AgathaChristie
CatAmongthePigeons
AHerculePoirotMystery
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
PrologueSummerTerm
1.RevolutioninRamat
2.TheWomanontheBalcony
3.IntroducingMr.Robinson
4.ReturnofaTraveller
5.LettersfromMeadowbankSchool
6.EarlyDays
7.StrawsintheWind
8.Murder
9.CatAmongthePigeons
10.FantasticStory
11.Conference
12.NewLampsforOld
13.Catastrophe
14.MissChadwickLiesAwake
15.MurderRepeatsItself
16.RiddleoftheSportsPavilion
17.Aladdin’sCave
18.Consultation
19.ConsultationContinued
20.Conversation
21.GatheringThreads
22.IncidentinAnatolia
23.Showdown
24.PoirotExplains
25.Legacy
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
Prologue
SUMMERTERM
I
ItwastheopeningdayofthesummertermatMeadowbankschool.Thelateafternoonsunshonedownonthebroadgravelsweepinfrontofthehouse.Thefrontdoorwasflunghospitablywide,andjustwithinit,admirablysuitedtoitsGeorgianproportions,stoodMissVansittart,everyhairinplace,wearinganimpeccablycutcoatandskirt.
SomeparentswhoknewnobetterhadtakenherforthegreatMissBulstrodeherself,notknowingthatitwasMissBulstrode’scustomtoretiretoakindofholyofholiestowhichonlyaselectedandprivilegedfewweretaken.
ToonesideofMissVansittart,operatingonaslightlydifferentplane,wasMissChadwick,comfortable,knowledgeable,andsomuchapartofMeadowbankthatitwouldhavebeenimpossibletoimagineMeadowbankwithouther.Ithadneverbeenwithouther.MissBulstrodeandMissChadwickhadstartedMeadowbankschooltogether.MissChadwickworepince-nez,stooped,wasdowdilydressed,amiablyvagueinspeech,andhappenedtobeabrilliantmathematician.
Variouswelcomingwordsandphrases,utteredgraciouslybyMissVansittart,floatedthroughthehouse.
“Howdoyoudo,Mrs.Arnold?Well,Lydia,didyouenjoyyourHelleniccruise?Whatawonderfulopportunity!Didyougetsomegoodphotographs?
“Yes,LadyGarnett,MissBulstrodehadyourletterabouttheArtClassesandeverything’sbeenarranged.
“Howareyou,Mrs.Bird?…Well?Idon’tthinkMissBulstrodewillhavetimetodaytodiscussthepoint.MissRowanissomewhereaboutifyou’dliketotalktoheraboutit?
“We’vemovedyourbedroom,Pamela.You’reinthefarwingbytheappletree….
“Yes,indeed,LadyViolet,theweatherhasbeenterriblesofarthisspring.Isthisyouryoungest?Whatisyourname?Hector?Whataniceaeroplaneyouhave,Hector.
“Trèsheureusedevousvoir,Madame.Ah,jeregrette,ceneseraitpaspossible,cetteaprès-midi.MademoiselleBulstrodeesttellementoccupée.
“Goodafternoon,Professor.Haveyoubeendiggingupsomemoreinterestingthings?”
II
Inasmallroomonthefirstfloor,AnnShapland,MissBulstrode’ssecretary,wastypingwithspeedandefficiency.Annwasanice-lookingyoungwomanofthirty-five,withhairthatfittedherlikeablacksatincap.Shecouldbeattractivewhenshewantedtobebutlifehadtaughtherthatefficiencyandcompetenceoftenpaidbetterresultsandavoidedpainfulcomplications.Atthemomentshewasconcentratingonbeingeverythingthatasecretarytotheheadmistressofafamousgirls’schoolshouldbe.
Fromtimetotime,assheinsertedafreshsheetinhermachine,shelookedoutofthewindowandregisteredinterestinthearrivals.
“Goodness!”saidAnntoherself,awed,“Ididn’tknowthereweresomanychauffeursleftinEngland!”
Thenshesmiledinspiteofherself,asamajesticRollsmovedawayandaverysmallAustinofbatteredagedroveup.Aharassed-lookingfatheremergedfromitwithadaughterwholookedfarcalmerthanhedid.
Ashepauseduncertainly,MissVansittartemergedfromthehouseandtookcharge.
“MajorHargreaves?AndthisisAlison?Docomeintothehouse.I’dlikeyoutoseeAlison’sroomforyourself.I—”
Anngrinnedandbegantotypeagain.
“GoodoldVansittart,theglorifiedunderstudy,”shesaidtoherself.“ShecancopyalltheBulstrode’stricks.Infactshe’swordperfect!”
AnenormousandalmostincrediblyopulentCadillac,paintedintwotones,raspberryfoolandazureblue,swept(withdifficultyowingtoitslength)intothedriveanddrewupbehindMajortheHon.AlistairHargreaves’ancientAustin
Thechauffeursprangtoopenthedoor,animmensebearded,dark-skinnedman,wearingaflowingaba,steppedout,aParisianfashionplatefollowedandthenaslimdarkgirl.
That’sprobablyPrincessWhatshernameherself,thoughtAnn.Can’timagineherinschooluniform,butIsupposethemiraclewillbeapparenttomorrow….
BothMissVansittartandMissChadwickappearedonthisoccasion.
“They’llbetakentothePresence,”decidedAnn.
Thenshethoughtthat,strangelyenough,onedidn’tquitelikemakingjokesaboutMissBulstrode.MissBulstrodewasSomeone.
“Soyou’dbettermindyourP.sandQ.s,mygirl,”shesaidtoherself,“andfinishtheseletterswithoutmakinganymistakes.”
NotthatAnnwasinthehabitofmakingmistakes.Shecouldtakeherpickofsecretarialposts.ShehadbeenP.A.tothechiefexecutiveofanoilcompany,privatesecretarytoSirMervynTodhunter,renownedalikeforhiserudition,hisirritabilityandtheillegibilityofhishandwriting.ShenumberedtwoCabinetMinistersandanimportantCivilServantamongheremployers.Butonthewhole,herworkhadalwayslainamongstmen.Shewonderedhowshewasgoingtolikebeing,assheputitherself,completelysubmergedinwomen.Well—itwasallexperience!AndtherewasalwaysDennis!FaithfulDennisreturningfromMalaya,fromBurma,fromvariouspartsoftheworld,alwaysthesame,devoted,askingheronceagaintomarryhim.DearDennis!ButitwouldbeverydulltobemarriedtoDennis.
Shewouldmissthecompanyofmeninthenearfuture.Alltheseschoolmistressycharacters—notamanabouttheplace,exceptagardenerofabouteighty.
ButhereAnngotasurprise.Lookingoutofthewindow,shesawtherewasamanclippingthehedgejustbeyondthedrive—clearlyagardenerbutalongwayfromeighty.Young,dark,good-looking.Annwonderedabouthim—therehadbeensometalkofgettingextralabour—butthiswasnoyokel.Ohwell,nowadayspeopledideverykindofjob.Someyoungmantryingtogettogethersomemoneyforsomeprojectorother,orindeedjusttokeepbodyandsoultogether.Buthewascuttingthehedgeinaveryexpertmanner.Presumablyhewasarealgardenerafterall!
“Helooks,”saidAnntoherself,“helooksasthoughhemightbeamusing….”
Onlyonemorelettertodo,shewaspleasedtonote,andthenshemightstrollroundthegarden….
III
Upstairs,MissJohnson,thematron,wasbusyallottingrooms,welcomingnewcomers,andgreetingoldpupils.
Shewaspleaseditwastermtimeagain.Sheneverknewquitewhattodowithherselfintheholidays.Shehadtwomarriedsisterswithwhomshestayedinturn,buttheywerenaturallymoreinterestedintheirowndoingsandfamiliesthaninMeadowbank.MissJohnson,thoughdutifullyfondofhersisters,wasreallyonlyinterestedinMeadowbank.
Yes,itwasnicethattermhadstarted—
“MissJohnson?”
“Yes,Pamela.”
“Isay,MissJohnson.Ithinksomething’sbrokeninmycase.It’soozedalloverthings.Ithinkit’shairoil.”
“Chut,chut!”saidMissJohnson,hurryingtohelp.
IV
Onthegrasssweepoflawnbeyondthegravelleddrive,MademoiselleBlanche,thenewFrenchmistress,waswalking.Shelookedwithappreciativeeyesatthepowerfulyoungmanclippingthehedge.
“Assezbien,”thoughtMademoiselleBlanche.
MademoiselleBlanchewasslenderandmouselikeandnotverynoticeable,butsheherselfnoticedeverything.
Hereyeswenttotheprocessionofcarssweepinguptothefrontdoor.Sheassessedthemintermsofmoney.ThisMeadowbankwascertainlyformidable!ShesummedupmentallytheprofitsthatMissBulstrodemustbemaking.
Yes,indeed!Formidable!
V
MissRich,whotaughtEnglishandGeography,advancedtowardsthehouseatarapidpace,stumblingalittlenowandthenbecause,asusual,sheforgottolookwhereshewasgoing.Herhair,alsoasusual,hadescapedfromitsbun.Shehadaneageruglyface.
Shewassayingtoherself:
“Tobebackagain!Tobehere…Itseemsyears…”Shefelloverarake,andtheyounggardenerputoutanarmandsaid:
“Steady,miss.”
EileenRichsaid“Thankyou,”withoutlookingathim.
VI
MissRowanandMissBlake,thetwojuniormistresses,werestrollingtowardstheSportsPavilion.MissRowanwasthinanddarkandintense,MissBlakewasplumpandfair.TheywerediscussingwithanimationtheirrecentadventuresinFlorence:thepicturestheyhadseen,thesculpture,thefruitblossom,andtheattentions(hopedtobedishonourable)oftwoyoungItaliangentlemen.
“Ofcourseoneknows,”saidMissBlake,“howItaliansgoon.”
“Uninhibited,”saidMissRowan,whohadstudiedPsychologyaswellasEconomics.“Thoroughlyhealthy,onefeels.Norepressions.”
“ButGuiseppewasquiteimpressedwhenhefoundItaughtatMeadowbank,”saidMissBlake.“Hebecamemuchmorerespectfulatonce.Hehasacousinwhowantstocomehere,butMissBulstrodewasnotsureshehadavacancy.”
“Meadowbankisaschoolthatreallycounts,”saidMissRowan,happily.“Really,thenewSportsPavilionlooksmostimpressive.Ineverthoughtitwouldbereadyintime.”
“MissBulstrodesaidithadtobe,”saidMissBlakeinthetoneofonewhohassaidthelastword.
“Oh,”sheaddedinastartledkindofway.
ThedooroftheSportsPavilionhadopenedabruptly,andabonyyoungwomanwithginger-colouredhairemerged.Shegavethemasharpunfriendlystareandmovedrapidlyaway.
“ThatmustbethenewGamesMistress,”saidMissBlake.“Howuncouth!”
“Notaverypleasantadditiontothestaff,”saidMissRowan.“MissJoneswasalwayssofriendlyandsociable.”
“Sheabsolutelyglaredatus,”saidMissBlakeresentfully.
Theybothfeltquiteruffled.
VII
MissBulstrode’ssittingroomhadwindowslookingoutintwodirections,oneoverthedriveandlawnbeyond,andanothertowardsabankofrhododendronsbehindthehouse.Itwasquiteanimpressiveroom,andMissBulstrodewasrathermorethanquiteanimpressivewoman.Shewastall,andrathernoblelooking,withwell-dressedgreyhair,greyeyeswithplentyofhumourinthem,andafirmmouth.Thesuccessofherschool(andMeadowbankwasoneofthemostsuccessfulschoolsinEngland)wasentirelyduetothepersonalityofitsHeadmistress.Itwasaveryexpensiveschool,butthatwasnotreallythepoint.Itcouldbeputbetterbysayingthatthoughyoupaidthroughthenose,yougotwhatyoupaidfor.
Yourdaughterwaseducatedinthewayyouwished,andalsointhewayMissBulstrodewished,andtheresultofthetwotogetherseemedtogivesatisfaction.Owingtothehighfees,MissBulstrodewasabletoemployafullstaff.Therewasnothingmassproducedabouttheschool,butifitwasindividualistic,italsohaddiscipline.Disciplinewithoutregimentation,wasMissBulstrode’smotto.Discipline,sheheld,wasreassuringtotheyoung,itgavethemafeelingofsecurity;regimentationgaverisetoirritation.Herpupilswereavariedlot.Theyincludedseveralforeignersofgoodfamily,oftenforeignroyalty.TherewerealsoEnglishgirlsofgoodfamilyorofwealth,whowantedatrainingincultureandthearts,withageneralknowledgeoflifeandsocialfacilitywhowouldbeturnedoutagreeable,wellgroomedandabletotakepartinintelligentdiscussiononanysubject.Thereweregirlswhowantedtoworkhardandpassentranceexaminations,andeventuallytakedegreesandwho,todoso,neededonlygoodteachingandspecialattention.Thereweregirlswhohadreactedunfavourablytoschoollifeoftheconventionaltype.ButMissBulstrodehadherrules,shedidnotacceptmorons,orjuveniledelinquents,andshepreferredtoacceptgirlswhoseparentssheliked,andgirlsinwhomsheherselfsawaprospectofdevelopment.Theagesofherpupilsvariedwithinwidelimits.Thereweregirlswhowouldhavebeenlabelledinthepastas“finished,”andthereweregirlslittlemorethanchildren,someofthemwithparentsabroad,andforwhomMissBulstrodehadaschemeofinterestingholidays.ThelastandfinalcourtofappealwasMissBulstrode’sownapproval.
ShewasstandingnowbythechimneypiecelisteningtoMrs.GeraldHope’sslightlywhiningvoice.Withgreatforesight,shehadnotsuggestedthatMrs.Hopeshouldsitdown.
“Henrietta,yousee,isveryhighlystrung.Veryhighlystrungindeed.Ourdoctorsays—”
MissBulstrodenodded,withgentlereassurance,refrainingfromthecausticphraseshesometimeswastemptedtoutter
“Don’tyouknow,youidiot,thatthatiswhateveryfoolofawomansaysaboutherchild?”
Shespokewithfirmsympathy.
“Youneedhavenoanxiety,Mrs.Hope.MissRowan,amemberofourstaff,isafullytrainedpsychologist.You’llbesurprised,I’msure,atthechangeyou’llfindinHenrietta”(Who’saniceintelligentchild,andfartoogoodforyou)“afteratermortwohere.”
“OhIknow.YoudidwonderswiththeLambethchild—absolutelywonders!SoIamquitehappy.AndI—ohyes,Iforgot.We’regoingtotheSouthofFranceinsixweeks’time.IthoughtI’dtakeHenrietta.Itwouldmakealittlebreakforher.”
“I’mafraidthat’squiteimpossible,”saidMissBulstrode,brisklyandwithacharmingsmile,asthoughsheweregrantingarequestinsteadofrefusingone.
“Oh!but—”Mrs.Hope’sweakpetulantfacewavered,showedtemper.“Really,Imustinsist.Afterall,she’smychild.”
“Exactly.Butit’smyschool,”saidMissBulstrode.
“SurelyIcantakethechildawayfromaschoolanytimeIlike?”
“Ohyes,”saidMissBulstrode.“Youcan.Ofcourseyoucan.Butthen,Iwouldn’thaveherback.”
Mrs.Hopewasinarealtempernow.
“ConsideringthesizeofthefeesIpayhere—”
“Exactly,”saidMissBulstrode.“Youwantedmyschoolforyourdaughter,didn’tyou?Butit’stakeitasitis,orleaveit.LikethatverycharmingBalenciagamodelyouarewearing.ItisBalenciaga,isn’tit?Itissodelightfultomeetawomanwithrealclothessense.”
HerhandenvelopedMrs.Hope’s,shookit,andimperceptiblyguidedhertowardsthedoor.
“Don’tworryatall.Ah,hereisHenriettawaitingforyou.”(ShelookedwithapprovalatHenrietta,anicewell-balancedintelligentchildifevertherewasone,andwhodeservedabettermother.)“Margaret,takeHenriettaHopetoMissJohnson.”
MissBulstroderetiredintohersittingroomandafewmomentslaterwastalkingFrench.
“Butcertainly,Excellence,yourniececanstudymodernballroomdancing.Mostimportantsocially.Andlanguages,also,aremostnecessary.”
ThenextarrivalswereprefacedbysuchagustofexpensiveperfumeasalmosttoknockMissBulstrodebackwards.
“Mustpourawholebottleofthestuffoverherselfeveryday,”MissBulstrodenotedmentally,asshegreetedtheexquisitelydresseddark-skinnedwoman.
“Enchantée,Madame.”
Madamegiggledveryprettily.
ThebigbeardedmaninOrientaldresstookMissBulstrode’shand,bowedoverit,andsaidinverygoodEnglish,“IhavethehonourtobringtoyouthePrincessShaista.”
MissBulstrodeknewallabouthernewpupilwhohadjustcomefromaschoolinSwitzerland,butwasalittlehazyastowhoitwasescortingher.NottheEmirhimself,shedecided,probablytheMinister,orChargéd’Affaires.Asusualwhenindoubt,sheusedthatusefultitleExcellence,andassuredhimthatPrincessShaistawouldhavethebestofcare.
Shaistawassmilingpolitely.Shewasalsofashionablydressedandperfumed.Herage,MissBulstrodeknew,wasfifteen,butlikemanyEasternandMediterraneangirls,shelookedolder—quitemature.MissBulstrodespoketoheraboutherprojectedstudiesandwasrelievedtofindthatsheansweredpromptlyinexcellentEnglishandwithoutgiggling.Infact,hermannerscomparedfavourablywiththeawkwardonesofmanyEnglishschoolgirlsoffifteen.MissBulstrodehadoftenthoughtthatitmightbeanexcellentplantosendEnglishgirlsabroadtotheNearEasterncountriestolearncourtesyandmannersthere.MorecomplimentswereutteredonbothsidesandthentheroomwasemptyagainthoughstillfilledwithsuchheavyperfumethatMissBulstrodeopenedbothwindowstotheirfullextenttoletsomeofitout.
ThenextcomerswereMrs.UpjohnandherdaughterJulia.
Mrs.Upjohnwasanagreeableyoungwomaninthelatethirtieswithsandyhair,frecklesandanunbecominghatwhichwasclearlyaconcessiontotheseriousnessoftheoccasion,sinceshewasobviouslythetypeofyoungwomanwhousuallywenthatless.
Juliawasaplainfreckledchild,withanintelligentforehead,andanairofgoodhumour.
ThepreliminarieswerequicklygonethroughandJuliawasdespatchedviaMargarettoMissJohnson,sayingcheerfullyasshewent,“Solong,Mum.DobecarefullightingthatgasheaternowthatI’mnottheretodoit.”
MissBulstrodeturnedsmilinglytoMrs.Upjohn,butdidnotaskhertosit.Itwaspossiblethat,despiteJulia’sappearanceofcheerfulcommonsense,hermother,too,mightwanttoexplainthatherdaughterwashighlystrung.
“IsthereanythingspecialyouwanttotellmeaboutJulia?”sheasked.
Mrs.Upjohnrepliedcheerfully:
“Ohno,Idon’tthinkso.Julia’saveryordinarysortofchild.Quitehealthyandallthat.Ithinkshe’sgotreasonablygoodbrains,too,butIdaresaymothersusuallythinkthatabouttheirchildren,don’tthey?”
“Mothers,”saidMissBulstrodegrimly,“vary!”
“It’swonderfulforhertobeabletocomehere,”saidMrs.Upjohn.“Myaunt’spayingforit,really,orhelping.Icouldn’tafforditmyself.ButI’mawfullypleasedaboutit.AndsoisJulia.”Shemovedtothewindowasshesaidenviously,“Howlovelyyourgardenis.Andsotidy.Youmusthavelotsofrealgardeners.”
“Wehadthree,”saidMissBulstrode,“butjustnowwe’reshorthandedexceptforlocallabour.”
“Ofcoursethetroublenowadays,”saidMrs.Upjohn,“isthatwhatonecallsagardenerusuallyisn’tagardener,justamilkmanwhowantstodosomethinginhissparetime,oranoldmanofeighty.Isometimesthink—Why!”exclaimedMrs.Upjohn,stillgazingoutofthewindow—“howextraordinary!”
MissBulstrodepaidlessattentiontothissuddenexclamationthansheshouldhavedone.Foratthatmomentsheherselfhadglancedcasuallyoutoftheotherwindowwhichgaveontotherhododendronshrubbery,andhadperceivedahighlyunwelcomesight,noneotherthanLadyVeronicaCarlton-Sandways,weavingherwayalongthepath,herlargeblackvelvethatononeside,mutteringtoherselfandclearlyinastateofadvancedintoxication.
LadyVeronicawasnotanunknownhazard.Shewasacharmingwoman,deeplyattachedtohertwindaughters,andverydelightfulwhenshewas,astheyputit,herself—butunfortunatelyatunpredictableintervals,shewasnotherself.Herhusband,MajorCarlton-Sandways,copedfairlywell.Acousinlivedwiththem,whowasusuallyathandtokeepaneyeonLadyVeronicaandheadheroffifnecessary.OnSportsDay,withbothMajorCarlton-Sandwaysandthecousinincloseattendance,LadyVeronicaarrivedcompletelysoberandbeautifullydressedandwasapatternofwhatamothershouldbe
ButthereweretimeswhenLadyVeronicagaveherwell-wisherstheslip,tankedherselfupandmadeabeelineforherdaughterstoassurethemofhermaternallove.Thetwinshadarrivedbytrainearlytoday,butnoonehadexpectedLadyVeronica.
Mrs.Upjohnwasstilltalking.ButMissBulstrodewasnotlistening.Shewasreviewingvariouscoursesofaction,forsherecognizedthatLadyVeronicawasfastapproachingthetruculentstage.Butsuddenly,ananswertoprayer,MissChadwickappearedatabrisktrot,slightlyoutofbreath.FaithfulChaddy,thoughtMissBulstrode.Alwaystobereliedupon,whetheritwasaseveredarteryoranintoxicatedparent.
“Disgraceful,”saidLadyVeronicatoherloudly.“Triedtokeepmeaway—didn’twantmetocomedownhere—IfooledEdithallright.Wenttohavemyrest—gotoutcar—gavesillyoldEdithslip…regularoldmaid…nomanwouldeverlookathertwice…Hadarowwithpoliceontheway…saidIwasunfittodrivecar…nonshense…GoingtotellMissBulstrodeI’mtakingthegirlshome—want’emhome,motherlove.Wonderfulthing,motherlove—”
“Splendid,LadyVeronica,”saidMissChadwick.“We’resopleasedyou’vecome.IparticularlywantyoutoseethenewSportsPavilion.You’llloveit.”
AdroitlysheturnedLadyVeronica’sunsteadyfootstepsintheoppositedirection,leadingherawayfromthehouse.
“Iexpectwe’llfindyourgirlsthere,”shesaidbrightly.“SuchaniceSportsPavilion,newlockers,andadryingroomfortheswimsuits—”theirvoicestrailedaway.
MissBulstrodewatched.OnceLadyVeronicatriedtobreakawayandreturntothehouse,butMissChadwickwasamatchforher.Theydisappearedroundthecorneroftherhododendrons,headedforthedistantlonelinessofthenewSportsPavilion.
MissBulstrodeheavedasighofrelief.ExcellentChaddy.Soreliable!Notmodern.Notbrainy—apartfrommathematics—butalwaysapresenthelpintimeoftrouble.
SheturnedwithasighandasenseofguilttoMrs.Upjohnwhohadbeentalkinghappilyforsometime….
“…though,ofcourse,”shewassaying,“neverrealcloakanddaggerstuff.Notdroppingbyparachute,orsabotage,orbeingacourier.Ishouldn’thavebeenbraveenough.Itwasmostlydullstuff.Officework.Andplotting.Plottingthingsonamap,Imean—notthestorytellingkindofplotting.Butofcourseitwasexcitingsometimesanditwasoftenquitefunny,asIjustsaid—allthesecretagentsfollowedeachotherroundandroundGeneva,allknowingeachotherbysight,andoftenendingupinthesamebar.Iwasn’tmarriedthen,ofcourse.Itwasallgreatfun.”
Shestoppedabruptlywithanapologeticandfriendlysmile.
“I’msorryI’vebeentalkingsomuch.Takingupyourtime.Whenyou’vegotsuchlotsofpeopletosee.”
Sheheldoutahand,saidgood-byeanddeparted.
MissBulstrodestoodfrowningforamoment.Someinstinctwarnedherthatshehadmissedsomethingthatmightbeimportant.
Shebrushedthefeelingaside.Thiswastheopeningdayofsummerterm,andshehadmanymoreparentstosee.Neverhadherschoolbeenmorepopular,moreassuredofsuccess.Meadowbankwasatitszenith.
TherewasnothingtotellherthatwithinafewweeksMeadowbankwouldbeplungedintoaseaoftrouble;thatdisorder,confusionandmurderwouldreignthere,thatalreadycertaineventshadbeensetinmotion….
One
REVOLUTIONINRAMAT
AbouttwomonthsearlierthanthefirstdayofthesummertermatMeadowbank,certaineventshadtakenplacewhichweretohaveunexpectedrepercussionsinthatcelebratedgirls’school.
InthePalaceofRamat,twoyoungmensatsmokingandconsideringtheimmediatefuture.Oneyoungmanwasdark,withasmootholivefaceandlargemelancholyeyes.HewasPrinceAliYusuf,HereditarySheikhofRamat,which,thoughsmall,wasoneofthericheststatesintheMiddleEast.Theotheryoungmanwassandyhairedandfreckledandmoreorlesspenniless,exceptforthehandsomesalaryhedrewasprivatepilottoHisHighnessPrinceAliYusuf.Inspiteofthisdifferenceinstatus,theywereontermsofperfectequality.Theyhadbeenatthesamepublicschoolandhadbeenfriendsthenandeversince.
“Theyshotatus,Bob,”saidPrinceAlialmostincredulously.
“Theyshotatusallright,”saidBobRawlinson.
“Andtheymeantit.Theymeanttobringusdown.”
“Thebastardsmeantitallright,”saidBobgrimly.
Aliconsideredforamoment.
“Itwouldhardlybeworthwhiletryingagain?”
“Wemightn’tbesoluckythistime.Thetruthis,Ali,we’veleftthingstoolate.Youshouldhavegotouttwoweeksago.Itoldyouso.”
“Onedoesn’tliketorunaway,”saidtherulerofRamat.
“Iseeyourpoint.ButrememberwhatShakespeareoroneofthesepoeticalfellowssaidaboutthosewhorunawaylivingtofightanotherday.”
“Tothink,”saidtheyoungPrincewithfeeling,“ofthemoneythathasgoneintomakingthisaWelfareState.Hospitals,schools,aHealthService—”
BobRawlinsoninterruptedthecatalogue
“Couldn’ttheEmbassydosomething?”
AliYusufflushedangrily.
“TakerefugeinyourEmbassy?That,never.Theextremistswouldprobablystormtheplace—theywouldn’trespectdiplomaticimmunity.Besides,ifIdidthat,itreallywouldbetheend!Alreadythechiefaccusationagainstmeisofbeingpro-Western.”Hesighed.“Itissodifficulttounderstand.”Hesoundedwistful,youngerthanhistwenty-fiveyears.“Mygrandfatherwasacruelman,arealtyrant.Hehadhundredsofslavesandtreatedthemruthlessly.Inhistribalwars,hekilledhisenemiesunmercifullyandexecutedthemhorribly.Themerewhisperofhisnamemadeeveryoneturnpale.Andyet—heisalegendstill!Admired!Respected!ThegreatAchmedAbdullah!AndI?WhathaveIdone?Builthospitalsandschools,welfare,housing…allthethingspeoplearesaidtowant.Don’ttheywantthem?Wouldtheypreferareignofterrorlikemygrandfather’s?”
“Iexpectso,”saidBobRawlinson.“Seemsabitunfair,butthereitis.”
“Butwhy,Bob?Why?”
BobRawlinsonsighed,wriggledandendeavouredtoexplainwhathefelt.Hehadtostrugglewithhisowninarticulateness.
“Well,”hesaid.“Heputupashow—Isupposethat’sitreally.Hewas—sortof—dramatic,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
Helookedathisfriendwhowasdefinitelynotdramatic.Anicequietdecentchap,sincereandperplexed,thatwaswhatAliwas,andBoblikedhimforit.Hewasneitherpicturesquenorviolent,butwhilstinEnglandpeoplewhoarepicturesqueandviolentcauseembarrassmentandarenotmuchliked,intheMiddleEast,Bobwasfairlysure,itwasdifferent.
“Butdemocracy—”beganAli.
“Oh,democracy—”Bobwavedhispipe.“That’sawordthatmeansdifferentthingseverywhere.Onething’scertain.ItnevermeanswhattheGreeksoriginallymeantbyit.Ibetyouanythingyoulikethatiftheybootyououtofhere,somespoutinghotairmerchantwilltakeover,yellinghisownpraises,buildinghimselfupintoGodAlmighty,andstringingup,orcuttingofftheheadsofanyonewhodarestodisagreewithhiminanyway.And,markyou,he’llsayit’saDemocraticGovernment—ofthepeopleandforthepeople.Iexpectthepeoplewilllikeittoo.Excitingforthem.Lotsofbloodshed.”
“Butwearenotsavages!Wearecivilizednowadays.”
“Therearedifferentkindsofcivilization…”saidBobvaguely.“Besides—Iratherthinkwe’veallgotabitofsavageinus—ifwecanthinkupagoodexcuseforlettingitrip.”
“Perhapsyouareright,”saidAlisombrely.
“Thethingpeopledon’tseemtowantanywhere,nowadays,”saidBob,“isanyonewho’sgotabitofcommonsense.I’veneverbeenabrainychap—well,youknowthatwellenough,Ali—butIoftenthinkthatthat’swhattheworldreallyneeds—justabitofcommonsense.”Helaidasidehispipeandsatinhischair.“Butnevermindallthat.Thethingishowwe’regoingtogetyououtofhere.IsthereanybodyintheArmyyoucanreallytrust?”
Slowly,PrinceAliYusufshookhishead
“Afortnightago,Ishouldhavesaid‘Yes.’Butnow,Idonotknow…cannotbesure—”
Bobnodded.“That’sthehellofit.Asforthispalaceofyours,itgivesmethecreeps.”
Aliacquiescedwithoutemotion.
“Yes,therearespieseverywhereinpalaces…Theyheareverything—they—knoweverything.”
“Evendowninthehangars—”Bobbrokeoff.“OldAchmed’sallright.He’sgotakindofsixthsense.Foundoneofthemechanicstryingtotamperwiththeplane—oneofthemenwe’dhaveswornwasabsolutelytrustworthy.Lookhere,Ali,ifwe’regoingtohaveashotatgettingyouaway,itwillhavetobesoon.”
“Iknow—Iknow.Ithink—Iamquitecertainnow—thatifIstayIshallbekilled.”
Hespokewithoutemotion,oranykindofpanic:withamilddetachedinterest.
“We’llstandagoodchanceofbeingkilledanyway,”Bobwarnedhim.“We’llhavetoflyoutnorth,youknow.Theycan’tinterceptusthatway.Butitmeansgoingoverthemountains—andatthistimeofyear—”
Heshruggedhisshoulders.“You’vegottounderstand.It’sdamnedrisky.”
AliYusuflookeddistressed.
“Ifanythinghappenedtoyou,Bob—”
“Don’tworryaboutme,Ali.That’snotwhatImeant.I’mnotimportant.Andanyway,I’mthesortofchapthat’ssuretogetkilledsoonerorlater.I’malwaysdoingcrazythings.No—it’syou—Idon’twanttopersuadeyouonewayortheother.IfaportionoftheArmyisloyal—”
“Idon’tliketheideaofrunningaway,”saidAlisimply.“ButIdonotintheleastwanttobeamartyr,andbecuttopiecesbyamob.”
Hewassilentforamomentortwo.
“Verywellthen,”hesaidatlastwithasigh.“Wewillmaketheattempt.When?”
Bobshruggedhisshoulders.
“Soonerthebetter.We’vegottogetyoutotheairstripinsomenaturalway…Howaboutsayingyou’regoingtoinspectthenewroadconstructionoutatAlJasar?Suddenwhim.Gothisafternoon.Then,asyourcarpassestheairstrip,stopthere—I’llhavethebusallreadyandtunedup.Theideawillbetogouptoinspecttheroadconstructionfromtheair,see?Wetakeoffandgo!Wecan’ttakeanybaggage,ofcourse.It’sgottobeallquiteimpromptu.”
“ThereisnothingIwishtotakewithme—exceptonething—”
Hesmiled,andsuddenlythesmilealteredhisfaceandmadeadifferentpersonofhim.HewasnolongerthemodernconscientiousWesternizedyoungman—thesmileheldalltheracialguileandcraftwhichhadenabledalonglineofhisancestorstosurvive.
“Youaremyfriend,Bob,youshallsee.”
Hishandwentinsidehisshirtandfumbled.Thenheheldoutalittlechamoisleatherbag.
“This?”Bobfrownedandlookedpuzzled.
Alitookitfromhim,untiedtheneck,andpouredthecontentsonthetable.
Bobheldhisbreathforamomentandthenexpelleditinasoftwhistle.
“Goodlord.Aretheyreal?”
Alilookedamused.
“Ofcoursetheyarereal.Mostofthembelongedtomyfather.Heacquirednewoneseveryyear.I,too.Theyhavecomefrommanyplaces,boughtforourfamilybymenwecantrust—fromLondon,fromCalcutta,fromSouthAfrica.Itisatraditionofourfamily.Tohavetheseincaseofneed.”Headdedinamatter-of-factvoice:“Theyareworth,attoday’sprices,aboutthree-quartersofamillion.”
“Three-quartersofamillionpounds.”Bobletoutawhistle,pickedupthestones,letthemrunthroughhisfingers.“It’sfantastic.Likeafairytale.Itdoesthingstoyou.”
“Yes.”Thedarkyoungmannodded.Againthatage-longwearylookwasonhisface.“Menarenotthesamewhenitcomestojewels.Thereisalwaysatrailofviolencetofollowsuchthings.Deaths,bloodshed,murder.Andwomenaretheworst.Forwithwomenitwillnotonlybethevalue.Itissomethingtodowiththejewelsthemselves.Beautifuljewelsdrivewomenmad.Theywanttoownthem.Towearthemroundtheirthroats,ontheirbosoms.Iwouldnottrustanywomanwiththese.ButIshalltrustyou.”
“Me?”Bobstared.
“Yes.Idonotwantthesestonestofallintothehandsofmyenemies.Idonotknowwhentherisingagainstmewilltakeplace.Itmaybeplannedfortoday.Imaynotlivetoreachtheairstripthisafternoon.Takethestonesanddothebestyoucan.”
“Butlookhere—Idon’tunderstand.WhatamItodowiththem?”
“Arrangesomehowtogetthemoutofthecountry.”
Alistaredplacidlyathisperturbedfriend.
“Youmean,youwantmetocarrytheminsteadofyou?”
“Youcanputitthatway.ButIthink,really,youwillbeabletothinkofsomebetterplantogetthemtoEurope.”
“Butlookhere,Ali,Ihaven’tthefirstideahowtosetaboutsuchathing.”
Alileanedbackinhischair.Hewassmilinginaquietlyamusedmanner.
“Youhavecommonsense.Andyouarehonest.AndIremember,fromthedayswhenyouweremyfag,thatyoucouldalwaysthinkupsomeingeniousidea…Iwillgiveyouthenameandaddressofamanwhodealswithsuchmattersforme—thatis—incaseIshouldnotsurvive.Donotlooksoworried,Bob.Dothebestyoucan.ThatisallIask.Ishallnotblameyouifyoufail.ItisasAllahwills.Forme,itissimple.Idonotwantthosestonestakenfrommydeadbody.Fortherest—”heshruggedhisshoulders.“ItisasIhavesaid.AllwillgoasAllahwills.”
“You’renuts!”
“No.Iamafatalist,thatisall.”
“Butlookhere,Ali.YousaidjustnowIwashonest.Butthree-quartersofamillion…Don’tyouthinkthatmightsapanyman’shonesty?”
AliYusuflookedathisfriendwithaffection.
“Strangelyenough,”hesaid,“Ihavenodoubtonthatscore.”
Two
THEWOMANONTHEBALCONY
I
AsBobRawlinsonwalkedalongtheechoingmarblecorridorsofthePalace,hehadneverfeltsounhappyinhislife.Theknowledgethathewascarryingthree-quartersofamillionpoundsinhistrouserspocketcausedhimacutemisery.HefeltasthougheveryPalaceofficialheencounteredmustknowthefact.Hefelteventhattheknowledgeofhispreciousburdenmustshowinhisface.Hewouldhavebeenrelievedtolearnthathisfreckledcountenanceboreexactlyitsusualexpressionofcheerfulgoodnature.
Thesentriesoutsidepresentedarmswithaclash.BobwalkeddownthemaincrowdedstreetofRamat,hismindstilldazed.Wherewashegoing?Whatwasheplanningtodo?Hehadnoidea.Andtimewasshort.
ThemainstreetwaslikemostmainstreetsintheMiddleEast.Itwasamixtureofsqualorandmagnificence.Banksrearedtheirvastnewlybuiltmagnificence.Innumerablesmallshopspresentedacollectionofcheapplasticgoods.Babies’booteesandcheapcigarettelightersweredisplayedinunlikelyjuxtaposition.Thereweresewingmachines,andsparepartsforcars.Pharmaciesdisplayedflyblownproprietarymedicines,andlargenoticesofpenicillinineveryformandantibioticsgalore.Inveryfewoftheshopswasthereanythingthatyoucouldnormallywanttobuy,exceptpossiblythelatestSwisswatches,hundredsofwhichweredisplayedcrowdedintoatinywindow.Theassortmentwassogreatthateventhereonewouldhaveshrunkfrompurchase,dazzledbysheermass.
Bob,stillwalkinginakindofstupor,jostledbyfiguresinnativeorEuropeandress,pulledhimselftogetherandaskedhimselfagainwherethehellhewasgoing?
Heturnedintoanativecaféandorderedlemontea.Ashesippedit,hebegan,slowly,tocometo.Theatmosphereofthecaféwassoothing.AtatableoppositehimanelderlyArabwaspeacefullyclickingthroughastringofamberbeads.Behindhimtwomenplayedtrictrac.Itwasagoodplacetositandthink.
Andhe’dgottothink.Jewelsworththree-quartersofamillionhadbeenhandedtohim,anditwasuptohimtodevisesomeplanofgettingthemoutofthecountry.Notimetoloseeither.Atanyminutetheballoonmightgoup….
Aliwascrazy,ofcourse.Tossingthree-quartersofamillionlightheartedlytoafriendinthatway.AndthensittingbackquietlyhimselfandleavingeverythingtoAllah.Bobhadnotgotthatrecourse.Bob’sGodexpectedhisservantstodecideonandperformtheirownactionstothebestoftheabilitytheirGodhadgiventhem.
Whatthehellwashegoingtodowiththosedamnedstones?
HethoughtoftheEmbassy.No,hecouldn’tinvolvetheEmbassy.TheEmbassywouldalmostcertainlyrefusetobeinvolved.
Whatheneededwassomeperson,someperfectlyordinarypersonwhowasleavingthecountryinsomeperfectlyordinaryway.Abusinessman,oratouristwouldbebest.Someonewithnopoliticalconnectionswhosebaggagewould,atmost,besubjectedtoasuperficialsearchormoreprobablynosearchatall.Therewas,ofcourse,theotherendtobeconsidered…SensationatLondonAirport.Attempttosmuggleinjewelsworththree-quartersofamillion.Andsoonandsoon.Onewouldhavetoriskthat—
Somebodyordinary—abonafidetraveller.AndsuddenlyBobkickedhimselfforafool.Joan,ofcourse.HissisterJoanSutcliffe.JoanhadbeenoutherefortwomonthswithherdaughterJenniferwhoafterabadboutofpneumoniahadbeenorderedsunshineandadryclimate.Theyweregoingbackby“longsea”infourorfivedays’time.
Joanwastheidealperson.WhatwasitAlihadsaidaboutwomenandjewels?Bobsmiledtohimself.GoodoldJoan!Shewouldn’tloseherheadoverjewels.Trusthertokeepherfeetontheearth.Yes—hecouldtrustJoan.
Waitaminute,though…couldhetrustJoan?Herhonesty,yes.Butherdiscretion?RegretfullyBobshookhishead.Joanwouldtalk,wouldnotbeabletohelptalking.Evenworse.Shewouldhint.“I’mtakinghomesomethingveryimportant,Imustn’tsayawordtoanyone.It’sreallyratherexciting….”
Joanhadneverbeenabletokeepathingtoherselfthoughshewasalwaysveryincensedifonetoldherso.Joan,then,mustn’tknowwhatshewastaking.Itwouldbesaferforherthatway.He’dmakethestonesupintoaparcel,aninnocent-lookingparcel.Tellhersomestory.Apresentforsomeone?Acommission?He’dthinkofsomething….
Bobglancedathiswatchandrosetohisfeet.Timewasgettingon.
Hestrodealongthestreetobliviousofthemiddayheat.Everythingseemedsonormal.Therewasnothingtoshowonthesurface.OnlyinthePalacewasoneconsciousofthebanked-downfires,ofthespying,thewhispers.TheArmy—italldependedontheArmy.Whowasloyal?Whowasdisloyal?Acoupd’étatwouldcertainlybeattempted.Woulditsucceedorfail?
BobfrownedasheturnedintoRamat’sleadinghotel.ItwasmodestlycalledtheRitzSavoyandhadagrandmodernisticfa?ade.IthadopenedwithaflourishthreeyearsagowithaSwissmanager,aViennesechef,andanItalianMaitred’h?tel.Everythinghadbeenwonderful.TheViennesechefhadgonefirst,thentheSwissmanager.NowtheItalianheadwaiterhadgonetoo.Thefoodwasstillambitious,butbad,theserviceabominable,andagooddealoftheexpensiveplumbinghadgonewrong.
TheclerkbehindthedeskknewBobwellandbeamedathim.
“Goodmorning,SquadronLeader.Youwantyoursister?Shehasgoneonapicnicwiththelittlegirl—”
“Apicnic?”Bobwastakenaback—ofallthesillytimestogoforapicnic.
“WithMr.andMrs.HurstfromtheOilCompany,”saidtheclerkinformatively.Everyonealwayskneweverything.“TheyhavegonetotheKalatDiwadam.”
Bobsworeunderhisbreath.Joanwouldn’tbehomeforhours.
“I’llgouptoherroom,”hesaidandheldouthishandforthekeywhichtheclerkgavehim.
Heunlockedthedoorandwentin.Theroom,alargedouble-beddedone,wasinitsusualconfusion.JoanSutcliffewasnotatidywoman.Golfclubslayacrossachair,tennisracquetshadbeenflungonthebed.Clothinglayabout,thetablewaslitteredwithrollsoffilm,postcards,paperbackedbooksandanassortmentofnativecuriosfromtheSouth,mostlymadeinBirminghamandJapan.
Boblookedroundhim,atthesuitcasesandthezipbags.Hewasfacedwithaproblem.Hewouldn’tbeabletoseeJoanbeforeflyingAliout.Therewouldn’tbetimetogettothedamandback.Hecouldparcelupthestuffandleaveitwithanote—butalmostimmediatelyheshookhishead.Heknewquitewellthathewasnearlyalwaysfollowed.He’dprobablybeenfollowedfromthePalacetothecaféandfromthecaféhere.Hehadn’tspottedanyone—butheknewthattheyweregoodatthejob.Therewasnothingsuspiciousinhiscomingtothehoteltoseehissister—butifheleftaparcelandanote,thenotewouldbereadandtheparcelopened.
Time…time…He’dnotime….
Three-quartersofamillioninpreciousstonesinhistrouserspocket.
Helookedroundtheroom….
Then,withagrin,hefishedoutfromhispocketthelittletoolkithealwayscarried.HisnieceJenniferhadsomeplasticine,henoted,thatwouldhelp.
Heworkedquicklyandskilfully.Oncehelookedup,suspicious,hiseyesgoingtotheopenwindow.No,therewasnobalconyoutsidethisroom.Itwasjusthisnervesthatmadehimfeelthatsomeonewaswatchinghim.
Hefinishedhistaskandnoddedinapproval.Nobodywouldnoticewhathehaddone—hefeltsureofthat.NeitherJoannoranyoneelse.CertainlynotJennifer,aself-centredchild,whoneversawornoticedanythingoutsideherself.
Hesweptupallevidencesofhistoilandputthemintohispocket…Thenhehesitated,lookinground.
HedrewMrs.Sutcliffe’swritingpadtowardshimandsatfrowning—
HemustleaveanoteforJoan—
Butwhatcouldhesay?ItmustbesomethingthatJoanwouldunderstand—butwhichwouldmeannothingtoanyonewhoreadthenote.
Andreallythatwasimpossible!InthekindofthrillerthatBoblikedreadingtofilluphissparemoments,youleftakindofcryptogramwhichwasalwayssuccessfullypuzzledoutbysomeone.Buthecouldn’tevenbegintothinkofacryptogram—andinanycaseJoanwasthesortofcommonsensepersonwhowouldneedthei’sdottedandthet’scrossedbeforeshenoticedanythingatall—
Thenhisbrowcleared.Therewasanotherwayofdoingit—divertattentionawayfromJoan—leaveanordinaryeverydaynote.ThenleaveamessagewithsomeoneelsetobegiventoJoaninEngland.Hewroterapidly—
DearJoan—Droppedintoaskifyou’dcaretoplayaroundofgolfthiseveningbutifyou’vebeenupatthedam,you’llprobablybedeadtotheworld.Whatabouttomorrow?Fiveo’clockattheClub.Yours,Bob.
Acasualsortofamessagetoleaveforasisterthathemightneverseeagain—butinsomewaysthemorecasualthebetter.Joanmustn’tbeinvolvedinanyfunnybusiness,mustn’tevenknowthattherewasanyfunnybusiness.Joancouldnotdissimulate.Herprotectionwouldbethefactthatsheclearlyknewnothing.
Andthenotewouldaccomplishadualpurpose.Itwouldseemthathe,Bob,hadnoplanfordeparturehimself.
Hethoughtforaminuteortwo,thenhecrossedtothetelephoneandgavethenumberoftheBritishEmbassy.PresentlyhewasconnectedwithEdmundson,thethirdsecretary,afriendofhis.
“John?BobRawlinsonhere.Canyoumeetmesomewherewhenyougetoff?…Makeitabitearlierthanthat?…You’vegotto,oldboy.It’simportant.Well,actually,it’sagirl…”Hegaveanembarrassedcough.“She’swonderful,quitewonderful.Outofthisworld.Onlyit’sabittricky.”
Edmundson’svoice,soundingslightlystuffedshirtanddisapproving,said,“Really,Bob,youandyourgirls.Allright,2o’clockdoyou?”andrangoff.Bobheardthelittleechoingclickaswhoeverhadbeenlisteningin,replacedthereceiver.
GoodoldEdmundson.SinceallthetelephonesinRamathadbeentapped,BobandJohnEdmundsonhadworkedoutalittlecodeoftheirown.Awonderfulgirlwhowas“outofthisworld”meantsomethingurgentandimportant.
EdmundsonwouldpickhimupinhiscaroutsidethenewMerchantsBankat2o’clockandhe’dtellEdmundsonofthehidingplace.TellhimthatJoandidn’tknowaboutitbutthat,ifanythinghappenedtohim,itwasimportant.GoingbythelongsearouteJoanandJenniferwouldn’tbebackinEnglandforsixweeks.Bythattimetherevolutionwouldalmostcertainlyhavehappenedandeitherbeensuccessfulorhavebeenputdown.AliYusufmightbeinEurope,orheandBobmightbothbedead.HewouldtellEdmundsonenough,butnottoomuch.
Bobtookalastlookaroundtheroom.Itlookedexactlythesame,peaceful,untidy,domestic.TheonlythingaddedwashisharmlessnotetoJoan.Heproppedituponthetableandwentout.Therewasnooneinthelongcorridor.
II
ThewomanintheroomnexttothatoccupiedbyJoanSutcliffesteppedbackfromthebalcony.Therewasamirrorinherhand.
Shehadgoneoutonthebalconyoriginallytoexaminemorecloselyasinglehairthathadhadtheaudacitytospringuponherchin.Shedealtwithitwithtweezers,thensubjectedherfacetoaminutescrutinyintheclearsunlight.
Itwasthen,assherelaxed,thatshesawsomethingelse.Theangleatwhichshewasholdinghermirrorwassuchthatitreflectedthemirrorofthehangingwardrobeintheroomnexttohersandinthatmirrorshesawamandoingsomethingverycurious.
Socuriousandunexpectedthatshestoodtheremotionless,watching.Hecouldnotseeherfromwherehesatatthetable,andshecouldonlyseehimbymeansofthedoublereflection.
Ifhehadturnedhisheadbehindhim,hemighthavecaughtsightofhermirrorinthewardrobemirror,buthewastooabsorbedinwhathewasdoingtolookbehindhim….
Once,itwastrue,hedidlookupsuddenlytowardsthewindow,butsincetherewasnothingtoseethere,heloweredhisheadagain.
Thewomanwatchedhimwhilehefinishedwhathewasdoing.Afteramoment’spausehewroteanotewhichheproppeduponthetable.Thenhemovedoutofherlineofvisionbutshecouldjusthearenoughtorealizethathewasmakingatelephonecall.Shecouldn’tcatchwhatwassaid,butitsoundedlighthearted—casual.Thensheheardthedoorclose
Thewomanwaitedafewminutes.Thensheopenedherdoor.AtthefarendofthepassageanArabwasflickingidlywithafeatherduster.Heturnedthecorneroutofsight.
Thewomanslippedquicklytothedoorofthenextroom.Itwaslocked,butshehadexpectedthat.Thehairpinshehadwithherandthebladeofasmallknifedidthejobquicklyandexpertly.
Shewentin,pushingthedoortobehindher.Shepickedupthenote.Theflaphadonlybeenstuckdownlightlyandopenedeasily.Shereadthenote,frowning.Therewasnoexplanationthere.
Shesealeditup,putitback,andwalkedacrosstheroom.
There,withherhandoutstretched,shewasdisturbedbyvoicesthroughthewindowfromtheterracebelow.
Onewasavoicethatsheknewtobetheoccupieroftheroominwhichshewasstanding.Adecideddidacticvoice,fullyassuredofitself.
Shedartedtothewindow.
Belowontheterrace,JoanSutcliffe,accompaniedbyherdaughterJennifer,apalesolidchildoffifteen,wastellingtheworldandatallunhappylookingEnglishmanfromtheBritishConsulatejustwhatshethoughtofthearrangementshehadcometomake.
“Butit’sabsurd!Ineverheardsuchnonsense.Everything’sperfectlyquiethereandeveryonequitepleasant.Ithinkit’sallalotofpanickyfuss.”
“Wehopeso,Mrs.Sutcliffe,wecertainlyhopeso.ButH.E.feelsthattheresponsibilityissuch—”
Mrs.Sutcliffecuthimshort.Shedidnotproposetoconsidertheresponsibilityofambassadors.
“We’vealotofbaggage,youknow.Weweregoinghomebylongsea—nextWednesday.TheseavoyagewillbegoodforJennifer.Thedoctorsaidso.IreallymustabsolutelydeclinetoalterallmyarrangementsandbeflowntoEnglandinthissillyflurry.”
TheunhappylookingmansaidencouraginglythatMrs.Sutcliffeandherdaughtercouldbeflown,nottoEngland,buttoAdenandcatchtheirboatthere.
“Withourbaggage?”
“Yes,yes,thatcanbearranged.I’vegotacarwaiting—astationwagon.Wecanloadeverythingrightaway.”
“Ohwell.”Mrs.Sutcliffecapitulated.“Isupposewe’dbetterpack.”
“Atonce,ifyoudon’tmind.”
Thewomaninthebedroomdrewbackhurriedly.Shetookaquickglanceattheaddressonaluggagelabelononeofthesuitcases.ThensheslippedquicklyoutoftheroomandbackintoherownjustasMrs.Sutcliffeturnedthecornerofthecorridor.
Theclerkfromtheofficewasrunningafterher.
“Yourbrother,theSquadronLeader,hasbeenhere,Mrs.Sutcliffe.Hewentuptoyourroom.ButIthinkthathehasleftagain.Youmustjusthavemissedhim.”
“Howtiresome,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“Thankyou,”shesaidtotheclerkandwentontoJennifer,“IsupposeBob’sfussingtoo.Ican’tseeanysignofdisturbancemyselfinthestreets.Thisdoor’sunlocked.Howcarelessthesepeopleare.”
“PerhapsitwasUncleBob,”saidJennifer.
“IwishIhadn’tmissedhim…Oh,there’sanote.”Shetoreitopen.
“AtanyrateBobisn’tfussing,”shesaidtriumphantly.“Heobviouslydoesn’tknowathingaboutallthis.Diplomaticwindup,that’sallitis.HowIhatetryingtopackintheheatoftheday.Thisroom’slikeanoven.Comeon,Jennifer,getyourthingsoutofthechestofdrawersandthewardrobe.Wemustjustshoveeverythinginanyhow.Wecanrepacklater.”
“I’veneverbeeninarevolution,”saidJenniferthoughtfully.
“Idon’texpectyou’llbeinonethistime,”saidhermothersharply.“ItwillbejustasIsay.Nothingwillhappen.”
Jenniferlookeddisappointed.
Three
INTRODUCINGMR.ROBINSON
ItwassomesixweekslaterthatayoungmantappeddiscreetlyonthedoorofaroominBloomsburyandwastoldtocomein.
Itwasasmallroom.Behindadesksatafatmiddle-agedmanslumpedinachair.Hewaswearingacrumpledsuit,thefrontofwhichwassmotheredincigarash.Thewindowswereclosedandtheatmospherewasalmostunbearable.
“Well?”saidthefatmantestily,andspeakingwithhalf-closedeyes.“Whatisitnow,eh?”
ItwassaidofColonelPikeawaythathiseyeswerealwaysjustclosinginsleep,orjustopeningaftersleep.ItwasalsosaidthathisnamewasnotPikeawayandthathewasnotacolonel.Butsomepeoplewillsayanything!
“Edmundson,fromtheF.O.,isheresir.”
“Oh,”saidColonelPikeaway.
Heblinked,appearedtobegoingtosleepagainandmuttered:
“ThirdsecretaryatourEmbassyinRamatatthetimeoftheRevolution.Right?”
“That’sright,sir.”
“Isuppose,then,I’dbetterseehim,”saidColonelPikeawaywithoutanymarkedrelish.Hepulledhimselfintoamoreuprightpositionandbrushedoffalittleoftheashfromhispaunch.
Mr.Edmundsonwasatallfairyoungman,verycorrectlydressedwithmannerstomatch,andageneralairofquietdisapproval.
“ColonelPikeaway?I’mJohnEdmundson.Theysaidyou—er—mightwanttoseeme.”
“Didthey?Well,theyshouldknow,”saidColonelPikeaway.“Siddown,”headded.
Hiseyesbegantocloseagain,butbeforetheydidso,hespoke:
“YouwereinRamatatthetimeoftheRevolution?”
“Yes,Iwas.Anastybusiness.”
“Isupposeitwouldbe.YouwereafriendofBobRawlinson’s,weren’tyou?”
“Iknowhimfairlywell,yes.”
“Wrongtense,”saidColonelPikeaway.“He’sdead.”
“Yes,sir,Iknow.ButIwasn’tsure—”hepaused.
“Youdon’thavetotakepainstobediscreethere,”saidColonelPikeaway.“Weknoweverythinghere.Orifwedon’t,wepretendwedo.RawlinsonflewAliYusufoutofRamatonthedayoftheRevolution.Planehasn’tbeenheardofsince.Couldhavelandedinsomeinaccessibleplace,orcouldhavecrashed.WreckageofaplanehasbeenfoundintheArolezmountains.Twobodies.NewswillbereleasedtothePresstomorrow.Right?”
Edmundsonadmittedthatitwasquiteright.
“Weknowallaboutthingshere,”saidColonelPikeaway.“That’swhatwe’refor.Planeflewintothemountain.Couldhavebeenweatherconditions.Somereasontobelieveitwassabotage.Delayedactionbomb.Wehaven’tgotthefullreportsyet.Theplanecrashedinaprettyinaccessibleplace.Therewasarewardofferedforfindingit,butthesethingstakealongtimetofilterthrough.Thenwehadtoflyoutexpertstomakeanexamination.Alltheredtape,ofcourse.Applicationstoaforeigngovernment,permissionfromministers,palmgreasing—tosaynothingofthelocalpeasantryappropriatinganythingthatmightcomeinuseful.”
HepausedandlookedatEdmundson.
“Verysad,thewholething,”saidEdmundson.“PrinceAliYusufwouldhavemadeanenlightenedruler,withdemocraticprinciples.”
“That’swhatprobablydidthepoorchapin,”saidColonelPikeaway.“Butwecan’twastetimeintellingsadstoriesofthedeathsofkings.We’vebeenaskedtomakecertain—inquiries.Byinterestedparties.Parties,thatis,towhomHerMajesty’sGovernmentiswell-disposed.”Helookedhardattheother.“KnowwhatImean?”
“Well,Ihaveheardsomething.”Edmundsonspokereluctantly.
“You’veheardperhaps,thatnothingofvaluewasfoundonthebodies,oramongstthewreckage,orasfarasisknown,hadbeenpinchedbythelocals.Thoughastothat,youcannevertellwithpeasants.TheycanclamupaswellastheForeignOfficeitself.Andwhatelsehaveyouheard?”
“Nothingelse.”
“Youhaven’theardthatperhapssomethingofvalueoughttohavebeenfound?Whatdidtheysendyoutomefor?”
“Theysaidyoumightwanttoaskmecertainquestions,”saidEdmundsonprimly.
“IfIaskyouquestionsIshallexpectanswers,”ColonelPikeawaypointedout.
“Naturally.”
“Doesn’tseemnaturaltoyou,son.DidBobRawlinsonsayanythingtoyoubeforeheflewoutofRamat?HewasinAli’sconfidenceifanyonewas.Comenow,let’shaveit.Didhesayanything?”
“Astowhat,sir?”
ColonelPikeawaystaredhardathimandscratchedhisear.
“Oh,allright,”hegrumbled.“Hushupthisanddon’tsaythat.Overdoitinmyopinion!Ifyoudon’tknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,youdon’tknow,andthereitis.”
“Ithinktherewassomething—”Edmundsonspokecautiouslyandwithreluctance.“SomethingimportantthatBobmighthavewantedtotellme.”
“Ah,”saidColonelPikeaway,withtheairofamanwhohasatlastpulledthecorkoutofabottle.“Interesting.Let’shavewhatyouknow.”
“It’sverylittle,sir.BobandIhadakindofsimplecode.We’dcottonedontothefactthatallthetelephonesinRamatwerebeingtapped.BobwasinthewayofhearingthingsatthePalace,andIsometimeshadabitofusefulinformationtopassontohim.Soifoneofusrangtheotherupandmentionedagirlorgirls,inacertainway,usingtheterm‘outofthisworld’forher,itmeantsomethingwasup!”
“Importantinformationofsomekindorother?”
“Yes.Bobrangmeupusingthosetermsthedaythewholeshowstarted.Iwastomeethimatourusualrendezvous—outsideoneofthebanks.Butriotingbrokeoutinthatparticularquarterandthepoliceclosedtheroad.Icouldn’tmakecontactwithBoborhewithme.HeflewAlioutthesameafternoon.”
“Isee,”saidPikeaway.“Noideawherehewastelephoningfrom?”
“No.Itmighthavebeenanywhere.”
“Pity.”Hepausedandthenthrewoutcasually:
“DoyouknowMrs.Sutcliffe?”
“YoumeanBobRawlinson’ssister?Imetheroutthere,ofcourse.Shewastherewithaschoolgirldaughter.Idon’tknowherwell.”
“WeresheandBobRawlinsonveryclose?”
Edmundsonconsidered.
“No,Ishouldn’tsayso.Shewasagooddealolderthanhewas,andrathermuchoftheeldersister.Andhedidn’tmuchlikehisbrother-in-law—alwaysreferredtohimasapompousass.”
“Soheis!Oneofourprominentindustrialists—andhowpompouscantheyget!Soyoudon’tthinkitlikelythatBobRawlinsonwouldhaveconfidedanimportantsecrettohissister?”
“It’sdifficulttosay—butno,Ishouldn’tthinkso.”
“Ishouldn’teither,”saidColonelPikeaway.
Hesighed.“Well,thereweare,Mrs.Sutcliffeandherdaughterareontheirwayhomebythelongsearoute.DockatTilburyontheEasternQueentomorrow.”
Hewassilentforamomentortwo,whilsthiseyesmadeathoughtfulsurveyoftheyoungmanoppositehim.Then,asthoughhavingcometoadecision,heheldouthishandandspokebriskly.
“Verygoodofyoutocome.”
“I’monlysorryI’vebeenofsuchlittleuse.You’resurethere’snothingIcando?”
“No.No.I’mafraidnot.”
JohnEdmundsonwentout.
Thediscreetyoungmancameback.
“ThoughtImighthavesenthimtoTilburytobreakthenewstothesister,”saidPikeaway.“Friendofherbrother’s—allthat.ButIdecidedagainstit.Inelastictype.That’stheF.O.training.Notanopportunist.I’llsendroundwhat’shisname.”
“Derek?”
“That’sright,”ColonelPikeawaynoddedapproval.“GettingtoknowwhatImeanquitewell,ain’tyou?”
“Itrymybest,sir.”
“Trying’snotenough.Youhavetosucceed.SendmealongRonniefirst.I’vegotanassignmentforhim.”
II
ColonelPikeawaywasapparentlyjustgoingofftosleepagainwhentheyoungmancalledRonnieenteredtheroom.Hewastall,dark,muscular,andhadagayandratherimpertinentmanner.
ColonelPikeawaylookedathimforamomentortwoandthengrinned.
“How’dyouliketopenetrateintoagirls’school?”heasked.
“Agirls’school?”Theyoungmanliftedhiseyebrows.“Thatwillbesomethingnew!Whataretheyupto?Makingbombsinthechemistryclass?”
“Nothingofthatkind.Verysuperiorhigh-classschool.Meadowbank.”
“Meadowbank!”theyoungmanwhistled.“Ican’tbelieveit!”
“Holdyourimpertinenttongueandlistentome.PrincessShaista,firstcousinandonlynearrelativeofthelatePrinceAliYusufofRamat,goestherethisnextterm.She’sbeenatschoolinSwitzerlanduptonow.”
“WhatdoIdo?Abducther?”
“Certainlynot.Ithinkitpossibleshemaybecomeafocusofinterestinthenearfuture.Iwantyoutokeepaneyeondevelopments.I’llhavetoleaveitvague.Idon’tknowwhatorwhomayturnup,butifanyofourmoreunlikeablefriendsseemtobeinterested,reportit…Awatchingbrief,that’swhatyou’vegot.”
Theyoungmannodded.
“AndhowdoIgetintowatch?ShallIbethedrawingmaster?”
“Thevisitingstaffisallfemale.”ColonelPikeawaylookedathiminaconsideringmanner.“IthinkI’llhavetomakeyouagardener.”
“Agardener?”
“Yes.I’mrightinthinkingyouknowsomethingaboutgardening?”
“Yes,indeed.IranacolumnonYourGardenintheSundayMailforayearinmyyoungerdays.”
“Tush!”saidColonelPikeaway.“That’snothing!Icoulddoacolumnongardeningmyselfwithoutknowingathingaboutit—justcribfromafewluridlyillustratedNurseryman’scataloguesandaGardeningEncyclopedia.Iknowallthepatter.‘Whynotbreakawayfromtraditionandsoundareallytropicalnoteinyourborderthisyear?LovelyAmabellisGossiporia,andsomeofthewonderfulnewChinesehybridsofSinensisMakafoolia.TrytherichblushingbeautyofaclumpofSinistraHopaless,notveryhardybuttheyshouldbeallrightagainstawestwall.’”Hebrokeoffandgrinned.“Nothingtoit!Thefoolsbuythethingsandearlyfrostsetsinandkillsthemandtheywishthey’dstucktowallflowersandforget-me-nots!No,myboy,Imeantherealstuff.Spitonyourhandsandusethespade,bewellacquaintedwiththecompostheap,mulchdiligently,usetheDutchhoeandeveryotherkindofhoe,trenchreallydeepforyoursweetpeas—andalltherestofthebeastlybusiness.Canyoudoit?”
“AllthesethingsIhavedonefrommyyouthupwards!”
“Ofcourseyouhave.Iknowyourmother.Well,that’ssettled.”
“IsthereajobgoingasagardeneratMeadowbank?”
“Suretobe,”saidColonelPikeaway.“EverygardeninEnglandisshortstaffed.I’llwriteyousomenicetestimonials.You’llsee,they’llsimplyjumpatyou.Notimetowaste,summertermbeginsonthe29th.”
“IgardenandIkeepmyeyesopen,isthatright?”
“That’sit,andifanyoversexedteenagersmakepassesatyou,Heavenhelpyouifyourespond.Idon’twantyouthrownoutonyoureartoosoon.”
Hedrewasheetofpapertowardshim.“Whatdoyoufancyasaname?”
“Adamwouldseemappropriate.”
“Lastname?”
“HowaboutEden?”
“I’mnotsureIlikethewayyourmindisrunning.AdamGoodmanwilldoverynicely.GoandworkoutyourpasthistorywithJensonandthengetcracking.”Helookedathiswatch.“I’venomoretimeforyou.Idon’twanttokeepMr.Robinsonwaiting.Heoughttobeherebynow.”
Adam(togivehimhisnewname)stoppedashewasmovingtothedoor.
“Mr.Robinson?”heaskedcuriously.“Ishecoming?”
“Isaidso.”Abuzzerwentonthedesk.“Thereheisnow.Alwayspunctual,Mr.Robinson.”
“Tellme,”saidAdamcuriously.“Whoishereally?What’shisrealname?”
“Hisname,”saidColonelPikeaway,“isMr.Robinson.That’sallIknow,andthat’sallanybodyknows.”
III
Themanwhocameintotheroomdidnotlookasthoughhisnamewas,orcouldeverhavebeen,Robinson.ItmighthavebeenDemetrius,orIsaacstein,orPerenna—thoughnotoneortheotherinparticular.HewasnotdefinitelyJewish,nordefinitelyGreeknorPortuguesenorSpanish,norSouthAmerican.WhatdidseemhighlyunlikelywasthathewasanEnglishmancalledRobinson.Hewasfatandwell-dressed,withayellowface,melancholydarkeyes,abroadforehead,andagenerousmouththatdisplayedratherover-largeverywhiteteeth.Hishandswerewell-shapedandbeautifullykept.HisvoicewasEnglishwithnotraceofaccent.
HeandColonelPikeawaygreetedeachotherratherinthemanneroftworeigningmonarchs.Politenesseswereexchanged
Then,asMr.Robinsonacceptedacigar,ColonelPikeawaysaid:
“Itisverygoodofyoutooffertohelpus.”
Mr.Robinsonlithiscigar,savoureditappreciatively,andfinallyspoke.
“Mydearfellow.Ijustthought—Ihearthings,youknow.Iknowalotofpeople,andtheytellmethings.Idon’tknowwhy.”
ColonelPikeawaydidnotcommentonthereasonwhy.
Hesaid:
“Igatheryou’veheardthatPrinceAliYusuf’splanehasbeenfound?”
“Wednesdayoflastweek,”saidMr.Robinson.“YoungRawlinsonwasthepilot.Atrickyflight.Butthecrashwasn’tduetoanerroronRawlinson’spart.Theplanehadbeentamperedwith—byacertainAchmed—seniormechanic.Completelytrustworthy—orsoRawlinsonthought.Buthewasn’t.He’sgotaverylucrativejobwiththenewrégimenow.”
“Soitwassabotage!Wedidn’tknowthatforsure.It’sasadstory.”
“Yes.Thatpooryoungman—AliYusuf,Imean—wasillequippedtocopewithcorruptionandtreachery.Hispublicschooleducationwasunwise—oratleastthatismyview.Butwedonotconcernourselveswithhimnow,dowe?Heisyesterday’snews.Nothingissodeadasadeadking.Weareconcerned,youinyourway,Iinmine,withwhatdeadkingsleavebehindthem.”
“Whichis?”
Mr.Robinsonshruggedhisshoulders.
“AsubstantialbankbalanceinGeneva,amodestbalanceinLondon,considerableassetsinhisowncountrynowtakenoverbythegloriousnewrégime(andalittlebadfeelingastohowthespoilshavebeendivided,orsoIhear!),andfinallyasmallpersonalitem.”
“Small?”
“Thesethingsarerelative.Anyway,smallinbulk.Handytocarryupontheperson.”
“Theyweren’tonAliYusuf’sperson,asfarasweknow.”
“No.BecausehehadhandedthemovertoyoungRawlinson.”
“Areyousureofthat?”askedPikeawaysharply.
“Well,oneisneversure,”saidMr.Robinsonapologetically.“Inapalacethereissomuchgossip.Itcannotallbetrue.Buttherewasaverystrongrumourtothateffect.”
“Theyweren’tonyoungRawlinson’sperson,either—”
“Inthatcase,”saidMr.Robinson,“itseemsasthoughtheymusthavebeengotoutofthecountrybysomeothermeans.”
“Whatothermeans?Haveyouanyidea?”
“Rawlinsonwenttoacaféinthetownafterhehadreceivedthejewels.Hewasnotseentospeaktoanyoneorapproachanyonewhilsthewasthere.ThenhewenttotheRitzSavoyHotelwherehissisterwasstaying.Hewentuptoherroomandwasthereforabout20minutes.Sheherselfwasout.HethenleftthehotelandwenttotheMerchantsBankinVictorySquarewherehecashedacheque.Whenhecameoutofthebankadisturbancewasbeginning.Studentsriotingaboutsomething.Itwassometimebeforethesquarewascleared.Rawlinsonthenwentstraighttotheairstripwhere,incompanywithSergeantAchmed,hewentovertheplane.
“AliYusufdroveouttoseethenewroadconstruction,stoppedhiscarattheairstrip,joinedRawlinsonandexpressedadesiretotakeashortflightandseethedamandthenewhighwayconstructionfromtheair.Theytookoffanddidnotreturn.”
“Andyourdeductionsfromthat?”
“Mydearfellow,thesameasyours.WhydidBobRawlinsonspendtwentyminutesinhissister’sroomwhenshewasoutandhehadbeentoldthatshewasnotlikelytoreturnuntilevening?Heleftheranotethatwouldhavetakenhimatmostthreeminutestoscribble.Whatdidhedofortherestofthetime?”
“Youaresuggestingthatheconcealedthejewelsinsomeappropriateplaceamongsthissister’sbelongings?”
“Itseemsindicated,doesitnot?Mrs.SutcliffewasevacuatedthatsamedaywithotherBritishsubjects.ShewasflowntoAdenwithherdaughter.ShearrivesatTilbury,Ibelieve,tomorrow.”
Pikeawaynodded.
“Lookafterher,”saidMr.Robinson.
“We’regoingtolookafterher,”saidPikeaway.“That’sallarranged.”
“Ifshehasthejewels,shewillbeindanger.”Heclosedhiseyes.“Isomuchdislikeviolence.”
“Youthinkthereislikelytobeviolence?”
“Therearepeopleinterested.Variousundesirablepeople—ifyouunderstandme.”
“Iunderstandyou,”saidPikeawaygrimly.
“Andtheywill,ofcourse,doublecrosseachother.”
Mr.Robinsonshookhishead.“Soconfusing.”
ColonelPikeawayaskeddelicately:“Haveyouyourselfany—er—specialinterestinthematter?”
“Irepresentacertaingroupofinterests,”saidMr.Robinson.Hisvoicewasfaintlyreproachful.“Someofthestonesinquestionweresuppliedbymysyndicatetohislatehighness—ataveryfairandreasonableprice.ThegroupofpeopleIrepresentwhowereinterestedintherecoveryofthestones,would,Imayventuretosay,havehadtheapprovalofthelateowner.Ishouldn’tliketosaymore.Thesemattersaresodelicate.”
“Butyouaredefinitelyonthesideoftheangels,”ColonelPikeawaysmiled.
“Ah,angels!Angels—yes.”Hepaused.“DoyouhappentoknowwhooccupiedtheroomsinthehoteloneithersideoftheroomoccupiedbyMrs.Sutcliffeandherdaughter?”
ColonelPikeawaylookedvague.
“Letmeseenow—IbelieveIdo.OnthelefthandsidewasSe?oraAngelicadeToredo—aSpanish—er—dancerappearingatthelocalcabaret.PerhapsnotstrictlySpanishandperhapsnotaverygooddancer.Butpopularwiththeclientèle.Ontheothersidewasoneofagroupofschoolteachers,Iunderstand—”
Mr.Robinsonbeamedapprovingly.
“Youarealwaysthesame.Icometotellyouthings,butnearlyalwaysyouknowthemalready.”
“Nono.”ColonelPikeawaymadeapolitedisclaimer.
“Betweenus,”saidMr.Robinson,“weknowagooddeal.”
Theireyesmet.
“Ihope,”Mr.Robinsonsaidrising,“thatweknowenough—”
Four
RETURNOFATRAVELLER
I
“Really!”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,inanannoyedvoice,asshelookedoutofherhotelwindow,“Idon’tseewhyitalwayshastorainwhenonecomesbacktoEngland.Itmakesitallseemsodepressing.”
“Ithinkit’slovelytobeback,”saidJennifer.“HearingeveryonetalkEnglishinthestreets!Andwe’llbeabletohaveareallygoodteapresently.Breadandbutterandjamandpropercakes.”
“Iwishyouweren’tsoinsular,darling,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“What’sthegoodofmytakingyouabroadallthewaytothePersianGulfifyou’regoingtosayyou’dratherhavestayedathome?”
“Idon’tmindgoingabroadforamonthortwo,”saidJennifer.“AllIsaidwasI’mgladtobeback.”
“Nowdogetoutoftheway,dear,andletmemakesurethatthey’vebroughtupalltheluggage.Really,Idofeel—I’vefelteversincethewarthatpeoplehavegotverydishonestnowadays.I’msureifIhadn’tkeptaneyeonthingsthatmanwouldhavegoneoffwithmygreenzipbagatTilbury.Andtherewasanothermanhangingaboutneartheluggage.Isawhimafterwardsonthetrain.Ibelieve,youknow,thatthesesneakthievesmeettheboatsandifthepeopleareflusteredorseasicktheygooffwithsomeofthesuitcases.”
“Oh,you’realwaysthinkingthingslikethat,Mother,”saidJennifer.“Youthinkeverybodyyoumeetisdishonest.”
“Mostofthemare,”saidMrs.Sutcliffegrimly.
“NotEnglishpeople,”saidtheloyalJennifer.
“That’sworse,”saidhermother.“Onedoesn’texpectanythingelsefromArabsandforeigners,butinEnglandone’soffguardandthatmakesiteasierfordishonestpeople.Nowdoletmecount.That’sthebiggreensuitcaseandtheblackone,andthetwosmallbrownandthezipbagandthegolfclubsandtheracquetsandtheholdallandthecanvassuitcase—andwhere’sthegreenbag?Oh,thereitis.Andthatlocaltinweboughttoputtheextrathingsin—yes,one,two,three,four,five,six—yes,that’sallright.Allfourteenthingsarehere.”
“Can’twehavesometeanow?”saidJennifer.
“Tea?It’sonlythreeo’clock.”
“I’mawfullyhungry.”
“Allright,allright.Canyougodownbyyourselfandorderit?IreallyfeelImusthavearest,andthenI’lljustunpackthethingswe’llneedfortonight.It’stoobadyourfathercouldn’thavemetus.Whyhehadtohaveanimportantdirectors’meetinginNewcastle-on-TynetodayIsimplycannotimagine.You’dthinkhiswifeanddaughterwouldcomefirst.Especiallyashehasn’tseenusforthreemonths.Areyousureyoucanmanagebyyourself?”
“Goodgracious,Mummy,”saidJennifer,“whatagedoyouthinkIam?CanIhavesomemoney,please?Ihaven’tgotanyEnglishmoney.”
Sheacceptedthetenshillingnotehermotherhandedtoher,andwentoutscornfully.
Thetelephonerangbythebed.Mrs.Sutcliffewenttoitandpickedupthereceiver.
“Hallo…Yes…Yes,Mrs.Sutcliffespeaking….”
Therewasaknockatthedoor.Mrs.Sutcliffesaid,“Justonemoment”tothereceiver,laiditdownandwentovertothedoor.Ayoungmanindarkblueoverallswasstandingtherewithasmallkitoftools.
“Electrician,”hesaidbriskly.“Thelightsinthissuitearen’tsatisfactory.I’vebeensentuptoseetothem.”
“Oh—allright….”
Shedrewback.Theelectricianentered.
“Bathroom?”
“Throughthere—beyondtheotherbedroom.”
Shewentbacktothetelephone.
“I’msosorry…Whatwereyousaying?”
“MynameisDerekO’Connor.PerhapsImightcomeuptoyoursuite,Mrs.Sutcliffe.It’saboutyourbrother.”
“Bob?Isthere—newsofhim?”
“I’mafraidso—yes.”
“Oh…Oh,Isee…Yes,comeup.It’sonthethirdfloor,310.”
Shesatdownonthebed.Shealreadyknewwhatthenewsmustbe.
Presentlytherewasaknockonthedoorandsheopenedittoadmitayoungmanwhoshookhandsinasuitablysubduedmanner.
“AreyoufromtheForeignOffice?”
“Myname’sDerekO’Connor.Mychiefsentmeroundastheredidn’tseemtobeanybodyelsewhocouldbreakittoyou.”
“Pleasetellme,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“He’sbeenkilled.Isthatit?”
“Yes,that’sit,Mrs.Sutcliffe.HewasflyingPrinceAliYusufoutfromRamatandtheycrashedinthemountains.”
“Whyhaven’tIheard—whydidn’tsomeonewirelessittotheboat?”
“Therewasnodefinitenewsuntilafewdaysago.Itwasknownthattheplanewasmissing,thatwasall.Butunderthecircumstancestheremightstillhavebeenhope.Butnowthewreckoftheplanehasbeenfound…Iamsureyouwillbegladtoknowthatdeathwasinstantaneous.”
“ThePrincewaskilledaswell?”
“Yes.”
“I’mnotatallsurprised,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.Hervoiceshookalittlebutshewasinfullcommandofherself.“IknewBobwoulddieyoung.Hewasalwaysreckless,youknow—alwaysflyingnewplanes,tryingnewstunts.I’vehardlyseenanythingofhimforthelastfouryears.Ohwell,onecan’tchangepeople,canone?”
“No,”saidhervisitor,“I’mafraidnot.”
“Henryalwayssaidhe’dsmashhimselfupsoonerorlater,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.Sheseemedtoderiveakindofmelancholysatisfactionfromtheaccuracyofherhusband’sprophecy.Atearrolleddownhercheekandshelookedforherhandkerchief.“It’sbeenashock,”shesaid.
“Iknow—I’mawfullysorry.”
“Bobcouldn’trunaway,ofcourse,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“Imean,he’dtakenonthejobofbeingthePrince’spilot.Iwouldn’thavewantedhimtothrowinhishand.Andhewasagoodfliertoo.I’msureifheranintoamountainitwasn’thisfault.”
“No,”saidO’Connor,“itcertainlywasn’thisfault.TheonlyhopeofgettingthePrinceoutwastoflyinnomatterwhatconditions.Itwasadangerousflighttoundertakeanditwentwrong.”
Mrs.Sutcliffenodded.
“Iquiteunderstand,”shesaid.“Thankyouforcomingtotellme.”
“There’ssomethingmore,”saidO’Connor,“somethingI’vegottoaskyou.DidyourbrotherentrustanythingtoyoutotakebacktoEngland?”
“Entrustsomethingtome?”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Didhegiveyouany—package—anysmallparceltobringbackanddelivertoanyoneinEngland?”
Sheshookherheadwonderingly.“No.Whyshouldyouthinkhedid?”
“Therewasaratherimportantpackagewhichwethinkyourbrothermayhavegiventosomeonetobringhome.Hecalledonyouatyourhotelthatday—thedayoftheRevolution,Imean.”
“Iknow.Heleftanote.Buttherewasnothinginthat—justsomesillythingaboutplayingtennisorgolfthenextday.Isupposewhenhewrotethatnote,hecouldn’thaveknownthathe’dhavetoflythePrinceoutthatveryafternoon.”
“Thatwasallitsaid?”
“Thenote?Yes.”
“Haveyoukeptit,Mrs.Sutcliffe?”
“Keptthenoteheleft?No,ofcourseIhaven’t.Itwasquitetrivial.Itoreitupandthrewitaway.WhyshouldIkeepit?”
“Noreason,”saidO’Connor.“Ijustwondered.”
“Wonderedwhat?”saidMrs.Sutcliffecrossly.
“Whethertheremighthavebeensome—othermessageconcealedinit.Afterall—”hesmiled,“—Thereissuchathingasinvisibleink,youknow.”
“Invisibleink!”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,withagreatdealofdistaste,“doyoumeanthesortofthingtheyuseinspystories?”
“Well,I’mafraidIdomeanjustthat,”saidO’Connor,ratherapologetically.
“Howidiotic,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“I’msureBobwouldneveruseanythinglikeinvisibleink.Whyshouldhe?Hewasadearmatter-of-factsensibleperson.”Ateardrippeddownhercheekagain.“Ohdear,whereismybag?Imusthaveahandkerchief.PerhapsIleftitintheotherroom.”
“I’llgetitforyou,”saidO’Connor.
Hewentthroughthecommunicatingdoorandstoppedasayoungmaninoverallswhowasbendingoverasuitcasestraighteneduptofacehim,lookingratherstartled.
“Electrician,”saidtheyoungmanhurriedly.“Somethingwrongwiththelightshere.”
O’Connorflickedaswitch.
“Theyseemallrighttome,”hesaidpleasantly.
“Musthavegivenmethewrongroomnumber,”saidtheelectrician.
Hegathereduphistoolbagandslippedoutquicklythroughthedoortothecorridor.
O’Connorfrowned,pickedupMrs.Sutcliffe’sbagfromthedressingtableandtookitbacktoher.
“Excuseme,”hesaid,andpickedupthetelephonereceiver.“Room310here.Haveyoujustsentupanelectriciantoseetothelightinthissuite?Yes…Yes,I’llhangon.”
Hewaited.
“No?No,Ithoughtyouhadn’t.No,there’snothingwrong.”
HereplacedthereceiverandturnedtoMrs.Sutcliffe.
“There’snothingwrongwithanyofthelightshere,”hesaid.“Andtheofficedidn’tsendupanelectrician.”
“Thenwhatwasthatmandoing?Washeathief?”
“Hemayhavebeen.”
Mrs.Sutcliffelookedhurriedlyinherbag.“Hehasn’ttakenanythingoutofmybag.Themoneyisallright.”
“Areyousure,Mrs.Sutcliffe,absolutelysurethatyourbrotherdidn’tgiveyouanythingtotakehome,topackamongyourbelongings?”
“I’mabsolutelysure,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.
“Oryourdaughter—youhaveadaughter,haven’tyou?”
“Yes.She’sdownstairshavingtea.”
“Couldyourbrotherhavegivenanythingtoher?”
“No,I’msurehecouldn’t.”
“There’sanotherpossibility,”saidO’Connor.“Hemighthavehiddensomethinginyourbaggageamongyourbelongingsthatdaywhenhewaswaitingforyouinyourroom.”
“ButwhyshouldBobdosuchathing?Itsoundsabsolutelyabsurd.”
“It’snotquitesoabsurdasitsounds.ItseemspossiblethatPrinceAliYusufgaveyourbrothersomethingtokeepforhimandthatyourbrotherthoughtitwouldbesaferamongyourpossessionsthanifhekeptithimself.”
“Soundsveryunlikelytome,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.
“Iwondernow,wouldyoumindifwesearched?”
“Searchedthroughmyluggage,doyoumean?Unpack?”Mrs.Sutcliffe’svoicerosewithawailonthatword.
“Iknow,”saidO’Connor.“It’saterriblethingtoaskyou.Butitmightbeveryimportant.Icouldhelpyou,youknow,”hesaidpersuasively.“Ioftenusedtopackformymother.ShesaidIwasquiteagoodpacker.”
HeexertedallthecharmwhichwasoneofhisassetstoColonelPikeaway.
“Ohwell,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,yielding,“Isuppose—Ifyousayso—if,Imean,it’sreallyimportant—”
“Itmightbeveryimportant,”saidDerekO’Connor.“Well,now,”hesmiledather.“Supposewebegin.”
II
Three-quartersofanhourlaterJenniferreturnedfromhertea.Shelookedroundtheroomandgaveagaspofsurprise
“Mummy,whathaveyoubeendoing?”
“We’vebeenunpacking,”saidMrs.Sutcliffecrossly.“Nowwe’repackingthingsupagain.ThisisMr.O’Connor.MydaughterJennifer.”
“Butwhyareyoupackingandunpacking?”
“Don’taskmewhy,”snappedhermother.“ThereseemstobesomeideathatyourUncleBobputsomethinginmyluggagetobringhome.Hedidn’tgiveyouanything,Isuppose,Jennifer?”
“UncleBobgivemeanythingtobringback?No.Haveyoubeenunpackingmythingstoo?”
“We’veunpackedeverything,”saidDerekO’Connorcheerfully,“andwehaven’tfoundathingandnowwe’repackingthemupagain.Ithinkyououghttohaveadrinkofteaorsomething,Mrs.Sutcliffe.CanIorderyousomething?Abrandyandsodaperhaps?”Hewenttothetelephone.
“Iwouldn’tmindagoodcupoftea,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.
“Ihadasmashingtea,”saidJennifer.“BreadandbutterandsandwichesandcakeandthenthewaiterbroughtmemoresandwichesbecauseIaskedhimifhe’dmindandhesaidhedidn’t.Itwaslovely.”
O’Connororderedthetea,thenhefinishedpackingupMrs.Sutcliffe’sbelongingsagainwithaneatnessandadexteritywhichforcedherunwillingadmiration.
“Yourmotherseemstohavetrainedyoutopackverywell,”shesaid.
“Oh,I’veallsortsofhandyaccomplishments,”saidO’Connorsmiling.
Hismotherwaslongsincedead,andhisskillinpackingandunpackinghadbeenacquiredsolelyintheserviceofColonelPikeaway.
“There’sjustonethingmore,Mrs.Sutcliffe.I’dlikeyoutobeverycarefulofyourself.”
“Carefulofmyself?Inwhatway?”
“Well,”O’Connorleftitvague.“Revolutionsaretrickythings.Therearealotoframifications.AreyoustayinginLondonlong?”
“We’regoingdowntothecountrytomorrow.Myhusbandwillbedrivingusdown.”
“That’sallrightthen.But—don’ttakeanychances.Ifanythingintheleastoutoftheordinaryhappens,ring999straightaway.”
“Ooh!”saidJennifer,inhighdelight.“Dial999.I’vealwayswantedto.”
“Don’tbesilly,Jennifer,”saidhermother.
III
Extractfromaccountinalocalpaper.
AmanappearedbeforetheMagistrate’scourtyesterdaychargedwithbreakingintotheresidenceofMr.HenrySutcliffewithintenttosteal.Mrs.Sutcliffe’sbedroomwasransackedandleftinwildconfusionwhilstthemembersofthefamilywereatChurchonSundaymorning.Thekitchenstaffwhowerepreparingthemiddaymeal,heardnothing.Policearrestedthemanashewasmakinghisescapefromthehouse.Somethinghadevidentlyalarmedhimandhehadfledwithouttakinganything.GivinghisnameasAndrewBallofnofixedabode,hepleadedguilty.Hesaidhehadbeenoutofworkandwaslookingformoney.Mrs.Sutcliffe’sjewellery,apartfromafewpieceswhichshewaswearing,iskeptatherbank.
“Itoldyoutohavethelockofthatdrawingroomfrenchwindowseento,”hadbeenthecommentofMr.Sutcliffeinthefamilycircle.
“MydearHenry,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,“youdon’tseemtorealizethatIhavebeenabroadforthelastthreemonths.Andanyway,I’msureI’vereadsomewherethatifburglarswanttogetintheyalwayscan.”
Sheaddedwistfully,assheglancedagainatthelocalpaper:
“Howbeautifullygrand‘kitchenstaff’sounds.Sodifferentfromwhatitreallyis,oldMrs.Elliswhoisquitedeafandcanhardlystandupandthathalf-witteddaughteroftheBardwellswhocomesintohelponSundaymornings.”
“WhatIdon’tsee,”saidJennifer,“ishowthepolicefoundoutthehousewasbeingburgledandgothereintimetocatchhim?”
“Itseemsextraordinarythathedidn’ttakeanything,”commentedhermother
“Areyouquitesureaboutthat,Joan?”demandedherhusband.“Youwerealittledoubtfulatfirst.”
Mrs.Sutcliffegaveanexasperatedsigh
“It’simpossibletotellaboutathinglikethatstraightaway.Themessinmybedroom—thingsthrownabouteverywhere,drawerspulledoutandoverturned.IhadtolookthrougheverythingbeforeIcouldbesure—thoughnowIcometothinkofit,Idon’trememberseeingmybestJacqmarscarf.”
“I’msorry,Mummy.Thatwasme.ItblewoverboardintheMediterranean.I’dborrowedit.ImeanttotellyoubutIforgot.”
“Really,Jennifer,howoftenhaveIaskedyounottoborrowthingswithouttellingmefirst?”
“CanIhavesomemorepudding?”saidJennifer,creatingadiversion.
“Isupposeso.Really,Mrs.Ellishasawonderfullylighthand.Itmakesitworthwhilehavingtoshoutathersomuch.Idohope,though,thattheywon’tthinkyoutoogreedyatschool.Meadowbankisn’tquiteanordinaryschool,remember.”
“Idon’tknowthatIreallywanttogotoMeadowbank,”saidJennifer.“Iknewagirlwhosecousinhadbeenthere,andshesaiditwasawful.TheyspentalltheirtimetellingyouhowtogetinandoutofRolls-Royces,andhowtobehaveifyouwenttolunchwiththeQueen.”
“Thatwilldo,Jennifer,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“Youdon’tappreciatehowextremelyfortunateyouareinbeingadmittedtoMeadowbank.MissBulstrodedoesn’ttakeeverygirl,Icantellyou.It’sentirelyowingtoyourfather’simportantpositionandtheinfluenceofyourAuntRosamond.Youareexceedinglylucky.Andif,”addedMrs.Sutcliffe,“youareeveraskedtolunchwiththeQueen,itwillbeagoodthingforyoutoknowhowtobehave.”
“Ohwell,”saidJennifer.“IexpecttheQueenoftenhastohavepeopletolunchwhodon’tknowhowtobehave—Africanchiefsandjockeysandsheikhs.”
“Africanchiefshavethemostpolishedmanners,”saidherfather,whohadrecentlyreturnedfromashortbusinesstriptoGhana.
“SodoArabsheikhs,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“Reallycourtly.”
“D’yourememberthatsheikh’sfeastwewentto,”saidJennifer.“Andhowhepickedoutthesheep’seyeandgaveittoyou,andUncleBobnudgedyounottomakeafussandtoeatit?Imean,ifasheikhdidthatwithroastlambatBuckinghamPalace,itwouldgivetheQueenabitofajolt,wouldn’tit?”
“Thatwilldo,Jennifer,”saidhermotherandclosedthesubject.
IV
WhenAndrewBallofnofixedabodehadbeensentencedtothreemonthsforbreakingandentering,DerekO’Connor,whohadbeenoccupyingamodestpositionatthebackoftheMagistrate’sCourt,putthroughacalltoaMuseumnumber.
“Notathingonthefellowwhenwepickedhimup,”hesaid.“Wegavehimplentyoftimetoo.”
“Whowashe?Anyoneweknow?”
“OneoftheGeckolot,Ithink.Smalltime.Theyhirehimoutforthissortofthing.Notmuchbrainbuthe’ssaidtobethorough.”
“Andhetookhissentencelikealamb?”AttheotherendofthelineColonelPikeawaygrinnedashespoke.
“Yes.Perfectpictureofastupidfellowlapsedfromthestraightandnarrowpath.You’dneverconnecthimwithanybigtimestuff.That’shisvalue,ofcourse.”
“Andhedidn’tfindanything,”musedColonelPikeaway.“Andyoudidn’tfindanything.Itratherlooks,doesn’tit,asthoughthereisn’tanythingtofind?OurideathatRawlinsonplantedthesethingsonhissisterseemstohavebeenwrong.”
“Otherpeopleappeartohavethesameidea.”
“It’sabitobviousreally…Maybewearemeanttotakethebait.”
“Couldbe.Anyotherpossibilities?”
“Plentyofthem.ThestuffmaystillbeinRamat.HiddensomewhereintheRitzSavoyHotel,maybe.OrRawlinsonpassedittosomeoneonhiswaytotheairstrip.OrtheremaybesomethinginthathintofMr.Robinson’s.Awomanmayhavegotholdofit.OritcouldbethatMrs.Sutcliffehaditallthetimeunbeknownsttoherself,andflungitoverboardintheRedSeawithsomethingshehadnofurtherusefor.
“Andthat,”headdedthoughtfully,“mightbeallforthebest.”
“Oh,comenow,it’sworthalotofmoney,sir.”
“Humanlifeisworthalot,too,”saidColonelPikeaway.
Five
LETTERSFROMMEADOWBANKSCHOOL
LetterfromJuliaUpjohntohermother:
DearMummy,I’vesettledinnowandamlikingitverymuch.There’sagirlwhoisnewthistermtoocalledJenniferandsheandIratherdothingstogether.We’rebothawfullykeenontennis.She’srathergood.Shehasareallysmashingservewhenitcomesoff,butitdoesn’tusually.Shesaysherracquet’sgotwarpedfrombeingoutinthePersianGulf.It’sveryhotoutthere.ShewasinallthatRevolutionthathappened.Isaidwasn’titveryexciting,butshesaidno,theydidn’tseeanythingatall.TheyweretakenawaytotheEmbassyorsomethingandmissedit.MissBulstrodeisratheralamb,butshe’sprettyfrighteningtoo—orcanbe.Shegoeseasyonyouwhenyou’renew.BehindherbackeveryonecallsherTheBullorBully.We’retaughtEnglishliteraturebyMissRich,who’sterrific.Whenshegetsinarealstateherhaircomesdown.She’sgotaqueerbutratherexcitingfaceandwhenshereadsbitsofShakespeareitallseemsdifferentandreal.ShewentonatustheotherdayaboutIago,andwhathefelt—andalotaboutjealousyandhowitateintoyouandyousuffereduntilyouwentquitemadwantingtohurtthepersonyouloved.Itgaveusalltheshivers—exceptJennifer,becausenothingupsetsher.MissRichteachesusGeography,too.Ialwaysthoughtitwassuchadullsubject,butitisn’twithMissRich.Thismorningshetoldusallaboutthespicetradeandwhytheyhadtohavespicesbecauseofthingsgoingbadsoeasily.I’mstartingArtwithMissLaurie.ShecomestwiceaweekandtakesusuptoLondontoseepicturegalleriesaswell.WedoFrenchwithMademoiselleBlanche.Shedoesn’tkeeporderverywell.JennifersaysFrenchpeoplecan’t.Shedoesn’tgetcross,though,onlybored.Shesays“Enfin,vousm’ennuiez,mesenfants!”MissSpringerisawful.ShedoesgymandP.T.She’sgotgingerhairandsmellswhenshe’shot.Thenthere’sMissChadwick(Chaddy)—she’sbeenheresincetheschoolstarted.Sheteachesmathematicsandisratherfussy,butquitenice.Andthere’sMissVansittartwhoteachesHistoryandGerman.She’sasortofMissBulstrodewiththepepleftout.Therearealotofforeigngirlshere,twoItaliansandsomeGermans,andaratherjollySwede(she’saPrincessorsomething)andagirlwho’shalfTurkishandhalfPersianandwhosaysshewouldhavebeenmarriedtoPrinceAliYusufwhogotkilledinthataeroplanecrash,butJennifersaysthatisn’ttrue,thatShaistaonlysayssobecauseshewasakindofcousin,andyou’resupposedtomarryacousin.ButJennifersayshewasn’tgoingto.Helikedsomeoneelse.Jenniferknowsalotofthingsbutshewon’tusuallytellthem.Isupposeyou’llbestartingonyourtripsoon.Don’tleaveyourpassportbehindyoulikeyoudidlasttime!!!Andtakeyourfirstaidkitincaseyouhaveanaccident.LovefromJulia
LetterfromJenniferSutcliffetohermother:
DearMummy,Itreallyisn’tbadhere.I’menjoyingitmorethanIexpectedtodo.Theweatherhasbeenveryfine.Wehadtowriteacompositionyesterdayon“Canagoodqualitybecarriedtoexcess?”Icouldn’tthinkofanythingtosay.Nextweekitwillbe“ContrastthecharactersofJulietandDesdemona.”Thatseemssillytoo.DoyouthinkIcouldhaveanewtennisracquet?IknowyouhadminerestrunglastAutumn—butitfeelsallwrong.Perhapsit’sgotwarped.I’dratherliketolearnGreek.CanI?Ilovelanguages.SomeofusaregoingtoLondontoseetheballetnextweek.It’sSwanLake.Thefoodhereisjollygood.Yesterdaywehadchickenforlunch,andwehadlovelyhomemadecakesfortea.Ican’tthinkofanymorenews—haveyouhadanymoreburglaries?Yourlovingdaughter,Jennifer
LetterfromMargaretGore-West,SeniorPrefect,tohermother:
DearMummy,Thereisverylittlenews.IamdoingGermanwithMissVansittartthisterm.ThereisarumourthatMissBulstrodeisgoingtoretireandthatMissVansittartwillsucceedherbutthey’vebeensayingthatforoverayearnow,andI’msureitisn’ttrue.IaskedMissChadwick(ofcourseIwouldn’tdareaskMissBulstrode!)andshewasquitesharpaboutit.Saidcertainlynotanddon’tlistentogossip.WewenttotheballetonTuesday.SwanLake.Toodreamyforwords!PrincessIngridisratherfun.Veryblueeyes,butshewearsbracesonherteeth.TherearetwonewGermangirls.TheyspeakEnglishquitewell.MissRichisbackandlookingquitewell.Wedidmissherlastterm.ThenewGamesMistressiscalledMissSpringer.She’sterriblybossyandnobodylikeshermuch.Shecoachesyouintennisverywell,though.Oneofthenewgirls,JenniferSutcliffe,isgoingtobereallygood,Ithink.Herbackhand’sabitweak.HergreatfriendisagirlcalledJulia.WecallthemtheJays!Youwon’tforgetabouttakingmeoutonthe20th,willyou?SportsDayisJune19th.YourLovingMargaret
LetterfromAnnShaplandtoDennisRathbone:
DearDennis,Ishan’tgetanytimeoffuntilthethirdweekofterm.Ishouldliketodinewithyouthenverymuch.ItwouldhavetobeSaturdayorSunday.I’llletyouknow.Ifinditratherfunworkinginaschool.ButthankGodI’mnotaschoolmistress!I’dgoravingmad.Yoursever,Ann
LetterfromMissJohnsontohersister:
DearEdith,Everythingmuchthesameasusualhere.Thesummertermisalwaysnice.Thegardenislookingbeautifulandwe’vegotanewgardenertohelpoldBriggs—youngandstrong!Rathergood-looking,too,whichisapity.Girlsaresosilly.MissBulstrodehasn’tsaidanythingmoreaboutretiring,soIhopeshe’sgotovertheidea.MissVansittartwouldn’tbeatallthesamething.Ireallydon’tbelieveIwouldstayonGivemylovetoDickandtothechildren,andremembermetoOliverandKatewhenyouseethem.Elspeth
LetterfromMademoiselleAngèleBlanchetoRenéDupont,PostRestante,Bordeaux.
DearRené,Alliswellhere,thoughIcannotsaythatIamusemyself.Thegirlsareneitherrespectfulnorwell-behaved.Ithinkitbetter,however,nottocomplaintoMissBulstrode.Onehastobeonone’sguardwhendealingwiththatone!Thereisnothinginterestingatpresenttotellyou.Mouche
LetterfromMissVansittarttoafriend:
DearGloria,Thesummertermhasstartedsmoothly.Averysatisfactorysetofnewgirls.Theforeignersaresettlingdownwell.OurlittlePrincess(theMiddleEastone,nottheScandinavian)isinclinedtolackapplication,butIsupposeonehastoexpectthat.Shehasverycharmingmanners.ThenewGamesMistress,MissSpringer,isnotasuccess.Thegirlsdislikeherandsheisfartoohigh-handedwiththem.Afterall,thisisnotanordinaryschool.Wedon’tstandorfallbyP.T.!Sheisalsoveryinquisitive,andasksfartoomanypersonalquestions.Thatsortofthingcanbeverytrying,andissoillbred.MademoiselleBlanche,thenewFrenchMistress,isquiteamiablebutnotuptothestandardofMademoiselleDepuy.Wehadanearescapeonthefirstdayofterm.LadyVeronicaCarlton-Sandwaysturnedupcompletelyintoxicated!!ButforMissChadwickspottingitandheadingheroff,wemighthavehadamostunpleasantincident.Thetwinsaresuchnicegirls,too.MissBulstrodehasnotsaidanythingdefiniteyetaboutthefuture—butfromhermanner,Ithinkhermindisdefinitelymadeup.Meadowbankisareallyfineachievement,andIshallbeproudtocarryonitstraditions.GivemylovetoMarjoriewhenyouseeher.Yoursever,Eleanor
LettertoColonelPikeaway,sentthroughtheusualchannels:
Talkaboutsendingamanintodanger!I’mtheonlyable-bodiedmaleinanestablishmentof,roughly,somehundredandninetyfemales.HerHighnessarrivedinstyle.Cadillacofsquashedstrawberryandpastelblue,withWogNotableinnativedress,fashion-plate-from-Pariswife,andjunioreditionofsame(H.R.H.).Hardlyrecognizedherthenextdayinherschooluniform.Therewillbenodifficultyinestablishingfriendlyrelationswithher.Shehasalreadyseentothat.Wasaskingmethenamesofvariousflowersinasweetinnocentway,whenafemaleGorgonwithfreckles,redhair,andavoicelikeacorncrakeboredownuponherandremovedherfrommyvicinity.Shedidn’twanttogo.I’dalwaysunderstoodtheseOrientalgirlswerebroughtupmodestlybehindtheveil.ThisonemusthavehadalittleworldlyexperienceduringherschooldaysinSwitzerland,Ithink.TheGorgon,aliasMissSpringer,theGamesMistress,camebacktogivemearaspberry.Gardenstaffwerenottotalktothepupils,etc.Myturntoexpressinnocentsurprise.“Sorry,Miss.Theyoungladywasaskingwhattheseheredelphiniumswas.Supposetheydon’thavetheminthepartsshecomesfrom.”TheGorgonwaseasilypacified,intheendshealmostsimpered.LesssuccesswithMissBulstrode’ssecretary.Oneofthesecoatandskirtcountrygirls.Frenchmistressismorecooperative.Demureandmousytolookat,butnotsuchamousereally.Alsohavemadefriendswiththreepleasantgigglers,Christiannames,Pamela,LoisandMary,surnamesunknown,butofaristocraticlineage.AsharpoldwarhorsecalledMissChadwickkeepsawaryeyeonme,soI’mcarefulnottoblotmycopybook.Myboss,oldBriggs,isacrustykindofcharacterwhosechiefsubjectofconversationiswhatthingsusedtobeinthegoodolddays,whenhewas,Isuspect,thefourthofastaffoffive.Hegrumblesaboutmostthingsandpeople,buthasawholesomerespectforMissBulstrodeherself.SohaveI.Shehadafewwords,verypleasant,withme,butIhadahorridfeelingshewasseeingrightthroughmeandknowingallaboutme.Nosign,sofar,ofanythingsinister—butIliveinhope.Six
EARLYDAYS
I
IntheMistresses’CommonRoomnewswasbeingexchanged.Foreigntravel,playsseen,ArtExhibitionsvisited.Snapshotswerehandedround.Themenaceofcolouredtransparencieswasintheoffing.Alltheenthusiastswantedtoshowtheirownpictures,buttogetoutofbeingforcedtoseeotherpeople’s.
Presentlyconversationbecamelesspersonal.ThenewSportsPavilionwasbothcriticizedandadmired.Itwasadmittedtobeafinebuilding,butnaturallyeverybodywouldhavelikedtoimproveitsdesigninonewayoranother.
Thenewgirlswerethenbrieflypassedinreview,and,onthewhole,theverdictwasfavourable.
Alittlepleasantconversationwasmadetothetwonewmembersofthestaff.HadMademoiselleBlanchebeeninEnglandbefore?WhatpartofFrancedidshecomefrom?
MademoiselleBlancherepliedpolitelybutwithreserve.
MissSpringerwasmoreforthcoming.
Shespokewithemphasisanddecision.Itmightalmosthavebeensaidthatshewasgivingalecture.Subject:TheexcellenceofMissSpringer.Howmuchshehadbeenappreciatedasacolleague.Howheadmistresseshadacceptedheradvicewithgratitudeandhadreorganizedtheirschedulesaccordingly.
MissSpringerwasnotsensitive.Arestlessnessinheraudiencewasnotnoticedbyher.ItremainedforMissJohnsontoaskinhermildtones:
“Allthesame,Iexpectyourideashaven’talwaysbeenacceptedinthewaythey—er—shouldhavebeen.”
“Onemustbepreparedforingratitude,”saidMissSpringer.Hervoice,alreadyloud,becamelouder.“Thetroubleis,peoplearesocowardly—won’tfacefacts.Theyoftenprefernottoseewhat’sundertheirnosesallthetime.I’mnotlikethat.Igostraighttothepoint.MorethanonceI’veunearthedanastyscandal—broughtitintotheopen.I’veagoodnose—onceI’monthetrail,Idon’tleaveit—nottillI’vepinneddownmyquarry.”Shegavealoudjollylaugh.“Inmyopinion,nooneshouldteachinaschoolwhoselifeisn’tanopenbook.Ifanyone’sgotanythingtohide,onecansoontell.Oh!you’dbesurprisedifItoldyousomeofthethingsI’vefoundoutaboutpeople.Thingsthatnobodyelsehaddreamedof.”
“Youenjoyedthatexperience,yes?”saidMademoiselleBlanche.
“Ofcoursenot.Justdoingmyduty.ButIwasn’tbackedup.Shamefullaxness.SoIresigned—asaprotest.”
Shelookedroundandgaveherjollysportinglaughagain.
“Hopenobodyherehasanythingtohide,”shesaidgaily.
Nobodywasamused.ButMissSpringerwasnotthekindofwomantonoticethat.
II
“CanIspeaktoyou,MissBulstrode?”
MissBulstrodelaidherpenasideandlookedupintotheflushedfaceofthematron,MissJohnson.
“Yes,MissJohnson.”
“It’sthatgirlShaista—theEgyptiangirlorwhateversheis.”
“Yes?”
“It’sher—er—underclothing.”
MissBulstrode’seyebrowsroseinpatientsurprise.
“Her—well—herbustbodice.”
“Whatiswrongwithherbrassière?”
“Well—itisn’tanordinarykind—Imeanitdoesn’tholdherin,exactly.It—er—wellitpushesherup—reallyquiteunnecessarily.”
MissBulstrodebitherliptokeepbackasmile,assooftenwhenincolloquywithMissJohnson.
“PerhapsI’dbettercomeandlookatit,”shesaidgravely.
AkindofinquestwasthenheldwiththeoffendingcontraptionhelduptodisplaybyMissJohnson,whilstShaistalookedonwithlivelyinterest.
“It’sthissortofwireand—er—boningarrangement,”saidMissJohnsonwithdisapprobation.
Shaistaburstintoanimatedexplanation
“Butyouseemybreaststheyarenotverybig—notnearlybigenough.Idonotlookenoughlikeawoman.Anditisveryimportantforagirl—toshowsheisawomanandnotaboy.”
“Plentyoftimeforthat.You’reonlyfifteen,”saidMissJohnson.
“Fifteen—thatisawoman!AndIlooklikeawoman,doInot?”
SheappealedtoMissBulstrodewhonoddedgravely.
“Onlymybreasts,theyarepoor.SoIwanttomakethemlooknotsopoor.Youunderstand?”
“Iunderstandperfectly,”saidMissBulstrode.“AndIquiteseeyourpointofview.Butinthisschool,yousee,youareamongstgirlswhoare,forthemostpart,English,andEnglishgirlsarenotveryoftenwomenattheageoffifteen.Ilikemygirlstousemakeupdiscreetlyandtowearclothessuitabletotheirstageofgrowth.IsuggestthatyouwearyourbrassièrewhenyouaredressedforapartyorforgoingtoLondon,butnoteverydayhere.Wedoagooddealofsportsandgameshereandforthatyourbodyneedstobefreetomoveeasily.”
“Itistoomuch—allthisrunningandjumping,”saidShaistasulkily,“andtheP.T.IdonotlikeMissSpringer—shealwayssays,‘Faster,faster,donotslack.’Igettired.”
“Thatwilldo,Shaista,”saidMissBulstrode,hervoicebecomingauthoritative.“YourfamilyhassentyouheretolearnEnglishways.Allthisexercisewillbeverygoodforyourcomplexion,andfordevelopingyourbust.”
DismissingShaista,shesmiledattheagitatedMissJohnson.
“It’squitetrue,”shesaid.“Thegirlisfullymature.Shemighteasilybeovertwentybythelookofher.Andthatiswhatshefeelslike.Youcan’texpecthertofeelthesameageasJuliaUpjohn,forinstance.IntellectuallyJuliaisfaraheadofShaista.Physically,shecouldquitewellwearalibertybodicestill.”
“IwishtheywerealllikeJuliaUpjohn,”saidMissJohnson.
“Idon’t,”saidMissBulstrodebriskly.“Aschoolfulofgirlsallalikewouldbeverydull.”
Dull,shethought,asshewentbacktohermarkingofScriptureessays.Thatwordhadbeenrepeatingitselfinherbrainforsometimenow.Dull….
Iftherewasonethingherschoolwasnot,itwasdull.Duringhercareerasitsheadmistress,sheherselfhadneverfeltdull.Therehadbeendifficultiestocombat,unforeseencrises,irritationswithparents,withchildren:domesticupheavals.Shehadmetanddealtwithincipientdisastersandturnedthemintotriumphs.Ithadallbeenstimulating,exciting,supremelyworthwhile.Andevennow,thoughshehadmadeuphermindtoit,shedidnotwanttogo.
Shewasphysicallyinexcellenthealth,almostastoughaswhensheandChaddy(faithfulChaddy!)hadstartedthegreatenterprisewithamerehandfulofchildrenandbackingfromabankerofunusualforesight.Chaddy’sacademicdistinctionshadbeenbetterthanhers,butitwasshewhohadhadthevisiontoplanandmakeoftheschoolaplaceofsuchdistinctionthatitwasknownalloverEurope.Shehadneverbeenafraidtoexperiment,whereasChaddyhadbeencontenttoteachsoundlybutunexcitinglywhatsheknew.Chaddy’ssupremeachievementhadalwaysbeentobethere,athand,thefaithfulbuffer,quicktorenderassistancewhenassistancewasneeded.AsontheopeningdayoftermwithLadyVeronica.Itwasonhersolidity,MissBulstrodereflected,thatanexcitingedificehadbeenbuilt.
Well,fromthematerialpointofview,bothwomenhaddoneverywelloutofit.Iftheyretirednow,theywouldbothhaveagoodassuredincomefortherestoftheirlives.MissBulstrodewonderedifChaddywouldwanttoretirewhensheherselfdid?Probablynot.Probably,toher,theschoolwashome.Shewouldcontinue,faithfulandreliable,tobuttressupMissBulstrode’ssuccessor.
BecauseMissBulstrodehadmadeuphermind—asuccessortheremustbe.Firstlyassociatedwithherselfinjointruleandthentorulealone.Toknowwhentogo—thatwasoneofthegreatnecessitiesoflife.Togobeforeone’spowersbegantofail,one’ssuregriptoloosen,beforeonefeltthefaintstaleness,theunwillingnesstoenvisagecontinuingeffort.
MissBulstrodefinishedmarkingtheessaysandnotedthattheUpjohnchildhadanoriginalmind.JenniferSutcliffehadacompletelackofimagination,butshowedanunusuallysoundgraspoffacts.MaryVyse,ofcourse,wasscholarshipclass—awonderfulretentivememory.Butwhatadullgirl!Dull—thatwordagain.MissBulstrodedismisseditfromhermindandrangforhersecretary.
Shebegantodictateletters.
DearLadyValence.Janehashadsometroublewithherears.Ienclosethedoctor’sreport—etc.
DearBaronVonEisenger.WecancertainlyarrangeforHedwigtogototheOperaontheoccasionofHellstern’stakingtheroleofIsolda—
Anhourpassedswiftly.MissBulstrodeseldompausedforaword.AnnShapland’spencilracedoverthepad.
Averygoodsecretary,MissBulstrodethoughttoherself.BetterthanVeraLorrimer.Tiresomegirl,Vera.Throwingupherpostsosuddenly.Anervousbreakdown,shehadsaid.Somethingtodowithaman,MissBulstrodethoughtresignedly.Itwasusuallyaman.
“That’sthelot,”saidMissBulstrode,asshedictatedthelastword.Sheheavedasighofrelief.
“Somanydullthingstobedone,”sheremarked.“Writingletterstoparentsislikefeedingdogs.Popsomesoothingplatitudeintoeverywaitingmouth.”
Annlaughed.MissBulstrodelookedatherappraisingly.
“Whatmadeyoutakeupsecretarialwork?”
“Idon’tquiteknow.Ihadnospecialbentforanythinginparticular,andit’sthesortofthingalmosteverybodydriftsinto.”
“Youdon’tfinditmonotonous?”
“IsupposeI’vebeenlucky.I’vehadalotofdifferentjobs.IwaswithSirMervynTodhunter,thearchaeologist,forayear,thenIwaswithSirAndrewPetersinShell.IwassecretarytoMonicaLord,theactress,forawhile—thatreallywashectic!”Shesmiledinremembrance.
“There’salotofthatnowadaysamongstyougirls,”saidMissBulstrode.“Allthischoppingandchanging.”Shesoundeddisapproving.
“Actually,Ican’tdoanythingforverylong.I’vegotaninvalidmother.She’srather—well—difficultfromtimetotime.AndthenIhavetogobackhomeandtakecharge.”
“Isee.”
“Butallthesame,I’mafraidIshouldchopandchangeanyway.Ihaven’tgotthegiftforcontinuity.Ifindchoppingandchangingfarlessdull.”
“Dull…”murmuredMissBulstrode,struckagainbythefatalword.
Annlookedatherinsurprise.
“Don’tmindme,”saidMissBulstrode.“It’sjustthatsometimesoneparticularwordseemstocropupallthetime.Howwouldyouhavelikedtobeaschoolmistress?”sheasked,withsomecuriosity.
“I’mafraidIshouldhateit,”saidAnnfrankly.
“Why?”
“I’dfinditterriblydull—Oh,Iamsorry.”
Shestoppedindismay.
“Teachingisn’tintheleastdull,”saidMissBulstrodewithspirit.“Itcanbethemostexcitingthingintheworld.IshallmissitterriblywhenIretire.”
“Butsurely—”Annstaredather.“Areyouthinkingofretiring?”
“It’sdecided—yes.Oh,Ishan’tgoforanotheryear—oreventwoyears.”
“But—why?”
“BecauseI’vegivenmybesttotheschool—andhadthebestfromit.Idon’twantsecondbest.”
“Theschoolwillcarryon?”
“Ohyes.Ihaveagoodsuccessor.”
“MissVansittart,Isuppose?”
“Soyoufixonherautomatically?”MissBulstrodelookedathersharply,“That’sinteresting—”
“I’mafraidIhadn’treallythoughtaboutit.I’vejustoverheardthestafftalking.Ishouldthinkshe’llcarryonverywell—exactlyinyourtradition.Andshe’sverystriking-looking,handsomeandwithquiteapresence.Iimaginethat’simportant,isn’tit?”
“Yes,itis.Yes,I’msureEleanorVansittartistherightperson.”
“She’llcarryonwhereyouleaveoff,”saidAnngatheringupherthings.
ButdoIwantthat?thoughtMissBulstrodetoherselfasAnnwentout.CarryonwhereIleaveoff?That’sjustwhatEleanorwilldo!Nonewexperiments,nothingrevolutionary.Thatwasn’tthewayImadeMeadowbankwhatitis.Itookchances.Iupsetlotsofpeople.Ibulliedandcajoled,andrefusedtofollowthepatternofotherschools.Isn’tthatwhatIwanttofollowonherenow?Someonetopournewlifeintotheschool.Somedynamicpersonality…like—yes—EileenRich.
ButEileenwasn’toldenough,hadn’tenoughexperience.Shewasstimulating,though,shecouldteach.Shehadideas.Shewouldneverbedull—Nonsense,shemustgetthatwordoutofhermind.EleanorVansittartwasnotdull….
ShelookedupasMissChadwickcamein.
“Oh,Chaddy,”shesaid.“Iampleasedtoseeyou!”
MissChadwicklookedalittlesurprised
“Why?Isanythingthematter?”
“I’mthematter.Idon’tknowmyownmind.”
“That’sveryunlikeyou,Honoria.”
“Yes,isn’tit?How’sthetermgoing,Chaddy?”
“Quiteallright,Ithink.”MissChadwicksoundedalittleunsure.
MissBulstrodepounced.
“Nowthen.Don’thedge.What’swrong?”
“Nothing.Really,Honoria,nothingatall.It’sjust—”MissChadwickwrinkledupherforeheadandlookedratherlikeaperplexedBoxerdog—“Oh,afeeling.Butreallyit’snothingthatIcanputafingeron.Thenewgirlsseemapleasantlot.Idon’tcareforMademoiselleBlancheverymuch.ButthenIdidn’tlikeGenevièveDepuy,either.Sly.”
MissBulstrodedidnotpayverymuchattentiontothiscriticism.ChaddyalwaysaccusedtheFrenchmistressesofbeingsly.
“She’snotagoodteacher,”saidMissBulstrode.“Surprisingreally.Hertestimonialsweresogood.”
“TheFrenchnevercanteach.Nodiscipline,”saidMissChadwick.“AndreallyMissSpringerisalittletoomuchofagoodthing!Leapsaboutso.Springerbynatureaswellasbyname….”
“She’sgoodatherjob.”
“Ohyes,firstclass.”
“Newstaffisalwaysupsetting,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Yes,”agreedMissChadwickeagerly.“I’msureit’snothingmorethanthat.Bytheway,thatnewgardenerisquiteyoung.Sounusualnowadays.Nogardenersseemtobeyoung.Apityhe’ssogood-looking.Weshallhavetokeepasharpeyeopen.”
Thetwoladiesnoddedtheirheadsinagreement.Theyknew,nonebetter,thehavoccausedbyagood-lookingyoungmantotheheartsofadolescentgirls.
Seven
STRAWSINTHEWIND
I
“Nottoobad,boy,”saidoldBriggsgrudgingly,“nottoobad.”
Hewasexpressingapprovalofhisnewassistant’sperformanceindiggingastripofground.Itwouldn’tdo,thoughtBriggs,tolettheyoungfellowgetabovehimself.
“Mindyou,”hewenton,“youdon’twanttorushatthings.Takeitsteady,that’swhatIsay.Steadyiswhatdoesit.”
TheyoungmanunderstoodthathisperformancehadcomparedrathertoofavourablywithBriggs’sowntempoofwork.
“Now,alongthishere,”continuedBriggs,“we’llputsomeniceastersout.Shedon’tlikeasters—butIpaynoattention.Femaleshastheirwhims,butifyoudon’tpaynoattention,tentoonetheynevernotice.ThoughIwillsaySheisthenoticingkindonthewhole.You’dthinkshe’adenoughtobotherherheadabout,runningaplacelikethis.”
Adamunderstoodthat“She”whofiguredsolargelyinBriggs’sconversationreferredtoMissBulstrode
“AndwhowasitIsawyoutalkingtojustnow?”wentonBriggssuspiciously,“whenyouwentalongtothepottingshedforthembamboos?”
“Oh,thatwasjustoneoftheyoungladies,”saidAdam.
“Ah.OneofthemtwoEye-ties,wasn’tit?Nowyoubecareful,myboy.Don’tyougetmixedupwithnoEye-ties,IknowwhatI’mtalkin’about.IknewEye-ties,Idid,inthefirstwarandifI’dknownthenwhatIknownowI’dhavebeenmorecareful.See?”
“Wasn’tnoharminit,”saidAdam,puttingonasulkymanner.“Justpassedthetimeofdaywithme,shedid,andaskedthenamesofoneortwothings.”
“Ah,”saidBriggs,“butyoubecareful.It’snotyourplacetotalktoanyoftheyoungladies.Shewouldn’tlikeit.”
“Iwasn’tdoingnoharmandIdidn’tsayanythingIshouldn’t.”
“Idon’tsayyoudid,boy.ButIsayaloto’youngfemalespenneduptogetherherewithnotsomuchasadrawingmastertotaketheirmindsoffthings—well,you’dbetterbecareful.That’sall.Ah,herecomestheOldBitchnow.Wantingsomethingdifficult,I’llbebound.”
MissBulstrodewasapproachingwitharapidstep.“Goodmorning,Briggs,”shesaid.“Goodmorning—er—”
“Adam,miss.”
“Ahyes,Adam.Well,youseemtohavegotthatpiecedugverysatisfactorily.Thewirenetting’scomingdownbythefartenniscourt,Briggs.You’dbetterattendtothat.”
“Allright,ma’am,allright.It’llbeseento.”
“Whatareyouputtinginfronthere?”
“Wellma’am,Ihadthought—”
“Notasters,”saidMissBulstrode,withoutgivinghimtimetofinish“PomPomdahlias,”andshedepartedbriskly.
“Comingalong—givingorders,”saidBriggs.“Notthatsheisn’tasharpone.Shesoonnoticesifyouhaven’tdoneworkproperly.AndrememberwhatI’vesaidandbecareful,boy.AboutEye-tiesandtheothers.”
“Ifshe’sanyfaulttofindwithme,I’llsoonknowwhatIcando,”saidAdamsulkily.“Plentyo’jobsgoing.”
“Ah.That’slikeyouyoungmenallovernowadays.Won’ttakeawordfromanybody.AllIsayis,mindyourstep.”
Adamcontinuedtolooksulky,butbenttohisworkoncemore.
MissBulstrodewalkedbackalongthepathtowardstheschool.Shewasfrowningalittle.
MissVansittartwascomingintheoppositedirection.
“Whatahotafternoon,”saidMissVansittart.
“Yes,it’sverysultryandoppressive.”AgainMissBulstrodefrowned.“Haveyounoticedthatyoungman—theyounggardener?”
“No,notparticularly.”
“Heseemstome—well—anoddtype,”saidMissBulstrodethoughtfully.“Nottheusualkindaroundhere.”
“Perhapshe’sjustcomedownfromOxfordandwantstomakealittlemoney.”
“He’sgood-looking.Thegirlsnoticehim.”
“Theusualproblem.”
MissBulstrodesmiled.“Tocombinefreedomforthegirlsandstrictsupervision—isthatwhatyoumean,Eleanor?”
“Yes.”
“Wemanage,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Yes,indeed.You’veneverhadascandalatMeadowbank,haveyou?”
“We’vecomenearitonceortwice,”saidMissBulstrode.Shelaughed.“Neveradullmomentinrunningaschool.”Shewenton,“Doyoueverfindlifedullhere,Eleanor?”
“Noindeed,”saidMissVansittart.“Ifindtheworkheremoststimulatingandsatisfying.Youmustfeelveryproudandhappy,Honoria,atthegreatsuccessyouhaveachieved.”
“IthinkImadeagoodjobofthings,”saidMissBulstrodethoughtfully.“Nothing,ofcourse,iseverquiteasonefirstimaginedit….
“Tellme,Eleanor,”shesaidsuddenly,“ifyouwererunningthisplaceinsteadofme,whatchangeswouldyoumake?Don’tmindsaying.Ishallbeinterestedtohear.”
“Idon’tthinkIshouldwanttomakeanychanges,”saidEleanorVansittart.“Itseemstomethespiritoftheplaceandthewholeorganizationiswell-nighperfect.”
“You’dcarryononthesamelines,youmean?”
“Yes,indeed.Idon’tthinktheycouldbebettered.”MissBulstrodewassilentforamoment.Shewasthinkingtoherself:Iwonderifshesaidthatinordertopleaseme.Oneneverknowswithpeople.Howeverclosetothemyoumayhavebeenforyears.Surely,shecan’treallymeanthat.Anybodywithanycreativefeelingatallmustwanttomakechanges.It’strue,though,thatitmightn’thaveseemedtactfultosayso…Andtactisveryimportant.It’simportantwithparents,it’simportantwiththegirls,it’simportantwiththestaff.Eleanorcertainlyhastact.
Aloud,shesaid,“Theremustalwaysbeadjustments,though,mustn’tthere?Imeanwithchangingideasandconditionsoflifegenerally.”
“Oh,that,yes,”saidMissVansittart.“Onehas,astheysay,togowiththetimes.Butit’syourschool,Honoria,you’vemadeitwhatitisandyourtraditionsaretheessenceofit.Ithinktraditionisveryimportant,don’tyou?”
MissBulstrodedidnotanswer.Shewashoveringonthebrinkofirrevocablewords.Theofferofapartnershiphungintheair.MissVansittart,thoughseemingunawareinherwell-bredway,mustbeconsciousofthefactthatitwasthere.MissBulstrodedidnotknowreallywhatwasholdingherback.Whydidshesodisliketocommitherself?Probably,sheadmittedruefully,becauseshehatedtheideaofgivingupcontrol.Secretly,ofcourse,shewantedtostay,shewantedtogoonrunningherschool.ButsurelynobodycouldbeaworthiersuccessorthanEleanor?Sodependable,soreliable.Ofcourse,asfarasthatwent,sowasdearChaddy—reliableastheycame.AndyetyoucouldneverenvisageChaddyasheadmistressofanoutstandingschool.
“WhatdoIwant?”saidMissBulstrodetoherself.“HowtiresomeIambeing!Really,indecisionhasneverbeenoneofmyfaultsuptonow.”
Abellsoundedinthedistance.
“MyGermanclass,”saidMissVansittart.“Imustgoin.”Shemovedatarapidbutdignifiedsteptowardstheschoolbuildings.Followinghermoreslowly,MissBulstrodealmostcollidedwithEileenRich,hurryingfromasidepath.
“Oh,I’msosorry,MissBulstrode.Ididn’tseeyou.”Herhair,asusual,wasescapingfromitsuntidybun.MissBulstrodenotedanewtheuglybutinterestingbonesofherface,astrange,eager,compellingyoungwoman.
“You’vegotaclass?”
“Yes.English—”
“Youenjoyteaching,don’tyou?”saidMissBulstrode.
“Iloveit.It’sthemostfascinatingthingintheworld.”
“Why?”
EileenRichstoppeddead.Sheranahandthroughherhair.Shefrownedwiththeeffortofthought.
“Howinteresting.Idon’tknowthatI’vereallythoughtaboutit.Whydoesoneliketeaching?Isitbecauseitmakesonefeelgrandandimportant?No,no…it’snotasbadasthat.No,it’smorelikefishing,Ithink.Youdon’tknowwhatcatchyou’regoingtoget,whatyou’regoingtodragupfromthesea.It’sthequalityoftheresponse.It’ssoexcitingwhenitcomes.Itdoesn’tveryoften,ofcourse.”
MissBulstrodenoddedinagreement.Shehadbeenright!Thisgirlhadsomething!
“Iexpectyou’llrunaschoolofyourownsomeday,”shesaid.
“Oh,Ihopeso,”saidEileenRich.“Idohopeso.That’swhatI’dlikeaboveanything.”
“You’vegotideasalready,haven’tyou,astohowaschoolshouldberun?”
“Everyonehasideas,Isuppose,”saidEileenRich.“Idaresayagreatmanyofthemarefantasticandthey’dgoutterlywrong.Thatwouldbearisk,ofcourse.Butonewouldhavetotrythemout.Iwouldhavetolearnbyexperience…Theawfulthingisthatonecan’tgobyotherpeople’sexperience,canone?”
“Notreally,”saidMissBulstrode.“Inlifeonehastomakeone’sownmistakes.”
“That’sallrightinlife,”saidEileenRich.“Inlifeyoucanpickyourselfupandstartagain.”Herhands,hangingathersides,clenchedthemselvesintofists.Herexpressionwasgrim.Thensuddenlyitrelaxedintohumour.“Butifaschool’sgonetopieces,youcan’tverywellpickthatupandstartagain,canyou?”
“IfyouranaschoollikeMeadowbank,”saidMissBulstrode,“wouldyoumakechanges—experiment?”
EileenRichlookedembarrassed.“That’s—that’sanawfullyhardthingtosay,”shesaid.
“Youmeanyouwould,”saidMissBulstrode.“Don’tmindspeakingyourmind,child.”
“Onewouldalwayswant,Isuppose,touseone’sownideas,”saidEileenRich.“Idon’tsaythey’dwork.Theymightn’t.”
“Butitwouldbeworthtakingarisk?”
“It’salwaysworthtakingarisk,isn’tit?”saidEileenRich.“Imeanifyoufeelstronglyenoughaboutanything.”
“Youdon’tobjecttoleadingadangerouslife.Isee…”saidMissBulstrode.
“IthinkI’vealwaysledadangerouslife.”Ashadowpassedoverthegirl’sface.“Imustgo.They’llbewaiting.”Shehurriedoff.
MissBulstrodestoodlookingafterher.ShewasstillstandingtherelostinthoughtwhenMissChadwickcamehurryingtofindher.
“Oh!thereyouare.We’vebeenlookingeverywhereforyou.ProfessorAndersonhasjustrungup.HewantstoknowifhecantakeMeroethisnextweekend.Heknowsit’sagainsttherulessosoonbuthe’sgoingoffquitesuddenlyto—somewherethatsoundslikeAzureBasin.”
“Azerbaijan,”saidMissBulstrodeautomatically,hermindstillonherownthoughts.
“Notenoughexperience,”shemurmuredtoherself.“That’stherisk.Whatdidyousay,Chaddy?”
MissChadwickrepeatedthemessage.
“ItoldMissShaplandtosaythatwe’dringhimback,andsenthertofindyou.”
“Sayitwillbequiteallright,”saidMissBulstrode.“Irecognizethatthisisanexceptionaloccasion.”
MissChadwicklookedatherkeenly.
“You’reworrying,Honoria.”
“Yes,Iam.Idon’treallyknowmyownmind.That’sunusualforme—anditupsetsme…IknowwhatI’dliketodo—butIfeelthattohandovertosomeonewithoutthenecessaryexperiencewouldn’tbefairtotheschool.”
“Iwishyou’dgiveupthisideaofretirement.Youbelonghere.Meadowbankneedsyou.”
“Meadowbankmeansalottoyou,Chaddy,doesn’tit?”
“There’snoschoollikeitanywhereinEngland,”saidMissChadwick.“Wecanbeproudofourselves,youandI,forhavingstartedit.”
MissBulstrodeputanaffectionatearmroundhershoulders.“Wecanindeed,Chaddy.Asforyou,you’rethecomfortofmylife.There’snothingaboutMeadowbankyoudon’tknow.YoucareforitasmuchasIdo.Andthat’ssayingalot,mydear.”
MissChadwickflushedwithpleasure.ItwassoseldomthatHonoriaBulstrodebrokethroughherreserve.
II
“Isimplycan’tplaywiththebeastlything.It’snogood.”
Jenniferflungherracquetdownindespair.
“Oh,Jennifer,whatafussyoumake.”
“It’sthebalance,”Jenniferpickeditupagainandwaggleditexperimentally.“Itdoesn’tbalanceright.”
“It’smuchbetterthanmyoldthing,”Juliacomparedherracquet.“Mine’slikeasponge.Listentothesoundofit.”Shetwanged.“Wemeanttohaveitrestrung,butMummyforgot.”
“I’dratherhaveitthanmine,allthesame.”Jennifertookitandtriedaswishortwowithit.
“Well,I’dratherhaveyours.Icouldreallyhitsomethingthen.I’llswap,ifyouwill.”
“Allrightthen,swap.”
Thetwogirlspeeledoffthesmallpiecesofadhesiveplasteronwhichtheirnameswerewritten,andreaffixedthem,eachtotheother’sracquet.
“I’mnotgoingtoswapbackagain,”saidJuliawarningly.“Soit’snousesayingyoudon’tlikemyoldsponge.”
III
Adamwhistledcheerfullyashetackedupthewirenettingroundthetenniscourt.ThedooroftheSportsPavilionopenedandMademoiselleBlanche,thelittlemousyFrenchMistress,lookedout.SheseemedstartledatthesightofAdam.Shehesitatedforamomentandthenwentbackinside.
“Wonderwhatshe’sbeenupto,”saidAdamtohimself.ItwouldnothaveoccurredtohimthatMademoiselleBlanchehadbeenuptoanything,ifithadnotbeenforhermanner.Shehadaguiltylookwhichimmediatelyrousedsurmiseinhismind.Presentlyshecameoutagain,closingthedoorbehindher,andpausedtospeakasshepassedhim.
“Ah,yourepairthenetting,Isee.”
“Yes,miss.”
“Theyareveryfinecourtshere,andtheswimmingpoolandthepaviliontoo.Oh!lesport!YouthinkalotinEnglandoflesport,doyounot?”
“Well,Isupposewedo,miss.”
“Doyouplaytennisyourself?”Hereyesappraisedhiminadefinitelyfemininewayandwithafaintinvitationinherglance.Adamwonderedoncemoreabouther.ItstruckhimthatMademoiselleBlanchewasasomewhatunsuitableFrenchMistressforMeadowbank.
“No,”hesaiduntruthfully,“Idon’tplaytennis.Haven’tgotthetime.”
“Youplaycricket,then?”
“Ohwell,Iplayedcricketasaboy.Mostchapsdo.”
“Ihavenothadmuchtimetolookaround,”saidAngèleBlanche.“NotuntiltodayanditwassofineIthoughtIwouldliketoexaminetheSportsPavilion.IwishtowritehometomyfriendsinFrancewhokeepaschool.”
AgainAdamwonderedalittle.Itseemedalotofunnecessaryexplanation.ItwasalmostasthoughMademoiselleBlanchewishedtoexcuseherpresenceouthereattheSportsPavilion.Butwhyshouldshe?Shehadaperfectrighttogoanywhereintheschoolgroundsthatshepleased.Therewascertainlynoneedtoapologizeforittoagardener’sassistant.Itraisedqueriesagaininhismind.WhathadthisyoungwomanbeendoingintheSportsPavilion?
HelookedthoughtfullyatMademoiselleBlanche.Itwouldbeagoodthingperhapstoknowalittlemoreabouther.Subtly,deliberately,hismannerchanged.Itwasstillrespectfulbutnotquitesorespectful.Hepermittedhiseyestotellherthatshewasanattractive-lookingyoungwoman.
“Youmustfinditabitdullsometimesworkinginagirls’school,miss,”hesaid.
“Itdoesnotamusemeverymuch,no.”
“Still,”saidAdam,“Isupposeyougetyourtimesoff,don’tyou?”
Therewasaslightpause.Itwasasthoughsheweredebatingwithherself.Then,hefeltitwaswithslightregret,thedistancebetweenthemwasdeliberatelywidened.
“Ohyes,”shesaid,“Ihaveadequatetimeoff.Theconditionsofemploymenthereareexcellent.”Shegavehimalittlenodofthehead.“Goodmorning.”Shewalkedofftowardsthehouse.
“You’vebeenuptosomething,”saidAdamtohimself,“intheSportsPavilion.”
Hewaitedtillshewasoutofsight,thenhelefthiswork,wentacrosstotheSportsPavilionandlookedinside.Butnothingthathecouldseewasoutofplace.“Allthesame,”hesaidtohimself,“shewasuptosomething.”
Ashecameoutagain,hewasconfrontedunexpectedlybyAnnShapland.
“DoyouknowwhereMissBulstrodeis?”sheasked.
“Ithinkshe’sgonebacktothehouse,miss.ShewastalkingtoBriggsjustnow.”
Annwasfrowning.
“WhatareyoudoingintheSportsPavilion?”
Adamwasslightlytakenaback.Nastysuspiciousmindshe’sgot,hethought.Hesaid,withafaintinsolenceinhisvoice:
“ThoughtI’dliketotakealookatit.Noharminlooking,isthere?”
“Oughtn’tyoutobegettingonwithyourwork?”
“I’vejustaboutfinishednailingthewireroundthetenniscourt.”Heturned,lookingupatthebuildingbehindhim.“Thisisnew,isn’tit?Musthavecostapacket.Thebestofeverythingtheyoungladieshereget,don’tthey?”
“Theypayforit,”saidAnndryly.
“Paythroughthenose,soI’veheard,”agreedAdam.
Hefeltadesirehehardlyunderstoodhimself,towoundorannoythisgirl.Shewassocoolalways,soself-sufficient.Hewouldreallyenjoyseeingherangry.
ButAnndidnotgivehimthatsatisfaction.Shemerelysaid:
“You’dbetterfinishtackingupthenetting,”andwentbacktowardsthehouse.Halfwaythere,sheslackenedspeedandlookedback.Adamwasbusyatthetenniswire.ShelookedfromhimtotheSportsPavilioninapuzzledmanner.
Eight
MURDER
I
OnnightdutyinHurstSt.CyprianPoliceStation,SergeantGreenyawned.Thetelephonerangandhepickedupthereceiver.Amomentlaterhismannerhadchangedcompletely.Hebeganscribblingrapidlyonapad.
“Yes?Meadowbank?Yes—andthename?Spellit,please.S-P-R-I-N-G-forgreengage?-E-R.Springer.Yes.Yes,pleaseseethatnothingisdisturbed.Someone’llbewithyouveryshortly.”
Rapidlyandmethodicallyhethenproceededtoputintomotionthevariousproceduresindicated.
“Meadowbank?”saidDetectiveInspectorKelseywhenhisturncame.“That’sthegirls’school,isn’tit?Whoisitwho’sbeenmurdered?”
“DeathofaGamesMistress,”saidKelsey,thoughtfully.“Soundslikethetitleofathrilleronarailwaybookstall.”
“Who’slikelytohavedoneherin,d’youthink?”saidtheSergeant.“Seemsunnatural.”
“EvenGamesMistressesmayhavetheirlovelives,”saidDetectiveInspectorKelsey.“Wheredidtheysaythebodywasfound?”
“IntheSportsPavilion.Isupposethat’safancynameforthegymnasium.”
“Couldbe,”saidKelsey.“DeathofaGamesMistressintheGymnasium.Soundsahighlyathleticcrime,doesn’tit?Didyousayshewasshot?”
“Yes.”
“Theyfindthepistol?”
“No.”
“Interesting,”saidDetectiveInspectorKelsey,andhavingassembledhisretinue,hedepartedtocarryouthisduties.
II
ThefrontdooratMeadowbankwasopen,withlightstreamingfromit,andhereInspectorKelseywasreceivedbyMissBulstrodeherself.Heknewherbysight,asindeedmostpeopleintheneighbourhooddid.Eveninthismomentofconfusionanduncertainty,MissBulstroderemainedeminentlyherself,incommandofthesituationandincommandofhersubordinates.
“DetectiveInspectorKelsey,madam,”saidtheInspector.
“Whatwouldyouliketodofirst,InspectorKelsey?DoyouwishtogoouttotheSportsPavilionordoyouwanttohearfulldetails?”
“Thedoctoriswithme,”saidKelsey.“Ifyouwillshowhimandtwoofmymentowherethebodyis,Ishouldlikeafewwordswithyou.”
“Certainly.Comeintomysittingroom.MissRowan,willyoushowthedoctorandtheotherstheway?”Sheadded,“Oneofmystaffisoutthereseeingthatnothingisdisturbed.”
“Thankyou,madam.”
KelseyfollowedMissBulstrodeintohersittingroom.“Whofoundthebody?”
“Thematron,MissJohnson.OneofthegirlshadearacheandMissJohnsonwasupattendingtoher.Asshedidso,shenoticedthecurtainswerenotpulledproperlyandgoingtopullthemsheobservedthattherewasalightonintheSportsPavilionwhichthereshouldnothavebeenat1a.m.,”finishedMissBulstrodedryly.
“Quiteso,”saidKelsey.“WhereisMissJohnsonnow?”
“Sheishereifyouwanttoseeher?”
“Presently.Willyougoon,madam.”
“MissJohnsonwentandwokeupanothermemberofmystaff,MissChadwick.Theydecidedtogooutandinvestigate.Astheywereleavingbythesidedoortheyheardthesoundofashot,whereupontheyranasquicklyastheycouldtowardstheSportsPavilion.Onarrivalthere—”
TheInspectorbrokein.“Thankyou,MissBulstrode.If,asyousay,MissJohnsonisavailable,Iwillhearthenextpartfromher.Butfirst,perhaps,youwilltellmesomethingaboutthemurderedwoman.”
“HernameisGraceSpringer.”
“Shehasbeenwithyoulong?”
“No.Shecametomethisterm.MyformerGamesMistresslefttotakeupapostinAustralia.”
“AndwhatdidyouknowaboutthisMissSpringer?”
“Hertestimonialswereexcellent,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Youdidn’tknowherpersonallybeforethat?”
“No.”
“Haveyouanyideaatall,eventhevaguest,ofwhatmighthaveprecipitatedthistragedy?Wassheunhappy?Anyunfortunateentanglements?”
MissBulstrodeshookherhead.“NothingthatIknowof.Imaysay,”shewenton,“thatitseemstomemostunlikely.Shewasnotthatkindofawoman.”
“You’dbesurprised,”saidInspectorKelseydarkly.
“WouldyoulikemetofetchMissJohnsonnow?”
“Ifyouplease.WhenI’veheardherstoryI’llgoouttothegym—orthe—whatd’youcallit—SportsPavilion?”
“Itisanewlybuiltadditiontotheschoolthisyear,”saidMissBulstrode.“Itisbuiltadjacenttotheswimmingpoolanditcomprisesasquashcourtandotherfeatures.Theracquets,lacrosseandhockeysticksarekeptthere,andthereisadryingroomforswimsuits.”
“WasthereanyreasonwhyMissSpringershouldbeintheSportsPavilionatnight?”
“Nonewhatever,”saidMissBulstrodeunequivocally.
“Verywell,MissBulstrode.I’lltalktoMissJohnsonnow.”
MissBulstrodelefttheroomandreturnedbringingthematronwithher.MissJohnsonhadhadasizeabledollopofbrandyadministeredtohertopullhertogetherafterherdiscoveryofthebody.Theresultwasaslightlyaddedloquacity.
“ThisisDetectiveInspectorKelsey,”saidMissBulstrode.“Pullyourselftogether,Elspeth,andtellhimexactlywhathappened.”
“It’sdreadful,”saidMissJohnson,“it’sreallydreadful.Suchathinghasneverhappenedbeforeinallmyexperience.Never!Icouldn’thavebelievedit,Ireallycouldn’t’vebelievedit.MissSpringertoo!”
InspectorKelseywasaperceptiveman.Hewasalwayswillingtodeviatefromthecourseofroutineifaremarkstruckhimasunusualorworthfollowingup.
“Itseemstoyou,doesit,”hesaid,“verystrangethatitwasMissSpringerwhowasmurdered?”
“Wellyes,itdoes,Inspector.Shewasso—well,sotough,youknow.Sohearty.Likethesortofwomanonecouldimaginetakingonaburglarsingle-handed—ortwoburglars.”
“Burglars?H’m,”saidInspectorKelsey.“WasthereanythingtostealintheSportsPavilion?”
“Well,no,reallyIcan’tseewhattherecanhavebeen.Swimsuitsofcourse,sportsparaphernalia.”
“Thesortofthingasneakthiefmighthavetaken,”agreedKelsey.“Hardlyworthbreakinginfor,Ishouldhavethought.Wasitbrokeninto,bytheway?”
“Well,really,Ineverthoughttolook,”saidMissJohnson.“Imean,thedoorwasopenwhenwegotthereand—”
“Ithadnotbeenbrokeninto,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Isee,”saidKelsey.“Akeywasused.”HelookedatMissJohnson.“WasMissSpringerwell-liked?”heasked.
“Well,really,Icouldn’tsay.Imean,afterall,she’sdead.”
“So,youdidn’tlikeher,”saidKelseyperceptively,ignoringMissJohnson’sfinerfeelings.
“Idon’tthinkanyonecouldhavelikedherverymuch,”saidMissJohnson.“Shehadaverypositivemanner,youknow.Nevermindedcontradictingpeopleflatly.ShewasveryefficientandtookherworkveryseriouslyIshouldsay,wouldn’tyou,MissBulstrode?”
“Certainly,”saidMissBulstrode.
Kelseyreturnedfromthebypathhehadbeenpursuing.“Now,MissJohnson,let’shearjustwhathappened.”
“Jane,oneofourpupils,hadearache.Shewokeupwitharatherbadattackofitandcametome.IgotsomeremediesandwhenI’dgotherbacktobed,Isawthewindowcurtainswereflappingandthoughtperhapsitwouldbebetterforonceifherwindowwasnotopenedatnightasitwasblowingratherinthatdirection.Ofcoursethegirlsalwayssleepwiththeirwindowsopen.Wehavedifficultiessometimeswiththeforeigners,butIalwaysinsistthat—”
“Thatreallydoesn’tmatternow,”saidMissBulstrode.“OurgeneralrulesofhygienewouldnotinterestInspectorKelsey.”
“No,no,ofcoursenot,”saidMissJohnson.“Well,asIsayIwenttoshutthewindowandwhatwasmysurprisetoseealightintheSportsPavilion.Itwasquitedistinct,Icouldn’tmistakeit.Itseemedtobemovingabout.”
“Youmeanitwasnottheelectriclightturnedonbutthelightofatorchorflashlight?”
“Yes,yes,that’swhatitmusthavebeen.Ithoughtatonce‘Dearme,what’sanyonedoingoutthereatthistimeofnight?’OfcourseIdidn’tthinkofburglars.Thatwouldhavebeenaveryfancifulidea,asyousaidjustnow.”
“Whatdidyouthinkof?”askedKelsey
MissJohnsonshotaglanceatMissBulstrodeandbackagain.
“Well,really,Idon’tknowthatIhadanyideasinparticular.Imean,well—wellreally,ImeanIcouldn’tthink—”
MissBulstrodebrokein.“IshouldimaginethatMissJohnsonhadtheideathatoneofourpupilsmighthavegoneouttheretokeepanassignationwithsomeone,”shesaid.“Isthatright,Elspeth?”
MissJohnsongasped.“Well,yes,theideadidcomeintomyheadjustforthemoment.OneofourItaliangirls,perhaps.ForeignersaresomuchmoreprecociousthanEnglishgirls.”
“Don’tbesoinsular,”saidMissBulstrode.“We’vehadplentyofEnglishgirlstryingtomakeunsuitableassignations.Itwasaverynaturalthoughttohaveoccurredtoyouandprobablytheonethatwouldhaveoccurredtome.”
“Goon,”saidInspectorKelsey.
“SoIthoughtthebestthing,”wentonMissJohnson,“wastogotoMissChadwickandaskhertocomeoutwithmeandseewhatwasgoingon.”
“WhyMissChadwick?”askedKelsey.“Anyparticularreasonforselectingthatparticularmistress?”
“Well,Ididn’twanttodisturbMissBulstrode,”saidMissJohnson,“andI’mafraidit’sratherahabitofoursalwaystogotoMissChadwickifwedon’twanttodisturbMissBulstrode.Yousee,MissChadwick’sbeenhereaverylongtimeandhashadsomuchexperience.”
“Anyway,”saidKelsey,“youwenttoMissChadwickandwokeherup.Isthatright?”
“Yes.Sheagreedwithmethatwemustgooutthereimmediately.Wedidn’twaittodressoranything,justputonpulloversandcoatsandwentoutbythesidedoor.Anditwasthen,justaswewerestandingonthepath,thatweheardashotfromtheSportsPavilion.Soweranalongthepathasfastaswecould.Ratherstupidlywehadn’ttakenatorchwithusanditwashardtoseewhereweweregoing.Westumbledonceortwicebutwegottherequitequickly.Thedoorwasopen.Weswitchedonthelightand—”
Kelseyinterrupted.“Therewasnolightthenwhenyougotthere.Notatorchoranyotherlight?”
“No.Theplacewasindarkness.Weswitchedonthelightandthereshewas.She—”
“That’sallright,”saidInspectorKelseykindly,“youneedn’tdescribeanything.IshallbegoingouttherenowandIshallseeformyself.Youdidn’tmeetanyoneonyourwaythere?”
“No.”
“Orhearanybodyrunningaway?”
“No.Wedidn’thearanything.”
“Didanybodyelseheartheshotintheschoolbuilding?”askedKelseylookingatMissBulstrode.
Sheshookherhead.“No.NotthatIknowof.Nobodyhassaidthattheyheardit.TheSportsPavilionissomedistanceawayandIratherdoubtiftheshotwouldbenoticeable.”
“PerhapsfromoneoftheroomsonthesideofthehousegivingontheSportsPavilion?”
“Hardly,Ithink,unlessonewerelisteningforsuchathing.I’msureitwouldn’tbeloudenoughtowakeanybodyup.”
“Well,thankyou,”saidInspectorKelsey.“I’llbegoingouttotheSportsPavilionnow.”
“Iwillcomewithyou,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Doyouwantmetocometoo?”askedMissJohnson.“Iwillifyoulike.Imeanit’snogoodshirkingthings,isit?Ialwaysfeelthatonemustfacewhatevercomesand—”
“Thankyou,”saidInspectorKelsey,“there’snoneed,MissJohnson.Iwouldn’tthinkofputtingyoutoanyfurtherstrain.”
“Soawful,”saidMissJohnson,“itmakesitworsetofeelIdidn’tlikeherverymuch.Infact,wehadadisagreementonlylastnightintheCommonRoom.IstucktoitthattoomuchP.T.wasbadforsomegirls—themoredelicategirls.MissSpringersaidnonsense,thattheywerejusttheoneswhoneededit.Tonedthemupandmadenewwomenofthem,shesaid.Isaidtoherthatreallyshedidn’tknoweverythingthoughshemightthinkshedid.AfterallIhavebeenprofessionallytrainedandIknowagreatdealmoreaboutdelicacyandillnessthanMissSpringerdoes—did,thoughI’venodoubtthatMissSpringerknowseverythingaboutparallelbarsandvaultinghorsesandcoachingtennis.But,ohdear,nowIthinkofwhat’shappened,IwishIhadn’tsaidquitewhatIdid.Isupposeonealwaysfeelslikethatafterwardswhensomethingdreadfulhasoccurred.Ireallydoblamemyself.”
“Nowsitdownthere,dear,”saidMissBulstrode,settlingheronthesofa.“Youjustsitdownandrestandpaynoattentiontoanylittledisputesyoumayhavehad.Lifewouldbeverydullifweagreedwitheachotheroneverysubject.”
MissJohnsonsatdownshakingherhead,thenyawned.MissBulstrodefollowedKelseyintothehall.
“Igaveherratheralotofbrandy,”shesaid,apologetically.“It’smadeheralittlevoluble.Butnotconfused,doyouthink?”
“No,”saidKelsey.“Shegavequiteaclearaccountofwhathappened.”
MissBulstrodeledthewaytothesidedoor.
“IsthisthewayMissJohnsonandMissChadwickwentout?”
“Yes.YouseeitleadsstraightontothepaththroughtherhododendronstherewhichcomesoutattheSportsPavilion.”
TheInspectorhadapowerfultorchandheandMissBulstrodesoonreachedthebuildingwherethelightswerenowglaring.
“Finebitofbuilding,”saidKelsey,lookingatit.
“Itcostusaprettypenny,”saidMissBulstrode,“butwecanaffordit,”sheaddedserenely.
Theopendoorledintoafair-sizedroom.Therewerelockerstherewiththenamesofthevariousgirlsonthem.Attheendoftheroomtherewasastandfortennisracquetsandoneforlacrossesticks.Thedooratthesideledofftoshowersandchangingcubicles.Kelseypausedbeforegoingin.Twoofhismenhadbeenbusy.Aphotographerhadjustfinishedhisjobandanothermanwhowasbusytestingforfingerprintslookedupandsaid,
“Youcanwalkstraightacrossthefloor,sir.You’llbeallright.Wehaven’tfinisheddownthisendyet.”
Kelseywalkedforwardtowherethepolicesurgeonwaskneelingbythebody.ThelatterlookedupasKelseyapproached
“Shewasshotfromaboutfourfeetaway,”hesaid.“Bulletpenetratedtheheart.Deathmusthavebeenprettywellinstantaneous.”
“Yes.Howlongago?”
“Sayanhourorthereabouts.”
Kelseynodded.HestrolledroundtolookatthetallfigureofMissChadwickwhereshestoodgrimly,likeawatchdog,againstonewall.Aboutfifty-five,hejudged,goodforehead,obstinatemouth,untidygreyhair,notraceofhysteria.Thekindofwoman,hethought,whocouldbedependeduponinacrisisthoughshemightbeoverlookedinordinaryeverydaylife.
“MissChadwick?”hesaid.
“Yes.”
“YoucameoutwithMissJohnsonanddiscoveredthebody?”
“Yes.Shewasjustassheisnow.Shewasdead.”
“Andthetime?”
“IlookedatmywatchwhenMissJohnsonrousedme.Itwastenminutestoone.”
Kelseynodded.ThatagreedwiththetimethatMissJohnsonhadgivenhim.Helookeddownthoughtfullyatthedeadwoman.Herbrightredhairwascutshort.Shehadafreckledface,withachinwhichjuttedoutstrongly,andaspare,athleticfigure.Shewaswearingatweedskirtandaheavy,darkpullover.Shehadbroguesonherfeetwithnostockings.
“Anysignoftheweapon?”askedKelsey.
Oneofhismenshookhishead.“Nosignatall,sir.”
“Whataboutthetorch?”
“There’satorchthereinthecorner.”
“Anyprintsonit?”
“Yes.Thedeadwoman’s.”
“Soshe’stheonewhohadthetorch,”saidKelseythoughtfully.“Shecameoutherewithatorch—why?”Heaskeditpartlyofhimself,partlyofhismen,partlyofMissBulstrodeandMissChadwick.Finallyheseemedtoconcentrateonthelatter.“Anyideas?”
MissChadwickshookherhead.“Noideaatall.Isupposeshemighthaveleftsomethinghere—forgottenitthisafternoonorevening—andcomeouttofetchit.Butitseemsratherunlikelyinthemiddleofthenight.”
“Itmusthavebeensomethingveryimportantifshedid,”saidKelsey.
Helookedroundhim.Nothingseemeddisturbedexceptthestandofracquetsattheend.Thatseemedtohavebeenpulledviolentlyforward.Severaloftheracquetswerelyingaboutonthefloor.
“Ofcourse,”saidMissChadwick,“shecouldhaveseenalighthere,likeMissJohnsondidlater,andhavecomeouttoinvestigate.Thatseemsthemostlikelythingtome.”
“Ithinkyou’reright,”saidKelsey.“There’sjustonesmallmatter.Wouldshehavecomeoutherealone?”
“Yes.”MissChadwickansweredwithouthesitation.
“MissJohnson,”Kelseyremindedher,“cameandwokeyouup.”
“Iknow,”saidMissChadwick,“andthat’swhatIshouldhavedoneifI’dseenthelight.IwouldhavewokenupMissBulstrodeorMissVansittartorsomebody.ButMissSpringerwouldn’t.Shewouldhavebeenquiteconfident—indeedwouldhavepreferredtotackleanintruderonherown.”
“Anotherpoint,”saidtheInspector.“YoucameoutthroughthesidedoorwithMissJohnson.Wasthesidedoorunlocked?”
“Yes,itwas.”
“PresumablyleftunlockedbyMissSpringer?”
“Thatseemsthenaturalconclusion,”saidMissChadwick.
“Soweassume,”saidKelsey,“thatMissSpringersawalightouthereinthegymnasium—SportsPavilion—whateveryoucallit—thatshecameouttoinvestigateandthatwhoeverwashereshother.”HewheeledroundonMissBulstrodeasshestoodmotionlessinthedoorway.“Doesthatseemrighttoyou?”heasked.
“Itdoesn’tseemrightatall,”saidMissBulstrode.“Igrantyouthefirstpart.We’llsayMissSpringersawalightouthereandthatshewentouttoinvestigatebyherself.That’sperfectlyprobable.Butthatthepersonshedisturbedhereshouldshoother—thatseemstomeallwrong.Ifanyonewasherewhohadnobusinesstobeheretheywouldbemorelikelytorunaway,ortotrytorunaway.Whyshouldsomeonecometothisplaceatthishourofnightwithapistol?It’sridiculous,that’swhatitis.Ridiculous!There’snothinghereworthstealing,certainlynothingforwhichitwouldbeworthwhiledoingmurder.”
“YouthinkitmorelikelythatMissSpringerdisturbedarendezvousofsomekind?”
“That’sthenaturalandmostprobableexplanation,”saidMissBulstrode.“Butitdoesn’texplainthefactofmurder,doesit?Girlsinmyschooldon’tcarrypistolsaboutwiththemandanyyoungmantheymightbemeetingseemsveryunlikelytohaveapistoleither.”
Kelseyagreed.“He’dhavehadaflickknifeatmost,”hesaid.“There’sanalternative,”hewenton.“SayMissSpringercameoutheretomeetaman—”
MissChadwickgiggledsuddenly.“Ohno,”shesaid,“notMissSpringer.”
“Idonotmeannecessarilyanamorousassignment,”saidtheInspectordryly.“I’msuggestingthatthemurderwasdeliberate,thatsomeoneintendedtomurderMissSpringer,thattheyarrangedtomeetherhereandshother.”
Nine
CATAMONGTHEPIGEONS
I
LetterfromJenniferSutcliffetohermother:
DearMummy,Wehadamurderlastnight.MissSpringer,thegymmistress.Ithappenedinthemiddleofthenightandthepolicecameandthismorningthey’reaskingeverybodyquestions.MissChadwicktoldusnottotalktoanybodyaboutitbutIthoughtyou’dliketoknow.Withlove,Jennifer
II
MeadowbankwasanestablishmentofsufficientimportancetomeritthepersonalattentionoftheChiefConstable.WhileroutineinvestigationwasgoingonMissBulstrodehadnotbeeninactive.SherangupaPressmagnateandtheHomeSecretary,bothpersonalfriendsofhers.Asaresultofthosemanoeuvres,verylittlehadappearedabouttheeventinthepapers.Agamesmistresshadbeenfounddeadintheschoolgymnasium.Shehadbeenshot,whetherbyaccidentornotwasasyetnotdetermined.Mostofthenoticesoftheeventhadanalmostapologeticnoteinthem,asthoughitwerethoroughlytactlessofanygamesmistresstogetherselfshotinsuchcircumstances.
AnnShaplandhadabusydaytakingdownletterstoparents.MissBulstrodedidnotwastetimeintellingherpupilstokeepquietabouttheevent.Sheknewthatitwouldbeawasteoftime.Moreorlessluridreportswouldbesuretobepennedtoanxiousparentsandguardians.Sheintendedherownbalancedandreasonableaccountofthetragedytoreachthematthesametime.
LaterthatafternoonshesatinconclavewithMr.Stone,theChiefConstable,andInspectorKelsey.ThepolicewereperfectlyamenabletohavingthePressplaythethingdownasmuchaspossible.Itenabledthemtopursuetheirinquiriesquietlyandwithoutinterference.
“I’mverysorryaboutthis,MissBulstrode,verysorryindeed,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Isupposeit’s—well—abadthingforyou.”
“Murder’sabadthingforanyschool,yes,”saidMissBulstrode.“It’snogooddwellingonthatnow,though.Weshallweatherit,nodoubt,aswehaveweatheredotherstorms.AllIdohopeisthatthematterwillbeclearedupquickly.”
“Don’tseewhyitshouldn’t,eh?”saidStone.HelookedatKelsey.
Kelseysaid,“Itmayhelpwhenwegetherbackground.”
“D’youreallythinkso?”askedMissBulstrodedryly.
“Somebodymayhavehaditinforher,”Kelseysuggested.
MissBulstrodedidnotreply.
“Youthinkit’stiedupwiththisplace?”askedtheChiefConstable.
“InspectorKelseydoesreally,”saidMissBulstrode.“He’sonlytryingtosavemyfeelings,Ithink.”
“IthinkitdoestieupwithMeadowbank,”saidtheInspectorslowly.“Afterall,MissSpringerhadhertimesofflikealltheothermembersofthestaff.Shecouldhavearrangedameetingwithanyoneifshehadwantedtodosoatanyspotshechose.Whychoosethegymnasiumhereinthemiddleofthenight?”
“Youhavenoobjectiontoasearchbeingmadeoftheschoolpremises,MissBulstrode?”askedtheChiefConstable.
“Noneatall.You’relookingforthepistolorrevolverorwhateveritis,Isuppose?”
“Yes.Itwasasmallpistolofforeignmake.”
“Foreign,”saidMissBulstrodethoughtfully.
“Toyourknowledge,doanyofyourstafforanyofthepupilshavesuchathingasapistolintheirpossession?”
“Certainlynottomyknowledge,”saidMissBulstrode.“Iamfairlycertainthatnoneofthepupilshave.Theirpossessionsareunpackedforthemwhentheyarriveandsuchathingwouldhavebeenseenandnoted,andwould,Imaysay,havearousedconsiderablecomment.Butplease,InspectorKelsey,doexactlyasyoulikeinthatrespect.Iseeyourmenhavebeensearchingthegroundstoday.”
TheInspectornodded.“Yes.”
Hewenton:“Ishouldalsolikeinterviewswiththeothermembersofyourstaff.OneorotherofthemmayhaveheardsomeremarkmadebyMissSpringerthatwillgiveusaclue.Ormayhaveobservedsomeoddityofbehaviouronherpart.”
Hepaused,thenwenton,“Thesamethingmightapplytothepupils.”
MissBulstrodesaid:“Ihadformedtheplanofmakingashortaddresstothegirlsthiseveningafterprayers.IwouldaskthatifanyofthemhasanyknowledgethatmightpossiblybearuponMissSpringer’sdeaththattheyshouldcomeandtellmeofit.”
“Verysoundidea,”saidtheChiefConstable.
“Butyoumustrememberthis,”saidMissBulstrode,“oneorotherofthegirlsmaywishtomakeherselfimportantbyexaggeratingsomeincidentorevenbyinventingone.Girlsdoveryoddthings:butIexpectyouareusedtodealingwiththatformofexhibitionism.”
“I’vecomeacrossit,”saidInspectorKelsey.“Now,”headded,“pleasegivemealistofyourstaff,alsotheservants.”
III
“I’velookedthroughallthelockersinthePavilion,sir.”
“Andyoudidn’tfindanything?”saidKelsey.
“No,sir,nothingofimportance.Funnythingsinsomeofthem,butnothinginourline.”
“Noneofthemwerelocked,werethey?”
“No,sir,theycanlock.Therewerekeysinthem,butnoneofthemwerelocked.”
Kelseylookedroundthebarefloorthoughtfully.Thetennisandlacrossestickshadbeenreplacedtidilyontheirstands.
“Ohwell,”hesaid,“I’mgoinguptothehousenowtohaveatalkwiththestaff.”
“Youdon’tthinkitwasaninsidejob,sir?”
“Itcouldhavebeen,”saidKelsey.“Nobody’sgotanalibiexceptthosetwomistresses,ChadwickandJohnsonandthechildJanethathadtheearache.Theoretically,everyoneelsewasinbedandasleep,butthere’snoonetovouchforthat.Thegirlsallhaveseparateroomsandnaturallythestaffdo.Anyoneofthem,includingMissBulstrodeherself,couldhavecomeoutandmetSpringerhere,orcouldhavefollowedherhere.Then,aftershe’dbeenshot,whoeveritwascoulddodgebackquietlythroughthebushestothesidedoor,andbenicelybackinbedagainwhenthealarmwasgiven.It’smotivethat’sdifficult.Yes,”saidKelsey,“it’smotive.Unlessthere’ssomethinggoingonherethatwedon’tknowanythingabout,theredoesn’tseemtobeanymotive.”
HesteppedoutofthePavilionandmadehiswayslowlybacktothehouse.Althoughitwaspastworkinghours,oldBriggs,thegardener,wasputtinginalittleworkonaflowerbedandhestraightenedupastheInspectorpassed.
“Youworklatehours,”saidKelsey,smiling.
“Ah,”saidBriggs.“Young’unsdon’tknowwhatgardeningis.Comeonateightandknockoffatfive—that’swhattheythinkitis.You’vegottostudyyourweather,somedaysyoumightaswellnotbeoutinthegardenatall,andthere’sotherdaysasyoucanworkfromseveninthemorninguntileightatnight.Thatisifyoulovetheplaceandhaveprideinthelookofit.”
“Yououghttobeproudofthisone,”saidKelsey.“I’veneverseenanyplacebetterkeptthesedays.”
“Thesedaysisright,”saidBriggs.“ButI’mluckyIam.I’vegotastrongyoungfellowtoworkforme.Acoupleofboys,too,butthey’renotmuchgood.Mostoftheseboysandyoungmenwon’tcomeanddothissortofwork.Allforgoingintofactories,theyare,orwhitecollarsandworkinginanoffice.Don’tliketogettheirhandssoiledwithabitofhonestearth.ButI’mlucky,asIsay.I’vegotagoodmanworkingformeascomeandofferedhimself.”
“Recently?”saidInspectorKelsey.
“Beginningoftheterm,”saidBriggs.“Adam,hisnameis.AdamGoodman.”
“Idon’tthinkI’veseenhimabout,”saidKelsey.
“Askedforthedayofftoday,hedid,”saidBriggs.“Igiveithim.Didn’tseemtobemuchdoingtodaywithyoupeopletrampingallovertheplace.”
“Somebodyshouldhavetoldmeabouthim,”saidKelseysharply.
“Whatdoyoumean,toldyouabouthim?”
“He’snotonmylist,”saidtheInspector.“Ofpeopleemployedhere,Imean.”
“Oh,well,youcanseehimtomorrow,mister,”saidBriggs.“Notthathecantellyouanything,Idon’tsuppose.”
“Youneverknow,”saidtheInspector.
Astrongyoungmanwhohadofferedhimselfatthebeginningoftheterm?ItseemedtoKelseythatherewasthefirstthingthathehadcomeacrosswhichmightbealittleoutoftheordinary.
IV
Thegirlsfiledintothehallforprayersthateveningasusual,andafterwardsMissBulstrodearrestedtheirdeparturebyraisingherhand.
“Ihavesomethingtosaytoyouall.MissSpringer,asyouknow,wasshotlastnightintheSportsPavilion.Ifanyofyouhasheardorseenanythinginthepastweek—anythingthathaspuzzledyourelatingtoMissSpringer,anythingMissSpringermayhavesaidorsomeoneelsemayhavesaidofherthatstrikesyouasatallsignificant,Ishouldliketoknowit.Youcancometomeinmysittingroomanytimethisevening.”
“Oh,”JuliaUpjohnsighed,asthegirlsfiledout,“howIwishwedidknowsomething!Butwedon’t,dowe,Jennifer?”
“No,”saidJennifer,“ofcoursewedon’t.”
“MissSpringeralwaysseemedsoveryordinary,”saidJuliasadly,“muchtooordinarytogetkilledinamysteriousway.”
“Idon’tsupposeitwassomysterious,”saidJennifer.“Justaburglar.”
“Stealingourtennisracquets,Isuppose,”saidJuliawithsarcasm.
“Perhapssomeonewasblackmailingher,”suggestedoneoftheothergirlshopefully.
“Whatabout?”saidJennifer.
ButnobodycouldthinkofanyreasonforblackmailingMissSpringer.
V
InspectorKelseystartedhisinterviewingofthestaffwithMissVansittart.Ahandsomewoman,hethought,summingherup.Possiblyfortyoralittleover;tall,well-built,greyhairtastefullyarranged.Shehaddignityandcomposure,withacertainsense,hethought,ofherownimportance.SheremindedhimalittleofMissBulstrodeherself:shewastheschoolmistresstypeallright.Allthesame,hereflected,MissBulstrodehadsomethingthatMissVansittarthadnot.MissBulstrodehadaqualityofunexpectedness.HedidnotfeelthatMissVansittartwouldeverbeunexpected.
Questionandanswerfollowedroutine.Ineffect,MissVansittarthadseennothing,hadnoticednothing,hadheardnothing.MissSpringerhadbeenexcellentatherjob.Yes,hermannerhadperhapsbeenatriflebrusque,butnot,shethought,undulyso.ShehadnotperhapshadaveryattractivepersonalitybutthatwasreallynotanecessityinaGamesMistress.Itwasbetter,infact,nottohavemistresseswhohadattractivepersonalities.Itdidnotdotoletthegirlsgetemotionalaboutthemistresses.MissVansittart,havingcontributednothingofvalue,madeherexit.
“Seenoevil,hearnoevil,thinknoevil.Samelikethemonkeys,”observedSergeantPercyBond,whowasassistingInspectorKelseyinhistask.
Kelseygrinned.“That’saboutright,Percy,”hesaid.
“There’ssomethingaboutschoolmistressesthatgivesmethehump,”saidSergeantBond.“HadaterrorofthemeversinceIwasakid.Knewonethatwasaholyterror.Soupstageandla-di-dayouneverknewwhatshewastryingtoteachyou.”
ThenextmistresstoappearwasEileenRich.UglyassinwasInspectorKelsey’sfirstreaction.Thenhequalifiedit;shehadacertainattraction.Hestartedhisroutinequestions,buttheanswerswerenotquitesoroutineashehadexpected.AftersayingNo,shehadnotheardornoticedanythingspecialthatanyoneelsehadsaidaboutMissSpringerorthatMissSpringerherselfhadsaid,EileenRich’snextanswerwasnotwhatheanticipated.Hehadasked:
“Therewasnooneasfarasyouknowwhohadapersonalgrudgeagainsther?”
“Ohno,”saidEileenRichquickly.“Onecouldn’thave.Ithinkthatwashertragedy,youknow.Thatshewasn’tapersononecouldeverhate.”
“Nowjustwhatdoyoumeanbythat,MissRich?”
“Imeanshewasn’tapersononecouldeverhavewantedtodestroy.Everythingshedidandwas,wasonthesurface.Sheannoyedpeople.Theyoftenhadsharpwordswithher,butitdidn’tmeananything.Notanythingdeep.I’msureshewasn’tkilledforherself,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“I’mnotquitesurethatIdo,MissRich.”
“Imeanifyouhadsomethinglikeabankrobbery,shemightquiteeasilybethecashierthatgetsshot,butitwouldbeasacashier,notasGraceSpringer.Nobodywouldloveherorhateherenoughtowanttodoawaywithher.Ithinksheprobablyfeltthatwithoutthinkingaboutit,andthat’swhatmadehersoofficious.Aboutfindingfault,youknow,andenforcingrulesandfindingoutwhatpeopleweredoingthattheyshouldn’tbedoing,andshowingthemup.”
“Snooping?”askedKelsey.
“No,notexactlysnooping.”EileenRichconsidered.“Shewouldn’ttiptoeroundonsneakersoranythingofthatkind.Butifshefoundsomethinggoingonthatshedidn’tunderstandshe’dbequitedeterminedtogettothebottomofit.Andshewouldgettothebottomofit.”
“Isee.”Hepausedamoment.“Youdidn’tlikeheryourselfmuch,didyou,MissRich?”
“Idon’tthinkIeverthoughtabouther.ShewasjusttheGamesMistress.Oh!Whatahorriblethingthatistosayaboutanybody!Justthis—justthat!Butthat’showshefeltaboutherjob.Itwasajobthatshetookprideindoingwell.Shedidn’tfinditfun.Shewasn’tkeenwhenshefoundagirlwhomightbereallygoodattennis,orreallyfineatsomeformofathletics.Shedidn’trejoiceinitortriumph.”
Kelseylookedathercuriously.Anoddyoungwoman,this,hethought.
“Youseemtohaveyourideasonmostthings,MissRich,”hesaid.
“Yes.Yes,IsupposeIdo.”
“HowlonghaveyoubeenatMeadowbank?”
“Justoverayearandahalf.”
“There’sneverbeenanytroublebefore?”
“AtMeadowbank?”Shesoundedstartled
“Yes.”
“Ohno.Everything’sbeenquiteallrightuntilthisterm.”
Kelseypounced.
“What’sbeenwrongthisterm?Youdon’tmeanthemurder,doyou?Youmeansomethingelse—”
“Idon’t—”shestopped—“Yes,perhapsIdo—butit’sallverynebulous.”
“Goon.”
“MissBulstrode’snotbeenhappylately,”saidEileenslowly.“That’sonething.Youwouldn’tknowit.Idon’tthinkanybodyelsehasevennoticedit.ButIhave.Andshe’snottheonlyonewho’sunhappy.Butthatisn’twhatyoumean,isit?That’sjustpeople’sfeelings.Thekindofthingsyougetwhenyou’recoopeduptogetherandthinkaboutonethingtoomuch.Youmeant,wasthereanythingthatdidn’tseemrightjustthisterm.That’sit,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”saidKelsey,lookingathercuriously,“yes,that’sit.Well,whataboutit?”
“Ithinkthereissomethingwronghere,”saidEileenRichslowly.“It’sasthoughthereweresomeoneamonguswhodidn’tbelong.”Shelookedathim,smiled,almostlaughedandsaid,“Catamongthepigeons,that’sthesortoffeeling.We’rethepigeons,allofus,andthecat’samongstus.Butwecan’tseethecat.”
“That’sveryvague,MissRich.”
“Yes,isn’tit?Itsoundsquiteidiotic.Icanhearthatmyself.WhatIreallymean,Isuppose,isthattherehasbeensomething,somelittlethingthatI’venoticedbutIdon’tknowwhatI’venoticed.”
“Aboutanyoneinparticular?”
“No,Itoldyou,that’sjustit.Idon’tknowwhoitis.TheonlywayIcansumitupistosaythatthere’ssomeonehere,who’s—somehow—wrong!There’ssomeonehere—Idon’tknowwho—whomakesmeuncomfortable.NotwhenI’mlookingatherbutwhenshe’slookingatmebecauseit’swhenshe’slookingatmethatitshows,whateveritis.Oh,I’mgettingmoreincoherentthanever.Andanyway,it’sonlyafeeling.It’snotwhatyouwant.Itisn’tevidence.”
“No,”saidKelsey,“itisn’tevidence.Notyet.Butit’sinteresting,andifyourfeelinggetsanymoredefinite,MissRich,I’dbegladtohearaboutit.”
Shenodded.“Yes,”shesaid,“becauseit’sserious,isn’tit?Imean,someone’sbeenkilled—wedon’tknowwhy—andthekillermaybemilesaway,or,ontheotherhand,thekillermaybehereintheschool.Andifsothatpistolorrevolverorwhateveritis,mustbeheretoo.That’snotaverynicethought,isit?”
Shewentoutwithaslightnod.SergeantBondsaid,
“Crackers—ordon’tyouthinkso?”
“No,”saidKelsey,“Idon’tthinkshe’scrackers.Ithinkshe’swhat’scalledasensitive.Youknow,likethepeoplewhoknowwhenthere’sacatintheroomlongbeforetheyseeit.Ifshe’dbeenborninanAfricantribeshemighthavebeenawitchdoctor.”
“Theygoroundsmellingoutevil,don’tthey?”saidSergeantBond.
“That’sright,Percy,”saidKelsey.“Andthat’sexactlywhatI’mtryingtodomyself.Nobody’scomeacrosswithanyconcretefactssoI’vegottogoaboutsmellingoutthings.We’llhavetheFrenchwomannext.”
Ten
FANTASTICSTORY
MademoiselleAngèleBlanchewasthirty-fiveataguess.Nomakeup,darkbrownhairarrangedneatlybutunbecomingly.Aseverecoatandskirt.
ItwasMademoiselleBlanche’sfirsttermatMeadowbank,sheexplained.Shewasnotsurethatshewishedtoremainforafurtherterm.
“Itisnotnicetobeinaschoolwheremurderstakeplace,”shesaiddisapprovingly.
Also,theredidnotseemtobeburglaralarmsanywhereinthehouse—thatwasdangerous.
“There’snothingofanygreatvalue,MademoiselleBlanche,toattractburglars.”
MademoiselleBlancheshruggedhershoulders.
“Howdoesoneknow?Thesegirlswhocomehere,someofthemhaveveryrichfathers.Theymayhavesomethingwiththemofgreatvalue.Aburglarknowsaboutthat,perhaps,andhecomesherebecausehethinksthisisaneasyplacetostealit.”
“Ifagirlhadsomethingofvaluewithheritwouldn’tbeinthegymnasium.”
“Howdoyouknow?”saidMademoiselle.“Theyhavelockersthere,dotheynot,thegirls?”
“Onlytokeeptheirsportskitin,andthingsofthatkind.”
“Ahyes,thatiswhatissupposed.Butagirlcouldhideanythinginthetoeofagymshoe,orwrappedupinanoldpulloverorinascarf.”
“Whatsortofthing,MademoiselleBlanche?”
ButMademoiselleBlanchehadnoideawhatsortofthing.
“Eventhemostindulgentfathersdon’tgivetheirdaughtersdiamondnecklacestotaketoschool,”theInspectorsaid.
AgainMademoiselleBlancheshruggedhershoulders.
“Perhapsitissomethingofadifferentkindofvalue—ascarab,say,orsomethingthatacollectorwouldgivealotofmoneyfor.Oneofthegirlshasafatherwhoisanarchaeologist.”
Kelseysmiled.“Idon’treallythinkthat’slikely,youknow,MademoiselleBlanche.”
Sheshruggedhershoulders.“Ohwell,Ionlymakethesuggestion.”
“HaveyoutaughtinanyotherEnglishschools,MademoiselleBlanche?”
“OneinthenorthofEnglandsometimeago.MostlyIhavetaughtinSwitzerlandandinFrance.AlsoinGermany.IthinkIwillcometoEnglandtoimprovemyEnglish.Ihaveafriendhere.ShewentsickandshetoldmeIcouldtakeherpositionhereasMissBulstrodewouldbegladtofindsomebodyquickly.SoIcame.ButIdonotlikeitverymuch.AsItellyou,IdonotthinkIshallstay.”
“Whydon’tyoulikeit?”Kelseypersisted.
“Idonotlikeplaceswherethereareshootings,”saidMademoiselleBlanche.“Andthechildren,theyarenotrespectful.”
“Theyarenotquitechildren,arethey?”
“Someofthembehavelikebabies,someofthemmightbetwenty-five.Thereareallkindshere.Theyhavemuchfreedom.Ipreferanestablishmentwithmoreroutine.”
“DidyouknowMissSpringerwell?”
“Iknewherpracticallynotatall.ShehadbadmannersandIconversedwithheraslittleaspossible.Shewasallbonesandfrecklesandalouduglyvoice.ShewaslikecaricaturesofEnglish-women.ShewasrudetomeoftenandIdidnotlikeit.”
“Whatwassherudetoyouabout?”
“ShedidnotlikemecomingtoherSportsPavilion.Thatseemstobehowshefeelsaboutit—orfeltaboutit,Imean—thatitwasherSportsPavilion!IgothereonedaybecauseIaminterested.Ihavenotbeeninitbeforeanditisanewbuilding.ItisverywellarrangedandplannedandIamjustlookinground.ThenMissSpringershecomesandsays‘Whatareyoudoinghere?Thisisnobusinessofyourstobeinhere.’Shesaysthattome—me,amistressintheschool!WhatdoesshethinkIam,apupil?”
“Yes,yes,veryirritating,I’msure,”saidKelsey,soothingly.
“Themannersofapig,thatiswhatshehad.Andthenshecallsout‘Donotgoawaywiththekeyinyourhand.’Sheupsetme.WhenIpullthedooropenthekeyfelloutandIpickitup.Iforgettoputitback,becauseshehasoffendedme.AndthensheshoutsaftermeasthoughshethinksIwasmeaningtostealit.Herkey,Isuppose,aswellasherSportsPavilion.”
“Thatseemsalittleodd,doesn’tit?”saidKelsey.“Thatsheshouldfeellikethataboutthegymnasium,Imean.Asthoughitwereherprivateproperty,asthoughshewereafraidofpeoplefindingsomethingshehadhiddenthere.”Hemadethefaintfeelertentatively,butAngèleBlanchemerelylaughed.
“Hidesomethingthere—whatcouldyouhideinaplacelikethat?Doyouthinkshehidesherlovelettersthere?Iamsureshehasneverhadaloveletterwrittentoher!Theothermistresses,theyareatleastpolite.MissChadwick,sheisold-fashionedandshefusses.MissVansittart,sheisverynice,grandedame,sympathetic.MissRich,sheisalittlecrazyIthink,butfriendly.Andtheyoungermistressesarequitepleasant.”
AngèleBlanchewasdismissedafterafewmoreunimportantquestions.
“Touchy,”saidBond.“AlltheFrencharetouchy.”
“Allthesame,it’sinteresting,”saidKelsey.“MissSpringerdidn’tlikepeopleprowlingabouthergymnasium—SportsPavilion—Idon’tknowwhattocallthething.Nowwhy?”
“PerhapsshethoughttheFrenchwomanwasspyingonher,”suggestedBond.
“Well,butwhyshouldshethinkso?Imean,oughtittohavematteredtoherthatAngèleBlancheshouldspyonherunlesstherewassomethingshewasafraidofAngèleBlanchefindingout?
“Whohavewegotleft?”headded.
“Thetwojuniormistresses,MissBlakeandMissRowan,andMissBulstrode’ssecretary.”
MissBlakewasyoungandearnestwitharoundgood-naturedface.ShetaughtBotanyandPhysics.Shehadnothingmuchtosaythatcouldhelp.ShehadseenverylittleofMissSpringerandhadnoideaofwhatcouldhaveledtoherdeath
MissRowan,asbefittedonewhoheldadegreeinpsychology,hadviewstoexpress.Itwashighlyprobable,shesaid,thatMissSpringerhadcommittedsuicide.
InspectorKelseyraisedhiseyebrows.
“Whyshouldshe?Wassheunhappyinanyway?”
“Shewasaggressive,”saidMissRowan,leaningforwardandpeeringeagerlythroughherthicklenses.“Veryaggressive.Iconsiderthatsignificant.Itwasadefencemechanism,toconcealafeelingofinferiority.”
“EverythingI’veheardsofar,”saidInspectorKelsey,“pointstoherbeingverysureofherself.”
“Toosureofherself,”saidMissRowandarkly.“Andseveralofthethingsshesaidbearoutmyassumption.”
“Suchas?”
“Shehintedatpeoplebeing‘notwhattheyseemed.’Shementionedthatatthelastschoolwhereshewasemployed,shehad‘unmasked’someone.TheHeadmistress,however,hadbeenprejudiced,andrefusedtolistentowhatshehadfoundout.Severaloftheothermistresses,too,hadbeenwhatshecalled‘againsther.’
“Youseewhatthatmeans,Inspector?”MissRowannearlyfelloffherchairassheleanedforwardexcitedly.Strandsoflankdarkhairfellforwardacrossherface.“Thebeginningsofapersecutioncomplex.”
InspectorKelseysaidpolitelythatMissRowanmightbecorrectinherassumptions,butthathecouldn’tacceptthetheoryofsuicide,unlessMissRowancouldexplainhowMissSpringerhadmanagedtoshootherselffromadistanceofatleastfourfeetaway,andhadalsobeenabletomakethepistoldisappearintothinairafterwards.
MissRowanretortedacidlythatthepolicewerewellknowntobeprejudicedagainstpsychology.
ShethengaveplacetoAnnShapland.
“Well,MissShapland,”saidInspectorKelsey,eyeingherneatandbusinesslikeappearancewithfavour,“whatlightcanyouthrowuponthismatter?”
“Absolutelynone,I’mafraid.I’vegotmyownsittingroom,andIdon’tseemuchofthestaff.Thewholething’sunbelievable.”
“Inwhatwayunbelievable?”
“Well,firstthatMissSpringershouldgetshotatall.Saysomebodybrokeintothegymnasiumandshewentouttoseewhoitwas.That’sallright,Isuppose,butwho’dwanttobreakintothegymnasium?”
“Boys,perhaps,someyounglocalswhowantedtohelpthemselvestoequipmentofsomekindoranother,orwhodiditforalark.”
“Ifthat’sso,Ican’thelpfeelingthatwhatMissSpringerwouldhavesaidwas:‘Nowthen,whatareyoudoinghere?Beoffwithyou,’andthey’dhavegoneoff.”
“DiditeverseemtoyouthatMissSpringeradoptedanyparticularattitudeabouttheSportsPavilion?”
AnnShaplandlookedpuzzled.“Attitude?”
“Imeandidsheregarditasherspecialprovinceanddislikeotherpeoplegoingthere?”
“NotthatIknowof.Whyshouldshe?Itwasjustpartoftheschoolbuildings.”
“Youdidn’tnoticeanythingyourself?Youdidn’tfindthatifyouwenttheresheresentedyourpresence—anythingofthatkind?”
AnnShaplandshookherhead.“Ihaven’tbeenouttheremyselfmorethanacoupleoftimes.Ihaven’tthetime.I’vegoneoutthereonceortwicewithamessageforoneofthegirlsfromMissBulstrode.That’sall.”
“Youdidn’tknowthatMissSpringerhadobjectedtoMademoiselleBlanchebeingoutthere?”
“No,Ididn’thearanythingaboutthat.Ohyes,IbelieveIdid.MademoiselleBlanchewasrathercrossaboutsomethingoneday,butthensheisalittlebittouchy,youknow.Therewassomethingabouthergoingintothedrawingclassonedayandresentingsomethingthedrawingmistresssaidtoher.Ofcourseshehasn’treallyverymuchtodo—MademoiselleBlanche,Imean.Sheonlyteachesonesubject—French,andshehasalotoftimeonherhands.Ithink—”shehesitated,“Ithinksheisperhapsratheraninquisitiveperson.”
“DoyouthinkitlikelythatwhenshewentintotheSportsPavilionshewaspokingaboutinanyofthelockers?”
“Thegirls’lockers?Well,Iwouldn’tputitpasther.Shemightamuseherselfthatway.”
“DoesMissSpringerherselfhavealockeroutthere?”
“Yes,ofcourse.”
“IfMademoiselleBlanchewascaughtpokingaboutinMissSpringer’slocker,thenIcanimaginethatMissSpringerwouldbeannoyed?”
“Shecertainlywould!”
“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutMissSpringer’sprivatelife?”
“Idon’tthinkanyonedid,”saidAnn.“Didshehaveone,Iwonder?”
“Andthere’snothingelse—nothingconnectedwiththeSportsPavilion,forinstance,thatyouhaven’ttoldme?”
“Well—”Annhesitated.
“Yes,MissShapland,let’shaveit.”
“It’snothingreally,”saidAnnslowly.“Butoneofthegardeners—notBriggs,theyoungone.IsawhimcomeoutoftheSportsPaviliononeday,andhehadnobusinesstobeinthereatall.Ofcourseitwasprobablyjustcuriosityonhispart—orperhapsanexcusetoslackoffabitfromwork—hewassupposedtobenailingdownthewireonthetenniscourt.Idon’tsupposereallythere’sanythinginit.”
“Still,yourememberedit,”Kelseypointedout.“Nowwhy?”
“Ithink—”shefrowned.“Yes,becausehismannerwasalittleodd.Defiant.And—hesneeredatallthemoneythatwasspenthereonthegirls.”
“Thatsortofattitude…Isee.”
“Idon’tsupposethere’sreallyanythinginit.”
“Probablynot—butI’llmakeanoteofit,allthesame.”
“Roundandroundthemulberrybush,”saidBondwhenAnnShaplandhadgone.“Samethingoverandoveragain!Forgoodness’sakelet’shopewegetsomethingoutoftheservants.”
Buttheygotverylittleoutoftheservants.
“It’snouseaskingmeanything,youngman,”saidMrs.Gibbons,thecook.“ForonethingIcan’thearwhatyousay,andforanotherIdon’tknowathing.IwenttosleeplastnightandIsleptunusuallyheavy.Neverheardanythingofalltheexcitementtherewas.Nobodywokemeupandtoldmeanythingaboutit.”Shesoundedinjured.“Itwasn’tuntilthismorningIheard.”
Kelseyshoutedafewquestionsandgotafewanswersthattoldhimnothing.
MissSpringerhadcomenewthisterm,andshewasn’tasmuchlikedasMissJoneswho’dheldthepostbeforeher.MissShaplandwasnew,too,butshewasaniceyounglady,MademoiselleBlanchewaslikealltheFrenchies—thoughttheothermistresseswereagainstherandlettheyoungladiestreathersomethingshockinginclass.“Notaoneforcrying,though,”Mrs.Gibbonsadmitted.“SomeschoolsI’vebeenintheFrenchmistressesusedtocrysomethingawful!”
Mostofthedomesticstaffweredailies.Therewasonlyoneothermaidwhosleptinthehouse,andsheprovedequallyuninformative,thoughabletohearwhatwassaidtoher.Shecouldn’tsay,shewassure.Shedidn’tknownothing.MissSpringerwasabitsharpinhermanner.Shedidn’tknownothingabouttheSportsPavilionnorwhatwaskeptthere,andshe’dneverseennothinglikeapistolnowhere.
ThisnegativespateofinformationwasinterruptedbyMissBulstrode.“Oneofthegirlswouldliketospeaktoyou,InspectorKelsey,”shesaid.
Kelseylookedupsharply.“Indeed?Sheknowssomething?”
“AstothatI’mratherdoubtful,”saidMissBulstrode,“butyouhadbettertalktoheryourself.Sheisoneofourforeigngirls.PrincessShaista—nieceoftheEmirIbrahim.Sheisinclinedtothink,perhaps,thatsheisofrathermoreimportancethansheis.Youunderstand?”
Kelseynoddedcomprehendingly.ThenMissBulstrodewentoutandaslightdarkgirlofmiddleheightcamein.
Shelookedatthem,almond-eyedanddemure.
“Youarethepolice?”
“Yes,”saidKelseysmiling,“wearethepolice.WillyousitdownandtellmewhatyouknowaboutMissSpringer?”
“Yes,Iwilltellyou.”
Shesatdown,leanedforward,andloweredhervoicedramatically.
“Therehavebeenpeoplewatchingthisplace.Oh,theydonotshowthemselvesclearly,buttheyarethere!”
Shenoddedherheadsignificantly.
InspectorKelseythoughtthatheunderstoodwhatMissBulstrodehadmeant.Thisgirlwasdramatizingherself—andenjoyingit.
“Andwhyshouldtheybewatchingtheschool?”
“Becauseofme!Theywanttokidnapme.”
WhateverKelseyhadexpected,itwasnotthis.Hiseyebrowsrose.
“Whyshouldtheywanttokidnapyou?”
“Toholdmetoransom,ofcourse.Thentheywouldmakemyrelationspaymuchmoney.”
“Er—well—perhaps,”saidKelseydubiously.“But—er—supposingthisisso,whathasitgottodowiththedeathofMissSpringer?”
“Shemusthavefoundoutaboutthem,”saidShaista.“Perhapsshetoldthemshehadfoundoutsomething.Perhapsshethreatenedthem.Thenperhapstheypromisedtopayhermoneyifshewouldsaynothing.Andshebelievedthem.SoshegoesouttotheSportsPavilionwheretheysaytheywillpayherthemoney,andthentheyshoother.”
“ButsurelyMissSpringerwouldneverhaveacceptedblackmailmoney?”
“Doyouthinkitissuchfuntobeaschoolteacher—tobeateacherofgymnastics?”Shaistawasscornful.“Doyounotthinkitwouldbeniceinsteadtohavemoney,totravel,todowhatyouwant?EspeciallysomeonelikeMissSpringerwhoisnotbeautiful,atwhommendonotevenlook!Doyounotthinkthatmoneywouldattracthermorethanitwouldattractotherpeople?”
“Well—er—”saidInspectorKelsey,“Idon’tknowquitewhattosay.”Hehadnothadthispointofviewpresentedtohimbefore.
“Thisisjust—er—yourownidea?”hesaid.“MissSpringerneversaidanythingtoyou?”
“MissSpringerneversaidanythingexcept‘Stretchandbend,’and‘Faster,’and‘Don’tslack,’”saidShaistawithresentment.
“Yes—quiteso.Well,don’tyouthinkyoumayhaveimaginedallthisaboutkidnapping?”
Shaistawasimmediatelymuchannoyed.
“Youdonotunderstandatall!MycousinwasPrinceAliYusufofRamat.Hewaskilledinarevolution,oratleastinfleeingfromarevolution.ItwasunderstoodthatwhenIgrewupIshouldmarryhim.SoyouseeIamanimportantperson.ItmaybeperhapstheCommunistswhocomehere.Perhapsitisnottokidnap.Perhapstheyintendtoassassinateme.”
InspectorKelseylookedstillmoreincredulous.
“That’sratherfar-fetched,isn’tit?”
“Youthinksuchthingscouldnothappen?Isaytheycan.Theyareveryverywicked,theCommunists!Everybodyknowsthat.”
Ashestilllookeddubious,shewenton:
“PerhapstheythinkIknowwherethejewelsare!”
“Whatjewels?”
“Mycousinhadjewels.Sohadhisfather.Myfamilyalwayshasahoardofjewels.Foremergencies,youcomprehend.”
Shemadeitsoundverymatteroffact.
Kelseystaredather.
“Butwhathasallthisgottodowithyou—orwithMissSpringer?”
“ButIalreadytellyou!Theythink,perhaps,Iknowwherethejewelsare.Sotheywilltakemeprisonerandforcemetospeak.”
“Doyouknowwherethejewelsare?”
“No,ofcourseIdonotknow.TheydisappearedintheRevolution.PerhapsthewickedCommuniststakethem.Butagain,perhapsnot.”
“Whodotheybelongto?”
“Nowmycousinisdead,theybelongtome.Nomeninhisfamilyanymore.Hisaunt,mymother,isdead.Hewouldwantthemtobelongtome.Ifhewerenotdead,Imarryhim.”
“Thatwasthearrangement?”
“Ihavetomarryhim.Heismycousin,yousee.”
“Andyouwouldhavegotthejewelswhenyoumarriedhim?”
“No,Iwouldhavehadnewjewels.FromCartierinParis.Theseotherswouldstillbekeptforemergencies.”
InspectorKelseyblinked,lettingthisOrientalinsuranceschemeforemergenciessinkintohisconsciousness.
Shaistawasracingonwithgreatanimation.
“Ithinkthatiswhathappens.SomebodygetsthejewelsoutofRamat.Perhapsgoodperson,perhapsbad.Goodpersonwouldbringthemtome,wouldsay:‘Theseareyours,’andIshouldrewardhim.”
Shenoddedherheadregally,playingthepart.
Quitealittleactress,thoughttheInspector.
“Butifitwasabadperson,hewouldkeepthejewelsandsellthem.Orhewouldcometomeandsay:‘WhatwillyougivemeasarewardifIbringthemtoyou?’Andifitworthwhile,hebrings—butifnot,thennot!”
“Butinactualfact,nobodyhassaidanythingatalltoyou?”
“No,”admittedShaista.
InspectorKelseymadeuphismind.
“Ithink,youknow,”hesaidpleasantly,“thatyou’rereallytalkingalotofnonsense.”
Shaistaflashedafuriousglanceathim
“ItellyouwhatIknow,thatisall,”shesaidsulkily.
“Yes—well,it’sverykindofyou,andI’llbearitinmind.”
Hegotupandopenedthedoorforhertogoout.
“TheArabianNightsaren’tinit,”hesaid,ashereturnedtothetable.“Kidnappingandfabulousjewels!Whatnext?”
Eleven
CONFERENCE
WhenInspectorKelseyreturnedtothestation,thesergeantondutysaid:
“We’vegotAdamGoodmanhere,waiting,sir.”
“AdamGoodman?Ohyes.Thegardener.”
Ayoungmanhadrisenrespectfullytohisfeet.Hewastall,darkandgood-looking.Heworestainedcorduroytrouserslooselyheldupbyanagedbelt,andanopen-neckedshirtofverybrightblue
“Youwantedtoseeme,Ihear.”
Hisvoicewasrough,andasthatofsomanyyoungmenoftoday,slightlytruculent.
Kelseysaidmerely:
“Yes,comeintomyroom.”
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutthemurder,”saidAdamGoodmansulkily.“It’snothingtodowithme.Iwasathomeandinbedlastnight.”
Kelseymerelynoddednoncommittally.
Hesatdownathisdesk,andmotionedtotheyoungmantotakethechairopposite.Ayoungpolicemaninplainclotheshadfollowedthetwomeninunobtrusivelyandsatdownalittledistanceaway.
“Nowthen,”saidKelsey.“You’reGoodman—”helookedatanoteonhisdesk—“AdamGoodman.”
“That’sright,sir.Butfirst,I’dliketoshowyouthis.”
Adam’smannerhadchanged.Therewasnotruculenceorsulkinessinitnow.Itwasquietanddeferential.Hetooksomethingfromhispocketandpasseditacrossthedesk.InspectorKelsey’seyebrowsroseveryslightlyashestudiedit.Thenheraisedhishead.
“Ishan’tneedyou,Barbar,”hesaid
Thediscreetyoungpolicemangotupandwentout.Hemanagednottolooksurprised,buthewas.
“Ah,”saidKelsey.HelookedacrossatAdamwithspeculativeinterest.“Sothat’swhoyouare?Andwhatthehell,I’dliketoknow,areyou—”
“Doinginagirls’school?”theyoungmanfinishedforhim.Hisvoicewasstilldeferential,buthegrinnedinspiteofhimself.“It’scertainlythefirsttimeI’vehadanassignmentofthatkind.Don’tIlooklikeagardener?”
“Notaroundtheseparts.Gardenersareusuallyratherancient.Doyouknowanythingaboutgardening?”
“Quitealot.I’vegotoneofthesegardeningmothers.England’sspeciality.She’sseentoitthatI’maworthyassistanttoher.”
“AndwhatexactlyisgoingonatMeadowbank—tobringyouonthescene?”
“Wedon’tknow,actually,thatthere’sanythinggoingonatMeadowbank.Myassignmentisinthenatureofawatchingbrief.Orwas—untillastnight.MurderofaGamesMistress.Notquiteintheschool’scurriculum.”
“Itcouldhappen,”saidInspectorKelsey.Hesighed.“Anythingcouldhappen—anywhere.I’velearntthat.ButI’lladmitthatit’salittleoffthebeatentrack.What’sbehindallthis?”
Adamtoldhim.Kelseylistenedwithinterest.
“Ididthatgirlaninjustice,”heremarked—“Butyou’lladmititsoundstoofantastictobetrue.Jewelsworthbetweenhalfamillionandamillionpounds?Whodoyousaytheybelongto?”
“That’saveryprettyquestion.Toanswerit,you’dhavetohaveagaggleofinternationallawyersonthejob—andthey’dprobablydisagree.Youcouldarguethecasealotofways.Theybelonged,threemonthsago,toHisHighnessPrinceAliYusufofRamat.Butnow?Ifthey’dturnedupinRamatthey’dhavebeenthepropertyofthepresentGovernment,they’dhavemadesureofthat.AliYusufmayhavewilledthemtosomeone.Alotwouldthendependonwherethewillwasexecutedandwhetheritcouldbeproved.Theymaybelongtohisfamily.Buttherealessenceofthematteris,thatifyouorIhappenedtopickthemupinthestreetandputtheminourpockets,theywouldforallpracticalpurposesbelongtous.Thatis,Idoubtifanylegalmachineexiststhatcouldgetthemawayfromus.Theycouldtry,ofcourse,buttheintricaciesofinternationallawarequiteincredible….”
“Youmeanthat,practicallyspeaking,it’sfindingsarekeepings?”askedInspectorKelsey.Heshookhisheaddisapprovingly.“That’snotverynice,”hesaidprimly.
“No,”saidAdamfirmly.“It’snotverynice.There’smorethanonelotafterthem,too.Noneofthemscrupulous.Word’sgotaround,yousee.Itmaybearumour,itmaybetrue,butthestoryisthattheyweregotoutofRamatjustbeforethebustup.Thereareadozendifferenttalesofhow.”
“ButwhyMeadowbank?BecauseoflittlePrincessButter-won’t-melt-in-my-mouth?”
“PrincessShaista,firstcousinofAliYusuf.Yes.Someonemaytryanddeliverthegoodstoherorcommunicatewithher.Therearesomequestionablecharactersfromourpointofviewhangingabouttheneighbourhood.AMrs.Kolinsky,forinstance,stayingattheGrandHotel.QuiteaprominentmemberofwhatonemightdescribeasInternationalRiffRaffLtd.Nothinginyourline,alwaysstrictlywithinthelaw,allperfectlyrespectable,butagrandpicker-upofusefulinformation.Thenthere’sawomanwhowasoutinRamatdancingincabaretthere.She’sreportedtohavebeenworkingforacertainforeigngovernment.Wheresheisnowwedon’tknow,wedon’tevenknowwhatshelookslike,butthere’sarumourthatshemightbeinthispartoftheworld.Looks,doesn’tit,asthoughitwereallcentringroundMeadowbank?Andlastnight,MissSpringergetsherselfkilled.”
Kelseynoddedthoughtfully.
“Propermix-up,”heobserved.Hestruggledamomentwithhisfeelings.“Youseethissortofthingonthetelly…far-fetched—that’swhatyouthink…can’treallyhappen.Anditdoesn’t—notinthenormalcourseofevents.”
“Secretagents,robbery,violence,murder,doublecrossing,”agreedAdam.“Allpreposterous—butthatsideoflifeexists.”
“ButnotatMeadowbank!”
ThewordswerewrungfromInspectorKelsey.
“Iperceiveyourpoint,”saidAdam.“Lese-majesty.”
Therewasasilence,andthenInspectorKelseyasked:
“Whatdoyouthinkhappenedlastnight?”
Adamtookhistime,thenhesaidslowly:
“SpringerwasintheSportsPavilion—inthemiddleofthenight.Why?We’vegottostartthere.It’snogoodaskingourselveswhokilledheruntilwe’vemadeupourmindswhyshewasthere,intheSportsPavilionatthattimeofnight.Wecansaythatinspiteofherblamelessandathleticlifeshewasn’tsleepingwell,andgotupandlookedoutofherwindowandsawalightintheSportsPavilion—herwindowdoeslookoutthatway?”
Kelseynodded.
“Beingatoughandfearlessyoungwoman,shewentouttoinvestigate.Shedisturbedsomeonetherewhowas—doingwhat?Wedon’tknow.Butitwassomeonedesperateenoughtoshootherdead.”
AgainKelseynodded.
“That’sthewaywe’vebeenlookingatit,”hesaid.“Butyourlastpointhadmeworriedallalong.Youdon’tshoottokill—andcomepreparedtodoso,unless—”
“Unlessyou’reaftersomethingbig?Agreed!Well,that’sthecaseofwhatwemightcallInnocentSpringer—shotdownintheperformanceofduty.Butthere’sanotherpossibility.Springer,asaresultofprivateinformation,getsajobatMeadowbankorisdetailedforitbyherbosses—becauseofherqualification—Shewaitsuntilasuitablenight,thenslipsouttotheSportsPavilion(againourstumbling-blockofaquestion—why?)—Somebodyisfollowingher—orwaitingforher—someonewhocarriesapistolandispreparedtouseit…Butagain—why?Whatfor?Infact,whatthedevilisthereabouttheSportsPavilion?It’snotthesortofplacethatonecanimaginehidinganything.”
“Therewasn’tanythinghiddenthere,Icantellyouthat.Wewentthroughitwithatoothcomb—thegirls’lockers,MissSpringer’sditto.Sportsequipmentofvariouskinds,allnormalandaccountedfor.Andabrandnewbuilding!Therewasn’tanythingthereinthenatureofjewellery.”
“Whateveritwasitcouldhavebeenremoved,ofcourse.Bythemurderer,”saidAdam.“TheotherpossibilityisthattheSportsPavilionwassimplyusedasarendezvous—byMissSpringerorbysomeoneelse.It’squiteahandyplaceforthat.Areasonabledistancefromthehouse.Nottoofar.Andifanyonewasnoticedgoingoutthere,asimpleanswerwouldbethatwhoeveritwasthoughttheyhadseenalight,etc.,etc.Let’ssaythatMissSpringerwentouttomeetsomeone—therewasadisagreementandshegotshot.Or,avariation,MissSpringernoticedsomeoneleavingthehouse,followedthatsomeone,intrudeduponsomethingshewasn’tmeanttoseeorhear.”
“Inevermetheralive,”saidKelsey,“butfromthewayeveryonespeaksofher,Igettheimpressionthatshemighthavebeenanoseywoman.”
“Ithinkthat’sreallythemostprobableexplanation,”agreedAdam.“Curiositykilledthecat.Yes,Ithinkthat’sthewaytheSportsPavilioncomesintoit.”
“Butifitwasarendezvous,then—”Kelseypaused.
Adamnoddedvigorously.
“Yes.Itlooksasthoughthereissomeoneintheschoolwhomeritsourverycloseattention.Catamongthepigeons,infact.”
“Catamongthepigeons,”saidKelsey,struckbythephrase.“MissRich,oneofthemistresses,saidsomethinglikethattoday.”
Hereflectedamomentortwo.
“Therewerethreenewcomerstothestaffthisterm,”hesaid.“Shapland,thesecretary.Blanche,theFrenchMistress,and,ofcourse,MissSpringerherself.She’sdeadandoutofit.Ifthereisacatamongthepigeons,itwouldseemthatoneoftheothertwowouldbethemostlikelybet.”HelookedtowardsAdam.“Anyideas,asbetweenthetwoofthem?”
Adamconsidered.
“IcaughtMademoiselleBlanchecomingoutoftheSportsPaviliononeday.Shehadaguiltylook.Asthoughshe’dbeendoingsomethingsheoughtnottohavedone.Allthesame,onthewhole—IthinkI’dplumpfortheother.ForShapland.She’sacoolcustomerandshe’sgotbrains.I’dgointoherantecedentsrathercarefullyifIwereyou.Whatthedevilareyoulaughingfor?”
Kelseywasgrinning.
“Shewassuspiciousofyou,”hesaid.“CaughtyoucomingoutoftheSportsPavilion—andthoughttherewassomethingoddaboutyourmanner!”
“Well,I’mdamned!”Adamwasindignant.“Thecheekofher!”
InspectorKelseyresumedhisauthoritativemanner.
“Thepointis,”hesaid,“thatwethinkalotofMeadowbankroundtheseparts.It’safineschool.AndMissBulstrode’safinewoman.Thesoonerwecangettothebottomofallthis,thebetterfortheschool.WewanttoclearthingsupandgiveMeadowbankacleanbillofhealth.”
Hepaused,lookingthoughtfullyatAdam
“Ithink,”hesaid,“we’llhavetotellMissBulstrodewhoyouare.She’llkeephermouthshut—don’tfearforthat.”
Adamconsideredforamoment.Thenhenoddedhishead.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Underthecircumstances,Ithinkit’smoreorlessinevitable.”
Twelve
NEWLAMPSFOROLD
I
MissBulstrodehadanotherfacultywhichdemonstratedhersuperiorityovermostotherwomen.Shecouldlisten.
ShelistenedinsilencetobothInspectorKelseyandAdam.Shedidnotsomuchasraiseaneyebrow.Thensheutteredoneword.
“Remarkable.”
It’syouwhoareremarkable,thoughtAdam,buthedidnotsaysoaloud.
“Well,”saidMissBulstrode,comingaswashabitualtoherstraighttothepoint.“Whatdoyouwantmetodo?”
InspectorKelseyclearedhisthroat.
“It’slikethis,”hesaid.“Wefeltthatyououghttobefullyinformed—forthesakeoftheschool.”
MissBulstrodenodded.
“Naturally,”shesaid,“theschoolismyfirstconcern.Ithastobe.Iamresponsibleforthecareandsafetyofmypupils—andinalesserdegreeforthatofmystaff.AndIwouldliketoaddnowthatiftherecanbeaslittlepublicityaspossibleaboutMissSpringer’sdeath—thebetteritwillbeforme.Thisisapurelyselfishpointofview—thoughIthinkmyschoolisimportantinitself—notonlytome.AndIquiterealizethatiffullpublicityisnecessaryforyou,thenyouwillhavetogoahead.Butisit?”
“No,”saidInspectorKelsey.“InthiscaseIshouldsaythelesspublicitythebetter.Theinquestwillbeadjournedandwe’llletitgetaboutthatwethinkitwasalocalaffair.Youngthugs—orjuveniledelinquents,aswehavetocallthemnowadays—outwithgunsamongstthem,triggerhappy.It’susuallyflickknives,butsomeoftheseboysdogetholdofguns.MissSpringersurprisedthem.Theyshother.That’swhatIshouldliketoletitgoat—thenwecangettoworkquiet-like.NotmorethancanbehelpedinthePress.Butofcourse,Meadowbank’sfamous.It’snews.AndmurderatMeadowbankwillbehotnews.”
“IthinkIcanhelpyouthere,”saidMissBulstrodecrisply,“Iamnotwithoutinfluenceinhighplaces.”Shesmiledandreeledoffafewnames.TheseincludedtheHomeSecretary,twoPressbarons,abishopandtheMinisterofEducation.“I’lldowhatIcan.”ShelookedatAdam.“Youagree?”
Adamspokequickly.
“Yes,indeed.Wealwayslikethingsniceandquiet.”
“Areyoucontinuingtobemygardener?”inquiredMissBulstrode.
“Ifyoudon’tobject.ItputsmerightwhereIwanttobe.AndIcankeepaneyeonthings.”
ThistimeMissBulstrode’seyebrowsdidrise.
“Ihopeyou’renotexpectinganymoremurders?”
“No,no.”
“I’mgladofthat.Idoubtifanyschoolcouldsurvivetwomurdersinoneterm.”
SheturnedtoKelsey.
“HaveyoupeoplefinishedwiththeSportsPavilion?It’sawkwardifwecan’tuseit.”
“We’vefinishedwithit.Cleanasawhistle—fromourpointofview,Imean.Forwhateverreasonthemurderwascommitted—there’snothingtherenowtohelpus.It’sjustaSportsPavilionwiththeusualequipment.”
“Nothinginthegirls’lockers?”
InspectorKelseysmiled.
“Well—thisandthat—copyofabook—French—calledCandide—with—er—illustrations.Expensivebook.”
“Ah,”saidMissBulstrode.“Sothat’swhereshekeepsit!Giselled’Aubray,Isuppose?”
Kelsey’srespectforMissBulstroderose.
“Youdon’tmissmuch,M’am,”hesaid.
“Shewon’tcometoharmwithCandide,”saidMissBulstrode.“It’saclassic.SomeformsofpornographyIdoconfiscate.NowIcomebacktomyfirstquestion.Youhaverelievedmymindaboutthepublicityconnectedwiththeschool.Cantheschoolhelpyouinanyway?CanIhelpyou?”
“Idon’tthinkso,atthemoment.TheonlythingIcanaskis,hasanythingcausedyouuneasinessthisterm?Anyincident?Oranyperson?”
MissBulstrodewassilentforamomentortwo.Thenshesaidslowly:
“Theanswer,literally,is:Idon’tknow.”
Adamsaidquickly:
“You’vegotafeelingthatsomething’swrong?”
“Yes—justthat.It’snotdefinite.Ican’tputmyfingeronanyperson,oranyincident—unless—”
Shewassilentforamoment,thenshesaid:
“Ifeel—Ifeltatthetime—thatI’dmissedsomethingthatIoughtnottohavemissed.Letmeexplain.”
SherecitedbrieflythelittleincidentofMrs.UpjohnandthedistressingandunexpectedarrivalofLadyVeronica.
Adamwasinterested.
“Letmegetthisclear,MissBulstrode.Mrs.Upjohn,lookingoutofthewindow,thisfrontwindowthatgivesonthedrive,recognizedsomeone.There’snothinginthat.YouhaveoverahundredpupilsandnothingismorelikelythanforMrs.Upjohntoseesomeparentorrelationthatsheknew.Butyouaredefinitelyoftheopinionthatshewasastonishedtorecognizethatperson—infact,thatitwassomeonewhomshewouldnothaveexpectedtoseeatMeadowbank?”
“Yes,thatwasexactlytheimpressionIgot.”
“Andthenthroughthewindowlookingintheoppositedirectionyousawoneofthepupils’mothers,inastateofintoxication,andthatcompletelydistractedyourmindfromwhatMrs.Upjohnwassaying?”
MissBulstrodenodded.
“Shewastalkingforsomeminutes?”
“Yes.”
“Andwhenyourattentiondidreturntoher,shewasspeakingofespionage,ofIntelligenceworkshehaddoneinthewarbeforeshemarried?”
“Yes.”
“Itmighttieup,”saidAdamthoughtfully.“Someoneshehadknowninherwardays.Aparentorrelationofoneofyourpupils,oritcouldhavebeenamemberofyourteachingstaff.”
“Hardlyamemberofmystaff,”objectedMissBulstrode.
“It’spossible.”
“We’dbettergetintouchwithMrs.Upjohn,”saidKelsey.“Assoonaspossible.Youhaveheraddress,MissBulstrode?”
“Ofcourse.ButIbelievesheisabroadatthemoment.Wait—Iwillfindout.”
Shepressedherdeskbuzzertwice,thenwentimpatientlytothedoorandcalledtoagirlwhowaspassing.
“FindJuliaUpjohnforme,willyou,Paula?”
“Yes,MissBulstrode.”
“I’dbettergobeforethegirlcomes,”Adamsaid.“Itwouldn’tbenaturalformetoassistintheinquiriestheInspectorismaking.Ostensiblyhe’scalledmeinheretogetthelowdownonme.Havingsatisfiedhimselfthathe’sgotnothingonmeforthemoment,henowtellsmetotakemyselfoff.”
“TakeyourselfoffandrememberI’vegotmyeyeonyou!”growledKelseywithagrin.
“Bytheway,”saidAdam,addressingMissBulstrodeashepausedbythedoor,“willitbeallrightwithyouifIslightlyabusemypositionhere?IfIget,shallwesay,alittletoofriendlywithsomemembersofyourstaff?”
“Withwhichmembersofmystaff?”
“Well—MademoiselleBlanche,forinstance.”
“MademoiselleBlanche?Youthinkthatshe—?”
“Ithinkshe’sratherboredhere.”
“Ah!”MissBulstrodelookedrathergrim.“Perhapsyou’reright.Anyoneelse?”
“Ishallhaveagoodtryallround,”saidAdamcheerfully.“Ifyoushouldfindthatsomeofyourgirlsarebeingrathersilly,andslippingofftoassignationsinthegarden,pleasebelievethatmyintentionsarestrictlysleuthial—ifthereissuchaword.”
“Youthinkthegirlsarelikelytoknowsomething?”
“Everybodyalwaysknowssomething,”saidAdam,“evenifit’ssomethingtheydon’tknowtheyknow.”
“Youmayberight.”
Therewasaknockonthedoor,andMissBulstrodecalled—“Comein.”
JuliaUpjohnappeared,verymuchoutofbreath.
“Comein,Julia.”
InspectorKelseygrowled.
“Youcangonow,Goodman.Takeyourselfoffandgetonwithyourwork.”
“I’vetoldyouIdon’tknowathingaboutanything,”saidAdamsulkily.Hewentout,muttering“BloomingGestapo.”
“I’msorryI’msooutofbreath,MissBulstrode,”apologizedJulia.“I’verunallthewayfromthetenniscourts.”
“That’squiteallright.Ijustwantedtoaskyouyourmother’saddress—thatis,wherecanIgetintouchwithher?”
“Oh!You’llhavetowritetoAuntIsabel.Mother’sabroad.”
“Ihaveyouraunt’saddress.ButIneedtogetintouchwithyourmotherpersonally.”
“Idon’tseehowyoucan,”saidJulia,frowning.“Mother’sgonetoAnatoliaonabus.”
“Onabus?”saidMissBulstrode,takenaback.
Julianoddedvigorously.
“Shelikesthatsortofthing,”sheexplained.“Andofcourseit’sfrightfullycheap.Abituncomfortable,butMummydoesn’tmindthat.Roughly,Ishouldthinkshe’dfetchupinVaninaboutthreeweeksorso.”
“Isee—yes.Tellme,Julia,didyourmotherevermentiontoyouseeingsomeoneherewhomshe’dknowninherwarservicedays?”
“No,MissBulstrode,Idon’tthinkso.No,I’msureshedidn’t.”
“YourmotherdidIntelligencework,didn’tshe?”
“Oh,yes.Mummyseemstohavelovedit.Notthatitsoundsreallyexcitingtome.Sheneverblewupanything.OrgotcaughtbytheGestapo.Orhadhertoenailspulledout.Oranythinglikethat.SheworkedinSwitzerland,Ithink—orwasitPortugal?”
Juliaaddedapologetically:“Onegetsratherboredwithallthatoldwarstuff;andI’mafraidIdon’talwayslistenproperly.”
“Well,thankyou,Julia.That’sall.”
“Really!”saidMissBulstrode,whenJuliahaddeparted.“GonetoAnatoliaonabus!Thechildsaiditexactlyasthoughsheweresayinghermotherhadtakena73bustoMarshallandSnelgrove’s.”
II
Jenniferwalkedawayfromthetenniscourtsrathermoodily,swishingherracquet.Theamountofdoublefaultsshehadservedthismorningdepressedher.Not,ofcourse,thatyoucouldgetahardservewiththisracquet,anyway.Butsheseemedtohavelostcontrolofherservicelately.Herbackhand,however,haddefinitelyimproved.Springer’scoachinghadbeenhelpful.InmanywaysitwasapitythatSpringerwasdead.
Jennifertooktennisveryseriously.Itwasoneofthethingsshethoughtabout.
“Excuseme—”
Jenniferlookedup,startled.Awell-dressedwomanwithgoldenhair,carryingalongflatparcel,wasstandingafewfeetawayfromheronthepath.Jenniferwonderedwhyonearthshehadn’tseenthewomancomingalongtowardsherbefore.Itdidnotoccurtoherthatthewomanmighthavebeenhiddenbehindatreeorintherhododendronbushesandjuststeppedoutofthem.SuchanideawouldnothaveoccurredtoJennifer,sincewhyshouldawomanhidebehindrhododendronbushesandsuddenlystepoutofthem?
SpeakingwithaslightlyAmericanaccentthewomansaid,“IwonderifyoucouldtellmewhereIcouldfindagirlcalled”—sheconsultedapieceofpaper—“JenniferSutcliffe.”
Jenniferwassurprised.
“I’mJenniferSutcliffe.”
“Why!Howridiculous!Thatisacoincidence.ThatinabigschoollikethisIshouldbelookingforonegirlandIshouldhappenuponthegirlherselftoask.Andtheysaythingslikethatdon’thappen.”
“Isupposetheydohappensometimes,”saidJennifer,uninterested.
“Iwascomingdowntolunchtodaywithsomefriendsdownhere,”wentonthewoman,“andatacocktailpartyyesterdayIhappenedtomentionIwascoming,andyouraunt—orwasityourgodmother?—I’vegotsuchaterriblememory.ShetoldmehernameandI’veforgottenthattoo.Butanyway,shesaidcouldIpossiblycallhereandleaveanewtennisracquetforyou.Shesaidyouhadbeenaskingforone.”
Jennifer’sfacelitup.Itseemedlikeamiracle,nothingless.
“Itmusthavebeenmygodmother,Mrs.Campbell.IcallherAuntGina.Itwouldn’thavebeenAuntRosamond.ShenevergivesmeanythingbutamingytenshillingsatChristmas.”
“Yes,Iremembernow.Thatwasthename.Campbell.”
Theparcelwasheldout.Jennifertookiteagerly.Itwasquitelooselywrapped.Jenniferutteredanexclamationofpleasureastheracquetemergedfromitscoverings.
“Oh,it’ssmashing!”sheexclaimed.“Areallygoodone.I’vebeenlongingforanewracquet—youcan’tplaydecentlyifyouhaven’tgotadecentracquet.”
“WhyIguessthat’sso.”
“Thankyouverymuchforbringingit,”saidJennifergratefully.
“Itwasreallynotrouble.OnlyIconfessIfeltalittleshy.Schoolsalwaysmakemefeelshy.Somanygirls.Oh,bytheway,Iwasaskedtobringbackyouroldracquetwithme.”
ShepickeduptheracquetJenniferhaddropped.
“Youraunt—no—godmother—saidshewouldhaveitrestrung.Itneedsitbadly,doesn’tit?”
“Idon’tthinkthatit’sreallyworthwhile,”saidJennifer,butwithoutpayingmuchattention.
Shewasstillexperimentingwiththeswingandbalanceofhernewtreasure.
“Butanextraracquetisalwaysuseful,”saidhernewfriend.“Ohdear,”sheglancedatherwatch.“ItismuchlaterthanIthought.Imustrun.”
“Haveyou—doyouwantataxi?Icouldtelephone—”
“No,thankyou,dear.Mycarisrightbythegate.IleftittheresothatIshouldn’thavetoturninanarrowspace.Good-bye.Sopleasedtohavemetyou.Ihopeyouenjoytheracquet.”
Sheliterallyranalongthepathtowardsthegate.Jennifercalledafterheroncemore.“Thankyouverymuch.”
Then,gloating,shewentinsearchofJulia.
“Look,”sheflourishedtheracquetdramatically.
“Isay!Wheredidyougetthat?”
“Mygodmothersentittome.AuntGina.She’snotmyaunt,butIcallherthat.She’sfrightfullyrich.IexpectMummytoldheraboutmegrumblingaboutmyracquet.Itissmashing,isn’tit?Imustremembertowriteandthankher.”
“Ishouldhopeso!”saidJuliavirtuously.
“Well,youknowhowonedoesforgetthingssometimes.Eventhingsyoureallymeantodo.Look,Shaista,”sheaddedasthelattergirlcametowardsthem.“I’vegotanewracquet.Isn’titabeauty?”
“Itmusthavebeenveryexpensive,”saidShaista,scanningitrespectfully.“IwishIcouldplaytenniswell.”
“Youalwaysrunintotheball.”
“Ineverseemtoknowwheretheballisgoingtocome,”saidShaistavaguely.“BeforeIgohome,ImusthavesomereallygoodshortsmadeinLondon.OratennisdressliketheAmericanchampionRuthAllenwears.Ithinkthatisverysmart.PerhapsIwillhaveboth,”shesmiledinpleasurableanticipation.
“Shaistaneverthinksofanythingexceptthingstowear,”saidJuliascornfullyasthetwofriendspassedon.“Doyouthinkweshalleverbelikethat?”
“Isupposeso,”saidJennifergloomily.“Itwillbeanawfulbore.”
TheyenteredtheSportsPavilion,nowofficiallyvacatedbythepolice,andJenniferputherracquetcarefullyintoherpress.
“Isn’titlovely?”shesaid,strokingitaffectionately.
“Whathaveyoudonewiththeoldone?”
“Oh,shetookit.”
“Who?”
“Thewomanwhobroughtthis.She’dmetAuntGinaatacocktailparty,andAuntGinaaskedhertobringmethisasshewascomingdownheretoday,andAuntGinasaidtobringupmyoldoneandshe’dhaveitrestrung.”
“Oh,Isee…”ButJuliawasfrowning.
“WhatdidBullywantwithyou?”askedJennifer.
“Bully?Oh,nothingreally.JustMummy’saddress.Butshehasn’tgotonebecauseshe’sonabus.InTurkeysomewhere.Jennifer—lookhere.Yourracquetdidn’tneedrestringing.”
“Oh,itdid,Julia.Itwaslikeasponge.”
“Iknow.Butit’smyracquetreally.Imean,weexchanged.Itwasmyracquetthatneededrestringing.Yours,theoneI’vegotnow,wasrestrung.Yousaidyourselfyourmotherhadhaditrestrungbeforeyouwentabroad.”
“Yes,that’strue.”Jenniferlookedalittlestartled.“Ohwell,Isupposethiswoman—whoevershewas—Ioughttohaveaskedhername,butIwassoentranced—justsawthatitneededrestringing.”
“ButyousaidthatshesaidthatitwasyourAuntGinawhohadsaiditneededrestringing.AndyourAuntGinacouldn’thavethoughtitneededrestringingifitdidn’t.”
“Oh,well—”Jenniferlookedimpatient.“Isuppose—Isuppose—”
“Yousupposewhat?”
“PerhapsAuntGinajustthoughtthatifIwantedanewracquet,itwasbecausetheoldonewantedrestringing.Anywaywhatdoesitmatter?”
“Isupposeitdoesn’tmatter,”saidJuliaslowly.“ButIdothinkit’sodd,Jennifer.It’slike—likenewlampsforold.Aladdin,youknow.”
Jennifergiggled.
“Fancyrubbingmyoldracquet—youroldracquet,Imean,andhavingagenieappear!Ifyourubbedalampandageniedidappear,whatwouldyouaskhimfor,Julia?”
“Lotsofthings,”breathedJuliaecstatically.“Ataperecorder,andanAlsatian—orperhapsaGreatDane,andahundredthousandpounds,andablacksatinpartyfrock,andoh!lotsofotherthings…Whatwouldyou?”
“Idon’treallyknow,”saidJennifer.“NowI’vegotthissmashingnewracquet,Idon’treallywantanythingelse.”
Thirteen
CATASTROPHE
I
Thethirdweekendaftertheopeningoftermfollowedtheusualplan.Itwasthefirstweekendonwhichparentswereallowedtotakepupilsout.AsaresultMeadowbankwasleftalmostdeserted.
OnthisparticularSundaytherewouldonlybetwentygirlsleftattheschoolitselfforthemiddaymeal.Someofthestaffhadweekendleave,returninglateSundaynightorearlyMondaymorning.OnthisparticularoccasionMissBulstrodeherselfwasproposingtobeabsentfortheweekend.Thiswasunusualsinceitwasnotherhabittoleavetheschoolduringtermtime.Butshehadherreasons.ShewasgoingtostaywiththeDuchessofWelshamatWelsingtonAbbey.TheduchesshadmadeaspecialpointofitandhadaddedthatHenryBankswouldbethere.HenryBankswastheChairmanoftheGovernors.Hewasanimportantindustrialistandhehadbeenoneoftheoriginalbackersoftheschool.Theinvitationwasthereforealmostinthenatureofacommand.NotthatMissBulstrodewouldhaveallowedherselftobecommandedifshehadnotwishedtodoso.Butasithappened,shewelcomedtheinvitationgladly.ShewasbynomeansindifferenttoduchessesandtheDuchessofWelshamwasaninfluentialduchess,whoseowndaughtershadbeensenttoMeadowbank.ShewasalsoparticularlygladtohavetheopportunityoftalkingtoHenryBanksonthesubjectoftheschool’sfutureandalsotoputforwardherownaccountoftherecenttragicoccurrence.
OwingtotheinfluentialconnectionsatMeadowbankthemurderofMissSpringerhadbeenplayeddownverytactfullyinthePress.Ithadbecomeasadfatalityratherthanamysteriousmurder.Theimpressionwasgiven,thoughnotsaid,thatpossiblysomeyoungthugshadbrokenintotheSportsPavilionandthatMissSpringer’sdeathhadbeenmoreaccidentthandesign.Itwasreportedvaguelythatseveralyoungmenhadbeenaskedtocometothepolicestationand“assistthepolice.”MissBulstrodeherselfwasanxioustomitigateanyunpleasantimpressionthatmighthavebeengiventothesetwoinfluentialpatronsoftheschool.Sheknewthattheywantedtodiscusstheveiledhintthatshehadthrownoutofhercomingretirement.BoththeduchessandHenryBankswereanxioustopersuadehertoremainon.Nowwasthetime,MissBulstrodefelt,topushtheclaimsofEleanorVansittart,topointoutwhatasplendidpersonshewas,andhowwellfittedtocarryonthetraditionsofMeadowbank.
OnSaturdaymorningMissBulstrodewasjustfinishingoffhercorrespondencewithAnnShaplandwhenthetelephonerang.Annansweredit.
“It’stheEmirIbrahim,MissBulstrode.He’sarrivedatClaridge’sandwouldliketotakeShaistaouttomorrow.”
MissBulstrodetookthereceiverfromherandhadabriefconversationwiththeEmir’sequerry.ShaistawouldbereadyanytimefromeleventhirtyonwardsonSundaymorning,shesaid.Thegirlmustbebackattheschoolbyeightp.m.
Sherangoffandsaid:
“IwishOrientalssometimesgaveyoualittlemorewarning.IthasbeenarrangedforShaistatogooutwithGiselled’Aubraytomorrow.Nowthatwillhavetobecancelled.Havewefinishedalltheletters?”
“Yes,MissBulstrode.”
“Good,thenIcangooffwithaclearconscience.Typethemandsendthemoff,andthenyou,too,arefreefortheweekend.Ishan’twantyouuntillunchtimeonMonday.”
“Thankyou,MissBulstrode.”
“Enjoyyourself,mydear.”
“I’mgoingto,”saidAnn.
“Youngman?”
“Well—yes.”Anncolouredalittle.“Nothingserious,though.”
“Thenthereoughttobe.Ifyou’regoingtomarry,don’tleaveittoolate.”
“Ohthisisonlyanoldfriend.Nothingexciting.”
“Excitement,”saidMissBulstrodewarningly,“isn’talwaysagoodfoundationformarriedlife.SendMissChadwicktome,willyou?”
MissChadwickbustledin.
“TheEmirIbrahim,Shaista’suncle,istakingherouttomorrowChaddy.Ifhecomeshimself,tellhimsheismakinggoodprogress.”
“She’snotverybright,”saidMissChadwick.
“She’simmatureintellectually,”agreedMissBulstrode.“Butshehasaremarkablymaturemindinotherways.Sometimes,whenyoutalktoher,shemightbeawomanoftwenty-five.Isupposeit’sbecauseofthesophisticatedlifeshe’sled.Paris,Teheran,Cairo,Istanbulandalltherestofit.Inthiscountrywe’reinclinedtokeepourchildrentooyoung.Weaccountitameritwhenwesay:‘She’sstillquiteachild.’Itisn’tamerit.It’sagravehandicapinlife.”
“Idon’tknowthatIquiteagreewithyouthere,dear,”saidMissChadwick.“I’llgonowandtellShaistaaboutheruncle.Yougoawayforyourweekendanddon’tworryaboutanything.”
“Oh!Ishan’t,”saidMissBulstrode.“It’sagoodopportunity,really,forleavingEleanorVansittartinchargeandseeinghowsheshapes.Withyouandherinchargenothing’slikelytogowrong.”
“Ihopenot,indeed.I’llgoandfindShaista.”
ShaistalookedsurprisedandnotatallpleasedtohearthatherunclehadarrivedinLondon.
“Hewantstotakemeouttomorrow?”shegrumbled.“ButMissChadwick,itisallarrangedthatIgooutwithGiselled’Aubrayandhermother.”
“I’mafraidyou’llhavetodothatanothertime.”
“ButIwouldmuchrathergooutwithGiselle,”saidShaistacrossly.“Myuncleisnotatallamusing.Heeatsandthenhegruntsanditisallverydull.”
“Youmustn’ttalklikethat.Itisimpolite,”saidMissChadwick.“YouruncleisonlyinEnglandforaweek,Iunderstand,andnaturallyhewantstoseeyou.”
“Perhapshehasarrangedanewmarriageforme,”saidShaista,herfacebrightening.“Ifso,thatwouldbefun.”
“Ifthatisso,hewillnodoubttellyouso.Butyouaretooyoungtogetmarriedyetawhile.Youmustfirstfinishyoureducation.”
“Educationisveryboring,”saidShaista.
II
Sundaymorningdawnedbrightandserene—MissShaplandhaddepartedsoonafterMissBulstrodeonSaturday.MissJohnson,MissRichandMissBlakeleftonSundaymorning.
MissVansittart,MissChadwick,MissRowanandMademoiselleBlanchewereleftincharge.
“Ihopeallthegirlswon’ttalktoomuch,”saidMissChadwickdubiously.“AboutpoorMissSpringerImean.”
“Letushope,”saidEleanorVansittart,“thatthewholeaffairwillsoonbeforgotten.”Sheadded:“Ifanyparentstalktomeaboutit,Ishalldiscouragethem.Itwillbebest,Ithink,totakequiteafirmline.”
Thegirlswenttochurchat10o’clockaccompaniedbyMissVansittartandMissChadwick.FourgirlswhowereRomanCatholicswereescortedbyAngèleBlanchetoarivalreligiousestablishment.Then,abouthalfpasteleven,thecarsbegantorollintothedrive.MissVansittart,graceful,poisedanddignified,stoodinthehall.Shegreetedmotherssmilingly,producedtheiroffspringandadroitlyturnedasideanyunwantedreferencestotherecenttragedy.
“Terrible,”shesaid,“yes,quiteterrible,but,youdounderstand,wedon’ttalkaboutithere.Alltheseyoungminds—suchapityforthemtodwellonit.”
Chaddywasalsoonthespotgreetingoldfriendsamongtheparents,discussingplansfortheholidaysandspeakingaffectionatelyofthevariousdaughters.
“IdothinkAuntIsabelmighthavecomeandtakenmeout,”saidJuliawhowithJenniferwasstandingwithhernosepressedagainstthewindowofoneoftheclassrooms,watchingthecomingsandgoingsonthedriveoutside.
“Mummy’sgoingtotakemeoutnextweekend,”saidJennifer.“Daddy’sgotsomeimportantpeoplecomingdownthisweekendsoshecouldn’tcometoday.”
“TheregoesShaista,”saidJulia,“alltoggedupforLondon.Oo-ee!Justlookattheheelsonhershoes.IbetoldJohnsondoesn’tlikethoseshoes.”
AliveriedchauffeurwasopeningthedoorofalargeCadillac.Shaistaclimbedinandwasdrivenaway.
“Youcancomeoutwithmenextweekend,ifyoulike,”saidJennifer.“ItoldMummyI’dgotafriendIwantedtobring.”
“I’dloveto,”saidJulia.“LookatVansittartdoingherstuff.”
“Terriblygracious,isn’tshe?”saidJennifer.
“Idon’tknowwhy,”saidJulia,“butsomehowitmakesmewanttolaugh.It’sasortofcopyofMissBulstrode,isn’tit?Quiteagoodcopy,butit’sratherlikeJoyceGrenfellorsomeonedoinganimitation.”
“There’sPam’smother,”saidJennifer.“She’sbroughtthelittleboys.HowtheycanallgetintothattinyMorrisMinorIdon’tknow.”
“They’regoingtohaveapicnic,”saidJulia.“Lookatallthebaskets.”
“Whatareyougoingtodothisafternoon?”askedJennifer.“Idon’tthinkIneedwritetoMummythisweek,doyou,ifI’mgoingtoseehernextweek?”
“Youareslackaboutwritingletters,Jennifer.”
“Inevercanthinkofanythingtosay,”saidJennifer.
“Ican,”saidJulia,“Icanthinkoflotstosay.”Sheaddedmournfully,“Butthereisn’treallyanyonemuchtowritetoatpresent.”
“Whataboutyourmother?”
“Itoldyoushe’sgonetoAnatoliainabus.Youcan’twriteletterstopeoplewhogotoAnatoliainbuses.Atleastyoucan’twritetothemallthetime.”
“Wheredoyouwritetowhenyoudowrite?”
“Oh,consulateshereandthere.Sheleftmealist.StamboulisthefirstandthenAnkaraandthensomefunnyname.”Sheadded,“IwonderwhyBullywantedtogetintouchwithMummysobadly?SheseemedquiteupsetwhenIsaidwhereshe’dgone.”
“Itcan’tbeaboutyou,”saidJennifer.“Youhaven’tdoneanythingawful,haveyou?”
“NotthatIknowof,”saidJulia.“PerhapsshewantedtotellheraboutSpringer.”
“Whyshouldshe?”saidJennifer.“Ishouldthinkshe’dbejollygladthatthere’satleastonemotherwhodoesn’tknowaboutSpringer.”
“Youmeanmothersmightthinkthattheirdaughtersweregoingtogetmurderedtoo?”
“Idon’tthinkmymother’squiteasbadasthat,”saidJennifer.“Butshedidgetinquiteaflapaboutit.”
“Ifyouaskme,”saidJulia,inameditativemanner,“Ithinkthere’salotthattheyhaven’ttoldusaboutSpringer.”
“Whatsortofthings?”
“Well,funnythingsseemtobehappening.Likeyournewtennisracquet.”
“Oh,Imeanttotellyou,”saidJennifer,“IwroteandthankedAuntGinaandthismorningIgotaletterfromhersayingshewasverygladI’dgotanewracquetbutthatsheneversentittome.”
“Itoldyouthatracquetbusinesswaspeculiar,”saidJuliatriumphantly,“andyouhadaburglary,too,atyourhome,didn’tyou?”
“Yes,buttheydidn’ttakeanything.”
“Thatmakesitevenmoreinteresting,”saidJulia.“Ithink,”sheaddedthoughtfully,“thatweshallprobablyhaveasecondmurdersoon.”
“Ohreally,Julia,whyshouldwehaveasecondmurder?”
“Well,there’susuallyasecondmurderinbooks,”saidJulia.“WhatIthinkis,Jennifer,thatyou’llhavetobefrightfullycarefulthatitisn’tyouwhogetsmurdered.”
“Me?”saidJennifer,surprised.“Whyshouldanyonemurderme?”
“Becausesomehowyou’remixedupinitall,”saidJulia.Sheaddedthoughtfully,“Wemusttryandgetabitmoreoutofyourmothernextweek,Jennifer.PerhapssomebodygavehersomesecretpapersoutinRamat.”
“Whatsortofsecretpapers?”
“Oh,howshouldIknow,”saidJulia.“Plansorformulasforanewatomicbomb.Thatsortofthing.”
Jenniferlookedunconvinced.
III
MissVansittartandMissChadwickwereintheCommonRoomwhenMissRowanenteredandsaid:
“WhereisShaista?Ican’tfindheranywhere.TheEmir’scarhasjustarrivedtocallforher.”
“What?”Chaddylookedupsurprised.“Theremustbesomemistake.TheEmir’scarcameforheraboutthree-quartersofanhourago.Isawhergetintoitanddriveoffmyself.Shewasoneofthefirsttogo.”
EleanorVansittartshruggedhershoulders.“Isupposeacarmusthavebeenorderedtwiceover,orsomething,”shesaid.
Shewentoutherselfandspoketothechauffeur.“Theremustbesomemistake,”shesaid.“TheyoungladyhasalreadyleftforLondonthree-quartersofanhourago.”
Thechauffeurseemedsurprised.“Isupposetheremustbesomemistake,ifyousayso,madam,”hesaid.“IwasdefinitelygiveninstructionstocallatMeadowbankfortheyounglady.”
“Isupposethere’sboundtobeamuddlesometimes,”saidMissVansittart.
Thechauffeurseemedunperturbedandunsurprised.“Happensallthetime,”hesaid.“Telephonemessagestaken,writtendown,forgotten.Allthatsortofthing.Butweprideourselvesinourfirmthatwedon’tmakemistakes.Ofcourse,ifImaysayso,youneverknowwiththeseOrientalgentlemen.They’vesometimesgotquiteabigentouragewiththem,andordersgetgiventwiceandeventhreetimesover.Iexpectthat’swhatmusthavehappenedinthisinstance.”Heturnedhislargecarwithsomeadroitnessanddroveaway.
MissVansittartlookedalittledoubtfulforamomentortwo,butshedecidedtherewasnothingtoworryaboutandbegantolookforwardwithsatisfactiontoapeacefulafternoon.
Afterluncheonthefewgirlswhoremainedwrotelettersorwanderedaboutthegrounds.Acertainamountoftenniswasplayedandtheswimmingpoolwaswellpatronized.MissVansittarttookherfountainpenandherwritingpadtotheshadeofthecedartree.WhenthetelephonerangathalfpastfouritwasMissChadwickwhoansweredit.
“MeadowbankSchool?”Thevoiceofawell-bredyoungEnglishmanspoke.“Oh,isMissBulstrodethere?”
“MissBulstrode’snotheretoday.ThisisMissChadwickspeaking.”
“Oh,it’saboutoneofyourpupils.IamspeakingfromClaridge’s,theEmirIbrahim’ssuite.”
“Ohyes?YoumeanaboutShaista?”
“Yes.TheEmirisratherannoyedatnothavinggotamessageofanykind.”
“Amessage?Whyshouldhegetamessage?”
“Well,tosaythatShaistacouldn’tcome,orwasn’tcoming.”
“Wasn’tcoming!Doyoumeantosayshehasn’tarrived?”
“No,no,she’scertainlynotarrived.DidsheleaveMeadowbankthen?”
“Yes.Acarcameforherthismorning—oh,abouthalfpastelevenIshouldthink,andshedroveoff.”
“That’sextraordinarybecausethere’snosignofherhere…I’dbetterringupthefirmthatsuppliestheEmir’scars.”
“Ohdear,”saidMissChadwick,“Idohopetherehasn’tbeenanaccident.”
“Oh,don’tlet’sassumetheworst,”saidtheyoungmancheerfully.“Ithinkyou’dhaveheard,youknow,ifthere’dbeenanaccident.Orwewould.Ishouldn’tworryifIwereyou.”
ButMissChadwickdidworry.
“Itseemstomeveryodd,”shesaid.
“Isuppose—”theyoungmanhesitated
“Yes?”saidMissChadwick.
“Well,it’snotquitethesortofthingIwanttosuggesttotheEmir,butjustbetweenyouandmethere’sno—er—well,noboyfriendhangingabout,isthere?”
“Certainlynot,”saidMissChadwickwithdignity.
“No,no,wellIdidn’tthinktherewouldbe,but,welloneneverknowswithgirls,doesone?You’dbesurprisedatsomeofthethingsI’veruninto.”
“Icanassureyou,”saidMissChadwickwithdignity,“thatanythingofthatkindisquiteimpossible.”
Butwasitimpossible?Didoneeverknowwithgirls?
ShereplacedthereceiverandratherunwillinglywentinsearchofMissVansittart.TherewasnoreasontobelievethatMissVansittartwouldbeanybetterabletodealwiththesituationthansheherselfbutshefelttheneedofconsultingwithsomeone.MissVansittartsaidatonce,
“Thesecondcar?”
Theylookedateachother.
“Doyouthink,”saidChaddyslowly,“thatweoughttoreportthistothepolice?”
“Nottothepolice,”saidEleanorVansittartinashockedvoice.
“Shedidsay,youknow,”saidChaddy,“thatsomebodymighttrytokidnapher.”
“Kidnapher?Nonsense!”saidMissVansittartsharply.
“Youdon’tthink—”MissChadwickwaspersistent.
“MissBulstrodeleftmeinchargehere,”saidEleanorVansittart,“andIshallcertainlynotsanctionanythingofthekind.Wedon’twantanymoretroubleherewiththepolice.”
MissChadwicklookedatherwithoutaffection.ShethoughtMissVansittartwasbeingshortsightedandfoolish.ShewentbackintothehouseandputthroughacalltotheDuchessofWelsham’shouse.Unfortunatelyeveryonewasout.
Fourteen
MISSCHADWICKLIESAWAKE
I
MissChadwickwasrestless.Sheturnedtoandfroinherbedcountingsheep,andemployingothertime-honouredmethodsofinvokingsleep.Invain.
Ateighto’clock,whenShaistahadnotreturned,andtherehadbeennonewsofher,MissChadwickhadtakenmattersintoherownhandsandrungupInspectorKelsey.Shewasrelievedtofindthathedidnottakethemattertooseriously.Shecouldleaveitalltohim,heassuredher.Itwouldbeaneasymattertocheckuponapossibleaccident.Afterthat,hewouldgetintouchwithLondon.Everythingwouldbedonethatwasnecessary.Perhapsthegirlherselfwasplayingtruant.HeadvisedMissChadwicktosayaslittleaspossibleattheschool.LetitbethoughtthatShaistawasstayingthenightwithheruncleatClaridge’s.
“Thelastthingyouwant,orthatMissBulstrodewouldwant,isanymorepublicity,”saidKelsey.“It’smostunlikelythatthegirlhasbeenkidnapped.Sodon’tworry,MissChadwick.Leaveitalltous.”
ButMissChadwickdidworry.
Lyinginbed,sleepless,hermindwentfrompossiblekidnappingbacktomurder
MurderatMeadowbank.Itwasterrible!Unbelievable!Meadowbank.MissChadwicklovedMeadowbank.Shelovedit,perhaps,evenmorethanMissBulstrodedid,thoughinasomewhatdifferentway.Ithadbeensucharisky,gallantenterprise.FollowingMissBulstrodefaithfullyintothehazardousundertaking,shehadenduredpanicmorethanonce.Supposingthewholethingshouldfail.Theyhadn’treallyhadmuchcapital.Iftheydidnotsucceed—iftheirbackingwaswithdrawn—MissChadwickhadananxiousmindandcouldalwaystabulateinnumerableifs.MissBulstrodehadenjoyedtheadventure,thehazardofitall,butChaddyhadnot.Sometimes,inanagonyofapprehension,shehadpleadedforMeadowbanktoberunonmoreconventionallines.Itwouldbesafer,sheurged.ButMissBulstrodehadbeenuninterestedinsafety.Shehadhervisionofwhataschoolshouldbeandshehadpursueditunafraid.Andshehadbeenjustifiedinheraudacity.Butoh,therelieftoChaddywhensuccesswasafaitaccompli.WhenMeadowbankwasestablished,safelyestablished,asagreatEnglishinstitution.ItwasthenthatherloveforMeadowbankhadflowedmostfully.Doubts,fears,anxieties,allslippedfromher.Peaceandprosperityhadcome.ShebaskedintheprosperityofMeadowbanklikeapurringtabbycat.
ShehadbeenquiteupsetwhenMissBulstrodehadfirstbeguntotalkofretirement.Retirenow—wheneverythingwassetfair?Whatmadness!MissBulstrodetalkedoftravel,ofallthethingsintheworldtosee.Chaddywasunimpressed.Nothing,anywhere,couldbehalfasgoodasMeadowbank!Ithadseemedtoherthatnothingcouldaffectthewell-beingofMeadowbank—Butnow—Murder!
Suchanuglyviolentword—cominginfromtheoutsideworldlikeanill-manneredstormwind.Murder—awordassociatedbyMissChadwickonlywithdelinquentboyswithflickknives,orevil-mindeddoctorspoisoningtheirwives.Butmurderhere—ataschool—andnotanyschool—atMeadowbank.Incredible.
Really,MissSpringer—poorMissSpringer,naturallyitwasn’therfault—but,illogically,Chaddyfeltthatitmusthavebeenherfaultinsomeway.Shedidn’tknowthetraditionsofMeadowbank.Atactlesswoman.Shemustinsomewayhaveinvitedmurder.MissChadwickrolledover,turnedherpillow,said“Imustn’tgoonthinkingofitall.PerhapsIhadbettergetupandtakesomeaspirin.I’lljusttrycountingtofifty….”
Beforeshehadgottofifty,hermindwasoffagainonthesametrack.Worrying.Wouldallthis—andperhapskidnappingtoo—getintothepapers?Wouldparents,reading,hastentotaketheirdaughtersaway….
Ohdear,shemustcalmdownandgotosleep.Whattimewasit?Sheswitchedonherlightandlookedatherwatch—Justafteraquartertoone.JustaboutthetimethatpoorMissSpringer…No,shewouldnotthinkofitanymore.And,howstupidofMissSpringertohavegoneoffbyherselflikethatwithoutwakingupsomebodyelse.
“Ohdear,”saidMissChadwick.“I’llhavetotakesomeaspirin.”
Shegotoutofbedandwentovertothewashstand.Shetooktwoaspirinswithadrinkofwater.Onherwayback,shepulledasidethecurtainofthewindowandpeeredout.Shedidsotoreassureherselfmorethanforanyotherreason.ShewantedtofeelthatofcoursetherewouldneveragainbealightintheSportsPavilioninthemiddleofthenight.
Buttherewas.
InaminuteChaddyhadleapttoaction.Shethrustherfeetintostoutshoes,pulledonathickcoat,pickedupherelectrictorchandrushedoutofherroomanddownthestairs.ShehadblamedMissSpringerfornotobtainingsupportbeforegoingouttoinvestigate,butitneveroccurredtohertodoso.ShewasonlyeagertogetouttothePavilionandfindoutwhotheintruderwas.Shedidpausetopickupaweapon—notperhapsaverygoodone,butaweaponofkinds,andthenshewasoutofthesidedoorandfollowingquicklyalongthepaththroughtheshrubbery.Shewasoutofbreath,butcompletelyresolute.Onlywhenshegotatlasttothedoor,didsheslackenupandtakecaretomovesoftly.Thedoorwasslightlyajar.Shepusheditfurtheropenandlookedin….
II
AtaboutthetimewhenMissChadwickwasrisingfrombedinsearchofaspirin,AnnShapland,lookingveryattractiveinablackdancefrock,wassittingatatableinLeNidSauvageeatingSupremeofChickenandsmilingattheyoungmanoppositeher.DearDennis,thoughtAnntoherself,alwayssoexactlythesame.ItiswhatIsimplycouldn’tbearifImarriedhim.Heisratherapet,allthesame.Aloudsheremarked:
“Whatfunthisis,Dennis.Suchagloriouschange.”
“Howisthenewjob?”saidDennis.
“Well,actually,I’mratherenjoyingit.”
“Doesn’tseemtomequiteyoursortofthing.”
Annlaughed.“I’dbehardputtoittosaywhatismysortofthing.Ilikevariety,Dennis.”
“InevercanseewhyyougaveupyourjobwitholdSirMervynTodhunter.”
“Well,chieflybecauseofSirMervynTodhunter.Theattentionhebestowedonmewasbeginningtoannoyhiswife.Andit’spartofmypolicynevertoannoywives.Theycandoyoualotofharm,youknow.”
“Jealouscats,”saidDennis.
“Ohno,notreally,”saidAnn.“I’mratheronthewives’side.AnywayIlikedLadyTodhuntermuchbetterthanoldMervyn.Whyareyousurprisedatmypresentjob?”
“Oh,aschool.You’renotscholasticallymindedatall,Ishouldhavesaid.”
“I’dhatetoteachinaschool.I’dhatetobepennedup.Herdedwithalotofwomen.ButtheworkasthesecretaryofaschoollikeMeadowbankisratherfun.Itreallyisauniqueplace,youknow.AndMissBulstrode’sunique.She’sreallysomething,Icantellyou.Hersteel-greyeyegoesthroughyouandseesyourinnermostsecrets.Andshekeepsyouonyourtoes.I’dhatetomakeamistakeinanylettersI’dtakendownforher.Ohyes,she’scertainlysomething.”
“Iwishyou’dgettiredofallthesejobs,”saidDennis.“It’squitetime,youknow,Ann,thatyoustoppedallthisracketingaboutwithjobshereandjobsthereand—andsettleddown.”
“Youaresweet,Dennis,”saidAnninanoncommittalmanner.
“Wecouldhavequitefun,youknow,”saidDennis.
“Idaresay,”saidAnn,“butI’mnotreadyyet.Andanyway,youknow,there’smymamma.”
“Yes,Iwas—goingtotalktoyouaboutthat.”
“Aboutmymamma?Whatwereyougoingtosay?”
“Well,Ann,youknowIthinkyou’rewonderful.Thewayyougetaninterestingjobandthenyouchuckitallupandgohometoher.”
“Well,Ihavetonowandagainwhenshegetsareallybadattack.”
“Iknow.AsIsay,Ithinkit’swonderfulofyou.Butallthesamethereareplaces,youknow,verygoodplacesnowadayswhere—wherepeoplelikeyourmotherarewelllookedafterandallthatsortofthing.Notreallyloonybins.”
“Andwhichcosttheearth,”saidAnn.
“No,no,notnecessarily.Why,evenundertheHealthScheme—”
AbitternotecreptintoAnn’svoice.“Yes,Idaresayitwillcometothatoneday.ButinthemeantimeI’vegotaniceoldpussywholiveswithMotherandwhocancopenormally.Motherisquitereasonablemostofthetime—Andwhenshe—isn’t,Icomebackandlendahand.”
“She’s—sheisn’t—she’snever—?”
“Areyougoingtosayviolent,Dennis?You’vegotanextraordinarilyluridimagination.No.Mydearmammaisneverviolent.Shejustgetsfuddled.Sheforgetswheresheisandwhosheisandwantstogoforlongwalks,andthenaslikeasnotshe’lljumpintoatrainorabusandtakeoffsomewhereand—well,it’sallverydifficult,yousee.Sometimesit’stoomuchforonepersontocopewith.Butshe’squitehappy,evenwhensheisfuddled.Andsometimesquitefunnyaboutit.Irememberhersaying:‘Ann,darling,itreallyisveryembarrassing.IknewIwasgoingtoTibetandthereIwassittinginthathotelinDoverwithnoideahowtogetthere.ThenIthoughtwhywasIgoingtoTibet?AndIthoughtI’dbettercomehome.ThenIcouldn’trememberhowlongagoitwaswhenIlefthome.Itmakesitveryembarrassing,dear,whenyoucan’tquiterememberthings.’Mummywasreallyveryfunnyoveritall,youknow.Imeanshequiteseesthehumoroussideherself.”
“I’veneveractuallymether,”Dennisbegan.
“Idon’tencouragepeopletomeether,”saidAnn.“That’stheonethingIthinkyoucandoforyourpeople.Protectthemfrom—well,curiosityandpity.”
“It’snotcuriosity,Ann.”
“No,Idon’tthinkitwouldbethatwithyou.Butitwouldbepity.Idon’twantthat.”
“Icanseewhatyoumean.”
“ButifyouthinkImindgivingupjobsfromtimetotimeandgoinghomeforanindefiniteperiod,Idon’t,”saidAnn.“Inevermeanttogetembroiledinanythingtoodeeply.NotevenwhenItookmyfirstpostaftermysecretarialtraining.Ithoughtthethingwastogetreallygoodatthejob.Thenifyou’rereallygoodyoucanpickandchooseyourposts.Youseedifferentplacesandyouseedifferentkindsoflife.AtthemomentI’mseeingschoollife.ThebestschoolinEnglandseenfromwithin!Ishallstaythere,Iexpect,aboutayearandahalf.”
“Youneverreallygetcaughtupinthings,doyou,Ann?”
“No,”saidAnnthoughtfully,“Idon’tthinkIdo.IthinkI’moneofthosepeoplewhoisabornobserver.Morelikeacommentatorontheradio.”
“You’resodetached,”saidDennisgloomily.“Youdon’treallycareaboutanythingoranyone.”
“IexpectIshallsomeday,”saidAnnencouragingly.
“Idounderstandmoreorlesshowyou’rethinkingandfeeling.”
“Idoubtit,”saidAnn.
“Anyway,Idon’tthinkyou’lllastayear.You’llgetfedupwithallthosewomen,”saidDennis.
“There’saverygood-lookinggardener,”saidAnn.ShelaughedwhenshesawDennis’sexpression.“Cheerup,I’monlytryingtomakeyoujealous.”
“What’sthisaboutoneofthemistresseshavingbeenkilled?”
“Oh,that.”Ann’sfacebecameseriousandthoughtful.
“That’sodd,Dennis.Veryoddindeed.ItwastheGamesMistress.Youknowthetype.I-am-a-plain-GamesMistress.Ithinkthere’salotmorebehinditthanhascomeoutyet.”
“Well,don’tyougetmixedupinanythingunpleasant.”
“That’seasytosay.I’veneverhadanychanceatdisplayingmytalentsasasleuth.IthinkImightberathergoodatit.”
“Now,Ann.”
“Darling,I’mnotgoingtotraildangerouscriminals.I’mjustgoingto—well,makeafewlogicaldeductions.Whyandwho.Andwhatfor?Thatsortofthing.I’vecomeacrossonepieceofinformationthat’sratherinteresting.”
“Ann!”
“Don’tlooksoagonized.Onlyitdoesn’tseemtolinkupwithanything,”saidAnnthoughtfully.“Uptoapointitallfitsinverywell.Andthen,suddenly,itdoesn’t.”Sheaddedcheerfully,“Perhapsthere’llbeasecondmurder,andthatwillclarifythingsalittle.”
ItwasatexactlythatmomentthatMissChadwickpushedopentheSportsPaviliondoor.
Fifteen
MURDERREPEATSITSELF
“Comealong,”saidInspectorKelsey,enteringtheroomwithagrimface.“There’sbeenanother.”
“Anotherwhat?”Adamlookedupsharply.
“Anothermurder,”saidInspectorKelsey.HeledthewayoutoftheroomandAdamfollowedhim.Theyhadbeensittinginthelatter’sroomdrinkingbeeranddiscussingvariousprobabilitieswhenKelseyhadbeensummonedtothetelephone.
“Whoisit?”demandedAdam,ashefollowedInspectorKelseydownthestairs.
“Anothermistress—MissVansittart.”
“Where?”
“IntheSportsPavilion.”
“TheSportsPavilionagain,”saidAdam.“WhatisthereaboutthisSportsPavilion?”
“You’dbettergiveittheonce-overthistime,”saidInspectorKelsey.“Perhapsyourtechniqueofsearchingmaybemoresuccessfulthanourshasbeen.TheremustbesomethingaboutthatSportsPavilionorwhyshouldeveryonegetkilledthere?”
HeandAdamgotintohiscar.“Iexpectthedoctorwillbethereaheadofus.Hehasn’tsofartogo.”
Itwas,Kelseythought,likeabaddreamrepeatingitselfasheenteredthebrilliantlylightedSportsPavilion.There,onceagain,wasabodywiththedoctorkneelingbesideit.Onceagainthedoctorrosefromhiskneesandgotup.
“Killedabouthalfanhourago,”hesaid.“Fortyminutesatmost.”
“Whofoundher?”saidKelsey.
Oneofhismenspokeup.“MissChadwick.”
“That’stheoldone,isn’tit?”
“Yes.Shesawalight,cameouthere,andfoundherdead.Shestumbledbacktothehouseandmoreorlesswentintohysterics.Itwasthematronwhotelephoned,MissJohnson.”
“Right,”saidKelsey.“Howwasshekilled?Shotagain?”
Thedoctorshookhishead.“No.Sluggedonthebackofthehead,thistime.Mighthavebeenacoshorasandbag.Somethingofthatkind.”
Agolfclubwithasteelheadwaslyingnearthedoor.Itwastheonlythingthatlookedremotelydisorderlyintheplace.
“Whataboutthat?”saidKelsey,pointing.“Couldshehavebeenhitwiththat?”
Thedoctorshookhishead.“Impossible.There’snomarkonher.No,itwasdefinitelyaheavyrubbercoshorasandbag,somethingofthatsort.”
“Something—professional?”
“Probably,yes.Whoeveritwas,didn’tmeantomakeanynoisethistime.Cameupbehindherandsluggedheronthebackofthehead.Shefellforwardandprobablyneverknewwhathither.”
“Whatwasshedoing?”
“Shewasprobablykneelingdown,”saidthedoctor.“Kneelinginfrontofthislocker.”
TheInspectorwentuptothelockerandlookedatit.“That’sthegirl’snameonit,Ipresume,”hesaid.“Shaista—letmesee,that’sthe—that’stheEgyptiangirl,isn’tit?HerHighnessPrincessShaista.”HeturnedtoAdam.“Itseemstotiein,doesn’tit?Waitaminute—that’sthegirltheyreportedthiseveningasmissing?”
“That’sright,sir,”saidtheSergeant.“Acarcalledforherhere,supposedtohavebeensentbyherunclewho’sstayingatClaridge’sinLondon.Shegotintoitanddroveoff.”
“Noreportscomein?”
“Notasyet,sir.Gotanetworkout.AndtheYardisonit.”
“Anicesimplewayofkidnappinganyone,”saidAdam.“Nostruggle,nocries.Allyou’vegottoknowisthatthegirl’sexpectingacartofetchherandallyou’vegottodoistolooklikeahigh-classchauffeurandarrivetherebeforetheothercardoes.Thegirlwillstepinwithoutasecondthoughtandyoucandriveoffwithouthersuspectingintheleastwhat’shappeningtoher.”
“Noabandonedcarfoundanywhere?”askedKelsey.
“We’vehadnonewsofone,”saidtheSergeant.“TheYard’sonitnowasIsaid,”headded,“andtheSpecialBranch.”
“Maymeanabitofapoliticalschemozzle,”saidtheInspector.“Idon’tsupposeforaminutethey’llbeabletotakeheroutofthecountry.”
“Whatdotheywanttokidnapherforanyway?”askedthedoctor.
“Goodnessknows,”saidKelseygloomily.“ShetoldmeshewasafraidofbeingkidnappedandI’mashamedtosayIthoughtshewasjustshowingoff.”
“Ithoughtso,too,whenyoutoldmeaboutit,”saidAdam.
“Thetroubleiswedon’tknowenough,”saidKelsey.“Therearefartoomanylooseends.”Helookedaround.“Well,theredoesn’tseemtobeanythingmorethatIcandohere.Getonwiththeusualstuff—photographs,fingerprints,etc.I’dbettergoalongtothehouse.”
AtthehousehewasreceivedbyMissJohnson.Shewasshakenbutpreservedherself-control.
“It’sterrible,Inspector,”shesaid.“Twoofourmistresseskilled.PoorMissChadwick’sinadreadfulstate.”
“I’dliketoseeherassoonasIcan.”
“Thedoctorgavehersomethingandshe’smuchcalmernow.ShallItakeyoutoher?”
“Yes,inaminuteortwo.Firstofall,justtellmewhatyoucanaboutthelasttimeyousawMissVansittart.”
“Ihaven’tseenheratalltoday,”saidMissJohnson.“I’vebeenawayallday.Iarrivedbackherejustbeforeelevenandwentstraightuptomyroom.Iwenttobed.”
“Youdidn’thappentolookoutofyourwindowtowardstheSportsPavilion?”
“No.No,Ineverthoughtofit.I’dspentthedaywithmysisterwhomIhadn’tseenforsometimeandmymindwasfullofhomenews.Itookabathandwenttobedandreadabook,andIturnedoffthelightandwenttosleep.ThenextthingIknewwaswhenMissChadwickburstin,lookingaswhiteasasheetandshakingallover.”
“WasMissVansittartabsenttoday?”
“No,shewashere.Shewasincharge.MissBulstrode’saway.”
“Whoelsewashere,ofthemistresses,Imean?”
MissJohnsonconsideredamoment.“MissVansittart,MissChadwick,theFrenchmistress,MademoiselleBlanche,MissRowan.”
“Isee.Well,Ithinkyou’dbettertakemetoMissChadwicknow.”
MissChadwickwassittinginachairinherroom.Althoughthenightwasawarmonetheelectricfirehadbeenturnedonandarugwaswrappedroundherknees.SheturnedaghastlyfacetowardsInspectorKelsey.
“She’sdead—sheisdead?There’snochancethat—thatshemightcomeround?”
Kelseyshookhisheadslowly.
“It’ssoawful,”saidMissChadwick,“withMissBulstrodeaway.”Sheburstintotears.“Thiswillruintheschool,”shesaid.“ThiswillruinMeadowbank.Ican’tbearit—Ireallycan’tbearit.”
Kelseysatdownbesideher.“Iknow,”hesaidsympathetically,“Iknow.It’sbeenaterribleshocktoyou,butIwantyoutobebrave,MissChadwick,andtellmeallyouknow.Thesoonerwecanfindoutwhodidit,thelesstroubleandpublicitytherewillbe.”
“Yes,yes,Icanseethat.Yousee,I—IwenttobedearlybecauseIthoughtitwouldbeniceforoncetohaveanicelongnight.ButIcouldn’tgotosleep.Iwasworrying.”
“Worryingabouttheschool?”
“Yes.AndaboutShaistabeingmissing.AndthenIbeganthinkingofMissSpringerandwhether—whetherhermurderwouldaffecttheparents,andwhetherperhapstheywouldn’tsendtheirgirlsbackherenextterm.IwassoterriblyupsetforMissBulstrode.Imean,she’smadethisplace.It’sbeensuchafineachievement.”
“Iknow.Nowgoontellingme—youwereworried,andyoucouldn’tsleep?”
“No,Icountedsheepandeverything.AndthenIgotupandtooksomeaspirinandwhenI’dtakenitIjusthappenedtodrawbackthecurtainsfromthewindow.Idon’tquiteknowwhy.IsupposebecauseI’dbeenthinkingaboutMissSpringer.Thenyousee,Isaw…Isawalightthere.”
“Whatkindofalight?”
“Well,asortofdancinglight.Imean—Ithinkitmusthavebeenatorch.ItwasjustlikethelightthatMissJohnsonandIsawbefore.”
“Itwasjustthesame,wasit?”
“Yes.Yes,Ithinkso.Perhapsalittlefeebler,butIdon’tknow.”
“Yes.Andthen?”
“Andthen,”saidMissChadwick,hervoicesuddenlybecomingmoreresonant,“IwasdeterminedthatthistimeIwouldseewhoitwasoutthereandwhattheyweredoing.SoIgotupandpulledonmycoatandmyshoes,andIrushedoutofthehouse.”
“Youdidn’tthinkofcallinganyoneelse?”
“No.No,Ididn’t.YouseeIwasinsuchahurrytogetthere,Iwassoafraidtheperson—whoeveritwas—wouldgoaway.”
“Yes.Goon,MissChadwick.”
“SoIwentasfastasIcould.IwentuptothedoorandjustbeforeIgotthereIwentontiptoesothat—sothatIshouldbeabletolookinandnobodywouldhearmecoming.Igotthere.Thedoorwasnotshut—justajarandIpusheditveryslightlyopen.Ilookedrounditand—andthereshewas.Fallenforwardonherface,dead….”
Shebegantoshakeallover.
“Yes,yes,MissChadwick,it’sallright.Bytheway,therewasagolfcluboutthere.Didyoutakeitout?OrdidMissVansittart?”
“Agolfclub?”saidMissChadwickvaguely.“Ican’tremember—Oh,yes,IthinkIpickeditupinthehall.Itookitoutwithmeincase—well,incaseIshouldhavetouseit.WhenIsawEleanorIsupposeIjustdroppedit.ThenIgotbacktothehousesomehowandIfoundMissJohnson—Oh!Ican’tbearit.Ican’tbearit—thiswillbetheendofMeadowbank—”
MissChadwick’svoicerosehysterically.MissJohnsoncameforward.
“Todiscovertwomurdersistoomuchofastrainforanyone,”saidMissJohnson.“Certainlyforanyoneherage.Youdon’twanttoaskheranymore,doyou?”
InspectorKelseyshookhishead.
Ashewasgoingdownstairs,henoticedapileofold-fashionedsandbagswithbucketsinanalcove.Datingfromthewar,perhaps,buttheuneasythoughtoccurredtohimthatitneedn’thavebeenaprofessionalwithacoshwhohadsluggedMissVansittart.Someoneinthebuilding,someonewhohadn’twishedtoriskthesoundofashotasecondtime,andwho,verylikely,haddisposedoftheincriminatingpistolafterthelastmurder,couldhavehelpedthemselvestoaninnocent-lookingbutlethalweapon—andpossiblyevenreplacedittidilyafterwards!
Sixteen
RIDDLEOFTHESPORTSPAVILION
I
“Myheadisbloodybutunbowed,”saidAdamtohimself.
HewaslookingatMissBulstrode.Hehadnever,hethought,admiredawomanmore.Shesat,coolandunmoved,withherlife-workfallinginruinsabouther.
Fromtimetotimetelephonecallscamethroughannouncingthatyetanotherpupilwasbeingremoved.
FinallyMissBulstrodehadtakenherdecision.Excusingherselftothepoliceofficers,shesummonedAnnShapland,anddictatedabriefstatement.Theschoolwouldbecloseduntiltheendofterm.Parentswhofounditinconvenienttohavetheirchildrenhome,werewelcometoleavetheminhercareandtheireducationwouldbecontinued.
“You’vegotthelistofparents’namesandaddresses?Andtheirtelephonenumbers?”
“Yes,MissBulstrode.”
“Thenstartonthetelephone.Afterthatseeatypednoticegoestoeveryone.”
“Yes,MissBulstrode.”
Onherwayout,AnnShaplandpausednearthedoor.
Sheflushedandherwordscamewitharush.
“Excuseme,MissBulstrode.It’snotmybusiness—butisn’titapityto—tobepremature?Imean—afterthefirstpanic,whenpeoplehavehadtimetothink—surelytheywon’twanttotakethegirlsaway.They’llbesensibleandthinkbetterofit.”
MissBulstrodelookedatherkeenly.
“YouthinkI’macceptingdefeattooeasily?”
Annflushed.
“Iknow—youthinkit’scheek.But—but,wellthen,yes,Ido.”
“You’reafighter,child,I’mgladtosee.Butyou’requitewrong.I’mnotacceptingdefeat.I’mgoingonmyknowledgeofhumannature.Urgepeopletotaketheirchildrenaway,forceitonthem—andtheywon’twanttonearlysomuch.They’llthinkupreasonsforlettingthemremain.Orattheworstthey’lldecidetoletthemcomebacknextterm—ifthereisanextterm,”sheaddedgrimly.
ShelookedatInspectorKelsey.
“That’suptoyou,”shesaid.“Clearthesemurdersup—catchwhoeverisresponsibleforthem—andwe’llbeallright.”
InspectorKelseylookedunhappy.Hesaid:“We’redoingourbest.”
AnnShaplandwentout.
“Competentgirl,”saidMissBulstrode.“Andloyal.”
Thiswasinthenatureofaparenthesis.Shepressedherattack.
“HaveyouabsolutelynoideaofwhokilledtwoofmymistressesintheSportsPavilion?Yououghtto,bythistime.Andthiskidnappingontopofeverythingelse.Iblamemyselfthere.Thegirltalkedaboutsomeonewantingtokidnapher.Ithought,Godforgiveme,shewasmakingherselfimportant.Iseenowthattheremusthavebeensomethingbehindit.Someonemusthavehinted,orwarned—onedoesn’tknowwhich—”Shebrokeoff,resuming:“You’venonewsofanykind?”
“Notyet.ButIdon’tthinkyouneedworrytoomuchaboutthat.It’sbeenpassedtotheC.I.D.TheSpecialBranchisontoit,too.Theyoughttofindherwithintwenty-fourhours,thirty-sixatmost.Thereareadvantagesinthisbeinganisland.Alltheports,airports,etc.,arealerted.Andthepoliceineverydistrictarekeepingalookout.It’sactuallyeasyenoughtokidnapanyone—it’skeepingthemhiddenthat’stheproblem.Oh,we’llfindher.”
“Ihopeyou’llfindheralive,”saidMissBulstrodegrimly.“Weseemtobeupagainstsomeonewhoisn’ttooscrupulousabouthumanlife.”
“Theywouldn’thavetroubledtokidnapherifthey’dmeanttodoawaywithher,”saidAdam.“Theycouldhavedonethathereeasilyenough.”
Hefeltthatthelastwordswereunfortunate.MissBulstrodegavehimalook.
“Soitseems,”shesaiddryly.
Thetelephonerang.MissBulstrodetookupthereceiver.
“Yes?”
ShemotionedtoInspectorKelsey.
“It’sforyou.”
AdamandMissBulstrodewatchedhimashetookthecall.Hegrunted,jotteddownanoteortwo,saidfinally:“Isee.AldertonPriors.That’sWallshire.Yes,we’llcooperate.Yes,Super.I’llcarryonhere,then.”
Heputdownthereceiverandstayedamomentlostinthought.Thenhelookedup.
“HisExcellencygotaransomnotethismorning.TypedonanewCorona.PostmarkPortsmouth.Betthat’sablind.”
“Whereandhow?”askedAdam.
“CrossroadstwomilesnorthofAldertonPriors.That’sabitofbaremoorland.EnvelopecontainingmoneytobeputunderstonebehindA.A.boxthereat2a.m.tomorrowmorning.”
“Howmuch?”
“Twentythousand.”Heshookhishead.“Soundsamateurishtome.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo?”askedMissBulstrode.
InspectorKelseylookedather.Hewasadifferentman.Officialreticencehungabouthimlikeacloak.
“Theresponsibilityisn’tmine,madam,”hesaid.“Wehaveourmethods.”
“Ihopethey’resuccessful,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Oughttobeeasy,”saidAdam.
“Amateurish?”saidMissBulstrode,catchingatawordtheyhadused.“Iwonder….”
Thenshesaidsharply:
“Whataboutmystaff?Whatremainsofit,thatistosay?DoItrustthem,ordon’tI?”
AsInspectorKelseyhesitated,shesaid,
“You’reafraidthatifyoutellmewhoisnotcleared,Ishouldshowitinmymannertothem.You’rewrong.Ishouldn’t.”
“Idon’tthinkyouwould,”saidKelsey.“ButIcan’taffordtotakeanychances.Itdoesn’tlook,onthefaceofit,asthoughanyofyourstaffcanbethepersonwe’relookingfor.Thatis,notsofaraswe’vebeenabletocheckuponthem.We’vepaidspecialattentiontothosewhoarenewthisterm—thatisMademoiselleBlanche,MissSpringerandyoursecretary,MissShapland.MissShapland’spastiscompletelycorroborated.She’sthedaughterofaretiredgeneral,shehasheldthepostsshesaysshedidandherformeremployersvouchforher.Inadditionshehasanalibiforlastnight.WhenMissVansittartwaskilled,MissShaplandwaswithaMr.DennisRathboneatanightclub.They’rebothwellknownthere,andMr.Rathbonehasanexcellentcharacter.MademoiselleBlanche’santecedentshavealsobeenchecked.ShehastaughtataschoolinthenorthofEnglandandattwoschoolsinGermany,andhasbeengivenanexcellentcharacter.Sheissaidtobeafirst-classteacher.”
“Notbyourstandards,”sniffedMissBulstrode.
“HerFrenchbackgroundhasalsobeenchecked.AsregardsMissSpringer,thingsarenotquitesoconclusive.Shedidhertrainingwhereshesays,buttherehavebeengapssinceinherperiodsofemploymentwhicharenotfullyaccountedfor.
“Since,however,shewaskilled,”addedtheInspector,“thatseemstoexonerateher.”
“Iagree,”saidMissBulstrodedryly,“thatbothMissSpringerandMissVansittartarehorsdecombatassuspects.Letustalksense.IsMademoiselleBlanche,inspiteofherblamelessbackground,stillasuspectmerelybecausesheisstillalive?”
“Shecouldhavedonebothmurders.Shewashere,inthebuilding,lastnight,”saidKelsey.“Shesaysshewenttobedearlyandsleptandheardnothinguntilthealarmwasgiven.There’snoevidencetothecontrary.We’vegotnothingagainsther.ButMissChadwicksaysdefinitelythatshe’ssly.”
MissBulstrodewavedthatasideimpatiently.
“MissChadwickalwaysfindstheFrenchMistressessly.She’sgotathingaboutthem.”ShelookedatAdam.“Whatdoyouthink?”
“Ithinkshepries,”saidAdamslowly.“Itmaybejustnaturalinquisitiveness.Itmaybesomethingmore.Ican’tmakeupmymind.Shedoesn’tlooktomelikeakiller,buthowdoesoneknow?”
“That’sjustit,”saidKelsey.“Thereisakillerhere,aruthlesskillerwhohaskilledtwice—butit’sveryhardtobelievethatit’soneofthestaff.MissJohnsonwaswithhersisterlastnightatLimestononSea,andanywayshe’sbeenwithyousevenyears.MissChadwick’sbeenwithyousinceyoustarted.Bothofthem,anyway,areclearofMissSpringer’sdeath.MissRichhasbeenwithyouoverayearandwasstayinglastnightattheAltonGrangeHotel,twentymilesaway,MissBlakewaswithfriendsatLittleport,MissRowanhasbeenwithyouforayearandhasagoodbackground.Asforyourservants,franklyIcan’tseeanyofthemasmurderers.They’realllocal,too….”
MissBulstrodenoddedpleasantly.
“Iquiteagreewithyourreasoning.Itdoesn’tleavemuch,doesit?So—”ShepausedandfixedanaccusingeyeonAdam.“Itlooksreally—asthoughitmustbeyou.”
Hismouthopenedinastonishment.
“Onthespot,”shemused.“Freetocomeandgo…Goodstorytoaccountforyourpresencehere.BackgroundOKbutyoucouldbeadouble-crosser,youknow.”
Adamrecoveredhimself.
“Really,MissBulstrode,”hesaidadmiringly,“Itakeoffmyhattoyou.Youthinkofeverything!”
II
“Goodgracious!”criedMrs.Sutcliffeatthebreakfasttable.“Henry!”
Shehadjustunfoldedhernewspaper.
Thewidthofthetablewasbetweenherandherhusbandsinceherweekendguestshadnotyetputinanappearanceforthemeal.
Mr.Sutcliffe,whohadopenedhispapertothefinancialpage,andwasabsorbedintheunforeseenmovementsofcertainshares,didnotreply.
“Henry!”
Theclarioncallreachedhim.Heraisedastartledface.
“What’sthematter,Joan?”
“Thematter?Anothermurder!AtMeadowbank!AtJennifer’sschool.”
“What?Here,letmesee!”
Disregardinghiswife’sremarkthatitwouldbeinhispaper,too,Mr.Sutcliffeleantacrossthetableandsnatchedthesheetfromhiswife’sgrasp.
“MissEleanorVansittart…SportsPavilion…samespotwhereMissSpringer,theGamesMistress…hm…hm….”
“Ican’tbelieveit!”Mrs.Sutcliffewaswailing.“Meadowbank.Suchanexclusiveschool.Royaltythereandeverything….”
Mr.Sutcliffecrumpledupthepaperandthrewitdownonthetable.
“Onlyonethingtobedone,”hesaid.“YougetoverthererightawayandtakeJenniferoutofit.”
“Youmeantakeheraway—altogether?”
“That’swhatImean.”
“Youdon’tthinkthatwouldbealittletoodrastic?AfterRosamondbeingsogoodaboutitandmanagingtogetherin?”
“Youwon’tbetheonlyonetakingyourdaughteraway!PlentyofvacanciessoonatyourpreciousMeadowbank.”
“Oh,Henry,doyouthinkso?”
“Yes,Ido.Somethingbadlywrongthere.TakeJenniferawaytoday.”
“Yes—ofcourse—Isupposeyou’reright.Whatshallwedowithher?”
“Sendhertoasecondarymodernsomewherehandy.Theydon’thavemurdersthere.”
“Oh,Henry,buttheydo.Don’tyouremember?Therewasaboywhoshotthesciencemasteratone.Itwasinlastweek’sNewsoftheWorld.”
“Idon’tknowwhatEngland’scomingto,”saidMr.Sutcliffe.
Disgusted,hethrewhisnapkinonthetableandstrodefromtheroom.
III
AdamwasaloneintheSportsPavilion…Hisdeftfingerswereturningoverthecontentsofthelockers.Itwasunlikelythathewouldfindanythingwherethepolicehadfailedbutafterall,onecouldneverbesure.AsKelseyhadsaideverydepartment’stechniquevariedalittle.
Whatwastherethatlinkedthisexpensivemodernbuildingwithsuddenandviolentdeath?Theideaofarendezvouswasout.Noonewouldchoosetokeeparendezvousasecondtimeinthesameplacewheremurderhadoccurred.Itcamebacktoit,then,thattherewassomethingherethatsomeonewaslookingfor.Hardlyacacheofjewels.Thatseemedruledout.Therecouldbenosecrethidingplace,falsedrawers,springcatches,etc.Andthecontentsofthelockerswerepitifullysimple.Theyhadtheirsecrets,buttheywerethesecretsofschoollife.Photographsofpinupheroes,packetsofcigarettes,anoccasionalunsuitablecheappaperback.EspeciallyhereturnedtoShaista’slocker.ItwaswhilebendingoverthatthatMissVansittarthadbeenkilled.WhathadMissVansittartexpectedtofindthere?Hadshefoundit?HadherkillertakenitfromherdeadhandandthenslippedoutofthebuildinginthenickoftimetomissbeingdiscoveredbyMissChadwick?
Inthatcaseitwasnogoodlooking.Whateveritwas,wasgone.
Thesoundoffootstepsoutsidearousedhimfromhisthoughts.HewasonhisfeetandlightingacigaretteinthemiddleofthefloorwhenJuliaUpjohnappearedinthedoorway,hesitatingalittle
“Anythingyouwant,miss?”askedAdam
“IwonderedifIcouldhavemytennisracquet.”
“Don’tseewhynot,”saidAdam.“Policeconstableleftmehere,”heexplainedmendaciously.“Hadtodropbacktothestationforsomething.Toldmetostopherewhilehewasaway.”
“Toseeifhecameback,Isuppose,”saidJulia.
“Thepoliceconstable?”
“No.Imean,themurderer.Theydo,don’tthey?Comebacktothesceneofthecrime.Theyhaveto!It’sacompulsion.”
“Youmayberight,”saidAdam.Helookedupattheserriedrowsofracquetsintheirpresses.“Whereaboutsisyours?”
“UnderU,”saidJulia.“Rightatthefarend.Wehaveournamesonthem,”sheexplained,pointingouttheadhesivetapeashehandedtheracquettoher.
“Seensomeservice,”saidAdam.“Butbeenagoodracquetonce.”
“CanIhaveJenniferSutcliffe’stoo?”askedJulia.
“New,”saidAdamappreciatively,ashehandedittoher.
“Brandnew,”saidJulia.“Herauntsentittoheronlytheotherday.”
“Luckygirl.”
“Sheoughttohaveagoodracquet.She’sverygoodattennis.Herbackhand’scomeonlikeanythingthisterm.”Shelookedround.“Don’tyouthinkhewillcomeback?”
Adamwasamomentortwogettingit.
“Oh.Themurderer?No,Idon’tthinkit’sreallylikely.Bitrisky,wouldn’titbe?”
“Youdon’tthinkmurderersfeeltheyhaveto?”
“Notunlessthey’veleftsomethingbehind.”
“Youmeanaclue?I’dliketofindaclue.Havethepolicefoundone?”
“Theywouldn’ttellme.”
“No.Isupposetheywouldn’t…Areyouinterestedincrime?”
Shelookedathiminquiringly.Hereturnedherglance.Therewas,asyet,nothingofthewomaninher.ShemustbeofmuchthesameageasShaista,buthereyesheldnothingbutinterestedinquiry.
“Well—Isuppose—uptoapoint—weallare.”
Julianoddedinagreement.
“Yes.Ithinkso,too…Icanthinkofallsortsofsolutions—butmostofthemareveryfar-fetched.It’sratherfun,though.”
“Youweren’tfondofMissVansittart?”
“Ineverreallythoughtabouther.Shewasallright.AbitliketheBull—MissBulstrode—butnotreallylikeher.Morelikeanunderstudyinatheatre.Ididn’tmeanitwasfunshewasdead.I’msorryaboutthat.”
Shewalkedoutholdingthetworacquets
AdamremainedlookingroundthePavilion.
“Whatthehellcouldthereeverhavebeenhere?”hemutteredtohimself.
IV
“Goodlord,”saidJennifer,allowingJulia’sforehanddrivetopassher.“There’sMummy.”
ThetwogirlsturnedtostareattheagitatedfigureofMrs.Sutcliffe,shepherdedbyMissRich,rapidlyarrivingandgesticulatingasshedidso.
“Morefuss,Isuppose,”saidJenniferresignedly.“It’sthemurder.Youarelucky,Julia,thatyourmother’ssafelyonabusintheCaucasus.”
“There’sstillAuntIsabel.”
“Auntsdon’tmindinthesameway.”
“Hallo,Mummy,”sheadded,asMrs.Sutcliffearrived.
“Youmustcomeandpackyourthings,Jennifer.I’mtakingyoubackwithme.”
“Backhome?”
“Yes.”
“But—youdon’tmeanaltogether?Notforgood?”
“Yes.Ido.”
“Butyoucan’t—really.Mytennishascomeonlikeanything.I’vegotaverygoodchanceofwinningthesinglesandJuliaandImightwinthedoubles,thoughIdon’tthinkit’sverylikely.”
“You’recominghomewithmetoday.”
“Why?”
“Don’taskquestions.”
“Isupposeit’sbecauseofMissSpringerandMissVansittartbeingmurdered.Butnoone’smurderedanyofthegirls.I’msuretheywouldn’twantto.AndSportsDayisinthreeweeks’time.IthinkIshallwintheLongJumpandI’veagoodchancefortheHurdling.”
“Don’targuewithme,Jennifer.You’recomingbackwithmetoday.Yourfatherinsists.”
“But,Mummy—”
ArguingpersistentlyJennifermovedtowardsthehousebyhermother’sside.
Suddenlyshebrokeawayandranbacktothetenniscourt.
“Good-bye,Julia.Mummyseemstohavegotthewindupthoroughly.Daddy,too,apparently.Sickening,isn’tit?Good-bye,I’llwritetoyou.”
“I’llwritetoyou,too,andtellyouallthathappens.”
“Ihopetheydon’tkillChaddynext.I’dratheritwasMademoiselleBlanche,wouldn’tyou?”
“Yes.She’stheonewecouldsparebest.Isay,didyounoticehowblackMissRichwaslooking?”
“Shehasn’tsaidaword.She’sfuriousatMummycomingandtakingmeaway.”
“Perhapsshe’llstopher.She’sveryforceful,isn’tshe?Notlikeanyoneelse.”
“Sheremindsmeofsomeone,”saidJennifer.
“Idon’tthinkshe’sabitlikeanybody.Shealwaysseemstobequitedifferent.”
“Ohyes.Sheisdifferent.Imeantinappearance.ButthepersonIknewwasquitefat.”
“Ican’timagineMissRichbeingfat.”
“Jennifer…”calledMrs.Sutcliffe.
“Idothinkparentsaretrying,”saidJennifercrossly.“Fuss,fuss,fuss.Theyneverstop.Idothinkyou’reluckyto—”
“Iknow.Yousaidthatbefore.Butjustatthemoment,letmetellyou,IwishMummywereagooddealnearer,andnotonabusinAnatolia.”
“Jennifer…”
“Coming….”
JuliawalkedslowlyinthedirectionoftheSportsPavilion.Herstepsgrewslowerandslowerandfinallyshestoppedaltogether.Shestood,frowning,lostinthought.
Theluncheonbellsounded,butshehardlyheardit.Shestareddownattheracquetshewasholding,movedasteportwoalongthepath,thenwheeledroundandmarcheddeterminedlytowardsthehouse.Shewentinbythefrontdoor,whichwasnotallowed,andtherebyavoidedmeetinganyoftheothergirls.Thehallwasempty.Sheranupthestairstohersmallbedroom,lookedroundherhurriedly,thenliftingthemattressonherbed,shovedtheracquetflatbeneathit.Then,rapidlysmoothingherhair,shewalkeddemurelydownstairstothediningroom.
Seventeen
ALADDIN’SCAVE
I
Thegirlswentuptobedthatnightmorequietlythanusual.Foronethingtheirnumbersweremuchdepleted.Atleastthirtyofthemhadgonehome.Theothersreactedaccordingtotheirseveraldispositions.Excitement,trepidation,acertainamountofgigglingthatwaspurelynervousinoriginandthereweresomeagainwhoweremerelyquietandthoughtful.
JuliaUpjohnwentupquietlyamongstthefirstwave.Shewentintoherroomandclosedthedoor.Shestoodtherelisteningtothewhispers,giggles,footstepsandgoodnights.Thensilencecloseddown—oranearsilence.Faintvoicesechoedinthedistance,andfootstepswenttoandfrotothebathroom.
Therewasnolockonthedoor.Juliapulledachairagainstit,withthetopofthechairwedgedunderthehandle.Thatwouldgiveherwarningifanyoneshouldcomein.Butnoonewaslikelytocomein.Itwasstrictlyforbiddenforthegirlstogointoeachother’srooms,andtheonlymistresswhodidsowasMissJohnson,ifoneofthegirlswasilloroutofsorts.
Juliawenttoherbed,liftedupthemattressandgropedunderit.Shebroughtoutthetennisracquetandstoodamomentholdingit.Shehaddecidedtoexamineitnow,andnotlater.Alightinherroomshowingunderthedoormightattractattentionwhenalllightsweresupposedtobeoff.Nowwasthetimewhenalightwasnormalforundressingandforreadinginbeduntilhalfpasttenifyouwantedtodoso.
Shestoodstaringdownattheracquet.Howcouldtherebeanythinghiddeninatennisracquet?
“Buttheremustbe,”saidJuliatoherself.“Theremust.TheburglaryatJennifer’shome,thewomanwhocamewiththatsillystoryaboutanewracquet….”
OnlyJenniferwouldhavebelievedthat,thoughtJuliascornfully.
No,itwas“newlampsforold”andthatmeant,likeinAladdin,thattherewassomethingaboutthisparticulartennisracquet.JenniferandJuliahadnevermentionedtoanyonethattheyhadswoppedracquets—oratleast,sheherselfneverhad.
Soreallythen,thiswastheracquetthateveryonewaslookingforintheSportsPavilion.Anditwasuptohertofindoutwhy!Sheexamineditcarefully.Therewasnothingunusualaboutittolookat.Itwasagoodqualityracquet,somewhattheworseforwear,butrestrungandeminentlyusable.Jenniferhadcomplainedofthebalance.
Theonlyplaceyoucouldpossiblyconcealanythinginatennisracquetwasinthehandle.Youcould,shesupposed,hollowoutthehandletomakeahidingplace.Itsoundedalittlefar-fetchedbutitwaspossible.Andifthehandlehadbeentamperedwith,thatprobablywouldupsetthebalance.
Therewasaroundofleatherwithletteringonit,theletteringalmostwornaway.Thatofcoursewasonlystuckon.Ifoneremovedthat?Juliasatdownatherdressingtableandattackeditwithapenknifeandpresentlymanagedtopulltheleatheroff.Insidewasaroundofthinwood.Itdidn’tlookquiteright.Therewasajoinallroundit.Juliaduginherpenknife.Thebladesnapped.Nailscissorsweremoreeffective.Shesucceededatlastinprisingitout.Amottledredandbluesubstancenowshowed.Juliapokeditandenlightenmentcametoher.Plasticine!Butsurelyhandlesoftennisracquetsdidn’tnormallycontainplasticine?Shegraspedthenailscissorsfirmlyandbegantodigoutlumpsofplasticine.Thestuffwasencasingsomething.Somethingthatfeltlikebuttonsorpebbles.
Sheattackedtheplasticinevigorously.
Somethingrolledoutonthetable—thenanothersomething.Presentlytherewasquiteaheap.
Julialeanedbackandgasped.
Shestaredandstaredandstared….
Liquidfire,redandgreenanddeepblueanddazzlingwhite….
Inthatmoment,Juliagrewup.Shewasnolongerachild.Shebecameawoman.Awomanlookingatjewels….
Allsortsoffantasticsnatchesofthoughtracedthroughherbrain.Aladdin’scave…Margueriteandhercasketofjewels…(TheyhadbeentakentoCoventGardentohearFaustlastweek)…Fatalstones…theHopediamond…Romance…herselfinablackvelvetgownwithaflashingnecklaceroundherthroat….
Shesatandgloatedanddreamed…Sheheldthestonesinherfingersandletthemfallthroughinarivuletoffire,aflashingstreamofwonderanddelight.
Andthensomething,someslightsoundperhaps,recalledhertoherself.
Shesatthinking,tryingtousehercommonsense,decidingwhatsheoughttodo.Thatfaintsoundhadalarmedher.Shesweptupthestones,tookthemtothewashstandandthrustthemintoherspongebagandrammedherspongeandnailbrushdownontopofthem.Thenshewentbacktothetennisracquet,forcedtheplasticinebackinsideit,replacedthewoodentopandtriedtogumdowntheleatherontopagain.Itcurledupwards,butshemanagedtodealwiththatbyapplyingadhesiveplasterthewrongwayupinthinstripsandthenpressingtheleatherontoit.
Itwasdone.Theracquetlookedandfeltjustasbefore,itsweighthardlyalteredinfeel.Shelookedatitandthencastitdowncarelesslyonachair.
Shelookedatherbed,neatlyturneddownandwaiting.Butshedidnotundress.Insteadshesatlistening.Wasthatafootstepoutside?
Suddenlyandunexpectedlysheknewfear.Twopeoplehadbeenkilled.Ifanyoneknewwhatshehadfound,shewouldbekilled.
Therewasafairlyheavyoakchestofdrawersintheroom.Shemanagedtodragitinfrontofthedoor,wishingthatitwasthecustomatMeadowbanktohavekeysinthelocks.Shewenttothewindow,pulledupthetopsashandboltedit.Therewasnotreegrowingnearthewindowandnocreepers.Shedoubtedifitwaspossibleforanyonetocomeinthatwaybutshewasnotgoingtotakeanychances.
Shelookedathersmallclock.Halfpastten.Shedrewadeepbreathandturnedoutthelight.Noonemustnoticeanythingunusual.Shepulledbackthecurtainalittlefromthewindow.Therewasafullmoonandshecouldseethedoorclearly.Thenshesatdownontheedgeofthebed.Inherhandsheheldthestoutestshoeshepossessed.
“Ifanyonetriestocomein,”Juliasaidtoherself,“I’llraponthewallhereashardasIcan.MaryKingisnextdoorandthatwillwakeherup.AndI’llscream—atthetopofmyvoice.Andthen,iflotsofpeoplecome,I’llsayIhadanightmare.Anyonemighthaveanightmareafterallthethingsthathavebeengoingonhere.”
Shesatthereandtimepassed.Thensheheardit—asoftstepalongthepassage.Shehearditstopoutsideherdoor.Alongpauseandthenshesawthehandleslowlyturning.
Shouldshescream?Notyet.
Thedoorwaspushed—justacrack,butthechestofdrawersheldit.Thatmusthavepuzzledthepersonoutside.
Anotherpause,andthentherewasaknock,averygentlelittleknock,onthedoor.
Juliaheldherbreath.Apause,andthentheknockcameagain—butstillsoftandmuted.
“I’masleep,”saidJuliatoherself.“Idon’thearanything.”
Whowouldcomeandknockonherdoorinthemiddleofthenight?Ifitwassomeonewhohadarighttoknock,they’dcallout,rattlethehandle,makeanoise.Butthispersoncouldn’taffordtomakeanoise….
ForalongtimeJuliasatthere.Theknockwasnotrepeated,thehandlestayedimmovable.ButJuliasattenseandalert.
Shesatlikethatforalongtime.Sheneverknewherselfhowlongitwasbeforesleepovercameher.Theschoolbellfinallyawokeher,lyinginacrampedanduncomfortableheapontheedgeofthebed.
II
Afterbreakfast,thegirlswentupstairsandmadetheirbeds,thenwentdowntoprayersinthebighallandfinallydispersedtovariousclassrooms.
Itwasduringthatlastexercise,whengirlswerehurryingindifferentdirections,thatJuliawentintooneclassroom,outbyafurtherdoor,joinedagrouphurryingroundthehouse,divedbehindarhododendron,madeaseriesoffurtherstrategicdivesandarrivedfinallynearthewallofthegroundswherealimetreehadthickgrowthalmostdowntotheground.Juliaclimbedthetreewithease,shehadclimbedtreesallherlife.Completelyhiddenintheleafybranches,shesat,glancingfromtimetotimeatherwatch.Shewasfairlysureshewouldnotbemissedforsometime.Thingsweredisorganized,twoteachersweremissing,andmorethanhalfthegirlshadgonehome.Thatmeantthatallclasseswouldhavebeenreorganized,sonobodywouldbelikelytoobservetheabsenceofJuliaUpjohnuntillunchtimeandbythen—
Julialookedatherwatchagain,scrambledeasilydownthetreetothelevelofthewall,straddleditanddroppedneatlyontheotherside.Ahundredyardsawaywasabusstopwhereabusoughttoarriveinafewminutes.Itdulydidso,andJuliahailedandboardedit,havingbynowabstractedafelthatfrominsidehercottonfrockandclappeditonherslightlydishevelledhair.ShegotoutatthestationandtookatraintoLondon.
Inherroom,proppeduponthewashstand,shehadleftanoteaddressedtoMissBulstrode.
DearMissBulstrode,Ihavenotbeenkidnappedorrunaway,sodon’tworry.IwillcomebackassoonasIcan.Yoursverysincerely,JuliaUpjohn
III
At228WhitehouseMansions,George,HerculePoirot’simmaculatevaletandmanservant,openedthedoorandcontemplatedwithsomesurpriseaschoolgirlwitharatherdirtyface.
“CanIseeM.HerculePoirot,please?”
Georgetookjustashadelongerthanusualtoreply.Hefoundthecallerunexpected.
“Mr.Poirotdoesnotseeanyonewithoutanappointment,”hesaid.
“I’mafraidIhaven’ttimetowaitforthat.Ireallymustseehimnow.Itisveryurgent.It’saboutsomemurdersandarobberyandthingslikethat.”
“Iwillascertain,”saidGeorge,“ifMr.Poirotwillseeyou.”
Heleftherinthehallandwithdrewtoconsulthismaster.
“Ayounglady,sir,whowishestoseeyouurgently.”
“Idaresay,”saidHerculePoirot.“Butthingsdonotarrangethemselvesaseasilyasthat.”
“ThatiswhatItoldher,sir.”
“Whatkindofayounglady?”
“Well,sir,she’smoreofalittlegirl.”
“Alittlegirl?Ayounglady?Whichdoyoumean,Georges?Theyarereallynotthesame.”
“I’mafraidyoudidnotquitegetmymeaningsir.Sheis,Ishouldsay,alittlegirl—ofschoolage,thatistosay.Butthoughherfrockisdirtyandindeedtorn,sheisessentiallyayounglady.”
“Asocialterm.Isee.”
“Andshewishestoseeyouaboutsomemurdersandarobbery.”
Poirot’seyebrowswentup.
“Somemurders,andarobbery.Original.Showthelittlegirl—theyounglady—in.”
Juliacameintotheroomwithonlytheslightesttraceofdiffidence.Shespokepolitelyandquitenaturally.
“Howdoyoudo,M.Poirot.IamJuliaUpjohn.IthinkyouknowagreatfriendofMummy’s.Mrs.Summerhayes.Westayedwithherlastsummerandshetalkedaboutyoualot.”
“Mrs.Summerhayes…”Poirot’smindwentbacktoavillagethatclimbedahillandtoahouseontopofthathill.Herecalledacharmingfreckledface,asofawithbrokensprings,alargequantityofdogs,andotherthingsbothagreeableanddisagreeable.
“MaureenSummerhayes,”hesaid.“Ahyes.”
“IcallherAuntMaureen,butsheisn’treallyanauntatall.Shetoldushowwonderfulyou’dbeenandsavedamanwhowasinprisonformurder,andwhenIcouldn’tthinkofwhattodoandwhotogoto,Ithoughtofyou.”
“Iamhonoured,”saidPoirotgravely.
Hebroughtforwardachairforher.
“Nowtellme,”hesaid.“Georges,myservant,toldmeyouwantedtoconsultmeaboutarobberyandsomemurders—morethanonemurder,then?”
“Yes,”saidJulia.“MissSpringerandMissVansittart.Andofcoursethere’sthekidnapping,too—butIdon’tthinkthat’sreallymybusiness.”
“Youbewilderme,”saidPoirot.“Wherehavealltheseexcitinghappeningstakenplace?”
“Atmyschool—Meadowbank.”
“Meadowbank,”exclaimedPoirot.“Ah.”Hestretchedouthishandtowherethenewspaperslayneatlyfoldedbesidehim.Heunfoldedoneandglancedoverthefrontpage,noddinghishead.
“Ibegintocomprehend,”hesaid.“Nowtellme,Julia,tellmeeverythingfromthebeginning.”
Juliatoldhim.Itwasquitealongstoryandacomprehensiveone—butshetolditclearly—withanoccasionalbreakasshewentbackoversomethingshehadforgotten.
Shebroughtherstoryuptothemomentwhenshehadexaminedthetennisracquetinherbedroomlastnight.
“Yousee,IthoughtitwasjustlikeAladdin—newlampsforold—andtheremustbesomethingaboutthattennisracquet.”
“Andtherewas?”
“Yes.”
Withoutanyfalsemodesty,Juliapulledupherskirt,rolledupherknickerlegnearlytoherthighandexposedwhatlookedlikeagreypoulticeattachedbyadhesiveplastertotheupperpartofherleg.
Shetoreoffthestripsofplaster,utteringananguished“Ouch”asshedidso,andfreedthepoulticewhichPoirotnowperceivedtobeapacketenclosedinaportionofgreyplasticspongebag.Juliaunwrappeditandwithoutwarningpouredaheapofglitteringstonesonthetable.
“Nomd’unnomd’unnom!”ejaculatedPoirotinanawe-inspiredwhisper.
Hepickedthemup,lettingthemrunthroughhisfingers.
“Nomd’unnomd’unnom!Buttheyarereal.Genuine.”
Julianodded.
“Ithinktheymustbe.Peoplewouldn’tkillotherpeopleforthemotherwise,wouldthey?ButIcanunderstandpeoplekillingforthese!”
Andsuddenly,ashadhappenedlastnight,awomanlookedoutofthechild’seyes.
Poirotlookedkeenlyatherandnodded.
“Yes—youunderstand—youfeelthespell.Theycannotbetoyoujustprettycolouredplaythings—moreisthepity.”
“They’rejewels!”saidJulia,intonesofecstasy.
“Andyoufoundthem,yousay,inthistennisracquet?”
Juliafinishedherrecital.
“Andyouhavenowtoldmeeverything?”
“Ithinkso.Imay,perhaps,haveexaggeratedalittlehereandthere.Idoexaggeratesometimes.NowJennifer,mygreatfriend,she’stheotherwayround.Shecanmakethemostexcitingthingssounddull.”Shelookedagainattheshiningheap.“M.Poirot,whodotheyreallybelongto?”
“Itisprobablyverydifficulttosay.Buttheydonotbelongtoeitheryouortome.Wehavetodecidenowwhattodonext.”
Julialookedathiminanexpectantfashion.
“Youleaveyourselfinmyhands?Good.”
HerculePoirotclosedhiseyes.
Suddenlyheopenedthemandbecamebrisk.
“ItseemsthatthisisanoccasionwhenIcannot,asIprefer,remaininmychair.Theremustbeorderandmethod,butinwhatyoutellme,thereisnoorderandmethod.Thatisbecausewehaveheremanythreads.Buttheyallconvergeandmeetatoneplace,Meadowbank.Differentpeople,withdifferentaims,andrepresentingdifferentinterests—all
“Mummy’sgoneinabustoAnatolia.”
“Ah,yourmotherhasgoneinabustoAnatolia.Ilnemanquaitque?a!IperceivewellthatshemightbeafriendofMrs.Summerhayes!Tellme,didyouenjoyyourvisitwithMrs.Summerhayes?”
“Ohyes,itwasgreatfun.She’sgotsomelovelydogs.”
“Thedogs,yes,Iwellremember.”
“Theycomeinandoutthroughallthewindows—likeinapantomime.”
“Youaresoright!Andthefood?Didyouenjoythefood?”
“Well,itwasabitpeculiarsometimes,”Juliaadmitted.
“Peculiar,yes,indeed.”
“ButAuntMaureenmakessmashingomelettes.”
“Shemakessmashingomelettes.”Poirot’svoicewashappy.Hesighed.
“ThenHerculePoirothasnotlivedinvain,”hesaid.“ItwasIwhotaughtyourAuntMaureentomakeanomelette.”Hepickedupthetelephonereceiver.
“WewillnowreassureyourgoodschoolmistressastoyoursafetyandannouncemyarrivalwithyouatMeadowbank.”
“SheknowsI’mallright.IleftanotesayingIhadn’tbeenkidnapped.”
“Nevertheless,shewillwelcomefurtherreassurance.”
Induecoursehewasconnected,andwasinformedthatMissBulstrodewasontheline.
“Ah,MissBulstrode?MynameisHerculePoirot.IhavewithmehereyourpupilJuliaUpjohn.Iproposetomotordownwithherimmediately,andfortheinformationofthepoliceofficerinchargeofthecase,acertainpacketofsomevaluehasbeensafelydepositedinthebank.”
HerangoffandlookedatJulia.
“Youwouldlikeasirop?”hesuggested.
“Goldensyrup?”Julialookeddoubtful
“No,asyrupoffruitjuice.Blackcurrant,raspberry,groseille—thatis,redcurrant?”
Juliasettledforredcurrant.
“Butthejewelsaren’tinthebank,”shepointedout.
“Theywillbeinaveryshorttime,”saidPoirot.“ButforthebenefitofanyonewholistensinatMeadowbank,orwhooverhears,orwhoistold,itisaswelltothinktheyarealreadythereandnolongerinyourpossession.Toobtainjewelsfromabankrequirestimeandorganization.AndIshouldverymuchdislikeanythingtohappentoyou,mychild.IwilladmitthatIhaveformedahighopinionofyourcourageandyourresource.”
Julialookedpleasedbutembarrassed.
Eighteen
CONSULTATION
I
HerculePoirothadpreparedhimselftobeatdownaninsularprejudicethataheadmistressmighthaveagainstagedforeignerswithpointedpatentleathershoesandlargemoustaches.Buthewasagreeablysurprised.MissBulstrodegreetedhimwithcosmopolitanaplomb.Shealso,tohisgratification,knewallabouthim.
“Itwaskindofyou,M.Poirot,”shesaid,“toringupsopromptlyandallayouranxiety.Allthemoresobecausethatanxietyhadhardlybegun.Youweren’tmissedatlunch,Julia,youknow,”sheadded,turningtothegirl.“Somanygirlswerefetchedawaythismorning,andthereweresomanygapsattable,thathalftheschoolcouldhavebeenmissing,Ithink,withoutanyapprehensionbeingaroused.Theseareunusualcircumstances,”shesaid,turningbacktoPoirot.“Iassureyouwewouldnotbesoslacknormally.WhenIreceivedyourtelephonecall,”shewenton,“IwenttoJulia’sroomandfoundthenoteshehadleft.”
“Ididn’twantyoutothinkI’dbeenkidnapped,MissBulstrode,”saidJulia.
“Iappreciatethat,butIthink,Julia,thatyoumighthavetoldmewhatyouwereplanningtodo.”
“IthoughtI’dbetternot,”saidJulia,andaddedunexpectedly,“Lesoreillesennemiesnousécoutent.”
“MademoiselleBlanchedoesn’tseemtohavedonemuchtoimproveyouraccentyet,”saidMissBulstrode,briskly.“ButI’mnotscoldingyou,Julia.”ShelookedfromJuliatoPoirot.“Now,ifyouplease,Iwanttohearexactlywhathashappened.”
“Youpermit?”saidHerculePoirot.Hesteppedacrosstheroom,openedthedoorandlookedout.Hemadeanexaggeratedgestureofshuttingit.Hereturnedbeaming.
“Wearealone,”hesaidmysteriously.“Wecanproceed.”
MissBulstrodelookedathim,thenshelookedatthedoor,thenshelookedatPoirotagain.Hereyebrowsrose.Hereturnedhergazesteadily.VeryslowlyMissBulstrodeinclinedherhead.Then,resumingherbriskmanner,shesaid,“Nowthen,Julia,let’shearallaboutthis.”
Juliaplungedintoherrecital.Theexchangeoftennisracquets,themysteriouswoman.Andfinallyherdiscoveryofwhattheracquetcontained.MissBulstrodeturnedtoPoirot.Henoddedhisheadgently.
“MademoiselleJuliahasstatedeverythingcorrectly,”hesaid.“Itookchargeofwhatshebroughtme.Itissafelylodgedinabank.Ithinkthereforethatyouneedanticipatenofurtherdevelopmentsofanunpleasantnaturehere.”
“Isee,”saidMissBulstrode.“Yes,Isee…”Shewasquietforamomentortwoandthenshesaid,“YouthinkitwiseforJuliatoremainhere?OrwoulditbebetterforhertogotoherauntinLondon?”
“Ohplease,”saidJulia,“doletmestayhere.”
“You’rehappyherethen?”saidMissBulstrode.
“Iloveit,”saidJulia.“Andbesides,therehavebeensuchexcitingthingsgoingon.”
“ThatisnotanormalfeatureofMeadowbank,”saidMissBulstrode,dryly.
“IthinkthatJuliawillbeinnodangerherenow,”saidHerculePoirot.Helookedagaintowardsthedoor.
“IthinkIunderstand,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Butforallthat,”saidPoirot,“thereshouldbediscretion.Doyouunderstanddiscretion,Iwonder?”headded,lookingatJulia.
“M.Poirotmeans,”saidMissBulstrode,“thathewouldlikeyoutoholdyourtongueaboutwhatyoufound.Nottalkaboutittotheothergirls.Canyouholdyourtongue?”
“Yes,”saidJulia.
“Itisaverygoodstorytotelltoyourfriends,”saidPoirot.“Ofwhatyoufoundinatennisracquetinthedeadofnight.Butthereareimportantreasonswhyitwouldbeadvisablethatthatstoryshouldnotbetold.”
“Iunderstand,”saidJulia.
“CanItrustyou,Julia?”saidMissBulstrode.
“Youcantrustme,”saidJulia.“Crossmyheart.”
MissBulstrodesmiled.“Ihopeyourmotherwillbehomebeforelong,”shesaid.
“Mummy?Oh,Idohopeso.”
“IunderstandfromInspectorKelsey,”saidMissBulstrode,“thateveryeffortisbeingmadetogetintouchwithher.Unfortunately,”sheadded,“Anatolianbusesareliabletounexpecteddelaysanddonotalwaysruntoschedule.”
“IcantellMummy,can’tI?”saidJulia.
“Ofcourse.Well,Julia,that’sallsettled.You’dbetterrunalongnow.”
Juliadeparted.Sheclosedthedoorafterher.MissBulstrodelookedveryhardatPoirot.
“Ihaveunderstoodyoucorrectly,Ithink,”shesaid.“Justnow,youmadeagreatparadeofclosingthatdoor.Actually—youdeliberatelyleftitslightlyopen.”
Poirotnodded.
“Sothatwhatwesaidcouldbeoverheard?”
“Yes—iftherewasanyonewhowantedtooverhear.Itwasaprecautionofsafetyforthechild—thenewsmustgetroundthatwhatshefoundissafelyinabank,andnotinherpossession.”
MissBulstrodelookedathimforamoment—thenshepursedherlipsgrimlytogether.
“There’sgottobeanendtoallthis,”shesaid.
II
“Theideais,”saidtheChiefConstable,“thatwetrytopoolourideasandinformation.Weareverygladtohaveyouwithus,M.Poirot,”headded.“InspectorKelseyremembersyouwell.”
“It’sagreatmanyyearsago,”saidInspectorKelsey.“ChiefInspectorWarrenderwasinchargeofthecase.Iwasafairlyrawsergeant,knowingmyplace.”
“Thegentlemancalled,forconvenience’ssakebyus—Mr.AdamGoodman,isnotknowntoyou,M.Poirot,butIbelieveyoudoknowhis—his—er—chief.SpecialBranch,”headded.
“ColonelPikeaway?”saidHerculePoirotthoughtfully.
“Ah,yesitissometimesinceIhaveseenhim.Ishestillassleepyasever?”heaskedAdam.
Adamlaughed.“Iseeyouknowhimallright,M.Poirot.I’veneverseenhimwide-awake.WhenIdo,I’llknowthatforonceheisn’tpayingattentiontowhatgoeson.”
“Youhavesomethingthere,myfriend.Itiswellobserved.”
“Now,”saidtheChiefConstable,“let’sgetdowntothings.Ishan’tpushmyselfforwardorurgemyownopinions.I’mheretolistentowhatthemenwhoareactuallyworkingonthecaseknowandthink.Thereareagreatmanysidestoallthis,andonethingperhapsIoughttomentionfirstofall.I’msayingthisasaresultofrepresentationsthathavebeenmadetomefrom—er—variousquartershighup.”HelookedatPoirot.“Let’ssay,”hesaid,“thatalittlegirl—aschoolgirl—cametoyouwithaprettytaleofsomethingshe’dfoundinthehollowed-outhandleofatennisracquet.Veryexcitingforher.Acollection,shallwesay,ofcolouredstones,paste,goodimitation—somethingofthatkind—orevensemi-preciousstoneswhichoftenlookasattractiveastheotherkind.Anywaylet’ssaysomethingthatachildwouldbeexcitedtofind.Shemightevenhaveexaggeratedideasofitsvalue.That’squitepossible,don’tyouthink?”HelookedveryhardatHerculePoirot.
“Itseemstomeeminentlypossible,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Good,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Sincethepersonwhobroughtthese—er—colouredstonesintothecountrydidsoquiteunknowinglyandinnocently,wedon’twantanyquestionofillicitsmugglingtoarise.
“Thenthereisthequestionofourforeignpolicy,”hewenton.“Things,Iamledtounderstand,arerather—delicatejustatpresent.Whenitcomestolargeinterestsinoil,mineraldeposits,allthatsortofthing,wehavetodealwithwhatevergovernment’sinpower.Wedon’twantanyawkwardquestionstoarise.Youcan’tkeepmurderoutofthePress,andmurderhasn’tbeenkeptoutofthePress.Butthere’sbeennomentionofanythinglikejewelsinconnectionwithit.Forthepresent,atanyrate,thereneedn’tbe.”
“Iagree,”saidPoirot.“Onemustalwaysconsiderinternationalcomplications.”
“Exactly,”saidtheChiefConstable.“IthinkI’mrightinsayingthatthelaterulerofRamatwasregardedasafriendofthiscountry,andthatthepowersthatbewouldlikehiswishesinrespectofanypropertyofhisthatmightbeinthiscountrytobecarriedout.Whatthatamountsto,Igather,nobodyknowsatpresent.IfthenewGovernmentofRamatisclaimingcertainpropertywhichtheyallegebelongstothem,itwillbemuchbetterifweknownothingaboutsuchpropertybeinginthiscountry.Aplainrefusalwouldbetactless.”
“Onedoesnotgiveplainrefusalsindiplomacy,”saidHerculePoirot.“Onesaysinsteadthatsuchamattershallreceivetheutmostattentionbutthatatthemomentnothingdefiniteisknownaboutanylittle—nestegg,say—thatthelaterulerofRamatmayhavepossessed.ItmaybestillinRamat,itmaybeinthekeepingofafaithfulfriendofthelatePrinceAliYusuf,itmayhavebeentakenoutofthecountrybyhalfadozenpeople,itmaybehiddensomewhereinthecityofRamatitself.”Heshruggedhisshoulders.“Onesimplydoesnotknow.”
TheChiefConstableheavedasigh.“Thankyou,”hesaid.“That’sjustwhatImean.”Hewenton,“M.Poirot,youhavefriendsinveryhighquartersinthiscountry.Theyputmuchtrustinyou.Unofficiallytheywouldliketoleaveacertainarticleinyourhandsifyoudonotobject.”
“Idonotobject,”saidPoirot.“Letusleaveitatthat.Wehavemoreseriousthingstoconsider,havewenot?”Helookedroundatthem.“Orperhapsyoudonotthinkso?Butafterall,whatisthree-quartersofamillionorsomesuchsumincomparisonwithhumanlife?”
“You’reright,M.Poirot,”saidtheChiefConstable.
“You’rerighteverytime,”saidInspectorKelsey.“Whatwewantisamurderer.Weshallbegladtohaveyouropinion,M.Poirot,”headded,“becauseit’slargelyaquestionofguessandguessagainandyourguessisasgoodasthenextman’sandsometimesbetter.Thewholething’slikeasnarloftangledwool.”
“Thatisexcellentlyput,”saidPoirot,“onehastotakeupthatsnarlofwoolandpullouttheonecolourthatweseek,thecolourofamurderer.Isthatright?”
“That’sright.”
“Thentellme,ifitisnottootediousforyoutoindulgeinrepetition,allthatisknownsofar.”
Hesettleddowntolisten.
HelistenedtoInspectorKelsey,andhelistenedtoAdamGoodman.HelistenedtothebriefsummingupoftheChiefConstable.Thenheleanedback,closedhiseyes,andslowlynoddedhishead.
“Twomurders,”hesaid,“committedinthesameplaceandroughlyunderthesameconditions.Onekidnapping.Thekidnappingofagirlwhomightbethecentralfigureoftheplot.Letusascertainfirstwhyshewaskidnapped.”
“Icantellyouwhatshesaidherself,”saidKelsey.
Hedidso,andPoirotlistened.
“Itdoesnotmakesense,”hecomplained.
“That’swhatIthoughtatthetime.AsamatteroffactIthoughtshewasjustmakingherselfimportant….”
“Butthefactremainsthatshewaskidnapped.Why?”
“Therehavebeenransomdemands,”saidKelseyslowly,“but—”hepaused.
“Buttheyhavebeen,youthink,phoney?Theyhavebeensentmerelytobolsterupthekidnappingtheory?”
“That’sright.Theappointmentsmadeweren’tkept.”
“Shaista,then,waskidnappedforsomeotherreason.Whatreason?”
“Sothatshecouldbemadetotellwherethe—er—valuableswerehidden?”suggestedAdamdoubtfully.
Poirotshookhishead.
“Shedidnotknowwheretheywerehidden,”hepointedout.“Thatatleast,isclear.No,theremustbesomething….”
Hisvoicetailedoff.Hewassilent,frowning,foramomentortwo.Thenhesatup,andaskedaquestion.
“Herknees,”hesaid.“Didyouevernoticeherknees?”
Adamstaredathiminastonishment.
“No,”hesaid.“WhyshouldI?”
“Therearemanyreasonswhyamannoticesagirl’sknees,”saidPoirotseverely.“Unfortunately,youdidnot.”
“Wastheresomethingoddaboutherknees?Ascar?Somethingofthatkind?Iwouldn’tknow.Theyallwearstockingsmostofthetime,andtheirskirtsarejustbelowkneelength.”
“Intheswimmingpool,perhaps?”suggestedPoirothopefully.
“Neversawhergoin,”saidAdam.“Toochillyforher,Iexpect.Shewasusedtoawarmclimate.Whatareyougettingat?Ascar?Somethingofthatkind?”
“No,no,thatisnotitatall.Ahwell,apity.”
HeturnedtotheChiefConstable.
“Withyourpermission,Iwillcommunicatewithmyoldfriend,thePréfet,atGeneva.Ithinkhemaybeabletohelpus.”
“Aboutsomethingthathappenedwhenshewasatschoolthere?”
“Itispossible,yes.Youdopermit?Good.Itisjustalittleideaofmine.”Hepausedandwenton:“Bytheway,therehasbeennothinginthepapersaboutthekidnapping?”
“TheEmirIbrahimwasmostinsistent.”
“ButIdidnoticealittleremarkinagossipcolumn.Aboutacertainforeignyoungladywhohaddepartedfromschoolverysuddenly.Abuddingromance,thecolumnistsuggested?Tobenippedinthebudifpossible!”
“Thatwasmyidea,”saidAdam.“Itseemedagoodlinetotake.”
“Admirable.Sonowwepassfromkidnappingtosomethingmoreserious.Murder.TwomurdersatMeadowbank.”
Nineteen
CONSULTATIONCONTINUED
I
“TwomurdersatMeadowbank,”repeatedPoirotthoughtfully.
“We’vegivenyouthefacts,”saidKelsey.“Ifyou’veanyideas—”
“WhytheSportsPavilion?”saidPoirot.“Thatwasyourquestion,wasn’tit?”hesaidtoAdam.“Well,nowwehavetheanswer.BecauseintheSportsPaviliontherewasatennisracquetcontainingafortuneinjewels.Someoneknewaboutthatracquet.Whowasit?ItcouldhavebeenMissSpringerherself.Shewas,soyouallsay,ratherpeculiaraboutthatSportsPavilion.Dislikedpeoplecomingthere—unauthorizedpeople,thatistosay.Sheseemedtobesuspiciousoftheirmotives.ParticularlywasthatsointhecaseofMademoiselleBlanche.”
“MademoiselleBlanche,”saidKelseythoughtfully.
HerculePoirotagainspoketoAdam.
“YouyourselfconsideredMademoiselleBlanche’smanneroddwhereitconcernedtheSportsPavilion?”
“Sheexplained,”saidAdam.“Sheexplainedtoomuch.Ishouldneverhavequestionedherrighttobethereifshehadnottakensomuchtroubletoexplainitaway.”
Poirotnodded.
“Exactly.Thatcertainlygivesonetothink.ButallweknowisthatMissSpringerwaskilledintheSportsPavilionatoneo’clockinthemorningwhenshehadnobusinesstobethere.”
HeturnedtoKelsey.
“WherewasMissSpringerbeforeshecametoMeadowbank?”
“Wedon’tknow,”saidtheInspector.“Sheleftherlastplaceofemployment,”hementionedafamousschool,“lastsummer.Whereshehasbeensincewedonotknow.”Headdeddryly:“Therewasnooccasiontoaskthequestionuntilshewasdead.Shehasnonearrelatives,nor,apparently,anyclosefriends.”
“ShecouldhavebeeninRamat,then,”saidPoirotthoughtfully.
“Ibelievetherewasapartyofschoolteachersoutthereatthetimeofthetrouble,”saidAdam.
“Letussay,then,thatshewasthere,thatinsomewayshelearnedaboutthetennisracquet.LetusassumethatafterwaitingashorttimetofamiliarizeherselfwiththeroutineatMeadowbankshewentoutonenighttotheSportsPavilion.Shegotholdoftheracquetandwasabouttoremovethejewelsfromtheirhidingplacewhen—”hepaused—“whensomeoneinterruptedher.Someonewhohadbeenwatchingher?Followingherthatevening?Whoeveritwashadapistol—andshother—buthadnotimetopriseoutthejewels,ortotaketheracquetaway,becausepeoplewereapproachingtheSportsPavilionwhohadheardtheshot.”
Hestopped.
“Youthinkthat’swhathappened?”askedtheChiefConstable.
“Idonotknow,”saidPoirot.“Itisonepossibility.Theotheristhatthatpersonwiththepistolwastherefirst,andwassurprisedbyMissSpringer.SomeonewhomMissSpringerwasalreadysuspiciousof.Shewas,youhavetoldme,thatkindofwoman.Anoseroutofsecrets.”
“Andtheotherwoman?”askedAdam.
Poirotlookedathim.Then,slowly,heshiftedhisgazetotheothertwomen.
“Youdonotknow,”hesaid.“AndIdonotknow.Itcouldhavebeensomeonefromoutside—?”
Hisvoicehalfaskedaquestion.
Kelseyshookhishead.
“Ithinknot.Wehavesiftedtheneighbourhoodverycarefully.Especially,ofcourse,inthecaseofstrangers.TherewasaMadamKolinskystayingnearby—knowntoAdamhere.Butshecouldnothavebeenconcernedineithermurder.”
“ThenitcomesbacktoMeadowbank.Andthereisonlyonemethodtoarriveatthetruth—elimination.”
Kelseysighed.
“Yes,”hesaid.“That’swhatitamountsto.Forthefirstmurder,it’safairlyopenfield.AlmostanybodycouldhavekilledMissSpringer.TheexceptionsareMissJohnsonandMissChadwick—andachildwhohadtheearache.Butthesecondmurdernarrowsthingsdown.MissRich,MissBlakeandMissShaplandareoutofit.MissRichwasstayingattheAltonGrangeHotel,twentymilesaway,MissBlakewasatLittleportonSea,MissShaplandwasinLondonatanightclub,theNidSauvage,withMr.DennisRathbone.”
“AndMissBulstrodewasalsoaway,Iunderstand?”
Adamgrinned.TheInspectorandtheChiefConstablelookedshocked.
“MissBulstrode,”saidtheInspectorseverely,“wasstayingwiththeDuchessofWelsham.”
“ThateliminatesMissBulstrodethen,”saidPoirotgravely.“Andleavesus—what?”
“Twomembersofthedomesticstaffwhosleepin,Mrs.GibbonsandagirlcalledDorisHogg.Ican’tconsidereitherofthemseriously.ThatleavesMissRowanandMademoiselleBlanche.”
“Andthepupils,ofcourse.”
Kelseylookedstartled.
“Surelyyoudon’tsuspectthem?”
“Frankly,no.Butonemustbeexact.”
Kelseypaidnoattentiontoexactitude.Heploddedon.
“MissRowanhasbeenhereoverayear.Shehasagoodrecord.Weknownothingagainsther.”
“Sowecome,then,toMademoiselleBlanche.Itistherethatthejourneyends.”
Therewasasilence.
“There’snoevidence,”saidKelsey.“Hercredentialsseemgenuineenough.”
“Theywouldhavetobe,”saidPoirot.
“Shesnooped,”saidAdam.“Butsnoopingisn’tevidenceofmurder.”
“Waitaminute,”saidKelsey,“therewassomethingaboutakey.Inourfirstinterviewwithher—I’lllookitup—somethingaboutthekeyofthePavilionfallingoutofthedoorandshepickeditupandforgottoreplaceit—walkedoutwithitandSpringerbawledherout.”
“Whoeverwantedtogooutthereatnightandlookfortheracquetwouldhavehadtohaveakeytogetinwith,”saidPoirot.“Forthat,itwouldhavebeennecessarytotakeanimpressionofthekey.”
“Surely,”saidAdam,“inthatcaseshewouldneverhavementionedthekeyincidenttoyou.”
“Thatdoesn’tfollow,”saidKelsey.“Springermighthavetalkedaboutthekeyincident.Ifso,shemightthinkitbettertomentionitinacasualfashion.”
“Itisapointtoberemembered,”saidPoirot.
“Itdoesn’ttakeusveryfar,”saidKelsey.
HelookedgloomilyatPoirot.
“Therewouldseem,”saidPoirot,“(thatis,ifIhavebeeninformedcorrectly),onepossibility.JuliaUpjohn’smother,Iunderstand,recognizedsomeonehereonthefirstdayofterm.Someonewhomshewassurprisedtosee.Fromthecontext,itwouldseemlikelythatthatsomeonewasconnectedwithforeignespionage.IfMrs.UpjohndefinitelypointsoutMademoiselleasthepersonsherecognized,thenIthinkwecouldproceedwithsomeassurance.”
“Easiersaidthandone,”saidKelsey.“We’vebeentryingtogetincontactwithMrs.Upjohn,butthewholething’saheadache!Whenthechildsaidabus,Ithoughtshemeantapropercoachtour,runningtoschedule,andapartyallbookedtogether.Butthat’snotitatall.Seemsshe’sjusttakinglocalbusestoanyplaceshehappenstofancy!She’snotdoneitthroughCook’sorarecognizedtravelagency.She’sallonherown,wanderingabout.Whatcanyoudowithawomanlikethat?Shemightbeanywhere.There’salotofAnatolia!”
“Itmakesitdifficult,yes,”saidPoirot.
“Plentyofnicecoachtours,”saidtheInspectorinaninjuredvoice.“Allmadeeasyforyou—whereyoustopandwhatyousee,andall-infaressothatyouknowexactlywhereyouare.”
“Butclearly,thatkindoftraveldoesnotappealtoMrs.Upjohn.”
“Andinthemeantime,hereweare,”wentonKelsey.“Stuck!ThatFrenchwomancanwalkoutanymomentshechooses.We’venothingonwhichwecouldholdher.”
Poirotshookhishead.
“Shewillnotdothat.”
“Youcan’tbesure.”
“Iamsure.Ifyouhavecommittedmurder,youdonotwanttodoanythingoutofcharacter,thatmaydrawattentiontoyou.MademoiselleBlanchewillremainherequietlyuntiltheendoftheterm.”
“Ihopeyou’reright.”
“IamsureIamright.Andremember,thepersonwhomMrs.Upjohnsaw,doesnotknowthatMrs.Upjohnsawher.Thesurprisewhenitcomeswillbecomplete.”
Kelseysighed.
“Ifthat’sallwe’vegottogoon—”
“Thereareotherthings.Conversation,forinstance.”
“Conversation?”
“Itisveryvaluable,conversation.Soonerorlater,ifonehassomethingtohide,onesaystoomuch.”
“Givesoneselfaway?”TheChiefConstablesoundedsceptical.
“Itisnotquitesosimpleasthat.Oneisguardedaboutthethingoneistryingtohide.Butoftenonesaystoomuchaboutotherthings.Andthereareotherusesforconversation.Therearetheinnocentpeoplewhoknowthings,butareunawareoftheimportanceofwhattheyknow.Andthatremindsme—”
Herosetohisfeet.
“Excuseme,Ipray.ImustgoanddemandofMissBulstrodeifthereissomeoneherewhocandraw.”
“Draw?”
“Draw.”
“Well,”saidAdam,asPoirotwentout.“Firstgirls’knees,andnowdraughtsmanship!Whatnext,Iwonder?”
II
MissBulstrodeansweredPoirot’squestionswithoutevincinganysurprise.
“MissLaurieisourvisitingDrawingMistress,”shesaidbriskly.“Butsheisn’theretoday.Whatdoyouwanthertodrawforyou?”sheaddedinakindlymannerasthoughtoachild.
“Faces,”saidPoirot.
“MissRichisgoodatsketchingpeople.She’scleveratgettingalikeness.”
“ThatisexactlywhatIneed.”
MissBulstrode,henotedwithapproval,askedhimnoquestionsastohisreasons.ShemerelylefttheroomandreturnedwithMissRich.
Afterintroductions,Poirotsaid:“Youcansketchpeople?Quickly?Withapencil?”
EileenRichnodded.
“Ioftendo.Foramusement.”
“Good.Please,then,sketchformethelateMissSpringer.”
“That’sdifficult.Iknewherforsuchashorttime.I’lltry.”Shescreweduphereyes,thenbegantodrawrapidly.
“Bien,”saidPoirot,takingitfromher.“Andnow,ifyouplease,MissBulstrode,MissRowan,MademoiselleBlancheand—yes—thegardenerAdam.”
EileenRichlookedathimdoubtfully,thensettowork.Helookedattheresult,andnoddedappreciatively.
“Youaregood—youareverygood.Sofewstrokes—andyetthelikenessisthere.NowIwillaskyoutodosomethingmoredifficult.Give,forexample,toMissBulstrodeadifferenthairarrangement.Changetheshapeofhereyebrows.”
Eileenstaredathimasthoughshethoughthewasmad.
“No,”saidPoirot.“Iamnotmad.Imakeanexperiment,thatisall.PleasedoasIask.”
Inamomentortwoshesaid:“Hereyouare.”
“Excellent.NowdothesameforMademoiselleBlancheandMissRowan.”
Whenshehadfinishedhelinedupthethreesketches.
“NowIwillshowyousomething,”hesaid.“MissBulstrode,inspiteofthechangesyouhavemadeisstillunmistakablyMissBulstrode.Butlookattheothertwo.Becausetheirfeaturesarenegative,andsincetheyhavenotMissBulstrode’spersonality,theyappearalmostdifferentpeople,dotheynot?”
“Iseewhatyoumean,”saidEileenRich.
Shelookedathimashecarefullyfoldedthesketchesaway.
“Whatareyougoingtodowiththem?”sheasked.
“Usethem,”saidPoirot.
Twenty
CONVERSATION
“Well—Idon’tknowwhattosay,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“ReallyIdon’tknowwhattosay—”
ShelookedwithdefinitedistasteatHerculePoirot.
“Henry,ofcourse,”shesaid,“isnotathome.”
Themeaningofthispronouncementwasslightlyobscure,butHerculePoirotthoughtthatheknewwhatwasinhermind.Henry,shewasfeeling,wouldbeabletodealwiththissortofthing.Henryhadsomanyinternationaldealings.HewasalwaysflyingtotheMiddleEastandtoGhanaandtoSouthAmericaandtoGeneva,andevenoccasionally,butnotsooften,toParis.
“Thewholething,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,“hasbeenmostdistressing.IwassogladtohaveJennifersafelyathomewithme.Though,Imustsay,”sheadded,withatraceofvexation,“Jenniferhasreallybeenmosttiresome.AfterhavingmadeagreatfussaboutgoingtoMeadowbankandbeingquitesureshewouldn’tlikeitthere,andsayingitwasasnobbykindofschoolandnotthekindshewantedtogoto,nowshesulksalldaylongbecauseI’vetakenheraway.It’sreallytoobad.”
“Itisundeniablyaverygoodschool,”saidHerculePoirot.“ManypeoplesaythebestschoolinEngland.”
“Itwas,Idaresay,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.
“Andwillbeagain,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Youthinkso?”Mrs.Sutcliffelookedathimdoubtfully.Hissympatheticmannerwasgraduallypiercingherdefences.Thereisnothingthateasestheburdenofamother’slifemorethantobepermittedtounburdenherselfofthedifficulties,rebuffsandfrustrationswhichshehasindealingwithheroffspring.Loyaltysooftencompelssilentendurance.ButtoaforeignerlikeHerculePoirotMrs.Sutcliffefeltthatthisloyaltywasnotapplicable.Itwasnotliketalkingtothemotherofanotherdaughter.
“Meadowbank,”saidHerculePoirot,“isjustpassingthroughanunfortunatephase.”
Itwasthebestthinghecouldthinkoftosayatthemoment.HefeltitsinadequacyandMrs.Sutcliffepouncedupontheinadequacyimmediately.
“Rathermorethanunfortunate!”shesaid.“Twomurders!Andagirlkidnapped.Youcan’tsendyourdaughtertoaschoolwherethemistressesarebeingmurderedallthetime.”
Itseemedahighlyreasonablepointofview.
“Ifthemurders,”saidPoirot,“turnouttobetheworkofonepersonandthatpersonisapprehended,thatmakesadifference,doesitnot?”
“Well—Isupposeso.Yes,”saidMrs.Sutcliffedoubtfully.“Imean—youmean—oh,Isee,youmeanlikeJacktheRipperorthatotherman—whowasit?SomethingtodowithDevonshire.Cream?NeilCream.Whowentaboutkillinganunfortunatetypeofwoman.Isupposethismurdererjustgoesaboutkillingschoolmistresses!Ifonceyou’vegothimsafelyinprison,andhangedtoo,Ihope,becauseyou’reonlyallowedonemurder,aren’tyou?—likeadogwithabite—whatwasIsaying?Ohyes,ifhe’ssafelycaught,well,thenIsupposeitwouldbedifferent.Ofcoursetherecan’tbemanypeoplelikethat,canthere?”
“Onecertainlyhopesnot,”saidHerculePoirot.
“Butthenthere’sthiskidnappingtoo,”pointedoutMrs.Sutcliffe.“Youdon’twanttosendyourdaughtertoaschoolwhereshemaybekidnapped,either,doyou?”
“Assuredlynot,madame.Iseehowclearlyyouhavethoughtoutthewholething.Youaresorightinallyousay.”
Mrs.Sutcliffelookedfaintlypleased.Nobodyhadsaidanythinglikethattoherforsometime.Henryhadmerelysaidthingslike“WhatdidyouwanttosendhertoMeadowbankforanyway?”andJenniferhadsulkedandrefusedtoanswer.
“Ihavethoughtaboutit,”shesaid.“Agreatdeal.”
“ThenIshouldnotletkidnappingworryyou,madame.Entrenous,ifImayspeakinconfidence,aboutPrincessShaista—Itisnotexactlyakidnapping—onesuspectsaromance—”
“Youmeanthenaughtygirljustranawaytomarrysomebody?”
“Mylipsaresealed,”saidHerculePoirot.“Youcomprehenditisnotdesiredthatthereshouldbeanyscandal.Thisisinconfidenceentrenous.Iknowyouwillsaynothing.”
“Ofcoursenot,”saidMrs.Sutcliffevirtuously.ShelookeddownattheletterthatPoirothadbroughtwithhimfromtheChiefConstable.“Idon’tquiteunderstandwhoyouare,M.—er—Poirot.Areyouwhattheycallinbooks—aprivateeye?”
“Iamaconsultant,”saidHerculePoirotloftily.
ThisflavourofHarleyStreetencouragedMrs.Sutcliffeagreatdeal.
“WhatdoyouwanttotalktoJenniferabout?”shedemanded.
“Justtogetherimpressionsofthings,”saidPoirot.“Sheisobservant—yes?”
“I’mafraidIwouldn’tsaythat,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe.“She’snotwhatIcallanoticingkindofchildatall.Imean,sheisalwayssomatteroffact.”
“Itisbetterthanmakingupthingsthathaveneverhappenedatall,”saidPoirot.
“Oh,Jenniferwouldn’tdothatsortofthing,”saidMrs.Sutcliffe,withcertainty.Shegotup,wenttothewindowandcalled“Jennifer.”
“Iwish,”shesaid,toPoirot,asshecamebackagain,“thatyou’dtryandgetitintoJennifer’sheadthatherfatherandIareonlydoingourbestforher.”
JennifercameintotheroomwithasulkyfaceandlookedwithdeepsuspicionatHerculePoirot.
“Howdoyoudo?”saidPoirot.“IamaveryoldfriendofJuliaUpjohn.ShecametoLondontofindme.”
“JuliawenttoLondon?”saidJennifer,slightlysurprised.“Why?”
“Toaskmyadvice,”saidHerculePoirot.
Jenniferlookedunbelieving.
“Iwasabletogiveittoher,”saidPoirot.“SheisnowbackatMeadowbank,”headded.
“SoherAuntIsabeldidn’ttakeheraway,”saidJennifer,shootinganirritatedlookathermother.
PoirotlookedatMrs.Sutcliffeandforsomereason,perhapsbecauseshehadbeeninthemiddleofcountingthelaundrywhenPoirotarrivedandperhapsbecauseofsomeunexplainedcompulsion,shegotupandlefttheroom.
“It’sabithard,”saidJennifer,“tobeoutofallthat’sgoingonthere.Allthisfuss!ItoldMummyitwassilly.Afterall,noneofthepupilshavebeenkilled.”
“Haveyouanyideasofyourownaboutthemurders?”askedPoirot.
Jennifershookherhead.“Someonewho’sbatty?”sheoffered.Sheaddedthoughtfully,“IsupposeMissBulstrodewillhavetogetsomenewmistressesnow.”
“Itseemspossible,yes,”saidPoirot.Hewenton,“Iaminterested,MademoiselleJennifer,inthewomanwhocameandofferedyouanewracquetforyouroldone.Doyouremember?”
“IshouldthinkIdoremember,”saidJennifer.“I’veneverfoundouttothisdaywhoreallysentit.Itwasn’tAuntGinaatall.”
“Whatdidthiswomanlooklike?”saidPoirot.
“Theonewhobroughttheracquet?”Jenniferhalfclosedhereyesasthoughthinking.“Well,Idon’tknow.Shehadonasortoffussydresswithalittlecape,Ithink.Blue,andafloppysortofhat.”
“Yes?”saidPoirot.“Imeantperhapsnotsomuchherclothesasherface.”
“Agooddealofmakeup,Ithink,”saidJennifervaguely.“Abittoomuchforthecountry,Imean,andfairhair.IthinkshewasanAmerican.”
“Hadyoueverseenherbefore?”askedPoirot.
“Ohno,”saidJennifer.“Idon’tthinksheliveddownthere.Shesaidshe’dcomedownforaluncheonpartyoracocktailpartyorsomething.”
Poirotlookedatherthoughtfully.HewasinterestedinJennifer’scompleteacceptanceofeverythingthatwassaidtoher.Hesaidgently,
“Butshemightnothavebeenspeakingthetruth?”
“Oh,”saidJennifer.“No,Isupposenot.”
“You’requitesureyouhadn’tseenherbefore?Shecouldnothavebeen,forinstance,oneofthegirlsdressedup?Oroneofthemistresses?”
“Dressedup?”Jenniferlookedpuzzled
PoirotlaidbeforeherthesketchEileenRichhaddoneforhimofMademoiselleBlanche.
“Thiswasnotthewoman,wasit?”
Jenniferlookedatitdoubtfully.
“It’salittlelikeher—butIdon’tthinkit’sher.”
Poirotnoddedthoughtfully.
TherewasnosignthatJenniferrecognizedthatthiswasactuallyasketchofMademoiselleBlanche.
“Yousee,”saidJennifer,“Ididn’treallylookathermuch.ShewasanAmericanandastranger,andthenshetoldmeabouttheracquet—”
Afterthat,itwasclear,Jenniferwouldhavehadeyesfornothingbuthernewpossession.
“Isee,”saidPoirot.Hewenton,“DidyoueverseeatMeadowbankanyonethatyou’dseenoutinRamat?”
“InRamat?”Jenniferthought.“Ohno—atleast—Idon’tthinkso.”
Poirotpouncedontheslightexpressionofdoubt.“Butyouarenotsure,MademoiselleJennifer.”
“Well,”Jenniferscratchedherforeheadwithaworriedexpression,“Imean,you’realwaysseeingpeoplewholooklikesomebodyelse.Youcan’tquiterememberwhoitistheylooklike.Sometimesyouseepeoplethatyouhavemetbutyoudon’trememberwhotheyare.Andtheysaytoyou‘Youdon’trememberme,’andthenthat’sawfullyawkwardbecausereallyyoudon’t.Imean,yousortofknowtheirfacebutyoucan’tremembertheirnamesorwhereyousawthem.”
“Thatisverytrue,”saidPoirot.“Yes,thatisverytrue.Oneoftenhasthatexperience.”Hepausedamomentthenhewenton,proddinggently,“PrincessShaista,forinstance,youprobablyrecognizedherwhenyousawherbecauseyoumusthaveseenherinRamat.”
“Oh,wassheinRamat?”
“Verylikely,”saidPoirot.“Afterallsheisarelationoftherulinghouse.Youmighthaveseenherthere?”
“Idon’tthinkIdid,”saidJenniferfrowning.“Anyway,shewouldn’tgoaboutwithherfaceshowingthere,wouldshe?Imean,theyallwearveilsandthingslikethat.ThoughtheytakethemoffinParisandCairo,Ibelieve.AndinLondon,ofcourse,”sheadded.
“Anyway,youhadnofeelingofhavingseenanyoneatMeadowbankwhomyouhadseenbefore?”
“No,I’msureIhadn’t.Ofcoursemostpeopledolookratheralikeandyoumighthaveseenthemanywhere.It’sonlywhensomebody’sgotanoddsortoffacelikeMissRich,thatyounoticeit.”
“Didyouthinkyou’dseenMissRichsomewherebefore?”
“Ihadn’treally.Itmusthavebeensomeonelikeher.Butitwassomeonemuchfatterthanshewas.”
“Someonemuchfatter,”saidPoirotthoughtfully.
“Youcouldn’timagineMissRichbeingfat,”saidJenniferwithagiggle.“She’ssofrightfullythinandnobbly.AndanywayMissRichcouldn’thavebeeninRamatbecauseshewasawayilllastterm.”
“Andtheothergirls?”saidPoirot,“hadyouseenanyofthegirlsbefore?”
“OnlytheonesIknewalready,”saidJennifer.“Ididknowoneortwoofthem.Afterall,youknow,IwasonlytherethreeweeksandIreallydon’tknowhalfofthepeoplethereevenbysight.Iwouldn’tknowmostofthemifImetthemtomorrow.”
“Youshouldnoticethingsmore,”saidPoirotseverely.
“Onecan’tnoticeeverything,”protestedJennifer.Shewenton:“IfMeadowbankiscarryingonIwouldliketogoback.SeeifyoucandoanythingwithMummy.Thoughreally,”sheadded,“Ithinkit’sDaddywho’sthestumblingblock.It’sawfulhereinthecountry.Igetnoopportunitytoimprovemytennis.”
“IassureyouIwilldowhatIcan,”saidPoirot.
Twenty-one
GATHERINGTHREADS
I
“Iwanttotalktoyou,Eileen,”saidMissBulstrode.
EileenRichfollowedMissBulstrodeintothelatter’ssittingroom.Meadowbankwasstrangelyquiet.Abouttwenty-fivepupilswerestillthere.Pupilswhoseparentshadfounditeitherdifficultorunwelcometofetchthem.Thepanic-strickenrushhad,asMissBulstrodehadhoped,beencheckedbyherowntactics.Therewasageneralfeelingthatbynexttermeverythingwouldhavebeenclearedup.ItwasmuchwiserofMissBulstrode,theyfelt,toclosetheschool.
Noneofthestaffhadleft.MissJohnsonfrettedwithtoomuchtimeonherhands.Adayinwhichtherewastoolittletododidnotintheleastsuither.MissChadwick,lookingoldandmiserable,wanderedroundinakindofcomaofmisery.ShewasfarharderhittoallappearancethanMissBulstrode.MissBulstrode,indeed,managedapparentlywithoutdifficultytobecompletelyherself,unperturbed,andwithnosignofstrainorcollapse.Thetwoyoungermistresseswerenotaversetotheextraleisure.Theybathedintheswimmingpool,wrotelongletterstofriendsandrelationsandsentforcruiseliteraturetostudyandcompare.AnnShaplandhadagooddealoftimeonherhandsanddidnotappeartoresentthefact.Shespentagooddealofthattimeinthegardenanddevotedherselftogardeningwithquiteunexpectedefficiency.ThatshepreferredtobeinstructedintheworkbyAdamratherthanbyoldBriggswasperhapsanotunnaturalphenomenon.
“Yes,MissBulstrode?”saidEileenRich.
“I’vebeenwantingtotalktoyou,”saidMissBulstrode.“WhetherthisschoolcancontinueornotIdonotknow.Whatpeoplewillfeelisalwaysfairlyincalculablebecausetheywillallfeeldifferently.Buttheresultwillbethatwhoeverfeelsmoststronglywillendbyconvertingalltherest.SoeitherMeadowbankisfinished—”
“No,”saidEileenRich,interrupting,“notfinished.”Shealmoststampedherfootandherhairimmediatelybegancomingdown.“Youmustn’tletitbestopped,”shesaid.“Itwouldbeasin—acrime.”
“Youspeakverystrongly,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Ifeelstrongly.Therearesomanythingsthatreallydon’tseemworthwhileabit,butMeadowbankdoesseemworthwhile.ItseemedworthwhiletomethefirstmomentIcamehere.”
“You’reafighter,”saidMissBulstrode.“Ilikefighters,andIassureyouthatIdon’tintendtogiveintamely.InawayI’mgoingtoenjoythefight.Youknow,wheneverything’stooeasyandthingsgotoowellonegets—Idon’tknowtheexactwordImean—complacent?Bored?Akindofhybridofthetwo.ButI’mnotborednowandI’mnotcomplacentandI’mgoingtofightwitheveryounceofstrengthI’vegot,andwitheverypennyI’vegot,too.NowwhatIwanttosaytoyouisthis:IfMeadowbankcontinues,willyoucomeinonapartnershipbasis?”
“Me?”EileenRichstaredather.“Me?”
“Yes,mydear,”saidMissBulstrode.“You.”
“Icouldn’t,”saidEileenRich.“Idon’tknowenough.I’mtooyoung.Why,Ihaven’tgottheexperience,theknowledgethatyou’dwant.”
“YoumustleaveittometoknowwhatIwant,”saidMissBulstrode.“Mindyou,thisisn’t,atthepresentmomentoftalking,agoodoffer.You’dprobablydobetterforyourselfelsewhere.ButIwanttotellyouthis,andyou’vegottobelieveme.IhadalreadydecidedbeforeMissVansittart’sunfortunatedeath,thatyouwerethepersonIwantedtocarryonthisschool.”
“Youthoughtsothen?”EileenRichstaredather.“ButIthought—weallthought—thatMissVansittart….”
“TherewasnoarrangementmadewithMissVansittart,”saidMissBulstrode.“Ihadherinmind,Iwillconfess.I’vehadherinmindforthelasttwoyears.Butsomething’salwaysheldmebackfromsayinganythingdefinitetoheraboutit.Idaresayeveryoneassumedthatshe’dbemysuccessor.Shemayhavethoughtsoherself.Imyselfthoughtsountilveryrecently.AndthenIdecidedthatshewasnotwhatIwanted.”
“Butshewassosuitableineveryway,”saidEileenRich.“Shewouldhavecarriedoutthingsinexactlyyourways,inexactlyyourideas.”
“Yes,”saidMissBulstrode,“andthat’sjustwhatwouldhavebeenwrong.Youcan’tholdontothepast.Acertainamountoftraditionisgoodbutnevertoomuch.Aschoolisforthechildrenoftoday.It’snotforthechildrenoffiftyyearsagoorevenofthirtyyearsago.Therearesomeschoolsinwhichtraditionismoreimportantthanothers,butMeadowbankisnotoneofthose.It’snotaschoolwithalongtraditionbehindit.It’sacreation,ifImaysayit,ofonewoman.Myself.I’vetriedcertainideasandcarriedthemouttothebestofmyability,thoughoccasionallyI’vehadtomodifythemwhentheyhaven’tproducedtheresultsI’dexpected.It’snotbeenaconventionalschool,butithasnotprideditselfonbeinganunconventionalschooleither.It’saschoolthattriestomakethebestofbothworlds:thepastandthefuture,buttherealstressisonthepresent.That’showit’sgoingtogoon,howitoughttogoon.Runbysomeonewithideas—ideasofthepresentday.Keepingwhatiswisefromthepast,lookingforwardtowardsthefuture.You’reverymuchtheageIwaswhenIstartedherebutyou’vegotwhatInolongercanhave.You’llfinditwrittenintheBible.Theiroldmendreamdreamsandtheiryoungmenhavevisions.Wedon’tneeddreamshere,weneedvision.Ibelieveyoutohavevisionandthat’swhyIdecidedthatyouwerethepersonandnotEleanorVansittart.”
“Itwouldhavebeenwonderful,”saidEileenRich.“Wonderful.ThethingIshouldhavelikedaboveall.”
MissBulstrodewasfaintlysurprisedbythetense,althoughshedidnotshowit.Insteadsheagreedpromptly.
“Yes,”shesaid,“itwouldhavebeenwonderful.Butitisn’twonderfulnow?Well,IsupposeIunderstandthat.”
“No,no,Idon’tmeanthatatall,”saidEileenRich.“Notatall.I—Ican’tgointodetailsverywell,butifyouhad—ifyouhadaskedme,spokentomelikethisaweekorafortnightago,IshouldhavesaidatoncethatIcouldn’t,thatitwouldhavebeenquiteimpossible.Theonlyreasonwhyit—whyitmightbepossiblenowisbecause—well,becauseitisacaseoffighting—oftakingonthingsMayI—mayIthinkitover,MissBulstrode?Idon’tknowwhattosaynow.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMissBulstrode.Shewasstillsurprised.Oneneverreallyknew,shethought,aboutanybody.
II
“TheregoesRichwithherhaircomingdownagain,”saidAnnShaplandasshestraightenedherselfupfromaflowerbed.“Ifshecan’tcontrolitIcan’tthinkwhyshedoesn’tgetitcutoff.She’sgotagood-shapedheadandshewouldlookbetter.”
“Yououghttotellherso,”saidAdam
“We’renotonthoseterms,”saidAnnShapland.Shewenton,“D’youthinkthisplacewillbeabletocarryon?”
“That’saverydoubtfulquestion,”saidAdam,“andwhoamItojudge?”
“YoucouldtellaswellasanotherIshouldthink,”saidAnnShapland.“Itmight,youknow.TheoldBull,asthegirlscallher,hasgotwhatittakes.Ahypnotizingeffectonparentstobeginwith.Howlongisitsincethebeginningofterm—onlyamonth?Itseemslikeayear.Ishallbegladwhenitcomestoanend.”
“Willyoucomebackiftheschoolgoeson?”
“No,”saidAnnwithemphasis,“noindeed.I’vehadenoughofschoolstolastmeforalifetime.I’mnotcutoutforbeingcoopedupwithalotofwomenanyway.And,frankly,Idon’tlikemurder.It’sthesortofthingthat’sfuntoreadaboutinthepaperortoreadyourselftosleepwithinthewayofanicebook.Buttherealthingisn’tsogood.Ithink,”addedAnnthoughtfully,“thatwhenIleavehereattheendofthetermIshallmarryDennisandsettledown.”
“Dennis?”saidAdam.“That’stheoneyoumentionedtome,wasn’tit?AsfarasIrememberhisworktakeshimtoBurmaandMalayaandSingaporeandJapanandplaceslikethat.Itwon’tbeexactlysettlingdown,willit,ifyoumarryhim?”
Annlaughedsuddenly.“No,no,Isupposeitwon’t.Notinthephysical,geographicalsense.”
“IthinkyoucandobetterthanDennis,”saidAdam.
“Areyoumakingmeanoffer?”saidAnn.
“Certainlynot,”saidAdam.“You’reanambitiousgirl,youwouldn’tliketomarryahumblejobbinggardener.”
“IwaswonderingaboutmarryingintotheC.I.D.,”saidAnn.
“I’mnotintheC.I.D.,”saidAdam.
“No,no,ofcoursenot,”saidAnn.“Let’spreservethenicetiesofspeech.You’renotintheC.I.D.Shaistawasn’tkidnapped,everythinginthegarden’slovely.Itisrather,”sheadded,lookinground.“Allthesame,”shesaidafteramomentortwo,“Idon’tunderstandintheleastaboutShaistaturningupinGenevaorwhateverthestoryis.Howdidshegetthere?Allyoupeoplemustbeveryslacktoallowhertobetakenoutofthiscountry.”
“Mylipsaresealed,”saidAdam.
“Idon’tthinkyouknowthefirstthingaboutit,”saidAnn.
“Iwilladmit,”saidAdam,“thatwehavetothankMonsieurHerculePoirotforhavinghadabrightidea.”
“What,thefunnylittlemanwhobroughtJuliabackandcametoseeMissBulstrode?”
“Yes.Hecallshimself,”saidAdam,“aconsultantdetective.”
“Ithinkhe’sprettymuchofahas-been,”saidAnn.
“Idon’tunderstandwhathe’suptoatall,”saidAdam.“Heevenwenttoseemymother—orsomefriendofhisdid.”
“Yourmother?”saidAnn.“Why?”
“I’venoidea.Heseemstohaveakindofmorbidinterestinmothers.HewenttoseeJennifer’smothertoo.”
“DidhegoandseeMissRich’smother,andChaddy’s?”
“IgatherMissRichhasn’tgotamother,”saidAdam.“Otherwise,nodoubt,hewouldhavegonetoseeher.”
“MissChadwick’sgotamotherinCheltenham,shetoldme,”saidAnn,“butshe’sabouteighty-odd,Ibelieve.PoorMissChadwick,shelooksabouteightyherself.She’scomingtotalktousnow.”
Adamlookedup.“Yes,”hesaid,“she’sagedalotinthelastweek.”
“Becauseshereallylovestheschool,”saidAnn.“It’sherwholelife.Shecan’tbeartoseeitgodownhill.”
MissChadwickindeedlookedtenyearsolderthanshehaddoneonthedayoftheopeningterm.Herstephadlostitsbriskefficiency.Shenolongertrottedabout,happyandbustling.Shecameuptothemnow,herstepsdraggingalittle.
“WillyoupleasecometoMissBulstrode,”shesaidtoAdam.“Shehassomeinstructionaboutthegarden.”
“I’llhavetocleanupabitfirst,”saidAdam.Helaiddownhistoolsandmovedoffinthedirectionofthepottingshed.
AnnandMissChadwickwalkedtogethertowardsthehouse.
“Itdoesseemquiet,doesn’tit,”saidAnn,lookinground.“Likeanemptyhouseatthetheatre,”sheaddedthoughtfully,“withpeoplespacedoutbytheboxofficeastactfullyaspossibletomakethemlooklikeanaudience.”
“It’sdreadful,”saidMissChadwick,“dreadful!DreadfultothinkthatMeadowbankhascometothis.Ican’tgetoverit.Ican’tsleepatnight.Everythinginruins.Alltheyearsofwork,ofbuildingupsomethingreallyfine.”
“Itmaygetallrightagain,”saidAnncheerfully.“Peoplehavegotveryshortmemories,youknow.”
“Notasshortasallthat,”saidMissChadwickgrimly.
Anndidnotanswer.InherheartsheratheragreedwithMissChadwick.
III
MademoiselleBlanchecameoutoftheclassroomwhereshehadbeenteachingFrenchliterature.
Sheglancedatherwatch.Yes,therewouldbeplentyoftimeforwhatsheintendedtodo.Withsofewpupilstherewasalwaysplentyoftimethesedays.
Shewentupstairstoherroomandputonherhat.Shewasnotoneofthosewhowentabouthatless.Shestudiedherappearanceinthemirrorwithsatisfaction.Notapersonalitytobenoticed!Well,therecouldbeadvantagesinthat!Shesmiledtoherself.Ithadmadeiteasyforhertousehersister’stestimonials.Eventhepassportphotographhadgoneunchallenged.ItwouldhavebeenathousandpitiestowastethoseexcellentcredentialswhenAngèlehaddied.Angèlehadreallyenjoyedteaching.Forherself,itwasunutterableboredom.Butthepaywasexcellent.Farabovewhatsheherselfhadeverbeenabletoearn.Andbesides,thingshadturnedoutunbelievablywell.Thefuturewasgoingtobeverydifferent.Ohyes,verydifferent.ThedrabMademoiselleBlanchewouldbetransformed.Shesawitallinhermind’seye.TheRiviera.Herselfsmartlydressed,suitablymade-up.Alloneneededinthisworldwasmoney.Ohyes,thingsweregoingtobeverypleasantindeed.ItwasworthhavingcometothisdetestableEnglishschool.
Shepickedupherhandbag,wentoutofherroomandalongthecorridor.Hereyesdroppedtothekneelingwomanwhowasbusythere.Anewdailyhelp.Apolicespy,ofcourse.Howsimpletheywere—tothinkthatonewouldnotknow!
Acontemptuoussmileonherlips,shewentoutofthehouseanddownthedrivetothefrontgate.Thebusstopwasalmostopposite.Shestoodatit,waiting.Thebusshouldbehereinamomentortwo.
Therewereveryfewpeopleaboutinthisquietcountryroad.Acar,withamanbendingovertheopenbonnet.Abicycleleaningagainstahedge.Amanalsowaitingforthebus.
Oneorotherofthethreewould,nodoubt,followher.Itwouldbeskilfullydone,notobviously.Shewasquitealivetothefact,anditdidnotworryher.Her“shadow”waswelcometoseewhereshewentandwhatshedid.
Thebuscame.Shegotin.Aquarterofanhourlater,shegotoutinthemainsquareofthetown.Shedidnottroubletolookbehindher.Shecrossedtowheretheshopwindowsofafairlylargedepartmentalstoreshowedtheirdisplayofnewmodelgowns.Poorstuff,forprovincialtastes,shethought,withacurlinglip.Butshestoodlookingatthemasthoughmuchattracted.
Presentlyshewentinside,madeoneortwotrivialpurchases,thenwentuptothefirstfloorandenteredtheLadiesRestRoom.Therewasawritingtablethere,someeasychairs,andatelephonebox.Shewentintothebox,putthenecessarycoinsin,dialledthenumbershewanted,waitingtoheariftherightvoiceanswered.
Shenoddedinapproval,pressedbuttonAandspoke.
“ThisistheMaisonBlanche.Youunderstandme,theMaisonBlanche?Ihavetospeakofanaccountthatisowed.Youhaveuntiltomorrowevening.Tomorrowevening.TopayintotheaccountoftheMaisonBlancheattheCreditNationaleinLondon,LedburySt.branchthesumthatItellyou.”
Shenamedthesum.
“Ifthatmoneyisnotpaidin,thenitwillbenecessaryformetoreportintheproperquarterswhatIobservedonthenightofthe12th.Thereference—pay—attention—istoMissSpringer.Youhavealittleovertwenty-fourhours.”
Shehungupandemergedintotherestroom.Awomanhadjustcomeinfromoutside.Anothercustomeroftheshop,perhaps,oragainperhapsnot.Butifthelatter,itwastoolateforanythingtobeoverheard.
MademoiselleBlanchefreshenedherselfupintheadjoiningcloakroom,thenshewentandtriedonacoupleofblouses,butdidnotbuythem;shewentoutintothestreetagain,smilingtoherself.Shelookedintoabookshop,andthencaughtabusbacktoMeadowbank.
Shewasstillsmilingtoherselfasshewalkedupthedrive.Shehadarrangedmattersverywell.Thesumshehaddemandedhadnotbeentoolarge—notimpossibletoraiseatshortnotice.Anditwoulddoverywelltogoonwith.Because,ofcourse,inthefuture,therewouldbefurtherdemands….
Yes,averyprettylittlesourceofincomethiswasgoingtobe.Shehadnoqualmsofconscience.Shedidnotconsideritinanywayherdutytoreportwhatsheknewandhadseentothepolice.ThatSpringerhadbeenadetestablewoman,rude,malélevée.Pryingintowhatwasnobusinessofhers.Ah,well,shehadgotherdeserts.
MademoiselleBlanchestayedforawhilebytheswimmingpool.ShewatchedEileenRichdiving.ThenAnnShapland,too,climbedupanddived—verywell,too.Therewaslaughingandsquealsfromthegirls.
Abellrang,andMademoiselleBlanchewentintotakeherjuniorclass.Theywereinattentiveandtiresome,butMademoiselleBlanchehardlynoticed.Shewouldsoonhavedonewithteachingforever
Shewentuptoherroomtotidyherselfforsupper.Vaguely,withoutreallynoticing,shesawthat,contrarytoherusualpractice,shehadthrownhergardencoatacrossachairinthecornerinsteadofhangingitupasusual.
Sheleanedforward,studyingherfaceintheglass.Sheappliedpowder,lipstick—
Themovementwassoquickthatittookhercompletelybysurprise.Noiseless!Professional.Thecoatonthechairseemedtogatheritselftogether,droptothegroundandinaninstantbehindMademoiselleBlancheahandwithasandbagroseand,assheopenedherlipstoscream,fell,dully,onthebackofherneck.
Twenty-two
INCIDENTINANATOLIA
Mrs.Upjohnwassittingbythesideoftheroadoverlookingadeepravine.ShewastalkingpartlyinFrenchandpartlywithgesturestoalargeandsolid-lookingTurkishwomanwhowastellingherwithasmuchdetailaspossibleunderthesedifficultiesofcommunicationsallaboutherlastmiscarriage.Ninechildrenshehadhad,sheexplained.Eightofthemboys,andfivemiscarriages.Sheseemedaspleasedatthemiscarriagesasshedidatthebirths.
“Andyou?”shepokedMrs.Upjohnamiablyintheribs.“Combien?—gar?ons?—filles?—combien?”Sheheldupherhandsreadytoindicateonthefingers.
“Unefille,”saidMrs.Upjohn.
“Etgar?ons?”
SeeingthatshewasabouttofallintheTurkishwoman’sestimation,Mrs.Upjohninasurgeofnationalismproceededtoperjureherself.Sheheldupfivefingersofherrighthand.
“Cinq,”shesaid.
“Cinqgar?ons?Trèsbien!”
TheTurkishwomannoddedwithapprobationandrespect.SheaddedthatifonlyhercousinwhospokeFrenchreallyfluentlywasheretheycouldunderstandeachotheragreatdealbetter.Shethenresumedthestoryofherlastmiscarriage.
Theotherpassengersweresprawledaboutnearthem,eatingoddbitsoffoodfromthebasketstheycarriedwiththem.Thebus,lookingslightlytheworseforwear,wasdrawnupagainstanoverhangingrock,andthedriverandanothermanwerebusyinsidethebonnet.Mrs.Upjohnhadlostcompletecountoftime.Floodshadblockedtwooftheroads,détourshadbeennecessaryandtheyhadoncebeenstuckforsevenhoursuntiltherivertheywerefordingsubsided.Ankaralayinthenotimpossiblefutureandthatwasallsheknew.Shelistenedtoherfriend’seagerandincoherentconversation,tryingtogaugewhentonodadmiringly,whentoshakeherheadinsympathy.
Avoicecutintoherthoughts,avoicehighlyincongruouswithherpresentsurroundings.
“Mrs.Upjohn,Ibelieve,”saidthevoice.
Mrs.Upjohnlookedup.Alittlewayawayacarhaddrivenup.Themanstandingoppositeherhadundoubtedlyalightedfromit.HisfacewasunmistakablyBritish,aswashisvoice.Hewasimpeccablydressedinagreyflannelsuit.
“Goodheavens,”saidMrs.Upjohn.“Dr.Livingstone?”
“Itmustseemratherlikethat,”saidthestrangerpleasantly.“Myname’sAtkinson.I’mfromtheConsulateinAnkara.We’vebeentryingtogetintouchwithyoufortwoorthreedays,buttheroadshavebeencut.”
“Youwantedtogetintouchwithme?Why?”SuddenlyMrs.Upjohnrosetoherfeet.Alltracesofthegaytravellerhaddisappeared.Shewasallmother,everyinchofher.“Julia?”shesaidsharply.“HassomethinghappenedtoJulia?”
“No,no,”Mr.Atkinsonreassuredher.“Julia’squiteallright.It’snotthatatall.There’sbeenaspotoftroubleatMeadowbankandwewanttogetyouhomethereassoonaspossible.I’lldriveyoubacktoAnkara,andyoucangetonaplaneinaboutanhour’stime.”
Mrs.Upjohnopenedhermouthandthenshutitagain.Thensheroseandsaid,“You’llhavetogetmybagoffthetopofthatbus.It’sthedarkone.”Sheturned,shookhandswithherTurkishcompanion,said:“I’msorry,Ihavetogohomenow,”wavedtotherestofthebusloadwiththeutmostfriendliness,calledoutaTurkishfarewellgreetingwhichwaspartofhersmallstockofTurkish,andpreparedtofollowMr.Atkinsonimmediatelywithoutaskinganyfurtherquestions.ItoccurredtohimasithadoccurredtomanyotherpeoplethatMrs.Upjohnwasaverysensiblewoman.
Twenty-three
SHOWDOWN
I
InoneofthesmallerclassroomsMissBulstrodelookedattheassembledpeople.Allthemembersofherstaffwerethere:MissChadwick,MissJohnson,MissRichandthetwoyoungermistresses.AnnShaplandsatwithherpadandpencilincaseMissBulstrodewantedhertotakenotes.BesideMissBulstrodesatInspectorKelseyandbeyondhim,HerculePoirot.AdamGoodmansatinano-man’s-landofhisownhalfwaybetweenthestaffandwhathecalledtohimselftheexecutivebody.MissBulstroderoseandspokeinherpractised,decisivevoice.
“Ifeelitisduetoyouall,”shesaid,“asmembersofmystaff,andinterestedinthefortunesoftheschool,toknowexactlytowhatpointthisinquiryhasprogressed.IhavebeeninformedbyInspectorKelseyofseveralfacts.M.HerculePoirotwhohasinternationalconnections,hasobtainedvaluableassistancefromSwitzerlandandwillreporthimselfonthatparticularmatter.Wehavenotyetcometotheendoftheinquiry,Iamsorrytosay,butcertainminormattershavebeenclearedupandIthoughtitwouldbearelieftoyoualltoknowhowmattersstandatthepresentmoment.”MissBulstrodelookedtowardsInspectorKelsey,andherose.
“Officially,”hesaid,“IamnotinapositiontodiscloseallthatIknow.Icanonlyreassureyoutotheextentofsayingthatwearemakingprogressandwearebeginningtohaveagoodideawhoisresponsibleforthethreecrimesthathavebeencommittedonthepremises.BeyondthatIwillnotgo.Myfriend,M.HerculePoirot,whoisnotboundbyofficialsecrecyandisatperfectlibertytogiveyouhisownideas,willdisclosetoyoucertaininformationwhichhehimselfhasbeeninfluentialinprocuring.IamsureyouareallloyaltoMeadowbankandtoMissBulstrodeandwillkeeptoyourselvesvariousmattersuponwhichM.Poirotisgoingtotouchandwhicharenotofanypublicinterest.Thelessgossiporspeculationaboutthemthebetter,soIwillaskyoutokeepthefactsthatyouwilllearnheretodaytoyourselves.Isthatunderstood?”
“Ofcourse,”saidMissChadwick,speakingfirstandwithemphasis.“Ofcoursewe’reallloyaltoMeadowbank,Ishouldhope.”
“Naturally,”saidMissJohnson.
“Ohyes,”saidthetwoyoungermistresses.
“Iagree,”saidEileenRich.
“Thenperhaps,M.Poirot?”
HerculePoirotrosetohisfeet,beamedonhisaudienceandcarefullytwistedhismoustaches.Thetwoyoungermistresseshadasuddendesiretogiggle,andlookedawayfromeachotherpursingtheirlipstogether.
“Ithasbeenadifficultandanxioustimeforyouall,”hesaid.“IwantyoutoknowfirstthatIdoappreciatethat.IthasnaturallybeenworstofallforMissBulstrodeherself,butyouhaveallsuffered.Youhavesufferedfirstthelossofthreeofyourcolleagues,oneofwhomhasbeenhereforaconsiderableperiodoftime.IrefertoMissVansittart.MissSpringerandMademoiselleBlanchewere,ofcourse,newcomers,butIdonotdoubtthattheirdeathswereagreatshocktoyouandadistressinghappening.Youmustalsohavesufferedagooddealofapprehensionyourselves,foritmusthaveseemedasthoughtherewereakindofvendettaaimedagainstthemistressesofMeadowbankschool.ThatIcanassureyou,andInspectorKelseywillassureyoualso,isnotso.Meadowbankbyafortuitousseriesofchancesbecamethecentrefortheattentionsofvariousundesirableinterests.Therehasbeen,shallwesay,acatamongthepigeons.Therehavebeenthreemurdershereandalsoakidnapping.Iwilldealfirstwiththekidnapping,forallthroughthisbusinessthedifficultyhasbeentoclearoutofthewayextraneousmatterswhich,thoughcriminalinthemselves,obscurethemostimportantthread—thethreadofaruthlessanddeterminedkillerinyourmidst.”
Hetookfromhispocketaphotograph.
“First,Iwillpassroundthisphotograph.”
Kelseytookit,handedittoMissBulstrodeandsheinturnhandedittothestaff.ItwasreturnedtoPoirot.Helookedattheirfaces,whichwerequiteblank.
“Iaskyou,allofyou,doyourecognizethegirlinthatphotograph?”
Oneandalltheyshooktheirheads.
“Youshoulddoso,”saidPoirot.“SincethatisaphotographobtainedbymefromGenevaofPrincessShaista.”
“Butit’snotShaistaatall,”criedMissChadwick.
“Exactly,”saidPoirot.“ThethreadsofallthisbusinessstartinRamatwhere,asyouknow,arevolutionarycoupd’étattookplaceaboutthreemonthsago.Theruler,PrinceAliYusuf,managedtoescape,flownoutbyhisownprivatepilot.Theirplane,however,crashedinthemountainsnorthofRamatandwasnotdiscovereduntillaterintheyear.Acertainarticleofgreatvalue,whichwasalwayscarriedonPrinceAli’sperson,wasmissing.Itwasnotfoundinthewreckandtherewererumoursthatithadbeenbroughttothiscountry.Severalgroupsofpeoplewereanxioustogetholdofthisveryvaluablearticle.OneoftheirleadstoitwasPrinceAliYusuf’sonlyremainingrelation,hisfirstcousin,agirlwhowasthenataschoolinSwitzerland.ItseemedlikelythatifthepreciousarticlehadbeensafelygotoutofRamatitwouldbebroughttoPrincessShaistaortoherrelativesandguardians.Certainagentsweredetailedtokeepaneyeonheruncle,theEmirIbrahim,andotherstokeepaneyeonthePrincessherself.Itwasknownthatshewasduetocometothisschool,Meadowbank,thisterm.ThereforeitwouldhavebeenonlynaturalthatsomeoneshouldbedetailedtoobtainemploymenthereandtokeepaclosewatchonanyonewhoapproachedthePrincess,herletters,andanytelephonemessages.Butanevensimplerandmoreefficaciousideawasevolved,thatofkidnappingShaistaandsendingoneoftheirownnumbertotheschoolasPrincessShaistaherself.ThiscouldbedonesuccessfullysincetheEmirIbrahimwasinEgyptanddidnotproposetovisitEnglanduntillatesummer.MissBulstrodeherselfhadnotseenthegirlandallarrangementsthatshehadmadeconcerningherreceptionhadbeenmadewiththeEmbassyinLondon.
“Theplanwassimpleintheextreme.TherealShaistaleftSwitzerlandaccompaniedbyarepresentativefromtheEmbassyinLondon.Orsoitwassupposed.Actually,theEmbassyinLondonwasinformedthatarepresentativefromtheSwissschoolwouldaccompanythegirltoLondon.TherealShaistawastakentoaverypleasantchaletinSwitzerlandwhereshehasbeeneversince,andanentirelydifferentgirlarrivedinLondon,wasmettherebyarepresentativeoftheEmbassyandsubsequentlybroughttothisschool.Thissubstitute,ofcourse,wasnecessarilymucholderthantherealShaista.ButthatwouldhardlyattractattentionsinceEasterngirlsnoticeablylookmuchmorematurethantheirage.AyoungFrenchactresswhospecializesinplayingschoolgirlpartswastheagentchosen.
“Ididask,”saidHerculePoirot,inathoughtfulvoice,“astowhetheranyonehadnoticedShaista’sknees.Kneesareaverygoodindicationofage.Thekneesofawomanoftwenty-threeortwenty-fourcanneverreallybemistakenforthekneesofagirloffourteenorfifteen.Nobody,alas,hadnoticedherknees.
“Theplanwashardlyassuccessfulashadbeenhoped.NobodyattemptedtogetintouchwithShaista,nolettersortelephonecallsofsignificancearrivedforherandastimewentonanaddedanxietyarose.TheEmirIbrahimmightarriveinEnglandaheadofschedule.Hewasnotamanwhoannouncedhisplansahead.Hewasinthehabit,Iunderstand,ofsayingoneevening,‘TomorrowIgotoLondon’andthereupontogo.
“ThefalseShaista,then,wasawarethatatanymomentsomeonewhoknewtherealShaistamightarrive.EspeciallywasthissoafterthemurderandthereforeshebegantopreparethewayforakidnappingbytalkingaboutittoInspectorKelsey.Ofcourse,theactualkidnappingwasnothingofthekind.Assoonasshelearnedthatherunclewascomingtotakeheroutthefollowingmorning,shesentabriefmessagebytelephone,andhalfanhourearlierthanthegenuinecar,ashowycarwithfalseC.D.platesonitarrivedandShaistawasofficially‘kidnapped.’Actually,ofcourse,shewassetdownbythecarinthefirstlargetownwheresheatonceresumedherownpersonality.Anamateurishransomnotewassentjusttokeepupthefiction.”
HerculePoirotpaused,thensaid,“Itwas,asyoucansee,merelythetrickoftheconjurer.Misdirection.YoufocustheeyesonthekidnappinghereanditdoesnotoccurtoanyonethatthekidnappingreallyoccurredthreeweeksearlierinSwitzerland.”
WhatPoirotreallymeant,butwastoopolitetosay,wasthatithadnotoccurredtoanyonebuthimself!
“Wepassnow,”hesaid,“tosomethingfarmoreseriousthankidnapping—murder.
“ThefalseShaistacould,ofcourse,havekilledMissSpringerbutshecouldnothavekilledMissVansittartorMademoiselleBlanche,andwouldhavehadnomotivetokillanybody,norwassuchathingrequiredofher.Herrolewassimplytoreceiveavaluablepacketif,asseemedlikely,itshouldbebroughttoher:or,alternatively,toreceivenewsofit.
“LetusgobacknowtoRamatwhereallthisstarted.ItwaswidelyrumouredinRamatthatPrinceAliYusufhadgiventhisvaluablepackettoBobRawlinson,hisprivatepilot,andthatBobRawlinsonhadarrangedforitsdespatchtoEngland.OnthedayinquestionRawlinsonwenttoRamat’sprincipalhotelwherehissister,Mrs.Sutcliffe,andherdaughterJenniferwerestaying.Mrs.SutcliffeandJenniferwereout,butBobRawlinsonwentuptotheirroomwhereheremainedforatleasttwentyminutes.Thatisratheralongtimeunderthecircumstances.Hemightofcoursehavebeenwritingalonglettertohissister.Butthatwasnotso.Hemerelyleftashortnotewhichhecouldhavescribbledinacoupleofminutes.
“Itwasaveryfairinferencethen,inferredbyseveralseparateparties,thatduringhistimeinherroomhehadplacedthisobjectamongsthissister’seffectsandthatshehadbroughtitbacktoEngland.NowwecometowhatImaycallthedividingoftwoseparatethreads.Onesetofinterests—(orpossiblymorethanoneset)—assumedthatMrs.SutcliffehadbroughtthisarticlebacktoEnglandandinconsequenceherhouseinthecountrywasransackedandathoroughsearchmade.Thisshowedthatwhoeverwassearchingdidnotknowwhereexactlythearticlewashidden.OnlythatitwasprobablysomewhereinMrs.Sutcliffe’spossession.
“Butsomebodyelseknewverydefinitelyexactlywherethatarticlewas,andIthinkthatbynowitwilldonoharmformetotellyouwhere,infact,BobRawlinsondidconcealit.Heconcealeditinthehandleofatennisracquet,hollowingoutthehandleandafterwardspiecingittogetheragainsoskilfullythatitwasdifficulttoseewhathadbeendone.
“Thetennisracquetbelonged,nottohissister,buttoherdaughterJennifer.Someonewhoknewexactlywherethecachewas,wentouttotheSportsPaviliononenight,havingpreviouslytakenanimpressionofthekeyandgotakeycut.Atthattimeofnighteveryoneshouldhavebeeninbedandasleep.Butthatwasnotso.MissSpringersawthelightofatorchintheSportsPavilionfromthehouse,andwentouttoinvestigate.Shewasatoughheftyyoungwomanandhadnodoubtsofherownabilitytocopewithanythingshemightfind.Thepersoninquestionwasprobablysortingthroughthetennisracquetstofindtherightone.DiscoveredandrecognizedbyMissSpringer,therewasnohesitation…Thesearcherwasakiller,andshotMissSpringerdead.Afterwards,however,thekillerhadtoactfast.Theshothadbeenheard,peoplewereapproaching.AtallcoststhekillermustgetoutoftheSportsPavilionunseen.Theracquetmustbeleftwhereitwasforthemoment….
“Withinafewdaysanothermethodwastried.AstrangewomanwithafakedAmericanaccentwaylaidJenniferSutcliffeasshewascomingfromthetenniscourts,andtoldheraplausiblestoryaboutarelativeofhershavingsentherdownanewtennisracquet.Jenniferunsuspiciouslyacceptedthisstoryandgladlyexchangedtheracquetshewascarryingforthenew,expensiveonethestrangerhadbrought.ButacircumstancehadarisenwhichthewomanwiththeAmericanaccentknewnothingabout.ThatwasthatafewdayspreviouslyJenniferSutcliffeandJuliaUpjohnhadexchangedracquetssothatwhatthestrangewomantookawaywithherwasinactualfactJuliaUpjohn’soldracquet,thoughtheidentifyingtapeonitboreJennifer’sname.
“Wecomenowtothesecondtragedy.MissVansittartforsomeunknownreason,butpossiblyconnectedwiththekidnappingofShaistawhichhadtakenplacethatafternoon,tookatorchandwentouttotheSportsPavilionaftereverybodyhadgonetobed.Somebodywhohadfollowedhertherestruckherdownwithacoshorasandbag,asshewasstoopingdownbyShaista’slocker.Againthecrimewasdiscoveredalmostimmediately.MissChadwicksawalightintheSportsPavilionandhurriedoutthere.
“ThepoliceoncemoretookchargeattheSportsPavilion,andagainthekillerwasdebarredfromsearchingandexaminingthetennisracquetsthere.Butbynow,JuliaUpjohn,anintelligentchild,hadthoughtthingsoverandhadcometothelogicalconclusionthattheracquetshepossessedandwhichhadoriginallybelongedtoJennifer,wasinsomewayimportant.Sheinvestigatedonherownbehalf,foundthatshewascorrectinhersurmise,andbroughtthecontentsoftheracquettome.
“Thesearenow,”saidHerculePoirot,“insafecustodyandneedconcernusherenolonger.”Hepausedandthenwenton,“Itremainstoconsiderthethirdtragedy.
“WhatMademoiselleBlanchekneworsuspectedweshallneverknow.ShemayhaveseensomeoneleavingthehouseonthenightofMissSpringer’smurder.Whateveritwasthatshekneworsuspected,sheknewtheidentityofthemurderer.Andshekeptthatknowledgetoherself.Sheplannedtoobtainmoneyinreturnforhersilence.
“Thereisnothing,”saidHerculePoirot,withfeeling,“moredangerousthanlevyingblackmailonapersonwhohaskilledperhapstwicealready.MademoiselleBlanchemayhavetakenherownprecautionsbutwhatevertheywere,theywereinadequate.Shemadeanappointmentwiththemurdererandshewaskilled.”
Hepausedagain.
“Sothere,”hesaid,lookingroundatthem,“youhavetheaccountofthiswholeaffair.”
Theywereallstaringathim.Theirfaces,whichatfirsthadreflectedinterest,surprise,excitement,seemednowfrozenintoauniformcalm.Itwasasthoughtheywereterrifiedtodisplayanyemotion.HerculePoirotnoddedatthem.
“Yes,”hesaid,“Iknowhowyoufeel.Ithascome,hasitnot,verynearhome?Thatiswhy,yousee,IandInspectorKelseyandMr.AdamGoodmanhavebeenmakingtheinquiries.Wehavetoknow,yousee,ifthereisstillacatamongthepigeons!YouunderstandwhatImean?Istherestillsomeoneherewhoismasqueradingunderfalsecolours?”
Therewasaslightripplepassingthroughthosewholistenedtohim,abriefalmostfurtivesidelongglanceasthoughtheywishedtolookateachother,butdidnotdaredoso.
“Iamhappytoreassureyou,”saidPoirot.“Allofyouhereatthismomentareexactlywhoyousayyouare.MissChadwick,forinstance,isMissChadwick—thatiscertainlynotopentodoubt,shehasbeenhereaslongasMeadowbankitself!MissJohnson,too,isunmistakablyMissJohnson.MissRichisMissRich.MissShaplandisMissShapland.MissRowanandMissBlakeareMissRowanandMissBlake.Togofurther,”saidPoirot,turninghishead,“AdamGoodmanwhoworkshereinthegarden,is,ifnotpreciselyAdamGoodman,atanyratethepersonwhosenameisonhiscredentials.Sothen,wherearewe?Wemustseeknotforsomeonemasqueradingassomeoneelse,butforsomeonewhois,inhisorherproperidentity,amurderer.”
Theroomwasverystillnow.Therewasmenaceintheair.
Poirotwenton.
“Wewant,primarily,someonewhowasinRamatthreemonthsago.Knowledgethattheprizewasconcealedinthetennisracquetcouldonlyhavebeenacquiredinoneway.SomeonemusthaveseenitputtherebyBobRawlinson.Itisassimpleasthat.Whothen,ofallofyoupresenthere,wasinRamatthreemonthsago?MissChadwickwashere,MissJohnsonwashere.”HiseyeswentontothetwojuniorMistresses.“MissRowanandMissBlakewerehere.”
Hisfingerwentoutpointing.
“ButMissRich—MissRichwasnotherelastterm,wasshe?”
“I—no.Iwasill.”Shespokehurriedly.“Iwasawayforaterm.”
“Thatisthethingwedidnotknow,”saidHerculePoirot,“untilafewdaysagosomebodymentioneditcasually.Whenquestionedbythepoliceoriginally,youmerelysaidthatyouhadbeenatMeadowbankforayearandahalf.Thatinitselfistrueenough.Butyouwereabsentlastterm.YoucouldhavebeeninRamat—IthinkyouwereinRamat.Becareful.Itcanbeverified,youknow,fromyourpassport.”
Therewasamoment’ssilence,thenEileenRichlookedup.
“Yes,”shesaidquietly.“IwasinRamat.Whynot?”
“WhydidyougotoRamat,MissRich?”
“Youalreadyknow.Ihadbeenill.Iwasadvisedtotakearest—togoabroad.IwrotetoMissBulstrodeandexplainedthatImusttakeatermoff.Shequiteunderstood.”
“Thatisso,”saidMissBulstrode.“Adoctor’scertificatewasenclosedwhichsaidthatitwouldbeunwiseforMissRichtoresumeherdutiesuntilthefollowingterm.”
“So—youwenttoRamat?”saidHerculePoirot.
“Whyshouldn’tIgotoRamat?”saidEileenRich.Hervoicetrembledslightly.“Therearecheapfaresofferedtoschoolteachers.Iwantedarest.Iwantedsunshine.IwentouttoRamat.Ispenttwomonthsthere.Whynot?Whynot,Isay?”
“YouhavenevermentionedthatyouwereatRamatatthetimeoftheRevolution.”
“WhyshouldI?Whathasitgottodowithanyonehere?Ihaven’tkilledanyone,Itellyou.Ihaven’tkilledanyone.”
“Youwererecognized,youknow,”saidHerculePoirot.“Notrecognizeddefinitely,butindefinitely.ThechildJenniferwasveryvague.Shesaidshethoughtshe’dseenyouinRamatbutconcludeditcouldn’tbeyoubecause,shesaid,thepersonshehadseenwasfat,notthin.”Heleanedforward,hiseyesboringintoEileenRich’sface.
“Whathaveyoutosay,MissRich?”
Shewheeledround.“Iknowwhatyou’retryingtomakeout!”shecried.“You’retryingtomakeoutthatitwasn’tasecretagentoranythingofthatkindwhodidthesemurders.Thatitwassomeonewhojusthappenedtobethere,someonewhohappenedtoseethistreasurehiddeninatennisracquet.SomeonewhorealizedthatthechildwascomingtoMeadowbankandthatshe’dhaveanopportunitytotakeforherselfthishiddenthing.ButItellyouitisn’ttrue!”
“Ithinkthatiswhathappened.Yes,”saidPoirot.“Someonesawthejewelsbeinghiddenandforgotallotherdutiesorinterestsinthedeterminationtopossessthem!”
“Itisn’ttrue,Itellyou.Isawnothing—”
“InspectorKelsey.”Poirotturnedhishead.
InspectorKelseynodded—wenttothedoor,openedit,andMrs.Upjohnwalkedintotheroom.
II
“Howdoyoudo,MissBulstrode,”saidMrs.Upjohn,lookingratherembarrassed.“I’msorryI’mlookingratheruntidy,butIwassomewherenearAnkarayesterdayandI’vejustflownhome.I’minaterriblemessandIreallyhaven’thadtimetocleanmyselfupordoanything.”
“Thatdoesnotmatter,”saidHerculePoirot.“Wewanttoaskyousomething.”
“Mrs.Upjohn,”saidKelsey,“whenyoucameheretobringyourdaughtertotheschoolandyouwereinMissBulstrode’ssittingroom,youlookedoutofthewindow—thewindowwhichgivesonthefrontdrive—andyouutteredanexclamationasthoughyourecognizedsomeoneyousawthere.Thatisso,isitnot?”
Mrs.Upjohnstaredathim.“WhenIwasinMissBulstrode’ssittingroom?Ilooked—oh,yes,ofcourse!Yes,Ididseesomeone.”
“Someoneyouweresurprisedtosee?”
“Well,Iwasrather…Yousee,ithadallbeensuchyearsago.”
“YoumeanthedayswhenyouwereworkinginIntelligencetowardstheendofthewar?”
“Yes.Itwasaboutfifteenyearsago.Ofcourse,shelookedmucholder,butIrecognizedheratonce.AndIwonderedwhatonearthshecouldbedoinghere.”
“Mrs.Upjohn,willyoulookroundthisroomandtellmeifyouseethatpersonherenow?”
“Yes,ofcourse,”saidMrs.Upjohn.“IsawherassoonasIcamein.That’sher.”
Shestretchedoutapointingfinger.InspectorKelseywasquickandsowasAdam,buttheywerenotquickenough.AnnShaplandhadsprungtoherfeet.Inherhandwasasmallwicked-lookingautomaticanditpointedstraightatMrs.Upjohn.MissBulstrode,quickerthanthetwomen,movedsharplyforward,butswifterstillwasMissChadwick.ItwasnotMrs.Upjohnthatshewastryingtoshield,itwasthewomanwhowasstandingbetweenAnnShaplandandMrs.Upjohn.
“No,youshan’t,”criedChaddy,andflungherselfonMissBulstrodejustasthesmallautomaticwentoff.
MissChadwickstaggered,thenslowlycrumpleddown.MissJohnsonrantoher.AdamandKelseyhadgotholdofAnnShaplandnow.Shewasstrugglinglikeawildcat,buttheywrestedthesmallautomaticfromher.
Mrs.Upjohnsaidbreathlessly:
“Theysaidthenthatshewasakiller.Althoughshewassoyoung.Oneofthemostdangerousagentstheyhad.Angelicawashercodename.”
“Youlyingbitch!”AnnShaplandfairlyspatoutthewords.
HerculePoirotsaid:
“Shedoesnotlie.Youaredangerous.Youhavealwaysledadangerouslife.Uptonow,youhaveneverbeensuspectedinyourownidentity.Allthejobsyouhavetakeninyourownnamehavebeenperfectlygenuinejobs,efficientlyperformed—buttheyhaveallbeenjobswithapurpose,andthatpurposehasbeenthegainingofinformation.YouhaveworkedwithanOilCompany,withanarchaeologistwhoseworktookhimtoacertainpartoftheglobe,withanactresswhoseprotectorwasaneminentpolitician.Eversinceyouwereseventeenyouhaveworkedasanagent—thoughformanydifferentmasters.Yourserviceshavebeenforhireandhavebeenhighlypaid.Youhaveplayedadualrole.Mostofyourassignmentshavebeencarriedoutinyourownname,buttherewerecertainjobsforwhichyouassumeddifferentidentities.Thosewerethetimeswhenostensiblyyouhadtogohomeandbewithyourmother.
“ButIstronglysuspect,MissShapland,thattheelderlywomanIvisitedwholivesinasmallvillagewithanurse-companiontolookafterher,anelderlywomanwhoisgenuinelyamentalpatientwithaconfusedmind,isnotyourmotheratall.Shehasbeenyourexcuseforretiringfromemploymentandfromthecircleofyourfriends.Thethreemonthsthiswinterthatyouspentwithyour‘mother’whohadoneofher‘badturns’coversthetimewhenyouwentouttoRamat.NotasAnnShaplandbutasAngelicadeToredo,aSpanish,ornear-Spanishcabaretdancer.YouoccupiedtheroominthehotelnexttothatofMrs.SutcliffeandsomehowyoumanagedtoseeBobRawlinsonconcealthejewelsintheracquet.YouhadnoopportunityoftakingtheracquetthenfortherewasthesuddenevacuationofallBritishpeople,butyouhadreadthelabelsontheirluggageanditwaseasytofindoutsomethingaboutthem.Toobtainasecretarialpostherewasnotdifficult.Ihavemadesomeinquiries.YoupaidasubstantialsumtoMissBulstrode’sformersecretarytovacateherpostonthepleaofa‘breakdown.’Andyouhadquiteaplausiblestory.Youhadbeencommissionedtowriteaseriesofarticlesonafamousgirls’school‘fromwithin.’
“Itallseemedquiteeasy,diditnot?Ifachild’sracquetwasmissing,whatofit?Simplerstill,youwouldgooutatnighttotheSportsPavilion,andabstractthejewels.ButyouhadnotreckonedwithMissSpringer.Perhapsshehadalreadyseenyouexaminingtheracquets.Perhapsshejusthappenedtowakethatnight.Shefollowedyououtthere
Hestopped.Inamonotonousofficialvoice,InspectorKelseycautionedhisprisoner.
Shedidnotlisten.TurningtowardsHerculePoirot,sheburstoutinalow-pitchedfloodofinvectivethatstartledeveryoneintheroom.
“Whew!”saidAdam,asKelseytookheraway.“AndIthoughtshewasanicegirl!”
MissJohnsonhadbeenkneelingbyMissChadwick.
“I’mafraidshe’sbadlyhurt,”shesaid.“She’dbetternotbemoveduntilthedoctorcomes.”
Twenty-four
POIROTEXPLAINS
I
Mrs.Upjohn,wanderingthroughthecorridorsofMeadowbankSchool,forgottheexcitingsceneshehadjustbeenthrough.Shewasforthemomentmerelyamotherseekingheryoung.Shefoundherinadesertedclassroom.Juliawasbendingoveradesk,hertongueprotrudingslightly,absorbedintheagoniesofcomposition.
Shelookedupandstared.Thenflungherselfacrosstheroomandhuggedhermother.
“Mummy!”
Then,withtheself-consciousnessofherage,ashamedofherunrestrainedemotion,shedetachedherselfandspokeinacarefullycasualtone—indeedalmostaccusingly.
“Aren’tyoubackrathersoon,Mummy?”
“Iflewback,”saidMrs.Upjohn,almostapologetically,“fromAnkara.”
“Oh,”saidJulia.“Well—I’mgladyou’reback.”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Upjohn,“Iamverygladtoo.”
Theylookedateachother,embarrassed.“Whatareyoudoing?”saidMrs.Upjohn,advancingalittlecloser.
“I’mwritingacompositionforMissRich,”saidJulia.“Shereallydoessetthemostexcitingsubjects.”
“What’sthisone?”saidMrs.Upjohn.Shebentover.
Thesubjectwaswrittenatthetopofthepage.SomenineortenlinesofwritinginJulia’sunevenandsprawlinghandwritingcamebelow.“ContrasttheAttitudesofMacbethandLadyMacbethtoMurder”readMrs.Upjohn.
“Well,”shesaiddoubtfully,“youcan’tsaythatthesubjectisn’ttopical!”
Shereadthestartofherdaughter’sessay.“Macbeth,”Juliahadwritten,“likedtheideaofmurderandhadbeenthinkingofitalot,butheneededapushtogethimstarted.Oncehe’dgotstartedheenjoyedmurderingpeopleandhadnomorequalmsorfears.LadyMacbethwasjustgreedyandambitious.Shethoughtshedidn’tmindwhatshedidtogetwhatshewanted.Butonceshe’ddoneitshefoundshedidn’tlikeitafterall.”
“Yourlanguageisn’tveryelegant,”saidMrs.Upjohn.“Ithinkyou’llhavetopolishitupabit,butyou’vecertainlygotsomethingthere.”
II
InspectorKelseywasspeakinginaslightlycomplainingtone.
“It’sallverywellforyou,Poirot,”hesaid.“Youcansayanddoalotofthingswecan’t:andI’lladmitthewholethingwaswellstage-managed.Gotheroffherguard,madeherthinkwewereafterRich,andthen,Mrs.Upjohn’ssuddenappearancemadeherloseherhead.ThankthelordshekeptthatautomaticaftershootingSpringer.Ifthebulletcorresponds—”
“Itwill,monami,itwill,”saidPoirot.
“Thenwe’vegothercoldforthemurderofSpringer.AndIgatherMissChadwick’sinabadway.Butlookhere,Poirot,Istillcan’tseehowshecanpossiblyhavekilledMissVansittart.It’sphysicallyimpossible.She’sgotacast-ironalibi—unlessyoungRathboneandthewholestaffoftheNidSauvageareinitwithher.”
Poirotshookhishead.“Oh,no,”hesaid.“Heralibiisperfectlygood.ShekilledMissSpringerandMademoiselleBlanche.ButMissVansittart—”hehesitatedforamoment,hiseyesgoingtowhereMissBulstrodesatlisteningtothem.“MissVansittartwaskilledbyMissChadwick.”
“MissChadwick?”exclaimedMissBulstrodeandKelseytogether.
Poirotnodded.“Iamsureofit.”
“But—why?”
“Ithink,”saidPoirot,“MissChadwicklovedMeadowbanktoomuch…”HiseyeswentacrosstoMissBulstrode.
“Isee…”saidMissBulstrode.“Yes,yes,Isee…Ioughttohaveknown.”Shepaused.“Youmeanthatshe—?”
“Imean,”saidPoirot,“thatshestartedherewithyou,thatallalongshehasregardedMeadowbankasajointventurebetweenyouboth.”
“Whichinonesenseitwas,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Quiteso,”saidPoirot.“Butthatwasmerelythefinancialaspect.Whenyoubegantotalkofretiringsheregardedherselfasthepersonwhowouldtakeover.”
“Butshe’sfartooold,”objectedMissBulstrode.
“Yes,”saidPoirot,“sheistoooldandsheisnotsuitedtobeaheadmistress.Butsheherselfdidnotthinkso.ShethoughtthatwhenyouwentshewouldbeheadmistressofMeadowbankasamatterofcourse.Andthenshefoundthatwasnotso.Thatyouwereconsideringsomeoneelse,thatyouhadfasteneduponEleanorVansittart.AndshelovedMeadowbank.ShelovedtheschoolandshedidnotlikeEleanorVansittart.Ithinkintheendshehatedher.”
“Shemighthavedone,”saidMissBulstrode.“Yes,EleanorVansittartwas—howshallIputit?—shewasalwaysverycomplacent,verysuperiorabouteverything.Thatwouldbehardtobearifyouwerejealous.That’swhatyoumean,isn’tit?Chaddywasjealous.”
“Yes,”saidPoirot.“ShewasjealousofMeadowbankandjealousofEleanorVansittart.Shecouldn’tbearthethoughtoftheschoolandMissVansittarttogether.Andthenperhapssomethinginyourmannerledhertothinkthatyouwereweakening?”
“Ididweaken,”saidMissBulstrode.“ButIdidn’tweakeninthewaythatperhapsChaddythoughtIwouldweaken.ActuallyIthoughtofsomeoneyoungerstillthanMissVansittart—IthoughtitoverandthenIsaidNo,she’stooyoung…Chaddywaswithmethen,Iremember.”
“Andshethought,”saidPoirot,“thatyouwerereferringtoMissVansittart.ThatyouweresayingMissVansittartwastooyoung.Shethoroughlyagreed.Shethoughtthatexperienceandwisdomsuchasshehadgotwerefarmoreimportantthings.Butthen,afterall,youreturnedtoyouroriginaldecision.YouchoseEleanorVansittartastherightpersonandleftherinchargeoftheschoolthatweekend.ThisiswhatIthinkhappened.OnthatSundaynightMissChadwickwasrestless,shegotupandshesawthelightinthesquashcourt.Shewentoutthereexactlyasshesaysshewent.Thereisonlyonethingdifferentinherstoryfromwhatshesaid.Itwasn’tagolfclubshetookwithher.Shepickeduponeofthesandbagsfromthepileinthehall.Shewentoutthereallreadytodealwithaburglar,withsomeonewhoforasecondtimehadbrokenintotheSportsPavilion.Shehadthesandbagreadyinherhandtodefendherselfifattacked.Andwhatdidshefind?ShefoundEleanorVansittartkneelingdownlookinginalocker,andshethought,itmaybe—(forIamgood,”saidHerculePoirotinaparenthesis,“—atputtingmyselfintootherpeople’sminds—)shethoughtifIwereamarauder,aburglar,Iwouldcomeupbehindherandstrikeherdown.Andasthethoughtcameintohermind,onlyhalfconsciousofwhatshewasdoing,sheraisedthesandbagandstruck.AndtherewasEleanorVansittartdead,outofherway.Shewasappalledthen,Ithink,atwhatshehaddone.Ithaspreyedonhereversince—forsheisnotanaturalkiller,MissChadwick.Shewasdriven,assomearedriven,byjealousyandbyobsession.TheobsessionofloveforMeadowbank.NowthatEleanorVansittartwasdeadshewasquitesurethatshewouldsucceedyouatMeadowbank.Soshedidn’tconfess.Shetoldherstorytothepoliceexactlyasithadoccurredbutfortheonevitalfact,thatitwasshewhohadstrucktheblow.ButwhenshewasaskedaboutthegolfclubwhichpresumablyMissVansittarttookwithherbeingnervousafterallthathadoccurred,MissChadwicksaidquicklythatshehadtakenitoutthere.Shedidn’twantyoutothinkevenforamomentthatshehadhandledthesandbag.”
“WhydidAnnShaplandalsochooseasandbagtokillMademoiselleBlanche?”askedMissBulstrode.
“Foronething,shecouldnotriskapistolshotintheschoolbuilding,andforanothersheisaverycleveryoungwoman.Shewantedtotieupthisthirdmurderwiththesecondone,forwhichshehadanalibi.”
“Idon’treallyunderstandwhatEleanorVansittartwasdoingherselfintheSportsPavilion,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Ithinkonecouldmakeaguess.ShewasprobablyfarmoreconcernedoverthedisappearanceofShaistathansheallowedtoappearonthesurface.ShewasasupsetasMissChadwickwas.Inawayitwasworseforher,becauseshehadbeenleftbyyouincharge—andthekidnappinghadhappenedwhilstshewasresponsible.Moreovershehadpooh-pooheditaslongaspossiblethroughanunwillingnesstofaceunpleasantfactssquarely.”
“Sotherewasweaknessbehindthefa?ade,”musedMissBulstrode.“Isometimessuspectedit.”
“She,too,Ithink,wasunabletosleep.AndIthinkshewentoutquietlytotheSportsPaviliontomakeanexaminationofShaista’slockerincasetheremightbesomecluetheretothegirl’sdisappearance.”
“Youseemtohaveexplanationsforeverything,Mr.Poirot.”
“That’shisspeciality,”saidInspectorKelseywithslightmalice.
“AndwhatwasthepointofgettingEileenRichtosketchvariousmembersofmystaff?”
“IwantedtotestthechildJennifer’sabilitytorecognizeaface.IsoonsatisfiedmyselfthatJenniferwassoentirelypreoccupiedbyherownaffairs,thatshegaveoutsidersatmostacursoryglance,takinginonlytheexternaldetailsoftheirappearance.ShedidnotrecognizeasketchofMademoiselleBlanchewithadifferenthairdo.Stillless,then,wouldshehaverecognizedAnnShaplandwho,asyoursecretary,sheseldomsawatclosequarters.”
“YouthinkthatthewomanwiththeracquetwasAnnShaplandherself.”
“Yes.Ithasbeenaonewomanjoballthrough.Yourememberthatday,yourangforhertotakeamessagetoJuliabutintheend,asthebuzzerwentunanswered,sentagirltofindJulia.Annwasaccustomedtoquickdisguise.Afairwig,differentlypencilledeyebrows,a‘fussy’dressandhat.Sheneedonlybeabsentfromhertypewriterforabouttwentyminutes.IsawfromMissRich’scleversketcheshoweasyitisforawomantoalterherappearancebypurelyexternalmatters.”
“MissRich—Iwonder—”MissBulstrodelookedthoughtful.
PoirotgaveInspectorKelseyalookandtheInspectorsaidhemustbegettingalong.
“MissRich?”saidMissBulstrodeagain.
“Sendforher,”saidPoirot.“Itisthebestway.”
EileenRichappeared.Shewaswhite-facedandslightlydefiant.
“Youwanttoknow,”shesaidtoMissBulstrode,“whatIwasdoinginRamat?”
“IthinkIhaveanidea,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Justso,”saidPoirot.“Childrennowadaysknowallthefactsoflife—buttheireyesoftenretaininnocence.”
Headdedthathe,too,mustbegettingalong,andslippedout.
“Thatwasit,wasn’tit?”saidMissBulstrode.Hervoicewasbriskandbusinesslike.“Jennifermerelydescribeditasfat.Shedidn’trealizeitwasapregnantwomanshehadseen.”
“Yes,”saidEileenRich.“Thatwasit.Iwasgoingtohaveachild.Ididn’twanttogiveupmyjobhere.Icarriedonallrightthroughtheautumn,butafterthat,itwasbeginningtoshow.Igotadoctor’scertificatethatIwasn’tfittocarryon,andIpleadedillness.IwentabroadtoaremotespotwhereIthoughtIwasn’tlikelytomeetanyonewhoknewme.Icamebacktothiscountryandthechildwasborn—dead.IcamebackthistermandIhopedthatnoonewouldeverknow…Butyouunderstandnow,don’tyou,whyIsaidIshouldhavehadtorefuseyourofferofapartnershipifyou’dmadeit?Onlynow,withtheschoolinsuchadisaster,Ithoughtthat,afterall,Imightbeabletoaccept.”
Shepausedandsaidinamatter-of-factvoice,
“Wouldyoulikemetoleavenow?Orwaituntiltheendofterm?”
“You’llstaytilltheendoftheterm,”saidMissBulstrode,“andifthereisanewtermhere,whichIstillhope,you’llcomeback.”
“Comeback?”saidEileenRich.“Doyoumeanyoustillwantme?”
“OfcourseIwantyou,”saidMissBulstrode.“Youhaven’tmurderedanyone,haveyou?—notgonemadoverjewelsandplannedtokilltogetthem?I’lltellyouwhatyou’vedone.You’veprobablydeniedyourinstinctstoolong.Therewasaman,youfellinlovewithhim,youhadachild.Isupposeyoucouldn’tmarry.”
“Therewasneveranyquestionofmarriage,”saidEileenRich.“Iknewthat.Heisn’ttoblame.”
“Verywell,then,”saidMissBulstrode.“Youhadaloveaffairandachild.Youwantedtohavethatchild?”
“Yes,”saidEileenRich.“Yes,Iwantedtohaveit.”
“Sothat’sthat,”saidMissBulstrode.“NowI’mgoingtotellyousomething.Ibelievethatinspiteofthisloveaffair,yourrealvocationinlifeisteaching.Ithinkyourprofessionmeansmoretoyouthananynormalwoman’slifewithahusbandandchildrenwouldmean.”
“Ohyes,”saidEileenRich.“I’msureofthat.I’veknownthatallalong.That’swhatIreallywanttodo—that’stherealpassionofmylife.”
“Thendon’tbeafool,”saidMissBulstrode.“I’mmakingyouaverygoodoffer.If,thatis,thingscomeright.We’llspendtwoorthreeyearstogetherputtingMeadowbankbackonthemap.You’llhavedifferentideasastohowthatshouldbedonefromtheideasthatIhave.I’lllistentoyourideas.MaybeI’llevengiveintosomeofthem.Youwantthingstobedifferent,Isuppose,atMeadowbank?”
“Idoinsomeways,yes,”saidEileenRich.“Iwon’tpretend.Iwantmoreemphasisongettinggirlsthatreallymatter.”
“Ah,”saidMissBulstrode,“Isee.It’sthesnobelementthatyoudon’tlike,isthatit?”
“Yes,”saidEileen,“itseemstometospoilthings.”
“Whatyoudon’trealize,”saidMissBulstrode,“isthattogetthekindofgirlyouwantyou’vegottohavethatsnobelement.It’squiteasmallelementreally,youknow.Afewforeignroyalties,afewgreatnamesandeverybody,allthesillyparentsalloverthiscountryandothercountrieswanttheirgirlstocometoMeadowbank.FalloverthemselvestogettheirgirladmittedtoMeadowbank.What’stheresult?Anenormouswaitinglist,andIlookatthegirlsandIseethegirlsandIchoose!Yougetyourpick,doyousee?Ichoosemygirls.Ichoosethemverycarefully,someforcharacter,someforbrains,someforpureacademicintellect.SomebecauseIthinktheyhaven’thadachancebutarecapableofbeingmadesomethingofthat’sworthwhile.You’reyoung,Eileen.You’refullofideals—it’stheteachingthatmatterstoyouandtheethicalsideofit.Yourvision’squiteright.It’sthegirlsthatmatter,butifyouwanttomakeasuccessofanything,youknow,you’vegottobeagoodtradesmanaswell.Ideasarelikeeverythingelse.They’vegottobemarketed.We’llhavetodosomeprettyslickworkinfuturetogetMeadowbankgoingagain.I’llhavetogetmyhooksintoafewpeople,formerpupils,bullythem,pleadwiththem,getthemtosendtheirdaughtershere.Andthentheotherswillcome.Youletmebeuptomytricks,andthenyoushallhaveyourway.Meadowbankwillgoonandit’llbeafineschool.”
“It’llbethefinestschoolinEngland,”saidEileenRichenthusiastically.
“Good,”saidMissBulstrode,“—andEileen,Ishouldgoandgetyourhairproperlycutandshaped.Youdon’tseemabletomanagethatbun.Andnow,”shesaid,hervoicechanging,“ImustgotoChaddy.”
Shewentinandcameuptothebed.MissChadwickwaslyingverystillandwhite.Thebloodhadallgonefromherfaceandshelookeddrainedoflife.ApolicemanwithanotebooksatnearbyandMissJohnsonsatontheothersideofthebed.ShelookedatMissBulstrodeandshookherheadgently.
“Hallo,Chaddy,”saidMissBulstrode.Shetookupthelimphandinhers.MissChadwick’seyesopened.
“Iwanttotellyou,”shesaid,“Eleanor—itwas—itwasme.”
“Yes,dear,Iknow,”saidMissBulstrode.
“Jealous,”saidChaddy.“Iwanted—”
“Iknow,”saidMissBulstrode.
TearsrolledveryslowlydownMissChadwick’scheeks.“It’ssoawful…Ididn’tmean—Idon’tknowhowIcametodosuchathing!”
“Don’tthinkaboutitanymore,”saidMissBulstrode.
“ButIcan’t—you’llnever—I’llneverforgivemyself—”
“Listen,dear,”shesaid.“Yousavedmylife,youknow.Mylifeandthelifeofthatnicewoman,Mrs.Upjohn.Thatcountsforsomething,doesn’tit?”
“Ionlywish,”saidMissChadwick,“Icouldhavegivenmylifeforyouboth.Thatwouldhavemadeitallright….”
MissBulstrodelookedatherwithgreatpity.MissChadwicktookagreatbreath,smiled,then,movingherheadveryslightlytooneside,shedied….
“Youdidgiveyourlife,mydear,”saidMissBulstrodesoftly.“Ihopeyourealizethat—now.”
Twenty-five
LEGACY
I
“AMr.Robinsonhascalledtoseeyou,sir.”
“Ah!”saidHerculePoirot.Hestretchedouthishandandpickedupaletterfromthedeskinfrontofhim.Helookeddownonitthoughtfully.
Hesaid:“Showhimin,Georges.”
Theletterwasonlyafewlines,
DearPoirot,AMr.Robinsonmaycalluponyouinthenearfuture.Youmayalreadyknowsomethingabouthim.Quiteaprominentfigureincertaincircles.Thereisademandforsuchmeninourmodernworld…Ibelieve,ifImaysoputit,thatheis,inthisparticularmatter,onthesideoftheangels.Thisisjustarecommendation,ifyoushouldbeindoubt.Ofcourse,andIunderlinethis,wehavenoideaastothematteronwhichhewishestoconsultyou…Haha!andlikewisehoho!Yoursever,EphraimPikeaway
PoirotlaiddowntheletterandroseasMr.Robinsoncameintotheroom.Hebowed,shookhands,indicatedachair.
Mr.Robinsonsat,pulledoutahandkerchiefandwipedhislargeyellowface.Heobservedthatitwasawarmday.
“Youhavenot,Ihope,walkedhereinthisheat?”
Poirotlookedhorrifiedattheidea.Byanaturalassociationofideas,hisfingerswenttohismoustache.Hewasreassured.Therewasnolimpness.
Mr.Robinsonlookedequallyhorrified.
“No,no,indeed.IcameinmyRolls.Butthesetrafficblocks…Onesitsforhalfanhoursometimes.”
Poirotnoddedsympathetically.
Therewasapause—thepausethatensuesonpartoneofconversationbeforeenteringuponparttwo.
“Iwasinterestedtohear—ofcourseonehearssomanythings—mostofthemquiteuntrue—thatyouhadbeenconcerningyourselfwiththeaffairsofagirls’school.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.“That!”
Heleanedbackinhischair.
“Meadowbank,”saidMr.Robinsonthoughtfully.“QuiteoneofthepremierschoolsofEngland.”
“Itisafineschool.”
“Is?Orwas?”
“Ihopetheformer.”
“Ihopeso,too,”saidMr.Robinson.“Ifearitmaybetouchandgo.Ahwell,onemustdowhatonecan.Alittlefinancialbackingtotideoveracertaininevitableperiodofdepression.Afewcarefullychosennewpupils.IamnotwithoutinfluenceinEuropeancircles.”
“I,too,haveappliedpersuasionincertainquarters.If,asyousay,wecantidethingsover.Mercifully,memoriesareshort.”
“Thatiswhatonehopes.Butonemustadmitthateventshavetakenplacetherethatmightwellshakethenervesoffondmammas—andpapasalso.TheGamesMistress,theFrenchMistress,andyetanothermistress—allmurdered.”
“Asyousay.”
“Ihear,”saidMr.Robinson,“(onehearssomanythings),thattheunfortunateyoungwomanresponsiblehassufferedfromaphobiaaboutschoolmistressessinceheryouth.Anunhappychildhoodatschool.Psychiatristswillmakeagooddealofthis.Theywilltryatleastforaverdictofdiminishedresponsibility,astheycallitnowadays.”
“Thatlinewouldseemtobethebestchoice,”saidPoirot.“YouwillpardonmeforsayingthatIhopeitwillnotsucceed.”
“Iagreewithyouentirely.Amostcold-bloodedkiller.Buttheywillmakemuchofherexcellentcharacter,herworkassecretarytovariouswell-knownpeople,herwarrecord—quitedistinguished,Ibelieve—counterespionage—”
Heletthelastwordsoutwithacertainsignificance—ahintofaquestioninhisvoice.
“Shewasverygood,Ibelieve,”hesaidmorebriskly.“Soyoung—butquitebrilliant,ofgreatuse—tobothsides.Thatwashermétier—sheshouldhavestucktoit.ButIcanunderstandthetemptation—toplayalonehand,andgainabigprize.”Headdedsoftly,“Averybigprize.”
Poirotnodded.
Mr.Robinsonleanedforward.
“Wherearethey,M.Poirot?”
“Ithinkyouknowwheretheyare.”
“Well,frankly,yes.Banksaresuchusefulinstitutionsaretheynot?”
Poirotsmiled.
“Weneedn’tbeataboutthebushreally,needwe,mydearfellow?Whatareyougoingtodoaboutthem?”
“Ihavebeenwaiting.”
“Waitingforwhat?”
“Shallwesay—forsuggestions?”
“Yes—Isee.”
“Youunderstandtheydonotbelongtome.Iwouldliketohandthemovertothepersontheydobelongto.Butthat,ifIappraisethepositioncorrectly,isnotsosimple.”
“Governmentsareinsuchadifficultposition,”saidMr.Robinson.“Vulnerable,sotospeak.Whatwithoil,andsteel,anduranium,andcobaltandalltherestofit,foreignrelationsareamatteroftheutmostdelicacy.ThegreatthingistobeabletosaythatHerMajesty’sGovernment,etc.,etc.,hasabsolutelynoinformationonthesubject.”
“ButIcannotkeepthisimportantdepositatmybankindefinitely.”
“Exactly.ThatiswhyIhavecometoproposethatyoushouldhanditovertome.”
“Ah,”saidPoirot.“Why?”
“Icangiveyousomeexcellentreasons.Thesejewels—mercifullywearenotofficial,wecancallthingsbytheirrightnames—wereunquestionablythepersonalpropertyofthelatePrinceAliYusuf.”
“Iunderstandthatisso.”
“HisHighnesshandedthemovertoSquadronLeaderRobertRawlinsonwithcertaininstructions.TheyweretobegotoutofRamat,andtheyweretobedeliveredtome.”
“Haveyouproofofthat?”
“Certainly.”
Mr.Robinsondrewalongenvelopefromhispocket.Outofithetookseveralpapers.HelaidthembeforePoirotonthedesk.
Poirotbentoverthemandstudiedthemcarefully.
“Itseemstobeasyousay.”
“Well,then?”
“DoyoumindifIaskaquestion?”
“Notatall.”
“Whatdoyou,personally,getoutofthis?”
Mr.Robinsonlookedsurprised.
“Mydearfellow.Money,ofcourse.Quitealotofmoney.”
Poirotlookedathimthoughtfully.
“Itisaveryoldtrade,”saidMr.Robinson.“Andalucrativeone.Therearequitealotofus,anetworkallovertheglobe.Weare,howshallIputit,theArrangersbehindthescenes.Forkings,forpresidents,forpoliticians,forallthose,infact,uponwhomthefiercelightbeats,asapoethasputit.Weworkinwithoneanotherandrememberthis:wekeepfaith.Ourprofitsarelargebutwearehonest.Ourservicesarecostly—butwedorenderservice.”
“Isee,”saidPoirot.“Ehbien!Iagreetowhatyouask.”
“Icanassureyouthatthatdecisionwillpleaseeveryone.”Mr.Robinson’seyesjustrestedforamomentonColonelPikeaway’sletterwhereitlayatPoirot’srighthand.
“Butjustonelittlemoment.Iamhuman.Ihavecuriosity.Whatareyougoingtodowiththesejewels?”
Mr.Robinsonlookedathim.Thenhislargeyellowfacecreasedintoasmile.Heleanedforward.
“Ishalltellyou.”
Hetoldhim.
II
Childrenwereplayingupanddownthestreet.Theirraucouscriesfilledtheair.Mr.Robinson,alightingponderouslyfromhisRolls,wascannonedintobyoneofthem.
Mr.Robinsonputthechildasidewithanotunkindlyhandandpeeredupatthenumberonthehouse.
No.15.Thiswasright.Hepushedopenthegateandwentupthethreestepstothefrontdoor.Neatwhitecurtainsatthewindows,henoted,andawell-polishedbrassknocker.AninsignificantlittlehouseinaninsignificantstreetinaninsignificantpartofLondon,butitwaswellkept.Ithadself-respect.
Thedooropened.Agirlofabouttwenty-five,pleasantlooking,withakindoffair,chocolateboxprettiness,welcomedhimwithasmile.
“Mr.Robinson?Comein.”
Shetookhimintothesmallsittingroom.Atelevisionset,cretonnesofaJacobeanpattern,acottagepianoagainstthewall.Shehadonadarkskirtandagreypullover.
“You’llhavesometea?I’vegotthekettleon.”
“Thankyou,butno.Ineverdrinktea.AndIcanonlystayashorttime.IhaveonlycometobringyouwhatIwrotetoyouabout.”
“FromAli?”
“Yes.”
“Thereisn’t—therecouldn’tbe—anyhope?Imean—it’sreallytrue—thathewaskilled?Therecouldn’tbeanymistake?”
“I’mafraidtherewasnomistake,”saidMr.Robinsongently.
“No—no,Isupposenot.Anyway,Ineverexpected—WhenhewentbackthereIdidn’tthinkreallyI’deverseehimagain.Idon’tmeanIthoughthewasgoingtobekilledorthattherewouldbeaRevolution.Ijustmean—well,youknow—he’dhavetocarryon,dohisstuff—whatwasexpectedofhim.Marryoneofhisownpeople—allthat.”
Mr.Robinsondrewoutapackageandlaiditdownonthetable.
“Openit,please.”
Herfingersfumbledalittleasshetorethewrappingsoffandthenunfoldedthefinalcovering….
Shedrewherbreathinsharply.
Red,blue,green,white,allsparklingwithfire,withlife,turningthedimlittleroomintoAladdin’scave….
Mr.Robinsonwatchedher.Hehadseensomanywomenlookatjewels….
Shesaidatlastinabreathlessvoice,
“Arethey—theycan’tbe—real?”
“Theyarereal.”
“Buttheymustbeworth—theymustbeworth—”
Herimaginationfailed.
Mr.Robinsonnodded.
“Ifyouwishtodisposeofthem,youcanprobablygetatleasthalfamillionpoundsforthem.”
“No—no,it’snotpossible.”
Suddenlyshescoopedthemupinherhandsandrewrappedthemwithshakingfingers.
“I’mscared,”shesaid.“Theyfrightenme.WhatamItodowiththem?”
Thedoorburstopen.Asmallboyrushedin.
“Mum,IgotasmashingtankoffBilly.He—”
Hestopped,staringatMr.Robinson.
Anoliveskinned,darkboy.
Hismothersaid,
“Gointhekitchen,Allen,yourtea’sallready.Milkandbiscuitsandthere’sabitofgingerbread.”
“Ohgood.”Hedepartednoisily.
“YoucallhimAllen?”saidMr.Robinson.
Sheflushed.
“ItwasthenearestnametoAli.Icouldn’tcallhimAli—toodifficultforhimandtheneighboursandall.”
Shewenton,herfacecloudingoveragain.
“WhatamItodo?”
“First,haveyougotyourmarriagecertificate?Ihavetobesureyou’rethepersonyousayyouare.”
Shestaredamoment,thenwentovertoasmalldesk.Fromoneofthedrawersshebroughtoutanenvelope,extractedapaperfromitandbroughtittohim.
“Hm…yes…RegisterofEdmonstow…AliYusuf,student…AliceCalder,spinster…Yes,allinorder.”
“Ohit’slegalallright—asfarasitgoes.Andnooneevertumbledtowhohewas.There’ssomanyoftheseforeignMoslemstudents,yousee.Weknewitdidn’tmeananythingreally.HewasaMoslemandhecouldhavemorethanonewife,andheknewhe’dhavetogobackanddojustthat.Wetalkedaboutit.ButAllenwasontheway,yousee,andhesaidthiswouldmakeitallrightforhim—weweremarriedallrightinthiscountryandAllenwouldbelegitimate.Itwasthebesthecoulddoforme.Hereallydidloveme,youknow.Hereallydid.”
“Yes,”saidMr.Robinson.“Iamsurehedid.”
Hewentonbriskly.
“Now,supposingthatyouputyourselfinmyhands.Iwillseetothesellingofthesestones.AndIwillgiveyoutheaddressofalawyer,areallygoodandreliablesolicitor.Hewilladviseyou,Iexpect,toputmostofthemoneyinatrustfund.Andtherewillbeotherthings,educationforyourson,andanewwayoflifeforyou.You’llwantsocialeducationandguidance.You’regoingtobeaveryrichwomanandallthesharksandtheconfidencetrickstersandtherestofthemwillbeafteryou.Yourlife’snotgoingtobeeasyexceptinthepurelymaterialsense.Richpeopledon’thaveaneasytimeinlife,Icantellyou—I’veseentoomanyofthemtohavethatillusion.Butyou’vegotcharacter.Ithinkyou’llcomethrough.Andthatboyofyoursmaybeahappiermanthanhisfathereverwas.”
Hepaused.“Youagree?”
“Yes.Takethem.”Shepushedthemtowardshim,thensaidsuddenly:“Thatschoolgirl—theonewhofoundthem—I’dlikehertohaveoneofthem—which—whatcolourdoyouthinkshe’dlike?”
Mr.Robinsonreflected.“Anemerald,Ithink—greenformystery.Agoodideaofyours.Shewillfindthatverythrilling.”
Herosetohisfeet.
“Ishallchargeyouformyservices,youknow,”saidMr.Robinson.“Andmychargesareprettyhigh.ButIshan’tcheatyou.”
Shegavehimalevelglance.
“No,Idon’tthinkyouwill.AndIneedsomeonewhoknowsaboutbusiness,becauseIdon’t.”
“YouseemaverysensiblewomanifImaysayso.Nowthen,I’mtotakethese?Youdon’twanttokeep—justone—say?”
Hewatchedherwithcuriosity,thesuddenflickerofexcitement,thehungrycovetouseyes—andthentheflickerdied.
“No,”saidAlice.“Iwon’tkeep—evenone.”Sheflushed.“OhIdaresaythatseemsdafttoyou—nottokeepjustonebigrubyoranemerald—justasakeepsake.Butyousee,heandI—hewasaMoslembutheletmereadbitsnowandagainoutoftheBible.Andwereadthatbit—aboutawomanwhosepricewasaboverubies.Andso—Iwon’thaveanyjewels.I’drathernot….”
“Amostunusualwoman,”saidMr.RobinsontohimselfashewalkeddownthepathandintohiswaitingRolls.
Herepeatedtohimself,
“Amostunusualwoman….”
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
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TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSideACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
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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
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Credits
CoverdesignandillustrationbyFaithLaurel
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?CATAMONGTHEPIGEONS?.Copyright?1959AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
CATAMONGTHEPIGEONS?1960.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicor
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