
.ourage $ut.h> and in that )ood he ets hi)sef into the house +ith
his at.h1ey> and he goes +ith unsteady steps up to the To+er
roo)/ !e oo1s in at the door and sees in the di) ight his un.e>
apparenty 'ending over the des1/
JM/ #everson is fu> as +e have said> of the .ourage $ut.h/ !e ets
hi)sef go> he tes his un.e Dust +hat he thin1s of hi)/ !e defies
hi)> he insuts hi)> and the )ore his un.e does not ans+er 'a.1>
the )ore he is en.ouraged to go on> to repeat hi)sef> to say the
sa)e thing over and over again> and ea.h ti)e )ore oudy/ %ut at
ast the .ontinued sien.e of his un.e a+a1ens an apprehension/
!e goes nearer to hi)> he ays his hand on his un.e"s shouder> and
his un.e"s figure .ru)pes under his tou.h and sin1s in a heap to
the ground/
J!e is so'ered> then> this M/ #everson/ The .hair fas +ith a .rash>
and he 'ends over Sir &eu'en/ !e reai?es +hat has happened> he
oo1s at his hand .overed +ith so)ething +ar) and red/ !e is in a
pani. then> he +oud give anything on earth to re.a the .ry +hi.h
has Dust sprung fro) his ips> e.hoing through the house/
Me.hani.ay he pi.1s up the .hair> then he hastens out through the
door and istens/ !e fan.ies he hears a sound> and i))ediatey>
auto)ati.ay> he pretends to 'e spea1ing to his un.e through the
open door/
JThe sound is not repeated/ !e is .onvin.ed he has 'een )ista1en
in thin1ing he heard one/ 0o+ a is sien.e> he .reeps up to his
roo)> and at on.e it o..urs to hi) ho+ )u.h 'etter it +i 'e if he
pretends never to have 'een near his un.e that night/ So he tes
his story/ Parsons at that ti)e> re)e)'er> has said nothing of +hat
he heard/ When he does do so> it is too ate for M/ #everson to
.hange/ !e is stupid> and he is o'stinate> he sti.1s to his story/ Te
)e> Monsieur> is that not possi'eAJ
J@es>J said the a+yer> JI suppose in the +ay you put it that it is
possi'e/J
Poirot rose to his feet/
J@ou have the priviege of seeing M/ #everson>J he said/ JPut to hi)
the story I have tod you> and as1 hi) if it is not true/J
<utside the a+yer"s offi.e> Poirot haied a taBi/
J54O !arey Street>J he )ur)ured to the driver/
Poirot"s departure for #ondon had ta1en #ady Ast+e 'y surprise>
for the itte )an had not )ade any )ention of +hat he proposed
doing/ <n his return> after an a'sen.e of t+enty;four hours> he +as
infor)ed 'y Parsons that #ady Ast+e +oud i1e to see hi) as
soon as possi'e/ Poirot found the ady in her o+n 'oudoir/ She +as
ying do+n on the divan> her head propped up 'y .ushions> and she
oo1ed startingy i and haggardI far )ore so than she had done on
the day Poirot arrived/
JSo you have .o)e 'a.1> M/ PoirotAJ
JI have returned> )iady/J
J@ou +ent to #ondonAJ
Poirot nodded/
J@ou didn"t te )e you +ere going>J said #ady Ast+e sharpy/
JA thousand apoogies> )iady> I a) in error> I shoud have done so/
#a pro.haine fois ;J
J@ou +i do eBa.ty the sa)e>J interrupted #ady Ast+e +ith a
shre+d tou.h of hu)or/ J$o things first and te peope after+ard>
that is your )otto right enough/J
JPerhaps it has aso 'een )iady"s )ottoAJ !is eyes t+in1ed/
J0o+ and then> perhaps>J ad)itted the other/ JWhat did you go up
to #ondon for> M/ PoirotA @ou .an te )e no+> I supposeAJ
JI had an intervie+ +ith the good Inspe.tor Mier> and aso +ith the
eB.eent Mr Mayhe+/J
#ady Ast+e"s eyes sear.hed his fa.e/
JAnd you thin1> no+ ;AJ she said so+y/
Poirot"s eyes +ere fiBed on her steadiy/
JThat there is a possi'iity of Chares #everson"s inno.en.e>J he
said gravey/
JAhGJ #ady Ast+e )oved suddeny> sending t+o .ushions roing
to the ground/ JI +as right> then> I +as rightGJ
JI said a possi'iity> Mada)e> that is a/J
So)ething in his tone see)ed to stri1e her/ She raised hersef on
one e'o+ and regarded hi) pier.ingy/
JCan I do anythingAJ she as1ed/
J@es>J he nodded his head> Jyou .an te )e> #ady Ast+e> +hy you
suspe.t <+en Trefusis/J
JI have tod you I 1no+ ; that"s a/J
J2nfortunatey that is not enough>J said Poirot dryy/ JCast your
)ind 'a.1 to the fata evening> )iady/ &e)e)'er ea.h detai> ea.h
tiny happening/ What did you noti.e or o'serve a'out the
se.retaryA I> !er.ue Poirot> te you there )ust have 'een
so)ething/J
#ady Ast+e shoo1 her head/
JI hardy noti.ed hi) at a that evening>J she said> Jand I .ertainy
+as not thin1ing of hi)/J
J@our )ind +as ta1en up 'y so)ething eseAJ
J@es/J
JWith your hus'and"s ani)us against Miss #iy MargraveAJ
JThat"s right>J said #ady Ast+e> nodding her headI Jyou see) to
1no+ a a'out it> M/ Poirot/J
JMe> I 1no+ everything>J de.ared the itte )an +ith an a'surdy
grandiose air/
JI a) fond of #iy> M/ PoirotI you have seen that for yoursef/ &eu'en
'egan 1i.1ing up a ru)pus a'out so)e referen.e or other of hers/
Mind you> I don"t say she hadn"t .heated a'out it/ She had/ %ut>
'ess you> I have done )any +orse things than that in the od days/
@ou have got to 'e up to a sorts of tri.1s to get around theatri.a
)anagers/ There is nothing I +oudn"t have +ritten> or said> or
done> in )y ti)e/
J#iy +anted this Do'> and she put in a ot of si.1 +or1 that +as not
8uite ; +e> 8uite the thing> you 1no+/ Men are so stupid a'out that
sort of thingI #iy reay )ight have 'een a 'an1 .er1 a's.onding
+ith )iions for the fuss he )ade a'out it/ I +as terri'y +orried a
the evening> 'e.ause> athough I .oud usuay get round &eu'en in
the end> he +as terri'y pigheaded at ti)es> poor daring/ So of
.ourse I hadn"t ti)e to go noti.ing se.retaries> not that one does
noti.e M/ Trefusis )u.h> any+ay/ !e is Dust there and that"s a
there is to it/J
JI have noti.ed that fa.t a'out M/ Trefusis>J said Poirot/ J!is is not a
personaity that stands forth> that shines> that hits you .r;r;ra.1/J
J0o>J said #ady Ast+e> Jhe is not i1e 7i.tor/J
JM/ 7i.tor Ast+e is> I shoud say> eBposive/J
JThat is a spendid +ord for hi)>J said #ady Ast+e/ J!e eBpodes
a over the house> i1e one of those thinga)y;Dig fire+or1 things/J
JA so)e+hat 8ui.1 te)per> I shoud i)agineAJ suggested Poirot/
J<h> he"s a perfe.t devi +hen roused>J said #ady Ast+e> J'ut
'ess you> I") not afraid of hi)/ A 'ar1 and no 'ite to 7i.tor/J
Poirot oo1ed at the .eiing/
JAnd you .an te )e nothing a'out the se.retary that eveningAJ he
)ur)ured genty/
JI te you> M/ Poirot> I 1no+/ It"s intuition/ A +o)an"s intuition ;J
JWi not hang a )an>J said Poirot> Jand +hat is )ore to the point> it
+i not save a )an fro) 'eing hanged/ #ady Ast+e> if you
sin.erey 'eieve that M/ #everson is inno.ent> and that your
suspi.ions of the se.retary are +e;founded> +i you .onsent to a
itte eBperi)entAJ
JWhat 1ind of an eBperi)entAJ de)anded #ady Ast+e
suspi.iousy/
JWi you per)it yoursef to 'e put into a .ondition of hypnosisAJ
JWhatever forAJ
Poirot eaned for+ard/
JIf I +ere to te you> Mada)e> that your intuition is 'ased on .ertain
fa.ts re.orded su'.ons.iousy> you +oud pro'a'y 'e s1epti.a/ I
+i ony say> then> that this eBperi)ent I propose )ay 'e of great
i)portan.e to that unfortunate young )an> Chares #everson/ @ou
+i not refuseAJ
JWho is going to put )e into a tran.eAJ de)anded #ady Ast+e
suspi.iousy/ J@ouAJ
JA friend of )ine> #ady Ast+e> arrives> if I )ista1e not> at this very
)inute/ I hear the +hees of the .ar outside/J
JWho is heAJ
JA $o.tor Ca?aet of !arey Street/J
JIs he ; a rightAJ as1ed #ady Ast+e apprehensivey/
J!e is not a 8ua.1> Mada)e> if that is +hat you )ean/ @ou .an trust
yoursef in his hands 8uite safey/J
JWe>J said #ady Ast+e +ith a sigh> JI thin1 it is a 'un1u)> 'ut
you .an try if you i1e/ 0o'ody is going to say that I stood in your
+ay/J
JA thousand than1s> )iady/J
Poirot hurried fro) the roo)/ In a fe+ )inutes he returned ushering
in a .heerfu> round;fa.ed itte )an> +ith spe.ta.es> +ho +as very
upsetting to #ady Ast+e"s .on.eption of +hat a hypnotist shoud
oo1 i1e/ Poirot introdu.ed the)/
JWe>J said #ady Ast+e good;hu)oredy> Jho+ do +e start this
to)fooeryAJ
J4uite si)pe> #ady Ast+e> 8uite si)pe>J said the itte do.tor/
J*ust ean 'a.1> so ; that"s right> that"s right/ 0o need to 'e
uneasy/J
JI a) not in the east uneasy>J said #ady Ast+e/ JI shoud i1e to
see anyone hypnoti?ing )e against )y +i/J
$o.tor Ca?aet s)ied 'roady/
J@es> 'ut if you .onsent> it +on"t 'e against your +i> +i itAJ he
said .heerfuy/ JThat"s right/ Turn off that other ight> +i you> M/
PoirotA *ust et yoursef go to seep> #ady Ast+e/J
!e shifted his position a itte/
JIt"s getting ate/ @ou are seepy ; very seepy/ @our eyeids are
heavy> they are .osing ; .osing ; .osing/ Soon you +i 'e
aseep///J
!is voi.e droned on> o+> soothing> and )onotonous/ Presenty he
eaned for+ard and genty ifted #ady Ast+e"s right eyeid/ Then he
turned to Poirot> nodding in a satisfied )anner/
JThat"s a right>J he said in a o+ voi.e/ JSha I go aheadAJ
JIf you pease/J
The do.tor spo1e out sharpy and authoritativeyH J@ou are aseep>
#ady Ast+e> 'ut you hear )e> and you .an ans+er )y 8uestions/J
Without stirring or raising an eyeid> the )otioness figure on the
sofa repied in a o+> )onotonous voi.eH
JI hear you/ I .an ans+er your 8uestions/J
J#ady Ast+e> I +ant you to go 'a.1 to the evening on +hi.h your
hus'and +as )urdered/ @ou re)e)'er that eveningAJ
J@es/J
J@ou are at the dinner ta'e/ $es.ri'e to )e +hat you sa+ and fet/J
The prone figure stirred a itte restessy/
JI a) in great distress/ I a) +orried a'out #iy/J
JWe 1no+ thatI te us +hat you sa+/J
J7i.tor is eating a the sated a)ondsI he is greedy/ To)orro+ I
sha te Parsons not to put the dish on that side of the ta'e/J
J,o on/ #ady Ast+e/J
J&eu'en is in a 'ad hu)or tonight/ I donNt thin1 it is atogether
a'out #iy/ It is so)ething to do +ith 'usiness/ 7i.tor oo1s at hi) in
a 8ueer +ay/J
JTe us a'out Mr Trefusis> #ady Ast+e/J
J!is eft shirt .uff is frayed/ !e puts a ot of grease on his hair/ I
+ish )en didn"t> it ruins the .overs in the dra+ing;roo)/J
Ca?aet oo1ed at PoirotI the other )ade a )otion +ith his head/
JIt is after dinner> #ady Ast+e> you are having .offee/ $es.ri'e the
s.ene to )e/J
JThe .offee is good tonight/ It varies/ Coo1 is very unreia'e over
her .offee/ #iy 1eeps oo1ing out of the +indo+> I don"t 1no+ +hy/
0o+> &eu'en .o)es into the roo)I he is in one of his +orst )oods
tonight> and 'ursts out +ith a perfe.t food of a'use to poor Mr
Trefusis/ Mr Trefusis has his hand round the paper;1nife> the 'ig
one +ith the sharp 'ade i1e a 1nife/ !o+ hard he is grasping itI his
1nu.1es are 8uite +hite/ #oo1> he has dug it so hard in the ta'e
that the point snaps/ !e hods it Dust as you +oud hod a dagger you
+ere going to sti.1 into so)eone/ There> they have gone out
together no+/ #iy has got her green evening dress onI she oo1s so
pretty in green> Dust i1e a iy/ I )ust have the .overs .eaned neBt
+ee1/J
J*ust a )inute> #ady Ast+e/J
The do.tor eaned a.ross to Poirot/
JWe have got it> I thin1>J he )ur)uredI Jthat a.tion +ith the paper1nife>
that"s +hat .onvin.ed her that the se.retary did the thing/J
J#et us go on to the To+er roo) no+/J
The do.tor nodded> and 'egan on.e )ore to 8uestion #ady Ast+e
in his high> de.isive voi.e/
JIt is ater in the eveningI you are in the To+er roo) +ith your
hus'and/ @ou and he have had a terri'e s.ene together> have you
notAJ
Again the figure stirred uneasiy/
J@es ; terri'e ; terri'e/ We said dreadfu things ; 'oth of us/J
J0ever )ind that no+/ @ou .an see the roo) .eary> the .urtains
+ere dra+n> the ights +ere on/J
J0ot the )idde ight> ony the des1 ight/J
J@ou are eaving your hus'and no+> you are saying good night to
hi)/J
J0o> I +as too angry/J
JIt is the ast ti)e you +i see hi)I very soon he +i 'e )urdered/
$o you 1no+ +ho )urdered hi)> #ady Ast+eAJ
J@es/ Mr Trefusis/J
JWhy do you say thatAJ
J%e.ause of the 'uge ; the 'uge in the .urtain/J
JThere +as a 'uge in the .urtainAJ
J@es/J
J@ou sa+ itAJ
J@es/ I a)ost tou.hed it/J
JWas there a )an .on.eaed there ; Mr TrefusisAJ
J@es/J
J!o+ do you 1no+AJ
For the first ti)e the )onotonous ans+ering voi.e hesitated and
ost .onfiden.e/
JI ; I ; 'e.ause of the paper;1nife/J
Poirot and the do.tor again inter.hanged s+ift gan.es/
JI don"t understand you> #ady Ast+e/ There +as a 'uge in the
.urtain> you sayA So)eone .on.eaed thereA @ou didn"t see that
personAJ
J0o/J
J@ou thought it +as Mr Trefusis 'e.ause of the +ay he hed the
paper;1nife earierAJ
J@es/J
J%ut Mr Trefusis had gone upstairs> had he notAJ
J@es ; yes> that"s right> he had gone upstairs/J
JSo he .oudn"t have 'een 'ehind the .urtain in the +indo+AJ
J0o ; no> of .ourse not> he +asn"t there/J
J!e had said good night to your hus'and so)e ti)e 'efore> hadn"t
heAJ
J@es/J
JAnd you didn"t see hi) againAJ
J0o/J
She +as stirring no+> thro+ing hersef a'out> )oaning fainty/
JShe is .o)ing out>J said the do.tor/ JWe> I thin1 +e have got a
+e .an> ehAJ
Poirot nodded/ The do.tor eaned over #ady Ast+e/
J@ou are +a1ing>J he )ur)ured softy/ J@ou are +a1ing no+/ In
another )inute you +i open your eyes/J
The t+o )en +aited> and presenty #ady Ast+e sat upright and
stared at the) 'oth/
J!ave I 'een having a napAJ
JThat"s it> #ady Ast+e> Dust a itte seep>J said the do.tor/
She oo1ed at hi)/
JSo)e of your ho.us;po.us> ehAJ
J@ou don"t fee any the +orse> I hopeAJ he as1ed/
#ady Ast+e ya+ned/
JI fee rather tired and done up/J
The do.tor rose/
JI +i as1 the) to send you up so)e .offee>J he said> Jand +e +i
eave you for the present/J
J$id I ; say anythingAJ #ady Ast+e .aed after the) as they
rea.hed the door/
Poirot s)ied 'a.1 at her/
J0othing of great i)portan.e> Mada)e/ @ou infor)ed us that the
dra+ing;roo) .overs needed .eaning/J
JSo they do>J said #ady Ast+e/ J@ou needn"t have put )e into a
tran.e to get )e to te you that/J She aughed good;hu)oredy/
JAnything )oreAJ
J$o you re)e)'er M/ Trefusis pi.1ing up a paper;1nife in the
dra+ing;roo) that nightAJ as1ed Poirot/
JI don"t 1no+> I") sure>J said #ady Ast+e/ J!e )ay have done so/J
J$oes a 'uge in the .urtain .onvey anything to youAJ
#ady Ast+e fro+ned/
JI see) to re)e)'er>J she said so+y/ J0o ; it"s gone> and yet ;J
J$o not distress yoursef> #ady Ast+e>J said Poirot 8ui.1y> Jit is of
no i)portan.e ; of no i)portan.e +hatever/J
The do.tor +ent +ith Poirot to the atter"s roo)/
JWe>J said Ca?aet> JI thin1 this eBpains things pretty .eary/ 0o
dou't +hen Sir &eu'en +as dressing do+n the se.retary> the atter
gra''ed tight hod on a paper;1nife> and had to eBer.ise a good
dea of sef;.ontro to prevent hi)sef ans+ering 'a.1/ #ady
Ast+e"s .ons.ious )ind +as +hoy ta1en up +ith the pro'e) of
#iy Margrave> 'ut her su'.ons.ious )ind noti.ed and
)is.onstrued the a.tion/
JIt i)panted in her the fir) .onvi.tion that Trefusis )urdered Sir
&eu'en/ 0o+ +e .o)e to the 'uge in the .urtain/ That is
interesting/ I ta1e it fro) +hat you have tod )e of the To+er roo)
that the des1 +as right in the +indo+/ There are .urtains a.ross
that +indo+> of .ourseAJ
J@es> )on a)i> 'a.1 vevet .urtains/J
JAnd there is roo) in the e)'rasure of the +indo+ for anyone to
re)ain .on.eaed 'ehind the)AJ
JThere +oud 'e Dust roo)> I thin1/J
JThen there see)s at east a possi'iity>J said the do.tor so+y>
Jthat so)eone +as .on.eaed in the roo)> 'ut if so it .oud not 'e
the se.retary> sin.e they 'oth sa+ hi) eave the roo)/ It .oud not
'e 7i.tor Ast+e> for Trefusis )et hi) going out> and it .oud not 'e
#iy Margrave/ Whoever it +as )ust have 'een .on.eaed there
'efore Sir &eu'en entered the roo) that evening/ @ou have tod )e
pretty +e ho+ the and ies/ 0o+ +hat a'out Captain 0ayorA
Coud it have 'een he +ho +as .on.eaed thereAJ
JIt is a+ays possi'e>J ad)itted Poirot/ J!e .ertainy dined at the
hote> 'ut ho+ soon he +ent out after+ard is diffi.ut to fiB eBa.ty/
!e returned a'out haf;past t+eve/J
JThen it )ight have 'een he>J said the do.tor> Jand if so> he
.o))itted the .ri)e/ !e had the )otive> and there +as a +eapon
near at hand/ @ou don"t see) satisfied +ith the idea> thoughAJ
JMe> I have other ideas>J .onfessed Poirot/ JTe )e no+> M/ e
$o.teur> supposing for one )inute that #ady Ast+e hersef had
.o))itted this .ri)e> +oud she ne.essariy 'etray the fa.t in the
hypnoti. stateAJ
The do.tor +histed/
JSo that"s +hat you are getting atA #ady Ast+e is the .ri)ina> ehA
<f .ourse ; it is possi'eI I never thought of it ti this )inute/ She
+as the ast to 'e +ith hi)> and no one sa+ hi) aive after+ard/ As
to your 8uestionH I shoud 'e in.ined to say ; 0o/ #ady Ast+e
+oud go into the hypnoti. state +ith a strong )enta reservation to
say nothing of her o+n part in the .ri)e/ She +oud ans+er )y
8uestions truthfuy> 'ut she +oud 'e du)' on that one point/ @et I
shoud hardy have eBpe.ted her to 'e so insistent on Mr Trefusis"s
guit/J
JI .o)prehend>J said Poirot/ J%ut I have not said that I 'eieve #ady
Ast+e to 'e the .ri)ina/ It is a suggestion> that is a/J
JIt is an interesting .ase>J said the do.tor after a )inute or t+o/
J,ranting Chares #everson is inno.ent> there are so )any
possi'iities> !u)phrey 0ayor> #ady Ast+e> and even #iy>
Margrave/J
JThere is another you have not )entioned>J said Poirot 8uiety>
J7i.tor Ast+e/ A..ording to his o+n story> he sat in his roo) +ith
the door open +aiting for Chares #everson"s return> 'ut +e have
ony his o+n +ord for it> you .o)prehendAJ
J!e is the 'ad;te)pered feo+> isn"t heAJ as1ed the do.tor/ JThe
one you tod )e a'outAJ
JThat is so>J agreed Poirot/
The do.tor rose to his feet/
JWe> I )ust 'e getting 'a.1 to to+n/ @ou +i et )e 1no+ ho+
things shape> +on"t youAJ
After the do.tor had eft> Poirot pued the 'e for ,eorge/
JA .up of tisane> ,eorge/ My nerves are )u.h distur'ed/J
JCertainy> sir>J said ,eorge/ JI +i prepare it i))ediatey/J
Ten )inutes ater he 'rought a stea)ing .up to his )aster/ Poirot
inhaed the noBious fu)es +ith peasure/ As he sipped it> he
soio8ui?ed aoud/
JThe .hase is different a over the +ord/ To .at.h the foB you ride
hard +ith the dogs/ @ou shout> you run> it is a )atter of speed/ I
have not shot the stag )ysef> 'ut I understand that to do so you
.ra+ for )any ong> ong hours upon your sto)a.h/ My friend
!astings has re.ounted the affair to )e/ <ur )ethod here> )y good
,eorge> )ust 'e neither of these/ #et us refe.t upon the househod
.at/ For )any ong> +eary hours> he +at.hes the )ouse hoe> he
)a1es no )ove)ent> he 'etrays no energy> 'ut ; he does not go
a+ay/J
!e sighed and put the e)pty .up do+n on its sau.er/
JI tod you to pa.1 for a fe+ days/ To)orro+> )y good ,eorge> you
+i go to #ondon and 'ring do+n +hat is ne.essary for a fortnight/J
J7ery good> sir>J said ,eorge/ As usua he dispayed no e)otion/
The apparenty per)anent presen.e of !er.ue Poirot at Mon
&epos +as dis8uieting to )any peope/ 7i.tor Ast+e re)onstrated
+ith his sister;in;a+ a'out it/
JIt"s a very +e> 0an.y/ @ou don"t 1no+ +hat feo+s of that 1ind
are i1e/ !e has found Doy .o)forta'e 8uarters here> and he is
evidenty going to sette do+n .o)forta'y for a'out a )onth>
.harging you t+o guineas a day a the +hie/J
#ady Ast+e"s repy +as to the effe.t that she .oud )anage her
o+n affairs +ithout interferen.e/
#iy Margrave tried earnesty to .on.ea her pertur'ation/ At the
ti)e> she had fet sure that Poirot 'eieved her story/ 0o+ she +as
not so .ertain/
Poirot did not pay an entirey 8uies.ent ga)e/ <n the fifth day of
his soDourn he 'rought do+n a s)a thu)'ograph a'u) to dinner/
As a )ethod of getting the thu)'prints of the househod> it see)ed
a rather .u)sy devi.e> yet not perhaps so .u)sy as it see)ed>
sin.e no one .oud afford to refuse his thu)'prints/ <ny after the
itte )an had retired to 'ed did 7i.tor Ast+e state his vie+s/
J@ou see +hat it )eans> 0an.y/ !e is out after one of us/J
J$on"t 'e a'surd> 7i.tor/J
JWe> +hat other )eaning .oud that 'in1ing itte 'oo1 of his
haveAJ
JM> Poirot 1no+s +hat he is doing>J said #ady Ast+e
.o)pa.enty> and oo1ed +ith so)e )eaning at <+en Trefusis/
<n another o..asion Poirot introdu.ed the ga)e of tra.ing
footprints on a sheet of paper/ The foo+ing )orning> going +ith
his soft .at;i1e tread into the i'rary> the dete.tive started <+en
Trefusis> +ho eaped fro) his .hair as though he had 'een shot/
J@ou )ust reay eB.use )e> M/ Poirot>J he said pri)y> J'ut you
have us on the Du)p/J
JIndeed> ho+ is thatAJ de)anded the itte )an inno.enty/
JI +i ad)it>J said the se.retary> Jthat I thought the .ase against
Chares #everson uttery over+he)ing> @ou apparenty do not find
it so/J
Poirot +as standing oo1ing out of the +indo+/ !e turned suddeny
to the other/
JI sha te you so)ething> M/ Trefusis ; in .onfiden.e/J
J@esAJ
Poirot see)ed in no hurry to 'egin/ !e +aited a )inute> hesitating/
When he did spea1> his opening +ords +ere .oin.ident +ith the
opening and shutting of the front door/ For a )an saying so)ething
in .onfiden.e> he spo1e rather oudy> his voi.e dro+ning the sound
of a footstep in the ha outside/
JI sha te you this in .onfiden.e> Mr Trefusis/ There is ne+
eviden.e/ It goes to prove that +hen Chares #everson entered the
To+er roo) that night> Sir &eu'en +as aready dead/J
The se.retary stared at hi)/
J%ut +hat eviden.eA Why have +e not heard of itAJ
J@ou +i hear>J said the itte )an )ysteriousy/ JIn the )eanti)e>
you and I aone 1no+ the se.ret/J
!e s1ipped ni)'y out of the roo)> and a)ost .oided +ith 7i.tor
Ast+e in the ha outside/
J@ou have Dust .o)e in> eh> MonsieurAJ
Ast+e nodded/
J%easty day outside>J he said> 'reathing hard> J.od and 'o+y/J
JAh>J said Poirot> JI sha not pro)enade )ysef today ; )e> I a)
i1e a .at> I sit 'y the fire and 1eep )ysef +ar)/J
JQa )ar.he> ,eorge>J he said that evening to the faithfu vaet>
ru''ing his hands as he spo1e> Jthey are on the tenterhoo1s ; the
Du)pG It is hard> ,eorge> to pay the ga)e of the .at> the +aiting
ga)e> 'ut it ans+ers> yes> it ans+ers +onderfuy/ To)orro+ +e
)a1e a further effe.t/J
<n the foo+ing day> Trefusis +as o'iged to go up to to+n/ !e
+ent up 'y the sa)e train as 7i.tor Ast+e/ 0o sooner had they eft
the house than Poirot +as gavani?ed into a fever of a.tivity/
JCo)e> ,eorge> et us hurry to +or1/ If the house)aid shoud
approa.h these roo)s> you )ust deay her/ Spea1 to her s+eet
nothings> ,eorge> and 1eep her in the .orridor/J
!e +ent first to the se.retary"s roo)> and 'egan a thorough
sear.h/ 0ot a dra+er or a shef +as eft uninspe.ted/ Then he
repa.ed everything hurriedy> and de.ared his 8uest finished/
,eorge> on guard in the door+ay> gave +ay to a deferentia .ough/
JIf you +i eB.use )e> sirAJ
J@es> )y good ,eorgeAJ
JThe shoes> sir/ The t+o pairs of 'ro+n shoes +ere on the se.ond
shef> and the patent;eather ones +ere on the shef underneath/ In
repa.ing the) you have reversed the order/J
JMarveousGJ .ried Poirot> hoding up his hands/ J%ut et us not
distress ourseves over that/ It is of no i)portan.e> I assure you>
,eorge/ 0ever +i M/ Trefusis noti.e su.h a trifing )atter/J
JAs you thin1> sir>J said ,eorge/
JIt is your 'usiness to noti.e su.h things>J said Poirot
en.ouragingy as he .apped the other on the shouder/ JIt refe.ts
.redit upon you/J
The vaet did not repy> and +hen> ater in the day> the pro.eeding
+as repeated in the roo) of 7i.tor Ast+e> he )ade no .o))ent
on the fa.t that Mr Ast+e"s under.othing +as not returned to its
dra+ers stri.ty a..ording to pan/ @et> in the se.ond .ase at east>
events proved the vaet to 'e right and Poirot +rong/ 7i.tor Ast+e
.a)e stor)ing into the dra+ing;roo) that evening/
J0o+> oo1 here> you 'asted itte %egian Da.1anapes> +hat do you
)ean 'y sear.hing )y roo)A What the devi do you thin1 you are
going to find thereA I +on"t have it> do you hearA That"s +hat .o)es
of having a ferreting itte spy in the house/J
Poirot"s hands spread the)seves out eo8uenty as his +ords
tu)'ed one over the other/ !e offered a hundred apoogies> a
thousand> a )iion/ !e had 'een )aadroit> offi.ious> he +as
.onfused/ !e had ta1en an un+arranted i'erty/ In the end the
infuriated gente)an +as for.ed to su'side> sti gro+ing/ And
again that evening> sipping his tisane> Poirot )ur)ured to ,eorgeH
JIt )ar.hes> )y good ,eorge> yet ; it )ar.hes/J
JFriday>J o'served !er.ue Poirot thoughtfuy> Jis )y u.1y day/J
JIndeed> sir/J
J@ou are not superstitious> perhaps> )y good ,eorgeAJ
JI prefer not to sit do+n thirteen at ta'e> sir> and I a) adverse to
passing under adders/ I have no superstitions a'out a Friday> sir/J
JThat is +e>J said Poirot> Jfor> see you> today +e )a1e our
Wateroo/J
J&eay> sir/J
J@ou have su.h enthusias)> )y good ,eorge> you do not even as1
+hat I propose to do/J
JAnd +hat is that> sirAJ
JToday> ,eorge> I )a1e a fina thorough sear.h of the To+er
roo)/J
True enough> after 'rea1fast> Poirot> +ith the per)ission of #ady
Ast+e> +ent to the s.ene of the .ri)e/ There> at various ti)es of
the )orning> )e)'ers of the househod sa+ hi) .ra+ing a'out on
a fours> eBa)ining )inutey the 'a.1 vevet .urtains and standing
on high .hairs to eBa)ine the pi.ture fra)es on the +a/ #ady
Ast+e for the first ti)e dispayed uneasiness/
JI have to ad)it it>J she said/ J!e is getting on )y nerves at ast/ !e
has so)ething up his seeve> and I don"t 1no+ +hat it is/ And the
+ay he is .ra+ing a'out on the foor up there i1e a dog )a1es )e
do+nright shivery/ What is he oo1ing for> I"d i1e to 1no+A #iy> )y
dear> I +ish you +oud go up and see +hat he is up to no+/ 0o> on
the +hoe> I"d rather you stayed +ith )e/J
JSha I go> #ady Ast+eAJ as1ed the se.retary> rising fro) the
des1/
JIf you +oud> Mr Trefusis/J
<+en Trefusis eft the roo) and )ounted the stairs to the To+er
roo)/ At first gan.e> he thought the roo) +as e)pty> there +as
.ertainy no sign of !er.ue Poirot there/ !e +as Dust turning to go
do+n again +hen a sound .aught his earsI he then sa+ the itte
)an haf+ay do+n the spira stair.ase that ed to the 'edroo)
a'ove/
!e +as on his hands and 1neesI in his eft hand +as a itte po.1et
ens> and through this he +as eBa)ining )inutey so)ething on the
+ood+or1 'eside the stair .arpet/
As the se.retary +at.hed hi)> he uttered a sudden grunt> and
sipped the ens into his po.1et/ !e then rose to his feet> hoding
so)ething 'et+een his finger and thu)'/ At that )o)ent he
'e.a)e a+are of the se.retary"s presen.e/
JAh> hahG M/ Trefusis> I didn"t hear you enter/J
!e +as in that )o)ent a different )an/ Triu)ph and eButation
'ea)ed a over his fa.e/ Trefusis stared at hi) in surprise/
JWhat is the )atter> M/ PoirotA @ou oo1 very peased/J
The itte )an puffed out his .hest/
J@es> indeed/ See you I have at ast found that +hi.h I have 'een
oo1ing for fro) the 'eginning/ I have here 'et+een )y finger and
thu)' the one thing ne.essary to .onvi.t the .ri)ina/J
JThen>J the se.retary raised his eye'ro+s> Jit +as not Chares
#eversonAJ
JIt +as not Chares #everson>J said Poirot/ J2nti this )o)ent>
though I 1no+ the .ri)ina> I a) not sure of his na)e 'ut at ast a
is .ear/J
!e stepped do+n the stairs and tapped the se.retary on the
shouder/
JI a) o'iged to go to #ondon i))ediatey/ Spea1 to #ady Ast+e
for )e/ Wi you re8uest of her that everyone shoud 'e asse)'ed
in the To+er roo) this evening at nine o".o.1A I sha 'e there
then> and I sha revea the truth/ Ah> )e> 'ut I a) +e .ontent/J
And 'rea1ing into a fantasti. itte dan.e> he s1ipped fro) the
To+er roo)/ Trefusis +as eft staring after hi)/
A fe+ )inutes ater Poirot appeared in the i'rary> de)anding if
anyone .oud suppy hi) +ith a itte .ard'oard 'oB/
J2nfortunatey> I have not su.h a thing +ith )e>J he eBpained> Jand
there is so)ething of great vaue that it is ne.essary for )e to put
inside/J
Fro) one of the dra+ers in the des1 Trefusis produ.ed a s)a 'oB>
and Poirot professed hi)sef highy deighted +ith it/
!e hurried upstairs +ith his treasure;troveI )eeting ,eorge on the
anding> he handed the 'oB to hi)/
JThere is so)ething of great i)portan.e inside>J he eBpained/
JPa.e it> )y good ,eorge> in the se.ond dra+er of )y dressingta'e>
'eside the De+e;.ase that .ontains )y pear studs/J
J7ery good> sir>J said ,eorge/
J$o not 'rea1 it/J said Poirot/ J%e very .arefu/ Inside that 'oB is
so)ething that +i hang a .ri)ina/J
J@ou don"t say> sir>J said ,eorge/
Poirot hurried do+n the stairs again and> sei?ing his hat> departed
fro) the house at a 'ris1 run/
!is return +as )ore unostentatious/ The faithfu ,eorge> a..ording
to orders> ad)itted hi) 'y the side door/
JThey are a in the To+er roo)AJ in8uired Poirot/
J@es> sir/J
There +as a )ur)ured inter.hange of a fe+ +ords> and then Poirot
)ounted +ith the triu)phant step of the vi.tor to that roo) +here
the )urder had ta1en pa.e ess than a )onth ago/ !is eyes s+ept
around the roo)/ They +ere a there> #ady Ast+e> 7i.tor Ast+e>
#iy Margrave> the se.retary> and Parsons> the 'uter/ The atter
+as hovering 'y the door un.ertainy/
J,eorge> sir> said I shoud 'e needed here>J said Parsons as Poirot
)ade his appearan.e/ JI don"t 1no+ if that is right> sirAJ
J4uite right>J said Poirot/ J&e)ain> I pray of you/J
!e advan.ed to the )idde of the roo)/
JThis has 'een a .ase of great interest>J he said in a so+> refe.tive
voi.e/ JIt is interesting 'e.ause anyone )ight have )urdered Sir
&eu'en Ast+e/ Who inherits his )oneyA Chares #everson and
#ady Ast+e/ Who +as +ith hi) ast that nightA #ady Ast+e/ Who
8uarreed +ith hi) vioentyA Again #ady Ast+e/J
JWhat are you ta1ing a'outAJ .ried #ady Ast+e/ JI don"t
understand> I ;J
J%ut so)eone ese 8uarreed +ith Sir &eu'en>J .ontinued Poirot in
a pensive voi.e/ JSo)eone ese eft hi) that night +hite +ith rage/
Supposing #ady Ast+e eft her hus'and aive at a 8uarter to
t+eve that night> there +oud 'e ten )inutes 'efore Mr Chares
#everson returned> ten )inutes in +hi.h it +oud 'e possi'e for
so)eone fro) the se.ond foor to stea do+n and do the deed> and
then return to his roo) again/J
7i.tor Ast+e sprang up +ith a .ry/
JWhat the he ;AJ !e stopped> .ho1ing +ith rage/
JIn a rage> Mr Ast+e> you on.e 1ied a )an in West Afri.a/J
JI don"t 'eieve it>J .ried #iy Margrave/
She .a)e for+ard> her hands .en.hed> t+o 'right spots of .oor in
her .hee1s/
JI don"t 'eieve it>J repeated the gir/ She .a)e .ose to 7i.tor
Ast+e"s side/
JIt"s true> #iy>J said Ast+e> J'ut there are things this )an doesn"t
1no+/ The feo+ I 1ied +as a +it.h do.tor +ho had Dust
)assa.red fifteen .hidren/ I .onsider that I +as Dustified/J
#iy .a)e up to Poirot/
JM/ Poirot>J she said earnesty> Jyou are +rong/ %e.ause a )an has
a sharp te)per> 'e.ause he 'rea1s out and says a 1inds of things>
that is not any reason +hy he shoud do a )urder/ I 1no+ ; I 1no+> I
te you ; that Mr Ast+e is in.apa'e of su.h a thing/J
Poirot oo1ed at her> a very .urious s)ie on his fa.e/ Then he too1
her hand in his and patted it genty/
J@ou see> Made)oisee>J he said genty> Jyou aso have your
intuitions/ So you 'eieve in Mr Ast+e> do youAJ
#iy spo1e 8uiety/
JMr Ast+e is a good )an>J she said> Jand he is honest/ !e had
nothing to do +ith the inside +or1 of the Mpaa ,od Fieds/ !e is
good through and through> and ; I have pro)ised to )arry hi)/J
7i.tor Ast+e .a)e to her side and too1 her other hand/
J%efore ,od> M/ Poirot>J he said> JI didn"t 1i )y 'rother/J
JI 1no+ you did not>J said Poirot/
!is eyes s+ept around the roo)/
J#isten> )y friends/ In an hypnoti. tran.e> #ady Ast+e )entioned
having seen a 'uge in the .urtain that night/J
(veryone"s eyes s+ept to the +indo+/
J@ou )ean there +as a 'urgar .on.eaed thereAJ eB.ai)ed 7i.tor
Ast+e/ JWhat a spendid soutionGJ
JAhGJ said Poirot genty/ J%ut it +as not that .urtain/J
!e +heeed around and pointed to the .urtain that )as1ed the itte
stair.ase/
JSir &eu'en used the 'edroo) the night prior to the .ri)e/ !e
'rea1fasted in 'ed> and he had Mr Trefusis up there to give hi)
instru.tions/ I don"t 1no+ +hat it +as that Mr Trefusis eft in that
'edroo)> 'ut there +as so)ething/ When he said good night to Sir
&eu'en and #ady Ast+e> he re)e)'ered this thing and ran up the
stairs to fet.h it/ I don"t thin1 either the hus'and or +ife noti.ed
hi)> for they had aready 'egun a vioent dis.ussion/ They +ere in
the )idde of this 8uarre +hen Mr Trefusis .a)e do+n the stairs
again/
JThe things they +ere saying to ea.h other +ere of so inti)ate and
persona a nature that Mr Trefusis +as pa.ed in a very a+1+ard
position/ It +as .ear to hi) that they i)agined he had eft the roo)
so)e ti)e ago/ Fearing to arouse Sir &eu'en"s anger against
hi)sef> he de.ided to re)ain +here he +as and sip out ater/ !e
stayed there 'ehind the .urtain> and as #ady Ast+e eft the roo)
she su'.ons.iousy noti.ed the outine of his for) there/
JWhen #ady Ast+e had eft the roo)> Trefusis tried to stea out
uno'served> 'ut Sir &eu'en happened to turn his head> and
'e.a)e a+are of the se.retary"s presen.e/ Aready in a 'ad
te)per> Sir &eu'en hured a'use at his se.retary> and a..used hi)
of dei'eratey eavesdropping and spying/
JMessieurs and Mesda)es> I a) a student of psy.hoogy/ A
through this .ase I have oo1ed> not for the 'ad;te)pered )an or
+o)an> for 'ad te)per is its o+n safety vave/ !e +ho .an 'ar1
does not 'ite/ 0o> I have oo1ed for the good;te)pered )an> for the
)an +ho is patient and sef;.ontroed> for the )an +ho for nine
years has payed the part of the under dog/ There is no strain so
great as that +hi.h has endured for years> there is no resent)ent
i1e that +hi.h a..u)ues so+y/
JFor nine years Sir &eu'en has 'uied and 'ro+'eaten his
se.retary> and for nine years that )an has endured in sien.e/ %ut
there .o)es a day +hen at ast the strain rea.hes its 'rea1ing
point/ So)ething snapsG It +as so that night/ Sir &eu'en sat do+n
at his des1 again> 'ut the se.retary> instead of turning hu)'y and
)ee1y to the door> pi.1s up the heavy +ooden .u'> and stri1es
do+n the )an +ho had 'uied hi) on.e too often/J
!e turned to Trefusis> +ho +as staring at hi) as though turned to
stone/
JIt +as so si)pe> your ai'i/ Mr Ast+e thought you +ere in your
roo)> 'ut no one sa+ you go there/ @ou +ere Dust steaing out after
stri1ing do+n Sir &eu'en> +hen you heard it sound> and you
hastened 'a.1 to .over> 'ehind the .urtain/ @ou +ere 'ehind there
+hen Chares #everson entered the roo) you +ere there +hen #iy
Margrave .a)e/ It +as not ti ong after that that you .rept up
through a sient house to your 'edroo)/ $o you deny itAJ
Trefusis 'egan to sta))er/
JI ; I never ;J
JAhG #et us finish this/ For t+o +ee1s no+ I have payed the
.o)edy> I have sho+ed you the net .osing so+y around you/ The
fingerprints> footprints> the sear.h of your roo) +ith the things
artisti.ay repa.ed/ I have stru.1 terror into you +ith a of thisI
you have ain a+a1e at night fearing and +onderingI did you eave a
fingerprint in the roo) or a footprint so)e+hereA
JAgain and again you have gone over the events of that night
+ondering +hat you have done or eft undone> and so I 'rought you
to the state +here you )ade a sip/ I sa+ the fear eap into your
eyes today +hen I pi.1ed up so)ething fro) the stairs +here you
had stood hidden that night/ Then I )ade a great parade> the itte
'oB> the entrusting of it to ,eorge> and I go out/J
Poirot turned to+ard the door/
J,eorgeAJ
JI a) here> sir/J
The vaet .a)e for+ard/
JWi you te these adies and gente)en +hat )y instru.tions
+ereAJ
JI +as to re)ain .on.eaed in the +ardro'e in your roo)> sir>
having pa.ed the .ard'oard 'oB +here you tod )e to/ At haf;past
three this afternoon> sir> Mr Trefusis entered the roo)I he +ent to
the dra+er and too1 out the 'oB in 8uestion/J
JAnd in that 'oB>J .ontinued Poirot> J+as a .o))on pin/ Me> I
spea1 a+ays the truth/ I did pi.1 up so)ething on the stairs this
)orning/ That is your (ngish saying> is it notA "See a pin and pi.1 it
up> a the day you" have good u.1/" Me> I have had good u.1> I
have found the )urderer/J
!e turned to the se.retary/
J@ou seeAJ he said genty/ J@ou 'etrayed yoursef/J
Suddeny Trefusis 'ro1e do+n/ !e san1 into a .hair so''ing> his
fa.e 'uried in his hands/
JI +as )ad>J he groaned/ JI +as )ad/ %ut> oh> )y ,od> he
'adgered and 'uied )e 'eyond 'earing/ For years I had hated and
oathed hi)/J
JI 1ne+GJ .ried #ady Ast+e/
She sprang for+ard> her fa.e irradiated +ith savage triu)ph/
JI 1ne+ that )an had done it/J
She stood there> savage and triu)phant/
JAnd you +ere right>J said Poirot/ J<ne )ay .a things 'y different
na)es> 'ut the fa.t re)ains/ @our "intuition>" #ady Ast+e> proved
.orre.t/ I fei.itate you/J
F<2&;A0$;TW(0T@ %#AC-%I&$S
!er.ue Poirot +as dining +ith his friend> !enry %onnington at the
,aant (ndeavour in the -ing"s &oad> Chesea/
Mr %onnington +as fond of the ,aant (ndeavour/ !e i1ed the
eisurey at)osphere> he i1ed the food +hi.h +as "pain" and
"(ngish" and "not a ot of )ade up )esses/" !e i1ed to te peope
+ho dined +ith hi) there Dust eBa.ty +here Augustus *ohn had
'een +ont to sit and dra+ the attention to the fa)ous artists" na)es
in the visitors" 'oo1/ Mr %onnington +as hi)sef the east artisti. of
)en ; 'ut he too1 a .ertain pride in the artisti. a.tivities of others/
Moy> the sy)patheti. +aitress> greeted Mr %onnington as an od
friend/ She prided hersef on re)e)'ering her .usto)ers" i1es and
disi1es in the +ay of food/
",ood evening> sir>" she said> as the t+o )en too1 their seats at a
.orner ta'e/ "@ou"re in u.1 today ; tur1ey stuffed +ith .hestnuts ;
that"s your favourite> isn"t itA And ever su.h a ni.e Stiton +e"ve gotG
Wi you have soup first or fishA"
Mr %onnington dei'erated the point/ !e said to Poirot +arningy as
the atter studied the )enuH
"0one of your Fren.h 1i.1sha+s no+/ ,ood +e;.oo1ed (ngish
food/"
"My friend>" !er.ue Poirot +aved his hand> "I as1 no 'etterG I put
)ysef in your hands unreservedy/"
"Ah ; h) ; er ; h)>" repied Mr %onnington and gave .arefu attention
to the )atter/
These +eighty )atters> and the 8uestion of +ine> setted> Mr
%onnington eaned 'a.1 +ith a sigh and unfoded his nap1in as
Moy sped a+ay/
",ood gir> that>" he said approvingy/ "Was 8uite a 'eauty on.e ;
artists used to paint her/ She 1no+s a'out food> too and that"s a
great dea )ore i)portant/ Wo)en are very unsound on food as a
rue/ There"s )any a +o)an if she goes out +ith a feo+ she
fan.ies> +on"t even noti.e +hat she eats/ She" Dust order the first
thing she sees/"
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/ "C"est terri'e/"
"Men aren"t i1e that> than1 ,odG" said Mr %onnington .o)pa.enty/
"0everA" There +as a t+in1e in !er.ue Poirot"s eye/
"We> perhaps +hen they"re very young>" .on.eded Mr %onnington/
"@oung puppiesG @oung feo+s no+adays are a the sa)e ; no guts
; no sta)ina/ I"ve no use for the young ; and they>" he added +ith
stri.t i)partiaity> "have no use for )e/ Perhaps they"re rightG %ut to
hear so)e of these young feo+s ta1 you"d thin1 no )an had a
right to 'e aive after siBtyG Fro) the +ay they go on> you"d +onder
)ore of the) didn"t hep their edery reations out of the +ord/"
"It is possi'e>" said !er.ue Poirot> "that they do/"
"0i.e )ind you"ve got> Poirot> I )ust say/ A this poi.e +or1 saps
your ideas/"
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/
"Tout de )M)e>" he said/ "It +oud 'e interesting to )a1e a ta'e of
a..identa deaths over the age of siBty/ I assure you it +oud raise
so)e .urious spe.uations in your )ind/"
"The trou'e +ith you is that you"ve started going to oo1 for .ri)e ;
instead of +aiting for .ri)e to .o)e to you/"
"I apoogi?e>" said Poirot/ "I ta1 +hat you .a Jthe shop/J Te )e> )y
friend> of your o+n affairs/ !o+ does the +ord go +ith youA"
"MessG" said Mr %onnington/ "That"s +hat"s the )atter +ith the +ord
no+adays/ Too )u.h )ess/ And too )u.h fine anguage/ The fine
anguage heps to .on.ea the )ess/ #i1e a highy;favoured sau.e
.on.eaing the fa.t that the fish underneath it is none of the 'estG
,ive )e an honest fiet of soe and no )essy sau.e over it/"
It +as given hi) at that )o)ent 'y Moy and he grunted approva/
"@ou 1no+ Dust +hat I i1e> )y gir>" he said/
"We> you .o)e here pretty reguar> don"t you> sirA I ought to 1no+
+hat you i1e/"
!er.ue Poirot saidH
"$o peope then a+ays i1e the sa)e thingsA $o not they i1e a
.hange so)eti)esA"
"0ot gente)en> sir/ #adies i1e variety ; gente)en a+ays i1e the
sa)e thing/"
"What did I te youA" grunted %onnington/ "Wo)en are
funda)entay unsound +here food is .on.ernedG"
!e oo1ed round the restaurant/
"The +ord"s a funny pa.e/ See that odd;oo1ing od feo+ +ith a
'eard in the .ornerA Moy" te you he"s a+ays here Tuesdays and
Thursday nights/ !e has .o)e here for .ose on ten years no+ ;
he"s a 1ind of and)ar1 in the pa.e/ @et no'ody here 1no+s his
na)e or +here he ives or +hat his 'usiness is/ It"s odd +hen you
.o)e to thin1 of it/"
When the +aitress 'rought the portions of tur1ey he saidH "I see
you"ve sti got <d Father Ti)e over there/"
"That"s right> sir/ Tuesdays and Thursdays> his days are/ 0ot 'ut
+hat he .a)e in here on a Monday ast +ee1G It 8uite upset )eG I
fet I"d got )y dates +rong and that it )ust 'e Tuesday +ithout )y
1no+ing itG %ut he .a)e in the neBt night as +e ; so the Monday
+as Dust a 1ind of eBtra> so to spea1/"
"An interesting deviation fro) ha'it>" )ur)ured Poirot/ "I +onder
+hat the reason +asA"
"We> sir> if you as1 )e> I thin1 he"d had so)e 1ind of upset or
+orry/"
"Why did you thin1 thatA !is )annerA"
"0o> sir ; not his )anner eBa.ty/ !e +as very 8uiet as he a+ays is/
0ever says )u.h eB.ept good evening +hen he .o)es and goes/
0o> it +as his order/"
"!is orderA"
"I dare say you gente)en +i augh at )e>" Moy fushed up> "'ut
+hen a gente)an has 'een here for ten years> you get to 1no+ his
i1es and disi1es/ !e never .oud 'ear suet pudding or
'a.1'erries and I"ve never 1no+n hi) ta1e thi.1 soup ; 'ut on that
Monday night he ordered thi.1 to)ato soup> 'eefstea1 and 1idney
pudding and 'a.1'erry tartG See)ed as though he Dust didn"t
noti.e +hat he orderedG"
"$o you 1no+>" said !er.ue Poirot> "I find that eBtraordinariy
interesting/"
Moy oo1ed gratified and departed/
"We> Poirot>" said !enry %onnington +ith a .hu.1e/ "#et"s have a
fe+ dedu.tions fro) you/ A in your 'est )anner/"
"I +oud prefer to hear yours first/"
"Want )e to 'e Watson> ehA We> od feo+ +ent to a do.tor and
the do.tor .hanged his diet/"
"To thi.1 to)ato soup> stea1 and 1idney pudding and 'a.1'erry
tartA I .annot i)agine any do.tor doing that/"
"$on"t 'eieve it> od 'oy/ $o.tors +i put you on to anything/"
"That is the ony soution that o..urs to youA"
!enry %onnington saidH
"We> seriousy> I suppose there"s ony one eBpanation possi'e/
<ur un1no+n friend +as in the grip of so)e po+erfu )enta
e)otion/ !e +as so pertur'ed 'y it that he iteray did not noti.e
+hat he +as ordering or eating/" !e paused a )inute and then saidH
"@ou" 'e teing )e neBt that you 1no+ Dust +hat +as on his )ind/
@ou" say perhaps that he +as )a1ing up his )ind to .o))it a
)urder/"
!e aughed at his o+n suggestion/
!er.ue Poirot did not augh/
!e has ad)itted that at that )o)ent he +as seriousy +orried/ !e
.ai)s that he ought then to have had so)e in1ing of +hat +as
i1ey to o..ur/
!is friends assure hi) that su.h an idea is 8uite fantasti./
It +as so)e three +ee1s ater that !er.ue Poirot and %onnington
)et again ; this ti)e their )eeting +as in the Tu'e/
They nodded to ea.h other> s+aying a'out> hanging on to adDa.ent
straps/ Then at Pi..adiy Cir.us there +as a genera eBodus and
they found seats right at the for+ard end of the .ar ; a pea.efu
spot sin.e no'ody passed in or out that +ay/
"That"s 'etter>" said Mr %onnington/ "Sefish ot> the hu)an ra.e>
they +on"t pass up the .ar ho+ever )u.h you as1 "e) toG"
!er.ue Poirot shrugged his shouders/
"What +i youA" he said/ "#ife is too un.ertain/"
"That"s it/ !ere today> gone to)orro+>" said Mr %onnington +ith a
1ind of goo)y reish/ "And ta1ing of that> d"you re)e)'er that od
'oy +e noti.ed at the ,aant (ndeavourA I shoudn"t +onder if he"d
hopped it to a 'etter +ord/ !e"s not 'een there for a +hoe +ee1/
Moy"s 8uite upset a'out it/"
!er.ue Poirot sat up/ !is green eyes fashed/
"IndeedA" he said/ "IndeedA"
%onnington saidH
"$"you re)e)'er I suggested he"d 'een to a do.tor and 'een put on
a dietA $iet"s nonsense of .ourse ; 'ut I shoudn"t +onder if he had
.onsuted a do.tor a'out his heath and +hat the do.tor said gave
hi) a 'it of a Dot/ That +oud a..ount for hi) ordering things off the
)enu +ithout noti.ing +hat he +as doing/ 4uite i1ey the Dot he got
hurried hi) out of the +ord sooner than he +oud have gone
other+ise/ $o.tors ought to 'e .arefu +hat they te a .hap/"
"They usuay are>" said !er.ue Poirot/
"This is )y station>" said Mr %onnington/ "%ye> 'ye/ $on"t suppose
+e sha ever 1no+ no+ +ho the od 'oy +as ; not even his na)e/
Funny +ordG"
!e hurried out of the .arriage/
!er.ue Poirot> sitting fro+ning> oo1ed as though he did not thin1 it
+as su.h a funny +ord/
!e +ent ho)e and gave .ertain instru.tions to his faithfu vaet>
,eorge/
!er.ue Poirot ran his finger do+n a ist of na)es/ It +as a re.ord
of deaths +ithin a .ertain area/
Poirot"s finger stopped/
"!enry ,as.oigne/ SiBty;nine/ I )ight try hi) first/"
#ater in the day> !er.ue Poirot +as sitting in $r Ma.Andre+"s
surgery Dust off the -ing"s &oad/ Ma.Andre+ +as a ta red;haired
S.ots)an +ith an inteigent fa.e/
",as.oigneA" he said/ "@es> that"s right/ (..entri. od 'ird/ #ived
aone in one of those derei.t od houses that are 'eing .eared
a+ay in order to 'uid a 'o.1 of )odern fats/ I hadn"t attended hi)
'efore> 'ut I"d seen hi) a'out and I 1ne+ +ho he +as/ It +as the
dairy peope got the +ind up first/ The )i1 'ottes 'egan to pie up
outside/ In the end the peope neBt door sent +ord to the poi.e and
they 'ro1e the door in and found hi)/ !e"d pit.hed do+n the stairs
and 'ro1en his ne.1/ !ad on an od dressing;go+n +ith a ragged
.ord ; )ight easiy have tripped hi)sef up +ith it/"
"I see>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "It +as 8uite si)pe ; an a..ident/"
"That"s right/"
"!ad he any reationsA"
"There"s a nephe+/ 2sed to .o)e aong and see his un.e a'out
on.e a )onth/ #orri)er> his na)e is> ,eorge #orri)er/ !e"s a
)edi.o hi)sef/ #ives at Wi)'edon/"
"Was he upset at the od )an"s deathA"
"I don"t 1no+ that I"d say he +as upset/ I )ean> he had an affe.tion
for the od )an> 'ut he didn"t reay 1no+ hi) very +e/"
"!o+ ong had Mr ,as.oigne 'een dead +hen you sa+ hi)A"
"AhG" said $r Ma.Andre+/ "This is +here +e get offi.ia/ 0ot ess
than forty;eight hours and not )ore than seventy;t+o hours/ !e
+as found on the )orning of the siBth/ A.tuay> +e got .oser than
that/ !e"d got a etter in the po.1et of his dressing;go+n ; +ritten
on the third ; posted in Wi)'edon that afternoon ; +oud have 'een
deivered so)e+here around nine;t+enty p/)/ That puts the ti)e of
death at after nine;t+enty on the evening of the third/ That agrees
+ith the .ontents of the sto)a.h and the pro.esses of digestion/
!e had had a )ea a'out t+o hours 'efore death/ I eBa)ined hi) on
the )orning of the siBth and his .ondition +as 8uite .onsistent +ith
death having o..urred a'out siBty hours previousy ; round a'out
ten p/)/ on the third/"
"It a see)s very .onsistent/ Te )e> +hen +as he ast seen aiveA"
"!e +as seen in the -ing"s &oad a'out seven o".o.1 that sa)e
evening> Thursday the third> and he dined at the ,aant (ndeavour
restaurant at seven;thirty/ It see)s he a+ays dined there on
Thursdays/ !e +as 'y +ay of 'eing an artist> you 1no+/ An
eBtre)ey 'ad one/"
"!e had no other reationsA <ny this nephe+A"
"There +as a t+in 'rother/ The +hoe story is rather .urious/ They
hadn"t seen ea.h other for years/ It see)s the other 'rother>
Anthony ,as.oigne> )arried a very ri.h +o)an and gave up art ;
and the 'rothers 8uarreed over it/ !adn"t seen ea.h other sin.e> I
'eieve/ %ut oddy enough> they died on the sa)e day/ The eder
t+in passed a+ay at three o".o.1 on the afternoon of the third/
<n.e 'efore I"ve 1no+n a .ase of t+ins dying on the sa)e day ; in
different parts of the +ordG Pro'a'y Dust a .oin.iden.e; 'ut there
it is/"
"Is the other 'rother"s +ife aiveA"
"0o> she died so)e years ago/"
"Where did Anthony ,as.oigne iveA"
"!e had a house on -ingston !i/ !e +as> I 'eieve> fro) +hat $r
#orri)er tes )e> very )u.h of a re.use/"
!er.ue Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
The S.ots)an oo1ed at hi) 1eeny/
"What eBa.ty have you got in your )ind> M/ PoirotA" he as1ed
'unty/ "I"ve ans+ered your 8uestions ; as +as )y duty seeing the
.redentias you 'rought/ %ut I") in the dar1 as to +hat it"s a a'out/"
Poirot said so+yH
"A si)pe .ase of a..identa death> that"s +hat you said/ What I
have in )ind is e8uay si)pe ; a si)pe push/"
$r Ma.Andre+ oo1ed started/
"In other +ords> )urderG !ave you any grounds for that 'eiefA"
"0o>" said Poirot/ "It is a )ere supposition/"
"There )ust 'e so)ething ;" persisted the other/
Poirot did not spea1/
Ma.Andre+ saidH "If it"s the nephe+> #orri)er> you suspe.t> I don"t
)ind teing you here and no+ that you are 'ar1ing up the +rong
tree/ #orri)er +as paying 'ridge in Wi)'edon fro) eight;thirty ti
)idnight/ That .a)e out at the in8uest/"
Poirot )ur)uredH
"And presu)a'y it +as verified/ The poi.e are .arefu/"
The do.tor saidH
"Perhaps you 1no+ so)ething against hi)A"
"I didn"t 1no+ that there +as su.h a person unti you )entioned
hi)/"
"Then you suspe.t so)e'ody eseA"
"0o> no/ It is not that at a/ It"s a .ase of the routine ha'its of the
hu)an ani)a/ That is very i)portant/ And the dead M/ ,as.oigne
does not fit in/ It is a +rong> you see/"
"I reay don"t understand/"
!er.ue Poirot )ur)uredH
"The trou'e is> there is too )u.h sau.e over the 'ad fish/"
"My dear sirA"
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/
"@ou +i 'e having )e o.1ed up as a unati. soon> Monsieur e
$o.teur/ %ut I a) not reay a )enta .ase ; Dust a )an +ho has a
i1ing for order and )ethod and +ho is +orried +hen he .o)es
a.ross a fa.t that does not fit in/ I )ust as1 you to forgive )e for
having given you so )u.h trou'e/"
!e rose and the do.tor rose aso/
"@ou 1no+>" said Ma.Andre+> "honesty> I .an"t see anything the
east 'it suspi.ious a'out the death of !enry ,as.oigne/ I say he
fe ; you say so)e'ody pushed hi)/ It"s a ; +e ; in the air/"
!er.ue Poirot sighed/
"@es>" he said/ "It is +or1)ani1e/ So)e'ody has )ade the good Do'
of itG"
"@ou sti thin1 ;"
The itte )an spread out his hands/
JI") an o'stinate )an ; a )an +ith a itte idea ; and nothing to
support itG %y the +ay> did !enry ,as.oigne have fase teethA"
"0o> his o+n teeth +ere in eB.eent preservation/ 7ery .redita'e
indeed at his age/"
"!e oo1ed after the) +e ; they +ere +hite and +e 'rushedA"
"@es> I noti.ed the) parti.uary/ Teeth tend to gro+ a itte yeo+
as one gro+s oder> 'ut they +ere in good .ondition/"
"0ot dis.ooured in any +ayA"
"0o/ I don"t thin1 he +as a s)o1er if that is +hat you )ean/"
"I did not )ean that pre.isey ; it +as Dust a ong shot ; +hi.h
pro'a'y +i not .o)e offG ,ood'ye> $r Ma.Andre+> and than1 you
for your 1indness/"
!e shoo1 the do.tor"s hand and departed/
"And no+>" he said> "for the ong shot/"
At the ,aant (ndeavour> he sat do+n at the sa)e ta'e +hi.h he
had shared +ith %onnington/ The gir +ho served hi) +as not
Moy/ Moy> the gir tod hi)> +as a+ay on a hoiday/
It +as ony Dust seven and !er.ue Poirot found no diffi.uty in
entering into .onversation +ith the gir on the su'De.t of od Mr
,as.oigne/
"@es>" she said/ "!e"d 'een here for years and years/ %ut none of us
girs ever 1ne+ his na)e/ We sa+ a'out the in8uest in the paper>
and there +as a pi.ture of hi)/ JThere>J I said to Moy/ JIf that isn"t
our "<d Father Ti)e"J as +e used to .a hi)/"
"!e dined here on the evening of his death> did he notA"
"That"s right> Thursday> the third/ !e +as a+ays here on a
Thursday/ Tuesdays and Thursdays pun.tua as a .o.1/"
"@ou don"t re)e)'er> I suppose> +hat he had for dinnerA"
"0o+ et )e see> it +as )uigata+ny soup> that"s right> and
'eefstea1 pudding or +as it the )uttonA ; no pudding> that"s right>
and 'a.1'erry and appe pie and .heese/ And then to thin1 of hi)
going ho)e and faing do+n those stairs that very sa)e evening/ A
frayed dressing;go+n .ord they said it +as as .aused it/ <f .ourse>
his .othes +ere a+ays so)ething a+fu ; od;fashioned and put on
anyho+> and a tattered> and yet he had a 1ind of air> a the sa)e>
as though he +as so)e'odyG <h> +e get a sorts of interesting
.usto)ers here/"
She )oved off/
!er.ue Poirot ate his fieted soe/ !is eyes sho+ed a green ight/
"It is odd>" he said to hi)sef> "ho+ the .everest peope sip over
detais/ %onnington +i 'e interested/"
%ut the ti)e had not yet .o)e for eisurey dis.ussion +ith
%onnington/
Ar)ed +ith introdu.tions fro) a .ertain infuentia 8uarter> !er.ue
Poirot found no diffi.uty at a in deaing +ith the .oroner for the
distri.t/
"A .urious figure> the de.eased )an ,as.oigne>" he o'served/ "A
oney> e..entri. od feo+/ %ut his de.ease see)s to arouse an
unusua a)ount of attentionA"
!e oo1ed +ith so)e .uriosity at his visitor as he spo1e/
!er.ue Poirot .hose his +ords .arefuy/ "There are .ir.u)stan.es
.onne.ted +ith it> Monsieur> +hi.h )a1e investigation desira'e/"
"We> ho+ .an I hep youA"
"It is> I 'eieve> +ithin your provin.e to order do.u)ents produ.ed
in your .ourt to 'e destroyed> or to 'e i)pounded ; as you thin1 fit/
A .ertain etter +as found in the po.1et of !enry ,as.oigne"s
dressing;go+n> +as it notA"
"That is so/"
"A etter fro) his nephe+> $r ,eorge #orri)erA"
"4uite .orre.t/ The etter +as produ.ed at the in8uest as heping to
fiB the ti)e of death/"
"Whi.h +as .orro'orated 'y the )edi.a eviden.eA"
"(Ba.ty/"
"Is that etter sti avaia'eA"
!er.ue Poirot +aited rather anBiousy for the repy/
When he heard that the etter +as sti avaia'e for eBa)ination he
dre+ a sigh of reief/ When it +as finay produ.ed he studied it +ith
so)e .are/ It +as +ritten in a sighty .ra)ped hand+riting +ith a
styographi. pen/ It ran as foo+sH
$ear 2n.e !enry>
I a) sorry to te you that I have had no su..ess as regards 2n.e
Anthony/ !e sho+ed no enthusias) for a visit fro) you and +oud
give )e no repy to your re8uest that he +oud et 'ygones 'e
'ygones/ !e is> of .ourse> eBtre)ey i> and his )ind is in.ined to
+ander/ I shoud fan.y that the end is very near/ !e see)ed hardy
to re)e)'er +ho you +ere/
I a) sorry to have faied you> 'ut I .an assure you that I did )y 'est/
@our affe.tionate nephe+>
,eorge #orri)er
The etter itsef +as dated 5rd 0ove)'er/ Poirot gan.ed at the
enveope"s post)ar1 ; 4/56 p/)/ 5 0ov/
!e )ur)uredH
"It is 'eautifuy in order> is it notA"
-ingston !i +as his neBt o'De.tive/ After a itte trou'e> +ith the
eBer.ise of good;hu)oured pertina.ity> he o'tained an intervie+
+ith A)eia !i> .oo1;house1eeper to the ate Anthony ,as.oigne/
Mrs !i +as in.ined to 'e stiff and suspi.ious at first> 'ut the
.har)ing geniaity of this strange;oo1ing foreigner +oud have had
its effe.t on a stone/ Mrs A)eia !i 'egan to un'end/ She found
hersef> as had so )any other +o)en 'efore her> pouring out her
trou'es to a reay sy)patheti. istener/ For fourteen years she had
had .harge of Mr ,as.oigne"s househod ; not an easy Do'G 0o>
indeedG Many a +o)an +oud have 8uaied under the 'urdens she
had had to 'earG (..entri. the poor gente)an +as and no denying
it/ &e)ar1a'y .ose +ith his )oney ; a 1ind of )ania +ith hi) it
+as ; and he as ri.h a gente)an as )ight 'eG %ut Mrs !i had
served hi) faithfuy> and put up +ith his +ays> and naturay she"d
eBpe.ted at any rate a re)e)'ran.e/ %ut no ; nothing at aG *ust an
od +i that eft a his )oney to his +ife and if she prede.eased hi)
then everything to his 'rother> !enry/ A +i )ade years ago/ It
didn"t see) fairG
,raduay !er.ue Poirot deta.hed her fro) her )ain the)e of
unsatisfied .upidity/ It +as indeed a heartess inDusti.eG Mrs !i
.oud not 'e 'a)ed for feeing hurt and surprised/ It +as +e
1no+n that Mr ,as.oigne +as tight;fisted a'out )oney/ It had even
'een said that the dead )an had refused his ony 'rother
assistan.e/ Mrs !i pro'a'y 1ne+ a a'out that/
"Was it that that $r #orri)er .a)e to see hi) a'outA" as1ed Mrs
!i/ "I 1ne+ it +as so)ething a'out his 'rother> 'ut I thought it +as
Dust that his 'rother +anted to 'e re.on.ied/ They"d 8uarreed
years ago/"
"I understand>" said Poirot> "that Mr ,as.oigne refused a'souteyA"
"That"s right enough>" said Mrs !i +ith a nod/ "J!enryAJ he says>
rather +ea1 i1e/ JWhat"s this a'out !enryA !aven"t seen hi) for
years and don"t +ant to/ 4uarreso)e feo+> !enry/J *ust that/"
The .onversation then reverted to Mrs !i"s o+n spe.ia
grievan.es> and the unfeeing attitude of the ate Mr ,as.oigne"s
soi.itor/
With so)e diffi.uty !er.ue Poirot too1 his eave +ithout 'rea1ing
off the .onversation too a'rupty/
And so> Dust after the dinner hour> he .a)e to ().rest> $orset
&oad> Wi)'edon> the residen.e of $r ,eorge #orri)er/
The do.tor +as in/ !er.ue Poirot +as sho+n into the surgery and
there presenty $r ,eorge #orri)er .a)e to hi)> o'viousy Dust
risen fro) the dinner ta'e/
"I") not a patient> $o.tor>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "And )y .o)ing here
is> perhaps> so)e+hat of an i)pertinen.e ; 'ut I") an od )an and I
'eieve in pain and dire.t deaing/ I do not .are for a+yers and
their ong;+inded rounda'out )ethods/"
!e had .ertainy aroused #orri)er"s interest/ The do.tor +as a
.ean;shaven )an of )idde height/ !is hair +as 'ro+n> 'ut his
eyeashes +ere a)ost +hite +hi.h gave his eyes a pae> 'oied
appearan.e/ !is )anner +as 'ris1 and not +ithout hu)our/
"#a+yersA" he said> raising his eye'ro+s/ "!ate the feo+sG @ou
rouse )y .uriosity> )y dear sir/ Pray sit do+n/"
Poirot did so and then produ.ed one of his professiona .ards
+hi.h he handed to the do.tor/
,eorge #orri)er"s +hite eyeashes 'in1ed/
Poirot eaned for+ard .onfidentiay/ "A good )any of )y .ients are
+o)en>" he said/
"0aturay>" said $r ,eorge #orri)er> +ith a sight t+in1e/
"As you say> naturay>" agreed Poirot/ "Wo)en distrust the offi.ia
poi.e/ They prefer private investigations/ They do not +ant to have
their trou'es )ade pu'i./ An edery +o)an .a)e to .onsut )e a
fe+ days ago/ She +as unhappy a'out a hus'and she"d 8uarreed
+ith )any years 'efore/ This hus'and of hers +as your un.e> the
ate Mr ,as.oigne/"
,eorge #orri)er"s fa.e +ent purpe/
"My un.eA 0onsenseG !is +ife died )any years ago/"
"0ot your un.e> Mr Anthony ,as.oigne/ @our un.e> Mr !enry
,as.oigne/"
"2n.e !enryA %ut he +asn"t )arriedG"
"<h yes> he +as>" said !er.ue Poirot> ying un'ushingy/ "0ot a
dou't of it/ The ady even 'rought aong her )arriage .ertifi.ate/"
"It"s a ieG" .ried ,eorge #orri)er/ !is fa.e +as no+ as purpe as a
pu)/ "I don"t 'eieve it/ @ou"re an i)pudent iar/"
"It is too 'ad> is it notA" said Poirot/ "@ou have .o))itted )urder for
nothing/"
"MurderA" #orri)er"s voi.e 8uavered/ !is pae eyes 'uged +ith
terror/
"%y the +ay>" said Poirot> "I see you have 'een eating 'a.1'erry tart
again/ An un+ise ha'it/ %a.1'erries are said to 'e fu of vita)ins>
'ut they )ay 'e deady in other +ays/ <n this o..asion I rather
fan.y they have heped to put a rope round a )an"s ne.1 ; your
ne.1> $r #orri)er/"
"@ou see> )on a)i> +here you +ent +rong +as over your
funda)enta assu)ption/" !er.ue Poirot> 'ea)ing pa.idy a.ross
the ta'e at his friend> +aved an eBpository hand/ "A )an under
severe )enta stress doesn"t .hoose that ti)e to do so)ething that
he"s never done 'efore/ !is refeBes Dust foo+ the tra.1 of east
resistan.e/ A )an +ho is upset a'out so)ething )ight .on.eiva'y
.o)e do+n to dinner dressed in his pyDa)as ; 'ut they +i 'e his
o+n pyDa)as ; not so)e'ody ese"s/
"A )an +ho disi1es thi.1 soup> suet pudding and 'a.1'erries
suddeny orders a three one evening/ @ou say> 'e.ause he is
thin1ing of so)ething ese/ %ut I say that a )an +ho has got
so)ething on his )ind +i order auto)ati.ay the dish he has
ordered )ost often 'efore/
"(h 'ien> then> +hat other eBpanation .oud there 'eA I si)py
.oud not thin1 of a reasona'e eBpanation/ And I +as +orriedG The
in.ident +as a +rong/ It did not fitG I have an ordery )ind and I i1e
things to fit/ Mr ,as.oigne"s dinner order +orried )e/
"Then you tod )e that the )an had disappeared/ !e had )issed a
Tuesday and a Thursday the first ti)e for years/ I i1ed that even
ess/ A 8ueer hypothesis sprang up in )y )ind/ If I +ere right a'out
it the )an +as dead/ I )ade in8uiries/ The )an +as dead/ And he
+as very neaty and tidiy dead/ In other +ords the 'ad fish +as
.overed up +ith the sau.eG
"!e had 'een seen in the -ing"s &oad at seven o".o.1/ !e had had
dinner here at seven;thirty ; t+o hours 'efore he died/ It a fitted in
; the eviden.e of the sto)a.h .ontents> the eviden.e of the etter/
Mu.h too )u.h sau.eG @ou .oudn"t see the fish at aG
"$evoted nephe+ +rote the etter> devoted nephe+ had 'eautifu
ai'i for ti)e of death/ $eath very si)pe ; a fa do+n the stairs/
Si)pe a..identA Si)pe )urderA (veryone says the for)er/
"$evoted nephe+ ony surviving reative/ $evoted nephe+ +i
inherit ; 'ut is there anything to inheritA 2n.e notoriousy poor/
"%ut there is a 'rother/ And 'rother in his ti)e had had )arried a
ri.h +ife/ And 'rother ives in a 'ig ri.h house on -ingston !i> so it
+oud see) that ri.h +ife )ust have eft hi) a her )oney/ @ou see
the se8uen.e ; ri.h +ife eaves )oney to Anthony> Anthony eaves
)oney to !enry> !enry"s )oney goes to ,eorge ; a .o)pete .hain/"
"A very pretty in theory>" said %onnington/ "%ut +hat did you doA"
"<n.e you 1no+ ; you .an usuay get hod of +hat you +ant/ !enry
had died t+o hours after a )ea ; that is a the in8uest reay
'othered a'out/ %ut supposing the )ea +as not dinner> 'ut un.h/
Put yoursef in ,eorge"s pa.e/ ,eorge +ants )oney ; 'ady/
Anthony ,as.oigne is dying ; 'ut his death is no good to ,eorge/
!is )oney goes to !enry> and !enry ,as.oigne )ay ive for years/
So !enry )ust die too ; and the sooner the 'etter ; 'ut his death
)ust ta1e pa.e after Anthony"s> and at the sa)e ti)e ,eorge )ust
have an ai'i/ !enry"s ha'it of dining reguary at a restaurant on
t+o evenings of the +ee1 suggest an ai'i to ,eorge/ %eing a
.autious feo+> he tries his pan out first/ !e i)personates his
un.e on Monday evening at the restaurant in 8uestion/ It goes
+ithout a hit.h/ (veryone there a..epts hi) as his un.e/ !e is
satisfied/ !e has ony to +ait ti 2n.e Anthony sho+s definite signs
of pegging out/ The ti)e .o)es/ !e +rites a etter to his un.e on
the afternoon of the se.ond 0ove)'er 'ut dates it the third/ !e
.o)es up to to+n on the afternoon of the third> .as on his un.e>
and .arries his s.he)e into a.tion/ A sharp shove and do+n the
stairs goes 2n.e !enry/ ,eorge hunts a'out for the etter he has
+ritten> and shoves it in the po.1et of his un.e"s dressing;go+n/ At
seven;thirty he is at the ,aant (ndeavour> 'eard> 'ushy eye'ro+s
a .o)pete/ 2ndou'tedy Mr !enry ,as.oigne is aive at seventhirty/
Then a rapid )eta)orphosis in a avatory and 'a.1 fu
speed in his .ar to Wi)'edon and an evening of 'ridge/ The
perfe.t ai'i/"
Mr %onnington oo1ed at hi)/
"%ut the post)ar1 on the etterA"
"<h> that +as very si)pe/ The post)ar1 +as s)udgy/ WhyA It had
'een atered +ith a)p 'a.1 fro) se.ond 0ove)'er to third
0ove)'er/ @ou +oud not noti.e it uness you +ere oo1ing for it/
And finay there +ere the 'a.1'irds/"
"%a.1'irdsA"
"Four;and;t+enty 'a.1'irds 'a1ed in a pieG <r 'a.1;'erries if you
prefer to 'e iteraG ,eorge> you .o)prehend> +as after a not 8uite
a good enough a.tor/ $o you re)e)'er the feo+ +ho 'a.1ed
hi)sef a over to pay <theoA That is the 1ind of a.tor you have
got to 'e in .ri)e/ ,eorge oo1ed i1e his un.e and +a1ed i1e his
un.e and spo1e i1e his un.e and had his un.es" 'eard and
eye'ro+s> 'ut he forgot to eat i1e his un.e/ !e ordered the dishes
that he hi)sef i1ed/ %a.1'erries dis.oour the teeth ; the .orpse"s
teeth +ere not dis.ooured> and yet !enry ,as.oigne ate
'a.1'erries at the ,aant (ndeavour that night/ %ut there +ere no
'a.1'erries in the sto)a.h/ I as1ed this )orning/ And ,eorge had
'een foo enough to 1eep the 'eard and the rest of the )a1e;up/
<hG penty of eviden.e on.e you oo1 for it/ I .aed on ,eorge and
ratted hi)/ That finished itG !e had 'een eating 'a.1'erries again>
'y the +ay/ A greedy feo+ ; .ared a ot a'out his food/ (h 'ien>
greed +i hang hi) a right uness I a) very )u.h )ista1en/"
A +aitress 'rought the) t+o portions of 'a.1'erry and appe tart/
"Ta1e it a+ay>" said Mr %onnington/ "<ne .an"t 'e too .arefu/ %ring
)e a s)a heping of sago pudding/"
T!( $&(AM
!er.ue Poirot gave the house a steady appraising gan.e/ !is eyes
+andered a )o)ent to its surroundings> the shops> the 'ig fa.tory
'uiding on the right> the 'o.1s of .heap )ansion fats opposite/
Then on.e )ore his eyes returned to 0orth+ay !ouse> rei. of an
earier age ; an age of spa.e and eisure> +hen green fieds had
surrounded its +e;'red arrogan.e/ 0o+ it +as an ana.hronis)>
su')erged and forgotten in the he.ti. sea of )odern #ondon> and
not one )an in fifty .oud have tod you +here it stood/
Further)ore> very fe+ peope .oud have tod you to +ho) it
'eonged> though its o+ner"s na)e +oud have 'een re.ogni?ed as
one of the +ord"s ri.hest )en/ %ut )oney .an 8uen.h pu'i.ity as
+e as faunt it/ %enedi.t Farey> that e..entri. )iionaire> .hose
not to advertise his .hoi.e of residen.e/ !e hi)sef +as rarey
seen> sedo) )a1ing a pu'i. appearan.e/ Fro) ti)e to ti)e he
appeared at 'oard )eetings> his ean figure> 'ea1ed nose> and
rasping voi.e easiy do)inating the asse)'ed dire.tors/ Apart
fro) that> he +as Dust a +e;1no+n figure of egend/ There +ere his
strange )eannesses> his in.redi'e generosities> as +e as )ore
persona detais ; his fa)ous pat.h;+or1 dressing;go+n> no+
reputed to 'e t+enty;eight years od> his invaria'e diet of .a''age
soup and .aviare> his hatred of .ats/ A these things the pu'i.
1ne+/
!er.ue Poirot 1ne+ the) aso/ It +as a he did 1no+ of the )an he
+as a'out to visit/ The etter +hi.h +as in his .oat po.1et tod hi)
itte )ore/
After surveying this )ean.hoy and)ar1 of a past age for a )inute
or t+o in sien.e> he +a1ed up the steps to the front door and
pressed the 'e> gan.ing as he did so at the neat +rist;+at.h
+hi.h had at ast repa.ed an earier favorite ; the arge turnipfa.ed
+at.h of earier days/ @es> it +as eBa.ty nine;thirty/ As ever>
!er.ue Poirot +as eBa.t to the )inute/
The door opened after Dust the right interva/ A perfe.t spe.i)en of
the genus 'uter stood outined against the ighted ha/
JMr %enedi.t FareyAJ as1ed !er.ue Poirot/
The i)persona gan.e surveyed hi) fro) head to foot>
inoffensivey 'ut effe.tivey/
J(n gros et en d=tai>J thought !er.ue Poirot to hi)sef +ith
appre.iation/
J@ou have an appoint)ent> sirAJ as1ed the suave voi.e/
J@es/J
J@our na)e> sirAJ
JM/ !er.ue Poirot/J
The 'uter 'o+ed and dre+ 'a.1/ !er.ue Poirot entered the
house/ The 'uter .osed the door 'ehind hi)/
%ut there +as yet one )ore for)aity 'efore the deft hands too1 hat
and sti.1 fro) the visitor/
J@ou +i eB.use )e> sir/ I +as to as1 for a etter/J
With dei'eration Poirot too1 fro) his po.1et the foded etter and
handed it to the 'uter/ The atter gave it a )ere gan.e> then
returned it +ith a 'o+/ !er.ue Poirot returned it to his po.1et/ Its
.ontents +ere si)pe/
0orth+ay !ouse> W/O/
M/ !er.ue Poirot/
$ear Sir>
Mr %enedi.t Farey +oud i1e to have the 'enefit of your advi.e/ If
.onvenient to yoursef he +oud 'e gad if you +oud .a upon hi)
at the a'ove address at 9H56 to)orro+ 9Thursday: evening/
@ours truy>
!ugo Corn+orthy
9Se.retary:/
P/S/ ; Pease 'ring this etter +ith you/
$efty the 'uter reieved Poirot of hat> sti.1> and over.oat/ !e saidH
JWi you pease .o)e up to Mr Corn+orthy"s roo)AJ
!e ed the +ay up the 'road stair.ase/ Poirot foo+ed hi)> oo1ing
+ith appre.iation at su.h o'Dets d"art as +ere of an opuent and
forid nature/ !is taste in art +as a+ays so)e+hat 'ourgeois/
<n the first foor the 'uter 1no.1ed on a door/
!er.ue Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose very sighty/ It +as the first Darring
note/ For the 'est 'uters do not 1no.1 at doors ; and yet
indu'ita'y this +as a first;.ass 'uterG
It +as> so to spea1> the first inti)ation of .onta.t +ith the
e..entri.ity of a )iionaire/
A voi.e fro) +ithin .aed out so)ething/ The 'uter thre+ open the
door/ !e announ.ed 9and again Poirot sensed the dei'erate
departure fro) orthodoBy:H
JThe gente)an you are eBpe.ting> sir/J
Poirot passed into the roo)/ It +as a fair;si?ed roo)> very painy
furnished in a +or1)ani1e fashion/ Fiing .a'inets> 'oo1s of
referen.e> a .oupe of easy .hairs> and a arge and i)posing des1
.overed +ith neaty do.1eted papers/ The .orners of the roo)
+ere di)> for the ony ight .a)e fro) a 'ig green;shaded readinga)p
+hi.h stood on a s)a ta'e 'y the ar) of one of the easy
.hairs/ It +as pa.ed so as to .ast its fu ight on anyone
approa.hing fro) the door/ !er.ue Poirot 'in1ed a itte> reai?ing
that the a)p 'u' +as at east 1F6 +atts/ In the ar).hair sat a thin
figure in a pat.h+or1 dressing;go+n ; %enedi.t Farey/ !is head
+as stu.1 for+ard in a .hara.teristi. attitude> his 'ea1ed nose
proDe.ting i1e that of a 'ird/ A .rest of +hite hair i1e that of a
.o.1atoo rose a'ove his forehead/ !is eyes gittered 'ehind thi.1
enses as he peered suspi.iousy at his visitor/
J!ey>J he said at ast ; and his voi.e +as shri and harsh> +ith a
rasping note in it/ JSo you"re !er.ue Poirot> heyAJ
JAt your servi.e>J said Poirot poitey and 'o+ed> one hand on the
'a.1 of the .hair/
JSit do+n ; sit do+n>J said the od )an testiy/
!er.ue Poirot sat do+n ; in the fu gare of the a)p/ Fro) 'ehind
it the od )an see)ed to 'e studying hi) attentivey/
J!o+ do I 1no+ you"re !er.ue Poirot ; heyAJ he de)anded
fretfuy/ JTe )e that ; heyAJ
<n.e )ore Poirot dre+ the etter fro) his po.1et and handed it to
Farey/
J@es>J ad)itted the )iionaire grudgingy/ JThat"s it/ That"s +hat I
got Corn+orthy to +rite/J !e foded it up and tossed it 'a.1/ JSo
you"re the feo+> are youAJ
With a itte +ave of his hand Poirot saidH
JI assure you there is no de.eptionGJ
%enedi.t Farey .hu.1ed suddeny/
JThat"s +hat the .onDuror says 'efore he ta1es the godfish out of
the hatG Saying that is part of the tri.1> you 1no+/J
Poirot did not repy/ Farey said suddenyH
JThin1 I") a suspi.ious od )an> heyA So I a)/ $on"t trust any'odyG
That"s )y )otto/ Can"t trust any'ody +hen you"re ri.h/ 0o> no> it
doesn"t do/J
J@ou +ished>J Poirot hinted genty> Jto .onsut )eAJ
The od )an nodded/
JThat"s right/ A+ays 'uy the 'est/ That"s )y )otto/ ,o to the
eBpert and don"t .ount the .ost/ @ou" noti.e> M/ Poirot> I haven"t
as1ed you your fee/ I") not going toG Send )e in the 'i ater ;
shan"t .ut up rough over it/ $a)ned foos at the dairy thought they
.oud .harge )e t+o and nine for eggs +hen t+o and seven"s the
)ar1et pri.e ; ot of s+indersG I +on"t 'e s+inded/ %ut the )an at
the top"s different/ !e"s +orth the )oney/ I") at the top )ysef ; I
1no+/J
!er.ue Poirot )ade no repy/ !e istened attentivey> his head
poised a itte on one side/
%ehind his i)passive eBterior he +as .ons.ious of a feeing of
disappoint)ent/ !e .oud not eBa.ty put his finger on it/ So far
%enedi.t Farey had run true to type ; that is> he had .onfor)ed to
the popuar idea of hi)sefI and yet ; Poirot +as disappointed/
JThe )an>J he said disgustedy to hi)sef> Jis a )ounte'an1 ;
nothing 'ut a )ounte'an1GJ
!e had 1no+n other )iionaires> e..entri. )en too> 'ut in neary
every .ase he had 'een .ons.ious of a .ertain for.e> an inner
energy that had .o))anded his respe.t/ If they had +orn a
pat.h+or1 dressing;go+n> it +oud have 'een 'e.ause they i1ed
+earing su.h a dressing;go+n/ %ut the dressing;go+n of %enedi.t
Farey> or so it see)ed to Poirot> +as essentiay a stage property/
And the )an hi)sef +as essentiay stagey/ (very +ord he spo1e
+as uttered> so Poirot fet assured> sheery for effe.t/
!e repeated again une)otionay> J@ou +ished to .onsut )e> Mr
FareyAJ
A'rupty the )iionaire"s )anner .hanged/
!e eaned for+ard/ !is voi.e dropped to a .roa1/
J@es/ @es/// I +ant to hear +hat you"ve got to say ; +hat you thin1///
,o to the topG That"s )y +ayG The 'est do.tor ; the 'est dete.tive ;
it"s 'et+een the t+o of the)/J
JAs yet> Monsieur> I do not understand/J
J0aturay>J snapped Farey/ JI haven"t 'egun to te you/J
!e eaned for+ard on.e )ore and shot out an a'rupt 8uestion/
JWhat do you 1no+> M/ Poirot> a'out drea)sAJ
The itte )an"s eye'ro+s rose/ Whatever he had eBpe.ted> it +as
not this/
JFor that> Monsieur Farey> I shoud re.o))end 0apoeon"s %oo1 of
$rea)s ; or the atest pra.ti.ing psy.hoogist fro) !arey Street/J
%enedi.t Farey said so'ery> JI"ve tried 'oth///J
There +as a pause> then the )iionaire spo1e> at first a)ost in a
+hisper> then +ith a voi.e gro+ing higher and higher/
JIt"s the sa)e drea) ; night after night/ And I") afraid> I te you ; I")
afraid/// It"s a+ays the sa)e/ I") sitting in )y roo) neBt door to
this/ Sitting at )y des1> +riting/ There"s a .o.1 there and I gan.e
at it and see the ti)e ; eBa.ty t+enty;eight )inutes past three/
A+ays the sa)e ti)e> you understand/
JAnd +hen I see the ti)e> M/ Poirot> I 1no+ I"ve got to do it/ I don"t
+ant to do it ; I oathe doing it ; 'ut I"ve got to ;J
!is voi.e had risen shriy/
2npertur'ed> Poirot said> JAnd +hat is it that you have to doAJ
JAt t+enty;eight )inutes past three>J %enedi.t Farey said
hoarsey> JI open the se.ond dra+er do+n on the right of )y des1>
ta1e out the revover that I 1eep there> oad it and +a1 over to the
+indo+/ And then ; and then ;J
J@esAJ
%enedi.t Farey said in a +hisperH JThen I shoot )ysef///J
There +as sien.e/
Then Poirot said> JThat is your drea)AJ
J@es/J
JThe sa)e every nightAJ
J@es/J
JWhat happens after you shoot yoursefAJ
JI +a1e up/J
Poirot nodded his head so+y and thoughtfuy/
JAs a )atter of interest> do you 1eep a revover in that parti.uar
dra+erAJ
J@es/J
JWhyAJ
JI have a+ays done so/ It is as +e to 'e prepared/J
JPrepared for +hatAJ
Farey said irrita'y> JA )an in )y position has to 'e on his guard/
A ri.h )en have ene)ies/J
Poirot did not pursue the su'De.t/ !e re)ained sient for a )o)ent
or t+o> then he saidH
JWhy eBa.ty did you send for )eAJ
JI +i te you/ First of a I .onsuted a do.tor ; three do.tors to 'e
eBa.t/J
J@esAJ
JThe first tod )e it +as a a 8uestion of diet/ !e +as an edery
)an/ The se.ond +as a young )an of the )odern s.hoo/ !e
assured )e that it a hinged on a .ertain event that too1 pa.e in
infan.y at that parti.uar ti)e of day ; three t+enty;eight/ I a) so
deter)ined> he says> not to re)e)'er that event> that I sy)'oi?e it
'y destroying )ysef/ That is his eBpanation/J
JAnd the third do.torAJ as1ed Poirot/
%enedi.t Farey"s voi.e rose in shri anger/
J!e"s a young )an too/ !e has a preposterous theoryG !e asserts
that I> )ysef> a) tired of ife> that )y ife is so un'eara'e to )e
that I dei'eratey +ant to end itG %ut sin.e to a.1no+edge that fa.t
+oud 'e to a.1no+edge that essentiay I a) a faiure> I refuse in
)y +a1ing )o)ents to fa.e the truth/ %ut +hen I a) aseep> a
inhi'itions are re)oved> and I pro.eed to do that +hi.h I reay +ish
to do/ I put an end to )ysef/J
J!is vie+ is that you reay +ish> un1no+n to yoursef> to .o))it
sui.ideAJ said Poirot/
%enedi.t Farey .ried shriyH
JAnd that"s i)possi'e ; i)possi'eG I") perfe.ty happyG I"ve got
everything I +ant ; everything )oney .an 'uyG It"s fantasti. ;
un'eieva'e even to suggest a thing i1e thatGJ
Poirot oo1ed at hi) +ith interest/ Perhaps so)ething in the
sha1ing hands> the tre)'ing shriness of the voi.e> +arned hi)
that the denia +as too vehe)ent> that its very insisten.e +as in
itsef suspe.t/ !e .ontented hi)sef +ith sayingH
JAnd +here do I .o)e in> MonsieurAJ
%enedi.t Farey .a)ed do+n suddeny/ !e tapped +ith an
e)phati. finger on the ta'e 'eside hi)/
JThere"s another possi'iity/ And if it"s right> you"re the )an to 1no+
a'out itG @ou"re fa)ous> you"ve had hundreds of .ases ; fantasti.>
i)pro'a'e .asesG @ou"d 1no+ if anyone does/J
J-no+ +hatAJ
Farey"s voi.e dropped to a +hisper/
JSupposing so)eone +ants to 1i )e/// Coud they do it this +ayA
Coud they )a1e )e drea) that drea) night after nightAJ
J!ypnotis)> you )eanAJ
J@es/J
!er.ue Poirot .onsidered the 8uestion/
JIt +oud 'e possi'e> I suppose>J he said at ast/ JIt is )ore a
8uestion for a do.tor/J
J@ou don"t 1no+ of su.h a .ase in your eBperien.eAJ
J0ot pre.isey on those ines> no/J
J@ou see +hat I") driving atA I") )ade to drea) the sa)e drea)>
night after night> night after night ; and then ; one day the
suggestion is too )u.h for )e ; and I a.t upon it/ I do +hat I"ve
drea)ed of so often ; 1i )ysefGJ
So+y !er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
J@ou don"t thin1 that is possi'eAJ as1ed Farey/
JPossi'eAJ Poirot shoo1 his head/ JThat is not a +ord I .are to
)edde +ith/J
J%ut you thin1 it i)pro'a'eAJ
JMost i)pro'a'e/J
%enedi.t Farey )ur)ured> JThe do.tor said so too///J Then his
voi.e rising shriy again> he .ried out> J%ut +hy do I have this
drea)A WhyA WhyAJ
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/ %enedi.t Farey said a'rupty>
J@ou"re sure you"ve never .o)e a.ross anything i1e this in your
eBperien.eAJ
J0ever/J
JThat"s +hat I +anted to 1no+/J
$ei.atey> Poirot .eared his throat/
J@ou per)it>J he said> Ja 8uestionAJ
JWhat is itA What is itA Say +hat you i1e/J
JWho is it you suspe.t of +anting to 1i youAJ
Farey snapped out> J0o'ody/ 0o'ody at a/J
J%ut the idea presented itsef to your )indAJ Poirot persisted/
JI +anted to 1no+ ; if it +as a possi'iity/J
JSpea1ing fro) )y o+n eBperien.e> I shoud say 0o/ !ave you ever
'een hypnoti?ed> 'y the +ayAJ
J<f .ourse not/ $"you thin1 I"d end )ysef to su.h to)fooeryAJ
JThen I thin1 one .an say that your theory is definitey i)pro'a'e/J
J%ut the drea)> you foo> the drea)/J
JThe drea) is .ertainy re)ar1a'e>J said Poirot thoughtfuy/ !e
paused and then +ent on/ JI shoud i1e to see the s.ene of this
dra)a ; the ta'e> the .o.1> and the revover/J
J<f .ourse> I" ta1e you neBt door/J
Wrapping the fods of his dressing;go+n round hi)> the od )an
haf;rose fro) his .hair/ Then suddeny> as though a thought had
stru.1 hi)> he resu)ed his seat/
J0o>J he said/ JThere"s nothing to see there/ I"ve tod you a there is
to te/J
J%ut I shoud i1e to see for )ysef ;J
JThere"s no need>J Farey snapped/ J@ou"ve given )e your opinion/
That"s the end/J
Poirot shrugged his shouders/ JAs you pease/J
!e rose to his feet/ JI a) sorry> Mr Farey> that I have not 'een a'e
to 'e of assistan.e to you/J
%enedi.t Farey +as staring straight ahead of hi)/
J$on"t +ant a ot of han1y;pan1ying around>J he gro+ed out/ JI"ve
tod you the fa.ts ; you .an"t )a1e anything of the)/ That .oses the
)atter/ @ou .an send )e in a 'i for a .onsutation fee/J
JI sha not fai to do so>J said the dete.tive dryy/ !e +a1ed
to+ards the door/
JStop a )inute/J The )iionaire .aed hi) 'a.1/ JThat etter ; I
+ant it/J
JThe etter fro) your se.retaryAJ
J@es/J
Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose/ !e put his hand into his po.1et> dre+ out a
foded sheet> and handed it to the od )an/ The atter s.rutini?ed it>
then put it do+n on the ta'e 'eside hi) +ith a nod/
<n.e )ore !er.ue Poirot +a1ed to the door/ !e +as pu??ed/ !is
'usy )ind +as going over and over the story he had 'een tod/ @et
in the )idst of his )enta preo..upation> a nagging sense of
so)ething +rong o'truded itsef/ And that so)ething had to do
+ith hi)sef ; not +ith %enedi.t Farey/
With his hand on the door 1no'> his )ind .eared/ !e> !er.ue
Poirot> had 'een guity of an errorG !e turned 'a.1 into the roo)
on.e )ore/
JA thousand pardonsG In the interest of your pro'e) I have
.o))itted a foyG That etter I handed to you ; 'y )is.han.e I put
)y hand into )y right;hand po.1et instead of the eft ;J
JWhat"s a thisA What"s a thisAJ
JThe etter that I handed you Dust no+ ; an apoogy fro) )y
aundress .on.erning the treat)ent of )y .oars/J Poirot +as
s)iing> apoogeti./ !e dipped into his eft;hand po.1et/ JThis is
your etter/J
%enedi.t Farey snat.hed at it ; gruntedH JWhy the devi .an"t you
)ind +hat you"re doingAJ
Poirot retrieved his aundress"s .o))uni.ation> apoogi?ed
gra.efuy on.e )ore> and eft the roo)/
!e paused for a )o)ent outside on the anding/ It +as a spa.ious
one/ $ire.ty fa.ing hi) +as a 'ig od oa1 sette +ith a refe.tory
ta'e in front of it/ <n the ta'e +ere )aga?ines/ There +ere aso
t+o ar).hairs and a ta'e +ith fo+ers/ It re)inded hi) a itte of a
dentist"s +aiting;roo)/
The 'uter +as in the ha 'eo+ +aiting to et hi) out/
JCan I get you a taBi> sirAJ
J0o> I than1 you/ The night is fine/ I +i +a1/J
!er.ue Poirot paused a )o)ent on the pave)ent +aiting for a u
in the traffi. 'efore .rossing the 'usy street/
A fro+n .reased his forehead/
J0o>J he said to hi)sef/ JI do not understand at a/ 0othing )a1es
sense/ &egretta'e to have to ad)it it> 'ut I> !er.ue Poirot> a)
.o)petey 'affed/J
That +as +hat )ight 'e ter)ed the first a.t of the dra)a/ The
se.ond a.t foo+ed a +ee1 ater/ It opened +ith a teephone .a
fro) one *ohn Stiingfeet> M/$/
!e said +ith a re)ar1a'e a.1 of )edi.a de.oru)H
JThat you> Poirot> od horseA Stiingfeet here/J
J@es> )y friend/ What is itAJ
JI") spea1ing fro) 0orth+ay !ouse ; %enedi.t Farey"s/J
JAh> yesAJ Poirot"s voi.e 8ui.1ened +ith interest/ JWhat of ; Mr
FareyAJ
JFarey"s dead/ Shot hi)sef this afternoon/J
There +as a pause> then Poirot saidH
J@es///J
JI noti.e you"re not over.o)e +ith surprise/ -no+ so)ething a'out
it> od horseAJ
JWhy shoud you thin1 thatAJ
JWe> it isn"t 'riiant dedu.tion or teepathy or anything i1e that/
We found a note fro) Farey to you )a1ing an appoint)ent a'out a
+ee1 ago/J
JI see/J
JWe"ve got a ta)e poi.e inspe.tor here ; got to 'e .arefu> you
1no+> +hen one of these )iionaire 'o1es 'u)ps hi)sef off/
Wondered +hether you .oud thro+ any ight on the .ase/ If so>
perhaps you"d .o)e roundAJ
JI +i .o)e i))ediatey/J
J,ood for you> od 'oy/ So)e dirty +or1 at the .ross;roads ; ehAJ
Poirot )erey repeated that he +oud set forth i))ediatey/
J$on"t +ant to spi the 'eans over the teephoneA 4uite right/ So
ong/J
A 8uarter of an hour ater Poirot +as sitting in the i'rary> a o+ ong
roo) at the 'a.1 of 0orth+ay !ouse on the ground foor/ There
+ere five other persons in the roo)> Inspe.tor %arnett> $r
Stiingfeet> Mrs Farey> the +ido+ of the )iionaire> *oanna Farey>
his ony daughter> and !ugo Corn+orthy> his private se.retary/
<f these> Inspe.tor %arnett +as a dis.reet sodiery;oo1ing )an/
$r Stiingfeet> +hose professiona )anner +as entirey different
fro) his teephoni. stye> +as a ta> ong;fa.ed young )an of thirty/
Mrs Farey +as o'viousy very )u.h younger than her hus'and/
She +as a handso)e dar1;haired +o)an/ !er )outh +as hard and
her 'a.1 eyes gave a'soutey no .ue to her e)otions/ She
appeared perfe.ty sef;possessed/ *oanna Farey had fair hair and
a fre.1ed fa.e/ The pro)inen.e of her nose and .hin +as .eary
inherited fro) her father/ !er eyes +ere inteigent and shre+d/
!ugo Corn+orthy +as a so)e+hat .ooress young )an> very
.orre.ty dressed/ !e see)ed inteigent and effi.ient/
After greetings and introdu.tions> Poirot narrated si)py and
.eary the .ir.u)stan.es of his visit and the story tod hi) 'y
%enedi.t Farey/ !e .oud not .o)pain of any a.1 of interest/
JMost eBtraordinary story I"ve ever heardGJ said the inspe.tor/ JA
drea)> ehA $id you 1no+ anything a'out this> Mrs FareyAJ
She 'o+ed her head/
JMy hus'and )entioned it to )e/ It upset hi) very )u.h/ I ; I tod
hi) it +as indigestion ; his diet> you 1no+> +as very pe.uiar ; and
suggested his .aing in $r Stiingfeet/J
That young )an shoo1 his head/
J!e didn"t .onsut )e/ Fro) M/ Poirot"s story> I gather he +ent to
!arey Street/J
JI +oud i1e your advi.e on that point> do.tor>J said Poirot/ JMr
Farey tod )e that he .onsuted three spe.iaists/ What do you
thin1 of the theories they advan.edAJ
Stiingfeet fro+ned/
JIt"s diffi.ut to say/ @ou"ve got to ta1e into a..ount that +hat he
passed on to you +asn"t eBa.ty +hat had 'een said to hi)/ It +as a
ay)an"s interpretation/J
J@ou )ean he had got the phraseoogy +rongAJ
J0ot eBa.ty/ I )ean they +oud put a thing to hi) in professiona
ter)s> he"d get the )eaning a itte distorted> and then re.ast it in
his o+n anguage/J
JSo that +hat he tod )e +as not reay +hat the do.tors said/J
JThat"s +hat it a)ounts to/ !e"s Dust got it a a itte +rong> if you
1no+ +hat I )ean/J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ JIs it 1no+n +ho) he .onsutedAJ he
as1ed/
Mrs Farey shoo1 her head> and *oanna Farey re)ar1edH
J0one of us had any idea he had .onsuted anyone/J
J$id he spea1 to you a'out his drea)AJ as1ed Poirot/
The gir shoo1 her head/
JAnd you> Mr Corn+orthyAJ
J0o> he said nothing at a/ I too1 do+n a etter to you at his
di.tation> 'ut I had no idea +hy he +ished to .onsut you/ I thought
it )ight possi'y have so)ething to do +ith so)e 'usiness
irreguarity/J
Poirot as1edH JAnd no+ as to the a.tua fa.ts of Mr Farey"s deathAJ
Inspe.tor %arnett oo1ed interrogativey at Mrs Farey and at $r
Stiingfeet> and then too1 upon hi)sef the roe of spo1es)an/
JMr Farey +as in the ha'it of +or1ing in his o+n roo) on the first
foor every afternoon/ I understand that there +as a 'ig
a)aga)ation of 'usinesses in prospe.t ;J
!e oo1ed at !ugo Corn+orthy +ho said> JConsoidated
Coa.hines/J
JIn .onne.tion +ith that>J .ontinued Inspe.tor %arnett> JMr Farey
had agreed to give an intervie+ to t+o )e)'ers of the Press/ !e
very sedo) did anything of the 1ind ; ony a'out on.e in five years>
I understand/ A..ordingy t+o reporters> one fro) the Asso.iated
0e+sgroups> and one fro) A)aga)ated Press;sheets> arrived at
a 8uarter past three 'y appoint)ent/ They +aited on the first foor
outside Mr Farey"s door ; +hi.h +as the .usto)ary pa.e for
peope to +ait +ho had an appoint)ent +ith Mr Farey/ At t+enty
past three a )essenger arrived fro) the offi.e of Consoidated
Coa.hines +ith so)e urgent papers/ !e +as sho+n into Mr
Farey"s roo) +here he handed over the do.u)ents/ Mr Farey
a..o)panied hi) to the door of the roo)> and fro) there spo1e to
the t+o )e)'ers of the Press/ !e saidH
J"I a) sorry> gente)en> to have to 1eep you +aiting> 'ut I have
so)e urgent 'usiness to attend to/ I +i 'e as 8ui.1 as I .an/"
JThe t+o gente)en> Mr Ada)s and Mr Stoddart> assured Mr Farey
that they +oud a+ait his .onvenien.e/ !e +ent 'a.1 into his roo)>
shut the door ; and +as never seen aive againGJ
JContinue>J said Poirot/
JAt a itte after four o".o.1>J +ent on the inspe.tor> JMr
Corn+orthy here .a)e out of his roo) +hi.h is neBt door to Mr
Farey"s> and +as surprised to see the t+o reporters sti +aiting/
!e +anted Mr Farey"s signature to so)e etters and thought he had
aso 'etter re)ind hi) that these t+o gente)en +ere +aiting/ !e
a..ordingy +ent into Mr Farey"s roo)/ To his surprise he .oud
not at first see Mr Farey and thought the roo) +as e)pty/ Then he
.aught sight of a 'oot sti.1ing out 'ehind the des1 9+hi.h is pa.ed
in front of the +indo+:/ !e +ent 8ui.1y a.ross and dis.overed Mr
Farey ying there dead> +ith a revover 'eside hi)/
JMr Corn+orthy hurried out of the roo) and dire.ted the 'uter to
ring up $r Stiingfieet/ %y the atter"s advi.e> Mr Corn+orthy aso
infor)ed the poi.e/J
JWas the shot heardAJ as1ed Poirot/
J0o/ The traffi. is very noisy here> the anding +indo+ +as open/
What +ith orries and )otor horns it +oud 'e )ost uni1ey if it had
'een noti.ed/J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ JWhat ti)e is it supposed he diedAJ he
as1ed/
Stiingfieet saidH
JI eBa)ined the 'ody as soon as I got here ; that is> at thirty;t+o
)inutes past four/ Mr Farey had 'een dead at east an hour/J
Poirot"s fa.e +as very grave/
JSo then> it see)s possi'e that his death .oud have o..urred at
the ti)e he )entioned to )e ; that is> at t+enty;eight )inutes past
three/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Stiingfeet/
JAny finger;)ar1s on the revoverAJ
J@es> his o+n/J
JAnd the revover itsefAJ
The inspe.tor too1 up the tae/
JWas one +hi.h he 1ept in the se.ond right;hand dra+er of his
des1> Dust as he tod you/ Mrs Farey has identified it positivey/
Moreover> you understand> there is ony one entran.e to the roo)>
the door giving on to the anding/ The t+o reporters +ere sitting
eBa.ty opposite that door and they s+ear that no one entered the
roo) fro) the ti)e Mr Farey spo1e to the)> unti Mr Corn+orthy
entered it at a itte after four o".o.1/J
JSo that there is every reason to suppose that Mr Farey .o))itted
sui.ideAJ
Inspe.tor %arnett s)ied a itte/
JThere +oud have 'een no dou't at a 'ut for one point/J
JAnd thatAJ
JThe etter +ritten to you/J
Poirot s)ied too/
JI seeG Where !er.ue Poirot is .on.erned ; i))ediatey the
suspi.ion of )urder arisesGJ
JPre.isey>J said the inspe.tor dryy/ J!o+ever> after your .earing
up of the situation ;J
Poirot interrupted hi)/ J<ne itte )inute/J
!e turned to Mrs Farey/ J!ad your hus'and ever 'een
hypnoti?edAJ
J0ever/J
J!ad he studied the 8uestion of hypnotis)A Was he interested in
the su'De.tAJ
She shoo1 her head/ JI don"t thin1 so/J
Suddeny her sef;.ontro see)ed to 'rea1 do+n/ JThat horri'e
drea)G It"s un.annyG That he shoud have drea)ed that ; night after
night ; and then ; and then ; it"s as though he +ere ; hounded to
deathGJ
Poirot re)e)'ered %enedi.t Farey saying ; JI pro.eed to do that
+hi.h I reay +ish to do/ I put an end to )ysef/J
!e said> J!ad it ever o..urred to you that your hus'and )ight 'e
te)pted to do a+ay +ith hi)sefAJ
J0o ; at east ; so)eti)es he +as very 8ueer///J
*oanna Farey"s voi.e 'ro1e in .ear and s.ornfu/ JFather +oud
never have 1ied hi)sef/ !e +as far too .arefu of hi)sef/J
$r Stiingfeet said> JIt isn"t the peope +ho threaten to .o))it
sui.ide +ho usuay do it> you 1no+> Miss Farey/ That"s +hy
sui.ides so)eti)es see) una..ounta'e/J
Poirot rose to his feet/ JIs it per)itted>J he as1ed> Jthat I see the
roo) +here the tragedy o..urredAJ
JCertainy/ $r Stiingfeet ;J
The do.tor a..o)panied Poirot upstairs/ %enedi.t Farey"s roo)
+as a )u.h arger one than the se.retary"s neBt door/ It +as
uBuriousy furnished +ith deep eather;.overed ar).hairs> a thi.1
pie .arpet> and a super' outsi?e +riting;des1/
Poirot passed 'ehind the atter to +here a dar1 stain on the .arpet
sho+ed Dust 'efore the +indo+/ !e re)e)'ered the )iionaire
saying> JAt t+enty;eight )inutes past three I open the se.ond
dra+er do+n on the right of )y des1> ta1e out the revover that I
1eep there> oad it> and +a1 over to the +indo+/ And then ; and
then I shoot )ysef/J
!e nodded so+y/ Then he saidH
JThe +indo+ +as open i1e thisAJ
J@es/ %ut no'ody .oud have got in that +ay/J
Poirot put his head out/ There +as no si or parapet and no pipes
near/ 0ot even a .at .oud have gained a..ess that +ay/ <pposite
rose the 'an1 +a of the fa.tory> a dead +a +ith no +indo+s in it/
Stiingfeet said> JFunny roo) for a ri.h )an to .hoose as his o+n
san.tu) +ith that outoo1/ It"s i1e oo1ing out on to a prison +a/J
J@es>J said Poirot/ !e dre+ his head in and stared at the eBpanse of
soid 'ri.1/ JI thin1>J he said> Jthat that +a is i)portant/J
Stiingfeet oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/ J@ou )ean ; psy.hoogi.ayAJ
Poirot had )oved to the des1/ Idy> or so it see)ed> he pi.1ed up a
pair of +hat are usuay .aed a?y;tongs/ !e pressed the handesI
the tongs shot out to their fu ength/ $ei.atey> Poirot pi.1ed up a
'urnt )at.h stu)p +ith the) fro) 'eside a .hair so)e feet a+ay
and .onveyed it .arefuy to the +aste;paper 'as1et/
JWhen you"ve finished paying +ith those things///J said Stiingfeet
irrita'y/
!er.ue Poirot )ur)ured> JAn ingenious invention>J and repa.ed
the tongs neaty on the +riting;ta'e/ Then he as1edH
JWhere +ere Mrs Farey and Miss Farey at the ti)e of the ; deathAJ
JMrs Farey +as resting in her roo) on the foor a'ove this/ Miss
Farey +as painting in her studio at the top of the house/J
!er.ue Poirot dru))ed idy +ith his fingers on the ta'e for a
)inute or t+o/ Then he saidH
JI shoud i1e to see Miss Farey/ $o you thin1 you .oud as1 her to
.o)e here for a )inute or t+oAJ
JIf you i1e/J
Stiingfeet gan.ed at hi) .uriousy> then eft the roo)/ In another
)inute or t+o the door opened and *oanna Farey .a)e in/
J@ou do not )ind> )ade)oisee> if I as1 you a fe+ 8uestionsAJ
She returned his gan.e .ooy/ JPease as1 anything you .hoose/J
J$id you 1no+ that your father 1ept a revover in his des1AJ
J0o/J
JWhere +ere you and your )other ; that is to say your step)other ;
that is rightAJ
J@es> #ouise is )y father"s se.ond +ife/ She is ony eight years
oder than I a)/ @ou +ere a'out to say ;AJ
JWhere +ere you and she on Thursday of ast +ee1A That is to say>
on Thursday night/J
She refe.ted for a )inute or t+o/
JThursdayA #et )e see/ <h> yes> +e had gone to the theater/ To see
#itte $og #aughed/J
J@our father did not suggest a..o)panying youAJ
J!e never +ent out to theaters/J
JWhat did he usuay do in the eveningsAJ
J!e sat in here and read/J
J!e +as not a very so.ia'e )anAJ
The gir oo1ed at hi) dire.ty/ JMy father>J she said> Jhad a
singuary unpeasant personaity/ 0o one +ho ived in .ose
asso.iation +ith hi) .oud possi'y 'e fond of hi)/J
JThat> )ade)oisee> is a very .andid state)ent/J
JI a) saving you ti)e> M/ Poirot/ I reai?e 8uite +e +hat you are
getting at/ My step)other )arried )y father for his )oney/ I ive
here 'e.ause I have no )oney to ive ese+here/ There is a )an I
+ish to )arry ; a poor )anI )y father sa+ to it that he ost his Do'/
!e +anted )e> you see> to )arry +e ; an easy )atter sin.e I +as
to 'e his heiressGJ
J@our father"s fortune passes to youAJ
J@es/ That is> he eft #ouise> )y step)other> a 8uarter of a )iion
free of taB> and there are other ega.ies> 'ut the residue goes to
)e/J She s)ied suddeny/ JSo you see> M/ Poirot> I had every
reason to desire )y father"s deathGJ
JI see> )ade)oisee> that you have inherited your father"s
inteigen.e/J
She said thoughtfuy> JFather +as .ever/// <ne fet that +ith hi) ;
that he had for.e ; driving po+er ; 'ut it had a turned sour ; 'itter ;
there +as no hu)anity eft/// J
!er.ue Poirot said softy> J,rand $ieu> 'ut +hat an i)'e.ie I
a)///J
*oanna Farey turned to+ards the door/ JIs there anything )oreAJ
JT+o itte 8uestions/ These tongs here>J he pi.1ed up the
a?ytongs> J+ere they a+ays on the ta'eAJ
J@es/ Father used the) for pi.1ing up things/ !e didn"t i1e
stooping/J
J<ne other 8uestion/ Was your father"s eye;sight goodAJ
She stared at hi)/
J<h> no ; he .oudn"t see at a ; I )ean he .oudn"t see +ithout his
gasses/ !is sight had a+ays 'een 'ad fro) a 'oy/J
J%ut +ith his gassesAJ
J<h> he .oud see a right then> of .ourse/J
J!e .oud read ne+spapers and fine printAJ
J<h> yes/J
JThat is a> )ade)oisee/J
She +ent out of the roo)/
Poirot )ur)ured> JI +as stupid/ It +as there> a the ti)e> under )y
nose/ And 'e.ause it +as so near I .oud not see it/J
!e eaned out of the +indo+ on.e )ore/ $o+n 'eo+> in the narro+
+ay 'et+een the house and the fa.tory> he sa+ a s)a dar1 o'De.t/
!er.ue Poirot nodded> satisfied> and +ent do+nstairs again/
The others +ere sti in the i'rary/ Poirot addressed hi)sef to the
se.retaryH
JI +ant you> Mr Corn+orthy> to re.ount to )e in detai the eBa.t
.ir.u)stan.es of Mr Farey"s su))ons to )e/ When> for instan.e>
did Mr Farey di.tate that etterAJ
J<n Wednesday afternoon ; at five;thirty> as far as I .an
re)e)'er/J
JWere there any spe.ia dire.tions a'out posting itAJ
J!e tod )e to post it )ysef/J
JAnd you did soAJ
J@es/J
J$id he give any spe.ia instru.tions to the 'uter a'out ad)itting
)eAJ
J@es/ !e tod )e to te !o)es 9!o)es is the 'uter: that a
gente)an +oud 'e .aing at 9H56/ !e +as to as1 the gente)an"s
na)e/ !e +as aso to as1 to see the etter/J
J&ather pe.uiar pre.autions to ta1e> don"t you thin1AJ
Corn+orthy shrugged his shouders/
JMr Farey>J he said .arefuy> J+as rather a pe.uiar )an/J
JAny other instru.tionsAJ
J@es/ !e tod )e to ta1e the evening off/J
J$id you do soAJ
J@es> i))ediatey after dinner I +ent to the .ine)a/J
JWhen did you returnAJ
JI et )ysef in a'out a 8uarter past eeven/J
J$id you see Mr Farey again that eveningAJ
J0o/J
JAnd he did not )ention the )atter the neBt )orningAJ
J0o/J
Poirot paused a )o)ent> then resu)ed> JWhen I arrived I +as not
sho+n into Mr Farey"s o+n roo)/J
J0o/ !e tod )e that I +as to te !o)es to sho+ you into )y roo)/J
JWhy +as thatA $o you 1no+AJ
Corn+orthy shoo1 his head/ JI never 8uestioned any of Mr Farey"s
orders>J he said dryy/ J!e +oud have resented it if I had/J
J$id he usuay re.eive visitors in his o+n roo)AJ
J2suay> 'ut not a+ays/ So)eti)es he sa+ the) in )y roo)/J
JWas there any reason for thatAJ
!ugo Corn+orthy .onsidered/
J0o ; I hardy thin1 so ; I"ve never reay thought a'out it/J
Turning to Mrs Farey> Poirot as1edH
J@ou per)it that I ring for your 'uterAJ
JCertainy> M/ Poirot/J
7ery .orre.t> very ur'ane> !o)es ans+ered the 'e/
J@ou rang> )ada)AJ
Mrs Farey indi.ated Poirot +ith a gesture/
!o)es turned poitey/ J@es> sirAJ
JWhat +ere your instru.tions> !o)es> on the Thursday night +hen
I .a)e hereAJ
!o)es .eared his throat> then saidH
JAfter dinner Mr Corn+orthy tod )e that Mr Farey eBpe.ted a Mr
!er.ue Poirot at 9H56/ I +as to as.ertain the gente)an"s na)e>
and I +as to verify the infor)ation 'y gan.ing at a etter/ Then I
+as to sho+ hi) up to Mr Corn+orthy"s roo)/J
JWere you aso tod to 1no.1 on the doorAJ
An eBpression of distaste .rossed the 'uter"s .ountenan.e/
JThat +as one of Mr Farey"s orders/ I +as a+ays to 1no.1 +hen
introdu.ing visitors ; 'usiness visitors> that is>J he added/
JAh> that pu??ed )eG Were you given any other instru.tions
.on.erning )eAJ
J0o> sir/ When Mr Corn+orthy had tod )e +hat I have Dust
repeated to you he +ent out/J
JWhat ti)e +as thatAJ
JTen )inutes to nine> sir/J
J$id you see Mr Farey after thatAJ
J@es> sir> I too1 hi) up a gass of hot +ater as usua at nine
o".o.1/J
JWas he then in his o+n roo) or in Mr Corn+orthy"sAJ
J!e +as in his o+n roo)> sir/J
J@ou noti.ed nothing unusua a'out that roo)AJ
J2nusuaA 0o> sir/J
JWhere +ere Mrs Farey and Miss FareyAJ
JThey had gone to the theater> sir/J
JThan1 you> !o)es> that +i do/J
!o)es 'o+ed and eft the roo)/ Poirot turned to the )iionaire"s
+ido+/
J<ne )ore 8uestion> Mrs Farey/ !ad your hus'and good sightAJ
J0o/ 0ot +ithout his gasses/J
J!e +as very shortsightedAJ
J<h> yes> he +as 8uite hepess +ithout his spe.ta.es/J
J!e had severa pairs of gassesAJ
J@es/J
JAh>J said Poirot/ !e eaned 'a.1/ JI thin1 that that .on.udes the
.ase///J
There +as sien.e in the roo)/ They +ere a oo1ing at the itte
)an +ho sat there .o)pa.enty stro1ing his )usta.he/ <n the
inspe.tor"s fa.e +as perpeBity> $r Stiingfeet +as fro+ning>
Corn+orthy )erey stared un.o)prehendingy> Mrs Farey ga?ed in
'an1 astonish)ent> *oanna Farey oo1ed eager/
Mrs Farey 'ro1e the sien.e/
JI don"t understand> M/ Poirot/J !er voi.e +as fretfu/ JThe drea) ;J
J@es>J said Poirot/ JThat drea) +as very i)portant/J
Mrs Farey shivered/ She saidH
JI"ve never 'eieved in anything supernatura 'efore ; 'ut no+ ; to
drea) it night after night 'eforehand ;J
JIt"s eBtraordinary>J said Stiingfieet/ J(BtraordinaryG If +e hadn"t
got your +ord for it> Poirot> and if you hadn"t had it straight fro) the
horse"s )outh ;J he .oughed in e)'arrass)ent> and readopting his
professiona )anner> JI 'eg your pardon> Mrs Farey/ If Mr Farey
hi)sef had not tod that story ;J
J(Ba.ty>J said Poirot/ !is eyes> +hi.h had 'een haf;.osed>
opened suddeny/ They +ere very green/ JIf %enedi.t Farey hadn"t
tod )e ;J
!e paused a )inute> oo1ing round at a .ir.e of 'an1 fa.es/
JThere are .ertain things> you .o)prehend> that happened that
evening +hi.h I +as 8uite at a oss to eBpain/ First> +hy )a1e su.h
a point of )y 'ringing that etter +ith )eAJ
JIdentifi.ation>J suggested Corn+orthy/
J0o> no> )y dear young )an/ &eay that idea is too ridi.uous/
There )ust 'e so)e )u.h )ore vaid reason/ For not ony did Mr
Farey re8uire to see that etter produ.ed> 'ut he definitey
de)anded that I shoud eave it 'ehind )e/ And )oreover even
then he did not destroy itG It +as found a)ong his papers this
afternoon/ Why did he 1eep itAJ
*oanna Farey"s voi.e 'ro1e in/ J!e +anted> in .ase anything
happened to hi)> that the fa.ts of his strange drea) shoud 'e
)ade 1no+n/J
Poirot nodded approvingy/
J@ou are astute> Made)oisee/ That )ust 'e ; that .an ony 'e ; the
point of the 1eeping of the etter/ When Mr Farey +as dead> the
story of that strange drea) +as to 'e todG That drea) +as very
i)portant/ That drea)> Made)oisee> +as vitaG
JI +i .o)e no+>J he +ent on> Jto the se.ond point/ After hearing
his story I as1 Mr Farey to sho+ )e the des1 and the revover/ !e
see)s a'out to get up to do so> then suddeny refuses/ Why did he
refuseAJ
This ti)e no one advan.ed an ans+er/
JI +i put that 8uestion differenty/ What +as there in that neBt
roo) that Mr Farey did not +ant )e to seeAJ
There +as sti sien.e/
J@es>J said Poirot> Jit is diffi.ut> that/ And yet there +as so)e
reason ; so)e urgent reason +hy Mr Farey re.eived )e in his
se.retary"s roo) and refused point 'an1 to ta1e )e into his o+n
roo)/ There +as so)ething in that roo) he .oud not afford to have
)e see/
JAnd no+ I .o)e to the third ineBpi.a'e thing that happened on
that evening/ Mr Farey> Dust as I +as eaving> re8uested )e to hand
hi) the etter I had re.eived/ %y inadverten.e I handed hi) a
.o))uni.ation fro) )y aundress/ !e gan.ed at it and aid it do+n
'eside hi)/ *ust 'efore I eft the roo) I dis.overed )y error ; and
re.tified itG After that I eft the house and ; I ad)it it ; I +as
.o)petey at seaG The +hoe affair and espe.iay that ast in.ident
see)ed to )e 8uite ineBpi.a'e/J
!e oo1ed round fro) one to the other/
J@ou do not seeAJ
Stiingfeet said> JI don"t reay see ho+ your aundress .o)es into
it> Poirot/J
JMy aundress>J said Poirot> J+as very i)portant/ That )isera'e
+o)an +ho ruins )y .oars> +as> for the first ti)e in her ife> usefu
to so)e'ody/ Surey you see ; it is so o'vious/ Mr Farey gan.ed at
that .o))uni.ation ; one gan.e +oud have tod hi) that it +as the
+rong etter ; and yet he 1ne+ nothing/ WhyA %e.ause he .oud not
see it properyGJ
Inspe.tor %arnett said sharpy> J$idn"t he have his gasses onAJ
!er.ue Poirot s)ied/ J@es>J he said/ J!e had his gasses on/ That
is +hat )a1es it so very interesting/J
!e eaned for+ard/
JMr Farey"s drea) +as very i)portant/ !e drea)ed> you see> that
he .o))itted sui.ide/ And a itte ater on> he did .o))it sui.ide/
That is to say he +as aone in a roo) and +as found there +ith a
revover 'y hi)> and no one entered or eft the roo) at the ti)e that
he +as shot/ What does that )eanA It )eans> does it not> that it
)ust 'e sui.ideGJ
J@es>J said Stiingfeet/
!er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/
J<n the .ontrary>J he said/ JIt +as )urder/ An unusua and a very
.every panned )urder/J
Again he eaned for+ard> tapping the ta'e> his eyes green and
shining/
JWhy did Mr Farey not ao+ )e to go into his o+n roo) that
eveningA What +as there in there that I )ust not 'e ao+ed to seeA
I thin1> )y friends> that there +as ; %enedi.t Farey hi)sefGJ
!e s)ied at the 'an1 fa.es/
J@es> yes> it is not nonsense +hat I say/ Why .oud the Mr Farey to
+ho) I had 'een ta1ing not reai?e the differen.e 'et+een t+o
totay dissi)iar ettersA %e.ause> )es a)is> he +as a )an of
nor)a sight +earing a pair of very po+erfu gasses/ Those
gasses +oud render a )an of nor)a eyesight pra.ti.ay 'ind/
Isn"t that so> do.torAJ
Stiingfeet )ur)ured> JThat"s so ; of .ourse/J
JWhy did I fee that in ta1ing to Mr Farey I +as ta1ing to a
)ounte'an1> to an a.tor paying a partA %e.ause he +as paying a
partG Consider the setting/ The di) roo)> the green shaded ight
turned 'indingy a+ay fro) the figure in the .hair/ What did I see ;
the fa)ous pat.h+or1 dressing;go+n> the 'ea1ed nose 9fa1ed +ith
that usefu su'stan.e> nose putty:> the +hite .rest of hair> the
po+erfu enses .on.eaing the eyes/ What eviden.e is there that
Mr Farey ever had a drea)A <ny the story I +as tod and the
eviden.e of Mrs Farey/ What eviden.e is there that %enedi.t Farey
1ept a revover in his des1A Again ony the story tod )e and the
+ord of Mrs Farey/ T+o peope .arried this fraud through ; Mrs
Farey and !ugo Corn+orthy/ Corn+orthy +rote the etter to )e>
gave instru.tions to the 'uter> +ent out ostensi'y to the .ine)a>
'ut et hi)sef in again i))ediatey +ith a 1ey> +ent to his roo)>
)ade hi)sef up> and payed the part of %enedi.t Farey/
JAnd so +e .o)e to this afternoon/ The opportunity for +hi.h Mr
Corn+orthy has 'een +aiting arrives/ There are t+o +itnesses on
the anding to s+ear that no one goes in or out of %enedi.t Farey"s
roo)/ Corn+orthy +aits unti a parti.uary heavy 'at.h of traffi. is
a'out to pass/ Then he eans out of his +indo+> and +ith the
a?ytongs +hi.h he has puroined fro) the des1 neBt door he hods
an o'De.t against the +indo+ of that roo)/ %enedi.t Farey .o)es
to the +indo+/ Corn+orthy snat.hes 'a.1 the tongs and as Farey
eans out> and the orries are passing outside> Corn+orthy shoots
hi) +ith the revover that he has ready/ There is a 'an1 +a
opposite> re)e)'er/ There .an 'e no +itness of the .ri)e/
Corn+orthy +aits for over haf an hour> then gathers up so)e
papers> .on.eas the a?ytongs and the revover 'et+een the)> and
goes out on to the anding and into the neBt roo)/ !e repa.es the
tongs on the des1> ays do+n the revover after pressing the dead
)an"s fingers on it> and hurries out +ith the ne+s of Mr Farey"s
"sui.ide/"
J!e arranges that the etter to )e sha 'e found and that I sha
arrive +ith )y story ; the story I heard fro) Mr Farey"s o+n ips ; of
his eBtraordinary "drea)" ; the strange .o)pusion he fet to 1i
hi)sefG A fe+ .reduous peope +i dis.uss the hypnotis) theory ;
'ut the )ain resut +i 'e to .onfir) +ithout a dou't that the a.tua
hand that hed the revover +as %enedi.t Farey"s o+n/J
!er.ue Poirot"s eyes +ent to the +ido+"s fa.e ; the dis)ay ; the
ashy paor ; the 'ind fear/
JAnd in due .ourse>J he finished genty> Jthe happy ending +oud
have 'een a.hieved/ A 8uarter of a )iion and t+o hearts that 'eat
as one///J
*ohn Stiingfeet> M/$/> and !er.ue Poirot +a1ed aong the side of
0orth+ay !ouse/ <n their right +as the to+ering +a of the
fa.tory/ A'ove the)> on their eft> +ere the +indo+s of %enedi.t
Farey"s and !ugo Corn+orthy"s roo)s/ !er.ue Poirot stopped and
pi.1ed up a s)a o'De.t ; a 'a.1 stuffed .at/
J7oiP>J he said/ JThat is +hat Corn+orthy hed in the a?ytongs
against Farey"s +indo+/ @ou re)e)'er> he hated .atsA 0aturay
he rushed to the +indo+/J
JWhy on earth didn"t Corn+orthy .o)e out and pi.1 it up after he"d
dropped itAJ
J!o+ .oud heA To do so +oud have 'een definitey suspi.ious/
After a> if this o'De.t +here found +hat +oud anyone thin1 ; that
so)e .hid had +andered round here and dropped it/J
J@es>J said Stiingfeet +ith a sigh/ JThat"s pro'a'y +hat the
ordinary person +oud have thought/ %ut not good od !er.ueG
$"you 1no+> od horse> up to the very ast )inute I thought you +ere
eading up to so)e su'te theory of highfautin" psy.hoogi.a
"suggested" )urderA I 'et those t+o thought so tooG 0asty 'it of
goods> the Farey/ ,oodness> ho+ she .ra.1edG Corn+orthy )ight
have got a+ay +ith it if she hadn"t had hysteri.s and tried to spoi
your 'eauty 'y going for you +ith her nais/ I ony got her off you
Dust in ti)e/J
!e paused a )inute and then saidH
JI rather i1e the gir/ ,rit> you 1no+> and 'rains/ I suppose I"d 'e
thought to 'e a fortune hunter if I had a shot at her///AJ
J@ou are too ate> )y friend/ There is aready so)eone sur e tapis/
!er father"s death has opened the +ay to happiness/J
JTa1e it a round> she had a pretty good )otive for 'u)ping off the
unpeasant parent/J
JMotive and opportunity are not enough>J said Poirot/ JThere )ust
aso 'e the .ri)ina te)pera)entGJ
JI +onder if you" ever .o))it a .ri)e> PoirotAJ said Stiingfeet/ JI
'et you .oud get a+ay +ith it a right/ As a )atter of fa.t> it +oud
'e too easy for you ; I )ean the thing +oud 'e off as definitey too
unsporting/J
JThat>J said Poirot> Jis a typi.ay (ngish idea/J
,&((0S!AW"S F<##@
The t+o )en rounded the .orner of the shru''ery/
JWe> there you are>J said &ay)ond West/ JThat"s it/J
!ora.e %inder too1 a deep> appre.iative 'reath/
J!o+ +onderfu>J he .ried/ !is voi.e rose in a high s.ree.h of
aestheti. deight> then deepened in reverent a+e/ JIt"s
un'eieva'e/ <ut of this +ordG A period pie.e of the 'est/J
JI thought you"d i1e it>J said &ay)ond West .o)pa.enty/
J#i1e itAJ Words faied !ora.e/ !e un'u.1ed the strap of his
.a)era and got 'usy/ JThis +i 'e one of the ge)s of )y
.oe.tion>J he said happiy/ JI do thin1> don"t you> that it"s rather
a)using to have a .oe.tion of )onstrositiesA The idea .a)e to )e
one night seven years ago in )y 'ath/ My ast rea ge) +as in the
Ca)po Santo at ,enoa> 'ut I reay thin1 this 'eats it/ What"s it
.aedAJ
JI haven"t the east idea>J said &ay)ond/
JI suppose it"s got a na)eAJ
JIt )ust have/ %ut the fa.t is that it"s never referred to round here
as anything 'ut ,reensha+"s Foy/J
J,reensha+ 'eing the )an +ho 'uit itAJ
J@es/ In eighteen siBty or seventy or therea'outs/ The o.a su..ess
story of the ti)e/ %arefoot 'oy +ho had risen to i))ense
prosperity/ #o.a opinion is divided as to +hy he 'uit this house>
+hether it +as sheer eBu'eran.e of +eath or +hether it +as done
to i)press his .reditors/ If the atter> it didn"t i)press the)/ !e
either +ent 'an1rupt or the neBt thing to it/ !en.e the na)e>
,reensha+"s Foy/J !ora.e"s .a)era .i.1ed/
JThere>J he said in a satisfied voi.e/ J&e)ind )e to sho+ you
0u)'er Three;ten in )y .oe.tion/ A reay in.redi'e )ar'e
)antepie.e in the Itaian )anner/J !e added> oo1ing at the house>
JI .an"t .on.eive of ho+ Mr ,reensha+ thought of it a/J
J&ather o'vious in so)e +ays>J said &ay)ond/ J!e had visited the
.h/teauB of the #oire> don"t you thin1A Those turrets/ And then>
rather unfortunatey> he see)s to have traveed in the <rient/ The
infuen.e of the TaD Maha is un)ista1a'e/ I rather i1e the Moorish
+ing>J he added> Jand the tra.es of a 7enetian paa.e/J
J<ne +onders ho+ he ever got hod of an ar.hite.t to .arry out
these ideas/J
&ay)ond shrugged his shouders/
J0o diffi.uty a'out that> I eBpe.t>J he said/ JPro'a'y the ar.hite.t
retired +ith a good in.o)e for ife +hie poor od ,reensha+ +ent
'an1rupt/J
JCoud +e oo1 at it fro) the other sideAJ as1ed !ora.e> Jor are +e
trespassingAJ
JWe"re trespassing a right>J said &ay)ond> J'ut I don"t thin1 it +i
)atter/J
!e turned to+ard the .orner of the house and !ora.e s1ipped after
hi)/
J%ut +ho ives hereA <rphans or hoiday visitorsA It .an"t 'e a
s.hoo/ 0o paying fieds or 'ris1 effi.ien.y/J
J<h> a ,reensha+ ives here sti>J said &ay)ond over his shouder/
JThe house itsef didn"t go in the .rash/ <d ,reensha+"s son
inherited it/ !e +as a 'it of a )iser and ived here in a .orner of it/
0ever spent a penny/ Pro'a'y never had a penny to spend/ !is
daughter ives here no+/ <d ady ; very e..entri./J
As he spo1e &ay)ond +as .ongratuating hi)sef on having
thought of ,reensha+"s Foy as a )eans of entertaining his guest/
These iterary .riti.s a+ays professed the)seves as onging for a
+ee1end in the .ountry and +ere +ont to find the .ountry
eBtre)ey 'oring +hen they got there/ To)orro+ there +oud 'e
the Sunday papers> and for today &ay)ond West .ongratuated
hi)sef on suggesting a visit to ,reensha+"s Foy to enri.h !ora.e
%inder"s +e;1no+n .oe.tion of )onstrosities/
They turned the .orner of the house and .a)e out on a nege.ted
a+n/ In one .orner of it +as a arge artifi.ia ro.1ery> and 'ending
over it +as a figure at the sight of +hi.h !ora.e .ut.hed &ay)ond
deightedy 'y the ar)/
J$o you see +hat she"s got onAJ he eB.ai)ed/ JA sprigged print
dress/ *ust i1e a house)aid ; +hen there +ere house)aids/ <ne of
)y )ost .herished )e)ories is staying at a house in the .ountry
+hen I +as 8uite a 'oy +here a rea house)aid .aed you in the
)orning> a .ra.1ing in a print dress and a .ap/ @es> )y 'oy> reay
; a .ap/ Musin +ith strea)ers/ 0o> perhaps it +as the parour)aid
+ho had the strea)ers/ %ut any+ay> she +as a rea house)aid and
she 'rought in an enor)ous 'rass .an of hot +ater/ What an
eB.iting day +e"re having/J
The figure in the print dress had straightened up and turned to+ard
the)> tro+e in hand/ She +as a suffi.ienty starting figure/
2n1e)pt o.1s of iron;grey fe +ispiy on her shouders> and a
stra+ hat> rather i1e the hats that horses +ear in Itay> +as
.ra))ed do+n on her head/ The .ooured print dress she +ore fe
neary to her an1es/ <ut of a +eather;'eaten> not too .ean fa.e>
shre+d eyes surveyed the) appraisingy/
JI )ust apoogi?e for trespassing> Miss ,reensha+>J said &ay)ond
West> as he advan.ed to+ard her> J'ut Mr !ora.e %inder +ho is
staying +ith )e ;J
!ora.e 'o+ed and re)oved his hat/
J; is )ost interested in ; er ; an.ient history and ; er ; fine
'uidings/J
&ay)ond West spo1e +ith the ease of a fa)ous author +ho 1no+s
that he is a .ee'rity> that he .an venture +here other peope )ay
not/
Miss ,reensha+ oo1ed up at the spra+ing eBu'eran.e 'ehind
her/
JIt is a fine house>J she said appre.iativey/ JMy grandfather 'uit it
; 'efore )y ti)e> of .ourse/ !e is reported as having said that he
+ished to astonish the natives/J
JI" say he did that> )a"a)>J said !ora.e %inder/
JMr %inder is the +e;1no+n iterary .riti.>J said &ay)ond West/
Miss ,reensha+ had .eary no reveren.e for iterary .riti.s/ She
re)ained uni)pressed/
JI .onsider it>J said Miss ,reensha+> referring to the house> Jas a
)onu)ent to )y grandfather"s genius/ Siy foos .o)e here and
as1 )e +hy I don"t se it and go and ive in a fat/ What +oud I do in
a fatA It"s )y ho)e and I ive in t>J said Miss ,reensha+/ JA+ays
have ived here/J She .onsidered> 'rooding over the past/ JThere
+ere three of us/ #aura )arried the .urate/ Papa +oudn"t give her
any )oney> said .ergy)en ought to 'e un+ordy/ She died> having
a 'a'y/ %a'y died too/ 0ettie ran a+ay +ith the riding )aster/ Papa
.ut her out of his +i> of .ourse/ !andso)e feo+> !arry Fet.her>
'ut no good/ $on"t thin1 0ettie +as happy +ith hi)/ Any+ay> she
didn"t ive ong/ They had a son/ !e +rites to )e so)eti)es> 'ut of
.ourse he isn"t a ,reensha+/ I") the ast of the ,reensha+s/J She
dre+ up her 'ent shouders +ith a .ertain pride and readDusted the
ra1ish ange of the stra+ hat/ Then> turning> she said sharpyH
J@es> Mrs Cress+e> +hat is itAJ
Approa.hing the) fro) the house +as a figure that> seen side 'y
side +ith Miss ,reensha+> see)ed udi.rousy dissi)iar/ Mrs
Cress+e had a )arveousy dressed head of +e;'ued hair
to+ering up+ard in )eti.uousy arranged .urs and ros/ It +as as
though she had dressed her head to go as a Fren.h )ar8uise to a
fan.y dress party/ The rest of her )idde;aged person +as dressed
in +hat ought to have 'een rusting 'a.1 si1 'ut +as a.tuay one
of the shinier varieties of 'a.1 rayon/ Athough she +as not a arge
+o)an> she had a +e;deveoped and su)ptuous 'oso)/ !er voi.e
+as uneBpe.tedy deep/ She spo1e +ith eB8uisite di.tion ; ony a
sight hesitation over +ords 'eginning +ith h> and the fina
pronun.iation of the) +ith an eBaggerated aspirate gave rise to a
suspi.ion that at so)e re)ote period in her youth she )ight have
had trou'e over dropping her h"s/
JThe fish> )ada)>J said Mrs Cress+e> Jthe si.e of .od/ It has not
arrived/ I have as1ed Afred to go do+n for it and he refuses/J
&ather uneBpe.tedy> Miss ,reensha+ gave a .a.1e of aughter/
J&efuses> does heAJ
JAfred> )ada)> has 'een )ost diso'iging/J
Miss ,reensha+ raised t+o earth;stained fingers to her ips>
suddeny produ.ed an earspitting +histe> and at the sa)e ti)e
yeed> JAfred> Afred> .o)e here/J
&ound the .orner of the house a young )an appeared in ans+er to
the su))ons> .arrying a spade in his hand/ !e had a 'od>
handso)e fa.e> and as he dre+ near he .ast an un)ista1a'y
)aevoent gan.e to+ard Mrs Cress+e/
J@ou +anted )e> )issAJ he said/
J@es> Afred/ I hear you"ve refused to go do+n for the fish/ What
a'out it> ehAJ
Afred spo1e in a sury voi.e/
JI" go do+n for it if you +ants it> )iss/ @ou"ve ony got to say/J
JI do +ant it/ I +ant it for )y supper/J
J&ight you are> )iss/ I" go right a+ay/J
!e thre+ an insoent gan.e at Mrs Cress+e> +ho fushed and
)ur)ured 'eo+ her 'reath/
J0o+ that I thin1 of it>J said Miss ,reensha+> Ja .oupe of strange
visitors are Dust +hat +e need> aren"t they> Mrs Cress+eAJ
Mrs Cress+e oo1ed pu??ed/
JI") sorry> )ada) ;J
JFor you;1no+;+hat>J said Miss ,reensha+> nodding her head/
J%enefi.iary to a +i )ustn"t +itness it/ That"s right> isn"t itAJ She
appeaed to &ay)ond West/
J4uite .orre.t>J said &ay)ond/
JI 1no+ enough a+ to 1no+ that>J said Miss ,reensha+> Jand you
t+o are )en of standing/J
She fung do+n the tro+e on her +eeding 'as1et/
JWoud you )ind .o)ing up to the i'rary +ith )eAJ
J$eighted>J said !ora.e eagery/
She ed the +ay through Fren.h +indo+s and through a vast
yeo+;and; god dra+ing;roo) +ith faded 'ro.ade on the +as and
dust .overs arranged over the furniture> then through a arge di)
ha> up a stair.ase> and into a roo) on the se.ond foor/
JMy grandfather"s i'rary>J she announ.ed/
!ora.e oo1ed round +ith a.ute peasure/ It +as a roo) fro) his
point of vie+ 8uite fu of )onstrosities/ The heads of sphinBes
appeared on the )ost uni1ey pie.es of furnitureI there +as a
.oossa 'ron?e representing> he thought> Pau and 7irginia> and a
vast 'ron?e .o.1 +ith .assi.a )otifs of +hi.h he onged to ta1e a
photograph/
JA fine ot of 'oo1s>J said Miss ,reensha+/
&ay)ond +as aready oo1ing at the 'oo1s/ Fro) +hat he .oud see
fro) a .ursory gan.e there +as no 'oo1 here of any rea interest
or> indeed> any 'oo1 +hi.h appeared to have 'een read/ They +ere
a super'y 'ound sets of the .assi.s as suppied ninety years ago
for furnishing a gente)an"s i'rary/ So)e noves of a 'ygone
period +ere in.uded/ %ut they too sho+ed itte signs of having
'een read/
Miss ,reensha+ +as fu)'ing in the dra+ers of a vast des1/ Finay
she pued out a par.h)ent do.u)ent/
JMy +i>J she eBpained/ J,ot to eave your )oney to so)eone ; or
so they say/ If I died +ithout a +i> I suppose that son of a horse
trader +oud get it/ !andso)e feo+> !arry Fet.her> 'ut a rogue if
ever there +as one/ $on"t see +hy his son shoud inherit this pa.e/
0o>J she +ent on> as though ans+ering so)e unspo1en o'De.tion>
JI"ve )ade up )y )ind/ I") eaving it to Cress+e/J
J@our house1eeperAJ
J@es/ I"ve eBpained it to her/ I )a1e a +i eaving her a I"ve got and
then I don"t need to pay her any +ages/ Saves )e a ot in .urrent
eBpenses> and it 1eeps her up to the )ar1/ 0o giving )e noti.e and
+a1ing off at any )inute/ 7ery a;di;dah and a that> isn"t sheA %ut
her father +as a +or1ing pu)'er in a very s)a +ay/ She"s
nothing to give hersef airs a'out/J
%y no+ Miss ,reensha+ had unfoded the par.h)ent/ Pi.1ing up a
pen> she dipped it in the in1stand and +rote her signature>
-atherine $orothy ,reensha+/
JThat"s right>J she said/ J@ou"ve seen )e sign it> and then you t+o
sign it> and that )a1es it ega/J
She handed the pen to &ay)ond West/ !e hesitated a )o)ent>
feeing an uneBpe.ted repusion to +hat he +as as1ed to do/ Then
he 8ui.1y s.ra+ed his +e;1no+n autograph> for +hi.h his
)orning"s )ai usuay 'rought at east siB re8uests/
!ora.e too1 the pen fro) hi) and added his o+n )inute signature/
JThat"s done>J said Miss ,reensha+/
She )oved a.ross the 'oo1.ases and stood oo1ing at the)
un.ertainy> then she opened a gass door> too1 out a 'oo1> and
sipped the foded par.h)ent inside/
JI"ve )y o+n pa.es for 1eeping things>J she said/
J#ady Audey"s Se.ret>J &ay)ond West re)ar1ed> .at.hing sight of
the tite as she repa.ed the 'oo1/
Miss ,reensha+ gave another .a.1e of aughter/
J%estseer in its day>J she re)ar1ed/ J%ut not i1e your 'oo1s> ehAJ
She gave &ay)ond a sudden friendy nudge in the ri's/ &ay)ond
+as rather surprised that she even 1ne+ he +rote 'oo1s/ Athough
&ay)ond West +as a J'ig na)eJ in iterature> he .oud hardy 'e
des.ri'ed as a 'est;seer/ Though softening a itte +ith the advent
of )idde age> his 'oo1s deat 'ea1y +ith the sordid side of ife/
JI +onder>J !ora.e de)anded 'reathessy> Jif I )ight Dust ta1e a
photograph of the .o.1/J
J%y a )eans>J said Miss ,reensha+/ JIt .a)e> I 'eieve> fro) the
Paris (Bhi'ition/J
J7ery pro'a'y>J said !ora.e/ !e too1 his pi.ture/ JThis roo)"s not
'een used )u.h sin.e )y grandfather"s ti)e>J said Miss
,reensha+/ JThis des1"s fu of od diaries of his/ Interesting> I
shoud thin1/ I haven"t the eyesight to read the) )ysef/ I"d i1e to
get the) pu'ished> 'ut I suppose one +oud have to +or1 on the)
a good dea/J
J@ou .oud engage so)eone to do that>J said &ay)ond West/
JCoud I reayA It"s an idea> you 1no+/ I" thin1 a'out it/J
&ay)ond West gan.ed at his +at.h/
JWe )ustn"t trespass on your 1indness any onger>J he said/
JPeased to have seen you>J said Miss ,reensha+ gra.iousy/
JThought you +ere the poi.e)an +hen I heard you .o)ing round
the .orner of the house/J
JWhy a poi.e)anAJ de)anded !ora.e> +ho never )inded as1ing
8uestions/
Miss ,reensha+ responded uneBpe.tedy/
JIf you +ant to 1no+ the ti)e> as1 a poi.e)an>J she .aroed> and
+ith this eBa)pe of 7i.torian +it she nudged !ora.e in the ri's
and roared +ith aughter/
JIt"s 'een a +onderfu afternoon/J !ora.e sighed as he and
&ay)ond +a1ed ho)e/ J&eay> that pa.e has everything/ The ony
thing the i'rary needs is a 'ody/ Those od;fashioned dete.tive
stories a'out )urder in the i'rary ; that"s Dust the 1ind of i'rary I")
sure the authors had in )ind/J
JIf you +ant to dis.uss )urder>J said &ay)ond> Jyou )ust ta1 to
)y Aunt *ane/J
J@our Aunt *aneA $o you )ean Miss MarpeAJ !ora.e fet a itte at
a oss/
The .har)ing od;+ord ady to +ho) he had 'een introdu.ed the
night 'efore see)ed the ast person to 'e )entioned in .onne.tion
+ith )urder/
J<h yes>J said &ay)ond/ JMurder is a spe.iaty of hers/J
J!o+ intriguingG What do you reay )eanAJ
JI )ean Dust that>J said &ay)ond/ !e paraphrasedH JSo)e .o))it
)urder> so)e get )iBed up in )urders> others have )urder thrust
upon the)/ My Aunt *ane .o)es into the third .ategory/J
J@ou are Do1ing/J
J0ot in the east/ I .an refer you to the for)er Co))issioner of
S.otand @ard> severa .hief .onsta'es> and one or t+o hard+or1ing
inspe.tors of the C/I/$/J
!ora.e said happiy that +onders +oud never .ease/ <ver the tea
ta'e they gave *oan West> &ay)ond"s +ife> #ouise her nie.e> and
od Miss Marpe a r=su)= of the afternoon"s happenings>
re.ounting in detai everything that Miss ,reensha+ had said to
the)/
J%ut I do thin1>J said !ora.e> Jthat there is so)ething a itte
sinister a'out the +hoe setup/ That du.hess;i1e .reature> the
house1eeper ; arseni.> perhaps> in the teapot> no+ that she 1no+s
her )istress has )ade the +i in her favourAJ
JTe us> Aunt *ane>J said &ay)ond> J+i there 'e )urder or +on"t
thereA What do you thin1AJ
JI thin1>J said Miss Marpe> +inding up her +oo +ith a rather
severe air> Jthat you shoudn"t Do1e a'out these things as )u.h as
you do> &ay)ond/ Arseni. is> of .ourse> 8uite a possi'iity/ So easy
to o'tain/ Pro'a'y present in the too shed aready in the for) of
+eed 1ier/J
J<h> reay> daring>J said *oan West affe.tionatey/ JWoudn"t that
'e rather too o'viousAJ
JIt"s a very +e to )a1e a +i>J said &ay)ond/ JI don"t suppose
the poor od thing has anything to eave eB.ept that a+fu +hite
eephant of a house> and +ho +oud +ant thatAJ
JA fi) .o)pany possi'y>J said !ora.e> Jor a hote or an
institutionAJ
JThey"d eBpe.t to 'uy it for a song>J said &ay)ond> 'ut Miss Marpe
+as sha1ing her head/
J@ou 1no+> dear &ay)ond> I .annot agree +ith you there/ A'out the
)oney> I )ean/ The grandfather +as evidenty one of those avish
spenders +ho )a1e )oney easiy 'ut .an"t 1eep it/ !e )ay have
gone 'ro1e> as you say> 'ut hardy 'an1rupt> or ese his son +oud
not have had the house/ 0o+ the son> as is so often the .ase> +as of
an entirey different .hara.ter fro) his father/ A )iser/ A )an +ho
saved every penny/ I shoud say that in the .ourse of his ifeti)e he
pro'a'y put 'y a very good su)/ This Miss ,reensha+ appears to
have ta1en after hi) ; to disi1e spending )oney> that is/ @es> I
shoud thin1 it 8uite i1ey that she has 8uite a su'stantia su)
tu.1ed a+ay/J
JIn that .ase>J said *oan West> JI +onder no+ ; +hat a'out
#ouiseAJ
They oo1ed at #ouise as she sat> sient> 'y the fire/
#ouise +as *oan West"s nie.e/ !er )arriage had re.enty> as she
hersef put it> .o)e unstu.1> eaving her +ith t+o young .hidren
and a 'are suffi.ien.y of )oney to 1eep the) on/
JI )ean>J said *oan> Jif this Miss ,reensha+ reay +ants so)eone
to go through diaries and get a 'oo1 ready for pu'i.ation///J
JIt"s an idea>J said &ay)ond/
#ouise said in a o+ voi.e/ JIt"s +or1 I .oud do ; and I thin1 I"d enDoy
it/J
JI" +rite to her>J said &ay)ond/
JI +onder>J said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy> J+hat the od ady )eant
'y that re)ar1 a'out a poi.e)anAJ
J<h> it +as Dust a Do1e/J
JIt re)inded )e>J said Miss Marpe> nodding her head vigorousy>
Jyes> it re)inded )e very )u.h of Mr 0ays)ith/J
JWho +as Mr 0ays)ithAJ as1ed &ay)ond .uriousy/
J!e 1ept 'ees>J said Miss Marpe> Jand +as very good at doing the
a.rosti.s in the Sunday papers/ And he i1ed giving peope fase
i)pressions Dust for fun/ %ut so)eti)es it ed to trou'e/J
(very'ody +as sient for a )o)ent> .onsidering Mr 0ays)ith> 'ut
as there did not see) to 'e any points of rese)'an.e 'et+een hi)
and Miss ,reensha+> they de.ided that dear Aunt *ane +as
perhaps getting a itte 'it dis.onne.ted in her od age/
!ora.e %inder +ent 'a.1 to #ondon +ithout having .oe.ted any
)ore )onstrosities> and &ay)ond West +rote a etter to Miss
,reensha+ teing her that he 1ne+ of a Mrs #ouise <Bey +ho
+oud 'e .o)petent to underta1e +or1 on the diaries/ After a apse
of so)e days a etter arrived> +ritten in spidery od;fashioned
hand+riting> in +hi.h Miss ,reensha+ de.ared hersef anBious to
avai hersef of the servi.es of Mrs <Bey> and )a1ing an
appoint)ent for Mrs <Bey to .o)e and see her/
#ouise duy 1ept the appoint)ent> generous ter)s +ere arranged>
and she started +or1 the foo+ing day/
JI") a+fuy gratefu to you>J she said to &ay)ond/ JIt +i fit in
'eautifuy/ I .an ta1e the .hidren to s.hoo> go on to ,reensha+"s
Foy> and pi.1 the) up on )y +ay 'a.1/ !o+ fantasti. the +hoe
setup isG That od +o)an has to 'e seen to 'e 'eieved/J
<n the evening of her first day at +or1 she returned and des.ri'ed
her day/
JI"ve hardy seen the house1eeper>J she said/ JShe .a)e in +ith
.offee and 'is.uits at haf;past eeven> +ith her )outh pursed up
very prunes and pris)s> and +oud hardy spea1 to )e/ I thin1 she
disapproves deepy of )y having 'een engaged/J She +ent on> JIt
see)s there"s 8uite a feud 'et+een her and the gardener> Afred/
!e"s a o.a 'oy and fairy a?y> I shoud i)agine> and he and the
house1eeper +on"t spea1 to ea.h other/ Miss ,reensha+ said in
her rather grand +ay> "There have a+ays 'een feuds as far as I .an
re)e)'er 'et+een the garden and the house staff/ It +as so in )y
grandfather"s ti)e/ There +ere three )en and a 'oy in the garden
then> and eight )aids in the house> 'ut there +as a+ays fri.tion/"J
<n the neBt day #ouise returned +ith another pie.e of ne+s/
J*ust fan.y>J she said> JI +as as1ed to ring up the nephe+ today/J
JMiss ,reensha+"s nephe+AJ
J@es/ It see)s he"s an a.tor paying in the sto.1 .o)pany that"s
doing a su))er season at %oreha);on;Sea/ I rang up the theater
and eft a )essage as1ing hi) to un.h to)orro+/ &ather fun>
reay/ The od gir didn"t +ant the house1eeper to 1no+/ I thin1 Mrs
Cress+e has done so)ething that"s annoyed her/J
JTo)orro+ another insta)ent of this thriing seria>J )ur)ured
&ay)ond/
JIt"s eBa.ty i1e a seria> isn"t itA &e.on.iiation +ith the nephe+>
'ood is thi.1er than +ater ; another +i to 'e )ade and the od +i
destroyed/
JAunt *ane> you"re oo1ing very serious/J
JWas I> )y dearA !ave you heard any )ore a'out the poi.e)anAJ
#ouise oo1ed 'e+idered/ JI don"t 1no+ anything a'out a
poi.e)an/J
JThat re)ar1 of hers> )y dear>J said Miss Marpe> J)ust have
)eant so)ething/J
#ouise arrived> at her +or1 the foo+ing day in a .heerfu )ood/
She passed through the open front door ; the doors and +indo+s of
the house +ere a+ays open/ Miss ,reensha+ appeared to have no
fear of 'urgars> and +as pro'a'y Dustified> as )ost things in the
house +eighed severa tons and +ere of no )ar1eta'e vaue/
#ouise had passed Afred in the drive/ When she first noti.ed hi) he
had 'een eaning against a tree s)o1ing a .igarette> 'ut as soon as
he had .aught sight of her he had sei?ed a 'roo) and 'egun
diigenty to s+eep eaves/ An ide young )an> she thought> 'ut
good;oo1ing/ !is features re)inded her of so)eone/ As she
passed through the ha on the +ay upstairs to the i'rary> she
gan.ed at the arge pi.ture of 0athanie ,reensha+ +hi.h
presided over the )antepie.e> sho+ing hi) in the a.)e of
7i.torian prosperity> eaning 'a.1 in a arge ar).hair> his hands
resting on the god A'ert .hain a.ross his .apa.ious sto)a.h/ As
her gan.e s+ept up fro) the sto)a.h to the fa.e +ith its heavy
Do+s> its 'ushy eye'ro+s and its fourishing 'a.1 )ousta.he> the
thought o..urred to her that 0athanie ,reensha+ )ust have 'een
handso)e as a young )an/ !e had oo1ed> perhaps> a itte i1e
Afred///
She +ent into the i'rary on the se.ond foor> shut the door 'ehind
her> opened her type+riter> and got out the diaries fro) the dra+er
at the side of her des1/ Through the open +indo+ she .aught a
gi)pse of Miss ,reensha+ 'eo+> in a pure;.ooured sprigged
print> 'ending over the ro.1ery> +eeding assiduousy/ They had
had t+o +et days> of +hi.h the +eeds had ta1en fu advantage/
#ouise> a to+n;'red gir> de.ided that if she ever had a garden> it
+oud never .ontain a ro.1ery +hi.h needed +eeding 'y hand/
Then she setted do+n to her +or1/
When Mrs Cress+e entered the i'rary +ith the .offee tray at hafpast
eeven> she +as .eary in a very 'ad te)per/ She 'anged the
tray do+n on the ta'e and o'served to the universeH
JCo)pany for un.h ; and nothing in the houseG What a) I supposed
to do> I shoud i1e to 1no+A And no sign of Afred/J
J!e +as s+eeping the drive +hen I got here>J #ouise offered/
JI daresay/ A ni.e soft Do'/J
Mrs Cress+e s+ept out of the roo)> sa))ing the door 'ehind
her/ #ouise grinned to hersef/ She +ondered +hat Jthe nephe+J
+oud 'e i1e/
She finished her .offee and setted do+n to her +or1 again/ It +as
so a'sor'ing that ti)e passed 8ui.1y/ 0athanie ,reensha+> +hen
he started to 1eep a diary> had su..u)'ed to the peasures of
fran1ness/ Typing out a passage reating to the persona .har)s of
a 'ar)aid in the neigh'ouring to+n> #ouise refe.ted that a good
dea of editing +oud 'e ne.essary/
As she +as thin1ing this> she +as started 'y the s.rea) fro) the
garden/ *u)ping up> she ran to the open +indo+/ %eo+ her Miss
,reensha+ +as staggering a+ay fro) the ro.1ery to+ard the
house/ !er hands +ere .asped to her 'reast> and 'et+een her
hands there protruded a feathered shaft that #ouise re.ognised
+ith stupefa.tion to 'e the shaft of an arro+/
Miss ,reensha+"s head> in its 'attered stra+ hat> fe for+ard on
her 'reast/ She .aed up to #ouise in a faiing voi.eH J/// shot/// he
shot )e/// +ith an arro+/// get hep///J
#ouise rushed to the door/ She turned the hande> 'ut the door
+oud not open/ It too1 her a )o)ent or t+o of futie endeavour to
reai?e that she +as o.1ed in/ She ran 'a.1 to the +indo+ and
.aed do+n/
JI") o.1ed inGJ
Miss ,reensha+> her 'a.1 to+ard #ouise and s+aying a itte on
her feet> +as .aing up to the house1eeper at a +indo+ farther
aong/
J&ing poi.e/// teephone///J
Then> ur.hing fro) side to side i1e a drun1ard> Miss ,reensha+
disappeared fro) #ouise"s vie+ through the +indo+ and staggered
into the dra+ing;roo) on the ground foor/ A )o)ent ater #ouise
heard a .rash of 'ro1en .hina> a heavy fa> and then sien.e/ !er
i)agination re.onstru.ted the s.ene/ Miss ,reensha+ )ust have
stu)'ed 'indy into a s)a ta'e +ith a S=vres tea set on it/
$esperatey #ouise pounded on the i'rary door> .aing and
shouting/ There +as no .reeper or drainpipe outside the +indo+
that .oud hep her to get out that +ay/
Tired at ast of 'eating on the door> #ouise returned to the +indo+/
Fro) the +indo+ of her sitting;roo) farther aong the
house1eeper"s head appeared/
JCo)e and et )e out> Mrs <Bey/ I") o.1ed in/J
JSo a) I>J said #ouise/
J<h> dear> isn"t it a+fuA I"ve teephoned the poi.e/ There"s an
eBtension in this roo)> 'ut +hat I .an"t understand> Mrs <Bey> is
our 'eing o.1ed in/ I never heard a 1ey turn> did youAJ
J0o> I didn"t hear anything at a/ <h> dear> +hat sha +e doA
Perhaps Afred )ight hear us/J #ouise shouted at the top of her
voi.e> JAfred> Afred/J
J,one to his dinner as i1ey as not/ What ti)e is itAJ
#ouise gan.ed at her +at.h/
JT+enty;five past t+eve/J
J!e"s not supposed to go unti haf;past> 'ut he snea1s off earier
+henever he .an/J
J$o you thin1 ; do you thin1 ;J
#ouise )eant to as1> J$o you thin1 she"s deadAJ ; 'ut the +ords
stu.1 in her throat/
There +as nothing to do 'ut +ait/ She sat do+n on the +indo+ si/
It see)ed an eternity 'efore the stoid he)eted figure of a poi.e
.onsta'e .a)e round the .orner of the house/ She eaned out of
the +indo+ and he oo1ed up at her> shading his eyes +ith his hand/
JWhat"s going on hereAJ he de)anded/
Fro) their respe.tive +indo+s #ouise and Mrs Cress+e poured a
food of eB.ited infor)ation do+n on hi)/
The .onsta'e produ.ed a note'oo1 and pen.i/ J@ou adies ran
upstairs and o.1ed yourseves inA Can I have your na)es>
peaseAJ
JSo)e'ody o.1ed us in/ Co)e and et us out/J
The .onsta'e said reprovingy> JA in good ti)e>J and disappeared
through the Fren.h +indo+ 'eo+/
<n.e again ti)e see)ed infinite/ #ouise heard the sound of a .ar
arriving> and after +hat see)ed an hour> 'ut +as a.tuay ony
three )inutes> first Mrs Cress+e and then #ouise +ere reeased
'y a poi.e sergeant )ore aert than the origina .onsta'e/
JMiss ,reensha+AJ #ouise"s voi.e fatered/ JWhat ; +hat"s
happenedAJ
The sergeant .eared his throat/
JI") sorry to have to te you> )ada)>J he said> J+hat I"ve aready
tod Mrs Cress+e here/ Miss ,reensha+ is dead/J
JMurdered>J said Mrs Cress+e/ JThat"s +hat it is ; )urderA
The sergeant said du'iousy> JCoud have 'een an a..ident ; so)e
.ountry ads shooting arro+s/J
Again there +as the sound of a .ar arriving/
The sergeant said> JThat" 'e the M/</>J and he started do+nstairs/
%ut it +as not the M/</ As #ouise and Mrs Cress+e .a)e do+n the
stairs> a young )an stepped hesitatingy through the front door and
paused> oo1ing around hi) +ith a so)e+hat 'e+idered air/
Then> spea1ing in a peasant voi.e that in so)e +ay see)ed
fa)iiar to #ouise ; perhaps it re)inded her of Miss ,reensha+"s ;
he as1ed> J(B.use )e> does ; er ; does Miss ,reensha+ ive hereAJ
JMay I have your na)e if you peaseAJ said the sergeant> advan.ing
upon hi)/
JFet.her>J said the young )an/ J0at Fet.her/ I") Miss
,reensha+"s nephe+> as a )atter of fa.t/J
JIndeed> sir> +e ; I") sorry ;J
J!as anything happenedAJ as1ed 0at Fet.her/
JThere"s 'een an ; a..ident/ @our aunt +as shot +ith an arro+ ;
penetrated the Duguar vein ;J
Mrs Cress+e spo1e hysteri.ay and +ithout her usua refine)entH
J@our h"aunt"s 'een )urdered> that"s +hat"s happened/ @our
h"aunt"s 'een )urdered/J
Inspe.tor We.h dre+ his .hair a itte nearer to the ta'e and et his
ga?e +ander fro) one to the other of the four peope in the roo)/ It
+as evening of the sa)e day/ !e had .aed at the Wests" house to
ta1e #ouise <Bey on.e )ore over her state)ent/
J@ou are sure of the eBa.t +ordsA Shot ; he shot )e ; +ith an arro+
; get hepAJ
#ouise nodded/
JAnd the ti)eAJ
JI oo1ed at )y +at.h a )inute or t+o ater ; it +as then t+eve
t+enty;five ;J
J@our +at.h 1eeps good ti)eAJ
JI oo1ed at the .o.1 as +e/J #ouise eft no dou't of her a..ura.y/
The inspe.tor turned to &ay)ond West/
JIt appears> sir> that a'out a +ee1 ago you and a Mr !ora.e %inder
+ere +itnesses to Miss ,reensha+"s +iAJ
%riefy &ay)ond re.ounted the events of the afternoon visit he and
!ora.e %inder had paid to ,reensha+"s Foy/
JThis testi)ony of yours )ay 'e i)portant>J said We.h/ JMiss
,reensha+ distin.ty tod you> did she> that her +i +as 'eing )ade
in favour of Mrs Cress+e> the house1eeper> and that she +as not
paying Mrs Cress+e any +ages in vie+ of the eBpe.tations Mrs
Cress+e had of profiting 'y her deathAJ
JThat is +hat she tod )e ; yes/J
JWoud you say that Mrs Cress+e +as definitey a+are of these
fa.tsAJ
JI shoud say undou'tedy/ Miss ,reensha+ )ade a referen.e in )y
presen.e to 'enefi.iaries not 'eing a'e to +itness a +i> and Mrs
Cres+e .eary understood +hat she )eant 'y it/ Moreover> Miss
,reensha+ hersef tod )e that she had .o)e to this arrange)ent
+ith Mrs Cress+e/J
JSo Mrs Cress+e had reason to 'eieve she +as an interested
party/ Motive .ear enough in her .ase> and I daresay she"d 'e our
.hief suspe.t no+ if it +asn"t for the fa.t that she +as se.urey
o.1ed in her roo) i1e Mrs <Bey here> and aso that Miss
,reensha+ definitey said a )an shot her ;J
JShe definitey +as o.1ed in her roo)AJ
J<h yes/ Sergeant Cayey et her out/ It"s a 'ig od;fashioned o.1
+ith a 'ig od;fashioned 1ey/ The 1ey +as in the o.1 and there"s not
a .han.e that it .oud have 'een turned fro) inside or any han1ypan1y
of that 1ind/ 0o> you .an ta1e it definitey that Mrs Cress+e
+as o.1ed inside that roo) and .oudn"t get out/ And there +ere
no 'o+s and arro+s in the roo) and Miss ,reensha+ .oudn"t in
any .ase have 'een shot fro) her +indo+ ; the ange for'ids it/ 0o>
Mrs Cress+e"s out/J !e paused> then +ent onH JWoud you say that
Miss ,reensha+> in your opinion> +as a pra.ti.a Do1erAJ
Miss Marpe oo1ed up sharpy fro) her .orner/
JSo the +i +asn"t in Mrs Cress+e"s favour after aAJ she said/
Inspe.tor We.h oo1ed over at her in a rather surprised fashion/
JThat"s a very .ever guess of yours> )ada)>J he said/ J0o> Mrs
Cress+e isn"t na)ed as 'enefi.iary/J
J*ust i1e Mr 0ays)ith>J said Miss Marpe> nodding her head/ JMiss
,reensha+ tod Mrs Cress+e she +as going to eave her
everything and so got out of paying her +ages> and then she eft her
)oney to so)e'ody ese/ 0o dou't she +as vasty peased +ith
hersef/ 0o +onder she .horted +hen she put the +i a+ay in #ady
Audey"s Se.ret/J
JIt +as u.1y Mrs <Bey +as a'e to te us a'out the +i and +here
it +as put>J said the inspe.tor/ JWe )ight have had a ong hunt for it
other+ise/J
JA 7i.torian sense of hu)our>J )ur)ured &ay)ond West/
JSo she eft her )oney to her nephe+ after a>J said #ouise/
The inspe.tor shoo1 his head/
J0o>J he said> Jshe didn"t eave it to 0at Fet.her/ The story goes
around here ; of .ourse> I") ne+ to the pa.e and I ony get the
gossip that"s se.ondhand 'ut it see)s that in the od days 'oth Miss
,reensha+ and her sister +ere set on the handso)e young riding
)aster> and the sister got hi)/ 0o> she didn"t eave the )oney to
her nephe+ ;J Inspe.tor We.h paused> ru''ing his .hin/ JShe eft it
to Afred>J he said/
JAfred ; the gardenerAJ *oan spo1e in a surprised voi.e/
J@es> Mrs West/ Afred Poo.1/J
J%ut +hyAJ .ried #ouise/
JI daresay>J said Miss Marpe> Jthat she thought Afred Poo.1
)ight have a pride in the house> )ight even +ant to ive in it>
+hereas her nephe+ +oud a)ost .ertainy have no use for it
+hatever and +oud se it as soon as he .oud possi'y do so/ !e"s
an a.tor> isn"t heA What pay eBa.ty is he a.ting in at presentAJ
Trust an od ady to +ander fro) the point> thought Inspe.tor
We.hI 'ut he repied .iviy> JI 'eieve> )ada)> they are doing a
season of Sir *a)es M/ %arrie"s pays/J
J%arrie>J said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy/
JWhat (very Wo)an -no+s>J said Inspe.tor We.h> and then
'ushed/
J0a)e of a pay>J he said 8ui.1y/ JI") not )u.h of a theater;goer
)ysef>J he added> J'ut the +ife +ent aong and sa+ it ast +ee1/
4uite +e done> she said it +as/J
J%arrie> +rote so)e very .har)ing pays>J said Miss Marpe>
Jthough I )ust say that +hen I +ent +ith an od friend of )ine>
,enera (astery> to see %arrie"s #itte Mary ;J she shoo1 her head
sady ; Jneither of us 1ne+ +here to oo1/J
The inspe.tor> una.8uainted +ith the pay "#itte Mary"> see)ed
.o)petey fogged/
Miss Marpe eBpainedH JWhen I +as a gir> Inspe.tor> no'ody ever
)entioned the +ord sto)a.h/J
The inspe.tor oo1ed even )ore at sea/ Miss Marpe +as
)ur)uring tites under her 'reath/
J"The Ad)ira'e Cri.hton/" 7ery .ever/ "Mary &ose" ; a .har)ing
pay/ I .ried> I re)e)'er/ "4uaity Street" I didn"t .are for so )u.h/
Then there +as "A -iss for Cinderea/" <h> of .ourseGJ
Inspe.tor We.h had no ti)e to +aste on theatri.a dis.ussion/ !e
returned to the )atter at hand/
JThe 8uestion is>J he said> Jdid Afred Poo.1 1no+ the od ady had
)ade a +i in his favourA $id she te hi)AJ !e added> J@ou see ;
there"s an ar.hery .u' over at %oreha) ; and Afred Poo.1"s a
)e)'er/ !e"s a very good shot indeed +ith a 'o+ and arro+/J
JThen isn"t your .ase 8uite .earAJ as1ed &ay)ond West/ JIt +oud
fit in +ith the doors 'eing o.1ed on the t+o +o)en ; he"d 1no+ Dust
+here they +ere in the house/J
The inspe.tor oo1ed at hi)/ !e spo1e +ith deep )ean.hoy/
J!e"s got an ai'i>J said the inspe.tor/
JI a+ays thin1 ai'is are definitey suspi.ious>J &ay)ond
re)ar1ed/
JMay'e> sir>J said Inspe.tor We.h/ J@ou"re ta1ing as a +riter/J
JI don"t +rite dete.tive stories>J said &ay)ond West> horrified at
the )ere idea/
J(asy enough to say that ai'is are suspi.ious>J +ent on Inspe.tor
We.h> J'ut unfortunatey +e"ve got to dea +ith fa.ts/J !e sighed/
JWe"ve got three good suspe.ts>J he +ent on/ JThree peope +ho>
as it happened> +ere very .ose upon the s.ene at the ti)e/ @et the
odd thing is that it oo1s as though none of the three .oud have
done it/ The house1eeper I"ve aready deat +ithI the nephe+> 0at
Fet.her> at the )o)ent Miss ,reensha+ +as shot> +as a .oupe of
)ies a+ay> fiing up his .ar at a garage and as1ing his +ayI as for
Afred Poo.1> siB peope +i s+ear that he entered the $og and
$u.1 at t+enty past t+eve and +as there for an hour> having his
usua 'read and .heese and 'eer/J
J$ei'eratey esta'ishing an ai'i>J said &ay)ond West hopefuy/
JMay'e>J said Inspe.tor We.h> J'ut if so> he did esta'ish it/J
There +as a ong sien.e/ Then &ay)ond turned his head to +here
Miss Marpe sat upright and thoughtfu/
JIt"s up to you> Aunt *ane>J he said/ JThe inspe.tor"s 'affed> the
sergeant"s 'affed> *oan"s 'affed> #ouise is 'affed/ %ut to you>
Aunt *ane> it is .rysta .ear/ A) I rightAJ
JI +oudn"t say that>J said Miss Marpe> Jnot .rysta .ear/ And
)urder> dear &ay)ond> isn"t a ga)e/ I don"t suppose poor Miss
,reensha+ +anted to die> and it +as a parti.uary 'ruta )urder/
7ery +e;panned and 8uite .od;'ooded/ It"s not a thing to )a1e
Do1es a'out/J
JI") sorry>J said &ay)ond/ JI") not reay as .aous as I sound/ <ne
treats a thing ighty to ta1e a+ay fro) the ; +e> the horror of it/J
JThat is> I 'eieve> the )odern tenden.y>J said Miss Marpe/ JA
these +ars> and having to Do1e a'out funeras/ @es> perhaps I +as
thoughtess +hen I i)pied that you +ere .aous/J
JIt isn"t>J said *oan> Jas though +e"d 1no+n her at a +e/J
JThat is very true>J said Miss Marpe/ J@ou> dear *oan> did not 1no+
her at a/ I did not 1no+ her at a/ &ay)ond gathered an
i)pression of her fro) one afternoon"s .onversation/ #ouise 1ne+
her for ony t+o days/J
JCo)e no+> Aunt *ane>J said &ay)ond> Jte us your vie+s/ @ou
don"t )ind> Inspe.torAJ
J0ot at a>J said the inspe.tor poitey/
JWe> )y dear> it +oud see) that +e have three peope +ho had ;
or )ight have thought they had ; a )otive to 1i the od ady/ And
three 8uite si)pe reasons +hy none of the three .oud have done
so/ The house1eeper .oud not have 1ied Miss ,reensha+
'e.ause she +as o.1ed in her roo) and 'e.ause her )istress
definitey stated that a )an shot her/ The gardener +as inside the
$og and $u.1 at the ti)e> the nephe+ at the garage/J
J7ery .eary put> )ada)>J said the inspe.tor/
JAnd sin.e it see)s )ost uni1ey that any outsider shoud have
done it> +here> then> are +eAJ
JThat"s +hat the inspe.tor +ants to 1no+>J said &ay)ond West/
J<ne so often oo1s at a thing the +rong +ay round>J said Miss
Marpe apoogeti.ay/ JIf +e .an"t ater the )ove)ents or the
positions of those three peope> then .oudn"t +e perhaps ater the
ti)e of the )urderAJ
J@ou )ean that 'oth )y +at.h and the .o.1 +ere +rongAJ as1ed
#ouise/
J0o> dear>J said Miss Marpe> JI didn"t )ean that at a/ I )ean that
the )urder didn"t o..ur +hen you thought it o..urred/J
J%ut I sa+ it>J .ried #ouise/
JWe> +hat I have 'een +ondering> )y dear> +as +hether you
+eren"t )eant to see it/ I"ve 'een as1ing )ysef> you 1no+> +hether
that +asn"t the rea reason +hy you +ere engaged for this Do'/J
JWhat do you )ean> Aunt *aneAJ
JWe> dear> it see)s odd/ Miss ,reensha+ did not i1e spending
)oney ; yet she engaged you and agreed 8uite +iingy to the
ter)s you as1ed/ It see)s to )e that perhaps you +ere )eant to 'e
there in that i'rary on the se.ond foor> oo1ing out of the +indo+
so that you .oud 'e the 1ey +itness ; so)eone fro) outside of
irreproa.ha'y good .hara.ter ; to fiB a definite ti)e and pa.e for
the )urder/J
J%ut you .an"t )ean>J said #ouise in.reduousy> Jthat Miss
,reensha+ intended to 'e )urdered/J
JWhat I )ean> dear>J said Miss Marpe> Jis that you didn"t reay
1no+ Miss ,reensha+/ There"s no rea reason> is there> +hy the
Miss ,reensha+ you sa+ +hen you +ent up to the house shoud 'e
the sa)e Miss ,reensha+ that &ay)ond sa+ a fe+ days earierA
<h yes> I 1no+>J she +ent on> to prevent #ouise"s repy> Jshe +as
+earing the pe.uiar od;fashioned print dress and the strange
stra+ hat and had un1e)pt hair/ She .orresponded eBa.ty to the
des.ription &ay)ond gave us ast +ee1end/ %ut those t+o +o)en>
you 1no+> +ere )u.h the sa)e age> height> and si?e/ The
house1eeper> I )ean> and Miss ,reensha+/J
J%ut the house1eeper is fatGJ #ouise eB.ai)ed/ JShe"s got an
enor)ous 'oso)/J
Miss Marpe .oughed/
J%ut> )y dear> surey> no+adays I have seen ; er ; the) )ysef in
shops )ost indei.atey dispayed/ It is very easy for anyone to have
a ; a 'oso) ; of any si?e and di)ension/J
JWhat are you trying to sayAJ de)anded &ay)ond/
JI +as Dust thin1ing that during the t+o days #ouise +as +or1ing
there> one +o)an .oud have payed 'oth parts/ @ou said yoursef>
#ouise> that you hardy sa+ the house1eeper> eB.ept for the one
)inute in the )orning +hen she 'rought you the tray +ith .offee/
<ne sees those .ever artists on the stage .o)ing in as different
.hara.ters +ith ony a )o)ent or t+o to spare> and I a) sure the
.hange .oud have 'een effe.ted 8uite easiy/ That )ar8uise
headdress .oud 'e Dust a +ig sipped on and off/J
JAunt *aneG $o you )ean that Miss ,reensha+ +as dead 'efore I
started +or1 thereAJ
J0ot dead/ -ept under drugs> I shoud say/ A very easy Do' for an
uns.rupuous +o)an i1e the house1eeper to do/ Then she )ade
the arrange)ents +ith you and got you to teephone to the nephe+
to as1 hi) to un.h at a definite ti)e/ The ony person +ho +oud
have 1no+n that this Miss ,reensha+ +as not Miss ,reensha+
+oud have 'een Afred/ And if you re)e)'er> the first t+o days
you +ere +or1ing there it +as +et> and Miss ,reensha+ stayed in
the house/ Afred never .a)e into the house 'e.ause of his feud
+ith the house1eeper/ And on the ast )orning Afred +as in the
drive> +hie Miss ,reensha+ +as +or1ing on the ro.1ery ; I"d i1e to
have a oo1 at that ro.1ery/J
J$o you )ean it +as Mrs Cress+e +ho 1ied Miss ,reensha+AJ
JI thin1 that after 'ringing you your .offee> the house1eeper o.1ed
the door on you as she +ent out> then .arried the un.ons.ious Miss
,reensha+ do+n to the dra+ing roo)> then assu)ed her "Miss
,reensha+" disguise and +ent out to +or1 on the ro.1ery +here
you .oud see her fro) the upstairs +indo+/ In due .ourse she
s.rea)ed and .a)e staggering to the house .ut.hing an arro+ as
though it had penetrated her throat/ She .aed for hep and +as
.arefu to say "he shot )e" so as to re)ove suspi.ion fro) the
house1eeper ; fro) hersef/ She aso .aed up to the
house1eeper"s +indo+ as though she sa+ her there/ Then> on.e
inside the dra+ing;roo)> she thre+ over a ta'e +ith por.eain on
it> ran 8ui.1y upstairs> put on her )ar8uise +ig> and +as a'e a fe+
)o)ents ater to ean her head out of the +indo+ and te you that
she> too> +as o.1ed in/J
J%ut she +as o.1ed in>J said #ouise/
JI 1no+/ That is +here the poi.e)an .o)es in/J
JWhat poi.e)anAJ
J(Ba.ty ; +hat poi.e)anA I +onder> Inspe.tor> if you +oud )ind
teing )e ho+ and +hen you arrived on the s.eneAJ
The inspe.tor oo1ed a itte pu??ed/
JAt t+eve t+enty;nine +e re.eived a teephone .a fro) Mrs
Cress+e> house1eeper to Miss ,reensha+> stating that her
)istress had 'een shot/ Sergeant Cayey and )ysef +ent out there
at on.e in a .ar and arrived at the house at t+eve thirty;five/ We
found Miss ,reensha+ dead and the t+o adies o.1ed in their
roo)s/J
JSo> you see> )y dear>J said Miss Marpe to #ouise> Jthe poi.e
.onsta'e you sa+ +asn"t a rea poi.e .onsta'e at a/ @ou never
thought of hi) again ; one doesn"t ; one Dust a..ept one )ore
unifor) as part of the a+/J
J%ut +ho ; +hyAJ
JAs to +ho ; +e> if they are paying A -iss for Cinderea> a
poi.e)an is the prin.ipa .hara.ter/ 0at Fet.her +oud ony have
to hep hi)sef to the .ostu)e he +ears on the stage/ !e"d as1 his
+ay at a garage> 'eing .arefu to .a attention to the ti)e ; t+eve
t+enty;fiveI then he +oud drive on 8ui.1y> eave his .ar round a
.orner> sip on his poi.e unifor)> and do his "a.t/"J
J%ut +hy ; +hyAJ
JSo)eone had to o.1 the house1eeper"s door on the outside> and
so)eone had to drive the arro+ through Miss ,reensha+"s throat/
@ou .an sta' anyone +ith an arro+ Dust as +e as 'y shooting it 'ut
it needs for.e/J
J@ou )ean they +ere 'oth in itAJ
J<h yes> I thin1 so/ Mother and son as i1ey as not/J
J%ut Miss ,reensha+"s sister died ong ago/J
J@es> 'ut I"ve no dou't Mr Fet.her )arried again ; he sounds i1e
the sort of )an +ho +oud/ I thin1 it possi'e that the .hid died>
too> and that this so;.aed nephe+ +as the se.ond +ife"s .hid and
not reay a reation at a/ The +o)an got the post as house1eeper
and spied out the and/ Then he +rote to Miss ,reensha+ as her
nephe+ and proposed to .a on her ; he )ay have even )ade so)e
Do1ing referen.e to .o)ing in his poi.e)an"s unifor) ; re)e)'er>
she said she +as eBpe.ting a poi.e)an/ %ut I thin1 Miss
,reensha+ suspe.ted the truth and refused to see hi)/ !e +oud
have 'een her heir if she had died +ithout )a1ing a +i 'ut of
.ourse on.e she had )ade a +i in the house1eeper"s favour> as
they thought> then it +as .ear saiing/J
J%ut +hy use an arro+AJ o'De.ted *oan/ JSo very farfet.hed/J
J0ot far;fet.hed at a> dear/ Afred 'eonged to an ar.hery .u';
Afred +as )eant to ta1e the 'a)e/ The fa.t that he +as in the pu'
as eary as t+eve;t+enty +as )ost unfortunate fro) their point of
vie+/ !e a+ays eft a itte 'efore his proper ti)e and that +oud
have 'een Dust right/J She shoo1 her head/ JIt reay see)s a
+rong ; )oray> I )ean> that Afred"s a?iness shoud have saved
his ife/J
The inspe.tor .eared his throat/
JWe> )ada)> these suggestions of yours are very interesting/ I
sha> of .ourse> have to investigate ;J
Miss Marpe and &ay)ond West stood 'y the ro.1ery and oo1ed
do+n at a gardening 'as1et fu of dying vegetation/
Miss Marpe )ur)uredH JAyssu)> saBifrage> .ystis> thi)'e
.a)panua/// @es> that"s a the proof I need/ Whoever +as +eeding
here yesterday )orning +as no gardener ; she pued up pants as
+e as +eeds/ So no+ I 1no+ I") right/ Than1 you> dear &ay)ond>
for 'ringing )e here/ I +anted to see the pa.e for )ysef/J
She and &ay)ond 'oth oo1ed up at the outrageous pie of
,reensha+"s Foy/
A .ough )ade the) turn/ A handso)e young )an +as aso oo1ing
at the )onstrous house/
JPaguey 'ig pa.e>J he said/ JToo 'ig for no+adays ; or so they
say/ I dunno a'out that/ If I +on a foot'a poo and )ade a ot of
)oney> that"s the 1ind of house I"d i1e to 'uid/J
!e s)ied 'ashfuy at the)> then ru)ped his hair/
J&e.1on I .an say so no+>J said Afred Poo.1/ JAnd a fine house it
is> for a they .a it ,reensha+"s FoyGJ
Contents
The Affair at the 7i.tory %a
The Adventure of the Capha) Coo1
The Cornish Mystery
The Adventure of *ohnnie Wavery
The $ou'e Cue
The -ing of Cu's
The #e)esurier Inheritan.e
The #ost Mine
The Py)outh (Bpress
The Cho.oate %oB
The Su')arine Pans
The Third;Foor Fat
$ou'e Sin
The Mar1et %asing Mystery
Wasps" 0est
The 7eied #ady
Pro'e) at Sea
!o+ $oes @our ,arden ,ro+A
T!( AFFAI& AT T!( 7ICT<&@ %A##
Pure .han.e ed )y friend !er.ue Poirot> for)ery .hief of the
%egian for.e> to 'e .onne.ted +ith the Styes Case/ !is su..ess
'rought hi) notoriety> and he de.ided to devote hi)sef to the
soving of pro'e)s in .ri)e/ !aving 'een +ounded on the So))e
and invaided out of the Ar)y> I finay too1 up )y 8uarters +ith hi)
in #ondon/ Sin.e I have a first;hand 1no+edge of )ost of his .ases>
it has 'een suggested to )e that I see.t so)e of the )ost
interesting and pa.e the) on re.ord/ In doing so> I fee that I
.annot do 'etter than 'egin +ith that strange tange +hi.h aroused
su.h +idespread pu'i. interest at the ti)e/ I refer to the affair at
the 7i.tory %a/
Athough perhaps it is not so fuy de)onstrative of Poirot"s pe.uiar
)ethods as so)e of the )ore o's.ure .ases> its sensationa
features> the +e;1no+n peope invoved> and the tre)endous
pu'i.ity given it 'y the press> )a1e it stand out as a .ause .=S're
and I have ong fet that it is ony fitting that Poirot"s .onne.tion +ith
the soution shoud 'e given to the +ord/
It +as a fine )orning in spring> and +e +ere sitting in Poirot"s
roo)s/ My itte friend> neat and dapper as ever> his egg;shaped
head tited sighty on one side> +as dei.atey appying a ne+
po)ade to his )ousta.he/ A .ertain har)ess vanity +as a
.hara.teristi. of Poirot"s and fe into ine +ith his genera ove of
order and )ethod/ The $aiy 0e+s)onger> +hi.h I had 'een
reading> had sipped to the foor> and I +as deep in a 'ro+n study
+hen Poirot"s voi.e re.aed )e/
"<f +hat are you thin1ing so deepy> )on a)iA"
"To te you the truth>" I repied> "I +as pu??ing over this
una..ounta'e affair at the 7i.tory %a/ The papers are fu of it/"
I tapped the sheet +ith )y finger as I spo1e/
"@esA"
"The )ore one reads of it> the )ore shrouded in )ystery the +hoe
thing 'e.o)esG" I +ar)ed to )y su'De.t/ "Who 1ied #ord
Cronsha+A Was Co.o Courtenay"s death on the sa)e night a )ere
.oin.iden.eA Was it an a..identA <r did she dei'eratey ta1e an
overdose of .o.aineA" I stopped> and then added dra)ati.ayH
"These are the 8uestions I as1 )ysef/"
Poirot> so)e+hat to )y annoyan.e> did not pay up/ !e +as peering
into the gass> and )erey )ur)uredH "$e.idedy> this ne+ po)ade>
it is a )arve for the )ousta.hesG" Cat.hing )y eye> ho+ever> he
added hastiyH "4uite so ; and ho+ do you repy to your 8uestionsA"
%ut 'efore I .oud ans+er> the door opened> and our andady
announ.ed Inspe.tor *app/
The S.otand @ard )an +as an od friend of ours and +e greeted
hi) +ar)y/
"Ah> )y good *app>" .ried Poirot> "and +hat 'rings you to see usA"
"We> Monsieur Poirot>" said *app> seating hi)sef and nodding to
)e> "I") on a .ase that stri1es )e as 'eing very )u.h in your ine>
and I .a)e aong to 1no+ +hether you"d .are to have a finger in the
pieA"
Poirot had a good opinion of *app"s a'iities> though deporing his
a)enta'e a.1 of )ethodI 'ut I> for )y part> .onsidered that the
dete.tive"s highest taent ay in the gente art of see1ing favours
under the guise of .onferring the)G
"It"s this 7i.tory %a>" said *app persuasivey/ "Co)e> no+> you"d
i1e to have a hand in that/"
Poirot s)ied at )e/
"My friend !astings +oud> at a events/ !e +as Dust hoding forth
on the su'De.t> n"est;.e pas> )on a)iA"
"We> sir>" said *app .ondes.endingy> "you sha 'e in it too/ I .an
te you> it"s so)ething of a feather in your .ap to have inside
1no+edge of a .ase i1e this/ We> here"s to 'usiness/ @ou 1no+
the )ain fa.ts of the .ase> I suppose> Monsieur PoirotA"
"Fro) the papers ony ; and the i)agination of the Dournaist is
so)eti)es )iseading/ &e.ount the +hoe story to )e/"
*app .rossed his egs .o)forta'y and 'egan/
"As a the +ord and his +ife 1no+s> on Tuesday ast a grand
7i.tory %a +as hed/ (very t+openny;hafpenny hop .as itsef
that no+adays> 'ut this +as the rea thing> hed at the Coossus
!a> and a #ondon at it ; in.uding young #ord Cronsha+ and his
party/"
"!is dossierA" interrupted Poirot/ "I shoud say his 'ios.ope ; no>
ho+ do you .a it ; 'iographA"
"7is.ount Cronsha+ +as the fifth vis.ount> t+enty;five years of age>
ri.h> un)arried> and very fond of the theatri.a +ord/ There +ere
ru)ours of his 'eing engaged to Miss Courtenay of the A'any
Theatre> +ho +as 1no+n to her friends as JCo.oJ and +ho +as> 'y
a a..ounts> a very fas.inating young ady/"
",ood/ Continue?G"
"#ord Cronsha+"s party .onsisted of siB peopeH he hi)sef> his
un.e> the !onoura'e (usta.e %etane> a pretty A)eri.an +ido+>
Mrs Maa'y> a young a.tor> Chris $avidson> his +ife> and ast 'ut
not east> Miss Co.o Courtenay/ It +as a fan.y;dress 'a> as you
1no+> and the Cronsha+ party represented the od Itaian Co)edy ;
+hatever that )ay 'e/"
"The Co))edia de" Arte>" )ur)ured Poirot/ "I 1no+/"
"Any+ay> the .ostu)es +ere .opied fro) a set of .hina figures
for)ing part of (usta.e %etane"s .oe.tion/ #ord Cronsha+ +as
!are8uinI %etane +as Pun.hineoI Mrs Maa'y )at.hed hi) as
Pu.ineaI the $avidsons +ere Pierrot and PierretteI and Miss
Courtenay> of .ourse> +as Cou)'ine/ 0o+> 8uite eary in the
evening it +as apparent that there +as so)ething +rong/ #ord
Cronsha+ +as )oody and strange in his )anner/ When the party
)et together for supper in a s)a private roo) engaged 'y the
host> everyone noti.ed that he and Miss Courtenay +ere no onger
on spea1ing;ter)s/ She had o'viousy 'een .rying> and see)ed on
the verge of hysteri.s/ The )ea +as an un.o)forta'e one> and as
they a eft the supper;roo)> she turned to Chris $avidson and
re8uested hi) audi'y to ta1e her ho)e> as she +as Jsi.1 of the
'aJ/ The young a.tor hesitated> gan.ing at #ord Cronsha+> and
finay dre+ the) 'oth 'a.1 to the supper;roo)/
"%ut a his efforts to se.ure a re.on.iiation +ere unavaiing> and he
a..ordingy got a taBi and es.orted the no+ +eeping Miss
Courtenay 'a.1 to her fat/ Athough o'viousy very )u.h upset>
she did not .onfide in hi)> )erey reiterating again and again that
she +oud J)a1e od Cron.h sorry for this/J That is the ony hint +e
have that her death )ight not have 'een a..identa> and it"s
pre.ious itte to go upon/ %y the ti)e $avidson had 8uieted her
do+n so)e+hat> it +as too ate to return to the Coossus !a> and
$avidson a..ordingy +ent straight ho)e to his fat in Chesea>
+here his +ife arrived shorty after+ards> 'earing the ne+s of the
terri'e tragedy that had o..urred after his departure/
"#ord Cronsha+> it see)s> 'e.a)e )ore and )ore )oody as the
'a +ent on/ !e 1ept a+ay fro) his party> and they hardy sa+ hi)
during the rest of the evening/ It +as a'out one;thirty a/)/> Dust
'efore the grand .otiion +hen everyone +as to un)as1> that
Captain $ig'y> a 'rother offi.er +ho 1ne+ his disguise> noti.ed hi)
standing in a 'oB ga?ing do+n on the s.ene/
"J!uo> Cron.hGJ he .aed/ JCo)e do+n and 'e so.ia'eG What are
you )oping a'out up there for i1e a 'oied o+A Co)e aongI
there"s a good od rag .o)ing on no+/J
"J&ight/J responded Cronsha+/ JWait for )e> or I" never find you in
the .ro+d/J
"!e turned and eft the 'oB as he spo1e/ Captain $ig'y> +ho had
Mrs $avidson +ith hi)> +aited/ The )inutes passed> 'ut #ord
Cronsha+ did not appear/ Finay $ig'y gre+ i)patient/
"J$oes the feo+ thin1 +e"re going to +ait a night for hi)AJ he
eB.ai)ed/
"At that )o)ent Mrs Maa'y Doined the)> and they eBpained the
situation/
"JSay> no+>J .ried the pretty +ido+ viva.iousy> Jhe"s i1e a 'ear
+ith a sore head tonight/ #et"s go right a+ay and rout hi) out/J
"The sear.h .o))en.ed> 'ut )et +ith no su..ess unti it o..urred
to Mrs Maa'y that he )ight possi'y 'e found in the roo) +here
they had supped an hour earier/ They )ade their +ay there/ What a
sight )et their eyesG There +as !are8uin> sure enough> 'ut
stret.hed on the ground +ith a ta'e;1nife in his heartG"
*app stopped> and Poirot nodded> and said +ith the reish of the
spe.iaistH
"2ne 'ee affaireG And there +as no .ue as to the perpetrator of
the deedA %ut ho+ shoud there 'eG"
"We>" .ontinued the inspe.tor> "you 1no+ the rest/ The tragedy +as
a dou'e one/ 0eBt day there +ere headines in a the papers> and a
'rief state)ent to the effe.t that Miss Courtenay> the popuar
a.tress> had 'een dis.overed dead in her 'ed> and that her death
+as due to an overdose of .o.aine/ 0o+> +as it a..ident or
sui.ideA !er )aid> +ho +as .aed upon to give eviden.e> ad)itted
that Miss Courtenay +as a .onfir)ed ta1er of the drug> and a
verdi.t of a..identa death +as returned/ 0evertheess +e .an"t
eave the possi'iity of sui.ide out of a..ount/ !er death is
parti.uary unfortunate> sin.e it eaves us no .ue no+ to the .ause
of the 8uarre the pre.eding night/ %y the +ay> a s)a ena)e 'oB
+as found on the dead )an/ It had Co.o +ritten a.ross it in
dia)onds> and +as haf fu of .o.aine/ It +as identified 'y Miss
Courtenay"s )aid as 'eonging to her )istress> +ho neary a+ays
.arried it a'out +ith her> sin.e it .ontained her suppy of the drug
to +hi.h she +as fast 'e.o)ing a save/"
"Was #ord Cronsha+ hi)sef addi.ted to the drugA"
"7ery far fro) it/ !e hed unusuay strong vie+s on the su'De.t of
dope/"
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
"%ut sin.e the 'oB +as in his possession> he 1ne+ that Miss
Courtenay too1 it/ Suggestive> that> is it not> )y good *appA"
"AhG" said *app rather vaguey/
I s)ied/
"We>" said *app> "that"s the .ase/ What do you thin1 of itA"
"@ou found no .ue of any 1ind that has not 'een reportedA"
"@es> there +as this/" *app too1 a s)a o'De.t fro) his po.1et and
handed it over to Poirot/ It +as a s)a po)pon of e)erad green
si1> +ith so)e ragged threads hanging fro) it> as though it had
'een +ren.hed vioenty a+ay/
"We found it in the dead )an"s hand> +hi.h +as tighty .en.hed
over it>" eBpained the inspe.tor/
Poirot handed it 'a.1 +ithout any .o))ent and as1edH "!ad #ord
Cronsha+ any ene)iesA"
"0one that anyone 1no+s of/ !e see)ed a popuar young feo+/"
"Who 'enefits 'y his deathA"
"!is un.e> the !onoura'e (usta.e %etane> .o)es into the tite
and estates/ There are one or t+o suspi.ious fa.ts against hi)/
Severa peope de.are that they heard a vioent ater.ation going
on in the itte supper;roo)> and that (usta.e %etane +as one of
the disputants/ @ou see> the ta'e;1nife 'eing snat.hed up off the
ta'e +oud fit in +ith the )urder 'eing done in the heat of a
8uarre/"
"What does Mr %etane say a'out the )atterA"
"$e.ares one of the +aiters +as the +orse for i8uor> and that he
+as giving hi) a dressing do+n/ Aso that it +as nearer to one than
haf past/ @ou see> Captain $ig'y"s eviden.e fiBes the ti)e pretty
a..uratey/ <ny a'out ten )inutes eapsed 'et+een his spea1ing
to Cronsha+ and the finding of the 'ody/"
"And in any .ase I suppose Mr %etane> as Pun.hineo> +as +earing
a hu)p and a ruffeA"
"I don"t 1no+ the eBa.t detais of the .ostu)es>" said *app> oo1ing
.uriousy at Poirot/ "And any+ay> I don"t 8uite see +hat that has got
to do +ith itA"
"0oA" There +as a hint of )o.1ery in Poirot"s s)ie/ !e .ontinued
8uiety> his eyes shining +ith the green ight I had earned to
re.ogni?e so +eH "There +as a .urtain in this itte supper roo)>
+as there notA"
"@es> 'ut ;"
"With a spa.e 'ehind it suffi.ient to .on.ea a )anA"
"@es ; in fa.t> there"s a s)a re.ess> 'ut ho+ you 1ne+ a'out it ; you
haven"t 'een to the pa.e> have you> Monsieur PoirotA"
"0o> )y good *app> I suppied the .urtain fro) )y 'rain/ Without it>
the dra)a is not reasona'e/ And a+ays one )ust 'e reasona'e/
%ut te )e> did they not send for a do.torA"
"At on.e> of .ourse/ %ut there +as nothing to 'e done/ $eath )ust
have 'een instantaneous/"
Poirot nodded rather i)patienty/
"@es> yes> I understand/ This do.tor> no+> he gave eviden.e at the
in8uestA"
"@es/"
"$id he say nothing of any unusua sy)pto) ; +as there nothing
a'out the appearan.e of the 'ody +hi.h stru.1 hi) as 'eing
a'nor)aA"
*app stared hard at the itte )an/
"@es> Monsieur Poirot/ I don"t 1no+ +hat you"re getting at> 'ut he did
)ention that there +as a tension and stiffness a'out the i)'s
+hi.h he +as 8uite at a oss to a..ount for/"
"AhaG" said Poirot/ "AhaG Mon $ieuG *app> that gives one to thin1>
does it notA"
I sa+ that it had .ertainy not given *app to thin1/
"If you"re thin1ing of poison> )onsieur> +ho on earth +oud poison a
)an first and then sti.1 a 1nife into hi)A"
"In truth that +oud 'e ridi.uous>" agreed Poirot pa.idy/
"0o+ is there anything you +ant to see> )onsieurA If you"d i1e to
eBa)ine the roo) +here the 'ody +as found ;"
Poirot +aved his hand/
"0ot in the east/ @ou have tod )e the ony thing that interests )e ;
#ord Cronsha+"s vie+s on the su'De.t of drug;ta1ing/"
"Then there"s nothing you +ant to seeA"
"*ust one thing/"
"What is thatA"
"The set of .hina figures fro) +hi.h the .ostu)es +ere .opied/"
*app stared/
"We> you"re a funny oneG"
"@ou .an )anage that for )eA"
"Co)e round to %er1eey S8uare no+ if you i1e/ Mr %etane ; or !is
#ordship> as I shoud say no+ ; +on"t o'De.t/"
We set off at on.e in a taBi/ The ne+ #ord Cronsha+ +as not at
ho)e> 'ut at *app"s re8uest +e +ere sho+n into the ".hina roo)">
+here the ge)s of the .oe.tion +ere 1ept/ *app oo1ed round hi)
rather hepessy/
"I don"t see ho+ you" ever find the ones you +ant> Monsieur/"
%ut Poirot had aready dra+n a .hair in front of the )antepie.e and
+as hopping up upon it i1e a ni)'e ro'in/ A'ove the )irror> on a
s)a shef to the)seves> stood siB .hina figures/ Poirot eBa)ined
the) )inutey> )a1ing a fe+ .o))ents to us as he did so/
"#es voiPG The od Itaian Co)edy/ Three pairsG !are8uin and
Cou)'ine> Pierrot and Pierrette ; very dainty in +hite and green ;
and Pun.hineo and Pu.inea in )auve and yeo+/ 7ery
ea'orate> the .ostu)e of Pun.hineo ; ruffes and fris> a hu)p> a
high hat/ @es> as I thought> very ea'orate/"
!e repa.ed the figures .arefuy> and Du)ped do+n/
*app oo1ed unsatisfied> 'ut as Poirot had .eary no intention of
eBpaining anything> the dete.tive put the 'est fa.e he .oud upon
the )atter/ As +e +ere preparing to eave> the )aster of the house
.a)e in> and *app perfor)ed the ne.essary introdu.tions/
The siBth 7is.ount Cronsha+ +as a )an of a'out fifty> suave in
)anner> +ith a handso)e> dissoute fa.e/ (videnty an edery rou=
> +ith the anguid )anner of a poseur/ I too1 an instant disi1e to
hi)/ !e greeted us gra.iousy enough> de.aring he had heard
great a..ounts of Poirot"s s1i> and pa.ing hi)sef at our disposa
in every +ay/
"The poi.e are doing a they .an> I 1no+>" he said/ "%ut I )u.h fear
the )ystery of )y nephe+"s death +i never 'e .eared up/ The
+hoe thing see)s uttery )ysterious/"
Poirot +as +at.hing hi) 1eeny/ "@our nephe+ had no ene)ies that
you 1no+ ofA"
"0one +hatever/ I a) sure of that/" !e paused and then +ent onH "If
there are any 8uestions you +oud i1e to as1 ;"
"<ny one/" Poirot"s voi.e +as serious/ "The .ostu)es ; they +ere
reprodu.ed eBa.ty fro) your figurinesA"
"To the s)aest detai/"
"Than1 you> )iord/ That is a I +anted to 'e sure of/ I +ish you
good day/"
"And +hat neBtA" in8uired *app as +e hurried do+n the street/ "I"ve
got to report at the @ard> you 1no+/"
"%ienG I +i not detain you/ I have one other itte )atter to attend to>
and then ;"
"@esA"
"The .ase +i 'e .o)pete/"
"WhatA @ou don"t )ean itG @ou 1no+ +ho 1ied #ord Cronsha+A"
"Parfaite)ent/"
"Who +as itA (usta.e %etaneA"
"Ah> )on a)i> you 1no+ )y itte +ea1nessG A+ays I have a desire
to 1eep the threads in )y o+n hands up to the ast )inute/ %ut have
no fear/ I +i revea a +hen the ti)e .o)es/ I +ant no .redit ; the
affair sha 'e yours> on the .ondition that you per)it )e to pay out
the d= noue)ent )y o+n +ay/"
"That"s fair enough>" said *app/ "That is> if the d= noue)ent ever
.o)esG %ut I say> you are an oyster> aren"t youA" Poirot s)ied/
"We> so ong/ I") off to the @ard/"
!e strode off do+n the street> and Poirot haied a passing taBi/
"Where are +e going no+A" I as1ed in ivey .uriosity/
"To Chesea to see the $avidsons/"
!e gave the address to the driver/
"What do you thin1 of the ne+ #ord Cronsha+A" I as1ed/
"What says )y good friend !astingsA"
"I distrust hi) instin.tivey/"
"@ou thin1 he is the J+i.1ed un.eJ of the story;'oo1s> ehA"
"$on"t youA"
"Me> I thin1 he +as )ost a)ia'e to+ards us>" said Poirot
non.o))ittay/
"%e.ause he had his reasonsG"
Poirot oo1ed at )e> shoo1 his head sady> and )ur)ured
so)ething that sounded i1eH "0o )ethod/"
The $avidsons ived on the third foor of a 'o.1 of ")ansion" fats/
Mr $avidson +as out> +e +ere tod> 'ut Mrs $avidson +as at ho)e/
We +ere ushered into a ong> o+ roo) +ith garish <rienta
hangings/ The air fet .ose and oppressive> and there +as an
overpo+ering fragran.e of Doss;sti.1s/ Mrs $avidson .a)e to us
a)ost i))ediatey> a s)a> fair .reature +hose fragiity +oud
have see)ed patheti. and appeaing had it not 'een for the rather
shre+d and .a.uating gea) in her ight 'ue eyes/
Poirot eBpained our .onne.tion +ith the .ase> and she shoo1 her
head sady/
"Poor Cron.h ; and poor Co.o tooG We +ere 'oth so fond of her> and
her death has 'een a terri'e grief to us/ What is it you +ant to as1
)eA Must I reay go over a that dreadfu evening againA"
"<h> )ada)e> 'eieve )e> I +oud not harass your feeings
unne.essariy/ Indeed> Inspe.tor *app has tod )e a that is
needfu/ I ony +ish to see the .ostu)e you +ore at the 'a that
night/"
The ady oo1ed so)e+hat surprised> and Poirot .ontinued
s)oothyH
"@ou .o)prehend> )ada)e> that I +or1 on the syste) of )y
.ountry/ There +e a+ays Jre.onstru.tJ the .ri)e/ It is possi'e
that I )ay have an a.tua repr= sentation> and if so> you
understand> the .ostu)es +oud 'e i)portant/"
Mrs $avidson sti oo1ed a 'it dou'tfu/
"I"ve heard of re.onstru.ting a .ri)e> of .ourse>" she said/ "%ut I
didn"t 1no+ you +ere so parti.uar a'out detais/ %ut I" fet.h the
dress no+/"
She eft the roo) and returned a)ost i))ediatey +ith a dainty
+isp of +hite satin and green/ Poirot too1 it fro) her and eBa)ined
it> handing it 'a.1 +ith a 'o+/
"Mer.i> )ada)eG I see you have had the )isfortune to ose one of
your green po)pons> the one on the shouder here/"
"@es> it got torn off at the 'a/ I pi.1ed it up and gave it to poor #ord
Cronsha+ to 1eep for )e/"
"That +as after supperA"
"@es/"
"0ot ong 'efore the tragedy> perhapsA"
A faint oo1 of aar) .a)e into Mrs $avidson"s pae eyes> and she
repied 8ui.1yH "<h no ; ong 'efore that/ 4uite soon after supper>
in fa.t/"
"I see/ We> that is a/ I +i not derange you further/ %onDour>
)ada)e/"
"We>" I said> as +e e)erged fro) the 'uiding> "that eBpains the
)ystery of the green po)pon/"
"I +onder/"
"Why> +hat do you )eanA"
"@ou sa+ )e eBa)ine the dress> !astingsA"
"@esA"
"(h 'ien> the po)pon that +as )issing had not 'een +ren.hed off>
as the ady said/ <n the .ontrary> it had 'een .ut off> )y friend> .ut
off +ith s.issors/ The threads +ere a 8uite even/"
"$ear )eG" I eB.ai)ed/ "This 'e.o)es )ore and )ore invoved/"
"<n the .ontrary>" repied Poirot pa.idy> "it 'e.o)es )ore and
)ore si)pe/"
"Poirot>" I .ried> "one day I sha )urder youG @our ha'it of finding
everything perfe.ty si)pe is aggravating to the ast degreeG"
"%ut +hen I eBpain> )on a)i> is it not a+ays perfe.ty si)peA"
"@esI that is the annoying part of itG I fee then that I .oud have done
it )ysef/"
"And so you .oud> !astings> so you .oud/ If you +oud 'ut ta1e the
trou'e of arranging your ideasG Without )ethod ;"
"@es> yes>" I said hastiy> for I 1ne+ Poirot"s eo8uen.e +hen started
on his favourite the)e ony too +e/ "Te )e> +hat do +e do neBtA
Are you reay going to re.onstru.t the .ri)eA"
"!ardy that/ Sha +e say that the dra)a is over> 'ut that I propose
to add a ; !are8uinadeA"
The foo+ing Tuesday +as fiBed upon 'y Poirot as the day for this
)ysterious perfor)an.e/ The preparations greaty intrigued )e/ A
+hite s.reen +as ere.ted at one side of the roo)> fan1ed 'y heavy
.urtains at either side/ A )an +ith so)e ighting apparatus arrived
neBt> and finay a group of )e)'ers of the theatri.a profession>
+ho disappeared into Poirot"s 'edroo)> +hi.h had 'een rigged up
as a te)porary dressing;roo)/
Shorty 'efore eight> *app arrived> in no very .heerfu )ood/ I
gathered that the offi.ia dete.tive hardy approved of Poirot"s pan/
"%it )eodra)ati.> i1e a his ideas/ %ut there> it .an do no har)>
and as he says> it )ight save us a good 'it of trou'e/ !e"s 'een
very s)art over the .ase/ I +as on the sa)e s.ent )ysef> of .ourse
;" I fet instin.tivey that *app +as straining the truth here ; "'ut
there> I pro)ised to et hi) pay the thing out his o+n +ay/ AhG !ere
is the .ro+d/"
!is #ordship arrived first> es.orting Mrs Maa'y> +ho) I had not as
yet seen/ She +as a pretty> dar1;haired +o)an> and appeared
per.epti'y nervous/ The $avidsons foo+ed/ Chris $avidson aso I
sa+ for the first ti)e/ !e +as handso)e enough in a rather o'vious
stye> ta and dar1> +ith the easy gra.e of the a.tor/
Poirot had arranged seats for the party fa.ing the s.reen/ This +as
iu)inated 'y a 'right ight/ Poirot s+it.hed out the other ights so
that the roo) +as in dar1ness eB.ept for the s.reen/ Poirot"s voi.e
rose out of the goo)/
"Messieurs> )esda)es> a +ord of eBpanation/ SiB figures in turn
+i pass a.ross the s.reen/ They are fa)iiar to you/ Pierrot and his
PierretteI Pun.hineo the 'uffoon> and eegant Pu.ineaI 'eautifu
Cou)'ine> ighty dan.ing> !are8uin> the sprite> invisi'e to )anG"
With these +ords of introdu.tion> the sho+ 'egan/ In turn ea.h
figure that Poirot had )entioned 'ounded 'efore the s.reen>
stayed there a )o)ent poised> and then vanished/ The ights +ent
up> and a sigh of reief +ent round/ (veryone had 'een nervous>
fearing they 1ne+ not +hat/ It see)ed to )e that the pro.eedings
had gone singuary fat/ If the .ri)ina +as a)ong us> and Poirot
eBpe.ted hi) to 'rea1 do+n at the )ere sight of a fa)iiar figure>
the devi.e had faied signay ; as it +as a)ost 'ound to do/ Poirot>
ho+ever> appeared not a +hit dis.o)posed/ !e stepped for+ard>
'ea)ing/
"0o+> )essieurs and )esda)es> +i you 'e so good as to te )e>
one at a ti)e +hat it is that +e have Dust seenA Wi you 'egin>
)iordA"
The gente)an oo1ed rather pu??ed/ "I") afraid I don"t 8uite
understand/"
"*ust te )e +hat +e have 'een seeing/"
"I ; er ; +e> I shoud say +e have seen siB figures passing in front of
a s.reen and dressed to represent the personages in the od Itaian
Co)edy> or ; er ; ourseves the other night/"
"0ever )ind the other night> )ior">" 'ro1e in Poirot/ "The first part of
your spee.h +as +hat I +anted/ Mada)e you agree +ith Mior"
Cronsha+A"
!e had turned as he spo1e to Mrs Maa'y/
"I ; er ; yes> of .ourse/"
"@ou agree that you have seen siB figures representing the Itaian
Co)edyA"
"Why> .ertainy/"
"Monsieur $avidsonA @ou tooA"
"@es/"
"Mada)eA"
"@es/"
"!astingsA *appA @esA @ou are a in a..ordA"
!e oo1ed around upon usI his fa.e gre+ rather pae> and his eyes
+ere green as any .at"s/
"And yet ; you are a +rongG @our eyes have ied to you ; as they ied
to you on the night of the 7i.tory %a/ To Jsee things +ith your o+n
eyesJ> as they say> is not a+ays to see the truth/ <ne )ust see +ith
eyes of the )indI one )ust e)poy the itte .es of greyG -no+>
then> that tonight and on the night of the 7i.tory %a> you sa+ not
siB figures 'ut fiveG SeeG"
The ights +ent out again/ A figure 'ounded in front of the s.reen ;
PierrotG
"Who is thatA" de)anded Poirot/ "Is it PierrotA"
"@es>" +e a .ried/
"#oo1 againG"
With a s+ift )ove)ent the )an divested hi)sef of his oose Pierrot
gar'/ There in the i)eight stood gittering !are8uinG At the sa)e
)o)ent there +as a .ry and an overturned .hair/
"Curse you>" snared $avidson"s voi.e/ "Curse youG !o+ did you
guessA"
Then .a)e the .in1 of hand.uffs and *app"s .a) offi.ia voi.e/ "I
arrest you> Christopher $avidson ; .harge of )urdering 7is.ount
Cronsha+ ; anything you say used in eviden.e against you/"
It +as a 8uarter of an hour ater/ A re.her.h= itte supper had
appearedI and Poirot> 'ea)ing a over his fa.e> +as dispensing
hospitaity and ans+ering our eager 8uestions/
"It +as a very si)pe/ The .ir.u)stan.es in +hi.h the green
po)pon +as found suggested at on.e that it had 'een torn fro) the
.ostu)e of the )urderer/ I dis)issed Pierrette fro) )y )ind 9sin.e
it ta1es .onsidera'e strength to drive a ta'e;1nife ho)e: and fiBed
upon Pierrot as the .ri)ina/ %ut Pierrot eft the 'a neary t+o
hours 'efore the )urder +as .o))itted/ So he )ust either have
returned to the 'a ater to 1i #ord Cronsha+> or ; eh 'ien> he )ust
have 1ied hi) 'efore he eftG Was that i)possi'eA Who had seen
#ord Cronsha+ after supper that eveningA <ny Mrs $avidson>
+hose state)ent> I suspe.ted> +as a dei'erate fa'ri.ation uttered
+ith the o'De.t of a..ounting for the )issing po)pon> +hi.h> of
.ourse> she .ut fro) her o+n dress to repa.e the one )issing on
her hus'and"s .ostu)e/ %ut then> !are8uin> +ho +as seen in the
'oB at one;thirty> )ust have 'een an i)personation/ For a )o)ent>
earier> I had .onsidered the possi'iity of Mr %etane 'eing the
guity party/ %ut +ith his ea'orate .ostu)e> it +as .eary
i)possi'e that he .oud have dou'ed the roes of Pun.hineo and
!are8uin/ <n the other hand> to $avidson> a young )an of a'out
the sa)e height as the )urdered )an and an a.tor 'y profession>
the thing +as si)pi.ity itsef/
"%ut one thing +orried )e/ Surey a do.tor .oud not fai to per.eive
the differen.e 'et+een a )an +ho had 'een dead t+o hours and
one +ho had 'een dead ten )inutesG (h 'ien> the do.tor did
per.eive itG %ut he +as not ta1en to the 'ody and as1ed J!o+ ong
has this )an 'een deadAJ <n the .ontrary> he +as infor)ed that
the )an had 'een seen aive ten )inutes ago> and so he )erey
.o))ented at the in8uest on the a'nor)a stiffening of the i)'s
for +hi.h he +as 8uite una'e to a..ountG
"A +as no+ )ar.hing fa)ousy for )y theory/ $avidson had 1ied
#ord Cronsha+ i))ediatey after supper> +hen> as you re)e)'er>
he +as seen to dra+ hi) 'a.1 into the supper;roo)/ Then he
departed +ith Miss Courtenay> eft her at the door of her fat
9instead of going in and trying to pa.ify her as he affir)ed: and
returned post;haste to the Coossus ; 'ut as !are8uin> not Pierrot ;
a si)pe transfor)ation effe.ted 'y re)oving his outer .ostu)e/"
The un.e of the dead )an eaned for+ard> his eyes perpeBed/
"%ut if so> he )ust have .o)e to the 'a prepared to 1i his vi.ti)/
What earthy )otive .oud he have hadA The )otive> that"s +hat I
.an"t get/"
"AhG There +e .o)e to the se.ond tragedy ; that of Miss Courtenay/
There +as one si)pe point +hi.h everyone overoo1ed/ Miss
Courtenay died of .o.aine poisoning ; 'ut her suppy of the drug
+as in the ena)e 'oB +hi.h +as found on #ord Cronsha+"s 'ody/
Where> then> did she o'tain the dose +hi.h 1ied herA <ny one
person .oud have suppied her +ith it ; $avidson/ And that eBpains
everything/ It a..ounts for her friendship +ith the $avidsons and
her de)and that $avidson shoud es.ort her ho)e/ #ord Cronsha+>
+ho +as a)ost fanati.ay opposed to drug;ta1ing> dis.overed that
she +as addi.ted to .o.aine> and suspe.ted that $avidson
suppied her +ith it/ $avidson dou'tess denied this> 'ut #ord
Cronsha+ deter)ined to get the truth fro) Miss Courtenay at the
'a/ !e .oud forgive the +ret.hed gir> 'ut he +oud .ertainy have
no )er.y on the )an +ho )ade a iving 'y traffi.1ing in drugs/
(Bposure and ruin .onfronted $avidson/ !e +ent to the 'a
deter)ined that Cronsha+"s sien.e )ust 'e o'tained at any .ost/"
"Was Co.o"s death an a..ident> thenA"
"I suspe.t that it +as an a..ident .every engineered 'y $avidson/
She +as furiousy angry +ith Cronsha+> first for his reproa.hes>
and se.ondy for ta1ing her .o.aine fro) her/ $avidson suppied
her +ith )ore> and pro'a'y suggested her aug)enting the dose as
a defian.e to Jod Cron.hJG"
"<ne other thing>" I said/ "The re.ess and the .urtainA !o+ did you
1no+ a'out the)A"
"Why> )on a)i> that +as the )ost si)pe of a/ Waiters had 'een in
and out of that itte roo)> so> o'viousy> the 'ody .oud not have
'een ying +here it +as found on the foor/ There )ust 'e so)e
pa.e in the roo) +here it .oud 'e hidden/ I dedu.ed a .urtain and
a re.ess 'ehind it/ $avidson dragged the 'ody there> and ater>
after dra+ing attention to hi)sef in the 'oB> he dragged it out again
'efore finay eaving the !a/ It +as one of his 'est )oves/ !e is a
.ever feo+/"
%ut in Poirot"s green eyes I read un)ista1a'y the unspo1en
re)ar1H
"%ut not 8uite so .ever as !er.ue PoirotG"
T!( A$7(0T2&( <F T!( C#AP!AM C<<-
At the ti)e that I +as sharing roo)s +ith )y friend !er.ue Poirot>
it +as )y .usto) to read aoud to hi) the headines in the )orning
ne+spaper> the $aiy %are/
The $aiy %are +as a paper that )ade the )ost of any opportunity
for sensationais)/ &o''eries and )urders did not ur1 o's.urey
in its 'a.1 pages/ Instead they hit you in the eye in arge type on the
front page/
A%SC<0$I0, %A0- C#(&- $ISAPP(A&S WIT! FIFT@ T!<2SA0$
P<20$S" W<&T! <F 0(,<TIA%#( S(C2&ITI(S> I read/
!2S%A0$ P2TS !IS !(A$ I0 ,AS;<7(0/ 20!APP@ !<M( #IF(/
MISSI0, T@PIST/ P&(TT@ ,I&# <F TW(0T@;<0(/ W!(&( IS ($0A
FI(#$A
"There you are> Poirot> penty to .hoose fro)/ An a's.onding 'an1
.er1> a )ysterious sui.ide> a )issing typist ; +hi.h +i you haveA"
My friend +as in a pa.id )ood/ !e 8uiety shoo1 his head/
"I a) not greaty attra.ted to any of the)> )on a)i/ Today I fee
in.ined for the ife of ease/ It +oud have to 'e a very interesting
pro'e) to te)pt )e fro) )y .hair/ See you> I have affairs of
i)portan.e of )y o+n to attend to/"
"Su.h asA"
"My +ardro'e> !astings/ If I )ista1e not> there is on )y ne+ grey
suit the spot of grease ; ony the uni8ue spot> 'ut it is suffi.ient to
trou'e )e/ Then there is )y +inter over.oat ; I )ust ay hi) aside
in the po+der of -eatings/ And I thin1 ; yes> I thin1 ; the )o)ent is
ripe for the tri))ings of )y )ousta.hes ; and after+ards I )ust
appy the po)ade/"
"We>" I said> stroing to the +indo+> "I dou't if you" 'e a'e to
.arry out this deirious progra))e/ That +as a ring at the 'e/ @ou
have a .ient/"
"2ness the affair is one of nationa i)portan.e> I tou.h it not>"
de.ared Poirot +ith dignity/
A )o)ent ater our priva.y +as invaded 'y a stout red;fa.ed ady
+ho panted audi'y as a resut of her rapid as.ent of the stairs/
"@ou"re M/ PoirotA" she de)anded> as she san1 into a .hair/
"I a) !er.ue Poirot> yes> )ada)e/"
"@ou"re not a 'it i1e +hat I thought you"d 'e>" said the ady> eyeing
hi) +ith so)e disfavour/ "$id you pay for the 'it in the paper saying
+hat a .ever dete.tive you +ere> or did they put it in the)sevesA"
"Mada)eG" said Poirot> dra+ing hi)sef up/
"I") sorry> I") sure> 'ut you 1no+ +hat these papers are no+adays/
@ou 'egin reading a ni.e arti.e JWhat a 'ride said to her pain
un)arried friendJ> and it"s a a'out a si)pe thing you 'uy at the
.he)ist"s and sha)poo your hair +ith/ 0othing 'ut puff/ %ut no
offen.e ta1en> I hopeA I" te you +hat I +ant you to do for )e/ I
+ant you to find )y .oo1/"
Poirot stared at herI for on.e his ready tongue faied hi)/ I turned
aside to hide the 'roadening s)ie I .oud not .ontro/
"It"s a this +i.1ed doe>" .ontinued the ady/ "Putting ideas into
servants" heads> +anting to 'e typists and +hat nots/ Stop the doe>
that"s +hat I say/ I"d i1e to 1no+ +hat )y servants have to
.o)pain of ; afternoon and evening off a +ee1> aternate Sundays>
+ashing put out> sa)e food as +e have ; and never a 'it of
)argarine in the house> nothing 'ut the very 'est 'utter/"
She paused for +ant of 'reath and Poirot sei?ed his opportunity/ !e
spo1e in his haughtiest )anner rising to his feet as he did so/
"I fear you are )a1ing a )ista1e> )ada)e/ I a) not hoding an
in8uiry into the .onditions of do)esti. servi.e/ I a) a private
dete.tive/"
"I 1no+ that>" said our visitor/ "$idn"t I te you I +anted you to find
)y .oo1 for )eA Wa1ed out of the house on Wednesday> +ithout so
)u.h as a +ord to )e> and never .a)e 'a.1/"
"I a) sorry> )ada)e> 'ut I do not tou.h this parti.uar 1ind of
'usiness/ I +ish you good )orning/"
<ur visitor snorted +ith indignation/
"That"s it> is it> )y fine feo+A Too proud> ehA <ny dea +ith
,overn)ent se.rets and .ountesses" De+esA #et )e te you a
servant"s every 'it as i)portant as a tiara to a +o)an in )y
position/ We .an"t a 'e fine adies going out in our )otors +ith our
dia)onds and our pears/ A good .oo1"s a good .oo1 ; and +hen
you ose her> it"s as )u.h to you as her pears are to so)e fine
ady/"
For a )o)ent or t+o it appeared to 'e a toss up 'et+een Poirot"s
dignity and his sense of hu)our/ Finay he aughed and sat do+n
again/
"Mada)e> you are in the right> and I a) in the +rong/ @our re)ar1s
are Dust and inteigent/ This .ase +i 'e a novety/ 0ever yet have I
hunted a )issing do)esti./ Truy here is the pro'e) of nationa
i)portan.e that I +as de)anding of fate Dust 'efore your arriva/ (n
avantG @ou say this De+e of a .oo1 +ent out on Wednesday and did
not return/ That is the day 'efore yesterday/"
"@es> it +as her day out/"
"%ut pro'a'y> )ada)e> she has )et +ith so)e a..ident/ !ave you
in8uired at any of the hospitasA"
"That"s eBa.ty +hat I thought yesterday> 'ut this )orning> if you
pease> she sent for her 'oB/ And not so )u.h as a ine to )eG If I"d
'een at ho)e> I"d not have et it go ; treating )e i1e thatG %ut I"d Dust
stepped out to the 'ut.her/"
"Wi you des.ri'e her to )eA"
"She +as )idde;aged> stout> 'a.1 hair turning grey ; )ost
respe.ta'e/ She"d 'een ten years in her ast pa.e/ (i?a $unn> her
na)e +as/"
"And you had had ; no disagree)ent +ith her on the WednesdayA"
"0one +hatever/ That"s +hat )a1es it a so 8ueer/"
"!o+ )any servants do you 1eep> )ada)eA"
"T+o/ The house;parour)aid> Annie> is a very ni.e gir/ A 'it
forgetfu and her head fu of young )en> 'ut a good servant if you
1eep her up to her +or1/"
"$id she and the .oo1 get on +e togetherA"
"They had their ups and do+ns> of .ourse ; 'ut on the +hoe> very
+e/"
"And the gir .an thro+ no ight on the )ysteryA"
"She says not ; 'ut you 1no+ +hat servants are ; they a hang
together/"
"We> +e> +e )ust oo1 into this/ Where did you say you resided>
)ada)eA"
"At Capha)I OO Prin.e A'ert &oad/"
"%ien> )ada)e> I +i +ish you good )orning> and you )ay .ount
upon seeing )e at your residen.e during the .ourse of the day/"
Mrs Todd> for su.h +as our ne+ friend"s na)e> then too1 her
departure/ Poirot oo1ed at )e so)e+hat ruefuy/
"We> +e> !astings> this is a nove affair that +e have here/ The
$isappearan.e of the Capha) Coo1G 0ever> never> )ust our friend
Inspe.tor *app get to hear of thisG"
!e then pro.eeded to heat an iron and .arefuy re)oved the
grease spot fro) his grey suit 'y )eans of a pie.e of 'ottingpaper/
!is )ousta.hes he regretfuy postponed to another day>
and +e set out for Capha)/
Prin.e A'ert &oad proved to 'e a street of s)a pri) houses> a
eBa.ty ai1e> +ith neat a.e .urtains veiing the +indo+s> and +e
poished 'rass 1no.1ers on the doors/
We rang the 'e at 0o/ OO> and the door +as opened 'y a neat )aid
+ith a pretty fa.e/ Mrs Todd .a)e out in the ha to greet us/
"$on"t go> Annie>" she .ried/ "This gente)an"s a dete.tive and he"
+ant to as1 you so)e 8uestions/"
Annie"s fa.e dispayed a strugge 'et+een aar) and a peasura'e
eB.ite)ent/
"I than1 you> )ada)e>" said Poirot 'o+ing/ "I +oud i1e to 8uestion
your )aid no+ ; and to see her aone> if I )ay/"
We +ere sho+n into a s)a dra+ing;roo)> and +hen Mrs Todd>
+ith o'vious reu.tan.e> had eft the roo)> Poirot .o))en.ed his
.ross;eBa)ination/
"7oyons> Made)oisee Annie> a that you sha te us +i 'e of the
greatest i)portan.e/ @ou aone .an shed any ight on the .ase/
Without your assistan.e I .an do nothing/"
The aar) vanished fro) the gir"s fa.e and the peasura'e
eB.ite)ent 'e.a)e )ore strongy )ar1ed/
"I") sure> sir>" she said> "I" te you anything I .an/"
"That is good/" Poirot 'ea)ed approva on her/ "0o+> first of a +hat
is your o+n ideaA @ou are a gir of re)ar1a'e inteigen.e/ That
.an 'e seen at on.eG What is your o+n eBpanation of (i?a"s
disappearan.eA"
Thus en.ouraged> Annie fairy fo+ed into eB.ited spee.h/
"White savers> sir> I"ve said so a aongG Coo1 +as a+ay +arning
)e against the)/ J$on"t you sniff no s.ent> or eat any s+eets ; no
)atter ho+ gente)any the feo+GJ Those +ere her +ords to )e/
And no+ they"ve got herG I") sure of it/ As i1ey a not> she"s 'een
shipped to Tur1ey or one of the) (astern pa.e> +here I"ve heard
they i1e the) fat/"
Poirot preserved an ad)ira'e gravity/
"%ut in that .ase ; and it is indeed an ideaG ; +oud she have sent for
her trun1A"
"We> I don"t 1no+> sir/ She"d +ant her things ; even in those foreign
pa.es/"
"Who .a)e for the trun1 ; a )anA"
"It +as Carter Paterson> sir/"
"$id you pa.1 itA"
"0o> sir> it +as aready pa.1ed and .orded/"
"AhG That"s interesting/ That sho+s that +hen she eft the house on
Wednesday> she had aready deter)ined not to return/ @ou see
that> do you notA"
"@es> sir/" Annie oo1ed sighty ta1en a'a.1/ "I hadn"t thought of
that/ %ut it )ight sti have 'een +hite savers> )ightn"t it> sirA" she
added +istfuy/
"2ndou'tedyG" said Poirot gravey/ !e +ent onH "$id you 'oth
o..upy the sa)e 'edroo)A"
"0o> sir> +e had separate roo)s/"
"And had (i?a eBpressed any dissatisfa.tion +ith her present post
to you at aA Were you 'oth happy hereA"
"She"d never )entioned eaving/ The pa.e is a right ;" The gir
hesitated/
"Spea1 freey>" said Poirot 1indy/ "I sha not te your )istress/"
"We> of .ourse> sir> she"s a .aution> Missus is/ %ut the food"s good/
Penty of it> and no stinting/ So)ething hot for supper> good
outings> and as )u.h frying;fat as you i1e/ And any+ay> if (i?a did
+ant to )a1e a .hange> she"d never have gone off this +ay> I")
sure/ She"d have stayed her )onth/ Why> Missus .oud have a
)onth"s +ages out of her for doing this/"
"And the +or1> it is not too hardA"
"We> she"s parti.uar ; a+ays po1ing round in .orners and oo1ing
for dust/ And then there"s the odger> or paying guest as he"s
a+ays .aed/ %ut that"s ony 'rea1fast and dinner> sa)e as
Master/ They"re out a day in the City/"
"@ou i1e your )asterA"
"!e"s a right ; very 8uiet and a 'it on the stingy side/"
"@ou .an"t re)e)'er> I suppose> the ast thing (i?a said 'efore she
+ent outA"
"@es> I .an/ JIf there"s any ste+ed pea.hes over fro) the diningroo)>J
she says> J+e" have the) for supper> and a 'it of 'a.on
and so)e fried potatoes/J Mad over ste+ed pea.hes> she +as/ I
shoudn"t +onder if they didn"t get her that +ay/"
"Was Wednesday her reguar day outA"
"@es> she had Wednesdays and I had Thursdays/"
Poirot as1ed a fe+ )ore 8uestions> then de.ared hi)sef satisfied/
Annie departed> and Mrs Todd hurried in> her fa.e aight +ith
.uriosity/ She had> I fet .ertain> 'ittery resented her eB.usion
fro) the roo) during our .onversation +ith Annie/ Poirot> ho+ever>
+as .arefu to soothe her feeings ta.tfuy/
"It is diffi.ut>" he eBpained> "for a +o)an of eB.eptiona inteigen.e
su.h as yoursef> )ada)e> to 'ear patienty the rounda'out
)ethods +e poor dete.tives are for.ed to use/ To have patien.e
+ith stupidity is diffi.ut for the 8ui.1;+itted/"
!aving thus .har)ed a+ay any itte resent)ent on Mrs Todd"s
part> he 'rought the .onversation round to her hus'and and
ei.ited the infor)ation that he +or1ed +ith a fir) in the City and
+oud not 'e ho)e unti after siB/
"$ou'tess he is very distur'ed and +orried 'y this una..ounta'e
'usiness> ehA Is it not soA"
"!e"s never +orried>" de.ared Mrs Todd/ "JWe> +e> get another>
)y dear/J That"s a he saidG !e"s so .a) that it drives )e to
distra.tion so)eti)es/ JAn ungratefu +o)an>J he said/ JWe are
+e rid of her/J"
"What a'out the other in)ates of the house> )ada)eA"
"@ou )ean Mr Si)pson> our paying guestA We> as ong as he gets
his 'rea1fast and his evening )ea a right> he doesn"t +orry/"
"What is his profession> )ada)eA"
"!e +or1s in a 'an1/" She )entioned its na)e> and I started sighty>
re)e)'ering )y perusa of the $aiy %are/
"A young )anA"
"T+enty;eight> I 'eieve/ 0i.e 8uiet young feo+/"
"I shoud i1e to have a fe+ +ords +ith hi)> and aso +ith your
hus'and> if I )ay/ I +i return for that purpose this evening/ I
venture to suggest that you shoud repose yoursef a itte>
)ada)e> you oo1 fatigued/"
"I shoud Dust thin1 I a)G First the +orry a'out (i?a> and then I +as
at the saes pra.ti.ay a yesterday> and you 1no+ +hat that is> M/
Poirot> and +hat +ith one thing and another and a ot to do in the
house> 'e.ause of .ourse Annie .an"t do it a ; and very i1ey she"
give noti.e any+ay> 'eing unsetted in this +ay +e> +hat +ith it a>
I") tired outG"
Poirot )ur)ured sy)patheti.ay> and +e too1 our eave/
"It"s a .urious .oin.iden.e>" I said> "'ut that a's.onding .er1>
$avis> +as fro) the sa)e 'an1 as Si)pson/ Can there 'e any
.onne.tion> do you thin1A"
Poirot s)ied/
"At the one end> a defauting .er1> at the other a vanishing .oo1/ It
is hard to see any reation 'et+een the t+o> uness possi'y $avis
visited Si)pson> fe in ove +ith the .oo1> and persuaded her to
a..o)pany hi) on his fightG"
I aughed/ %ut Poirot re)ained grave/
"!e )ight have done +orse>" he said reprovingy/ "&e)e)'er>
!astings> if you are going into eBie> a good .oo1 )ay 'e of )ore
.o)fort than a pretty fa.eG" !e paused for a )o)ent and then +ent
on/ "It is a .urious .ase> fu of .ontradi.tory features/ I a)
interested ; yes> I a) distin.ty interested/"
That evening +e returned to OO Prin.e A'ert &oad and intervie+ed
'oth Todd and Si)pson/ The for)er +as a )ean.hoy anternDa+ed
)an of forty;odd/
"<h/ @es> yes>" he said vaguey/ "(i?a/ @es/ A good .oo1> I 'eieve/
And e.ono)i.a/ I )a1e a strong point of e.ono)y/"
"Can you i)agine any reason for her eaving you so suddenyA"
"<h> +e>" said Mr Todd vaguey/ "Servants> you 1no+/ My +ife
+orries too )u.h/ Worn out fro) a+ays +orrying/ The +hoe
pro'e)"s 8uite si)pe reay/ J,et another> )y dear>J I say/ J,et
another/J That"s a there is to it/ 0o good .rying over spit )i1/"
Mr Si)pson +as e8uay unhepfu/ !e +as a 8uiet in.onspi.uous
young )an +ith spe.ta.es/
"I )ust have seen her> I suppose>" he said/ "(dery +o)an> +asn"t
sheA <f .ourse> it"s the other one I see a+ays> Annie/ 0i.e gir/
7ery o'iging/"
"Were those t+o on good ter)s +ith ea.h otherA"
Mr Si)pson said he .oudn"t say> he +as sure/ !e supposed so/
"We> +e get nothing of interest there> )on a)i>" said Poirot as +e
eft the house/ <ur departure had 'een deayed 'y a 'urst of
vo.iferous repetition fro) Mrs Todd> +ho repeated everything she
had said that )orning at rather greater ength/
"Are you disappointedA" I as1ed/ "$id you eBpe.t to hear
so)ethingA"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"There +as a possi'iity> of .ourse>" he said/ "%ut I hardy thought it
i1ey/"
The neBt deveop)ent +as a etter +hi.h Poirot re.eived on the
foo+ing )orning/ !e read it> turned purpe +ith indignation> and
handed it to )e/
Mrs Todd regrets that after a she +i not avai hersef of Mr
Poirot"s servi.es/ After ta1ing the )atter over +ith her hus'and
she sees that it is fooish to .a in a dete.tive a'out a purey
do)esti. affair/ Mrs Todd en.oses a guinea for .onsutation fee/
"AhaG" .ried Poirot angriy/ "And they thin1 to get rid of !er.ue
Poirot i1e thatG As a favour ; a great favour ; I .onsent to
investigate their )isera'e itte t+openny;hafpenny affair ; and
they dis)iss )e .o))e LaG !ere> I )ista1e not> is the hand of Mr
Todd/ %ut I say noG ; thirty;siB ti)es noG I +i spend )y o+n guineas>
thirty;siB hundred of the) if need 'e> 'ut I +i get to the 'otto) of
this )atter/"
"@es>" I said/ "%ut ho+A"
Poirot .a)ed do+n a itte/
"$"a..ord>" he said> "+e +i advertise in the papers/ #et )e see ; yes
; so)ething i1e thisH JIf (i?a $unn +i .o))uni.ate +ith this
address> she +i hear of so)ething to her advantage/J Put it in a
the papers you .an thin1 of> !astings/ Then I +i )a1e so)e itte
in8uiries of )y o+n/ ,o> go ; a )ust 'e done as 8ui.1y as
possi'eG"
I did not see hi) again unti the evening> +hen he .ondes.ended to
te )e +hat he had 'een doing/
"I have )ade in8uiries at the fir) of Mr Todd/ !e +as not a'sent on
Wednesday and he 'ears a good .hara.ter ; so )u.h for hi)/ Then
Si)pson> on Thursday he +as i and did not .o)e to the 'an1> 'ut
he +as there on Wednesday/ !e +as )oderatey friendy +ith
$avis/ 0othing out of the .o))on/ There does not see) to 'e
anything there/ 0o/ We )ust pa.e our reian.e on the
advertise)ent/"
The advertise)ent duy appeared in a the prin.ipa daiy papers/
%y Poirot"s orders it +as to 'e .ontinued every day for a +ee1/ !is
eagerness over this uninteresting )atter of a defauting .oo1 +as
eBtraordinary> 'ut I reai?ed that he .onsidered it a point of honour
to persevere unti he finay su..eeded/ Severa eBtre)ey
interesting .ases +ere 'rought to hi) a'out this ti)e> 'ut he
de.ined the) a/ (very )orning he +oud rush at his etters>
s.rutini?e the) earnesty and then ay the) do+n +ith a sigh/ %ut
our patien.e +as re+arded at ast/ <n the Wednesday foo+ing
Mrs Todd"s visit> our andady infor)ed us that a person of the na)e
of (i?a $unn had .aed/
"(nfinG" .ried Poirot/ "%ut )a1e her )ount thenG At on.e/
I))ediatey/"
Thus ad)onished> our andady hurried out and returned a )o)ent
or t+o ater> ushering in Miss $unn/ <ur 8uarry +as )u.h as
des.ri'edH ta> stout> and e)inenty respe.ta'e/
"I .a)e in ans+er to the advertise)ent>" she eBpained/ "I thought
there )ust 'e so)e )udde or other> and that perhaps you didn"t
1no+ I"d aready got )y ega.y/"
Poirot +as studying her attentivey/ !e dre+ for+ard a .hair +ith a
fourish/
"The truth of the )atter is>" he eBpained> "that your ate )istress>
Mrs Todd> +as )u.h .on.erned a'out you/ She feared so)e
a..ident )ight have 'efaen you/"
(i?a $unn see)ed very )u.h surprised/
"$idn"t she get )y etter thenA"
"She got no +ord of any 1ind/" !e paused> and then said
persuasiveyH
"&e.ount to )e the +hoe story> +i you notA"
(i?a $unn needed no en.ourage)ent/ She punged at on.e into a
engthy narrative/
"I +as Dust .o)ing ho)e on Wednesday night and had neary got to
the house> +hen a gente)an stopped )e/ A ta gente)an he +as>
+ith a 'eard and a 'ig hat/ JMiss (i?a $unnAJ he said/ J@es>J I said/
JI"ve 'een in8uiring for you at 0o/ OO>J he said/ JThey tod )e I
)ight )eet you .o)ing aong here/ Miss $unn> I have .o)e fro)
Austraia spe.iay to find you/ $o you happen to 1no+ the )aiden
na)e of your )aterna grand)otherAJ J*ane ())ott>J I said/
J(Ba.ty>J he said/ J0o+> Miss $unn> athough you )ay never have
heard of the fa.t> your grand)other had a great friend> (i?a #ee.h/
This friend +ent to Austraia +here she )arried a very +eathy
setter/ !er t+o .hidren died in infan.y> and she inherited a her
hus'and"s property/ She died a fe+ )onths ago> and 'y her +i you
inherit a house in this .ountry and a .onsidera'e su) of )oney/J
"@ou .oud have 1no.1ed )e do+n +ith a feather>" .ontinued Miss
$unn/ "For a )inute> I +as suspi.ious> and he )ust have seen it> for
he s)ied/ J4uite right to 'e on your guard> Miss $unn>J he said/
J!ere are )y .redentias/J !e handed )e a etter fro) so)e
a+yers in Me'ourne> !urst and Crot.het> and a .ard/ !e +as Mr
Crot.het/ JThere are one or t+o .onditions>J he said/ J<ur .ient
+as a itte e..entri.> you 1no+/ The 'e8uest is .onditiona on your
ta1ing possession of the house 9it is in Cu)'erand: 'efore t+eve
o".o.1 to)orro+/ The other .ondition is of no i)portan.e ; it is
)erey a stipuation that you shoud not 'e in do)esti. servi.e/J My
fa.e fe/ J<h> Mr Crot.het>J I said/ JI") a .oo1/ $idn"t they te you
at the houseAJ J$ear> dear>J he said/ JI had no idea of su.h a thing/
I thought you )ight possi'y 'e a .o)panion or governess there/
This is very unfortunate ; very unfortunate indeed/J
"JSha I have to ose a the )oneyAJ I said> anBious i1e/ !e thought
for a )inute or t+o/ JThere are a+ays +ays of getting round the
a+> Miss $unn>J he said at ast/ JWe a+yers 1no+ that/ The +ay
out here is for you to have eft your e)poy)ent this afternoon/J
J%ut )y )onthAJ I said/ JMy dear Miss $unn>J he said +ith a s)ie/
J@ou .an eave an e)poyer any )inute 'y forfeiting a )onth"s
+ages/ @our )istress +i understand in vie+ of the .ir.u)stan.es/
The diffi.uty is ti)eG It is i)perative that you shoud .at.h the
11H6F fro) -ing"s Cross to the 0orth/ I .an advan.e you ten pounds
or so for the fare> and you .an +rite a note at the station to your
e)poyer/ I +i ta1e it to her )ysef and eBpain the +hoe
.ir.u)stan.es/J I agreed> of .ourse> and an hour ater I +as in the
train> so fustered that I didn"t 1no+ +hether I +as on )y head or
)y hees/ Indeed 'y the ti)e I got to Carise> I +as haf in.ined to
thin1 the +hoe thing +as one of those .onfiden.e tri.1s you read
a'out/ %ut I +ent to the address he had given )e ; soi.itors they
+ere> and it +as a right/ A ni.e itte house> and an in.o)e of three
hundred a year/ These a+yers 1ne+ very itte> they"d Dust got a
etter fro) a gente)an in #ondon instru.ting the) to hand over the
house to )e and 1F6 for the first siB )onths/ Mr Crot.het sent up
)y things to )e> 'ut there +as no +ord fro) Missus/ I supposed
she +as angry and grudged )e )y 'it of u.1/ She 1ept 'a.1 )y
'oB too> and sent )y .othes in paper par.es/ %ut there> of .ourse
if she never had )y etter> she )ight thin1 it a 'it .oo of )e/"
Poirot had istened attentivey to this ong history/ 0o+ he nodded
his head as though .o)petey satisfied/
"Than1 you> )ade)oisee/ There had 'een> as you say> a itte
)udde/ Per)it )e to re.o)pense you for your trou'e/" !e handed
her an enveope/ "@ou return to Cu)'erand i))ediateyA A itte
+ord in your ear/ $o not forget ho+ to .oo1/ It is a+ays usefu to
have so)ething to fa 'a.1 upon in .ase things go +rong/"
"Creduous>" he )ur)ured> as our visitor departed> "'ut perhaps not
)ore than )ost of her .ass/" !is fa.e gre+ grave/ "Co)e> !astings>
there is no ti)e to 'e ost/ ,et a taBi +hie I +rite a note to *app/"
Poirot +as +aiting on the doorstep +hen I returned +ith the taBi/
"Where are +e goingA" I as1ed anBiousy/
"First> to despat.h this note 'y spe.ia )essenger/"
This +as done> and re;entering the taBi Poirot gave the address to
the driver/
"(ighty;eight Prin.e A'ert &oad> Capha)/"
"So +e are going thereA"
"Mais> oui/ Though fran1y I fear +e sha 'e too ate/ <ur 'ird +i
have fo+n> !astings/"
"Who is our 'irdA"
Poirot s)ied/
"The in.onspi.uous Mr Si)pson/"
"WhatA" I eB.ai)ed/
"<h> .o)e no+> !astings> do not te )e that a is not .ear to you
no+A
"The .oo1 +as got out of the +ay> I reai?e that>" I said> sighty
pi8ued/ "%ut +hyA Why shoud Si)pson +ish to get her out of the
houseA $id she 1no+ so)ething a'out hi)A"
"0othing +hatever/"
"We> then/"
"%ut he +anted so)ething that she had/"
"MoneyA The Austraian ega.yA"
"0o> )y friend ; so)ething 8uite different/" !e paused a )o)ent
and then said graveyH "A 'attered tin trun1///"
I oo1ed side+ays at hi)/ !is state)ent see)ed so fantasti. that I
suspe.ted hi) of puing )y eg> 'ut he +as perfe.ty grave and
serious/
"Surey he .oud 'uy a trun1 if he +anted one>" I .ried/
"!e did not +ant a ne+ trun1/ !e +anted a trun1 of pedigree/ A
trun1 of assured respe.ta'iity/"
"#oo1 here> Poirot>" I .ried> "this reay is a 'it thi.1/ @ou"re puing
)y eg/"
!e oo1ed at )e/
"@ou a.1 the 'rains and the i)agination of Mr Si)pson> !astings/
See hereH <n Wednesday evening> Si)pson de.oys a+ay the .oo1/
A printed .ard and a printed sheet of notepaper are si)pe )atters
to o'tain> and he is +iing to pay 1F6 and a year"s house rent to
assure the su..ess of his pan/ Miss $unn does not re.ogni?e hi) ;
the 'eard and the hat and the sight .oonia a..ent .o)petey
de.eive her/ That is the end of Wednesday ; eB.ept for the trifing
fa.t that Si)pson has heped hi)sef to fifty thousand pounds"
+orth of negotia'e se.urities/"
"Si)pson ; 'ut it +as $avis ; "
"If you +i 1indy per)it )e to .ontinue> !astingsG Si)pson 1no+s
that the theft +i 'e dis.overed on Thursday afternoon/ !e does
not go to the 'an1 on Thursday> 'ut he ies in +ait for $avis +hen
he .o)es out to un.h/ Perhaps he ad)its the theft and tes $avis
he +i return the se.urities to hi) ; anyho+ he su..eeds in getting
$avis to .o)e to Capha) +ith hi)/ It is the )aid"s day out> and Mrs
Todd +as at the saes> so there is no one in the house/ When the
theft is dis.overed and $avis is )issing> the i)pi.ation +i 'e
over+he)ing/ $avis is the thiefG Mr Si)pson +i 'e perfe.ty safe>
and .an return to +or1 on the )orro+ i1e the honest .er1 they
thin1 hi)/"
"And $avisA"
Poirot )ade an eBpressive gesture> and so+y shoo1 his head/
"It see)s too .od;'ooded to 'e 'eieved> and yet +hat other
eBpanation .an there 'e> )on a)i/ The one diffi.uty for a
)urderer is the disposa of the 'ody ; and Si)pson had panned
that out 'eforehand/ I +as stru.1 at on.e 'y the fa.t that athough
(i?a $unn o'viousy )eant to return that night +hen she +ent out
9+itness her re)ar1 a'out the ste+ed pea.hes: yet her trun1 +as
a ready pa.1ed +hen they .a)e for it/ It +as Si)pson +ho sent
+ord to Carter Paterson to .a on Friday and it +as Si)pson +ho
.orded up the 'oB on Thursday afternoon/ What suspi.ion .oud
possi'y ariseA A )aid eaves and sends for her 'oB> it is a'eed
and addressed ready in her na)e> pro'a'y to a rai+ay station
+ithin easy rea.h of #ondon/ <n Saturday afternoon> Si)pson> in
his Austraian disguise> .ai)s it> he affiBes a ne+ a'e and address
and redespat.hes it so)e+here ese> again Jto 'e eft ti .aed
forJ/ When the authorities get suspi.ious> for eB.eent reasons>
and open it> a that .an 'e ei.ited +i 'e that a 'earded .oonia
despat.hed it fro) so)e Dun.tion near #ondon/ There +i 'e
nothing to .onne.t it +ith OO Prin.e A'ert &oad/ AhG !ere +e are/"
Poirot"s prognosti.ations had 'een .orre.t/ Si)pson had eft t+o
days previousy/ %ut he +as not to es.ape the .onse8uen.es of his
.ri)e/ %y the aid of +ireess> he +as dis.overed on the <y)pia> en
route to A)eri.a/
A tin trun1> addressed to Mr !enry Wintergreen> attra.ted the
attention of rai+ay offi.ias at ,asgo+/ It +as opened and found to
.ontain the 'ody of the unfortunate $avis/
Mrs Todd"s .he8ue for a guinea +as never .ashed/ Instead Poirot
had it fra)ed and hung on the +a of our sitting;roo)/
"It is to )e a itte re)inder> !astings/ 0ever to despise the trivia ;
the undignified/ A disappearing do)esti. at one end ; a .od'ooded
)urder at the other/ To )e> one of the )ost interesting of
)y .ases/"
T!( C<&0IS! M@ST(&@
"Mrs Pengeey>" announ.ed our andady> and +ithdre+ dis.reety/
Many uni1ey peope .a)e to .onsut Poirot> 'ut to )y )ind> the
+o)an +ho stood nervousy Dust inside the door> fingering her
feather ne.1;pie.e> +as the )ost uni1ey of a/ She +as so
eBtraordinariy .o))onpa.e ; a thin> faded +o)an of a'out fifty>
dressed in a 'raided .oat and s1irt> so)e god De+eery at her
ne.1> and +ith her grey hair sur)ounted 'y a singuary
un'e.o)ing hat/ In a .ountry to+n> you pass a hundred Mrs
Pengeeys in the street every day/
Poirot .a)e for+ard and greeted her peasanty> per.eiving her
o'vious e)'arrass)ent/
"Mada)eG Ta1e a .hair> I 'eg of you/ My .oeague> Captain
!astings/"
The ady sat do+n> )ur)uring un.ertainyH "@ou are M/ Poirot> the
dete.tiveA"
"At your servi.e> )ada)e/"
%ut our guest +as sti tongue;tied/ She sighed> t+isted her fingers>
and gre+ steadiy redder and redder/
"There is so)ething I .an do for you> eh> )ada)eA"
"We> I thought ; that is ; you see ;"
"Pro.eed> )ada)e> I 'eg of you ; pro.eed/"
Mrs Pengeey> thus en.ouraged> too1 a grip on hersef/
"It"s this +ay> M/ Poirot ; I don"t +ant to have anything to do +ith the
poi.e/ 0o> I +oudn"t go to the poi.e for anythingG %ut a the sa)e>
I") sorey trou'ed a'out so)ething/ And yet I don"t 1no+ if I ought ;
"
She stopped a'rupty/
"Me> I have nothing to do +ith the poi.e/ My investigations are
stri.ty private/"
Mrs Pengeey .aught at the +ord/
"Private ; that"s +hat I +ant/ I don"t +ant any ta1 or fuss> or things in
the papers/ Wi.1ed it is> the +ay they +rite things> unti the fa)iy
.oud never hod up their heads again/ And it isn"t as though I +as
even sure ; it"s Dust a dreadfu idea that"s .o)e to )e> and put it out
of )y head I .an"t/" She paused for 'reath/ "And a the ti)e I )ay 'e
+i.1edy +ronging poor (d+ard/ It"s a terri'e thought for any +ife
to have/ %ut you do read of su.h dreadfu things no+adays/"
"Per)it )e ; it is of your hus'and you spea1A"
"@es/"
"And you suspe.t hi) of; +hatA"
"I don"t i1e even to say it> M/ Poirot/ %ut you do read of su.h things
happening ; and the poor sous suspe.ting nothing/"
I +as 'eginning to despair of the ady"s ever .o)ing to the point>
'ut Poirot"s patien.e +as e8ua to the de)and )ade upon it/
"Spea1 +ithout fear> )ada)e/ Thin1 +hat Doy +i 'e yours if +e are
a'e to prove your suspi.ions unfounded/"
"That"s true ; anything"s 'etter than this +earing un.ertainty/ <h> M/
Poirot> I") dreadfuy afraid I") 'eing poisoned/"
"What )a1es you thin1 soA"
Mrs Pengeey> her reti.en.e eaving her> punged into a fu re.ita
)ore suited to the ears of her )edi.a attendant/
"Pain and si.1ness after food> ehA" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "@ou
have a do.tor attending you> )ada)eA What does he sayA"
"!e says it"s a.ute gastritis> M/ Poirot/ %ut I .an see that he"s
pu??ed and uneasy> and he"s a+ays atering the )edi.ine> 'ut
nothing does any good/"
"@ou have spo1en of your ; fears> to hi)A"
"0o> indeed> M/ Poirot/ It )ight get a'out in the to+n/ And perhaps
it"s gastritis/ A the sa)e> it"s very odd that +henever (d+ard is
a+ay for the +ee1;end> I") 8uite a right again/ (ven Freda noti.ed
that ; )y nie.e> M/ Poirot/ And then there"s that 'otte of +eed1ier>
never used> the gardener says> and yet it"s haf;e)pty/"
She oo1ed appeaingy at Poirot/ !e s)ied reassuringy at her> and
rea.hed for a pen.i and note'oo1/
"#et us 'e 'usinessi1e> )ada)e/ 0o+> then> you and your hus'and
reside ; +hereA"
"Pogar+ith> a s)a )ar1et to+n in Corn+a/"
"@ou have ived there ongA"
"Fourteen years/"
"And your househod .onsists of you and your hus'and/ Any
.hidrenA"
"0o/"
"%ut a nie.e> I thin1 you saidA"
"@es> Freda Stanton> the .hid of )y hus'and"s ony sister/ She has
ived +ith us for the ast eight years ; that is> unti a +ee1 ago/"
"<ho> and +hat happened a +ee1 agoA"
"Things hadn"t 'een very peasant for so)e ti)eI I don"t 1no+ +hat
had .o)e over Freda/ She +as so rude and i)pertinent> and her
te)per so)ething sho.1ing> and in the end she fared up one day>
and out she +a1ed and too1 roo)s of her o+n in the to+n/ I"ve not
seen her sin.e/ %etter eave her to .o)e to her senses> so Mr
&adnor says/"
"Who is Mr &adnorA"
So)e of Mrs Pengeey"s initia e)'arrass)ent returned/
"<h> he"s ; he"s Dust a friend/ 7ery peasant young feo+/"
"Anything 'et+een hi) and your nie.eA"
"0othing +hatever>" said Mrs Pengeey e)phati.ay/
Poirot shifted his ground/
"@ou and your hus'and are> I presu)e> in .o)forta'e
.ir.u)stan.esA"
"@es> +e"re very ni.ey off/"
"The )oney> is it yours or your hus'and"sA"
"<h> it"s a (d+ard"s/ I"ve nothing of )y o+n/"
"@ou see> )ada)e> to 'e 'usinessi1e> +e )ust 'e 'ruta/ We )ust
see1 for a )otive/ @our hus'and> he +oud not poison you Dust pour
passer e te)ps/ $o you 1no+ of any reason +hy he shoud +ish
you out of the +ayA"
"There"s the yeo+;haired hussy +ho +or1s for hi)>" said Mrs
Pengeey> +ith a fash of te)per/ "My hus'and"s a dentist> M/
Poirot> and nothing +oud do 'ut he )ust have a s)art gir> as he
said> +ith 'o''ed hair and a +hite overa> to )a1e his
appoint)ents and )iB his fiings for hi)/ It"s .o)e to )y ears that
there have 'een fine goings;on> though of .ourse he s+ears it"s a
right/"
"This 'otte of +eed;1ier> )ada)e> +ho ordered itA"
"My hus'and ; a'out a year ago/"
"@our nie.e> no+> has she any )oney of her o+nA"
"A'out fifty pounds a year> I shoud say/ She"d 'e gad enough to
.o)e 'a.1 and 1eep house for (d+ard if I eft hi)/"
"@ou have .onte)pated eaving hi)> thenA"
"I don"t intend to et hi) have it a his o+n +ay/ Wo)en aren"t the
do+ntrodden saves they +ere in od days> M/ Poirot/"
"I .ongratuate you on your independent spirit> )ada)eI 'ut et us
'e pra.ti.a/ @ou return to Pogar+ith todayA"
"@es> I .a)e up 'y an eB.ursion/ SiB this )orning the train started>
and the train goes 'a.1 at five this afternoon/"
"%ienG I have nothing of great )o)ent on hand/ I .an devote )ysef
to your itte affair/ To)orro+ I sha 'e in Pogar+ith/ Sha +e say
that !astings> here> is a distant reative of yours> the son of your
se.ond .ousinA Me> I a) his e..entri. foreign friend/ In the
)eanti)e> eat ony +hat is prepared 'y your o+n hands> or under
your eye/ @ou have a )aid +ho) you trustA"
"*essie is a very good gir> I a) sure/"
"Ti to)orro+ then> )ada)e> and 'e of good .ourage/"
Poirot 'o+ed the ady out> and returned thoughtfuy to his .hair/
!is a'sorption +as not so great> ho+ever> that he faied to see t+o
)inute strands of feather s.arf +ren.hed off 'y the ady"s agitated
fingers/ !e .oe.ted the) .arefuy and .onsigned the) to the
+astepaper 'as1et/
"What do you )a1e of the .ase> !astingsA"
"A nasty 'usiness> I shoud say/"
"@es> if +hat the ady suspe.ts 'e true/ %ut is itA Woe 'etide any
hus'and +ho orders a 'otte of +eed;1ier no+adays/ If his +ife
suffers fro) gastritis> and is in.ined to 'e of a hysteri.a
te)pera)ent> the fat is in the fire/"
"@ou thin1 that is a there is to itA"
"Ah ; voi/ ; I do not 1no+> !astings/ %ut the .ase interests )e ; it
interests )e enor)ousy/ For> see you> it has positivey no ne+
features/ !en.e the hysteri.a theory> and yet Mrs Pengeey did
not stri1e )e as 'eing a hysteri.a +o)an/ @es> if I )ista1e not> +e
have here a very poignant hu)an dra)a/ Te )e> !astings> +hat
do you .onsider Mrs Pengeey"s feeings to+ards her hus'and to
'eA"
"#oyaty strugging +ith fear>" I suggested/
"@et> ordinariy> a +o)an +i a..use anyone in the +ord ; 'ut not
her hus'and/ She +i sti.1 to her 'eief in hi) through thi.1 and
thin/"
"The Jother +o)anJ .o)pi.ates the )atter/"
"@es> affe.tion )ay turn to hate> under the sti)uus of Deaousy/ %ut
hate +oud ta1e her to the poi.e ; not to )e/ She +oud +ant an
out.ry ; a s.anda/ 0o> no> et us eBer.ise our itte grey .es/ Why
did she .o)e to )eA To have her suspi.ions proved +rongA <r ; to
have the) proved rightA Ah> +e have here so)ething I do not
understand ; an un1no+n fa.tor/ Is she a super' a.tress> our Mrs
PengeeyA 0o> she +as genuine> I +oud s+ear that she +as
genuine> and therefore I a) interested/ #oo1 up the train to
Pogar+ith> I pray you/"
The 'est train of the day +as the one;fifty fro) Paddington +hi.h
rea.hed Pogar+ith Dust after seven o".o.1/ The Dourney +as
uneventfu> and I had to rouse )ysef fro) a peasant nap to aight
upon the patfor) of the 'ea1 itte station/ We too1 our 'ags to the
$u.hy !ote> and after a ight )ea> Poirot suggested our stepping
round to pay an after;dinner .a on )y so;.aed .ousin/
The Pengeeys" house stood a itte +ay 'a.1 fro) the road +ith an
od;fashioned .ottage garden in front/ The s)e of sto.1s and
)ignonette .a)e s+eety +afted on the evening 'ree?e/ It see)ed
i)possi'e to asso.iate thoughts of vioen.e +ith this <d Word
.har)/ Poirot rang and 1no.1ed/ As the su))ons +as not
ans+ered> he rang again/ This ti)e> after a itte pause> the door
+as opened 'y a disheveed;oo1ing servant/ !er eyes +ere red>
and she +as sniffing vioenty/
"We +ish to see Mrs Pengeey>" eBpained Poirot/ "May +e enterA"
The )aid stared/ Then> +ith unusua dire.tness> she ans+eredH
"!aven"t you heard> thenA She"s dead/ $ied this evening ; a'out haf
an hour ago/"
We stood staring at her> stunned/
"What did she die ofA" I as1ed at ast/
"There"s so)e as .oud te/" She gave a 8ui.1 gan.e over her
shouder/ "If it +asn"t that so)e'ody ought to 'e in the house +ith
the )issus> I"d pa.1 )y 'oB and go tonight/ %ut I" not eave her
dead +ith no one to +at.h 'y her/ It"s not )y pa.e to say anything>
and I") not going to say anything ; 'ut every'ody 1no+s/ It"s a
over the to+n/ And if Mr &adnor don"t +rite to the "<)e Se.retary>
so)eone ese +i/ The do.tor )ay say +hat he i1es/ $idn"t I see
the )aster +ith )y o+n eyes a;ifting do+n of the +eed;1ier fro)
the shef this very eveningA And didn"t he Du)p +hen he turned
round and sa+ )e +at.hing of hi)A And the )issus" grue there on
the ta'e> a ready to ta1e to herA 0ot another 'it of food passes )y
ips +hie I a) in this houseG 0ot if I dies for it/"
"Where does the do.tor ive +ho attended your )istressA"
"$r Ada)s/ &ound the .orner there in !igh Street/ The se.ond
house/"
Poirot turned a+ay a'rupty/ !e +as very pae/
"For a gir +ho +as not going to say anything> that gir said a ot>" I
re)ar1ed dryy/
Poirot stru.1 his .en.hed hand into his pa)/
"An i)'e.ie> a .ri)ina i)'e.ie> that is +hat I have 'een> !astings/
I have 'oasted of )y itte grey .es> and no+ I have ost a hu)an
ife> a ife that .a)e to )e to 'e saved/ 0ever did I drea) that
anything +oud happen so soon/ May the good ,od forgive )e> 'ut I
never 'eieved anything +oud happen at a/ !er story see)ed to
)e artifi.ia/ !ere +e are at the do.tor"s/ #et us see +hat he .an
te us/"
$r Ada)s +as the typi.a genia red;fa.ed .ountry do.tor of fi.tion/
!e re.eived us poitey enough> 'ut at a hint of our errand> his red
fa.e 'e.a)e purpe/
"$a)ned nonsenseG $a)ned nonsense> every +ord of itG Wasn"t I in
attendan.e on the .aseA ,astritis ; gastritis pure and si)pe/ This
to+n"s a hot'ed of gossip ; a ot of s.anda;)ongering od +o)en
get together and invent ,od 1no+s +hat/ They read these
s.urrious rags of ne+spapers> and nothing +i suit the) 'ut that
so)eone in their to+n sha get poisoned too/ They see a 'otte of
+eed;1ier on a shef ; and hey prestoG ; a+ay goes their
i)agination +ith the 'it 'et+een its teeth/ I 1no+ (d+ard Pengeey
; he +oudn"t poison his grand)other"s dog/ And +hy shoud he
poison his +ifeA Te )e thatA"
"There is one thing> M/ e $o.teur> that perhaps you do not 1no+/"
And> very 'riefy> Poirot outined the )ain fa.ts of Mrs Pengeey"s
visit to hi)/ 0o one .oud have 'een )ore astonished than $r
Ada)s/ !is eyes a)ost started out of his head/
",od 'ess )y souG" he eDa.uated/ "The poor +o)an )ust have
'een )ad/ Why didn"t she spea1 to )eA That +as the proper thing
to do/"
"And have her fears ridi.uedA"
"0ot at a> not at a/ I hope I"ve got an open )ind/"
Poirot oo1ed at hi) and s)ied/ The physi.ian +as evidenty )ore
pertur'ed than he .ared to ad)it/ As +e eft the house> Poirot
'ro1e into a augh/
"!e is as o'stinate as a pig> that one/ !e has said it is gastritisI
therefore it is gastritisG A the sa)e> he has the )ind uneasy/"
"What"s our neBt stepA"
"A return to the inn> and a night of horror upon one of your (ngish
provin.ia 'eds> )on a)i/ It is a thing to )a1e pity> the .heap
(ngish 'edG"
"And to)orro+A"
"&ien P faire/ We )ust return to to+n and a+ait deveop)ents/"
"That"s very ta)e>" I said> disappointed/ "Suppose there are noneA"
"There +i 'eG I .an pro)ise you that/ <ur od do.tor )ay give as
)any .ertifi.ates as he peases/ !e .annot stop severa hundred
tongues fro) +agging/ And they +i +ag to so)e purpose> I .an
te you that/"
<ur train for to+n eft at eeven the foo+ing )orning/ %efore +e
started for the station> Poirot eBpressed a +ish to see Miss Freda
Stanton> the nie.e )entioned to us 'y the dead +o)an/ We found
the house +here she +as odging easiy enough/ With her +as a ta>
dar1 young )an +ho) she introdu.ed in so)e .onfusion as Mr
*a.o' &adnor/
Miss Freda Stanton +as an eBtre)ey pretty gir of the Cornish type
; dar1 hair and eyes and rosy .hee1s/ There +as a fash in those
sa)e dar1 eyes +hi.h tod of a te)per that it +oud not 'e +ise to
provo1e/
"Poor Auntie>" she said> +hen Poirot had introdu.ed hi)sef> and
eBpained his 'usiness/ "It"s terri'y sad/ I"ve 'een +ishing a the
)orning that I"d 'een 1inder and )ore patient/"
"@ou stood a great dea> Freda>" interrupted &adnor/
"@es> *a.o'> 'ut I"ve got a sharp te)per> I 1no+/ After a> it +as
ony siiness on Auntie"s part/ I ought to have Dust aughed and not
)inded/ <f .ourse> it"s a nonsense her thin1ing that 2n.e +as
poisoning her/ She +as +orse after any food he gave her ; 'ut I")
sure it +as ony fro) thin1ing a'out it/ She )ade up her )ind she
+oud 'e> and then she +as/"
"What +as the a.tua .ause of your disagree)ent> )ade)oiseeA"
Miss Stanton hesitated> oo1ing at &adnor/ That young gente)an
+as 8ui.1 to ta1e the hint/
"I )ust 'e getting aong> Freda/ See you this evening/ ,ood'ye>
gente)enI you"re on your +ay to the station> I supposeA"
Poirot repied that +e +ere> and &adnor departed/
"@ou are affian.ed> is it not soA" de)anded Poirot> +ith a sy s)ie/
Freda Stanton 'ushed and ad)itted that su.h +as the .ase/
"And that +as reay the +hoe trou'e +ith Auntie>" she added/
"She did not approve of the )at.h for youA"
"<h> it +asn"t that so )u.h/ %ut you see> she ;" The gir .a)e to a
stop/
"@esA" en.ouraged Poirot genty/
"It see)s rather a horrid thing to say a'out her ; no+ she"s dead/
%ut you" never understand uness I te you/ Auntie +as a'soutey
infatuated +ith *a.o'/"
"IndeedA"
"@es> +asn"t it a'surdA She +as over fifty> and he"s not 8uite thirtyG
%ut there it +as/ She +as siy a'out hi)G I had to te her at ast that
it +as )e he +as after ; and she .arried on dreadfuy/ She +oudn"t
'eieve a +ord of it> and +as so rude and insuting that it"s no
+onder I ost )y te)per/ I ta1ed it over +ith *a.o'> and +e agreed
that the 'est thing to do +as for )e to .ear out for a 'it ti she
.a)e to her senses/ Poor Auntie ; I suppose she +as in a 8ueer
state atogether/"
"It +oud .ertainy see) so/ Than1 you> )ade)oisee> for )a1ing
things so .ear to )e/"
A itte to )y surprise> &adnor +as +aiting for us in the street
'eo+/
"I .an guess pretty +e +hat Freda has 'een teing you>" he
re)ar1ed/ "It +as a )ost unfortunate thing to happen> and very
a+1+ard for )e> as you .an i)agine/ I need hardy say that it +as
none of )y doing/ I +as peased at first> 'e.ause I i)agined the od
+o)an +as heping on things +ith Freda/ The +hoe thing +as
a'surd ; 'ut eBtre)ey unpeasant/"
"When are you and Miss Stanton going to 'e )arriedA"
"Soon> I hope/ 0o+> M/ Poirot> I") going to 'e .andid +ith you/ I
1no+ a 'it )ore than Freda does/ She 'eieves her un.e to 'e
inno.ent/ I") not so sure/ %ut I .an te you one thingH I") going to
1eep )y )outh shut a'out +hat I do 1no+/ #et seeping dogs ie/ I
don"t +ant )y +ife"s un.e tried and hanged for )urder/"
"Why do you te )e a thisA"
"%e.ause I"ve heard of you> and I 1no+ you"re a .ever )an/ It"s
8uite possi'e that you )ight ferret out a .ase against hi)/ %ut I put
it to you ; +hat good is thatA The poor +o)an is past hep> and
she"d have 'een the ast person to +ant a s.anda ; +hy> she"d turn
in her grave at the )ere thought of it/"
"@ou are pro'a'y right there/ @ou +ant )e to ; hush it up> thenA"
"That"s )y idea/ I" ad)it fran1y that I") sefish a'out it/ I"ve got )y
+ay to )a1e ; and I") 'uiding up a good itte 'usiness as a taior
and outfitter/"
"Most of us are sefish> Mr &adnor/ 0ot a of us ad)it it so freey/ I
+i do +hat you as1 ; 'ut I te you fran1y you +i not su..eed in
hushing it up/"
"Why notA"
Poirot hed up a finger/ It +as )ar1et day> and +e +ere passing the
)ar1et ; a 'usy hu) .a)e fro) +ithin/
"The voi.e of the peope ; that is +hy> Mr &adnor/ Ah> +e )ust run>
or +e sha )iss our train/"
"7ery interesting> is it not> !astingsA" said Poirot> as the train
stea)ed out of the station/
!e had ta1en out a s)a .o)' fro) his po.1et> aso a )i.ros.opi.
)irror> and +as .arefuy arranging his )ousta.he> the sy))etry
of +hi.h had 'e.o)e sighty i)paired during our 'ris1 run/
"@ou see) to find it so>" I repied/ "To )e> it is a rather sordid and
unpeasant/ There"s hardy any )ystery a'out it/"
"I agree +ith youI there is no )ystery +hatever/"
"I suppose +e .an a..ept the gir"s rather eBtraordinary story of her
aunt"s infatuationA That see)ed the ony fishy part to )e/ She +as
su.h a ni.e> respe.ta'e +o)an/"
"There is nothing eBtraordinary a'out that ; it is .o)petey
ordinary/ If you read the papers .arefuy> you +i find that often a
ni.e respe.ta'e +o)an of that age eaves a hus'and she has ived
+ith for t+enty years> and so)eti)es a +hoe fa)iy of .hidren as
+e> in order to in1 her ife +ith that of a young )an .onsidera'y
her Dunior/ @ou ad)ire es fe))es> !astingsI you prostrate yoursef
'efore a of the) +ho are good;oo1ing and have the good taste to
s)ie upon youI 'ut psy.hoogi.ay you 1no+ nothing +hatever
a'out the)/ In the autu)n of a +o)an"s ife> there .o)es a+ays
one )ad )o)ent +hen she ongs for ro)an.e> for adventure ;
'efore it is too ate/ It .o)es none the ess surey to a +o)an
'e.ause she is the +ife of a respe.ta'e dentist in a .ountry to+nA/"
"And you thin1 ;"
"That a .ever )an )ight ta1e advantage of su.h a )o)ent/"
"I shoudn"t .a Pengeey so .ever>" I )used/ "!e"s got the +hoe
to+n 'y the ears/ And yet I suppose you"re right/ The ony t+o )en
+ho 1no+ anything> &adnor and the do.tor> 'oth +ant to hush it up/
!e"s )anaged that so)eho+/ I +ish +e"d seen the feo+/"
"@ou .an induge your +ish/ &eturn 'y the neBt train and invent an
a.hing )oar/"
I oo1ed at hi) 1eeny/
"I +ish I 1ne+ +hat you .onsidered so interesting a'out the .ase/"
"My interest is very apty su))ed up 'y a re)ar1 of yours>
!astings/ After intervie+ing the )aid> you o'served that for
so)eone +ho +as not going to say a +ord> she had said a good to
say/"
"AhG" I said dou'tfuyI then I harped 'a.1 to )y origina .riti.is)H "I
+onder +hy you )ade no atte)pt to see PengeeyA"
"Mon a)i> I give hi) Dust three )onths/ Then I sha see hi) for as
ong as I pease ; in the do.1/"
For on.e I thought Poirot"s prognosti.ations +ere going to 'e
proved +rong/ The ti)e +ent 'y> and nothing transpired as to our
Cornish .ase/ <ther )atters o..upied us> and I had neary
forgotten the Pengeey tragedy +hen it +as suddeny re.aed to
)e 'y a short paragraph in the paper +hi.h stated that an order to
eBhu)e the 'ody of Mrs Pengeey had 'een o'tained fro) the
!o)e Se.retary/
A fe+ days ater> and "The Cornish Mystery" +as the topi. of every
paper/ It see)ed that gossip had never entirey died do+n> and
+hen the engage)ent of the +ido+er to Miss Mar1s> his se.retary>
+as announ.ed> the tongues 'urst out again ouder than ever/
Finay a petition +as sent to the !o)e Se.retaryI the 'ody +as
eBhu)edI arge 8uantities of arseni. +ere dis.overedI and Mr
Pengeey +as arrested and .harged +ith the )urder of his +ife/
Poirot and I attended the prei)inary pro.eedings/ The eviden.e
+as )u.h as )ight have 'een eBpe.ted/ $r Ada)s ad)itted that
the sy)pto)s of arseni.a poisoning )ight easiy 'e )ista1en for
those of gastritis/ The !o)e <ffi.e eBpert gave his eviden.eI the
)aid *essie poured out a food of vou'e infor)ation> )ost of
+hi.h +as reDe.ted> 'ut +hi.h .ertainy strengthened the .ase
against the prisoner/ Freda Stanton gave eviden.e as to her aunt"s
'eing +orse +henever she ate food prepared 'y her hus'and/
*a.o' &adnor tod ho+ he had dropped in uneBpe.tedy on the day
of Mrs Pengeey"s death> and found Pengeey repa.ing the 'otte
of +eed;1ier on the pantry shef> Mrs Pengeey"s grue 'eing on
the ta'e .ose 'y/ Then Miss Mar1s> the fair;haired se.retary> +as
.aed> and +ept and +ent into hysteri.s and ad)itted that there
had 'een "passages" 'et+een her and her e)poyer> and that he
had pro)ised to )arry her in the event of anything happening to his
+ife/ Pengeey reserved his defen.e and +as sent for tria/
*a.o' &adnor +a1ed 'a.1 +ith us to our odgings/
"@ou see> M/ &adnor>" said Poirot> "I +as right/ The voi.e of the
peope spo1e ; and +ith no un.ertain voi.e/ There +as to 'e no
hushing up of this .ase/"
"@ou +ere 8uite right>" sighed &adnor/ "$o you see any .han.e of his
getting offA"
"We> he has reserved his defen.e/ !e )ay have so)ething up the
seeve> as you (ngish say/ Co)e in +ith us> +i you notA"
&adnor a..epted the invitation/ I ordered t+o +his1ies and sodas
and a .up of .ho.oate/ The ast order .aused .onsternation> and I
)u.h dou'ted +hether it +oud ever put in an appearan.e/
"<f .ourse>" .ontinued Poirot> "I have a good dea of eBperien.e in
)atters of this 1ind/ And I see ony one oophoe of es.ape for our
friend/"
"What is thatA"
"That you shoud sign this paper/"
With the suddenness of a .onDuror> he produ.ed a sheet of paper
.overed +ith +riting/
"What is itA"
"A .onfession that you )urdered Mrs Pengeey/"
There +as a )o)ent"s pauseI then &adnor aughed/
"@ou )ust 'e )adG"
"0o> no> )y friend> I a) not )ad/ @ou .a)e hereI you started a itte
'usinessI you +ere short of )oney/ Mr Pengeey +as a )an very
+e;to;do/ @ou )et his nie.eI she +as in.ined to s)ie upon you/
%ut the s)a ao+an.e that Pengeey )ight have given her upon
her )arriage +as not enough for you/ @ou )ust get rid of 'oth the
un.e and the auntI then the )oney +oud .o)e to her> sin.e she
+as the ony reative/ !o+ .every you set a'out itG @ou )ade ove
to that pain )idde;aged +o)an unti she +as your save/ @ou
i)panted in her dou'ts of her hus'and/ She dis.overed first that
he +as de.eiving her ; then> under your guidan.e> that he +as
trying to poison her/ @ou +ere often at the houseI you had
opportunities to introdu.e the arseni. into her food/ %ut you +ere
.arefu never to do so +hen her hus'and +as a+ay/ %eing a
+o)an> she did not 1eep her suspi.ions to hersef/ She ta1ed to
her nie.eI dou'tess she ta1ed to other +o)en friends/ @our ony
diffi.uty +as 1eeping up separate reations +ith the t+o +o)en>
and even that +as not so diffi.ut as it oo1ed/ @ou eBpained to the
aunt that> to aay the suspi.ions of her hus'and> you had to
pretend to pay .ourt to the nie.e/ And the younger ady needed
itte .onvin.ing ; she +oud never seriousy .onsider her aunt as a
riva/
"%ut then Mrs Pengeey )ade up her )ind> +ithout saying anything
to you> to .onsut )e/ If she .oud 'e reay assured> 'eyond any
possi'e dou't> that her hus'and +as trying to poison her> she
+oud fee Dustified in eaving hi)> and in1ing her ife +ith yours ;
+hi.h is +hat she i)agined you +anted her to do/ %ut that did not
suit your 'oo1 at a/ @ou did not +ant a dete.tive prying around/ A
favoura'e )inute o..urs/ @ou are in the house +hen Mr Pengeey
is getting so)e grue for his +ife> and you introdu.e the fata dose/
The rest is easy/ Apparenty anBious to hush )atters up> you
se.rety fo)ent the)/ %ut you re.1oned +ithout !er.ue Poirot> )y
inteigent young friend/"
&adnor +as deady pae> 'ut he sti endeavoured to .arry off
)atters +ith a high hand/
"7ery interesting and ingenious> 'ut +hy te )e a thisA"
"%e.ause> )onsieur> I represent ; not the a+> 'ut Mrs Pengeey/
For her sa1e> I give you a .han.e of es.ape/ Sign this paper> and
you sha have t+enty;four hours" start ; t+enty;four hours 'efore I
pa.e it in the hands of the poi.e/"
&adnor hesitated/
"@ou .an"t prove anything/"
"Can"t IA I a) !er.ue Poirot/ #oo1 out of the +indo+> )onsieur/
There are t+o )en in the street/ They have orders not to ose sight
of you/"
&adnor strode a.ross to the +indo+ and pued aside the 'ind>
then shran1 'a.1 +ith an oath/
"@ou see> )onsieurA Sign ; it is your 'est .han.e/"
"What guarantee have I ;"
"That I sha 1eep faithA The +ord of !er.ue Poirot/ @ou +i signA
,ood/ !astings> 'e so 1ind as to pu that eft;hand 'ind haf;+ay
up/ That is the signa that Mr &adnor )ay eave un)oested/"
White> )uttering oaths/ &adnor hurried fro) the roo)/ Poirot
nodded genty/
"A .o+ardG I a+ays 1ne+ it/"
"It see)s to )e> Poirot> that you"ve a.ted in a .ri)ina )anner>" I
.ried angriy/ "@ou a+ays prea.h against senti)ent/ And here you
are etting a dangerous .ri)ina es.ape out of sheer
senti)entaity/"
"That +as not senti)ent ; that +as 'usiness>" repied Poirot/ "$o you
not see> )y friend> that +e have no shado+ of proof against hi)A
Sha I get up and say to t+eve stoid Cornish)en that I> !er.ue
Poirot> 1no+A They +oud augh at )e/ The ony .han.e +as to
frighten hi) and get a .onfession that +ay/ Those t+o oafers that I
noti.ed outside .a)e in very usefu/ Pu do+n the 'ind again> +i
you> !astingsA 0ot that there +as any reason for raising it/ It +as
part of the )ise en s.= ne/
"We> +e> +e )ust 1eep our +ord/ T+enty;four hours> did I sayA
So )u.h onger for poor Mr Pengeey ; and it is not )ore than he
deservesI for )ar1 you> he de.eived his +ife/ I a) very strong on
the fa)iy ife> as you 1no+/ Ah> +e> t+enty;four hours ; and thenA I
have great faith in S.otand @ard/ They +i get hi)> )on a)iI they
+i get hi)/"
T!( A$7(0T2&( <F *<!00I( WA7(&#@
"@ou .an understand the feeings of a )other>" said Mrs Wavery for
perhaps the siBth ti)e/
She oo1ed appeaingy at Poirot/ My itte friend> a+ays
sy)patheti. to )otherhood in distress> gesti.uated reassuringy/
"%ut yes> 'ut yes> I .o)prehend perfe.ty/ !ave faith in Papa
Poirot/"
"The poi.e ;" 'egan Mr Wavery/
!is +ife +aved the interruption aside/ "I +on"t have anything )ore
to do +ith the poi.e/ We trusted to the) and oo1 +hat happenedG
%ut I"d heard so )u.h of M/ Poirot and the +onderfu things he"d
done> that I fet he )ight possi'y 'e a'e to hep us/ A )other"s
feeings ;"
Poirot hastiy ste))ed the reiteration +ith an eo8uent gesture/
Mrs Wavery"s e)otion +as o'viousy genuine> 'ut it assorted
strangey +ith her shre+d> rather hard type of .ountenan.e/ When I
heard ater that she +as the daughter of a pro)inent stee
)anufa.turer of %ir)ingha) +ho had +or1ed his +ay up in the
+ord fro) an offi.e 'oy to his present e)inen.e> I reai?ed that she
had inherited )any of the paterna 8uaities/
Mr Wavery +as a 'ig> forid> Dovia;oo1ing )an/ !e stood +ith his
egs stradded +ide apart and oo1ed the type of the .ountry s8uire/
"I suppose you 1no+ a a'out this 'usiness> M/ PoirotA"
The 8uestion +as a)ost superfuous/ For so)e days past the
paper had 'een fu of the sensationa 1idnapping of itte *ohnnie
Wavery> the three;year;od son and heir of Mar.us Wavery> (s8/>
of Wavery Court> Surrey> one of the odest fa)iies in (ngand/
"The )ain fa.ts I 1no+> of .ourse> 'ut re.ount to )e the +hoe
story> )onsieur> I 'eg of you/ And in detai if you pease/"
"We> I suppose the 'eginning of the +hoe thing +as a'out ten
days ago +hen I got an anony)ous etter ; 'easty things> any+ay ;
that I .oudn"t )a1e head or tai of/ The +riter had the i)puden.e to
de)and that I shoud pay hi) t+enty;five thousand pounds ;
t+enty;five thousand pounds> M/ PoirotG Faiing )y agree)ent> he
threatened to 1idnap *ohnnie/ <f .ourse I thre+ the thing into the
+astepaper 'as1et +ithout )ore ado/ Thought it +as so)e siy
Do1e/ Five days ater I got another etter/ J2ness you pay> your son
+i 'e 1idnapped on the t+enty;ninth/J That +as on the t+entyseventh/
Ada +as +orried> 'ut I .oudn"t 'ring )ysef to treat the
)atter seriousy/ $a)n it a> +e"re in (ngand/ 0o'ody goes a'out
1idnapping .hidren and hoding the) up to ranso)/"
"It is not a .o))on pra.ti.e> .ertainy>" said Poirot/ "Pro.eed>
)onsieur/"
"We> Ada gave )e no pea.e> so ; feeing a 'it of a foo ; I aid the
)atter 'efore S.otand @ard/ They didn"t see) to ta1e the thing
very seriousy ; in.ined to )y vie+ that it +as so)e siy Do1e/ <n
the t+enty;eighth I got a third etter/ J@ou have not paid/ @our son
+i 'e ta1en fro) you at t+eve o".o.1 noon to)orro+> the t+entyninth/
It +i .ost you fifty thousand pounds to re.over hi)/J 2p I
drove to S.otand @ard again/ This ti)e they +ere )ore i)pressed/
They in.ined to the vie+ that the etters +ere +ritten 'y a unati.>
and that in a pro'a'iity an atte)pt of so)e 1ind +oud 'e )ade at
the hour stated/ They assured )e that they +oud ta1e a due
pre.autions/ Inspe.tor M.0ei and a suffi.ient for.e +oud .o)e
do+n to Wavery on the )orro+ and ta1e .harge/
"I +ent ho)e )u.h reieved in )y )ind/ @et +e aready had the
feeing of 'eing in a state of siege/ I gave orders that no stranger
+as to 'e ad)itted> and that no one +as to eave the house/ The
evening passed off +ithout any unto+ard in.ident> 'ut on the
foo+ing )orning )y +ife +as seriousy un+e/ Aar)ed 'y her
.ondition> I sent for $o.tor $a1ers/ !er sy)pto)s appeared to
pu??e hi)/ Whie hesitating to suggest that she had 'een poisoned>
I .oud see that that +as +hat +as in his )ind/ There +as no
danger> he assured )e> 'ut it +oud 'e a day or t+o 'efore she
+oud 'e a'e to get a'out again/ &eturning to )y o+n roo)> I +as
started and a)a?ed to find a note pinned to )y pio+/ It +as in the
sa)e hand+riting as the others and .ontained Dust three +ordsH JAt
t+eve o".o.1J/
"I ad)it> M/ Poirot> that then I sa+ redG So)eone in the house +as in
this ; one of the servants/ I had the) a up> 'a.1guarded the)
right and eft/ They never spit on ea.h otherI it +as Miss Coins> )y
+ife"s .o)panion> +ho infor)ed )e that she had seen *ohnnie"s
nurse sip do+n the drive eary that )orning/ I taBed her +ith it> and
she 'ro1e do+n/ She had eft the .hid +ith the nursery )aid and
stoen out to )eet a friend of hers ; a )anG Pretty goings onG She
denied having pinned the note to )y pio+ ; she )ay have 'een
spea1ing the truth> I don"t 1no+/ I fet I .oudn"t ta1e the ris1 of the
.hid"s o+n nurse 'eing in the pot/ <ne of the servants +as
i)pi.ated ; of that I +as sure/ Finay I ost )y te)per and sa.1ed
the +hoe 'un.h> nurse and a/ I gave the) an hour to pa.1 their
'oBes and get out of the house/"
Mr Wavery"s red fa.e +as 8uite t+o shades redder as he
re)e)'ered his Dust +rath/
"Was not that a itte inDudi.ious> )onsieurA" suggested Poirot/ "For
a you 1no+> you )ight have 'een paying into the ene)y"s hands/"
Mr Wavery stared at hi)/ "I don"t see that/ Send the +hoe ot
pa.1ing> that +as )y idea/ I +ired to #ondon for a fresh ot to 'e
sent do+n that evening/ In the )eanti)e> there"d 'e ony peope I
.oud trust in the houseH )y +ife"s se.retary> Miss Coins> and
Tred+e> the 'uter> +ho has 'een +ith )e sin.e I +as a 'oy/"
"And this Miss Coins> ho+ ong has she 'een +ith youA"
"*ust a year>" said Mrs Wavery/ "She has 'een invaua'e to )e as a
se.retary;.o)panion> and is aso a very effi.ient house1eeper/"
"The nurseA"
"She has 'een +ith )e siB )onths/ She .a)e to )e +ith eB.eent
referen.es/ A the sa)e> I never reay i1ed her> athough *ohnnie
+as 8uite devoted to her/"
"Sti> I gather she had aready eft +hen the .atastrophe o..urred/
Perhaps> Monsieur Wavery> you +i 'e so 1ind as to .ontinue/"
Mr Wavery resu)ed his narrative/
"Inspe.tor M.0ei arrived a'out ten;thirty/ The servants had a eft
'y then/ !e de.ared hi)sef 8uite satisfied +ith the interna
arrange)ents/ !e had various )en posted in the par1 outside>
guarding a the approa.hes to the house> and he assured )e that if
the +hoe thing +ere not a hoaB> +e shoud undou'tedy .at.h )y
)ysterious .orrespondent/
"I had *ohnnie +ith )e> and he and I and the inspe.tor +ent
together into a roo) +e .a the .oun.i .ha)'er/ The inspe.tor
o.1ed the door/ There is a 'ig grandfather .o.1 there> and as the
hands dre+ near to t+eve I don"t )ind .onfessing that I +as as
nervous as a .at/ There +as a +hirring sound> and the .o.1 'egan
to stri1e/ I .ut.hed *ohnnie/ I had a feeing a )an )ight drop fro)
the s1ies/ The ast stro1e sounded> and as it did so> there +as a
great .o))otion outside ; shouting and running/ The inspe.tor
fung up the +indo+> and a .onsta'e .a)e running up/
"JWe"ve got hi)> sir>J he panted/ J!e +as snea1ing up through the
'ushes/ !e"s got a +hoe dope outfit on hi)/J
"We hurried out on the terra.e +here t+o .onsta'es +ere hoding
a ruffiany;oo1ing feo+ in sha''y .othes> +ho +as t+isting and
turning in a vain endeavour to es.ape/ <ne of the poi.e)en hed
out an unroed par.e +hi.h they had +rested fro) their .aptive/ It
.ontained a pad of .otton +oo and a 'otte of .horofor)/ It )ade
)y 'ood 'oi to see it/ There +as a note> too> addressed to )e/ I
tore it open/ It 'ore the foo+ing +ordsH J@ou shoud have paid up/
To ranso) your son +i no+ .ost you fifty thousand/ In spite of a
your pre.autions he has 'een a'du.ted at t+eve o".o.1 on the
t+enty;ninth as I said/J
"I gave a great augh> the augh of reief> 'ut as I did so I heard the
hu) of a )otor and a shout/ I turned )y head/ &a.ing do+n the
drive to+ards the south odge at a furious speed +as a o+> ong
grey .ar/ It +as the )an +ho drove it +ho had shouted> 'ut that
+as not +hat gave )e a sho.1 of horror/ It +as the sight of
*ohnnie"s faBen .urs/ The .hid +as in the .ar 'eside hi)/
"The inspe.tor ripped out an oath/ JThe .hid +as here not a )inute
ago>J he .ried/ !is eyes s+ept over us/ We +ere a thereH )ysef>
Tred+e> Miss Coins/ JWhen did you see hi) ast> Mr WaveryAJ
"I .ast )y )ind 'a.1> trying to re)e)'er/ When the .onsta'e had
.aed us> I had run out +ith the inspe.tor> forgetting a a'out
*ohnnie/
"And then there .a)e a sound that started us> the .hi)ing of a
.hur.h .o.1 fro) the viage/ With an eB.a)ation the inspe.tor
pued out his +at.h/ It +as eBa.ty t+eve o".o.1/ With one
.o))on a..ord +e ran to the .oun.i .ha)'erI the .o.1 there
)ar1ed the hour as ten )inutes past/ So)eone )ust have
dei'eratey ta)pered +ith it> for I have never 1no+n it gain or ose
'efore/ It is a perfe.t ti)e;1eeper/"
Mr Wavery paused/ Poirot s)ied to hi)sef and straightened a
itte )at +hi.h the anBious father had pushed as1e+/
"A peasing itte pro'e)> o's.ure and .har)ing>" )ur)ured
Poirot/ "I +i investigate it for you +ith peasure/ Truy it +as
panned P )erveie/"
Mrs Wavery oo1ed at hi) reproa.hfuy/ "%ut )y 'oy>" she +aied/
Poirot hastiy .o)posed his fa.e and oo1ed the pi.ture of earnest
sy)pathy again/ "!e is safe> )ada)e> he is unhar)ed/ &est
assured> these )is.reants +i ta1e the greatest .are of hi)/ Is he
not to the) the tur1ey ; no> the goose ; that ays the goden eggA"
"M/ Poirot> I") sure there"s ony one thing to 'e done ; pay up/ I +as
a against it at first ; 'ut no+G A )other"s feeings ;"
"%ut +e have interrupted )onsieur in his history>" .ried Poirot
hastiy/
"I eBpe.t you 1no+ the rest pretty +e fro) the papers>" said Mr
Wavery/ "<f .ourse> Inspe.tor M.0ei got on to the teephone
i))ediatey/ A des.ription of the .ar and the )an +as .ir.uated
a round> and it oo1ed at first as though everything +as going to
turn out a right/ A .ar> ans+ering to the des.ription> +ith a )an
and a s)a 'oy> had passed through various viages> apparenty
)a1ing for #ondon/ At one pa.e they had stopped> and it +as
noti.ed that the .hid +as .rying and o'viousy afraid of his
.o)panion/ When Inspe.tor M.0ei announ.ed that the .ar had
'een stopped and the )an and 'oy detained> I +as a)ost i +ith
reief/ @ou 1no+ the se8ue/ The 'oy +as not *ohnnie> and the )an
+as an ardent )otorist> fond of .hidren> +ho had pi.1ed up a s)a
.hid paying in the streets of (dens+e> a viage a'out fifteen
)ies fro) us> and +as 1indy giving hi) a ride/ Than1s to the
.o.1sure 'undering of the poi.e> a tra.es have disappeared/
!ad they not persistenty foo+ed the +rong .ar> they )ight 'y
no+ have found the 'oy/"
"Ca) yoursef> )onsieur/ The poi.e are a 'rave and inteigent
for.e of )en/ Their )ista1e +as a very natura one/ And atogether
it +as a .ever s.he)e/ As to the )an they .aught in the grounds> I
understand that his defen.e has .onsisted a aong of a persistent
denia/ !e de.ares that the note and par.e +ere given to hi) to
deiver at Wavery Court/ The )an +ho gave the) to hi) handed
hi) a ten;shiing note and pro)ised hi) another if it +ere
deivered at eBa.ty ten )inutes to t+eve/ !e +as to approa.h the
house through the grounds and 1no.1 at the side door/"
"I don"t 'eieve a +ord of it>" de.ared Mrs Wavery hoty/ "It"s a a
par.e of ies/"
"(n verit= > it is a thin story>" said Poirot refe.tivey/ "%ut so far they
have not sha1en it/ I understand> aso> that he )ade a .ertain
a..usationA"
!is gan.e interrogated Mr Wavery/ The atter got rather red again/
"The feo+ had the i)pertinen.e to pretend that he re.ogni?ed in
Tred+e the )an +ho gave hi) the par.e/ J<ny the 'o1e has
shaved off his )ousta.he/J Tred+e> +ho +as 'orn on the estateG"
Poirot s)ied a itte at the .ountry gente)an"s indignation/
"@et you yoursef suspe.t an in)ate of the house to have 'een
a..essory to the a'du.tion/"
"@es> 'ut not Tred+e/"
"And you> )ada)eA" as1ed Poirot> suddeny turning to her/
"It .oud not have 'een Tred+e +ho gave this tra)p the etter and
par.e ; if any'ody ever did> +hi.h I don"t 'eieve/ It +as given hi)
at ten o".o.1> he says/ At ten o".o.1 Tred+e +as +ith )y
hus'and in the s)o1ing;roo)/"
"Were you a'e to see the fa.e of the )an in the .ar> )onsieurA $id
it rese)'e that of Tred+e in any +ayA"
"It +as too far a+ay for )e to see his fa.e/"
"!as Tred+e a 'rother> do you 1no+A"
"!e had severa> 'ut they are a dead/ The ast one +as 1ied in the
+ar/"
"I a) not yet .ear as to the grounds of Wavery Court/ The .ar +as
heading for the south odge/ Is there another entran.eA"
"@es> +hat +e .a the east odge/ It .an 'e seen fro) the other side
of the house/"
"It see)s to )e strange that no'ody sa+ the .ar entering the
grounds/"
"There is a right of +ay through> and a..ess to a s)a .hape/ A
good )any .ars pass through/ The )an )ust have stopped the .ar
in a .onvenient pa.e and run up to the house Dust as the aar) +as
given and attention attra.ted ese+here/"
"2ness he +as aready inside the house>" )used Poirot/ "Is there
any pa.e +here he .oud have hiddenA"
"We> +e .ertainy didn"t )a1e a thorough sear.h of the house
'eforehand/ There see)ed no need/ I suppose he )ight have
hidden hi)sef so)e+here> 'ut +ho +oud have et hi) inA"
"We sha .o)e to that ater/ <ne thing at a ti)e ; et us 'e
)ethodi.a/ There is no spe.ia hiding;pa.e in the houseA Wavery
Court is an od pa.e> and there are so)eti)es Jpriests" hoesJ> as
they .a the)/"
"%y gad> there"s a priest"s hoe/ It opens fro) one of the panes in
the ha/"
"0ear the .oun.i .ha)'erA"
"*ust outside the door/"
"7oiPG"
"%ut no'ody 1no+s of its eBisten.e eB.ept )y +ife and )ysef/"
"Tred+eA"
"We ; he )ight have heard of it/"
"Miss CoinsA"
"I have never )entioned it to her/"
Poirot refe.ted for a )inute/
"We> )onsieur> the neBt thing is for )e to .o)e do+n to Wavery
Court/ If I arrive this afternoon> +i it suit youA"
"<h> as soon as possi'e> pease> Monsieur PoirotG" .ried Mrs
Wavery/ "&ead this on.e )ore/"
She thrust into his hands the ast )issive fro) the ene)y +hi.h had
rea.hed the Waverys that )orning and +hi.h had sent her posthaste
to Poirot/ It gave .ever and eBpi.it dire.tions for the paying
over of the )oney> and ended +ith a threat that the 'oy"s ife +oud
pay for any trea.hery/ It +as .ear that a ove of )oney +arred +ith
the essentia )other ove of Mrs Wavery> and that the atter +as at
ast gaining the day/
Poirot detained Mrs Wavery for a )inute 'ehind her hus'and/
"Mada)e> the truth> if you pease/ $o you share your hus'and"s faith
in the 'uter> Tred+eA"
"I have nothing against hi)> Monsieur Poirot> I .annot see ho+ he
.an have 'een .on.erned in this> 'ut ; +e> I have never i1ed hi) ;
never/"
"<ne other thing> )ada)e> .an you give )e the address of the
.hid"s nurseA"
"149 0ethera &oad> !a))ers)ith/ @ou don"t i)agine ;"
"0ever do I i)agine/ <ny ; I e)poy the itte grey .es/ And
so)eti)es> Dust so)eti)es> I have a itte idea/"
Poirot .a)e 'a.1 to )e as the door .osed/
"So )ada)e has never i1ed the 'uter/ It is interesting> that> eh>
!astingsA"
I refused to 'e dra+n/ Poirot has de.eived )e so often that I no+
go +ariy/ There is a+ays a .at.h so)e+here/
After .o)peting an ea'orate outdoor toiet> +e set off for
0ethera &oad/ We +ere fortunate enough to find Miss *essie
Withers at ho)e/ She +as a peasant;fa.ed +o)an of thirty;five>
.apa'e and superior/ I .oud not 'eieve that she .oud 'e )iBed
up in the affair/ She +as 'ittery resentfu of the +ay she had 'een
dis)issed> 'ut ad)itted that she had 'een in the +rong/ She +as
engaged to 'e )arried to a painter and de.orator +ho happened to
'e in the neigh'ourhood> and she had run out to )eet hi)/ The
thing see)ed natura enough/ I .oud not 8uite understand Poirot/
A his 8uestions see)ed to )e 8uite irreevant/ They +ere
.on.erned )ainy +ith the daiy routine of her ife at Wavery Court/
I +as fran1y 'ored and gad +hen Poirot too1 his departure/
"-idnapping is an easy Do'> )on a)i>" he o'served> as he haied a
taBi in the !a))ers)ith &oad and ordered it to drive to Wateroo/
"That .hid .oud have 'een a'du.ted +ith the greatest ease any
day for the ast three years/"
"I don"t see that that advan.es us )u.h>" I re)ar1ed .ody/
"Au .ontraire> it advan.es us enor)ousy> 'ut enor)ousyG If you
)ust +ear a tie pin> !astings> at east et it 'e in the eBa.t .entre of
your tie/ At present it is at east a siBteenth of an in.h too )u.h to
the right/"
Wavery Court +as a fine od pa.e and had re.enty 'een restored
+ith taste and .are/ Mr Wavery sho+ed us the .oun.i .ha)'er>
the terra.e> and a the various spots .onne.ted +ith the .ase/
Finay> at Poirot"s re8uest> he pressed a spring in the +a> a pane
sid aside> and a short passage ed us into the priest"s hoe/
"@ou see>" said Wavery/ "There is nothing here/"
The tiny roo) +as 'are enough> there +as not even the )ar1 of a
footstep on the foor/ I Doined Poirot +here he +as 'ending
attentivey over a )ar1 in the .orner/
"What do you )a1e of this> )y friendA"
There +ere four i)prints .ose together/
"A dog>" I .ried/
"A very s)a dog> !astings/"
"A Po)/"
"S)aer than a Po)/"
"A griffonA" I suggested dou'tfuy/
"S)aer even than a griffon/ A spe.ies un1no+n to the -enne
Cu'/"
I oo1ed at hi)/ !is fa.e +as aight +ith eB.ite)ent and
satisfa.tion/
"I +as right>" he )ur)ured/ "I 1ne+ I +as right/ Co)e> !astings/"
As +e stepped out into the ha and the pane .osed 'ehind us> a
young ady .a)e out of a door farther do+n the passage/ Mr
Wavery presented her to us/
"Miss Coins/"
Miss Coins +as a'out thirty years of age> 'ris1 and aert in
)anner/ She had fair> rather du hair> and +ore pin.e;ne?/
At Poirot"s re8uest> +e passed into a s)a )orning;roo)> and he
8uestioned her .osey as to the servants and parti.uary as to
Tred+e/ She ad)itted that she did not i1e the 'uter/
"!e gives hi)sef airs>" she eBpained/
They then +ent into the 8uestion of the food eaten 'y Mrs Wavery
on the night of the 2Oth/ Miss Coins de.ared that she had
parta1en of the sa)e dishes upstairs in her sitting;roo) and had
fet no i effe.ts/ As she +as departing I nudged Poirot/
"The dog>" I +hispered/
"Ah> yes> the dogG" !e s)ied 'roady/ "Is there a dog 1ept here 'y
any .han.e> )ade)oiseeA"
"There are t+o retrievers in the 1ennes outside/"
"0o> I )ean a s)a dog> a toy dog/"
"0o ; nothing of the 1ind/"
Poirot per)itted her to depart/ Then> pressing the 'e> he
re)ar1ed to )e>
"She ies> that Made)oisee Coins/ Possi'y I shoud> aso> in her
pa.e/ 0o+ for the 'uter/"
Tred+e +as a dignified individua/ !e tod his story +ith perfe.t
apo)'> and it +as essentiay the sa)e as that of Mr Wavery/ !e
ad)itted that he 1ne+ the se.ret of the priest"s hoe/ When he
finay +ithdre+> pontifi.a to the ast> I )et Poirot"s 8ui??i.a eyes/
"What do you )a1e of it a> !astingsA"
"What do youA" I parried/
"!o+ .autious you 'e.o)e/ 0ever> never +i the grey .es fun.tion
uness you sti)uate the)/ Ah> 'ut I +i not tease youG #et us )a1e
our dedu.tions together/ What points stri1e us spe.iay as 'eing
diffi.utA"
"There is one thing that stri1es )e>" I said/ "Why did the )an +ho
1idnapped the .hid go out 'y the south odge instead of 'y the east
odge +here no one +oud see hi)A"
"That is a very good point> !astings> an eB.eent one/ I +i )at.h it
+ith another/ Why +arn the Waverys 'eforehandA Why not si)py
1idnap the .hid and hod hi) to ranso)A"
"%e.ause they hoped to get the )oney +ithout 'eing for.ed to
a.tion/"
"Surey it +as very uni1ey that the )oney +oud 'e paid on a )ere
threatA"
"Aso they +anted to fo.us attention on t+eve o".o.1> so that +hen
the tra)p )an +as sei?ed> the other .oud e)erge fro) his hidingpa.e
and get a+ay +ith the .hid unnoti.ed/"
"That does not ater the fa.t that they +ere )a1ing a thing diffi.ut
that +as perfe.ty easy/ If they do not spe.ify a ti)e or date>
nothing +oud 'e easier than to +ait their .han.e> and .arry off the
.hid in a )otor one day +hen he is out +ith his nurse/"
"@e;es>" I ad)itted dou'tfuy/
"In fa.t> there is a dei'erate paying of the far.eG 0o+ et us
approa.h the 8uestion fro) another side/ (verything goes to sho+
that there +as an a..o)pi.e inside the house/ Point nu)'er one>
the )ysterious poisoning of Mrs Wavery/ Point nu)'er t+o> the
etter pinned to the pio+/ Point nu)'er three> the putting on of the
.o.1 ten )inutes ; a inside Do's/ And an additiona fa.t that you
)ay not have noti.ed/ There +as no dust in the priest"s hoe/ It had
'een s+ept out +ith a 'roo)/
"0o+ then> +e have four peope in the house/ We .an eB.ude the
nurse> sin.e she .oud not have s+ept out the priest"s hoe> though
she .oud have attended to the other three points/ Four peope> Mr
and Mrs Wavery> Tred+e> the 'uter> and Miss Coins/ We +i
ta1e Miss Coins first/ We have nothing )u.h against her> eB.ept
that +e 1no+ very itte a'out her> that she is o'viousy an
inteigent young +o)an> and that she has ony 'een here a year/"
"She ied a'out the dog> you said>" I re)inded hi)/
"Ah> yes> the dog/" Poirot gave a pe.uiar s)ie/ "0o+ et us pass to
Tred+e/ There are severa suspi.ious fa.ts against hi)/ For one
thing> the tra)p de.ares that it +as Tred+e +ho gave hi) the
par.e in the viage/"
"%ut Tred+e .an prove an ai'i on that point/"
"(ven then> he .oud have poisoned Mrs Wavery> pinned the note to
the pio+> put on the .o.1> and s+ept out the priest"s hoe/ <n the
other hand> he has 'een 'orn and 'red in the servi.e of the
Waverys/ It see)s uni1ey in the ast degree that he shoud
.onnive at the a'du.tion of the son of the house/ It is not in the
pi.tureG"
"We> thenA"
"We )ust pro.eed ogi.ay ; ho+ever a'surd it )ay see)/ We +i
'riefy .onsider Mrs Wavery/ %ut she is ri.h> the )oney is hers/ It is
her )oney +hi.h has restored this i)poverished estate/ There
+oud 'e no reason for her to 1idnap her son and pay over her
)oney to hersef/ !er hus'and> no+> is in a different position/ !e
has a ri.h +ife/ It is not the sa)e thing as 'eing ri.h hi)sef ; in fa.t
I have a itte idea that the ady is not very fond of parting +ith her
)oney> eB.ept on a very good preteBt/ %ut Mr Wavery> you .an see
at on.e> he is 'on viveur/"
"I)possi'e>" I sputtered/
"0ot at a/ Who sends a+ay the servantsA Mr Wavery/ !e .an +rite
the notes> drug his +ife> put on the hands of the .o.1> and
esta'ish an eB.eent ai'i for his faithfu retainer Tred+e/
Tred+e has never i1ed Mrs Wavery/ !e is devoted to his )aster
and is +iing to o'ey his orders i)pi.ity/ There +ere three of the)
in it/ Wavery> Tred+e> and so)e friend of Wavery/ That is the
)ista1e the poi.e )ade> they )ade no further in8uiries a'out the
)an +ho drove the grey .ar +ith the +rong .hid in it/ !e +as the
third )an/ !e pi.1s up a .hid in a viage near 'y> a 'oy +ith faBen
.urs/ !e drives in through the east odge and passes out through
the south odge Dust at the right )o)ent> +aving his hand and
shouting/ They .annot see his fa.e or the nu)'er of the .ar> so
o'viousy they .annot see the .hid"s fa.e> either/ Then he ays a
fase trai to #ondon/ In the )eanti)e> Tred+e has done his part in
arranging for the par.e and note to 'e deivered 'y a roughoo1ing
gente)an/ !is )aster .an provide an ai'i in the uni1ey
.ase of the )an re.ogni?ing hi)> in spite of the fase )ousta.he he
+ore/ As for Mr Wavery> as soon as the hua'aoo o..urs outside>
and the inspe.tor rushes out> he 8ui.1y hides the .hid in the
priest"s hoe> and foo+s hi) out/ #ater in the day> +hen the
inspe.tor is gone and Miss Coins is out of the +ay> it +i 'e easy
enough to drive hi) off to so)e safe pa.e in his o+n .ar/"
"%ut +hat a'out the dogA" I as1ed/ "And Miss Coins yingA"
"That +as )y itte Do1e/ I as1ed her if there +ere any toy dog in the
house> and she said no ; 'ut dou'tess there are so)e ; in the
nurseryG @ou see> Mr Wavery pa.ed so)e toys in the priest"s hoe
to 1eep *ohnnie a)used and 8uiet/"
"M/ Poirot ;" Mr Wavery entered the roo) ; "have you dis.overed
anythingA !ave you any .ue to +here the 'oy has 'een ta1enA"
Poirot handed hi) a pie.e of paper/ "!ere is the address/"
"%ut this is a 'an1 sheet/"
"%e.ause I a) +aiting for you to +rite it do+n for )e/"
"What the ;" Mr Wavery"s fa.e turned purpe/
"I 1no+ everything> )onsieur/ I give you t+enty;four hours to return
the 'oy/ @our ingenuity +i 'e e8ua to the tas1 of eBpaining his
reappearan.e/ <ther+ise> Mrs Wavery +i 'e infor)ed of the
eBa.t se8uen.e of events/"
Mr Wavery san1 do+n in a .hair and 'uried his fa.e in his hands/
"!e is +ith )y od nurse> ten )ies a+ay/ !e is happy and +e .ared
for/"
"I have no dou't of that/ If I did not 'eieve you to 'e a good father at
heart> I shoud not 'e +iing to give you another .han.e/"
"The s.anda ;"
"(Ba.ty/ @our na)e is an od and honoured one/ $o not Deopardi?e
it again/ ,ood evening> Mr Wavery/ Ah> 'y the +ay> one +ord of
advi.e/ A+ays s+eep in the .ornersG"
T!( $<2%#( C#2(
"%ut a'ove everything ; no pu'i.ity>" said Mr Mar.us !ard)an for
perhaps the fourteenth ti)e/
The +ord pu'i.ity o..urred throughout his .onversation +ith the
reguarity of a eit)otif/ Mr !ard)an +as a s)a )an> dei.atey
pu)p> +ith eB8uisitey )ani.ured hands and a paintive tenor
voi.e/ In his +ay> he +as so)e+hat of a .ee'rity and the
fashiona'e ife +as his profession/ !e +as ri.h> 'ut not re)ar1a'y
so> and he spent his )oney ?eaousy in the pursuit of so.ia
peasure/ !is ho''y +as .oe.ting/ !e had the .oe.tor"s sou/ <d
a.e> od fans> anti8ue De+eery ; nothing .rude or )odern for
Mar.us !ard)an/
Poirot and I> o'eying an urgent su))ons> had arrived to find the
itte )an +rithing in an agony of inde.ision/ 2nder the
.ir.u)stan.es> to .a in the poi.e +as a'horrent to hi)/ <n the
other hand> not to .a the) in +as to a.8uies.e in the oss of so)e
of the ge)s of his .oe.tion/ !e hit upon Poirot as a .o)pro)ise/
"My ru'ies> Monsieur Poirot> and the e)erad ne.1a.e ; said to
have 'eonged to Catherine de Medi.i/ <h> the e)erad ne.1a.e/"
"If you +i re.ount to )e the .ir.u)stan.es of their
disappearan.eA" suggested Poirot genty/
"I a) endeavouring to do so/ @esterday afternoon I had a itte tea
party ; 8uite an infor)a affair> so)e haf a do?en peope or so/ I
have given one or t+o of the) during the season> and though
perhaps I shoud not say so> they have 'een 8uite a su..ess/ So)e
good )usi. ; 0a.ora> the pianist> and -atherine %ird> the Austraian
.ontrato ; in the 'ig studio/ We> eary in the afternoon> I +as
sho+ing )y guests )y .oe.tion of )edieva De+es/ I 1eep the) in
the s)a +a safe over there/ It is arranged i1e a .a'inet inside>
+ith .ooured vevet 'a.1ground> to dispay the stone/ After+ards
+e inspe.ted the fans ; in that .ase on the +a/ Then +e a +ent to
the studio for )usi./ It +as not unti after everyone had gone that I
dis.overed the safe rifedG I )ust have faied to shut it propery> and
so)eone had sei?ed the opportunity to denude it of its .ontents/
The ru'ies> Monsieur Poirot> the e)erad ne.1a.e ; the .oe.tion
of a ifeti)eG What +oud I not give to re.over the)G %ut there )ust
'e no pu'i.ityG @ou fuy understand that> do you not> Monsieur
PoirotA My o+n guests> )y persona friendsG It +oud 'e a horri'e
s.andaG"
"Who +as the ast person to eave this roo) +hen you +ent to the
studioA"
"Mr *ohnston/ @ou )ay 1no+ hi)A The South Afri.an )iionaire/ !e
has Dust rented the A''ot'urys" house in Par1 #ane/ !e ingered
'ehind a fe+ )o)ents> I re)e)'er/ %ut surey> oh> surey it .oud
not 'e heG"
"$id any of your guests return to this roo) during the afternoon on
any preteBtA"
"I +as prepared for that 8uestion> Monsieur Poirot/ Three of the)
did so/ Countess 7era &ossa1off> Mr %ernard Par1er> and #ady
&un.orn/"
"#et us hear a'out the)/"
"The Countess &ossa1off is a very .har)ing &ussian ady> a
)e)'er of the od r= gi)e/ She has re.enty .o)e to this .ountry/
She had 'ade )e good'ye> and I +as therefore so)e+hat
surprised to find her in this roo) apparenty ga?ing in rapture at )y
.a'inet of fans/ @ou 1no+> Monsieur Poirot> the )ore I thin1 of it>
the )ore suspi.ious it see)s to )e/ $on"t you agreeA"
"(Btre)ey suspi.iousI 'ut et us hear a'out the others/"
"We> Par1er si)py .a)e here to fet.h a .ase of )iniatures that I
+as anBious to sho+ to #ady &un.orn/"
"And #ady &un.orn hersefA"
"As I dare say you 1no+> #ady &un.orn is a )idde;aged +o)an of
.onsidera'e for.e of .hara.ter +ho devotes )ost of her ti)e to
various .harita'e .o))ittees/ She si)py returned to fet.h a
hand'ag she had aid do+n so)e+here/"
"%ien> )onsieur/ So +e have four possi'e suspe.ts/ The &ussian
.ountess> the (ngish grande da)e> the South Afri.an )iionaire>
and Mr %ernard Par1er/ Who is Mr Par1er> 'y the +ayA"
The 8uestion appeared to e)'arrass Mr !ard)an .onsidera'y/
"!e is ; er ; he is a young feo+/ We> in fa.t> a young feo+ I 1no+/"
"I had aready dedu.ed as )u.h>" repied Poirot gravey/ "What does
he do> this Mr Par1erA"
"!e is a young )an a'out to+n ; not> perhaps> 8uite in the s+i)> if I
)ay so eBpress )ysef/"
"!o+ did he .o)e to 'e a friend of yours> )ay I as1A"
"We ; er ; on one or t+o o..asions he has ; perfor)ed .ertain itte
.o))issions for )e/"
"Continue> )onsieur>" said Poirot/
!ard)an oo1ed piteousy at hi)/ (videnty the ast thing he +anted
to do +as to .ontinue/ %ut as Poirot )aintained an ineBora'e
sien.e> he .apituated/
"@ou see> Monsieur Poirot ; it is +e 1no+n that I a) interested in
anti8ue De+es/ So)eti)es there is a fa)iy heiroo) to 'e disposed
of ; +hi.h> )ind you> +oud never 'e sod in the open )ar1et or to a
deaer/ %ut a private sae to )e is a very different )atter/ Par1er
arranges the detais of su.h things> he is in tou.h +ith 'oth sides>
and thus any itte e)'arrass)ent is avoided/ !e 'rings anything of
that 1ind to )y noti.e/ For instan.e> the Countess &ossa1off has
'rought so)e fa)iy De+es +ith her fro) &ussia/ She is anBious to
se the)/ %ernard Par1er +as to have arranged the transa.tion/"
"I see>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "And you trust hi) i)pi.ityA"
"I have had no reason to do other+ise/"
"Mr !ard)an> of these four peope> +hi.h do you yoursef suspe.tA"
"<h> Monsieur Poirot> +hat a 8uestionG They are )y friends> as I tod
you/ I suspe.t none of the) ; or a of the)> +hi.hever +ay you i1e
to put it/"
"I do not agree/ @ou suspe.t one of those four/ It is not Countess
&ossa1off/ It is not Mr Par1er/ Is it #ady &un.orn or Mr *ohnstonA"
"@ou drive )e into a .orner> Monsieur Poirot> you do indeed/ I a)
)ost anBious to have no s.anda/ #ady &un.orn 'eongs to one of
the odest fa)iies in (ngandI 'ut it is true> it is )ost unfortunatey
true> that her aunt> #ady Caroine> suffered fro) a )ost )ean.hoy
affi.tion/ It +as understood> of .ourse> 'y a her friends> and her
)aid returned the teaspoons> or +hatever it +as> as pro)pty as
possi'e/ @ou see )y predi.a)entG"
"So #ady &un.orn had an aunt +ho +as a 1epto)ania.A 7ery
interesting/ @ou per)it that I eBa)ine the safeA"
Mr !ard)an assenting> Poirot pushed 'a.1 the door of the safe and
eBa)ined the interior/ The e)pty vevet;ined sheves gaped at us/
"(ven no+ the door does not shut propery>" )ur)ured Poirot> as he
s+ung it to and fro/ "I +onder +hyA Ah> +hat have +e hereA A gove>
.aught in the hinge/ A )an"s gove/"
!e hed it out to Mr !ard)an/
"That"s not one of )y goves>" the atter de.ared/
"AhaG So)ething )oreG" Poirot 'ent defty and pi.1ed up a s)a
o'De.t fro) the foor of the safe/ It +as a fat .igarette .ase )ade of
'a.1 )oir= /
"My .igarette .aseG" .ried Mr !ard)an/
"@oursA Surey not> )onsieur/ Those are not your initias/"
!e pointed to an ent+ined )onogra) of t+o etters eBe.uted in
patinu)/
!ard)an too1 it in his hand/
"@ou are right>" he de.ared/ "It is very i1e )ine> 'ut the initias are
different/ A "%" and a "P"/ ,ood heavens ; Par1erG"
"It +oud see) so>" said Poirot/ "A so)e+hat .areess young )an ;
espe.iay if the gove is his aso/ That +oud 'e a dou'e .ue>
+oud it notA"
"%ernard Par1erG" )ur)ured !ard)an/ "What a reiefG We>
Monsieur Poirot> I eave it to you to re.over the De+es/ Pa.e the
)atter in the hands of the poi.e if you thin1 fit ; that is> if you are
8uite sure that it is he +ho is guity/"
"See you> )y friend>" said Poirot to )e> as +e eft the house
together> "he has one a+ for the tited> and another a+ for the
pain> this Mr !ard)an/ Me> I have not yet 'een enno'ed> so I a)
on the side of the pain/ I have sy)pathy for this young )an/ The
+hoe thing +as a itte .urious> +as it notA There +as !ard)an
suspe.ting #ady &un.ornI there +as I> suspe.ting the Countess
and *ohnstonI and a the ti)e> the o's.ure Mr Par1er +as our
)an/"
"Why did you suspe.t the other t+oA"
"Par'euG It is su.h a si)pe thing to 'e a &ussian refugee or a
South Afri.an )iionaire/ Any +o)an .an .a hersef a &ussian
.ountessI anyone .an 'uy a house in Par1 #ane and .a hi)sef a
South Afri.an )iionaire/ Who is going to .ontradi.t the)A %ut I
o'serve that +e are passing through %ury Street/ <ur .areess
young friend ives here/ #et us> as you say> stri1e +hie the iron is in
the fire/"
Mr %ernard Par1er +as at ho)e/ We found hi) re.ining on so)e
.ushions> .ad in an a)a?ing dressing;go+n of purpe and orange/ I
have sedo) ta1en a greater disi1e to anyone than I did to this
parti.uar young )an +ith his +hite> effe)inate fa.e and affe.ted
isping spee.h/
",ood )orning> )onsieur>" said Poirot 'ris1y/ "I .o)e fro) Mr
!ard)an/ @esterday> at the party> so)e'ody has stoen a his
De+es/ Per)it )e to as1 you> )onsieur ; is this your goveA"
Mr Par1er"s )enta pro.esses did not see) very rapid/ !e stared at
the gove> as though gathering his +its together/
"Where did you find itA" he as1ed at ast/
"Is it your gove> )onsieurA"
Mr Par1er appeared to )a1e up his )ind/
"0o> it isn"t>" he de.ared/
"And this .igarette .ase> is that yoursA"
"Certainy not/ I a+ays .arry a siver one/"
"7ery +e> )onsieur/ I go to put )atters in the hands of the poi.e/"
"<h> I say> I +oudn"t do that if I +ere you>" .ried Mr Par1er in so)e
.on.ern/ "%easty unsy)patheti. peope> the poi.e/ Wait a 'it/ I"
go round and see od !ard)an/ #oo1 here ; oh> stop a )inute/"
%ut Poirot 'eat a deter)ined retreat/
"We have given hi) so)ething to thin1 a'out> have +e notA" he
.hu.1ed/ "To)orro+ +e +i o'serve +hat has o..urred/"
%ut +e +ere destined to have a re)inder of the !ard)an .ase that
afternoon/ Without the east +arning the door fe+ open> and a
+hir+ind in hu)an for) invaded our priva.y> 'ringing +ith her a
s+ir of sa'es 9it +as as .od as ony an (ngish *une day .an 'e:
and a hat ra)pant +ith saughtered ospreys/ Countess 7era
&ossa1off +as a so)e+hat distur'ing personaity/
"@ou are Monsieur PoirotA What is this that you have doneA @ou
a..use that poor 'oyG It is infa)ous/ It is s.andaous/ I 1no+ hi)/
!e is a .hi.1en> a a)' ; never +oud he stea/ !e has done
everything for )e/ Wi I stand 'y and see hi) )artyred and
'ut.heredA"
"Te )e> )ada)e> is this his .igarette .aseA" Poirot hed out the
'a.1 )oir= .ase/
The Countess paused for a )o)ent +hie she inspe.ted it/
"@es> it is his/ I 1no+ it +e/ What of itA $id you find it in the roo)A
We +ere a thereI he dropped it then> I suppose/ Ah> you
poi.e)en> you are +orse than the &ed ,uards ;"
"And is this his goveA"
"!o+ shoud I 1no+A <ne gove is i1e another/ $o not try to stop )e
; he )ust 'e set free/ !is .hara.ter )ust 'e .eared/ @ou sha do it/
I +i se )y De+es and give you )u.h )oney/"
"Mada)e ;"
"It is agreed> thenA 0o> no> do not argue/ The poor 'oyG !e .a)e to
)e> the tears in his eyes/ JI +i save you>J I said/ JI +i go to this
)an ; this ogre> this )onsterG #eave it to 7era/J 0o+ it is setted> I
go/"
With as itte .ere)ony as she had .o)e> she s+ept fro) the roo)>
eaving an overpo+ering perfu)e of an eBoti. nature 'ehind her/
"What a +o)an>" I eB.ai)ed/ "And +hat fursG"
"Ah> yes> they +ere genuine enoughG Coud a spurious .ountess
have rea fursA My itte Do1e> !astings/// 0o> she is truy &ussian> I
fan.y/ We> +e> so Master %ernard +ent 'eating to her/"
"The .igarette .ase is his/ I +onder if the gove is aso ;"
With a s)ie Poirot dre+ fro) his po.1et a se.ond gove and pa.ed
it 'y the first/ There +as no dou't of their 'eing a pair/
"Where did you get the se.ond one> PoirotA"
"It +as thro+n do+n +ith a sti.1 on the ta'e in the ha in %ury
Street/ Truy> a very .areess young )an> Monsieur Par1er/ We>
+e> )on a)i ; +e )ust 'e thorough/ *ust for the for) of the thing> I
+i )a1e a itte visit to Par1 #ane/"
0eedess to say> I a..o)panied )y friend/ *ohnston +as out> 'ut
+e sa+ his private se.retary/ It transpired that *ohnston had ony
re.enty arrived fro) South Afri.a/ !e had never 'een in (ngand
'efore/
"!e is interested in pre.ious stones> is he notA" ha?arded Poirot/
",od )ining is nearer the )ar1>" aughed the se.retary/
Poirot .a)e a+ay fro) the intervie+ thoughtfu/ #ate that evening>
to )y utter surprise> I found hi) earnesty studying a &ussian
gra))ar/
",ood heavens> PoirotG" I .ried/ "Are you earning &ussian in order
to .onverse +ith the Countess in her o+n anguageA"
"She .ertainy +oud not isten to )y (ngish> )y friendG"
"%ut surey> Poirot> +e;'orn &ussians invaria'y spea1 Fren.hG"
"@ou are a )ine of infor)ation> !astingsG I +i .ease pu??ing over
the intri.a.ies of the &ussian apha'et/"
!e thre+ the 'oo1 fro) hi) +ith a dra)ati. gesture/ I +as not
entirey satisfied/ There +as a t+in1e in his eye +hi.h I 1ne+ of
od/ It +as an invaria'e sign that !er.ue Poirot +as peased +ith
hi)sef/
"Perhaps>" I said sapienty> "you dou't her 'eing reay a &ussian/
@ou are going to test herA"
"Ah> no> no> she is &ussian a right/"
"We> then ;"
"If you reay +ant to distinguish yoursef over this .ase> !astings> I
re.o))end First Steps in &ussian as an invaua'e aid/"
Then he aughed and +oud say no )ore/ I pi.1ed up the 'oo1 fro)
the foor and dipped into it .uriousy> 'ut .oud )a1e neither head
nor tai of Poirot"s re)ar1s/
The foo+ing )orning 'rought us no ne+s of any 1ind> 'ut that did
not see) to +orry )y itte friend/ At 'rea1fast> he announ.ed his
intention of .aing upon Mr !ard)an eary in the day/ We found the
edery so.iety 'utterfy at ho)e> and see)ingy a itte .a)er than
on the previous day/
"We> Monsieur Poirot> any ne+sA" he de)anded eagery/ Poirot
handed hi) a sip of paper/
"That is the person +ho too1 the De+es> )onsieur/ Sha I put
)atters in the hands of the poi.eA <r +oud you prefer )e to
re.over the De+es +ithout 'ringing the poi.e into the )atterA"
Mr !ard)an +as staring at the paper/ At ast he found his voi.e/
"Most astonishing/ I shoud infinitey prefer to have no s.anda in the
)atter/ I give you .arte 'an.he> Monsieur Poirot/ I a) sure you +i
'e dis.reet/"
<ur neBt pro.edure +as to hai a taBi> +hi.h Poirot ordered to drive
to the Carton/ There he in8uired for Countess &ossa1off/ In a fe+
)inutes +e +ere ushered up into the ady"s suite/ She .a)e to )eet
us +ith outstret.hed hands> arrayed in a )arveous negig= e of
'ar'ari. design/
"Monsieur Poirot>" she .ried/ "@ou have su..eededA @ou have
.eared that poor infantA"
"Mada)e a Co)tesse> your friend Mr Par1er is perfe.ty safe fro)
arrest/"
"Ah> 'ut you are the .ever itte )anG Super'G And so 8ui.1y too/"
"<n the other hand> I have pro)ised Mr !ard)an that the De+es
sha 'e returned to hi) today/"
"SoA"
"Therefore> )ada)e> I shoud 'e eBtre)ey o'iged if you +oud
pa.e the) in )y hands +ithout deay/ I a) sorry to hurry you> 'ut I
a) 1eeping a taBi ; in .ase it shoud 'e ne.essary for )e to go on to
S.otand @ardI and +e %egians> )ada)e> +e pra.tise the thrift/"
The Countess had ighted a .igarette/ For so)e se.onds she sat
perfe.ty sti> 'o+ing s)o1e rings> and ga?ing steadiy at Poirot/
Then she 'urst into a augh> and rose/ She +ent a.ross to the
'ureau> opened a dra+er> and too1 out a 'a.1 si1 hand'ag/ She
tossed it ighty to Poirot/ !er tone> +hen she spo1e> +as perfe.ty
ight and un)oved/
"We &ussians> on the .ontrary> pra.tise prodigaity>" she said/ "And
to do that> unfortunatey> one )ust have )oney/ @ou need not oo1
inside/ They are a there/"
Poirot arose/
"I .ongratuate you> )ada)e> on your 8ui.1 inteigen.e and your
pro)ptitude/"
"AhG %ut sin.e you +ere 1eeping your taBi +aiting> +hat ese .oud I
doA"
"@ou are too a)ia'e> )ada)e/ @ou are re)aining ong in #ondonA"
"I a) afraid not ; o+ing to you/"
"A..ept )y apoogies/"
"We sha )eet again ese+here> perhaps/"
"I hope so/"
"And I ; do not>" eB.ai)ed the Countess +ith a augh/ "It is a great
.o)pi)ent that I pay you there ; there are very fe+ )en in the
+ord +ho) I fear/ ,ood'ye> Monsieur Poirot/"
",ood'ye> Mada)e a Co)tesse/ Ah ; pardon )e> I forgotG Ao+ )e
to return you your .igarette .ase/"
And +ith a 'o+ he handed to her the itte 'a.1 )oir= .ase +e had
found in the safe/ She a..epted it +ithout any .hange of eBpression
; Dust a ifted eye'ro+ and a )ur)uredH "I seeG"
"What a +o)anG" .ried Poirot enthusiasti.ay as +e des.ended the
stairs/ "Mon $ieu> 8uee fe))eG 0ot a +ord of argu)ent ; of
protestation> of 'uffG <ne 8ui.1 gan.e> and she had si?ed up the
position .orre.ty/ I te you> !astings> a +o)an +ho .an a..ept
defeat i1e that ; +ith a .areess s)ie ; +i go farG She is
dangerous> she has the nerves of steeI she ;" !e tripped heaviy/
"If you .an )anage to )oderate your transports and oo1 +here
you"re going> it )ight 'e as +e>" I suggested/ "When did you first
suspe.t the CountessA"
"Mon a)i> it +as the gove and the .igarette .ase ; the dou'e .ue>
sha +e sayA ; that +orried )e/ %ernard Par1er )ight easiy have
dropped one or the other ; 'ut hardy 'oth/ Ah> no> that +oud have
'een too .areessG In the sa)e +ay> if so)eone ese had pa.ed
the) there to in.ri)inate Par1er> one +oud have 'een suffi.ient ;
the .igarette .ase or the gove ; again not 'oth/
I +as for.ed to the .on.usion that one of the t+o things did not
'eong to Par1er/ I i)agined at first that the .ase +as his> and that
the gove +as not/ %ut +hen I dis.overed the feo+ to the gove> I
sa+ that it +as the other +ay a'out/ Whose> then> +as the .igarette
.aseA Ceary> it .oud not 'eong to #ady &un.orn/ The initias
+ere +rong/ Mr *ohnstonA <ny if he +ere here under a fase na)e/
I intervie+ed his se.retary> and it +as apparent at on.e that
everything +as .ear and a'ove'oard/ There +as no reti.en.e
a'out Mr *ohnston"s past/ The Countess> thenA She +as supposed
to have 'rought De+es +ith her fro) &ussiaI she had ony to ta1e
the stones fro) their settings> and it +as eBtre)ey dou'tfu if they
.oud ever 'e identified/ What .oud 'e easier for her than to pi.1
up one of Par1er"s goves fro) the ha that day and thrust it into the
safeA %ut> 'ien s/r> she did not intend to drop her o+n .igarette
.ase/"
"%ut if the .ase +as hers> +hy did it have J%/P/J on itA The
Countess"s initias are 7/&/"
Poirot s)ied genty upon )e/
"(Ba.ty> )on a)iI 'ut in the &ussian apha'et> % is 7 and P is &/"
"We> you .oudn"t eBpe.t )e to guess that/ I don"t 1no+ &ussian/"
"0either do I> !astings/ That is +hy I 'ought )y itte 'oo1 and
urged it on your attention/"
!e sighed/
"A re)ar1a'e +o)an/ I have a feeing> )y friend ; a very de.ided
feeing ; I sha )eet her again/ Where> I +onderA"
T!( -I0, <F C#2%S
"Truth>" I o'served> aying aside the $aiy 0e+s)onger> "is stranger
than fi.tion/"
The re)ar1 +as not> perhaps> an origina one/ It appeared to
in.ense )y friend/ Titing his egg;shaped head on one side> the
itte )an .arefuy fi.1ed an i)aginary fe.1 of dust fro) his
.arefuy .reased trousers> and o'servedH
"!o+ profoundG What a thin1er is )y friend !astingsG"
Without dispaying any annoyan.e at this 8uite un.aed;for gi'e> I
tapped the sheet I had aid aside/
"@ou"ve read this )orning"s paperA"
"I have/ And after reading it> I foded it ane+ sy))etri.ay/ I did not
.ast it on the foor as you have done> +ith your so a)enta'e
a'sen.e of order and )ethod/"
9That is the +orst of Poirot/ <rder and Method are his gods/ !e
goes so far as to attri'ute a his su..ess to the)/:
"Then you sa+ the a..ount of the )urder of !enry &eed'urn> the
i)presarioA It +as that +hi.h pro)pted )y re)ar1/ 0ot ony is
truth stranger than fi.tion ; it is )ore dra)ati./ Thin1 of that soid
)idde;.ass (ngish fa)iy> the <ganders/ Father and )other> son
and daughter> typi.a of thousands of fa)iies a over this .ountry/
The )en of the fa)iy go to the .ity every dayI the +o)en oo1 after
the house/ Their ives are perfe.ty pea.efu> and uttery
)onotonous/ #ast night they +ere sitting in their neat su'ur'an
dra+ing;roo) at $aisy)ead> Streatha)> paying 'ridge/ Suddeny>
+ithout any +arning> the fren.h +indo+ 'ursts open> and a +o)an
staggers into the roo)/ !er grey satin fro.1 is )ar1ed +ith a
.ri)son stain/ She utters one +ord> JMurderGJ 'efore she sin1s to
the ground insensi'e/ It is possi'e that they re.ogni?e her fro)
her pi.tures as 7aerie Saint.air> the fa)ous dan.er +ho has atey
ta1en #ondon 'y stor)G"
"Is this your eo8uen.e> or that of the $aiy 0e+s)ongerA" in8uired
Poirot/
"The $aiy 0e+s)onger +as in a hurry to go to press> and
.ontented itsef +ith 'are fa.ts/ %ut the dra)ati. possi'iities of the
story stru.1 )e at on.e/"
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/ "Wherever there is hu)an nature> there
is dra)a/ %ut ; it is not a+ays Dust +here you thin1 it is/ &e)e)'er
that/ Sti> I too a) interested in the .ase> sin.e it is i1ey that I sha
'e .onne.ted +ith it/"
"IndeedA"
"@es/ A gente)an rang )e up this )orning> and )ade an
appoint)ent +ith )e on 'ehaf of Prin.e Pau of Maurania/"
"%ut +hat has that to do +ith itA"
"@ou do not read your pretty itte (ngish s.anda;papers/ The ones
+ith the funny stories> and Ja itte )ouse has heard ;J or Ja itte
'ird +oud i1e to 1no+ ;J See here/"
I foo+ed his short stu''y finger aong the paragraphH "; +hether
the foreign prin.e and the fa)ous dan.er are reay affinitiesG And if
the ady i1es her ne+ dia)ond ringG"
"And no+ to resu)e your so dra)ati. narrative>" said Poirot/
"Made)oisee Saint.air had Dust fainted on the dra+ing;roo)
.arpet at $aisy)ead> you re)e)'er/"
I shrugged/ "As a resut of Made)oisee"s first )ur)ured +ords
+hen she .a)e round> the t+o )ae <ganders stepped out> one to
fet.h a do.tor to attend to the ady> +ho +as evidenty suffering
terri'y fro) sho.1> and the other to the poi.e;station +hen.e after
teing his story> he a..o)panied the poi.e to Mon $= sir> Mr
&eed'urn"s )agnifi.ent via> +hi.h is situated at no great distan.e
fro) $aisy)ead/ There they found the great )an> +ho 'y the +ay
suffers fro) a so)e+hat unsavoury reputation> ying in the i'rary
+ith the 'a.1 of his head .ra.1ed open i1e an eggshe/"
"I have .ra)ped your stye>" said Poirot 1indy/ "Forgive )e> I pray///
Ah> here is M/ e Prin.e/"
<ur distinguished visitor +as announ.ed under the tite of Count
Feodor/ !e +as a strange;oo1ing youth> ta> eager> +ith a +ea1
.hin> the fa)ous Mauran'erg )outh> and the dar1 fiery eyes of a
fanati./
"M/ PoirotA"
My friend 'o+ed/
"Monsieur> I a) in terri'e trou'e> greater than I .an +e eBpress ;"
Poirot +aved his hand/ "I .o)prehend your anBiety/ Made)oisee
Saint.air is a very dear friend> is it not soA"
The Prin.e repied si)pyH "I hope to )a1e her )y +ife/"
Poirot sat up in his .hair> and his eyes opened/
The Prin.e .ontinuedH "I shoud not 'e the first of )y fa)iy to )a1e
a )organati. )arriage/ My 'rother AeBander has aso defied the
()peror/ We are iving no+ in )ore enightened days> free fro) the
od .aste;preDudi.e/ %esides> Made)oisee Saint.air> in a.tua
fa.t> is 8uite )y e8ua in ran1/ @ou have heard hints as to her
historyA"
"There are )any ro)anti. stories of her origin ; not an un.o))on
thing +ith fa)ous dan.ers/ I have heard that she is the daughter of
an Irish .har+o)an> aso the story +hi.h )a1es her )other a
&ussian grand du.hess/"
"The first story is> of .ourse> nonsense>" said the young )an/ "%ut
the se.ond is true/ 7aerie> though 'ound to se.re.y> has et )e
guess as )u.h/ %esides> she proves it un.ons.iousy in a thousand
+ays/ I 'eieve in heredity> M/ Poirot/"
"I too 'eieve in heredity>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "I have seen so)e
strange things in .onne.tion +ith it ; )oi 8ui vous pare/// %ut to
'usiness> M/ e Prin.e/ What do you +ant of )eA What do you fearA I
)ay spea1 freey> )ay I notA Is there anything to .onne.t
Made)oisee Saint.air +ith the .ri)eA She 1ne+ &eed'urn of
.ourseA"
"@es/ !e professed to 'e in ove +ith her/"
"And sheA"
"She +oud have nothing to say to hi)/"
Poirot oo1ed at hi) 1eeny/ "!ad she any reason to fear hi)A"
The young )an hesitated/ "There +as an in.ident/ @ou 1no+ Vara>
the .airvoyantA"
"0o/"
"She is +onderfu/ @ou shoud .onsut her so)e ti)e/ 7aerie and I
+ent to see her ast +ee1/ She read the .ards for us/ She spo1e to
7aerie of trou'e ; of gathering .oudsI then she turned up the ast
.ard ; the .overing .ard> they .a it/ It +as the 1ing of .u's/ She
said to 7aerieH J%e+are/ There is a )an +ho hods you in his
po+er/ @ou fear hi) ; you are in great danger through hi)/ @ou
1no+ +ho) I )eanAJ 7aerie +as +hite to the ips/ She nodded and
saidH J@es> yes> I 1no+/J Shorty after+ards +e eft/ Vara"s ast
+ords to 7aerie +ereH J%e+are of the 1ing of .u's/ $anger
threatens youGJ I 8uestioned 7aerie/ She +oud te )e nothing ;
assured )e that a +as +e/ %ut no+> after ast night> I a) )ore
sure than ever that in the 1ing of .u's 7aerie sa+ &eed'urn> and
that he +as the )an she feared/"
The Prin.e paused a'rupty/ "0o+ you understand )y agitation
+hen I opened the paper this )orning/ Supposing 7aerie> in a fit of
)adness ; oh> it is i)possi'e/"
Poirot rose fro) his seat> and patted the young )an 1indy on the
shouder/ "$o not distress yoursef> I 'eg of you/ #eave it in )y
hands/"
"@ou +i go to Streatha)A I gather she is sti there> at $aisy )ead ;
prostrated 'y the sho.1/"
"I +i go at on.e/"
"I have arranged )atters ; through the e)'assy/ @ou +i 'e ao+ed
a..ess every+here/"
"Then +e +i depart ; !astings> you +i a..o)pany )eA Au revoir>
M/ e Prin.e/"
Mon $= sir +as an eB.eptionay fine via> thoroughy )odern and
.o)forta'e/ A short .arriage;drive ed up to it fro) the road> and
'eautifu gardens eBtended 'ehind the house for so)e a.res/
<n )entioning Prin.e Pau"s na)e> the 'uter +ho ans+ered the
door at on.e too1 us to the s.ene of the tragedy/ The i'rary +as a
)agnifi.ent roo)> running fro) 'a.1 to front of the +hoe 'uiding>
+ith a +indo+ at either end> one giving on the front .arriage;drive>
and the other on the garden/ It +as in the re.ess of the atter that
the 'ody had ain/ It had 'een re)oved not ong 'efore> the poi.e
having .on.uded their eBa)ination/
"That is annoying>" I )ur)ured to Poirot/ "Who 1no+s +hat .ues
they )ay have destroyedA"
My itte friend s)ied/
"(h ; ehG !o+ often )ust I te you that dues .o)e fro) +ithinA In
the itte grey .es of the 'rain ies the soution of every )ystery/"
!e turned to the 'uter/ "I suppose> eB.ept for the re)ova of the
'ody> the roo) has not 'een tou.hedA"
"0o> sir/ It"s Dust as it +as +hen the poi.e .a)e up ast night/"
"These .urtains> no+/ I see they pu right a.ross the +indo+re.ess/
They are the sa)e in the other +indo+/ Were they dra+n
ast nightA"
"@es> sir/ I dra+ the) every night/"
"Then &eed'urn )ust have dra+n the) 'a.1 hi)sefA"
"I suppose so> sir/"
"$id you 1no+ your )aster eBpe.ted a visitor ast nightA"
"!e did not say so> sir/ %ut he gave orders he +as not to 'e
distur'ed after dinner/ @ou see> sir> there is a door eading out of
the i'rary on to the terra.e at the side of the house/ !e .oud have
ad)itted anyone that +ay/"
"Was he in the ha'it of doing thatA"
The 'uter .oughed dis.reety/ "I 'eieve so> sir/"
Poirot strode to the door in 8uestion/ It +as uno.1ed/ !e stepped
through it on to the terra.e +hi.h Doined the drive on the rightI on
the eft it ed up to a red 'ri.1 +a/
"The fruit garden> sir/ There is a door eading into it farther aong>
'ut it +as a+ays o.1ed at siB o".o.1/"
Poirot nodded> and re;entered the i'rary> the 'uter foo+ing/ "$id
you hear nothing of ast night"s eventsA"
"We> sir> +e heard voi.es in the i'rary> a itte 'efore nine/ %ut that
+asn"t unusua> espe.iay 'eing a ady"s voi.e/ %ut of .ourse> on.e
+e +ere a in the servants" ha> right the other side> +e didn"t hear
anything at a/ And then> a'out eeven o".o.1> the poi.e .a)e/"
"!o+ )any voi.es did you hearA"
"I .oudn"t say> sir/ I ony noti.ed the ady"s/"
"AhG"
"I 'eg pardon> sir> 'ut $r &yan is sti in the house> if you +oud .are
to see hi)/"
We Du)ped at the suggestion> and in a fe+ )inutes the do.tor> a
.heery> )idde;aged )an> Doined us> and gave Poirot a the
infor)ation he re8uired/ &eed'urn had 'een ying near the +indo+>
his head 'y the )ar'e +indo+;seat/ There +ere t+o +ounds> one
'et+een the eyes> and the other> the fata one> on the 'a.1 of the
head/
"!e +as ying on his 'a.1A"
"@es/ There is the )ar1/" !e pointed to a s)a dar1 stain on the
foor/
"Coud not the 'o+ on the 'a.1 of the head have 'een .aused 'y
his stri1ing the foorA"
"I)possi'e/ Whatever the +eapon +as> it penetrated so)e
distan.e into the s1u/"
Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy in front of hi)/ In the e)'rasure of ea.h
+indo+ +as a .arved )ar'e seat> the ar)s 'eing fashioned in the
for) of a ion"s head/ A ight .a)e into Poirot"s eyes/ "Supposing he
had faen 'a.1+ard on this proDe.ting ion"s head> and sipped fro)
there to the ground/ Woud not that .ause a +ound su.h as you
des.ri'eA"
"@es> it +oud/ %ut the ange at +hi.h he +as ying )a1es that
theory i)possi'e/ And 'esides> there .oud not fai to 'e tra.es of
'ood on the )ar'e of the seat/"
"2ness they +ere +ashed a+ayA"
The do.tor shrugged his shouders/ "That is hardy i1ey/ It +oud
'e to no one"s advantage to give an a..ident the appearan.e of
)urder/"
"4uite so>" a.8uies.ed Poirot/ "Coud either of the 'o+s have 'een
stru.1 'y a +o)an> do you thin1A"
"<h> 8uite out of the 8uestion> I shoud say/ @ou are thin1ing of
Made)oisee Saint.air> I supposeA"
"I thin1 of no one in parti.uar unti I a) sure>" said Poirot genty/
!e turned his attention to the open fren.h +indo+> and the do.tor
.ontinuedH
"It is through here that Made)oisee Saint.air fed/ @ou .an Dust
.at.h a gi)pse of $aisy)ead 'et+een the trees/ <f .ourse> there
are )any houses nearer to the front of the house on the road> 'ut
as it happens> $aisy)ead> though so)e distan.e a+ay> is the ony
house visi'e this side/"
"Than1 you for your a)ia'iity> $o.tor>" said Poirot/ "Co)e>
!astings> +e +i foo+ the footsteps of Made)oisee/"
Poirot ed the +ay do+n through the garden> out through an iron
gate> a.ross a short stret.h of green and in through the garden
gate of $aisy)ead> +hi.h +as an unpretentious itte house in
a'out haf an a.re of ground/ There +as a s)a fight of steps
eading up to a fren.h +indo+/ Poirot nodded in their dire.tion/
"That is the +ay Made)oisee Saint.air +ent/ For us> +ho have not
her urgen.y to pead> it +i 'e 'etter to go round to the front door/"
A )aid ad)itted us and too1 us into the dra+ing;roo)> then +ent in
sear.h of Mrs <gander/ The roo) had evidenty not 'een tou.hed
sin.e the night 'efore/ The ashes +ere sti in the grate> and the
'ridge;ta'e +as sti in the .entre of the roo)> +ith a du))y
eBposed> and the hands thro+n do+n/ The pa.e +as so)e+hat
overoaded +ith gi).ra.1 orna)ents> and a good )any fa)iy
portraits of surpassing uginess adorned the +as/ Poirot ga?ed at
the) )ore enienty than I did> and straightened one or t+o that
+ere hanging a shade as1e+/
"#a fa)ie> it is a strong tie> is it notA Senti)ent> it ta1es the pa.e of
'eauty/"
I agreed> )y eyes 'eing fiBed on a fa)iy group .o)prising a
gente)an +ith +his1ers> a ady +ith a high "front" of hair> a stoid>
thi.1;set 'oy> and t+o itte girs tied up +ith a good )any
unne.essary 'o+s of ri''on/ I too1 this to 'e the <gander fa)iy in
earier days> and studied it +ith interest/
The door opened> and a young +o)an .a)e in/ !er dar1 hair +as
neaty arranged> and she +ore a dra';.ooured sports.oat and a
t+eed s1irt/
She oo1ed at us in8uiringy/ Poirot stepped for+ard/ "Miss
<ganderA I regret to derange you ; espe.iay after a you have
'een through/ The +hoe affair )ust have 'een )ost distur'ing/"
"It has 'een rather upsetting>" ad)itted the young ady .autiousy/ I
'egan to thin1 that the ee)ents of dra)a +ere +asted on Miss
<gander> that her a.1 of i)agination rose superior to any tragedy/
I +as .onfir)ed in this 'eief as she .ontinuedH
"I )ust apoogi?e for the state this roo) is in/ Servants get so
fooishy eB.ited/"
"It +as here that you +ere sitting ast night> n"est;.e;pasA"
"@es> +e +ere paying 'ridge after supper> +hen ;"
"(B.use )e ; ho+ ong had you 'een payingA"
"We ;" Miss <gander .onsidered/ "I reay .an"t say/ I suppose it
)ust have 'een a'out ten o".o.1/ We had had severa ru''ers> I
1no+/"
"And you yoursef +ere sitting ; +hereA"
"Fa.ing the +indo+/ I +as paying +ith )y )other and had gone one
no tru)p/ Suddeny> +ithout any +arning> the +indo+ 'urst open>
and Miss Saint.air staggered into the roo)/"
"@ou re.ogni?ed herA"
"I had a vague idea her fa.e +as fa)iiar/"
"She is sti here> is she notA"
"@es> 'ut she refuses to see anyone/ She is sti 8uite prostrated/"
"I thin1 she +i see )e/ Wi you te her that I a) here at the eBpress
re8uest of Prin.e Pau of MauraniaA"
I fan.ied that the )ention of a roya prin.e rather shoo1 Miss
<gander"s i)pertur'a'e .a)/ %ut she eft the roo) on her errand
+ithout any further re)ar1> and returned a)ost i))ediatey to say
that Made)oisee Saint.air +oud see us in her roo)/
We foo+ed her upstairs> and into a fair;si?ed ight 'edroo)/ <n a
.ou.h 'y the +indo+ a +o)an +as ying +ho turned her head as
+e entered/ The .ontrast 'et+een the t+o +o)en stru.1 )e at
on.e> the )ore so as in a.tua features and .oouring they +ere not
unai1e ; 'ut oh> the differen.eG 0ot a oo1> not a gesture of 7aerie
Saint.air"s 'ut eBpressed dra)a/ She see)ed to eBhae an
at)osphere of ro)an.e/ A s.aret fanne dressing;go+n .overed
her feet ; a ho)ey gar)ent in a .ons.ien.eI 'ut the .har) of her
personaity invested it +ith an eBoti. favour> and it see)ed an
(astern ro'e of go+ing .oour/
!er arge dar1 eyes fastened the)seves on Poirot/
"@ou .o)e fro) PauA" !er voi.e )at.hed her appearan.e ; it +as
fu and anguid/
"@es> )ade)oisee/ I a) here to serve hi) ; and you/"
"What do you +ant to 1no+A"
"(verything that happened ast night/ %ut everythingG"
She s)ied rather +eariy/
"$o you thin1 I shoud ieA I a) not stupid/ I see +e enough that
there .an 'e no .on.ea)ent/ !e hed a se.ret of )ine> that )an
+ho is dead/ !e threatened )e +ith it/ For Pau"s sa1e> I
endeavoured to )a1e ter)s +ith hi)/ I .oud not ris1 osing Pau///
0o+ that he is dead> I a) safe/ %ut for a that> I did not 1i hi)/"
Poirot shoo1 his head +ith a s)ie/ "It is not ne.essary to te )e
that> )ade)oisee/ 0o+ re.ount to )e +hat happened ast night/"
"I offered hi) )oney/ !e appeared to 'e +iing to treat +ith )e/ !e
appointed ast night at nine o".o.1/ I +as to go to Mon $= sir/ I
1ne+ the pa.eI I had 'een there 'efore/ I +as to go round to the
side door into the i'rary> so that the servants shoud not see )e/"
"(B.use )e> )ade)oisee> 'ut +ere you not afraid to trust yoursef
aone there at nightA"
Was it )y fan.y> or +as there a )o)entary pause 'efore she
ans+eredA
"Perhaps I +as/ %ut you see> there +as no one I .oud as1 to go +ith
)e/ And I +as desperate/ &eed'urn ad)itted )e to the i'rary/ <h>
that )anG I a) gad he is deadG !e payed +ith )e> as a .at does
+ith a )ouse/ !e taunted )e/ I 'egged and i)pored hi) on )y
1nees/ I offered hi) every De+e I have/ A in vainG Then he na)ed
his o+n ter)s/ Perhaps you .an guess +hat they +ere/ I refused/ I
tod hi) +hat I thought of hi)/ I raved at hi)/ !e re)ained .a)y
s)iing/ And then> as I fe to sien.e at ast> there +as a sound ;
fro) 'ehind the .urtain in the +indo+/// !e heard it too/ !e strode
to the .urtains and fung the) +ide apart/ There +as a )an there>
hiding ; a dreadfu;oo1ing )an> a sort of tra)p/ !e stru.1 at Mr
&eed'urn ; then he stru.1 again> and he +ent do+n/ The tra)p
.ut.hed at )e +ith his 'oodstained hand/ I tore )ysef free>
sipped through the +indo+> and ran for )y ife/ Then I per.eived
the ights in this house> and )ade for the)/ The 'inds +ere up> and
I sa+ so)e peope paying 'ridge/ I a)ost fe into the roo)/ I Dust
)anaged to gasp out JMurderGJ and then everything +ent 'a.1 ;"
"Than1 you> )ade)oisee/ It )ust have 'een a great sho.1 to your
nervous syste)/ As to this tra)p> .oud you des.ri'e hi)A $o you
re)e)'er +hat he +as +earingA"
"0o ; it +as a so 8ui.1/ %ut I shoud 1no+ the )an any+here/ !is
fa.e is 'urnt in on )y 'rain/"
"*ust one )ore 8uestion> )ade)oisee/ The .urtains of the other
+indo+> the one giving on the drive> +ere they dra+nA"
For the first ti)e a pu??ed eBpression .rept over the dan.er"s fa.e/
She see)ed to 'e trying to re)e)'er/
"(h 'ien> )ade)oiseeA"
"I thin1 ; I a) a)ost sure ; yes> 8uite sureG They +ere not dra+n/"
"That is .urious> sin.e the other ones +ere/ 0o )atter/ It is> I dare
say> of no great i)portan.e/ @ou are re)aining here ong>
)ade)oiseeA"
"The do.tor thin1s I sha 'e fit to return to to+n to)orro+/" She
oo1ed round the roo)/ Miss <gander had gone out/ "These peope>
they are very 1ind ; 'ut they are not of )y +ord/ I sho.1 the)G And
to )e ; +e> I a) not fond of the 'ourgeoisieG"
A faint note of 'itterness underay her +ords/
Poirot nodded/ "I understand/ I hope I have not fatigued you unduy
+ith )y 8uestionsA"
"0ot at a> )onsieur/ I a) ony too anBious Pau shoud 1no+ a as
soon as possi'e/"
"Then I +i +ish you good day> )ade)oisee/"
As Poirot +as eaving the roo)> he paused> and poun.ed on a pair
of patent;eather sippers/ "@ours> )ade)oiseeA"
"@es> )onsieur/ They have Dust 'een .eaned and 'rought up/"
"AhG" said Poirot> as +e des.ended the stairs/ "It see)s that the
do)esti.s are not too eB.ited to .ean shoes> though they forget a
grate/ We> )on a)i> at first there appeared to 'e one or t+o points
of interest> 'ut I fear> I very )u.h fear> that +e )ust regard the
.ase as finished/ It a see)s straightfor+ard enough/"
"And the )urdererA"
"!er.ue Poirot does not hunt do+n tra)ps>" repied )y fried
grandio8uenty/
Miss <gander )et us in the ha/ "If you +i +ait in the dra+ingroo)
a )inute> Ma))a +oud i1e to spea1 to you/"
The roo) +as sti untou.hed> and Poirot idy gathered up the
.ards> shuffing the) +ith his tiny> fastidiousy groo)ed hand/
"$o you 1no+ +hat I thin1> )y friendA"
"0oA" I said eagery/
"I thin1 that Miss <gander )ade a )ista1e in going one no tru)p/
She shoud have gone three spades/"
"PoirotG @ou are the i)it/"
"Mon $ieu> I .annot a+ays 'e ta1ing 'ood and thunderG"
Suddeny he stiffenedH "!astings ; !astings/ SeeG The 1ing of .u's
is )issing fro) the pa.1G"
"VaraG" I .ried/
"(hA" !e did not see) to understand )y ausion/ Me.hani.ay he
sta.1ed the .ards and put the) a+ay in their .ases/ !is fa.e +as
very grave/
"!astings>" he said at ast> "I> !er.ue Poirot> have .o)e near to
)a1ing a 'ig )ista1e ; a very 'ig )ista1e/"
I ga?ed at hi)> i)pressed> 'ut uttery un.o)prehending/
"We )ust 'egin again> !astings/ @es> +e )ust 'egin again/ %ut this
ti)e +e sha not err/"
!e +as interrupted 'y the entran.e of a handso)e )idde;aged
ady/ She .arried so)e househod 'oo1s in her hand/ Poirot 'o+ed
to her/
"$o I understand> sir> that you are a friend of ; er ; Saint.air"sA"
"I .o)e fro) a friend of hers> )ada)e/"
"<h> I see/ I thought perhaps ;"
Poirot suddeny +aved 'rus8uey at the +indo+/
"@our 'inds +ere not pued do+n ast nightA"
"0o ; I suppose that is +hy Miss Saint.air sa+ the ight painy/"
"There +as )oonight ast night/ I +onder that you did not see
Made)oisee Saint.air fro) your seat here fa.ing the +indo+sA"
"I suppose +e +ere engrossed +ith our ga)e/ 0othing i1e this has
ever happened 'efore to us/"
"I .an 8uite 'eieve that> )ada)e/ And I +i put your )ind at rest/
Made)oisee Saint.air is eaving to)orro+/"
"<hG" The good ady"s fa.e .eared/
"And I +i +ish you good )orning> )ada)e/"
A servant +as .eaning the steps as +e +ent out of the front door/
Poirot addressed her/
"Was it you +ho .eaned the shoes of the young ady upstairsA"
The )aid shoo1 her head/ "0o> sir/ I don"t thin1 they"ve 'een
.eaned/"
"Who .eaned the)> thenA" I in8uired of Poirot> as +e +a1ed do+n
the road/
"0o'ody/ They did not need .eaning/"
"I grant that +a1ing on the road or path on a fine night +oud not
soi the)/ %ut surey after going through the ong grass of the
garden> they +oud have 'een soied and stained/"
"@es>" said Poirot +ith a .urious s)ie/ "In that .ase> I agree> they
+oud have 'een stained/"
"%ut ;"
"!ave patien.e a itte haf;hour> )y friend/ We are going 'a.1 to
Mon $= sir/"
The 'uter oo1ed surprised at our reappearan.e> 'ut offered no
o'De.tion to our returning to the i'rary/
"!i> that"s the +rong +indo+> Poirot>" I .ried as he )ade for the one
overoo1ing the .arriage;drive/
"I thin1 not> )y friend/ See here/" !e pointed to the )ar'e ion"s
head/ <n it +as a faint dis.ooured s)ear/ !e shifted his finger and
pointed to a si)iar stain on the poished foor/
"So)e one stru.1 &eed'urn a 'o+ +ith his .en.hed fist 'et+een
the eyes/ !e fe 'a.1+ard on this proDe.ting 'it of )ar'e> then
sipped to the foor/ After+ards> he +as dragged a.ross the foor to
the other +indo+> and aid there instead> 'ut not 8uite at the sa)e
ange> as the $o.tor"s eviden.e tod us/"
"%ut +hyA It see)s uttery unne.essary/"
"<n the .ontrary> it +as essentia/ Aso> it is the 1ey to the
)urderer"s identity ; though> 'y the +ay> he had no intention of
1iing &eed'urn> and so it is hardy per)issi'e to .a hi) a
)urderer/ !e )ust 'e a very strong )anG"
"%e.ause of having dragged the 'ody a.ross the foorA"
"0ot atogether/ It has 'een an interesting .ase/ I neary )ade an
i)'e.ie of )ysef> though/"
"$o you )ean to say it is over> that you 1no+ everythingA"
"@es/"
A re)e)'ran.e s)ote )e/
"0o>" I .ried/ "There is one thing you do not 1no+G"
"And thatA"
"@ou do not 1no+ +here the )issing 1ing of .u's isG"
"(hA <h> that is droG That is very dro> )y friend/"
"WhyA"
"%e.ause it is in )y po.1etG" !e dre+ it forth +ith a fourish/
"<hG" I said> rather .restfaen/ "Where did you find itA !ereA"
"There +as nothing sensationa a'out it/ It had si)py not 'een
ta1en out +ith the other .ards/ It +as in the 'oB/"
"!")/ A the sa)e> it gave you an idea> didn"t itA"
"@es> )y friend/ I present )y respe.ts to !is MaDesty/"
"And to Mada)e VaraG"
"Ah> yes ; to the ady aso/"
"We> +hat are +e going to do no+A"
"We are going to return to to+n/ %ut I )ust have a fe+ +ords +ith a
.ertain ady at $aisy)ead first/"
The sa)e itte )aid opened the door to us/
"They"re a at un.h no+> sir ; uness it"s Miss Saint.air you +ant to
see> and she"s resting/"
"It +i do if I .an see Mrs <gander for a fe+ )inutes/ Wi you te
herA"
We +ere ed into the dra+ing;roo) to +ait/ I had a gi)pse of the
fa)iy in the dining;roo) as +e passed> no+ reinfor.ed 'y the
presen.e of t+o heavy> soid;oo1ing )en> one +ith a )ousta.he>
the other +ith a 'eard aso/
In a fe+ )inutes Mrs <gander .a)e into the roo)> oo1ing
in8uiringy at Poirot> +ho 'o+ed/
"Mada)e> +e> in our .ountry> have a great tenderness> a great
respe.t for the )other/ The )Sre de fa)ie> she is everythingG"
Mrs <gander oo1ed rather astonished at this opening/
"It is for that reason that I have .o)e ; to aay a )other"s anBiety/
The )urderer of Mr &eed'urn +i not 'e dis.overed/ !ave no fear/
I> !er.ue Poirot> te you so/ I a) right> a) I notA <r is it a +ife that I
)ust reassureA"
There +as a )o)ent"s pause/ Mrs <gander see)ed sear.hing
Poirot +ith her eyes/ At ast she said 8uietyH "I don"t 1no+ ho+ you
1no+ ; 'ut yes> you are right/"
Poirot nodded gravey/ "That is a> )ada)e/ %ut do not 'e uneasy/
@our (ngish poi.e)en have not the eyes of !er.ue Poirot/" !e
tapped the fa)iy portrait on the +a +ith his finger;nai/
"@ou had another daughter on.e/ She is dead> )ada)eA"
Again there +as a pause> as she sear.hed hi) +ith her eyes/ Then
she ans+eredH
"@es> she is dead/"
"AhG" said Poirot 'ris1y/ "We> +e )ust return to to+n/ @ou per)it
that I return the 1ing of .u's to the pa.1A It +as your ony sip/ @ou
understand> to have payed 'ridge for an hour or so> +ith ony fiftyone
.ards ; +e> no one +ho 1no+s anything of the ga)e +oud
.redit it for a )inuteG %onDourG"
"And no+> )y friend>" said Poirot as +e stepped to+ards the station>
"you see it aA
"I see nothingG Who 1ied &eed'urnA"
"*ohn <gander> *unior/ I +as not 8uite sure if it +as the father or
the son> 'ut I fiBed on the son as 'eing the stronger and younger of
the t+o/ It had to 'e one of the)> 'e.ause of the +indo+/"
"WhyA"
"There +ere four eBits fro) the i'rary ; t+o doors> t+o +indo+sI
'ut evidenty ony one +oud do/ Three eBits gave on the front>
dire.ty or indire.ty/ The tragedy had to o..ur in the 'a.1 +indo+
in order to )a1e it appear that 7aerie Saint.air .a)e to
$aisy)ead 'y .han.e/ &eay> of .ourse> she fainted> and *ohn
<gander .arried her a.ross over his shouders/ That is +hy I said
he )ust 'e a strong )an/"
"$id they go there together> thenA"
"@es/ @ou re)e)'er 7aerie"s hesitation +hen I as1ed her if she +as
not afraid to go aoneA *ohn <gander +ent +ith her +hi.h didn"t
i)prove &eed'urn"s te)per> I fan.y/ They 8uarreed> and it +as
pro'a'y so)e insut eveed at 7aerie that )ade <gander hit hi)/
The rest> you 1no+/"
"%ut +hy the 'ridgeA"
"%ridge presupposes four payers/ A si)pe thing i1e that .arries a
ot of .onvi.tion/ Who +oud have supposed that there had 'een
ony three peope in that roo) a the eveningA"
I +as sti pu??ed/
"There"s one thing I don"t understand/ What have the <ganders to
do +ith the dan.er 7aerie Saint.airA"
"Ah> that I +onder you did not see/ And yet you oo1ed ong enough
at that pi.ture on the +a ; onger than I did/ Mrs <gander"s other
daughter )ay 'e dead to her fa)iy> 'ut the +ord 1no+s her as
7aerie Saint.airG"
"WhatA"
"$id you not see the rese)'an.e the )o)ent you sa+ the t+o
sisters togetherA"
"0o>" I .onfessed/ "I ony thought ho+ eBtraordinariy dissi)iar they
+ere/"
"That is 'e.ause your )ind is so open to eBterna ro)anti.
i)pressions> )y dear !astings/ The features are a)ost identi.a/
So is the .oouring/ The interesting thing is that 7aerie is asha)ed
of her fa)iy> and her fa)iy is asha)ed of her/ 0evertheess> in a
)o)ent of peri> she turned to her 'rother for hep> and +hen
things +ent +rong> they a hung together in a re)ar1a'e +ay/
Fa)iy strength is a )arveous thing/ They .an a a.t> that fa)iy/
That is +here 7aerie gets her histrioni. taent fro)/ I> i1e Prin.e
Pau> 'eieve in heredityG They de.eived )eG %ut for a u.1y
a..ident> and test 8uestion to Mrs <gander 'y +hi.h I got her to
.ontradi.t her daughter"s a..ount of ho+ they +ere sitting> the
<gander fa)iy +oud have put a defeat on !er.ue Poirot/"
"What sha you te the Prin.eA"
"That 7aerie .oud not possi'y have .o))itted the .ri)e> and that
I dou't if that tra)p +i ever 'e found/ Aso> to .onvey )y
.o)pi)ents to Vara/ A .urious .oin.iden.e> thatG I thin1 I sha .a
this itte affair the Adventure of the -ing of Cu's/ What do you
thin1> )y friendA"
T!( #(M(S2&I(& I0!(&ITA0C(
In .o)pany +ith Poirot> I have investigated )any strange eases>
'ut none> I thin1> to .o)pare +ith that eBtraordinary series of
events +hi.h hed our interest over a period of )any years> and
+hi.h .u)inated in the uti)ate pro'e) 'rought to Poirot to sove/
<ur attention +as first dra+n to the fa)iy history of the
#e)esuriers one evening during the +ar/ Poirot and I had 'ut
re.enty .o)e together again> rene+ing the od days of our
a.8uaintan.eship in %egiu)/ !e had 'een handing so)e itte
)atter for the War <ffi.e ; disposing of it to their entire satisfa.tionI
and +e had 'een dining at the Carton +ith a %rass !at +ho paid
Poirot heavy .o)pi)ents in the intervas of the )ea/ The %rass
!at had to rush a+ay to 1eep an appoint)ent +ith so)eone> and
+e finished our .offee in a eisurey fashion 'efore foo+ing his
eBa)pe/
As +e +ere eaving the roo)> I +as haied 'y a voi.e +hi.h stru.1 a
fa)iiar note> and turned to see Captain 7in.ent #e)esurier> a
young feo+ +ho) I had 1no+n in Fran.e/ !e +as +ith an oder
)an +hose i1eness to hi) pro.ai)ed hi) to 'e of the sa)e fa)iy/
Su.h proved to 'e the .ase> and he +as introdu.ed to us as Mr
!ugo #e)esurier> un.e of )y young friend/
I did not reay 1no+ Captain #e)esurier at a inti)atey> 'ut he
+as a peasant young feo+> so)e+hat drea)y in )anner> and I
re)e)'ered hearing that he 'eonged to an od and eB.usive
fa)iy +ith a property in 0orthu)'erand +hi.h dated fro) 'efore
the &efor)ation/ Poirot and I +ere not in a hurry> and at the
younger )an"s invitation> +e sat do+n at the ta'e +ith our t+o
ne+;found friends> and .hattered peasanty enough on various
)atters/ The eder #e)esurier +as a )an of a'out forty> +ith a
tou.h of the s.hoar in his stooping shoudersI he +as engaged at
the )o)ent upon so)e .he)i.a resear.h +or1 for the
,overn)ent> it appeared/
<ur .onversation +as interrupted 'y a ta dar1 young )an +ho
strode up to the ta'e> evidenty a'ouring under so)e agitation of
)ind/
"Than1 goodness I"ve found you 'othG" he eB.ai)ed/
"What"s the )atter> &ogerA"
"@our guv"nor> 7in.ent/ %ad fa/ @oung horse/" The rest traied off>
as he dre+ the other aside/
In a fe+ )inutes our t+o friends had hurriedy ta1en eave of us/
7in.ent #e)esurier"s father had had a serious a..ident +hie trying
a young horse> and +as not eBpe.ted to ive unti )orning/ 7in.ent
had gone deady +hite> and appeared a)ost stunned 'y the ne+s/
In a +ay> I +as surprised ; for fro) the fe+ +ords he had et fa on
the su'De.t +hie in Fran.e> I had gathered that he and his father
+ere not on parti.uary friendy ter)s> and so his dispay of fiia
feeing no+ rather astonished )e/
The dar1 young )an> +ho had 'een introdu.ed to us as a .ousin>
Mr &oger #e)esurier> re)ained 'ehind> and +e three stroed out
together/
"&ather a .urious 'usiness> this>" o'served the young )an/ "It +oud
interest M/ Poirot> perhaps/ I"ve heard of you> you 1no+> M/ Poirot ;
fro) !igginson/" 9!igginson +as our %rass !at friend/: "!e says
you"re a +hae on psy.hoogy/"
"I study the psy.hoogy> yes>" ad)itted )y friend .autiousy/
"$id you see )y .ousin"s fa.eA !e +as a'soutey 'o+ed over>
+asn"t heA $o you 1no+ +hyA A good od;fashioned fa)iy .urseG
Woud you .are to hear a'out itA"
"It +oud 'e )ost 1ind of you to re.ount it to )e/"
&oger #e)esurier oo1ed at his +at.h/
"#ots of ti)e/ I") )eeting the) at -ing"s Cross/ We> M/ Poirot> the
#e)esuriers are an od fa)iy/ Way 'a.1 in )edieva ti)es> a
#e)esurier 'e.a)e suspi.ious of his +ife/ !e found the ady in a
.o)pro)ising situation/ She s+ore that she +as inno.ent> 'ut od
%aron !ugo didn"t isten/ She had one .hid> a son ; and he s+ore
that the 'oy +as no .hid of his and shoud never inherit/ I forget
+hat he did ; so)e peasing )edieva fan.y i1e +aing up the
)other and son aiveI any+ay> he 1ied the) 'oth> and she died
protesting her inno.en.e and soe)ny .ursing the #e)esuriers
forever/ 0o first;'orn son of a #e)esurier shoud ever inherit ; so
the .urse ran/ We> ti)e passed> and the ady"s inno.en.e +as
esta'ished 'eyond dou't/ I 'eieve that !ugo +ore a hair shirt and
ended up his days on his 1nees in a )on1"s .e/ %ut the .urious
thing is that fro) that day to this> no first;'orn son ever has
su..eeded to the estate/ It"s gone to 'rothers> to nephe+s> to
se.ond sons ; never to the edest 'orn/ 7in.ent"s father +as the
se.ond of five sons> the edest of +ho) died in infan.y/ <f .ourse>
a through the +ar> 7in.ent has 'een .onvin.ed that +hoever ese
+as doo)ed> he .ertainy +as/ %ut strangey enough> his t+o
younger 'rothers have 'een 1ied> and he hi)sef has re)ained
uns.athed/"
"An interesting fa)iy history>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "%ut no+ his
father is dying> and he> as the edest son> su..eedsA"
"(Ba.ty/ A .urse has gone rusty ; una'e to stand the strain of
)odern ife/"
Poirot shoo1 his head> as though depre.ating the other"s Desting
tone/ &oger #e)esurier oo1ed at his +at.h again> and de.ared
that he )ust 'e off/
The se8ue to the story .a)e on the )orro+> +hen +e earned of
the tragi. death of Captain 7in.ent #e)esurier/ !e had 'een
traveing north 'y the S.ot.h )ai;train> and during the night )ust
have opened the door of the .o)part)ent and Du)ped out on the
ine/ The sho.1 of his father"s a..ident .o)ing on top of she;sho.1
+as dee)ed to have .aused te)porary )enta a'erration/ The
.urious superstition prevaent in the #e)esurier fa)iy +as
)entioned> in .onne.tion +ith the ne+ heir> his father"s 'rother>
&onad #e)esurier> +hose ony son had died on the So))e/
I suppose our a..identa )eeting +ith young 7in.ent on the ast
evening of his ife 8ui.1ened our interest in anything that pertained
to the #e)esurier fa)iy> for +e noted +ith so)e interest t+o years
ater the death of &onad #e)esurier> +ho had 'een a .onfir)ed
invaid at the ti)e of his su..ession to the fa)iy estates/ !is
'rother *ohn su..eeded hi)> a hae> hearty )an +ith a 'oy at (ton/
Certainy an evi destiny overshado+ed the #e)esuriers/ <n his
very neBt hoiday the 'oy )anaged to to shoot hi)sef fatay/ !is
father"s death> +hi.h o..urred 8uite suddeny after 'eing stung 'y
a +asp> gave the estate over to the youngest 'rother of the five ;
!ugo> +ho) +e re)e)'ered )eeting on the fata night at the
Carton/
%eyond .o))enting on the eBtraordinary series of )isfortunes
+hi.h 'efe the #e)esuriers> +e had ta1en no persona interest in
the )atter> 'ut the ti)e +as no+ .ose at hand +hen +e +ere to
ta1e a )ore a.tive part/
<ne )orning "Mrs #e)esurier" +as announ.ed/ She +as a ta>
a.tive +o)an> possi'y a'out thirty years of age> +ho .onveyed 'y
her de)eanour a great dea of deter)ination and strong .o))on
sense/ She spo1e +ith a faint transatanti. a..ent/
"M/ PoirotA I a) peased to )eet you/ My hus'and> !ugo
#e)esurier> )et you on.e )any years age> ago> 'ut you +i hardy
re)e)'er the fa.t/"
"I re.oe.t it perfe.ty> )ada)e/ It +as at the Carton/"
"That"s 8uite +onderfu of you/ M/ Poirot> I") very +orried/"
"What a'out> )ada)eA"
"My eder 'oy ; I"ve t+o 'oys> you 1no+> &onad"s eight> and
,erad"s siB/"
"Pro.eed> )ada)eH +hy shoud you 'e +orried a'out itte &onadA"
"M/ Poirot> +ithin the ast siB )onths he has had three narro+
es.apes fro) deathH on.e fro) dro+ning ; +hen +e +ere a do+n
at Corn+a this su))erI on.e +hen he fe fro) the nursery
+indo+I and on.e fro) pto)aine poisoning/"
Perhaps Poirot"s fa.e eBpressed rather too eo8uenty +hat he
thought> for Mrs #e)esurier hurried on +ith hardy a )o)ent"s
pauseH "<f .ourse I 1no+ you thin1 I") Dust a siy foo of a +o)an>
)a1ing )ountains out of )oehis/"
"0o> indeed> )ada)e/ Any )other )ight 'e eB.used for 'eing upset
at su.h o..urren.es> 'ut I hardy see +here I .an 'e of any
assistan.e to you/ I a) not e 'on $ieu to .ontro the +avesI for the
nursery +indo+ I shoud suggest so)e iron 'arsI and for the food ;
+hat .an e8ua a )other"s .areA"
"%ut +hy shoud these things happen to &onad and not to ,eradA"
"The .han.e> )ada)e ; e hasardG"
"@ou thin1 soA"
"What do you thin1> )ada)e ; you and your hus'andA"
A shado+ .rossed Mrs #e)esurier"s fa.e/
"It"s no good going to !ugo ; he +on"t isten/ As perhaps you )ay
have heard> there"s supposed to 'e a .urse on the fa)iy no edest
son .an su..eed/ !ugo 'eieves in it/ !e"s +rapped up in the fa)iy
history> and he"s superstitious to the ast degree/ When I go to hi)
+ith )y fears> he Dust says it"s the .urse> and +e .an"t es.ape it/
%ut I") fro) the States> M/ Poirot> and over there +e don"t 'eieve
)u.h in .urses/ We i1e the) as 'eonging to a rea high;toned od
fa)iy ; it gives a sort of .a.het> don"t you 1no+/ I +as Dust a )usi.a
.o)edy a.tress in a s)a part +hen !ugo )et )e ; and I thought
his fa)iy .urse +as Dust too ovey for +ords/ That 1ind of thing"s a
right for teing round the fire on a +inter"s evening> 'ut +hen it
.o)es to one"s o+n .hidren ; I Dust adore )y .hidren> M/ Poirot/ I"d
do anything for the)/"
"So you de.ine to 'eieve in the fa)iy egend> )ada)eA"
"Can a egend sa+ through an ivy ste)A"
"What is that you are saying> )ada)eA" .ried Poirot> an eBpression
of great astonish)ent on his fa.e/
"I said> .an a egend ; or a ghost> if you i1e to .a it that ; sa+
through an ivy ste)A I") not saying anything a'out Corn+a/ Any
'oy )ight go out too far and get into diffi.uties ; though &onad
.oud s+i) +hen he +as four years od/ %ut the ivy"s different/ %oth
the 'oys +ere very naughty/ They"d dis.overed they .oud .i)' up
and do+n 'y the ivy/ They +ere a+ays doing it/ <ne day ; ,erad
+as a+ay at the ti)e ; &onad did it on.e too often> and the ivy gave
+ay and he fe/ Fortunatey he didn"t da)age hi)sef seriousy/ %ut
I +ent out and eBa)ined the ivyH it +as .ut through> M/ Poirot ;
dei'eratey .ut through/"
"It is very serious +hat you are teing )e there> )ada)e/ @ou say
your younger 'oy +as a+ay fro) ho)e at the )o)entA"
"@es/"
"And at the ti)e of the pto)aine poisoning> +as he sti a+ayA"
"0o> they +ere 'oth there/"
"Curious>" )ur)ured Poirot/ "0o+> )ada)e> +ho are the in)ates of
your esta'ish)entA"
"Miss Saunders> the .hidren"s governess> and *ohn ,ardiner> )y
hus'and"s se.retary ;"
Mrs #e)esurier paused> as though sighty e)'arrassed/
"And +ho ese> )ada)eA"
"MaDor &oger #e)esurier> +ho) you aso )et on that night> I
'eieve> stays +ith us a good dea/"
"Ah> yes ; he is a .ousin> is he notA"
"A distant .ousin/ !e does not 'eong to our 'ran.h of the fa)iy/
Sti> I suppose no+ he is )y hus'and"s nearest reative/ !e is a
dear feo+> and +e are a very fond of hi)/ The 'oys are devoted
to hi)/"
"It +as not he +ho taught the) to .i)' up the ivyA"
"It )ight have 'een/ !e in.ites the) to )is.hief often enough/"
"Mada)e> I apoogi?e for +hat I said to you earier/ The danger is
rea> and I 'eieve that I .an 'e of assistan.e/ I propose that you
shoud invite us 'oth to stay +ith you/ @our hus'and +i not
o'De.tA"
"<h no/ %ut he +i 'eieve it to 'e a of no use/ It )a1es )e furious
the +ay he Dust sits around and eBpe.ts the 'oy to die/"
"Ca) yoursef> )ada)e/ #et us )a1e our arrange)ents
)ethodi.ay/"
<ur arrange)ents +ere duy )ade> and the foo+ing day sa+ us
fying north+ard/ Poirot +as sun1 in a reverie/ !e .a)e out of it> to
re)ar1 a'ruptyH
"It +as fro) a train su.h as this that 7in.ent #e)esurier feA"
!e put a sight a..ent on the "fe"/
"@ou don"t suspe.t fou pay there> sureyA" I as1ed/
"!as it stru.1 you> !astings> that so)e of the #e)esurier deaths
+ere> sha +e say> .apa'e of 'eing arrangedA Ta1e that of
7in.ent> for instan.e/ Then the (ton 'oy ; an a..ident +ith a gun is
a+ays a)'iguous/ Supposing this .hid had faen fro) the nursery
+indo+ and 'een dashed to death ; +hat )ore natura and
unsuspi.iousA %ut +hy ony the one .hid> !astingsA Who profits 'y
the death of the eder .hidA !is younger 'rother> a .hid of sevenG
A'surdG"
"They )ean to do a+ay +ith the other ater>" I suggested> though
+ith the vaguest ideas as to +ho "they" +ere/
Poirot shoo1 his head as though dissatisfied/
"Pto)aine poisoning>" he )used/ "Atropine +i produ.e )u.h the
sa)e sy)pto)s/ @es> there is need for our presen.e/"
Mrs #e)esurier +e.o)ed us enthusiasti.ay/ Then she too1 us to
her hus'and"s study and eft us +ith hi)/ !e had .hanged a good
dea sin.e I sa+ hi) ast/ !is shouders stooped )ore than ever>
and his fa.e had a .urious pae grey tinge/ !e istened +hie Poirot
eBpained our presen.e in the house/
"!o+ eBa.ty i1e Sadie"s pra.ti.a .o))on senseG" he said at ast/
"&e)ain 'y a )eans> M/ Poirot> and I than1 you for .o)ingI 'ut ;
+hat is +ritten> is +ritten/ The +ay of the transgressor is hard/ We
#e)esuriers 1no+ ; none of us .an es.ape the doo)/"
Poirot )entioned the sa+n;through ivy> 'ut !ugo see)ed very itte
i)pressed/
"$ou'tess so)e .areess gardener ; yes> yes> there )ay 'e an
instru)ent> 'ut the purpose 'ehind is painI and I +i te you this>
M/ Poirot> it .annot 'e ong deayed/"
Poirot oo1ed at hi) attentivey/
"Why do you say thatA"
"%e.ause I )ysef a) doo)ed/ I +ent to a do.tor ast year/ I a)
suffering fro) an in.ura'e disease ; the end .annot 'e )u.h
onger deayedI 'ut 'efore I die> &onad +i 'e ta1en/ ,erad +i
inherit/"
"And if anything +ere to happen to your se.ond son asoA"
"0othing +i happen to hi)I he is not threatened/"
"%ut if it didA" persisted Poirot/
"My .ousin &oger is the neBt heir/"
We +ere interrupted/ A ta )an +ith a good figure and .rispy
.uring au'urn hair entered +ith a sheaf of paper/
"0ever )ind a'out those no+> ,ardiner>" said !ugo #e)esurierI
then he addedH "My se.retary> Mr ,ardiner/"
The se.retary 'o+ed> uttered a fe+ peasant +ords and then +ent
out/ In spite of his good oo1s> there +as so)ething repeent a'out
the )an/ I said so to Poirot shorty after+ards +hen +e +ere
+a1ing round the 'eautifu od grounds together> and rather to )y
surprise> he agreed/
"@es> yes> !astings> you are right/ I do not i1e hi)/ !e is too goodoo1ing/
!e +oud 'e one for the soft Do' a+ays/ Ah> here are the
.hidren/"
Mrs #e)esurier +as advan.ing to+ards us> her t+o .hidren 'eside
her/ They +ere fine;oo1ing 'oys> the younger dar1 i1e his )other>
the eder +ith au'urn .urs/ They shoo1 hands prettiy enough> and
+ere soon a'soutey devoted to Poirot/ We +ere neBt introdu.ed to
Miss Saunders> a nondes.ript fe)ae> +ho .o)peted the party/
For so)e days +e had a peasant> easy eBisten.e ; ever vigiant> 'ut
+ithout resut/ The 'oys ed a happy nor)a ife and nothing
see)ed to 'e a)iss/ <n the fourth day after our arriva MaDor &oger
#e)esurier .a)e do+n to stay/ !e +as itte .hanged> sti .arefree
and de'onair as of od> +ith the sa)e ha'it of treating a
things ighty/ !e +as evidenty a great favourite +ith the 'oys> +ho
greeted his arriva +ith shrie1s of deight and i))ediatey dragged
hi) off to pay +id Indians in the garden/ I noti.ed that Poirot
foo+ed the) uno'trusivey/
<n the foo+ing day +e +ere a invited to tea> 'oys in.uded> +ith
#ady Caygate> +hose pa.e adDoined that of the #e)esuriers/ Mrs
#e)esurier suggested that +e aso shoud .o)e> 'ut see)ed
rather reieved +hen Poirot refused and de.ared he +oud )u.h
prefer to re)ain at ho)e/
<n.e everyone had started> Poirot got to +or1/ !e re)inded )e of
an inteigent terrier/ I 'eieve that there +as no .orner of the house
that he eft unsear.hedI yet it +as a done so 8uiety and
)ethodi.ay that no attention +as dire.ted to his )ove)ents/
Ceary> at the end> he re)ained unsatisfied/ We had tea on the
terra.e +ith Miss Sanders> +ho had not 'een in.uded in the party/
"The 'oys +i enDoy it>" she )ur)ured in her faded +ay> "though I
hope they +i 'ehave ni.ey> and not da)age the fo+er;'eds> or
go near the 'ees ;"
Poirot paused in the very a.t of drin1ing/ !e oo1ed i1e a )an +ho
has seen a ghost/
"%eesA" he de)anded in a voi.e of thunder/
"@es> M/ Poirot> 'ees/ Three hives/ #ady Caygate is very proud of
her 'ees ;"
"%eesA" .ried Poirot again/ Then he sprang fro) the ta'e and
+a1ed up and do+n the terra.e +ith his hands to his head/ I .oud
not i)agine +hy the itte )an shoud 'e so agitated at the )ere
)ention of 'ees/
At that )o)ent +e heard the .ar returning/ Poirot +as on the
doorstep a the party aighted/
"&onad"s 'een stung>" .ried ,erad eB.itedy/
"It"s nothing>" said Mrs #e)esurier/ "It hasn"t even s+oen/ We put
a))onia on it/"
"#et )e see> )y itte )an>" said Poirot/ "Where +as itA"
"!ere> on the side of )y ne.1>" said &onad i)portanty/ "%ut it
doesn"t hurt/ Father saidH J-eep sti ; there"s a 'ee on you/J And I
1ept sti> and he too1 it off> 'ut it stung )e first> though it didn"t
reay hurt> ony i1e a pin> and I didn"t .ry> 'e.ause I") so 'ig and
going to s.hoo neBt year/"
Poirot eBa)ined the .hid"s ne.1> then dre+ a+ay again/ !e too1
)e 'y the ar) and )ur)uredH
"Tonight> )on a)i> tonight +e have a itte affair onG Say nothing ; to
anyone/"
!e refused to 'e )ore .o))uni.ative> and I +ent through the
evening devoured 'y .uriosity/ !e retired eary and I foo+ed his
eBa)pe/ As +e +ent upstairs> he .aught )e 'y the ar) and
deivered his instru.tionsH
"$o not undress/ Wait a suffi.ient ti)e> eBtinguish your ight and Doin
)e here/"
I o'eyed> and found hi) +aiting for )e +hen the ti)e .a)e/ !e
enDoined sien.e on )e +ith a gesture> and +e .rept 8uiety aong
the nursery +ing/ &onad o..upied a s)a roo) of his o+n/ We
entered it and too1 up our position in the dar1est .orner/ The
.hid"s 'reathing sounded heavy and undistur'ed/
"Surey he is seeping very heaviyA" I +hispered/
Poirot nodded/
"$rugged>" he )ur)ured/
"WhyA"
"So that he shoud not .ry out at ;"
"At +hatA" I as1ed> as Poirot paused/
"At the pri.1 of the hypoder)i. neede> )on a)iG !ush> et us spea1
no )ore ; not that I eBpe.t anything to happen for so)e ti)e/"
%ut in this Poirot +as +rong/ !ardy ten )inutes had eapsed
'efore the door opened softy> and so)eone entered the roo)/ I
heard a sound of 8ui.1 hurried 'reathing/ Footsteps )oved to the
'ed> and then there +as a sudden .i.1/ The ight of a itte ee.tri.
antern fe on the seeping .hid ; the hoder of it +as sti invisi'e
in the shado+/ The figure aid do+n the antern/ With the right hand
it 'rought forth a syringeI +ith the eft it tou.hed the 'oy"s ne.1 ;
Poirot and I sprang at the sa)e )inute/ The antern roed to the
foor> and +e strugged +ith the intruder in the dar1/ !is strength
+as eBtraordinary/ At ast +e over.a)e hi)/
"The ight> !astings> I )ust see his fa.e ; though I fear I 1no+ ony
too +e +hose fa.e it +i 'e/"
So did I> I thought as I groped for the antern/ For a )o)ent I had
suspe.ted the se.retary> egged on 'y )y se.ret disi1e of the )an>
'ut I fet assured 'y no+ that the )an +ho stood to gain 'y the
death of his t+o .hidish .ousins +as the )onster +e +ere
tra.1ing/
My foot stru.1 against the antern/ I pi.1ed it up and s+it.hed on
the ight/ It shone fu on the fa.e of ; !ugo #e)esurier> the 'oy"s
fatherG
The antern a)ost dropped fro) )y hand/
"I)possi'e>" I )ur)ured hoarsey/ "I)possi'eG"
#e)esurier +as un.ons.ious/ Poirot and I 'et+een us .arried hi)
to his roo) and aid hi) on the 'ed/ Poirot 'ent and genty
eBtri.ated so)ething fro) his right hand/ !e sho+ed it to )e/ It
+as a hypoder)i. syringe/ I shuddered/
"What is in itA PoisonA"
"For)i. a.id> I fan.y/"
"For)i. a.idA"
"@es/ Pro'a'y o'tained 'y distiing ants/ !e +as a .he)ist> you
re)e)'er/ $eath +oud have 'een attri'uted to the 'ee sting/"
"My ,od>" I )uttered/ "!is o+n sonG And you eBpe.ted thisA"
Poirot nodded gravey/
"@es/ !e is insane> of .ourse/ I i)agine that the fa)iy history has
'e.o)e a )ania +ith hi)/ !is intense onging to su..eed the estate
ed hi) to .o))it the ong series of .ri)es/ Possi'y the idea
o..urred to hi) first +hen traveing north that night +ith 7in.ent/
!e .oudn"t 'ear the predi.tion to 'e fasified/ &onad"s son +as
aready dead> and &onad hi)sef +as a dying )an ; they are a
+ea1y ot/ !e arranged the a..ident to the gun and ; +hi.h I did
not suspe.t unti no+ ; .ontrived the death of his 'rother *ohn 'y
this sa)e )ethod of inDe.ting for)i. a.id into the Duguar vein/ !is
a)'ition +as reai?ed then> and he 'e.a)e the )aster of the fa)iy
a.res/ %ut his triu)ph +as short ived ; he found that he +as
suffering fro) an in.ura'e disease/ And he had the )ad)an"s
fiBed idea ; the edest son of a #e)esurier .oud not inherit/ I
suspe.t that the 'athing a..ident +as due to hi) ; he en.ouraged
the .hid to go out too far/ That faiing ; he sa+ed through the ivy>
and after+ards poisoned the .hid"s food/"
"$ia'oi.aG" I )ur)ured +ith shiver/ "And so .every pannedG"
"@es> )on a)i> there is nothing )ore a)a?ing than the
eBtraordinary sanity of the insaneG 2ness it is the eBtraordinary
e..entri.ity of the saneG I i)agine that it is ony atey that he had
.o)petey gone over the 'orderine> there +as )ethod in his
)adness to 'egin +ith/"
"And to thin1 that I suspe.ted &oger ; that spendid feo+/"
"It +as the natura assu)ption> )on a)i/ We 1ne+ that he aso
traveed north +ith 7in.ent that night/ We 1ne+> too> that he +as
the neBt heir after !ugo and !ugo"s .hidren/ %ut our assu)ption
+as not 'orne out 'y the fa.ts/ The ivy +as sa+n through +hen
ony itte &onad +as at ho)e ; 'ut it +oud 'e to &oger"s interest
that 'oth .hidren shoud perish/ In the sa)e +ay> it +as ony
&onad"s food that +as poisoned/ And today +hen they .a)e ho)e
and I found that there +as ony his father"s +ord for it that &onad
had 'een stung> I re)e)'ered the other death fro) a +asp sting ;
and I 1ne+G"
!ugo #e)esurier died a fe+ )onths ater in the private asyu) to
+hi.h he +as re)oved/ !is +ido+ +as re)arried a year ater to Mr
*ohn ,ardiner> the au'urn;haired se.retary/ &onad inherited the
'road a.res of his father> and .ontinues to fourish/
"We> +e>" I re)ar1ed to Poirot/ "Another iusion gone/ @ou have
disposed very su..essfuy of the .urse of the #e)esuriers/"
"I +onder>" said Poirot very thoughtfuy/ "I +onder very )u.h
indeed/"
"What do you )eanA"
"Mon a)i> I +i ans+er you +ith one signifi.ant +ord ; redG"
"%oodA" I 8ueried> dropping )y voi.e to an a+e;stri.1en +hisper/
"A+ays you have the i)agination )eodra)ati.> !astingsG I refer to
so)ething )u.h )ore prosai. ; the .oour of itte &onad
#e)esurier"s hair/"
T!( #<ST MI0(
I aid do+n )y 'an1 'oo1 +ith a sigh/
"It is a .urious thing>" I o'served> "'ut )y overdraft never see)s to
gro+ any ess/"
"And it pertur's you notA Me> if I had an overdraft> never shoud I
.ose )y eyes a night>" de.ared Poirot/
"@ou dea in .o)forta'e 'aan.es> I supposeG" I retorted/
"Four hundred and forty;four pounds> four and fourpen.e>" said
Poirot +ith so)e .o)pa.en.y/ "A neat figure> is it notA"
"It )ust 'e ta.t on the part of your 'an1 )anager/ !e is evidenty
a.8uainted +ith your passion for sy))etri.a detais/ What a'out
investing> say three hundred of it> in the Por.upine oi;fiedsA Their
prospe.tus> +hi.h is advertised in the papers today> says that they
+i pay one hundred per .ent in dividends neBt year/"
"0ot for )e>" said Poirot> sha1ing his head/ "I i1e not the
sensationa/ For )e the safe> the prudent invest)ent ; es rentes>
the .onsos> the ; ho+ do you .a itA ; the .onversion/"
"!ave you never )ade a spe.uative invest)entA"
"0o> )on a)i>" repied Poirot severey/ "I have not/ And the ony
shares I o+n +hi.h have not +hat you .a the gided edge are
fourteen thousand shares in the %ur)a Mines> #td/"
Poirot paused +ith an air of +aiting to 'e en.ouraged to go on/
"@esA" I pro)pted/
"And for the) I paid no .ash ; no> they +ere the re+ard of the
eBer.ise of )y itte grey .es/ @ou +oud i1e to hear the storyA
@esA"
"<f .ourse I +oud/"
"These )ines are situated in the interior> of %ur)a a'out t+o
hundred )ies inand fro) &angoon/ They +ere dis.overed 'y the
Chinese in the fifteenth .entury and +or1ed do+n to the ti)e of the
Moha))edan &e'eion> 'eing finay a'andoned in the year 1O3O/
The Chinese eBtra.ted the ri.h ead;siver ore fro) the upper part
of the ore 'ody> s)eting it for the siver aone> and eaving arge
8uantities of ri.h ead;'earing sag/ This> of .ourse> +as soon
dis.overed +hen prospe.ting +or1 +as .arried out in %ur)a> 'ut
o+ing to the fa.t that the od +or1ings had 'e.o)e fu of oose
fiing and +ater> a atte)pts to find the sour.e of the ore proved
fruitess/ Many parties +ere sent out 'y syndi.ates> and they dug
over a arge area> 'ut this ri.h pri?e sti euded the)/ %ut a
representative of one of the syndi.ates got on the tra.1 of a
Chinese fa)iy +ho +ere supposed to have sti 1ept a re.ord of the
situation of the )ine/ The present head of the fa)iy +as one Wu
#ing/"
"What a fas.inating page of .o))er.ia ro)an.e>" I eB.ai)ed/
"Is it notA Ah> )on a)i> one .an have ro)an.e +ithout godenhaired
girs of )at.hess 'eauty ; no> I a) +rongI it is au'urn hair
that so eB.ites you a+ays/ @ou re)e)'er ;"
",o on +ith the story>" I said hastiy/
"(h 'ien> )y friend> this Wu #ing +as approa.hed/ !e +as an
esti)a'e )er.hant> )u.h respe.ted in the provin.e +here he
ived/ !e ad)itted at on.e that he o+ned the do.u)ents in
8uestion> and +as perfe.ty prepared to negotiate for this sae> 'ut
he o'De.ted to deaing +ith anyone other than prin.ipas/ Finay it
+as arranged that he shoud Dourney to (ngand and )eet the
dire.tors of an i)portant .o)pany/
"Wu #ing )ade the Dourney to (ngand in the S/S/ Assunta> and the
Assunta do.1ed at Southa)pton on a .od> foggy )orning in
0ove)'er/ <ne of the dire.tors> Mr Pearson> +ent do+n to
Southa)pton to )eet the 'oat> 'ut o+ing to the fog> the train do+n
+as very )u.h deayed> and 'y the ti)e he arrived> Wu #ing had
dise)'ar1ed and eft 'y spe.ia train for #ondon/ Mr Pearson
returned to to+n so)e+hat annoyed> as he had no idea +here the
China)an proposed to stay/ #ater in the day> ho+ever> the offi.es
of the .o)pany +ere rung up on the teephone/ Wu #ing +as
staying at the &usse S8uare !ote/ !e +as feeing so)e+hat
un+e after the voyage> 'ut de.ared hi)sef perfe.ty a'e to
attend the 'oard )eeting on the foo+ing day/
"The )eeting of the 'oard too1 pa.e at eeven o".o.1/ When haf
past eeven .a)e> and Wu #ing had not put in an appearan.e> the
se.retary rang up the &usse !ote/ In ans+er to his in8uiries> he
+as tod that the China)an had gone out +ith a friend a'out haf
past ten/ It see)ed .ear that he had started out +ith the intention
of .o)ing to the )eeting> 'ut the )orning +ore a+ay> and he did
not appear/ It +as> of .ourse> possi'e that he had ost his +ay>
'eing una.8uainted +ith #ondon> 'ut at a ate hour that night he
had not returned to the hote/ Thoroughy aar)ed no+> Mr Pearson
put )atters in the hands of the poi.e/ <n the foo+ing day> there
+as sti no tra.e of the )issing )an> 'ut to+ards evening of the
day after that again> a 'ody +as found in the Tha)es +hi.h proved
to 'e that of the i;fated China)an/ 0either on the 'ody> nor in the
uggage at the hote> +as there any tra.e of the papers reating to
the )ine/
"At this Dun.ture> )on a)i> I +as 'rought into the affair/ Mr Pearson
.aed upon )e/ Whie profoundy sho.1ed 'y the death of Wu #ing>
his .hief anBiety +as to re.over the papers +hi.h +ere the o'De.t
of the China)an"s visit to (ngand/ The )ain anBiety of the poi.e> of
.ourse> +oud 'e to tra.1 do+n the )urderer ; the re.overy of the
papers +oud 'e a se.ondary .onsideration/ What he +anted )e to
do +as to .o;operate +ith the poi.e +hie a.ting in the interests of
the .o)pany/
"I .onsented readiy enough/ It +as .ear that there +ere t+o fieds
of sear.h open to )e/ <n the one hand> I )ight oo1 a)ong the
e)poyees of the .o)pany +ho 1ne+ of the China)an"s .o)ingI on
the other> a)ong the passengers on the 'oat +ho )ight have 'een
a.8uainted +ith his )ission/ I started +ith the se.ond> as 'eing a
narro+er fied of sear.h/ In this I .oin.ided +ith Inspe.tor Mier>
+ho +as in .harge of the .ase ; a )an atogether different fro) our
friend *app> .on.eited> i;)annered and 8uite insuffera'e/
Together +e intervie+ed the offi.ers of the ship/ They had itte to
te us/ Wu #ing had 1ept )u.h to hi)sef on the voyage/ !e had
'een inti)ate +ith 'ut t+o of the other passengers ; one a 'ro1endo+n
(uropean na)ed $yer +ho appeared to 'ear a so)e+hat
unsavoury reputation> the other a young 'an1 .er1 na)ed Chares
#ester> +ho +as returning fro) !ong -ong/ We +ere u.1y enough
to o'tain snapshots of 'oth these )en/ At the )o)ent there
see)ed itte dou't that if either of the t+o +as i)pi.ated> $yer
+as the )an/ !e +as 1no+n to 'e )iBed up +ith a gang of Chinese
.roo1s> and +as atogether a )ost i1ey suspe.t/
"<ur neBt step +as to visit the &usse S8uare !ote/ Sho+n a
snapshot of Wu #ing> they re.ogni?ed hi) at on.e/ We then sho+ed
the) the snapshot of $yer> 'ut to our disappoint)ent> the ha
porter de.ared positivey that that +as not the )an +ho had .o)e
to the hote on the fata )orning/ A)ost as an afterthought> I
produ.ed the photograph> of #ester> and to )y surprise the )an at
on.e re.ogni?ed it/
"J@es> sir>J he asserted> Jthat"s the gente)an +ho .a)e in at haf
past ten and as1ed for Mr Wu #ing> and after+ards +ent out +ith
hi)/J
"The affair +as progressing/ <ur neBt )ove +as to intervie+ Mr
Chares #ester/ !e )et us +ith the ut)ost fran1ness> +as
desoated to hear of the China)an"s unti)ey death> and put hi)sef
at our disposa in every +ay/ !is story +as as foo+sH %y
arrange)ent +ith Wu #ing> he .aed for hi) at the hote at tenthirty/
Wu #ing> ho+ever> did not appear/ Instead> his servant .a)e>
eBpained that his )aster had had to go out> and offered to .ondu.t
the young )an to +here his )aster no+ +as/ Suspe.ting nothing>
#ester agreed> and the China)an pro.ured a taBi/ They drove for
so)e ti)e in the dire.tion of the do.1s/ Suddeny 'e.o)ing
)istrustfu> #ester stopped the taBi and got out> disregarding the
servant"s protests/ That> he assured us> +as a he 1ne+/
"Apparenty satisfied> +e than1ed hi) and too1 our eave/ !is story
+as soon proved to 'e a so)e+hat ina..urate one/ To 'egin +ith>
Wu #ing had had no servant +ith hi)> either on the 'oat or at the
hote/ In the se.ond pa.e> the taBi;driver +ho had driven the t+o
)en on that )orning .a)e for+ard/ Far fro) #ester"s having eft
the taBi en route> he and the Chinese gente)an had driven to a
.ertain unsavoury d+eing;pa.e in #i)ehouse> right in the heart of
Chinato+n/ The pa.e in 8uestion +as )ore or ess +e 1no+n as
an opiu);den of the o+est des.ription/ The t+o gente)en had
gone in ; a'out an hour ater the (ngish gente)an> +ho) he
identified fro) the photograph> .a)e out aone/ !e oo1ed very
pae and i> and dire.ted the taBi;)an to ta1e hi) to the nearest
underground station/
"In8uiries +ere )ade a'out Chares #ester"s standing> and it +as
found that> though 'earing an eB.eent .hara.ter> he +as heaviy
in de't> and had a se.ret passion for ga)'ing/ $yer> of .ourse>
+as not ost sight of/ It see)ed Dust fainty possi'e that he )ight
have i)personated the other )an> 'ut that idea +as proved uttery
groundess/ !is ai'i for the +hoe of the day in 8uestion +as
a'soutey uni)pea.ha'e/ <f .ourse> the proprietor of the opiu)den
denied everything +ith <rienta stoidity/ !e had never seen Wu
#ingI he had never seen Chares #ester/ 0o t+o gente)en had
'een to the pa.e that )orning/ In any .ase> the poi.e +ere +rongH
no opiu) +as ever s)o1ed there/
"!is denias> ho+ever +e )eant> did itte to hep Chares #ester/
!e +as arrested for the )urder of Wu #ing/ A sear.h of his effe.ts
+as )ade> 'ut no papers reating to the )ine +ere dis.overed/ The
proprietor of the opiu);den +as aso ta1en into .ustody> 'ut a
.ursory raid of his pre)ises yieded nothing/ 0ot even a sti.1 of
opiu) re+arded the ?ea of the poi.e/
"In the )eanti)e )y friend Mr Pearson +as in a great state of
agitation/ !e strode up and do+n )y roo)> uttering great
a)entations/
"J%ut you )ust have so)e ideas> M/ PoirotGJ he 1ept urging/ JSurey
you )ust have so)e ideasAJ
"JCertainy I have ideas>J I repied .autiousy/ JThat is the trou'e ;
one has too )anyI therefore they a ead in different dire.tions/J
"JFor instan.eAJ he suggested/
"JFor instan.e ; the taBi;driver/ We have ony his +ord for it that he
drove the t+o )en to that house/ That is one idea/ Then +as it reay
that house they +ent toA Supposing that they eft the taBi there>
passed through the house and out 'y another entran.e and +ent
ese+hereAJ
"Mr Pearson see)ed stru.1 'y that/
"J%ut you do nothing 'ut sit and thin1A Can"t +e do so)ethingAJ
"!e +as of an i)patient te)pera)ent> you .o)prehend/
"JMonsieur>J I said +ith dignity> Jit is not for !er.ue Poirot to run up
and do+n the evi;s)eing streets of #i)ehouse i1e a itte dog of
no 'reeding/ %e .a)/ My agents are at +or1/J
"<n the foo+ing day I had ne+s for hi)/ The t+o )en had indeed
passed through the house in 8uestion> 'ut their rea o'De.tive +as a
s)a eating;house .ose to the river/ They +ere seen to pass in
there> and #ester .a)e out aone/
"And then> figure to yoursef> !astings> an idea of the )ost
unreasona'e sei?ed this Mr PearsonG 0othing +oud suit hi) 'ut
that +e shoud go ourseves to this eating;house and )a1e
investigations/ I argued and prayed> 'ut he +oud not isten/ !e
ta1ed of disguising hi)sef ; he even suggested that I ; I shoud ; I
hesitate to say it ; shoud shave off )y )ousta.heG @es> rien 8ue LaG
I pointed out to hi) that that +as an idea ridi.uous and a'surd/
<ne destroys not a thing of 'eauty +antony/ %esides> sha not a
%egian gente)an +ith a )ousta.he desire to see ife and s)o1e
the opiu) Dust as readiy as one +ithout a )ousta.heA
"(h 'ien> he gave in on that> 'ut he sti insisted on his proDe.t/ !e
turned up that evening ; Mon $ieu> +hat a figureG !e +ore +hat he
.aed the Jpea;Da.1etJ> his .hin> it +as dirty and unshavedI he had
a s.arf of the viest that offended the nose/ And figure to yoursef>
he +as enDoying hi)sefG Truy> the (ngish are )adG !e )ade so)e
.hanges in )y o+n appearan.e/ I per)itted it/ Can one argue +ith
a )ania.A We started out ; after a> .oud I et hi) go aone> a .hid
dressed up to a.t the .haradesA"
"<f .ourse you .oudn"t>" I repied/
"To .ontinue ; +e arrived/ Mr Pearson ta1ed (ngish of the
strangest/ !e represented hi)sef to 'e a )an of the sea/ !e ta1ed
of Ju''ersJ and Jfo.seesJ and I 1no+ not +hat/ It +as a o+ itte
roo) +ith )any Chinese in it/ We ate of pe.uiar dishes/ Ah> $ieu>
)on esto)a.G" Poirot .asped that portion of his anato)y tendery
'efore .ontinuing/ "Then there .a)e to us the proprietor> a
China)an +ith a fa.e of evi s)ies/
"J@ou gente)en no i1ee food here>J he said/ J@ou .o)e for +hat
you i1ee 'etter/ Pie.ee pipe> ehAJ
"Mr Pearson> he gave )e the great 1i.1 under the ta'e/ 9!e had on
the 'oots of the sea> tooG: And he saidH JI don"t )ind if I do> *ohn/
#ead ahead/J
"The China)an s)ied> and he too1 us through a door and to a
.ear and through a trapdoor> and do+n so)e steps and up again
into a roo) a fu of divans and .ushions of the )ost .o)forta'e/
We ay do+n and a Chinese 'oy too1 off our 'oots/ It +as the 'est
)o)ent of the evening/ Then they 'rought us the opiu);pipes and
.oo1ed the opiu);pis> and +e pretended to s)o1e and then to
seep and drea)/ %ut +hen +e +ere aone> Mr Pearson .aed softy
to )e> and i))ediatey he 'egan .ra+ing aong the foor/ We +ent
into another roo) +here other peope +ere aseep> and so on> unti
+e heard t+o )en ta1ing/ We stayed 'ehind a .urtain and istened/
They +ere spea1ing of Wu #ing/
"JWhat a'out the papersAJ said one/
"JMr #ester> he ta1ee those>J ans+ered the other> +ho +as a
China)an/ J!e say> puttee the) a in safee pa.e ; +here
pee.e)an no oo1ee/J
"JAh> 'ut he"s na''ed>J said the first one/
"J!e gettee free/ Pee.e)an not sure he done it/J
"There +as )ore of the sa)e 1ind of thing> then apparenty the t+o
)en +ere .o)ing our +ay> and +e s.utted 'a.1 to our 'eds/
"JWe"d 'etter get out of here>J said Pearson> after a fe+ )inutes
had eapsed/ JThis pa.e isn"t heathy/J
"J@ou are right> )onsieur>J I agreed/ JWe have payed the far.e ong
enough/J
"We su..eeded in getting a+ay> a right> paying handso)ey for our
s)o1e/ <n.e .ear of #i)ehouse> Pearson dre+ a ong 'reath/
"JI") gad to get out of that>J he said/ J%ut it"s so)ething to 'e
sure/J
"JIt is indeed>J I agreed/ JAnd I fan.y that +e sha not have )u.h
diffi.uty in finding +hat +e +ant ; after this evening"s
)as8uerade/J
"And there +as no diffi.uty +hatsoever>" finished Poirot suddeny/
This a'rupt ending see)ed so eBtraordinary that I stared at hi)/
"%ut ; 'ut +here +ere theyA" I as1ed/
"In his po.1et ; tout si)pe)ent/"
"%ut in +hose po.1etA"
"Mr Pearson"s> par'euG"
Then> o'serving )y oo1 of 'e+ider)ent> he .ontinued gentyH
"@ou do not yet see itA Mr Pearson> i1e Chares #ester> +as in de't/
Mr Pearson> i1e Chares #ester> +as fond of ga)'ing/ And he
.on.eived the idea of steaing the papers fro) the China)an/ !e
)et hi) a right at Southa)pton> .a)e up to #ondon +ith hi)> and
too1 hi) straight to #i)ehouse/ It +as foggy that dayI the China)an
+oud not noti.e +here he +as going/ I fan.y Mr Pearson s)o1ed
the opiu) fairy often do+n there and had so)e pe.uiar friends in
.onse8uen.e/ I do not thin1 he )eant )urder/ !is idea +as that
one of the China)en shoud i)personate Wu #ing and re.eive the
)oney for the sae of the do.u)ent/ So far> so goodG %ut> to the
<rienta )ind> it +as infinitey si)per to 1i Wu #ing and thro+ his
'ody into the river> and Pearson"s Chinese a..o)pi.es foo+ed
their o+n )ethods +ithout .onsuting hi)/ I)agine> then> +hat you
+oud .a the Jfun1 'euJ of M/ Pearson/ So)eone )ay have seen
hi) in the train +ith Wu #ing ; )urder is a very different thing fro)
si)pe a'du.tion/
"!is savation ies +ith the China)an +ho is i)personating Wu #ing
at the &usse S8uare !ote/ If ony the 'ody is not dis.overed too
soonG Pro'a'y Wu #ing had tod hi) of the arrange)ent 'et+een
hi) and Chares #ester +here'y the atter +as to .a for hi) at the
hote/ Pearson sees there an eB.eent +ay of diverting suspi.ion
fro) hi)sef/ Chares #ester sha 'e the ast person to 'e seen in
.o)pany +ith Wu #ing/ The i)personator has orders to represent
hi)sef to #ester as the servant of Wu #ing> and to 'ring hi) as
speediy as possi'e to #i)ehouse/ There> very i1ey> he +as
offered a drin1/ The drin1 +oud 'e suita'y drugged> and +hen
#ester e)erged an hour ater> he +oud have a very ha?y
i)pression of +hat had happened/ So )u.h +as this the .ase> that
as soon as #ester earned of Wu #ing"s death> he oses his nerve>
and denies that he ever rea.hed #i)ehouse/
"%y that> of .ourse> he pays right into Pearson"s hands/ %ut is
Pearson .ontentA 0o ; )y )anner dis8uiets hi)> and he deter)ines
to .o)pete the .ase against #ester/ So he arranges an ea'orate
)as8uerade/ Me> I a) to 'e gued .o)petey/ $id I not say Dust
no+ that he +as as a .hid a.ting the .haradesA (h 'ien> I pay )y
part/ !e goes ho)e reDoi.ing/ %ut in the )orning> Inspe.tor Mier
arrives on his doorstep/ The papers are found on hi)I the ga)e is
up/ %ittery he regrets per)itting hi)sef to pay the far.e +ith
!er.ue PoirotG There +as ony one rea diffi.uty in the affair/"
"What +as thatA" I de)anded .uriousy/
"Convin.ing Inspe.tor MierG What an ani)a> thatG %oth o'stinate
and i)'e.ie/ And in the end he too1 a the .redit/"
"Too 'ad>" I .ried/
"Ah> +e> I had )y .o)pensations/ The other dire.tor of the %ur)a
Mines #td a+arded )e fourteen thousand shares as a s)a
re.o)pense for )y servi.es/ 0ot so 'ad> ehA %ut +hen investing
)oney> 1eep> I 'eg of you> !astings> stri.ty to the .onservative/
The things you read in the paper> they )ay not 'e true/ The
dire.tors of the Por.upine ; they )ay 'e so )any Mr PearsonsG"
T!( P#@M<2T! (ZP&(SS
Ae. Si)pson> &/0/> stepped fro) the patfor) at 0e+ton A''ot
into a first;.ass .o)part)ent of the Py)outh (Bpress/ A porter
foo+ed hi) +ith a heavy suit.ase/ !e +as a'out to s+ing it up to
the ra.1> 'ut the young saior stopped hi)/
"0o ; eave it on the seat/ I" put it up ater/ !ere you are/"
"Than1 you> sir/" The porter> generousy tipped> +ithdre+/
$oors 'angedI a stentorian voi.e shoutedH "Py)outh ony/ Change
for Tor8uay/ Py)outh neBt stop/" Then a +histe 'e+> and the train
dre+ so+y out of the station/
#ieutenant Si)pson had the .arriage to hi)sef/ The $e.e)'er air
+as .hiy> and he pued up the +indo+/ Then he sniffed vaguey>
and fro+ned/ What a s)e there +asG &e)inded hi) of that ti)e in
hospita> and the operation on his eg/ @es> .horofor)I that +as itG
!e et the +indo+ do+n again> .hanging his seat to one +ith its
'a.1 to the engine/ !e pued a pipe out of his po.1et and it it/ For a
itte ti)e he sat ina.tive> oo1ing out into the night and s)o1ing/
At ast he roused hi)sef> and opening the suit.ase> too1 out so)e
papers and )aga?ines> then .osed the suit.ase again and
endeavoured to shove it under the opposite seat ; +ithout su..ess/
So)e hidden o'sta.e resisted it/ !e shoved harder +ith rising
i)patien.e> 'ut it sti stu.1 out haf;+ay into the .arriage/
"Why the devi +on"t it go inA" he )uttered> and hauing it out
.o)petey> he stooped do+n and peered under the seat///
A )o)ent ater a .ry rang out into the night> and the great train
.a)e to an un+iing hat in o'edien.e to the i)perative Der1ing of
the .o))uni.ation;.ord/
"Mon a)i>" said Poirot> "you have> I 1no+> 'een deepy interested in
this )ystery of the Py)outh (Bpress/ &ead this/"
I pi.1ed up the note he fi.1ed a.ross the ta'e to )e/ It +as 'rief
and to the point/
$ear Sir>
I sha 'e o'iged if you +i .a upon )e at your eariest
.onvenien.e/
@ours faithfuy>
('ene?er !aiday
The .onne.tion +as not .ear to )y )ind> and I oo1ed in8uiringy
at Poirot/
For ans+er he too1 up the ne+spaper and read aoudH
"JA sensationa dis.overy +as )ade ast night/ A young nava
offi.er returning to Py)outh found under the seat of his
.o)part)ent the 'ody of a +o)an> sta''ed through the heart/ The
offi.er at on.e pued the .o))uni.ation .ord> and the train +as
'rought to a standsti/ The +o)an> +ho +as a'out thirty years of
age> and ri.hy dressed> has not yet 'een identified/J
"And ater +e have thisH JThe +o)an found dead in the Py)outh
(Bpress has 'een identified as the !onoura'e Mrs &upert
Carrington/J @ou see no+> )y friendA <r if you do not> I +i add this
; Mrs &upert Carrington +as> 'efore her )arriage> Fossie !aiday>
daughter of od )an !aiday> the stee 1ing of A)eri.a/"
"And he has sent for youA SpendidG"
"I did hi) a itte servi.e in the past ; an affair of 'earer 'onds/ And
on.e> +hen I +as in Paris for a roya visit> I had Made)oisee
Fossie pointed out to )e/ #a Doie petite pensionnaireG She had the
Doie dot tooG It .aused trou'e/ She neary )ade a 'ad affair/"
"!o+ +as thatA"
"A .ertain Count de a &o.hefour/ 2n 'ien )auvais suDetG A 'ad hat>
as you +oud say/ An adventurer pure and si)pe> +ho 1ne+ ho+ to
appea to a ro)anti. young gir/ #u.1iy her father got +ind of it in
ti)e/ !e too1 her 'a.1 to A)eri.a in haste/ I heard of her )arriage
so)e years ater> 'ut I 1no+ nothing of her hus'and/"
"!")>" I said/ "The !onoura'e &upert Carrington is no 'eauty> 'y a
a..ounts/ !e"d pretty +e run through his o+n )oney on the turf>
and I shoud i)agine od )an !aiday"s doars .a)e aong in the
ni.1 of ti)e/ I shoud say that for a good;oo1ing> +e;)annered>
uttery uns.rupuous young s.oundre> it +oud 'e hard to find his
)at.hG"
"Ah> the poor itte adyG (e n"est pas 'ien to)'= eG"
"I fan.y he )ade it pretty o'vious at on.e that it +as her )oney> and
not she> that had attra.ted hi)/ I 'eieve they drifted apart a)ost
at on.e/ I have heard turnouts atey that there +as to 'e a definite
ega separation/"
"<d )an !aiday is no foo/ !e +oud tie up her )oney pretty tight/"
"I dare say/ Any+ay> I 1no+ as a fa.t that the !onoura'e &upert is
said to 'e eBtre)ey hard;up/"
"AhaG I +onder ;"
"@ou +onder +hatA"
"My good friend> do not Du)p do+n )y throat i1e that/ @ou are
interested> I see/ Supposing you a..o)pany )e to see Mr !aiday/
There is a taBi;stand at the .orner/"
A fe+ )inutes suffi.ed to +hir us to the super' house in Par1 #ane
rented 'y the A)eri.an )agnate/ We +ere sho+n into the i'rary>
and a)ost i))ediatey +e +ere Doined 'y a arge> stout )an> +ith
pier.ing eyes and an aggressive .hin/
"M/ PoirotA" said Mr !aiday/ "I guess I don"t need to te you +hat I
+ant you for/ @ou"ve read the papers> and I") never one to et the
grass gro+ under )y feet/ I happened to hear you +ere in #ondon>
and I re)e)'ered the good +or1 you did over those 'onds/ 0ever
forget a na)e/ I"ve got the pi.1 of S.otand @ard> 'ut I" have )y
o+n )an as +e/ Money no o'De.t/ A the doars +ere )ade for )y
itte gir ; and no+ she"s gone> I" spend )y ast .ent to .at.h the
da)ned s.oundre that did itG SeeA So it"s up to you to deiver the
goods/"
Poirot 'o+ed/
"I a..ept> )onsieur> a the )ore +iingy that I sa+ your daughter
in Paris severa ti)es/ And no+ I +i as1 you to te )e the
.ir.u)stan.es of her Dourney to Py)outh and any other detais that
see) to you to 'ear upon the .ase/"
"We> to 'egin +ith>" responded !aiday> "she +asn"t going to
Py)outh/ She +as going to Doin a house;party at Avon)ead Court>
the $u.hess of S+ansea"s pa.e/ She eft #ondon 'y the t+evefourteen
fro) Paddington> arriving at %risto 9+here she had to
.hange: at t+o;fifty/ The prin.ipa Py)outh eBpresses> of .ourse>
run via West'ury> and do not go near %risto at a/ The t+evefourteen
does a non;stop run to %risto> after+ards stopping at
Weston> Taunton> (Beter and 0e+ton A''ot/ My daughter traveed
aone in her .arriage> +hi.h +as reserved as far as %risto> her
)aid 'eing in a third;.ass .arriage in the neBt .oa.h/"
Poirot nodded> and Mr !aiday +ent onH "The party at Avon)ead
Court +as to 'e a very gay one> +ith severa 'as> and in
.onse8uen.e )y daughter had +ith her neary a her De+es
a)ounting in vaue> perhaps> to a'out a hundred thousand doars/"
"2n )o)ent>" interrupted Poirot/ "Who had .harge of the De+esA
@our daughter> or the )aidA"
"My daughter a+ays too1 .harge of the) hersef> .arrying the) in
a s)a 'ue )oro..o .ase/"
"Continue> )onsieur/"
"At %risto the )aid> *ane Mason> .oe.ted her )istress"s dressing'ag
and +raps> +hi.h +ere +ith her> and .a)e to the door of
Fossie"s .o)part)ent/ To her intense surprise> )y daughter tod
her that she +as not getting out at %risto> 'ut +as going on farther/
She dire.ted Mason to get out the uggage and put it in the
.oa1roo)/ She .oud have tea in the refresh)ent;roo)> 'ut she
+as to +ait at the station for her )istress> +ho +oud return to
%risto 'y an up;train in the .ourse of the afternoon/ The )aid>
athough very )u.h astonished> did as she +as tod/ She put the
uggage in the .oa1roo) and had so)e tea/ %ut up;train after uptrain
.a)e in> and her )istress did not appear/ After the arriva of
the ast train> she eft the uggage +here it +as> and +ent to a hote
near the station for the night/ This )orning she read of the tragedy>
and returned to to+n 'y the first avaia'e train/"
"Is there nothing to a..ount for your daughter"s sudden .hange of
panA"
"We> there is thisH A..ording to *ane Mason> at %risto> Fossie +as
no onger aone in her .arriage/ There +as a )an in it +ho stood
oo1ing out of the farther +indo+ so that she .oud not see his
fa.e/"
"The train +as a .orridor one> of .ourseA"
"@es/"
"Whi.h side +as the .orridorA"
"<n the patfor) side/ My daughter +as standing in the .orridor as
she ta1ed to Mason/"
"And there is no dou't in your )ind ; eB.use )eG" !e got up> and
.arefuy straightened the in1stand +hi.h +as a itte as1e+/ "*e
vous de)ande pardon>" he .ontinued> re;seating hi)sef/ "It affe.ts
)y nerves to see anything .roo1ed/ Strange> is it notA I +as saying>
)onsieur> that there is no dou't in your )ind as to this pro'a'y
uneBpe.ted )eeting 'eing the .ause of your daughter"s sudden
.hange of panA"
"It see)s the ony reasona'e supposition/"
"@ou have no idea as to +ho the gente)an in 8uestion )ight 'eA"
The )iionaire hesitated for a )o)ent> and then repiedH
"0o ; I do not 1no+ at a/"
"0o+ ; as to the dis.overy of the 'odyA"
"It +as dis.overed 'y a young nava offi.er +ho at on.e gave the
aar)/ There +as a do.tor on the train/ !e eBa)ined the 'ody/ She
had 'een first .horofor)ed> and then sta''ed/ !e gave it as his
opinion that she had 'een dead a'out four hours> so it )ust have
'een done not ong after eaving %risto ; pro'a'y 'et+een there
and Weston> possi'y 'et+een Weston and Taunton/"
"And the De+e;.aseA"
"The De+e;.ase> M/ Poirot> +as )issing/"
"<ne thing )ore> )onsieur/ @our daughter"s fortune ; to +ho) does
it pass at her deathA"
"Fossie )ade a +i soon after her )arriage> eaving everything to
her hus'and/" !e hesitated for a )inute> and then +ent onH "I )ay as
+e te you> Monsieur Poirot> that I regard )y son;in;a+ as an
unprin.iped s.oundre> and that> 'y )y advi.e> )y daughter +as
on the eve of freeing hersef fro) hi) 'y ega )eans ; no diffi.ut
)atter/ I setted her )oney upon her in su.h a +ay that he .oud not
tou.h it during her ifeti)e> 'ut athough they have ived entirey
apart for so)e years> she had fre8uenty a..eded to his de)ands
for )oney> rather than fa.e an open s.anda/ !o+ever> I +as
deter)ined to put an end to this/ At ast Fossie agreed> and )y
a+yers +ere instru.ted to ta1e pro.eedings/"
"And +here is Monsieur CarringtonA"
"In to+n/ I 'eieve he +as a+ay in the .ountry yesterday> 'ut he
returned ast night/"
Poirot .onsidered a itte +hie/ Then he saidH "I thin1 that is a>
)onsieur/"
"@ou +oud i1e to see the )aid> *ane MasonA"
"If you pease/"
!aiday rang the 'e> and gave a short order to the foot)an/
A fe+ )inutes ater *ane Mason entered the roo)> a respe.ta'e>
hard;featured +o)an> as e)otioness in the fa.e of tragedy as ony
a good servant .an 'e/
"@ou +i per)it )e to put a fe+ 8uestionsA @our )istress> she +as
8uite as usua 'efore starting yesterday )orningA 0ot eB.ited or
furriedA"
"<h no> sirG"
"%ut at %risto she +as 8uite differentA"
"@es> sir> reguar upset ; so nervous she didn"t see) to 1no+ +hat
she +as saying/"
"What did she say eBa.tyA"
"We> sir> as near as I .an re)e)'er> she saidH JMason> I"ve got to
ater )y pans/ So)ething has happened ; I )ean> I") not getting
out here after a/ I )ust go on/ ,et out the uggage and put it in the
.oa1roo)I then have so)e tea> and +ait for )e in the station/J
"JWait for you here> )a"a)AJ I as1ed/
"J@es> yes/ $on"t eave the station/ I sha return 'y a ater train/ I
don"t 1no+ +hen/ It )ayn"t 'e unti 8uite ate/J
"J7ery +e> )a"a)>J I says/ It +asn"t )y pa.e to as1 8uestions> 'ut
I thought it very strange/"
"It +as uni1e your )istress> ehA"
"7ery uni1e her> sir/"
"What did you thin1A"
"We> sir> I thought it +as to do +ith the gente)an in the .arriage/
She didn"t spea1 to hi)> 'ut she turned round on.e or t+i.e as
though to as1 hi) if she +as doing right/"
"%ut you didn"t see the gente)an"s fa.eA"
"0o> sirI he stood +ith his 'a.1 to )e a the ti)e/"
"Can you des.ri'e hi) at aA"
"!e had on a ight fa+n over.oat> and a traveing;.ap/ !e +as ta
and sender> i1e> and the 'a.1 of his head +as dar1/"
"@ou didn"t 1no+ hi)A"
"<h no> I don"t thin1 so> sir/"
"It +as not your )aster> Mr Carrington> 'y any .han.eA"
Mason oo1ed rather started/
"<h> I don"t thin1 so> sirG"
"%ut you are not sureA"
"It +as a'out the )aster"s 'uid> sir ; 'ut I never thought of it 'eing
hi)/ We so sedo) sa+ hi)/// I .oudn"t say it +asn"t hi)G"
Poirot pi.1ed up a pin fro) the .arpet> and fro+ned at it severeyI
then he .ontinuedH "Woud it 'e possi'e for the )an to have
entered the train at %risto 'efore you rea.hed the .arriageA"
Mason .onsidered/
"@es> sir> I thin1 it +oud/ My .o)part)ent +as very .ro+ded> and it
+as so)e )inutes 'efore I .oud get out ; and then there +as a
very arge .ro+d on the patfor)> and that deayed )e too/ %ut he"d
ony have had a )inute or t+o to spea1 to the )istress> that +ay/ I
too1 it for granted that he"d .o)e aong the .orridor/"
"That is )ore pro'a'e> .ertainy/"
!e paused> sti fro+ning/
"@ou 1no+ ho+ the )istress +as dressed> sirA"
"The papers give a fe+ detais> 'ut I +oud i1e you to .onfir) the)/"
"She +as +earing a +hite foB fur to8ue> sir> +ith a +hite spotted
vei> and a 'ue frie?e .oat and s1irt ; the shade of 'ue they .a
ee.tri./"
"!")> rather stri1ing/"
"@es>" re)ar1ed Mr !aiday/ "Inspe.tor *app is in hopes that that
)ay hep us to fiB the spot +here the .ri)e too1 pa.e/ Anyone +ho
sa+ her +oud re)e)'er her/"
"Pr= .is= )entG ; Than1 you> )ade)oisee/"
The )aid eft the roo)/
"WeG" Poirot got up 'ris1y/ "That is a I .an do here ; eB.ept>
)onsieur> that I +oud as1 you to te )e everything ; 'ut
everythingG"
"I have done so/"
"@ou are sureA"
"A'soutey/"
"Then there is nothing )ore to 'e said/ I )ust de.ine the .ase/"
"WhyA"
"%e.ause you have not 'een fran1 +ith )e/"
"I assure you ;"
"0o> you are 1eeping so)ething 'a.1/"
There +as a )o)ent"s pause> and then !aiday dre+ a paper fro)
his po.1et and handed it to )y friend/
"I guess that"a +hat you"re after> Monsieur Poirot ; though ho+ you
1no+ a'out it fairy gets )y goatG"
Poirot s)ied> and unfoded the paper/ It +as a etter +ritten in thin
soping hand+riting/ Poirot read it aoud/
"ChSre Mada)e>
It is +ith infinite peasure that I oo1 for+ard to the fei.ity of
)eeting you again/ After your so a)ia'e repy to )y etter> I .an
hardy restrain )y i)patien.e/ I have never forgotten those days in
Paris/ It is )ost .rue that you shoud 'e eaving #ondon to)orro+/
!o+ever> 'efore very ong> and perhaps sooner than you thin1> I
sha have the Doy of 'ehoding on.e )ore the ady +hose i)age has
ever reigned supre)e in )y heart/
%eieve> .hSre )ada)e> a the assuran.e of )y )ost devoted and
unatered senti)ents ;
Ar)and de a &o.hefour/"
Poirot handed the etter 'a.1 to !aiday +ith a 'o+/
"I fan.y> )onsieur> that you did not 1no+ that your daughter
intended rene+ing her a.8uaintan.e +ith the Count de a
&o.hefourA"
"It .a)e as a thunder'ot to )eG I found this etter in )y daughter"s
hand'ag/ As you pro'a'y 1no+> Monsieur Poirot> this so;.aed
.ount is an adventurer of the +orst type/"
Poirot nodded/
"%ut I +ant to 1no+ ho+ you 1ne+ of the eBisten.e of this etterA"
My friend s)ied/ "Monsieur> I did not/ %ut to tra.1 foot)ar1s and
re.ogni?e .igarette;ash is not suffi.ient for a dete.tive/ !e )ust
aso 'e a good psy.hoogistG I 1ne+ that you disi1ed and
)istrusted your son;in;a+/ !e 'enefits 'y your daughter"s deathI
the )aid"s des.ription of the )ysterious )an 'ears a suffi.ient
rese)'an.e to hi)/ @et you are not 1een on his tra.1G WhyA Surey
'e.ause your suspi.ions ie in another dire.tion/ Therefore you
+ere 1eeping so)ething 'a.1/"
"@ou"re right> Monsieur Poirot/ I +as sure of &upert"s guit unti I
found this etter/ It unsetted )e horri'y/"
"@es/ The Count saysH J%efore very ong> and perhaps sooner than
you thin1/J <'viousy he +oud not +ant to +ait unti you shoud get
+ind of his reappearan.e/ Was it he +ho traveed do+n fro)
#ondon 'y the t+eve;fourteen> and .a)e aong the .orridor to your
daughter"s .o)part)entA The Count de a &o.hefour is aso> if I
re)e)'er righty> ta and dar1G"
The )iionaire nodded/
"We> )onsieur> I +i +ish you good day/ S.otand @ard has> I
presu)e> a ist of the De+esA"
"@es/ I 'eieve Inspe.tor *app is here no+ if you +oud i1e to see
hi)/"
*app +as an od friend of ours> and greeted Poirot +ith a sort of
affe.tionate .onte)pt/
"And ho+ are you> )onsieurA 0o 'ad feeing 'et+een us> though +e
have got our different +ays of oo1ing at things/ !o+ are the Jitte
grey .esJ> ehA ,oing strongA"
Poirot 'ea)ed upon hi)/ "They fun.tion> )y good *appI assuredy
they doG"
"Then that"s a right/ Thin1 it +as the !onoura'e &upert> or a
.roo1A We"re 1eeping an eye on a the reguar pa.es> of .ourse/
We sha 1no+ if the shiners are disposed of> and of .ourse
+hoever did it isn"t going to 1eep the) to ad)ire their spar1e/ 0ot
i1eyG I") trying to find out +here &upert Carrington +as yesterday/
See)s a 'it of a )ystery a'out it/ I"ve got a )an +at.hing hi)/"
"A great pre.aution> 'ut perhaps a day ate>" suggested Poirot
genty/
"@ou a+ays +i have your Do1e> Monsieur Poirot/ We> I") off to
Paddington/ %risto> Weston> Taunton> that"s )y 'eat/ So ong/"
"@ou +i .o)e round and see )e this evening> and te )e the
resutA"
"Sure thing> if I") 'a.1/"
"That good inspe.tor 'eieves in )atter in )otion>" )ur)ured Poirot
as our friend departed/ "!e travesI he )easures footprintsI he
.oe.ts )ud and .igarette;ashG !e is eBtre)ey 'usyG !e is ?eaous
'eyond +ordsG And if I )entioned psy.hoogy to hi)> do you 1no+
+hat he +oud do> )y friendA !e +oud s)ieG !e +oud say to
hi)sefH JPoor od PoirotG !e agesG !e gro+s senieGJ *app is the
Jyounger generation 1no.1ing on the doorJ/ And )a foiG They are
so 'usy 1no.1ing that they do not noti.e that the door is openG"
"And +hat are you going to doA"
"As +e have .arte 'an.he> I sha eBpend threepen.e in ringing up
the &it? ; +here you )ay have noti.ed our Count is staying/ After
that> as )y feet are a itte da)p> and I have snee?ed t+i.e> I sha
return to )y roo)s and )a1e )ysef a tisane over the spirit a)pG"
I did not see Poirot again unti the foo+ing )orning/ I found hi)
pa.idy finishing his 'rea1fast/
"WeA" I in8uired eagery/ "What has happenedA"
"0othing/"
"%ut *appA"
"I have not seen hi)/"
"The CountA"
"!e eft the &it? the day 'efore yesterday/"
"The day of the )urderA"
"@es/"
"Then that settes itG &upert Carrington is .eared/"
"%e.ause the Count de a &o.hefour has eft the &it?A @ou go too
fast> )y friend/"
"Any+ay> he )ust 'e foo+ed> arrestedG %ut +hat .oud 'e his
)otiveA"
"<ne hundred thousand doars" +orth of De+eery is a very good
)otive for anyone/ 0o> the 8uestion to )y )ind isH +hy 1i herA Why
not si)py stea the De+esA She +oud not prose.ute/"
"Why notA"
"%e.ause she is a +o)an> )on a)i/ She on.e oved this )an/
Therefore she +oud suffer her oss in sien.e/ And the Count> +ho
is an eBtre)ey good psy.hoogist +here +o)en are .on.erned ;
hen.e his su..esses ; +oud 1no+ that perfe.ty +eG <n the other
hand> if &upert Carrington 1ied her> +hy ta1e the De+es> +hi.h
+oud in.ri)inate hi) fatayA"
"As a 'ind/"
"Perhaps you are right> )y friend/ Ah> here is *appG I re.ogni?e his
1no.1/"
The inspe.tor +as 'ea)ing good;hu)ouredy/
"Morning> Poirot/ <ny Dust got 'a.1/ I"ve done so)e good +or1G And
youA"
"Me> I have arranged )y ideas>" repied Poirot pa.idy/
*app aughed heartiy/
"<d .hap"s getting on in years>" he o'served 'eneath his 'reath to
)e/ "That +on"t do for us young fo1>" he said aoud/
"4ue do))ageA" Poirot in8uired/
"We> do you +ant to hear +hat I"ve doneA"
"@ou per)it )e to )a1e a guessA @ou have found the 1nife +ith
+hi.h the .ri)e +as .o))itted> 'y the side of the ine 'et+een
Weston and Taunton> and you have intervie+ed the paper'oy +ho
spo1e to Mrs Carrington at WestonG"
*app"s Da+ fe/ "!o+ on earth did you 1no+A $on"t te )e it +as
those a)ighty Jitte grey .esJ of yoursG"
"I a) gad you ad)it for on.e that they are a )ightyG Te )e> did
she give the paper;'oy a shiing for hi)sefA"
"0o> it +as haf a .ro+nG" *app had re.overed his te)per> and
grinned/ "Pretty eBtravagant> these ri.h A)eri.ansG"
"And in .onse8uen.e the 'oy did not forget herA"
"0ot he/ !af;.ro+ns don"t .o)e his +ay every day/ She haied hi)
and 'ought t+o )aga?ines/ <ne had a pi.ture of a gir in 'ue on
the .over/ JThat" )at.h )e>J she said/ <h> he re)e)'ered her
perfe.ty/ We> that +as enough for )e/ %y the do.tor"s eviden.e>
the .ri)e )ust have 'een .o))itted 'efore Taunton/ I guessed
they"d thro+ the 1nife a+ay at on.e> and I +a1ed do+n the ine
oo1ing for itI and sure enough> there it +as/ I )ade in8uiries at
Taunton a'out our )an> 'ut of .ourse it"s a 'ig station> and it +asn"t
i1ey they"d noti.e hi)/ !e pro'a'y got 'a.1 to #ondon 'y a ater
train/"
Poirot nodded/ "7ery i1ey/"
"%ut I found another 'it of ne+s +hen I got 'a.1/ They"re passing
the De+es> a rightG That arge e)erad +as pa+ned ast night ; 'y
one of the reguar ot/ Who do you thin1 it +asA"
"I don"t 1no+ ; eB.ept that he +as a short )an/"
*app stared/ "We> you"re right there/ !e"s short enough/ It +as &ed
0ar1y/"
"Who is &ed 0ar1yA" I as1ed/
"A parti.uary sharp De+e;thief> sir/ And not one to sti.1 at )urder/
2suay +or1s +ith a +o)an ; ,ra.ie -iddI 'ut she doesn"t see) to
'e in it this ti)e ; uness she"s got off to !oand +ith the rest of the
s+ag/"
"@ou"ve arrested 0ar1yA"
"Sure thing/ %ut )ind you> it"s the other )an +e +ant ; the )an +ho
+ent do+n +ith Mrs Carrington in the train/ !e +as the one +ho
panned the Do'> right enough/ %ut 0ar1y +on"t s8uea on a pa/"
I noti.ed that Poirot"s eyes had 'e.o)e very green/
"I thin1>" he said genty> "that I .an find 0ar1y"s pa for you> a right/"
"<ne of your itte ideas> ehA" *app eyed Poirot sharpy/ "Wonderfu
ho+ you )anage to deiver the goods so)eti)es> at your age and
a/ $evi"s o+n u.1> of .ourse/"
"Perhaps> perhaps>" )ur)ured )y friend/ "!astings> )y hat/ And the
'rush/ SoG My gaoshes> if it sti rainsG We )ust not undo the good
+or1 of that tisane/ Au revoir> *appG"
",ood u.1 to you> Poirot/"
Poirot haied the first taBi +e )et> and dire.ted the driver to Par1
#ane/
When +e dre+ up 'efore !aiday"s house> he s1ipped out ni)'y>
paid the driver and rang the 'e/ To the foot)an +ho opened the
door he )ade a re8uest in a o+ voi.e> and +e +ere i))ediatey
ta1en upstairs/ We +ent up to the top of the house> and +ere sho+n
into a s)a neat 'edroo)/
Poirot"s eyes roved round the roo) and fastened the)seves on a
s)a 'a.1 trun1/ !e 1net in front of it> s.rutini?ed the a'es on it>
and too1 a s)a t+ist of +ire fro) his po.1et/
"As1 Mr !aiday if he +i 'e so 1ind as to )ount to )e here>" he said
over his shouder to the foot)an/
The )an departed> and Poirot genty .oaBed the o.1 of the trun1
+ith a pra.tised hand/ In a fe+ )inutes the o.1 gave> and he raised
the id of the trun1/ S+ifty he 'egan ru))aging a)ong the .othes
it .ontained> finging the) out on the foor/
There +as a heavy step on the stairs> and !aiday entered the
roo)/
"What in he are you doing hereA" he de)anded> staring/
"I +as oo1ing> )onsieur> for this/" Poirot +ithdre+ fro) the trun1 a
.oat and s1irt of 'right 'ue frie?e> and a s)a to8ue of +hite foB
fur/
"What are you doing +ith )y trun1A" I turned to see that the )aid>
*ane Mason> had entered the roo)/
"If you +i Dust shut the door> !astings/ Than1 you/ @es> and stand
+ith your 'a.1 against it/ 0o+> Mr !aiday> et )e introdu.e you to
,ra.ie -idd> other+ise *ane Mason> +ho +i shorty reDoin her
a..o)pi.e> &ed 0ar1y> under the 1ind es.ort of Inspe.tor *app/"
Poirot +aved a depre.ating hand/ "It +as of the )ost si)peG" !e
heped hi)sef to )ore .aviar/
"It +as the )aid"s insisten.e on the .othes that her )istress +as
+earing that first stru.1 )e/ Why +as she so anBious that our
attention shoud 'e dire.ted to the)A I refe.ted that +e had ony
the )aid"s +ord for the )ysterious )an in the .arriage at %risto/
As far as the do.tor"s eviden.e +ent> Mrs Carrington )ight easiy
have 'een )urdered 'efore rea.hing %risto/ %ut if so> then the
)aid )ust 'e an a..o)pi.e/ And if she +ere an a..o)pi.e> she
+oud not +ish this point to rest on her eviden.e aone/ The .othes
Mrs Carrington +as +earing +ere of a stri1ing nature/ A )aid
usuay has a good dea of .hoi.e as to +hat her )istress sha
+ear/ 0o+ if> after %risto> anyone sa+ a ady in a 'right 'ue .oat
and s1irt> and a fur to8ue> he +i 'e 8uite ready to s+ear he had
seen Mrs Carrington/
"I 'egan to re.onstru.t/ The )aid +oud provide hersef +ith
dupi.ate .othes/ She and her a..o)pi.e> .horofor) and sta'
Mrs Carrington 'et+een #ondon and %risto> pro'a'y ta1ing
advantage of a tunne/ !er 'ody is roed under the seatI and the
)aid ta1es her pa.e/ At Weston she )ust )a1e hersef noti.ed/
!o+A In a pro'a'iity> a nevspaper;'oy +i 'e see.ted/ She +i
insure his re)e)'ering her 'y giving hi) a arge tip/ She aso dre+
his attention to the .oour of her dress 'y a re)ar1 a'out one of the
)aga?ines/ After eaving Weston> she thro+s the 1nife out of the
+indo+ to )ar1 the pa.e +here the .ri)e presu)a'y o..urred>
and .hanges her .othes> or 'uttons a ong )a.1intosh over the)/
At Taunton she eaves the train and returns to %risto as soon as
possi'e> +here her a..o)pi.e has duy eft the uggage in the
.oa1roo)/ !e hands over the ti.1et and hi)sef returns to #ondon/
She +aits on the patfor)> .arrying out her r/e> goes to a hote for
the night and returns to to+n in the )orning> eBa.ty as she said/
"When *app returned fro) this eBpedition> he .onfir)ed a )y
dedu.tions/ !e aso tod )e that a +e;1no+n .roo1 +as passing
the De+es/ I 1ne+ that +hoever it +as +oud 'e the eBa.t opposite
of the )an *ane Mason des.ri'ed/ When I heard that it +as &ed
0ar1y> +ho a+ays +or1ed +ith ,ra.ie -idd ; +e> I 1ne+ Dust
+here to find her/"
"And the CountA"
"The )ore I thought of it> the )ore I +as .onvin.ed that he had
nothing to do +ith it/ That gente)an is )u.h too .arefu of his o+n
s1in to ris1 )urder/ It +oud 'e out of 1eeping +ith his .hara.ter/"
"We> Monsieur Poirot>" said !aiday> "I o+e you a 'ig de't/ And the
.he.1 I +rite after un.h +on"t go near to setting it/"
Poirot s)ied )odesty> and )ur)ured to )eH "The good *app> he
sha get the offi.ia .redit> a right> 'ut though he has got his
,ra.ie -idd> I thin1 that I> as the A)eri.ans say> have got his goatG"
T!( C!<C<#AT( %<Z
It +as a +id night/ <utside> the +ind ho+ed )aevoenty> and the
rain 'eat against the +indo+s in great gusts/
Poirot and I sat fa.ing the hearth> our egs stret.hed out to the
.heerfu 'a?e/ %et+een us +as a s)a ta'e/ <n )y side of it stood
so)e .arefuy 're+ed hot toddyI on Poirot"s +as a .up of thi.1>
ri.h .ho.oate +hi.h I +oud not have drun1 for a hundred poundsG
Poirot sipped the thi.1 'ro+n )ess in the pin1 .hina .up> and
sighed +ith .ontent)ent/
"4uee 'ee vieG" he )ur)ured/
"@es> it"s a good od +ord>" I agreed/ "!ere a) I +ith a Do'> and a
good Do' tooG And here are you> fa)ous ;"
"<h> )on a)iG" protested Poirot/
"%ut you are/ And righty soG When I thin1 'a.1 on your ong ine of
su..esses> I a) positivey a)a?ed/ I don"t 'eieve you 1no+ +hat
faiure isG"
"!e +oud 'e a dro 1ind of origina +ho .oud say thatG"
"0o> 'ut seriousy> have you ever faiedA"
"Innu)era'e ti)es> )y friend/ What +oud youA #a 'onne .han.e>
it .annot a+ays 'e on your side/ I have 'een .aed in too ate/ 7ery
often another> +or1ing to+ards the sa)e goa> has arrived there
first/ T+i.e have I 'een stri.1en do+n +ith iness Dust as I +as on
the point of su..ess/ <ne )ust ta1e the do+ns +ith the ups> )y
friend/"
"I didn"t 8uite )ean that>" I said/ "I )eant> had you ever 'een
.o)petey do+n and out over a .ase through your o+n fautA"
"Ah> I .o)prehendG @ou as1 if I have ever )ade the .o)pete pri?e
ass of )ysef> as you say over hereA <n.e> )y friend ;" A so+>
refe.tive s)ie hovered over his fa.e/ "@es> on.e I )ade a foo of
)ysef/"
!e sat up suddeny in his .hair/
"See here> )y friend> you have> I 1no+> 1ept a re.ord of )y itte
su..esses/ @ou sha add one )ore story to the .oe.tion> the story
of a faiureG"
!e eaned for+ard and pa.ed a og on the fire/ Then> after .arefuy
+iping his hands on a itte duster that hung on a nai 'y the
firepa.e> he eaned 'a.1 and .o))en.ed his story/
That of +hi.h I te you 9said M/ Poirot: too1 pa.e in %egiu) )any
years ago/ It +as at the ti)e of the terri'e strugge in Fran.e
'et+een .hur.h and state/ M/ Pau $= rouard +as a Fren.h deputy
of note/ It +as an open se.ret that the portfoio of a Minister
a+aited hi)/ !e +as a)ong the 'itterest of the anti;Cathoi. party>
and it +as .ertain that on his a..ession to po+er> he +oud have to
fa.e vioent en)ity/ !e +as in )any +ays a pe.uiar )an/ Though
he neither dran1 nor s)o1ed> he +as nevertheess not so
s.rupuous in other +ays/ @ou .o)prehend> !astings> ."= tait des
fe))es ; touDours des fe))esG
!e had )arried so)e years earier a young ady fro) %russes +ho
had 'rought hi) a su'stantia dot/ 2ndou'tedy the )oney +as
usefu to hi) in his .areer> as his fa)iy +as not ri.h> though on the
other hand he +as entited to .a hi)sef M/ e %aron if he .hose/
There +ere no .hidren of the )arriage> and his +ife died after t+o
years ; the resut of a fa do+nstairs/ A)ong the property +hi.h
she 'e8ueathed to hi) +as a house on the Avenue #ouise in
%russes/
It +as in this house that his sudden death too1 pa.e> the event
.oin.iding +ith the resignation of the Minister +hose portfoio he
+as to inherit/ A the papers printed ong noti.es of his .areer/ !is
death> +hi.h had ta1en pa.e 8uite suddeny in the evening after
dinner> +as attri'uted to heart;faiure/
At that ti)e> )on a)i> I +as> as you 1no+> a )e)'er of the %egian
dete.tive for.e/ The death of M/ Pau $= rouard +as not
parti.uary interesting to )e/ I a)> as you aso 1no+> 'on
.athoi8ue> and his de)ise see)ed to )e fortunate/
It +as so)e three days after+ards> +hen )y va.ation had Dust
'egun> that I re.eived a visitor at )y o+n apart)ents ; a ady>
heaviy veied> 'ut evidenty 8uite youngI and I per.eived at on.e
that she +as a Deune fie tout P fait .o))e i faut/
"@ou are Monsieur !er.ue PoirotA" she as1ed in a o+ s+eet voi.e/
I 'o+ed/
"<f the dete.tive servi.eA"
Again I 'o+ed/ "%e seated> I pray of you> )ade)oisee>" I said/
She a..epted a .hair and dre+ aside her vei/ !er fa.e +as
.har)ing> though )arred +ith tears> and haunted as though +ith
so)e poignant anBiety/
"Monsieur>" she said> "I understand that you are no+ ta1ing a
va.ation/ Therefore you +i 'e free to ta1e up a private .ase/ @ou
understand that I do not +ish to .a in the poi.e/"
I shoo1 )y head/ "I fear +hat you as1 is i)possi'e> )ade)oisee/
(ven though on va.ation> I a) sti of the poi.e/"
She eaned for+ard/ "(.oute?> )onsieur/ A that I as1 of you is to
investigate/ The resut of your investigations you are at perfe.t
i'erty to report to the poi.e/ If +hat I 'eieve to 'e true is true> +e
sha need a the )a.hinery of the a+/"
That pa.ed a so)e+hat different .o)peBion on the )atter> and I
pa.ed )ysef at her servi.e +ithout )ore ado/
A sight .oour rose in her .hee1s/ "I than1 you> )onsieur/ It is the
death of M/ Pau $= rouard that I as1 you to investigate/"
"Co))entA" I eB.ai)ed> surprised/
"Monsieur> I have nothing to go upon ; nothing 'ut )y +o)an"s
instin.t> 'ut I a) .onvin.ed ; .onvin.ed> I te you ; that M/ $=
rouard did not die a natura deathG"
"%ut surey the do.tors ;"
"$o.tors )ay 'e )ista1en/ !e +as so ro'ust> so strong/ Ah>
Monsieur Poirot> I 'esee.h of you to hep )e ;"
The poor .hid +as a)ost 'eside hersef/ She +oud have 1net to
)e/ I soothed her as 'est I .oud/
"I +i hep you> )ade)oisee/ I fee a)ost sure that your fears are
unfounded> 'ut +e +i see/ First> I +i as1 you to des.ri'e to )e
the in)ates of the house/"
"There are the do)esti.s> of .ourse> *eanette> F= i.ie> and $enise
the .oo1/ She has 'een there )any yearsI the others are si)pe
.ountry girs/ Aso there is FranLois> 'ut he too is an od servant/
Then there is Monsieur $= rouard"s )other +ho ived +ith hi)> and
)ysef/ My na)e is 7irginie Mesnard/ I a) a poor .ousin of the ate
Mada)e $= rouard> M/ Pau"s +ife> and I have 'een a )e)'er of
their )= nage for over three years/ I have no+ des.ri'ed to you the
househod/ There +ere aso t+o guests staying in the house/"
"And they +ereA"
"M/ de Saint Aard> a neigh'our of M/ $= rouard"s in Fran.e/ Aso an
(ngish friend> Mr *ohn Wison/"
"Are they sti +ith youA"
"Mr Wison> yes> 'ut M/ de Saint Aard departed yesterday/"
"And +hat is your pan> Made)oisee MesnardA"
"If you +i present yoursef at the house in haf an hour"s ti)e> I +i
have arranged so)e story to a..ount for your presen.e/ I had
'etter represent you to 'e .onne.ted +ith Dournais) in so)e +ay/
I sha say you have .o)e fro) Paris> and that you have 'rought a
.ard of introdu.tion fro) M/ de Saint Aard/ Mada)e $= rouard is
very fee'e in heath> and +i pay itte attention to detais/"
<n )ade)oisee"s ingenious preteBt I +as ad)itted to the house>
and after a 'rief intervie+ +ith the dead deputy"s )other> +ho +as
a +onderfuy i)posing and aristo.rati. figure though o'viousy in
faiing heath> I +as )ade free of the pre)ises/
I +onder> )y friend 9.ontinued Poirot:> +hether you .an possi'y
figure to yoursef the diffi.uties of )y tas1A !ere +as a )an +hose
death had ta1en pa.e three days previousy/ If there had 'een fou
pay> ony one possi'iity +as ad)itta'e ; poisonG And I had had no
.han.e of seeing the 'ody> and there +as no possi'iity of
eBa)ining> or anaysing> any )ediu) in +hi.h the poison .oud
have 'een ad)inistered/ There +ere no .ues> fase or other+ise>
to .onsider/ !ad the )an 'een poisonedA !ad he died a natura
deathA I> !er.ue Poirot> +ith nothing to hep )e> had to de.ide/
First> I intervie+ed the do)esti.s> and +ith their aid> I re.apituated
the evening/ I paid espe.ia noti.e to the food at dinner> and the
)ethod of serving it/ The soup had 'een served 'y M/ $= rouard
hi)sef fro) a tureen/ 0eBt a dish of .utets> then a .hi.1en/ Finay
a .o)pote of fruits/ And a pa.ed on the ta'e> and served 'y
Monsieur hi)sef/ The .offee +as 'rought in a 'ig pot to the dinnerta'e/
0othing there> )on a)i ; i)possi'e to poison one +ithout
poisoning aG
After dinner Mada)e $= rouard had retired to her o+n apart)ents
and Made)oisee 7irginie had a..o)panied her/ The three )en
had adDourned to M/ $= rouard"s study/ !ere they had .hatted
a)i.a'y for so)e ti)e> +hen suddeny> +ithout any +arning> the
deputy had faen heaviy to the ground/ M/ de Saint Aard had
rushed out and tod FranLois to fet.h a do.tor i))ediatey/ !e said
it +as +ithout dou't an apopeBy> eBpained the )an/ %ut +hen the
do.tor arrived> the patient +as past hep/
Mr *ohn Wison> to +ho) I +as presented 'y Made)oisee 7irginie>
+as +hat +as 1no+n in those days as a reguar *ohn %u
(ngish)an> )idde;aged and 'ury/ !is a..ount> deivered in very
%ritish Fren.h> +as su'stantiay the sa)e/
"$= rouard +ent very red in the fa.e> and do+n he fe/"
There +as nothing further to 'e found out there/ 0eBt I +ent to the
s.ene of the tragedy> the study> and +as eft aone there at )y o+n
re8uest/ So far there +as nothing to support Made)oisee
Mesnard"s theory/ I .oud not 'ut 'eieve that it +as a deusion on
her part/ (videnty she had entertained a ro)anti. passion for the
dead )an +hi.h had not per)itted her to ta1e a nor)a vie+ of the
.ase/ 0evertheess> I sear.hed the study +ith )eti.uous .are/ It
+as Dust possi'e that a hypoder)i. neede )ight have 'een
introdu.ed into the dead )an"s .hair in su.h a +ay as to ao+ of a
fata inDe.tion/ The )inute pun.ture it +oud .ause +as i1ey to
re)ain unnoti.ed/ %ut I .oud dis.over no sign to support that
theory/ I fung )ysef do+n in the .hair +ith a gesture of despair/
"(nfin> I a'andon itG" I said aoud/ "There is not a .ue any+hereG
(verything is perfe.ty nor)a/"
As I said the +ords> )y eyes fe on a arge 'oB of .ho.oates
standing on a ta'e near 'y> and )y heart gave a eap/ It )ight not
'e a .ue to M/ $= rouard"s death> 'ut here at east +as so)ething
that +as not nor)a/ I ifted the id/ The 'oB +as fu> untou.hedI not
a .ho.oate +as )issing ; 'ut that ony )ade the pe.uiarity that
had .aught )y eye )ore stri1ing/ For> see you> !astings> +hie the
'oB itsef +as pin1> the id +as 'ue/ 0o+> one often sees a 'ue
ri''on on a pin1 'oB> and vi.e versa> 'ut a 'oB of one .oour> and a
id of another ; noI de.idedy ; La ne se voit Da)aisG
I did not as yet see that this itte in.ident +as of any use to )e> yet I
deter)ined to investigate it as 'eing out of the ordinary/ I rang the
'e for FranLois> and as1ed hi) if his ate )aster had 'een fond of
s+eets/ A faint )ean.hoy s)ie .a)e to his ips/
"Passionatey fond of the)> )onsieur/ !e +oud a+ays have a 'oB
of .ho.oates in the house/ !e did not drin1 +ine of any 1ind> you
see/"
"@et this 'oB has not 'een tou.hedA" I ifted the id to sho+ hi)/
"Pardon> )onsieur> 'ut that +as a ne+ 'oB pur.hased on the day of
his death> the other 'eing neary finished/"
"Then the other 'oB +as finished on the day of his death>" I said
so+y/
"@es> )onsieur> I found it e)pty in the )orning and thre+ it a+ay/"
"$id M/ $= rouard eat s+eets at a hours of the dayA"
"2suay after dinner> )onsieur/"
I 'egan to see ight/
"FranLois>" I said> "you .an 'e dis.reetA"
"If there is need> )onsieur/"
"%onG -no+> then> that I a) of the poi.e/ Can you find )e that other
'oBA"
"Without dou't> )onsieur/ It +i 'e in the dust'in/"
!e departed> and returned in a fe+ )inutes +ith a dust;.overed
o'De.t/ It +as the dupi.ate of the 'oB I hed> save for the fa.t that
this ti)e the 'oB +as 'ue and the id +as pin1/ I than1ed FranLois>
re.o))ended hi) on.e )ore to 'e dis.reet> and eft the house in
the Avenue #ouise +ithout )ore ado/
0eBt day I .aed upon the do.tor +ho had attended M/ $= rouard/
With hi) I had a diffi.ut tas1/ !e entren.hed hi)sef prettiy 'ehind
a +a of earned phraseoogy> 'ut I fan.ied that he +as not 8uite as
sure a'out the .ase as he +oud i1e to 'e/
"There have 'een )any .urious o..urren.es of the 1ind>" he
o'served> +hen I had )anaged to disar) hi) so)e+hat/ "A sudden
fit of anger> a vioent e)otion ; after a heavy dinner> ."est entendu ;
then> +ith an a..ess of rage> the 'ood fies to the head> and pstG ;
there you areG"
"%ut M/ $= rouard had had no vioent e)otion/"
"0oA I )ade sure that he had 'een having a stor)y ater.ation +ith
M/ de Saint Aard/"
"Why shoud heA"
"C"est = videntG" The do.tor shrugged his shouders/ "Was not M/ de
Saint Aard a Cathoi. of the )ost fanati.aA Their friendship +as
'eing ruined 'y this 8uestion of .hur.h and state/ 0ot a day passed
+ithout dis.ussions/ To M/ de Saint Aard> $= rouard appeared
a)ost as Anti.hrist/"
This +as uneBpe.ted> and gave )e food for thought/
"<ne )ore 8uestion> $o.torH +oud it 'e possi'e to introdu.e a
fata dose of poison into a .ho.oateA"
"It +oud 'e possi'e> I suppose>" said the do.tor so+y/ "Pure
prussi. a.id +oud )eet the .ase if there +ere no .han.e of
evaporation> and a tiny go'ue of anything )ight 'e s+ao+ed
unnoti.ed ; 'ut it does not see) a very i1ey supposition/ A
.ho.oate fu of )orphine or stry.hnine ;" !e )ade a +ry fa.e/ "@ou
.o)prehend> M/ Poirot ; one 'ite +oud 'e enoughG The un+ary one
+oud not stand upon .ere)ony/"
"Than1 you> M/ e $o.teur/"
I +ithdre+/ 0eBt I )ade in8uiries of the .he)ists> espe.iay those
in the neigh'ourhood of the Avenue #ouise/ It is good to 'e of the
poi.e/ I got the infor)ation I +anted +ithout any trou'e/ <ny in
one .ase .oud I hear of any poison having 'een suppied to the
house in 8uestion/ This +as so)e eye drops of atropine suphate
for Mada)e $= rouard/ Atropine is a potent poison> and for the
)o)ent I +as eated> 'ut the sy)pto)s of atropine poisoning are
.osey aied to those of pto)aine> and 'ear no rese)'an.e to
those I +as studying/ %esides> the pres.ription +as an od one/
Mada)e $= rouard had suffered fro) .atara.t in 'oth eyes for
)any years/
I +as turning a+ay dis.ouraged +hen the .he)ist"s voi.e .aed )e
'a.1/
"2n )o)ent> M/ Poirot/ I re)e)'er> the gir +ho 'rought that
pres.ription> she said so)ething a'out having to go on to the
(ngish .he)ist/ @ou )ight try there/"
I did/ <n.e )ore enfor.ing )y offi.ia status> I got the infor)ation I
+anted/ <n the day 'efore M/ $= rouard"s death they had )ade up
a pres.ription for Mr *ohn Wison/ 0ot that there +as any )a1ing
up a'out it/ They +ere si)py itte ta'ets of trinitrine/ I as1ed if I
)ight see so)e/ !e sho+ed )e the)> and )y heart 'eat faster ; for
the tiny ta'ets +ere of .ho.oate/
"It is a poisonA" I as1ed/
"0o> )onsieur/"
"Can you des.ri'e to )e its effe.tA"
"It o+ers the 'ood;pressure/ It is given for so)e for)s of heart
trou'e ; angina pe.toris for instan.e/ It reieves the arteria
tension/ In arterios.erosis ;"
I interrupted hi)/ "Ma foiG This rig)aroe says nothing to )e/ $oes it
.ause the fa.e to fushA"
"Certainy it does/"
"And supposing I ate ten ; t+enty of your itte ta'ets> +hat thenA"
"I shoud not advise you to atte)pt it>" he repied driy/
"And yet you say it is not poisonA"
"There are )any things not .aed poison +hi.h .an 1i a )an>" he
repied as 'efore/
I eft the shop eated/ At ast> things had 'egun to )ar.hG
I no+ 1ne+ that *ohn Wison hed the )eans for the .ri)e ; 'ut
+hat a'out the )otiveA !e had .o)e to %egiu) on 'usiness> and
had as1ed M/ $= rouard> +ho) he 1ne+ sighty> to put hi) up/
There +as apparenty no +ay in +hi.h $= rouard"s death .oud
'enefit hi)/ Moreover> I dis.overed 'y in8uiries in (ngand that he
had suffered for so)e years fro) that painfu for) of heart disease
1no+n as angina/ Therefore he had a genuine right to have those
ta'ets in his possession/ 0evertheess> I +as .onvin.ed that
so)eone had gone to the .ho.oate 'oB> opening the fu one first
'y )ista1e> and had a'stra.ted the .ontents of the ast .ho.oate>
.ra))ing in instead as )any itte trinitrin ta'ets as it +oud hod/
The .ho.oates +ere arge ones/ %et+een t+enty or thirty ta'ets> I
fet sure> .oud have 'een inserted/ %ut +ho had done thisA
There +ere t+o guests in the house/ *ohn Wison had the )eans/
Saint Aard had the )otive/ &e)e)'er> he +as a fanati.> and there
is no fanati. i1e a reigious fanati./ Coud he> 'y any )eans> have
got hod of *ohn Wison"s trinitrineA
Another itte idea .a)e to )e/ AhG @ou s)ie at )y itte ideasG Why
had Wison run out of trinitrineA Surey he +oud 'ring an ade8uate
suppy fro) (ngand/ I .aed on.e )ore at the house in the Avenue
#ouise/ Wison +as out> 'ut I sa+ the gir +ho did his roo)> F= i.ie/
I de)anded of her i))ediatey +hether it +as not true that M/
Wison had ost a 'otte fro) his +ashstand so)e itte ti)e ago/
The gir responded eagery/ It +as 8uite true/ She> F= i.ie> had
'een 'a)ed for it/ The (ngish gente)an had evidenty thought
that she had 'ro1en it> and did not i1e to say so/ Whereas she had
never even tou.hed it/ Without dou't it +as *eannette ; a+ays
nosing round +here she had no 'usiness to 'e ;
I .a)ed the fo+ of +ords> and too1 )y eave/ I 1ne+ no+ a that I
+anted to 1no+/ It re)ained for )e to prove )y .ase/ That> I fet>
+oud not 'e easy/ I )ight 'e sure that Saint Aard had re)oved the
'otte of trinitrine fro) *ohn Wison"s +ashstand> 'ut to .onvin.e
others> I +oud have to produ.e eviden.e/ And I had none to
produ.eG
0ever )ind/ I 1ne+ ; that +as the great thing/ @ou re)e)'er our
diffi.uty in the Styes .ase> !astingsA There again> I 1ne+ 'ut it
too1 )e a ong ti)e to find the ast in1 +hi.h )ade )y .hain of
eviden.e against the )urderer .o)pete/
I as1ed for an intervie+ +ith Made)oisee Mesnard/ She .a)e at
on.e/ I de)anded of her the address of M/ de Saint Aard/ A oo1 of
trou'e .a)e over her fa.e/
"Why do you +ant it> )onsieurA"
"Made)oisee> it is ne.essary/"
She see)ed dou'tfu ; trou'ed/
"!e .an te you nothing/ !e is a )an +hose thoughts are not in this
+ord/ !e hardy noti.es +hat goes on around hi)/"
"Possi'y> )ade)oisee/ 0evertheess> he +as an od friend of M/
$= rouard"s/ There )ay 'e things he .an te )e ; things of the past
; od grudges ; od ove;affairs/"
The gir fushed and 'it her ip/ "As you pease ; 'ut ; 'ut ; I fee sure
no+ that I have 'een )ista1en/ It +as good of you to a..ede to )y
de)and> 'ut I +as upset ; a)ost distraught at the ti)e/ I see no+
that there is no )ystery to sove/ #eave it> I 'eg of you> )onsieur/"
I eyed her .osey/
"Made)oisee>" I said> "it is so)eti)es diffi.ut for a dog to find a
s.ent> 'ut on.e he has found it> nothing on earth +i )a1e hi)
eave itG That is if he is a good dogG And I> )ade)oisee> I> !er.ue
Poirot> a) a very good dog/"
Without a +ord she turned a+ay/ A fe+ )inutes ater she returned
+ith the address +ritten on a sheet of paper/ I eft the house/
FranLois +as +aiting for )e outside/ !e oo1ed at )e anBiousy/
"There is no ne+s> )onsieurA"
"0one as yet> )y friend/"
"AhG Pauvre Monsieur $= rouardG" he sighed/ "I too +as of his +ay of
thin1ing/ I do not .are for priests/ 0ot that I +oud say so in the
house/ The +o)en are a devout ; a good thing perhaps/ Mada)e
est trSs pieuse ; et Made)oisee 7irginie aussi/"
Made)oisee 7irginieA Was she "trSs pieuseA" Thin1ing of the tearstained
passionate fa.e I had seen that first day> I +ondered/
!aving o'tained the address of M/ de Saint Aard> I +asted no ti)e/
I arrived in the neigh'ourhood of his .h/teau in the Ardennes 'ut it
+as so)e days 'efore I .oud find a preteBt for gaining ad)ission
to the house/ In the end I did ; ho+ do you thin1 ; as a pu)'er> )on
a)iG It +as the affair of a )o)ent to arrange a neat itte gas ea1 in
his 'edroo)/ I departed for )y toos> and too1 .are to return +ith
the) at an hour +hen I 1ne+ I shoud have the fied pretty +e to
)ysef/ What I +as sear.hing for> I hardy 1ne+/ The one thing
needfu> I .oud not 'eieve there +as any .han.e of finding/ !e
+oud never have run the ris1 of 1eeping it/
Sti +hen I found a itte .up'oard a'ove the +ashstand o.1ed> I
.oud not resist the te)ptation of seeing +hat +as inside it/ The
o.1 +as 8uite a si)pe one to pi.1/ The door s+ung open/ It +as
fu of od 'ottes/ I too1 the) up one 'y one +ith a tre)'ing hand/
Suddeny> I uttered a .ry/ Figure to yoursef> )y friend> I hed in )y
hand a itte phia +ith an (ngish .he)ist"s a'e/ <n it +ere the
+ordsH "Trinitrine Ta'ets/ <ne to 'e ta1en +hen re8uired/ Mr *ohn
Wison/"
I .ontroed )y e)otion> .osed the itte .up'oard> sipped the
'otte into )y po.1et> and .ontinued to repair the gas ea1G <ne
)ust 'e )ethodi.a/ Then I eft the .h/teau> and too1 train for )y
o+n .ountry as soon as possi'e/ I arrived in %russes ate that
night/ I +as +riting out a report for the pr= fet in the )orning> +hen
a note +as 'rought to )e/ It +as fro) od Mada)e $= rouard> and
it su))oned )e to the house in the Avenue #ouise +ithout deay/
FranLois opened the door to )e/
"Mada)e a %aronne is a+aiting you/"
!e .ondu.ted )e to her apart)ents/ She sat in state in a arge
ar).hair/ There +as no sign of Made)oisee 7irginie/
"M/ Poirot>" said the od ady/ "I have Dust earned that you are not
+hat you pretend to 'e/ @ou are a poi.e offi.er/"
"That is so> )ada)e/"
"@ou .a)e here to in8uire into the .ir.u)stan.es of )y son"s
deathA"
Again I repiedH "That is so> )ada)e/"
"I shoud 'e gad if you +oud te )e +hat progress you have )ade/"
I hesitated/
"First I +oud i1e to 1no+ ho+ you have earned a this> )ada)e/"
"Fro) one +ho is no onger of this +ord/"
!er +ords> and the 'rooding +ay she uttered the)> sent a .hi to
)y heart/ I +as in.apa'e of spee.h/
"Wherefore> )onsieur> I +oud 'eg of you )ost urgenty to te )e
eBa.ty +hat progress you have )ade in your investigation/"
"Mada)e> )y investigation is finished/"
"My sonA"
"Was 1ied dei'eratey/"
"@ou 1no+ 'y +ho)A"
"@es> )ada)e/"
"Who> thenA"
"M/ de Saint Aard/"
The od ady shoo1 her head/
"@ou are +rong/ M/ de Saint Aard is in.apa'e of su.h a .ri)e/"
"The proofs are in )y hands/"
"I 'eg of you on.e )ore to te )e a/"
This ti)e I o'eyed> going over ea.h step that had ed )e to the
dis.overy of the truth/ She istened attentivey/ At the end she
nodded her head/
"@es> yes> it is a as you say> a 'ut one thing/ It +as not M/ de Saint
Aard +ho 1ied )y son/ It +as I> his )other/"
I stared at her/ She .ontinued to nod her head genty/
"It is +e that I sent for you/ It is the providen.e of the good ,od
that 7irginie tod )e 'efore she departed for the .onvent> +hat she
had done/ #isten> M/ PoirotG My son +as an evi )an/ !e perse.uted
the .hur.h/ !e ed a ife of )orta sin/ !e dragged do+n other sous
'eside his o+n/ %ut there +as +orse than that/ As I .a)e out of )y
roo) in this house one )orning> I sa+ )y daughter;in;a+ standing
at the head of the stairs/ She +as reading a etter/ I sa+ )y son
stea up 'ehind her/ <ne s+ift push> and she fe> stri1ing her head
on the )ar'e steps/ When they pi.1ed her up she +as dead/ My
son +as a )urderer> and ony I> his )other> 1ne+ it/"
She .osed her eyes for a )o)ent/ "@ou .annot .on.eive> )onsieur>
of )y agony> )y despair/ What +as I to doA $enoun.e hi) to the
poi.eA I .oud not 'ring )ysef to do it/ It +as )y duty> 'ut )y fesh
+as +ea1/ %esides> +oud they 'eieve )eA My eyesight had 'een
faiing for so)e ti)e ; they +oud say I +as )ista1en/ I 1ept sien.e/
%ut )y .ons.ien.e gave )e no pea.e/ %y 1eeping sien.e I too +as
a )urderer/ My son inherited his +ife"s )oney/ !e fourished as the
green 'ay tree/ And no+ he +as to have a Minister"s portfoio/ !is
perse.ution of the .hur.h +oud 'e redou'ed/ And there +as
7irginie/ She> poor .hid> 'eautifu> naturay pious> +as fas.inated
'y hi)/ !e had a strange and terri'e po+er over +o)en/ I sa+ it
.o)ing/ I +as po+eress to prevent it/ !e had no intention of
)arrying her/ The ti)e .a)e +hen she +as ready to yied
everything to hi)/
"Then I sa+ )y path .ear/ !e +as )y son/ I had given hi) ife/ I +as
responsi'e for hi)/ !e had 1ied one +o)an"s 'ody> no+ he +oud
1i another"s souG I +ent to Mr Wison"s roo)> and too1 the 'otte of
ta'ets/ !e had on.e said aughingy that there +ere enough in it to
1i a )anG I +ent into the study and opened the 'ig 'oB of
.ho.oates that a+ays stood on the ta'e/ I opened a ne+ 'oB 'y
)ista1e/ The other +as on the ta'e aso/ There +as Dust one
.ho.oate eft in it/ That si)pified things/ 0o one ate .ho.oates
eB.ept )y son and 7irginie/ I +oud 1eep her +ith )e that night/ A
+ent as I had panned ;"
She paused> .osing her eyes a )inute then opened the) again/
"M/ Poirot> I a) in your hands/ They te )e I have not )any days to
ive/ I a) +iing to ans+er for )y a.tion 'efore the good ,od/ Must
I ans+er for it on earth asoA"
I hesitated/ "%ut the e)pty 'otte> )ada)e>" I said to gain ti)e/ "!o+
.a)e that into M/ de Saint Aard"s possessionA"
"When he .a)e to say good'ye to )e> )onsieur> I sipped it into his
po.1et/ I did not 1no+ ho+ to get rid of it/ I a) so infir) that I
.annot )ove a'out )u.h +ithout hep> and finding it e)pty in )y
roo)s )ight have .aused suspi.ion/ @ou understand> )onsieur ;"
she dre+ hersef up to her fu height ; "it +as +ith no idea of .asting
suspi.ion on M/ de Saint AardG I never drea)ed of su.h a thing/ I
thought his vaet +oud find an e)pty 'otte and thro+ it a+ay
+ithout 8uestion/"
I 'o+ed )y head/ "I .o)prehend> )ada)e>" I said/
"And your de.ision> )onsieurA"
!er voi.e +as fir) and unfatering> her head hed as high as ever/ I
rose to )y feet/
"Mada)e>" I said> "I have the honour to +ish you good day/ I have
)ade )y investigations ; and faiedG The )atter is .osed/"
!e +as sient for a )o)ent> then said 8uietyH "She died Dust a +ee1
ater/ Made)oisee 7irginie passed through her novitiate> and duy
too1 the vei/ That> )y friend> is the story/ I )ust ad)it that I do not
)a1e a fine figure in it/"
"%ut that +as hardy a faiure>" I eBpostuated/ "What ese .oud you
have thought under the .ir.u)stan.esA"
"Ah> sa.r= > )on a)i>" .ried Poirot> 'e.o)ing suddeny ani)ated/ "Is
it that you do not seeA %ut I +as thirty;siB ti)es an idiotG My grey
.es> they fun.tioned not at a/ The +hoe ti)e I had the true .ue in
)y hands/"
"What .ueA"
"The .ho.oate 'oBG $o you not seeA Woud anyone in possession of
their fu eyesight )a1e su.h a )ista1eA I 1ne+ Mada)e $= rouard
had .atara.t ; the atropine drops tod )e that/ There +as ony one
person in the househod +hose eyesight +as su.h that she .oud
not see +hi.h id to repa.e/ It +as the .ho.oate 'oB that started
)e on the tra.1> and yet up to the end I faied .onsistenty to
per.eive its rea signifi.an.eG
"Aso )y psy.hoogy +as at faut/ !ad M/ de Saint Aard 'een the
.ri)ina> he +oud never have 1ept an in.ri)inating 'otte/ Finding
it +as a proof of his inno.en.e/ I had earned aready fro)
Made)oisee 7irginie that he +as a'sent;)inded/ Atogether it
+as a )isera'e affair that I have re.ounted to you thereG <ny to
you have I tod the story/ @ou .o)prehend> I do not figure +e in itG
An od ady .o))its a .ri)e in su.h a si)pe and .ever fashion
that I> !er.ue Poirot> a) .o)petey de.eived/ SapristiG It does not
'ear thin1ing ofG Forget it/ <r no ; re)e)'er it> and if you thin1 at
any ti)e that I a) gro+ing .on.eited ; it is not i1ey> 'ut it )ight
arise/"
I .on.eaed a s)ie/
"(h 'ien> )y friend> you sha say to )e> JCho.oate 'oBJ/ Is it
agreedA"
"It"s a 'argainG"
"After a>" said Poirot refe.tivey> "it +as an eBperien.eG I> +ho have
undou'tedy the finest 'rain in (urope at present> .an afford to 'e
)agnani)ousG"
"Cho.oate 'oB>" I )ur)ured genty/
"Pardon> )on a)iA"
I oo1ed at Poirot"s inno.ent fa.e> as he 'ent for+ard in8uiringy>
and )y heart s)ote )e/ I had suffered often at his hands> 'ut I> too>
though not possessing the finest 'rain in (urope> .oud afford to 'e
)agnani)ousG
"0othing>" I ied> and it another pipe> s)iing to )ysef/
T!( S2%MA&I0( P#A0S
A note had 'een 'rought 'y spe.ia )essenger/ Poirot read it> and
a gea) of eB.ite)ent and interest .a)e into his eyes as he did so/
!e dis)issed the )an +ith a fe+ .urt +ords and then turned to )e/
"Pa.1 a 'ag +ith a haste> )y friend/ We"re going do+n to
Sharpes/"
I started at the )ention of the fa)ous .ountry pa.e of #ord
Ao+ay/ !ead of the ne+y for)ed Ministry of $efen.e> #ord
Ao+ay +as a pro)inent )e)'er of the Ca'inet/ As Sir &aph
Curtis> head of a great engineering fir)> he had )ade his )ar1 in
the !ouse of Co))ons> and he +as no+ freey spo1en of as the
.o)ing )an> and the one )ost i1ey to 'e as1ed to for) a )inistry
shoud the turnouts as to Mr $avid Ma.Ada)"s heath prove +e
founded/
A 'ig &os;&oy.e .ar +as +aiting for us 'eo+> and as +e gided off
into the dar1ness> I pied Poirot +ith 8uestions/
"What on earth .an they +ant us for at this ti)e of nightA" I
de)anded/ It +as past eeven/
Poirot shoo1 his head/ "So)ething of the )ost urgent> +ithout
dou't/"
"I re)e)'er>" I said> "that so)e years ago there +as so)e rather
ugy s.anda a'out &aph Curtis> as he then +as ; so)e Duggery
+ith shares> I 'eieve/ In the end> he +as .o)petey eBoneratedI
'ut perhaps so)ething of the 1ind has arisen againA"
"It +oud hardy 'e ne.essary for hi) to send for )e in the )idde of
the night> )y friend/"
I +as for.ed to agree> and the re)ainder of the Dourney +as passed
in sien.e/ <n.e out of #ondon> the po+erfu .ar forged rapidy
ahead> and +e arrived at Sharpes in a itte under the hour/
A pontifi.a 'uter .ondu.ted us at on.e to a s)a study +here
#ord Ao+ay +as a+aiting us/ !e sprang up to greet us ; a ta>
spare )an +ho see)ed a.tuay to radiate po+er and vitaity/
"M/ Poirot> I a) deighted to see you/ It is the se.ond ti)e the
,overn)ent has de)anded your servi.es/ I re)e)'er ony too +e
+hat you did for us during the +ar> +hen the Pri)e Minister +as
1idnapped in that astounding fashion/ @our )astery dedu.tions ;
and )ay I add> your dis.retionA ; saved the situation/"
Poirot"s eyes t+in1ed a itte/
"$o I gather then> Miord> that this is another .ase for ; dis.retionA"
"Most e)phati.ay/ Sir !arry and I ; oh> et )e introdu.e you ;
Ad)ira Sir !arry Weardae> our First Sea #ord ; M/ Poirot and ; et
)e see> Captain ;"
"!astings>" I suppied/
"I"ve often heard of you> M/ Poirot>" said Sir !arry> sha1ing hands/
"This is a )ost una..ounta'e 'usiness> and if you .an sove it> +e"
'e eBtre)ey gratefu to you/"
I i1ed the First Sea #ord i))ediatey> a s8uare> 'uff saior of the
good od;fashioned type/
Poirot oo1ed in8uiringy at the) 'oth> and Ao+ay too1 up the tae/
"<f .ourse> you understand that a this is in .onfiden.e> M/ Poirot/
We have had a )ost serious oss/ The pans of the ne+ V type of
su')arine have 'een stoen/"
"When +as thatA"
"Tonight ; ess than three hours ago/ @ou .an appre.iate perhaps>
M/ Poirot> the )agnitude of the disaster/ It is essentia that the oss
shoud not 'e )ade pu'i./ I +i give you the fa.ts as 'riefy as
possi'e/ My guests over the +ee1;end +ere the Ad)ira> here> his
+ife and son> and a Mrs Conrad> a ady +e 1no+n in #ondon
so.iety/ The adies retired to 'ed eary ; a'out ten o".o.1I so did Mr
#eonard Weardae/ Sir !arry is do+n here party for the purpose of
dis.ussing the .onstru.tion of this ne+ type of su')arine +ith )e/
A..ordingy> I as1ed Mr Fit?roy> )y se.retary> to get out the pans
fro) the safe in the .orner there> and to arrange the) ready for
)e> as +e as various other do.u)ents that 'ore upon the su'De.t
in hand/ Whie he +as doing this> the Ad)ira and I stroed up and
do+n the terra.e> s)o1ing .igars and enDoying the +ar) *une air/
We finished our s)o1e and our .hat> and de.ided to get do+n to
'usiness/ *ust as +e turned at the far end of the terra.e> I fan.ied I
sa+ a shado+ sip out of the fren.h +indo+ here> .ross the terra.e>
and disappear/ I paid very itte attention> ho+ever/ I 1ne+ Fit?roy
to 'e in this roo)> and it never entered )y head that anything )ight
'e a)iss/ There> of .ourse> I a) to 'a)e/ We> +e retra.ed our
steps aong the terra.e and entered this roo) 'y the +indo+ Dust
as Fit?roy entered it fro) the ha/
"J,ot everything out +e are i1ey to need> Fit?royAJ I as1ed/
"JI thin1 so> #ord Ao+ay/ The papers are a on your des1>J he
ans+ered/ And then he +ished us 'oth goodnight/
"J*ust +ait a )inute>J I said> going to the des1/ JI )ay +ant
so)ething I haven"t )entioned/J
"I oo1ed 8ui.1y through the papers that +ere ying there/
"J@ou"ve forgotten the )ost i)portant of the ot> Fit?roy>J I said/
JThe a.tua pans of the su')arineGJ
"JThe pans are right on top> #ord Ao+ay/J
"J<h no> they"re not>J I said> turning over the papers/
"J%ut I put the) there not a )inute agoA"
"JWe> they"re not here no+>J I said/
"Fit?roy advan.ed +ith a 'e+idered eBpression on his fa.e/ The
thing see)ed in.redi'e/ We turned over the papers on the des1I
+e hunted through the safeI 'ut at ast +e had to )a1e up our
)inds to it that the papers +ere gone ; and gone +ithin the short
spa.e of a'out three )inutes +hie Fit?roy +as a'sent fro) the
roo)/"
"Why did he eave the roo)A" as1ed Poirot 8ui.1y/
"*ust +hat I as1ed hi)>" eB.ai)ed Sir !arry/
"It appears>" said #ord Ao+ay> "that Dust +hen he had finished
arranging the papers on )y des1> he +as started 'y hearing a
+o)an s.rea)/ !e dashed out into the ha/ <n the stairs he
dis.overed Mrs Conrad"s Fren.h )aid/ The gir oo1ed very +hite
and upset> and de.ared that she had seen a ghost ; a ta figure
dressed a in +hite that )oved +ithout a sound/ Fit?roy aughed at
her fears and tod her> in )ore or ess poite anguage> not to 'e a
foo/ Then he returned to this roo) Dust as +e entered fro) the
+indo+/"
"It a see)s very .ear>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "The ony 8uestion
is> +as the )aid an a..o)pi.eA $id she s.rea) 'y arrange)ent
+ith her .onfederate ur1ing outside> or +as he )erey +aiting
there in the hope of an opportunity presenting itsefA It +as a )an> I
suppose ; not a +o)an you sa+A"
"I .an"t te you> M/ Poirot/ It +as Dust a ; shado+/"
The Ad)ira gave su.h a pe.uiar snort that it .oud not fai to
attra.t attention/
"M/ "Ad)ira has so)ething to say> I thin1>" said Poirot 8uiety> +ith
a sight s)ie/ "@ou sa+ this shado+> Sir !arryA"
"0o> I didn"t>" returned the other/ "And neither did Ao+ay/ The
'ran.h of a tree fapped> or so)ething> and then after+ards> +hen
+e dis.overed the theft> he eaped to the .on.usion that he had
seen so)eone pass a.ross the terra.e/ !is i)agination payed a
tri.1 on hi)I that"s a/"
"I a) not usuay .redited +ith having )u.h i)agination>" said #ord
Ao+ay +ith a sight s)ie/
"0onsense> +e"ve a got i)agination/ We .an a +or1 ourseves up
to 'eieve that +e"ve seen )ore than +e have/ I"ve had a ifeti)e of
eBperien.e at sea> and I" 'a.1 )y eyes against those of any
ands)an/ I +as oo1ing right do+n the terra.e> and I"d have seen
the sa)e if there +as anything to see/"
!e +as 8uite eB.ited over the )atter/ Poirot rose and stepped
8ui.1y to the +indo+/
"@ou per)itA" he as1ed/ "We )ust sette this point if possi'e/"
!e +ent out upon the terra.e> and +e foo+ed hi)/ !e had ta1en
an ee.tri. tor.h fro) his po.1et> and +as paying the ight aong
the edge of the grass that 'ordered the terra.e/
"Where did he .ross the terra.e> Mior"A" he as1ed/
"A'out opposite the +indo+> I shoud say/"
Poirot .ontinued to pay the tor.h for so)e )inutes onger> +a1ing
the entire ength of the terra.e and 'a.1/ Then he shut it off and
straightened hi)sef up/
"Sir !arry is right ; and you are +rong> Mior">" he said 8uiety/ "It
rained heaviy earier this evening/ Anyone +ho passed over that
grass .oud not avoid eaving foot)ar1s/ %ut there are none ; none
at a/"
!is eyes +ent fro) one )an"s fa.e to the other"s/ #ord Ao+ay
oo1ed 'e+idered and un.onvin.edI the Ad)ira eBpressed a noisy
gratifi.ation/
"-ne+ I .oudn"t 'e +rong>" he de.ared/ "Trust )y eyes any+here/"
!e +as su.h a pi.ture of an honest od sea;dog that I .oud not hep
s)iing/
"So that 'rings us to the peope in the house>" said Poirot s)oothy/
"#et us .o)e inside again/ 0o+> Mior"> +hie Mr Fit?roy +as
spea1ing to the )aid on the stairs> .oud anyone have sei?ed the
opportunity to enter the study fro) the haA"
#ord Ao+ay shoo1 his head/
"4uite i)possi'e ; they +oud have had to pass hi) in order to do
so/"
"And Mr Fit?roy hi)sef ; you are sure of hi)> ehA"
#ord Ao+ay fushed/ "A'soutey> M/ Poirot/ I +i ans+er
.onfidenty for )y se.retary/ It is 8uite i)possi'e that he shoud 'e
.on.erned in the )atter in any +ay/"
"(verything see)s to 'e i)possi'e>" re)ar1ed Poirot rather driy/
"Possi'y the pans atta.hed to the)seves a itte pair of +ings> and
fe+ a+ay ; .o))e LaG" !e 'e+ his ips out i1e a .o)i.a .heru'/
"The +hoe thing is i)possi'e>" de.ared #ord Ao+ay i)patienty/
"%ut I 'eg> M/ Poirot> that you +i not drea) of suspe.ting Fit?roy/
Consider for one )o)ent ; had he +ished to ta1e the pans> +hat
.oud have 'een easier for hi) than to ta1e a tra.ing of the)
+ithout going to the trou'e of steaing the)A"
"There> Mior">" said Poirot +ith approva> "you )a1e a re)ar1 'ien
Duste ; I see that you have a )ind ordery and )ethodi.a/
#"Angeterre is happy in possessing you/"
#ord Ao+ay oo1ed rather e)'arrassed 'y this sudden 'urst of
praise/ Poirot returned to the )atter in hand/
"The roo) in +hi.h you had 'een sitting a the evening ;"
"The dra+ing;roo)A @esA"
"That aso has a +indo+ on the terra.e> sin.e I re)e)'er your
saying you +ent out that +ay/ Woud it not 'e possi'e for so)eone
to .o)e out 'y the dra+ing;roo) +indo+ and in 'y this one +hie
Mr Fit?roy +as out of the roo)> and return the sa)e +ayA"
"%ut +e"d have seen the)>" o'De.ted the Ad)ira/
"0ot if you had your 'a.1s turned> +a1ing the other +ay/"
"Fit?roy +as ony out of the roo) a fe+ )inutes> the ti)e it +oud
ta1e us to +a1 to the end and 'a.1/"
"0o )atter ; it is a possi'iity ; in fa.t> the ony one as things stand/"
"%ut there +as no one in the dra+ing;roo) +hen +e +ent out>" said
the Ad)ira/
"They )ay have .o)e there after+ards/"
"@ou )ean>" said #ord Ao+ay so+y> "that +hen Fit?roy heard the
)aid s.rea) and +ent out> so)eone +as aready .on.eaed in the
dra+ing;roo)> that they darted in and out through the +indo+s>
and ony eft the dra+ing;roo) +hen Fit?roy had returned to this
roo)A"
"The )ethodi.a )ind again>" said Poirot> 'o+ing/ "@ou eBpress the
)atter perfe.ty/"
"<ne of the servants> perhapsA"
"<r a guest/ It +as Mrs Conrad"s )aid +ho s.rea)ed/ What eBa.ty
.an you te )e of Mrs ConradA"
#ord Ao+ay .onsidered for a )inute/
"I tod you that she is a ady +e 1no+n in so.iety/ That is true in the
sense that she gives arge parties> and goes every+here/ %ut very
itte is 1no+n as to +here she reay .o)es fro)> and +hat her past
ife has 'een/ She is a ady +ho fre8uents dipo)ati. and Foreign
<ffi.e .ir.es as )u.h as possi'e/ The Se.ret Servi.e is in.ined to
as1 ; +hyA"
"I see>" said Poirot/ "And she +as as1ed here this +ee1;end ;"
"So that ; sha +e sayA ; +e )ight o'serve her at .ose 8uarter/"
"Parfaite)entG It is possi'e that she has turned the ta'es on you
rather neaty/"
#ord Ao+ay oo1ed dis.o)fited> and Poirot .ontinuedH
"Te )e> Mior"> +as any referen.e )ade in her hearing to the
su'De.ts you and the Ad)ira +ere going to dis.uss togetherA"
"@es>" ad)itted the other/ "Sir !arry saidH JAnd no+ for our
su')arineG To +or1GJ or so)ething of that sort/ The others had eft
the roo)> 'ut she had .o)e 'a.1 for a 'oo1/"
"I see>" said Poirot thoughtfuy/ "Mior"> it is very ate ; 'ut this is an
urgent affair/ I +oud i1e to 8uestion the )e)'ers of this houseparty
at on.e if it is possi'e/"
"It .an 'e )anaged> of .ourse>" said #ord Ao+ay/ "The a+1+ard
thing is> +e don"t +ant to et it get a'out )ore than .an 'e heped/
<f .ourse> #ady *uiet Weardae and young #eonard are a right ;
'ut Mrs Conrad> if she is not guity> is rather a different proposition/
Perhaps you .oud Dust state that an i)portant paper is )issing>
+ithout spe.ifying +hat it is> or going into any of the .ir.u)stan.es
of the disappearan.eA"
"(Ba.ty +hat I +as a'out to propose )ysef>" said Poirot> 'ea)ing/
"In fa.t> in a three .ases/ Monsieur the Ad)ira +i pardon )e> 'ut
even the 'est of +ives ; "
"0o offen.e>" said Sir !arry/ "A +o)en ta1> 'ess "e)G I +ish *uiet
+oud ta1 a itte )ore and pay 'ridge a itte ess/ %ut +o)en are
i1e that no+adays> never happy uness they"re dan.ing or
ga)'ing/ I" get *uiet and #eonard up> sha I> Ao+ayA"
"Than1 you/ I" .a the Fren.h )aid/ M/ Poirot +i +ant to see her>
and she .an rouse her )istress/ I" attend to it no+/ In the
)eanti)e> I" send Fit?roy aong/"
Mr Fit?roy +as a pae> thin young )an +ith pin.e;ne? and a frigid
eBpression/ !is state)ent +as pra.ti.ay +ord for +ord +hat #ord
Ao+ay had aready tod us/
"What is your o+n theory> Mr Fit?royA"
Mr Fit?roy shrugged his shouders/
"2ndou'tedy so)eone +ho 1ne+ the hang of things +as +aiting
his .han.e outside/ !e .oud see +hat +ent on through the
+indo+> and he sipped in +hen I eft the roo)/ It"s a pity #ord
Ao+ay didn"t give .hase then and there +hen he sa+ the feo+
eave/"
Poirot did not unde.eive hi)/ Instead he as1edH "$o you 'eieve the
story of the Fren.h )aid ; that she had seen a ghostA"
"We> hardy> M/ PoirotG"
"I )ean ; that she reay thought soA"
"<h> as to that> I .an"t say/ She .ertainy see)ed rather upset/ She
had her hands to her head/"
"AhaG" .ried Poirot +ith the air of one +ho has )ade a dis.overy/ "Is
that so indeed ; and she +as +ithout dou't a pretty girA"
"I didn"t noti.e parti.uary>" said Mr Fit?roy in a repressive voi.e/
"@ou did not see her )istress> I supposeA"
"As a )atter of fa.t> I did/ She +as in the gaery at the top of the
steps and +as .aing her ; J#= onieGJ Then she sa+ )e ; and of
.ourse retired/"
"2pstairs>" said Poirot> fro+ning/
"<f .ourse> I reai?e that a this is very unpeasant for )e ; or rather
+oud have 'een> if #ord Ao+ay had not .han.ed to see the )an
a.tuay eaving/ In any .ase> I shoud 'e gad if you +oud )a1e a
point of sear.hing )y roo) ; and )ysef/"
"@ou reay +ish thatA"
"Certainy I do/"
What Poirot +oud have repied I do not 1no+> 'ut at that )o)ent
#ord Ao+ay reappeared and infor)ed us that the t+o adies and
Mr #eonard Weardae +ere in the dra+ing;roo)/
The +o)en +ere in 'e.o)ing negigees/ Mrs Conrad +a a 'eautifu
+o)an of thirty;five> +ith goden hair and a sight tenden.y to
e)'onpoint/ #ady *uiet Weardae )ust have 'een forty> ta and
dar1> very thin> sti 'eautifu> +ith eB8uisite hands and feet> and a
restess> haggard )anner/ !er son +as rather an effe)inateoo1ing
young )an> as great a .ontrast to his 'uff> hearty father as
.oud +e 'e i)agined/
Poirot gave forth the itte rig)aroe +e had agreed upon> and then
eBpained that he +as anBious to 1no+ if anyone had heard or seen
anything that night +hi.h )ight assist us/
Turning to Mrs Conrad first> he as1ed her if she +oud 'e so 1ind as
to infor) hi) eBa.ty +hat her )ove)ents had 'een/
"#et )e see/// I +ent upstairs/ I rang for )y )aid/ Then> as she did
not put in an appearan.e> I .a)e out and .aed her/ I .oud hear
her ta1ing on the stairs/ After she had 'rushed )y hair> I sent her
a+ay ; she +as in a very .urious nervous state/ I read a+hie and
then +ent to 'ed/"
"And you> #ady *uietA"
"I +ent straight upstairs and to 'ed/ I +as very tired/"
"What a'out your 'oo1> dearA" as1ed Mrs Conrad +ith a s+eet
s)ie/
"My 'oo1A" #ady *uiet fushed/
"@es> you 1no+> +hen I sent #= onie a+ay> you +ere .o)ing up the
stairs/ @ou had 'een do+n to the dra+ing;roo) for a 'oo1> you
said/"
"<h yes> I did go do+n/ I ; I forgot/"
#ady *uiet .asped her hands nervousy together/
"$id you hear Mrs Conrad"s )aid s.rea)> )iadyA"
"0o ; no> I didn"t/"
"!o+ .urious ; 'e.ause you )ust have 'een in the dra+ing;roo) at
the ti)e/"
"I heard nothing>" said #ady *uiet in a fir)er voi.e/
Poirot turned to young #eonard/
"MonsieurA"
"0othing doing/ I +ent straight upstairs and turned in/"
Poirot stro1ed his .hin/
"Aas> I fear there is nothing to hep )e here/ Mesda)es and
)onsieur> I regret ; I regret infinitey to have deranged you fro)
your su)'ers for so itte/ A..ept )y apoogies> I pray of you/"
,esti.uating and apoogi?ing> he )arshaed the) out/ !e returned
+ith the Fren.h )aid> a pretty> i)pudent;oo1ing gir/ Ao+ay and
Weardae had gone out +ith the adies/
"0o+> )ade)oisee>" said Poirot in a 'ris1 tone> "et us have the
truth/ &e.ount to )e no histories/ Why did you s.rea) on stairsA"
"Ah> )onsieur> I sa+ a ta figure ; a in +hite ;"
Poirot arrested her +ith an energeti. sha1e of his forefinger/
"$id I not say> re.ount to )e no historiesA I +i )a1e a guess/ !e
1issed you> did he notA M/ #eonard Weardae> I )eanA"
"(h 'ien> )onsieur> and after a> +hat is a 1issA"
"2nder the .ir.u)stan.es> it is )ost natura>" repied Poirot
gaanty/ "I )ysef> or !astings here ; 'ut te )e Dust +hat
o..urred/"
"!e .a)e up 'ehind )e> and .aught )e/ I +as started> and I
s.rea)ed/ If I had 1no+n> I +oud not have s.rea)ed ; 'ut he .a)e
upon )e i1e a .at/ Then .a)e M/ e se.retaire/ M/ #eonard fe+ up
the stairs/ And +hat .oud I sayA (spe.iay to a Deune ho))e
.o))e La ; tee)ent .o))e i fautA Ma foi> I invent a ghost/"
"And a is eBpained>" .ried Poirot geniay/ "@ou then )ounted to the
.ha)'er of Mada)e your )istress/ Whi.h is her roo)> 'y the +ayA"
"It is at the end> )onsieur/ That +ay/"
"$ire.ty over the study> then/ %ien> )ade)oisee> I +i detain you
no onger/ And a pro.haine fois> do not s.rea)/"
!anding her out> he .a)e 'a.1 to )e +ith a s)ie/
"An interesting .ase> is it not> !astingsA I 'egin to have a fe+ itte
ideas/ (t vousA"
"What +as #eonard Weardae doing on the stairsA I don"t i1e that
young )an> Poirot/ !e"s a thorough young ra1e> I shoud say/"
"I agree +ith you> )on a)i/"
"Fit?roy see)s an honest feo+/"
"#ord Ao+ay is .ertainy insistent on that point/"
"And yet there is so)ething in his )anner ;"
"That is a)ost too good to 'e trueA I fet it )ysef/ <n the other
hand> our friend Mrs Conrad is .ertainy not good at a/"
"And her roo) is over the study>" I said )usingy> and 1eeping a
sharp eye on Poirot/
!e shoo1 his head +ith a sight s)ie/
"0o> )on a)i> I .annot 'ring )ysef seriousy to 'eieve that that
i))a.uate ady s+ar)ed do+n the .hi)ney> or et hersef do+n
fro) the 'a.ony/"
As he spo1e> the door opened> and to )y great surprise> #ady *uiet
Weardae fitted in/
"M/ Poirot>" she said so)e+hat 'reathessy> ".an I spea1 to you
aoneA"
"Miady> Captain !astings is as )y other sef/ @ou .an spea1 'efore
hi) as though he +ere a thing of no a..ount> not there at a/ %e
seated> I pray you/"
She sat do+n> sti 1eeping her eyes fiBed on Poirot/
"What I have to say is ; rather diffi.ut/ @ou are in .harge of this
.ase/ If the ; papers +ere to 'e returned> +oud that end the
)atterA I )ean> .oud it 'e done +ithout 8uestions 'eing as1edA"
Poirot stared hard at her/
"#et )e understand you> )ada)e/ They are to 'e pa.ed in )y
hands ; is that rightA And I a) to return the) to #ord Ao+ay on the
.ondition that he as1s no 8uestions as to +here I got the)A"
She 'o+ed her head/ "That is +hat I )ean/ %ut I )ust 'e sure there
+i 'e no ; pu'i.ity/"
"I do not thin1 #ord Ao+ay is parti.uary anBious for pu'i.ity>"
said Poirot gri)y/
"@ou a..ept thenA" she .ried eagery in response/
"A itte )o)ent> )iady/ It depends on ho+ soon you .an pa.e
those papers in )y hands/"
"A)ost i))ediatey/"
Poirot gan.ed up at the .o.1/
"!o+ soon> eBa.tyA"
"Say ; ten )inutes>" she +hispered/
"I a..ept> )iady/"
She hurried fro) the roo)/ I pursed )y )outh up for a +histe/
"Can you su) up the situation for )e> !astingsA"
"%ridge>" I repied su..in.ty/
"Ah> you re)e)'er the .areess +ords of Monsieur the Ad)iraG
What a )e)oryG I fei.itate you> !astings/"
We said no )ore> for #ord Ao+ay .a)e in> and oo1ed in8uiringy
at Poirot/
"!ave you any further ideas> M/ PoirotA I a) afraid the ans+er to
your 8uestions have 'een rather disappointing/"
"0ot at a> Mior"/ They have 'een 8uite suffi.ienty iu)inating/ It
+i 'e unne.essary for )e to stay here any onger> and so> +ith
your per)ission> I +i return at on.e to #ondon/"
#ord Ao+ay see)ed du)'founded/
"%ut ; 'ut +hat have you dis.overedA $o you 1no+ +ho too1 the
pansA"
"@es> Mior"> I do/ Te )e ; in the .ase of the papers 'eing returned
to you anony)ousy> you +oud prose.ute no further in8uiryA"
#ord Ao+ay stared at hi)/
"$o you )ean on pay)ent of a su) of )oneyA"
"0o> Mior"> returned un.onditionay/"
"<f .ourse> the re.overy of the pans is the great thing>" said #ord
Ao+ay so+y/ !e sti oo1ed pu??ed and un.o)prehending/
"Then I shoud seriousy re.o))end you to adopt that .ourse/ <ny
you> the Ad)ira and your se.retary 1no+ of the oss/ <ny they
need 1no+ of the restitution/ And you )ay .ount on )e to support
you in every +ay ; ay the )ystery on )y shouders/ @ou as1ed )e
to restore the papers ; I have done so/ @ou 1no+ no )ore/" !e rose
and hed out his hand/ "Mior"> I a) gad to have )et you/ I have faith
in you ; and your devotion to (ngand/ @ou +i guide her destinies
+ith a strong> sure hand/"
"M/ Poirot ; I s+ear to you that I +i do )y 'est/ It )ay 'e a faut> or
it )ay 'e a virtue ; 'ut I 'eieve in )ysef/"
"So does every great )an/ Me> I a) the sa)eG" said Poirot
grandio8uenty/
The .ar .a)e round to the door in a fe+ )inutes> and #ord Ao+ay
'ade us fare+e on the steps +ith rene+ed .ordiaity/
"That is a great )an> !astings>" said Poirot as +e drove off/ "!e has
'rains> resour.e> po+er/ !e is the strong )an that (ngand needs
to guide her through these diffi.ut days of re.onstru.tion/"
"I") 8uite ready to agree +ith a you say> Poirot ; 'ut +hat a'out
#ady *uietA Is she to return the papers straight to Ao+ayA What
+i she thin1 +hen she finds you have gone off +ithout a +ordA"
"!astings> I +i as1 you a itte 8uestion/ Why> +hen she +as ta1ing
+ith )e> did she not hand )e the pans then and thereA"
"She hadn"t got the) +ith her/"
"Perfe.ty/ !o+ ong +oud it ta1e her to fet.h the) fro) her roo)A
<r fro) any hiding;pa.e in the houseA @ou need not ans+er/ I +i
te you/ Pro'a'y a'out t+o )inutes and a hafG @et she as1s for ten
)inutes/ WhyA Ceary she has to o'tain the) fro) so)e other
person> and to reason or argue +ith that person 'efore they give
the) up/ 0o+> +hat person .oud that 'eA 0ot Mrs Conrad> .eary>
'ut a )e)'er of her o+n fa)iy> her hus'and or son/ Whi.h is it
i1ey to 'eA #eonard Weardae said he +ent straight to 'ed/ We
1no+ that to 'e untrue/ Supposing his )other +ent to his roo) and
found it e)ptyI supposing she .a)e do+n fied +ith a na)eess
dread ; he is no 'eauty that son of hersG She does not find hi)> 'ut
ater she hears hi) deny that he ever eft his roo)/ She eaps to the
.on.usion that he is the thief/ !en.e her intervie+ +ith )e/
"%ut> )on a)i> +e 1no+ so)ething that #ady *uiet does not/ We
1no+ that her son .oud not have 'een in the study> 'e.ause he
+as on the stairs> )a1ing ove to the pretty Fren.h )aid/ Athough
she does not 1no+ it> #eonard Weardae has an ai'i/"
"We> then> +ho did stea the papersA We see) to have ei)inated
every'ody ; #ady *uiet> her son> Mrs Conrad> the Fren.h )aid ;"
"(Ba.ty/ 2se your itte grey .es> )y friend/ The soution stares
you in the fa.e/"
I shoo1 )y head 'an1y/
"%ut yesG If you +oud ony persevereG See> then> Fit?roy goes out of
the studyI he eaves the papers on the des1/ A fe+ )inutes ater
#ord Ao+ay enters the roo)> goes to the des1> and the papers are
gone/ <ny t+o things are possi'eH either Fit?roy did not eave the
papers on the des1> 'ut put the) in his po.1et ; and that is not
reasona'e> 'e.ause> as Ao+ay pointed out> he .oud have ta1en a
tra.ing at his o+n .onvenien.e any ti)e ; or ese the papers +ere
sti on the des1 +hen #ord Ao+ay +ent to it ; in +hi.h .ase they
+ent into his po.1et/"
"#ord Ao+ay the thief>" I said> du)'founded/ "%ut +hyA WhyA"
"$id you not te )e of so)e s.anda in the pastA !e +as
eBonerated> you said/ %ut suppose> after a> it had 'een trueA In
(ngish pu'i. ife there )ust 'e no s.anda/ If this +ere ra1ed up
and proved against hi) no+ ; good'ye to his poiti.a .areer/ We
+i suppose that he +as 'eing 'a.1)aied> and the pri.e as1ed
+as the su')arine pans/"
"%ut the )an"s a 'a.1 traitorG" I .ried/
"<h no> he is not/ !e is .ever and resour.efu/ Supposing> )y
friend> that he .opied those pans> )a1ing ; for he is a .ever
engineer ; a sight ateration in ea.h part +hi.h +i render the)
8uite i)pra.ti.a'e/ !e hands the fa1ed pans to the ene)y"s agent
; Mrs Conrad> I fan.yI 'ut in order that no suspi.ion of their
genuineness )ay arise> the pans )ust see) to 'e stoen/ !e does
his 'est to thro+ no suspi.ion on anyone in the house> 'y
pretending to see a )an eaving the +indo+/ %ut there he ran up
against the o'stina.y of the Ad)ira/ So his neBt anBiety is that no
suspi.ion sha fa on Fit?roy/"
"This is a guess+or1 on your part> Poirot>" I o'De.ted/
"It is psy.hoogy> )on a)i/ A )an +ho had handed over the rea
pans +oud not 'e overs.rupuous as to +ho +as i1ey to fa
under suspi.ion/ And +hy +as he so anBious that no detais of the
ro''ery shoud 'e given to Mrs ConradA %e.ause he had handed
over the fa1ed pans earier in the evening> and did not +ant her to
1no+ that the theft .oud ony have ta1en pa.e ater/"
"I +onder if you are right>" I said/
"<f .ourse> I a) right/ I spo1e to Ao+ay as one great )an to
another ; and he understood perfe.ty/ @ou +i see/"
<ne thing is 8uite .ertain/ <n the day +hen #ord Ao+ay 'e.a)e
Pri)e Minister> a .he8ue and a signed photograph arrivedI on the
photograph +ere the +ordsH "To )y dis.reet friend> !er.ue Poirot ;
fro) Ao+ay/"
I 'eieve that the V type of su')arine is .ausing great eButation in
nava .ir.es/ They say it +i revoutioni?e )odern nava +arfare/ I
have heard that a .ertain foreign po+er essayed to .onstru.t
so)ething of the sa)e 1ind and the resut +as a dis)a faiure/ %ut
I sti .onsider that Poirot +as guessing/ !e +i do it on.e too often
one of these days/
T!( T!I&$;F#<<& F#AT
"%otherG" said Pat/
With a deepening fro+n she ru))aged +idy in the si1en trife she
.aed an evening 'ag/ T+o young )en and another gir +at.hed
her anBiousy/ They +ere a standing outside the .osed door of
Patri.ia ,arnett"s fat/
"It"s no good>" said Pat/ "It"s not there/ And no+ +hat sha +e doA"
"What is ife +ithout a at.h1eyA" )ur)ured *i))y Fau1ener/
!e +as a short> 'road;shoudered young )an> +ith good;te)pered
'ue eyes/
Pat turned on hi) angriy/ "$on"t )a1e Do1es> *i))y/ This is
serious/"
"#oo1 again> Pat>" said $onovan %aiey/ "It )ust 'e there
so)e+here/"
!e had a a?y> peasant voi.e that )at.hed his ean> dar1 figure/
"If you ever 'rought it out>" said the other gir> Midred !ope/
"<f .ourse I 'rought it out>" said Pat/ "I 'eieve I gave it to one of you
t+o/" She turned on the )an a..usingy/ "I tod $onovan to ta1e it
for )e/"
%ut she +as not to find a s.apegoat so easiy/ $onovan put in a fir)
dis.ai)er> and *i))y 'a.1ed hi) up/
"I sa+ you put it in your 'ag> )ysef>" said *i))y/
"We> then> one of you dropped it out +hen you pi.1ed up )y 'ag/
I"ve dropped it on.e or t+i.e/"
"<n.e or t+i.eG" said $onovan/ "@ou"ve dropped it a do?en ti)es at
east> 'esides eaving it 'ehind on every possi'e o..asion/"
"I .an"t see +hy everything on earth doesn"t drop out of it the +hoe
ti)e>" said *i))y/
"The point is ; ho+ are +e going to get inA" said Midred/
She +as a sensi'e gir> +ho 1ept to the point> 'ut she +as not
neary so attra.tive as the i)pusive and trou'eso)e Pat/
A four of the) regarded the .osed door 'an1y/
"Coudn"t the porter hepA" suggested *i))y/ "!asn"t he got a
)aster 1ey or so)ething of that 1indA"
Pat shoo1 her head/ There +ere ony t+o 1eys/ <ne +as inside the
fat hung up in the 1it.hen and the other +as ; or shoud 'e in the
)aigned 'ag/
"If ony the fat +ere on the ground foor>" +aied Pat/ "We .oud have
'ro1en open a +indo+ or so)ething/ $onovan> you +oudn"t i1e to
'e a .at 'urgar> +oud youA"
$onovan de.ined fir)y 'ut poitey to 'e a .at 'urgar/
"A fat on the fourth foor is a 'it of an underta1ing>" said *i))y/
"!o+ a'out a fire;es.apeA" suggested $onovan/
"There isn"t one/"
"There shoud 'e>" said *i))y/ "A 'uiding five storeys high ought to
have a fire es.ape/"
"I dare say>" said Pat/ "%ut +hat shoud 'e doesn"t hep us/ !o+ a) I
ever to get into )y fatA"
"Isn"t there a sort of thingu))y'o'A" said $onovan/ "A thing the
trades)en send up .hops and 'russes sprouts inA"
"The servi.e ift>" said Pat/ "<h yes> 'ut it"s ony a sort of +ire;'as1et
thing/ <hG +ait ; I 1no+/ What a'out the .oa iftA"
"0o+ that>" said $onovan> "is an idea/"
Midred )ade a dis.ouraging suggestion/ "It" 'e 'oted>" she said/
"In Pat"s 1it.hen> I )ean> on the inside/"
%ut the idea +as instanty negatived/
"$on"t you 'eieve it>" said $onovan/
"0ot in Pat"s 1it.hen>" said *i))y/ "Pat never o.1s and 'ots things/"
"I don"t thin1 it"s 'oted>" said Pat/ "I too1 the dust'in off this
)orning> and I") sure I never 'oted it after+ards> and I don"t thin1
I"ve 'een near it sin.e/"
"We>" said $onovan> "that fa.t"s going to 'e very usefu to us
tonight> 'ut> a the sa)e> young Pat> et )e point out to you that
these sa.1 ha'its are eaving you at the )er.y of 'urgars ; nonfeine
; every night/"
Pat disregarded these ad)onitions/
"Co)e on>" she .ried> and 'egan ra.ing do+n the four fights of
stairs/ The others foo+ed her/ Pat ed the) through a dar1 re.ess>
apparenty fu to overfo+ing of pera)'uators> and through
another door into the +e of the fats> and guided the) to the right
ift/ There +as> at the )o)ent> a dust'in on it/ $onovan ifted it off
and stepped gingery on to the patfor) in its pa.e/ !e +rin1ed up
his nose/
"A itte noiso)e>" he re)ar1ed/ "%ut +hat of thatA $o I go aone on
this venture or is anyone .o)ing +ith )eA"
"I" .o)e> too>" said *i))y/
!e stepped on 'y $onovan"s side/
"I suppose the ift +i 'ear )e>" he added dou'tfuy/
"@ou .an"t +eigh )u.h )ore than a ton of .oa>" said Pat> +ho had
never 'een parti.uary strong on her +eights;and;)easures ta'e/
"And> any+ay> +e sha soon find out>" said $onovan .heerfuy> as
he haued on the rope/
With a grinding noise they disappeared fro) sight/
"This thing )a1es an a+fu noise>" re)ar1ed *i))y> as they passed
up through 'a.1ness/ "What +i the peope in the other fats thin1A"
",hosts or 'urgars> I eBpe.t>" said $onovan/ "!auing this rope is
8uite heavy +or1/ The porter of Friars Mansions does )ore +or1
than I ever suspe.ted/ I say> *i))y> od son> are you .ounting the
foorsA"
"<h> #ordG 0o/ I forgot a'out it/"
"We> I have> +hi.h is Dust as +e/ That"s the third +e"re passing
no+/ The neBt is ours/"
"And no+> I suppose>" gru)'ed *i))y> "+e sha find that Pat did
'ot the door after a/"
%ut these fears +ere unfounded/ The +ooden door s+ung 'a.1 at a
tou.h> and $onovan and *i))y stepped out into the in1y 'a.1ness
of Pat"s 1it.hen/
"We ought to have a tor.h for this +id night +or1>" eBpained
$onovan/ "If I 1no+ Pat> everything"s on the foor> and +e sha
s)ash endess .ro.1ery 'efore I .an get to the ight s+it.h/ $on"t
)ove a'out> *i))y> ti I get the ight on/"
!e fet his +ay .autiousy over the foor> uttering one fervent
"$a)nG" as a .orner of the 1it.hen ta'e too1 hi) una+ares in the
ri's/ !e rea.hed the s+it.h> and in another )o)ent another
"$a)nG" foated out of the dar1ness/
"What"s the )atterA" as1ed *i))y/
"#ight +on"t .o)e on/ $ud 'u'> I suppose/ Wait a )inute/ I" turn
the sitting;roo) ight on/"
The sitting;roo) +as the door i))ediatey a.ross the passage/
*i))y heard $onovan go out of the door> and presenty fresh
)uffed .urses rea.hed hi)/ !e hi)sef edged his +ay .autiousy
a.ross the 1it.hen/
"What"s the )atterA"
"I don"t 1no+/ &oo)s get 'e+it.hed at night> I 'eieve/ (verything
see)s to 'e in a different pa.e/ Chairs and ta'es +here you east
eBpe.ted the)/ <h> heG !ere"s anotherG"
%ut at this )o)ent *i))y fortunatey .onne.ted +ith the ee.tri.ight
s+it.h and pressed it do+n/ In another )inute t+o young )en
+ere oo1ing at ea.h other in sient horror/
This roo) +as not Pat"s sitting;roo)/ They +ere in the +rong fat/
To 'egin +ith> the roo) +as a'out ten ti)es )ore .ro+ded than
Pat"s> +hi.h eBpained $onovan"s patheti. 'e+ider)ent at
repeatedy .annoning into .hairs and ta'es/ There +as a arge
round ta'e in the .entre of the roo) .overed +ith a 'ai?e .oth>
and there +as an aspidistra in the +indo+/ It +as> in fa.t> the 1ind
of roo) +hose o+ner> the young )en fet sure> +oud 'e diffi.ut to
eBpain to/ With sient horror they ga?ed do+n at the ta'e> on +hi.h
ay a itte pie of etters/
"Mrs (rnestine ,rant>" 'reathed $onovan> pi.1ing the) up and
reading the na)e/ "<h> hepG $o you thin1 she"s heard usA"
"It"s a )ira.e she hasn"t heard you>" said *i))y/ "What +ith your
anguage and the +ay you"ve 'een .rashing into the furniture/
Co)e on> for the #ord"s sa1e> et"s get out of here 8ui.1y/"
They hastiy s+it.hed off the ight and retra.ed their steps on tiptoe
to the ift/ *i))y 'reathed a sigh of reief as they regained the
fastness of its depths +ithout further in.ident/
"I do i1e a +o)an to 'e a good> sound seeper>" he said
approvingy/ "Mrs (rnestine ,rant has her points/"
"I see it no+>" said $onovanI "+hy +e )ade the )ista1e in the foor> I
)ean/ <ut in that +e +e started up fro) the 'ase)ent/" !e heaved
on the rope> and the ift shot up/ "We"re right this ti)e/"
"I devouty trust +e are>" said *i))y as he stepped out into another
in1y void/ "My nerves +on"t stand )any )ore sho.1s of this 1ind/"
%ut no further nerve strain +as i)posed/ The first .i.1 of the ight
sho+ed the) Pat"s 1it.hen> and in another )inute they +ere
opening the front door and ad)itting the t+o girs +ho +ere +aiting
outside/
"@ou have 'een a ong ti)e>" gru)'ed Pat/ "Midred and I have 'een
+aiting here ages/"
"We"ve had an adventure>" said $onovan/ "We )ight have 'een
haued off to the poi.e;station as dangerous )aefa.tors/"
Pat had passed on into the sitting;roo)> +here she s+it.hed on the
ight and dropped her +rap on the sofa/ She istened +ith ivey
interest to $onovan"s a..ount of his adventures/
"I") gad she didn"t .at.h you>" she .o))ented/ "I") sure she"s an
od .ur)udgeon/ I got a note fro) her this )orning ; +anted to see
)e so)e ti)e ; so)ething she had to .o)pain a'out ; )y piano> I
suppose/ Peope +ho don"t i1e pianos over their heads shoudn"t
.o)e and ive in fats/ I say> $onovan> you"ve hurt your hand/ It"s a
over 'ood/ ,o and +ash it under the tap/"
$onovan oo1ed do+n at his hand in surprise/ !e +ent out of the
roo) o'edienty and presenty his voi.e .aed to *i))y/
"!uo>" said the other> "+hat"s upA @ou haven"t hurt yoursef 'ady>
have youA"
"I haven"t hurt )ysef at a/"
There +as so)ething so 8ueer in $onovan"s voi.e that *i))y
stared at hi) in surprise/ $onovan hed out his +ashed hand and
*i))y sa+ that there +as no )ar1 or .ut of any 1ind on it/
"That"s odd>" he said> fro+ning/ "There +as 8uite a ot of 'ood/
Where did it .o)e fro)A" And then suddeny he reai?ed +hat his
8ui.1er;+itted friend had aready seen/ "%y *ove>" he said/ "It )ust
have .o)e fro) that fat/" !e stopped> thin1ing over the
possi'iities his +ords i)pied/ "@ou"re sure it +as ; er ; 'oodA" he
said/ "0ot paintA"
$onovan shoo1 his head/ "It +as 'ood> a right>" he said> and
shivered/
They oo1ed at ea.h other/ The sa)e thought +as .eary in ea.h of
their )inds/ It +as *i))y +ho voi.ed it first/
"I say>" he said a+1+ardy/ "$o you thin1 +e ought to ; +e go do+n
again ; and have ; a ; a oo1 aroundA See it"s a right> you 1no+A"
"What a'out the girsA"
"We +on"t say anything to the)/ Pat"s going to put on an apron and
)a1e us an o)eette/ We" 'e 'a.1 'y the ti)e they +onder +here
+e are/"
"<h> +e> .o)e on>" said $onovan/ "I suppose +e"ve got to go
through +ith it/ I dare say there isn"t anything reay +rong/" %ut his
tone a.1ed .onvi.tion/ They got into the ift and des.ended to the
foor 'eo+/ They found their +ay a.ross the 1it.hen +ithout )u.h
diffi.uty and on.e )ore s+it.hed on the sitting;roo) ight/
"It )ust have 'een in here>" said $onovan> "that ; that I got the stuff
on )e/ I never tou.hed anything in the 1it.hen/"
!e oo1ed round hi)/ *i))y did the sa)e> and they 'oth fro+ned/
(verything oo1ed neat and .o))onpa.e and )ies re)oved fro)
any suggestion of vioen.e or gore/
Suddeny *i))y started vioenty and .aught his .o)panion"s ar)/
"#oo1G"
$onovan foo+ed the pointing finger> and in his turn uttered an
eB.a)ation/ Fro) 'eneath the heavy rep .urtains there protruded
a foot ; a +o)an"s foot in a gaping patent;eather shoe/
*i))y +ent to the .urtains and dre+ the) sharpy apart/ In the
re.ess of the +indo+ a +o)an"s hudded 'ody ay on the foor> a
sti.1y dar1 poo 'eside it/ She +as dead> there +as no dou't of
that/ *i))y +as atte)pting to raise her up +hen $onovan stopped
hi)/
"@ou"d 'etter not do that/ She oughtn"t to 'e tou.hed ti the poi.e
.o)e/"
"The poi.e/ <h> of .ourse/ I say> $onovan> +hat a ghasty 'usiness/
Who do you thin1 she isA Mrs (rnestine ,rantA"
"#oo1s i1e it/ At any rate> if there"s anyone ese in the fat they"re
1eeping Doy 8uiet/"
"What do +e do neBtA" as1ed *i))y/ "&un out and get a poi.e)an
or ring up fro) Pat"s fatA"
"I shoud thin1 ringing up +oud 'e 'est/ Co)e on> +e )ight as +e
go out the front door/ We .an"t spend the +hoe night going up and
do+n in that evi;s)eing ift/"
*i))y agreed/ *ust as they +ere passing through the door he
hesitated/ "#oo1 hereI do you thin1 one of us ought to stay ; Dust to
1eep an eye on things ; ti the poi.e .o)eA"
"@es> I thin1 you"re right/ If you" stay I" run up and teephone/"
!e ran 8ui.1y up the stairs and rang the 'e of the fat a'ove/ Pat
.a)e to open it> a very pretty Pat +ith a fushed fa.e and a .oo1ing
apron on/ !er eyes +idened in surprise/
"@ouA %ut ho+ ; $onovan> +hat is itA Is anything the )atterA"
!e too1 'oth her hands in his/ "It"s a right> Pat ; ony +e"ve )ade
rather an unpeasant dis.overy in the fat 'eo+/ A +o)an ; dead/"
"<hG" She gave a itte gasp/ "!o+ horri'e/ !as she had a fit or
so)ethingA"
"0o/ It oo1s ; +e ; it oo1s rather as though she had 'een
)urdered/"
"<h> $onovanG"
"I 1no+/ It"s pretty 'easty/"
!er hands +ere sti in his/ She had eft the) there ; +as even
.inging to hi)/ $aring Pat ; ho+ he oved her/ $id she .are at a
for hi)A So)eti)es he thought she did/ So)eti)es he +as afraid
that *i))y Fau1ener ; re)e)'ran.es of *i))y +aiting patienty
'eo+ )ade hi) start guitiy/
"Pat> dear> +e )ust teephone to the poi.e/"
"Monsieur is right>" said a voi.e 'ehind hi)/ "And in the )eanti)e>
+hie +e are +aiting their arriva> perhaps I .an 'e of so)e sight
assistan.e/"
They had 'een standing in the door+ay of the fat> and no+ they
peered out on to the anding/ A figure +as standing on the stairs a
itte +ay a'ove the)/ It )oved do+n and into their range of vision/
They stood staring at a itte )an +ith a very fier.e )ousta.he and
an egg;shaped head/ !e +ore a respendent dressing;go+n and
e)'roidered sippers/ !e 'o+ed gaanty to Patri.ia/
"Made)oiseeG" he said/ "I a)> as perhaps you 1no+> the tenant of
the fat a'ove/ I i1e to 'e up high ; the air ; the vie+ over #ondon/ I
ta1e the fat in the na)e of Mr <"Connor/ %ut I a) not an Irish)an/ I
have another na)e/ That is +hy I venture to put )ysef at your
servi.e/ Per)it )e/" With a fourish he pued out a .ard and handed
it to Pat/ She read it/
"M/ !er.ue Poirot/ <hG" She .aught her 'reath/ "The M/ PoirotG The
great dete.tiveA And you +i reay hepA"
"That is )y intention> )ade)oisee/ I neary offered )y hep earier
in the evening/"
Pat oo1ed pu??ed/
"I heard you dis.ussing ho+ to gain ad)ission to your fat/ Me> I a)
very .ever at pi.1ing o.1s/ I .oud> +ithout dou't> have opened
your door for you> 'ut I hesitated to suggest it/ @ou +oud have had
the grave suspi.ions of )e/"
Pat aughed/
"0o+> )onsieur>" said Poirot to $onovan/ ",o in> I pray of you> and
teephone to the poi.e/ I +i des.end to the fat 'eo+/"
Pat .a)e do+n the stairs +ith hi)/ They found *i))y on guard>
and Pat eBpained Poirot"s presen.e/ *i))y> in his turn> eBpained
to Poirot his and $onovan"s adventures/ The dete.tive istened
attentivey/
"The ift door +as un'oted> you sayA @ou e)erged into the 1it.hen>
'ut the ight it +oud not turn on/"
!e dire.ted his footsteps to the 1it.hen as he spo1e/ !is fingers
pressed the s+it.h/
"TiensG 7oiP .e 8ui est .urieuBG" he said as the ight fashed on/ "It
fun.tions perfe.ty no+/ I +onder ;"
!e hed up a finger to ensure sien.e and istened/ A faint sound
'ro1e the stiness ; the sound of an un)ista1a'e snore/
"AhG" said Poirot/ "#a .ha)'re de do)esti8ue/"
!e tiptoed a.ross the 1it.hen into a itte pantry> out of +hi.h ed a
door/ !e opened the door and s+it.hed on the ight/ The roo) +as
the 1ind of dog 1enne designed 'y the 'uiders of fats to
a..o))odate a hu)an 'eing/ The foor spa.e +as a)ost entirey
o..upied 'y the 'ed/ In the 'ed +as a rosy;.hee1ed gir ying on
her 'a.1 +ith her )outh +ide;open> snoring pa.idy/
Poirot s+it.hed off the ight and 'eat a retreat/
"She +i not +a1e>" he said/ "We +i et her seep ti the poi.e
.o)e/"
!e +ent 'a.1 to the sitting;roo)/ $onovan had Doined the)/
"The poi.e +i 'e here a)ost i))ediatey> they say>" he said
'reathessy/ "We are to tou.h nothing/"
Poirot nodded/ "We +i not tou.h>" he said/ "We +i oo1> that is a/"
!e )oved into the roo)/ Midred had .o)e do+n +ith $onovan>
and a four young peope stood in the door+ay and +at.hed hi)
+ith 'reathess interest/
"What I .an"t understand> sir> is this>" said $onovan/ "I never +ent
near the +indo+ ; ho+ did the 'ood .o)e on )y handA"
"My young friend> the ans+er to that stares you in the fa.e/ <f +hat
.oour is the ta'e.othA &ed> is it notA and dou'tess you did put
your hand on the ta'e/"
"@es> I did/ Is that ;" !e stopped/
Poirot nodded/ !e +as 'ending over the ta'e/ !e indi.ated +ith his
hand a dar1 pat.h on the red/
"It +as here that the .ri)e +as .o))itted>" he said soe)ny/ "The
'ody +as )oved after+ards/"
Then he stood upright and oo1ed so+y round the roo)/ !e did not
)ove> he handed nothing> 'ut nevertheess the four +at.hing fet
as though every o'De.t in that rather fro+sty pa.e gave up its
se.ret to his o'servant eye/
!er.ue Poirot nodded his head as though satisfied/ A itte sigh
es.aped hi)/ "I see>" he said/
"@ou see +hatA" as1ed $onovan .uriousy/
"I see>" said Poirot> "+hat you dou'tess fet ; that the roo) is
overfu of furniture/"
$onovan s)ied ruefuy/ "I did go 'arging a'out a 'it>" he
.onfessed/ "<f .ourse> everything +as in a different pa.e to Pat"s
roo)> and I .oudn"t )a1e it out/"
"0ot everything>" said Poirot/
$onovan oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
"I )ean>" said Poirot apoogeti.ay> "that .ertain things are a+ay
fiBed/ In a 'o.1 of fats the door> the +indo+> the firepa.e ; they
are in the sa)e pa.e in the roo)s +hi.h are 'eo+ ea.h other/"
"Isn"t that rather spitting hairsA" as1ed Midred/ She +as oo1ing at
Poirot +ith faint disapprova/
"<ne shoud a+ays spea1 +ith a'soute a..ura.y/ That is a itte ;
ho+ do you sayA ; fad of )ine/"
There +as the noise of footsteps on the stairs> and three )en .a)e
in/ They +ere a poi.e inspe.tor> a .onsta'e> and the divisiona
surgeon/ The inspe.tor re.ogni?ed Poirot and greeted hi) in an
a)ost reverentia )anner/ Then he turned to the others/
"I sha +ant state)ents fro) everyone>" he 'egan> "'ut in the first
pa.e ;"
Poirot interrupted/ "A itte suggestion/ We +i go 'a.1 to the fat
upstairs and )ade)oisee here sha do +hat she +as panning to
do ; )a1e us an o)eette/ Me> I have a passion for the o)eettes/
Then> M/ "Inspe.teur> +hen you have finished here> you +i )ount
to us and as1 8uestions at your eisure/"
It +as arranged a..ordingy> and Poirot +ent up +ith the)/
"M/ Poirot>" said Pat> "I thin1 you"re a perfe.t dear/ And you sha
have a ovey o)eette/ I reay )a1e o)eettes frightfuy +e/"
"That is good/ <n.e> )ade)oisee> I oved a 'eautifu young
(ngish gir> +ho rese)'ed you greaty ; 'ut aasG ; she .oud not
.oo1/ So perhaps everything +as for the 'est/"
There +as a faint sadness in his voi.e> and *i))y Fau1ener oo1ed
at hi) .uriousy/
<n.e in the fat> ho+ever> he eBerted hi)sef to pease and a)use/
The gri) tragedy 'eo+ +as a)ost forgotten/
The o)eette had 'een .onsu)ed and duy praised 'y the ti)e that
Inspe.tor &i.e"s footsteps +ere heard/ !e .a)e in a..o)panied 'y
the do.tor> having eft the .onsta'e 'eo+/
"We> Monsieur Poirot>" he said/ "It a see)s .ear and a'ove;'oard
; not )u.h in your ine> though +e )ay find it hard to .at.h the )an/
I"d Dust i1e to hear ho+ the dis.overy .a)e to 'e )ade/"
$onovan and *i))y 'et+een the) re.ounted the happenings of
the evening/ The inspe.tor turned reproa.hfuy to Pat/
"@ou shoudn"t eave your ift door un'oted> )iss/ @ou reay
shoudn"t/"
"I shan"t again>" said Pat> +ith a shiver/ "So)e'ody )ight .o)e in
and )urder )e i1e that poor +o)an 'eo+/"
"Ah> 'ut they didn"t .o)e in that +ay> though>" said the inspe.tor/
"@ou +i re.ount to us +hat you have dis.overed> yesA" said Poirot/
"I don"t 1no+ as I ought to ; 'ut seeing it"s you> M/ Poirot ;"
"Pr= .is= )ent>" said Poirot/ "And these young peope ; they +i 'e
dis.reet/"
"The ne+spapers +i get hod of it> any+ay> soon enough>" said the
inspe.tor/ "There"s no rea se.ret a'out the )atter/ We> the dead
+o)an"s Mrs ,rant> a right/ I had the porter up to identify her/
Wo)an of a'out thirty;five/ She +as sitting at the ta'e> and she
+as shot +ith an auto)ati. pisto of s)a .ai're> pro'a'y 'y
so)eone sitting opposite her at ta'e/ She fe for+ard> and that"s
ho+ the 'oodstain .a)e on the ta'e/"
"%ut +oudn"t so)eone have heard the shotA" as1ed Midred/
"The pisto +as fitted +ith a sien.er/ 0o> you +oudn"t hear
anything/ %y the +ay> did you hear the s.ree.h the )aid et out
+hen +e tod her her )istress +as deadA 0o/ We> that Dust sho+s
ho+ uni1ey it +as that anyone +oud hear the other/"
"!as the )aid no story to teA" as1ed Poirot/
"It +as her evening out/ She"s got her o+n 1ey/ She .a)e in a'out
ten o".o.1/ (verything +as 8uiet/ She thought her )istress had
gone to 'ed/"
"She did not oo1 in the sitting;roo)> thenA"
"@es> she too1 the etters in there +hi.h had .o)e 'y the evening
post> 'ut she sa+ nothing unusua ; any )ore than Mr Fau1ener
and Mr %aiey did/ @ou see> the )urderer had .on.eaed the 'ody
rather neaty 'ehind the .urtains/"
"%ut it +as a .urious thing to do> don"t you thin1A"
Poirot"s voi.e +as very gente> yet it hed so)ething that )ade the
inspe.tor oo1 up 8ui.1y/
"$idn"t +ant the .ri)e dis.overed ti he"d had ti)e to )a1e his
geta+ay/"
"Perhaps> perhaps ; 'ut .ontinue +ith +hat you +ere saying/"
"The )aid +ent out at five o".o.1/ The do.tor here puts the ti)e of
death as ; roughy ; a'out four to five hours ago/ That"s right> isn"t
itA"
The do.tor> +ho +as a )an of fe+ +ords> .ontented hi)sef +ith
Der1ing his head affir)ativey/
"It"s a 8uarter to t+eve no+/ The a.tua ti)e .an> I thin1> 'e
narro+ed do+n to a fairy definite hour/"
!e too1 out a .ru)ped sheet of paper/
"We found this in the po.1et of the dead +o)an"s dress/ @ou
needn"t 'e afraid of handing it/ There are no fingerprints on it/"
Poirot s)oothed out the sheet/ A.ross it so)e +ords +ere printed
in s)a> pri) .apitas/
I WI## C<M( T< S(( @<2 T!IS (7(0I0, AT !A#F PAST S(7(0/ ;
*/F/
"A .o)pro)ising do.u)ent to eave 'ehind>" .o))ented Poirot> as
he handed it 'a.1/
"We> he didn"t 1no+ she"d got it in her po.1et>" said the inspe.tor/
"!e pro'a'y thought she"d destroyed it/ We"ve eviden.e that he
+as a .arefu )an> though/ The pisto she +as shot +ith +e found
under the 'ody ; and there again no fingerprints/ They"d 'een
+iped off very .arefuy +ith a si1 hand1er.hief/"
"!o+ do you 1no+>" said Poirot> "that it +as a si1 hand1er.hiefA"
"%e.ause +e found it>" said the inspe.tor triu)phanty/ "At the ast>
as he +as dra+ing the .urtains> he )ust have et it fa unnoti.ed/"
!e handed a.ross a 'ig +hite si1 hand1er.hief ; a good;8uaity
hand1er.hief/ It did not need the inspe.tor"s finger to dra+ Poirot"s
attention to the )ar1 on it in the .entre/ It +as neaty )ar1ed and
8uite egi'e/ Poirot read the na)e out/
"*ohn Fraser/"
"That"s it>" said the inspe.tor/ "*ohn Fraser ; */F/ in the note/ We
1no+ the na)e of the )an +e have to oo1 for> and I dare say +hen
+e find out a itte a'out the dead +o)an> and her reations .o)e
for+ard> +e sha soon get a ine on hi)/"
"I +onder>" said Poirot/ "0o> )on .her> so)eho+ I do not thin1 he
+i 'e easy to find> your *ohn Fraser/ !e is a strange )an ; .arefu>
sin.e he )ar1s his hand1er.hiefs and +ipes the pisto +ith +hi.h
he has .o))itted the .ri)e ; yet .areess sin.e he oses his
hand1er.hief and does not sear.h for a etter that )ight in.ri)inate
hi)/"
"Furried> that"s +hat he +as>" said the inspe.tor/
"It is possi'e>" said Poirot/ "@es> it is possi'e/ And he +as not seen
entering the 'uidingA"
"There are a sorts of peope going in and out at the ti)e/ These are
'ig 'o.1s/ I suppose none of you ;" he addressed the four
.oe.tivey ; "sa+ anyone .o)ing out of the fatA"
Pat shoo1 her head/ "We +ent out earier ; a'out seven o".o.1/"
"I see/" The inspe.tor rose/ Poirot a..o)panied hi) to the door/
"As a itte favour> )ay I eBa)ine the fat 'eo+A"
"Why> .ertainy> M/ Poirot/ I 1no+ +hat they thin1 of you at
head8uarters/ I" eave you a 1ey/ I"ve got t+o/ It +i 'e e)pty/ The
)aid .eared out to so)e reatives> too s.ared to stay there aone/"
"I than1 you>" said M/ Poirot/ !e +ent 'a.1 into the fat> thoughtfu/
"@ou"re not satisfied> M/ PoirotA" said *i))y/
"0o>" said Poirot/ "I a) not satisfied/"
$onovan oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/ "What is it that ; +e> +orries
youA"
Poirot did not ans+er/ !e re)ained sient for a )inute or t+o>
fro+ning> as though in thought> then he )ade a sudden i)patient
)ove)ent of shouders/
"I +i say good night to you> )ade)oisee/ @ou )ust 'e tired @ou
have had )u.h .oo1ing to do ; ehA"
Pat aughed/ "<ny the o)eette/ I didn"t do dinner/ $onovan and
*i))y .a)e and .aed for us> and +e +ent out to a itte pa.e in
Soho/"
"And then +ithout dou't> you +ent to a theatreA"
"@es/ The %ro+n (yes of Caroine/"
"AhG" said Poirot/ "It shoud have 'een 'ue eyes ; the 'ue eyes of
)ade)oisee/"
!e )ade a senti)enta gesture> and then on.e )ore +ished Pat
good night> aso Midred> +ho +as staying the night 'y spe.ia
re8uest> as Pat ad)itted fran1y that she +oud get the horrors> if
eft aone on this parti.uar night/
The t+o young )en a..o)panied Poirot/ When the door +as shut>
and they +ere preparing to say good'ye to hi) on the anding>
Poirot forestaed the)/
"My young friends> you heard )e say that I +as not satisfiedG (h
'ien> it is true ; I a) not/ I go no+ to )a1e so)e itte investigations
of )y o+n/ @ou +oud i1e to a..o)pany )e ; yesA"
An eager assent greeted this proposa/ Poirot ed the +ay to the fat
'eo+ and inserted the 1ey the inspe.tor had given hi) in the o.1/
<n entering> he did not> as the others had eBpe.ted> enter the
sitting;roo)/ Instead he +ent straight to the 1it.hen/ In a itte
re.ess +hi.h served as a s.uery a 'ig iron 'in +as standing/
Poirot un.overed this and> dou'ing hi)sef up> 'egan to roote in it
+ith the energy of a fero.ious terrier/
%oth *i))y and $onovan stared at hi) in a)a?e)ent/
Suddeny +ith a .ry of triu)ph he e)erged/ In his hand he hed
aoft a s)a stoppered 'otte/
"7oiPG" he said/ "I find +hat I see1/" !e sniffed at it dei.atey/ "AasG I
a) enrhu)= ; I have the .od in the head/"
$onovan too1 the 'otte fro) hi) and sniffed in his turn> 'ut .oud
s)e nothing/ !e too1 out the stopper and hed the 'otte to his
nose 'efore Poirot"s +arning .ry .oud stop hi)/
I))ediatey he fe i1e a og/ Poirot> 'y springing for+ard> party
'ro1e his fa/
"I)'e.ieG" he .ried/ "The idea/ To re)ove the stopper in that
foohardy )annerG $id he not o'serve ho+ dei.atey I handed itA
Monsieur ; Fau1ener ; is it notA Wi you 'e so good as to get )e a
itte 'randyA I o'served a de.anter in the sitting;roo)/"
*i))y hurried off> 'ut 'y the ti)e he returned> $onovan +as sitting
up and de.aring hi)sef 8uite a right again/ !e had to isten to a
short e.ture fro) Poirot on the ne.essity of .aution in sniffing at
possi'y poisonous su'stan.es/
"I thin1 I" 'e off ho)e>" said $onovan> rising sha1iy to his feet/
"That is> if I .an"t 'e any )ore use here/ I fee a 'it +on1y sti/"
"Assuredy>" said Poirot/ "That is the 'est thing you .an do/ M/
Fau1ener> attend )e here a itte )inute/ I +i return on the
instant/"
!e a..o)panied $onovan to the door and 'eyond/ They re)ained
outside on the anding ta1ing for so)e )inutes/ When Poirot at ast
re;entered the fat he found *i))y standing in the sitting;roo)
ga?ing round hi) +ith pu??ed eyes/
"We> M/ Poirot>" he said> "+hat neBtA"
"There is nothing neBt/ The .ase is finished/"
"WhatA"
"I 1no+ everything ; no+/"
*i))y stared at hi)/ "That itte 'otte you foundA"
"(Ba.ty/ That itte 'otte/"
*i))y shoo1 his head/ "I .an"t )a1e head or tai of it/ For so)e
reason or other I .an see you are dissatisfied +ith the eviden.e
against this *ohn Fraser> +hoever he )ay 'e/"
"Whoever he )ay 'e>" repeated Poirot softy/ "If he is anyone at a ;
+e> I sha 'e surprised/"
"I don"t understand/"
"!e is a na)e ; that is a ; a na)e .arefuy )ar1ed on a
hand1er.hiefG"
"And the etterA"
"$id you noti.e that it +as printedA 0o+> +hyA I +i te you/
!and+riting )ight 'e re.ogni?ed> and a type+ritten etter is )ore
easiy tra.ed than you +oud i)agine ; 'ut if a rea *ohn Fraser
+rote that etter those t+o points +oud not have appeaed to hi)G
0o> it +as +ritten on purpose> and put in the dead +o)an"s po.1et
for us to find/ There is no su.h person as *ohn Fraser/"
*i))y oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
"And so>" +ent on Poirot> "I +ent 'a.1 to the point that first stru.1
)e/ @ou heard )e say that .ertain things in a roo) +ere a+ays in
the sa)e pa.e under given .ir.u)stan.es/ I gave three instan.es/
I )ight have )entioned a fourth ; the ee.tri.;ight s+it.h> )y
friend/"
*i))y sti stared un.o)prehendingy/ Poirot +ent on/
"@our friend $onovan did not go near the +indo+ ; it +as 'y resting
his hand on this ta'e that he got it .overed in 'oodG %ut I as1ed
)ysef at on.e ; +hy did he rest it thereA What +as he doing
groping a'out this roo) in dar1nessA For re)e)'er> )y friend> the
ee.tri.;ight s+it.h is a+ays in the sa)e pa.e ; 'y the door/ Why>
+hen he .a)e to this roo)> did he not at on.e fee for the ight and
turn it onA That +as the natura> the nor)a thing to do/ A..ording
to hi)> he tried to turn on the ight in the 1it.hen> 'ut faied/ @et
+hen I tried the s+it.h it +as in perfe.t +or1ing order/ $id he> then>
not +ish the ight to go on Dust thenA If it had gone on you +oud
'oth have seen at on.e that you +ere in the +rong fat/ There +oud
have 'een no reason to .o)e into this roo)/"
"What are you driving at> M/ PoirotA I don"t understand/ What do you
)eanA"
"I )ean ; this/"
Poirot hed up a @ae door 1ey/
"The 1ey of this fatA"
"0o> )on a)i> the 1ey of the fat a'ove/ Made)oisee Patri.ia"s 1ey>
+hi.h M/ $onovan %aiey a'stra.ted fro) her 'ag so)e ti)e during
the evening/"
"%ut +hy ; +hyA"
"Par'euG So that he .oud do +hat he +anted to do ; gain ad)ission
to this fat in a perfe.ty unsuspi.ious )anner/ !e )ade sure that
the ift door +as un'oted earier in the evening/"
"Where did you get the 1eyA"
Poirot"s s)ie 'roadened/ "I found it Dust no+ ; +here I oo1ed for it ;
in M/ $onovan"s po.1et/ See you> that itte 'otte I pretended to find
+as a ruse/ M/ $onovan is ta1en in/ !e does +hat I 1ne+ he +oud
do ; unstoppers it and sniffs/ And in that itte 'otte is ethy
.horide> a very po+erfu instant anaestheti./ It gives )e Dust the
)o)ent or t+o of un.ons.iousness I need/ I ta1e fro) his po.1et
the t+o things that I 1ne+ +oud 'e there/ This 1ey +as one of the)
; the other ;"
!e stopped and then +ent on/
"I 8uestioned at the ti)e the reason the inspe.tor gave for the 'ody
'eing .on.eaed 'ehind the .urtain/ To gain ti)eA 0o> there +as
)ore than that/ And so I thought of Dust one thing ; the post> )y
friend/ The evening post that .o)es at haf past nine or
therea'outs/ Say the )urderer does not find so)ething he eBpe.ts
to find> 'ut that so)ething )ay 'e deivered 'y post ater/ Ceary>
then> he )ust .o)e 'a.1/ %ut the .ri)e )ust not 'e dis.overed 'y
the )aid +hen she .o)es in> or the poi.e +oud ta1e possession of
the fat> so he hides the 'ody 'ehind the .urtain/ And the )aid
suspe.ts nothing and ays the etters on the ta'e as usua/"
"The ettersA"
"@es> the etters/" Poirot dre+ so)ething fro) his po.1et/ "This is
the se.ond arti.e I too1 fro) M/ $onovan +hen he +as
un.ons.ious/" !e sho+ed the supers.ription ; a type+ritten
enveope addressed to Mrs (rnestine ,rant/ "%ut I +i as1 you one
thing first> M/ Fau1ener> 'efore +e oo1 at the .ontents of this
etter/ Are you or are you not in ove +ith Made)oisee Patri.iaA"
"I .are for Pat da)na'y ; 'ut I"ve never thought I had a .han.e/"
"@ou thought that she .ared for M/ $onovanA It )ay 'e that she had
'egun to .are for hi) ; 'ut it +as ony a 'eginning> )y friend/ It is
for you to )a1e her forget ; to stand 'y her in her trou'e/"
"Trou'eA" said *i))y sharpy/
"@es> trou'e/ We +i do a +e .an to 1eep her na)e out of it> 'ut it
+i 'e i)possi'e to do so entirey/ She +as> you see> the )otive/"
!e ripped open the enveope that he hed/ An en.osure fe out/
The .overing etter +as 'rief> and +as fro) a fir) of soi.itors/
$ear Mada)>
The do.u)ent you en.ose is 8uite in order> and the fa.t of the
)arriage having ta1en pa.e in a foreign .ountry does not
invaidate it in any +ay/
@ours truy> et./
Poirot spread out the en.osure/ It +as a .ertifi.ate of )arriage
'et+een $onovan %aiey and (rnestine ,rant> dated eight years
go/
"<h> )y ,odG" said *i))y/ "Pat said she"d had a etter fro) the
+o)an as1ing to see her> 'ut she never drea)ed it +as anything
i)portant/"
Poirot nodded/ "M/ $onovan 1ne+ ; he +ent to see his +ife this
evening 'efore going to the fat a'ove ; a strange irony> 'y the +ay>
that ed the unfortunate +o)an to .o)e to this 'uiding +here her
riva ived ; he )urdered her in .od 'ood> and then +ent on to his
evening"s a)use)ent/ !is +ife )ust have tod hi) that she had
sent the )arriage .ertifi.ate to her soi.itors and +as eBpe.ting to
hear fro) the)/ $ou'tess he hi)sef had tried to )a1e her 'eieve
that there +as a fa+ in the )arriage/"
"!e see)ed in 8uite good spirits> too> a the evening/ M/ Poirot> you
haven"t et hi) es.apeA" *i))y shuddered/
"There is no es.ape for hi)>" said Poirot gravey/ "@ou need not
fear/"
"It"s Pat I") thin1ing a'out )osty>" said *i))y/ "@ou don"t thin1 ; she
reay .ared/"
"Mon a)i> that is your part>" said Poirot genty/ "To )a1e her turn to
you and forget/ I do not thin1 you +i find it very diffi.utG"
$<2%#( SI0
I had .aed in at )y friend Poirot"s roo)s to find hi) sady
over+or1ed/ So )u.h had he 'e.o)e the rage that every ri.h
+o)an +ho had )isaid a 'ra.eet or ost a pet 1itten rushed to
se.ure the servi.es of the great !er.ue Poirot/ My itte friend +as
a strange )iBture of Fe)ish thrift and artisti. fervor/ !e a..epted
)any .ases in +hi.h he had itte interest o+ing to the first instin.t
'eing predo)inant/
!e aso undertoo1 .ases in +hi.h there +as a itte or no )onetary
re+ard sheery 'e.ause the pro'e) invoved interested hi)/ The
resut +as that> as I say> he +as over+or1ing hi)sef/ !e ad)itted
as )u.h hi)sef> and I found itte diffi.uty in persuading hi) to
a..o)pany )e for a +ee1"s hoiday to that +e;1no+n South Coast
resort> ('er)outh/
We had spent four very agreea'e days +hen Poirot .a)e to )e> an
open etter in his hand/
JMon a)i> you re)e)'er )y friend *oseph Aarons> the theatri.a
agentAJ
I assented after a )o)ent"s thought/ Poirot"s friends are so )any
and so varied> and range fro) dust)en to du1es/
J(h 'ien> !astings> *oseph Aarons finds hi)sef at Charo.1 %ay/
!e is far fro) +e> and there is a itte affair that it see)s is
+orrying hi)/ !e 'egs )e to go over and see hi)/ I thin1> )on a)i>
that I )ust a..ede to his re8uest/ !e is a faithfu friend> the good
*oseph Aarons> and has done )u.h to assist )e in the past/J
JCertainy> if you thin1 so>J I said/ JI 'eieve Charo.1 %ay is a
'eautifu spot> and as it happens I"ve never 'een there/J
JThen +e .o)'ine 'usiness +ith peasure>J said Poirot/ J@ou +i
in8uire the trains> yesAJ
JIt +i pro'a'y )ean a .hange or t+o>J I said +ith a gri)a.e/ J@ou
1no+ +hat these .ross;.ountry ines are/ To go fro) the South
$evon .oast to the 0orth $evon .oast is so)eti)es a day"s
Dourney/J
!o+ever> on in8uiry> I found that the Dourney .oud 'e
a..o)pished 'y ony one .hange at (Beter and that the trains
+ere good/ I +as hastening 'a.1 to Poirot +ith the infor)ation
+hen I happened to pass the offi.es of the Speedy .ars and sa+
+ritten upH
To)orro+/ A;day eB.ursion to Charo.1 %ay/ Starting OH56
through so)e of the )ost 'eautifu s.enery in $evon/
I in8uired a fe+ parti.uars and returned to the hote fu of
enthusias)/ 2nfortunatey> I found it hard to )a1e Poirot share )y
feeings/
JMy friend> +hy this passion for the )otor .oa.hA The train> see
you> it is sureA The tires> they do not 'urstI the a..idents> they do
not happen/ <ne is not in.o))oded 'y too )u.h air/ The +indo+s
.an 'e shut and no drafts ad)itted/J
I hinted dei.atey that the advantage of fresh air +as +hat
attra.ted )e )ost to the )otor;.oa.h s.he)e/
JAnd if it rainsA @our (ngish .i)ate is so un.ertain/J
JThere"s a hood and a that/ %esides> if it rains 'ady> the eB.ursion
doesn"t ta1e pa.e/J
JAhGJ said Poirot/ JThen et us hope that it rains/J
J<f .ourse> if you fee i1e that and///J
J0o> no> )an a)i/ I see that you have set your heart on the trip/
Fortunatey> I have )y great .oat +ith )e and t+o )uffers/J !e
sighed/ J%ut sha +e have suffi.ient ti)e at Charo.1 %ayAJ
JWe> I") afraid it )eans staying the night there/ @ou see> the tour
goes round 'y $art)oor/ We have un.h at Mon1ha)pton/ We
arrive at Char o.1 %ay a'out four o".o.1> and the .oa.h starts
'a.1 at five> arriving here at ten o".o.1/J
JSoGJ said Poirot/ JAnd there are peope +ho do this for peasureG
We sha> of .ourse> get a redu.tion of the fare sin.e +e do not
)a1e the return DourneyAJ
JI hardy thin1 that"s i1ey/J
J@ou )ust insist/J
JCo)e no+> Poirot> don"t 'e )ean/ @ou 1no+ you"re .oining
)oney/J
JMy friend> it is not the )eanness/ It is the 'usiness sense/ If I +ere
a )iionaire> I +oud pay ony +hat +as Dust and right/J
As I had foreseen> ho+ever> Poirot +as doo)ed to fai in this
respe.t/ The gente)an +ho issued ti.1ets at the Speedy offi.e
+as .a) and uni)passioned 'ut ada)ant/ !is point +as that +e
ought to return/ !e even i)pied that +e ought to pay eBtra for the
priviege of eaving the .oa.h at Charo.1 %ay/
$efeated> Poirot paid over the re8uired su) and eft the offi.e/
JThe (ngish> they have no sense of )oney>J he gru)'ed/ J$id you
o'serve a young )an> !astings> +ho paid over the fu fare and yet
)entioned his intention of eaving the .oa.h at Mon1ha)ptonAJ
JI don"t thin1 I did/ As a )atter of fa.t///J
J@ou +ere o'serving the pretty young ady +ho 'oo1ed 0o/F> the
neBt seat to ours/ AhG @es> )y friend> I sa+ you/ And that is +hy
+hen I +as on the point of ta1ing seats 0o/ 15 and 14 ; +hi.h are in
the )idde and as +e shetered as it is possi'e to 'e ; you rudey
pushed yoursef for+ard and said that 5 and 4 +oud 'e 'etter/J
J&eay> Poirot>J I said> 'ushing/
JAu'urn hair ; a+ays the au'urn hairGJ
JAt any rate> she +as )ore +orth oo1ing at than an odd young
)an/J
JThat depends upon the point of vie+/ To )e> the young )an +as
interesting/J
So)ething rather signifi.ant in Poirot"s tone )ade )e oo1 at hi)
8ui.1y/ JWhyA What do you )eanAJ
J<hG $o not eB.ite yoursef/ Sha I say that he interested )e
'e.ause he +as trying to gro+ a )usta.he and as yet the resut is
poor/J Poirot stro1ed his o+n )agnifi.ent )usta.he tendery/ JIt is
an art>J he )ur)ured> Jthe gro+ing of the )usta.heG I have
sy)pathy for a +ho atte)pt it/J
It is a+ays diffi.ut +ith Poirot to 1no+ +hen he is serious and
+hen he is )erey a)using hi)sef at one"s eBpense/ I Dudged it
safest to say no )ore/
The foo+ing )orning da+ned 'right and sunny/ A reay gorious
dayG Poirot> ho+ever> +as ta1ing no .han.es/ !e +ore a +ooy
+aist.oat> a )a.1intosh> a heavy over.oat> and t+o )uffers> in
addition to +earing his thi.1est suit/ !e aso s+ao+ed t+o ta'ets
of JAntigrippeJ 'efore starting and pa.1ed a further suppy/
We too1 a .oupe of s)a suit.ases +ith us/ The pretty gir +e had
noti.ed the day 'efore had a s)a suit.ase> and so did the young
)an +ho) I gathered to have 'een the o'De.t of Poirot"s sy)pathy/
<ther+ise> there +as no uggage/ The four pie.es +ere sto+ed
a+ay 'y the driver> and +e a too1 our pa.es/
Poirot> rather )ai.iousy> I thought> assigned )e the outside pa.e
as JI had the )ania for the fresh airJ and hi)sef o..upied the seat
neBt to our fair neigh'or/ Presenty> ho+ever> he )ade a)ends/
The )an in seat 3 +as a noisy feo+> in.ined to 'e fa.etious and
'oisterous> and Poirot as1ed the gir in a o+ voi.e if she +oud i1e
to .hange seats +ith hi)/ She agreed gratefuy> and> the .hange
having 'een effe.ted> she entered into .onversation +ith us and +e
+ere soon a three .hattering together )erriy/
She +as evidenty 8uite young> not )ore than nineteen> and as
ingenuous as a .hid/ She soon .onfided to us the reason of her
trip/ She +as going> it see)ed> on 'usiness for her aunt +ho 1ept a
)ost interesting anti8ue shop in ('er)outh/
This aunt had 'een eft in very redu.ed .ir.u)stan.es on the death
of her father and had used her s)a .apita and a housefu of
'eautifu things +hi.h her father had eft to start in 'usiness/ She
had 'een eBtre)ey su..essfu and had )ade 8uite a na)e for
hersef in the trade/ This gir> Mary $urrant> had .o)e to 'e +ith her
aunt and earn the 'usiness and +as very eB.ited a'out it ; )u.h
preferring it to the other aternative ; 'e.o)ing a nursery
governess or .o)panion/
Poirot nodded interest and approva to a this/
JMade)oisee +i 'e su..essfu> I a) sure>J he said gaanty/ J%ut
I +i give her a itte +ord of advi.e/ $o not 'e too trusting>
)ade)oisee/ (very+here in the +ord there are rogues and
vaga'onds> even it )ay 'e on this very .oa.h of ours/ <ne shoud
a+ays 'e on the guard> suspi.iousGJ
She stared at hi) open;)outhed> and he nodded sapienty/
J%ut yes> it is as I say/ Who 1no+sA (ven I +ho spea1 to you )ay 'e
a )aefa.tor of the +orst des.ription/J
And he t+in1ed )ore than ever at her surprised fa.e/
We stopped for un.h at Mon1ha)pton> and> after a fe+ +ords +ith
the +aiter> Poirot )anaged to se.ure us a s)a ta'e for three
.ose 'y the +indo+/ <utside> in a 'ig .ourtyard> a'out t+enty
.har;a;'an.s +ere par1ed ; .har;a;'an.s +hi.h had .o)e fro) a
over the .ounty/ The hote dining roo) +as fu> and the noise +as
rather .onsidera'e/
J<ne .an have atogether too )u.h of the hoiday spirit>J I said +ith
a gri)a.e/
Mary $urrant agreed/ J('er)outh is 8uite spoied in the su))ers
no+adays/ My aunt says it used to 'e 8uite different/ 0o+ one .an
hardy get aong the pave)ents for the .ro+d/J
J%ut it is good for 'usiness> )ade)oisee/J
J0ot for ours parti.uary/ We se ony rare and vaua'e things/ We
do not go in for .heap 'ri.;a;'ra./ My aunt has .ients a over
(ngand/ If they +ant a parti.uar period ta'e or .hair> or a .ertain
pie.e of .hina> they +rite to her> and> sooner or ater> she gets it for
the)/ That is +hat has happened in this .ase/J
We oo1ed interested and she +ent on to eBpain/ A .ertain
A)eri.an gente)an> Mr */ %a1er Wood> +as a .onnoisseur and
.oe.tor of )iniatures/ A very vaua'e set of )iniatures had
re.enty .o)e into the )ar1et> and Miss (i?a'eth Penn ; Mary"s
aunt ; had pur.hased the)/ She had +ritten to Mr Wood des.ri'ing
the )iniatures and na)ing a pri.e/ !e had repied at on.e> saying
that he +as prepared to pur.hase if the )iniatures +ere as
represented and as1ing that so)eone shoud 'e sent +ith the) for
hi) to see +here he +as staying at Charo.1 %ay/ Miss $urrant had
a..ordingy 'een dispat.hed> a.ting as representative for the fir)/
JThey"re ovey things> of .ourse>J she said/ J%ut I .an"t i)agine
anyone paying a that )oney for the)/ Five hundred poundsG *ust
thin1 of itG They"re 'y Cos+ay/ Is it Cos+ay I )eanA I get so )iBed
up in these things/J
Poirot s)ied/ J@ou are not yet eBperien.ed> eh> )ade)oiseeAJ
JI"ve had no training>J said Mary ruefuy/ JWe +eren"t 'rought up to
1no+ a'out od things/ It"s a ot to earn/J
She sighed/ Then suddeny> I sa+ her eyes +iden in surprise/ She
+as sitting fa.ing the +indo+> and her gan.e no+ +as dire.ted out
of that +indo+> into the .ourtyard/ With a hurried +ord> she rose
fro) her seat and a)ost ran out of the roo)/ She returned in a fe+
)o)ents> 'reathess and apoogeti./
JI") so sorry rushing off i1e that/ %ut I thought I sa+ a )an ta1ing
)y suit.ase out of the .oa.h/ I +ent fying after hi)> and it turned
out to 'e his o+n/ It"s one a)ost eBa.ty i1e )ine/ I fet i1e su.h a
foo/ It oo1ed as though I +ere a..using hi) of steaing it/J
She aughed at the idea/
Poirot> ho+ever> did not augh/ JWhat )an +as it> )ade)oiseeA
$es.ri'e hi) to )e/J
J!e had on a 'ro+n suit/ A thin +eedy young )an +ith a very
indeter)inate )usta.he/J
JAha>J said Poirot/ J<ur friend of yesterday> !astings/ @ou 1no+
this young )an> )ade)oisee/ @ou have seen hi) 'eforeAJ
J0o> never/ WhyAJ
J0othing/ It is rather .urious ; that is a/J
!e reapsed into sien.e and too1 no further part in the
.onversation unti so)ething Mary $urrant said .aught his
attention/
J(h> )ade)oisee> +hat is that you sayAJ
JI said that on )y return Dourney I shoud have to 'e .arefu of
")aefa.tors>" as you .a the)/ I 'eieve Mr Wood a+ays pays for
things in .ash/ If I have five hundred pounds in notes on )e> I sha
'e +orth so)e )aefa.tor"s attention/J
She aughed 'ut again Poirot did not respond/ Instead> he as1ed
her +hat hote she proposed to stay at in Charo.1 %ay/
JThe An.hor !ote/ It is s)a and not eBpensive> 'ut 8uite good/J
JSoGJ said Poirot/ JThe An.hor !ote/ Pre.isey +here !astings
here has )ade up his )ind to stay/ !o+ oddGJ
!e t+in1ed at )e/
J@ou are staying ong in Charo.1 %ayAJ as1ed Mary/
J<ne night ony/ I have 'usiness there/ @ou .oud not guess> I a)
sure> +hat )y profession is> )ade)oiseeAJ
I sa+ Mary .onsider severa possi'iities and reDe.t the) ; pro'a'y
fro) a feeing of .aution/ At ast> she ha?arded the suggestion that
Poirot +as a .onDurer/ !e +as vasty entertained/
JAhG %ut it is an idea> thatG @ou thin1 I ta1e the ra''its out of the
hatA 0o> )ade)oisee/ Me> I a) the opposite of a .onDurer/ The
.onDurer> he )a1es things disappear/ Me> I )a1e things that have
disappeared> reappear/J !e eaned for+ard dra)ati.ay so as to
give the +ords fu effe.t/ JIt is a se.ret> )ade)oisee> 'ut I +i te
you> I a) a dete.tiveGJ
!e eaned 'a.1 in his .hair peased +ith the effe.t he had .reated/
Mary $urrant stared at hi) spe'ound/ %ut any further
.onversation +as 'arred for the 'raying of various horns outside
announ.ed that the road )onsters +ere ready to pro.eed/
As Poirot and I +ent out together I .o))ented on the .har) of our
un.heon .o)panion/ Poirot agreed/
J@es> she is .har)ing/ %ut> aso rather siyAJ
JSiyAJ
J$o not 'e outraged/ A gir )ay 'e 'eautifu and have au'urn hair
and yet 'e siy/ It is the height of fooishness to ta1e t+o strangers
into her .onfiden.e as she has done/J
JWe> she .oud see +e +ere a right/J
JThat is i)'e.ie> +hat you say> )y friend/ Anyone +ho 1no+s his
Do' ; naturay he +i appear "a right/" That itte one she ta1ed of
'eing .arefu +hen she +oud have five hundred pounds in )oney
+ith her/ %ut she has five hundred pounds +ith her no+/J
JIn )iniatures/J
J(Ba.ty/ In )iniatures/ And 'et+een one and the other> there is no
great differen.e> )on a)i/J
J%ut no one 1no+s a'out the) eB.ept us/J
JAnd the +aiter and the peope at the neBt ta'e/ And> dou'tess>
severa peope in ('er)outhG Made)oisee $urrant> she is
.har)ing> 'ut> if I +ere Miss (i?a'eth Penn> I +oud first of a
instru.t )y ne+ assistant in the .o))on sense/J !e paused and
then said in a different voi.eH J@ou 1no+> )y friend> it +oud 'e the
easiest thing in the +ord to re)ove a suit.ase fro) one of those
.har;a;'an.s +hie +e +ere a at un.heon/J
J<hG Co)e> Poirot> so)e'ody +i 'e sure to see/J
JAnd +hat +oud they seeA So)e'ody re)oving his uggage/ It
+oud 'e done in an open and a'ove'oard )anner> and it +oud 'e
no'ody"s 'usiness to interfere/J
J$o you )ean ; Poirot> are you hinting ; %ut that feo+ in the 'ro+n
suit ; it +as his o+n suit.aseAJ
Poirot fro+ned/ JSo it see)s/ A the sa)e> it is .urious> !astings>
that he shoud have not re)oved his suit.ase 'efore> +hen the .ar
first arrived/ !e has not un.hed here> you noti.e/J
JIf Miss $urrant hadn"t 'een sitting opposite the +indo+> she
+oudn"t have seen hi)>J I said so+y/
JAnd sin.e it +as his o+n suit.ase> that +oud not have )attered>J
said Poirot/ JSo et us dis)iss it fro) our thoughts> )on a)i/J
0evertheess> +hen +e had resu)ed our pa.es and +ere speeding
aong on.e )ore> he too1 the opportunity of giving Mary $urrant a
further e.ture on the dangers of indis.retion +hi.h she re.eived
)ee1y enough 'ut +ith the air of thin1ing it a rather a Do1e/
We arrived at Charo.1 %ay at four o".o.1 and +ere fortunate
enough to 'e a'e to get roo)s at the An.hor !ote ; a .har)ing
od;+ord inn in one of the side streets/
Poirot had Dust unpa.1ed a fe+ ne.essaries and +as appying a
itte .os)eti. to his )usta.he preparatory to going out to .a upon
*oseph Aarons +hen there .a)e a fren?ied 1no.1ing at the door/ I
.aed JCo)e in>J and> to )y utter a)a?e)ent> Mary $urrant
appeared> her fa.e +hite and arge tears standing in her eyes/
JI do 'eg your pardon ; 'ut ; 'ut the )ost a+fu thing has
happened/ And you did say you +ere a dete.tiveAJ This to Poirot/
JWhat has happened> )ade)oiseeAJ
JI opened )y suit.ase/ The )iniatures +ere in a .ro.odie dispat.h
.ase ; o.1ed> of .ourse/ 0o+> oo1GJ
She hed out a s)a s8uare .ro.odie;.overed .ase/ The id hung
oose/ Poirot too1 it fro) her/ The .ase had 'een for.edI great
strength )ust have 'een used/ The )ar1s +ere pain enough/
Poirot eBa)ined it and nodded/
JThe )iniaturesAJ he as1ed> though +e 'oth 1ne+ the ans+er +e
enough/
J,one/ They"ve 'een stoen/ <hG What sha I doAJ
J$on"t +orry>J I said/ JMy friend is !er.ue Poirot/ @ou )ust have
heard of hi)/ !e" get the) 'a.1 for you if anyone .an/J
JMonsieur Poirot/ The great Monsieur Poirot/J
Poirot +as vain enough to 'e peased at the o'vious reveren.e in
her voi.e/ J@es> )y .hid>J he said/ JIt is I> )ysef/ And you .an
eave your itte affair in )y hands/ I +i do a that .an 'e done/ %ut
I fear ; I )u.h fear ; that it +i 'e too ate/ Te )e> +as the o.1 of
your suit.ase for.ed asoAJ
She shoo1 her head/
J#et )e see it> pease/J
We +ent together to her roo)> and Poirot eBa)ined the suit.ase
.osey/ It had o'viousy 'een opened +ith a 1ey/
JWhi.h is si)pe enough/ These suit.ase o.1s are a )u.h of the
sa)e pattern/ (h> 'ien> +e )ust ring up the poi.e and +e )ust
aso get in tou.h +ith Mr %a1er Wood as soon as possi'e/ I +i
attend to that )ysef/J
I +ent +ith hi) and as1ed +hat he )eant 'y saying it )ight 'e too
ate/ JMon .her> I said today that I +as the opposite of the .onDurer ;
that I )a1e the disappearing things reappear ; 'ut suppose
so)eone has 'een 'eforehand +ith )e/ @ou do not understandA
@ou +i in a )inute/J
!e disappeared into the teephone 'oB/ !e .a)e out five )inutes
ater oo1ing very grave/ JIt is as I feared/ A ady .aed upon Mr
Wood +ith the )iniatures haf an hour ago/ She represented hersef
as .o)ing fro) Miss (i?a'eth Penn/ !e +as deighted +ith the
)iniatures and paid for the) forth+ith/J
J!af an hour ago ; 'efore +e arrived here/J
Poirot s)ied rather enig)ati.ay/ JThe Speedy .ars are 8uite
speedy> 'ut a fast )otor fro) say> Mon1ha)pton +oud get here a
good hour ahead of the) at east/J
JAnd +hat do +e do no+AJ
JThe good !astings ; a+ays pra.ti.a/ We infor) the poi.e> do a
+e .an for Miss $urrant> and ; yes> I thin1 de.idedy> +e have an
intervie+ +ith Mr */ %a1er Wood/J
We .arried out this progra)/ Poor Mary $urrant +as terri'y upset>
fearing her aunt +oud 'a)e her/
JWhi.h she pro'a'y +i>J o'served Poirot> as +e set out for the
Seaside !ote +here Mr Wood +as staying/ JAnd +ith perfe.t
Dusti.e/ The idea of eaving five hundred pounds" +orth of vaua'es
in a suit.ase and going to un.hG A the sa)e> )on a)i> there are
one or t+o .urious points a'out the .ase/ That dispat.h 'oB> for
instan.e> +hy +as it for.edAJ
JTo get out the )iniatures/J
J%ut +as not that a fooishnessA Say our thief is ta)pering +ith the
uggage at un.h ti)e under the preteBt of getting out his o+n/
Surey it is )u.h si)per to open the suit.ase> transfer the dispat.h
.ase unopened to his o+n suit.ase> and get a+ay> than to +aste
the ti)e for.ing the o.1AJ
J!e had to )a1e sure the )iniatures +ere inside/J
Poirot did not oo1 .onvin.ed> 'ut> as +e +ere Dust 'eing sho+n
into Mr Wood"s suite> +e had no ti)e for )ore dis.ussion/
I too1 an i))ediate disi1e to Mr %a1er Wood/
!e +as a arge vugar )an> very )u.h overdressed and +earing a
dia)ond soitaire ring/ !e +as 'ustering and noisy/
<f .ourse> he"d not suspe.ted anything a)issA Why shoud heA The
+o)an said she had the )iniatures a right/ 7ery fine spe.i)ens>
tooG !ad he the nu)'ers of the notesA 0o> he hadn"t/ And +ho +as
Mr ; er ; Poirot> any+ay> to .o)e as1ing hi) a these 8uestionsA
JI +i not as1 you anything )ore> )onsieur> eB.ept for one thing/ A
des.ription of the +o)an +ho .aed upon you/ Was she young and
prettyAJ
J0o> sir> she +as not/ Most e)phati.ay not/ A ta +o)an> )iddeaged>
grey hair> 'ot.hy .o)peBion and a 'udding )usta.he/ A
sirenA 0ot on your ife/J
JPoirot>J I .ried> as +e too1 our departure/ JA )usta.he/ $id you
hearAJ
JI have the use of )y ears> than1 you> !astings/J
J%ut +hat a very unpeasant )an/J
J!e has not the .har)ing )anner> no/J
JWe> +e ought to get the thief a right>J I re)ar1ed/ JWe .an
identify hi)/J
J@ou are of su.h a naive si)pi.ity> !astings/ $o you not 1no+ that
there is su.h a thing as an ai'iAJ
J@ou thin1 he +i have an ai'iAJ
Poirot repied uneBpe.tedyH JI sin.erey hope so/J
JThe trou'e +ith you is>J I said> Jthat you i1e a thing to 'e
diffi.ut/J
J4uite right> )on a)i/ I do not i1e ; ho+ do you say it ; the 'ird +ho
sitsGJ
Poirot"s prophe.y +as fuy Dustified/ <ur traveing .o)panion in the
'ro+n suit turned out to 'e a Mr 0orton -ane/ !e had gone straight
to the ,orge !ote at Mon1ha)pton and had 'een there during the
afternoon/ The ony eviden.e against hi) +as that of Miss $urrant
+ho de.ared that she had seen hi) getting out his uggage fro)
the .ar +hie +e +ere at un.h/
JWhi.h in itsef is not a suspi.ious a.t>J said Poirot )editativey/
After that re)ar1> he apsed into sien.e and refused to dis.uss the
)atter any further> saying +hen I pressed hi)> that he +as thin1ing
of )usta.hes in genera> and that I shoud 'e +e advised to do the
sa)e/
I dis.overed> ho+ever> that he had as1ed *oseph Aarons ; +ith
+ho) he spent the evening ; to give hi) every detai possi'e a'out
Mr %a1er Wood/ As 'oth )en +ere staying at the sa)e hote> there
+as a .han.e of geaning so)e stray .ru)'s of infor)ation/
Whatever Poirot earned> he 1ept to hi)sef> ho+ever/
Mary $urrant> after various intervie+s +ith the poi.e> had returned
to ('er)outh 'y an eary )orning train/ We un.hed +ith *oseph
Aarons> and> after un.h> Poirot announ.ed to )e that he had
setted the theatri.a agent"s pro'e) satisfa.toriy> and that +e
.oud return to ('er)outh as soon as +e i1ed/ J%ut not 'y road>
)on a)iI +e go 'y rai this ti)e/J
JAre you afraid of having your po.1et pi.1ed> or of )eeting another
da)se in distressAJ
J%oth those affairs> !astings> )ight happen to )e on the train/ 0o> I
a) in haste to 'e 'a.1 in ('er)outh> 'e.ause I +ant to pro.eed
+ith our .ase/J
J<ur .aseAJ
J%ut> yes> )y friend/ Made)oisee $urrant appeaed to )e to hep
her/ %e.ause the )atter is no+ in the hands of the poi.e> it does
not foo+ that I a) free to +ash )y hands of it/ I .a)e here to
o'ige an od friend> 'ut it sha never 'e said of !er.ue Poirot that
he deserted a stranger in needGJ And he dre+ hi)sef up
grandio8uenty/
JI thin1 you +ere interested 'efore that>J I said shre+dy/ JIn the
offi.e of .ars> +hen you first .aught sight of that young )an>
though +hat dre+ your attention to hi) I don"t 1no+/J
J$on"t you> !astingsA @ou shoud/ We> +e> that )ust re)ain )y
itte se.ret/J
We had a short .onversation +ith the poi.e inspe.tor in .harge of
the .ase 'efore eaving/ !e had intervie+ed Mr 0orton -ane> and
tod Poirot in .onfiden.e that the young )an"s )anner had not
i)pressed hi) favora'y/ !e had 'ustered> denied> and
.ontradi.ted hi)sef/
J%ut Dust ho+ the tri.1 +as done> I don"t 1no+>J he .onfessed/ J!e
.oud have handed the stuff to a .onfederate +ho pushed off at
on.e in a fast .ar/ %ut that"s Dust theory/ We"ve got to find the .ar
and the .onfederate and pin the thing do+n/J
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
J$o you thin1 that +as ho+ it +as doneAJ I as1ed hi)> as +e +ere
seated in the train/
J0o> )y friend> that +as not ho+ it +as done/ It +as .everer than
that/J
JWon"t you te )eAJ
J0ot yet/ @ou 1no+ ; it is )y +ea1ness ; I i1e to 1eep )y itte
se.rets ti the end/J
JIs the end going to 'e soonAJ
J7ery soon no+/J
We arrived in ('er)outh a itte after siB and Poirot drove at on.e to
the shop +hi.h 'ore the na)e J(i?a'eth Penn/J The esta'ish)ent
+as .osed> 'ut Poirot rang the 'e> and presenty Mary hersef
opened the door> and eBpressed surprise and deight at seeing us/
JPease .o)e in and see )y aunt>J she said/
She ed us into a 'a.1 roo)/ An edery ady .a)e for+ard to )eet
usI she had +hite hair and oo1ed rather i1e a )iniature hersef
+ith her pin1;and;+hite s1in and her 'ue eyes/ &ound her rather
'ent shouders she +ore a .ape of pri.eess od a.e/
JIs this the great Monsieur PoirotAJ she as1ed in a o+ .har)ing
voi.e/ JMary has 'een teing )e/ I .oud hardy 'eieve it/ And you
+i reay hep us in our trou'e/ @ou +i advise usAJ
Poirot oo1ed at her for a )o)ent> then 'o+ed/
JMade)oisee Penn ; the effe.t is .har)ing/ %ut you shoud reay
gro+ a )usta.he/J
Miss Penn gave a gasp and dre+ 'a.1/
J@ou +ere a'sent fro) 'usiness yesterday> +ere you notAJ
JI +as here in the )orning/ #ater I had a 'ad heada.he and +ent
dire.ty ho)e/J
J0ot ho)e> )ade)oisee/ For your heada.he you tried the .hange
of air> did you notA The air of Charo.1 %ay is very 'ra.ing> I
'eieve/J
!e too1 )e 'y the ar) and dre+ )e to+ard the door/ !e paused
there and spo1e over his shouder/
J@ou .o)prehend> I 1no+ everything/ This itte ; far.e ; it )ust
.ease/J
There +as a )ena.e in his tone/ Miss Penn> her fa.e ghasty +hite>
nodded )utey/ Poirot turned to the gir/
JMade)oisee>J he said genty> Jyou are young and .har)ing/ %ut
parti.ipating in these itte affairs +i ead to that youth and .har)
'eing hidden 'ehind prison +as ; and I> !er.ue Poirot> te you
that that +i 'e a pity/J
Then he stepped out into the street and I foo+ed hi)> 'e+idered/
JFro) the first> )an a)i> I +as interested/ When that young )an
'oo1ed his pa.e as far as Mon1ha)pton ony> I sa+ the gir"s
attention suddeny riveted on hi)/ 0o+ +hyA !e +as not of the type
to )a1e a +o)an oo1 at hi) for hi)sef aone/ When +e started on
that .oa.h> I had a feeing that so)ething +oud happen/ Who sa+
the young )an ta)pering +ith the uggageA Made)oisee and
)ade)oisee ony> and re)e)'er she .hose that seat ; a seat
fa.ing the +indo+ ; a )ost unfe)inine .hoi.e/
JAnd then she .o)es to us +ith the tae of ro''ery ; the dispat.h
'oB for.ed +hi.h )a1es not the .o))on sense> as I tod you at the
ti)e/
JAnd +hat is the resut of it aA Mr %a1er Wood has paid over good
)oney for stoen goods/ The )iniatures +i 'e returned to Miss
Penn/ She +i se the) and +i have )ade a thousand pounds
instead of five hundred/ I )a1e the dis.reet in8uiries and earn that
her 'usiness is in a 'ad state ; tou.h and go/ I say to )ysef ; the
aunt and nie.e are in this together/J
JThen you never suspe.ted 0orton -aneAJ
JMon a)iG With that )usta.heA A .ri)ina is either .ean shaven or
he has a proper )usta.he that .an 'e re)oved at +i/ %ut +hat an
opportunity for the .ever Miss Penn ; a shrin1ing edery ady +ith a
pin1;and;+hite .o)peBion as +e sa+ her/ %ut if she hods hersef
ere.t> +ears arge 'oots> aters her .o)peBion +ith a fe+
unsee)y 'ot.hes and ; .ro+ning tou.h ; adds a fe+ sparse hairs
to her upper ip/ What thenA A )as.uine +o)an> says Mr Wood>
and ; "a )an in disguise" say +e at on.e/J
JShe reay +ent to Charo.1 yesterdayAJ
JAssuredy/ The train> as you )ay re)e)'er teing )e> eft here at
eeven and got to Charo.1 %ay at t+o o".o.1/ Then the return train
is even 8ui.1er ; the one +e .a)e 'y/ It eaves Charo.1 at four;five
and gets here at siB;fifteen/ 0aturay> the )iniatures +ere never in
the dispat.h .ase at a/ That +as artisti.ay for.ed 'efore 'eing
pa.1ed/ Made)oisee Mary has ony to find a .oupe of )ugs +ho
+i 'e sy)patheti. to her .har) and .ha)pion 'eauty in distress/
%ut one of the )ugs +as no )ug ; he +as !er.ue PoirotGJ
I hardy i1ed the inferen.e/ I said hurriedyH
JThen> +hen you said you +ere heping a stranger> you +ere
+ifuy de.eiving )e/ That"s eBa.ty +hat you +ere doing/J
J0ever do I de.eive you> !astings/ I ony per)it you to de.eive
yoursef/ I +as referring to Mr %a1er Wood ; a stranger to these
shores/J !is fa.e dar1ened/ JAhG When I thin1 of that i)position>
that ini8uitous over.hargeI the sa)e fare singe to Charo.1 as
return> )y 'ood 'ois to prote.t the visitorG 0ot a peasant )an> Mr
%a1er Wood> not> as you +oud say> sy)patheti./ %ut a visitorG And
+e visitors> !astings> )ust stand together/ Me> I a) a for the
visitorsGJ
T!( MA&-(T %ASI0, M@ST(&@
"After a> there"s nothing i1e the .ountry> is thereA" said Inspe.tor
*app> 'reathing in heaviy through his nose and out through his
)outh in the )ost approved fashion/
Poirot and I appauded the senti)ent heartiy/ It had 'een the
S.otand @ard inspe.tor"s idea that +e shoud a go for the
+ee1end to the itte .ountry to+n of Mar1et %asing/ When off duty>
*app +as an ardent 'otanist> and dis.oursed upon )inute fo+ers
possessed of un'eieva'y engthy #atin na)es 9so)e+hat
strangey pronoun.ed: +ith an enthusias) even greater than that
he gave to his .ases/
"0o'ody 1no+s us> and +e 1no+ no'ody>" eBpained *app/ "That"s
the idea/"
This +as not to prove 8uite the .ase> ho+ever> for the o.a
.onsta'e happened to have 'een transferred fro) a viage fifteen
)ies a+ay +here a .ase of arseni.a poisoning had 'rought hi)
into .onta.t +ith the S.otand @ard )an/ !o+ever> his deighted
re.ognition of the great )an ony enhan.ed *app"s sense of +e;
'eing> and as +e sat do+n to 'rea1fast on Sunday )orning in the
parour of the viage inn> +ith the sun shining> and tendris of
honeysu.1e thrusting the)seves in at the +indo+> +e +ere a in
the 'est of spirits/ The 'a.on and eggs +ere eB.eent> the .offee
not so good> 'ut passa'e and 'oiing hot/
"This is the ife>" said *app/ "When I retire> I sha have a itte pa.e in
the .ountry/ Far fro) .ri)e> i1e thisG"
"#e .ri)e> i est partout>" re)ar1ed Poirot> heping hi)sef to a neat
s8uare of 'read> and fro+ning at a sparro+ +hi.h had 'aan.ed
itsef i)pertinenty on the +indo+si/
I 8uoted ightyH
"That ra''it has a peasant fa.e>
!is private ife is a disgra.e
I reay .oud not te to you
The a+fu things that ra''its do/"
"#ord>" said *app> stret.hing hi)sef 'a.1+ard> "I 'eieve I .oud
)anage another egg> and perhaps a rasher or t+o of 'a.on/ What
do you say> CaptainA"
"I") +ith you>" I returned heartiy/ "What a'out you> PoirotA"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"<ne )ust not so repenish the sto)a.h that the 'rain refuses to
fun.tion>" he re)ar1ed/
"I" ris1 repenishing the sto)a.h a 'it )ore>" aughed *app/ "I ta1e a
arge si?e in sto)a.hsI and 'y the +ay> you"re getting stout
yoursef> M/ Poirot/ !ere> )iss> eggs and 'a.on t+i.e/"
At that )o)ent> ho+ever> an i)posing for) 'o.1ed the door+ay/ It
+as Consta'e Poard/
"I hope you" eB.use )e trou'ing the inspe.tor> gente)en> 'ut I"d
'e gad of his advi.e/"
"I") on )y hoiday>" said *app hastiy/ "0o +or1 for )e/ What is the
.aseA"
",ente)an up at #eigh !a ; shot hi)sef ; through the head/"
"We> they +i do it>" said *app prosai.ay/ "$e't> or a +o)an> I
suppose/ Sorry I .an"t hep you> Poard/"
"The point is>" said the .onsta'e> "that he .an"t have shot hi)sef/
#east+ays> that"s +hat $r ,ies says/"
*app put do+n his .up/
"Can"t have shot hi)sefA What do you )eanA"
"That"s +hat $r ,ies says>" repeated Poard/ "!e says it"s pu)'
i)possi'e/ !e"s pu??ed to death> the door 'eing o.1ed on the
inside and the +indo+ 'otedI 'ut he sti.1s to it that the )an
.oudn"t have .o))itted sui.ide/"
That setted it/ The further suppy of 'a.on and eggs +ere +aved
aside> and a fe+ )inutes ater +e +ere a +a1ing as fast as +e
.oud in the dire.tion of #eigh !ouse> *app eagery 8uestioning the
.onsta'e/
The na)e of the de.eased +as Water ProtheroeI he +as a )an of
)idde age and so)ething of a re.use/ !e had .o)e to Mar1et
%asing eight years ago and rented #eigh !ouse> a ra)'ing>
diapidated od )ansion fast faing into ruin/ !e ived in a .orner of
it> his +ants attended to 'y a house1eeper +ho) he had 'rought
+ith hi)/ Miss Cegg +as her na)e> and she +as a very superior
+o)an and highy thought of in the viage/ *ust atey Mr Protheroe
had had visitors staying +ith hi)> a Mr and Mrs Par1er fro)
#ondon/ This )orning> una'e to get a repy +hen she +ent to .a
her )aster> and finding the door o.1ed> Miss Cegg 'e.a)e
aar)ed> and teephoned for the poi.e and the do.tor/ Consta'e
Poard and $r ,ies had arrived at the sa)e )o)ent/ Their united
efforts had su..eeded in 'rea1ing do+n the oa1 door of his
'edroo)/
Mr Protheroe +as ying on the foor> shot through the head> and the
pisto +as .asped in his right hand/ It oo1ed a .ear .ase of
sui.ide/
After eBa)ining the 'ody> ho+ever> $r ,ies 'e.a)e .eary
perpeBed> and finay he dre+ the .onsta'e aside> and
.o))uni.ated his perpeBities to hi)I +hereupon Poard had at
on.e thought of *app/ #eaving the do.tor in .harge> he had hurried
do+n to the inn/
%y the ti)e the .onsta'e"s re.ita +as over> +e had arrived at
#eigh !ouse> a 'ig> desoate house surrounded 'y an un1e)pt>
+eed;ridden garden/ The front door +as open> and +e passed at
on.e into the ha and fro) there into a s)a )orning;roo) +hen.e
pro.eeded the sound of voi.es/ Four peope +ere in the roo)H a
so)e+hat fashiy dressed )an +ith a shifty> unpeasant fa.e to
+ho) I too1 an i))ediate disi1eI a +o)an of )u.h the sa)e type>
though handso)e in a .oarse fashionI another +o)an dressed in
neat 'a.1 +ho stood apart fro) the rest> and +ho) I too1 to 'e the
house1eeperI and a ta )an dressed in sporting t+eeds> +ith a
.ever> .apa'e fa.e> and +ho +as .eary in .o))and of the
situation/
"$r ,ies>" said the .onsta'e> "this is $ete.tive;Inspe.tor *app of
S.otand @ard> and his t+o friends/"
The do.tor greeted us and )ade us 1no+n to Mr and Mrs Par1er/
Then +e a..o)panied hi) upstairs/ Poard> in o'edien.e to a sign
fro) *app> re)ained 'eo+> as it +ere on guard over the
househod/ The do.tor ed us upstairs and aong a passage/ A door
+as open at the endI spinters hung fro) the hinges> and the door
itsef had .rashed to the foor inside the roo)/
We +ent in/ The 'ody +as sti ying on the foor/ Mr Protheroe had
'een a )an of )idde age> 'earded> +ith hair grey at the te)pes/
*app +ent and 1net 'y the 'ody/
"Why .oudn"t you eave it as you found itA" he gru)'ed/
The do.tor shrugged his shouders/
"We thought it a .ear .ase of sui.ide/"
"!")G" said *app/ "%uet entered the head 'ehind the eft ear/"
"(Ba.ty>" said the do.tor/ "Ceary i)possi'e for hi) to have fired it
hi)sef/ !e"d have had to t+ist his hand right round his head/ It
.oudn"t have 'een done/"
"@et you found the pisto .asped in his handA Where is it> 'y the
+ayA"
The do.tor nodded to the ta'e/
"%ut it +asn"t .asped in his hand>" he said/ "It +as inside the hand>
'ut the fingers +eren"t .osed over it/"
"Put there after+ards>" said *appI "that"s .ear enough/" !e +as
eBa)ining the +eapon/ "<ne .artridge fired/ We" test it for
fingerprints> 'ut I dou't if +e" find any 'ut yours> $r ,ies/ !o+
ong has he 'een deadA"
"So)e ti)e ast night/ I .an"t give the ti)e to an hour or so> as the
+onderfu do.tors in dete.tive stories do/ &oughy> he"s 'een dead
a'out t+eve hours/"
So far> Poirot had not )ade a )ove of any 1ind/ !e had re)ained 'y
)y side> +at.hing *app at +or1 and istening to his 8uestions/ <ny>
fro) ti)e to ti)e he had sniffed the air very dei.atey> and as if
pu??ed/ I too 'ad sniffed> 'ut .oud dete.t nothing to arouse
interest/ The air see)ed perfe.ty fresh and devoid of odour/ And
yet> fro) ti)e to ti)e> Poirot .ontinued to sniff it du'iousy> as
though his 1eener nose dete.ted so)ething I had )issed/
0o+> as *app )oved a+ay fro) the 'ody> Poirot 1net do+n 'y it/
!e too1 no interest in the +ound/ I thought at first that he +as
eBa)ining the fingers of the hand that had hed the pisto> 'ut in a
)inute I sa+ that it +as a hand1er.hief .arried in the .oat;seeve
that interested hi)/ Mr Protheroe +as dressed in a dar1 grey
ounge;suit/ Finay Poirot got up fro) his 1nees> 'ut his eyes sti
strayed 'a.1 to the hand1er.hief as though pu??ed/
*app .aed to hi) to .o)e and hep to ift the door/ Sei?ing )y
opportunity> I too 1net do+n> and ta1ing the hand1er.hief fro) the
seeve> s.rutini?ed it )inutey/ It +as a perfe.ty pain hand1er.hief
of +hite .a)'ri.I there +as no )ar1 or stain on it of any 1ind/ I
repa.ed it> sha1ing )y head> and .onfessing )ysef 'affed/
The others had raised the door/ I reai?ed that they +ere hunting for
the 1ey/ They oo1ed in vain/
"That settes it>" said *app/ "The +indo+"s shut and 'oted/ The
)urderer eft 'y the door> o.1ing it and ta1ing the 1ey +ith hi)/ !e
thought it +oud 'e a..epted that Protheroe had o.1ed hi)sef in
and shot hi)sef> and that the a'sen.e of the 1ey +oud not 'e
noti.ed/ @ou agree> M/ PoirotA"
"I agree> yesI 'ut it +oud have 'een si)per and 'etter to sip the
1ey 'a.1 inside the roo) under the door/ Then it +oud oo1 as
though it had faen fro) the o.1/"
"Ah> +e> you .an"t eBpe.t every'ody to have the 'right ideas that
you have/ @ou"d have 'een a hoy terror if you"d ta1en to .ri)e/ Any
re)ar1s to )a1e> M/ PoirotA"
Poirot> it see)ed to )e> +as so)e+hat at a oss/ !e oo1ed round
the roo) and re)ar1ed )idy and a)ost apoogeti.ayH
"!e s)o1ed a ot> this )onsieur/"
True enough> the grate +as fied +ith .igarette;stu's> as +as an
ashtray that stood on a s)a ta'e near the 'ig ar).hair/
"!e )ust have got through a'out t+enty .igarettes ast night>"
re)ar1ed *app/ Stooping do+n> he eBa)ined the .ontents of the
grate .arefuy> then transferred his attention to the ashtray/
"They"re a the sa)e 1ind>" he announ.ed> "and s)o1ed 'y the sa)e
)an/ There"s nothing there> M/ Poirot/"
"I did not suggest that there +as>" )ur)ured )y friend/
"!a>" .ried *app> "+hat"s thisA" !e poun.ed on so)ething 'right and
gittering that ay on the foor near the dead )an/ "A 'ro1en .uffin1/
I +onder +ho this 'eongs to/ $r ,ies> I"d 'e o'iged if you"d
go do+n and send up the house1eeper/"
"What a'out the Par1ersA !e"s very anBious to eave the house ;
says he"s got urgent 'usiness in #ondon/"
"I dare say/ It" have to get on +ithout hi)/ %y the +ay things are
going> it"s i1ey that there" 'e so)e urgent 'usiness do+n here for
hi) to attend toG Send up the house1eeper> and don"t et either of
the Par1ers give you and Poard the sip/ $id any of the househod
.o)e in here this )orningA"
The do.tor refe.ted/
"0o> they stood outside in the .orridor +hie Poard and I .a)e in/"
"Sure of thatA"
"A'soutey .ertain/"
The do.tor departed on his )ission/
",ood )an> that>" said *app approvingy/ "So)e of these sporting
do.tors are first;.ass feo+s/ We> I +onder +ho shot this .hap/ It
oo1s i1e one of the three in the house/ I hardy suspe.t the
house1eeper/ She"s had eight years to shoot hi) in if she +anted
to/ I +onder +ho these Par1ers areA They"re not a prepossessingoo1ing
.oupe/"
Miss Cegg appeared at this Dun.ture/ She +as a thin> gaunt +o)an
+ith neat grey hair parted in the )idde> very staid and .a) in
)anner/ 0evertheess there +as an air of effi.ien.y a'out her
+hi.h .o))anded respe.t/ In ans+er to *app"s 8uestions> she
eBpained that she had 'een +ith the dead )an for fourteen years/
!e had 'een a generous and .onsiderate )aster/ She had never
seen Mr and Mrs Par1er unti three days ago> +hen they arrived
uneBpe.tedy to stay/ She +as of the opinion that they had as1ed
the)seves ; the )aster had .ertainy not see)ed peased to see
the)/ The .uff;in1s +hi.h *app sho+ed her had not 'eonged to Mr
Protheroe ; she +as sure of that/ 4uestioned a'out the pisto> she
said that she 'eieved her )aster had a +eapon of that 1ind/ !e
1ept it o.1ed up/ She had seen it on.e so)e years ago> 'ut .oud
not say +hether this +as the sa)e one/ She had heard no shot ast
night> 'ut that +as not surprising> as it +as a 'ig> ra)'ing house>
and her roo)s and those prepared for the Par1ers +ere at the
other end of the 'uiding/ She did not 1no+ +hat ti)e Mr Protheroe
had gone to 'ed ; he +as sti up +hen she retired at haf past nine/
It +as not his ha'it to go at on.e to 'ed +hen he +ent to his roo)/
2suay he +oud sit up haf the night> reading and s)o1ing/ !e +as
a great s)o1er/
Then Poirot interposed a 8uestionH
"$id your )aster seep +ith his +indo+ open or shut> as a rueA"
Miss Cegg .onsidered/
"It +as usuay open> at any rate at the top/"
"@et no+ it is .osed/ Can you eBpain thatA"
"0o> uness he fet a draught and shut it/"
*app as1ed her a fe+ )ore 8uestions and then dis)issed her/ 0eBt
he intervie+ed the Par1ers separatey/ Mrs Par1er +as in.ined to
'e hysteri.a and tearfuI Mr Par1er +as fu of 'uster and a'use/
!e denied that the .uff;in1 +as his> 'ut as his +ife had previousy
re.ogni?ed it> this hardy i)proved )atters for hi)I and as he had
aso denied ever having 'een in Protheroe"s roo)> *app .onsidered
that he had suffi.ient eviden.e to appy for a +arrant/
#eaving Poard in .harge> *app 'usted 'a.1 to the viage and got
into teephoni. .o))uni.ation +ith head8uarters/ Poirot and I
stroed 'a.1 to the inn/
"@ou"re unusuay 8uiet>" I said/ "$oesn"t the .ase interest youA"
"Au .ontraire> it interests )e enor)ousy/ %ut it pu??es )e aso/"
"The )otive is o's.ure>" I said thoughtfuy> "'ut I") .ertain that
Par1er"s a 'ad ot/ The .ase against hi) see)s pretty .ear 'ut for
the a.1 of )otive> and that )ay .o)e out ater/"
"0othing stru.1 you as 'eing espe.iay signifi.ant> athough
overoo1ed 'y *appA"
I oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/
"What have you got up your seeve> PoirotA"
"What did the dead )an have up his seeveA"
"<h> that hand1er.hiefG"
"(Ba.ty> the hand1er.hief/"
"A saior .arries his hand1er.hief in his seeve>" I said thoughtfuy/
"An eB.eent point> !astings> though not the one I had in )ind/"
"Anything eseA"
"@es> over and over again I go 'a.1 to the s)e of .igarette;s)o1e/"
"I didn"t s)e any>" I .ried +onderingy/
"0o )ore did I> .her a)i/J
I oo1ed earnesty at hi)/ It is so diffi.ut to 1no+ +hen Poirot is
puing one"s eg> 'ut he see)ed thoroughy in earnest and +as
fro+ning to hi)sef/
The in8uest too1 pa.e t+o days ater/ In the )eanti)e other
eviden.e had .o)e to ight/ A tra)p had ad)itted that he had
.i)'ed over the +a into the #eigh !ouse garden> +here he often
sept in a shed that +as eft uno.1ed/ !e de.ared that at t+eve
o".o.1 he had heard t+o )en 8uarreing oudy in a roo) on the
first foor/ <ne +as de)anding a su) of )oneyI the other +as
angriy refusing/ Con.eaed 'ehind a 'ush> he had seen the t+o
)en as they passed and repassed the ighted +indo+/ <ne he 1ne+
+e as 'eing Mr Protheroe> the o+ner of the houseI the other he
identified positivey as Mr Par1er/
It +as .ear no+ that the Par1ers had .o)e to #eigh !ouse to
'a.1)ai Protheroe> and +hen ater it +as dis.overed that the
dead )an"s rea na)e +as Wendover> and that he had 'een a
ieutenant in the 0avy and had 'een .on.erned in the 'o+ing up of
the first;.ass .ruiser Merrythought> in 1916> the .ase see)ed to 'e
rapidy .earing/ It +as supposed that Par1er> .ogni?ant of the part
Wendover had payed> had tra.1ed hi) do+n and de)anded hush)oney
+hi.h the other refused to pay/ In the .ourse of the 8uarre>
Wendover dre+ his revover> and Par1er snat.hed it fro) hi) and
shot hi)> su'se8uenty endeavouring to give it the appearan.e of
sui.ide/
Par1er +as .o))itted for tria> reserving his defen.e/ We had
attended the poi.e;.ourt pro.eedings/ As +e eft> Poirot nodded
his head/
"It )ust 'e so>" he )ur)ured to hi)sef/ "@es> it )ust 'e so/ I +i
deay no onger/"
!e +ent into the post offi.e> and +rote off a note +hi.h he
despat.hed 'y spe.ia )essenger/ I did not see to +ho) it +as
addressed/ Then +e returned to the inn +here +e had stayed on
that )e)ora'e +ee1end/
Poirot +as restess> going to and fro) the +indo+/
"I a+ait a visitor>" he eBpained/ "It .annot 'e ; surey it .annot 'e
that I a) )ista1enA 0o> here she is/"
To )y utter astonish)ent> in another )inute Miss Cegg +a1ed into
the roo)/ She +as ess .a) than usua> and +as 'reathing hard as
though she had 'een running/ I sa+ the fear in her eyes as she
oo1ed at Poirot/
"Sit do+n> )ade)oisee>" he said 1indy/ "I guessed righty> did I
notA"
For ans+er she 'urst into tears/
"Why did you do itA" as1ed Poirot genty/ "WhyA"
"I oved hi) so>" she ans+ered/ "I +as nurse)aid to hi) +hen he
+as a itte 'oy/ <h> 'e )er.ifu to )eG"
"I +i do a I .an/ %ut you understand that I .annot per)it an
inno.ent )an to hang ; even though he is an unpeasing s.oundre/"
She sat up and said in a o+ voi.eH
"Perhaps in the end I .oud not have> either/ $o +hatever )ust 'e
done/"
Then> rising> she hurried fro) the roo)/
"$id she shoot hi)A" I as1ed> uttery 'e+idered/
Poirot s)ied and shoo1 his head/
"!e shot hi)sef/ $o you re)e)'er that he .arried his hand1er.hief
in his right seeveA That sho+ed )e that he +as eft;handed/
Fearing eBposure> after his stor)y intervie+ +ith Mr Par1er> he
shot hi)sef/ In the )orning Miss Cegg .a)e to .a hi) as usua
and found hi) ying dead/ As she has Dust tod us> she had 1no+n
hi) fro) a itte 'oy up+ard> and +as fied +ith fury against the
Par1ers> +ho had driven hi) to this sha)efu death/ She regarded
the) as )urderers> and then suddeny she sa+ a .han.e of )a1ing
the) suffer for the deed they had inspired/ She aone 1ne+ that he
+as eft;handed/ She .hanged the pisto to his right hand> .osed
and 'oted the +indo+> dropped the 'it of .uff;in1 she had pi.1ed
up in one of the do+nstairs roo)s> and +ent out> o.1ing the door
and re)oving the 1ey/"
"Poirot>" I said> in a 'urst of enthusias)> "you are )agnifi.ent/ A
that fro) the one itte .ue of the hand1er.hiefG"
"And the .igarette;s)o1e/ If the +indo+ had 'een .osed> and a
those .igarettes s)o1ed> the roo) ought to have 'een fu of stae
to'a..o/ Instead> it +as perfe.ty fresh> so I dedu.ed at on.e that
the +indo+ )ust have 'een open a night> and ony .osed in the
)orning> and that gave )e a very interesting ine of spe.uation/ I
.oud .on.eive of no .ir.u)stan.es under +hi.h a )urderer .oud
+ant to shut the +indo+/ It +oud 'e to his advantage to eave it
open> and pretend that the )urderer had es.aped that +ay> if the
theory of sui.ide did not go do+n/ <f .ourse> the tra)p"s eviden.e>
+hen I heard it> .onfir)ed )y suspi.ions/ !e .oud never have
overheard that .onversation uness the +indo+ had 'een open/"
"SpendidG" I said heartiy/ "0o+> +hat a'out so)e teaA"
"Spo1en i1e a true (ngish)an>" said Poirot +ith a sigh/ "I suppose it
is not i1ey that I .oud o'tain here a gass of siropA"
WASPS" 0(ST
<ut of the house .a)e *ohn !arrison and stood a )o)ent on the
terra.e oo1ing out over the garden/ !e +as a 'ig )an +ith a ean>
.adaverous fa.e/ !is aspe.t +as usuay so)e+hat gri) 'ut +hen
as no+> the rugged features softened into a s)ie> there +as
so)ething very attra.tive a'out hi)/
*ohn !arrison oved his garden> and it had never oo1ed 'etter than
it did on this August evening> su))ery and anguorous/ The
ra)'er roses +ere sti 'eautifuI s+eet peas s.ented the air/
A +e;1no+n .rea1ing sound )ade !arrison turn his head sharpy/
Who +as .o)ing in through the garden gateA In another )inute> an
eBpression of utter astonish)ent .a)e over his fa.e> for the
dandified figure .o)ing up the path +as the ast he eBpe.ted to see
in this part of the +ord/
J%y a that"s +onderfu>J .ried !arrison/ JMonsieur PoirotGJ
It +as> indeed> the fa)ous !er.ue Poirot +hose reno+n as a
dete.tive had spread over the +hoe +ord/
J@es>J he said> Jit is I/ @ou said to )e on.eH "If you are ever in this
part of the +ord> .o)e and see )e/" I ta1e you at your +ord/ I
arrive/J
JAnd I") deighted>J said !arrison heartiy/ JSit do+n and have a
drin1/J
With a hospita'e hand> he indi.ated a ta'e on the veranda 'earing
assorted 'ottes/
JI than1 you>J said Poirot> sin1ing do+n into a 'as1et .hair/ J@ou
have> I suppose> no syrupA 0o> no> I thought not/ A itte pain soda
+ater then ; no +his1y/J And he added in a feeing voi.e as the
other pa.ed the gass 'eside hi)H JAasH My )usta.hes are i)p/ It
is this heatGJ
JAnd +hat 'rings you into this 8uiet spotAJ as1ed !arrison as he
dropped into another .hair/ JPeasureAJ
J0o> )on a)i> 'usiness/J
J%usinessA In this out;of;the;+ay pa.eAJ
Poirot nodded gravey/ J%ut yes> )y friend> a .ri)es are not
.o))itted in .ro+ds> you 1no+AJ
The other aughed/ JI suppose that +as rather an idioti. re)ar1 of
)ine/ %ut +hat parti.uar .ri)e are you investigating do+n here> or
is that a thing I )ustn"t as1AJ
J@ou )ay as1>J said the dete.tive/ JIndeed> I +oud prefer that you
as1ed/J
!arrison oo1ed at hi) .uriousy/ !e sensed so)ething a itte
unusua in the other"s )anner/ J@ou are investigating a .ri)e> you
sayAJ he advan.ed rather hesitatingy/ JA serious .ri)eAJ
JA .ri)e of the )ost serious there is/J
J@ou )ean///J
JMurder/J
So gravey did !er.ue Poirot say that +ord that !arrison +as 8uite
ta1en a'a.1/ The dete.tive +as oo1ing straight at hi) and again
there +as so)ething so unusua in his gan.e that !arrison hardy
1ne+ ho+ to pro.eed/ At ast> he saidH J%ut I have heard of no
)urder/J
J0o>J said Poirot> Jyou +oud not have heard of it/J
JWho has 'een )urderedAJ
JAs yet>J said !er.ue Poirot> Jno'ody/J
JWhatAJ
JThat is +hy I said you +oud not have heard of it/ I a) investigating
a .ri)e that has not yet ta1en pa.e/J
J%ut oo1 here> that is nonsense/J
J0ot at a/ If one .an investigate a )urder 'efore it has happened>
surey that is very )u.h 'etter than after+ard/ <ne )ight even ; a
itte idea ; prevent it/J
!arrison stared at hi)/ J@ou are not serious> Monsieur Poirot/J
J%ut yes> I a) serious/J
J@ou reay 'eieve that a )urder is going to 'e .o))ittedA <h> it"s
a'surdGJ
!er.ue Poirot finished the first part of the senten.e +ithout ta1ing
any noti.e of the eB.a)ation/
J2ness +e .an )anage to prevent it/ @es> )on a)i> that is +hat I
)ean/J
JWeAJ
JI said +e/ I sha need your .ooperation/J
JIs that +hy you .a)e do+n hereAJ
Again Poirot oo1ed at hi)> and again an indefina'e so)ething
)ade !arrison uneasy/
JI .a)e here> Monsieur !arrison 'e.ause I ; +e ; i1e you/J
And then he added in an entirey different voi.eH JI see> Monsieur
!arrison> that you have a +asps" nest there/ @ou shoud destroy it/J
The .hange of su'De.t )ade !arrison fro+n in a pu??ed +ay/ !e
foo+ed Poirot"s gan.e and said in rather a 'e+idered voi.eH JAs
a )atter of fa.t> I") going to/ <r rather> young #angton is/ @ou
re)e)'er Caude #angtonA !e +as at the sa)e dinner +here I )et
you/ !e"s .o)ing over this evening to ta1e the nest/ &ather fan.ies
hi)sef at the Do'/J
JAhGJ said Poirot/ JAnd ho+ is he going to do itAJ
JPetro and the garden syringe/ !e"s 'ringing his o+n syringe overI
it"s a )ore .onvenient si?e than )ine/J
JThere is another +ay> is there notAJ as1ed Poirot/ JWith .yanide of
potassiu)AJ
!arrison oo1ed a itte surprised/ J@es> 'ut that"s rather dangerous
stuff/ A+ays a 'it of ris1 having it a'out the pa.e/J
Poirot nodded gravey/ J@es> it is deady poison/J !e +aited a
)inute and then repeated in a grave voi.e/ J$eady poison/J
J2sefu if you +ant to do a+ay +ith your )other;in;a+> ehAJ said
!arrison +ith a augh/
%ut !er.ue Poirot re)ained grave/ JAnd you are 8uite sure>
Monsieur !arrison> that it is +ith petro that Monsieur #angton is
going to destroy your +asps" nestAJ
J4uite sure/ WhyAJ
JI +ondered/ I +as at the .he)ist"s in %ar.hester this afternoon/
For one of )y pur.hases I had to sign the poison 'oo1/ I sa+ the
ast entry/ It +as for .yanide of potassiu) and it +as signed for 'y
Caude #angton/J
!arrison stared/ JThat"s odd>J he said/ J#angton tod )e the other
day that he"d never drea) of using the stuffI in fa.t> he said it
oughtn"t to 'e sod for the purpose/J
Poirot oo1ed out over the roses/ !is voi.e +as very 8uiet as he
as1ed a 8uestion/ J$o you i1e #angtonAJ
The other started/ The 8uestion so)eho+ see)ed to find hi) 8uite
unprepared/ JI ; I ; +e> I )ean ; of .ourse> I i1e hi)/ Why shoudn"t
IAJ
JI ony +ondered>J said Poirot pa.idy> J+hether you did/J
And as the other did not ans+er> he +ent on/ JI aso +ondered if he
i1ed youAJ
JWhat are you getting at> Monsieur PoirotA There"s so)ething in
your )ind I .an"t fatho)/J
JI a) going to 'e very fran1/ @ou are engaged to 'e )arried>
Monsieur !arrison/ I 1no+ Miss Moy $eane/ She is a very
.har)ing> a very 'eautifu gir/ %efore she +as engaged to you> she
+as engaged to Caude #angton/ She thre+ hi) over for you/J
!arrison nodded/
JI do not as1 +hat her reasons +ereI she )ay have 'een Dustified/
%ut I te you this> it is not too )u.h to suppose that #angton has not
forgotten or forgiven/J
J@ou"re +rong> Monsieur Poirot/ I s+ear you"re +rong/ #angton"s
'een a sports)anI he"s ta1en things i1e a )an/ !e"s 'een
a)a?ingy de.ent to )e ; gone out of his +ay to 'e friendy/J
JAnd that does not stri1e you as unusuaA @ou use the +ord
"a)a?ingy>" 'ut you do not see) to 'e a)a?ed/J
JWhat do you )ean> M/ PoirotAJ
JI )ean>J said Poirot> and his voi.e had a ne+ note in it> Jthat a )an
)ay .on.ea his hate ti the proper ti)e .o)es/J
J!ateAJ !arrison shoo1 his head and aughed/
JThe (ngish are very stupid>J said Poirot/ JThey thin1 that they .an
de.eive anyone 'ut that no one .an de.eive the)/ The sports)an ;
the good feo+ ; never +i they 'eieve evi of hi)/ And 'e.ause
they are 'rave> 'ut stupid> so)eti)es they die +hen they need not
die/J
J@ou are +arning )e>J said !arrison in a o+ voi.e/ JI see it no+ ;
+hat has pu??ed )e a aong/ @ou are +arning )e against Caude
#angton/ @ou .a)e here today to +arn )e///J
Poirot nodded/ !arrison sprang up suddeny/ J%ut you are )ad>
Monsieur Poirot/ This is (ngand/ Things don"t happen i1e that
here/ $isappointed suitors don"t go a'out sta''ing peope in the
'a.1 and poisoning the)/ And you"re +rong a'out #angton/ That
.hap +oudn"t hurt a fy/J
JThe ives of fies are not )y .on.ern>J said Poirot pa.idy/ JAnd
athough you say Monsieur #angton +oud not ta1e the ife of one>
yet you forget that he is even no+ preparing to ta1e the ives of
severa thousand +asps/J
!arrison did not at on.e repy/ The itte dete.tive in his turn sprang
to his feet/ !e advan.ed to his friend and aid a hand on his
shouder/ So agitated +as he that he a)ost shoo1 the 'ig )an>
and> as he did so> he hissed into his earH J&ouse yoursef> )y friend>
rouse yoursef/ And oo1 ; oo1 +here I a) pointing/ There on the
'an1> .ose 'y that tree root/ See you> the +asps returning ho)e>
pa.id at the end of the dayA In a itte hour> there +i 'e
destru.tion> and they 1no+ it not/ There is no one to te the)/ They
have not> it see)s> a !er.ue Poirot/ I te you> Monsieur !arrison> I
a) do+n here on 'usiness/ Murder is )y 'usiness/ And it is )y
'usiness 'efore it has happened as +e as after+ard/ At +hat ti)e
does Monsieur #angton .o)e to ta1e this +asps" nestAJ
J#angton +oud never///J
JAt +hat ti)eAJ
JAt nine o".o.1/ %ut I te you> you"re a +rong/ #angton +oud
never///J
JThese (ngishGJ .ried Poirot in a passion/ !e .aught up his hat and
sti.1 and )oved do+n the path> pausing to spea1 over his
shouder/ JI do not stay to argue +ith you/ I shoud ony enrage
)ysef/ %ut you understand> I return at nine o".o.1AJ
!arrison opened his )outh to spea1> 'ut Poirot did not give hi) the
.han.e/ JI 1no+ +hat you +oud sayH "#angton +oud never>" et
.etera/ Ah> #angton +oud neverG %ut a the sa)e I return at nine
o".o.1/ %ut> yes> it +i a)use )e ; put it i1e that ; it +i a)use )e
to see the ta1ing of a +asps" nest/ Another of your (ngish sportsGJ
!e +aited for no repy 'ut passed rapidy do+n the path and out
through the door that .rea1ed/ <n.e outside on the road> his pa.e
sa.1ened/ !is viva.ity died do+n> his fa.e 'e.a)e grave and
trou'ed/ <n.e he dre+ his +at.h fro) his po.1et and .onsuted it/
The hands pointed to ten )inutes past eight/ J<ver three 8uarters
of an hour>J he )ur)ured/ JI +onder if I shoud have +aited/J
!is footsteps sa.1enedI he a)ost see)ed on the point of
returning/ So)e vague fore'oding see)ed to assai hi)/ !e shoo1
it off resoutey> ho+ever> and .ontinued to +a1 in the dire.tion of
the viage/ %ut his fa.e +as sti trou'ed> and on.e or t+i.e he
shoo1 his head i1e a )an ony party satisfied/
It +as sti so)e )inutes of nine +hen he on.e )ore approa.hed
the garden door/ It +as a dear> sti eveningI hardy a 'ree?e stirred
the eaves/ There +as> perhaps> so)ething a itte sinister in the
stiness> i1e the u 'efore a stor)/
Poirot"s footsteps 8ui.1ened ever so sighty/ !e +as suddeny
aar)ed ; and un.ertain/ !e feared he 1ne+ not +hat/
And at that )o)ent the garden door opened and Caude #angton
stepped 8ui.1y out into the road/ !e started +hen he sa+ Poirot/
J<h ; er ; good evening/J
J,ood evening> Monsieur #angton/ @ou are eary/J
#angton stared at hi)/ JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
J@ou have ta1en the +asps" nestAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t> I didn"t/J
J<hGJ said Poirot softy/ JSo you did not ta1e the +asps" nest/ What
did you do thenAJ
J<h> Dust sat and yarned a 'it +ith od !arrison/ I reay )ust hurry
aong no+> Monsieur Poirot/ I"d no idea you +ere re)aining in this
part of the +ord/J
JI had 'usiness here> you see/J
J<hG We> you" find !arrison on the terra.e/ Sorry I .an"t stop/J
!e hurried a+ay/ Poirot oo1ed after hi)/ A nervous young feo+>
good oo1ing +ith a +ea1 )outhG
JSo I sha find !arrison on the terra.e>J )ur)ured Poirot/ JI
+onder/J !e +ent in through the garden door and up the path/
!arrison +as sitting in a .hair 'y the ta'e/ !e sat )otioness and
did not even turn his head as Poirot .a)e up to hi)/
JAhG Mon a)i>J said Poirot/ J@ou are a right> ehAJ
There +as a ong pause and then !arrison said in a 8ueer> da?ed
voi.e> JWhat did you sayAJ
JI said ; are you a rightAJ
JA rightA @es> I") a right/ Why notAJ
J@ou fee no i effe.tsA That is good/J
JI effe.tsA Fro) +hatAJ
JWashing soda/J
!arrison roused hi)sef suddeny/
JWashing sodaA What do you )eanAJ
Poirot )ade an apoogeti. gesture/ JI infinitey regret the ne.essity>
'ut I put so)e in your po.1et/J
J@ou put so)e in )y po.1etA What on earth forAJ
!arrison stared at hi)/ Poirot spo1e 8uiety and i)personay i1e a
e.turer .o)ing do+n to the eve of a s)a .hid/
J@ou see> one of the advantages> or disadvantages> of 'eing a
dete.tive is that it 'rings you into .onta.t +ith the .ri)ina .asses/
And the .ri)ina .asses> they .an tea.h you so)e very interesting
and .urious things/ There +as a pi.1po.1et on.e ; I interested
)ysef in hi) 'e.ause for on.e in a +ay he has not done +hat they
say he has done ; and so I get hi) off/ And 'e.ause he is gratefu he
pays )e in the ony +ay he .an thin1 of ; +hi.h is to sho+ )e the
tri.1s of his trade/
JAnd so it happens that I .an pi.1 a )an"s po.1et if I .hoose
+ithout his ever suspe.ting the fa.t/ I ay one hand on his shouder>
I eB.ite )ysef> and he fees nothing/ %ut a the sa)e I have
)anaged to transfer +hat is in his po.1et to )y po.1et and eave
+ashing soda in its pa.e/
J@ou see>J .ontinued Poirot drea)iy> Jif a )an +ants to get at
so)e poison 8ui.1y to put in a gass> uno'served> he positivey
)ust 1eep it in his righthand .oat po.1etI there is no+here ese/ I
1ne+ it +oud 'e there/J
!e dropped his hand into his po.1et and 'rought out a fe+ +hite>
u)py .rystas/ J(B.eedingy dangerous>J he )ur)ured> Jto .arry it
i1e that ; oose/J
Ca)y and +ithout hurrying hi)sef> he too1 fro) another po.1et a
+ide;)outhed 'otte/ !e sipped in the .rystas> stepped to the
ta'e and fied up the 'otte +ith pain +ater/ Then .arefuy
.or1ing it> he shoo1 it unti a the .rystas +ere dissoved/ !arrison
+at.hed hi) as though fas.inated/
Satisfied +ith his soution> Poirot stepped a.ross to the nest/ !e
un.or1ed the 'otte> turned his head aside> and poured the soution
into the +asps" nest> then stood 'a.1 a pa.e or t+o +at.hing/
So)e +asps that +ere returning aighted> 8uivered a itte and then
ay sti/ <ther +asps .ra+ed out of the hoe ony to die/ Poirot
+at.hed for a )inute or t+o and then nodded his head and .a)e
'a.1 to the veranda/
JA 8ui.1 death>J he said/ JA very 8ui.1 death/J
!arrison found his voi.e/ J!o+ )u.h do you 1no+AJ
Poirot oo1ed straight ahead/ JAs I tod you> I sa+ Caude #angton"s
na)e in the 'oo1/ What I did not te you +as that a)ost
i))ediatey after+ard> I happened to )eet hi)/ !e tod )e he had
'een 'uying .yanide of potassiu) at your re8uest ; to ta1e a +asps"
nest/ That stru.1 )e as a itte odd> )y friend> 'e.ause I re)e)'er
that at that dinner of +hi.h you spo1e> you hed forth on the
superior )erits of petro and denoun.ed the 'uying of .yanide as
dangerous and unne.essary/J
J,o on/J
JI 1ne+ so)ething ese/ I had seen Caude #angton and Moy
$eane together +hen they thought no one sa+ the)/ I do not 1no+
+hat overs" 8uarre it +as that originay parted the) and drove
her into your ar)s> 'ut I reai?ed that )isunderstandings +ere over
and that Miss $eane +as drifting 'a.1 to her ove/J
J,o on/J
JI 1ne+ so)ething )ore> )y friend/ I +as in !arey Street the other
day> and I sa+ you .o)e out of a .ertain do.tor"s house/ I 1no+ that
do.tor and for +hat disease one .onsuts hi)> and I read the
eBpression on your fa.e/ I have seen it ony on.e or t+i.e in )y
ifeti)e> 'ut it is not easiy )ista1en/ It +as the fa.e of a )an under
senten.e of death/ I a) right> a) I notAJ
J4uite right/ !e gave )e t+o )onths/J
J@ou did not see )e> )y friend> for you had other things to thin1
a'out/ I sa+ so)ething ese on your fa.e ; the thing that I tod you
this afternoon )en try to .on.ea/ I sa+ hate there> )y friend/ @ou
did not trou'e to .on.ea it> 'e.ause you thought there +ere none
to o'serve/J
J,o on>J said !arrison/
JThere is not )u.h )ore to say/ I .a)e do+n here> sa+ #angton"s
na)e 'y a..ident in the poison 'oo1 as I te you> )et hi)> and
.a)e here to you/ I aid traps for you/ @ou denied having as1ed
#angton to get .yanide> or rather you eBpressed surprise at his
having done so/ @ou +ere ta1en a'a.1 at first at )y appearan.e>
'ut presenty> you sa+ ho+ +e it +oud fit in and you en.ouraged
)y suspi.ions/ I 1ne+ fro) #angton hi)sef that he +as .o)ing at
haf past eight/ @ou tod )e nine o".o.1> thin1ing I shoud .o)e and
find everything over/ And so I 1ne+ everything/J
JWhy did you .o)eAJ .ried !arrison/ JIf ony you hadn"t .o)eGJ
Poirot dre+ hi)sef up/ JI tod you>J he said> J)urder is )y
'usiness/J
JMurderA Sui.ide> you )ean/J
J0o/J Poirot"s voi.e rang out sharpy and .eary/ JI )ean )urder/
@our death +as to 'e 8ui.1 and easy> 'ut the death you panned for
#angton +as the +orst death any )an .an die/ !e 'ought the
poisonI he .o)es to see you> and he is aone +ith you/ @ou die
suddeny> and the .yanide is found in your gass> and Caude
#angton hangs/ That +as your pan/J
Again !arrison )oaned/
JWhy did you .o)eA Why did you .o)eAJ
JI have tod you> 'ut there is another reason/ I i1ed you/ #isten>
)on a)i> you are a dying )anI you have ost the gir you oved> 'ut
there is one thing that you are notH you are not a )urderer/ Te )e
no+H are you gad or sorry that I .a)eAJ
There +as a )o)ent"s pause and then !arrison dre+ hi)sef up/
There +as a ne+ dignity in his fa.e ; the oo1 of a )an +ho has
.on8uered his o+n 'aser sef/ !e stret.hed out his hand a.ross the
ta'e/
JThan1 goodness you .a)e>J he .ried/ J<hG Than1 goodness you
.a)e/J
T!( 7(I#($ #A$@
I had noti.ed that for so)e ti)e Poirot had 'een gro+ing
in.reasingy dissatisfied and restess/ We had had no interesting
.ases of ate> nothing on +hi.h )y itte friend .oud eBer.ise his
1een +its and re)ar1a'e po+ers of dedu.tion/ This )orning he
fung do+n the ne+spaper +ith an i)patient "T.hahG" ; a favourite
eB.a)ation of his +hi.h sounded eBa.ty i1e a .at snee?ing/
"They fear )e> !astingsI the .ri)inas of your (ngand they fear )eG
When the .at is there> the itte )i.e> they .o)e no )ore to the
.heeseG"
"I don"t suppose the greater part of the) even 1no+ of your
eBisten.e>" I said> aughing/
Poirot oo1ed at )e reproa.hfuy/ !e a+ays i)agines that the
+hoe +ord is thin1ing and ta1ing of !er.ue Poirot/ !e had
.ertainy )ade a na)e for hi)sef in #ondon> 'ut I .oud hardy
'eieve that his eBisten.e stru.1 terror into the .ri)ina +ord/
"What a'out that dayight ro''ery of De+es in %ond Street the other
dayA" I as1ed/
"A neat .oup>" said Poirot approvingy> "though not in )y ine/ Pas de
finesse> seue)ent de "auda.eG A )an +ith a oaded .ane s)ashes
the pate;gass +indo+ of a De+eer"s shop and gra's a nu)'er of
pre.ious stones/ Worthy .iti?ens i))ediatey sei?e hi)I a
poi.e)an arrives/ !e is .aught red;handed +ith the De+es on hi)/
!e is )ar.hed off to the poi.e> and then it is dis.overed that the
stones are paste/ !e has passed the rea ones to a .onfederate ;
one of the afore)entioned +orthy .iti?ens/ !e +i go to prison ;
trueI 'ut +hen he .o)es out> there +i 'e a ni.e itte fortune
a+aiting hi)/ @es> not 'ady i)agined/ %ut I .oud do 'etter than
that/ So)eti)es> !astings> I regret that I a) of su.h a )ora
disposition/ To +or1 against the a+> it +oud 'e peasing> for a
.hange/"
"Cheer up> PoirotI you 1no+ you are uni8ue in your o+n ine/"
"%ut +hat is there on hand in )y o+n ineA"
I pi.1ed up the paper/
"!ere"s an (ngish)an )ysteriousy done to death in !oand>" I
said/
"They a+ays say that ; and ater they find that he ate the tinned fish
and that his death is perfe.ty natura/"
"We> if you"re deter)ined to grouseG"
"TiensG" said Poirot> +ho had stroed a.ross to the +indo+/ "!ere in
the street is +hat they .a in noves a Jheaviy veied adyJ/ She
)ounts the stepsI she rings the 'e ; she .o)es to .onsut us/ !ere
is a possi'iity of so)ething interesting/ When one is as young and
pretty as that one> one does not vei the fa.e eB.ept for a 'ig affair/"
A )inute ater our visitor +as ushered in/ As Poirot had said> she
+as indeed heaviy veied/ It +as i)possi'e to distinguish her
features unti she raised her vei of 'a.1 Spanish a.e/ Then I sa+
that Poirot"s intuition had 'een rightI the ady +as eBtre)ey pretty>
+ith fair hair and arge 'ue eyes/ Fro) the .osty si)pi.ity of her
attire> I dedu.ed at on.e that she 'eonged to the upper strata of
so.iety/
"Monsieur Poirot>" said the ady in a soft> )usi.a voi.e> "I a) in
great trou'e/ I .an hardy 'eieve that you .an hep )e> 'ut I have
heard su.h +onderfu things of you that I .o)e iteray as a ast
hope to 'eg you to do the i)possi'e/"
"The i)possi'e> it peases )e a+ays>" said Poirot/ "Continue> I 'eg
of you> )ade)oisee/"
<ur fair guest hesitated/
"%ut you )ust 'e fran1>" added Poirot/ "@ou )ust not eave )e in the
dar1 on any point/"
"I +i trust you>" said the gir suddeny/ "@ou have heard of #ady
Mii.ent Caste 7aughanA"
I oo1ed up +ith 1een interest/ The announ.e)ent of #ady
Mii.ent"s engage)ent to the young $u1e of Southshire had
appeared a fe+ days previousy/ She +as> I 1ne+> the fifth daughter
of an i)pe.unious Irish peer> and the $u1e of Southshire +as one
of the 'est )at.hes in (ngand/
"I a) #ady Mii.ent>" .ontinued the gir/ "@ou )ay have read of )y
engage)ent/ I shoud 'e one of the happiest girs aiveI 'ut oh> M/
Poirot> I a) in terri'e trou'eG There is a )an> a horri'e )an ; his
na)e is #avingtonI and he ; I hardy 1no+ ho+ to te you/ There +as
a etter I +rote ; I +as ony siBteen at the ti)eI and he ; he ;"
"A etter that you +rote to this Mr #avingtonA"
"<h no ; not to hi)G To a young sodier ; I +as very fond of hi) ; he
+as 1ied in the +ar/"
"I understand>" said Poirot 1indy/
"It +as a fooish etter> an indis.reet etter> 'ut indeed> M/ Poirot>
nothing )ore/ %ut there are phrases in it +hi.h ; +hi.h )ight 'ear a
different interpretation/"
"I see>" said Poirot/ "And this etter has .o)e into the possession of
Mr #avingtonA"
"@es> and he threatens> uness I pay hi) an enor)ous su) of
)oney> a su) that it is 8uite i)possi'e for )e to raise> to send it to
the $u1e/"
"The dirty s+ineG" I eDa.uated/ "I 'eg your pardon> #ady Mii.ent/"
"Woud it not 'e +iser to .onfess a to your future hus'andA"
"I dare not> M/ Poirot/ The $u1e is a rather pe.uiar .hara.ter>
Deaous and suspi.ious and prone to 'eieve the +orst/ I )ight as
+e 'rea1 off )y engage)ent at on.e/"
"$ear> dear>" said Poirot +ith an eBpressive gri)a.e/ "And +hat do
you +ant )e to do> )iadyA"
"I thought perhaps that I )ight as1 Mr #avington to .a upon you/ I
+oud te hi) that you +ere e)po+ered 'y )e to dis.uss the
)atter/ Perhaps you .oud redu.e his de)ands/"
"What su) does he )entionA"
"T+enty thousand pounds ; an i)possi'iity/ I dou't if I .oud raise a
thousand> even/"
"@ou )ight perhaps 'orro+ the )oney on the prospe.t of your
approa.hing )arriage ; 'ut I dou't if you .oud get hod of haf that
su)/ %esides ; eh 'ien> it is repugnant to )e that you shoud payG
0o> the ingenuity of !er.ue Poirot sha defeat your ene)iesG Send
)e this Mr #avington/ Is he i1ey to 'ring the etter +ith hi)A"
The gir shoo1 her head/
"I do not thin1 so/ !e is very .autious/"
"I suppose there is no dou't that he reay has itA"
"!e sho+ed it to )e +hen I +ent to his house/"
"@ou +ent to his houseA That +as very i)prudent> )iady/"
"Was itA I +as so desperate/ I hoped )y entreaties )ight )ove hi)/"
"<h> a aG The #avingtons of this +ord are not )oved 'y entreatiesG
!e +oud +e.o)e the) as sho+ing ho+ )u.h i)portan.e you
atta.hed to the do.u)ent/ Where does he ive> this fine gente)anA"
"At %uona 7ista> Wi)'edon/ I +ent there after dar1 ;" Poirot
groaned/ "I de.ared that I +oud infor) the poi.e in the end> 'ut he
ony aughed in a horrid> sneering )anner/ J%y a )eans> )y dear
#ady Mii.ent> do so if you +ish>J he said/"
"@es> it is hardy an affair for the poi.e>" )ur)ured Poirot/
"J%ut I thin1 you +i 'e +iser than that>J he .ontinued/ JSee> here is
your etter ; in this itte Chinese pu??e 'oBGJ !e hed it so that I
.oud see/ I tried to snat.h at it> 'ut he +as too 8ui.1 for )e/ With a
horrid s)ie he foded it up and repa.ed it in the itte +ooden 'oB/
JIt +i 'e 8uite safe here> I assure you>J he said> Jand the 'oB itsef
ives in su.h a .ever pa.e that you +oud never find it/J My eyes
turned to the s)a +a;safe> and he shoo1 his head and aughed/ JI
have a 'etter safe than that>J he said/ <h> he +as odiousG M/ Poirot>
do you thin1 that you .an hep )eA"
"!ave faith in Papa Poirot/ I +i find a +ay/"
These reassuran.es +ere a very +e> I thought> as Poirot gaanty
ushered his fair .ient do+n the stairs> 'ut it see)ed to )e that +e
had a tough nut to .ra.1/ I said as )u.h to Poirot +hen he returned/
!e nodded ruefuy/
"@es ; the soution does not eap to the eye/ !e has the +hip hand>
this M/ #avington/ For the )o)ent I do not see ho+ +e are to
.ir.u)vent hi)/"
Mr #avington duy .aed upon us that afternoon/ #ady Mii.ent had
spo1en truy +hen she des.ri'ed hi) as an odious )an/ I fet a
positive tinging in the end of )y 'oot> so 1een +as I to 1i.1 hi)
do+n the stairs/ !e +as 'ustering and over'earing in )anner>
aughed Poirot"s gente suggestions to s.orn> and generay sho+ed
hi)sef as )aster of the situation/ I .oud not hep feeing that
Poirot +as hardy appearing at his 'est/ !e oo1ed dis.ouraged
and .restfaen/
"We> gente)en>" said #avington> as he too1 up his hat> "+e don"t
see) to 'e getting )u.h further/ The .ase stands i1e thisH I" et
the #ady Mii.ent off .heap> as she is su.h a .har)ing young ady/"
!e eered odiousy/ "We" say eighteen thousand/ I") off to Paris
today ; a itte pie.e of 'usiness to attend to over there/ I sha 'e
'a.1 on Tuesday/ 2ness the )oney is paid 'y Tuesday evening>
the etter goes to the $u1e/ $on"t te )e #ady Mii.ent .an"t raise
the )oney/ So)e of her gente)en friends +oud 'e ony too +iing
to o'ige su.h a pretty +o)an +ith a oan ; if she goes the right +ay
a'out it/"
My fa.e fushed> and I too1 a step for+ard> 'ut #avington had
+heeed out of the roo) as he finished his senten.e/
"My ,odG" I .ried/ "So)ething has got to 'e done/ @ou see) to 'e
ta1ing this ying do+n> Poirot/"
"@ou have an eB.eent heart> )y friend ; 'ut your grey .es are in a
depora'e .ondition/ I have no +ish to i)press Mr #avington +ith
)y .apa'iities/ The )ore pusiani)ous he thin1s )e> the 'etter/"
"WhyA"
"It is .urious>" )ur)ured Poirot re)inis.enty> "that I shoud have
uttered a +ish to +or1 against the a+ Dust 'efore #ady Mii.ent
arrivedG"
"@ou are going to 'urge his house +hie he is a+ayA" I gasped/
"So)eti)es> !astings> your )enta pro.esses are a)a?ingy 8ui.1/"
"Suppose he ta1es the etter +ith hi)A"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"That is very uni1ey/ !e has evidenty a hiding;pa.e in his house
that he fan.ies to 'e pretty i)pregna'e/"
"When do +e ; er ; do the deedA"
"To)orro+ night/ We +i start fro) here a'out eeven o".o.1/"
At the ti)e appointed I +as ready to set off/ I had donned a dar1
suit> and a soft dar1 hat/ Poirot 'ea)ed 1indy on )e/
"@ou have dressed the part> I see>" he o'served/ "Co)e et us ta1e
the underground to Wi)'edon/"
"Aren"t +e going to ta1e anything +ith usA Toos to 'rea1 in +ithA"
"My dear !astings> !er.ue Poirot does not adopt su.h .rude
)ethods/"
I retired> snu''ed> 'ut )y .uriosity +as aert/
It +as Dust on )idnight that +e entered the s)a su'ur'an garden
of %uona 7ista/ The house +as dar1 and sient/ Poirot +ent straight
to a +indo+ at the 'a.1 of the house> raised the sash noiseessy
and 'ade )e enter/
"!o+ did you 1no+ this +indo+ +oud 'e openA" I +hispered> for
reay it see)ed un.anny/
"%e.ause I sa+ed through the .at.h this )orning/"
"WhatA"
"%ut yes> it +as the )ost si)pe/ I .aed> presented a fi.titious .ard
and one of Inspe.tor *app"s offi.ia ones/ I said I had 'een sent>
re.o))ended 'y S.otand @ard> to attend to so)e 'urgarproof
fastenings that Mr #avington +anted fiBed +hie he +as a+ay/ The
house1eeper +e.o)ed )e +ith enthusias)/ It see)s they have
had t+o atte)pted 'urgaries here atey ; evidenty our itte idea
has o..urred to other .ients of Mr #avington"s ; +ith nothing of
vaue ta1en/ I eBa)ined a the +indo+s> )ade )y itte
arrange)ent> for'ade the servants to tou.h the +indo+s unti
to)orro+> as they +ere ee.tri.ay .onne.ted up> and +ithdre+
gra.efuy/"
"&eay> Poirot> you are +onderfu/"
"Mon a)i> it +as of the si)pest/ 0o+> to +or1G The servants seep
at the top of the house> so +e +i run itte ris1 of distur'ing the)/"
"I presu)e the safe is 'uit into the +a so)e+hereA"
"SafeA Fiddesti.1sG There is no safe/ Mr #avington is an inteigent
)an/ @ou +i see> he +i have devised a hiding;pa.e )u.h )ore
inteigent than a safe/ A safe is the first thing everyone oo1s for/"
Whereupon +e 'egan a syste)ati. sear.h of the entire pa.e/ %ut
after severa hours" ransa.1ing of the house> our sear.h had 'een
unavaiing/ I sa+ sy)pto)s of anger gathering on Poirot"s fa.e/
"Ah> sapristi> is !er.ue Poirot to 'e 'eatenA 0everG #et us 'e .a)/
#et us refe.t/ #et us reason/ #et us ; enfinG ; e)poy our itte grey
.esG"
!e paused for so)e )o)ents> 'ending his 'ro+s in .on.entrationI
then the green ight I 1ne+ so +e stoe into his eyes/
"I have 'een an i)'e.ieG The 1it.henG"
"The 1it.hen>" I .ried/ "%ut that"s i)possi'e/ The servantsG"
"(Ba.ty/ *ust +hat ninety;nine peope out of a hundred +oud sayG
And for that very reason the 1it.hen is the idea pa.e to .hoose/ It
is fu of various ho)ey o'De.ts/ (n avant> to the 1it.henG"
I foo+ed hi)> .o)petey s.epti.a> and +at.hed +hist he dived
into 'read;'ins> tapped sau.epans> and put his head into the gasoven/
In the end> tired of +at.hing hi)> I stroed 'a.1 to the study/ I
+as .onvin.ed that there> and there ony> +oud +e find the .a.he/
I )ade a further )inute sear.h> noted that it +as no+ a 8uarter
past four and that therefore it +oud soon 'e gro+ing ight> and
then +ent 'a.1 to the 1it.hen regions/
To )y utter a)a?e)ent> Poirot +as no+ standing right inside the
.oa;'in> to the utter ruin of his neat ight suit/ !e )ade a gri)a.e/
"%ut yes> )y friend> it is against a )y instin.ts so to ruin )y
appearan.e> 'ut +hat +i youA"
"%ut #avington .an"t have 'uried it under the .oaA"
"If you +oud use your eyes> you +oud see that it is not the .oa that
I eBa)ine/"
I then sa+ that on a shef 'ehind the .oa;'un1er so)e ogs of +ood
+ere pied/ Poirot +as deBterousy ta1ing the) do+n one 'y one/
Suddeny he uttered a o+ eB.a)ation/
"@our 1nife> !astingsG"
I handed it to hi)/ !e appeared to insert it in the +ood> and
suddeny the og spit in t+o/ It had 'een neaty sa+n in haf and a
.avity hoo+ed out in the .entre/ Fro) this .avity Poirot too1 a itte
+ooden 'oB of Chinese )a1e/
"We doneG" I .ried> .arried out of )ysef/
",enty> !astingsG $o not raise your voi.e too )u.h/ Co)e> et us 'e
off> 'efore the dayight is upon us/"
Sipping the 'oB into his po.1et> he eaped ighty out of the .oa'un1er>
'rushed hi)sef do+n as +e as he .oud> and eaving the
house 'y the sa)e +ay as +e had .o)e> +e +a1ed rapidy in the
dire.tion of #ondon/
"%ut +hat an eBtraordinary pa.eG" I eBpostuated/ "Anyone )ight
have used the og/"
"In *uy> !astingsA And it +as at the 'otto) of the pie ; a very
ingenious hiding;pa.e/ Ah> here is a taBiG 0o+ for ho)e> a +ash>
and a refreshing seep/"
After the eB.ite)ent of the night> I sept ate/ When I finay stroed
into our sitting;roo) Dust 'efore one o".o.1> I +as surprised to see
Poirot> eaning 'a.1 in an ar).hair> the Chinese 'oB open 'eside
hi)> .a)y reading the etter he had ta1en fro) it/
!e s)ied at )e affe.tionatey> and tapped the sheet he hed/
"She +as right> the #ady Mii.entI never +oud the $u1e have
pardoned this etterG It .ontains so)e of the )ost eBtravagant
ter)s of affe.tion I have ever .o)e a.ross/"
"&eay> Poirot>" I said> rather disgustedy> "I don"t thin1 you shoud
reay have read the etter/ That"s the sort of thing that isn"t done/"
"It is done 'y !er.ue Poirot>" repied )y friend i)pertur'a'y/
"And another thing>" I said/ "I don"t thin1 using *app"s offi.ia .ard
yesterday +as 8uite paying the ga)e/"
"%ut I +as not paying a ga)e> !astings/ I +as .ondu.ting a .ase/"
I shrugged )y shouders/ <ne .an"t argue +ith a point of vie+/
"A step on the stairs>" said Poirot/ "That +i 'e #ady Mii.ent/"
<ur fair .ient .a)e in +ith an anBious eBpression on her fa.e
+hi.h .hanged to one of deight on seeing the etter and 'oB +hi.h
Poirot hed up/
"<h> M/ Poirot/ !o+ +onderfu of youG !o+ did you do itA"
"%y rather reprehensi'e )ethods> )iady/ %ut Mr #avington +i not
prose.ute/ This is your etter> is it notA"
She gan.ed through it/
"@es/ <h> ho+ .an I ever than1 youG @ou are a +onderfu> +onderfu
)an/ Where +as it hiddenA"
Poirot tod her/
"!o+ very .ever of youG" She too1 up the s)a 'oB fro) the ta'e/ "I
sha 1eep this as a souvenir/"
"I had hoped> )iady> that you +oud per)it )e to 1eep it ; aso as a
souvenir/"
"I hope to send you a 'etter souvenir than that ; on )y +edding day/
@ou sha not find )e ungratefu> M/ Poirot/"
"The peasure of doing you a servi.e +i 'e )ore to )e than a
.he8ue ; so you per)it that I retain the 'oB/"
"<h no> M/ Poirot> I si)py )ust have that>" she .ried aughingy/
She stret.hed out her hand> 'ut Poirot +as 'efore her/ !is hand
.osed over it/
"I thin1 not/" !is voi.e had .hanged/
"What do you )eanA" !er voi.e see)ed to have gro+n sharper/
"At any rate> per)it )e to a'stra.t its further .ontents/ @ou o'serve
that the origina .avity has 'een redu.ed 'y haf/ In the top haf> the
.o)pro)ising etterI in the 'otto) ;"
!e )ade a ni)'e gesture> then hed out his hand/ <n the pa)
+ere four arge gittering stones> and t+o 'ig )i1y +hite pears/
"The De+es stoen in %ond Street the other day> I rather fan.y>"
)ur)ured Poirot/ "*app +i te us/"
To )y utter a)a?e)ent> *app hi)sef stepped out fro) Poirot"s
'edroo)/
"An od friend of yours> I 'eieve>" said Poirot poitey to #ady
Mii.ent/
"0a''ed> 'y the #ordG" said #ady Mii.ent> +ith a .o)pete .hange
of )anner/ "@ou nippy od deviG" She oo1ed at Poirot +ith a)ost
affe.tionate a+e/
"We> ,ertie> )y dear>" said *app> "the ga)e"s up this ti)e> I fan.y/
Fan.y seeing you again so soonG We"ve got your pa> too> the
gente)an +ho .aed here the other day .aing hi)sef #avington/
As for #avington hi)sef> aias Cro1er> aias &eed> I +onder +hi.h
of the gang it +as +ho stu.1 a 1nife into hi) the other day in
!oandA Thought he"d got the goods +ith hi)> didn"t youA And he
hadn"t/ !e dou'e;.rossed you propery ; hid "e) in his o+n house/
@ou had t+o feo+s oo1ing for the)> and then you ta.1ed M/
Poirot here> and 'y a pie.e of a)a?ing u.1 he found the)/"
"@ou do i1e ta1ing> don"t youA" said the ate #ady Mii.ent/ "(asy
there> no+/ I" go 8uiety/ @ou .an"t say that I") not the perfe.t ady/
Ta;ta> aG"
"The shoes +ere +rong>" said Poirot drea)iy> +hie I +as sti too
stupefied to spea1/ "I have )ade )y itte o'servations of your
(ngish nation> and a ady> a 'orn ady> is a+ays parti.uar a'out
her shoes/ She )ay have sha''y .othes> 'ut she +i 'e +e shod/
0o+> this #ady Mii.ent had s)art> eBpensive .othes> and .heap
shoes/ It +as not i1ey that either you or I shoud have seen the rea
#ady Mii.entI she has 'een very itte in #ondon> and this gir had a
.ertain superfi.ia rese)'an.e +hi.h +oud pass +e enough/ As I
say> the shoes first a+a1ened )y suspi.ions> and then her story ;
and her vei ; +ere a itte )eodra)ati.> ehA The Chinese 'oB +ith
a 'ogus .o)pro)ising etter in the top )ust have 'een 1no+n to a
the gang> 'ut the og of +ood +as the ate Mr #avington"s o+n idea/
(h> par eBe)pe> !astings> I hope you +i not again +ound )y
feeings as you did yesterday 'y saying that I a) un1no+n to the
.ri)ina .asses/ Ma foi> they even e)poy )e +hen they
the)seves faiG"
P&<%#(M AT S(A
"Coone CappertonG" said ,enera For'es/ !e said it +ith an effe.t
)id+ay 'et+een a snort and a sniff/
Miss (ie !enderson eaned for+ard> a strand of her soft grey hair
'o+ing a.ross her fa.e/ !er eyes> dar1 and snapping> gea)ed
+ith a +i.1ed peasure/
"Su.h a sodiery;oo1ing )an>" she said +ith )ai.ious intent> and
s)oothed 'a.1 the o.1 of hair to a+ait the resut/
"SodieryG" eBpoded ,enera For'es/ !e tugged at his )iitary
)ousta.he and his fa.e 'e.a)e 'right red/
"In the ,uards> +asn"t heA" )ur)ured Miss !enderson> .o)peting
her +or1/
",uardsA ,uardsA Pa.1 of nonsense/ Feo+ +as on the )usi. ha
stageG Fa.tG *oined up and +as out in Fran.e .ounting tins of pu)
and appe/ !uns dropped a stray 'o)' and he +ent ho)e +ith a
fesh +ound in the ar)/ So)eho+ or other got into #ady
Carrington"s hospita/"
"So that"s ho+ they )et/"
"Fa.tG Feo+ payed the +ounded hero/ #ady Carrington had no
sense and o.eans of )oney/ <d Carrington had 'een in )unitions/
She"d 'een a +ido+ ony siB )onths/ This feo+ snaps her up in no
ti)e/ She +anged hi) a Do' at the War <ffi.e/ Coone CappertonG
PahG" he snorted/
"And 'efore the +ar he +as on the )usi. ha stage>" )used Miss
!enderson> trying to re.on.ie the distinguished grey;haired
Coone Capperton +ith a red;nosed .o)edian singing )irthprovo1ing
songs/
"Fa.tG" said ,enera For'es/ "!eard it fro) od %assington;ffren.h/
And he heard it fro) od %adger Cotteri +ho"d got it fro) Snoo1s
Par1er/"
Miss !enderson nodded 'righty/ "That does see) to sette itG" she
said/
A feeting s)ie sho+ed for a )inute on the fa.e of a s)a )an
sitting near the)/ Miss !enderson noti.ed the s)ie/ She +as
o'servant/ It had sho+n appre.iation of the irony underying her
ast re)ar1 ; irony +hi.h the ,enera never for a )o)ent
suspe.ted/
The ,enera hi)sef did not noti.e the s)ies/ !e gan.ed at his
+at.h> rose and re)ar1edH "(Ber.ise/ ,ot to 1eep onesef fit on a
'oat>" and passed out through the open door on to the de.1/
Miss !enderson gan.ed at the )an +ho had s)ied/ It +as a +e'red
gan.e indi.ating that she +as ready to enter into
.onversation +ith a feo+ traveer/
"!e is energeti. ; yesA" said the itte )an/
"!e goes round the de.1 forty;eight ti)es eBa.ty>" said Miss
!enderson/ "What an od gossipG And they say +e are the s.andaoving
seB/"
"What an i)poitenessG"
"Fren.h)en are a+ays poite>" said Miss !enderson ; there +as the
nuan.e of a 8uestion in her voi.e/
The itte )an responded pro)pty/ "%egian> )ade)oisee/"
"<hG %egian/"
"!er.ue Poirot/ At your servi.e/"
The na)e aroused so)e )e)ory/ Surey she had heard it 'efore ;A
"Are you enDoying this trip> M/ PoirotA"
"Fran1y> no/ It +as an i)'e.iity to ao+ )ysef to 'e persuaded to
.o)e/ I detest a )er/ 0ever does it re)ain tran8ui no> not for a
itte )inute/"
"We> you ad)it it"s 8uite .a) no+/"
M/ Poirot ad)itted this grudgingy/ "At the )o)ent> yes/ That is +hy
I revive/ I on.e )ore interest )ysef in +hat passes around )e ;
your very adept handing of the ,enera For'es> for instan.e/"
"@ou )ean ;" Miss !enderson paused/
!er.ue Poirot 'o+ed/ "@our )ethods of eBtra.ting the s.andaous
)atter/ Ad)ira'eG"
Miss !enderson aughed in an unasha)ed )anner/ "That tou.h
a'out the ,uardsA I 1ne+ that +oud 'ring the od 'oy up
sputtering and gasping/" She eaned for+ard .onfidentiay/ "I ad)it
I i1e s.anda ; the )ore i;natured> the 'etterG"
Poirot oo1ed thoughtfuy at her ; her si) +e;preserved figure>
her 1een dar1 eyes> her grey hairI a +o)an of forty;five +ho +as
.ontent to oo1 her age/
(ie said a'ruptyH "I have itG Aren"t you the great dete.tiveA"
Poirot 'o+ed/ "@ou are too a)ia'e> )ade)oisee/" %ut he )ade no
dis.ai)er/
"!o+ thriing>" said Miss !enderson/ "Are you Jhot on the traiJ as
they say in 'oo1sA !ave +e a .ri)ina se.rety in our )idstA <r a)
I 'eing indis.reetA"
"0ot at a/ 0ot at a/ It pains )e to disappoint your eBpe.tations>
'ut I a) si)py here> i1e everyone ese> to a)use )ysef/"
!e said it in su.h a goo)y voi.e that Miss !enderson aughed/
"<hG We> you +i 'e a'e to get ashore to)orro+ at AeBandria/
@ou have 'een to (gypt 'eforeA"
"0ever> )ade)oisee/"
Miss !enderson rose so)e+hat a'rupty/
"I thin1 I sha Doin the ,enera on his .onstitutiona>" she announ.ed/
Poirot sprang poitey to his feet/
She gave hi) a itte nod and passed out on to the de.1/
A faint pu??ed oo1 sho+ed for a )o)ent in Poirot"s eyes> then> a
itte s)ie .reasing his ips> he rose> put his head through the door
and gan.ed do+n the de.1/ Miss !enderson +as eaning against
the rai ta1ing to a ta> sodiery;oo1ing )an/
Poirot"s s)ie deepened/ !e dre+ hi)sef 'a.1 into the s)o1ingroo)
+ith the sa)e eBaggerated .are +ith +hi.h a tortoise
+ithdra+s itsef into its she/ For the )o)ent he had the s)o1ingroo)
to hi)sef> though he righty .onDe.tured that that +oud not
ast ong/
It did not/ Mrs Capperton> her .arefuy +aved patinu) head
prote.ted +ith a net> her )assaged and dieted for) dressed in a
s)art sports suit> .a)e through the door fro) the 'ar +ith the
purposefu air of a +o)an +ho has a+ays 'een a'e to pay top
pri.e for anything she needed/
She saidH "*ohn ;A <hG ,ood )orning> M/ Poirot ; have you seen
*ohnA"
"!e"s on the star'oard de.1> )ada)e/ Sha I ;A"
She arrested hi) +ith a gesture/ "I" sit here a )inute/" She sat
do+n in a rega fashion in the .hair opposite hi)/ Fro) the distan.e
she had oo1ed a possi'e t+enty;eight/ 0o+> in spite of her
eB8uisitey )ade;up fa.e> her dei.atey pu.1ed eye'ro+s> she
oo1ed not her a.tua forty;nine years> 'ut a possi'e fifty;five/ !er
eyes +ere a hard pae 'ue +ith tiny pupis/
"I +as sorry not to have seen you at dinner ast night>" she said/ "It
+as Dust a shade .hoppy> of .ourse ;"
"Pr= .is= )ent>" said Poirot +ith feeing/
"#u.1iy> I a) an eB.eent saior>" said Mrs Capperton/ "I say u.1iy>
'e.ause> +ith )y +ea1 heart> seasi.1ness +oud pro'a'y 'e the
death of )e/"
"@ou have the +ea1 heart> )ada)eA"
"@es> I have to 'e )ost .arefu/ I )ust not overtire )ysef/ A the
spe.iaists say soG" Mrs Capperton had e)'ar1ed on the ; to her ;
ever;fas.inating topi. of her heath/ "*ohn> poor daring> +ears
hi)sef out trying to prevent )e fro) doing too )u.h/ I ive so
intensey> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean> M/ PoirotA"
"@es> yes/"
"!e a+ays says to )eH JTry to 'e )ore of a vegeta'e> Adeine/J %ut
I .an"t/ #ife +as )eant to 'e ived> I fee/ As a )atter of fa.t I +ore
)ysef out as a gir in the +ar/ My hospita ; you"ve heard of )y
hospitaA <f .ourse I had nurses and )atrons and a that 'ut I
a.tuay ran it/" She sighed/
"@our vitaity is )arveous> dear ady>" said Poirot> +ith the sighty
)e.hani.a air of one responding to his .ue/
Mrs Capperton gave a girish augh/
"(veryone tes )e ho+ young I a)G It"s a'surd/ I never try to
pretend I") a day ess than forty;three>" she .ontinued +ith ighty
)enda.ious .andour> "'ut a ot of peope find it hard to 'eieve/
J@ou"re so aive> Adeine>J they say to )e/ %ut reay> M/ Poirot> +hat
+oud one 'e if one +asn"t aiveA"
"$ead>" said Poirot/
Mrs Capperton fro+ned/ The repy +as not to her i1ing/ The )an>
she de.ided> +as trying to 'e funny/ She got up and said .odyH "I
)ust find *ohn/"
As she stepped through the door she dropped her hand'ag/ It
opened and the .ontents fe+ far and +ide/ Poirot rushed gaanty
to the res.ue/ It +as so)e fe+ )inutes 'efore the ipsti.1s> vanity
'oBes> .igarette .ase and ighter and other odds and ends +ere
.oe.ted/ Mrs Capperton than1ed hi) poitey> then she s+ept
do+n the de.1 and said> "*ohnG"
Coone Capperton +as sti deep in .onversation +ith Miss
!enderson/ !e s+ung round and .a)e 8ui.1y to )eet his +ife/ !e
'ent over her prote.tivey/ !er de.1 .hair ; +as it in the right
pa.eA Woudn"t it 'e 'etter ;A !is )anner +as .ourteous ; fu of
gente .onsideration/ Ceary an adored +ife spoit 'y an adoring
hus'and/
Miss (ie !enderson oo1ed out at the hori?on as though so)ething
a'out it rather disgusted her/
Standing in the s)o1ing;roo) door> Poirot oo1ed on/
A hoarse 8uavering voi.e 'ehind hi) saidH "I"d ta1e a hat.het to that
+o)an if I +ere her hus'and/" The od gente)an 1no+n
disrespe.tfuy a)ong the younger set on 'oard as the ,randfather
of A the Tea Panters> had Dust shuffed in/ "%oyG" he .aed/ ",et )e
a +his1y peg/"
Poirot stooped to retrieve a torn s.rap of notepaper> an overoo1ed
ite) fro) the .ontents of Mrs Capperton"s 'ag/ Part of a
pres.ription> he noted> .ontaining digitain/ !e put it in his po.1et>
)eaning to restore it to Mrs Capperton ater/
"@es>" +ent on the aged passenger/ "Poisonous +o)an/ I re)e)'er
a +o)an i1e that in Poona/ In "OE that +as/"
"$id anyone ta1e a hat.het to herA" in8uired Poirot/
The od gente)an shoo1 his head sady/
"Worried her hus'and into his grave +ithin the year/ Capperton
ought to assert hi)sef/ ,ives his +ife her head too )u.h/"
"She hods the purse strings>" said Poirot gravey/
"!a> haG" .hu.1ed the od gente)an/ "@ou"ve put the )atter in a
nutshe/ !ods the purse strings/ !a> haG"
T+o girs 'urst into the s)o1ing;roo)/ <ne had a round fa.e +ith
fre.1es and dar1 hair strea)ing out in a +inds+ept .onfusion> the
other had fre.1es and .ury .hestnut hair/
"A res.ue ; a res.ueG" .ried -itty Mooney/ "Pa) and I are going to
res.ue Coone Capperton/"
"Fro) his +ife>" gasped Pa)ea Cregan/
"We thin1 he"s a pet///"
"And she"s Dust a+fu ; she +on"t et hi) do anything>" the t+o girs
eB.ai)ed/
"And if he isn"t +ith her> he"s usuay gra''ed 'y the !enderson
+o)an///"
"Who"s 8uite ni.e/ %ut terri'y od///"
They ran out> gasping in 'et+een giggesH "A res.ue ; a res.ueG"
That the res.ue of Coone Capperton +as no isoated say> 'ut a
fiBed proDe.t +as )ade .ear that sa)e evening +hen the eighteenyear;
od Pa) Cregan .a)e up to !er.ue Poirot> and )ur)uredH
"Wat.h us> M/ Poirot/ !e"s going to 'e .ut out fro) under her nose
and ta1en to +a1 in the )oonight on the 'oat de.1/"
It +as Dust at that )o)ent that Coone Capperton +as sayingH
"I grant you the pri.e of a &os;&oy.e/ %ut it"s pra.ti.ay good for a
ifeti)e/ 0o+ )y .ar ;"
"My .ar> I thin1> *ohn/" Mrs Capperton"s voi.e +as shri and
penetrating/
!e sho+ed no annoyan.e at her ungra.iousness/ (ither he +as
used to it 'y this ti)e> or ese ; "<r eseA" thought Poirot and et
hi)sef spe.uate/
"Certainy> )y dear> your .ar>" Capperton 'o+ed to his +ife and
finished +hat he had 'een saying> perfe.ty unruffed/
"7oiP .e 8u"on appee e pu11a sahi'>" thought Poirot/ "%ut the
,enera For'es says that Capperton is no gente)an at a/ I
+onder no+/"
There +as a suggestion of 'ridge/ Mrs Capperton> ,enera For'es
and a ha+1;eyed .oupe sat do+n to it/ Miss !enderson had
eB.used hersef and gone out on de.1/
"What a'out your hus'andA" as1ed ,enera For'es> hesitating/
"*ohn +on"t pay>" said Mrs Capperton/ "Most tireso)e of hi)/"
The four 'ridge payers 'egan shuffing the .ards/
Pa) and -itty advan.ed on Coone Capperton/ (a.h one too1 an
ar)/
"@ou"re .o)ing +ith usG" said Pa)/ "To the 'oat de.1/ There"s a
)oon/"
"$on"t 'e fooish> *ohn>" said Mrs Capperton/ "@ou" .at.h a .hi/"
"0ot +ith us> he +on"t>" said -itty/ "We"re hot stuffG"
!e +ent +ith the)> aughing/
Poirot noti.ed that Mrs Capperton said 0o %id to her initia 'id of
T+o Cu's/
!e stroed out on to the pro)enade de.1/ Miss !enderson +as
standing 'y the rai/ She oo1ed round eBpe.tanty as he .a)e to
stand 'eside her and he sa+ the drop in her eBpression/
They .hatted for a +hie/ Then presenty as he fe sient she as1edH
"What are you thin1ing a'outA"
Poirot repiedH "I a) +ondering a'out )y 1no+edge of (ngish/ Mrs
Capperton saidH J*ohn +on"t pay 'ridge/J Is not J.an"t payJ the
usua ter)A"
"She ta1es it as a persona insut that he doesn"t> I suppose>" said
(ie driy/ "The )an +as a foo ever to have )arried her/"
In the dar1ness Poirot s)ied/ "@ou don"t thin1 it"s Dust possi'e that
the )arriage )ay 'e a su..essA" he as1ed diffidenty/
"With a +o)an i1e thatA"
Poirot shrugged his shouders/ "Many odious +o)en have devoted
hus'ands/ An enig)a of nature/ @ou +i ad)it that nothing she
says or does appears to ga hi)/" Miss !enderson +as .onsidering
her repy +hen Mrs Capperton"s voi.e foated out through the
s)o1ing;roo) +indo+/
"0o ; I don"t thin1 I +i pay another ru''er/ So stuffy/ I thin1 I" go
up and get so)e air on the 'oat de.1/"
",ood night>" said Miss !enderson/ "I") going to 'ed/" She
disappeared a'rupty/
Poirot stroed for+ard to the ounge ; deserted save for Coone
Capperton and the t+o girs/ !e +as doing .ard tri.1s for the) and
noting the deBterity of his shuffing and handing of the .ards> Poirot
re)e)'ered the ,enera"s story of a .areer on the )usi. ha
stage/
"I see you enDoy the .ards even though you do not pay 'ridge>" he
re)ar1ed/
"I"ve )y reasons for not paying 'ridge>" said Capperton> his
.har)ing s)ie 'rea1ing out/ "I" sho+ you/ We" pay one hand/" !e
deat the .ards rapidy/ "Pi.1 up your hands/ We> +hat a'out itA"
!e aughed at the 'e+idered eBpression on -itty"s fa.e/ !e aid
do+n his hand and the others foo+ed suit/ -itty hed the entire
.u' suit> M/ Poirot the hearts> Pa) the dia)onds and Coone
Capperton the spades/
"@ou seeA" he said/ "A )an +ho .an dea his partner and his
adversaries any hand he peases had 'etter stand aoof fro) a
friendy ga)eG If the u.1 goes too )u.h his +ay> i;natured things
)ight 'e said/"
"<hG" gasped -itty/ "!o+ .oud you do thatA It a oo1ed perfe.ty
ordinary/"
"The 8ui.1ness of the hand de.eives the eye>" said Poirot
sententiousy ; and .aught the sudden .hange in the Coone"s
eBpression/
It +as as though he reai?ed that he had 'een off his guard for a
)o)ent or t+o/
Poirot s)ied/ The .onDuror had sho+n hi)sef through the )as1 of
the pu11a sahi'/
The ship rea.hed AeBandria at da+n the foo+ing )orning/
As Poirot .a)e up fro) 'rea1fast he found the t+o girs a ready to
go on shore/ They +ere ta1ing to Coone Capperton/
"We ought to get off no+>" urged -itty/ "The passport peope +i 'e
going off the ship presenty/ @ou" .o)e +ith us> +on"t youA @ou
+oudn"t et us go ashore a 'y oursevesA A+fu things )ight
happen to us/"
"I .ertainy don"t thin1 you ought to go 'y yourseves>" said
Capperton> s)iing/ "%ut I") not sure )y +ife fees up to it/"
"That"s too 'ad>" said Pa)/ "%ut she .an have a ni.e ong rest/"
Coone Capperton oo1ed a itte irresoute/ (videnty the desire to
pay truant +as strong upon hi)/ !e noti.ed Poirot/
"!uo> M/ Poirot ; you going ashoreA"
"0o> I thin1 not>" M/ Poirot repied/
"I" ; I" ;Dust have a +ord +ith Adeine>" de.ided Coone Capperton/
"We" .o)e +ith you>" said Pa)/ She fashed a +in1 at Poirot/
"Perhaps +e .an persuade her to .o)e too>" she added gravey/
Coone Capperton see)ed to +e.o)e this suggestion/ !e oo1ed
de.idedy reieved/
"Co)e aong then> the pair of you>" he said ighty/ They a three
+ent aong the passage of % de.1 together/
Poirot> +hose .a'in +as Dust opposite the Cappertons> foo+ed
the) out of .uriosity/
Coone Capperton rapped a itte nervousy at the .a'in door/
"Adeine> )y dear> are you upA"
The seepy voi.e of Mrs Capperton fro) +ithin repiedH "<h> 'other
; +hat is itA"
"It"s *ohn/ What a'out going ashoreA"
"Certainy not/" The voi.e +as shri and de.isive/ "I"ve had a very
'ad night/ I sha stay in 'ed )ost of the day/"
Pa) nipped in 8ui.1y/ "<h> Mrs Capperton> I") so sorry/ We did so
+ant you to .o)e +ith us/ Are you sure you"re not up to itA"
"I") 8uite .ertain/" Mrs Capperton"s voi.e sounded even shrier/
The Coone +as turning the door;hande +ithout resut/
"What is it> *ohnA The door"s o.1ed/ I don"t +ant to 'e distur'ed 'y
the ste+ards/"
"Sorry> )y dear> sorry/ *ust +anted )y %aede1er/"
"We> you .an"t have it>" snapped Mrs Capperton/ "I") not going to
get out of 'ed/ $o go a+ay> *ohn> and et )e have a itte pea.e/"
"Certainy> .ertainy> )y dear/" The Coone 'a.1ed a+ay fro) the
door/ Pa) and -itty .osed in on hi)/
"#et"s start at on.e/ Than1 goodness your hat"s on your head/ <h>
gra.ious ; your passport isn"t in the .a'in> is itA"
"As a )atter of fa.t it"s in )y po.1et ;" 'egan the Coone/
-itty s8uee?ed his ar)/ ",ory 'eG" she eB.ai)ed/ "0o+> .o)e on/"
#eaning over the rai> Poirot +at.hed the three of the) eave the
ship/ !e heard a faint inta1e of 'reath 'eside hi) and turned to see
Miss !enderson/ !er eyes +ere fastened on the three retreating
figures/
"So they"ve gone ashore>" she said faty/
"@es/ Are you goingA"
She had a shade hat> he noti.ed> and a s)art 'ag and shoes/ There
+as a shore;going appearan.e a'out her/ 0evertheess> after the
)ost infinitesi)a of pauses> she shoo1 her head/
"0o>" she said/ "I thin1 I" stay on 'oard/ I have a ot of etters to
+rite/"
She turned and eft hi)/
Puffing after his )orning tour of forty;eight rounds of the de.1>
,enera For'es too1 her pa.e/ "AhaG" he eB.ai)ed as his eyes
noted the retreating figures of the Coone and the t+o girs/ "So
that"s the ga)eG Where"s the Mada)A"
Poirot eBpained that Mrs Capperton +as having a 8uiet day in 'ed/
"$on"t you 'eieve itG" the od +arrior .osed one 1no+ing eye/ "She"
'e up for tiffin ; and if the poor devi"s found to 'e a'sent +ithout
eave> there" 'e ru.tions/"
%ut the ,enera"s prognosti.ations +ere not fufied/ Mrs
Capperton did not appear at un.h and 'y the ti)e the Coone and
his attendant da)ses returned to the ship at four o".o.1> she had
not sho+n hersef/
Poirot +as in his .a'in and heard the hus'and"s sighty guity
1no.1 on his .a'in door/ !eard the 1no.1 repeated> the .a'in door
tried> and finay heard the Coone"s .a to a ste+ard/
"#oo1 here> I .an"t get an ans+er/ !ave you a 1eyA"
Poirot rose 8ui.1y fro) his 'un1 and .a)e out into the passage/
The ne+s +ent i1e +idfire round the ship/ With horrified
in.reduity peope heard that Mrs Capperton had 'een found dead
in her 'un1 ; a native dagger driven through her heart/ A string of
a)'er 'eads +as found on the foor of her .a'in/ &u)our
su..eeded ru)our/ A 'ead seers +ho had 'een ao+ed on
'oard that day +ere 'eing rounded up and 8uestionedG A arge su)
in .ash had disappeared fro) a dra+er in the .a'inG The notes had
'een tra.edG They had not 'een tra.edG *e+eery +orth a fortune
had 'een ta1enG 0o De+eery had 'een ta1en at aG A ste+ard had
'een arrested and had .onfessed to the )urderG
"What is the truth of it aA" de)anded Miss (ie !enderson
+ayaying Poirot/ !er fa.e +as pae and trou'ed/
"My dear ady> ho+ shoud I 1no+A"
"<f .ourse you 1no+>" said Miss !enderson/
It +as ate in the evening/ Most peope had retired to their .a'ins/
Miss !enderson ed Poirot to a .oupe of de.1 .hairs on the
shetered side of the ship/ "0o+ te )e>" she .o))anded/
Poirot surveyed her thoughtfuy/ "It"s an interesting .ase>" he said/
"Is it true that she had so)e very vaua'e De+ery stoenA"
Poirot shoo1 his head/ "0o/ 0o De+eery +as ta1en/ A s)a a)ount
of oose .ash that +as in a dra+er has disappeared> though/"
"I" never fee safe on a ship again>" said Miss !enderson +ith a
shiver/ "Any .ue as to +hi.h of those .offee;.ooured 'rutes did itA"
"0o>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "The +hoe thing is rather ; strange/"
"What do you )eanA" as1ed (ie sharpy/
Poirot spread out his hands/ "(h 'ien ; ta1e the fa.ts/ Mrs
Capperton had 'een dead at east five hour +hen she +as found/
So)e )oney had disappeared/ A string of 'eads +as on the foor
'y her 'ed/ The door +as o.1ed and the 1ey +as )issing/ The
+indo+ ; +indo+> not port;hoe ; gives on the de.1 and +as open/"
"WeA" as1ed the +o)an i)patienty/
"$o you not thin1 it is .urious for a )urder to 'e .o))itted under
those parti.uar .ir.u)stan.esA &e)e)'er that the post.ard
seers> )oney .hangers and 'ead seers +ho are ao+ed on
'oard are a +e 1no+n to the poi.e/"
"The ste+ards usuay o.1 your .a'in> a the sa)e>" (ie pointed
out/
"@es> to prevent any .han.e of petty pifering/ %ut this ; +as
)urder/"
"What eBa.ty are you thin1ing of> M/ PoirotA" !er voi.e sounded a
itte 'reathess/
"I a) thin1ing of the o.1ed door/"
Miss !enderson .onsidered this/ "I don"t see anything in that/ The
)an eft 'y the door> o.1ed it and too1 the 1ey +ith hi) so as to
avoid having the )urder dis.overed too soon/ 4uite inteigent of
hi)> for it +asn"t dis.overed unti four o".o.1 in the afternoon/"
"0o> no> )ade)oisee> you don"t appre.iate the point I") trying to
)a1e/ I") not +orried as to ho+ he got out> 'ut as to ho+ he got in/"
"The +indo+ of .ourse/"
"C"est possi'e/ %ut it +oud 'e a very narro+ fit ; and there +ere
peope passing up and do+n the de.1 a the ti)e> re)e)'er/"
"Then through the door>" said Miss !enderson i)patienty/
"%ut you forget> )ade)oisee/ Mrs Capperton had o.1ed the door
on the inside/ She had done so 'efore Coone Capperton eft the
'oat this )orning/ !e a.tuay tried it ; so +e 1no+ that is so/"
"0onsense/ It pro'a'y stu.1 ; or he didn"t turn the hande propery/"
"%ut it does not rest on his +ord/ We a.tuay heard Mrs Capperton
hersef say so/"
"WeA"
"Miss Mooney> Miss Cregan> Coone Capperton and )ysef/"
(ie !enderson tapped a neaty shod foot/ She did not spea1 for a
)o)ent or t+o/ Then she said in a sighty irrita'e toneH
"We ; +hat eBa.ty do you dedu.e fro) thatA If Mrs Capperton
.oud o.1 the door she .oud uno.1 it too> I suppose/"
"Pre.isey> pre.isey/" Poirot turned a 'ea)ing fa.e upon her/ "And
you see +here that eads us/ Mrs Capperton uno.1ed the door and
et the )urderer in/ 0o+ +oud she 'e i1ey to do that for a 'ead
seerA"
(ie o'De.tedH "She )ight not have 1no+n +ho it +as/ !e )ay have
1no.1ed ; she got up and opened the door ; and he for.ed his +ay
in and 1ied her/"
Poirot shoo1 his head/ "Au .ontraire/ She +as ying pea.efuy in
'ed +hen she +as sta''ed/"
Miss !enderson stared at hi)/ "What"s your ideaA" she as1ed
a'rupty/
Poirot s)ied/ "We> it oo1s> does it not> as though she 1ne+ the
person she ad)itted///"
"@ou )ean>" said Miss !enderson and her voi.e sounded a itte
harsh> "that the )urderer is a passenger on the shipA"
Poirot nodded/ "It see)s indi.ated/"
"And the string of 'eads eft on the foor +as a 'indA"
"Pre.isey/"
"The theft of the )oney asoA"
"(Ba.ty/"
There +as a pause> then Miss !enderson said so+yH "I thought Mrs
Capperton a very unpeasant +o)an and I don"t thin1 anyone on
'oard reay i1ed her ; 'ut there +asn"t anyone +ho had any reason
to 1i her/"
"(B.ept her hus'and> perhaps>" said Poirot/
"@ou don"t reay thin1 ;" She stopped/
"It is the opinion of every person on this ship that Coone
Capperton +oud have 'een 8uite Dustified in Jta1ing a hat.het to
herJ/ That +as> I thin1> the eBpression used/"
(ie !enderson oo1ed at hi) ; +aiting/
"%ut I a) 'ound to say>" +ent on Poirot> "that I )ysef have not noted
any signs of eBasperation on the good Coone"s part/ Aso> +hat is
)ore i)portant> he had an ai'i/ !e +as +ith those t+o girs a day
and did not return to the ship ti four o".o.1/ %y then> Mrs
Capperton had 'een dead )any hours/"
There +as another )inute of sien.e/ (ie !enderson said softyH
"%ut you sti thin1 ; a passenger on the shipA"
Poirot 'o+ed his head/
(ie !enderson aughed suddeny ; a re.1ess defiant augh/
"@our theory )ay 'e diffi.ut to prove> M/ Poirot/ There are a good
)any passengers on this ship/"
Poirot 'o+ed to her/ "I +i use a phrase fro) one of your dete.tive
story +riters/ JI have )y )ethods> Watson/J"
The foo+ing evening> at dinner> every passenger found a
type+ritten sip 'y his pate re8uesting hi) to 'e in the )ain ounge
at O/56/ When the .o)pany +ere asse)'ed> the Captain stepped
on to the raised patfor) +here the or.hestra usuay payed and
addressed the)/
"#adies and gente)en> you a 1no+ of the tragedy +hi.h too1
pa.e yesterday/ I a) sure you a +ish to .o;operate in 'ringing the
perpetrator of that fou .ri)e to Dusti.e/" !e paused and .eared his
throat/ "We have on 'oard +ith us M/ !er.ue Poirot +ho is pro'a'y
1no+n to you a as a )an +ho has had +ide eBperien.e in ; er ;
su.h )atters/ I hope you +i isten .arefuy to +hat he has to say/"
It +as at this )inute that Coone Capperton> +ho had not 'een at
dinner> .a)e in and sat do+n neBt to ,enera For'es/ !e oo1ed
i1e a )an 'e+idered 'y sorro+ ; not at a i1e a )an .ons.ious of
great reief/ (ither he +as a very good a.tor or ese he had 'een
genuiney fond of his disagreea'e +ife/
"M/ !er.ue Poirot>" said the Captain and stepped do+n/ Poirot too1
his pa.e/ !e oo1ed .o)i.ay sef;i)portant as he 'ea)ed on his
audien.e/
"Messieurs> )esda)es>" he 'egan/ "It is )ost 1ind of you to 'e so
indugent as to isten to )e/ M/ e Captaine has tod you that I have
had a .ertain eBperien.e in these )atters/ I have> it is true> a itte
idea of )y o+n a'out ho+ to get to the 'otto) of this parti.uar
.ase/" !e )ade a sign and a ste+ard pushed for+ard and passed
on to hi) a 'u1y> shapeess o'De.t +rapped in a sheet/
"What I a) a'out to do )ay surprise you a itte>" Poirot +arned
the)/ "It )ay o..ur to you that I a) e..entri.> perhaps )ad/
0evertheess I assure you that 'ehind )y )adness there is ; as you
(ngish say ; a )ethod/"
!is eyes )et those of Miss !enderson for Dust a )inute/ !e 'egan
un+rapping the 'u1y o'De.t/
"I have here> )essieurs and )esda)es> an i)portant +itness to the
truth of +ho 1ied Mrs Capperton/" With a deft hand he +his1ed
a+ay the ast enveoping .oth> and the o'De.t it .on.eaed +as
reveaed ; an a)ost ife;si?ed +ooden do> dressed in a vevet suit
and a.e .oar/
"0o+> Arthur>" said Poirot and his voi.e .hanged su'ty ; it +as no
onger foreign ; it had instead a .onfident (ngish> a sighty
Co.1ney infe.tion/ "Can you te )e ; I repeat ; .an you te )e ;
anything at a a'out the death of Mrs CappertonA"
The do"s ne.1 os.iated a itte> its +ooden o+er Da+ dropped and
+avered and a shri high;pit.hed +o)an"s voi.e spo1eH
"What is it> *ohnA The door"s o.1ed/ I don"t +ant to 'e distur'ed 'y
the ste+ards///"
There +as a .ry ; an overturned .hair ; a )an stood s+aying> his
hand to his throat ; trying to spea1 ; trying/// Then suddeny> his
figure see)ed to .ru)pe up/ !e pit.hed headong/
It +as Coone Capperton/
Poirot and the ship"s do.tor rose fro) their 1nees 'y the prostrate
figure/
"A over> I") afraid/ !eart>" said the do.tor 'riefy/
Poirot nodded/ "The sho.1 of having his tri.1 seen through>" he said/
!e turned to ,enera For'es/ "It +as you> ,enera> +ho gave )e a
vaua'e hint +ith your )ention of the )usi. ha stage/ I pu??e ; I
thin1 ; and then it .o)es to )e/ Supposing that 'efore the +ar
Capperton +as a ventrio8uist/ In that .ase> it +oud 'e perfe.ty
possi'e for three peope to hear Mrs Capperton spea1 fro) inside
her .a'in +hen she +as aready dead///"
(ie !enderson +as 'eside hi)/ !er eyes +ere dar1 and fu of
pain/ "$id you 1no+ his heart +as +ea1A" she as1ed/
"I guessed it/// Mrs Capperton ta1ed of her o+n heart 'eing
affe.ted> 'ut she stru.1 )e as the type of +o)an +ho i1es to 'e
thought i/ Then I pi.1ed up a torn pres.ription +ith a very strong
dose of digitain in it/ $igitain is a heart )edi.ine 'ut it .oudn"t 'e
Mrs Capperton"s 'e.ause digitain diates the pupis of the eyes/ I
had never noti.ed su.h a pheno)enon +ith her 'ut +hen I oo1ed
at his eyes I sa+ the signs at on.e/"
(ie )ur)uredH "So you thought ; it )ight end ; this +ayA"
"The 'est +ay> don"t you thin1> )ade)oiseeA" he said genty/ !e
sa+ the tears rise in her eyes/ She saidH "@ou"ve 1no+n/ @ou"ve
1no+n a aong/// That I .ared/// %ut he didn"t do it for )e/// It +as
those girs ; youth ; it )ade hi) fee his savery/ !e +anted to 'e
free 'efore it +as too ate/// @es> I") sure that"s ho+ it +as/// When
did you guess ; that it +as heA"
"!is sef;.ontro +as too perfe.t>" said Poirot si)py/ "0o )atter ho+
gaing his +ife"s .ondu.t> it never see)ed to tou.h hi)/ That )eant
either that he +as so used to it that it no onger stung hi)> or ese ;
eh 'ien ; I de.ided on the atter aternative/// And I +as right///
"And then there +as his insisten.e on his .onDuring a'iity ; the
evening 'efore the .ri)e he pretended to give hi)sef a+ay/ %ut a
)an i1e Capperton doesn"t give hi)sef a+ay/ There )ust 'e a
reason/ So ong as peope thought he had 'een a .onDuror they
+eren"t i1ey to thin1 of his having 'een a ventrio8uist/"
"And the voi.e +e heard ; Mrs Capperton"s voi.eA"
"<ne of the ste+ardesses had a voi.e not uni1e hers/ I indu.ed her
to hide 'ehind the stage and taught her the +ords to say/"
"It +as a tri.1 ; a .rue tri.1>" .ried out (ie/
"I do not approve of )urder>" said !er.ue Poirot/
!<W $<(S @<2& ,A&$(0 ,&<WA
!er.ue Poirot arranged his etters in a neat pie in front of hi)/ !e
pi.1ed up the top)ost etter> studied the address for a )o)ent>
then neaty sit the 'a.1 of the enveope +ith a itte paper1nife that
he 1ept on the 'rea1fast ta'e for that eBpress purpose and
eBtra.ted the .ontents/ Inside +as yet another enveope> .arefuy
seaed +ith purpe +aB and )ar1ed "Private and Confidentia"/
!er.ue Poirot"s eye'ro+s rose a itte on his egg;shaped head/ !e
)ur)ured> "Patien.eG 0ous aons arriverG" and on.e )ore 'rought
the itte paper;1nife into pay/ This ti)e the enveope yieded a
etter ; +ritten in a rather sha1y and spi1y hand+riting/ Severa
+ords +ere heaviy underined/
!er.ue Poirot unfoded it and read/ The etter +as headed on.e
again "Private and Confidentia"/ <n the right;hand side +as the
address ; &ose'an1> Char)an"s ,reen> %u.1s ; and the date ;
Mar.h t+enty;first/
$ear M/ Poirot>
I have 'een re.o))ended to you 'y an od and vaued friend of
)ine +ho 1no+s the +orry and distress I have 'een in atey/ 0ot
that this friend 1no+s the a.tua .ir.u)stan.es ; those I have 1ept
entirey to )ysef ; the )atter 'eing stri.ty private/ My friend
assures )e that you are dis.retion itsef and that there +i 'e no
fear of )y 'eing invoved in a poi.e )atter +hi.h> if )y suspi.ions
shoud prove .orre.t> I shoud very )u.h disi1e/ %ut it is of .ourse
possi'e that I a) entirey )ista1en/ I do not fee )ysef .earheaded
enough no+adays> suffering as I do fro) inso)nia and the
resut of a severe iness ast +inter ; to investigate things for
)ysef/ I have neither the )eans nor the a'iity/ <n the other hand> I
)ust reiterate on.e )ore that this is a very dei.ate fa)iy )atter
and that for )any reasons I )ay +ant the +hoe thing hushed up/ If
I a) on.e assured of the fa.ts> I .an dea +ith the )atter )ysef
and shoud prefer to do so/ I hope that I have )ade )ysef .ear on
this point/ If you +i underta1e this investigation> perhaps you +i
et )e 1no+ to the a'ove addressA
@ours very truy>
A)eia %arro+'y
Poirot read the etter through t+i.e/ Again his eye'ro+s rose
sighty/ Then he pa.ed it on one side and pro.eeded to the neBt
enveope in the pie/
At ten o".o.1 pre.isey he entered the roo) +here Miss #e)on> his
.onfidentia se.retary> sat a+aiting her instru.tions for the day/
Miss #e)on +as forty;eight and of unprepossessing appearan.e/
!er genera effe.t +as that of a ot of 'ones fung together at
rando)/ She had a passion for order a)ost e8uaing that of Poirot
hi)sefI and though .apa'e of thin1ing> she never thought uness
tod to do so/
Poirot handed her the )orning .orresponden.e/ "!ave the
goodness> )ade)oisee> to +rite refusas in .orre.t ter)s to a of
these/"
Miss #e)on ran an eye over the various etters> s.ri''ing in turn a
hierogyphi. on ea.h of the)/ These )ar1s +ere egi'e to her
aone and +ere in a .ode of her o+nH "Soft soap"I "sap in the fa.e"I
"purr purr"I ".urt"I and so on/ !aving done this> she nodded and
oo1ed up for further instru.tions/
Poirot handed her A)eia %arro+'y"s etter/ She eBtra.ted it fro)
its dou'e enveope> read it through and oo1ed up in8uiringy/
"@es> M/ PoirotA" !er pen.i hovered ; ready ; over her short;hand
pad/
"What is your opinion of that etter> Miss #e)onA"
With a sight fro+n Miss #e)on put do+n the pen.i and read
through the etter again/
The .ontents of a etter )eant nothing to Miss #e)on eB.ept fro)
the point of vie+ of .o)posing an ade8uate repy/ 7ery
o..asionay her e)poyer appeaed to her hu)an> as opposed to
her offi.ia> .apa.ities/ It sighty annoyed Miss #e)on +hen he did
so ; she +as very neary the perfe.t )a.hine> .o)petey and
goriousy uninterested in a hu)an affairs/ !er rea passion in ife
+as the perfe.tion of a fiing syste) 'eside +hi.h a other fiing
syste)s shoud sin1 into o'ivion/ She drea)ed of su.h a syste) at
night/ 0evertheess> Miss #e)on +as perfe.ty .apa'e of
inteigen.e on purey hu)an )atters> as !er.ue Poirot +e 1ne+/
"WeA" he de)anded/
"<d ady>" said Miss #e)on/ ",ot the +ind up pretty 'ady/"
"AhG The +ind rises in her> you thin1A"
Miss #e)on> +ho .onsidered that Poirot had 'een ong enough in
,reat %ritain to understand its sang ter)s> did not repy/ She too1
a 'rief oo1 at the dou'e enveope/
"7ery hush;hush>" she said/ "And tes you nothing at a/"
"@es>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "I o'served that/"
Miss #e)on"s hand hung on.e )ore hopefuy over the shorthand
pad/ This ti)e !er.ue Poirot responded/
"Te her I +i do )ysef the honour to .a upon her at any ti)e she
suggests> uness she prefers to .onsut )e here/ $o not type the
etter ; +rite it 'y hand/"
"@es> M/ Poirot/"
Poirot produ.ed )ore .orresponden.e/ "These are 'is/"
Miss #e)on"s effi.ient hands sorted the) 8ui.1y/ "I" pay a 'ut
these t+o/"
"Why those t+oA There is no error in the)/"
"They are fir)s you"ve ony Dust 'egun to dea +ith/ It oo1s 'ad to
pay too pro)pty +hen you"ve Dust opened an a..ount ; oo1s as
though you +ere +or1ing up to get so)e .redit ater on/"
"AhG" )ur)ured Poirot/ "I 'o+ to your superior 1no+edge of the
%ritish trades)an/"
"There"s nothing )u.h I don"t 1no+ a'out the)>" said Miss #e)on
gri)y/
The etter to Miss A)eia %arro+'y +as duy +ritten and sent> 'ut
no repy +as forth.o)ing/ Perhaps> thought !er.ue Poirot> the od
ady had unraveed her )ystery hersef/ @et he fet a shade of
surprise that in that .ase she shoud not have +ritten a .ourteous
+ord to say that his servi.es +ere no onger re8uired/
It +as five days ater +hen Miss #e)on> after re.eiving her
)orning"s instru.tions> said> "That Miss %arro+'y +e +rote to ; no
+onder there"s 'een no ans+er/ She"s dead/"
!er.ue Poirot said very softy> "Ah ; dead/" It sounded not so )u.h
i1e a 8uestion as an ans+er/
<pening her hand'ag> Miss #e)on produ.ed a ne+spaper .utting/
"I sa+ it in the tu'e and tore it out/"
*ust registering in his )ind approva of the fa.t that> though Miss
#e)on used the +ord "tore"> she had neaty .ut the entry out +ith
s.issors> Poirot read the announ.e)ent ta1en fro) the %irths>
$eaths and Marriages in the Morning PostH "<n Mar.h 23th
suddeny ; at &ose'an1> Char)an"s ,reen> A)eia *ane %arro+'y>
in her seventy;third year/ 0o fo+ers> 'y re8uest/"
Poirot read it over/ !e )ur)ured under his 'reath> "Suddeny"/
Then he said 'ris1y> "If you +i 'e so o'iging as to ta1e a etter>
Miss #e)onA"
The pen.i hovered/ Miss #e)on> her )ind d+eing on the
intri.a.ies of the fiing syste)> too1 do+n in rapid and .orre.t
shorthandH
$ear Miss %arro+'y>
I have re.eived no repy fro) you> 'ut as I sha 'e in the
neigh'ourhood of Char)an"s ,reen on Friday> I +i .a upon you
on that day and dis.uss )ore fuy the )atter )entioned to )e in
your etter/
@ours> et./
"Type this etter> peaseI and if it is posted at on.e> it shoud get to
Char)an"s ,reen tonight/"
<n the foo+ing )orning a etter in a 'a.1;edged enveope arrived
'y the se.ond postH
$ear Sir>
In repy to your etter )y aunt> Miss %arro+'y> passed a+ay on the
t+enty;siBth> so the )atter you spea1 of is no onger of i)portan.e/
@ours truy>
Mary $eafontaine
Poirot s)ied to hi)sef/ "0o onger of i)portan.e/// Ah that is +hat
+e sha see/ (n avant ; to Char)an"s ,reen/"
&ose'an1 +as a house that see)ed i1ey to ive up to its na)e>
+hi.h is )ore than .an 'e said for )ost houses of its .ass and
.hara.ter/
!er.ue Poirot paused as he +a1ed up the path to the front door
and oo1ed approvingy at the neaty panned 'eds on either side of
hi)/ &ose trees that pro)ised a good harvest ater in the year> and
at present daffodis> eary tuips> 'ue hya.inths ; the ast 'ed +as
party edged +ith shes/
Poirot )ur)ured to hi)sef> "!o+ does it go> the (ngish rhy)e the
.hidren singA
Mistress Mary> 8uite .ontrary>
!o+ does your garden gro+A
With .o.1e;shes> and siver 'es>
And pretty )aids a in a ro+/
"0ot a ro+> perhaps>" he .onsidered> "'ut here is at east one pretty
)aid to )a1e the itte rhy)e .o)e right/"
The front door had opened and a neat itte )aid in .ap and apron
+as oo1ing so)e+hat du'iousy at the spe.ta.e of a heaviy
)ousta.hed foreign gente)an ta1ing aoud to hi)sef in the front
garden/ She +as> as Poirot had noted> a very pretty itte )aid> +ith
round 'ue eyes and rosy .hee1s/
Poirot raised his hat +ith .ourtesy and addressed herH "Pardon> 'ut
does a Miss A)eia %arro+'y ive hereA"
The itte )aid gasped and her eyes gre+ rounder/ "<h> sir> didn"t
you 1no+A She"s dead/ (ver so sudden it +as/ Tuesday night/"
She hesitated> divided 'et+een t+o strong instin.tsH the first>
distrust of a foreignerI the se.ond> the peasura'e enDoy)ent of
her .ass in d+eing on the su'De.t of iness and death/
"@ou a)a?e )e>" said !er.ue Poirot> not very truthfuy/ "I had an
appoint)ent +ith the ady for today/ !o+ever> I .an perhaps see
the other ady +ho ives here/"
The itte )aid see)ed sighty dou'tfu/ "The )istressA We> you
.oud see her> perhaps> 'ut I don"t 1no+ +hether she" 'e seeing
anyone or not/"
"She +i see )e>" said Poirot> and handed her a .ard/
The authority of his tone had its effe.t/ The rosy;.hee1ed )aid fe
'a.1 and ushered Poirot into a sitting;roo) on the right of the ha/
Then> .ard in hand> she departed to su))on her )istress/
!er.ue Poirot oo1ed round hi)/ The roo) +as a perfe.ty
.onventiona> dra+ing;roo) ; oat)ea;.ooured paper +ith a frie?e
round the top> indeter)inate .retonnes> rose;.ooured .ushions
and .urtains> a good )any .hina 1ni.1;1na.1s and orna)ents/
There +as nothing in the roo) that stood out> that announ.ed a
definite personaity/
Suddeny Poirot> +ho +as very sensitive> fet eyes +at.hing hi)/ !e
+heeed round/ A gir +as standing in the entran.e of the fren.h
+indo+ ; a s)a> sao+ gir> +ith very 'a.1 hair and suspi.ious
eyes/
She .a)e in> and as Poirot )ade a itte 'o+ she 'urst out a'rupty>
"Why have you .o)eA"
Poirot did not repy/ !e )erey raised his eye'ro+s/
"@ou are not a a+yer ; noA" !er (ngish +as good> 'ut not for a
)inute +oud anyone have ta1en her to 'e (ngish/
"Why shoud I 'e a a+yer> )ade)oiseeA"
The gir stared at hi) sueny/ "I thought you )ight 'e/ I thought you
had .o)e perhaps to say that she did not 1no+ +hat she +as
doing/ I have heard of su.h things ; the not due infuen.eI that is
+hat they .a it> noA %ut that is not right/ She +anted )e to have
the )oney> and I sha have it/ If it is needfu I sha have a a+yer of
)y o+n/ The )oney is )ine/ She +rote it do+n so> and so it sha
'e/" She oo1ed ugy> her .hin thrust out> her eyes gea)ing/
The door opened and a tai +o)an entered and said> "-atrina"/
The gir shran1> fushed> )uttered so)ething and +ent out through
the +indo+/
Poirot turned to fa.e the ne+.o)er +ho had so effe.tuay deat
+ith the situation 'y uttering a singe +ord/ There had 'een
authority in her voi.e> and .onte)pt and a shade of +e;'red irony/
!e reai?ed at on.e that this +as the o+ner of the house> Mary
$eafontaine/
"M/ PoirotA I +rote to you/ @ou .annot have re.eived )y etter/"
"Aas> I have 'een a+ay fro) #ondon/"
"<h> I seeI that eBpains it/ I )ust introdu.e )ysef/ My na)e is
$eafontaine/ This is )y hus'and/ Miss %arro+'y +as )y aunt/"
Mr $eafontaine had entered so 8uiety that his arriva had passed
unnoti.ed/ !e +as a ta )an +ith gri??ed hair and an
indeter)inate )anner/ !e had a nervous +ay of fingering his .hin/
!e oo1ed often to+ards his +ife> and it +as pain that he eBpe.ted
her to ta1e the ead in any .onversation/
"I )u.h regret that I intrude in the )idst of your 'ereave)ent>" said
!er.ue Poirot/
"I 8uite reai?e that it is not your faut>" said Mrs $eafontaine/ "My
aunt died or Tuesday evening/ It +as 8uite uneBpe.ted/"
"Most uneBpe.ted>" said Mr $eafontaine/ ",reat 'o+/" !is eyes
+at.hed the +indo+ +here the foreign gir had disappeared/
"I apoogi?e>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "And I +ithdra+/" !e )oved a step
to+ards the door/
"!af a se.>" said Mr $eafontaine/ "@ou ; er ; had an appoint)ent
+ith Aunt A)eia> you sayA"
"Parfaite)ent/"
"Perhaps you +i te us a'out it>" said his +ife/ "If there is anything
+e .an do ;"
"It +as of a private nature>" said Poirot/ "I a) a dete.tive>" he added
si)py/
Mr $eafontaine 1no.1ed over a itte .hina figure he +as handing/
!is +ife oo1ed pu??ed/
"A dete.tiveA And you had an appoint)ent +ith AuntieA %ut ho+
eBtraordinaryA She stared at hi)/ "Can"t you te us a itte )ore> M/
PoirotA It ; it see)s 8uite fantasti./"
Poirot +as sient for a )o)ent/ !e .hose his +ords +ith .are/
"It is diffi.ut for )e> )ada)e> to 1no+ +hat to do/"
"#oo1 here>" said Mr $eafontaine/ "She didn"t )ention &ussians> did
sheA"
"&ussiansA"
"@es> you 1no+ ; %oshies> &eds> a that sort of thing/"
"$on"t 'e a'surd> !enry>" said his +ife/
Mr $eafontaine .oapsed/ "Sorry ; sorry ; I Dust +ondered/"
Mary $eafontaine oo1ed fran1y at Poirot/ !er eyes +ere very 'ue
; the .oour of forget;)e;nots/ "If you .an te us anything> M/ Poirot>
I shoud 'e gad if you +oud do so/ I .an assure you that I have a ; a
reason for as1ing/"
Mr $eafontaine oo1ed aar)ed/ "%e .arefu> od gir ; you 1no+
there )ay 'e nothing in it/"
Again his +ife 8ueed hi) +ith a gan.e/ "We> M/ PoirotA"
So+y> gravey> !er.ue Poirot shoo1 his head/ !e shoo1 it +ith
visi'e regret> 'ut he shoo1 it/ "At present> )ada)e>" he said> "I fear
I )ust say nothing/"
!e 'o+ed> pi.1ed up his hat and )oved to the door/ Mary
$eafontaine .a)e +ith hi) into the ha/ <n the doorstep he
paused and oo1ed at her/
"@ou are fond of your garden> I thin1> )ada)eA"
"IA @es> I spend a ot of ti)e gardening/"
"*e vous faits )es .o)pi)ents/"
!e 'o+ed on.e )ore and strode do+n to the gate/ As he passed
out of it and turned to the right he gan.ed 'a.1 and registered t+o
i)pressions ; a sao+ fa.e +at.hing hi) fro) a first;foor +indo+>
and a )an of ere.t and sodiery .arriage pa.ing up and do+n on
the opposite side of the street/
!er.ue Poirot nodded to hi)sef/ "$efinitive)ent>" he said/ "There is
a )ouse in this hoeG What )ove )ust the .at )a1e no+A"
!is de.ision too1 hi) to the nearest post offi.e/ !ere he put
through a .oupe of teephone .as/ The resut see)ed to 'e
satisfa.tory/ !e 'ent his steps to Char)an"s ,reen poi.e station>
+here he in8uired for Inspe.tor Si)s/
Inspe.tor Si)s +as a 'ig> 'ury )an +ith a hearty )anner/
"M/ PoirotA" he in8uired/ "I thought so/ I"ve Dust this )inute had a
teephone .a through fro) the .hief .onsta'e a'out you/ !e said
you"d 'e dropping in/ Co)e into )y offi.e/"
The door shut> the inspe.tor +aved Poirot to one .hair> setted
hi)sef in another> and turned a ga?e of a.ute in8uiry upon his
visitor/
"@ou"re very 8ui.1 on to the )ar1> M/ Poirot/ Co)e to see us a'out
this &ose'an1 .ase a)ost 'efore +e 1no+ it is a .ase/ What put
you on to itA"
Poirot dre+ out the etter he had re.eived and handed it to the
inspe.tor/ The atter read it +ith so)e interest/
"Interesting>" he said/ "The trou'e is> it )ight )ean so )any things/
Pity she .oudn"t have 'een a itte )ore eBpi.it/ It +oud have
heped us no+/"
"<r there )ight have 'een no need for hep/"
"@ou )eanA"
"She )ight have 'een aive/"
"@ou go as far as that> do youA !") ; I") not sure you"re +rong/"
"I pray of you> Inspe.tor> re.ount to )e the fa.ts/ I 1no+ nothing at
a/"
"That"s easiy done/ <d ady +as ta1en 'ad after dinner on Tuesday
night/ 7ery aar)ing/ Convusions ; spas)s ; +hat not/ They sent for
the do.tor/ %y the ti)e he arrived she +as dead/ Idea +as she"d
died of a fit/ We> he didn"t )u.h i1e the oo1 of things/ !e he))ed
and ha+ed and put it +ith a 'it of soft po+der> 'ut he )ade it .ear
that he .oudn"t give a death .ertifi.ate/ And as far as the fa)iy go>
that"s +here the )atter stands/ They"re a+aiting the resut of the
post;)orte)/ We"ve got a 'it further/ The do.tor gave us the tip
right a+ay ; he and the poi.e surgeon did the autopsy together ;
and the resut is in no dou't +hatever/ The od ady died of a arge
dose of stry.hnine/"
"AhaG"
"That"s right/ 7ery nasty 'it of +or1/ Point is> +ho gave it to herA It
)ust have 'een ad)inistered very shorty 'efore death/ First idea
+as it +as given to her in her food at dinner ; 'ut> fran1y> that
see)s to 'e a +ashout/ They had arti.ho1e soup> served fro) a
tureen> fish pie and appe tart/"
"Miss %arro+'y> Mr $eafontaine and Mrs $eafontaine/ Miss
%arro+'y had a 1ind of nurse;attendant ; a haf;&ussian gir 'ut she
didn"t eat +ith the fa)iy/ She had the re)ains as they .a)e out
fro) the dining;roo)/ There"s a )aid> 'ut it +as her night out/ She
eft the soup on the stove and the fish pie in the oven> and the appe
tart +as .od/ A three of the) ate the sa)e thing ; and> apart fro)
that> I don"t thin1 you .oud get stry.hnine do+n anyone"s throat
that +ay/ Stuff"s as 'itter as ga/ The do.tor tod )e you .oud taste
it in a soution of one in a thousand> or so)ething i1e that/"
"CoffeeA"
"Coffee"s )ore i1e it> 'ut the od ady never too1 .offee/"
"I see your point/ @es> it see)s an insupera'e diffi.uty/ What did
she drin1 at the )eaA"
"Water/"
"Worse and +orse/"
"%it of a teaser> isn"t itA"
"She had )oney> the od adyA"
"7ery +e to do> I i)agine/ <f .ourse> +e haven"t got eBa.t detais
yet/ The $eafontaines are pretty 'ady off> fro) +hat I .an )a1e
out/ The od ady heped +ith the up1eep of the house/"
Poirot s)ied a itte/ !e said> "So you suspe.t the $eafontaines/
Whi.h of the)A"
"I don"t eBa.ty say I suspe.t either of the) in parti.uar/ %ut there it
isI they"re her ony near reations> and her death 'rings the) a tidy
su) of )oney> I"ve no dou't/ We a 1no+ +hat hu)an nature isG"
"So)eti)es inhu)an ; yes> that is very true/ And there +as nothing
ese the od ady ate or dran1A"
"We> as a )atter of fa.t ;"
"Ah> voiPG I fet that you had so)ething> as you say> up your seeve ;
the soup> the fish pie> the appe tart ; des 'MtisesG 0o+ +e .o)e to
the hu' of the affair/"
"I don"t 1no+ a'out that/ %ut as a )atter of fa.t> the od gir too1 a
.a.het 'efore )eas/ @ou 1no+> not a pi or a ta'etI one of those
ri.e;paper things +ith a po+der inside/ So)e perfe.ty har)ess
thing for the digestion/"
"Ad)ira'e/ 0othing is easier than to fi a .a.het +ith stry.hnine
and su'stitute it for one of the others/ It sips do+n the throat +ith a
drin1 of +ater and is not tasted/"
"That"s a right/ The trou'e is> the gir gave it to her/"
"The &ussian girA"
"@es/ -atrina &ieger/ She +as a 1ind of ady;hep> nurse;.o)panion
to Miss %arro+'y/ Fairy ordered a'out 'y her> too> I gather/ Fet.h
this> fet.h that> fet.h the other> ru' )y 'a.1> pour out )y )edi.ine>
run round to the .he)ist ; a that sort of 'usiness/ @ou 1no+ ho+ it
is +ith these od +o)en ; they )ean to 'e 1ind> 'ut +hat they need
is a sort of 'a.1 saveG"
Poirot s)ied/
"And there you are> you see>" .ontinued Inspe.tor Si)s/ "It doesn"t
fit in +hat you )ight .a ni.ey/ Why shoud the gir poison herA
Miss %arro+'y dies and no+ the gir +i 'e out of a Do'> and Do's
aren"t so easy to find ; she"s not trained or anything/"
"Sti>" suggested Poirot> "if the 'oB of .a.hets +as eft a'out>
anyone in the house )ight have the opportunity/"
"0aturay +e"re on to that> M/ Poirot/ I don"t )ind teing you +e"re
)a1ing our in8uiries ; 8uiet i1e> if you understand )e/ When the
pres.ription +as ast )ade up> +here it +as usuay 1eptI patien.e
and a ot of spade +or1 ; that"s +hat +i do the tri.1 in the end/ And
then there"s Miss %arro+'y"s soi.itor/ I") having an intervie+ +ith
hi) to)orro+/ And the 'an1 )anager/ There"s a ot to 'e done sti/"
Poirot rose/ "A itte favour> Inspe.tor Si)sI you +i send )e a itte
+ord ho+ the affair )ar.hes/ I +oud estee) it a great favour/ !ere
is )y teephone nu)'er/"
"Why> .ertainy> M/ Poirot/ T+o heads are 'etter than oneI and
'esides> you ought to 'e in on this> having had that etter and a/"
"@ou are too a)ia'e> Inspe.tor/" Poitey> Poirot shoo1 hands and
too1 his eave/
!e +as .aed to the teephone on the foo+ing afternoon/ "Is that
M/ PoirotA Inspe.tor Si)s here/ Things are 'eginning to sit up and
oo1 pretty in that itte )atter you and I 1no+ of/"
"In verityA Te )e> I pray of you/"
"We> here"s ite) 0o/ 1 ; and a pretty 'ig ite)/ Miss %/ eft a s)a
ega.y to her nie.e and everything ese to -/ In .onsideration of her
great 1indness and attention ; that"s the +ay it +as put/ That aters
the .o)peBion of things/"
A pi.ture rose s+ifty in Poirot"s )ind/ A suen fa.e and a
passionate voi.e saying> "The )oney is )ine/ She +rote it do+n and
so it sha 'e/" The ega.y +oud not .o)e as a surprise to -atrina ;
she 1ne+ a'out it 'eforehand/
"Ite) 0o/ 2>" .ontinued the voi.e of Inspe.tor Si)s/ "0o'ody 'ut -/
handed that .a.het/"
"@ou .an 'e sure of thatA"
"The gir hersef doesn"t deny it/ What do you thin1 of thatA"
"(Btre)ey interesting/"
"We ony +ant one thing )ore ; eviden.e of ho+ the stry.hnine
.a)e into her possession/ That oughtn"t to 'e diffi.ut/"
"%ut so far you haven"t 'een su..essfuA"
"I"ve 'arey started/ The in8uest +as ony this )orning/"
"What happened at itA"
"AdDourned for a +ee1/"
"And the young ady ; -/A"
"I") detaining her on suspi.ion/ $on"t +ant to run any ris1s/ She
)ight have so)e funny friends in the .ountry +ho"d try to get her
out of it/"
"0o>" said Poirot/ "I do not thin1 she has any friends/"
"&eayA What )a1es you say that> M/ PoirotA"
"It is Dust an idea of )ine/ There +ere no other Jite)sJ> as you .a
the)A"
"0othing that"s stri.ty reevant/ Miss %/ see)s to have 'een
)on1eying a'out a 'it +ith her shares atey ; )ust have dropped
8uite a tidy su)/ It"s rather a funny 'usiness> one +ay and another>
'ut I don"t see ho+ it affe.ts the )ain issue ; not at present> that is/"
"0o> perhaps you are right/ We> )y 'est than1s to you/ It +as )ost
a)ia'e of you to ring )e up/"
"0ot at a/ I") a )an of )y +ord/ I .oud see you +ere interested/
Who 1no+s> you )ay 'e a'e to give )e a heping hand 'efore the
end/"
"That +oud give )e great peasure/ It )ight hep you> for instan.e>
if I .oud ay )y hand on a friend of the gir -atrina/"
"I thought you said she hadn"t got any friendsA" said Inspe.tor Si)s>
surprised/
"I +as +rong>" said !er.ue Poirot/ "She has one/"
%efore the inspe.tor .oud as1 a further 8uestion> Poirot had rung
off/
With a serious fa.e he +andered into the roo) +here Miss #e)on
sat at her type+riter/ She raised her hands fro) the 1eys at her
e)poyer"s approa.h and oo1ed at hi) in8uiringy/
"I +ant you>" said Poirot> "to figure to yoursef a itte history/" Miss
#e)on dropped her hands into her ap in a resigned )anner/ She
enDoyed typing> paying 'is> fiing papers and entering up
engage)ents/ To 'e as1ed to i)agine hersef in hypotheti.a
situations 'ored her very )u.h> 'ut she a..epted it as a
disagreea'e part of a duty/
"@ou are a &ussian gir>" 'egan Poirot/
"@es>" said Miss #e)on> oo1ing intensey %ritish/
"@ou are aone and friendess in this .ountry/ @ou have reasons for
not +ishing to return to &ussia/ @ou are e)poyed as a 1ind of
drudge> nurse;attendant and .o)panion to an od ady/ @ou are
)ee1 and un.o)paining/"
"@es>" said Miss #e)on o'edienty> 'ut entirey faiing to see hersef
'eing )ee1 to any od ady under the sun/
"The od ady ta1es a fan.y to you/ She de.ides to eave her )oney
to you/ She tes you so/" Poirot paused/
Miss #e)on said "@es" again/
"And then the od ady finds out so)ethingI perhaps it is a )atter of
)oney ; she )ay find that you have not 'een honest +ith her/ <r it
)ight 'e )ore grave sti ; a )edi.ine that tasted different> so)e
food that disagreed/ Any+ay> she 'egins to suspe.t you of
so)ething and she +rites to a very fa)ous dete.tive ; enfin> to the
)ost fa)ous dete.tive ; )eG I a) to .a upon her shorty/ And then>
as you say> the dripping +i 'e in the fire/ The great thing is to a.t
8ui.1y/ And so ; 'efore the great dete.tive arrives ; the od ady is
dead/ And the )oney .o)es to you/// Te )e> does that see) to you
reasona'eA"
"4uite reasona'e>" said Miss #e)on/ "4uite reasona'e for a
&ussian> that is/ Personay> I shoud never ta1e a post as a
.o)panion/ I i1e )y duties .eary defined/ And of .ourse I shoud
not drea) of )urdering anyone/"
Poirot sighed/ "!o+ I )iss )y friend !astings/ !e had su.h an
i)agination/ Su.h a ro)anti. )indG It is true that he a+ays
i)agined +rong ; 'ut that in itsef +as a guide/"
Miss #e)on +as sient/ She had heard a'out Captain !astings
'efore> and +as not interested/ She oo1ed ongingy at the
type+ritten sheet in front of her/
"So it see)s to you reasona'e>" )used Poirot/
"$oesn"t it to youA"
"I a) a)ost afraid it does>" sighed Poirot/
The teephone rang and Miss #e)on +ent out of the roo) to ans+er
it/ She .a)e 'a.1 to say "It"s Inspe.tor Si)s again/"
Poirot hurried to the instru)ent/ ""Ao> "ao/ What is that you sayA"
Si)s repeated his state)ent/ "We"ve found a pa.1et of stry.hnine in
the gir"s 'edroo) ; tu.1ed underneath the )attress/ The
sergeant"s Dust .o)e in +ith the ne+s/ That a'out .in.hes it> I
thin1/"
"@es>" said Poirot> "I thin1 that .in.hes it/" !is voi.e had .hanged/ It
rang +ith sudden .onfiden.e/
When he had rung off> he sat do+n at his +riting ta'e and arranged
the o'De.ts on it in a )e.hani.a )anner/ !e )ur)ured to hi)sef>
"There +as so)ething +rong/ I fet it ; no> not fet/ It )ust have 'een
so)ething I sa+/ (n avant> the itte grey .es/ Ponder ; refe.t/
Was everything ogi.a and in orderA The gir ; her anBiety a'out the
)oneyI M)e $eafontaineI her hus'and his suggestion of &ussians
; i)'e.ie> 'ut he is an i)'e.ieI the roo)I the garden ; ahG @es> the
garden/"
!e sat up very stiff/ The green ight shone in his eyes/ !e sprang up
and +ent into the adDoining roo)/
"Miss #e)on> +i you have the 1indness to eave +hat you are doing
and )a1e an investigation for )eA"
"An investigation> M/ PoirotA I") afraid I") not very good ;"
Poirot interrupted her/ "@ou said one day that you 1ne+ a a'out
trades)en/"
"Certainy I do>" said Miss #e)on +ith .onfiden.e/
"Then the )atter is si)pe/ @ou are to go to Char)an"s ,reen and
you are to dis.over a fish)onger/"
"A fish)ongerA" as1ed Miss #e)on> surprised/
"Pre.isey/ The fish)onger +ho suppied &ose'an1 +ith fish/ When
you have found hi) you +i as1 hi) a .ertain 8uestion/"
!e handed her a sip of paper/ Miss #e)on too1 it> noted its
.ontents +ithout interest> then nodded and sipped the id on her
type+riter/
"We +i go to Char)an"s ,reen together>" said Poirot/ "@ou go to the
fish)onger and I to the poi.e station/ It +i ta1e us 'ut haf an hour
fro) %a1er Street/"
<n arriva at his destination> he +as greeted 'y the surprised
Inspe.tor Si)s/ "We> this is 8ui.1 +or1> M/ Poirot/ I +as ta1ing to
you on the phone ony an hour ago/"
"I have a re8uest to )a1e to youI that you ao+ )e to see this gir
-atrina ; +hat is her na)eA"
"-atrina &ieger/ We> I don"t suppose there"s any o'De.tion to that/"
The gir -atrina oo1ed even )ore sao+ and suen than ever/
Poirot spo1e to her very genty/ "Made)oisee> I +ant you to 'eieve
that I a) not your ene)y/ I +ant you to te )e the truth/"
!er eyes snapped defianty/ "I have tod the truth/ To everyone I
have tod the truthG If the od ady +as poisoned> it +as not I +ho
poisoned her/ It is a a )ista1e/ @ou +ish to prevent )e having the
)oney/" !er voi.e +as rasping/ She oo1ed> he thought> i1e a
)isera'e itte .ornered rat/
"Te )e a'out this .a.het> )ade)oisee>" M/ Poirot +ent on/ "$id no
one hande it 'ut youA"
"I have said so> have I notA They +ere )ade up at the .he)ist"s that
afternoon/ I 'rought the) 'a.1 +ith )e in )y 'ag ; that +as Dust
'efore supper/ I opened the 'oB and gave Miss %arro+'y one +ith a
gass of +ater/"
"0o one tou.hed the) 'ut youA"
J0o/" A .ornered rat ; +ith .ourageG
"And Miss %arro+'y had for supper ony +hat +e have 'een tod/
The soup> the fish pie> the tartA"
"@es/" A hopeess "yes" ; dar1> s)oudering eyes that sa+ no ight
any+here/
Poirot patted her shouder/ "%e of good .ourage> )ade)oisee/
There )ay yet 'e freedo) ; yes> and )oney ; a ife of ease/"
She oo1ed at hi) suspi.iousy/
As he +ent out Si)s said to hi)> "I didn"t 8uite get +hat you said
through the teephone ; so)ething a'out the gir having a friend/"
"She has one/ MeG" said !er.ue Poirot> and had eft the poi.e
station 'efore the inspe.tor .oud pu his +its together/
At the ,reen Cat tearoo)s> Miss #e)on did not 1eep her e)poyer
+aiting/ She +ent straight to the point/
"The )an"s na)e is &udge> in the !igh Street> and you +ere 8uite
right/ A do?en and a haf eBa.ty/ I"ve )ade a note of +hat he said/"
She handed it to hi)/
"Arrr/" It +as a deep> ri.h sound i1e the purr of a .at/
!er.ue Poirot 'etoo1 hi)sef to &ose'an1/ As he stood in the front
garden> the sun setting 'ehind hi)> Mary $eafontaine .a)e out to
hi)/
"M/ PoirotA" !er voi.e sounded surprised/ "@ou have .o)e 'a.1A"
"@es> I have .o)e 'a.1/" !e paused and then said> "When I first
.a)e here> )ada)e> the .hidren"s nursery rhy)e .a)e into )y
headH
Mistress Mary> 8uite .ontrary>
!o+ does your garden gro+A
With .o.1e;shes> and siver 'es>
And pretty )aids a in a ro+/
<ny they are not .o.1e shes> are they> )ada)eA They are oyster
shes/" !is hand pointed/
!e heard her .at.h her 'reath and then stay very sti/ !er eyes
as1ed a 8uestion/
!e nodded/ "Mais> oui> I 1no+G The )aid eft the dinner ready ; she
+i s+ear and -atrina +i s+ear that that is a you had/ <ny you
and your hus'and 1no+ that you 'rought 'a.1 a do?en and a haf
oysters ; a itte treat pour a 'onne tante/ So easy to put the
stry.hnine in an oyster/ It is s+ao+ed ; .o))e LaG %ut there
re)ain the shes ; they )ust not go in the 'u.1et/ The )aid +oud
see the)/ And so you thought of )a1ing an edging of the) to a 'ed/
%ut there +ere not enough ; the edging is not .o)pete/ The effe.t
is 'ad ; it spois the sy))etry of the other+ise .har)ing garden/
Those fe+ oyster shes stru.1 an aien note ; they dispeased )y
eye on )y first visit/"
Mary $eafontaine said> "I suppose you guessed fro) the etter/ I
1ne+ she had +ritten ; 'ut I didn"t 1no+ ho+ )u.h she"d said/"
Poirot ans+ered evasivey> "I 1ne+ at east that it +as a fa)iy
)atter/ If it had 'een a 8uestion of -atrina there +oud have 'een
no point in hushing things up/ I understand that you or your
hus'and handed Miss %arro+'y"s se.urities to your o+n profit>
and that she found out ;"
Mary $eafontaine nodded/ "We"ve done it for years ; a itte here
and there/ I never reai?ed she +as sharp enough to find out/ And
then I earned she had sent for a dete.tiveI and I found out> too> that
she +as eaving her )oney to -atrina ; that )isera'e itte
.reatureG"
"And so the stry.hnine +as put in -atrina"s 'edroo)A I
.o)prehend/ @ou save yoursef and your hus'and fro) +hat I )ay
dis.over> and you sadde an inno.ent .hid +ith )urder/ !ad you no
pity> )ada)eA"
Mary $eafontaine shrugged her shouders ; her 'ue forget;)e;not
eyes oo1ed into Poirot"s/ !e re)e)'ered the perfe.tion of her
a.ting the first day he had .o)e and the 'unging atte)pts of her
hus'and/ A +o)an a'ove the average ; 'ut inhu)an/
She said> "PityA For that )isera'e intriguing itte ratA" !er
.onte)pt rang out/
!er.ue Poirot said so+y> "I thin1> )ada)e> that you have .ared in
your ife for t+o things ony/ <ne is your hus'and/"
!e sa+ her ips tre)'e/
"And the other ; is your garden/"
!e oo1ed round hi)/ !is gan.e see)ed to apoogi?e to the
fo+ers for that +hi.h he had done and +as a'out to do/
Contents
San.tuary
Strange *est
Tape;Measure Murder
The Case of the Careta1er
The Case of the Perfe.t Maid
Miss Marpe Tes a Story
The $ress)a1er"s $o
In a ,ass $ar1y
SA0CT2A&@
The vi.arNs +ife .a)e round the .orner of the vi.arage fu of
.hrysanthe)u)s/ A good dea of ri.h garden soi atta.hed to her
strong 'rogue shoes and a fe+ frag)ents of earth +ere adhering to
her nose> 'ut of that fa.t she +as perfe.ty un.ons.ious/
She had a sight strugge in opening the vi.arage gate +hi.h hung>
rustiy> haf off its hinges/ A puff of +ind .aught at her 'attered fet
hat> .ausing it to sit even )ore ra1ishy than it had done 'efore/
"%otherG" said %un.h/
Christened 'y her opti)isti. parents $iana> Mrs !ar)on had
'e.o)e %un.h at an eary age for so)e+hat o'vious reasons and
the na)e had stu.1 to her ever sin.e/ Cut.hing the
.hrysanthe)u)s> she )ade her +ay through the gate to the
.hur.hyard> and so to the .hur.h door/
The 0ove)'er air +as )id and da)p/ Couds s.udded a.ross the
s1y +ith pat.hes of 'ue here and there/ Inside> the .hur.h +as dar1
and .odH it +as unheated eB.ept at servi.e ti)es/
b%rrrrrhGN said %un.h eBpressivey/ "I"d 'etter get on +ith this 8ui.1y/
I don"t +ant to die of .od/"
With the 8ui.1ness 'orn of pra.ti.e she .oe.ted the ne.essary
paraphernaiaH vases> +ater> fo+er;hoders/ "I +ish +e had iies>"
thought %un.h to hersef/ "I get so tired of these s.raggy
.hrysanthe)u)s/" !er ni)'e fingers arranged the 'oo)s in their
hoders/
There +as nothing parti.uary origina or artisti. a'out the
de.orations> for %un.h !ar)on hersef +as neither origina nor
artisti.> 'ut it +as a ho)ey and peasant arrange)ent/ Carrying the
vases .arefuy> %un.h stepped up the aise and )ade her +ay
to+ards the atar/ As she did so the sun .a)e out/
It shone through the east +indo+ of so)e+hat .rude .ooured gass>
)osty 'ue and red ; the gift of a +eathy 7i.torian .hur.hgoer/ The
effe.t +as a)ost starting in its sudden opuen.e/ "#i1e De+es>"
thought %un.h/ Suddeny she stopped> staring ahead of her/ <n the
.han.e steps +as a hudded dar1 for)/
Putting do+n the fo+ers .arefuy> %un.h +ent up to it and 'ent over
it/ It +as a )an ying there> hudded over on hi)sef/ %un.h 1net
do+n 'y hi) and so+y> .arefuy> she turned hi) over/ !er fingers
+ent to his puse ; a puse so fee'e and futtering that it tod its o+n
story> as did the a)ost greenish paor of his fa.e/ There +as no
dou't/ %un.h thought> that the )an +as dying/
!e +as a )an of a'out forty;five> dressed in a dar1> sha''y suit/ She
aid do+n the i)p hand she had pi.1ed up and oo1ed at his other
hand/ This see)ed .en.hed i1e a fist on his 'reast/ #oo1ing )ore
.osey she sa+ that the fingers +ere .osed over +hat see)ed to 'e
a arge +ad or hand1er.hief +hi.h he +as hoding tighty to his
.hest/ A round the .en.hed hand there +ere spashes of a dry
'ro+n fuid +hi.h> %un.h guessed> +as dry 'ood/ %un.h sat 'a.1
on her hees> fro+ning/
2p ti no+ the )an"s eyes had 'een .osed 'ut at this point they
suddeny opened and fiBed the)seves on %un.h"s fa.e/ They +ere
neither da?ed nor +andering/ They see)ed fuy aive and inteigent/
!is ips )oved> and %un.h 'ent for+ard to .at.h the +ords> or
rather the +ord/ It +as ony one +ord that he saidH
"San.tuary/"
There +as> she thought> Dust a very faint s)ie as he 'reathed out
this +ord/ There +as no )ista1ing it> for after a )o)ent he said it
again> "San.tuary///"
Then> +ith a faint> ong;dra+n;out sigh> his eyes .osed again/ <n.e
)ore %un.h"s fingers +ent to his puse/ It +as sti there> 'ut fainter
no+ and )ore inter)ittent/ She got up +ith de.ision/
"$onNt )ove>" she said> "or try to )ove/ I") going for hep/"
The )an"s eyes opened again 'ut he see)ed no+ to 'e fiBing his
attention on the .ooured ight that .a)e through the east +indo+/
!e )ur)ured so)ething that %un.h .oud not 8uite .at.h/ She
thought> started> that it )ight have 'een her hus'and"s na)e/
"*uianA" she said/ "$id you .o)e here to find *uianA" %ut there +as
no ans+er/ The )an ay +ith eyes .osed> his 'reathing in so+>
shao+ fashion/
%un.h turned and eft the .hur.h rapidy/ She gan.ed at her +at.h
and nodded +ith so)e satisfa.tion/ $r ,riffiths +oud sti 'e in his
surgery/ It +as ony a .oupe of )inutesN +a1 fro) the .hur.h/ She
+ent in> +ithout +aiting to 1no.1 or ring> passing through the +aiting
roo) and into the do.tor"s surgery/
b@ou )ust .o)e at on.e>" said %un.h/ "There"s a )an dying in the
.hur.h/"
So)e )inutes ater $r ,riffiths rose fro) his 1nees after a 'rief
eBa)ination/
bCan +e )ove hi) fro) here into the vi.arageA I .an attend to hi)
'etter there ; not that it"s any use/"
"<f .ourse>" said %un.h/ "I" go aong and ge things ready/ I" get
!arper and *ones> sha IA To hep you .arry hi)/"
"Than1s/ I .an teephone fro) the vi.arage for an a)'uan.e> 'ut I")
afraid ; 'y the ti)e it .o)es///" !e eft the re)ar1 unfinished/
%un.h said> "Interna 'eedingAN
$r ,riffiths nodded/ !e said> "!o+ on earth did he .o)e hereA"
"I thin1 he )ust have 'een here a night>" said %un.h> .onsidering/
"!arper uno.1s the .hur.h in the )orning as he goes to +or1> 'ut he
doesn"t usuay .o)e in/N
It +as a'out five )inutes ater +hen $r ,riffiths put do+n the
teephone re.eiver and .a)e 'a.1 into the )orning;roo) +here the
inDured )an +as ying on 8ui.1y arranged 'an1ets on the sofa/
%un.h +as )oving a 'asin of +ater and .earing up after the
do.tor"s eBa)ination/
"We> that"s that>" said ,riffiths/ "I"ve sent for an a)'uan.e and I"ve
notified the poi.e/" !e stood> fro+ning> oo1ing do+n on the patient
+ho ay +ith .osed eyes/ !is eft hand +as pu.1ing in a nervous>
spas)odi. +ay at his side/
"!e +as shot>" said ,riffiths/ "Shot at fairy .ose 8uarters/ !e roed
his hand1er.hief up into a 'a and pugged the +ound +ith it so as to
stop the 'eeding/"
"Coud he have gone far after that happenedA" %un.h as1ed/
"<h> yes> it"s 8uite possi'e/ A )ortay +ounded )an has 'een
1no+n to pi.1 hi)sef up and +a1 aong a street as though nothing
had happened> and then suddeny .oapse five or ten )inutes ater/
So he needn"t have 'een shot in the .hur.h/ <h no/ !e )ay have
'een shot so)e distan.e a+ay/ <f .ourse> he )ay have shot hi)sef
and then dropped the revover and staggered 'indy to+ards the
.hur.h/ I don"t 8uite 1no+ +hy he )ade for the .hur.h and not for
the vi.arage/"
"<h> I 1no+ that>" said %un.h/ "!e said itH JSan.tuary/Jb
The do.tor stared at her/ "San.tuaryA"
"!ere"s *uian>" said %un.h> turning her head as she heard her
hus'and"s steps in the ha/ "*uianG Co)e here/"
The &everend *uian !ar)on entered the roo)/ !is vague> s.hoary
)anner a+ays )ade hi) appear )u.h oder than he reay +as/
"$ear )eG" said *uian !ar)on> staring in a )id> pu??ed )anner at
the surgi.a appian.es and the prone figure on the sofa/
%un.h eBpained +ith her usua e.ono)y of +ords/ "!e +as in the
.hur.h> dying/ !e"d 'een shot/ $o you 1no+ hi)> *uianA I thought he
said your na)e/"
The vi.ar .a)e up to the sofa and oo1ed do+n at the dying )an/
"Poor feo+>" he said> and shoo1 his head/ "0o> I don"t 1no+ hi)/ I")
a)ost sure I"ve never seen hi) 'efore/"
At that )o)ent the dying )an"s eyes opened on.e )ore/ They +ent
fro) the do.tor to *uian !ar)on and fro) hi) to his +ife/ The eyes
stayed there> staring into !un.h"s fa.e/ ,riffiths stepped for+ard/
bIf you .oud te us>" he said urgenty/
%ut +ith eyes fiBed on %un.h> the )an said in a +ea1 voi.e> "Pease ;
pease ; " And then> +ith a sight tre)or> he died///
Sergeant !ayes i.1ed his pen.i and turned the page of his
note'oo1/
JSo that"s a you .an te )e> Mrs !ar)onA"
JThat"s a>" said %un.h/ "These are the things out of his .oat
po.1ets/"
<n a ta'e at Sergeant !ayes"s e'o+ +as a +aet> a rather 'attered
od +at.h +ith the initias W/S/ and the return haf of a ti.1et to
#ondon/ 0othing )ore/
"@ou"ve found out +ho he isAN as1ed %un.h/
"A Mr and Mrs (..es phoned up the station/ !e"s her 'rother> it
see)s/ 0a)e of Sand'ou)e/ %een in a o+ state of heath and
nerves for so)e ti)e/ !e"s 'een getting +orse atey/ The day 'efore
yesterday he +a1ed out and didn"t .o)e 'a.1/ !e too1 a revover
+ith hi)/"
"And he .a)e out here and shot hi)sef +ith itA" said %un.h/ "WhyA"
"We> you see> he"d 'een depressed///"
%un.h interrupted hi)/ "I don"t )ean that/ I )ean> +hy hereA"
Sin.e Sergeant !ayes o'viousy did not 1no+ the ans+er to that one>
he repied in an o'i8ue fashion> "Co)e out here> he did> on the fiveten
'us/"
"@es>" said %un.h again/ "%ut +hyA"
"I don"t 1no+> Mrs !ar)on>" said Sergeant !ayes/
"There"s no a..ounting/ If the 'aan.e of the )ind is distur'ed ; "
%un.h finished for hi)/ "They )ay do it any+here/ %ut it sti see)s to
)e unne.essary to ta1e a 'us out to a s)a .ountry pa.e i1e this/
!e didn"t 1no+ anyone here> did heA"
"0ot so far as .an 'e as.ertained>" said Sergeant !ayes/ !e .oughed
in an apoogeti. )anner and said> as he rose to his feet> "It )ay 'e as
Mr and Mrs (..es +i .o)e out and see you> )a"a) ; if you don"t
)ind> that is/"
"<f .ourse I don"t )ind>" said %un.h/ "It"s very natura/ I ony +ish I
had so)ething to te the)/"
"I" 'e getting aong>" said Sergeant !ayes/
"I") ony so than1fu>" said %un.h> going +ith hi) to the front door>
"that it +asn"t )urder/"
A .ar had driven up at the vi.arage gate/ Sergeant !ayes> gan.ing
at it> re)ar1edH "#oo1s as though that"s Mr and Mrs (..es .o)e here
no+> )a"a)> to ta1 +ith you/"
%un.h 'ra.ed hersef to endure +hat> she fet> )ight 'e rather a
diffi.ut ordea/ "!o+ever>" she thought> "I .an a+ays .a *uian to
hep )e/ A .ergy)an"s a great hep +hen peope are 'ereaved/"
(Ba.ty +hat she had eBpe.ted Mr and Mrs (..es to 'e i1e> %un.h
.oud not have said> 'ut she +as .ons.ious> as she greeted the)> of
a feeing of surprise/ Mr (..es +as a stout forid )an +hose natura
)anner +oud have 'een .heerfu and fa.etious/ Mrs (..es 'ad a
vaguey fashy oo1 a'out her/ She had a s)a> )ean> pursed;up
)outh/ !er voi.e +as thin and reedy/
"It"s 'een a terri'e sho.1> Mrs !ar)on> as you .an i)agine>" she
said/
"<h> I 1no+>" said %un.h/ "It )ust have 'een/ $o sit do+n/ Can I offer
you ; +e> perhaps it"s a itte eary for tea ; "
Mr (..es +aved a pudgy hand/ "0o> no> nothing for us>J he said/ "It"s
very 1ind of you> I") sure/ *ust +anted to/// +e/// +hat poor Wiia)
said and a that> you 1no+A"
"!e"s 'een a'road a ong ti)e>" said Mrs (..es> "and I thin1 he )ust
have had so)e very nasty eBperien.es/ 7ery 8uiet and depressed
he"s 'een> ever sin.e he .a)e ho)e ; Said the +ord +asn"t fit to ive
in and there +as nothing to oo1 for+ard to/ Poor %i> he +as a+ays
)oody/N
%un.h stared at the) 'oth for a )o)ent or t+o +ithout spea1ing/
"Pin.hed )y hus'and"s revover> he did>" +ent on Mrs (..es/
"Without our 1no+ing/ Then it see)s he .o)e here 'y 'us/ I suppose
that +as ni.e feeing on his part/ !e +oudn"t have i1ed to do it in our
house/"
"Poor feo+> poor feo+>" said Mr (..es> +ith a sigh/ "It doesn"t do to
Dudge/"
There +as another short pause> and Mr (..es said> "$id he eave a
)essageA Any ast +ords> nothing i1e thatA"
!is 'right> rather pig;i1e eyes +at.hed %un.h .osey/ Mrs (..es>
oo> eaned for+ard as though anBious for the repy/
"0o>" said %un.h 8uiety/ "!e .a)e into the .hur.h +hen he +as
dying> for san.tuary/"
Mrs (..es said in a pu??ed voi.e/ "San.tuaryA I don"t thin1 I 8uite///"
Mr (..es interrupted/ "!oy pa.e> )y dear>N he said i)patienty ;
"That"s +hat the vi.ar"s +ife )eans/ It"s a sin ; sui.ide> you 1no+/ I
eBpe.t he +anted to )a1e a)ends/"
"!e tried to say so)ething Dust 'efore he died>" said %un.h/ "!e
'egan> JPease>J 'ut that"s as far as he got/"
Mrs (..es put her hand1er.hief to her eyes and sniffed/ "<h> dear>"
she said/ "It"s terri'y upsetting> isn"t itA"
"There> there> Pa)>" said her hus'and/ "$on"t ta1e on/ These things
.an"t 'e heped/ Poor Wiie/ Sti> he"s at pea.e no+/ We> than1 you
very )u.h> Mrs !ar)on/ I hope +e haven"t interrupted you/ A vi.ar"s
+ife is a 'usy ady> +e 1no+ that/J
They shoo1 hands +ith her/ Then (..es turned 'a.1 suddeny to
say> "<h yes> there"s Dust one other thing/ I thin1 you"ve got his .oat
here> haven"t youA"
"!is .oatA" %un.h fro+ned/
Mrs (..es said> "WeNd i1e a his things> you 1no+/ Senti)enta;i1e/N
"!e had a +at.h and a +aet and a rai+ay ti.1et in the po.1ets>" said
%un.h/ "I gave the) to Sergeant !ayes/"
bThat"s a right> then>" said Mr (..es/ "!e" hand the) over to us> I
eBpe.t/ !is private papers +oud 'e in the +aet/"
"There +as a pound note in the +aet>" said %un.h/ b0othing ese/"
"0o ettersA 0othing i1e thatAN
%un.h shoo1 her head/
"We> than1 you again> Mrs !ar)on/ The .oat he +as +earing ;
perhaps the sergeant"s got that too> has heA"
%un.h fro+ned in an effort of re)e)'ran.e/
"0o>" she said/ "I don"t thin1/// et )e see/ The do.tor and I too1 his
.oat off to eBa)ine his +ound/" She oo1ed round the roo) vaguey ;
"I )ust have ta1en it upstairs +ith the to+es and 'asin/"
"I +onder no+> Mrs !ar)on> if you don"t )ind/// We"d i1e his .oat>
you 1no+> the ast thing he +ore/ We> the +ife fees rather
senti)enta a'out it/"
"<f .ourse>" said %un.h/ "Woud you i1e )e to have it .eaned firstA
I") afraid it"s rather ; +e ; stained/"
J<h> no> no> no> that doesn"t )atter/"
%un.h fro+ned/ "0o+ I +onder +here/// eB.use )e a )o)ent/" She
+ent upstairs and it +as so)e fe+ )inutes 'efore she returned/
bI") so sorry>" she said 'reathessy> ")y daiy +o)an )ust have put
it aside +ith other .othes that +ere going to the .eaners/ It"s ta1en
)e 8uite a ong ti)e to find it/ !ere it is/ I" do it up for you in 'ro+n
paper/"
$is.ai)ing their protests she did soI then on.e )ore effusivey
'idding her fare+e the (..eses departed/
%un.h +ent so+y 'a.1 a.ross the ha and entered the study/ The
&everend *uian !ar)on oo1ed up and his 'ro+ .eared/ !e +as
.o)posing a ser)on and +as fearing that he"d 'een ed astray 'y
the interest of the poiti.a reations 'et+een *udaea and Persia> in
the reign of Cyrus/
"@es> dearA" he said hopefuy/
"*uian>" said %un.h/ "What"s San.tuary eBa.tyAN
*uian !ar)on gratefuy put aside his ser)on paper/
"We>" he said/ "San.tuary in &o)an and ,ree1 te)pes appied to
the .ea> in +hi.h stood the statue of a god/ The #atin +ord for atar
JaraJ aso )eans prote.tion/" !e .ontinued earnedyH "In three
hundred and ninety;nine A/$/ the right of san.tuary in Christian
.hur.hes +as finay and definitey re.ogni?ed/ The eariest )ention
of the right of san.tuary in (ngand is in the Code of #a+s issued 'y
(the'ert in A/$/ siB hundred///"
!e .ontinued for so)e ti)e +ith his eBposition 'ut +as> as often>
dis.on.erted 'y his +ife"s re.eption of his erudite pronoun.e)ent/
"$aring>" she said/ "@ou are s+eet/"
%ending over> she 1issed hi) on the rip of his nose/ *uian fet rather
i1e a dog +ho has 'een .ongratuated on perfor)ing a .ever tri.1/
"The (..eses have 'een here>" said %un.h/
The vi.ar fro+ned/ "The (..esesA I don"t see) to re)e)'er///"
"@ou don"t 1no+ the)/ They"re the sister and her hus'and of the )an
in the .hur.h/"
"My dear> you ought to have .aed )e/"
"There +asn"t any need>" said %un.h/ "They +ere not in need of
.onsoation/ I +onder no+///" She fro+ned/ "If I put a .asseroe in the
oven to)orro+> .an you )anage> *uianA I thin1 I sha go up to
#ondon for the saes/"
"The saisA" !er hus'and oo1ed at her 'an1y/ "$o you )ean a ya.ht
or a 'oat or so)ethingA"
!un.h aughed/ "0o> daring/ There"s a spe.ia +hite sae at %urro+s
and Port)an"s/ @ou 1no+> sheets> ta'e .oths and to+es and gass.oths/
I don"t 1no+ +hat +e do +ith our gass;.oths> the +ay they
+ear through/ b%esides>" she added thoughtfuy> "I thin1 I ought to go
and see Aunt *ane/N
That s+eet od ady> Miss *ane Marpe> +as enDoying the deights of
the )etropois for a fortnight> .o)forta'y instaed in her nephe+"s
studio fat/
"So 1ind of dear &ay)ond>" she )ur)ured/ "!e and *oan have gone
to A)eri.a for a fortnight and they insisted I shoud .o)e up here
and enDoy )ysef/ And no+> dear %un.h> do te )e +hat it is that"s
+orrying you/N
%un.h +as Miss Marpe"s favourite god.hid> and the od ady oo1ed
at her +ith great affe.tion as %un.h> thrusting her 'est fet hat
farther on the 'a.1 of her head> started her story/
%un.h"s re.ita +as .on.ise and .ear/ Miss Marpe nodded her head
as %un.h finished/ "I see>" she said/ "@es> I see/"
"That"s +hy I fet I had to see you>" said %un.h/ "@ou see> not 'eing
.ever ; "
b%ut you are .ever> )y dear/N
"0o> I") not/ 0ot .ever i1e *uian/"
"*uian> of .ourse> has a very soid intee.t>" said Miss Marpe/
bThat"s it>" said %un.h/ b*uianNs got the intee.t> 'ut on the other
hand> I"ve got the sense/"
"@ou have a ot of .o))on sense> %un.h> and you"re very inteigent/"
"@ou see> I don"t reay 1no+ +hat I ought to do/ I .an"t as1 *uian
'e.ause ; +e> I )ean> *uian"s so fu of re.titude///"
This state)ent appeared to 'e perfe.ty understood 'y Miss Marpe>
+ho said> "I 1no+ +hat you )ean> dear/ We +o)en ; +e> it"s
different/" She +ent on/ "@ou tod )e +hat happened/ %un.h> 'ut I"d
i1e to 1no+ first eBa.ty +hat you thin1/"
"It"s a +rong>" said %un.h/ bThe )an +ho +as there in the .hur.h>
dying> 1ne+ a a'out San.tuary/ !e said it Dust the +ay *uian +oud
have said it/ I )ean> he +as a +e;read> edu.ated )an/ And if he"d
shot hi)sef> he +oudn"t drag hi)sef to a .hur.h after+ards and
say Jsan.tuaryJ/ San.tuary )eans that you"re pursued> and +hen
you get into a .hur.h you"re safe/ @our pursuers .an"t tou.h you/ At
one ti)e even the a+ .oudn"t get at you/"
She oo1ed 8uestioningy at Miss Marpe/ The atter nodded/ %un.h
+ent on> bThose peope> the (..eses> +ere 8uite different/ Ignorant
and .oarse/ And there"s another thing/ That +at.h ; the dead )an"s
+at.h/ It had the initias W/S/ on the 'a.1 of it/ %ut inside ; I opened it
; in very s)a ettering there +as JTo Water fro) his fatherJ and a
date/ Water/ %ut the (..eses 1ept ta1ing of hi) as Wiia) or %i/"
Miss Marpe see)ed a'out to spea1 'ut %un.h rushed on J<h> I
1no+ you"re not a+ays .aed the na)e you"re 'apti?ed 'y/ I )ean> I
.an understand that you )ight 'e .hristened Wiia) and .aed
JPorgyJ or JCarrotsJ or so)ething/ %ut your sister +oudn"t .a you
Wiia) or %i if your na)e +as Water/"
J@ou )ean that she +asn"t his sisterA"
"I") 8uite sure she +asn"t his sister/ They +ere horrid ; 'oth of the)/
They .a)e to the vi.arage to get his things and to find out if he"d said
anything 'efore he died/ When I said he hadn"t I sa+ it in their fa.es ;
reief/ I thin1 )ysef>" finished %un.h> "it +as (..es +ho shot hi)/"
"MurderA" said Miss Marpe/
"@es>" said %un.h/ "Murder/ That"s +hy I .a)e to you> daring/"
!un.h"s re)ar1 )ight have see)ed in.ongruous to an ignorant
istener> 'ut in .ertain spheres Miss Marpe had a reputation for
deaing +ith )urder/
"!e said JpeaseJ to )e 'efore he died>" said %un.h/ "!e +anted )e
to do so)ething for hi)/ The a+fu thing is I"ve no idea +hat/"
Miss Marpe .onsidered for a )o)ent or t+o> and then poun.ed on
the point that had aready o..urred to %un.h/ "%ut +hy +as he there
at aA" she as1ed/
"@ou )ean>" said %un.h> "if you +anted san.tuary you )ight pop into
a .hur.h any+here/ There"s no need to ta1e a 'us that ony goes four
ti)es a day and .o)e out to a oney spot i1e ours for it/"
"!e )ust have .o)e there for a purpose>" Miss Marpe thought/ "!e
)ust have .o)e to see so)eone/ Chipping Ceghorn"s not a 'ig
pa.e> %un.h/ Surey you )ust have so)e idea of +ho it +as he .a)e
to seeA"
%un.h revie+ed the inha'itants of her viage in her )ind 'efore
rather dou'tfuy sha1ing her head/ "In a +ay>" she said> "it .oud 'e
any'ody/"
"!e never )entioned a na)eA"
"!e said *uian> or I thought he said *uian/ It )ight have 'een *uia> I
suppose/ As far as I 1no+> there isn"t any *uia iving in Chipping
Ceghorn/"
She s.re+ed up her eyes as she thought 'a.1 to the s.ene/ The )an
ying there on the .han.e steps> the ight .o)ing through the
+indo+ +ith its De+es of red and 'ue ight/
"*e+es>" said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy/
"I") .o)ing no+>" said %un.h> "to the )ost i)portant thing of a/ The
reason +hy I"ve reay .o)e here today/ @ou see> the (..eses )ade
a great fuss a'out having his .oat/ We too1 it off +hen the do.tor
+as seeing hi)/ It +as an od> sha''y sort of .oat ; there +as no
reason they shoud have +anted it/ They pretended it +as
senti)enta> 'ut that +as nonsense/
"Any+ay> I +ent up to find it> and as I +as Dust going up the stairs I
re)e)'ered ho+ he"d )ade a 1ind of pi.1ing gesture +ith his hand>
as though he +as fu)'ing +ith the .oat/ So +hen I got hod of the
.oat I oo1ed at it very .arefuy and I sa+ that in one pa.e the ining
had 'een se+n up again +ith a different thread/ So I unpi.1ed it and I
found a itte pie.e of paper inside/ I too1 it out and I se+ed it up
again propery +ith thread that )at.hed/ I +as .arefu and I don"t
reay thin1 that the (..eses +oud 1no+ I"ve done it/ I don"t thin1 so>
'ut I .an"t 'e sure/ And I too1 the .oat do+n to the) and )ade so)e
eB.use for the deay/"
"The pie.e of paperA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
%un.h opened her hand'ag/ bI didn"t sho+ it to *uian>" she said>
"'e.ause he +oud have said that I ought to have given it to the
(..eses/ %ut I thought I"d rather 'ring it to you instead/
bA .oa1roo) ti.1et>" said Miss Marpe> oo1ing at it/ "Paddington
Station/"
b!e had a return ti.1et to Paddington in his po.1et>N said %un.h/
The eyes of the t+o +o)en )et/
bThis .as for a.tion>" said Miss Marpe 'ris1y/ "%ut it +oud 'e
advisa'e> I thin1> to 'e .arefu/ Woud you have noti.ed at a> %un.h
dear> +hether you +ere foo+ed +hen you .a)e to #ondon todayA"
"Foo+edG"N eB.ai)ed %un.h/ "@ou don"t thin1 ; b
bWe> I thin1 it"s possi'e>" said Miss Marpe/ "When anything is
possi'e> I thin1 +e ought to ta1e pre.autions/" She rose +ith a 'ris1
)ove)ent/ "@ou .a)e up here ostensi'y> )y dear> to go to the saes/
I thin1 the right thing to do> therefore> +oud 'e for us to go to the
saes/ %ut 'efore +e set out> +e )ight put one or t+o itte
arrange)ents in hand/ I don"t suppose>" Miss Marpe added
o's.urey> "that I sha need the od spe.1ed t+eed +ith the 'eaver
.oar Dust at present/"
It +as a'out an hour and a haf ater that the t+o adies> rather the
+orse for +ear and 'attered in appearan.e> and 'oth .asping
par.es of hardy;+on househod inen> sat do+n at a s)a and
se8uestered hostery .aed the Appe %ough to restore their for.es
+ith stea1 and 1idney pudding foo+ed 'y appe tan and .ustard/
"&eay a pre+ar 8uaity fa.e to+e>" gasped Miss Marpe> sighty out
of 'reath/ "With a * on it> too/ So fortunate that &ay)ond"s +ife"s
na)e is *oan/ I sha put the) aside unti I reay need the) and then
they +i do for her if I pass on sooner than I eBpe.t/"
"I reay did need the gass;.oths>" said %un.h/ "And they +ere very
.heap> though not as .heap as the ones that +o)an +ith the ginger
hair )anaged to snat.h fro) )e/N
A s)art young +o)an +ith a avish appi.ation of rouge and ipsti.1
entered the Appe %ough at that )o)ent/ After oo1ing around
vaguey for a )o)ent or t+o> she hurried to their ta'e/ She aid
do+n an enveope 'y Miss Marpe"s e'o+/
bThere you are> )iss>" she said 'ris1y/
"<h> than1 you> ,adys>" said Miss Marpe/ "Than1 you very )u.h/ So
1ind of you/"
"A+ays peased to o'ige> I") sure>" said ,adys/
"(rnie a+ays says to )e> J(verything +hat"s good you earned fro)
that Miss Marpe of yours that you +ere in servi.e +ith>" and I") sure
I") a+ays gad to o'ige you> )iss/"
"Su.h a dear gir>" said Miss Marpe as ,adys departed again/
"A+ays so +iing and so 1ind/"
She oo1ed inside the enveope and then passed it on to %un.h/ "0o+
'e very .arefu> dear>" she said/ "%y the +ay> is there sti that ni.e
young inspe.tor at Me.hester that I re)e)'erA"
"I don"t 1no+>" said %un.h/ "I eBpe.t so/"
"We> if not>" said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy> "I .an a+ays ring up the
Chief Consta'e/ I thin1 he +oud re)e)'er )e/"
"<f .ourse he"d re)e)'er you>" said %un.h/ "(very'ody +oud
re)e)'er you/ @ou"re 8uite uni8ue/" She rose/
Arrived at Paddington> %un.h +ent to the uggage offi.e and
produ.ed the .oa1roo) ti.1et/ A )o)ent or t+o ater a rather
sha''y od suit.ase +as passed a.ross to her> and .arrying this she
)ade her +ay to the patfor)/
The Dourney ho)e +as uneventfu/ %un.h rose as the train
approa.hed Chipping Cegho) and pi.1ed up the od suit.ase/ She
had Dust eft her .arriage +hen a )an> sprinting aong the patfor)>
suddeny sei?ed the suit.ase fro) her hand and rushed off +ith it/
"StopG" %un.h yeed/ "Stop hi)> stop hi)/ !e"s ta1en )y suit.ase/"
The ti.1et .oe.tor +ho> at this rura station> +as a )an of
so)e+hat so+ pro.esses> had Dust 'egun to say> " 0o+> oo1 here>
you .an"t do that ; " +hen a s)art 'o+ in the .hest pushed hi) aside>
and the )an +ith the suit.ase rushed out fro) the station/ !e )ade
his +ay to+ards a +aiting .ar/ Tossing the suit.ase in> he +as a'out
to .i)' after it> 'ut 'efore he .oud )ove a hand fe on his shouder>
and the voi.e of Poi.e Consta'e A'e said> "0o+ then> +hat"s a
thisA"
%un.h arrived> panting> fro) the station/ "!e snat.hed )y suit.ase/ I
Dust got out of the train +ith it/"
"0onsense>" said the )an/ "I don"t 1no+ +hat this ady )eans/ It"s )y
suit.ase/ I Dust got out of the train +ith it/"
!e oo1ed at %un.h +ith a 'ovine and i)partia stare/ 0o'ody +oud
have guessed that Poi.e Consta'e A'e and Mrs !ar)on spent ong
haf;hours in Poi.e Consta'e A'e"s off;ti)e dis.ussing the
respe.tive )erits of )anure and 'one )ea for rose 'ushes/
"@ou say> )ada)> that this is your suit.aseA" said Poi.e Consta'e
A'e/
b@es>" said %un.h/ "$efinitey/"
"And you> sirA"
"I say this suit.ase is )ine ; "
The )an +as ta> dar1 and +e dressed> +ith a dra+ing voi.e and a
superior )anner/ A fe)inine voi.e fro) inside the .ar said> "<f
.ourse it"s your suit.ase> (d+in/ I don"t 1no+ +hat this +o)an
)eans/"
"We" have to get this dear>" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e/ "If it"s your
suit.ase> )ada)> +hat do you say is inside itA"
"Cothes>" said %un.h/ "A ong spe.1ed .oat +ith a 'eaver .oar> t+o
+oo Du)pers and a pair of shoes/"
"We> that"s .ear enough>" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e/ !e turned to
the other/
"I a) a theatri.a .ostu)er>" said the dar1 )an i)portanty/ "This
suit.ase .ontains theatri.a properties +hi.h I 'rought do+n here
for an a)ateur perfor)an.e/"
b&ight> sir>" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e/ "We> +e" *ust oo1 inside>
sha +e> and seeA We .an go aong to the poi.e station> or if you"re
in a hurry +e" ta1e the suit.ase 'a.1 to the station and open it
there/"
"It" suit )e>" said the dar1 )an/ "My na)e is Moss> 'y the +ay> (d+in
Moss/"
The poi.e .onsta'e> hoding the suit.ase> +ent 'a.1 into the
station/ "*ust ta1ing this into the par.es offi.e> ,eorge>" he said to
the ti.1et .oe.tor/
Poi.e Consta'e A'e aid the suit.ase on the .ounter of the par.es
offi.e and pushed 'a.1 the .asp/ The .ase +as not o.1ed/ %un.h
and Mr (d+in Moss stood on either side of hi)> their eyes regarding
ea.h other vengefuy/
"AhG" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e> as he pushed up the id/
Inside> neaty foded> +as a ong rather sha''y t+eed .oat +ith a
'eaver fur .oar/ There +ere aso t+o +oo Du)pers and a pair of
.ountry shoes/
"(Ba.ty as you say> )ada)>" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e> turning to
%un.h/
0o'ody .oud have said that Mr (d+in Moss underdid things/ !is
dis)ay and .o)pun.tion +ere )agnifi.ent/
"I do apoogi?e>" he said/ "I reay do apoogi?e/ Pease 'eieve )e>
dear ady> +hen I te you ho+ very> very sorry I a)/ 2npardona'e ;
8uite unpardona'e ; )y 'ehaviour has 'een/" !e oo1ed at his
+at.h/ "I )ust rush no+/ Pro'a'y )y suit.ase has gone on the train/"
&aising his hat on.e )ore> he said )etingy to %un.h> "$o> do forgive
)e>" and rushed hurriedy out of the par.es offi.e/
bAre you going to et hi) get a+ayA" as1ed %un.h in a .onspiratoria
+hisper of Poi.e Consta'e A'e/
The atter so+y .osed a 'ovine eye in a +in1/
b!e +on"t get too far> )a"a)>" he said/ bThat"s to say he +on"t get far
uno'served> if you ta1e )y )eaning/"
"<h>" said %un.h> reieved/
bThat od ady"s 'een on the phone>" said Poi.e Consta'e A'e> "the
one as +as do+n here a fe+ years ago/ %right she is> isn"t sheA %ut
there"s 'een a ot .oo1ing up a today/ Shoudn"t +onder if the
inspe.tor or sergeant +as out to see you a'out it to)orro+
)orning/"
It +as the inspe.tor +ho .a)e> the Inspe.tor Craddo.1 +ho) Miss
Marpe re)e)'ered/ !e greeted %un.h +ith a s)ie as an od friend/
bCri)e in Chipping Ceghorn again>N he said .heerfuy/ "@ou don"t
a.1 for sensation here> do you> Mrs !ar)onA"
bI .oud do +ith rather ess>" said %un.h/ "!ave you .o)e to as1 )e
8uestions or are you going to te )e things for a .hangeA"
"I" te you so)e things first>" said the inspe.tor/ "To 'egin +ith> Mr
and Mrs (..es have 'een having an eye 1ept on the) for so)e ti)e/
There"s reason to 'eieve theyNve 'een .onne.ted +ith severa
ro''eries in this part of the +ord/ For another thing> athough Mrs
(..es has a 'rother .aed Sand'ou)e +ho has re.enty .o)e 'a.1
fro) a'road> the )an you found dying in the .hur.h yesterday +as
definitey not Sand'ou)e/"
"I 1ne+ that he +asn"t>" said %un.h/ "!is na)e +as Water> to 'egin
+ith> not Wiia)/"
The inspe.tor nodded/ "!is na)e +as Water St *ohn> and he
es.aped forty;eight hours ago fro) Charrington Prison/"
"<f .ourse>" said %un.h softy to hersef> "he +as 'eing hunted do+n
'y the a+> and he too1 san.tuary/" Then she as1ed> "What had he
doneA"
"I" have to go 'a.1 rather a ong +ay/ It"s a .o)pi.ated story/
Severa years ago there +as a .ertain dan.er doing turns at the
)usi. has/ I don"t eBpe.t you" have ever heard of her> 'ut she
spe.iai?ed in an Ara'ian 0ight turn> "Aaddin in the Cave of *e+es" it
+as .aed/ She +ore 'its of rhinestone and not )u.h ese/
"She +asn"t )u.h of a dan.er/ I 'eieve> 'ut she +as ; +e ;
attra.tive/ Any+ay> a .ertain Asiati. royaty fe for her in a 'ig +ay/
A)ongst other things he gave her a very )agnifi.ent e)erad
ne.1a.e/"
"The histori. *e+es of a &aDahA" )ur)ured %un.h e.stati.ay/
Inspe.tor Craddo.1 .oughed/ "We> a rather )ore )odern version>
Mrs !ar)on/ The affair didn"t ast very ong> 'ro1e up +hen our
potentate"s attention +as .aptured 'y a .ertain fi) star +hose
de)ands +ere not 8uite so )odest/
"Vo'eida> to give the dan.er her stage na)e> hung on to the
ne.1a.e> and in due .ourse it +as stoen/ It disappeared fro) her
dressing;roo) at the theatre> and there +as a ingering suspi.ion in
the )inds of the authorities that she hersef )ight have engineered
its disappearan.e/ Su.h things have 'een 1no+n as a pu'i.ity stunt>
or indeed fro) )ore dishonest )otives/
"The ne.1a.e +as never re.overed> 'ut during the .ourse of the
investigation the attention of the poi.e +as dra+n to this )an>
Water St *ohn/ !e +as a )an of edu.ation and 'reeding +ho had
.o)e do+n in the +ord> and +ho +as e)poyed as a +or1ing
De+eer +ith n rather o's.ure fir) +hi.h +as suspe.ted of a.ting as
a fen.e for De+e ro''eries/
"There +as eviden.e that this ne.1a.e had passed through his
hands/ It +as> ho+ever> in .onne.tion +ith the theft of so)e other
De+eery that he +as finay 'rought to tria and .onvi.ted and sent
to prison/ !e had not very )u.h onger to serve> so his es.ape +as
rather a surprise/"
"%ut +hy did he .o)e hereA" as1ed %un.h/
"We"d i1e to 1no+ that very )u.h> Mrs !ar)on/ Foo+ing up his
tria> it see)s that he +ent first to #ondon/ !e didn"t visit any of his
od asso.iates 'ut he visited an edery +o)an> a Mrs *a.o's +ho
had for)ery 'een a theatri.a dresser/ She +on"t say a +ord of +hat
he .a)e for> 'ut a..ording to other odgers in the house he eft
.arrying a suit.ase/"
"I see>" said %un.h/ "!e eft it in the .oa1roo) at Paddington and
then he .a)e do+n here/"
"%y that ti)e>" said Inspe.tor Craddo.1> "(..es and the )an +ho
.as hi)sef (d+in Moss +ere on his trai/ They +anted that
suit.ase/ They sa+ hi) get on the 'us/ They )ust have driven out in
a .ar ahead of hi) and 'een +aiting for hi) +hen he eft the 'us/"
"And he +as )urderedA" said %un.h/
"@es>" said Craddo.1/ "!e +as shot/ It +as (..es"s revover> 'ut I
rather fan.y it +as Moss +ho did the shooting/ 0o+> Mrs !ar)on>
+hat +e +ant to 1no+ is> +here is the suit.ase that Water St *ohn
a.tuay deposited at Paddington StationA"
%un.h grinned/ bI eBpe.t Aunt *ane"s got it 'y no+>" she said/ "Miss
Marpe> I )ean/ That +as her pan/ She sent a for)er )aid of hers
+ith a suit.ase pa.1ed +ith her things to the .oa1roo) at
Paddington and +e eB.hanged ti.1ets/ I .oe.ted her suit.ase and
'rought it do+n 'y train/ She see)ed to eBpe.t that an atte)pt
+oud 'e )ade to get it fro) )e/"
It +as Inspe.tor Craddo.1"s turn to grin/ "So she said +hen she rang
up/ I") driving up to #ondon to see her/ $o you +ant to .o)e> too>
Mrs !ar)onA"
"We>" said %un.h> .onsidering/ "We> as a )atter of fa.t> it"s very
fortunate/ I had a tootha.he ast night so I reay ought to go to
#ondon to see the dentist> oughtn"t IA"
"$efinitey>" said Inspe.tor Craddo.1/
Miss Marpe oo1ed fro) Inspe.tor Craddo.1"s fa.e to the eager fa.e
of %un.h !ar)on/ The suit.ase ay on the ta'e/ "<f .ourse> I haven"t
opened it>" the od ady said/ "I +oudn"t drea) of doing su.h a thing
ti so)e'ody offi.ia arrived/ %esides>" she added> +ith a de)urey
)is.hievous 7i.torian s)ie> "it"s o.1ed/"
"#i1e to )a1e a guess at +hat"s inside/ Miss MarpeA" as1ed the
inspe.tor/
"I shoud i)agine> you 1no+>" said Miss Marpe> bthat it +oud 'e
Vo'eida"s theatri.a .ostu)es/ Woud you i1e a .hise> Inspe.torAN
The .hise soon did its +or1/ %oth +o)en gave a sight gasp as the
id dre+ up/ The sunight .o)ing through the +indo+ it up +hat
see)ed i1e an ineBhausti'e treasure of spar1ing De+es> red> 'ue>
green> orange/
"Aaddin"s Cave>" said Miss Marpe/ "The fashing De+es the gir +ore
to dan.e/"
"Ah>" said Inspe.tor Craddo.1/ "0o+> +hat"s so pre.ious a'out it> do
you thin1> that a )an +as )urdered to get hod of itA"
"She +as a shre+d gir> I eBpe.t>" said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy/
"She"s dead> isn"t she> Inspe.torA"
"@es> died three years ago/"
"She had this vaua'e e)erad ne.1a.e>" said Miss Marpe>
)usingy/ "!ad the stones ta1en out of their setting and fastened
here and there on her theatri.a .ostu)e> +here everyone +oud
ta1e the) for )erey .ooured rhinestones/ Then she had a repi.a
)ade of the rea ne.1a.e> and that> of .ourse> +as +hat +as stoen/
0o +onder it never .a)e on the )ar1et/ The thief soon dis.overed
the stones +ere fase/"
"!ere is an enveope>" said %un.h> puing aside so)e of the gittering
stones/
Inspe.tor Craddo.1 too1 it fro) her and eBtra.ted t+o offi.iaoo1ing
papers fro) it/ !e read aoud> "JMarriage Certifi.ate
'et+een Water (d)und St *ohn and Mary Moss/J That +as
Vo'eida"s rea na)e/"
"So they +ere )arried>" said Miss Marpe/ "I see/"
bWhat"s the otherA" as1ed %un.h/
"A 'irth .ertifi.ate of a daughter> *e+e/"
"*e+eA" .ried %un.h/ bWhy> of .ourse/ *e+e *iG "ThatNs it/ I see no+
+hy he .a)e to Chipping Ceghorn/ ThatNs +hat he +as trying to say
to )e/ *e+e/ The MundyNs> you 1no+/ #a'urnu) Cottage/ They oo1
after a itte gir for so)eone/ They"re devoted to her/ She"s 'een i1e
their o+n granddaughter/ @es> I re)e)'er no+> her na)e +as
*e+e> ony> of .ourse> they .a her *i/"
"Mrs Mundy had a stro1e a'out a +ee1 ago> and the od )an"s 'een
very i +ith pneu)onia/ They +ere 'oth going to go to the infir)ary/
I"ve 'een trying hard to find a good ho)e for *i so)e+here/ I didn"t
+ant her ta1en a+ay to an institution/
"I suppose her father heard a'out it in prison and he )anaged to
'rea1 a+ay and get hod of this suit.ase fro) the od dresser he or
his +ife eft it +ith/ I suppose if the De+es reay 'eonged to her
)other> they .an 'e used for the .hid no+/"
"I shoud i)agine so> Mrs !ar)on/ If they"re here/"
"<h> they" 'e here a right>" said Miss Marpe .heerfuy/
"Than1 goodness you"re 'a.1> dear>" said the &everend *uian
!ar)on> greeting his +ife +ith affe.tion and a sigh of .ontent/ "Mrs
%urt a+ays tries to do her 'est +hen you"re a+ay> 'ut she reay
gave )e so)e very pe.uiar fish;.a1es for un.h/ I didn"t +ant to hurt
her feeings so I gave the) to Tigath Pieser> 'ut even he +oudn"t
eat the) so I had to thro+ the) out of the +indo+/"
"Tigath Pieser>" said %un.h> stro1ing the vi.arage .at> +ho +as
purring against her 1nee> "is very parti.uar a'out +hat fish he eats/ I
often te hi) he"s got a proud sto)a.hG"
"And your tooth> dearA $id you have it seen toAN
"@es>" said %un.h/ "It didn"t hurt )u.h> and I +ent to see Aunt *ane
again> too///"
$ear od thing>" said *uian/ "I hope she"s not faiing at a/N
"0ot in the east>" said %un.h> +ith a grin/
The foo+ing )orning %un.h too1 a fresh suppy of .hrysanthe)u)s
to the .hur.h/ The sun +as on.e )ore pouring through the east
+indo+> and %un.h stood in the De+eed ight on the .han.e steps/
She said very softy under her 'reath> "@our itte gir +i 'e a right/
IN see that she is/ I pro)ise/"
Then she tidied up the .hur.h> sipped into a pe+ and 1net for a fe+
)o)ents to say her prayers 'efore returning to the vi.arage to
atta.1 the pied;up .hores of t+o nege.ted days/
ST&A0,( *(ST
JAnd this>J said *ane !eier> .o)peting her introdu.tions> Jis Miss
MarpeGJ
%eing an a.tress> she +as a'e to )a1e her point/ It +as .eary the
.i)aB> the triu)phant finaeG !er tone +as e8uay .o)pounded of
reverent a+e and triu)ph/
The odd part of it +as that the o'De.t thus proudy pro.ai)ed +as
)erey a gente> fussy;oo1ing> edery spinster/ In the eyes of the t+o
young peope +ho had Dust> 'y *ane"s good offi.es> )ade her
a.8uaintan.e> there sho+ed in.reduity and a tinge of dis)ay/ They
+ere ni.e;oo1ing peopeI the gir> Char)ian Stroud> si) and dar1 ;
the )an> (d+ard &ossiter> a fair;haired> a)ia'e young giant/
Char)ain said> a itte 'reathessy> J<hG We"re a+fuy peased to
)eet you/J %ut there +as dou't in her eyes/ She fung a 8ui.1>
8uestioning gan.e at *ane !eier/
J$aring>J said *ane> ans+ering the gan.e> Jshe"s a'soutey
)arveous/ #eave it a to her/ I tod you I"d get her here and I have/J
She added to Miss Marpe> J@ou" fiB it for the)> I 1no+/ It +i 'e
easy for you/J
Miss Marpe turned her pa.id> .hina;'ue eyes to+ards Mr/ &ossiter/
JWon"t you te )e>J she said> J+hat a this is a'outAJ
J*ane"s a friend of ours>J Char)ian 'ro1e in i)patienty/ J(d+ard
and I are in rather a fiB/ *ane said if +e +oud .o)e to her party>
she"d introdu.e us to so)eone +ho +as ; +ho +oud ; +ho .oud ; J
(d+ard .a)e to the res.ue/ J*ane tes us you"re the ast +ord in
seuths> Miss MarpeGJ
The od ady"s eyes t+in1ed> 'ut she protested )odestyH J<h no> noG
0othing of the 1ind/ It"s Dust that iving in a viage as I do> one gets to
1no+ so )u.h a'out hu)an nature/ %ut reay you have )ade )e
8uite .urious/ $o te )e your pro'e)/J
JI") afraid it"s terri'y ha.1neyed ; Dust 'uried treasure>J said
(d+ard/
JIndeedA %ut that sounds )ost eB.itingGJ
JI 1no+/ #i1e Treasure Isand/ %ut our pro'e) a.1s the usua
ro)anti. tou.hes/ 0o point on a .hart indi.ated 'y a s1u and
.ross'ones> no dire.tions i1e "four pa.es to the eft> +est 'y north/"
It"s horri'y prosai. ; Dust +here +e ought to dig/J
J!ave you tried at aAJ
JI shoud say +e"d dug a'out t+o soid a.resG The +hoe pa.e is
ready to 'e turned into a )ar1et garden/ We"re Dust dis.ussing
+hether to gro+ vegeta'e )arro+s or potatoes/J
Char)ian said> rather a'rupty> JMay +e reay te you a a'out itAJ
J%ut> of .ourse> )y dear/J
JThen et"s find a pea.efu spot/ Co)e on> (d+ard/J She ed the +ay
out of the over.ro+ded and s)o1e;aden roo)> and they +ent up the
stairs> to a s)a sitting roo) on the se.ond foor/
When they +ere seated> Char)ian 'egan a'ruptyH JWe> here goesG
The story starts +ith 2n.e Mathe+> un.e ; or rather> great;greatun.e
; to 'oth of us/ !e +as in.redi'y an.ient/ (d+ard and I +ere
his ony reations/ !e +as fond of us and a+ays de.ared that +hen
he died he +oud eave his )oney 'et+een us/ We> he died ast
Mar.h and eft everything he had to 'e divided e8uay 'et+een
(d+ard and )ysef/ What I"ve Dust said sounds rather .aous ; I don"t
)ean that it +as right that he died ; a.tuay +e +ere very fond of
hi)/ %ut he"d 'een i for so)e ti)e/
JThe point is that the "everything" he eft turned out to 'e pra.ti.ay
nothing at a/ And that> fran1y> +as a 'it of a 'o+ to us 'oth> +asn"t
it> (d+ardAJ
The a)ia'e (d+ard agreed/ J@ou see>J he said> J+e"d .ounted on it
a 'it/ I )ean> +hen you 1no+ a good 'it of )oney is .o)ing to you>
you don"t ; +e ; 'u.1e do+n and try to )a1e it yoursef/ I") in the
Ar)y ; not got anything to spea1 of outside )y pay ; and Char)ian
hersef hasn"t got a 'ean/ She +or1s as a stage )anager in a
repertory theatre ; 8uite interesting and she enDoys it ; 'ut no )oney
in it/ We"d .ounted on getting )arried 'ut +eren"t +orried a'out the
)oney side of it 'e.ause +e 'oth 1ne+ +e"d 'e Doy +e off so)e
day/J
JAnd no+> you see> +e"re notGJ said Char)ian/ JWhat"s )ore>
Ansteys ; that"s the fa)iy pa.e> and (d+ard and I 'oth ove it ; +i
pro'a'y have to 'e sod/ And (d+ard and I fee +e Dust .an"t 'ear
thatG %ut if +e don"t find 2n.e Mathe+"s )oney> +e sha have to
se/J
(d+ard said> J@ou 1no+> Char)ian> +e sti haven"t .o)e to the vita
point/J
JWe> you ta1 then/J
(d+ard turned to Miss Marpe/ JIt"s i1e this> you see/ As 2n.e
Mathe+ gre+ oder> he got )ore and )ore suspi.ious/ !e didn"t trust
any'ody/J
J7ery +ise of hi)>J said Miss Marpe/ JThe depravity of hu)an nature
is un'eieva'e/J
JWe> you )ay 'e right/ Any+ay> 2n.e Mathe+ thought so/ !e had a
friend +ho ost his )oney in a 'an1 and another friend +ho +as
ruined 'y an a's.onding soi.itor> and he ost so)e )oney hi)sef in
a frauduent .o)pany/ !e got so that he used to hod forth at great
ength that the ony safe and sane thing to do +as to .onvert your
)oney into soid 'uion and 'ury it/J
JAh>J said Miss Marpe/ JI 'egin to see/J
J@es/ Friends argued +ith hi)> pointed out that he"d get no interest
that +ay> 'ut he hed that that didn"t reay )atter/ The 'u1 of your
)oney> he said> shoud 'e "1ept in a 'oB under the 'ed or 'uried in
the garden/" Those +ere his +ords/J
Char)ian +ent onH JAnd +hen he died> he eft hardy anything at a
in se.urities> though he +as very ri.h/ So +e thin1 that that"s +hat he
)ust have done/J
(d+ard eBpainedH JWe found that he had sod se.urities and dra+n
out arge su)s of )oney fro) ti)e to ti)e> and no'ody 1no+s +hat
he did +ith the)/ %ut it see)s pro'a'e that he ived up to his
prin.ipes and that he did 'uy god and 'ury it/J
J!e didn"t say anything 'efore he diedA #eave any paperA 0o etterAJ
JThat"s the )addening part of it/ !e didn"t/ !e"d 'een un.ons.ious
for so)e days> 'ut he raied 'efore he died/ !e oo1ed at us 'oth
and .hu.1ed ; a faint> +ea1> itte .hu.1e/ !e said> "@ou" 'e a
right> )y pretty pair of doves/" And then he tapped his eye ; his right
eye ; and +in1ed at us/ And then ; he diedc Poor od 2n.e Mathe+/J
J!e tapped his eye>J said Miss Marpe thoughtfuy/
(d+ard said eagery> J$oes that .onvey anything to youA It )ade )e
thin1 of an Arsene #upin story +here there +as so)ething hidden in
a )an"s gass eye/ %ut 2n.e Mathe+ didn"t have a gass eye/J
Miss Marpe shoo1 her head/ J0o ; I .an"t thin1 of anything at the
)o)ent/J
Char)ian said> disappointedy> J*ane tod us you"d say at on.e
+here to digGJ
Miss Marpe s)ied/ JI") not 8uite a .onDurer> you 1no+/ I didn"t 1no+
your un.e> or +hat sort of )an he +as> and I don"t 1no+ the house
or the grounds/J
Char)ian said> JIf you did 1no+ the)AJ
JWe> it )ust 'e 8uite si)pe reay> )ustn"t itAJ said Miss Marpe/
JSi)peGJ said Char)ian/ J@ou .o)e do+n to Ansteys and see if it"s
si)peGJ
It is possi'e that she did not )ean the invitation to 'e ta1en
seriousy> 'ut Miss Marpe said 'ris1y> JWe> reay> )y dear> that"s
very 1ind of you/ I"ve a+ays +anted to have the .han.e of oo1ing for
'uried treasure/ And>J she added> oo1ing at the) +ith a 'ea)ing>
ate;7i.torian s)ie> J+ith a ove interest tooGJ
J@ou seeGJ said Char)ian> gesturing dra)ati.ay/
They had Dust .o)peted a grand tour of Ansteys/ They had 'een
round the 1it.hen garden ; heaviy tren.hed/ They had 'een through
the itte +oods> +here every i)portant tree had 'een dug round>
and had ga?ed sady on the pitted surfa.e of the on.e s)ooth a+n/
They had 'een up to the atti.> +here od trun1s and .hests had 'een
rifed of their .ontents/ They had 'een do+n to the .ears> +here
fagstones had 'een heaved un+iingy fro) their so.1ets/ They had
)easured and tapped +as> and Miss Marpe had 'een sho+n every
anti8ue pie.e of furniture that .ontained or .oud 'e suspe.ted of
.ontaining a se.ret dra+er/
<n a ta'e in the )orning roo) there +as a heap of papers ; a the
papers that the ate Mathe+ Stroud had eft/ 0ot one had 'een
destroyed> and Char)ian and (d+ard +ere +ont to return to the)
again and again> earnesty perusing 'is> and 'usiness
.orresponden.e in the hope of spotting a hitherto unnoti.ed .ue/
JCan you thin1 of any+here +e haven"t oo1edAJ de)anded
Char)ian hopefuy/
Miss Marpe shoo1 her head/ J@ou see) to have 'een very thorough>
)y dear/ Perhaps> if I )ay say so> Dust a itte too thorough/ I a+ays
thin1> you 1no+> that one shoud have a pan/ It"s i1e )y friend> Mrs/
(drit.hI she had su.h a ni.e itte )aid> poished inoeu)
'eautifuy> 'ut she +as so thorough that she poished the 'athroo)
foors too )u.h> and as Mrs/ (drit.h +as stepping out of the 'ath
the .or1 )at sipped fro) under her and she had a very nasty fa
and a.tuay 'ro1e her egG Most a+1+ard> 'e.ause the 'athroo)
door +as o.1ed> of .ourse> and the gardener had to get a adder
and .o)e in through the +indo+ ; terri'y distressing to Mrs/
(drit.h> +ho had a+ays 'een a very )odest +o)an/J
(d+ard )oved restessy/
Miss Marpe said 8ui.1y> JPease forgive )e/ So apt> I 1no+> to fy off
at a tangent/ %ut one thing does re)ind one of another/ And
so)eti)es that is hepfu/ A I +as trying to say +as that perhaps if
+e tried to sharpen our +its and thin1 of a i1ey pa.e ; J
(d+ard said .rossy> J@ou thin1 of one> Miss Marpe> Char)ian"s
'rains and )ine are no+ ony 'eautifu 'an1sGJ
J$ear> dear/ <f .ourse ; )ost tiring for you/ If you don"t )ind I" Dust
oo1 through a this/J She indi.ated the papers on the ta'e/ JThat is>
if there"s nothing private ; I don"t +ant to appear to pry/J
J<h> that"s a right/ %ut I") afraid you +on"t find anything/J
She sat do+n 'y the ta'e and )ethodi.ay +or1ed through the
sheaf of do.u)ents/ As she repa.ed ea.h one> she sorted the)
auto)ati.ay into tidy itte heaps/ When she had finished she sat
staring in front of her for so)e )inutes/
(d+ard as1ed> not +ithout a tou.h of )ai.e> JWe> Miss MarpeAJ
She .a)e to hersef +ith a itte start/ JI 'eg your pardon/ Most
hepfu/J
J@ou"ve found so)ething reevantAJ
J<h no> nothing i1e that> 'ut I do 'eieve I 1no+ +hat sort of )an
your 2n.e Mathe+ +as/ &ather i1e )y o+n 2n.e !enry> I thin1/
Fond of rather o'vious Do1es/ A 'a.heor> evidenty ; I +onder +hy ;
perhaps an eary disappoint)entA Methodi.a up to a point> 'ut not
very fond of 'eing tied up ; so fe+ 'a.heors areGJ
%ehind Miss Marpe"s 'a.1 Char)ian )ade a sign to (d+ard/ It said>
She"s ga;ga/
Miss Marpe +as .ontinuing happiy to ta1 of her de.eased 2n.e
!enry/ J7ery fond of puns> he +as/ And to so)e peope puns are
)ost annoying/ A )ere pay upon +ords )ay 'e very irritating/ !e
+as a suspi.ious )an too/ A+ays +as .onvin.ed the servants +ere
ro''ing hi)/ And so)eti)es> of .ourse> they +ere> 'ut not a+ays/ It
gre+ upon hi)> poor )an/ To+ard the end he suspe.ted the) of
ta)pering +ith his food and finay refused to eat anything 'ut 'oied
eggsG Said no'ody .oud ta)per +ith the inside of a 'oied egg/ $ear
2n.e !enry> he used to 'e su.h a )erry sou at one ti)e ; very fond
of his .offee after dinner/ !e a+ays used to say> "This .offee is very
Moorish>" )eaning> you 1no+> that he"d i1e a itte )ore/J
(d+ard fet that if he heard any )ore a'out 2n.e !enry he"d go
)ad/
JFond of young peope> too>J +ent on Miss Marpe> J'ut in.ined to
tease the) a itte> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ 2sed to put 'ags of
s+eets +here a .hid Dust .oudn"t rea.h the)/J
Casting poiteness aside> Char)ian said> JI thin1 he sounds
horri'eGJ
J<h no> dear> Dust an od 'a.heor> you 1no+> and not used to
.hidren/ And he +asn"t at a stupid> reay/ !e used to 1eep a good
dea of )oney in the house> and he had a safe put in/ Made a great
fuss a'out it ; and ho+ very se.ure it +as/ As a resut of his ta1ing
so )u.h> 'urgars 'ro1e in one night and a.tuay .ut a hoe in the
safe +ith a .he)i.a devi.e/J
JServed hi) right>J said (d+ard/
J<h> 'ut there +as nothing in the safe>J said Miss Marpe/ J@ou see>
he reay 1ept the )oney so)e+here ese ; 'ehind so)e vou)es of
ser)ons in the i'rary> as a )atter of fa.t/ !e said peope never too1
a 'oo1 of that 1ind out of the shefGJ
(d+ard interrupted eB.itedy> JI say> that"s an idea/ What a'out the
i'raryAJ
%ut Char)ian shoo1 a s.ornfu head/ J$o you thin1 I hadn"t thought
of thatA I +ent through a the 'oo1s Tuesday of ast +ee1> +hen you
+ent off to Ports)outh/ Too1 the) a out> shoo1 the)/ 0othing
there/J
(d+ard sighed/ Then> rousing hi)sef> he endeavoured to rid hi)sef
ta.tfuy of their disappointing guest/ JIt"s 'een a+fuy good of you to
.o)e do+n as you have and try to hep us/ Sorry it"s 'een a a
+ashout/ Fee +e trespassed a ot on your ti)e/ !o+ever ; I" get the
.ar out and you" 'e a'e to .at.h the three;thirty ; J
J<h>J said Miss Marpe> J'ut +e"ve got to find the )oney> haven"t +eA
@ou )ustn"t give up> Mr/ &ossiter> "If at first you don"t su..eed> try>
try> try again/"J
J@ou )ean you"re going to go on tryingAJ
JStri.ty spea1ing>J said Miss Marpe> JI haven"t 'egun yet/ "First
.at.h your hare>" as Mrs/ %eeton says in her .oo1ery 'oo1 ; a
+onderfu 'oo1 'ut terri'y eBpensiveI )ost of the re.ipes 'egin>
"Ta1e a 8uart of .rea) and a do?en eggs/" #et )e see> +here +as IA
<h yes/ We> +e have> so to spea1> .aught our hare ; the hare 'eing>
of .ourse> your 2n.e Mathe+> and +e"ve ony got to de.ide no+
+here he +oud have hidden the )oney/ It ought to 'e 8uite si)pe/J
JSi)peAJ de)anded Char)ian/
J<h yes> dear/ I") sure he +oud have done the o'vious thing/ A
se.ret dra+er ; that"s )y soution/J
(d+ard said dryy> J@ou .oudn"t put 'ars of god in a se.ret
dra+er/J
J0o> no> of .ourse not/ %ut there"s no reason to 'eieve the )oney is
in god/J
J!e a+ays used to say ; J
JSo did )y 2n.e !enry a'out his safeG So I shoud strongy suspe.t
that that +as Dust a si)pe 'ind/ $ia)onds> no+ they .oud 'e in a
se.ret dra+er 8uite easiy/J
J%ut +e"ve oo1ed in a the se.ret dra+ers/ We had a .a'inet)a1er
over to eBa)ine the furniture/J
J$id you> dearA That +as .ever of you/ I shoud suggest your un.e"s
o+n des1 +oud 'e the )ost i1ey/ Was it the ta es.ritoire against
the +a thereAJ
J@es/ And I" sho+/J Char)ian +ent over to it/ She too1 do+n the
fap/ Inside +ere pigeonhoes and itte dra+ers/ She opened a s)a
door in the .entre and tou.hed a spring inside the eft;hand dra+er/
The 'otto) of the .entre re.ess .i.1ed and sid for+ard/ Char)ian
dre+ it out> reveaing a shao+ +e 'eneath/ It +as e)pty/
J0o+ isn"t that a .oin.iden.e>J eB.ai)ed Miss Marpe/ J2n.e !enry
had a des1 Dust i1e this> ony his +as 'urr +anut and this is
)ahogany/J
JAt any rate>J said Char)ian> Jthere"s nothing there> as you .an
see/J
JI eBpe.t>J said Miss Marpe> Jyour .a'inet)a1er +as a young )an/
!e didn"t 1no+ everything/ Peope +ere very artfu +hen they )ade
hiding pa.es in those days/ There"s su.h a thing as a se.ret inside a
se.ret/J
She eBtra.ted a hairpin fro) her neat 'un of grey hair/ Straightening
it out> she stu.1 the point into +hat appeared to 'e a tiny +or)hoe
in one side of the se.ret re.ess/ With a itte diffi.uty she pued out a
s)a dra+er/ In it +as a 'unde of faded etters and a foded paper/J
(d+ard and Char)ian poun.ed on the find together/ With tre)'ing
fingers (d+ard unfoded the paper/ !e dropped it +ith an
eB.a)ation of disgust/
JA .oo1ery re.ipe/ %a1ed ha)GJ
Char)ian +as untying a ri''on that hed the etters together/ She
dre+ one out and gan.ed at it/ J#ove ettersGJ
Miss Marpe rea.ted +ith 7i.torian gusto/ J!o+ interestingG Perhaps
the reason your un.e never )arried/J
Char)ian read aoudH
J"My ever dear Mathe+> I )ust .onfess that the ti)e see)s ong
indeed sin.e I re.eived your ast etter/ I try to o..upy )ysef +ith
the various tas1s aotted to )e> and often say to )ysef that I a)
indeed fortunate to see so )u.h of the go'e> though itte did I thin1
+hen I +ent to A)eri.a that I shoud voyage off to these far isandsG"J
Char)ian 'ro1e off/ JWhere is it fro)A <h> !a+aiiGJ She +ent onH
JAas> these natives are sti far fro) seeing the ight/ They are in an
un.othed and savage state and spend )ost of their ti)e s+i))ing
and dan.ing> adorning the)seves +ith garands of fo+ers/ Mr ,ray
had )ade so)e .onverts 'ut it is up;hi +or1 and he and Mrs/ ,ray
get sady dis.ouraged/ I try to do a I .an to .heer and en.ourage
hi)> 'ut I> too> a) often sad for a reason you .an guess> dear
Mathe+/ Aas> a'sen.e is severe tria to a oving heart/ @our rene+ed
vo+s and protestations of affe.tion .heered )e greaty/ 0o+ and
a+ays you have )y faithfu and devoted heart> dear Mathe+> and I
re)ain ; @our true ove> %etty Martin
JP/S/ ; I address )y etter under .over to our )utua friend> Matida
,raves> as usua/ I hope !eaven +i pardon this itte su'terfuge/J
(d+ard +histed/ JA fe)ae )issionaryG So that +as 2n.e Mathe+"s
ro)an.e/ I +onder +hy they never )arriedAJ
JShe see)s to have gone a over the +ord>J said Char)ian> oo1ing
through the etters/ JMauritius ; a sorts of pa.es/ Pro'a'y died of
yeo+ fever or so)ething/J
A gente .hu.1e )ade the) start/ Miss Marpe +as apparenty )u.h
a)used/ JWe> +e>J she said/ JFan.y that> no+GJ
She +as reading the re.ipe for 'a1ed ha)/ Seeing their in8uiring
gan.es> she read outH J"%a1ed !a) +ith Spina.h/ Ta1e a ni.e pie.e
of ga))on> stuff +ith .oves and .over +ith 'ro+n sugar/ %a1e in a
so+ oven/ Serve +ith a 'order of pur=ed spina.h/"
JWhat do you thin1 of that no+AJ
JI thin1 it sounds fithy>J said (d+ard/
J0o> no> a.tuay it +oud 'e very good ; 'ut +hat do you thin1 of the
+hoe thingAJ
A sudden ray of ight iu)inated (d+ard"s fa.e/ J$o you thin1 it"s a
.ode ; .ryptogra) of so)e 1indAJ !e sei?ed it/
J#oo1 here> Char)ian> it )ight 'e> you 1no+G 0o reason to put a
.oo1ing re.ipe in a se.ret dra+er other+ise/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Miss Marpe/ J7ery> very signifi.ant/J
Char)ian said> JI 1no+ +hat it )ight 'e ; invisi'e in1G #et"s heat it/
Turn on the ee.tri. fire/J
(d+ard did so/ %ut no signs of +riting appeared under the
treat)ent/
Miss Marpe .oughed/ JI reay thin1> you 1no+> that you"re )a1ing it
rather too diffi.ut/ The re.ipe is ony an indi.ation> so to spea1/ It is>
I thin1> the etters that are signifi.ant/J
JThe ettersAJ
J(spe.iay>J said Miss Marpe> Jthe signature/J
%ut (d+ard hardy heard her/ !e .aed eB.itedy> JChar)ianG Co)e
hereG She"s right/ See ; the enveopes are od right enough> 'ut the
etters the)seves +ere +ritten )u.h ater/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Miss Marpe/
JThey"re ony fa1e od/ I 'et anything od 2n.e Mat fa1ed the)
hi)sef ; J
JPre.isey>J said Miss Marpe/
JThe +hoe thing"s a se/ There never +as a fe)ae )issionary/ It
)ust 'e a .ode/J
JMy dear> dear .hidren ; there"s reay no need to )a1e it a so
diffi.ut/ @our un.e +as reay a very si)pe )an/ !e had to have his
itte Do1e> that +as a/J
For the first ti)e they gave her their fu attention/ J*ust eBa.ty +hat
do you )ean> Miss MarpeAJ as1ed Char)ian/
JI )ean> dear> that you"re a.tuay hoding the )oney in your hand
this )inute/J
Char)ian stared do+n/
JThe signature> dear/ That gives the +hoe thing a+ay/ The re.ipe is
Dust an indi.ation/ Shorn of a the .oves and 'ro+n sugar and the
rest of it> +hat is it a.tuayA Why> ga))on and spina.h to 'e sureG
,a))on and spina.hG Meaning ; nonsenseG So it"s .ear that it"s the
etters that are i)portant/ And then> if you ta1e into .onsideration
+hat your un.e did Dust 'efore he died/ !e tapped his eye> you said/
We> there you are ; that gives you the .ue> you see/J
Char)ian said> JAre +e )ad> or are youAJ
JSurey> )y dear> you )ust have heard of the eBpression )eaning
that so)ething is not a true pi.ture> or has it 8uite died out
no+adaysH "A )y eye and %etty Martin/"J
(d+ard gasped> his eyes faing to the etter in his hand/ J%etty
Martin ; J
J<f .ourse> Mr/ &ossiter/ As you have Dust said> there isn"t ; there
+asn"t any su.h person/ The etters +ere +ritten 'y your un.e> and I
dare say he got a ot of fun out of +riting the)G As you say> the
+riting on the enveopes is )u.h oder ; in fa.t> the enveopes
.oudn"t 'eong to the etters any+ay> 'e.ause the post)ar1 of the
one you are hoding is eighteen fifty;one/J
She paused/ She )ade it very e)phati.H J(ighteen fifty;one/ And that
eBpains everything> doesn"t itAJ
J0ot to )e>J said (d+ard/
JWe> of .ourse>J said Miss Marpe> JI dare say it +oudn"t to )e if it
+eren"t for )y great;nephe+ #ione/ Su.h a dear itte 'oy and a
passionate sta)p .oe.tor/ -no+ a a'out sta)ps/ It +as he +ho
tod )e a'out rare and eBpensive sta)ps and that a +onderfu ne+
find had .o)e up for au.tion/ And I a.tuay re)e)'er his
)entioning one sta)p ; an eighteen fifty;one 'ue t+o;.ent/ It
reaised so)ething i1e t+enty;five thousand doars> 'eieve/ Fan.yG
I shoud i)agine that the other sta)ps are so)ething aso rare and
eBpensive/ 0o dou't your un.e 'ought through deaers and +as
.arefu to ".over his tra.1s>" as they say in dete.tive stories/J
(d+ard groaned/ !e sat do+n and 'uried his fa.e in his hands/
JWhat"s the )atterAJ de)anded Char)ian/
J0othing/ It"s ony the a+fu thought that> 'ut for Miss Marpe> +e
)ight have 'urned these etters in a de.ent> gente)any +ayGJ
JAh>J said Miss Marpe> Jthat"s Dust +hat these od gente)en +ho
are fond of their Do1e never reaise/ My 2n.e !enry> I re)e)'er>
sent a favourite nie.e a five;pound note for a Christ)as present/ !e
put it inside a Christ)as .ard> gu))ed the .ard together> and +rote
on itH "#ove and 'est +ishes/ Afraid this is a I .an )anage this year/"
JShe> poor gir> +as annoyed at +hat she thought +as his )eanness
and thre+ it a straight into the fire/ So then> of .ourse> he had to
give her another/J
(d+ard"s feeings to+ard 2n.e !enry had suffered an a'rupt and
.o)pete .hange/
JMiss Marpe>J he said> JI") going to get a 'otte of .ha)pagne/ We"
drin1 the heath of your 2n.e !enry/J
TAP(;M(AS2&( M2&$(&
Miss Poitt too1 hod of the 1no.1er and rapped poitey on the
.ottage door/ After a dis.reet interva she 1no.1ed again/ The par.e
under her eft ar) shifted a itte as she did so> and she readDusted it/
Inside the par.e +as Mrs/ Speno+"s ne+ green +inter dress> ready
for fitting/ Fro) Miss Poitt"s eft hand danged a 'ag of 'a.1 si1>
.ontaining a tape )easure> a pin.ushion> and a arge> pra.ti.a pair
of s.issors/
Miss Poitt +as ta and gaunt> +ith a sharp nose> pursed ips> and a
)eagre iron;grey hair/ She hesitated 'efore using the 1no.1er for
the third ti)e/ ,an.ing do+n the street> she sa+ a figure rapidy
approa.hing/ Miss !artne> Doy> +eather;'eaten> fifty;five> shouted
out in her usua oud 'ass voi.e> J,ood afternoon> Miss PoittGJ
The dress)a1er ans+ered> J,ood afternoon> Miss !artne/J !er
voi.e +as eB.essivey thin and gentee in its a..ents/ She had
started ife as a ady"s )aid/ J(B.use )e>J she +ent on> J'ut do you
happen to 1no+ if 'y any .han.e Mrs/ Speno+ isn"t at ho)eAJ
J0ot the east idea>J said Miss !artne/
JIt"s rather a+1+ard> you see/ I +as to fit on Mrs/ Speno+"s ne+
dress this afternoon/ Three;thirty> she said/J
Miss !artne .onsuted her +rist +at.h/ JIt"s a itte past the hafhour
no+/J
J@es/ I have 1no.1ed three ti)es> 'ut there doesn"t see) to 'e any
ans+er> so I +as +ondering if perhaps Mrs/ Speno+ )ight have
gone out and forgotten/ She doesn"t forget appoint)ents as a rue>
and she +ants the dress to +ear the day after to)orro+/J
Miss !artne entered the gate and +a1ed up the path to Doin Miss
Poitt outside the door of #a'urna) Cottage/
JWhy doesn"t ,adys ans+er the doorAJ she de)anded/ J<h> no> of
.ourse> it"s Thursday ; ,adys"s day out/ I eBpe.t Mrs/ Speno+ has
faen aseep/ I don"t eBpe.t you"ve )ade enough noise +ith this
thing/J
Sei?ing the 1no.1er> she eBe.uted a deafening rat;a;tat;tat> and in
addition> thu)ped upon the panes of the door/ She aso .aed out in
a stentorian voi.eH JWhat ho> +ithin thereGJ
There +as no response/
Miss Poitt )ur)ured> J<h> I thin1 Mrs/ Speno+ )ust have forgotten
and gone out/ I" .a round so)e other ti)e/J She 'egan edging
a+ay do+n the path/
J0onsense>J said Miss !artne fir)y/ JShe .an"t have gone out/ I"d
have )et her/ I" Dust ta1e a oo1 through the +indo+s and see if I
.an find any signs of ife/J
She aughed in her usua hearty )anner> to indi.ate that it +as a
Do1e> and appied a perfun.tory gan.e to the nearest +indo+pane ;
perfun.tory 'e.ause she 1ne+ 8uite +e that the front roo) +as
sedo) used> Mr/ and Mrs/ Speno+ preferring the s)a 'a.1 sitting
roo)/
Perfun.tory as it +as> though> it su..eeded in its o'De.t/ Miss
!artne> it is true> sa+ no signs of ife/ <n the .ontrary> she sa+>
through the +indo+> Mrs/ Speno+ ying on the hearthrug ; dead/
J<f .ourse>J said Miss !artne> teing the story after+ard> JI
)anaged to 1eep )y head/ That Poitt .reature +oudn"t have had
the east idea of +hat to do/ ",ot to 1eep our heads>" I said to her/
"@ou stay here and I" go for Consta'e Pa1/" She said so)ething
a'out not +anting to 'e eft> 'ut I paid no attention at a/ <ne has to
'e fir) +ith that sort of person/ I"ve a+ays found they enDoy )a1ing
a fuss/ So I +as Dust going off +hen> at that very )o)ent> Mr/
Speno+ .a)e round the .orner of the house/J
!ere Miss !artne )ade a signifi.ant pause/ It ena'ed her audien.e
to as1 'reathessy> JTe )e> ho+ did he oo1AJ
Miss !artne +oud then go onH JFran1y> I suspe.ted so)ething at
on.eG !e +as far too .a)/ !e didn"t see) surprised in the east/ And
you )ay say +hat you i1e> it isn"t natura for a )an to hear that his
+ife is dead and dispay no e)otion +hatever/J
(very'ody agreed +ith this state)ent/
The poi.e agreed +ith it too/ So suspi.ious did they .onsider Mr/
Speno+"s deta.h)ent that they ost no ti)e in as.ertaining ho+ that
gente)an +as situated as a resut of his +ife"s death/ When they
dis.overed that Mrs/ Speno+ had 'een the )oneyed partner> and
that her )oney +ent to her hus'and under a +i )ade soon after
their )arriage> they +ere )ore suspi.ious than ever/
Miss Marpe> that s+eet;fa.ed ; and> so)e said> vinegar;tongued ;
edery spinster +ho ived in the house neBt to the re.tory> +as
intervie+ed very eary ; +ithin haf an hour of the dis.overy of the
.ri)e/ She +as approa.hed 'y Poi.e Consta'e Pa1> i)portanty
thu)'ing a note'oo1/ JIf you don"t )ind> )a"a)> I"ve a fe+ 8uestions
to as1 you/J
Miss Marpe said> JIn .onne.tion +ith the )urder of Mrs/ Speno+AJ
Pa1 +as started/ JMay I as1> )ada)> ho+ you got to 1no+ of itAJ
JThe fish>J said Miss Marpe/
The repy +as perfe.ty inteigi'e to Consta'e Pa1/ !e assu)ed
.orre.ty that the fish)onger"s 'oy had 'rought it> together +ith
Miss Marpe"s evening )ea/
Miss Marpe .ontinued genty/ J#ying on the foor in the sitting roo)>
stranged ; possi'y 'y a very narro+ 'et/ %ut +hatever it +as> it
+as ta1en a+ay/J
Pa1"s fa.e +as +rathfu/ J!o+ that young Fred gets to 1no+
everything ; J
Miss Marpe .ut hi) short adroity/ She said> JThere"s a pin in your
tuni./J
Consta'e Pa1 oo1ed do+n> started/ !e said> JThey do sayH "See a
pin and pi.1 it up> a the day you" have good u.1/"J
JI hope that +i .o)e true/ 0o+ +hat is it you +ant )e to te youAJ
Consta'e Pa1 .eared his throat> oo1ed i)portant> and .onsuted
his note'oo1/ JState)ent +as )ade to )e 'y Mr/ Arthur Speno+>
hus'and of the de.eased/ Mr/ Speno+ says that at t+o;thirty> as far
as he .an say> he +as rung up 'y Miss Marpe and as1ed if he +oud
.o)e over at a 8uarter past three> as she +as anBious to .onsut hi)
a'out so)ething/ 0o+> )a"a)> is that trueAJ
JCertainy not>J said Miss Marpe/
J@ou did not ring up Mr/ Speno+ at t+o;thirtyAJ
J0either at t+o;thirty nor any other ti)e/J
JAh>J said Consta'e Pa1> and su.1ed his )ousta.he +ith a good
dea of satisfa.tion/
JWhat ese did Mr/ Speno+ sayAJ
JMr/ Speno+"s state)ent +as that he .a)e over here as re8uested>
eaving his o+n house at ten )inutes past threeI that on arriva here
he +as infor)ed 'y the )aidservant that Miss Marpe +as "not at
"o)e/"J
JThat part of it is true>J said Miss Marpe/ J!e did .o)e here> 'ut I
+as at a )eeting at the Wo)en"s Institute/J
JAh>J said Consta'e Pa1 again/
Miss Marpe eB.ai)ed> J$o te )e> Consta'e> do you suspe.t Mr/
Speno+AJ
JIt"s not for )e to say at this stage> 'ut it oo1s to )e as though
so)e'ody> na)ing no na)es> had 'een trying to 'e artfu/J
Miss Marpe said thoughtfuy> JMr/ Speno+AJ
She i1ed Mr/ Speno+/ !e +as a s)a> spare )an> stiff and
.onventiona in spee.h> the a.)e of respe.ta'iity/ It see)ed odd
that he shoud have .o)e to ive in the .ountry> he had so .eary
ived in to+ns a his ife/ To Miss Marpe he .onfided the reason/ !e
said> JI have a+ays intended> ever sin.e I +as a s)a 'oy> to ive in
the .ountry so)eday and have a garden of )y o+n/ I have a+ays
'een very )u.h atta.hed to fo+ers/ My +ife> you 1no+> 1ept a
fo+er shop/ That"s +here I sa+ her first/J
A dry state)ent> 'ut it opened up a vista of ro)an.e/ A younger>
prettier Mrs/ Speno+> seen against a 'a.1ground of fo+ers/
Mr/ Speno+> ho+ever> reay 1ne+ nothing a'out fo+ers/ !e had no
idea of seeds> of .uttings> of 'edding out> of annuas or perennias/
!e had ony a vision ; a vision of a s)a .ottage garden thi.1y
panted +ith s+eet;s)eing> 'righty .ooured 'osso)s/ !e had
as1ed> a)ost patheti.ay> for instru.tion and had noted do+n Miss
Marpe"s repies to 8uestions in a itte 'oo1/
!e +as a )an of 8uiet )ethod/ It +as> perhaps> 'e.ause of this trait
that the poi.e +ere interested in hi) +hen his +ife +as found
)urdered/ With patien.e and perseveran.e they earned a good dea
a'out the ate Mrs/ Speno+ ; and soon a St/ Mary Mead 1ne+ it too/
The ate Mrs/ Speno+ had 'egun ife as a 'et+een;)aid in a arge
house/ She had eft that position to )arry the se.ond gardener and
+ith hi) had started a fo+er shop in #ondon/ The shop had
prospered/ 0ot so the gardener> +ho 'efore ong had si.1ened and
died/
!is +ido+ had .arried on the shop and enarged it in an a)'itious
+ay/ She had .ontinued to prosper/ Then she had sod the 'usiness
at a handso)e pri.e and e)'ar1ed upon )atri)ony for the se.ond
ti)e ; +ith Mr/ Speno+> a )idde;aged De+eer +ho had inherited a
s)a and strugging 'usiness/ 0ot ong after+ard they had sod the
'usiness and .o)e do+n to St/ Mary Mead/
Mrs/ Speno+ +as a +e;to;do +o)an/ The profits fro) her forist"s
esta'ish)ent she had invested ; Junder spirit guidan.e>J as she
eBpained to a and sundry/ The spirits had advised her +ith
uneBpe.ted a.u)en/
A her invest)ents had prospered> so)e in 8uite a sensationa
fashion/ Instead> ho+ever> of this in.reasing her 'eief in
spirituais)> Mrs/ Speno+ 'asey deserted )ediu)s and sittings
and )ade a 'rief 'ut +hoehearted punge into an o's.ure reigion
+ith Indian affinities +hi.h +as 'ased on various for)s of deep
'reathing/ When> ho+ever> she arrived at St/ Mary Mead> she had
reapsed into a period of orthodoB Chur.h;of;(ngand 'eiefs/ She
+as a good dea at the vi.arage and attended .hur.h servi.es +ith
assiduity/ She patronised the viage shops> too1 an interest in the
o.a happenings and payed viage 'ridge/
A hu)dru)> everyday ife/ And ; suddeny ; )urder/
Coone Me.hett> the .hief .onsta'e> had su))oned Inspe.tor
Sa.1/
Sa.1 +as a positive type of )an/ When he )ade up his )ind> he +as
sure/ !e +as 8uite sure no+/ J!us'and did it> sir>J he said/
J@ou thin1 soAJ
J4uite sure of it/ @ou"ve ony got to oo1 at hi)/ 0ever sho+ed a sign
of grief or e)otion/ !e .a)e 'a.1 to the house 1no+ing she +as
dead/J
JWoudn"t he at east have tried to a.t the part of the distra.ted
hus'andAJ
J0ot hi)> sir/ Too peased +ith hi)sef/ So)e gente)en .an"t a.t/
Too stiff/ As I see it> he +as Dust fed up +ith his +ife/ She"d got the
)oney and> I shoud say> +as a trying +o)an to ive +ith ; a+ays
ta1ing up so)e "is)" or other/ !e .od;'oodedy de.ided to do a+ay
+ith her and ive .o)forta'y on his o+n/J
J@es> that .oud 'e the .ase> I suppose/J
J$epend upon it> that +as it/ Made his pans .arefu/ Pretended to
get a phone .a ; J
Me.hett interrupted hi)H J0o .a 'een tra.edAJ
J0o> sir/ That )eans either that he ied or that the .a +as put
through fro) a pu'i. teephone 'ooth/ The ony t+o pu'i. phones
in the viage are at the station and the post offi.e/ Post offi.e it
.ertainy +asn"t/ Mrs/ %ade sees everyone +ho .o)es in/ Station it
)ight 'e/ Train arrives at t+o t+enty;seven and there"s a 'it of 'uste
then/ %ut the )ain thing is he says it +as Miss Marpe +ho .aed hi)
up> and that .ertainy isn"t true/ The .a didn"t .o)e fro) her house>
and she hersef +as a+ay at the Institute/J
J@ou"re not overoo1ing the possi'iity that the hus'and +as
dei'eratey got out of the +ay ; 'y so)eone +ho +anted to )urder
Mrs/ Speno+AJ
J@ou"re thin1ing of young Ted ,erard> aren"t you> sirA I"ve 'een
+or1ing on hi) ; +hat +e"re up against there is a.1 of )otive/ !e
doesn"t stand to gain anything/J
J!e"s an undesira'e .hara.ter> though/ 4uite a pretty itte spot of
e)'e??e)ent to his .redit/J
JI") not saying he isn"t a +rong "un/ Sti> he did go to his 'oss and
o+n up to that e)'e??e)ent/ And his e)poyers +eren"t +ise to it/J
JAn <Bford ,rouper>J said Me.hett/
J@es> sir/ %e.a)e a .onvert and +ent off to do the straight thing and
o+n up to having pin.hed )oney/ I") not saying> )ind you> that it
)ayn"t have 'een astuteness ; he )ay have thought he +as
suspe.ted and de.ided to ga)'e on honest repentan.e/J
J@ou have a s.epti.a )ind> Sa.1>J said Coone Me.hett/ J%y the
+ay> have you ta1ed to Miss Marpe at aAJ
JWhat"s she got to do +ith it> sirAJ
J<h> nothing/ %ut she hears things> you 1no+/ Why don"t you go and
have a .hat +ith herA She"s a very sharp od ady/J
Sa.1 .hanged the su'De.t/ J<ne thing I"ve 'een )eaning to as1 you>
sirH that do)esti.;servi.e Do' +here the de.eased started her .areer
; Sir &o'ert A'er.ro)'ie"s pa.e/ That"s +here that De+e ro''ery
+as ; e)erads ; +orth a pa.1et/ 0ever got the)/ I"ve 'een oo1ing it
up ; )ust have happened +hen the Speno+ +o)an +as there>
though she"d have 'een 8uite a gir at the ti)e/ $on"t thin1 she +as
)iBed up in it> do you> sirA Speno+> you 1no+> +as one of those itte
tuppenny;ha"penny De+eers ; Dust the .hap for a fen.e/J
Me.hett shoo1 his head/ J$on"t thin1 there"s anything in that/ She
didn"t even 1no+ Speno+ at the ti)e/ I re)e)'er the .ase/ <pinion
in poi.e .ir.es +as that a son of the house +as )iBed up in it ; *i)
A'er.ro)'ie ; a+fu young +aster/ !ad a pie of de'ts> and Dust after
the ro''ery they +ere a paid off ; so)e ri.h +o)an> so they said>
'ut I don"t 1no+ ; od A'er.ro)'ie hedged a 'it a'out the .ase ;
tried to .a the poi.e off/J
JIt +as Dust an idea> sir>J said Sa.1/
Miss Marpe re.eived Inspe.tor Sa.1 +ith gratifi.ation> espe.iay
+hen she heard that he had 'een sent 'y Coone Me.hett/
J0o+> reay> that is very 1ind of Coone Me.hett/ I didn"t 1no+ he
re)e)'ered )e/J
J!e re)e)'ers you a right/ Tod )e that +hat you didn"t 1no+ of
+hat goes on in St/ Mary Mead isn"t +orth 1no+ing/J
JToo 1ind of hi)> 'ut reay I don"t 1no+ anything at a/ A'out this
)urder> I )ean/J
J@ou 1no+ +hat the ta1 a'out it is/J
J<f .ourse ; 'ut it +oudn"t do> +oud it> to repeat Dust ide ta1AJ
Sa.1 said> +ith an atte)pt at geniaity> JThis isn"t an offi.ia
.onversation> you 1no+/ It"s in .onfiden.e> so to spea1/J
J@ou )ean you reay +ant to 1no+ +hat peope are sayingA
Whether there"s any truth in it or notAJ
JThat"s the idea/J
JWe> of .ourse> there"s 'een a great dea of ta1 and spe.uation/
And there are reay t+o distin.t .a)ps> if you understand )e/ To
'egin +ith> there are the peope +ho thin1 that the hus'and did it/ A
hus'and or a +ife is> in a +ay> the natura person to suspe.t> don"t
you thin1 soAJ
JMay'e>J said the inspe.tor .autiousy/
JSu.h .ose 8uarters> you 1no+/ Then> so often> the )oney ange/ I
hear that it +as Mrs/ Speno+ +ho had the )oney and therefore Mr/
Speno+ does 'enefit 'y her death/ In this +i.1ed +ord I") afraid
the )ost un.harita'e assu)ptions are often Dustified/J
J!e .o)es into a tidy su) a right/J
J*ust so/ It +oud see) 8uite pausi'e> +oudn"t it> for hi) to
strange her> eave the house 'y the 'a.1> .o)e a.ross the fieds to
)y house> as1 for )e and pretend he"d had a teephone .a fro) )e>
then go 'a.1 and find his +ife )urdered in his a'sen.e ; hoping> of
.ourse> that the .ri)e +oud 'e put do+n to so)e tra)p or 'urgar/J
The inspe.tor nodded/ JWhat +ith the )oney ange ; and if they"d
'een on 'ad ter)s atey ; J
%ut Miss Marpe interrupted hi)H J<h> 'ut they hadn"t/J
J@ou 1no+ that for a fa.tAJ
J(veryone +oud have 1no+n if they"d 8uarreedG The )aid> ,adys
%rent ; she"d have soon spread it round the viage/J
The inspe.tor said fee'y> JShe )ightn"t have 1no+n ; J and
re.eived a pitying s)ie in repy/
Miss Marpe +ent onH JAnd then there"s the other s.hoo of thought/
Ted ,erard/ A good;oo1ing young )an/ I") afraid> you 1no+> that
good oo1s are in.ined to infuen.e one )ore than they shoud/ <ur
ast .urate 'ut one ; 8uite a )agi.a effe.tG A the girs .a)e to
.hur.h ; evening servi.e as +e as )orning/ And )any oder +o)en
'e.a)e unusuay a.tive in parish +or1 ; and the sippers and
s.arves that +ere )ade for hi)G 4uite e)'arrassing for the poor
young )an/
J%ut et )e see> +here +as IA <h yes> this young )an> Ted ,erard/
<f .ourse> there has 'een ta1 a'out hi)/ !e"s .o)e do+n to see her
so often/ Though Mrs/ Speno+ tod )e hersef that he +as a )e)'er
of +hat I thin1 they .a the <Bford ,roup/ A reigious )ove)ent/
They are 8uite sin.ere and very earnest> I 'eieve> and Mrs/ Speno+
+as i)pressed 'y it a/J
Miss Marpe too1 a 'reath and +ent on/ JAnd I") sure there +as no
reason to 'eieve that there +as anything )ore in it than that> 'ut
you 1no+ +hat peope are/ 4uite a ot of peope are .onvin.ed that
Mrs/ Speno+ +as infatuated +ith the young )an and that she"d ent
hi) 8uite a ot of )oney/ And it"s perfe.ty true that he +as a.tuay
seen at the station that day/ In the train ; the t+o t+enty;seven do+n
train/ %ut of .ourse it +oud 'e 8uite easy> +oudn"t it> to sip out of
the other side of the train and go through the .utting and over the
fen.e and round the hedge and never .o)e out of the station
entran.e at aA So that he need not have 'een seen going to the
.ottage/ And of .ourse peope do thin1 that +hat Mrs/ Speno+ +as
+earing +as rather pe.uiar/J
JPe.uiarAJ
JA 1i)ono/ 0ot a dress/J Miss Marpe 'ushed/ JThat sort of thing>
you 1no+> is perhaps> rather suggestive to so)e peope/J
J@ou thin1 it +as suggestiveAJ
J<h no> I don"t thin1 so/ I thin1 it +as perfe.ty natura/J
J@ou thin1 it +as naturaAJ
J2nder the .ir.u)stan.es> yes/J Miss Marpe"s gan.e +as .oo and
refe.tive/
JInspe.tor Sa.1 said> JIt )ight give us another )otive for the
hus'and/ *eaousy/J
J<h no> Mr/ Speno+ +oud never 'e Deaous/ !e"s not the sort of
)an +ho noti.es things/ If his +ife had gone a+ay and eft a note on
the pin.ushion> it +oud 'e the first he"d 1no+ of anything of that
1ind/J
Inspe.tor Sa.1 +as pu??ed 'y the intent +ay she +as oo1ing at
hi)/ !e had an idea that a her .onversation +as intended to hint at
so)ething he didn"t understand/ She said no+> +ith so)e e)phasis>
J$idn"t you find any .ues> Inspe.tor ; on the spotAJ
JPeope don"t eave fingerprints and .igarette ash no+adays> Miss
Marpe/J
J%ut this> I thin1>J she suggested> J+as an od;fashioned .ri)e ; J
Sa.1 said sharpy> J0o+ +hat do you )ean 'y thatAJ
Miss Marpe re)ar1ed so+y> JI thin1> you 1no+> that Consta'e
Pa1 .oud hep you/ !e +as the first person on the ; on the "s.ene of
the .ri)e>" as they say/J
Mr/ Speno+ +as sitting in a de.1 .hair/ !e oo1ed 'e+idered/ !e
said> in his thin> pre.ise voi.e> JI )ay> of .ourse> 'e i)agining +hat
o..urred/ My hearing is not as good as it +as/ %ut I distin.ty thin1 I
heard a s)a 'oy .a after )e that he +as of the opinion that I had ;
had 1ied )y dear +ife/J
Miss Marpe> genty snipping off a dead rose head> said> JThat +as
the i)pression he )eant to .onvey> no dou't/J
J%ut +hat .oud possi'y have put su.h an idea into a .hid"s headAJ
Miss Marpe .oughed/ J#istening> no dou't> to the opinions of his
eders/J
J@ou ; you reay )ean that other peope thin1 that asoAJ
J4uite haf the peope in St/ Mary Mead/J
J%ut ; )y dear ady ; +hat .an possi'y have given rise to su.h an
ideaA I +as sin.erey atta.hed to )y +ife/ She did not> aas> ta1e to
iving in the .ountry as )u.h as I had hoped she +oud do> 'ut
perfe.t agree)ent on every su'De.t is an i)possi'e idea/ I assure
you I fee her oss very 1eeny/J
JPro'a'y/ %ut if you +i eB.use )y saying so> you don"t sound as
though you do/J
Mr/ Speno+ dre+ his )eagre fra)e up to its fu height/ JMy dear
ady> )any years ago I read of a .ertain Chinese phiosopher +ho>
+hen his deary oved +ife +as ta1en fro) hi)> .ontinued .a)y to
'eat a gong in the street ; a .usto)ary Chinese pasti)e> I presu)e ;
eBa.ty as usua/ The peope of the .ity +ere )u.h i)pressed 'y his
fortitude/J
J%ut>J said Miss Marpe> Jthe peope of St/ Mary Mead rea.t rather
differenty/ Chinese phiosophy does not appea to the)/J
J%ut you understandAJ
Miss Marpe nodded/ JMy 2n.e !enry>J she eBpained> J+as a )an
of a unusua sef;.ontro/ !is )otto +as "0ever dispay e)otion/" !e>
too> +as very fond of fo+ers/J
JI +as thin1ing>J said Mr/ Speno+ +ith so)ething i1e eagerness>
Jthat I )ight> perhaps> have a pergoa on the +est side of the
.ottage/ Pin1 roses and> perhaps> +isteria/ And there is a +hite
starry fo+er> +hose na)e for the )o)ent es.apes )e ; J
In the tone in +hi.h she spo1e to her grandnephe+> age three> Miss
Marpe said> JI have a very ni.e .ataogue here> +ith pi.tures/
Perhaps you +oud i1e to oo1 through it ; I have to go up to the
viage/J
#eaving Mr/ Speno+ sitting happiy in the garden +ith his
.ataogue> Miss Marpe +ent up to her roo)> hastiy roed up a dress
in a pie.e of 'ro+n paper> and> eaving the house> +a1ed 'ris1y up
to the post offi.e/ Miss Poitt> the dress)a1er> ived in roo)s over the
post offi.e/
%ut Miss Marpe did not at on.e go through the door and up the
stairs/ It +as Dust t+o;thirty> and> a )inute ate> the Mu.h %enha)
'us dre+ up outside the post offi.e door/ It +as one of the events of
the day in St/ Mary Mead/ The post;)istress hurried out +ith par.es>
par.es .onne.ted +ith the shop side of her 'usiness> for the post
offi.e aso deat in s+eets> .heap 'oo1s and .hidren"s toys/
For so)e four )inutes Miss Marpe +as aone in the post offi.e/
0ot ti the post)istress returned to her post did Miss Marpe go
upstairs and eBpain to Miss Poitt that she +anted her o+n grey
.repe atered and )ade )ore fashiona'e if that +ere possi'e/ Miss
Poitt pro)ised to see +hat she .oud do/
The .hief .onsta'e +as rather astonished +hen Miss Marpe"s na)e
+as 'rought to hi)/ She .a)e in +ith )any apoogies/ JSo sorry ; so
very sorry to distur' you/ @ou are so 'usy> I 1no+> 'ut then you have
a+ays 'een so very 1ind> Coone Me.hett> and I fet I +oud rather
.o)e to you instead of to Inspe.tor Sa.1/ For one thing> you 1no+> I
shoud hate Consta'e Pa1 to get into any trou'e/ Stri.ty spea1ing>
I suppose he shoudn"t have tou.hed anything at a/J
Coone Me.hett +as sighty 'e+idered/ !e said> JPa1A That"s the
St Mary Mead .onsta'e> isn"t itA What has he 'een doingAJ
J!e pi.1ed up a pin> you 1no+/ It +as in his tuni./ And it o..urred to
)e at the ti)e that it +as 8uite pro'a'y he had a.tuay pi.1ed it up
in Mrs/ Speno+"s house/J
J4uite> 8uite/ %ut> after a> you 1no+> +hat"s a pinA Matter of fa.t> he
did pi.1 the pin up Dust 'y Mrs/ Speno+"s 'ody/ Ca)e and tod Sa.1
a'out it yesterday ; you put hi) up to that> I gatherA <ughtn"t to have
tou.hed anything> of .ourse> 'ut> as I said> +hat"s a pinA It +as ony a
.o))on pin/ Sort of thing any +o)an )ight use/J
J<h no> Coone Me.hett> that"s +here you"re +rong/ To a )an"s
eye> perhaps> it oo1ed i1e an ordinary pin> 'ut it +asn"t/ It +as a
spe.ia pin> a very thin pin> the 1ind you 'uy 'y the 'oB> the 1ind used
)osty 'y dress)a1ers/J
Me.hett stared at her> a faint ight of .o)prehension 'rea1ing in on
hi)/ Miss Marpe nodded her head severa ti)es eagery/
J@es> of .ourse/ It see)s to )e so o'vious/ She +as in her 1i)ono
'e.ause she +as going to try on her ne+ dress> and she +ent into
the front roo)> and Miss Poitt Dust said so)ething a'out
)easure)ents and put the tape )easure round her ne.1 ; and then
a she"d have to do +as to .ross it and pu ; 8uite easy> so I"ve
heard/ And then of .ourse she"d go outside and pu the door to and
stand there 1no.1ing as though she"d Dust arrived/ %ut the pin sho+s
she"d aready 'een in the house/J
JAnd it +as Miss Poitt +ho teephoned to Speno+AJ
J@es/ Fro) the post offi.e at t+o;thirty ; Dust +hen the 'us .o)es
and the post offi.e +oud 'e e)pty/J
JCoone Me.hett said> J%ut> )y dear Miss Marpe> +hyA In heaven"s
na)e> +hyA @ou .an"t have a )urder +ithout a )otive/J
JWe> I thin1> you 1no+> Coone Me.hett> fro) a I"ve heard> that
the .ri)e dates fro) a ong ti)e 'a.1/ It re)inds )e> you 1no+> of
)y t+o .ousins> Antony and ,ordon/ Whatever Antony did a+ays
+ent right for hi)> and +ith poor ,ordon in +as Dust the other +ay
a'out/ &a.e horses +ent a)e> and sto.1s +ent do+n> and property
depre.iated/ As I see it> the t+o +o)en +ere in it together/J
JIn +hatAJ
JThe ro''ery/ #ong ago/ 7ery vaua'e e)erads> so I"ve heard/ The
ady"s )aid and the t+eeny/ %e.ause one thing hasn"t 'een
eBpained ; ho+> +hen the t+eeny )arried the gardener> did they
have enough )oney to set up a fo+er shopA
JThe ans+er is> it +as her share of the ; the s+ag> I thin1 is the right
eBpression/ (verything she did turned out +e/ Money )ade )oney/
%ut the other one> the ady"s )aid> )ust have 'een unu.1y/ She
.a)e do+n to 'eing Dust a viage dress)a1er/ Then they )et again/
4uite a right at first> I eBpe.t> unti Mr/ Ted ,erard .a)e on the
s.ene/
JMrs/ Speno+> you see> +as aready suffering fro) .ons.ien.e and
+as in.ined to 'e e)otionay reigious/ This young )an no dou't
urged her to "fa.e up" and to ".o)e .ean>" and I daresay she +as
strung up to do so/ %ut Miss Poitt didn"t see it that +ay/ A she sa+
+as that she )ight go to prison for a ro''ery she had .o))itted
years ago/ So she )ade up her )ind to put a stop to it a/ I") afraid>
you 1no+> that she +as a+ays rather a +i.1ed +o)an/ I don"t
'eieve she"d have turned a hair if that ni.e> stupid Mr/ Speno+ had
'een hanged/J
Coone Me.hett said so+y> JWe .an ; er ; verify your theory ; up to
a point/ The identity of the Poitt +o)an +ith the ady"s )aid at the
A'er.ro)'ies"> 'ut ; J
Miss Marpe reassured hi)/ JIt +i 'e a 8uite easy/ She"s the 1ind
of +o)an +ho +i 'rea1 do+n at on.e +hen she"s taBed +ith the
truth/ And then> you see> I"ve got her tape )easure/ I ; er ; a'stra.ted
it yesterday +hen I +as trying on/ When she )isses it and thin1s the
poi.e have got it ; +e> she"s 8uite an ignorant +o)an and she"
thin1 it +i prove the .ase against her in so)e +ay/J
She s)ied at hi) en.ouragingy/ J@ou" have no trou'e> I .an
assure you/J It +as the tone in +hi.h his favourite aunt had on.e
assured hi) that he .oud not fai to pass his entran.e eBa)ination
into Sandhurst/
And he had passed/
T!( CAS( <F T!( CA&(TA-(&
"We>" de)anded $o.tor !aydo.1 of his patient/ "And ho+ goes it
todayA"
Miss Marpe s)ied at hi) +any fro) pio+s/
"I suppose> reay> that I") 'etter>" she ad)itted> "'ut I fee so terri'y
depressed/ I .an"t hep feeing ho+ )u.h 'etter it +oud have 'een if
I had died/ After a> I") an od +o)an/ 0o'ody +ants )e or .ares
a'out )e/"
$o.tor !aydo.1 interrupted +ith his usua 'rus8ueness/ "@es> yes>
typi.a after;rea.tion of this type of fu/ What you need is so)ething
to ta1e you out of yoursef/ A )enta toni./"
Miss Marpe sighed and shoo1 her head/
"And +hat"s )ore>" .ontinued $o.tor !aydo.1> "I"ve 'rought )y
)edi.ine +ith )eG"
!e tossed a ong enveope on to the 'ed/
"*ust the thing for you/ The 1ind of pu??e that is right up your street/"
"A pu??eA" Miss Marpe oo1ed interested/
"#iterary effort of )ine>" said the do.tor> 'ushing a itte/ "Tried to
)a1e a reguar story of it/ J!e said>J Jshe said>J Jthe gir thought>J
et./ Fa.ts of the story are true/"
"%ut +hy a pu??eA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
$o.tor !aydo.1 grinned/ "%e.ause the interpretation is up to you/ I
+ant to see if you"re as .ever as you a+ays )a1e out/" With that
Parthian shot he departed/
Miss Marpe pi.1ed up the )anus.ript and 'egan to read/
"And +here is the 'rideA" as1ed Miss !ar)on geniay/
The viage +as a agog to see the ri.h and 'eautifu young +ife that
!arry #aBton had 'rought 'a.1 fro) a'road/ There +as a genera
indugent feeing that !arry ; +i.1ed young s.apegra.e ; had had a
the u.1/ (veryone had a+ays fet indugent to+ards !arry/ (ven the
o+ners of +indo+s that had suffered fro) his indis.ri)inate use of a
.ataput had found their indignation dissipated 'y young !arry"s
a'De.t eBpression of regret/ !e had 'ro1en +indo+s> ro''ed
or.hards> poa.hed ra''its> and ater had run into de't> got
entanged +ith the o.a to'a..onist"s daughter ; 'een disentanged
and sent off to Afri.a ; and the viage as represented 'y various
ageing spinsters had )ur)ured indugenty/ "Ah> +eG Wid oatsG
!e" sette do+nG"
And no+> sure enough> the prodiga had returned ; not in affi.tion>
'ut in triu)ph/ !arry #aBton had ")ade good" as the saying goes/ !e
had pued hi)sef together> +or1ed hard> and had finay )et and
su..essfuy +ooed a young Ango;Fren.h gir +ho +as the
possessor of a .onsidera'e fortune/
!arry )ight have ived in #ondon> or pur.hased an estate in so)e
fashiona'e hunting .ounty> 'ut he preferred to .o)e 'a.1 to the
pan of the +ord that +as ho)e to hi)/ And there> in the )ost
ro)anti. +ay> he pur.hased the derei.t estate in the do+er house
of +hi.h he had passed his .hidhood/
-ingsdean !ouse had 'een uno..upied for neary seventy years/ It
had graduay faen into de.ay and a'andon/ An edery .areta1er
and his +ife ived in the one ha'ita'e .orner of it/ It +as a vast>
unprepossessing grandiose )ansion> the gardens overgro+n +ith
ran1 vegetation and the trees he))ing it in i1e so)e goo)y
en.hanter"s den/
The do+er house +as a peasant> unpretentious house and had 'een
et for a ong ter) of years to MaDor #aBton> !arry"s father/ As a 'oy>
!arry had roa)ed over the -ingsdean estate and 1ne+ every in.h of
the tanged +oods> and the od house itsef had a+ays fas.inated
hi)/
MaDor #aBton had died so)e years ago> so it )ight have 'een
thought that !arry +oud have had no ties to 'ring hi) 'a.1 ;
nevertheess it +as to the ho)e of his 'oyhood that !arry 'rought
his 'ride/ The ruined od -ingsdean !ouse +as pued do+n/ An
ar)y of 'uiders and .ontra.tors s+ooped do+n upon the pa.e> and
in a)ost a )ira.uousy short spa.e of ti)e ; so )arveousy does
+eath te ; the ne+ house rose +hite and gea)ing a)ong the trees/
0eBt .a)e a posse of gardeners and after the) a pro.ession of
furniture vans/
The house +as ready/ Servants arrived/ #asty> a .osty i)ousine
deposited !arry and Mrs !arry at the front door/
The viage rushed to .a> and Mrs Pri.e> +ho o+ned the argest
house> and +ho .onsidered hersef to ead so.iety in the pa.e> sent
out .ards of invitation for a party "to )eet the 'ride"/
It +as a great event/ Severa adies had ne+ fro.1s for the o..asion/
(veryone +as eB.ited> .urious> anBious to see this fa'uous
.reature/ They said it +as a so i1e a fairy storyG
Miss !ar)on> +eather;'eaten> hearty spinster> thre+ out her
8uestion as she s8uee?ed her +ay through the .ro+ded dra+ingroo)
door/ #itte Miss %rent> a thin> a.iduated spinster> futtered out
infor)ation/
"<h> )y dear> 8uite .har)ing/ Su.h pretty )annersG And 8uite
young/ &eay> you 1no+> it )a1es one fee 8uite envious to see
so)eone +ho has everything i1e that/ ,ood oo1s and )oney and
'reeding ; )ost distinguished> nothing in the east .o))on a'out
her ; and dear !arry so devotedG"
"Ah>" said Miss !annon> "it"s eary days yetG"
Miss %rent"s thin nose 8uivered appre.iativey/ "<h> )y dear> do you
reay thin1 ; "
"We a 1no+ +hat !arry is>" said Miss !ar)on/
"We 1no+ +hat he +asG %ut I eBpe.t no+ ; "
"Ah>" said Miss !ar)on> ")en are a+ays the sa)e/ <n.e a gay
de.eiver> a+ays a gay de.eiver/ I 1no+ the)/"
"$ear> dear/ Poor young thing/" Miss %rent oo1ed )u.h happier/
"@es> I eBpe.t she" have trou'e +ith hi)/ So)eone ought reay to
+arn her/ I +onder if she"s heard anything of the od storyA
"It see)s so very unfair>" said Miss %rent> "that she shoud 1no+
nothing/ So a+1+ard/ (spe.iay +ith ony the one .he)ist"s shop in
the viage/"
For the erst+hie to'a..onist"s daughter +as no+ )arried to Mr
(dge> the .he)ist/
"It +oud 'e so )u.h ni.er>" said Miss %rent> "if Mrs #aBton +ere to
dea +ith %oots in Mu.h %enha)/"
"I dare say>" said Miss !annon> "that !arry #aBton +i suggest that
hi)sef/"
And again a signifi.ant oo1 passed 'et+een the)/
"%ut I .ertainy thin1>" said Miss !ar)on> "that she ought to 1no+/"
"%eastsG" said Cari.e 7ane indignanty to her un.e> $o.tor !aydo.1/
"A'soute 'easts so)e peope are/"
!e oo1ed at her .uriousy/
She +as a ta> dar1 gir> handso)e> +ar);hearted and i)pusive/
!er 'ig 'ro+n eyes +ere aight no+ +ith indignation as she said> "A
these .ats ; saying things ; hinting things/"
"A'out !arry #aBtonA"
"@es> a'out his affair +ith the to'a..onist"s daughter/"
"<h> thatG" The do.tor shrugged his shouders/ "A great )any young
)en have affairs of that 1ind/"
"<f .ourse they do/ And it"s a over/ So +hy harp on itA And 'ring it
up years afterA It"s i1e ghous feasting on dead 'odies/"
"I dare say> )y dear> it does see) i1e that to you/ %ut you see> they
have very itte to ta1 a'out do+n here> and so I") afraid they do
tend to d+e upon past s.andas/ %ut I") .urious to 1no+ +hy it
upsets you so )u.hA"
Cari.e 7ane 'it her ip and fushed/ She said> in a .uriousy )uffed
voi.e/ "They ; they oo1 so happy/ The #aBtons> I )ean/ They"re young
and in ove> and it"s a so ovey for the)/ I hate to thin1 of it 'eing
spoied 'y +hispers and hints and innuendoes and genera
'eastiness/"
"!")/ I see/"
Cari.e +ent on/ "!e +as ta1ing to )e Dust no+/ !e"s so happy and
eager and eB.ited and ; yes> thried ; at having got his heart"s desire
and re'uit -ingsdean/ !e"s i1e a .hid a'out it a/ And she ; +e> I
don"t suppose anything has ever gone +rong in her +hoe ife/ She"s
a+ays had everything/ @ou"ve seen her/ What did you thin1 of herA"
The do.tor did not ans+er at on.e/ For other peope> #ouise #aBton
)ight 'e an o'De.t of envy/ A spoied daring of fortune/ To hi) she
had 'rought ony the refrain of a popuar song heard )any years
ago/ Poor itte ri.h gir ;
A s)a> dei.ate figure> +ith faBen hair .ured rather stiffy round
her fa.e and 'ig> +istfu 'ue eyes/
#ouise +as drooping a itte/ The ong strea) of .ongratuations had
tired her/ She +as hoping it )ight soon 'e ti)e to go/ Perhaps> even
no+/ !arry )ight say so/ She oo1ed at hi) side+ays/ So ta and
'road;shoudered +ith his eager peasure in this horri'e> du party/
Poor itte ri.h gir ;
"<ophG" It +as a sigh of reief/
!arry turned to oo1 at his +ife a)usedy/ They +ere driving a+ay
fro) the party/
She said> "$aring> +hat a frightfu partyG"
!arry aughed/ "@es> pretty terri'e/ 0ever )ind> )y s+eet/ It had to
'e done> you 1no+/ A these od pussies 1ne+ )e +hen I ived here
as a 'oy/ They"d have 'een terri'y disappointed not to have got a
oo1 at you .ose up/"
#ouise )ade a gri)a.e/ She said> "Sha +e have to see a ot of
the)A"
"WhatA <h> no/ They" .o)e and )a1e .ere)onious .as +ith .ard
.ases> and you" return the .as and then you needn"t 'other any
)ore/ @ou .an have your o+n friends do+n or +hatever you i1e/"
#ouise said> after a )inute or t+o> "Isn"t there anyone a)using iving
do+n hereA"
"<h> yes/ There"s the County> you 1no+/ Though you )ay find the) a
'it du> too/ Mosty interested in 'u's and dogs and horses/ @ou"
ride> of .ourse/ @ou" enDoy that/ There"s a horse over at (ginton I"d
i1e you to see/ A 'eautifu ani)a> perfe.ty trained> no vi.e in hi)
'ut penty of spirit/"
The .ar so+ed do+n to ta1e the turn into the gates of -ingsdean/
!arry +ren.hed the +hee and s+ore as a grotes8ue figure sprang
up in the )idde of the road and he ony Dust )anaged to avoid it/ It
stood there> sha1ing a fist and shouting after the)/
#ouise .ut.hed his ar)/ "Who"s that ; that horri'e od +o)anA"
!arry"s 'ro+ +as 'a.1/ "That"s od Murgatroyd/ She and her
hus'and +ere .areta1ers in the od house/ They +ere there for
neary thirty years/"
"Why does she sha1e her fist at youA"
!arry"s fa.e got red/ "She ; +e> she resented the house 'eing pued
do+n/ And she got the sa.1> of .ourse/ !er hus'and"s 'een dead
t+o years/ They say she got a 'it 8ueer after he died/"
"Is she ; she isn"t ; starvingA"
#ouise"s ideas +ere vague and so)e+hat )eodra)ati./ &i.hes
prevented you .o)ing into .onta.t +ith reaity/
!arry +as outraged/ ",ood #ord> #ouise> +hat an ideaG I pensioned
her off> of .ourse ; and handso)ey> tooG Found her a ne+ .ottage
and everything/"
#ouise as1ed> 'e+idered> "Then +hy does she )indA"
!arry +as fro+ning> his 'ro+s dra+n together/ "<h> ho+ shoud I
1no+A Cra?inessG She oved the house/"
"%ut it +as a ruin> +asn"t itA"
"<f .ourse it +as ; .ru)'ing to pie.es ; roof ea1ing ; )ore or ess
unsafe/ A the sa)e I suppose it )eant so)ething to her/ She"s 'een
there a ong ti)e/ <h> I don"t 1no+G The od devi"s .ra.1ed> I thin1/"
#ouise said uneasiy> "She ; I thin1 she .ursed us/ <h> !arry> I +ish
she hadn"t/"
It see)ed to #ouise that her ne+ ho)e +as tainted and poisoned 'y
the )aevoent figure of one .ra?y od +o)an/ When she +ent out in
the .ar> +hen she rode> +hen she +a1ed out +ith the dogs> there
+as a+ays the sa)e figure +aiting/ Crou.hed do+n on hersef> a
'attered hat over +isps of iron;grey hair> and the so+ )uttering of
i)pre.ations/
#ouise .a)e to 'eieve that !arry +as right ; the od +o)an +as
)ad/ 0evertheess that did not )a1e things easier/ Mrs Murgatroyd
never a.tuay .a)e to the house> nor did she use definite threats>
nor offer vioen.e/ !er s8uatting figure re)ained a+ays Dust outside
the gates/ To appea to the poi.e +oud have 'een useess and> in
any .ase> !arry #aBton +as averse to that .ourse of a.tion/ It +oud>
he said> arouse o.a sy)pathy for the od 'rute/ !e too1 the )atter
)ore easiy than #ouise did/
"$on"t +orry a'out it> daring/ She" get tired of this siy .ursing
'usiness/ Pro'a'y she"s ony trying it on/"
"She isn"t/ !arry/ She ; she hates usG I .an fee it/ She"s i;+ishing us/"
"She"s not a +it.h> daring> athough she )ay oo1 i1e oneG $on"t 'e
)or'id a'out it a/"
#ouise +as sient/ 0o+ that the first eB.ite)ent of setting in +as
over> she fet .uriousy oney and at a oose end/ She had 'een used
to ife in #ondon and the &iviera/ She had no 1no+edge of or taste
for (ngish .ountry ife/ She +as ignorant of gardening> eB.ept for
the fina a.t of "doing the fo+ers"/ She did not reay .are for dogs/
She +as 'ored 'y su.h neigh'ours as she )et/ She enDoyed riding
'est> so)eti)es +ith !arry> so)eti)es> +hen he +as 'usy a'out the
estate> 'y hersef/ She ha.1ed through the +oods and anes>
enDoying the easy pa.es of the 'eautifu horse that !arry had 'ought
for her/ @et even Prin.e !a> )ost sensitive of .hestnut steeds> +as
+ont to shy and snort as he .arried his )istress past the hudded
figure of a )aevoent od +o)an/
<ne day #ouise too1 her .ourage in 'oth hands/ She +as out
+a1ing/ She had passed Mrs Murgatroyd> pretending not to noti.e
her> 'ut suddeny she s+erved 'a.1 and +ent right up to her/ She
said> a itte 'reathessy> "What is itA What"s the )atterA What do you
+antA"
The od +o)an 'in1ed at her/ She had a .unning> dar1 gypsy fa.e>
+ith +isps of iron;grey hair> and 'eared> suspi.ious eyes/ #ouise
+ondered if she dran1/
She spo1e in a +hining and yet threatening voi.e/ "What do I +ant>
you as1A What> indeedG That +hi.h has 'een too1 a+ay fro) )e/
Who turned )e out of -ingsdean !ouseA I"d ived there> gir and
+o)an> for near on forty years/ It +as a 'a.1 deed to run )e out
and it"s 'a.1 'ad u.1 it" 'ring to you and hi)G"
#ouise said> "@ou"ve got a very ni.e .ottage and ; "
She 'ro1e off/ The od +o)an"s ar)s fe+ up/ She s.rea)ed> "What"s
the good of that to )eA It"s )y o+n pa.e I +ant and )y o+n fire as I
sat 'eside a the) years/ And as for you and hi)> I") teing you
there +i 'e no happiness for you in your ne+ fine house/ It"s the
'a.1 sorro+ +i 'e upon youG Sorro+ and death and )y .urse/ May
your fair fa.e rot/"
#ouise turned a+ay and 'ro1e into a itte stu)'ing run/ She
thought> I )ust get a+ay fro) hereG We )ust se the houseG We )ust
go a+ay/
At the )o)ent> su.h a soution see)ed easy to her/ %ut !arry"s utter
in.o)prehension too1 her a'a.1/ !e eB.ai)ed> "#eave hereA Se
the houseA %e.ause of a .ra?y od +o)an"s threatsA @ou )ust 'e
)ad/"
"0o> I") not/ %ut she ; she frightens )e> I 1no+ so)ething +i
happen/"
!arry #aBton said gri)y> "#eave Mrs Murgatroyd to )e/ I" sette
herG"
A friendship had sprung up 'et+een Cari.e 7ane and young Mrs
#aBton/ The t+o girs +ere )u.h of an age> though dissi)iar 'oth in
.hara.ter and in tastes/ In Cari.e"s .o)pany> #ouise found
reassuran.e/ Cari.e +as so sef;reiant> so sure of hersef/ #ouise
)entioned the )atter of Mrs Murgatroyd and her threats> 'ut Cari.e
see)ed to regard the )atter as )ore annoying than frightening/
"It"s so stupid> that sort of thing>" she said/ "And reay very annoying
for you/"
"@ou 1no+> Cari.e> I ; I fee 8uite frightened so)eti)es/ My heart
gives the )ost a+fu Du)ps/"
"0onsense> you )ustn"t et a siy thing i1e that get you do+n/ She"
soon tire of it/"
She +as sient for a )inute or t+o/ Cari.e said> "What"s the )atterA"
#ouise paused for a )inute> then her ans+er .a)e +ith a rush/ "I
hate this pa.eG I hate 'eing here/ The +oods and this house> and the
a+fu sien.e at night> and the 8ueer noise o+s )a1e/ <h> and the
peope and everything/"
"The peope/ What peopeA"
"The peope in the viage/ Those prying> gossiping od )aids/"
Cari.e said sharpy> "What have they 'een sayingA"
"I don"t 1no+/ 0othing parti.uar/ %ut they"ve got nasty )inds/ When
you"ve ta1ed to the) you fee you +oudn"t trust any'ody ; not
any'ody at a/"
Cari.e said harshy> "Forget the)/ They"ve nothing to do 'ut gossip/
And )ost of the )u.1 they ta1 they Dust invent/"
#ouise said> "I +ish +e"d never .o)e here/ %ut !arry adores it so/"
!er voi.e softened/
Cari.e thought> !o+ she adores hi)/ She said a'rupty> "I )ust go
no+/"
"I" send you 'a.1 in the .ar/ Co)e again soon/"
Cari.e nodded/ #ouise fet .o)forted 'y her ne+ friend"s visit/ !arry
+as peased to find her )ore .heerfu and fro) then on urged her to
have Cari.e often to the house/
Then one day he said> ",ood ne+s for you> daring/"
"<h> +hatA"
"I"ve fiBed the Murgatroyd/ She"s got a son in A)eri.a> you 1no+/
We> I"ve arranged for her to go out and Doin hi)/ I" pay her
passage/"
"<h> !arry> ho+ +onderfu/ I 'eieve I )ight get to i1e -ingsdean
after a/"
",et to i1e itA Why> it"s the )ost +onderfu pa.e in the +ordG"
#ouise gave a itte shiver/ She .oud not rid hersef of her
superstitious fear so easiy/
If the adies of St Mary Mead had hoped for the peasure of i)parting
infor)ation a'out her hus'and"s past to the 'ride> this peasure +as
denied the) 'y !arry #aBton"s o+n pro)pt a.tion/
Miss !ar)on and Cari.e 7ane +ere 'oth in Mr (dge"s shop> the one
'uying )oth'as and the other a pa.1et of 'ora.i.> +hen !arry
#aBton and his +ife .a)e in/
After greeting the t+o adies> !arry turned to the .ounter and +as
Dust de)anding a tooth'rush +hen he stopped in )id;spee.h and
eB.ai)ed heartiy> "We> +e/ *ust see +ho"s hereG %ea> I do
de.are/"
Mrs (dge> +ho had hurried out fro) the 'a.1 parour to attend to the
.ongestion of 'usiness> 'ea)ed 'a.1 .heerfuy at hi)> sho+ing her
'ig +hite teeth/ She had 'een a dar1> handso)e gir and +as sti a
reasona'y handso)e +o)an> though she had put on +eight> and
the ines of her fa.e had .oarsenedI 'ut her arge 'ro+n eyes +ere
fu of +ar)th as she ans+ered> "%ea> it is> Mr !arry> and peased to
see you after a these years/"
!arry turned to his +ife/ "%ea"s an od fa)e of )ine> #ouise>" he
said/ "!ead;over;hees in ove +ith her> +asn"t I> %eaA"
"That"s +hat you say>" said Mrs (dge/
#ouise aughed/ She said> "My hus'and"s very happy seeing a his od
friends again/"
"Ah>" said Mrs (dge> "+e haven"t forgotten you> Mr !arry/ See)s i1e
a fairy tae to thin1 of you )arried and 'uiding up a ne+ house
instead of that ruined od -ingsdean !ouse/"
"@ou oo1 very +e and 'oo)ing>" said !arry> and Mrs (dge aughed
and said there +as nothing +rong +ith her and +hat a'out that
tooth'rushA
Cari.e> +at.hing the 'affed oo1 on Miss !ar)on"s fa.e> said to
hersef eButanty/ <h> +e done> !arry/ @ou"ve spi1ed their guns/
$o.tor !aydo.1 said a'rupty to his nie.e> "What"s a this nonsense
a'out od Mrs Murgatroyd hanging a'out -ingsdean and sha1ing her
fist and .ursing the ne+ regi)eA"
"It isn"t nonsense/ It"s 8uite true/ It"s upset #ouise a good dea/"
"Te her she needn"t +orry ; +hen the Murgatroyds +ere .areta1ers
they never stopped gru)'ing a'out the pa.e ; they ony stayed
'e.ause Murgatroyd dran1 and .oudn"t get another Do'/"
"I" te her>" said Cari.e dou'tfuy> "'ut I don"t thin1 she" 'eieve
you/ The od +o)an fairy s.rea)s +ith rage/"
"A+ays used to 'e fond of !arry as a 'oy/ I .an"t understand it/"
Cari.e said> "<h> +e ; they" 'e rid of her soon/ !arry"s paying her
passage to A)eri.a/"
Three days ater> #ouise +as thro+n fro) her horse and 1ied/
T+o )en in a 'a1er"s van +ere +itnesses of the a..ident/ They sa+
#ouise ride out of the gates> sa+ the od +o)an spring up and stand
in the road +aving her ar)s and shouting> sa+ the horse start>
s+erve> and then 'ot )ady do+n the road> finging #ouise #aBton
over his head/
<ne of the) stood over the un.ons.ious figure> not 1no+ing +hat to
do> +hie the other rushed to the house to get hep/
!arry #aBton .a)e running out> his fa.e ghasty/ They too1 off a door
of the van and .arried her on it to the house/ She died +ithout
regaining .ons.iousness and 'efore the do.tor arrived/
9(nd of $o.tor !aydo.1"s )anus.ript/:
When $o.tor !aydo.1 arrived the foo+ing day> he +as peased to
note that there +as a pin1 fush in Miss Marpe"s .hee1 and de.idedy
)ore ani)ation in her )anner/
"We>" he said> "+hat"s the verdi.tA"
"What"s the pro'e)> $o.tor !aydo.1A" .ountered Miss Marpe/
"<h> )y dear ady> do I have to te you thatA"
"I suppose>" said Miss Marpe> "that it"s the .urious .ondu.t of the
.areta1er/ Why did she 'ehave in that very odd +ayA Peope do )ind
'eing turned out of their od ho)es/ %ut it +asn"t her ho)e/ In fa.t>
she used to .o)pain and gru)'e +hie she +as there/ @es> it
.ertainy oo1s very fishy/ What 'e.a)e of her> 'y the +ayA"
"$id a 'un1 to #iverpoo/ The a..ident s.ared her/ Thought she"d
+ait there for her 'oat/"
"A very .onvenient for so)e'ody>" said Miss Marpe/ "@es> I thin1 the
JPro'e) of the Careta1er"s Condu.tJ .an 'e soved easiy enough/
%ri'ery> +as it notA"
"That"s your soutionA"
"We> if it +asn"t natura for her to 'ehave in that +ay> she )ust have
'een Jputting on an a.tJ as peope say> and that )eans that
so)e'ody paid her to do +hat she did/"
"And you 1no+ +ho that so)e'ody +asA"
"<h> I thin1 so/ Money again> I") afraid/ And I"ve a+ays noti.ed that
gente)en a+ays tend to ad)ire the sa)e type/"
"0o+ I") out of )y depth/"
"0o> no> it a hangs together/ !arry #aBton ad)ired %ea (dge> a
dar1> viva.ious type/ @our nie.e Cari.e +as the sa)e/ %ut the poor
itte +ife +as 8uite a different type ; fair;haired and .inging ; not his
type at a/ So he )ust have )arried her for her )oney/ And
)urdered her for her )oney> tooG"
"@ou use the +ord J)urderJA"
"We> he sounds the right type/ Attra.tive to +o)en and 8uite
uns.rupuous/ I suppose he +anted to 1eep his +ife"s )oney and
)arry your nie.e/ !e )ay have 'een seen ta1ing to Mrs (dge/ %ut I
don"t fan.y he +as atta.hed to her any )ore/ Though I dare say he
)ade the poor +o)an thin1 he +as> for ends of his o+n/ !e soon had
her +e under his thu)'> I fan.y/"
"!o+ eBa.ty did he )urder her> do you thin1A"
Miss Marpe stared ahead of her for so)e )inutes +ith drea)y 'ue
eyes/
"It +as very +e ti)ed ; +ith the 'a1er"s van as +itness/ They .oud
see the od +o)an and> of .ourse> they"d put do+n the horse"s fright
to that/ %ut I shoud i)agine> )ysef> that an air gun> or perhaps a
.ataput/ @es> Dust as the horse .a)e through the gates/ The horse
'oted> of .ourse> and Mrs #aBton +as thro+n/"
She paused> fro+ning/
JThe fa )ight have 1ied her/ %ut he .oudn"t 'e sure of that/ And he
see)s the sort of )an +ho +oud ay his pans .arefuy and eave
nothing to .han.e/ After a> Mrs (dge .oud get hi) so)ething
suita'e +ithout her hus'and 1no+ing/ <ther+ise> +hy +oud !arry
'other +ith herA @es> I thin1 he had so)e po+erfu drug handy> that
.oud 'e ad)inistered 'efore you arrived/ After a> if a +o)an is
thro+n fro) her horse and has serious inDuries and dies +ithout
re.overing .ons.iousness> +e ; a do.tor +oudn"t nor)ay 'e
suspi.ious> +oud heA !e"d put it do+n to sho.1 or so)ething/"
$o.tor !aydo.1 nodded/
"Why did you suspe.tA" as1ed Miss Marpe/
"It +asn"t any parti.uar .everness on )y part>" said $o.tor
!aydo.1/ "It +as Dust the trite> +e;1no+n fa.t that a )urderer is so
peased +ith his .everness that he doesn"t ta1e proper pre.autions/
I +as Dust saying a fe+ .onsoatory +ords to the 'ereaved hus'and ;
and feeing da)ned sorry for the feo+> too ; +hen he fung hi)sef
do+n on the settee to do a 'it of pay;a.ting and a hypoder)i.
syringe fe out of his po.1et/
"!e snat.hed it up and oo1ed so s.ared that I 'egan to thin1/ !arry
#aBton didn"t drugI he +as in perfe.t heathI +hat +as he doing +ith
a hypoder)i. syringeA I did the autopsy +ith a vie+ to .ertain
possi'iities/ I found strophanthin/ The rest +as easy/ There +as
strophanthin in #aBton"s possession> and %ea (dge> 8uestioned 'y
the poi.e> 'ro1e do+n and ad)itted to having got it for hi)/ And
finay od Mrs Murgatroyd .onfessed that it +as !arry #aBton +ho
had put her up to the .ursing stunt/"
"And your nie.e got over itA"
"@es> she +as attra.ted 'y the feo+> 'ut it hadn"t gone far/"
The do.tor pi.1ed up his )anus.ript/
"Fu )ar1s to you> Miss Marpe ; and fu )ar1s to )e for )y
pres.ription/ @ou"re oo1ing a)ost yoursef again/"
T!( CAS( <F T!( P(&F(CT MAI$
"<h> if you pease> )ada)> .oud I spea1 to you a )o)entA"
It )ight 'e thought that this re8uest +as in the nature of an
a'surdity> sin.e (dna> Miss Marpe"s itte )aid> +as a.tuay
spea1ing to her )istress at the )o)ent/
&e.ognising the idio)> ho+ever> Miss Marpe said pro)pty>
"Certainy> (dna> .o)e in and shut the door/ What is itA"
<'edienty shutting the door> (dna advan.ed into the roo)> peated
the .orner of her apron 'et+een her fingers> and s+ao+ed on.e or
t+i.e/
"@es> (dnaA" said Miss Marpe en.ouragingy/
"<h> pease> )a"a)> it"s )y .ousin> ,addie/"
"$ear )e>" said Miss Marpe> her )ind eaping to the +orst ; and>
aas> the )ost usua .on.usion/ "0ot ; not in trou'eA"
(dna hastened to reassure her/ "<h> no> )a"a)> nothing of that 1ind/
,addie"s not that 1ind of gir/ It"s Dust that she"s upset/ @ou see> she"s
ost her pa.e/"
"$ear )e> I a) sorry to hear that/ She +as at <d !a> +asn"t she>
+ith the Miss ; Misses ; S1innerA"
"@es> )a"a)> that"s right> )a"a)/ And ,addie"s very upset a'out it ;
very upset indeed/"
",adys has .hanged pa.es rather often 'efore> though> hasn"t sheA"
"<h> yes> )a"a)/ She"s a+ays one for a .hange> ,addie is/ She
never see)s to get reay setted> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ %ut she"s
a+ays 'een the one to give the noti.e> you seeG"
"And this ti)e it"s the other +ay roundA" as1ed Miss Marpe dryy/
"@es> )a"a)> and it"s upset ,addie so)ething a+fu/"
Miss Marpe oo1ed sighty surprised/ !er re.oe.tion of ,adys>
+ho had o..asionay .o)e to drin1 tea in the 1it.hen on her "days
out"> +as a stout> gigging gir of unsha1ea'y e8ua'e te)pera)ent/
(dna +ent on/ "@ou see> )a"a)> it"s the +ay it happened ; the +ay
Miss S1inner oo1ed/"
"!o+>" en8uired Miss Marpe patienty> "did Miss S1inner oo1A"
This ti)e (dna got +e a+ay +ith her ne+s 'uetin/
"<h> )a"a)> it +as ever su.h a sho.1 to ,addie/ @ou see> one of Miss
()iy"s 'roo.hes +as )issing> and su.h a hue and .ry for it as never
+as> and of .ourse no'ody i1es a thing i1e that to happenI it"s
upsetting> )a"a)> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ And ,addie"s heped
sear.h every+here> and there +as Miss #avinia saying she +as
going to the poi.e a'out it> and then it turned up again> pushed right
to the 'a.1 of a dra+er in the dressing;ta'e> and very than1fu
,addie +as/
"And the very neBt day as ever +as a pate got 'ro1en> and Miss
#avinia she 'oun.ed out right a+ay and tod ,addie to ta1e a
)onth"s noti.e/ And +hat ,addie fees is it .oudn"t have 'een the
pate and that Miss #avinia +as Dust )a1ing an eB.use of that> and
that it )ust 'e 'e.ause of the 'roo.h and they thin1 as she too1 it
and put it 'a.1 +hen the poi.e +as )entioned> and ,addie +oudn"t
do su.h a thing> not never she +oudn"t> and +hat she fees is as it
+i get round and te against her and it"s a very serious thing for a
gir> as you 1no+> )a"a)/"
Miss Marpe nodded/ Though having no parti.uar i1ing for the
'oun.ing> sef;opinionated ,adys> she +as 8uite sure of the gir"s
intrinsi. honesty and .oud +e i)agine that the affair )ust have
upset her/
(dna said +istfuy> "I suppose> )a"a)> there isn"t anything you .oud
do a'out itA ,addie"s in ever su.h a ta1ing/"
"Te her not to 'e siy>" said Miss Marpe .rispy/ "If she didn"t ta1e
the 'roo.h ; +hi.h I") sure she didn"t ; then she has no .ause to 'e
upset/"
"It" get a'out>" said (dna dis)ay/
Miss Marpe said> "I ; er ; a) going up that +ay this afternoon/ I"
have a +ord +ith the Misses S1inner/"
"<h> than1 you> )a"a)>" said (dna/
<d !a +as a 'ig 7i.torian house surrounded 'y +oods and par1
and/ Sin.e it had 'een proved unetta'e and unsaea'e as it +as>
an enterprising spe.uator had divided it into four fats +ith a .entra
hot;+ater syste)> and the use of "the grounds" to 'e hed in .o))on
'y the tenants/ The eBperi)ent had 'een satisfa.tory/ A ri.h and
e..entri. od ady and her )aid o..upied one fat/ The od ady had a
passion for 'irds and entertained a feathered gathering to )eas
every day/ A retired Indian Dudge and his +ife rented a se.ond/ A
very young .oupe> re.enty )arried> o..upied the third> and the
fourth had 'een ta1en ony t+o )onths ago 'y t+o )aiden adies of
the na)e of S1inner/ The four sets of tenants +ere ony on the )ost
distant ter)s +ith ea.h other> sin.e none of the) had anything in
.o))on/ The andord had 'een heard to say that this +as an
eB.eent thing/ What he dreaded +ere friendships foo+ed 'y
estrange)ents and su'se8uent .o)paints to hi)/
Miss Marpe +as a.8uainted +ith a the tenants> though she 1ne+
none of the) +e/ The eder Miss S1inner> Miss #avinia> +as +hat
)ight 'e ter)ed the +or1ing )e)'er of the fir)/ Miss ()iy> the
younger> spent )ost of her ti)e in 'ed suffering fro) various
.o)paints +hi.h> in the opinion of St Mary Mead> +ere argey
i)aginary/ <ny Miss #avinia 'eieved devouty in her sister"s
)artyrdo) and patien.e under affi.tion> and +iingy ran errands
and trotted up and do+n to the viage for things that ")y sister had
suddeny fan.ied"/
It +as the vie+ of St Mary Mead that if Miss ()iy suffered haf as
)u.h as she said she did> she +oud have sent for $o.tor !aydo.1
ong ago/ %ut Miss ()iy> +hen this +as hinted to her> shut her eyes
in a superior +ay and )ur)ured that her .ase +as not a si)pe one ;
the 'est spe.iaists in #ondon had 'een 'affed 'y it ; and that a
+onderfu ne+ )an had put her on a )ost revoutionary .ourse of
treat)ent and that she reay hoped her heath +oud i)prove under
it/ 0o hu)dru) ,P .oud possi'y understand her .ase/
"And it"s )y opinion>" said the outspo1en Miss !artne> "that she"s
very +ise not to send for hi)/ $ear $o.tor !aydo.1> in that 'ree?y
)anner of his> +oud te her that there +as nothing the )atter +ith
her and to get up and not )a1e a fussG $o her a ot of goodG"
Faiing su.h ar'itrary treat)ent> ho+ever> Miss ()iy .ontinued to
ie on sofas> to surround hersef +ith strange itte pi 'oBes> and to
reDe.t neary everything that had 'een .oo1ed for her and as1 for
so)ething ese ; usuay so)ething diffi.ut and in.onvenient to get/
The door +as opened to Miss Marpe 'y ",addie"> oo1ing )ore
depressed than Miss Marpe had ever thought possi'e/ In the sittingroo)
9a 8uarter of the ate dra+ing;roo)> +hi.h had 'een
partitioned into a dining;roo)> dra+ing;roo)> 'athroo)> and
house)aid"s .up'oard:> Miss #avinia rose to greet Miss Marpe/
#avinia S1inner +as a ta> gaunt> 'ony fe)ae of fifty/ She had a gruff
voi.e and an a'rupt )anner/
"0i.e to see you>" she said/ "()iy"s ying do+n ; feeing o+ today>
poor dear/ !ope she" see you> it +oud .heer her up> 'ut there are
ti)es +hen she doesn"t fee up to seeing any'ody/ Poor dear> she"s
+onderfuy patient/"
Miss Marpe responded poitey/ Servants +ere the )ain topi. of
.onversation in St Mary Mead> so it +as not diffi.ut to ead the
.onversation in that dire.tion/ Miss Marpe said she had heard that
that ni.e gir> ,adys !o)es> +as eaving/
Miss #avinia nodded/ "Wednesday +ee1/ %ro1e things> you 1no+/
Can"t have that/"
Miss Marpe sighed and said +e a had to put up +ith things
no+adays/ It +as so diffi.ut to get girs to .o)e to the .ountry/ $id
Miss S1inner reay thin1 it +as +ise to part +ith ,adysA
"-no+ it"s diffi.ut to get servants>" ad)itted Miss #avinia/ "The
$evereuBs haven"t got any'ody ; 'ut then> I don"t +onder ; a+ays
8uarreing> Da?? on a night ; )eas any ti)e ; that gir 1no+s nothing
of house1eeping/ I pity her hus'andG Then the #ar1ins have Dust ost
their )aid/ <f .ourse> +hat +ith the Dudge"s Indian te)per and his
+anting .hota ha?ri> as he .as it> at siB in the )orning and Mrs
#ar1in a+ays fussing I don"t +onder at that> either/ Mrs Car)i.hae"s
*anet is a fiBture of .ourse ; though in )y opinion she"s the )ost
disagreea'e +o)an> and a'soutey 'uies the od ady/"
"Then don"t you thin1 you )ight re.onsider your de.ision a'out
,adysA She reay is a ni.e gir/ I 1no+ a her fa)iyI very honest
and superior/"
Miss #avinia shoo1 her head/
"I"ve got )y reasons>" she said i)portanty/
Miss Marpe )ur)ured> "@ou )issed a 'roo.h> I understand ; "
"0o+> +ho has 'een ta1ingA I suppose the gir has/ 4uite fran1y> I")
a)ost .ertain she too1 it/ And then got frightened and put it 'a.1 ;
'ut> of .ourse> one .an"t say anything uness one is sure/" She
.hanged the su'De.t/ "$o .o)e and see ()iy> Miss Marpe/ I") sure
it +oud do her good/"
Miss Marpe foo+ed )ee1y to +here Miss #avinia 1no.1ed on a
door> +as 'idden enter> and ushered her guest into the 'est roo) in
the fat> )ost of the ight of +hi.h +as eB.uded 'y haf;dra+n 'inds/
Miss ()iy +as ying in 'ed> apparenty enDoying the haf;goo) and
her o+n indefinite sufferings/
The di) ight sho+ed her to 'e a thin> inde.isive;oo1ing .reature>
+ith a good dea of greyish;yeo+ hair untidiy +ound around her
head and erupting into .urs> the +hoe thing oo1ing i1e a 'ird"s
nest of +hi.h no sef;respe.ting 'ird .oud 'e proud/ There +as a
s)e in the roo) of (au de Coogne> stae 'is.uits> and .a)phor/
With haf;.osed eyes and a thin> +ea1 voi.e> ()iy S1inner
eBpained that this +as "one of her 'ad days"/
"The +orst of i heath is>" said Miss ()iy in a )ean.hoy tone> "that
one 1no+s +hat a 'urden one is to everyone around one/
"#avinia is very good to )e/ #avvie dear> I do so hate giving trou'e
'ut if )y hot +ater 'otte .oud ony 'e fied in the +ay I i1e it ; too
fu it +eighs on )e so ; on the other hand> if it is not suffi.ienty fied>
it gets .od i))ediateyG"
"I") sorry> dear/ ,ive it to )e/ I +i e)pty a itte out/"
"Perhaps> if you"re doing that> it )ight 'e refied/ There are no rus1s
in the house> I suppose ; no> no> it doesn"t )atter/ I .an do +ithout/
So)e +ea1 tea and a si.e of e)on ; no e)onsA 0o> reay> I
.oudn"t drin1 tea +ithout e)on/ I thin1 the )i1 +as sighty turned
this )orning/ It has put )e against )i1 in )y tea/ It doesn"t )atter/ I
.an do +ithout )y tea/ <ny I do fee so +ea1/ <ysters> they say> are
nourishing/ I +onder if I .oud fan.y a fe+A 0o> no> too )u.h 'other
to get hod of the) so ate in the day/ I .an fast unti to)orro+/"
#avinia eft the roo) )ur)uring so)ething in.oherent a'out
'i.y.ing do+n to the viage/
Miss ()iy s)ied fee'y at her guest and re)ar1ed that she did hate
giving anyone any trou'e/
Miss Marpe tod (dna that evening that she +as afraid her e)'assy
had )et +ith no su..ess/ She +as rather trou'ed to find that
ru)ours as to ,adys"s dishonesty +ere aready going around the
viage/
In the post offi.e> Miss Wether'y ta.1ed her/ "My dear *ane> they
gave her a +ritten referen.e saying she +as +iing and so'er and
respe.ta'e> 'ut saying nothing a'out honesty/ That see)s to )e
)ost signifi.antG I hear there +as so)e trou'e a'out a 'roo.h/ I
thin1 there )ust 'e so)ething in it> you 1no+> 'e.ause one doesn"t
et a servant go no+adays uness it"s so)ething rather grave/ They"
find it )ost diffi.ut to get anyone ese/ ,irs si)py +i not go to <d
!a/ They"re nervous .o)ing ho)e on their days out/ @ou" see> the
S1inners +on"t find anyone ese> and then> perhaps> that dreadfu
hypo.hondria. sister +i have to get up and do so)ethingG"
,reat +as the .hagrin of the viage +hen it +as )ade 1no+n that
the Misses S1inner had engaged> fro) an agen.y> a ne+ )aid +ho>
'y a a..ounts> +as a perfe.t paragon/
"A three years" referen.e re.o))ending her )ost +ar)y> she
prefers the .ountry> and a.tuay as1s ess +ages than ,adys/ I
reay fee +e have 'een )ost fortunate/"
"We> reay>" said Miss Marpe> to +ho) these detais +ere i)parted
'y Miss #avinia in the fish)onger"s shop/ "It does see) too good to
'e true/"
It then 'e.a)e the opinion of St Mary Mead that the paragon +oud
.ry off at the ast )inute and fai to arrive/
0one of these prognosti.ations .a)e true> ho+ever> and the viage
+as a'e to o'serve the do)esti. treasure> 'y na)e> Mary !iggins>
driving through the viage in &eed"s taBi to <d !a/ It had to 'e
ad)itted that her appearan.e +as good/ A )ost respe.ta'e;oo1ing
+o)an> very neaty dressed/
When Miss Marpe neBt visited <d !a> on the o..asion of re.ruiting
sta;hoders for the vi.arage fete> Mary !iggins opened the door/
She +as .ertainy a )ost superior;oo1ing )aid> at a guess forty
years of age> +ith neat 'a.1 hair> rosy .hee1s> a pu)p figure
dis.reety arrayed in 'a.1 +ith a +hite apron and .ap ; "8uite the
good> od;fashioned type of servant>" as Miss Marpe eBpained
after+ards> and +ith the proper> inaudi'e respe.tfu voi.e> so
different fro) the oud 'ut adenoida a..ents of ,adys/
Miss #avinia +as oo1ing far ess harassed than usua and> athough
she regretted that she .oud not ta1e a sta o+ing to her
preo..upation +ith her sister> she nevertheess tendered a
handso)e )onetary .ontri'ution> and pro)ised to produ.e a
.onsign)ent of pen;+ipers and 'a'ies" so.1s/
Miss Marpe .o))ented on her air of +e;'eing/
"I reay fee I o+e a great dea to Mary> I a) so than1fu I had the
resoution to get rid of that other gir/ Mary is reay invaua'e/ Coo1s
ni.ey and +aits 'eautifuy and 1eeps our itte fat s.rupuousy
.ean ; )attresses turned over every day/ And she is reay
+onderfu +ith ()iyG"
Miss Marpe hastiy en8uired after ()iy/
"<h> poor dear> she has 'een very )u.h under the +eather atey/
She .an"t hep it> of .ourse> 'ut it reay )a1es things a itte diffi.ut
so)eti)es/ Wanting .ertain things .oo1ed and then> +hen they
.o)e> saying she .an"t eat no+ ; and then +anting the) again haf
an hour ater and everything spoied and having to 'e done again/ It
)a1es> of .ourse> a ot of +or1 ; 'ut fortunatey Mary does not see)
to )ind at a/ She"s used to +aiting on invaids> she says> and
understands the)/ It is su.h a .o)fort/"
"$ear )e>" said Miss Marpe/ "@ou are fortunate/"
"@es> indeed/ I reay fee Mary has 'een sent to us as an ans+er to
prayer/"
"She sounds to )e>" said Miss Marpe> "a)ost too good to 'e true/ I
shoud ; +e> I shoud 'e a itte .arefu if I +ere you/"
#avinia S1inner faied to per.eive the point of this re)ar1/ She said>
"<hG I assure you I do a I .an to )a1e her .o)forta'e/ I don"t 1no+
+hat I shoud do if she eft/"
"I don"t eBpe.t she" eave unti she"s ready to eave>" said Miss
Marpe and stared very hard at her hostess/
Miss #avinia said> "If one has no do)esti. +orries> it ta1es su.h a
oad off one"s )ind> doesn"t itA !o+ is your itte (dna shapingA"
"She"s doing 8uite ni.ey/ 0ot )u.h ahead> of .ourse/ 0ot i1e your
Mary/ Sti> I do 1no+ a a'out (dna 'e.ause she"s a viage gir/"
As she +ent out into the ha she heard the invaid"s voi.e fretfuy
raised/ "This .o)press has 'een ao+ed to get 8uite dry ; $o.tor
Aerton parti.uary said )oisture .ontinuay rene+ed/ There>
there> eave it/ I +ant a .up of tea and a 'oied egg ; 'oied ony three
)inutes and a haf> re)e)'er> and send Miss #avinia to )e/"
The effi.ient Mary e)erged fro) the 'edroo) and> saying to #avinia>
"Miss ()iy is as1ing for you> )ada)>" pro.eeded to open the door
for Miss Marpe> heping her into her .oat and handing her her
u)'rea in the )ost irreproa.ha'e fashion/
Miss Marpe too1 the u)'rea> dropped it> tried to pi.1 it up> and
dropped her 'ag> +hi.h fe+ open/ Mary poitey retrieved various
odds and ends ; a hand1er.hief> an engage)ent 'oo1> an odfashioned
eather purse> t+o shiings> three pennies> and a striped
pie.e of pepper)int ro.1/
Miss Marpe re.eived the ast +ith so)e signs of .onfusion/
"<h> dear> that )ust have 'een Mrs Ce)ent"s itte 'oy/ !e +as
su.1ing it> I re)e)'er> and he too1 )y 'ag to pay +ith/ !e )ust
have put it inside/ It"s terri'y sti.1y> isn"t itA"
"Sha I ta1e it> )ada)A"
"<h> +oud youA Than1 you so )u.h/"
Mary stooped to retrieve the ast ite)> a s)a )irror> upon
re.overing +hi.h Miss Marpe eB.ai)ed ferventy> "!o+ u.1y> no+>
that that isn"t 'ro1en/"
She thereupon departed> Mary standing poitey 'y the door hoding
a pie.e of striped ro.1 +ith a .o)petey eBpressioness fa.e/
For ten days onger St Mary Mead had to endure hearing of the
eB.een.ies of Miss #avinia and Miss ()iy"s treasure/
<n the eeventh day> the viage a+o1e to its 'ig thri/
Mary> the paragon> +as )issingG !er 'ed had not 'een sept in> and
the front door +as found aDar/ She had sipped out 8uiety during the
night/
And not Mary aone +as )issingG T+o 'roo.hes and five rings of
Miss #avinia"sI three rings> a pendant> a 'ra.eet> and four 'roo.hes
of Miss ()iy"s +ere )issing> asoG
It +as the 'eginning of a .hapter of .atastrophe/
@oung Mrs $evereuB had ost her dia)onds +hi.h she 1ept in a
uno.1ed dra+er and aso so)e vaua'e furs given to her as a
+edding present/ The Dudge and his +ife aso had had De+eery
ta1en and a .ertain a)ount of )oney/ Mrs Car)i.hae +as the
greatest sufferer/ 0ot ony had she so)e very vaua'e De+es 'ut
she aso 1ept in the fat a arge su) of )oney +hi.h had gone/ It had
'een *anet"s evening out> and her )istress +as in the ha'it of
+a1ing round the gardens at dus1 .aing to the 'irds and s.attering
.ru)'s/ It see)ed .ear that Mary> the perfe.t )aid> had had 1eys to
fit a the fatsG
There +as> it )ust 'e .onfessed> a .ertain a)ount of i;natured
peasure in St Mary Mead/ Miss #avinia had 'oasted so )u.h of her
)arveous Mary/
"And a the ti)e> )y dear> Dust a .o))on thiefG"
Interesting reveations foo+ed/ 0ot ony had Mary disappeared into
the 'ue> 'ut the agen.y +ho had provided her and vou.hed for her
.redentias +as aar)ed to find that the Mary !iggins +ho had
appied to the) and +hose referen.es they had ta1en up had> to a
intents and purposes> never eBisted/ It +as the na)e of a 'ona fide
servant +ho had ived +ith the 'ona fide sister of a dean> 'ut the rea
Mary !iggins +as eBisting pea.efuy in a pa.e in Corn+a/
"$a)ned .ever> the +hoe thing>" Inspe.tor Sa.1 +as for.ed to
ad)it/ "And> if you as1 )e> that +o)an +or1s +ith a gang/ There +as
a .ase of )u.h the sa)e 1ind in 0orthu)'erand a year ago/ Stuff
+as never tra.ed> and they never .aught her/ !o+ever> +e" do
'etter than that in Mu.h %enha)G"
Inspe.tor Sa.1 +as a+ays a .onfident )an/
0evertheess> +ee1s passed> and Mary !iggins re)ained
triu)phanty at arge/ In vain Inspe.tor Sa.1 redou'ed that energy
that so 'eied his na)e/
Miss #avinia re)ained tearfu/ Miss ()iy +as so upset> and fet so
aar)ed 'y her .ondition that she a.tuay sent for $o.tor !aydo.1/
The +hoe of the viage +as terri'y anBious to 1no+ +hat he
thought of Miss ()iy"s .ai)s to i heath> 'ut naturay .oud not as1
hi)/ Satisfa.tory data .a)e to hand on the su'De.t> ho+ever>
through Mr Mee1> the .he)ist"s assistant> +ho +as +a1ing out +ith
Cara> Mrs Pri.e;&idey"s )aid/ It +as then 1no+n that $o.tor
!aydo.1 had pres.ri'ed a )iBture of asafoetida and vaerian +hi.h>
a..ording to Mr Mee1> +as the sto.1 re)edy for )aingerers in the
ar)yG
Soon after+ards it +as earned that Miss ()iy> not reishing the
)edi.a attention she had had> +as de.aring that in the state of her
heath she fet it her duty to 'e near the spe.iaist in #ondon +ho
understood her .ase/ It +as> she said> ony fair to #avinia/
The fat +as put up for su'etting/
It +as a fe+ days after that that Miss Marpe> rather pin1 and
fustered> .aed at the poi.e station in Mu.h %enha) and as1ed for
Inspe.tor Sa.1/
Inspe.tor Sa.1 did not i1e Miss Marpe/ %ut he +as a+are that the
.hief .onsta'e> Coone Me.hett> did not share that opinion/ &ather
grudgingy> therefore> he re.eived her/
",ood afternoon> Miss Marpe> +hat .an I do for youA"
"<h> dear>" said Miss Marpe> "I") afraid you"re in a hurry/"
"#ots of +or1 on>" said Inspe.tor Sta.1> "'ut I .an spare a fe+
)o)ents/"
"<h dear>" said Miss Marpe/ "I hope I sha 'e a'e to put +hat I say
propery/ So diffi.ut> you 1no+> to eBpain onesef> don"t you thin1A
0o> perhaps you don"t/ %ut you see> not having 'een edu.ated in the
)odern stye ; Dust a governess> you 1no+> +ho taught one the dates
of the 1ings of (ngand and genera 1no+edge ; $o.tor %re+er ;
three 1inds of diseases of +heat ; 'ight> )ide+ ; no+ +hat +as the
third ; +as it s)utA"
"$o you +ant to ta1 a'out s)utA" as1ed Inspe.tor Sa.1 and then
'ushed/
"<h> no> no/" Miss Marpe hastiy dis.ai)ed any +ish to ta1 a'out
s)ut/ "*ust an iustration> you 1no+/ And ho+ needes are )ade> and
a that/ $is.ursive> you 1no+> 'ut not tea.hing one to 1eep to the
point/ Whi.h is +hat I +ant to do/ It"s a'out Miss S1inner"s )aid>
,adys> you 1no+/"
"Mary !iggins>" said Inspe.tor Sa.1/
"<h> yes> the se.ond )aid/ %ut it"s ,adys !o)es I )ean ; rather an
i)pertinent gir and far too peased +ith hersef 'ut reay stri.ty
honest> and it"s so i)portant that that shoud 'e re.ogni?ed/"
"0o .harge against her so far as I 1no+>" said the inspe.tor/
"0o> I 1no+ there isn"t a .harge ; 'ut that )a1es it +orse/ %e.ause>
you see> peope go on thin1ing things/ <h> dear ; I 1ne+ I shoud
eBpain things 'ady/ What I reay )ean is that the i)portant thing is
to find Mary !iggins ; "
"Certainy>" said Inspe.tor Sa.1/ "!ave you any ideas on the
su'De.tA"
"We> as a )atter of fa.t> I have>" said Miss Marpe/ "May I as1 you a
8uestionA Are fingerprints of no use to youA"
"Ah>" said Inspe.tor Sa.1> "that"s +here she +as a 'it too artfu for
us/ $id )ost of her +or1 in ru''er goves or house)aid"s goves> it
see)s/ And she"d 'een .arefu ; +iped off everything in her 'edroo)
and on the sin1/ Coudn"t find a singe fingerprint in the pa.eG"
"If you did have fingerprints> +oud it hepA"
"It )ight> )ada)/ They )ay 'e 1no+n at the @ard/ This isn"t her first
Do'> I"d sayG"
Miss Marpe nodded 'righty/ She opened her 'ag and eBtra.ted a
s)a .ard'oard 'oB/ Inside it> +edged in .otton +oo> +as a s)a
)irror/
"Fro) )y hand'ag>" said Miss Marpe/ "The )aid"s prints are on it/ I
thin1 they shoud 'e satisfa.tory ; she tou.hed an eBtre)ey sti.1y
su'stan.e a )o)ent previousy/"
Inspe.tor Sa.1 stared/ "$id you get her fingerprints on purposeA"
"<f .ourse/"
"@ou suspe.ted her thenA"
"We> you 1no+> it did stri1e )e that she +as a itte too good to 'e
true/ I pra.ti.ay tod Miss #avinia so/ %ut she si)py +oudn"t ta1e
the hintG I") afraid> you 1no+> Inspe.tor> that I don"t 'eieve in
paragons/ Most of us have our fauts ; and do)esti. servi.e sho+s
the) up very 8ui.1yG"
"We>" said Inspe.tor Sa.1> re.overing his 'aan.e> "I") o'iged to
you> I") sure/ We" send these up to the @ard and see +hat they have
to say/"
!e stopped/ Miss Marpe had put her head a itte on one side and
+as regarding hi) +ith a good dea of )eaning/
"@ou +oudn"t .onsider> I suppose> Inspe.tor> oo1ing a itte nearer
ho)eA"
"What do you )ean/ Miss MarpeA"
"It"s very diffi.ut to eBpain> 'ut +hen you .o)e a.ross a pe.uiar
thing you noti.e it/ Athough> often> pe.uiar things )ay 'e the
)erest trifes/ I"ve fet that a aong> you 1no+I I )ean a'out ,adys
and the 'roo.h/ She"s an honest girI she didn"t ta1e that 'roo.h/
Then +hy did Miss S1inner thin1 she didA Miss S1inner"s not a fooI
far fro) itG Why +as she so anBious to et a gir go +ho +as a good
servant +hen servants are hard to getA It +as pe.uiar> you 1no+/ So
I +ondered/ I +ondered a good dea/ And I noti.ed another pe.uiar
thingG Miss ()iy"s a hypo.hondria.> 'ut she"s the first
hypo.hondria. +ho hasn"t sent for so)e do.tor or other at on.e/
!ypo.hondria.s ove do.tors/ Miss ()iy didn"tG"
"What are you suggesting/ Miss MarpeA"
"We> I") suggesting> you 1no+> that Miss #avinia and Miss ()iy are
pe.uiar peope/ Miss ()iy spends neary a her ti)e in a dar1
roo)/ And if that hair of hers isn"t a +ig I ; I" eat )y o+n 'a.1
s+it.hG And +hat I say is this ; it"s perfe.ty possi'e for a thin> pae>
grey;haired> +hining +o)an to 'e the sa)e as a 'a.1;haired> rosy.hee1ed>
pu)p +o)an/ And no'ody that I .an find ever sa+ Miss
()iy and Mary !iggins at one and the sa)e ri)e/
"Penty of ti)e to get i)pressions of a the 1eys> penty of ti)e to find
out a a'out the other tenants> and then ; get rid of the o.a gir/
Miss ()iy ta1es a 'ris1 +a1 a.ross .ountry one night and arrives at
the station as Mary !iggins neBt day/ And then> at the right )o)ent>
Mary !iggins disappears> and off goes the hue and .ry after her/ I"
te you +here you" find her> Inspe.tor/ <n Miss ()iy S1inner"s
sofaG ,et her fingerprints if you don"t 'eieve )e> 'ut you" find I")
rightG A .oupe of .ever thieves> that"s +hat the S1inners are ; and
no dou't in eague +ith a .ever post and rais or fen.e or +hatever
you .a it/ %ut they +on"t get a+ay +ith it this ti)eG I") not going to
have one of our viage girs" .hara.ter for honesty ta1en a+ay i1e
thatG ,adys !o)es is as honest as the day> and every'ody"s going
to 1no+ itG ,ood afternoonG"
Miss Marpe had sta1ed out 'efore Inspe.tor Sa.1 had re.overed/
"Whe+G" he )uttered/ "I +onder if she"s rightA"
!e soon found out that Miss Marpe +as right again/
Coone Me.hett .ongratuated Sa.1 on his effi.ien.y> and Miss
Marpe had ,adys .o)e to tea +ith (dna and spo1e to her seriousy
on setting do+n in a good situation +hen she got one/
MISS MA&P#( T(##S A ST<&@
I don"t thin1 I"ve ever tod you> )y dears ; you> &ay)ond> and you>
*oan> a'out the rather .urious itte 'usiness that happened so)e
years ago no+/ I don"t +ant to see) vain in any +ay ; of .ourse I
1no+ that in .o)parison +ith you young peope I") not .ever at a ;
&ay)ond +rites those very )odern 'oo1s a a'out rather
unpeasant young )en and +o)en ; and *oan paints those very
re)ar1a'e pi.tures of s8uare peope +ith .urious 'uges on the) ;
very .ever of you> )y dear> 'ut as &ay)ond a+ays says 9ony 8uite
1indy> 'e.ause he is the 1indest of nephe+s: I a) hopeessy
7i.torian/ I ad)ire Mr A)a;Tade)a and Mr Frederi. #eighton and I
suppose to you they see) hopeessy vieuB Deu/ 0o+ et )e see> +hat
+as I sayingA <h> yes ; that I didn"t +ant to appear vain ; 'ut I
.oudn"t hep 'eing Dust a teeny +eeny 'it peased +ith )ysef>
'e.ause> Dust 'y appying a itte .o))on sense> I 'eieve I reay did
sove a pro'e) that had 'affed .everer heads than )ine/ Though
reay I shoud have thought the +hoe thing +as o'vious fro) the
'eginning///
We> I" te you )y itte story> and if you thin1 I") in.ined to 'e
.on.eited a'out it> you )ust re)e)'er that I did at east hep a
feo+ .reature +ho +as in very grave distress/
The first I 1ne+ of this 'usiness +as one evening a'out nine o".o.1
+hen ,+en ; 9you re)e)'er ,+enA My itte )aid +ith red hair: +e
; ,+en .a)e in and tod )e that Mr Petheri.1 and a gente)an had
.aed to see )e/ ,+en had sho+n the) into the dra+ing;roo) 8uite
righty/ I +as sitting in the dining;roo) 'e.ause in eary spring I thin1
it is so +astefu to have t+o fires going/
I dire.ted ,+en to 'ring in the .herry 'randy and so)e gasses and I
hurried into the dra+ing;roo)/ I don"t 1no+ +hether you re)e)'er
Mr Petheri.1A !e died t+o years ago> 'ut he had 'een a friend of
)ine for )any years as +e as attending to a )y ega 'usiness/ A
very shre+d )an and a reay .ever soi.itor/ !is son does )y
'usiness for )e no+ ; a very ni.e ad and very up to date ; 'ur
so)eho+ I don"t fee 8uite the .onfiden.e I had +ith Mr Petheri.1/
I eBpained to Mr Petheri.1 a'out the fires and he said at on.e that
he and his friend +oud .o)e into the dining;roo) ; and then he
introdu.ed his friend ; a Mr &hodes/ !e +as a youngish )an ; not
)u.h over forty ; and I sa+ at on.e there +as so)ething very +rong/
!is )anner +as )ost pe.uiar/ <ne )ight have .aed it rude if one
hadn"t reaised that the poor feo+ +as suffering fro) strain/
When +e +ere setted in the dining;roo) and ,+en had 'rought the
.herry 'randy> Mr Petheri.1 eBpained the reason for his visit/
"Miss Marpe>" he said> "you )ust forgive an od friend for ta1ing a
i'erty/ What I have .o)e here for is a .onsutation/"
I .oudn"t understand at a +hat he )eant> and he +ent onH
"In a .ase of iness one i1es t+o points of vie+ ; that of the spe.iaist
and that of the fa)iy physi.ian/ It is the fashion to regard the for)er
as of )ore vaue> 'ut I a) not sure that I agree/ The spe.iaist has
eBperien.e ony in his o+n su'De.t ; the fa)iy do.tor has> perhaps>
ess 1no+edge ; 'ut a +ider eBperien.e/"
I 1ne+ Dust +hat he )eant> 'e.ause a young nie.e of )ine not ong
'efore had hurried her .hid off to a very +e;1no+n spe.iaist in
s1in diseases +ithout .onsuting her o+n do.tor +ho) she
.onsidered an od dodderer> and the spe.iaist had ordered so)e
very eBpensive treat)ent> and ater found that a the .hid +as
suffering fro) +as a rather unusua for) of )eases/
I Dust )ention this ; though I have a horror of digressing ; to sho+
that I appre.iate Mr Petheri.1"s point ; 'ut I sti hadn"t any idea +hat
he +as driving at/
"If Mr &hodes is i ; " I said> and stopped ; 'e.ause the poor )an gave
a )ost dreadfu augh/
!e saidH "I eBpe.t to die of a 'ro1en ne.1 in a fe+ )onths" ti)e/"
And then it a .a)e out/ There had 'een a .ase of )urder atey in
%arn.hester ; a to+n a'out t+enty )ies a+ay/ I") afraid I hadn"t
paid )u.h attention to it at the ti)e> 'e.ause +e had 'een having a
ot of eB.ite)ent in the viage a'out our distri.t nurse> and outside
o..urren.es i1e an earth8ua1e in India and a )urder in
%arn.hester> athough of .ourse far )ore i)portant reay ; had
given +ay to our o+n itte o.a eB.ite)ents/ I") afraid viages are
i1e that/ Sti> I did re)e)'er having read a'out a +o)an having
'een sta''ed in a hote> though I hadn"t re)e)'ered her na)e/ %ut
no+ it see)ed that this +o)an had 'een Mr &hodes"s +ife ; and as if
that +asn"t 'ad enough ; he +as a.tuay under suspi.ion of having
)urdered her hi)sef/
A this Mr Petheri.1 eBpained to )e very .eary> saying that>
athough the Coroner"s Dury had 'rought in a verdi.t of )urder 'y a
person or persons un1no+n> Mr &hodes had reason to 'eieve that
he +oud pro'a'y 'e arrested +ithin a day or t+o> and that he had
.o)e to Mr Petheri.1 and pa.ed hi)sef in his hands/ Mr Petheri.1
+ent on to say that they had that afternoon .onsuted Sir Ma.o)
<de> -/C/> and that in the event of the .ase .o)ing to tria Sir
Ma.o) had 'een 'riefed to defend Mr &hodes/
Sir Ma.o) +as a young )an> Mr Petheri.1 said> very up to date in
his )ethods> and he had indi.ated a .ertain ine of defen.e/ %ut +ith
that ine of defen.e Mr Petheri.1 +as not entirey satisfied/
"@ou see> )y dear ady>" he said> "it is tainted +ith +hat I .a the
spe.iaist"s point of vie+/ ,ive Sir Ma.o) a .ase and he sees ony
one point ; the )ost i1ey ine of defen.e/ %ut even the 'est ine of
defen.e )ay ignore .o)petey +hat is> to )y )ind> the vita point/ It
ta1es no a..ount of +hat a.tuay happened/"
Then he +ent on to say so)e very 1ind and fattering things a'out )y
a.u)en and Dudge)ent and )y 1no+edge of hu)an nature> and
as1ed per)ission to te )e the story of the .ase in the hopes that I
)ight 'e a'e to suggest so)e eBpanation/
I .oud see that Mr &hodes +as highy s.epti.a of )y 'eing of any
use and he +as annoyed at 'eing 'rought here/ %ut Mr Petheri.1
too1 no noti.e and pro.eeded to give )e the fa.ts of +hat o..urred
on the night of Mar.h Oth/
Mr and Mrs &hodes had 'een staying at the Cro+n !ote in
%arn.hester/ Mrs &hodes +ho 9so I gathered fro) Mr Petheri.1"s
.arefu anguage: +as perhaps Dust a shade of a hypo.hondria.> had
retired to 'ed i))ediatey after dinner/ She and her hus'and
o..upied adDoining roo)s +ith a .onne.ting door/ Mr &hodes> +ho is
+riting a 'oo1 on prehistori. fints> setted do+n to +or1 in the
adDoining roo)/ At eeven o".o.1 he tidied up his papers and
prepared to go to 'ed/ %efore doing so> he Dust gan.ed into his
+ife"s roo) to )a1e sure that there +as nothing she +anted/ !e
dis.overed the ee.tri. ight on and his +ife ying in 'ed sta''ed
through the heart/ She had 'een dead at east an hour ; pro'a'y
onger/ The foo+ing +ere the points )ade/ There +as another door
in Mrs &hodes"s roo) eading into the .orridor/ This door +as o.1ed
and 'oted on the inside/ The ony +indo+ in the roo) +as .osed
and at.hed/ A..ording to &hodes no'ody had passed through the
roo) in +hi.h he +as sitting eB.ept a .ha)'er)aid 'ringing hot
+ater 'ottes/ The +eapon found in the +ound +as a stietto dagger
+hi.h had 'een ying on Mrs &hodes"s dressing;ta'e/ She +as in the
ha'it of using it as a paper 1nife/ There +ere no fingerprints on it/
The situation 'oied do+n to this ; no one 'ut Mr &hodes and the
.ha)'er)aid had entered the vi.ti)"s roo)/
I en8uired a'out the .ha)'er)aid/
"That +as our first ine of en8uiry>" said Mr Petheri.1/ "Mary !i is a
o.a +o)an/ She had 'een .ha)'er)aid at the Cro+n for ten years/
There see)s a'soutey no reason +hy she shoud .o))it a sudden
assaut on a guest/ She is> in any .ase> eBtraordinariy stupid> a)ost
haf;+itted/ !er story has never varied/ She 'rought Mrs &hodes her
hot +ater 'otte and says the ady +as dro+sy ; Dust dropping off to
seep/ Fran1y> I .annot 'eieve> and I a) sure no Dury +oud 'eieve>
that she .o))itted the .ri)e/"
Mr Petheri.1 +ent on to )ention a fe+ additiona detais/ At the head
of the stair.ase in the Cro+n !ote is a 1ind of )iniature ounge
+here peope so)eti)es sit and have .offee/ A passage goes off to
the right and the ast door in it is the door into the roo) o..upied 'y
Mr &hodes/ The passage then turns sharpy to the right again and the
first door round the .orner is the door into Mrs &hodes"s roo)/ As it
happened> 'oth these doors .oud 'e seen 'y +itnesses/ The first
door ; that into Mr &hodes"s roo)> +hi.h I +i .a A> .oud 'e seen
'y four peope> t+o .o))er.ia traveers and an edery )arried
.oupe +ho +ere having .offee/ A..ording to the) no'ody +ent in
or out of door A eB.ept Mr &hodes and the .ha)'er)aid/ As to the
other door in the passage %> there +as an ee.tri.ian at +or1 there
and he aso s+ears that no'ody entered or eft door % eB.ept the
.ha)'er)aid/
It +as .ertainy a very .urious and interesting .ase/ <n the fa.e of it>
it oo1ed as though Mr &hodes )ust have )urdered his +ife/ %ut I
.oud see that Mr Petheri.1 +as 8uite .onvin.ed of his .ient"s
inno.en.e and Mr Petheri.1 +as a very shre+d )an/
At the in8uest Mr &hodes had tod a hesitating and ra)'ing story
a'out so)e +o)an +ho had +ritten threatening etters to his +ife/
!is story> I gathered> had 'een un.onvin.ing in the eBtre)e/
Appeaed to 'y Mr Petheri.1> he eBpained hi)sef/
"Fran1y>" he said> "I never 'eieved it/ I thought A)y had )ade )ost
of it up/"
Mrs &hodes> I gathered> +as one of those ro)anti. iars +ho go
through ife e)'roidering everything that happens to the)/ The
a)ount of adventures that> a..ording to her o+n a..ount> happened
to her in a year +as si)py in.redi'e/ If she sipped on a 'it of
'anana pee it +as a .ase of near es.ape fro) death/ If a a)pshade
.aught fire she +as res.ued fro) a 'urning 'uiding at the ha?ard of
her ife/ !er hus'and got into the ha'it of dis.ounting her
state)ents/ !er tae as to so)e +o)an +hose .hid she had inDured
in a )otor a..ident and +ho had vo+ed vengean.e on her ; +e ; Mr
&hodes had si)py not ta1en any noti.e of it/ The in.ident had
happened 'efore he )arried his +ife and athough she had read hi)
etters .ou.hed in .ra?y anguage> he had suspe.ted her of
.o)posing the) hersef/ She had a.tuay done su.h a thing on.e or
t+i.e 'efore/ She +as a +o)an of hysteri.a tenden.ies +ho .raved
.easeessy for eB.ite)ent/
0o+> a that see)ed to )e very natura ; indeed> +e have a young
+o)an in the viage +ho does )u.h the sa)e thing/ The danger
+ith su.h peope is that +hen anything at a eBtraordinary reay
does happen to the)> no'ody 'eieves they are spea1ing the truth/ It
see)ed to )e that that +as +hat had happened in this .ase/ The
poi.e> I gathered> )erey 'eieved that Mr &hodes +as )a1ing up
this un.onvin.ing tae in order to avert suspi.ion fro) hi)sef/
I as1ed if there had 'een any +o)en staying 'y the)seves in the
hote/ It see)ed there +ere t+o ; a Mrs ,ran'y> an Ango;Indian
+ido+> and a Miss Carruthers> rather a horsey spinster +ho dropped
her g"s/ Mr Petheri.1 added that the )ost )inute en8uiries had faied
to ei.it anyone +ho had seen either of the) near the s.ene of the
.ri)e and there +as nothing to .onne.t either of the) +ith it in any
+ay/ I as1ed hi) to des.ri'e their persona appearan.e/ !e said that
Mrs ,ran'y had reddish hair rather untidiy done> +as sao+;fa.ed
and a'out fifty years of age/ !er .othes +ere rather pi.tures8ue>
'eing )ade )osty of native si1> et./ Miss Carruthers +as a'out
forty> +ore pin.e;ne?> had .ose .ropped hair i1e a )an and +ore
)annish .oats and s1irts/
"$ear )e>" I said> "that )a1es it very diffi.ut/"
Mr Petheri.1 oo1ed en8uiringy at )e> 'ut I didn"t +ant to say any
)ore Dust then> so I as1ed +hat Sir Ma.o) <de had said/
Sir Ma.o) +as .onfident of 'eing a'e to .a .onfi.ting )edi.a
testi)ony and to suggest so)e +ay of getting over the fingerprint
diffi.uty/ I as1ed Mr &hodes +hat he thought and he said a do.tors
+ere foos 'ut he hi)sef .oudn"t reay 'eieve that his +ife had
1ied hersef/ "She +asn"t that 1ind of +o)an>" he said si)py ; and I
'eieved hi)/ !ysteri.a peope don"t usuay .o))it sui.ide/
I thought a )inute and then I as1ed if the door fro) Mrs &hodes"s
roo) ed straight into the .orridor/ Mr &hodes said no ; there +as a
itte ha+ay +ith 'athroo) and avatory/ It +as the door fro) the
'edroo) to the ha+ay that +as o.1ed and 'oted on the inside/
"In that .ase>" I said> "the +hoe thing see)s re)ar1a'y si)pe/" And
reay> you 1no+> it did/// the si)pest thing in the +ord/ And yet no
one see)ed to have seen it that +ay/
%oth Mr Petheri.1 and Mr &hodes +ere staring at )e so that I fet
8uite e)'arrassed/
"Perhaps>" said Mr &hodes> "Miss Marpe hasn"t 8uite appre.iated the
diffi.uties/"
"@es>" I said> "I thin1 I have/ There are four possi'iities/ (ither Mrs
&hodes +as 1ied 'y her hus'and> or 'y the .ha)'er)aid> or she
.o))itted sui.ide> or she +as 1ied 'y an outsider +ho) no'ody
sa+ enter or eave/"
"And that"s i)possi'e>" Mr &hodes 'ro1e in/ "0o'ody .oud .o)e in
or go out through )y roo) +ithout )y seeing the)> and even if
anyone did )anaged to .o)e in through )y +ife"s roo) +ithout the
ee.tri.ian seeing the)> ho+ the devi .oud they get out again
eaving the door o.1ed and 'oted on the insideA"
Mr Petheri.1 oo1ed at )e and saidH "We> Miss MarpeA" in an
en.ouraging )anner/
"I shoud i1e>" I said> "to as1 a 8uestion/ Mr &hodes> +hat did the
.ha)'er)aid oo1 i1eA"
!e said he +asn"t sure ; she +as taish> he thought ; he didn"t
re)e)'er if she +as fair or dar1/ I turned to Mr Petheri.1 and as1ed
the sa)e 8uestion/
!e said she +as of )ediu) height> had fairish hair and 'ue eyes and
rather a high .oour/
Mr &hodes saidH "@ou are a 'etter o'server than I a)> Petheri.1/"
I ventured to disagree/ I then as1ed Mr &hodes if he .oud des.ri'e
the )aid in )y house/ 0either he nor Mr Petheri.1 .oud do so/
"$on"t you see +hat that )eansA" I said> "@ou 'oth .a)e here fu of
your o+n affairs and the person +ho et you in +as ony a
parour)aid/ The sa)e appies to Mr &hodes at the hote/ !e sa+ her
unifor) and her apron/ !e +as engrossed 'y his +or1/ %ut Mr
Petheri.1 has intervie+ed the sa)e +o)an in a different .apa.ity/
!e has oo1ed at her as a person/
"That"s +hat the +o)an +ho did the )urder .ounted upon/"
As they sti didn"t see> I had to eBpain/
"I thin1>" I said> "that this is ho+ it +ent/ The .ha)'er)aid .a)e in 'y
door A> passed through Mr &hodes"s roo) into Mrs &hodes"s roo)
+ith the hot +ater 'otte and +ent out through the ha+ay into
passage %> Z ; as I +i .a our )urderess ; .a)e in 'y door % into
the itte ha+ay> .on.eaed hersef in ; +e in a .ertain apart)ent>
ahe); and +aited unti the .ha)'er)aid had passed out/ Then she
entered Mr &hodes"s roo)> too1 the stietto fro) the dressing ta'e
9she had dou'tess eBpored the roo) earier in the day: +ent up to
the 'ed> sta''ed the do?ing +o)an> +iped the hande of the stietto>
o.1ed and 'oted the door 'y +hi.h she had entered> and then
passed out through the roo) +here Mrs &hodes had 'een +or1ing/"
Mr &hodes .ried outH "%ut I shoud have seen her/ The ee.tri.ian
+oud have seen her go in/"
"0o>" I said/ "That"s +here you"re +rong/ @ou +oudn"t see her ; not if
she +ere dressed as a .ha)'er)aid/ " I et it sin1 in> then I +ent on>
"@ou +ere engrossed in your +or1 ; out of the tai of your eye you sa+
a .ha)'er)aid .o)e in> go into your +ife"s roo)> .o)e 'a.1 and go
out/ It +as the sa)e dress ; 'ut not the sa)e +o)an/ That"s +hat the
peope having .offee sa+ ; a .ha)'er)aid go in and a .ha)'er)aid
.o)e out/ The ee.tri.ian did the sa)e/ I dare say if a .ha)'er)aid
+ere very pretty a gente)an )ight noti.e her fa.e ; hu)an nature
'eing +hat it is ; 'ut if she +ere Dust an ordinary )idde;aged +o)an
; +e ; it +oud 'e the .ha)'er)aid"s dress you +oud see ; not the
+o)an hersef/"
Mr &hodes .riedH "Who +as sheA"
"We>" I said> "that is going to 'e a itte diffi.ut/ It )ust 'e either Mrs
,ran'y or Miss Carruthers/ Mrs ,ran'y sounds as though she )ight
+ear a +ig nor)ay ; so she .oud +ear her o+n hair as a
.ha)'er)aid/ <n the other hand> Miss Carruthers +ith her .ose.ropped
)annish head )ight easiy put on a +ig to pay her part/ I
dare say you +i find out easiy enough +hi.h of the) it is/
Personay> I in.ine )ysef to thin1 it +i 'e Miss Carruthers/"
And reay> )y dears> that is the end of the story/ Carruthers +as a
fase na)e> 'ut she +as the +o)an a right/ There +as insanity in
her fa)iy/ Mrs &hodes> +ho +as a )ost re.1ess and dangerous
driver> had run over her itte gir> and it had driven the poor +o)an
off her head/ She .on.eaed her )adness very .unningy eB.ept for
+riting distin.ty insane etters to her intended vi.ti)/ She had 'een
foo+ing her a'out for so)e ti)e> and she aid her pans very
.every/ The fase hair and )aid"s dress she posted in a par.e first
thing the neBt )orning/ When taBed +ith the truth she 'ro1e do+n
and .onfessed at on.e/ The poor thing is in %road)oor no+/
Co)petey un'aan.ed of .ourse> 'ut a very .every panned .ri)e/
Mr Petheri.1 .a)e to )e after+ards and 'rought )e a very ni.e
etter fro) Mr &hodes ; reay> it )ade )e 'ush/ Then )y od friend
said to )eH "*ust one thing ; +hy did you thin1 it +as )ore i1ey to 'e
Carruthers than ,ran'yA @ou"d never seen either of the)/"
"We>" I said/ "It +as the g"s/ @ou said she dropped her g"s/ 0o+>
that"s done 'y a ot of hunting peope in 'oo1s> 'ut I don"t 1no+ )any
peope +ho do it in reaity ; and .ertainy no one under siBty/ @ou said
this +o)an +as forty/ Those dropped g"s sounded to )e i1e a
+o)an +ho +as paying a part and over;doing it/"
I shan"t te you +hat Mr Petheri.1 said to that ; 'ut he +as very
.o)pi)entary ; and I reay .oudn"t hep feeing Dust a teeny +eeny
'it peased +ith )ysef/
And it"s eBtraordinary ho+ things turn out for the 'est in this +ord/
Mr &hodes has )arried again ; su.h a ni.e> sensi'e gir ; and they"ve
got a dear itte 'a'y ; +hat do you thin1A ; they as1ed )e to 'e
god)other/ Wasn"t it ni.e of the)A
0o+ I do hope you don"t thin1 I"ve 'een running on too ong///
T!( $&(SSMA-(&"S $<##
The do ay in the 'ig vevet;.overed .hair/ There +as not )u.h ight
in the roo)I the #ondon s1ies +ere dar1/ In the gente> greyish;green
goo)> the sage;green .overings and the .urtains and the rugs a
'ended +ith ea.h other/ The do 'ended> too/ She ay ong and i)p
and spra+ed in her green;vevet .othes and her vevet .ap and the
painted )as1 of her fa.e/ She +as the Puppet $o> the +hi) of &i.h
Wo)en> the do +ho os 'eside the teephone> or a)ong the
.ushions of the divan/ She spra+ed there> eternay i)p and yet
strangey aive/ She oo1ed a de.adent produ.t of the t+entieth
.entury/
Sy'i FoB> hurrying in +ith so)e patterns and a s1et.h> oo1ed at the
do +ith a faint feeing of surprise and 'e+ider)ent/ She +ondered
; 'ut +hatever she +ondered did not get to the front of her )ind/
Instead> she thought to hersef> "0o+> +hat"s happened to the pattern
of the 'ue vevetA Wherever have I put itA I") sure I had it here *ust
no+/" She +ent out on the anding and .aed up to the +or1roo)/
"(speth> (speth> have you the 'ue pattern up thereA Mrs Feo+s;
%ro+n +i 'e here any )inute no+/"
She +ent in again> s+it.hing on the ights/ Again she gan.ed at the
do/ "0o+ +here on earth ; ah> there it is/" She pi.1ed the pattern up
fro) +here it had faen fro) her hand/ There +as the usua .rea1
outside on the anding as the eevator .a)e to a hat and in a )inute
or t+o Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n> a..o)panied 'y her Pe1inese .a)e
puffing into the roo) rather i1e a fussy o.a train arriving at a
+ayside station/
"It"s going to pour>" she said> "si)py pourG"
She thre+ off her goves and a fur/ Ai.ia Coo)'e .a)e in/ She didn"t
a+ays .o)e in no+adays> ony +hen spe.ia .usto)ers arrived> and
Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n +as su.h a .usto)er/
(speth> the fore+o)an of the +or1roo)> .a)e do+n +ith the fro.1
and Sy'i pued it over Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n"s head/
"There>" she said> "I thin1 it"s good/ @es> it"s definitey a su..ess/"
Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n turned side+ays and oo1ed in the )irror/
"I )ust say>" she said> "your .othes do do so)ething to )y 'ehind/"
"@ou"re )u.h thinner than you +ere three )onths ago>" Sy'i assured
her/
"I") reay not>" said Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n> "though I )ust say I oo1 it in
this/ There"s so)ething a'out the +ay you .ut> it reay does
)ini)ise )y 'ehind/ I a)ost oo1 as though I hadn"t got one ; I )ean
ony the usua 1ind that )ost peope have/" She sighed and gingery
s)oothed the trou'eso)e portion of her anato)y/ "It"s a+ays 'een
a 'it of a tria to )e>" she said/ "<f .ourse> for years I .oud pu it in>
you 1no+> 'y sti.1ing out )y front/ We> I .an"t do that any onger
'e.ause I"ve got a sto)a.h no+ as +e as a 'ehind/ And I )ean ;
+e> you .an"t pu it in 'oth +ays> .an youA"
Ai.ia Coo)'e said> "@ou shoud see so)e of )y .usto)ersG"
Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n eBperi)ented to and fro/
"A sto)a.h is +orse than a 'ehind>" she said/ "It sho+s )ore/ <r
perhaps you thin1 it does> 'e.ause> I )ean> +hen you"re ta1ing to
peope you"re fa.ing the) and that"s the )o)ent they .an"t see your
'ehind 'ut they .an noti.e your sto)a.h/ Any+ay> I"ve )ade it a rue
to pu in )y sto)a.h and et )y 'ehind oo1 after itsef/" She .raned
her ne.1 round sti farther> then said suddeny> "<h> that do of
yours"/ She gives )e the .reeps/ !o+ ong have you had herA"
Sy'i gan.ed un.ertainy at Ai.ia Coo)'e> +ho oo1ed pu??ed 'ut
vaguey distressed/
"I don"t 1no+ eBa.ty/// so)e ti)e I thin1 ; I never .an re)e)'er
things/ It"s a+fu no+adays ; I si)py .annot re)e)'er/ Sy'i> ho+
ong have +e had herA"
Sy'i said shorty> "I don"t 1no+/"
"We>" said Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n> "she gives )e the .reeps/ 2n.annyG
She oo1s> you 1no+> as though she +as +at.hing us a> and
perhaps aughing in that vevet seeve of hers/ I"d get rid of her if I
+ere you/" She gave a itte shiver> then she punged on.e )ore into
dress)a1ing detais/ Shoud she or shoud she not have the seeves
an in.h shorterA And +hat a'out the engthA When a these
i)portant points +ere setted satisfa.toriy> Mrs Feo+;%ro+n
resu)ed her o+n gar)ents and prepared to eave/ As she passed
the do> she turned her head again/
"0o>" she said> "I don"t i1e that do/ She oo1s too )u.h as though she
'eonged here/ It isn"t heathy/"
"0o+ +hat did she )ean 'y thatA" de)anded Sy'i> as Mrs Feo+s;
%ro+n departed do+n the stairs/
%efore Ai.ia Coo)'e .oud ans+er> Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n returned>
po1ing her head round the door/
",ood gra.ious> I forgot a a'out Fou;#ing/ Where are you> du.1sieA
We> I neverG"
She stared and the other t+o +o)en stared> too/ The Pe1inese +as
sitting 'y the green;vevet .hair> staring up at the i)p do spra+ed
on it/ There +as no eBpression> either of peasure or resent)ent> on
his s)a> pop;eyed fa.e/ !e +as )erey oo1ing/
"Co)e aong> )u)"s daring>" said Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n/
Mu)"s daring paid no attention +hatever/
"!e gets )ore diso'edient every day>" said Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n> +ith
the air of one .ataoguing a virtue/ "Co)e on> Fou;#ing/ $indins/
#uffy iver/"
Fou;#ing turned his head a'out an in.h and a haf to+ards his
)istress> then +ith disdain resu)ed his appraisa of the do/
"She"s .ertainy )ade an i)pression on hi)>" said Mrs Feo+s;
%ro+n/ "I don"t thin1 he"s ever noti.ed her 'efore/ I haven"t either/
Was she here ast ti)e I .a)eA"
The other t+o +o)en oo1ed at ea.h other/ Sy'i no+ had a fro+n on
her fa.e> and Ai.ia Coo)'e said> +rin1ing up her forehead> "I tod
you ; I si)py .an"t re)e)'er anything no+adays/ !o+ ong have +e
had her> Sy'iA"
"Where did she .o)e fro)A" de)anded Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n/ "$id you
'uy herA"
"<h no/" So)eho+ Ai.ia Coo)'e +as sho.1ed at the idea/ "<h no/ I
suppose ; I suppose so)eone gave her to )e/" She shoo1 her head/
"MaddeningG" she eB.ai)ed/ "A'soutey )addening> +hen
everything goes out of your head the very )o)ent after it"s
happened/"
"0o+ don"t 'e stupid> Fou;#ing>" said Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n sharpy/
"Co)e on/ I" have to pi.1 you up/"
She pi.1ed hi) up/ Fou;#ing uttered a short 'ar1 of agonised
protest/ They +ent out of the roo) +ith Fou;#ing"s pop;eyed fa.e
turned over his fuffy shouder> sti staring +ith enor)ous attention
at the do on the .hair///
"That there do>" said Mrs ,roves> "fair gives )e the .reeps> it does/"
Mrs ,roves +as the .eaner/ She had Dust finished a .ra'i1e
progress 'a.1+ards aong the foor/ 0o+ she +as standing up and
+or1ing so+y round the roo) +ith a duster/
"Funny thing>" said Mrs ,roves> "never noti.ed it reay unti
yesterday/ And then it hit )e a of a sudden> as you )ight say/"
"@ou don"t i1e itA" as1ed Sy'i/
"I te you> Mrs FoB> it gives )e the .reeps>" said the .eaning +o)an/
"It ain"t natura> if you 1no+ +hat I )ean/ A those ong hanging egs
and the +ay she"s sou.hed do+n there and the .unning oo1 she has
in her eye/ It doesn"t oo1 heathy> that"s +hat I say/"
"@ou"ve never said anything a'out her 'efore>" said Sy'i/
"I te you> I never noti.ed her ; not ti this )orning/// <f .ourse I
1no+ she"s 'een here so)e ti)e 'ut ; " She stopped and a pu??ed
eBpression fitted a.ross her fa.e/ "Sort of thing you )ight drea) of
at night>" she said> and gathering up various .eaning i)pe)ents
she departed fro) the fitting;roo) and +a1ed a.ross the anding to
the roo) on the other side/
Sy'i stared at the reaBed do/ An eBpression of 'e+ider)ent +as
gro+ing on her fa.e/ Ai.ia Coo)'e entered and Sy'i turned
sharpy/
"Miss Coo)'e> ho+ ong have you had this .reatureA"
"What> the doA My dear> you 1no+ I .an"t re)e)'er things/
@esterday ; +hy> it"s too siyG ; I +as going out to that e.ture and I
hadn"t gone haf+ay do+n the street +hen I suddeny found I .oudn"t
re)e)'er +here I +as going/ I thought and I thought/ Finay I tod
)ysef it )ust 'e Fortnu)s/ I 1ne+ there +as so)ething I +anted to
get at Fortnu)s/ We> you +on"t 'eieve )e> it +asn"t ti I a.tuay
got ho)e and +as having so)e tea that I re)e)'ered a'out the
e.ture/ <f .ourse> I"ve a+ays heard that peope go gaga as they get
on in ife> 'ut it"s happening to )e )u.h too fast/ I"ve forgotten no+
+here I"ve put )y hand'ag ; and )y spe.ta.es> too/ Where did I put
those spe.ta.esA I had the) Dust no+/ I +as reading so)ething in
The Ti)es/"
"The spe.ta.es are on the )antepie.e here>" said Sy'i> handing
the) to her/ "!o+ did you get the doA Who gave her to youA"
"That"s a 'an1> too>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "So)e'ody gave her to )e
or sent her to )e> I suppose/// !o+ever> she does see) to )at.h the
roo) very +e> doesn"t sheA"
"&ather too +e> I thin1>" said Sy'i/ "Funny thing is> I .an"t re)e)'er
+hen I first noti.ed her here/"
"0o+ don"t you get the sa)e +ay as I a)>" Ai.ia Coo)'e
ad)onished her/ "After a> you"re young sti/"
"%ut reay> Miss Coo)'e> I don"t re)e)'er/ I )ean> I oo1ed at her
yesterday and thought there +as so)ething ; +e> Mrs ,roves is
8uite right ; so)ething .reepy a'out her/ And then I thought I"d
aready thought so> and then I tried to re)e)'er +hen I first thought
so> and ; +e> I Dust .oudn"t re)e)'er anythingG In a +ay> it +as as if
I"d never seen her 'efore ; ony it didn"t fee i1e that/ It fet as though
she"d 'een here a ong ti)e 'ut I"d ony Dust noti.ed her/"
"Perhaps she fe+ in through the +indo+ one day on a 'roo)sti.1>"
said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "Any+ay> she 'eongs here no+ a right/" She
oo1ed round/ "@ou .oud hardy i)agine the roo) +ithout her> .oud
youA"
"0o>" said Sy'i> +ith a sight shiver> "'ut I rather +ish I .oud/"
"Coud +hatA"
"I)agine the roo) +ithout her/"
"Are +e a going 'ar)y a'out this doA" de)anded Ai.ia Coo)'e
i)patienty/ "What"s +rong +ith the poor thingA #oo1s i1e a de.ayed
.a''age to )e> 'ut perhaps>" she added> "that"s 'e.ause I haven"t
got spe.ta.es on/" She put the) on her nose and oo1ed fir)y at the
do/ "@es>" she said> "I see +hat you )ean/ She is a itte .reepy///
sad;oo1ing 'ut ; +e> sy and rather deter)ined> too/"
"Funny>" said Sy'i> "Mrs Feo+s;%ro+n ta1ing su.h a vioent disi1e
to her/"
"She"s one +ho never )inds spea1ing her )ind>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/
"%ut it"s odd/" persisted Sy'i> "that this do shoud )a1e su.h an
i)pression on her/"
"We> peope do ta1e disi1es very suddeny so)eti)es/"
"Perhaps>" said Sy'i +ith a itte augh> "that do never +as here unti
yesterday/// Perhaps she Dust ; fe+ in through the +indo+> as you
say> and setted hersef here/"
"0o>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "I") sure she"s 'een here so)e ti)e/
Perhaps she ony 'e.a)e visi'e yesterday/"
"Thai"s +hat I fee> too>" said Sy'i> "that she"s 'een here so)e ti)e///
'ut a the sa)e I don"t re)e)'er reay seeing her ti yesterday/"
"0o+> dear>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e 'ris1y> "do stop it/ @ou"re )a1ing )e
fee 8uite pe.uiar +ith shivers running up and do+n )y spine/
@ou"re not going to +or1 up a great dea of supernatura hoo;hah
a'out that .reature> are youA" She pi.1ed up the do> shoo1 it out>
rearranged its shouders> and sat it do+n again on another .hair/
I))ediatey the do fopped sighty and reaBed/
"It"s not a 'it ifei1e>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> staring at the do/ "And yet>
in a funny +ay> she does see) aive> doesn"t sheA"
"<o> it did give )e a turn>" said Mrs ,roves> as she +ent round the
sho+roo)> dusting/ "Su.h a turn as I hardy i1e to go into the fittingroo)
any )ore/"
"What"s given you a turnA" de)anded Miss Coo)'e +ho +as sitting at
a +riting;ta'e in the .orner> 'usy +ith various a..ounts/ "This
+o)an>" she added )ore for her o+n 'enefit than that of Mrs
,roves> "thin1s she .an have t+o evening dresses> three .o.1tai
dresses> and a suit every year +ithout ever paying )e a penny for
the)G &eay> so)e peopeG"
"It"s that do>" said Mrs ,roves/
"What> our do againA"
"@es> sitting up there at the des1> i1e a hu)an/ <o> it didn"t haf give
)e a turnG"
"What are you ta1ing a'outA"
Ai.ia Coo)'e got up> strode a.ross the roo)> a.ross the anding
outside> and into the roo) opposite ; the fitting;roo)/ There +as a
s)a Sheraton des1 in one .orner of it> and there> sitting in a .hair
dra+n up to it> her ong foppy ar)s on the des1> sat the do/
"So)e'ody see)s to have 'een having fun>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/
"Fan.y sitting her up i1e that/ &eay> she oo1s 8uite natura/"
Sy'i FoB .a)e do+n the stairs at this )o)ent> .arrying a dress that
+as to 'e tried on that )orning/
"Co)e here> Sy'i/ #oo1 at our do sitting at )y private des1 and
+riting etters no+/"
The t+o +o)en oo1ed/
"&eay>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "it"s too ridi.uousG I +onder +ho
propped her up there/ $id youA"
"0o> I didn"t>" said Sy'i/ "It )ust have 'een one of the girs fro)
upstairs/"
"A siy sort of Do1e> reay>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ She pi.1ed up the
do fro) the des1 and thre+ her 'a.1 on the sofa/
Sy'i aid the dress over a .hair .arefuy> then she +ent out and up
the stairs to the +or1roo)/
"@ou 1no+ the do>" she said> "the vevet do in Miss Coo)'e"s roo)
do+nstairs ; in the fitting roo)A"
The fore+o)an and three girs oo1ed up/
"@es> )iss> of .ourse +e 1no+/"
"Who sat her up at the des1 this )orning for a Do1eA"
The three girs oo1ed at her> then (speth> the fore+o)an> said> "Sat
her up at the des1A I didn"t/"
"0or did I>" said one of the girs/ "$id you> MareneA"
Marene shoo1 her head/
This your 'it of fun> (spethA"
"0o> indeed>" said (speth> a stern +o)an +ho oo1ed as though her
)outh shoud a+ays 'e fied +ith pins/ "I"ve )ore to do than going
a'out paying +ith dos and sitting the) up at des1s/"
"#oo1 here>" said Sy'i> and to her surprise her voi.e shoo1 sighty/
"It +as ; it +as 8uite a good Do1e> ony I"d Dust i1e to 1no+ +ho did it/"
The three girs 'risted/
"We"ve tod you> Mrs FoB/ 0one of us did it> did +e> MareneA"
"I didn"t>" said Marene> "and if 0eie and Margaret say they didn"t>
+e then> none of us did/"
"@ou"ve heard +hat I had to say>" said (speth/ "What"s this a a'out
any+ay> Mrs FoBA"
"Perhaps it +as Mrs ,rovesA" said Marene/
Sy'i shoo1 her head/ "It +oudn"t 'e Mrs ,roves/ It gave her 8uite a
turn/"
"I" .o)e do+n and see for )ysef>" said (speth/
"She"s not there no+>" said Sy'i/ "Miss Coo)'e too1 her a+ay fro)
the des1 and thre+ her 'a.1 on the sofa/ We ; " she paused ; "+hat I
)ean is> so)eone )ust have stu.1 her up there in the .hair at the
+riting;des1 ; thin1ing it +as funny/ I suppose/ And ; and I don"t see
+hy they +on"t say so/"
"I"ve tod you t+i.e> Mrs FoB>" said Margaret/ "I don"t see +hy you
shoud go on a..using us of teing ies/ 0one of us +oud do a siy
thing i1e that/"
"I") sorry>" said Sy'i> "I didn"t )ean to upset you/ %ut ; 'ut +ho ese
.oud possi'y have done itA"
"Perhaps she got up and +a1ed there hersef>" said Marene> and
gigged/
For so)e reason Sy'i didn"t i1e the suggestion/
"<h> it"s a a ot of nonsense> any+ay>" she said> and +ent do+n the
stairs again/
Ai.ia Coo)'e +as hu))ing 8uite .heerfuy/ She oo1ed round the
roo)/
"I"ve ost )y spe.ta.es again>" she said> "'ut it doesn"t reay )atter/ I
don"t +ant to see anything this )o)ent/ The trou'e is> of .ourse>
+hen you"re as 'ind as I a)> that +hen you have ost your
spe.ta.es> uness you"ve got another pair to put on and find the)
+ith> +e> then you .an"t find the) 'e.ause you .an"t see to find
the)/"
"I" oo1 round for you>" said Sy'i/ "@ou had the) Dust no+/"
"I +ent into the other roo) +hen you +ent upstairs/ I eBpe.t I too1
the) 'a.1 in there/"
She +ent a.ross to the other roo)/
"It"s su.h a 'other>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "I +ant to get on +ith these
a..ounts/ !o+ .an I if I haven"t )y spe.ta.esA"
"I" go up and get your se.ond pair fro) the 'edroo)>" said Sy'i/
"I haven"t a se.ond pair at present>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/
"Why> +hat"s happened to the)A"
"We> I thin1 I eft the) yesterday +hen I +as out at un.h/ I"ve rung
up there> and I"ve rung up the t+o shops I +ent into> too/"
"<h> dear>" said Sy'i> "you" have to get three pairs> I suppose/"
"If I had three pairs of spe.ta.es>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "I shoud
spend )y +hoe ife oo1ing for one or the other of the)/ I reay thin1
it"s 'est to have ony one/ Then you"ve got to oo1 ti you find it/"
"We> they )ust 'e so)e+here>" said Sy'i/ "@ou haven"t 'een out of
these t+o roo)s/ They"re .ertainy not here> so you )ust have aid
the) do+n in the fitting;roo)/"
She +ent 'a.1> +a1ing round> oo1ing 8uite .osey/ Finay> as a ast
idea> she too1 up the do fro) the sofa/
"I"ve got the)>" she .aed/
"<h> +here +ere they> Sy'iA"
"2nder our pre.ious do/ I suppose you )ust have thro+n the)
do+n +hen you put her 'a.1 on the sofa/"
"I didn"t/ I") sure I didn"t/"
"<h>" said Sy'i +ith eBasperation/ "Then I suppose the do too1 the)
and +as hiding the) fro) youG"
"&eay> you 1no+>" said Ai.ia> oo1ing thoughtfuy at the do> "I
+oudn"t put it past her/ She oo1s very inteigent> don"t you thin1>
Sy'iA"
"I don"t thin1 I i1e her fa.e>" said Sy'i/ "She oo1s as though she
1ne+ so)ething that +e didn"t/"
"@ou don"t thin1 she oo1s sort of sad and s+eetA" said Ai.ia Coo)'e
peadingy> 'ut +ithout .onvi.tion/
"I don"t thin1 she"s in the east s+eet>" said Sy'i/
"0o/// perhaps you"re right/// <h> +e> et"s get on +ith things/ #ady
#ee +i 'e here in another ten )inutes/ I Dust +ant to get these
invoi.es done and posted/"
"Mrs FoB/ Mrs FoBA"
"@es> MargaretA" said Sy'i/ "What is itA"
Sy'i +as 'usy eaning over a ta'e> .utting a pie.e of satin )ateria/
"<h> Mrs FoB> it"s that do again/ I too1 do+n the 'ro+n dress i1e you
said> and there"s that do sitting up at the des1 again/ And it +asn"t
)e ; it +asn"t any of us/ Pease> Mrs FoB> +e reay +oudn"t do su.h a
thing/"
Sy'i"s s.issors sid a itte/
"There>" she said angriy> "oo1 +hat you"ve )ade )e do/ <h> +e> it"
'e a right> I suppose/ 0o+> +hat"s this a'out the doA"
"She"s sitting at the des1 again/"
Sy'i +ent do+n and +a1ed into the fitting;roo)/
The do +as sitting at the des1 eBa.ty as she had sat there 'efore/
"@ou"re very deter)ined> aren"t youA" said Sy'i> spea1ing to the do/
She pi.1ed her up un.ere)oniousy and put her 'a.1 on the sofa/
"That"s your pa.e> )y gir>" she said/ "@ou stay there/"
She +a1ed a.ross to the other roo)/
"Miss Coo)'e/"
"@es> Sy'iA"
"So)e'ody is having a ga)e +ith us> you 1no+/ That do +as sitting
at the des1 again/"
"Who do you thin1 it isA"
"It )ust 'e one of those three upstairs>" said Sy'i/ "Thin1s it"s funny> I
suppose/ <f .ourse they a s+ear to high heaven it +asn"t the)/"
"Who do you thin1 it is ; MargaretA"
"0o> I don"t thin1 it"s Margaret/ She oo1ed 8uite 8ueer +hen she
.a)e in and tod )e/ I eBpe.t it"s that gigging Marene/"
"Any+ay> it"s a very siy thing to do/"
"<f .ourse it is ; idioti.>" said Sy'i/ "!o+ever>" she added gri)y> "I")
going to put a stop to it/"
"What are you going to doA"
"@ou" see>" said Sy'i/
That night +hen she eft> she o.1ed the fitting;roo) fro) the
outside/
I") o.1ing this door>" she said> "and I") ta1ing the 1ey +ith )e/"
"<h> I see>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> +ith a faint air of a)use)ent/ "@ou"re
'eginning to thin1 it"s )e> are youA @ou thin1 I") so a'sent;)inded
that I go in there and thin1 I" +rite at the des1> 'ut instead I pi.1 the
do up and put her there to +rite for )e/ Is that the ideaA And then I
forget a a'out itA"
"We> it"s a possi'iity>" Sy'i ad)itted/ "Any+ay> I") going to 'e 8uite
sure that no siy pra.ti.a Do1e is payed tonight/"
The foo+ing )orning> her ips set gri)y> the first thing Sy'i did on
arriva +as to uno.1 the door of the fitting;roo) and )ar.h in/ Mrs
,roves> +ith an aggrieved eBpression and )op and duster in hand>
had 'een +aiting on the anding/
"0o+ +e" seeG" said Sy'i/
Then she dre+ 'a.1 +ith a sight gasp/
The do +as sitting at the des1/
"CooG" said Mrs ,roves 'ehind her/ "It"s un.annyG That"s +hat it is/ <h>
there> Mrs FoB> you oo1 8uite pae> as though you"ve .o)e over
8ueer/ @ou need a itte drop of so)ething/ !as Miss Coo)'e got a
drop upstairs> do you 1no+A"
"I") 8uite a right>" said Sy'i/
She +a1ed over to the do> ifted her .arefuy> and .rossed the
roo) +ith her/
"So)e'ody"s 'een paying a tri.1 on you again>" said Mrs ,roves/
"I don"t see ho+ they .oud have payed a tri.1 on )e this ti)e>" said
Sy'i so+y/ "I o.1ed that door ast night/ @ou 1no+ yoursef that no
one .oud get in/"
"So)e'ody"s got another 1ey> )ay'e>" said Mrs ,roves hepfuy/
"I don"t thin1 so>" said Sy'i/ "We"ve never 'othered to o.1 this door
'efore/ It"s one of those od;fashioned 1eys and there"s ony one of
the)/"
"Perhaps the other 1ey fits it ; the one to the door opposite/"
In due .ourse they tried a the 1eys in the shop> 'ut none fitted the
door of the fitting;roo)/
"It is odd> Miss Coo)'e>" said Sy'i ater> as they +ere having un.h
together/
Ai.ia Coo)'e +as oo1ing rather peased/
"My dear>" she said/ "I thin1 it"s si)py eBtraordinary/ I thin1 +e ought
to +rite to the psy.hi.a resear.h peope a'out it/ @ou 1no+> they
)ight send an investigator ; a )ediu) or so)eone ; to see if there"s
anything pe.uiar a'out the roo)/"
"@ou don"t see) to )ind at a>" said Sy'i/
"We> I rather enDoy it in a +ay>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "I )ean> at )y
age> it"s rather fun +hen things happenG A the sa)e ; no>" she added
thoughtfuy/ "I don"t thin1 I do 8uite i1e it/ I )ean> that do"s getting
rather a'ove hersef> isn"t sheA"
<n that evening Sy'i and Ai.ia Coo)'e o.1ed the door on.e )ore
on the outside/
"I sti thin1>" said Sy'i> "that so)e'ody )ight 'e paying a pra.ti.a
Do1e> though> reay> I don"t see +hy///"
"$o you thin1 she" 'e at the des1 again to)orro+ )orningA"
de)anded Ai.ia/
"@es>" said Sy'i> "I do/"
%ut they +ere +rong/ The do +as not at the des1/ Instead> she +as
on the +indo+ si> oo1ing out into the street/ And again there +as
an eBtraordinary naturaness a'out her position/
"It"s a frightfuy siy> isn"t itA" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> as they +ere
snat.hing a 8ui.1 .up of tea that afternoon/ %y .o))on .onsent
they +ere not having it in the fitting;roo)> as they usuay did> 'ut in
Ai.ia Coo)'e"s o+n roo) opposite/
"Siy in +hat +ayA"
"We> I )ean> there"s nothing you .an get hod of/ *ust a do that"s
a+ays in a different pa.e/"
As day foo+ed day it see)ed a )ore and )ore apt o'servation/ It
+as not ony at night that the do no+ )oved/ At any )o)ent +hen
they .a)e into the fitting;roo)> after they had 'een a'sent even a
fe+ )inutes> they )ight find the do in a different pa.e/ They .oud
have eft her on the sofa and find her on a .hair/ Then she"d 'e on a
different .hair/ So)eti)es she"d 'e in the +indo+ seat> so)eti)es
at the des1 again/
"She Dust )oves a'out as she i1es>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "And I Thin1>
Sy'i> I thin1 it"s a)using her/"
The t+o +o)en stood oo1ing do+n at the inert spra+ing figure in
its i)p> soft vevet> +ith its painted si1 fa.e/
"So)e od 'its of vevet and si1 and a i.1 of paint> that"s a it is>" said
Ai.ia Coo)'e/ !er voi.e +as strained/ "I suppose> you 1no+> +e
.oud ; er ; +e .oud dispose of her/"
"What do you )ean> dispose of herA" as1ed Sy'i/ !er voi.e sounded
a)ost sho.1ed/
"We>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "+e .oud put her in the fire> if there +as a
fire/ %urn her> I )ean> i1e a +it.h/// <r of .ourse>" she added )atterof;
fa.ty> "+e .oud Dust put her in the dust'in/"
"I don"t thin1 that +oud do>" said Sy'i/ "So)e'ody +oud pro'a'y
ta1e her out of the dust'in and 'ring her 'a.1 to us/"
"<r +e .oud send her so)e+here>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "@ou 1no+>
to one of those so.ieties +ho are a+ays +riting and as1ing for
so)ething ; for a sae or a 'a?aar/ I thin1 that"s the 'est idea/"
"I don"t 1no+/// " said Sy'i/ "I"d 'e a)ost afraid to do that/"
"AfraidA"
"We> I thin1 she"d .o)e 'a.1>" said Sy'i/
"@ou )ean> she"d .o)e 'a.1 hereA"
"@es/"
"#i1e a ho)ing pigeonA"
"@es> that"s +hat I )ean/"
"I suppose +e"re not going off our heads> are +eA" said Ai.ia
Coo)'e/ Perhaps I"ve reay gone gaga and perhaps you"re Dust
hu)ouring )e> is that itA"
"0o>" said Sy'i/ "%ut/ I"ve got a nasty frightening feeing ; a horrid
feeing that she"s too strong for us/"
"WhatA That )ess of ragsA"
"@es> that horri'e i)p )ess of rags/ %e.ause> you see> she"s so
deter)ined/"
"$eter)inedA"
"To have her o+n +ayG I )ean> this is her roo) no+G"
"@es>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> oo1ing round> "it is> isn"t itA <f .ourse> it
a+ays +as> +hen you .o)e to thin1 of it ; the .oours and
everything/// I thought she fitted in here> 'ut it"s the roo) that fits
her/ I )ust say>" added the dress)a1er> +ith a tou.h of 'ris1ness in
her voi.e> "it"s rather a'surd +hen a do .o)es and ta1es
possession of things i1e this/ @ou 1no+> Mrs ,roves +on"t .o)e in
here any onger and .ean/"
"$oes she say she"s frightened of the doA"
"0o/ She Dust )a1es eB.uses of so)e 1ind or other/" Then Ai.ia
added +ith a hint of pani.> "What are +e going to do> Sy'iA It"s
getting )e do+n> you 1no+/ I haven"t 'een a'e to design anything
for +ee1s/"
"I .an"t 1eep )y )ind on .utting out propery>" Sy'i .onfessed/ "I
)a1e a sorts of siy )ista1es/ Perhaps>" she said un.ertainy> your
idea of +riting to the psy.hi.a resear.h peope )ight do so)e
good/"
"*ust )a1e us oo1 i1e a .oupe of foos>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "I didn"t
seriousy )ean it/ 0o> I suppose +e" Dust have to go on unti ; "
"2nti +hatA"
"<h> I don"t 1no+>" said Ai.ia> and she aughed un.ertainy/
<n the foo+ing day Sy'i> +hen she arrived> found the door of the
fitting;roo) o.1ed/
"Miss Coo)'e> have you got the 1eyA $id you o.1 this ast nightA"
"@es>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "I o.1ed it and it"s going to stay o.1ed/"
"What do you )eanA"
"I Dust )ean I"ve given up the roo)/ The do .an have it/ We don"t
need t+o roo)s/ We .an fit in here/"
"%ut it"s your o+n private sitting;roo)/"
"We> I don"t +ant it any )ore/ I"ve got a very ni.e 'edroo)/ I .an
)a1e a 'ed;sitting roo) out of that> .an"t IA"
"$o you )ean you"re reay not going into that fitting;roo) ever
againA" said Sy'i in.reduousy/
"That"s eBa.ty +hat I )ean/"
"%ut ; +hat a'out .eaningA It" get in a terri'e state/"
"#et itG" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "If this pa.e is suffering fro) so)e 1ind
of possession 'y a do> a right ; et her 1eep possession/ And .ean
the roo) hersef/" And she added> "She hates us> you 1no+/"
"What do you )eanA" said Sy'i/ "The do hates usA"
"@es>" said Ai.ia/ "$idn"t you 1no+A @ou )ust have 1no+n/ @ou )ust
have seen it +hen you oo1ed at her/"
"@es>" said Sy'i thoughtfuy> "I suppose I did/ I suppose I fet that a
aong ; that she hated us and +anted to get us out of there/"
"She"s a )ai.ious itte thing>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "Any+ay> she
ought to 'e satisfied no+/"
Things +ent on rather )ore pea.efuy after that/ Ai.ia Coo)'e
announ.ed to her staff that she +as giving up the use of the fittingroo)
for the present ; it )ade too )any roo)s to dust and .ean> she
eBpained/
%ut it hardy heped her to overhear one of the +or1 girs saying to
another on the evening of the sa)e day> "She reay is 'atty/ Miss
Coo)'e is no+/ I a+ays thought she +as a 'it 8ueer ; the +ay she
ost things and forgot things/ %ut it"s reay 'eyond anything no+>
isn"t itA She"s got a sort of thing a'out that do do+nstairs/"
"<oo> you don"t thin1 she" go reay 'ats> do youA" said the other gir/
"That she )ight 1nife us or so)ethingA"
They passed> .hartering> and Ai.ia sat up indignanty in her .hair/
,oing 'ats indeedG Then she added ruefuy> to hersef> "I suppose> if
it +asn"t for Sy'i> I shoud thin1 )ysef that I +as going 'ats/ %ut
+ith )e and Sy'i and Mrs ,roves too> +e> it does oo1 as though
there +as so)ething in it/ %ut +hat I don"t see is> ho+ is it going to
endA"
Three +ee1s ater> Sy'i said to Ai.ia Coo)'e> "We"ve got to go into
that roo) so)eti)es/"
"WhyA"
"We> I )ean> it )ust 'e in a fithy state/ Moths +i 'e getting into
things> and a that/ We ought Dust to dust and s+eep it and then o.1
it up again/"
"I"d )u.h rather 1eep it shut up and not go 'a.1 in there>" said Ai.ia
Coo)'e/
Sy'i said> "&eay> you 1no+> you"re even )ore superstitious than I
a)/"
"I suppose I a)>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "I +as )u.h )ore ready to
'eieve in a this than you +ere> 'ut to 'egin +ith> you 1no+ ; I ; +e>
I found it eB.iting in an odd sort of +ay/ I don"t 1no+/ I") Dust s.ared>
and I"d rather not go into that roo) again/"
"We> I +ant to>" said Sy'i> "and I") going to/"
"@ou 1no+ +hat"s the )atter +ith youA" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "@ou"re
si)py .urious> that"s a/"
"A right> then I") .urious/ I +ant to see +hat the do"s done/"
"I sti thin1 it"s )u.h 'etter to eave her aone>" said Ai.ia/ "0o+
+e"ve got out of that roo)> she"s satisfied/ @ou"d 'etter eave her
satisfied/" She gave an eBasperated sigh/ "What nonsense +e are
ta1ingG"
"@es/ I 1no+ +e"re ta1ing nonsense> 'ut if you te )e of any +ay of
not ta1ing nonsense ; .o)e on> no+> give )e the 1ey/"
"A right> a right/"
"I 'eieve you"re afraid I" et her out or so)ething/ I shoud thin1 she
+as the 1ind that .oud pass through doors or +indo+s/"
Sy'i uno.1ed the door and +ent in/
"!o+ terri'y odd>" she said/
"What"s oddA" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> peering over her shouder/
"The roo) hardy see)s dusty at a> does itA @ou"d thin1> after 'eing
shut up a this ti)e ; "
"@es> it is odd/"
"There she is>" said Sy'i
The do +as on the sofa/ She +as not ying in her usua i)p position/
She +as sitting upright> a .ushion 'ehind her 'a.1/ She had the air
of the )istress of the house> +aiting to re.eive peope/
"We>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "she see)s at ho)e a right> doesn"t sheA
I a)ost fee I ought to apoogise for .o)ing in/"
"#et"s go>" said Sy'i/
She 'a.1ed out> puing the door to> and o.1ed it again/
The t+o +o)en ga?ed at ea.h other/
"I +ish I 1ne+>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e> "+hy it s.ares us so )u.h///"
"My goodness> +ho +oudn"t 'e s.aredA"
"We> I )ean> +hat happens> after aA It"s nothing reay ; Dust a 1ind
of puppet that gets )oved around the roo)/ I eBpe.t it isn"t the
puppet itsef ; it"s a potergeist/"
"0o+ that is a good idea/"
"@es> 'ut I don"t reay 'eieve it/ I thin1 it"s ; it"s that do/"
"Are you sure you don"t 1no+ +here she reay .a)e fro)A"
"I haven"t the faintest idea>" said Ai.ia/ "And the )ore I thin1 of it the
)ore I") perfe.ty .ertain that I didn"t 'uy her> and that no'ody gave
her to )e/ I thin1 she ; +e> she Dust .a)e/"
"$o you thin1 she" ; ever goA"
"&eay>" said Ai.ia> "I don"t see +hy she shoud/// She"s got a she
+ants/"
%ut it see)ed that the do had not got a she +anted/ The neBt day>
+hen Sy'i +ent into the sho+roo)> she dre+ in her 'reath +ith a
sudden gasp/ Then she .aed up the stairs/
"Miss Coo)'e> Miss Coo)'e> .o)e do+n here/"
"What"s the )atterA"
Ai.ia Coo)'e> +ho had got up ate> .a)e do+n the stairs> ho''ing
a itte pre.ariousy for she had rheu)atis) in her right 1nee/
"What is the )atter +ith you> Sy'iA"
"#oo1/ #oo1 +hat"s happened no+/"
They stood in the door+ay of the sho+roo)/ Sitting on a sofa>
spra+ed easiy over the ar) of it> +as the do/
"She"s got out>" said Sy'i> "She"s got out of that roo)G She +ants this
roo) as +e/"
Ai.ia Coo)'e sat do+n 'y the door/ "In the end>" she said> "I suppose
she" +ant the +hoe shop/"
"She )ight>" said Sy'i/
"@ou nasty> sy> )ai.ious 'rute>" said Ai.ia> addressing the do/
"Why do you +ant to .o)e and pester us soA We don"t +ant you/"
It see)ed to her> and to Sy'i oo> that the do )oved very sighty/ It
+as as though its i)'s reaBed sti further/ A ong i)p ar) +as
ying on the ar) of the sofa and the haf;hidden fa.e oo1ed as if it
+ere peering fro) under the ar)/ And it +as a sy> )ai.ious oo1/
"!orri'e .reature>" said Ai.ia/ "I .an"t 'ear itG I .an"t 'ear it any
onger/"
Suddeny> ta1ing Sy'i .o)petey 'y surprise> she dashed a.ross
the roo)> pi.1ed up the do> ran to the +indo+> opened it> and fung
the do into the street/ There +as a gasp and a haf .ry of fear fro)
Sy'i/
"<h> Ai.ia> you shoudn"t have done thatG"
"I had to do so)ething>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ "I Dust .oudn"t stand it
any )ore "
Sy'i Doined her at the +indo+/ $o+n 'eo+ on the pave)ent the do
ay> oose;i)'ed> fa.e do+n/
"@ou"ve 1ied her>" said Sy'i/
"$on"t 'e a'surd/// !o+ .an I 1i so)ething that"s )ade of vevet and
si1> 'its and pie.es/ It"s not rea/"
"It"s horri'y rea>" said Sy'i/
Ai.ia .aught her 'reath/
",ood heavens/ That .hid ; "
A s)a ragged gir +as standing over the do on the pave)ent/ She
oo1ed up and do+n the street ; a street that +as not unduy
.ro+ded at this ti)e of the )orning though there +as so)e
auto)o'ie traffi.I then> as though satisfied> the .hid 'ent> pi.1ed
up the do> and ran a.ross the street/
"Stop> stopG" .aed Ai.ia/
She turned to Sy'i/
"That .hid )ustn"t ta1e the do/ She )ustn"tG That do is dangerous ;
it"s evi/ We"ve got to stop her/"
It +as not they +ho stopped her/ It +as the traffi./ At that )o)ent
three taBis .a)e do+n one +ay and t+o trades)en"s vans in the
other dire.tion/ The .hid +as )arooned on an isand in the )idde of
the road/ Sy'i rushed do+n the stairs> Ai.ia Coo)'e foo+ing her/
$odging 'et+een a trades)an"s van and a private .ar> Sy'i> +ith
Ai.ia Coo)'e dire.ty 'ehind her> arrived on the isand 'efore the
.hid .oud get through the traffi. on the opposite side/
"@ou .an"t ta1e that do>" said Ai.ia Coo)'e/ ",ive her 'a.1 to )e/"
The .hid oo1ed at her/ She +as a s1inny itte gir a'out eight years
od> +ith a sight s8uint/ !er fa.e +as defiant/
"Why shoud I give "er to youA" she said/ "Pit.hed her out of the
+indo+> you did ; I sa+ you/ If you pushed her out of the +indo+ you
don"t +ant her> so no+ she"s )ine/"
"I" 'uy you another do>" said Ai.ia franti.ay/ "We" go to a toy shop
; any+here you i1e ; and I" 'uy you the 'est do +e .an find/ %ut
give )e 'a.1 this one/"
"Shan"t>" said the .hid/
!er ar)s +ent prote.tingy round the vevet do/
"@ou )ust give her 'a.1>" said Sy'i/ "She isn"t yours/"
She stret.hed out to ta1e the do fro) the .hid and at that )o)ent
the .hid sta)ped her foot> turned> and s.rea)ed at the)/
"Shan"tG Shan"tG Shan"tG She"s )y very o+n/ I ove her/ @ou don"t ove
her/ @ou hate her/ If you didn"t hate her you +oudn"t have pushed
her out of the +indo+/ I ove her> I te you> and that"s +hat she
+ants/ She +ants to 'e oved/"
And then i1e an ee> siding through the vehi.es> the .hid ran
a.ross the street> do+n an aey+ay> and out of sight 'efore the t+o
oder +o)en .oud de.ide to dodge the .ars and foo+/
"She"s gone>" said Ai.ia/
"She said the do +anted to 'e oved>" said Sy'i/
"Perhaps>" said Ai.ia> "perhaps that"s +hat she +anted a aong/// to
'e oved///"
In the )idde of the #ondon traffi. the t+o frightened +o)en stared
at ea.h other/
I0 A ,#ASS $A&-#@
"I"ve no eBpanation for this story/ I"ve no theories a'out the +hy and
+herefore of it/ It"s Dust a thing that ; happened/
A the sa)e> I so)eti)es +onder ho+ things +oud have gone if I"d
noti.ed at the ti)e Dust that one essentia detai that I never
appre.iated unti so )any years after+ards/ If I had noti.ed it ; +e> I
suppose the .ourse of three ives +oud have 'een entirey atered/
So)eho+ ; that"s a very frightening thought/
For the 'eginning of it a> I"ve got to go 'a.1 to the su))er of 1914 ;
Dust 'efore the +ar ; +hen I +ent do+n to %adge+orthy +ith 0ei
Carsa1e/ 0ei +as> I suppose> a'out )y 'est friend/ I"d 1no+n his
'rother Aan too> 'ut not so +e/ Syvia> their sister> I"d never )et/
She +as t+o years younger than Aan and three years younger than
0ei/ T+i.e> +hie +e +ere at s.hoo together> I"d 'een going to
spend part of the hoidays +ith 0ei at %adge+orthy and t+i.e
so)ething had intervened/ So it .a)e a'out that I +as t+enty;three
+hen I first sa+ 0ei and Aan"s ho)e/
We +ere to 'e 8uite a 'ig party there/ 0ei"s sister Syvia had Dust got
engaged to a feo+ .aed Chares Cra+ey/ !e +as> so 0ei said> a
good dea oder than she +as> 'ut a thoroughy de.ent .hap and
8uite reasona'y +e;off/
We arrived> I re)e)'er> a'out seven o".o.1 in the evening/
(veryone had gone to his roo) to dress for dinner/ 0ei too1 )e to
)ine/ %adge+orthy +as an attra.tive> ra)'ing od house/ It had
'een added to freey in the ast three .enturies and +as fu of itte
steps up and do+n> and uneBpe.ted stair.ases/ It +as the sort of
house in +hi.h it"s not easy to find your +ay a'out/ I re)e)'er 0ei
pro)ised to .o)e and fet.h )e on his +ay do+n to dinner/ I +as
feeing a itte shy at the prospe.t of )eeting his peope for the first
ti)e/ I re)e)'er saying +ith a augh that it +as the 1ind of house
one eBpe.ted to )eet ghosts in the passages> and he said .areessy
that he 'eieved the pa.e +as said to 'e haunted 'ut that none of
the) had ever seen anything> and he didn"t even 1no+ +hat for) the
ghost +as supposed to ta1e/
Then he hurried a+ay and I set to +or1 to dive into )y suit.ases for
)y evening .othes/ The Carsa1es +eren"t +e;offI they .ung on to
their od ho)e> 'ut there +ere no )enservants to unpa.1 for you or
vaet you/
We> I"d Dust got to the stage of tying )y tie/ I +as standing in front of
the gass/ I .oud see )y o+n fa.e and shouders and 'ehind the)
the +a of the roo) ; a pain stret.h of +a Dust 'ro1en in the )idde
'y a door ; and Dust as I finay setted )y tie I noti.ed that the door
+as opening/
I don"t 1no+ +hy I didn"t turn around ; I thin1 that +oud have 'een
the natura thing to doI any+ay> I didn"t/ I Dust +at.hed the door
s+ing so+y open ; and as it s+ung I sa+ into the roo) 'eyond/
It +as a 'edroo) ; a arger roo) than )ine ; +ith t+o 'edsteads in it>
and suddeny I .aught )y 'reath/
For at the foot of one of those 'eds +as a gir and round her ne.1
+ere a pair of )an"s hands and the )an +as so+y for.ing her
'a.1+ards and s8uee?ing her throat as he did so> so that the gir
+as 'eing so+y suffo.ated/
There +asn"t the east possi'iity of a )ista1e/ What I sa+ +as
perfe.ty .ear/ What +as 'eing done +as )urder/
I .oud see the gir"s fa.e .eary> her vivid goden hair> the agonised
terror of her 'eautifu fa.e> so+y suffusing +ith 'ood/ <f the )an I
.oud see his 'a.1> his hands> and a s.ar that ran do+n the eft side
of his fa.e to+ards his ne.1/
It"s ta1en so)e ti)e to te> 'ut in reaity ony a )o)ent or t+o
passed +hie I stared du)'founded/ Then I reeed round to the
res.ue c
And on the +a 'ehind )e> the +a refe.ted in the gass> there +as
ony a 7i.torian )ahogany +ardro'e/ 0o door open ; no s.ene of
vioen.e/ I s+ung 'a.1 to the )irror/ The )irror refe.ted ony the
+ardro'e c
I passed )y hands a.ross )y eyes/ Then I sprang a.ross the roo)
and tried to pu for+ard the +ardro'e and at that )o)ent 0ei
entered 'y the other door fro) the passage and as1ed )e +hat the
he I +as trying to do/
!e )ust have thought )e sighty 'ar)y as I turned on hi) and
de)anded +hether there +as a door 'ehind the +ardro'e/ !e said>
yes> there +as a door> it ed into the neBt roo)/ I as1ed hi) +ho +as
o..upying the neBt roo) and he said peope .aed <dha) ; a MaDor
<dha) and his +ife/ I as1ed hi) then if Mrs <dha) had very fair
hair and +hen he repied dryy that she +as dar1 I 'egan to reaise
that I +as pro'a'y )a1ing a foo of )ysef/ I pued )ysef together>
)ade so)e a)e eBpanation and +e +ent do+nstairs together/ I
tod )ysef that I )ust have had so)e 1ind of hau.ination ; and fet
generay rather asha)ed and a 'it of an ass/
And then ; and then ; 0ei said> "My sister Syvia>" and I +as oo1ing
into the ovey fa.e of the gir I had Dust seen suffo.ating to death c
and I +as introdu.ed to her fian./> a ta dar1 )an +ith a s.ar
running do+n the eft side of his fa.e/
We ; that"s that/ I"d i1e you to thin1 and say +hat you"d have done in
)y pa.e/ !ere +as the gir ; the identi.a gir ; and here +as the )an
I"d seen throtting her ; and they +ere to 'e )arried in a'out a
)onth"s ti)e c
!ad I ; or had I not ; had a propheti. vision of the futureA Woud
Syvia and her hus'and .o)e do+n here to stay so)e ti)e in the
future> and 'e given that roo) 9the 'est spare roo): and +oud that
s.ene I"d +itnessed ta1e pa.e in gri) reaityA
What +as I to do a'out itA Coud I do anythingA Woud anyone ; 0ei ;
or the gir hersef ; +oud they 'eieve )eA
I turned the +hoe 'usiness over and over in )y )ind the +ee1 I +as
do+n there/ To spea1 or not to spea1A And a)ost at on.e another
.o)pi.ation set in/ @ou see> I fe in ove +ith Syvia Carsa1e the
first )o)ent I sa+ her c I +anted her )ore than anything on earth
c And in a +ay that tied )y hands/
And yet> if I didn"t say anything> Syvia +oud )arry Chares Cra+ey
and Cra+ey +oud 1i her c
And so> the day 'efore I eft> I 'urted it a out to her/ I said I eBpe.t
she"d thin1 )e tou.hed in the intee.t or so)ething> 'ut I s+ore
soe)ny that I"d seen the thing Dust as I tod it to her and that I fet if
she +as deter)ined to )arry Cra+ey> I ought to te her )y strange
eBperien.e/
She istened very 8uiety/ There +as so)ething in her eyes I didn"t
understand/ She +asn"t angry at a/ When I"d finished> she Dust
than1ed )e gravey/ I 1ept repeating i1e an idiot> "I did see it/ I reay
did see it>" and she said> "I") sure you did if you say so/ I 'eieve you/"
We> the upshot +as that I +ent off not 1no+ing +hether I"d done
right or 'een a foo> and a +ee1 ater Syvia 'ro1e off her
engage)ent to Chares Cra+ey/
After that the +ar happened> and there +asn"t )u.h eisure for
thin1ing of anything ese/ <n.e or t+i.e +hen I +as on eave> I .a)e
a.ross Syvia> 'ut as far as possi'e I avoided her/
I oved her and +anted her Dust as 'ady as ever> 'ut I fet so)eho+
that it +oudn"t 'e paying the ga)e/ It +as o+ing to )e that she"d
'ro1en off her engage)ent to Cra+ey> and I 1ept saying to )ysef
that I .oud ony Dustify the a.tion I had ta1en 'y )a1ing )y attitude a
purey disinterested one/
Then> in 1913> 0ei +as 1ied and it fe to )e to te Syvia a'out his
ast )o)ents/ We .oudn"t re)ain on for)a footing after that/ Syvia
had adored 0ei and he had 'een )y 'est friend/ She +as s+eet ;
adora'y s+eet in her grief/ I Dust )anaged to hod )y tongue and
+ent out again praying that a 'uet )ight end the +hoe )isera'e
'usiness/ #ife +ithout Syvia +asn"t +orth iving/
%ut there +as no 'uet +ith )y na)e on it/ <ne neary got )e 'eo+
the right ear and one +as defe.ted 'y a .igarette .ase in )y po.1et>
'ut I .a)e through uns.athed/ Chares Cra+ey +as 1ied in a.tion
at the 'eginning of 191O/
So)eho+ that )ade a differen.e/ I .a)e ho)e in the autu)n of 191O
Dust 'efore the Ar)isti.e and I +ent straight to Syvia and tod her
that I oved her/ I hadn"t )u.h hope that she"d .are for )e straight
a+ay> and you .oud have 1no.1ed )e do+n +ith a feather +hen she
as1ed )e +hy I hadn"t tod her sooner/ I sta))ered out so)ething
a'out Cra+ey and she said> "%ut +hy did you thin1 I 'ro1e it off +ith
hi)A" and then she tod )e that she"d faen in ove +ith )e Dust as I"d
done +ith her ; fro) the very first )inute/
I said I thought she"d 'ro1en off her engage)ent 'e.ause of the
story I tod her and she aughed s.ornfuy and said that if you oved
a )an you +oudn"t 'e as .o+ardy as that> and +e +ent over that
od vision of )ine again and agreed that it +as 8ueer> 'ut nothing
)ore/
"We> there"s nothing )u.h to te for so)e ti)e after that/ Syvia and
I +ere )arried and +e +ere very happy/ %ut I reaised> as soon as
she +as reay )ine> that I +asn"t .ut out for the 'est 1ind of
hus'and/ I oved Syvia devotedy> 'ut I +as Deaous> a'surdy Deaous
of anyone she so )u.h as s)ied at/ It a)used her at first> I thin1 she
even rather i1ed it/ It proved> at east> ho+ devoted I +as/
As for )e> I reaised 8uite fuy and un)ista1a'y that I +as not ony
)a1ing a foo of )ysef> 'ut that I +as endangering a the pea.e and
happiness of our ife together/ I 1ne+> I say> 'ut I .oudn"t .hange/
(very ti)e Syvia got a etter she didn"t sho+ to )e I +ondered +ho it
+as fro)/ If she aughed and ta1ed +ith any )an> I found )ysef
getting su1y and +at.hfu/
At first> as I say> Syvia aughed at )e/ She thought it a huge Do1e/
Then she didn"t thin1 the Do1e so funny/ Finay she didn"t thin1 it a
Do1e at a ;
And so+y> she 'egan to dra+ a+ay fro) )e/ 0ot in any physi.a
sense> 'ut she +ithdre+ her se.ret )ind fro) )e/ I no onger 1ne+
+hat her thoughts +ere/ She +as 1ind ; 'ut sady> as though fro) a
ong distan.e/
#itte 'y itte I reaised that she no onger oved )e/ !er ove had
died and it +as I +ho had 1ied it c
The neBt step +as inevita'e> I found )ysef +aiting for it ; dreading it
c
Then $ere1 Wain+right .a)e into our ives/ !e had everything that I
hadn"t/ !e had 'rains and a +itty tongue/ !e +as good;oo1ing> too>
and ; I") for.ed to ad)it it ; a thoroughy good .hap/ As soon as I
sa+ hi) I said to )ysef> "This is Dust the )an for Syvia c "
She fought against it/ I 1no+ she strugged c 'ut gave her no hep/ I
.oudn"t/ I +as entren.hed in )y goo)y> suen reserve/ I +as
suffering i1e he ; and I .oudn"t stret.h out a finger to save )ysef/ I
didn"t hep her/ I )ade things +orse/ I et oose at her one day ; a
string of savage> un+arranted a'use/ I +as neary )ad +ith Deaousy
and )isery/ The things I said +ere .rue and untrue and I 1ne+ +hie
I +as saying the) ho+ .rue and untrue they +ere/ And yet I too1 a
savage peasure I saying the) c
I re)e)'er ho+ Syvia fushed and shran1 c
I drove her to the edge of enduran.e/
I re)e)'er she said> "This .an"t go on c "
When I .a)e ho)e that night the house +as e)pty ; e)pty/ There
+as a note ; 8uite in the traditiona fashion/
In it she said that she +as eaving )e ; for good/ She +as going do+n
to %adge+orthy for a day or t+o/ After that she +as going to the one
person +ho oved her and needed her/ I +as to ta1e that as fina/
I suppose that up to then I hadn"t reay 'eieved )y o+n suspi.ions/
This .onfir)ation in 'a.1 and +hite of )y +orst fears sent )e
raving )ad/ I +ent do+n to %adge+orthy after her as fast as the .ar
+oud ta1e )e/
She had Dust .hanged her fro.1 for dinner> I re)e)'er> +hen I 'urst
into the roo)/ I .an see her fa.e ; started ; 'eautifu ; afraid/
I said> "0o one 'ut )e sha ever have you/ 0o one/"
And I .aught her throat in )y hands and gripped it and 'ent her
'a.1+ards/
Suddeny I sa+ our refe.tion in the )irror/ Syvia .ho1ing and
)ysef stranging her> and the s.ar on )y .hee1 +here the 'uet
gra?ed it under the right ear/
0o ; I didn"t 1i her/ That sudden reveation paraysed )e and I
oosened )y grasp and et her sip on to the foor c
And then I 'ro1e do+n ; and she .o)forted )e c @es> she .o)forted
)e/
I tod her everything and she tod )e that 'y the phrase "the one
person +ho oved and needed her" she had )eant her 'rother Aan
c We sa+ into ea.h other"s hearts that night> and I don"t thin1> fro)
that )o)ent> that +e ever drifted a+ay fro) ea.h other againc
It"s a so'ering thought to go through ife +ith ; that> 'ut for the gra.e
of ,od and a )irror> one )ight 'e a )urdererc
<ne thing did die that night ; the devi of Deaousy that had possessed
)e so ongc
%ut I +onder so)eti)es ; suppose I hadn"t )ade that initia )ista1e ;
the s.ar on the eft .hee1 ; +hen reay it +as the right ; reversed 'y
the )irror c Shoud I have 'een so sure the )an +as Chares
Cra+eyA Woud I have +arned SyviaA Woud she 'e )arried to )e ;
or to hi)A
<r are the past and the future a oneA
I") a si)pe feo+ ; and I .an"t pretend to understand these things ;
'ut I sa+ +hat I sa+ ; and 'e.ause of +hat I sa+> Syvia and I are
together in the od;fashioned +ords ; ti death do us part/ And
perhaps 'eyondc
C<0T(0TS
Pro'e) at Poensa %ay
The Se.ond ,ong
@eo+ Iris
The !are8uin Tea Set
The &egatta Mystery
The #ove $ete.tives
0eBt to a $og
Magnoia %osso)
P&<%#(M AT P<##(0SA %A@
The stea)er fro) %ar.eona to MaDor.a anded Mr Par1er Pyne at
Pa)a in the eary hours of the )orning ; and straighta+ay he )et
+ith disiusion)ent/
The hotes +ere fuG The 'est that .oud 'e done for hi) +as an
airess .up'oard overoo1ing an inner .ourt in a hote in the
.enter of the to+n ; and +ith that Mr Par1er Pyne +as not
prepared to put up/ The proprietor of the hote +as indifferent to
his disappoint)ent/
JWhat +i youAJ he o'served +ith a shrug/ Pa)a +as popuar
no+G The eB.hange +as favora'eG (veryone ; the (ngish> the
A)eri.ans ; they a .a)e to MaDor.a in the +inter/ The +hoe
pa.e +as .ro+ded/ It +as dou'tfu if the (ngish gente)an
+oud 'e a'e to get in any+here ; eB.ept perhaps at For)entor
+here the pri.es +ere so ruinous that even foreigners 'en.hed
at the)/
Mr Par1er Pyne partoo1 of so)e .offee and a ro and +ent out to
vie+ the .athedra> 'ut found hi)sef in no )ood for appre.iating
'eauties of ar.hite.ture/ !e neBt had a .onferen.e +ith a taBidriver
in inade8uate Fren.h interspersed +ith native Spanish> and
they dis.ussed the possi'iities of Soer> A.udia> Poensa and
For)entor ; +here there +ere fine hotes> 'ut they +ere
eBpensive/
Mr Par1er Pyne +as goaded to in8uire ho+ eBpensive/
They as1ed> said the taBi driver> a pri.e that it +oud 'e a'surd
and ridi.uous to .onsider> sin.e it +as +e 1no+n that the
(ngish .a)e to the isand 'e.ause the pri.es +ere .heap and
reasona'e/
Mr Par1er Pyne said that that +as true> 'ut a the sa)e +hat
su)s did they .harge at the For)entorA
A pri.e 8uite in.redi'eG
Perfe.ty ; 'ut W!AT P&IC( (ZACT#@A
The driver .onsented at ast to na)e eBa.t figures/ Fresh fro) the
eBa.tions of hotes in *erusae) and (gypt> the figure did not
stagger Mr Par1er Pyne unduy/
Mr Par1er Pine"s .ases +ere oaded on the taBi in a hapha?ard
)anner> and they started 'y the .oast> round the isand> trying to
find a .heaper odging en route 'ut +ith the fina o'De.tive of
rea.hing the For)entor/
%ut they never rea.hed that nest of puto.ra.y> for after they had
passed the narro+ streets of Poensa and +ere on the .urved ine
of the seashore> they .a)e 'y the !ote Pino d"<ro ; a s)a hote
standing 'y the sea oo1ing out over a vie+ that in the )isty ha?e
of a fine )orning had the eB8uisite vagueness of a *apanese print/
At on.e Mr Par1er Pyne 1ne+ that this> and this ony> +as +hat he
+as oo1ing for/ !e stopped the taBi> passed through the painted
gate +ith the hope that he +oud find a resting pa.e/
The edery .oupe to +ho) the hote 'eonged 1ne+ no (ngish or
Fren.h/ 0evertheess the )atter +as .on.uded satisfa.toriy/ Mr
Par1er Pyne +as aotted a roo) overoo1ing the sea> the
suit.ases +ere unoaded> the driver .ongratuated his passenger
upon avoiding the )onstrous eBigen.ies of Jthese ne+ hotes>J
re.eived his fare and departed +ith a .heerfu Spanish sautation/
Mr Par1er Pyne gan.ed at his +at.h and per.eiving that it +as>
even no+> 'ut a 8uarter to ten> he +ent out onto the s)a terra.e
no+ 'athed in a da??ing )orning ight and ordered> for the
se.ond ti)e that )orning> .offee and ros/
There +ere four ta'es there> his o+n> one fro) +hi.h 'rea1fast
+as 'eing .eared a+ay and t+o o..upied ones/ At the one
nearest hi) sat a fa)iy of father and )other and t+o edery
daughters ; ,er)ans/ %eyond the)> at the .orner of the terra.e>
sat +hat +ere .eary an (ngish )other and son/
The +o)an +as a'out fifty;five/ She had gray hair of a pretty tone
; +as sensi'y 'ut not fashiona'y dressed in a t+eed .oat and
s1irt ; and had that .o)forta'e sef;possession +hi.h )ar1s an
(ngish+o)an used to )u.h traveing a'road/
The young )an +ho sat opposite her )ight have 'een t+enty;five
and he too +as typi.a of his .ass and age/ !e +as neither goodoo1ing
nor pain> ta nor short/ !e +as .eary on the 'est of
ter)s +ith his )other ; they )ade itte Do1es together ; and he
+as assiduous in passing her things/
As they ta1ed> her eye )et that of Mr Par1er Pyne/ It passed over
hi) +ith +e;'red non.haan.e> 'ut he 1ne+ that he had 'een
assi)iated and a'eed/
!e had 'een re.ogni?ed as (ngish and dou'tess> in due .ourse>
so)e peasant non.o))itta re)ar1 +oud 'e addressed to hi)/
Mr Par1er Pyne had no parti.uar o'De.tion/ !is o+n .ountry)en
and +o)en a'road +ere in.ined to 'ore hi) sighty> 'ut he +as
8uite +iing to pass the ti)e of day in an a)ia'e )anner/ In a
s)a hote it .aused .onstraint if one did not do so/ This parti.uar
+o)an> he fet sure> had eB.eent Jhote )anners>J as he put it/
The (ngish 'oy rose fro) his seat> )ade so)e aughing re)ar1
and passed into the hote/ The +o)an too1 her etters and 'ag
and setted hersef in a .hair fa.ing the sea/ She unfoded a .opy
of the Continenta $aiy Mai/ !er 'a.1 +as to Mr Par1er Pyne/
As he dran1 the ast drop of his .offee> Mr Par1er Pyne gan.ed in
her dire.tion> and instanty he stiffened/ !e +as aar)ed ;
aar)ed for the pea.efu .ontinuan.e of his hoidayG That 'a.1
+as horri'y eBpressive/ In his ti)e he had .assified )any su.h
'a.1s/ Its rigidity ; the tenseness of its poise ; +ithout seeing her
fa.e he 1ne+ +e enough that the eyes +ere 'right +ith unshed
tears ; that the +o)an +as 1eeping hersef in hand 'y a rigid
effort/
Moving +ariy> i1e a )u.h;hunted ani)a> Mr Par1er Pyne
retreated into the hote/ 0ot haf an hour 'efore he had 'een
invited to sign his na)e in the 'oo1 ying on the des1/ There it +as
; a neat signature ; C/ Par1er Pyne> #ondon/
A fe+ ines a'ove Mr Par1er Pyne noti.ed the entriesH Mrs &/
Chester> Mr %asi Chester ; !o) Par1> $evon/
Sei?ing a pen> Mr Par1er Pyne +rote rapidy over his signature/ It
no+ read 9+ith diffi.uty: Christopher Pyne/
If Mrs &/ Chester +as unhappy in Poensa %ay> it +as not going to
'e )ade easy for her to .onsut Mr Par1er Pyne/
Aready it had 'een a sour.e of a'iding +onder to that gente)an
that so )any peope he had .o)e a.ross a'road shoud 1no+ his
na)e and have noted his advertise)ents/ In (ngand )any
thousands of peope read the Ti)es every day and .oud have
ans+ered 8uite truthfuy that they had never heard su.h a na)e
in their ives/ A'road> he refe.ted> they read their ne+spapers
)ore thoroughy/ 0o ite)> not even the advertise)ent .ou)ns>
es.aped the)/
Aready his hoidays had 'een interrupted on severa o..asions/
!e had deat +ith a +hoe series of pro'e)s fro) )urder to
atte)pted 'a.1)ai/ !e +as deter)ined in MaDor.a to have
pea.e/ !e fet instin.tivey that a distressed )other )ight trou'e
that pea.e .onsidera'y/
Mr Par1er Pyne setted do+n at the Pino d"<ro very happiy/ There
+as a arger hote not far off> the Mariposa> +here a good )any
(ngish peope stayed/ There +as aso 8uite an artist .oony iving
a round/ @ou .oud +a1 aong 'y the sea to the fishing viage
+here there +as a .o.1tai 'ar +here peope )et ; there +ere a
fe+ shops/ It +as a very pea.efu and peasant/ ,irs stroed
a'out in trousers +ith 'righty .oored hand1er.hiefs tied round
the upper haves of their 'odies/ @oung )en in 'erets +ith rather
ong hair hed forth in JMa."s %arJ on su.h su'De.ts as pasti.
vaues and a'stra.tion in art/
<n the day after Mr Par1er Pyne"s arriva> Mrs Chester )ade a fe+
.onventiona re)ar1s to hi) on the su'De.t of the vie+ and the
i1eihood of the +eather 1eeping fine/ She then .hatted a itte
+ith the ,er)an ady a'out 1nitting> and had a fe+ peasant
+ords a'out the sadness of the poiti.a situation +ith t+o $anish
gente)en +ho spent their ti)e rising at da+n and +a1ing for
eeven hours/
Mr Par1er Pyne found %asi Chester a )ost i1ea'e young )an/
!e .aed Mr Par1er Pyne JsirJ and istened )ost poitey to
anything the oder )an said/ So)eti)es the three (ngish peope
had .offee together after dinner in the evening/ After the third
day> %asi eft the party after ten )inutes or so and Mr Par1er Pyne
+as eft tMte;P;tMte +ith Mrs Chester/
They ta1ed a'out fo+ers and the gro+ing of the)> of the
a)enta'e state of the (ngish pound and of ho+ eBpensive
Fran.e had 'e.o)e> and of the diffi.uty of getting good afternoon
tea/ (very evening +hen her son departed> Mr Par1er Pyne sa+
the 8ui.1y .on.eaed tre)or of her ips/ I))ediatey she
re.overed and dis.oursed peasanty on the a'ove;)entioned
su'De.ts/ #itte 'y itte she 'egan to ta1 of %asi ; of ho+ +e he
had done at s.hoo ; Jhe +as in the First ZI> you 1no+J ; of ho+
everyone i1ed hi)> of ho+ proud his father +oud have 'een of
the 'oy had he ived> of ho+ than1fu she had 'een that %asi had
never 'een J+id/J J<f .ourse I a+ays urge hi) to 'e +ith young
peope> 'ut he reay see)s to prefer 'eing +ith )e/J She said it
+ith a 1ind of ni.e )odest peasure in the fa.t/
%ut for on.e Mr Par1er Pyne did not )a1e the usua ta.tfu
response he .oud usuay a.hieve so easiy/ !e said insteadH
J<hG +e> there see) to 'e penty of young peope here ; not in the
hote> 'ut rounda'out/J
At that> he noti.ed> Mrs Chester stiffened/ She saidH <f .ourse
there +ere a ot of Artists/ Perhaps she +as very od;fashioned ;
rea art> of .ourse> +as different> 'ut a ot of young peope Dust
)ade that sort of thing an eB.use for ounging a'out and doing
nothing ; and the girs dran1 a ot too )u.h/
<n the foo+ing day %asi said to Mr Par1er PyneH
JI") a+fuy gad you turned up here> sir ; espe.iay for )y
)other"s sa1e/ She i1es having you to ta1 to in the evenings/J
JWhat did you do +hen you +ere first hereAJ
JAs a )atter of fa.t +e used to pay pi8uet/J
JI see/J
J<f .ourse one gets rather tired of pi8uet/ As a )atter of fa.t I"ve
got so)e friends here ; frightfuy .heery .ro+d/ I don"t reay
thin1 )y )other approves of the) ;J !e aughed as though he fet
this ought to 'e a)using/ JThe )ater"s very od;fashioned/ (ven
girs in trousers sho.1 herGJ
J4uite so>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JWhat I te her is one has got to )ove +ith the ti)es/ The girs at
ho)e round us are frightfuy du/J
JI see>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
A this interested hi) +e enough/ !e +as a spe.tator of a
)iniature dra)a> 'ut he +as not .aed upon to ta1e part in it/
And then the +orst ; fro) Mr Par1er Pyne"s point of vie+ ;
happened/ A gushing ady of his a.8uaintan.e .a)e to stay at the
Mariposa/ They )et in the tea shop in the presen.e of Mrs
Chester/
The ne+.o)er s.rea)edH
JWhy ; if it isn"t Mr Par1er Pyne ; the one and ony Mr Par1er PyneG
And Adea ChesterG $o you 1no+ ea.h otherA <h> you doA @ou"re
staying at the sa)e hoteA !e"s the one and ony origina +i?ard>
Adea ; the )arve of the .entury ; a your trou'es s)oothed out
+hie you +aitG WhatA $idn"t you 1no+A @ou )ust have heard
a'out hi)A !aven"t you read his advertise)entsA "Are you in
trou'eA Consut Mr Par1er Pyne/" There"s Dust nothing he .an"t do/
!us'ands and +ives fying at ea.h other"s throats and he 'rings
"e) together ; if you"ve ost interest in ife he gives you the )ost
thriing adventures/ As I say the )an"s Dust a +i?ardGJ
It +ent on a good dea onger ; Mr Par1er Pyne at intervas )a1ing
)odest dis.ai)ers/ !e disi1ed the oo1 that Mrs Chester turned
upon hi)/ !e disi1ed even )ore seeing her return aong the
'ea.h in .ose .onfa'uation +ith the garruous singer of his
praises/
The .i)aB .a)e 8ui.1er than he eBpe.ted/ That evening> after
.offee> Mrs Chester said a'rupty>
JWi you .o)e into the itte saon> Mr Pyne/ There is so)ething I
+ant to say to you/J
!e .oud 'ut 'o+ and su')it/
Mrs Chester"s sef;.ontro had 'een +earing thin ; as the door of
the itte saon .osed 'ehind the)> it snapped/ She sat do+n and
'urst into tears/
JMy 'oy> Mr Par1er Pyne/ @ou )ust save hi)/ We )ust save hi)/
It"s 'rea1ing )y heartGJ
JMy dear ady> as a )ere outsider ;J
J0ina Wy.herey says you .an do anything/ She said I +as to have
the ut)ost .onfiden.e in you/ She advised )e to te you
everything ; and that you"d put the +hoe thing right/J
In+ardy Mr Par1er Pyne .ursed the o'trusive Mrs Wy.herey/
&esigning hi)sef he saidH
JWe> et us thrash the )atter out/ A gir> I supposeAJ
J$id he te you a'out herAJ
J<ny indire.ty/J
Words poured in a vehe)ent strea) fro) Mrs Chester/ The gir
+as dreadfu/ She dran1> she s+ore ; she +ore no .othes to
spea1 of/ !er sister ived out here ; +as )arried to an artist ; a
$ut.h)an/ The +hoe set +as )ost undesira'e/ !af of the)
+ere iving together +ithout 'eing )arried/ %asi +as .o)petey
.hanged/ !e had a+ays 'een so 8uiet> so interested in serious
su'De.ts/ !e had thought at one ti)e of ta1ing up ar.haeoogy ;J
JWe> +e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J0ature +i have her revenge/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
JIt isn"t heathy for a young )an to 'e interested in serious
su'De.ts/ !e ought to 'e )a1ing an idiot of hi)sef over one gir
after another/J
JPease 'e serious> Mr Pyne/J
JI") perfe.ty serious/ Is the young ady> 'y any .han.e> the one
+ho had tea +ith you yesterdayAJ
!e had noti.ed her ; her gray fanne trousers ; the s.aret
hand1er.hief tied oosey around her 'reast ; the ver)iion )outh
and the fa.t that she had .hosen a .o.1tai in preferen.e to tea/
J@ou sa+ herA Terri'eG 0ot the 1ind of gir %asi has ever
ad)ired/J
J@ou haven"t given hi) )u.h .han.e to ad)ire a gir> have youAJ
JIAJ
J!e"s 'een too fond of your .o)panyG %adG !o+ever> I daresay
he" get over this ; if you don"t pre.ipitate )atters/J
J@ou don"t understand/ !e +ants to )arry this gir ; %etty ,regg ;
they"re engaged/J
JIt"s gone as far as thatAJ
J@es/ Mr Par1er Pyne> you )ust do so)ething/ @ou )ust get )y
'oy out of this disastrous )arriageG !is +hoe ife +i 'e ruined/J
J0o'ody"s ife .an 'e ruined eB.ept 'y the)seves/J
J%asi"s +i 'e>J said Mrs Chester positivey/
JI") not +orrying a'out %asi/J
J@ou"re not +orrying a'out the girAJ
J0o> I") +orrying a'out you/ @ou"ve 'een s8uandering your
'irthright/J
Mrs Chester oo1ed at hi)> sighty ta1en a'a.1/
JWhat are the years fro) t+enty to fortyA Fettered and 'ound 'y
persona and e)otiona reationships/ That"s 'ound to 'e/ That"s
iving/ %ut ater there"s a ne+ stage/ @ou .an thin1> o'serve ife>
dis.over so)ething a'out other peope and the truth a'out
yoursef/ #ife 'e.o)es rea ; signifi.ant/ @ou see it as a +hoe/ 0ot
Dust one s.ene ; the s.ene you> as an a.tor> are paying/ 0o )an or
+o)an is a.tuay hi)sef 9or hersef: ti after forty;five/ That"s
+hen individuaity has a .han.e/J
Mrs Chester saidH
JI"ve 'een +rapped up in %asi/ !e"s 'een everything to )e/J
JWe> he shoudn"t have 'een/ That"s +hat you"re paying for no+/
#ove hi) as )u.h as you i1e ; 'ut you"re Adea Chester>
re)e)'er> a person ; not Dust %asi"s )other/J
JIt +i 'rea1 )y heart if %asi"s ife is ruined>J said %asi"s )other/
!e oo1ed at the dei.ate ines of her fa.e> the +istfu droop of her
)outh/ She +as> so)eho+> a ova'e +o)an/ !e did not +ant her
to 'e hurt/
!e saidH
JI" see +hat I .an do/J
!e found %asi Chester ony too ready to ta1> eager to urge his
point of vie+/
JThis 'usiness is 'eing Dust heish/ Mother"s hopeess ;
preDudi.ed> narro+;)inded/ If ony she"d et hersef> she"d see ho+
fine %etty is/J
JAnd %ettyAJ
!e sighed/
J%etty"s 'eing da)ned diffi.utG If she"d Dust .onfor) a 'it ; I )ean
eave off the ipsti.1 for a day ; it )ight )a1e a the differen.e/
She see)s to go out of her +ay to 'e ; +e ; )odern ; +hen
Mother"s a'out/J
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/
J%etty and Mother are t+o of the dearest peope in the +ord> I
shoud have thought they +oud have ta1en to ea.h other i1e hot
.a1es/J
J@ou have a ot to earn> young )an>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JI +ish you"d .o)e aong and see %etty and have a good ta1
a'out it a/J
Mr Par1er Pyne a..epted the invitation readiy/
%etty and her sister and her hus'and ived in a s)a diapidated
via a itte +ay 'a.1 fro) the sea/ Their ife +as of a refreshing
si)pi.ity/ Their furniture .o)prised three .hairs> a ta'e and
'eds/ There +as a .up'oard in the +a that hed the 'are
re8uire)ents of .ups and pates/ !ans +as an eB.ita'e young
)an +ith +id 'ond hair that stood up a over his head/ !e spo1e
very odd (ngish +ith in.redi'e rapidity> +a1ing up and do+n as
he did so/ Stea> his +ife> +as s)a and fair/ %etty ,regg had red
hair and fre.1es and a )is.hievous eye/ She +as> he noti.ed> not
neary so )ade up as she had 'een the previous day at the Pino
d"<ro/
She gave hi) a .o.1tai and said +ith a t+in1eH
J@ou"re in on the 'ig 'ust;upAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded/
JAnd +hose side are you on> 'ig 'oyA The young overs ; or the
disapproving da)eAJ
JMay I as1 you a 8uestionAJ
JCertainy/J
J!ave you 'een very ta.tfu over a thisAJ
J0ot at a>J said Miss ,regg fran1y/ J%ut the od .at put )y 'a.1
up/J 9she gan.ed round to )a1e sure that %asi +as out of
earshot:/ JThat +o)an Dust )a1es )e fee )ad/ She"s 1ept %asi
tied to her apron strings a these years ; that sort of thing )a1es a
)an oo1 a foo/ %asi isn"t a foo reay/ Then she"s so terri'y
pu11a sahi'/J
JThat"s not reay su.h a 'ad thing/ It"s )erey "unfashiona'e" Dust
at present/J
%etty ,regg gave a sudden t+in1e/
J@ou )ean it"s i1e putting Chippendae .hairs in the atti. in
7i.torian daysA #ater you get the) do+n again and say> "Aren"t
they )arveousA"J
JSo)ething of the 1ind/J
%etty ,regg .onsidered/
JPerhaps you"re right/ I" 'e honest/ It +as %asi +ho put )y 'a.1
up ; 'eing so anBious a'out +hat i)pression I"d )a1e on his
)other/ It drove )e to eBtre)es/ (ven no+ I 'eieve he )ight give
)e up ; if his )other +or1ed on hi) good and hard/J
J!e )ight>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIf she +ent a'out it the right
+ay/J
JAre you going to te her the right +ayA She +on"t thin1 of it
hersef> you 1no+/ She" Dust go on disapproving and that +on"t do
the tri.1/ %ut if you pro)pted her ;J
She 'it her ip ; raised fran1 'ue eyes to his/
JI"ve heard a'out you> Mr Par1er Pyne/ @ou"re supposed to 1no+
so)ething a'out hu)an nature/ $o you thin1 %asi and I .oud
)a1e a go of it ; or notAJ
JI shoud i1e an ans+er to three 8uestions/J
JSuita'iity testA A right> go ahead/J
J$o you seep +ith your +indo+ open or shutAJ
J<pen/ I i1e ots of air/J
J$o you and %asi enDoy the sa)e 1ind of foodAJ
J@es/J
J$o you i1e going to 'ed eary or ateAJ
J&eay> under the rose> eary/ At haf;past ten I ya+n ; and I
se.rety fee rather hearty in the )ornings ; 'ut of .ourse I daren"t
ad)it it/J
J@ou ought to suit ea.h other very +e>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J&ather a superfi.ia test/J
J0ot at a/ I have 1no+n seven )arriages at east> entirey
+re.1ed> 'e.ause the hus'and i1ed sitting up ti )idnight and
the +ife fe aseep at haf;past nine and vi.e versa/J
JIt"s a pity>J said %etty> Jthat every'ody .an"t 'e happy/ %asi and
I> and his )other giving us her 'essing/J
Mr Par1er Pyne .oughed/
JI thin1>J he said> Jthat that .oud possi'y 'e )anaged/J
She oo1ed at hi) dou'tfuy/
J0o+ I +onder>J she said> Jif you"re dou'e .rossing )eAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne"s fa.e tod nothing/
To Mrs Chester he +as soothing> 'ut vague/
An engage)ent +as not )arriage/ !e hi)sef +as going to Soer
for a +ee1/ !e suggested that her ine of a.tion shoud 'e
non.o))itta/ #et her appear to a.8uies.e/
!e spent a very enDoya'e +ee1 at Soer/
<n his return he found that a totay uneBpe.ted deveop)ent had
arisen/
As he entered the Pino d"<ro the first thing he sa+ +as Mrs
Chester and %etty ,regg having tea together/ %asi +as not there/
Mrs Chester oo1ed haggard/ %etty> too> +as oo1ing off .oor/ She
+as hardy )ade up at a> and her eyeids oo1ed as though she
had 'een .rying/
They greeted hi) in a friendy fashion> 'ut neither of the)
)entioned %asi/
Suddeny he heard the gir 'eside hi) dra+ in her 'reath sharpy
as though so)ething had hurt her/ Mr Par1er Pyne turned his
head/
%asi Chester +as .o)ing up the steps fro) the sea front/ With
hi) +as a gir so eBoti.ay 'eautifu that it 8uite too1 your 'reath
a+ay/ She +as dar1 and her figure +as )arveous/ 0o one .oud
fai to noti.e the fa.t sin.e she +ore nothing 'ut a singe gar)ent
of pae 'ue .rMpe/ She +as heaviy )ade up +ith o.hre po+der
and an orange s.aret )outh ; 'ut the unguents ony dispayed her
re)ar1a'e 'eauty in a )ore pronoun.ed fashion/
As for young %asi> he see)ed una'e to ta1e his eyes fro) her
fa.e/
J@ou"re very ate> %asi>J said his )other/ J@ou +ere to have ta1en
%etty to Ma."s/J
JMy faut>J dra+ed the 'eautifu un1no+n/ JWe Dust drifted/J She
turned to %asi/ JAnge ; get )e so)ething +ith a 1i.1 in itGJ
She tossed off her shoe and stret.hed out her )ani.ured toenais
+hi.h +ere done e)erad green to )at.h her fingernais/
She paid no attention to the t+o +o)en> 'ut she eaned a itte
to+ards Mr Par1er Pyne/
JTerri'e isand this>J she said/ JI +as Dust dying +ith 'oredo)
'efore I )et %asi/ !e is rather a petGJ
JMr Par1er Pyne ; Miss &a)ona>J said Mrs Chester/
The gir a.1no+edged the introdu.tion +ith a a?y s)ie/
JI guess I" .a you Par1er a)ost at on.e>J she )ur)ured/ JMy
na)e"s $oores/J
%asi returned +ith the drin1s/ Miss &a)ona divided her
.onversation 9+hat there +as of it ; it +as )osty gan.es:
'et+een %asi and Mr Par1er Pyne/ <f the t+o +o)en she too1 no
noti.e +hatever/ %etty atte)pted on.e or t+i.e to Doin in the
.onversation 'ut the other gir )erey stared at her and ya+ned/
Suddeny $oores rose/
J,uess I" 'e going aong no+/ I") at the other hote/ Anyone
.o)ing to see )e ho)eAJ
%asi sprang up/
JI" .o)e +ith you/J
Mrs Chester saidH J%asi> )y dear ;J
JI" 'e 'a.1 presenty> Mother/J
JIsn"t he the )other"s 'oyAJ Miss &a)ona as1ed of the +ord at
arge/ J*ust toots "round after her> don"t youAJ
%asi fushed and oo1ed a+1+ard/ Miss &a)ona gave a nod in
Mrs Chester"s dire.tion> a da??ing s)ie to Mr Par1er Pyne and
she and %asi )oved off together/
After they had gone there +as rather an a+1+ard sien.e/ Mr
Par1er Pyne did not i1e to spea1 first/ %etty ,regg +as t+isting
her fingers and oo1ing out to sea/ Mrs Chester oo1ed fushed and
angry/
%etty saidH JWe> +hat do you thin1 of our ne+ a.8uisition in
Poensa %ayAJ !er voi.e +as not 8uite steady/
Mr Par1er Pyne said .autiousyH
JA itte ; er ; eBoti./J
J(Boti.AJ %etty gave a short 'itter augh/
Mrs Chester saidH JShe"s terri'e ; terri'e/ %asi )ust 'e 8uite
)ad/J
%etty said sharpyH J%asi"s a right/J
J!er toenais>J said Mrs Chester +ith a shiver of nausea/
%etty rose suddeny/
JI thin1> Mrs Chester> I" go ho)e and not stay to dinner after a/J
J<h> )y dear ; %asi +i 'e so disappointed/J
JWi heAJ as1ed %etty +ith a short augh/ JAny+ay> I thin1 I +i/
I"ve got rather a heada.he/J
She s)ied at the) 'oth and +ent off/ Mrs Chester turned to Mr
Par1er Pyne/
JI +ish +e had never .o)e to this pa.e ; neverGJ
Mr Par1er Pyne shoo1 his head sady/
J@ou shoudn"t have gone a+ay>J said Mrs Chester/ JIf you"d 'een
here this +oudn"t have happened/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as stung to respond>
JMy dear ady> I .an assure you that +hen it .o)es to a 8uestion
of a 'eautifu young +o)an> I shoud have no infuen.e over your
son +hatever/ !e ; er ; see)s to 'e of a very sus.epti'e nature/J
J!e never used to 'e>J said Mrs Chester tearfuy/
JWe>J said Mr Par1er Pyne +ith an atte)pt at .heerfuness> Jthis
ne+ attra.tion see)s to have 'ro1en the 'a.1 of his infatuation
for Miss ,regg/ That )ust 'e so)e satisfa.tion to you/J
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean>J said Mrs Chester/ J%etty is a dear
.hid and devoted to %asi/ She is 'ehaving eBtre)ey +e over
this/ I thin1 )y 'oy )ust 'e )ad/J
Mr Par1er Pyne re.eived this starting .hange of fa.e +ithout
+in.ing/ !e had )et in.onsisten.y in +o)en 'efore/ !e said
)idyH
J0ot eBa.ty )ad ; Dust 'e+it.hed/J
JThe .reature"s a $ago/ She"s i)possi'e/J
J%ut eBtre)ey good;oo1ing/J
Mrs Chester snorted/
%asi ran up the steps fro) the sea front/
J!uo> Mater> here I a)/ Where"s %ettyAJ
J%etty"s gone ho)e +ith a heada.he/ I don"t +onder/J
JSu1ing> you )ean/J
JI .onsider> %asi> that you are 'eing eBtre)ey un1ind to %etty/J
JFor ,od"s sa1e> Mother> don"t Da+/ If %etty is going to )a1e this
fuss every ti)e I spea1 to another gir a ni.e sort of ife +e" ead
together/J
J@ou are engaged/J
J<h> +e"re engaged a right/ That doesn"t )ean that +e"re not
going to have any friends of our o+n/ 0o+adays peope have to
ead their o+n ives and try to .ut out Deaousy/J
!e paused/
J#oo1 here> if %etty isn"t going to dine +ith us ; I thin1 I" go 'a.1
to the Mariposa/ They did as1 )e to dine ;J
J<h> %asi ;J
The 'oy gave her an eBasperated oo1> then ran off do+n the
steps/
Mrs Chester oo1ed eo8uenty at Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou see>J she said/
!e sa+/
Matters .a)e to a head a .oupe of days ater/ %etty and %asi
+ere to have gone for a ong +a1> ta1ing a pi.ni. un.h +ith the)/
%etty arrived at the Pino d"<ro to find that %asi had forgotten the
pan and gone over to For)entor for the day +ith $oores
&a)ona"s party/
%eyond a tightening of the ips the gir )ade no sign/ Presenty>
ho+ever> she got up and stood in front of Mrs Chester 9the t+o
+o)en +ere aone on the terra.e:/
JIt"s 8uite a right>J she said/ JIt doesn"t )atter/ %ut I thin1 ; a the
sa)e ; that +e"d 'etter .a the +hoe thing off/J
She sipped fro) her finger the signet ring that %asi had given her
; he +oud 'uy the rea engage)ent ring ater/
JWi you give hi) 'a.1 this> Mrs ChesterA And te hi) it"s a right
; not to +orry///J
J%etty dear> don"tG !e does ove you ; reay/J
JIt oo1s i1e it> doesn"t itAJ said the gir +ith a short augh/ J0o ;
I"ve got so)e pride/ Te hi) everything"s a right and that I ; I +ish
hi) u.1/J
When %asi returned at sunset he +as greeted 'y a stor)/
!e fushed a itte at the sight of his ring/
JSo that"s ho+ she fees> is itA We> I daresay it"s the 'est thing/J
J%asiGJ
JWe> fran1y> Mother> +e don"t see) to have 'een hitting it off
atey/J
JWhose faut +as thatAJ
JI don"t see that it +as )ine parti.uary/ *eaousy"s 'easty and I
reay don"t see +hy you shoud get a +or1ed up a'out it/ @ou
'egged )e yoursef not to )arry %etty/J
JThat +as 'efore I 1ne+ her/ %asi ; )y dear ; you"re not thin1ing
of )arrying this other .reature/J
%asi Chester said so'eryH
JI"d )arry her i1e a shot if she"d have )e ; 'ut I") afraid she
+on"t/J
Cod .his +ent do+n Mrs Chester"s spine/ She sought and found
Mr Par1er Pyne> pa.idy reading a 'oo1 in a shetered .orner/
J@ou )ust do so)ethingG @ou )ust do so)ethingG My 'oy"s ife +i
'e ruined/J
Mr Par1er Pyne +as getting a itte tired of %asi Chester"s ife
'eing ruined/
JWhat .an I doAJ
J,o and see this terri'e .reature/ If ne.essary 'uy her off/J
JThat )ay .o)e very eBpensive/J
JI don"t .are/J
JIt see)s a pity/ Sti there are> possi'y> other +ays/J
She oo1ed a 8uestion/ !e shoo1 his head/
JI" )a1e no pro)ises ; 'ut I" see +hat I .an do/ I have handed
that 1ind 'efore/ %y the +ay> not a +ord to %asi ; that +oud 'e
fata/J
J<f .ourse not/J
Mr Par1er Pyne returned fro) the Mariposa at )idnight/ Mrs
Chester +as sitting up for hi)/
JWeAJ she de)anded 'reathessy/
!is eyes t+in1ed/
JThe Sedorita $oores &a)ona +i eave Poensa to)orro+
)orning and the isand to)orro+ night/J
J<h> Mr Par1er PyneG !o+ did you )anage itAJ
JIt +on"t .ost a .ent>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ Again his eyes
t+in1ed/ JI rather fan.ied I )ight have a hod over her ; and I +as
right/J
J@ou are +onderfu/ 0ina Wy.herey +as 8uite right/ @ou )ust et
)e 1no+ ; er ; your fees ;J
Mr Par1er Pyne hed up a +e;)ani.ured hand/
J0ot a penny/ It has 'een a peasure/ I hope a +i go +e/ <f
.ourse the 'oy +i 'e very upset at first +hen he finds she"s
disappeared and eft no address/ *ust go easy +ith hi) for a +ee1
or t+o/J
JIf ony %etty +i forgive hi) ;J
JShe" forgive hi) a right/ They"re a ni.e .oupe/ %y the +ay> I")
eaving to)orro+> too/J
J<h> Mr Par1er Pyne> +e sha )iss you/J
JPerhaps it"s Dust as +e I shoud go 'efore that 'oy of yours gets
infatuated +ith yet a third gir/J
Mr Par1er Pyne eaned over the rai of the stea)er and oo1ed at
the ights of Pa)a/ %eside hi) stood $oores &a)ona/ !e +as
saying appre.iativeyH
JA very ni.e pie.e of +or1> Madeeine/ I") gad I +ired you to
.o)e out/ It"s odd +hen you"re su.h a 8uiet stay;at;ho)e gir
reay/J
Madeeine de Sara> aias $oores &a)ona> aias Maggie Sayers>
said pri)yH JI") gad you"re peased> Mr Par1er Pyne/ It"s 'een a
ni.e itte .hange/ I thin1 I" go 'eo+ no+ and get to 'ed 'efore
the 'oat starts/ I") su.h a 'ad saior/J
A fe+ )inutes ater a hand fe on Mr Par1er Pyne"s shouder/ !e
turned to see %asi Chester/
J!ad to .o)e and see you off> Mr Par1er Pyne> and give you
%etty"s ove and her and )y 'est than1s/ It +as a grand stunt of
yours/ %etty and Mother are as thi.1 as thieves/ See)ed a sha)e
to de.eive the od daring ; 'ut she +as 'eing diffi.ut/ Any+ay it"s
a right no+/ I )ust Dust 'e .arefu to 1eep up the annoyan.e stuff
a .oupe of days onger/ We"re no end gratefu to you> %etty and I/J
JI +ish you every happiness>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThan1s/J
There +as a pause> then %asi said +ith so)e+hat overdone
.areessnessH
JIs Miss ; Miss de Sara ; any+here a'outA I"d i1e to than1 her>
too/J
Mr Par1er Pyne shot a 1een gan.e at hi)/
!e saidH
JI") afraid Miss de Sara"s gone to 'ed/J
J<h> too 'ad ; +e> perhaps I" see her in #ondon so)eti)e/J
JAs a )atter of fa.t she is going to A)eri.a on 'usiness for )e
a)ost at on.e/J
J<hGJ %asi"s tone +as 'an1/ JWe>J he said/ JI" 'e getting
aong///J
Mr Par1er Pyne s)ied/ <n his +ay to his .a'in he tapped on the
door of Madeeine"s/
J!o+ are you> )y dearA A rightA <ur young friend has 'een
aong/ The usua sight atta.1 of Madeeinitis/ !e" get over it in a
day or t+o> 'ut you are rather distra.ting/J
T!( S(C<0$ ,<0,
*oan Ash'y .a)e out of her 'edroo) and stood a )o)ent on the
anding outside her door/ She +as haf turning as if to go 'a.1 into
the roo) +hen> 'eo+ her feet as it see)ed> a gong 'oo)ed out/
I))ediatey *oan started for+ard a)ost at a run/ So great +as
her hurry that at the top of the 'ig stair.ase she .oided +ith a
young )an arriving fro) the opposite dire.tion/
"!uo> *oanG Why the +id hurryA"
"Sorry> !arry/ I didn"t see you/"
"So I gathered>" said !arry $aehouse dryy/ "%ut as I say> +hy the
+id hasteA"
"It +as the gong/"
"I 1no+/ %ut it"s ony the first gong/"
"0o> it"s the se.ond/"
"First/"
"Se.ond/"
Thus arguing they had 'een des.ending the stairs/ They +ere no+
in the ha> +here the 'uter> having repa.ed the gongsti.1> +as
advan.ing to+ard the) at a grave and dignified pa.e/
"It is the se.ond>" persisted *oan/ "I 1no+ it is/ We> for one thing>
oo1 at the ti)e/"
!arry $aehouse gan.ed up at the grandfather .o.1/
"*ust t+eve )inutes past eight>" he re)ar1ed/ "*oan> I 'eieve
you"re right> 'ut I never heard the first one/ $ig'y>" he addressed
the 'uter> "is this the first gong or the se.ondA"
"The first> sir/"
"At t+eve )inutes past eightA $ig'y> so)e'ody +i get the sa.1
for this/"
A faint s)ie sho+ed for a )inute on the 'uter"s fa.e/
"$inner is 'eing served ten )inutes ater tonight> sir/ The )aster"s
orders/"
"In.redi'eG" .ried !arry $aehouse/ "Tut> tutG 2pon )y +ord>
things are .o)ing to a pretty passG Wonders +i never .ease/
What ais )y revered un.eA"
"The seven o".o.1 train> sir> +as haf an hour ate> and as ;" The
'uter 'ro1e off> as a sound i1e the .ra.1 of a +hip +as heard/
"What on earth ;" said !arry/ "Why> that sounded eBa.ty i1e a
shot/"
A dar1> handso)e )an of thirty;five .a)e out of the dra+ing roo)
on their eft/
"What +as thatA" he as1ed/ "It sounded eBa.ty i1e a shot/"
"It )ust have 'een a .ar 'a.1firing> sir>" said the 'uter/ "The road
runs 8uite .ose to the house this side and the upstairs +indo+s
are open/"
"Perhaps>" said *oan dou'tfuy/ "%ut that +oud 'e over there/" She
+aved a hand to the right/ "And I thought the sound .a)e fro)
here/" She pointed to the eft/
The dar1 )an shoo1 his head/
"I don"t thin1 so/ I +as in the dra+ing roo)/ I .a)e out here
'e.ause I thought the sound .a)e fro) this dire.tion/" !e nodded
his head in front of hi) in the dire.tion of the gong and the front
door/
"(ast> +est> and south> ehA" said the irrepressi'e !arry/ "We> I"
)a1e it .o)pete> -eene/ 0orth for )e/ I thought it .a)e fro)
'ehind us/ Any soutions offeredA"
"We> there"s a+ays )urder>" said ,eoffrey -eene> s)iing/ "I 'eg
your pardon> Miss Ash'y/"
"<ny a shiver>" said *oan/ "It"s nothing/ A +hat;do;you;.a;it
+a1ing over )y grave/"
"A good thought ; )urder>" said !arry/ "%ut> aasG 0o groans> no
'ood/ I fear the soution is a poa.her after a ra''it/"
"See)s ta)e> 'ut I suppose that"s it>" agreed the other/ "%ut it
sounded so near/ !o+ever> et"s .o)e into the dra+ing roo)/"
"Than1 goodness> +e"re not ate>" said *oan ferventy/ "I +as si)py
haring it do+n the stairs thin1ing that +as the se.ond gong/"
A aughing> they +ent into the 'ig dra+ing roo)/
#yt.ha) Cose +as one of the )ost fa)ous od houses in (ngand/
Its o+ner> !u'ert #yt.ha);&o.he> +as the ast of a ong ine> and
his )ore distant reatives +ere apt to re)ar1 that "<d !u'ert> you
1no+> reay ought to 'e .ertified/ Mad as a hatter> poor od 'ird/"
Ao+ing for the eBaggeration natura to friends and reatives>
so)e truth re)ained/ !u'ert #yt.ha);&o.he +as .ertainy
e..entri./ Though a very fine )usi.ian> he +as a )an of
ungoverna'e te)per and had an a)ost a'nor)a sense of his
o+n i)portan.e/ Peope staying in the house had to respe.t his
preDudi.es or ese they +ere never as1ed again/
<ne su.h preDudi.e +as his )usi./ If he payed to his guests> as he
often did in the evening> a'soute sien.e )ust o'tain/ A
+hispered .o))ent> a ruste of a dress> a )ove)ent even ; and
he +oud turn round s.o+ing fier.ey> and good'ye to the unu.1y
guest"s .han.es of 'eing as1ed again/
Another point +as a'soute pun.tuaity for the .ro+ning )ea of
the day/ %rea1fast +as i))ateria ; you )ight .o)e do+n at noon
if you +ished/ #un.h aso ; a si)pe )ea of .od )eats and
ste+ed fruit/ %ut dinner +as a rite> a festiva> prepared 'y a
.ordon 'eu +ho) he had te)pted fro) a 'ig hote 'y the
pay)ent of a fa'uous saary/
A first gong +as sounded at five )inutes past eight/ At a 8uarter
past eight a se.ond gong +as heard> and i))ediatey after the
door +as fung open> dinner announ.ed to the asse)'ed guests>
and a soe)n pro.ession +ended its +ay to the dining roo)/
Anyone +ho had the te)erity to 'e ate for the se.ond gong +as
hen.eforth eB.o))uni.ated ; and #yt.ha) Cose shut to the
unu.1y diner forever/
!en.e the anBiety of *oan Ash'y> and aso the astonish)ent of
!arry $aehouse> at hearing that the sa.red fun.tion +as to 'e
deayed ten )inutes on this parti.uar evening/ Though not very
inti)ate +ith his un.e> he had 'een to #yt.ha) Cose often
enough to 1no+ +hat a very unusua o..urren.e that +as/
,eoffrey -eene> +ho +as #yt.ha);&o.he"s se.retary> +as aso
very )u.h surprised/
"(Btraordinary>" he .o))ented/ "I"ve never 1no+n su.h a thing to
happen/ Are you sureA"
"$ig'y said so/"
"!e said so)ething a'out a train>" said *oan Ash'y/ "At east I thin1
so/"
"4ueer>" said -eene thoughtfuy/ "We sha hear a a'out it in due
.ourse> I suppose/ %ut it"s very odd/"
%oth )en +ere sient for a )o)ent or t+o> +at.hing the gir/ *oan
Ash'y +as a .har)ing .reature> 'ue;eyed and goden;haired>
+ith an i)pish gan.e/ This +as her first visit to #yt.ha) Cose
and her invitation +as at !arry"s pro)pting/
The door opened and $iana Ceves> the #yt.ha);&o.hes" adopted
daughter> .a)e into the roo)/
There +as a daredevi gra.e a'out $iana> a +it.hery in her dar1
eyes and her )o.1ing tongue/ 0eary a )en fe for $iana and
she enDoyed her .on8uests/ A strange .reature> +ith her auring
suggestion of +ar)th and her .o)pete .odness/
"%eaten the <d Man for on.e>" she re)ar1ed/ "First ti)e for +ee1s
he hasn"t 'een here first> oo1ing at his +at.h and tra)ping up
and do+n i1e a tiger at feeding ti)e/"
The young )en had sprung for+ard/ She s)ied entran.ingy at
the) 'oth ; they turned to !arry/ ,eoffrey -eene"s dar1 .hee1
fushed as he dropped 'a.1/
!e re.overed hi)sef> ho+ever> a )o)ent as Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he
.a)e in/ She +as a ta> dar1 +o)an> naturay vague in )anner>
+earing foating draperies of an indeter)inate shade of green/
With her +as a )idde;aged )an +ith a 'ea1i1e nose and a
deter)ined .hin ; ,regory %aring/ !e +as a so)e+hat pro)inent
figure in the finan.ia +ord> +e;'red on his )other"s side> he had
for so)e years 'een an inti)ate friend of !u'ert #yt.ha);&o.he/
%oo)G
The gong resounded i)posingy/ As it died a+ay> the door +as
fung open and $ig'y announ.edH
"$inner is served/"
Then> +e;trained servant that he +as> a oo1 of .o)pete
astonish)ent fashed over his i)passive fa.e/ For the first ti)e in
his )e)ory> his )aster +as not in the roo)G
That his astonish)ent +as shared 'y every'ody +as evident/ Mrs
#yt.ha);&o.he gave a itte nervous augh/
"Most a)a?ing/ &eay ; I don"t 1no+ +hat to do/"
(very'ody +as ta1en a'a.1/ The +hoe tradition of #yt.ha) Cose
+as under)ined/ What .oud have happenedA Conversation
.eased/ There +as a strained sense of +aiting/
At ast the door opened on.e )oreI a sigh of reief +ent round ony
te)pered 'y a sight anBiety as to ho+ to treat the situation/
0othing )ust 'e said to e)phasi?e the fa.t that the host hi)sef
transgressed the stringent rue of the house/
%ut the ne+.o)er +as not #yt.ha);&o.he/ Instead of the 'ig>
'earded> vi1ing;i1e figure> there advan.ed into the ong dra+ing
roo) a very s)a )an> papa'y a foreigner> +ith an egg;shaped
head> a fa)'oyant )ousta.he> and )ost irreproa.ha'e evening
.othes/
!is eyes t+in1ing> the ne+.o)er advan.ed to+ard Mrs #yt.ha);
&o.he/
"My apoogies> )ada)e>" he said/ "I a)> I fear> a fe+ )inutes ate/"
"<h> not at aG" )ur)ured Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he vaguey/ "0ot at a>
Mr ;" She paused/
"Poirot> )ada)e/ !er.ue Poirot/"
!e heard 'ehind hi) a very soft "<h" ; a gasp rather than an
arti.uate +ord ; a +o)an"s eDa.uation/ Perhaps he +as fattered/
"@ou 1ne+ I +as .o)ingA" he )ur)ured genty/ "0"est .e pas>
)ada)eA @our hus'and tod you/"
"<h ; oh> yes>" said Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he> her )anner un.onvin.ing
in the eBtre)e/ "I )ean> I suppose so/ I a) so terri'y unpra.ti.a>
M/ Poirot/ I never re)e)'er anything/ %ut fortunatey $ig'y sees
to everything/"
"My train> I fear> +as ate>" said M/ Poirot/ "An a..ident on the ine in
front of us/"
"<h>" .ried *oan> "so that"s +hy dinner +as put off/"
!is eye .a)e 8ui.1y round to her ; a )ost un.anniy dis.erning
eye/
"That is so)ething out of the usua ; ehA"
"I reay .an"t thin1 ;" 'egan Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he> and then stopped/
"I )ean>" she +ent on .onfusedy> "it"s so odd/ !u'ert never ;"
Poirot"s eyes s+ept rapidy round the group/
"M/ #yt.ha);&o.he is not do+n yetA"
"0o> and it"s so eBtraordinary ;" She oo1ed appeaingy at ,eoffrey
-eene/
"Mr #yt.ha);&o.he is the sou of pun.tuaity>" eBpained -eene/
"!e has not 'een ate for dinner for ; +e> I don"t 1no+ that he +as
ever ate 'efore/"
To a stranger the situation )ust have 'een udi.rous ; the
pertur'ed fa.es and the genera .onsternation/
"I 1no+>" said Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he +ith the air of one soving a
pro'e)/ "I sha ring for $ig'y/"
She suited the a.tion to the +ord/
The 'uter .a)e pro)pty/
"$ig'y>" said Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he> "@our )aster/ Is he ;"
As +as .usto)ary +ith her> she did not finish her senten.e/ It +as
.ear that the 'uter did not eBpe.t her to do so/ !e repied
pro)pty and +ith understanding/
"Mr #yt.ha);&o.he .a)e do+n at five )inutes to eight and +ent
into the study> )ada)/"
"<hG" she paused/ "@ou don"t thin1 ; I )ean ; he heard the gongA"
"I thin1 he )ust have ; the gong is i))ediatey outside the study
door/"
"@es> of .ourse> of .ourse>" aid Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he )ore vaguey
than ever/ "Sha I infor) hi)> )ada)> that dinner is readyA"
"<h> than1 you> $ig'y/ @es> I thin1 ; yes> yes> I shoud/"
"I don"t 1no+>" said Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he to her guests as the 'uter
+ithdre+> "+hat I +oud do +ithout $ig'yG"
A pause foo+ed/
Then $ig'y re;entered the roo)/ !is 'reath +as .o)ing a itte
faster than is .onsidered good for) in a 'uter/
"(B.use )e> )ada) ; the study door is o.1ed/"
It +as then that M/ !er.ue Poirot too1 .o))and of the situation/
"I thin1>" he said> "that +e had 'etter go to the study/"
!e ed the +ay and everyone foo+ed/ !is assu)ption of authority
see)ed perfe.ty natura/ !e +as no onger a rather .o)i.oo1ing
guest/ !e +as a personaity and )aster of the situation/
!e ed the +ay out into the ha> past the stair.ase> past the great
.o.1> past the re.ess in +hi.h stood the gong/ (Ba.ty opposite
that re.ess +as a .osed door/
!e tapped on it> first genty> then +ith in.reasing vioen.e/ %ut
there +as no repy/ 7ery ni)'y he dropped to his 1nees and
appied his eye to the 1eyhoe/ !e rose and oo1ed round/
"Messieurs>" he said> "+e )ust 'rea1 open this door/ I))ediateyG"
As 'efore no one 8uestioned his authority/ ,eoffrey -eene and
,regory %aring +ere the t+o 'iggest )en/ They atta.1ed the
door under Poirot"s dire.tions/ It +as no easy )atter/ The doors of
#yt.ha) Cose +ere soid affairs ; no )odern Derry;'uiding here/
It resisted the atta.1 vaianty> 'ut at ast it gave 'efore the united
atta.1 of the )en and .rashed in+ard/
The house party hesitated in the door+ay/ They sa+ +hat they had
su'.ons.iousy feared to see/ Fa.ing the) +as the +indo+/ <n
the eft> 'et+een the door and the +indo+> +as a 'ig +riting ta'e/
Sitting> not at the ta'e> 'ut side+ays to it> +as a )an ; a 'ig )an ;
sou.hed for+ard in his .hair/ !is 'a.1 +as to the) and his fa.e
to the +indo+> 'ut his position tod the tae/ !is right hand hung
i)py do+n and 'eo+ it> on the .arpet +as a s)a shining pisto/
Poirot spo1e sharpy to ,regory %aring/
"Ta1e Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he a+ay ; and the other t+o adies/"
The other nodded .o)prehendingy/ !e aid a hand on his
hostess"s ar)/ She shivered/
"!e has shot hi)sef>" she )ur)ured/ "!orri'eG" With another
shiver she per)itted hi) to ead her a+ay/ The t+o girs foo+ed/
Poirot .a)e for+ard into the roo)> the t+o young )en 'ehind hi)/
!e 1net do+n 'y the 'ody> )otioning the) to 1eep 'a.1 a itte/
!e found the 'uet hoe on the right side of the head/ It had passed
out the other side and evidenty stru.1 a )irror hanging on the
eft;hand +a> sin.e this +as shivered/ <n the +riting ta'e +as a
sheet of paper> 'an1 save for the +ord Sorry s.ra+ed a.ross it in
hesitating sha1y +riting/
Poirot"s eyes darted 'a.1 to the door/
"The 1ey is not on the o.1>" he said/ "I +onder ;"
!is hand sid into the dead )an"s po.1et/
"!ere it is>" he said/ "At east I thin1 so/ !ave the goodness to try it>
)onsieurA"
,eoffrey -eene too1 it fro) hi) and tried it in the o.1/
"That"s it> a right/"
"And the +indo+A"
!arry $aehouse strode a.ross to it/
"Shut/"
"@ou per)itA" 7ery s+ifty> Poirot s.ra)'ed to his feet and Doined
the other at the +indo+/ It +as a ong Fren.h +indo+/ Poirot
opened it> stood a )inute s.rutini?ing the grass Dust on front of it>
then .osed it again/
"My friends>" he said> "+e )ust teephone for the poi.e/ 2nti they
have .o)e and satisfied the)seves that it is truy sui.ide nothing
)ust 'e tou.hed/ $eath .an ony have o..urred a'out a 8uarter of
an hour ago/"
"I 1no+>" said !arry hoarsey/ "We heard the shot/"
"Co))entA What is that you sayA"
!arry eBpained +ith the hep of ,eoffrey -eene/ As he finished
spea1ing> %aring reappeared/
Poirot repeated +hat he had said 'efore> and +hie -eene +ent off
to teephone> Poirot re8uested %aring to give hi) a fe+ )inutes"
intervie+/
They +ent into a s)a )orning roo)> eaving $ig'y on guard
outside the study door> +hie !arry +ent off to find the adies/
"@ou +ere> I understood> an inti)ate friend of M/ #yt.ha);&o.he>"
'egan Poirot/ "It is for that reason that I address )ysef to you
pri)ariy/ In eti8uette> perhaps> I shoud have spo1en first to
)ada)e> 'ut at the )o)ent I do not thin1 that is prati8ue/"
!e paused/
"I a)> see you> in a dei.ate situation/ I +i ay the fa.ts painy
'efore you/ I a)> 'y profession> a private dete.tive/"
The finan.ier s)ied a itte/
"It is not ne.essary to te )e that> M/ Poirot/ @our na)e is> 'y no+>
a househod +ord/"
"Monsieur is too a)ia'e>" said Poirot> 'o+ing/ "#et us> then>
pro.eed/ I re.eive> at )y #ondon address> a etter fro) this M/
#yt.ha);&o.he/ In it he says that he has reason to 'eieve that he
is 'eing s+inded of arge su)s of )oney/ For fa)iy reasons> so
he puts it> he does not +ant to .a in the poi.e> 'ut he desires
that I shoud .o)e do+n and oo1 into the )atter for hi)/ We> I
agree/ I .o)e/ 0ot 8uite so soon as M/ #yt.ha);&o.he +ishes ; for
after a I have other affairs> and M/ #yt.ha);&o.he> he is not 8uite
the -ing of (ngand> though he see)s to thin1 he is/"
%aring gave a +ry s)ie/
"!e did thin1 of hi)sef that +ay/"
"(Ba.ty/ <h> you .o)prehend ; his etter sho+ed painy enough
that he +as +hat one .as an e..entri./ !e +as not insane> 'ut he
+as un'aan.ed> n"est;.e pasA"
"What he"s Dust done ought to sho+ that/"
"<h> )onsieur> 'ut sui.ide is not a+ays the a.t of the un'aan.ed/
The .oroner"s Dury> they say so> 'ut that is to spare the feeings of
those eft 'ehind/"
"!u'ert +as not a nor)a individua>" said %aring de.isivey/ "!e
+as given to ungoverna'e rages> +as a )ono)ania. on the
su'De.t of fa)iy pride> and had a 'ee in his 'onnet in )ore +ays
than one/ %ut for a that he +as a shre+d )an/"
"Pre.isey/ !e +as suffi.ienty shre+d to dis.over that he +as
'eing ro''ed/"
"$oes a )an .o))it sui.ide 'e.ause he"s 'eing ro''edA" %aring
as1ed/
"As you say> )onsieur/ &idi.uous/ And that 'rings )e to the need
for haste in the )atter/ For fa)iy reasons ; that +as the phrase he
used in the etter/ (h 'ien> )onsieur> you are a )an of the +ord>
you 1no+ that it is for pre.isey that ; fa)iy reasons ; that a )an
does .o))it sui.ide/"
"@ou )eanA"
"That it oo1s ; on the fa.e of it ; as if .e pauvre )onsieur had found
out so)ething further ; and +as una'e to fa.e +hat he had found
out/ %ut you per.eive> I have a duty/ I a) aready e)poyed ;
.o))issioned ; I have a..epted the tas1/ This "fa)iy reason"> the
dead )an did not +ant it to get to the poi.e/ So I )ust a.t 8ui.1y/
I )ust earn the truth/"
"And +hen you have earned itA"
"Then ; I )ust use dis.retion/ I )ust do +hat I .an/"
"I see>" said %aring/ !e s)o1ed for a )inute or too in sien.e> then
he said> "A the sa)e> I") afraid I .an"t hep you/ !u'ert never
.onfided anything to )e/ I 1no+ nothing/"
"%ut te )e> )onsieur> +ho> shoud you say> had a .han.e of
ro''ing this poor gente)anA"
"$iffi.ut to say/ <f .ourse> there"s the agent for the estate/ !e"s a
ne+ )an/"
"The agentA"
"@es/ Marsha/ Captain Marsha/ 7ery ni.e feo+> ost an ar) in
the +ar/ !e .a)e here a year ago/ %ut !u'ert i1ed hi)> I 1no+>
and trusted hi)> too/"
"If it +ere Captain Marsha +ho +as paying hi) fase> there +oud
'e no fa)iy reasons for sien.e/"
"0;no/"
The hesitation did not es.ape Poirot/
"Spea1> )onsieur/ Spea1 painy> I 'eg of you/"
"It )ay 'e gossip/"
"I i)pore you> spea1/"
"7ery +e> then> I +i/ $id you noti.e a very attra.tive oo1ing
+o)an in the dra+ing roo)A"
"I noti.ed t+o very attra.tive oo1ing +o)en/"
"<h> yes> Miss Ash'y/ Pretty itte thing/ !er first visit/ !arry
$aehouse got Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he to as1 her/ 0o> I )ean a dar1
gir ; $iana Ceves/"
"I noti.ed her>" said Poirot/ "She is one that a )en +oud noti.e> I
thin1/"
"She"s a itte devi>" 'urst out %aring/ "She"s payed fast and oose
+ith every )an for t+enty )ies round/ So)eone +i )urder her
one of these days/"
!e +iped his 'ro+ +ith a hand1er.hief> o'ivious of the 1een
interest +ith +hi.h the other +as regarding hi)/
"And this young ady is ;"
"She"s #yt.ha);&o.he"s adopted daughter/ A great
disappoint)ent +hen he and his +ife had no .hidren/ They
adopted $iana Ceves ; she +as so)e 1ind of .ousin/ !u'ert +as
devoted to her> si)py +orshipped her/"
"$ou'tess he +oud disi1e the idea of her )arryingA" suggested
Poirot/
"0ot if she )arried the right person/"
"And the right person +as ; you> )onsieurA"
%aring started and fushed/
"I never said ;"
"Mais> non> )ais> nonG @ou said nothing/ %ut it +as so> +as it notA"
"I fe in ove +ith her ; yes/ #yt.ha);&o.he +as peased a'out it/ It
fitted in +ith his ideas for her/"
"And )ade)oisee hersefA"
"I tod you ; she"s the devi in.arnate/"
"I .o)prehend/ She has her o+n ideas of a)use)ent> is it not soA
%ut Captain Marsha> +here does he .o)e inA"
"We> she"s 'een seeing a ot of hi)/ Peope ta1ed/ 0ot that I thin1
there"s anything in it/ Another s.ap> that"s a/"
Poirot nodded/
"%ut supposing there had 'een so)ething in it ; +e> then> it )ight
eBpain +hy M/ #yt.ha);&o.he +anted to pro.eed .autiousy/"
"@ou do understand> don"t you> that there"s no earthy reason for
suspe.ting Marsha of defa.ation/"
"<h> parfaite)ent> parfaite)entG It )ight 'e an affair of a forged
.he8ue +ith so)eone in the househod invoved/ This young Mr
$aehouse> +ho is heA"
"A nephe+/"
"!e +i inherit> yesA"
"!e"s a sister"s son/ <f .ourse he )ight ta1e the na)e ; there"s not
a #yt.ha);&o.he eft/"
"I see/"
"The pa.e isn"t eBa.ty entaied> though it"s a+ays gone fro)
father to son/ I"ve a+ays i)agined that he"d eave the pa.e to his
+ife for her ifeti)e and then perhaps to $iana if he approved of
her )arriage/ @ou see> her hus'and .oud ta1e the na)e/"
"I .o)prehend>" said Poirot/ "@ou have 'een )ost 1ind and hepfu
to )e> )onsieur/ May I as1 you one thing further ; to eBpain to
Mada)e #yt.ha);&o.he a that I have tod you> and 'eg of her
that she a..ord )e a )inuteA"
Sooner than he had thought i1ey> the door opened and Mrs
#yt.ha);&o.he entered/ She foated to a .hair/
"Mr %aring has eBpained everything to )e>" she said/ "We )ustn"t
have any s.anda> of .ourse/ Though I do fee reay it"s fate> don"t
youA I )ean +ith the )irror and everything/"
"Co))ent ; the )irrorA"
"The )o)ent I sa+ it ; it see)ed a sy)'o/ <f !u'ertG A .urse> you
1no+/ I thin1 od fa)iies have a .urse very often/ !u'ert +as
a+ays very strange/ #atey he has 'een stranger than ever/"
"@ou +i forgive )e for as1ing> )ada)e> 'ut you are not in any
+ay short of )oneyA"
"MoneyA I never thin1 of )oney/"
"$o you 1no+ +hat they say> )ada)eA Those +ho never thin1 of
)oney need a great dea of it/"
!e ventured a tiny augh/ She did not respond/ !er eyes +ere far
a+ay/
"I than1 you> )ada)e>" he said> and the intervie+ .a)e to an end/
Poirot rang> and $ig'y ans+ered/
"I sha re8uire you to ans+er a fe+ 8uestions>" said Poirot/ "I a) a
private dete.tive sent for 'y your )aster 'efore he died/"
"A dete.tiveG" the 'uter gasped/ "WhyA"
"@ou +i pease ans+er )y 8uestions/ As to the shot no+ ;"
!e istened to the 'uter"s a..ount/
"So there +ere four of you in the haA"
"@es> sirI Mr $aehouse and Miss Ash'y and Mr -eene .a)e fro)
the dra+ing roo)/"
"Where +ere the othersA"
"The others> sirA"
"@es> Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he> Miss Ceves and Mr %aring/"
"Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he and Mr %aring .a)e do+n ater> sir/"
"And Miss CevesA"
"I thin1 Miss Ceves +as in the dra+ing roo)> sir/"
Poirot as1ed a fe+ )ore 8uestions> then dis)issed the 'uter +ith
the .o))and to re8uest Miss Ceves to .o)e to hi)/
She .a)e i))ediatey> and he studied her attentivey in vie+ of
%aring"s reveations/ She +as .ertainy 'eautifu in her +hite satin
fro.1 +ith the rose'ud on the shouder/
!e eBpained the .ir.u)stan.es +hi.h had 'rought hi) to
#yt.ha) Cose> eyeing her very .osey> 'ut she sho+ed ony +hat
see)ed to 'e genuine astonish)ent> +ith no signs of uneasiness/
She spo1e of Marsha indifferenty +ith tepid approva/ <ny at
)ention of %aring did she approa.h ani)ation/
"That )an"s a .roo1>" she said sharpy/ "I tod the <d Man so> 'ut
he +oudn"t isten ; +ent on putting )oney into his rotten
.on.erns/"
"Are you sorry> )ade)oisee> that your ; father is deadA"
She stared at hi)/
"<f .ourse/ I") )odern> you 1no+> M/ Poirot/ I don"t induge in so'
stuff/ I +as fond of the <d Man/ Though> of .ourse> it"s 'est for
hi)/"
"%est for hi)A"
"@es/ <ne of these days he +oud have had to 'e o.1ed up/ It +as
gro+ing on hi) ; this 'eief that the ast #yt.ha);&o.he of
#yt.ha) Cose +as o)nipotent/"
Poirot nodded thoughtfuy/
"I see> I see ; yes> de.ided signs of )enta trou'e/ %y the +ay> you
per)it that I eBa)ine your itte 'agA It is .har)ing ; a these si1
rose'uds/ What +as I sayingA <h> yes> did you hear the shotA"
"<h> yesG %ut I thought it +as a .ar or a poa.her> or so)ething/"
"@ou +ere in the dra+ing roo)A"
"0o/ I +as out in the garden/"
"I see/ Than1 you> )ade)oisee/ 0eBt I +oud i1e to see M/ -eene>
is it notA"
",eoffreyA I" sent hi) aong/"
-eene .a)e in> aert and interested/
"Mr %aring has 'een teing )e of the reason for your 'eing do+n
here/ I don"t 1no+ if there"s anything I .an te you> 'ut if I .an ;"
Poirot interrupted hi)/ "I ony +ant to 1no+ one thing> Monsieur
-eene/ What +as it that you stooped and pi.1ed up Dust 'efore +e
got to the study door this eveningA"
"I ;" -eene haf sprang up fro) his .hair> then su'sided again/ "I
don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean>" he said ighty/
"<h> I thin1 you do> )onsieur/ @ou +ere 'ehind )e> I 1no+> 'ut a
friend of )ine he says I have eyes in the 'a.1 of )y head/ @ou
pi.1ed up so)ething and you put it in the right hand po.1et of
your dinner Da.1et/"
There +as a pause/ Inde.ision +as +ritten painy on -eene"s
handso)e fa.e/ At ast he )ade up his )ind/
"Ta1e your .hoi.e> M/ Poirot>" he said> and eaning for+ard he
turned his po.1et inside out/ There +as a .igarette hoder> a
hand1er.hief> a tiny si1 rose'ud> and a itte god )at.h 'oB/
A )o)ent"s sien.e and then -eene said> "As a )atter of fa.t it
+as this/" !e pi.1ed up the )at.h 'oB/
"I )ust have dropped it earier in the evening/"
"I thin1 not>" said Poirot/
"What do you )eanA"
"What I say/ I> )onsieur> a) a )an of tidiness> of )ethod> of order/
A )at.h 'oB on the ground> I shoud see it and pi.1 it up ; a )at.h
'oB of this si?e> assuredy I shoud see itG 0o> )onsieur> I thin1 it
+as so)ething very )u.h s)aer ; su.h as this> perhaps/"
!e pi.1ed up the itte si1 rose'ud/
"Fro) Miss Ceve"s 'ag> I thin1A"
There +as a )o)ents pause> then -eene ad)itted it +ith a augh/
"@es> that"s so/ She ; gave it to )e ast night/"
"I see>" said Poirot> and at the )o)ent the door opened and a ta
fair;haired )an in a ounge suit strode into the roo)/
"-eene ; +hat"s a thisA #yt.ha);&o.he shot hi)sefA Man> I .an"t
'eieve it/ It"s in.redi'e/"
"#et )e introdu.e you>" said -eene> "to M/ !er.ue Poirot/" The
other started/ "!e +i te you a a'out it/" And he eft the roo)>
'anging the door/
"M/ Poirot ;" *ohn Marsha +as a eagerness ; "I") )ost a+fuy
peased to )eet you/ It is a 'it of u.1 your 'eing do+n here/
#yt.ha);&o.he never tod )e you +ere .o)ing/ I") a )ost
frightfu ad)irer of yours> sir/"
A disar)ing young )an> thought Poirot ; not so young> either> for
there +as grey hair at the te)pes and ines in the forehead/ It +as
the voi.e and )anner that gave the i)pression of 'oyishness/
"The poi.e ;"
"They are here no+> sir/ I .a)e up +ith the) on hearing the ne+s/
They don"t see) to 'e parti.uary surprised/ <f .ourse> he +as
)ad as a hatter> 'ut even then ;"
"(ven then you are surprised at his .o))itting sui.ideA"
"Fran1y> yes/ I shoudn"t have thought that ; +e> that #yt.ha);
&o.he .oud have i)agined the +ord getting on +ithout hi)/"
"!e has had no )oney trou'es of ate> I understandA"
Marsha nodded/
"!e spe.uated/ Wid.at s.he)es of %aring"s/"
Poirot said 8uiety> "I +i 'e very fran1/ !ad you any reason to
suppose that M/ #yt.ha);&o.he suspe.ted you of ta)pering +ith
your a..ountsA"
Marsha stared at Poirot in a 1ind of udi.rous 'e+ider)ent/ So
udi.rous +as it that Poirot +as for.ed to s)ie/
"I see that you are uttery ta1en a'a.1> Captain Marsha/"
"@es> indeed/ The idea"s ridi.uous/"
"AhG Another 8uestion/ !e did not suspe.t you of ro''ing hi) of his
adopted daughterA"
"<h> so you 1no+ a'out )e and $iA" !e aughed in an e)'arrassed
fashion/
"It is so> thenA"
Marsha nodded/
"%ut the od )an didn"t 1no+ anything a'out it/ $i +oudn"t have
tod hi)/ I suppose she +as right/ !e +oud have gone up i1e a ;
i1e a 'as1etfu of ro.1ets/ I shoud have 'een .hu.1ed out of a
Do'> and that +oud have 'een that/"
"And instead +hat +as your panA"
"We> upon )y +ord> sir> I hardy 1no+/ I eft things to $i/ She said
she"d fiB it/ As a )atter of fa.t I +as oo1ing out for a Do'/ If I .oud
have got one I +oud have .hu.1ed this up/"
"And )ade)oisee +oud have )arried youA %ut M/ #yt.ha);
&o.he +oud have stopped her ao+an.e/ Made)oisee $iana is>
I shoud say> fond of )oney/"
Marsha oo1ed rather un.o)forta'e/
"I"d have tried to )a1e it up to her> sir/"
,eoffrey -eene .a)e into the roo)/ "The poi.e are Dust going and
+oud i1e to see you> M/ Poirot/"
"Mer.i/ I +i .o)e/"
In the study +ere a sta+art inspe.tor and the poi.e surgeon/
"Mr PoirotA" said the inspe.tor/ "We"ve heard of you> sir/ I")
Inspe.tor &eeves/"
"@ou are )ost a)ia'e>" said Poirot> sha1ing hands/ "@ou do not
need )y .o;operation> noA" !e gave a itte augh/
"0ot this ti)e> sir/ A pain saiing/"
"The .ase is perfe.ty straightfor+ard> thenA" de)anded Poirot/
"A'soutey/ $oor and +indo+ o.1ed> 1ey of door in dead )an"s
po.1et/ Manner very strange the past fe+ days/ 0o dou't a'out it/"
"(verything 8uite ; naturaA"
The do.tor grunted/
"Must have 'een sitting at a da)ned 8ueer ange for the 'uet to
have hit that )irror/ %ut sui.ide"s a 8ueer 'usiness/"
"@ou found the 'uetA"
"@es> here/" The do.tor hed it out/ "0ear the +a 'eo+ the )irror/
Pisto +as Mr &o.he"s o+n/ -ept it in the dra+er of the des1
a+ays/ So)ething 'ehind it a> I daresay> 'ut +hat that is +e
sha never 1no+/"
Poirot nodded/
The 'ody had 'een .arried to a 'edroo)/ The poi.e no+ too1
their eave/ Poirot stood at the front door oo1ing after the)/ A
sound )ade hi) turn/ !arry $aehouse +as .ose 'ehind hi)/
"!ave you> 'y any .han.e> a strong fashight> )y friendA"
"@es> I" get it for you/"
When he returned +ith it *oan Ash'y +as +ith hi)/
"@ou )ay a..o)pany )e if you i1e>" said Poirot gra.iousy/
!e stepped out of the front door and turned to the right> stopping
'efore the study +indo+/ A'out siB feet of grass separated it fro)
the path/ Poirot 'ent do+n> paying the fashight on the grass/ !e
straightened hi)sef and shoo1 his head/
"0o>" he said> "not there/"
Then he paused and so+y his figure stiffened/ <n either side of
the grass +as a deep fo+er 'order/ Poirot"s attention +as
fo.used on the right hand 'order> fu of Mi.hae)as daisies and
dahias/ !is tor.h +as dire.ted on the front of the 'order/ $istin.t
on the soft )oud +ere footprints/
"Four of the)>" )ur)ured Poirot/ "T+o going to+ard the +indo+>
t+o .o)ing fro) it/"
"A gardener>" suggested *oan/
"%ut no> )ade)oisee> 'ut no/ ()poy your eyes/ These shoes are
s)a> dainty> high;heeed> the shoes of a +o)an/ Made)oisee
$iana )entioned having 'een out in the garden/ $o you 1no+ if
she +ent do+nstairs 'efore you did> )ade)oiseeA"
*oan shoo1 her head/
"I .an"t re)e)'er/ I +as in su.h a hurry 'e.ause the gong +ent>
and I thought I"d heard the first one/ I do see) to re)e)'er that
her roo) door +as open as I +ent past> 'ut I") not sure/ Mrs
#yt.ha);&o.he"s +as shut> I 1no+/"
"I see>" said Poirot/
So)ething in his voi.e )ade !arry oo1 up sharpy> 'ut Poirot +as
)erey fro+ning genty to hi)sef/
In the door+ay they )et $iana Ceves/
"The poi.e have gone>" she said/ "It"s a ; over/"
She gave a deep sigh/
"May I re8uest one itte +ord +ith you> )ade)oiseeA"
She ed the +ay into the )orning roo)> and Poirot foo+ed>
shutting the door/
"WeA" She oo1ed a itte surprised/
"<ne itte 8uestion> )ade)oisee/ Were you tonight at any ti)e in
the fo+er 'order outside the study +indo+A"
"@es/" She nodded/ "A'out seven o".o.1 and again Dust 'efore
dinner/"
"I do not understand>" he said/
"I .an"t see that here is anything to JunderstandJ> as you .a it>"
she said .ody/ "I +as pi.1ing Mi.hae)as daisies ; for the ta'e/ I
a+ays to the fo+ers/ That +as a'out seven o".o.1/"
"And after+ard ; aterA"
"<h> thatG As a )atter of fa.t I dropped a spot of hair oi in )y dress
; Dust on the shouder here/ It +as Dust as I +as ready to .o)e
do+n/ I didn"t +ant to .hange the dress/ I re)e)'ered I"d seen a
ate rose in 'ud in the 'order/ I ran out and pi.1ed it and pinned it
in/ See ;" She .a)e .ose to hi) and ifted the head of the rose/
Poirot sa+ the )inute grease spot/ She re)ained .ose to hi)> her
shouder a)ost 'rushing his/
"And +hat ti)e +as thisA"
"<h> a'out ten )inutes past eight> I suppose/"
"@ou did not ; try the +indo+A"
"I 'eieve I did/ @es> I thought it +oud 'e 8ui.1er to go in that +ay/
%ut it +as fastened/"
"I see/" Poirot dre+ a deep 'reath/ "And the shot>" he said> "+here
+ere you +hen you heard thatA Sti in the fo+er 'orderA"
"<h> noI it +as t+o or three )inutes ater> Dust 'efore I .a)e in 'y
the side door/"
"$o you 1no+ +hat this is> )ade)oiseeA"
<n the pa) of his hand he hed out the tiny si1 rose'ud/ She
eBa)ined it .ooy/
"It oo1s i1e a rose'ud off )y itte evening 'ag/ Where did you find
itA"
"It +as in Mr -eene"s po.1et>" said Poirot dryy/ "$id you give it to
hi)> )ade)oiseeA"
"$id he te you I gave it to hi)A"
Poirot s)ied/
"When did you give it to hi)> )ade)oiseeA"
"#ast night/"
"$id he +arn you to say that> )ade)oiseeA"
"What do you )eanA" she as1ed angriy/
%ut Poirot did not ans+er/ !e strode out of the roo) and into the
dra+ing roo)/ %aring> -eene> and Marsha +ere there/ !e +ent
straight up to the)/
"Messieurs>" he said 'rus8uey> "+i you foo+ )e to the studyA"
!e passed out into the ha and addressed *oan and !arry/
"@ou> too> I pray of you/ And +i so)e'ody re8uest )ada)e to
.o)eA I than1 you/ AhG And here is the eB.eent $ig'y/ $ig'y> a
itte 8uestion> a very i)portant itte 8uestion/ $id Miss Ceves
arrange so)e Mi.hae)as daisies 'efore dinnerA"
The 'uter oo1ed 'e+idered/
"@es> sir> she did/"
"@ou are sureA"
"4uite sure> sir/"
"TrSs 'ien/ 0o+ ; .o)e> a of you/"
Inside the study he fa.ed the)/
"I have as1ed you to .o)e here for a reason/ The .ase is over> the
poi.e have .o)e and gone/ They say Mr #yt.ha);&o.he has shot
hi)sef/ A is finished/" !e paused/ "%ut I> !er.ue Poirot> say that
it is not finished/"
As started eyes turned to hi) the door opened and Mrs #yt.ha);
&o.he foated into the roo)/
"I +as saying> )ada)e> that this .ase is not finished/ It is a )atter
of the psy.hoogy/ Mr #yt.ha);&o.he> he had the )anie
grandeur> he +as a 1ing/ Su.h a )an does not 1i hi)sef/ 0o> no>
he )ay go )ad> 'ut he does not 1i hi)sef/ Mr #yt.ha);&o.he
did not 1i hi)sef/" !e paused/ "!e +as 1ied/"
"-iedA" Marsha gave a short augh/ "Aone in the roo) +ith the
door and +indo+ o.1edA"
"A the sa)e>" said Poirot stu''orny> "he +as 1ied/"
"And got up and o.1ed the door or shut the +indo+ after+ard> I
suppose>" said $iana .uttingy/
"I +i sho+ you so)ething>" said Poirot> going to the +indo+/ !e
turned the hande of the Fren.h +indo+s and then pued genty/
"See> they are open/ 0o+ I .ose the)> 'ut +ithout turning the
hande/ 0o+ the +indo+ is .osed 'ut not fastened/ 0o+G"
!e gave a short Darring 'o+ and the hande turned> shooting the
'ot do+n into its so.1et/
"@ou seeA" said Poirot softy/ "It is very oose> this )e.hanis)/ It
.oud 'e done fro) outside 8uite easiy/"
!e turned> his )anner gri)/
"When that shot +as fired at t+eve )inutes past eight> there +ere
four peope in the ha/ Four peope have an ai'i/ Where +ere the
other threeA @ou> )ada)eA In your roo)/ @ou> )onsieur %aring/
Were you> too> in your roo)A"
"I +as/"
"And you> )ade)oisee> +ere in the garden/ So you have
ad)itted/"
"I don"t see ;" 'egan $iana/
"Wait/" !e turned to Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he/ "Te )e> )ada)e> have
you any idea of ho+ your hus'and eft his )oneyA"
"!u'ert read his +i/ !e said I ought to 1no+/ !e eft )e three
thousand a year .hargea'e on the estate> and the do+er house or
the to+n house> +hi.hever I preferred/ (verything ese he eft to
$iana> on .ondition that if she )arried her hus'and )ust ta1e the
na)e/"
"AhG"
"%ut then he )ade a .odi.i thing ; a fe+ +ee1s ago> that +as/"
"@es> )ada)eA"
"!e sti eft it a to $iana> 'ut on .ondition that she )arried Mr
%aring/ If she )arried anyone ese> it +as a to go to his nephe+>
!arry $aehouse/"
"%ut the .odi.i +as ony )ade a fe+ +ee1s ago>" purred Poirot/
"Made)oisee )ay not have 1no+n of that/" !e stepped for+ard
a..usingy/ "Made)oisee $iana> you +ant to )arry Captain
Marsha> do you notA <r is it Mr -eeneA"
She +a1ed a.ross the roo) and put her ar) through Marsha"s
sound one/
",o on>" she said/
"I +i put the .ase against you> )ade)oisee/ @ou oved Captain
Marsha/ @ou aso oved )oney/ @our adopted father he +oud
never have .onsented to you )arrying Captain Marsha> 'ut if he
dies you are fairy sure that you get everything/ So you go out>
step over the fo+er 'order to the +indo+ +hi.h is open> you have
+ith you the pisto +hi.h you have ta1en fro) the +riting ta'e
dra+er/ @ou go up to your vi.ti) ta1ing a)ia'y/ @ou fire/ @ou
drop the pisto 'y his hand> having +iped it and pressed his
fingers on it/ @ou go out again> sha1ing the +indo+ ti the 'ot
drops/ @ou .o)e into the house/ Is that ho+ it happenedA I a)
as1ing you> )ade)oisee/"
"0o>" $iana s.rea)ed/ "0o ; noG"
!e oo1ed at her> then he s)ied/
"0o>" he said> "it +as not i1e that/ It )ight have 'een so ; it is
pausi'e ; it is possi'e ; 'ut it .annot have 'een i1e that for t+o
reasons/ The first is that you pi.1ed Mi.hae)as daisies at seven
o".o.1> the se.ond arises fro) so)ething that )ade)oisee here
tod )e/" !e turned to *oan> +ho stared at hi) in 'e+ider)ent/
!e nodded en.ourage)ent/
"%ut yes> )ade)oisee/ @ou tod )e that you hurried do+nstairs
'e.ause you thought it +as the se.ond gong sounding> having
aready heard the first/"
!e shot a rapid gan.e around the roo)/
"@ou do not see +hat that )eansA" he .ried/ "@ou do not see/ #oo1G
#oo1G" !e sprang for+ard to the .hair +here the vi.ti) sat/ "$id
you noti.e ho+ the 'ody +asA 0ot sitting s8uare to the des1 ; no>
sitting side+ays to the des1> fa.ing the +indo+/ Is that a natura
+ay to .o))it sui.ideA *a)ais> Da)aisG @ou +rite your apoogia
JsorryJ on a pie.e of paper ; you open the dra+er> you ta1e out
the pisto> you hod it to your head and you fire/ That is the +ay of
sui.ide/ %ut no+ .onsider )urderG The vi.ti) sits at his des1> the
)urderer stands 'eside hi) ; ta1ing/ And ta1ing sti ; fires/
Where does the 'uet go thenA" !e paused/ "Straight through the
head> through the door if it is open> and so ; hits the gong/
"AhG you 'egin to seeA This +as the first gong ; heard ony 'y
)ade)oisee> sin.e her roo) is a'ove/
"What does our )urderer do neBtA Shuts the door> o.1s it> puts
the 1ey in the dead )an"s po.1et> then turns the 'ody side+ays in
the .hair> presses the dead )an"s fingers on the pisto and then
drops it 'y his side> .ra.1s the )irror on the +a as a fina
spe.ta.uar tou.h ; in short> JarrangesJ his sui.ide/ Then out
through the +indo+> the 'ot is sha1en ho)e> the )urderer steps
not on the grass> +here footprints )ust sho+> 'ut on the fo+er
'ed> +here they .an 'e s)oothed out 'ehind hi)> eaving no
tra.e/ Then 'a.1 into the house> and at t+eve )inutes past eight>
+hen he is aone in the dra+ing roo)> he fires a servi.e revover
out of the dra+ing roo) +indo+ and dashes out into the ha/ Is
that ho+ you did it> Mr ,eoffrey -eeneA"
Fas.inated> the se.retary stared at the a..using figure dra+ing
nearer to hi)/ Then> +ith a gurging .ry> he fe to the ground/
"I thin1 I a) ans+ered>" said Poirot/ "Captain Marsha> +i you ring
up the poi.eA" !e 'ent over the prostrate for)/ "I fan.y he +i 'e
sti un.ons.ious +hen they .o)e/"
",eoffrey -eene>" )ur)ured $iana/ "%ut +hat )otive had heA"
"I fan.y that as se.retary he had .ertain opportunities ; a..ounts ;
.he8ues/ So)ething a+a1ened Mr #yt.ha);&o.he"s suspi.ions/
!e sent for )e/"
"Why for youA Why not for the poi.eA"
"I thin1> )ade)oisee> you .an ans+er that 8uestion/ Monsieur
suspe.ted there +as so)ething 'et+een you and that young )an/
To divert his )ind fro) Captain Marsha> you had firted
sha)eessy +ith Mr -eene/ %ut yes> you need not denyG Mr -eene
gets +ind of )y .o)ing and a.ts pro)pty/ The essen.e of his
s.he)e is that the .ri)e )ust see) to ta1e pa.e at OH12> +hen he
has an ai'i/ !is one danger is the 'uet> +hi.h )ust 'e ying
so)e+here near the gong and +hi.h he has not had ti)e to
retrieve/ When +e are a on our +ay to the study he pi.1s that up/
At su.h a tense )o)ent he thin1s no one +i noti.e/ %ut )e> I
noti.e everythingG I 8uestion hi)/ !e refe.ts a itte )inute and
then he pays the .o)edyG !e insinuates that +hat he pi.1ed up
+as the si1 rose'ud> he pays the part of the young )an in ove
shieding the ady he oves/ <h> it +as very .ever> and if you had
not pi.1ed Mi.hae)as daisies ;"
"I don"t understand +hat they have to do +ith it/"
"@ou do notA #isten ; there +ere ony four footprints in the 'ed> 'ut
+hen you +ere pi.1ing the fo+ers you )ust have )ade )any
)ore than that/ So in 'et+een your pi.1ing the fo+ers and your
.o)ing to get the rose'ud so)eone )ust have s)oothed over the
'ed/ 0ot a gardener ; no gardener +or1s after seven/ Then it )ust
'e so)eone guity ; it )ust 'e the )urderer ; the )urder +as
.o))itted 'efore the shot +as heard/"
"%ut +hy did no'ody hear the rea shotA" as1ed !arry/
"A sien.er/ They +i find that and the revover thro+n into the
shru''ery/"
"What a ris1G"
"Why a ris1A (veryone +as upstairs dressing for dinner/ It +as a
very good )o)ent/ The 'uet +as the ony .ontrete)ps> and even
that> as he thought> passed off +e/"
Poirot pi.1ed it up/ "!e thre+ it under the )irror +hen I +as
eBa)ining the +indo+ +ith Mr $aehouse/"
"<hG" $iana +heeed on Marsha/ "Marry )e> *ohn> and ta1e )e
a+ay/"
%aring .oughed/ "My dear $iana> under the ter)s of )y friend"s
+i ;"
"I don"t .are>" the gir .ried/ "We .an dra+ pi.tures on pave)ents/"
"There"s no need to do that>" said !arry/ "We" go haves> $i/ I") not
going to 'ag things 'e.ause 2n.e had a 'ee in his 'onnet/"
Suddeny there +as a .ry/ Mrs #yt.ha);&o.he had sprung to her
feet/
"M/ Poirot ; the )irror ; he )ust have dei'eratey s)ashed it/"
"@es> )ada)e/"
"<hG" She stared at hi)/ "%ut it is unu.1y to 'rea1 a )irror/"
"It has proved very unu.1y for Mr ,eoffrey -eene>" said Poirot
.heerfuy/
@(##<W I&IS
!er.ue Poirot stret.hed his feet to+ards the ee.tri. heater 'y
the +a/ The pre.ise design )ade 'y the parae go+ing 'ars
+as peasing to his ordery )ind/
JThe .oa heaters +ere .u)sy and disordery/ They never had
this dei.ious sy))etry///J
The phone rang/ Poirot got up and .onsuted his +at.h/ It +as
a)ost haf past eeven/ Who +oud phone hi) at this hourA %ut it
.oud 'e a +rong nu)'er/
J<r )ay'e>J he )ur)ured to hi)sef +ith a drea)y s)ie> Jthey
have found a )iionaire> o+ner of a ne+spaper .hain> )urdered
in his i'rary +ith a rare or.hid .rushed in his eft hand and the
page of a .oo1ing 'oo1 atta.hed 'y a dagger to his .hest///J
S)iing at the peasing .on.eit> he ifted the re.eiver/
I))ediatey a voi.e spo1e ; a soft hus1y +o)an"s voi.e +ith a
1ind of desperate urgen.y a'out it/
JIs that M/ !er.ue PoirotA Is that M/ !er.ue PoirotAJ
J!er.ue Poirot spea1s/J
JM/ Poirot ; .an you .o)e at on.e ; at on.e ; I") in danger ; in
great danger ; I 1no+ it ;J
Poirot said sharpy> JWho are youA Where are you spea1ing
fro)AJ
The voi.e .a)e )ore fainty 'ut +ith an even greater urgen.y/
JAt on.e/// it"s ife or death/// The *ardin des Cygnes/// at on.e///
ta'e +ith yeo+ irises///J
There +as a pause ; a 8ueer 1ind of gasp ; the ine +ent dead/
!er.ue Poirot hung up/ !is fa.e +as pu??ed/ !e )ur)ured
'et+een his teethH
JThere is so)ething here very .uriouscJ
In the door+ay of the *ardin des Cygnes> fat #uigi hurried
for+ard/
J%uona sera> M/ Poirot/ @ou desire a ta'e ; yesAJ
J0o> no> )y good #uigi/ I see1 here for so)e friends/ I +i oo1
round ; perhaps they are not here yet/ Ah> et )e see> that ta'e
there in the .orner +ith the yeo+ irises ; a itte 8uestion 'y the
+ay> if it is not indis.reet/ <n a the other ta'es there are tuips ;
pin1 tuips ; +hy on that one ta'e do you have yeo+ irisesAJ
#uigi shrugged his eBpressive shouders/
JA .o))and> MonsieurG A spe.ia orderG Without dou't> the
favorite fo+ers of one of the adies/ That ta'e> it is the ta'e of Mr
%arton &usse ; an A)eri.an ; i))ensey ri.h/J
JAha> one )ust study the +hi)s of the adies> )ust one not>
#uigiAJ
JMonsieur has said it>J said #uigi/
JI see at that ta'e an a.8uaintan.e of )ine/ I )ust go and spea1
to hi)/J
Poirot s1irted his +ay dei.atey round the dan.ing foor on +hi.h
.oupes +ere revoving/ The ta'e in 8uestion +as set for siB> 'ut it
had at the )o)ent ony one o..upant> a young )an +ho +as
thoughtfuy> and it see)ed pessi)isti.ay> drin1ing .ha)pagne/
!e +as not at a the person that Poirot had eBpe.ted to see/ It
see)ed i)possi'e to asso.iate the idea of danger or )eodra)a
+ith any party of +hi.h Tony Chape +as a )e)'er/
Poirot paused dei.atey 'y the ta'e/
JAh> it is> is it not> )y friend Anthony ChapeAJ
J%y a that"s +onderfu ; Poirot the poi.e houndGJ .ried the young
)an/ J0ot Anthony> )y dear feo+ ; Tony to friendsGJ
!e dre+ out a .hair/
JCo)e> sit +ith )e/ #et us dis.ourse of .ri)eG #et us go further
and drin1 to .ri)e/J !e poured .ha)pagne into an e)pty gass/
J%ut +hat are you doing in this haunt of song and dan.e and
)erri)ent> )y dear PoirotA We have no 'odies here> positivey not
a singe 'ody to offer you/J
Poirot sipped the .ha)pagne/
J@ou see) very gay> )on .herAJ
J,ayA I a) steeped in )isery ; +ao+ing in goo)/ Te )e> you
hear this tune they are paying/ @ou re.ogni?e itAJ
Poirot ha?arded .autiousyH
JSo)ething perhaps to do +ith your 'a'y having eft youAJ
J0ot a 'ad guess>J said the young )an> J'ut +rong for on.e/
"There"s nothing i1e ove for )a1ing you )isera'eG" That"s +hat
it"s .aed/J
JAhaAJ
JMy favorite tune>J said Tony Chape )ournfuy/ JAnd )y favorite
restaurant and )y favorite 'and ; and )y favorite gir"s here and
she"s dan.ing it +ith so)e'ody ese/J
J!en.e the )ean.hoyAJ said Poirot/
J(Ba.ty/ Pauine and I> you see> have had +hat the vugar .a
+ords/ That is to say> she"s had ninety;five +ords to five of )ine
out of every hundred/ My five areH "%ut daring ; I .an eBpain/" ;
Then she starts in on her ninety;five again and +e get no further/ I
thin1>J added Tony sady> Jthat I sha poison )ysef/J
JPauineAJ )ur)ured Poirot/
JPauine Weather'y/ %arton &usse"s young sister;in;a+/ @oung>
ovey> disgustingy ri.h/ Tonight %arton &usse gives a party/ @ou
1no+ hi)A %ig %usiness> .ean;shaven A)eri.an ; fu of pep and
personaity/ !is +ife +as Pauine"s sister/J
JAnd +ho ese is there at this partyAJ
J@ou" )eet "e) in a )inute +hen the )usi. stops/ There"s #oa
7ade? ; you 1no+> the South A)eri.an dan.er in the ne+ sho+ at
the Metropoe> and there"s Stephen Carter/ $"you 1no+ Carter ;
he"s in the dipo)ati. servi.e/ 7ery hush;hush/ -no+n as sient
Stephen/ Sort of )an +ho says> "I a) not at i'erty to state> et./>
et./" !uo> here they .o)e/J
Poirot rose/ !e +as introdu.ed to %arton &usse> to Stephen
Carter> to Sedora #oa 7ade?> a dar1 and us.ious .reature> and
to Pauine Weather'y> very young> very fair> +ith eyes i1e
.ornfo+ers/
%arton &usse saidH
JWhat> is this the great M/ !er.ue PoirotA I a) indeed peased to
)eet you> sir/ Won"t you sit do+n and Doin usA That is> uness ;J
Tony Chape 'ro1e in/
J!e"s got an appoint)ent +ith a 'ody> I 'eieve> or is it an
a's.onding finan.ier> or the &aDah of %orrio'ooagah"s great
ru'yAJ
JAh> )y friend> do you thin1 I a) never off dutyA Can I not> for
on.e> see1 ony to a)use )ysefAJ
JPerhaps you"ve got an appoint)ent +ith Carter here/ The atest
fro) ,eneva/ Internationa situation no+ a.ute/ The stoen pans
)ust 'e found or +ar +i 'e de.ared to)orro+GJ
Pauine Weather'y said .uttingyH
JMust you 'e so .o)petey idioti.> TonyAJ
JSorry> Pauine/J
Tony Chape reapsed into .restfaen sien.e/
J!o+ severe you are> Made)oisee/J
JI hate peope +ho pay the foo a the ti)e/J
JI )ust 'e .arefu> I see/ I )ust .onverse ony of serious )atters/J
J(B.use )e> )ust Dust spea1 to a feo+ I 1no+ over there/ Feo+ I
+as +ith at (ton/J
Stephen Carter got up and +a1ed to a ta'e a fe+ pa.es a+ay/
Tony said goo)iyH
JSo)e'ody ought to dro+n od (tonians at 'irth/J
!er.ue Poirot +as sti 'eing gaant to the dar1 'eauty 'eside
hi)/
!e )ur)uredH
JI +onder> )ay I as1> +hat are the favorite fo+ers of
Made)oiseeAJ
JAh> no+> +hy ees eet you +ant to 1no+AJ
#oa +as ar.h/
JMade)oisee> if I send fo+ers to a ady> I a) parti.uar that they
shoud 'e fo+ers she i1es/J
JThat ees very .har)ing of you> M/ Poirot/ I +ee te you ; I adore
the 'ig dar1 red .arnations ; or the dar1 red roses/J
JSuper' ; yes> super'G @ou do not> then> i1e yeo+ fo+ers ;
yeo+ irisesAJ
J@eo+ fo+ers ; no ; they do not a..ord +ith )y te)pera)ent/J
J!o+ +ise/// Te )e> Made)oisee> did you ring up a friend
tonight> sin.e you arrived hereAJ
JIA &ing up a friendA 0o> +hat a .urious 8uestionGJ
JAh> 'ut I> I a) a very .urious )an/J
JI") sure yoo are/J She roed her dar1 eyes at hi)/ JA vairy
dangerous )an/J
J0o> no> not dangerousI say> a )an +ho )ay 'e usefu ; in dangerG
@ou understandAJ
#oa gigged/ She sho+ed +hite even teeth/
J0o> no>J she aughed/ J@ou are dangerous/J
!er.ue Poirot sighed/
JI see that you do not understand/ A this is very strange/J
Tony .a)e out of a fit of a'stra.tion and said suddenyH
J#oa> +hat a'out a spot of s+oop and dipA Co)e aong/J
JI +ee .o)e ; yes/ Sin.e M/ Poirot ees not 'rave enoughGJ
Tony put an ar) round her and re)ar1ed over his shouder to
Poirot as they gided offH
J@ou .an )editate on .ri)e yet to .o)e> od 'oyGJ
Poirot saidH JIt is profound +hat you say there/ @es> it is
profound///J
!e sat )editativey for a )inute or t+o> then he raised a finger/
#uigi .a)e pro)pty> his +ide Itaian fa.e +reathed in s)ies/
JMon vieuB>J said Poirot/ JI need so)e infor)ation/J
JA+ays at your servi.e> Monsieur/J
JI desire to 1no+ ho+ )any of these peope at this ta'e here have
used the teephone tonightAJ
JI .an te you> Monsieur/ The young ady> the one in +hite> she
teephoned at on.e +hen she got here/ Then she +ent to eave her
.oa1 and +hie she +as doing that the other ady .a)e out of the
.oa1roo) and +ent into the teephone 'oB/J
JSo the Sedora did teephoneG Was that 'efore she .a)e into the
restaurantAJ
J@es> Monsieur/J
JAnyone eseAJ
J0o> Monsieur/J
JA this> #uigi> gives )e furiousy to thin1GJ
JIndeed> Monsieur/J
J@es/ I thin1> #uigi> that tonight of a nights> I )ust have )y +its
a'out )eG So)ething is going to happen> #uigi> and I a) not at a
sure +hat it is/J
JAnything I .an do> Monsieur ;J
Poirot )ade a sign/ #uigi sipped dis.reety a+ay/ Stephen Carter
+as returning to the ta'e/
JWe are sti deserted> Mr Carter>J said Poirot/
J<h ; er ; 8uite>J said the other/
J@ou 1no+ Mr %arton &usse +eAJ
J@es> 1no+n hi) a good +hie/J
J!is sister;in;a+> itte Miss Weather'y> is very .har)ing/J
J@es> pretty gir/J
J@ou 1no+ her +e> tooAJ
J4uite/J
J<h> 8uite> 8uite>J said Poirot/
Carter stared at hi)/
The )usi. stopped and the others returned/
%arton &usse said to a +aiterH
JAnother 'otte of .ha)pagne ; 8ui.1y/J
Then he raised his gass/
JSee here> fo1s/ I") going to as1 you to drin1 a toast/ To te you
the truth> there"s an idea 'a.1 of this itte party tonight/ As you
1no+> I"d ordered a ta'e for siB/ There +ere ony five of us/ That
gave us an e)pty pa.e/ Then> 'y a very strange .oin.iden.e> M/
!er.ue Poirot happened to pass 'y and I as1ed hi) to Doin our
party/
J@ou don"t 1no+ yet +hat an apt .oin.iden.e that +as/ @ou see
that e)pty seat tonight represents a ady ; the ady in +hose
)e)ory this party is 'eing given/ This party> adies and
gente)en> is 'eing hed in )e)ory of )y dear +ife ; Iris ; +ho
died eBa.ty four years ago on this very dateGJ
There +as a started )ove)ent round the ta'e/ %arton &usse>
his fa.e 8uiety i)passive> raised his gass/
JI" as1 you to drin1 to her )e)ory/ IrisGJ
JIrisAJ said Poirot sharpy/
!e oo1ed at the fo+ers/ %arton &usse .aught his gan.e and
genty nodded his head/
There +ere itte )ur)urs round the ta'e/
JIris ; Iris ;J
(veryone oo1ed started and un.o)forta'e/ %arton &usse +ent
on> spea1ing +ith his so+ )onotonous A)eri.an intonation> ea.h
+ord .o)ing out +eightiy/
JIt )ay see) odd to you a that I shoud .ee'rate the anniversary
of a death in this +ay ; 'y a supper party in a fashiona'e
restaurant/ %ut I have a reason ; yes> I have a reason/ For M/
Poirot"s 'enefit> I" eBpain/J
!e turned his head to+ards Poirot/
JFour years ago tonight> M/ Poirot> there +as a supper party hed
in 0e+ @or1/ At it +ere )y +ife and )ysef> Mr Stephen Carter
+ho +as atta.hed to the ()'assy in Washington> Mr Anthony
Chape +ho had 'een a guest in our house for so)e +ee1s> and
Sedora 7ade? +ho +as at that ti)e en.hanting 0e+ @or1 City
+ith her dan.ing/ #itte Pauine here ;J he patted her shouder ;
J+as ony siBteen 'ut she .a)e to the supper party as a spe.ia
treat/ @ou re)e)'er> PauineAJ
JI re)e)'er ; yes/J
!er voi.e shoo1 a itte/ JM/ Poirot> on that night a tragedy
happened/ There +as a ro of dru)s and the .a'aret started/ The
ights +ent do+n ; a 'ut a spotight in the )idde of the foor/
When the ights +ent up again> M/ Poirot> )y +ife +as seen to
have faen for+ard on the ta'e/ She +as dead ; stone dead/
There +as potassiu) .yanide found in the dregs of her +inegass>
and the re)ains of the pa.1et +as dis.overed in her
hand'ag/J
JShe had .o))itted sui.ideAJ said Poirot/
JThat +as the a..epted verdi.t/// It 'ro1e )e up> M/ Poirot/ There
+as> perhaps> a possi'e reason for su.h an a.tion ; the poi.e
thought so/ I a..epted their de.ision/J
!e pounded suddeny on the ta'e/
J%ut I +as not satisfied/// 0o> for four years I"ve 'een thin1ing and
'rooding ; and I") not satisfiedH I don"t 'eieve Iris 1ied hersef/ I
'eieve> M/ Poirot> that she +as )urdered ; 'y one of those peope
at the ta'e/J
J#oo1 here> sir ;J
Tony Chape haf sprung to his feet/
J%e 8uiet> Tony>J said &usse/ JI haven"t finished/ <ne of the) did
it ; I") sure of that no+/ So)eone +ho> under .over of the
dar1ness> sipped the haf e)ptied pa.1et of .yanide into her
hand'ag/ I thin1 I 1no+ +hi.h of the) it +as/ I )ean to 1no+ the
truth ;J
#oa"s voi.e rose sharpy/
J@ou are )ad ; .ra?ee ; +ho +oud have har)ed herA 0o> you are
)ad/ Me> I +i not stay ;J
She 'ro1e off/ There +as a ro of dru)s/
%arton &usse saidH
JThe .a'aret/ After+ards +e +i go on +ith this/ Stay +here you
are> a of you/ I"ve got to go and spea1 to the dan.e 'and/ #itte
arrange)ent I"ve )ade +ith the)/J
!e got up and eft the ta'e/
J(Btraordinary 'usiness>J .o))ented Carter/ JMan"s )ad/J
J!e ees .ra?ee> yes>J said #oa/
The ights +ere o+ered/
JFor t+o pins I"d .ear out>J said Tony/
J0oGJ Pauine spo1e sharpy/ Then she )ur)ured> J<h> dear ; oh>
dear ;J
JWhat is it> Made)oiseeAJ )ur)ured Poirot/
She ans+ered a)ost in a +hisper/
JIt"s horri'eG It"s Dust i1e it +as that night ;J
JShG ShGJ said severa peope/
Poirot o+ered his voi.e/
JA itte +ord in your ear/J !e +hispered> then patted her
shouder/ JA +i 'e +e>J he assured her/
JMy ,od> isten>J .ried #oa/
JWhat is it> SedoraAJ
JIt"s the sa)e tune ; the sa)e song that they payed that night in
0e+ @or1/ %arton &usse )ust have fiBed it/ I don"t i1e this/J
JCourage ; .ourage ;J
There +as a fresh hush/
A gir +a1ed out into the )idde of the foor> a .oa 'a.1 gir +ith
roing eye'as and +hite gistening teeth/ She 'egan to sing in a
deep hoarse voi.e ; a voi.e that +as .uriousy )oving/
I"ve forgotten you
I never thin1 of you
The +ay you +a1ed
The +ay you ta1ed
The things you used to say
I"ve forgotten you
I never thin1 of you
I .oudn"t say
For sure today
Whether your eyes +ere 'ue or gray
I"ve forgotten you
I never thin1 of you/
I") through
Thin1ing of you
I te you I") through
Thin1ing of you///
@ou/// you/// you///
The so''ing tune> the deep goden negro voi.e had a po+erfu
effe.t/ It hypnoti?ed ; .ast a spe/ (ven the +aiters fet it/ The
+hoe roo) stared at her> hypnoti?ed 'y the thi.1 .oying e)otion
she distied/
A +aiter passed softy round the ta'e fiing up gasses>
)ur)uring J.ha)pagneJ in an undertone 'ut a attention +as on
the one go+ing spot of ight ; the 'a.1 +o)an +hose an.estors
.a)e fro) Afri.a> singing in her deep voi.eH
I"ve forgotten you
I never thin1 of you
<h> +hat a ie
I sha thin1 of you> thin1 of you> thin1 of you///
Ti I die///
The appause 'ro1e out fren?iedy/ The ights +ent up/ %arton
&usse .a)e 'a.1 and sipped into his seat/
JShe"s great> that gir ;J .ried Tony/
%ut his +ords +ere .ut short 'y a o+ .ry fro) #oa/
J#oo1 ; oo1///J
And then they a sa+/ Pauine Weather'y dropped for+ard onto
the ta'e/
#oa .riedH
JShe"s dead ; Dust i1e Iris ; i1e Iris in 0e+ @or1/J
Poirot sprang fro) his seat> signing to the others to 1eep 'a.1/ !e
'ent over the hudded for)> very genty ifted a i)p hand and fet
for a puse/
!is fa.e +as +hite and stern/ The others +at.hed hi)/ They +ere
paray?ed> hed in a tran.e/
So+y> Poirot nodded his head/
J@es> she is dead ; a pauvre petite/ And I sitting 'y herG AhG 'ut
this ti)e the )urderer sha not es.ape/J
%arton &usse> his fa.e gray> )utteredH
J*ust i1e Iris/// She sa+ so)ething ; Pauine sa+ so)ething that
night ; <ny she +asn"t sure ; she tod )e she +asn"t sure/// We
)ust get the poi.e/// <h> ,od> itte Pauine/J
Poirot saidH
JWhere is her gassAJ !e raised it to his nose/ J@es> I .an s)e the
.yanide/ A s)e of 'itter a)onds/// the sa)e )ethod> the sa)e
poison/// J
!e pi.1ed up her hand'ag/
J#et us oo1 in her hand'ag/J
%arton &usse .ried outH
J@ou don"t 'eieve this is sui.ide> tooA 0ot on your ife/J
JWait>J Poirot .o))anded/ J0o> there is nothing here/ The ights
+ent up> you see> too 8ui.1y> the )urderer had not ti)e/
Therefore> the poison is sti on hi)/J
J<r her>J said Carter/
!e +as oo1ing at #oa 7ade?/
She spat outH
JWhat do you )ean ; +hat do you sayA That I 1ied her ; eet is not
true ; not true ; +hy shoud I do su.h a thingAJ
J@ou had rather a fan.y for %arton &usse yoursef in 0e+ @or1/
That"s the gossip I heard/ Argentine 'eauties are notoriousy
Deaous/J
JThat ees a pa.1 of ies/ And I do not .o)e fro) the Argentine/ I
.o)e fro) Peru/ Ah ; I spit upon you/ I ;J She reapsed into
Spanish/
JI de)and sien.e>J .ried Poirot/ JIt is for )e to spea1/J
%arton &usse said heaviyH
J(veryone )ust 'e sear.hed/J
Poirot said .a)y>
J0on> non> it is not ne.essary/J
JWhat d"you )ean> not ne.essaryAJ
JI> !er.ue Poirot> 1no+/ I see +ith the eyes of the )ind/ And I +i
spea1G M/ Carter> +i you sho+ us the pa.1et in your 'reast
po.1etAJ
JThere"s nothing in )y po.1et/ What the he ;J
JTony> )y good friend> if you +i 'e so o'iging/J
Carter .ried outH
J$a)n you ;J
Tony fipped the pa.1et neaty out 'efore Carter .oud defend
hi)sef/
JThere you are> M/ Poirot> Dust as you saidGJ
JIt"s a da)ned ie>J .ried Carter/
Poirot pi.1ed up the pa.1et> read the a'e/
JCyanide of potassiu)/ The .ase is .o)pete/J
%arton &usse"s voi.e .a)e thi.1y/
JCarterG I a+ays thought so/ Iris +as in ove +ith you/ She +anted
to go a+ay +ith you/ @ou didn"t +ant a s.anda for the sa1e of your
pre.ious .areer so you poisoned her/ @ou" hang for this> you dirty
dog/J
JSien.eGJ Poirot"s voi.e rang out> fir) and authoritative/ JThis is
not finished yet/ I> !er.ue Poirot> have so)ething to say/ My
friend here> Tony Chape> he says to )e +hen I arrive> that I have
.o)e in sear.h of .ri)e/ That> it is party true/ There +as .ri)e in
)y )ind ; 'ut it +as to prevent a .ri)e that I .a)e/ And I have
prevented it/ The )urderer> he panned +e ; 'ut !er.ue Poirot
he +as one )ove ahead/ !e had to thin1 fast> and to +hisper
8ui.1y in Made)oisee"s ear +hen the ights +ent do+n/ She is
very 8ui.1 and .ever> Made)oisee Pauine> she payed her part
+e/ Made)oisee> +i you 'e so 1ind as to sho+ us that you are
not dead after aAJ
Pauine sat up/ She gave an unsteady augh/
J&esurre.tion of Pauine>J she said/
JPauine ; daring/J
JTonyGJ
JMy s+eet/J
JAnge/J
%arton &usse gasped/
JI ; I don"t understand///J
JI +i hep you to understand> Mr %arton &usse/ @our pan has
)is.arried/J
JMy panAJ
J@es> your pan/ Who +as the ony )an +ho had an ai'i during the
dar1nessA The )an +ho eft the ta'e ; you> Mr %arton &usse/ %ut
you returned to it under .over of the dar1ness> .ir.ing round it>
+ith a .ha)pagne 'otte> fiing up gasses> putting .yanide in
Pauine"s gass and dropping the haf e)pty pa.1et in Carter"s
po.1et as you 'ent over hi) to re)ove a gass/ <h> yes> it is easy
to pay the part of a +aiter in dar1ness +hen the attention of
everyone is ese+here/ That +as the rea reason for your party
tonight/ The safest pa.e to .o))it a )urder is in the )idde of a
.ro+d/J
JWhat the ; +hy the he shoud I +ant to 1i PauineAJ
JIt )ight 'e> perhaps> a 8uestion of )oney/ @our +ife eft you
guardian to her sister/ @ou )entioned that fa.t tonight/ Pauine is
t+enty/ At t+enty;one or on her )arriage you +oud have to
render an a..ount of your ste+ardship/ I suggest that you .oud
not do that/ @ou have spe.uated +ith it/ I do not 1no+> Mr %arton
&usse> +hether you 1ied your +ife in the sa)e +ay> or +hether
her sui.ide suggested the idea of this .ri)e to you> 'ut I do 1no+
that tonight you have 'een guity of atte)pted )urder/ It rests
+ith Miss Pauine +hether you are prose.uted for that/J
J0o>J said Pauine/ J!e .an get out of )y sight and out of this
.ountry/ I don"t +ant a s.anda/J
J@ou had 'etter go 8ui.1y> Mr %arton &usse> and I advise you to
'e .arefu in future/J
%arton &usse got up> his fa.e +or1ing/
JTo he +ith you> you interfering itte %egian Da.1anapes/J
!e strode out angriy/
Pauine sighed/
JM/ Poirot> you"ve 'een +onderfu/// J
J@ou> Made)oisee> you have 'een the )arveous one/ To pour
a+ay the .ha)pagne> to a.t the dead 'ody so prettiy/J
J2gh>J she shivered> Jyou give )e the .reeps/J
!e said gentyH
JIt +as you +ho teephoned )e> +as it notAJ
J@es/J
JWhyAJ
JI don"t 1no+/ I +as +orried and ; frightened +ithout 1no+ing
8uite +hy I +as frightened/ %arton tod )e he +as having this
party to .o))e)orate Iris" death/ I reai?ed he had so)e s.he)e
on ; 'ut he +oudn"t te )e +hat it +as/ !e oo1ed so ; so 8ueer
and so eB.ited that I fet so)ething terri'e )ight happen ; ony of
.ourse I never drea)ed that he )eant to ; to get rid of )e/J
JAnd so> Made)oiseeAJ
JI"d heard peope ta1ing a'out you/ I thought if I .oud ony get
you here perhaps it +oud stop anything happening/ I thought that
'eing foreigner ; if I rang up and pretended to 'e in danger and ;
and )ade it sound )ysterious ;J
J@ou thought the )eodra)a> it +oud attra.t )eA That is +hat
pu??ed )e/ The )essage itsef ; definitey it +as +hat you .a
"'ogus" ; it did not ring true/ %ut the fear in the voi.e ; that +as
rea/ Then I .a)e ; and you denied very .ategori.ay having sent
)e a )essage/J
JI had to/ %esides> I didn"t +ant you to 1no+ it +as )e/J
JAh> 'ut I +as fairy sure of thatG 0ot at first/ %ut I soon reai?ed
that the ony t+o peope +ho .oud 1no+ a'out the yeo+ irises
on the ta'e +ere you or Mr %arton &usse/J
Pauine nodded/
JI heard hi) ordering the) to 'e put on the ta'e>J she eBpained/
JThat> and his ordering a ta'e for siB +hen I 1ne+ ony five +ere
.o)ing> )ade )e suspe.t ;J
She stopped> 'iting her ip/
JWhat did you suspe.t> Made)oiseeAJ
She said so+yH
JI +as afraid ; of so)ething happening ; to Mr Carter/J
Stephen Carter .eared his throat/ 2nhurriedy 'ut 8uite
de.isivey he rose fro) the ta'e/
J(r ; h") ; I have to ; er ; than1 you> Mr Poirot/ I o+e you a great
dea/ @ou" eB.use I") sure> if I eave you/ Tonight"s happenings
have 'een ; rather upsetting/J
#oo1ing after his retreating figure> Pauine said vioentyH
JI hate hi)/ I"ve a+ays thought it +as 'e.ause of hi) that Iris
1ied hersef/ <r perhaps ; %arton 1ied her/ <h> it"s a so hatefu ;
J
Poirot said gentyH
JForget> Made)oisee/// forget/ #et the past go/ Thin1 ony of the
present ;J
Pauine )ur)ured> J@es ; you"re right/J
Poirot turned to #oa 7ade?/
JSedora> as the evening advan.es I 'e.o)e )ore 'rave/ If you
+oud dan.e +ith )e///J
J<h> yes> indeed/ @ou are ; you are ?e .at"s +his1ers> M/ Poirot/ I
inseest on dan.ing +ith you/J
J@ou are too 1ind> Sedora/J
Tony and Pauine +ere aone/ They eant to+ards ea.h other
a.ross the ta'e/
J$aring Pauine/J
JTony> I"ve 'een a nasty spitefu itte .at to you a evening/ Can
you ever forgive )eAJ
JMy angeG They"re paying our song again/ #et"s dan.e/J
They dan.ed off> s)iing at ea.h other and hu))ing softyH
There"s nothing i1e #ove for )a1ing you )isera'e
There"s nothing i1e #ove for )a1ing you 'ue
$epressed
Possessed
Senti)enta
Te)pera)enta
There"s nothing i1e #ove>
To s+eep you off your feet
There"s nothing i1e #ove for driving you .ra?y
There"s nothing i1e #ove for )a1ing you )ad
A'usive
Ausive
Sui.ida
!o)i.ida
There"s nothing i1e #ove///
There"s nothing i1e #ove///
T!( !A&#(42I0 T(A S(T
Mr/ Satterth+aite .u.1ed t+i.e in veBation/ Whether right in his
assu)ption or not> he +as )ore and )ore .onvin.ed that .ars
no+adays 'ro1e do+n far )ore fre8uenty than they used to do/
The ony .ars he trusted +ere od friends +ho had survived the
test of ti)e/ They had their itte idiosyn.rasies> 'ut you 1ne+
a'out those> provided for the)> fufied their +ants 'efore the
de)and 'e.a)e too a.ute/ %ut ne+ .arsG Fu of ne+ gadgets>
different 1inds of +indo+s> an instru)ent pane ne+y and
differenty arranged> handso)e in its gistening +ood> 'ut 'eing
unfa)iiar> your groping hand hovered uneasiy over fog ights>
+indshied +ipers> the .ho1e> et.etera/ A these things +ith
1no's in a pa.e +here you didn"t eBpe.t the)/ And +hen your
gea)ing ne+ pur.hase faied in perfor)an.e> your o.a garage
uttered the intensey irritating +ordsH JTeething trou'es/
Spendid .ar> sir> these roadsters Super Super'os/ A the atest
a..essories/ %ut 'ound to have their teething trou'es> you 1no+/
!a> ha/J *ust as though a .ar +as a 'a'y/
%ut Mr/ Satterth+aite> 'eing no+ of an advan.ed age> +as
strongy of the opinion that a ne+ .ar ought to 'e fuy adut/
Tested> inspe.ted> and its teething trou'es aready deat +ith
'efore it .a)e into its pur.haser"s possession/
Mr/ Satterth+aite +as on his +ay to pay a +ee1end visit to friends
in the .ountry/ !is ne+ .ar had aready> on the +ay fro) #ondon>
given .ertain sy)pto)s of dis.o)fort> and +as no+ dra+n up in a
garage +aiting for the diagnosis> and ho+ ong it +oud ta1e
'efore he .oud resu)e progress to+ards his destination/ !is
.hauffeur +as in .onsutation +ith a )e.hani./ Mr/ Satterth+aite
sat> striving for patien.e/ !e had assured his hosts> on the
teephone the night 'efore> that he +oud 'e arriving in good ti)e
for tea/ !e +oud rea.h $overton -ings'ourne> he assured the)>
+e 'efore four o".o.1/
!e .u.1ed again in irritation and tried to turn his thoughts to
so)ething peasant/ It +as no good sitting here in a state of a.ute
irritation> fre8uenty .onsuting his +rist+at.h> .u.1ing on.e
)ore and giving> he had to reai?e> a very good i)itation of a hen
peased +ith its pro+ess in aying an egg/
@es/ So)ething peasant/ @es> no+ hadn"t there 'een so)ething ;
so)ething he had noti.ed as they +ere driving aong/ 0ot very
ong ago/ So)ething that he had seen through the +indo+ +hi.h
had peased and eB.ited hi)/ %ut 'efore he had had ti)e to thin1
a'out it> the .ar"s )is'ehaviour had 'e.o)e )ore pronoun.ed
and a rapid visit to the nearest servi.e station had 'een inevita'e/
What +as it that he had seenA <n the eft ; no> on the right/ @es> on
the right as they drove so+y through the viage street/ 0eBt door
to a post offi.e/ @es> he +as 8uite sure of that/ 0eBt door to a post
offi.e 'e.ause the sight of the post offi.e had given hi) the idea
of teephoning to the Addisons to 'rea1 the ne+s that he )ight 'e
sighty ate in his arriva/ The post offi.e/ A viage post offi.e/ And
neBt to it ; yes> definitey> neBt to it> neBt door or if not neBt door
the door after/ So)ething that had stirred od )e)ories> and he
had +anted ; Dust +hat +as it that he had +antedA <h dear> it
+oud .o)e to hi) presenty/ It +as )iBed up +ith a .oour/
Severa .oours/ @es> a .oour or .oours/ <r a +ord/ So)e
definite +ord that had stirred )e)ories> thoughts> peasures gone
'y> eB.ite)ent> re.aing so)ething that had 'een vivid and aive/
So)ething in +hi.h he hi)sef had not ony seen 'ut o'served/
0o> he had done )ore/ !e had ta1en part/ Ta1en part in +hat> and
+hy> and +hereA A sorts of pa.es/ The ans+er .a)e 8ui.1y at
the ast thought/ A sorts of pa.es/
<n an isandA In Corsi.aA At Monte Caro +at.hing the .roupier
spinning his rouette +heeA A house in the .ountryA A sorts of
pa.es/ And he had 'een there> and so)eone ese/ @es> so)eone
ese/ It a tied up +ith that/ !e +as getting there at ast/ If he .oud
Dust/// !e +as interrupted at that )o)ent 'y the .hauffeur .o)ing
to the +indo+ +ith the garage )e.hani. in to+ 'ehind hi)/
JWon"t 'e ong no+> sir>J the .hauffeur assured Mr/ Satterth+aite
.heerfuy/ JMatter of ten )inutes or so/ 0ot )ore/J
J0othing seriousy +rong>J said the )e.hani.> in a o+> hoarse>
.ountry voi.e/ JTeething trou'es> as you )ight say/J
Mr/ Satterth+aite did not .u.1 this ti)e/ !e gnashed his o+n
teeth/ A phrase he had often read in 'oo1s and +hi.h in od age he
see)ed to have got into the ha'it of doing hi)sef> due> perhaps>
to the sight ooseness of his upper pate/ &eay> teething trou'eG
Tootha.he/ Teeth gnashing/ Fase teeth/ <ne"s +hoe ife .entred>
he thought> a'out teeth/
J$overton -ings'ourne"s ony a fe+ )ies a+ay>J said the
.hauffeur> Jand they"ve a taBi here/ @ou .oud go on in that> sir>
and I"d 'ring the .ar aong ater as soon as it"s fiBed up/J
J0oGJ said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
!e said the +ord eBposivey> and 'oth the .hauffeur and the
)e.hani. oo1ed started/ Mr/ Satterth+aite"s eyes +ere
spar1ing/ !is voi.e +as .ear and de.isive/ Me)ory had .o)e to
hi)/
JI propose>J he said> Jto +a1 the road +e have Dust .o)e 'y/
When the .ar is ready> you +i pi.1 )e up there/ The !are8uin
Cafe> I thin1 it is .aed/J
JIt"s not very )u.h of a pa.e> sir>J the )e.hani. advised/
JThat is +here I sha 'e>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> spea1ing +ith a
1ind of rega auto.ra.y/
!e +a1ed off 'ris1y/ The t+o )en stared after hi)/
J$on"t 1no+ +hat"s got into hi)>J said the .hauffeur/ J0ever seen
hi) i1e that 'efore/J
The viage of -ings'ourne $u.is did not ive up to the od +ord
grandeur of its na)e/ It +as a s)aish viage .onsisting of one
street/ A fe+ houses/ Shops that +ere dotted rather uneveny>
so)eti)es 'etraying the fa.t that they +ere houses +hi.h had
'een turned into shops or that they +ere shops +hi.h no+ eBisted
as houses +ithout any industria intentions/
It +as not parti.uary od +ord or 'eautifu/ It +as Dust si)pe and
rather uno'trusive/ Perhaps that +as +hy> thought Mr/
Satterth+aite> that a dash of 'riiant .oour had .aught his eye/
Ah> here he +as at the post offi.e/ The post offi.e +as a si)py
fun.tioning post offi.e +ith a piar 'oB outside> a dispay of so)e
ne+spapers and so)e post.ards> and surey> neBt to it> yes> there
+as the sign up a'ove/ The !are8uin Cafe/ A sudden 8ua)
stru.1 Mr/ Satterth+aite/ &eay> he +as getting too od/ !e had
fan.ies/ Why shoud that one +ord stir his heartA The !are8uin
Cafe/
The )e.hani. at the servi.e station had 'een 8uite right/ It did not
oo1 i1e a pa.e in +hi.h one +oud reay 'e te)pted to have a
)ea/ A sna.1> perhaps/ A )orning .offee/ Then +hyA %ut he
suddeny reai?ed +hy/ %e.ause the .afe> or perhaps one .oud
'etter put it as the house that shetered the .afe> +as in t+o
portions/ <ne side of it had s)a ta'es +ith .hairs round the)
arranged ready for patrons +ho .a)e here to eat/ %ut the other
side +as a shop/ A shop that sod .hina/ It +as not an anti8ue
shop/ It had no itte sheves of gass vases or )ugs/ It +as a shop
that sod )odern goods> and the sho+ +indo+ that gave on the
street +as at the present )o)ent housing every shade of the
rain'o+/ A tea set of argish .ups and sau.ers> ea.h one of a
different .oour/ %ue> red> yeo+> green> pin1> purpe/ &eay> Mr/
Satterth+aite thought> a +onderfu sho+ of .oour/ 0o +onder it
had stru.1 his eye as the .ar had passed so+y 'eside the
pave)ent> oo1ing ahead for any sign of a garage or a servi.e
station/ It +as a'eed +ith a arge .ard as JA !are8uin Tea Set/J
It +as the +ord "hare8uin" of .ourse +hi.h had re)ained fiBed in
Mr/ Satterth+aite"s )ind> athough Dust far enough 'a.1 in his
)ind so that it had 'een diffi.ut to re.a it/ The gay .oours/ The
hare8uin .oours/ And he had thought> +ondered> had the a'surd
'ut eB.iting idea that in so)e +ay here +as a .a to hi)/ To hi)
spe.iay/ !ere> perhaps> eating a )ea or pur.hasing .ups and
sau.ers )ight 'e his o+n od friend> Mr/ !arey 4uin/ !o+ )any
years +as it sin.e he had ast seen Mr/ 4uinA A arge nu)'er of
years/ Was it the day he had seen Mr/ 4uin +a1ing a+ay fro) hi)
do+n a .ountry ane> #overs" #ane they had .aed itA !e had
a+ays eBpe.ted to see Mr/ 4uin again> on.e a year at east/
Possi'y t+i.e a year/ %ut no/ That had not happened/
And so today he had had the +onderfu and surprising idea that
here> in the viage of -ings'ourne $u.is> he )ight on.e again find
Mr/ !arey 4uin/
JA'surd of )e>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> J8uite a'surd of )e/
&eay> the ideas one has as one gets odGJ
!e had )issed Mr/ 4uin/ Missed so)ething that had 'een one of
the )ost eB.iting things in the ate years of his ife/ So)eone +ho
)ight turn up any+here and +ho> if he did turn up> +as a+ays an
announ.e)ent that so)ething +as going to happen/ So)ething
that +as going to happen to hi)/ 0o> that +as not 8uite right/ 0ot
to hi)> 'ut through hi)/ That +as the eB.iting part/ *ust fro) the
+ords that Mr/ 4uin )ight utter/ Words/ Things he )ight sho+
hi)> ideas +oud .o)e to Mr/ Satterth+aite/ !e +oud see things>
he +oud i)agine things> he +oud find out things/ !e +oud dea
+ith so)ething that needed to 'e deat +ith/ And opposite hi)
+oud sit Mr/ 4uin> perhaps s)iing approva/ So)ething that Mr/
4uin said +oud start the fo+ of ideas> the a.tive person +oud 'e
he hi)sef/ !e ; Mr/ Satterth+aite/ The )an +ith so )any od
friends/ A )an a)ong +hose friends had 'een du.hesses> an
o..asiona 'ishop> peope that .ounted/ (spe.iay> he had to
ad)it> peope +ho had .ounted in the so.ia +ord/ %e.ause> after
a> Mr/ Satterth+aite had a+ays 'een a sno'/ !e had i1ed
du.hesses> he had i1ed 1no+ing od fa)iies> fa)iies +ho had
represented the anded gentry of (ngand for severa generations/
And he had had> too> an interest in young peope not ne.essariy
so.iay i)portant/ @oung peope +ho +ere in trou'e> +ho +ere in
ove> +ho +ere unhappy> +ho needed hep/ %e.ause of Mr/ 4uin>
Mr/ Satterth+aite +as ena'ed to give hep/
And no+> i1e an idiot> he +as oo1ing into an un;prepossessing
viage .afe and a shop for )odern .hina and tea sets and
.asseroes> no dou't/
JA the sa)e>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite to hi)sef> JI )ust go in/
0o+ I"ve 'een fooish enough to +a1 'a.1 here> I )ust go in Dust ;
+e> Dust in .ase/ They" 'e onger> I eBpe.t> doing the .ar than
they say/ It +i 'e )ore than ten )inutes/ *ust in .ase there is
anything interesting inside/J
!e oo1ed on.e )ore at the +indo+ fu of .hina/ !e appre.iated
suddeny that it +as good .hina/ We )ade/ A good )odern
produ.t/ !e oo1ed 'a.1 into the past> re)e)'ering/ The
$u.hess of #eith> he re)e)'ered/ What a +onderfu ady she had
'een/ !o+ 1ind she had 'een to her )aid on the o..asion of a
very rough sea voyage to the isand of Corsi.a/ She had
)inistered to her +ith the 1indiness of a )inistering ange and
ony on the neBt day had she resu)ed her auto.rati.> 'uying
)anner> +hi.h the do)esti.s of those days had see)ed a'e to
stand 8uite easiy +ithout any sign of re'eion/
Maria/ @es> that"s +hat the $u.hess"s na)e had 'een/ $ear od
Maria #eith/ Ah +e/ She had died so)e years ago/ %ut she had
had a hare8uin 'rea1fast set> he re)e)'ered/ @es/ %ig round
.ups in different .oours/ %a.1/ @eo+> red> and a parti.uary
perni.ious shade of pu.e/ Pu.e> he thought> )ust have 'een a
favourite .oour of hers/ She had had a &o.1ingha) tea set> he
re)e)'ered> in +hi.h the predo)inating .oour had 'een pu.e
de.orated +ith god/
JAh>J sighed Mr/ Satterth+aite> Jthose +ere the days/ We> I
suppose I"d 'etter go in/ Perhaps order a .up of .offee or
so)ething/ It +i 'e very fu of )i1> I eBpe.t> and possi'y
aready s+eetened/ %ut sti> one has to pass the ti)e/J
!e +ent in/ The .afe side +as pra.ti.ay e)pty/ It +as eary> Mr/
Satterth+aite supposed> for peope to +ant .ups of tea/ And
any+ay> very fe+ peope did +ant .ups of tea no+adays/ (B.ept>
that is> o..asionay edery peope in their o+n ho)es/ There +as
a young .oupe in the far +indo+ and t+o +o)en gossiping at a
ta'e against the 'a.1 +a/
JI said to her>J one of the) +as saying> JI said you .an"t do that
sort of thing/ 0o> it"s not the sort of thing that I" put up +ith> and I
said the sa)e to !enry and he agreed +ith )e/J
It shot through Mr/ Satterth+aite"s )ind that !enry )ust have
rather a hard ife and that no dou't he had found it a+ays +ise to
agree> +hatever the proposition put up to hi) )ight 'e/ A )ost
unattra.tive +o)an +ith a )ost unattra.tive friend/ !e turned his
attention to the other side of the 'uiding> )ur)uring> JMay I Dust
oo1 roundAJ
There +as 8uite a peasant +o)an in .harge and she said> J<h
yes> sir/ We"ve got a good sto.1 at present/""
Mr/ Satterth+aite oo1ed at the .ooured .ups> pi.1ed up one or
t+o of the)> eBa)ined the )i1 Dug> pi.1ed up a .hina ?e'ra and
.onsidered it> eBa)ined so)e ashtrays of a fairy peasing
pattern/ !e heard .hairs 'eing pushed 'a.1 and turning his head>
noted that the t+o )idde;aged +o)en sti dis.ussing for)er
grievan.es had paid their 'i and +ere no+ eaving the shop/ As
they +ent out of the door> a ta )an in a dar1 suit .a)e in/ !e sat
do+n at the ta'e +hi.h they had Dust va.ated/ !is 'a.1 +as to Mr/
Satterth+aite> +ho thought that he had an attra.tive 'a.1/ #ean>
strong> +e;)us.ed 'ut rather dar1 and sinister oo1ing 'e.ause
there +as very itte ight in the shop/ Mr/ Satterth+aite oo1ed
'a.1 again at the ashtrays/ JI )ight 'uy an ashtray so as not to
.ause a disappoint)ent to the shop o+ner>J he thought/ As he did
so> the sun .a)e out suddeny/
!e had not reai?ed that the shop had oo1ed di) 'e.ause of the
a.1 of sunshine/ The sun )ust have 'een under a .oud for so)e
ti)e/ It had .ouded over> he re)e)'ered> at a'out the ti)e they
had got to the servi.e station/ %ut no+ there +as this sudden
'urst of sunight/ It .aught up the .oours of the .hina and through
a .ooured gass +indo+ of so)e+hat e..esiasti.a pattern
+hi.h )ust> Mr/ Satterth+aite thought> have 'een eft over fro)
the origina 7i.torian house/ The sun .a)e through the +indo+
and it up the dingy .afe/ In so)e .urious +ay it it up the 'a.1 of
the )an +ho had Dust sat do+n there/ Instead of a dar1 'a.1
sihouette> there +as no+ a festoon of .oours/ &ed and 'ue and
yeo+/ And suddeny Mr/ Satterth+aite reai?ed that he +as
oo1ing at eBa.ty +hat he had hoped to find/ !is intuition had not
payed hi) fase/ !e 1ne+ +ho it +as +ho had Dust .o)e in and
sat do+n there/ !e 1ne+ so +e that he had no need to +ait unti
he .oud oo1 at the fa.e/ !e turned his 'a.1 on the .hina> +ent
'a.1 into the .afe> round the .orner of the round ta'e and sat
do+n opposite the )an +ho had Dust .o)e in/
JMr/ 4uin>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JI 1ne+ so)eho+ it +as going
to 'e you/J
Mr/ 4uin s)ied/
J@ou a+ays 1no+ so )any things>J he said/
JIt"s a ong ti)e sin.e I"ve seen you>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
J$oes ti)e )atterAJ said Mr/ 4uin/
JPerhaps not/ @ou )ay 'e right/ Perhaps not/J
JMay I offer you so)e refresh)entAJ
JIs there any refresh)ent to 'e hadAJ said Mr/ Satterth+aite
dou'tfuy/ JI suppose you )ust have .o)e in for that purpose/J
J<ne is never 8uite sure of one"s purpose> is oneAJ said Mr/ 4uin/
JI a) so peased to see you again>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JI"d
a)ost forgotten> you 1no+/ I )ean forgotten the +ay you ta1> the
things you say/ The things you )a1e )e thin1 of> the things you
)a1e )e do/J
JI ; )a1e you doA @ou are so +rong/ @ou have a+ays 1no+n
yoursef Dust +hat you +anted to do and +hy you +ant to do it and
+hy you 1no+ so +e that they have to 'e done/J
JI ony fee that +hen you are here/J
J<h no>J said Mr/ 4uin ighty/ JI have nothing to do +ith it/ I a) Dust
; as I"ve often tod you ; I a) Dust passing 'y/ That is a/J
JToday you are passing 'y through -ings'ourne $u.is/J
JAnd you are not passing 'y/ @ou are going to a definite pa.e/ A)
I rightAJ
JI a) going to see a very od friend/ A friend I have not seen for a
good )any years/ !e"s od no+/ So)e+hat .ripped/ !e has had
one stro1e/ !e has re.overed fro) it 8uite +e> 'ut one never
1no+s/J
J$oes he ive 'y hi)sefAJ
J0ot no+> I a) gad to say/ !is fa)iy have .o)e 'a.1 fro)
a'road> +hat is eft of his fa)iy that is/ They have 'een iving +ith
hi) no+ for so)e )onths/ I a) gad to 'e a'e to .o)e and see
the) again a together/ Those> that"s to say> that I have seen
'efore> and those that I have not seen/J
J@ou )ean .hidrenAJ
JChidren and grand.hidren/J Mr/ Satterth+aite sighed/ *ust for a
)o)ent he +as sad that he had had no .hidren and no
grand.hidren and no great;grand.hidren hi)sef/ !e did not
usuay regret it at a/
JThey have so)e spe.ia Tur1ish .offee here>J said Mr/ 4uin/
J&eay good of its 1ind/ (verything ese is> as you have guessed>
rather unpaata'e/ %ut one .an a+ays have a .up of Tur1ish
.offee> .an one notA #et us have one 'e.ause I suppose you +i
soon have to get on +ith your pigri)age> or +hatever it is/J
In the door+ay .a)e a s)a 'a.1 dog/ !e .a)e and sat do+n 'y
the ta'e and oo1ed up at Mr/ 4uin/
J@our dogAJ said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
J@es/ #et )e introdu.e you to !er)es/J !e stro1ed the 'a.1 dog"s
head/ JCoffee>J he said/ JTe Ai/J
The 'a.1 dog +a1ed fro) the ta'e through a door at the 'a.1 of
the shop/ They heard hi) give a short> in.isive 'ar1/ Presenty he
reappeared and +ith hi) .a)e a young )an +ith a very dar1
.o)peBion> +earing an e)erad green puover/
JCoffee> Ai>J said Mr/ 4uin/ JT+o .offees/J
JTur1ish .offee/ That"s right> isn"t it> sirAJ !e s)ied and
disappeared/
The dog sat do+n again/
JTe )e>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> Jte )e +here you"ve 'een and
+hat you have 'een doing and +hy I have not seen you for so
ong/J
JI have Dust tod you that ti)e reay )eans nothing/ It is .ear in )y
)ind and I thin1 it is .ear in yours the o..asion +hen +e ast
)et/J
JA very tragi. o..asion>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JI do not reay
i1e to thin1 of it/J
J%e.ause of deathA %ut death is not a+ays a tragedy/ I have tod
you that 'efore/J
J0o>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> Jperhaps that death ; the one +e are
'oth thin1ing of ; +as not a tragedy/ %ut a the sa)e///J
J%ut a the sa)e it is ife that reay )atters/ @ou are 8uite right> of
.ourse>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J4uite right/ It is ife that )atters/ We do
not +ant so)eone young> so)eone +ho is happy> or .oud 'e
happy> to die/ 0either of us +ants that> do +e/ That is the reason
+hy +e )ust a+ays save a ife +hen the .o))and .o)es/J
J!ave you got a .o))and for )eAJ
JMe ; .o))and for youAJ !arey 4uin"s ong> sad fa.e 'rightened
into its pe.uiary .har)ing s)ie/ JI have no .o))ands for you>
Mr/ Satterth+aite/ I have never had .o))ands/ @ou yoursef 1no+
things> see things> 1no+ +hat to do> do the)/ It has nothing to do
+ith )e/J
J<h yes> it has>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ J@ou"re not going to
.hange )y )ind on that point/ %ut te )e/ Where have you 'een
during +hat it is too short to .a ti)eAJ
JWe> I have 'een here and there/ In different .ountries> different
.i)ates> different adventures/ %ut )osty> as usua> Dust passing
'y/ I thin1 it is )ore for you to te )e not ony +hat you have 'een
doing 'ut +hat you are going to do no+/ More a'out +here you
are going/ Who you are going to )eet/ @our friends> +hat they are
i1e/J
J<f .ourse I +i te you/ I shoud enDoy teing you 'e.ause I have
'een +ondering> thin1ing you 1no+ a'out these friends I a) going
to/ When you have not seen a fa)iy for a ong ti)e> +hen you
have not 'een .osey .onne.ted +ith the) for )any years> it is
a+ays a nervous )o)ent +hen you are going to resu)e od
friendships and od ties/J
J@ou are so right>J said Mr/ 4uin/
The Tur1ish .offee +as 'rought in itte .ups of orienta pattern/ Ai
pa.ed the) +ith a s)ie and departed/ Mr/ Satterth+aite sipped
approvingy/
JAs s+eet as ove> as 'a.1 as night and as hot as he/ That is the
od Ara' phrase> isn"t itAJ
!arey s)ied over his shouder and nodded/
J@es>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> JI )ust te you +here I a) going>
though +hat I a) doing hardy )atters/ I a) going to rene+ od
friendships> to )a1e a.8uaintan.e +ith the younger generation/
To) Addison> as I have said> is a very od friend of )ine/ We did
)any things together in our young days/ Then> as often happens>
ife parted us/ !e +as in the $ipo)ati. Servi.e> +ent a'road for
severa foreign posts in turn/ So)e ti)es I +ent and stayed +ith
hi)> so)eti)es I sa+ hi) +hen he +as ho)e in (ngand/ <ne of
his eary posts +as in Spain/ !e )arried a Spanish gir> a very
'eautifu> dar1 gir .aed Piar/ !e oved her very un.h/J
JThey had .hidrenAJ
JT+o daughters/ A fair;haired 'a'y i1e her father> .aed #iy> and
a se.ond daughter> Maria> +ho too1 after her Spanish )other/ I
+as #iy"s godfather/ 0aturay> I did not see either of the .hidren
very often/ T+o or three ti)es a year I either gave a party for #iy
or +ent to see her at her s.hoo/ She +as a s+eet and ovey
person/ 7ery devoted to her father and he +as very devoted to
her/ %ut in 'et+een these )eetings> these revivas of friendship>
+e +ent through so)e diffi.ut ti)es/ @ou +i 1no+ a'out it as
+e as I do/ I and )y .onte)poraries had diffi.uties in )eeting
through the +ar years/ #iy )arried a piot in the Air For.e/ A
fighter piot/ 2nti the other day I had even forgotten his na)e/
Si)on ,iiatt/ S8uadron #eader ,iiatt/J
J!e +as 1ied in the +arAJ
J0o> no/ 0o/ !e .a)e through safey/ After the +ar he resigned
fro) the Air For.e and he and #iy +ent out to -enya as so )any
did/ They setted there and they ived very happiy/ They had a
son> a itte 'oy .aed &oand/ #ater +hen he +as at s.hoo in
(ngand I sa+ hi) on.e or t+i.e/ The ast ti)e> I thin1> +as +hen
he +as t+eve years od/ A ni.e 'oy/ !e had red hair i1e his
father/ I"ve not seen hi) sin.e so I a) oo1ing for+ard to seeing
hi) today/ !e is t+enty;three ; t+enty;four no+/ Ti)e goes on so/J
JIs he )arriedAJ
J0o/ We> not yet/J
JAh/ Prospe.ts of )arriageAJ
JWe> I +ondered fro) so)ething To) Addison said in his etter/
There is a gir .ousin/ The younger daughter> Maria> )arried the
o.a do.tor/ I never 1ne+ her very +e/ It +as rather sad/ She
died in .hid'irth/ !er itte gir +as .aed Ine?> a fa)iy na)e
.hosen 'y her Spanish grand)other/ As it happens I have seen
Ine? ony on.e sin.e she gre+ up/ A dar1> Spanish type very )u.h
i1e her grand)other/ ,odG I a) 'oring you +ith a this/J
J0o/ I +ant to hear it/ It is very interesting to )e/J
JI +onder +hy>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
!e oo1ed at Mr/ 4uin +ith that fight air of suspi.ion +hi.h
so)eti)es .a)e to hi)/
J@ou +ant to 1no+ a a'out this fa)iy/ WhyAJ
JSo that I .an pi.ture it> perhaps> in )y )ind/J
JWe> this house I a) going to> $overton -ings'ourne it is .aed/
It is 8uite a 'eautifu od house/ 0ot so spe.ta.uar as to invite
tourists or to 'e open to visitors on spe.ia days/ *ust a 8uiet
.ountry house to ive in 'y an (ngish)an +ho has served his
.ountry and .o)es 'a.1 to enDoy a )eo+ ife +hen the age of
retire)ent .o)es/ To) +as a+ays fond of .ountry ife/ !e
enDoyed fishing/ !e +as a good shot and +e had very happy days
together in his fa)iy ho)e of his 'oyhood/ I spent )any of )y
o+n hoidays as a 'oy at $overton -ings'ourne/ And a through
)y ife I have had that i)age in )y )ind/ 0o pa.e i1e $overton
-ings'ourne/ 0o other house to tou.h it/ (very ti)e I drove near it
I +oud )a1e a detour and Dust pass to see the vie+ through a gap
in the trees of the ong ane that runs in front of the house>
gi)pses of the river +here +e used to fish> and of the house
itsef/ And I +oud re)e)'er a the things that To) and I did
together/ !e has 'een a )an of a.tion/ A )an +ho has done
things/ And I ; I have Dust 'een an od 'a.heor/J
J@ou have 'een )ore than that>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J@ou have 'een a
)an +ho )ade friends> +ho had )any friends and +ho has served
his friends +e/J
JWe> if I .an thin1 that/ Perhaps you are 'eing too 1ind/J
J0ot at a/ @ou are very good .o)pany 'esides/ The stories you
.an te> the things you"ve seen> the pa.es you have visited/ The
.urious things that have happened in your ife/ @ou .oud +rite a
+hoe 'oo1 on the)>J said Mr/ 4uin/
JI shoud )a1e you the )ain .hara.ter in it if I did/J
J0o> you +oud not>J said Mr/ 4uin/ JI a) the one +ho passes 'y/
That is a/ %ut go on/ Te )e )ore/J
JWe> this is Dust a fa)iy .hroni.e that I") teing you/ As I say>
there +ere ong periods> years of ti)e +hen I did not see any of
the)/ %ut they have 'een a+ays )y od friends/ I sa+ To) and
Piar unti the ti)e +hen Piar died ; she died rather young>
unfortunatey ; #iy> )y god.hid> Ine?> the 8uiet do.tor"s daughter>
+ho ives in the viage +ith her father/// J
J!o+ od is the daughterAJ
JIne? is nineteen or t+enty> I thin1/ I sha 'e gad to )a1e friends
+ith her/J
JSo it is on the +hoe a happy .hroni.eAJ
J0ot entirey/ #iy> )y god.hid ; the one +ho +ent to -enya +ith
her hus'and ; +as 1ied there in an auto)o'ie a..ident/ She +as
1ied outright> eaving 'ehind her a 'a'y of 'arey a year od> itte
&oand/ Si)on> her hus'and> +as 8uite 'ro1en;hearted/ They
+ere an unusuay happy .oupe/ !o+ever> the 'est thing
happened to hi) that .oud happen> I suppose/ !e )arried again>
a young +o)an +ho +as the +ido+ of a s8uadron eader> a friend
of his and +ho aso had 'een eft +ith a 'a'y the sa)e age/ #itte
Ti)othy and itte &oand had ony t+o or three )onths in age
'et+een the)/ Si)on"s )arriage> I 'eieve> has 'een 8uite happy
enough though I"ve not seen the)> of .ourse> 'e.ause they
.ontinued to ive in -enya/ The 'oys +ere 'rought up i1e
'rothers/ They +ent to the sa)e s.hoo in (ngand and spent their
hoidays usuay in -enya/ I have not seen the)> of .ourse> for
)any years/ We> you 1no+ +hat has happened in -enya/ So)e
peope have )anaged to stay on/ So)e peope> friends of )ine>
have gone to Western Austraia and have setted again happiy
there +ith their fa)iies/ So)e have .o)e ho)e to this .ountry/
JSi)on ,iiatt and his +ife and their t+o .hidren eft -enya/ It
+as not the sa)e to the) and so they .a)e ho)e and a..epted
the invitation that has a+ays 'een given the) and rene+ed every
year 'y od To) Addison/ They have .o)e> his son;in;a+> his sonin;
a+"s se.ond +ife> and the t+o .hidren> no+ gro+n;up 'oys> or
rather> young )en/ They have .o)e to ive as a fa)iy there and
they are happy/ To)"s other grand.hid> Ine? !orton> as I tod you>
ives in the viage +ith her father> the do.tor> and she spends a
good dea of her ti)e> I gather> at $overton -ings'ourne +ith To)
Addison> +ho is very devoted to his granddaughter/ They sound
a very happy together there/ !e has urged )e severa ti)es to
.o)e there and see/ Meet the) a again/ And so I a..epted the
invitation/ *ust for a +ee1end/ It +i 'e sad in so)e +ays to see
dear od To) again> so)e+hat .ripped> +ith perhaps not a very
ong eBpe.tation of ife 'ut sti .heerfu and gay> as far as I .an
)a1e out/ And to see aso the od house again/ $overton
-ings'ourne/ Tied up +ith a )y 'oyish )e)ories/ When one has
not ived a very eventfu ife> +hen nothing has happened to one
personay> and that is true of )e> the things that re)ain +ith you
are the friends> the houses> and the things you did as a .hid and a
'oy and a young )an/ There is ony one thing that +orries )e/J
J@ou shoud not 'e +orried/ What is it that +orries youAJ
JThat I )ight 'e ; disappointed/ The house one re)e)'ers> one
has drea)s of> +hen one )ight .o)e to see it again it +oud not
'e as you re)e)'ered it or drea)ed it/ A ne+ +ing +oud have
'een added> the garden +oud have 'een atered> a sorts of
things .an have happened to it/ It is a very ong ti)e> reay> sin.e I
have 'een there/J
JI thin1 your )e)ories +i go +ith you>J said Mr/ 4uin/ JI a) gad
you are going there/J
JI have an idea>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JCo)e +ith )e/ Co)e
+ith )e on this visit/ @ou need not fear that you" not 'e +e.o)e/
$ear To) Addison is the )ost hospita'e feo+ in the +ord/ Any
friend of )ine +oud i))ediatey 'e a friend of his/ Co)e +ith )e/
@ou )ust/ I insist/J
Ma1ing an i)pusive gesture> Mr/ Satterth+aite neary 1no.1ed his
.offee .up off the ta'e/ !e .aught it Dust in ti)e/
At that )o)ent the shop door +as pushed open> ringing its odfashioned
'e as it did so/ A )idde;aged +o)an .a)e in/ She
+as sighty out of 'reath and oo1ed so)e+hat hot/ She +as
good;oo1ing sti> +ith a head of au'urn hair ony Dust tou.hed
here and there +ith grey/ She had that .ear ivory;.ooured s1in
that so often goes +ith reddish hair and 'ue eyes> and she had
1ept her figure +e/ The ne+.o)er s+ept a 8ui.1 gan.e round
the .afe and turned i))ediatey into the .hina shop/
J<hGJ she eB.ai)ed> Jyou"ve sti got so)e of the !are8uin .ups/J
J@es> Mrs/ ,iiatt> +e had a ne+ sto.1 arrive in yesterday/J
J<h> I") so peased/ I reay have 'een very +orried/ I rushed do+n
here/ I too1 one of the 'oys" )otor'i1es/ They"d gone off
so)e+here and I .oudn"t find either of the)/ %ut I reay had to do
so)ething/ There +as an unfortunate a..ident this )orning +ith
so)e of the .ups and +e"ve got peope arriving for tea and a party
this afternoon/ So if you .an give )e a 'ue and a green and
perhaps I"d 'etter have another red one as +e in .ase/ That"s the
+orst of these different;.ooured .ups> isn"t itAJ
JWe> I 1no+ they do say as it"s a disadvantage and you .an"t
a+ays repa.e the parti.uar .oour you +ant/J
Mr/ Satterth+aite"s head had gone over his shouder no+ and he
+as oo1ing +ith so)e interest at +hat +as going on/ Mrs/ ,iiatt>
the shop +o)an had said/ %ut of .ourse/ !e reai?ed it no+/ This
)ust 'e ; he rose fro) his seat> haf hesitating> and then too1 a
step or t+o into the shop/
J(B.use )e>J he said> J'ut are you ; are you Mrs/ ,iiatt fro)
$overton -ings'ourneAJ
J<h yes/ I a) %ery ,iiatt/ $o you ; I )eancAJ
She oo1ed at hi)> +rin1ing her 'ro+s a itte/ An attra.tive
+o)an> Mr/ Satterth+aite thought/ &ather a hard fa.e> perhaps>
'ut .o)petent/ So this +as Si)on ,iiatt"s se.ond +ife/ She
hadn"t got the 'eauty of #iy> 'ut she see)ed an attra.tive +o)an>
peasant and effi.ient/
Suddeny a s)ie .a)e to Mrs/ ,iiatt"s fa.e/
JI do 'eieve/// yes> of .ourse/ My father;in;a+> To) has got a
photograph of you and you )ust 'e the guest +e are eBpe.ting
this afternoon/ @ou )ust 'e Mr/ Satterth+aite/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JThat is +ho I a)/ %ut I sha
have to apoogi?e very )u.h for 'eing so )u.h ater in arriving
than I said/ %ut unfortunatey )y .ar has had a 'rea1do+n/ It"s in
the garage no+> 'eing attended to/J
J<h> ho+ )isera'e for you/ %ut +hat a sha)e/ %ut it"s not tea ti)e
yet/ $on"t +orry/ We"ve put it off any+ay/ As you pro'a'y heard> I
ran do+n to repa.e a fe+ .ups +hi.h unfortunatey got s+ept off
the ta'e this )orning/ Whenever one has anyone to un.h or tea
or dinner> so)ething i1e that a+ays happens/J
JThere you are> Mrs/ ,iiatt>J said the +o)an in the shop/ I" +rap
the) up in here/ Sha I put the) in a 'oB for youAJ
J0o> if you" Dust put so)e paper around the) and put the) in this
shopping 'ag of )ine> they" 'e 8uite a right that +ay/J
JIf you are returning to $overton -ings'ourne>J said Mr/
Satterth+aite> JI .oud give you a ift in )y .ar/ It +i 'e arriving
fro) the garage any )o)ent no+/J
JThat"s very 1ind of you/ I +ish reay I .oud a..ept/ %ut I"ve
si)py got to ta1e the )otor'i1e 'a.1/ The 'oys +i 'e )isera'e
+ithout it/ They"re going so)e+here this evening/J
J#et )e introdu.e you>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ !e turned to+ards
Mr/ 4uin> +ho had risen to his feet and +as no+ standing 8uite
near/ JThis is an od friend of )ine> Mr/ !arey 4uin> +ho) I have
Dust happened to run a.ross here/ I"ve 'een trying to persuade hi)
to .o)e aong to $overton -ings'ourne/ Woud it 'e possi'e> do
you thin1> for To) to put up yet another guest for tonightAJ
J<h> I") sure it +oud 'e 8uite a right>J said %ery ,iiatt/ JI")
sure he"d 'e deighted to see another friend of yours/ Perhaps it"s
a friend of his as +e/J
J0o>J said Mr/ 4uin> JI"ve never )et Mr/ Addison> though I"ve often
heard )y friend Mr/ Satterth+aite spea1 of hi)/J
JWe then> do et Mr/ Satterth+aite 'ring you/ We shoud 'e
deighted/J
JI a) very sorry>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J2nfortunatey> I have another
engage)ent/ IndeedJ ; he oo1ed at his +at.h ; JI )ust start for it
i))ediatey/ I a) ate aready> +hi.h is +hat .o)es of )eeting
od friends/J
J!ere you are> Mrs/ ,iiatt>J said the saes+o)an/ JIt" 'e 8uite a
right> I thin1> in your 'ag/J
%ery ,iiatt put the par.e .arefuy into the 'ag she +as
.arrying> then said to Mr/ Satterth+aiteH
JWe> see you presenty/ Tea isn"t unti 8uarter past five> so don"t
+orry/ I") so peased to )eet you at ast> having heard so )u.h
a'out you a+ays> 'oth fro) Si)on and fro) )y father;in;a+/J
She said a hurried good;'ye to Mr/ 4uin and +ent out of the shop/
J%it of a hurry she"s in> isn"t sheAJ said the shop +o)an> J'ut she"s
a+ays i1e that/ ,ets through a ot in a day> I"d say/J
The sound of the )otor 'i.y.e outside +as heard as it revved up/
J4uite a .hara.ter> isn"t sheAJ said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
JIt +oud see) so>J said Mr/ 4uin/
JAnd I reay .an"t persuade youAJ
JI") ony passing 'y>J said Mr/ 4uin/
JAnd +hen sha I see you againA I +onder no+/J
J<h> it +i not 'e very ong>J said Mr/ 4uin/ JI thin1 you +i
re.ogni?e )e +hen you do see )e/J
J!ave you nothing )ore ; nothing )ore to te )eA 0othing )ore to
eBpainAJ
JTo eBpain +hatAJ
JTo eBpain +hy I have )et you here/J
J@ou are a )an of .onsidera'e 1no+edge>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J<ne
+ord )ight )ean so)ething to you/ I thin1 it +oud and it )ight
.o)e in usefu/J
JWhat +ordAJ
J$atonis)>J said Mr/ 4uin/ !e s)ied/
JI don"t thin1 ; J Mr/ Satterth+aite fro+ned for a )o)ent/ J@es/
@es> I do 1no+> ony Dust for the )o)ent I .an"t re)e)'er///J
J,ood'ye for the present>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J!ere is your .ar/J
At that )o)ent the .ar +as indeed puing up 'y the post offi.e
door/ Mr/ Satterth+aite +ent out to it/ !e +as anBious not to +aste
)ore ti)e and 1eep his hosts +aiting onger than need 'e/ %ut he
+as sad a the sa)e at saying good;'ye to his friend/
JThere is nothing I .an do for youAJ he said> and his tone +as
a)ost +istfu/
J0othing you .an do for )e/J
JFor so)eone eseAJ
JI thin1 so/ 7ery i1ey/J
JI hope I 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
JI have the ut)ost faith in you>J said Mr/ 4uin/ J@ou a+ays 1no+
things/ @ou are very 8ui.1 to o'serve and to 1no+ the )eaning of
things/ @ou have not .hanged> I assure you/J
!is hand rested for a )o)ent on Mr/ Satterth+aite"s shouder>
then he +a1ed out and pro.eeded 'ris1y do+n the viage street
in the opposite dire.tion to $overton -ings'ourne/ Mr/
Satterth+aite got into his .ar/
JI hope +e shan"t have any )ore trou'e>J he said/
!is .hauffeur reassured hi)/ JIt"s no distan.e fro) here> sir/
Three or four )ies at )ost> and she"s running 'eautifuy no+/J
!e ran the .ar a itte +ay aong the street and turned +here the
road +idened so as to return the +ay he had Dust .o)e/ !e said
again> J<ny three or four )ies/J
Mr/ Satterth+aite said again> J$atonis)/J It sti didn"t )ean
anything to hi)> 'ut yet he fet it shoud/ It +as a +ord he"d heard
used 'efore/
J$overton -ings'ourne>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ !e
said it very softy under his 'reath/ The t+o +ords sti )eant to
hi) +hat they had a+ays )eant/ A pa.e of Doyous reunion> a
pa.e +here he .oudn"t get there too 8ui.1y/ A pa.e +here he
+as going to enDoy hi)sef> even though so )any of those +ho)
he had 1no+n +oud not 'e there any onger/ %ut To) +oud 'e
there/ !is od friend To)> and he thought again of the grass and
the a1e and the river and the things they had done together as
'oys/
Tea +as set out upon the a+n/ Steps ed out fro) the Fren.h
+indo+s in the dra+ing roo) and do+n to +here a 'ig .opper
'ee.h at one side and a .edar of #e'anon on the other )ade the
setting for the afternoon s.ene/ There +ere t+o painted and
.arved +hite ta'es and various garden .hairs/ 2pright ones +ith
.ooured .ushions> and ounging ones +here you .oud ean 'a.1
and stret.h your feet out and seep> if you +ished to do so/ So)e
of the) had hoods over the) to guard you fro) the sun/
It +as a 'eautifu eary evening and the green of the grass +as a
soft deep .oour/ The goden ight .a)e through the .opper 'ee.h
and the .edar sho+ed the ines of its 'eauty against a soft pin1ishgoden
s1y/
To) Addison +as +aiting for his guest in a ong 'as1et .hair> his
feet up> Mr/ Satterth+aite noted +ith so)e a)use)ent +hat he
re)e)'ered fro) )any other o..asions of )eeting his host> he
had .o)forta'e 'edroo) sippers suited to his sighty s+oen
gouty feet> and the shoes +ere odd ones/ <ne red and one green/
,ood od To)> thought Mr/ Satterth+aite> he hasn"t .hanged/ *ust
the sa)e/ And he thought> JWhat an idiot I a)/ <f .ourse I 1no+
+hat the +ord )eant/ Why didn"t I thin1 of it at on.eAJ
JThought you +ere never going to turn up> you od devi>J said To)
Addison/
!e +as sti a handso)e od )an> a 'road fa.e +ith deep;set
t+in1ing grey eyes> shouders that +ere sti s8uare and gave hi)
a oo1 of po+er/ (very ine in his fa.e see)ed a ine of good
hu)our and affe.tionate +e.o)e/ J!e never .hanges>J thought
Mr/ Satterth+aite/
JCan"t get up to greet you>J said To) Addison/ JTa1es t+o strong
)en and a sti.1 to get )e on )y feet/ 0o+> do you 1no+ our itte
.ro+d> or don"t youA @ou 1no+ Si)on> of .ourse/J
J<f .ourse I do/ It"s a good fe+ years sin.e I"ve seen you> 'ut you
haven"t .hanged )u.h/J
S8uadron #eader Si)on ,iiatt +as a ean> handso)e )an +ith a
)op of red hair/
JSorry you never .a)e to see us +hen +e +ere in -enya>J he said/
J@ou"d have enDoyed yoursef/ #ots of things +e .oud have sho+n
you/ Ah +e> one .an"t see +hat the future )ay 'ring/ I thought I"d
ay )y 'ones in that .ountry/J
JWe"ve got a very ni.e .hur.hyard here>J said To) Addison/
J0o'ody"s ruined our .hur.h yet 'y restoring it and +e haven"t
very )u.h ne+ 'uiding round a'out so there"s penty of roo) in
the .hur.hyard sti/ We haven"t had one of these terri'e additions
of a ne+ inta1e of graves/J
JWhat a goo)y .onversation you"re having>J said %ery ,iiatt>
s)iing/ JThese are our 'oys>J she said> J'ut you 1no+ the)
aready> don"t you> Mr/ Satterth+aiteAJ
JI don"t thin1 I"d have 1no+n the) no+>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
Indeed> the ast ti)e he had seen the t+o 'oys +as on a day +hen
he had ta1en the) out fro) their prep s.hoo/ Athough there +as
no reationship 'et+een the) ; they had different fathers and
)others ; the 'oys .oud have 'een> and often +ere> ta1en for
'rothers/ They +ere a'out the sa)e height and they 'oth had red
hair/ &oand> presu)a'y> having inherited it fro) his father and
Ti)othy fro) his au'urn;haired )other/ There see)ed aso to 'e
a 1ind of .o)radeship 'et+een the)/ @et reay> Mr/ Satterth+aite
thought> they +ere very different/ The differen.e +as .earer no+
+hen they +ere> he supposed> 'et+een t+enty;t+o and t+entyfive
years od/ !e .oud see no rese)'an.e in &oand to his
grandfather/ 0or apart fro) his red hair did he oo1 i1e his father/
Mr/ Satterth+aite had +ondered so)eti)es +hether the 'oy
+oud oo1 i1e #iy> his dead )other/ %ut there again he .oud see
itte rese)'an.e/ If anything> Ti)othy oo1ed )ore as a son of
#iy"s )ight have oo1ed/ The fair s1in and the high forehead and a
dei.a.y of 'one stru.ture/ At his e'o+> a soft deep voi.e said>
JI") Ine?/ I don"t eBpe.t you re)e)'er )e/ It +as 8uite a ong ti)e
ago +hen I sa+ you/J
A 'eautifu gir> Mr/ Satterth+aite thought at on.e/ A dar1 type/ !e
.ast his )ind 'a.1 a ong +ay to the days +hen he had .o)e to 'e
'est )an at To) Addison"s +edding to Piar/ She sho+ed her
Spanish 'ood> he thought> the .arriage of her head and the dar1
aristo.rati. 'eauty/ !er father> $r/ !orton> +as standing Dust
'ehind her/ !e oo1ed )u.h oder than +hen Mr/ Satterth+aite
had seen hi) ast/ A ni.e )an and 1indy/ A good genera
pra.titioner> una)'itious 'ut reia'e and devoted> Mr/
Satterth+aite thought> to his daughter/ !e +as o'viousy
i))ensey proud of her/
Mr/ Satterth+aite fet an enor)ous happiness .reeping over hi)/
A these peope> he thought> athough so)e of the) strange to
hi)> see)ed i1e friends he had aready 1no+n/ The dar1 'eautifu
gir> the t+o red;haired 'oys> %ery ,iiatt> fussing over the tea
tray> arranging .ups and sau.ers> 'e.1oning to a )aid fro) the
house to 'ring out .a1es and pates of sand+i.hes/ A spendid
tea/ There +ere .hairs that pued up to the ta'es so that you
.oud sit .o)forta'y eating a you +anted to eat/ The 'oys
setted the)seves> inviting Mr/ Satterth+aite to sit 'et+een the)/
!e +as peased at that/ !e had aready panned in his o+n )ind
that it +as the 'oys he +anted to ta1 to first> to see ho+ )u.h
they re.aed to hi) To) Addison in the od days> and he thought>
J#iy/ !o+ I +ish #iy .oud 'e here no+/J !ere he +as> thought
Mr/ Satterth+aite> here he +as 'a.1 in his 'oyhood/ !ere +here
he had .o)e and 'een +e.o)ed 'y To)"s father and )other> an
aunt or so> too> there had 'een> and a great;un.e and .ousins/
And no+> +e> there +ere not so )any in this fa)iy> 'ut it +as a
fa)iy/ To) in his 'edroo) sippers> one red> one green> od 'ut
sti )erry and happy/ !appy in those +ho +ere spread round hi)/
And here +as $overton Dust> or a)ost Dust> as it had 'een/ 0ot
8uite so +e 1ept up> perhaps> 'ut the a+n +as in good .ondition/
And do+n there he .oud see the gea) of the river through the
trees and the trees> too/ More trees than there had 'een/ And the
house needing> perhaps> another .oat of paint 'ut not too 'ady/
After a> To) Addison +as a ri.h )an/ We provided for> o+ning a
arge 8uantity of and/ A )an +ith si)pe tastes +ho spent enough
to 1eep his pa.e up 'ut +as not a spendthrift in other +ays/ !e
sedo) traveed or +ent a'road no+adays> 'ut he entertained/
0ot 'ig parties> Dust friends/ Friends +ho .a)e to stay> friends
+ho usuay had so)e .onne.tions going 'a.1 into the past/ A
friendy house/
!e turned a itte in his .hair> dra+ing it a+ay fro) the ta'e and
turning it side+ays so that he .oud see 'etter the vie+ do+n to
the river/ $o+n there +as the )i> of .ourse> and 'eyond the
other side there +ere fieds/ And in one of the fieds> it a)used hi)
to see a 1ind of s.are.ro+> a dar1 figure on +hi.h 'irds +ere
setting on the stra+/ *ust for a )o)ent he thought it oo1ed i1e
Mr/ !arey 4uin/ Perhaps> thought Mr/ Satterth+aite> it is )y
friend Mr/ 4uin/ It +as an a'surd idea> and yet if so)eone had
pied up the s.are.ro+ and tried to )a1e it oo1 i1e Mr/ 4uin> it
.oud have had the sort of sender eegan.e that +as foreign to
)ost s.are.ro+s one sa+/
JAre you oo1ing at our s.are.ro+AJ said Ti)othy/ JWe"ve got a
na)e for hi)> you 1no+/ We .a hi) Mister !arey %arey/J
J$o you indeed>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ J$ear )e> I find that very
interesting/J
JWhy do you find it interestingAJ said &oy> +ith so)e .uriosity/
JWe> 'e.ause it rather rese)'es so)eone that I 1no+> +hose
na)e happens to 'e !arey/ !is first na)e> that is/J
The 'oys 'egan singing> J!arey %arey stands on guard> !arey
%arey ta1es things hard/ ,uards the ri.1s and guards the hay>
-eeps the trespassers a+ay/J
JCu.u)'er sand+i.h> Mr/ Satterth+aiteAJ said %ery ,iiatt> Jor
do you prefer a ho)e;)ade pTt=AJ
Mr/ Satterth+aite a..epted the ho)e;)ade pTt=/ She deposited
'y his side a pu.e .up> the sa)e .oour as he had ad)ired in the
shop/ !o+ gay it oo1ed> a that tea set on the ta'e/ @eo+> red>
'ue> green> and a the rest of it/ !e +ondered if ea.h one had his
favourite .oour/ Ti)othy> he noti.ed> had a red .up> &oand had a
yeo+ one/ %eside Ti)othy"s .up +as an o'De.t Mr/ Satterth+aite
.oud not at first identify/ Then he sa+ it +as a )eers.hau) pipe/
It +as years sin.e Mr/ Satterth+aite had thought of or seen a
)eers.hau) pipe/ &oand> noti.ing +hat he +as oo1ing at> said>
JTi) 'rought that 'a.1 fro) ,er)any +hen he +ent/ !e"s 1iing
hi)sef +ith .an.er s)o1ing his pipe a the ti)e/J
J$on"t you s)o1e> &oandAJ
J0o/ I") not one for s)o1ing/ I don"t s)o1e .igarettes and I don"t
s)o1e pot either/J
Ine? .a)e to the ta'e and sat do+n on the other side of hi)/ %oth
the young )en pressed food upon her/ They started a aughing
.onversation together/
Mr/ Satterth+aite fet very happy a)ong these young peope/ 0ot
that they too1 very )u.h noti.e of hi) apart fro) their natura
poiteness/ %ut he i1ed hearing the)/ !e i1ed> too> )a1ing up his
Dudge)ent a'out the)/ !e thought> he +as a)ost sure> that 'oth
the young )en +ere in ove +ith Ine?/ We> it +as not surprising/
Propin8uity 'rings these things a'out/ They had .o)e to ive here
+ith their grandfather/ A 'eautifu gir> &oand"s first .ousin> +as
iving a)ost neBt door/ Mr/ Satterth+aite turned his head/ !e
.oud Dust see the house through the trees +here it po1ed up fro)
the road Dust 'eyond the front gate/ That +as the sa)e house that
$r/ !orton had ived in ast ti)e he .a)e here> seven or eight
years ago/
!e oo1ed at Ine?/ !e +ondered +hi.h of the t+o young )en she
preferred or +hether her affe.tions +ere aready engaged
ese+here/ There +as no reason +hy she shoud not fa in ove
+ith one of these t+o attra.tive young spe.i)ens of the )ae
ra.e/
!aving eaten as )u.h as he +anted ; it +as not very )u.h ; Mr/
Satterth+aite dre+ his .hair 'a.1> atering its ange a itte so that
he .oud oo1 a round hi)/
Mrs/ ,iiatt +as sti 'usy/ 7ery )u.h the house+ife> he thought>
)a1ing perhaps rather )ore of a fuss than she need of
do)esti.ity/ Continuay offering peope .a1es> ta1ing their .ups
a+ay and repenishing the)> handing things round/ So)eho+> he
thought> it +oud 'e )ore peasant and )ore infor)a if she et
peope hep the)seves/ !e +ished she +as not so 'usy a
hostess/
!e oo1ed up to the pa.e +here To) Addison ay stret.hed out in
his .hair/ To) Addison +as aso +at.hing %ery ,iiatt/ Mr/
Satterth+aite thought to hi)sefH J!e doesn"t i1e her/ 0o/ To)
doesn"t i1e her/ We> perhaps that"s to 'e eBpe.ted/J After a>
%ery had ta1en the pa.e of his o+n daughter> of Si)on ,iiatt"s
first +ife> #iy/ JMy 'eautifu #iy>J thought Mr/ Satterth+aite again>
and +ondered +hy for so)e reason he fet that athough he .oud
not see anyone i1e her> #iy in so)e strange +ay +as here/ She
+as here at this tea party/
JI suppose one 'egins to i)agine these things as one gets od>J
said Mr/ Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JAfter a> +hy shoudn"t #iy 'e
here to see her son/J
!e oo1ed affe.tionatey at Ti)othy and then suddeny reai?ed
that he +as not oo1ing at #iy"s son/ &oand +as #iy"s son/
Ti)othy +as %ery"s son/
JI 'eieve #iy 1no+s I") here/ I 'eieve she"d i1e to spea1 to )e>J
said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ J<h dear> oh dear> I )ustn"t start
i)agining fooish things/J
For so)e reason he oo1ed again at the s.are.ro+/ It didn"t oo1
i1e a s.are.ro+ no+/ It oo1ed i1e Mr/ !arey 4uin/ So)e tri.1s
of the ight> of the sunset> +ere providing it +ith .oour> and there
+as a 'a.1 dog i1e !er)es .hasing the 'irds/
JCoour>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> and oo1ed again at the ta'e and
the tea set and the peope having tea/ JWhy a) I hereAJ said Mr/
Satterth+aite/ JWhy a) I here and +hat ought I to 'e doingA
There"s a reason///J
0o+ he 1ne+> he fet> there +as so)ething> so)e .risis>
so)ething affe.ting ; affe.ting a these peope or ony so)e of
the)A %ery ,iiatt> Mrs/ ,iiatt/ She +as nervous a'out
so)ething/ <n edge/ To)A 0othing +rong +ith To)/ !e +asn"t
affe.ted/ A u.1y )an to o+n this 'eauty> to o+n $overton and to
have a grandson so that +hen he died a this +oud .o)e to
&oand/ A this +oud 'e &oand"s/ Was To) hoping that &oand
+oud )arry Ine?A <r +oud he have a fear of first .ousins
)arryingA Though throughout history> Mr/ Satterth+aite thought>
'rothers had )arried sisters +ith no i resut/ J0othing )ust
happen>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> Jnothing )ust happen/ I )ust
prevent it/J
&eay> his thoughts +ere the thoughts of a )ad)an/ A pea.efu
s.ene/ A tea set/ The varying .oours of the !are8uin .ups/ !e
oo1ed at the +hite )eers.hau) pipe ying against the red of the
.up/ %ery ,iiatt said so)ething to Ti)othy/ Ti)othy nodded> got
up and +ent off to+ards the house/ %ery re)oved so)e e)pty
pates fro) the ta'e> adDusted a .hair or t+o> )ur)ured
so)ething to &oand> +ho +ent a.ross and offered a frosted .a1e
to $r/ !orton/
Mr/ Satterth+aite +at.hed her/ !e had to +at.h her/ The s+eep of
her seeve as she passed the ta'e/ !e sa+ a red .up get pushed
off the ta'e/ It 'ro1e on the iron feet of a .hair/ !e heard her itte
eB.a)ation as she pi.1ed up the 'its/ She +ent to the tea tray>
.a)e 'a.1 and pa.ed on the ta'e a pae 'ue .up and sau.er/
She repa.ed the )eers.hau) pipe> putting it .ose against it/ She
'rought the teapot and poured tea> then she )oved a+ay/
The ta'e +as untenanted no+/ Ine? aso had got up and eft it/
,one to spea1 to her grandfather/ JI don"t understand>J said Mr/
Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JSo)ething"s going to happen/ What"s
going to happenAJ
A ta'e +ith different;.ooured .ups round> and ; yes> Ti)othy> his
red hair go+ing in the sun/ &ed hair go+ing +ith that sa)e tint>
that attra.tive side;+ays +ave that Si)on ,iiatt"s hair had
a+ays had/ Ti)othy> .o)ing 'a.1> standing a )o)ent> oo1ing at
the ta'e +ith a sighty pu??ed eye> then going to +here the
)eers.hau) pipe rested against the pae 'ue .up/
Ine? .a)e 'a.1 then/ She aughed suddeny and she said>
JTi)othy> you"re drin1ing your tea out of the +rong .up/ The 'ue
.up"s )ine/ @ours is the red one/J
And Ti)othy said> J$on"t 'e siy> Ine?> I 1no+ )y o+n .up/ It"s got
sugar in it and you +on"t i1e it/ 0onsense/ This is )y .up/ The
)eers.hau)"s up against it/J
It .a)e to Mr/ Satterth+aite then/ A sho.1/ Was he )adA Was he
i)agining thingsA Was any of this reaA
!e got up/ !e +a1ed 8ui.1y to+ards the ta'e> and as Ti)othy
raised the 'ue .up to his ips> he shouted/
J$on"t drin1 thatGJ he .aed/ J$on"t drin1 it> I say/J
Ti)othy turned a surprised fa.e/ Mr/ Satterth+aite turned his
head/ $r/ !orton> rather started> got up fro) his seat and +as
.o)ing near/
JWhat"s the )atter> Satterth+aiteAJ
JThat .up/ There"s so)ething +rong a'out it>J said Mr/
Satterth+aite/ J$on"t et the 'oy drin1 fro) it/J
!orton stared at it/ JMy dear feo+ ; J
JI 1no+ +hat I") saying/ The red .up +as his>J said Mr/
Satterth+aite> Jand the red .up"s 'ro1en/ It"s 'een repa.ed +ith a
'ue one/ !e doesn"t 1no+ the red fro) 'ue> does heAJ
$r/ !orton oo1ed pu??ed/
J$"you )ean ; d"you )ean i1e To)AJ
JTo) Addison/ !e"s .oour;'ind/ @ou 1no+ that> don"t youAJ
J<h yes> of .ourse/ We a 1no+ that/ That"s +hy he"d got odd
shoes on today/ !e never 1ne+ red fro) green/J
JThis 'oy is the sa)e/J
J%ut ; 'ut surey not/ Any+ay> there"s never 'een any sign of it in ;
in &oand/J
JThere )ight 'e> though> )ightn"t thereAJ said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
JI") right in thin1ing ; $atonis)/ That"s +hat they .a it> don"t
theyAJ
JIt +as a na)e they used to .a it 'y> yes/J
JIt"s not inherited 'y a fe)ae> 'ut it passes through the fe)ae/
#iy +asn"t .oour;'ind> 'ut #iy"s son )ight easiy 'e .oour'ind/J
J%ut )y dear Satterth+aite> Ti)othy isn"t #iy"s son/ &oy is #iy"s
son/ I 1no+ they"re rather ai1e/ Sa)e age> sa)e;.ooured hair
and things> 'ut ; +e> perhaps you don"t re)e)'er/J
J0o>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> JI shoudn"t have re)e)'ered/ %ut I
1no+ no+/ I .an see the rese)'an.e too/ &oand"s %ery"s son/
They +ere 'oth 'a'ies> +eren"t they> +hen Si)on re)arried/ It is
very easy for a +o)an oo1ing after t+o 'a'ies> espe.iay if 'oth
of the) +ere going to have red hair/ Ti)othy"s #iy"s son and
&oand is %ery"s son/ %ery"s and Christopher (den"s/ There is no
reason +hy he shoud 'e .oour;'ind/ I 1no+ it> I te you/ I 1no+
itGJ
!e sa+ $r/ !orton"s eyes go fro) one to the other/ Ti)othy> not
.at.hing +hat they said 'ut standing hoding the 'ue .up and
oo1ing pu??ed/
JI sa+ her 'uy it>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ J#isten to )e> )an/ @ou
)ust isten to )e/ @ou"ve 1no+n )e for so)e years/ @ou 1no+ that
I don"t )a1e )ista1es if I say a thing positivey/J
J4uite true/ I"ve never 1no+n you to )a1e a )ista1e/J
JTa1e that .up a+ay fro) hi)>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JTa1e it
'a.1 to your surgery or ta1e it to an anayti. .he)ist and find out
+hat"s in it/ I sa+ that +o)an 'uy that .up/ She 'ought it in the
viage shop/ She 1ne+ then that she +as going to 'rea1 a red
.up> repa.e it 'y a 'ue and that Ti)othy +oud never 1no+ that
the .oours +ere different/J
JI thin1 you"re )ad> Satterth+aite/ %ut a the sa)e I") going to do
+hat you say/J
!e advan.ed on the ta'e> stret.hed out a hand to the 'ue .up/
J$o you )ind etting )e have a oo1 at thatAJ said $r/ !orton/
J<f .ourse>J said Ti)othy/ !e oo1ed sighty surprised/
JI thin1 there"s a fa+ in the .hina> here> you 1no+/ &ather
interesting/J
%ery .a)e a.ross the a+n/ She .a)e 8ui.1y and sharpy/
JWhat are you doingA What"s the )atterA What is happeningAJ
J0othing"s the )atter>J said $r/ !orton> .heerfuy/ JI Dust +ant to
sho+ the 'oys a itte eBperi)ent I") going to )a1e +ith a .up of
tea/J
!e +as oo1ing at her very .osey and he sa+ the eBpression of
fear> of terror/ Mr/ Satterth+aite sa+ the entire .hange of
.ountenan.e/
JWoud you i1e to .o)e +ith )e> Satterth+aiteA *ust a itte
eBperi)ent> you 1no+/ A )atter of testing por.eain and different
8uaities in it no+adays/ A very interesting dis.overy +as )ade
atey/J
Chatting> he +a1ed aong the grass/ Mr/ Satterth+aite foo+ed
hi) and the t+o young )en> .hatting to ea.h other> foo+ed hi)/
JWhat"s the $o. up to no+> &oyAJ said Ti)othy/
JI don"t 1no+>J said &oand/ J!e see)s to have got so)e very
eBtraordinary ideas/ <h +e> +e sha hear a'out it ater> I eBpe.t/
#et"s go and get our 'i1es/J
%ery ,iiatt turned a'rupty/ She retra.ed her steps rapidy up
the a+n to+ards the house/
To) Addison .aed to herH JAnything the )atter> %eryAJ
JSo)ething I"d forgotten>J said %ery ,iiatt/ JThat"s a/J
To) Addison oo1ed in8uiringy to+ards Si)on ,iiatt/
JAnything +rong +ith your +ifeAJ he said/
J%eryA <h no> not that I 1no+ of/ I eBpe.t it"s so)e itte thing or
other that she"s forgotten/ 0othing I .an do for you> %eryAJ he
.aed/
J0o/ 0o> I" 'e 'a.1 ater/J She turned her head haf side+ays>
oo1ing at the od )an ying 'a.1 in the .hair/ She spo1e suddeny
and vehe)enty/ J@ou siy od foo/ @ou"ve got the +rong shoes on
again today/ They don"t )at.h/ $o you 1no+ you"ve got one shoe
that"s red and one shoe that"s greenAJ
JAh> done it again> have IAJ said To) Addison/ JThey oo1 eBa.ty
the sa)e .oour to )e> you 1no+/ It"s odd> isn"t it> 'ut there it is/J
She +ent past hi)> her steps 8ui.1ening/
Presenty Mr/ Satterth+aite and $r/ !orton rea.hed the gate that
ed out into the road+ay/ They heard a )otor 'i.y.e speeding
aong/
JShe"s gone>J said $r/ !orton/ JShe"s run for it/ We ought to have
stopped her> I suppose/ $o you thin1 she" .o)e 'a.1AJ
J0o>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> JI don"t thin1 she" .o)e 'a.1/
Perhaps>J he said thoughtfuy> Jit"s 'est eft that +ay/J
J@ou )eanAJ
JIt"s an od house>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JAnd an od fa)iy/ A
good fa)iy/ A ot of good peope in it/ <ne doesn"t +ant trou'e>
s.anda> everything 'rought upon it/ %est to et her go> I thin1/J
JTo) Addison never i1ed her>J said $r/ !orton/ J0ever/ !e +as
a+ays poite and 1ind 'ut he didn"t i1e her/J
JAnd there"s the 'oy to thin1 of>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
JThe 'oy/ @ou )eanAJ
JThe other 'oy/ &oand/ This +ay he needn"t 1no+ a'out +hat his
)other +as trying to do/J
JWhy did she do itA Why on earth did she do itAJ
J@ou"ve no dou't no+ that she did>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
J0o/ I"ve no dou't no+/ I sa+ her fa.e> Satterth+aite> +hen she
oo1ed at )e/ I 1ne+ then that +hat you"d said +as truth/ %ut
+hyAJ
J,reed> I suppose>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JShe hadn"t any )oney
of her o+n> I 'eieve/ !er hus'and> Christopher (den> +as a ni.e
.hap 'y a a..ounts 'ut he hadn"t anything in the +ay of )eans/
%ut To) Addison"s grand.hid has got 'ig )oney .o)ing to hi)/ A
ot of )oney/ Property a around here has appre.iated
enor)ousy/ I"ve no dou't that To) Addison +i eave the 'u1 of
+hat he has to his grandson/ She +anted it for her o+n son and
through her o+n son> of .ourse> for hersef/ She is a greedy
+o)an/J
Mr/ Satterth+aite turned his head 'a.1 suddeny/
JSo)ething"s on fire over there>J he said/
J,ood ord> so it is/ <h> it"s the s.are.ro+ do+n in the fied/ So)e
young .hap or other"s set fire to it> I suppose/ %ut there"s nothing
to +orry a'out/ There are no ri.1s or anything any+here near/ It"
Dust 'urn itsef out/J
J@es>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/ JWe> you go on> $o.tor/ @ou don"t
need )e to hep you in your tests/J
JI"ve no dou't of +hat I sha find/ I don"t )ean the eBa.t
su'stan.e> 'ut I have .o)e to your 'eief that this 'ue .up hods
death/J
Mr/ Satterth+aite had turned 'a.1 through the gate/ !e +as going
no+ do+n in the dire.tion +here the s.are.ro+ +as 'urning/
%ehind it +as the sunset/ A re)ar1a'e sunset that evening/ Its
.oours iu)inated the air round it> iu)inated the 'urning
s.are.ro+/
JSo that"s the +ay you"ve .hosen to go>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite/
!e oo1ed sighty started then> for in the neigh'ourhood of the
fa)es he sa+ the ta> sight figure of a +o)an/ A +o)an dressed
in so)e pae )other;of;pear .oouring/ She +as +a1ing in the
dire.tion of Mr/ Satterth+aite/ !e stopped dead> +at.hing/
J#iy>J he said/ J#iy/J
!e sa+ her 8uite painy no+/ It +as #iy +a1ing to+ards hi)/ Too
far a+ay for hi) to see her fa.e 'ut he 1ne+ very +e +ho it +as/
*ust for a )o)ent or t+o he +ondered +hether anyone ese +oud
see her or +hether the sight +as ony for hi)/ !e said> not very
oud> ony in a +hisper>
JIt"s a right> #iy> your son is safe/J
She stopped then/ She raised one hand to her ips/ !e didn"t see
her s)ie> 'ut he 1ne+ she +as s)iing/ She 1issed her hand and
+aved it to hi) and then she turned/ She +a1ed 'a.1 to+ards
+here the s.are.ro+ +as disintegrating into a )ass of ashes/
JShe"s going a+ay again>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite to hi)sef/ JShe"s
going a+ay +ith hi)/ They"re +a1ing a+ay together/ They 'eong
to the sa)e +ord> of .ourse/ They ony .o)e ; those sort of
peope ; they ony .o)e +hen it"s a .ase of ove or death or 'oth/J
!e +oudn"t see #iy again> he supposed> 'ut he +ondered ho+
soon he +oud )eet Mr/ 4uin again/ !e turned then and +ent 'a.1
a.ross the a+n to+ards the tea ta'e and the !are8uin tea set>
and 'eyond that> to his od friend To) Addison/ %ery +oudn"t
.o)e 'a.1/ !e +as sure of it/ $overton -ings'ourne +as safe
again/
A.ross the a+n .a)e the s)a 'a.1 dog in fying eaps/ It .a)e
to Mr/ Satterth+aite> panting a itte and +agging its tai/ Through
its .oar +as t+isted a s.rap of paper/ Mr/ Satterth+aite stooped
and deta.hed it ; s)oothing it out ; on it in .ooured etters +as
+ritten a )essageH
Congratuations/ To <ur 0eBt Meeting
!/4/
JThan1 you> !er)es>J said Mr/ Satterth+aite> and +at.hed the
'a.1 dog fying a.ross the )eado+ to reDoin the t+o figures that
he hi)sef 1ne+ +ere here 'ut .oud no onger see/
T!( &(,ATTA M@ST(&@
Mr Isaa. Point? re)oved a .igar fro) his ips and said
approvingyH
JPretty itte pa.e/J
!aving thus set the sea of his approva upon $art)outh har'or>
he repa.ed the .igar and oo1ed a'out hi) +ith the air of a )an
peased +ith hi)sef> his appearan.e> his surroundings and ife
generay/
As regards the first of these> Mr Isaa. Point? +as a )an of fiftyeight>
in good heath and .ondition +ith perhaps a sight tenden.y
to iver/ !e +as not eBa.ty stout> 'ut .o)forta'e;oo1ing> and a
ya.hting .ostu)e> +hi.h he +ore at the )o)ent> is not the )ost
1indy of attires for a )idde;aged )an +ith a tenden.y to
e)'onpoint/ Mr Point? +as very +e turned out ; .orre.t to every
.rease and 'utton ; his dar1 and sighty <rienta fa.e 'ea)ing
out under the pea1 of his ya.hting .ap/
As regards his surroundings> these )ay have 'een ta1en to )ean
his .o)panions ; his partner Mr #eo Stein> Sir ,eorge and #ady
Marro+ay> an A)eri.an 'usiness a.8uaintan.e Mr Sa)ue
#eathern and his s.hoogir daughter (ve> Mrs &ustington and
(van #e+eyn/ The party had Dust .o)e ashore fro) Mr Point?"
ya.ht ; the Merri)aid/ In the )orning they had +at.hed the ya.ht
ra.ing and they had no+ .o)e ashore to Doin for a +hie in the fun
of the fair ; Co.onut shies> Fat #adies> the !u)an Spider and the
Merry;go;round/ It is hardy to 'e dou'ted that these deights +ere
reished )ost 'y (ve #eathern/ When Mr Point? finay suggested
that it +as ti)e to adDourn to the &oya ,eorge for dinner hers +as
the ony dissentient voi.e/
J<h> Mr Point? ; I did so +ant to have )y fortune tod 'y the &ea
,ypsy in the Caravan/J
Mr Point? had dou'ts of the essentia &eaness of the ,ypsy in
8uestion 'ut he gave indugent assent/
J(ve"s Dust .ra?y a'out the fair>J said her father apoogeti.ay/
J%ut don"t you pay any attention if you +ant to 'e getting aong/J
JPenty of ti)e>J said Mr Point? 'enignanty/ J#et the itte ady
enDoy hersef/ I" ta1e you on at darts> #eo/J
JT+enty;five and over +ins a pri?e>J .hanted the )an in .harge of
the darts in a high nasa voi.e/
J%et you a fiver )y tota s.ore 'eats yours>J said Point?/
J$one>J said Stein +ith aa.rity/
The t+o )en +ere soon +hoe;heartedy engaged in their 'atte/
#ady Marro+ay )ur)ured to (van #e+eynH
J(ve is not the ony .hid in the party/J
#e+eyn s)ied assent 'ut so)e+hat a'senty/ !e had 'een
a'sent;)inded a that day/ <n.e or t+i.e his ans+ers had 'een
+ide of the point/ Pa)ea Marro+ay dre+ a+ay fro) hi) and said
to her hus'andH
JThat young )an has so)ething on his )ind/J
Sir ,eorge )ur)uredH
J<r so)eoneAJ
And his gan.e s+ept 8ui.1y over *anet &ustington/ #ady
Marro+ay fro+ned a itte/ She +as a ta +o)an eB8uisitey
groo)ed/ The s.aret of her fingernais +as )at.hed 'y the dar1
red .ora studs in her ears/ !er eyes +ere dar1 and +at.hfu/ Sir
,eorge affe.ted a .areess Jhearty (ngish gente)anJ )anner ;
'ut his 'right 'ue eyes hed the sa)e +at.hfu oo1 as his +ife"s/
Isaa. Point? and #eo Stein +ere !atton ,arden dia)ond
)er.hants/ Sir ,eorge and #ady Marro+ay .a)e fro) a different
+ord ; the +ord of Anti'es and *uan es Pins ; of gof at St *ean
de #u? ; of 'athing fro) the ro.1s at Madeira in the +inter/
In out+ard see)ing they +ere as the iies that toied not> neither
did they spin/ %ut perhaps this +as not 8uite true/ There are
diverse +ays of toiing and aso of spinning/
J!ere"s the 1id 'a.1 again>J said (van #e+eyn to Mrs
&ustington/
!e +as a dar1 young )an ; there +as a fainty hungry +ofish oo1
a'out hi) +hi.h so)e +o)en found attra.tive/
It +as diffi.ut to say +hether Mrs &ustington found hi) so/ She
did not +ear her heart on her seeve/ She had )arried young ; and
the )arriage had ended in disaster in ess than a year/ Sin.e that
ti)e it +as diffi.ut to 1no+ +hat *anet &ustington thought of
anyone or anything ; her )anner +as a+ays the sa)e ; .har)ing
'ut .o)petey aoof/
(ve #eathern .a)e dan.ing up to the)> her an1 fair hair 'o''ing
eB.itedy/ She +as fifteen ; an a+1+ard .hid ; 'ut fu of vitaity/
JI") going to 'e )arried 'y the ti)e I") seventeen>J she
eB.ai)ed 'reathessy/ JTo a very ri.h )an and +e"re going to
have siB .hidren and Tuesdays and Thursdays are )y u.1y days
and I ought a+ays to +ear green or 'ue and an e)erad is )y
u.1y stone and ;J
JWhy> pet> I thin1 +e ought to 'e getting aong>J said her father/
Mr #eathern +as a ta> fair> dyspepti.;oo1ing )an +ith a
so)e+hat )ournfu eBpression/
Mr Point? and Mr Stein +ere turning a+ay fro) the darts/ Mr
Point? +as .hu.1ing and Mr Stein +as oo1ing so)e+hat ruefu/
JIt"s a a )atter of u.1>J he +as saying/
Mr Point? sapped his po.1et .heerfuy/
JToo1 a fiver off you a right/ S1i> )y 'oy> s1i/ My od $ad +as a
first .ass dart payer/ We> fo1s> et"s 'e getting aong/ !ad your
fortune tod> (veA $id they te you to 'e+are of a dar1 )anAJ
JA dar1 +o)an>J .orre.ted (ve/ JShe"s got a .ast in her eye and
she" 'e rea )ean to )e if I give her a .han.e/ And I") to 'e
)arried 'y the ti)e I") seventeen///J
She ran on happiy as the party steered its +ay to the &oya
,eorge/
$inner had 'een ordered 'eforehand 'y the forethought of Mr
Point? and a 'o+ing +aiter ed the) upstairs and into a private
roo) on the first foor/ !ere a round ta'e +as ready aid/ The 'ig
'uging 'o+;+indo+ opened on the har'or s8uare and +as open/
The noise of the fair .a)e up to the)> and the rau.ous s8uea of
three rounda'outs ea.h 'aring a different tune/
J%est shut that if +e"re to hear ourseves spea1>J o'served Mr
Point? driy> and suited the a.tion to the +ord/
They too1 their seats round the ta'e and Mr Point? 'ea)ed
affe.tionatey at his guests/ !e fet he +as doing the) +e and he
i1ed to do peope +e/ !is eye rested on one after another/ #ady
Marro+ay ; fine +o)an ; not 8uite the goods> of .ourse> he 1ne+
that ; he +as perfe.ty +e a+are that +hat he had .aed a his
ife the .r/)e de a .r/)e +oud have very itte to do +ith the
Marro+ays ; 'ut then the .r/)e de a .r/)e +ere supre)ey
una+are of his o+n eBisten.e/ Any+ay> #ady Marro+ay +as a
da)ned s)art;oo1ing +o)an ; and he didn"t )ind if she did roo1
hi) a 'it at 'ridge/ $idn"t enDoy it 8uite so )u.h fro) Sir ,eorge/
Fishy eye the feo+ had/ %ra?eny on the )a1e/ %ut he +oudn"t
)a1e too )u.h out of Isaa. Point?/ !e"d see to that a right/
<d #eathern +asn"t a 'ad feo+ ; ong+inded> of .ourse> i1e
)ost A)eri.ans ; fond of teing endess ong stories/ And he had
that dis.on.erting ha'it of re8uiring pre.ise infor)ation/ What
+as the popuation of $art)outhA In +hat year had the 0ava
Coege 'een 'uitA And so on/ (Bpe.ted his host to 'e a 1ind of
+a1ing %aede1er/ (ve +as a ni.e .heery 1id ; he enDoyed .haffing
her/ 7oi.e rather i1e a .orn.ra1e> 'ut she had a her +its a'out
her/ A 'right 1id/
@oung #e+eyn ; he see)ed a 'it 8uiet/ #oo1ed as though he had
so)ething on his )ind/ !ard up> pro'a'y/ These +riting feo+s
usuay +ere/ #oo1ed as though he )ight 'e 1een on *anet
&ustington/ A ni.e +o)an ; attra.tive and .ever> too/ %ut she
didn"t ra) her +riting do+n your throat/ !igh'ro+ sort of stuff she
+rote 'ut you"d never thin1 it to hear her ta1/ And od #eoG !e
+asn"t getting younger or thinner/ And 'issfuy una+are that his
partner +as at that )o)ent thin1ing pre.isey the sa)e thing
a'out hi)> Mr Point? .orre.ted Mr #eathern as to pi.hards 'eing
.onne.ted +ith $evon and not Corn+a> and prepared to enDoy
his dinner/
JMr Point?>J said (ve +hen pates of hot )a.1ere had 'een set
'efore the) and the +aiters had eft the roo)/
J@es> young ady/J
J!ave you got that 'ig dia)ond +ith you right no+A The one you
sho+ed us ast night and said you a+ays too1 a'out +ith youAJ
Mr Point? .hu.1ed/
JThat"s right/ My )as.ot> I .a it/ @es> I"ve got it +ith )e a right/J
JI thin1 that"s a+fuy dangerous/ So)e'ody )ight get it a+ay
fro) you in the .ro+d at the fair/J
J0ot they>J said Mr Point?/ JI" ta1e good .are of that/J
J%ut they )ight>J insisted (ve/ J@ou"ve got gangsters in (ngand
as +e as +e have> haven"t youAJ
JThey +on"t get the Morning Star>J said Mr Point?/ JTo 'egin +ith
it"s in a spe.ia inner po.1et/ And any+ay ; od Point? 1no+s +hat
he"s a'out/ 0o'ody"s going to stea the Morning Star/J
(ve aughed/
J2gh;huh ; 'et I .oud stea itGJ
JI 'et you .oudn"t>J Mr Point? t+in1ed 'a.1 at her/
JWe> I 'et I .oud/ I +as thin1ing a'out it ast night in 'ed ; after
you"d handed it round the ta'e for us a to oo1 at/ I thought of a
rea .ute +ay to stea it/J
JAnd +hat"s thatAJ
(ve put her head on one side> her fair hair +agged eB.itedy/ JI")
not teing you ; no+/ What do you 'et I .oudn"tAJ
Me)ories of Mr Point?" youth rose in his )ind/
J!af a do?en pairs of goves>J he said/
J,oves>J .ried (ve disgustedy/ JWho +ears govesAJ
JWe ; do you +ear si1 sto.1ingsAJ
J$o I notA My 'est pair addered this )orning/J
J7ery +e> then/ !af a do?en pairs of the finest si1 sto.1ings ;J
J<o;er>J said (ve 'issfuy/ JAnd +hat a'out youAJ
JWe> I need a ne+ to'a..o pou.h/J
J&ight/ That"s a dea/ 0ot that you" get your to'a..o pou.h/ 0o+
I" te you +hat you"ve got to do/ @ou )ust hand it round i1e you
did ast night ;J
She 'ro1e off as t+o +aiters entered to re)ove the pates/ When
they +ere starting on the neBt .ourse of .hi.1en> Mr Point? saidH
J&e)e)'er this> young +o)an> if this is to represent a rea theft> I
shoud send for the poi.e and you"d 'e sear.hed/J
JThat"s 8uite </-/ 'y )e/ @ou needn"t 'e 8uite so ifei1e as to
'ring the poi.e into it/ %ut #ady Marro+ay or Mrs &ustington .an
do a the sear.hing you i1e/J
JWe> that"s that then>J said Mr Point?/ JWhat are you setting up to
'eA A first .ass De+e thiefAJ
JI )ight ta1e to it as a .areer ; if it reay paid/J
JIf you got a+ay +ith the Morning Star it +oud pay you/ (ven after
re.utting that stone +oud 'e +orth over thirty thousand pounds/J
JMyGJ said (ve> i)pressed/ JWhat"s that in doarsAJ
#ady Marro+ay uttered an eB.a)ation/
JAnd you .arry su.h a stone a'out +ith youAJ she said
reproa.hfuy/ JThirty thousand pounds/J !er dar1ened eyeashes
8uivered/
Mrs &ustington said softyH JIt"s a ot of )oney/ And then there"s
the fas.ination of the stone itsef/ It"s 'eautifu/J
J*ust a pie.e of .ar'on>J said (van #e+eyn/
JI"ve a+ays understood it"s the "fen.e" that"s the diffi.uty in De+e
ro''eries>J said Sir ,eorge/ J!e ta1es the ion"s share ; eh>
+hatAJ
JCo)e on>J said (ve eB.itedy/ J#et"s start/ Ta1e the dia)ond out
and say +hat you said ast night/J
Mr #eathern said in his deep )ean.hoy voi.eH
JI do apoogi?e for )y offspring/ She gets 1inder +or1ed up ;J
JThat" do> Pops>J said (ve/ J0o+ then> Mr Point? ;J
S)iing> Mr Point? fu)'ed in an inner po.1et/ !e dre+ so)ething
out/ It ay on the pa) of his hand> 'in1ing in the ight/
A dia)ond///
&ather stiffy> Mr Point? repeated as far as he .oud re)e)'er his
spee.h of the previous evening on the Merri)aid/
JPerhaps you adies and gente)en +oud i1e to have a oo1 at
thisA It"s an unusuay 'eautifu stone/ I .a it the Morning Star and
it"s 'y +ay of 'eing )y )as.ot ; goes a'out +ith )e any+here/
#i1e to see itAJ
!e handed it to #ady Marro+ay> +ho too1 it> eB.ai)ed at its
'eauty and passed it to Mr #eathern +ho said> JPretty good ; yes>
pretty good>J in a so)e+hat artifi.ia )anner and in his turn
passed it to #e+eyn/
The +aiters .o)ing in at that )o)ent there +as a sight hit.h in
the pro.eedings/ When they had gone again> (van said> J7ery fine
stoneJ and passed it to #eo Stein +ho did not trou'e to )a1e any
.o))ent 'ut handed it 8ui.1y on to (ve/
J!o+ perfe.ty ovey>J .ried (ve in a high affe.ted voi.e/
J<hGJ She gave a .ry of .onsternation as it sipped fro) her hand/
JI"ve dropped it/J
She pushed 'a.1 her .hair and got do+n to grope under the ta'e/
Sir ,eorge at her right> 'ent aso/ A gass got s+ept off the ta'e
in the .onfusion/ Stein> #e+eyn and Mrs &ustington a heped in
the sear.h/ Finay #ady Marro+ay Doined in/
<ny Mr Point? too1 no part in the pro.eedings/
!e re)ained in his seat sipping his +ine and s)iing sardoni.ay/
J<h> dear>J said (ve> sti in her artifi.ia )anner/ J!o+ dreadfuG
Where .an it have roed toA I .an"t find it any+here/J
<ne 'y one the assistant sear.hers rose to their feet/
JIt"s disappeared a right> Point?>J said Sir ,eorge> s)iing/
J7ery ni.ey done>J said Mr Point?> nodding approva/ J@ou"d )a1e
a very good a.tress> (ve/ 0o+ the 8uestion is> have you hidden it
so)e+here or have you got it on youAJ
JSear.h )e>J said (ve dra)ati.ay/
Mr Point?" eye sought out a arge s.reen in the .orner of the roo)/
!e nodded to+ards it and then oo1ed at #ady Marro+ay and Mrs
&ustington/
JIf you adies +i 'e so good ;J
JWhy> .ertainy>J said #ady Marro+ay> s)iing/
The t+o +o)en rose/
#ady Marro+ay said>
J$on"t 'e afraid> Mr Point?/ We" vet her propery/J
The three +ent 'ehind the s.reen/
The roo) +as hot/ (van #e+eyn fung open the +indo+/ A ne+s
vender +as passing/ (van thre+ do+n a .oin and the )an thre+
up a paper/
#e+eyn unfoded it/
J!ungarian situation none too good>J he said/
JThat the o.a ragAJ as1ed Sir ,eorge/ JThere"s a horse I")
interested in ought to have run at !adon today ; 0atty %oy/J
J#eo>J said Mr Point?/ J#o.1 the door/ We don"t +ant those
da)ned +aiters popping in and out ti this 'usiness is over/J
J0atty %oy +on three to one>J said (van/
J&otten odds>J said Sir ,eorge/
JMosty &egatta ne+s>J said (van> gan.ing over the sheet/
The three young +o)en .a)e out fro) the s.reen/
J0ot a sign of it>J said *anet &ustington/
J@ou .an ta1e it fro) )e she hasn"t got it on her>J said #ady
Marro+ay/
Mr Point? thought he +oud 'e 8uite ready to ta1e it fro) her/
There +as a gri) tone in her voi.e and he fet no dou't that the
sear.h had 'een thorough/
JSay> (ve> you haven"t s+ao+ed itAJ as1ed Mr #eathern
anBiousy/ J%e.ause )ay'e that +oudn"t 'e too good for you/J
JI"d have seen her do that>J said #eo Stein 8uiety/ JI +as +at.hing
her/ She didn"t put anything in her )outh/J
JI .oudn"t s+ao+ a great thing a points i1e that>J said (ve/ She
put her hands on her hips and oo1ed at Mr Point?/ JWhat a'out it>
'ig 'oyAJ she as1ed/
J@ou stand over there +here you are and don"t )ove>J said that
gente)an/
A)ong the)> the )en stripped the ta'e and turned it upside
do+n/ Mr Point? eBa)ined every in.h of it/ Then he transferred his
attention to the .hair on +hi.h (ve had 'een sitting and those on
either side of her/
The thoroughness of the sear.h eft nothing to 'e desired/ The
other four )en Doined in and the +o)en aso/ (ve #eathern stood
'y the +a near the s.reen and aughed +ith intense enDoy)ent/
Five )inutes ater Mr Point? rose +ith a sight groan fro) his
1nees and dusted his trousers sady/ !is pristine freshness +as
so)e+hat i)paired/
J(ve>J he said/ JI ta1e off )y hat to you/ @ou"re the finest thing in
De+e thieves I"ve ever .o)e a.ross/ What you"ve done +ith that
stone 'eats )e/ As far as I .an see it )ust 'e in the roo) as it isn"t
on you/ I give you 'est/J
JAre the sto.1ings )ineAJ de)anded (ve/
JThey"re yours> young ady/J
J(ve> )y .hid> +here .an you have hidden itAJ de)anded Mrs
&ustington .uriousy/
(ve pran.ed for+ard/
JI" sho+ you/ @ou" a 'e Dust )ad +ith yourseves/J
She +ent a.ross to the side ta'e +here the things fro) the dinner
ta'e had 'een roughy sta.1ed/ She pi.1ed up her itte 'a.1
evening 'ag/
J&ight under your eyes/ &ight///J
!er voi.e> gay and triu)phant> traied off suddeny/
J<h>J she said/ J<h///J
JWhat"s the )atter> honeyAJ said her father/
(ve +hisperedH JIt"s gone/// it"s gone///J
JWhat"s a thisAJ as1ed Point?> .o)ing for+ard/
(ve turned to hi) i)petuousy/
JIt +as i1e this/ This po.hette of )ine has a 'ig paste stone in the
)idde of the .asp/ It fe out ast night and Dust +hen you +ere
sho+ing that dia)ond round I noti.ed that it +as )u.h the sa)e
si?e/ And so I thought in the night +hat a good idea for a ro''ery it
+oud 'e to +edge your dia)ond into the gap +ith a 'it of
pasti.ine/ I fet sure no'ody +oud ever spot it/ That"s +hat I did
tonight/ First I dropped it ; then +ent do+n after it +ith the 'ag in
)y hand> stu.1 it into the gap +ith a 'it of pasti.ine +hi.h I had
handy> put )y 'ag on the ta'e and +ent on pretending to oo1 for
the dia)ond/ I thought it +oud 'e i1e the Puroined #etter ; you
1no+ ; ying there in fu vie+ under a your noses ; and Dust
oo1ing i1e a .o))on 'it of rhinestone/ And it +as a good pan ;
none of you did noti.e/J
JI +onder>J said Mr Stein/
JWhat did you sayAJ
Mr Point? too1 the 'ag> oo1ed at the e)pty hoe +ith a frag)ent
of pasti.ine sti adhering to it and said so+yH JIt )ay have faen
out/ We"d 'etter oo1 again/J
The sear.h +as repeated> 'ut this ti)e it +as a .uriousy sient
'usiness/ An at)osphere of tension pervaded the roo)/
Finay everyone in turn gave it up/ They stood oo1ing at ea.h
other/
JIt"s not in this roo)>J said Stein/
JAnd no'ody"s eft the roo)>J said Sir ,eorge signifi.anty/
There +as a )o)ent"s pause/ (ve 'urst into tears/
!er father patted her on the shouder/
JThere> there>J he said a+1+ardy/
Sir ,eorge turned to #eo Stein/
JMr Stein>J he said/ J*ust no+ you )ur)ured so)ething under
your 'reath/ When I as1ed you to repeat it> you said it +as nothing/
%ut as a )atter of fa.t I heard +hat you said/ Miss (ve had Dust
said that none of us noti.ed the pa.e +here she had put the
dia)ond/ The +ords you )ur)ured +ereH "I +onder/" What +e
have to fa.e is the pro'a'iity that one person did noti.e ; that that
person is in this roo) no+/ I suggest that the ony fair and
honora'e thing is for every one present to su')it to a sear.h/ The
dia)ond .annot have eft the roo)/J
When Sir ,eorge payed the part of the od (ngish gente)an>
none .oud pay it 'etter/ !is voi.e rang +ith sin.erity and
indignation/
J%it unpeasant> a this>J said Mr Point? unhappiy/
JIt"s a )y faut>J so''ed (ve/ JI didn"t )ean ;J
J%u.1 up> 1iddo>J said Mr Stein 1indy/ J0o'ody"s 'a)ing you/J
Mr #eathern said in his so+ pedanti. )anner>
JWhy> .ertainy> I thin1 that Sir ,eorge"s suggestion +i )eet +ith
the fuest approva fro) a of us/ It does fro) )e/J
JI agree>J said (van #e+eyn/
Mrs &ustington oo1ed at #ady Marro+ay +ho nodded a 'rief
assent/ The t+o of the) +ent 'a.1 'ehind the s.reen and the
so''ing (ve a..o)panied the)/
A +aiter 1no.1ed on the door and +as tod to go a+ay/
Five )inutes ater eight peope oo1ed at ea.h other
in.reduousy/
The Morning Star had vanished into spa.e///
Mr Par1er Pyne oo1ed thoughtfuy at the dar1 agitated fa.e of the
young )an opposite hi)/
J<f .ourse>J he said/ J@ou"re Wesh> Mr #e+eyn/J
JWhat"s that got to do +ith itAJ
Mr Par1er Pyne +aved a arge> +e;.ared;for hand/
J0othing at a> I ad)it/ I a) interested in the .assifi.ation of
e)otiona rea.tions as eBe)pified 'y .ertain ra.ia types/ That is
a/ #et us return to the .onsideration of your parti.uar pro'e)/J
JI don"t reay 1no+ +hy I .a)e to you>J said (van #e+eyn/ !is
hands t+it.hed nervousy> and his dar1 fa.e had a haggard oo1/
!e did not oo1 at Mr Par1er Pyne and that gente)an"s s.rutiny
see)ed to )a1e hi) un.o)forta'e/ JI don"t 1no+ +hy I .a)e to
you>J he repeated/ J%ut +here the he .an I goA And +hat the he
.an I doA It"s the po+eressness of not 'eing a'e to do anything at
a that gets )e/// I sa+ your advertise)ent and I re)e)'ered that
a .hap had on.e spo1en of you and said that you got resuts/// And
; +e ; I .a)eG I suppose I +as a foo/ It"s the sort of position
no'ody .an do anything a'out/J
J0ot at a>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI a) the proper person to .o)e
to/ I a) a spe.iaist in unhappiness/ This 'usiness has o'viousy
.aused you a good dea of pain/ @ou are sure the fa.ts are eBa.ty
as you have tod )eAJ
JI don"t thin1 I"ve eft out anything/ Point? 'rought out the dia)ond
and passed it around ; that +ret.hed A)eri.an .hid stu.1 it on
her ridi.uous 'ag and +hen +e .a)e to oo1 at the 'ag> the
dia)ond +as gone/ It +asn"t on anyone ; od Point? hi)sef even
+as sear.hed ; he suggested it hi)sef ; and I" s+ear it +as
no+here in that roo)G And no'ody eft the roo)/J
J0o +aiters> for instan.eAJ suggested Mr Par1er Pyne/
#e+eyn shoo1 his head/
JThey +ent out 'efore the gir 'egan )essing a'out +ith the
dia)ond> and after+ards Point? o.1ed the door so as to 1eep
the) out/ 0o> it ies 'et+een one of us/J
JIt +oud .ertainy see) so>J said Mr Par1er Pyne thoughtfuy/
JThat da)ned evening paper>J said (van #e+eyn 'ittery/ JI sa+
it .o)e into their )inds ; that that +as the ony +ay ;J
J*ust te )e again eBa.ty +hat o..urred/J
JIt +as perfe.ty si)pe/ I thre+ open the +indo+> +histed to the
)an> thre+ do+n a .opper and he tossed )e up the paper/ And
there it isI you see ; the ony possi'e +ay the dia)ond .oud have
eft the roo) ; thro+n 'y )e to an a..o)pi.e +aiting in the street
'eo+/J
J0ot the ony possi'e +ay>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JWhat other +ay .an you suggestAJ
JIf you didn"t thro+ it out> there )ust have 'een so)e other +ay/J
J<h> I see/ I hoped you )eant so)ething )ore definite than that/
We> I .an ony say that I didn"t thro+ it out/ I .an"t eBpe.t you to
'eieve )e ; or anyone ese/J
J<h> yes> I 'eieve you>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou doA WhyAJ
J0ot a .ri)ina type>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ J0ot> that is> the
parti.uar .ri)ina type that steas De+ery/ There are .ri)es> of
.ourse> that you )ight .o))it ; 'ut +e +on"t enter into that
su'De.t/ At any rate I do not see you as the puroiner of the
Morning Star/J
J(veryone ese does though>J said #e+eyn 'ittery/
JI see>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
JThey oo1ed at )e in a 8ueer sort of +ay at the ti)e/ Marro+ay
pi.1ed up the paper and Dust gan.ed over at the +indo+/ !e
didn"t say anything/ %ut Point? .ottoned on to it 8ui.1 enoughG I
.oud see +hat they thought/ There hasn"t 'een any open
a..usation> that"s the devi of it/J
Mr Par1er Pyne nodded sy)patheti.ay/
JIt is +orse than that>J he said/
J@es/ It"s Dust suspi.ion/ I"ve had a feo+ round as1ing 8uestions ;
routine in8uiries> he .aed it/ <ne of the ne+ dress;shirted ot of
poi.e> I suppose/ 7ery ta.tfu ; nothing at a hinted/ *ust
interested in the fa.t that I"d 'een hard up and +as suddeny
.utting a 'it of a spash/J
JAnd +ere youAJ
J@es ; so)e u.1 +ith a horse or t+o/ 2nu.1iy )y 'ets +ere
)ade on the .ourse ; there"s nothing to sho+ that that"s ho+ the
)oney .a)e in/ They .an"t disprove it> of .ourse ; 'ut that"s Dust
the sort of easy ie a feo+ +oud invent if he didn"t +ant to sho+
+here the )oney .a)e fro)/J
JI agree/ Sti they +i have to have a good dea )ore than that to
go upon/J
J<hG I") not afraid of a.tuay 'eing arrested and .harged +ith the
theft/ In a +ay that +oud 'e easier ; one +oud 1no+ +here one
+as/ It"s the ghasty fa.t that a those peope 'eieve I too1 it/J
J<ne person in parti.uarAJ
JWhat do you )eanAJ
JA suggestion ; nothing )ore ;J Again Mr Par1er Pyne +aved his
.o)forta'e;oo1ing hand/ JThere +as one person in parti.uar>
+asn"t thereA Sha +e say Mrs &ustingtonAJ
#e+eyn"s dar1 fa.e fushed/
JWhy pit.h on herAJ
J<h> )y dear sir ; there is o'viousy so)eone +hose opinion
)atters to you greaty ; pro'a'y a ady/ What adies +ere thereA
An A)eri.an fapperA #ady Marro+ayA %ut you +oud pro'a'y
rise not fa in #ady Marro+ay"s esti)ation if you had 'rought off
su.h a .oup/ I 1no+ so)ething of the ady/ Ceary then> Mrs
&ustington/J
#e+eyn said +ith so)ething of an effort> JShe ; she"s had rather
an unfortunate eBperien.e/ !er hus'and +as a do+n and out
rotter/ It"s )ade her un+iing to trust anyone/ She ; if she thin1s ;J
!e found it diffi.ut to go on/
J4uite so>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JI see the )atter is i)portant/ It
)ust 'e .eared up/J
(van gave a short augh/
JThat"s easy to say/J
JAnd 8uite easy to do>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/
J@ou thin1 soAJ
J<h> yes ; the pro'e) is so .ear .ut/ So )any possi'iities are
rued out/ The ans+er )ust reay 'e eBtre)ey si)pe/ Indeed
aready I have a 1ind of gi))ering ;J
#e+eyn stared at hi) in.reduousy/
Mr Par1er Pyne dre+ a pad of paper to+ards hi) and pi.1ed up a
pen/
JPerhaps you +oud give )e a 'rief des.ription of the party/J
J!aven"t I aready done soAJ
JTheir persona appearan.e ; .oor of hair and so on/J
J%ut> Mr Par1er Pyne> +hat .an that have to do +ith itAJ
JA good dea> young )an> a good dea/ Cassifi.ation and so on/J
So)e+hat un'eievingy> (van des.ri'ed the persona
appearan.e of the )e)'ers of the ya.hting party/
Mr Par1er Pyne )ade a note or t+o> pushed a+ay the pad and
saidH
J(B.eent/ %y the +ay> did you say a +inegass +as 'ro1enAJ
(van stared again/
J@es> it +as 1no.1ed off the ta'e and then it got stepped on/J
J0asty thing> spinters of gass>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JWhose
+ine;gass +as itAJ
JI thin1 it +as the .hid"s ; (ve/J
JAhG ; and +ho sat neBt to her on that sideAJ
JSir ,eorge Marro+ay/J
J@ou didn"t see +hi.h of the) 1no.1ed it off the ta'eAJ
JAfraid I didn"t/ $oes it )atterAJ
J0ot reay/ 0o/ That +as a superfuous 8uestion/ We ;J he stood
up ; Jgood )orning> Mr #e+eyn/ Wi you .a again in three days"
ti)eA I thin1 the +hoe thing +i 'e 8uite satisfa.toriy .eared up
'y then/J
JAre you Do1ing> Mr Par1er PyneAJ
JI never Do1e on professiona )atters> )y dear sir/ It +oud
o..asion distrust in )y .ients/ Sha +e say Friday at 11H56A
Than1 you/J
(van entered Mr Par1er Pyne"s offi.e on the Friday )orning in a
.onsidera'e tur)oi/ !ope and s1epti.is) fought for )astery/
Mr Par1er Pyne rose to )eet hi) +ith a 'ea)ing s)ie/
J,ood )orning> Mr #e+eyn/ Sit do+n/ !ave a .igaretteAJ
#e+eyn +aved aside the proffered 'oB/
JWeAJ he said/
J7ery +e indeed>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThe poi.e arrested the
gang ast night/J
JThe gangA What gangAJ
JThe A)afi gang/ I thought of the) at on.e +hen you tod )e your
story/ I re.ogni?ed their )ethods and on.e you had des.ri'ed the
guests> +e> there +as no dou't at a in )y )ind/J
JWho are the A)afi gangAJ
JFather> son and daughter;in;a+ ; that is if Pietro and Maria are
reay )arried ; +hi.h so)e dou't/J
JI don"t understand/J
JIt"s 8uite si)pe/ The na)e is Itaian and no dou't the origin is
Itaian> 'ut od A)afi +as 'orn in A)eri.a/ !is )ethods are
usuay the sa)e/ !e i)personates a rea 'usiness )an>
introdu.es hi)sef to so)e pro)inent figure in the De+e 'usiness
in so)e (uropean .ountry and then pays his itte tri.1/ In this
.ase he +as dei'eratey on the tra.1 of the Morning Star/ Point?"
idiosyn.rasy +as +e 1no+n in the trade/ Maria A)afi payed the
part of his daughter 9a)a?ing .reature> t+enty;seven at east> and
neary a+ays pays a part of siBteen:/J
J0ot (veGJ gasped #e+eyn/
J(Ba.ty/ The third )e)'er of the gang got hi)sef ta1en on as an
eBtra +aiter at the &oya ,eorge ; it +as hoiday ti)e> re)e)'er>
and they +oud need eBtra staff/ !e )ay even have 'ri'ed a
reguar )an to stay a+ay/ The s.ene is set/ (ve .haenges od
Point? and he ta1es on the 'et/ !e passes round the dia)ond as
he had done the night 'efore/ The +aiters enter the roo) and
#eathern retains the stone unti they have eft the roo)/ When they
do eave> the dia)ond eaves aso> neaty atta.hed +ith a )orse
of .he+ing gu) to the underside of the pate that Pietro 'ears
a+ay/ So si)peGJ
J%ut I sa+ it after that/J
J0o> no> you sa+ a paste repi.a> good enough to de.eive a .asua
gan.e/ Stein> you tod )e> hardy oo1ed at it/ (ve drops it>
s+eeps off a gass too and steps fir)y on stone and gass
together/ Mira.uous disappearan.e of dia)ond/ %oth (ve and
#eathern .an su')it to as )u.h sear.hing as anyone peases/J
JWe ; I") ;J (van shoo1 his head> at a oss for +ords/
J@ou say you re.ogni?ed the gang fro) )y des.ription/ !ad they
+or1ed this tri.1 'eforeAJ
J0ot eBa.ty ; 'ut it +as their 1ind of 'usiness/ 0aturay )y
attention +as at on.e dire.ted to the gir (ve/J
JWhyA I didn"t suspe.t her ; no'ody did/ She see)ed su.h a ; su.h
a .hid/J
JThat is the pe.uiar genius of Maria A)afi/ She is )ore i1e a
.hid than any .hid .oud possi'y 'eG And then the pasti.ineG
This 'et +as supposed to have arisen 8uite spontaneousy ; yet
the itte ady had so)e pasti.ine +ith her a handy/ That spo1e of
pre)editation/ My suspi.ions fastened on her at on.e/J
#e+eyn rose to his feet/
JWe> Mr Par1er Pyne> I") no end o'iged to you/J
JCassifi.ation>J )ur)ured Mr Par1er Pyne/ JThe .assifi.ation of
.ri)ina types ; it interests )e/J
J@ou" et )e 1no+ ho+ )u.h ; er ;J
JMy fee +i 'e 8uite )oderate>J said Mr Par1er Pyne/ JIt +i not
)a1e too 'ig a hoe in the ; er ; horse ra.ing profits/ A the sa)e>
young )an> I shoud> I thin1> eave the horses aone in future/ 7ery
un.ertain ani)a> the horse/J
JThat"s a right>J said (van/
!e shoo1 Mr Par1er Pyne 'y the hand and strode fro) the offi.e/
!e haied a taBi and gave the address of *anet &ustington"s fat/
!e fet in a )ood to .arry a 'efore hi)/
T!( #<7( $(T(CTI7(S
#itte Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed thoughtfuy a.ross at his host/ The
friendship 'et+een these t+o )en +as an odd one/ The .oone
+as a si)pe .ountry gente)an +hose passion in ife +as sport/
The fe+ +ee1s that he spent perfor.e in #ondon> he spent
un+iingy/ Mr Satterth+aite> on the other hand> +as a to+n 'ird/
!e +as an authority on Fren.h .oo1ing> on adies" dress> and on
a the atest s.andas/ !is passion +as o'serving hu)an nature>
and he +as an eBpert in his o+n spe.ia ine ; that of an onoo1er
at ife/
It +oud see)> therefore> that he and Coone Merose +oud have
itte in .o))on> for the .oone had no interest in his neigh'ours"
affairs and a horror of any 1ind of e)otion/ The t+o )en +ere
friends )ainy 'e.ause their fathers 'efore the) had 'een
friends/ Aso they 1ne+ the sa)e peope and had rea.tionary
vie+s a'out nouveauB ri.hes/
It +as a'out haf past seven/ The t+o )en +ere sitting in the
.oone"s .o)forta'e study> and Merose +as des.ri'ing a run of
the previous +inter +ith a 1een hunting )an"s enthusias)/ Mr
Satterth+aite> +hose 1no+edge of horses .onsisted .hiefy of the
ti)e;honoured Sunday )orning visit to the sta'es +hi.h sti
o'tains in od;fashioned .ountry houses> istened +ith his
invaria'e poiteness/
The sharp ringing of the teephone interrupted Merose/ !e
.rossed to the ta'e and too1 up the re.eiver/
J!eo> yes ; Coone Merose spea1ing/ What"s thatAJ !is +hoe
de)eanour atered ; 'e.a)e stiff and offi.ia/ It +as the
)agistrate spea1ing no+> not the sports)an/
!e istened for so)e )o)ents> then said a.oni.ay> J&ight>
Curtis/ I" 'e over at on.e/J !e repa.ed the re.eiver and turned
to his guest/ JSir *a)es $+ighton has 'een found in his i'rary ;
)urdered/J
JWhatAJ
Mr Satterth+aite +as started ; thried/
JI )ust go over to Ader+ay at on.e/ Care to .o)e +ith )eAJ
Mr Satterth+aite re)e)'ered that the .oone +as .hief .onsta'e
of the .ounty/
JIf I shan"t 'e in the +ay ; J !e hesitated/
J0ot at a/ That +as Inspe.tor Curtis teephoning/ ,ood> honest
feo+> 'ut no 'rains/ I"d 'e gad if you +oud .o)e +ith )e>
Satterth+aite/ I"ve got an idea this is going to turn out a nasty
'usiness/J
J!ave they got the feo+ +ho did itAJ
J0o>J repied Merose shorty/
Mr Satterth+aite"s trained ear dete.ted a nuan.e of reserve
'ehind the .urt negative/ !e 'egan to go over in his )ind a that
he 1ne+ of the $+ightons/
A po)pous od feo+> the ate Sir *a)es> 'rus8ue in his )anner/ A
)an that )ight easiy )a1e ene)ies/ 7eering on siBty> +ith
gri??ed hair and a forid fa.e/ &eputed to 'e tight;fisted in the
eBtre)e/
!is )ind +ent on to #ady $+ighton/ !er i)age foated 'efore hi)>
young> au'urn;haired> sender/ !e re)e)'ered various ru)ours>
hints> odd 'its of gossip/ So that +as it ; that +as +hy Merose
oo1ed so gu)/ Then he pued hi)sef up ; his i)agination +as
running a+ay +ith hi)/
Five )inutes ater Mr Satterth+aite too1 his pa.e 'eside his host
in the atter"s itte t+o seater> and they drove off together into the
night/
The .oone +as a ta.iturn )an/ They had gone 8uite a )ie and a
haf 'efore he spo1e/ Then he Der1ed out a'rupty/ J@ou 1no+ "e)>
I supposeAJ
JThe $+ightonsA I 1no+ a a'out the)> of .ourse/J Who +as there
Mr Satterth+aite didn"t 1no+ a a'outA JI"ve )et hi) on.e> I thin1>
and her rather oftener/J
JPretty +o)an>J said Merose/
J%eautifuGJ de.ared Mr Satterth+aite/
JThin1 soAJ
JA pure &enaissan.e type>J de.ared Mr Satterth+aite> +ar)ing
up to his the)e/ JShe a.ted in those theatri.as ; the .harity
)atinee> you 1no+> ast spring/ I +as very )u.h stru.1/ 0othing
)odern a'out her ; a pure surviva/ <ne .an i)agine her in the
doge"s paa.e> or as #u.re?ia %orgia/J
The .oone et the .ar s+erve sighty> and Mr Satterth+aite .a)e
to an a'rupt stop/ !e +ondered +hat fataity had 'rought the
na)e of #u.re?ia %orgia to his tongue/ 2nder the .ir.u)stan.es ;
J$+ighton +as not poisoned> +as heAJ he as1ed a'rupty/
Merose oo1ed at hi) side+ays> so)e+hat .uriousy/
JWhy do you as1 that> I +onderAJ he said/
J<h> I ; I don"t 1no+/J Mr Satterth+aite +as fustered/ JI ; It Dust
o..urred to )e/J
JWe> he +asn"t>J said Merose goo)iy/ JIf you +ant to 1no+> he
+as .rashed on the head/J
JWith a 'unt instru)ent>J )ur)ured Mr Satterth+aite> nodding
his head sagey/
J$on"t ta1 i1e a da)ned dete.tive story> Satterth+aite/ !e +as
hit on the head +ith a 'ron?e figure/J
J<h>J said Satterth+aite> and reapsed into sien.e/
J-no+ anything of a .hap .aed Pau $eanguaAJ as1ed Merose
after a )inute or t+o/
J@es/ ,ood;oo1ing young feo+/J
JI daresay +o)en +oud .a hi) so>J gro+ed the .oone/
J@ou don"t i1e hi)AJ
J0o> I don"t/J
JI shoud have thought you +oud have/ !e rides very +e/J
J#i1e a foreigner at the horse sho+/ Fu of )on1ey tri.1s/J
Mr Satterth+aite suppressed a s)ie/ Poor od Merose +as so
very %ritish in his outoo1/ Agreea'y .ons.ious hi)sef of a
.os)opoitan point of vie+> Mr Satterth+aite +as a'e to depore
the insuar attitude to+ard ife/
J!as he 'een do+n in this part of the +ordAJ he as1ed/
J!e"s 'een staying at Ader+ay +ith the $+ightons/ The ru)our
goes that Sir *a)es 1i.1ed hi) out a +ee1 ago/J
JWhyAJ
JFound hi) )a1ing ove to his +ife> I suppose/ What the he ; J
There +as a vioent s+erve> and a Darring i)pa.t/
JMost dangerous .rossroads in (ngand>J said Merose/ JA the
sa)e> the other feo+ shoud have sounded his horn/ We"re on the
)ain road/ I fan.y +e"ve da)aged hi) rather )ore than he has
da)aged us/J
!e sprang out/ A figure aighted fro) the other .ar and Doined hi)/
Frag)ents of spee.h rea.hed Satterth+aite/
J(ntirey )y faut> I") afraid>J the stranger +as saying/ J%ut I do
not 1no+ this part of the .ountry very +e> and there"s a'soutey
no sign of any 1ind to sho+ you"re .o)ing onto the )ain road/J
The .oone> )oified> reDoined suita'y/ The t+o )en 'ent
together over the stranger"s .ar> +hi.h a .hauffeur +as aready
eBa)ining/
The .onversation 'e.a)e highy te.hni.a/
JA )atter of haf an hour> I") afraid>J said the stranger/ J%ut don"t
et )e detain you/ I") gad your .ar es.aped inDury as +e as it
did/J
JAs a )atter of fa.t ; J the .oone +as 'eginning> 'ut he +as
interrupted/
Mr Satterth+aite> seething +ith eB.ite)ent> hopped out of the .ar
+ith a 'irdi1e a.tion> and sei?ed the stranger +ar)y 'y the hand/
JIt isG I thought I re.ogni?ed the voi.e>J he de.ared eB.itedy/
JWhat an eBtraordinary thing/ What a very eBtraordinary thing/J
J(hAJ said Coone Merose/
JMr !arey 4uin/ Merose> I") sure you"ve heard )e spea1 )any
ti)es of Mr 4uinAJ
Coone Merose did not see) to re)e)'er the fa.t> 'ut he
assisted poitey at the s.ene +hie Mr Satterth+aite +as
.hirruping gaiy on/ JI haven"t seen you ; et )e see ; J
JSin.e the night at the %es and Motey>J said the other 8uiety/
JThe %es and Motey> ehAJ said the .oone/
JAn inn>J eBpained Mr Satterth+aite/
JWhat an odd na)e for an inn/J
J<ny an od one>J said Mr 4uin/ JThere +as a ti)e> re)e)'er>
+hen 'es and )otey +ere )ore .o))on in (ngand than they
are no+adays/J
JI suppose so> yes> no dou't you are right>J said Merose vaguey/
!e 'in1ed/ %y a .urious effe.t of ight ; the headights of one .ar
and the red tai;ight of the other ; Mr 4uin see)ed for a )o)ent to
'e dressed in )otey hi)sef/ %ut it +as ony the ight/
JWe .an"t eave you here stranded on the road>J .ontinued Mr
Satterth+aite/ J@ou )ust .o)e aong +ith us/ There"s penty of
roo) for three> isn"t there> MeroseAJ
J<h rather/J %ut the .oone"s voi.e +as a itte dou'tfu/ JThe ony
thing is>J he re)ar1ed> Jthe Do' +e"re on/ (h> Satterth+aiteAJ
Mr Satterth+aite stood sto.1;sti/ Ideas eaped and fashed over
hi)/ !e positivey shoo1 +ith eB.ite)ent/
J0o>J he .ried/ J0o> I shoud have 1no+n 'etterG There is no
.han.e +here you are .on.erned> Mr 4uin/ It +as not an a..ident
that +e a )et tonight at the .rossroads/J
Coone Merose stared at his friend in astonish)ent/ Mr
Satterth+aite too1 hi) 'y the ar)/
J@ou re)e)'er +hat I tod you ; a'out our friend $ere1 CapeA
The )otive for his sui.ide> +hi.h no one .oud guessA It +as Mr
4uin +ho soved that pro'e) ; and there have 'een others sin.e/
!e sho+s you things that are there a the ti)e> 'ut +hi.h you
haven"t seen/ !e"s )arveous/J
JMy dear Satterth+aite> you are )a1ing )e 'ush>J said Mr 4uin>
s)iing/ JAs far as I .an re)e)'er> these dis.overies +ere a
)ade 'y you> not 'y )e/J
JThey +ere )ade 'e.ause you +ere there>J said Mr Satterth+aite
+ith intense .onvi.tion/
JWe>J said Coone Merose> .earing his throat un.o)forta'y/
JWe )ustn"t +aste any )ore ti)e/ #et"s get on/J
!e .i)'ed into the driver"s seat/ !e +as not too +e peased at
having the stranger foisted upon hi) through Mr Satterth+aite"s
enthusias)> 'ut he had no vaid o'De.tion to offer> and he +as
anBious to get on to Ader+ay as fast as possi'e/
Mr Satterth+aite urged Mr 4uin in neBt> and hi)sef too1 the
outside seat/ The .ar +as a roo)y one and too1 three +ithout
undue s8uee?ing/
JSo you are interested in .ri)e> Mr 4uinAJ said the .oone> doing
his 'est to 'e genia/
J0o> not eBa.ty in .ri)e/J
JWhat> thenAJ
Mr 4uin s)ied/ J#et us as1 Mr Satterth+aite/ !e is a very shre+d
o'server/J
JI thin1>J said Satterth+aite so+y> JI )ay 'e +rong> 'ut I thin1 ;
that Mr 4uin is interested in ; overs/J
!e 'ushed as he said the ast +ord> +hi.h is one no (ngish)an
.an pronoun.e +ithout sef;.ons.iousness/ Mr Satterth+aite
'rought it out apoogeti.ay> and +ith an effe.t of inverted
.o))as/
J%y gadGJ said the .oone> started and sien.ed/
!e refe.ted in+ardy that this see)ed to 'e a very ru) friend of
Satterth+aite"s/ !e gan.ed at hi) side+ays/ The feo+ oo1ed a
right ; 8uite a nor)a young .hap/ &ather dar1> 'ut not at a
foreign;oo1ing/
JAnd no+>J said Satterth+aite i)portanty> JI )ust te you a
a'out the .ase/J
!e ta1ed for so)e ten )inutes/ Sitting there in the dar1ness>
rushing through the night> he had an intoBi.ating feeing of po+er/
What did it )atter if he +ere ony a oo1er;on at ifeA !e had +ords
at his .o))and> he +as )aster of the)> he .oud string the) to a
pattern ; a strange &enaissan.e pattern .o)posed of the 'eauty
of #aura $+ighton> +ith her +hite ar)s and red hair ; and the
shado+y dar1 figure of Pau $eangua> +ho) +o)en found
handso)e/
Set that against the 'a.1ground of Ader+ay ; Ader+ay that had
stood sin.e the days of !enry 7II and> so)e said> 'efore that/
Ader+ay that +as (ngish to the .ore> +ith its .ipped ye+ and its
od 'ea1 'arn and the fishpond> +here )on1s had 1ept their .arp
for Fridays/
In a fe+ deft stro1es he had et.hed in Sir *a)es> a $+ighton +ho
+as a true des.endant of the od $e Wittons> +ho ong ago had
+rung )oney out of the and and o.1ed it fast in .offers> so that
+hoever ese had faen on evi days> the )asters of Ader+ay had
never 'e.o)e i)poverished/
At ast Mr Satterth+aite .eased/ !e +as sure> had 'een sure a
aong> of the sy)pathy of his audien.e/ !e +aited no+ the +ord of
praise +hi.h +as his due/ It .a)e/
J@ou are an artist> Mr Satterth+aite/J
JI ; I do )y 'est/J The itte )an +as suddeny hu)'e/
They had turned in at the odge gates so)e )inutes ago/ 0o+ the
.ar dre+ up in front of the door+ay> and a poi.e .onsta'e .a)e
hurriedy do+n the steps to )eet the)/
J,ood evening> sir/ Inspe.tor Curtis is in the i'rary/J
J&ight/J
Merose ran up the steps foo+ed 'y the other t+o/ As the three of
the) passed a.ross the +ide ha> an edery 'uter peered fro) a
door+ay apprehensivey/ Merose nodded to hi)/
J(vening> Mies/ This is a sad 'usiness/J
JIt is indeed>J the other 8uavered/ JI .an hardy 'eieve it> sirI
indeed I .an"t/ To thin1 that anyone shoud stri1e do+n the
)aster/J
J@es> yes>J said Merose> .utting hi) short/ JI" have ta1 +ith you
presenty/J
!e strode on to the i'rary/ There a 'ig> sodiery;oo1ing inspe.tor
greeted hi) +ith respe.t/
J0asty 'usiness> sir/ I have not distur'ed things/ 0o fingerprints
on the +eapon/ Whoever did it 1ne+ his 'usiness/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed at the 'o+ed figure sitting at the 'ig
+riting ta'e> and oo1ed hurriedy a+ay again/ The )an had 'een
stru.1 do+n fro) 'ehind> a s)ashing 'o+ that had .rashed in the
s1u/ The sight +as not a pretty one/
The +eapon ay on the foor ; a 'ron?e figure a'out t+o feet high>
the 'ase of it stained and +et/ Mr Satterth+aite 'ent over it
.uriousy/
JA 7enus>J he said softy/ JSo he +as stru.1 do+n 'y 7enus/J
!e found food for poeti. )editation in the thought/
JThe +indo+s>J said the inspe.tor> J+ere a .osed and 'oted on
the inside/J
!e paused signifi.anty/
JMa1ing an inside Do' of it>J said the .hief .onsta'e reu.tanty/
JWe ; +e> +e" see/J
The )urdered )an +as dressed in gof .othes> and a 'ag of gof
.u's had 'een fung untidiy a.ross a 'ig eather .ou.h/
J*ust .o)e in fro) the in1s>J eBpained the inspe.tor> foo+ing
the .hief .onsta'e"s gan.e/ JAt five;fifteen> that +as/ !ad tea
'rought here 'y the 'uter/ #ater he rang for his vaet to 'ring hi)
do+n a pair of soft sippers/ As far as +e .an te> the vaet +as the
ast person to see hi) aive/J
Merose nodded> and turned his attention on.e )ore to the +riting
ta'e/
A good )any of the orna)ents had 'een overturned and 'ro1en/
Pro)inent a)ong these +as a 'ig dar1 ena)e .o.1> +hi.h ay on
its side in the very .entre of the ta'e/
The inspe.tor .eared his throat/
JThat"s +hat you )ight .a a pie.e of u.1> sir>J he said/ JAs you
see> it"s stopped/ At haf past siB/ That gives us the ti)e of the
.ri)e/ 7ery .onvenient/J
The .oone +as staring at the .o.1/
JAs you say>J he re)ar1ed/ J7ery .onvenient/J !e paused a
)inute> and then added> JToo da)ned .onvenientG I don"t i1e it>
Inspe.tor/J
!e oo1ed around at the other t+o/ !is eye sought Mr 4uin"s +ith a
oo1 of appea in it/
J$a)n it a>J he said/ JIt"s too neat/ @ou 1no+ +hat I )ean/ Things
don"t happen i1e that/J
J@ou )ean>J )ur)ured Mr 4uin> Jthat .o.1s don"t fa i1e thatAJ
Merose stared at hi) for a )o)ent> then 'a.1 at the .o.1> +hi.h
had that patheti. and inno.ent oo1 fa)iiar to o'De.ts +hi.h have
'een suddeny 'ereft of their dignity/ 7ery .arefuy Coone
Merose repa.ed it on its egs again/ !e stru.1 the ta'e a vioent
'o+/ The .o.1 ro.1ed> 'ut it did not fa/ Merose repeated the
a.tion> and very so+y> +ith a 1ind of un+iingness> the .o.1 fe
over on its 'a.1/
JWhat ti)e +as the .ri)e dis.overedAJ de)anded Merose
sharpy/
J*ust a'out seven o".o.1> sir/J
JWho dis.overed itAJ
JThe 'uter/J
JFet.h hi) in>J said the .hief .onsta'e/ JI" see hi) no+/ Where is
#ady $+ighton> 'y the +ayAJ
J#ying do+n> sir/ !er )aid says that she"s prostrated and .an"t
see anyone/J
Merose nodded> and Inspe.tor Curtis +ent in sear.h of the 'uter/
Mr 4uin +as oo1ing thoughtfuy into the firepa.e/ Mr
Satterth+aite foo+ed his eBa)pe/ !e 'in1ed at the s)oudering
ogs for a )inute or t+o> and then so)ething 'right ying in the
grate .aught his eye/ !e stooped and pi.1ed up a itte siver of
.urved gass/
J@ou +anted )e> sirAJ
It +as the 'uter"s voi.e> sti 8uavering and un.ertain/
Mr Satterth+aite sipped the frag)ent of gass into his +aist.oat
po.1et and turned round/
The od )an +as standing in the door+ay/
JSit do+n>J said the .hief .onsta'e 1indy/ J@ou"re sha1ing a
over/ It"s 'een a sho.1 to you> I eBpe.t/J
JIt has indeed> sir/J
JWe> I shan"t 1eep you ong/ @our )aster .a)e in Dust after five> I
'eieveAJ
J@es> sir/ !e ordered tea to 'e 'rought to hi) here/ After+ard>
+hen I .a)e to ta1e it a+ay> he as1ed for *ennings to 'e sent to
hi) ; that"s his vaet> sir/J
JWhat ti)e +as thatAJ
JA'out ten )inutes past siB> sir/J
J@es ; +eAJ
JI sent +ord to *ennings> sir/ And it +asn"t ti I .a)e in here to
shut the +indo+s and dra+ the .urtains at seven o".o.1 that I
sa+ ; J
Merose .ut hi) short/ J@es> yes> you needn"t go into a that/ @ou
didn"t tou.h the 'ody> or distur' anything> did youAJ
J<hG 0o indeed> sirG I +ent as fast as I .oud go to the teephone to
ring up the poi.e/J
JAnd thenAJ
JI tod *ane ; her adyship"s )aid> sir ; to 'rea1 the ne+s to her
adyship/J
J@ou haven"t seen your )istress at a this eveningAJ
Coone Merose put the 8uestion .asuay enough> 'ut Mr
Satterth+aite"s 1een ears .aught anBiety 'ehind the +ords/
J0ot to spea1 to> sir/ !er adyship has re)ained in her o+n
apart)ents sin.e the tragedy/J
J$id you see her 'eforeAJ
The 8uestion .a)e sharpy> and everyone in the roo) noted the
hesitation 'efore the 'uter repied/
JI ; I Dust .aught a gi)pse of her> sir> des.ending the stair.ase/J
J$id she .o)e in hereAJ
Mr Satterth+aite hed his 'reath/
JI ; I thin1 so> sir/J
JWhat ti)e +as thatAJ
@ou )ight have heard a pin drop/ $id the od )an 1no+> Mr
Satterth+aite +ondered> +hat hung on his ans+erA
JIt +as Dust upon haf past siB> sir/J
Coone Merose dre+ a deep 'reath/ JThat +i do> than1 you/ *ust
send *ennings> the vaet> to )e> +i youAJ
*ennings ans+ered the su))ons +ith pro)ptitude/ A narro+fa.ed
)an +ith a .ati1e tread/ So)ething sy and se.retive a'out
hi)/
A )an> thought Mr Satterth+aite> +ho +oud easiy )urder his
)aster if he .oud 'e sure of not 'eing found out/
!e istened eagery to the )an"s ans+ers to Coone Merose"s
8uestions/ %ut his story see)ed straightfor+ard enough/ !e had
'rought his )aster do+n so)e soft hide sippers and re)oved the
'rogues/
JWhat did you do after that> *enningsAJ
JI +ent 'a.1 to the ste+ards" roo)> sir/J
JAt +hat ti)e did you eave your )asterAJ
JIt )ust have 'een Dust after a 8uarter past siB> sir/J
JWhere +ere you at haf past siB> *enningsAJ
JIn the ste+ards" roo)> sir/J
Coone Merose dis)issed the )an +ith a nod/ !e oo1ed a.ross
at Curtis in8uiringy/
J4uite .orre.t> sir> I .he.1ed that up/ !e +as in the ste+ards"
roo) fro) a'out siB;t+enty unti seven o".o.1/J
JThen that ets hi) out>J said the .hief .onsta'e a trife
regretfuy/ J%esides> there"s no )otive/J
They oo1ed at ea.h other/
There +as a tap at the door/
JCo)e in>J said the .oone/
A s.ared;oo1ing ady"s )aid appeared/
JIf you pease> her adyship has heard that Coone Merose is here
and she +oud i1e to see hi)/J
JCertainy>J said Merose/ JI" .o)e at on.e/ Wi you sho+ )e the
+ayAJ
%ut a hand pushed the gir aside/ A very different figure no+ stood
in the door+ay/ #aura $+ighton oo1ed i1e a visitor fro) another
+ord/
She +as dressed in a .inging )edieva tea go+n of du 'ue
'ro.ade/ !er au'urn hair +as parted in the )idde and 'rought
do+n over her ears/ Cons.ious of the fa.t she had a stye of her
o+n> #ady $+ighton had never had her hair .ut/ It +as dra+n
'a.1 into a si)pe 1not on the nape of her ne.1/ !er ar)s +ere
'are/
<ne of the) +as outstret.hed to steady hersef against the fra)e
of the door+ay> the other hung do+n 'y her side> .asping a 'oo1/
She oo1s> Mr Satterth+aite thought> i1e a Madonna fro) an eary
Itaian .anvas/
She stood there> s+aying sighty fro) side to side/ Coone
Merose sprang to+ard her/
JI"ve .o)e to te you ; to te you ; J
!er voi.e +as o+ and ri.h/ Mr Satterth+aite +as so entran.ed
+ith the dra)ati. vaue of the s.ene that he had forgotten its
reaity/
JPease> #ady $+ighton ; J Merose had an ar) round her>
supporting her/ !e too1 her a.ross the ha into a s)a anteroo)>
its +as hung +ith faded si1/ 4uin and Satterth+aite foo+ed/
She san1 do+n on the o+ settee> her head resting 'a.1 on a rust.ooured
.ushion> her eyeids .osed/ The three )en +at.hed her/
Suddeny she opened her eyes and sat up/ She spo1e very 8uiety/
JI 1ied hi)>J she said/ JThat"s +hat I .a)e to te you/ I 1ied
hi)GJ
There +as a )o)ent"s agoni?ed sien.e/ Mr Satterth+aite"s heart
)issed a 'eat/
J#ady $+ighton>J said Merose/ J@ou"ve had a great sho.1 ; you"re
unstrung/ I don"t thin1 you 8uite 1no+ +hat you"re saying/J
Woud she dra+ 'a.1 no+ ; +hie there +as yet ti)eA
JI 1no+ perfe.ty +hat I") saying/ It +as I +ho shot hi)/J
T+o of the )en in the roo) gasped> the other )ade no sound/
#aura $+ighton eaned sti farther for+ard/
J$on"t you understandA I .a)e do+n and shot hi)/ I ad)it it/J
The 'oo1 she had 'een hoding in her hand .attered to the foor/
There +as a paper .utter in it> a thing shaped i1e a dagger +ith a
De+eed hit/ Mr Satterth+aite pi.1ed it up )e.hani.ay and
pa.ed it on the ta'e/ As he did so he thought> That"s a dangerous
toy/ @ou .oud 1i a )an +ith that/
JWe ; J #aura $+ighton"s voi.e +as i)patient/ J; +hat are you
going to do a'out itA Arrest )eA Ta1e )e a+ayAJ
Coone Merose found his voi.e +ith diffi.uty/
JWhat you have tod )e is very serious> #ady $+ighton/ I )ust as1
you to go to your roo) ti I have ; er ; )ade arrange)ents/J
She nodded and rose to her feet/ She +as 8uite .o)posed no+>
grave and .od/
As she turned to+ard the door> Mr 4uin spo1e/ JWhat did you do
+ith the revover> #ady $+ightonAJ
A fi.1er of un.ertainty passed a.ross her fa.e/ JI ; I dropped it
there on the foor/ 0o> I thin1 I thre+ it out of the +indo+ ; ohG I
.an"t re)e)'er no+/ What does it )atterA I hardy 1ne+ +hat I
+as doing/ It doesn"t )atter> does itAJ
J0o>J said Mr 4uin/ JI hardy thin1 it )atters/J
She oo1ed at hi) in perpeBity +ith a shade of so)ething that
)ight have 'een aar)/ Then she fung 'a.1 her head and +ent
i)periousy out of the roo)/ Mr Satterth+aite hastened after her/
She )ight> he fet> .oapse at any )inute/ %ut she +as aready
haf+ay up the stair.ase> dispaying no sign of her earier
+ea1ness/ The s.ared;oo1ing )aid +as standing at the foot of
the stair+ay> and Mr Satterth+aite spo1e to her authoritativey/
J#oo1 after your )istress>J he said/
J@es> sir/J The gir prepared to as.end after the 'ue;ro'ed figure/
J<h> pease> sir> they don"t suspe.t hi)> do theyAJ
JSuspe.t +ho)AJ
J*ennings> sir/ <hG Indeed> sir> he +oudn"t hurt a fy/J
J*enningsA 0o> of .ourse not/ ,o and oo1 after your )istress/J
J@es> sir/J
The gir ran 8ui.1y up the stair.ase/ Mr Satterth+aite returned to
the roo) he had Dust va.ated/
Coone Merose +as saying heaviy> JWe> I") Diggered/ There"s
)ore in this than )eets the eye/ It ; it"s i1e those dashed siy
things heroines do in )any noves/J
JIt"s unrea>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite/ JIt"s i1e so)ething on the
stage/J
Mr 4uin nodded/ J@es> you ad)ire the dra)a> do you notA @ou are
a )an +ho appre.iates good a.ting +hen you see it/J
Mr Satterth+aite oo1ed hard at hi)/
In the sien.e that foo+ed a far;off sound .a)e to their ears/
JSounds i1e a shot>J said Coone Merose/ J<ne of the 1eepers> I
daresay/ That"s pro'a'y +hat she heard/ Perhaps she +ent do+n
to see/ She +oudn"t go .ose or eBa)ine the 'ody/ She"d eap at
on.e to the .on.usion ; J
JMr $eangua> sir/J It +as the od 'uter +ho spo1e> standing
apoogeti.ay in the door+ay/
J(hAJ said Merose/ JWhat"s thatAJ
JMr $eangua is here> sir> and +oud i1e to spea1 to you if he
)ay/J
Coone Merose eaned 'a.1 in his .hair/ JSho+ hi) in>J he said
gri)y/
A )o)ent ater Pau $eangua stood in the door+ay/ As Coone
Merose had hinted> there +as so)ething un;(ngish a'out hi) ;
the easy gra.e of his )ove)ents> the dar1> handso)e fa.e> the
eyes set a itte too near together/ There hung a'out hi) the air of
the &enaissan.e/ !e and #aura $+ighton suggested the sa)e
at)osphere/
J,ood evening> gente)en>J said $eangua/ !e )ade a itte
theatri.a 'o+/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat your 'usiness )ay 'e> Mr $eangua>J said
Coone Merose sharpy> J'ut if it is nothing to do +ith the )atter
at hand ; J
$eangua interrupted hi) +ith a augh/ J<n the .ontrary>J he said>
Jit has everything to do +ith it/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
JI )ean>J said $eangua 8uiety> Jthat I have .o)e to give )ysef
up for the )urder of Sir *a)es $+ighton/J
J@ou 1no+ +hat you are sayingAJ said Merose gravey/
JPerfe.ty/J The young )an"s eyes +ere riveted to the ta'e/
JI don"t understand ; J
JWhy I give )ysef upA Ca it re)orse ; .a it anything you pease/
I sta''ed hi)> right enough ; you )ay 'e 8uite sure of that/J !e
nodded to+ard the ta'e/ J@ou"ve got the +eapon there> I see/ A
very handy itte too/ #ady $+ighton unfortunatey eft it ying
around in a 'oo1> and I happened to snat.h it up/J
J<ne )inute>J said Coone Merose/ JA) I to understand that you
ad)it sta''ing Sir *a)es +ith thisAJ !e hed the dagger aoft/
J4uite right/ I stoe in through the +indo+> you 1no+/ !e had his
'a.1 to )e/ It +as 8uite easy/ I eft the sa)e +ay/J
JThrough the +indo+AJ
JThrough the +indo+> of .ourse/J
JAnd +hat ti)e +as thisAJ
$eangua hesitated/ J#et )e see ; I +as ta1ing to the 1eeper
feo+ ; that +as at a 8uarter past siB/ I heard the .hur.h to+er
.hi)e/ It )ust have 'een ; +e> say so)e+here a'out haf past/J
A gri) s)ie .a)e to the .oone"s ips/
J4uite right> young )an>J he said/ J!af past siB +as the ti)e/
Perhaps you"ve heard that areadyA %ut this is atogether a )ost
pe.uiar )urderGJ
JWhyAJ
JSo )any peope .onfess to it>J said Coone Merose/
They heard the sharp inta1e of the other"s 'reath/
JWho ese has .onfessed to itAJ he as1ed in a voi.e that he vainy
strove to render steady/
J#ady $+ighton/J
$eangua thre+ 'a.1 his head and aughed in rather a for.ed
)anner/ J#ady $+ighton is apt to 'e hysteri.a>J he said ighty/ JI
shoudn"t pay any attention to +hat she says if I +ere you/J
JI don"t thin1 I sha>J said Merose/ J%ut there"s another odd thing
a'out this )urder/J
JWhat"s thatAJ
JWe>J said Merose> J#ady $+ighton has .onfessed to having
shot Sir *a)es> and you have .onfessed to having sta''ed hi)/
%ut u.1iy for 'oth of you> he +asn"t shot or sta''ed> you see/ !is
s1u +as s)ashed in/J
JMy ,odGJ .ried $eangua/ J%ut a +o)an .oudn"t possi'y do that
; J
!e stopped> 'iting his ip/ Merose nodded +ith the ghost of a
s)ie/
J<ften read of it>J he vounteered/ J0ever seen it happen/J
JWhatAJ
JCoupe of young idiots ea.h a..using the)seves 'e.ause they
thought the other had done it>J said Merose/ J0o+ +e"ve got to
'egin at the 'eginning/J
JThe vaet>J .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ JThat gir Dust no+ ; I +asn"t
paying any attention at the ti)e/J !e paused> striving for
.oheren.e/ JShe +as afraid of our suspe.ting hi)/ There )ust 'e
so)e )otive that he had and +hi.h +e don"t 1no+> 'ut she does/J
Coone Merose fro+ned> then he rang the 'e/ When it +as
ans+ered> he said> JPease as1 #ady $+ighton if she +i 'e good
enough to .o)e do+n again/J
They +aited in sien.e unti she .a)e/ At sight of $eangua she
started and stret.hed out a hand to save hersef fro) faing/
Coone Merose .a)e 8ui.1y to the res.ue/
JIt"s 8uite a right> #ady $+ighton/ Pease don"t 'e aar)ed/J
JI don"t understand/ What is Mr $eangua doing hereAJ
$eangua .a)e over to her> J#aura ; #aura ; +hy did you do itAJ
J$o itAJ
JI 1no+/ It +as for )e ; 'e.ause you thought that ; After a> it +as
natura> I suppose/ %ut> ohG @ou angeGJ
Coone Merose .eared his throat/ !e +as a )an +ho disi1ed
e)otion and had a horror of anything approa.hing a "s.ene"/
JIf you" ao+ )e to say so> #ady $+ighton> 'oth you and Mr
$eangua have had a u.1y es.ape/ !e had Dust arrived in his turn
to ".onfess" to the )urder ; oh> it"s 8uite a right> he didn"t do itG
%ut +hat +e +ant to 1no+ is the truth/ 0o )ore shiyshaying/
The 'uter says you +ent into the i'rary at haf past siB ; is that
soAJ
#aura oo1ed at $eangua/ !e nodded/
JThe truth> #aura>J he said/ JThat is +hat +e +ant no+/J
She 'reathed a deep sigh/ JI +i te you/J
She san1 do+n on a .hair that Mr Satterth+aite had hurriedy
pushed for+ard/
JI did .o)e do+n/ I opened the i'rary door and I sa+ ; J She
stopped and s+ao+ed/ Mr Satterth+aite eaned for+ard and
patted her hand en.ouragingy/
J@es>J he said/ J@es/ @ou sa+AJ
JMy hus'and +as ying a.ross the +riting ta'e/ I sa+ his head ;
the 'ood ; ohGJ She put her hands to her fa.e/
The .hief .onsta'e eaned for+ard/
J(B.use )e> #ady $+ighton/ @ou thought Mr $eangua had shot
hi)AJ
She nodded/ JForgive )e> Pau>J she peaded/ J%ut you said ; you
said ; J
JThat I"d shoot hi) i1e a dog>J said $eangua gri)y/ JI re)e)'er/
That +as the day I dis.overed he"d 'een i;treating you/J
The .hief .onsta'e 1ept sterny to the )atter in hand/
JThen I a) to understand> #ady $+ighton> that you +ent upstairs
again and ; er ; said nothing/ We needn"t go into your reason/ @ou
didn"t tou.h the 'ody or go near the +riting ta'eAJ
She shuddered/ J0o> no/ I ran straight out of the roo)/J
JI see> I see/ And +hat ti)e +as this eBa.tyA $o you 1no+AJ
JIt +as Dust haf past siB +hen I got 'a.1 to )y 'edroo)/J
JThen at ; say five;and;t+enty past siB> Sir *a)es +as aready
dead/J The .hief .onsta'e oo1ed at the others/ JThat .o.1 ; it
+as fa1ed> ehA We suspe.ted that a aong/ 0othing easier than to
)ove the hands to +hatever ti)e you +ished> 'ut they )ade a
)ista1e to ay it do+n on its side i1e that/ We> that see)s to
narro+ it do+n the 'uter or the vaet> and I .an"t 'eieve it"s the
'uter/ Te )e> #ady $+ighton> did this )an *ennings have any
grudge against your hus'andAJ
#aura ifted her fa.e fro) her hands/ J0ot eBa.ty a grudge> 'ut ;
+e> *a)es tod )e ony this )orning that he"d dis)issed hi)/
!e"d found hi) pifering/J
JAhG 0o+ +e"re getting at it/ *ennings +oud have 'een dis)issed
+ithout a .hara.ter/ A serious )atter for hi)/J
J@ou said so)ething a'out a .o.1>J said #aura $+ighton/
JThere"s Dust a .han.e ; if you +ant to fiB the ti)e ; *a)es +oud
have 'een sure to have his itte gof +at.h on hi)/ Mightn"t that
have 'een s)ashed> too> +hen he fe for+ardAJ
JIt"s an idea>J said the .oone so+y/ J%ut I") afraid ; CurtisGJ
The inspe.tor nodded in 8ui.1 .o)prehension and eft the roo)/
!e returned a )inute ater/ <n the pa) of his hand +as a siver
+at.h )ar1ed i1e a gof 'a> the 1ind that are sod for gofers to
.arry oose in a po.1et +ith 'as/
J!ere it is> sir>J he said> J'ut I dou't if it +i 'e any good/ They"re
tough> these +at.hes/J
The .oone too1 it fro) hi) and hed it to his ear/
JIt see)s to have stopped> any+ay>J he o'served/
!e pressed +ith his thu)'> and the id of the +at.h fe+ open/
Inside the gass +as .ra.1ed a.ross/
JAhGJ he said eButanty/
The hand pointed to eBa.ty a 8uarter past siB/
JA very good gass of port> Coone Merose>J said Mr 4uin/
It +as haf past nine> and the three )en had Dust finished a 'eated
dinner at Coone Merose"s house/ Mr Satterth+aite +as
parti.uary Du'iant/
JI +as 8uite right>J he .hu.1ed/ J@ou .an"t deny it> Mr 4uin/ @ou
turned up tonight to save t+o a'surd young peope +ho +ere 'oth
'ent on putting their heads into a noose/J
J$id IAJ said Mr 4uin/ JSurey not/ I did nothing at a/J
JAs it turned out> it +as not ne.essary>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite/
J%ut it )ight have 'een/ It +as tou.h and go> you 1no+/ I sha
never forget the )o)ent +hen #ady $+ighton said> "I 1ied hi)/"
I"ve never seen anything on the stage haf as dra)ati./J
JI") in.ined to agree +ith you>J said Mr 4uin/
JWoudn"t have 'eieved su.h a thing .oud happen outside a
nove>J de.ared the .oone> for perhaps the t+entieth ti)e that
night/
J$oes itAJ as1ed Mr 4uin/
The .oone stared at hi)> J$a)n it> it happened tonight/J
JMind you>J interposed Mr Satterth+aite> eaning 'a.1 and sipping
his port> J#ady $+ighton +as )agnifi.ent> 8uite )agnifi.ent> 'ut
she )ade one )ista1e/ She shoudn"t have eaped to the
.on.usion that her hus'and had 'een shot/ In the sa)e +ay
$eangua +as a foo to assu)e that he had 'een sta''ed Dust
'e.ause the dagger happened to 'e ying on the ta'e in front of
us/ It +as a )ere .oin.iden.e that #ady $+ighton shoud have
'rought it I do+n +ith her/J
JWas itAJ as1ed Mr 4uin/
J0o+ if they"d ony .onfined the)seves to saying that they"d 1ied
Sir *a)es> +ithout parti.uari?ing ho+ ; J +ent on Mr
Satterth+aite ; J+hat +oud have 'een the resutAJ
JThey )ight have 'een 'eieved>J said Mr 4uin +ith an odd s)ie/
JThe +hoe thing +as eBa.ty i1e a nove>J said the .oone/
JThat"s +here they got the idea fro)> I daresay>J said Mr 4uin/
JPossi'y>J agreed Mr Satterth+aite/ JThings one has read do
.o)e 'a.1 to one in the oddest +ay/J !e oo1ed a.ross at Mr
4uin/ J<f .ourse>J he said> Jthe .o.1 reay oo1ed suspi.ious
fro) the first/ <ne ought never to forget ho+ easy it is to put the
hands of a .o.1 or +at.h for+ard or 'a.1/J
Mr 4uin nodded and repeated the +ords/ JFor+ard>J he said> and
paused/ J<r 'a.1/J
There +as so)ething en.ouraging in his voi.e/ !is 'right> dar1
eyes +ere fiBed on Mr Satterth+aite/
JThe hands of the .o.1 +ere put for+ard>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
JWe 1no+ that/J
JWere theyAJ as1ed Mr 4uin/
Mr Satterth+aite stared at hi)/ J$o you )ean>J he said so+y>
Jthat it +as the +at.h +hi.h +as put 'a.1A %ut that doesn"t )a1e
sense/ It"s i)possi'e/J
J0ot i)possi'e>J )ur)ured Mr 4uin/
JWe ; a'surd/ To +hose advantage .oud that 'eAJ
J<ny> I suppose> to so)eone +ho had an ai'i for that ti)e/J
J%y gadGJ .ried the .oone/ JThat"s the ti)e young $eangua said
he +as ta1ing to the 1eeper/J
J!e tod us that very parti.uary>J said Mr Satterth+aite/
They oo1ed at ea.h other/ They had an uneasy feeing as of soid
ground faiing 'eneath their feet/ Fa.ts +ent spinning round>
turning ne+ and uneBpe.ted fa.es/ And in the .entre of the
1aeidos.ope +as the dar1> s)iing fa.e of Mr 4uin/
J%ut in that .ase ; J 'egan Merose J ; in that .ase ; J
Mr Satterth+aite> ni)'e;+itted> finished his senten.e for hi)/ JIt"s
a the other +ay round/ A pant Dust the sa)e ; 'ut a pant against
the vaet/ <h> 'ut it .an"t 'eG It"s i)possi'e/ Why ea.h of the)
a..used the)seves of the .ri)e/J
J@es>J said Mr 4uin/ J2p ti then you suspe.ted the)> didn"t youAJ
!is voi.e +ent on> pa.id and drea)y/ J*ust i1e so)ething out of
a 'oo1> you said> .oone/ They got the idea there/ It"s +hat the
inno.ent hero and heroine do/ <f .ourse it )ade you thin1 the)
inno.ent ; there +as the for.e of tradition 'ehind the)/ Mr
Satterth+aite has 'een saying a aong it +as i1e so)ething on
the stage/ @ou +ere 'oth right/ It +asn"t rea/ @ou"ve 'een saying
so a aong +ithout 1no+ing +hat you +ere saying/ They"d have
tod a )u.h 'etter story than that if they"d +anted to 'e 'eieved/J
The t+o )en oo1ed at hi) hepessy/
JIt +oud 'e .ever>J said Mr Satterth+aite so+y/ JIt +oud 'e
dia'oi.ay .ever/ And I"ve thought of so)ething ese/ The 'uter
said he +ent in at seven to shut the +indo+s ; so he )ust have
eBpe.ted the) to 'e open/J
JThat"s the +ay $eangua .a)e in>" said Mr 4uin/ J!e 1ied Sir
*a)es +ith one 'o+> and he and she together did +hat they had
to do ; J
!e oo1ed at Mr Satterth+aite> en.ouraging hi) to re.onstru.t the
s.ene/ !e did so> hesitatingy/
JThey s)ashed the .o.1 and put it on its side/ @es/ They atered
the +at.h and s)ashed it/ Then he +ent out of the +indo+> and
she fastened it after hi)/ %ut there"s one thing I don"t see/ Why
'other +ith the +at.h at aA Why not si)py put 'a.1 the hands of
the .o.1AJ
JThe .o.1 +as a+ays a itte o'vious>J said Mr 4uin/ JAnyone
)ight have seen through a rather transparent devi.e i1e that/J
J%ut surey the +at.h +as too far;fet.hed/ Why> it +as pure
.han.e that +e ever thought of the +at.h/J
J<h> no>J said Mr 4uin/ JIt +as the ady"s suggestion> re)e)'er/J
Mr Satterth+aite stared at hi)> fas.inated/
JAnd yet> you 1no+>J said Mr 4uin drea)iy> Jthe one person +ho
+oudn"t 'e i1ey to overoo1 the +at.h +oud 'e the vaet/ 7aets
1no+ 'etter than anyone +hat their )asters .arry in their
po.1ets/ If he atered the .o.1> the vaet +oud have atered the
+at.h> too/ They don"t understand hu)an nature> those t+o/ They
are not i1e Mr Satterth+aite/J
Mr Satterth+aite shoo1 his head/
JI +as a +rong>J he )ur)ured hu)'y/ JI thought that you had
.o)e to save the)/J
JSo I did>J said Mr 4uin/ J<hG 0ot those t+o ; the others/ Perhaps
you didn"t noti.e the ady"s )aidA She +asn"t +earing 'ue
'ro.ade> or a.ting a dra)ati. part/ %ut she"s reay a very pretty
gir> and I thin1 she oves that )an *ennings very )u.h/ I thin1
that 'et+een you you" 'e a'e to save her )an fro) getting
hanged/J
JWe"ve no proof of any 1ind>J said Coone Merose heaviy/
Mr 4uin s)ied/ JMr Satterth+aite has/J
JIAJ Mr Satterth+aite +as astonished/
Mr 4uin +ent on/
J@ou"ve got a proof that that +at.h +asn"t s)ashed in Sir *a)es"s
po.1et/ @ou .an"t s)ash a +at.h i1e that +ithout opening the
.ase/ *ust try it and see/ So)eone too1 the +at.h out and opened
it> set 'a.1 the hands> s)ashed the gass> and then shut it and put
it 'a.1/ They never noti.ed that a frag)ent of gass +as )issing/J
J<hGJ .ried Mr Satterth+aite/ !is hand fe+ to his +aist;.oat
po.1et/ !e dre+ out a frag)ent of .urved gass/
It +as his )o)ent/
JWith this>J said Mr Satterth+aite i)portanty> JI sha save a )an
fro) death/J
0(ZT T< A $<,
The adyi1e +o)an 'ehind the &egistry <ffi.e ta'e .eared her
throat and peered a.ross at the gir +ho sat opposite/
JThen you refuse to .onsider the postA It ony .a)e in this
)orning/ A very ni.e part of Itay> I 'eieve> a +ido+er +ith a itte
'oy of three and an edery ady> his )other or aunt/J
*oy.e #a)'ert shoo1 her head/
JI .an"t go out of (ngand>J she said in a tired voi.eI Jthere are
reasons/ If ony you .oud find )e a daiy postAJ
!er voi.e shoo1 sighty ; ever so sighty> for she had it +e under
.ontro/ !er dar1 'ue eyes oo1ed appeaingy at the +o)an
opposite her/
JIt"s very diffi.ut> Mrs/ #a)'ert/ The ony 1ind of daiy governess
re8uired is one +ho has fu 8uaifi.ations/ @ou have none/ I have
hundreds on )y 'oo1s ; iteray hundreds/J She paused/ J@ou
have so)eone at ho)e you .an"t eaveAJ
*oy.e nodded/
JA .hidAJ
J0o> not a .hid/J And a faint s)ie fi.1ered a.ross her fa.e/
JWe> it is very unfortunate/ I +i do )y 'est> of .ourse> 'ut ; J
The intervie+ +as .eary at an end/ *oy.e rose/ She +as 'iting
her ip to 1eep the tears fro) springing to her eyes as she
e)erged fro) the fro+sy offi.e into the street/
J@ou )ustn"t>J she ad)onished hersef sterny/ J$on"t 'e a
sniveing itte idiot/ @ou"re pani.1ing ; that"s +hat you"re doing ;
pani.1ing/ 0o good ever .a)e of giving +ay to pani./ It"s 8uite
eary in the day sti and ots of things )ay happen/ Aunt Mary
ought to 'e good for a fortnight any+ay/ Co)e on> gir> step out>
and don"t 1eep your +e;to;do reations +aiting/J
She +a1ed do+n (dg+are &oad> a.ross the par1> and then do+n
to 7i.toria Street> +here she turned into the Ar)y and 0avy
Stores/ She +ent to the ounge and sat do+n gan.ing at her
+at.h/ It +as Dust haf;past one/ Five )inutes sped 'y and then an
edery ady +ith her ar)s fu of par.es 'ore do+n upon her/
JAhG There you are> *oy.e/ I") a fe+ )inutes ate> I") afraid/ The
servi.e is not as good as it used to 'e in the un.heon roo)/
@ou"ve had un.h> of .ourseAJ
*oy.e hesitated a )inute or t+o> then she said 8uietyH J@es> than1
you/J
JI a+ays have )ine at haf;past t+eve>J said Aunt Mary> setting
hersef .o)forta'y +ith her par.es/ J#ess rush and a .earer
at)osphere/ The .urried eggs here are eB.eent/J
JAre theyAJ said *oy.e fainty/
She fet that she .oud hardy 'ear to thin1 of .urried eggs ; the
hot stea) rising fro) the) ; the dei.ious s)eG She +ren.hed
her thoughts resoutey aside/
J@ou oo1 pea1y> .hid>J said Aunt Mary> +ho +as hersef of a
.o)forta'e figure/ J$on"t go in for this )odern fad of eating no
)eat/ A fa;de;a/ A good si.e off the Doint never did anyone any
har)/J
*oy.e stopped hersef fro) saying JIt +oudn"t do )e any har)
no+/J If ony Aunt Mary +oud stop ta1ing a'out food/ To raise
your hopes 'y as1ing you to )eet her at haf past one and then to
ta1 of .urried eggs and si.es of roast )eat ; ohG .rue ; .rue/
JWe> )y dear>J said Aunt Mary/ JI got your etter ; and it +as very
ni.e of you to ta1e )e at )y +ord/ I said I"d 'e peased to see you
anyti)e and so I shoud have 'een ; 'ut as it happens> I"ve Dust had
an eBtre)ey good offer to et the house/ 4uite too good to 'e
)issed> and 'ringing their o+n pate and inen/ Five )onths/ They
.o)e in on Thursday and I go to !arrogate/ My rheu)atis)"s 'een
trou'ing )e atey/J
JI see>J said *oy.e/ JI") so sorry/J
JSo it" have to 'e for another ti)e/ A+ays peased to see you> )y
dear/J
JThan1 you> Aunt Mary/J
J@ou 1no+> you do oo1 pea1y>J said Aunt Mary> .onsidering her
attentivey/ J@ou"re thin> tooI no fesh on your 'ones> and +hat"s
happened to your pretty .oourA @ou a+ays had a ni.e heathy
.oour/ Mind you ta1e penty of eBer.ise/J
JI") ta1ing penty of eBer.ise today>J said *oy.e gri)y/ She rose/
JWe> Aunt Mary> I )ust 'e getting aong/J
%a.1 again ; through St/ *a)es"s Par1 this ti)e> and so on
through %er1eey S8uare and a.ross <Bford Street and up
(dg+are &oad> past Praed Street to the point +here the (dg+are
&oad 'egins to thin1 of 'e.o)ing so)ething ese/ Then aside>
through a series of dirty itte streets ti one parti.uar dingy
house +as rea.hed/
*oy.e inserted her at.h1ey and entered a s)a fro+sy ha/ She
ran up the stairs ti she rea.hed the top anding/ A door fa.ed her
and fro) the 'otto) of this door a snuffing noise pro.eeded
su..eeded in a se.ond 'y a series of Doyfu +hines and yeps/
J@es> Terry daring ; it"s Missus .o)e ho)e/J
As the door opened> a +hite 'ody pre.ipitated itsef upon the gir ;
an aged +ire;haired terrier very shaggy as to .oat and
suspi.iousy 'eary as to eyes/ *oy.e gathered hi) up in her ar)s
and sat do+n on the foor/
JTerry daringG $aring> daring Terry/ #ove your Missus> TerryI
ove your Missus a otGJ
And Terry o'eyed> his eager tongue +or1ed 'usiy> he i.1ed her
fa.e> her ears> her ne.1 and a the ti)e his stu)p of a tai +agged
furiousy/
JTerry daring> +hat are +e going to doA What"s going to 'e.o)e
of usA <hG Terry daring> I") so tired/J
J0o+ then> )iss>J said a tart voi.e 'ehind her/ JIf you" give over
hugging and 1issing that dog> here"s a .up of ni.e hot tea for you/J
J<hG Mrs/ %arnes> ho+ good of you/J
*oy.e s.ra)'ed to her feet/ Mrs/ %arnes +as a 'ig> for)ida'eoo1ing
+o)an/ %eneath the eBterior of a dragon she .on.eaed
an uneBpe.tedy +ar) heart/
JA .up of hot tea never did anyone any har)>J enun.iated Mrs/
%arnes> voi.ing the universa senti)ent of her .ass/
*oy.e sipped gratefuy/ !er andady eyed her .overty/
JAny u.1> )iss ; )a"a)> I shoud sayAJ
*oy.e shoo1 her head> her fa.e .ouded over/
JAhGJ said Mrs/ %arnes +ith a sigh/ JWe> it doesn"t see) to 'e
+hat you )ight .a a u.1y day/J
*oy.e oo1ed up sharpy/
J<h> Mrs/ %arnes ; you don"t )ean ; J
Mrs/ %arnes +as nodding goo)iy/
J@es ; it"s %arnes/ <ut of +or1 again/ What +e"re going to do> I")
sure I don"t 1no+/J
J<h> Mrs/ %arnes ; I )ust ; I )ean you" +ant ; J
J0o+ don"t you fret> )y dear/ I") not denying 'ut that I"d 'e gad if
you"d found so)ething ; 'ut if you haven"t ; you haven"t/ !ave you
finished that teaA I" ta1e the .up/J
J0ot 8uite/J
JAhGJ said Mrs/ %arnes a..usingy/ J@ou"re going to give +hat"s
eft to that dratted dog ; I 1no+ you/J
J<h> pease> Mrs/ %arnes/ *ust a itte drop/ @ou don"t )ind reay>
do youAJ
JIt +oudn"t 'e any use if I did/ @ou"re .ra?y a'out that
.antan1erous 'rute/ @es> that"s +hat I say ; and that"s +hat he is/
As near as nothing 'it )e this )orning> he did/J
J<h> no> Mrs/ %arnesG Terry +oudn"t do su.h a thing/J
J,ro+ed at )e ; sho+ed his teeth/ I +as Dust trying to see if there
+as anything .oud 'e done to those shoes of yours/J
J!e doesn"t i1e anyone tou.hing )y things/ !e thin1s he ought to
guard the)/J
JWe> +hat does he +ant to thin1 forA It isn"t a dog"s 'usiness to
thin1/ !e"d 'e +e enough in his proper pa.e> tied up in the yard
to 1eep off 'urgars/ A this .uddingG !e ought to 'e put a+ay>
)iss ; that"s +hat I say/J
J0o> no> no/ 0ever/ 0everGJ
JPease yoursef>J said Mrs/ %arnes/ She too1 the .up fro) the
ta'e> retrieved the sau.er fro) the foor +here Terry had Dust
finished his share> and sta1ed fro) the roo)/
JTerry>J said *oy.e/ JCo)e here and ta1 to )e/ What are +e
going to do> )y s+eetAJ
She setted hersef in the ri.1ety ar).hair> +ith Terry on her
1nees/ She thre+ off her hat and eaned 'a.1/ She put one of
Terry"s pa+s on ea.h side of her ne.1 and 1issed hi) ovingy on
his nose and 'et+een his eyes/ Then she 'egan ta1ing to hi) in a
soft o+ voi.e> t+isting his ears genty 'et+een her fingers/
JWhat are +e going to do a'out Mrs/ %arnes> TerryA We o+e her
four +ee1s ; and she"s su.h a a)'> Terry ; su.h a a)'/ She"d
never turn us out/ %ut +e .an"t ta1e advantage of her 'eing a
a)'> Terry/ We .an"t do that/ Why does %arnes +ant to 'e out of
+or1A I hate %arnes/ !e"s a+ays getting drun1/ And if you"re
a+ays getting drun1> you are usuay out of +or1/ %ut I don"t get
drun1> Terry> and yet I") out of +or1/
JI .an"t eave you> daring/ I .an"t eave you/ There"s not even
anyone I .oud eave you +ith ; no'ody +ho"d 'e good to you/
@ou"re getting od> Terry ; t+eve years od ; and no'ody +ants an
od dog +ho"s rather 'ind and a itte deaf and a itte ; yes> Dust a
itte ; 'ad;te)pered/ @ou"re s+eet to )e> daring> 'ut you"re not
s+eet to everyone> are youA @ou gro+/ It"s 'e.ause you 1no+ the
+ord"s turning against you/ We"ve Dust got ea.h other> haven"t +e>
daringAJ
Terry i.1ed her .hee1 dei.atey/
JTa1 to )e> daring/J
Terry gave a ong ingering groan ; a)ost a sigh> then 'e nu??ed
his nose in 'ehind *oy.e"s ear/
J@ou trust )e> don"t you> angeA @ou 1no+ I"d never eave you/ %ut
+hat are +e going to doA We"re right do+n to it no+> Terry/J
She setted 'a.1 further in the .hair> her eyes haf .osed/
J$o you re)e)'er> Terry> a the happy ti)es +e used to haveA
@ou and I and Mi.hae and $addy/ <h> Mi.hae ; Mi.haeG It +as his
first eave> and he +anted to give )e a present 'efore he +ent
'a.1 to Fran.e/ And I tod hi) not to 'e eBtravagant/ And then +e
+ere do+n in the .ountry ; and it +as a a surprise/ !e tod )e to
oo1 out of the +indo+> and there you +ere> dan.ing up the path
on a ong ead/ The funny itte )an +ho 'rought you> a itte )an
+ho s)et of dogs/ !o+ he ta1ed/ "The goods> that"s +hat he is/
#oo1 at hi)> )a"a)> ain"t he a pi.tureA I said to )ysef> as soon as
the ady and gente)an see hi) they" sayH JThat dog"s the
goodsGJ"
J!e 1ept on saying that ; and +e .aed you that for 8uite a ong
ti)e ; the ,oodsG <h> Terry> you +ere su.h a daring of a puppy>
+ith your itte head on one side> +agging your a'surd taiG And
Mi.hae +ent a+ay to Fran.e and I had you ; the daringest dog in
the +ord/ @ou read a Mi.hae"s etters +ith )e> didn"t youA @ou"d
sniff the)> and I"d say ; "Fro) Master>" and you"d understand/ We
+ere so happy ; so happy/ @ou and Mi.hae and I/ And no+
Mi.hae"s dead> and you"re od> and I ; I") so tired of 'eing 'rave/J
Terry i.1ed her/
J@ou +ere there +hen the teegra) .a)e/ If it hadn"t 'een for you>
Terry ; if I hadn"t had you to hod on to///J
She stayed sient for so)e )inutes/
JAnd +e"ve 'een together ever sin.e ; 'een through a the ups
and do+ns together ; there have 'een a ot of do+ns> haven"t
thereA And no+ +e"ve .o)e right up against it/ There are ony
Mi.hae"s aunts> and they thin1 I") a right/ They don"t 1no+ he
ga)'ed that )oney a+ay/ We )ust never te anyone that/ I don"t
.are ; +hy shoudn"t heA (veryone has to have so)e faut/ !e
oved us 'oth> Terry> and that"s a that )atters/ !is o+n reations
+ere a+ays in.ined to 'e do+n on hi) and to say nasty things/
We"re not going to give the) the .han.e/ %ut I +ish I had so)e
reations of )y o+n/ It"s very a+1+ard having no reations at a/
JI") so tired> Terry ; and re)ar1a'y hungry/ I .an"t 'eieve I")
ony t+enty;nine ; I fee siBty;nine/ I") not reay 'rave ; I ony
pretend to 'e/ And I") getting a+fuy )ean ideas/ I +a1ed a the
+ay to (aing yesterday to see Cousin Charotte ,reen/ I thought if
I got there at haf;past t+eve she"d 'e sure to as1 )e to stop to
un.h/ And then +hen I got to the house> I fet it +as too .adging
for anything/ I Dust .oudn"t/ So I +a1ed a the +ay 'a.1/ And
that"s fooish/ @ou shoud 'e a deter)ined .adger or ese not even
thin1 of it/ I don"t thin1 I") a strong .hara.ter/J
Terry groaned again and put a 'a.1 nose into *oy.e"s eye/
J@ou"ve got a ovey nose sti> Terry ; a .od i1e i.e .rea)/ <h> I
do ove you soG I .an"t part fro) you/ I .an"t have you "put a+ay/" I
.an"t/// I .an"t/// I .an"t///J she 'egan ta1ing to hi) in a soft o+
voi.e> t+isting his ears genty 'et+een her fingers/ The +ar)
tongue i.1ed eagery/
J@ou understand so> )y s+eet/ @ou"d do anything to hep Missus>
+oudn"t youAJ
Terry .a)'ered do+n and +ent unsteadiy to a .orner/ !e .a)e
'a.1 hoding a 'attered 'o+ 'et+een his teeth/
*oy.e +as )id+ay 'et+een tears and aughter/
JWas he doing his ony tri.1A The ony thing he .oud thin1 of to
hep Missus/ <h> Terry ; Terry ; no'ody sha part usG I"d do
anything/ Woud I> thoughA <ne says that ; and then +hen you"re
sho+n the thing> you say> "I didn"t )ean anything i1e that/" Woud I
do anythingAJ
She got do+n on the foor 'eside the dog/
J@ou see> Terry> it see)s that 0ursery governesses .an"t have
dogs> and .o)panions to edery adies .an"t have dogs/ <ny
)arried +o)en .an have dogs> Terry ; itte fuggy eBpensive dogs
that they ta1e shopping +ith the) ; and if one preferred an od
'ind terrier ; +e> +hy notAJ
She stopped fro+ning and at that )inute there +as a dou'e 1no.1
fro) 'eo+/
JThe post/ I +onder/J She Du)ped up and hurried do+n the stairs>
returning +ith a etter/
JIt )ight 'e> if ony///J She tore it open/
$ear Mada)>
We have inspe.ted the pi.ture and our opinion is that it is not a
genuine Cuyp and that its vaue is pra.ti.ay ni/
@ours truy>
Soane e &yder
*oy.e stood hoding it/ When she spo1e> her voi.e had .hanged/
JThat"s that>J she said/ JThe ast hope gone/ %ut +e +on"t 'e
parted/ There"s a +ay ; and it +on"t 'e .adging/ Terry daring> I")
going out/ I" 'e 'a.1 soon/J
*oy.e hurried do+n the stairs to +here the teephone stood in a
dar1 .orner/ There she as1ed for a .ertain nu)'er/ A )an"s voi.e
ans+ered her> its tone .hanging as he reai?ed her identity/
J*oy.e> )y dear gir/ Co)e out and have so)e dinner and dan.e
tonight/J
JI .an"t>J said *oy.e ighty/ J0othing fit to +ear/J
And she s)ied gri)y as she thought of the e)pty pegs in the
fi)sy .up'oard/
J!o+ +oud it 'e if .a)e aong and sa+ you no+A What"s the
addressA ,ood #ord> +here"s thatA &ather .o)e off your high
horse> haven"t youAJ
JCo)petey/J
JWe> you"re fran1 a'out it/ So ong/J
Arthur !aiday"s .ar dre+ up outside the house a'out three
8uarters of an hour ater/ An a+estru.1 Mrs/ %arnes .ondu.ted
hi) upstairs/
JMy dear gir ; +hat an a+fu hoe/ What on earth has got you into
this )essAJ
JPride and a fe+ other unprofita'e e)otions/J
She spo1e ighty enoughI her eyes oo1ed at the )an opposite her
sardoni.ay/
Many peope .aed !aiday handso)e/ !e +as a 'ig )an +ith
s8uare shouders> fair> +ith s)a> very pae 'ue eyes and a heavy
.hin/
!e sat do+n on the ri.1ety .hair she indi.ated/
JWe>J he said thoughtfuy/ JI shoud say you"d had your esson/ I
say ; +i that 'rute 'iteAJ
J0o> no> he"s a right/ I"ve trained hi) to 'e rather a ; a +at.hdog/J
!aiday +as oo1ing her up and do+n/
J,oing to .i)' do+n> *oy.e>J he said softy/ JIs that itAJ
*oy.e nodded/
JI tod you 'efore> )y dear gir/ I a+ays get +hat I +ant in the end/
I 1ne+ you"d .o)e in ti)e to see +hi.h +ay your 'read +as
'uttered/J
JIt"s u.1y for )e you haven"t .hanged your )ind>J said *oy.e/
!e oo1ed at her suspi.iousy/ With *oy.e you never 1ne+ 8uite
+hat she +as driving at/
J@ou" )arry )eAJ
She nodded/ JAs soon as you pease/J
JThe sooner> the 'etter> in fa.t/J !e aughed> oo1ing round the
roo)/ *oy.e fushed/
J%y the +ay> there"s a .ondition/J she said/
JA .onditionAJ !e oo1ed at her again/
JMy dog/ !e )ust .o)e +ith )e/J
JThis od s.are.ro+A @ou .an .hoose any 1ind of a dogI I +on"t
spare the eBpenses/J
JI +ant Terry/J
J<hG A right> pease yoursef/J
*oy.e +as staring at hi)/ J@ou do 1no+ ; don"t you that I don"t ove
youA 0ot in the east/J
JI") not +orrying a'out thatI I") not thin;s1inned/ %ut no han1ypan1y>
)y gir/ If you .o)e +ith )e> you pay fair/J
The .oour fashed into *oy.e"s .hee1s/ J@ou +i have your
)oney"s +orth/J she said/
JWhat a'out a 1iss no+AJ
!e advan.ed upon her/ She 1ept s)iing/ !e too1 her in his ar)s>
1issing her fa.e> her ne.1/ She neither stiffened nor dre+ 'a.1/
!e reeased at ast/
JI" get you a ring>J he said/ JWhat +oud you i1e> dia)onds or
pearsAJ
JA ru'y>J said *oy.e/ JThe argest ru'y possi'e ; the .oour of
'ood/J
JThat"s an odd idea/J
JI shoud i1e it to 'e a fiBed in a itte haf oop of pears that +as a
that Mi.hae .oud afford to give )e/J
J%etter u.1 this ti)e> ehAJ he said/
J@ou put things +onderfuy> Arthur/J
!aiday +ent out .hu.1ing/
JTerry>J said *oy.e/ J#i.1 )e ; i.1 hard ; a over )y fa.e and )y
ne.1 ; parti.uary the ne.1/J
And as Terry o'eyed> she spo1e refe.tiveyH
JThin1ing of so)ething ese ought do the tri.1 ; that"s the ony
+ay/ @ou"d never guess +hat I thought of ; Da) ; Da) in a gro.er"s
shop/ I said it over to )ysef/ Stra+'erry> 'a.1.urrant> rasp'erry>
da)son/ And perhaps> Terry> he" get tired of )e fairy soon/ I
hope so> don"t youA They say )en do +hen they"re )arried to you/
<ny Mi.hae +oudn"t have tired of )e ; never ; neverG <h>
Mi.hae///J
*oy.e rose the neBt )orning +ith a heart i1e ead/ She gave a
deep sigh and i))ediatey Terry> +ho sept on her 'ed> had
)oved up and +as 1issing her affe.tionatey/
J<h> daring ; daringG We"ve got to go through +ith it/ %ut if ony
so)ething +oud happen/ Terry daring> .an"t you hep MissusA
@ou +oud if you .oud> I 1no+/J
Mrs/ %arnes 'rought up so)e tea and 'read and 'utter and +as
heartiy .ongratuatory/
JThere no+> )a"a)> to thin1 of you going to )arry that gente)an/
It +as a &os he .a)e in/ It +as indeed/ It 8uite so'ered %arnes
up to thin1 of one of the) &os standing outside our door/ Why> I
de.are that dog"s sitting out on the +indo+ si/J
J!e i1es the sun>J said *oy.e/ J%ut it"s rather dangerous/ Terry>
.o)e in/J
JI"d have the poor dear put out of his )isery if I +as you>J said Mrs/
%arnes> Jand get your gente)an to 'uy you one of the) pu))y
dogs as adies .arry in their )uffs/J
*oy.e s)ied and .aed again to Terry/ The dog rose a+1+ardy
and Dust at that )o)ent the noise of a dog fight rose fro) the
street 'eo+/ Terry .raned his ne.1 for+ard and added so)e
'ris1 'ar1ing/ The +indo+ si +as od and rotten/ It tited and
Terry> too od and stiff to regain his 'aan.e> fe/
With a +id .ry> *oy.e ran do+n the stairs and out of the front
door/ In a fe+ se.onds she +as 1neeing 'y Terry"s side/ !e +as
+hining pitifuy and his position sho+ed her that he +as 'ady
hurt/ She 'ent over hi)/
JTerry ; Terry daring ; daring> daring> daring ; J
7ery fee'y> he tried to +ag his tai/
JTerry 'oy ; Missus +i )a1e you 'etter ; daring 'oy ; J
A .ro+d> )ainy .o)posed of s)a 'oys> +as pushing round/
JFe fro) the +indo+> "e did/J JMy> "e oo1s 'ad/J J%ro1e "is 'a.1
as i1ey as not/J
*oy.e paid no heed/
JMrs/ %arnes> +here"s the nearest vetAJ
JThere"s *o'ing ; round in Mere Street ; if you .oud get hi)
there/J
JA taBi/J
JAo+ )e/J
It +as the peasant voi.e of an edery )an +ho had Dust aighted
fro) a taBi/ !e 1net do+n 'y Terry and ifted the upper ip> then
passed his hand do+n the dog"s 'ody/
JI") afraid he )ay 'e 'eeding internay>J he said/ JThere don"t
see) to 'e any 'ones 'ro1en/ We"d 'etter get hi) aong to the
vet"s/J
%et+een the)> he and *oy.e ifted the dog/ Terry gave a yep of
pain/ !is teeth )et in *oy.e"s ar)/
JTerry ; it"s a right ; a right> od )an/J
They got hi) into the taBi and drove off/ *oy.e +rapped a
hand1er.hief round her ar) in an a'sent;)inded +ay/ Terry>
distressed> tried to i.1 it/
JI 1no+> daringI I 1no+/ @ou didn"t )ean to hurt )e/ It"s a right/
It"s a right> Terry/J
She stro1ed his head/ The )an opposite +at.hed her 'ut said
nothing/
They arrived at the vet"s fairy 8ui.1y and found hi) in/ !e +as a
red;fa.ed )an +ith an unsy)patheti. )anner/
!e handed Terry none too genty +hie *oy.e stood 'y agoni?ed/
The tears +ere running do+n her fa.e/ She 1ept on ta1ing in a
o+> reassuring voi.e/
JIt"s a right> daring/ It"s a right/// J
The vet straightened hi)sef/
JI)possi'e to say eBa.ty/ I )ust )a1e a proper eBa)ination/ @ou
)ust eave hi) here/J
J<hG I .an"t/J
JI") afraid you )ust/ I )ust ta1e hi) 'eo+/ I" teephone you in ;
say ; haf an hour/J
Si.1 at heart> *oy.e gave in/ She 1issed Terry on his nose/ %ind
+ith tears> she stu)'ed do+n the steps/ The )an +ho had heped
her +as sti there/ She had forgotten hi)/
JThe taBi"s sti here/ I" ta1e you 'a.1/J She shoo1 her head/
JI"d rather +a1/J
JI" +a1 +ith you/J
!e paid off the taBi/ She +as hardy .ons.ious of hi) as he +a1ed
8uiety 'y her side +ithout spea1ing/ When they arrived as Mrs
%ernes"> he spo1e/
J@our +rist/ @ou )ust see to it/J
She oo1ed do+n at it/ J<hG That"s a tight/J
JIt +ants propery +ashing and tying up/ I" .o)e in +ith you/J
!e +ent +ith her up the stairs/ She et hi) +ash the pa.e and
'ind it up +ith a .ean hand1er.hief/ She ony said one thing/
JTerry didn"t )ean to do it/ !e +oud never> never )ean to do it/
!e Dust didn"t reai?e it +as )e/ !e )ust have 'een in dreadfu
pain/J
JI") afraid so> yes/J
JAnd perhaps they"re hurting hi) dreadfuy no+AJ
JI") sure that everything that .an he done for hi) is 'eing done/
When the vet rings up> you .an go and get hi) and nurse hi)
here/J
J@es> of .ourse/J
The )an paused> then )oved to+ards the door/
JI hope it +i 'e a right>J he said a+1+ardy/ J,ood'ye/J
J,ood'ye/J
T+o or three )inutes ater it o..urred to her that he had 'een 1ind
and that she had never than1ed hi)/
Mrs/ %arnes appeared> .up in hand/
J0o+> )y poor a)'> a .up of hot tea/ @ou"re a to pie.es> I .an
see that/J
JThan1 you> Mrs/ %arnes> 'ut I don"t +ant any tea/J
JIt +oud do you good> dearie/ $on"t ta1e on so no+/ The doggie
+i 'e a tight> and even if he isn"t> that gente)an of yours +i
give you a pretty ne+ dog ; J
J$on"t> Mrs/ %arnes/ $on"t/ Pease> if you don"t )ind> I"d rather he
eft aone/J
JWe> I never ; there"s the teephone/J
*oy.e sped do+n to it i1e an arro+/ She ifted the re.eiver/ Mrs/
%arnes panted do+n after her/ She heard *oy.e say> J@es ;
spea1ing/ WhatA <hG <hG @es/ @es> than1 you/J
She put 'a.1 the re.eiver/ The fa.e she turned to Mrs/ %arnes
started that good +o)an/ It see)ed devoid of any ife or
eBpression/
JTerry"s dead> Mrs/ %arnes>J she said/ J!e died aone there
+ithout )e/J
She +ent upstairs and> going into her roo)> shut the door very
de.isivey/
JWe> I never>J said Mrs/ %arnes to the ha +apaper/
Five )inutes ater she po1ed her head into the roo)/ *oy.e +as
sitting 'ot upright in a .hair/ She +as not .rying/
JIt"s your gente)an> )iss/ Sha I send hi) upAJ
A sudden ight .a)e into *oy.e"s eyes/ J@es> pease/ I"d i1e to see
hi)/J
!aiday .a)e in 'oisterousy/
JWe> here +e are/ I haven"t ost )u.h ti)e> have IA I") prepared
to .arry you off fro) this dreadfu pa.e here and no+/ @ou .an"t
stay here/ Co)e on> get your things on/J
JThere"s no need> Arthur/J
J0o needA What do you )eanAJ
JTerry"s dead/ I don"t need to )arry you no+/J
JWhat are you ta1ing a'outAJ
JMy dog ; Terry/ !e"s dead/ I +as ony )arrying you so that +e
.oud 'e together/J
!aiday stared at her> his fa.e gro+ing redder and redder/
J@ou"re )ad/J
JI dare say/ Peope +ho ove dogs are/J
J@ou seriousy te )e that you +ere ony )arrying )e 'e.ause ;
<h> it"s a'surdGJ
JWhy did you thin1 I +as )arrying youA @ou 1ne+ I hated you/J
J@ou +ere )arrying )e 'e.ause I .oud give you a Doy good ti)e ;
and so I .an/J
JTo )y )ind>J said *oy.e> Jthat is a )u.h )ore revoting )otive
than )ine/ Any+ay> it"s off/ I") not )arrying youGJ
J$o you reai?e that you are treating )e da)ned 'adyAJ
She oo1ed at hi) .ooy 'ut +ith su.h a 'a?e in her eyes that he
dre+ 'a.1 'efore it/
JI don"t thin1 so/ I"ve heard you ta1 a'out getting a 1i.1 out of ife/
That"s +hat you got out of )e ; and )y disi1e of you heightened it/
@ou 1ne+ I hated you and you enDoyed it/ When I et you 1iss )e
yesterday> you +ere disappointed 'e.ause I didn"t fin.h or +in.e/
There"s so)ething 'ruta in you> Arthur> so)ething .rue ;
so)ething that i1es hurting/// 0o'ody .oud treat you as 'ady as
you deserve/ And no+ do you )ind getting out of )y roo)A I +ant
it to )ysef/J
!e sputtered a itte/
JWh ; What are you going to doA @ou"ve no )oney/J
JThat"s )y 'usiness/ Pease go/J
J@ou itte devi/ @ou a'soutey )addening itte devi/ @ou haven"t
done +ith )e yet/J
*oy.e aughed/
The augh routed hi) as nothing ese had done/ It +as so
uneBpe.ted/ !e +ent a+1+ardy do+n the stairs and drove a+ay/
*oy.e heaved a sigh/ She pued on her sha''y 'a.1 fet hat and
+ent out/ She +a1ed aong the streets )e.hani.ay> neither
thin1ing nor feeing/ So)e+here at the 'a.1 of her )ind there +as
pain ; pain that she +oud presenty fee> 'ut for the )o)ent
everything +as )er.ifuy dued/
She passed the &egistry offi.e and hesitated/
JI )ust do so)ething/ There"s the river> of .ourse/ I"ve often
thought of that/ *ust finish everything/ %ut it"s so .od and +et/ I
don"t thin1 I") 'rave enough/ I") not 'rave reay/J
She turned into the &egistry <ffi.e/
J,ood )orning> Mrs #a)'ert/ I") afraid +e"ve no daiy post/J
JIt doesn"t )atter>J said *oy.e/ JI .an ta1e any 1ind of post no+/
My friend> +ho) I ived +ith> has ; gone a+ay/J
JThen you"d .onsider going a'roadAJ
*oy.e nodded/
J@es> as far a+ay as possi'e/J
JMr Aa'y is here no+> as it happens> intervie+ing .andidates/ I"
send you in to hi)/J
In another )inute *oy.e +as sitting in a .u'i.e ans+ering
8uestions/ So)ething a'out her intero.utor see)ed vaguey
fa)iiar to her> 'ut she .oud not pa.e hi)/ And then suddeny her
)ind a+o1e a itte> a+are that the ast 8uestion +as fainty out of
the ordinary/
J$o you get on +ith the od adies AJ Mr Aa'y +as as1ing/
*oy.e s)ied in spite of hersef/ JI thin1 so/J
J@ou see )y aunt> +ho ives +ith )e> is rather diffi.ut/ She is very
fond of )e and she is a great dear reay> 'ut I fan.y that a young
+o)an )ight find her rather diffi.ut so)eti)es/J
JI thin1 I") patient and good;te)pered>J said *oy.e> Jand I have
a+ays got on +ith edery peope very +e/J
J@ou +oud have to do .ertain things for )y aunt and other+ise
you +oud have the .harge of )y itte 'oy> +ho is three/ !is
)other died a year ago/J
There +as a pause/
JThen if you thin1 you +oud i1e the post> +e +i .onsider that
setted/ We trave out neBt +ee1/ I +i et you 1no+ the eBa.t date>
and I eBpe.t you +oud i1e a s)a advan.e of saary to fit yoursef
out/J
JThan1 you very )u.h/ That +oud 'e very 1ind of you/J
They had 'oth risen/
Suddeny Mr/ Aa'y said a+1+ardyH
JI ; I hate to 'utt in ; I )ean I +ish ; I +oud i1e to 1no+ ; I )ean> is
your dog a rightAJ
For the first ti)e *oy.e oo1ed at hi)/ The .oour .a)e into her
fa.e> her 'ue eyes deepened a)ost to 'a.1/ She oo1ed straight
at hi)/ She had thought hi) edery> 'ut he +as not so very od/
!air turning grey> a peasant +eather'eaten fa.e> rather stooping
shouders> eyes that +ere 'ro+n and so)ething of the shy
1indiness of a dog"s/ !e oo1ed a itte i1e a dog> *oy.e thought/
J<h> it"s you>J she said/ JI thought after+ards ; I never than1ed
you/J
J0o need/ $idn"t eBpe.t it/ -ne+ +hat you +ere feeing i1e/ What
a'out the poor od .hapAJ
The tears .a)e into *oy.e"s eyes/ They strea)ed do+n her
.hee1s/ 0othing on earth .oud have 1ept the) 'a.1/
J!e"s dead/J
J<hGJ
!e said nothing ese> 'ut to *oy.e that <hG +as one of the )ost
.o)forting things she had ever heard/ There +as everything in it
that .oudn"t 'e put into +ords/
After a )inute or t+o he said Der1iyH
JMatter of fa.t> I had a dog/ $ied t+o years ago/ Was +ith a .ro+d
of peope at the ti)e +ho .oudn"t understand )a1ing heavy
+eather a'out it/ Pretty rotten to have to .arry on as though
nothing had happened/J
*oy.e nodded/
JI 1no+ ; J said Mr/ Aa'y/
!e too1 her hand> s8uee?ed it hard and dropped it/ !e +ent out of
the itte .u'i.e/ *oy.e foo+ed in a )inute or t+o and fiBed up
various detais +ith the adyi1e person/ When she arrived ho)e>
Mrs/ %arnes )et her on the doorstep +ith that reish in goo)
typi.a of her .ass/
JThey"ve sent the poor itte doggie"s 'ody ho)e>J she announ.ed/
JIt"s up in your roo)/ I +as saying to %arnes> and he"s ready to dig
a ni.e itte hoe in the 'a.1 garden ; J
MA,0<#IA %#<SS<M
7in.ent (aston +as +aiting under the .o.1 at 7i.toria Station/
0o+ and then he gan.ed up at it uneasiy/ !e thought to hi)sefH
J!o+ )any other )en have +aited here for a +o)an +ho didn"t
.o)eAJ
A sharp pang shot through hi)/ Supposing that Theo didn"t .o)e>
that she had .hanged her )indA Wo)en did that sort of thing/ Was
he sure of her ; had he ever 'een sure of herA $id he reay 1no+
anything at a a'out herA !adn"t she pu??ed hi) fro) the firstA
There had see)ed to 'e t+o +o)en ; the ovey> aughing
.reature +ho +as &i.hard $arre"s +ife> and the other ; sient>
)ysterious> +ho had +a1ed 'y his side in the garden of !ay)er"s
Cose/ #i1e a )agnoia fo+er ; that +as ho+ he thought of her ;
perhaps 'e.ause it +as under the )agnoia tree that they had
tasted their first rapturous> in.reduous 1iss/ The air had 'een
s+eet +ith the s.ent of )agnoia 'oo)> and one or t+o petas>
vevety;soft and fragrant> had foated do+n> resting on that
upturned fa.e that +as as .rea)y and as soft and as sient as
they/ Magnoia 'osso) ; eBoti.> fragrant> )ysterious/
That had 'een a fortnight ago ; the se.ond day he had )et her/
And no+ he +as +aiting for her to .o)e to hi) forever/ Again
in.reduity shot through hi)/ She +oudn"t .o)e/ !o+ .oud he
ever have 'eieved itA It +oud 'e giving up so )u.h/ The 'eautifu
Mrs/ $arre .oudn"t do this sort of thing 8uiety/ It +as 'ound to
'e a nine days" +onder> a far;rea.hing s.anda that +oud never
8uite 'e forgotten/ There +ere 'etter> )ore eBpedient +ays of
doing these things ; a dis.reet divor.e> for instan.e/
%ut they had never thought of that for a )o)ent ; at east he had
not/ !ad she> he +onderedA !e had never 1no+n anything of her
thoughts/ !e had as1ed her to .o)e a+ay +ith hi) a)ost
ti)orousy ; for after a> +hat +as heA 0o'ody in parti.uar ; one
of a thousand orange;gro+ers in the Transvaa/ What a ife to ta1e
her to ; after the 'riian.e of #ondonG And yet> sin.e he +anted
her so desperatey> he )ust needs as1/
She had .onsented very 8uiety> +ith no hesitations or protests> as
though it +ere the si)pest thing in the +ord that he +as as1ing
her/
JTo)orro+AJ he had said> a)a?ed> a)ost un'eieving/
And she had pro)ised in that soft> 'ro1en voi.e that +as so
different fro) the aughing 'riian.e of her so.ia )anner/ !e had
.o)pared her to a dia)ond +hen he first sa+ her ; a thing of
fashing fire> refe.ting ight fro) a hundred fa.ets/ %ut at that first
tou.h> that first 1iss> she had .hanged )ira.uousy to the .ouded
softness of a pear ; a pear i1e a )agnoia 'osso)> .rea)y;pin1/
She had pro)ised/ And no+ he +as +aiting for her to fufi that
pro)ise/
!e oo1ed again at the .o.1/ If she did not .o)e soon> they +oud
)iss the train/
Sharpy a +ave of rea.tion set in/ She +oudn"t .o)eG <f .ourse
she +oudn"t .o)e/ Foo that he had 'een ever to eBpe.t itG What
+ere pro)isesA !e +oud find a etter +hen he got 'a.1 to his
roo)s ; eBpaining> protesting> saying a the things that +o)en do
+hen they are eB.using the)seves for a.1 of .ourage/
!e fet anger ; anger and the 'itterness of frustration/
Then he sa+ her .o)ing to+ards hi) do+n the patfor)> a faint
s)ie on her fa.e/ She +a1ed so+y> +ithout haste or fuster> as
one +ho had a eternity 'efore her/ She +as in 'a.1 ; soft 'a.1
that .ung> +ith a itte 'a.1 hat that fra)ed the +onderfu .rea)y
paor of her fa.e/
!e found hi)sef grasping her hand> )uttering stupidyH JSo
you"ve .o)e ; you have .o)e/ After aGJ
J<f .ourse/J
!o+ .a) her voi.e soundedG !o+ .a)G
JI thought you +oudn"t>J he said> reeasing her hand and
'reathing hard/
!er eyes opened ; +ide> 'eautifu eyes/ There +as +onder in
the)> the si)pe +onder of a .hid/
JWhyAJ
!e didn"t ans+er/ Instead he turned aside and re8uisitioned a
passing porter/ They had not )u.h ti)e/ The neBt fe+ )inutes
+ere a 'uste and .onfusion/ Then they +ere sitting in their
reserved .o)part)ent and the dra' houses of southern #ondon
+ere drifting 'y the)/
II
Theodora $arre +as sitting opposite hi)/ At ast she +as his/ And
he 1ne+ no+ ho+ in.reduous> up to the very ast )inute> he had
'een/ !e had not dared to et hi)sef 'eieve/ That )agi.a>
eusive 8uaity a'out her had frightened hi)/ It had see)ed
i)possi'e that she shoud ever 'eong to hi)/
0o+ the suspense +as over/ The irrevo.a'e step +as ta1en/ !e
oo1ed a.ross at her/ She ay 'a.1 in the .orner> 8uite sti/ The
faint s)ie ingered on her ips> her eyes +ere .ast do+n> the ong>
'a.1 ashes s+ept the .rea)y .urve of her .hee1/
!e thoughtH JWhat"s in her )ind no+A What is she thin1ing ofA MeA
!er hus'andA What does she thin1 a'out hi) any+ayA $id she
.are for hi) on.eA <r did she never .areA $oes she hate hi)> or
is she indifferent to hi)AJ And +ith a pang the thought s+ept
through hi)H JI don"t 1no+/ I never sha 1no+/ I ove her> and I
don"t 1no+ anything a'out her ; +hat she thin1s or +hat she
fees/J
!is )ind .ir.ed round the thought of Theodora $arre"s hus'and/
!e had 1no+n penty of )arried +o)en +ho +ere ony too ready
to ta1 a'out their hus'ands ; of ho+ they +ere )isunderstood 'y
the)> of ho+ their finer feeings +ere ignored/ 7in.ent (aston
refe.ted .yni.ay that it +as one of the 'est;1no+n opening
ga)'its/
%ut eB.ept .asuay> Theo had never spo1en of &i.hard $arre/
(aston 1ne+ of hi) +hat every'ody 1ne+/ !e +as a popuar )an>
handso)e> +ith an engaging> .arefree )anner/ (very'ody i1ed
$arre/ !is +ife a+ays see)ed on eB.eent ter)s +ith hi)/ %ut
that proved nothing> 7in.ent refe.ted/ Theo +as +e;'red ; she
+oud not air her grievan.es in pu'i./
And 'et+een the)> no +ord had passed/ Fro) that se.ond
evening of their )eeting> +hen they had +a1ed together in the
garden> sient> their shouders tou.hing> and he had fet the faint
tre)or that shoo1 her at his tou.h> there had 'een no eBpainings>
no defining of the position/ She had returned his 1isses> a du)'>
tre)'ing .reature> shorn of a that hard 'riian.e +hi.h>
together +ith her .rea);and;rose 'eauty> had )ade her fa)ous/
0ever on.e had she spo1en of her hus'and/ 7in.ent had 'een
than1fu for that at the ti)e/ !e had 'een gad to 'e spared the
argu)ents of a +o)an +ho +ished to assure hersef and her over
that they +ere Dustified in yieding to their ove/
@et no+ the ta.it .onspira.y of sien.e +orried hi)/ !e had again
that pani.;stri.1en sense of 1no+ing nothing a'out this strange
.reature +ho +as +iingy in1ing her ife to his/ !e +as afraid/
In the i)puse to reassure hi)sef> he 'ent for+ard and aid a hand
on the 'a.1;.ad 1nee opposite hi)/ !e fet on.e again the faint
tre)or that shoo1 her> and he rea.hed up for her hand/ %ending
for+ard> he 1issed the pa)> a ong> ingering 1iss/ !e fet the
response of her fingers on his and> oo1ing up> )et her eyes> and
+as .ontent/ !e eaned 'a.1 in his seat/ For the )o)ent> he
+anted no )ore/ They +ere together/ She +as his/
And presenty he said in a ight> a)ost 'antering toneH J@ou"re
very sientAJ
JA) IAJ
J@es/J !e +aited a )inute> then said in a graver toneH J@ou"re sure
you don"t ; regretAJ
!er eyes opened +ide at that/ J<h> noGJ
!e did not dou't the repy/ There +as an assuran.e of sin.erity
'ehind it/
JWhat are you thin1ing a'outA I +ant to 1no+/J
In a o+ voi.e she ans+eredH JI thin1 I") afraid/J
JAfraidAJ
J<f happiness/J
!e )oved over 'eside her then> hed her to hi) and 1issed the
softness of her fa.e and ne.1/
JI ove you>J he said/ JI ove you ; ove you/J
!er ans+er +as in the .inging of her 'ody> the a'andon of her
ips/
Then he )oved 'a.1 to his o+n .orner/ !e pi.1ed up a )aga?ine
and so did she/ (very no+ and then> over the top of the
)aga?ines> their eyes )et/ Then they s)ied/
They arrived at $over Dust after five/ They +ere to spend the night
there> and .ross to the Continent on the foo+ing day/ Theo
entered their sitting roo) in the hote +ith 7in.ent .ose 'ehind
her/ !e had a .oupe of evening papers in his hand +hi.h he thre+
do+n on the ta'e/ T+o of the hote servants 'rought in the
uggage and +ithdre+/
Theo turned fro) the +indo+ +here she had 'een standing
oo1ing out/ In another )inute they +ere in ea.h other"s ar)s/
There +as a dis.reet tap on the door and they dre+ apart again/
J$a)n it a>J said 7in.ent> Jit doesn"t see) as though +e +ere
ever going to 'e aone/J
Theo s)ied/ JIt doesn"t oo1 i1e it>J she said softy/ Sitting do+n
on the sofa> she pi.1ed up one of the papers/
The 1no.1 proved to 'e a +aiter 'earing tea/ !e aid it on the
ta'e> dra+ing the atter up to the sofa on +hi.h Theo +as sitting>
.ast a deft gan.e round> in8uired if there +ere anything further>
and +ithdre+/
7in.ent> +ho had gone into the adDoining roo)> .a)e 'a.1 into the
sitting roo)/
J0o+ for tea>J he said .heeriy> 'ut stopped suddeny in the )idde
of the roo)/ JAnything +rongAJ he as1ed/
Theo +as sitting 'ot upright on the sofa/ She +as staring in front
of her +ith da?ed eyes> and her fa.e had gone deathy +hite/
7in.ent too1 a 8ui.1 step to+ards her/ JWhat is it> s+eetheartAJ
For ans+er she hed out the paper to hi)> her finger pointing to
the headine/
7in.ent too1 the paper fro) her/ JFAI#2&( <F !<%S<0> *(-@##
A0$ #2CAS>J he read/ The na)e of the 'ig .ity fir) .onveyed
nothing to hi) at the )o)ent> though he had an irritating
.onvi.tion in the 'a.1 of his )ind that it ought to do so/ !e oo1ed
in8uiringy at Theo/
J&i.hard is !o'son> *e1y and #u.as>J she eBpained/
J@our hus'andAJ
J@es/J
7in.ent returned to the paper and read the 'ad infor)ation it
.onveyed .arefuy/ Phrases su.h as Jsudden .rash>J Jserious
reveations to foo+>J Jother houses affe.tedJ stru.1 hi)
disagreea'y/
&oused 'y a )ove)ent> he oo1ed up/ Theo +as adDusting her itte
'a.1 hat in front of the )irror/ She turned at the )ove)ent he
)ade/
!er eyes oo1ed steadiy into his/
J7in.ent ; I )ust go to &i.hard/J
!e sprang up/ JTheo ; don"t he a'surd/J
She repeated )e.hani.ayH
JI )ust go to &i.hard/J
J%ut> )y dear ; J
She )ade a gesture to+ards the paper on the foor/
JThat )eans ruin ; 'an1rupt.y/ I .an"t .hoose this day of a others
to eave hi)/J
J@ou had eft hi) 'efore you heard of this/ %e reasona'eGJ
She shoo1 her head )ournfuy/
J@ou don"t understand/ I )ust go to &i.hard/J
And fro) that he .oud not )ove her/ Strange that a .reature so
soft> so piant> .oud he so unyieding/ After the first> she did not
argue/ She et hi) say +hat he had to say unhindered/ !e hed her
in his ar)s> see1ing to 'rea1 her +i 'y ensaving her senses> 'ut
though her soft )outh returned his 1isses> he fet in her so)ething
aoof and invin.i'e that +ithstood a his peadings/
!e et her go at ast> si.1 and +eary of the vain endeavour/ Fro)
peading he had turned to 'itterness> reproa.hing her +ith never
having oved hi)/ That> too> she too1 in sien.e> +ithout protest>
her fa.e> du)' and pitifu> giving the ie to his +ords/ &age
)astered hi) in the endI he hured at her every .rue +ord he
.oud thin1 of> see1ing ony to 'ruise and 'atter her to her 1nees/
At ast the +ords gave outI there +as nothing )ore to say/ !e sat>
his head in his hands> staring do+n at the red pie .arpet/ %y the
door> Theodora stood> a 'a.1 shado+ +ith a +hite fa.e/
It +as a over/
She said 8uietyH J,ood;'ye> 7in.ent/J
!e did not ans+er/
The door opened ; and shut again/
III
The $arres ived in a house in Chesea ; an intriguing> od;+ord
house> standing in a itte garden of its o+n/ 2p the front of the
house gre+ a )agnoia tree> s)utty> dirty> 'egri)ed> 'ut sti a
)agnoia/
Theo oo1ed up at it> as she stood on the doorstep so)e three
hours ater/ A sudden s)ie t+isted her )outh in pain/
She +ent straight to the study at the 'a.1 of the house/ A )an +as
pa.ing up and do+n in the roo) ; a young )an> +ith a handso)e
fa.e and a haggard eBpression/
!e gave an eDa.uation of reief as she .a)e in/
JThan1 ,od you"ve turned up> Theo/ They said you"d ta1en your
uggage +ith you and gone off out of to+n so)e+here/J
JI heard the ne+s and .a)e 'a.1/J
&i.hard $arre put an ar) a'out her and dre+ her to the .ou.h/
They sat do+n upon it side 'y side/ Theo tore hersef free of the
en.ir.ing ar)s in +hat see)ed a perfe.ty natura )anner/
J!o+ 'ad is it> &i.hardAJ she as1ed 8uiety/
J*ust as 'ad as it .an 'e ; and that"s saying a ot/J
JTe )eGJ
!e 'egan to +a1 up and do+n again as he ta1ed/ Theo sat and
+at.hed hi)/ !e +as not to 1no+ that every no+ and then the
roo) +ent di)> and his voi.e faded fro) her hearing> +hie
another roo) in a hote at $over .a)e .eary 'efore her eyes/
0evertheess she )anaged to isten inteigenty enough/ !e .a)e
'a.1 and sat do+n on the .ou.h 'y her/
JFortunatey>J he ended> Jthey .an"t tou.h your )arriage
sette)ent/ The house is yours aso/J
Theo nodded thoughtfuy/
JWe sha have that at any rate>J she said/ JThen everything +i
not 'e too 'adA It )eans a fresh start> that is a/J
J<hG 4uite so/ @es/J
%ut his voi.e did not ring true> and Theo thought suddenyH
JThere"s so)ething ese/ !e hasn"t tod )e everything/J
JThere"s nothing )ore> &i.hardAJ she said genty/ J0othing
+orseAJ
!e hesitated for Dust haf a se.ond> thenH JWorseA What shoud
there 'eAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said Theo/
JIt" 'e a right>J said &i.hard> spea1ing )ore as though to
reassure hi)sef than Theo/ J<f .ourse> it" 'e a right/J
!e fung an ar) a'out her suddeny/
JI") gad you"re here>J he said/ JIt" 'e a right no+ that you"re
here/ Whatever ese happens> I"ve got you> haven"t IAJ
She said gentyH J@es> you"ve got )e/J And this ti)e she eft his
ar) round her/
!e 1issed her and hed her .ose to hi)> as though in so)e
strange +ay he derived .o)fort fro) her nearness/
JI"ve got you> Theo>J he said again presenty> and she ans+ered as
'eforeH J@es> &i.hard/J
!e sipped fro) the .ou.h to the foor at her feet/
JI") tired out>J he said fretfuy/ JMy ,od> it"s 'een a day/ A+fuG I
don"t 1no+ +hat I shoud do if you +eren"t here/ After a> one"s
+ife is one"s +ife> isn"t sheAJ
She did not spea1> ony 'o+ed her head in assent/
!e aid his head on her ap/ The sigh he gave +as i1e that of a
tired .hid/
Theo thought againH JThere"s so)ething he hasn"t tod )e/ What is
itAJ
Me.hani.ay her hand dropped to his s)ooth> dar1 head> and she
stro1ed it genty> as a )other )ight .o)fort a .hid/
&i.hard )ur)ured vagueyH
JIt" 'e a right no+ you"re here/ @ou +on"t et )e do+n/J
!is 'reathing gre+ so+ and even/ !e sept/ !er hand sti
s)oothed his head/
%ut her eyes oo1ed steadiy into the dar1ness in front of her>
seeing nothing/
J$on"t you thin1> &i.hard>J said Theodora> Jthat you"d 'etter te
)e everythingAJ
It +as three days ater/ They +ere in the dra+ing roo) 'efore
dinner/
&i.hard started> and fushed/ JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean>J he
parried/
J$on"t youAJ
!e shot a 8ui.1 gan.e at her/
J<f .ourse there are ; +e ; detais/J
JI ought to 1no+ everything> don"t you thin1> if I a) to hepAJ
!e oo1ed at her strangey/ JWhat )a1es you thin1 I +ant you to
hepAJ
She +as a itte astonished/
JMy dear &i.hard> I") your +ife/J
!e s)ied suddeny> the od> attra.tive> .arefree s)ie/ JSo you
are> Theo/ And a very good;oo1ing +ife> too/ I never .oud stand
ugy +o)en/J
!e 'egan +a1ing up and do+n the roo)> as +as his .usto) +hen
so)ething +as +orrying hi)/
JI +on"t deny you"re right in a +ay>J he said presenty/ JThere is
so)ething/J !e 'ro1e off/
J@es ; J
JIt"s so da)ned hard to eBpain things of this 1ind to +o)en/ They
get hod of the +rong end of the sti.1 ; fan.y a thing is ; +e> +hat
it isn"t/J
Theo said nothing/
J@ou see>J +ent on &i.hard> Jthe a+"s one thing> and right and
+rong are 8uite another/ I )ay do a thing that"s perfe.ty right and
honest> 'ut the a+ +oudn"t ta1e the sa)e vie+ of it/ 0ine ti)es
out of ten> everything pans out a right> and the tenth ti)e you ;
+e> hit a snag/J
Theo 'egan to understand/ She thought to hersefH JWhy a) I not
surprisedA $id I a+ays 1no+> deep do+n> that he +asn"t
straightAJ
&i.hard +ent on ta1ing/ !e eBpained hi)sef at unne.essary
engths/ Theo +as .ontent for hi) to .oa1 the a.tua detais of the
affair in this )ante of ver'osity/ The )atter .on.erned a arge
tra.t of South Afri.an property/ (Ba.ty +hat &i.hard had done>
she +as not .on.erned to 1no+/ Moray> he assured her>
everything +as fair and a'ove'oardI egay ; +e> there it +as> no
getting a+ay fro) the fa.t> he had rendered hi)sef ia'e to
.ri)ina prose.ution/
!e 1ept shooting 8ui.1 gan.es at his +ife as he ta1ed/ !e +as
nervous and un.o)forta'e/ And sti he eB.used hi)sef and tried
to eBpain a+ay that +hi.h a .hid )ight have seen in its na1ed
truth/ Then finay in a 'urst of Dustifi.ation> he 'ro1e do+n/
Perhaps Theo"s eyes> )o)entariy s.ornfu> had so)ething to do
+ith it/ !e san1 do+n in a .hair 'y the firepa.e> his head in his
hands/
JThere it is> Theo>J he said 'ro1eny/ JWhat are you going to do
a'out itAJ
She .a)e over to hi) +ith s.ar.ey a )o)ent"s pause and>
1neeing do+n 'y the .hair> put her fa.e against his/
JWhat .an he done> &i.hardA What .an +e doAJ
!e .aught her to hi)/
J@ou )ean itA @ou" sti.1 to )eAJ
J<f .ourse/ My dear> of .ourse/J
!e said> )oved to sin.erity in spite of hi)sefH JI") a thief> Theo/
That"s +hat it )eans> shorn of fine anguage ; Dust a thief/J
JThen I") a thief"s +ife> &i.hard/ We" sin1 or s+i) together/J
They +ere sient for a itte +hie/ Presenty &i.hard re.overed
so)ething of his Daunty )anner/
J@ou 1no+> Theo> I"ve got a pan> 'ut +e" ta1 of that ater/ It"s Dust
on dinnerti)e/ We )ust go and .hange/ Put on that .rea)y
thingu))y'o' of yours> you 1no+ ; the Caiot )ode/J
Theo raised her eye'ro+s 8ui??i.ay/
JFor an evening at ho)eAJ
J@es> yes> I 1no+/ %ut I i1e it/ Put it on> there"s a good gir/ It
.heers )e up to see you oo1ing your 'est/J
Theo .a)e do+n to dinner in the Caiot/ It +as a .reation in
.rea)y 'ro.ade> +ith a faint pattern of god running through it
and an undernote of pae pin1 to give +ar)th to the .rea)/ It +as
.ut daringy o+ in the 'a.1> and nothing .oud have 'een 'etterdesigned
to sho+ off the da??ing +hiteness of Theo"s ne.1 and
shouders/ She +as truy no+ a )agnoia fo+er/
&i.hard"s eye rested upon her in +ar) approva/ J,ood gir/ @ou
1no+> you oo1 si)py stunning in that dress/J
They +ent in to dinner/ Throughout the evening &i.hard +as
nervous and uni1e hi)sef> Do1ing and aughing a'out nothing at
a> as if in a vain atte)pt to sha1e off his .ares/ Severa ti)es
Theo tried to ead hi) 'a.1 to the su'De.t they had 'een
dis.ussing 'efore> 'ut he edged a+ay fro) it/
Then suddeny> as she rose to go to 'ed> he .a)e to the point/
J0o> don"t go yet/ I"ve got so)ething to say/ @ou 1no+> a'out this
)isera'e 'usiness/J
She sat do+n again/
!e 'egan ta1ing rapidy/ With a 'it of u.1> the +hoe thing .oud
'e hushed up/ !e had .overed his tra.1s fairy +e/ So ong as
.ertain papers didn"t get into the re.eiver"s hands ;
!e stopped signifi.anty/
JPapersAJ as1ed Theo perpeBedy/ J@ou )ean you +i destroy
the)AJ
&i.hard )ade a gri)a.e/
JI"d destroy the) fast enough if I .oud get hod of the)/ That"s the
devi of it aGJ
JWho has the)> thenAJ
JA )an +e 'oth 1no+ ; 7in.ent (aston/J
A very faint eB.a)ation es.aped Theo/ She for.ed it 'a.1> 'ut
&i.hard had noti.ed it/
JI"ve suspe.ted he 1ne+ so)ething of the 'usiness a aong/
That"s +hy I"ve as1ed hi) here a good 'it/ @ou )ay re)e)'er that
I as1ed you to 'e ni.e to hi)AJ
JI re)e)'er>J said Theo/
JSo)eho+ I never see) to have got on reay friendy ter)s +ith
hi)/ $on"t 1no+ +hy/ %ut he i1es you/ I shoud say he i1es you a
good dea/J
Theo said in a very .ear voi.eH J!e does/J
JAhGJ said &i.hard appre.iativey/ JThat"s good/ 0o+ you see +hat
I") driving at/ I") .onvin.ed that if you +ent to 7in.ent (aston and
as1ed hi) to give you those papers> he +oudn"t refuse/ Pretty
+o)an> you 1no+ ; a that sort of thing/J
JI .an"t do that>J said Theo 8ui.1y/
J0onsense/J
JIt"s out of the 8uestion/J
The red .a)e so+y out in 'ot.hes on &i.hard"s fa.e/ She sa+
that he +as angry/
JMy dear gir> I don"t thin1 you 8uite reai?e the position/ If this
.o)es out> I") ia'e to go to prison/ It"s ruin ; disgra.e/J
J7in.ent (aston +i not use those papers against you/ I a) sure of
that/J
JThat"s not 8uite the point/ !e )ayn"t reai?e that they in.ri)inate
)e/ It"s ony ta1en in .onDun.tion +ith ; +ith )y affairs ; +ith the
figures they"re 'ound to find/ <hG I .an"t go into detais/ !e" ruin
)e +ithout 1no+ing +hat he"s doing uness so)e'ody puts the
position 'efore hi)/J
J@ou .an do that yoursef> surey/ Write to hi)/J
JA fat ot of good that +oud 'eG 0o> Theo> +e"ve ony got one
hope/ @ou"re the tru)p .ard/ @ou"re )y +ife/ @ou )ust hep )e/
,o to (aston tonight ; J
A .ry 'ro1e fro) Theo/
J0ot tonight/ To)orro+ perhaps/J
JMy ,od> Theo> .an"t you reai?e thingsA To)orro+ )ay 'e too
ate/ If you .oud go no+ ; at on.e ; to (aston"s roo)s/J !e sa+ her
fin.h> and tried to reassure her/ JI 1no+> )y dear gir> I 1no+/ It"s
a 'easty thing to do/ %ut it"s ife or death/ Theo> you +on"t fai )eA
@ou said you"d do anything to hep )e ; J
Theo heard hersef spea1ing in a hard> dry voi.e/ J0ot this thing/
There are reasons/J
JIt"s ife or death> Theo/ I )ean it/ See here/J
!e snapped open a dra+er of the des1 and too1 out a revover/ If
there +as so)ething theatri.a a'out that a.tion> it es.aped her
noti.e/
JIt"s that or shooting )ysef/ I .an"t fa.e the ra.1et/ If you +on"t do
as I as1 you> I" 'e a dead )an 'efore )orning/ I s+ear to you
soe)ny that that"s the truth/J
Theo gave a o+ .ry/ J0o> &i.hard> not thatGJ
JThen hep )e/J
!e fung the revover do+n on the ta'e and 1net 'y her side/
JTheo> )y daring ; if you ove )e ; if you"ve ever oved )e ; do this
for )e/ @ou"re )y +ife> Theo/ I"ve no one ese to turn to/J
<n and on his voi.e +ent> )ur)uring> peading/ And at ast Theo
heard her o+n voi.e sayingH J7ery +e ; yes/J
&i.hard too1 her to the door and put her into a taBi/
I7
JTheoGJ
7in.ent (aston sprang up in in.reduous deight/ She stood in the
door+ay/ !er +rap of +hite er)ine +as hanging fro) her
shouders/ 0ever> (aston thought> had she oo1ed so 'eautifu/
J@ou"ve .o)e after a/J
She put out a hand to stop hi) as he .a)e to+ards her/
J0o> 7in.ent> this isn"t +hat you thin1/J
She spo1e in a o+> hurried voi.e/
JI") here fro) )y hus'and/ !e thin1s there are so)e papers
+hi.h )ay ; do hi) har)/ I have .o)e to as1 you to give the) to
)e/J
7in.ent stood very sti> oo1ing at her/ Then he gave a short augh/
JSo that"s it> is itA I thought !o'son> *e1y and #u.as sounded
fa)iiar the other day> 'ut I .oudn"t pa.e the) at the )inute/
$idn"t 1no+ your hus'and +as .onne.ted +ith the fir)/ Things
have 'een going +rong there for so)e ti)e/ I +as .o))issioned
to oo1 into the )atter/ I suspe.ted so)e undering/ 0ever thought
of the )an at the top/
Theo said nothing/ 7in.ent oo1ed at her .uriousy/
JIt )a1es no differen.e to you> thisAJ he as1ed/ JThat ; <hG +e> to
put it painy> that your hus'and"s a s+inderA"
She shoo1 her head/
JIt 'eats )e>J said 7in.ent/ Then he added 8uietyH JWi you +ait a
)inute or t+oA I +i get the papers/J
Theo sat do+n in a .hair/ !e +ent into the other roo)/ Presenty
he returned and deivered a s)a pa.1age into her hand/
JThan1 you>J said Theo/ J!ave you a )at.hAJ
Ta1ing the )at.h'oB he proffered> she 1net do+n 'y the
firepa.e/ When the papers +ere redu.ed to a pie of ashes> she
stood up/
JThan1 you>J she said again/
J0ot at a>J he ans+ered for)ay/ J#et )e get you a taBi/J
!e put her into it> sa+ her drive a+ay/ A strange> for)a itte
intervie+/ After the first> they had not even dared oo1 at ea.h
other/ We> that +as that> the end/ !e +oud go a+ay> a'road> try
and forget/
Theo eaned her head out of the +indo+ and spo1e to the taBi
driver/ She .oud not go 'a.1 at on.e to the house in Chesea/ She
)ust have a 'reathing spa.e/ Seeing 7in.ent again had sha1en
her horri'y/ If ony ; if ony/ %ut she pued hersef up/ #ove for her
hus'and she had none ; 'ut she o+ed hi) oyaty/ !e +as do+n>
she )ust sti.1 'y hi)/ Whatever ese he )ight have done> he
oved herI his offen.e had 'een .o))itted against so.iety> not
against her/
The taBi )eandered on through the +ide streets of !a)pstead/
They .a)e out on the heath> and a 'reath of .oo> invigorating air
fanned Theo"s .hee1s/ She had hersef in hand again no+/ The taBi
sped 'a.1 to+ards Chesea/ &i.hard .a)e out to )eet her in the
ha/
JWe>J he de)anded> Jyou"ve 'een a ong ti)e/J
J!ave IAJ
J@es ; a very ong ti)e/ Is it ; a rightAJ
!e foo+ed her> a .unning oo1 in his eyes/ !is hands +ere
sha1ing/
JIt"s ; it"s a right> ehAJ he said again/
JI 'urnt the) )ysef/J
J<hGJ
She +ent on into the study> sin1ing into a 'ig ar).hair/ !er fa.e
+as dead +hite and her +hoe 'ody drooped +ith fatigue/ She
thought to hersefH JIf ony I .oud go to seep no+ and never>
never +a1e up againGJ
&i.hard +as +at.hing her/ !is gan.e> shy> furtive> 1ept .o)ing
and going/ She noti.ed nothing/ She +as 'eyond noti.ing/
JIt +ent off 8uite a right> ehAJ
JI"ve tod you so/J
J@ou"re sure they +ere the right papersA $id you oo1AJ
J0o/J
J%ut then ; J
JI") sure> I te you/ $on"t 'other )e> &i.hard/ I .an"t 'ear any
)ore tonight/J
&i.hard shifted nervousy/
J0o> no/ I") sure/J
!e fidgeted a'out the roo)/ Presenty he .a)e over to her> aid a
hand on her shouder/ She shoo1 it off/
J$on"t tou.h )e/J She tried to augh/ JI") sorry> &i.hard/ My
nerves are on edge/ I fee I .an"t 'ear to 'e tou.hed/J
JI 1no+/ I understand/J
Again he +andered up and do+n/ JTheo>J he 'urst out suddeny/
JI") da)ned sorry/J
JWhatAJ She oo1ed up> vaguey started/
JI oughtn"t to have et you go there at this ti)e of night/ I never
drea)ed that you"d 'e su'De.ted to any ; unpeasantness/""
J2npeasantnessAJ She aughed/ The +ord see)ed to a)use her/
J@ou don"t 1no+G <h> &i.hard> you don"t 1no+GJ
JI don"t 1no+ +hatAJ
She said very gravey> oo1ing straight in front of herH JWhat this
night has .ost )e/J
JMy ,odG TheoG I never )eant ; @ou ; you did that> for )eA The
s+ineG Theo ; Theo ; I .oudn"t have 1no+n/ I .oudn"t have
guessed/ My ,odGJ
!e +as 1neeing 'y her no+ sta))ering> his ar)s round her> and
she turned and oo1ed at hi) +ith faint surprise> as though his
+ords had at ast reay penetrated to her attention/
JI ; I never )eant ; J
J@ou never )eant +hat> &i.hardAJ
!er voi.e started hi)/
JTe )e/ What +as it that you never )eantAJ
JTheo> don"t et us spea1 of it/ I don"t +ant to 1no+/ I +ant never to
thin1 of it/J
She +as staring at hi)> +ide a+a1e no+> +ith every fa.uty aert/
!er +ords .a)e .ear and distin.tH J@ou never )eant ; What do
you thin1 happenedAJ
JIt didn"t happen> Theo/ #et"s say it didn"t happen/J
And sti she stared> ti the truth 'egan to .o)e to her/ J@ou thin1
that ; J
JI don"t +ant ; J
She interrupted hi)H J@ou thin1 that 7in.ent (aston as1ed a pri.e
for those ettersA @ou thin1 that I ; paid hi)AJ
&i.hard said +ea1y and un.onvin.ingyH JI ; I never drea)ed he
+as that 1ind of )an/J
7
J$idn"t youAJ She oo1ed at hi) sear.hingy/ !is eyes fe 'efore
hers/
JWhy did you as1 )e to put on this dress this eveningA Why did
you send )e there aone at this ti)e of nightA @ou guessed he ;
.ared for )e/ @ou +anted to save your s1in ; save it at any .ost ;
even at the .ost of )y honour/J
She got up/ JI see no+/ @ou )eant that fro) the 'eginning ; or at
east you sa+ it as a possi'iity> and it didn"t deter you/J
JTheo ; J
J@ou .an"t deny it/ &i.hard> I thought I 1ne+ a there +as to 1no+
a'out you years ago/ I"ve 1no+n a)ost fro) the first that you
+eren"t straight as regards the +ord/ %ut I thought you +ere
straight +ith )e/J
JTheo ; J
JCan you deny +hat I"ve Dust 'een sayingAJ
!e +as sient> in spite of hi)sef/
J#isten> &i.hard/ There is so)ething I )ust te you/ Three days
ago +hen this 'o+ fe on you> the servants tod you I +as a+ay ;
gone to the .ountry/ That +as ony party true/ I had gone a+ay
+ith 7in.ent (aston/J
&i.hard )ade an inarti.uate sound/ She hed out a hand to stop
hi)/
JWait/ We +ere at $over/ I sa+ a paper ; I reai?ed +hat had
happened/ Then> as you 1no+> I .a)e 'a.1/J
She paused/
&i.hard .aught her 'y the +rist/ !is eyes 'urnt into hers/ J@ou
.a)e 'a.1 ; in ti)eAJ
Theo gave a short> 'itter augh/ J@es> I .a)e 'a.1> as you say> "in
ti)e>" &i.hard/J
!er hus'and rein8uished his hod on her ar)/ !e stood 'y the
)antepie.e> his head thro+n 'a.1/ !e oo1ed handso)e and
rather no'e/
JIn that .ase>J he said> JI .an forgive/J
JI .annot/J
The t+o +ords .a)e .rispy/ They had the se)'an.e and the
effe.t of a 'o)' in the 8uiet roo)/ &i.hard started for+ard>
staring> his Da+ dropped +ith an a)ost udi.rous effe.t/
J@ou ; er ; +hat did you say> TheoAJ
JI said I .annot forgiveG In eaving you for another )an> I sinned ;
not te.hni.ay> perhaps> 'ut in intention> +hi.h is the sa)e thing/
%ut if I sinned> I sinned through ove/ @ou> too> have not 'een
faithfu to )e sin.e our )arriage/ <h> yes> I 1no+/ That I forgave>
'e.ause I reay 'eieved in your ove for )e/ %ut the thing you
have done tonight is different/ It is an ugy thing> &i.hard ; a thing
no +o)an shoud forgive/ @ou sod )e> your o+n +ife> to
pur.hase safetyGJ
She pi.1ed up her +rap and turned to+ards the door/
JTheo>J he sta))ered out> J+here are you goingAJ
She oo1ed 'a.1 over her shouder at hi)/
JWe a have to pay in this ife> &i.hard/ For )y sin I )ust pay in
oneiness/ For yours ; +e> you ga)'ed +ith the thing you ove>
and you have ost itGJ
J@ou are goingAJ
She dre+ a ong 'reath/ JTo freedo)/ There is nothing to 'ind )e
here/J
!e heard the door shut/ Ages passed> or +as it a fe+ )inutesA
So)ething futtered do+n outside the +indo+ ; the ast of the
)agnoia petas> soft> fragrant/
C<0T(0TS
The !ouse of $rea)s
The A.tress 9A Trap for the 2n+ary:
The (dge
Christ)as Adventure 9The Theft of the &oya &u'y:
The #oney ,od
ManB ,od
Within a Wa
The Mystery of the %aghdad Chest
Whie the #ight #asts
T!( !<2S( <F $&(AMS
This is the story of *ohn Segrave ; of his ife> +hi.h +as unsatisfa.toryI
of his ove> +hi.h +as unsatisfiedI of his drea)s> and of his deathI and
if in the t+o atter he found +hat +as denied in the t+o for)er> then his
ife )ay> after a> 'e ta1en as a su..ess/ Who 1no+sA
*ohn Segrave .a)e of a fa)iy +hi.h had 'een so+y going do+n the
hi for the ast .entury/ They had 'een ando+ners sin.e the days of
(i?a'eth> 'ut their ast pie.e of property +as sod/ It +as thought +e
that one of the sons at east shoud a.8uire the usefu art of )oney)a1ing/
It +as an un.ons.ious irony of Fate that *ohn shoud 'e the
one .hosen/
With his strangey sensitive )outh> and the ong dar1 'ue sits of eyes
that suggested an ef or a faun> so)ething +id and of the +oods> it
+as in.ongruous that he shoud 'e offered up> a sa.rifi.e on the atar
of Finan.e/ The s)e of the earth> the taste of the sea sat on one"s
ips> and the free s1y a'ove one"s head ; these +ere the things 'eoved
'y *ohn Segrave> to +hi.h he +as to 'id fare+e/
At the age of eighteen he 'e.a)e a Dunior .er1 in a 'ig 'usiness
house/ Seven years ater he +as sti a .er1> not 8uite so Dunior> 'ut
+ith status other+ise un.hanged/ The fa.uty for Jgetting on in the
+ordJ had 'een o)itted fro) his )a1eup/ !e +as pun.tua>
industrious> podding ; a .er1 and nothing 'ut a .er1/ And yet he
)ight have 'een ; +hatA !e .oud hardy ans+er that 8uestion hi)sef>
'ut he .oud not rid hi)sef of the .onvi.tion that so)e+here there
+as a ife in +hi.h he .oud have ; .ounted/ There +as po+er in hi)>
s+iftness of vision> a so)ething of +hi.h his feo+ toiers had never
had a gi)pse/ They i1ed hi)/ !e +as popuar 'e.ause of his air of
.areess friendship> and they never appre.iated the fa.t that he
'arred the) out 'y that sa)e )anner fro) any rea inti)a.y/
The drea) .a)e to hi) suddeny/ It +as no .hidish fantasy gro+ing
and deveoping through the years/ It .a)e on a )idsu))er night> or
rather eary )orning> and he +o1e fro) it tinging a over> striving to
hod it to hi) as it fed> sipping fro) his .ut.h in the eusive +ay
drea)s have/
$esperatey he .ung to it/ It )ust not go ; it )ust not ; !e )ust
re)e)'er the house/ It +as the !ouse> of .ourseG The !ouse he 1ne+
so +e/ Was it a rea house> or did he )erey 1no+ it in drea)sA !e
didn"t re)e)'er ; 'ut he .ertainy 1ne+ it ; 1ne+ it very +e/
The faint grey ight of the eary )orning +as steaing into the roo)/
The stiness +as eBtraordinary/ At 4HF6 a/)/ #ondon> +eary #ondon>
found her 'rief instant of pea.e/
*ohn Segrave ay 8uiet> +rapped in the Doy> the eB8uisite +onder and
'eauty of his drea)/ !o+ .ever it had 'een of hi) to re)e)'er itG A
drea) fitted so 8ui.1y as a rue> ran past you Dust as +ith +a1ing
.ons.iousness your .u)sy fingers sought to stop and hod it/ %ut he
had 'een too 8ui.1 for this drea)G !e had sei?ed it as it +as sipping
s+ifty 'y hi)/
It +as reay a )ost re)ar1a'e drea)G There +as the house and ; !is
thoughts +ere 'rought up +ith a Der1> for +hen he .a)e to thin1 of it>
he .oudn"t re)e)'er anything 'ut the house/ And suddeny> +ith a
tinge of disappoint)ent> he re.ogni?ed that> after a> the house +as
8uite strange to hi)/ !e hadn"t even drea)ed of it 'efore/
It +as a +hite house> standing on high ground/ There +ere trees near
it> 'ue his in the distan.e> 'ut its pe.uiar .har) +as independent of
surroundings for 9and this +as the point> the .i)aB of the drea): it
+as a 'eautifu> a strangey 'eautifu house/ !is puses 8ui.1ened as
he re)e)'ered ane+ the strange 'eauty of the house/
The outside of it> of .ourse> for he hadn"t 'een inside/ There had 'een
no 8uestion of that ; no 8uestion of it +hatsoever/
Then> as the dingy outines of his 'ed;sitting;roo) 'egan to ta1e shape
in the gro+ing ight> he eBperien.ed the disiusion of the drea)er/
Perhaps> after a> his drea) hadn"t 'een so very +onderfu ; or had the
+onderfu> the eBpanatory part> sipped past hi)> and aughed at his
ineffe.tua .ut.hing handsA A +hite house> standing on high ground ;
there +asn"t )u.h there to get eB.ited a'out> surey/ It +as rather a
'ig house> he re)e)'ered> +ith a ot of +indo+s in it> and the 'inds
+ere a do+n> not 'e.ause the peope +ere a+ay 9he +as sure of
that:> 'ut 'e.ause it +as so eary that no one +as up yet/
Then he aughed at the a'surdity of his i)aginings> and re)e)'ered
that he +as to dine +ith Mr/ Wetter)an that night/
Maisie Wetter)an +as &udof Wetter)an"s ony daughter> and she had
'een a..usto)ed a her ife to having eBa.ty +hat she +anted/
Paying a visit to her father"s offi.e one day> she had noti.ed *ohn
Segrave/ !e had 'rought in so)e etters that her father had as1ed for/
When he had departed again> she as1ed her father a'out hi)/
Wetter)an +as .o))uni.ative/
J<ne of Sir (d+ard Segrave"s sons/ Fine od fa)iy> 'ut on its ast egs/
This 'oy +i never set the Tha)es on fire/ I i1e hi) a right> 'ut
there"s nothing to hi)/ 0o pun.h of any 1ind/J
Maisie +as> perhaps> indifferent to pun.h/ It +as a 8uaity vaued )ore
'y her parent than hersef/ Any+ay> a fortnight ater she persuaded
her father to as1 *ohn Segrave to dinner/ It +as an inti)ate dinner>
hersef and her father> *ohn Segrave> and a girfriend +ho +as staying
+ith her/
The girfriend +as )oved to )a1e a fe+ re)ar1s/
J<n approva> I suppose> MaisieA #ater> father +i do it up in a ni.e
itte par.e and 'ring it ho)e fro) the .ity as a present to his dear
itte daughter> duy 'ought and paid for/J
JAegraG @ou are the i)it/J
Aegra -err aughed/
J@ou do ta1e fan.ies> you 1no+> Maisie/ I i1e that hat ; I )ust have itG If
hats> +hy not hus'andsAJ
J$on"t 'e a'surd/ I"ve hardy spo1en to hi) yet/J
J0o/ %ut you"ve )ade up your )ind>J said the other gir/ JWhat"s the
attra.tion> MaisieAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said Maisie Wetter)an so+y/ J!e"s ; different/J
J$ifferentAJ
J@es/ I .an"t eBpain/ !e"s good;oo1ing> you 1no+> in a 8ueer sort of
+ay> 'ut it"s not that/ !e"s a +ay of not seeing you"re there/ &eay> I
don"t 'eieve he as )u.h as gan.ed at )e that day in father"s offi.e/J
Aegra aughed/
JThat"s an od tri.1/ &ather an astute young )an> I shoud say/J
JAegra> you"re hatefuGJ
JCheer up> daring/ Father +i 'uy a +ooy a)' for his itte
Maisie1ins/J
JI don"t +ant it to 'e i1e that/J
J#ove +ith a .apita #/ Is that itAJ
JWhy shoudn"t he fa in ove +ith )eAJ
J0o reason at a/ I eBpe.t he +i/J
Aegra s)ied as she spo1e> and et her gan.e s+eep over the other/
Maisie Wetter)an +as short ; in.ined to 'e pu)p ; she had dar1 hair>
+e shinged and artisti.ay +aved/ !er naturay good .o)peBion
+as enhan.ed 'y the atest .oors in po+der and ipsti.1/ She had a
good )outh and teeth> dar1 eyes> rather s)a and t+in1y> and a Da+
and .hin sighty on the heavy side/ She +as 'eautifuy dressed/
J@es>J said Aegra> finishing her s.rutiny/ JI"ve no dou't he +i/ The
+hoe effe.t is reay very good> Maisie/J
!er friend oo1ed at her dou'tfuy/
JI )ean it>J said Aegra/ JI )ean it ; honor 'right/ %ut Dust supposing>
for the sa1e of argu)ent> that he shoudn"t/ Fa in ove> I )ean/
Suppose his affe.tion to 'e.o)e sin.ere> 'ut patoni./ What thenAJ
JI )ay not i1e hi) at a +hen I 1no+ hi) 'etter/J
J4uite so/ <n the other hand you )ay i1e hi) very )u.h indeed/ And
in that atter .ase ;J
Maisie shrugged her shouders/
JI shoud hope I"ve too )u.h pride ;J
Aegra interrupted/
JPride .o)es in handy for )as1ing one"s feeings ; it doesn"t stop you
fro) feeing the)/J
JWe>J said Maisie> fushed/ JI don"t see +hy I shoudn"t say it/ I a) a
very good )at.h/ I )ean fro) his point of vie+> father"s daughter and
everything/J
JPartnership in the offing> et .etera>J said Aegra/ J@es> Maisie/ @ou"re
father"s daughter> a right/ I") a+fuy peased/ I do i1e )y friends to
run true to type/J
The faint )o.1ery of her tone )ade the other uneasy/
J@ou are hatefu> Aegra/J
J%ut sti)uating> daring/ That"s +hy you have )e here/ I") a student of
history> you 1no+> and it a+ays intrigued )e +hy the .ourt Dester +as
per)itted and en.ouraged/ 0o+ that I") one )ysef> I see the point/
It"s rather a good rUe> you see> I had to do so)ething/ There +as I>
proud and penniess i1e the heroine of a noveette> +e 'orn and
'ady edu.ated/ "What to do> girA ,od +ot>" saith she/ The poor
reation type of gir> a +iingness to do +ithout a fire in her roo) and
.ontent to do odd Do's and "hep dear Cousin So;and;So>" I o'served to
'e at a pre)iu)/ 0o'ody reay +ants her ; eB.ept those peope +ho
.an"t 1eep their servants> and they treat her i1e a gaey save/
JSo I 'e.a)e the .ourt foo/ Insoen.e> pain spea1ing> a dash of +it
no+ and again 9not too )u.h est I shoud have to ive up to it:> and
'ehind it a> a very shre+d o'servation of hu)an nature/ Peope
rather i1e 'eing tod ho+ horri'e they reay are/ That"s +hy they
fo.1 to popuar prea.hers/ It"s 'een a great su..ess/ I") a+ays
over+he)ed +ith invitations/ I .an ive on )y friends +ith the greatest
ease> and I") .arefu to )a1e no preten.e of gratitude/J
JThere"s no one 8uite i1e you> Aegra/ @ou don"t )ind in the east +hat
you say/J
JThat"s +here you"re +rong/ I )ind very )u.h ; I ta1e .are and thought
a'out the )atter/ My see)ing outspo1enness is a+ays .a.uated/ I"ve
got to 'e .arefu/ This Do' has got to .arry )e on to od age/J
JWhy not )arryA I 1no+ heaps of peope have as1ed you/J
Aegra"s fa.e gre+ suddeny hard/
JI .an never )arry/J
J%e.ause ;J Maisie eft the senten.e unfinished> oo1ing at her friend/
The atter gave a short nod of assent/
Footsteps +ere heard on the stairs/ The 'uter thre+ open the door
and announ.edH
JMr/ Segrave/J
*ohn .a)e in +ithout any parti.uar enthusias)/ !e .oudn"t i)agine
+hy the od 'oy had as1ed hi)/ If he .oud have got out of it he +oud
have done so/ The house depressed hi)> +ith its soid )agnifi.en.e
and the soft pie of its .arpet/
A gir .a)e for+ard and shoo1 hands +ith hi)/ !e re)e)'ered
vaguey having seen her one day in her father"s offi.e/
J!o+ do you do> Mr/ SegraveA Mr/ Segrave ; Miss -err/J
Then he +o1e/ Who +as sheA Where did she .o)e fro)A Fro) the
fa)e;.oored draperies that foated round her> to the tiny Mer.ury
+ings on her s)a ,ree1 head> she +as a 'eing transitory and
fugitive> standing out against the du 'a.1ground +ith an effe.t of
unreaity/
&udoph Wetter)an .a)e in> his 'road eBpanse of gea)ing shirtfront
.rea1ing as he +a1ed/ They +ent do+n infor)ay to dinner/
Aegra -err ta1ed to her host/ *ohn Segrave had to devote hi)sef to
Maisie/ %ut his +hoe )ind +as on the gir on the other side of hi)/ She
+as )arveousy effe.tive/ !er effe.tiveness +as> he thought> )ore
studied than natura/ %ut 'ehind a that> there ay so)ething ese/
Fi.1ering fire> fitfu> .apri.ious> i1e the +i;o";the;+isps that of od
ured )en into the )arshes/
At ast he got a .han.e to spea1 to her/ Maisie +as giving her father a
)essage fro) so)e friend she had )et that day/ 0o+ that the )o)ent
had .o)e> he +as tongue;tied/ !is gan.e peaded +ith her du)'y/
J$inner;ta'e topi.s>J she said ighty/ JSha +e start +ith the
theatres> or +ith one of those innu)era'e openings> 'eginning> "$o
you i1e ;A"J
*ohn aughed/
JAnd if +e find +e 'oth i1e dogs and disi1e sandy .ats> it +i for)
+hat is .aed a "'ond" 'et+een usAJ
JAssuredy>J said Aegra gravey/
JIt is> I thin1> a pity to 'egin +ith a .ate.his)/J
J@et it puts .onversation +ithin the rea.h of a/J
JTrue> 'ut +ith disastrous resuts/J
JIt is usefu to 1no+ the rues ; if ony to 'rea1 the)/J
*ohn s)ied at her/
JI ta1e it> then> that you and I +i induge our persona vagaries/ (ven
though +e dispay there'y the genius that is a1in to )adness/J
With a sharp unguarded )ove)ent> the gir"s hand s+ept a +inegass
off the ta'e/ There +as the tin1e of 'ro1en gass/ Maisie and her
father stopped spea1ing/
JI") so sorry> Mr/ Wetter)an/ I") thro+ing gasses on the foor/J
JMy dear Aegra> it doesn"t )atter at a> not at a/J %eneath his 'reath
*ohn Segrave said 8ui.1yH J%ro1en gass/ That"s 'ad u.1/ I +ish ; it
hadn"t happened/J
J$on"t +orry/ !o+ does it goA "I u.1 thou .anst not 'ring +here i
u.1 has its ho)e/"J
She turned on.e )ore to Wetter)an/ *ohn> resu)ing .onversation
+ith Maisie> tried to pa.e the 8uotation/ !e got it at ast/ They +ere
the +ords used 'y Sieginde in the Wa1fre +hen Sig)und offers to
eave the house/
!e thoughtH J$id she )ean ;J
%ut Maisie +as as1ing his opinion of the atest revue/ Soon he had
ad)itted that he +as fond of )usi./
JAfter dinner>J said Maisie> J+e" )a1e Aegra pay for us/J
They a +ent up to the dra+ing roo) together/ Se.rety> Wetter)an
.onsidered it a 'ar'arous .usto)/
!e i1ed the ponderous gravity of the +ine passing round> the handed
.igars/ %ut perhaps it +as as +e tonight/ !e didn"t 1no+ +hat on
earth he .oud find to say to young Segrave/ Maisie +as too 'ad +ith
her +hi)s/ It +asn"t as though the feo+ +ere good;oo1ing ; reay
good;oo1ing ; and .ertainy he +asn"t a)using/ !e +as gad +hen
Maisie as1ed Aegra -err to pay/ They"d get through the evening
sooner/ The young idiot didn"t even pay 'ridge/
Aegra payed +e> though +ithout the sure tou.h of a professiona/
She payed )odern )usi.> $e'ussy and Strauss> a itte S.ria'ine/
Then she dropped into the first )ove)ent of %eethoven"s Path=ti8ue>
that eBpression of a grief that is infinite> a sorro+ that is endess and
vast as the ages> 'ut in +hi.h fro) end to end 'reathes the spirit that
+i not a..ept defeat/ In the soe)nity of undying +oe> it )oves +ith
the rhyth) of the .on8ueror to its fina doo)/
To+ards the end she fatered> her fingers stru.1 a dis.ord> and she
'ro1e off a'rupty/ She oo1ed a.ross at Maisie and aughed
)o.1ingy/
J@ou see>J she said/ JThey +on"t et )e/J
Then> +ithout +aiting for a repy to her so)e+hat enig)ati.a re)ar1>
she punged into a strange haunting )eody> a thing of +eird
har)onies and .urious )easured rhyth)> 8uite uni1e anything
Segrave had ever heard 'efore/ It +as dei.ate as the fight of a 'ird>
poised> hovering ; Suddeny> +ithout the east +arning> it turned into a
)ere dis.ordant Dange of notes> and Aegra rose aughing fro) the
piano/
In spite of her augh> she oo1ed distur'ed and a)ost frightened/ She
sat do+n 'y Maisie> and *ohn heard the atter say in a o+ tone to herH
J@ou shoudn"t do it/ @ou reay shoudn"t do it/J
JWhat +as the ast thingAJ *ohn as1ed eagery/
JSo)ething of )y o+n/J
She spo1e sharpy and .urty/ Wetter)an .hanged the su'De.t/
That night *ohn Segrave drea)ed again of the !ouse/
*ohn +as unhappy/ !is ife +as ir1so)e to hi) as never 'efore/ 2p to
no+ he had a..epted it patienty ; a disagreea'e ne.essity> 'ut one
+hi.h eft his inner freedo) essentiay untou.hed/ 0o+ a that +as
.hanged/ The outer +ord and the inner inter)inged/
!e did not disguise to hi)sef the reason for the .hange/ !e had faen
in ove at first sight +ith Aegra -err/ What +as he going to do a'out
itA
!e had 'een too 'e+idered that first night to )a1e any pans/ !e had
not even tried to see her again/ A itte ater> +hen Maisie Wetter)an
as1ed hi) do+n to her father"s pa.e in the .ountry for a +ee1end> he
+ent eagery> 'ut he +as disappointed> for Aegra +as not there/
!e )entioned her on.e> tentativey> to Maisie> and she tod hi) that
Aegra +as up in S.otand paying a visit/ !e eft it at that/ !e +oud
have i1ed to go on ta1ing a'out her> 'ut the +ords see)ed to sti.1 in
his throat/
Maisie +as pu??ed 'y hi) that +ee1end/ !e didn"t appear to see ;
+e> to see +hat +as so painy to 'e seen/ She +as a dire.t young
+o)an in her )ethods> 'ut dire.tness +as ost upon *ohn/ !e thought
her 1ind> 'ut a itte overpo+ering/
@et the Fates +ere stronger than Maisie/ They +ied that *ohn shoud
see Aegra again/
They )et in the par1 one Sunday afternoon/ !e had seen her fro) far
off> and his heart thu)ped against the side of his ri's/ Supposing she
shoud have forgotten hi) ;
%ut she had not forgotten/ She stopped and spo1e/ In a fe+ )inutes
they +ere +a1ing side 'y side> stri1ing out a.ross the grass/ !e +as
ridi.uousy happy/
!e said suddeny and uneBpe.tedyH J$o you 'eieve in drea)sAJ
JI 'eieve in night)ares/J
The harshness of her voi.e started hi)/
J0ight)ares>J he said stupidy/ JI didn"t )ean night)ares/J
Aegra oo1ed at hi)/
J0o>J she said/ JThere have 'een no night)ares in your ife/ I .an see
that/J
!er voi.e +as gente ; different ;
!e tod her then of his drea) of the +hite house> sta))ering a itte/
!e had had it no+ siB ; no> seven ti)es/ A+ays the sa)e/ It +as
'eautifu ; so 'eautifuG
!e +ent on/
J@ou see ; it"s to do +ith you ; in so)e +ay/ I had it first the night 'efore
I )et you ;J
JTo do +ith )eAJ She aughed ; a short 'itter augh/ J<h> no> that"s
i)possi'e/ The house +as 'eautifu/J
JSo are you>J said *ohn Segrave/
Aegra fushed a itte +ith annoyan.e/
JI") sorry ; I +as stupid/ I see)ed to as1 for a .o)pi)ent> didn"t IA %ut
I didn"t reay )ean that at a/ The outside of )e is a right> I 1no+/J
JI haven"t seen the inside of the house yet>J said *ohn Segrave/ JWhen
I do I 1no+ it +i 'e 8uite as 'eautifu as the outside/J
!e spo1e so+y and gravey> giving the +ords a )eaning that she
.hose to ignore/
JThere is so)ething )ore I +ant to te you ; if you +i isten/J
JI +i isten>J said Aegra/
JI a) .hu.1ing up this Do' of )ine/ I ought to have done it ong ago ; I
see that no+/ I have 'een .ontent to drift aong 1no+ing I +as an utter
faiure> +ithout .aring )u.h> Dust iving fro) day to day/ A )an
shoudn"t do that/ It"s a )an"s 'usiness to find so)ething he .an do
and )a1e a su..ess of it/ I") .hu.1ing this> and ta1ing on so)ething
ese ; 8uite a different sort of thing/ It"s a 1ind of eBpedition in West
Afri.a ; I .an"t te you the detais/ They"re not supposed to 'e 1no+nI
'ut if it .o)es off +e> I sha 'e a ri.h )an/J
JSo you> too> .ount su..ess in ter)s of )oneyAJ
JMoney>J said *ohn Segrave> J)eans Dust one thing to )e ; youG When I
.o)e 'a.1 ;J he paused/
She 'ent her head/ !er fa.e had gro+n very pae/
JI +on"t pretend to )isunderstand/ That"s +hy I )ust te you no+>
on.e and for aH I sha never )arry/J
!e stayed a itte +hie .onsidering> then he said very gentyH
JCan"t you te )e +hyAJ
JI .oud> 'ut )ore than anything in the +ord I +ant not to te you/J
Again he +as sient> then he oo1ed up suddeny and a singuary
attra.tive s)ie iu)ined his faun"s fa.e/
JI see>J he said/ JSo you +on"t et )e .o)e inside the !ouse ; not even
to peep in for a se.ondA The 'inds are to stay do+n/J
Aegra eaned for+ard and aid her hand on his/
JI +i te you this )u.h/ @ou drea) of your !ouse/ %ut I ; I don"t
drea)/ My drea)s are night)aresGJ
And on that she eft hi)> a'rupty> dis.on.ertingy/ That night> on.e
)ore> he drea)ed/ <f ate> he had reai?ed that the !ouse +as )ost
.ertainy tenanted/ !e had seen a hand dra+ aside the 'inds> had
.aught gi)pses of )oving figures +ithin/
Tonight the !ouse see)ed fairer than it had ever done 'efore/ Its
+hite +as shone in the sunight/ The pea.e and the 'eauty of it +ere
.o)pete/
Then> suddeny> he 'e.a)e a+are of a fuer rippe of the +aves of Doy/
So)eone +as .o)ing to the +indo+/ !e 1ne+ it/ A hand> the sa)e
hand that he had seen 'efore> aid hod of the 'ind> dra+ing it 'a.1/ In
a )inute he +oud see ;
!e +as a+a1e ; sti 8uivering +ith the horror> the unuttera'e oathing
of the Thing that had oo1ed out at hi) fro) the +indo+ of the !ouse/
It +as a Thing uttery and +hoy horri'e> a Thing so vie and
oathso)e that the )ere re)e)'ran.e of it )ade hi) fee si.1/ And he
1ne+ that the )ost unuttera'y and horri'y vie thing a'out it +as its
presen.e in that !ouse ; the !ouse of %eauty/
For +here that Thing a'ode +as horror ; horror that rose up and se+
the pea.e and the serenity +hi.h +ere the 'irthright of the !ouse/ The
'eauty> the +onderfu i))orta 'eauty of the !ouse +as destroyed for
ever> for +ithin its hoy .onse.rated +as there d+et the Shado+ of
an 2n.ean ThingG
If ever again he shoud drea) of the !ouse> Segrave 1ne+ he +oud
a+a1e at on.e +ith a start of terror> est fro) its +hite 'eauty that
Thing )ight suddeny oo1 out at hi)/
The foo+ing evening> +hen he eft the offi.e> he +ent straight to the
Wetter)ans" house/ !e )ust see Aegra -err/ Maisie +oud te hi)
+here she +as to 'e found/
!e never noti.ed the eager ight that fashed into Maisie"s eyes as he
+as sho+n in> and she Du)ped up to greet hi)/ !e sta))ered out his
re8uest at on.e> +ith her hand sti in his/
JMiss -err/ I )et her yesterday> 'ut I don"t 1no+ +here she"s staying/J
!e did not fee Maisie"s hand gro+ i)p in his as she +ithdre+ it/ The
sudden .odness of her voi.e tod hi) nothing/
JAegra is here ; staying +ith us/ %ut I") afraid you .an"t see her/J
J%ut ;J
J@ou see> her )other died this )orning/ We"ve Dust had the ne+s/J
J<hGJ !e +as ta1en a'a.1/
JIt is a very sad>J said Maisie/ She hesitated Dust a )inute> then +ent
on/ J@ou see> she died in ; +e> pra.ti.ay an asyu)/ There"s insanity
in the fa)iy/ The grandfather shot hi)sef> and one of Aegra"s aunts
is a hopeess i)'e.ie> and another dro+ned hersef/J
*ohn Segrave )ade an inarti.uate sound/
JI thought I ought to te you>J said Maisie virtuousy/ JWe"re su.h
friends> aren"t +eA And of .ourse Aegra is very attra.tive/ #ots of
peope have as1ed her to )arry the)> 'ut naturay she +on"t )arry at
a ; she .oudn"t> .oud sheAJ
JShe"s a right>J said Segrave/ JThere"s nothing +rong +ith her/J
!is voi.e sounded hoarse and unnatura in his o+n ears/
J<ne never 1no+sI her )other +as 8uite a right +hen she +as young/
And she +asn"t Dust ; pe.uiar> you 1no+/ She +as 8uite raving )ad/
It"s a dreadfu thing ; insanity/J
J@es>J he said> Jit"s a )ost a+fu Thing ;J
!e 1ne+ no+ +hat it +as that had oo1ed at hi) fro) the +indo+ of
the !ouse/
Maisie +as sti ta1ing on/ !e interrupted her 'rus8uey/
JI reay .a)e to say good;'ye ; and to than1 you for a your
1indness/J
J@ou"re not ; going a+ayAJ
There +as aar) in her voi.e/
!e s)ied side+ays at her ; a .roo1ed s)ie> patheti. and attra.tive/
J@es>J he said/ JTo Afri.a/J
JAfri.aGJ
Maisie e.hoed the +ord 'an1y/ %efore she .oud pu hersef together
he had sha1en her 'y the hand and gone/ She +as eft standing there>
her hands .en.hed 'y her sides> an angry spot of .oor in ea.h .hee1/
%eo+> on the doorstep> *ohn Segrave .a)e fa.e to fa.e +ith Aegra
.o)ing in fro) the street/ She +as in 'a.1> her fa.e +hite and
ifeess/ She too1 one gan.e at hi) then dre+ hi) into a s)a )orning
roo)/
JMaisie tod you>J she said/ J@ou 1no+AJ
!e nodded/
J%ut +hat does it )atterA @ou"re a right/ It ; it eaves so)e peope
out/J
She oo1ed at hi) so)'ery> )ournfuy/
J@ou are a right>J he repeated/
JI don"t 1no+>J she a)ost +hispered it/ JI don"t 1no+/ I tod you ;
a'out )y drea)s/ And +hen I pay ; +hen I") at the piano ; those
others .o)e and ta1e hod of )y hands/J
!e +as staring at her ; paray?ed/ For one instant> as she spo1e>
so)ething oo1ed out fro) her eyes/ It +as gone in a fash ; 'ut he
1ne+ it/ It +as the Thing that had oo1ed out fro) the !ouse/
She .aught his )o)entary re.oi/
J@ou see>J she +hispered/ J@ou see ; %ut I +ish Maisie hadn"t tod you/
It ta1es everything fro) you/J
J(verythingAJ
J@es/ There +on"t even 'e the drea)s eft/ For no+ ; you" never dare
to drea) of the !ouse again/J
The West Afri.an sun poured do+n> and the heat +as intense/
*ohn Segrave .ontinued to )oan/
JI .an"t find it/ I .an"t find it/J
The itte (ngish do.tor +ith the red head and the tre)endous Da+
s.o+ed do+n upon his patient in that 'uying )anner +hi.h he had
)ade his o+n/
J!e"s a+ays saying that/ What does he )eanAJ
J!e spea1s> I thin1> of a house> )onsieur/J The soft;voi.ed Sister of
Charity fro) the &o)an Cathoi. Mission spo1e +ith her gente
deta.h)ent> as she too oo1ed do+n on the stri.1en )an/
JA house> ehA We> he"s got to get it out of his head> or +e shan"t pu
hi) through/ It"s on his )ind/ SegraveG SegraveGJ
The +andering attention +as fiBed/ The eyes rested +ith re.ognition
on the do.tor"s fa.e/
J#oo1 here> you"re going to pu through/ I") going to pu you through/
%ut you"ve got to stop +orrying a'out this house/ It .an"t run a+ay> you
1no+/ So don"t 'other a'out oo1ing for it no+/J
JA right/J !e see)ed o'edient/ JI suppose it .an"t very +e run a+ay
if it"s never 'een there at a/J
J<f .ourse notGJ The do.tor aughed his .heery augh/ J0o+ you" 'e
a right in no ti)e/J And +ith a 'oisterous 'untness of )anner he too1
his departure/
Segrave ay thin1ing/ The fever had a'ated for the )o)ent> and he
.oud thin1 .eary and u.idy/ !e )ust find that !ouse/
For ten years he had dreaded finding it ; the thought that he )ight
.o)e upon it una+ares had 'een his greatest terror/ And then> he
re)e)'ered> +hen his fears +ere 8uite ued to rest> one day it had
found hi)/ !e re.aed .eary his first haunting terror> and then his
sudden> his eB8uisite> reief/ For> after a> the !ouse +as e)ptyG
4uite e)pty and eB8uisitey pea.efu/ It +as as he re)e)'ered it ten
years 'efore/ !e had not forgotten/ There +as a huge 'a.1 furniture
van )oving so+y a+ay fro) the !ouse/ The ast tenant> of .ourse>
)oving out +ith his goods/ !e +ent up to the )en in .harge of the van
and spo1e to the)/ There +as so)ething rather sinister a'out that
van> it +as so very 'a.1/ The horses +ere 'a.1> too> +ith freey
fo+ing )anes and tais> and the )en a +ore 'a.1 .othes and
goves/ It a re)inded hi) of so)ething ese> so)ething that he
.oudn"t re)e)'er/
@es> he had 'een 8uite right/ The ast tenant +as )oving out> as his
ease +as up/ The !ouse +as to stand e)pty for the present> unti the
o+ner .a)e 'a.1 fro) a'road/
And +a1ing> he had 'een fu of the pea.efu 'eauty of the e)pty
!ouse/
A )onth after that> he had re.eived a etter fro) Maisie 9she +rote to
hi) perseveringy> on.e a )onth:/ In it she tod hi) that Aegra -err
had died in the sa)e ho)e as her )other> and +asn"t it dreadfuy
sadA Though of .ourse a )er.ifu reease/
It had reay 'een very odd indeed/ Co)ing after his drea) i1e that/
!e didn"t 8uite understand it a/ %ut it +as odd/
And the +orst of it +as that he"d never 'een a'e to find the !ouse
sin.e/ So)eho+> he"d forgotten the +ay/
The fever 'egan to ta1e hod of hi) on.e )ore/ !e tossed restessy/
<f .ourse> he"d forgotten> the !ouse +as on high groundG !e )ust
.i)' to get there/ %ut it +as hot +or1 .i)'ing .iffs ; dreadfuy hot/
2p> up> up ; <hG he had sippedG !e )ust start again fro) the 'otto)/
2p> up> up ; days passed> +ee1s ; he +asn"t sure that years didn"t go
'yG And he +as sti .i)'ing/
<n.e he heard the do.tor"s voi.e/ %ut he .oudn"t stop .i)'ing to
isten/ %esides the do.tor +oud te hi) to eave off oo1ing for the
!ouse/ !e thought it +as an ordinary house/ !e didn"t 1no+/
!e re)e)'ered suddeny that he )ust 'e .a)> very .a)/ @ou
.oudn"t find the !ouse uness you +ere very .a)/ It +as no use
oo1ing for the !ouse in a hurry> or 'eing eB.ited/
If he .oud ony 1eep .a)G %ut it +as so hotG !otA It +as .od ; yes>
.od/ These +eren"t .iffs> they +ere i.e'ergs ; Dagged> .od i.e'ergs/
!e +as so tired/ !e +oudn"t go on oo1ing ; it +as no good ; AhG here
+as a ane ; that +as 'etter than i.e'ergs> any+ay/ !o+ peasant and
shady it +as in the .oo> green ane/ And those trees ; they +ere
spendidG They +ere rather i1e ; +hatA !e .oudn"t re)e)'er> 'ut it
didn"t )atter/
AhG here +ere fo+ers/ A goden and 'ueG !o+ ovey it a +as ; and
ho+ strangey fa)iiar/ <f .ourse> he had 'een here 'efore/ There>
through the trees> +as the gea) of the !ouse> standing on the high
ground/ !o+ 'eautifu it +as/ The green ane and the trees and the
fo+ers +ere as nothing to the para)ount> the a;satisfying 'eauty of
the !ouse/
!e hastened his steps/ To thin1 that he had never yet 'een insideG !o+
un'eieva'y stupid of hi) ; +hen he had the 1ey in his po.1et a the
ti)eG
And of .ourse the 'eauty of the eBterior +as as nothing to the 'eauty
that ay +ithin ; espe.iay no+ that the <+ner had .o)e 'a.1 fro)
a'road/ !e )ounted the steps to the great door/
Crue strong hands +ere dragging hi) 'a.1G They fought hi)>
dragging hi) to and fro> 'a.1+ards and for+ards/
The do.tor +as sha1ing hi)> roaring in his ear/
J!od on> )an> you .an/ $on"t et go/ $on"t et go/J !is eyes +ere aight
+ith the fier.eness of one +ho sees an ene)y/ Segrave +ondered +ho
the (ne)y +as/
The 'a.1;ro'ed nun +as praying/ That> too> +as strange/
And a he +anted +as to 'e eft aone/ To go 'a.1 to the !ouse/ For
every )inute the !ouse +as gro+ing fainter/
That> of .ourse> +as 'e.ause the do.tor +as so strong/ !e +asn"t
strong enough to fight the do.tor/ If he ony .oud/
%ut stopG There +as another +ay ; the +ay drea)s +ent in the )o)ent
of +a1ing/ 0o strength .oud stop the) ; they Dust fitted past/ The
do.tor"s hands +oudn"t 'e a'e to hod hi) if he sipped ; Dust sippedG
@es> that +as the +ayG The +hite +as +ere visi'e on.e )ore> the
do.tor"s voi.e +as fainter> his hands +ere 'arey fet/ !e 1ne+ no+
ho+ drea)s augh +hen they give you the sipG
!e +as at the door of the !ouse/ The eB8uisite stiness +as un'ro1en/
!e put the 1ey in the o.1 and turned it/
*ust a )o)ent he +aited> to reai?e to the fu the perfe.t> the
ineffa'e> the a;satisfying .o)peteness of Doy/
Then ; he passed over the Threshod/
T!( ACT&(SS
The sha''y )an in the fourth ro+ of the pit eaned for+ard and stared
in.reduousy at the stage/ !is shifty eyes narro+ed furtivey/
J0an.y TayorGJ he )uttered/ J%y the #ord> itte 0an.y TayorGJ
!is gan.e dropped to the progra) in his hand/ <ne na)e +as printed
in sighty arger type than the rest/
J<ga Stor)erG So that"s +hat she .as hersef/ Fan.y yoursef a star>
don"t you> )y adyA And you )ust 'e )a1ing a pretty itte pot of
)oney> too/ 4uite forgotten your na)e +as ever 0an.y Tayor> I
daresay/ I +onder no+ ; I +onder no+ +hat you"d say if *a1e #evitt
shoud re)ind you of the fa.tAJ
The .urtain fe on the .ose of the first a.t/ !earty appause fied the
auditoriu)/ <ga Stor)er> the great e)otiona a.tress> +hose na)e in
a fe+ short years had 'e.o)e a househod +ord> +as adding yet
another triu)ph to her ist of su..esses as JCoraJ> in The Avenging
Ange/
*a1e #evitt did not Doin in the .apping> 'ut a so+> appre.iative grin
graduay distended his )outh/ ,odG What u.1G *ust +hen he +as on
his 'ea);ends> too/ She"d try to 'uff it out> he supposed> 'ut she
.oudn"t put it over on hi)/ Propery +or1ed> the thing +as a god
)ineG
<n the foo+ing )orning the first +or1ings of *a1e #evitt"s god )ine
'e.a)e apparent/ In her dra+ing roo)> +ith its red a.8uer and 'a.1
hangings> <ga Stor)er read and reread a etter thoughtfuy/ !er pae
fa.e> +ith its eB8uisitey )o'ie features> +as a itte )ore set than
usua> and every no+ and then the grey;green eyes under the eve
'ro+s steadiy envisaged the )idde distan.e> as though she
.onte)pated the threat 'ehind rather than the a.tua +ords of the
etter/
In that +onderfu voi.e of hers> +hi.h .oud thro' +ith e)otion or 'e
as .ear;.ut as the .i.1 of a type+riter> <ga .aedH JMiss *onesGJ
A neat young +o)an +ith spe.ta.es> a shorthand pad and a pen.i
.asped in her hand> hastened fro) an adDoining roo)/
J&ing up Mr/ $anahan> pease> and as1 hi) to .o)e round>
i))ediatey/J
Syd $anahan> <ga Stor)er"s )anager> entered the roo) +ith the
usua apprehension of the )an +hose ife it is to dea +ith and
over.o)e the vagaries of the artisti. fe)inine/ To .oaB> to soothe> to
'uy> one at a ti)e or a together> su.h +as his daiy routine/ To his
reief> <ga appeared .a) and reposed> and )erey fi.1ed a note
a.ross the ta'e to hi)/
J&ead that/J
The etter +as s.ra+ed in an iiterate hand> of .heap paper/
$ear Mada)>
I )u.h appre.iated your perfor)an.e in The Avenging Ange ast
night/ I fan.y +e have a )utua friend in Miss 0an.y Tayor> ate of
Chi.ago/ An arti.e regarding her is to 'e pu'ished shorty/ If you
+oud .are to dis.uss sa)e> I .oud .a upon you at any ti)e
.onvenient to yoursef/
@ours respe.tfuy>
*a1e #evitt
$anahan oo1ed ighty 'e+idered>
JI don"t 8uite get it/ Who is this 0an.y TayorAJ
JA gir +ho +oud 'e 'etter dead> $anny/J There +as 'itterness in her
voi.e and a +eariness that reveaed her thirty;four years/ JA gir +ho
+as dead unti this .arrion .ro+ 'rought her to ife again/J
J<hG Then///J
JMe> $anny/ *ust )e/J
JThis )eans 'a.1)ai> of .ourseAJ
She nodded/ J<f .ourse> and 'y a )an +ho 1no+s the art thoroughy/J
$anahan fro+ned> .onsidering the )atter/ <ga> her .hee1 pio+ed on
a ong> sender hand> +at.hed hi) +ith unfatho)a'e eyes/
JWhat a'out 'uffA $eny everything/ !e .an"t 'e sure that he hasn"t
'een )ised 'y a .han.e rese)'an.e/J
<ga shoo1 her head/
J#evitt )a1es his iving 'y 'a.1)aiing +o)en/ !e"s sure enough/J
JThe poi.eAJ hinted $anahan dou'tfuy/
!er faint> derisive s)ie +as ans+er enough/ %eneath her sef;.ontro>
though he did not guess it> +as the i)patien.e of the 1een 'rain
+at.hing a so+er 'rain a'oriousy .over the ground it had aready
traversed in a fash/
J@ou don"t ; er ; thin1 it )ight 'e +ise for you to ; er ; say so)ething
yoursef to Sir &i.hardA That +oud party spi1e his guns/J
The a.tress"s engage)ent to Sir &i.hard (verard> M/P/> had 'een
announ.ed a fe+ +ee1s previousy/
JI tod &i.hard everything +hen he as1ed )e to )arry hi)/J
JMy +ord> that +as .ever of youGJ said $anahan ad)iringy/
<ga s)ied a itte/
JIt +asn"t .everness> $anny dear/ @ou +oudn"t understand/ A the
sa)e> if this )an #evitt does +hat he threatens> )y nu)'er is up> and
in.identay &i.hard"s Paria)entary .areer goes s)ash> too/ 0o> as
far as I .an see> there are ony t+o things to do/J
JWeAJ
JTo pay ; and that of .ourse is endessG <r to disappear> start again/J
The +eariness +as again very apparent in her voi.e/
JIt isn"t even as though I"d done anything I regretted/ I +as a hafstarved
itte gutter +aif> $anny> striving to 1eep straight/ I shot a )an>
a 'east of a )an +ho deserved to 'e shot/ The .ir.u)stan.es under
+hi.h I 1ied hi) +ere su.h that no Dury on earth +oud have
.onvi.ted )e/ I 1no+ that no+> 'ut at the ti)e I +as ony a frightened
1id ; and ; I ran/J
$anahan nodded/
JI suppose>J he said dou'tfuy> Jthere"s nothing against this )an #evitt
+e .oud get hod ofAJ
<ga shoo1 her head/
J7ery uni1ey/ !e"s too )u.h of a .o+ard to go in for evi;doing/J The
sound of her o+n +ords see)ed to stri1e her/ JA .o+ardG I +onder if
+e .oudn"t +or1 on that in so)e +ay/J
JIf Sir &i.hard +ere to see hi) and frighten hi)>J suggested $anahan/
J&i.hard is too fine an instru)ent/ @ou .an"t hande that sort of )an
+ith goves on/J
JWe> et )e see hi)/J
JForgive )e> $anny> 'ut I don"t thin1 you"re su'te enough/ So)ething
'et+een goves and 'are fists is needed/ #et us say )ittensG That
)eans a +o)anG @es> I rather fan.y a +o)an )ight do the tri.1/ A
+o)an +ith a .ertain a)ount of finesse> 'ut +ho 1no+s the 'aser side
of ife fro) 'itter eBperien.e/ <ga Stor)er> for instan.eG $on"t ta1 to
)e> I"ve got a pan .o)ing/J
She eaned for+ard> 'urying her fa.e in her hands/ She ifted it
suddeny/
JWhat"s the na)e of that gir +ho +ants to understudy )eA Margaret
&yan> isn"t itA The gir +ith the hair i1e )ineAJ
J!er hair"s a right>J ad)itted $anahan grudgingy> his eyes resting on
the 'ron?e;god .oi surrounding <ga"s head/ JIt"s Dust i1e yours> as
you say/ %ut she"s no good any other +ay/ I +as going to sa.1 her neBt
+ee1/J
JIf a goes +e> you" pro'a'y have to et her understudy "Cora"/J She
s)othered his protests +ith a +ave of her hand/ J$anny> ans+er )e
one 8uestion honesty/ $o you thin1 I .an a.tA &eay a.t> I )ean/ <r
a) I Dust an attra.tive +o)an +ho trais round in pretty dressesAJ
JA.tA My ,odG <ga> there"s 'een no'ody i1e you sin.e $useGJ
JThen if #evitt is reay a .o+ard> as I suspe.t> the thing +i .o)e off/
0o> I") not going to te you a'out it/ I +ant you to get hod of the &yan
gir/ Te her I") interested in her and +ant her to dine here to)orro+
night/ She" .o)e fast enough/J
JI shoud say she +oudGJ
JThe other thing I +ant is so)e good strong 1no.1out drops>
so)ething that +i put anyone out of a.tion for an hour or t+o> 'ut
eave the) none the +orse the neBt day/J
$anahan grinned/
JI .an"t guarantee our friend +on"t have a heada.he> 'ut there +i 'e
no per)anent da)age done/J
J,oodG &un a+ay no+> $anny> and eave the rest to )e/J She raised
her voi.eH JMiss *onesGJ
The spe.ta.ed young +o)an appeared +ith her usua aa.rity/
JTa1e do+n this> pease/J
Wa1ing so+y up and do+n> <ga di.tated the day"s .orresponden.e/
%ut one ans+er she +rote +ith her o+n hand/
*a1e #evitt> in his dingy roo)> grinned as he tore open the eBpe.ted
enveope/
$ear Sir>
I .annot re.a the ady of +ho) you spea1> 'ut I )eet so )any peope
that )y )e)ory is ne.essariy un.ertain/ I a) a+ays peased to hep
any feo+ a.tress> and sha 'e at ho)e if you +i .a this evening at
nine o".o.1/
@ours faithfuy>
<ga Stor)er
#evitt nodded appre.iativey/ Cever noteG She ad)itted nothing/
0evertheess she +as +iing to treat/
The god )ine +as deveoping/
At nine o".o.1 pre.isey #evitt stood outside the door of the a.tress"s
fat and pressed the 'e/ 0o one ans+ered the su))ons> and he +as
a'out to press it again +hen he reai?ed that the door +as not at.hed/
!e pushed the door open and entered the ha/ To his right +as an
open door eading into a 'riianty ighted roo)> a roo) de.orated in
s.aret and 'a.1/ #evitt +a1ed in/ <n the ta'e under the a)p ay a
sheet of paper on +hi.h +ere +ritten the +ordsH
JPease +ait unti I return/ ; </ Stor)er/J
#evitt sat do+n and +aited/ In spite of hi)sef a feeing of uneasiness
+as steaing over hi)/ The fat +as so very 8uiet/ There +as so)ething
eerie a'out the sien.e/
0othing +rong> of .ourse> ho+ .oud there 'eA %ut the roo) +as so
deady 8uietI and yet> 8uiet as it +as> he had the preposterous>
un.o)forta'e notion that he +asn"t aone in it/ A'surdG !e +iped the
perspiration fro) his 'ro+/ And sti the i)pression gre+ stronger/ !e
+asn"t aoneG With a )uttered oath he sprang up and 'egan to pa.e up
and do+n/ In a )inute the +o)an +oud return and then ;
!e stopped dead +ith a )uffed .ry/ Fro) 'eneath the 'a.1 vevet
hangings that draped the +indo+ a hand protrudedG !e stooped and
tou.hed it/ Cod ; horri'y .od ; a dead hand/
With a .ry he fung 'a.1 the .urtains/ A +o)an +as ying there> one
ar) fung +ide> the other dou'ed under her as she ay fa.e
do+n+ards> her goden;'ron?e hair ying in disheveed )asses on her
ne.1/
<ga Stor)erG Tre)'ingy his fingers sought the i.y .odness of that
+rist and fet for the puse/ As he thought> there +as none/ She +as
dead/ She had es.aped hi)> then> 'y ta1ing the si)pest +ay out/
Suddeny his eyes +ere arrested 'y t+o ends of red .ord finishing in
fantasti. tasses> and haf hidden 'y the )asses of her hair/ !e
tou.hed the) gingeryI the head sagged as he did so> and he .aught a
gi)pse of a horri'e purpe fa.e/ !e sprang 'a.1 +ith a .ry> his head
+hiring/ There +as so)ething here he did not understand/ !is 'rief
gi)pse of the fa.e> disfigured as it +as> had sho+n hi) one thing/
This +as )urder> not sui.ide/ The +o)an had 'een stranged and ;
she +as not <ga Stor)erG
AhG What +as thatA A sound 'ehind hi)/ !e +heeed round and oo1ed
straight into the terrified eyes of a )aidservant .rou.hing against the
+a/ !er fa.e +as as +hite as the .ap and apron she +ore> 'ut he did
not understand the fas.inated horror in her eyes unti her haf'reathed
+ords enightened hi) to the peri in +hi.h he stood/
J<h> )y ,odG @ou"ve 1ied "erGJ
(ven then he did not 8uite reai?e/ !e repiedH
J0o> no> she +as dead +hen I found her/J
JI sa+ yer do itG @ou pued the .ord and stranged her/ I "eard the
gurging .ry she give/J
The s+eat 'ro1e out upon his 'ro+ in earnest/ !is )ind +ent rapidy
over his a.tions of the previous fe+ )inutes/ She )ust have .o)e in
Dust as he had the t+o ends of .ord in his handsI she had seen the
sagging head and had ta1en his o+n .ry as .o)ing fro) the vi.ti)/ !e
stared at her hepessy/ There +as no dou'ting +hat he sa+ in her
fa.e ; terror and stupidity/ She +oud te the poi.e she had seen the
.ri)e .o))itted> and no .ross;eBa)ination +oud sha1e her> he +as
sure of that/ She +oud s+ear a+ay his ife +ith the unsha1a'e
.onvi.tion that she +as spea1ing the truth/
What a horri'e> unforeseen .hain of .ir.u)stan.esG Stop> +as it
unforeseenA Was there so)e deviry hereA <n an i)puse he said>
eyeing her narro+yH
JThat"s not your )istress> you 1no+/J
!er ans+er> given )e.hani.ay> thre+ a ight upon the situation/
J0o> it"s "er a.tress friend ; if you .an .a "e) friends> seeing that they
fought i1e .at and dog/ They +ere at it tonight> "a))er and tongs/J
A trapG !e sa+ it no+/
JWhere"s your )istressAJ
JWent out ten )inutes ago/J
A trapG And he had +a1ed into it i1e a a)'/ A .ever devi> this <ga
Stor)erI she had rid hersef of a riva> and he +as to suffer for the
deed/ MurderG My ,od> they hung a )an for )urderG And he +as
inno.ent ; inno.entG
A steathy ruste re.aed hi)/ The itte )aid +as siding to+ards the
door/ !er +its +ere 'eginning to +or1 again/ !er eyes +avered to the
teephone> then 'a.1 to the door/ At a .osts he )ust sien.e her/ It
+as the ony +ay/ As +e hang for a rea .ri)e as a fi.titious one/ She
had no +eapon> neither had he/ %ut he had his handsG Then his heart
gave a eap/ <n the ta'e 'eside her> a)ost under her hand> ay a
s)a> De+eed revover/ If he .oud rea.h it first ;
Instin.t or his eyes +arned her/ She .aught it up as he sprang and hed
it pointed at his 'reast/ A+1+ardy as she hed it> her finger +as on the
trigger> and she .oud hardy )iss hi) at that distan.e/ !e stopped
dead/ A revover 'eonging to a +o)an i1e <ga Stor)er +oud 'e
pretty sure to 'e oaded/
%ut there +as one thing> she +as no onger dire.ty 'ehind hi) and the
door/ So ong as he did not atta.1 her> she )ight not have the nerve to
shoot/ Any+ay> he )ust ris1 it/ Vig?agging> he ran for the door>
through the ha and out through the outer door> 'anging it 'ehind hi)/
!e heard her voi.e> faint and sha1y> .aing> JPoi.e> MurderGJ She"d
have to .a ouder than that 'efore anyone +as i1ey to hear her/ !e"d
got a start> any+ay/ $o+n the stairs he +ent> running do+n the open
street> then sa.1ing to a +a1 as a stray pedestrian turned the .orner/
!e had his pan .ut and dried/
To ,ravesend as 8ui.1y as possi'e/ A 'oat +as saiing fro) there
that night for the re)oter parts of the +ord/ !e 1ne+ the .aptain> a
)an +ho> for a .onsideration> +oud as1 no 8uestions/ <n.e on 'oard
and out to sea he +oud 'e safe/
At eeven o".o.1 $anahan"s teephone rang/ <ga"s voi.e spo1e/
JPrepare a .ontra.t for Miss &yan> +i youA She"s to understudy
"Cora"/ It"s a'soutey no use arguing/ I o+e her so)ething after a the
things I did to her tonightG WhatA @es> I thin1 I") out of )y trou'es/ %y
the +ay> if she tes you to)orro+ that I") an ardent spirituaist and put
her into a tran.e tonight> don"t sho+ open in.reduity/ !o+A -no.1out
drops in the .offee> foo+ed 'y s.ientifi. passesG After that I painted
her fa.e +ith purpe grease paint and put a tourni8uet on her eft ar)G
MystifiedA We> you )ust stay )ystified unti to)orro+/ I haven"t ti)e
to eBpain no+/ I )ust get out of the .ap and apron 'efore )y faithfu
Maud returns fro) the pi.tures/ There +as a "'eautifu dra)a" on
tonight> she tod )e/ %ut she )issed the 'est dra)a of a/ I payed )y
'est part tonight> $anny/ The )ittens +onG *a1e #evitt is a .o+ard a
right> and oh> $anny> $anny ; I") an a.tressGJ
T!( ($,(
Care !ai+e +a1ed do+n the short path that ed fro) her .ottage
door to the gate/ <n her ar) +as a 'as1et> and in the 'as1et +as a
'otte of soup> so)e ho)e;)ade Dey> and a fe+ grapes/ There +ere
not )any poor peope in the s)a viage of $ay)er"s (nd> 'ut su.h as
there +ere +ere assiduousy oo1ed after> and Care +as one of the
)ost effi.ient of the parish +or1ers/
Care !ai+e +as thirty;t+o/ She had an upright .arriage> a heathy
.oor> and ni.e 'ro+n eyes/ She +as not 'eautifu> 'ut she oo1ed
fresh and peasant and very (ngish/ (very'ody i1ed her and said she
+as a good sort/ Sin.e her )other"s death> t+o years ago> she had
ived aone in the .ottage +ith her dog> &over/ She 1ept poutry and
+as fond of ani)as and of a heathy outdoor ife/
As she unat.hed the gate> a t+o;seater .ar s+ept past> and the driver>
a gir in a red hat> +aved a greeting/ Care responded> 'ut for a
)o)ent her ips tightened/ She fet that pang at her heart +hi.h
a+ays .a)e +hen she sa+ 7ivien #ee> ,erad"s +ifeG
Medenha) ,range> +hi.h ay Dust a )ie outside the viage> had
'eonged to the #ees for )any generations/ Sir ,erad #ee> the
present o+ner of the ,range> +as a )an od for his years and
.onsidered 'y )any stiff in )anner/ !is po)posity reay .overed a
good dea of shyness/ !e and Care had payed together as .hidren/
#ater they had 'een friends> and a .oser and dearer tie had 'een
.onfidenty eBpe.ted 'y )any ; in.uding> it )ay 'e said> Care hersef/
There +as no hurry> of .ourse ; 'ut so)e day ; She eft it so in her o+n
)ind/ So)e day/
And then> Dust a year ago> the viage had 'een started 'y the ne+s of
Sir ,erad"s )arriage to a Miss !arper ; a gir no'ody had ever heard
ofG
The ne+ #ady #ee had not 'een popuar in the viage/ She too1 not the
faintest interest in paro.hia )atters> +as 'ored 'y hunting> and
oathed the .ountry and outdoor sports/ Many of the +isea.res shoo1
their heads and +ondered ho+ it +oud end/ It +as easy to see +here
Sir ,erad"s infatuation had .o)e in/ 7ivien +as a 'eauty/ Fro) head
to foot she +as a .o)pete .ontrast to Care !ai+e ; s)a> efin>
dainty> +ith goden;red hair that .ured en.hantingy over her pretty
ears> and 'ig vioet eyes that .oud shoot a side+ays gan.e of
provo.ation to the )anner 'orn/
,erad #ee> in his si)pe )an"s +ay> had 'een anBious that his +ife
and Care shoud 'e great friends/ Care +as often as1ed to dine at the
,range> and 7ivien )ade a pretty preten.e of affe.tionate inti)a.y
+henever they )et/ !en.e that gay sautation of hers this )orning/
Care +a1ed on and did her errand/ The vi.ar +as aso visiting the od
+o)an in 8uestion> and he and Care +a1ed a fe+ yards together
after+ards 'efore their +ays parted/ They stood sti for a )inute
dis.ussing parish affairs/
J*ones has 'ro1en out again> I") afraid>J said the vi.ar/ JAnd I had
su.h hopes after he had vounteered> of his o+n a..ord> to ta1e the
pedge/J
J$isgusting>J said Care .rispy/
JIt see)s so to us>J said Mr/ Wi)ot> J'ut +e )ust re)e)'er that it is
very hard to put ourseves in his pa.e and reai?e his te)ptation/ The
desire for drin1 is una..ounta'e to us> 'ut +e a have our o+n
te)ptations> and thus +e .an understand/J
JI suppose +e have>J said Care un.ertainy/
The vi.ar gan.ed at her/
JSo)e of us have the good fortune to 'e very itte te)pted>J he said
genty/ J%ut even to those peope their hour .o)es/ Wat.h and pray>
re)e)'er> that ye enter not into te)ptation/J
Then 'idding her good;'ye> he +a1ed 'ris1y a+ay/ Care +ent on
thoughtfuy> and presenty she a)ost 'u)ped into Sir ,erad #ee/
J!uo> Care/ I +as hoping to run a.ross you/ @ou oo1 Doy fit/ What a
.oor you"ve got/J
The .oor had not 'een there a )inute 'efore/ #ee +ent onH
JAs I say> I +as hoping to run a.ross you/ 7ivien"s got to go off to
%ourne)outh for the +ee1end/ !er )other"s not +e/ Can you dine
+ith us Tuesday instead of tonightAJ
J<h> yesG Tuesday +i suit )e Dust as +e/J
JThat"s a right> then/ Spendid/ I )ust hurry aong/J
Care +ent ho)e to find her one faithfu do)esti. standing on the
doorstep oo1ing out for her/
JThere you are> )iss/ Su.h a to;do/ They"ve 'rought &over ho)e/ !e
+ent off on his o+n this )orning> and a .ar ran .ean over hi)/J
Care hurried to the dog"s side/ She adored ani)as> and &over +as
her espe.ia daring/ She fet his egs one 'y one> and then ran her
hands over his 'ody/ !e groaned on.e or t+i.e and i.1ed her hand/
JIf there"s any serious inDury> it"s interna>J she said at ast/ J0o 'ones
see) to 'e 'ro1en/J
JSha +e get the vet to see hi)> MissAJ
Care shoo1 her head/ She had itte faith in the o.a vet/
JWe" +ait unti to)orro+/ !e doesn"t see) to 'e in great pain> and his
gu)s are a good .oor> so there .an"t 'e )u.h interna 'eeding/
To)orro+> if I don"t i1e the oo1 of hi)> I" ta1e hi) over to
S1ippington in the .ar and et &eeves have a oo1 at hi)/ !e"s far and
a+ay the 'est )an/J
<n the foo+ing day> &over see)ed +ea1er> and Care duy .arried
out her proDe.t/ The s)a to+n of S1ippington +as a'out forty )ies
a+ay> a ong run> 'ut &eeves> the vet there> +as .ee'rated for )any
)ies around/
!e diagnosed .ertain interna inDuries 'ut hed out good hopes of
re.overy> and Care +ent a+ay 8uite .ontent to eave &over in his
.harge/
There +as ony one hote of any pretensions in S1ippington> the County
Ar)s/ It +as )ainy fre8uented 'y .o))er.ia traveers> for there +as
no good hunting .ountry near S1ippington> and it +as off the tra.1 of
the )ain roads for )otorists/
#un.h +as not served ti one o".o.1> and as it +anted a fe+ )inutes
of that hour> Care a)used hersef 'y gan.ing over the entries in the
open visitors" 'oo1/
Suddeny she gave a stifed eB.a)ation/ Surey she 1ne+ that
hand+riting> +ith its oops and +hirs and fourishesA She had a+ays
.onsidered it un)ista1a'e/ (ven no+ she .oud have s+orn ; 'ut of
.ourse it +as .eary i)possi'e/ 7ivien #ee +as at %ourne)outh/ The
entry itsef sho+ed it to 'e i)possi'eH
Mr/ and Mrs/ Cyri %ro+n> #ondon/
%ut in spite of hersef her eyes strayed 'a.1 again and again to that
.ury +riting> and on an i)puse she .oud not 8uite define she as1ed
a'rupty of the +o)an in the offi.eH
JMrs/ Cyri %ro+nA I +onder if that is the sa)e one I 1no+AJ
JA s)a adyA &eddish hairA 7ery pretty/ She .a)e in a red t+o;seater
.ar> )ada)/ A Peugeot> I 'eieve/J
Then it +asG A .oin.iden.e +oud 'e too re)ar1a'e/ As if in a drea)>
she heard the +o)an go onH
JThey +ere here Dust over a )onth ago for a +ee1end> and i1ed it so
)u.h that they have .o)e again/ 0e+y )arried> I shoud fan.y/J
Care heard hersef sayingH JThan1 you/ I don"t thin1 that .oud 'e )y
friend/J
!er voi.e sounded different> as though it 'eonged to so)eone ese/
Presenty she +as sitting in the dining roo)> 8uiety eating .od roast
'eef> her )ind a )a?e of .onfi.ting thought and e)otions/
She had no dou'ts +hatever/ She had su))ed 7ivien up pretty
.orre.ty on their first )eeting/ 7ivien +as that 1ind/ She +ondered
vaguey +ho the )an +as/ So)eone 7ivien had 1no+n 'efore her
)arriageA 7ery i1ey ; it didn"t )atter ; nothing )attered 'ut ,erad/
What +as she ; Care ; to do a'out ,eradA !e ought to 1no+ ; surey
he ought to 1no+/ It +as .eary her duty to te hi)/ She had
dis.overed 7ivien"s se.ret 'y a..ident> 'ut she )ust ose no ti)e in
a.8uainting ,erad +ith the fa.ts/ She +as ,erad"s friend> not
7ivien"s/
%ut so)eho+ or other she fet un.o)forta'e/ !er .ons.ien.e +as not
satisfied/ <n the fa.e of it> her reasoning +as good> 'ut duty and
in.ination Du)ped suspi.iousy together/ She ad)itted to hersef that
she disi1ed 7ivien/ %esides> if ,erad #ee +ere to divor.e his +ife ;
and Care had no dou'ts at a that that +as eBa.ty +hat he +oud do>
he +as a )an +ith an a)ost fanati.a vie+ of his o+n honor ; then ;
+e> the +ay +oud ie open for ,erad to .o)e to her/ Put i1e that>
she shran1 'a.1 fastidiousy/ !er o+n proposed a.tion see)ed na1ed
and ugy/
The persona ee)ent entered in too )u.h/ She .oud not 'e sure of
her o+n )otives/ Care +as essentiay a high;)inded> .ons.ientious
+o)an/ She strove no+ very earnesty to see +here her duty ay/ She
+ished> as she had a+ays +ished> to do right/ What +as right in this
.aseA What +as +rongA
%y a pure a..ident she had .o)e into possession of fa.ts that affe.ted
vitay the )an she oved and the +o)an +ho) she disi1ed and ; yes>
one )ight as +e 'e fran1 ; of +ho) she +as 'ittery Deaous/ She
.oud ruin that +o)an/ Was she Dustified in doing soA
Care had a+ays hed hersef aoof fro) the 'a.1;'iting and s.anda
+hi.h is an inevita'e part of viage ife/ She hated to fee that she no+
rese)'ed one of those hu)an ghous she had a+ays professed to
despise/
Suddeny the vi.ar"s +ords that )orning fashed a.ross her )indH
J(ven to those peope their hour .o)es/J
Was this her hourA Was this her te)ptationA !ad it .o)e insidiousy
disguised as a dutyA She +as Care !ai+e> a Christian> in ove and
.harity +ith a )en ; and +o)en/ If she +ere to te ,erad> she )ust
'e 8uite sure that ony i)persona )otives guided her/ For the present
she +oud say nothing/
She paid her 'i for un.heon and drove a+ay> feeing an indes.ri'a'e
ightening of spirit/ Indeed> she fet happier than she had done for a
ong ti)e/ She fet gad that she had had the strength to resist
te)ptation> to do nothing )ean or un+orthy/ *ust for a se.ond it
fashed a.ross her )ind that it )ight 'e a sense of po+er that had so
ightened her spirits> 'ut she dis)issed the idea as fantasti./
%y Tuesday night she +as strengthened in her resove/ The reveation
.oud not .o)e through her/ She )ust 1eep sien.e/ !er o+n se.ret
ove for ,erad )ade spee.h i)possi'e/ &ather a high;)inded vie+ to
ta1eA PerhapsI 'ut it +as the ony one possi'e for her/
She arrived at the ,range in her o+n itte .ar/ Sir ,erad"s .hauffeur
+as at the front door to drive it round to the garage after she had
aighted> as the night +as a +et one/ !e had Dust driven off +hen Care
re)e)'ered so)e 'oo1s +hi.h she had 'orro+ed and had 'rought
+ith her to return/ She .aed out> 'ut the )an did not hear her/ The
'uter ran out after the .ar/
So> for a )inute or t+o> Care +as aone in the ha> .ose to the door of
the dra+ing roo)> +hi.h the 'uter had Dust unat.hed prior to
announ.ing her/ Those inside the roo)> ho+ever> 1ne+ nothing of her
arriva> and so it +as that 7ivien"s voi.e> high;pit.hed ; not 8uite the
voi.e of a ady ; rang out .eary and distin.ty/
J<h> +e"re ony +aiting for Care !ai+e/ @ou )ust 1no+ her ; ives in
the viage ; supposed to 'e one of the o.a 'ees> 'ut frightfuy
unattra.tive reay/ She tried her 'est to .at.h ,erad> 'ut he +asn"t
having any/J
J<h> yes> daring ;J this in ans+er to a )ur)ured protest fro) her
hus'and/ JShe did ; you )ayn"t 'e a+are of the fa.t ; 'ut she did her
very ut)ost/ Poor od CareG A good sort> 'ut su.h a du)pGJ
Care"s fa.e +ent dead +hite> her hands> hanging against her sides>
.en.hed the)seves in anger su.h as she had never 1no+n 'efore/ At
that )o)ent she .oud have )urdered 7ivien #ee/ It +as ony 'y a
supre)e physi.a effort that she regained .ontro of hersef/ That> and
the haf;for)ed thought that she hed it in her po+er to punish 7ivien
for those .rue +ords/
The 'uter had returned +ith the 'oo1s/ !e opened the door>
announ.ed her> and in another )o)ent she +as greeting a roo)fu of
peope in her usua peasant )anner/
7ivien> eB8uisitey dressed in so)e dar1 +ine .oor that sho+ed off
her +hite fragiity> +as parti.uary affe.tionate and gushing/ They
didn"t see haf enough of Care/ She> 7ivien> +as going to earn gof>
and Care )ust .o)e out +ith her on the in1s/
,erad +as very attentive and 1ind/ Though he had no suspi.ion that
she had overheard his +ife"s +ords> he had so)e vague idea of
)a1ing up for the)/ !e +as very fond of Care> and he +ished 7ivien
+oudn"t say the things she did/ !e and Care had 'een friends>
nothing )ore ; and if there +as an uneasy suspi.ion at the 'a.1 of his
)ind that he +as shir1ing the truth in that ast state)ent> he put it
a+ay fro) hi)/
After dinner the ta1 fe on dogs> and Care re.ounted &over"s
a..ident/ She purposey +aited for a u in the .onversation to sayH
J; so> on Saturday> I too1 hi) to S1ippington/J
She heard the sudden ratte of 7ivien #ee"s .offee .up on the sau.er>
'ut she did not oo1 at her ; yet/
JTo see that )an> &eevesAJ
J@es/ !e" 'e a right> I thin1/ I had un.h at the County Ar)s
after+ards/ &ather a de.ent itte pu'/J She turned no+ to 7ivien/
J!ave you ever stayed thereAJ
If she had had any dou'ts> they +ere s+ept aside/
7ivien"s ans+er .a)e 8ui.1 ; in sta))ering haste/
JIA <hG 0;no> no/J
Fear +as in her eyes/ They +ere +ide and dar1 +ith it as they )et
Care"s/ Care"s eyes tod nothing/ They +ere .a)> s.rutini?ing/ 0o
one .oud have drea)ed of the 1een peasure that they veied/ At that
)o)ent Care a)ost forgave 7ivien for the +ords she had overheard
earier in the evening/ She tasted in that )o)ent a funess of po+er
that a)ost )ade her head ree/ She hed 7ivien #ee in the hoo+ of
her hand/
The foo+ing day> she re.eived a note fro) the other +o)an/ Woud
Care .o)e up and have tea +ith her 8uiety that afternoonA Care
refused/
Then 7ivien .aed on her/ T+i.e she .a)e at hours +hen Care +as
a)ost .ertain to 'e at ho)e/ <n the first o..asion> Care reay +as
outI on the se.ond> she sipped out 'y the 'a.1 +ay +hen she sa+
7ivien .o)ing up the path/
JShe"s not sure yet +hether I 1no+ or not>J she said to hersef/ JShe
+ants to find out +ithout .o))itting hersef/ %ut she shan"t ; not unti
I") ready/J
Care hardy 1ne+ hersef +hat she +as +aiting for/ She had de.ided
to 1eep sien.e ; that +as the ony straight and honora'e .ourse/ She
fet an additiona go+ of virtue +hen she re)e)'ered the eBtre)e
provo.ation she had re.eived/ After overhearing the +ay 7ivien ta1ed
of her 'ehind her 'a.1> a +ea1er .hara.ter> she fet> )ight have
a'andoned her good resoutions/
She +ent t+i.e to .hur.h on Sunday/ First to eary .o))union> fro)
+hi.h she .a)e out strengthened and upifted/ 0o persona feeings
shoud +eigh +ith her ; nothing )ean or petty/ She +ent again to
)orning servi.e/ Mr/ Wi)ot prea.hed on the fa)ous prayer of the
Pharisee/ !e s1et.hed the ife of that )an> a good )an> piar of the
.hur.h/ And he pi.tured the so+> .reeping 'ight of spiritua pride
that distorted and soied a that he +as/
Care did not isten very attentivey/ 7ivien +as in the 'ig s8uare pe+
of the #ee fa)iy> and Care 1ne+ 'y instin.t that the other intended to
get hod of her after+ards/
So it fe out/ 7ivien atta.hed hersef to Care> +a1ed ho)e +ith her>
and as1ed if she )ight .o)e in/ Care> of .ourse> assented/ They sat in
Care"s itte sitting roo)> 'right +ith fo+ers and od;fashioned
.hint?es/ 7ivien"s ta1 +as desutory and Der1y/
JI +as at %ourne)outh> you 1no+> ast +ee1end>J she re)ar1ed
presenty/
J,erad tod )e so>J said Care/
They oo1ed at ea.h other/ 7ivien appeared a)ost pain today/ !er
fa.e had a sharp> foBy oo1 that ro''ed it of )u.h of its .har)/
JWhen you +ere at S1ippington ;J 'egan 7ivien/
JWhen I +as at S1ippingtonAJ e.hoed Care poitey/
J@ou +ere spea1ing a'out so)e itte hote there/J
JThe County Ar)s/ @es/ @ou didn"t 1no+ it> you saidAJ
JI ; I have 'een there on.e/J
J<hGJ
She had ony to 1eep sti and +ait/ 7ivien +as 8uite unfitted to 'ear a
strain of any 1ind/ Aready she +as 'rea1ing do+n under it/ Suddeny
she eaned for+ard and spo1e vehe)enty/
J@ou don"t i1e )e/ @ou never have/ @ou"ve a+ays hated )e/ @ou"re
enDoying yoursef no+> paying +ith )e i1e a .at +ith a )ouse/ @ou"re
.rue ; .rue/ That"s +hy I") afraid of you> 'e.ause deep do+n you"re
.rue/J
J&eay> 7ivienGJ said Care sharpy/
J@ou 1no+> don"t youA @es> I .an see that you 1no+/ @ou 1ne+ that
night ; +hen you spo1e a'out S1ippington/ @ou"ve found out so)eho+/
We> I +ant to 1no+ +hat you are going to do a'out it/ What are you
going to doAJ
Care did not repy for a )inute> and 7ivien sprang to her feet/
JWhat are you going to doA I )ust 1no+/ @ou"re not going to deny that
you 1no+ a a'out itAJ
JI do not propose to deny anything>J said Care .ody/
J@ou sa+ )e there that dayAJ
J0o/ I sa+ your hand+riting in the 'oo1 ; Mr/ and Mrs/ Cyri %ro+n/J
7ivien fushed dar1y/
JSin.e then>J .ontinued Care 8uiety> JI have )ade in8uiries/ I find
that you +ere not at %ourne)outh that +ee1end/ @our )other never
sent for you/ (Ba.ty the sa)e thing happened a'out siB +ee1s
previousy/J
7ivien san1 do+n again on the sofa/ She 'urst into furious .rying> the
.rying of a frightened .hid/
JWhat are you going to doAJ she gasped/ JAre you going to te
,eradAJ
JI don"t 1no+ yet>J said Care/
She fet .a)> o)nipotent/
7ivien sat up> pushing the red .urs 'a.1 fro) her forehead/
JWoud you i1e to hear a a'out itAJ
JIt +oud 'e as +e> I thin1/J
7ivien poured out the +hoe story/ There +as no reti.en.e in her/ Cyri
"%ro+n"> +as Cyri !aviand> a young engineer to +ho) she had
previousy 'een engaged/ !is heath faied> and he ost his Do'>
+hereupon he )ade no 'ones a'out Diting the penniess 7ivien and
)arrying a ri.h +ido+ )any years oder than hi)sef/ Soon after+ards
7ivien )arried ,erad #ee/
She had )et Cyri again 'y .han.e/ That +as the first of )any
)eetings/ Cyri> 'a.1ed 'y his +ife"s )oney> +as prospering in his
.areer> and 'e.o)ing a +e 1no+n figure/
It +as a sordid story> a story of 'a.1stairs )eeting> of .easeess ying
and intrigue/
JI ove hi) so>J 7ivien repeated again and again> +ith a sudden )oan>
and ea.h ti)e the +ords )ade Care fee physi.ay si.1/
At ast the sta))ering re.ita .a)e to an end/
7ivien )uttered a sha)efa.edH JWeAJ
JWhat a) I going to doAJ as1ed Care/ JI .an"t te you/ I )ust have ti)e
to thin1/J
J@ou +on"t give )e a+ay to ,eradAJ
JIt )ay 'e )y duty to do so/J
J0o> no/J 7ivien"s voi.e rose to a hysteri.a shrie1/ J!e" divor.e )e/
!e +on"t isten to a +ord/ !e" find out fro) that hote> and Cyri +i 'e
dragged into it/ And then his +ife +i divor.e hi)/ (verything +i go ;
his .areer> his heath ; he" 'e penniess again/ !e"d never forgive )e ;
never/J
JIf you" eB.use )y saying so>J said Care> JI don"t thin1 )u.h of this
Cyri of yours/J
7ivien paid no attention/
JI te you he" hate )e ; hate )e/ I .an"t 'ear it/ $on"t te ,erad/ I" do
anything you i1e> 'ut don"t te ,erad/J
JI )ust have ti)e to de.ide>J said Care gravey/ JI .an"t pro)ise
anything offhand/ In the )eanti)e> you and Cyri )ustn"t )eet again/J
J0o> no> +e +on"t/ I s+ear it/J
JWhen I 1no+ +hat"s the right thing to do>J said Care> JI" et you
1no+/J
She got up/ 7ivien +ent out of the house in a furtive> sin1ing +ay>
gan.ing 'a.1 over her shouder/
Care +rin1ed her nose in disgust/ A 'easty affair/ Woud 7ivien 1eep
her pro)ise not to see CyriA Pro'a'y not/ She +as +ea1 ; rotten a
through/
That afternoon Care +ent for a ong +a1/ There +as a path +hi.h ed
aong the do+ns/ <n the eft the green his soped genty do+n to the
sea far 'eo+> +hie the path +ound steadiy up+ard/ This +a1 +as
1no+n o.ay as the (dge/ Though safe enough if you 1ept to the path>
it +as dangerous to +ander fro) it/
Those insidious gente sopes +ere dangerous/ Care had ost a dog
there on.e/ The ani)a had gone ra.ing over the s)ooth grass>
gaining )o)entu)> had 'een una'e to stop and had gone over the
edge of the .iff to 'e dashed to pie.es on the sharp ro.1s 'eo+/
The afternoon +as .ear and 'eautifu/ Fro) far 'eo+ there .a)e the
rippe of the sea> a soothing )ur)ur/ Care sat do+n on the short
green turf and stared out over the 'ue +ater/ She )ust fa.e this thing
.eary/ What did she )ean to doA
She thought of 7ivien +ith a 1ind of disgust/ !o+ the gir had .ru)ped
up> ho+ a'De.ty she had surrenderedG Care fet a rising .onte)pt/
She had no pu.1 ; no grit/
0evertheess> )u.h as she disi1ed 7ivien> Care de.ided that she
+oud .ontinue to spare her for the present/ When she got ho)e she
+rote a note to her> saying that athough she .oud )a1e no definite
pro)ise for the future> she had de.ided to 1eep sien.e for the
present/
#ife +ent on )u.h the sa)e in $ay)er"s (nd/ It +as noti.ed o.ay
that #ady #ee +as oo1ing far fro) +e/ <n the other hand> Care
!ai+e 'oo)ed/ !er eyes +ere 'righter> she .arried her head
higher> and there +as a ne+ .onfiden.e and assuran.e in her )anner/
She and #ady #ee often )et> and it +as noti.ed on these o..asions
that the younger +o)an +at.hed the oder +ith a fattering attention
to her sightest +ord/
So)eti)es Miss !ai+e +oud )a1e re)ar1s that see)ed a itte
a)'iguous ; not entirey reevant to the )atter at hand/ She +oud
suddeny say that she had .hanged her )ind a'out )any things atey ;
that it +as .urious ho+ a itte thing )ight ater entirey one"s point of
vie+/ <ne +as apt to give +ay too )u.h to pity ; and that +as reay
8uite +rong/
When she said things of that 1ind she usuay oo1ed at #ady #ee in a
pe.uiar +ay> and the atter +oud suddeny gro+ 8uite +hite> and oo1
a)ost terrified/
%ut as the year dre+ on> these itte su'teties 'e.a)e ess apparent/
Care .ontinued to )a1e the sa)e re)ar1s> 'ut #ady #ee see)ed ess
affe.ted 'y the)/ She 'egan to re.over her oo1s and spirits/ !er od
gay )anner returned/
<ne )orning> +hen she +as ta1ing her dog for a +a1> Care )et
,erad in a ane/ The atter"s spanie fraterni?ed +ith &over> +hie his
)aster ta1ed to Care/
J!eard our ne+sAJ he said 'uoyanty/ JI eBpe.t 7ivien"s tod you/J
JWhat sort of ne+sA 7ivien hasn"t )entioned anything in parti.uar/J
JWe"re going a'road ; for a year ; perhaps onger/ 7ivien"s fed up +ith
this pa.e/ She never has .ared for it> you 1no+/J !e sighedI for a
)o)ent or t+o he oo1ed do+n.ast/ ,erad #ee +as very proud of his
ho)e/ JAny+ay> I"ve pro)ised her a .hange/ I"ve ta1en a via near
Agiers/ A +onderfu pa.e> 'y a a..ounts/J !e aughed a itte sef.ons.iousy/
J4uite a se.ond honey)oon> ehAJ
For a )inute or t+o Care .oud not spea1/ So)ething see)ed to 'e
rising up in her throat and suffo.ating her/ She .oud see the +hite
+as of the via> the orange trees> s)e the soft perfu)ed 'reath of
the South/ A se.ond honey)oonG
They +ere going to es.ape/ 7ivien no onger 'eieved in her threats/
She +as going a+ay> .arefree> gay> happy/
Care heard her o+n voi.e> a itte hoarse in ti)'re> saying the
appropriate things/ !o+ oveyG She envied the)G
Mer.ifuy at that )o)ent &over and the spanie de.ided to disagree/
In the s.uffe that ensued> further .onversation +as out of the
8uestion/
That afternoon Care sat do+n and +rote a note to 7ivien/ She as1ed
her to )eet her on the (dge the foo+ing day> as she had so)ething
very i)portant to say to her/
The neBt )orning da+ned 'right and .oudess/ Care +a1ed up the
steep path of the (dge +ith a ightened heart/ What a perfe.t dayG She
+as gad that she had de.ided to say +hat had to 'e said out in the
open> under the 'ue s1y> instead of in her stuffy itte sitting roo)/ She
+as sorry for 7ivien> very sorry indeed> 'ut the thing had got to 'e
done/
She sa+ a yeo+ dot> i1e so)e yeo+ fo+er higher up 'y the side of
the path/ As she .a)e nearer> it resoved itsef into the figure of 7ivien>
dressed in a yeo+ 1nitted fro.1> sitting on the short turf> her hands
.asped round her 1nees/
J,ood )orning>J said Care/ JIsn"t it a perfe.t )orningAJ
JIs itAJ said 7ivien/ JI haven"t noti.ed/ What +as it you +anted to say to
)eAJ
Care dropped do+n on the grass 'eside her/
JI") 8uite out of 'reath>J she said apoogeti.ay/ JIt"s a steep pu up
here/J
J$a)n youGJ .ried 7ivien shriy/ JWhy .an"t you say it> you s)oothfa.ed
devi> instead of torturing )eAJ
Care oo1ed sho.1ed> and 7ivien hastiy re.anted/
JI didn"t )ean that/ I") sorry> Care/ I a) indeed/ <ny ; )y nerves are
a to pie.es> and your sitting here and ta1ing a'out the +eather ; +e>
it got )e a ratted/J
J@ou" have a nervous 'rea1do+n if you"re not .arefu>J said Care
.ody/
7ivien gave a short augh/
J,o over the edgeA 0o ; I") not that 1ind/ I" never 'e a oony/ 0o+ te
)e ; +hat"s a this a'outAJ
Care +as sient for a )o)ent> then she spo1e> oo1ing not at 7ivien
'ut steadiy out over the sea/
JI thought it ony fair to +arn you that I .an no onger 1eep sien.e
a'out ; a'out +hat happened ast year/J
J@ou )ean ; you" go to ,erad +ith that storyAJ
J2ness you" te hi) yoursef/ That +oud 'e infinitey the 'etter +ay/J
7ivien aughed sharpy/
J@ou 1no+ +e enough I haven"t got the pu.1 to do that/J
Care did not .ontradi.t the assertion/ She had had proof 'efore of
7ivien"s uttery .raven te)per/
JIt +oud 'e infinitey 'etter>J she repeated/
Again 7ivien gave that short> ugy augh/
JIt"s your pre.ious .ons.ien.e> I suppose> that drives you to do thisAJ
she sneered/
JI dare say it see)s very strange to you>J said Care 8uiety/ J%ut it
honesty is that/J
7ivien"s +hite> set fa.e stared into hers/
JMy ,odGJ she said/ JI reay 'eieve you )ean it> too/ @ou a.tuay
thin1 that"s the reason/J
JIt is the reason/J
J0o> it isn"t/ If so> you"d have done it 'efore ; ong ago/ Why didn"t youA
0o> don"t ans+er/ I" te you/ @ou got )ore peasure out of hoding it
over )e ; that"s +hy/ @ou i1ed to 1eep )e on tenterhoo1s> and )a1e
)e +in.e and s8uir)/ @ou"d say things ; dia'oi.a things ; Dust to
tor)ent )e and 1eep )e perpetuay on the Du)p/ And so they did for a
'it ; ti I got used to the)/J
J@ou got to fee se.ure>J said Care/
J@ou sa+ that> didn"t youA %ut even then> you hed 'a.1> enDoying your
sense of po+er/ %ut no+ +e"re going a+ay> es.aping fro) you>
perhaps even going to 'e happy ; you .oudn"t sti.1 that at any pri.e/
So your .onvenient .ons.ien.e +a1es upGJ
She stopped> panting/ Care said> sti very 8uietyH
JI .an"t prevent your saying a these fantasti.a things> 'ut I .an
assure you they"re not true/J
7ivien turned suddeny and .aught her 'y the hand/
JCare ; for ,od"s sa1eG I"ve 'een straight ; I"ve done +hat you said/ I"ve
not seen Cyri again ; I s+ear it/J
JThat"s nothing to do +ith it/J
JCare ; haven"t you any pity ; any 1indnessA I" go do+n on )y 1nees
to you/J
JTe ,erad yoursef/ If you te hi)> he )ay forgive you/J
7ivien aughed s.ornfuy/
J@ou 1no+ ,erad 'etter than that/ !e" 'e ra'id ; vindi.tive/ !e"
)a1e )e suffer ; he" )a1e Cyri suffer/ That"s +hat I .an"t 'ear/
#isten> Care ; he"s doing so +e/ !e"s invented so)ething ;
)a.hinery> I don"t understand a'out it> 'ut it )ay 'e a +onderfu
su..ess/ !e"s +or1ing it out no+ ; his +ife suppies the )oney for it> of
.ourse/ %ut she"s suspi.ious ; Deaous/ If she finds out> and she +i find
out if ,erad starts pro.eedings for divor.e ; she" .hu.1 Cyri ; his
+or1> everything/ Cyri +i 'e ruined/J
JI") not thin1ing of Cyri>J said Care/ JI") thin1ing of ,erad/ Why don"t
you thin1 a itte of hi)> tooAJ
J,eradA I don"t .are that ;J she snapped her fingers ; Jfor ,erad/ I
never have/ We )ight as +e have the truth no+ +e"re at it/ %ut I do
.are for Cyri/ I") a rotter> through and through> I ad)it it/ I dare say
he"s a rotter> too/ %ut )y feeing for hi) ; that isn"t rotten/ I"d die for
hi)> do you hearA I"d die for hi)GJ
JThat is easiy said>J said Care derisivey/
J@ou thin1 I") not in earnestA #isten> if you go on +ith this 'easty
'usiness> I" 1i )ysef/ Sooner than have Cyri 'rought into it and
ruined> I"d do that/J
Care re)ained uni)pressed/
J@ou don"t 'eieve )eAJ said 7ivien> panting/
JSui.ide needs a ot of .ourage/J
7ivien fin.hed 'a.1 as though she had 'een stru.1/
J@ou"ve got )e there/ @es> I"ve no pu.1/ If there +ere an easy +ay ;J
JThere"s an easy +ay in front of you>J said Care/ J@ou"ve ony got to
run straight do+n the green sope/ It +oud 'e a over in a .oupe of
)inutes/ &e)e)'er that .hid ast year/J
J@es>J said 7ivien thoughtfuy/ JThat +oud 'e easy ; 8uite easy ; if one
reay +anted to ;J
Care aughed/
7ivien turned to her/
J#et"s have this out on.e )ore/ Can"t you see that 'y 1eeping sien.e
as ong as you have> you"ve ; you"ve no right to go 'a.1 on it no+A I"
not see Cyri again/ I" 'e a good +ife to ,erad ; I s+ear I +i/ <r I" go
a+ay and never see hi) again/ Whi.hever you i1e/ Care ;J
Care got up/
JI advise you>J she said> Jto te your hus'and yoursef/// <ther+ise ; I
sha/J
JI see>J said 7ivien softy/ JWe ; I .an"t et Cyri suffer ;J
She got up ; stood sti as though .onsidering for a )inute or t+o> then
ran ighty do+n to the path> 'ut instead of stopping> .rossed it and
+ent do+n the sope/
<n.e she haf turned her head and +aved a hand gaiy to Care> then
she ran on gaiy> ighty> as a .hid )ight run> out of sight///
Care stood petrified/ Suddeny she heard .ries> shouts> a .a)or of
voi.es/ Then ; sien.e/
She pi.1ed her +ay stiffy do+n to the path/ A'out a hundred yards
a+ay a party of peope .o)ing up it had stopped/ They +ere staring
and pointing/ Care ran do+n and Doined the)/
J@es> Miss> so)eone"s faen over the .iff/ T+o )en have gone do+n ;
to see/J
She +aited/ Was it an hour> or eternity> or ony a fe+ )inutesA
A )an .a)e toiing up the as.ent/ It +as the vi.ar in his shirtseeves/
!is .oat had 'een ta1en off to .over +hat ay 'eo+/
J!orri'e>J he said> his fa.e very +hite/ JMer.ifuy> death )ust have
'een instantaneous/J
!e sa+ Care> and .a)e over to her/
JThis )ust have 'een a terri'e sho.1 to you/ @ou +ere ta1ing a +a1
together> I understandAJ
Care heard hersef ans+ering )e.hani.ay/
@es/ They had Dust parted/ 0o> #ady #ee"s )anner had 'een 8uite
nor)a/ <ne of the group interposed the infor)ation that the ady +as
aughing and +aving her hand/ A terri'y dangerous pa.e ; there
ought to 'e a raiing aong the path/
The vi.ar"s voi.e rose again/
JAn a..ident ; yes> .eary an a..ident/J
And then suddeny Care aughed ; a hoarse> rau.ous augh that
e.hoed aong the .iff/
JThat"s a da)ned ie>J she said/ JI 1ied her/J
She fet so)eone patting her shouder> a voi.e spo1e soothingy/
JThere> there/ It"s a right/ @ou" 'e a right presenty/J
%ut Care +as not a right presenty/ She +as never a right again/ She
persisted in the deusion ; .ertainy a deusion> sin.e at east eight
persons had +itnessed the s.ene ; that she had 1ied 7ivien #ee/
She +as very )isera'e ti 0urse #auriston .a)e to ta1e .harge/
0urse #auriston +as very su..essfu +ith )enta .ases/
J!u)or the)> poor things>J she +oud say .o)forta'y/
So she tod Care that she +as a +ardress fro) Pentonvie Prison/
Care"s senten.e> she said> had 'een .o))uted to pena servitude for
ife/ A roo) +as fitted up as a .e/
JAnd no+> I thin1> +e sha 'e 8uite happy and .o)forta'e>J said
0urse #auriston to the do.tor/ J&ound;'aded 1nives if you i1e>
do.tor> 'ut I don"t thin1 there"s the east fear of sui.ide/ She"s not the
type/ Too sef;.entered/ Funny ho+ those are often the ones +ho go
over the edge )ost easiy/J
C!&ISTMAS A$7(0T2&(
I
The 'ig ogs .ra.1ed )erriy in the +ide> open firepa.e> and a'ove
their .ra.1ing rose the 'a'e of siB tongues a +agging industriousy
together/ The house;party of young peope +ere enDoying their
Christ)as/
<d Miss (ndi.ott> 1no+n to )ost of those present as Aunt ()iy>
s)ied indugenty on the .atter/
"%et you you .an"t eat siB )in.e;pies> *ean/"
"@es> I .an/"
"0o> you .an"t/"
"@ou" get the pig out of the trife if you do/"
"@es> and three heps of trife> and t+o heps of pu);pudding/"
"I hope the pudding +i 'e good>" said Miss (ndi.ott apprehensivey/
"%ut they +ere ony )ade three days ago/ Christ)as puddings ought to
'e )ade a ong ti)e 'efore Christ)as/ Why> I re)e)'er +hen I +as a
.hid> I thought the ast Coe.t 'efore Advent ; JStir up> < #ord> +e
'esee.h Thee ///J ; referred in so)e +ay to stirring up the Christ)as
puddingsG"
There +as a poite pause +hie Miss (ndi.ott +as spea1ing/ 0ot
'e.ause any of the young peope +ere in the east interested in her
re)inis.en.es of 'ygone days> 'ut 'e.ause they fet that so)e sho+
of attention +as due 'y good )anners to their hostess/ As soon as she
stopped> the 'a'e 'urst out again/ Miss (ndi.ott sighed> and gan.ed
to+ards the ony )e)'er of the party +hose years approa.hed her
o+n> as though in sear.h of sy)pathy ; a itte )an +ith a .urious eggshaped
head and fier.e upstanding )ousta.hes/ @oung peope +ere
not +hat they +ere> refe.ted Miss (ndi.ott/ In oden days there +oud
have 'een a )ute> respe.tfu .ir.e> istening to the pears of +isdo)
dropped 'y their eders/ Instead of +hi.h there +as a this
nonsensi.a .hatter> )ost of it uttery in.o)prehensi'e/ A the sa)e>
they +ere dear .hidrenG !er eyes softened as she passed the) in
revie+ ; ta> fre.1ed *eanI itte 0an.y Carde> +ith her dar1> gipsy
'eautyI the t+o younger 'oys ho)e fro) s.hoo> *ohnnie and (ri.> and
their friend> Charie PeaseI and fair> 'eautifu (veyn !a+orth /// At
thought of the ast> her 'ro+ .ontra.ted a itte> and her eyes
+andered to +here her edest nephe+> &oger> sat )orosey sient>
ta1ing no part in the fun> +ith his eyes fiBed on the eB8uisite 0orthern
fairness of the young gir/
"Isn"t the sno+ rippingA" .ried *ohnnie> approa.hing the +indo+/ "&ea
Christ)as +eather/ I say> et"s have a sno+'a fight/ There"s ots of
ti)e 'efore dinner> isn"t there> Aunt ()iyA"
"@es> )y dear/ We have it at t+o o".o.1/ That re)inds )e> I had 'etter
see to the ta'e/"
She hurried out of the roo)/
"I te you +hat/ We" )a1e a sno+)anG" s.rea)ed *ean/
"@es> +hat funG I 1no+I +e" do a sno+ statue of M/ Poirot/ $o you hear>
M/ PoirotA The great dete.tive> !er.ue Poirot> )odeed in sno+> 'y
siB .ee'rated artistsG"
The itte )an in the .hair 'o+ed his a.1no+edge)ents +ith a
t+in1ing eye/
"Ma1e hi) very handso)e> )y .hidren>" he urged/ "I insist on that/"
"&a;therG"
The troop disappeared i1e a +hir+ind> .oiding in the door+ay +ith a
statey 'uter +ho +as entering +ith a note on a saver/ The 'uter> his
.a) re;esta'ished> advan.ed to+ards Poirot/
Poirot too1 the note and tore it open/ The 'uter departed/ T+i.e the
itte )an read the note through> then he foded it up and put it in his
po.1et/ 0ot a )us.e of his fa.e had )oved> and yet the .ontents of
the note +ere suffi.ienty surprising/ S.ra+ed in an iiterate hand
+ere the +ordsH "$on"t eat any pu);pudding/"
"7ery interesting>" )ur)ured M/ Poirot to hi)sef/ "And 8uite
uneBpe.ted/"
!e oo1ed a.ross to the firepa.e/ (veyn !a+orth had not gone out
+ith the rest/ She +as sitting staring at the fire> a'sor'ed in thought>
nervousy t+isting a ring on the third finger of her eft hand round and
round/
"@ou are ost in a drea)> Made)oisee>" said the itte )an at ast/ "And
the drea) is not a happy one> ehA"
She started> and oo1ed a.ross at hi) un.ertainy/ !e nodded
reassuringy/
"It is )y 'usiness to 1no+ things/ 0o> you are not happy/ Me> too> I a)
not very happy/ Sha +e .onfide in ea.h otherA See you> I have the 'ig
sorro+ 'e.ause a friend of )ine> a friend of )any years> has gone
a+ay a.ross the sea to the South A)eri.a/ So)eti)es> +hen +e +ere
together> this friend )ade )e i)patient> his stupidity enraged )eI 'ut
no+ that he is gone> I .an re)e)'er ony his good 8uaities/ That is the
+ay of ife> is it notA And no+> Made)oisee> +hat is your trou'eA @ou
are not i1e )e> od and aone ; you are young and 'eautifuI and the
)an you ove oves you ; oh yes> it is soH I have 'een +at.hing hi) for
the ast haf;hour/"
The gir"s .oour rose/
"@ou )ean &oger (ndi.ottA <h> 'ut you have )ade a )ista1eI it is not
&oger I a) engaged to/"
"0o> you are engaged to Mr <s.ar #evering/ I 1no+ that perfe.ty/ %ut
+hy are you engaged to hi)> sin.e you ove another )anA"
The gir did not see) to resent his +ordsI indeed> there +as so)ething
in his )anner +hi.h )ade that i)possi'e/ !e spo1e +ith a )iBture of
1indiness and authority that +as irresisti'e/
"Te )e a a'out it>" said Poirot gentyI and he added the phrase he
had used 'efore> the sound of +hi.h +as oddy .o)forting to the gir/
"It is )y 'usiness to 1no+ things/"
"I a) so )isera'e> M/ Poirot ; so very )isera'e/ @ou see> on.e +e
+ere very +e off/ I +as supposed to 'e an heiress> and &oger +as
ony a younger sonI and ; and athough I") sure he .ared for )e> he
never said anything> 'ut +ent off to Austraia/"
"It is dro> the +ay they arrange the )arriages over here>" interpoated
M/ Poirot/ "0o order/ 0o )ethod/ (verything eft to .han.e/"
(veyn .ontinued/
"Then suddeny +e ost a our )oney/ My )other and I +ere eft a)ost
penniess/ We )oved into a tiny house> and +e .oud Dust )anage/ %ut
)y )other 'e.a)e very i/ The ony .han.e for her +as to have a
serious operation and go a'road to a +ar) .i)ate/ And +e hadn"t the
)oney> M/ Poirot ; +e hadn"t the )oneyG It )eant that she )ust die/ Mr
#evering had proposed to )e on.e or t+i.e aready/ !e again as1ed
)e to )arry hi)> and pro)ised to do everything that .oud 'e done for
)y )other/ I said yes ; +hat ese .oud I doA !e 1ept his +ord/ The
operation +as perfor)ed 'y the greatest spe.iaist of the day> and +e
+ent to (gypt for the +inter/ That +as a year ago/ My )other is +e
and strong againI and I ; I a) to )arry Mr #evering after Christ)as/"
"I see>" said M/ PoirotI "and in the )eanti)e> M/ &oger"s eder 'rother
has died> and he has .o)e ho)e ; to find his drea) shattered/ A the
sa)e> you are not yet )arried> Made)oisee/"
"A !a+orth does not 'rea1 her +ord> M/ Poirot>" said the gir proudy/
A)ost as she spo1e> the door opened> and a 'ig )an +ith a ru'i.und
fa.e> narro+> .rafty eyes> and a 'ad head stood on the threshod/
"What are you )oping in here for> (veynA Co)e out for a stro/"
"7ery +e> <s.ar/"
She rose istessy/ Poirot rose aso and de)anded poiteyH
"Made)oisee #evering> she is sti indisposedA"
"@es> I") sorry to say )y sister is sti in 'ed/ Too 'ad> to 'e aid up on
Christ)as $ay/"
"It is indeed>" agreed the dete.tive poitey/
A fe+ )inutes suffi.ed for (veyn to put on her sno+;'oots and so)e
+raps> and she and her fian.= +ent out into the sno+;.overed
grounds/ It +as an idea Christ)as $ay> .risp and sunny/ The rest of
the house;party +ere 'usy +ith the ere.tion of the sno+)an/ #evering
and (veyn paused to +at.h the)/
"#ove"s young drea)> yahG" .ried *ohnnie> and thre+ a sno+'a at
the)/
"What do you thin1 of it> (veynA" .ried *ean/ "M/ !er.ue Poirot> the
great dete.tive/"
"Wait ti the )ousta.he goes on>" said (ri./ "0an.y"s going to .ip off a
'it of her hair for it/ 7ivent es 'raves %egesG Po)> po)G"
"Fan.y having a rea;ive dete.tive in the houseG" ; this fro) Charie ; "I
+ish there .oud 'e a )urder> too/"
"<h> oh> ohG" .ried *ean> dan.ing a'out/ "I"ve got an idea/ #et"s get up a
)urder ; a spoof one> I )ean/ And ta1e hi) in/ <h> do et"s ; it +oud 'e
no end of a rag/"
Five voi.es 'egan to ta1 at on.e/
"!o+ shoud +e do itA"
"A+fu groansG"
"0o> you stupid> out here/"
"Footprints in the sno+> of .ourse/"
"*ean in her nightie/"
"@ou do it +ith red paint/"
"In your hand ; and .ap it to your head/"
"I say> I +ish +e had a revover/"
"I te you> Father and Aunt () +on"t hear/ Their roo)s are the other
side of the house/"
"0o> he +on"t )ind a 'itI he"s no end of a sport/"
"@es> 'ut +hat 1ind of red paintA (na)eA"
"We .oud get so)e in the viage/"
"Fat;head> not on Christ)as $ay/"
"0o> +ater.oour/ Cri)son a1e/"
"*ean .an 'e it/"
"0ever )ind if you are .od/ It +on"t 'e for ong/"
"0o> 0an.y .an 'e it> 0an.y"s got those posh pyDa)as/"
"#et"s see if ,raves 1no+s +here there"s any paint/"
A sta)pede to the house/
"In a 'ro+n study> (ndi.ottA" said #evering> aughing disagreea'y/
&oger roused hi)sef a'rupty/ !e had heard itte of +hat had passed/
"I +as Dust +ondering>" he said 8uiety/
"WonderingA"
"Wondering +hat M/ Poirot +as doing do+n here at a/"
#evering see)ed ta1en a'a.1I 'ut at that )o)ent the 'ig gong peaed
out> and every'ody +ent in to Christ)as dinner/ The .urtains +ere
dra+n in the dining;roo)> and the ights on> iu)inating the ong ta'e
pied high +ith .ra.1ers and other de.orations/ It +as a rea odfashioned
Christ)as dinner/ At one end of the ta'e +as the S8uire>
red;fa.ed and DoviaI his sister fa.ed hi) at the other/ M/ Poirot> in
honour of the o..asion> had donned a red +aist.oat> and his
pu)pness> and the +ay he .arried his head on one side> re)inded
one irresisti'y of a ro'in red'reast/
The S8uire .arved rapidy> and everyone fe to on tur1ey/ The
.ar.asses of t+o tur1eys +ere re)oved> and there fe a 'reathess
hush/ Then ,raves> the 'uter> appeared in state> 'earing the pu)pudding
aoft ; a giganti. pudding +reathed in fa)es/ A hua'aoo
'ro1e out/
"4ui.1/ <hG )y pie.e is going out/ %u.1 up> ,ravesI uness it"s sti
'urning> I shan"t get )y +ish/"
0o'ody had eisure to noti.e a .urious eBpression on the fa.e of M/
Poirot as he surveyed the portion of pudding on his pate/ 0o'ody
o'served the ightning gan.e he sent round the ta'e/ With a faint>
pu??ed fro+n he 'egan to eat his pudding/ (very'ody 'egan to eat
pudding/ The .onversation +as )ore su'dued/ Suddeny the S8uire
uttered an eB.a)ation/ !is fa.e 'e.a)e purpe and his hand +ent to
his )outh/
"Confound it> ()iyG" he roared/ "Why do you et the .oo1 put gass in
the puddingsA"
",assA" .ried Miss (ndi.ott> astonished/
The S8uire +ithdre+ the offending su'stan.e fro) his )outh/
"Might have 'ro1en a tooth>" he gru)'ed/ "<r s+ao+ed it and had
appendi.itis/"
In front of ea.h person +as a s)a finger;'o+ of +ater> designed to
re.eive the siBpen.es and other )atters found in the trife/ Mr (ndi.ott
dropped the pie.e of gass into this> rinsed it and hed it up/
",od 'ess )y souG" he eDa.uated/ "It"s a red stone out of one of the
.ra.1er 'roo.hes/"
"@ou per)itA" 7ery defty> M/ Poirot too1 it fro) his fingers and
eBa)ined it attentivey/ As the S8uire had said> it +as a 'ig red stone>
the .oour of a ru'y/ The ight gea)ed fro) its fa.ets as he turned it
a'out/
",eeG" .ried (ri./ "Suppose it"s rea/"
"Siy 'oyG" said *ean s.ornfuy/ "A ru'y that si?e +oud 'e +orth
thousands and thousands and thousands ; +oudn"t it> M/ PoirotA"
"(Btraordinary ho+ +e they get up these .ra.1er things>" )ur)ured
Miss (ndi.ott/ "%ut ho+ did it get into the puddingA""
2ndou'tedy that +as the 8uestion of the hour/ (very hypothesis +as
eBhausted/ <ny M/ Poirot said nothing> 'ut .areessy> as though
thin1ing of so)ething ese> he dropped the stone into his po.1et/
After dinner he paid a visit to the 1it.hen/
The .oo1 +as rather fustered/ To 'e 8uestioned 'y a )e)'er of the
house;party> and the foreign gente)an tooG %ut she did her 'est to
ans+er his 8uestions/ The puddings had 'een )ade three days ago ;
"The day you arrived> Sir/" (veryone had .o)e out into the 1it.hen to
have a stir and +ish/ An od .usto) ; perhaps they didn"t have it
a'roadA After that the puddings +ere 'oied> and then they +ere put in
a ro+ on the top shef in the arder/ Was there anything spe.ia to
distinguish this pudding fro) the othersA 0o> she didn"t thin1 so/
(B.ept that it +as in an au)iniu) pudding;'asin> and the others +ere
in .hina ones/ Was it the pudding originay intended for Christ)as
$ayA It +as funny that he shoud as1 that/ 0o> indeedG The Christ)as
pudding +as a+ays 'oied in a 'ig +hite .hina )oud +ith a pattern of
hoy;eaves/ %ut this very )orning 9the .oo1"s red fa.e 'e.a)e
+rathfu: ,adys> the 1it.hen;)aid> sent to fet.h it do+n for the fina
'oiing> had )anaged to drop and 'rea1 it/ "And of .ourse> seeing that
there )ight 'e spinters in it> I +oudn"t send it to ta'e> 'ut too1 the 'ig
au)iniu) one instead/"
M/ Poirot than1ed her for her infor)ation/ !e +ent out of the 1it.hen>
s)iing a itte to hi)sef> as though satisfied +ith the infor)ation he
had o'tained/ And the fingers of his right hand payed +ith so)ething
in his po.1et/
II
"M/ PoirotG M/ PoirotG $o +a1e upG So)ething dreadfu"s happenedG"
Thus *ohnnie in the eary hours of the foo+ing )orning/ M/ Poirot sat
up in 'ed/ !e +ore a night;.ap/ The .ontrast 'et+een the dignity of his
.ountenan.e and the ra1ish tit of the night.ap +as .ertainy droI 'ut
its effe.t on *ohnnie see)ed disproportionate/ %ut for his +ords> one
)ight have fan.ied that the 'oy +as vioenty a)used a'out
so)ething/ Curious sounds .a)e fro) outside the door> too>
suggesting soda;+ater syphons in diffi.uty/
"Co)e do+n at on.e> pease>" .ontinued *ohnnie> his voi.e sha1ing
sighty/ "So)eone"s 'een 1ied/" !e turned a+ay/
"Aha> that is seriousG" said M/ Poirot/
!e arose> and> +ithout unduy hurrying hi)sef> )ade a partia toiet/
Then he foo+ed *ohnnie do+n the stairs/ The house;party +as
.ustered round the door into the garden/ Their .ountenan.es a
eBpressed intense e)otion/ At sight of hi) (ri. +as sei?ed +ith a
vioent .ho1ing fit/
*ean .a)e for+ard and aid her hand on M/ Poirot"s ar)/
"#oo1G" she said> and pointed dra)ati.ay through the open door/
"Mon $ieuG" eDa.uated M/ Poirot/ "It is i1e a s.ene on the stage/"
!is re)ar1 +as not inapposite/ More sno+ had faen during the night>
the +ord oo1ed +hite and ghosty in the faint ight of the eary da+n/
The eBpanse of +hite ay un'ro1en save for +hat oo1ed i1e on spash
of vivid s.aret/
0an.y Carde ay )otioness on the sno+/ She +as .ad in s.aret si1
pyDa)as> her s)a feet +ere 'are> her ar)s +ere spread +ide/ !er
head +as turned aside and hidden 'y the )ass of her .ustering 'a.1
hair/ $eady sti she ay> and fro) her eft side rose up the hit of a
dagger> +hist on the sno+ there +as an ever;+idening pat.h of
.ri)son/
Poirot +ent out into the sno+/ !e did not go to +here the gir"s 'ody
ay> 'ut 1ept to the path/ T+o tra.1s of foot;)ar1s> a )an"s and a
+o)an"s> ed to +here the tragedy had o..urred/ The )an"s footprints
+ent a+ay in the opposite dire.tion aone/ Poirot stood on the path>
stro1ing his .hin refe.tivey/
Suddeny <s.ar #evering 'urst out of the house/
",ood ,odG" he .ried/ "What"s thisA"
!is eB.ite)ent +as a .ontrast to the other"s .a)/
"It oo1s>" said M/ Poirot thoughtfuy> "i1e )urder/"
(ri. had another vioent atta.1 of .oughing/
"%ut +e )ust do so)ething>" .ried the other/ "What sha +e doA"
"There is ony one thing to 'e done>" said M/ Poirot/ "Send for the
poi.e/"
"<hG" said every'ody at on.e/
M/ Poirot oo1ed in8uiringy at the)/
"Certainy>" he said/ "It is the ony thing to 'e done/ Who +i goA"
There +as a pause> then *ohnnie .a)e for+ard/
"&ag"s over>" he de.ared/ "I say> M/ Poirot> I hope you +on"t 'e too )ad
+ith us/ It"s a a Do1e> you 1no+ ; got up 'et+een us ; Dust to pu your
eg/ 0an.y"s ony sha))ing/"
M/ Poirot regarded hi) +ithout visi'e e)otion> save that his eyes
t+in1ed a )o)ent/
"@ou )o.1 yourseves at )e> is that itA" he in8uired pa.idy/
"I say> I") a+fuy sorry reay/ We shoudn"t have done it/ %easty 'ad
taste/ I apoogi?e> I reay do/"
"@ou need not apoogi?e>" said the other in a pe.uiar voi.e/
*ohnnie turned/
"I say> 0an.y> get upG" he .ried/ "$on"t ie there a day/"
%ut the figure on the ground did not )ove/
",et up>" .ried *ohnnie again/
Sti 0an.y did not )ove> and suddeny a feeing of na)eess dread
.a)e over the 'oy/ !e turned to Poirot/
"What ; +hat"s the )atterA Why doesn"t she get upA"
"Co)e +ith )e>" said Poirot .urty/
!e strode over the sno+/ !e had +aved the others 'a.1> and he +as
.arefu not to infringe on the other foot)ar1s/ The 'oy foo+ed hi)>
frightened and un'eieving/ Poirot 1net do+n 'y the gir> then he
signed to *ohnnie/
"Fee her hand and puse/"
Wondering> the 'oy 'ent do+n> then started 'a.1 +ith a .ry/ The hand
and ar) +ere stiff and .od> and no vestige of a puse +as to 'e found/
"She"s deadG" he gasped/ "%ut ho+A WhyA"
M/ Poirot passed over the first part of the 8uestion/
"WhyA" he said )usingy/ "I +onder/" Then> suddeny eaning a.ross the
dead gir"s 'ody> he un.asped her other hand> +hi.h +as tighty
.en.hed over so)ething/ %oth he and the 'oy uttered an eB.a)ation/
In the pa) of 0an.y"s hand +as a red stone that +in1ed and fashed
forth fire/
"AhaG" .ried M/ Poirot/ S+ift as a fash his hand fe+ to his po.1et> and
.a)e a+ay e)pty/
"The .ra.1er ru'y>" said *ohnnie +onderingy/ Then> as his .o)panion
'ent to eBa)ine the dagger> and the stained sno+> he .ried outH
"Surey it .an"t 'e 'ood> M/ Poirot/ It"s paint/ It"s ony paint/"
Poirot straightened hi)sef/
"@es>" he said 8uiety/ "@ou are right/ It"s ony paint/"
"Then ho+ ;" The 'oy 'ro1e off/ Poirot finished the senten.e for hi)/
"!o+ +as she 1iedA That +e )ust find out/ $id she eat or drin1
anything this )orningA"
!e +as retra.ing his steps to the path +here the others +aited as he
spo1e/ *ohnnie +as .ose 'ehind hi)/
"She had a .up of tea>" said the 'oy/ "Mr #evering )ade it for her/ !e"s
got a spirit;a)p in his roo)/"
*ohnnie"s voi.e +as oud and .ear/ #evering heard the +ords/
"A+ays ta1e a spirit;a)p a'out +ith )e>" he de.ared/ "Most handy
thing in the +ord/ My sister"s 'een gad enough of it this visit ; not
i1ing to +orry the servants a the ti)e you 1no+/"
M/ Poirot"s eyes fe> a)ost apoogeti.ay as it see)ed> to Mr
#evering"s feet> +hi.h +ere en.ased in .arpet sippers/
"@ou have .hanged your 'oots> I see>" he )ur)ured genty/
#evering stared at hi)/
"%ut> M/ Poirot>" .ried *ean> "+hat are +e to doA"
"There is ony one thing to 'e done> as I said Dust no+> Made)oisee/
Send for the poi.e/"
"I" go>" .ried #evering/ "It +on"t ta1e )e a )inute to put on )y 'oots/
@ou peope had 'etter not stay out here in the .od/"
!e disappeared into the house/
"!e is so thoughtfu> that Mr #evering>" )ur)ured Poirot softy/ "Sha
+e ta1e his advi.eA"
"What a'out +a1ing father and ; and every'odyA"
"0o>" said M/ Poirot sharpy/ "It is 8uite unne.essary/ 2nti the poi.e
.o)e> nothing )ust 'e tou.hed out hereI so sha +e go insideA To the
i'raryA I have a itte history to re.ount to you +hi.h )ay distra.t your
)inds fro) this sad tragedy/"
!e ed the +ay> and they foo+ed hi)/
"The story is a'out a ru'y>" said M/ Poirot> ens.on.ing hi)sef in a
.o)forta'e ar);.hair/ "A very .ee'rated ru'y +hi.h 'eonged to a
very .ee'rated )an/ I +i not te you his na)e ; 'ut he is one of the
great ones of the earth/ (h 'ien> this great )an> he arrived in #ondon>
in.ognito/ And sin.e> though a great )an> he +as aso a young and a
fooish )an> he 'e.a)e entanged +ith a pretty young ady/ The pretty
young ady> she did not .are )u.h for the )an> 'ut she did .are for his
possessions ; so )u.h so that she disappeared one day +ith the
histori. ru'y +hi.h had 'eonged to his house for generations/ The
poor young )an> he +as in a 8uandary/ !e is shorty to 'e )arried to a
no'e Prin.ess> and he does not +ant the s.anda/ I)possi'e to go to
the poi.e> he .o)es to )e> !er.ue Poirot> instead/ J&e.over for )e
)y ru'y>J he says/ (h 'ien> I 1no+ so)ething of this young ady/ She
has a 'rother> and 'et+een the) they have put through )any a .ever
.oup/ I happen to 1no+ +here they are staying for Christ)as/ %y the
1indness of Mr (ndi.ott> +ho) I .han.e to have )et> I> too> 'e.o)e a
guest/ %ut +hen this pretty young ady hears that I a) arriving> she is
greaty aar)ed/ She is inteigent> and she 1no+s that I a) after the
ru'y/ She )ust hide it i))ediatey in a safe pa.eI and figure to
yoursef +here she hides it ; in a pu);puddingG @es> you )ay +e say>
ohG She is stirring +ith the rest> you see> and she pops it into a
pudding;'o+ of au)iniu) that is different fro) the others/ %y a
strange .han.e> that pudding .a)e to 'e used on Christ)as $ay/"
The tragedy forgotten for the )o)ent> they stared at hi) open)outhed/
"After that>" .ontinued the itte )an> "she too1 to her 'ed/" !e dre+ out
his +at.h and oo1ed at it/ "The househod is astir/ Mr #evering is a
ong ti)e fet.hing the poi.e> is he notA I fan.y that his sister +ent +ith
hi)/"
(veyn rose +ith a .ry> her eyes fiBed on Poirot/
"And I aso fan.y that they +i not return/ <s.ar #evering has 'een
saiing .ose to the +ind for a ong ti)e> and this is the end/ !e and his
sister +i pursue their a.tivities a'road for a ti)e under a different
na)e/ I aternatey te)pted and frightened hi) this )orning/ %y
.asting aside a preten.e he .oud gain possession of the ru'y +hist
+e +ere in the house and he +as supposed to 'e fet.hing the poi.e/
%ut it )eant 'urning his 'oats/ Sti> +ith a .ase 'eing 'uit up against
hi) for )urder> fight see)ed .eary indi.ated/"
"$id he 1i 0an.yA" +hispered *ean/
Poirot rose/
"Supposing +e visit on.e )ore the s.ene of the .ri)e>" he suggested/
!e ed the +ay> and they foo+ed hi)/ %ut a si)utaneous gasp 'ro1e
fro) their ips as they passed outside the house/ 0o tra.e of the
tragedy re)ainedI the sno+ +as s)ooth and un'ro1en/
"Cri1eyG" said (ri.> sin1ing do+n on the step/ "It +asn"t a a drea)> +as
itA"
"Most eBtraordinary>" said M/ Poirot> "The Mystery of the $isappearing
%ody/" !is eyes t+in1ed genty/
*ean .a)e up to hi) in sudden suspi.ion/
"M/ Poirot> you haven"t ; you aren"t ; I say> you haven"t 'een spoofing us
a the ti)e> have youA <h> I do 'eieve you haveG"
"It is true> )y .hidren/ I 1ne+ a'out your itte pot> you see> and I
arranged a itte .ounterpot of )y o+n/ Ah> here is Me 0an.y ; and
none the +orse> I hope> after her )agnifi.ent a.ting of the .o)edy/"
It +as indeed 0an.y Carde in the fesh> her eyes shining and her
+hoe person eBu'erant +ith heath and vigour/
"@ou have not .aught .odA @ou dran1 the tisane I sent to your roo)A"
de)anded Poirot a..usingy/
"I too1 one sip and that +as enough/ I") a right/ $id I do it +e> M/
PoirotA <h> )y ar) hurts after that tourni8uetG"
"@ou +ere spendid> petite/ %ut sha +e eBpain to the othersA They are
sti in the fog> I per.eive/ See you> )es enfants> I +ent to Me 0an.y>
tod her that I 1ne+ a a'out your itte .o)pot> and as1ed her if she
+oud a.t a part for )e/ She did it very .every/ She indu.ed Mr
#evering to )a1e her a .up of tea> and aso )anaged that he shoud 'e
the one .hosen to eave footprints on the sno+/ So +hen the ti)e
.a)e> and he thought that 'y so)e fataity she +as reay dead> I had
a the )aterias to frighten hi) +ith/ What happened after +e +ent
into the house> Made)oiseeA"
"!e .a)e do+n +ith his sister> snat.hed the ru'y out of )y hand> and
off they +ent post;haste/"
"%ut I say> M/ Poirot> +hat a'out the ru'yA" .ried (ri./ "$o you )ean to
say you"ve et the) have thatA"
Poirot"s fa.e fe> as he fa.ed a .ir.e of a..using eyes/
"I sha re.over it yet>" he said fee'yI 'ut he per.eived that he had
gone do+n in their esti)ation/
"We> I do thin1G" 'egan *ohnnie/ "To et the) get a+ay +ith the ru'y ;"
%ut *ean +as sharper/
"!e"s spoofing us againG" she .ried/ "@ou are> aren"t youA"
"Fee in )y eft;hand po.1et> Made)oisee/"
*ean thrust in an eager hand> and dre+ it out again +ith a s8uea of
triu)ph/ She hed aoft the great ru'y in its .ri)son spendour/
"@ou see>" eBpained Poirot> "the other +as a paste repi.a I 'rought
+ith )e fro) #ondon/"
"Isn"t he .everA" de)anded *ean e.stati.ay/
"There"s one thing you haven"t tod us>" said *ohnnie suddeny/ "!o+ did
you 1no+ a'out the ragA $id 0an.y te youA"
Poirot shoo1 his head/
"Then ho+ did you 1no+A"
"It is )y 'usiness to 1no+ things>" said M/ Poirot> s)iing a itte as he
+at.hed (veyn !a+orth and &oger (ndi.ott +a1ing do+n the path
together/
"@es> 'ut do te us/ <h> do> peaseG $ear M/ Poirot> pease te usG"
!e +as surrounded 'y a .ir.e of fushed> eager fa.es/
"@ou reay +ish that I shoud sove for you this )ysteryA"
"@esH
"I do not thin1 I .an/"
"Why notA"
"Ma foi> you +i 'e so disappointed/"
"<h> do te usG !o+ did you 1no+A"
"WeI you see> I +as in the i'rary ;"
"@esA"
"And you +ere dis.ussing your pans Dust outside ; and the i'rary
+indo+ +as open/"
"Is that aA" said (ri. in disgust/ "!o+ si)peG"
"Is it notA" said M/ Poirot> s)iing/
"At a events> +e 1no+ everything no+>" said *ean in a satisfied voi.e/
"$o +eA" )uttered M/ Poirot to hi)sef> as he +ent into the house/ "I do
not ; I> +hose 'usiness it is to 1no+ things/"
And> for perhaps the t+entieth ti)e> he dre+ fro) his po.1et a rather
dirty pie.e of paper/
"$on"t eat any pu);pudding ;"
M/ Poirot shoo1 his head perpeBedy/ At the sa)e )o)ent he 'e.a)e
a+are of a pe.uiar gasping sound very near his feet/ !e oo1ed do+n
and per.eived a s)a .reature in a print dress/ In her eft hand +as a
dust;pan> and in the right a 'rush/
"And +ho )ay you 'e> )on enfantA" in8uired M/ Poirot/
"Annie "I.1s> pease> Sir/ %et+een;)aid/"
M/ Poirot had an inspiration/ !e handed her the etter/
"$id you +rite that> AnnieA"
"I didn"t )ean any "ar)> Sir/"
!e s)ied at her/
"<f .ourse you didn"t/ Suppose you te )e a a'out itA"
"It +as the) t+o> Sir ; Mr #evering and his sister/ 0one of us .an a'ide
"e)I and she +asn"t i a 'it ; +e .oud a te that/ So I thought
so)ething 8ueer +as going on> and I" te you straight> Sir> I istened
at the door> and I heard hi) say as pain as pain> JThis feo+ Poirot
)ust 'e got out of the +ay as soon as possi'e/J And then he says to
"er> )eaning;i1e> JWhere did you put itAJ And she ans+ers> JIn the
pudding/J And so I sa+ they )eant to poison you in the Christ)as
pudding> and I didn"t 1no+ +hat to do/ Coo1 +oudn"t isten to the i1es
of )e/ And then I thought of +riting a +arning> and I put it in the "a
+here Mr ,raves +oud 'e sure to see it and ta1e it to you/"
Annie paused 'reathess/ Poirot surveyed her gravey for so)e
)inutes/
"@ou read too )any noveettes> Annie>" he said at ast/ "%ut you have the
good heart> and a .ertain a)ount of inteigen.e/ When I return to
#ondon I +i send you an eB.eent 'oo1 upon e )=nage> aso the
#ives of the Saints> and a +or1 upon the e.ono)i. position of +o)an/"
#eaving Annie gasping ane+> he turned and .rossed the ha/ !e had
)eant to go into the i'rary> 'ut through the open door he sa+ a dar1
head and a fair one> very .ose together> and he paused +here he
stood/ Suddeny a pair of ar)s sipped round his ne.1/
"If you +i stand Dust under the )istetoeG" said *ean/
"Me too>" said 0an.y/
M/ Poirot enDoyed it a ; he enDoyed it very )u.h indeed/
T!( #<0(#@ ,<$
!e stood on a shef in the %ritish Museu)> aone and fororn a)ongst a
.o)pany of o'viousy )ore i)portant deities/ &anged round the four
+as> these greater personages a see)ed to dispay an
over+he)ing sense of their o+n superiority/ The pedesta of ea.h
+as duy ins.ri'ed +ith the and and ra.e that had 'een proud to
possess hi)/ There +as no dou't of their positionI they +ere divinities
of i)portan.e and re.ogni?ed as su.h/
<ny the itte god in the .orner +as aoof and re)ote fro) their
.o)pany/ &oughy he+n out of grey stone> his features a)ost totay
o'iterated 'y ti)e and eBposure> he sat there in isoation> his e'o+s
on his 1nees> and his head 'uried in his handsI a oney itte god in a
strange .ountry/
There +as no ins.ription to te the and +hen.e he .a)e/ !e +as
indeed ost> +ithout honor or reno+n> a patheti. itte figure very far
fro) ho)e/ 0o one noti.ed hi)> no one stopped to oo1 at hi)/ Why
shoud theyA !e +as so insignifi.ant> a 'o.1 of grey stone in a .orner/
<n either side of hi) +ere t+o MeBi.an gods +orn s)ooth +ith age>
pa.id idos +ith foded hands> and .rue )ouths .urved in a s)ie that
sho+ed openy their .onte)pt of hu)anity/ There +as aso a rotund>
vioenty sef;assertive itte god> +ith a .en.hed fist> +ho evidenty
suffered fro) a s+oen sense of his o+n i)portan.e> 'ut passers;'y
stopped to give hi) a gan.e so)eti)es> even if it +as ony to augh at
the .ontrast of his a'surd po)posity +ith the s)iing indifferen.e of
his MeBi.an .o)panions/
And the itte ost god sat on there hopeessy> his head in his hands> as
he had sat year in and year out> ti one day the i)possi'e happened>
and he found ; a +orshipper/
JAny etters for )eAJ
The ha porter re)oved a pa.1et of etters fro) a pigeonhoe> gave a
.ursory gan.e through the)> and said in a +ooden voi.eH
J0othing for you> sir/J
Fran1 <iver sighed as he +a1ed out of the .u' again/ There +as no
parti.uar reason +hy there shoud have 'een anything for hi)/ 7ery
fe+ peope +rote to hi)/ (ver sin.e he had returned fro) %ur)a in the
spring> he had 'e.o)e .ons.ious of a gro+ing and in.reasing
oneiness/
Fran1 <iver +as a )an Dust over forty> and the ast eighteen years of
his ife had 'een spent in various parts of the go'e> +ith 'rief
furoughs in (ngand/
0o+ that he had retired and .o)e ho)e to ive for good> he reai?ed
for the first ti)e ho+ very )u.h aone in the +ord he +as/
True> there +as his sister ,reta> )arried to a @or1shire .ergy)an>
very 'usy +ith paro.hia duties and the 'ringing up of a fa)iy of s)a
.hidren/ ,reta +as naturay very fond of her ony 'rother> 'ut e8uay
naturay she had very itte ti)e to give hi)/ Then there +as his od
friend To) !urey/ To) +as )arried to a ni.e> 'right> .heerfu gir>
very energeti. and pra.ti.a> of +ho) Fran1 +as se.rety afraid/ She
tod hi) 'righty that he )ust not 'e a .ra''ed od 'a.heor> and +as
a+ays produ.ing Jni.e girs/J Fran1 <iver found that he never had
anything to say to these Jni.e girsJI they persevered +ith hi) for a
+hie> then gave hi) up as hopeess/
And yet he +as not reay unso.ia'e/ !e had a great onging for
.o)panionship and sy)pathy> and ever sin.e he had 'een 'a.1 in
(ngand he had 'e.o)e a+are of a gro+ing dis.ourage)ent/ !e had
'een a+ay too ong> he +as out of tune +ith the ti)es/ !e spent ong>
ai)ess days +andering a'out> +ondering +hat on earth he +as to do
+ith hi)sef neBt/
It +as on one of these days that he stroed into the %ritish Museu)/ !e
+as interested in Asiati. .uriosities> and so it +as that he .han.ed
upon the oney god/ Its .har) hed hi) at on.e/ !ere +as so)ething
vaguey a1in to hi)sefI here> too> +as so)eone ost and astray in a
strange and/ !e 'e.a)e in the ha'it of paying fre8uent visits to the
Museu)> Dust to gan.e in on the itte grey stone figure> in its o's.ure
pa.e on the high shef/
J&ough u.1 on the itte .hap>J he thought to hi)sef/ JPro'a'y had a
ot of fuss )ade a'out hi) on.e> 1o+to+ing and offerings and a the
rest of it/J
!e had 'egun to fee su.h a proprietary right in his itte friend 9it reay
a)ost a)ounted to a sense of a.tua o+nership: that he +as in.ined
to 'e resentfu +hen he found that the itte god had )ade a se.ond
.on8uest/ !e had dis.overed the oney godI no'ody ese> he fet> had
a right to interfere/
%ut after the first fash of indignation> he +as for.ed to s)ie at
hi)sef/ For this se.ond +orshipper +as su.h a itte 'it of a thing>
su.h a ridi.uous> patheti. .reature> in a sha''y 'a.1 .oat and s1irt
that had seen their 'est days/ She +as young> a itte over t+enty he
shoud Dudge> +ith fair hair and 'ue eyes> and a +istfu droop to her
)outh/
!er hat espe.iay appeaed to his .hivary/ She had evidenty tri))ed
it hersef> and it )ade su.h a 'rave atte)pt to 'e s)art that its faiure
+as patheti./ She +as o'viousy a ady> though a poverty;stri.1en one>
and he i))ediatey de.ided in his o+n )ind that she +as a governess
and aone in the +ord/
!e soon found out that her days for visiting the god +ere Tuesdays
and Fridays> and she a+ays arrived at ten o".o.1> as soon as the
Museu) +as open/ At first he disi1ed her intrusion> 'ut itte 'y itte it
'egan to for) one of the prin.ipa interests of his )onotonous ife/
Indeed> the feo+ devotee +as fast ousting the o'De.t of devotion fro)
his position of pree)inen.e/ The days that he did not see the J#itte
#oney #ady>J as he .aed her to hi)sef> +ere 'an1/
Perhaps she> too> +as e8uay interested in hi)> though she
endeavored to .on.ea the fa.t +ith studious un.on.ern/ %ut itte 'y
itte a sense of feo+ship +as so+y gro+ing 'et+een the)> though
as yet they had eB.hanged no spo1en +ord/ The truth of the )atter
+as> the )an +as too shyG !e argued to hi)sef that very i1ey she
had not even noti.ed hi) 9so)e inner sense gave the ie to that
instanty:> that she +oud .onsider it a great i)pertinen.e> and> finay>
that he had not the east idea +hat to say/
%ut Fate> or the itte god> +as 1ind> and sent hi) an inspiration ; or
+hat he regarded as su.h/ With infinite deight in his o+n .unning> he
pur.hased a +o)an"s hand1er.hief> a frai itte affair of .a)'ri. and
a.e +hi.h he a)ost feared to tou.h> and> thus ar)ed> he foo+ed her
as she departed> and stopped her in the (gyptian roo)/
J(B.use )e> 'ut is this yoursAJ !e tried to spea1 +ith airy un.on.ern>
and signay faied/
The #oney #ady too1 it> and )ade a preten.e of eBa)ining it +ith
)inute .are/
J0o> it is not )ine/J She handed it 'a.1> and added> +ith +hat he fet
guitiy +as a suspi.ious gan.eH JIt"s 8uite a ne+ one/ The pri.e is sti
on it/J
%ut he +as un+iing to ad)it that he had 'een found out/ !e started
on an over;pausi'e fo+ of eBpanation/
J@ou see> I pi.1ed it up under that 'ig .ase/ It +as Dust 'y the farthest
eg of it/J !e derived great reief fro) this detaied a..ount/ JSo> as
you had 'een standing there> I thought it )ust 'e yours and .a)e after
you +ith it/J
She said againH J0o> it isn"t )ine>J and added> as if +ith a sense of
ungra.iousness> JThan1 you/J
The .onversation .a)e to an a+1+ard standsti/ The gir stood there>
pin1 and e)'arrassed> evidenty un.ertain ho+ to retreat +ith dignity/
!e )ade a desperate effort to ta1e advantage of his opportunity/
JI ; I didn"t 1no+ there +as anyone ese in #ondon +ho .ared for our
itte oney god ti you .a)e/J
She ans+ered eagery> forgetting her reserveH J$o you .a hi) that
tooAJ
Apparenty> if she had noti.ed his pronoun> she did not resent it/ She
had 'een started into sy)pathy> and his 8uiet J<f .ourseGJ see)ed
the )ost natura reDoinder in the +ord/
Again there +as a sien.e> 'ut this ti)e it +as a sien.e 'orn of
understanding/
It +as the #oney #ady +ho 'ro1e it in a sudden re)e)'ran.e of the
.onventionaities/
She dre+ hersef up to her fu height> and +ith an a)ost ridi.uous
assu)ption of dignity for so s)a a person> she o'served in .hiing
a..entsH JI )ust 'e going no+/ ,ood )orning/J And +ith a sight> stiff
in.ination of her head> she +a1ed a+ay> hoding hersef very ere.t/
%y a a.1no+edged standards Fran1 <iver ought to have fet
re'uffed> 'ut it is a regretta'e sign of his rapid advan.e in depravity
that he )erey )ur)ured to hi)sefH J#itte daringGJ
!e +as soon to repent of his te)erity> ho+ever/ For ten days his itte
ady never .a)e near the Museu)/ !e +as in despairG !e had
frightened her a+ayG She +oud never .o)e 'a.1G !e +as a 'rute> a
viainG !e +oud never see her againG
In his distress he haunted the %ritish Museu) a day ong/ She )ight
)erey have .hanged her ti)e of .o)ing/ !e soon 'egan to 1no+ the
adDa.ent roo)s 'y heart> and he .ontra.ted a asting hatred of
)u))ies/ The guardian poi.e)an o'served hi) +ith suspi.ion +hen
he spent three hours poring over Assyrian hierogyphi.s> and the
.onte)pation of endess vases of a ages neary drove hi) )ad +ith
'oredo)/
%ut one day his patien.e +as re+arded/ She .a)e again> rather pin1er
than usua> and trying hard to appear sef;possessed/
!e greeted her +ith .heerfu friendiness/
J,ood )orning/ It is ages sin.e you"ve 'een here/J
J,ood )orning/J
She et the +ords sip out +ith i.y frigidity> and .ody ignored the end
part of his senten.e/
%ut he +as desperate/
J#oo1 hereGJ !e stood .onfronting her +ith peading eyes that
re)inded her irresisti'y of a arge> faithfu dog/ JWon"t you 'e friendsA
I") a aone in #ondon ; a aone in the +ord> and I 'eieve you are>
too/ We ought to 'e friends/ %esides> our itte god has introdu.ed us/J
She oo1ed up haf dou'tfuy> 'ut there +as a faint s)ie 8uivering at
the .orners of her )outh/
J!as heAJ
J<f .ourseGJ
It +as the se.ond ti)e he had used this eBtre)ey positive for) of
assuran.e> and no+> as 'efore> it did not fai of its effe.t> for after a
)inute or t+o the gir said> in that sighty roya )anner of hersH
J7ery +e/J
JThat"s spendid>J he repied gruffy> 'ut there +as so)ething in his
voi.e as he said it that )ade the gir gan.e at hi) s+ifty> +ith a sharp
i)puse of pity/
And so the 8ueer friendship 'egan/ T+i.e a +ee1 they )et> at the
shrine of a itte heathen ido/ At first they .onfined their .onversation
soey to hi)/ !e +as> as it +ere> at on.e a paiation of> and an eB.use
for their friendship/ The 8uestion of his origin +as +idey dis.ussed/
The )an insisted on attri'uting to hi) the )ost 'oodthirsty
.hara.teristi.s/ !e depi.ted hi) as the terror and dread of his native
and> insatia'e for hu)an sa.rifi.e> and 'o+ed do+n to 'y his peope
in fear and tre)'ing/ In the .ontrast 'et+een his for)er greatness
and his present insignifi.an.e there ay> a..ording to the )an> a the
pathos of the situation/
The #oney #ady +oud have none of this theory/ !e +as essentiay a
1ind itte god> she insisted/ She dou'ted +hether he had ever 'een
very po+erfu/ If he had 'een so> she argued> he +oud not no+ 'e ost
and friendess> and> any+ay> he +as a dear itte god> and she oved
hi)> and she hated to thin1 of hi) sitting there day after day +ith a
those other horrid> super.iious things Deering at hi)> 'e.ause you
.oud see they didG After this vehe)ent out'urst the itte ady +as
8uite out of 'reath/
That topi. eBhausted> they naturay 'egan to ta1 of the)seves/ !e
found out that his sur)ise +as .orre.t/ She +as a nursery governess
to a fa)iy of .hidren +ho ived at !a)pstead/ !e .on.eived an
instant disi1e of these .hidrenI of Ted> +ho +as five and reay not
naughty> ony )is.hievousI of the t+ins +ho +ere rather trying> and of
Moy> +ho +oudn"t do anything she +as tod> 'ut +as su.h a dear you
.oudn"t 'e .ross +ith herG
JThose .hidren 'uy you>J he said gri)y and a..usingy to her/
JThey do not>J she retorted +ith spirit/ JI a) eBtre)ey stern +ith
the)/J
J<hG @e godsGJ he aughed/ %ut she )ade hi) apoogi?e hu)'y for his
s.epti.is)/
She +as an orphan> she tod hi)> 8uite aone in the +ord/
,raduay he tod her so)ething of his o+n ifeH of his offi.ia ife> +hi.h
had 'een painsta1ing and )idy su..essfuI and of his unoffi.ia
pasti)e> +hi.h +as the spoiing of yards of .anvas/
J<f .ourse> I don"t 1no+ anything a'out it>J he eBpained/ J%ut I have
a+ays fet I .oud paint so)ething so)eday/ I .an s1et.h pretty
de.enty> 'ut I"d i1e to do a rea pi.ture of so)ething/ A .hap +ho
1ne+ on.e tod )e that )y te.hni8ue +asn"t 'ad/J
She +as interested> pressed for detais/
JI a) sure you paint a+fuy +e/J
!e shoo1 his head/
J0o> I"ve 'egun severa things atey and .hu.1ed the) up in despair/ I
a+ays thought that> +hen I had the ti)e> it +oud 'e pain saiing/ I
have 'een storing up that idea for years> 'ut no+> i1e everything ese>
I suppose> I"ve eft it too ate/J
J0othing"s too ate ; ever>J said the itte ady> +ith the vehe)ent
earnestness of the very young/
!e s)ied do+n on her/ J@ou thin1 not> .hidA It"s too ate for so)e
things for )e/J
And the itte ady aughed at hi) and ni.1na)ed hi) Methuseah/
They +ere 'eginning to fee .uriousy at ho)e in the %ritish Museu)/
The soid and sy)patheti. poi.e )an +ho patroed the gaeries +as
a )an of ta.t> and on the appearan.e of the .oupe he usuay found
that his onerous duties of guardianship +ere urgenty needed in the
adDoining Assyrian roo)/
<ne day the )an too1 a 'od step/ !e invited her out to teaG
At first she de)urred/
JI have no ti)e/ I a) not free/ I .an .o)e so)e )ornings 'e.ause the
.hidren have Fren.h essons/J
J0onsense>J said the )an/ J@ou .oud )anage one day/ -i off an aunt
or a se.ond .ousin or so)ething> 'ut .o)e/ We" go to a itte A%C
shop near here> and have 'uns for teaG I 1no+ you )ust ove 'unsGJ
J@es> the penny 1ind +ith .urrantsGJ
JAnd a ovey ga?e on top ;J
JThey are su.h pu)p> dear thingsGJ
JThere is so)ething>J Fran1 <iver said soe)ny> Jinfinitey
.o)forting a'out a 'unGJ
So it +as arranged> and the itte governess .a)e> +earing 8uite an
eBpensive hothouse rose in her 'et in honor of the o..asion/
!e had noti.ed that> of ate> she had a strained> +orried oo1> and it
+as )ore apparent than ever this afternoon as she poured out the tea
at the itte )ar'e;topped ta'e/
JChidren 'een 'othering youAJ he as1ed soi.itousy/
She shoo1 her head/ She had see)ed .uriousy disin.ined to ta1
a'out the .hidren atey/
JThey"re a right/ I never )ind the)/J
J$on"t youAJ
!is sy)patheti. tone see)ed to distress her un+arranta'y/
J<h> no/ It +as never that/ %ut ; 'ut> indeed> I +as oney/ I +as
indeedGJ !er tone +as a)ost peading/
!e said 8ui.1y> tou.hedH J@es> yes> .hid/ I 1no+ ; I 1no+/J
After a )inute"s pause he re)ar1ed in a .heerfu toneH J$o you 1no+>
you haven"t even as1ed )y na)e yetAJ
She hed up a protesting hand/
JPease> I don"t +ant to 1no+ it/ And don"t as1 )ine/ #et us 'e Dust t+o
oney peope +ho"ve .o)e together and )ade friends/ It )a1es it so
)u.h )ore +onderfu ; and ; and different/J
!e said so+y and thoughtfuyH J7ery +e/ In an other+ise oney
+ord +e" 'e t+o peope +ho have Dust ea.h other/J
It +as a itte different fro) her +ay of putting it> and she see)ed to
find it diffi.ut to go on +ith the .onversation/ Instead> she 'ent o+er
and o+er over her pate> ti ony the .ro+n of her hat +as visi'e/
JThat"s rather a ni.e hat>J he said 'y +ay of restoring her e8uani)ity/
JI tri))ed it )ysef>J she infor)ed hi) proudy/
JI thought so the )o)ent I sa+ it>J he ans+ered> saying the +rong
thing +ith .heerfu ignoran.e/
JI") afraid it is not as fashiona'e as I )eant it to 'eGJ
JI thin1 it"s a perfe.ty ovey hat>J he said oyay/
Again .onstraint setted do+n upon the)/ Fran1 <iver 'ro1e the
sien.e 'ravey/
J#itte #ady> I didn"t )ean to te you yet> 'ut I .an"t hep it/ I ove you/ I
+ant you/ I oved you fro) the first )o)ent I sa+ you standing there in
your itte 'a.1 suit/ $earest> if t+o oney peope +ere together ; +hy ;
there +oud 'e no )ore oneiness/ And I"d +or1> ohG ho+ I"d +or1G I"d
paint you/ I .oud> I 1no+ I .oud/ <hG )y itte gir> I .an"t ive +ithout
you/ I .an"t indeed ;J
!is itte ady +as oo1ing at hi) very steadiy/ %ut +hat she said +as
8uite the ast thing he eBpe.ted her to say/ 7ery 8uiety and distin.ty
she saidH J@ou 'ought that hand1er.hiefGJ
!e +as a)a?ed at this proof of fe)inine perspi.a.ity> and sti )ore
a)a?ed at her re)e)'ering it against hi) no+/ Surey> after this apse
of ti)e> it )ight have 'een forgiven hi)/
J@es> I did>J he a.1no+edged hu)'y/ JI +anted an eB.use to spea1 to
you/ Are you very angryAJ
!e +aited )ee1y for her +ords of .onde)nation/
JI thin1 it +as s+eet of youGJ .ried the itte ady +ith vehe)en.e/ J*ust
s+eet of youGJ !er voi.e ended un.ertainy/
Fran1 <iver +ent on in his gruff toneH
JTe )e> .hid> is it i)possi'eA I 1no+ I") an ugy> rough od feo+ ;J
The #oney #ady interrupted hi)/
J0o> you"re notG I +oudn"t have you different> not in any +ay/ I ove you
Dust as you are> do you understandA 0ot 'e.ause I") sorry for you> not
'e.ause I") aone in the +ord and +ant so)eone to 'e fond of )e and
ta1e .are of )e ; 'ut 'e.ause you"re Dust ; you/ 0o+ do you
understandAJ
JIs it trueAJ he as1ed haf in a +hisper/
And she ans+ered steadiyH J@es> it"s true ;J
The +onder of it overpo+ered the)/
At ast he said +hi)si.ayH JSo +e"ve faen upon heaven> dearestGJ
JIn an A%C shop>J she ans+ered in a voi.e that hed tears and
aughter/
%ut terrestria heavens are short;ived/ The itte ady started up +ith
an eB.a)ation/
JI"d no idea ho+ ate it +asG I )ust go at on.e/J
JI" see you ho)e/J
J0o> no> noGJ
!e +as for.ed to yied to her insisten.e> and )erey a..o)panied her
as far as the Tu'e station/
J,ood;'ye> dearest/J She .ung to his hand +ith an intensity that he
re)e)'ered after+ards/
J<ny good;'ye ti to)orro+>J he ans+ered .heerfuy/ JTen o".o.1 as
usua> and +e" te ea.h other our na)es and our histories> and 'e
frightfuy pra.ti.a and prosai./J
J,ood;'ye to ; heaven> though>J she +hispered/
JIt +i 'e +ith us a+ays> s+eetheartGJ
She s)ied 'a.1 at hi)> 'ut +ith that sa)e sad appea that dis8uieted
hi) and +hi.h he .oud not fatho)/ Then the reentess ift dragged
her do+n out of sight/
!e +as strangey distur'ed 'y those ast +ords of hers> 'ut he put
the) resoutey out of his )ind and su'stituted radiant anti.ipations of
to)orro+ in their stead/
At ten o".o.1 he +as there> in the a..usto)ed pa.e/ For the first ti)e
he noti.ed ho+ )aevoenty the other idos oo1ed do+n upon hi)/ It
a)ost see)ed as if they +ere possessed of so)e se.ret evi
1no+edge affe.ting hi)> over +hi.h they +ere goating/ !e +as
uneasiy a+are of their disi1e/
The itte ady +as ate/ Why didn"t she .o)eA The at)osphere of this
pa.e +as getting on his nerves/ 0ever had his o+n itte friend 9their
god: see)ed so hopeessy i)potent as today/ A hepess u)p of
stone> hugging his o+n despairG
!is .ogitations +ere interrupted 'y a s)a> sharp;fa.ed 'oy +ho had
stepped up to hi)> and +as earnesty s.rutini?ing hi) fro) head to
foot/ Apparenty satisfied +ith the resut of his o'servations> he hed
out a etter/
JFor )eAJ
It had no supers.ription/ !e too1 it> and the sharp 'oy de.a)ped +ith
eBtraordinary rapidity/
Fran1 <iver read the etter so+y and un'eievingy/ It +as 8uite
short/
$earest>
I .an never )arry you/ Pease forget that I ever .a)e into your #ife at
a> and try to forgive )e if I have hurt you/ $on"t try to find )e>
'e.ause it +i 'e no good/ It is reay "good'ye/J
The #oney #ady
There +as a posts.ript +hi.h had evidenty 'een s.ri''ed at the ast
)o)entH
I do ove you/ I do indeed/
And that itte i)pusive posts.ript +as a the .o)fort he had in the
+ee1s that foo+ed/ 0eedess to say> he diso'eyed her inDun.tion Jnot
to try to find her>J 'ut a in vain/ She had vanished .o)petey> and he
had no .ue to tra.e her 'y/ !e advertised despairingy> i)poring her
in veied ter)s at east to eBpain the )ystery> 'ut 'an1 sien.e
re+arded his efforts/ She +as gone> never to return/
And then it +as that for the first ti)e in his ife he reay 'egan to paint/
!is te.hni8ue had a+ays 'een good/ 0o+ .rafts)anship and
inspiration +ent hand in hand/
The pi.ture that )ade his na)e and 'rought hi) reno+n +as
a..epted and hung in the A.ade)y> and +as a..ounted to 'e the
pi.ture of the year> no ess for the eB8uisite treat)ent of the su'De.t
than for the )astery +or1)anship and te.hni8ue/ A .ertain a)ount of
)ystery> too> rendered it )ore interesting to the genera outside
pu'i./
!is inspiration had .o)e 8uite 'y .han.e/ A fairy story in a )aga?ine
had ta1en a hod on his i)agination/ It +as the story of a fortunate
Prin.ess +ho had a+ays had everything she +anted/ $id she eBpress
a +ishA It +as instanty gratified/ A desireA It +as granted/ She had a
devoted father and )other> great ri.hes> 'eautifu .othes and De+es>
saves to +ait upon her and fufi her ightest +hi)> aughing )aidens
to 'ear her .o)pany> a that the heart of a Prin.ess .oud desire/ The
handso)est and ri.hest Prin.es paid her .ourt and sued in vain for
her hand> and +ere +iing to 1i any nu)'er of dragons to prove their
devotion/ And yet> the oneiness of the Prin.ess +as greater than that
of the poorest 'eggar in the and/
!e read no )ore/ The uti)ate fate of the Prin.ess interested hi) not
at a/ A pi.ture had risen up 'efore hi) of the peasure;aden Prin.ess
+ith the sad> soitary sou> surfeited +ith happiness> suffo.ated +ith
uBury> starving in the Paa.e of Penty/
!e 'egan painting +ith furious energy/ The fier.e Doy of .reation
possessed hi)/
!e represented the Prin.ess surrounded 'y her .ourt> re.ining on a
divan/ A riot of (astern .oor pervaded the pi.ture/ The Prin.ess +ore
a )arveous go+n of strange;.oored e)'roideriesI her goden hair
fe round her> and on her head +as a heavy De+eed .ir.et/ !er
)aidens surrounded her> and Prin.es 1net at her feet 'earing ri.h
gifts/ The +hoe s.ene +as one of uBury and ri.hness/
%ut the fa.e of the Prin.ess +as turned a+ayI she +as o'ivious of the
aughter and )irth around her/ !er ga?e +as fiBed on a dar1 and
shado+y .orner +here stood a see)ingy in.ongruous o'De.tH a itte
grey stone ido +ith its head 'uried in its hand in a 8uaint
a'andon)ent of despair/
Was it so in.ongruousA The eyes of the young Prin.ess rested on it
+ith a strange sy)pathy> as though a da+ning sense of her o+n
isoation dre+ her gan.e irresisti'y/ They +ere a1in> these t+o/ The
+ord +as at her feet ; yet she +as aoneH a #oney Prin.ess oo1ing at
a oney itte god/
A #ondon ta1ed of this pi.ture> and ,reta +rote a fe+ hurried +ords
of .ongratuation fro) @or1shire> and To) !urey"s +ife 'esought
Fran1 <iver to J.o)e for a +ee1end and )eet a reay deightfu gir> a
great ad)irer of your +or1/J Fran1 <iver aughed on.e sardoni.ay>
and thre+ the etter into the fire/ Su..ess had .o)e ; 'ut +hat +as the
use of itA !e ony +anted one thing ; that itte oney ady +ho had
gone out of his ife forever/
It +as As.ot Cup $ay> and the poi.e)an on duty in a .ertain se.tion of
the %ritish Museu) ru''ed his eyes and +ondered if he +ere
drea)ing> for one does not eBpe.t to see there an As.ot vision> in a
a.e fro.1 and a )arveous hat> a verita'e ny)ph as i)agined 'y a
Parisian genius/ The poi.e)an stared in rapturous ad)iration/
The oney god +as not perhaps so surprised/ !e )ay have 'een in his
+ay a po+erfu itte godI at any rate> here +as one +orshipper
'rought 'a.1 to the fod/
The #itte #oney #ady +as staring up at hi)> and her ips )oved in a
rapid +hisper/
J$ear itte god> ohG dear itte god> pease hep )eG <h> pease do hep
)eGJ
Perhaps the itte god +as fattered/ Perhaps> if he +as indeed the
fero.ious> unappeasa'e deity Fran1 <iver had i)agined hi)> the ong
+eary years and the )ar.h of .ivii?ation had softened his .od> stone
heart/ Perhaps the #oney #ady had 'een right a aong and he +as
reay a 1ind itte god/ Perhaps it +as )erey a .oin.iden.e/ !o+ever
that )ay 'e> it +as at that very )o)ent that Fran1 <iver +a1ed
so+y and sady through the door of the Assyrian roo)/
!e raised his head and sa+ the Parisian ny)ph/
In another )o)ent his ar) +as round her> and she +as sta))ering
out rapid> 'ro1en +ords/
JI +as so oney ; you 1no+> you )ust have read that story I +roteI you
.oudn"t have painted that pi.ture uness you had> and uness you had
understood/ The Prin.ess +as II I had everything> and yet I +as oney
'eyond +ords/ <ne day I +as going to a fortuneteer"s> and I 'orro+ed
)y )aid"s .othes/ I .a)e in here on the +ay and sa+ you oo1ing at
the itte god/ That"s ho+ it a 'egan/ I pretended ; ohG it +as hatefu of
)e> and I +ent on pretending> and after+ards I didn"t dare .onfess
that I had tod you su.h dreadfu ies/ I thought you +oud 'e disgusted
at the +ay I had de.eived you/ I .oudn"t 'ear for you to find out> so I
+ent a+ay/ Then I +rote that story> and yesterday I sa+ your pi.ture/ It
+as your pi.ture> +asn"t itAJ
<ny the gods reay 1no+ the +ord Jingratitude/J
It is to 'e presu)ed that the oney itte god 1ne+ the 'a.1 ingratitude
of hu)an nature/ As a divinity he had uni8ue opportunities of
o'serving it> yet in the hour of tria> he +ho had had sa.rifi.es
innu)era'e offered to hi)> )ade sa.rifi.e in his turn/ !e sa.rifi.ed
his ony t+o +orshippers in a strange and> and it sho+ed hi) to 'e a
great itte god in his +ay> sin.e he sa.rifi.ed a that he had/
Through the .hin1s in his fingers he +at.hed the) go> hand in hand>
+ithout a 'a.1+ard gan.e> t+o happy peope +ho had found heaven
and had no need of hi) any onger/
What +as he> after a> 'ut a very oney itte god in a strange andA
MA0Z ,<#$
JManB ,odJ is no ordinary dete.tive storyI indeed> it is pro'a'y
uni8ue/ The dete.tives are .onventiona enough> 'ut athough they are
.onfronted +ith a parti.uary 'ruta )urder> the )urderer"s identity is
not their )ain .on.ern/ They are )ore interested in unraveing a
series of .ues to the +herea'outs of hidden treasure> a treasure
+hose eBisten.e is not .onfined to the printed page/ Ceary> so)e
eBpanation is re8uired///
In the +inter of 1929> Ader)an Arthur %/ Croo1a had an idea/
Croo1a +as the .hair)an of the J*une (ffort>J a .o))ittee
responsi'e for 'oosting touris) to the Ise of Man> a s)a isand off
the north+est .oast of (ngand/ !is idea +as that there shoud 'e a
treasure hunt> inspired 'y the )any egends of ManB s)uggers and
their ong;forgotten hoards of 'ooty/
There +oud 'e JreaJ treasure> hidden a'out the isand> and .ues to
its o.ation .on.eaed in the fra)e+or1 of a dete.tive story/ So)e
reservations +ere eBpressed 'y )e)'ers of the .o))ittee> 'ut
eventuay panning 'egan for the JIse of Man Treasure !unt S.he)e>J
to ta1e pa.e at the start of the hoiday season and run at the sa)e
ti)e as a nu)'er of other annua events> su.h as the JCro+ning of the
&ose 4ueenJ and the )idnight ya.ht ra.e/
%ut Croo1a had to find so)eone to +rite the story on +hi.h the hunt
+oud 'e 'ased/ Who 'etter than Agatha ChristieA Perhaps
surprisingy> and for a fee of ony siBty pounds> Christie a..epted this>
her )ost unusua .o))ission/ She visited the Ise of Man at the end of
Apri 1956> staying as the guest of the ieutenant governor> 'efore
returning to $evon> +here her daughter +as i/ $uring her visit>
Christie and Croo1a spent severa days dis.ussing the treasure hunt>
and visited various sites in order to de.ide +here the treasure shoud
'e hidden and ho+ the .ues shoud 'e .o)posed/
The resuting story> JManB ,od>J +as pu'ished in five insta)ents
to+ards the end of May in the $aiy $ispat.h> a Man.hester
ne+spaper/ A 8uarter of a )iion .opies of the story aso +ere
distri'uted in 'oo1et for) to guesthouses and hotes a.ross the
isand/ The five .ues +ere pu'ished separatey> and as the date on
+hi.h the first +as due to appear in the $ispat.h dre+ nearer> the
*une (ffort Co))ittee appeaed to everyone to J.ooperate in order to
o'tain as )u.h pu'i.ity as possi'eJ for the hunt/ More tourists )eant
)ore tourist revenue> and the hunt +as aso dra+n to the attention of
severa hundred J!o)e.o)ersJ +ho had e)igrated fro) the isand to
the 2nited States and +ere due to return as honored guests in *une/ In
the +ords of the pu'i.ity at the ti)e> it +as Jan opportunity for a
A)ateur $ete.tives to test their s1iGJ
In the story> *uan Fara1er and Fenea Mye.harane set out to find four
.hests of treasure> +hi.h have 'een hidden on the isand 'y their
e..entri. 2n.e Myes/ To .o)pete +ith *uan and Fenea> the reader
+as advised ; i1e the) ; to e8uip hi)sef +ith Jsevera eB.eent )aps>
various guide'oo1s des.riptive of the isand> a 'oo1 on fo1ore and a
'oo1 on the history of the isand/J
The soutions to the .ues are given at the end of the story/
* * *
J<d Mye.harane iv"d up on the 'roo>
Where *ur'y sopes do+n to the +ood>
!is .roft +as a goden +ith .ushag and fur?e>
!is daughter +as fair to 'ehod/
J< father> they say you"ve penty of store>
%ut hidden a out of the +ay/
0o god .an I see> 'ut its gint on the gorseI
Then +hat have you done +ith it> prayAJ
JMy god is o.1ed up in a .offer of oa1>
Whi.h I dropped in the tide and it san1>
And there it ies fiBed i1e an an.hor of hope>
A right and as safe as the han1/J
JI i1e that song>J I said appre.iativey as Fenea finished/
J@ou shoud do>J said Fenea/ JIt"s a'out our an.estor> yours and
)ine/ 2n.e Myes"s grandfather/ !e )ade a fortune out of s)ugging
and hid it so)e+here> and no one ever 1ne+ +here/J
An.estry is Fenea"s strong point/ She ta1es an interest in a her
for'ears/ My tenden.ies are stri.ty )odern/ The diffi.ut present and
the un.ertain future a'sor' a )y energy/ %ut I i1e hearing Fenea
singing od ManB 'aads/
Fenea is very .har)ing/ She is )y first .ousin and aso> fro) ti)e to
ti)e> )y fian.=e/ In )oods of finan.ia opti)is) +e are engaged/
When a .orresponding +ave of pessi)is) s+eeps over us and +e
reai?e that +e sha not 'e a'e to )arry for at east ten years> +e
'rea1 it off/
J$idn"t anyone ever try to find the treasureAJ I in8uired/
J<f .ourse/ %ut they never did/J
JPerhaps they didn"t oo1 s.ientifi.ay/J
J2n.e Myes had a Doy good try>J said Fenea/ J!e said anyone +ith
inteigen.e ought to 'e a'e to sove a itte pro'e) i1e that/J
That sounded to )e very i1e our 2n.e Myes> a .ran1y and e..entri.
od gente)an> +ho ived in the Ise of Man and +ho +as )u.h given to
dida.ti. pronoun.e)ents/
It +as at that )o)ent that the post .a)e ; and the etterG
J,ood !eavens>J .ried Fenea/ JTa1 of the devi ; I )ean anges ;
2n.e Myes is deadGJ
%oth she and I had seen our e..entri. reative on ony t+o o..asions>
so +e .oud neither of us pretend to a very deep grief/ The etter +as
fro) a fir) of a+yers in $ougas> and it infor)ed us that under the +i
of Mr/ Myes Mye.harane> de.eased> Fenea and I +ere Doint
inheritors of his estate> +hi.h .onsisted of a house near $ougas and
an infinitesi)a in.o)e/ (n.osed +as a seaed enveope> +hi.h Mr/
Mye.harane had dire.ted shoud 'e for+arded to Fenea at his death/
This etter +e opened and read its surprising .ontents/ I reprodu.e it
in fu> sin.e it +as a truy .hara.teristi. do.u)ent/
My dear Fenea and *uan>
for I ta1e it that +here one of you is the other +i not 'e far a+ay/ <r
so gossip has +hispered/
@ou )ay re)e)'er having heard )e say that anyone dispaying a itte
inteigen.e .oud easiy find the treasure .on.eaed 'y )y a)ia'e
s.oundre of a grandfather/ I dispayed that inteigen.e and )y
re+ard +as four .hests of soid god ; 8uite i1e a fairy story> is it notA
<f iving reations I have ony fourH you t+o> )y nephe+ (+an CorDeag>
+ho) I have a+ays heard is a thoroughy 'ad ot> and a .ousin> a
$o.tor Fay> of +ho) I have heard very itte> and that itte not a+ays
good/ My estate proper I a) eaving to you and Fenea> 'ut I fee a
.ertain o'igation aid upon )e +ith regard to this JtreasureJ +hi.h
has faen to )y ot soey through )y o+n ingenuity/ My a)ia'e
an.estor +oud not> I fee> 'e satisfied for )e to pass it on ta)ey 'y
inheritan.e/ So I> in )y turn> have devised a itte pro'e)/
There are sti four J.hestsJ of treasure 9though in a )ore )odern for)
than god ingots or .oins: and there are to he four .o)petitors ; )y
four iving reations/ It +oud 'e fairest to assign one J.hestJ to ea.h ;
'ut the +ord> )y .hidren> is not fair/ The ra.e is to the s+iftest ; and
often to the )ost uns.rupuous/
Who a) I to go against 0atureA @ou )ust pit your +its against the
other t+o/ There +i 'e> I fear> very itte .han.e for you/ ,oodness
and inno.en.e are sedo) re+arded in this +ord/ So strongy do I fee
this that I have dei'eratey .heated 9unfairness again> you noti.eI:/
This etter goes to you t+enty;four hours in advan.e of the etters to
the other t+o/ Thus you +i have a very good .han.e of se.uring the
first JtreasureJ ; t+enty;four hours" start> if you have any 'rains at a>
ought to 'e suffi.ient/
The .ues for finding this treasure are to 'e found at )y house in
$ougas/ The .ues for the se.ond JtreasureJ +i not 'e reeased ti
the first treasure is found/ In the se.ond and su..eeding .ases>
therefore> you +i a start even/ @ou have )y good +ishes for
su..ess> and nothing +oud pease )e 'etter than for you to a.8uire
a four J.hests>J 'ut for the reasons +hi.h I have aready stated I thin1
that )ost uni1ey/ &e)e)'er that no s.rupes +i stand in dear
(+an"s +ay/ $o not )a1e the )ista1e of trusting hi) in any respe.t/
As to $r/ &i.hard Fay> I 1no+ itte a'out hi)> 'ut he is> I fan.y> a dar1
horse/
,ood u.1 to you 'oth> 'ut +ith itte hopes of your su..ess>
@our affe.tionate un.e>
Myes Mye.harane
As +e rea.hed the signature> Fenea )ade a eap fro) )y side/
JWhat is itAJ I .ried/
Fenea +as rapidy turning the pages of an A%C/
JWe )ust get to the Ise of Man as soon as possi'e>J she .ried/ J!o+
dare he say +e +ere good and inno.ent and stupidA I" sho+ hi)G
*uan> +e"re going to find a four of these ".hests" and get )arried and
ive happiy ever after+ards> +ith &os;&oy.es and foot;)en and
)ar'e 'aths/ %ut +e )ust get to the Ise of Man at on.e/J
It +as t+enty;four hours ater/ We had arrived in $ougas> intervie+ed
the a+yers> and +ere no+ at Maughod !ouse fa.ing Mrs/ S1ii.orn>
our ate un.e"s house1eeper> a so)e+hat for)ida'e +o)an +ho
nevertheess reented a itte 'efore Fenea"s eagerness/
J4ueer +ays he had>J she said/ J#i1ed to set everyone pu??ing and
.ontriving/J
J%ut the .ues>J .ried Fenea/ JThe .uesAJ
$ei'eratey> as she did everything> Mrs/ S1ii.orn eft the roo)/ She
returned after an a'sen.e of so)e )inutes and hed out a foded pie.e
of paper/
We unfoded it eagery/ It .ontained a doggere rhy)e in )y un.e"s
.ra''ed hand+riting/
Four points of the .o)pass so there 'e
S and W> 0 and (/
(ast +inds are 'ad for )an and 'east/
,o south and +est and
0orth not east/
J<hGJ said Fenea 'an1y/
J<hGJ said I> +ith )u.h the sa)e intonation/
Mrs/ S1ii.orn s)ied on us +ith goo)y reish/
J0ot )u.h sense to it> is thereAJ she said hepfuy/
JIt ; I don"t see ho+ to 'egin>J said Fenea> piteousy/
J%eginning>J I said> +ith a .heerfuness I did not fee> Jis a+ays the
diffi.uty/ <n.e +e get going ;J
Mrs/ S1ii.orn s)ied )ore gri)y than ever/ She +as a depressing
+o)an/
JCan"t you hep usAJ as1ed Fenea .oaBingy/
JI 1no+ nothing a'out the siy 'usiness/ $idn"t .onfide in )e> your
un.e didn"t/ I tod hi) to put his )oney in the 'an1> and no nonsense/ I
never 1ne+ +hat he +as up to/J
J!e never +ent out +ith any .hests ; or anything of that 1indAJ
JThat he didn"t/J
J@ou don"t 1no+ +hen he hid the stuff ; +hether it +as atey or ong
agoAJ
Mrs/ S1ii.orn shoo1 her head/
JWe>J I said> trying to ray/ JThere are t+o possi'iities/ (ither the
treasure is hidden here> in the a.tua grounds> or ese it )ay 'e hidden
any+here on the isand/ It depends on the 'u1> of .ourse/J
A sudden 'rain +ave o..urred to Fenea/
J@ou haven"t noti.ed anything )issingAJ she said/ JA)ong )y un.e"s
things> I )ean/J
JWhy> no+> it"s odd your saying that ;J
J@ou have> thenAJ
JAs I say> it"s odd your saying that/ Snuff'oBes ; there"s at east four of
the) I .an"t ay )y hand on any+here/J
JFour of the)GJ .ried Fenea/ JThat )ust 'e itG We"re on the tra.1/
#et"s go out in the garden and oo1 a'out/J
JThere"s nothing there>J said Mrs/ S1ii.orn/ JI"d 1no+ if there +ere/
@our un.e .oudn"t have 'uried anything in the garden +ithout )y
1no+ing a'out it/J
JPoints of the .o)pass are )entioned>J I said/ JThe first thing +e need
is a )ap of the isand/J
JThere"s one on that des1>J said Mrs/ S1ii.orn/
Fenea unfoded it eagery/ So)ething futtered out as she did so/ I
.aught it/
J!uo>J I said/ JThis oo1s i1e a further .ue/J We 'oth +ent over it
eagery/
It appeared to 'e a rude 1ind of )ap/ There +as a .ross on it and a
.ir.e and a pointing arro+> and dire.tions +ere roughy indi.ated> 'ut
it +as hardy iu)inating/ We studied it in sien.e/
JIt"s not very iu)inating> is itAJ said Fenea/
J0aturay it +ants pu??ing over>J I said/ JWe .an"t eBpe.t it to eap to
the eye/J
Mrs/ S1ii.orn interrupted +ith a suggestion of supper> to +hi.h +e
agreed than1fuy/
JAnd .oud +e have so)e .offeeAJ said Fenea/ J#ots of it ; very
'a.1/J
Mrs/ S1ii.orn provided us +ith an eB.eent )ea> and at its
.on.usion a arge Dug of .offee )ade its appearan.e/
JAnd no+>J said Fenea> J+e )ust get do+n to it/J
JThe first thing>J I said> Jis dire.tion/ This see)s to point .eary to the
northeast of the isand/J
JIt see)s so/ #et"s oo1 at the )ap/J
We studied the )ap attentivey/
JIt a depends on ho+ you ta1e the thing>J said Fenea/ J$oes the
.ross represent the treasureA <r is it so)ething i1e a .hur.hA There
reay ought to 'e ruesGJ
JThat +oud )a1e it too easy/J
JI suppose it +oud/ Why are there itte ines on one side of the .ir.e
and not the otherAJ
JI don"t 1no+/J
JAre there any )ore )aps any+hereAJ
We +ere sitting in the i'rary/ There +ere severa eB.eent )aps/
There +ere aso various guide'oo1s des.riptive of the isand/ There
+as a 'oo1 on fo1ore/ There +as a 'oo1 on the history of the isand/
We read the) a/
And at ast +e for)ed a possi'e theory/
JIt does see) to fit>J said Fenea at ast/ JI )ean the t+o together is a
i1ey .onDun.tion +hi.h doesn"t see) to o..ur any+here ese/J
JIt"s +orth trying> anyho+>J I said/ JI don"t thin1 +e .an do anything
)ore tonight/ To)orro+> first thing> +e" hire a .ar and go off and try
our u.1/J
JIt"s to)orro+ no+>J said Fenea/ J!af past t+oG *ust fan.yGGJ
(ary )orning sa+ us on the road/ We had hired a .ar for a +ee1>
arranging to drive it ourseves/ Fenea"s spirits rose as +e sped aong
the eB.eent road> )ie after )ie/
JIf ony it +asn"t for the other t+o> +hat fun this +oud 'e>J she said/
JThis is +here the $er'y +as originay run> +asn"t itA %efore it +as
.hanged to (pso)/ !o+ 8ueer that is to thin1 offJ
I dre+ her attention to a far)house/
JThat )ust 'e +here there is said to 'e a se.ret passage running
under the sea to that isand/J
JWhat funG I ove se.ret passages> don"t youA <hG *uan> +e"re getting
8uite near no+/ I") terri'y eB.ited/ If +e shoud 'e rightGJ
Five )inutes ater +e a'andoned the .ar/
J(verything"s in the right position>J said Fenea tre)uousy/
We +a1ed on/
JSiB of the) ; that"s right/ 0o+ 'et+een these t+o/ !ave you got the
.o)passAJ
Five )inutes ater> +e +ere standing fa.ing ea.h other> an in.reduous
Doy on our fa.es ; and on )y outstret.hed pa) ay an anti8ue
snuff'oB/
We had 'een su..essfuG
<n our return to Maughod !ouse> Mrs/ S1ii.orn )et us +ith the
infor)ation that t+o gente)en had arrived/ <ne had departed again>
'ut the other +as in the i'rary/
A ta> fair )an +ith a forid fa.e rose s)iingy fro) an ar).hair as +e
entered the roo)/
JMr/ Fara1er and Miss Mye.haraneA $eighted to )eet you/ I a) your
distant .ousin> $r/ Fay/ A)using ga)e> a this> isn"t itAJ
!is )anner +as ur'ane and peasant> 'ut I too1 an i))ediate disi1e
to hi)/ I fet that in so)e +ay the )an +as dangerous/ !is peasant
)anner +as> so)eho+> too peasant> and his eyes never )et yours
fairy/
JI") afraid +e"ve got 'ad ne+s for you>J I said/ JMiss Mye.harane and
)ysef have aready dis.overed the first "treasure/"J
!e too1 it very +e/
JToo 'ad ; too 'ad/ Posts fro) here )ust 'e odd/ %arford and I started
at on.e/J
We did not dare to .onfess the perfidy of 2n.e Myes/
JAny+ay> +e sha a start fair for the se.ond round>J said Fenea/
JSpendid/ What a'out getting do+n to the .ues right a+ayA @our
eB.eent Mrs/ ; er ; S1ii.orn hods the)> I 'eieveAJ
JThat +oudn"t 'e fair to Mr/ CorDeag>J said Fenea> 8ui.1y/ JWe )ust
+ait for hi)/J
JTrue> true ; I had forgotten/ We )ust get in tou.h +ith hi) as 8ui.1y
as possi'e/ I +i see to that ; you t+o )ust 'e tired out and +ant to
rest/J
Thereupon he too1 his departure/ (+an CorDeag )ust have 'een
uneBpe.tedy diffi.ut to find> for it +as not ti neary eeven o".o.1
that night that $r/ Fay rang up/ !e suggested that he and (+an
shoud .o)e over to Maughod !ouse at ten o".o.1 the foo+ing
)orning> +hen Mrs/ S1ii.orn .oud hand us out the .ues/
JThat +i do spendidy>J said Fenea/ JTen o".o.1 to)orro+/J
We retired to 'ed tired 'ut happy/
The foo+ing )orning +e +ere aroused 'y Mrs/ S1ii.orn> .o)petey
sha1en out of her usua pessi)isti. .a)/
JWhatever do you thin1AJ she panted/ JThe house has 'een 'ro1en
into/J
J%urgarsAJ I eB.ai)ed in.reduousy/ J!as anything 'een ta1enAJ
J0ot a thing ; and that"s the odd part of itG 0o dou't they +ere after the
siver ; 'ut the door 'eing o.1ed on the outside they .oudn"t get any
further/J
Fenea and I a..o)panied her to the s.ene of the outrage> +hi.h
happened to 'e in her o+n sitting roo)/ The +indo+ there had
undenia'y 'een for.ed> yet nothing see)ed to have 'een ta1en/ It
+as a rather .urious/
JI don"t see +hat they .an have 'een oo1ing for>J said Fenea/
JIt"s not as though there +ere a "treasure .hest" hidden in the house>J I
agreed fa.etiousy/ Suddeny an idea fashed into )y )ind/ I turned to
Mrs/ S1ii.orn/
JThe .ues ; the .ues you +ere to give us this )orningAJ
JWhy to 'e sure ; they"re in that top dra+er/J She +ent a.ross to it/
JWhy ; I do de.are ; there"s nothing hereG They"re goneGJ
J0ot 'urgars>J I said/ J<ur estee)ed reationsGJ
And I re)e)'ered 2n.e Myes"s +arning on the su'De.t of
uns.rupuous deaing/ Ceary he had 1no+n +hat he +as ta1ing
a'out/ A dirty tri.1G
J!ush>J said Fenea suddeny> hoding up a finger/ J+hat +as thatAJ
The sound she had .aught .a)e painy to our ears/ It +as a groan and
it .a)e fro) outside/ We +ent to the +indo+ and eaned out/ There
+as shru''ery gro+ing against this side of the house and +e .oud
see nothingI 'ut the groan .a)e again> and +e .oud see that the
'ushes see)ed to have 'een distur'ed and tra)ped/
We hurried do+n and out round the house/ The first thing +e found
+as a faen adder> sho+ing ho+ the thieves had rea.hed the +indo+/
A fe+ steps further 'rought us to +here a )an +as ying/
!e +as a youngish )an> dar1> and he +as evidenty 'ady inDured> for
his head +as ying in a poo of 'ood/ I 1net do+n 'eside hi)/
JWe )ust get a do.tor at on.e/ I") afraid he"s dying/J
The gardener +as sent off hurriedy/ I sipped )y hand into his 'reast
po.1et and 'rought out a po.1et 'oo1/ <n it +ere the initias (/C/
J(+an CorDeag>J said Fenea/
The )an"s eyes opened/ !e said faintyH JFe fro) adder///J then ost
.ons.iousness again/
Cose 'y his head +as a arge Dagged stone stained +ith 'ood/
JIt"s .ear enough>J I said/ JThe adder sipped and he fe> stri1ing his
head on this stone/ I") afraid it"s done for hi)> poor feo+/J
JSo you thin1 that +as itAJ said Fenea> in an odd tone of voi.e/
%ut at that )o)ent the do.tor arrived/ !e hed out itte hope of
re.overy/ (+an CorDeag +as )oved into the house and a nurse +as
sent for to ta1e .harge of hi)/ 0othing .oud 'e done> and he +oud
die a .oupe of hours ater/
We had 'een sent for and +ere standing 'y his 'ed/ !is eyes opened
and fi.1ered/
JWe are your .ousins *uan and Fenea>J I said/ JIs there anything +e
.an doAJ
!e )ade a faint negative )otion of the head/ A +hisper .a)e fro) his
ips/ I 'ent to .at.h it/
J$o you +ant the .ueA I") done/ $on"t et Fay do you do+n/J
J@es>J said Fenea/ JTe )e/J
So)ething i1e a grin .a)e over his fa.e/
J$"ye 1en ;J he 'egan/
Then suddeny his head fe over side+ays and he died/
JI don"t i1e it>J said Fenea suddeny/
JWhat don"t you i1eAJ
J#isten> *uan/ (+an stoe those .ues ; he ad)its faing fro) the
adder/ Then +here are theyA We"ve seen a the .ontents of his
po.1ets/ There +ere three seaed enveopes> so Mrs/ S1ii.orn says/
Those seaed enveopes aren"t there/J
JWhat do you thin1> thenAJ
JI thin1 there +as so)eone ese there> so)eone +ho Der1ed a+ay the
adder so that (+an fe/ And that stone ; he never fe on it ; it +as
'rought fro) so)e distan.e a+ay ; I"ve found the )ar1/ !e +as
dei'eratey 'ashed on the head +ith it/J
J%ut Fenea ; that"s )urderGJ
J@es>J said Fenea> very +hite/ JIt"s )urder/ &e)e)'er> $r/ Fay
never turned up at ten o".o.1 this )orning/ Where is heAJ
J@ou thin1 he"s the )urdererAJ
J@es/ @ou 1no+ ; this treasure ; it"s a ot of )oney> *uan/J
JAnd +e"ve no idea +here to oo1 for hi)>J I said/
JA pity CorDeag .oudn"t have finished +hat he +as going to say/J
JThere"s one thing that )ight hep/ This +as in his hand/J
She handed )e a torn snapshot/
JSuppose it"s a .ue/ The )urderer snat.hed it a+ay and never noti.ed
he"d eft a .orner of it 'ehind/ If +e +ere to find the other haf ;J
JTo do that>J I said> J+e )ust find the se.ond treasure/ #et"s oo1 at
this thing/J
J!))>J I said> Jthere"s nothing )u.h to go 'y/ That see)s a 1ind of
to+er in the )idde of the .ir.e> 'ut it +oud 'e very hard to identify/J
Fenea nodded/
J$r/ Fay has the i)portant haf/ !e 1no+s +here to oo1/ We"ve got to
find that )an> *uan> and +at.h hi)/ <f .ourse> +e +on"t et hi) see +e
suspe.t/J
JI +onder +herea'outs in the isand he is this )inute/ If +e ony 1ne+ ;
J
My )ind +ent 'a.1 to the dying )an/ Suddeny I sat up eB.itedy/
JFenea>J I said> JCorDeag +asn"t S.ot.hAJ
J0o> of .ourse not/J
JWe> then> don"t you seeA What he )eant> I )eanAJ
J0oAJ
I s.ri''ed so)ething on a pie.e of paper and tossed it to her/
JWhat"s thisAJ
JThe na)e of a fir) that )ight hep us/J
J%e)an and True/ Who are theyA #a+yersAJ
J0o ; they"re )ore in our ine ; private dete.tives/J
And I pro.eeded to eBpain/
J$r/ Fay to see you>J said Mrs/ S1ii.orn/
We oo1ed at ea.h other/ T+enty;four hours had eapsed/ We had
returned fro) our 8uest su..essfu for the se.ond ti)e/ 0ot +ishing to
dra+ attention to ourseves> +e had Dourneyed in the Snaefe ; a
.hara'an./
JI +onder if he 1no+s +e sa+ hi) in the distan.eAJ )ur)ured Fenea/
JIt"s eBtraordinary/ If it hadn"t 'een for the hint that photograph gave
us ; J
J!ush ; and do 'e .arefu> *uan/ !e )ust 'e si)py furious at our
having out+itted hi) in spite of everything/J
0o tra.e of it appeared in the do.tor"s )anner> ho+ever/ !e entered
the roo) his ur'ane and .har)ing sef> and I fet )y faith in Fenea"s
theory d+inding/
JWhat a sho.1ing tragedyGJ he said/ JPoor CorDeag/ I suppose he +as ;
+e ; trying to stea a )ar.h on us/ &etri'ution +as s+ir/ We> +e ;
+e s.ar.ey 1ne+ hi)> poor feo+/ @ou )ust have +ondered +hy I
didn"t turn up this )orning as arranged/ I got a fa1e )essage ;
CorDeag"s doing> I suppose ; it sent )e off on a +id;goose .hase right
a.ross the isand/ And no+ you t+o have ro)ped ho)e again/ !o+ do
you do itAJ
There +as a note of reay eager in8uiry in his voi.e +hi.h did not
es.ape )e/
JCousin (+an +as fortunatey a'e to spea1 Dust 'efore he died>J said
Fenea/
I +as +at.hing the )an> and I .oud s+ear I sa+ aar) eap into his
eyes at her +ords/
J(h ; ehA What"s thatAJ he said/
J!e +as Dust a'e to give us a .ue as to the +herea'outs of the
treasure>J eBpained Fenea/
J<hG I see ; I see/ I"ve 'een .ean out of things ; though> .uriousy
enough> I )ysef +as in that part of the isand/ @ou )ay have seen )e
stroing round/J
JWe +ere so 'usy>J said Fenea apoogeti.ay/
J<f .ourse> of .ourse/ @ou )ust have run a.ross the thing )ore or ess
'y a..ident/ #u.1y young peope> aren"t youA We> +hat"s the neBt
progra)A Wi Mrs/ S1ii.orn o'ige us +ith the ne+ .uesAJ
%ut it see)ed that this third set of .ues had 'een deposited +ith the
a+yer> and +e a three repaired to the a+yer"s offi.e> +here the
seaed enveopes +ere handed over to us/
The .ontents +ere si)pe/ A )ap +ith a .ertain area )ar1ed off on it>
and a paper of dire.tions atta.hed/
In "OF> this pa.e )ade history/
11 pa.es fro) the and)ar1 to
The east> then an e8ua ten
Pa.es north/ Stand there
#oo1ing east/ T+o trees are in the
#ine of vision/ <ne of the)
Was sa.red in this isand/ $ra+
A .ir.e five feet fro)
The Spanish .hestnut and>
With head 'ent> +a1 round/ #oo1 +e/ @ou" find/
J#oo1s as though +e are going to tread on ea.h other"s toes a 'it
today>J .o))ented the do.tor/
True to )y poi.y of apparent friendiness> I offered hi) a ift in our
.ar> +hi.h he a..epted/ We had un.h at Port (rin> and then started on
our sear.h/
I had de'ated in )y o+n )ind the reason of )y un.e"s depositing this
parti.uar set of .ues +ith his a+yer/ !ad he foreseen the possi'iity
of a theftA And had he deter)ined that not )ore than one set of .ues
shoud fa into the thief"s possessionA
The treasure hunt this afternoon +as not +ithout its hu)or/ The area
of sear.h +as i)ited and +e +ere .ontinuay in sight of ea.h other/
We eyed ea.h other suspi.iousy> ea.h trying to deter)ine +hether
the other +as further on or had had a 'rain +ave/
JThis is a part of 2n.e Myes"s pan>J said Fenea/
J!e +anted us to +at.h ea.h other and go through a the agonies of
thin1ing the other person +as getting there/J
JCo)e>J I said/ J#et"s get do+n to it s.ientifi.ay/ We"ve got one
definite .ue to start on/ "In "OF this pa.e )ade history/" #oo1 up the
referen.e 'oo1s +e"ve got +ith us and see if +e .an"t hunt that do+n/
<n.e +e get that ;J
J!e"s oo1ing in that hedge>J interrupted Fenea/ J<hG I .an"t 'ear it/ If
he"s got it ;J
JAttend to )e>J I said fir)y/ JThere"s reay ony one +ay to go a'out it
the proper +ay/J
JThere are so fe+ trees on the isand that it +oud 'e )u.h si)per Dust
to oo1 for a .hestnut treeGJ said Fenea/
I pass over the neBt hour/ We gre+ hot and despondent ; and a the
ti)e +e +ere tortured +ith fear that Fay )ight 'e su..eeding +hist
+e faied/
JI re)e)'er on.e reading in a dete.tive story>J I said> Jho+ a feo+
stu.1 a paper of +riting in a 'ath of a.id ; and a sorts of other +ords
.a)e out/J
J$o you thin1 ; 'ut +e haven"t got a 'ath of a.idGJ
JI don"t thin1 2n.e Myes .oud eBpe.t eBpert .he)i.a 1no+edge/
%ut there"s .o))on or garden heat ;J
We sipped round the .orner of a hedge and in a )inute or t+o I had
1inded a fe+ t+igs/ I hed the paper as .ose to the 'a?e as I dared/
A)ost at on.e I +as re+arded 'y seeing .hara.ters 'egin to appear
at the foot of the sheet/ There +ere Dust t+o +ords/
J-ir1hi Station>J read out Fenea/
*ust at that )o)ent Fay .a)e round the .orner/ Whether he had
heard or not +e had no )eans of Dudging/ !e sho+ed nothing/
J%ut *uan>J said Fenea> +hen he )oved a+ay> Jthere isn"t a -ir1hi
StationGJ She hed out the )ap as she spo1e/
J0o>J I said eBa)ining it> J'ut oo1 here/J
And +ith a pen.i I dre+ a ine on it/
J<f .ourseG And so)e+here on that ine ;J
J(Ba.ty/J
J%ut I +ish +e 1ne+ the eBa.t spot/J
It +as then that )y se.ond 'rain +ave .a)e to )e/
JWe doGJ I .ried> and sei?ing the pen.i again> I saidH J#oo1GJ
Fenea uttered a .ry/
J!o+ idioti.GJ she .ried/ JAnd ho+ )arveousH What a seG &eay/
2n.e Myes +as a )ost ingenious od gente)anGJ
The ti)e had .o)e for the ast .ue/ This> the a+yer had infor)ed us>
+as not in his 1eeping/ It +as to 'e posted to us on re.eipt of a
post.ard sent 'y hi)/ !e +oud i)part no further infor)ation/
0othing arrived> ho+ever> on the )orning it shoud have done> and
Fenea and I +ent through agonies> 'eieving that Fay had )anaged
so)eho+ to inter.ept our etter/ The neBt day> ho+ever> our fears
+ere .a)ed and the )ystery eBpained +hen +e re.eived the
foo+ing iiterate s.ra+H
$ear Sir or Mada)>
(s.use deay 'ut have 'een a siBes and sevens 'ut i do no+ as )r/
Mye.harane aBed )e to and send you the pie.e of riting +ot as 'een
in )y fa)iy )any ong years the +ot he +anted it for i do not 1no+/
than1ing you i a)
Mary -erruish
JPost)ar1 ; %ride>J I re)ar1ed/ J0o+ for the "pie.e of riting handed
do+n in )y fa)iy"GJ
2pon a ro.1> a sign you" see/
<> te )e +hat the point of
That )ay 'eA We> firsty> 9A:/ 0ear
%y you" find> 8uite suddeny> the ight
@ou see1/ Then 9%:/ A house/ A
Cottage +ith a that.h and +a/
A )eandering ane near 'y/ That a/
JIt"s very unfair to 'egin +ith a ro.1>J said Fenea/ JThere are ro.1s
every+here/ !o+ .an you te +hi.h one has the sign on itAJ
JIf +e .oud sette on the distri.t>J I said> Jit ought to 'e fairy easy to
find the ro.1/ It )ust have a )ar1 on it pointing in a .ertain dire.tion>
and in that dire.tion there +i 'e so)ething hidden +hi.h +i thro+
ight on the finding of the treasure/J
JI thin1 you"re right>J said Fenea/
JThat"s A/ The ne+ .ue +i give us a hint +here %> the .ottage> is to 'e
found/ The treasure itsef is hidden do+n a ane aongside the .ottage/
%ut .eary +e"ve got to find A first/
<+ing to the diffi.uty of the initia step> 2n.e Myes"s ast pro'e)
proved a rea teaser/ To Fenea fas the distin.tion of unraveing it ;
and even then she did not a..o)pish it for neary a +ee1/ 0o+ and
then +e had .o)e a.ross Fay in our sear.h of ro.1y distri.ts> 'ut the
area +as a +ide one/
When +e finay )ade our dis.overy it +as ate in the evening/ Too
ate> I said> to start off to the pa.e indi.ated/ Fenea disagreed/
JSupposing Fay finds it> too>J she said/ JAnd +e +ait ti to)orro+ and
he starts off tonight/ !o+ +e shoud 1i.1 oursevesGJ
Suddeny> a )arveous idea o..urred to )e/
JFenea>J I said> Jdo you sti 'eieve that Fay )urdered (+an
CorDeagAJ
JI do/J
JThen I thin1 that no+ +e"ve got our .han.e to 'ring the .ri)e ho)e to
hi)/J
JThat )an )a1es )e shiver/ !e"s 'ad a through/ Te )e/J
JAdvertise the fa.t that +e"ve found A/ Then start off/ Ten to one he"
foo+ us/ It"s a oney pa.e ; Dust +hat +oud suit his 'oo1/ !e" .o)e
out in the open if +e pretend to find the treasure/J
JAnd thenAJ
JAnd then>J I said> Jhe" have a itte surprise/J
It +as .ose on )idnight/ We had eft the .ar so)e distan.e a+ay and
+ere .reeping aong 'y the side of a +a/ Fenea had a po+erfu
fashight +hi.h she +as using/ I )ysef .arried a revover/ I +as ta1ing
no .han.es/
Suddeny> +ith a o+ .ry> Fenea stopped/
J#oo1> *uan>J she .ried/ JWe"ve got it/ At ast/J
For a )o)ent I +as off )y guard/ #ed 'y instin.t I +hired round ; 'ut
too ate/ Fay stood siB pa.es a+ay and his revover .overed us 'oth/
J,ood evening>J he said/ JThis tri.1 is )ine/ @ou" hand over that
treasure> if you pease/J
JWoud you i1e )e aso to hand over so)ething eseAJ I as1ed/ J!af a
snapshot torn fro) a dying )an"s handA @ou have the other haf> I
thin1/J
!is hand +avered/
JWhat are you ta1ing a'outAJ he gro+ed/
JThe truth"s 1no+n>J I said/ J@ou and CorDeag +ere there together/ @ou
pued a+ay the adder and .rashed his head +ith that stone/ The
poi.e are .everer than you i)agine> $r/ Fay/J
JThey 1no+> do theyA Then> 'y !eaven> I" s+ing for three )urders
instead of oneGJ
J$rop> Fenea>J I s.rea)ed/ And at the sa)e )inute his revover
'ar1ed oudy/
We had 'oth dropped in the heather> and 'efore he .oud fire again
unifor)ed )en sprang out fro) 'ehind the +a +here they had 'een
hiding/ A )o)ent ater Fay had 'een hand.uffed and ed a+ay/
I .aught Fenea in )y ar)s/
JI 1ne+ I +as right>J she said tre)uousy/
J$aringGJ I .ried> Jit +as too ris1y/ !e )ight have shot you/J
J%ut he didn"t>J said Fenea/ JAnd +e 1no+ +here the treasure is/J
J$o +eAJ
JI do/ See ;J she s.ri''ed a +ord/ JWe" oo1 for it to)orro+/ There
.an"t 'e )any hiding pa.es there> I shoud say/J
It +as Dust noon +henH
J(ure1aGJ said Fenea softy/ JThe fourth snuff'oBG We"ve got the) a/
2n.e Myes +oud 'e peased/ And no+ ;J
J0o+>J I said> J+e .an 'e )arried and ive together happiy ever
after+ards/J
JWe" ive in the Ise of Man>J said Fenea/
J<n ManB ,od>J I said> and aughed aoud for sheer happiness/
* * *
The treasure is a that is eft of the ost fortune of J<d Mye.harane>J a
egendary ManB s)ugger/ In reaity> the treasure too1 the for) of four
snuff'oBes> ea.h a'out the si?e of a )at.h'oB and .ontaining an
eighteenth;.entury ManB hafpenny +ith a hoe in it> through +hi.h +as
tied a ength of .oored ri''on> and a neaty foded do.u)ent>
eBe.uted +ith )any fourishes in India in1 and signed 'y Ader)an
Croo1a> +hi.h dire.ted the finder to report at on.e to the .er1 at the
to+n ha in $ougas> the .apita of the Ise of Man/ Finders +ere
instru.ted to ta1e +ith the) the snuff'oB and its .ontents in order to
.ai) a pri?e of one hundred pounds 9e8uivaent to a'out three
thousand pounds today:/ They aso had to 'ring +ith the) proof of
identity> for ony visitors to the isand +ere ao+ed to sear.h for the
treasureI ManB residents +ere eB.uded fro) the hunt/
The soe purpose of the first .ue in JManB ,od>J the rhy)e +hi.h
'egins JFour points of the .o)pass so there 'e>J pu'ished in the $aiy
$ispat.h on Saturday> May 51> +as to indi.ate that the four treasures
+oud 'e found in the north> south> and +est of the isand> 'ut not in
the east/ The .ue to the o.ation of the first snuff'oB +as in fa.t the
se.ond .ue> a )ap pu'ished on *une E/ !o+ever> the treasure had
aready 'een found 'y a taior fro) Inverness> Wiia) Sha+> 'e.ause
suffi.ient .ues to its o.ation +ere .ontained in the story itsef/
The )ost i)portant .ue +as Fenea"s re)ar1 that the hiding pa.e
+as near the pa.e J+here $er'y +as originay run/// 'efore it +as
.hanged to (pso)/J This is a referen.e to the fa)ous (ngish horse
ra.e> +hi.h +as first run at $er'yhaven in the southeast of the Ise of
Man/ The J8uite nearJ isand to +hi.h Ja se.ret passageJ +as ru)ored
to run fro) a far)house .an easiy 'e identified as St/ Mi.hae"s Ise>
on +hi.h> in addition to the t+efth;.entury .hape of St/ Mi.hae> is a
.ir.uar stone to+er 1no+n as the $er'y Fort> fro) +hi.h the isand
gets its aternative na)e> Fort Isand ; Jthe t+o together is a i1ey
.onDun.tion +hi.h doesn"t see) to o..ur any+here ese/J The fort +as
represented on the )ap 'y a .ir.e +ith siB ines proDe.ted fro) it to
represent the siB histori.a .annons ; JsiB of the)J ; in the fortI the
.hape +as represented 'y a .ross/
The s)a pe+ter snuff'oB +as hidden on a ro.1y edge running in a
northeastery dire.tion fro) 'et+een the )idde t+o .annons ;
J'et+een these t+o have you got the .o)passAJ ; +hie *uan"s initia
suggestion that the .ue Jpoints to the northeast of the isandJ +as a
red herring/
The se.ond snuff'oB> apparenty .onstru.ted fro) horn> +as o.ated
on *une 9 'y &i.hard !ighton> a #an.ashire 'uider/ As Fenea )ade
.ear to the )urderous $r/ Fay> (+an CorDeag"s dying +ords> J$"ye
1en ;J are a .ue to the +herea'outs of the treasure/ In fa.t> they are
the opening +ords of the traditiona (ngish song J*ohn Pee>J a'out a
Cu)'rian hunts;)an> and +hen *uan suggested that J%e)an and
TrueJ +as the Jna)e of a fir) that )ight hep us>J he +as not referring
to the Jfir) of a+yers in $ougasJ )entioned at the 'eginning of the
story 'ut to t+o of *ohn Pee"s hounds> as na)ed in the song/ With
these .ues> the su'De.t of the Jtorn snapshot>J +hi.h +as pu'ished
as the third .ue on *une 9> +oud not have 'een Jvery hard to
identifyJI it +as the ruins of the fourteenth;.entury Pee Caste on St/
Patri.1"s Ise> and .urved ines aong the photograph"s eft;hand edge
+ere the .uri.ues on the ar) of a 'en.h on Pee !i> +hi.h oo1s
do+n on the .aste and under +hi.h the snuff'oB +as hidden/ The
.hara'an. Dourney to Snaefe> the highest pea1 on the Ise of Man>
+as another red herring/
The third JtreasureJ +as found 'y Mr/ !er'ert (iot> a ManB;'orn
ship"s engineer iving in #iverpoo M/ (iot ater .ai)ed that he had
not read JManB ,odJ nor even studied the .ues> 'ut had si)py
de.ided on a i1ey area +here> very eary on the )orning of *uy O> he
.han.ed upon the snuff'oB> hidden in a guy/
The prin.ipa .ue to its +herea'outs +as hidden in the fourth .ue>
pu'ished on *une 14 9the vers 'eginning JIn "OF> this pa.e )ade
historyJ:> in +hi.h the se.ond +ord of ea.h ine spes out the foo+ing
)essageH
JOF/// pa.es/// east/// north/// east/// of/// sa.red/// .ir.e/// Spanish///
head/J The JSa.red .ir.eJ is the Meay .ir.e on Mu !i> a
roegaithi. )onu)ent a itte over a )ie fro) the Spanish !ead> the
)ost southery point of the isand/ The referen.e to an i)portant event
Jin "OFJ and a Spanish .hestnut> +hi.h fro) .onte)porary a..ounts
proved a diversion for )any sear.hers> +ere fase eads/ As for
J-ir1hi Station>J the .ue un.overed 'y *uan> Fenea righty said that
there +as no su.h pa.e/ !o+ever> there is a viage .aed -ir1hi and
there is aso a rai+ay station at Port (rin> +here *uan and Fenea had
had un.h 'efore starting their sear.h/ If a ine is dra+n fro) -ir1hi to
Port (rin and .ontinued south+ard> it eventuay .rosses the Meay
.ir.e> Jthe eBa.t spotJ identified 'y *uan/
2nfortunatey> as +as the .ase +ith the .ues to the o.ation of the
third snuff'oB> those for the fourth +ere never soved/ The fifth and
fina .ue> the verse 'eginning J2pon a ro.1> a sign you" see>J +as
pu'ished on *une 21> 'ut on *uy 16> at the end of the eBtended period
ao+ed for the hunt> +hi.h had originay 'een intended to finish at the
end of *une> the fina JtreasureJ +as JiftedJ 'y the Mayor of $ougas/
T+o days ater> as a Jse8ueJ to the story> the $aiy $ispat.h pu'ished
a photograph of the event and Christie"s eBpanation of the fina .ueH
That ast .ue sti )a1es )e s)ie +hen I re)e)'er the ti)e +e
+asted oo1ing for ro.1s +ith a sign on the)/ The rea .ue +as so
si)pe ; the +ords JsiBes and sevensJ in the .overing etter/
Ta1e the siBth and seventh +ords of ea.h ine of the verse> and you get
thisH J@ou" see/ Point of 9A:/ 0ear the ighthouse a +a/J See the point
of 9A: +e identified as the Point of Ayre/ We spent so)e ti)e finding
the right +a> and the treasure itsef +as not there/ Instead> there
+ere four figures ; 2> F> 3> and 9 s.ra+ed on a stone/
Appy the) to the etters of the first ine of the verse> and you get the
+ord Jpar1/J There is ony one rea par1 in the Ise of Man> at &a)sey/
We sear.hed that par1> and found at ast +hat +e sought/
The that.hed 'uiding in 8uestion +as a s)a refresh)ent 1ios1> and
the path eading past it ran up to an ivy;.overed +a> +hi.h +as the
hiding pa.e of the eusive snuff'oB/ The fa.t that the etter had 'een
posted in %ride +as an additiona .ue> as this viage is near the
ighthouse at the Point of Ayre> the northern;)ost tip of the isand/
It is i)possi'e to Dudge +hether or not JManB ,odJ +as a su..essfu
)eans of pro)oting touris) on the Ise of Man/ Certainy> it appears
that there +ere )ore visitors in 1956 than in previous years> 'ut ho+
far that in.rease .oud 'e as.ri'ed to the treasure hunt is far fro)
.ear/ Conte)porary press reports sho+ that there +ere )any +ho
dou'ted that it had 'een of any rea vaue> and at a .ivi. un.h to )ar1
the end of the hunt> Ader)an Croo1a responded to a vote of than1s
'y raiing against those +ho had faied to ta1 up the hunt ; they +ere
Jsa.1ers and grousers +ho never did anything 'ut offer up .riti.is)/J
The fa.t that they +ere not ao+ed to ta1e part in the hunt )ight have
'een a .ause of apathy a)ong the isanders> even though the $aiy
$ispat.h offered the ManB resident +ith +ho) ea.h finder +as staying
a pri?e of five guineas> e8uivaent to a'out one hundred fifty pounds
today/ This aso )ight have a..ounted for various a.ts of gente
Jsa'otage>J su.h as the aying of fase snuff'oBes and spoof .ues>
in.uding a ro.1 on +hi.h the +ord JiftJ +as painted 'ut under +hi.h
+as nothing )ore interesting than dis.arded fruit pee/
Whie there never has 'een any other event 8uite i1e the Ise of Man
treasure hunt> Agatha Christie did go on to +rite )ysteries +ith a
si)iar the)e/ Most o'vious of these is the .haenge aid do+n to
Char)ian Stroud and (d+ard &ossiter 'y their e..entri. 2n.e
Mathe+ in JStrange *est>J a Miss Marpe story first pu'ished in 1941
as JA Case of %uried TreasureJ and .oe.ted in Three %ind Mi.e
9194O:/ There is aso a si)iary stru.tured J)urder huntJ in the Poirot
nove $ead Man"s Foy 919F3:/
WIT!I0 A WA##
It +as Mrs/ #e)priSre +ho dis.overed the eBisten.e of *ane !a+orth/
It +oud 'e> of .ourse/ So)e'ody on.e said that Mrs/ #e)priSre +as
easiy the )ost hated +o)an in #ondon> 'ut that> I thin1> is an
eBaggeration/ She has .ertainy a 1na.1 of tu)'ing on the one thing
you +ish to 1eep 8uiet a'out> and she does it +ith rea genius/ It is
a+ays an a..ident/
In this .ase +e had 'een having tea in Aan (verard"s studio/ !e gave
these teas o..asionay> and used to stand a'out in .orners> +earing
very od .othes> ratting the .oppers in his trouser po.1ets and
oo1ing profoundy )isera'e/
I do not suppose anyone +i dispute (verard"s .ai) to genius at this
date/ !is t+o )ost fa)ous pi.tures> Coor and The Connoisseur> +hi.h
'eong to his eary period> 'efore he 'e.a)e a fashiona'e portrait
painter> +ere pur.hased 'y the nation ast year> and for on.e the
.hoi.e +ent un.haenged/ %ut at the date of +hi.h I spea1> (verard
+as ony 'eginning to .o)e into his o+n> and +e +ere free to .onsider
that +e had dis.overed hi)/
It +as his +ife +ho organi?ed these parties/ (verard"s attitude to her
+as a pe.uiar one/ That he adored her +as evident> and ony to 'e
eBpe.ted/ Adoration +as Iso'e"s due/ %ut he see)ed a+ays to fee
hi)sef sighty in her de't/ !e assented to anything she +ished> not so
)u.h through tenderness as through an unatera'e .onvi.tion that
she had a right to her o+n +ay/ I suppose that +as natura enough>
too> +hen one .o)es to thin1 of it/
For Iso'e #oring had 'een reay very .ee'rated/ When she .a)e out
she had 'een the d='utante of the season/ She had everything eB.ept
)oneyI 'eauty> position> 'reeding> 'rains/ 0o'ody eBpe.ted her to
)arry for ove/ She +asn"t that 1ind of gir/ In her se.ond season she
had three strings to her 'o+> the heir to a du1edo)> a rising poiti.ian>
and a South Afri.an )iionaire/ And then> to everyone"s surprise> she
)arried Aan (verard ; a strugging young painter +ho) no one had
ever heard of/
It is a tri'ute to her personaity> I thin1> that everyone +ent on .aing
her Iso'e #oring/ 0o'ody ever auded to her as Iso'e (verard/ It
+oud 'eH JI sa+ Iso'e #oring this )orning/ @es ; +ith her hus'and>
young (verard> the painter feo+/J
Peope said Iso'e had Jdone for hersef/J It +oud> I thin1> have JdoneJ
for )ost )en to 'e 1no+n as JIso'e #oring"s hus'and/J %ut (verard
+as different/ Iso'e"s taent for su..ess hadn"t faied her after a/
Aan (verard painted Coor/
I suppose everyone 1no+s the pi.tureH a stret.h of road +ith a tren.h
dug do+n it> and turned earth> reddish in .oor> a shining ength of
'ro+n ga?ed drain;pipe and the huge navvy> resting for a )inute on
his spade ; a !er.uean figure in stained .orduroys +ith a s.aret
ne.1er.hief/ !is eyes oo1 out at you fro) the .anvas> +ithout
inteigen.e> +ithout hope> 'ut +ith a du)' un.ons.ious peading> the
eyes of a )agnifi.ent 'rute 'east/ It is a fa)ing thing ; a sy)phony of
orange and red/ A ot has 'een +ritten a'out its sy)'ois)> a'out
+hat it is )eant to eBpress/ Aan (verard hi)sef says he didn"t )ean it
to eBpress anything/ !e +as> he said> nauseated 'y having had to oo1
at a ot of pi.tures of 7enetian sunsets> and a sudden onging for a riot
of purey (ngish .oor assaied hi)/
After that> (verard gave the +ord that epi. painting of a pu'i. house ;
&o)an.eH the 'a.1 street +ith rain faing ; the haf;open door> the
ights and shining gasses> the itte foBy;fa.ed )an passing through
the door+ay> s)a> )ean> insignifi.ant> +ith ips parted and eyes
eager> passing in to forget/
<n the strength of these t+o pi.tures (verard +as a..ai)ed as a
painter of J+or1ing )en/J !e had his ni.he/ %ut he refused to stay in it/
!is third and )ost 'riiant +or1> a fu;ength portrait of Sir &ufus
!ers.h)an/ The fa)ous s.ientist is painted against a 'a.1ground of
retorts and .ru.i'es and a'oratory sheves/ The +hoe has +hat )ay
'e .aed a Cu'ist effe.t> 'ut the ines of perspe.tive run strangey/
And no+ he had .o)peted his fourth +or1 ; a portrait of his +ife/ We
had 'een invited to see and .riti.i?e/ (verard hi)sef s.o+ed and
oo1ed out of the +indo+I Iso'e #oring )oved a)ongst the guests>
ta1ing te.hni8ue +ith unerring a..ura.y/
We )ade .o))ents/ We had to/ We praised the painting of the pin1
satin/ The treat)ent of that> +e said> +as reay )arveous/ 0o'ody
had painted satin in 8uite that +ay 'efore/
Mrs/ #e)priSre> +ho is one of the )ost inteigent art .riti.s I 1no+>
too1 )e aside a)ost at on.e/
J,eorgie>J she said> J+hat has he done to hi)sefA The thing"s dead/
It"s s)ooth/ It"s ; ohG its da)na'e/J
JPortrait of a #ady in Pin1 SatinAJ I suggested/
J(Ba.ty/ And yet the te.hni8ue"s perfe.t/ And the .areG There"s
enough +or1 there for siBteen pi.tures/J
JToo )u.h +or1AJ I suggested/
JPerhaps that"s it/ If there ever +as anything there> he"s 1ied it/ An
eBtre)ey 'eautifu +o)an in a pin1 satin dress/ Why not a .oored
photographAJ
JWhy notAJ I agreed/ J$o you suppose he 1no+sAJ
J<f .ourse he 1no+s>J said Mrs/ #e)priSre s.ornfuy/ J$on"t you see
the )an"s on edgeA It .o)es> I daresay> of )iBing up senti)ent and
'usiness/ !e"s put his +hoe sou into painting Iso'e> 'e.ause she is
Iso'e> and in sparing her> he"s ost her/ !e"s 'een too 1ind/ @ou"ve got
to ; to destroy the fesh 'efore you .an get at the sou so)eti)es/J
I nodded refe.tivey/ Sir &ufus !ers.h)an had not 'een fattered
physi.ay> 'ut (verard had su..eeded in putting on the .anvas a
personaity that +as unforgetta'e/
JAnd Iso'e"s got su.h a very for.efu personaity>J .ontinued Mrs/
#e)priSre/
JPerhaps (verard .an"t paint +o)en>J I said/
JPerhaps not>J said Mrs/ #e)priSre thoughtfuy/ J@es> that )ay 'e the
eBpanation/J
And it +as then> +ith her usua genius for a..ura.y> that she pued out
a .anvas that +as eaning +ith its fa.e to the +a/ There +ere a'out
eight of the)> sta.1ed .areessy/ It +as pure .han.e that Mrs/
#e)priSre see.ted the one she did ; 'ut as I said 'efore> these things
happen +ith Mrs/ #e)priSre/
JAhGJ said Mrs/ #e)priSre as she turned it to the ight/
It +as unfinished> a )ere rough s1et.h/ The +o)an> or gir ; she +as
not> I thought> )ore than t+enty;five or ;siB ; +as eaning for+ard> her
.hin on her hand/ T+o things stru.1 )e at on.eH the eBtraordinary
vitaity of the pi.ture and the a)a?ing .ruety of it/ (verard had
painted +ith a vindi.tive 'rush/ The attitude even +as a .rue one ; it
had 'rought out every a+1+ardness> every sharp ange> every .rudity/
It +as a study in 'ro+n ; 'ro+n dress> 'ro+n 'a.1ground> 'ro+n eyes
; +istfu> eager eyes/ (agerness +as> indeed> the prevaiing note of it/
Mrs/ #e)priSre oo1ed at it for so)e )inutes in sien.e/ Then she
.aed to (verard/
JAan>J she said/ JCo)e here/ Who"s thisAJ
(verard .a)e over o'edienty/ I sa+ the sudden fash of annoyan.e
that he .oud not 8uite hide/
JThat"s ony a dau'>J he said/ JI don"t suppose I sha ever finish it/J
JWho is sheAJ said Mrs/ #e)priSre/
(verard +as .eary un+iing to ans+er> and his un+iingness +as as
)eat and drin1 to Mrs/ #e)priSre> +ho a+ays 'eieves the +orst on
prin.ipe/
JA friend of )ine/ A Miss *ane !a+orth/J
JI"ve never )et her here>J said Mrs/ #e)priSre/
JShe doesn"t .o)e to these sho+s/J !e paused a )inute> then addedH
JShe"s Winnie"s god)other/J
Winnie +as his itte daughter> aged five/
J&eayAJ said Mrs/ #e)priSre/ JWhere does she iveAJ
J%attersea/ A fat/J
J&eay>J said Mrs/ #e)priSre again> and then addedH JAnd +hat has
she ever done to youAJ
JTo )eAJ
JTo you/ To )a1e you so ; ruthess/J
J<h> thatGJ he aughed/ JWe> you 1no+> she"s not a 'eauty/ I .an"t
)a1e her one out of friendship> .an IAJ
J@ou"ve done the opposite>J said Mrs/ #e)priSre/ J@ou"ve .aught hod
of every defe.t of hers and eBaggerated it and t+isted it/ @ou"ve tried
to )a1e her ridi.uous ; 'ut you haven"t su..eeded> )y .hid/ That
portrait> if you finish it> +i ive/J
(verard oo1ed annoyed/
JIt"s not 'ad>J he said ighty> Jfor a s1et.h> that is/ %ut> of .ourse> it"s
not a pat.h on Iso'e"s portrait/ That"s far and a+ay the 'est thing I"ve
ever done/J
!e said the ast +ords defianty and aggressivey/ 0either of us
ans+ered/
JFar and a+ay the 'est thing>J he repeated/
So)e of the others had dra+n near us/ They> too> .aught sight of the
s1et.h/ There +ere eB.a)ations> .o))ents/ The at)osphere 'egan
to 'righten up/
It +as in this +ay that I first heard of *ane !a+orth/ #ater> I +as to
)eet her ; t+i.e/ I +as to hear detais of her ife fro) one of her )ost
inti)ate friends/ I +as to earn )u.h fro) Aan (verard hi)sef/ 0o+
that they are 'oth dead> I thin1 it is ti)e to .ontradi.t so)e of the
stories Mrs/ #e)priSre is 'usiy spreading a'road/ Ca so)e of )y
story invention if you +i ; it is not far fro) the truth/
When the guests had eft> Aan (verard turned the portrait of *ane
!a+orth +ith its fa.e to the +a again/ Iso'e .a)e do+n the roo)
and stood 'eside hi)/
JA su..ess> do you thin1AJ she as1ed thoughtfuy/ J<r ; not 8uite a
su..essAJ
JThe portraitAJ he as1ed 8ui.1y/
J0o> siy> the party/ <f .ourse the portrait"s a su..ess/J
JIt"s the 'est thing I"ve done>J (verard de.ared aggressivey/
JWe"re getting on>J said Iso'e/ J#ady Char)ington +ants you to paint
her/J
J<h> #ordGJ !e fro+ned/ JI") not a fashiona'e portrait painter> you
1no+/J
J@ou +i 'e/ @ou" get to the top of the tree/J
JThat"s not the tree I +ant to get to the top of/J
J%ut> Aan dear> that"s the +ay to )a1e )ints of )oney/J
JWho +ants )ints of )oneyAJ
JPerhaps I do>J she said s)iing/
At on.e he fet apoogeti.> asha)ed/ If she had not )arried hi) she
.oud have had her )ints of )oney/ And she needed it/ A .ertain
a)ount of uBury +as her proper setting/
JWe"ve not done so 'ady Dust atey>J he said +istfuy/
J0o> indeedI 'ut the 'is are .o)ing in rather fast/J
%is ; a+ays 'isG
!e +a1ed up and do+n/
J<h> hang itG I don"t +ant to paint #ady Char)ington>J he 'urst out>
rather i1e a petuant .hid/
Iso'e s)ied a itte/ She stood 'y the fire +ithout )oving/ Aan
stopped his restess pa.ing and .a)e nearer to her/ What +as there in
her> in her stiness> her inertia> that dre+ hi) ; dre+ hi) i1e a
)agnetA !o+ 'eautifu she +as ; her ar)s i1e s.uptured +hite
)ar'e> the pure god of her hair> her ips ; red> fu ips/
!e 1issed the) ; fet the) fasten on his o+n/ $id anything ese )atterA
What +as there in Iso'e that soothed you> that too1 a your .ares
fro) youA She dre+ you into her o+n 'eautifu inertia and hed you
there> 8uiet and .ontent/ Poppy and )andragoraI you drifted there> on
a dar1 a1e> aseep/
JI" do #ady Char)ington>J he said presenty/ JWhat does it )atterA I
sha 'e 'ored ; 'ut after a> painters )ust eat/ There"s Mr/ Pots the
painter> Mrs/ Pots the painter"s +ife> and Miss Pots the painter"s
daughter ; a needing sustenan.e/J
JA'surd 'oyGJ said Iso'e/ JTa1ing of our daughter ; you ought to go
and see *ane so)e ti)e/ She +as here yesterday> and said she hadn"t
seen you for )onths/J
J*ane +as hereAJ
J@es ; to see Winnie/J
Aan 'rushed Winnie aside/
J$id she see the pi.ture of youAJ
J@es/J
JWhat did she thin1 of itAJ
JShe said it +as spendid/J
J<hGJ
!e fro+ned> ost in thought/
JMrs/ #e)priSre suspe.ts you of a guity passion for *ane> I thin1>J
re)ar1ed so'e/ J!er nose t+it.hed a good dea/J
JThat +o)anGJ said Aan> +ith deep disgust/ JThat +o)anG What
+oudn"t she thin1A What doesn"t she thin1AJ
JWe> I don"t thin1>J said Iso'e> s)iing/ JSo go on and see *ane
soon/J
Aan oo1ed a.ross at her/ She +as sitting no+ on a o+ .ou.h 'y the
fire/ !er fa.e +as haf turned a+ay> the s)ie sti ingered on her ips/
And at that )o)ent he fet 'e+idered> .onfused> as though a )ist had
for)ed round hi)> and suddeny parting> had given hi) a gi)pse into
a strange .ountry/
So)ething said to hi)H JWhy does she +ant you to go and see *aneA
There"s a reason/J %e.ause +ith Iso'e> there +as 'ound to 'e a
reason/ There +as no i)puse in Iso'e> ony .a.uation/
J$o you i1e *aneAJ he as1ed suddeny/
JShe"s a dear>J said Iso'e/
J@es> 'ut do you reay i1e herAJ
J<f .ourse/ She"s so devoted to Winnie/ %y the +ay> she +ants to .arry
Winnie off to the seaside neBt +ee1/ @ou don"t )ind> do youA It +i
eave us free for S.otand/J
JIt +i 'e eBtraordinariy .onvenient/J
It +oud> indeed> 'e Dust that/ (Btraordinariy .onvenient/ !e oo1ed
a.ross at Iso'e +ith a sudden suspi.ion/ !ad she as1ed *aneA *ane
+as so easiy i)posed upon/
Iso'e got up and +ent out of the roo)> hu))ing to hersef/ <h> +e> it
didn"t )atter/ Any+ay> he +oud go and see *ane/
*ane !a+orth ived at the top of a 'o.1 of )ansion fats overoo1ing
%attersea Par1/ When (verard had .i)'ed four fights of stairs and
pressed the 'e> he fet annoyed +ith *ane/ Why .oudn"t she ive
so)e+here )ore get;at;a'eA When> not having o'tained an ans+er>
he had pressed the 'e three ti)es> his annoyan.e had gro+n greater/
Why .oudn"t she 1eep so)eone .apa'e of ans+ering the doorA
Suddeny it opened> and *ane hersef stood in the door+ay/ She +as
fushed/
JWhere"s Ai.eAJ as1ed (verard> +ithout any atte)pt at greeting/
JWe> I") afraid ; I )ean ; she"s not +e today/J
J$rin1> you )eanAJ said (verard gri)y/
What a pity that *ane +as su.h an inveterate iar/
JI suppose that"s it>J said *ane reu.tanty/
J#et )e see her/J
!e strode into the fat/ *ane foo+ed hi) +ith disar)ing )ee1ness/ !e
found the dein8uent Ai.e in the 1it.hen/ There +as no dou't
+hatever as to her .ondition/ !e foo+ed *ane into the sitting roo) in
gri) sien.e/
J@ou" have to get rid of that +o)an>J he said/ JI tod you so 'efore/J
JI 1no+ you did> Aan> 'ut I .an"t do that/ @ou forget> her hus'and"s in
prison/J
JWhere he ought to 'e>J said (verard/ J!o+ often has that +o)an
'een drun1 in the three )onths you"ve had herAJ
J0ot so very )any ti)esI three or four perhaps/ She gets depressed>
you 1no+/J
JThree or fourG 0ine or ten +oud 'e nearer the )ar1/ !o+ does she
.oo1A &otteny/ Is she the east assistan.e or .o)fort to you in this
fatA 0one +hatever/ For ,od"s sa1e> get rid of her to)orro+ )orning
and engage a gir +ho is of so)e use/J
*ane oo1ed at hi) unhappiy/
J@ou +on"t>J said (verard goo)iy> sin1ing into a 'ig ar).hair/ J@ou"re
su.h an i)possi'y senti)enta .reature/ What"s this I hear a'out your
ta1ing Winnie to the seasideA Who suggested it> you or Iso'eAJ
*ane said very 8ui.1yH JI did> of .ourse/J
J*ane>J said (verard> Jif you +oud ony earn to spea1 the truth> I
shoud 'e 8uite fond of you/ Sit do+n> and for goodness sa1e don"t te
any )ore ies for at east ten )inutes/J
J<h> AanGJ said *ane> and sat do+n/
The painter eBa)ined her .riti.ay for a )inute or t+o/ Mrs/ #e)priSre
; that +o)an ; had 'een 8uite right/ !e had 'een .rue in his handing
of *ane/ *ane +as a)ost> if not 8uite> 'eautifu/ The ong ines of her
+ere pure ,ree1/ It +as that eager anBiety of hers to pease that )ade
her a+1+ard/ !e had sei?ed on that ; eBaggerated it ; had sharpened
the ine of her sighty pointed .hin> fung her 'ody into an ugy pose/
WhyA Why +as it i)possi'e for hi) to 'e five )inutes in the roo) +ith
*ane +ithout feeing vioent irritation against her rising up in hi)A Say
+hat you +oud> *ane +as a dear 'ut irritating/ !e +as never soothed
and at pea.e +ith her as he +as +ith Iso'e/ And yet *ane +as so
anBious to pease> so +iing to agree +ith a he said> 'ut aasG so
transparenty una'e to .on.ea her rea feeings/
!e oo1ed round the roo)/ Typi.ay *ane/ So)e ovey things> pure
ge)s> that pie.e of %attersea ena)e> for instan.e> and there neBt to
it> an atro.ity of a vase hand painted +ith roses/
!e pi.1ed the atter up/
JWoud you 'e very angry> *ane> if I pit.hed this out of the +indo+AJ
J<hG Aan> you )ustn"t/J
JWhat do you +ant +ith a this trashA @ou"ve penty of taste if you .are
to use it/ MiBing things upGJ
JI 1no+> Aan/ It isn"t that I don"t 1no+/ %ut peope give )e things/ That
vase ; Miss %ates 'rought it 'a.1 fro) Margate ; and she"s so poor>
and has to s.rape> and it )ust have .ost her 8uite a ot ; for her> you
1no+> and she thought I"d 'e so peased/ I si)py had to put it in a good
pa.e/J
(verard said nothing/ !e +ent on oo1ing around the roo)/ There
+ere one or t+o et.hings on the +as ; there +ere aso a nu)'er of
photographs of 'a'ies/ %a'ies> +hatever their )others )ay thin1> do
not a+ays photograph +e/ Any of *ane"s friends +ho a.8uired
'a'ies hurried to send photographs of the) to her> eBpe.ting these
to1ens to 'e .herished/ *ane had duy .herished the)/
JWho"s this itte horrorAJ as1ed (verard> inspe.ting a pudgy addition
+ith a s8uint/ JI"ve not seen hi) 'efore/J
JIt"s a her>J said *ane/ JMary Carrington"s ne+ 'a'y/J
JPoor Mary Carrington>J said (verard/ JI suppose you" pretend that
you i1e having that atro.ious infant s8uinting at you a dayAJ
*ane"s .hin shot out/
JShe"s a ovey 'a'y/ Mary is a very od friend of )ine/J
J#oya *ane>J said (verard s)iing at her/ JSo Iso'e anded you +ith
Winnie> did sheAJ
JWe> she did say you +anted to go to S.otand> and I Du)ped at it/ @ou
+i et )e have Winnie> +on"t youA I"ve 'een +ondering if you +oud et
her .o)e to )e for ages> 'ut I haven"t i1ed to as1/J
J<h> you .an have her ; 'ut it"s a+fuy good of you/J
JThen that"s a right>J said *ane happiy/
(verard it a .igarette/
JIso'e sho+ you the ne+ portraitAJ he as1ed rather indistin.ty/
JShe did/J
JWhat did you thin1 of itAJ
*ane"s ans+er .a)e 8ui.1y ; too 8ui.1yH
JIt"s perfe.ty spendid/ A'soutey spendid/J
Aan sprang suddeny to his feet/ The hand that hed the .igarette
shoo1/
J$a)n you> *ane> don"t ie to )eGJ
J%ut> Aan> I") sure> it is perfe.ty spendid/J
J!aven"t you earned 'y no+> *ane> that I 1no+ every tone of your
voi.eA @ou ie to )e i1e a hatter so as not to hurt )y feeings> I
suppose/ Why .an"t you 'e honestA $o you thin1 I +ant you to te )e a
thing is spendid +hen I 1no+ as +e as you do that it"s notA The
da)ned thing"s dead ; dead/ There"s no ife in it ; nothing 'ehind>
nothing 'ut surfa.e> da)ned s)ooth surfa.e/ I"ve .heated )ysef a
aong ; yes> even this afternoon/ I .a)e aong to you to find out/ Iso'e
doesn"t 1no+/ %ut you 1no+> you a+ays do 1no+/ I 1ne+ you"d te )e
it +as good ; you"ve no )ora sense a'out that sort of thing/ %ut I .an
te 'y the tone of your voi.e/ When I sho+ed you &o)an.e you didn"t
say anything at a ; you hed your 'reath and gave a sort of gasp/J
JAan ;J
(verard gave her no .han.e to spea1/ *ane +as produ.ing the effe.t
upon hi) he 1ne+ so +e/ Strange that so gente a .reature .oud stir
hi) to su.h furious anger/
J@ou thin1 I"ve ost the po+er> perhaps>J he said angriy> J'ut I haven"t/
I .an do +or1 every 'it as good as &o)an.e ; 'etter> perhaps/ I" sho+
you> *ane !a+orth/J
!e fairy rushed out of the fat/ Wa1ing rapidy> he .rossed through the
Par1 and over A'ert %ridge/ !e +as sti tinging a over +ith irritation
and 'affed rage/ *ane> indeedG What did she 1no+ a'out paintingA
What +as her opinion +orthA Why shoud he .areA %ut he did .are/ !e
+anted to paint so)ething that +oud )a1e *ane gasp/ !er )outh
+oud open Dust a itte> and her .hee1s +oud fush red/ She +oud
oo1 first at the pi.ture and then at hi)/ She +oudn"t say anything at
a pro'a'y/
In the )idde of the 'ridge he sa+ the pi.ture he +as going to paint/ It
.a)e to hi) fro) no+here at a> out of the 'ue/ !e sa+ it> there in the
air> or +as it in his headA
A itte> dingy .urio shop> rather dar1 and )usty oo1ing/ %ehind the
.ounter a *e+ ; a s)a *e+ +ith .unning eyes/ In front of hi) the
.usto)er> a 'ig )an> see1> +e fed> opuent> 'oated> a great Do+ on
hi)/ A'ove the)> on a shef> a 'ust of +hite )ar'e/ The ight there> on
the 'oy"s )ar'e fa.e> the deathess 'eauty of od ,ree.e> s.ornfu>
unheeding of sae and 'arter/ The *e+> the ri.h .oe.tor> the ,ree1
'oy"s head/ !e sa+ the) a/
JThe Connoisseur> that"s +hat I" .a it>J )uttered Aan (verard>
stepping off the .ur' and Dust )issing 'eing annihiated 'y a passing
'us/ J@es> The Connoisseur/ I" sho+ *ane/J
When he arrived ho)e> he passed straight into the studio/ Iso'e found
hi) there> sorting out .anvases/
JAan> don"t forget +e"re dining +ith the Mar.hes ;J
(verard shoo1 his head i)patienty/
J$a)n the Mar.hes/ I") going to +or1/ I"ve got hod of so)ething> 'ut I
)ust get it fiBed ; fiBed at on.e on the .anvas 'efore it goes/ &ing the)
up/ Te the) I") dead/J
Iso'e oo1ed at hi) thoughtfuy for a )o)ent or t+o> and then +ent
out/ She understood the art of iving +ith a genius very thoroughy/ She
+ent to the teephone and )ade so)e pausi'e eB.use/
She oo1ed round her> ya+ning a itte/ Then she sat do+n at her des1
and 'egan to +rite/
Many than1s for your .he8ue re.eived today/ @ou are good to your
god.hid A hundred pounds +i do a sorts of things/ Chidren are a
terri'e eBpense/ @ou are so fond of Winnie that I fet I +as not doing
+rong in .o)ing to you for hep/ Aan> i1e a geniuses> .an ony +or1
at +hat he +ants to +or1 at ; and unfortunatey that doesn"t a+ays
1eep the pot 'oiing/ !ope to see you soon/
@ours>
Iso'e
When The Connoisseur +as finished> so)e )onths ater> Aan invited
*ane to .o)e and see it/ The thing +as not 8uite as he had .on.eived it
; that +as i)possi'e to hope for ; 'ut it +as near enough/ !e fet the
go+ of the .reator/ !e had )ade this thing and it +as good/
*ane did not this ti)e te hi) it +as spendid/ The .oor .rept into her
.hee1s and her ips parted/ She oo1ed at Aan> and he sa+ in her eyes
that +hi.h he +ished to see/ *ane 1ne+/
!e +a1ed on air/ !e had sho+n *aneG
The pi.ture off his )ind> he 'egan to noti.e his i))ediate
surroundings on.e )ore/
Winnie had 'enefited enor)ousy fro) her fortnight at the seaside> 'ut
it stru.1 hi) that her .othes +ere very sha''y/ !e said so to Iso'e/
JAanG @ou +ho never noti.e anythingG %ut I i1e .hidren to 'e si)py
dressed ; I hate the) a fussed up/J
JThere"s a differen.e 'et+een si)pi.ity and darns and pat.hes/J
Iso'e said nothing> 'ut she got Winnie a ne+ fro.1/ T+o days ater
Aan +as strugging +ith in.o)e;taB returns/ !is o+n pass'oo1 ay in
front of hi)/ !e +as hunting through Iso'e"s des1 for hers +hen
Winnie dan.ed into the roo) +ith a disreputa'e do/
J$addy> I"ve got a ridde/ Can you guess itA "Within a +a as +hite as
)i1> +ithin a .urtain soft as si1> 'athed in a sea of .rysta .ear> a
goden appe doth appear/" ,uess +hat that isAJ
J@our )other>J said Aan a'senty/ !e +as sti 'unting/
J$addyGJ Winnie gave a s.rea) of aughter/ JIt"s an egg/ Why did you
thin1 it +as Mu))yAJ
Aan s)ied too/
JI +asn"t reay istening>J he said/ JAnd the +ords sounded i1e
Mu))y> so)eho+/J
A +a as +hite as )i1/ A .urtain/ Crysta/ The goden appe/ @es> it did
suggest Iso'e to hi)/ Curious things> +ords/
!e had found the pass'oo1 no+/ !e ordered Winnie pere)ptoriy fro)
the roo)/ Ten )inutes ater he oo1ed up> started 'y a sharp
eDa.uation/
JAanGJ
J!uo> Iso'e/ I didn"t hear you .o)e in/ #oo1 here> I .an"t )a1e out
these ite)s in your pass'oo1/J
JWhat 'usiness had you to tou.h )y pass'oo1AJ
!e stared at her> astonished/ She +as angry/ !e had never seen her
angry 'efore/
JI had no idea you +oud )ind/J
JI do )ind ; very )u.h indeed/ @ou have no 'usiness to tou.h )y
things/J
Aan suddeny 'e.a)e angry too/
JI apoogi?e/ %ut sin.e I have tou.hed your things> perhaps you +i
eBpain one or t+o entries that pu??e )e/ As far as I .an see> neary
five hundred pounds has 'een paid into your a..ount this year +hi.h I
.annot .he.1/ Where does it .o)e fro)AJ
Iso'e had re.overed her te)per/ She san1 into a .hair/
J@ou needn"t 'e so soe)n a'out it> Aan>J she said ighty/ JIt isn"t the
+ages of sin> or anything i1e that/J
JWhere did this )oney .o)e fro)AJ
JFro) a +o)an/ A friend of yours/ It"s not )ine at a/ It"s for Winnie/J
JWinnieA $o you )ean ; this )oney .a)e fro) *aneAJ
Iso'e nodded/
JShe"s devoted to the .hid ; .an"t do enough for her/J
J@es> 'ut ; surey the )oney ought to have 'een invested for Winnie/J
J<hG it isn"t that sort of thing at a/ It"s for .urrent eBpenses> .othes
and a that/J
Aan said nothing/ !e +as thin1ing of Winnie"s fro.1s ; a darns and
pat.hes/
J@our a..ount"s overdra+n> too> Iso'eAJ
JIs itA That"s a+ays happening to )e/J
J@es> 'ut that five hundred ;J
JMy dear Aan/ I"ve spent it on Winnie in the +ay that see)ed 'est to
)e/ I .an assure you *ane is 8uite satisfied/J
Aan +as not satisfied/ @et su.h +as the po+er of Iso'e"s .a) that he
said nothing )ore/ After a> Iso'e +as .areess in )oney )atters/ She
hadn"t )eant to use for hersef )oney given to her for the .hid/ A
re.eipted 'i .a)e that day addressed 'y a )ista1e to Mr/ (verard/ It
+as fro) a dress)a1er in !anover S8uare and +as for t+o hundred
odd pounds/ !e gave it to Iso'e +ithout a +ord/ She gan.ed over it>
s)ied> and saidH JPoor 'oy> I suppose it see)s an a+fu ot to you> 'ut
one reay )ust 'e )ore or ess .othed/J
The neBt day he +ent to see *ane/
*ane +as irritating and eusive as usua/ !e +asn"t to 'other/ Winnie
+as her god.hid/ Wo)en understood these things> )en didn"t/ <f
.ourse she didn"t +ant Winnie to have five hundred pounds" +orth of
fro.1s/ Woud he pease eave it to her and Iso'eA They understood
ea.h other perfe.ty/
Aan +ent a+ay in a state of gro+ing dissatisfa.tion/ !e 1ne+
perfe.ty +e that he had shir1ed the one 8uestion he reay +ished to
as1/ !e +anted to sayH J!as Iso'e ever as1ed you for )oney for
WinnieAJ !e didn"t say it 'e.ause he +as afraid that *ane )ight not ie
+e enough to de.eive hi)/
%ut he +as +orried/ *ane +as poor/ !e 1ne+ she +as poor/ She
)ustn"t ; )ustn"t denude hersef/ !e )ade up his )ind to spea1 to
Iso'e/ Iso'e +as .a) and reassuring/ <f .ourse she +oudn"t et
*ane spend )ore than she .oud afford/
A )onth ater *ane died/
It +as infuen?a> foo+ed 'y pneu)onia/ She )ade Aan (verard her
eBe.utor and eft a she had to Winnie/ %ut it +asn"t very )u.h/
It +as Aan"s tas1 to go through *ane"s papers/ She eft a re.ord there
that +as .ear to foo+ ; nu)erous eviden.es of a.ts of 1indness>
'egging etters> gratefu etters/
And asty> he found her diary/ With it +as a s.rap of paperH JTo 'e
read after )y death 'y Aan (verard/ !e has often reproa.hed )e +ith
not spea1ing the truth/ The truth is a here/J
So he .a)e to 1no+ at ast> finding the one pa.e +here *ane had
dared to 'e honest/ It +as a re.ord> very si)pe and unfor.ed> of her
ove for hi)/
There +as very itte senti)ent a'out it ; no fine anguage/ %ut there
+as no 'in1ing of fa.ts/
JI 1no+ you are often irritated 'y )e>J she had +ritten/ J(verything I
do or say see)s to )a1e you angry so)eti)es/ I do not 1no+ +hy this
shoud 'e> for I try so hard to pease youI 'ut I do 'eieve> a the sa)e>
that I )ean so)ething rea to you/ <ne isn"t angry +ith the peope +ho
don"t .ount/J
It +as not *ane"s faut that Aan found other )atters/ *ane +as oya ;
'ut she +as aso untidyI she fied her dra+ers too fu/ She had>
shorty 'efore her death> 'urned .arefuy a Iso'e"s etters/ The one
Aan found +as +edged 'ehind a dra+er/ When he had read it> the
)eaning of .ertain .a'aisti. signs on the .ounterfois of *ane"s
.he8ue 'oo1 'e.a)e .ear to hi)/ In this parti.uar etter Iso'e had
hardy trou'ed to 1eep up the preten.e of the )oney 'eing re8uired
for Winnie/
Aan sat in front of the des1 staring +ith unseeing eyes out of the
+indo+ for a ong ti)e/ Finay he sipped the .he8ue 'oo1 into his
po.1et and eft the fat/ !e +a1ed 'a.1 to Chesea> .ons.ious of an
anger that gre+ rapidy stronger/
Iso'e +as out +hen he got 'a.1> and he +as sorry/ !e had so .eary
in his )ind +hat he +anted to say/ Instead> he +ent up to the studio
and pued out the unfinished portrait of *ane/ !e set it on an ease
near the portrait of Iso'e in pin1 satin/
The #e)priSre +o)an had 'een rightH there +as ife in *ane"s portrait/
!e oo1ed at her> the eager eyes> the 'eauty that he had tried so
unsu..essfuy to deny her/ That +as *ane ; the aiveness> )ore than
anything ese> +as *ane/ She +as> he thought> the )ost aive person
he had ever )et> so )u.h so> that even no+ he .oud not thin1 of her
as dead/
And he thought of his other pi.tures ; Coor> &o)an.e> Sir &ufus
!ers.h)an/ They had a> in a +ay> 'een pi.tures of *ane/ She had
1inded the spar1 for ea.h one of the) ; had sent hi) a+ay fu)ing and
fretting ; to sho+ herG And no+A *ane +as dead/ Woud he ever paint a
pi.ture ; a rea pi.ture ; againA !e oo1ed again at the eager fa.e on
the .anvas/ Perhaps/ *ane +asn"t very far a+ay/
A sound )ade hi) +hee round/ Iso'e had .o)e into the studio/ She
+as dressed for dinner in a straight +hite go+n that sho+ed up the
pure god of her hair/
She stopped dead and .he.1ed the +ords on her ips/ (yeing hi)
+ariy> she +ent over to the divan and sat do+n/ She had every
appearan.e of .a)/
Aan too1 the .he8ue 'oo1 fro) his po.1et/
JI"ve 'een going through *ane"s papers/J
J@esAJ
!e tried to i)itate her .a)> to 1eep his voi.e fro) sha1ing/
JFor the ast four years she"s 'een suppying you +ith )oney/J
J@es/ For Winnie/J
J0o> not for Winnie>J shouted (verard/ J@ou pretended> 'oth of you>
that it +as for Winnie> 'ut you 'oth 1ne+ that that +asn"t so/ $o you
reai?e that *ane has 'een seing her se.urities> iving fro) hand to
)outh> to suppy you +ith .othes ; .othes that you didn"t reay
needAJ
Iso'e never too1 her eyes fro) his fa.e/ She setted her 'ody )ore
.o)forta'y on the .ushions as a +hite Persian .at )ight do/
JI .an"t hep it if *ane denuded hersef )ore than she shoud have
done>J she said/ JI supposed she .oud afford the )oney/ She +as
a+ays .ra?y a'out you ; I .oud see that> of .ourse/ So)e +ives +oud
have 1i.1ed up a fuss a'out the +ay you +ere a+ays rushing off to
see her> and spending hours there/ I didn"t/J
J0o>J said Aan> very +hite in the fa.e/ J@ou )ade her pay instead/J
J@ou are saying very offensive things> Aan/ %e .arefu/J
JAren"t they trueA Why did you find it so easy to get )oney out of
*aneAJ
J0ot for ove of )e> .ertainy/ It )ust have 'een for ove of you/J
JThat"s Dust +hat it +as>J said Aan si)py/ JShe paid for )y freedo) ;
freedo) to +or1 in )y o+n +ay/ So ong as you had a suffi.ien.y of
)oney> you"d eave )e aone ; not 'adger )e to paint a .ro+d of a+fu
+o)en/J
Iso'e said nothing/
JWeAJ .ried Aan angriy/
!er 8uies.en.e infuriated hi)/
Iso'e +as oo1ing at the foor/ Presenty she raised her head and said
8uietyH
JCo)e here> Aan/J
She tou.hed the divan at her side/ 2neasiy> un+iingy> he .a)e and
sat there> not oo1ing at her/ %ut he 1ne+ that he +as afraid/
JAan>J said Iso'e presenty/
JWeAJ
!e +as irrita'e> nervous/
JA that you say )ay 'e true/ It doesn"t )atter/ I") i1e that/ I +ant
things ; .othes> )oney> you/ *ane"s dead> Aan/J
JWhat do you )eanAJ
J*ane"s dead/ @ou 'eong to )e atogether no+/ @ou never did 'efore ;
not 8uite/J
!e oo1ed at her ; sa+ the ight in her eyes> a.8uisitive> possessive ;
+as revoted yet fas.inated/
J0o+ you sha 'e a )ine/J
!e understood Iso'e then as he had never understood her 'efore/
J@ou +ant )e as a saveA I") to paint +hat you te )e to paint> ive as
you te )e to ive> 'e dragged at your .hariot +hees/J
JPut it i1e that if you pease/ What are +ordsAJ
!e fet her ar)s round his ne.1> +hite> s)ooth> fir) as a +a/ Words
dan.ed through his 'rain/ JA +a as +hite as )i1/J Aready he +as
inside the +a/ Coud he sti es.apeA $id he +ant to es.apeA
!e heard her voi.e .ose against his ear ; poppy and )andragora/
JWhat ese is there to ive forA Isn"t this enoughA #ove ; happiness ;
su..ess ; ove ;J
The +a +as gro+ing up a around hi) no+ ; Jthe .urtain soft as si1>J
the .urtain +rapping hi) round> stifing hi) a itte> 'ut so soft> so
s+eetG 0o+ they +ere drifting together> at pea.e> out on the .rysta
sea/ The +a +as very high no+> shutting out a those other things ;
those dangerous> distur'ing things that hurt ; that a+ays hurt/ <ut on
the sea of .rysta> the goden appe 'et+een their hands/
The ight faded fro) *ane"s pi.ture/
T!( M@ST(&@ <F T!( %A,!$A$ C!(ST
The +ords )ade a .at.hy headine> and I said as )u.h to )y friend>
!er.ue Poirot/ I 1ne+ none of the parties/ My interest +as )erey the
dispassionate one of the )an in the street/ Poirot agreed/
J@es> it has a favor of the <rienta> of the )ysterious/ The .hest )ay
very +e have 'een a sha) *a.o'ean one fro) the Tottenha) Court
&oadI none the ess the reporter +ho thought of na)ing it the %aghdad
Chest +as happiy inspired/ The +ord ")ystery" is aso thoughtfuy
pa.ed in DuBtaposition> though I understand there is very itte )ystery
a'out the .ase/J
J(Ba.ty/ It is a rather horri'e and )a.a're> 'ut it is not )ysterious/J
J!orri'e and )a.a're>J repeated Poirot thoughtfuy/
JThe +hoe idea is revoting>J I said> rising to )y feet and pa.ing up
and do+n the roo)/ JThe )urderer 1is this )an ; his friend ; shoves
hi) into the .hest> and haf an hour ater is dan.ing in that sa)e roo)
+ith the +ife of his vi.ti)/ Thin1G If she had i)agined for one )o)ent ;J
JTrue>J said Poirot thoughtfuy/ JThat )u.h;vaunted possession> a
+o)an"s intuition ; it does not see) to have 'een +or1ing/J
JThe party see)s to have gone off very )erriy>"" I said +ith a sight
shiver/ JAnd a that ti)e> as they dan.ed and payed po1er> there +as
a dead )an in the roo) +ith the)/ <ne .oud +rite a pay a'out su.h
an idea/J
JIt has 'een done>J said Poirot/ J%ut .onsoe yoursef> !astings>J he
added 1indy/ J%e.ause a the)e has 'een used on.e> there is no
reason +hy it shoud not 'e used again/ Co)pose your dra)a/J
I had pi.1ed up the paper and +as studying the rather 'urred
reprodu.tion of a photograph/
JShe )ust 'e a 'eautifu +o)an>J I said so+y/ J(ven fro) this> one
gets an idea/J
%eo+ the pi.ture ran the ins.riptionH
A re.ent portrait of Mrs/ Cayton>
the +ife of the )urdered )an
Poirot too1 the paper fro) )e/
J@es>J he said/ JShe is 'eautifu/ $ou'tess she is of those 'orn to
trou'e the sous of )en/J
!e handed the paper 'a.1 to )e +ith a sigh/
J$ieu )er.i> I a) not of an ardent te)pera)ent/ It has saved )e fro)
)any e)'arrass)ents/ I a) duy than1fu/J
I do not re)e)'er that +e dis.ussed the .ase further/ Poirot
dispayed no spe.ia interest in it at the ti)e/ The fa.ts +ere so .ear>
and there +as so itte a)'iguity a'out the)> that dis.ussion see)ed
)erey futie/
Mr/ and Mrs/ Cayton and MaDor &i.h +ere friends of fairy ong
standing/ <n the day in 8uestion> the tenth of Mar.h> the Caytons had
a..epted an invitation to spend the evening +ith MaDor &i.h/ At a'out
seven;thirty> ho+ever> Cayton eBpained to another friend> a MaDor
Curtiss> +ith +ho) he +as having a drin1> that he had 'een
uneBpe.tedy .aed to S.otand and +as eaving 'y the eight o".o.1
train/
JI" Dust have ti)e to drop in and eBpain to od *a.1>J +ent on Cayton/
JMarguerita is going> of .ourse/ I") sorry a'out it> 'ut *a.1 +i
understand ho+ it is/J
Mr/ Cayton +as as good as his +ord/ !e arrived at MaDor &i.h"s roo)s
a'out t+enty to eight/ The )aDor +as out at the ti)e> 'ut his
)anservant> +ho 1ne+ Mr/ Cayton +e> suggested that he .o)e in
and +ait/ Mr/ Cayton said that he had not ti)e> 'ut that he +oud .o)e
in and +rite a note/ !e added that he +as on his +ay to .at.h a train/
The vaet a..ordingy sho+ed hi) into the sitting;roo)/
A'out five )inutes ater MaDor &i.h> +ho )ust have et hi)sef in
+ithout the vaet hearing hi)> opened the door of the sitting;roo)>
.aed his )an and tod hi) to go out and get so)e .igarettes/ <n his
return the )an 'rought the) to his )aster> +ho +as then aone in the
sitting;roo)/ The )an naturay .on.uded that Mr/ Cayton had eft/
The guests arrived shorty after+ards/ They .o)prised Mrs/ Cayton>
MaDor Curtiss and a Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e/ The evening +as spent
dan.ing to the phonograph and paying po1er/ The guests eft shorty
after )idnight/
The foo+ing )orning> on .o)ing to do the sitting;roo)> the vaet +as
started to find a deep stain dis.ooring the .arpet 'eo+ and in front of
a pie.e of furniture +hi.h MaDor &i.h had 'rought fro) the (ast and
+hi.h +as .aed the %aghdad Chest/
Instin.tivey the vaet ifted the id of the .hest and +as horrified to find
inside the dou'ed;up 'ody of a )an +ho had 'een sta''ed to the
heart/
Terrified> the )an ran out of the fat and fet.hed the nearest
poi.e)an/ The dead )an proved to 'e Mr/ Cayton/ The arrest of
MaDor &i.h foo+ed very shorty after+ard/ The )aDor"s defense> it +as
understood> .onsisted of a sturdy denia of everything/ !e had not
seen Mr/ Cayton the pre.eding evening and the first he had heard of
his going to S.otand had 'een fro) Mrs/ Cayton/
Su.h +ere the 'ad fa.ts of the .ase/ Innuendoes and suggestions
naturay a'ounded/ The .ose friendship and inti)a.y of MaDor &i.h
and Mrs/ Cayton +ere so stressed that ony a foo .oud fai to read
'et+een the ines/ The )otive for the .ri)e +as painy indi.ated/
#ong eBperien.e has taught )e to )a1e ao+an.e for 'aseess
.au)ny/ The )otive suggested )ight> for a the eviden.e> 'e entirey
noneBistent/ So)e 8uite other reasons )ight have pre.ipitated the
issue/ %ut one thing did stand out .eary ; that &i.h +as the )urderer/
As I say> the )atter )ight have rested there> had it not happened that
Poirot and I +ere due at a party given 'y #ady Chatterton that night/
Poirot> +hist 'e)oaning so.ia engage)ents and de.aring a passion
for soitude> reay enDoyed these affairs enor)ousy/ To 'e )ade a
fuss of and treated as a ion suited hi) do+n to the ground/
<n o..asions he positivey purredG I have seen hi) 'andy re.eiving
the )ost outrageous .o)pi)ents as no )ore than his due> and
uttering the )ost 'atanty .on.eited re)ar1s> su.h as I .an hardy
'ear to set do+n/
So)eti)es he +oud argue +ith )e on the su'De.t/
J%ut> )y friend> I a) not an Ango;SaBon/ Why shoud I pay the
hypo.riteA Si> si> that is +hat you do> a of you/ The air)an +ho has
)ade a diffi.ut fight> the tennis .ha)pion ` they oo1 do+n their
noses> they )utter inaudi'y that "it is nothing/" %ut do they reay thin1
that the)sevesA 0ot for a )o)ent/ They +oud ad)ire the eBpoit in
so)eone ese/ So> 'eing reasona'e )en> they ad)ire it in the)seves/
%ut their training prevents the) fro) saying so/ Me> I a) not i1e that/
The taents that I possess ; I +oud saute the) in another/ As it
happens> in )y o+n parti.uar ine> there is no one to tou.h )e/ C"est
do))age> as it is> I ad)it freey and +ithout the hypo.risy that I a) a
great )an/ I have the order> the )ethod and the psy.hoogy in an
unusua degree/ I a)> in fa.t> !er.ue PoirotG Why shoud I turn red and
sta))er and )utter into )y .hin that reay I a) very stupidA It +oud
not 'e true/J
JThere is .ertainy ony one !er.ue Poirot>J I agreed ; not +ithout a
spi.e of )ai.e> of +hi.h> fortunatey> Poirot re)ained 8uite o'ivious/
#ady Chatterton +as one of Poirot"s )ost ardent ad)irers/ Starting
fro) the )ysterious .ondu.t of a Pe1ingese> he had unraveed a .hain
+hi.h ed to a noted 'urgar and house'rea1er/ #ady Chatterton had
'een oud in his praises ever sin.e/
To see Poirot at a party +as a great sight/ !is fautess evening
.othes> the eB8uisite set of his +hite tie> the eBa.t sy))etry of his
hair parting> the sheen of po)ade on his hair> and the tortured
spendor of his fa)ous )usta.hes ; a .o)'ined to paint the perfe.t
pi.ture of an inveterate dandy/ It +as hard> at these )o)ents> to ta1e
the itte )an seriousy/
It +as a'out haf;past eeven +hen #ady Chatterton> 'earing do+n
upon us> +his1ed Poirot neaty out of an ad)iring group> and .arried
hi) off ; I need hardy say> +ith )ysef in to+/
JI +ant you to go into )y itte roo) upstairs>J said #ady Chatterton
rather 'reathessy as soon as she +as out of earshot of her other
guests/ J@ou 1no+ +here it is> M/ Poirot/ @ou" find so)eone there +ho
needs your hep very 'ady ; and you +i hep her> I 1no+/ She"s one of
)y dearest friends ; so don"t say no/J
(nergeti.ay eading the +ay as she ta1ed> #ady Chatterton fung
open a door> eB.ai)ing as she did so> JI"ve got hi)> Marguerita
daring/ And he" do anything you +ant/ @ou" hep Mrs/ Cayton> +on"t
you> M/ PoirotAJ
And ta1ing the ans+er for granted> she +ithdre+ +ith the sa)e energy
that .hara.teri?ed a her )ove)ents/
Mrs/ Cayton had 'een sitting in a .hair 'y the +indo+/ She rose no+
and .o)e to+ard us/ $ressed in deep )ourning> the du 'a.1 sho+ed
up her fair .ooring/ She +as a singuary ovey +o)an> and there +as
a'out her a si)pe .hidi1e .andor +hi.h )ade her .har) 8uit
irresisti'e/
JAi.e Chatterton is so 1ind>J she said/ JShe arranged this/ She said
you +oud hep )e> M/ Poirot/ <f .ourse I don"t 1no+ +hether you +i
or not ; 'ut I hope you +i/J
She had hed out her hand and Poirot had ta1en it/ !e hed it no+ for a
)o)ent or t+o +hie he stood s.rutini?ing her .osey/ There +as
nothing i;'red in his )anner of doing it/ It +as )ore the 1ind 'ut
sear.hing oo1 that a fa)ous .onsutant gives a ne+ patient as the
atter is ushered into his presen.e/
JAre you sure> )ada)e>J he said at ast> Jthat I .an hep youAJ
JAi.e says so/J
J@es> 'ut I a) as1ing you> )ada)e/J
A itte fush rose to her .hee1s/
JI don"t 1no+ +hat you )ean/J
JWhat is it> )ada)e> that you +ant )e to doAJ
J@ou ; you ; 1no+ +ho I a)AJ she as1ed/
JAssuredy/J
JThen you .an guess +hat it is I a) as1ing you to do> M/ Poirot ;
Captain !astingsJ ; I +as gratified that she reai?ed )y identity ;
JMaDor &i.h did not 1i )y hus'and/J
JWhy notAJ
JI 'eg your pardonAJ
Poirot s)ied at her sight dis.o)fiture/
JI said> "Why notA"J he repeated/
JI") not sure that I understand/J
J@et it is very si)pe/ The poi.e ; the a+yers ; they +i a as1 the
sa)e 8uestionH Why did MaDor &i.h 1i M/ CaytonA I as1 the opposite/ I
as1 you> )ada)e> +hy did MaDor &i.h not 1i MaDor CaytonAJ
J@ou )ean ; +hy I") so sureA We> 'ut I 1no+/ I 1no+ MaDor &i.h so
+e/J
J@ou 1no+ MaDor &i.h so +e>J repeated Poirot toneessy/
The .oor fa)ed into her .hee1s/
J@es> that"s +hat they" say ; +hat they" thin1G <h> I 1no+GJ
JC"est vrai/ That is +hat they +i as1 you a'out ; ho+ +e you 1ne+
MaDor &i.h/ Perhaps you +i spea1 the truth> perhaps you +i ie/ It is
very ne.essary for a +o)an to ie so)eti)es/ Wo)en )ust defend
the)seves ; and the ie> it is a good +eapon/ %ut there are three
peope> )ada)e> to +ho) a +o)an shoud spea1 the truth/ To her
Father Confessor> to her hairdresser and to her private dete.tive ; if
she trusts hi)/ $o you trust )e> )ada)eAJ
Marguerita Cayton dre+ a deep 'reath/ J@es>J she said/ JI do/ I )ust>J
she added rather .hidishy/
JThen> ho+ +e do you 1no+ MaDor &i.hAJ
She oo1ed at hi) for a )o)ent in sien.e> then she raised her .hin
defianty/
JI +i ans+er your 8uestion/ I oved *a.1 fro) the first )o)ent I sa+
hi) ; t+o years ago/ #atey I thin1 ; I 'eieve ; he has .o)e to ove )e/
%ut he has never said so/J
JKpatantG"" said Poirot/ J@ou have saved )e a good 8uarter of an hour
'y .o)ing to the point +ithout 'eating the 'ush/ @ou have the good
sense/ 0o+ your hus'and ; did he suspe.t your feeingsAJ
JI don"t 1no+>J said Marguerita so+y/ JI thought atey ; that he )ight/
!is )anner has 'een different/ %ut that )ay have 'een )erey )y
fan.y/J
J0o'ody ese 1ne+AJ
JI do not thin1 so/J
JAnd ; pardon )e> )ada)e ; you did not ove your hus'andAJ
There +ere> I thin1> very fe+ +o)en +ho +oud have ans+ered that
8uestion as si)py as this +o)an did/ They +oud have tried to eBpain
their feeings/
Maruerita Cayton said 8uite si)pyH
J0o/J
J%ien/ 0o+ +e 1no+ +here +e are/ A..ording to you> )ada)e> MaDor
&i.h did not 1i your hus'and> 'ut you reai?e that a the eviden.e
points to his having done so/ Are you a+are> privatey> of any fa+ in
that eviden.eAJ
J0o/ I 1no+ nothing/J
JWhen did your hus'and first infor) you of his visit to S.otandAJ
J*ust after un.h/ !e said it +as a 'ore> 'ut he"d have to go/ So)ething
to do +ith and vaues> he said it +as/J
JAnd after thatAJ
J!e +ent out ; to his .u'> I thin1/ I ; I didn"t see hi) again/J
J0o+ as to MaDor &i.h ; +hat +as his )anner that eveningA *ust as
usuaAJ
J@es> I thin1 so/J
J@ou are not sureAJ
Marguerita +rin1ed her 'ro+s/
J!e +as a itte .onstrained/ With )e ` not +ith the others/ %ut I
thought I 1ne+ +hy that +as/ @ou understandA I a) sure the .onstraint
or ; or ; a'sent;)indedness perhaps des.ri'es it 'etter ; had nothing
to do +ith (d+ard/ !e +as surprised to hear that (d+ard had gone to
S.otand> 'ut not unduy so/J
JAnd nothing ese unusua o..urs to you in .onne.tion +ith that
eveningAJ
Marguerita thought/
J0o> nothing +hatever/J
J@ou ; noti.ed the .hestAJ
She shoo1 her head +ith a itte shiver/
JI don"t even re)e)'er it ; or +hat it +as i1e/ We payed po1er )ost of
the evening/J
JWho +onAJ
JMaDor &i.h/ I had very 'ad u.1> and so did MaDor Curtiss/ The
Spen.es +on a itte> 'ut MaDor &i.h +as the .hief +inner/J
JThe party 'ro1e up ; +henAJ
JA'out haf;past t+eve> I thin1/ We a eft together/J
JAhGJ
Poirot re)ained sient> ost in thought/
JI +ish I .oud 'e )ore hepfu to you>J said Mrs/ Cayton/ JI see) to 'e
a'e to te you so itte/J
JA'out the present ; yes/ What a'out the past> )ada)eAJ
JThe pastAJ
J@es/ !ave there not 'een in.identsAJ
She fushed/
J@ou )ean that dreadfu itte )an +ho shot hi)sef/ It +asn"t )y faut>
M/ Poirot/ Indeed it +asn"t/J
JIt +as not pre.isey of that in.ident that I +as thin1ing/J
JThat ridi.uous dueA %ut Itaians do fight dues/ I +as so than1fu the
)an +asn"t 1ied/J
JIt )ust have 'een a reief to you>J agreed Poirot gravey/
She +as oo1ing at hi) dou'tfuy/ !e rose and too1 her hand in his/
JI sha not fight a due for you> )ada)e>J he said/ J%ut I +i do +hat
you have as1ed )e/ I +i dis.over the truth/ And et us hope that your
instin.ts are .orre.t ; that the truth +i hep and not har) you/J
<ur first intervie+ +as +ith MaDor Curtiss/ !e +as a )an of a'out
forty> of sodiery 'uid> +ith very dar1 hair and a 'ron?ed fa.e/ !e had
1no+n the Caytons for so)e years and MaDor &i.h aso/ !e .onfir)ed
the press reports/
Cayton and he had had a drin1 together at the .u' Dust 'efore hafpast
seven> and Cayton had then announ.ed his intention of oo1ing in
on MaDor &i.h on his +ay to (uston/
JWhat +as Mr/ Cayton"s )annerA Was he depressed or .heerfuAJ
The )aDor .onsidered/ !e +as a so+;spo1en )an/
JSee)ed in fairy good spirits>J he said at ast/
J!e said nothing a'out 'eing on 'ad ter)s +ith MaDor &i.hA""
J,ood #ord> no/ They +ere pas/J
J!e didn"t o'De.t to his +ife"s friendship +ith MaDor &i.hAJ
The )aDor 'e.a)e very red in the fa.e/
J@ou"ve 'een reading those da)ned ne+spapers> +ith ta taes and
ies/ <f .ourse he didn"t o'De.t/ Why> he said to )eH "Marguerita"s
going> of .ourse/"J
JI see/ 0o+ during the evening ; the )anner of MaDor &i.h ; +as that
)u.h as usuaAJ
JI didn"t noti.e any differen.e/J
JAnd )ada)eA She> too> +as as usuaAJ
JWe>J he refe.ted> Jno+ I .o)e to thin1 of it> she +as a 'it 8uiet/ @ou
1no+> thoughtfu and fara+ay/J
JWho arrived firstAJ
JThe Spen.es/ They +ere there +hen I got there/ As a )atter of fa.t>
I"d .aed round for Mrs/ Cayton> 'ut found she"d aready started/ So I
got there a 'it ate/J
JAnd ho+ did you a)use yoursevesA @ou dan.edA @ou payed the
.ardsAJ
JA 'it of 'oth/ $an.ed first of a/J
JThere +ere five of youAJ
J@es> 'ut that"s a right> 'e.ause I don"t dan.e/ I put on the re.ords
and the others dan.ed/J
JWho dan.ed )ost +ith +ho)AJ
JWe> as a )atter of fa.t the Spen.es i1e dan.ing together/ They"ve
got a sort of .ra?e on fan.y steps and a that/J
JSo that Mrs/ Cayton dan.ed )osty +ith MaDor &i.hAJ
JThat"s a'out it/J
JAnd then you payed po1erAJ
J@es/J
JAnd +hen did you eaveAJ
J<h> 8uite eary/ A itte after )idnight/J
J$id you a eave togetherAJ
J@es/ As a )atter of fa.t> +e shared a taBi> dropped Mrs/ Cayton first>
then )e> and the Spen.es too1 it on to -ensington/J
<ur neBt visit +as to Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e/
<ny Mrs/ Spen.e +as at ho)e> 'ut her a..ount of the evening taied
+ith that of MaDor Curtiss eB.ept that she dispayed a sight a.idity
.on.erning MaDor &i.h"s u.1 at .ards/
(arier in the )orning Poirot had had a teephone .onversation +ith
Inspe.tor *app of S.otand @ard/ As a resut +e arrived at MaDor &i.h"s
roo)s and found his )anservant> %urgoyne> eBpe.ting us/
The vaet"s eviden.e +as very pre.ise and .ear/
Mr/ Cayton had arrived at t+enty )inutes to eight/ 2nu.1iy MaDor
&i.h had Dust that very )inute gone out/ Mr/ Cayton had said that he
.oudn"t +ait> as he had to .at.h a train> 'ut he +oud Dust s.ra+ a
note/ !e a..ordingy +ent into the sitting;roo) to do so/ %urgoyne had
not a.tuay heard his )aster .o)e in> as he +as running the 'ath> and
MaDor &i.h> of .ourse> et hi)sef in +ith his o+n 1ey/ In his opinion it
+as a'out ten )inutes ater that MaDor &i.h .aed hi) and sent hi)
out for .igarettes/ 0o> he has not gone into the sitting;roo)/ MaDor
&i.h had stood in the door+ay/ !e had returned +ith the .igarettes
five )inutes ater and on this o..asion he has gone into the sittingroo)>
+hi.h +as then e)pty> save for his )aster> +ho +as standing 'y
the +indo+ s)o1ing/ !is )aster has in8uired if his 'ath +ere ready
and on 'eing tod is +as had pro.eeded to ta1e it/ !e> %urgoyne> had
not )entioned Mr/ Cayton> as he assu)ed that his )aster had found
Mr/ Cayton there and et hi) out hi)sef/ !is )asterNs )anner had
'een pre.isey the sa)e as usua/ !e had ta1en his 'ath> .hanged> and
shorty after> Mr/ and Mrs/ Spen.e had arrived> to 'e foo+ed 'y MaDor
Curtiss and Mrs/ Cayton/
It had not o..urred to hi)> %urgoyne eBpained> that Mr/ Cayton )ight
have eft 'efore his )aster"s return/ To do so> Mr/ Cayton +oud have
had to 'ang the front door 'ehind hi) and that the vaet +as sure he
+oud have heard/
Sti in the sa)e i)persona )anner> %urgoyne pro.eeded to his
finding of the 'ody/ For the first ti)e )y attention +as dire.ted to the
fata .hest/ It +as a good;si?ed pie.e of furniture standing against the
+a neBt to the phonograph .a'inet/ It +as )ade of so)e dar1 +ood
and pentifuy studded +ith 'rass nais/ The id opened si)py enough/
I oo1ed in and shivered/ Though +e s.ru''ed> o)inous stains
re)ained/
Suddeny Poirot uttered an eB.a)ation/ JThose hoes there ; they are
.urious/ <ne +oud say that they had 'een ne+y )ade/J
The hoes in 8uestion +ere at the 'a.1 of the .hest against the +a/
There +ere three or four of the)/ They +ere a'out a 8uarter of an in.h
in dia)eter ; and .ertainy had the effe.t of having 'een freshy )ade/
Poirot 'ent do+n to eBa)ine the)> oo1ing in8uiringy at the vaet/
JIt"s .ertainy .urious> sir/ I don"t re)e)'er ever seeing those hoes in
the past> though )ay'e I +oudn"t noti.e the)/J
JIt )a1es no )atter>J said Poirot/
Cosing the id of the .hest> he stepped 'a.1 into the roo) unti he +as
standing +ith his 'a.1 against the +indo+/ Then he suddeny as1ed a
8uestion/
JTe )e>J he said/ JWhen you 'rought the .igarettes into your )aster
that night> +as there not so)ething out of pa.e in the roo)AJ
%urgoyne hesitated for a )inute> then +ith so)e sight reu.tan.e he
repied> JIt"s odd your saying that> sir/ 0o+ you .o)e to )ention it>
there +as/ That s.reen there that .uts off the draft fro) the 'edroo)
door ; it +as )oved a 'it )ore to the eft/J
J#i1e thisAJ
Poirot darted ni)'y for+ard and pued at the s.reen/ It +as a
handso)e affair of painted eather/ It aready sighty o's.ured the
vie+ of the .hest> and as Poirot adDusted it> it hid the .hest atogether/
JThat"s right> sir>J said the vaet/ JIt +as i1e that/J
JAnd the neBt )orningAJ
JIt +as sti i1e that/ I re)e)'er/ I )oved it a+ay and it +as then I sa+
the stain/ The .arpet"s gone to 'e .eaned> sir/ That"s +hy the 'oards
are 'are/J
Poirot nodded/
JI see>J he said/ JI than1 you/J
!e pa.ed a .risp pie.e of paper in the vaet"s pa)/
JThan1 you> sir/J
JPoirot>J I said +hen +e +ere out in the street> Jthat point a'out the
s.reen ; is that a point hepfu to &i.hAJ
JIt is a further point against hi)>J said Poirot ruefuy/ JThe s.reen hid
the .hest fro) the roo)/ It aso hid the stain on the .arpet/ Sooner or
ater the 'ood +as 'ound to soa1 through the +ood and stain the
.arpet/ The s.reen +oud prevent dis.overy for the )o)ent/ @es ; 'ut
there is so)ething there that I do not understand/ The vaet> !astings>
the vaet/J
JWhat a'out the vaetA !e see)ed a )ost inteigent feo+/J
JAs you say> )ost inteigent/ Is it .redi'e> then> that MaDor &i.h faied
to reai?e that the vaet +oud .ertainy dis.over the 'ody in the
)orningA I))ediatey after the deed he had no ti)e for anything ;
granted/ !e shoves the 'ody into the .hest> pus the s.reen in front of
it and goes through the evening hoping for the 'est/ %ut after the
guests are goneA Surey> then is the ti)e to dispose of the 'ody/J
JPerhaps he hoped the vaet +oudn"t noti.e the stainAJ
JThat> )on a)i> is a'surd/ A stained .arpet is the first thing a good
servant +oud 'e 'ound to noti.e/ And MaDor &i.h> he goes to 'ed and
snores there .o)forta'y and does nothing at a a'out the )atter/
7ery re)ar1a'e and interesting> that/J
JCurtiss )ight have seen the stains +hen he +as .hanging the re.ords
the night 'eforeAJ I suggested/
JThat is uni1ey/ The s.reen +oud thro+ deep shado+ Dust there/ 0o>
'ut I 'egin to see/ @es> di)y I 'egin to see/J
JSee +hatAJ I as1ed eagery/
JThe possi'iities> sha +e say> of an aternative eBpanation/ <ur neBt
visit )ay thro+ ight on things/J
<ur neBt visit +as to the do.tor +ho had eBa)ined the 'ody/ !is
eviden.e +as a )ere re.apituation of +hat he had aready given at
the in8uest/ $e.eased had 'een sta''ed to the heart +ith ong thin
1nife so)ething i1e a stietto/ The 1nife had 'een eft in the +ound/
$eath had 'een instantaneous/ The 1nife +as the property of MaDor
&i.h and usuay ay on his +riting ta'e/ There +ere no fingerprints on
it> the do.tor understood/ It had 'een either +iped or hed in a
hand1er.hief/ As regards ti)e> any ti)e 'et+een seven and eight
see)ed indi.ated/
J!e .oud not> for instan.e> have 'een 1ied after )idnightAJ as1ed
Poirot/
J0o/ That I .an say/ Ten o".o.1 at the outside ; 'ut seven;thirty to
eight see)s .eary indi.ated/J
JThere is a se.ond hypothesis possi'e>J Poirot said +hen +e +ere
'a.1 ho)e/ JI +onder if you see it> !astings/ To )e it is very pain> and
I ony need one point to .ear up the )atter for good and a/J
JIt"s no good>J I said/ JI") not there/J
J%ut )a1e an effort> !astings/ Ma1e an effort/""
J7ery +e>J I said/ JAt seven;forty Cayton is aive and +e/ The ast
person to see hi) aive is &i.h ; J
JSo +e assu)e/J
JWe> isn"t it soAJ
J@ou forget> )on a)i> that MaDor &i.h denies that/ !e states eBpi.ity
that Cayton had gone +hen he .a)e in/J
J%ut the vaet says that he +oud have heard Cayton eave 'e.ause of
the 'ang of the door/ And aso> if Cayton had eft> +hen did he returnA
!e .oudn"t have returned after )idnight 'e.ause the do.tor says
positivey that he +as dead at east t+o hours 'efore that/ That ony
eaves one aternative/J
J@es> )on a)iAJ said Poirot/
JThat in the five )inutes Cayton +as aone in the sitting roo)>
so)eone ese .a)e in and 1ied hi)/ %ut there +e have the sa)e
o'De.tion/ <ny so)eone +ith a 1ey .oud .o)e in +ithout the vaet"s
1no+ing> and in the sa)e +ay the )urderer on eaving +oud have had
to 'ang the door> and that again the vaet +oud have heard/J
J(Ba.ty>J said Poirot/ JAnd therefore ; J
JAnd therefore ; nothing>J I said/ JI .an see no other soution/J
JIt is a pity>J )ur)ured Poirot/ JAnd it is reay so eB.eedingy si)pe ;
as the .ear 'ue eyes of Mada)e Cayton/J
J@ou reay 'eieve ; J
JI 'eieve nothing ; unti I have got proof/ <ne itte proof +i .onvin.e
)e/J
!e too1 up the teephone and .aed *app at S.otand @ard/
T+enty )inutes ater +e +ere standing 'efore a itte heap of assorted
o'De.ts aid out on a ta'e/ They +ere the .ontents of the dead )an"s
po.1ets/
There +as a hand1er.hief> a handfu of oose .hange> a po.1et'oo1
.ontaining three pounds ten shiings> a .oupe of 'is and a +orn
snapshot of Marguerita Cayton/ There +as aso a po.1et;1nife> a god
pen.i and a .u)'erso)e +ooden too/
It +as on this atter that Poirot s+ooped/ !e uns.re+ed it and severa
s)a 'ades fe out/
J@ou see> !astings> a gi)et and a the rest of it/ AhG it +oud 'e a
)atter of a very fe+ )inutes to 'ore a fe+ hoes in the .hest +ith this/"
JThose hoes +e sa+AJ
JPre.isey/J
J@ou )ean it +as Cayton +ho 'ored the) hi)sefA""
JMais oui> )ais ouiG What did they suggest to you> those hoesA They
+ere not to see through> 'e.ause they +ere at the 'a.1 of the .hest/
What +ere they for> thenA Ceary for airA %ut you do not )a1e air
hoes for a dead 'ody> so .eary they +ere not )ade 'y the )urderer/
They suggest one thing ; and one thing ony ; that a )an +as going to
hide in that .hest/ And at on.e> on that hypothesis> things 'e.o)e
inteigi'e/ Mr/ Cayton is Deaous of his +ife and &i.h/ !e pays the od>
od tri.1 of pretending to go a+ay/ !e +at.hes &i.h go out> then he
gains ad)ission> is eft aone to +rite a note> 8ui.1y 'ores those hoes
and hides inside the .hest/ !is +ife is .o)ing there that night/ Possi'y
&i.h +i put the others off> possi'y she +i re)ain after the others
have gone> or pretend to go and return/ Whatever it is> Cayton +i
1no+/ Anything is prefera'e to the ghasty tor)ent of suspi.ion he is
enduring/J
JThen you )ean that &i.h 1ied hi) after the others had goneA %ut the
do.tor said that +as i)possi'e/""
J(Ba.ty/ So you see> !astings> he )ust have 'een 1ied during the
evening/J
J%ut everyone +as in the roo)GJ
JPre.isey>J said Poirot gravey/ J@ou see the 'eauty of thatA
"(veryone +as in the roo)/" What an ai'iG What sangfroid ; +hat nerve
; +hat auda.ityG""
JI sti don"t understand/J
JWho +ent 'ehind that s.reen to +ind up the phonograph and .hange
the re.ordsA The phonograph and the .hest +ere side 'y side>
re)e)'er/ The others are dan.ing ; the phonograph is paying/ And
the )an +ho does not dan.e ifts the id of the .hest and thrusts the
1nife he has Dust sipped into his seeve deep into the 'ody of the )an
+ho +as hiding there/J
JI)possi'eG The )an +oud .ry out/J
J0ot if he +ere drugged firstAJ
J$ruggedAJ
J@es/ Who did Cayton have a drin1 +ith at seven;thirtyA AhG 0o+ you
see/ CurtissG Curtiss has infa)ed Cayton"s )ind +ith suspi.ions
against his +ife and &i.h/ Curtiss suggests this pan ; the visit to
S.otand> the .on.ea)ent in the .hest> the fina tou.h of )oving the
s.reen/ 0ot so that Cayton .an raise the id a itte and get reief ; no>
so that he> Curtiss> .an raise that id uno'served/ The pan is Curtiss">
and o'serve the 'eauty of it> !astings/ If &i.h had o'served the s.reen
+as out of pa.e and )oved it 'a.1 ; +e> no har) is done/ !e .an
)a1e another pan/ Cayton hides in the .hest> the )id nar.oti. that
Curtiss had ad)inistered ta1es effe.t/ !e sin1s into un.ons.iousness/
Curtiss ifts up the id and stri1es ; and the phonograph goes on
paying Wa1ing My %a'y %a.1 !o)e/J
I found )y voi.e/ JWhyA %ut +hyAJ
Poirot shrugged his shouders/
JWhy did a )an shoot hi)sefA Why did t+o Itaians fight a dueA
Curtiss is of a dar1 passionate te)pera)ent/ !e +anted Marguerita
Cayton/ With her hus'and and &i.h out of the +ay> she +oud> or so he
thought> turn to hi)/J
!e added )usingyH
JThese si)pe .hidi1e +o)en/// they are very dangerous/ %ut )on
$ieuG +hat an artisti. )asterpie.eG It goes to )y heart to hang a )an
i1e that/ I )ay 'e a genius )ysef> 'ut I a) .apa'e of re.ogni?ing
genius in other peope/ A perfe.t )urder> )on a)i/ I> !er.ue Poirot>
say it to you/ A perfe.t )urder/ KpatantG""
W!I#( T!( #I,!T #ASTS
The Ford .ar 'u)ped fro) rut to rut> and the hot Afri.an sun poured
do+n un)er.ifuy/ <n either side of the so;.aed road stret.hed an
un'ro1en ine of trees and s.ru'> rising and faing in genty unduating
ines as far as the eye .oud rea.h> the .ooring a soft> deep yeo+green>
the +hoe effe.t anguorous and strangey 8uiet/ Fe+ 'irds
stirred the su)'ering sien.e/ <n.e a sna1e +rigged a.ross the road
in front of the .ar> es.aping the driver"s efforts at destru.tion +ith
sinuous ease/ <n.e a native stepped out fro) the 'ush> dignified and
upright> 'ehind hi) a +o)an +ith an infant 'ound .osey to her 'road
'a.1 and a .o)pete househod e8uip)ent> in.uding a frying pan>
'aan.ed )agnifi.enty on her head/
A these things ,eorge Cro?ier had not faied to point out to his +ife>
+ho had ans+ered hi) +ith a )onosya'i. a.1 of attention +hi.h
irritated hi)/
JThin1ing of that feo+>J he dedu.ed +rathfuy/ It +as thus that he +as
+ont to aude in his o+n )ind to $eirdre Cro?ier"s first hus'and> 1ied
in the first year of the +ar/ -ied> too> in the .a)paign against ,er)an
West Afri.a/ 0atura she shoud> perhaps ; he stoe a gan.e at her> her
fairness> the pin1 and +hite s)oothness of her .hee1> the rounded ines
of her figure ; rather )ore rounded perhaps than they had 'een in those
far;off days +hen she had passivey per)itted hi) to 'e.o)e engaged
to her> and then> in that first e)otiona s.are of +ar> had a'rupty .ast
hi) aside and )ade a +ar +edding of it +ith that ean> sun'urned 'oy
over of hers> Ti) 0ugent/
We> +e> the feo+ +as dead ; gaanty dead ; and he> ,eorge Cro?ier>
had )arried the gir he had a+ays )eant to )arry/ She +as fond of hi)>
tooI ho+ .oud she hep it +hen he +as ready to gratify her every +ish
and had the )oney to do it> tooG !e refe.ted +ith so)e .o)pa.en.y on
his ast gift to her> at -i)'erey> +here> o+ing to his friendship +ith
so)e of the dire.tors of $e %eers> he had 'een a'e to pur.hase a
dia)ond +hi.h> in the ordinary +ay> +oud not have 'een in the )ar1et>
a stone not re)ar1a'e as to si?e> 'ut of a very eB8uisite and rare
shade> a pe.uiar deep a)'er> a)ost od god> a dia)ond su.h as you
)ight not find in a hundred years/ And the oo1 in her eyes +hen he
gave it to herG Wo)en +ere a the sa)e a'out dia)onds/
The ne.essity of hoding on +ith 'oth hands to prevent hi)sef 'eing
Der1ed out 'rought ,eorge Cro?ier 'a.1 to the reaities/ !e eDa.uated
for perhaps the fourteenth ti)e> +ith the pardona'e irritation of a )an
+ho o+ns t+o &os;&oy.e .ars and +ho has eBer.ised his stud on the
high+ays of .ivii?ationH J,ood #ord> +hat a .arG What a roadGJ !e +et
on angriyH
JWhere the devi is this to'a..o estate> any+ayA It"s over an hour sin.e
+e eft %ua+ayo/J
J#ost in &hodesia>J said $eirdre ighty 'et+een t+o invountary eaps
into the air/
%ut the .offee;.oored driver> appeaed to> responded +ith the .heering
ne+s that their destination +as Dust round the neBt 'end of the road/
The )anager of the estate> Mr/ Water> +as +aiting on the stoop to
re.eive the) +ith the tou.h of deferen.e due to ,eorge Cro?ier"s
pro)inen.e in 2nion To'a..o/ !e introdu.ed his daughter;in;a+> +ho
shepherded $eirdre through the .oo> dar1ening ha to a 'edroo)
'eyond> +here she .oud re)ove the vei +ith +hi.h she +as a+ays
.arefu to shied her .o)peBion +hen )otoring/ As she unfastened the
pits in her usua eisurey> gra.efu fashion> $eirdre"s eyes s+ept round
the +hite+ashed uginess of the 'are roo)/ 0o uBuries here> and
$eirdre> +ho oved .o)fort as a .at oves .rea)> shivered a itte/ <n
the +a a teBt .onfronted her/ JWhat sha it profit a )an if he gain the
+hoe +ord and ose his s souAJ it de)anded of a and sundry> and
$eirdre> peasanty .ons.ious that the 8uestion had nothing to do +ith
her> turned to a..o)pany her shy and rather sient guide/ She noted>
'ut not in the east )ai.iousy> the spreading hips and the un'e.o)ing
.heap .otton go+n/ And +ith a go+ of 8uiet appre.iation her eyes
dropped to the eB8uisite> .osty si)pi.ity of her o+n Fren.h +hite
inen/ %eautifu .othes> espe.iay +hen +orn 'y hersef> roused in her
the Doy of the artist/
The t+o )en +ere +aiting for her/
JIt +on"t 'ore you to .o)e round> too> Mrs/ Cro?ierAJ
J0ot at a/ I"ve never 'een over a to'a..o fa.tory/J
They stepped out into the sti &hodesian afternoon/
JThese are the seedings hereI +e pant the) out as re8uired/ @ou see ;
J
The )anager"s voi.e droned on> interpoated 'y her hus'and"s sharp
sta..ato 8uestions ; output> sta)p duty> pro'e)s of .oored a'or/ She
.eased to isten/
This +as &hodesia> this +as the and Ti) had oved> +here he and she
+ere to have gone together after the +ar +as over/ If he had not 'een
1iedG As a+ays> the 'itterness of revot surged up in her at that
thought/ T+o short )onths ; that +as a they had had/ T+o )onths of
happiness ; if that )inged rapture and pain +ere happiness/ Was ove
ever happinessA $id not a thousand tortures 'eset the over"s heartA
She had ived intensey in that short spa.e> 'ut had she ever 1no+n the
pea.e> the eisure> the 8uiet .ontent)ent of her present ifeA And for the
first ti)e she ad)itted> so)e+hat un+iingy> that perhaps a had 'een
for the 'est/
JI +oudn"t have i1ed iving out here/ I )ightn"t have 'een a'e to )a1e
Ti) happy/ I )ight have disappointed hi)/ ,eorge oves )e> and I")
very fond of hi)> and he"s very> very good to )e/ Why> oo1 at that
dia)ond he 'ought )e ony the other day/J And> thin1ing of it> her
eyeids drooped a itte in pure peasure/
JThis is +here +e thread the eaves/J Waters ed the +ay into a o+>
ong shed/ <n the foor +ere vast heaps of green eaves> and +hite;.ad
'a.1 J'oysJ s8uatted round the)> pi.1ing and reDe.ting +ith deft
fingers> sorting the) into si?es> and stringing the) 'y )eans of
pri)itive needes on a ong ine of string/ They +or1ed +ith a .heerfu
eisureiness> Desting a)ongst the)seves> and sho+ing their +hite
teeth as they aughed/
J0o+> out here ;J
They passed through the shed into the dayight again> +here the ines of
eaves hung drying in the sun/ $eirdre sniffed dei.atey at the faint>
a)ost i)per.epti'e fragran.e that fied the air/
Waters ed the +ay into other sheds +here the to'a..o> 1issed 'y the
sun into faint yeo+ dis.ooration> under+ent its further treat)ent/
$ar1 here> +ith the 'ro+n s+inging )asses a'ove> ready to fa to
po+der at a rough tou.h/ The fragran.e +as stronger> a)ost
overpo+ering it see)ed to $eirdre> and suddeny a sort of terror .a)e
upon her> a fear of she 1ne+ not +hat> that drove her fro) that
)ena.ing> s.ented o's.urity out into the sunight/ Cro?ier noted her
paor/
JWhat"s the )atter> )y dear> don"t you fee +eA The sun> perhaps/
%etter not .o)e +ith us round the pantationsA (hAJ
Waters +as soi.itous/ Mrs/ Cro?ier had 'etter go 'a.1 to the house
and rest/ !e .aed to a )an a itte distan.e a+ay/
JMr/ Arden ; Mrs/ Cro?ier/ Mrs/ Cro?ier"s feeing a itte done up +ith the
heat> Arden/ *ust ta1e her 'a.1 to the house> +i youAJ
The )o)entary feeing of di??iness +as passing/ $eirdre +a1ed 'y
Arden"s side/ She had as yet hardy gan.ed at hi)/
J$eirdreGJ
!er heart gave a eap> and then stood sti/ <ny one person had ever
spo1en her na)e i1e that> +ith the faint stress on the first sya'e that
)ade of it a .aress/
She turned and stared at the )an 'y her side/ !e +as 'urned a)ost
'a.1 'y the sun> he +a1ed +ith a i)p> and on the .hee1 nearer her
+as a ong s.ar +hi.h atered his eBpression> 'ut she 1ne+ hi)/
JTi)GJ
For an eternity> it see)ed to her> they ga?ed at ea.h other> )ute and
tre)'ing> and then> +ithout 1no+ing ho+ or +hy> they +ere in ea.h
other"s ar)s/ Ti)e roed 'a.1 for the)/ Then they dre+ apart again>
and $eirdre> .ons.ious as she put it of the idio.y of the 8uestion> saidH
JThen you"re not deadAJ
J0o> they )ust have )ista1en another .hap for )e/ I +as 'ady 1no.1ed
on the head> 'ut I .a)e to and )anaged to .ra+ into the 'ush/ After
that I don"t 1no+ +hat happened for )onths and )onths> 'ut a friendy
tri'e oo1ed after )e> and at ast I got )y proper +its again and
)anaged to get 'a.1 to .ivii?ation/J
!e paused/ JI found you"d 'een )arried siB )onths/J
$eirdre .ried outH
J<h> Ti)> understand> pease understandG It +as so a+fu> the
oneiness ; and the poverty/ I didn"t )ind 'eing poor +ith you> 'ut +hen
I +as aone I hadn"t the nerve to stand up against the sordidness of it
a/J
JIt"s a right> $eirdreI I did understand/ I 1no+ you a+ays have had a
han1ering after the feshpots/ I too1 you fro) the) on.e ; 'ut the
se.ond ti)e> +e ; )y nerve faied/ I +as pretty 'ady 'ro1en up> you
see> .oud hardy +a1 +ithout a .rut.h> and then there +as this s.ar/J
She interrupted hi) passionatey/
J$o you thin1 I +oud have .ared for thatAJ
J0o> I 1no+ you +oudn"t/ I +as a foo/ So)e +o)en did )ind> you 1no+/
I )ade up )y )ind I"d )anage to get a gi)pse of you/ If you oo1ed
happy> if I thought you +ere .ontented to 'e +ith Cro?ier ; +hy> then I"d
re)ain dead/ I did see you/ @ou +ere Dust getting into a 'ig .ar/ @ou had
on so)e ovey sa'e furs ; things I"d never 'e a'e to give you if I
+or1ed )y fingers to the 'one ; and ; +e ; you see)ed happy enough/ I
hadn"t the sa)e strength and .ourage> the sa)e 'eief in )ysef> that I"d
had 'efore the +ar/ A I .oud see +as )ysef> 'ro1en and useess>
'arey a'e to earn enough to 1eep you ; and you oo1ed so 'eautifu>
$eirdre> su.h a 8ueen a)ongst +o)en> so +orthy to have furs and
De+es and ovey .othes and a the hundred and one uBuries Cro?ier
.oud give you/ That ; and ; +e> the pain ; of seeing you together>
de.ided )e/ (veryone 'eieved )e dead/ I +oud stay dead/J
JThe painGJ repeated $eirdre in a o+ voi.e/
JWe> da)n it a> $eirdre> it hurtG It isn"t that I 'a)e you/ I don"t/ %ut it
hurt/J
They +ere 'oth sient/ Then Ti) raised her fa.e to his and 1issed it +ith
a ne+ tenderness/
J%ut that"s a over no+> s+eetheart/ The ony thing to de.ide is ho+
+e"re going to 'rea1 it to Cro?ier/J
J<hGJ She dre+ hersef a+ay a'rupty/ JI hadn"t thought ;J She 'ro1e off
as Cro?ier and the )anager appeared round the ange of the path/ With
a s+ift turn of the head she +hisperedH
J$o nothing no+/ #eave it to )e/ I )ust prepare hi)/ Where .oud I )eet
you to)orro+AJ
0ugent refe.ted/
JI .oud .o)e in to %ua+ayo/ !o+ a'out the .af= near the Standard
%an1A At three o".o.1 it +oud 'e pretty e)pty/J
$eirdre gave a 'rief nod of assent 'efore turning her 'a.1 on hi) and
Doining the other t+o )en/ Ti) 0ugent oo1ed after her +ith a faint
fro+n/ So)ething in her )anner pu??ed hi)/
$eirdre +as very sient during the drive ho)e/ Shetering 'ehind the
fi.tion of a Jtou.h of the sun>J she dei'erated on her .ourse of a.tion/
!o+ shoud she te hi)A !o+ +oud he ta1e itA A strange assitude
see)ed to possess her> and a gro+ing desire to postpone the reveation
as ong as )ight 'e/ To)orro+ +oud 'e soon enough/ There +oud 'e
penty of ti)e 'efore three o".o.1/
The hote +as un.o)forta'e/ Their roo) +as on the ground foor>
oo1ing out onto an inner .ourt/ $eirdre stood that evening sniffing the
stae air and gan.ing distastefuy at the ta+dry furniture/ !er )ind fe+
to the easy uBury of Mon1ton Court a)idst the Surrey pine+oods/ When
her )aid eft her at ast> she +ent so+y to her De+e .ase/ In the pa) of
her hand the goden dia)ond returned her stare/
With an a)ost vioent gesture she returned it to the .ase and sa))ed
do+n the id/ To)orro+ )orning she +oud te ,eorge/
She sept 'ady/ It +as stifing 'eneath the heavy fods of the )os8uito
netting/ The thro''ing dar1ness +as pun.tuated 'y the u'i8uitous ping
she had earned to dread/ She a+o1e +hite and istess/ I)possi'e to
start a s.ene so eary in the dayG
She ay in the s)a> .ose roo) a the )orning> resting/ #un.hti)e
.a)e upon her +ith a sense of sho.1/ As they sat drin1ing .offee>
,eorge Cro?ier proposed a drive to the Matopos/
JPenty of ti)e if +e start at on.e/J
$eirdre shoo1 her head> peading a heada.he> and she thought to
hersefH JThat settes it/ I .an"t rush the thing/ After a> +hat does a day
)ore or ess )atterA I" eBpain to Ti)/J
She +aved good;'ye to Cro?ier as he ratted off in the 'attered Ford/
Then> gan.ing at her +at.h> she +a1ed so+y to the )eeting pa.e/
The .af= +as deserted at this hour/ They sat do+n at a itte ta'e and
ordered the inevita'e tea that South Afri.a drin1s at a hours of the day
and night/ 0either of the) said a +ord ti the +aitress 'rought it and
+ithdre+ to her fastness 'ehind so)e pin1 .urtains/ Then $eirdre
oo1ed up and started as she )et the intense +at.hfuness in his eyes/
J$eirdre> have you tod hi)AJ
She shoo1 her head> )oistening her ips> see1ing for +ords that +oud
not .o)e/
JWhy notAJ
JI haven"t had a .han.eI there hasn"t 'een ti)e/J
(ven to hersef the +ords sounded hating and un.onvin.ing/
JIt"s not that/ There"s so)ething ese/ I suspe.ted it yesterday/ I") sure
of it today/ $eirdre> +hat is itAJ
She shoo1 her head du)'y/
JThere"s so)e reason +hy you don"t +ant to eave ,eorge Cro?ier> +hy
you don"t +ant to .o)e 'a.1 to )e/ What is itAJ
It +as true/ As he said it she 1ne+ it> 1ne+ it +ith sudden s.or.hing
sha)e> 'ut 1ne+ it 'eyond any possi'iity of dou't/ And sti his eyes
sear.hed her/
JIt isn"t that you ove hi)G @ou don"t/ %ut there"s so)ething/J
She thoughtH JIn another )o)ent he" seeG <h> ,od> don"t et hi)GJ
Suddeny his fa.e +hitened/
J$eirdre ; is it ; is it that there"s going to 'e a ; .hidAJ
In a fash she sa+ the .han.e he offered her/ A +onderfu +ayG So+y>
a)ost +ithout her o+n voition> she 'o+ed her head/
She heard his 8ui.1 'reathing> then his voi.e> rather high and hard/
JThat ; aters things/ I didn"t 1no+/ We"ve got to find a different +ay out/J
!e eaned a.ross the ta'e and .aught 'oth her hands in his/ J$eirdre>
)y daring> never thin1 ; never drea) that you +ere in any +ay to
'a)e/ Whatever happens> re)e)'er that/ I shoud have .ai)ed you
+hen I .a)e 'a.1 to (ngand/ I fun1ed it> so it"s up to )e to do +hat I
.an to put things straight no+/ @ou seeA Whatever happens> don"t fret>
daring/ 0othing has 'een your faut/J
!e ifted first one hand> then the other to his ips/ Then she +as aone>
staring at the untasted tea/ And> strangey enough> it +as ony one thing
that she sa+ ; a gaudiy iu)inated teBt hanging on a +hite+ashed +a/
The +ords see)ed to spring out fro) it and hur the)seves at her/
JWhat sha it profit a )an ;J She got up> paid for her tea> and +ent out/
<n his return ,eorge Cro?ier +as )et 'y a re8uest that his +ife )ight
not 'e distur'ed/ !er heada.he> the )aid said> +as very 'ad/
It +as nine o".o.1 the neBt )orning +hen he entered her 'edroo)> his
fa.e rather grave/ $eirdre +as sitting up in 'ed/ She oo1ed +hite and
haggard> 'ut her eyes shone/
J,eorge> I"ve got so)ething to te you> so)ething rather terri'e ;J
!e interrupted her 'rus8uey/
JSo you"ve heard/ I +as afraid it )ight upset you/J
J2pset )eAJ
J@es/ @ou ta1ed to the poor young feo+ that day/J
!e sa+ her hand stea to her heart> her eyeids fi.1er> then she said in a
o+> 8ui.1 voi.e that so)eho+ frightened hi)H
JI"ve heard nothing/ Te )e 8ui.1y/J
JI thought ;J
JTe )eGJ
J<ut at that to'a..o estate/ Chap shot hi)sef/ %ady 'ro1en up in the
+ar> nerves a to pie.es> I suppose/ There"s no other reason to a..ount
for it/J
J!e shot hi)sef in that dar1 shed +here the to'a..o +as hanging/J She
spo1e +ith .ertainty> her eyes i1e a seep+a1er"s as she sa+ 'efore
her in the odorous dar1ness a figure ying there> revover in hand/
JWhy> to 'e sureI that"s +here you +ere ta1en 8ueer yesterday/ <dd
thing> thatGJ
$eirdre did not ans+er/ She sa+ another pi.ture ; a ta'e +ith tea
things on it> and a +o)an 'o+ing her head in a..eptan.e of a ie/
JWe> +e> the +ar has a ot to ans+er for>J said Cro?ier> and stret.hed
out his hand for a )at.h> ighting his pipe +ith .arefu puffs/
!is +ife"s .ry started hi)/
JAhG don"t> don"tG I .an"t 'ear the s)eGJ
!e stared at her in 1indy astonish)ent/
JMy dear gir> you )ustn"t 'e nervy/ After a> you .an"t es.ape fro) the
s)e of to'a..o/ @ou" )eet it every+here/J
J@es> every+hereGJ She s)ied a so+> t+isted s)ie> and )ur)ured
so)e +ords that he did not .at.h> +ords that she had .hosen for the
origina o'ituary noti.e of Ti) 0ugent"s death/ JWhie the ight asts I
sha re)e)'er> and in the dar1ness I sha not forget/J
!er eyes +idened as they foo+ed the as.ending spira of s)o1e> and
she repeated in a o+> )onotonous voi.eH J(very+here> every+here/J