And Then There Were None

AgathaChristie
AndThenThereWereNone
Dedication
ToCarloandMaryThisistheirbook,dedicatedtothemwithmuchaffection.
Contents
Dedication
Epigraph
Author’sNote
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
Epilogue
AManuscriptDocumentSentToScotlandYardbytheMasteroftheEmmaJaneFishingTrawler
AbouttheAuthor
BackAd:TheMonogramMurders
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
Author’sNote
Ihadwrittenthisbookbecauseitwassodifficulttodothattheideahadfascinatedme.Tenpeoplehadtodiewithoutitbecomingridiculousorthemurdererbeingobvious.Iwrotethebookafteratremendousamountofplanning,andIwaspleasedwithwhatIhadmadeofit.Itwasclear,straightforward,baffling,andyethadaperfectlyreasonableexplanation;infactithadtohaveanepilogueinordertoexplainit.Itwaswellreceivedandreviewed,butthepersonwhowasreallypleasedwithitwasmyself,forIknewbetterthananycritichowdifficultithadbeen.
fromAnAutobiography
Epigraph
Tenlittlesoldierboyswentouttodine;
OnechokedhislittleselfandthentherewereNine.
Ninelittlesoldierboyssatupverylate;
OneoverslepthimselfandthentherewereEight.
EightlittlesoldierboystravellinginDevon;
Onesaidhe’dstaythereandthentherewereSeven.
Sevenlittlesoldierboyschoppingupsticks;
OnechoppedhimselfinhalvesandthentherewereSix.
Sixlittlesoldierboysplayingwithahive;
AbumblebeestungoneandthentherewereFive.
Fivelittlesoldierboysgoinginforlaw;
OnegotinChanceryandthentherewereFour.
Fourlittlesoldierboysgoingouttosea;
AredherringswallowedoneandthentherewereThree.
ThreelittlesoldierboyswalkingintheZoo;
AbigbearhuggedoneandthentherewereTwo.
Twolittlesoldierboyssittinginthesun;
OnegotfrizzledupandthentherewasOne.
Onelittlesoldierboyleftallalone;
Hewentandhangedhimself
AndthentherewereNone.
FrankGreen,1869One
I
Inthecornerofafirst-classsmokingcarriage,Mr.JusticeWargrave,latelyretiredfromthebench,puffedatacigarandrananinterestedeyethroughthepoliticalnewsinTheTimes.
Helaidthepaperdownandglancedoutofthewindow.TheywererunningnowthroughSomerset.Heglancedathiswatch—anothertwohourstogo.
HewentoverinhismindallthathadappearedinthepapersaboutSoldierIsland.TherehadbeenitsoriginalpurchasebyanAmericanmillionairewhowascrazyaboutyachting—andanaccountoftheluxuriousmodernhousehehadbuiltonthislittleislandofftheDevoncoast.TheunfortunatefactthatthenewthirdwifeoftheAmericanmillionairewasabadsailorhadledtothesubsequentputtingupofthehouseandislandforsale.Variousglowingadvertisementsofithadappearedinthepapers.Thencamethefirstbaldstatementthatithadbeenbought—byaMr.Owen.Afterthattherumoursofthegossipwritershadstarted.SoldierIslandhadreallybeenboughtbyMissGabrielleTurl,theHollywoodfilmstar!Shewantedtospendsomemonthstherefreefromallpublicity!BusyBeehadhinteddelicatelythatitwastobeanabodeforRoyalty??!Mr.Merryweatherhadhaditwhisperedtohimthatithadbeenboughtforahoneymoon—YoungLordL—hadsurrenderedtoCupidatlast!JonasknewforafactthatithadbeenpurchasedbytheAdmiraltywithaviewtocarryingoutsomeveryhush-hushexperiments!
Definitely,SoldierIslandwasnews!
FromhispocketMr.JusticeWargravedrewoutaletter.ThehandwritingwaspracticallyillegiblebutwordshereandtherestoodoutwithunexpectedclarityDearestLawrence…suchyearssinceIheardanythingofyou…mustcometoSoldierIsland…themostenchantingplace…somuchtotalkover…olddays…communionwithnature…baskinsunshine…12.40fromPaddington…meetyouatOakbridge…andhiscorrespondentsignedherselfwithaflourishhiseverConstanceCulmington.
Mr.JusticeWargravecastbackinhismindtorememberwhenexactlyhehadlastseenLadyConstanceCulmington.Itmustbeseven—no,eightyearsago.ShehadthenbeengoingtoItalytobaskinthesunandbeatonewithNatureandthecontadini.Later,hehadheard,shehadproceededtoSyriawheresheproposedtobaskinayetstrongersunandliveatonewithNatureandthebedouin
ConstanceCulmington,hereflectedtohimself,wasexactlythesortofwomanwhowouldbuyanislandandsurroundherselfwithmystery!Noddinghisheadingentleapprovalofhislogic,Mr.JusticeWargraveallowedhisheadtonod….
Heslept….
II
VeraClaythorne,inathird-classcarriagewithfiveothertravellersinit,leanedherheadbackandshuthereyes.Howhotitwastravellingbytraintoday!Itwouldbenicetogettothesea!Reallyagreatpieceofluckgettingthisjob.Whenyouwantedaholidaypostitnearlyalwaysmeantlookingafteraswarmofchildren—secretarialholidaypostsweremuchmoredifficulttoget.Eventheagencyhadn’theldoutmuchhope.
Andthentheletterhadcome.
“IhavereceivedyournamefromtheSkilledWomen’sAgencytogetherwiththeirrecommendation.Iunderstandtheyknowyoupersonally.IshallbegladtopayyouthesalaryyouaskandshallexpectyoutotakeupyourdutiesonAugust8th.Thetrainisthe12.40fromPaddingtonandyouwillbemetatOakbridgestation.Ienclosefive￡1notesforexpenses.Yourstruly,UnaNancyOwen.”
Andatthetopwasthestampedaddress,SoldierIsland,Sticklehaven,Devon….
SoldierIsland!Why,therehadbeennothingelseinthepaperslately!Allsortsofhintsandinterestingrumours.Thoughprobablytheyweremostlyuntrue.Butthehousehadcertainlybeenbuiltbyamillionaireandwassaidtobeabsolutelythelastwordinluxury.
VeraClaythorne,tiredbyarecentstrenuoustermatschool,thoughttoherself,“Beingagamesmistressinathird-classschoolisn’tmuchofacatch…IfonlyIcouldgetajobatsomedecentschool.”
Andthen,withacoldfeelingroundherheart,shethought:“ButI’mluckytohaveeventhis.Afterall,peopledon’tlikeaCoroner’sInquest,eveniftheCoronerdidacquitmeofallblame!”
Hehadevencomplimentedheronherpresenceofmindandcourage,sheremembered.Foraninquestitcouldn’thavegonebetter.AndMrs.Hamiltonhadbeenkindnessitselftoher—onlyHugo—butshewouldn’tthinkofHugo!
Suddenly,inspiteoftheheatinthecarriagesheshiveredandwishedshewasn’tgoingtothesea.Apictureroseclearlybeforehermind.Cyril’shead,bobbingupanddown,swimmingtotherock…upanddown—upanddown…andherself,swimmingineasypractisedstrokesafterhim—cleavingherwaythroughthewaterbutknowing,onlytoosurely,thatshewouldn’tbeintime….
Thesea—itsdeepwarmblue—morningsspentlyingoutonthesands—Hugo—Hugowhohadsaidhelovedher….
ShemustnotthinkofHugo….
Sheopenedhereyesandfrownedacrossatthemanoppositeher.Atallmanwithabrownface,lighteyessetratherclosetogetherandanarrogant,almostcruelmouth.
Shethoughttoherself:
Ibethe’sbeentosomeinterestingpartsoftheworldandseensomeinterestingthings….
III
PhilipLombard,summingupthegirloppositeinamereflashofhisquickmovingeyesthoughttohimself:
“Quiteattractive—abitschoolmistressyperhaps.”
Acoolcustomer,heshouldimagine—andonewhocouldholdherown—inloveorwar.He’dratherliketotakeheron….
Hefrowned.No,cutoutallthatkindofstuff.Thiswasbusiness.He’dgottokeephismindonthejob.
Whatexactlywasup,hewondered?ThatlittleJewhadbeendamnedmysterious.
“Takeitorleaveit,CaptainLombard.”
Hehadsaidthoughtfully:
“Ahundredguineas,eh?”
Hehadsaiditinacasualwayasthoughahundredguineaswasnothingtohim.Ahundredguineaswhenhewasliterallydowntohislastsquaremeal!Hehadfancied,though,thatthelittleJewhadnotbeendeceived—thatwasthedamnablepartaboutJews,youcouldn’tdeceivethemaboutmoney—theyknew!
Hesaidinthesamecasualtone:
“Andyoucan’tgivemeanyfurtherinformation?”
Mr.IsaacMorrishadshakenhislittlebaldheadverypositively.
“No,CaptainLombard,thematterreststhere.Itisunderstoodbymyclientthatyourreputationisthatofagoodmaninatightplace.IamempoweredtohandyouonehundredguineasinreturnforwhichyouwilltraveltoSticklehaven,Devon.TheneareststationisOakbridge,youwillbemetthereandmotoredtoSticklehavenwhereamotorlaunchwillconveyyoutoSoldierIsland.Thereyouwillholdyourselfatthedisposalofmyclient.”
Lombardhadsaidabruptly:
“Forhowlong?”
“Notlongerthanaweekatmost.”
Fingeringhissmallmoustache,CaptainLombardsaid:
“YouunderstandIcan’tundertakeanything—illegal?”
Hehaddartedaverysharpglanceattheotherashehadspoken.TherehadbeenaveryfaintsmileonthethickSemiticlipsofMr.Morrisasheansweredgravely:
“Ifanythingillegalisproposed,youwill,ofcourse,beatperfectlibertytowithdraw.”
Damnthesmoothlittlebrute,hehadsmiled!ItwasasthoughheknewverywellthatinLombard’spastactionslegalityhadnotalwaysbeenasinequanon….
Lombard’sownlipspartedinagrin.
ByJove,he’dsailedprettynearthewindonceortwice!Buthe’dalwaysgotawaywithit!Therewasn’tmuchhedrewthelineatreally….
No,therewasn’tmuchhe’ddrawthelineat.HefanciedthathewasgoingtoenjoyhimselfatSoldierIsland….
IV
Inanon-smokingcarriageMissEmilyBrentsatveryuprightaswashercustom.Shewassixty-fiveandshedidnotapproveoflounging.Herfather,aColoneloftheoldschool,hadbeenparticularaboutdeportment.
Thepresentgenerationwasshamelesslylax—intheircarriage,andineveryotherway….
Envelopedinanauraofrighteousnessandunyieldingprinciples,MissBrentsatinhercrowdedthird-classcarriageandtriumphedoveritsdiscomfortanditsheat.Everyonemadesuchafussoverthingsnowadays!Theywantedinjectionsbeforetheyhadteethpulled—theytookdrugsiftheycouldn’tsleep—theywantedeasychairsandcushionsandthegirlsallowedtheirfigurestoslopaboutanyhowandlayabouthalfnakedonthebeachesinsummer.
MissBrent’slipssetclosely.Shewouldliketomakeanexampleofcertainpeople.
Sherememberedlastyear’ssummerholiday.Thisyear,however,itwouldbequitedifferent.SoldierIsland….
Mentallyshere-readtheletterwhichshehadalreadyreadsomanytimes.
“DearMissBrent,Idohopeyourememberme?WeweretogetheratBelhavenGuestHouseinAugustsomeyearsago,andweseemedtohavesomuchincommon.IamstartingaguesthouseofmyownonanislandoffthecoastofDevon.Ithinkthereisreallyanopeningforaplacewherethereisgoodplaincookingandaniceold-fashionedtypeofperson.Noneofthisnudityandgramophoneshalfthenight.IshallbeverygladifyoucouldseeyourwaytospendingyoursummerholidayonSoldierIsland—quitefree—asmyguest.WouldearlyinAugustsuityou?Perhapsthe8th.Yourssincerely,U.N.O—.”
Whatwasthename?Thesignaturewasratherdifficulttoread.EmilyBrentthoughtimpatiently:“Somanypeoplewritetheirsignaturesquiteillegibly.”
ShelethermindrunbackoverthepeopleatBelhaven.Shehadbeentheretwosummersrunning.Therehadbeenthatnicemiddle-agedwoman—Miss—Miss—nowwhatwashername?—herfatherhadbeenaCanon.AndtherehadbeenaMrs.Olton—Ormen—No,surelyitwasOliver!Yes—Oliver.
SoldierIsland!TherehadbeenthingsinthepaperaboutSoldierIsland—somethingaboutafilmstar—orwasitanAmericanmillionaire?
Ofcourseoftenthoseplaceswentverycheap—islandsdidn’tsuiteverybody.Theythoughttheideawasromanticbutwhentheycametolivetheretheyrealizedthedisadvantagesandwereonlytoogladtosell.
EmilyBrentthoughttoherself:“Ishallbegettingafreeholidayatanyrate.”
Withherincomesomuchreducedandsomanydividendsnotbeingpaid,thatwasindeedsomethingtotakeintoconsideration.IfonlyshecouldrememberalittlemoreaboutMrs.—orwasitMiss—Oliver?
V
GeneralMacarthurlookedoutofthecarriagewindow.ThetrainwasjustcomingintoExeter,wherehehadtochange.Damnable,theseslowbranchlinetrains!Thisplace,SoldierIsland,wasreallynodistanceatallasthecrowflies.
Hehadn’tgotitclearwhothisfellowOwenwas.AfriendofSpoofLeggard’s,apparently—andofJohnnieDyer’s.
“—Oneortwoofyouroldcroniesarecoming—wouldliketohaveatalkoveroldtimes.”
Well,he’denjoyachataboutoldtimes.He’dhadafancylatelythatfellowswereratherfightingshyofhim.Allowingtothatdamnedrumour!ByGod,itwasprettyhard—nearlythirtyyearsagonow!Armitagehadtalked,hesupposed.Damnedyoungpup!Whatdidheknowaboutit?Oh,well,nogoodbroodingaboutthesethings!Onefanciedthingssometimes—fanciedafellowwaslookingatyouqueerly.
ThisSoldierIsland,now,he’dbeinterestedtoseeit.Alotofgossipflyingabout.LookedasthoughtheremightbesomethingintherumourthattheAdmiraltyortheWarOfficeortheAirForcehadgotholdofit….
YoungElmerRobson,theAmericanmillionaire,hadactuallybuilttheplace.Spentthousandsonit,soitwassaid.Everymortalluxury….
Exeter!Andanhourtowait!Andhedidn’twanttowait.Hewantedtogeton….
VI
Dr.ArmstrongwasdrivinghisMorrisacrossSalisburyPlain.Hewasverytired…Successhaditspenalties.TherehadbeenatimewhenhehadsatinhisconsultingroominHarleyStreet,correctlyapparelled,surroundedwiththemostuptodateappliancesandthemostluxuriousfurnishingsandwaited—waitedthroughtheemptydaysforhisventuretosucceedorfail….
Well,ithadsucceeded!He’dbeenlucky!Luckyandskilfulofcourse.Hewasagoodmanathisjob—butthatwasn’tenoughforsuccess.Youhadtohaveluckaswell.Andhe’dhadit!Anaccuratediagnosis,acoupleofgratefulwomenpatients—womenwithmoneyandposition—andwordhadgotabout.“YououghttotryArmstrong—quiteayoungman—butsoclever—Pamhadbeentoallsortsofpeopleforyearsandheputhisfingeronthetroubleatonce!”Theballhadstartedrolling.
AndnowDr.Armstronghaddefinitelyarrived.Hisdayswerefull.Hehadlittleleisure.Andso,onthisAugustmorning,hewasgladthathewasleavingLondonandgoingtobeforsomedaysonanislandofftheDevoncoast.Notthatitwasexactlyaholiday.Theletterhehadreceivedhadbeenrathervagueinitsterms,buttherewasnothingvagueabouttheaccompanyingcheque.Awhackingfee.TheseOwensmustberollinginmoney.Somelittledifficulty,itseemed,ahusbandwhowasworriedabouthiswife’shealthandwantedareportonitwithoutherbeingalarmed.Shewouldn’thearofseeingadoctor.Hernerves—
Nerves!Thedoctor’seyebrowswentup.Thesewomenandtheirnerves!Well,itwasgoodforbusinessafterall.Halfthewomenwhoconsultedhimhadnothingthematterwiththembutboredom,buttheywouldn’tthankyoufortellingthemso!Andonecouldusuallyfindsomething.
“Aslightlyuncommonconditionofthe(somelongword)nothingatallserious—butitneedsjustputtingright.Asimpletreatment.”
Well,medicinewasmostlyfaith-healingwhenitcametoit.Andhehadagoodmanner—hecouldinspirehopeandbelief.
Luckythathe’dmanagedtopullhimselftogetherintimeafterthatbusinessten—no,fifteenyearsago.Ithadbeenanearthing,that!He’dbeengoingtopieces.Theshockhadpulledhimtogether.He’dcutoutdrinkaltogether.ByJove,ithadbeenanearthing,though….
Withadevastatingear-splittingblastonthehornanenormousSuper-SportsDalmaincarrushedpasthimateightymilesanhour.Dr.Armstrongnearlywentintothehedge.Oneoftheseyoungfoolswhotoreroundthecountry.Hehatedthem.Thathadbeenanearshave,too.Damnedyoungfool!
VII
TonyMarston,roaringdownintoMere,thoughttohimself:
“Theamountofcarscrawlingabouttheroadsisfrightful.Alwayssomethingblockingyourway.Andtheywilldriveinthemiddleoftheroad!PrettyhopelessdrivinginEngland,anyway….NotlikeFrancewhereyoureallycouldletout….”
Shouldhestophereforadrink,orpushon?Heapsoftime!Onlyanotherhundredmilesandabittogo.He’dhaveaginandgingerbeer.Fizzinghotday!
Thisislandplaceoughttoberathergoodfun—iftheweatherlasted.WhoweretheseOwens,hewondered?Richandstinking,probably.Badgerwasrathergoodatnosingpeoplelikethatout.Ofcourse,hehadto,pooroldchap,withnomoneyofhisown….
Hopethey’ddoonewellindrinks.Neverknewwiththesefellowswho’dmadetheirmoneyandweren’tborntoit.PitythatstoryaboutGabrielleTurlhavingboughtSoldierIslandwasn’ttrue.He’dliketohavebeeninwiththatfilmstarcrowd.
Oh,well,hesupposedthere’dbeafewgirlsthere….
Comingoutofthehotel,hestretchedhimself,yawned,lookedupattheblueskyandclimbedintotheDalmain.
Severalyoungwomenlookedathimadmiringly—hissixfeetofwell-proportionedbody,hiscrisphair,tannedface,andintenselyblueeyes.
Heletintheclutchwitharoarandleaptupthenarrowstreet.Oldmenanderrandboysjumpedforsafety.Thelatterlookedafterthecaradmiringly.
AnthonyMarstonproceededonhistriumphalprogress.
VIII
Mr.BlorewasintheslowtrainfromPlymouth.Therewasonlyoneotherpersoninhiscarriage,anelderlyseafaringgentlemanwithablearyeye.Atthepresentmomenthehaddroppedofftosleep
Mr.Blorewaswritingcarefullyinalittlenotebook.
“That’sthelot,”hemutteredtohimself.“EmilyBrent,VeraClaythorne,Dr.Armstrong,AnthonyMarston,oldJusticeWargrave,PhilipLombard,GeneralMacarthur,C.M.G.,D.S.O.Manservantandwife:Mr.andMrs.Rogers.”
Heclosedthenotebookandputitbackinhispocket.Heglancedoveratthecornerandtheslumberingman.
“Hadoneovertheeight,”diagnosedMr.Bloreaccurately.
Hewentoverthingscarefullyandconscientiouslyinhismind.
“Joboughttobeeasyenough,”heruminated.“Don’tseehowIcanslipuponit.HopeIlookallright.”
Hestoodupandscrutinizedhimselfanxiouslyintheglass.Thefacereflectedtherewasofaslightlymilitarycastwithamoustache.Therewasverylittleexpressioninit.Theeyesweregreyandsetratherclosetogether.
“MightbeaMajor,”saidMr.Blore.“No,Iforgot.There’sthatoldmilitarygent.He’dspotmeatonce.”
“SouthAfrica,”saidMr.Blore,“that’smyline!NoneofthesepeoplehaveanythingtodowithSouthAfrica,andI’vejustbeenreadingthattravelfoldersoIcantalkaboutitallright.”
Fortunatelytherewereallsortsandtypesofcolonials.AsamanofmeansfromSouthAfrica,Mr.Blorefeltthathecouldenterintoanysocietyunchallenged.
SoldierIsland.HerememberedSoldierIslandasaboy…Smellysortofrockcoveredwithgulls—stoodaboutamilefromthecoast.
Funnyideatogoandbuildahouseonit!Awfulinbadweather!Butmillionaireswerefullofwhims!
Theoldmaninthecornerwokeupandsaid:
“Youcan’tnevertellatsea—never!”
Mr.Bloresaidsoothingly,“That’sright.Youcan’t.”
Theoldmanhiccuppedtwiceandsaidplaintively:
“There’sasquallcoming.”
Mr.Bloresaid:
“No,no,mate,it’salovelyday.”
Theoldmansaidangrily:
“There’sasquallahead.Icansmellit.”
“Maybeyou’reright,”saidMr.Blorepacifically.
Thetrainstoppedatastationandtheoldfellowroseunsteadily.
“ThishwhereIgetout.”Hefumbledwiththewindow.Mr.Blorehelpedhim.
Theoldmanstoodinthedoorway.Heraisedasolemnhandandblinkedhisblearyeyes.
“Watchandpray,”hesaid.“Watchandpray.Thedayofjudgmentisathand.”
Hecollapsedthroughthedoorwayontotheplatform.FromarecumbentpositionhelookedupatMr.Bloreandsaidwithimmensedignity:
“I’mtalkingtoyou,youngman.Thedayofjudgmentisverycloseathand.”
SubsidingontohisseatMr.Blorethoughttohimself:He’snearerthedayofjudgmentthanIam!
Butthere,asithappens,hewaswrong….
Two
I
OutsideOakbridgestationalittlegroupofpeoplestoodinmomentaryuncertainty.Behindthemstoodporterswithsuitcases.Oneofthesecalled,“Jim!”
Thedriverofoneofthetaxissteppedforward.
“You’mforSoldierIsland,maybe?”heaskedinasoftDevonvoice.Fourvoicesgaveassent—andthenimmediatelyafterwardsgavequicksurreptitiousglancesateachother.
Thedriversaid,addressinghisremarkstoMr.JusticeWargraveastheseniormemberoftheparty:
“Therearetwotaxishere,sir.OneofthemmustwaittilltheslowtrainfromExetergetsin—amatteroffiveminutes—there’sonegentlemancomingbythat.Perhapsoneofyouwouldn’tmindwaiting?You’dbemorecomfortablethatway.”
VeraClaythorne,herownsecretarialpositionclearinhermind,spokeatonce
“I’llwait,”shesaid,“ifyouwillgoon?”Shelookedattheotherthree,herglanceandvoicehadthatslightsuggestionofcommandinitthatcomesfromhavingoccupiedapositionofauthority.Shemighthavebeendirectingwhichtennissetsthegirlsweretoplayin.
MissBrentsaidstiffly,“Thankyou,”bentherheadandenteredoneofthetaxis,thedoorofwhichthedriverwasholdingopen.
Mr.JusticeWargravefollowedher.
CaptainLombardsaid:
“I’llwaitwithMiss—”
“Claythorne,”saidVera.
“MynameisLombard,PhilipLombard.”
Theporterswerepilingluggageonthetaxi.Inside,Mr.JusticeWargravesaidwithduelegalcaution:
“Beautifulweatherwearehaving.”
MissBrentsaid:
“Yes,indeed.”
Averydistinguishedoldgentleman,shethoughttoherself.Quiteunliketheusualtypeofmaninseasideguesthouses.EvidentlyMrs.orMissOliverhadgoodconnections….
Mr.JusticeWargraveinquired:
“Doyouknowthispartoftheworldwell?”
“IhavebeentoCornwallandtoTorquay,butthisismyfirstvisittothispartofDevon.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Ialsoamunacquaintedwiththispartoftheworld.”
Thetaxidroveoff.
Thedriverofthesecondtaxisaid:
“Liketositinsidewhileyou’rewaiting?”
Verasaiddecisively:
“Notatall.”
CaptainLombardsmiled.Hesaid:
“Thatsunnywalllooksmoreattractive.Unlessyou’drathergoinsidethestation?”
“No,indeed.It’ssodelightfultogetoutofthatstuffytrain.”
Heanswered:
“Yes,travellingbytrainisrathertryinginthisweather.”
Verasaidconventionally:
“Idohopeitlasts—theweather,Imean.OurEnglishsummersaresotreacherous.”
WithaslightlackoforiginalityLombardasked:
“Doyouknowthispartoftheworldwell?”
“No,I’veneverbeenherebefore.”Sheaddedquickly,conscientiouslydeterminedtomakeherpositionclearatonce,“Ihaven’tevenseenmyemployeryet.”
“Youremployer?”
“Yes,I’mMrs.Owen’ssecretary.”
“Oh,Isee.”Justimperceptiblyhismannerchanged.Itwasslightlymoreassured—easierintone.Hesaid:“Isn’tthatratherunusual?”
Veralaughed.
“Oh,no,Idon’tthinkso.Herownsecretarywassuddenlytakenillandshewiredtoanagencyforasubstituteandtheysentme.”
“Sothatwasit.Andsupposeyoudon’tlikethepostwhenyou’vegotthere?”
Veralaughedagain.
“Oh,it’sonlytemporary—aholidaypost.I’vegotapermanentjobatagirls’school.Asamatteroffact,I’mfrightfullythrilledattheprospectofseeingSoldierIsland.There’sbeensuchalotaboutitinthepapers.Isitreallyveryfascinating?”
Lombardsaid:
“Idon’tknow.Ihaven’tseenit.”
“Oh,really?TheOwensarefrightfullykeenonit,Isuppose.Whataretheylike?Dotellme.”
Lombardthought:Awkward,this—amIsupposedtohavemetthemornot?Hesaidquickly:
“There’sawaspcrawlingupyourarm.No—keepquitestill.”Hemadeaconvincingpounce.“There.It’sgone!”
“Oh,thankyou.Therearealotofwaspsaboutthissummer.”
“Yes,Isupposeit’stheheat.Whoarewewaitingfor,doyouknow?”
“Ihaven’ttheleastidea.”
Thelouddrawn-outscreamofanapproachingtrainwasheard.Lombardsaid:
“Thatwillbethetrainnow.”
Itwasatallsoldierlyoldmanwhoappearedattheexitfromtheplatform.Hisgreyhairwasclippedcloseandhehadaneatlytrimmedwhitemoustache.
Hisporter,staggeringslightlyundertheweightofthesolidleathersuitcase,indicatedVeraandLombard.
Veracameforwardinacompetentmanner.Shesaid:
“IamMrs.Owen’ssecretary.Thereisacarherewaiting.”Sheadded,“ThisisMr.Lombard.”
Thefadedblueeyes,shrewdinspiteoftheirage,sizedupLombard.Foramomentajudgmentshowedinthem—hadtherebeenanyonetoreadit.
“Good-lookingfellow.Somethingjustalittlewrongabouthim….”
Thethreeofthemgotintothewaitingtaxi.TheydrovethroughthesleepystreetsoflittleOakbridgeandcontinuedaboutamileonthemainPlymouthroad.Thentheyplungedintoamazeofcross-countrylanes,steep,greenandnarrow
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“Don’tknowthispartofDevonatall.MylittleplaceisinEastDevon—justontheborderlineofDorset.”
Verasaid:
“Itreallyislovelyhere.Thehillsandtheredearthandeverythingsogreenandluscious-looking.”
PhilipLombardsaidcritically:
“It’sabitshutin…Ilikeopencountrymyself.Whereyoucanseewhat’scoming….”
GeneralMacarthursaidtohim:
“You’veseenabitoftheworld,Ifancy?”
Lombardshruggedhisshouldersdisparagingly.
“I’veknockedabouthereandthere,sir.”
Hethoughttohimself:“He’llaskmenowifIwasoldenoughtobeintheWar.Theseoldboysalwaysdo.”
ButGeneralMacarthurdidnotmentiontheWar.
II
TheycameupoverasteephillanddownazigzagtracktoSticklehaven—amereclusterofcottageswithafishingboatortwodrawnuponthebeach.
Illuminatedbythesettingsun,theyhadtheirfirstglimpseofSoldierIslandjuttingupoutoftheseatothesouth
Verasaid,surprised:
“It’salongwayout.”
Shehadpictureditdifferently,closetoshore,crownedwithabeautifulwhitehouse.Buttherewasnohousevisible,onlytheboldlysilhouettedrockwithitsfaintresemblancetoagianthead.Therewassomethingsinisteraboutit.Sheshiveredfaintly.
Outsidealittleinn,theSevenStars,threepeopleweresitting.Therewasthehunchedelderlyfigureofthejudge,theuprightformofMissBrent,andathirdman—abigbluffmanwhocameforwardandintroducedhimself.
“Thoughtwemightaswellwaitforyou,”hesaid.“Makeonetripofit.Allowmetointroducemyself.Name’sDavis.Natal,SouthAfrica’smynatalspot,ha,ha!”
Helaughedbreezily.
Mr.JusticeWargravelookedathimwithactivemalevolence.Heseemedtobewishingthathecouldorderthecourttobecleared.MissEmilyBrentwasclearlynotsureifshelikedColonials.
“Anyonecareforalittlenipbeforeweembark?”askedMr.Davishospitably
Nobodyassentingtothisproposition,Mr.Davisturnedandheldupafinger.
“Mustn’tdelay,then.Ourgoodhostandhostesswillbeexpectingus,”hesaid.
Hemighthavenoticedthatacuriousconstraintcameovertheothermembersoftheparty.Itwasasthoughthementionoftheirhostandhostesshadacuriouslyparalysingeffectupontheguests.
InresponsetoDavis’sbeckoningfinger,amandetachedhimselffromanearbywallagainstwhichhewasleaningandcameuptothem.Hisrollinggaitproclaimedhimasamanofthesea.Hehadaweather-beatenfaceanddarkeyeswithaslightlyevasiveexpression.HespokeinhissoftDevonvoice.
“Willyoubereadytobestartingfortheisland,ladiesandgentlemen?Theboat’swaiting.There’stwogentlemencomingbycarbutMr.Owen’sorderswasnottowaitforthemastheymightarriveatanytime.”
Thepartygotup.Theirguideledthemalongasmallstonejetty.Alongsideitamotorboatwaslying.
EmilyBrentsaid:
“That’saverysmallboat.”
Theboat’sownersaidpersuasively:
“She’safineboatthat,Ma’am.YoucouldgotoPlymouthinheraseasyaswinking.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidsharply:
“Thereareagoodmanyofus.”
“She’dtakedoublethenumber,sir.”
PhilipLombardsaidinhispleasanteasyvoice:
“It’squiteallright.Gloriousweather—noswell.”
Ratherdoubtfully,MissBrentpermittedherselftobehelpedintotheboat.Theothersfollowedsuit.Therewasasyetnofraternizingamongtheparty.Itwasasthougheachmemberofitwaspuzzledbytheothermembers.
Theywerejustabouttocastloosewhentheirguidepaused,boat-hookinhand.
Downthesteeptrackintothevillageacarwascoming.Acarsofantasticallypowerful,sosuperlativelybeautifulthatithadallthenatureofanapparition.Atthewheelsatayoungman,hishairblownbackbythewind.Intheblazeoftheeveninglighthelooked,notaman,butayoungGod,aHeroGodoutofsomeNorthernSaga.
Hetouchedthehornandagreatroarofsoundechoedfromtherocksofthebay
Itwasafantasticmoment.Init,AnthonyMarstonseemedtobesomethingmorethanmortal.Afterwardsmorethanoneofthosepresentrememberedthatmoment.
III
FredNarracottsatbytheenginethinkingtohimselfthatthiswasaqueerlot.NotatallhisideaofwhatMr.Owen’sguestswerelikelytobe.He’dexpectedsomethingaltogethermoreclassy.Toggedupwomenandgentlemeninyachtingcostumeandallveryrichandimportantlooking.
NotatalllikeMr.ElmerRobson’sparties.AfaintgrincametoFredNarracott’slipsasherememberedthemillionaire’sguests.Thathadbeenapartyifyoulike—andthedrinkthey’dgotthrough!
ThisMr.Owenmustbeaverydifferentsortofgentleman.Funny,itwas,thoughtFred,thathe’dneveryetseteyesonOwen—orhisMissuseither.Neverbeendownhereyethehadn’t.EverythingorderedandpaidforbythatMr.Morris.Instructionsalwaysveryclearandpaymentprompt,butitwasodd,allthesame.ThepaperssaidtherewassomemysteryaboutOwen.Mr.Narracottagreedwiththem.
Perhapsafterall,itwasMissGabrielleTurlwhohadboughttheisland.Butthattheorydepartedfromhimashesurveyedhispassengers.Notthislot—noneofthemlookedlikelytohaveanythingtodowithafilmstar.
Hesummedthemupdispassionately.
Oneoldmaid—thesourkind—heknewthemwellenough.Shewasatartarhecouldbet.Oldmilitarygentleman—realArmylookabouthim.Nice-lookingyounglady—buttheordinarykind,notglamorous—noHollywoodtouchabouther.Thatbluffcheerygent—hewasn’tarealgentleman.Retiredtradesman,that’swhatheis,thoughtFredNarracott.Theothergentleman,theleanhungry-lookinggentlemanwiththequickeyes,hewasaqueerone,hewas.Justpossiblehemighthavesomethingtodowiththepictures.
No,therewasonlyonesatisfactorypassengerintheboat.Thelastgentleman,theonewhohadarrivedinthecar(andwhatacar!AcarsuchashadneverbeenseeninSticklehavenbefore.Musthavecosthundredsandhundreds,acarlikethat).Hewastherightkind.Borntomoney,hewas.Ifthepartyhadbeenalllikehim…he’dunderstandit….
Queerbusinesswhenyoucametothinkofit—thewholethingwasqueer—veryqueer….
IV
Theboatchurneditswayroundtherock.Nowatlastthehousecameintoview.Thesouthsideoftheislandwasquitedifferent.Itshelvedgentlydowntothesea.Thehousewastherefacingsouth—lowandsquareandmodernlookingwithroundedwindowslettinginallthelight.
Anexcitinghouse—ahousethatliveduptoexpectation!
FredNarracottshutofftheengine,theynosedtheirwaygentlyintoalittlenaturalinletbetweenrocks.
PhilipLombardsaidsharply:
“Mustbedifficulttolandhereindirtyweather.”
FredNarracottsaidcheerfully:
“Can’tlandonSoldierIslandwhenthere’sasoutheasterly.Sometimes’tiscutoffforaweekormore.”
VeraClaythornethought:
“Thecateringmustbeverydifficult.That’stheworstofanisland.Allthedomesticproblemsaresoworrying.”
Theboatgratedagainsttherocks.FredNarracottjumpedoutandheandLombardhelpedtheotherstoalight.Narracottmadetheboatfasttoaringintherock.Thenheledthewayupstepscutinthecliff.
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“Ha!delightfulspot!”
Buthefeltuneasy.Damnedoddsortofplace.
Asthepartyascendedthestepsandcameoutonaterraceabove,theirspiritsrevived.Intheopendoorwayofthehouseacorrectbutlerwasawaitingthem,andsomethingabouthisgravityreassuredthem.Andthenthehouseitselfwasreallymostattractive,theviewfromtheterracemagnificent….
Thebutlercameforwardbowingslightly.Hewasatalllankman,grey-hairedandveryrespectable.Hesaid:
“Willyoucomethisway,please.”
Inthewidehalldrinksstoodready.Rowsofbottles.AnthonyMarston’sspiritscheeredupalittle.He’djustbeenthinkingthiswasarumkindofshow.Noneofhislot!WhatcouldoldBadgerhavebeenthinkingabouttolethiminforthis?However,thedrinkswereallright.Plentyofice,too.
Whatwasitthebutlerchapwassaying?
Mr.Owen—unfortunatelydelayed—unabletogetheretilltomorrow.Instructions—everythingtheywanted—iftheywouldliketogototheirrooms?…dinnerwouldbeateighto’clock….
V
VerahadfollowedMrs.Rogersupstairs.ThewomanhadthrownopenadoorattheendofapassageandVerahadwalkedintoadelightfulbedroomwithabigwindowthatopenedwideupontheseaandanotherlookingeast.Sheutteredaquickexclamationofpleasure.
Mrs.Rogerswassaying:
“Ihopeyou’vegoteverythingyouwant,Miss?”
Veralookedround.Herluggagehadbeenbroughtupandhadbeenunpacked.Atonesideoftheroomadoorstoodopenintoapaleblue-tiledbathroom.
Shesaidquickly:
“Yes,everything,Ithink.”
“You’llringthebellifyouwantanything,Miss?”
Mrs.Rogershadaflatmonotonousvoice.Veralookedathercuriously.Whatawhitebloodlessghostofawoman!Veryrespectable-looking,withherhairdraggedbackfromherfaceandherblackdress.Queerlighteyesthatshiftedthewholetimefromplacetoplace.
Verathought:
“Shelooksfrightenedofherownshadow.”
Yes,thatwasit—frightened!
Shelookedlikeawomanwhowalkedinmortalfear….
AlittleshiverpasseddownVera’sback.Whatonearthwasthewomanafraidof?
Shesaidpleasantly:
“I’mMrs.Owen’snewsecretary.Iexpectyouknowthat.”
Mrs.Rogerssaid:
“No,Miss,Idon’tknowanything.Justalistoftheladiesandgentlemenandwhatroomstheyweretohave.”
Verasaid:
“Mrs.Owendidn’tmentionme?”
Mrs.Rogers’eyelashesflickered.
“Ihaven’tseenMrs.Owen—notyet.Weonlycameheretwodaysago.”
Extraordinarypeople,theseOwens,thoughtVera.Aloudshesaid:
“Whatstaffistherehere?”
“JustmeandRogers,Miss.”
Verafrowned.Eightpeopleinthehouse—tenwiththehostandhostess—andonlyonemarriedcoupletodoforthem.
Mrs.Rogerssaid:
“I’magoodcookandRogersishandyaboutthehouse.Ididn’tknow,ofcourse,thattherewastobesuchalargeparty.”
Verasaid:
“Butyoucanmanage?”
“Ohyes,Miss,Icanmanage.Ifthere’stobelargepartiesoftenperhapsMrs.Owencouldgetextrahelpin.”
Verasaid,“Iexpectso.”
Mrs.Rogersturnedtogo.Herfeetmovednoiselesslyovertheground.Shedriftedfromtheroomlikeashadow.
Verawentovertothewindowandsatdownonthewindowseat.Shewasfaintlydisturbed.Everything—somehow—wasalittlequeer.TheabsenceoftheOwens,thepaleghostlikeMrs.Rogers.Andtheguests!Yes,theguestswerequeer,too.Anoddlyassortedparty.
Verathought:
“IwishI’dseentheOwens…IwishIknewwhattheywerelike.”
Shegotupandwalkedrestlesslyabouttheroom.
Aperfectbedroomdecoratedthroughoutinthemodernstyle.Off-whiterugsonthegleamingparquetfloor—faintlytintedwalls—alongmirrorsurroundedbylights.Amantelpiecebareofornamentssaveforanenormousblockofwhitemarbleshapedlikeabear,apieceofmodernsculptureinwhichwasinsetaclock.Overit,inagleamingchromiumframe,wasabigsquareofparchment—apoem.
Shestoodinfrontofthefireplaceandreadit.Itwastheoldnurseryrhymethatsherememberedfromherchildhooddays.
Tenlittlesoldierboyswentouttodine;OnechokedhislittleselfandthentherewereNine.Ninelittlesoldierboyssatupverylate;OneoverslepthimselfandthentherewereEight.EightlittlesoldierboystravellinginDevon;Onesaidhe’dstaythereandthentherewereSeven.
Sevenlittlesoldierboyschoppingupsticks;OnechoppedhimselfinhalvesandthentherewereSix.Sixlittlesoldierboysplayingwithahive;AbumblebeestungoneandthentherewereFive.Fivelittlesoldierboysgoinginforlaw;OnegotinChanceryandthentherewereFour.Fourlittlesoldierboysgoingouttosea;AredherringswallowedoneandthentherewereThree.ThreelittlesoldierboyswalkingintheZoo;AbigbearhuggedoneandthentherewereTwo.Twolittlesoldierboyssittinginthesun;OnegotfrizzledupandthentherewasOne.Onelittlesoldierboyleftallalone;HewentandhangedhimselfandthentherewereNone.
Verasmiled.Ofcourse!ThiswasSoldierIsland!
Shewentandsatagainbythewindowlookingouttosea.
Howbigtheseawas!Fromheretherewasnolandtobeseenanywhere—justavastexpanseofbluewaterripplingintheeveningsun.
Thesea…Sopeacefultoday—sometimessocruel…Theseathatdraggedyoudowntoitsdepths.Drowned…Founddrowned…Drownedatsea…Drowned—drowned—drowned….
No,shewouldn’tremember…Shewouldnotthinkofit!
Allthatwasover….
VI
Dr.ArmstrongcametoSoldierIslandjustasthesunwassinkingintothesea.Onthewayacrosshehadchattedtotheboatman—alocalman.HewasanxioustofindoutalittleaboutthesepeoplewhoownedSoldierIsland,butthemanNarracottseemedcuriouslyill-informed,orperhapsunwillingtotalk.
SoDr.Armstrongchattedinsteadoftheweatherandoffishing.
Hewastiredafterhislongmotordrive.Hiseyeballsached.Drivingwestyouweredrivingagainstthesun.
Yes,hewasverytired.Theseaandperfectpeace—thatwaswhatheneeded.Hewouldlike,really,totakealongholiday.Buthecouldn’taffordtodothat.Hecouldafforditfinancially,ofcourse,buthecouldn’taffordtodropout.Youweresoonforgottennowadays.No,nowthathehadarrived,hemustkeephisnosetothegrindstone.
Hethought:
“Allthesame,thisevening,I’llimaginetomyselfthatI’mnotgoingback—thatI’vedonewithLondonandHarleyStreetandalltherestofit.”
Therewassomethingmagicalaboutanisland—themerewordsuggestedfantasy.Youlosttouchwiththeworld—anislandwasaworldofitsown.Aworld,perhaps,fromwhichyoumightneverreturn.
Hethought:
“I’mleavingmyordinarylifebehindme.”
And,smilingtohimself,hebegantomakeplans,fantasticplansforthefuture.Hewasstillsmilingwhenhewalkeduptherock-cutsteps.
InachairontheterraceanoldgentlemanwassittingandthesightofhimwasvaguelyfamiliartoDr.Armstrong.Wherehadheseenthatfrog-likeface,thattortoise-likeneck,thathunchedupattitude—yesandthosepaleshrewdlittleeyes?Ofcourse—oldWargrave.He’dgivenevidenceoncebeforehim.Alwayslookedhalfasleep,butwasshrewdascouldbewhenitcametoapointoflaw.Hadgreatpowerwithajury—itwassaidhecouldmaketheirmindsupforthemanydayoftheweek.He’dgotoneortwounlikelyconvictionsoutofthem.Ahangingjudge,somepeoplesaid.
Funnyplacetomeethim…here—outoftheworld.
VII
Mr.JusticeWargravethoughttohimself:
“Armstrong?Rememberhiminthewitness-box.Verycorrectandcautious.Alldoctorsaredamnedfools.HarleyStreetonesaretheworstofthelot.”Andhisminddweltmalevolentlyonarecentinterviewhehadhadwithasuavepersonageinthatverystreet.
Aloudhegrunted:
“Drinksareinthehall.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Imustgoandpaymyrespectstomyhostandhostess.”
Mr.JusticeWargraveclosedhiseyesagain,lookingdecidedlyreptilian,andsaid:
“Youcan’tdothat.”
Dr.Armstrongwasstartled.
“Whynot?”
Thejudgesaid:
“Nohostandhostess.Verycuriousstateofaffairs.Don’tunderstandthisplace.”
Dr.Armstrongstaredathimforaminute.Whenhethoughttheoldgentlemanhadactuallygonetosleep,Wargravesaidsuddenly:
“D’youknowConstanceCulmington?”
“Er—no,I’mafraidIdon’t.”
“It’sofnoconsequence,”saidthejudge.“Veryvaguewoman—andpracticallyunreadablehandwriting.IwasjustwonderingifI’dcometothewronghouse.”
Dr.Armstrongshookhisheadandwentonuptothehouse.
Mr.JusticeWargravereflectedonthesubjectofConstanceCulmington.Undependablelikeallwomen.
Hismindwentontothetwowomeninthehouse,thetight-lippedoldmaidandthegirl.Hedidn’tcareforthegirl,cold-bloodedyounghussy.No,threewomen,ifyoucountedtheRogerswoman.Oddcreature,shelookedscaredtodeath.Respectablepairandknewtheirjob.
Rogerscomingoutontheterracethatminute,thejudgeaskedhim:
“IsLadyConstanceCulmingtonexpected,doyouknow?”
Rogersstaredathim.
“No,sir,nottomyknowledge.”
Thejudge’seyebrowsrose.Butheonlygrunted.
Hethought:
“SoldierIsland,eh?There’saflyintheointment.”
VIII
AnthonyMarstonwasinhisbath.Heluxuriatedinthesteamingwater.Hislimbshadfeltcrampedafterhislongdrive.Veryfewthoughtspassedthroughhishead.Anthonywasacreatureofsensation—andofaction.
Hethoughttohimself:
“Mustgothroughwithit,Isuppose,”andthereafterdismissedeverythingfromhismind.
Warmsteamingwater—tiredlimbs—presentlyashave—acocktail—dinner.
Andafter—?
IX
Mr.Blorewastyinghistie.Hewasn’tverygoodatthissortofthing.
Didhelookallright?Hesupposedso.
Nobodyhadbeenexactlycordialtohim…Funnythewaytheyalleyedeachother—asthoughtheyknew.…
Well,itwasuptohim.
Hedidn’tmeantobunglehisjob.
Heglancedupattheframednurseryrhymeoverthemantelpiece.
Neattouch,havingthatthere!
Hethought:
RememberthisislandwhenIwasakid.NeverthoughtI’dbedoingthissortofajobinahousehere.Goodthing,perhaps,thatonecan’tforeseethefuture.
X
GeneralMacarthurwasfrowningtohimself.
Damnitall,thewholethingwasdeucedodd!Notatallwhathe’dbeenledtoexpect….
Fortwopinshe’dmakeanexcuseandgetaway…Throwupthewholebusiness….
Butthemotorboathadgonebacktothemainland.
He’dhavetostay.
ThatfellowLombardnow,hewasaqueerchap.
Notstraight.He’dswearthemanwasn’tstraight.
XI
Asthegongsounded,PhilipLombardcameoutofhisroomandwalkedtotheheadofthestairs.Hemovedlikeapanther,smoothlyandnoiselessly.Therewassomethingofthepantherabouthimaltogether.Abeastofprey—pleasanttotheeye.
Hewassmilingtohimself.
Aweek—eh?
Hewasgoingtoenjoythatweek.
XII
Inherbedroom,EmilyBrent,dressedinblacksilkreadyfordinner,wasreadingherBible.
Herlipsmovedasshefollowedthewords:
“Theheathenaresunkdowninthepitthattheymade:inthenetwhichtheyhidistheirownfoottaken.TheLordisknownbythejudgmentwhichheexecuteth:thewickedissnaredintheworkofhisownhands.Thewickedshallbeturnedintohell.”
Herlipstightclosed.SheshuttheBible.
Rising,shepinnedacairngormbroochatherneck,andwentdowntodinner.
Three
I
Dinnerwasdrawingtoaclose.
Thefoodhadbeengood,thewineperfect.Rogerswaitedwell.
Everyonewasinbetterspirits.Theyhadbeguntotalktoeachotherwithmorefreedomandintimacy.
Mr.JusticeWargrave,mellowedbytheexcellentport,wasbeingamusinginacausticfashion,Dr.ArmstrongandTonyMarstonwerelisteningtohim.MissBrentchattedtoGeneralMacarthur,theyhaddiscoveredsomemutualfriends.VeraClaythornewasaskingMr.DavisintelligentquestionsaboutSouthAfrica.Mr.Daviswasquitefluentonthesubject.Lombardlistenedtotheconversation.Onceortwicehelookedupquickly,andhiseyesnarrowed.Nowandthenhiseyesplayedroundthetable,studyingtheothers.
AnthonyMarstonsaidsuddenly:
“Quaint,thesethings,aren’tthey?”
Inthecentreoftheroundtable,onacircularglassstand,weresomelittlechinafigures.
“Soldiers,”saidTony.“SoldierIsland.Isupposethat’stheidea.”
Veraleanedforward.
“Iwonder.Howmanyarethere?Ten?”
“Yes—tenthereare.”
Veracried:
“Whatfun!They’rethetenlittlesoldierboysofthenurseryrhyme,Isuppose.Inmybedroomtherhymeisframedandhungupoverthemantelpiece.”
Lombardsaid:
“Inmyroom,too.”
“Andmine.”
“Andmine.”
Everybodyjoinedinthechorus.Verasaid:
“It’sanamusingidea,isn’tit?”
Mr.JusticeWargravegrunted:
“Remarkablychildish,”andhelpedhimselftoport.
EmilyBrentlookedatVeraClaythorne.VeraClaythornelookedatMissBrent.Thetwowomenrose.
InthedrawingroomtheFrenchwindowswereopenontotheterraceandthesoundoftheseamurmuringagainsttherockscameuptothem.
EmilyBrentsaid,“Pleasantsound.”
Verasaidsharply,“Ihateit.”
MissBrent’seyeslookedatherinsurprise.Veraflushed.Shesaid,morecomposedly:
“Idon’tthinkthisplacewouldbeveryagreeableinastorm.”
EmilyBrentagreed.
“I’venodoubtthehouseisshutupinwinter,”shesaid.“You’dnevergetservantstostayhereforonething.”
Veramurmured:
“Itmustbedifficulttogetservantsanyway.”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Mrs.Oliverhasbeenluckytogetthesetwo.Thewoman’sagoodcook.”
Verathought:
“Funnyhowelderlypeoplealwaysgetnameswrong.”
Shesaid:
“Yes,IthinkMrs.Owenhasbeenveryluckyindeed.”
EmilyBrenthadbroughtasmallpieceofembroideryoutofherbag.Now,asshewasabouttothreadherneedle,shepaused.
Shesaidsharply:
“Owen?DidyousayOwen?”
“Yes.”
EmilyBrentsaidsharply:
“I’venevermetanyonecalledOweninmylife.”
Verastared.
“Butsurely—”
Shedidnotfinishhersentence.Thedooropenedandthemenjoinedthem.Rogersfollowedthemintotheroomwiththecoffeetray.
ThejudgecameandsatdownbyEmilyBrent.ArmstrongcameuptoVera.TonyMarstonstrolledtotheopenwindow.Blorestudiedwithna?vesurpriseastatuetteinbrass—wonderingperhapsifitsbizarreangularitieswerereallysupposedtobethefemalefigure.GeneralMacarthurstoodwithhisbacktothemantelpiece.Hepulledathislittlewhitemoustache.Thathadbeenadamnedgooddinner!Hisspiritswererising.LombardturnedoverthepagesofPunchthatlaywithotherpapersonatablebythewall.
Rogerswentroundwiththecoffeetray.Thecoffeewasgood—reallyblackandveryhot.
Thewholepartyhaddinedwell.Theyweresatisfiedwiththemselvesandwithlife.Thehandsoftheclockpointedtotwentyminutespastnine.Therewasasilence—acomfortablerepletesilence.
IntothatsilencecameTheVoice.Withoutwarning,inhuman,penetrating….
“Ladiesandgentlemen!Silenceplease!”
Everyonewasstartled.Theylookedround—ateachother,atthewalls.Whowasspeaking?
TheVoicewenton—ahighclearvoice:
“Youarechargedwiththefollowingindictments:
“EdwardGeorgeArmstrong,thatyoudiduponthe14thdayofMarch,1925,causethedeathofLouisaMaryClees.
“EmilyCarolineBrent,thatuponthe5thofNovember,1931,youwereresponsibleforthedeathofBeatriceTaylor.
“WilliamHenryBlore,thatyoubroughtaboutthedeathofJamesStephenLandoronOctober10th,1928.
“VeraElizabethClaythorne,thatonthe11thdayofAugust,1935,youkilledCyrilOgilvieHamilton.
“PhilipLombard,thatuponadateinFebruary,1932,youwereguiltyofthedeathoftwenty-onemen,membersofanEastAfricantribe.
“JohnGordonMacarthur,thatonthe4thofJanuary,1917,youdeliberatelysentyourwife’slover,ArthurRichmond,tohisdeath.
“AnthonyJamesMarston,thatuponthe14thdayofNovemberlast,youwereguiltyofthemurderofJohnandLucyCombes.
“ThomasRogersandEthelRogers,thatonthe6thofMay,1929,youbroughtaboutthedeathofJenniferBrady.
“LawrenceJohnWargrave,thatuponthe10thdayofJune,1930,youwereguiltyofthemurderofEdwardSeton.
“Prisonersatthebar,haveyouanythingtosayinyourdefence?”
II
Thevoicehadstopped.
Therewasamoment’spetrifiedsilenceandthenaresoundingcrash!Rogershaddroppedthecoffeetray!
Atthesamemoment,fromsomewhereoutsidetheroomtherecameascreamandthesoundofathud.
Lombardwasthefirsttomove.Heleapttothedoorandflungitopen.Outside,lyinginahuddledmass,wasMrs.Rogers.
Lombardcalled:
“Marston.”
Anthonysprangtohelphim.Betweenthem,theyliftedupthewomanandcarriedherintothedrawingroom.
Dr.Armstrongcameacrossquickly.Hehelpedthemtoliftherontothesofaandbentoverher.Hesaidquickly:
“It’snothing.She’sfainted,that’sall.She’llberoundinaminute.”
LombardsaidtoRogers:
“Getsomebrandy.”
Rogers,hisfacewhite,hishandsshaking,murmured:
“Yes,sir,”andslippedquicklyoutoftheroom.
Veracriedout:
“Whowasthatspeaking?Wherewashe?Itsounded—itsounded—”
GeneralMacarthursplutteredout:
“What’sgoingonhere?Whatkindofapracticaljokewasthat?”
Hishandwasshaking.Hisshoulderssagged.Helookedsuddenlytenyearsolder
Blorewasmoppinghisfacewithahandkerchief.
OnlyMr.JusticeWargraveandMissBrentseemedcomparativelyunmoved.EmilyBrentsatupright,herheadheldhigh.Inbothcheekswasaspotofhardcolour.Thejudgesatinhishabitualpose,hisheadsunkdownintohisneck.Withonehandhegentlyscratchedhisear.Onlyhiseyeswereactive,dartingroundandroundtheroom,puzzled,alertwithintelligence.
AgainitwasLombardwhoacted.Armstrongbeingbusywiththecollapsedwoman,Lombardwasfreeoncemoretotaketheinitiative.
Hesaid:
“Thatvoice?Itsoundedasthoughitwereintheroom.”
Veracried:
“Whowasit?Whowasit?Itwasn’toneofus.”
Likethejudge,Lombard’seyeswanderedslowlyroundtheroom.Theyrestedaminuteontheopenwindow,thenheshookhisheaddecisively.Suddenlyhiseyeslightedup.Hemovedforwardswiftlytowhereadoornearthefireplaceledintoanadjoiningroom.
Withaswiftgesture,hecaughtthehandleandflungthedooropen.Hepassedthroughandimmediatelyutteredanexclamationofsatisfaction.
Hesaid:
“Ah,hereweare.”
Theotherscrowdedafterhim.OnlyMissBrentremainedalonesittingerectinherchair.
Insidethesecondroomatablehadbeenbroughtupclosetothewallwhichadjoinedthedrawingroom.Onthetablewasagramophone—anold-fashionedtypewithalargetrumpetattached.Themouthofthetrumpetwasagainstthewall,andLombard,pushingitasideindicatedwheretwoorthreesmallholeshadbeenunobtrusivelyboredthroughthewall.
Adjustingthegramophonehereplacedtheneedleontherecordandimmediatelytheyheardagain“Youarechargedwiththefollowingindictments—”
Veracried:
“Turnitoff!Turnitoff!It’shorrible!”
Lombardobeyed.
Dr.Armstrongsaid,withasighofrelief:
“Adisgracefulandheartlesspracticaljoke,Isuppose.”
ThesmallclearvoiceofMr.JusticeWargravemurmured:
“Soyouthinkit’sajoke,doyou?”
Thedoctorstaredathim.
“Whatelsecoulditbe?”
Thehandofthejudgegentlystrokedhisupperlip.
Hesaid:
“AtthemomentI’mnotpreparedtogiveanopinion.”
AnthonyMarstonbrokein.Hesaid:
“Lookhere,there’sonethingyou’veforgotten.Whothedevilturnedthethingonandsetitgoing?”
Wargravemurmured:
“Yes,Ithinkwemustinquireintothat.”
Heledthewaybackintothedrawingroom.Theothersfollowed.
Rogershadjustcomeinwithaglassofbrandy.MissBrentwasbendingoverthemoaningformofMrs.Rogers.
AdroitlyRogersslippedbetweenthetwowomen.
“Allowme,Madam,I’llspeaktoher.Ethel—Ethel—it’sallright.Allright,doyouhear?Pullyourselftogether.”
Mrs.Rogers’breathcameinquickgasps.Hereyes,staringfrightenedeyes,wentroundandroundtheringoffaces.TherewasurgencyinRogers’tone.
“Pullyourselftogether,Ethel.”
Dr.Armstrongspoketohersoothingly:
“You’llbeallrightnow,Mrs.Rogers.Justanastyturn.”Shesaid:
“DidIfaint,sir?”
“Yes.”
“Itwasthevoice—thatawfulvoice—likeajudgment—”
Herfaceturnedgreenagain,hereyelidsfluttered.
Dr.Armstrongsaidsharply:
“Where’sthatbrandy?”
Rogershadputitdownonalittletable.Someonehandedittothedoctorandhebentoverthegaspingwomanwithit.
“Drinkthis,Mrs.Rogers.”
Shedrank,chokingalittleandgasping.Thespiritdidhergood.Thecolourreturnedtoherface.Shesaid:
“I’mallrightnow.Itjust—gavemeaturn.”
Rogerssaidquickly:
“Ofcourseitdid.Itgavemeaturn,too.Fairmademedropthattray.Wickedlies,itwas!I’dliketoknow—”
Hewasinterrupted.Itwasonlyacough—adrylittlecoughbutithadtheeffectofstoppinghiminfullcry.HestaredatMr.JusticeWargraveandthelattercoughedagain.Thenhesaid:
“Whoputonthatrecordonthegramophone.Wasityou,Rogers?”
Rogerscried:
“Ididn’tknowwhatitwas.BeforeGod,Ididn’tknowwhatitwas,sir.IfIhadI’dneverhavedoneit.”
Thejudgesaiddryly:
“Thatisprobablytrue.ButIthinkyou’dbetterexplain,Rogers.”
Thebutlerwipedhisfacewithahandkerchief.Hesaidearnestly:
“Iwasjustobeyingorders,sir,that’sall.”
“Whoseorders?”
“Mr.Owen’s.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Letmegetthisquiteclear.Mr.Owen’sorderswere—whatexactly?”
Rogerssaid:
“Iwastoputarecordonthegramophone.I’dfindtherecordinthedrawerandmywifewastostartthegramophonewhenI’dgoneintothedrawingroomwiththecoffeetray.”
Thejudgemurmured:
“Averyremarkablestory.”
Rogerscried:
“It’sthetruth,sir.IsweartoGodit’sthetruth.Ididn’tknowwhatitwas—notforamoment.Ithadanameonit—Ithoughtitwasjustapieceofmusic.”
WargravelookedatLombard.
“Wasthereatitleonit?”
Lombardnodded.Hegrinnedsuddenly,showedhiswhitepointedteeth.Hesaid:
“Quiteright,sir.ItwasentitledSwanSong.…”
III
GeneralMacarthurbrokeoutsuddenly.Heexclaimed:
“Thewholethingispreposterous—preposterous!Slingingaccusationsaboutlikethis!Somethingmustbedoneaboutit.ThisfellowOwenwhoeverheis—”
EmilyBrentinterrupted.Shesaidsharply:
“That’sjustit,whoishe?”
Thejudgeinterposed.Hespokewiththeauthoritythatalifetimeinthecourtshadgivenhim.Hesaid:
“Thatisexactlywhatwemustgointoverycarefully.Ishouldsuggestthatyougetyourwifetobedfirstofall,Rogers.Thencomebackhere.”
“Yes,sir.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“I’llgiveyouahand,Rogers.”
Leaningonthetwomen,Mrs.Rogerstotteredoutoftheroom.WhentheyhadgoneTonyMarstonsaid:
“Don’tknowaboutyou,sir,butIcoulddowithadrink.”
Lombardsaid:
“Iagree.”
Tonysaid:
“I’llgoandforage.”
Hewentoutoftheroom.
Hereturnedasecondortwolater.
“Foundthemallwaitingonatrayoutsidereadytobebroughtin.”
Hesetdownhisburdencarefully.Thenextminuteortwowasspentindispensingdrinks.GeneralMacarthurhadastiffwhiskyandsodidthejudge.Everyonefelttheneedofastimulant.OnlyEmilyBrentdemandedandobtainedaglassofwater.
Dr.Armstrongreenteredtheroom.
“She’sallright,”hesaid.“I’vegivenherasedativetotake.What’sthat,adrink?Icoulddowithone.”
Severalofthemenrefilledtheirglasses.AmomentortwolaterRogersreenteredtheroom.
Mr.JusticeWargravetookchargeoftheproceedings.Theroombecameanimpromptucourtoflaw.
Thejudgesaid:
“Nowthen,Rogers,wemustgettothebottomofthis.WhoisthisMr.Owen?”
Rogersstared.
“Heownsthisplace,sir.”
“Iamawareofthatfact.WhatIwantyoutotellmeiswhatyouyourselfknowabouttheman.”
Rogersshookhishead.
“Ican’tsay,sir.Yousee,I’veneverseenhim.”
Therewasafaintstirintheroom.
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“You’veneverseenhim?Whatd’yermean?”
“We’veonlybeenherejustunderaweek,sir,mywifeandI.Wewereengagedbyletter,throughanagency.TheReginaAgencyinPlymouth.”
Blorenodded.
“Oldestablishedfirm,”hevolunteered.
Wargravesaid:
“Haveyougotthatletter?”
“Theletterengagingus?No,sir.Ididn’tkeepit.”
“Goonwithyourstory.Youwereengaged,asyousay,byletter.”
“Yes,sir.Weweretoarriveonacertainday.Wedid.Everythingwasinorderhere.Plentyoffoodinstockandeverythingverynice.Justneededdustingandthat.”
“Whatnext?”
“Nothing,sir.Wegotorders—byletteragain—topreparetheroomsforahouseparty,andthenyesterdaybytheafternoonpostIgotanotherletterfromMr.Owen.ItsaidheandMrs.Owenweredetainedandtodothebestwecould,anditgavetheinstructionsaboutdinnerandcoffeeandputtingonthegramophonerecord.”
Thejudgesaidsharply:
“Surelyyou’vegotthatletter?”
“Yes,sir,I’vegotithere.”
Heproduceditfromapocket.Thejudgetookit.
“H’m,”hesaid.“HeadedRitzHotelandtypewritten.”
WithaquickmovementBlorewasbesidehim.
Hesaid:
“Ifyou’lljustletmehavealook.”
Hetwitcheditoutoftheother’shand,andranhiseyeoverit.Hemurmured:
“Coronationmachine.Quitenew—nodefects.Ensignpaper—themostwidelyusedmake.Youwon’tgetanythingoutofthat.Mightbefingerprints,butIdoubtit.”
Wargravestaredathimwithsuddenattention.
AnthonyMarstonwasstandingbesideBlorelookingoverhisshoulder.Hesaid:
“GotsomefancyChristiannames,hasn’the?UlickNormanOwen.Quiteamouthful.”
Theoldjudgesaidwithaslightstart:
“Iamobligedtoyou,Mr.Marston.Youhavedrawnmyattentiontoacuriousandsuggestivepoint.”
Helookedroundattheothersandthrustinghisneckforwardlikeanangrytortoise,hesaid:
“Ithinkthetimehascomeforusalltopoolourinformation.Itwouldbewell,Ithink,foreverybodytocomeforwardwithalltheinformationtheyhaveregardingtheownerofthishouse.”Hepausedandthenwenton:“Weareallhisguests.Ithinkitwouldbeprofitableifeachoneofusweretoexplainexactlyhowthatcameabout.”
Therewasamoment’spauseandthenEmilyBrentspokewithdecision.
“There’ssomethingverypeculiaraboutallthis,”shesaid.“Ireceivedaletterwithasignaturethatwasnotveryeasytoread.ItpurportedtobefromawomanIhadmetatacertainsummerresorttwoorthreeyearsago.ItookthenametobeeitherOgdenorOliver.IamacquaintedwithaMrs.OliverandalsowithaMissOgden.IamquitecertainthatIhavenevermet,orbecomefriendlywithanyoneofthenameofOwen.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Youhavethatletter,MissBrent?”
“Yes,Iwillfetchitforyou.”
Shewentawayandreturnedaminutelaterwiththeletter.
Thejudgereadit.Hesaid:
“Ibegintounderstand…MissClaythorne?”
Veraexplainedthecircumstancesofhersecretarialengagement.
Thejudgesaid:
“Marston?”
Anthonysaid:
“Gotawire.Fromapalofmine.BadgerBerkeley.SurprisedmeatthetimebecauseIhadanideatheoldhorsehadgonetoNorway.Toldmetorolluphere.”
AgainWargravenodded.Hesaid:
“Dr.Armstrong?”
“Iwascalledinprofessionally.”
“Isee.Youhadnopreviousacquaintanceshipwiththefamily?”
“No.Acolleagueofminewasmentionedintheletter.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Togiveverisimilitude…Yes,andthatcolleague,Ipresume,wasmomentarilyoutoftouchwithyou?”
“Well—er—yes.”
Lombard,whohadbeenstaringatBlore,saidsuddenly:
“Lookhere,I’vejustthoughtofsomething—”
Thejudgeliftedahand.
“Inaminute—”
“ButI—”
“Wewilltakeonethingatatime,Mr.Lombard.Weareatpresentinquiringintothecauseswhichhaveresultedinourbeingassembledheretonight.GeneralMacarthur?”
Pullingathismoustache,theGeneralmuttered:
“Gotaletter—fromthisfellowOwen—mentionedsomeoldpalsofminewhoweretobehere—hopedI’dexcuseinformalinvitation.Haven’tkepttheletter,I’mafraid.”
Wargravesaid:“Mr.Lombard?”
Lombard’sbrainhadbeenactive.Washetocomeoutintheopen,ornot?Hemadeuphismind.
“Samesortofthing,”hesaid.“Invitation,mentionofmutualfriends—Ifellforitallright.I’vetornuptheletter.”
Mr.JusticeWargraveturnedhisattentiontoMr.Blore.Hisforefingerstrokedhisupperlipandhisvoicewasdangerouslypolite.
Hesaid:
“Justnowwehadasomewhatdisturbingexperience.Anapparentlydisembodiedvoicespoketousallbyname,utteringcertainpreciseaccusationsagainstus.Wewilldealwiththoseaccusationspresently.AtthemomentIaminterestedinaminorpoint.AmongstthenamesrecitedwasthatofWilliamHenryBlore.ButasfarasweknowthereisnoonenamedBloreamongstus.ThenameofDaviswasnotmentioned.Whathaveyoutosayaboutthat,Mr.Davis?”
Bloresaidsulkily:
“Cat’soutofthebag,itseems.IsupposeI’dbetteradmitthatmynameisn’tDavis.”
“YouareWilliamHenryBlore?”
“That’sright.”
“Iwilladdsomething,”saidLombard.“Notonlyareyouhereunderafalsename,Mr.Blore,butinadditionI’venoticedthiseveningthatyou’reafirst-classliar.YouclaimtohavecomefromNatal,SouthAfrica.IknowSouthAfricaandNatalandI’mpreparedtoswearthatyou’veneversetfootinSouthAfricainyourlife.”
AlleyeswereturnedonBlore.Angrysuspiciouseyes.AnthonyMarstonmovedastepnearertohim.Hisfistsclenchedthemselves.
“Nowthen,youswine,”hesaid.“Anyexplanation?”
Bloreflungbackhisheadandsethissquarejaw.
“Yougentlemenhavegotmewrong,”hesaid.“I’vegotmycredentialsandyoucanseethem.I’manex-CIDman.IrunadetectiveagencyinPlymouth.Iwasputonthisjob.”
Mr.JusticeWargraveasked:
“Bywhom?”
“ThismanOwen.Enclosedahandsomemoneyorderforexpensesandinstructedmeastowhathewanteddone.Iwastojointhehouseparty,posingasaguest.Iwasgivenallyournames.Iwastowatchyouall.”
“Anyreasongiven?”
Bloresaidbitterly:
“Mrs.Owen’sjewels.Mrs.Owenmyfoot!Idon’tbelievethere’sanysuchperson.”
Againtheforefingerofthejudgestrokedhislip,thistimeappreciatively.
“Yourconclusionsare,Ithink,justified,”hesaid.“UlickNormanOwen!InMissBrent’sletter,thoughthesignatureofthesurnameisamerescrawltheChristiannamesarereasonablyclear—UnaNancy—ineithercaseyounotice,thesameinitials.UlickNormanOwen—UnaNancyOwen—eachtime,thatistosay,U.N.Owen.Orbyaslightstretchoffancy,UNKNOWN!”
Veracried:
“Butthisisfantastic—mad!”
Thejudgenoddedgently.
Hesaid:
“Oh,yes.I’venodoubtinmyownmindthatwehavebeeninvitedherebyamadman—probablyadangeroushomicidallunatic.”
Four
I
Therewasamoment’ssilence.Asilenceofdismayandbewilderment.Thenthejudge’ssmallclearvoicetookupthethreadoncemore.
“Wewillnowproceedtothenextstageofourinquiry.Firsthowever,Iwilljustaddmyowncredentialstothelist.”
Hetookaletterfromhispocketandtosseditontothetable.
“Thispurportstobefromanoldfriendofmine,LadyConstanceCulmington.Ihavenotseenherforsomeyears.ShewenttotheEast.Itisexactlythekindofvagueincoherentlettershewouldwrite,urgingmetojoinherhereandreferringtoherhostandhostessinthevaguestofterms.Thesametechnique,youwillobserve.Ionlymentionitbecauseitagreeswiththeotherevidence—fromallofwhichemergesoneinterestingpoint.Whoeveritwaswhoenticedushere,thatpersonknowsorhastakenthetroubletofindoutagooddealaboutusall.He,whoeverhemaybe,isawareofmyfriendshipforLadyConstance—andisfamiliarwithherepistolarystyle.HeknowssomethingaboutDr.Armstrong’scolleaguesandtheirpresentwhereabouts.HeknowsthenicknameofMr.Marston’sfriendandthekindoftelegramshesends.HeknowsexactlywhereMissBrentwastwoyearsagoforherholidayandthekindofpeopleshemetthere.HeknowsallaboutGeneralMacarthur’soldcronies.”
Hepaused.Thenhesaid:
“Heknows,yousee,agooddeal.Andoutofhisknowledgeconcerningus,hehasmadecertaindefiniteaccusations.”
Immediatelyababelbrokeout.
GeneralMacarthurshouted:
“Apackofdam’lies!Slander!”
Veracriedout:
“It’siniquitous!”Herbreathcamefast.“Wicked!”
Rogerssaidhoarsely:
“Alie—awickedlie…weneverdid—neitherofus….”
AnthonyMarstongrowled:
“Don’tknowwhatthedamnedfoolwasgettingat!”
TheupraisedhandofMr.JusticeWargravecalmedthetumult.
Hesaid,pickinghiswordswithcare:
“Iwishtosaythis.OurunknownfriendaccusesmeofthemurderofoneEdwardSeton.IrememberSetonperfectlywell.HecameupbeforemefortrialinJuneoftheyear1930.Hewaschargedwiththemurderofanelderlywoman.Hewasveryablydefendedandmadeagoodimpressiononthejuryinthewitness-box.Nevertheless,ontheevidence,hewascertainlyguilty.Isummedupaccordingly,andthejurybroughtinaverdictofGuilty.InpassingsentenceofdeathIconcurredwiththeverdict.Anappealwaslodgedonthegroundsofmisdirection.Theappealwasrejectedandthemanwasdulyexecuted.Iwishtosaybeforeyouallthatmyconscienceisperfectlyclearonthematter.Ididmydutyandnothingmore.Ipassedsentenceonarightlyconvictedmurderer.”
Armstrongwasrememberingnow.TheSetoncase!Theverdicthadcomeasagreatsurprise.HehadmetMatthews,KCononeofthedaysofthetrialdiningatarestaurant.Matthewshadbeenconfident.“Notadoubtoftheverdict.Acquittalpracticallycertain.”Andthenafterwardshehadheardcomments:“Judgewasdeadagainsthim.Turnedthejuryrightroundandtheybroughthiminguilty.Quitelegal,though.OldWargraveknowshislaw.Itwasalmostasthoughhehadaprivatedownonthefellow.”
Allthesememoriesrushedthroughthedoctor’smind.Beforehecouldconsiderthewisdomofthequestionhehadaskedimpulsively:
“DidyouknowSetonatall?Imeanprevioustothecase.”
Thehoodedreptilianeyesmethis.Inaclearcoldvoicethejudgesaid:
“IknewnothingofSetonprevioustothecase.”
Armstrongsaidtohimself:
“Thefellow’slying—Iknowhe’slying.”
II
VeraClaythornespokeinatremblingvoice.
Shesaid:
“I’dliketotellyou.Aboutthatchild—CyrilHamilton.Iwasnurserygovernesstohim.Hewasforbiddentoswimoutfar.Oneday,whenmyattentionwasdistracted,hestartedoff.Iswamafterhim…Icouldn’tgetthereintime…Itwasawful…Butitwasn’tmyfault.AttheinquesttheCoronerexoneratedme.Andhismother—shewassokind.Ifevenshedidn’tblameme,whyshould—whyshouldthisawfulthingbesaid?It’snotfair—notfair….”
Shebrokedown,weepingbitterly.
GeneralMacarthurpattedhershoulder.
Hesaid:
“Therethere,mydear.Ofcourseit’snottrue.Fellow’samadman.Amadman!Gotabeeinhisbonnet!Gotholdofthewrongendofthestickallround.”
Hestooderect,squaringhisshoulders.Hebarkedout:
“Bestreallytoleavethissortofthingunanswered.However,feelIoughttosay—notruth—notruthwhateverinwhathesaidabout—er—youngArthurRichmond.Richmondwasoneofmyofficers.Isenthimonareconnaissance.Hewaskilled.Naturalcourseofeventsinwartime.Wishtosayresentverymuch—sluronmywife.Bestwomanintheworld.Absolutely—C?sar’swife!”
GeneralMacarthursatdown.Hisshakinghandpulledathismoustache.Theefforttospeakhadcosthimagooddeal.
Lombardspoke.Hiseyeswereamused.Hesaid:
“Aboutthosenatives—”
Marstonsaid:
“Whataboutthem?”
PhilipLombardgrinned.
“Story’squitetrue!Ileft’em!Matterofself-preservation.Wewerelostinthebush.Iandacoupleofotherfellowstookwhatfoodtherewasandclearedout.”
GeneralMacarthursaidsternly:
“Youabandonedyourmen—leftthemtostarve?”
Lombardsaid:
“Notquitetheactofapukkasahib,I’mafraid.Butself-preservation’saman’sfirstduty.Andnativesdon’tminddying,youknow.Theydon’tfeelaboutitasEuropeansdo.”
Veraliftedherfacefromherhands.Shesaid,staringathim:
“Youleftthem—todie?”
Lombardanswered:
“Ileftthemtodie.”
Hisamusedeyeslookedintoherhorrifiedones.
AnthonyMarstonsaidinaslowpuzzledvoice:
“I’vejustbeenthinking—JohnandLucyCombes.MusthavebeenacoupleofkidsIranovernearCambridge.Beastlybadluck.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidacidly:
“Forthem,orforyou?”
Anthonysaid:
“Well,Iwasthinking—forme—butofcourse,you’reright,sir,itwasdamnedbadluckonthem.Ofcourseitwasapureaccident.Theyrushedoutofsomecottageorother.Ihadmylicencesuspendedforayear.Beastlynuisance.”
Dr.Armstrongsaidwarmly:
“Thisspeeding’sallwrong—allwrong!Youngmenlikeyouareadangertothecommunity.”
Anthonyshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“Speed’scometostay.Englishroadsarehopeless,ofcourse.Can’tgetupadecentpaceonthem.”
Helookedroundvaguelyforhisglass,pickeditupoffatableandwentovertothesidetableandhelpedhimselftoanotherwhiskyandsoda.Hesaidoverhisshoulder:
“Well,anywayitwasn’tmyfault.Justanaccident!”
III
Themanservant,Rogers,hadbeenmoisteninghislipsandtwistinghishands.Hesaidnowinalowdeferentialvoice:
“IfImightjustsayaword,sir.”
Lombardsaid:
“Goahead,Rogers.”
Rogersclearedhisthroatandpassedhistongueoncemoreoverhisdrylips.
“Therewasamention,sir,ofmeandMrs.Rogers.AndofMissBrady.Thereisn’tawordoftruthinit,sir.MywifeandIwerewithMissBradytillshedied.Shewasalwaysinpoorhealth,sir,alwaysfromthetimewecametoher.Therewasastorm,sir,thatnight—thenightshewastakenbad.Thetelephonewasoutoforder.Wecouldn’tgetthedoctortoher.Iwentforhim,sir,onfoot.Buthegottheretoolate.We’ddoneeverythingpossibleforher,sir.Devotedtoher,wewere.Anyonewilltellyouthesame.Therewasneverawordsaidagainstus.Notaword.”
Lombardlookedthoughtfullyattheman’stwitchingface,hisdrylips,thefrightinhiseyes.Herememberedthecrashofthefallingcoffeetray.Hethought,butdidnotsay:“Ohyeah?”
Blorespoke—spokeinhisheartybullyingofficialmanner.
Hesaid:
“Cameintoalittlesomethingatherdeath,though?Eh?”
Rogersdrewhimselfup.Hesaidstiffly:
“MissBradyleftusalegacyinrecognitionofourfaithfulservices.Andwhynot,I’dliketoknow?”
Lombardsaid:
“Whataboutyourself,Mr.Blore?”
“Whataboutme?”
“Yournamewasincludedinthelist.”
Blorewentpurple.
“Landor,youmean?Thatwasthebankrobbery—LondonandCommercial.”
Mr.JusticeWargravestirred.Hesaid:
“Iremember.Itdidn’tcomebeforeme,butIrememberthecase.Landorwasconvictedonyourevidence.Youwerethepoliceofficerinchargeofthecase?”
Bloresaid:
“Iwas.”
“LandorgotpenalservitudeforlifeanddiedonDartmoorayearlater.Hewasadelicateman.”
Bloresaid:
“Hewasacrook.Itwashewhoknockedoutthenightwatchman.Thecasewasquiteclearagainsthim.”
Wargravesaidslowly:
“Youwerecomplimented,Ithink,onyourablehandlingofthecase.”
Bloresaidsulkily:
“Igotmypromotion.”
Headdedinathickvoice.
“Iwasonlydoingmyduty.”
Lombardlaughed—asuddenringinglaugh.Hesaid:
“Whataduty-lovinglaw-abidinglotweallseemtobe!Myselfexcepted.Whataboutyou,doctor—andyourlittleprofessionalmistake?Illegaloperation,wasit?”
EmilyBrentglancedathiminsharpdistasteanddrewherselfawayalittle.
Dr.Armstrong,verymuchmasterofhimself,shookhisheadgood-humouredly.
“I’matalosstounderstandthematter,”hesaid.“Thenamemeantnothingtomewhenitwasspoken.Whatwasit—Clees?Close?Ireallycan’trememberhavingapatientofthatname,orbeingconnectedwithadeathinanyway.Thething’sacompletemysterytome.Ofcourse,it’salongtimeago.Itmightpossiblybeoneofmyoperationcasesinhospital.Theycometoolate,somanyofthesepeople.Then,whenthepatientdies,theyalwaysconsiderit’sthesurgeon’sfault.”
Hesighed,shakinghishead.
Hethought:
Drunk—that’swhatitwas—drunk…AndIoperated!Nervesalltopieces—handsshaking.Ikilledherallright.Poordevil—elderlywoman—simplejobifI’dbeensober.Luckyformethere’sloyaltyinourprofession.TheSisterknew,ofcourse—butsheheldhertongue.God,itgavemeashock!Pulledmeup.Butwhocouldhaveknownaboutit—afteralltheseyears?
IV
Therewasasilenceintheroom.Everybodywaslooking,covertlyoropenly,atEmilyBrent.Itwasaminuteortwobeforeshebecameawareoftheexpectation.Hereyebrowsroseonhernarrowforehead.Shesaid:
“Areyouwaitingformetosaysomething?Ihavenothingtosay.”
Thejudgesaid:“Nothing,MissBrent?”
“Nothing.”
Herlipsclosedtightly.
Thejudgestrokedhisface.Hesaidmildly:
“Youreserveyourdefence?”
MissBrentsaidcoldly:
“Thereisnoquestionofdefence.Ihavealwaysactedinaccordancewiththedictatesofmyconscience.Ihavenothingwithwhichtoreproachmyself.”
Therewasanunsatisfiedfeelingintheair.ButEmilyBrentwasnotonetobeswayedbypublicopinion.Shesatunyielding.
Thejudgeclearedhisthroatonceortwice.Thenhesaid:“Ourinquiryreststhere.NowRogers,whoelseisthereonthisislandbesidesourselvesandyouandyourwife?”
“Nobody,sir.Nobodyatall.”
“You’resureofthat?”
“Quitesure,sir.”
Wargravesaid:
“IamnotyetclearastothepurposeofourUnknownhostingettingustoassemblehere.Butinmyopinionthisperson,whoeverhemaybe,isnotsaneintheacceptedsenseoftheword.
“Hemaybedangerous.Inmyopinionitwouldbewellforustoleavethisplaceassoonaspossible.Isuggestthatweleavetonight.”
Rogerssaid:
“Ibegyourpardon,sir,butthere’snoboatontheisland.”
“Noboatatall?”
“No,sir.”
“Howdoyoucommunicatewiththemainland?”
“FredNarracott,hecomesovereverymorning,sir.Hebringsthebreadandthemilkandthepost,andtakestheorders.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“TheninmyopinionitwouldbewellifwealllefttomorrowmorningassoonasNarracott’sboatarrives.”
Therewasachorusofagreementwithonlyonedissentientvoice.ItwasAnthonyMarstonwhodisagreedwiththemajority.
“Abitunsporting,what?”hesaid.“Oughttoferretoutthemysterybeforewego.Wholething’slikeadetectivestory.Positivelythrilling.”
Thejudgesaidacidly:
“Atmytimeoflife,Ihavenodesirefor‘thrills’asyoucallthem.”
Anthonysaidwithagrin:
“Thelegallife’snarrowing!I’mallforcrime!Here’stoit.”
Hepickeduphisdrinkanddrankitoffatagulp.
Tooquickly,perhaps.Hechoked—chokedbadly.Hisfacecontorted,turnedpurple.Hegaspedforbreath—thensliddownoffhischair,theglassfallingfromhishand.
Five
I
Itwassosuddenandsounexpectedthatittookeveryone’sbreathaway.Theyremainedstupidlystaringatthecrumpledfigureontheground.
ThenDr.Armstrongjumpedupandwentovertohim,kneelingbesidehim.Whenheraisedhisheadhiseyeswerebewildered.
Hesaidinalowawe-struckwhisper:
“MyGod!he’sdead.”
Theydidn’ttakeitin.Notatonce.
Dead?Dead?ThatyoungNorseGodintheprimeofhishealthandstrength.Struckdownallinamoment.Healthyyoungmendidn’tdielikethat,chokingoverawhiskyandsoda….
No,theycouldn’ttakeitin.
Dr.Armstrongwaspeeringintothedeadman’sface.Hesniffedatthebluetwistedlips.ThenhepickeduptheglassfromwhichAnthonyMarstonhadbeendrinking.
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“Dead?D’youmeanthefellowjustchokedand—anddied?”
Thephysiciansaid:
“Youcancallitchokingifyoulike.Hediedofasphyxiationrightenough.”
Hewassniffingnowattheglass.Hedippedafingerintothedregsandverycautiouslyjusttouchedthefingerwiththetipofhistongue.
Hisexpressionaltered.
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“Neverknewamancoulddielikethat—justofachokingfit!”
EmilyBrentsaidinaclearvoice:
“Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath.”
Dr.Armstrongstoodup.Hesaidbrusquely:
“No,amandoesn’tdieofamerechokingfit.Marston’sdeathwasn’twhatwecallanaturaldeath.”
Verasaidalmostinawhisper:
“Wasthere—something—inthewhisky?”
Armstrongnodded.
“Yes.Can’tsayexactly.Everythingpointstooneofthecyanides.NodistinctivesmellofPrussicAcid,probablyPotassiumCyanide.Itactsprettywellinstantaneously.”
Thejudgesaidsharply:
“Itwasinhisglass?”
“Yes.”
Thedoctorstrodetothetablewherethedrinkswere.Heremovedthestopperfromthewhiskyandsmeltandtastedit.Thenhetastedthesodawater.Heshookhishead.
“They’rebothallright.”
Lombardsaid:
“Youmean—hemusthaveputthestuffinhisglasshimself?”
Armstrongnoddedwithacuriouslydissatisfiedexpression.Hesaid:
“Seemslikeit.”
Bloresaid:
“Suicide,eh?That’saqueergo.”
Verasaidslowly:
“You’dneverthinkthathewouldkillhimself.Hewassoalive.Hewas—oh—enjoyinghimself!Whenhecamedownthehillinhiscarthiseveninghelooked—helooked—ohIcan’texplain!”
Buttheyknewwhatshemeant.AnthonyMarston,intheheightofhisyouthandmanhood,hadseemedlikeabeingwhowasimmortal.Andnow,crumpledandbroken,helayonthefloor.
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Isthereanypossibilityotherthansuicide?”
Slowlyeveryoneshooktheirheads.Therecouldbenootherexplanation.Thedrinksthemselveswereuntamperedwith.TheyhadallseenAnthonyMarstongoacrossandhelphimself.ItfollowedthereforethatanycyanideinthedrinkmusthavebeenputtherebyAnthonyMarstonhimself.
Andyet—whyshouldAnthonyMarstoncommitsuicide?
Bloresaidthoughtfully:
“Youknow,doctor,itdoesn’tseemrighttome.Ishouldn’thavesaidMr.Marstonwasasuicidaltypeofgentleman.”
Armstronganswered:
“Iagree.”
II
Theyhadleftitlikethat.Whatelsewastheretosay?
TogetherArmstrongandLombardhadcarriedtheinertbodyofAnthonyMarstontohisbedroomandhadlaidhimtherecoveredoverwithasheet.
Whentheycamedownstairsagain,theotherswerestandinginagroup,shiveringalittle,thoughthenightwasnotcold.
EmilyBrentsaid:
“We’dbettergotobed.It’slate.”
Itwaspasttwelveo’clock.Thesuggestionwasawiseone—yeteveryonehesitated.Itwasasthoughtheyclungtoeachother’scompanyforreassurance.
Thejudgesaid:
“Yes,wemustgetsomesleep.”
Rogerssaid:
“Ihaven’tclearedyet—inthediningroom.”
Lombardsaidcurtly:
“Doitinthemorning.”
Armstrongsaidtohim:
“Isyourwifeallright?”
“I’llgoandsee,sir.”
Hereturnedaminuteortwolater.
“Sleepingbeautiful,sheis.”
“Good,”saidthedoctor.“Don’tdisturbher.”
“No,sir.I’lljustputthingsstraightinthediningroomandmakesureeverything’slockedupright,andthenI’llturnin.”
Hewentacrossthehallintothediningroom.
Theotherswentupstairs,aslowunwillingprocession.
Ifthishadbeenanoldhouse,withcreakingwood,anddarkshadows,andheavilypanelledwalls,theremighthavebeenaneeriefeeling.Butthishousewastheessenceofmodernity.Therewerenodarkcorners—nopossibleslidingpanels—itwasfloodedwithelectriclight—everythingwasnewandbrightandshining.Therewasnothinghiddeninthishouse,nothingconcealed.Ithadnoatmosphereaboutit.
Somehow,thatwasthemostfrighteningthingofall….
Theyexchangedgood-nightsontheupperlanding.Eachofthemwentintohisorherownroom,andeachofthemautomatically,almostwithoutconsciousthought,lockedthedoor….
III
Inhispleasantsoftlytintedroom,Mr.JusticeWargraveremovedhisgarmentsandpreparedhimselfforbed.
HewasthinkingaboutEdwardSeton.
HerememberedSetonverywell.Hisfairhair,hisblueeyes,hishabitoflookingyoustraightinthefacewithapleasantairofstraightforwardness.Thatwaswhathadmadesogoodanimpressiononthejury.
Llewellyn,fortheCrown,hadbungleditabit.Hehadbeenovervehement,hadtriedtoprovetoomuch.
Matthews,ontheotherhand,fortheDefence,hadbeengood.Hispointshadtold.Hiscross-examinationshadbeendeadly.Hishandlingofhisclientinthewitness-boxhadbeenmasterly.
AndSetonhadcomethroughtheordealofcross-examinationwell.Hehadnotgotexcitedorovervehement.Thejuryhadbeenimpressed.IthadseemedtoMatthews,perhaps,asthougheverythinghadbeenoverbartheshouting.
Thejudgewounduphiswatchcarefullyandplaceditbythebed.
Herememberedexactlyhowhehadfeltsittingthere—listening,makingnotes,appreciatingeverything,tabulatingeveryscrapofevidencethattoldagainsttheprisoner.
He’denjoyedthatcase!Matthews’finalspeechhadbeenfirst-class.Llewellyn,comingafterit,hadfailedtoremovethegoodimpressionthatthedefendingcounselhadmade.
Andthenhadcomehisownsummingup….
Carefully,Mr.JusticeWargraveremovedhisfalseteethanddroppedthemintoaglassofwater.Theshrunkenlipsfellin.Itwasacruelmouthnow,cruelandpredatory.
Hoodinghiseyes,thejudgesmiledtohimself.
He’dcookedSeton’sgooseallright!
Withaslightlyrheumaticgrunt,heclimbedintobedandturnedouttheelectriclight.
IV
Downstairsinthediningroom,Rogersstoodpuzzled.
Hewasstaringatthechinafiguresinthecentreofthetable.
Hemutteredtohimself:
“That’sarumgo!Icouldhaveswornthereweretenofthem.”
V
GeneralMacarthurtossedfromsidetoside.
Sleepwouldnotcometohim.
InthedarknesshekeptseeingArthurRichmond’sface.
He’dlikedArthur—he’dbeendamnedfondofArthur.He’dbeenpleasedthatLeslielikedhimtoo.
Lesliewassocapricious.LotsofgoodfellowsthatLesliewouldturnuphernoseatandpronouncedull.“Dull!”Justlikethat.
Butshehadn’tfoundArthurRichmonddull.They’dgotonwelltogetherfromthebeginning.They’dtalkedofplaysandmusicandpicturestogether.She’dteasedhim,madefunofhim,raggedhim.Andhe,Macarthur,hadbeendelightedatthethoughtthatLeslietookquiteamotherlyinterestintheboy.
Motherlyindeed!Damn’foolnottorememberthatRichmondwastwenty-eighttoLeslie’stwenty-nine.
He’dlovedLeslie.Hecouldseehernow.Herheart-shapedface,andherdancingdeepgreyeyes,andthebrowncurlingmassofherhair.He’dlovedLeslieandhe’dbelievedinherabsolutely.
OutthereinFrance,inthemiddleofallthehellofit,he’dsatthinkingofher,takenherpictureoutofthebreastpocketofhistunic.
Andthen—he’dfoundout!
Ithadcomeaboutexactlyinthewaythingshappenedinbooks.Theletterinthewrongenvelope.She’dbeenwritingtothembothandshe’dputherlettertoRichmondintheenvelopeaddressedtoherhusband.Evennow,alltheseyearsafter,hecouldfeeltheshockofit—thepain….
God,ithadhurt!
Andthebusinesshadbeengoingonsometime.Thelettermadethatclear.Weekends!Richmond’slastleave….
Leslie—LeslieandArthur!
Goddamnthefellow!Damnhissmilingface,hisbrisk“Yes,sir.”Liarandhypocrite!Stealerofanotherman’swife!
Ithadgatheredslowly—thatcoldmurderousrage.
He’dmanagedtocarryonasusual—toshownothing.He’dtriedtomakehismannertoRichmondjustthesame.
Hadhesucceeded?Hethoughtso.Richmondhadn’tsuspected.Inequalitiesoftemperwereeasilyaccountedforoutthere,wheremen’snerveswerecontinuallysnappingunderthestrain.
OnlyyoungArmitagehadlookedathimcuriouslyonceortwice.Quiteayoungchap,buthe’dhadperceptions,thatboy.
Armitage,perhaps,hadguessed—whenthetimecame.
He’dsentRichmonddeliberatelytodeath.Onlyamiraclecouldhavebroughthimthroughunhurt.Thatmiracledidn’thappen.Yes,he’dsentRichmondtohisdeathandhewasn’tsorry.Ithadbeeneasyenough.Mistakeswerebeingmadeallthetime,officersbeingsenttodeathneedlessly.Allwasconfusion,panic.Peoplemightsayafterwards“OldMacarthurlosthisnerveabit,madesomecolossalblunders,sacrificedsomeofhisbestmen.”Theycouldn’tsaymore.
ButyoungArmitagewasdifferent.He’dlookedathiscommandingofficerveryoddly.He’dknown,perhaps,thatRichmondwasbeingdeliberatelysenttodeath.
(AftertheWarwasover—hadArmitagetalked?)
Lesliehadn’tknown.Lesliehadweptforherlover(hesupposed)butherweepingwasoverbythetimehe’dcomebacktoEngland.He’dnevertoldherthathe’dfoundherout.They’dgoneontogether—only,somehow,shehadn’tseemedveryrealanymore.Andthen,threeorfouryearslatershe’dgotdoublepneumoniaanddied.
Thathadbeenalongtimeago.Fifteenyears—sixteenyears?
Andhe’dlefttheArmyandcometoliveinDevon—boughtthesortoflittleplacehe’dalwaysmeanttohave.Niceneighbours—pleasantpartoftheworld.Therewasabitofshootingandfishing.He’dgonetochurchonSundays.(ButnotthedaythatthelessonwasreadaboutDavidputtingUriahintheforefrontofthebattle.Somehowhecouldn’tfacethat.Gavehimanuncomfortablefeeling.)
Everybodyhadbeenveryfriendly.Atfirst,thatis.Later,he’dhadanuneasyfeelingthatpeopleweretalkingabouthimbehindhisback.Theyeyedhimdifferently,somehow.Asthoughthey’dheardsomething—somelyingrumour….
(Armitage?SupposingArmitagehadtalked.)
He’davoidedpeopleafterthat—withdrawnintohimself.Unpleasanttofeelthatpeoplewerediscussingyou.
Andallsolongago.So—sopurposelessnow.LesliehadfadedintothedistanceandArthurRichmondtoo.Nothingofwhathadhappenedseemedtomatteranymore.
Itmadelifelonely,though.He’dtakentoshunninghisoldArmyfriends.
(IfArmitagehadtalked,they’dknowaboutit.)
Andnow—thisevening—ahiddenvoicehadblaredoutthatoldhiddenstory.
Hadhedealtwithitallright?Keptastiffupperlip?Betrayedtherightamountoffeeling—indignation,disgust—butnoguilt,nodiscomfiture?Difficulttotell.
Surelynobodycouldhavetakentheaccusationseriously.Therehadbeenapackofothernonsense,justasfar-fetched.Thatcharminggirl—thevoicehadaccusedherofdrowningachild!Idiotic!Somemadmanthrowingcrazyaccusationsabout!
EmilyBrent,too—actuallyanieceofoldTomBrentoftheRegiment.Ithadaccusedherofmurder!Anyonecouldseewithhalfaneyethatthewomanwasaspiousascouldbe—thekindthatwashandandglovewithparsons.
Damnedcuriousbusinessthewholething!Crazy,nothingless.
Eversincetheyhadgothere—whenwasthat?Why,damnit,itwasonlythisafternoon!Seemedagoodbitlongerthanthat.
Hethought:“Iwonderwhenweshallgetawayagain.”
Tomorrow,ofcourse,whenthemotorboatcamefromthemainland.
Funny,justthisminutehedidn’twantmuchtogetawayfromtheisland…Togobacktothemainland,backtohislittlehouse,backtoallthetroublesandworries.Throughtheopenwindowhecouldhearthewavesbreakingontherocks—alittleloudernowthanearlierintheevening.Windwasgettingup,too
Hethought:Peacefulsound.Peacefulplace….
Hethought:Bestofanislandisonceyougetthere—youcan’tgoanyfarther…you’vecometotheendofthings…
Heknew,suddenly,thathedidn’twanttoleavetheisland.
VI
VeraClaythornelayinbed,wideawake,staringupattheceiling.
Thelightbesideherwason.Shewasfrightenedofthedark.
Shewasthinking:
“Hugo…Hugo…WhydoIfeelyou’resoneartometonight?…Somewherequiteclose….
“Whereishereally?Idon’tknow.Inevershallknow.Hejustwentaway—rightaway—outofmylife.”
ItwasnogoodtryingnottothinkofHugo.Hewasclosetoher.Shehadtothinkofhim—toremember….
Cornwall….
Theblackrocks,thesmoothyellowsand.Mrs.Hamilton,stout,good-humoured.Cyril,whiningalittlealways,pullingatherhand.
“Iwanttoswimouttotherock,MissClaythorne.Whycan’tIswimouttotherock?”
Lookingup—meetingHugo’seyeswatchingher.
TheeveningsafterCyrilwasinbed….
“Comeoutforastroll,MissClaythorne.”
“IthinkperhapsIwill.”
Thedecorousstrolldowntothebeach.Themoonlight—thesoftAtlanticair.
Andthen,Hugo’sarmsroundher.
“Iloveyou.Iloveyou.YouknowIloveyou,Vera?”
Yes,sheknew.
(Orthoughtsheknew.)
“Ican’taskyoutomarryme.I’venotgotapenny.It’sallIcandotokeepmyself.Queer,youknow,once,forthreemonthsIhadthechanceofbeingarichmantolookforwardto.Cyrilwasn’tbornuntilthreemonthsafterMauricedied.Ifhe’dbeenagirl….”
Ifthechildhadbeenagirl,Hugowouldhavecomeintoeverything.He’dbeendisappointed,headmitted.
“Ihadn’tbuiltonit,ofcourse.Butitwasabitofaknock.Ohwell,luck’sluck!Cyril’sanicekid.I’mawfullyfondofhim.”Andhewasfondofhim,too.Alwaysreadytoplaygamesoramusehissmallnephew.NorancourinHugo’snature.
Cyrilwasn’treallystrong.Apunychild—nostamina.Thekindofchild,perhaps,whowouldn’tlivetogrowup….
Andthen—?
“MissClaythorne,whycan’tIswimtotherock?”
Irritatingwhineyrepetition.
“It’stoofar,Cyril.”
“But,MissClaythorne….”
Veragotup.Shewenttothedressingtableandswallowedthreeaspirins.
Shethought:
“IwishIhadsomepropersleepingstuff.”
Shethought:
“IfIweredoingawaywithmyselfI’dtakeanoverdoseofveronal—somethinglikethat—notcyanide!”
SheshudderedassherememberedAnthonyMarston’sconvulsedpurpleface.
Asshepassedthemantelpiece,shelookedupattheframeddoggerel.
“Tenlittlesoldierboyswentouttodine;OnechokedhislittleselfandthentherewereNine.”
Shethoughttoherself:
“It’shorrible—justlikeusthisevening.…”
WhyhadAnthonyMarstonwantedtodie?
Shedidn’twanttodie.
Shecouldn’timaginewantingtodie….
Deathwasfor—theotherpeople….
Six
I
Dr.Armstrongwasdreaming….
Itwasveryhotintheoperatingroom…
Surelythey’dgotthetemperaturetoohigh?Thesweatwasrollingdownhisface.Hishandswereclammy.Difficulttoholdthescalpelfirmly….
Howbeautifullysharpitwas….
Easytodoamurderwithaknifelikethat.Andofcoursehewasdoingamurder….
Thewoman’sbodylookeddifferent.Ithadbeenalargeunwieldybody.Thiswasasparemeagrebody.Andthefacewashidden.
Whowasitthathehadtokill?
Hecouldn’tremember.Buthemustknow!ShouldheaskSister?
Sisterwaswatchinghim.No,hecouldn’taskher.Shewassuspicious,hecouldseethat.
Butwhowasitontheoperatingtable?
Theyshouldn’thavecoveredupthefacelikethat….
Ifhecouldonlyseetheface….
Ah!thatwasbetter.Ayoungprobationerwaspullingoffthehandkerchief.
EmilyBrent,ofcourse.ItwasEmilyBrentthathehadtokill.Howmalicioushereyeswere!Herlipsweremoving.Whatwasshesaying?
“Inthemidstoflifeweareindeath….”
Shewaslaughingnow.No,nurse,don’tputthehandkerchiefback.I’vegottosee.I’vegottogivetheanaesthetic.Where’stheether?Imusthavebroughttheetherwithme.Whathaveyoudonewiththeether,Sister?Chateauneuf-du-Pape?Yes,thatwilldoquiteaswell.
Takethehandkerchiefaway,nurse.
Ofcourse!Iknewitallthetime!It’sAnthonyMarston!Hisfaceispurpleandconvulsed.Buthe’snotdead—he’slaughing.Itellyouhe’slaughing!He’sshakingtheoperatingtable.
Lookout,man,lookout.Nurse,steadyit—steadyit—
WithastartDr.Armstrongwokeup.Itwasmorning.Sunlightwaspouringintotheroom.
Andsomeonewasleaningoverhim—shakinghim.ItwasRogers.Rogers,withawhiteface,saying:“Doctor—doctor!”
Dr.Armstrongwokeupcompletely.
Hesatupinbed.Hesaidsharply:
“Whatisit?”
“It’sthewife,doctor.Ican’tgethertowake.MyGod!Ican’tgethertowake.And—andshedon’tlookrighttome.”
Dr.Armstrongwasquickandefficient.HewrappedhimselfinhisdressinggownandfollowedRogers.
Hebentoverthebedwherethewomanwaslyingpeacefullyonherside.Heliftedthecoldhand,raisedtheeyelid.Itwassomefewminutesbeforehestraightenedhimselfandturnedfromthebed.
Rogerswhispered:
“Is—she—isshe—?”
Hepassedatongueoverdrylips.
Armstrongnodded.
“Yes,she’sgone.”
Hiseyesrestedthoughtfullyonthemanbeforehim.Thentheywenttothetablebythebed,tothewashstand,thenbacktothesleepingwoman.
Rogerssaid:
“Wasit—wasit—’er’eart,doctor?”
Dr.Armstrongwasaminuteortwobeforereplying.Thenhesaid:
“Whatwasherhealthlikenormally?”
Rogerssaid:
“Shewasabitrheumaticky.”
“Anydoctorbeenattendingherrecently?”
“Doctor?”Rogersstared.“Notbeentoadoctorforyears—neitherofus.”
“You’dnoreasontobelieveshesufferedfromhearttrouble?”
“No,doctor.Ineverknewofanything.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Didshesleepwell?”
NowRogers’eyesevadedhis.Theman’shandscametogetherandturnedandtwisteduneasily.Hemuttered:
“Shedidn’tsleepextrawell—no.”
Thedoctorsaidsharply:
“Didshetakethingstomakehersleep?”
Rogersstaredathim,surprised.
“Takethings?Tomakehersleep?NotthatIknewof.I’msureshedidn’t.”
Armstrongwentovertothewashstand.
Therewereacertainnumberofbottlesonit.Hairlotion,lavenderwater,cascara,glycerineofcucumberforthehands,amouth-wash,toothpasteandsomeElliman’s.
Rogershelpedbypullingoutthedrawersofthedressingtable.Fromtheretheymovedontothechestofdrawers.Buttherewasnosignofsleepingdraughtsortablets.
Rogerssaid:
“Shedidn’thavenothinglastnight,sir,exceptwhatyougaveher….”
II
Whenthegongsoundedforbreakfastatnineo’clockitfoundeveryoneupandawaitingthesummons.
GeneralMacarthurandthejudgehadbeenpacingtheterraceoutside,exchangingdesultorycommentsonthepoliticalsituation.
VeraClaythorneandPhilipLombardhadbeenuptothesummitoftheislandbehindthehouse.TheretheyhaddiscoveredWilliamHenryBlore,standingstaringatthemainland.
Hesaid:
“Nosignofthatmotorboatyet.I’vebeenwatchingforit.”
Verasaidsmiling:
“Devon’sasleepycounty.Thingsareusuallylate.”
PhilipLombardwaslookingtheotherway,outtosea.
Hesaidabruptly:
“Whatd’youthinkoftheweather?”
Glancingupatthesky,Bloreremarked:
“Looksallrighttome.”
Lombardpurseduphismouthintoawhistle.
Hesaid:
“Itwillcomeontoblowbeforetheday’sout.”
Bloresaid:
“Squally—eh?”
Frombelowthemcametheboomofagong
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Breakfast?Well,Icoulddowithsome.”
AstheywentdownthesteepslopeBloresaidtoLombardinaruminatingvoice:
“Youknow,itbeatsme—whythatyoungfellowwantedtodohimselfin!I’vebeenworryingaboutitallnight.”
Verawasalittleahead.Lombardhungbackslightly.Hesaid:
“Gotanyalternativetheory?”
“I’dwantsomeproof.Motive,tobeginwith.Well-offIshouldsayhewas.”
EmilyBrentcameoutofthedrawingroomwindowtomeetthem.
Shesaidsharply:
“Istheboatcoming?”
“Notyet,”saidVera.
Theywentintobreakfast.Therewasavastdishofeggsandbacononthesideboardandteaandcoffee.
Rogersheldthedooropenforthemtopassin,thenshutitfromtheoutside.
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Thatmanlooksillthismorning.”
Dr.Armstrong,whowasstandingbythewindow,clearedhisthroat.Hesaid:
“Youmustexcuseany—er—shortcomingsthismorning.Rogershashadtodothebesthecanforbreakfastsingle-handed.Mrs.Rogershas—er—notbeenabletocarryonthismorning.”
EmilyBrentsaidsharply:
“What’sthematterwiththewoman?”
Dr.Armstrongsaideasily:
“Letusstartourbreakfast.Theeggswillbecold.Afterwards,thereareseveralmattersIwanttodiscusswithyouall.”
Theytookthehint.Plateswerefilled,coffeeandteawaspoured.Themealbegan.
Discussionoftheislandwas,bymutualconsent,tabooed.Theyspokeinsteadinadesultoryfashionofcurrentevents.Thenewsfromabroad,eventsintheworldofsport,thelatestreappearanceoftheLochNessmonster.
Then,whenplateswerecleared,Dr.Armstrongmovedbackhischairalittle,clearedhisthroatimportantlyandspoke
Hesaid:
“Ithoughtitbettertowaituntilyouhadhadyourbreakfastbeforetellingyouofasadpieceofnews.Mrs.Rogersdiedinhersleep.”
Therewerestartledandshockedejaculations.
Veraexclaimed:
“Howawful!Twodeathsonthisislandsincewearrived!”
Mr.JusticeWargrave,hiseyesnarrowed,saidinhissmallpreciseclearvoice:
“H’m—veryremarkable—whatwasthecauseofdeath?”
Armstrongshruggedhisshoulders.
“Impossibletosayoffhand.”
“Theremustbeanautopsy?”
“Icertainlycouldn’tgiveacertificate.Ihavenoknowledgewhatsoeverofthewoman’sstateofhealth.”
Verasaid:
“Shewasaverynervous-lookingcreature.Andshehadashocklastnight.Itmighthavebeenheartfailure,Isuppose?”
Dr.Armstrongsaiddryly:
“Herheartcertainlyfailedtobeat—butwhatcausedittofailisthequestion.”
OnewordfellfromEmilyBrent.Itfellhardandclearintothelisteninggroup.
“Conscience!”shesaid.
Armstrongturnedtoher.
“Whatexactlydoyoumeanbythat,MissBrent?”
EmilyBrent,herlipstightandhard,said:
“Youallheard.Shewasaccused,togetherwithherhusband,ofhavingdeliberatelymurderedherformeremployer—anoldlady.”
“Andyouthink?”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Ithinkthattheaccusationwastrue.Youallsawherlastnight.Shebrokedowncompletelyandfainted.Theshockofhavingherwickednessbroughthometoherwastoomuchforher.Sheliterallydiedoffear.”
Dr.Armstrongshookhisheaddoubtfully
“Itisapossibletheory,”hesaid.“Onecannotadoptitwithoutmoreexactknowledgeofherstateofhealth.Iftherewascardiacweakness—”
EmilyBrentsaidquietly:
“Callitifyouprefer,anActofGod.”
Everyonelookedshocked.Mr.Bloresaiduneasily:
“That’scarryingthingsabitfar,MissBrent.”
Shelookedatthemwithshiningeyes.Herchinwentup.Shesaid:
“YouregarditasimpossiblethatasinnershouldbestruckdownbythewrathofGod!Idonot!”
Thejudgestrokedhischin.Hemurmuredinaslightlyironicvoice:
“Mydearlady,inmyexperienceofill-doing,Providenceleavestheworkofconvictionandchastisementtousmortals—andtheprocessisoftenfraughtwithdifficulties.Therearenoshortcuts.”
EmilyBrentshruggedhershoulders.
Bloresaidsharply:
“Whatdidshehavetoeatanddrinklastnightaftershewentuptobed?”
Armstrongsaid:
“Nothing.”
“Shedidn’ttakeanything?Acupoftea?Adrinkofwater?I’llbetyoushehadacupoftea.Thatsortalwaysdoes.”
“Rogersassuresmeshehadnothingwhatsoever.”
“Ah,”saidBlore.“Buthemightsayso!”
Histonewassosignificantthatthedoctorlookedathimsharply.
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Sothat’syouridea?”
Bloresaidaggressively:
“Well,whynot?Weallheardthataccusationlastnight.Maybesheermoonshine—justplainlunacy!Ontheotherhand,itmaynot.Allowforthemomentthatit’strue.RogersandhisMissuspolishedoffthatoldlady.Well,wheredoesthatgetyou?They’vebeenfeelingquitesafeandhappyaboutit—”
Verainterrupted.Inalowvoiceshesaid:
“No,Idon’tthinkMrs.Rogerseverfeltsafe.”
Blorelookedslightlyannoyedattheinterruption.
“Justlikeawoman,”hisglancesaid.
Heresumed:
“That’sasmaybe.Anywaythere’snoactivedangertothemasfarastheyknow.Then,lastnight,someunknownlunaticspillsthebeans.Whathappens?Thewomancracks—shegoestopieces.Noticehowherhusbandhungoverherasshewascominground.Notallhusbandlysolicitude!Notonyourlife!Hewaslikeacatonhotbricks.Scaredoutofhislifeastowhatshemightsay.
“Andthere’sthepositionforyou!They’vedoneamurderandgotawaywithit.Butifthewholething’sgoingtoberakedup,what’sgoingtohappen?Tentoone,thewomanwillgivetheshowaway.Shehasn’tgotthenervetostandupandbrazenitout.She’salivingdangertoherhusband,that’swhatsheis.He’sallright.He’llliewithastraightfacetillkingdomcomes—buthecan’tbesureofher!Andifshegoestopieces,hisneck’sindanger!Soheslipssomethingintoacupofteaandmakessurethathermouthisshutpermanently.”
Armstrongsaidslowly:
“Therewasnoemptycupbyherbedside—therewasnothingthereatall.Ilooked.”
Bloresnorted.
“Ofcoursetherewouldn’tbe!Firstthinghe’ddowhenshe’ddrunkitwouldbetotakethatcupandsaucerawayandwashitupcarefully.”
Therewasapause.ThenGeneralMacarthursaiddoubtfully:
“Itmaybeso.ButIshouldhardlythinkitpossiblethatamanwoulddothat—tohiswife.”
Bloregaveashortlaugh.
Hesaid:
“Whenaman’sneck’sindanger,hedoesn’tstoptothinktoomuchaboutsentiment.”
Therewasapause.Beforeanyonecouldspeak,thedooropenedandRogerscamein.
Hesaid,lookingfromonetotheother:
“IsthereanythingmoreIcangetyou?”
Mr.JusticeWargravestirredalittleinhischair.Heasked:
“Whattimedoesthemotorboatusuallycomeover?”
“Betweensevenandeight,sir.Sometimesit’sabitaftereight.Don’tknowwhatFredNarracottcanbedoingthismorning.Ifhe’sillhe’dsendhisbrother.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“What’sthetimenow?”
“Tenminutestoten,sir.”
Lombard’seyebrowsrose.Henoddedslowlytohimself.
Rogerswaitedaminuteortwo.
GeneralMacarthurspokesuddenlyandexplosively:
“Sorrytohearaboutyourwife,Rogers.Doctor’sjustbeentellingus.”
Rogersinclinedhishead.
“Yes,sir.Thankyou,sir.”
Hetookuptheemptybacondishandwentout.Againtherewasasilence.
III
OntheterraceoutsidePhilipLombardsaid:
“Aboutthismotorboat—”
Blorelookedathim.
Blorenoddedhishead.
Hesaid:
“Iknowwhatyou’rethinking,Mr.Lombard.I’veaskedmyselfthesamequestion.Motorboatoughttohavebeenherenighontwohoursago.Ithasn’tcome?Why?”
“Foundtheanswer?”askedLombard.
“It’snotanaccident—that’swhatIsay.It’spartandparcelofthewholebusiness.It’sallbounduptogether.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Itwon’tcome,youthink?”
Avoicespokebehindhim—atestyimpatientvoice.
“Themotorboat’snotcoming,”itsaid.
Bloreturnedhissquareshoulderslightlyandviewedthelastspeakerthoughtfully.
“Youthinknottoo,General?”
GeneralMacarthursaidsharply:
“Ofcourseitwon’tcome.We’recountingonthemotorboattotakeusofftheisland.That’sthemeaningofthewholebusiness.We’renotgoingtoleavetheisland…Noneofuswilleverleave…It’stheend,yousee—theendofeverything….”
Hehesitated,thenhesaidinalowstrangevoice:
“That’speace—realpeace.Tocometotheend—nottohavetogoon…Yes,peace….”
Heturnedabruptlyandwalkedaway.Alongtheterrace,thendowntheslopetowardsthesea—obliquely—totheendoftheislandwherelooserockswentoutintothewater.
Hewalkedalittleunsteadily,likeamanwhowasonlyhalfawake.
Bloresaid:
“Theregoesanotheronewho’sbarmy!Looksasthoughit’llendwiththewholelotgoingthatway.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Idon’tfancyyouwill,Blore.”
Theex-Inspectorlaughed.
“Itwouldtakealottosendmeoffmyhead.”Headdeddryly:“AndIdon’tthinkyou’llbegoingthatwayeither,Mr.Lombard.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Ifeelquitesaneattheminute,thankyou.”
IV
Dr.Armstrongcameoutontotheterrace.Hestoodtherehesitating.TohisleftwereBloreandLombard.TohisrightwasWargrave,slowlypacingupanddown,hisheadbentdown.
Armstrong,afteramomentofindecision,turnedtowardsthelatter.
ButatthatmomentRogerscamequicklyoutofthehouse.
“CouldIhaveawordwithyou,sir,please?”
Armstrongturned.
Hewasstartledatwhathesaw.
Rogers’facewasworking.Itscolourwasgreyishgreen.Hishandsshook.
ItwassuchacontrasttohisrestraintofafewminutesagothatArmstrongwasquitetakenaback.
“Pleasesir,ifIcouldhaveawordwithyou.Inside,sir.”
Thedoctorturnedbackandreenteredthehousewiththefrenziedbutler.Hesaid:
“What’sthematter,man,pullyourselftogether.”
“Inhere,sir,comeinhere.”
Heopenedthediningroomdoor.Thedoctorpassedin.Rogersfollowedhimandshutthedoorbehindhim.
“Well,”saidArmstrong,“whatisit?”
ThemusclesofRogers’throatwereworking.Hewasswallowing.Hejerkedout:
“There’sthingsgoingon,sir,thatIdon’tunderstand.”
Armstrongsaidsharply:
“Things?Whatthings?”
“You’llthinkI’mcrazy,sir.You’llsayitisn’tanything.Butit’sgottobeexplained,sir.It’sgottobeexplained.Becauseitdoesn’tmakeanysense.”
“Well,man,tellmewhatitis.Don’tgoontalkinginriddles.”
Rogersswallowedagain.
Hesaid:
“It’sthoselittlefigures,sir.Inthemiddleofthetable.Thelittlechinafigures.Tenofthem,therewere.I’llsweartothat,tenofthem.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Yes,ten.Wecountedthemlastnightatdinner.”
Rogerscamenearer.
“That’sjustit,sir.Lastnight,whenIwasclearingup,therewasn’tbutnine,sir.Inoticeditandthoughtitqueer.Butthat’sallIthought.Andnow,sir,thismorning.Ididn’tnoticewhenIlaidthebreakfast.Iwasupsetandallthat.
“Butnow,sir,whenIcametoclearaway.Seeforyourselfifyoudon’tbelieveme.
“There’sonlyeight,sir!Onlyeight!Itdoesn’tmakesense,doesit?Onlyeight.…”
Seven
I
Afterbreakfast,EmilyBrenthadsuggestedtoVeraClaythornethattheyshouldwalktothesummitagainandwatchfortheboat.Verahadacquiesced.
Thewindhadfreshened.Smallwhitecrestswereappearingonthesea.Therewerenofishingboatsout—andnosignofthemotorboat.
TheactualvillageofSticklehavencouldnotbeseen,onlythehillaboveit,ajuttingoutcliffofredrockconcealedtheactuallittlebay.
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Themanwhobroughtusoutyesterdayseemedadependablesortofperson.Itisreallyveryoddthatheshouldbesolatethismorning.”
Veradidnotanswer.Shewasfightingdownarisingfeelingofpanic.
Shesaidtoherselfangrily:
“Youmustkeepcool.Thisisn’tlikeyou.You’vealwayshadexcellentnerves.”
Aloudshesaidafteraminuteortwo:
“Iwishhewouldcome.I—Iwanttogetaway.”
EmilyBrentsaiddryly:
“I’venodoubtwealldo.”
Verasaid:
“It’sallsoextraordinary…Thereseemsno—nomeaninginitall.”
Theelderlywomanbesidehersaidbriskly:
“I’mveryannoyedwithmyselfforbeingsoeasilytakenin.Reallythatletterisabsurdwhenonecomestoexamineit.ButIhadnodoubtsatthetime—noneatall.”
Veramurmuredmechanically:“Isupposenot.”
“Onetakesthingsforgrantedtoomuch,”saidEmilyBrent.
Veradrewadeepshudderingbreath.
Shesaid:
“Doyoureallythink—whatyousaidatbreakfast?”
“Bealittlemoreprecise,mydear.Towhatinparticularareyoureferring?”
Verasaidinalowvoice:
“DoyoureallythinkthatRogersandhiswifedidawaywiththatoldlady?”
EmilyBrentgazedthoughtfullyouttosea.Thenshesaid:
“Personally,Iamquitesureofit.Whatdoyouthink?”
“Idon’tknowwhattothink.”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Everythinggoestosupporttheidea.Thewaythewomanfainted.Andthemandroppedthecoffeetray,remember.Thenthewayhespokeaboutit—itdidn’tringtrue.Oh,yes,I’mafraidtheydidit.”
Verasaid:
“Thewayshelooked—scaredofherownshadow!I’veneverseenawomanlooksofrightened…Shemusthavebeenalwayshauntedbyit….”
MissBrentmurmured:
“Irememberatextthathunginmynurseryasachild.‘Besurethysinwillfindtheeout.’It’sverytrue,that.Besurethysinwillfindtheeout.”
Verascrambledtoherfeet.Shesaid:
“But,MissBrent—MissBrent—inthatcase—”
“Yes,mydear?”
“Theothers?Whatabouttheothers?”
“Idon’tquiteunderstandyou.”
“Alltheotheraccusations—they—theyweren’ttrue?Butifit’strueabouttheRogerses—”Shestopped,unabletomakeherchaoticthoughtclear.
EmilyBrent’sbrow,whichhadbeenfrowningperplexedly,cleared.
Shesaid:
“Ah,Iunderstandyounow.Well,thereisthatMr.Lombard.Headmitstohavingabandonedtwentymentotheirdeaths.”
Verasaid:“Theywereonlynatives….”
EmilyBrentsaidsharply:
“Blackorwhite,theyareourbrothers.”
Verathought:
“Ourblackbrothers—ourblackbrothers.Oh,I’mgoingtolaugh.I’mhysterical.I’mnotmyself….”
EmilyBrentcontinuedthoughtfully.
“Ofcourse,someoftheotheraccusationswereveryfarfetchedandridiculous.Againstthejudge,forinstance,whowasonlydoinghisdutyinhispubliccapacity.Andtheex-ScotlandYardman.Myowncase,too.”
Shepausedandthenwenton:
“Naturally,consideringthecircumstances,Iwasnotgoingtosayanythinglastnight.Itwasnotafitsubjecttodiscussbeforegentlemen.”
“No?”
Veralistenedwithinterest.MissBrentcontinuedserenely.
“BeatriceTaylorwasinservicewithme.Notanicegirl—asIfoundouttoolate.Iwasverymuchdeceivedinher.Shehadnicemannersandwasverycleanandwilling.Iwasverypleasedwithher.Ofcourse,allthatwasthesheeresthypocrisy!Shewasaloosegirlwithnomorals.Disgusting!ItwassometimebeforeIfoundoutthatshewaswhattheycall‘introuble.’”Shepaused,herdelicatenosewrinklingitselfindistaste.“Itwasagreatshocktome.Herparentsweredecentfolk,too,whohadbroughtherupverystrictly.I’mgladtosaytheydidnotcondoneherbehaviour.”
Verasaid,staringatMissBrent:
“Whathappened?”
“NaturallyIdidnotkeepheranhourundermyroof.NooneshalleversaythatIcondonedimmorality.”
Verasaidinalowervoice:
“Whathappened—toher?”
MissBrentsaid:
“Theabandonedcreature,notcontentwithhavingonesinonherconscience,committedastillgraversin.Shetookherownlife.”
Verawhispered,horror-struck:
“Shekilledherself?”
“Yes,shethrewherselfintotheriver.”
Verashivered.
ShestaredatthecalmdelicateprofileofMissBrent.Shesaid:
“Whatdidyoufeellikewhenyouknewshe’ddonethat?Weren’tyousorry?Didn’tyoublameyourself?”
EmilyBrentdrewherselfup.
“I?Ihadnothingwithwhichtoreproachmyself.”
Verasaid:
“Butifyour—hardness—drovehertoit.”
EmilyBrentsaidsharply:
“Herownaction—herownsin—thatwaswhatdrovehertoit.Ifshehadbehavedlikeadecentmodestyoungwomannoneofthiswouldhavehappened.”
SheturnedherfacetoVera.Therewasnoself-reproach,nouneasinessinthoseeyes.Theywerehardandself-righteous.EmilyBrentsatonthesummitofSoldierIsland,encasedinherownarmourofvirtue.
ThelittleelderlyspinsterwasnolongerslightlyridiculoustoVera.
Suddenly—shewasterrible.
II
Dr.Armstrongcameoutofthediningroomandoncemorecameoutontheterrace.
Thejudgewassittinginachairnow,gazingplacidlyouttosea.
LombardandBlorewereovertotheleft,smokingbutnottalking.
Asbefore,thedoctorhesitatedforamoment.HiseyerestedspeculativelyonMr.JusticeWargrave.Hewantedtoconsultwithsomeone.Hewasconsciousofthejudge’sacutelogicalbrain.Butnevertheless,hewavered.Mr.JusticeWargravemighthaveagoodbrainbuthewasanelderlyman.Atthisjuncture,Armstrongfeltwhatwasneededwasamanofaction.
Hemadeuphismind.
“Lombard,canIspeaktoyouforaminute?”
Philipstarted.
“Ofcourse.”
Thetwomenlefttheterrace.Theystrolleddowntheslopetowardsthewater.WhentheywereoutofearshotArmstrongsaid:
“Iwantaconsultation.”
Lombard’seyebrowswentup.Hesaid:
“Mydearfellow,I’venomedicalknowledge.”
“No,no,Imeanastothegeneralsituation.”
“Oh,that’sdifferent.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Frankly,whatdoyouthinkoftheposition?”
Lombardreflectedaminute.Thenhesaid:
“It’srathersuggestive,isn’tit?”
“Whatareyourideasonthesubjectofthatwoman?DoyouacceptBlore’stheory?”
Philippuffedsmokeintotheair.Hesaid:
“It’sperfectlyfeasible—takenalone.”
“Exactly.”
Armstrong’stonesoundedrelieved.PhilipLombardwasnofool.
Thelatterwenton:
“Thatis,acceptingthepremisethatMr.andMrs.Rogershavesuccessfullygotawaywithmurderintheirtime.AndIdon’tseewhytheyshouldn’t.Whatdoyouthinktheydidexactly?Poisonedtheoldlady?”
Armstrongsaidslowly:
“Itmightbesimplerthanthat.IaskedRogersthismorningwhatthisMissBradyhadsufferedfrom.Hisanswerwasenlightening.Idon’tneedtogointomedicaldetails,butinacertainformofcardiactrouble,amylnitriteisused.Whenanattackcomesonanampouleofamylnitriteisbrokenanditisinhaled.Ifamylnitritewerewithheld—well,theconsequencesmighteasilybefatal.”
PhilipLombardsaidthoughtfully:
“Assimpleasthat.Itmusthavebeen—rathertempting.”
Thedoctornodded.
“Yes,nopositiveaction.Noarsenictoobtainandadminister—nothingdefinite—just—negation!AndRogershurriedthroughthenighttofetchadoctorandtheybothfeltconfidentthatnoonecouldeverknow.”
“Andevenifanyoneknew,nothingcouldeverbeprovedagainstthem,”addedPhilipLombard.
Hefrownedsuddenly.
“Ofcourse—thatexplainsagooddeal.”
Armstrongsaid,puzzled:
“Ibegyourpardon.”
Lombardsaid:
“Imean—itexplainsSoldierIsland.Therearecrimesthatcannotbebroughthometotheirperpetrators.InstancetheRogerses’.Anotherinstance,oldWargrave,whocommittedhismurderstrictlywithinthelaw.”
Armstrongsaidsharply:“Youbelievethatstory?”
PhilipLombardsmiled.
“Oh,yes,Ibelieveit.WargravemurderedEdwardSetonallright,murderedhimassurelyasifhe’dstuckastilettothroughhim!Buthewascleverenoughtodoitfromthejudge’sseatinwigandgown.Sointheordinarywayyoucan’tbringhislittlecrimehometohim.”
AsuddenflashpassedlikelightningthroughArmstrong’smind.
“MurderinHospital.MurderontheOperatingtable.Safe—yes,safeashouses!”
PhilipLombardwassaying:
“Hence—Mr.Owen—hence—SoldierIsland!”
Armstrongdrewadeepbreath.
“Nowwe’regettingdowntoit.What’stherealpurposeofgettingusallhere?”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Whatdoyouthink?”
Armstrongsaidabruptly:
“Let’sgobackaminutetothiswoman’sdeath.Whatarethepossibletheories?Rogerskilledherbecausehewasafraidshewouldgivetheshowaway.Secondpossibility:shelosthernerveandtookaneasywayoutherself.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Suicide,eh?”
“Whatdoyousaytothat?”
Lombardsaid:
“Itcouldhavebeen—yes—ifithadn’tbeenforMarston’sdeath.Twosuicideswithintwelvehoursisalittletoomuchtoswallow!AndifyoutellmethatAnthonyMarston,ayoungbullwithnonervesandpreciouslittlebrains,gotthewindupoverhavingmoweddownacoupleofkidsanddeliberatelyputhimselfoutoftheway—well,theidea’slaughable!Andanyway,howdidhegetholdofthestuff?FromallI’veeverheard,potassiumcyanideisn’tthekindofstuffyoutakeaboutwithyouinyourwaistcoatpocket.Butthat’syourlineofcountry.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Nobodyintheirsensescarriespotassiumcyanide.Itmightbedonebysomeonewhowasgoingtotakeawasps’nest.”
“Theardentgardenerorlandowner,infact?Again,notAnthonyMarston.Itstrikesmethatthatcyanideisgoingtoneedabitofexplaining.EitherAnthonyMarstonmeanttodoawaywithhimselfbeforehecamehere,andthereforecameprepared—orelse—.”
Armstrongpromptedhim.
“Orelse?”
PhilipLombardgrinned.
“Whymakemesayit?Whenit’sonthetipofyourowntongue.AnthonyMarstonwasmurdered,ofcourse”
III
Dr.Armstrongdrewadeepbreath.
“AndMrs.Rogers?”
Lombardsaidslowly:
“IcouldbelieveinAnthony’ssuicide(withdifficulty)ifitweren’tforMrs.Rogers.IcouldbelieveinMrs.Rogers’suicide(easily)ifitweren’tforAnthonyMarston.IcanbelievethatRogersputhiswifeoutoftheway—ifitwerenotfortheunexpecteddeathofAnthonyMarston.Butwhatweneedisatheorytoexplaintwodeathsfollowingrapidlyoneachother.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Icanperhapsgiveyousomehelptowardsthattheory.”
AndherepeatedthefactsthatRogershadgivenhimaboutthedisappearanceofthetwolittlechinafigures.
Lombardsaid:
“Yes,littlechinafigures…Therewerecertainlytenlastnightatdinner.Andnowthereareeight,yousay?”
Dr.Armstrongrecited:
“Tenlittlesoldierboysgoingouttodine;OnewentandchokedhimselfandthentherewereNine.“Ninelittlesoldierboyssatupverylate;OneoverslepthimselfandthentherewereEight.”
Thetwomenlookedateachother.PhilipLombardgrinnedandflungawayhiscigarette.
“Fitstoodamnedwelltobeacoincidence!AnthonyMarstondiesofasphyxiationorchokinglastnightafterdinner,andMotherRogersoversleepsherselfwithavengeance.”
“Andtherefore?”saidArmstrong.
Lombardtookhimup.
“Andthereforeanotherkindofsoldier.TheUnknownSoldier!X!Mr.Owen!U.N.Owen!OneUnknownLunaticatLarge!”
“Ah!”Armstrongbreathedasighofrelief.“Youagree.Butyouseewhatitinvolves?Rogerssworethattherewasnoonebutourselvesandheandhiswifeontheisland.”
“Rogersiswrong!OrpossiblyRogersislying!”
Armstrongshookhishead.
“Idon’tthinkhe’slying.Theman’sscared.He’sscarednearlyoutofhissenses.”
PhilipLombardnodded.
Hesaid:
“Nomotorboatthismorning.Thatfitsin.Mr.Owen’slittlearrangementsagaintothefore.SoldierIslandistobeisolateduntilMr.Owenhasfinishedhisjob.”
Armstronghadgonepale.Hesaid:
“Yourealize—themanmustbearavingmaniac!”
PhilipLombardsaid,andtherewasanewringinhisvoice:
“There’sonethingMr.Owendidn’trealize.”
“What’sthat?”
“Thisisland’smoreorlessabarerock.Weshallmakeshortworkofsearchingit.We’llsoonferretoutU.N.Owen,Esq.”
Dr.Armstrongsaidwarningly:
“He’llbedangerous.”
PhilipLombardlaughed.
“Dangerous?Who’safraidofthebigbadwolf?I’llbedangerouswhenIgetholdofhim!”
Hepausedandsaid:
“We’dbetterropeinBloretohelpus.He’llbeagoodmaninapinch.Betternottellthewomen.Asfortheothers,theGeneral’sga-ga,Ithink,andoldWargrave’sforteismasterlyinactivity.Thethreeofuscanattendtothisjob.”
Eight
I
Blorewaseasilyropedin.Heexpressedimmediateagreementwiththeirarguments.
“Whatyou’vesaidaboutthosechinafigures,sir,makesallthedifference.That’scrazy,thatis!There’sonlyonething.Youdon’tthinkthisOwen’sideamightbetodothejobbyproxy,asitwere?”
“Explainyourself,man.”
“Well,Imeanlikethis.AftertheracketlastnightthisyoungMarstongetsthewindupandpoisonshimself.AndRogers,hegetsthewinduptooandbumpsoffhiswife!AllaccordingtoU.N.O’splan.”
Armstrongshookhishead.Hestressedthepointaboutthecyanide.Bloreagreed.
“Yes,I’dforgottenthat.Notanaturalthingtobecarryingaboutwithyou.Buthowdiditgetintohisdrink,sir?”
Lombardsaid:
“I’vebeenthinkingaboutthat.Marstonhadseveraldrinksthatnight.Betweenthetimehehadhislastoneandthetimehefinishedtheonebeforeit,therewasquiteagap.Duringthattimehisglasswaslyingaboutonsometableorother.Ithink—thoughIcan’tbesure,itwasonthelittletablenearthewindow.Thewindowwasopen.Somebodycouldhaveslippedadoseofthecyanideintotheglass.”
Bloresaidunbelievingly:
“Withoutourallseeinghim,sir?”
Lombardsaiddryly:
“Wewereall—ratherconcernedelsewhere.”
Armstrongsaidslowly:
“That’strue.We’dallbeenattacked.Wewerewalkingabout,movingabouttheroom.Arguing,indignant,intentonourownbusiness.Ithinkitcouldhavebeendone….”
Bloreshruggedhisshoulders.
“Factis,itmusthavebeendone!Nowthen,gentlemen,let’smakeastart.Nobody’sgotarevolver,byanychance?Isupposethat’stoomuchtohopefor.”
Lombardsaid:
“I’vegotone.”Hepattedhispocket
Blore’seyesopenedverywide.Hesaidinanovercasualtone:
“Alwayscarrythataboutwithyou,sir?”
Lombardsaid:
“Usually.I’vebeeninsometightplaces,youknow.”
“Oh,”saidBloreandadded:“Well,you’veprobablyneverbeeninatighterplacethanyouaretoday!Ifthere’salunatichidingonthisisland,he’sprobablygotayoungarsenalonhim—tosaynothingofaknifeordaggerortwo.”
Armstrongcoughed.
“Youmaybewrongthere,Blore.Manyhomicidallunaticsareveryquietunassumingpeople.Delightfulfellows.”
Bloresaid:
“Idon’tfeelthisoneisgoingtobeofthatkind,Dr.Armstrong.”
II
Thethreemenstartedontheirtouroftheisland.
Itprovedunexpectedlysimple.Onthenorthwestside,towardsthecoast,thecliffsfellsheertotheseabelow,theirsurfaceunbroken.
Ontherestoftheislandtherewerenotreesandverylittlecover.Thethreemenworkedcarefullyandmethodically,beatingupanddownfromthehighestpointtothewater’sedge,narrowlyscanningtheleastirregularityintherockwhichmightpointtotheentrancetoacave.Buttherewerenocaves.
Theycameatlast,skirtingthewater’sedge,towhereGeneralMacarthursatlookingouttosea.Itwasverypeacefulherewiththelapofthewavesbreakingovertherocks.Theoldmansatveryupright,hiseyesfixedonthehorizon
Hepaidnoattentiontotheapproachofthesearchers.Hisoblivionofthemmadeoneatleastfaintlyuncomfortable.
Blorethoughttohimself:
“’Tisn’tnatural—looksasthoughhe’dgoneintoatranceorsomething.”
Heclearedhisthroatandsaidinawould-beconversationaltone:
“Nicepeacefulspotyou’vefoundforyourself,sir.”
TheGeneralfrowned.Hecastaquicklookoverhisshoulder.Hesaid:
“Thereissolittletime—solittletime.Ireallymustinsistthatnoonedisturbsme.”
Bloresaidgenially:
“Wewon’tdisturbyou.We’rejustmakingatouroftheislandsotospeak.Justwondered,youknow,ifsomeonemightbehidingonit.”
TheGeneralfrownedandsaid:
“Youdon’tunderstand—youdon’tunderstandatall.Pleasegoaway.”
Bloreretreated.Hesaid,ashejoinedtheothertwo:
“He’scrazy…It’snogoodtalkingtohim.”
Lombardaskedwithsomecuriosity:
“Whatdidhesay?”
Bloreshruggedhisshoulders.
“Somethingabouttherebeingnotimeandthathedidn’twanttobedisturbed.”
Dr.Armstrongfrowned.
Hemurmured:
“Iwondernow….”
III
Thesearchoftheislandwaspracticallycompleted.Thethreemenstoodonthehighestpointlookingovertowardsthemainland.Therewerenoboatsout.Thewindwasfreshening.
Lombardsaid:
“Nofishingboatsout.There’sastormcoming.Damnednuisanceyoucan’tseethevillagefromhere.Wecouldsignalordosomething.”
Bloresaid:
“Wemightlightabonfiretonight.”
Lombardsaid,frowning:
“Thedevilofitisthatthat’sallprobablybeenprovidedfor.”
“Inwhatway,sir?”
“HowdoIknow?Practicaljoke,perhaps.We’retobemaroonedhere,noattentionistobepaidtosignals,etc.Possiblythevillagehasbeentoldthere’sawageron.Somedamn’foolstoryanyway.”
Bloresaiddubiously:
“Thinkthey’dswallowthat?”
Lombardsaiddryly:
“It’seasierofbeliefthanthetruth!IfthevillageweretoldthattheislandwastobeisolateduntilMr.UnknownOwenhadquietlymurderedallhisguests—doyouthinkthey’dbelievethat?”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“TherearemomentswhenIcan’tbelieveitmyself.Andyet—”
PhilipLombard,hislipscurlingbackfromhisteethsaid:
“Andyet—that’sjustit!You’vesaidit,doctor!”
Blorewasgazingdownintothewater.
Hesaid:
“Nobodycouldhaveclambereddownhere,Isuppose?”
Armstrongshookhishead.
“Idoubtit.It’sprettysheer.Andwherecouldhehide?”
Bloresaid:
“Theremightbeaholeinthecliff.Ifwehadaboatnow,wecouldrowroundtheisland.”
Lombardsaid:
“Ifwehadaboat,we’dallbehalfwaytothemainlandbynow!”
“Trueenough,sir.”
Lombardsaidsuddenly:
“Wecanmakesureofthiscliff.There’sonlyoneplacewheretherecouldbearecess—justalittletotherightbelowhere.Ifyoufellowscangetholdofarope,youcanletmedowntomakesure.”
Bloresaid:
“Mightaswellbesure.Thoughitseemsabsurd—onthefaceofit!I’llseeifIcangetholdofsomething.”
Hestartedoffbrisklydowntothehouse.
Lombardstaredupatthesky.Thecloudswerebeginningtomassthemselvestogether.Thewindwasincreasing.
HeshotasidewayslookatArmstrong.Hesaid:
“You’reverysilent,doctor.Whatareyouthinking?”
Armstrongsaidslowly:
“IwaswonderingexactlyhowmadoldMacarthurwas….”
IV
Verahadbeenrestlessallthemorning.ShehadavoidedEmilyBrentwithakindofshudderingaversion.
MissBrentherselfhadtakenachairjustroundthecornerofthehousesoastobeoutofthewind.Shesatthereknitting.
EverytimeVerathoughtofhersheseemedtoseeapaledrownedfacewithseaweedentangledinthehair…Afacethathadoncebeenpretty—impudentlyprettyperhaps—andwhichwasnowbeyondthereachofpityorterror.
AndEmilyBrent,placidandrighteous,satknitting.
Onthemainterrace,Mr.JusticeWargravesathuddledinaporter’schair.Hisheadwaspokeddownwellintohisneck.
WhenVeralookedathim,shesawamanstandinginthedock—ayoungmanwithfairhairandblueeyesandabewilderedfrightenedface.EdwardSeton.Andinimaginationshesawthejudge’soldhandsputtheblackcaponhisheadandbegintopronouncesentence….
AfterawhileVerastrolledslowlydowntothesea.Shewalkedalongtowardstheextremeendoftheislandwhereanoldmansatstaringouttothehorizon.
GeneralMacarthurstirredatherapproach.Hisheadturned—therewasaqueermixtureofquestioningandapprehensioninhislook.Itstartledher.Hestaredintentlyatherforaminuteortwo.
Shethoughttoherself:
“Howqueer.It’salmostasthoughheknew.…”
Hesaid:
“Ah,it’syou!You’vecome….”
Verasatdownbesidehim.Shesaid:
“Doyoulikesittingherelookingouttosea?”
Henoddedhisheadgently.
“Yes,”hesaid.“It’spleasant.It’sagoodplace,Ithink,towait.”
“Towait?”saidVerasharply.“Whatareyouwaitingfor?”
Hesaidgently:
“Theend.ButIthinkyouknowthat,don’tyou?It’strue,isn’tit?We’reallwaitingfortheend.”
Shesaidunsteadily:
“Whatdoyoumean?”
GeneralMacarthursaidgravely:
“Noneofusaregoingtoleavetheisland.That’stheplan.Youknowit,ofcourse,perfectly.What,perhaps,youcan’tunderstandistherelief!”
Verasaidwonderingly:
“Therelief?”
Hesaid:
“Yes.Ofcourse,you’reveryyoung…youhaven’tgottothatyet.Butitdoescome!Theblessedreliefwhenyouknowthatyou’vedonewithitall—thatyouhaven’tgottocarrytheburdenanylonger.You’llfeelthattoo,someday….”
Verasaidhoarsely:
“Idon’tunderstandyou.”
Herfingersworkedspasmodically.Shefeltsuddenlyafraidofthisquietoldsoldier.
Hesaidmusingly:
“Yousee,IlovedLeslie.Ilovedherverymuch….”
Verasaidquestioningly:
“WasLeslieyourwife?”
“Yes,mywife…Ilovedher—andIwasveryproudofher.Shewassopretty—andsogay.”
Hewassilentforaminuteortwo,thenhesaid:
“Yes,IlovedLeslie.That’swhyIdidit.”
Verasaid:
“Youmean—”andpaused.
GeneralMacarthurnoddedhisheadgently.
“It’snotmuchgooddenyingitnow—notwhenwe’reallgoingtodie.IsentRichmondtohisdeath.Isuppose,inaway,itwasmurder.Curious.Murder—andI’vealwaysbeensuchalaw-abidingman!Butitdidn’tseemlikethatatthetime.Ihadnoregrets.‘Serveshimdamnedwellright!’—that’swhatIthought.Butafterwards—”
Inahardvoice,Verasaid:
“Well,afterwards?”
Heshookhisheadvaguely.Helookedpuzzledandalittledistressed.
“Idon’tknow.I—don’tknow.Itwasalldifferent,yousee.Idon’tknowifLeslieeverguessed…Idon’tthinkso.But,yousee,Ididn’tknowaboutheranymore.She’dgonefarawaywhereIcouldn’treachher.Andthenshedied—andIwasalone….”
Verasaid:
“Alone—alone—”andtheechoofhervoicecamebacktoherfromtherocks.
GeneralMacarthursaid:
“You’llbeglad,too,whentheendcomes.”
Veragotup.Shesaidsharply:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean!”
Hesaid:
“Iknow,mychild.Iknow.…”
“Youdon’t.Youdon’tunderstandatall….”
GeneralMacarthurlookedouttoseaagain.Heseemedunconsciousofherpresencebehindhim.
Hesaidverygentlyandsoftly:
“Leslie…?”
V
WhenBlorereturnedfromthehousewitharopecoiledoverhisarm,hefoundArmstrongwherehehadlefthimstaringdownintothedepths.
Bloresaidbreathlessly:
“Where’sMr.Lombard?”
Armstrongsaidcarelessly:
“Gonetotestsometheoryorother.He’llbebackinaminute.Lookhere,Blore,I’mworried.”
“Ishouldsaywewereallworried.”
Thedoctorwavedanimpatienthand.
“Ofcourse—ofcourse.Idon’tmeanitthatway.I’mthinkingofoldMacarthur.”
“Whatabouthim,sir?”
Dr.Armstrongsaidgrimly:
“Whatwe’relookingforisamadman.WhatpriceMacarthur?”
Bloresaidincredulously:
“Youmeanhe’shomicidal?”
Armstrongsaiddoubtfully:
“Ishouldn’thavesaidso.Notforaminute.But,ofcourse,I’mnotaspecialistinmentaldiseases.Ihaven’treallyhadanyconversationwithhim—Ihaven’tstudiedhimfromthatpointofview.”
Bloresaiddoubtfully:
“Ga-ga,yes!ButIwouldn’thavesaid—”
Armstrongcutinwithaslighteffortasofamanwhopullshimselftogether.
“You’reprobablyright!Damnitall,theremustbesomeonehidingontheisland!Ah!herecomesLombard.”
Theyfastenedtheropecarefully.
Lombardsaid:
“I’llhelpmyselfallIcan.Keepalookoutforasuddenstrainontherope.”
Afteraminuteortwo,whiletheystoodtogetherwatchingLombard’sprogress,Bloresaid:
“Climbslikeacat,doesn’the?”
Therewassomethingoddinhisvoice.
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Ishouldthinkhemusthavedonesomemountaineeringinhistime.”
“Maybe.”
Therewasasilenceandtheex-Inspectorsaid:
“Funnysortofcovealtogether.D’youknowwhatIthink?”
“What?”
“He’sawrong’un!”
Armstrongsaiddoubtfully:
“Inwhatway?”
Bloregrunted.Thenhesaid:
“Idon’tknow—exactly.ButIwouldn’ttrusthimayard.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Isupposehe’sledanadventurouslife.”
Bloresaid:
“Ibetsomeofhisadventureshavehadtobekeptprettydark.”Hepausedandthenwenton:“Didyouhappentobringarevolveralongwithyou,doctor?”
Armstrongstared.
“Me?GoodLord,no.WhyshouldI?”
Bloresaid:
“WhydidMr.Lombard?”
Armstrongsaiddoubtfully:
“Isuppose—habit.”
Bloresnorted.
Asuddenpullcameontherope.Forsomemomentstheyhadtheirhandsfull.Presently,whenthestrainrelaxed,Bloresaid:
“Therearehabitsandhabits!Mr.Lombardtakesarevolvertooutofthewayplaces,rightenough,andaprimusandasleeping-bagandasupplyofbugpowdernodoubt!Buthabitwouldn’tmakehimbringthewholeoutfitdownhere!It’sonlyinbookspeoplecarryrevolversaroundasamatterofcourse.”
Dr.Armstrongshookhisheadperplexedly.
TheyleanedoverandwatchedLombard’sprogress.Hissearchwasthoroughandtheycouldseeatoncethatitwasfutile.Presentlyhecameupovertheedgeofthecliff.Hewipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead.
“Well,”hesaid.“We’reupagainstit.It’sthehouseornowhere.”
VI
Thehousewaseasilysearched.Theywentthroughthefewout-buildingsfirstandthenturnedtheirattentiontothebuildingitself.Mrs.Rogers’yardmeasurediscoveredinthekitchendresserassistedthem.Buttherewerenohiddenspacesleftunaccountedfor.Everythingwasplainandstraightforward,amodernstructuredevoidofconcealments.Theywentthroughthegroundfloorfirst.Astheymountedtothebedroomfloor,theysawthroughthelandingwindowRogerscarryingoutatrayofcocktailstotheterrace.
PhilipLombardsaidlightly:
“Wonderfulanimal,thegoodservant.Carriesonwithanimpassivecountenance.”
Armstrongsaidappreciatively:
“Rogersisafirst-classbutler,I’llsaythatforhim!”
Bloresaid:
“Hiswifewasaprettygoodcook,too.Thatdinner—lastnight—”
Theyturnedintothefirstbedroom.
Fiveminuteslatertheyfacedeachotheronthelanding.Noonehiding—nopossiblehidingplace.
Bloresaid:
“There’salittlestairhere.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Itleadsuptotheservants’room.”
Bloresaid:
“Theremustbeaplaceundertheroof—forcisterns,watertank,etc.It’sthebestchance—andtheonlyone!”
Anditwasthen,astheystoodthere,thattheyheardthesoundfromabove.Asoftfurtivefootfalloverhead.
Theyallheardit.ArmstronggraspedBlore’sarm.Lombardheldupanadmonitoryfinger.
“Quiet—listen.”
Itcameagain—someonemovingsoftly,furtively,overhead.
Armstrongwhispered:
“He’sactuallyinthebedroomitself.TheroomwhereMrs.Rogers’bodyis.”
Blorewhisperedback:
“Ofcourse!Besthidingplacehecouldhavechosen!Nobodylikelytogothere.Nowthen—quietasyoucan.”
Theycreptstealthilyupstairs.
Onthelittlelandingoutsidethedoorofthebedroomtheypausedagain.Yes,someonewasintheroom.Therewasafaintcreakfromwithin.
Blorewhispered:
“Now.”
Heflungopenthedoorandrushedin,theothertwoclosebehindhim.
Thenallthreestoppeddead.
Rogerswasintheroom,hishandsfullofgarments.
VII
Blorerecoveredhimselffirst.Hesaid:
“Sorry—er—Rogers.Heardsomeonemovingaboutinhere,andthought—well—”
Hestopped.
Rogerssaid:
“I’msorry,gentlemen.Iwasjustmovingmythings.ItakeittherewillbenoobjectionifItakeoneofthevacantguestchambersonthefloorbelow?Thesmallestroom.”
ItwastoArmstrongthathespokeandArmstrongreplied:
“Ofcourse.Ofcourse.Getonwithit.”
Heavoidedlookingatthesheetedfigurelyingonthebed.
Rogerssaid:
“Thankyou,sir.”
Hewentoutoftheroomwithhisarmfullofbelongingsandwentdownthestairstothefloorbelow.
Armstrongmovedovertothebedand,liftingthesheet,lookeddownonthepeacefulfaceofthedeadwoman.Therewasnofeartherenow.Justemptiness.
Armstrongsaid:
“WishI’dgotmystuffhere.I’dliketoknowwhatdrugitwas.”
Thenheturnedtotheothertwo.
“Let’sgetfinished.Ifeelitinmyboneswe’renotgoingtofindanything.”
Blorewaswrestlingwiththeboltsofalowmanhole.
Hesaid:
“Thatchapmovesdamnedquietly.Aminuteortwoagowesawhiminthegarden.Noneofusheardhimcomeupstairs.”
Lombardsaid:
“Isupposethat’swhyweassumeditmustbeastrangermovingaboutuphere.”
Bloredisappearedintoacavernousdarkness.Lombardpulledatorchfromhispocketandfollowed.
Fiveminuteslaterthreemenstoodonanupperlandingandlookedateachother.Theyweredirtyandfestoonedwithcobwebsandtheirfacesweregrim.
Therewasnooneontheislandbuttheireightselves.
Nine
I
Lombardsaidslowly:
“Sowe’vebeenwrong—wrongallalong!Builtupanightmareofsuperstitionandfantasyallbecauseofthecoincidenceoftwodeaths!”
Armstrongsaidgravely:
“Andyet,youknow,theargumentholds.Hangitall,I’madoctor,Iknowsomethingaboutsuicides.AnthonyMarstonwasn’tasuicidaltype.”
Lombardsaiddoubtfully:
“Itcouldn’t,Isuppose,havebeenanaccident?”
Bloresnorted,unconvinced.
“Damnedqueersortofaccident,”hegrunted.
Therewasapause,thenBloresaid:
“Aboutthewoman—”andstopped.
“Mrs.Rogers?”
“Yes.It’spossible,isn’tit,thatthatmighthavebeenanaccident?”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Anaccident?Inwhatway?”
Blorelookedslightlyembarrassed.Hisred-brickfacegrewalittledeeperinhue.Hesaid,almostblurtingoutthewords:
“Lookhere,doctor,youdidgivehersomedope,youknow.”
Armstrongstaredathim.
“Dope?Whatdoyoumean?”
“Lastnight.Yousaidyourselfyou’dgivenhersomethingtomakehersleep.”
“Ohthat,yes.Aharmlesssedative.”
“Whatwasitexactly?”
“Igaveheramilddoseoftrional.Aperfectlyharmlesspreparation.”
Bloregrewredderstill.Hesaid:
“Lookhere—nottomincematters—youdidn’tgiveheranoverdose,didyou?”
Dr.Armstrongsaidangrily:
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
Bloresaid:
“It’spossible,isn’tit,thatyoumayhavemadeamistake?Thesethingsdohappenonceinawhile.”
Armstrongsaidsharply:
“Ididnothingofthesort.Thesuggestionisridiculous.”Hestoppedandaddedinacoldbitingtone:“OrdoyousuggestthatIgaveheranoverdoseonpurpose?”
PhilipLombardsaidquickly:
“Lookhere,youtwo,gottokeepourheads.Don’tlet’sstartslingingaccusationsabout.”
Bloresaidsullenly:
“Ionlysuggestedthedoctorhadmadeamistake.”
Dr.Armstrongsmiledwithaneffort.Hesaid,showinghisteethinasomewhatmirthlesssmile:
“Doctorscan’taffordtomakemistakesofthatkind,myfriend.”
Bloresaiddeliberately:
“Itwouldn’tbethefirstyou’vemade—ifthatgramophonerecordistobebelieved!”
Armstrongwentwhite.PhilipLombardsaidquicklyandangrilytoBlore:
“What’sthesenseofmakingyourselfoffensive?We’reallinthesameboat.We’vegottopulltogether.Whataboutyourownprettylittlespotofperjury?”
Bloretookastepforward,hishandsclenched.Hesaidinathickvoice:
“Perjury,bedamned!That’safoullie!Youmaytryandshutmeup,Mr.Lombard,butthere’sthingsIwanttoknow—andoneofthemisaboutyou!”
Lombard’seyebrowsrose.
“Aboutme?”
“Yes.Iwanttoknowwhyyoubroughtarevolverdownhereonapleasantsocialvisit?”
Lombardsaid:
“Youdo,doyou?”
“Yes,Ido,Mr.Lombard.”
Lombardsaidunexpectedly:
“Youknow,Blore,you’renotnearlysuchafoolasyoulook.”
“That’sasmaybe.Whataboutthatrevolver?”
Lombardsmiled.
“IbroughtitbecauseIexpectedtorunintoaspotoftrouble.”
Bloresaidsuspiciously:
“Youdidn’ttellusthatlastnight.”
Lombardshookhishead.
“Youwereholdingoutonus?”Blorepersisted.
“Inaway,yes,”saidLombard.
“Well,comeon,outwithit.”
Lombardsaidslowly:
“IallowedyoualltothinkthatIwasaskedhereinthesamewayasmostoftheothers.That’snotquitetrue.AsamatteroffactIwasapproachedbyalittleJew-boy—Morrishisnamewas.Heofferedmeahundredguineastocomedownhereandkeepmyeyesopen—saidI’dgotareputationforbeingagoodmaninatightplace.”
“Well?”Blorepromptedimpatiently.
Lombardsaidwithagrin:
“That’sall.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Butsurelyhetoldyoumorethanthat?”
“Ohno,hedidn’t.Justshutuplikeaclam.Icouldtakeitorleaveit—thosewerehiswords.Iwashardup.Itookit.”
Blorelookedunconvinced.Hesaid:
“Whydidn’tyoutellusallthislastnight?”
“Mydearman—”Lombardshruggedeloquentshoulders.“HowwasItoknowthatlastnightwasn’texactlytheeventualityIwasheretocopewith?Ilaylowandtoldanoncommittalstory.”
Dr.Armstrongsaidshrewdly:
“Butnow—youthinkdifferently?”
Lombard’sfacechanged.Itdarkenedandhardened.Hesaid:
“Yes.IbelievenowthatI’minthesameboatastherestofyou.ThathundredguineaswasjustMr.Owen’slittlebitofcheesetogetmeintothetrapalongwiththerestofyou.”
Hesaidslowly:
“Forweareinatrap—I’lltakemyoathonthat!Mrs.Rogers’death!TonyMarston’s!Thedisappearingsoldierboysonthedinnertable!Ohyes,Mr.Owen’shandisplainlyseen—butwherethedevilisMr.Owenhimself?”
Downstairsthegongpealedasolemncalltolunch.
II
Rogerswasstandingbythediningroomdoor.Asthethreemendescendedthestairshemovedasteportwoforward.Hesaidinalowanxiousvoice:
“Ihopelunchwillbesatisfactory.Thereiscoldhamandcoldtongue,andI’veboiledsomepotatoes.Andthere’scheeseandbiscuits,andsometinnedfruits.”
Lombardsaid:
“Soundsallright.Storesareholdingout,then?”
“Thereisplentyoffood,sir—ofatinnedvariety.Thelarderisverywellstocked.Anecessity,that,Ishouldsay,sir,onanislandwhereonemaybecutofffromthemainlandforaconsiderableperiod.”
Lombardnodded.
Rogersmurmuredashefollowedthethreemenintothediningroom:
“ItworriesmethatFredNarracotthasn’tbeenovertoday.It’speculiarlyunfortunate,asyoumightsay.”
“Yes,”saidLombard,“peculiarlyunfortunatedescribesitverywell.”
MissBrentcameintotheroom.Shehadjustdroppedaballofwoolandwascarefullyrewindingtheendofit.
Asshetookherseatattablesheremarked:
“Theweatherischanging.Thewindisquitestrongandtherearewhitehorsesonthesea.”
Mr.JusticeWargravecamein.Hewalkedwithaslowmeasuredtread.Hedartedquicklooksfromunderhisbushyeyebrowsattheotheroccupantsofthediningroom.Hesaid:
“Youhavehadanactivemorning.”
Therewasafaintmaliciouspleasureinhisvoice.
VeraClaythornehurriedin.Shewasalittleoutofbreath.
Shesaidquickly:
“Ihopeyoudidn’twaitforme.AmIlate?”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“You’renotthelast.TheGeneralisn’thereyet.”
Theysatroundthetable.
RogersaddressedMissBrent.
“Willyoubegin,Madam,orwillyouwait?”
Verasaid:
“GeneralMacarthurissittingrightdownbythesea.Idon’texpecthewouldhearthegongthereanyway”—shehesitated—“he’salittlevaguetoday,Ithink.”
Rogerssaidquickly:
“Iwillgodownandinformhimluncheonisready.”
Dr.Armstrongjumpedup.
“I’llgo,”hesaid.“Youothersstartlunch.”
Helefttheroom.BehindhimheheardRogers’voice.
“Willyoutakecoldtongueorcoldham,Madam?”
III
Thefivepeoplesittingroundthetableseemedtofindconversationdifficult.Outside,suddengustsofwindcameupanddiedaway.
Verashiveredalittleandsaid:
“Thereisastormcoming.”
Bloremadeacontributiontothediscourse.Hesaidconversationally:
“TherewasanoldfellowinthetrainfromPlymouthyesterday.Hekeptsayingastormwascoming.Wonderfulhowtheyknowweather,theseoldsalts.”
Rogerswentroundthetablecollectingthemeatplates.
Suddenly,withtheplatesheldinhishands,hestopped.
Hesaidinanoddscaredvoice:
“There’ssomebodyrunning….”
Theycouldallhearit—runningfeetalongtheterrace.
Inthatminute,theyknew—knewwithoutbeingtold….
Asbycommonaccord,theyallrosetotheirfeet.Theystoodlookingtowardsthedoor.
Dr.Armstrongappeared,hisbreathcomingfast.
Hesaid:
“GeneralMacarthur—”
“Dead!”ThewordburstfromVeraexplosively.
Armstrongsaid:
“Yes,he’sdead….”
Therewasapause—alongpause.
Sevenpeoplelookedateachotherandcouldfindnowordstosay.
IV
Thestormbrokejustastheoldman’sbodywasborneinthroughthedoor.
Theotherswerestandinginthehall.
Therewasasuddenhissandroarastheraincamedown.
AsBloreandArmstrongpassedupthestairswiththeirburden,VeraClaythorneturnedsuddenlyandwentintothedeserteddiningroom.
Itwasastheyhadleftit.Thesweetcoursestoodreadyonthesideboarduntasted.
Verawentuptothetable.ShewasthereaminuteortwolaterwhenRogerscamesoftlyintotheroom.
Hestartedwhenhesawher.Thenhiseyesaskedaquestion.
Hesaid:
“Oh,Miss,I—Ijustcametosee….”
InaloudharshvoicethatsurprisedherselfVerasaid:
“You’requiteright,Rogers.Lookforyourself.Thereareonlyseven.…”
V
GeneralMacarthurhadbeenlaidonhisbed.
AftermakingalastexaminationArmstronglefttheroomandcamedownstairs.Hefoundtheothersassembledinthedrawingroom.
MissBrentwasknitting.VeraClaythornewasstandingbythewindowlookingoutatthehissingrain.Blorewassittingsquarelyinachair,hishandsonhisknees.Lombardwaswalkingrestlesslyupanddown.AtthefarendoftheroomMr.JusticeWargravewassittinginagrandfatherchair.Hiseyeswerehalfclosed.
Theyopenedasthedoctorcameintotheroom.Hesaidinaclearpenetratingvoice:
“Well,doctor?”
Armstrongwasverypale.Hesaid:
“Noquestionofheartfailureoranythinglikethat.Macarthurwashitwithalifepreserverorsomesuchthingonthebackofthehead.”
Alittlemurmurwentround,buttheclearvoiceofthejudgewasraisedoncemore.
“Didyoufindtheactualweaponused?”
“No.”
“Neverthelessyouaresureofyourfacts?”
“Iamquitesure.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidquietly:
“Weknownowexactlywhereweare.”
Therewasnodoubtnowwhowasinchargeofthesituation.ThismorningWargravehadsathuddledinhischairontheterracerefrainingfromanyovertactivity.Nowheassumedcommandwiththeeasebornofalonghabitofauthority.Hedefinitelypresidedoverthecourt.
Clearinghisthroat,heoncemorespoke
“Thismorning,gentlemen,whilstIwassittingontheterrace,Iwasanobserverofyouractivities.Therecouldbelittledoubtofyourpurpose.Youweresearchingtheislandforanunknownmurderer?”
“Quiteright,sir,”saidPhilipLombard.
Thejudgewenton.
“Youhadcome,doubtless,tothesameconclusionthatIhad—namelythatthedeathsofAnthonyMarstonandMrs.Rogerswereneitheraccidentalnorweretheysuicides.NodoubtyoualsoreachedacertainconclusionastothepurposeofMr.Oweninenticingustothisisland?”
Bloresaidhoarsely:
“He’samadman!Aloony.”
Thejudgecoughed.
“Thatalmostcertainly.Butithardlyaffectstheissue.Ourmainpreoccupationisthis—tosaveourlives.”
Armstrongsaidinatremblingvoice:
“There’snooneontheisland,Itellyou.Noone!”
Thejudgestrokedhisjaw.
Hesaidgently:
“Inthesenseyoumean,no.Icametothatconclusionearlythismorning.Icouldhavetoldyouthatyoursearchwouldbefruitless.NeverthelessIamstronglyoftheopinionthat‘Mr.Owen’(togivehimthenamehehimselfhasadopted)isontheisland.Verymuchso.Giventheschemeinquestionwhichisneithermorenorlessthantheexecutionofjusticeuponcertainindividualsforoffenceswhichthelawcannottouch,thereisonlyonewayinwhichthatschemecouldbeaccomplished.Mr.Owencouldonlycometotheislandinoneway.
“Itisperfectlyclear.Mr.Owenisoneofus.…”
VI
“Oh,no,no,no….”
ItwasVerawhoburstout—almostinamoan.Thejudgeturnedakeeneyeonher.
Hesaid:
“Mydearyounglady,thisisnotimeforrefusingtolookfactsintheface.Weareallingravedanger.OneofusisU.N.Owen.Andwedonotknowwhichofus.Ofthetenpeoplewhocametothisislandthreearedefinitelycleared.AnthonyMarston,Mrs.Rogers,andGeneralMacarthurhavegonebeyondsuspicion.Therearesevenofusleft.Ofthoseseven,oneis,ifImaysoexpressmyself,aboguslittlesoldierboy.”
Hepausedandlookedround.
“DoItakeitthatyouallagree?”
Armstrongsaid:
“It’sfantastic—butIsupposeyou’reright.”
Bloresaid:
“Notadoubtofit.Andifyouaskme,I’veaverygoodidea—”
AquickgestureofMr.JusticeWargrave’shandstoppedhim.Thejudgesaidquietly:
“Wewillcometothatpresently.AtthemomentallIwishtoestablishisthatweareinagreementonthefacts.”
EmilyBrent,stillknitting,said:
“Yourargumentseemslogical.Iagreethatoneofusispossessedbyadevil.”
Veramurmured:
“Ican’tbelieveit…Ican’t….”
Wargravesaid:
“Lombard?”
“Iagree,sir,absolutely.”
Thejudgenoddedhisheadinasatisfiedmanner.Hesaid:
“Nowletusexaminetheevidence.Tobeginwith,isthereanyreasonforsuspectingoneparticularperson?Mr.Blore,youhave,Ithink,somethingtosay.”
Blorewasbreathinghard.Hesaid:
“Lombard’sgotarevolver.Hedidn’ttellthetruth—lastnight.Headmitsit.”
PhilipLombardsmiledscornfully.
Hesaid:
“IsupposeI’dbetterexplainagain.”
Hedidso,tellingthestorybrieflyandsuccinctly.
Bloresaidsharply:
“What’stoproveit?There’snothingtocorroborateyourstory.”
Thejudgecoughed.
“Unfortunately,”hesaid,“weareallinthatposition.Thereisonlyourownwordtogoupon.”
Heleanedforward.
“Youhavenoneofyouyetgraspedwhataverypeculiarsituationthisis.Tomymindthereisonlyonecourseofproceduretoadopt.Isthereanyonewhomwecandefinitelyeliminatefromsuspicionontheevidencewhichisinourpossession?”
Dr.Armstrongsaidquickly:
“I,amawell-knownprofessionalman.ThemereideathatIcanbesuspectedof—”
Againagestureofthejudge’shandarrestedaspeakerbeforehefinishedhisspeech.Mr.JusticeWargravesaidinhissmallclearvoice:
“Itoo,amawell-knownperson!But,mydearsir,thatproveslessthannothing!Doctorshavegonemadbeforenow.Judgeshavegonemad.So,”headded,lookingatBlore,“havepolicemen!”
Lombardsaid:
“Atanyrate,Isupposeyou’llleavethewomenoutofit.”
Thejudge’seyebrowsrose.Hesaidinthefamous“acid”tonesthatCounselknewsowell:
“DoIunderstandyoutoassertthatwomenarenotsubjecttohomicidalmania?”
Lombardsaidirritably:
“Ofcoursenot.Butallthesame,ithardlyseemspossible—”
Hestopped.Mr.JusticeWargravestillinthesamethinsourvoiceaddressedArmstrong.
“Itakeit,Dr.Armstrong,thatawomanwouldhavebeenphysicallycapableofstrikingtheblowthatkilledpoorMacarthur?”
Thedoctorsaidcalmly:
“Perfectlycapable—givenasuitableinstrument,suchasarubbertruncheonorcosh.”
“Itwouldrequirenoundueexertionofforce?”
“Notatall.”
Mr.JusticeWargravewriggledhistortoise-likeneck.Hesaid:
“Theothertwodeathshaveresultedfromtheadministrationofdrugs.That,noonewilldispute,iseasilycompassedbyapersonofthesmallestphysicalstrength.”
Veracriedangrily:
“Ithinkyou’remad!”
Hiseyesturnedslowlytilltheyrestedonher.Itwasthedispassionatestareofamanwellusedtoweighinghumanityinthebalance.Shethought:
“He’sjustseeingmeasa—asaspecimen.And—”thethoughtcametoherwithrealsurprise,“hedoesn’tlikememuch!”
Inameasuredtonethejudgewassaying:
“Mydearyounglady,dotryandrestrainyourfeelings.Iamnotaccusingyou.”HebowedtoMissBrent.“Ihope,MissBrent,thatyouarenotoffendedbymyinsistencethatallofusareequallyundersuspicion?”
EmilyBrentwasknitting.Shedidnotlookup.Inacoldvoiceshesaid:
“TheideathatIshouldbeaccusedoftakingafellowcreature’slife—nottospeakofthelivesofthreefellowcreatures—isofcourse,quiteabsurdtoanyonewhoknowsanythingofmycharacter.ButIquiteappreciatethefactthatweareallstrangerstooneanotherandthat,inthosecircumstances,nobodycanbeexoneratedwithoutthefullestproof.Thereis,asIhavesaid,adevilamongstus.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Thenweareagreed.Therecanbenoeliminationonthegroundofcharacterorpositionalone.”
Lombardsaid:“WhataboutRogers?”
Thejudgelookedathimunblinkingly.
“Whatabouthim?”
Lombardsaid:
“Well,tomymind,Rogersseemsprettywellruledout.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Indeed,andonwhatgrounds?”
Lombardsaid:
“Hehasn’tgotthebrainsforonething.Andforanotherhiswifewasoneofthevictims.”
Thejudge’sheavyeyebrowsroseoncemore.Hesaid:
“Inmytime,youngman,severalpeoplehavecomebeforemeaccusedofthemurdersoftheirwives—andhavebeenfoundguilty.”
“Oh!Iagree.Wifemurderisperfectlypossible—almostnatural,let’ssay!Butnotthisparticularkind!IcanbelieveinRogerskillinghiswifebecausehewasscaredofherbreakingdownandgivinghimaway,orbecausehe’dtakenadisliketoher,orbecausehewantedtolinkupwithsomenicelittlebitratherlesslonginthetooth.ButIcan’tseehimasthelunaticMr.Owendealingoutcrazyjusticeandstartingonhisownwifeforacrimetheybothcommitted.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Youareassuminghearsaytobeevidence.WedonotknowthatRogersandhiswifeconspiredtomurdertheiremployer.Thatmayhavebeenafalsestatement,madesothatRogersshouldappeartobeinthesamepositionasourselves.Mrs.Rogers’terrorlastnightmayhavebeenduetothefactthatsherealizedherhusbandwasmentallyunhinged.”
Lombardsaid:
“Well,haveityourownway.U.N.Owenisoneofus.Noexceptionsallowed.Weallqualify.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Mypointisthattherecanbenoexceptionsallowedonthescoreofcharacter,position,orprobability.Whatwemustnowexamineisthepossibilityofeliminatingoneormorepersonsonthefacts.Toputitsimply,isthereamongusoneormorepersonswhocouldnotpossiblyhaveadministeredeithercyanidetoAnthonyMarston,oranoverdoseofsleepingdraughttoMrs.Rogers,andwhohadnoopportunityofstrikingtheblowthatkilledGeneralMacarthur?”
Blore’sratherheavyfacelitup.Heleantforward.
“Nowyou’retalking,sir!”hesaid.“That’sthestuff!Let’sgointoit.AsregardsyoungMarstonIdon’tthinkthere’sanythingtobedone.It’salreadybeensuggestedthatsomeonefromoutsideslippedsomethingintothedregsofhisglassbeforeherefilleditforthelasttime.Apersonactuallyintheroomcouldhavedonethatevenmoreeasily.Ican’trememberifRogerswasintheroom,butanyoftherestofuscouldcertainlyhavedoneit.”
Hepaused,thenwenton:
“NowtakethewomanRogers.Thepeoplewhostandoutthereareherhusbandandthedoctor.Eitherofthemcouldhavedoneitaseasyaswinking—”
Armstrongsprangtohisfeet.Hewastrembling.
“Iprotest—thisisabsolutelyuncalledfor!IswearthatthedoseIgavethewomanwasperfectly—”
“Dr.Armstrong.”
Thesmallsourvoicewascompelling.Thedoctorstoppedwithajerkinthemiddleofhissentence.Thesmallcoldvoicewenton:
“Yourindignationisverynatural.Neverthelessyoumustadmitthatthefactshavegottobefaced.EitheryouorRogerscouldhaveadministeredafataldosewiththegreatestease.Letusnowconsiderthepositionoftheotherpeoplepresent.WhatchancehadI,hadInspectorBlore,hadMissBrent,hadMissClaythorne,hadMr.Lombardofadministeringpoison?Cananyoneofusbecompletelyandentirelyeliminated?”Hepaused.“Ithinknot.”
Verasaidangrily:
“Iwasnowherenearthewoman!Allofyoucansweartothat.”
Mr.JusticeWargravewaitedaminute,thenhesaid:
“Asfarasmymemoryservesmethefactswerethese—willanyonepleasecorrectmeifImakeamisstatement?Mrs.RogerswasliftedontothesofabyAnthonyMarstonandMr.LombardandDr.Armstrongwenttoher.HesentRogersforbrandy.Therewasthenaquestionraisedastowherethevoicewehadjustheardhadcomefrom.WeallwentintothenextroomwiththeexceptionofMissBrentwhoremainedinthisroom—alonewiththeunconsciouswoman.”
AspotofcolourcameintoEmilyBrent’scheeks.Shestoppedknitting.Shesaid:
“Thisisoutrageous!”
Theremorselesssmallvoicewenton:
“Whenwereturnedtothisroom,you,MissBrent,werebendingoverthewomanonthesofa.”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Iscommonhumanityacriminaloffence?”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Iamonlyestablishingfacts.Rogersthenenteredtheroomwiththebrandywhich,ofcourse,hecouldquitewellhavedoctoredbeforeenteringtheroom.ThebrandywasadministeredtothewomanandshortlyafterwardsherhusbandandDr.ArmstrongassistedheruptobedwhereDr.Armstronggaveherasedative.”
Bloresaid:
“That’swhathappened.Absolutely.Andthatletsoutthejudge,Mr.Lombard,myselfandMissClaythorne.”
Hisvoicewasloudandjubilant.Mr.JusticeWargrave,bringingacoldeyetobearuponhim,murmured:
“Ah,butdoesit?Wemusttakeintoaccounteverypossibleeventuality.”
Blorestared.Hesaid:
“Idon’tgetyou.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Upstairsinherroom,Mrs.Rogersislyinginbed.Thesedativethatthedoctorhasgivenherbeginstotakeeffect.Sheisvaguelysleepyandacquiescent.Supposingthatatthatmomentthereisataponthedoorandsomeoneentersbringingher,shallwesay,atablet,oradraught,withthemessagethat‘Thedoctorsaysyou’retotakethis.’Doyouimagineforoneminutethatshewouldnothaveswalloweditobedientlywithoutthinkingtwiceaboutit?”
Therewasasilence.Bloreshiftedhisfeetandfrowned.PhilipLombardsaid:
“Idon’tbelieveinthatstoryforaminute.Besidesnoneofusleftthisroomforhoursafterwards.TherewasMarston’sdeathandalltherestofit.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Someonecouldhavelefthisorherbedroom—later.”
Lombardobjected:
“ButthenRogerswouldhavebeenupthere.”
Dr.Armstrongstirred.
“No,”hesaid.“Rogerswentdownstairstoclearupinthediningroomandpantry.Anyonecouldhavegoneuptothewoman’sbedroomthenwithoutbeingseen.”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Surely,doctor,thewomanwouldhavebeenfastasleepbythenundertheinfluenceofthedrugyouhadadministered?”
“Inalllikelihood,yes.Butitisnotacertainty.Untilyouhaveprescribedforapatientmorethanonceyoucannottelltheirreactiontodifferentdrugs.Thereis,sometimes,aconsiderableperiodbeforeasedativetakeseffect.Itdependsonthepersonalidiosyncrasyofthepatienttowardsthatparticulardrug.”
Lombardsaid:
“Ofcourseyouwouldsaythat,doctor.Suitsyourbook—eh?”
AgainArmstrong’sfacedarkenedwithanger.
Butagainthatpassionlesscoldlittlevoicestoppedthewordsonhislips.
“Nogoodresultcancomefromrecrimination.Factsarewhatwehavetodealwith.Itisestablished,Ithink,thatthereisapossibilityofsuchathingasIhaveoutlinedoccurring.Iagreethatitsprobabilityvalueisnothigh;thoughthereagain,itdependsonwhothatpersonmighthavebeen.TheappearanceofMissBrentorofMissClaythorneonsuchanerrandwouldhaveoccasionednosurpriseinthepatient’smind.Iagreethattheappearanceofmyself,orofMr.Blore,orofMr.Lombardwouldhavebeen,tosaytheleastofit,unusual,butIstillthinkthevisitwouldhavebeenreceivedwithouttheawakeningofanyrealsuspicion.”
Bloresaid:
“Andthatgetsus—where?”
VII
Mr.JusticeWargrave,strokinghislipandlookingquitepassionlessandinhuman,said:
“Wehavenowdealtwiththesecondkilling,andhaveestablishedthefactthatnooneofuscanbecompletelyexoneratedfromsuspicion.”
Hepausedandwenton.
“WecomenowtothedeathofGeneralMacarthur.Thattookplacethismorning.Iwillaskanyonewhoconsidersthatheorshehasanalibitostateitinsomanywords.ImyselfwillstateatoncethatIhavenovalidalibi.Ispentthemorningsittingontheterraceandmeditatingonthesingularpositioninwhichweallfindourselves.
“Isatonthatchairontheterraceforthewholemorninguntilthegongwent,buttherewere,Ishouldimagine,severalperiodsduringthemorningwhenIwasquiteunobservedandduringwhichitwouldhavebeenpossibleformetowalkdowntothesea,killtheGeneral,andreturntomychair.ThereisonlymywordforthefactthatIneverlefttheterrace.Inthecircumstancesthatisnotenough.Theremustbeproof.”
Bloresaid:
“IwaswithMr.LombardandDr.Armstrongallthemorning.They’llbearmeout.”
Dr.Armstrongsaid:
“Youwenttothehouseforarope.”
Bloresaid:
“Ofcourse,Idid.Wentstraightthereandstraightback.YouknowIdid.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Youwerealongtime….”
Bloreturnedcrimson.Hesaid:
“Whatthehelldoyoumeanbythat,Dr.Armstrong?”
Armstrongrepeated:
“Ionlysaidyouwerealongtime.”
“Hadtofindit,didn’tI?Can’tlayyourhandsonacoilofropeallinaminute.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“DuringInspectorBlore’sabsence,wereyoutwogentlementogether?”
Armstrongsaidhotly:
“Certainly.Thatis,Lombardwentoffforafewminutes.IremainedwhereIwas.”
Lombardsaidwithasmile:
“Iwantedtotestthepossibilitiesofheliographingtothemainland.Wantedtofindthebestspot.Iwasonlyabsentaminuteortwo.”
Armstrongnodded.Hesaid:
“That’sright.Notlongenoughtodoamurder,Iassureyou.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Dideitherofyoutwoglanceatyourwatches?”
“Well,no.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Iwasn’twearingone.”
Thejudgesaidevenly:
“Aminuteortwoisavagueexpression.”
Heturnedhisheadtotheuprightfigurewiththeknittinglyingonherlap.
“MissBrent?”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“ItookawalkwithMissClaythorneuptothetopoftheisland.AfterwardsIsatontheterraceinthesun.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Idon’tthinkInoticedyouthere.”
“No,Iwasroundthecornerofthehousetotheeast.Itwasoutofthewindthere.”
“Andyousattheretilllunchtime?”
“Yes.”
“MissClaythorne?”
Veraansweredreadilyandclearly:
“IwaswithMissBrentearlythismorning.AfterthatIwanderedaboutabit.ThenIwentdownandtalkedtoGeneralMacarthur.”
Mr.JusticeWargraveinterrupted.Hesaid:
“Whattimewasthat?”
Veraforthefirsttimewasvague.Shesaid:
“Idon’tknow.Aboutanhourbeforelunch,Ithink—oritmighthavebeenless.”
Bloreasked:
“Wasitafterwe’dspokentohimorbefore?”
Verasaid:
“Idon’tknow.He—hewasveryqueer.”
Sheshivered.
“Inwhatwaywashequeer?”thejudgewantedtoknow.
Verasaidinalowvoice:
“Hesaidwewereallgoingtodie—hesaidhewaswaitingfortheend.He—hefrightenedme….”
Thejudgenodded.Hesaid:
“Whatdidyoudonext?”
“Iwentbacktothehouse.Then,justbeforelunch,Iwentoutagainandupbehindthehouse.I’vebeenterriblyrestlessallday.”
Mr.JusticeWargravestrokedhischin.Hesaid:
“ThereremainsRogers.ThoughIdoubtifhisevidencewilladdanythingtooursumofknowledge.”
Rogers,summonedbeforethecourt,hadverylittletotell.Hehadbeenbusyallthemorningabouthouseholddutiesandwiththepreparationoflunch.Hehadtakencocktailsontotheterracebeforelunchandhadthengoneuptoremovehisthingsfromtheattictoanotherroom.HehadnotlookedoutofthewindowduringthemorningandhadseennothingthatcouldhaveanybearinguponthedeathofGeneralMacarthur.Hewouldsweardefinitelythattherehadbeeneightchinafiguresuponthediningtablewhenhelaidthetableforlunch.
AttheconclusionofRogers’evidencetherewasapause.
Mr.JusticeWargraveclearedhisthroat
LombardmurmuredtoVeraClaythorne:
“Thesummingupwillnowtakeplace!”
Thejudgesaid:
“Wehaveinquiredintothecircumstancesofthesethreedeathstothebestofourability.Whilstprobabilityinsomecasesisagainstcertainpeoplebeingimplicated,yetwecannotsaydefinitelythatanyonepersoncanbeconsideredasclearedofallcomplicity.Ireiteratemypositivebeliefthatofthesevenpersonsassembledinthisroomoneisadangerousandprobablyinsanecriminal.Thereisnoevidencebeforeusastowhothatpersonis.Allwecandoatthepresentjunctureistoconsiderwhatmeasureswecantakeforcommunicatingwiththemainlandforhelp,andintheeventofhelpbeingdelayed(asisonlytoopossiblegiventhestateoftheweather)whatmeasureswemustadopttoensureoursafety.
“Iwouldaskyoualltoconsiderthiscarefullyandtogivemeanysuggestionsthatmayoccurtoyou.InthemeantimeIwarneverybodytobeuponhisorherguard.Sofarthemurdererhashadaneasytask,sincehisvictimshavebeenunsuspicious.Fromnowon,itisourtasktosuspecteachandeveryoneamongstus.Forewarnedisforearmed.Takenorisksandbealerttodanger.Thatisall.”
PhilipLombardmurmuredbeneathhisbreath:
“Thecourtwillnowadjourn….”
Ten
I
Doyoubelieveit?”Veraasked.
SheandPhilipLombardsatonthewindowsillofthelivingroom.Outsidetherainpoureddownandthewindhowledingreatshudderinggustsagainstthewindowpanes.
PhilipLombardcockedhisheadslightlyononesidebeforeanswering.Thenhesaid:
“Youmean,doIbelievethatoldWargraveisrightwhenhesaysit’soneofus?”
“Yes.”
PhilipLombardsaidslowly:
“It’sdifficulttosay.Logically,youknow,he’sright,andyet—”
Veratookthewordsoutofhismouth.
“Andyetitseemssoincredible!”
PhilipLombardmadeagrimace.
“Thewholething’sincredible!ButafterMacarthur’sdeaththere’snomoredoubtastoonething.There’snoquestionnowofaccidentsorsuicides.It’sdefinitelymurder.Threemurdersuptodate.”
Verashivered.Shesaid:
“It’slikesomeawfuldream.Ikeepfeelingthatthingslikethiscan’thappen!”
Hesaidwithunderstanding:
“Iknow.Presentlyatapwillcomeonthedoor,andearlymorningteawillbebroughtin.”
Verasaid:
“Oh,howIwishthatcouldhappen!”
PhilipLombardsaidgravely:
“Yes,butitwon’t!We’reallinthedream!Andwe’vegottobeprettymuchuponourguardfromnowon.”
Verasaid,loweringhervoice:
“If—ifitisoneofthem—whichdoyouthinkitis?”
PhilipLombardgrinnedsuddenly.Hesaid:
“Itakeityouareexceptingourtwoselves?Well,that’sallright.IknowverywellthatI’mnotthemurderer,andIdon’tfancythatthere’sanythinginsaneaboutyou,Vera.YoustrikemeasbeingoneofthesanestandmostlevelheadedgirlsI’vecomeacross.I’dstakemyreputationonyoursanity.”
Withaslightlywrysmile,Verasaid:
“Thankyou.”
Hesaid:“Comenow,MissVeraClaythorne,aren’tyougoingtoreturnthecompliment?”
Verahesitatedaminute,thenshesaid:
“You’veadmitted,youknow,thatyoudon’tholdhumanlifeparticularlysacred,butallthesameIcan’tseeyouas—asthemanwhodictatedthatgramophonerecord.”
Lombardsaid:
“Quiteright.IfIweretocommitoneormoremurdersitwouldbesolelyforwhatIcouldgetoutofthem.Thismassclearanceisn’tmylineofcountry.Good,thenwe’lleliminateourselvesandconcentrateonourfivefellowprisoners.WhichofthemisU.N.Owen.Well,ataguess,andwithabsolutelynothingtogoupon,I’dplumpforWargrave!”
“Oh!”Verasoundedsurprised.Shethoughtaminuteortwoandthensaid,“Why?”
“Hardtosayexactly.Buttobeginwith,he’sanoldmanandhe’sbeenpresidingovercourtsoflawforyears.Thatistosay,he’splayedGodAlmightyforagoodmanymonthseveryyear.Thatmustgotoaman’sheadeventually.Hegetstoseehimselfasallpowerful,asholdingthepoweroflifeanddeath—andit’spossiblethathisbrainmightsnapandhemightwanttogoonestepfartherandbeExecutionerandJudgeExtraordinary.”
Verasaidslowly:
“Yes,Isupposethat’spossible.…”
Lombardsaid:
“Whodoyouplumpfor?”
WithoutanyhesitationVeraanswered:
“Dr.Armstrong.”
Lombardgavealowwhistle.
“Thedoctor,eh?Youknow,Ishouldhaveputhimlastofall.”
Verashookherhead.
“Ohno!Twoofthedeathshavebeenpoison.Thatratherpointstoadoctor.Andthenyoucan’tgetoverthefactthattheonlythingweareabsolutelycertainMrs.Rogershadwasthesleepingdraughtthathegaveher.”
Lombardadmitted:
“Yes,that’strue.”
Verapersisted:
“Ifadoctorwentmad,itwouldbealongtimebeforeanyonesuspected.Anddoctorsoverworkandhavealotofstrain.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Yes,butIdoubtifhecouldhavekilledMacarthur.Hewouldn’thavehadtimeduringthatbriefintervalwhenIlefthim—not,thatis,unlesshefairlyhareddownthereandbackagain,andIdoubtifhe’singoodenoughtrainingtodothatandshownosignsofit.”
Verasaid:
“Hedidn’tdoitthen.Hehadanopportunitylater.”
“When?”
“WhenhewentdowntocalltheGeneraltolunch.”
Philipwhistledagainverysoftly.Hesaid:
“Soyouthinkhediditthen?Prettycoolthingtodo.”
Verasaidimpatiently:
“Whatriskwasthere?He’stheonlypersonherewithmedicalknowledge.Hecanswearthebody’sbeendeadatleastanhourandwho’stocontradicthim?”
Philiplookedatherthoughtfully.
“Youknow,”hesaid,“that’sacleverideaofyours.Iwonder—”
II
“Whoisit,Mr.Blore?That’swhatIwanttoknow.Whoisit?”
Rogers’facewasworking.Hishandswereclenchedroundthepolishingleatherthatheheldinhishand.
Ex-InspectorBloresaid:
“Eh,mylad,that’sthequestion!”
“Oneofus,’islordshipsaid.Whichone?That’swhatIwanttoknow.Who’sthefiendin’umanform?”
“That,”saidBlore,“iswhatweallwouldliketoknow.”
Rogerssaidshrewdly:
“Butyou’vegotanidea,Mr.Blore.You’vegotanidea,’aven’tyou?”
“Imayhaveanidea,”saidBloreslowly.“Butthat’salongwayfrombeingsure.Imaybewrong.AllIcansayisthatifI’mrightthepersoninquestionisaverycoolcustomer—averycoolcustomerindeed.”
Rogerswipedtheperspirationfromhisforehead.Hesaidhoarsely:
“It’slikeabaddream,that’swhatitis.”
Bloresaid,lookingathimcuriously:
“Gotanyideasyourself,Rogers?”
Thebutlershookhishead.Hesaidhoarsely:
“Idon’tknow.Idon’tknowatall.Andthat’swhat’sfrighteningthelifeoutofme.Tohavenoidea….”
III
Dr.Armstrongsaidviolently:
“Wemustgetoutofhere—wemust—wemust!Atallcosts!”
Mr.JusticeWargravelookedthoughtfullyoutofthesmokingroomwindow.Heplayedwiththecordofhiseyeglasses.Hesaid:
“Idonot,ofcourse,professtobeaweatherprophet.ButIshouldsaythatitisveryunlikelythataboatcouldreachus—eveniftheyknewofourplight—inundertwenty-fourhours—andeventhenonlyifthewinddrops.”
Dr.Armstrongdroppedhisheadinhishandsandgroaned.
Hesaid:
“Andinthemeantimewemayallbemurderedinourbeds?”
“Ihopenot,”saidMr.JusticeWargrave.“Iintendtotakeeverypossibleprecautionagainstsuchathinghappening.”
ItflashedacrossDr.Armstrong’smindthatanoldmanlikethejudgewasfarmoretenaciousoflifethanayoungermanwouldbe.Hehadoftenmarvelledatthatfactinhisprofessionalcareer.Herewashe,juniortothejudgebyperhapstwentyyears,andyetwithavastlyinferiorsenseofself-preservation.
Mr.JusticeWargravewasthinking:
“Murderedinourbeds!Thesedoctorsareallthesame—theythinkinclichés.Athoroughlycommonplacemind.”
Thedoctorsaid:
“Therehavebeenthreevictimsalready,remember.”
“Certainly.Butyoumustrememberthattheywereunpreparedfortheattack.Weareforewarned.”
Dr.Armstrongsaidbitterly:
“Whatcanwedo?Soonerorlater—”
“Ithink,”saidMr.JusticeWargrave,“thatthereareseveralthingswecando.”
Armstrongsaid:
“We’venoidea,even,whoitcanbe—”
Thejudgestrokedhischinandmurmured:
“Oh,youknow,Iwouldn’tquitesaythat.”
Armstrongstaredathim.
“Doyoumeanyouknow?”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidcautiously:
“Asregardsactualevidence,suchasisnecessaryincourt,IadmitthatIhavenone.Butitappearstome,reviewingthewholebusiness,thatoneparticularpersonissufficientlyclearlyindicated.Yes,Ithinkso.”
Armstrongstaredathim.
Hesaid:
“Idon’tunderstand.”
IV
MissBrentwasupstairsinherbedroom.
ShetookupherBibleandwenttositbythewindow.
Sheopenedit.Then,afteraminute’shesitation,shesetitasideandwentovertothedressingtable.Fromadrawerinitshetookoutasmallblack-coverednotebook.
Sheopeneditandbeganwriting.
“Aterriblethinghashappened.GeneralMacarthurisdead.(HiscousinmarriedElsieMacPherson.)Thereisnodoubtbutthathewasmurdered.Afterluncheonthejudgemadeusamostinterestingspeech.Heisconvincedthatthemurdererisoneofus.Thatmeansthatoneofusispossessedbyadevil.Ihadalreadysuspectedthat.Whichofusisit?Theyareallaskingthemselvesthat.Ialoneknow….”
Shesatforsometimewithoutmoving.Hereyesgrewvagueandfilmy.Thepencilstraggleddrunkenlyinherfingers.Inshakingloosecapitalsshewrote:
THEMURDERER’SNAMEISBEATRICETAYLOR….
Hereyesclosed.
Suddenly,withastart,sheawoke.Shelookeddownatthenotebook.Withanangryexclamationshescoredthroughthevagueunevenlyscrawledcharactersofthelastsentence.
Shesaidinalowvoice:
“DidIwritethat?DidI?Imustbegoingmad….”
V
Thestormincreased.Thewindhowledagainstthesideofthehouse.
Everyonewasinthelivingroom.Theysatlistlesslyhuddledtogether.And,surreptitiously,theywatchedeachother.
WhenRogersbroughtintheteatray,theyalljumped.Hesaid:
“ShallIdrawthecurtains?Itwouldmakeitmorecheerfullike.”
Receivinganassenttothis,thecurtainsweredrawnandthelampsturnedon.Theroomgrewmorecheerful.Alittleoftheshadowlifted.Surely,bytomorrow,thestormwouldbeoverandsomeonewouldcome—aboatwouldarrive….
VeraClaythornesaid:
“Willyoupourouttea,MissBrent?”
Theelderwomanreplied:
“No,youdoit,dear.Thatteapotissoheavy.AndIhavelosttwoskeinsofmygreyknittingwool.Soannoying.”
Veramovedtotheteatable.Therewasacheerfulrattleandclinkofchina.Normalityreturned.
Tea!Blessordinaryeverydayafternoontea!PhilipLombardmadeacheeryremark.Bloreresponded.Dr.Armstrongtoldahumorousstory.Mr.JusticeWargrave,whoordinarilyhatedtea,sippedapprovingly.
IntothisrelaxedatmospherecameRogers.
AndRogerswasupset.Hesaidnervouslyandatrandom:
“Excuseme,sir,butdoesanyoneknowwhat’sbecomeofthebathroomcurtain?”
Lombard’sheadwentupwithajerk.
“Thebathroomcurtain?Whatthedevildoyoumean,Rogers?”
“It’sgone,sir,cleanvanished.Iwasgoingrounddrawingallthecurtainsandtheoneinthelav—bathroomwasn’tthereanylonger.”
Mr.JusticeWargraveasked:
“Wasittherethismorning?”
“Ohyes,sir.”
Bloresaid:
“Whatkindofacurtainwasit?”
“Scarletoilsilk,sir.Itwentwiththescarlettiles.”
Lombardsaid:
“Andit’sgone?”
“Gone,sir.”
Theystaredateachother.
Bloresaidheavily:
“Well—afterall—whatofit?It’smad—butso’severythingelse.Anywayitdoesn’tmatter.Youcan’tkillanybodywithanoilsilkcurtain.Forgetaboutit.”
Rogerssaid:
“Yes,sir,thankyou,sir.”
Hewentoutshuttingthedoorbehindhim.
Insidetheroom,thepalloffearhadfallenanew.
Again,surreptitiously,theywatchedeachother.
VI
Dinnercame,waseaten,andclearedaway.Asimplemeal,mostlyoutoftins.
Afterwards,inthelivingroom,thestrainwasalmosttoogreattobeborne.
Atnineo’clock,EmilyBrentrosetoherfeet.
Shesaid:
“I’mgoingtobed.”
Verasaid:
“I’llgotobedtoo.”
ThetwowomenwentupthestairsandLombardandBlorecamewiththem.Standingatthetopofthestairs,thetwomenwatchedthewomengointotheirrespectiveroomsandshutthedoors.Theyheardthesoundoftwoboltsbeingshotandtheturningoftwokeys.
Bloresaidwithagrin:
“Noneedtotell’emtolocktheirdoors!”
Lombardsaid:
“Well,they’reallrightforthenight,atanyrate!”
Hewentdownagainandtheotherfollowedhim.
VII
Thefourmenwenttobedanhourlater.Theywentuptogether.Rogers,fromthediningroomwherehewassettingthetableforbreakfast,sawthemgoup.Heheardthempauseonthelandingabove.
Thenthejudge’svoicespoke.
“Ineedhardlyadviseyou,gentlemen,tolockyourdoors.”
Bloresaid:
“Andwhat’smore,putachairunderthehandle.Therearewaysofturninglocksfromtheoutside.”
Lombardmurmured:
“MydearBlore,thetroublewithyouisyouknowtoomuch!”
Thejudgesaidgravely:
“Goodnight,gentlemen.Mayweallmeetsafelyinthemorning!”
Rogerscameoutofthediningroomandslippedhalfwayupthestairs.Hesawfourfigurespassthroughfourdoorsandheardtheturningoffourlocksandtheshootingoffourbolts.
Henoddedhishead.
“That’sallright,”hemuttered.
Hewentbackintothediningroom.Yes,everythingwasreadyforthemorning.Hiseyelingeredonthecentreplaqueoflookingglassandthesevenlittlechinafigures.
Asuddengrintransformedhisface.
Hemurmured:
“I’llseenooneplaystrickstonight,atanyrate.”
Crossingtheroomhelockedthedoortothepantry.Thengoingthroughtheotherdoortothehallhepulledthedoorto,lockeditandslippedthekeyintohispocket.
Then,extinguishingthelights,hehurriedupthestairsandintohisnewbedroom.
Therewasonlyonepossiblehidingplaceinit,thetallwardrobe,andhelookedintothatimmediately.Then,lockingandboltingthedoor,hepreparedforbed.
Hesaidtohimself:
“Nomorechina-soldiertrickstonight.I’veseentothat….”
Eleven
I
PhilipLombardhadthehabitofwakingatdaybreak.Hedidsoonthisparticularmorning.Heraisedhimselfonanelbowandlistened.Thewindhadsomewhatabatedbutwasstillblowing.Hecouldhearnosoundofrain….
Ateighto’clockthewindwasblowingmorestrongly,butLombarddidnothearit.Hewasasleepagain.
Atnine-thirtyhewassittingontheedgeofhisbedlookingathiswatch.Heputittohisear.Thenhislipsdrewbackfromhisteethinthatcuriouswolf-likesmilecharacteristicoftheman.
Hesaidverysoftly:
“Ithinkthetimehascometodosomethingaboutthis.”
Attwenty-fiveminutestotenhewastappingonthecloseddoorofBlore’sroom.
Thelatteropeneditcautiously.Hishairwastousledandhiseyeswerestilldimwithsleep.
PhilipLombardsaidaffably:
“Sleepingtheclockround?Well,showsyou’vegotaneasyconscience.”
Bloresaidshortly:
“What’sthematter?”
Lombardanswered:
“Anybodycalledyou—orbroughtyouanytea?Doyouknowwhattimeitis?”
Blorelookedoverhisshoulderatasmalltravellingclockbyhisbedside.
Hesaid:
“Twenty-fivetoten.Wouldn’thavebelievedIcouldhavesleptlikethat.Where’sRogers?”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“It’sacaseofechoanswerswhere.”
“Whatd’youmean?”askedtheothersharply.
Lombardsaid:
“ImeanthatRogersismissing.Heisn’tinhisroomoranywhereelse.Andthere’snokettleonandthekitchenfireisn’tevenlit.”
Bloresworeunderhisbreath.Hesaid:
“Wherethedevilcanhebe?Outontheislandsomewhere?WaittillIgetsomeclotheson.Seeiftheothersknowanything.”
PhilipLombardnodded.Hemovedalongthelineofcloseddoors.
HefoundArmstrongupandnearlydressed.Mr.JusticeWargrave,likeBlore,hadtoberousedfromsleep.VeraClaythornewasdressed.EmilyBrent’sroomwasempty.
Thelittlepartymovedthroughthehouse.Rogers’room,asPhilipLombardhadalreadyascertained,wasuntenanted.Thebedhadbeensleptin,andhisrazorandspongeandsoapwerewet.
Lombardsaid:
“Hegotupallright.”
Verasaidinalowvoicewhichshetriedtomakefirmandassured:
“Youdon’tthinkhe’s—hidingsomewhere—waitingforus?”
Lombardsaid:
“Mydeargirl,I’mpreparedtothinkanythingofanyone!Myadviceisthatwekeeptogetheruntilwefindhim.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Hemustbeoutontheislandsomewhere.”
Blore,whohadjoinedthem,dressed,butstillunshaved,said:
“Where’sMissBrentgotto—that’sanothermystery?”
Butastheyarrivedinthehall,EmilyBrentcameinthroughthefrontdoor.Shehadonamackintosh.Shesaid:
“Theseaisashighasever.Ishouldn’tthinkanyboatcouldputouttoday.”
Bloresaid:
“Haveyoubeenwanderingabouttheislandalone,MissBrent?Don’tyourealizethatthat’sanexceedinglyfoolishthingtodo?”
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Iassureyou,Mr.Blore,thatIkeptanextremelysharplookout.”
Bloregrunted.Hesaid:
“SeenanythingofRogers?”
MissBrent’seyebrowsrose.
“Rogers?No,Ihaven’tseenhimthismorning.Why?”
Mr.JusticeWargrave,shaved,dressedandwithhisfalseteethinposition,camedownthestairs.Hemovedtotheopendiningroomdoor.Hesaid:
“Ha,laidthetableforbreakfast,Isee.”
Lombardsaid:
“Hemighthavedonethatlastnight.”
Theyallmovedinsidetheroom,lookingattheneatlysetplatesandcutlery.Attherowofcupsonthesideboard.Atthefeltmatsplacedreadyforthecoffeeurn.
ItwasVerawhosawitfirst.Shecaughtthejudge’sarmandthegripofherathleticfingersmadetheoldgentlemanwince.
Shecriedout:
“Thesoldiers!Look!”
Therewereonlysixchinafiguresinthemiddleofthetable.
II
Theyfoundhimshortlyafterwards.
Hewasinthelittlewashhouseacrosstheyard.Hehadbeenchoppingsticksinpreparationforlightingthekitchenfire.Thesmallchopperwasstillinhishand.Abiggerchopper,aheavyaffair,wasleaningagainstthedoor—themetalofitstainedadullbrown.ItcorrespondedonlytoowellwiththedeepwoundinthebackofRogers’head….
III
“Perfectlyclear,”saidArmstrong.“Themurderermusthavecreptupbehindhim,swungthechopperonceandbroughtitdownonhisheadashewasbendingover.”
Blorewasbusyonthehandleofthechopperandthefloursifterfromthekitchen.
Mr.JusticeWargraveasked:
“Wouldithaveneededgreatforce,doctor?”
Armstrongsaidgravely:
“Awomancouldhavedoneitifthat’swhatyoumean.”Hegaveaquickglancearound.VeraClaythorneandEmilyBrenthadretiredtothekitchen.“Thegirlcouldhavedoneiteasily—she’sanathletictype.InappearanceMissBrentisfragile-looking,butthattypeofwomanhasoftenalotofwirystrength.Andyoumustrememberthatanyonewho’smentallyunhingedhasagooddealofunsuspectedstrength.”
Thejudgenoddedthoughtfully.
Blorerosetohiskneeswithasigh.Hesaid:
“Nofingerprints.Handlewaswipedafterwards.”
Asoundoflaughterwasheard—theyturnedsharply.VeraClaythornewasstandingintheyard.Shecriedoutinahighshrillvoice,shakenwithwildburstsoflaughter:
“Dotheykeepbeesonthisisland?Tellmethat.Wheredowegoforhoney?Ha!ha!”
Theystaredatheruncomprehendingly.Itwasasthoughthesanewell-balancedgirlhadgonemadbeforetheireyes.Shewentoninthathighunnaturalvoice:
“Don’tstarelikethat!AsthoughyouthoughtIwasmad.It’ssaneenoughwhatI’masking.Bees,hives,bees!Oh,don’tyouunderstand?Haven’tyoureadthatidioticrhyme?It’supinallyourbedrooms—putthereforyoutostudy!Wemighthavecomeherestraightawayifwe’dhadsense.Sevenlittlesoldierboyschoppingupsticks.Andthenextverse.Iknowthewholethingbyheart,Itellyou!Sixlittlesoldierboysplayingwithahive.Andthat’swhyI’masking—dotheykeepbeesonthisisland?—isn’titfunny?—isn’titdamnedfunny…?”
Shebeganlaughingwildlyagain.Dr.Armstrongstrodeforward.Heraisedhishandandstruckheraflatblowonthecheek.
Shegasped,hiccupped—andswallowed.Shestoodmotionlessaminute,thenshesaid:
“Thankyou…I’mallrightnow.”
Hervoicewasoncemorecalmandcontrolled—thevoiceoftheefficientgamesmistress.
Sheturnedandwentacrosstheyardintothekitchensaying:“MissBrentandIaregettingyoubreakfast.Canyou—bringsomestickstolightthefire?”
Themarksofthedoctor’shandstoodoutredonhercheek.
AsshewentintothekitchenBloresaid:
“Well,youdealtwiththatallright,doctor.”
Armstrongsaidapologetically:
“Hadto!Wecan’tcopewithhysteriaonthetopofeverythingelse.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“She’snotahystericaltype.”
Armstrongagreed.
“Ohno.Goodhealthysensiblegirl.Justthesuddenshock.Itmighthappentoanybody.”
Rogershadchoppedacertainamountoffirewoodbeforehehadbeenkilled.Theygathereditupandtookitintothekitchen.VeraandEmilyBrentwerebusy,MissBrentwasrakingoutthestove.Verawascuttingtherindoffthebacon.
EmilyBrentsaid:
“Thankyou.We’llbeasquickaswecan—sayhalfanhourtothree-quarters.Thekettle’sgottoboil.”
IV
Ex-InspectorBloresaidinalowhoarsevoicetoPhilipLombard:
“KnowwhatI’mthinking?”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“Asyou’rejustabouttotellme,it’snotworththetroubleofguessing.”
Ex-InspectorBlorewasanearnestman.Alighttouchwasincomprehensibletohim.Hewentonheavily:
“TherewasacaseinAmerica.Oldgentlemanandhiswife—bothkilledwithanaxe.Middleofthemorning.Nobodyinthehousebutthedaughterandthemaid.Maid,itwasproved,couldn’thavedoneit.Daughterwasarespectablemiddle-agedspinster.Seemedincredible.Soincrediblethattheyacquittedher.Buttheyneverfoundanyotherexplanation.”Hepaused.“IthoughtofthatwhenIsawtheaxe—andthenwhenIwentintothekitchenandsawhertheresoneatandcalm.Hadn’tturnedahair!Thatgirl,comingalloverhysterical—well,that’snatural—thesortofthingyou’dexpect—don’tyouthinkso?”
PhilipLombardsaidlaconically:
“Itmightbe.”
Blorewenton.
“Buttheother!Soneatandprim—wrappedupinthatapron—Mrs.Rogers’apron,Isuppose—saying:‘Breakfastwillbereadyinhalfanhourorso.’Ifyouaskmethatwoman’sasmadasahatter!Lotsofelderlyspinstersgothatway—Idon’tmeangoinforhomicideonthegrandscale,butgoqueerintheirheads.Unfortunatelyit’stakenherthisway.Religiousmania—thinksshe’sGod’sinstrument,somethingofthatkind!Shesitsinherroom,youknow,readingherBible.”
PhilipLombardsighedandsaid:
“That’shardlyproofpositiveofanunbalancedmentality,Blore.”
ButBlorewenton,ploddingly,perseveringly:
“Andthenshewasout—inhermackintosh,saidshe’dbeendowntolookatthesea.”
Theothershookhishead.
Hesaid:
“Rogerswaskilledashewaschoppingfirewood—thatistosayfirstthingwhenhegotup.TheBrentwouldn’thaveneededtowanderaboutoutsideforhoursafterwards.Ifyouaskme,themurdererofRogerswouldtakejollygoodcaretoberolledupinbedsnoring.”
Bloresaid:
“You’remissingthepoint,Mr.Lombard.Ifthewomanwasinnocentshe’dbetoodeadscaredtogowanderingaboutbyherself.She’donlydothatifsheknewthatshehadnothingtofear.That’stosayifsheherselfisthecriminal.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“That’sagoodpoint…yes,Ihadn’tthoughtofthat.”
Headdedwithafaintgrin:
“Gladyoudon’tstillsuspectme.”
Bloresaidrathershamefacedly:
“Ididstartbythinkingofyou—thatrevolver—andthequeerstoryyoutold—ordidn’ttell.ButI’verealizednowthatthatwasreallyabittooobvious.”Hepausedandsaid:“Hopeyoufeelthesameaboutme.”
Philipsaidthoughtfully:
“Imaybewrong,ofcourse,butIcan’tfeelthatyou’vegotenoughimaginationforthisjob.AllIcansayis,ifyou’rethecriminal,you’readamnedfineactorandItakemyhatofftoyou.”Heloweredhisvoice.“Justbetweenourselves,Blore,andtakingintoaccountthatwe’llprobablybothbeacoupleofstiffsbeforeanotherdayisout,youdidindulgeinthatspotofperjury,Isuppose?”
Bloreshifteduneasilyfromonefoottotheother.Hesaidatlast:
“Doesn’tseemtomakemuchoddsnow.Ohwell,heregoes,Landorwasinnocentrightenough.Theganghadgotmesquaredandbetweenuswegothimputawayforastretch.Mindyou,Iwouldn’tadmitthis—”
“Iftherewereanywitnesses,”finishedLombardwithagrin.“It’sjustbetweenyouandme.Well,Ihopeyoumadeatidybitoutofit.”
“Didn’tmakewhatIshouldhavedone.Meancrowd,thePurcellgang.Igotmypromotion,though.”
“AndLandorgotpenalservitudeanddiedinprison.”
“Icouldn’tknowhewasgoingtodie,couldI?”demandedBlore.
“No,thatwasyourbadluck.”
“Mine?His,youmean.”
“Yours,too.Because,asaresultofit,itlooksasthoughyourownlifeisgoingtobecutunpleasantlyshort.”
“Me?”Blorestaredathim.“DoyouthinkI’mgoingtogothewayofRogersandtherestofthem?Notme!I’mwatchingoutformyselfprettycarefully,Icantellyou.”
Lombardsaid:
“Ohwell—I’mnotabettingman.AndanywayifyouweredeadIwouldn’tgetpaid.”
“Lookhere,Mr.Lombard,whatdoyoumean?”
PhilipLombardshowedhisteeth.Hesaid:
“Imean,mydearBlore,thatinmyopinionyouhaven’tgotachance!”
“What?”
“Yourlackofimaginationisgoingtomakeyouabsolutelyasittingtarget.AcriminaloftheimaginationofU.N.Owencanmakeringsroundyouanytimehe—orshe—wantsto.”
Blore’sfacewentcrimson.Hedemandedangrily:
“Andwhataboutyou?”
PhilipLombard’sfacewenthardanddangerous.
Hesaid:
“I’veaprettygoodimaginationofmyown.I’vebeenintightplacesbeforenowandgotoutofthem!Ithink—Iwon’tsaymorethanthatbutIthinkI’llgetoutofthisone.”
V
Theeggswereinthefryingpan.Vera,toastingbread,thoughttoherself:
“WhydidImakeahystericalfoolofmyself?Thatwasamistake.Keepcalm,mygirl,keepcalm.”
Afterall,she’dalwayspridedherselfonherlevelheadedness!
“MissClaythornewaswonderful—keptherhead—startedoffswimmingafterCyrilatonce.”
Whythinkofthatnow?Allthatwasover—over…Cyrilhaddisappearedlongbeforeshegotneartherock.Shehadfeltthecurrenttakeher,sweepingherouttosea.Shehadletherselfgowithit—swimmingquietly,floating—tilltheboatarrivedatlast….
Theyhadpraisedhercourageandhersangfroid.…
ButnotHugo.Hugohadjust—lookedather.…
God,howithurt,evennow,tothinkofHugo….
Wherewashe?Whatwashedoing?Washeengaged—married?
EmilyBrentsaidsharply:
“Vera,thattoastisburning.”
“Ohsorry,MissBrent,soitis.Howstupidofme.”
EmilyBrentliftedoutthelasteggfromthesizzlingfat.
Vera,puttingafreshpieceofbreadonthetoastingfork,saidcuriously:
“You’rewonderfullycalm,MissBrent.”
EmilyBrentsaid,pressingherlipstogether:
“Iwasbroughtuptokeepmyheadandnevertomakeafuss.”
Verathoughtmechanically:
“Repressedasachild…Thataccountsforalot….”
Shesaid:
“Aren’tyouafraid?”
Shepausedandthenadded:
“Ordon’tyouminddying?”
Dying!ItwasasthoughasharplittlegimlethadrunintothesolidcongealedmessofEmilyBrent’sbrain.Dying?Butshewasn’tgoingtodie!Theotherswoulddie—yes—butnotshe,EmilyBrent.Thisgirldidn’tunderstand!Emilywasn’tafraid,naturally—noneoftheBrentswereafraid.AllherpeoplewereServicepeople.Theyfaceddeathunflinchingly.Theyleduprightlivesjustasshe,EmilyBrent,hadledanuprightlife…Shehadneverdoneanythingtobeashamedof…Andso,naturally,shewasn’tgoingtodie….
“TheLordismindfulofhisown.”“Thoushaltnotbeafraidfortheterrorbynight;norforthearrowthatfliethbyday….”Itwasdaylightnow—therewasnoterror.“Weshallnoneofusleavethisisland.”Whohadsaidthat?GeneralMacarthur,ofcourse,whosecousinhadmarriedElsieMacPherson.Hehadn’tseemedtocare.Hehadseemed—actually—towelcometheidea!Wicked!Almostimpioustofeelthatway.Somepeoplethoughtsolittleofdeaththattheyactuallytooktheirownlives.BeatriceTaylor…LastnightshehaddreamedofBeatrice—dreamtthatshewasoutsidepressingherfaceagainstthewindowandmoaning,askingtobeletin.ButEmilyBrenthadn’twantedtoletherin.Because,ifshedid,somethingterriblewouldhappen….
Emilycametoherselfwithastart.Thatgirlwaslookingatherverystrangely.Shesaidinabriskvoice:
“Everything’sready,isn’tit?We’lltakethebreakfastin.”
VI
Breakfastwasacuriousmeal.Everyonewasverypolite.
“MayIgetyousomemorecoffee,MissBrent?”
“MissClaythorne,asliceofham?”
“Anotherpieceoftoast?”
Sixpeople,alloutwardlyself-possessedandnormal.
Andwithin?Thoughtsthatranroundinacirclelikesquirrelsinacage….
“Whatnext?Whatnext?Who?Which?”
“Woulditwork?Iwonder.It’sworthtrying.Ifthere’stime.MyGod,ifthere’stime….”
“Religiousmania,that’stheticket…Lookingather,though,youcanhardlybelieveit…SupposeI’mwrong….”
“It’scrazy—everything’scrazy.I’mgoingcrazy.Wooldisappearing—redsilkcurtains—itdoesn’tmakesense.Ican’tgetthehangofit….”
“Thedamnedfool,hebelievedeverywordIsaidtohim.Itwaseasy…Imustbecareful,though,verycareful.”
“Sixofthoselittlechinafigures…onlysix—howmanywilltherebebytonight?…”
“Who’llhavethelastegg?”
“Marmalade?”
“Thanks,canIcutyousomebread?”
Sixpeople,behavingnormallyatbreakfast….
Twelve
I
Themealwasover.
Mr.JusticeWargraveclearedhisthroat.Hesaidinasmallauthoritativevoice:
“Itwouldbeadvisable,Ithink,ifwemettodiscussthesituation.Shallwesayinhalfanhour’stimeinthedrawingroom?”
Everyonemadeasoundsuggestiveofagreement.
Verabegantopileplatestogether.
Shesaid:
“I’llclearawayandwashup.”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“We’llbringthestuffouttothepantryforyou.”
“Thanks.”
EmilyBrent,risingtoherfeetsatdownagain.Shesaid:
“Ohdear.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Anythingthematter,MissBrent?”
Emilysaidapologetically:
“I’msorry.I’dliketohelpMissClaythorne,butIdon’tknowhowitis.Ifeeljustalittlegiddy.”
“Giddy,eh?”Dr.Armstrongcametowardsher.“Quitenatural.Delayedshock.Icangiveyousomethingto—”
“No!”
Thewordburstfromherlipslikeanexplodingshell.
Ittookeveryoneaback.Dr.Armstrongflushedadeepred.
Therewasnomistakingthefearandsuspicioninherface.Hesaidstiffly:
“Justasyouplease,MissBrent.”
Shesaid:
“Idon’twishtotakeanything—anythingatall.Iwilljustsitherequietlytillthegiddinesspassesoff.”
Theyfinishedclearingawaythebreakfastthings.
Bloresaid:
“I’madomesticsortofman.I’llgiveyouahand,MissClaythorne.”
Verasaid:“Thankyou.”
EmilyBrentwasleftalonesittinginthediningroom.
Forawhilesheheardafaintmurmurofvoicesfromthepantry.
Thegiddinesswaspassing.Shefeltdrowsynow,asthoughshecouldeasilygotosleep.
Therewasabuzzinginherears—orwasitarealbuzzingintheroom?
Shethought:
“It’slikeabee—abumblebee.”
Presentlyshesawthebee.Itwascrawlingupthewindowpane.
VeraClaythornehadtalkedaboutbeesthismorning.
Beesandhoney….
Shelikedhoney.Honeyinthecomb,andstrainityourselfthroughamuslinbag.Drip,drip,drip….
Therewassomebodyintheroom…somebodyallwetanddripping…BeatriceTaylorcomefromtheriver.…
Shehadonlytoturnherheadandshewouldseeher.
Butshecouldn’tturnherhead….
Ifsheweretocallout….
Butshecouldn’tcallout….
Therewasnooneelseinthehouse.Shewasallalone….
Sheheardfootsteps—softdraggingfootstepscomingupbehindher.Thestumblingfootstepsofthedrownedgirl….
Therewasawetdanksmellinhernostrils….
Onthewindowpanethebeewasbuzzing—buzzing….
Andthenshefelttheprick.
Thebeestingonthesideofherneck…
II
InthedrawingroomtheywerewaitingforEmilyBrent.
VeraClaythornesaid:
“ShallIgoandfetchher?”
Bloresaidquickly:
“Justaminute.”
Verasatdownagain.EveryonelookedinquiringlyatBlore.Hesaid:
“Lookhere,everybody,myopinion’sthis:weneedn’tlookfartherfortheauthorofthesedeathsthanthediningroomatthisminute.I’dtakemyoaththatwoman’stheonewe’reafter!”
Armstrongsaid:
“Andthemotive?”
“Religiousmania.Whatdoyousay,doctor?”
Armstrongsaid:
“It’sperfectlypossible.I’venothingtosayagainstit.Butofcoursewe’venoproof.”
Verasaid:
“Shewasveryoddinthekitchenwhenweweregettingbreakfast.Hereyes—”Sheshivered.
Lombardsaid:
“Youcan’tjudgeherbythat.We’reallabitoffourheadsbynow!”
Bloresaid:
“There’sanotherthing.She’stheonlyonewhowouldn’tgiveanexplanationafterthatgramophonerecord.Why?Becauseshehadn’tanytogive.”
Verastirredinherchair.Shesaid:
“That’snotquitetrue.Shetoldme—afterwards.”
Wargravesaid:
“Whatdidshetellyou,MissClaythorne?”
VerarepeatedthestoryofBeatriceTaylor.
Mr.JusticeWargraveobserved:
“Aperfectlystraightforwardstory.Ipersonallyshouldhavenodifficultyinacceptingit.Tellme,MissClaythorne,didsheappeartobetroubledbyasenseofguiltorafeelingofremorseforherattitudeinthematter?”
“Nonewhatever,”saidVera.“Shewascompletelyunmoved.”
Bloresaid:
“Heartsashardasflints,theserighteousspinsters!Envy,mostly!”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Itisnowfiveminutestoeleven.IthinkweshouldsummonMissBrenttojoinourconclave.”
Bloresaid:
“Aren’tyougoingtotakeanyaction?”
Thejudgesaid:
“Ifailtoseewhatactionwecantake.Oursuspicionsare,atthemoment,onlysuspicions.Iwill,however,askDr.ArmstrongtoobserveMissBrent’sdemeanourverycarefully.Letusnowgointothediningroom.”
TheyfoundEmilyBrentsittinginthechairinwhichtheyhadlefther.Frombehindtheysawnothingamiss,exceptthatshedidnotseemtoheartheirentranceintotheroom.
Andthentheysawherface—suffusedwithblood,withbluelipsandstartingeyes.
Bloresaid:
“MyGod,she’sdead!”
III
ThesmallquietvoiceofMr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Onemoreofusacquitted—toolate!”
Armstrongwasbentoverthedeadwoman.Hesniffedthelips,shookhishead,peeredintotheeyelids.
Lombardsaidimpatiently:
“Howdidshedie,doctor?Shewasallrightwhenweleftherhere!”
Armstrong’sattentionwasrivetedonamarkontherightsideoftheneck.
Hesaid:
“That’sthemarkofahypodermicsyringe.”
Therewasabuzzingsoundfromthewindow.Veracried:
“Look—abee—abumblebee.RememberwhatIsaidthismorning!”
Armstrongsaidgrimly:
“Itwasn’tthatbeethatstungher!Ahumanhandheldthesyringe.”
Thejudgeasked:
“Whatpoisonwasinjected?”
Armstronganswered:
“Ataguess,oneofthecyanides.Probablypotassiumcyanide,sameasAnthonyMarston.Shemusthavediedalmostimmediatelybyasphyxiation.”
Veracried:
“Butthatbee?Itcan’tbecoincidence?”
Lombardsaidgrimly:
“Ohno,itisn’tcoincidence!It’sourmurderer’stouchoflocalcolour!He’saplayfulbeast.Likestosticktohisdamnablenurseryjingleascloselyaspossible!”
Forthefirsttimehisvoicewasuneven,almostshrill.Itwasasthoughevenhisnerves,seasonedbyalongcareerofhazardsanddangerousundertakings,hadgivenoutatlast.
Hesaidviolently:
“It’smad!—absolutelymad—we’reallmad!”
Thejudgesaidcalmly:
“Wehavestill,Ihope,ourreasoningpowers.Didanyonebringahypodermicsyringetothishouse?”
Dr.Armstrong,straighteninghimself,saidinavoicethatwasnottoowellassured:
“Yes,Idid.”
Fourpairsofeyesfastenedonhim.Hebracedhimselfagainstthedeephostilesuspicionofthoseeyes.Hesaid:
“Alwaystravelwithone.Mostdoctorsdo.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidcalmly:
“Quiteso.Willyoutellus,doctor,wherethatsyringeisnow?”
“Inthesuitcaseinmyroom.”
Wargravesaid:
“Wemight,perhaps,verifythatfact.”
Thefiveofthemwentupstairs,asilentprocession.
Thecontentsofthesuitcasewereturnedoutonthefloor.
Thehypodermicsyringewasnotthere.
IV
Armstrongsaidviolently:
“Somebodymusthavetakenit!”
Therewassilenceintheroom.
Armstrongstoodwithhisbacktothewindow.Fourpairsofeyeswereonhim,blackwithsuspicionandaccusation.HelookedfromWargravetoVeraandrepeatedhelplessly—weakly:
“Itellyousomeonemusthavetakenit.”
BlorewaslookingatLombardwhoreturnedhisgaze.
Thejudgesaid:
“Therearefiveofushereinthisroom.Oneofusisamurderer.Thepositionisfraughtwithgravedanger.Everythingmustbedoneinordertosafeguardthefourofuswhoareinnocent.Iwillnowaskyou,Dr.Armstrong,whatdrugsyouhaveinyourpossession.”
Armstrongreplied:
“Ihaveasmallmedicinecasehere.Youcanexamineit.Youwillfindsomesleepingstuff—trionalandsulphonaltablets—apacketofbromide,bicarbonateofsoda,aspirin.Nothingelse.Ihavenocyanideinmypossession.”
Thejudgesaid:
“Ihave,myself,somesleepingtablets—sulphonal,Ithinktheyare.Ipresumetheywouldbelethalifasufficientlylargedoseweregiven.You,Mr.Lombard,haveinyourpossessionarevolver.”
PhilipLombardsaidsharply:
“WhatifIhave?”
“Onlythis.Iproposethatthedoctor’ssupplyofdrugs,myownsulphonaltablets,yourrevolverandanythingelseofthenatureofdrugsorfirearmsshouldbecollectedtogetherandplacedinasafeplace.Thatafterthisisdone,weshouldeachofussubmittoasearch—bothofourpersonsandofoureffects.”
Lombardsaid:
“I’mdamnedifI’llgiveupmyrevolver!”
Wargravesaidsharply:
“Mr.Lombard,youareaverystronglybuiltandpowerfulyoungman,butex-InspectorBloreisalsoamanofpowerfulphysique.IdonotknowwhattheoutcomeofastrugglebetweenyouwouldbebutIcantellyouthis.OnBlore’sside,assistinghimtothebestofourabilitywillbemyself,Dr.ArmstrongandMissClaythorne.Youwillappreciatetherefore,thattheoddsagainstyouifyouchoosetoresistwillbesomewhatheavy.”
Lombardthrewhisheadback.Histeethshowedinwhatwasalmostasnarl.
“Oh,verywell,then.Sinceyou’vegotitalltapedout.”
Mr.JusticeWargravenoddedhishead.
“Youareasensibleyoungman.Whereisthisrevolverofyours?”
“Inthedrawerofthetablebymybed.”
“Good.”
“I’llfetchit.”
“Ithinkitwouldbedesirableifwewentwithyou.”
Philipsaidwithasmilethatwasstillnearerasnarl:
“Suspiciousdevil,aren’tyou?”
TheywentalongthecorridortoLombard’sroom.
Philipstrodeacrosstothebedtableandjerkedopenthedrawer.
Thenherecoiledwithanoath.
Thedrawerofthebedtablewasempty.
V
“Satisfied?”askedLombard.
Hehadstrippedtotheskinandheandhisroomhadbeenmeticulouslysearchedbytheotherthreemen.VeraClaythornewasoutsideinthecorridor.
Thesearchproceededmethodically.Inturn,Armstrong,thejudge,andBloresubmittedtothesametest.
ThefourmenemergedfromBlore’sroomandapproachedVera.Itwasthejudgewhospoke.
“Ihopeyouwillunderstand,MissClaythorne,thatwecanmakenoexceptions.Thatrevolvermustbefound.Youhave,Ipresume,abathingdresswithyou?”
Veranodded.
“ThenIwillaskyoutogointoyourroomandputitonandthencomeouttoushere.”
Verawentintoherroomandshutthedoor.Shereappearedinunderaminutedressedinatight-fittingsilkruckedbathingdress.
Wargravenoddedapproval.
“Thankyou,MissClaythorne.Nowifyouwillremainhere,wewillsearchyourroom.”
Verawaitedpatientlyinthecorridoruntiltheyemerged.Thenshewentin,dressed,andcameouttowheretheywerewaiting.
Thejudgesaid:
“Wearenowassuredofonething.Therearenolethalweaponsordrugsinthepossessionofanyofusfive.Thatisonepointtothegood.Wewillnowplacethedrugsinasafeplace.Thereis,Ithink,asilverchest,istherenot,inthepantry?”
Bloresaid:
“That’sallverywell,butwho’stohavethekey?You,Isuppose.”
Mr.JusticeWargravemadenoreply.
Hewentdowntothepantryandtheothersfollowedhim.Therewasasmallcasetheredesignedforthepurposeofholdingsilverandplate.Bythejudge’sdirections,thevariousdrugswereplacedinthisanditwaslocked.Then,stillonWargrave’sinstructions,thechestwasliftedintotheplatecupboardandthisinturnwaslocked.ThejudgethengavethekeyofthechesttoPhilipLombardandthekeyofthecupboardtoBlore.
Hesaid:
“Youtwoarethestrongestphysically.Itwouldbedifficultforeitherofyoutogetthekeyfromtheother.Itwouldbeimpossibleforanyofusthreetodoso.Tobreakopenthecupboard—ortheplatechest—wouldbeanoisyandcumbersomeproceedingandonewhichcouldhardlybecarriedoutwithoutattentionbeingattractedtowhatwasgoingon.”
Hepaused,thenwenton:
“Wearestillfacedbyoneverygraveproblem.WhathasbecomeofMr.Lombard’srevolver?”
Bloresaid:
“Seemstomeitsowneristhemostlikelypersontoknowthat.”
AwhitedintshowedinPhilipLombard’snostrils.Hesaid:
“Youdamnedpig-headedfool!Itellyouit’sbeenstolenfromme!”
Wargraveasked:
“Whendidyouseeitlast?”
“Lastnight.ItwasinthedrawerwhenIwenttobed—readyincaseanythinghappened.”
Thejudgenodded.
Hesaid:
“ItmusthavebeentakenthismorningduringtheconfusionofsearchingforRogersorafterhisdeadbodywasdiscovered.”
Verasaid:
“Itmustbehiddensomewhereaboutthehouse.Wemustlookforit.”
Mr.JusticeWargrave’sfingerwasstrokinghischin.Hesaid:
“Idoubtifoursearchwillresultinanything.Ourmurdererhashadplentyoftimetodeviseahidingplace.Idonotfancyweshallfindthatrevolvereasily.”
Bloresaidforcefully:
“Idon’tknowwheretherevolveris,butI’llbetIknowwheresomethingelseis—thathypodermicsyringe.Followme.”
Heopenedthefrontdoorandledthewayroundthehouse.
Alittledistanceawayfromthediningroomwindowhefoundthesyringe.Besideitwasasmashedchinafigure—asixthbrokensoldierboy.
Bloresaidinasatisfiedvoice:
“Onlyplaceitcouldbe.Afterhe’dkilledher,heopenedthewindowandthrewoutthesyringeandpickedupthechinafigurefromthetableandfollowedonwiththat.”
Therewerenoprintsonthesyringe.Ithadbeencarefullywiped.
Verasaidinadeterminedvoice:
“Nowletuslookfortherevolver.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Byallmeans.Butindoingsoletusbecarefultokeeptogether.Remember,ifweseparate,themurderergetshischance.”
Theysearchedthehousecarefullyfromattictocellars,butwithoutresult.Therevolverwasstillmissing.
Thirteen
I
Oneofus…Oneofus…Oneofus….”
Threewords,endlesslyrepeated,dinningthemselveshourafterhourintoreceptivebrains.
Fivepeople—fivefrightenedpeople.Fivepeoplewhowatchedeachother,whonowhardlytroubledtohidetheirstateofnervoustension.
Therewaslittlepretencenow—noformalveneerofconversation.Theywerefiveenemieslinkedtogetherbyamutualinstinctofself-preservation.
Andallofthem,suddenly,lookedlesslikehumanbeings.Theywererevertingtomorebestialtypes.Likeawaryoldtortoise,Mr.JusticeWargravesathunchedup,hisbodymotionless,hiseyeskeenandalert.Ex-InspectorBlorelookedcoarserandclumsierinbuild.Hiswalkwasthatofaslowpaddinganimal.Hiseyeswerebloodshot.Therewasalookofmingledferocityandstupidityabouthim.Hewaslikeabeastatbayreadytochargeitspursuers.PhilipLombard’ssensesseemedheightened,ratherthandiminished.Hisearsreactedtotheslightestsound.Hisstepwaslighterandquicker,hisbodywaslitheandgraceful.Andhesmiledoften,hislipscurlingbackfromhislongwhiteteeth.
VeraClaythornewasveryquiet.Shesatmostofthetimehuddledinachair.Hereyesstaredaheadofherintospace.Shelookeddazed.Shewaslikeabirdthathasdasheditsheadagainstglassandthathasbeenpickedupbyahumanhand.Itcrouchesthere,terrified,unabletomove,hopingtosaveitselfbyitsimmobility.
Armstrongwasinapitiableconditionofnerves.Hetwitchedandhishandsshook.Helightedcigaretteaftercigaretteandstubbedthemoutalmostimmediately.Theforcedinactionoftheirpositionseemedtogallhimmorethantheothers.Everynowandthenhebrokeoutintoatorrentofnervousspeech.
“We—weshouldn’tjustsitheredoingnothing!Theremustbesomething—surely,surelythereissomethingthatwecando?Ifwelitabonfire—?”
Bloresaidheavily:
“Inthisweather?”
Therainwaspouringdownagain.Thewindcameinfitfulgusts.Thedepressingsoundofthepatteringrainnearlydrovethemmad.
Bytacitconsent,theyhadadoptedaplanofcampaign.Theyallsatinthebigdrawingroom.Onlyonepersonlefttheroomatatime.Theotherfourwaitedtillthefifthreturned.
Lombardsaid:
“It’sonlyaquestionoftime.Theweatherwillclear.Thenwecandosomething—signal—lightfires—makearaft—something!”
Armstrongsaidwithasuddencackleoflaughter:
“Aquestionoftime—time?Wecan’taffordtime!Weshallallbedead….”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidandhissmallclearvoicewasheavywithpassionatedetermination:
“Notifwearecareful.Wemustbeverycareful.…”
Themiddaymealhadbeendulyeaten—buttherehadbeennoconventionalformalityaboutit.Allfiveofthemhadgonetothekitchen.Inthelardertheyhadfoundagreatstoreoftinnedfoods.Theyhadopenedatinoftongueandtwotinsoffruit.Theyhadeatenstandingroundthekitchentable.Then,herdingclosetogether,theyhadreturnedtothedrawingroom—tositthere—sit,watchingeachother.
Andbynowthethoughtsthatranthroughtheirbrainswereabnormal,feverish,diseased….
“It’sArmstrong…Isawhimlookingatmesidewaysjustthen…hiseyesaremad…quitemad…Perhapsheisn’tadoctoratall…That’sit,ofcourse!…He’salunatic,escapedfromsomedoctor’shouse—pretendingtobeadoctor…It’strue…shallItellthem?…ShallIscreamout?…No,itwon’tdotoputhimonhisguard…Besideshecanseemsosane…Whattimeisit?…Onlyaquarterpastthree!…Oh,God,Ishallgomadmyself…Yes,it’sArmstrong…He’swatchingmenow….”
“Theywon’tgetme!Icantakecareofmyself…I’vebeenintightplacesbefore…WherethehellisthatrevolverWhotookit?…Who’sgotit?…Nobody’sgotit—weknowthat.Wewereallsearched…Nobodycanhaveit…Butsomeoneknowswhereitis.…”
“They’regoingmad…They’llallgomad…Afraidofdeath…we’reallafraidofdeath…I’mafraidofdeath…Yes,butthatdoesn’tstopdeathcoming…‘Thehearseisatthedoor,sir.’WheredidIreadthat?Thegirl…I’llwatchthegirl.Yes,I’llwatchthegirl….”
“Twentytofour…onlytwentytofour…perhapstheclockhasstopped…Idon’tunderstand—no,Idon’tunderstand…Thissortofthingcan’thappen…itishappening…Whydon’twewakeup?Wakeup—JudgmentDay—no,notthat!IfonlyIcouldthink…Myhead—something’shappeninginmyhead—it’sgoingtoburst—it’sgoingtosplit…Thissortofthingcan’thappen…What’sthetime?Oh,God,it’sonlyaquartertofour.”
“Imustkeepmyhead…Imustkeepmyhead…IfonlyIkeepmyhead…It’sallperfectlyclear—allworkedout.Butnobodymustsuspect.Itmaydothetrick.Itmust!Whichone?That’sthequestion—whichone?Ithink—yes,Iratherthink—yes—him.”
Whentheclockstruckfivetheyalljumped.
Verasaid:
“Doesanyone—wanttea?”
Therewasamoment’ssilence.Bloresaid:
“I’dlikeacup.”
Verarose.Shesaid:
“I’llgoandmakeit.Youcanallstayhere.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaidgently:
“Ithink,mydearyounglady,wewouldallprefertocomeandwatchyoumakeit.”
Verastared,thengaveashortratherhystericallaugh.
Shesaid:
“Ofcourse!Youwould!”
Fivepeoplewentintothekitchen.TeawasmadeanddrunkbyVeraandBlore.Theotherthreehadwhisky—openingafreshbottleandusingasiphonfromanailedupcase.
Thejudgemurmuredwithareptiliansmile:
“Wemustbeverycareful….”
Theywentbackagaintothedrawingroom.Althoughitwassummertheroomwasdark.Lombardswitchedonthelightsbuttheydidnotcomeon.Hesaid:
“Ofcourse!Theengine’snotbeenruntodaysinceRogershasn’tbeentheretoseetoit.”
Hehesitatedandsaid:
“Wecouldgooutandgetitgoing,Isuppose.”
Mr.JusticeWargravesaid:
“Therearepacketsofcandlesinthelarder,Isawthem,betterusethose.”
Lombardwentout.Theotherfoursatwatchingeachother.
Hecamebackwithaboxofcandlesandapileofsaucers.Fivecandleswerelitandplacedabouttheroom.
Thetimewasaquartertosix.
II
Attwentypastsix,Verafeltthattosittherelongerwasunbearable.Shewouldgotoherroomandbatheherachingheadandtemplesincoldwater.
Shegotupandwenttowardsthedoor.Thensherememberedandcamebackandgotacandleoutofthebox.Shelightedit,letalittlewaxpourintoasaucerandstuckthecandlefirmlytoit.Thenshewentoutoftheroom,shuttingthedoorbehindherandleavingthefourmeninside.Shewentupthestairsandalongthepassagetoherroom.
Assheopenedherdoor,shesuddenlyhaltedandstoodstockstill.
Hernostrilsquivered.
Thesea…ThesmelloftheseaatSt.Tredennick.
Thatwasit.Shecouldnotbemistaken.Ofcourse,onesmelttheseaonanislandanyway,butthiswasdifferent.Itwasthesmelltherehadbeenonthebeachthatday—withthetideoutandtherockscoveredwithseaweeddryinginthesun.
“CanIswimouttotheisland,MissClaythorne?”
“Whycan’tIswimouttotheisland?…”
Horridwhineyspoiltlittlebrat!Ifitweren’tforhim,Hugowouldberich…abletomarrythegirlheloved….
Hugo.…
Surely—surely—Hugowasbesideher?No,waitingforherintheroom.…
Shemadeastepforward.Thedraughtfromthewindowcaughttheflameofthecandle.Itflickeredandwentout….
Inthedarkshewassuddenlyafraid….
“Don’tbeafool,”VeraClaythorneurgedherself.“It’sallright.Theothersaredownstairs.Allfourofthem.There’snooneintheroom.Therecan’tbe.You’reimaginingthings,mygirl.”
Butthatsmell—thatsmellofthebeachatSt.Tredennick…Thatwasn’timagined.Itwastrue.
Andtherewassomeoneintheroom…Shehadheardsomething—surelyshehadheardsomething….
Andthen,asshestoodthere,listening—acold,clammyhandtouchedherthroat—awethand,smellingofthesea….
III
Verascreamed.Shescreamedandscreamed—screamsoftheutmostterror—wilddesperatecriesforhelp.
Shedidnothearthesoundsfrombelow,ofachairbeingoverturned,ofadooropening,ofmen’sfeetrunningupthestairs.Shewasconsciousonlyofsupremeterror.
Then,restoringhersanity,lightsflickeredinthedoorway—candles—menhurryingintotheroom.
“Whatthedevil?”“What’shappened?”“GoodGod,whatisit?”
Sheshuddered,tookastepforward,collapsedonthefloor.
Shewasonlyhalfawareofsomeonebendingoverher,ofsomeoneforcingherheaddownbetweenherknees.
Thenatasuddenexclamation,aquick“MyGod,lookatthat!”hersensesreturned.Sheopenedhereyesandraisedherhead.Shesawwhatitwasthemenwiththecandleswerelookingat.
Abroadribbonofwetseaweedwashangingdownfromtheceiling.Itwasthatwhichinthedarknesshadswayedagainstherthroat.Itwasthatwhichshehadtakenforaclammyhand,adrownedhandcomebackfromthedeadtosqueezethelifeoutofher!
Shebegantolaughhysterically.Shesaid:
“Itwasseaweed—onlyseaweed—andthat’swhatthesmellwas….”
Andthenthefaintnesscameoverheroncemore—wavesuponwavesofsickness.Againsomeonetookherheadandforceditbetweenherknees.
Aeonsoftimeseemedtopass.Theywereofferinghersomethingtodrink—pressingtheglassagainstherlips.Shesmeltbrandy.
Shewasjustabouttogulpthespiritgratefullydownwhen,suddenly,awarningnote—likeanalarmbell—soundedinherbrain.Shesatup,pushingtheglassaway.
Shesaidsharply:“Wheredidthiscomefrom?”
Blore’svoiceanswered.Hestaredaminutebeforespeaking.Hesaid:
“Igotitfromdownstairs.”
Veracried:
“Iwon’tdrinkit….”
Therewasamoment’ssilence,thenLombardlaughed.
Hesaidwithappreciation:
“Goodforyou,Vera.You’vegotyourwitsaboutyou—evenifyouhavebeenscaredhalfoutofyourlife.I’llgetafreshbottlethathasn’tbeenopened.”
Hewentswiftlyout.
Verasaiduncertainly:
“I’mallrightnow.I’llhavesomewater.”
Armstrongsupportedherasshestruggledtoherfeet.Shewentovertothebasin,swayingandclutchingathimforsupport.Sheletthecoldtaprunandthenfilledtheglass.
Bloresaidresentfully:
“Thatbrandy’sallright.”
Armstrongsaid:
“Howdoyouknow?”
Bloresaidangrily:
“Ididn’tputanythinginit.That’swhatyou’regettingatIsuppose.”
Armstrongsaid:
“I’mnotsayingyoudid.Youmighthavedone,orsomeonemighthavetamperedwiththebottleforjustthisemergency.”
Lombardcameswiftlybackintotheroom
Hehadanewbottleofbrandyinhishandsandacorkscrew.
HethrustthesealedbottleunderVera’snose.
“Thereyouare,mygirl.Absolutelynodeception.”Hepeeledoffthetinfoilanddrewthecork.“Luckythere’sagoodsupplyofspiritsinthehouse.ThoughtfulofU.N.Owen.”
Verashudderedviolently.
ArmstrongheldtheglasswhilePhilippouredthebrandyintoit.Hesaid:
“You’dbetterdrinkthis,MissClaythorne.You’vehadanastyshock.”
Veradrankalittleofthespirit.Thecolourcamebacktoherface.
PhilipLombardsaidwithalaugh:
“Well,here’sonemurderthathasn’tgoneaccordingtoplan!”
Verasaidalmostinawhisper:
“Youthink—thatwaswhatwasmeant?”
Lombardnodded.
“Expectedyoutopassoutthroughfright!Somepeoplewouldhave,wouldn’tthey,doctor?”
Armstrongdidnotcommithimself.Hesaiddoubtfully:
“H’m,impossibletosay.Younghealthysubject—nocardiacweakness.Unlikely.Ontheotherhand—”
HepickeduptheglassofbrandythatBlorehadbrought.Hedippedafingerinit,tasteditgingerly.Hisexpressiondidnotalter.Hesaiddubiously:“H’m,tastesallright.”
Bloresteppedforwardangrily.Hesaid:
“Ifyou’resayingthatItamperedwiththat,I’llknockyourruddyblockoff.”
Vera,herwitsrevivedbythebrandy,madeadiversionbysaying:
“Where’sthejudge?”
Thethreemenlookedateachother.
“That’sodd…Thoughthecameupwithus.”
Bloresaid:
“SodidI…Whataboutit,doctor,youcameupthestairsbehindme?”
Armstrongsaid:
“Ithoughthewasfollowingme…Ofcourse,he’dbeboundtogoslowerthanwedid.He’sanoldman.”
Theylookedateachotheragain.
Lombardsaid:
“It’sdamnedodd….”
Blorecried:
“Wemustlookforhim.”
Hestartedforthedoor.Theothersfollowedhim,Veralast.
AstheywentdownthestairsArmstrongsaidoverhisshoulder:
“Ofcoursehemayhavestayedinthelivingroom.”
Theycrossedthehall.Armstrongcalledoutloudly:
“Wargrave,Wargrave,whereareyou?”
Therewasnoanswer.Adeadlysilencefilledthehouseapartfromthegentlepatteroftherain.
Thenintheentrancetothedrawingroomdoor,Armstrongstoppeddead.Theotherscrowdedupandlookedoverhisshoulder.
Somebodycriedout.
Mr.JusticeWargravewassittinginhishigh-backedchairattheendoftheroom.Twocandlesburntoneithersideofhim.Butwhatshockedandstartledtheonlookerswasthefactthathesatthererobedinscarletwithajudge’swiguponhishead….
Dr.Armstrongmotionedtotheotherstokeepback.Hehimselfwalkedacrosstothesilentstaringfigure,reelingalittleashewalkedlikeadrunkenman.
Hebentforward,peeringintothestillface.Then,withaswiftmovementheraisedthewig.Itfelltothefloorrevealingthehighbaldforeheadwith,intheverymiddle,aroundstainedmarkfromwhichsomethinghadtrickled.
Dr.Armstrongliftedthelifelesshandandfeltforthepulse.Thenheturnedtotheothers.
Hesaid—andhisvoicewasexpressionless,dead,faraway….
“He’sbeenshot….”
Bloresaid:
“God—therevolver!”
Thedoctorsaid,stillinthesamelifelessvoice:
“Gothimthroughthehead.Instantaneous.”
Verastoopedtothewig.Shesaid,andhervoiceshookwithhorror:
“MissBrent’smissinggreywool….”
Bloresaid:
“Andthescarletcurtainthatwasmissingfromthebathroom….”
Verawhispered:
“Sothisiswhattheywantedthemfor….”
SuddenlyPhilipLombardlaughed—ahighunnaturallaugh.
“Fivelittlesoldierboysgoinginforlaw;onegotinChanceryandthentherewereFour.That’stheendofMr.BloodyJusticeWargrave.Nomorepronouncingsentenceforhim!Nomoreputtingonoftheblackcap!Here’sthelasttimehe’lleversitincourt!Nomoresummingupandsendinginnocentmentodeath.HowEdwardSetonwouldlaughifhewerehere!God,howhe’dlaugh!”
Hisoutburstshockedandstartledtheothers.
Veracried:
“Onlythismorningyousaidhewastheone!”
PhilipLombard’sfacechanged—sobered
Hesaidinalowvoice:
“IknowIdid…Well,Iwaswrong.Here’sonemoreofuswho’sbeenprovedinnocent—toolate!”
Fourteen
I
TheyhadcarriedMr.JusticeWargraveuptohisroomandlaidhimonthebed.
Thentheyhadcomedownagainandhadstoodinthehalllookingateachother.
Bloresaidheavily:
“Whatdowedonow?”
Lombardsaidbriskly:
“Havesomethingtoeat.We’vegottoeat,youknow.”
Onceagaintheywentintothekitchen.Againtheyopenedatinoftongue.Theyatemechanically,almostwithouttasting.
Verasaid:
“Ishallnevereattongueagain.”
Theyfinishedthemeal.Theysatroundthekitchentablestaringateachother
Bloresaid:
“Onlyfourofusnow…Who’llbethenext?”
Armstrongstared.Hesaid,almostmechanically:
“Wemustbeverycareful—”andstopped.
Blorenodded.
“That’swhathesaid…andnowhe’sdead!”
Armstrongsaid:
“Howdidithappen,Iwonder?”
Lombardswore.Hesaid:
“Adamnedcleverdoublecross!ThatstuffwasplantedinMissClaythorne’sroomanditworkedjustasitwasintendedto.Everyonedashesuptherethinkingshe’sbeingmurdered.Andso—intheconfusion—someone—caughttheoldboyoffhisguard.”
Bloresaid:
“Whydidn’tanyoneheartheshot?”
Lombardshookhishead.
“MissClaythornewasscreaming,thewindwashowling,wewererunningaboutandcallingout.No,itwouldn’tbeheard.”Hepaused.“Butthattrick’snotgoingtoworkagain.He’llhavetotrysomethingelsenext.”
Bloresaid:
“Heprobablywill.”
Therewasanunpleasanttoneinhisvoice.Thetwomeneyedeachother.
Armstrongsaid:
“Fourofus,andwedon’tknowwhich….”
Bloresaid:
“Iknow….”
Verasaid:
“Ihaven’ttheleastdoubt….”
Armstrongsaidslowly:
“IsupposeIdoknowreally….”
PhilipLombardsaid:
“IthinkI’vegotaprettygoodideanow….”
Againtheyalllookedateachother….
Verastaggeredtoherfeet.Shesaid:
“Ifeelawful.Imustgotobed…I’mdeadbeat.”
Lombardsaid:
“Mightaswell.Nogoodsittingwatchingeachother.”
Bloresaid:
“I’venoobjection….”
Thedoctormurmured:
“Thebestthingtodo—althoughIdoubtifanyofuswillsleep.”
Theymovedtothedoor.Bloresaid:
“Iwonderwherethatrevolverisnow?…”
II
Theywentupthestairs.
Thenextmovewasalittlelikeasceneinafarce.
Eachoneofthefourstoodwithahandonhisorherbedroomdoorhandle.Then,asthoughatasignal,eachonesteppedintotheroomandpulledthedoorshut.Thereweresoundsofboltsandlocks,ofthemovingoffurniture.
Fourfrightenedpeoplewerebarricadedinuntilmorning.
III
PhilipLombarddrewabreathofreliefasheturnedfromadjustingachairunderthedoorhandle.
Hestrolledacrosstothedressingtable.
Bythelightoftheflickeringcandlehestudiedhisfacecuriously.
Hesaidsoftlytohimself:
“Yes,thisbusinesshasgotyourattledallright.”
Hissuddenwolf-likesmileflashedout.
Heundressedquickly.
Hewentovertothebed,placinghiswristwatchonthetablebythebed.
Thenheopenedthedrawerofthetable.
Hestoodthere,staringdownattherevolverthatwasinsideit….
IV
VeraClaythornelayinbed.
Thecandlestillburnedbesideher.
Andyetshecouldnotsummonthecouragetoputitout.
Shewasafraidofthedark….
Shetoldherselfagainandagain:“You’reallrightuntilmorning.Nothinghappenedlastnight.Nothingwillhappentonight.Nothingcanhappen.You’relockedandboltedin.Noonecancomenearyou….”
Andshethoughtsuddenly:
“Ofcourse!Icanstayhere!Stayherelockedin!Fooddoesn’treallymatter!Icanstayhere—safely—tillhelpcomes!Evenifit’saday—ortwodays….”
Stayhere.Yes,butcouldshestayhere?Hourafterhour—withnoonetospeakto,withnothingtodobutthink.…
She’dbegintothinkofCornwall—ofHugo—of—ofwhatshe’dsaidtoCyril.
Horridwhineylittleboy,alwayspesteringher….
“MissClaythorne,whycan’tIswimouttotherock?Ican.IknowIcan.”
Wasithervoicethathadanswered?
“Ofcourse,youcan,Cyril,really.Iknowthat.”
“CanIgothen,MissClaythorne?”
“Well,yousee,Cyril,yourmothergetssonervousaboutyou.I’lltellyouwhat.Tomorrowyoucanswimouttotherock.I’lltalktoyourmotheronthebeachanddistractherattention.Andthen,whenshelooksforyou,thereyou’llbestandingontherockwavingtoher!Itwillbeasurprise!”
“Oh,goodegg,MissClaythorne!Thatwillbealark!”
She’dsaiditnow.Tomorrow!HugowasgoingtoNewquay.Whenhecameback—itwouldbeallover.
Yes,butsupposingitwasn’t?Supposingitwentwrong?Cyrilmightberescuedintime.Andthen—thenhe’dsay,“MissClaythornesaidIcould.”Well,whatofit?Onemusttakesomerisk!Iftheworsthappenedshe’dbrazenitout.“Howcanyoutellsuchawickedlie,Cyril?Ofcourse,Ineversaidanysuchthing!”They’dbelieveherallright.Cyriloftentoldstories.Hewasanuntruthfulchild.Cyrilwouldknow,ofcourse.Butthatdidn’tmatter…andanywaynothingwouldgowrong.She’dpretendtoswimoutafterhim.Butshe’darrivetoolate…Nobodywouldeversuspect….
HadHugosuspected?Wasthatwhyhehadlookedatherinthatqueerfar-offway?…HadHugoknown?
Wasthatwhyhehadgoneoffaftertheinquestsohurriedly?
Hehadn’tansweredtheonelettershehadwrittentohim….
Hugo.…
Veraturnedrestlesslyinbed.No,no,shemustn’tthinkofHugo.Ithurttoomuch!Thatwasallover,overanddonewith…Hugomustbeforgotten.
Why,thisevening,hadshesuddenlyfeltthatHugowasintheroomwithher?
Shestaredupattheceiling,staredatthebigblackhookinthemiddleoftheroom.
She’dnevernoticedthathookbefore.
Theseaweedhadhungfromthat.
Sheshiveredassherememberedthatcoldclammytouchonherneck.
Shedidn’tlikethathookontheceiling.Itdrewyoureyes,fascinatedyou…abigblackhook….
V
Ex-InspectorBloresatonthesideofhisbed.
Hissmalleyes,red-rimmedandbloodshot,werealertinthesolidmassofhisface.Hewaslikeawildboarwaitingtocharge.
Hefeltnoinclinationtosleep.
Themenacewascomingverynearnow…Sixoutoften!
Forallhissagacity,forallhiscautionandastuteness,theoldjudgehadgonethewayoftherest.
Bloresnortedwithakindofsavagesatisfaction.
Whatwasittheoldgeezerhadsaid?
“Wemustbeverycareful….”
Self-righteoussmugoldhypocrite.SittingupincourtfeelinglikeGodAlmighty.He’dgothisallright…Nomorebeingcarefulforhim.
Andnowtherewerefourofthem.Thegirl,Lombard,Armstrongandhimself.
Verysoonanotherofthemwouldgo…Butitwouldn’tbeWilliamHenryBlore.He’dseetothatallright.
(Buttherevolver…Whatabouttherevolver?Thatwasthedisturbingfactor—therevolver!)
Bloresatonhisbed,hisbrowfurrowed,hislittleeyescreasedandpuckeredwhileheponderedtheproblemoftherevolver….
Inthesilencehecouldheartheclocksstrikedownstairs.
Midnight.
Herelaxedalittlenow—evenwentsofarastoliedownonhisbed.Buthedidnotundress.
Helaytherethinking.Goingoverthewholebusinessfromthebeginning,methodically,painstakingly,ashehadbeenwonttodoinhispoliceofficerdays.Itwasthoroughnessthatpaidintheend.
Thecandlewasburningdown.Lookingtoseeifthematcheswerewithineasyreachofhishand,heblewitout.
Strangelyenough,hefoundthedarknessdisquieting.Itwasasthoughathousandage-oldfearswokeandstruggledforsupremacyinhisbrain.Facesfloatedintheair—thejudge’sfacecrownedwiththatmockeryofgreywool—thecolddeadfaceofMrs.Rogers—theconvulsedpurplefaceofAnthonyMarston.
Anotherface—pale,spectacled,withasmallstraw-colouredmoustache.
Afacethathehadseensometimeorother—butwhen?Notontheisland.No,muchlongeragothanthat.
Funnythathecouldn’tputanametoit…Sillysortoffacereally—fellowlookedabitofamug.
Ofcourse!
Itcametohimwitharealshock.
Landor!
Oddtothinkhe’dcompletelyforgottenwhatLandorlookedlike.Onlyyesterdayhe’dbeentryingtorecallthefellow’sface,andhadn’tbeenableto.
Andnowhereitwas,everyfeatureclearanddistinct,asthoughhehadseenitonlyyesterday.
Landorhadhadawife—athinslipofawomanwithaworriedface.There’dbeenakid,too,agirlaboutfourteen.Forthefirsttime,hewonderedwhathadbecomeofthem.
(Therevolver.Whathadbecomeoftherevolver?Thatwasmuchmoreimportant.)
Themorehethoughtaboutitthemorepuzzledhewas…Hedidn’tunderstandthisrevolverbusiness.
Somebodyinthehousehadgotthatrevolver….
Downstairsaclockstruckone.
Blore’sthoughtswerecutshort.Hesatuponthebed,suddenlyalert.Forhehadheardasound—averyfaintsound—somewhereoutsidehisbedroomdoor.
Therewassomeonemovingaboutinthedarkenedhouse.
Theperspirationbrokeoutonhisforehead.Whowasit,movingsecretlyandsilentlyalongthecorridors?Someonewhowasuptonogood,he’dbetthat!
Noiselessly,inspiteofhisheavybuild,hedroppedoffthebedandwithtwostrideswasstandingbythedoorlistening.
Butthesounddidnotcomeagain.NeverthelessBlorewasconvincedthathewasnotmistaken.Hehadheardafootfalljustoutsidehisdoor.Thehairroseslightlyonhisscalp.Heknewfearagain….
Someonecreepingaboutstealthilyinthenight.
Helistened—butthesoundwasnotrepeated.
Andnowanewtemptationassailedhim.Hewanted,desperately,togooutandinvestigate.Ifhecouldonlyseewhoitwasprowlingaboutinthedarkness.
Buttoopenhisdoorwouldbetheactionofafool.Verylikelythatwasexactlywhattheotherwaswaitingfor.HemightevenhavemeantBloretohearwhathehadheard,countingonhimcomingouttoinvestigate.
Blorestoodrigid—listening.Hecouldhearsoundseverywherenow,cracks,rustles,mysteriouswhispers—buthisdogged,realisticbrainknewthemforwhattheywere—thecreationsofhisownheatedimagination.
Andthensuddenlyheheardsomethingthatwasnotimagination.Footsteps,verysoft,verycautious,butplainlyaudibletoamanlisteningwithallhisearsasBlorewaslistening.
Theycamesoftlyalongthecorridor(bothLombard’sandArmstrong’sroomswerefartherfromthestairheadthanhis).Theypassedhisdoorwithouthesitatingorfaltering.
Andastheydidso,Bloremadeuphismind.
Hemeanttoseewhoitwas!Thefootstepshaddefinitelypassedhisdoorgoingtothestairs.Wherewasthemangoing?
WhenBloreacted,heactedquickly,surprisinglysoforamanwholookedsoheavyandslow.Hetiptoedbacktothebed,slippedmatchesintohispocket,detachedtheplugoftheelectriclampbyhisbedandpickeditup,windingtheflexroundit.Itwasachromiumaffairwithaheavyebonitebase—ausefulweapon.
Hesprintednoiselesslyacrosstheroom,removedthechairfromunderthedoorhandleandwithprecautionunlockedandunboltedthedoor.Hesteppedoutintothecorridor.Therewasafaintsoundinthehallbelow.Blorerannoiselesslyinhisstockingedfeettotheheadofthestairs.
Atthatmomentherealizedwhyitwashehadheardallthesesoundssoclearly.Thewindhaddieddowncompletelyandtheskymusthavecleared.Therewasfaintmoonlightcominginthroughthelandingwindowanditilluminatedthehallbelow.
Blorehadaninstantaneousglimpseofafigurejustpassingoutthroughthefrontdoor.
Intheactofrunningdownthestairsinpursuit,hepaused.
Onceagain,hehadnearlymadeafoolofhimself!Thiswasatrap,perhaps,tolurehimoutofthehouse!
Butwhattheothermandidn’trealizewasthathehadmadeamistake,haddeliveredhimselfneatlyintoBlore’shands.
For,ofthethreetenantedroomsupstairs,onemustnowbeempty.Allthathadtobedonewastoascertainwhich!
Blorewentswiftlybackalongthecorridor.
HepausedfirstatDr.Armstrong’sdoorandtapped.Therewasnoanswer.
Hewaitedaminute,thenwentontoPhilipLombard’sroom.
Heretheanswercameatonce.
“Who’sthere?”
“It’sBlore.Idon’tthinkArmstrongisinhisroom.Waitaminute.”
Hewentontothedoorattheendofthecorridor.Herehetappedagain.
“MissClaythorne.MissClaythorne.”
Vera’svoice,startled,answeredhim.
“Whoisit?What’sthematter?”
“It’sallright,MissClaythorne.Waitaminute.I’llcomeback.”
HeracedbacktoLombard’sroom.Thedooropenedashedidso.Lombardstoodthere.Heheldacandleinhislefthand.Hehadpulledonhistrousersoverhispyjamas.Hisrighthandrestedinthepocketofhispyjamajacket.Hesaidsharply:
“Whatthehell’sallthis?”
Bloreexplainedrapidly.Lombard’seyeslitup.
“Armstrong—eh?Sohe’sourpigeon!”HemovedalongtoArmstrong’sdoor.“Sorry,Blore,butIdon’ttakeanythingontrust.”
Herappedsharplyonthepanel.
“Armstrong—Armstrong.”
Therewasnoanswer.
Lombarddroppedtohiskneesandpeeredthroughthekeyhole.Heinsertedhislittlefingergingerlyintothelock.
Hesaid:
“Key’snotinthedoorontheinside.”
Bloresaid:
“Thatmeanshelockeditontheoutsideandtookitwithhim.”
Philipnodded.
“Ordinaryprecautiontotake.We’llgethim,Blore…Thistime,we’llgethim!Halfasecond.”
HeracedalongtoVera’sroom.
“Vera.”
“Yes.”
“We’rehuntingArmstrong.He’soutofhisroom.Whateveryoudo,don’topenyourdoor.Understand?”
“Yes,Iunderstand.”
“IfArmstrongcomesalongandsaysthatI’vebeenkilled,orBlore’sbeenkilled,paynoattention.See?OnlyopenyourdoorifbothBloreandIspeaktoyou.Gotthat?”
Verasaid:
“Yes.I’mnotacompletefool.”
Lombardsaid:
“Good.”
HejoinedBlore.Hesaid:
“Andnow—afterhim!Thehunt’sup!”
Bloresaid:
“We’dbetterbecareful.He’sgotarevolver,remember.”
PhilipLombardracingdownthestairschuckled.
Hesaid:
“That’swhereyou’rewrong.”Heundidthefrontdoor,remarking,“Latchpushedback—sohecouldgetinagaineasily.”
Hewenton:
“I’vegotthatrevolver!”Hetookithalfoutofhispocketashespoke.“Founditputbackinmydrawertonight.”
Blorestoppeddeadonthedoorstep.Hisfacechanged.PhilipLombardsawit.
“Don’tbeadamnedfool,Blore!I’mnotgoingtoshootyou!Gobackandbarricadeyourselfinifyoulike!I’moffafterArmstrong.”
Hestartedoffintothemoonlight.Blore,afteraminute’shesitation,followedhim.
Hethoughttohimself:
“IsupposeI’maskingforit.Afterall—”
Afterallhehadtackledcriminalsarmedwithrevolversbeforenow.Whateverelsehelacked,Bloredidnotlackcourage.Showhimthedangerandhewouldtackleitpluckily.Hewasnotafraidofdangerintheopen,onlyofdangerundefinedandtingedwiththesupernatural.
VI
Vera,lefttoawaitresults,gotupanddressed.
Sheglancedoveronceortwiceatthedoor.Itwasagoodsoliddoor.Itwasbothboltedandlockedandhadanoakchairwedgedunderthehandle.
Itcouldnotbebrokenopenbyforce.CertainlynotbyDr.Armstrong.Hewasnotaphysicallypowerfulman.
IfshewereArmstrongintentonmurder,itwascunningthatshewouldemploy,notforce.
Sheamusedherselfbyreflectingonthemeanshemightemploy.
Hemight,asPhiliphadsuggested,announcethatoneoftheothertwomenwasdead.Orhemightpossiblypretendtobemortallywoundedhimself,mightdraghimselfgroaningtoherdoor.
Therewereotherpossibilities.Hemightinformherthatthehousewasonfire.More,hemightactuallysetthehouseonfire…Yes,thatwouldbeapossibility.Luretheothertwomenoutofthehouse,then,havingpreviouslylaidatrailofpetrol,hemightsetlighttoit.Andshe,likeanidiot,wouldremainbarricadedinherroomuntilitwastoolate.
Shecrossedovertothewindow.Nottoobad.Atapinchonecouldescapethatway.Itwouldmeanadrop—buttherewasahandyflowerbed.
Shesatdownandpickingupherdiarybegantowriteinitinaclearflowinghand.
Onemustpassthetime.
Suddenlyshestiffenedtoattention.Shehadheardasound.Itwas,shethought,asoundlikebreakingglass.Anditcamefromsomewheredownstairs.
Shelistenedhard,butthesoundwasnotrepeated.
Sheheard,orthoughtsheheard,stealthysoundsoffootsteps,thecreakofstairs,therustleofgarments—buttherewasnothingdefiniteandsheconcluded,asBlorehaddoneearlier,thatsuchsoundshadtheirorigininherownimagination.
Butpresentlysheheardsoundsofamoreconcretenature.Peoplemovingaboutdownstairs—themurmurofvoices.Thentheverydecidedsoundofsomeonemountingthestairs—doorsopeningandshutting—feetgoinguptotheatticsoverhead.Morenoisesfromthere.
Finallythestepscamealongthepassage.Lombard’svoicesaid:
“Vera.Youallright?”
“Yes.Whathappened?”
Blore’svoicesaid:
“Willyouletusin?”
Verawenttothedoor.Sheremovedthechair,unlockedthedoorandslidbackthebolt.Sheopenedthedoor.Thetwomenwerebreathinghard,theirfeetandthebottomoftheirtrousersweresoakingwet.
Shesaidagain:
“What’shappened?”
Lombardsaid:
“Armstrong’sdisappeared.…”
VII
Veracried:
“What?”
Lombardsaid:
“Vanishedcleanofftheisland.”
Bloreconcurred:
“Vanished—that’stheword!Likesomedamnedconjuringtrick.”
Verasaidimpatiently:
“Nonsense!He’shidingsomewhere!”
Bloresaid:
“No,heisn’t!Itellyou,there’snowheretohideonthisisland.It’sasbareasyourhand!There’smoonlightoutside.Asclearasdayitis.Andhe’snottobefound.”
Verasaid:
“Hedoubledbacktothehouse.”
Bloresaid:
“Wethoughtofthat.We’vesearchedthehouse,too.Youmusthaveheardus.He’snothere,Itellyou.He’sgone—cleanvanished,vamoosed….”
Verasaidincredulously:
“Idon’tbelieveit.”
Lombardsaid:
“It’strue,mydear.”
Hepausedandthensaid:
“There’soneotherlittlefact.Apaneinthediningroomwindowhasbeensmashed—andthereareonlythreelittlesoldierboysonthetable.”
Fifteen
I
Threepeoplesateatingbreakfastinthekitchen.
Outside,thesunshone.Itwasalovelyday.Thestormwasathingofthepast
Andwiththechangeintheweather,achangehadcomeinthemoodoftheprisonersontheisland.
Theyfeltnowlikepeoplejustawakeningfromanightmare.Therewasdanger,yes,butitwasdangerindaylight.Thatparalysingatmosphereoffearthathadwrappedthemroundlikeablanketyesterdaywhilethewindhowledoutsidewasgone.
Lombardsaid:
“We’lltryheliographingtodaywithamirrorfromthehighestpointoftheisland.SomebrightladwanderingonthecliffwillrecognizeSOSwhenheseesit,Ihope.Intheeveningwecouldtryabonfire—onlythereisn’tmuchwood—andanywaytheymightjustthinkitwassonganddanceandmerriment.”
Verasaid:
“SurelysomeonecanreadMorse.Andthenthey’llcometotakeusoff.Longbeforethisevening.”
Lombardsaid:
“Theweather’sclearedallright,buttheseahasn’tgonedownyet.Terrificswellon!Theywon’tbeabletogetaboatneartheislandbeforetomorrow.”
Veracried:
“Anothernightinthisplace!”
Lombardshruggedhisshoulders.
“Mayaswellfaceit!Twenty-fourhourswilldoit,Ithink.Ifwecanlastoutthat,we’llbeallright.”
Bloreclearedhisthroat.Hesaid:
“We’dbettercometoaclearunderstanding.What’shappenedtoArmstrong?”
Lombardsaid:
“Well,we’vegotonepieceofevidence.Onlythreelittlesoldierboysleftonthedinnertable.ItlooksasthoughArmstronghadgothisquietus.”
Verasaid:
“Thenwhyhaven’tyoufoundhisdeadbody?”
Bloresaid:
“Exactly.”
Lombardshookhishead.Hesaid:
“It’sdamnedodd—nogettingoverit.”
Bloresaiddoubtfully:
“Itmighthavebeenthrownintothesea.”
Lombardsaidsharply:
“Bywhom?You?Me?Yousawhimgooutofthefrontdoor.Youcomealongandfindmeinmyroom.Wegooutandsearchtogether.WhenthedevilhadItimetokillhimandcarryhisbodyroundtheisland?”
Bloresaid:
“Idon’tknow.ButIdoknowonething.”
Lombardsaid:
“What’sthat?”
Bloresaid:
“Therevolver.Itwasyourrevolver.It’sinyourpossessionnow.There’snothingtoshowthatithasn’tbeeninyourpossessionallalong.”
“Comenow,Blore,wewereallsearched.”
“Yes,you’dhiddenitawaybeforethathappened.Afterwardsyoujusttookitbackagain.”
“Mygoodblockhead,Isweartoyouthatitwasputbackinmydrawer.GreatestsurpriseIeverhadinmylifewhenIfounditthere.”
Bloresaid:
“Youaskustobelieveathinglikethat!WhythedevilshouldArmstrong,oranyoneelseforthatmatter,putitback?”
Lombardraisedhisshouldershopelessly
“Ihaven’ttheleastidea.It’sjustcrazy.Thelastthingonewouldexpect.Thereseemsnopointinit.”
Bloreagreed.
“No,thereisn’t.Youmighthavethoughtofabetterstory.”
“RatherproofthatI’mtellingthetruth,isn’tit?”
“Idon’tlookatitthatway.”
Philipsaid:
“Youwouldn’t.”
Bloresaid:
“Lookhere,Mr.Lombard,ifyou’reanhonestman,asyoupretend—”
Philipmurmured:
“WhendidIlayclaimstobeinganhonestman?No,indeed,Ineversaidthat.”
Blorewentonstolidly:
“Ifyou’respeakingthetruth—there’sonlyonethingtobedone.Aslongasyouhavethatrevolver,MissClaythorneandIareatyourmercy.Theonlyfairthingistoputthatrevolverwiththeotherthingsthatarelockedup—andyouandIwillholdthetwokeysstill.”
PhilipLombardlitacigarette.
Ashepuffedsmoke,hesaid:
“Don’tbeanass.”
“Youwon’tagreetothat?”
“No,Iwon’t.Thatrevolver’smine.Ineedittodefendmyself—andI’mgoingtokeepit.”
Bloresaid:
“Inthatcasewe’reboundtocometooneconclusion.”
“ThatI’mU.N.Owen?Thinkwhatyoudamnedwellplease.ButI’llaskyou,ifthat’sso,whyIdidn’tpotyouwiththerevolverlastnight?Icouldhave,abouttwentytimesover.”
Bloreshookhishead.
Hesaid:
“Idon’tknow—andthat’safact.Youmusthavehadsomereason.”
Verahadtakennopartinthediscussion.Shestirrednowandsaid:
“Ithinkyou’rebothbehavinglikeapairofidiots.”
Lombardlookedather.
“What’sthis?”
Verasaid:
“You’veforgottenthenurseryrhyme.Don’tyouseethere’sacluethere?”
Sherecitedinameaningvoice:
“Fourlittlesoldierboysgoingouttosea;AredherringswallowedoneandthentherewereThree.”
Shewenton:
“Aredherring—that’sthevitalclue.Armstrong’snotdead…Hetookawaythechinasoldiertomakeyouthinkhewas.Youmaysaywhatyoulike—Armstrong’sontheislandstill.Hisdisappearanceisjustaredherringacrossthetrack….”
Lombardsatdownagain.
Hesaid:
“Youknow,youmayberight.”
Bloresaid:
“Yes,butifso,whereishe?We’vesearchedtheplace.Outsideandinside.”
Verasaidscornfully:
“Weallsearchedfortherevolver,didn’twe,andcouldn’tfindit?Butitwassomewhereallthetime!”
Lombardmurmured:
“There’saslightdifferenceinsize,mydear,betweenamanandarevolver.”
Verasaid:
“Idon’tcare—I’msureI’mright.”
Bloremurmured:
“Rathergivinghimselfaway,wasn’tit?Actuallymentioningaredherringintheverse.Hecouldhavewrittenitupabitdifferent.”
Veracried:
“Butdon’tyousee,he’smad?It’sallmad!Thewholethingofgoingbytherhymeismad!Dressingupthejudge,killingRogerswhenhewaschoppingsticks—druggingMrs.Rogerssothatsheoversleptherself—arrangingforabumblebeewhenMissBrentdied!It’slikesomehorriblechildplayingagame.It’sallgottofitin.”
Bloresaid:
“Yes,you’reright.”Hethoughtaminute.“Atanyratethere’snozooontheisland.He’llhaveabitoftroublegettingoverthat.”
Veracried:
“Don’tyousee?We’retheZoo…Lastnight,wewerehardlyhumananymore.We’retheZoo.…”
II
Theyspentthemorningonthecliffs,takingitinturnstoflashamirroratthemainland.
Therewerenosignsthatanyonesawthem.Noansweringsignals.Thedaywasfine,withaslighthaze.Below,theseaheavedinagiganticswell.Therewerenoboatsout.
Theyhadmadeanotherabortivesearchoftheisland.Therewasnotraceofthemissingphysician.
Veralookedupatthehousefromwheretheywerestanding.
Shesaid,herbreathcomingwithaslightcatchinit:
“Onefeelssaferhere,outintheopen…Don’tlet’sgobackintothehouseagain.”
Lombardsaid:
“Notabadidea.We’reprettysafehere,noonecangetatuswithoutourseeinghimalongtimebeforehand.”
Verasaid:
“We’llstayhere.”
Bloresaid:
“Havetopassthenightsomewhere.We’llhavetogobacktothehousethen.”
Verashuddered.
“Ican’tbearit.Ican’tgothroughanothernight!”
Philipsaid:
“You’llbesafeenough—lockedinyourroom.”
Veramurmured:“Isupposeso.”
Shestretchedoutherhands,murmuring:
“It’slovely—tofeelthesunagain….”
Shethought:
“Howodd…I’malmosthappy.AndyetIsupposeI’mactuallyindanger…Somehow—now—nothingseemstomatter…notindaylight…Ifeelfullofpower—IfeelthatIcan’tdie….”
Blorewaslookingathiswristwatch.Hesaid:
“It’stwoo’clock.Whataboutlunch?”
Verasaidobstinately:
“I’mnotgoingbacktothehouse.I’mgoingtostayhere—intheopen.”
“Ohcomenow,MissClaythorne.Gottokeepyourstrengthup,youknow.”
Verasaid:
“IfIevenseeatinnedtongue,Ishallbesick!Idon’twantanyfood.Peoplegodaysonendwithnothingsometimeswhenthey’reonadiet.”
Bloresaid:
“Well,Ineedmymealsregular.Whataboutyou,Mr.Lombard?”
Philipsaid:
“Youknow,Idon’trelishtheideaoftinnedtongueparticularly.I’llstayherewithMissClaythorne.”
Blorehesitated.Verasaid:
“Ishallbequiteallright.Idon’tthinkhe’llshootmeassoonasyourbackisturnedifthat’swhatyou’reafraidof.”
Bloresaid:
“It’sallrightifyousayso.Butweagreedweoughtnottoseparate.”
Philipsaid:
“You’retheonewhowantstogointothelion’sden.I’llcomewithyouifyoulike.”
“No,youwon’t,”saidBlore.“You’llstayhere.”
Philiplaughed.
“Soyou’restillafraidofme?Why,IcouldshootyouboththisveryminuteifIliked.”
Bloresaid:
“Yes,butthatwouldn’tbeaccordingtoplan.It’soneatatime,andit’sgottobedoneinacertainway.”
“Well,”saidPhilip,“youseemtoknowallaboutit.”
“Ofcourse,”saidBlore,“it’sabitjumpygoinguptothehousealone—”
Philipsaidsoftly:
“Andtherefore,willIlendyoumyrevolver?Answer,no,Iwillnot!Notquitesosimpleasthat,thankyou.”
Bloreshruggedhisshouldersandbegantomakehiswayupthesteepslopetothehouse.
Lombardsaidsoftly:
“FeedingtimeattheZoo!Theanimalsareveryregularintheirhabits!”
Verasaidanxiously:
“Isn’titveryrisky,whathe’sdoing?”
“Inthesenseyoumean—no,Idon’tthinkitis!Armstrong’snotarmed,youknow,andanywayBloreistwiceamatchforhiminphysiqueandhe’sverymuchonhisguard.Andanywayit’sasheerimpossibilitythatArmstrongcanbeinthehouse.Iknowhe’snotthere.”
“But—whatothersolutionisthere?”
Philipsaidsoftly:
“There’sBlore.”
“Oh—doyoureallythink—?”
“Listen,mygirl.YouheardBlore’sstory.You’vegottoadmitthatifit’strue,Ican’tpossiblyhavehadanythingtodowithArmstrong’sdisappearance.Hisstoryclearsme.Butitdoesn’tclearhim.We’veonlyhiswordforitthatheheardfootstepsandsawamangoingdownstairsandoutatthefrontdoor.Thewholethingmaybealie.HemayhavegotridofArmstrongacoupleofhoursbeforethat.”
“How?”
Lombardshruggedhisshoulders.
“Thatwedon’tknow.Butifyouaskme,we’veonlyonedangertofear—andthatdangerisBlore!Whatdoweknowabouttheman?Lessthannothing!Allthisex-policemanstorymaybebunkum!Hemaybeanybody—amadmillionaire—acrazybusinessman—anescapedinmateofBroadmoor.Onething’scertain.Hecouldhavedoneeveryoneofthesecrimes.”
Verahadgoneratherwhite.Shesaidinaslightlybreathlessvoice:
“Andsupposinghegets—us?”
Lombardsaidsoftly,pattingtherevolverinhispocket:
“I’mgoingtotakeverygoodcarehedoesn’t.”
Thenhelookedathercuriously.
“Touchingfaithinme,haven’tyou,Vera?QuitesureIwouldn’tshootyou?”
Verasaid:
“Onehasgottotrustsomeone…AsamatteroffactIthinkyou’rewrongaboutBlore.Istillthinkit’sArmstrong.”
Sheturnedtohimsuddenly:
“Don’tyoufeel—allthetime—thatthere’ssomeone.Someonewatchingandwaiting?”
Lombardsaidslowly:
“That’sjustnerves.”
Verasaideagerly:
“Thenyouhavefeltit?”
Sheshivered.Shebentalittlecloser.
“Tellme—youdon’tthink—”shebrokeoff,wenton:“Ireadastoryonce—abouttwojudgesthatcametoasmallAmericantown—fromtheSupremeCourt.Theyadministeredjustice—AbsoluteJustice.Because—theydidn’tcomefromthisworldatall.…”
Lombardraisedhiseyebrows.
Hesaid:
“Heavenlyvisitants,eh?No,Idon’tbelieveinthesupernatural.Thisbusinessishumanenough.”
Verasaidinalowvoice:
“Sometimes—I’mnotsure….”
Lombardlookedather.Hesaid:
“That’sconscience…”Afteramoment’ssilencehesaidveryquietly:“Soyoudiddrownthatkidafterall?”
Verasaidvehemently:
“Ididn’t!Ididn’t!You’venorighttosaythat!”
Helaughedeasily.
“Ohyes,youdid,mygoodgirl!Idon’tknowwhy.Can’timagine.Therewasamaninitprobably.Wasthatit?”
Asuddenfeelingoflassitude,ofintenseweariness,spreadoverVera’slimbs.Shesaidinadullvoice:
“Yes—therewasamaninit….”
Lombardsaidsoftly:
“Thanks.That’swhatIwantedtoknow….”
Verasatupsuddenly.Sheexclaimed:
“Whatwasthat?Itwasn’tanearthquake?”
Lombardsaid:
“No,no.Queer,though—athudshooktheground.AndIthought—didyouhearasortofcry?Idid.”
Theystaredupatthehouse.
Lombardsaid:
“Itcamefromthere.We’dbettergoupandsee.”
“No,no,I’mnotgoing.”
“Pleaseyourself.Iam.”
Verasaiddesperately:
“Allright.I’llcomewithyou.”
Theywalkeduptheslopetothehouse.Theterracewaspeacefulandinnocuous-lookinginthesunshine.Theyhesitatedthereaminute,theninsteadofenteringbythefrontdoor,theymadeacautiouscircuitofthehouse.
TheyfoundBlore.Hewasspreadeagledonthestoneterraceontheeastside,hisheadcrushedandmangledbyagreatblockofwhitemarble.
Philiplookedup.Hesaid:
“Whoseisthatwindowjustabove?”
Verasaidinalowshudderingvoice:
“It’smine—andthat’stheclockfrommymantelpiece…Iremembernow.Itwas—shapedlikeabear.”
Sherepeatedandhervoiceshookandquavered:
“Itwasshapedlikeabear….”
III
Philipgraspedhershoulder.
Hesaid,andhisvoicewasurgentandgrim:
“Thissettlesit.Armstrongisinhidingsomewhereinthathouse.I’mgoingtogethim.”
ButVeraclungtohim.Shecried:
“Don’tbeafool.It’susnow!We’renext!Hewantsustolookforhim!He’scountingonit!”
Philipstopped.Hesaidthoughtfully:
“There’ssomethinginthat.”
Veracried:
“AtanyrateyoudoadmitnowIwasright.”
Henodded.
“Yes—youwin!It’sArmstrongallright.Butwherethedevildidhehidehimself?Wewentovertheplacewithafine-toothcomb.”
Verasaidurgently:
“Ifyoudidn’tfindhimlastnight,youwon’tfindhimnow…That’scommonsense.”
Lombardsaidreluctantly:
“Yes,but—”
“Hemusthavepreparedasecretplacebeforehand—naturally—ofcourseit’sjustwhathewoulddo.Youknow,likeaPriest’sHoleinoldmanorhouses.”
“Thisisn’tanoldhouseofthatkind.”
“Hecouldhavehadonemade.”
PhilipLombardshookhishead.Hesaid:
“Wemeasuredtheplace—thatfirstmorning.I’llswearthere’snospaceunaccountedfor.”
Verasaid:
“Theremustbe….”
Lombardsaid:
“I’dliketosee—”
Veracried:
“Yes,you’dliketosee!Andheknowsthat!He’sinthere—waitingforyou.”
Lombardsaid,halfbringingouttherevolverfromhispocket:
“I’vegotthis,youknow.”
“YousaidBlorewasallright—thathewasmorethanamatchforArmstrong.Sohewasphysically,andhewasonthelookouttoo.Butwhatyoudon’tseemtorealizeisthatArmstrongismad!Andamadmanhasalltheadvantagesonhisside.He’stwiceascunningasanyonesanecanbe.”
Lombardputbacktherevolverinhispocket.Hesaid:
“Comeon,then.”
IV
Lombardsaidatlast:
“Whatarewegoingtodowhennightcomes?”
Veradidn’tanswer.Hewentonaccusingly:
“Youhaven’tthoughtofthat?”
Shesaidhelplessly:
“Whatcanwedo?Oh,myGod,I’mfrightened.…”
PhilipLombardsaidthoughtfully:
“It’sfineweather.Therewillbeamoon.Wemustfindaplace—upbythetopcliffsperhaps.Wecansitthereandwaitformorning.Wemustn’tgotosleep…Wemustwatchthewholetime.Andifanyonecomesuptowardus,Ishallshoot!”
Hepaused:
“You’llbecold,perhaps,inthatthindress?”
Verasaidwitharaucouslaugh:
“Cold?IshouldbecolderifIweredead!”
PhilipLombardsaidquietly:
“Yes,that’strue….”
Veramovedrestlessly.
Shesaid:
“IshallgomadifIsithereanylonger.Let’smoveabout.”
“Allright.”
Theypacedslowlyupanddown,alongthelineoftherocksoverlookingthesea.Thesunwasdroppingtowardsthewest.Thelightwasgoldenandmellow.Itenvelopedtheminagoldenglow.
Verasaid,withasuddennervouslittlegiggle:
“Pitywecan’thaveabathe….”
Philipwaslookingdowntowardsthesea.Hesaidabruptly:
“What’sthat,there?Yousee—bythatbigrock?No—alittlefarthertotheright.”
Verastared.Shesaid:
“Itlookslikesomebody’sclothes!”
“Abather,eh?”Lombardlaughed.“Queer.Isupposeit’sonlyseaweed.”
Verasaid:
“Let’sgoandlook.”
“Itisclothes,”saidLombardastheydrewnearer.“Abundleofthem.That’saboot.Comeon,let’sscramblealonghere.”
Theyscrambledovertherocks.
Verastoppedsuddenly.Shesaid:
“It’snotclothes—it’saman….”
Themanwaswedgedbetweentworocks,flungtherebythetideearlierintheday.
LombardandVerareacheditinalastscramble.Theybentdown.
Apurplediscolouredface—ahideousdrownedface.…
Lombardsaid:
“MyGod!it’sArmstrong.…”
Sixteen
I
Aeonspassed…worldsspunandwhirled…Timewasmotionless…Itstoodstill—itpassedthroughathousandages….
No,itwasonlyaminuteorso…
Twopeoplewerestandinglookingdownonadeadman….
Slowly,veryslowly,VeraClaythorneandPhilipLombardliftedtheirheadsandlookedintoeachother’seyes….
II
Lombardlaughed.
Hesaid:
“Sothat’sit,isit,Vera?”
Verasaid:
“There’snooneontheisland—nooneatall—exceptustwo….”
Hervoicewasawhisper—nothingmore.
Lombardsaid:
“Precisely.Soweknowwhereweare,don’twe?”
Verasaid:
“Howwasitworked—thattrickwiththemarblebear?”
Heshruggedhisshoulders.
“Aconjuringtrick,mydear—averygoodone….”
Theireyesmetagain.
Verathought:
“WhydidIneverseehisfaceproperlybefore?Awolf—that’swhatitis—awolf’sface…Thosehorribleteeth….”
Lombardsaid,andhisvoicewasasnarl—dangerous—menacing:
“Thisistheend,youunderstand.We’vecometothetruthnow.Andit’stheend.…”
Verasaidquietly:
“Iunderstand….”
Shestaredouttosea.GeneralMacarthurhadstaredouttosea—when—onlyyesterday?Orwasitthedaybefore?Hetoohadsaid,“Thisistheend….”
Hehadsaiditwithacceptance—almostwithwelcome.
ButtoVerathewords—thethought—broughtrebellion.
No,itshouldnotbetheend.
Shelookeddownatthedeadman.Shesaid:
“PoorDr.Armstrong….”
Lombardsneered.
Hesaid:
“What’sthis?Womanlypity?”
Verasaid:
“Whynot?Haven’tyouanypity?”
Hesaid:
“I’venopityforyou.Don’texpectit!”
Veralookeddownagainatthebody.Shesaid:
“Wemustmovehim.Carryhimuptothehouse.”
“Tojointheothervictims,Isuppose?Allneatandtidy.AsfarasI’mconcernedhecanstaywhereheis.”
Verasaid:
“Atanyratelet’sgethimoutofthereachofthesea.”
Lombardlaughed.Hesaid:
“Ifyoulike.”
Hebent—tuggingatthebody.Veraleanedagainsthim,helpinghim.Shepulledandtuggedwithallhermight.
Lombardpanted:
“Notsuchaneasyjob.”
Theymanagedit,however,drawingthebodyclearofhighwatermark.
Lombardsaidashestraightenedup:
“Satisfied?”
Verasaid:
“Quite.”
Hertonewarnedhim.Hespunround.Evenasheclappedhishandtohispocketheknewthathewouldfinditempty.
Shehadmovedayardortwoawayandwasfacinghim,revolverinhand.
Lombardsaid:
“Sothat’sthereasonforyourwomanlysolicitude!Youwantedtopickmypocket.”
Shenodded.
Shehelditsteadilyandunwaveringly.
DeathwasveryneartoPhilipLombardnow.Ithadnever,heknew,beennearer.
Neverthelesshewasnotbeatenyet.
Hesaidauthoritatively:
“Givethatrevolvertome.”
Veralaughed.
Lombardsaid:
“Comeon,handitover.”
Hisquickbrainwasworking.Whichway—whichmethod—talkherover—lullherintosecurityoraswiftdash—
AllhislifeLombardhadtakentheriskyway.Hetookitnow.
Hespokeslowly,argumentatively:
“Nowlookhere,mydeargirl,youjustlisten—”
Andthenhesprang.Quickasapanther—asanyotherfelinecreature….
AutomaticallyVerapressedthetrigger….
Lombard’sleapingbodystayedpoisedinmid-springthencrashedheavilytotheground.
Veracamewarilyforward,therevolverreadyinherhand.
Buttherewasnoneedofcaution.
PhilipLombardwasdead—shotthroughtheheart….
III
ReliefpossessedVera—enormousexquisiterelief.
Atlastitwasover.
Therewasnomorefear—nomoresteelingofhernerves….
Shewasaloneontheisland….
Alonewithninedeadbodies….
Butwhatdidthatmatter?Shewasalive….
Shesatthere—exquisitelyhappy—exquisitelyatpeace…
Nomorefear….
IV
ThesunwassettingwhenVeramovedatlast.Sheerreactionhadkeptherimmobile.Therehadbeennoroominherforanythingbuttheglorioussenseofsafety.
Sherealizednowthatshewashungryandsleepy.Principallysleepy.Shewantedtothrowherselfonherbedandsleepandsleepandsleep….
Tomorrow,perhaps,theywouldcomeandrescueher—butshedidn’treallymind.Shedidn’tmindstayinghere.Notnowthatshewasalone….
Oh!blessed,blessedpeace….
Shegottoherfeetandglancedupatthehouse.
Nothingtobeafraidofanylonger!Noterrorswaitingforher!Justanordinarywell-builtmodernhouse.Andyet,alittleearlierintheday,shehadnotbeenabletolookatitwithoutshivering….
Fear—whatastrangethingfearwas….
Well,itwasovernow.Shehadconquered—hadtriumphedoverthemostdeadlyperil.Byherownquick-wittednessandadroitnessshehadturnedthetablesonherwould-bedestroyer.
Shebegantowalkuptowardsthehouse.
Thesunwassetting,theskytothewestwasstreakedwithredandorange.Itwasbeautifulandpeaceful….
Verathought….
“Thewholethingmightbeadream….”
Howtiredshewas—terriblytired.Herlimbsached,hereyelidsweredropping.Nottobeafraidanymore…Tosleep.Sleep…sleep…sleep….
Tosleepsafelysinceshewasaloneontheisland.Onelittlesoldierboyleftallalone.
Shesmiledtoherself.
Shewentinatthefrontdoor.Thehouse,too,feltstrangelypeaceful.
Verathought:
“Ordinarilyonewouldn’tcaretosleepwherethere’sadeadbodyinpracticallyeverybedroom!”
Shouldshegotothekitchenandgetherselfsomethingtoeat?
Shehesitatedamoment,thendecidedagainstit.Shewasreallytootired….
Shepausedbythediningroomdoor.Therewerestillthreelittlechinafiguresinthemiddleofthetable.
Veralaughed.
Shesaid:
“You’rebehindthetimes,mydears.”
Shepickeduptwoofthemandtossedthemoutthroughthewindow.Sheheardthemcrashonthestoneoftheterrace.
Thethirdlittlefigureshepickedupandheldinherhand.Shesaid:
“Youcancomewithme.We’vewon,mydear!We’vewon!”
Thehallwasdiminthedyinglight.
Vera,thelittlesoldierclaspedinherhand,begantomountthestairs.Slowly,becauseherlegsweresuddenlyverytired.
“Onelittlesoldierboyleftallalone.”Howdiditend?Oh,yes!“Hegotmarriedandthentherewerenone.”
Married…Funny,howshesuddenlygotthefeelingagainthatHugowasinthehouse….
Verystrong.Yes,Hugowasupstairswaitingforher.
Verasaidtoherself:
“Don’tbeafool.You’resotiredthatyou’reimaginingthemostfantasticthings….”
Slowlyupthestairs….
Atthetopofthemsomethingfellfromherhandmakinghardlyanynoiseonthesoftpilecarpet.Shedidnotnoticethatshehaddroppedtherevolver.Shewasonlyconsciousofclaspingalittlechinafigure.
Howveryquietthehousewas.Andyet—itdidn’tseemlikeanemptyhouse….
Hugo,upstairs,waitingforher….
“Onelittlesoldierboyleftallalone.”Whatwasthelastlineagain?Somethingaboutbeingmarried—orwasitsomethingelse?
Shehadcomenowtothedoorofherroom.Hugowaswaitingforherinside—shewasquitesureofit.
Sheopenedthedoor….
Shegaveagasp….
Whatwasthat—hangingfromthehookintheceiling?Aropewithanooseallready?Andachairtostandupon—achairthatcouldbekickedaway.…
ThatwaswhatHugowanted.…
Andofcoursethatwasthelastlineoftherhyme.
“HewentandhangedhimselfandthentherewereNone….”
Thelittlechinafigurefellfromherhand.Itrolledunheededandbrokeagainstthefender.
LikeanautomatonVeramovedforward.Thiswastheend—herewherethecoldwethand(Cyril’shand,ofcourse)hadtouchedherthroat….
“Youcangototherock,Cyril….”
Thatwaswhatmurderwas—aseasyasthat!
Butafterwardsyouwentonremembering….
Sheclimbeduponthechair,hereyesstaringinfrontofherlikeasleepwalker’s…Sheadjustedthenooseroundherneck.
Hugowastheretoseeshedidwhatshehadtodo.
Shekickedawaythechair….
Epilogue
SirThomasLegge,AssistantCommissioneratScotlandYard,saidirritably:
“Butthewholething’sincredible!”
InspectorMainesaidrespectfully:
“Iknow,sir.”
TheACwenton:
“Tenpeopledeadonanislandandnotalivingsoulonit.Itdoesn’tmakesense!”
InspectorMainesaidstolidly:
“Nevertheless,ithappened,sir.”
SirThomasLeggesaid:
“Dam’itall,Maine,somebodymusthavekilled’em.”
“That’sjustourproblem,sir.”
“Nothinghelpfulinthedoctor’sreport?”
“No,sir.WargraveandLombardwereshot,thefirstthroughthehead,thesecondthroughtheheart.MissBrentandMarstondiedofcyanidepoisoning.Mrs.Rogersdiedofanoverdoseofchloral.Rogers’headwassplitopen.Blore’sheadwascrushedin.Armstrongdiedofdrowning.Macarthur’sskullwasfracturedbyablowonthebackoftheheadandVeraClaythornewashanged.”
TheACwinced.Hesaid:
“Nastybusiness—allofit.”
Heconsideredforaminuteortwo.Hesaidirritably:
“Doyoumeantosaythatyouhaven’tbeenabletogetanythinghelpfuloutoftheSticklehavenpeople?Dashit,theymustknowsomething.”
InspectorMaineshruggedhisshoulders.
“They’reordinarydecentseafaringfolk.TheyknowthattheislandwasboughtbyamancalledOwen—andthat’saboutalltheydoknow.”
“Whoprovisionedtheislandandmadeallthenecessaryarrangements?”
“MancalledMorris.IsaacMorris.”
“Andwhatdoeshesayaboutitall?”
“Hecan’tsayanything,sir,he’sdead.”
TheACfrowned.
“DoweknowanythingaboutthisMorris?”
“Ohyes,sir,weknowabouthim.Hewasn’taverysavourygentleman,Mr.Morris.Hewasimplicatedinthatshare-pushingfraudofBennito’sthreeyearsago—we’resureofthatthoughwecan’tproveit.Andhewasmixedupinthedopebusiness.Andagainwecan’tproveit.Hewasaverycarefulman,Morris.”
“Andhewasbehindthisislandbusiness?”
“Yes,sir,heputthroughthesale—thoughhemadeitclearthathewasbuyingSoldierIslandforathirdparty,unnamed.”
“Surelythere’ssomethingtobefoundoutonthefinancialangle,there?”
InspectorMainesmiled.
“NotifyouknewMorris!Hecanwanglefiguresuntilthebestcharteredaccountantinthecountrywouldn’tknowifhewasonhisheadorhisheels!We’vehadatasteofthatintheBennitobusiness.No,hecoveredhisemployer’stracksallright.”
Theothermansighed.InspectorMainewenton:
“ItwasMorriswhomadeallthearrangementsdownatSticklehaven.Representedhimselfasactingfor‘Mr.Owen.’Anditwashewhoexplainedtothepeopledowntherethattherewassomeexperimenton—somebetaboutlivingona‘desertisland’foraweek—andthatnonoticewastobetakenofanyappealforhelpfromoutthere.”
SirThomasLeggestirreduneasily.Hesaid:
“Andyou’retellingmethatthosepeopledidn’tsmellarat?Noteventhen?”
Maineshruggedhisshoulders.Hesaid:
“You’reforgetting,sir,thatSoldierIslandpreviouslybelongedtoyoungElmerRobson,theAmerican.Hehadthemostextraordinarypartiesdownthere.I’venodoubtthelocalpeople’seyesfairlypoppedoutoverthem.Buttheygotusedtoitandthey’dbeguntofeelthatanythingtodowithSoldierIslandwouldnecessarilybeincredible.It’snatural,that,sir,whenyoucometothinkofit.”
TheAssistantCommissioneradmittedgloomilythathesupposeditwas.
Mainesaid:
“FredNarracott—that’sthemanwhotookthepartyoutthere—didsayonethingthatwasilluminating.Hesaidhewassurprisedtoseewhatsortofpeoplethesewere.‘NotatalllikeMr.Robson’sparties.’IthinkitwasthefactthattheywereallsonormalandsoquietthatmadehimoverrideMorris’sordersandtakeoutaboattotheislandafterhe’dheardabouttheSOSsignals.”
“Whendidheandtheothermengo?”
“Thesignalswereseenbyapartyofboyscoutsonthemorningofthe11th.Therewasnopossibilityofgettingouttherethatday.Themengotthereontheafternoonofthe12thatthefirstmomentpossibletorunaboatashorethere.They’reallquitepositivethatnobodycouldhavelefttheislandbeforetheygotthere.Therewasabigseaonafterthestorm.”
“Couldn’tsomeonehaveswumashore?”
“It’soveramiletothecoastandtherewereheavyseasandbigbreakersinshore.Andtherewerealotofpeople,boyscoutsandothersonthecliffslookingouttowardstheislandandwatching.”
TheACsighed.Hesaid:
“Whataboutthatgramophonerecordyoufoundinthehouse?Couldn’tyougetholdofanythingtherethatmighthelp?”
InspectorMainesaid:
“I’vebeenintothat.Itwassuppliedbyafirmthatdoalotoftheatricalstuffandfilmeffects.ItwassenttoU.N.OwenEsq.,c/oIsaacMorris,andwasunderstoodtoberequiredfortheamateurperformanceofahithertounactedplay.Thetypescriptofitwasreturnedwiththerecord.”
Leggesaid:
“Andwhataboutthesubjectmatter,eh?”
InspectorMainesaidgravely:
“I’mcomingtothat,sir.”
Heclearedhisthroat.
“I’veinvestigatedthoseaccusationsasthoroughlyasIcan.
“StartingwiththeRogerseswhowerethefirsttoarriveontheisland.TheywereinservicewithaMissBradywhodiedsuddenly.Can’tgetanythingdefiniteoutofthedoctorwhoattendedher.Hesaystheycertainlydidn’tpoisonher,oranythinglikethat,buthispersonalbeliefisthattherewassomefunnybusiness—thatshediedastheresultofneglectontheirpart.Saysit’sthesortofthingthat’squiteimpossibletoprove.
“ThenthereisMr.JusticeWargrave.That’sOK.HewasthejudgewhosentencedSeton.
“Bytheway,Setonwasguilty—unmistakablyguilty.Evidenceturneduplater,afterhewashanged,whichprovedthatbeyondanyshadowofdoubt.Buttherewasagooddealofcommentatthetime—ninepeopleoutoftenthoughtSetonwasinnocentandthatthejudge’ssumminguphadbeenvindictive.
“TheClaythornegirl,Ifind,wasgovernessinafamilywhereadeathoccurredbydrowning.However,shedoesn’tseemtohavehadanythingtodowithit,andasamatteroffactshebehavedverywell,swamouttotherescueandwasactuallycarriedouttoseaandonlyjustrescuedintime.”
“Goon,”saidtheACwithasigh.
Mainetookadeepbreath.
“Dr.Armstrongnow.Well-knownman.Hadaconsulting-roominHarleyStreet.Absolutelystraightandaboveboardinhisprofession.Haven’tbeenabletotraceanyrecordofanillegaloperationoranythingofthatkind.It’struethattherewasawomancalledCleeswhowasoperatedonbyhimwaybackin1925atLeithmore,whenhewasattachedtothehospitalthere.Peritonitisandshediedontheoperatingtable.Maybehewasn’tveryskilfulovertheop—afterallhehadn’tmuchexperience—butafterallclumsinessisn’tacriminaloffence.Therewascertainlynomotive.
“Thenthere’sMissEmilyBrent.Girl,BeatriceTaylor,wasinservicewithher.Gotpregnant,wasturnedoutbyhermistressandwentanddrownedherself.Notanicebusiness—butagainnotcriminal.”
“That,”saidtheAC,“seemstobethepoint.U.N.Owendealtwithcasesthatthelawcouldn’ttouch.”
Mainewentstolidlyonwithhislist.
“YoungMarstonwasafairlyrecklesscardriver—hadhislicenceendorsedtwiceandheoughttohavebeenprohibitedfromdrivinginmyopinion.That’sallthereistohim.ThetwonamesJohnandLucyCombeswerethoseoftwokidsheknockeddownandkillednearCambridge.Somefriendsofhisgaveevidenceforhimandhewasletoffwithafine.
“Can’tfindanythingdefiniteaboutGeneralMacarthur.Finerecord—warservice—alltherestofit.ArthurRichmondwasservingunderhiminFranceandwaskilledinaction.NofrictionofanykindbetweenhimandtheGeneral.Theywereclosefriendsasamatteroffact.Thereweresomeblundersmadeaboutthattime—commandingofficerssacrificedmenunnecessarily—possiblythiswasablunderofthatkind.”
“Possibly,”saidtheAC.
“Now,PhilipLombard.Lombardhasbeenmixedupinsomeverycuriousshowsabroad.He’ssailedverynearthelawonceortwice.Gotareputationfordaringandfornotbeingoverscrupulous.Sortoffellowwhomightdoseveralmurdersinsomequietoutofthewayspot.
“ThenwecometoBlore.”Mainehesitated.“Heofcoursewasoneofourlot.”
Theothermanstirred.
“Blore,”saidtheAssistantCommissionerforcibly,“wasabadhat!”
“Youthinkso,sir?”
TheACsaid:
“Ialwaysthoughtso.Buthewascleverenoughtogetawaywithit.It’smyopinionthathecommittedblackperjuryintheLandorcase.Iwasn’thappyaboutitatthetime.ButIcouldn’tfindanything.IputHarrisontoitandhecouldn’tfindanythingbutI’mstilloftheopinionthattherewassomethingtofindifwe’dknownhowtosetaboutit.Themanwasn’tstraight.”
Therewasapause,thenSirThomasLeggesaid:
“AndIsaacMorrisisdead,yousay?Whendidhedie?”
“Ithoughtyou’dsooncometothat,sir.IsaacMorrisdiedonthenightofAugust8th.Tookanoverdoseofsleepingstuff—oneofthebarbiturates,Iunderstand.Therewasn’tanythingtoshowwhetheritwasaccidentorsuicide.”
Leggesaidslowly:
“CaretoknowwhatIthink,Maine?”
“PerhapsIcanguess,sir.”
Leggesaidheavily:
“ThatdeathofMorris’sisadamnedsighttooopportune!”
InspectorMainenodded.Hesaid:
“Ithoughtyou’dsaythat,sir.”
TheAssistantCommissionerbroughtdownhisfistwithabangonthetable.Hecriedout:
“Thewholething’sfantastic—impossible.Tenpeoplekilledonabarerockofanisland—andwedon’tknowwhodidit,orwhy,orhow.”
Mainecoughed.Hesaid:
“Well,it’snotquitelikethat,sir.Wedoknowwhy,moreorless.Somefanaticwithabeeinhisbonnetaboutjustice.Hewasouttogetpeoplewhowerebeyondthereachofthelaw.Hepickedtenpeople—whethertheywerereallyguiltyornotdoesn’tmatter—”
TheCommissionerstirred.Hesaidsharply:
“Doesn’tit?Itseemstome—”
Hestopped.InspectorMainewaitedrespectfully.WithasighLeggeshookhishead.
“Carryon,”hesaid.“JustforaminuteIfeltI’dgotsomewhere.Got,asitwere,thecluetothething.It’sgonenow.Goaheadwithwhatyouweresaying.”
Mainewenton:
“Thereweretenpeopletobe—executed,let’ssay.Theywereexecuted.U.N.Owenaccomplishedhistask.Andsomehoworotherhespiritedhimselfoffthatislandintothinair.”
TheACsaid:
“First-classvanishingtrick.Butyouknow,Maine,theremustbeanexplanation.”
Mainesaid:
“You’rethinking,sir,thatifthemanwasn’tontheisland,hecouldn’thavelefttheisland,andaccordingtotheaccountoftheinterestedpartiesheneverwasontheisland.Well,thentheonlyexplanationpossibleisthathewasactuallyoneoftheten.”
TheACnodded.
Mainesaidearnestly:
“Wethoughtofthat,sir.Wewentintoit.Now,tobeginwith,we’renotquiteinthedarkastowhathappenedonSoldierIsland.VeraClaythornekeptadiary,sodidEmilyBrent.OldWargravemadesomenotes—drylegalcrypticstuff,butquiteclear.AndBloremadenotestoo.Allthoseaccountstally.Thedeathsoccurredinthisorder.Marston,Mrs.Rogers,Macarthur,Rogers,MissBrent,Wargrave.AfterhisdeathVeraClaythorne’sdiarystatesthatArmstrongleftthehouseinthenightandthatBloreandLombardhadgoneafterhim.Blorehasonemoreentryinhisnotebook.Justtwowords.‘Armstrongdisappeared.’
“Now,sir,itseemedtome,takingeverythingintoaccount,thatwemightfindhereaperfectlygoodsolution.Armstrongwasdrowned,youremember.GrantingthatArmstrongwasmad,whatwastopreventhimhavingkilledoffalltheothersandthencommittedsuicidebythrowinghimselfoverthecliff,orperhapswhiletryingtoswimtothemainland?
“Thatwasagoodsolution—butitwon’tdo.No,sir,itwon’tdo.Firstofallthere’sthepolicesurgeon’sevidence.HegottotheislandearlyonthemorningofAugust13.Hecouldn’tsaymuchtohelpus.Allhecouldsaywasthatallthepeoplehadbeendeadatleastthirty-sixhoursandprobablyagooddeallonger.ButhewasfairlydefiniteaboutArmstrong.Saidhemusthavebeenfromeighttotenhoursinthewaterbeforehisbodywaswashedup.Thatworksoutatthis,thatArmstrongmusthavegoneintotheseasometimeduringthenightofthe10th–11th—andI’llexplainwhy.Wefoundthepointwherethebodywaswashedup—ithadbeenwedgedbetweentworocksandtherewerebitsofcloth,hair,etc.,onthem.Itmusthavebeendepositedthereathighwateronthe11th—that’stosayroundabout11o’clocka.m.Afterthat,thestormsubsided,andsucceedinghighwatermarksareconsiderablylower.
“Youmightsay,Isuppose,thatArmstrongmanagedtopolishofftheotherthreebeforehewentintotheseathatnight.Butthere’sanotherpointandoneyoucan’tgetover.Armstrong’sbodyhadbeendraggedabovehighwatermark.Wefounditwellabovethereachofanytide.Anditwaslaidoutstraightontheground—allneatandtidy.
“Sothatsettlesonepointdefinitely.SomeonewasaliveontheislandafterArmstrongwasdead.”
Hepausedandthenwenton.
“Andthatleaves—justwhatexactly?Here’sthepositionearlyonthemorningofthe11th.Armstronghas‘disappeared’(drowned).Thatleavesusthreepeople.Lombard,BloreandVeraClaythorne.Lombardwasshot.Hisbodywasdownbythesea—nearArmstrong’s.VeraClaythornewasfoundhangedinherownbedroom.Blore’sbodywasontheterrace.Hisheadwascrushedinbyaheavymarbleclockthatitseemsreasonabletosupposefellonhimfromthewindowabove.”
TheACsaidsharply:
“Whosewindow?”
“VeraClaythorne’s.Now,sir,let’stakeeachofthesecasesseparately.FirstPhilipLombard.Let’ssayhepushedoverthatlumpofmarbleontoBlore—thenhedopedVeraClaythorneandstrungherup.Lastly,hewentdowntotheseashoreandshothimself.
“Butifso,whotookawaytherevolverfromhim?Forthatrevolverwasfoundupinthehousejustinsidethedooratthetopofthestairs—Wargrave’sroom.”
TheACsaid:
“Anyfingerprintsonit?”
“Yes,sir,VeraClaythorne’s.”
“But,manalive,then—”
“Iknowwhatyou’regoingtosay,sir.ThatitwasVeraClaythorne.ThatsheshotLombard,tooktherevolverbacktothehouse,toppledthemarbleblockontoBloreandthen—hangedherself.
“Andthat’squiteallright—uptoapoint.There’sachairinherbedroomandontheseatofittherearemarksofseaweedsameasonhershoes.Looksasthoughshestoodonthechair,adjustedtheroperoundherneckandkickedawaythechair.
“Butthatchairwasn’tfoundkickedover.Itwas,likealltheotherchairs,neatlyputbackagainstthewall.ThatwasdoneafterVeraClaythorne’sdeath—bysomeoneelse.
“ThatleavesuswithBloreandifyoutellmethataftershootingLombardandinducingVeraClaythornetohangherselfhethenwentoutandpulleddownawhackinggreatblockofmarbleonhimselfbytyingastringtoitorsomethinglikethat—well,Isimplydon’tbelieveyou.Mendon’tcommitsuicidethatway—andwhat’smoreBlorewasn’tthatkindofman.WeknewBlore—andhewasnotthemanthatyou’deveraccuseofadesireforabstractjustice.”
TheAssistantCommissionersaid:
“Iagree.”
InspectorMainesaid:
“Andtherefore,sir,theremusthavebeensomeoneelseontheisland.Someonewhotidiedupwhenthewholebusinesswasover.Butwherewasheallthetime—andwheredidhegoto?TheSticklehavenpeopleareabsolutelycertainthatnoonecouldhavelefttheislandbeforetherescueboatgotthere.Butinthatcase—”
Hestopped.
TheAssistantCommissionersaid:
“Inthatcase—”
Hesighed.Heshookhishead.Heleanedforward.
“Butinthatcase,”hesaid,“whokilledthem?”
AManuscriptDocumentSentToScotlandYardbytheMasteroftheEmmaJaneFishingTrawler
FrommyearliestyouthIrealizedthatmynaturewasamassofcontradictions.Ihave,tobeginwith,anincurablyromanticimagination.Thepracticeofthrowingabottleintotheseawithanimportantdocumentinsidewasonethatneverfailedtothrillmewhenreadingadventurestoriesasachild.Itthrillsmestill—andforthatreasonIhaveadoptedthiscourse—writingmyconfession,enclosingitinabottle,sealingthelatter,andcastingitintothewaves.Thereis,Isuppose,ahundredtoonechancethatmyconfessionmaybefound—andthen(ordoIflattermyself?)ahithertounsolvedmurdermysterywillbeexplained.
Iwasbornwithothertraitsbesidesmyromanticfancy.Ihaveadefinitesadisticdelightinseeingorcausingdeath.Irememberexperimentswithwasps—withvariousgardenpests…FromanearlyageIknewverystronglythelusttokill.
Butsidebysidewiththiswentacontradictorytrait—astrongsenseofjustice.Itisabhorrenttomethataninnocentpersonorcreatureshouldsufferordiebyanyactofmine.Ihavealwaysfeltstronglythatrightshouldprevail
Itmaybeunderstood—Ithinkapsychologistwouldunderstand—thatwithmymentalmakeupbeingwhatitwas,Iadoptedthelawasaprofession.Thelegalprofessionsatisfiednearlyallmyinstincts.
Crimeanditspunishmenthasalwaysfascinatedme.Ienjoyreadingeverykindofdetectivestoryandthriller.Ihavedevisedformyownprivateamusementthemostingeniouswaysofcarryingoutamurder.
WheninduecourseIcametopresideoveracourtoflaw,thatothersecretinstinctofminewasencouragedtodevelop.Toseeawretchedcriminalsquirminginthedock,sufferingthetorturesofthedamned,ashisdoomcameslowlyandslowlynearer,wastomeanexquisitepleasure.Mindyou,Itooknopleasureinseeinganinnocentmanthere.OnatleasttwooccasionsIstoppedcaseswheretomymindtheaccusedwaspalpablyinnocent,directingthejurythattherewasnocase.Thanks,however,tothefairnessandefficiencyofourpoliceforce,themajorityoftheaccusedpersonswhohavecomebeforemetobetriedformurder,havebeenguilty.
IwillsayherethatsuchwasthecasewiththemanEdwardSeton.Hisappearanceandmannerweremisleadingandhecreatedagoodimpressiononthejury.Butnotonlytheevidence,whichwasclear,thoughunspectacular,butmyownknowledgeofcriminalstoldmewithoutanydoubtthatthemanhadactuallycommittedthecrimewithwhichhewascharged,thebrutalmurderofanelderlywomanwhotrustedhim.
Ihaveareputationasahangingjudge,butthatisunfair.Ihavealwaysbeenstrictlyjustandscrupulousinmysummingupofacase.
AllIhavedoneistoprotectthejuryagainsttheemotionaleffectofemotionalappealsbysomeofourmoreemotionalcounsel.Ihavedrawntheirattentiontotheactualevidence.
ForsomeyearspastIhavebeenawareofachangewithinmyself,alesseningofcontrol—adesiretoactinsteadoftojudge.
Ihavewanted—letmeadmititfrankly—tocommitamurdermyself.Irecognizedthisasthedesireoftheartisttoexpresshimself!Iwas,orcouldbe,anartistincrime!Myimagination,sternlycheckedbytheexigenciesofmyprofession,waxedsecretlytocolossalforce.
Imust—Imust—Imust—commitamurder!Andwhatismore,itmustbenoordinarymurder!Itmustbeafantasticalcrime—somethingstupendous—outofthecommon!Inthatonerespect,Ihavestill,Ithink,anadolescent’simagination.
Iwantedsomethingtheatrical,impossible!
Iwantedtokill…Yes,Iwantedtokill….
But—incongruousasitmayseemtosome—Iwasrestrainedandhamperedbymyinnatesenseofjustice.Theinnocentmustnotsuffer.
Andthen,quitesuddenly,theideacametome—startedbyachanceremarkutteredduringcasualconversation.ItwasadoctortowhomIwastalking—someordinaryundistinguishedGP.Hementionedcasuallyhowoftenmurdermustbecommittedwhichthelawwasunabletotouch
Andheinstancedaparticularcase—thatofanoldlady,apatientofhiswhohadrecentlydied.Hewas,hesaid,himselfconvincedthatherdeathwasduetothewithholdingofarestorativedrugbyamarriedcouplewhoattendedonherandwhostoodtobenefitverysubstantiallybyherdeath.Thatsortofthing,heexplained,wasquiteimpossibletoprove,buthewasneverthelessquitesureofitinhisownmind.Headdedthatthereweremanycasesofasimilarnaturegoingonallthetime—casesofdeliberatemurder—andallquiteuntouchablebythelaw.
Thatwasthebeginningofthewholething.Isuddenlysawmywayclear.AndIdeterminedtocommitnotonemurder,butmurderonagrandscale.
Achildishrhymeofmyinfancycamebackintomymind—therhymeofthetenlittlesoldierboys.Ithadfascinatedmeasachildoftwo—theinexorablediminishment—thesenseofinevitability.
Ibegan,secretly,tocollectvictims…
Iwillnottakeupspaceherebygoingintodetailsofhowthiswasaccomplished.IhadacertainroutinelineofconversationwhichIemployedwithnearlyeveryoneImet—andtheresultsIgotwerereallysurprising.DuringthetimeIwasinanursinghomeIcollectedthecaseofDr.Armstrong—aviolentlyteetotalSisterwhoattendedonmebeinganxioustoprovetometheevilsofdrinkbyrecountingtomeacasemanyyearsagoinhospitalwhenadoctorundertheinfluenceofalcoholhadkilledapatientonwhomhewasoperating.AcarelessquestionastowheretheSisterinquestionhadtrained,etc.,soongavemethenecessarydata.Itrackeddownthedoctorandthepatientmentionedwithoutdifficulty.
AconversationbetweentwooldmilitarygossipsinmyClubputmeonthetrackofGeneralMacarthur.AmanwhohadrecentlyreturnedfromtheAmazongavemeadevastatingrésuméoftheactivitiesofonePhilipLombard.AnindignantmemsahibinMajorcarecountedthetaleofthePuritanEmilyBrentandherwretchedservantgirl.AnthonyMarstonIselectedfromalargegroupofpeoplewhohadcommittedsimilaroffences.Hiscompletecallousnessandhisinabilitytofeelanyresponsibilityfortheliveshehadtakenmadehim,Iconsidered,atypedangeroustothecommunityandunfittolive.Ex-InspectorBlorecamemywayquitenaturally,someofmyprofessionalbrethrendiscussingtheLandorcasewithfreedomandvigour.Itookaseriousviewofhisoffence.Thepolice,asservantsofthelaw,mustbeofahighorderofintegrity.Fortheirwordisperforcebelievedbyvirtueoftheirprofession.
FinallytherewasthecaseofVeraClaythorne.ItwaswhenIwascrossingtheAtlantic.Atalatehouronenightthesoleoccupantsofthesmokingroomweremyselfandagood-lookingyoungmancalledHugoHamilton.
HugoHamiltonwasunhappy.Toassuagethatunhappinesshehadtakenaconsiderablequantityofdrink.Hewasinthemaudlinconfidentialstage.WithoutmuchhopeofanyresultIautomaticallystartedmyroutineconversationalgambit.Theresponsewasstartling.Icanrememberhiswordsnow.Hesaid:
“You’reright.Murderisn’twhatmostpeoplethink—givingsomeoneadollopofarsenic—pushingthemoveracliff—thatsortofstuff.”Heleanedforward,thrustinghisfaceintomine.Hesaid,“I’veknownamurderess—knownher,Itellyou.Andwhat’smoreIwascrazyabouther…Godhelpme,sometimesIthinkIstillam…It’shell,Itellyou—hell.Yousee,shediditmoreorlessforme…NotthatIeverdreamed…Womenarefiends—absolutefiends—youwouldn’tthinkagirllikethat—anicestraightjollygirl—youwouldn’tthinkshe’ddothat,wouldyou?Thatshe’dtakeakidouttoseaandletitdrown—youwouldn’tthinkawomancoulddoathinglikethat?”
Isaidtohim:
“Areyousureshediddoit?”
Hesaidandinsayingitheseemedsuddenlytosoberup:
“I’mquitesure.Nobodyelseeverthoughtofit.ButIknewthemomentIlookedather—whenIgotback—after…AndsheknewIknew…Whatshedidn’trealizewasthatIlovedthatkid….”
Hedidn’tsayanymore,butitwaseasyenoughformetotracebackthestoryandreconstructit.
Ineededatenthvictim.IfoundhiminamannamedMorris.Hewasashadylittlecreature.Amongstotherthingshewasadopepedlarandhewasresponsibleforinducingthedaughteroffriendsofminetotaketodrugs.Shecommittedsuicideattheageoftwenty-one.
Duringallthistimeofsearchmyplanhadbeengraduallymaturinginmymind.ItwasnowcompleteandthecopingstonetoitwasaninterviewIhadwithadoctorinHarleyStreet.IhavementionedthatIunderwentanoperation.MyinterviewinHarleyStreettoldmethatanotheroperationwouldbeuseless.Mymedicaladviserwrappeduptheinformationveryprettily,butIamaccustomedtogettingatthetruthofastatement.
Ididnottellthedoctorofmydecision—thatmydeathshouldnotbeaslowandprotractedoneasitwouldbeinthecourseofnature.No,mydeathshouldtakeplaceinablazeofexcitement.IwouldlivebeforeIdied.
AndnowtotheactualmechanicsofthecrimeofSoldierIsland.Toacquiretheisland,usingthemanMorristocovermytracks,waseasyenough.Hewasanexpertinthatsortofthing.TabulatingtheinformationIhadcollectedaboutmyprospectivevictims,Iwasabletoconcoctasuitablebaitforeach.Noneofmyplansmiscarried.AllmyguestsarrivedatSoldierIslandonthe8thofAugust.Thepartyincludedmyself.
Morriswasalreadyaccountedfor.Hesufferedfromindigestion.BeforeleavingLondonIgavehimacapsuletotakelastthingatnightwhichhad,Isaid,donewondersformyowngastricjuices.Heacceptedunhesitatingly—themanwasaslighthypochondriac.Ihadnofearthathewouldleaveanycompromisingdocumentsormemorandabehind.Hewasnotthatsortofman.
Theorderofdeathupontheislandhadbeensubjectedbymetospecialthoughtandcare.Therewere,Iconsidered,amongstmyguests,varyingdegreesofguilt.Thosewhoseguiltwasthelightestshould,Idecided,passoutfirst,andnotsuffertheprolongedmentalstrainandfearthatthemorecold-bloodedoffendersweretosuffer.
AnthonyMarstonandMrs.Rogersdiedfirst,theoneinstantaneouslytheotherinapeacefulsleep.Marston,Irecognized,wasatypebornwithoutthatfeelingofmoralresponsibilitywhichmostofushave.Hewasamoral—pagan.Mrs.Rogers,Ihadnodoubt,hadactedverylargelyundertheinfluenceofherhusband.
Ineednotdescribecloselyhowthosetwomettheirdeaths.Thepolicewillhavebeenabletoworkthatoutquiteeasily.Potassiumcyanideiseasilyobtainedbyhouseholdersforputtingdownwasps.IhadsomeinmypossessionanditwaseasytoslipitintoMarston’salmostemptyglassduringthetenseperiodafterthegramophonerecital.
ImaysaythatIwatchedthefacesofmyguestscloselyduringthatindictmentandIhadnodoubtwhatever,aftermylongcourtexperience,thatoneandallwereguilty.
Duringrecentboutsofpain,Ihadbeenorderedasleepingdraught—ChloralHydrate.IthadbeeneasyformetosuppressthisuntilIhadalethalamountinmypossession.WhenRogersbroughtupsomebrandyforhiswife,hesetitdownonatableandinpassingthattableIputthestuffintothebrandy.Itwaseasy,foratthattimesuspicionhadnotbeguntosetin.
GeneralMacarthurmethisdeathquitepainlessly.Hedidnothearmecomeupbehindhim.Ihad,ofcourse,tochoosemytimeforleavingtheterraceverycarefully,buteverythingwassuccessful.
AsIhadanticipated,asearchwasmadeoftheislandanditwasdiscoveredthattherewasnooneonitbutoursevenselves.Thatatoncecreatedanatmosphereofsuspicion.AccordingtomyplanIshouldshortlyneedanally.IselectedDr.Armstrongforthatpart.Hewasagulliblesortofman,heknewmebysightandreputationanditwasinconceivabletohimthatamanofmystandingshouldactuallybeamurderer!AllhissuspicionsweredirectedagainstLombardandIpretendedtoconcurinthese.IhintedtohimthatIhadaschemebywhichitmightbepossibletotrapthemurdererintoincriminatinghimself.
Thoughasearchhadbeenmadeofeveryone’sroom,nosearchhadasyetbeenmadeofthepersonsthemselves.Butthatwasboundtocomesoon.
IkilledRogersonthemorningofAugust10th.Hewaschoppingsticksforlightingthefireanddidnothearmeapproach.Ifoundthekeytothediningroomdoorinhispocket.Hehadlockeditthenightbefore.
IntheconfusionattendingthefindingofRogers’bodyIslippedintoLombard’sroomandabstractedhisrevolver.Iknewthathewouldhaveonewithhim—infactIhadinstructedMorristosuggestasmuchwhenheinterviewedhim.
AtbreakfastIslippedmylastdoseofchloralintoMissBrent’scoffeewhenIwasrefillinghercup.Weleftherinthediningroom.Islippedintherealittlewhilelater—shewasnearlyunconsciousanditwaseasytoinjectastrongsolutionofcyanideintoher.Thebumblebeebusinesswasreallyratherchildish—butsomehow,youknow,itpleasedme.Ilikedadheringascloselyaspossibletomynurseryrhyme.
ImmediatelyafterthiswhatIhadalreadyforeseenhappened—indeedIbelieveIsuggesteditmyself.Weallsubmittedtoarigoroussearch.Ihadsafelyhiddenawaytherevolver,andhadnomorecyanideorchloralinmypossession.
ItwasthenthatIintimatedtoArmstrongthatwemustcarryourplanintoeffect.Itwassimplythis—Imustappeartobethenextvictim.Thatwouldperhapsrattlethemurderer—atanyrateonceIwassupposedtobedeadIcouldmoveaboutthehouseandspyupontheunknownmurderer.
Armstrongwaskeenontheidea.Wecarrieditoutthatevening.Alittleplasterofredmudontheforehead—theredcurtainandthewoolandthestagewasset.ThelightsofthecandleswereveryflickeringanduncertainandtheonlypersonwhowouldexaminemecloselywasArmstrong.
Itworkedperfectly.MissClaythornescreamedthehousedownwhenshefoundtheseaweedwhichIhadthoughtfullyarrangedinherroom.Theyallrushedup,andItookupmyposeofamurderedman.
Theeffectonthemwhentheyfoundmewasallthatcouldbedesired.Armstrongactedhispartinthemostprofessionalmanner.Theycarriedmeupstairsandlaidmeonmybed.Nobodyworriedaboutme,theywerealltoodeadlyscaredandterrifiedofeachother.
IhadarendezvouswithArmstrongoutsidethehouseataquartertotwo.Itookhimupalittlewaybehindthehouseontheedgeofthecliff.Isaidthatherewecouldseeifanyoneelseapproachedus,andweshouldnotbeseenfromthehouseasthebedroomsfacedtheotherway.Hewasstillquiteunsuspicious—andyetheoughttohavebeenwarned—ifhehadonlyrememberedthewordsofthenurseryrhyme.“Aredherringswallowedone…”Hetooktheredherringallright.
Itwasquiteeasy.Iutteredanexclamation,leantoverthecliff,toldhimtolook,wasn’tthatthemouthofacave?Heleantrightover.Aquickvigorouspushsenthimoffhisbalanceandsplashintotheheavingseabelow.Ireturnedtothehouse.ItmusthavebeenmyfootfallthatBloreheard.AfewminutesafterIhadreturnedtoArmstrong’sroomIleftit,thistimemakingacertainamountofnoisesothatsomeoneshouldhearme.IheardadooropenasIgottothebottomofthestairs.TheymusthavejustglimpsedmyfigureasIwentoutofthefrontdoor.
Itwasaminuteortwobeforetheyfollowedme.IhadgonestraightroundthehouseandinatthediningroomwindowwhichIhadleftopen.IshutthewindowandlaterIbroketheglass.ThenIwentupstairsandlaidmyselfoutagainonmybed.
Icalculatedthattheywouldsearchthehouseagain,butIdidnotthinktheywouldlookcloselyatanyofthecorpses,ameretwitchasideofthesheettosatisfythemselvesthatitwasnotArmstrongmasqueradingasabody.Thisisexactlywhatoccurred.
IforgottosaythatIreturnedtherevolvertoLombard’sroom.Itmaybeofinteresttosomeonetoknowwhereitwashiddenduringthesearch.Therewasabigpileoftinnedfoodinthelarder.Iopenedthebottommostofthetins—biscuitsIthinkitcontained,beddedintherevolverandreplacedthestripofadhesivetape.
Icalculated,andrightly,thatnoonewouldthinkofworkingtheirwaythroughapileofapparentlyuntouchedfoodstuffs,especiallyasallthetoptinsweresoldered.
TheredcurtainIhadconcealedbylayingitflatontheseatofoneofthedrawingroomchairsunderthechintzcoverandthewoolintheseatcushion,cuttingasmallhole.
AndnowcamethemomentthatIhadanticipated—threepeoplewhoweresofrightenedofeachotherthatanythingmighthappen—andoneofthemhadarevolver.Iwatchedthemfromthewindowsofthehouse.WhenBlorecameupaloneIhadthebigmarbleclockpoisedready.ExitBlore.…
FrommywindowIsawVeraClaythorneshootLombard.Adaringandresourcefulyoungwoman.Ialwaysthoughtshewasamatchforhimandmore.AssoonasthathadhappenedIsetthestageinherbedroom.
Itwasaninterestingpsychologicalexperiment.Wouldtheconsciousnessofherownguilt,thestateofnervoustensionconsequentonhavingjustshotaman,besufficient,togetherwiththehypnoticsuggestionofthesurroundings,tocausehertotakeherownlife?Ithoughtitwould.Iwasright.VeraClaythornehangedherselfbeforemyeyeswhereIstoodintheshadowofthewardrobe.
Andnowforthelaststage.Icameforward,pickedupthechairandsetitagainstthewall.Ilookedfortherevolverandfounditatthetopofthestairswherethegirlhaddroppedit.Iwascarefultopreserveherfingerprintsonit.
Andnow?
Ishallfinishwritingthis.IshallencloseitandsealitinabottleandIshallthrowthebottleintothesea.
Why?
Yes,why?
Itwasmyambitiontoinventamurdermysterythatnoonecouldsolve.
Butnoartist,Inowrealize,canbesatisfiedwithartalone.Thereisanaturalcravingforrecognitionwhichcannotbegainsaid.
Ihave,letmeconfessitinallhumility,apitifulhumanwishthatsomeoneshouldknowjusthowcleverIhavebeen….
Inallthis,IhaveassumedthatthemysteryofSoldierIslandwillremainunsolved.Itmaybe,ofcourse,thatthepolicewillbeclevererthanIthink.Thereare,afterall,threeclues.One:thepoliceareperfectlyawarethatEdwardSetonwasguilty.Theyknow,therefore,thatoneofthetenpeopleontheislandwasnotamurdererinanysenseoftheword,anditfollows,paradoxically,thatthatpersonmustlogicallybethemurderer.Thesecondclueliesintheseventhverseofthenurseryrhyme.Armstrong’sdeathisassociatedwitha“redherring”whichheswallowed—orratherwhichresultedinswallowinghim!Thatistosaythatatthatstageoftheaffairsomehocus-pocusisclearlyindicated—andthatArmstrongwasdeceivedbyitandsenttohisdeath.Thatmightstartapromisinglineofinquiry.ForatthatperiodthereareonlyfourpersonsandofthosefourIamclearlytheonlyonelikelytoinspirehimwithconfidence.
Thethirdissymbolical.Themannerofmydeathmarkingmeontheforehead.ThebrandofCain.
Thereis,Ithink,littlemoretosay.
AfterentrustingmybottleanditsmessagetotheseaIshallgotomyroomandlaymyselfdownonthebed.Tomyeyeglassesisattachedwhatseemsalengthoffineblackcord—butitiselasticcord.Ishalllaytheweightofthebodyontheglasses.ThecordIshalllooproundthedoorhandleandattachit,nottoosolidly,totherevolver.WhatIthinkwillhappenisthis.
Myhand,protectedwithahandkerchief,willpressthetrigger.Myhandwillfalltomyside,therevolver,pulledbytheelastic,willrecoiltothedoor,jarredbythedoorhandleitwilldetachitselffromtheelasticandfall.Theelastic,released,willhangdowninnocentlyfromtheeyeglassesonwhichmybodyislying.Ahandkerchieflyingonthefloorwillcausenocommentwhatever.
Ishallbefound,laidneatlyonmybed,shotthroughtheforeheadinaccordancewiththerecordkeptbymyfellowvictims.Timesofdeathcannotbestatedwithanyaccuracybythetimeourbodiesareexamined.
Whentheseagoesdown,therewillcomefromthemainlandboatsandmen.
AndtheywillfindtendeadbodiesandanunsolvedproblemonSoldierIsland.
Signed:
LawrenceWargrave.
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsandOtherStoriesDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
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.
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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’d
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Credits
CoverdesignbySaraWood
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
ThistitlewaspreviouslypublishedasTenLittleIndians.
AGATHACHRISTIE?ANDTHENTHEREWERENONE.?Copyright?2009AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.AndThenThereWereNonewasfirstpublishedin1939.
ANDTHENTHEREWERENONE?2009.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.