A Pocket Full of Rye

APocketFullofRye
AMissMarpleMystery
AgathaChristie
Dedication
ForBruceIngramwholikedandpublishedmyfirstshortstories
Contents
TitlePage
Dedication
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-One
ChapterTwenty-Two
ChapterTwenty-Three
ChapterTwenty-Four
ChapterTwenty-Five
ChapterTwenty-Six
ChapterTwenty-Seven
ChapterTwenty-Eight
AbouttheAuthor
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Credits
BackAd
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
ChapterOne
ItwasMissSomers’sturntomakethetea.MissSomerswasthenewestandthemostinefficientofthetypists.Shewasnolongeryoungandhadamildworriedfacelikeasheep.ThekettlewasnotquiteboilingwhenMissSomerspouredthewaterontothetea,butpoorMissSomerswasneverquitesurewhenakettlewasboiling.Itwasoneofthemanyworriesthatafflictedherinlife.
Shepouredouttheteaandtookthecupsroundwithacoupleoflimp,sweetbiscuitsineachsaucer.
MissGriffith,theefficientheadtypist,agrey-hairedmartinetwhohadbeenwithConsolidatedInvestmentsTrustforsixteenyears,saidsharply:“Waternotboilingagain,Somers!”andMissSomers’sworriedmeekfacewentpinkandshesaid,“Ohdear,Ididthinkitwasboilingthistime.”
MissGriffiththoughttoherself:“She’lllastforanothermonth,perhaps,justwhilewe’resobusy…Butreally!ThemessthesillyidiotmadeofthatlettertoEasternDevelopments—aperfectlystraightforwardjob,andalwayssostupidoverthetea.Ifitweren’tsodifficulttogetholdofanyintelligenttypists—andthebiscuittinlidwasn’tshuttightlylasttime,either.Really—”
LikesomanyofMissGriffith’sindignantinnercommuningsthesentencewentunfinished.
AtthatmomentMissGrosvenorsailedintomakeMr.Fortescue’ssacredtea.Mr.Fortescuehaddifferenttea,anddifferentchinaandspecialbiscuits.Onlythekettleandthewaterfromthecloakroomtapwerethesame.Butonthisoccasion,beingMr.Fortescue’stea,thewaterboiled.MissGrosvenorsawtothat.
MissGrosvenorwasanincrediblyglamorousblonde.Sheworeanexpensivelycutlittleblacksuitandhershapelylegswereencasedintheverybestandmostexpensiveblack-marketnylons.
Shesailedbackthroughthetypists’roomwithoutdeigningtogiveanyoneawordoraglance.Thetypistsmighthavebeensomanyblackbeetles.MissGrosvenorwasMr.Fortescue’sownspecialpersonalsecretary;unkindrumouralwayshintedthatshewassomethingmore,butactuallythiswasnottrue.Mr.Fortescuehadrecentlymarriedasecondwife,
MissGrosvenorsailedbackwiththetrayheldoutinfrontofherlikearitualoffering.Throughtheinnerofficeandthroughthewaitingroom,wherethemoreimportantclientswereallowedtosit,andthroughherownanteroom,andfinallywithalighttaponthedoorsheenteredtheholyofholies,Mr.Fortescue’soffice.
Itwasalargeroomwithagleamingexpanseofparquetflooronwhichweredottedexpensiveorientalrugs.Itwasdelicatelypanelledinpalewoodandthereweresomeenormousstuffedchairsupholsteredinpalebuffleather.Behindacolossalsycamoredesk,thecentreandfocusoftheroom,satMr.Fortescuehimself.
Mr.Fortescuewaslessimpressivethanheshouldhavebeentomatchtheroom,buthedidhisbest.Hewasalargeflabbymanwithagleamingbaldhead.Itwashisaffectationtowearlooselycutcountrytweedsinhiscityoffice.HewasfrowningdownatsomepapersonhisdeskwhenMissGrosvenorglideduptohiminherswanlikemanner.Placingthetrayonthedeskathiselbow,shemurmuredinalowimpersonalvoice,“Yourtea,Mr.Fortescue,”andwithdrew.
Mr.Fortescue’scontributiontotheritualwasagrunt.
SeatedatherowndeskagainMissGrosvenorproceededwiththebusinessinhand.Shemadetwotelephonecalls,correctedsomelettersthatwerelyingtheretypedreadyforMr.Fortescuetosignandtookoneincomingcall.
“Ay’mafraidit’simpossiblejustnow,”shesaidinhaughtyaccents.“Mr.Fortescueisinconference.”
Asshelaiddownthereceiversheglancedattheclock.Itwastenminutespasteleven.
ItwasjustthenthatanunusualsoundpenetratedthroughthealmostsoundproofdoorofMr.Fortescue’soffice.Muffled,itwasyetfullyrecognizable,astrangledagonizedcry.AtthesamemomentthebuzzeronMissGrosvenor’sdesksoundedinalong-drawnfrenziedsummons.MissGrosvenor,startledforamomentintocompleteimmobility,roseuncertainlytoherfeet.Confrontedbytheunexpected,herpoisewasshaken.However,shemovedtowardsMr.Fortescue’sdoorinherusualstatuesquefashion,tappedandentered.
Whatshesawupsetherpoisestillfurther.Heremployerbehindhisdeskseemedcontortedwithagony.Hisconvulsivemovementswerealarmingtowatch.
MissGrosvenorsaid,“Ohdear,Mr.Fortescue,areyouill?”andwasimmediatelyconsciousoftheidiocyofthequestion.TherewasnodoubtbutthatMr.Fortescuewasveryseriouslyill.Evenasshecameuptohim,hisbodywasconvulsedinapainfulspasmodicmovement.
Wordscameoutinjerkygasps.
“Tea—whatthehell—youputinthetea—gethelp—quickgetadoctor—”
MissGrosvenorfledfromtheroom.Shewasnolongerthesuperciliousblondesecretary—shewasathoroughlyfrightenedwomanwhohadlostherhead.
Shecamerunningintothetypists’officecryingout:
“Mr.Fortescue’shavingafit—he’sdying—wemustgetadoctor—helooksawful—I’msurehe’sdying.”
Reactionswereimmediateandvariedagooddeal.
MissBell,theyoungesttypist,said,“Ifit’sepilepsyweoughttoputacorkinhismouth.Who’sgotacork?”
Nobodyhadacork.
MissSomerssaid,“Athisageit’sprobablyapoplexy.”
MissGriffithsaid,“Wemustgetadoctor—atonce.”
Butshewashamperedinherusualefficiencybecauseinallhersixteenyearsofserviceithadneverbeennecessarytocalladoctortothecityoffice.TherewasherowndoctorbutthatwasatStreathamHill.Wherewasthereadoctornearhere?
Nobodyknew.MissBellseizedatelephonedirectoryandbeganlookingupDoctorsunderD.Butitwasnotaclassifieddirectoryanddoctorswerenotautomaticallylistedliketaxiranks.Someonesuggestedahospital—butwhichhospital?“Ithastobetherighthospital,”MissSomersinsisted,“orelsetheywon’tcome.BecauseoftheNationalHealth,Imean.It’sgottobeinthearea.”
Someonesuggested999butMissGriffithwasshockedatthatandsaiditwouldmeanthepoliceandthatwouldneverdo.ForcitizensofacountrywhichenjoyedthebenefitsofMedicalServiceforall,agroupofquitereasonablyintelligentwomenshowedincredibleignoranceofcorrectprocedure.MissBellstartedlookingupAmbulancesunderA.MissGriffithsaid,“There’shisowndoctor—hemusthaveadoctor.”Someonerushedfortheprivateaddressbook.MissGriffithinstructedtheofficeboytogooutandfindadoctor—somehow,anywhere.Intheprivateaddressbook,MissGriffithfoundSirEdwinSandemanwithanaddressinHarleyStreet.MissGrosvenor,collapsedinachair,wailedinavoicewhoseaccentwasnoticeablylessMayfairthanusual,“Imadetheteajustasusual—reallyIdid—therecouldn’thavebeenanythingwronginit.”
“Wronginit?”MissGriffithpaused,herhandonthedialofthetelephone.“Whydoyousaythat?”
“Hesaidit—Mr.Fortescue—hesaiditwasthetea—”
MissGriffith’shandhoveredirresolutelybetweenWelbeckand999.MissBell,youngandhopeful,said:“Weoughttogivehimsomemustardandwater—now.Isn’tthereanymustardintheoffice?”
Therewasnomustardintheoffice.
SomeshortwhilelaterDr.IsaacsofBethnalGreen,andSirEdwinSandemanmetintheelevatorjustastwodifferentambulancesdrewupinfrontofthebuilding.Thetelephoneandtheofficeboyhaddonetheirwork.
ChapterTwo
InspectorNeelesatinMr.Fortescue’ssanctumbehindMr.Fortescue’svastsycamoredesk.Oneofhisunderlingswithanotebooksatunobstrusivelyagainstthewallnearthedoor.
InspectorNeelehadasmartsoldierlyappearancewithcrispbrownhairgrowingbackfromaratherlowforehead.Whenheutteredthephrase“justamatterofroutine”thoseaddressedwerewonttothinkspitefully:“Androutineisaboutallyou’recapableof!”Theywouldhavebeenquitewrong.Behindhisunimaginativeappearance,InspectorNeelewasahighlyimaginativethinker,andoneofhismethodsofinvestigationwastopropoundtohimselffantastictheoriesofguiltwhichheappliedtosuchpersonsashewasinterrogatingatthetime.
MissGriffith,whomhehadatoncepickedoutwithanunerringeyeasbeingthemostsuitablepersontogivehimasuccinctaccountoftheeventswhichhadledtohisbeingseatedwherehewas,hadjustlefttheroomhavinggivenhimanadmirablerésuméofthemorning’shappenings.InspectorNeelepropoundedtohimselfthreeseparatehighlycolouredreasonswhythefaithfuldoyenneofthetypists’roomshouldhavepoisonedheremployer’smid-morningcupoftea,andrejectedthemasunlikely.
HeclassifiedMissGriffithas(a)Notthetypeofapoisoner,(b)Notinlovewithheremployer,(c)Nopronouncedmentalinstability,(d)Notawomanwhocherishedgrudges.ThatreallyseemedtodisposeofMissGriffithexceptasasourceofaccurateinformation.
InspectorNeeleglancedatthetelephone.HewasexpectingacallfromSt.Jude’sHospitalatanymomentnow.
Itwaspossible,ofcourse,thatMr.Fortescue’ssuddenillnesswasduetonaturalcauses,butDr.IsaacsofBethnalGreenhadnotthoughtsoandSirEdwinSandemanofHarleyStreethadnotthoughtso.
InspectorNeelepressedabuzzerconvenientlysituatedathislefthandanddemandedthatMr.Fortescue’spersonalsecretaryshouldbesentintohim.
MissGrosvenorhadrecoveredalittleofherpoise,butnotmuch.Shecameinapprehensively,withnothingoftheswanlikeglideabouthermotions,andsaidatoncedefensively:
“Ididn’tdoit!”
InspectorNeelemurmuredconversationally:“No?”
HeindicatedthechairwhereMissGrosvenorwaswonttoplaceherself,padinhand,whensummonedtotakedownMr.Fortescue’sletters.ShesatdownnowwithreluctanceandeyedInspectorNeeleinalarm.InspectorNeele,hismindplayingimaginativelyonthethemesSeduction?Blackmail?PlatinumBlondeinCourt?etc.,lookedreassuringandjustalittlestupid.
“Therewasn’tanythingwrongwiththetea,”saidMissGrosvenor.“Therecouldn’thavebeen.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorNeele.“Yournameandaddress,please?”
“Grosvenor.IreneGrosvenor.”
“Howdoyouspellit?”
“Oh.LiketheSquare.”
“Andyouraddress?”
“14RushmoorRoad,MuswellHill.”
InspectorNeelenoddedinasatisfiedfashion.
“Noseduction,”hesaidtohimself.“NoLoveNest.Respectablehomewithparents.Noblackmail.”
Anothergoodsetofspeculativetheorieswashedout.
“Andsoitwasyouwhomadethetea?”hesaidpleasantly.
“Well,Ihadto.Ialwaysdo,Imean.”
Unhurried,InspectorNeeletookhercloselythroughthemorningritualofMr.Fortescue’stea.Thecupandsaucerandteapothadalreadybeenpackedupanddispatchedtotheappropriatequarterforanalysis.NowInspectorNeelelearnedthatIreneGrosvenorandonlyIreneGrosvenorhadhandledthatcupandsaucerandteapot.ThekettlehadbeenusedformakingtheofficeteaandhadbeenrefilledfromthecloakroomtapbyMissGrosvenor.
“Andtheteaitself?”
“ItwasMr.Fortescue’sowntea,specialChinatea.It’skeptontheshelfinmyroomnextdoor.”
InspectorNeelenodded.HeinquiredaboutsugarandheardthatMr.Fortescuedidn’ttakesugar.
Thetelephonerang.InspectorNeelepickedupthereceiver.Hisfacechangedalittle.
“St.Jude’s?”
HenoddedtoMissGrosvenorindismissal.
“That’sallfornow,thankyou,MissGrosvenor.”
MissGrosvenorspedoutoftheroomhurriedly.
InspectorNeelelistenedcarefullytothethinunemotionaltonesspeakingfromSt.Jude’sHospital.Asthevoicespokehemadeafewcrypticsignswithapencilonthecorneroftheblotterinfrontofhim.
“Diedfiveminutesago,yousay?”heasked.Hiseyewenttothewatchonhiswrist.Twelveforty-three,hewroteontheblotter.
TheunemotionalvoicesaidthatDr.BernsdorffhimselfwouldliketospeaktoInspectorNeele.
InspectorNeelesaid,“Right.Puthimthrough,”whichratherscandalizedtheownerofthevoice,whohadallowedacertainamountofreverencetoseepintotheofficialaccents.
Therewerethenvariousclicks,buzzes,andfar-offghostlymurmurs.InspectorNeelesatpatientlywaiting.
Thenwithoutwarningadeepbassroarcausedhimtoshiftthereceiveraninchortwoawayfromhisear.
“Hallo,Neele,youoldvulture.Atitagainwithyourcorpses?”
InspectorNeeleandProfessorBernsdorffofSt.Jude’shadbeenbroughttogetheroveracaseofpoisoningjustoverayearagoandhadremainedonfriendlyterms.
“Ourman’sdead,Ihear,doc.”
“Yes.Wecouldn’tdoanythingbythetimehegothere.”
“Andthecauseofdeath?”
“Therewillhavetobeanautopsy,naturally.Veryinterestingcase.Veryinterestingindeed.GladIwasabletobeinonit.”
TheprofessionalgustoinBernsdorff’srichtonestoldInspectorNeeleonethingatleast.
“Igatheryoudon’tthinkitwasnaturaldeath,”hesaiddryly.
“Notadog’schanceofit,”saidDr.Bernsdorffrobustly.“I’mspeakingunofficially,ofcourse,”headdedwithbelatedcaution.
“Ofcourse.Ofcourse.That’sunderstood.Hewaspoisoned?”
“Definitely.Andwhat’smore—thisisquiteunofficial,youunderstand—justbetweenyouandme—I’dbepreparedtomakeabetonwhatthepoisonwas.”
“In-deed?”
“Taxine,myboy.Taxine.”
“Taxine?Neverheardofit.”
“Iknow.Mostunusual.Reallydelightfullyunusual!Idon’tsayI’dhavespotteditmyselfifIhadn’thadacaseonlythreeorfourweeksago.Coupleofkidsplayingdolls’teaparties—pulledberriesoffayewtreeandusedthemfortea.”
“Isthatwhatitis?Yewberries?”
“Berriesorleaves.Highlypoisonous.Taxine,ofcourse,isthealkaloid.Don’tthinkI’veheardofacasewhereitwasuseddeliberately.Reallymostinterestingandunusual…You’venoidea,Neele,howtiredonegetsoftheinevitableweedkiller.Taxineisarealtreat.Ofcourse,Imaybewrong—don’tquoteme,forHeaven’ssake—butIdon’tthinkso.Interestingforyou,too,Ishouldthink.Variestheroutine!”
“Agoodtimeistobehadbyall,isthattheidea?Withtheexceptionofthevictim.”
“Yes,yes,poorfellow.”Dr.Bernsdorff’stonewasperfunctory.“Verybadluckonhim.”
“Didhesayanythingbeforehedied?”
“Well,oneofyourfellowswassittingbyhimwithanotebook.He’llhavetheexactdetails.Hemutteredsomethingonceabouttea—thathe’dbeengivensomethinginhisteaattheoffice—butthat’snonsense,ofcourse.”
“Whyisitnonsense?”InspectorNeele,whohadbeenreviewingspeculativelythepictureoftheglamorousMissGrosvenoraddingyewberriestoabrewoftea,andfindingitincongruous,spokesharply.
“Becausethestuffcouldn’tpossiblyhaveworkedsosoon.Iunderstandthesymptomscameonimmediatelyhehaddrunkthetea?”
“That’swhattheysay.”
“Well,thereareveryfewpoisonsthatactasquicklyasthat,apartfromthecyanides,ofcourse—andpossiblypurenicotine—”
“Anditdefinitelywasn’tcyanideornicotine?”
“Mydearfellow.He’dhavebeendeadbeforetheambulancearrived.Ohno,there’snoquestionofanythingofthatkind.Ididsuspectstrychnine,buttheconvulsionswerenotatalltypical.Stillunofficial,ofcourse,butI’llstakemyreputationit’staxine.”
“Howlongwouldthattaketowork?”
“Depends.Anhour.Twohours,threehours.Deceasedlookedlikeaheartyeater.Ifhehadhadabigbreakfast,thatwouldslowthingsup.”
“Breakfast,”saidInspectorNeelethoughtfully.“Yes,itlookslikebreakfast.”
“BreakfastwiththeBorgias.”Dr.Bernsdorfflaughedcheerfully.“Well,goodhunting,mylad.”
“Thanks,doctor.I’dliketospeaktomysergeantbeforeyouringoff.”
Againtherewereclicksandbuzzesandfar-offghostlyvoices.Andthenthesoundofheavybreathingcamethrough,aninevitablepreludetoSergeantHay’sconversation.
“Sir,”hesaidurgently.“Sir.”
“Neelehere.DidthedeceasedsayanythingIoughttoknow?”
“Saiditwasthetea.Theteahehadattheoffice.ButtheM.O.saysnot….”
“Yes,Iknowaboutthat.Nothingelse?”
“No,sir.Butthere’sonethingthat’sodd.Thesuithewaswearing—Icheckedthecontentsofthepockets.Theusualstuff—handkerchief,keys,change,wallet—buttherewasonethingthat’sdownrightpeculiar.Theright-handpocketofhisjacket.Ithadcerealinit.”
“Cereal?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbycereal?Doyoumeanabreakfastfood?Farmer’sGloryorWheatifax.Ordoyoumeancornorbarley—”
“That’sright,sir.Grainitwas.Lookedlikeryetome.Quitealotofit.”
“Isee…Odd…Butitmighthavebeenasample—somethingtodowithabusinessdeal.”
“Quiteso,sir—butIthoughtI’dbettermentionit.”
“Quiteright,Hay.”
InspectorNeelesatstaringaheadofhimforafewmomentsafterhehadreplacedthetelephonereceiver.HisorderlymindwasmovingfromPhaseItoPhaseIIoftheinquiry—fromsuspicionofpoisoningtocertaintyofpoisoning.ProfessorBernsdorff’swordsmayhavebeenunofficial,butProfessorBernsdorffwasnotamantobemistakeninhisbeliefs.RexFortescuehadbeenpoisonedandthepoisonhadprobablybeenadministeredonetothreehoursbeforetheonsetofthefirstsymptoms.Itseemedprobable,therefore,thattheofficestaffcouldbegivenacleanbillofhealth.
Neelegotupandwentintotheouteroffice.Alittledesultoryworkwasbeingdonebutthetypewriterswerenotgoingatfullspeed.
“MissGriffith?CanIhaveanotherwordwithyou?”
“Certainly,Mr.Neele.Couldsomeofthegirlsgoouttolunch?It’slongpasttheirregulartime.Orwouldyoupreferthatwegetsomethingsentin?”
“No.Theycangotolunch.Buttheymustreturnafterwards.”
“Ofcourse.”
MissGriffithfollowedNeelebackintotheprivateoffice.Shesatdowninhercomposedefficientway.
Withoutpreamble,InspectorNeelesaid:
“IhaveheardfromSt.Jude’sHospital.Mr.Fortescuediedat12:43.”
MissGriffithreceivedthenewswithoutsurprise,merelyshookherhead.
“Iwasafraidhewasveryill,”shesaid.
Shewasnot,Neelenoted,atalldistressed.
“Willyoupleasegivemeparticularsofhishomeandfamily?”
“Certainly.IhavealreadytriedtogetintocommunicationwithMrs.Fortescue,butitseemssheisoutplayinggolf.Shewasnotexpectedhometolunch.Thereissomeuncertaintyastowhichcoursesheisplayingon.”Sheaddedinanexplanatorymanner,“TheyliveatBaydonHeath,youknow,whichisacentreforthreewell-knowngolfcourses.”
InspectorNeelenodded.BaydonHeathwasalmostentirelyinhabitedbyrichcitymen.Ithadanexcellenttrainservice,wasonlytwentymilesfromLondonandwascomparativelyeasytoreachbycarevenintherushofmorningandeveningtraffic.
“Theexactaddress,please,andthetelephonenumber?”
“BaydenHeath3400.ThenameofthehouseisYewtreeLodge.”
“What?”ThesharpqueryslippedoutbeforeInspectorNeelecouldcontrolit.“DidyousayYewtreeLodge?”
“Yes.”
MissGriffithlookedfaintlycurious,butInspectorNeelehadhimselfinhandagain.
“Canyougivemeparticularsofhisfamily?”
“Mrs.Fortescueishissecondwife.Sheismuchyoungerthanheis.Theyweremarriedabouttwoyearsago.ThefirstMrs.Fortescuehasbeendeadalongtime.Therearetwosonsandadaughterofthefirstmarriage.Thedaughterlivesathomeandsodoestheelderson,whoisapartnerinthefirm.UnfortunatelyheisawayintheNorthofEnglandtodayonbusiness.Heisexpectedtoreturntomorrow.”
“Whendidhegoaway?”
“Thedaybeforeyesterday.”
“Haveyoutriedtogetintouchwithhim?”
“Yes.AfterMr.FortescuewasremovedtohospitalIranguptheMidlandHotelinManchesterwhereIthoughthemightbestaying,buthehadleftearlythismorning.IbelievehewasalsogoingtoSheffieldandLeicester,butIamnotsureaboutthat.Icangiveyouthenamesofcertainfirmsinthosecitieswhomhemightbevisiting.”
Certainlyanefficientwoman,thoughttheinspector,andifshemurderedamanshewouldprobablymurderhimveryefficiently,too.ButheforcedhimselftoabandonthesespeculationsandconcentrateoncemoreonMr.Fortescue’shomefront.
“Thereisasecondsonyousaid?”
“Yes.Butowingtoadisagreementwithhisfatherhelivesabroad.”
“Arebothsonsmarried?”
“Yes.Mr.Percivalhasbeenmarriedforthreeyears.Heandhiswifeoccupyaself-containedflatinYewtreeLodge,thoughtheyaremovingintotheirownhouseatBaydonHeathveryshortly.”
“YouwerenotabletogetintouchwithMrs.PercivalFortescuewhenyourangupthismorning?”
“ShehadgonetoLondonfortheday.”MissGriffithwenton,“Mr.Lancelotgotmarriedlessthanayearago.TothewidowofLordFrederickAnstice.Iexpectyou’veseenpicturesofher.IntheTatler—withhorses,youknow.Andatpoint-to-points.”
MissGriffithsoundedalittlebreathlessandhercheekswerefaintlyflushed.Neele,whowasquicktocatchthemoodsofhumanbeings,realizedthatthismarriagehadthrilledthesnobandtheromanticinMissGriffith.ThearistocracywasthearistocracytoMissGriffithandthefactthatthelateLordFrederickAnsticehadhadasomewhatunsavouryreputationinsportingcircleswasalmostcertainlynotknowntoher.FreddieAnsticehadblownhisbrainsoutjustbeforeaninquirybytheStewardsintotherunningofoneofhishorses.Neelerememberedsomethingvaguelyabouthiswife.ShehadbeenthedaughterofanIrishPeerandhadbeenmarriedbeforetoanairmanwhohadbeenkilledintheBattleofBritain.
Andnow,itseemed,shewasmarriedtotheblacksheepoftheFortescuefamily,forNeeleassumedthatthedisagreementwithhisfather,referredtoprimlybyMissGriffith,stoodforsomedisgracefulincidentinyoungLancelotFortescue’scareer.
LancelotFortescue!Whataname!Andwhatwastheotherson—Percival?HewonderedwhatthefirstMrs.Fortescuehadbeenlike?She’dhadacurioustasteinChristiannames….
HedrewthephonetowardshimanddialledTOL.HeaskedforBaydonHeath3400.
Presentlyaman’svoicesaid:
“BaydonHeath3400.”
“IwanttospeaktoMrs.FortescueorMissFortescue.”
“Sorry.Theyaren’tin,eitherof’em.”
ThevoicestruckInspectorNeeleasslightlyalcoholic.
“Areyouthebutler?”
“That’sright.”
“Mr.Fortescuehasbeentakenseriouslyill.”
“Iknow.Theyrungupandsaidso.Butthere’snothingIcandoaboutit.Mr.Val’sawayupNorthandMrs.Fortescue’soutplayinggolf.Mrs.Val’sgoneuptoLondonbutshe’llbebackfordinnerandMissElaine’soutwithherBrownies.”
“IstherenooneinthehouseIcanspeaktoaboutMr.Fortescue’sillness?It’simportant.”
“Well—Idon’tknow.”Themansoundeddoubtful.“There’sMissRamsbottom—butshedon’teverspeakoverthephone.Orthere’sMissDove—she’swhatyoumightcallthe’ousekeeper.”
“I’llspeaktoMissDove,please.”
“I’lltryandgetholdofher.”
Hisretreatingfootstepswereaudiblethroughthephone.InspectorNeeleheardnoapproachingfootstepsbutaminuteortwolaterawoman’svoicespoke.
“ThisisMissDovespeaking.”
Thevoicewaslowandwellpoised,withclear-cutenunciation.InspectorNeeleformedafavourablepictureofMissDove.
“Iamsorrytohavetotellyou,MissDove,thatMr.FortescuediedinSt.Jude’sHospitalashorttimeago.Hewastakensuddenlyillinhisoffice.Iamanxioustogetintouchwithhisrelatives—”
“Ofcourse.Ihadnoidea—”Shebrokeoff.Hervoiceheldnoagitation,butitwasshocked.Shewenton:“Itisallmostunfortunate.ThepersonyoureallywanttogetintouchwithisMr.PercivalFortescue.Hewouldbetheonetoseetoallthenecessaryarrangements.YoumightbeabletogetintouchwithhimattheMidlandinManchesterorpossiblyattheGrandinLeicester.OryoumighttryShearerandBondsofLeicester.Idon’tknowtheirtelephonenumber,I’mafraid,butIknowtheyareafirmonwhomhewasgoingtocallandtheymightbeabletoinformyouwherehewouldbelikelytobetoday.Mrs.Fortescuewillcertainlybeintodinnerandshemaybeintotea.Itwillbeagreatshocktoher.Itmusthavebeenverysudden?Mr.Fortescuewasquitewellwhenheleftherethismorning.”
“Yousawhimbeforeheleft?”
“Ohyes.Whatwasit?Heart?”
“Didhesufferfromhearttrouble?”
“No—no—Idon’tthinkso—ButIthoughtasitwassosudden—”Shebrokeoff.“AreyouspeakingfromSt.Jude’sHospital?Areyouadoctor?”
“No,MissDove,I’mnotadoctor.I’mspeakingfromMr.Fortescue’sofficeinthecity.IamDetectiveInspectorNeeleoftheCIDandIshallbecomingdowntoseeyouassoonasIcangetthere.”
“DetectiveInspector?Doyoumean—whatdoyoumean?”
“Itwasacaseofsuddendeath,MissDove;andwhenthereisasuddendeathwegetcalledtothescene,especiallywhenthedeceasedmanhasn’tseenadoctorlately—whichIgatherwasthecase?”
Itwasonlythefaintestsuspicionofaquestionmarkbuttheyoungwomanresponded.
“Iknow.Percivalmadeanappointmenttwiceforhim,buthewouldn’tkeepit.Hewasquiteunreasonable—they’veallbeenworried—”
Shebrokeoffandthenresumedinherformerassuredmanner.
“IfMrs.Fortescuereturnstothehousebeforeyouarrive,whatdoyouwantmetotellher?”
Practicalastheymake’em,thoughtInspectorNeele.
Aloudhesaid:
“Justtellherthatinacaseofsuddendeathwehavetomakeafewinquiries.Routineinquiries.”
Hehungup.
ChapterThree
NeelepushedthetelephoneawayandlookedsharplyatMissGriffith.
“Sothey’vebeenworriedabouthimlately,”hesaid.“Wantedhimtoseeadoctor.Youdidn’ttellmethat.”
“Ididn’tthinkofit,”saidMissGriffith,andadded:“Heneverseemedtomereallyill—”
“Notill—butwhat?”
“Well,justoff.Unlikehimself.Peculiarinhismanner.”
“Worriedaboutsomething?”
“Ohno,notworried.It’swewhowereworried—”
InspectorNeelewaitedpatiently.
“It’sdifficulttosay,really,”saidMissGriffith.“Hehadmoods,youknow.Sometimeshewasquiteboisterous.Onceortwice,frankly,Ithoughthehadbeendrinking…HeboastedandtoldthemostextraordinarystorieswhichI’msurecouldn’tpossiblyhavebeentrue.FormostofthetimeI’vebeenherehewasalwaysverycloseabouthisaffairs—notgivinganythingaway,youknow.Butlatelyhe’sbeenquitedifferent,expansive,andpositively—well—flingingmoneyabout.Mostunlikehisusualmanner.Why,whentheofficeboyhadtogotohisgrandmother’sfuneral,Mr.Fortescuecalledhiminandgavehimafivepoundnoteandtoldhimtoputitonthesecondfavouriteandthenroaredwithlaughter.Hewasn’t—well,hejustwasn’tlikehimself.That’sallIcansay.”
“Asthough,perhaps,hehadsomethingonhismind?”
“Notintheusualmeaningoftheterm.Itwasasthoughhewerelookingforwardtosomethingpleasurable—exciting—”
“Possiblyabigdealthathewasgoingtopulloff?”
MissGriffithagreedwithmoreconviction.
“Yes—yes,that’smuchmorewhatImean.Asthougheverydaythingsdidn’tmatteranymore.Hewasexcited.Andsomeveryodd-lookingpeoplecametoseehimonbusiness.Peoplewho’dneverbeenherebefore.ItworriedMr.Percivaldreadfully.”
“Oh,itworriedhim,didit?”
“Yes.Mr.Percival’salwaysbeenverymuchinhisfather’sconfidence,yousee.Hisfatherreliedonhim.Butlately—”
“Latelytheyweren’tgettingalongsowell.”
“Well,Mr.FortescuewasdoingalotofthingsthatMr.Percivalthoughtunwise.Mr.Percivalisalwaysverycarefulandprudent.Butsuddenlyhisfatherdidn’tlistentohimanymoreandMr.Percivalwasveryupset.”
“Andtheyhadarealrowaboutitall?”
InspectorNeelewasstillprobing.
“Idon’tknowaboutarow…Ofcourse,IrealizenowMr.Fortescuecan’thavebeenhimself—shoutinglikethat.”
“Shouted,didhe?Whatdidhesay?”
“Hecamerightoutinthetypists’room—”
“Sothatyouallheard?”
“Well—yes.”
“AndhecalledPercivalnames—abusedhim—sworeathim.”
“WhatdidhesayPercivalhaddone?”
“Itwasmorethathehadn’tdoneanything…hecalledhimamiserablepettifogginglittleclerk.Hesaidhehadnolargeoutlook,noconceptionofdoingbusinessinabigway.Hesaid:‘IshallgetLancehomeagain.He’sworthtenofyou—andhe’smarriedwell.Lancehasgotgutsevenifhedidriskacriminalprosecutiononce—’Ohdear,Ioughtn’ttohavesaidthat!”MissGriffith,carriedawayasothersbeforeherhadbeenunderInspectorNeele’sexperthandling,wassuddenlyovercomewithconfusion.
“Don’tworry,”saidInspectorNeelecomfortingly.“What’spastispast.”
“Ohyes,itwasalongtimeago.Mr.Lancewasjustyoungandhigh-spiritedanddidn’treallyrealizewhathewasdoing.”
InspectorNeelehadheardthatviewbeforeanddidn’tagreewithit.Buthepassedontofreshquestions.
“Tellmealittlemoreaboutthestaffhere.”
MissGriffith,hurryingtogetawayfromherindiscretion,pouredoutinformationaboutthevariouspersonalitiesinthefirm.InspectorNeelethankedherandthensaidhewouldliketoseeMissGrosvenoragain.
DetectiveConstableWaitesharpenedhispencil.HeremarkedwistfullythatthiswasaRitzyjoint.Hisglancewanderedappreciativelyoverthehugechairs,thebigdeskandtheindirectlighting.
“AllthesepeoplehavegotRitzynames,too,”hesaid.“Grosvenor—that’ssomethingtodowithaDuke.AndFortescue—that’saclassyname,too.”
InspectorNeelesmiled.
“Hisfather’snamewasn’tFortescue.Fontescu—andhecamefromsomewhereinCentralEurope.IsupposethismanthoughtFortescuesoundedbetter.”
DetectiveConstableWaitelookedathissuperiorofficerwithawe.
“Soyouknowallabouthim?”
“Ijustlookedupafewthingsbeforecomingalongonthecall.”
“Notgotarecord,hadhe?”
“Ohno.Mr.Fortescuewasmuchtoocleverforthat.He’shadcertainconnectionswiththeblackmarketandputthroughoneortwodealsthatarequestionabletosaytheleastofit,butthey’vealwaysbeenjustwithinthelaw.”
“Isee,”saidWaite.“Notaniceman.”
“Atwister,”saidNeele.“Butwe’vegotnothingonhim.TheInlandRevenuehavebeenafterhimforalongtimebuthe’sbeentoocleverforthem.Quiteafinancialgenius,thelateMr.Fortescue.”
“Thesortofman,”saidConstableWaite,“whomighthaveenemies?”
Hespokehopefully.
“Ohyes—certainlyenemies.Buthewaspoisonedathome,remember.Orsoitwouldseem.Youknow,Waite,Iseeakindofpatternemerging.Anold-fashionedfamiliarkindofpattern.Thegoodboy,Percival.Thebadboy,Lance—attractivetowomen.Thewifewho’syoungerthanherhusbandandwho’svagueaboutwhichcourseshe’sgoingtoplaygolfon.It’sallveryfamiliar.Butthere’sonethingthatsticksoutinamostincongruousway.”
ConstableWaiteasked“What’sthat?”justasthedooropenedandMissGrosvenor,herpoiserestored,andoncemoreherglamorousself,inquiredhaughtily:
“Youwishedtoseeme?”
“Iwantedtoaskyouafewquestionsaboutyouremployer—yourlateemployer,perhapsIshouldsay.”
“Poorsoul,”saidMissGrosvenorunconvincingly.
“Iwanttoknowifyouhadnoticedanydifferenceinhimlately.”
“Well,yes.Idid,asamatteroffact.”
“Inwhatway?”
“Icouldn’treallysay…Heseemedtotalkalotofnonsense.Icouldn’treallybelievehalfofwhathesaid.Andthenhelosthistemperveryeasily—especiallywithMr.Percival.Notwithme,becauseofcourseIneverargue.Ijustsay,‘Yes,Mr.Fortescue,’whateverpeculiarthinghesays—said,Imean.”
“Didhe—ever—well—makeanypassesatyou?”
MissGrosvenorrepliedratherregretfully:
“Well,no,Icouldn’texactlysaythat.”
“There’sjustoneotherthing,MissGrosvenor.WasMr.Fortescueinthehabitofcarryinggrainaboutinhispocket?”
MissGrosvenordisplayedalivelysurprise.
“Grain?Inhispocket?Doyoumeantofeedpigeonsorsomething?”
“Itcouldhavebeenforthatpurpose.”
“Oh,I’msurehedidn’t.Mr.Fortescue?Feedpigeons?Ohno.”
“Couldhehavehadbarley—orrye—inhispockettodayforanyspecialreason?Asample,perhaps?Somedealingrain?”
“Ohno.HewasexpectingtheAsiaticOilpeoplethisafternoon.AndthePresidentoftheAtticusBuildingSociety…Nooneelse.”
“Ohwell—”NeeledismissedthesubjectandMissGrosvenorwithawaveofthehand.
“Lovelylegsshe’sgot,”saidConstableWaitewithasigh.“Andsupernylons—”
“Legsarenohelptome,”saidInspectorNeele.“I’mleftwithwhatIhadbefore.Apocketfulofrye—andnoexplanationofit.”
ChapterFour
MaryDovepausedonherwaydownstairsandlookedoutthroughthebigwindowonthestairs.Acarhadjustdrivenupfromwhichtwomenwerealighting.Thetallerofthetwostoodforamomentwithhisbacktothehousesurveyinghissurroundings.MaryDoveappraisedthetwomenthoughtfully.InspectorNeeleandpresumablyasubordinate.
Sheturnedfromthewindowandlookedatherselfinthefull-lengthmirrorthathungonthewallwherethestaircaseturned…Shesawasmalldemurefigurewithimmaculatewhitecollarandcuffsonabeigegreydress.Herdarkhairwaspartedinthemiddleanddrawnbackintwoshiningwavestoaknotinthebackoftheneck…Thelipsticksheusedwasapalerosecolour.
OnthewholeMaryDovewassatisfiedwithherappearance.Averyfaintsmileonherlips,shewentondownthestairs
InspectorNeele,surveyingthehouse,wassayingtohimself:
Callitalodge,indeed!YewtreeLodge!Theaffectationoftheserichpeople!Thehousewaswhathe,InspectorNeele,wouldcallamansion.Heknewwhatalodgewas.He’dbeenbroughtupinone!ThelodgeatthegatesofHartingtonPark,thatvastunwieldyPalladianhousewithitstwenty-ninebedroomswhichhadnowbeentakenoverbytheNationalTrust.Thelodgehadbeensmallandattractivefromtheoutside,andhadbeendamp,uncomfortableanddevoidofanythingbutthemostprimitiveformofsanitationwithin.FortunatelythesefactshadbeenacceptedasquiteproperandfittingbyInspectorNeele’sparents.Theyhadnorenttopayandnothingwhatevertodoexceptopenandshutthegateswhenrequired,andtherewerealwaysplentyofrabbitsandanoccasionalpheasantorsoforthepot.Mrs.Neelehadneverdiscoveredthepleasureofelectricirons,slowcombustionstoves,airingcupboards,hotandcoldwaterfromtaps,andtheswitchingonoflightbyamereflickofafinger.InwintertheNeeleshadanoillampandinsummertheywenttobedwhenitgotdark.Theywereahealthyfamilyandahappyone,allthoroughlybehindthetimes.
SowhenInspectorNeeleheardthewordLodge,itwashischildhoodmemoriesthatstirred.Butthisplace,thispretentiouslynamedYewtreeLodgewasjustthekindofmansionthatrichpeoplebuiltthemselvesandthencalledit“theirlittleplaceinthecountry.”Itwasn’tinthecountryeither,accordingtoInspectorNeele’sideaofthecountry.Thehousewasalargesolidred-brickstructure,sprawlinglengthwiseratherthanupward,withrathertoomanygables,andavastnumberofleadedpanedwindows.Thegardenswerehighlyartificial—alllaidoutinrosebedsandpergolasandpools,andlivinguptothenameofthehousewithlargenumbersofclippedyewhedges.
Plentyofyewhereforanybodywithadesiretoobtaintherawmaterialoftaxine.Overontheright,behindtherosepergola,therewasabitofactualnatureleft—avastyewtreeofthekindoneassociateswithchurchyards,itsbranchesheldupbystakes—likeakindofMosesoftheforestworld.Thattree,theinspectorthought,hadbeentherelongbeforetherashofnewlybuiltred-brickhouseshadbeguntospreadoverthecountryside.Ithadbeentherebeforethegolfcourseshadbeenlaidoutandthefashionablearchitectshadwalkedroundwiththeirrichclients,pointingouttheadvantagesofthevarioussites.Andsinceitwasavaluableantique,thetreehadbeenkeptandincorporatedinthenewsetupandhad,perhaps,givenitsnametothenewdesirableresidence.YewtreeLodge.Andpossiblytheberriesfromthatverytree—
InspectorNeelecutofftheseunprofitablespeculations.Mustgetonwiththejob.Herangthebell.
Itwasopenedpromptlybyamiddle-agedmanwhofittedinquiteaccuratelywiththementalimageInspectorNeelehadformedofhimoverthephone.Amanwitharatherspuriousairofsmartness,ashiftyeyeandaratherunsteadyhand.
InspectorNeeleannouncedhimselfandhissubordinateandhadthepleasureofseeinganinstantlookofalarmcomeintothebutler’seye…Neeledidnotattachtoomuchimportancetothat.ItmighteasilyhavenothingtodowiththedeathofRexFortescue.Itwasquitepossiblyapurelyautomaticreaction.
“HasMrs.Fortescuereturnedyet?”
“No,sir.”
“NorMr.PercivalFortescue?NorMissFortescue?”
“No,sir.”
“ThenIwouldliketoseeMissDove,please.”
Themanturnedhisheadslightly.
“Here’sMissDovenow—comingdownstairs.”
InspectorNeeletookinMissDoveasshecamecomposedlydownthewidestaircase.Thistimethementalpicturedidnotcorrespondwiththereality.Unconsciouslythewordhousekeeperhadconjuredupavagueimpressionofsomeonelargeandauthoritativedressedinblackwithsomewhereconcealedaboutherajingleofkeys.
Theinspectorwasquiteunpreparedforthesmalltrimfiguredescendingtowardshim.Thesoftdove-colouredtonesofherdress,thewhitecollarandcuffs,theneatwavesofhair,thefaintMonaLisasmile.Itallseemed,somehow,justalittleunreal,asthoughthisyoungwomanofunderthirtywasplayingapart:not,hethought,thepartofahousekeeper,butthepartofMaryDove.Herappearancewasdirectedtowardslivinguptohername.
Shegreetedhimcomposedly.
“InspectorNeele?”
“Yes.ThisisSergeantHay.Mr.Fortescue,asItoldyouthroughthephone,diedinSt.Jude’sHospitalat12:43.Itseemslikelythathisdeathwastheresultofsomethingheateatbreakfastthismorning.IshouldbegladthereforeifSergeantHaycouldbetakentothekitchenwherehecanmakeinquiriesastothefoodserved.”
Hereyesmethisforamoment,thoughtfully,thenshenodded.
“Ofcourse,”shesaid.Sheturnedtotheuneasilyhoveringbutler.“Crump,willyoutakeSergeantHayoutandshowhimwhateverhewantstosee.”
Thetwomendepartedtogether.MaryDovesaidtoNeele:
“Willyoucomeinhere?”
Sheopenedthedoorofaroomandprecededhimintoit.Itwasacharacterlessapartment,clearlylabelled“SmokingRoom,”withpanelling,richupholstery,largestuffedchairs,andasuitablesetofsportingprintsonthewalls.
“Pleasesitdown.”
HesatandMaryDovesatoppositehim.Shechose,henoticed,tofacethelight.Anunusualpreferenceforawoman.Stillmoreunusualifawomanhadanythingtohide.ButperhapsMaryDovehadnothingtohide.
“Itisveryunfortunate,”shesaid,“thatnoneofthefamilyisavailable.Mrs.Fortescuemayreturnatanyminute.AndsomayMrs.Val.IhavesentwirestoMr.PercivalFortescueatvariousplaces.”
“Thankyou,MissDove.”
“YousaythatMr.Fortescue’sdeathwascausedbysomethinghemayhaveeatenforbreakfast?Foodpoisoning,youmean?”
“Possibly.”Hewatchedher.
Shesaidcomposedly,“Itseemsunlikely.Forbreakfastthismorningtherewerebaconandscrambledeggs,coffee,toastandmarmalade.Therewasalsoacoldhamonthesideboard,butthathadbeencutyesterday,andnoonefeltanyilleffects.Nofishofanykindwasserved,nosausages—nothinglikethat.”
“Iseeyouknowexactlywhatwasserved.”
“Naturally.Iorderthemeals.Fordinnerlastnight—”
“No.”InspectorNeeleinterruptedher.“Itwouldnotbeaquestionofdinnerlastnight.”
“Ithoughttheonsetoffoodpoisoningcouldsometimesbedelayedasmuchastwenty-fourhours.”
“Notinthiscase…WillyoutellmeexactlywhatMr.Fortescueateanddrankbeforeleavingthehousethismorning?”
“Hehadearlyteabroughttohisroomateighto’clock.Breakfastwasataquarterpastnine.Mr.Fortescue,asIhavetoldyou,hadscrambledeggs,bacon,coffee,toastandmarmalade.”
“Anycereal?”
“No,hedidn’tlikecereals.”
“Thesugarforthecoffee—itislumpsugarorgranulated?”
“Lump.ButMr.Fortescuedidnottakesugarinhiscoffee.”
“Washeinthehabitoftakinganymedicinesinthemorning?Salts?Atonic?Somedigestiveremedy?”
“No,nothingofthatkind.”
“Didyouhavebreakfastwithhimalso?”
“No.Idonottakemealswiththefamily.”
“Whowasatbreakfast?”
“Mrs.Fortescue.MissFortescue.Mrs.ValFortescue.Mr.PercivalFortescue,ofcourse,wasaway.”
“AndMrs.andMissFortescueatethesamethingsforbreakfast?”
“Mrs.Fortescuehasonlycoffee,orangejuiceandtoast,Mrs.ValandMissFortescuealwayseataheartybreakfast.Besideseatingscrambledeggsandcoldham,theywouldprobablyhaveacerealaswell.Mrs.Valdrinkstea,notcoffee.”
InspectorNeelereflectedforamoment.Theopportunitiesseemedatleasttobenarrowingdown.Threepeopleandthreepeopleonlyhadhadbreakfastwiththedeceased,hiswife,hisdaughterandhisdaughter-in-law.Eitherofthemmighthaveseizedanopportunitytoaddtaxinetohiscupofcoffee.Thebitternessofthecoffeewouldhavemaskedthebittertasteofthetaxine.Therewastheearlymorningtea,ofcourse,butBernsdorffhadintimatedthatthetastewouldbenoticeableintea.Butperhaps,firstthinginthemorning,beforethesenseswerealert…HelookeduptofindMaryDovewatchinghim.
“Yourquestionsabouttonicandmedicinesseemtomeratherodd,Inspector,”shesaid.“Itseemstoimplythateithertherewassomethingwrongwithamedicine,orthatsomethinghadbeenaddedtoit.Surelyneitherofthoseprocessescouldbedescribedasfoodpoisoning.”
Neeleeyedhersteadily.
“Ididnotsay—definitely—thatMr.Fortescuediedoffoodpoisoning.Butsomekindofpoisoning.Infact—justpoisoning.”
Sherepeatedsoftly:“Poisoning….”
Sheappearedneitherstartlednordismayed,merelyinterested.Herattitudewasofonesamplinganewexperience.
Infactshesaidasmuch,remarkingafteramoment’sreflection:“Ihaveneverhadanythingtodowithapoisoningcasebefore.”
“It’snotverypleasant,”Neeleinformedherdryly.
“No—Isupposenot….”
Shethoughtaboutitforamomentandthenlookedupathimwithasuddensmile.
“Ididn’tdoit,”shesaid.“ButIsupposeeverybodywilltellyouthat!”
“Haveyouanyideawhodiddoit,MissDove?”
Sheshruggedhershoulders.
“Frankly,hewasanodiousman.Anybodymighthavedoneit.”
“Butpeoplearen’tpoisonedjustforbeing‘odious,’MissDove.Thereusuallyhastobeaprettysolidmotive.”
“Yes,ofcourse.”
Shewasthoughtful.
“Doyoucaretotellmesomethingaboutthehouseholdhere?”
Shelookedupathim.Hewasalittlestartledtofindhereyescoolandamused.
“Thisisn’texactlyastatementyou’reaskingmetomake,isit?No,itcouldn’tbe,becauseyoursergeantisbusyupsettingthedomesticstaff.Ishouldn’tliketohavewhatIsayreadoutincourt—butallthesameIshouldratherliketosayit—unofficially.Offtherecord,sotospeak?”
“Goaheadthen,MissDove.I’venowitness,asyou’vealreadyobserved.”
Sheleanedback,swingingoneslimfootandnarrowinghereyes.
“LetmestartbysayingthatI’venofeelingofloyaltytomyemployers.Iworkforthembecauseit’sajobthatpayswellandIinsistthatitshouldpaywell.”
“Iwasalittlesurprisedtofindyoudoingthistypeofjob.Itstruckmethatwithyourbrainsandeducation—”
“Ioughttobeconfinedinanoffice?OrcompilingfilesinaMinistry?MydearInspectorNeele,thisistheperfectracket.Peoplewillpayanything—anything—tobespareddomesticworries.Tofindandengageastaffisathoroughlytediousjob.Writingtoagencies,puttinginadvertisements,interviewingpeople,makingarrangementsforinterviews,andfinallykeepingthewholethingrunningsmoothly—ittakesacertaincapacitywhichmostofthesepeoplehaven’tgot.”
“Andsupposeyourstaff,whenyou’veassembledit,runsoutonyou?I’veheardofsuchthings.”
Marysmiled.
“Ifnecessary,Icanmakethebeds,dusttherooms,cookamealandserveitwithoutanyonenoticingthedifference.OfcourseIdon’tadvertisethatfact.Itmightgiverisetoideas.ButIcanalwaysbesureoftidingoveranylittlegap.Buttherearen’toftengaps.Iworkonlyfortheextremelyrichwhowillpayanythingtobecomfortable.IpaytoppricesandsoIgetthebestofwhat’sgoing.”
“Suchasthebutler?”
Shethrewhimanamused,appreciativeglance.
“There’salwaysthattroublewithacouple.CrumpstaysbecauseofMrs.Crump,whoisoneofthebestcooksI’veevercomeacross.She’sajewelandonewouldputupwithagooddealtokeepher.OurMr.Fortescuelikeshisfood—liked,Ishouldsay.Inthishouseholdnobodyhasanyscruplesandtheyhaveplentyofmoney.Butter,eggs,cream,Mrs.Crumpcancommandwhatshelikes.AsforCrump,hejustmakesthegrade.Hissilver’sallright,andhiswaitingattableisnottoobad.Ikeepthekeyofthewinecellarandasharpeyeonthewhisky,andgin,andsupervisehisvaleting.”
InspectorNeeleraisedhiseyebrows.
“TheadmirableMissCrichton.”
“Ifindonemustknowhowtodoeverythingoneself.Then—oneneedneverdoit.Butyouwantedtoknowmyimpressionsofthefamily.”
“Ifyoudon’tmind.”
“Theyarereallyallquiteodious.ThelateMr.Fortescuewasthekindofcrookwhoisalwayscarefultoplaysafe.Heboastedagreatdealofhisvarioussmartdealings.Hewasrudeandoverbearinginmannerandwasadefinitebully.Mrs.Fortescue,Adele—washissecondwifeandaboutthirtyyearsyoungerthanhewas.HecameacrossheratBrighton.Shewasamanicuristonthelookoutforbigmoney.Sheisverygood-looking—arealsexypiece,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
InspectorNeelewasshockedbutmanagednottoshowit.AgirllikeMaryDoveoughtnottosaysuchthings,hefelt.
Theyoungladywascontinuingcomposedly:
“Adelemarriedhimforhismoney,ofcourse,andhisson,Percival,andhisdaughter,Elaine,weresimplylividaboutit.They’reasnastyastheycanbetoher,butverywiselyshedoesn’tcareorevennotice.Sheknowsshe’sgottheoldmanwhereshewantshim.Ohdear,thewrongtenseagain.Ihaven’treallygraspedyetthathe’sdead….”
“Let’shearabouttheson.”
“DearPercival?Val,ashiswifecallshim.Percivalisamealy-mouthedhypocrite.He’sprimandslyandcunning.He’sterrifiedofhisfatherandhasalwayslethimselfbebullied,buthe’squitecleveratgettinghisownway.Unlikehisfatherhe’smeanaboutmoney.Economyisoneofhispassions.That’swhyhe’sbeensolongaboutfindingahouseofhisown.Havingasuiteofroomsheresavedhispocket.”
“Andhiswife?”
“Jennifer’smeekandseemsverystupid.ButI’mnotsosure.Shewasahospitalnursebeforehermarriage—nursedPercivalthroughpneumoniatoaromanticconclusion.Theoldmanwasdisappointedbythemarriage.HewasasnobandwantedPercivaltomakewhathecalleda‘goodmarriage.’HedespisedpoorMrs.Valandsnubbedher.Shedislikes—dislikedhimagooddeal,Ithink.Herprincipalinterestsareshoppingandthecinema;herprincipalgrievanceisthatherhusbandkeepshershortofmoney.”
“Whataboutthedaughter?”
“Elaine?I’mrathersorryforElaine.She’snotabadsort.Oneofthosegreatschoolgirlswhonevergrowup.Sheplaysgamesquitewell,andrunsGuidesandBrowniesandallthatsortofthing.Therewassomesortofaffairnotlongagowithadisgruntledyoungschoolmaster,butFatherdiscoveredtheyoungmanhadcommunisticideasandcamedownontheromancelikeatonofbricks.”
“Shehadn’tgotthespirittostanduptohim?”
“Shehad.Itwastheyoungmanwhoratted.Aquestionofmoneyyetagain,Ifancy.Elaineisnotparticularlyattractive,poordear.”
“Andtheotherson?”
“I’veneverseenhim.He’sattractive,byallaccounts,andathoroughlybadlot.Somelittlematterofaforgedchequeinthepast.HelivesinEastAfrica.”
“Andwasestrangedfromhisfather.”
“Yes,Mr.Fortescuecouldn’tcuthimoffwithashillingbecausehe’dalreadymadehimajuniorpartnerinthefirm,butheheldnocommunicationwithhimforyears,andinfactifLancewasevermentioned,heusedtosay:‘Don’ttalktomeofthatrascal.He’snosonofmine.’Allthesame—”
“Yes,MissDove?”
Marysaidslowly:“Allthesame,Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifoldFortescuehadn’tbeenplanningtogethimbackhere.”
“Whatmakesyouthinkthat?”
“Because,aboutamonthago,oldFortescuehadaterrificrowwithPercival—hefoundoutsomethingthatPercivalhadbeendoingbehindhisback—Idon’tknowwhatitwas—andhewasabsolutelyfurious.Percivalsuddenlystoppedbeingthewhite-headedboy.He’sbeenquitedifferentlately,too.”
“Mr.Fortescuewasquitedifferent?”
“No.ImeantPercival.He’sgoneaboutlookingworriedtodeath.”
“Nowwhataboutservants?You’vealreadydescribedtheCrumps.Whoelseisthere?”
“GladysMartinistheparlourmaidorwaitress,astheyliketocallthemselvesnowadays.Shedoesthedownstairsrooms,laysthetable,clearsawayandhelpsCrumpwaitattable.Quiteadecentsortofgirlbutverynearlyhalf-witted.Theadenoidaltype.”
Neelenodded.
“ThehousemaidisEllenCurtis.Elderly,verycrabbed,andverycross,buthasbeeningoodserviceandisafirst-classhousemaid.Therestisoutsidehelp—oddwomenwhocomein.”
“Andthosearetheonlypeoplelivinghere?”
“There’soldMissRamsbottom.”
“Whoisshe?”
“Mr.Fortescue’ssister-in-law—hisfirstwife’ssister.Hiswifewasagooddealolderthanhewasandhersisteragainwasagooddealolderthanher—whichmakesherwelloverseventy.Shehasaroomofherownonthesecondfloor—doesherowncookingandallthat,withjustawomancomingintoclean.She’srathereccentricandsheneverlikedherbrother-in-law,butshecameherewhilehersisterwasaliveandstayedonwhenshedied.Mr.Fortescueneverbotheredabouthermuch.She’squiteacharacter,though,isAuntEffie.”
“Andthatisall.”
“That’sall.”
“Sowecometoyou,MissDove.”
“Youwantparticulars?I’manorphan.ItookasecretarialcourseattheSt.Alfred’sSecretarialCollege.Itookajobasshorthandtypist,leftitandtookanother,decidedIwasinthewrongracket,andstartedonmypresentcareer.Ihavebeenwiththreedifferentemployers.AfteraboutayearoreighteenmonthsIgettiredofaparticularplaceandmoveon.IhavebeenatYewtreeLodgejustoverayear.Iwilltypeoutthenamesandaddressesofmyvariousemployersandgivethem,withacopyofmyreferencestoSergeant—Hay,isit?Willthatbesatisfactory?”
“Perfectly,MissDove.”Neelewassilentforamoment,enjoyingamentalimageofMissDovetamperingwithMr.Fortescue’sbreakfast.Hismindwentbackfarther,andhesawhermethodicallygatheringyewberriesinalittlebasket.Withasighhereturnedtothepresentandreality.“Now,Iwouldliketoseethegirl—erGladys—andthenthehousemaid,Ellen.”Headdedasherose:“Bytheway,MissDove,canyougivemeanyideawhyMr.Fortescuewouldbecarryingloosegraininhispocket?”
“Grain?”shestaredathimwithwhatappearedtobegenuinesurprise.
“Yes—grain.Doesthatsuggestsomethingtoyou,MissDove?”
“Nothingatall.”
“Wholookedafterhisclothes?”
“Crump.”
“Isee.DidMr.FortescueandMrs.Fortescueoccupythesamebedroom?”
“Yes.Hehadadressingroomandbath,ofcourse,andsodidshe…”Maryglanceddownatherwristwatch.“Ireallythinkthatsheoughttobebackverysoonnow.”
Theinspectorhadrisen.Hesaidinapleasantvoice:
“Doyouknowonething,MissDove?Itstrikesmeasveryoddthateventhoughtherearethreegolfcoursesintheimmediateneighbourhood,ithasyetnotbeenpossibletofindMrs.Fortescueononeofthembeforenow?”
“Itwouldnotbesoodd,Inspector,ifshedidnotactuallyhappentobeplayinggolfatall.”
Mary’svoicewasdry.Theinspectorsaidsharply:
“Iwasdistinctlyinformedthatshewasplayinggolf.”
“Shetookhergolfclubsandannouncedherintentionofdoingso.Shewasdrivingherowncar,ofcourse.”
Helookedathersteadily,perceivingtheinference.
“Whowassheplayingwith?Doyouknow?”
“IthinkitpossiblethatitmightbeMr.VivianDubois.”
Neelecontentedhimselfbysaying:“Isee.”
“I’llsendGladysintoyou.She’llprobablybescaredtodeath.”Marypausedforamomentbythedoor,thenshesaid:
“IshouldhardlyadviseyoutogotoomuchbyallI’vetoldyou.I’mamaliciouscreature.”
Shewentout.InspectorNeelelookedatthecloseddoorandwondered.Whetheractuatedbymaliceornot,whatshehadtoldhimcouldnotfailtobesuggestive.IfRexFortescuehadbeendeliberatelypoisoned,anditseemedalmostcertainthatthatwasthecase,thenthesetupatYewtreeLodgeseemedhighlypromising.Motivesappearedtobelyingthickontheground.
ChapterFive
Thegirlwhoenteredtheroomwithobviousunwillingnesswasanunattractive,frightened-lookinggirl,whomanagedtolookfaintlysluttishinspiteofbeingtallandsmartlydressedinaclaret-coloureduniform.
Shesaidatonce,fixingimploringeyesuponhim:
“Ididn’tdoanything.Ididn’treally.Idon’tknowanythingaboutit.”
“That’sallright,”saidNeeleheartily.Hisvoicehadchangedslightly.Itsoundedmorecheerfulandagooddealcommonerinintonation.HewantedtoputthefrightenedrabbitGladysatherease.
“Sitdownhere,”hewenton.“Ijustwanttoknowaboutbreakfastthismorning.”
“Ididn’tdoanythingatall.”
“Well,youlaidthebreakfast,didn’tyou?”
“Yes,Ididthat.”Eventhatadmissioncameunwillingly.Shelookedbothguiltyandterrified,butInspectorNeelewasusedtowitnesseswholookedlikethat.Hewentoncheerfully,tryingtoputheratherease,askingquestions:whohadcomedownfirst?Andwhonext?
ElaineFortescuehadbeenthefirstdowntobreakfast.She’dcomeinjustasCrumpwasbringinginthecoffeepot.Mrs.Fortescuewasdownnext,andthenMrs.Val,andthemasterlast.Theywaitedonthemselves.Theteaandcoffeeandthehotdisheswereallonhotplatesonthesideboard.
Helearntlittleofimportancefromherthathedidnotknowalready.ThefoodanddrinkwasasMaryDovehaddescribedit.ThemasterandMrs.FortescueandMissElainetookcoffeeandMrs.Valtooktea.Everythinghadbeenquiteasusual.
Neelequestionedheraboutherselfandheresheansweredmorereadily.She’dbeeninprivateservicefirstandafterthatinvariouscafés.Thenshethoughtshe’dliketogobacktoprivateserviceandhadcometoYewtreeLodgelastSeptember.She’dbeentheretwomonths.
“Andyoulikeit?”
“Well,it’sallright,Isuppose.”Sheadded:“It’snotsohardonyourfeet—butyoudon’tgetsomuchfreedom….”
“TellmeaboutMr.Fortescue’sclothes—hissuits.Wholookedafterthem?Brushedthemandallthat?”
Gladyslookedfaintlyresentful.
“Mr.Crump’ssupposedto.Buthalfthetimehemakesmedoit.”
“WhobrushedandpressedthesuitMr.Fortescuehadontoday?”
“Idon’trememberwhichonehewore.He’sgoteversomany.”
“Haveyoueverfoundgraininthepocketofoneofhissuits?”
“Grain?”Shelookedpuzzled.
“Rye,tobeexact.”
“Rye?That’sbread,isn’tit?Asortofblackbread—gotanastytaste,Ialwaysthink.”
“That’sbreadmadefromrye.Ryeisthegrainitself.Therewassomefoundinthepocketofyourmaster’scoat.”
“Inhiscoatpocket?”
“Yes.Doyouknowhowitgotthere?”
“Icouldn’tsayI’msure.Ineversawany.”
Hecouldgetnomorefromher.Foramomentortwohewonderedifsheknewmoreaboutthematterthanshewaswillingtoadmit.Shecertainlyseemedembarrassedandonthedefensive—butonthewholeheputitdowntoanaturalfearofthepolice.
Whenhefinallydismissedher,sheasked:
“It’sreallytrue,isit.He’sdead?”
“Yes,he’sdead.”
“Verysudden,wasn’tit?Theysaidwhentheyrangupfromtheofficethathe’dhadakindoffit.”
“Yes—itwasakindoffit.”
Gladyssaid:“AgirlIusedtoknowhadfits.Comeonanytime,theydid.Usedtoscareme.”
Forthemomentthisreminiscenceseemedtoovercomehersuspicions.
InspectorNeelemadehiswaytothekitchen.
Hisreceptionwasimmediateandalarming.Awomanofvastproportions,witharedfacearmedwitharollingpinsteppedtowardshiminamenacingfashion.
“Police,indeed,”shesaid.“Cominghereandsayingthingslikethat!Nothingofthekind,I’dhaveyouknow.AnythingI’vesentinthediningroomhasbeenjustwhatitshouldbe.CominghereandsayingIpoisonedthemaster.I’llhavethelawonyou,policeornopolice.Nobadfood’severbeenservedinthishouse.”
ItwassometimebeforeInspectorNeelecouldappeasetheirateartist.SergeantHaylookedingrinningfromthepantryandInspectorNeelegatheredthathehadalreadyrunthegauntletofMrs.Crump’swrath.
Thescenewasterminatedbytheringingofthetelephone.
NeelewentoutintothehalltofindMaryDovetakingthecall.Shewaswritingdownamessageonapad.Turningherheadoverhershouldershesaid:“It’satelegram.”
Thecallconcluded,shereplacedthereceiverandhandedthepadonwhichshehadbeenwritingtotheinspector.TheplaceoforiginwasParisandthemessageranasfollows:
FortescueYewtreeLodgeBaydonHeathSurrey.Sorryyourletterdelayed.Willbewithyoutomorrowaboutteatime.Shallexpectroastvealfordinner.Lance.
InspectorNeeleraisedhiseyebrows.
“SotheProdigalSonhadbeensummonedhome,”hesaid.
ChapterSix
AtthemomentwhenRexFortescuehadbeendrinkinghislastcupoftea,LanceFortescueandhiswifehadbeensittingunderthetreesontheChampsElyséeswatchingthepeoplewalkingpast.
“It’sallverywelltosay‘describehim,’Pat.I’marottenhandatdescriptions.Whatdoyouwanttoknow?TheGuvnor’sabitofanoldcrook,youknow.Butyouwon’tmindthat?Youmustbeusedtothatmoreorless.”
“Oh,yes,”saidPat.“Yes—asyousay—I’macclimatized.”
Shetriedtokeepacertainforlornnessoutofhervoice.Perhaps,shereflected,thewholeworldwasreallycrooked—orwasitjustthatsheherselfhadbeenunfortunate?
Shewasatall,long-leggedgirl,notbeautifulbutwithacharmthatwasmade-upofvitalityandawarm-heartedpersonality.Shemovedwell,andhadlovelygleamingchestnutbrownhair.Perhapsfromalongassociationwithhorses,shehadacquiredthelookofathoroughbredfilly.
Crookednessintheracingworldsheknewabout—now,itseemed,shewastoencountercrookednessinthefinancialworld.Thoughforallthat,itseemedthatherfather-in-law,whomshehadnotyetmet,was,asfarasthelawwasconcerned,apillarofrectitude.Allthesepeoplewhowentaboutboastingof“smartwork”werethesame—technicallytheyalwaysmanagedtobewithinthelaw.YetitseemedtoherthatherLance,whomsheloved,andwhohadadmittedlystrayedoutsidetheringedfenceinearlierdays,hadanhonestythatthesesuccessfulpractitionersofthecrookedlacked.
“Idon’tmean,”saidLance,“thathe’saswindler—notanythinglikethat.Butheknowshowtoputoverafastone.”
“Sometimes,”saidPat,“IfeelIhatepeoplewhoputoverfastones.”Sheadded:“You’refondofhim.”Itwasastatement,notaquestion.
Lanceconsidereditforamoment,andthensaidinasurprisedkindofvoice:
“Doyouknow,darling,IbelieveIam.”
Patlaughed.Heturnedhisheadtolookather.Hiseyesnarrowed.Whatadarlingshewas!Helovedher.Thewholethingwasworthitforhersake.
“Inaway,youknow,”hesaid,“it’shellgoingback.Citylife.Homeonthe5:18.It’snotmykindoflife.I’mfarmoreathomeamongthedownandouts.Butone’sgottosettledownsometime,Isuppose.Andwithyoutoholdmyhandtheprocessmayevenbequiteapleasantone.Andsincetheoldboyhascomeround,oneoughttotakeadvantageofit.ImustsayIwassurprisedwhenIgothisletter…Percival,ofallpeople,blottinghiscopybook.Percival,thegoodlittleboy.Mindyou,Percywasalwayssly.Yes,hewasalwayssly.”
“Idon’tthink,”saidPatriciaFortescue,“thatI’mgoingtolikeyourbrotherPercival.”
“Don’tletmeputyouagainsthim.PercyandInevergoton—that’sallthereistoit.Ibluedmypocketmoney,hesavedhis.Ihaddisreputablebutentertainingfriends,Percymadewhat’scalled‘worthwhilecontacts.’Polesapartwewere,heandI.Ialwaysthoughthimapoorfish,andhe—sometimes,youknow,Ithinkhealmosthatedme.Idon’tknowwhyexactly….”
“IthinkIcanseewhy.”
“Canyou,darling?You’resobrainy.YouknowI’vealwayswondered—it’safantasticthingtosay—but—”
“Well?Sayit.”
“I’vewonderedifitwasn’tPercivalwhowasbehindthatchequebusiness—youknow,whentheoldmankickedmeout—andwashemadthathe’dgivenmeashareinthefirmandsohecouldn’tdisinheritme!BecausethequeerthingwasthatIneverforgedthatcheque—thoughofcoursenobodywouldbelievethatafterthattimeIswipedfundsoutofthetillandputitonahorse.IwasdeadsureIcouldputitback,andanywayitwasmyowncashinamannerofspeaking.Butthatchequebusiness—no.Idon’tknowwhyI’vegottheridiculousideathatPercivaldidthat—butIhave,somehow.”
“Butitwouldn’thavedonehimanygood?Itwaspaidintoyouraccount.”
“Iknow.Soitdoesn’tmakesense,doesit?”
Patturnedsharplytowardshim.
“Youmean—hedidittogetyouchuckedoutofthefirm?”
“Iwondered.Ohwell—it’sarottenthingtosay.Forgetit.IwonderwhatoldPercywillsaywhenheseestheProdigalreturned.Thosepale,boiled-gooseberryeyesofhiswillpoprightoutofhishead!”
“Doesheknowyouarecoming?”
“Ishouldn’tbesurprisedifhedidn’tknowadamnedthing!Theoldman’sgotratherafunnysenseofhumour,youknow.”
“Butwhathasyourbrotherdonetoupsetyourfathersomuch?”
“That’swhatI’dliketoknow.Somethingmusthavemadetheoldmanlivid.Writingofftomethewayhedid.”
“Whenwasityougothisfirstletter?”
“Mustbefour—nofivemonthsago.Acageyletter,butadistinctholdingoutoftheolivebranch.‘Yourelderbrotherhasprovedhimselfunsatisfactoryinmanyways.’‘Youseemtohavesownyourwildoatsandsettleddown.’‘Icanpromiseyouthatitwillbewellworthyourwhilefinancially.’‘Shallwelcomeyouandyourwife.’Youknow,darling,Ithinkmymarryingyouhadalottodowithit.TheoldboywasimpressedthatI’dmarriedintoaclassaboveme.”
Patlaughed.
“What?Intothearistocraticriff-raff?”
Hegrinned.“That’sright.Butriff-raffdidn’tregisterandaristocracydid.YoushouldseePercival’swife.She’sthekindwhosays‘Passthepreserves,please’andtalksaboutapostagestamp.”
Patdidnotlaugh.Shewasconsideringthewomenofthefamilyintowhichshehadmarried.ItwasapointofviewwhichLancehadnottakenintoaccount.
“Andyoursister?”sheasked.
“Elaine—?Ohshe’sallright.ShewasprettyyoungwhenIlefthome.Sortofanearnestgirl—butprobablyshe’sgrownoutofthat.Veryintenseoverthings.”
Itdidnotsoundveryreassuring.Patsaid:
“Sheneverwrotetoyou—afteryouwentaway?”
“Ididn’tleaveanaddress.Butshewouldn’thave,anyway.We’renotadevotedfamily.”
“No.”
Heshotaquicklookather.
“Gotthewindup?Aboutmyfamily?Youneedn’t.We’renotgoingtolivewiththem,oranythinglikethat.We’llhaveourownlittleplace,somewhere.Horses,dogs,anythingyoulike.”
“Buttherewillstillbethe5:18.”
“Forme,yes.Toandfrotothecity,alltoggedup.Butdon’tworry,sweet—thereareruralpockets,evenroundLondon.AndlatelyI’vefeltthesapoffinancialaffairsrisinginme.Afterall,it’sinmyblood—frombothsidesofthefamily.”
“Youhardlyrememberyourmother,doyou?”
“Shealwaysseemedtomeincrediblyold.Shewasold,ofcourse.NearlyfiftywhenElainewasborn.Sheworelotsofclinkingthingsandlayonasofaandusedtoreadmestoriesaboutknightsandladieswhichboredmestiff.Tennyson’s‘IdyllsoftheKing.’IsupposeIwasfondofher…Shewasvery—colourless,youknow.Irealizethat,lookingback.”
“Youdon’tseemtohavebeenparticularlyfondofanybody,”saidPatdisapprovingly.
Lancegraspedandsqueezedherarm.
“I’mfondofyou,”hesaid.
ChapterSeven
InspectorNeelewasstillholdingthetelegraphmessageinhishandwhenheheardacardriveuptothefrontdoorandstopwithacarelessscrunchingofbrakes.
MaryDove,“ThatwillbeMrs.Fortescuenow.”
InspectorNeelemovedforwardstothefrontdoor.Outofthetailofhiseye,hesawMaryDovemeltunobtrusivelyintothebackgroundanddisappear.Clearlysheintendedtotakenopartintheforthcomingscene.Aremarkabledisplayoftactanddiscretion—andalsoaratherremarkablelackofcuriosity.Mostwomen,InspectorNeeledecided,wouldhaveremained….
Ashereachedthefrontdoorhewasawareofthebutler,Crump,comingforwardfromthebackofthehall.Sohehadheardthecar.
ThecarwasaRollsBentleysportsmodelcoupé.Twopeoplegotoutofitandcametowardsthehouse.Astheyreachedthedoor,itopened.Surprised,AdeleFortescuestaredatInspectorNeele.
Herealizedatoncethatshewasaverybeautifulwoman,andherealizedtootheforceofMaryDove’scommentwhichhadsoshockedhimatthetime.AdeleFortescuewasasexypiece.InfigureandtypesheresembledtheblondeMissGrosvenor,butwhereasMissGrosvenorwasallglamourwithoutandallrespectabilitywithin,AdeleFortescuewasglamourallthrough.Herappealwasobvious,notsubtle.Itsaidsimplytoeveryman“HereamI.I’mawoman.”Shespokeandmovedandbreathedsex—andyet,withinitall,hereyeshadashrewdappraisingquality.AdeleFortescue,hethought,likedmen—butshewouldalwayslikemoneyevenbetter.
Hiseyeswentontothefigurebehindherwhocarriedhergolfclubs.Heknewthetypeverywell.Itwasthetypethatspecializedintheyoungwivesofrichandelderlymen.Mr.VivianDubois,ifthiswashe,hadthatratherforcedmasculinitywhichis,inreality,nothingofthekind.Hewasthetypeofmanwho“understands”women.
“Mrs.Fortescue?”
“Yes.”Itwasawideblue-eyedgaze.“ButIdon’tknow—”
“IamInspectorNeele.I’mafraidIhavebadnewsforyou.”
“Doyoumean—aburglary—somethingofthatkind?”
“No,nothingofthatkind.Itisaboutyourhusband.Hewastakenseriouslyillthismorning.”
“Rex?Ill?”
“Wehavebeentryingtogetintouchwithyousincehalfpasteleventhismorning.”
“Whereishe?Here?Orinhospital?”
“HewastakentoSt.Jude’sHospital.I’mafraidyoumustprepareyourselfforashock.”
“Youdon’tmean—heisn’t—dead.”
Shelurchedforwardalittleandclutchedhisarm.Gravelyfeelinglikesomeoneplayingapartinastageperformance,theinspectorsupportedherintothehall.Crumpwashoveringeagerly.
“Brandyshe’llbeneeding,”hesaid.
ThedeepvoiceofMr.Duboissaid:
“That’sright,Crump.Getthebrandy.”Totheinspectorhesaid:“Inhere.”
Heopenedadoorontheleft.Theprocessionfiledin.TheinspectorandAdeleFortescue,VivianDubois,andCrumpwithadecanterandtwoglasses.
AdeleFortescuesankontoaneasychair,hereyescoveredwithherhand.Sheacceptedtheglassthattheinspectorofferedandtookatinysip,thenpusheditaway.
“Idon’twantit,”shesaid.“I’mallright.Buttellme,whatwasit?Astroke,Isuppose?PoorRex.”
“Itwasn’tastroke,Mrs.Fortescue.”
“Didyousayyouwereaninspector?”ItwasMr.Duboiswhomadetheinquiry.
Neeleturnedtohim.“That’sright,”hesaidpleasantly.“InspectorNeeleoftheCID.”
Hesawthealarmgrowinthedarkeyes.Mr.DuboisdidnotliketheappearanceofaninspectoroftheCID.Hedidn’tlikeitatall.
“What’sup?”hesaid.“Somethingwrong—eh?”
Quiteunconsciouslyhebackedawayalittletowardsthedoor.InspectorNeelenotedthemovement.
“I’mafraid,”hesaidtoMrs.Fortescue,“thattherewillhavetobeaninquest.”
“Aninquest?Doyoumean—whatdoyoumean?”
“I’mafraidthisisallverydistressingforyou,Mrs.Fortescue.”Thewordscamesmoothly.“ItseemedadvisabletofindoutassoonaspossibleexactlywhatMr.Fortescuehadtoeatordrinkbeforeleavingfortheofficethismorning.”
“Doyoumeanhemighthavebeenpoisoned?”
“Well,yes,itwouldseemso.”
“Ican’tbelieveit.Oh—youmeanfoodpoisoning.”
Hervoicedroppedhalfanoctaveonthelastwords.Hisfacewooden,hisvoicestillsmooth,InspectorNeelesaid:
“Madam?WhatdidyouthinkImeant?”
Sheignoredthatquestion,hurryingon.
“Butwe’vebeenallright—allofus.”
“Youcanspeakforallthemembersofthefamily?”
“Well—no—ofcourse—Ican’treally.”
Duboissaidwithagreatshowofconsultinghiswatch:
“I’llhavetopushoff,Adele.Dreadfullysorry.You’llbeallright,won’tyou?Imean,therearethemaids,andthelittleDoveandallthat—”
“Oh,Vivian,don’t.Don’tgo.”
Itwasquiteawail,anditaffectedMr.Duboisadversely.Hisretreatquickened.
“Awfullysorry,oldgirl.Importantengagement.I’mputtingupattheDormyHouse,bytheway,Inspector.Ifyou—er—wantmeforanything.”
InspectorNeelenodded.HehadnowishtodetainMr.Dubois.ButherecognizedMr.Dubois’sdepartureforwhatitwas.Mr.Duboiswasrunningawayfromtrouble.
AdeleFortescuesaid,inanattempttocarryoffthesituation:
“It’ssuchashock,tocomebackandfindthepoliceinthehouse.”
“I’msureitmustbe.Butyousee,itwasnecessarytoactpromptlyinordertoobtainthenecessaryspecimensoffoodstuffs,coffee,tea,etc.”
“Teaandcoffee?Butthey’renotpoisonous?Iexpectit’stheawfulbaconwesometimesget.It’squiteuneatablesometimes.”
“Weshallfindout,Mrs.Fortescue.Don’tworry.You’dbesurprisedatsomeofthethingsthatcanhappen.Weoncehadacaseofdigitalispoisoning.Itturnedoutthatfoxgloveleaveshadbeenpickedinmistakeforhorseradish.”
“Youthinksomethinglikethatcouldhappenhere?”
“Weshallknowbetteraftertheautopsy,Mrs.Fortescue.”
“Theautop—ohIsee.”Sheshivered.
Theinspectorwenton:“You’vegotalotofyewroundthehouse,haven’tyou,madam.There’snopossibility,Isuppose,oftheberriesorleaveshavinggot—mixed-upinanything?”
Hewaswatchingherclosely.Shestaredathim.
“Yewberries?Aretheypoisonous?”
Thewonderseemedalittletoowide-eyedandinnocent.
“Childrenhavebeenknowntoeatthemwithunfortunateresults.”
Adeleclaspedherhandstoherhead.
“Ican’tbeartotalkaboutitanymore.MustI?Iwanttogoandliedown.Ican’tstandanymore.Mr.PercivalFortescuewillarrangeeverything—Ican’t—Ican’t—itisn’tfairtoaskme.”
“WearegettingintouchwithMr.PercivalFortescueassoonaspossible.UnfortunatelyheisawayintheNorthofEngland.”
“Ohyes,Iforgot.”
“There’sjustonething,Mrs.Fortescue.Therewasasmallquantityofgraininyourhusband’spocket.Couldyougivemesomeexplanationofthat?”
Sheshookherhead.Sheappearedquitebewildered.
“Wouldanyonehaveslippeditinthereasajoke?”
“Idon’tseewhyitwouldbeajoke?”
InspectorNeeledidnotseeeither.Hesaid:
“Iwon’ttroubleyouanyfurtheratpresent,Mrs.Fortescue.ShallIsendoneofthemaidstoyou?OrMissDove?”
“What?”Thewordcameabstractedly.Hewonderedwhatshehadbeenthinkingabout.
Shefumbledwithherbagandpulledoutahandkerchief.Hervoicetrembled.
“It’ssoawful,”shesaidunsteadily.“I’monlyjustbeginningtotakeitin.I’vereallybeennumbeduptonow.PoorRex.PoordearRex.”
Shesobbedinamannerthatwasalmostconvincing.
InspectorNeelewatchedherrespectfullyforamomentortwo.
“It’sbeenverysudden,Iknow,”hesaid.“I’llsendsomeonetoyou.”
Hewenttowardsthedoor,openeditandpassedthrough.Hepausedforamomentbeforelookingbackintotheroom.
AdeleFortescuestillheldthehandkerchieftohereyes.Theendsofithungdownbutdidnotquiteobscurehermouth.Onherlipswasaveryfaintsmile.
ChapterEight
I
“I’vegotwhatIcould,sir.”SoSergeantHayreported.“Themarmalade,bitoftheham.Samplesoftea,coffeeandsugar,forwhatthey’reworth.Actualbrewshavebeenthrownoutbynow,ofcourse,butthere’sonepoint.Therewasagoodlotofcoffeeleftoverandtheyhaditintheservants’hallatelevenses—that’simportant,Ishouldsay.”
“Yes,that’simportant.Showsthatifhetookitinhiscoffee,itmusthavebeenslippedintotheactualcup.”
“Byoneofthosepresent.Exactly.I’veinquired,cautiouslike,abouttheyewstuff—berriesorleaves—there’sbeennoneofitseenaboutthehouse.Nobodyseemstoknowanythingaboutthecerealinhispocket,either…Itjustseemsdafttothem.Seemsdafttome,too.Hedoesn’tseemtohavebeenoneofthosefoodfaddistswho’lleatanymortalthingsolongasitisn’tcooked.Mysister’shusband’slikethat.Rawcarrots,rawpeas,rawturnips.Butevenhedoesn’teatrawgrain.Why,Ishouldsayitwouldswellupinyourinsidesomethingawful.”
Thetelephonerangand,onanodfromtheinspector,SergeantHaysprintedofftoanswerit.Followinghim,Neelefoundthatitwasheadquartersontheline.ContacthadbeenmadewithMr.PercivalFortescue,whowasreturningtoLondonimmediately.
Astheinspectorreplacedthetelephone,acardrewupatthefrontdoor.Crumpwenttothedoorandopenedit.Thewomanwhostoodtherehadherarmsfullofparcels.Crumptookthemfromher.
“Thanks,Crump.Paythetaxi,willyou?I’llhaveteanow.IsMrs.FortescueorMissElainein?”
Thebutlerhesitated,lookingbackoverhisshoulder.
“We’vehadbadnews,ma’am,”hesaid.“Aboutthemaster.”
“AboutMr.Fortescue?”
Neelecameforward.Crumpsaid:“ThisisMrs.Percival,sir.”
“Whatisit?What’shappened?Anaccident?”
Theinspectorlookedheroverashereplied.Mrs.PercivalFortescuewasaplumpwomanwithadiscontentedmouth.Heragehejudgedtobeaboutthirty.Herquestionscamewithakindofeagerness.Thethoughtflashedacrosshismindthatshemustbeverybored.
“I’msorrytohavetotellyouthatMr.FortescuewastakentoSt.Jude’sHospitalthismorningseriouslyillandhassincedied.”
“Died?Youmeanhe’sdead?”Thenewswasclearlyevenmoresensationalthanshehadhopedfor.“Dearme—thisisasurprise.Myhusband’saway.You’llhavetogetintouchwithhim.He’sintheNorthsomewhere.Idaresaythey’llknowattheoffice.He’llhavetoseetoeverything.Thingsalwayshappenatthemostawkwardmoment,don’tthey.”
Shepausedforamoment,turningthingsoverinhermind.
“Italldepends,Isuppose,”shesaid,“wherethey’llhavethefuneral.Downhere,Isuppose.OrwillitbeinLondon?”
“Thatwillbeforthefamilytosay.”
“Ofcourse.Ionlyjustwondered.”Forthefirsttimeshetookdirectcognisanceofthemanwhowasspeakingtoher
“Areyoufromtheoffice?”sheasked.“You’renotadoctor,areyou?”
“I’mapoliceofficer.Mr.Fortescue’sdeathwasverysuddenand—”
Sheinterruptedhim.
“Doyoumeanhewasmurdered?”
Itwasthefirsttimethatwordhadbeenspoken.Neelesurveyedhereagerquestioningfacecarefully.
“Nowwhyshouldyouthinkthat,madam?”
“Well,peoplearesometimes.Yousaidsudden.Andyou’repolice.Haveyouseenheraboutit?Whatdidshesay?”
“Idon’tquiteunderstandtowhomyouarereferring?”
“Adele,ofcourse.IalwaystoldValhisfatherwascrazytogomarryingawomanyearsyoungerthanhimself.There’snofoollikeanoldfool.Besottedaboutthatawfulcreature,hewas.Andnowlookwhatcomesofit…Anicemesswe’reallin.Picturesinthepaperandreporterscominground.”
Shepaused,obviouslyvisualizingthefutureinaseriesofcrudehighlycolouredpictures.Hethoughtthattheprospectwasstillnotwhollyunpleasing.Sheturnedbacktohim.
“Whatwasit?Arsenic?”
InarepressivevoiceInspectorNeelesaid:
“Thecauseofdeathhasyettobeascertained.Therewillbeanautopsyandaninquest.”
“Butyouknowalready,don’tyou?Oryouwouldn’tcomedownhere.”
Therewasasuddenshrewdnessinherplumpratherfoolishface.
“You’vebeenaskingaboutwhatheateanddrank,Isuppose?Dinnerlastnight.Breakfastthismorning.Andallthedrinks,ofcourse.”
Hecouldseehermindrangingvividlyoverallthepossibilities.Hesaid,withcaution:
“ItseemspossiblethatMr.Fortescue’sillnessresultedfromsomethingheateatbreakfast.”
“Breakfast?”Sheseemedsurprised.“That’sdifficult.Idon’tseehow….”
Shepausedandshookherhead.
“Idon’tseehowshecouldhavedoneit,then…unlesssheslippedsomethingintothecoffee—whenElaineandIweren’tlooking….”
Aquietvoicespokesoftlybesidethem:
“Yourteaisallreadyinthelibrary,Mrs.Val.”
Mrs.Valjumped.
“Ohthankyou,MissDove.Yes,Icoulddowithacupoftea.Really,Ifeelquitebowledover.Whataboutyou,Mr.—Inspector—”
“Thankyou,notjustnow.”
Theplumpfigurehesitatedandthenwentslowlyaway.
Asshedisappearedthroughadoorway,MaryDovemurmuredsoftly:
“Idon’tthinkshe’severheardofthetermslander.”
InspectorNeeledidnotreply.
MaryDovewenton:
“IsthereanythingIcandoforyou?”
“WherecanIfindthehousemaid,Ellen?”
“Iwilltakeyoutoher.She’sjustgoneupstairs.”
II
Ellenprovedtobegrimbutunafraid.Hersouroldfacelookedtriumphantlyattheinspector.
“It’sashockingbusiness,sir.AndIneverthoughtI’dlivetofindmyselfinahousewherethatsortofthinghasbeengoingon.ButinawayIcan’tsaythatitsurprisesme.Ioughttohavegivenmynoticeinlongagoandthat’safact.Idon’tlikethelanguagethat’susedinthishouse,andIdon’tliketheamountofdrinkthat’staken,andIdon’tapproveofthegoingsonthere’vebeen.I’venothingagainstMrs.Crump,butCrumpandthatgirlGladysjustdon’tknowwhatproperserviceis.Butit’sthegoingsonthatImindaboutmost.”
“Whatgoingsondoyoumeanexactly?”
“You’llsoonhearaboutthemifyoudon’tknowalready.It’scommontalkallovertheplace.They’vebeenseenhere,thereandeverywhere.Allthispretendingtoplaygolf—ortennis—AndI’veseenthings—withmyowneyes—inthishouse.Thelibrarydoorwasopenandtheretheywere,kissingandcanoodling.”
Thevenomofthespinsterwasdeadly.Neelereallyfeltitunnecessarytosay“Whomdoyoumean?”buthesaiditnevertheless.
“WhoshouldImean?Themistress—andthatman.Noshameaboutit,theyhadn’t.Butifyouaskme,themasterhadgotwisetoit.Putsomeoneontowatchthem,hehad.Divorce,that’swhatitwouldhavecometo.Instead,it’scometothis.”
“Whenyousaythis,youmean—”
“You’vebeenaskingquestions,sir,aboutwhatthemasterateanddrankandwhogaveittohim.They’reinittogether,sir,that’swhatI’dsay.Hegotthestufffromsomewhereandshegaveittothemaster,thatwasthewayofit,I’venodoubt.”
“Haveyoueverseenanyyewberriesinthehouse—orthrownawayanywhere?”
Thesmalleyesglintedcuriously.
“Yew?Nastypoisonousstuff.Neveryoutouchthoseberries,mymothersaidtomewhenIwasachild.Wasthatwhatwasused,sir?”
“Wedon’tknowyetwhatwasused.”
“I’veneverseenherfiddlingaboutwithyew.”Ellensoundeddisappointed.“No,Ican’tsayI’veseenanythingofthatkind.”
NeelequestionedheraboutthegrainfoundinFortescue’spocketbuthereagainhedrewablank.
“No,sir.Iknownothingaboutthat.”
Hewentontofurtherquestions,butwithnogainfulresult.FinallyheaskedifhecouldseeMissRamsbottom.
Ellenlookeddoubtful.
“Icouldaskher,butit’snoteveryoneshe’llsee.She’saveryoldlady,youknow,andshe’sabitodd.”
Theinspectorpressedhisdemand,andratherunwillinglyEllenledhimalongapassageandupashortflightofstairstowhathethoughthadprobablybeendesignedasanurserysuite.
HeglancedoutofapassagewindowashefollowedherandsawSergeantHaystandingbytheyewtreetalkingtoamanwhowasevidentlyagardener.
Ellentappedonadoor,andwhenshereceivedananswer,openeditandsaid:
“There’sapolicegentlemanherewhowouldliketospeaktoyou,miss.”
TheanswerwasapparentlyintheaffirmativeforshedrewbackandmotionedNeeletogoin.
Theroomheenteredwasalmostfantasticallyoverfurnished.TheinspectorfeltratherasthoughhehadtakenastepbackwardintonotmerelyEdwardianbutVictoriantimes.Atatabledrawnuptoagasfireanoldladywassittinglayingoutapatience.Sheworeamaroon-coloureddressandhersparsegreyhairwasslickeddowneachsideofherface.
Withoutlookingupordiscontinuinghergameshesaidimpatiently:
“Well,comein,comein.Sitdownifyoulike.”
Theinvitationwasnoteasytoacceptaseverychairappearedtobecoveredwithtractsorpublicationsofareligiousnature.
AshemovedthemslightlyasideonthesofaMissRamsbottomaskedsharply:
“Interestedinmissionwork?”
“Well,I’mafraidI’mnotvery,ma’am.”
“Wrong.Youshouldbe.That’swheretheChristianspiritisnowadays.DarkestAfrica.Hadayoungclergymanherelastweek.Blackasyourhat.ButatrueChristian.”
InspectorNeelefounditalittledifficulttoknowwhattosay.
Theoldladyfurtherdisconcertedhimbysnapping:
“Ihaven’tgotawireless.”
“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Oh,Ithoughtperhapsyoucameaboutawirelesslicence.Oroneofthesesillyforms.Well,man,whatisit?”
“I’msorrytohavetotellyou,MissRamsbottom,thatyourbrother-in-law,Mr.Fortescue,wastakensuddenlyillanddiedthismorning.”
MissRamsbottomcontinuedwithherpatiencewithoutanysignofperturbation,merelyremarkinginaconversationalway:
“Struckdownatlastinhisarroganceandsinfulpride.Well,ithadtocome.”
“Ihopeit’snotashocktoyou?”
Itobviouslywasn’tbuttheinspectorwantedtohearwhatshewouldsay.
MissRamsbottomgavehimasharpglanceoverthetopofherspectaclesandsaid:
“IfyoumeanIamnotdistressed,thatisquiteright.RexFortescuewasalwaysasinfulmanandIneverlikedhim.”
“Hisdeathwasverysudden—”
“Asbefitstheungodly,”saidtheoldladywithsatisfaction.
“Itseemspossiblethathemayhavebeenpoisoned—”
Theinspectorpausedtoobservetheeffecthehadmade.
Hedidnotseemtohavemadeany.MissRamsbottommerelymurmured:“Redsevenonblackeight.NowIcanmoveuptheKing.”
Struckapparentlybytheinspector’ssilence,shestoppedwithacardpoisedinherhandandsaidsharply:
“Well,whatdidyouexpectmetosay?Ididn’tpoisonhimifthat’swhatyouwanttoknow.”
“Haveyouanyideawhomighthavedoneso?”
“That’saveryimproperquestion,”saidtheoldladysharply.“Livinginthishousearetwoofmydeadsister’schildren.IdeclinetobelievethatanybodywithRamsbottombloodinthemcouldbeguiltyofmurder.Becauseit’smurderyou’remeaning,isn’tit?”
“Ididn’tsayso,madam.”
“Ofcourseit’smurder.PlentyofpeoplehavewantedtomurderRexintheirtime.Averyunscrupulousman.Andoldsinshavelongshadows,asthesayinggoes.”
“Haveyouanyoneinparticularinmind?”
MissRamsbottomsweptupthecardsandrosetoherfeet.Shewasatallwoman.
“Ithinkyou’dbettergonow,”shesaid.
Shespokewithoutangerbutwithakindofcoldfinality.
“Ifyouwantmyopinion,”shewenton,“itwasprobablyoneoftheservants.Thebutlerlookstomeabitofarascal,andthatparlourmaidisdefinitelysubnormal.Goodevening.”
InspectorNeelefoundhimselfmeeklywalkingout.Certainlyaremarkableoldlady.Nothingtobegotoutofher.
Hecamedownthestairsintothesquarehalltofindhimselfsuddenlyfacetofacewithatalldarkgirl.Shewaswearingadampmackintoshandshestaredintohisfacewithacuriousblankness.
“I’vejustcomeback,”shesaid.“Andtheytoldme—aboutFather—thathe’sdead.”
“I’mafraidthat’strue.”
Shepushedoutahandbehindherasthoughblindlyseekingforsupport.Shetouchedanoakchestandslowly,stiffly,shesatdownonit.
“Ohno,”shesaid.“No….”
Slowlytwotearsrandownhercheeks.
“It’sawful,”shesaid.“Ididn’tthinkthatIevenlikedhim…IthoughtIhatedhim…Butthatcan’tbeso,orIwouldn’tmind.Idomind.”
Shesatthere,staringinfrontofher,andagaintearsforcedthemselvesfromhereyesanddownhercheeks.
Presentlyshespokeagain,ratherbreathlessly:
“Theawfulthingisthatitmakeseverythingcomeright.Imean,GeraldandIcangetmarriednow.IcandoeverythingthatIwanttodo.ButIhateithappeningthisway.Idon’twantFathertobedead…OhIdon’t.OhDaddy—Daddy….”
ForthefirsttimesincehehadcometoYewtreeLodge,InspectorNeelewasstartledbywhatseemedtobegenuinegriefforthedeadman.
ChapterNine
“Soundslikethewifetome,”saidtheassistantcommissioner.HehadbeenlisteningattentivelytoInspectorNeele’sreport.
Ithadbeenanadmirableprécisofthecase.Short,butwithnorelevantdetailleftout.
“Yes,”saidtheAC.“Itlookslikethewife.Whatdoyouthinkyourself,Neele,eh?”
InspectorNeelesaidthatitlookedlikethewifetohimtoo.Hereflectedcynicallythatitusuallywasthewife—orthehusbandasthecasemightbe.
“Shehadtheopportunityallright.Andmotive?”TheACpaused.“Thereismotive?”
“Oh,Ithinkso,sir.ThisMr.Dubois,youknow.”
“Thinkhewasinit,too?”
“No,Ishouldn’tsaythat,sir.”InspectorNeeleweighedtheidea.“Abittoofondofhisownskinforthat.Hemayhaveguessedwhatwasinhermind,butIshouldn’timaginethatheinstigatedit.”
“No,toocareful.”
“Muchtoocareful.”
“Well,wemustn’tjumptoconclusions,butitseemsagoodworkinghypothesis.Whatabouttheothertwowhohadopportunity?”
“That’sthedaughterandthedaughter-in-law.Thedaughterwasmixed-upwithayoungmanwhomherfatherdidn’twanthertomarry.Andhedefinitelywasn’tmarryingherunlessshehadthemoney.Thatgivesheramotive.Astothedaughter-in-law,Iwouldn’tliketosay.Don’tknowenoughaboutheryet.Butanyofthethreeofthemcouldhavepoisonedhim,andIdon’tseehowanyoneelsecouldhavedoneso.Theparlourmaid,thebutler,thecook,theyallhandledthebreakfastorbroughtitin,butIdon’tseehowanyofthemcouldhavebeensureofFortescuehimselfgettingthetaxineandnobodyelse.Thatis,ifitwastaxine.”
TheACsaid:“Itwastaxineallright.I’vejustgotthepreliminaryreport.”
“Thatsettlesthat,then,”saidInspectorNeele.“Wecangoahead.”
“Servantsseemallright?”
“Thebutlerandtheparlourmaidbothseemnervous.There’snothinguncommonaboutthat.Oftenhappens.Thecook’sfightingmadandthehousemaidwasgrimlypleased.Infactallquitenaturalandnormal.”
“There’snobodyelsewhomyouconsidersuspiciousinanyway?”
“No,Idon’tthinkso,sir.”Involuntarily,InspectorNeele’smindwentbacktoMaryDoveandherenigmaticsmile.Therehadsurelybeenafaintyetdefinitelookofantagonism.Aloudhesaid,“Nowthatweknowit’staxine,thereoughttobesomeevidencetobegotastohowitwasobtainedorprepared.”
“Justso.Well,goahead,Neele.Bytheway,Mr.PercivalFortescueisherenow.I’vehadawordortwowithhimandhe’swaitingtoseeyou.We’velocatedtheotherson,too.He’sinParisattheBristol,leavingtoday.You’llhavehimmetattheairport,Isuppose?”
“Yes,sir.Thatwasmyidea….”
“Well,you’dbetterseePercivalFortescuenow.”TheACchuckled.“PercyPrim,that’swhatheis.”
Mr.PercivalFortescuewasaneatfairmanofthirtyodd,withpalehairandeyelashesandaslightlypedanticwayofspeech.
“Thishasbeenaterribleshocktome,InspectorNeele,asyoucanwellimagine.”
“Itmusthavebeen,Mr.Fortescue,”saidInspectorNeele.
“IcanonlysaythatmyfatherwasperfectlywellwhenIlefthomethedaybeforeyesterday.Thisfoodpoisoning,orwhateveritwas,musthavebeenverysudden?”
“Itwasverysudden,yes.Butitwasn’tfoodpoisoning,Mr.Fortescue.”
Percivalstaredandfrowned.
“No?Sothat’swhy—”hebrokeoff.
“Yourfather,”saidInspectorNeele,“waspoisonedbytheadministrationoftaxine.”
“Taxine?I’veneverheardofit.”
“Veryfewpeoplehave,Ishouldimagine.Itisapoisonthattakeseffectverysuddenlyanddrastically.”
Thefrowndeepened.
“Areyoutellingme,Inspector,thatmyfatherwasdeliberatelypoisonedbysomeone?”
“Itwouldseemso,yes,sir.”
“That’sterrible!”
“Yesindeed,Mr.Fortescue.”
Percivalmurmured:“Iunderstandnowtheirattitudeinthehospital—theirreferringmehere.”Hebrokeoff.Afterapausehewenton,“Thefuneral?”Hespokeinterrogatively.
“Theinquestisfixedfortomorrowafterthepostmortem.Theproceedingsattheinquestwillbepurelyformalandtheinquestwillbeadjourned.”
“Iunderstand.Thatisusuallythecase?”
“Yes,sir.Nowadays.”
“MayIask,haveyouformedanyideas,anysuspicionsofwhocould—Really,I—”againhebrokeoff.
“It’sratherearlydaysforthat,Mr.Fortescue,”murmuredNeele.
“Yes,Isupposeso.”
“Allthesameitwouldbehelpfultous,Mr.Fortescue,ifyoucouldgiveussomeideaofyourfather’stestamentarydispositions.Orperhapsyoucouldputmeintouchwithhissolicitor.”
“HissolicitorsareBillingsby,Horsethorpe&WaltersofBedfordSquare.Asfarashiswillgoes,IthinkIcanmoreorlesstellyouitsmaindispositions.”
“Ifyouwillbekindenoughtodoso,Mr.Fortescue.It’saroutinethathastobegonethrough,I’mafraid.”
“Myfathermadeanewwillontheoccasionofhismarriagetwoyearsago,”saidPercivalprecisely.“Myfatherleftthesumof￡100,000tohiswifeabsolutelyand￡50,000tomysister,Elaine.Iamhisresiduarylegatee.Iamalready,ofcourse,apartnerinthefirm.”
“Therewasnobequesttoyourbrother,LancelotFortescue?”
“No,thereisanestrangementoflongstandingbetweenmyfatherandmybrother.”
Neelethrewasharpglanceathim—butPercivalseemedquitesureofhisstatement.
“Soasthewillstands,”saidInspectorNeele,“thethreepeoplewhostandtogainareMrs.Fortescue,MissElaineFortescueandyourself?”
“Idon’tthinkIshallbemuchofagainer.”Percivalsighed.“Therearedeathduties,youknow,Inspector.Andoflatemyfatherhasbeen—well,allIcansayis,highlyinjudiciousinsomeofhisfinancialdealings.”
“Youandyourfatherhavenotseeneyetoeyelatelyabouttheconductofthebusiness?”InspectorNeelethrewoutthequestioninagenialmanner.
“Iputmypointofviewtohim,butalas—”Percivalshruggedhisshoulders.
“Putitratherforcibly,didn’tyou?”Neeleinquired.“Infact,nottoputtoofineapointonit,therewasquitearowaboutit,wasn’tthere?”
“Ishouldhardlysaythat,Inspector.”AredflushofannoyancemountedtoPercival’sforehead.
“Perhapsthedisputeyouhadwasaboutsomeothermatterthen,Mr.Fortescue?”
“Therewasnodispute,Inspector.”
“Quitesureofthat,Mr.Fortescue?Well,nomatter.DidIunderstandthatyourfatherandbrotherarestillestranged?”
“Thatisso.”
“Thenperhapsyoucantellmewhatthismeans?”
NeelehandedhimthetelephonemessageMaryDovehadjotteddown.
Percivalreaditandutteredanexclamationofsurpriseandannoyance.Heseemedbothincredulousandangry.
“Ican’tunderstandit,Ireallycan’t.Icanhardlybelieveit.”
“Itseemstobetrue,though,Mr.Fortescue.YourbrotherisarrivingfromParistoday.”
“Butit’sextraordinary,quiteextraordinary.No,Ireallycan’tunderstandit.”
“Yourfathersaidnothingtoyouaboutit?”
“Hecertainlydidnot.Howoutrageousofhim.TogobehindmybackandsendforLance.”
“You’venoidea,Isuppose,whyhedidsuchathing?”
“OfcourseIhaven’t.It’sallonaparwithhisbehaviourlately—Crazy!Unaccountable.It’sgottobestopped—I—”
Percivalcametoanabruptstop.Thecolourebbedawayagainfromhispaleface.
“I’dforgotten—”hesaid.“ForthemomentI’dforgottenthatmyfatherwasdead—”
InspectorNeeleshookhisheadsympathetically.
PercivalFortescuepreparedtotakehisdeparture—ashepickeduphishathesaid:
“CalluponmeifthereisanythingIcando.ButIsuppose—”hepaused—“youwillbecomingdowntoYewtreeLodge?”
“Yes,Mr.Fortescue—I’vegotamaninchargetherenow.”
Percivalshudderedinafastidiousway.
“Itwillallbemostunpleasant.Tothinksuchathingshouldhappentous—”
Hesighedandmovedtowardsthedoor.
“Ishallbeattheofficemostoftheday.Thereisalottobeseentohere.ButIshallgetdowntoYewtreeLodgethisevening.”
“Quiteso,sir.”
PercivalFortescuewentout.
“PercyPrim,”murmuredNeele.
SergeantHaywhowassittingunobtrusivelybythewalllookedupandsaid“Sir?”interrogatively.
ThenasNeeledidnotreply,heasked,“Whatdoyoumakeofitall,sir?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidNeele.Hequotedsoftly,“‘They’reallveryunpleasantpeople.’”
SergeantHaylookedsomewhatpuzzled.
“AliceinWonderland,”saidNeele.“Don’tyouknowyourAlice,Hay?”
“It’saclassic,isn’tit,sir?”saidHay.“ThirdProgrammestuff.Idon’tlistentotheThirdProgramme.”
ChapterTen
I
ItwasaboutfiveminutesafterleavingLeBourgetthatLanceFortescueopenedhiscopyofthecontinentalDailyMail.Aminuteortwolaterheutteredastartledexclamation.Pat,intheseatbesidehim,turnedherheadinquiringly.
“It’stheoldman,”saidLance.“He’sdead.”
“Dead!Yourfather?”
“Yes,heseemstohavebeentakensuddenlyillattheoffice,wastakentoSt.Jude’sHospitalanddiedtheresoonafterarrival.”
“Darling,I’msosorry.Whatwasit,astroke?”
“Isupposeso.Soundslikeit.”
“Hadheeverhadastrokebefore?”
“No.NotthatIknowof.”
“Ithoughtpeopleneverdiedfromafirstone.”
“Pooroldboy,”saidLance.“IneverthoughtIwasparticularlyfondofhim,butsomehow,nowthathe’sdead….”
“Ofcourseyouwerefondofhim.”
“Wehaven’tallgotyournicenature,Pat.Ohwell,itlooksasthoughmyluck’soutagain,doesn’tit.”
“Yes.It’soddthatitshouldhappennow.Justwhenyouwereonthepointofcominghome.”
Heturnedhisheadsharplytowardsher.
“Odd?Whatdoyoumeanbyodd,Pat?”
Shelookedathimwithslightsurprise.
“Well,asortofcoincidence.”
“YoumeanthatwhateverIsetouttodogoeswrong?”
“No,darling,Ididn’tmeanthat.Butthereissuchathingasarunofbadluck.”
“Yes,Isupposethereis.”
Patsaidagain:“I’msosorry.”
WhentheyarrivedatHeathrowandwerewaitingtodisembarkfromtheplane,anofficialoftheaircompanycalledoutinaclearvoice:
“IsMr.LancelotFortescueabroad?”
“Here,”saidLance.
“Wouldyoujuststepthisway,Mr.Fortescue.”
LanceandPatfollowedhimoutoftheplane,precedingtheotherpassengers.Astheypassedacoupleinthelastseat,theyheardthemanwhispertohiswife:
“Well-knownsmugglers,Iexpect.Caughtintheact.”
II
“It’sfantastic,”saidLance.“Quitefantastic.”HestaredacrossthetableatDetectiveInspectorNeele.
InspectorNeelenoddedhisheadsympathetically.
“Taxine—yewberries—thewholethingseemslikesomekindofmelodrama.Idaresaythissortofthingseemsordinaryenoughtoyou,Inspector.Allintheday’swork.Butpoisoning,inourfamily,seemswildlyfar-fetched.”
“You’venoideathenatall,”askedInspectorNeele,“whomighthavepoisonedyourfather?”
“Goodlord,no.Iexpecttheoldman’smadealotofenemiesinbusiness,lotsofpeoplewho’dliketoskinhimalive,dohimdownfinancially—allthatsortofthing.Butpoisoning?AnywayIwouldn’tbeintheknow.I’vebeenabroadforagoodmanyyearsandhaveknownverylittleofwhat’sgoingonathome.”
“That’sreallywhatIwantedtoaskyouabout,Mr.Fortescue.Iunderstandfromyourbrotherthattherewasanestrangementbetweenyouandyourfatherwhichhadlastedformanyyears.Wouldyouliketotellmethecircumstancesthatledtoyourcominghomeatthistime?”
“Certainly,Inspector.Iheardfrommyfather,letmeseeitmustbeabout—yes,sixmonthsagonow.Itwassoonaftermymarriage.Myfatherwroteandhintedthathewouldliketoletbygonesbebygones.HesuggestedthatIshouldcomehomeandenterthefirm.HewasrathervagueinhistermsandIwasn’treallysurethatIwantedtodowhatheasked.Anyway,theupshotwasthatIcameovertoEnglandlast—yes,lastAugust,justaboutthreemonthsago.IwentdowntoseehimatYewtreeLodgeandhemademe,Imustsay,averyadvantageousoffer.ItoldhimthatI’dhavetothinkaboutitandI’dhavetoconsultmywife.Hequiteunderstoodthat.IflewbacktoEastAfrica,talkeditoverwithPat.TheupshotwasthatIdecidedtoaccepttheoldboy’soffer.Ihadtowindupmyaffairsthere,butIagreedtodosobeforetheendoflastmonth.ItoldhimIwouldwiretohimthedateofmyactualarrivalinEngland.”
InspectorNeelecoughed.
“Yourarrivalbackseemstohavecausedyourbrothersomesurprise.”
Lancegaveasuddengrin.Hisratherattractivefacelitupwiththespiritofpuremischief.
“Don’tbelieveoldPercyknewathingaboutit,”hesaid.“HewasawayonhisholidayinNorwayatthetime.Ifyouaskme,theoldmanpickedthatparticulartimeonpurpose.HewasgoingbehindPercy’sback.InfactI’veaveryshrewdsuspicionthatmyfather’soffertomewasactuatedbythefactthathehadablazingrowwithpooroldPercy—orValashepreferstobecalled.Val,Ithink,hadbeenmoreorlesstryingtoruntheoldman.Well,theoldmanwouldneverstandforanythingofthatkind.WhattheexactrowwasaboutIdon’tknow,buthewasfurious.AndIthinkhethoughtitajollygoodideatogetmethereandtherebyspikepooroldVal’sguns.ForonethingheneverlikedPercy’swifemuchandhewasratherpleased,inasnobbishway,withmymarriage.ItwouldbejusthisideaofagoodjoketogetmehomeandsuddenlyconfrontPercywiththeaccomplishedfact.”
“HowlongwereyouatYewtreeLodgeonthisoccasion?”
“Oh,notmorethananhourortwo.Hedidn’taskmetostaythenight.Thewholeidea,I’msure,wasakindofsecretoffensivebehindPercy’sback.Idon’tthinkheevenwantedtheservantstoreportuponit.AsIsay,thingswereleftthatI’dthinkitover,talkaboutittoPatandthenwritehimmydecision,whichIdid.Iwrotegivinghimtheapproximatedateofmyarrival,andIfinallysenthimatelegramyesterdayfromParis.”
InspectorNeelenodded.
“Atelegramwhichsurprisedyourbrotherverymuch.”
“Ibetitdid.However,asusual,Percywins.I’vearrivedtoolate.”
“Yes,”saidInspectorNeelethoughtfully,“you’vearrivedtoolate.”Hewentonbriskly:“OntheoccasionofyourvisitlastAugust,didyoumeetanyothermembersofthefamily?”
“Mystepmotherwasthereattea.”
“Youhadnotmetherpreviously?”
“No.”Hegrinnedsuddenly.“Theoldboycertainlyknewhowtopickthem.Shemustbethirtyyearsyoungerthanhimatleast.”
“Youwillexcusemyasking,butdidyouresentyourfather’sremarriage,ordidyourbrotherdoso?”
Lancelookedsurprised.
“Icertainlydidn’t,andIshouldn’tthinkPercydideither.Afterall,ourownmotherdiedwhenwewereabout—oh,ten,twelveyearsold.WhatI’mreallysurprisedatisthattheoldmandidn’tmarryagainbefore.”
InspectorNeelemurmured:
“Itmaybeconsideredtakingratherarisktomarryawomanverymuchyoungerthanyourself.”
“Didmydearbrothersaythattoyou?Itsoundsratherlikehim.Percyisagreatmasteroftheartofinsinuation.Isthatthesetup,Inspector?Ismystepmothersuspectedofpoisoningmyfather?”
InspectorNeele’sfacebecameblank.
“It’searlydaystohaveanydefiniteideasaboutanything,Mr.Fortescue,”hesaidpleasantly.“Now,mayIaskyouwhatyourplansare?”
“Plans?”Lanceconsidered.“Ishallhavetomakenewplans,Isuppose.Whereisthefamily?AlldownatYewtreeLodge?”
“Yes.”
“I’dbettergodowntherestraightaway.”Heturnedtohiswife.“You’dbettergotoanhotel,Pat.”
Sheprotestedquickly.“No,no,Lance,I’llcomewithyou.”
“No,darling.”
“ButIwantto.”
“Really,I’dratheryoudidn’t.Goandstayatthe—ohit’ssolongsinceIstayedinLondon—Barnes’s.Barnes’sHotelusedtobeanice,quietsortofplace.That’sstillgoing,Isuppose?”
“Oh,yes,Mr.Fortescue.”
“Right,Pat.I’llsettleyouinthereifthey’vegotaroom,thenI’llgoondowntoYewtreeLodge.”
“Butwhycan’tIcomewithyou,Lance?”
Lance’sfacetooksuddenlyarathergrimline.
“Frankly,Pat,I’mnotsureofmywelcome.ItwasFatherwhoinvitedmethere,butFather’sdead.Idon’tknowwhotheplacebelongstonow.Percy,Isuppose,orperhapsAdele.Anyway,I’dliketoseewhatreceptionIgetbeforeIbringyouthere.Besides—”
“Besideswhat?”
“Idon’twanttotakeyoutoahousewherethere’sapoisoneratlarge.”
“Oh,whatnonsense.”
Lancesaidfirmly:
“Whereyou’reconcerned,Pat,I’mtakingnorisks.”
ChapterEleven
I
Mr.Duboiswasannoyed.HetoreAdeleFortescue’sletterangrilyacrossandthrewitintothewastepaperbasket.Then,withasuddencaution,hefishedoutthevariouspieces,struckamatchandwatchedthemburntoashes.Hemutteredunderhisbreath:
“Whyhavewomengottobesuchdamnedfools?Surelycommonprudence…”Butthen,Mr.Duboisreflectedgloomily,womenneverhadanyprudence.Thoughhehadprofitedbythislackmanyatime,itannoyedhimnow.Hehimselfhadtakeneveryprecaution.IfMrs.Fortescueranguptheyhadinstructionstosaythathewasout.AlreadyAdeleFortescue
“CanIspeaktoMrs.Fortescue,please?Yes,Mr.Dubois.”Aminuteortwolaterheheardhervoice.
“Vivian,atlast!”
“Yes,yes,Adele,butbecareful.Whereareyouspeakingfrom?”
“Fromthelibrary.”
“Surenobody’slisteningin,inthehall?”
“Whyshouldthey?”
“Well,youneverknow.Arethepolicestillaboutthehouse?”
“No,they’vegoneforthemoment,anyhow.Oh,Viviandear,it’sbeenawful.”
“Yes,yes,itmusthaveI’msure.Butlookhere,Adele,we’vegottobecareful.”
“Oh,ofcourse,darling.”
“Don’tcallmedarlingthroughthephone.Itisn’tsafe.”
“Aren’tyoubeingalittlebitpanicky,Vivian?Afterall,everybodysaysdarlingnowadays.”
“Yes,yes,that’strueenough.Butlisten.Don’ttelephonetomeanddon’twrite”
“ButVivian—”
“It’sjustforthepresent,youunderstand.Wemustbecareful.”
“Oh.Allright.”Hervoicesoundedoffended.
“Adele,listen.Myletterstoyou.Youdidburnthem,didn’tyou?”
TherewasamomentaryhesitationbeforeAdeleFortescuesaid:
“Ofcourse.ItoldyouIwasgoingtodoso.”
“That’sallrightthen.WellI’llringoffnow.Don’tphoneanddon’twrite.You’llhearfrommeingoodtime.”
Heputthereceiverbackinitshook.Hestrokedhischeekthoughtfully.Hedidn’tlikethatmoment’shesitation.HadAdeleburnthisletters?Womenwereallthesame.Theypromisedtoburnthingsandthendidn’t.
Letters,Mr.Duboisthoughttohimself.Womenalwayswantedyoutowritethemletters.Hehimselftriedtobecarefulbutsometimesonecouldnotgetoutofit.WhathadhesaidexactlyinthefewlettershehadwrittentoAdeleFortescue?“Itwastheusualsortofgup,”hethought,gloomily.Butwerethereanyspecialwords—specialphrasesthatthepolicecouldtwisttomakethemsaywhattheywantedthemtosay.HerememberedtheEdithThompsoncase.Hisletterswereinnocentenough,hethought,buthecouldnotbesure.Hisuneasinessgrew.EvenifAdelehadnotalreadyburnthisletters,wouldshehavethesensetoburnthemnow?Orhadthepolicealreadygotholdofthem?Wheredidshe
Uptonowtheyhadprobablybeenbusylookingforpossiblesourcesofpoisoninthefood.Theywouldnot,hehoped,havegotroundtoaroombyroomsearchofthehouse.Perhapstheywouldhavetoaskpermissionorgetasearchwarranttodothat.Itwaspossiblethatifheactednow,atonce—
Hevisualizedthehouseclearlyinhismind’seye.Itwouldbegettingtowardsdusk.Teawouldbebroughtin,eitherintothelibraryorintothedrawingroom.Everyonewouldbeassembleddownstairsandtheservantswouldbehavingteaintheservants’hall.Therewouldbenooneupstairsonthefirstfloor.Easytowalkupthroughthegarden,skirtingtheyewhedgesthatprovidedsuchadmirablecover.Thentherewasthelittledooratthesideontotheterrace.Thatwasneverlockeduntiljustbeforebedtime.Onecouldslipthroughthereand,choosingone’smoment,slipupstairs.
VivianDuboisconsideredverycarefullywhatitbehovehimtodonext.IfFortescue’sdeathhadbeenputdowntoaseizureortoastrokeassurelyitoughttohavebeen,thepositionwouldbeverydifferent.Asitwas—Duboismurmuredunderhisbreath:“Betterbesafethansorry.”
II
MaryDovecameslowlydownthebigstaircase.Shepausedamomentatthewindowonthehalflanding,fromwhichshehadseenInspectorNeelearriveontheprecedingday.Now,asshelookedoutinthefadinglight,shenoticedaman’sfigurejustdisappearingroundtheyewhedge.ShewonderedifitwasLancelotFortescue,theprodigalson.Hehad,perhaps,dismissedhiscaratthegateandwaswanderingroundthegardenrecollectingoldtimestherebeforetacklingapossiblyhostilefamily.MaryDovefeltrathersympathetictowardsLance.Afaintsmileonherlips,shewentondownstairs.InthehallsheencounteredGladys,whojumpednervouslyatthesightofher.
“WasthatthetelephoneIheardjustnow?”Maryasked.“Whowasit?”
“Oh,thatwasawrongnumber.Thoughtwewerethelaundry.”Gladyssoundedbreathlessandratherhurried.“Andbeforethat,itwasMr.Dubois.Hewantedtospeaktothemistress.”
“Isee.”
Marywentonacrossthehall.Turningherhead,shesaid:“It’steatime,Ithink.Haven’tyoubroughtitinyet?”
Gladyssaid:“Idon’tthinkit’shalfpastfouryet,isit,miss?”
“It’stwentyminutestofive.Bringitinnow,willyou?”
MaryDovewentonintothelibrarywhereAdeleFortescue,sittingonthesofa,wasstaringatthefire,pickingwithherfingersatasmalllacehandkerchief.Adelesaidfretfully:
“Where’stea?”
MaryDovesaid:“It’sjustcomingin.”
AloghadfallenoutofthefireplaceandMaryDovekneltdownatthegrateandreplaceditwiththetongs,addinganotherpieceofwoodandalittlecoal.
Gladyswentoutintothekitchen,whereMrs.Crumpraisedaredandwrathfulfacefromthekitchentablewhereshewasmixingpastryinalargebowl.
“Thelibrarybell’sbeenringingandringing.Timeyoutookinthetea,mygirl.”
“Allright,allright,Mrs.Crump.”
“WhatI’llsaytoCrumptonight,”mutteredMrs.Crump.“I’lltellhimoff.”
Gladyswentonintothepantry.Shehadnotcutanysandwiches.Well,shejollywellwasn’tgoingtocutsandwiches.They’dgotplentytoeatwithoutthat,hadn’tthey?Twocakes,biscuitsandsconesandhoney.Freshblack-marketfarmbutter.Plentywithoutherbotheringtocuttomatoorfoisgrassandwiches.She’dgototherthingstothinkabout.FairtemperMrs.Crumpwasin,allbecauseMr.Crumphadgoneoutthisafternoon.Well,itwashisdayout,wasn’tit?Quiterightofhim,Gladysthought.Mrs.Crumpcalledoutfromthekitchen:
“Thekettle’sboilingitsheadoff.Aren’tyouevergoingtomakethattea?”
“Coming.”
Shejerkedsometeawithoutmeasuringitintothebigsilverpot,carrieditintothekitchenandpouredtheboilingwateronit.Sheaddedtheteapotandthekettletothebigsilvertrayandcarriedthewholethingthroughtothelibrarywhereshesetitonthesmalltablenearthesofa.Shewentbackhurriedlyfortheothertraywiththeeatablesonit.Shecarriedthelatterasfarasthehallwhenthesuddenjarringnoiseofthegrandfatherclockpreparingitselftostrikemadeherjump.
Inthelibrary,AdeleFortescuesaidquerulously,toMaryDove:
“Whereiseverybodythisafternoon?”
“Ireallydon’tknow,Mrs.Fortescue.MissFortescuecameinsometimeago.IthinkMrs.Percival’swritinglettersinherroom.”
Adelesaidpettishly:“Writingletters,writingletters.Thatwomanneverstopswritingletters.She’slikeallpeopleofherclass.Shetakesanabsolutedelightindeathandmisfortune.Ghoulish,that’swhatIcallit.Absolutelyghoulish.”
Marymurmuredtactfully:“I’lltellherthatteaisready.”
GoingtowardsthedoorshedrewbackalittleinthedoorwayasElaineFortescuecameintotheroom.Elainesaid:
“It’scold,”anddroppeddownbythefireplace,rubbingherhandsbeforetheblaze.
Marystoodforamomentinthehall.Alargetraywithcakesonitwasstandingononeofthehallchests.Sinceitwasgettingdarkinthehall,Maryswitchedonthelight.AsshedidsoshethoughtsheheardJenniferFortescuewalkingalongthepassageupstairs.Nobody,however,camedownthestairsandMarywentupthestaircaseandalongthecorridor.
PercivalFortescueandhiswifeoccupiedaself-containedsuiteinonewingofthehouse.Marytappedonthesittingroomdoor.Mrs.Percivallikedyoutotapondoors,afactwhichalwaysrousedCrump’sscornofher.Hervoicesaidbriskly:
“Comein.”
Maryopenedthedoorandmurmured:
“Teaisjustcomingin,Mrs.Percival.”
ShewasrathersurprisedtoseeJenniferFortescuewithheroutdoorclotheson.Shewasjustdivestingherselfofalongcamel-haircoat.
“Ididn’tknowyou’dbeenout,”saidMary.
Mrs.Percivalsoundedslightlyoutofbreath.
“Oh,Iwasjustinthegarden,that’sall.Justgettingalittleair.Really,though,itwastoocold.Ishallbegladtogetdowntothefire.Thecentralheatinghereisn’tasgoodasitmightbe.Somebodymustspeaktothegardenersaboutit,MissDove.”
“I’lldoso,”Marypromised.
JenniferFortescuedroppedhercoatonachairandfollowedMaryoutoftheroom.ShewentdownthestairsaheadofMary,whodrewbackalittletogiveherprecedence.Inthehall,rathertoMary’ssurprise,shenoticedthetrayofeatableswasstillthere.ShewasabouttogoouttothepantryandcalltoGladyswhenAdeleFortescueappearedinthedoorofthelibrary,sayinginanirritablevoice:
“Aren’tweevergoingtohaveanythingtoeatfortea?”
QuicklyMarypickedupthetrayandtookitintothelibrary,disposingthevariousthingsonlowtablesnearthefireplace.Shewascarryingtheemptytrayouttothehallagainwhenthefront-doorbellrang.Settingdownthetray,Marywenttothedoorherself.Ifthiswastheprodigalsonatlastshewasrathercurioustoseehim.“HowunliketherestoftheFortescues,”Marythought,assheopenedthedoorandlookedupintothedarkleanfaceandthefaintquizzicaltwistofthemouth.Shesaidquietly:
“Mr.LancelotFortescue?”
“Himself.”
Marypeeredbeyondhim.
“Yourluggage?”
“I’vepaidoffthetaxi.ThisisallI’vegot.”
Hepickedupamedium-sizedzipbag.Somefaintfeelingofsurpriseinhermind,Marysaid:
“Oh,youdidcomeinataxi.Ithoughtperhapsyou’dwalkedup.Andyourwife?”
Hisfacesetinarathergrimline,Lancesaid:
“Mywifewon’tbecoming.Atleast,notjustyet.”
“Isee.Comethisway,willyou,Mr.Fortescue.Everyoneisinthelibrary,havingtea.”
Shetookhimtothelibrarydoorandlefthimthere.ShethoughttoherselfthatLancelotFortescuewasaveryattractiveperson.Asecondthoughtfollowedthefirst.Probablyagreatmanyotherwomenthoughtso,too.
III
“Lance!”
Elainecamehurryingforwardtowardshim.SheflungherarmsroundhisneckandhuggedhimwithaschoolgirlabandonthatLancefoundquitesurprising.
“Hallo.HereIam.”
Hedisengagedhimselfgently.
“ThisisJennifer?”
JenniferFortescuelookedathimwitheagercuriosity.
“I’mafraidVal’sbeendetainedintown,”shesaid.“There’ssomuchtoseeto,youknow.Allthearrangementstomakeandeverything.OfcourseitallcomesonVal.Hehastoseetoeverything.Youcanreallyhavenoideawhatwe’reallgoingthrough.”
“Itmustbeterribleforyou,”saidLancegravely.
Heturnedtothewomanonthesofa,whowassittingwithapieceofsconeandhoneyinherhand,quietlyappraisinghim.
“Ofcourse,”criedJennifer,“youdon’tknowAdele,doyou?”
Lancemurmured,“Ohyes,Ido,”ashetookAdeleFortescue’shandinhis.Ashelookeddownather,hereyelidsfluttered.Shesetdownthesconeshewaseatingwithherlefthandandjusttouchedthearrangementofherhair.Itwasafemininegesture.Itmarkedherrecognitionoftheentrytotheroomofapersonableman.Shesaidinherthick,softvoice:
“Sitdownhereonthesofabesideme,Lance.”Shepouredoutacupofteaforhim.“I’msogladyou’vecome,”shewenton.“Webadlyneedanothermaninthehouse.”
Lancesaid:
“YoumustletmedoeverythingIcantohelp.”
“Youknow—butperhapsyoudon’tknow—we’vehadthepolicehere.Theythink—theythink—”shebrokeoffandcriedoutpassionately:“Oh,it’sawful!Awful!”
“Iknow.”Lancewasgraveandsympathetic.“AsamatteroffacttheymetmeatLondonAirport.”
“Thepolicemetyou?”
“Yes.”
“Whatdidtheysay?”
“Well,”Lancewasdeprecating.“Theytoldmewhathadhappened.”
“Hewaspoisoned,”saidAdele,“that’swhattheythink,whattheysay.Notfoodpoisoning.Realpoisoning,bysomeone.Ibelieve,Ireallydobelievetheythinkit’soneofus.”
Lancegaveherasuddenquicksmile.
“That’stheirpigeon,”hesaidconsolingly.“It’snogoodourworrying.Whatascrumptioustea!It’salongtimesinceI’veseenagoodEnglishtea.”
Theothersfellinwithhismoodsoonenough.Adelesaidsuddenly:
“Butyourwife—haven’tyougotawife,Lance?”
“I’vegotawife,yes.She’sinLondon.”
“Butaren’tyou—hadn’tyoubetterbringherdownhere?”
“Plentyoftimetomakeplans,”saidLance.“Pat—oh,Pat’squiteallrightwheresheis.”
Elainesaidsharply:
“Youdon’tmean—youdon’tthink—”
Lancesaidquickly:
“Whatawonderful-lookingchocolatecake.Imusthavesome.”
Cuttinghimselfaslice,heasked:
“IsAuntEffiealivestill?”
“Oh,yes,Lance.Shewon’tcomedownandhavemealswithusoranything,butshe’squitewell.Onlyshe’sgettingverypeculiar.”
“Shealwayswaspeculiar,”saidLance.“Imustgoupandseeheraftertea.”
JenniferFortescuemurmured:
“Atherageonedoesreallyfeelthatsheoughttobeinsomekindofahome.Imeansomewherewhereshewillbeproperlylookedafter.”
“Heavenhelpanyoldladies’homethatgotAuntEffieintheirmidst,”saidLance.Headded,“Who’sthedemurepieceofgoodswholetmein?”
Adelelookedsurprised.
“Didn’tCrumpletyouin?Thebutler?Ohno,Iforgot.It’shisdayouttoday.ButsurelyGladys—”
Lancegaveadescription.“Blueeyes,hairpartedinthemiddle,softvoice,butterwouldn’tmeltinthemouth.Whatgoesonbehinditall,Iwouldn’tliketosay.”
“That,”saidJennifer,“wouldbeMaryDove.”
Elainesaid:
“Shesortofrunsthingsforus.”
“Doesshe,now?”
Adelesaid:
“She’sreallyveryuseful.”
“Yes,”saidLancethoughtfully,“Ishouldthinkshemightbe.”
“Butwhatissoniceis,”saidJennifer,“thatsheknowsherplace.Sheneverpresumes,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“CleverMaryDove,”saidLance,andhelpedhimselftoanotherpieceofchocolatecake.
ChapterTwelve
I
“Soyou’veturnedupagainlikeabadpenny,”saidMissRamsbottom.
Lancegrinnedather.“Justasyousay,AuntEffie.”
“Humph!”MissRamsbottomsniffeddisapprovingly.“You’vechosenanicetimetodoit.Yourfathergothimselfmurderedyesterday,thehouseisfullofpolicepokingabouteverywhere,grubbinginthedustbins,even.I’veseenthemoutofthewindow.”Shepaused,sniffedagain,andasked:“Gotyourwifewithyou?”
“No.IleftPatinLondon.”
“Thatshowssomesense.Ishouldn’tbringherhereifIwereyou.Youneverknowwhatmighthappen.”
“Toher?ToPat?”
“Toanybody,”saidMissRamsbottom.
LanceFortescuelookedatherthoughtfully.
“Gotanyideasaboutitall,AuntEffie?”heasked.
MissRamsbottomdidnotreplydirectly.“Ihadaninspectorhereyesterdayaskingmequestions.Hedidn’tgetmuchchangeoutofme.Buthewasn’tsuchafoolashelooked,notbyalongway.”Sheaddedwithsomeindignation:“Whatyourgrandfatherwouldfeelifheknewwehadthepoliceinthehouse—it’senoughtomakehimturninhisgrave.AstrictPlymouthBrotherhewasallhislife.ThefusstherewaswhenhefoundoutI’dbeenattendingChurchofEnglandservicesintheevening!AndI’msurethatwasharmlessenoughcomparedtomurder.”
NormallyLancewouldhavesmiledatthis,buthislong,darkfaceremainedserious.Hesaid:
“D’youknow,I’mquiteinthedarkafterhavingbeenawaysolong.What’sbeengoingonhereoflate?”
MissRamsbottomraisedhereyestoheaven.
“Godlessdoings,”shesaidfirmly.
“Yes,yes,AuntEffie,youwouldsaythatanyway.ButwhatgivesthepolicetheideathatDadwaskilledhere,inthishouse?”
“Adulteryisonethingandmurderisanother,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Ishouldn’tliketothinkitofher,Ishouldn’tindeed.”
Lancelookedalert.“Adele?”heasked
“Mylipsaresealed,”saidMissRamsbottom.
“Comeon,olddear,”saidLance.“It’salovelyphrase,butitdoesn’tmeanathing.Adelehadaboyfriend?Adeleandtheboyfriendfedhimhenbaneinthemorningtea.Isthatthesetup?”
“I’lltroubleyounottojokeaboutit.”
“Iwasn’treallyjoking,youknow.”
“I’lltellyouonething,”saidMissRamsbottomsuddenly.“Ibelievethatgirlknowssomethingaboutit.”
“Whichgirl?”Lancelookedsurprised.
“Theonethatsniffs,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Theonethatoughttohavebroughtmeupmyteathisafternoon,butdidn’t.Goneoutwithoutleave,sotheysay.Ishouldn’twonderifshehadgonetothepolice.Wholetyouin?”
“SomeonecalledMaryDove,Iunderstand.Verymeekandmild—butnotreally.Isshetheonewho’sgonetothepolice?”
“Shewouldn’tgotothepolice,”saidMissRamsbottom.“No—Imeanthatsillylittleparlourmaid.She’sbeentwitchingandjumpinglikearabbitallday.‘What’sthematterwithyou?’Isaid.‘Haveyougotaguiltyconscience?’Shesaid:‘Ineverdidanything—Iwouldn’tdoathinglikethat.’‘Ihopeyouwouldn’t,’Isaidtoher,‘butthere’ssomethingworryingyounow,isn’tthere?’Thenshebegantosniffandsaidshedidn’twanttogetanybodyintotrouble,shewassureitmustbeallamistake.Isaidtoher,Isaid:‘Now,mygirl,youspeakthetruthandshamethedevil.’That’swhatIsaid.‘Yougotothepolice,’Isaid,‘andtellthemanythingyouknow,becausenogoodevercame,’Isaid,‘ofhushingupthetruth,howeverunpleasantitis.’Thenshetalkedalotofnonsenseaboutshecouldn’tgotothepolice,they’dneverbelieveherandwhatonearthshouldshesay?Sheendedupbysayinganywayshedidn’tknowanythingatall.”
“Youdon’tthink,”Lancehesitated,“thatshewasjustmakingherselfimportant?”
“No,Idon’t.Ithinkshewasscared.Ithinkshesawsomethingorheardsomethingthat’sgivenhersomeideaaboutthewholething.Itmaybeimportant,oritmayn’tbeoftheleastconsequence.”
“Youdon’tthinksheherselfcould’vehadagrudgeagainstFatherand—”Lancehesitated.
MissRamsbottomwasshakingherheaddecidedly.
“She’snotthekindofgirlyourfatherwouldhavetakentheleastnoticeof.Nomaneverwilltakemuchnoticeofher,poorgirl.Ah,well,it’sallthebetterforhersoul,thatIdaresay.”
LancetooknointerestinGlady’ssoul.Heasked:
“Youthinkshemayhaverunalongtothepolicestation?”
AuntEffienoddedvigorously.
“Yes.Ithinkshemayn’tliketo’vesaidanythingtotheminthishouseincasesomebodyoverheardher.”
Lanceasked:“Doyouthinkshemayhaveseensomeonetamperingwiththefood?”
AuntEffiethrewhimasharpglance.
“It’spossible,isn’tit?”shesaid
“Yes,Isupposeso.”Thenheaddedapologetically:“Thewholethingstillseemssowildlyimprobable.Likeadetectivestory.”
“Percival’swifeisahospitalnurse,”saidMissRamsbottom.
TheremarkseemedsounconnectedwithwhathadgonebeforethatLancelookedatherinapuzzledfashion.
“Hospitalnursesareusedtohandlingdrugs,”saidMissRamsbottom.
Lancelookeddoubtful.
“Thisstuff—taxine—isiteverusedinmedicine?”
“Theygetitfromyewberries,Igather.Childreneatyewberriessometimes,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Makesthemveryill,too.IrememberacasewhenIwasachild.Itmadeagreatimpressiononme.Ineverforgotit.Thingsyouremembercomeinusefulsometimes.”
Lanceraisedhisheadsharplyandstaredather.
“Naturalaffectionisonething,”saidMissRamsbottom,“andIhopeI’vegotasmuchofitasanyone.ButIwon’tstandforwickedness.Wickednesshastobedestroyed.”
II
“Wentoffwithoutawordtome,”saidMrs.Crump,raisingherred,wrathfulfacefromthepastryshewasnowrollingoutontheboard.“Slippedoutwithoutawordtoanybody.Sly,that’swhatitis.Sly!Afraidshe’dbestopped,andIwouldhavestoppedherifI’dcaughther!Theidea!There’sthemasterdead,Mr.Lancecominghomethathasn’tbeenhomeforyearsandIsaidtoCrump,Isaid:‘Dayoutornodayout,Iknowmyduty.There’snotgoingtobecoldsuppertonightasisusualonaThursday,butaproperdinner.Agentlemancominghomefromabroadwithhiswife,whatwasformerlymarriedinthearistocracy,thingsmustbeproperlydone.’Youknowme,miss,youknowItakeaprideinmywork.”
MaryDove,therecipientoftheseconfidences,noddedherheadgently.
“AndwhatdoesCrumpsay?”Mrs.Crump’svoiceroseangrily.“‘It’smydayoffandI’mgoin’off,’that’swhathesays.‘Andafigforthearistocracy,’hesays.Noprideinhiswork,Crumphasn’t.SooffhegoesandItellGladysshe’llhavetomanagealonetonight.Shejustsays:‘Allright,Mrs.Crump,’then,whenmyback’sturnedoutshesneaks.Itwasn’therdayout,anyway.Friday’sherday.Howwe’regoingtomanagenow,Idon’tknow!ThankgoodnessMr.Lancehasn’tbroughthiswifeherewithhimtoday.”
“Weshallmanage,Mrs.Crump,”Mary’svoicewasbothsoothingandauthoritative,“ifwejustsimplifythemenualittle.”Sheoutlinedafewsuggestions.Mrs.Crumpnoddedunwillingacquiescence.“Ishallbeabletoservethatquiteeasily,”Maryconcluded.
“Youmeanyou’llwaitattableyourself,miss?”Mrs.Crumpsoundeddoubtful
“IfGladysdoesn’tcomebackintime.”
“Shewon’tcomeback,”saidMrs.Crump.“Gallivantingoff,wastinghermoneysomewhereintheshops.She’sgotayoungman,youknow,miss,thoughyouwouldn’tthinkittolookather.Alberthisnameis.Goingtogetmarriednextspring,soshetellsme.Don’tknowwhatthemarriedstate’slike,thesegirlsdon’t.WhatI’vebeenthroughwithCrump.”Shesighed,thensaidinanordinaryvoice:“Whatabouttea,miss.Who’sgoingtoclearitawayandwashitup?”
“I’lldothat,”saidMary.“I’llgoanddoitnow.”
ThelightshadnotbeenturnedoninthedrawingroomthoughAdeleFortescuewasstillsittingonthesofabehindtheteatray.
“ShallIswitchthelightson,Mrs.Fortescue?”Maryasked.Adeledidnotanswer.
Maryswitchedonthelightsandwentacrosstothewindow,whereshepulledthecurtainsacross.Itwasonlythenthatsheturnedherheadandsawthefaceofthewomanwhohadsaggedbackagainstthecushions.Ahalf-eatensconespreadwithhoneywasbesideherandherteacupwasstillhalffull.DeathhadcometoAdeleFortescuesuddenlyandswiftly.
III
“Well?”demandedInspectorNeeleimpatiently.
Thedoctorsaidpromptly:
“Cyanide—potassiumcyanideprobably—inthetea.”
“Cyanide,”mutteredNeele.
Thedoctorlookedathimwithslightcuriosity.
“You’retakingthishard—anyspecialreason—”
“Shewascastasamurderess,”saidNeele.
“Andsheturnsouttobeavictim.Hm.You’llhavetothinkagain,won’tyou?”
Neelenodded.Hisfacewasbitterandhisjawwasgrimlyset.
Poisoned!Rightunderhisnose.TaxineinRexFortescue’sbreakfastcoffee,cyanideinAdeleFortescue’stea.Stillanintimatefamilyaffair.Orsoitseemed.
AdeleFortescue,JenniferFortescue,ElaineFortescueandthenewlyarrivedLanceFortescuehadhadteatogetherinthelibrary.LancehadgoneuptoseeMissRamsbottom,Jenniferhadgonetoherownsittingroomtowriteletters,Elainehadbeenthelasttoleavethelibrary.AccordingtoherAdelehadthenbeeninperfecthealthandhadjustbeenpouringherselfoutalastcupoftea.
Alastcupoftea!Yes,ithadindeedbeenherlastcupoftea.
Andafterthatablanktwentyminutes,perhaps,untilMaryDovehadcomeintotheroomanddiscoveredthebody.
Andduringthattwentyminutes—
InspectorNeelesworetohimselfandwentoutintothekitchen.
Sittinginachairbythekitchentable,thevastfigureofMrs.Crump,herbelligerenceprickedlikeaballoon,hardlystirredashecamein.
“Where’sthatgirl?Hasshecomebackyet?”
“Gladys?No—she’snotback—Won’tbe,Isuspect,untileleveno’clock.”
“Shemadethetea,yousay,andtookitin.”
“Ididn’ttouchit,sir,asGod’smywitness.Andwhat’smoreIdon’tbelieveGladysdidanythingsheshouldn’t.Shewouldn’tdoathinglikethat—notGladys.She’sagoodenoughgirl,sir—abitfoolishlike,that’sall—notwicked.”
No,NeeledidnotthinkthatGladyswaswicked.HedidnotthinkthatGladyswasapoisoner.Andinanycasethecyanidehadnotbeenintheteapot.
“Butwhatmadehergooffsuddenly—likethis?Itwasn’therdayout,yousay.”
“No,sir,tomorrow’sherdayout.”
“DoesCrump—”
Mrs.Crump’sbelligerencesuddenlyrevived.Hervoicerosewrathfully.
“Don’tyougofasteninganythingonCrump.Crump’soutofit.Hewentoffatthreeo’clock—andthankfulIamnowthathedid.He’sasmuchoutofitasMr.Percivalhimself.”
PercivalFortescuehadonlyjustreturnedfromLondon—tobegreetedbytheastoundingnewsofthissecondtragedy.
“Iwasn’taccusingCrump,”saidNeelemildly.“IjustwonderedifheknewanythingaboutGladys’splans.”
“Shehadherbestnylonson,”saidMrs.Crump.“Shewasuptosomething.Don’ttellme!Didn’tcutanysandwichesfortea,either.Ohyes,shewasuptosomething.I’llgiveherapieceofmymindwhenshecomesback.”
Whenshecomesback—
AfaintuneasinesspossessedNeele.ToshakeitoffhewentupstairstoAdeleFortescue’sbedroom.Alavishapartment—allrosebrocadehangingandavastgiltbed.Ononesideoftheroomwasadoorintoamirror-linedbathroomwithasunkorchid-pinkporcelainbath.Beyondthebathroom,reachedbyacommunicatingdoor,wasRexFortescue’sdressingroom.NeelewentbackintoAdele’sbedroom,andthroughthedooronthefarthersideoftheroomintohersittingroom.
TheroomwasfurnishedinEmpirestylewitharosepilecarpet.Neeleonlygaveitacursoryglanceforthatparticularroomhadhadhiscloseattentionontheprecedingday—withspecialattentionpaidtothesmallelegantdesk.
Now,however,hestiffenedtosuddenattention.Onthecentreoftherosepilecarpetwasasmallpieceofcakedmud.
Neelewentovertoitandpickeditup.Themudwasstilldamp.
Helookedround—therewerenofootprintsvisible—onlythisoneisolatedfragmentofwetearth.
IV
InspectorNeelelookedroundthebedroomthatbelongedtoGladysMartin.Itwaspasteleveno’clock—Crumphadcomeinhalfanhourago—buttherewasstillnosignofGladys.InspectorNeelelookedroundhim.WhateverGladys’straininghadbeen,herownnaturalinstinctswereslovenly.Thebed,InspectorNeelejudged,wasseldommade,thewindowsseldomopened.Gladys’spersonalhabits,however,werenothisimmediateconcern.Instead,hewentcarefullythroughherpossessions.
Theyconsistedforthemostpartofcheapandratherpatheticfinery.Therewaslittlethatwasdurableorofgoodquality.TheelderlyEllen,whomhehadcalledupontoassisthim,hadnotbeenhelpful.Shedidn’tknowwhatclothesGladyshadorhadn’t.Shecouldn’tsaywhat,ifanything,wasmissing.Heturnedfromtheclothesandtheunderclothestothecontentsofthechestofdrawers.ThereGladyskepthertreasures.Therewerepicturepostcardsandnewspapercuttings,knittingpatterns,hintsonbeautyculture,dressmakingandfashionadvice.
InspectorNeelesortedthemneatlyintovariouscategories.ThepicturepostcardsconsistedmainlyofviewsofvariousplaceswherehepresumedGladyshadspentherholidays.Amongstthemwerethreepicturepostcardssigned“Bert.”Bert,hetooktobethe“youngman”referredtobyMrs.Crump.Thefirstpostcardsaid—inanilliteratehand:“Allthebest.Missingyoualot.Yoursever,Bert.”Thesecondsaid:“Lotsofnice-lookinggirlsherebutnotonethat’sapatchonyou.Beseeingyousoon.Don’tforgetourdate.Andrememberafterthat—it’sthumbsupandlivinghappyeverafter.”Thethirdsaidmerely:“Don’tforget.I’mtrustingyou.Love,B.”
Next,Neelelookedthroughthenewspapercuttingsandsortedthemintothreepiles.Therewerethedressmakingandbeautyhints,therewereitemsaboutcinemastarstowhichGladyshadappearedgreatlyaddictedandshehadalso,itappeared,beenattractedbythelatestmarvelsofscience.Therewerecuttingsaboutflyingsaucers,aboutsecretweapons,abouttruthdrugsusedbyRussians,andclaimsforfantasticdrugsdiscoveredbyAmericandoctors.Allthewitchcraft,soNeelethought,ofourtwentiethcentury.Butinallthecontentsoftheroomtherewasnothingtogivehimacluetoherdisappearance.Shehadkeptnodiary,notthathehadexpectedthat.Itwasaremotepossibility.Therewasnounfinishedletter,norecordatallofanythingshemighthaveseeninthehousewhichcouldhavehadabearingonRexFortescue’sdeath.WhateverGladyshadseen,whateverGladyshadknown,therewasnorecordofit.Itwouldstillhavetobeguessworkwhythesecondteatrayhadbeenleftinthehall,andGladysherselfhadsosuddenlyvanished.
Sighing,Neelelefttheroom,shuttingthedoorbehindhim.
Ashepreparedtodescendthesmallwindingstairsheheardanoiseofrunningfeetcomingalongthelandingbelow.
TheagitatedfaceofSergeantHaylookedupathimfromthebottomofthestairs.SergeantHaywaspantingalittle.
“Sir,”hesaidurgently.“Sir!We’vefoundher—”
“Foundher?”
“Itwasthehousemaid,sir—Ellen—rememberedasshehadn’tbroughttheclothesinfromwheretheywerehangingontheline—justroundthecornerfromthebackdoor.Soshewentoutwithatorchtotaketheminandshealmostfelloverthebody—thegirl’sbody—strangled,shewas,withastockingroundherthroat—beendeadforhours,I’dsay.And,sir,it’sawickedkindofjoke—therewasaclothes-pegclippedonhernose—”
ChapterThirteen
Anelderlyladytravellingbytrainhadboughtthreemorningpapers,andeachofthemasshefinishedit,foldeditandlaiditaside,showedthesameheadline.Itwasnolongeraquestionnowofasmallparagraphhiddenawayinthecornerofthepapers.TherewereheadlineswithflaringannouncementsofTripleTragedyatYewtreeLodge.
Theoldladysatveryupright,lookingoutofthewindowofthetrain,herlipspursedtogether,anexpressionofdistressanddisapprovalonherpinkandwhitewrinkledface.MissMarplehadleftSt.MaryMeadbytheearlytrain,changingatthejunctionandgoingontoLondon,whereshetookaCircletraintoanotherLondonterminusandthenceontoBaydonHeath.
AtthestationshesignalledataxiandaskedtobetakentoYewtreeLodge.Socharming,soinnocent,suchafluffyandpinkandwhiteoldladywasMissMarplethatshegainedadmittancetowhatwasnowpracticallyafortressinastateofsiegefarmoreeasilythancouldhavebeenbelievedpossible.Thoughanarmyofreportersandphotographerswerebeingkeptatbaybythepolice,MissMarplewasallowedtodriveinwithoutquestion,soimpossiblewouldithavebeentobelievethatshewasanyonebutanelderlyrelativeofthefamily.
MissMarplepaidoffthetaxiinacarefulassortmentofsmallchange,andrangthefrontdoorbell.CrumpopeneditandMissMarplesummedhimupwithanexperiencedglance.“Ashiftyeye,”shesaidtoherself.“Scaredtodeath,too.”
Crumpsawatall,elderlyladywearinganold-fashionedtweedcoatandskirt,acoupleofscarvesandasmallfelthatwithabird’swing.Theoldladycarriedacapacioushandbagandanagedbutgood-qualitysuitcasereposedbyherfeet.Crumprecognizedaladywhenhesawoneandsaid:
“Yes,madam?”inhisbestandmostrespectfulvoice.
“CouldIseethemistressofthehouse,please?”saidMissMarple.
Crumpdrewbacktoletherin.Hepickedupthesuitcaseandputitcarefullydowninthehall.
“Well,madam,”hesaidratherdubiously,“Idon’tknowwhoexactly—”
MissMarplehelpedhimout.
“Ihavecome,”shesaid,“tospeakaboutthepoorgirlwhowaskilled.GladysMartin.”
“Oh,Isee,madam.Wellinthatcase—”hebrokeoff,andlookedtowardsthelibrarydoorfromwhichatallyoungwomanhadjustemerged.“ThisisMrs.LanceFortescue,madam,”hesaid.
PatcameforwardandsheandMissMarplelookedateachother.MissMarplewasawareofafaintfeelingofsurprise.ShehadnotexpectedtoseesomeonelikePatriciaFortescueinthisparticularhouse.Itsinteriorwasmuchasshehadpicturedit,butPatdidnotsomehowmatchwiththatinterior.
“It’saboutGladys,madam,”saidCrumphelpfully.
Patsaidratherhesitatingly:
“Willyoucomeinhere?Weshallbequitealone.”
SheledthewayintothelibraryandMissMarplefollowedher.
“Therewasn’tanyonespeciallyyouwantedtosee,wasthere?”saidPat,“becauseperhapsIshan’tbemuchgood.YouseemyhusbandandIonlycamebackfromAfricaafewdaysago.Wedon’treallyknowanythingmuchaboutthehousehold.ButIcanfetchmysister-in-lawormybrother-in-law’swife.”
MissMarplelookedatthegirlandlikedher.Shelikedhergravityandhersimplicity.Forsomestrangereasonshefeltsorryforher.Abackgroundofshabbychintzandhorsesanddogs,MissMarplefeltvaguely,wouldhavebeenmuchmoresuitablethanthisrichlyfurnishedinteriordécor.AttheponyshowandgymkhanasheldlocallyroundSt.MaryMead,MissMarplehadmetmanyPatsandknewthemwell.Shefeltathomewiththisratherunhappy-lookinggirl.
“It’sverysimple,really,”saidMissMarple,takingoffherglovescarefullyandsmoothingoutthefingersofthem.“Ireadinthepaper,yousee,aboutGladysMartinhavingbeenkilled.AndofcourseIknowallabouther.Shecomesfrommypartofthecountry.Itrainedher,infact,fordomesticservice.Andsincethisterriblethinghashappenedtoher,Ifelt—well,IfeltthatIoughttocomeandseeiftherewasanythingIcoulddoaboutit.”
“Yes,”saidPat.“Ofcourse.Isee.”
Andshedidsee.MissMarple’sactionappearedtohernaturalandinevitable.
“Ithinkit’saverygoodthingyouhavecome,”saidPat.“Nobodyseemstoknowverymuchabouther.Imeanrelationsandallthat.”
“No,”saidMissMarple,“ofcoursenot.Shehadn’tgotanyrelations.Shecametomefromtheorphanage.St.Faith’s.Averywell-runplacethoughsadlyshortoffunds.Wedoourbestforthegirlsthere,trytogivethemagoodtrainingandallthat.GladyscametomewhenshewasseventeenandItaughtherhowtowaitattableandkeepthesilverandeverythinglikethat.Ofcourseshedidn’tstaylong.Theyneverdo.Assoonasshegotalittleexperience,shewentandtookajobinacafé.Thegirlsnearlyalwayswanttodothat.Theythinkit’sfreer,youknow,andagayerlife.Perhapsitmaybe.Ireallydon’tknow.”
“Ineverevensawher,”saidPat.“Wassheaprettygirl?”
“Oh,no,”saidMissMarple,“notatall.Adenoids,andagoodmanyspots.Shewasratherpatheticallystupid,too.Idon’tsuppose,”wentonMissMarplethoughtfully,“thatsheevermademanyfriendsanywhere.Shewasverykeenonmen,poorgirl.Butmendidn’ttakemuchnoticeofherandothergirlsrathermadeuseofher.”
“Itsoundsrathercruel,”saidPat.
“Yes,mydear,”saidMissMarple,“lifeiscruel,I’mafraid.Onedoesn’treallyknowwhattodowiththeGladyses.Theyenjoygoingtothepicturesandallthat,butthey’realwaysthinkingofimpossiblethingsthatcan’tpossiblyhappentothem.Perhapsthat’shappinessofakind.Buttheygetdisappointed.IthinkGladyswasdisappointedincaféandrestaurantlife.Nothingveryglamorousorinterestinghappenedtoheranditwasjusthardonthefeet.Probablythat’swhyshecamebackintoprivateservice.Doyouknowhowlongshe’dbeenhere?”
Patshookherhead.
“Notverylong,Ishouldthink.Onlyamonthortwo.”Patpausedandthenwenton,“Itseemssohorribleandfutilethatsheshouldhavebeencaughtupinthisthing.Isupposeshe’dseensomethingornoticedsomething.”
“Itwastheclothes-pegthatreallyworriedme,”saidMissMarpleinhergentlevoice.
“Theclothes-peg?”
“Yes.Ireadaboutitinthepapers.Isupposeitistrue?Thatwhenshewasfoundtherewasaclothes-pegclippedontohernose.”
Patnodded.ThecolourrosetoMissMarple’spinkcheeks.
“That’swhatmademesoveryangry,ifyoucanunderstand,mydear.Itwassuchacruel,contemptuousgesture.Itgavemeakindofpictureofthemurderer.Todoathinglikethat!It’sverywicked,youknow,toaffronthumandignity.Particularlyifyou’vealreadykilled.”
Patsaidslowly:
“IthinkIseewhatyoumean.”Shegotup.“Ithinkyou’dbettercomeandseeInspectorNeele.He’sinchargeofthecaseandhe’sherenow.You’lllikehim,Ithink.He’saveryhumanperson.”Shegaveasudden,quickshiver.“Thewholethingissuchahorriblenightmare.Pointless.Mad.Withoutrhymeorreasoninit.”
“Iwouldn’tsaythat,youknow,”saidMissMarple.“No,Iwouldn’tsaythat.”
InspectorNeelewaslookingtiredandhaggard.Threedeathsandthepressofthewholecountrywhoopingdownthetrail.Acasethatseemedtobeshapinginwell-knownfashionhadgonesuddenlyhaywire.AdeleFortescue,thatappropriatesuspect,wasnowthesecondvictimofanincomprehensiblemurdercase.AtthecloseofthatfataldaytheassistantcommissionerhadsentforNeeleandthetwomenhadtalkedfarintothenight.
Inspiteofhisdismay,orratherbehindit,InspectorNeelehadfeltafaintinwardsatisfaction.Thatpatternofthewifeandthelover.Ithadbeentooslick,tooeasy.Hehadalwaysmistrustedit.Andnowthatmistrustofhiswasjustified.
“Thewholethingtakesonanentirelydifferentaspect,”theAChadsaid,stridingupanddownhisroomandfrowning.“Itlookstome,Neele,asthoughwe’vegotsomeonementallyunhingedtodealwith.Firstthehusband,thenthewife.Buttheverycircumstancesofthecaseseemtoshowthatit’saninsidejob.It’sallthere,inthefamily.SomeonewhosatdowntobreakfastwithFortescueputtaxineinhiscoffeeoronhisfood,someonewhohadteawiththefamilythatdayputpotassiumcyanideinAdeleFortescue’scupoftea.Someonetrusted,unnoticed,oneofthefamily.Whichof’em,Neele?”
Neelesaiddryly:
“Percivalwasn’tthere,sothatletshimoutagain.Thatletshimoutagain,”InspectorNeelerepeated.
TheAClookedathimsharply.Somethingintherepetitionhadattractedhisattention.
“What’stheidea,Neele?Outwithit,man.”
InspectorNeelelookedstolid.
“Nothing,sir.Notsomuchasanidea.AllIsayisitwasveryconvenientforhim.”
“Abittooconvenient,eh?”TheACreflectedandshookhishead.“Youthinkhemighthavemanageditsomehow?Can’tseehow,Neele.No,Ican’tseehow.”
Headded:“Andhe’sacautioustype,too.”
“Butquiteintelligent,sir.”
“Youdon’tfancythewomen.Isthatit?Yetthewomenareindicated.ElaineFortescueandPercival’swife.Theywereatbreakfastandtheywereatteathatday.Eitherofthemcouldhavedoneit.Nosignsofanythingabnormalaboutthem?Well,itdoesn’talwaysshow.Theremightbesomethingintheirpastmedicalrecord.”
InspectorNeeledidnotanswer.HewasthinkingofMaryDove.Hehadnodefinitereasonforsuspectingher,butthatwasthewayhisthoughtslay.Therewassomethingunexplainedabouther,unsatisfactory.Afaint,amusedantagonism.ThathadbeenherattitudeafterthedeathofRexFortescue.Whatwasherattitudenow?Herbehaviourandmannerwere,asalways,exemplary.Therewasnolonger,hethought,amusement.Perhapsnotevenantagonism,buthewonderedwhether,onceortwice,hehadnotseenatraceoffear.Hehadbeentoblame,culpablytoblame,inthematterofGladysMartin.Thatguiltyconfusionofhershehadputdowntonomorethananaturalnervousnessofthepolice.Hehadcomeacrossthatguiltynervousnesssooften.Inthiscaseithadbeensomethingmore.Gladyshadseenorheardsomethingwhichhadarousedhersuspicions.Itwasprobably,hethought,somequitesmallthing,somethingsovagueandindefinitethatshehadhardlylikedtospeakaboutit.Andnow,poorlittlerabbit,shewouldneverspeak.
InspectorNeelelookedwithsomeinterestatthemild,earnestfaceoftheoldladywhoconfrontedhimnowatYewtreeLodge.Hehadbeenintwomindsatfirsthowtotreather,buthequicklymade-uphismind.MissMarplewouldbeusefultohim.Shewasupright,ofunimpeachablerectitudeandshehad,likemostoldladies,timeonherhandsandanoldmaid’snoseforscentingbitsofgossip.She’dgetthingsoutofservants,andoutofthewomenoftheFortescuefamilyperhaps,thatheandhispolicemenwouldneverget.Talk,conjecture,reminiscences,repetitionsofthingssaidanddone,outofitallshewouldpickthesalientfacts.SoInspectorNeelewasgracious.
“It’suncommonlygoodofyoutohavecomehere,MissMarple,”hesaid.
“Itwasmyduty,InspectorNeele.Thegirlhadlivedinmyhouse.Ifeel,inasense,responsibleforher.Shewasaverysillygirl,youknow.”
InspectorNeelelookedatherappreciatively.
“Yes,”hesaid,“justso.”
Shehadgone,hefelt,totheheartofthematter.
“Shewouldn’tknow,”saidMissMarple,“whatsheoughttodo.If,Imean,somethingcameup.Oh,dear,I’mexpressingmyselfverybadly.”
InspectorNeelesaidthatheunderstood
“Shehadn’tgotgoodjudgementastowhatwasimportantornot,that’swhatyoumean,isn’tit?”
“Ohyes,exactly,Inspector.”
“Whenyousaythatshewassilly—”InspectorNeelebrokeoff.
MissMarpletookupthetheme.
“Shewasthecreduloustype.Shewasthesortofgirlwhowouldhavegivenhersavingstoaswindler,ifshe’dhadanysavings.Ofcourse,sheneverdidhaveanysavingsbecauseshealwaysspenthermoneyonmostunsuitableclothes.”
“Whataboutmen?”askedtheinspector
“Shewantedayoungmanbadly,”saidMissMarple.“Infactthat’sreally,Ithink,whysheleftSt.MaryMead.Thecompetitionthereisverykeen.Sofewmen.Shedidhavehopesoftheyoungmanwhodeliveredthefish.YoungFredhadapleasantwordforallthegirls,butofcoursehedidn’tmeananythingbyit.ThatupsetpoorGladysquitealot.Still,Igathershedidgetherselfayoungmanintheend?”
InspectorNeelenodded.
“Itseemsso.AlbertEvans,Igather,hisnamewas.Sheseemstohavemethimatsomeholidaycamp.Hedidn’tgiveheraringoranythingsomaybeshemadeitallup.Hewasaminingengineer,soshetoldthecook.”
“Thatseemsmostunlikely,”saidMissMarple,“butIdaresayit’swhathetoldher.AsIsay,she’dbelieveanything.Youdon’tconnecthimwiththisbusinessatall?”
InspectorNeeleshookhishead.
“No.Idon’tthinkthereareanycomplicationsofthatkind.Heneverseemstohavevisitedher.Hesentherapostcardfromtimetotime,usuallyfromaseaport—probably4thEngineeronaboatontheBalticrun.”
“Well,”saidMissMarple,“I’mgladshehadherlittleromance.Sinceherlifehasbeencutshortinthisway—”Shetightenedherlips.“Youknow,Inspector,itmakesmevery,veryangry.”Andsheadded,asshehadsaidtoPatFortescue,“Especiallytheclothes-peg.That,Inspector,wasreallywicked.”
InspectorNeelelookedatherwithinterest.
“Iknowjustwhatyoumean,MissMarple,”hesaid.
MissMarplecoughedapologetically.
“Iwonder—Isupposeitwouldbegreatpresumptiononmypart—ifonlyIcouldassistyouinmyveryhumbleand,I’mafraid,veryfeminineway.Thisisawickedmurderer,InspectorNeele,andthewickedshouldnotgounpunished.”
“That’sanunfashionablebeliefnowadays,MissMarple,”InspectorNeelesaidrathergrimly.“NotthatIdon’tagreewithyou.”
“Thereisanhotelnearthestation,orthere’stheGolfHotel,”saidMissMarpletentatively,“andIbelievethere’saMissRamsbottominthishousewhoisinterestedinforeignmissions.”
InspectorNeelelookedatMissMarpleappraisingly.
“Yes,”hesaid.“You’vegotsomethingthere,maybe.Ican’tsaythatI’vehadgreatsuccesswiththelady.”
“It’sreallyverykindofyou,InspectorNeele,”saidMissMarple.“I’msogladyoudon’tthinkI’mjustasensationhunter.”
InspectorNeelegaveasudden,ratherunexpectedsmile.HewasthinkingtohimselfthatMissMarplewasveryunlikethepopularideaofanavengingfury.Andyet,hethoughtthatwasperhapsexactlywhatshewas.
“Newspapers,”saidMissMarple,“areoftensosensationalintheiraccounts.Buthardly,Ifear,asaccurateasonemightwish.”ShelookedinquiringlyatInspectorNeele.“Ifonecouldbesureofhavingjustthesoberfacts.”
“They’renotparticularlysober,”saidNeele.“Shornofunduesensation,they’reasfollows.Mr.Fortescuediedinhisofficeasaresultoftaxinepoisoning.Taxineisobtainedfromtheberriesandleavesofyewtrees.”
“Veryconvenient,”MissMarplesaid.
“Possibly,”saidInspectorNeele,“butwe’venoevidenceastothat.Asyet,thatis.”HestressedthepointbecauseitwasherethathethoughtMissMarplemightbeuseful.Ifanybreworconcoctionofyewberrieshadbeenmadeinthehouse,MissMarplewasquitelikelytocomeupontracesofit.Shewasthesortofoldpussywhowouldmakehomemadeliqueurs,cordialsandherbteasherself.Shewouldknowmethodsofmakingandmethodsofdisposal.
“AndMrs.Fortescue?”
“Mrs.Fortescuehadteawiththefamilyinthelibrary.ThelastpersontoleavetheroomandtheteatablewasMissElaineFortescue,herstepdaughter.ShestatesthatasshelefttheroomMrs.Fortescuewaspouringherselfoutanothercupoftea.SometwentyminutesorhalfhourlaterMissDove,whoactsashousekeeper,wentintoremovetheteatray.Mrs.Fortescuewasstillsittingonthesofa,dead.Besideherwasateacupaquarterfullandinthedregsofitwaspotassiumcyanide.”
“Whichisalmostimmediateinitsaction,Ibelieve,”saidMissMarple.
“Exactly.”
“Suchdangerousstuff,”murmuredMissMarple.“Onehasittotakewasps’nestsbutI’malwaysvery,verycareful.”
“You’requiteright,”saidInspectorNeele.“Therewasapacketofitinthegardener’sshedhere.”
“Againveryconvenient,”saidMissMarple.Sheadded,“WasMrs.Fortescueeatinganything?”
“Oh,yes.They’dhadquiteasumptuoustea.”
“Cake,Isuppose?Breadandbutter?Scones,perhaps?Jam?Honey?”
“Yes,therewashoneyandscones,chocolatecakeandswissrollandvariousotherplatesofthings.”Helookedathercuriously.“Thepotassiumcyanidewasinthetea,MissMarple.”
“Oh,yes,yes.Iquiteunderstandthat.Iwasjustgettingthewholepicture,sotospeak.Rathersignificant,don’tyouthink?”
Helookedatherinaslightlypuzzledfashion.Hercheekswerepink,hereyeswerebright.
“Andthethirddeath,InspectorNeele?”
“Well,thefactsthereseemclearenough,too.Thegirl,Gladys,tookintheteatray,thenshebroughtthenexttrayintothehall,butleftitthere.She’dbeenratherabsentmindedalltheday,apparently.Afterthatnoonesawher.Thecook,Mrs.Crump,jumpedtotheconclusionthatthegirlhadgoneoutfortheeveningwithouttellinganybody.
“Someonefromoutside?”saidMissMarple.
“Perhaps,”saidInspectorNeele.“Butperhapssomeonefrominside.Someonewho’dbeenwaitinghisorheropportunitytogetthegirlalone.Thegirlwasupset,nervous,whenwefirstquestionedher,butI’mafraidwedidn’tquiteappreciatetheimportanceofthat.”
“Oh,buthowcouldyou,”criedMissMarple,“becausepeoplesooftendolookguiltyandembarrassedwhentheyarequestionedbythepolice.”
“That’sjustit.Butthistime,MissMarple,itwasrathermorethanthat.IthinkthegirlGladyshadseensomeoneperformingsomeactionthatseemedtoherneededexplanation.Itcan’t,Ithink,havebeenanythingverydefinite.Otherwiseshewouldhavespokenout.ButIthinkshedidbetraythefacttothepersoninquestion.ThatpersonrealizedthatGladyswasadanger.”
“AndsoGladyswasstrangledandaclothes-pegclippedonhernose,”murmuredMissMarpletoherself.
“Yes,that’sanastytouch.Anasty,sneeringsortoftouch.Justanastybitofunnecessarybravado.”
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“Hardlyunnecessary.Itdoesallmakeapattern,doesn’tit?”
InspectorNeelelookedathercuriously
“Idon’tquitefollowyou,MissMarple.Whatdoyoumeanbyapattern?”
MissMarpleimmediatelybecameflustered.
“Well,Imeanitdoesseem—Imean,regardedasasequence,ifyouunderstand—well,onecan’tgetawayfromfacts,canone?”
“Idon’tthinkIquiteunderstand.”
“Well,Imean—firstwehaveMr.Fortescue.RexFortescue.Killedinhisofficeinthecity.AndthenwehaveMrs.Fortescue,sittinghereinthelibraryandhavingtea.Thereweresconesandhoney.AndthenpoorGladyswiththeclothes-pegonhernose.Justtopointthewholething.ThatverycharmingMrs.LanceFortescuesaidtomethattheredidn’tseemtobeanyrhymeorreasoninit,butIcouldn’tagreewithher,becauseit’stherhymethatstrikesone,isn’tit?”
InspectorNeelesaidslowly:“Idon’tthink—”
MissMarplewentonquickly:
“Iexpectyou’reaboutthirty-fiveorthirty-six,aren’tyou,InspectorNeele?Ithinktherewasratherareactionjustthen,whenyouwerealittleboy,Imean,againstnurseryrhymes.ButifonehasbeenbroughtuponMotherGoose—Imeanitisreallyhighlysignificant,isn’tit?WhatIwonderedwas,”MissMarplepaused,thenappearingtotakehercourageinherhandswentonbravely:“OfcourseitisgreatimpertinenceIknow,onmypart,sayingthissortofthingtoyou.”
“Pleasesayanythingyoulike,MissMarple.”
“Well,that’sverykindofyou.Ishall.Though,asIsay,IdoitwiththeutmostdiffidencebecauseIknowIamveryoldandrathermuddleheaded,andIdaresaymyideaisofnovalueatall.ButwhatImeantosayishaveyougoneintothequestionofblackbirds?”
ChapterFourteen
I
ForabouttensecondsInspectorNeelestaredatMissMarplewiththeutmostbewilderment.Hisfirstideawasthattheoldladyhadgoneoffherhead.
“Blackbirds?”herepeated.
MissMarplenoddedherheadvigorously.
“Yes,”shesaid,andforwithrecited:
“‘Singasongofsixpence,apocketfulofrye,Fourandtwentyblackbirdsbakedinapie.Whenthepiewasopenedthebirdsbegantosing.Wasn’tthatadaintydishtosetbeforetheking?“‘Thekingwasinhiscountinghouse,countingouthismoney,Thequeenwasintheparloureatingbreadandhoney,Themaidwasinthegardenhangingouttheclothes,Whentherecamealittledickeybirdandnippedoffhernose.’”
“GoodLord,”InspectorNeelesaid.
“Imean,itdoesfit,”saidMissMarple.“Itwasryeinhispocket,wasn’tit?Onenewspapersaidso.Theothersjustsaidcereal,whichmightmeananything.Farmer’sGloryorCornflakes—orevenmaize—butitwasrye?”
InspectorNeelenodded.
“Thereyouare,”saidMissMarple,triumphantly.“RexFortescue.RexmeansKing.InhisCountingHouse.AndMrs.FortescuetheQueenintheparlour,eatingbreadandhoney.Andso,ofcourse,themurdererhadtoputthatclothes-pegonpoorGladys’snose.”
InspectorNeelesaid:
“Youmeanthewholesetupiscrazy?”
“Well,onemustn’tjumptoconclusions—butitiscertainlyveryodd.Butyoureallymustmakeinquiriesaboutblackbirds.Becausetheremustbeblackbirds!”
ItwasatthispointthatSergeantHaycameintotheroomsayingurgently,“Sir.”
HebrokeoffatsightofMissMarple.InspectorNeele,recoveringhimself,said:
“Thankyou,MissMarple.I’lllookintothematter.Sinceyouareinterestedinthegirl,perhapsyouwouldcaretolookoverthethingsfromherroom.SergeantHaywillshowyouthempresently.”
MissMarple,acceptingherdismissal,twitteredherwayout.
“Blackbirds!”murmuredInspectorNeeletohimself.
SergeantHaystared.
“Yes,Hay,whatisit?”
“Sir,”saidSergeantHay,urgentlyagain.“Lookatthis.”
Heproducedanarticlewrappedinasomewhatgrubbyhandkerchief.
“Founditintheshrubbery,”saidSergeantHay.“Couldhavebeenchuckedtherefromoneofthebackwindows.”
Hetippedtheobjectdownonthedeskinfrontoftheinspector,wholeanedforwardandinspecteditwithrisingexcitement.Theexhibitwasanearlyfullpotofmarmalade.
Theinspectorstaredatitwithoutspeech.Hisfaceassumedapeculiarlywoodenandstupidappearance.InactualfactthismeantthatInspectorNeele’smindwasracingoncemoreroundanimaginarytrack.Amovingpicturewasenactingitselfbeforetheeyesofhismind.Hesawanewpotofmarmalade,hesawhandscarefullyremovingitscover,hesawasmallquantityofmarmaladeremoved,mixedwithapreparationoftaxineandreplacedinthepot,thetopsmoothedoverandthelidcarefullyreplaced.HebrokeoffatthispointtoaskSergeantHay:
“Theydon’ttakemarmaladeoutofthepotandputitintofancypots?”
“No,sir.Gotintothewayofservingitinitsownpotduringthewarwhenthingswerescarce,andit’sgoneonlikethateversince.”
Neelemurmured:
“Thatmadeiteasier,ofcourse.”
“What’smore,”saidSergeantHay,“Mr.Fortescuewastheonlyonethattookmarmaladeforbreakfast(andMr.Percivalwhenhewasathome).Theothershadjamorhoney.”
Neelenodded.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Thatmadeitverysimple,didn’tit?”
Afteraslightgapthemovingpicturewentoninhismind.Itwasthebreakfasttablenow.RexFortescuestretchingouthishandforthemarmaladepot,takingoutaspoonfulofmarmaladeandspreadingitonhistoastandbutter.Easier,fareasierthatwaythantheriskanddifficultyofinsinuatingitintohiscoffeecup.Afoolproofmethodofadministeringthepoison!Andafterwards?Anothergapandapicturethatwasnotquitesoclear.Thereplacingofthatpotofmarmaladebyanotherwithexactlythesameamounttakenfromit.Andthenanopenwindow.Ahandandanarmflingingoutthatpotintotheshrubbery.Whosehandandarm?
InspectorNeelesaidinabusinesslikevoice:
“Well,we’llhaveofcoursetogetthisanalysed.Seeifthereareanytracesoftaxine.Wecan’tjumptoconclusions.”
“No,sir.Theremaybefingerprintstoo.”
“Probablynottheoneswewant,”saidInspectorNeelegloomily.“There’llbeGladys’s,ofcourse,andCrump’sandFortescue’sown.ThenprobablyMrs.Crump’s,thegrocer’sassistantandafewothers!Ifanyoneputtaxineinherethey’dtakecarenottogoplayingaboutwiththeirownfingersalloverthepot.Anyway,asIsay,wemustn’tjumptoconclusions.Howdotheyordermarmaladeandwhereisitkept?”
TheindustriousSergeantHayhadhisanswerpatforallthesequestions.
“Marmaladeandjamscomesininbatchesofsixatatime.Anewpotwouldbetakenintothepantrywhentheoldonewasgettinglow.”
“Thatmeans,”saidNeele,“thatitcouldhavebeentamperedwithseveraldaysbeforeitwasactuallybroughtontothebreakfasttable.Andanyonewhowasinthehouseorhadaccesstothehousecouldhavetamperedwithit.”
Theterm“accesstothehouse”puzzledSergeantHayslightly.Hedidnotseeinwhatwayhissuperior’smindwasworking.
ButNeelewaspostulatingwhatseemedtohimalogicalassumption.
Ifthemarmaladehadbeentamperedwithbeforehand—thensurelythatruledoutthosepersonswhowereactuallyatthebreakfasttableonthefatalmorning.
Whichopenedupsomeinterestingnewpossibilities.
Heplannedinhismindinterviewswithvariouspeople—thistimewithratheradifferentangleofapproach.
He’dkeepanopenmind….
He’devenconsiderseriouslythatoldMissWhatshername’ssuggestionsaboutthenurseryrhyme.Becausetherewasnodoubtthatthatnurseryrhymefittedinaratherstartlingway.Itfittedwithapointthathadworriedhimfromthebeginning.Thepocketfulofrye.
“Blackbirds?”murmuredInspectorNeeletohimself.
SergeantHaystared.
“It’snotblackberryjelly,sir,”hesaid.“It’smarmalade.”
II
InspectorNeelewentinsearchofMaryDove.
HefoundherinoneofthebedroomsonthefirstfloorsuperintendingEllen,whowasdenudingthebedofwhatseemedtobecleansheets.Alittlepileofcleantowelslayonachair.
InspectorNeelelookedpuzzled.
“Somebodycomingtostay?”heasked.
MaryDovesmiledathim.IncontrasttoEllen,wholookedgrimandtruculent,Marywasherusualimperturbableself.
“Actually,”shesaid,“theoppositeisthecase.”
Neelelookedinquiringlyather.
“ThisistheguestroomwehadpreparedforMr.GeraldWright.”
“GeraldWright?Whoishe?”
“He’safriendofMissElaineFortescue’s.”Mary’svoicewascarefullydevoidofinflection.
“Hewascominghere—when?”
“IbelievehearrivedattheGolfHotelthedayafterMr.Fortescue’sdeath.”
“Thedayafter.”
“SoMissFortescuesaid.”Mary’svoicewasstillimpersonal:“Shetoldmeshewantedhimtocomeandstayinthehouse—soIhadaroomprepared.Now—aftertheseothertwo—tragedies—itseemsmoresuitablethatheshouldremainatthehotel.”
“TheGolfHotel?”
“Yes.”
“Quite,”saidInspectorNeele.
Ellengatheredupthesheetsandtowelsandwentoutoftheroom.
MaryDovelookedinquiringlyatNeele.
“Youwantedtoseemeaboutsomething?”
Neelesaidpleasantly:
“It’sbecomingimportanttogetexacttimesveryclearlystated.Membersofthefamilyallseemalittlevagueabouttime—perhapsunderstandably.You,ontheotherhand,MissDove,Ihavefoundextremelyaccurateinyourstatementsastotimes.”
“Againunderstandably!”
“Yes—perhaps—Imustcertainlycongratulateyouonthewayyouhavekeptthishousegoinginspiteofthe—well,panic—theselastdeathsmusthavecaused.”Hepausedandthenaskedcuriously:“Howdidyoudoit?”
Hehadrealized,astutely,thattheonechinkinthearmourofMaryDove’sinscrutabilitywasherpleasureinherownefficiency.Sheunbentslightlynowassheanswered.
“TheCrumpswantedtoleaveatonce,ofcourse.”
“Wecouldn’thaveallowedthat.”
“Iknow.ButIalsotoldthemthatMr.PercivalFortescuewouldbemorelikelytobe—well—generous—tothosewhohadsparedhiminconvenience.”
“AndEllen?”
“Ellendoesnotwishtoleave.”
“Ellendoesnotwishtoleave,”Neelerepeated.“Shehasgoodnerves.”
“Sheenjoysdisasters,”saidMaryDove.“LikeMrs.Percival,shefindsindisasterakindofpleasurabledrama.”
“Interesting.DoyouthinkMrs.Percivalhas—enjoyedthetragedies?”
“No—ofcoursenot.Thatisgoingtoofar.Iwouldmerelysaythatithasenabledherto—well—standuptothem—”
“Andhowhaveyouyourselfbeenaffected,MissDove?”
MaryDoveshruggedhershoulders.
“Ithasnotbeenapleasantexperience,”shesaiddryly.
InspectorNeelefeltagainalongingtobreakdownthiscoolyoungwoman’sdefences—tofindoutwhatwasreallygoingonbehindthecarefulandefficientunderstatementofherwholeattitude.
Hemerelysaidbrusquely:
“Now—torecapitulatetimesandplaces:thelasttimeyousawGladysMartinwasinthehallbeforetea,andthatwasattwentyminutestofive?”
“Yes—Itoldhertobringintea.”
“Youyourselfwerecomingfromwhere?”
“Fromupstairs—IthoughtIhadheardthetelephoneafewminutesbefore.”
“Gladys,presumably,hadansweredthetelephone?”
“Yes.Itwasawrongnumber.SomeonewhowantedtheBaydonHeathLaundry.”
“Andthatwasthelasttimeyousawher?”
“Shebroughttheteatrayintothelibraryabouttenminutesorsolater.”
“AfterthatMissElaineFortescuecamein?”
“Yes,aboutthreeorfourminuteslater.ThenIwentuptotellMrs.Percivalteawasready.”
“Didyouusuallydothat?”
“Ohno—peoplecameintoteawhentheypleased—butMrs.Fortescueaskedwhereeverybodywas.IthoughtIheardMrs.Percivalcoming—butthatwasamistake—”
Neeleinterrupted.Herewassomethingnew.
“Youmeanyouheardsomeoneupstairsmovingabout?”
“Yes—attheheadofthestairs,Ithought.ButnoonecamedownsoIwentup.Mrs.Percivalwasinherbedroom.Shehadjustcomein.Shehadbeenoutforawalk—”
“Outforawalk—Isee.Thetimebeingthen—”
“Oh—nearlyfiveo’clock,Ithink—”
“AndMr.LancelotFortescuearrived—when?”
“AfewminutesafterIcamedownstairsagain—Ithoughthehadarrivedearlier—but—”
InspectorNeeleinterrupted:
“Whydidyouthinkhehadarrivedearlier?”
“BecauseIthoughtIhadcaughtsightofhimthroughthelandingwindow.”
“Inthegarden,youmean?”
“Yes—Icaughtaglimpseofsomeonethroughtheyewhedge—andIthoughtitwouldprobablybehim.”
“ThiswaswhenyouwerecomingdownaftertellingMrs.PercivalFortescueteawasready?”
Marycorrectedhim.
“No—notthen—itwasearlier—whenIcamedownthefirsttime.”
InspectorNeelestared.
“Areyousureaboutthat,MissDove?”
“Yes,I’mperfectlysure.That’swhyIwassurprisedtoseehim—whenheactuallydidringthebell.”
InspectorNeeleshookhishead.Hekepthisinnerexcitementoutofhisvoiceashesaid:
“Itcouldn’thavebeenLancelotFortescueyousawinthegarden.Histrain—whichwasdueat4:28,wasnineminuteslate.HearrivedatBaydonHeathStationat4:37.Hehadtowaitafewminutesforataxi—thattrainisalwaysveryfull.Itwasactuallynearlyaquartertofive(fiveminutesafteryouhadseenthemaninthegarden)whenheleftthestationanditisaten-minutedrive.Hepaidoffthetaxiatthegatehereataboutfiveminutestofiveattheearliest.No—itwasn’tLancelotFortescueyousaw.”
“I’msureIdidseesomeone.”
“Yes,yousawsomeone.Itwasgettingdark.Youcouldn’thaveseenthemanclearly?”
“Ohno—Icouldn’tseehisfaceoranythinglikethat—justhisbuild—tallandslender.WewereexpectingLancelotFortescue—soIjumpedtotheconclusionthatthat’swhoitwas.”
“Hewasgoing—whichway?”
“Alongbehindtheyewhedgetowardstheeastsideofthehouse.”
“Thereisasidedoorthere.Isitkeptlocked?”
“Notuntilthehouseislockedupforthenight.”
“Anyonecouldhavecomeinbythatsidedoorwithoutbeingobservedbyanyofthehousehold.”
MaryDoveconsidered.
“Ithinkso.Yes.”Sheaddedquickly:“Youmean—thepersonIheardlaterupstairscouldhavecomeinthatway?Couldhavebeenhiding—upstairs?”
“Somethingofthekind.”
“Butwho—?”
“Thatremainstobeseen.Thankyou,MissDove.”
AssheturnedtogoawayInspectorNeelesaidinacasualvoice:“Bytheway,youcan’ttellmeanythingaboutblackbirds,Isuppose?”
Forthefirsttime,soitseemed,MaryDovewastakenaback.Sheturnedbacksharply.
“I—whatdidyousay?”
“Iwasjustaskingyouaboutblackbirds.”
“Doyoumean—”
“Blackbirds,”saidInspectorNeele.
Hehadonhismoststupidexpression.
“Youmeanthatsillybusinesslastsummer?Butsurelythatcan’t…”Shebrokeoff.
InspectorNeelesaidpleasantly:
“There’sbeenabitoftalkaboutit,butIwassureI’dgetaclearaccountfromyou.”
MaryDovewashercalm,practicalselfagain.
“Itmust,Ithink,havebeensomesilly,spitefuljoke,”shesaid.“FourdeadblackbirdswereonMr.Fortescue’sdeskinhisstudyhere.Itwassummerandthewindowswereopen,andweratherthoughtitmusthavebeenthegardener’sboy,thoughheinsistedhe’dneverdoneanythingofthekind.Buttheywereactuallyblackbirdsthegardenerhadshotwhichhadbeenhangingupbythefruitbushes.”
“AndsomebodyhadcutthemdownandputthemonMr.Fortescue’sdesk?”
“Yes.”
“Anysortofreasonbehindit—anyassociationwithblackbirds?”
Maryshookherhead.
“Idon’tthinkso.”
“HowdidMr.Fortescuetakeit?Washeannoyed?”
“Naturallyhewasannoyed.”
“Butnotupsetinanyway?”
“Ireallycan’tremember.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorNeele.
Hesaidnomore.MaryDoveoncemoreturnedaway,butthistime,hethought,shewentratherunwillinglyasthoughshewouldhavelikedtoknowmoreofwhatwasinhismind.Ungratefully,allthatInspectorNeelefeltwasannoyancewithMissMarple.Shehadsuggestedtohimthattherewouldbeblackbirdsand,sureenough,theretheblackbirdswere!Notfourandtwentyofthem,thatwastrue.Whatmightbecalledatokenconsignment.
ThathadbeenaslongagoaslastsummerandwhereitfittedinInspectorNeelecouldnotimagine.Hewasnotgoingtoletthisblackbirdbogeydiverthimfromthelogicalandsoberinvestigationofmurderbyasanemurdererforasanereason,buthewouldbeforcedfromnowontokeepthecrazierpossibilitiesofthecaseinmind.
ChapterFifteen
I
“I’msorry,MissFortescue,tobotheryouagain,butIwanttobequite,quiteclearaboutthis.Asfarasweknowyouwerethelastperson—orratherthelastpersonbutone—toseeMrs.Fortescuealive.Itwasabouttwentypastfivewhenyouleftthedrawingroom?”
“Aboutthen,”saidElaine,“Ican’tsayexactly.”Sheaddeddefensively:“Onedoesn’tlookatclocksthewholetime.”
“No,ofcoursenot.DuringthetimethatyouwerealonewithMrs.Fortescueaftertheothershadleft,whatdidyoutalkabout?”
“Doesitmatterwhatwetalkedabout?”
“Probablynot,”saidInspectorNeele,“butitmightgivemesomeclueastowhatwasinMrs.Fortescue’smind.”
“Youmean—youthinkshemighthavedoneitherself?”
InspectorNeelenoticedthebrighteningonherface.Itwouldcertainlybeaveryconvenientsolutionasfarasthefamilywasconcerned.InspectorNeeledidnotthinkitwastrueforamoment.AdeleFortescuewasnottohismindasuicidaltype.Evenifshehadpoisonedherhusbandandwasconvincedthecrimewasabouttobebroughthometoher,shewouldnot,hethought,haveeverthoughtofkillingherself.Shewouldhavebeensureoptimisticallythatevenifsheweretriedformurdershewouldbesuretobeacquitted.Hewasnot,however,aversetoElaineFortescue’sentertainingthehypothesis.Hesaid,therefore,quitetruthfully:
“There’sapossibilityofitatleast,MissFortescue.Nowperhapsyou’lltellmejustwhatyourconversationwasabout?”
“Well,itwasreallyaboutmyaffairs.”Elainehesitated.
“Youraffairsbeing…?”hepausedquestioninglywithagenialexpression.
“I—afriendofminehadjustarrivedintheneighbourhood,andIwasaskingAdeleifshewouldhaveanyobjectionto—tomyaskinghimtostayhereatthehouse.”
“Ah.Andwhoisthisfriend?”
“It’saMr.GeraldWright.He’saschoolmaster.He—he’sstayingattheGolfHotel.”
“Averyclosefriend,perhaps?”
InspectorNeelegaveanavuncularbeamwhichaddedatleastfifteenyearstohisage.
“Wemayexpectaninterestingannouncementshortly,perhaps?”
Hefeltalmostcompunctionashesawtheawkwardgestureofthegirl’shandandtheflushonherface.Shewasinlovewiththefellowallright.
“We—we’renotactuallyengagedandofcoursewecouldn’thaveitannouncedjustnow,but—well,yesIthinkwedo—Imeanwearegoingtogetmarried.”
“Congratulations,”saidInspectorNeelepleasantly.“Mr.WrightisstayingattheGolfHotel,yousay?Howlonghashebeenthere?”
“IwiredhimwhenFatherdied.”
“Andhecameatonce.Isee,”saidInspectorNeele.
Heusedthisfavouritephraseofhisinafriendlyandreassuringway.
“WhatdidMrs.Fortescuesaywhenyouaskedherabouthiscominghere?”
“Oh,shesaid,allright,IcouldhaveanybodyIpleased.”
“Shewasniceaboutitthen?”
“Notexactlynice.Imean,shesaid—”
“Yes,whatelsedidshesay?”
AgainElaineflushed.
“Oh,somethingstupidaboutmybeingabletodoalotbetterformyselfnow.ItwasthesortofthingAdelewouldsay.”
“Ah,well,”saidInspectorNeelesoothingly,“relationssaythesesortofthings.”
“Yes,yes,theydo.Butpeopleoftenfinditdifficultto—toappreciateGeraldproperly.He’sanintellectual,yousee,andhe’sgotalotofunconventionalandprogressiveideasthatpeopledon’tlike.”
“That’swhyhedidn’tgetonwithyourfather?”
Elaineflushedhotly.
“Fatherwasveryprejudicedandunjust.HehurtGerald’sfeelings.Infact,Geraldwassoupsetbymyfather’sattitudethathewentoffandIdidn’thearfromhimforweeks.”
Andprobablywouldn’thaveheardfromhimnowifyourfatherhadn’tdiedandleftyouapacketofmoney,InspectorNeelethought.Aloudhesaid:
“WasthereanymoreconversationbetweenyouandMrs.Fortescue?”
“No.No,Idon’tthinkso.”
“Andthatwasabouttwenty-fivepastfiveandMrs.Fortescuewasfounddeadatfiveminutestosix.Youdidn’treturntotheroomduringthathalfhour?”
“No.”
“Whatwereyoudoing?”
“I—Iwentoutforashortwalk.”
“TotheGolfHotel?”
“I—well,yes,butGeraldwasn’tin.”
InspectorNeelesaid“Isee”again,butthistimewitharatherdismissiveeffect.ElaineFortescuegotupandsaid:
“Isthatall?”
“That’sall,thankyou,MissFortescue.”
Asshegotuptogo,Neelesaidcasually:
“Youcan’ttellmeanythingaboutblackbirds,canyou?”
Shestaredathim.
“Blackbirds?Youmeantheonesinthepie?”
Theywouldbeinthepie,theinspectorthoughttohimself.Hemerelysaid,“Whenwasthis?”
“Oh!Threeorfourmonthsago—andthereweresomeonFather’sdesk,too.Hewasfurious—”
“Furious,washe?Didheaskalotofquestions?”
“Yes—ofcourse—butwecouldn’tfindoutwhoputthemthere.”
“Haveyouanyideawhyhewassoangry?”
“Well—itwasratherahorridthingtodo,wasn’tit?”
Neelelookedthoughtfullyather—buthedidnotseeanysignsofevasioninherface.Hesaid:
“Oh,justonemorething,MissFortescue.Doyouknowifyourstepmothermadeawillatanytime?”
“I’venoidea—I—supposeso.Peopleusuallydo,don’tthey?”
“Theyshoulddo—butitdoesn’talwaysfollow.Haveyoumadeawillyourself,MissFortescue?”
“No—no—Ihaven’t—uptonowIhaven’thadanythingtoleave—now,ofcourse—”
Hesawtherealizationofthechangedpositioncomeintohereyes.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Fiftythousandpoundsisquitearesponsibility—itchangesalotofthings,MissFortescue.”
II
ForsomeminutesafterElaineFortescuelefttheroom,InspectorNeelesatstaringinfrontofhimthoughtfully.Hehad,indeed,newfoodforthought.MaryDove’sstatementthatshehadseenamaninthegardenatapproximately4:35openedupcertainnewpossibilities.Thatis,ofcourse,ifMaryDovewasspeakingthetruth.ItwasneverInspectorNeele’shabittoassumethatanyonewasspeakingthetruth.But,examineherstatementashemight,hecouldseenorealreasonwhysheshouldhavelied.HewasinclinedtothinkthatMaryDovewasspeakingthetruthwhenshespokeofhavingseenamaninthegarden.ItwasquiteclearthatthatmancouldnothavebeenLancelotFortescue,althoughherreasonforassumingthatitwashewasquitenaturalunderthecircumstances.IthadnotbeenLancelotFortescue,butithadbeenamanabouttheheightandbuildofLancelotFortescue,andiftherehadbeenamaninthegardenatthatparticulartime,moreoveramanmovingfurtively,asitseemed,tojudgefromthewayhehadcreptbehindtheyewhedges,thenthatcertainlyopenedupalineofthought.
Addedtothisstatementofhers,therehadbeenthefurtherstatementthatshehadheardsomeonemovingaboutupstairs.That,initsturn,tiedupwithsomethingelse.ThesmallpieceofmudhehadfoundonthefloorofAdeleFortescue’sboudoir.InspectorNeele’sminddweltonthesmalldaintydeskinthatroom.Prettylittleshamantiquewitharatherobvioussecretdrawerinit.Therehadbeenthreelettersinthatdrawer,letterswrittenbyVivianDuboistoAdeleFortescue.AgreatmanylovelettersofonekindoranotherhadpassedthroughInspectorNeele’shandsinthecourseofhiscareer.Hewasacquaintedwithpassionateletters,foolishletters,sentimentallettersandnaggingletters.Therehadalsobeencautiousletters.InspectorNeelewasinclinedtoclassifythesethreeasofthelatterkind.Evenifreadinthedivorcecourt,theycouldpassasinspiredbyamerelyplatonicfriendship.Thoughinthiscase:“Platonicfriendshipmyfoot!”thoughttheinspectorinelegantly.Neele,whenhehadfoundtheletters,hadsentthemupatoncetotheYardsinceatthattimethemainquestionwaswhetherthePublicProsecutor’sofficethoughtthattherewassufficientevidencetoproceedwiththecaseagainstAdeleFortescueorAdeleFortescueandVivianDuboistogether.EverythinghadpointedtowardsRexFortescuehavingbeenpoisonedbyhiswifewithorwithoutherlover’sconnivance.Theseletters,thoughcautious,madeitfairlyclearthatVivianDuboiswasherlover,buttherehadnotbeeninthewording,sofarasInspectorNeelecouldsee,anysignsofincitementtocrime.Theremighthavebeenincitementofaspokenkind,butVivianDuboiswouldbefartoocautioustoputanythingofthatkinddownonpaper
InspectorNeelesurmisedaccuratelythatVivianDuboishadaskedAdeleFortescuetodestroyhislettersandthatAdeleFortescuehadtoldhimshehaddoneso.
Well,nowtheyhadtwomoredeathsontheirhands.Andthatmeant,orshouldmean,thatAdeleFortescuehadnotkilledherhusband.
Unless,thatis—InspectorNeeleconsideredanewhypothesis—AdeleFortescuehadwantedtomarryVivianDuboisandVivianDuboishadwanted,notAdeleFortescue,butAdeleFortescue’shundredthousandpoundswhichwouldcometoheronthedeathofherhusband.Hehadassumed,perhaps,thatRexFortescue’sdeathwouldbeputdowntonaturalcauses.Somekindofseizureorstroke.Afterall,everybodyseemedtobeworriedoverRexFortescue’shealthduringthelastyear.(Parenthetically,InspectorNeelesaidtohimselfthathemustlookintothatquestion.Hehadasubconsciousfeelingthatitmightbeimportantinsomeway.)Tocontinue,RexFortescue’sdeathhadnotgoneaccordingtoplan.Ithadbeendiagnosedwithoutlossoftimeaspoisoning,andthecorrectpoisonnamed.
SupposingthatAdeleFortescueandVivianDuboishadbeenguilty,whatstatewouldtheybeinthen?VivianDuboiswouldhavebeenscaredandAdeleFortescuewouldhavelostherhead.Shemighthavedoneorsaidfoolishthings.ShemighthaverungupDuboisonthetelephone,talkingindiscreetlyinawaythathewouldhaverealizedmighthavebeenoverheardinYewtreeLodge.WhatwouldVivianDuboishavedonenext?
Itwasearlyasyettotryandanswerthatquestion,butInspectorNeeleproposedveryshortlytomakeinquiriesattheGolfHotelastowhetherDuboishadbeeninoroutofthehotelbetweenthehoursof4:15and6o’clock.VivianDuboiswastallanddarklikeLanceFortescue.Hemighthaveslippedthroughthegardentothesidedoor,madehiswayupstairsandthenwhat?Lookedforthelettersandfoundthemgone?Waitedthere,perhaps,tillthecoastwasclear,thencomedownintothelibrarywhenteawasoverandAdeleFortescuewasalone?
Butallthiswasgoingtoofast—
NeelehadquestionedMaryDoveandElaineFortescue;hemustseenowwhatPercivalFortescue’swifehadtosay.
ChapterSixteen
I
InspectorNeelefoundMrs.Percivalinherownsittingroomupstairs,writingletters.Shegotuprathernervouslywhenhecamein.
“Isthereanything—what—arethere—”
“Pleasesitdown,Mrs.Fortescue.ThereareonlyjustafewmorequestionsIwouldliketoaskyou.”
“Oh,yes.Yes,ofcourse,Inspector.It’sallsodreadful,isn’tit?Soverydreadful.”
Shesatdownrathernervouslyinanarmchair.InspectorNeelesatdowninthesmall,straightchairnearher.Hestudiedherrathermorecarefullythanhehaddoneheretofore.Insomewaysamediocretypeofwoman,hethought—andthoughtalsothatshewasnotveryhappy.Restless,unsatisfied,limitedinmentaloutlook,yethethoughtshemighthavebeenefficientandskilledinherownprofessionofhospitalnurse.Thoughshehadachievedleisurebyhermarriagewithawell-to-doman,leisurehadnotsatisfiedher.Sheboughtclothes,readnovelsandatesweets,butherememberedheravidexcitementonthenightofRexFortescue’sdeath,andhesawinitnotsomuchaghoulishsatisfactionbutratherarevelationoftheariddesertsofboredomwhichencompassedherlife.Hereyelidsflutteredandfellbeforehissearchingglance.Theygavehertheappearanceofbeingbothnervousandguilty,buthecouldnotbesurethatthatwasreallythecase.
“I’mafraid,”hesaidsoothingly,“wehavetoaskpeoplequestionsagainandagain.Itmustbeverytiresomeforyouall.Idoappreciatethat,butsomuchhangs,youunderstand,ontheexacttimingofevents.Youcamedowntotearatherlate,Iunderstand?Infact,MissDovecameupandfetchedyou.”
“Yes.Yes,shedid.Shecameandsaidteawasin.Ihadnoideaitwassolate.I’dbeenwritingletters.”
InspectorNeelejustglancedoveratthewritingdesk.
“Isee,”hesaid.“Somehoworother,Ithoughtyou’dbeenoutforawalk.”
“Didshesayso?Yes—nowIbelieveyou’reright.Ihadbeenwritingletters;thenitwassostuffyandmyheadachedsoIwentoutand—er—wentforawalk.Onlyroundthegarden.”
“Isee.Youdidn’tmeetanyone?”
“Meetanyone?”Shestaredathim.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Ijustwonderedifyou’dseenanybodyoranybodyhadseenyouduringthiswalkofyours.”
“Isawthegardenerinthedistance,that’sall.”Shewaslookingathimsuspiciously.
“Thenyoucamein,cameupheretoyourroomandyouwerejusttakingyourthingsoffwhenMissDovecametotellyouthatteawasready?”
“Yes.Yes,andsoIcamedown.”
“Andwhowasthere?”
“AdeleandElaine,andaminuteortwolaterLancearrived.Mybrother-in-law,youknow.Theonewho’scomebackfromKenya.”
“Andthenyouallhadtea?”
“Yes,wehadtea.ThenLancewentuptoseeAuntEffieandIcameupheretofinishmyletters.IleftElainetherewithAdele.”
Henoddedreassuringly.
“Yes.MissFortescueseemstohavebeenwithMrs.Fortescueforquitefiveortenminutesafteryouleft.Yourhusbandhadn’tcomehomeyet?”
“Ohno.Percy—Val—didn’tgethomeuntilabouthalfpastsixorseven.He’dbeenkeptupintown.”
“Hecamebackbytrain?”
“Yes.Hetookataxifromthestation.”
“Wasitunusualforhimtocomebackbytrain?”
“Hedoessometimes.Notveryoften.Ithinkhe’dbeentoplacesinthecitywhereit’sratherdifficulttoparkthecar.ItwaseasierforhimtotakeatrainhomefromCannonStreet.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorNeele.Hewenton:“IaskedyourhusbandifMrs.Fortescuehadmadeawillbeforeshedied.Hesaidhethoughtnot.Isupposeyoudon’thappentohaveanyidea?”
TohissurpriseJenniferFortescuenoddedvigorously.
“Oh,yes,”shesaid.“Adelemadeawill.Shetoldmeso.”
“Indeed!Whenwasthis?”
“Oh,itwasn’tverylongago.Aboutamonthago,Ithink.”
“That’sveryinteresting,”saidInspectorNeele.
Mrs.Percivalleantforwardeagerly.Herfacenowwasallanimation.Sheclearlyenjoyedexhibitinghersuperiorknowledge.
“Valdidn’tknowaboutit,”shesaid.“Nobodyknew.ItjusthappenedthatIfoundoutaboutit.Iwasinthestreet.Ihadjustcomeoutofthestationer’s,thenIsawAdelecomingoutofthesolicitor’soffice.AnsellandWorrall’s,youknow.IntheHighStreet.”
“Ah,”saidNeele,“thelocalsolicitors?”
“Yes.AndIsaidtoAdele:‘Whateverhaveyoubeendoingthere?’Isaid.Andshelaughedandsaid:‘Wouldn’tyouliketoknow?’Andthenaswewalkedalongtogethershesaid:‘I’lltellyou,Jennifer.I’vebeenmakingmywill.’‘Well,’Isaid,‘whyareyoudoingthat,Adele,you’renotilloranything,areyou?’Andshesaidno,ofcourseshewasn’till.She’dneverfeltbetter.Buteveryoneoughttomakeawill.Shesaidshewasn’tgoingtothosestuck-upfamilysolicitorsinLondon,Mr.Billingsley.Shesaidtheoldsneakwouldgoroundandtellthefamily.‘No,’shesaid,‘mywill’smyownbusiness,Jennifer,andI’llmakeitmyownwayandnobody’sgoingtoknowaboutit.’‘Well,Adele,’Isaid,‘Ishan’ttellanybody.’Shesaid:‘Itdoesn’tmatterifyoudo.Youwon’tknowwhat’sinit.’ButIdidn’ttellanyone.No,notevenPercy.Idothinkwomenoughttosticktogether,don’tyou,InspectorNeele?”
“I’msurethat’saverynicefeelingonyourpart,Mrs.Fortescue,”saidInspectorNeelediplomatically.
“I’msureI’mneverill-natured,”saidJennifer.“Ididn’tparticularlycareforAdele,ifyouknowwhatImean.Ialwaysthoughtshewasthekindofwomanwhowouldstickatnothinginordertogetwhatshewanted.Nowshe’sdead,perhapsImisjudgedher,poorsoul.”
“Well,thankyouverymuch,Mrs.Fortescue,forbeingsohelpfultome.”
“You’rewelcome,I’msure.I’monlytoogladtodoanythingIcan.It’sallsoveryterrible,isn’tit?Whoistheoldladywho’sarrivedthismorning?”
“She’saMissMarple.SheverykindlycameheretogiveuswhatinformationshecouldaboutthegirlGladys.ItseemsGladysMartinwasonceinservicewithher.”
“Really?Howinteresting.”
“There’soneotherthing,Mrs.Percival.Doyouknowanythingaboutblackbirds?”
JenniferFortescuestartedviolently.Shedroppedherhandbagonthefloorandbenttopickitup.
“Blackbirds,Inspector?Blackbirds?Whatkindofblackbirds?”
Hervoicewasratherbreathless.Smilingalittle,Inspector,Neelesaid:
“Justblackbirds.Aliveordeadoreven,shallwesay,symbolical?”
JenniferFortescuesaidsharply:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”
“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutblackbirds,then,Mrs.Fortescue?”
Shesaidslowly:
“Isupposeyoumeantheoneslastsummerinthepie.Allverysilly.”
“Thereweresomeleftonthelibrarytable,too,weren’tthere?”
“Itwasallaverysillypracticaljoke.Idon’tknowwho’sbeentalkingtoyouaboutit.Mr.Fortescue,myfather-in-law,wasverymuchannoyedbyit.”
“Justannoyed?Nothingmore?”
“Oh.Iseewhatyoumean.Yes,Isuppose—yes,it’strue.Heaskedusiftherewereanystrangersabouttheplace.”
“Strangers!”InspectorNeeleraisedhiseyebrows.
“Well,that’swhathesaid,”saidMrs.Percivaldefensively.
“Strangers,”repeatedInspectorNeelethoughtfully.Thenheasked:“Didheseemafraidinanyway?”
“Afraid?Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
“Nervous.Aboutstrangers,Imean.”
“Yes.Yes,hedid,rather.OfcourseIdon’trememberverywell.Itwasseveralmonthsago,youknow.Idon’tthinkitwasanythingexceptasillypracticaljoke.Crumpperhaps.IreallydothinkthatCrumpisaveryunbalancedman,andI’mperfectlycertainthathedrinks.He’sreallyveryinsolentinhismannersometimes.I’vesometimeswonderedifhecouldhavehadagrudgeagainstMr.Fortescue.Doyouthinkthat’spossible,Inspector?”
“Anything’spossible,”saidInspectorNeeleandwentaway.
II
PercivalFortescuewasinLondon,butInspectorNeelefoundLancelotsittingwithhiswifeinthelibrary.Theywereplayingchesstogether.
“Idon’twanttointerruptyou,”saidNeele,apologetically.
“We’reonlykillingtime,Inspector,aren’twe,Pat?”
Patnodded.
“Iexpectyou’llthinkit’sratherafoolishquestionI’maskingyou,”saidNeele.“Doyouknowanythingaboutblackbirds,Mr.Fortescue?”
“Blackbirds?”Lancelookedamused.“Whatkindofblackbirds?Doyoumeangenuinebirds,ortheslavetrade?”
InspectorNeelesaidwithasudden,disarmingsmile:
“I’mnotsurewhatImean,Mr.Fortescue.It’sjustthatamentionofblackbirdshasturnedup.”
“GoodLord.”Lancelotlookedsuddenlyalert.“NottheoldBlackbirdMine,Isuppose?”
InspectorNeelesaidsharply:
“TheBlackbirdMine?Whatwasthat?”
Lancefrownedinapuzzledfashion.
“Thetroubleis,Inspector,thatIcan’treallyremembermuchmyself.Ijusthaveavagueideaaboutsomeshadytransactioninmypapa’spast.SomethingontheWestCoastofAfrica.AuntEffie,Ibelieve,oncethrewitinhisteeth,butIcan’trememberanythingdefiniteaboutit.”
“AuntEffie?ThatwillbeMissRamsbottom,won’tit?”
“Yes.”
“I’llgoandaskheraboutit,”saidInspectorNeele.Headdedruefully:“She’sratheraformidableoldlady,Mr.Fortescue.Alwaysmakesmefeelquitenervous.”
Lancelaughed.
“Yes.AuntEffieiscertainlyacharacter,butshemaybehelpfultoyou,Inspector,ifyougetontherightsideofher.Especiallyifyou’redelvingintothepast.She’sgotanexcellentmemory,shetakesapositivepleasureinrememberinganythingthat’sdetrimentalinanyway.”Headdedthoughtfully:“There’ssomethingelse.Iwentuptoseeher,youknow,soonafterIgotbackhere.Immediatelyafterteathatday,asamatteroffact.AndshewastalkingaboutGladys.Themaidwhogotkilled.Notthatweknewshewasdeadthen,ofcourse.ButAuntEffiewassayingshewasquiteconvincedthatGladysknewsomethingthatshehadn’ttoldthepolice.”
“Thatseemsfairlycertain,”saidInspectorNeele.“She’llnevertellitnow,poorgirl.”
“No.ItseemsAuntEffiehadgivenhergoodadviceastospillinganythingsheknew.Pitythegirldidn’ttakeit.”
InspectorNeelenodded.BracinghimselffortheencounterhepenetratedtoMissRamsbottom’sfortress.Rathertohissurprise,hefoundMissMarplethere.Thetwoladiesappearedtobediscussingforeignmissions.
“I’llgoaway,Inspector.”MissMarplerosehurriedlytoherfeet.
“Noneed,madam,”saidInspectorNeele.
“I’veaskedMissMarpletocomeandstayinthehouse,”saidMissRamsbottom.“NosenseinspendingmoneyinthatridiculousGolfHotel.Awickednestofprofiteers,thatis.Drinkingandcardplayingalltheevening.She’dbettercomeandstayinadecentChristianhousehold.There’saroomnextdoortomine.Dr.MaryPeters,themissionary,haditlast.”
“It’svery,verykindofyou,”saidMissMarple,“butIreallythinkImustn’tintrudeinahouseofmourning.”
“Mourning?Fiddlesticks,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Who’llweepforRexinthishouse?OrAdeleeither?Orisitthepoliceyou’reworriedabout?Anyobjections,Inspector?”
“Nonefromme,madam.”
“Thereyouare,”saidMissRamsbottom
“It’sverykindofyou,”saidMissMarplegratefully.“I’llgoandtelephonetothehoteltocancelmybooking.”ShelefttheroomandMissRamsbottomsaidsharplytotheinspector:
“Well,andwhatdoyouwant?”
“IwonderedifyoucouldtellmeanythingabouttheBlackbirdMine,ma’am.”
MissRamsbottomutteredasudden,shrillcackleoflaughter.
“Ha.You’vegotontothat,haveyou!TookthehintIgaveyoutheotherday.Well,whatdoyouwanttoknowaboutit?”
“Anythingyoucantellme,madam.”
“Ican’ttellyoumuch.It’salongtimeagonow—oh,twentytotwenty-fiveyearsmaybe.SomeconcessionorotherinEastAfrica.Mybrother-in-lawwentintoitwithamancalledMacKenzie.TheywentouttheretoinvestigatetheminetogetherandMacKenziediedoutthereoffever.Rexcamehomeandsaidtheclaimortheconcessionorwhateveryoucallitwasworthless.That’sallIknow.”
“Ithinkyouknowalittlemorethanthat,ma’am,”saidNeelepersuasively.
“Anythingelseishearsay.Youdon’tlikehearsayinthelaw,soI’vebeentold.”
“We’renotincourtyet,ma’am.”
“Well,Ican’ttellyouanything.TheMacKenzieskickedupafuss.That’sallIknow.TheyinsistedthatRexhadswindledMacKenzie.Idaresayhedid.Hewasaclever,unscrupulousfellow,butI’venodoubtwhateverhediditwasalllegal.Theycouldn’tproveanything.Mrs.MacKenziewasanunbalancedsortofwoman.Shecamehereandmadealotofthreatsofrevenge.SaidRexhadmurderedherhusband.Silly,melodramaticfuss!Ithinkshewasabitoffherhead—infact,Ibelieveshewentintoanasylumnotlongafter.Cameheredraggingalongacoupleofyoungchildrenwholookedscaredtodeath.Saidshe’dbringupherchildrentohaverevenge.Somethinglikethat.Tomfoolery,allofit.Well,that’sallIcantellyou.Andmindyou,theBlackbirdMinewasn’ttheonlyswindlethatRexputoverinhislifetime.You’llfindagoodmanymoreifyoulookforthem.WhatputyouontotheBlackbird?DidyoucomeacrosssometrailleadingtotheMacKenzies?”
“Youdon’tknowwhatbecameofthefamily,ma’am?”
“Noidea,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Mindyou,Idon’tthinkRexwouldhaveactuallymurderedMacKenzie,buthemighthavelefthimtodie.ThesamethingbeforetheLord,butnotthesamethingbeforethelaw.Ifhedid,retribution’scaughtupwithhim.ThemillsofGodgrindslowly,buttheygrindexceedingsmall—you’dbettergoawaynow,Ican’ttellyouanymoreandit’snogoodyourasking.”
“Thankyouverymuchforwhatyouhavetoldme,”saidInspectorNeele.
“SendthatMarplewomanback,”MissRamsbottomcalledafterhim.“She’sfrivolous,likeallChurchofEnglandpeople,butsheknowshowtorunacharityinasensibleway.”
InspectorNeelemadeacoupleoftelephonecalls,thefirsttoAnsellandWorrallandthesecondtotheGolfHotel,thenhesummonedSergeantHayandtoldhimthathewasleavingthehouseforashortperiod.
“I’veacalltopayatasolicitor’soffice—afterthat,youcangetmeattheGolfHotelifanythingurgentturnsup.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Andfindoutanythingyoucanaboutblackbirds,”addedNeeleoverhisshoulder.
“Blackbirds,sir?”SergeantHayrepeated,thoroughlymystified.
“That’swhatIsaid—notblackberryjelly—blackbirds.”
“Verygood,sir,”saidSergeantHaybewilderedly.
ChapterSeventeen
I
InspectorNeelefoundMr.Ansellthetypeofsolicitorwhowasmoreeasilyintimidatedthanintimidating.Amemberofasmallandnotveryprosperousfirm,hewasanxiousnottostanduponhisrightsbutinsteadtoassistthepoliceineverywaypossible.
Yes,hesaid,hehadmadeawillforthelateMrs.AdeleFortescue.Shehadcalledathisofficeaboutfiveweekspreviously.Ithadseemedtohimratherapeculiarbusinessbutnaturallyhehadnotsaidanything.Peculiarthingsdidhappeninasolicitor’sbusiness,andofcoursetheinspectorwouldunderstandthatdiscretion,etc.,etc.Theinspectornoddedtoshowheunderstood.HehadalreadydiscoveredMr.AnsellhadnottransactedanylegalbusinesspreviouslyforMrs.FortescueorforanyoftheFortescuefamily.
“Naturally,”saidMr.Ansell,“shedidn’twanttogotoherhusband’sfirmoflawyersaboutthis.”
Shornofverbiage,thefactsweresimple.AdeleFortescuehadmadeawillleavingeverythingofwhichshediedpossessedtoVivianDubois.
“ButIgathered,”saidMr.Ansell,lookingatNeeleinaninterrogatingmanner,“thatshehadn’tactuallymuchtoleave.”
InspectorNeelenodded.AtthetimeAdeleFortescuemadeherwillthatwastrueenough.ButsincethenRexFortescuehaddied,andAdeleFortescuehadinherited￡100,000andpresumablythat￡100,000(lessdeathduties)nowbelongedtoVivianEdwardDubois.
II
AttheGolfHotel,InspectorNeelefoundVivianDuboisnervouslyawaitinghisarrival.Duboishadbeenonthepointofleaving,indeedhisbagswerepacked,whenhehadreceivedoverthetelephoneacivilrequestfromInspectorNeeletoremain.InspectorNeelehadbeenverypleasantaboutit,quiteapologetic.Butbehindtheconventionalwordstherequesthadbeenanorder.VivianDuboishaddemurred,butnottoomuch.
Hesaidnow:
“Idohopeyourealize,InspectorNeele,thatitisveryinconvenientformetohavetostayon.Ireallyhaveurgentbusinessthatneedsattendingto.”
“Ididn’tknowyouwereinbusiness,Mr.Dubois,”saidInspectorNeele,genially.
“I’mafraidnoneofuscanbeasleisuredaswewouldliketoappeartobenowadays.”
“Mrs.Fortescue’sdeathmusthavebeenagreatshocktoyou,Mr.Dubois.Youweregreatfriends,wereyounot?”
“Yes,”saidDubois,“shewasacharmingwoman.Weplayedgolfquiteoftentogether.”
“Iexpectyou’llmissherverymuch.”
“Yes,indeed.”Duboissighed.“Thewholethingisreallyquite,quiteterrible.”
“Youactuallytelephonedher,Ibelieve,ontheafternoonofherdeath?”
“DidI?Ireallycannotremembernow.”
“Aboutfouro’clock,Iunderstand.”
“Yes,IbelieveIdid.”
“Don’tyourememberwhatyourconversationwasabout,Mr.Dubois?”
“Itwasn’tofanysignificance.IthinkIaskedherhowshewasfeelingandiftherewasanyfurthernewsaboutherhusband’sdeath—amoreorlessconventionalinquiry.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorNeele.Headded:“Andthenyouwentoutforawalk?”
“Er—yes—yes,I—Idid,Ithink.Atleast,notawalk,Iplayedafewholesofgolf.”
InspectorNeelesaidgently:
“Ithinknot,Mr.Dubois…Notthatparticularday…TheporterherenoticedyouwalkingdowntheroadtowardsYewtreeLodge.”
Dubois’seyesmethis,thenshiedawayagainnervously.
“I’mafraidIcan’tremember,Inspector.”
“PerhapsyouactuallywenttocalluponMrs.Fortescue?”
Duboissaidsharply:
“No.No,Ididn’tdothat.Ineverwentnearthehouse.”
“Wheredidyougo,then?”
“Oh,I—wentondowntheroad,downasfarastheThreePigeonsandthenIturnedaroundandcamebackbythelinks.”
“You’requitesureyoudidn’tgotoYewtreeLodge?”
“Quitesure,Inspector.”
Theinspectorshookhishead.
“Come,now,Mr.Dubois,”hesaid,“it’smuchbettertobefrankwithus,youknow.Youmayhavehadsomequiteinnocentreasonforgoingthere.”
“ItellyouIneverwenttoseeMrs.Fortescuethatday.”
Theinspectorstoodup.
“Youknow,Mr.Dubois,”hesaidpleasantly,“Ithinkwe’llhavetoaskyouforastatementandyou’llbewell-advisedandquitewithinyourrightsinhavingasolicitorpresentwhenyouaremakingthatstatement.”
ThecolourfledfromMr.Dubois’sface,leavingitasicklygreenishcolour.
“You’rethreateningme,”hesaid.“You’rethreateningme.”
“No,no,nothingofthekind.”InspectorNeelespokeinashockedvoice.“We’renotallowedtodoanythingofthatsort.Quitethecontrary.I’mactuallypointingouttoyouthatyouhavecertainrights.”
“Ihadnothingtodowithitatall,Itellyou!Nothingtodowithit.”
“Comenow,Mr.Dubois,youwereatYewtreeLodgeroundabouthalfpastfouronthatday.Somebodylookedoutofthewindow,youknow,andsawyou.”
“Iwasonlyinthegarden.Ididn’tgointothehouse.”
“Didn’tyou?”saidInspectorNeele.“Areyousure?Didn’tyougoinbythesidedoorandupthestairstoMrs.Fortescue’ssittingroomonthefirstfloor?Youwerelookingforsomething,weren’tyou,inthedeskthere?”
“You’vegotthem,Isuppose,”saidDuboissullenly.“ThatfoolAdelekeptthem,then—shesworesheburntthem—Buttheydon’tmeanwhatyouthinktheymean.”
“You’renotdenying,areyou,Mr.Dubois,thatyouwereaveryclosefriendofMrs.Fortescue’s?”
“No,ofcourseI’mnot.HowcanIwhenyou’vegottheletters?AllIsayis,there’snoneedtogoreadinganysinistermeaningintothem.Don’tthinkforamomentthatwe—thatshe—everthoughtofgettingridofRexFortescue.GoodGod,I’mnotthatkindofman!”
“Butperhapsshewasthatkindofwoman?”
“Nonsense,”criedVivianDubois,“wasn’tshekilledtoo?”
“Ohyes,yes.”
“Well,isn’titnaturaltobelievethatthesamepersonwhokilledherhusbandkilledher?”
“Itmightbe.Itcertainlymightbe.Butthereareothersolutions.Forinstance—(thisisquiteahypotheticalcase,Mr.Dubois)it’spossiblethatMrs.Fortescuegotridofherhusband,andthatafterhisdeathshebecamesomewhatofadangertosomeoneelse.Someonewhohad,perhaps,nothelpedherinwhatshehaddonebutwhohadatleastencouragedherandprovided,shallwesay,themotiveforthedeed.Shemightbe,youknow,adangertothatparticularperson.”
Duboisstammered:
“Youc-c-can’tbuildupacaseagainstme.Youcan’t.”
“Shemadeawill,youknow,”saidInspectorNeele.“Sheleftallhermoneytoyou.Everythingshepossessed.”
“Idon’twantthemoney.Idon’twantapennyofit.”
“Ofcourse,itisn’tverymuchreally,”saidInspectorNeele.“There’sjewelleryandsomefurs,butIimagineverylittleactualcash.”
Duboisstaredathim,hisjawdropping.
“ButIthoughtherhusband—”
Hestoppeddead.
“Didyou,Mr.Dubois?”saidInspectorNeele,andtherewassteelnowinhisvoice.“That’sveryinteresting.IwonderedifyouknewthetermsofRexFortescue’swill—”
III
InspectorNeele’ssecondinterviewattheGolfHotelwaswithMr.GeraldWright.Mr.GeraldWrightwasathin,intellectualandverysuperioryoungman.Hewas,InspectorNeelenoted,notunlikeVivianDuboisinbuild.
“WhatcanIdoforyou,InspectorNeele?”heasked.
“Ithoughtyoumightbeabletohelpuswithalittleinformation,Mr.Wright.”
“Information?Really?Itseemsveryunlikely.”
“It’sinconnectionwiththerecenteventsatYewtreeLodge.You’veheardofthem,ofcourse?”
InspectorNeeleputalittleironyintothequestion.Mr.Wrightsmiledpatronisingly.
“Heardofthem,”hesaid,“ishardlytherightword.Thenewspapersappeartobefullofnothingelse.Howincrediblybloodthirstyourpublicpressis!Whatanagewelivein!Ononesidethemanufactureofatombombs,ontheotherournewspapersdelightinreportingbrutalmurders!Butyousaidyouhadsomequestionstoask.Really,Icannotseewhattheycanbe.IknownothingaboutthisYewtreeLodgeaffair.IwasactuallyintheIsleofManwhenMr.RexFortescuewaskilled.”
“Youarrivedhereveryshortlyafterwards,didn’tyou,Mr.Wright?Youhadatelegram,Ibelieve,fromMissElaineFortescue.”
“Ourpoliceknoweverything,dotheynot?Yes,Elainesentforme.Icame,ofcourse,atonce.”
“Andyouare,Iunderstand,shortlytobemarried?”
“Quiteright,InspectorNeele.Youhavenoobjections,Ihope.”
“ItisentirelyMissFortescue’sbusiness.Iunderstandtheattachmentbetweenyoudatesfromsometimeback?Sixorsevenmonthsago,infact?”
“Quitecorrect.”
“YouandMissFortescuebecameengagedtobemarried.Mr.Fortescuerefusedtogivehisconsent,informedyouthatifhisdaughtermarriedagainsthiswisheshedidnotproposetogiveheranincomeofanykind.Whereupon,Iunderstand,youbrokeofftheengagementanddeparted.”
GeraldWrightsmiledratherpityingly.
“Averycrudewayofputtingthings,InspectorNeele.Actually,Iwasvictimizedformypoliticalopinions.RexFortescuewastheworsttypeofcapitalist.NaturallyIcouldnotsacrificemypoliticalbeliefsandconvictionsformoney.”
“Butyouhavenoobjectionstomarryingawifewhohasjustinherited￡50,000?”
GeraldWrightgaveathinsatisfiedsmile.
“Notatall,InspectorNeele.Themoneywillbeusedforthebenefitofthecommunity.Butsurelyyoudidnotcomeheretodiscusswithmeeithermyfinancialcircumstances—ormypoliticalconvictions?”
“No,Mr.Wright.Iwantedtotalktoyouaboutasimplequestionoffact.Asyouareaware,Mrs.AdeleFortescuediedasaresultofcyanidepoisoningontheafternoonofNovemberthe5th.
“SinceyouwereintheneighbourhoodofYewtreeLodgeonthatafternoonIthoughtitpossiblethatyoumighthaveseenorheardsomethingthathadabearingonthecase.”
“AndwhatleadsyoutobelievethatIwas,asyoucallit,intheneighbourhoodofYewtreeLodgeatthetime?”
“Youleftthishotelataquarterpastfouronthatparticularafternoon,Mr.Wright.OnleavingthehotelyouwalkeddowntheroadinthedirectionofYewtreeLodge.Itseemsnaturaltosupposethatyouweregoingthere.”
“Ithoughtofit,”saidGeraldWright,“butIconsideredthatitwouldbearatherpointlessthingtodo.IalreadyhadanarrangementtomeetMissFortescue—Elaine—atthehotelatsixo’clock.IwentforawalkalongalanethatbranchesofffromthemainroadandreturnedtotheGolfHoteljustbeforesixo’clock.Elainedidnotkeepherappointment.Quitenaturally,underthecircumstances.”
“Anybodyseeyouonthiswalkofyours,Mr.Wright?”
“Afewcarspassedme,Ithink,ontheroad.IdidnotseeanyoneIknew,ifthat’swhatyoumean.Thelanewaslittlemorethanacart-trackandtoomuddyforcars.”
“Sobetweenthetimeyouleftthehotelataquarterpastfouruntilsixo’clockwhenyouarrivedbackagain,I’veonlyyourwordforitastowhereyouwere?”
GeraldWrightcontinuedtosmileinasuperiorfashion.
“Verydistressingforusboth,Inspector,butthereitis.”
InspectorNeelesaidsoftly:
“ThenifsomeonesaidtheylookedoutofalandingwindowandsawyouinthegardenofYewtreeLodgeatabout4:35—”hepausedandleftthesentenceunfinished.
GeraldWrightraisedhiseyebrowsandshookhishead.
“Visibilitymusthavebeenverybadbythen,”hesaid.“Ithinkitwouldbedifficultforanyonetobesure.”
“AreyouacquaintedwithMr.VivianDubois,whoisalsostayinghere?”
“Dubois.Dubois?No,Idon’tthinkso.Isthatthetall,darkmanwithaprettytasteinsuedeshoes?”
“Yes.Healsowasoutforawalkthatafternoon,andhealsoleftthehotelandwalkedpastYewtreeLodge.Youdidnotnoticehimintheroadbyanychance?”
“No.No.Ican’tsayIdid.”
GeraldWrightlookedforthefirsttimefaintlyworried.InspectorNeelesaidthoughtfully:
“Itwasn’treallyaveryniceafternoonforwalking,especiallyafterdarkinamuddylane.Curioushowenergeticeveryoneseemstohavefelt.”
IV
OnInspectorNeele’sreturntothehousehewasgreetedbySergeantHaywithanairofsatisfaction.
“I’vefoundoutabouttheblackbirdsforyou,sir,”hesaid.
“Youhave,haveyou?”
“Yes,sir,inapietheywere.ColdpiewasleftoutforSundaynight’ssupper.Somebodygotatthatpieinthelarderorsomewhere.They’dtakenoffthecrustandthey’dtakenoutthevealand’amwhatwasinsideit,andwhatd’youthinktheyputininstead?Somestinkin’blackbirdstheygotoutofthegardener’sshed.Nastysortoftricktoplay,wasn’tit?”
“‘Wasn’tthatadaintydishtosetbeforetheking?’”saidInspectorNeele.
HeleftSergeantHaystaringafterhim.
ChapterEighteen
I
“Justwaitaminute,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Thispatienceisgoingtocomeout.”
Shetransferredakingandhisvariousimpedimentaintoanemptyspace,putaredsevenonablackeight,builtupthefour,fiveandsixofspadesonherfoundationheap,madeafewmorerapidtransfersofcardsandthenleanedbackwithasignofsatisfaction.
“That’stheDoubleJester,”shesaid.“Itdoesn’toftencomeout.”
Sheleanedbackinasatisfiedfashion,thenraisedhereyesatthegirlstandingbythefireplace.
“Soyou’reLance’swife,”shesaid.
Pat,whohadbeensummonedupstairstoMissRamsbottom’spresence,noddedherhead.
“Yes,”shesaid.
“You’reatallgirl,”saidMissRamsbottom,“andyoulookhealthy.”
“I’mveryhealthy.”
MissRamsbottomnoddedinasatisfiedmanner.
“Percival’swifeispasty,”shesaid.“Eatstoomanysweetsanddoesn’ttakeenoughexercise.Well,sitdown,child,sitdown.Wheredidyoumeetmynephew?”
“ImethimoutinKenyawhenIwasstayingtherewithsomefriends.”
“You’vebeenmarriedbefore,Iunderstand.”
“Yes.Twice.”
MissRamsbottomgaveaprofoundsniff.
“Divorce,Isuppose.”
“No,”saidPat.Hervoicetrembledalittle.“Theyboth—died.Myfirsthusbandwasafighterpilot.Hewaskilledinthewar.”
“Andyoursecondhusband?Letmesee—somebodytoldme.Shothimself,didn’the?”
Patnodded.
“Yourfault?”
“No,”saidPat.“Itwasn’tmyfault.”
“Racingman,wasn’the?”
“Yes.”
“I’veneverbeenonaracecourseinmylife,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Bettingandcardplaying—alldevicesofthedevil!”
Patdidnotreply.
“Iwouldn’tgoinsideatheatreoracinema,”saidMissRamsbottom.“Ah,well,it’sawickedworldnowadays.Alotofwickednesswasgoingoninthishouse,buttheLordstruckthemdown.”
Patstillfounditdifficulttosayanything.ShewonderedifLance’sAuntEffiewasreallyquiteallthere.Shewas,however,atrifledisconcertedbytheoldlady’sshrewdglanceather.
“Howmuch,”demandedAuntEffie,“doyouknowaboutthefamilyyou’vemarriedinto?”
“Isuppose,”saidPat,“asmuchasoneeverknowsofthefamilyonemarriesinto.”
“H’m,somethinginthat,somethinginthat.Well,I’lltellyouthis.Mysisterwasafool,mybrother-in-lawwasarogue,Percivalisasneak,andyourLancewasalwaysthebadboyofthefamily.”
“Ithinkthat’sallnonsense,”saidPatrobustly.
“Maybeyou’reright,”saidMissRamsbottom,unexpectedly.“Youcan’tjuststicklabelsonpeople.Butdon’tunderestimatePercival.There’satendencytobelievethatthosewhoarelabelledgoodarealsostupid.Percivalisn’ttheleastbitstupid.He’squitecleverinasanctimoniouskindofway.I’venevercaredforhim.Mindyou,Idon’ttrustLanceandIdon’tapproveofhim,butIcan’thelpbeingfondofhim…He’sarecklesssortoffellow—alwayshasbeen.You’vegottolookafterhimandseehedoesn’tgotoofar.TellhimnottounderestimatePercival,mydear.TellhimnottobelieveeverythingthatPercivalsays.They’reallliarsinthishouse.”Theoldladyaddedwithsatisfaction:“Fireandbrimstoneshallbetheirportion.”
II
InspectorNeelewasfinishingatelephoneconversationwithScotlandYard.
Theassistantcommissionerattheotherendsaid:
“Weoughttobeabletogetthatinformationforyou—bycircularizingthevariousprivatesanatoriums.Ofcourseshemaybedead.”
“Probablyis.It’salongtimeago.”
Oldsinscastlongshadows.MissRamsbottomhadsaidthat—saiditwithasignificance,too—asthoughshewasgivinghimahint.
“It’safantastictheory,”saidtheAC.
“Don’tIknowit,sir.ButIdon’tfeelwecanignoreitaltogether.Toomuchfitsin—”
“Yes—yes—rye—blackbirds—theman’sChristianname—”
Neelesaid:
“I’mconcentratingontheotherlinestoo—Duboisisapossibility—soisWright—thegirlGladyscouldhavecaughtsightofeitherofthemoutsidethesidedoor—shecouldhavelefttheteatrayinthehallandgoneouttoseewhoitwasandwhattheyweredoing—whoeveritwascouldhavestrangledherthenandthereandthencarriedherbodyroundtotheclotheslineandputthepegonhernose—”
“Acrazythingtodoinallconscience!Anastyonetoo.”
“Yes,sir.That’swhatupsettheoldlady—MissMarple,Imean.Niceoldlady—andveryshrewd.She’smovedintothehouse—tobenearoldMissRamsbottom—andI’venodoubtshe’llgettohearanythingthat’sgoing.”
“What’syournextmove,Neele?”
“I’veanappointmentwiththeLondonsolicitors.IwanttofindoutalittlemoreaboutRexFortescue’saffairs.Andthoughit’soldhistory,IwanttohearalittlemoreabouttheBlackbirdMine.”
III
Mr.Billingsley,ofBillingsley,Horsethorpe&Walters,wasanurbanemanwhosediscretionwasconcealedhabituallybyamisleadinglyforthcomingmanner.ItwasthesecondinterviewthatInspectorNeelehadhadwithhim,andonthisoccasionMr.Billingsley’sdiscretionwaslessnoticeablethanithadbeenontheformerone.ThetripletragedyatYewtreeLodgehadshakenMr.Billingsleyoutofhisprofessionalreserve.Hewasnowonlytooanxioustoputallthefactshecouldbeforethepolice.
“Mostextraordinarybusiness,thiswholething,”hesaid.“Amostextraordinarybusiness.Idon’trememberanythinglikeitinallmyprofessionalcareer.”
“Frankly,Mr.Billingsley,”saidInspectorNeele,“weneedallthehelpwecanget.”
“Youcancountonme,mydearsir.IshallbeonlytoohappytoassistyouineverywayIcan.”
“FirstletmeaskyouhowwellyouknewthelateMr.Fortescue,andhowwelldoyouknowtheaffairsofhisfirm?”
“IknewRexFortescuefairlywell.ThatistosayI’veknownhimforaperiodof,well,sixteenyearsIshouldsay.Mindyou,wearenottheonlyfirmofsolicitorsheemployed,notbyalongway.”
InspectorNeelenodded.Heknewthat.Billingsley,Horsethorpe&WalterswerewhatonemightdescribeasRexFortescue’sreputablesolicitors.Forhislessreputabledealingshehademployedseveraldifferentandslightlylessscrupulousfirms.
“Nowwhatdoyouwanttoknow?”continuedMr.Billingsley.“I’vetoldyouabouthiswill.PercivalFortescueistheresiduarylegatee.”
“I’minterestednow,”saidInspectorNeele,“inthewillofhiswidow.OnMr.Fortescue’sdeathshecameintothesumofonehundredthousandpounds,Iunderstand?”
Billingsleynoddedhishead.
“Aconsiderablesumofmoney,”hesaid,“andImaytellyouinconfidence,Inspector,thatitisonethefirmcouldillhaveaffordedtopayout.”
“Thefirm,then,isnotprosperous?”
“Frankly,”saidMr.Billingsley,“andstrictlybetweenourselves,it’sdriftingontotherocksandhasbeenforthelastyearandahalf.”
“Foranyparticularreason?”
“Whyyes.IshouldsaythereasonwasRexFortescuehimself.ForthelastyearRexFortescue’sbeenactinglikeamadman.Sellinggoodstockhere,buyingspeculativestuffthere,talkingbigaboutitallthetimeinthemostextraordinaryway.Wouldn’tlistentoadvice.Percival—theson,youknow—hecamehereurgingmetousemyinfluencewithhisfather.He’dtried,apparentlyandbeensweptaside.Well,IdidwhatIcould,butFortescuewouldn’tlistentoreason.Really,heseemstohavebeenachangedman.”
“Butnot,Igather,adepressedman,”saidInspectorNeele.
“No,no.Quitethecontrary.Flamboyant,bombastic.”
InspectorNeelenodded.Anideawhichhadalreadytakenforminhismindwasstrengthened.HethoughthewasbeginningtounderstandsomeofthecausesoffrictionbetweenPercivalandhisfather.Mr.Billingsleywascontinuing:
“Butit’snogoodaskingmeaboutthewife’swill.Ididn’tmakeanywillforher.”
“No.Iknowthat,”saidNeele.“I’mmerelyverifyingthatshehadsomethingtoleave.Inshort,ahundredthousandpounds.”
Mr.Billingsleywasshakinghisheadviolently.
“No,no,mydearsir.You’rewrongthere.”
“Doyoumeanthehundredthousandpoundswasonlylefttoherforherlifetime?”
“No—no—itwaslefttoheroutright.Buttherewasaclauseinthewillgoverningthatbequest.Thatistosay,Fortescue’swifedidnotinheritthesumunlessshesurvivedhimforonemonth.That,Imaysay,isaclausefairlycommonnowadays.Ithascomeintooperationowingtotheuncertaintiesofairtravel.Iftwopeoplearekilledinanairaccident,itbecomesexceedinglydifficulttosaywhowasthesurvivorandalotofverycuriousproblemsarise.”
InspectorNeelewasstaringathim.
“ThenAdeleFortescuehadnotgotahundredthousandpoundstoleave.Whathappenstothatmoney?”
“Itgoesbackintothefirm.Orrather,Ishouldsay,itgoestotheresiduarylegatee.”
“AndtheresiduarylegateeisMr.PercivalFortescue.”
“That’sright,”saidBillingsley,“itgoestoPercivalFortescue.Andwiththestatethefirm’saffairsarein,”headdedunguardedly,“Ishouldsaythathe’llneedit!”
IV
“Thethingsyoupolicemenwanttoknow,”saidInspectorNeele’sdoctorfriend.
“Comeon,Bob,spillit.”
“Well,aswe’realonetogetheryoucan’tquoteme,fortunately!ButIshouldsay,youknow,thatyouridea’sdeadright.GPIbythesoundofitall.Thefamilysuspecteditandwantedtogethimtoseeadoctor.Hewouldn’t.Itactsjustinthewayyoudescribe.Lossofjudgment,megalomania,violentfitsofirritationandanger—boastfulness—delusionsofgrandeur—ofbeingagreatfinancialgenius.Anyonesufferingfromthatwouldsoonputasolventfirmontherocks—unlesshecouldberestrained—andthat’snotsoeasytodo—especiallyifthemanhimselfhasanideaofwhatyou’reafter.Yes—Ishouldsayitwasabitofluckforyourfriendsthathedied.”
“They’renofriendsofmine,”saidNeele.Herepeatedwhathehadoncesaidbefore:
“They’reallveryunpleasantpeople….”
ChapterNineteen
InthedrawingroomatYewtreeLodge,thewholeFortescuefamilywasassembled.PercivalFortescue,leaningagainstthemantelpiece,wasaddressingthemeeting.
“It’sallverywell,”saidPercival.“Butthewholepositionismostunsatisfactory.Thepolicecomeandgoanddon’ttellusanything.Onesupposesthey’repursuingsomelineofresearch.Inthemeantimeeverything’satastandstill.Onecan’tmakeplans,onecan’tarrangethingsforthefuture.”
“It’sallsoinconsiderate,”saidJennifer.“Andsostupid.”
“Therestillseemstobethisbanagainstanyoneleavingthehouse,”wentonPercival.“Still,Ithinkamongourselveswemightdiscussfutureplans.Whataboutyou,Elaine?Igatheryou’regoingtomarry—what’s-his-name—GeraldWright?Haveyouanyideawhen?”
“Assoonaspossible,”saidElaine.
Percivalfrowned.
“Youmean,inaboutsixmonths’time?”
“No,Idon’t.Whyshouldwewaitsixmonths?”
“Ithinkitwouldbemoredecent,”saidPercival.
“Rubbish,”saidElaine.“Amonth.That’sthelongestwe’llwait.”
“Well,it’sforyoutosay,”saidPercival.“Andwhatareyourplanswhenyouaremarried,ifyouhaveany?”
“We’rethinkingofstartingaschool.”
Percivalshookhishead.
“That’saveryriskyspeculationinthesetimes.Whatwiththeshortageofdomesticlabour,thedifficultyofgettinganadequateteachingstaff—really,Elaine,itsoundsallright.ButIshouldthinktwiceaboutitifIwereyou.”
“Wehavethought.Geraldfeelsthatthewholefutureofthiscountryliesinrighteducation.”
“IamseeingMr.Billingsleythedayaftertomorrow,”saidPercival.“We’vegottogointovariousquestionsoffinance.Hewassuggestingthatyoumightliketomakethismoneythat’sbeenlefttoyoubyFatherintoatrustforyourselfandyourchildren.It’saverysoundthingtodonowadays.”
“Idon’twanttodothat,”saidElaine.“Weshallneedthemoneytostartupourschool.There’saverysuitablehousewe’veheardofforsale.It’sinCornwall.Beautifulgroundsandquiteagoodhouse.Itwouldhavetobebuiltontoagooddeal—severalwingsadded.”
“Youmean—youmeanyou’regoingtotakeallyourmoneyoutofthebusiness?Really,Elaine,Idon’tthinkyou’rewise.”
“Muchwisertotakeitoutthanleaveitin,Ishouldsay,”saidElaine.“Businessesaregoingphutallovertheplace.Yousaidyourself,Val,beforeFatherdied,thatthingsweregettingintoaprettybadstate.”
“Onesaysthatsortofthing,”saidPercivalvaguely,“butImustsay,Elaine,totakeoutallyourcapitalandsinkitinthebuying,equippingandrunningofaschooliscrazy.Ifit’snotasuccess,lookwhathappens?You’releftwithoutapenny.”
“Itwillbeasuccess,”saidElaine,doggedly.
“I’mwithyou.”Lance,lyingsprawledoutinachair,spokeupencouragingly.“Haveacrackatit,Elaine.Inmyopinionit’llbeadamnedoddsortofschool,butit’swhatyouwanttodo—youandGerald.Ifyoudoloseyourmoneyyou’llatanyratehavehadthesatisfactionofdoingwhatyouwantedtodo.”
“Justwhatonemighthaveexpectedyoutosay,Lance,”saidPercival,acidly
“Iknow,Iknow,”saidLance.“I’mthespendthriftprodigalson.ButIstillthinkI’vehadmorefunoutoflifethanyouhave,Percy,oldboy.”
“Itdependsonwhatyoucallfun,”saidPercivalcoldly.“Whichbringsustoyourownplans,Lance.Isupposeyou’llbeoffagainbacktoKenya—orCanada—orclimbingMountEverestorsomethingfairlyfantastic?”
“Nowwhatmakesyouthinkthat?”saidLance.
“Well,you’veneverhadmuchuseforastay-at-homelifeinEngland,haveyou?”
“Onechangesasonegetsolder,”saidLance.“Onesettlesdown.D’youknow,Percymyboy,I’mquitelookingforwardtohavingacrackatbeingasoberbusinessman.”
“Doyoumean….”
“ImeanI’mcomingintothefirmwithyou,oldboy.”Lancegrinned.“Oh,you’retheseniorpartner,ofcourse.You’vegotthelion’sshare.I’monlyaveryjuniorpartner.ButIhavegotaholdinginitthatgivesmetherighttobeinonthings,doesn’tit?”
“Well—yes—ofcourse,ifyouputitthatway.ButIcanassureyou,mydearboy,you’llbevery,verybored.”
“Iwondernow.Idon’tbelieveIshallbebored.”
Percivalfrowned.
“Youdon’tseriouslymean,Lance,thatyou’recomingintothebusiness?”
“Havingafingerinthepie?Yes,that’sexactlywhatIamdoing.”
Percivalshookhishead.
“Thingsareinaverybadway,youknow.You’llfindthatout.It’sgoingtobeaboutallwecandotopayoutElainehershare,ifsheinsistsonhavingitpaidout.”
“Thereyouare,Elaine,”saidLance.“Youseehowwiseyouweretoinsistongrabbingyourmoneywhileit’sstilltheretograb.”
“Really,Lance,”Percivalspokeangrily,“thesejokesofyoursareinbadtaste.”
“Idothink,Lance,youmightbemorecarefulwhatyousay,”saidJennifer.
Sittingalittlewayawaynearthewindow,Patstudiedthemonebyone.IfthiswaswhatLancehadmeantbytwistingPercival’stail,shecouldseethathewasachievinghisobject.Percival’sneatimpassivitywasquiteruffled.Hesnappedagain,angrily:
“Areyouserious,Lance?”
“Deadserious.”
“Itwon’twork,youknow.You’llsoongetfedup.”
“Notme.Thinkwhatalovelychangeit’llbeforme.Acityoffice,typistscomingandgoing.IshallhaveablondesecretarylikeMissGrosvenor—isitGrosvenor?Isupposeyou’vesnaffledher.ButIshallgetonejustlikeher.‘Yes,Mr.Lancelot;no,Mr.Lancelot.Yourtea,Mr.Lancelot.’”
“Oh,don’tplaythefool,”snappedPercival.
“Whyareyousoangry,mydearbrother?Don’tyoulookforwardtohavingmesharingyourcitycares?”
“Youhaven’ttheleastconceptionofthemesseverything’sin.”
“No.You’llhavetoputmewisetoallthat.”
“Firstyou’vegottounderstandthatforthelastsixmonths—no,more,ayear,Father’snotbeenhimself.He’sdonethemostincrediblyfoolishthings,financially.Soldoutgoodstock,acquiredvariouswildcatholdings.Sometimeshe’sreallythrownawaymoneyhandoverfist.Just,onemightsay,forthefunofspendingit.”
“Infact,”saidLance,“it’sjustaswellforthefamilythathehadtaxineinhistea.”
“That’saveryuglywayofputtingit,butinessenceyou’requiteright.It’sabouttheonlythingthatsavedusfrombankruptcy.Butweshallhavetobeextremelyconservativeandgoverycautiouslyforabit.”
Lanceshookhishead.
“Idon’tagreewithyou.Cautionneverdoesanyoneanygood.Youmusttakeafewrisks,strikeout.Youmustgoforsomethingbig.”
“Idon’tagree,”saidPercy.“Cautionandeconomy.Thoseareourwatchwords.”
“Notmine,”saidLance.
“You’reonlythejuniorpartner,remember,”saidPercival.
“Allright,allright.ButI’vegotalittlesay-soallthesame.”
Percivalwalkedupanddowntheroomagitatedly.
“It’snogood,Lance.I’mfondofyouandallthat—”
“Areyou?”Lanceinterpolated.Percivaldidnotappeartohearhim.
“…butIreallydon’tthinkwe’regoingtopulltogetheratall.Ouroutlooksaretotallydifferent.”
“Thatmaybeanadvantage,”saidLance.
“Theonlysensiblething,”saidPercival,“istodissolvethepartnership.”
“You’regoingtobuymeout—isthattheidea?”
“Mydearboy,it’stheonlysensiblethingtodo,withourideassodifferent.”
“IfyoufindithardtopayElaineoutherlegacy,howareyougoingtomanagetopaymemyshare?”
“Well,Ididn’tmeanincash,”saidPercival.“Wecould—er—divideuptheholdings.”
“Withyoukeepingthegilt-edgedandmetakingtheworstofthespeculativeoffyou,Isuppose?”
“Theyseemtobewhatyouprefer,”saidPercival.
Lancegrinnedsuddenly.
“You’rerightinaway,Percy,oldboy.ButIcan’tindulgemyowntasteentirely.I’vegotPatheretothinkof.”
Bothmenlookedtowardsher.Patopenedhermouth,thenshutitagain.WhatevergameLancewasplaying,itwasbestthatsheshouldnotinterfere.ThatLancewasdrivingatsomethingspecial,shewasquitesure,butshewasstillalittleuncertainastowhathisactualobjectwas.
“Line’emup,Percy,”saidLance,laughing.“BogusDiamondMines,InaccessibleRubies,theOilConcessionswherenooilis.DoyouthinkI’mquiteasbigafoolasIlook?”
Percivalsaid:
“Ofcourse,someoftheseholdingsarehighlyspeculative,butremember,theymayturnoutimmenselyvaluable.”
“Changedyourtune,haven’tyou?”saidLance,grinning.“Goingtooffermefather’slatestwildcatacquisitionaswellastheoldBlackbirdMineandthingsofthatkind.Bytheway,hastheinspectorbeenaskingyouaboutthisBlackbirdMine?”
Percivalfrowned.
“Yes,hedid.Ican’timaginewhathewantedtoknowaboutit.Icouldn’ttellhimmuch.YouandIwerechildrenatthetime.IjustremembervaguelythatFatherwentoutthereandcamebacksayingthewholethingwasnogood.”
“Whatwasit—agoldmine?”
“Ibelieveso.Fathercamebackprettycertainthattherewasnogoldthere.And,mindyou,hewasn’tthesortofmantobemistaken.”
“Whogothimintoit?AmancalledMacKenzie,wasn’tit?”
“Yes.MacKenziediedoutthere.”
“MacKenziediedoutthere,”saidLancethoughtfully.“Wasn’tthereaterrificscene?Iseemtoremember…Mrs.MacKenzie,wasn’tit?Camehere.RantedandstormedatFather.Hurleddowncursesonhishead.Sheaccusedhim,ifIrememberrightly,ofmurderingherhusband.”
“Really,”saidPercivalrepressively.“Ican’trecollectanythingofthekind.”
“Irememberit,though,”saidLance.“Iwasagoodbityoungerthanyou,ofcourse.Perhapsthat’swhyitappealedtome.Asachilditstruckmeasfullofdrama.WherewasBlackbird?WestAfricawasn’tit?”
“Yes,Ithinkso.”
“Imustlookuptheconcessionsometime,”saidLance,“whenI’mattheoffice.”
“Youcanbequitesure,”saidPercival,“thatFathermadenomistake.Ifhecamebacksayingtherewasnogold,therewasnogold.”
“You’reprobablyrightthere,”saidLance.“PoorMrs.MacKenzie.Iwonderwhathappenedtoherandtothosetwokidsshebroughtalong.Funny—theymustbegrown-upbynow.”
ChapterTwenty
AtthePinewoodPrivateSanatorium,InspectorNeele,sittinginthevisitors’parlour,wasfacingagrey-haired,elderlylady.HelenMacKenziewassixty-three,thoughshelookedyounger.Shehadpaleblue,rathervacant-lookingeyes,andaweak,indeterminatechin.Shehadalongupperlipwhichoccasionallytwitched.SheheldalargebookinherlapandwaslookingdownatitasInspectorNeeletalkedtoher.InInspectorNeele’smindwastheconversationhehadjusthadwithDr.Crosbie,theheadoftheestablishment.
“She’savoluntarypatient,ofcourse,”saidDr.Crosbie,“notcertified.”
“She’snotdangerous,then?”
“Oh,no.Mostofthetimeshe’sassanetotalktoasyouorme.It’soneofhergoodperiodsnowsothatyou’llbeabletohaveaperfectlynormalconversationwithher.”
Bearingthisinmind,InspectorNeelestartedhisfirstconversationalessay.
“It’sverykindofyoutoseeme,madam,”hesaid.“MynameisNeele.I’vecometoseeyouaboutaMr.Fortescuewhohasrecentlydied.AMr.RexFortescue.Iexpectyouknowthename.”
Mrs.MacKenzie’seyeswerefixedonherbook.Shesaid:
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.”
“Mr.Fortescue,madam.Mr.RexFortescue.”
“No,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“No.Certainlynot.”
InspectorNeelewasslightlytakenaback.HewonderedwhetherthiswaswhatDr.Crosbiecalledbeingcompletelynormal.
“Ithink,Mrs.MacKenzie,youknewhimagoodmanyyearsago.”
“Notreally,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“Itwasyesterday.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorNeele,fallingbackuponthisformularatheruncertainly.“Ibelieve,”hewenton,“thatyoupaidhimavisitmanyyearsagoathisresidence,YewtreeLodge.”
“Averyostentatioushouse,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.
“Yes.Yes,youmightcallitthat.Hehadbeenconnectedwithyourhusband,Ibelieve,overacertainmineinAfrica.TheBlackbirdMine,Ibelieveitwascalled.”
“Ihavetoreadmybook,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“There’snotmuchtimeandIhavetoreadmybook.”
“Yes,madam.Yes,Iquiteseethat.”Therewasapause,thenInspectorNeelewenton,“Mr.MacKenzieandMr.FortescuewentouttogethertoAfricatosurveythemine.”
“Itwasmyhusband’smine,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“Hefounditandstakedaclaimtoit.Hewantedmoneytocapitalizeit.HewenttoRexFortescue.IfI’dbeenwiser,ifI’dknownmore,Iwouldn’thavelethimdoit.”
“No,Iseethat.Asitwas,theywentouttogethertoAfrica,andthereyourhusbanddiedoffever.”
“Imustreadmybook,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.
“DoyouthinkMr.FortescueswindledyourhusbandovertheBlackbirdMine,Mrs.MacKenzie?”
Withoutraisinghereyesfromthebook,Mrs.MacKenziesaid:
“Howstupidyouare.”
“Yes,yes,Idaresay…Butyouseeit’sallalongtimeagoandmakinginquiriesaboutathingthatisoveralongtimeagoisratherdifficult.”
“Whosaiditwasover?”
“Isee.Youdon’tthinkitisover?”
“Noquestioniseversettleduntilitissettledright.Kiplingsaidthat.NobodyreadsKiplingnowadays,buthewasagreatman.”
“Doyouthinkthequestionwillbesettledrightoneofthesedays?”
“RexFortescueisdead,isn’the?Yousaidso.”
“Hewaspoisoned,”saidInspectorNeele.
Ratherdisconcertingly,Mrs.MacKenzielaughed.
“Whatnonsense,”shesaid,“hediedoffever.”
“I’mtalkingaboutMr.RexFortescue.”
“SoamI.”Shelookedupsuddenlyandherpaleblueeyesfixedhis.“Comenow,”shesaid,“hediedinhisbed,didn’the?Hediedinhisbed?”
“HediedinSt.Jude’sHospital,”saidInspectorNeele.
“Nobodyknowswheremyhusbanddied,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“Nobodyknowshowhediedorwherehewasburied…AllanyoneknowsiswhatRexFortescuesaid.AndRexFortescuewasaliar!”
“Doyouthinktheremayhavebeenfoulplay?”
“Foulplay,foulplay,fowlslayeggs,don’tthey?”
“YouthinkthatRexFortescuewasresponsibleforyourhusband’sdeath?”
“Ihadaneggforbreakfastthismorning,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“Quitefresh,too.Surprising,isn’tit,whenonethinksthatitwasthirtyyearsago?”
Neeledrewadeepbreath.Itseemedunlikelythathewasevergoingtogetanywhereatthisrate,buthepersevered.
“SomebodyputdeadblackbirdsonRexFortescue’sdeskaboutamonthortwobeforehedied.”
“That’sinteresting.That’svery,veryinteresting.”
“Haveyouanyidea,madam,whomighthavedonethat?”
“Ideasaren’tanyhelptoone.Onehastohaveaction.Ibroughtthemupforthat,youknow,totakeaction.”
“You’retalkingaboutyourchildren?”
Shenoddedherheadrapidly.
“Yes.DonaldandRuby.Theywerenineandsevenandleftwithoutafather.Itoldthem.Itoldthemeveryday.Imadethemsweariteverynight.”
InspectorNeeleleantforward.
“Whatdidyoumakethemswear?”
“Thatthey’dkillhim,ofcourse.”
“Isee.”
InspectorNeelespokeasthoughitwasthemostreasonableremarkintheworld
“Didthey?”
“DonaldwenttoDunkirk.Henevercameback.Theysentmeawiresayinghewasdead:‘Deeplyregretkilledinaction.’Action,yousee,thewrongkindofaction.”
“I’msorrytohearthat,madam.Whataboutyourdaughter?”
“Ihaven’tgotadaughter,”saidMrs.MacKenzie.
“Youspokeofherjustnow,”saidNeele.“Yourdaughter,Ruby.”
“Ruby.Yes,Ruby.”Sheleanedforward.“DoyouknowwhatI’vedonetoRuby?”
“No,madam.Whathaveyoudonetoher?”
Shewhisperedsuddenly:
“LookhereattheBook.”
HesawthenthatwhatshewasholdinginherlapwasaBible.ItwasaveryoldBibleandassheopenedit,onthefrontpage,InspectorNeelesawthatvariousnameshadbeenwritten.ItwasobviouslyafamilyBibleinwhichtheold-fashionedcustomhadbeencontinuedofenteringeachnewbirth.Mrs.MacKenzie’sthinforefingerpointedtothetwolastnames.“DonaldMacKenzie”withthedateofhisbirth,and“RubyMacKenzie”withthedateofhers.ButathicklinewasdrawnthroughRubyMacKenzie’sname.
“Yousee?”saidMrs.MacKenzie.“IstruckheroutoftheBook.Icutheroffforever!TheRecordingAngelwon’tfindhernamethere.”
“Youcuthernameoutofthebook?Now,why,madam?”
Mrs.MacKenzielookedathimcunningly.
“Youknowwhy,”shesaid.
“ButIdon’t.Really,madam,Idon’t.”
“Shedidn’tkeepfaith.Youknowshedidn’tkeepfaith.”
“Whereisyourdaughternow,madam?”
“I’vetoldyou.Ihavenodaughter.Thereisn’tsuchapersonasRubyMacKenzieanylonger.”
“Youmeanshe’sdead?”
“Dead?”Thewomanlaughedsuddenly.“Itwouldbebetterforherifsheweredead.Muchbetter.Much,muchbetter.”Shesighedandturnedrestlesslyinherseat.Thenhermannerrevertingtoakindofformalcourtesy,shesaid:“I’msosorry,butreallyI’mafraidIcan’ttalktoyouanylonger.Yousee,thetimeisgettingveryshort,andImustreadmybook.”
ToInspectorNeele’sfurtherremarksMrs.MacKenziereturnednoreply.ShemerelymadeafaintgestureofannoyanceandcontinuedtoreadherBiblewithherfingerfollowingthelineoftheverseshewasreading.
Neelegotupandleft.Hehadanotherbriefinterviewwiththesuperintendent.
“Doanyofherrelationscometoseeher?”heasked.“Adaughter,forinstance?”
“Ibelieveadaughterdidcometoseeherinmypredecessor’stime,buthervisitagitatedthepatientsomuchthatheadvisedhernottocomeagain.Sincetheneverythingisarrangedthroughsolicitors.”
“Andyou’venoideawherethisRubyMacKenzieisnow?”
Thesuperintendentshookhishead.
“Noideawhatsoever.”
“You’venoideawhethershe’smarried,forinstance?”
“Idon’tknow,allIcandoistogiveyoutheaddressofthesolicitorswhodealwithus.”
InspectorNeelehadalreadytrackeddownthosesolicitors.Theywereunable,orsaidtheywereunable,totellhimanything.AtrustfundhadbeenestablishedforMrs.MacKenziewhichtheymanaged.ThesearrangementshadbeenmadesomeyearspreviouslyandtheyhadnotseenMissMacKenziesince.
InspectorNeeletriedtogetadescriptionofRubyMacKenziebuttheresultswerenotencouraging.Somanyrelationscametovisitpatientsthatafteralapseofyearstheywereboundtoberemembereddimly,withtheappearanceofonemixed-upwiththeappearanceofanother.ThematronwhohadbeenthereformanyyearsseemedtorememberthatMissMacKenziewassmallanddark.Theonlyothernursewhohadbeenthereforanylengthoftimerecalledthatshewasheavilybuiltandfair.
“Sothereweare,sir,”saidInspectorNeeleashereportedtotheassistantcommissioner.“There’sawholecrazysetupanditfitstogether.Itmustmeansomething.”
TheACnoddedthoughtfully.
“TheblackbirdsinthepietyingupwiththeBlackbirdMine,ryeinthedeadman’spocket,breadandhoneywithAdeleFortescue’stea—(notthatthatisconclusive.Afterall,anyonemighthavehadbreadandhoneyfortea!)Thethirdmurder,thatgirlstrangledwithastockingandaclothes-pegnippedontohernose.Yes,crazyasthesetupis,itcertainlycan’tbeignored.”
“Halfaminute,sir,”saidInspectorNeele.
“Whatisit?”
Neelewasfrowning.
“Youknow,whatyou’vejustsaid.Itdidn’tringtrue.Itwaswrongsomewhere.”Heshookhisheadandsighed.“No.Ican’tplaceit.”
ChapterTwenty-One
I
LanceandPatwanderedroundthewell-keptgroundssurroundingYewtreeLodge.
“IhopeI’mnothurtingyourfeelings,Lance,”Patmurmured,“ifIsaythisisquitethenastiestgardenI’veeverbeenin.”
“Itwon’thurtmyfeelings,”saidLance.“Isit?ReallyIdon’tknow.Itseemstohavethreegardenersworkingonitveryindustriously.”
Patsaid:
“Probablythat’swhat’swrongwithit.Noexpensespared,nosignsofanindividualtaste.Alltherightrhododendronsandalltherightbeddingoutdoneintheproperseason,Iexpect.”
“Well,whatwouldyouputinanEnglishgarden,Pat,ifyouhadone?”
“Mygarden,”saidPat,“wouldhavehollyhocks,larkspursandCanterburybells,nobeddingoutandnoneofthesehorribleyews.”
Sheglancedupatthedarkyewhedges,disparagingly.
“Associationofideas,”saidLanceeasily.
“There’ssomethingawfullyfrighteningaboutapoisoner,”saidPat.“Imeanitmustbeahorrid,broodingrevengefulmind.”
“Sothat’showyouseeit?Funny!Ijustthinkofitasbusinesslikeandcold-blooded.”
“Isupposeonecouldlookatitthatway.”Sheresumed,withaslightshiver,“Allthesame,todothreemurders…Whoeverdiditmustbemad.”
“Yes,”saidLance,inalowvoice.“I’mafraidso.”Thenbreakingoutsharply,hesaid:“ForGod’ssake,Pat,dogoawayfromhere.GobacktoLondon.GodowntoDevonshireoruptotheLakes.GotoStratford-on-AvonorgoandlookattheNorfolkBroads.Thepolicewouldn’tmindyourgoing—youhadnothingtodowithallthis.YouwereinPariswhentheoldmanwaskilledandinLondonwhentheothertwodied.Itellyouitworriesmetodeathtohaveyouhere.”
Patpausedamomentbeforesayingquietly:
“Youknowwhoitis,don’tyou?”
“No,Idon’t.”
“Butyouthinkyouknow…That’swhyyou’refrightenedforme…Iwishyou’dtellme.”
“Ican’ttellyou.Idon’tknowanything.ButIwishtoGodyou’dgoawayfromhere.”
“Darling,”saidPat.“I’mnotgoing.I’mstayinghere.Forbetter,forworse.That’showIfeelaboutit.”Sheadded,withasuddencatchinhervoice:“Onlywithmeit’salwaysforworse.”
“Whatonearthdoyoumean,Pat?”
“Ibringbadluck.That’swhatImean.IbringbadlucktoanybodyIcomeincontactwith.”
“Mydearadorablenitwit,youhaven’tbroughtbadlucktome.LookhowafterImarriedyoutheoldmansentformetocomehomeandmakefriendswithhim.”
“Yes,andwhathappenedwhenyoudidcomehome?Itellyou,I’munluckytopeople.”
“Lookhere,mysweet,you’vegotathingaboutallthis.It’ssuperstition,pureandsimple.”
“Ican’thelpit.Somepeopledobringbadluck.I’moneofthem.”
Lancetookherbytheshouldersandshookherviolently.“You’remyPatandtobemarriedtoyouisthegreatestluckintheworld.Sogetthatintoyoursillyhead.”Then,calmingdown,hesaidinamoresobervoice:“But,seriously,Pat,dobeverycareful.Ifthereissomeoneunhingedroundhere,Idon’twantyoutobetheonewhostopsthebulletordrinksthehenbane.”
“Ordrinksthehenbaneasyousay.”
“WhenI’mnotaround,sticktothatoldlady.What’s-her-nameMarple.WhydoyouthinkAuntEffieaskedhertostayhere?”
“GoodnessknowswhyAuntEffiedoesanything.Lance,howlongarewegoingtostayhere?”
Lanceshruggedhisshoulders.
“Difficulttosay.”
“Idon’tthink,”saidPat,“thatwe’rereallyawfullywelcome.”Shehesitatedasshespokethewords.“Thehousebelongstoyourbrothernow,Isuppose?Hedoesn’treallywantushere,doeshe?”
Lancechuckledsuddenly.
“Nothe,buthe’sgottostickusforthepresentatanyrate.”
“Andafterwards?Whatarewegoingtodo,Lance?ArewegoingbacktoEastAfricaorwhat?”
“Isthatwhatyou’dliketodo,Pat?”
Shenoddedvigorously.
“That’slucky,”saidLance,“becauseit’swhatI’dliketodo,too.Idon’ttakemuchtothiscountrynowadays.”
Pat’sfacebrightened.
“Howlovely.Fromwhatyousaidtheotherday,Iwasafraidyoumightwanttostophere.”
AdevilishglintappearedinLance’seyes.
“You’retoholdyourtongueaboutourplans,Pat,”hesaid.“IhaveitinmymindtotwistdearbrotherPercival’stailabit.”
“Oh,Lance,dobecareful.”
“I’llbecareful,mysweet,butIdon’tseewhyoldPercyshouldgetawaywitheverything.”
II
Withherheadalittleononesidelookinglikeanamiablecockatoo,MissMarplesatinthelargedrawingroomlisteningtoMrs.PercivalFortescue.MissMarplelookedparticularlyincongruousinthedrawingroom.Herlightsparefigurewasalientothevastbrocadedsofainwhichshesatwithitsmany-huedcushionsstrewnaroundher.MissMarplesatveryuprightbecauseshehadbeentaughttouseabackboardasagirl,andnottololl.Inalargearmchairbesideher,dressedinelaborateblack,wasMrs.Percival,talkingawayvolublyatnineteentothedozen.“Exactly,”thoughtMissMarple,“likepoorMrs.Emmett,thebankmanager’swife.”SherememberedhowonedayMrs.EmmetthadcometocallandtalkaboutthesellingarrangementsforPoppyDay,andhowafterthepreliminarybusinesshadbeensettled,Mrs.Emmetthadsuddenlybeguntotalkandtalkandtalk.Mrs.EmmettoccupiedratheradifficultpositioninSt.MaryMead.Shedidnotbelongtotheoldguardofladiesinreducedcircumstanceswholivedinneathousesaroundthechurch,andwhoknewintimatelyalltheramificationsofthecountyfamilieseventhoughtheymightnotbestrictlycountythemselves.Mr.Emmett,thebankmanager,hadundeniablymarriedbeneathhimandtheresultwasthathiswifewasinapositionofgreatlonelinesssinceshecouldnot,ofcourse,associatewiththewivesofthetradespeople.SnobberyhereraiseditshideousheadandmaroonedMrs.Emmettonapermanentislandofloneliness.
ThenecessitytotalkgrewuponMrs.Emmett,andonthatparticulardayithadburstitsbounds,andMissMarplehadreceivedthefullfloodofthetorrent.ShehadbeensorryforMrs.Emmettthen,andtodayshewasrathersorryforMrs.PercivalFortescue.
Mrs.Percivalhadhadalotofgrievancestobearandthereliefofairingthemtoamoreorlesstotalstrangerwasenormous.
“OfcourseIneverwanttocomplain,”saidMrs.Percival.“I’veneverbeenofthecomplainingkind.WhatIalwayssayisthatonemustputupwiththings.Whatcan’tbecuredmustbeenduredandI’msureI’veneversaidawordtoanyone.It’sreallydifficulttoknowwhoIcouldhavespokento.Insomewaysoneisveryisolatedhere—veryisolated.It’sveryconvenient,ofcourse,andagreatsavingofexpensetohaveourownsetofroomsinthishouse.Butofcourseit’snotatalllikehavingaplaceofyourown.I’msureyouagree.”
MissMarplesaidsheagreed.
“Fortunatelyournewhouseisalmostreadytomoveinto.Itisaquestionreallyofgettingthepaintersanddecoratorsout.Thesemenaresoslow.Myhusband,ofcourse,hasbeenquitesatisfiedlivinghere.Butthenit’sdifferentforaman.Don’tyouagree?”
MissMarpleagreedthatitwasverydifferentforaman.Shecouldsaythiswithoutaqualmasitwaswhatshereallybelieved.“Thegentlemen”were,inMissMarple’smind,inatotallydifferentcategorytoherownsex.Theyrequiredtwoeggsplusbaconforbreakfast,threegoodnourishingmealsadayandwerenevertobecontradictedorarguedwithbeforedinner.Mrs.Percivalwenton.
“Myhusband,yousee,isawayalldayinthecity.Whenhecomeshomehe’sjusttiredandwantstositdownandread.ButI,onthecontrary,amaloneherealldaywithnocongenialcompanyatall.I’vebeenperfectlycomfortableandallthat.Excellentfood.ButwhatIdofeeloneneedsisareallypleasantsocialcircle.Thepeopleroundherearereallynotmykind.PartofthemarewhatIcallaflashy,bridge-playinglot.Notnicebridge.Ilikeahandatbridgemyselfaswellasanyone,butofcourse,they’reallveryrichdownhere.Theyplayforenormouslyhighstakes,andthere’sagreatdealofdrinking.Infact,thesortoflifethatIcallreallyfastsociety.Then,ofcourse,there’sasprinklingof—well,youcanonlycallthemoldpussieswholovetopotterroundwithatrowelanddogardening.”
MissMarplelookedslightlyguiltysinceshewasherselfaninveterategardener.
“Idon’twanttosayanythingagainstthedead,”resumedMrs.Percyrapidly,“butthere’snodoubtaboutit,Mr.Fortescue,myfather-in-law,Imean,madeaveryfoolishsecondmarriage.My—wellIcan’tcallhermymother-in-law,shewasthesameageasIam.Therealtruthofitisshewasman-mad.Absolutelyman-mad.Andthewayshespentmoney!Myfather-in-lawwasanabsolutefoolabouther.Didn’tcarewhatbillssheranup.ItvexedPercyverymuch,verymuchindeed.Percyisalwayssocarefulaboutmoneymatters.Hehateswaste.AndthenwhatwithMr.Fortescuebeingsopeculiarandsobadtempered,flashingoutintheseterriblerages,spendingmoneylikewaterbackingwildcatschemes.Well—itwasn’tatallnice.”
MissMarpleventureduponmakingaremark.
“Thatmusthaveworriedyourhusband,too?”
“Oh,yes,itdid.ForthelastyearPercy’sbeenveryworriedindeed.It’sreallymadehimquitedifferent.Hismanner,youknow,changedeventowardsme.SometimeswhenItalkedtohimheusednottoanswer.”Mrs.Percysighed,thenwenton:“ThenElaine,mysister-in-law,youknow,she’saveryoddsortofgirl.Veryoutofdoorsandallthat.Notexactlyunfriendly,butnotsympathetic,youknow.SheneverwantedtogotoLondonandshop,orgotoamatinéeoranythingofthatkind.Shewasn’teveninterestedinclothes.”Mrs.Percivalsighedagainandmurmured:“ButofcourseIdon’twanttocomplaininanyway.”Aqualmofcompunctioncameoverher.Shesaid,hurriedly:“Youmustthinkitmostodd,talkingtoyoulikethiswhenyouareacomparativestranger.Butreally,whatwithallthestrainandshock—Ithinkreallyit’stheshockthatmattersmost.Delayedshock.Ifeelsonervous,youknow,thatIreally—well,Ireallymustspeaktosomeone.Youremindmesomuchofadearoldlady,MissTrefusisJames.Shefracturedherfemurwhenshewasseventy-five.Itwasaverylongbusinessnursingherandwebecamegreatfriends.ShegavemeafoxfurcapewhenIleftandIdidthinkitwaskindofher.”
“Iknowjusthowyoufeel,”saidMissMarple.
Andthisagainwastrue.Mrs.Percival’shusbandwasobviouslyboredbyherandpaidverylittleattentiontoher,andthepoorwomanhadmanagedtomakenolocalfriends.RunninguptoLondonandshopping,matinéesandaluxurioushousetoliveindidnotmakeupforthelackofhumanityinherrelationswithherhusband’sfamily.
“Ihopeit’snotrudeofmetosayso,”saidMissMarpleinagentleoldlady’svoice,“butIreallyfeelthatthelateMr.Fortescuecannothavebeenaveryniceman.”
“Hewasn’t,”saidhisdaughter-in-law.“Quitefranklymydear,betweenyouandme,hewasadetestableoldman.Idon’twonder—Ireallydon’t—thatsomeoneputhimoutoftheway.”
“You’venoideaatallwho—”beganMissMarpleandbrokeoff.“Ohdear,perhapsthisisaquestionIshouldnotask—notevenanideawho—who—well,whoitmighthavebeen?”
“Oh,IthinkitwasthathorriblemanCrump,”saidMrs.Percival.“I’vealwaysdislikedhimverymuch.He’sgotamanner,notreallyrude,youknow,butyetitisrude.Impertinent,that’smoreit.”
“Still,therewouldhavetobeamotive,Isuppose.”
“Ireallydon’tknowthatthatsortofpersonrequiresmuchmotive.IdaresayMr.Fortescuetickedhimoffaboutsomething,andIrathersuspectthatsometimeshedrinkstoomuch.ButwhatIreallythinkisthathe’sabitunbalanced,youknow.Likethatfootman,orbutler,whoeveritwas,whowentroundthehouseshootingeverybody.Ofcourse,tobequitehonestwithyou,IdidsuspectthatitwasAdelewhopoisonedMr.Fortescue.Butnow,ofcourse,onecan’tsuspectthatsinceshe’sbeenpoisonedherself.ShemayhaveaccusedCrump,youknow.AndthenhelosthisheadandperhapsmanagedtoputsomethinginthesandwichesandGladyssawhimdoitandsohekilledhertoo—Ithinkit’sreallydangeroushavinghiminthehouseatall.Ohdear,IwishIcouldgetaway,butIsupposethesehorriblepolicemenwon’tletonedoanythingofthekind.”SheleantforwardimpulsivelyandputaplumphandonMissMarple’sarm.“SometimesIfeelImustgetaway—thatifitdoesn’tallstopsoonIshall—Ishallactuallyrunaway.”
SheleantbackstudyingMissMarple’sface.
“Butperhaps—thatwouldn’tbewise?”
“No—Idon’tthinkitwouldbeverywise—thepolicecouldsoonfindyou,youknow.”
“Couldthey?Couldtheyreally?Youthinkthey’recleverenoughforthat?”
“Itisveryfoolishtounderestimatethepolice.InspectorNeelestrikesmeasaparticularlyintelligentman.”
“Oh!Ithoughthewasratherstupid.”
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“Ican’thelpfeeling”—JenniferFortescuehesitated—“thatit’sdangeroustostayhere.”
“Dangerousforyou,youmean?”
“Ye-es—well,yes—”
“Becauseofsomethingyou—know?”
Mrs.Percivalseemedtotakebreath.
“Ohno—ofcourseIdon’tknowanything.WhatshouldIknow?It’sjust—justthatI’mnervous.ThatmanCrump—”
Butitwasnot,MissMarplethought,ofCrumpthatMrs.PercivalFortescuewasthinking—watchingtheclenchingandunclenchingofJennifer’shands.MissMarplethoughtthatforsomereasonJenniferFortescuewasverybadlyfrightenedindeed.
ChapterTwenty-Two
Itwasgrowingdark.MissMarplehadtakenherknittingovertothewindowinthelibrary.LookingoutoftheglasspaneshesawPatFortescuewalkingupanddowntheterraceoutside.MissMarpleunlatchedthewindowandcalledthroughit.
“Comein,mydear.Docomein.I’msureit’smuchtoocoldanddampforyoutobeouttherewithoutacoaton.”
Patobeyedthesummons.Shecameinandshutthewindowandturnedontwoofthelamps.
“Yes,”shesaid,“it’snotaveryniceafternoon.”ShesatdownonthesofabyMissMarple.“Whatareyouknitting?”
“Oh,justalittlematinéecoat,dear.Forababy,youknow.Ialwayssayyoungmotherscan’thavetoomanymatinéecoatsfortheirbabies.It’sthesecondsize.Ialwaysknitthesecondsize.Babiessosoongrowoutofthefirstsize.”
Patstretchedoutlonglegstowardsthefire.
“It’sniceinheretoday,”shesaid.“Withthefireandthelampsandyouknittingthingsforbabies.ItallseemscosyandhomelyandlikeEnglandoughttobe.”
“It’slikeEnglandis,”saidMissMarple.“TherearenotsomanyYewtreeLodges,mydear.”
“Ithinkthat’sagoodthing,”saidPat.“Idon’tbelievethiswaseverahappyhouse.Idon’tbelieveanybodywaseverhappyinit,inspiteofallthemoneytheyspentandthethingstheyhad.”
“No,”MissMarpleagreed.“Ishouldn’tsayithadbeenahappyhouse.”
“IsupposeAdelemayhavebeenhappy,”saidPat.“Inevermether,ofcourse,soIdon’tknow,butJenniferisprettymiserableandElaine’sbeeneatingherheartoutoverayoungmanwhomsheprobablyknowsinherheartofheartsdoesn’tcareforher.Oh,howIwanttogetawayfromhere!”ShelookedatMissMarpleandsmiledsuddenly.“D’youknow,”shesaid,“thatLancetoldmetostickasclosetoyouasIcould.HeseemedtothinkIshouldbesafethatway.”
“Yourhusband’snofool,”saidMissMarple.
“No.Lanceisn’tafool.Atleast,heisinsomeways.ButIwishhe’dtellmeexactlywhathe’safraidof.Onethingseemsclearenough.Somebodyinthishouseismad,andmadnessisalwaysfrighteningbecauseyoudon’tknowhowmadpeople’smindswillwork.Youdon’tknowwhatthey’lldonext.”
“Mypoorchild,”saidMissMarple.
“Oh,I’mallright,really.Ioughttobetoughenoughbynow.”
MissMarplesaidgently:
“You’vehadagooddealofunhappiness,haven’tyou,mydear?”
“Oh,I’vehadsomeverygoodtimes,too.IhadalovelychildhoodinIreland,riding,hunting,andagreatbig,bare,draughtyhousewithlotsandlotsofsuninit.Ifyou’vehadahappychildhood,nobodycantakethatawayfromyou,canthey?Itwasafterwards—whenIgrewup—thatthingsseemedalwaystogowrong.Tobeginwith,Isuppose,itwasthewar.”
“Yourhusbandwasafighterpilot,wasn’the?”
“Yes.We’donlybeenmarriedaboutamonthwhenDonwasshotdown.”Shestaredaheadofherintothefire.“IthoughtatfirstIwantedtodietoo.Itseemedsounfair,socruel.Andyet—intheend—Ialmostbegantoseethatithadbeenthebestthing.Donwaswonderfulinthewar.Braveandrecklessandgay.Hehadallthequalitiesthatareneeded,wantedinawar.ButIdon’tbelieve,somehow,peacewouldhavesuitedhim.Hehadakindof—oh,howshallIputit?—arrogantinsubordination.Hewouldn’thavefittedinorsettleddown.He’dhavefoughtagainstthings.Hewas—well,antisocialinaway.No,hewouldn’thavefittedin.”
“It’swiseofyoutoseethat,mydear.”MissMarplebentoverherknitting,pickedupastitch,countedunderherbreath,“Threeplain,twopurl,slipone,knittwotogether,”andthensaidaloud:“Andyoursecondhusband,mydear?”
“Freddy?Freddyshothimself.”
“Ohdear.Howverysad.Whatatragedy.”
“Wewereveryhappytogether,”saidPat.“Ibegantorealize,abouttwoyearsafterweweremarried,thatFreddywasn’t—well,wasn’talwaysstraight.Ibegantofindoutthesortofthingsthatweregoingon.Butitdidn’tseemtomatter,betweenustwo,thatis.Because,yousee,FreddylovedmeandIlovedhim.Itriednottoknowwhatwasgoingon.Thatwascowardlyofme,Isuppose,butIcouldn’thavechangedhimyouknow.Youcan’tchangepeople.”
“No,”saidMissMarple,“youcan’tchangepeople.”
“I’dtakenhimandlovedhimandmarriedhimforwhathewas,andIsortoffeltthatIjusthadto—putupwithit.Thenthingswentwrongandhecouldn’tfaceit,andheshothimself.AfterhediedIwentouttoKenyatostaywithsomefriendsthere.Icouldn’tstoponinEnglandandgoonmeetingall—alltheoldcrowdthatknewaboutitall.AndoutinKenyaImetLance.”Herfacechangedandsoftened.Shewentonlookingintothefire,andMissMarplelookedather.PresentlyPatturnedherheadandsaid:“Tellme,MissMarple,whatdoyoureallythinkofPercival?”
“Well,I’venotseenverymuchofhim.Justatbreakfastusually.That’sall.Idon’tthinkheverymuchlikesmybeinghere.”
Patlaughedsuddenly.
“He’smean,youknow.Terriblymeanaboutmoney.Lancesayshealwayswas.Jennifercomplainsofit,too.GoesoverthehousekeepingaccountswithMissDove.Complainingofeveryitem.ButMissDovemanagestoholdherown.She’sreallyratherawonderfulperson.Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Yes,indeed.SheremindsmeofMrs.Latimerinmyownvillage,St.MaryMead.SherantheWVS,youknow,andtheGirlGuides,andindeed,sheranpracticallyeverythingthere.Itwasn’tforquitefiveyearsthatwediscoveredthat—oh,butImustn’tgossip.Nothingismoreboringthanpeopletalkingtoyouaboutplacesandpeoplewhomyou’veneverseenandknownothingabout.Youmustforgiveme,mydear.”
“IsSt.MaryMeadaverynicevillage?”
“Well,Idon’tknowwhatyouwouldcallanicevillage,mydear.It’squiteaprettyvillage.Therearesomenicepeoplelivinginitandsomeextremelyunpleasantpeopleaswell.Verycuriousthingsgoontherejustasinanyothervillage.Humannatureismuchthesameeverywhere,isitnot?”
“YougoupandseeMissRamsbottomagooddeal,don’tyou?”saidPat.“Nowshereallyfrightensme.”
“Frightensyou?Why?”
“BecauseIthinkshe’scrazy.Ithinkshe’sgotreligiousmania.Youdon’tthinkshecouldbe—really—mad,doyou?”
“Inwhatway,mad?”
“Oh,youknowwhatImean,MissMarple,wellenough.Shesitsupthereandnevergoesout,andbroodsaboutsin.Well,shemighthavefeltintheendthatitwashermissioninlifetoexecutejudgment.”
“Isthatwhatyourhusbandthinks?”
“Idon’tknowwhatLancethinks.Hewon’ttellme.ButI’mquitesureofonething—thathebelievesthatit’ssomeonewho’smad,andit’ssomeoneinthefamily.Well,Percival’ssaneenough,Ishouldsay.Jennifer’sjuststupidandratherpathetic.She’sabitnervybutthat’sall,andElaineisoneofthosequeer,tempestuous,tensegirls.She’sdesperatelyinlovewiththisyoungmanofhersandshe’llneveradmittoherselfforamomentthathe’smarryingherformoney?”
“Youthinkheismarryingherformoney?”
“Yes,Ido.Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Ishouldsayquitecertainly,”saidMissMarple.“LikeyoungElliswhomarriedMarionBates,therichironmonger’sdaughter.Shewasaveryplaingirlandabsolutelybesottedabouthim.However,itturnedoutquitewell.PeoplelikeyoungEllisandthisGeraldWrightareonlyreallydisagreeablewhenthey’vemarriedapoorgirlforlove.Theyaresoannoyedwiththemselvesfordoingitthattheytakeitoutonthegirl.Butiftheymarryarichgirltheycontinuetorespecther.”
“Idon’tsee,”wentonPat,frowning,“howitcanbeanybodyfromoutside.Andso—andsothataccountsfortheatmospherethatishere.Everyonewatchingeverybodyelse.Onlysomething’sgottohappensoon—”
“Therewon’tbeanymoredeaths,”saidMissMarple.“Atleast,Ishouldn’tthinkso.”
“Youcan’tbesureofthat.”
“Well,asamatteroffact,Iamfairlysure.Themurderer’saccomplishedhispurpose,yousee.”
“His?”
“Well,hisorher.Onesayshisforconvenience.”
“Yousayhisorherpurpose.Whatsortofpurpose?”
MissMarpleshookherhead—shewasnotyetquitesureherself.
ChapterTwenty-Three
I
OnceagainMissSomershadjustmadeteainthetypists’room,andonceagainthekettlehadnotbeenboilingwhenMissSomerspouredthewaterontothetea.Historyrepeatsitself.MissGriffith,acceptinghercup,thoughttoherself:“IreallymustspeaktoMr.PercivalaboutSomers.I’msurewecandobetter.Butwithallthisterriblebusinessgoingon,onedoesn’tliketobotherhimoverofficedetails.”
AssooftenbeforeMissGriffithsaidsharply:
“Waternotboilingagain,Somers,”andMissSomers,goingpink,repliedinherusualformula:
“Oh,dear,Iwassureitwasboilingthistime.”
FurtherdevelopmentsonthesamelinewereinterruptedbytheentranceofLanceFortescue.Helookedroundhimsomewhatvaguely,andMissGriffithjumpedup,cameforwardtomeethim.
“Mr.Lance,”sheexclaimed.
Heswungroundtowardsherandhisfacelitupinasmile.
“Hallo.Why,it’sMissGriffith.”
MissGriffithwasdelighted.Elevenyearssincehehadseenherandheknewhername.Shesaidinaconfusedvoice:
“Fancyyourremembering.”
AndLancesaideasily,withallhischarmtothefore:
“OfcourseIremember.”
Aflickerofexcitementwasrunningroundthetypists’room.MissSomers’stroublesovertheteawereforgotten.ShewasgapingatLancewithhermouthslightlyopen.MissBellgazedeagerlyoverthetopofhertypewriterandMissChaseunobtrusivelydrewouthercompactandpowderedhernose.LanceFortescuelookedroundhim.
“Soeverything’sstillgoingonjustthesamehere,”hesaid.
“Notmanychanges,Mr.Lance.Howbrownyoulookandhowwell!Isupposeyoumusthavehadaveryinterestinglifeabroad.”
“Youcouldcallitthat,”saidLance,“butperhapsIamnowgoingtotryandhaveaninterestinglifeinLondon.”
“You’recomingbackheretotheoffice?”
“Maybe.”
“Oh,buthowdelightful.”
“You’llfindmeveryrusty,”saidLance.“You’llhavetoshowmealltheropes,MissGriffith.”
MissGriffithlaugheddelightedly.
“Itwillbeverynicetohaveyouback,Mr.Lance.Veryniceindeed.”
Lancethrewheranappreciativeglance.
“That’ssweetofyou,”hesaid,“that’sverysweetofyou.”
“Weneverbelieved—noneofusthought…”MissGriffithbrokeoffandflushed.
Lancepattedheronthearm.
“Youdidn’tbelievethedevilwasasblackashewaspainted?Well,perhapshewasn’t.Butthat’salloldhistorynow.There’snogoodgoingbackoverit.Thefuture’sthething.”Headded,“Ismybrotherhere?”
“He’sintheinneroffice,Ithink.”
Lancenoddedeasilyandpassedon.Intheanteroomtotheinnersanctumahard-facedwomanofmiddleagerosebehindadeskandsaidforbiddingly:
“Yournameandbusiness,please?”
Lancelookedatherdoubtfully.
“Areyou—MissGrosvenor?”heasked.
MissGrosvenorhadbeendescribedtohimasaglamorousblonde.ShehadindeedappearedsointhepicturesthathadappearedinthenewspapersreportingtheinquestonRexFortescue.This,surely,couldnotbeMissGrosvenor.
“MissGrosvenorleftlastweek.IamMrs.Hardcastle,Mr.PercivalFortescue’spersonalsecretary.”
“HowlikeoldPercy,”thoughtLance.“TogetridofaglamorousblondeandtakeonaGorgoninstead.Iwonderwhy?Wasitsafetyorwasitbecausethisonecomescheaper?”Aloudhesaideasily:
“I’mLancelotFortescue.Youhaven’tmetmeyet.”
“Oh,I’msosorry,Mr.Lancelot,”Mrs.Hardcastleapologized,“thisisthefirsttime,Ithink,you’vebeentotheoffice?”
“Thefirsttimebutnotthelast,”saidLance,smiling.
Hecrossedtheroomandopenedthedoorofwhathadbeenhisfather’sprivateoffice.SomewhattohissurpriseitwasnotPercivalwhowassittingbehindthedeskthere,butInspectorNeele.InspectorNeelelookedupfromalargewadofpaperswhichhewassorting,andnoddedhishead.
“Goodmorning,Mr.Fortescue,you’vecometotakeupyourduties,Isuppose.”
“Soyou’veheardIdecidedtocomeintothefirm?”
“Yourbrothertoldmeso.”
“Hedid,didhe?Withenthusiasm?”
InspectorNeeleendeavouredtoconcealasmile.
“Theenthusiasmwasnotmarked,”hesaidgravely.
“PoorPercy,”commentedLance.
InspectorNeelelookedathimcuriously
“AreyoureallygoingtobecomeaCityman?”
“Youdon’tthinkit’slikely,InspectorNeele?”
“Itdoesn’tseemquiteincharacter,Mr.Fortescue.”
“Whynot?I’mmyfather’sson.”
“Andyourmother’s.”
Lanceshookhishead.
“Youhaven’tgotanythingthere,Inspector.MymotherwasaVictorianromantic.HerfavouritereadingwastheIdyllsoftheKing,asindeedyoumayhavededucedfromourcuriousChristiannames.Shewasaninvalidandalways,Ishouldimagine,outoftouchwithreality.I’mnotlikethatatall.Ihavenosentiment,verylittlesenseofromanceandI’marealistfirstandlast.”
“Peoplearen’talwayswhattheythinkthemselvestobe,”InspectorNeelepointedout.
“No,Isupposethat’strue,”saidLance.
Hesatdowninachairandstretchedhislonglegsoutinhisowncharacteristicfashion.Hewassmilingtohimself.Thenhesaidunexpectedly:
“You’reshrewderthanmybrother,Inspector.”
“Inwhatway,Mr.Fortescue?”
“I’veputthewindupPercyallright.HethinksI’mallsetfortheCitylife.Hethinkshe’sgoingtohavemyfingersfiddlingabouthispie.HethinksI’lllaunchoutandspendthefirm’smoneyandtryandembroilhiminwildcatschemes.Itwouldbealmostworthdoingjustforthefunofit!Almost,butnotquite.Icouldn’treallystandanofficelife,Inspector.Iliketheopenairandsomepossibilitiesofadventure.I’dstifleinaplacelikethis.”Headdedquickly:“Thisisofftherecord,mind.Don’tgivemeawaytoPercy,willyou?”
“Idon’tsupposethesubjectwillarise,Mr.Fortescue.”
“ImusthavemybitoffunwithPercy,”saidLance.“Iwanttomakehimsweatabit.I’vegottogetabitofmyownback.”
“That’sratheracuriousphrase,Mr.Fortescue,”saidNeele.“Yourownback—forwhat?”
Lanceshruggedhisshoulders.
“Oh,it’soldhistorynow.Notworthgoingbackover.”
“Therewasalittlematterofacheque,Iunderstand,inthepast.Wouldthatbewhatyou’rereferringto?”
“Howmuchyouknow,Inspector!”
“Therewasnoquestionofprosecution,Iunderstand,”saidNeele.“Yourfatherwouldn’thavedonethat.”
“No.Hejustkickedmeout,that’sall.”
InspectorNeeleeyedhimspeculatively,butitwasnotLanceFortescueofwhomhewasthinking,butofPercival.Thehonest,industrious,parsimoniousPercival.ItseemedtohimthatwhereverhegotinthecasehewasalwayscomingupagainsttheenigmaofPercivalFortescue,amanofwhomeverybodyknewtheouteraspects,butwhoseinnerpersonalitywasmuchhardertogauge.Onewouldhavesaidfromobservinghimasomewhatcolourlessandinsignificantcharacter,amanwhohadbeenverymuchunderhisfather’sthumb.PercyPriminfact,astheAChadoncesaid.Neelewastryingnow,throughLance,togetatacloserappreciationofPercival’spersonality.Hemurmuredinatentativemanner:
“Yourbrotherseemsalwaystohavebeenverymuch—well,howshallIputit—underyourfather’sthumb.”
“Iwonder.”Lanceseemeddefinitelytobeconsideringthepoint.“Iwonder.Yes,thatwouldbetheeffect,Ithink,given.ButI’mnotsurethatitwasreallythetruth.It’sastonishing,youknow,whenIlookbackthroughlife,toseehowPercyalwaysgothisownwaywithoutseemingtodoso,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
Yes,InspectorNeelethought,itwasindeedastonishing.Hesortedthroughthepapersinfrontofhim,fishedoutaletterandshoveditacrossthedesktowardsLance.
“ThisisaletteryouwrotelastAugust,isn’tit,Mr.Fortescue?”
Lancetookit,glancedatitandreturnedit.
“Yes,”hesaid,“IwroteitafterIgotbacktoKenyalastsummer.Dadkeptit,didhe?Wherewasit—hereintheoffice?”
“No,Mr.Fortescue,itwasamongyourfather’spapersinYewtreeLodge.”
Theinspectorconsidereditspeculativelyasitlayonthedeskinfrontofhim.Itwasnotalongletter.
DearDad,I’vetalkedthingsoverwithPatandIagreetoyourproposition.Itwilltakemealittletimetogetthingsfixeduphere,sayabouttheendofOctoberorbeginningofNovember.I’llletyouknownearerthetime.Ihopewe’llpulltogetherbetterthanweusedtodo.Anyway,I’lldomybest.Ican’tsaymore.Lookafteryourself.Yours,Lance.
“Wheredidyouaddressthisletter,Mr.Fortescue.TotheofficeorYewtreeLodge?”
Lancefrownedinaneffortofrecollection.
“It’sdifficult.Ican’tremember.Youseeit’salmostthreemonthsnow.Theoffice,Ithink.Yes,I’malmostsure.Heretotheoffice.”Hepausedamomentbeforeaskingwithfrankcuriosity:“Why?”
“Iwondered,”saidInspectorNeele.“Yourfatherdidnotputitonthefilehereamonghisprivatepapers.HetookitbackwithhimtoYewtreeLodge,andIfounditinhisdeskthere.Iwonderedwhyheshouldhavedonethat.”
Lancelaughed.
“TokeepitoutofPercy’sway,Isuppose.”
“Yes,”saidInspectorNeele,“itwouldseemso.Yourbrother,then,hadaccesstoyourfather’sprivatepapershere?”
“Well,”Lancehesitatedandfrowned,“notexactly.Imean,Isupposehecouldhavelookedthroughthematanytimeifheliked,buthewouldn’tbe….”
InspectorNeelefinishedthesentenceforhim.
“Wouldn’tbesupposedtodoso?”
Lancegrinnedbroadly.“That’sright.Frankly,itwouldhavebeensnooping.ButPercy,Ishouldimagine,alwaysdidsnoop.”
InspectorNeelenodded.HealsothoughtitprobablethatPercivalFortescuesnooped.Itwouldbeinkeepingwithwhattheinspectorwasbeginningtolearnofhischaracter.
“Andtalkofthedevil,”murmuredLance,asatthatmomentthedooropenedandPercivalFortescuecamein.Abouttospeaktotheinspectorhestopped,frowning,ashesawLance.
“Hallo,”hesaid.“Youhere?Youdidn’ttellmeyouwerecomingheretoday.”
“Ifeltakindofzealforworkcomingoverme,”saidLance,“sohereIamreadytomakemyselfuseful.Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
Percivalsaidtestily:
“Nothingatpresent.Nothingatall.Weshallhavetocometosomekindofarrangementastowhatsideofthebusinessyou’regoingtolookafter.Weshallhavetoarrangeforanofficeforyou.”
Lanceinquiredwithagrin:
“Bytheway,whydidyougetridofglamorousGrosvenor,oldboy,andreplaceherbyHorsefacedHettyoutthere?”
“Really,Lance,”Percivalprotestedsharply.
“Definitelyachangefortheworse,”saidLance.“I’vebeenlookingforwardtotheglamorousGrosvenor.Whydidyousackher?Thoughtsheknewabittoomuch?”
“Ofcoursenot.Whatanideal!”Percyspokeangrily,aflushmountinghispaleface.Heturnedtotheinspector.“Youmustn’tpayanyattentiontomybrother,”hesaidcoldly.“Hehasaratherpeculiarsenseofhumour.”Headded:“IneverhadaveryhighopinionofMissGrosvenor’sintelligence.Mrs.Hardcastlehasexcellentreferencesandismostcapablebesidesbeingverymoderateinherterms.”
“Verymoderateinherterms,”murmuredLance,castinghiseyestowardstheceiling.“Youknow,Percy,Idon’treallyapproveofskimpingovertheofficepersonnel.Bytheway,consideringhowloyaltythestaffhasstoodbyusduringtheselasttragicweeks,don’tyouthinkweoughttoraisetheirsalariesallround?”
“Certainlynot,”snappedPercivalFortescue.“Quiteuncalledforandunnecessary.”
InspectorNeelenoticedthegleamofdevilryinLance’seyes.Percival,however,wasfartoomuchupsettonoticeit
“Youalwayshadthemostextraordinaryextravagantideas,”hestuttered.“Inthestateinwhichthisfirmhasbeenleft,economyisouronlyhope.”
InspectorNeelecoughedapologetically.
“That’soneofthethingsIwantedtotalktoyouabout,Mr.Fortescue,”hesaidtoPercival.
“Yes,Inspector?”PercivalswitchedhisattentiontoNeele.
“Iwanttoputcertainsuggestionsbeforeyou,Mr.Fortescue.Iunderstandthatforthepastsixmonthsorlonger,possiblyayear,yourfather’sgeneralbehaviourandconducthasbeenasourceofincreasinganxietytoyou.”
“Hewasn’twell,”saidPercival,withfinality.“Hecertainlywasn’tatallwell.”
“Youtriedtoinducehimtoseeadoctorbutyoufailed.Herefusedcategorically?”
“Thatisso.”
“MayIaskyouifyoususpectedthatyourfatherwassufferingfromwhatisfamiliarlyreferredtoasGPI,GeneralParalysisoftheInsane,aconditionwithsignsofmegalomaniaandirritabilitywhichterminatessoonerorlaterinhopelessinsanity?”
Percivallookedsurprised.“Itisremarkablyastuteofyou,Inspector.ThatisexactlywhatIdidfear.ThatiswhyIwassoanxiousformyfathertosubmittomedicaltreatment.”
Neelewenton:
“Inthemeantime,untilyoucouldpersuadeyourfathertodothat,hewascapableofcausingagreatdealofhavoctothebusiness?”
“Hecertainlywas,”Percivalagreed.
“Averyunfortunatestateofaffairs,”saidtheinspector.
“Quiteterrible.NooneknowstheanxietyIhavebeenthrough.”
Neelesaidgently:
“Fromthebusinesspointofview,yourfather’sdeathwasanextremelyfortunatecircumstance.”
Percivalsaidsharply:
“YoucanhardlythinkIwouldregardmyfather’sdeathinthatlight.”
“Itisnotaquestionofhowyouregardit,Mr.Fortescue.I’mspeakingmerelyofaquestionoffact.Yourfatherdiedbeforehisfinanceswerecompletelyontherocks.”
Percivalsaidimpatiently:
“Yes,yes.Asamatterofactualfact,youareright.”
“Itwasafortunateoccurrenceforyourwholefamily,sincetheyaredependentonthisbusiness.”
“Yes.Butreally,Inspector,Idon’tseewhatyou’redrivingat…”Percivalbrokeoff.
“Oh,I’mnotdrivingatanything,Mr.Fortescue,”saidNeele.“Ijustlikegettingmyfactsstraight.Nowthere’sanotherthing.Iunderstoodyoutosaythatyou’dhadnocommunicationofanykindwithyourbrotherheresinceheleftEnglandmanyyearsago.”
“Quiteso,”saidPercival.
“Yes,butitisn’tquiteso,isit,Mr.Fortescue?Imeanthatlastspringwhenyouweresoworriedaboutyourfather’shealth,youactuallywrotetoyourbrotherinAfrica,toldhimofyouranxietyaboutyourfather’sbehaviour.Youwanted,Ithink,yourbrothertocombinewithyouingettingyourfathermedicallyexaminedandputunderrestraint,ifnecessary.”
“I—I—really,Idon’tsee…”Percivalwasbadlyshaken.
“Thatisso,isn’tit,Mr.Fortescue?”
“Well,actually,Ithoughtitonlyright.Afterall,Lancelotwasajuniorpartner.”
InspectorNeeletransferredhisgazetoLance.Lancewasgrinning.
“Youreceivedthatletter?”InspectorNeeleasked.
LanceFortescuenodded.
“Whatdidyoureplytoit?”
Lance’sgrinwidened.
“ItoldPercytogoandboilhisheadandtolettheoldmanalone.Isaidtheoldmanprobablyknewwhathewasdoingquitewell.”
InspectorNeele’sgazewentbackagaintoPercival.
“Werethosethetermsofyourbrother’sanswer?”
“I—I—well,Isupposeroughly,yes.Farmoreoffensivelycouched,however.”
“Ithoughttheinspectorhadbetterhaveabowdlerizedversion,”saidLance.Hewenton,“Frankly,InspectorNeele,thatisoneofthereasonswhy,whenIgotaletterfrommyfather,IcamehometoseeformyselfwhatIthought.IntheshortinterviewIhadwithmyfather,franklyIcouldn’tseeanythingmuchwrongwithhim.Hewasslightlyexcitable,thatwasall.Heappearedtomeperfectlycapableofmanaginghisownaffairs.Anyway,afterIgotbacktoAfricaandhadtalkedthingsoverwithPat,IdecidedthatI’dcomehomeand—whatshallwesay—seefairplay.”
HeshotaglanceatPercivalashespoke.
“Iobject,”saidPercivalFortescue.“Iobjectstronglytowhatyouaresuggesting.Iwasnotintendingtovictimizemyfather,Iwasconcernedforhishealth.IadmitthatIwasalsoconcerned…”hepaused.
Lancefilledthepausequickly.
“Youwerealsoconcernedforyourpocket,eh?ForPercy’slittlepocket.”Hegotupandallofasuddenhismannerchanged.“Allright,Percy,I’mthrough.Iwasgoingtostringyoualongabitbypretendingtoworkhere.Iwasn’tgoingtoletyouhavethingsallyourownsweetway,butI’mdamnedifI’mgoingonwithit.Frankly,itmakesmesicktobeinthesameroomwithyou.You’vealwaysbeenadirty,meanlittleskunkallyourlife.Pryingandsnoopingandlyingandmakingtrouble.I’lltellyouanotherthing.Ican’tproveit,butI’vealwaysbelieveditwasyouwhoforgedthatchequetherewasalltherowabout,thatgotmeshotoutofhere.Foronethingitwasadamnbadforgery,aforgerythatdrewattentiontoitselfinlettersafoothigh.Myrecordwastoobadformetobeabletoprotesteffectively,butIoftenwonderedthattheoldboydidn’trealizethatifIhadforgedhisnameIcouldhavemadeamuchbetterjobofitthanthat.”
Lanceswepton,hisvoicerising.“Well,Percy,I’mnotgoingonwiththissillygame.I’msickofthiscountry,andoftheCity.I’msickoflittlemenlikeyouwiththeirpinstripetrousersandtheirblackcoatsandtheirmincingvoicesandtheirmean,shoddyfinancialdeals.We’llshareoutasyousuggested,andI’llgetbackwithPattoadifferentcountry—acountrywherethere’sroomtobreatheandmoveabout.Youcanmakeyourowndivisionofsecurities.Keepthegilt-edgedandtheconservativeones,keepthesafetwopercentandthreepercentandthreeandahalfpercent.Givemefather’slatestwildcatspeculationsasyoucallthem.Mostofthemareprobablyduds.ButI’llbetthatoneortwoofthemwillpaybetterintheendthanallyourplayingsafewiththreepercentTrusteeStockswilldo.Fatherwasashrewdolddevil.Hetookchances,plentyofthem.Someofthosechancespaidfiveandsixandsevenhundredpercent.I’llbackhisjudgmentandhisluck.Asforyou,youlittleworm….”
Lanceadvancedtowardshisbrother,whoretreatedrapidly,roundtheendofthedesktowardsInspectorNeele.
“Allright,”saidLance,“I’mnotgoingtotouchyou.Youwantedmeoutofhere,you’regettingmeoutofhere.Yououghttobesatisfied.”
Headdedashestrodetowardsthedoor:
“YoucanthrowintheoldBlackbirdMineconcessiontoo,ifyoulike.Ifwe’vegotthemurderingMacKenziesonourtrail,I’lldrawthemofftoAfrica.”
Headdedasheswungthroughthedoorway:
“Revenge—afteralltheseyears—scarcelyseemscredible.ButInspectorNeeleseemstotakeitseriously,don’tyou,Inspector?”
“Nonsense,”saidPercival.“Suchathingisimpossible!”
“Askhim,”saidLance.“Askhimwhyhe’smakingalltheseinquiriesintoblackbirdsandryeinfather’spocket.”
Gentlystrokinghisupperlip,InspectorNeelesaid:
“Youremembertheblackbirdslastsummer,Mr.Fortescue.Therearecertaingroundsforinquiry.”
“Nonsense,”saidPercivalagain.“Nobody’sheardoftheMacKenziesforyears.”
“Andyet,”saidLance,“I’dalmostdaretoswearthatthere’saMacKenzieinourmidst.Iratherimaginetheinspectorthinksso,too.”
II
InspectorNeelecaughtupLancelotFortescueasthelatteremergedintothestreetbelow.
Lancegrinnedathimrathersheepishly.
“Ididn’tmeantodothat,”hesaid.“ButIsuddenlylostmytemper.Oh!well—itwouldhavecometothesamebeforelong.I’mmeetingPatattheSavoy—areyoucomingmyway,Inspector?”
“No,I’mreturningtoBaydonHeath.Butthere’sjustsomethingI’dliketoaskyou,Mr.Fortescue.”
“Yes!”
“Whenyoucameintotheinnerofficeandsawmethere—youweresurprised.Why?”
“BecauseIdidn’texpecttoseeyou,Isuppose.IthoughtI’dfindPercythere.”
“Youweren’ttoldthathe’dgoneout?”
Lancelookedathimcuriously.
“No.Theysaidhewasinhisoffice.”
“Isee—nobodyknewhe’dgoneout.There’snoseconddooroutoftheinneroffice—butthereisadoorleadingstraightintothecorridorfromthelittleantechamber—Isupposeyourbrotherwentoutthatway—butI’msurprisedMrs.Hardcastledidn’ttellyouso.”
Lancelaughed.
“She’dprobablybeentocollecthercupoftea.”
“Yes—yes—quiteso.”
Lancelookedathim.
“What’stheidea,Inspector?”
“Justpuzzlingoverafewlittlethings,that’sall,Mr.Fortescue—”
ChapterTwenty-Four
I
InthetrainonthewaydowntoBaydonHeath,InspectorNeelehadsingularlylittlesuccessdoingTheTimescrossword.Hismindwasdistractedbyvariouspossibilities.Inthesamewayhereadthenewswithonlyhalfhisbraintakingitin.HereadofanearthquakeinJapan,ofthediscoveryofuraniumdepositsinTanganyika,ofthebodyofamerchantseamanwashedupnearSouthampton,andoftheimminentstrikeamongthedockers.Hereadofthelatestvictimsofthecoshandofanewdrugthathadachievedwondersinadvancedcasesoftuberculosis.
Alltheseitemsmadeaqueerkindofpatterninthebackofhismind.Presentlyhereturnedtothecrosswordpuzzleandwasabletoputdownthreecluesinrapidsuccession.
WhenhereachedYewtreeLodgehehadcometoacertaindecision.HesaidtoSergeantHay:
“Where’sthatoldlady?Isshestillthere?”
“MissMarple?Oh,yes,she’sherestill.Greatbuddieswiththeoldladyupstairs.”
“Isee.”Neelepausedforamomentandthensaid:“Whereisshenow?I’dliketoseeher.”
MissMarplearrivedinafewminutes’time,lookingratherflushedandbreathingfast.
“Youwanttoseeme,InspectorNeele?IdohopeIhaven’tkeptyouwaiting.SergeantHaycouldn’tfindmeatfirst.Iwasinthekitchen,talkingtoMrs.Crump.Iwascongratulatingheronherpastryandhowlightherhandis,andtellingherhowdeliciousthesouffléwaslastnight.Ialwaysthink,youknow,it’sbettertoapproachasubjectgradually,don’tyou?Atleast,Isupposeitisn’tsoeasyforyou.Youmoreorlesshavetocomealmoststraightawaytothequestionsyouwanttoask.Butofcourseforanoldladylikemewhohasallthetimeintheworld,asyoumightsay,it’sreallyexpectedofherthatthereshouldbeagreatdealofunnecessarytalk.Andthewaytoacook’sheart,astheysay,isthroughherpastry.”
“Whatyoureallywantedtotalktoherabout,”saidInspectorNeele,“wasGladysMartin?”
MissMarplenodded.
“Yes.Gladys.Yousee,Mrs.Crumpcouldreallytellmealotaboutthegirl.Notinconnectionwiththemurder.Idon’tmeanthat.Butaboutherspiritslatelyandtheoddthingsshesaid.Idon’tmeanoddinthesenseofpeculiar.Imeanjusttheoddsandendsofconversation.”
“Didyoufindithelpful?”askedInspectorNeele.
“Yes,”saidMissMarple.“Ifounditveryhelpfulindeed.Ireallythink,youknow,thatthingsarebecomingverymuchclearer,don’tyou?”
“IdoandIdon’t,”saidInspectorNeele.
SergeantHay,henoticed,hadlefttheroom.Hewasgladofitbecausewhathewasabouttodonowwas,tosaytheleastofit,slightlyunorthodox.
“Lookhere,MissMarple,”hesaid,“Iwanttotalktoyouseriously.”
“Yes,InspectorNeele?”
“Inaway,”saidInspectorNeele,“youandIrepresentdifferentpointsofview.Iadmit,MissMarple,thatI’veheardsomethingaboutyouattheYard.”Hesmiled:“Itseemsyou’refairlywell-knownthere.”
“Idon’tknowhowitis,”flutteredMissMarple,“butIsooftenseemtogetmixed-upinthethingsthatarereallynoconcernofmine.Crimes,Imean,andpeculiarhappenings.”
“You’vegotareputation,”saidInspectorNeele.
“SirHenryClithering,ofcourse,”saidMissMarple,“isaveryoldfriendofmine.”
“AsIsaidbefore,”Neelewenton,“youandIrepresentoppositepointsofview.Onemightalmostcallthemsanityandinsanity.”
MissMarpleputherheadalittleononeside.
“Nowwhatexactlydoyoumeanbythat,Iwonder,Inspector?”
“Well,MissMarple,there’sasanewayoflookingatthings.Thismurderbenefitscertainpeople.Oneperson,Imaysay,inparticular.Thesecondmurderbenefitsthesameperson.Thethirdmurderonemightcallamurderforsafety.”
“Butwhichdoyoucallthethirdmurder?”MissMarpleasked.
Hereyes,averybrightchinablue,lookedshrewdlyattheinspector.Henodded.
“Yes.You’vegotsomethingthereperhaps.Youknow,theotherdaywhentheACwasspeakingtomeofthesemurders,somethingthathesaidseemedtometobewrong.Thatwasit.Iwasthinking,ofcourse,ofthenurseryrhyme.TheKinginhiscounting-house,theQueenintheparlourandthemaidhangingouttheclothes.”
“Exactly,”saidMissMarple.“Asequenceinthatorder,butactuallyGladysmusthavebeenmurderedbeforeMrs.Fortescue,mustn’tshe?”
“Ithinkso,”saidNeele.“Itakeitit’squitecertainlyso.Herbodywasn’tdiscoveredtilllatethatnight,andofcourseitwasdifficultthentosayexactlyhowlongshe’dbeendead.ButIthinkmyselfthatshemustalmostcertainlyhavebeenmurderedroundaboutfiveo’clock,becauseotherwise….”
MissMarplecutin.“Becauseotherwiseshewouldcertainlyhavetakenthesecondtrayintothedrawingroom?”
“Quiteso.Shetookonetrayinwiththeteaonit,shebroughtthesecondtrayintothehall,andthensomethinghappened.Shesawsomethingorheardsomething.Thequestioniswhatthatsomethingwas.ItmighthavebeenDuboiscomingdownthestairsfromMrs.Fortescue’sroom.ItmighthavebeenElaineFortescue’syoungman,GeraldWright,cominginatthesidedoor.Whoeveritwasluredherawayfromtheteatrayandoutintothegarden.AndoncethathadhappenedIdon’tseeanypossibilityofherdeathbeinglongdelayed.Itwascoldoutandshewasonlywearingherthinuniform.”
“Ofcourseyou’requiteright,”saidMissMarple.“Imeanitwasneveracaseof‘themaidwasinthegardenhanginguptheclothes.’Shewouldn’tbehangingupclothesatthattimeoftheeveningandshewouldn’tgoouttotheclotheslinewithoutputtingacoaton.Thatwasallcamouflage,liketheclothes-peg,tomakethethingfitinwiththerhyme.”
“Exactly,”saidInspectorNeele,“crazy.That’swhereIcan’tyetseeeyetoeyewithyou.Ican’t—Isimplycan’tswallowthisnurseryrhymebusiness.”
“Butitfits,Inspector.Youmustagreeitfits.”
“Itfits,”saidNeeleheavily,“butallthesamethesequenceiswrong.Imeantherhymedefinitelysuggeststhatthemaidwasthethirdmurder.ButweknowthattheQueenwasthethirdmurder.AdeleFortescuewasnotkilleduntilbetweentwenty-fivepastfiveandfiveminutestosix.BythenGladysmustalreadyhavebeendead.”
“Andthat’sallwrong,isn’tit?”saidMissMarple.“Allwrongforthenurseryrhyme—that’sverysignificant,isn’tit?”
InspectorNeeleshruggedhisshoulders.
“It’sprobablysplittinghairs.Thedeathsfulfiltheconditionsoftherhyme,andIsupposethat’sallthatwasneeded.ButI’mtalkingnowasthoughIwereonyourside.I’mgoingtooutlinemysideofthecasenow,MissMarple.I’mwashingouttheblackbirdsandtheryeandalltherestofit.I’mgoingbysoberfactsandcommonsenseandthereasonsforwhichsanepeopledomurders.First,thedeathofRexFortescue,andwhobenefitsbyhisdeath.Well,itbenefitsquitealotofpeople,butmostofallitbenefitshisson,Percival.HissonPercivalwasn’tatYewtreeLodgethatmorning.Hecouldn’thaveputpoisoninhisfather’scoffeeorinanythingthatheateforbreakfast.Orthat’swhatwethoughtatfirst.”
“Ah,”MissMarple’seyesbrightened.“Sotherewasamethod,wasthere?I’vebeenthinkingaboutit,youknow,agooddeal,andI’vehadseveralideas.Butofcoursenoevidenceorproof.”
“There’snoharminmylettingyouknow,”saidInspectorNeele.“Taxinewasaddedtoanewjarofmarmalade.ThatjarofmarmaladewasplacedonthebreakfasttableandthetoplayerofitwaseatenbyMr.Fortescueatbreakfast.Laterthatjarofmarmaladewasthrownoutintothebushesandasimilarjarwithasimilaramounttakenoutofitwasplacedinthepantry.ThejarinthebusheswasfoundandI’vejusthadtheresultoftheanalysis.Itshowsdefiniteevidenceoftaxine.”
“Sothatwasit,”murmuredMissMarple.“Sosimpleandeasytodo.”
“ConsolidatedInvestments,”Neelewenton,“wasinabadway.IfthefirmhadhadtopayoutahundredthousandpoundstoAdeleFortescueunderherhusband’swill,itwould,Ithink,havecrashed.IfMrs.Fortescuehadsurvivedherhusbandforamonththatmoneywouldhavehadtobepaidouttoher.Shewouldhavehadnofeelingforthefirmoritsdifficulties.Butshedidn’tsurviveherhusbandforamonth.Shedied,andasaresultofherdeaththegainerwastheresiduarylegateeofRexFortescue’swill.Inotherwords,PercivalFortescueagain.
“AlwaysPercivalFortescue,”theinspectorcontinuedbitterly.“Andthoughhecouldhavetamperedwiththemarmalade,hecouldn’thavepoisonedhisstepmotherorstrangledGladys.Accordingtohissecretaryhewasinhiscityofficeatfiveo’clockthatafternoon,andhedidn’tarrivebackhereuntilnearlyseven.”
“Thatmakesitverydifficult,doesn’tit?”saidMissMarple.
“Itmakesitimpossible,”saidInspectorNeelegloomily.“Inotherwords,Percivalisout.”Abandoningrestraintandprudence,hespokewithsomebitterness,almostunawareofhislistener.“WhereverIgo,whereverIturn,Ialwayscomeupagainstthesameperson.PercivalFortescue!Yetitcan’tbePercivalFortescue.”Calminghimselfalittlehesaid:“Oh,thereareotherpossibilities,otherpeoplewhohadaperfectlygoodmotive.”
“Mr.Dubois,ofcourse,”saidMissMarplesharply.“AndthatyoungMr.Wright.Idosoagreewithyou,Inspector.Whereverthereisaquestionofgain,onehastobeverysuspicious.Thegreatthingtoavoidishavinginanywayatrustfulmind.”
Inspiteofhimself,Neelesmiled.
“Alwaysthinktheworst,eh?”heasked.
Itseemedacuriousdoctrinetobeproceedingfromthischarmingandfragile-lookingoldlady.
“Ohyes,”saidMissMarplefervently.“Ialwaysbelievetheworst.Whatissosadisthatoneisusuallyjustifiedindoingso.”
“Allright,”saidNeele,“let’sthinktheworst.Duboiscouldhavedoneit,GeraldWrightcouldhavedoneit(thatistosayifhe’dbeenactingincollusionwithElaineFortescueandshetamperedwiththemarmalade),Mrs.Percivalcouldhavedoneit,Isuppose.Shewasonthespot.ButnoneofthepeopleIhavementionedtieupwiththecrazyangle.Theydon’ttieupwithblackbirdsandpocketsfullofrye.That’syourtheoryanditmaybethatyou’reright.Ifso,itboilsdowntooneperson,doesn’tit?Mrs.MacKenzie’sinamentalhomeandhasbeenforagoodnumberofyears.Shehasn’tbeenmessingaboutwithmarmaladepotsorputtingcyanideinthedrawingroomafternoontea.HersonDonaldwaskilledatDunkirk.Thatleavesthedaughter,RubyMacKenzie.Andifyourtheoryiscorrect,ifthiswholeseriesofmurdersarisesoutoftheoldBlackbirdMinebusiness,thenRubyMacKenziemustbehereinthishouse,andthere’sonlyonepersonthatRubyMacKenziecouldbe.”
“Ithink,youknow,”saidMissMarple,“thatyou’rebeingalittletoodogmatic.”
InspectorNeelepaidnoattention.
“Justoneperson,”hesaidgrimly.
Hegotupandwentoutoftheroom.
II
MaryDovewasinhersittingroom.Itwasasmall,ratherausterelyfurnishedroom,butcomfortable.ThatistosayMissDoveherselfhadmadeitcomfortable.WhenInspectorNeeletappedatthedoorMaryDoveraisedherhead,whichhadbeenbentoverapileoftradesmen’sbooks,andsaidinherclearvoice:
“Comein.”
Theinspectorentered.
“Dositdown,Inspector.”MissDoveindicatedachair.“Couldyouwaitjustonemoment?Thetotalofthefishmonger’saccountdoesnotseemtobecorrectandImustcheckit.”
InspectorNeelesatinsilencewatchingherasshetottedupthecolumn.Howwonderfullycalmandself-possessedthegirlwas,hethought.Hewasintrigued,assooftenbefore,bythepersonalitythatunderlaythatself-assuredmanner.HetriedtotraceinherfeaturesanyresemblancetothoseofthewomanhehadtalkedtoatthePinewoodSanatorium.Thecolouringwasnotunlike,buthecoulddetectnorealfacialresemblance.PresentlyMaryDoveraisedherheadfromheraccountsandsaid:
“Yes,Inspector?WhatcanIdoforyou?”
InspectorNeelesaidquietly:
“Youknow,MissDove,therearecertainverypeculiarfeaturesaboutthiscase.”
“Yes?”
“TobeginwiththereistheoddcircumstanceoftheryefoundinMr.Fortescue’spocket.”
“Thatwasveryextraordinary,”MaryDoveagreed.“YouknowIreallycannotthinkofanyexplanationforthat.”
“Thenthereisthecuriouscircumstanceoftheblackbirds.ThosefourblackbirdsonMr.Fortescue’sdesklastsummer,andalsotheincidentoftheblackbirdsbeingsubstitutedforthevealandhaminthepie.Youwerehere,Ithink,MissDove,atthetimeofboththoseoccurrences?”
“Yes,Iwas.Iremembernow.Itwasmostupsetting.Itseemedsuchaverypurposeless,spitefulthingtodo,especiallyatthetime.”
“Perhapsnotentirelypurposeless.Whatdoyouknow,MissDove,abouttheBlackbirdMine?”
“Idon’tthinkI’veeverheardoftheBlackbirdMine.”
“Yourname,youtoldme,isMaryDove.Isthatyourrealname,MissDove?”
Maryraisedhereyebrows.InspectorNeelewasalmostsurethatawaryexpressionhadcomeintoherblueeyes.
“Whatanextraordinaryquestion,Inspector.AreyousuggestingthatmynameisnotMaryDove?”
“ThatisexactlywhatIamsuggesting.I’msuggesting,”saidNeelepleasantly,“thatyournameisRubyMacKenzie.”
Shestaredathim.Foramomentherfacewasentirelyblankwithneitherprotestonitnorsurprise.Therewas,InspectorNeelethought,averydefiniteeffectofcalculation.Afteraminuteortwoshesaidinaquiet,colourlessvoice:
“Whatdoyouexpectmetosay?”
“Pleaseanswerme.IsyournameRubyMacKenzie?”
“IhavetoldyoumynameisMaryDove.”
“Yes,buthaveyouproofofthat,MissDove?”
“Whatdoyouwanttosee?Mybirthcertificate?”
“Thatmightbehelpfuloritmightnot.Youmight,Imean,beinpossessionofthebirthcertificateofaMaryDove.ThatMaryDovemightbeafriendofyoursormightbesomeonewhohaddied.”
“Yes,therearealotofpossibilities,aren’tthere?”AmusementhadcreptbackintoMaryDove’svoice.“It’sreallyquiteadilemmaforyou,isn’tit,Inspector?”
“TheymightpossiblybeabletorecognizeyouatPinewoodSanatorium,”saidNeele.
“PinewoodSanatorium!”Maryraisedhereyebrow.“WhatorwhereisPinewoodSanatorium?”
“Ithinkyouknowverywell,MissDove.”
“IassureyouIamquiteinthedark.”
“AndyoudenycategoricallythatyouareRubyMacKenzie?”
“Ishouldn’treallyliketodenyanything.Ithink,youknow,Inspector,thatit’suptoyoutoproveIamthisRubyMacKenzie,whoeversheis.”Therewasadefiniteamusementnowinherblueeyes,amusementandchallenge.Lookinghimstraightintheeyes,MaryDovesaid,“Yes,it’suptoyou,Inspector.ProvethatI’mRubyMacKenzieifyoucan.”
ChapterTwenty-Five
I
“Theoldtabby’slookingforyou,sir,”saidSergeantHayinaconspiratorialwhisper,asInspectorNeeledescendedthestairs.“Itappearsashowshe’sgotalotmoretosaytoyou.”
“Hellanddamnation,”saidInspectorNeele.
“Yes,sir,”saidSergeantHay,notamuscleofhisfacemoving.
HewasabouttomoveawaywhenNeelecalledhimback.
“GooverthosenotesgivenusbyMissDove,Hay,notesastoherformeremploymentandsituations.Checkuponthem—and,yes,therearejustoneortwootherthingsthatIwouldliketoknow.Puttheseinquiriesinhand,willyou?”
HejotteddownafewlinesonasheetofpaperandgavethemtoSergeantHay,whosaid:
“I’llgetontoitatonce,sir.”
Hearingamurmurofvoicesinthelibraryashepassed,InspectorNeelelookedin.WhetherMissMarplehadbeenlookingforhimornot,shewasnowfullyengagedtalkingtoMrs.PercivalFortescuewhileherknittingneedlesclickedbusily.ThemiddleofthesentencewhichInspectorNeelecaughtwas:
“…Ihavereallyalwaysthoughtitwasavocationyouneededfornursing.Itcertainlyisverynoblework.”
InspectorNeelewithdrewquietly.MissMarplehadnoticedhim,hethought,butshehadtakennonoticeofhispresence.
Shewentoninhergentle,softvoice:
“IhadsuchacharmingnurselookingaftermewhenIoncebrokemywrist.ShewentonfrommetonurseMrs.Sparrow’sson,averyniceyoungnavalofficer.Quitearomance,really,becausetheybecameengaged.SoromanticIthoughtit.Theyweremarriedandwereveryhappyandhadtwodearlittlechildren.”MissMarplesighedsentimentally.“Itwaspneumonia,youknow.Somuchdependsonnursinginpneumonia,doesitnot.”
“Oh,yes,”saidJenniferFortescue,“nursingisnearlyeverythinginpneumonia,thoughofcoursenowadaysMandBworkswonders,andit’snotthelong,protractedbattleitusedtobe.”
“I’msureyoumusthavebeenanexcellentnurse,mydear,”saidMissMarple.“Thatwasthebeginningofyourromance,wasitnot?ImeanyoucameheretonurseMr.PercivalFortescue,didyounot?”
“Yes,”saidJennifer.“Yes,yes—that’showitdidhappen.”
Hervoicewasnotencouraging,butMissMarpleseemedtotakenonotice.
“Iunderstand.Oneshouldnotlistentoservants’gossip,ofcourse,butI’mafraidanoldladylikemyselfisalwaysinterestedtohearaboutthepeopleinthehouse.NowwhatwasIsaying?Oh,yes.Therewasanothernurseatfirst,wastherenot,andshegotsentaway—somethinglikethat.Carelessness,Ibelieve.”
“Idon’tthinkitwascarelessness,”saidJennifer.“Ibelieveherfatherorsomethingwasdesperatelyill,andsoIcametoreplaceher.”
“Isee,”saidMissMarple.“Andyoufellinloveandthatwasthat.Yes,veryniceindeed,verynice.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat,”saidJenniferFortescue.“Ioftenwish”—hervoicetrembled—“IoftenwishIwasbackinthewardsagain.”
“Yes,yes,Iunderstand.Youwerekeenonyourprofession.”
“Iwasn’tsomuchatthetime,butnowwhenIthinkofit—life’ssomonotonous,youknow.Dayafterdaywithnothingtodo,andValsoabsorbedinbusiness.”
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“Gentlemenhavetoworksohardnowadays,”shesaid.“Therereallydoesn’tseemanyleisure,nomatterhowmuchmoneythereis.”
“Yes,itmakesitverylonelyanddullforawifesometimes.IoftenwishI’dnevercomehere,”saidJennifer.“Oh,well,Idaresayitservesmeright.Ioughtnevertohavedoneit.”
“Oughtnevertohavedonewhat,mydear?”
“IoughtnevertohavemarriedVal.Oh,well—”shesighedabruptly.“Don’tlet’stalkofitanymore.”
ObliginglyMissMarplebegantotalkaboutthenewskirtsthatwerebeingworninParis.
II
“Sokindofyounottointerruptjustnow,”saidMissMarplewhen,havingtappedatthedoorofthestudy,InspectorNeelehadtoldhertocomein.“Therewerejustoneortwolittlepoints,youknow,thatIwantedtoverify.”Sheaddedreproachfully:“Wedidn’treallyfinishourtalkjustnow.”
“I’msosorry,MissMarple.”InspectorNeelesummonedupacharmingsmile.“I’mafraidIwasratherrude.Isummonedyoutoaconsultationanddidallthetalkingmyself.”
“Oh,that’squiteallright,”saidMissMarpleimmediately,“because,yousee,Iwasn’treallyquitereadythentoputallmycardsonthetable.ImeanIwouldn’tliketomakeanyaccusationunlessIwasabsolutelysureaboutit.Sure,thatis,inmyownmind.AndIamsure,now.”
“You’resureaboutwhat,MissMarple?”
“Well,certainlyaboutwhokilledMr.Fortescue.Whatyoutoldmeaboutthemarmalade,Imean,justclinchesthematter.Showinghow,Imean,aswellaswho,andwellwithinthementalcapacity.”
InspectorNeeleblinkedalittle.
“I’msosorry,”saidMissMarple,perceivingthisreactiononhispart,“I’mafraidIfinditdifficultsometimestomakemyselfperfectlyclear.”
“I’mnotquitesureyet,MissMarple,whatwe’retalkingabout.”
“Well,perhaps,”saidMissMarple,“we’dbetterbeginalloveragain.Imeanifyoucouldsparethetime.Iwouldratherliketoputmyownpointofviewbeforeyou.Yousee,I’vetalkedagooddealtopeople,tooldMissRamsbottomandtoMrs.Crumpandtoherhusband.He,ofcourse,isaliar,butthatdoesn’treallymatterbecause,ifyouknowliarsareliars,itcomestothesamething.ButIdidwanttogetthetelephonecallsclearandthenylonstockingsandallthat.”
InspectorNeeleblinkedagainandwonderedwhathehadlethimselfinforandwhyhehadeverthoughtthatMissMarplemightbeadesirableandclearheadedcolleague.Still,hethoughttohimself,howevermuddleheadedshewas,shemighthavepickedupsomeusefulbitsofinformation.AllInspectorNeele’ssuccessinhisprofessionhadcomefromlisteningwell.Hewaspreparedtolistennow.
“Pleasetellmeallaboutit,MissMarple,”hesaid,“butstartatthebeginning,won’tyou.”
“Yes,ofcourse,”saidMissMarple,“andthebeginningisGladys.ImeanIcameherebecauseofGladys.Andyouverykindlyletmelookthroughallherthings.Andwhatwiththatandthenylonstockingsandthetelephonecallsandonethingandanother,itdidcomeoutperfectlyclear.ImeanaboutMr.Fortescueandthetaxine.”
“Youhaveatheory?”askedInspectorNeele,“astowhoputthetaxineintoMr.Fortescue’smarmalade.”
“Itisn’tatheory,”saidMissMarple.“Iknow.”
ForthethirdtimeInspectorNeeleblinked.
“ItwasGladys,ofcourse,”saidMissMarple.
ChapterTwenty-Six
InspectorNeelestaredatMissMarpleandslowlyshookhishead.
“Areyousaying,”hesaidincredulously,“thatGladysMartindeliberatelymurderedRexFortescue?I’msorry,MissMarple,butIsimplydon’tbelieveit.”
“No,ofcourseshedidn’tmeantomurderhim,”saidMissMarple,“butshediditallthesame!Yousaidyourselfthatshewasnervousandupsetwhenyouquestionedher.Andthatshelookedguilty.”
“Yes,butnotguiltyofmurder.”
“Oh,no,Iagree.AsIsay,shedidn’tmeantomurderanybody,butsheputthetaxineinthemarmalade.Shedidn’tthinkitwaspoison,ofcourse.”
“Whatdidshethinkitwas?”InspectorNeele’svoicestillsoundedincredulous.
“Iratherimagineshethoughtitwasatruthdrug,”saidMissMarple.“It’sveryinteresting,youknow,andveryinstructive—thethingsthesegirlscutoutofpapersandkeep.It’salwaysbeenthesame,youknow,allthroughtheages.Recipesforbeauty,forattractingthemanyoulove.Andwitchcraftandcharmsandmarvelloushappenings.Nowadaysthey’remostlylumpedtogetherundertheheadingofScience.Nobodybelievesinmagiciansanymore,nobodybelievesthatanyonecancomealongandwaveawandandturnyouintoafrog.Butifyoureadinthepaperthatbyinjectingcertainglandsscientistscanalteryourvitaltissuesandyou’lldevelopfroglikecharacteristics,well,everybodywouldbelievethat.Andhavingreadinthepapersabouttruthdrugs,ofcourseGladyswouldbelieveitabsolutelywhenhetoldherthatthat’swhatitwas.”
“Whenwhotoldher?”saidInspectorNeele.
“AlbertEvans,”saidMissMarple.“Notofcoursethatthatisreallyhisname.Butanywayhemetherlastsummerataholidaycamp,andheflatteredherupandmadelovetoher,andIshouldimaginetoldhersomestoryofinjusticeorpersecution,orsomethinglikethat.Anyway,thepointwasthatRexFortescuehadtobemadetoconfesswhathehaddoneandmakerestitution.Idon’tknowthis,ofcourse,InspectorNeele,butI’mprettysureaboutit.Hegothertotakeaposthere,andit’sreallyveryeasynowadayswiththeshortageofdomesticstaff,toobtainapostwhereyouwantone.Staffsarechangingthewholetime.Theythenarrangedadatetogether.Yourememberonthatlastpostcardhesaid:‘Rememberourdate.’Thatwastobethegreatdaytheywereworkingfor.Gladyswouldputthedrugthathegaveherintothetopofthemarmalade,sothatMr.Fortescuewouldeatitatbreakfastandshewouldalsoputtheryeinhispocket.Idon’tknowwhatstoryhetoldhertoaccountfortherye,butasItoldyoufromthebeginning,InspectorNeele,GladysMartinwasaverycredulousgirl.Infact,there’shardlyanythingshewouldn’tbelieveifapersonableyoungmanputittohertherightway.”
“Goon,”saidInspectorNeeleinadazedvoice.
“Theideaprobablywas,”continuedMissMarple,“thatAlbertwasgoingtocalluponhimattheofficethatday,andthatbythattimethetruthdrugwouldhaveworked,andthatMr.Fortescuewouldhaveconfessedeverythingandsoonandsoon.Youcanimaginethepoorgirl’sfeelingswhensheheardthatMr.Fortescuewasdead.”
“But,surely,”InspectorNeeleobjected,“shewouldhavetold?”
MissMarpleaskedsharply:
“Whatwasthefirstthingshesaidtoyouwhenyouquestionedher?”
“Shesaid:‘Ididn’tdoit,’”InspectorNeelesaid.
“Exactly,”saidMissMarple,triumphantly.“Don’tyouseethat’sexactlywhatshewouldsay?Ifshebrokeanornament,youknow,Gladyswouldalwayssay:‘Ididn’tdoit,MissMarple.Ican’tthinkhowithappened.’Theycan’thelpit,poordears.They’reveryupsetatwhatthey’vedoneandtheirgreatideaistoavoidblame.Youdon’tthinkthatanervousyoungwomanwhohadmurderedsomeonewhenshedidn’tmeantomurderhimisgoingtoadmitit,doyou?Thatwouldhavebeenquiteoutofcharacter.”
“Yes,”Neelesaid,“Isupposeitwould.”
HeranhismindbackoverhisinterviewwithGladys.Nervous,upset,guilty,shifty-eyed,allthosethings.Theymighthavehadasmallsignificance,orabigone.Hecouldnotreallyblamehimselfforhavingfailedtocometotherightconclusion.
“Herfirstidea,asIsay,”wentonMissMarple,“wouldbetodenyitall.Theninaconfusedwayshewouldtrytosortitalloutinhermind.PerhapsAlberthadn’tknownhowstrongthestuffwas,orhe’dmadeamistakeandgivenhertoomuchofit.She’dthinkofexcusesforhimandexplanations.She’dhopehe’dgetintouchwithher,which,ofcourse,hedid.Bytelephone.”
“Doyouknowthat?”askedNeelesharply.
MissMarpleshookherhead.
“No.IadmitI’massumingit.Buttherewereunexplainedcallsthatday.Thatistosay,peoplerangupand,whenCrumporMrs.Crumpanswered,thephonewashungup.That’swhathe’ddo,youknow.RingupandwaituntilGladysansweredthephone,andthenhe’dmakeanappointmentwithhertomeethim.”
“Isee,”saidNeele.“Youmeanshehadanappointmenttomeethimonthedayshedied.”
MissMarplenoddedvigorously.
“Yes,thatwasindicated.Mrs.Crumpwasrightaboutonething.Thegirlhadonherbestnylonstockingsandhergoodshoes.Shewasgoingtomeetsomeone.Onlyshewasn’tgoingouttomeethim.HewascomingtoYewtreeLodge.That’swhyshewasonthelookoutthatdayandflusteredandlatewithtea.Then,asshebroughtthesecondtrayintothehall,Ithinkshelookedalongthepassagetothesidedoor,andsawhimthere,beckoningtoher.Sheputthetraydownandwentouttomeethim.”
“Andthenhestrangledher,”saidNeele.
MissMarplepursedherlipstogether.“Itwouldonlytakeaminute,”shesaid,“buthecouldn’triskhertalking.Shehadtodie,poor,silly,credulousgirl.Andthen—heputaclothes-pegonhernose!”Sternangervibratedtheoldlady’svoice.‘Tomakeitfitinwiththerhyme.Therye,theblackbirds,thecountinghouse,thebreadandhoney,andtheclothes-peg—thenearesthecouldgettoalittledickeybirdthatnippedoffhernose—”
“AndIsupposeattheendofitallhe’llgotoBroadmoorandweshan’tbeabletohanghimbecausehe’scrazy!”saidNeeleslowly.
“Ithinkyou’llhanghimallright,”saidMissMarple.“Andhe’snotcrazy,Inspector,notforamoment!”
InspectorNeelelookedhardather.
“Nowseehere,MissMarple,you’veoutlinedatheorytome.Yes—yes—althoughyousayyouknow,it’sonlyatheory.You’resayingthatamanisresponsibleforthesecrimes,whocalledhimselfAlbertEvans,whopickedupthegirlGladysataholidaycampandusedherforhisownpurposes.ThisAlbertEvanswassomeonewhowantedrevengefortheoldBlackbirdMinebusiness.You’resuggesting,aren’tyou,thatMrs.MacKenzie’sson,DonMacKenzie,didn’tdieatDunkirk.Thathe’sstillalive,thathe’sbehindallthis?”
ButtoInspectorNeele’ssurprise,MissMarplewasshakingherheadviolently
“Ohno!”shesaid,“ohno!I’mnotsuggestingthatatall.Don’tyousee,InspectorNeele,allthisblackbirdbusinessisreallyacompletefake.Itwasused,thatwasall,usedbysomebodywhoheardabouttheblackbirds—theonesinthelibraryandinthepie.Theblackbirdsweregenuineenough.Theywereputtherebysomeonewhoknewabouttheoldbusiness,whowantedrevengeforit.ButonlytherevengeoftryingtofrightenMr.Fortescueortomakehimuncomfortable.Idon’tbelieve,youknow,InspectorNeele,thatchildrencanreallybebroughtupandtaughttowaitandbroodandcarryoutrevenge.Children,afterall,havegotalotofsense.Butanyonewhosefatherhadbeenswindledandperhapslefttodiemightbewillingtoplayamalicioustrickonthepersonwhowassupposedtohavedoneit.That’swhathappened,Ithink.Andthekillerusedit.”
“Thekiller,”saidInspectorNeele.“Comenow,MissMarple,let’shaveyourideasaboutthekiller.Whowashe?”
“Youwon’tbesurprised,”saidMissMarple.“Notreally.Becauseyou’llsee,assoonasItellyouwhoheis,orratherwhoIthinkheis,foronemustbeaccuratemustonenot?—you’llseethathe’sjustthetypeofpersonwhowouldcommitthesemurders.He’ssane,brilliantandquiteunscrupulous.Andhedidit,ofcourse,formoney,probablyforagooddealofmoney.”
“PercivalFortescue?”InspectorNeelespokealmostimploringly,butheknewashespokethathewaswrong.ThepictureofthemanthatMissMarplehadbuiltupforhimhadnoresemblancetoPercivalFortescue.
“Oh,no,”saidMissMarple.“NotPercival.Lance.”
ChapterTwenty-Seven
I
“It’simpossible,”saidInspectorNeele
HeleanedbackinhischairandwatchedMissMarplewithfascinatedeyes.AsMissMarplehadsaid,hewasnotsurprised.Hiswordswereadenial,notofprobability,butofpossibility.LanceFortescuefittedthedescription:MissMarplehadoutlineditwellenough.ButInspectorNeelesimplycouldnotseehowLancecouldbetheanswer.
MissMarpleleanedforwardinherchairandgently,persuasively,andratherinthemannerofsomeoneexplainingthesimplefactsofarithmetictoasmallchild,outlinedhertheory.
“He’salwaysbeenlikethat,yousee.Imean,he’salwaysbeenbad.Badallthrough,althoughwithithe’salwaysbeenattractive.Especiallyattractivetowomen.He’sgotabrilliantmindandhe’lltakerisks.He’salwaystakenrisksandbecauseofhischarmpeoplehavealwaysbelievedthebestandnottheworstabouthim.Hecamehomeinthesummertoseehisfather.Idon’tbelieveforamomentthathisfatherwrotetohimorsentforhim—unless,ofcourse,you’vegotactualevidencetothateffect.”Shepausedinquiringly.
Neeleshookhishead.“No,”hesaid,“I’venoevidenceofhisfathersendingforhim.I’vegotaletterthatLanceissupposedtohavewrittentohimafterbeinghere.ButLancecouldquiteeasilyhaveslippedthatamonghisfather’spapersinthestudyherethedayhearrived.”
“Sharpofhim,”saidMissMarple,noddingherhead.“Well,asIsay,heprobablyflewoverhereandattemptedareconciliationwithhisfather,butMr.Fortescuewouldn’thaveit.Yousee,Lancehadrecentlygotmarriedandthesmallpittancehewaslivingon,andwhichhehaddoubtlessbeensupplementinginvariousdishonestways,wasnotenoughforhimanymore.HewasverymuchinlovewithPat(whoisadear,sweetgirl)andhewantedarespectable,settledlifewithher—nothingshifty.Andthat,fromhispointofview,meanthavingalotofmoney.WhenhewasatYewtreeLodgehemusthaveheardabouttheseblackbirds.Perhapshisfathermentionedthem.PerhapsAdeledid.HejumpedtotheconclusionthatMacKenzie’sdaughterwasestablishedinthehouseanditoccurredtohimthatshewouldmakeaverygoodscapegoatformurder.Because,yousee,whenherealizedthathecouldn’tgethisfathertodowhathewanted,hemusthavecold-bloodedlydecidedthatmurderitwouldhavetobe.Hemayhaverealizedthathisfatherwasn’t—er,verywell—andhavefearedthatbythetimehisfatherdiedtherewouldhavebeenacompletecrash.”
“Heknewabouthisfather’shealthallright,”saidtheinspector.
“Ah—thatexplainsagooddeal.Perhapsthecoincidenceofhisfather’sChristiannamebeingRextogetherwiththeblackbirdincidentsuggestedtheideaofthenurseryrhyme.Makeacrazybusinessofthewholething—andtieitupwiththatoldrevengethreatoftheMacKenzies.Then,yousee,hecoulddisposeofAdele,too,andthathundredthousandpoundsgoingoutofthefirm.Buttherewouldhavetobeathirdcharacter,the‘maidinthegardenhanginguptheclothes’—andIsupposethatsuggestedthewholewickedplantohim.Aninnocentaccomplicewhomhecouldsilencebeforeshecouldtalk.Andthatwouldgivehimwhathewanted—agenuinealibiforthefirstmurder.Therestwaseasy.Hearrivedherefromthestationjustbeforefiveo’clock,whichwasthetimewhenGladysbroughtthesecondtrayintothehall.Hecametothesidedoor,sawherandbeckonedtoher.Stranglingherandcarryingherbodyroundthehousetowheretheclotheslineswerewouldonlyhavetakenthreeorfourminutes.Thenherangthefrontdoorbell,wasadmittedtothehouse,andjoinedthefamilyfortea.AfterteahewentuptoseeMissRamsbottom.Whenhecamedown,heslippedintothedrawingroom,foundAdelealonetheredrinkingalastcupofteaandsatdownbyheronthesofa,andwhilehewastalkingtoher,hemanagedtoslipthecyanideintohertea.Itwouldn’tbedifficult,youknow.Alittlepieceofwhitestuff,likesugar.Hemighthavestretchedouthishandtothesugarbasinandtakenalumpandapparentlydroppeditintohercup.He’dlaughandsay:‘Look,I’vedroppedmoresugarintoyourtea.’She’dsayshedidn’tmind,stiritanddrinkit.Itwouldbeaseasyandaudaciousasthat.Yes,he’sanaudaciousfellow.”
InspectorNeelesaidslowly:
“It’sactuallypossible—yes.ButIcannotsee—really,MissMarple,Icannotsee—whathestoodtogainbyit.GrantedthatunlessoldFortescuediedthebusinesswouldsoonbeontherocks,isLance’ssharebigenoughtocausehimtoplanthreemurders?Idon’tthinkso.Ireallydon’tthinkso.”
“Thatisalittledifficult,”admittedMissMarple.“Yes,Iagreewithyou.Thatdoespresentdifficulties.Isuppose…”Shehesitated,lookingattheinspector.“Isuppose—Iamsoveryignorantinfinancialmatters—butIsupposeitisreallytruethattheBlackbirdMineisworthless?”
Neelereflected.Variousscrapsfittedtogetherinhismind.Lance’swillingnesstotakethevariousspeculativeorworthlesssharesoffPercival’shands.HispartingwordstodayinLondonthatPercivalhadbettergetridoftheBlackbirdanditshoodoo.Agoldmine.Aworthlessgoldmine.Butperhapstheminehadnotbeenworthless.Andyet,somehow,thatseemedunlikely.OldRexFortescuewashardlylikelytohavemadeamistakeonthatpoint,althoughofcoursetheremighthavebeensoundingsrecently.Wherewasthemine?WestAfrica,Lancehadsaid.Yesbutsomebodyelse—wasitMissRamsbottom—hadsaiditwasinEastAfrica.HadLancebeendeliberatelymisleadingwhenhesaidWestinsteadofEast?MissRamsbottomwasoldandforgetful,andyetshemighthavebeenrightandnotLance.EastAfrica.LancehadjustcomefromEastAfrica.Hadheperhapssomerecentknowledge?
Suddenlywithaclickanotherpiecefittedintotheinspector’spuzzle.Sittinginthetrain,readingTheTimes.UraniumdepositsfoundinTanganyika.SupposingthattheuraniumdepositswereonthesiteoftheoldBlackbird?Thatwouldexplaineverything.Lancehadcometohaveknowledgeofthat,beingonthespot,andwithuraniumdepositsthere,therewasafortunetobegrasped.Anenormousfortune!Hesighed.HelookedatMissMarple.
“Howdoyouthink,”heaskedreproachfully,“thatI’mevergoingtobeabletoproveallthis?”
MissMarplenoddedathimencouragingly,asanauntmighthaveencouragedabrightnephewwhowasgoinginforascholarshipexam.
“You’llproveit,”shesaid.“You’reavery,verycleverman,InspectorNeele.I’veseenthatfromthefirst.Nowyouknowwhoitisyououghttobeabletogettheevidence.Atthatholidaycamp,forinstance,they’llrecognizehisphotograph.He’llfindithardtoexplainwhyhestayedthereforaweekcallinghimselfAlbertEvans.”
Yes,InspectorNeelethought,LanceFortescuewasbrilliantandunscrupulous—buthewasfoolhardy,too.Theriskshetookwerejustalittletoogreat.
Neelethoughttohimself,“I’llgethim!”Then,doubtsweepingoverhim,helookedatMissMarple.
“It’sallpureassumption,youknow,”hesaid.
“Yes—butyouaresure,aren’tyou?”
“Isupposeso.Afterall,I’veknownhiskindbefore.”
Theoldladynodded.
“Yes—thatmatterssomuch—that’sreallywhyI’msure.”
Neelelookedatherplayfully.
“Becauseofyourknowledgeofcriminals.”
“Ohno—ofcoursenot.BecauseofPat—adeargirl—andthekindthatalwaysmarriesabadlot—that’sreallywhatdrewmyattentiontohimatthestart—”
“Imaybesure—inmyownmind,”saidtheinspector,“butthere’salotthatneedsexplaining—theRubyMacKenziebusinessforinstance.Icouldswearthat—”
MissMarpleinterrupted:
“Andyou’requiteright.Butyou’vebeenthinkingofthewrongperson.GoandtalktoMrs.Percy.”
II
“Mrs.Fortescue,”saidInspectorNeele,“doyoumindtellingmeyournamebeforeyouweremarried.”
“Oh!”Jennifergasped.Shelookedfrightened.
“Youneedn’tbenervous,madam,”saidInspectorNeele,“butit’smuchbettertocomeoutwiththetruth.I’mright,Ithink,insayingthatyournamebeforeyouweremarriedwasRubyMacKenzie?”
“My—well,ohwell—ohdear—well,whyshouldn’titbe?”saidMrs.PercivalFortescue.
“Noreasonatall,”saidInspectorNeelegently,andadded:“IwastalkingtoyourmotherafewdaysagoatPinewoodSanatorium.”
“She’sveryangrywithme,”saidJennifer.“Inevergoandseehernowbecauseitonlyupsetsher.PoorMumsy,shewassodevotedtoDad,youknow.”
“Andshebroughtyouuptohaveverymelodramaticideasofrevenge?”
“Yes,”saidJennifer.“ShekeptmakingusswearontheBiblethatwe’dneverforgetandthatwe’dkillhimoneday.Ofcourse,onceI’dgoneintohospitalandstartedmytraining,Ibegantorealizethathermentalbalancewasn’twhatitshouldbe.”
“Youyourselfmusthavefeltrevengefulthough,Mrs.Fortescue?”
“Well,ofcourseIdid.RexFortescuepracticallymurderedmyfather!Idon’tmeanheactuallyshothim,orknifedhimoranythinglikethat.ButI’mquitecertainthathedidleaveFathertodie.That’sthesamething,isn’tit?”
“It’sthesamethingmorally—yes.”
“SoIdidwanttopayhimback,”saidJennifer.“WhenafriendofminecametonursehissonIgothertoleaveandtoproposemyreplacingher.Idon’tknowexactlywhatImeanttodo…Ididn’t,reallyIdidn’t,Inspector,InevermeanttokillMr.Fortescue.Ihadsomeidea,Ithink,ofnursinghissonsobadlythatthesonwoulddie.Butofcourse,ifyouareanursebyprofessionyoucan’tdothatsortofthing.ActuallyIhadquiteajobpullingValthrough.AndthenhegotfondofmeandaskedmetomarryhimandIthought,‘Well,reallythat’safarmoresensiblerevengethananythingelse.”Imean,tomarryMr.Fortescue’seldestsonandgetthemoneyheswindledFatheroutofbackthatway.Ithinkitwasafarmoresensibleway.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidInspectorNeele,“farmoresensible.”Headded,“Itwasyou,Isuppose,whoputtheblackbirdsonthedeskandinthepie?”
Mrs.Percivalflushed.
“Yes.Isupposeitwassillyofmereally…ButMr.Fortescuehadbeentalkingaboutsuckersonedayandboastingofhowhe’dswindledpeople—gotthebestofthem.Oh,inquitealegalway.AndIthoughtI’djustliketogivehim—well,akindoffright.Anditdidgivehimafright!Hewasawfullyupset.”Sheaddedanxiously,“ButIdidn’tdoanythingelse!Ididn’treally,Inspector.Youdon’t—youdon’thonestlythinkIwouldmurderanyone,doyou?”
InspectorNeelesmiled.
“No,”hesaid,“Idon’t.”Headded:“Bytheway,haveyougivenMissDoveanymoneylately?”
Jennifer’sjawdropped.
“Howdidyouknow?”
“Weknowalotofthings,”saidInspectorNeeleandaddedtohimself:“Andguessagoodmany,too.”
Jennifercontinued,speakingrapidly:
“Shecametomeandsaidthatyou’daccusedherofbeingRubyMacKenzie.ShesaidifI’dgetholdoffivehundredpoundsshe’dletyougoonthinkingso.ShesaidifyouknewthatIwasRubyMacKenzie,I’dbesuspectedofmurderingMr.Fortescueandmystepmother.Ihadanawfuljobgettingthemoney,becauseofcourseIcouldn’ttellPercival.Hedoesn’tknowaboutme.IhadtosellmydiamondengagementringandaverybeautifulnecklaceMr.Fortescuegaveme.”
“Don’tworry,Mrs.Percival,”saidInspectorNeele,“Ithinkwecangetyourmoneybackforyou.”
III
ItwasonthefollowingdaythatInspectorNeelehadanotherinterviewwithMissMaryDove.
“Iwonder,MissDove,”hesaid,“ifyou’dgivemeachequeforfivehundredpoundspayabletoMrs.PercivalFortescue.”
HehadthepleasureofseeingMaryDovelosecountenanceforonce.
“Thesillyfooltoldyou,Isuppose,”shesaid.
“Yes.Blackmail,MissDove,isratheraseriouscharge.”
“Itwasn’texactlyblackmail,Inspector.Ithinkyou’dfindithardtomakeoutacaseofblackmailagainstme.IwasjustdoingMrs.Percivalaspecialservicetoobligeher.”
“Well,ifyou’llgivemethatcheque,MissDove,we’llleaveitlikethat.”
MaryDovegotherchequebookandtookoutherfountainpen.
“It’sveryannoying,”shesaidwithasigh.“I’mparticularlyhardupatthemoment.”
“You’llbelookingforanotherjobsoon,Isuppose?”
“Yes.Thisonehasn’tturnedoutquiteaccordingtoplan.It’sallbeenveryunfortunatefrommypointofview.”
InspectorNeeleagreed.
“Yes,itputyouinratheradifficultposition,didn’tit?Imean,itwasquitelikelythatatanymomentwemighthavetolookintoyourantecedents.”
MaryDove,cooloncemore,allowedhereyebrowstorise.
“Really,Inspector,mypastisquiteblameless,Iassureyou.”
“Yes,itis,”InspectorNeeleagreed,cheerfully.“We’venothingagainstyouatall,MissDove.It’sacuriouscoincidence,though,thatinthelastthreeplaceswhichyouhavefilledsoadmirably,therehavehappenedtoberobberiesaboutthreemonthsafteryouleft.Thethieveshaveseemedremarkablywell-informedastowhereminkcoats,jewels,etc.,werekept.Curiouscoincidence,isn’tit?”
“Coincidencesdohappen,Inspector.”
“Oh,yes,”saidNeele.“Theyhappen.Buttheymustn’thappentoooften,MissDove.Idaresay,”headded,“thatwemaymeetagaininthefuture.”
“Ihope”—saidMaryDove—“Idon’tmeantoberude,InspectorNeele—butIhopewedon’t.”
ChapterTwenty-Eight
I
MissMarplesmoothedoverthetopofhersuitcase,tuckedinanendofwoollyshawlandshuttheliddown.Shelookedroundherbedroom.No,shehadleftnothingbehind.Crumpcameintofetchdownherluggage.MissMarplewentintothenextroomtosaygoodbyetoMissRamsbottom.
“I’mafraid,”saidMissMarple,“thatI’vemadeaverypoorreturnforyourhospitality.Ihopeyouwillbeabletoforgivemesomeday.”
“Hah,”saidMissRamsbottom.
Shewasasusualplayingpatience.
“Blackknave,redqueen,”sheobserved,thenshedartedashrewd,sidewaysglanceatMissMarple.“Youfoundoutwhatyouwantedto,Isuppose,”shesaid.
“Yes.”
“AndIsupposeyou’vetoldthatpoliceinspectorallaboutit?Willhebeabletoproveacase?”
“I’malmostsurehewill,”saidMissMarple.“Itmaytakealittletime.”
“I’mnotaskingyouanyquestions,”saidMissRamsbottom.“You’reashrewdwoman.IknewthatassoonasIsawyou.Idon’tblameyouforwhatyou’vedone.Wickednessiswickednessandhasgottobepunished.There’sabadstreakinthisfamily.Itdidn’tcomefromourside,I’mthankfultosay.Elvira,mysister,wasafool.Nothingworse
“Blackknave,”repeatedMissRamsbottom,fingeringthecard.“Handsome,butablackheart.Yes,Iwasafraidofit.Ah,well,youcan’talwayshelplovingasinner.Theboyalwayshadawaywithhim.Evengotroundme…Toldalieaboutthetimeheleftmethatday.Ididn’tcontradicthim,butIwondered…I’vewonderedeversince.ButhewasElvira’sboy—Icouldn’tbringmyselftosayanything.Ahwell,you’rearighteouswoman,JaneMarple,andrightmustprevail.I’msorryforhiswife,though.”
“SoamI,”saidMissMarple.
InthehallPatFortescuewaswaitingtosaygood-bye.
“Iwishyouweren’tgoing,”shesaid.“Ishallmissyou.”
“It’stimeformetogo,”saidMissMarple.“I’vefinishedwhatIcameheretodo.Ithasn’tbeen—altogetherpleasant.Butit’simportant,youknow,thatwickednessshouldn’ttriumph.”
Patlookedpuzzled.
“Idon’tunderstand.”
“No,mydear.Butperhapsyouwill,someday.IfImightventuretoadvise,ifanythingever—goeswronginyourlife—Ithinkthehappiestthingforyouwouldbetogobacktowhereyouwerehappyasachild.GobacktoIreland,mydear.Horsesanddogs.Allthat.”
Patnodded.
“SometimesIwishI’ddonejustthatwhenFreddydied.ButifIhad”—hervoicechangedandsoftened—“I’dneverhavemetLance.”
MissMarplesighed.
“We’renotstayinghere,youknow,”saidPat.“We’regoingbacktoEastAfricaassoonaseverything’sclearedup.I’msoglad.”
“Godblessyou,dearchild,”saidMissMarple.“Oneneedsagreatdealofcouragetogetthroughlife.Ithinkyouhaveit.”
Shepattedthegirl’shandand,releasingit,wentthroughthefrontdoortothewaitingtaxi.
II
MissMarplereachedhomelatethatevening.
Kitty—thelatestgraduatefromSt.Faith’sHome—letherinandgreetedherwithabeamingface.
“I’vegotaherringforyoursupper,miss.I’msogladtoseeyouhome—you’llfindeverythingveryniceinthehouse.RegularspringcleaningI’vehad.”
“That’sverynice,Kitty—I’mgladtobehome.”
Sixspider’swebsonthecornice,MissMarplenoted.Thesegirlsneverraisedtheirheads!Shewasnonethelesstookindtosayso.
“Yourlettersisonthehalltable,miss.Andthere’soneaswenttoDaisymeadbymistake.Alwaysdoingthat,aren’tthey?Doeslookabitalike,DaneandDaisy,andthewriting’ssobadIdon’twonderthistime.They’vebeenawaythereandthehouseshutup,theyonlygotbackandsentitroundtoday.Saidashowtheyhopeditwasn’timportant.”
MissMarplepickeduphercorrespondence.ThelettertowhichKittyhadreferredwasontopoftheothers.AfaintchordofremembrancestirredinMissMarple’smindatthesightoftheblottedscrawledhandwriting.Shetoreitopen.
DearMadam,Ihopeasyou’llforgivemewritingthisbutIreallydon’tknowwhattodoindeedIdon’tandInevermeantnoharm.Dearmadam,you’llhaveseenthenewspapersitwasmurdertheysaybutitwasn’tmethatdidit,notreally,becauseIwouldneverdoanythingwickedlikethatandIknowashowhewouldn’teither.Albert,Imean.I’mtellingthisbadly,butyouseewemetlastsummerandwasgoingtobemarriedonlyBerthadn’tgothisrights,he’dbeendoneoutofthem,swindledbythisMr.Fortescuewho’sdead.AndMr.FortescuehejustdeniedeverythingandofcourseeverybodybelievedhimandnotBertbecausehewasrichandBertwaspoor.ButBerthadafriendwhoworksinaplacewheretheymakethesenewdrugsandthere’swhattheycallatruthdrugyou’vereadaboutitperhapsinthepaperanditmakespeoplespeakthetruthwhethertheywanttoornot.BertwasgoingtoseeMr.FortescueinhisofficeonNov.5thandtakingalawyerwithhimandIwastobesuretogivehimthedrugatbreakfastthatmorningandthenitwouldworkjustrightforwhentheycameandhe’dadmitasallwhatBertsaidwasquitetrue.Well,madam,Iputitinthemarmaladebutnowhe’sdeadandIthinkashowitmusthavebeentoostrongbutitwasn’tBert’sfaultbecauseBertwouldneverdoathinglikethatbutIcan’ttellthepolicebecausemaybethey’dthinkBertdiditonpurposewhichIknowhedidn’t.Oh,madam,Idon’tknowwhattodoorwhattosayandthepolicearehereinthehouseandit’sawfulandtheyaskyouquestionsandlookatyousosternandIdon’tknowwhattodoandIhaven’theardfromBert.Oh,madam,Idon’tliketoaskitofyoubutifyoucouldonlycomehereandhelpmethey’dlistentoyouandyouwerealwayssokindtome,andIdidn’tmeananythingwrongandBertdidn’teither.Ifyoucouldonlyhelpus.Yoursrespectfully,GladysMartin.P.S.—I’menclosingasnapofBertandme.Oneoftheboystookitatthecampandgiveitme.Bertdoesn’tknowI’vegotit—hehatesbeingsnapped.Butyoucansee,madam,whataniceboyheis.
MissMarple,herlipspursedtogether,stareddownatthephotograph.Thepairpicturedtherewerelookingateachother.MissMarple’seyeswentfromGladys’spatheticadoringface,themouthslightlyopen,totheotherface—thedarkhandsomesmilingfaceofLanceFortescue.
Thelastwordsofthepatheticletterechoedinhermind:
Youcanseewhataniceboyheis.
ThetearroseinMissMarple’seyes.Succeedingpity,therecameanger—angeragainstaheartlesskiller.
Andthen,displacingboththeseemotions,therecameasurgeoftriumph—thetriumphsomespecialistmightfeelwhohassuccessfullyreconstructedanextinctanimalfromafragmentofjawboneandacoupleofteeth.
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
www.AgathaChristie.com
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMewsandOtherStories
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Credits
CoverillustrationanddesignbySaraWood
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Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?MARPLE?MISSMARPLE?APOCKETFULLOFRYE?.Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.APocketFullofRyewasfirstpublishedin1953.
APOCKETFULLOFRYE?1954.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverseengineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.