Ordeal by Innocence

AgathaChristie
OrdealbyInnocence
ToBillyCollinswithaffectionandgratitude
IfIjustifymyself,mineownmouthshallcondemnme.Iamafraidofallmysorrows.IknowthatThouwiltnotholdmeinnocent.
Job
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Epigraph
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-one
ChapterTwenty-two
ChapterTwenty-three
ChapterTwenty-four
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
One
I
ItwasduskwhenhecametotheFerry.
Hecouldhavebeentheremuchearlier.Thetruthwas,hehadputitoffaslongashecould.
FirsthisluncheonwithfriendsinRedquay;thelightdesultoryconversation,theinterchangeofgossipaboutmutualfriends—allthathadmeantonlythathewasinwardlyshrinkingfromwhathehadtodo.Hisfriendshadinvitedhimtostayonforteaandhehadaccepted.Butatlastthetimehadcomewhenheknewthathecouldputthingsoffnolonger.
Thecarhehadhiredwaswaiting.Hesaidgood-byeandlefttodrivethesevenmilesalongthecrowdedcoastroadandtheninlanddownthewoodedlanethatendedatthelittlestonequayontheriver.
Therewasalargebelltherewhichhisdriverrangvigorouslytosummontheferryfromthefarside.
“Youwon’tbewantingmetowait,sir?”
“No,”saidArthurCalgary.“I’veorderedacartomeetmeoverthereinanhour’stime—totakemetoDrymouth.”
Themanreceivedhisfareandtip.Hesaid,peeringacrosstheriverinthegloom:
“Ferry’scomingnow,sir.”
Withasoft-spokengoodnighthereversedthecaranddroveawayupthehill.ArthurCalgarywasleftalonewaitingonthequayside.Alonewithhisthoughtsandhisapprehensionofwhatwasinfrontofhim.Howwildthescenerywashere,hethought.OnecouldfancyoneselfonaScottishloch,farfromanywhere.Andyet,onlyafewmilesaway,werethehotels,theshops,thecocktailbarsandthecrowdsofRedquay.Hereflected,notforthefirsttime,ontheextraordinarycontrastsoftheEnglishlandscape.
Heheardthesoftplashoftheoarsastheferryboatdrewintothesideofthelittlequay.ArthurCalgarywalkeddowntheslopingrampandgotintotheboatastheferrymansteadieditwithaboat-hook.HewasanoldmanandgaveCalgarythefancifulimpressionthatheandhisboatbelongedtogether,wereoneandindivisible.
Alittlecoldwindcamerustlingupfromtheseaastheypushedoff.
“’Tischillythisevening,”saidtheferryman.
Calgaryrepliedsuitably.Hefurtheragreedthatitwascolderthanyesterday.
Hewasconscious,orthoughthewasconscious,ofaveiledcuriosityintheferryman’seyes.Herewasastranger.Andastrangerafterthecloseofthetouristseasonproper.Moreover,thisstrangerwascrossingatanunusualhour—toolateforteaatthecafébythepier.Hehadnoluggagesohecouldnotbecomingtostay.(Why,Calgarywondered,hadhecomesolateintheday?Wasitreallybecause,subconsciously,hehadbeenputtingthismomentoff?Leavingaslateaspossible,thethingthathadtobedone?)CrossingtheRubicon—theriver…theriver…hismindwentbacktothatotherriver—theThames.
Hehadstaredatitunseeingly(wasitonlyyesterday?)thenturnedtolookagainatthemanfacinghimacrossthetable.Thosethoughtfuleyeswithsomethinginthemthathehadnotquitebeenabletounderstand.Areserve,somethingthatwasbeingthoughtbutnotexpressed….
“Isuppose,”hethought,“theylearnnevertoshowwhattheyarethinking.”
Thewholethingwasprettyfrightfulwhenonecamerightdowntoit.Hemustdowhathadtobedone—andafterthat—forget!
Hefrownedasherememberedtheconversationyesterday.Thatpleasant,quiet,noncommittalvoice,saying:
“You’requitedeterminedonyourcourseofaction,Dr.Calgary?”
Hehadanswered,hotly:
“WhatelsecanIdo?Surelyyouseethat?Youmustagree?It’sathingIcan’tpossiblyshirk.”
Buthehadn’tunderstoodthelookinthosewithdrawngreyeyes,andhadbeenfaintlyperplexedbytheanswer.
“Onehastolookallaroundasubject—consideritfromallaspects.”
“Surelytherecanbeonlyoneaspectfromthepointofviewofjustice?”
Hehadspokenhotly,thinkingforamomentthatthiswasanignoblesuggestionof“hushingup”thematter.
“Inaway,yes.Butthere’smoretoitthanthat,youknow.Morethan—shallwesay—justice?”
“Idon’tagree.There’sthefamilytoconsider.”
Andtheotherhadsaidquickly:“Quite—oh,yes—quite.Iwasthinkingofthem.”
WhichseemedtoCalgarynonsense!Becauseifonewerethinkingofthem—
Butimmediatelytheothermanhadsaid,hispleasantvoiceunchanged:
“It’sentirelyuptoyou,Dr.Calgary.Youmust,ofcourse,doexactlyasyoufeelyouhavetodo.”
Theboatgroundedonthebeach.HehadcrossedtheRubicon.
Theferryman’ssoftWestCountryvoicesaid:
“Thatwillbefourpence,sir,ordoyouwantareturn?”
“No,”Calgarysaid.“Therewillbenoreturn.”(Howfatefulthewordssounded!)
Hepaid.Thenheasked:
“DoyouknowahousecalledSunnyPoint?”
Immediatelythecuriosityceasedtobeveiled.Theinterestintheoldman’seyesleapedupavidly.
“Why,surely.’Tisthere,upalongtoyourright—youcanjustseeitthroughthemtrees.Yougoupthehillandalongtheroadtotheright,andthentakethenewroadthroughthebuildingestate.’Tisthelasthouse—attheveryend.”
“Thankyou.”
“YoudidsaySunnyPoint,sir?WhereMrs.Argyle—”
“Yes,yes—”Calgarycuthimshort.Hedidn’twanttodiscussthematter.“SunnyPoint.”
Aslowandratherpeculiarsmiletwistedtheferryman’slips.Helookedsuddenlylikeanancientslyfaun.
“Itwashercalledthehousethat—inthewar.Itwereanewhouse,ofcourse,onlyjustbeenbuilt—hadn’tgotaname.Buttheground’tisbuilton—thatwoodedspit—Viper’sPoint,thatis!ButViper’sPointwouldn’tdoforher—notforthenameofherhouse.CalleditSunnyPoint,shedid.ButViper’sPoint’swhatwealluscallit.”
Calgarythankedhimbrusquely,saidgoodevening,andstartedupthehill.Everyoneseemedtobeinsidetheirhouses,buthehadthefancythatunseeneyeswerepeeringthroughthewindowsofthecottages;allwatchinghimwiththeknowledgeofwherehewasgoing.Sayingtoeachother,“He’sgoingtoViper’sPoint….”
Viper’sPoint.Whatahorribleappositenamethatmusthaveseemed….
Forsharperthanaserpent’stooth….
Hecheckedhisthoughtsbrusquely.Hemustpullhimselftogetherandmakeuphismindexactlywhathewasgoingtosay….
II
Calgarycametotheendofthenicenewroadwiththenicenewhousesoneithersideofit,eachwithitseighthofanacreofgarden;rockplants,chrysanthemums,roses,salvias,geraniums,eachownerdisplayinghisorherindividualgardentaste.
AttheendoftheroadwasagatewithsunnypointinGothiclettersonit.Heopenedthegate,passedthrough,andwentalongashortdrive.Thehousewasthereaheadofhim,awell-built,characterlessmodernhouse,gabledandporched.Itmighthavestoodonanygood-classsuburbansite,oranewdevelopmentanywhere.Itwasunworthy,inCalgary’sopinion,ofitsview.Fortheviewwasmagnificent.Theriverherecurvedsharplyroundthepointalmostturningbackonitself.Woodedhillsroseopposite;up-streamtotheleftwasafurtherbendoftheriverwithmeadowsandorchardsinthedistance.
Calgarylookedforamomentupanddowntheriver.Oneshouldhavebuiltacastlehere,hethought,animpossible,ridiculous,fairytalecastle!Thesortofcastlethatmightbemadeofgingerbreadoroffrostedsugar.Insteadtherewasgoodtaste,restraint,moderation,plentyofmoneyandabsolutelynoimagination.
Forthat,naturally,onedidnotblametheArgyles.Theyhadonlyboughtthehouse,notbuiltit.Still,theyoroneofthem(Mrs.Argyle?)hadchosenit….
Hesaidtohimself:“Youcan’tputitoffanylonger…”andpressedtheelectricbellbesidethedoor.
Hestoodthere,waiting.Afteradecentintervalhepressedthebellagain.
Heheardnofootstepsinsidebut,withoutwarning,thedoorswungsuddenlyopen.
Hemovedbackastep,startled.Tohisalreadyoverstimulatedimagination,itseemedasthoughTragedyherselfstoodtherebarringhisway.Itwasayoungface;indeeditwasinthepoignancyofitsyouththattragedyhaditsveryessence.TheTragicMask,hethought,shouldalwaysbeamaskofyouth…Helpless,fore-ordained,withdoomapproaching…fromthefuture….
Rallyinghimself,hethought,rationalizing:“Irishtype.”Thedeepblueoftheeyes,thedarkshadowroundthem,theupspringingblackhair,themournfulbeautyofthebonesoftheskullandcheekbones—
Thegirlstoodthere,young,watchfulandhostile.
Shesaid:
“Yes?Whatdoyouwant?”
Herepliedconventionally.
“IsMr.Argylein?”
“Yes.Buthedoesn’tseepeople.Imean,peoplehedoesn’tknow.Hedoesn’tknowyou,doeshe?”
“No.Hedoesn’tknowme,but—”
Shebegantoclosethedoor.
“Thenyou’dbetterwrite….”
“I’msorry,butIparticularlywanttoseehim.Areyou—MissArgyle?”
Sheadmitteditgrudgingly.
“I’mHesterArgyle,yes.Butmyfatherdoesn’tseepeople—notwithoutanappointment.You’dbetterwrite.”
“I’vecomealongway…”Shewasunmoved.
“Theyallsaythat.ButIthoughtthiskindofthinghadstoppedatlast.”Shewentonaccusingly,“You’reareporter,Isuppose?”
“No,no,nothingofthesort.”
Sheeyedhimsuspiciouslyasthoughshedidnotbelievehim.
“Well,whatdoyouwantthen?”
Behindher,somewaybackinthehall,hesawanotherface.Aflathomelyface.Describingit,hewouldhavecalleditafacelikeapancake,thefaceofamiddle-agedwoman,withfrizzyyellowishgreyhairplasteredontopofherhead.Sheseemedtohover,waiting,likeawatchfuldragon.
“Itconcernsyourbrother,MissArgyle.”
HesterArgyledrewinherbreathsharply.Shesaid,withoutbelief,“Michael?”
“No,yourbrotherJack.”
Sheburstout:“Iknewit!Iknewyou’dcomeaboutJacko!Whycan’tyouleaveusinpeace?It’salloverandfinishedwith.Whygoonaboutit?”
“Youcanneverreallysaythatanythingisfinished.”
“Butthisisfinished!Jackoisdead.Whycan’tyoulethimbe?Allthat’sover.Ifyou’renotajournalist,Isupposeyou’readoctor,orapsychologist,orsomething.Pleasegoaway.Myfathercan’tbedisturbed.He’sbusy.”
Shebegantoclosethedoor.Inahurry,Calgarydidwhatheoughttohavedoneatfirst,pulledouttheletterfromhispocketandthrustittowardsher.
“Ihavealetterhere—fromMr.Marshall.”
Shewastakenaback.Herfingerscloseddoubtfullyontheenvelope.Shesaiduncertainly:
“FromMr.Marshall—inLondon?”
Shewasjoinednowsuddenlybythemiddle-agedwomanwhohadbeenlurkingintherecessesofthehall.ShepeeredatCalgarysuspiciouslyandhewasremindedofforeignconvents.Ofcourse,thisshouldhavebeenanun’sface!Itdemandedthecrispwhitecoiforwhateveryoucalledit,framedtightlyroundtheface,andtheblackhabitandveil.Itwastheface,notofacontemplative,butofthelay-sisterwhopeersatyoususpiciouslythroughthelittleopeninginthethickdoor,beforegrudginglyadmittingyouandtakingyoutothevisitingparlour,ortoReverendMother.
Shesaid:“YoucomefromMr.Marshall?”
Shemadeitalmostanaccusation.
Hesterwasstaringdownattheenvelopeinherhand.Then,withoutaword,sheturnedandranupthestairs.
Calgaryremainedonthedoorstep,sustainingtheaccusingandsuspiciousglanceofthedragon-cumlay-sister.
Hecastaboutforsomethingtosay,buthecouldnotthinkofanything.Prudently,therefore,heremainedsilent.
PresentlyHester’svoice,coolandaloof,floateddowntothem.
“Fathersayshe’stocomeup.”
Somewhatunwillingly,hiswatchdogmovedaside.Herexpressionofsuspiciondidnotalter.Hepassedher,laidhishatonachair,andmountedthestairstowhereHesterstoodwaitingforhim.
Theinsideofthehousestruckhimasvaguelyhygienic.Itcouldalmost,hethought,havebeenanexpensivenursinghome.
Hesterledhimalongapassageanddownthreesteps.Thenshethrewopenadoorandgesturedtohimtopassthroughit.Shecameinbehindhim,closingthedoorafterher.
Theroomwasalibrary,andCalgaryraisedhisheadwithasenseofpleasure.Theatmosphereofthisroomwasquitedifferentfromtherestofthehouse.Thiswasaroomwhereamanlived,wherehebothworkedandtookhisease.Thewallswerelinedwithbooks,thechairswerelarge,rathershabby,buteaseful.Therewasapleasantdisorderofpapersonthedesk,ofbookslyingaboutontables.Hehadamomentaryglimpseofayoungwomanwhowasleavingtheroombyadooratthefarend,ratheranattractiveyoungwoman.Thenhisattentionwastakenbythemanwhoroseandcametogreethim,theopenletterinhishand.
Calgary’sfirstimpressionofLeoArgylewasthathewassoattenuated,sotransparent,ashardlytobethereatall.Awraithofaman!Hisvoicewhenhespokewaspleasant,thoughlackinginresonance.
“Dr.Calgary?”hesaid.“Dositdown.”
Calgarysat.Heacceptedacigarette.Hishostsatdownoppositehim.Allwasdonewithouthurry,asthoughinaworldwheretimemeantverylittle.TherewasafaintgentlesmileonLeoArgyle’sfaceashespoke,tappingthelettergentlywithabloodlessfingerashedidso.
“Mr.Marshallwritesthatyouhaveanimportantcommunicationtomaketous,thoughhedoesn’tspecifyitsnature.”Hissmiledeepenedasheadded:“Lawyersarealwayssocarefulnottocommitthemselves,aren’tthey?”
ItoccurredtoCalgarywithafaintshockofsurprise,thatthismanconfrontinghimwasahappyman.Notbuoyantlyorzestfullyhappy,asisthenormalwayofhappiness—buthappyinsomeshadowybutsatisfactoryretreatofhisown.Thiswasamanonwhomtheouterworlddidnotimpingeandwhowascontentedthatthisshouldbeso.Hedidnotknowwhyheshouldbesurprisedbythis—buthewas.
Calgarysaid:
“Itisverykindofyoutoseeme.”Thewordswereameremechanicalintroduction.“Ithoughtitbettertocomeinpersonthantowrite.”Hepaused—thensaidinasuddenrushofagitation,“Itisdifficult—verydifficult….”
“Dotakeyourtime.”
LeoArgylewasstillpoliteandremote.
Heleanedforward;inhisgentlewayhewasobviouslytryingtohelp.
“SinceyoubringthisletterfromMarshall,IpresumethatyourvisithastodowithmyunfortunatesonJacko—Jack,Imean—Jackowasourownnameforhim.”
AllCalgary’scarefullypreparedwordsandphraseshaddesertedhim.Hesathere,facedwiththeappallingrealityofwhathehadtotell.Hestammeredagain.
“It’ssoterriblydifficult….”
Therewasamoment’ssilence,andthenLeosaidcautiously:
“Ifithelpsyou—we’requiteawarethatJackowas—hardlyanormalpersonality.Nothingthatyouhavetotelluswillbelikelytosurpriseus.Terribleasthetragedywas,IhavebeenfullyconvincedallalongthatJackowasnotreallyresponsibleforhisactions.”
“Ofcoursehewasn’t.”ItwasHester,andCalgarystartedatthesoundofhervoice.Hehadmomentarilyforgottenabouther.Shehadsatdownonthearmofachairjustbehindhisleftshoulder.Asheturnedhishead,sheleanedforwardeagerlytowardshim.
“Jackowasalwaysawful,”shesaidconfidentially.“Hewasjustthesameasalittleboy—whenhelosthistemper,Imean.Justcaughtupanythinghecouldfindand—andwentforyou….”
“Hester—Hester—mydear.”Argyle’svoicewasdistressed.
Startled,thegirl’shandflewtoherlips.Sheflushedandspokewiththesuddenawkwardnessofyouth.
“I’msorry,”shesaid.“Ididn’tmean—Iforgot—I—Ioughtn’ttohavesaidathinglikethat—notnowthathe’s—Imean,nowthatit’salloverand…and….”
“Overanddonewith,”saidArgyle.“Allofthisisinthepast.Itry—wealltry—tofeelthattheboymustberegardedasaninvalid.OneofNature’smisfits.That,Ithink,expressesitbest.”HelookedatCalgary.“Youagree?”
“No,”saidCalgary.
Therewasamoment’ssilence.Thesharpnegativehadtakenbothhislistenersaback.Ithadcomeoutwithalmostexplosiveforce.Tryingtomitigateitseffect,hesaidawkwardly:
“I—I’msorry.Yousee,youdon’tunderstandyet.”
“Oh!”Argyleseemedtoconsider.Thenheturnedhisheadtowardshisdaughter.“Hester,Ithinkperhapsyou’dbetterleaveus—”
“I’mnotgoingaway!I’vegottohear—toknowwhatit’sallabout.”
“Itmaybeunpleasant—”
Hestercriedoutimpatiently:
“WhatdoesitmatterwhatotherawfulthingsJackomayhavedone?That’sallover.”
Calgaryspokequickly.
“Pleasebelieveme—thereisnoquestionofanythingthatyourbrotherhasdone—quitetheopposite.”
“Idon’tsee—”
ThedooratthefarendoftheroomopenedandtheyoungwomanwhomCalgaryhadjustglimpsedearliercamebackintotheroom.Sheworeanoutdoorcoatnow,andcarriedasmallattaché-case.
ShespoketoArgyle.
“I’mgoingnow.Isthereanythingelse—”
TherewasamomentaryhesitationonArgyle’spart(hewouldalwayshesitate,Calgarythought)andthenhelaidahandonherarmanddrewherforward.
“Sitdown,Gwenda,”hesaid.“Thisis—er—Dr.Calgary.ThisisMissVaughan,whoiswhois—”Againhepausedasthoughindoubt.“Whohasbeenmysecretaryforsomeyearsnow.”Headded:“Dr.Calgaryhascometotellussomething—or—askussomething—aboutJacko—”
“Totellyousomething,”Calgaryinterrupted.“Andalthoughyoudon’trealizeit,everymomentyouaremakingitmoredifficultforme.”
Theyalllookedathiminsomesurprise,butinGwendaVaughan’seyes,hesawaflickerofsomethingthatlookedlikecomprehension.Itwasasthoughheandsheweremomentarilyinalliance,asthoughshehadsaid:“Yes—IknowhowdifficulttheArgylescanbe.”
Shewasanattractiveyoungwoman,hethought,thoughnotsoveryyoung—perhapsthirty-sevenoreight.Awell-roundedfigure,darkhairandeyes,ageneralairofvitalityandgoodhealth.Shegavetheimpressionofbeingbothcompetentandintelligent.
Argylesaidwithafrostytouchinhismanner:“Iamnotatallawareofmakingthingsdifficultforyou,Dr.Calgary.Suchwascertainlynotmyintention.Ifyouwillcometothepoint—”
“Yes,Iknow.ForgivemeforsayingwhatIdid.Butitisthepersistencewithwhichyou—andyourdaughter—arecontinuallyunderliningthatthingsarenowover—donewith—finished.Theyarenotover.Whoisitwhosaid:‘Nothingiseversettleduntil—’”
“‘Untilitissettledright,’”MissVaughanfinishedforhim.“Kipling.”
Shenoddedathimencouragingly.Hefeltgratefultoher.
“ButI’llcometothepoint,”Calgarywenton.“Whenyou’veheardwhatIhavetosay,you’llunderstandmy—myreluctance.More,mydistress.Tobeginwith,Imustmentionafewthingsaboutmyself.Iamageophysicist,andhaverecentlyformedpartofanAntarcticexpedition.IonlyreturnedtoEnglandafewweeksago.”
“TheHayesBentleyExpedition?”askedGwenda.
Heturnedtowardshergratefully.
“Yes.ItwastheHayesBentleyExpedition.Itellyouthistoexplainmybackground,andalsotoexplainthatIhavebeenoutoftouchforabouttwoyearswith—withcurrentevents.”
Shewentonhelpinghim:
“Youmean—withsuchthingsasmurdertrials?”
“Yes,MissVaughan,thatisexactlywhatImean.”
HeturnedtoArgyle.
“Pleaseforgivemeifthisispainful,butImustjustcheckoverwithyoucertaintimesanddates.OnNovember9th,theyearbeforelast,ataboutsixo’clockintheevening,yourson,JackArgyle(Jackotoyou),calledhereandhadaninterviewwithhismother,Mrs.Argyle.”
“Mywife,yes.”
“Hetoldherthathewasintroubleanddemandedmoney.Thishadhappenedbefore—”
“Manytimes,”saidLeowithasigh.
“Mrs.Argylerefused.Hebecameabusive,threatening.Finallyheflungawayandleft,shoutingoutthathewascomingbackandthatshehad‘jollywellgottostumpup.’Hesaid,‘Youdon’twantmetogotoprison,doyou?’andshereplied,‘Iambeginningtobelievethatitmaybethebestthingforyou.’”
LeoArgylemoveduneasily.
“MywifeandIhadtalkeditovertogether.Wewere—veryunhappyabouttheboy.Againandagainwehadcometohisrescue,triedtogivehimafreshstart.Ithadseemedtousthatperhapstheshockofaprisonsentence—thetraining—”Hisvoicediedaway.“Butpleasegoon.”
Calgarywenton:
“Laterthatevening,yourwifewaskilled.Attackedwithapokerandstruckdown.Yourson’sfingerprintswereonthepoker,andalargesumofmoneywasgonefromthebureaudrawerwhereyourwifehadplaceditearlier.ThepolicepickedupyoursoninDrymouth.Themoneywasfoundonhim,mostofitwasinfive-poundnotes,oneofwhichhadanameandaddresswrittenonitwhichenabledittobeidentifiedbythebankasonethathadbeenpaidouttoMrs.Argylethatmorning.Hewaschargedandstoodhistrial.”Calgarypaused.“Theverdictwaswilfulmurder.”
Itwasout—thefatefulword.Murder…Notanechoingword;astifledword,awordthatgotabsorbedintothehangings,thebooks,thepilecarpet…Thewordcouldbestifled—butnottheact….
“IhavebeengiventounderstandbyMr.Marshall,thesolicitorforthedefence,thatyoursonprotestedhisinnocencewhenarrested,inacheery,nottosaycocksuremanner.Heinsistedthathehadaperfectalibiforthetimeofthemurderwhichwasplacedbythepoliceatbetweensevenandseven-thirty.Atthattime,JackArgylesaid,hewashitchhikingintoDrymouth,havingbeenpickedupbyacaronthemainroadfromRedmyntoDrymouthaboutamilefromherejustbeforeseven.Hedidn’tknowthemakeofthecar(itwasdarkbythen)butitwasablackordarkbluesaloondrivenbyamiddle-agedman.Everyeffortwasmadetotracethiscarandthemanwhodroveit,butnoconfirmationofhisstatementcouldbeobtained,andthelawyersthemselveswerequiteconvincedthatitwasastoryhastilyfabricatedbytheboyandnotverycleverlyfabricatedatthat….
“AtthetrialthemainlineofdefencewastheevidenceofpsychologistswhosoughttoprovethatJackArgylehadalwaysbeenmentallyunstable.Thejudgewassomewhatscathinginhiscommentsonthisevidenceandsummedupdeadagainsttheprisoner.JackArgylewassentencedtoimprisonmentforlife.Hediedofpneumoniainprisonsixmonthsafterhebegantoservehissentence.”
Calgarystopped.Threepairsofeyeswerefastenedonhim.InterestandcloseattentioninGwendaVaughan’s,suspicionstillinHester’s.LeoArgyle’sseemedblank.
Calgarysaid,“YouwillconfirmthatIhavestatedthefactscorrectly?”
“Youareperfectlycorrect,”saidLeo,“thoughIdonotyetseewhyithasbeennecessarytogooverpainfulfactswhichwearealltryingtoforget.”
“Forgiveme.Ihadtodoso.Youdonot,Igather,dissentfromtheverdict?”
“Iadmitthatthefactswereasstated—thatis,ifyoudonotgobehindthefacts,itwas,crudely,murder.Butifyoudogobehindthefacts,thereismuchtobesaidinmitigation.Theboywasmentallyunstable,thoughunfortunatelynotinthelegalsenseoftheterm.TheMcNaughtenrulesarenarrowandunsatisfactory.Iassureyou,Dr.Calgary,thatRachelherself—mylatewife,Imean—wouldhavebeenthefirsttoforgiveandexcusethatunfortunateboyforhisrashact.Shewasamostadvancedandhumanethinkerandhadaprofoundknowledgeofpyschologicalfactors.Shewouldnothavecondemned.”
“SheknewjusthowawfulJackocouldbe,”saidHester.“Healwayswas—hejustdidn’tseemabletohelpit.”
“Soyouall,”saidCalgaryslowly,“hadnodoubts?Nodoubtsofhisguilt,Imean.”
Hesterstared.
“Howcouldwe?Ofcoursehewasguilty.”
“Notreallyguilty,”Leodissented.“Idon’tlikethatword.”
“Itisn’tatrueword,either.”Calgarytookadeepbreath.“JackArgylewas—innocent!”
Two
Itshouldhavebeenasensationalannouncement.Instead,itfellflat.Calgaryhadexpectedbewilderment,incredulousgladnessstrugglingwithincomprehension,eagerquestions…Therewasnoneofthat.Thereseemedonlywarinessandsuspicion.GwendaVaughanwasfrowning.Hesterstaredathimwithdilatedeyes.Well,perhapsitwasnatural—suchanannouncementwashardtotakeinallatonce.
LeoArgylesaidhesitantly:
“Youmean,Dr.Calgary,thatyouagreewithmyattitude?Youdon’tfeelhewasresponsibleforhisactions?”
“Imeanhedidn’tdoit!Can’tyoutakeitin,man?Hedidn’tdoit.Hecouldn’thavedoneit.Butforthemostextraordinaryandunfortunatecombinationofcircumstanceshecouldhaveprovedthathewasinnocent.Icouldhaveprovedthathewasinnocent.”
“You?”
“Iwasthemaninthecar.”
Hesaiditsosimplythatforthemomenttheydidnottakeitin.Beforetheycouldrecoverthemselves,therewasaninterruption.Thedooropenedandthewomanwiththehomelyfacemarchedin.Shespokedirectlyandtothepoint.
“IhearasIampassingthedooroutside.ThismanissayingthatJackodidnotkillMrs.Argyle.Whydoeshesaythis?Howdoesheknow?”
Herface,whichhadbeenmilitantandfierce,suddenlyseemedtopucker.
“Imustheartoo,”shesaidpiteously.“Icannotstayoutsideandnotknow.”
“Ofcoursenot,Kirsty.You’reoneofthefamily.”LeoArgyleintroducedher.“MissLindstrom,Dr.Calgary.Dr.Calgaryissayingthemostincrediblethings.”
CalgarywaspuzzledbytheScottishnameofKirsty.HerEnglishwasexcellentbutafaintforeignintonationremained
Shespokeaccusinglytohim.
“Youshouldnotcomehereandsaythingslikethat—upsettingpeople.Theyhaveacceptedtribulation.Nowyouupsetthembywhatyoutell.WhathappenedwasthewillofGod.”
Hewasrepelledbytheglibcomplacenceofherstatement.Possibly,hethought,shewasoneofthoseghoulishpeoplewhopositivelywelcomedisaster.Well,shewasgoingtobedeprivedofallthat.
Hespokeinaquick,dryvoice.
“Atfiveminutestosevenonthatevening,IpickedupayoungmanonthemainRedmyntoDrymouthroadwhowasthumbingforalift.IdrovehimintoDrymouth.Wetalked.Hewas,Ithought,anengagingandlikeableyoungman.”
“Jackohadgreatcharm,”saidGwenda.“Everyonefoundhimattractive.Itwashistemperlethimdown.Andhewascrooked,ofcourse,”sheaddedthoughtfully.“Butpeopledidn’tfindthatoutforsometime.”
MissLindstormturnedonher.
“Youshouldnotspeaksowhenheisdead.”
LeoArgylesaidwithafaintasperity:
“Pleasegoon,Dr.Calgary.Whydidn’tyoucomeforwardatthetime?”
“Yes.”Hester’svoicesoundedbreathless.“Whydidyouskulkawayfromitall?Therewereappealsinthepaper—advertisements.Howcouldyoubesoselfish,sowicked—”
“Hester—Hester—”herfathercheckedher.“Dr.Calgaryisstilltellingushisstory.”
Calgaryaddressedthegirldirect.
“Iknowonlytoowellhowyoufeel.IknowwhatIfeelmyself—whatIshallalwaysfeel…”Hepulledhimselftogetherandwenton:
“Tocontinuewithmystory:Therewasalotoftrafficontheroadsthatevening.ItwaswellafterhalfpastsevenwhenIdroppedtheyoungman,whosenameIdidnotknow,inthemiddleofDrymouth.That,Iunderstand,clearshimcompletely,sincethepolicearequitedefinitethatthecrimewascommittedbetweensevenandhalfpast.”
“Yes,”saidHester.“Butyou—”
“Pleasebepatient.Tomakeyouunderstand,Imustgobackalittle.IhadbeenstayinginDrymouthforacoupleofdaysinafriend’sflat.Thisfriend,anavalman,wasatsea.Hehadalsolentmehiscarwhichhekeptinaprivatelockup.Onthisparticularday,Novemberthe9th,IwasduetoreturntoLondon.IdecidedtogoupbytheeveningtrainandtospendtheafternoonseeinganoldnurseofwhomourfamilywereveryfondandwholivedinalittlecottageatPolgarthaboutfortymileswestofDrymouth.Icarriedoutmyprogramme.Thoughveryoldandinclinedtowanderinhermind,sherecognizedmeandwasverypleasedtoseeme,andquiteexcitedbecauseshehadreadinthepapersaboutmy‘goingtothePole,’assheputit.Istayedonlyashorttime,soasnottotireher,andonleavingdecidednottoreturndirecttoDrymouthalongthecoastroadasIhadcome,butinsteadtogonorthtoRedmynandseeoldCanonPeasmarsh,whohassomeveryrarebooksinhislibrary,includinganearlytreatiseonnavigationfromwhich
“Ontheway,asIhavetoldyou,Ipickedupanunknownhitchhiker,andafterdroppinghiminthetown,Icarriedoutmyownprogramme.Afterarrivalatthestation,Istillhadtimeinhand,andIwentoutsidethestationintothemainstreettogetsomecigarettes.AsIcrossedtheroadalorrycameroundacornerathighspeedandknockedmedown.
“Accordingtotheaccountsofpassers-by,Igotup,apparentlyuninjuredandbehavingquitenormally.IsaidIwasquiteallrightandthatIhadatraintocatchandhurriedbacktothestation.WhenthetrainarrivedatPaddingtonIwasunconsciousandtakenbyambulancetohospital,whereIwasfoundtobesufferingfromconcussion—apparentlythisdelayedeffectisnotuncommon.
“WhenIregainedconsciousness,somedayslater,Irememberednothingoftheaccident,orofcomingtoLondon.ThelastthingIcouldrememberwasstartingouttovisitmyoldnurseatPolgarth.Afterthat,acompleteblank.Iwasreassuredbybeingtoldthatsuchanoccurrenceisquitecommon.Thereseemednoreasontobelievethatthemissinghoursinmylifewereofanyimportance.NeitherImyself,noranyoneelse,hadthefaintestideathatIhaddrivenalongtheRedmyn—Drymouthroadthatevening.
“TherewasonlyaverynarrowmarginoftimebeforeIwasduetoleaveEngland.Iwaskeptinhospital,inabsolutequiet,withnonewspapers.OnleavingIdrovestraighttotheairporttoflytoAustraliaandtojoinupwiththeExpedition.TherewassomedoubtastowhetherIwasfittogo,butthisIoverruled.Iwasfartoobusywithmypreparationsandanxietiestotakeanyinterestinreportsofmurders,andinanycaseexcitementdieddownafterthearrest,andbythetimethecasecametotrialandwasfullyreported,IwasonmywaytotheAntarctic.”
Hepaused.Theywerelisteningtohimwithcloseattention.
“Itwasaboutamonthago,justaftermyreturntoEngland,thatImadethediscovery.Iwantedsomeoldnewspapersforpackingspecimens.Mylandladybroughtmeupapileofoldpapersoutofherstokehold.SpreadingoneoutonthetableIsawthereproducedphotographofayoungmanwhosefaceseemedveryfamiliartome.ItriedtorememberwhereIhadmethimandwhohewas.Icouldnotdosoandyet,verystrangely,Irememberholdingaconversationwithhim—ithadbeenabouteels.Hehadbeenintriguedandfascinatedbyhearingthesagaofaneel’slife.Butwhen?Where?Ireadtheparagraph,readthatthisyoungmanwasJackArgyle,accusedofmurder,readthathehadtoldthepolicethathehadbeengivenaliftbyamaninablacksalooncar.
“Andthen,quitesuddenly,thatlostbitofmylifecameback.Ihadpickedupthisselfsameyoungman,anddrivenhimintoDrymouth,partingfromhimthere,goingbacktotheflat—crossingthestreetonfoottobuymycigarettes.Irememberedjustaglimpseofthelorryasithitme—afterthat,nothinguntilhospital.IstillhadnomemoryofgoingtothestationandtakingthetraintoLondon.Ireadandrereadtheparagraph.Thetrialwasoverayearago,thecasealmostforgotten.‘Ayoungfellowwhatdidhismotherin,’mylandladyrememberedvaguely.‘Don’tknowwhathappened—thinktheyhangedhim.’Ireadupthefilesofthenewspapersfortheappropriatedates,thenIwenttoMarshall&Marshall,whohadbeenthelawyersforthedefence.IlearnedthatIwastoolatetofreetheunfortunateboy.Hehaddiedofpneumoniainprison.Thoughjusticecouldnolongerbedonetohim,justicecouldbedonetohismemory.IwentwithMr.Marshalltothepolice.ThecaseisbeinglaidbeforethePublicProsecutor.MarshallhaslittledoubtthathewillreferittotheHomeSecretary.
“Youwill,ofcourse,receiveafullreportfromhim.HehasonlydelayeditbecauseIwasanxioustobetheonewhofirstacquaintedyouwiththetruth.Ifeltthatthatwasanordealitwasmydutytogothrough.Youunderstand,Iamsure,thatIshallalwaysfeeladeeploadofguilt.IfIhadbeenmorecarefulcrossingthestreet—”Hebrokeoff.“Iunderstandthatyourfeelingstowardsmecanneverbekindly—thoughIam,technically,blameless—you,allofyou,mustblameme.”
GwendaVaughansaidquickly,hervoicewarmandkindly:
“Ofcoursewedon’tblameyou.It’sjust—oneofthosethings.Tragic—incredible—butthereitis.”
Hestersaid:
“Didtheybelieveyou?”
Helookedatherinsurprise.
“Thepolice—didtheybelieveyou?Whyshouldn’tyoubemakingitallup?”
Hesmiledalittleinspiteofhimself.
“I’maveryreputablewitness,”hesaidgently.“Ihavenoaxetogrind,andtheyhavegoneintomystoryveryclosely;medicalevidence,variouscorroboratingdetailsfromDrymouth.Oh,yes.Marshallwascautious,ofcourse,likealllawyers.Hedidn’twanttoraiseyourhopesuntilhewasprettycertainofsuccess.”
LeoArgylestirredinhischairandspokeforthefirsttime.
“Whatexactlydoyoumeanbysuccess?”
“Iapologize,”saidCalgaryquickly.“Thatisnotawordthatcanrightlybeused.Yoursonwasaccusedofacrimehedidnotcommit,wastriedforit,condemned—anddiedinprison.Justicehascometoolateforhim.Butsuchjusticeascanbedone,almostcertainlywillbedone,andwillbeseentobedone.TheHomeSecretarywillprobablyadvisetheQueenthatafreepardonshouldbegranted.”
Hesterlaughed.
“Afreepardon—forsomethinghedidn’tdo?”
“Iknow.Theterminologyalwaysseemsunrealistic.ButIunderstandthatthecustomisforaquestiontobeaskedintheHouse,thereplytowhichwillmakeitclearthatJackArgyledidnotcommitthecrimeforwhichhewassentenced,andthenewspaperswillreportthatfactfreely.”
Hestopped.Nobodyspoke.Ithadbeen,hesupposed,agreatshocktothem.Butafterall,ahappyone.
Herosetohisfeet.
“I’mafraid,”hesaiduncertainly,“thatthereisnothingmorethatIcansay…TorepeathowsorryIam,howunhappyaboutitall,toaskyourforgiveness—allthatyoumustalreadyknowonlytoowell.Thetragedythatendedhislife,hasdarkenedmyown.Butatleast”—hespokewithpleading—“surelyitmeanssomething—toknowthathedidn’tdothisawfulthing—thathisname—yourname—willbeclearedintheeyesoftheworld…?”
Ifhehopedforareplyhedidnotgetone.
LeoArgylesatslumpedinhischair.Gwenda’seyeswereonLeo’sface.Hestersatstaringaheadofher,hereyeswideandtragic.MissLindstromgruntedsomethingunderherbreathandshookherhead.
Calgarystoodhelplesslybythedoor,lookingbackatthem.
ItwasGwendaVaughanwhotookchargeofthesituation.Shecameuptohimandlaidahandonhisarm,sayinginalowvoice:
“You’dbettergonow,Dr.Calgary.It’sbeentoomuchofashock.Theymusthavetimetotakeitin.”
Henoddedandwentout.OnthelandingMissLindstromjoinedhim.
“Iwillletyouout,”shesaid.
Hewasconscious,lookingbackbeforethedoorclosedbehindhim,ofGwendaVaughanslippingtoherkneesbyLeoArgyle’schair.Itsurprisedhimalittle.
Facinghim,onthelanding,MissLindstromstoodlikeaGuardsmanandspokeharshly.
“Youcannotbringhimbacktolife.Sowhybringitallbackintotheirminds?Tillnow,theywereresigned.Nowtheywillsuffer.Itisbetter,always,toleavewellalone.”
Shespokewithdispleasure.
“Hismemorymustbecleared,”saidArthurCalgary.
“Finesentiments!Theyareallverywell.Butyoudonotreallythinkofwhatitallmeans.Men,theyneverthink.”Shestampedherfoot.“Ilovethemall.Icamehere,tohelpMrs.Argyle,in1940—whenshestartedhereawarnursery—forchildrenwhosehomeshadbeenbombed.Nothingwastoogoodforthosechildren.Everythingwasdoneforthem.Thatisnearlyeighteenyearsago.Andstill,evenaftersheisdead,Istayhere—tolookafterthem—tokeepthehousecleanandcomfortable,toseetheygetgoodfood.Ilovethemall—yes,Ilovethem…andJacko—hewasnogood!Ohyes,Ilovedhimtoo.But—hewasnogood!”
Sheturnedabruptlyaway.Itseemedshehadforgottenheroffertoshowhimout.Calgarydescendedthestairsslowly.Ashewasfumblingwiththefrontdoorwhichhadasafetylockhedidnotunderstand,heheardlightfootstepsonthestairs.Hestercameflyingdownthem.
Sheunlatchedthedoorandopenedit.Theystoodlookingateachother.Heunderstoodlessthaneverwhyshefacedhimwiththattragicreproachfulstare.
Shesaid,onlyjustbreathingthewords:
“Whydidyoucome?Oh,whyeverdidyoucome?”
Helookedatherhelplessly.
“Idon’tunderstandyou.Don’tyouwantyourbrother’snamecleared?Don’tyouwanthimtohavejustice?”
“Oh,justice!”Shethrewthewordathim.
Herepeated:“Idon’tunderstand….”
“Goingonsoaboutjustice!WhatdoesitmattertoJackonow?He’sdead.It’snotJackowhomatters.It’sus!”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“It’snottheguiltywhomatter.It’stheinnocent.”
Shecaughthisarm,diggingherfingersintoit.
“It’swewhomatter.Don’tyouseewhatyou’vedonetousall?”
Hestaredather.
Outofthedarknessoutside,aman’sfigureloomedup.
“Dr.Calgary?”hesaid.“Yourtaxi’shere,sir.TodriveyoutoDrymouth.”
“Oh—er—thankyou.”
CalgaryturnedoncemoretoHester,butshehadwithdrawnintothehouse.
Thefrontdoorbanged.
Three
I
Hesterwentslowlyupthestairspushingbackthedarkhairfromherhighforehead.KirstenLindstrommetheratthetopofthestairs.
“Hashegone?”
“Yes,he’sgone.”
“Youhavehadashock,Hester.”KirstenLindstromlaidagentlehandonhershoulder.“Comewithme.Iwillgiveyoualittlebrandy.Allthis,ithasbeentoomuch.”
“Idon’tthinkIwantanybrandy,Kirsty.”
“Perhapsyoudonotwantit,butitwillbegoodforyou.”
Unresisting,theyounggirlallowedherselftobesteeredalongthepassageandintoKirstenLindstrom’sownsmallsittingroom.Shetookthebrandythatwasofferedherandsippeditslowly.KirstenLindstromsaidinanexasperatedvoice:
“Ithasallbeentoosudden.Thereshouldhavebeenwarning.WhydidnotMr.Marshallwritefirst?”
“IsupposeDr.Calgarywouldn’tlethim.Hewantedtocomeandtellushimself.”
“Comeandtellushimself,indeed!Whatdoeshethinkthenewswilldotous?”
“Isuppose,”saidHester,inanodd,tonelessvoice,“hethoughtweshouldbepleased.”
“Pleasedornotpleased,itwasboundtobeashock.Heshouldnothavedoneit.”
“Butitwasbraveofhim,inaway,”saidHester.Thecolourcameupinherface.“Imean,itcan’thavebeenaneasythingtodo.Tocomeandtellafamilyofpeoplethatamemberofitwhowascondemnedformurderanddiedinprisonwasreallyinnocent.Yes,Ithinkitwasbraveofhim—butIwishhehadn’tallthesame,”sheadded.
“That—weallwishthat,”saidMissLindstrombriskly.
Hesterlookedatherwithherinterestsuddenlyarousedfromherownpreoccupation.
“Soyoufeelthattoo,Kirsty?Ithoughtperhapsitwasonlyme.”
“Iamnotafool,”saidMissLindstromsharply.“IcanenvisagecertainpossibilitiesthatyourDr.Calgarydoesnotseemtohavethoughtabout.”
Hesterrose.“ImustgotoFather,”shesaid.
KirstenLindstromagreed.
“Yes.Hewillhavehadtimenowtothinkwhatisbesttobedone.”
AsHesterwentintothelibraryGwendaVaughanwasbusywiththetelephone.HerfatherbeckonedtoherandHesterwentoverandsatonthearmofhischair.
“We’retryingtogetthroughtoMaryandtoMicky,”hesaid.“Theyoughttobetoldatonceofthis.”
“Hallo,”saidGwendaVaughan.“IsthatMrs.Durrant?Mary?GwendaVaughanhere.Yourfatherwantstospeaktoyou.”
Leowentoverandtookupthereceiver.
“Mary?Howareyou?HowisPhilip?…Good.Somethingratherextraordinaryhashappened…Ithoughtyououghttobetoldofitatonce.ADr.Calgaryhasjustbeentoseeus.HebroughtaletterfromAndrewMarshallwithhim.It’saboutJacko.Itseems—reallyaveryextraordinarythingaltogether—itseemsthatthatstoryJackotoldatthetrial,ofhavingbeengivenaliftintoDrymouthinsomebody’scar,isperfectlytrue.ThisDr.Calgarywasthemanwhogavehimthelift…”Hebrokeoff,ashelistenedtowhathisdaughterwassayingattheotherend.“Yes,well,Mary,Iwon’tgointoallthedetailsnowastowhyhedidn’tcomeforwardatthetime.Hehadanaccident—concussion.Thewholethingseemstobeperfectlywellauthenticated.IranguptosaythatIthinkweshouldallhaveameetingheretogetherassoonaspossible.PerhapswecouldgetMarshalltocomedownandtalkthematteroverwithus.Weought,Ithink,tohavethebestlegaladvice.CouldyouandPhilip?…Yes…Yes,Iknow.ButIreallythink,mydear,thatit’simportant…Yes…wellringmeuplater,ifyoulike.ImusttryandgetholdofMicky.”Hereplacedthereceiver.
GwendaVaughancametowardsthetelephone.
“ShallItryandgetMickynow?”
Hestersaid:
“Ifthisisgoingtotakealittletime,couldIringupfirst,please,Gwenda?IwanttoringupDonald.”
“Ofcourse,”saidLeo.“Youaregoingoutwithhimthisevening,aren’tyou?”
“Iwas,”saidHester.
Herfathergaveherasharpglance.
“Hasthisupsetyouverymuch,darling?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidHester.“Idon’tknowquitewhatIfeel.”
GwendamadewayforheratthetelephoneandHesterdialedanumber.
“CouldIspeaktoDr.Craig,please?Yes.Yes.HesterArgylespeaking.”
Therewasamomentortwoofdelayandthenshesaid:
“Isthatyou,Donald?…IranguptosaythatIdon’tthinkIcancomewithyoutothelecturetonight…No,I’mnotill—it’snotthat,it’sjust—well,justthatwe’ve—we’vehadsomeratherqueernews.”
AgainDr.Craigspoke.
Hesterturnedherheadtowardsherfather.Shelaidherhandoverthereceiverandsaidtohim:
“Itisn’tasecret,isit?”
“No,”saidLeoslowly.“No,itisn’texactlyasecretbut—well,IshouldjustaskDonaldtokeepittohimselfforthepresent,perhaps.Youknowhowrumoursgetaround,getmagnified.”
“Yes,Iknow.”Shespokeagainintothereceiver.“InawayIsupposeit’swhatyou’dcallgoodnews,Donald,but—it’sratherupsetting.I’drathernottalkaboutitoverthetelephone…No,no,don’tcomehere…Pleasenot.Notthisevening.Tomorrowsometime.It’sabout—Jacko.Yes—yes—mybrother—it’sjustthatwe’vefoundoutthathedidn’tkillmymotherafterall…Butpleasedon’tsayanything,Donald,ortalktoanyone.I’lltellyouallaboutittomorrow…No,Donald,no…Ijustcan’tseeanyonethisevening—notevenyou.Please.Anddon’tsayanything.”Sheputdownthereceiver,andmotionedtoGwendatotakeover.
GwendaaskedforaDrymouthnumber.Leosaidgently:
“Whydon’tyougotothelecturewithDonald,Hester?Itwilltakeyourmindoffthings.”
“Idon’twantto,Father.Icouldn’t.”
Leosaid:
“Youspoke—yougavehimtheimpressionthatitwasn’tgoodnews.Butyouknow,Hester,that’snotso.Wewerestartled.Butwe’reallveryhappyaboutit—veryglad…Whatelsecouldwebe?”
“That’swhatwe’regoingtosay,isit?”saidHester.
Leosaidwarningly:
“Mydearchild—”
“Butit’snottrue,isit?”saidHester.“It’snotgoodnews.It’sjustterriblyupsetting.”
Gwendasaid:
“Micky’sontheline.”
AgainLeocameandtookthereceiverfromher.Hespoketohissonverymuchashehadspokentohisdaughter.ButhisnewswasreceivedratherdifferentlyfromthewayithadbeenreceivedbyMaryDurrant.Heretherewasnoprotest,surpriseordisbelief.Insteadtherewasquickacceptance.
“Whatthehell!”saidMicky’svoice.“Afterallthistime?Themissingwitness!Well,well,Jacko’sluckwasoutthatnight.”
Leospokeagain.Mickylistened.
“Yes,”hesaid,“Iagreewithyou.We’dbettergettogetherasquicklyaspossible,andgetMarshalltoadviseus,too.”Hegaveasuddenquicklaugh,thelaughthatLeorememberedsowellfromthesmallboywhohadplayedinthegardenoutsidethewindow.“What’sthebetting?”hesaid.“Whichofusdidit?”
Leodroppedthereceiverdownandleftthetelephoneabruptly.
“Whatdidhesay?”Gwendaasked.
Leotoldher.
“Itseemstomeasillysortofjoketomake,”saidGwenda.
Leoshotaquickglanceather.“Perhaps,”hesaidgently,“itwasn’taltogetherajoke.”
II
MaryDurrantcrossedtheroomandpickedupsomefallenpetalsfromavaseofchrysanthemums.Sheputthemcarefullyintothewastepaperbasket.Shewasatall,serene-lookingyoungwomanoftwenty-sevenwho,althoughherfacewasunlined,yetlookedolderthanheryears,probablyfromasedatematuritythatseemedpartofhermakeup.Shehadgoodlooks,withoutatraceofglamour.Regularfeatures,agoodskin,eyesofavividblue,andfairhaircombedoffherfaceandarrangedinalargebunatthebackofherneck;astylewhichatthemomenthappenedtobefashionablealthoughthatwasnotherreasonforwearingitso.Shewasawomanwhoalwayskepttoherownstyle.Herappearancewaslikeherhouse;neat,wellkept.Anykindofdustordisorderworriedher.
Themanintheinvalidchairwatchingherassheputthefallenpetalscarefullyaway,smiledaslightlytwistedsmile.
“Sametidycreature,”hesaid.“Aplaceforeverythingandeverythinginitsplace.”Helaughed,withafaintmaliciousnoteinthelaugh.ButMaryDurrantwasquiteundisturbed.
“Idolikethingstobetidy,”sheagreed.“Youknow,Phil,youwouldn’tlikeityourselfifthehousewaslikeashambles.”
Herhusbandsaidwithafainttraceofbitterness:
“Well,atanyrateIhaven’tgotthechanceofmakingitintoone.”
Soonaftertheirmarriage,PhilipDurranthadfallenavictimtopoliooftheparalytictype.ToMary,whoadoredhim,hehadbecomeherchildaswellasherhusband.Hehimselffeltattimesslightlyembarrassedbyherpossessivelove.Hiswifehadnotgottheimaginationtounderstandthatherpleasureinhisdependenceuponhersometimesirkedhim.
Hewentonnowratherquickly,asthoughfearingsomewordofcommiserationorsympathyfromher.
“Imustsayyourfather’snewsbeggarsdescription!Afterallthistime!Howcanyoubesocalmaboutit?”
“IsupposeIcanhardlytakeitin…It’ssoextraordinary.AtfirstIsimplycouldn’tbelievewhatfatherwassaying.IfithadbeenHester,now,Ishouldhavethoughtshe’dimaginedthewholething.YouknowwhatHester’slike.”
PhilipDurrant’sfacelostalittleofitsbitterness.Hesaidsoftly:
“Avehementpassionatecreature,settingoutinlifetolookfortroubleandcertaintofindit.”
Marywavedawaytheanalysis.Otherpeople’scharactersdidnotinteresther.
Shesaiddoubtfully:“Isupposeit’strue?Youdon’tthinkthismanmayhaveimagineditall?”
“Theabsentmindedscientist?Itwouldbenicetothinkso,”saidPhilip,“butitseemsthatAndrewMarshallhastakenthematterseriously.AndMarshall,Marshall&Marshallareaveryhard-headedlegalproposition,letmetellyou.”
MaryDurrantsaid,frowning:“Whatwillitactuallymean,Phil?”
Philipsaid:“ItmeansthatJackowillbecompletelyexonerated.Thatis,iftheauthoritiesaresatisfied—andIgatherthatthereisgoingtobenoquestionofanythingelse.”
“Oh,well,”saidMary,withaslightsigh,“Isupposeit’sallverynice.”
PhilipDurrantlaughedagain,thesametwisted,ratherbitterlaughter.
“Polly!”hesaid,“you’llbethedeathofme.”
OnlyherhusbandhadevercalledMaryDurrantPolly.Itwasanameludicrouslyinappropriatetoherstatuesqueappearance.ShelookedatPhilipinfaintsurprise.
“Idon’tseewhatI’vesaidtoamuseyousomuch.”
“Youweresograciousaboutit!”saidPhilip.“LikeLadySomebodyattheSaleofWorkpraisingtheVillageInstitute’shandiwork.”
Marysaid,puzzled:“Butitisverynice!Youcan’tpretendit’sbeensatisfactorytohavehadamurdererinthefamily.”
“Notreallyinthefamily.”
“Well,it’spracticallythesamething.Imean,itwasallveryworrying,andmadeonemostuncomfortable.Everybodywassoagogandcurious.Ihateditall.”
“Youtookitverywell,”saidPhilip.“Frozethemwiththaticybluegazeofyours.Madethempipedownandlookashamedofthemselves.It’swonderfulthewayyoumanagenevertoshowemotion.”
“Idislikeditallverymuch.Itwasallmostunpleasant,”saidMaryDurrant,“butatanyratehediedanditwasover.Andnow—now,Isuppose,itwillallberakedupagain.Sotiresome.”
“Yes,”saidPhilipDurrantthoughtfully.Heshiftedhisshouldersslightly,afaintexpressionofpainonhisface.Hiswifecametohimquickly.
“Areyoucramped?Wait.Letmejustmovethiscushion.There.Thatbetter?”
“Yououghttohavebeenahospitalnurse,”saidPhilip.
“I’venottheleastwishtonursealotofpeople.Onlyyou.”
Itwassaidverysimplybuttherewasadepthoffeelingbehindthebarewords
ThetelephonerangandMarywenttoit.
“Hallo…yes…speaking…Oh,it’syou….”
ShesaidasidetoPhilip:“It’sMicky.”
“Yes…yes,wehaveheard.Fathertelephoned…Well,ofcourse…Yes…Yes…Philipsaysifthelawyersaresatisfieditmustbeallright…Really,Micky,Idon’tseewhyyou’resoupset…I’mnotawareofbeingparticularlydense…Really,Micky,Idothinkyou—Hallo?…Hallo?…”Shefrownedangrily.“He’srungoff.”Shereplacedthereceiver.“Really,Philip,Ican’tunderstandMicky.”
“Whatdidhesayexactly?”
“Well,heseemsinsuchastate.HesaidthatIwasdense,thatIdidn’trealizethe—therepercussions.Helltopay!That’sthewayheputit.Butwhy?Idon’tunderstand.”
“Gotthewindup,hashe?”saidPhilipthoughtfully.
“Butwhy?”
“Well,he’sright,youknow.Therewillberepercussions.”
Marylookedalittlebewildered.
“Youmeanthattherewillbearevivalofinterestinthecase?OfcourseI’mgladJackoiscleared,butitwillberatherunpleasantifpeoplebegintalkingaboutitagain.”
“It’snotjustwhattheneighbourssay.There’smoretoitthanthat.”
Shelookedathiminquiringly.
“Thepolicearegoingtobeinterested,too!”
“Thepolice?”Maryspokesharply.“What’sitgottodowiththem?”
“Mydeargirl,”saidPhilip.“Think.”
Marycamebackslowlytositbyhim.
“It’sanunsolvedcrimeagainnow,yousee,”saidPhilip.
“Butsurelytheywon’tbother—afterallthistime?”
“Averynicebitofwishfulthinking,”saidPhilip,“butfundamentallyunsound,Ifear.”
“Surely,”saidMary,“afterthey’vebeensostupid—makingsuchabadmistakeoverJacko—theywon’twanttorakeitallupagain?”
“Theymayn’twantto—butthey’llprobablyhaveto!Dutyisduty.”
“Oh,Philip,I’msureyou’rewrong.Therewilljustbeabitoftalkandthenitwillalldiedown.”
“Andthenourliveswillgoonhappilyeverafterwards,”saidPhilipinhismockingvoice.
“Whynot?”
Heshookhishead.“It’snotassimpleasthat…Yourfather’sright.Wemustallgettogetherandhaveaconsultation.GetMarshalldownashesaid.”
“Youmean—goovertoSunnyPoint?”
“Yes.”
“Oh,wecan’tdothat.”
“Whynot?”
“It’snotpracticable.You’reaninvalidand—”
“I’mnotaninvalid.”Philipspokewithirritation.“I’mquitestrongandwell.Ijusthappentohavelosttheuseofmylegs.IcouldgotoTimbuctoowiththepropertransportlaidon.”
“I’msureitwouldbeverybadforyoutogotoSunnyPoint.Havingallthisunpleasantbusinessrakedup—”
“It’snotmymindthat’saffected.”
“—AndIdon’tseehowwecanleavethehouse.Therehavebeensomanyburglarieslately.”
“Getsomeonetosleepin.”
“It’sallverywelltosaythat—asthoughitwastheeasiestthingintheworld.”
“OldMrs.Whatsernamecancomeineveryday.Dostopmakinghousewifelyobjections,Polly.It’syou,really,whodoesn’twanttogo.”
“No,Idon’t.”
“Wewon’tbetherelong,”saidPhilipreassuringly.“ButIthinkwe’vegottogo.Thisisatimewhenthefamily’sgottopresentaunitedfronttotheworld.We’vegottofindoutexactlyhowwestand.”
III
AttheHotelinDrymouth,Calgarydinedearlyandwentuptohisroom.HefeltprofoundlyaffectedbywhathehadpassedthroughatSunnyPoint.Hehadexpectedtofindhismissionpainfulandithadtakenhimallhisresolutiontogothroughwithit.Butthewholethinghadbeenpainfulandupsettinginanentirelydifferentwayfromtheonehehadexpected.Heflunghimselfdownonhisbedandlitacigaretteashewentoverandoveritinhismind.
TheclearestpicturethatcametohimwasofHester’sfaceatthatpartingmoment.Herscornfulrejectionofhispleaforjustice!Whatwasitthatshehadsaid?“It’snottheguiltywhomatter,it’stheinnocent.”Andthen:“Don’tyouseewhatyou’vedonetousall?”Butwhathadhedone?Hedidn’tunderstand.
Andtheothers.ThewomantheycalledKirsty(whyKirsty?ThatwasaScottishname.Shewasn’tScottish—Danish,perhaps,orNorwegian?)Whyhadshespokensosternly—soaccusingly?
Therehadbeensomethingodd,too,aboutLeoArgyle—awithdrawal,awatchfulness.Nosuggestionofthe“ThankGodmysonwasinnocent!”whichsurelywouldhavebeenthenaturalreaction!
Andthatgirl—thegirlwhowasLeo’ssecretary.Shehadbeenhelpfultohim,kindly.Butshe,too,hadreactedinanoddway.HerememberedthewayshehadknelttherebyArgyle’schair.Asthough—asthough—sheweresympathizingwithhim,consolinghim.Consolinghimforwhat?Thathissonwasnotguiltyofmurder?Andsurely—yes,surely—therewasmoretherethanasecretary’sfeelings—evenasecretaryofsomeyears’standing…Whatwasitallabout?Whydidthey—
Thetelephoneonthetablebythebedrang.Hepickedupthereceiver.
“Hallo?”
“Dr.Calgary?Thereissomeoneaskingforyou.”
“Forme?”
Hewassurprised.Asfarashewasaware,nobodyknewthathewasspendingthenightinDrymouth.
“Whoisit?”
Therewasapause.Thentheclerksaid:
“It’sMr.Argyle.”
“Oh.Tellhim—”ArthurCalgarycheckedhimselfonthepointofsayingthathewouldcomedown.IfforsomereasonLeoArgylehadfollowedhimtoDrymouthandmanagedtofindoutwherehewasstaying,thenpresumablythematterwouldbeembarrassingtodiscussinthecrowdedloungedownstairs.
Hesaidinstead:
“Askhimtocomeuptomyroom,willyou?”
Herosefromwherehehadbeenlyingandpacedupanddownuntiltheknockcameonthedoor.
Hewentacrossandopenedit.
“Comein,Mr.Argyle,I—”
Hestopped,takenaback.ItwasnotLeoArgyle.Itwasayoungmaninhisearlytwenties,ayoungmanwhosedark,handsomefacewasmarredbyitsexpressionofbitterness.Areckless,angry,unhappyface.
“Didn’texpectme,”saidtheyoungman.“Expectedmy—father.I’mMichaelArgyle.”
“Comein.”Calgaryclosedthedoorafterhisvisitorhadentered.“HowdidyoufindoutIwashere?”heaskedasheofferedtheboyhiscigarettecase.
MichaelArgyletookoneandgaveashortunpleasantlaugh.
“Thatone’seasy!Ranguptheprincipalhotelsonthechanceyoumightbestayingthenight.Hititthesecondtry.”
“Andwhydidyouwanttoseeme?”
MichaelArgylesaidslowly:
“Wantedtoseewhatsortofachapyouwere…”HiseyesranappraisinglyoverCalgary,notingtheslightlystoopedshoulders,thegreyinghair,thethinsensitiveface.“Soyou’reoneofthechapswhowentonthe‘HayesBentley’tothePole.Youdon’tlookverytough.”
ArthurCalgarysmiledfaintly.
“Appearancesaresometimesdeceptive,”hesaid.“Iwastoughenough.It’snotentirelymuscularforcethat’sneeded.Thereareotherimportantqualifications;endurance,patience,technicalknowledge.”
“Howoldareyou,forty-five?”
“Thirty-eight.”
“Youlookmore.”
“Yes—yes,IsupposeIdo.”Foramomentafeelingofpoignantsadnesscameoverhimasheconfrontedthevirileyouthoftheboyfacinghim.
Heaskedratherabruptly:
“Whydidyouwanttoseeme?”
Theotherscowled.
“It’snatural,isn’tit?WhenIheardaboutthenewsyou’dbrought.Thenewsaboutmydearbrother.”
Calgarydidnotanswer.
MichaelArgylewenton:
“It’scomeabitlateforhim,hasn’tit?”
“Yes,”saidCalgaryinalowvoice.“Itistoolateforhim.”
“Whatdidyoubottleitupfor?What’sallthisaboutconcussion?”
PatientlyCalgarytoldhim.Strangelyenough,hefeltheartenedbytheboy’sroughnessandrudeness.Here,atanyrate,wassomeonewhofeltstronglyonhisbrother’sbehalf.
“GivesJackoanalibi,that’sthepoint,isit?Howdoyouknowthetimeswereasyousaytheywere?”
“Iamquitesureaboutthetimes.”Calgaryspokewithfirmness.
“Youmayhavemadeamistake.Youscientificblokesareapttobeabsentmindedsometimesaboutlittlethingsliketimesandplaces.”
Calgaryshowedslightamusement.
“Youhavemadeapictureforyourselfoftheabsentmindedprofessoroffiction—wearingoddsocks,notquitesurewhatdayitisorwherehehappenstobe?Mydearyoungman,technicalworkneedsgreatprecision;exactamounts,times,calculations.Iassureyouthereisnopossibilityofmyhavingmadeamistake.IpickedupyourbrotherjustbeforesevenandputhimdowninDrymouthatfiveminutesafterthehalfhour.”
“Yourwatchcouldhavebeenwrong.Oryouwentbytheclockinyourcar.”
“Mywatchandtheclockinthecarwereexactlysynchronized.”
“Jackocouldhaveledyouupthegardenpathsomeway.Hewasfulloftricks.”
“Therewerenotricks.Whyareyousoanxioustoprovemewrong?”Withsomeheat,Calgarywenton:“Iexpecteditmightbedifficulttoconvincetheauthoritiesthattheyhadconvictedamanunjustly.Ididnotexpecttofindhisownfamilysohardtoconvince!”
“Soyou’vefoundallofusalittledifficulttoconvince?”
“Thereactionseemedalittle—unusual.”
Mickyeyedhimkeenly.
“Theydidn’twanttobelieveyou?”
“It—almostseemedlikethat….”
“Notonlyseemedlikeit.Itwas.Naturalenough,too,ifyouonlythinkaboutit.”
“Butwhy?Whyshoulditbenatural?Yourmotheriskilled.Yourbrotherisaccusedandconvictedofthecrime.Nowitturnsoutthathewasinnocent.Youshouldbepleased—thankful.Yourownbrother.”
Mickysaid:
“Hewasn’tmybrother.Andshewasn’tmymother.”
“What?”
“Hasn’tanyonetoldyou?Wewerealladopted.Thelotofus.Mary,myeldest‘sister,’inNewYork.Therestofusduringthewar.My‘mother,’asyoucallher,couldn’thaveanychildrenofherown.Soshegotherselfanicelittlefamilybyadoption.Mary,myself,Tina,Hester,Jacko.Comfortable,luxurioushomeandplentyofmotherlovethrownin!I’dsaysheforgotweweren’therownchildrenintheend.ButshewasoutofluckwhenshepickedJackotobeoneofherdarlinglittleboys.”
“Ihadnoidea,”saidCalgary.
“Sodon’tpulloutthe‘ownmother,’‘ownbrother’stoponme!Jackowasalouse!”
“Butnotamurderer,”saidCalgary.
Hisvoicewasemphatic.Mickylookedathimandnodded.
“Allright.It’syoursayso—andyou’restickingtoit.Jackodidn’tkillher.Verywellthen—whodidkillher?Youhaven’tthoughtaboutthatone,haveyou?Thinkaboutitnow.Thinkaboutit—andthenyou’llbegintoseewhatyou’redoingtousall….”
Hewheeledroundandwentabruptlyoutoftheroom.
Four
Calgarysaidapologetically,“It’sverygoodofyoutoseemeagain,Mr.Marshall.”
“Notatall,”saidthelawyer.
“Asyouknow,IwentdowntoSunnyPointandsawJackArgyle’sfamily.”
“Quiteso.”
“Youwillhaveheardbynow,Iexpect,aboutmyvisit?”
“Yes,Dr.Calgary,thatiscorrect.”
“WhatyoumayfinditdifficulttounderstandiswhyIhavecomebackheretoyouagain…Yousee,thingsdidn’tturnoutexactlyasIthoughttheywould.”
“No,”saidthelawyer,“no,perhapsnot.”Hisvoicewasasusualdryandunemotional,yetsomethinginitencouragedArthurCalgarytocontinue.
“Ithought,yousee,”wentonCalgary,“thatthatwouldbetheendofit.Iwaspreparedforacertainamountof—whatshallIsay—naturalresentmentontheirpart.Althoughconcussionmaybetermed,Isuppose,anActofGod,yetfromtheirviewpointtheycouldbeforgivenforthat,asIsay.ButatthesametimeIhopeditwouldbeoffsetbythethankfulnesstheywouldfeeloverthefactthatJackArgyle’snamewascleared.Butthingsdidn’tturnoutasIanticipated.Notatall.”
“Isee.”
“Perhaps,Mr.Marshall,youanticipatedsomethingofwhatwouldhappen?Yourmanner,Iremember,puzzledmewhenIwasherebefore.DidyouforeseetheattitudeofmindthatIwasgoingtoencounter?”
“Youhaven’ttoldmeyet,Dr.Calgary,whatthatattitudewas.”
ArthurCalgarydrewhischairforward.“IthoughtthatIwasendingsomething,giving—shallwesay—adifferentendtoachapteralreadywritten.ButIwasmadetofeel,Iwasmadetosee,thatinsteadofendingsomethingIwasstartingsomething.Somethingaltogethernew.Isthatatruestatement,doyouthink,oftheposition?”
Mr.Marshallnoddedhisheadslowly.“Yes,”hesaid,“itcouldbeputthatway.Ididthink—Iadmitit—thatyouwerenotrealizingalltheimplications.Youcouldnotbeexpectedtodosobecause,naturally,youknewnothingofthebackgroundorofthefactsexceptastheyweregiveninthelawreports.”
“No.No,Iseethatnow.Onlytooclearly.”Hisvoiceroseashewentonexcitedly,“Itwasn’treallyrelieftheyfelt,itwasn’tthankfulness.Itwasapprehension.Adreadofwhatmightbecomingnext.AmIright?”
Marshallsaidcautiously:“Ishouldthinkprobablythatyouarequiteright.Mindyou,Idonotspeakofmyownknowledge.”
“Andifso,”wentonCalgary,“thenInolongerfeelthatIcangobacktomyworksatisfiedwithhavingmadetheonlyamendsthatIcanmake.I’mstillinvolved.I’mresponsibleforbringinganewfactorintovariouspeople’slives.Ican’tjustwashmyhandsofit.”
Thelawyerclearedhisthroat.“That,perhaps,isaratherfancifulpointofview,Dr.Calgary.”
“Idon’tthinkitis—notreally.Onemusttakeresponsibilityforone’sactionsandnotonlyone’sactionsbutfortheresultofone’sactions.JustontwoyearsagoIgavealifttoayounghitchhikerontheroad.WhenIdidthatIsetintrainacertaincourseofevents.Idon’tfeelthatIcandisassociatemyselffromthem.”
Thelawyerstillshookhishead.
“Verywell,then,”saidArthurCalgaryimpatiently.“Callitfancifulifyoulike.Butmyfeelings,myconscience,arestillinvolved.Myonlywishwastomakeamendsforsomethingithadbeenoutsidemypowertoprevent.Ihavenotmadeamends.InsomecuriouswayIhavemadethingsworseforpeoplewhohavealreadysuffered.ButIstilldon’tunderstandclearlywhy.”
“No,”saidMarshallslowly,“no,youwouldnotseewhy.Forthepasteighteenmonthsorsoyou’vebeenoutoftouchwithcivilization.Youdidnotreadthedailypapers,theaccountofthisfamilythatwasgiveninthenewspapers.Possiblyyouwouldnothavereadthemanyway,butyoucouldnothaveescaped,Ithink,hearingaboutthem.Thefactsareverysimple,Dr.Calgary.Theyarenotconfidential.Theyweremadepublicatthetime.Itresolvesitselfverysimplyintothis.IfJackArgyledidnot(andbyyouraccounthecannothave),committedthecrime,thenwhodid?Thatbringsusbacktothecircumstancesinwhichthecrimewascommitted.Itwascommittedbetweenthehoursofsevenandseven-thirtyonaNovembereveninginahousewherethedeceasedwomanwassurroundedbythemembersofherownfamilyandhousehold.Thehousewassecurelylockedandshutteredandifanyoneenteredfromoutside,thentheoutsidermusthavebeenadmittedbyMrs.Argyleherselforhaveenteredwiththeirownkey.Inotherwords,itmusthavebeensomeonesheknew.ItresemblesinsomewaystheconditionsoftheBordencaseinAmericawhereMr.BordenandhiswifewerestruckdownbyblowsofanaxeonaSundaymorning.Nobodyinthehouseheardanything,nobodywasknownorseentoapproachthehouse.Youcansee,Dr.Calgary,whythemembersofthefamilywere,asyouputit,disturbedratherthanrelievedbythenewsyoubroughtthem?”
Calgarysaidslowly:“They’drather,youmean,thatJackArgylewasguilty?”
“Ohyes,”saidMarshall.“Ohyes,verydecidedlyso.IfImayputitinasomewhatcynicalway,JackArgylewastheperfectanswertotheunpleasantfactofmurderinthefamily.Hehadbeenaproblemchild,adelinquentboy,amanofviolenttemper.Excusescouldbeandweremadeforhimwithinthefamilycircle.Theycouldmournforhim,havesympathywithhim,declaretothemselves,toeachother,andtotheworldthatitwasnotreallyhisfault,thatpsychologistscouldexplainitall!Yes,very,veryconvenient.”
“Andnow—”Calgarystopped.
“Andnow,”saidMr.Marshall,“itisdifferent,ofcourse.Quitedifferent.Almostalarmingperhaps.”
Calgarysaidshrewdly,“ThenewsIbroughtwasunwelcometoyou,too,wasn’tit?”
“Imustadmitthat.Yes.Yes,ImustadmitthatIwas—upset.Acasewhichwasclosedsatisfactorily—yes,Ishallcontinuetousethewordsatisfactorily—isnowreopened.”
“Isthatofficial?”Calgaryasked.“Imean—fromthepolicepointofview,willthecasebereopened?”
“Oh,undoubtedly,”saidMarshall.“WhenJackArgylewasfoundguiltyonoverwhelmingevidence—(thejurywasonlyoutaquarterofanhour)—thatwasanendofthematterasfarasthepolicewereconcerned.Butnow,withthegrantofafreepardonposthumouslyawarded,thecaseisopenedagain.”
“Andthepolicewillmakefreshinvestigations?”
“AlmostcertainlyIshouldsay.Ofcourse,”addedMarshall,rubbinghischinthoughtfully,“itisdoubtfulafterthislapseoftime,owingtothepeculiarfeaturesofthecase,whethertheywillbeabletoachieveanyresult…Formyself,Ishoulddoubtit.Theymayknowthatsomeoneinthehouseisguilty.Theymaygetsofarastohaveaveryshrewdideaofwhothatsomeoneis.Buttogetdefiniteevidencewillnotbeeasy.”
“Isee,”saidCalgary.“Isee…Yes,that’swhatshemeant.”
Thelawyersaidsharply:“Ofwhomareyouspeaking?”
“Thegirl,”saidCalgary.“HesterArgyle.”
“Ah,yes.YoungHester.”Heaskedcuriously:“Whatdidshesaytoyou?”
“Shespokeoftheinnocent,”saidCalgary.“Shesaiditwasn’ttheguiltywhomatteredbuttheinnocent.Iunderstandnowwhatshemeant….”
Marshallcastasharpglanceathim.“Ithinkpossiblyyoudo.”
“Shemeantjustwhatyouaresaying,”saidArthurCalgary.“Shemeantthatoncemorethefamilywouldbeundersuspicion—”
Marshallinterrupted.“Hardlyoncemore,”hesaid.“Therewasnevertimeforthefamilytocomeundersuspicionbefore.JackArgylewasclearlyindicatedfromthefirst.”
Calgarywavedtheinterruptionaside.
“Thefamilywouldcomeundersuspicion,”hesaid,“anditmightremainundersuspicionforalongtime—perhapsforever.Ifoneofthefamilywasguiltyitispossiblethattheythemselveswouldnotknowwhichone.Theywouldlookateachotherand—wonder…Yes,that’swhatwouldbetheworstofall.Theythemselveswouldnotknowwhich….”
Therewassilence.MarshallwatchedCalgarywithaquiet,appraisingglance,buthesaidnothing.
“That’sterrible,youknow…”saidCalgary.
Histhin,sensitivefaceshowedtheplayofemotiononit.
“Yes,that’sterrible…Togoonyearafteryearnotknowing,lookingatoneanother,perhapsthesuspicionaffectingone’srelationshipswithpeople.Destroyinglove,destroyingtrust….”
Marshallclearedhisthroat.
“Aren’tyou—er—puttingitrathertoovividly?”
“No,”saidCalgary,“Idon’tthinkIam.Ithink,perhaps,ifyou’llexcuseme,Mr.Marshall,Iseethismoreclearlythanyoudo.Icanimagine,yousee,whatitmightmean.”
Againtherewassilence.
“Itmeans,”saidCalgary,“thatitistheinnocentwhoaregoingtosuffer…Andtheinnocentshouldnotsuffer.Onlytheguilty.That’swhy—that’swhyIcan’twashmyhandsofit.Ican’tgoawayandsay‘I’vedonetherightthing,I’vemadewhatamendsIcan—I’veservedthecauseofjustice,’becauseyouseewhatIhavedonehasnotservedthecauseofjustice.Ithasnotbroughtconvictiontotheguilty,ithasnotdeliveredtheinnocentfromtheshadowofguilt.”
“Ithinkyou’reworkingyourselfupalittle,Dr.Calgary.Whatyousayhassomefoundationoftruth,nodoubt,butIdon’tseeexactlywhat—well,whatyoucandoaboutit.”
“No.NordoI,”saidCalgaryfrankly.“ButitmeansthatI’vegottotry.That’sreallywhyI’vecometoyou,Mr.Marshall.Iwant—IthinkI’vearighttoknow—thebackground.”
“Oh,well,”saidMr.Marshall,histoneslightlybrisker.“There’snosecretaboutallthat.Icangiveyouanyfactsyouwanttoknow.MorethanfactsIamnotinapositiontogiveyou.I’veneverbeenonintimatetermswiththehousehold.OurfirmhasactedforMrs.Argyleoveranumberofyears.Wehavecooperatedwithheroverestablishingvarioustrustsandseeingtolegalbusiness.Mrs.ArgyleherselfIknewreasonablywellandIalsoknewherhusband.OftheatmosphereatSunnyPoint,ofthetemperamentsandcharactersofthevariouspeoplelivingthere,Ionlyknowasyoumightsay,atsecond-handthroughMrs.Argyleherself.”
“Iquiteunderstandallthat,”saidCalgary,“butI’vegottomakeastartsomewhere.Iunderstandthatthechildrenwerenotherown.Thattheywereadopted?”
“Thatisso.Mrs.ArgylewasbornRachelKonstam,theonlydaughterofRudolphKonstam,averyrichman.HermotherwasAmericanandalsoaveryrichwomaninherownright.RudolphKonstamhadmanyphilanthropicinterestsandbroughthisdaughteruptotakeaninterestinthesebenevolentschemes.HeandhiswifediedinanaeroplanecrashandRachelthendevotedthelargefortunesheinheritedfromherfatherandmothertowhatwemayterm,loosely,philanthropicalenterprises.Shetookapersonalinterestinthesebenefactionsanddidacertainamountofsettlementworkherself.ItwasindoingthelatterthatshemetLeoArgyle,whowasanOxfordDon,withagreatinterestineconomicsandsocialreform.TounderstandMrs.Argyleyouhavetorealizethatthegreattragedyofherlifewasthatshewasunabletohavechildren.Asisthecasewithmanywomen,thisdisabilitygraduallyovershadowedthewholeofherlife.Whenaftervisitstoallkindsofspecialists,itseemedclearthatshecouldneverhopetobeamother,shehadtofindwhatalleviationshecould.SheadoptedfirstachildfromaslumtenementinNewYork—thatisthepresentMrs.Durrant.Mrs.Argyledevotedherselfalmostentirelytocharitiesconnectedwithchildren.Ontheoutbreakofwarin1939sheestablishedundertheauspicesoftheMinistryofHealthakindofwarnurseryforchildren,purchasingthehouseyouvisited,SunnyPoint.”
“ThencalledViper’sPoint,”saidCalgary.
“Yes.Yes,Ibelievethatwastheoriginalname.Ah,yes,perhapsintheendamoresuitablenamethanthenameshechoseforit—SunnyPoint.In1940shehadabouttwelvetosixteenchildren,mostlythosewhohadunsatisfactoryguardiansorwhocouldnotbeevacuatedwiththeirownfamilies.Everythingwasdoneforthesechildren.Theyweregivenaluxurioushome.Iremonstratedwithher,pointingouttoheritwasgoingtobedifficultforthechildrenafterseveralyearsofwar,toreturnfromtheseluxurioussurroundingstotheirhomes.Shepaidnoattentiontome.Shewasdeeplyattachedtothechildrenandfinallysheformedtheprojectofaddingsomeofthem,thosefromparticularlyunsatisfactoryhomesorwhowereorphans,toherownfamily.Thisresultedinafamilyoffive.Mary—nowmarriedtoPhilipDurrant—Michael,whoworksinDrymouth,Tina,ahalf-castechild,Hester,andofcourse,Jacko.TheygrewupregardingtheArgylesastheirfatherandmother.Theyweregiventhebesteducationmoneycouldbuy.Ifenvironmentcountsforanythingtheyshouldhavegonefar.Theycertainlyhadeveryadvantage.Jack—orJacko,astheycalledhim—wasalwaysunsatisfactory.Hestolemoneyatschoolandhadtobetakenaway.Hegotintotroubleinhisfirstyearattheuniversity.Twiceheonlyavoidedajailsentencebyaverynarrowmargin.Healwayshadanungovernabletemper
Calgaryleantforwardinastonishment.
“Hiswidow?Nobodyhasevertoldmethathewasmarried.”
“Dear,dear.”Thelawyerclickedhisthumbirritably.“Ihavebeenremiss.Ihadforgotten,ofcourse,thatyouhadnotreadthenewspaperreports.ImaysaythatnoneoftheArgylefamilyhadanyideathathewasmarried.ImmediatelyafterhisarresthiswifeappearedatSunnyPointingreatdistress.Mr.Argylewasverygoodtoher.ShewasayoungwomanwhohadworkedasadancehostessintheDrymouthPalaisdeDanse.IprobablyforgottotellyouaboutherbecausesheremarriedafewweeksafterJack’sdeath.Herpresenthusbandisanelectrician,Ibelieve,inDrymouth.”
“Imustgoandseeher,”saidCalgary.Headded,reproachfully,“SheisthefirstpersonIshouldhavegonetosee.”
“Certainly,certainly.Iwillgiveyoutheaddress.IreallycannotthinkwhyIdidnotmentionittoyouwhenyoufirstcametome.”
Calgarywassilent.
“Shewassucha—well—negligiblefactor,”saidthelawyerapologetically.“Eventhenewspapersdidnotplayherupmuch—shenevervisitedherhusbandinprison—ortookanyfurtherinterestinhim—”
Calgaryhadbeendeepinthought.Hesaidnow:
“CanyoutellmeexactlywhowasinthathouseonthenightMrs.Argylewaskilled?”
Marshallgavehimasharpglance.
“LeoArgyle,ofcourse,andtheyoungestdaughter,Hester.MaryDurrantandherinvalidhusbandwerethereonavisit.Hehadjustcomeoutofhospital.ThentherewasKirstenLindstrom—whomyouprobablymet—sheisaSwedishtrainednurseandmasseusewhooriginallycametohelpMrs.Argylewithherwarnurseryandhasremainedoneversince.MichaelandTinawerenotthere—MichaelworksasacarsalesmaninDrymouthandTinahasajobintheCountyLibraryatRedmynandlivesinaflatthere.”
Marshallpausedbeforegoingon.
“TherewasalsoMissVaughan,Mr.Argyle’ssecretary.Shehadleftthehousebeforethebodywasdiscovered.”
“Imetheralso,”saidCalgary.“Sheseemsvery—attachedtoMr.Argyle.”
“Yes—yes.Ibelievetheremayshortlybeanengagementannounced.”
“Ah!”
“Hehasbeenverylonelysincehiswifedied,”saidthelawyer,withafaintnoteofreproofinhisvoice.
“Quiteso,”saidCalgary.
Thenhesaid:
“Whataboutmotive,Mr.Marshall?”
“MydearDr.Calgary,Ireallycannotspeculateastothat!”
“Ithinkyoucan.Asyouhavesaidyourselfthefactsareascertainable.”
“Therewasnodirectmonetarybenefittoanyone.Mrs.ArgylehadenteredintoaseriesofdiscretionaryTrusts,aformulawhichasyouknowismuchadoptednowadays.TheseTrustswereinfavourofallthechildren.TheyareadministeredbythreeTrustees,ofwhomIamone,LeoArgyleisoneandthethirdisanAmericanlawyer,adistantcousinofMrs.Argyle’s.TheverylargesumofmoneyinvolvedisadministeredbythesethreeTrusteesandcanbeadjustedsoastobenefitthosebeneficiariesoftheTrustwhoneeditmost.”
“WhataboutMr.Argyle?Didheprofitinamonetarysensebyhiswife’sdeath?”
“Nottoanygreatextent.Mostofherfortune,asIhavetoldyou,hadgoneintoTrusts.Shelefthimtheresidueofherestate,butthatdidnotamounttoalargesum.”
“AndMissLindstrom?”
“Mrs.ArgylehadboughtaveryhandsomeannuityforMissLindstromsomeyearspreviously.”Marshalladdedirritably,“Motive?Theredoesn’tseemtomeaha’porthofmotiveabout.Certainlynofinancialmotive.”
“Andintheemotionalfield?Wasthereanyspecial—friction?”
“There,I’mafraid,Ican’thelpyou.”Marshallspokewithfinality.“Iwasn’tanobserverofthefamilylife.”
“Isthereanyonewhocould?”
Marshallconsideredforamomentortwo.Thenhesaid,almostreluctantly:
“Youmightgoandseethelocaldoctor.Dr.—er—MacMaster,Ithinkhisnameis.He’sretirednow,butstilllivesintheneighbourhood.Hewasmedicalattendanttothewarnursery.HemusthaveknownandseenagooddealofthelifeatSunnyPoint.Whetheryoucanpersuadehimtotellyouanythingisuptoyou.ButIthinkthatifhechose,hemightbehelpful,though—pardonmeforsayingthis—doyouthinkitlikelythatyoucanaccomplishanythingthatthepolicecannotaccomplishmuchmoreeasily?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidCalgary.“Probablynot.ButIdoknowthis.I’vegottotry.Yes,I’vegottotry.”
Five
TheChiefConstable’seyebrowsclimbedslowlyuphisforeheadinavainattempttoreachtherecedinglineofhisgreyhair.Hecasthiseyesuptotheceilingandthendownagaintothepapersonhisdesk.
“Itbeggarsdescription!”hesaid.
TheyoungmanwhosebusinessitwastomaketherightresponsestotheChiefConstable,said:
“Yes,sir.”
“Aprettykettleoffish,”mutteredMajorFinney.Hetappedwithhisfingersonthetable.“IsHuishhere?”heasked.
“Yes,sir.SuperintendentHuishcameaboutfiveminutesago.”
“Right,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Sendhimin,willyou?”
SuperintendentHuishwasatall,sad-lookingman.Hisairofmelancholywassoprofoundthatnoonewouldhavebelievedthathecouldbethelifeandsoulofachildren’sparty,crackingjokesandbringingpenniesoutoflittleboys’ears,muchtotheirdelight.TheChiefConstablesaid:
“Morning,Huish,thisisaprettykettleoffishwe’vegothere.Whatd’youthinkofit?”
SuperintendentHuishbreathedheavilyandsatdowninthechairindicated.
“Itseemsasthoughwemadeamistaketwoyearsago,”hesaid.“Thisfellow—what’s-his-name—”
TheChiefConstablerustledhispapers.“Calory—no,Calgary.Somesortofaprofessor.Absentmindedbloke,maybe?Peoplelikethatoftenvagueabouttimesandallthatsortofthing?”Therewasperhapsahintofappealinhisvoice,butHuishdidnotrespond.Hesaid:
“He’sakindofscientist,Iunderstand.”
“Sothatyouthinkwe’vegottoacceptwhathesays?”
“Well,”saidHuish,“SirReginaldseemstohaveacceptedit,andIdon’tsupposethere’sanythingwouldgetpasthim.”ThiswasatributetotheDirectorofPublicProsecutions.
“No,”saidMajorFinney,ratherunwillingly.“IftheDPP’sconvinced,wellIsupposewe’vejustgottotakeit.Thatmeansopeningupthecaseagain.You’vebroughttherelevantdatawithyou,haveyou,asIasked?”
“Yes,sir,I’vegotithere.”
Thesuperintendentspreadoutvariousdocumentsonthetable.
“Beenoverit?”theChiefConstableasked.
“Yes,sir,Iwentalloveritlastnight.Mymemoryofitwasfairlyfresh.Afterall,it’snotsolongago.”
“Well,let’shaveit,Huish.Wherearewe?”
“Backatthebeginning,sir,”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Thetroubleis,yousee,therereallywasn’tanydoubtatthetime.”
“No,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Itseemedaperfectlyclearcase.Don’tthinkI’mblamingyou,Huish.Iwasbehindyouahundredpercent.”
“Therewasn’tanythingelsereallythatwecouldthink,”saidHuishthoughtfully.“Acallcameinthatshe’dbeenkilled.Theinformationthattheboyhadbeentherethreateningher,thefingerprintevidence—hisfingerprintsonthepoker,andthemoney.Wepickedhimupalmostatonceandtherethemoneywas,inhispossession.”
“Whatsortofimpressiondidhemakeonyouatthetime?”
Huishconsidered.“Bad,”hesaid.“Fartoocockyandplausible.Camereelingoutwithhistimesandhisalibis.Cocky.Youknowthetype.Murderersareusuallycocky.Thinkthey’resoclever.Thinkwhateverthey’vedoneissuretobeallright,nomatterhowthingsgoforotherpeople.Hewasawrong’unallright.”
“Yes,”Finneyagreed,“hewasawrong’un.Allhisrecordgoestoprovethat.Butwereyouconvincedatoncethathewasakiller?”
Thesuperintendentconsidered.“It’snotathingyoucanbesureabout.Hewasthetype,I’dsay,thatveryoftenendsupasakiller.LikeHarmonin1938.Longrecordbehindhimofpinchedbicycles,swindledmoney,fraudsonelderlywomen,andfinallyhedoesonewomanin,picklesherinacid,getspleasedwithhimselfandstartsmakingahabitofit.I’dhavetakenJackoArgyleforoneofthattype.”
“Butitseems,”saidtheChiefConstableslowly,“thatwewerewrong.”
“Yes,”saidHuish,“yes,wewerewrong.Andthechap’sdead.It’sabadbusiness.Mindyou,”headded,withsuddenanimation,“hewasawrong’unallright.Hemaynothavebeenamurderer—infacthewasn’tamurderer,sowefindnow—buthewasawrong’un.”
“Well,comeon,man,”Finneysnappedathim,“whodidkillher?You’vebeenoverthecase,yousay,lastnight.Somebodykilledher.Thewomandidn’thitherselfonthebackofherheadwiththepoker.Somebodyelsedid.Whowasit?”
SuperintendentHuishsighedandleanedbackinhischair.
“I’mwonderingifwe’lleverknow,”hesaid.
“Difficultasallthat,eh?”
“Yes,becausethescent’scoldandbecausethere’llbeverylittleevidencetofindandIshouldratherimaginethatthereneverwasverymuchevidence.”
“Thepointbeingthatitwassomeoneinthehouse,someoneclosetoher?”
“Don’tseewhoelseitcouldhavebeen,”saidthesuperintendent.“Itwassomeonethereinthehouseoritwassomeonethatsheherselfopenedthedoortoandletin.TheArgyleswerethelocking-uptype.Burglarboltsonthewindows,chains,extralocksonthefrontdoor.They’dhadoneburglaryacoupleofyearsbeforeandithadmadethemburglarconscious.”Hepausedandwenton,“Thetroubleis,sir,thatwedidn’tlookelsewhereatthetime.ThecaseagainstJackoArgylewascomplete.Ofcourse,onecanseenow,themurderertookadvantageofthat.”
“Tookadvantageofthefactthattheboyhadbeenthere,thathe’dquarrelledwithherandthathe’dthreatenedher?”
“Yes.Allthatpersonhadtodowastostepintheroom,pickupthepokerinaglovedhand,fromwhereJackohadthrownitdown,walkuptothetablewhereMrs.Argylewaswritingandbiffheroneonthehead.”
MajorFinneysaidonesimpleword:
“Why?”
SuperintendentHuishnoddedslowly.
“Yes,sir,that’swhatwe’vegottofindout.It’sgoingtobeoneofthedifficulties.Absenceofmotive.”
“Theredidn’tseematthetime,”saidtheChiefConstable,“tobeanyobviousmotiveknockingabout,asyoumightsay.Likemostotherwomenwhohavepropertyandaconsiderablefortuneoftheirown,she’denteredintosuchvariousschemesasarelegallypermittedtoavoiddeathduties.Abeneficiarytrustwasalreadyinexistence,thechildrenwereallprovidedforinadvanceofherdeath.They’dgetnothingfurtherwhenshediddie.Anditwasn’tasthoughshewasanunpleasantwoman,naggingorbullyingormean.She’dlavishedmoneyonthemalltheirlives.Goodeducation,capitalsumstostarttheminjobs,handsomeallowancestothemall.Affection,kindness,benevolence.”
“That’sso,sir,”agreedSuperintendentHuish.“Onthefaceofitthere’snoreasonforanyonetowantheroutoftheway.Ofcourse—”Hepaused.
“Yes,Huish?”
“Mr.Argyle,Iunderstand,isthinkingofremarrying.He’smarryingMissGwendaVaughan,who’sactedashissecretaryoveragoodnumberofyears.”
“Yes,”saidMajorFinneythoughtfully.“Isupposethere’samotivethere.Onethatwedidn’tknowaboutatthetime.She’sbeenworkingforhimforsomeyears,yousay.Thinktherewasanythingbetweenthematthetimeofthemurder?”
“Ishouldratherdoubtit,sir,”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Thatsortofthingsoongetstalkedaboutinavillage.Imean,Idon’tthinktherewereanygoings-on,asyoumightsay.NothingforMrs.Argyletofindoutaboutorcutuproughabout.”
“No,”saidtheChiefConstable,“buthemighthavewantedtomarryGwendaVaughanquitebadly.”
“She’sanattractiveyoungwoman,”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Notglamorous,Iwouldn’tsaythat,butgood-lookingandattractiveinanicekindofway.”
“Probablybeendevotedtohimforyears,”saidMajorFinney.“Thesewomensecretariesalwaysseemtobeinlovewiththeirboss.”
“Well,we’vegotamotiveofakindforthosetwo,”saidHuish.“Thenthere’stheladyhelp,theSwedishwoman.Shemightn’treallyhavebeenasfondofMrs.Argyleassheappearedtobe.Theremighthavebeenslightsorimaginedslights;thingssheresented.Shedidn’tbenefitfinanciallybythedeathbecauseMrs.Argylehadalreadyboughtheraveryhandsomeannuity.Sheseemsanice,sensiblekindofwomanandnotthesortyoucanimaginehittinganyoneontheheadwithapoker!Butyouneverknow,doyou?LookattheLizzieBordencase.”
“No,”saidtheChiefConstable,“youneverknow.There’snoquestionofanoutsiderofanykind?”
“Notraceofone,”saidthesuperintendent.“Thedrawerwherethemoneywaspulledout.Asortofattempthadbeenmadetomaketheroomlookasthoughaburglarhadbeenthere,butitwasaveryamateurisheffort.SortofthingthatfittedinperfectlywithyoungJackohavingtriedtocreatethatparticulareffect.”
“Theoddthingtome,”saidtheChiefConstable,“isthemoney.”
“Yes,”saidHuish.“That’sverydifficulttounderstand.OneofthefiversJackArgylehadonhimwasdefinitelyonethathadbeengiventoMrs.Argyleatthebankthatmorning.Mrs.Bottleberrywasthenamewrittenonthebackofit.Hesaidhismotherhadgiventhemoneytohim,butbothMr.ArgyleandGwendaVaughanarequitedefinitethatMrs.ArgylecameintothelibraryataquartertosevenandtoldthemaboutJacko’sdemandsformoneyandcategoricallysaidshe’drefusedtogivehimany.”
“It’spossible,ofcourse,”theChiefConstablepointedout,“withwhatweknownow,thatArgyleandtheVaughangirlmighthavebeenlying.”
“Yes,that’sapossibility—orperhaps—”thesuperintendentbrokeoff.
“Yes,Huish?”Finneyencouragedhim.
“Saysomeone—we’llcallhimorherXforthemoment—overheardthequarrelandthethreatsthatJackowasmaking.Supposesomeonesawanopportunitythere.Gotthemoney,ranaftertheboy,saidthathismotherafterallwantedhimtohaveit,thuspavingthewaytooneoftheprettiestlittleframe-upsever.Carefultousethepokerthathe’dpickeduptothreatenherwith,withoutsmearinghisfingerprints.”
“Dammitall,”saidtheChiefConstableangrily.“NoneofitseemstofitwithwhatIknowofthefamily.WhoelsewasinthehousethateveningbesidesArgyleandGwendaVaughan,HesterArgyleandthisLindstromwoman?”
“Theeldestmarrieddaughter,MaryDurrant,andherhusbandwerestayingthere.”
“He’sacripple,isn’the?Thatletshimout.WhataboutMaryDurrant?
“She’saverycalmpieceofgoods,sir.Youcan’timaginehergettingexcitedor—well,orkillinganyone.”
“Theservants?”demandedtheChiefConstable.
“Alldailies,sir,andthey’dgonehomebysixo’clock.”
“Letmehavealookatthetimes.”
Thesuperintendentpassedthepapertohim.
“H’m—yes,Isee.QuartertosevenMrs.ArgylewasinthelibrarytalkingtoherhusbandaboutJacko’sthreats.GwendaVaughanwaspresentduringpartoftheconversation.GwendaVaughanwenthomejustafterseven.HesterArgylesawhermotheraliveatabouttwoorthreeminutestoseven.Afterthat,Mrs.Argylewasnotseentillhalfpastseven,whenherdeadbodywasdiscoveredbyMissLindstrom.Betweensevenandhalfpasttherewasplentyofopportunity.Hestercouldhavekilledher,GwendaVaughancouldhavekilledheraftersheleftthelibraryandbeforesheleftthehouse.MissLindstromcouldhavekilledherwhenshe‘discoveredthebody,’LeoArgylewasaloneinhislibraryfromtenpastsevenuntilMissLindstromsoundedthealarm.Hecouldhavegonetohiswife’ssittingroomandkilledheranytimeduringthattwentyminutes.MaryDurrant,whowasupstairs,couldhavecomedownduringthathalfhourandkilledhermother.And”—saidFinneythoughtfully—“Mrs.ArgyleherselfcouldhaveletanyoneinbythefrontdooraswethoughtsheletJackArgylein.LeoArgylesaid,ifyouremember,thathethoughthedidheararingatthebell,andthesoundofthefrontdooropeningandclosing,buthewasveryvagueaboutthetime.WeassumedthatthatwaswhenJackoreturnedandkilledher.”
“Heneedn’thaverungthebell,”saidHuish.“Hehadakeyofhisown.Theyallhad.”
“There’sanotherbrother,isn’tthere?”
“Yes,Michael.WorksasacarsalesmaninDrymouth.”
“You’dbetterfindout,Isuppose,”saidtheChiefConstable,“whathewasdoingthatevening.”
“Aftertwoyears?”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Notlikelyanyonewillremember,isit?”
“Washeaskedatthetime?”
“Outtestingacustomer’scar,Iunderstand.Noreasonforsuspectinghimthen,buthehadakeyandhecouldhavecomeoverandkilledher.”
TheChiefConstablesighed.
“Idon’tknowhowyou’regoingtosetaboutit,Huish.Idon’tknowwhetherwe’reevergoingtogetanywhere.”
“I’dliketoknowmyselfwhokilledher,”saidHuish.“FromallIcanmakeout,shewasafinetypeofwoman.She’ddonealotforpeople.Forunluckychildren,forallsortsofcharities.She’sthesortofpersonthatoughtn’ttohavebeenkilled.Yes.I’dliketoknow.EvenifwecannevergetenoughevidencetosatisfytheDPPI’dstillliketoknow.”
“Well,Iwishyouthebestofluck,Huish,”saidtheChiefConstable.“Fortunatelywe’venothingverymuchonjustnow,butdon’tbediscouragedifyoucan’tgetanywhere.It’saverycoldtrail.Yes.It’saverycoldtrail.”
Six
I
Thelightswentupinthecinema.Advertisementsflashedontothescreen.Thecinemausheretteswalkedroundwithcartonsoflemonadeandoficecream.ArthurCalgaryscrutinizedthem.Aplumpgirlwithbrownhair,atalldarkoneandasmall,fair-hairedone.Thatwastheonehehadcometosee.Jacko’swife.Jacko’swidow,nowthewifeofamancalledJoeClegg.Itwasapretty,rathervapidlittleface,plasteredwithmakeup,eyebrowsplucked,hairhideousandstiffinacheapperm.ArthurCalgaryboughtanice-creamcartonfromher.Hehadherhomeaddressandhemeanttocallthere,buthehadwantedtoseeherfirstwhileshewasunawareofhim.Well,thatwasthat.Notthesortofdaughter-in-law,hethought,thatMrs.Argyle,fromallaccounts,wouldhavecaredaboutverymuch.That,nodoubt,waswhyJackohadkeptherdark.
Hesighed,concealedtheice-creamcartoncarefullyunderhischair,andleanedbackasthelightswentoutandanewpicturebegantoflashonthescreen.Presentlyhegotupandleftthecinema
Ateleveno’clockthenextmorninghecalledattheaddresshehadbeengiven.Asixteen-year-oldboyopenedthedoor,andinanswertoCalgary’senquiry,said:
“Cleggs?Topfloor.”
Calgaryclimbedthestairs.HeknockedatadoorandMaureenCleggopenedit.Withouthersmartuniformandhermakeup,shelookedadifferentgirl.Itwasasillylittleface,good-naturedbutwithnothingparticularlyinterestingaboutit.Shelookedathimdoubtfully,frownedsuspicously.
“MynameisCalgary.IbelieveyouhavehadaletterfromMr.Marshallaboutme.”
Herfacecleared.
“Oh,soyou’retheone!Comein,do.”Shemovedbacktolethimenter.“Sorrytheplaceisinsuchamess.Ihaven’thadtimetogetaroundtothingsyet.”Shesweptsomeuntidyclothesoffachairandpushedasidetheremainsofabreakfastconsumedsometimeago.“Dositdown.I’msureit’seversogoodofyoutocome.”
“IfeltitwastheleastIcoulddo,”saidCalgary.
Shegavealittleembarrassedlaugh,asthoughnotreallytakinginwhathemeant.
“Mr.Marshallwrotemeaboutit,”shesaid.“AboutthatstorythatJackiemadeup—howitwasalltrueafterall.ThatsomeonedidgivehimaliftbackthatnighttoDrymouth.Soitwasyou,wasit?”
“Yes,”saidCalgary.“ItwasI.”
“Ireallycan’tgetoverit,”saidMaureen.“Talkedaboutithalfthenight,JoeandIdid.Really,Isaid,itmightbesomethingonthepictures.Twoyearsago,isn’tit,ornearly?”
“Aboutthat,yes.”
“Justthesortofthingyoudoseeonthepictures,andofcourseyousaytoyourselfthatsortofthing’sallnonsense,itwouldn’thappeninreallife.Andnowthereitis!Itdoeshappen!It’sreallyquiteexcitinginaway,isn’tit?”
“Isuppose,”saidCalgary,“thatitmightbethoughtoflikethat.”Hewaswatchingherwithavaguekindofpain
Shechatteredonquitehappily.
“There’spooroldJackiedeadandnotabletoknowaboutit.Hegotpneumonia,youknow,inprison.Iexpectitwasthedamporsomething,don’tyou?”
Shehad,Calgaryrealized,adefiniteromanticimageofprisoninhermind’seye.Dampundergroundcellswithratsgnawingone’stoes.
“Atthetime,Imustsay,”shewenton,“himdyingseemedallforthebest.”
“Yes,Isupposeso…Yes,Isupposeitmusthavedone.”
“Well,Imean,therehewas,shutupforyearsandyearsandyears.JoesaidI’dbettergetadivorceandIwasjustsettingaboutit.”
“Youwantedtodivorcehim?”
“Well,it’snogoodbeingtiedtoamanwho’sgoingtobeinprisonforyears,isit?Besides,youknow,althoughIwasfondofJackieandallthat,hewasn’twhatyoucallthesteadytype.Ineverdidthinkreallythatourmarriagewouldlast.”
“Hadyouactuallystartedproceedingsfordivorcewhenhedied?”
“Well,Ihadinakindofway.Imean,I’dbeentoalawyer.Joegotmetogo.Ofcourse,JoenevercouldstandJackie.”
“Joeisyourhusband?”
“Yes.Heworksintheelectricity.Gotaverygoodjobandtheythinkalotofhim.HealwaystoldmeJackiewasnogood,butofcourseIwasjustakidandsillythen.Jackiehadagreatwaywithhim,youknow.”
“SoitseemsfromallI’veheardabouthim.”
“Hewaswonderfulatgettingroundwomen—Idon’tknowwhy,really.Hewasn’tgood-lookingoranythinglikethat.Monkey-face,Iusedtocallhim.Butallthesame,he’dgotawaywithhim.You’dfindyouweredoinganythinghewantedyoutodo.Mindyou,itcameinusefulonceortwice.Justafterweweremarriedhegotintotroubleatthegaragewherehewasworkingoversomeworkdoneonacustomer’scar.Ineverunderstoodtherightsofit.Anyway,thebosswaseversoangry.ButJackiegotroundtheboss’swife.Quiteold,shewas.Musthavebeennearonfifty,butJackieflatteredherup,playedheroffthiswayandthatuntilshedidn’tknowwhethershewasonherheadorherheels.She’dhavedoneanythingforhimintheend.Gotroundherhusband,shedid,andgothimtosayashewouldn’tprosecuteifJackiepaidthemoneyback.Butheneverknewwherethemoneycamefrom!Itwashisownwifewhatprovidedit.Thatreallygaveusalaugh,Jackieandme!”
Calgarylookedatherwithfaintrepulsion.“Wasit—soveryfunny?”
“Oh,Ithinkso,don’tyou?Really,itwasascream.AnoldwomanlikethatcrazyaboutJackieandrakingouthersavingsforhim.”
Calgarysighed.Thingswerenever,hethought,thewayyouimaginedthemtobe.Everydayhefoundhimselflessattractedtothemanwhosenamehehadtakensuchtroubletovindicate.HewasalmostcomingtounderstandandsharethepointofviewwhichhadsoastoundedhimatSunnyPoint.
“Ionlycamehere,Mrs.Clegg,”hesaid,“toseeiftherewasanythingIcould—well,doforyoutomakeupforwhathadhappened.”
MaureenClegglookedfaintlypuzzled.
“Veryniceofyou,I’msure,”shesaid.“Butwhyshouldyou?We’reallright.JoeismakinggoodmoneyandI’vegotmyownjob.I’manusherette,youknow,atthePicture-drome.”
“Yes,Iknow.”
“We’regoingtogetatellynextmonth,”thegirlwentonproudly.
“I’mveryglad,”saidArthurCalgary,“moregladthanIcansaythatthis—thisunfortunatebusinesshasn’tleftany—well,permanentshadow.”
HewasfindingitmoreandmoredifficulttochoosetherightwordswhentalkingtothisgirlwhohadbeenmarriedtoJacko.Everythinghesaidsoundedpompous,artificial.Whycouldn’thetalknaturallytoher?
“Iwasafraiditmighthavebeenaterriblegrieftoyou.”
Shestaredathim,herwide,blueeyesnotunderstandingintheleastwhathemeant.
“Itwashorridatthetime,”shesaid.“Alltheneighbourstalkingandtheworryofitall,thoughImustsaythepolicewereverykind,allthingsconsidered.Talkedtomeverypolitelyandspokeveryniceabouteverything.”
Hewonderedifshehadhadanyfeelingforthedeadman.Heaskedheraquestionabruptly.
“Didyouthinkhe’ddoneit?”hesaid.
“Doyoumean,doIthinkhe’ddonehismotherin?”
“Yes.Justthat.”
“Well,ofcourse—well—well—yes,IsupposeIdidinaway.Ofcourse,hesaidhehadn’t,butImeanyounevercouldbelieveanythingJackiesaid,anditdidseemasthoughhemusthavedone.Yousee,hecouldgetverynasty,Jackiecould,ifyoustoodupagainsthim.Iknewhewasinaholeofsomekind.Hewouldn’tsaymuchtome,justsworeatmewhenIaskedhimaboutit.Buthewentoffthatdayandhesaidthatitwasgoingtobeallright.Hismother,hesaid,wouldstumpup.She’dhaveto.SoofcourseIbelievedhim.”
“Hehadnevertoldhisfamilyaboutyourmarriage,Iunderstand.Youhadn’tmetthem?”
“No.Yousee,theywereclassypeople,hadabighouseandallthat.Iwouldn’thavegonedownverywell.Jackiethoughtitbesttokeepmedark.Besides,hesaidifhetookmealonghismother’dwanttorunmylifeaswellashis.Shecouldn’thelprunningpeople,hesaid,andhe’dhadenoughofit—wedidverywellaswewere,hesaid.”
Sheappearedtodisplaynoresentment,buttothink,indeed,thatherhusband’sbehaviourhadbeenperfectlynatural.
“Isupposeitwasagreatshocktoyouwhenhewasarrested?”
“Well,naturally.Howevercouldhedosuchathing?Isaidtomyself,butthen,youcan’tgetawayfromthings.Healwayshadaverynastytemperwhenanythingupsethim.”
Calgaryleanedforward.
“Let’sputitlikethis.Itreallyseemedtoyounotatallasurprisingthingthatyourhusbandshouldhavehithismotherontheheadwithapokerandstolenalargequantityofmoneyfromher?”
“Well,Mr.—er—Calgary,ifyou’llexcuseme,that’sputtingitinratheranastyway.Idon’tsupposehemeanttohithersohard.Don’tsupposehemeanttodoherin.Shejustrefusedtogivehimsomemoney,hecaughtupthepokerandhethreatenedher,andwhenshestuckitouthelostcontrolofhimselfandgaveheraswipe.Idon’tsupposehemeanttokillher.Thatwasjusthisbadluck.Yousee,heneededthemoneyverybadly.He’dhavegonetoprisonifhehadn’tgotit.”
“So—youdon’tblamehim?”
“Well,ofcourseIblamedhim…Idon’tlikeallthatnastyviolentbehaviour.Andyourownmother,too!No,Idon’tthinkitwasanicethingtodoatall.IbegantothinkasJoewasrightintellingmeIoughtn’ttohavehadanythingtodowithJackie.But,youknowhowitis.It’seversodifficultforagirltomakeuphermind.Joe,yousee,wasalwaysthesteadykind.I’veknownhimalongtime.Jackiewasdifferent.He’dgoteducationandallthat.Heseemedverywelloff,too,alwayssplashinghismoneyabout.Andofcoursehehadawaywithhim,asI’vebeentellingyou.Hecouldgetroundanybody.Hegotroundmeallright.‘You’llregretit,mygirl,’that’swhatJoesaid.Ithoughtthatwasjustsourgrapesandthegreen-eyedmonster,ifyouunderstandwhatImean.ButJoeturnedouttobequiterightintheend.”
Calgarylookedather.Hewonderedifshestillfailedtounderstandthefullimplicationsofhisstory.
“Rightinexactlywhatway?”heasked
“Well,landingmeupinthepropermesshedid.Imean,we’vealwaysbeenrespectable.Motherbroughtusupverycareful.We’vealwayshadthingsniceandnotalk.Andtherewasthepolicearrestingmyhusband!Andalltheneighboursknowing.Inallthepapersitwas.NewsoftheWorldandalltherestofthem.Andeversomanyreporterscomingroundandaskingquestions.Itputmeinaverynastypositionaltogether.”
“But,mydearchild,”saidArthurCalgary,“youdorealizenowthathedidn’tdoit?”
Foramomentthefair,prettyfacelookedbewildered.
“Ofcourse!Iwasforgetting.Butallthesame—well,Imean,hedidgothereandkickupafussandthreatenherandallthat.Ifhehadn’tdonethathewouldn’thavebeenarrestedatall,wouldhe?”
“No,”saidCalgary,“no.Thatisquitetrue.”
Possibly,hethought,thispretty,sillychildwasmoreofarealistthanhewas.
“Oo,itwasawful,”wentonMaureen.“Ididn’tknowwhattodo.AndthenMumsaidbettergooverrightawayandseehispeople.They’dhavetodosomethingforme,shesaid.Afterall,shesaid,you’vegotyourrightsandyou’dbestshowthemasyouknowhowtolookafterthem.SooffIwent.ItwasthatforeignladyhelpwhatopenedthedoortomeandatfirstIcouldn’tmakeherunderstand.Seemedasifshecouldn’tbelieveit.‘It’simpossible,’shekeptsaying.‘It’simpossible,’shekeptsaying.‘It’squiteimpossiblethatJackoshouldbemarriedtoyou.’Hurtmyfeelingsabitthatdid.‘Well,marriedweare,’Isaid,‘andnotinaregistryofficeneither.Inachurch.’ItwasthewaymyMumwanted!Andshesaid,‘It’snottrue.Idon’tbelieveit.’AndthenMr.Argylecameandhewaseversokind.ToldmenottoworrymorethanIcouldhelp,andthateverythingpossiblewouldbedonetodefendJackie.AskedmehowIwasoffformoney—andsentmearegularallowanceeveryweek.Hekeepsitup,too,evennow.Joedoesn’tlikemetakingit,butIsaytohim,‘Don’tbesilly.Theycanspareit,can’tthey?’Sentmeaverynicechequeforaweddingpresentaswell,hedid,whenJoeandIgotmarried.Andhesaidhewasverygladandthathehopedthismarriagewouldbehappierthanthelastone.Yes,he’seversonice,Mr.Argyleis.”
Sheturnedherheadasthedooropened.
“Oh.Here’sJoenow.”
Joewasathin-lipped,fair-hairedyoungman.HereceivedMaureen’sexplanationsandintroductionwithaslightfrown.
“Hopedwe’ddonewithallthat,”hesaiddisapprovingly.“Excusemeforsayingso,sir.Butitdoesnogoodtogorakingupthepast.That’swhatIfeel.Maureenwasunlucky,that’sallthereistosayaboutit—”
“Yes,”saidCalgary.“Iquiteseeyourpointofview.”
“Ofcourse,”saidJoeClegg,“sheoughtnevertohavetakenupwithachaplikethat.Iknewhewasnogood.There’dbeenstoriesabouthimalready.He’dbeenunderaProbationOfficertwice.Oncetheybeginlikethat,theygoon.Firstit’sembezzling,orswindlingwomenoutoftheirsavingsandintheendit’smurder.”
“Butthis,”saidCalgary,“wasn’tmurder.”
“Soyousay,sir,”saidJoeClegg.Hesoundedhimselfcompletelyunconvinced
“JackArgylehasaperfectalibiforthetimethecrimewascommitted.HewasinmycarbeinggivenalifttoDrymouth.Soyousee,Mr.Clegg,hecouldnotpossiblyhavecommittedthiscrime.”
“Possiblynot,sir,”saidClegg.“Butallthesameit’sapityrakingitallup,ifyou’llexcuseme.Afterall,he’sdeadnow,anditcan’tmattertohim.Anditstartstheneighbourstalkingagainandmakingthemthinkthings.”
Calgaryrose.“Well,perhapsfromyourpointofviewthatisonewayoflookingatit.Butthereissuchathingasjustice,youknow,Mr.Clegg.”
“I’vealwaysunderstood,”saidClegg,“thatanEnglishtrialwasasfairathingascanbe.”
“Thefinestsystemintheworldcanmakeamistake,”saidCalgary.“Justiceis,afterall,inthehandsofmen,andmenarefallible.”
Afterhehadleftthemandwaswalkingdownthestreethefeltmoredisturbedinhisownmindthanhecouldhavethoughtpossible.“Woulditreallyhavebeenbetter,”hesaidtohimself,“ifmymemoryofthatdayhadnevercomebacktome?Afterall,asthatsmug,tight-lippedfellowhasjustsaid,theboyisdead.He’sgonebeforeajudgewhomakesnomistake.Whetherhe’srememberedasamurdererormerelyasapettythief,itcanmakenodifferencetohimnow.”
Thenasuddenwaveofangerroseinhim.“Butitoughttomakeadifferencetosomeone!”hethought.“Someoneoughttobeglad.Whyaren’tthey?Thisgirl,well,Icanunderstanditwellenough.ShemayhavehadaninfatuationforJacko,butsheneverlovedhim.Probablyisn’tcapableoflovinganybody.Buttheothers.Hisfather.Hissister,hisnurse…Theyshouldhavebeenglad.Theyshouldhavesparedathoughtforhimbeforetheybegantofearforthemselves…Yes—someoneshouldhavecared.”
II
“MissArgyle?Attheseconddeskthere.”
Calgarystoodforamomentwatchingher
Neat,small,veryquietandefficient.Shewaswearingadarkbluedress,withwhitecollarandcuffs.Herblue-blackhairwascoiledneatlyinherneck.Herskinwasdark,darkerthananEnglishskincouldeverbe.Herbones,too,weresmaller.Thiswasthehalf-castechildthatMrs.Argylehadtakenasadaughterintothefamily.
Theeyesthatlookedupandmethisweredark,quiteopaque.Theywereeyesthattoldyounothing.
Hervoicewaslowandsympathetic.
“CanIhelpyou?”
“YouareMissArgyle?MissChristinaArgyle?”
“Yes.”
“MynameisCalgary,ArthurCalgary.Youmayhaveheard—”
“Yes.Ihaveheardaboutyou.Myfatherwrotetome.”
“Iwouldlikeverymuchtotalktoyou.”
Sheglancedupattheclock.
“Thelibraryclosesinhalfanhour.Ifyoucouldwaituntilthen?”
“Certainly.Perhapsyouwouldcomeandhaveacupofteawithmesomewhere?”
“Thankyou.”Sheturnedfromhimtoamanwhohadcomeupbehindhim.“Yes.CanIhelpyou?”
ArthurCalgarymovedaway.Hewanderedround,examiningthecontentsoftheshelves,observantallthetimeofTinaArgyle.Sheremainedthesame,calm,competent,unperturbed.Thehalfhourpassedslowlyforhim,butatlastabellrangandshenoddedtohim.
“Iwillmeetyououtsideinafewminutestime.”
Shedidnotkeephimwaiting.Sheworenohat,merelyathickdarkcoat.Heaskedherwheretheyshouldgo.
“IdonotknowRedmynverywell,”heexplained.
“ThereisateaplaceneartheCathedral.Itisnotgood,butforthatreasonitislessfullthantheothers.”
Presentlytheywereestablishedatasmalltable,andadesiccatedboredwaitresshadtakentheirorderwithacompletelackofenthusiasm.
“Itwillnotbeagoodtea,”saidTinaapologetically,“butIthoughtthatperhapsyouwouldliketobereasonablyprivate.”
“Thatisso.Imustexplainmyreasonsforseekingyouout.Yousee,Ihavemettheothermembersofyourfamily,including,Imaysay,yourbrotherJacko’swife—widow.YouweretheonlymemberofthefamilyIhadnotmet.Ohyes,andthereisyourmarriedsister,ofcourse.”
“Youfeelitnecessarytomeetusall?”
Itwassaidquitepolitely—buttherewasacertaindetachmentabouthervoicewhichmadeCalgaryalittleuncomfortable.
“Hardlyasasocialnecessity,”heagreeddryly.“Anditisnotmerecuriosity.”(Butwasn’tit?)“ItisjustthatIwantedtoexpress,personally,toallofyou,myverydeepregretthatIfailedtoestablishyourbrother’sinnocenceatthetimeofthetrial.”
“Isee….”
“Ifyouwerefondofhim—Wereyoufondofhim?”
Sheconsideredamoment;thensaid:
“No.IwasnotfondofJacko.”
“YetIhearfromallsidesthathehad—greatcharm.”
Shesaidclearly,butwithoutpassion:
“Idistrustedanddislikedhim.”
“Youneverhad—forgiveme—anydoubtsthathehadkilledyourmother?”
“Itneveroccurredtomethattherecouldbeanyothersolution.”
Thewaitressbroughttheirtea.Thebreadandbutterwasstale,thejamacuriousjellyfiedsubstance,thecakesgarishandunappetizing.Theteawasweak.
Hesippedhisandthensaid:
“Itseems—Ihavebeenmadetounderstand—thatthisinformationIhavebrought,whichclearsyourbrotherofthechargeofmurder,mayhaverepercussionsthatwillnotbesoagreeable.Itmaybringfresh—anxietiestoyouall.”
“Becausethecasewillhavetobereopened?”
“Yes.Youhavealreadythoughtaboutthat?”
“Myfatherseemstothinkitisinevitable.”
“Iamsorry.Iamreallysorry.”
“Whyareyousorry,Dr.Calgary?”
“Ihatetobethecauseofbringingfreshtroubleuponyou.”
“Butwouldyouhavebeensatisfiedtoremainsilent?”
“Youarethinkingintermsofjustice?”
“Yes.Weren’tyou?”
“Ofcourse.Justiceseemedtometobeveryimportant.Now—Iambeginningtowonderwhethertherearethingsthataremoreimportant.”
“Suchas?”
HisthoughtsflewtoHester.
“Suchas—innocence,perhaps.”
Theopaquenessofhereyesincreased.
“Whatdoyoufeel,MissArgyle?”
Shewassilentforamomentortwo,thenshesaid:
“IamthinkingofthosewordsinMagnaCarta.‘Tonomanwillwerefusejustice.’”
“Isee,”hesaid.“Thatisyouranswer….”
Seven
Dr.MacMasterwasanoldmanwithbushyeyebrows,shrewdgreyeyesandapugnaciouschin.Heleanedbackinhisshabbyarmchairandstudiedhisvisitorcarefully.Hefoundthathelikedwhathesaw.
OnCalgary’ssidealsotherewasafeelingofliking.Forthefirsttimealmost,sincehehadcomebacktoEngland,hefeltthathewastalkingtosomeonewhoappreciatedhisownfeelingsandpointofview.
“It’sverygoodofyoutoseeme,Dr.MacMaster,”hesaid.
“Notatall,”saidthedoctor.“I’mboredtodeathsinceIretiredfrompractice.YoungmenofmyownprofessiontellmeImustsitherelikeadummytakingcareofmygroggyheart,butdon’tthinkitcomesnaturaltome.Itdoesn’t.Ilistentothewireless,blah—blah—blah—andoccasionallymyhousekeeperpersuadesmetolookattelevision,flick,flick,flick.I’vebeenabusyman,runoffmyfeetallmylife.Idon’ttakekindlytosittingstill.Readingtiresmyeyes.Sodon’tapologizefortakingupmytime.”
“ThefirstthingI’vegottomakeyouunderstand,”saidCalgary,“iswhyI’mstillconcerningmyselfoverallthis.Logicallyspeaking,Isuppose,I’vedonewhatIcametodo—toldtheunpalatablefactofmyconcussionandlossofmemory,vindicatedtheboy’scharacter.Afterthat,theonlysaneandlogicalthingtodowouldbetogoawayandtrytoforgetaboutitall.Eh?Isn’tthatright?”
“Depends,”saidDr.MacMaster.“Somethingworryingyou?”heaskedintheensuingpause.
“Yes,”saidCalgary.“Everythingworriesme.Yousee,mynewswasnotreceivedasIthoughtitwouldbe.”
“Oh,well,”saidDr.MacMaster,“nothingoddinthat.Happenseveryday.Werehearseathingbeforehandinourownminds,itdoesn’tmatterwhatitis,consultationwithanotherpractitioner,proposalofmarriagetoayounglady,talkwithyourboybeforegoingbacktoschool—whenthethingcomesoff,itnevergoesasyouthoughtitwould.You’vethoughtitout,yousee;allthethingsthatyouaregoingtosayandyou’veusuallymadeupyourmindwhattheanswersaregoingtobe.And,ofcourse,that’swhatthrowsyouoffeverytime.Theanswersneverarewhatyouthinktheywillbe.That’swhat’supsetyou,Isuppose?”
“Yes,”saidCalgary.
“Whatdidyouexpect?Expectedthemtobealloveryou?”
“Iexpected”—heconsideredamoment—“blame?Perhaps.Resentment?Verylikely.Butalsothankfulness.”
MacMastergrunted.“Andthere’snothankfulness,andnotasmuchresentmentasyouthinkthereoughttobe?”
“Somethinglikethat,”Calgaryconfessed.
“That’sbecauseyoudidn’tknowthecircumstancesuntilyougotthere.Whyhaveyoucometome,exactly?”
Calgarysaidslowly:
“BecauseIwanttounderstandmoreaboutthefamily.Ionlyknowtheacknowledgedfacts.Averyfineandunselfishwomandoingherbestforheradoptedchildren,apublic-spiritedwoman,afinecharacter.Setagainstthat,what’scalled,Ibelieve,aproblemchild—achildthatgoeswrong.Theyoungdelinquent.That’sallIknow.Idon’tknowanythingelse.Idon’tknowanythingaboutMrs.Argyleherself.”
“You’requiteright,”saidMacMaster.“You’reputtingyourfingeronthethingthatmatters.Ifyouthinkitover,youknow,that’salwaystheinterestingpartofanymurder.Whatthepersonwaslikewhowasmurdered.Everybody’salwayssobusyinquiringintothemindofthemurderer.You’vebeenthinking,probably,thatMrs.Argylewasthesortofwomanwhoshouldn’thavebeenmurdered.”
“Ishouldimaginethateveryonefeltthat.”
“Ethically,”saidMacMaster,“you’requiteright.Butyouknow”—herubbedhisnose—“isn’tittheChinesewhoheldthatbeneficenceistobeaccountedasinratherthanavirtue?They’vegotsomethingthere,youknow.Beneficencedoesthingstopeople.Ties’emupinknots.Weallknowwhathumannature’slike.Doachapagoodturnandyoufeelkindlytowardshim.Youlikehim.Butthechapwho’shadthegoodturndonetohim,doeshefeelsokindlytoyou?Doeshereallylikeyou?Heoughtto,ofcourse,butdoeshe?
“Well,”saidthedoctor,afteramoment’spause.“Thereyouare.Mrs.Argylewaswhatyoumightcallawonderfulmother.Butsheoverdidthebeneficence.Nodoubtofthat.Orwantedto.Ordefinitelytriedtodoso.”
“Theyweren’therownchildren,”Calgarypointedout.
“No,”saidMacMaster.“That’sjustwherethetroublecamein,Iimagine.You’veonlygottolookatanynormalmothercat.Shehasherkittens,she’spassionatelyprotectiveofthem,she’llscratchanyonewhogoesnearthem.Andthen,inaweekorso,shestartsresumingherownlife.Shegoesout,huntsabit,takesarestfromheryoung.She’llstillprotectthemifanyoneattacksthem,butsheisnolongerobsessedbythem,allthetime.She’llplaywiththemabit;thenwhenthey’reabittoorough,she’llturnonthemandgivethemaspankandtellthemshewantstobeletaloneforabit.She’sreverting,yousee,tonature.Andastheygrowupshecareslessandlessaboutthem,andherthoughtsgomoreandmoretotheattractiveTomsintheneighbourhood.That’swhatyoumightcallthenormalpatternoffemalelife.I’veseenmanygirlsandwomen,withstrongmaternalinstincts,keenongettingmarriedbutmainly,thoughtheymayn’tquiteknowitthemselves—becauseoftheirurgetomotherhood.Andthebabiescome;they’rehappyandsatisfied.Lifegoesbackintoproportionforthem.Theycantakeaninterestintheirhusbandsandinthelocalaffairsandinthegossipthat’sgoinground,andofcourseintheirchildren.Butit’sallinproportion.Thematernalinstinct,inapurelyphysicalsense,issatisfied,yousee.
“Well,withMrs.Argylethematernalinstinctwasverystrong,butthephysicalsatisfactionofbearingachildorchildren,nevercame.Andsohermaternalobsessionneverreallyslackened.Shewantedchildren,lotsofchildren.Shecouldn’thaveenoughofthem.Herwholemind,nightandday,wasonthosechildren.Herhusbanddidn’tcountanymore.Hewasjustapleasantabstractioninthebackground.No,everythingwasthechildren.Theirfeeding,theirclothing,theirplaying,everythingtodowiththem.Fartoomuchwasdoneforthem.Thethingshedidn’tgivethemandthattheyneeded,wasalittleplain,honest-to-goodnessneglect.Theyweren’tjustturnedoutintothegardentoplaylikeordinarychildreninthecountry.No,theyhadtohaveeverykindofgadget,artificialclimbingthingsandsteppingstones,ahousebuiltinthetrees,sandbroughtandalittlebeachmadeontheriver.Theirfoodwasn’tplain,ordinaryfood.Why,thosekidsevenhadtheirvegetablessieved,uptonearlyfiveyearsold,andtheirmilksterilizedandthewatertestedandtheircaloriesweighedandtheirvitaminscomputed!Mindyou,I’mnotbeingunprofessionalintalkingtoyoulikethis.Mrs.Argylewasnevermypatient.IfsheneededadoctorshewenttooneinHarleyStreet.Notthatsheoftenwent.Shewasaveryrobustandhealthywoman.
“ButIwasthelocaldoctorwhowascalledintoseethechildren,thoughshewasinclinedtothinkIwasabitcasualoverthem.Itoldhertolet’emeatafewblackberriesfromthehedges.Itoldheritwouldn’thurtthemtogettheirfeetwetandhaveanoccasionalcoldinthehead,andthatthere’snothingmuchwrongwithachildwho’sgotatemperatureof99.Noneedtofusstillit’sover101.Thosechildrenwerepamperedandspoon-fedandfussedoverandlovedandinmanywaysitdidn’tdothemanygood.”
“Youmean,”saidCalgary,“itdidn’tdoJackoanygood?”
“Well,Iwasn’treallyonlythinkingofJacko.Jackotomymindwasaliabilityfromthestart.Themodernlabelforhimis‘acrazymixed-upkid.’It’sjustasgoodasanyotherlabel.TheArgylesdidtheirbestforhim;theydideverythingthatcouldhavebeendone.I’veseenagoodmanyJackosinmylifetime.Laterinlife,whentheboyhasgonehopelesslywrong,theparentssay,‘IfonlyI’dbeenstricterwithhimwhenhewasyoung,’orelsetheysay,‘Iwastooharsh,ifonlyI’dbeenkinder.’Idon’tthinkmyselfitamountstoapenn’orthofdifference.Therearethosewhogowrongbecausethey’vehadanunhappyhomeandessentiallyfeelunloved.Andagaintherearethosewhogowrongbecauseattheleaststressthey’regoingtogowronganyway.IputJackodownasoneofthelatter.”
“Soyouweren’tsurprised,”saidCalgary,“whenhewasarrestedformurder?”
“Frankly,yes,Iwassurprised.NotbecausetheideaofmurderwouldhavebeenparticularlyrepugnanttoJacko.Hewasthesortofyoungmanwhoisconsciencelessbutthekindofmurderhe’ddonedidsurpriseme.Oh,Iknowhehadaviolenttemperandallthat.Asachildheoftenhurledhimselfonanotherchildorhithimwithsomeheavytoyorbitofwood.Butitwasusuallyachildsmallerthanhimself,anditwasusuallynotsomuchblindrageasthewishtohurtorgetholdofsomethingthathehimselfwanted.ThekindofmurderI’dhaveexpectedJackotodo,ifhedidone,wasthetypewhereacoupleofboysgooutonaraid;then,whenthepolicecomeafterthem,theJackossay‘Biffhimonthehead,bud.Lethimhaveit.Shoothimdown.’They’rewillingformurder,readytoincitetomurder,butthey’venotgotthenervetodomurderthemselveswiththeirownhands.That’swhatIshouldhavesaid.Nowitseems,”addedthedoctor,“Iwouldhavebeenright.”
Calgarystareddownatthecarpet,aworncarpetwithhardlyanyofitspatternremaining.
“Ididn’tknow,”hesaid,“whatIwasupagainst.Ididn’trealizewhatitwasgoingtomeantotheothers.Ididn’tseethatitmight—thatitmust—”
Thedoctorwasnoddinggently.
“Yes,”hesaid.“Itlooksthatway,doesn’tit?Itlooksasthoughyou’vegottoputitrightthereamongstthem.”
“Ithink,”saidCalgary,“thatthat’sreallywhatIcametotalktoyouabout.Theredoesn’tseem,onthefaceofit,anyrealmotiveforanyofthemtohavekilledher.”
“Notonthefaceofit,”agreedthedoctor.“Butifyougoalittlebehindthefaceofit—oh,yes,Ithinkthere’splentyofreasonwhysomeonemighthavewantedtokillher.”
“Why?”askedCalgary.
“Youfeelit’sreallyyourbusiness,doyou?”
“Ithinkso.Ican’thelpfeelingso.”
“PerhapsIshouldfeelthesameinyourplace…Idon’tknow.Well,whatI’dsayisthatnoneofthemreallybelongedtothemselves.Notsolongastheirmother—I’llcallherthatforconvenience—wasalive.Shehadagoodholdofthemstill,youknow,allofthem.”
“Inwhatway?”
“Financiallyshe’dprovidedforthem.Providedforthemhandsomely.Therewasalargeincome.ItwasdividedbetweentheminsuchproportionsastheTrusteesthoughtfit.ButalthoughMrs.ArgyleherselfwasnotoneoftheTrustees,neverthelessherwishes,solongasshewasalive,wereoperative.”Hepausedaminuteandthenwenton.
“It’sinterestinginaway,howtheyalltriedtoescape.Howtheyfoughtnottoconformtothepatternthatshe’darrangedforthem.Becauseshedidarrangeapattern,andaverygoodpattern.Shewantedtogivethemagoodhome,agoodeducation,agoodallowanceandagoodstartintheprofessionsthatshechoseforthem.ShewantedtotreatthemexactlyasthoughtheywerehersandLeoArgyle’sownchildren.Onlyofcoursetheyweren’thersandLeoArgyle’sownchildren.Theyhadentirelydifferentinstincts,feelings,aptitudesanddemands.YoungMickynowworksasacarsalesman.Hestermoreorlessranawayfromhometogoonthestage.Shefellinlovewithaveryundesirabletypeandwasabsolutelynogoodasanactress.Shehadtocomehome.Shehadtoadmit—andshedidn’tlikeadmitting—thathermotherhadbeenright.MaryDurrantinsistedonmarryingamanduringthewarwhomhermotherwarnedhernottomarry.Hewasabraveandintelligentyoungmanbutanabsolutefoolwhenitcametobusinessmatters.Thenhegotpolio.HewasbroughtasaconvalescenttoSunnyPoint.Mrs.Argylewasputtingpressureonthemtolivetherepermanently.Thehusbandwasquitewilling.MaryDurrantwasholdingoutdesperatelyagainstit.Shewantedherhomeandherhusbandtoherself.Butshe’dhavegivenin,nodoubt,ifhermotherhadn’tdied.
“Micky,theotherboy,hasalwaysbeenayoungmanwithachiponhisshoulder;heresentedbitterlybeingabandonedbyhisownmother.Heresenteditasachildandhenevergotoverit.Ithink,atheart,healwayshatedhisadoptedmother.
“Thenthere’stheSwedishmasseusewoman.Shedidn’tlikeMrs.Argyle.Shewasfondofthechildrenandshe’sfondofLeo.SheacceptedmanybenefitsfromMrs.Argyleandprobablytriedtobegratefulbutcouldn’tmanageit.StillIhardlythinkthatherfeelingsofdislikecouldcausehertohitherbenefactorontheheadwithapoker.Afterall,shecouldleaveatanymomentsheliked.AsforLeoArgyle—”
“Yes.Whatabouthim?”
“He’sgoingtomarryagain,”saidDr.MacMaster,“andgoodlucktohim.Averyniceyoungwoman.Warm-hearted,kind,goodcompanyandverymuchinlovewithhim.Hasbeenforalongtime.WhatdidshefeelaboutMrs.Argyle?YoucanprobablyguessjustaswellasIcan.Naturally,Mrs.Argyle’sdeathsimplifiedthingsagooddeal.LeoArgyle’snotthetypeofmantohaveanaffairwithhissecretarywithhiswifeinthesamehouse.Idon’treallythinkhe’dhavelefthiswife,either.”
Calgarysaidslowly:
“Isawthemboth;Italkedtothem.Ican’treallybelievethateitherofthem—”
“Iknow,”saidMacMaster.“Onecan’tbelieve,canone?Andyet—oneofthathouseholddidit,youknow.”
“Youreallythinkso?”
“Idon’tseewhatelsethereistothink.Thepolicearefairlysurethatitwasn’ttheworkofanoutsider,andthepoliceareprobablyright.”
“Butwhichofthem?”saidCalgary.
MacMastershruggedhisshoulders.“Onesimplydoesn’tknow.”
“You’venoideayourselffromyourknowledgeofthemall?”
“Shouldn’ttellyouifIhad,”saidMacMaster.“Afterall,whathaveIgottogoon?Unlessthere’ssomefactorthatI’vemissednoneofthemseemsalikelymurderertome.Andyet—Ican’truleanyoneofthemoutasapossibility.No,”headdedslowly,“myviewisthatweshallneverknow.Thepolicewillmakeinquiriesandallthatsortofthing.They’lldotheirbest,buttogetevidenceafterthistimeandwithsolittletogoupon—”Heshookhishead.“No,Idon’tthinkthatthetruthwilleverbeknown.Therearecaseslikethat,youknow.Onereadsaboutthem.Fifty—ahundredyearsago,caseswhereoneofthreeorfourorfivepeoplemusthavedoneitbuttherewasn’tenoughevidenceandnoone’severbeenabletosay.”
“Doyouthinkit’sgoingtobelikethathere?”
“We-ll,”saidDr.MacMaster,“yes,Ido…”AgainhecastashrewdlookatCalgary.“Andthat’swhat’ssoterrible,isn’tit?”hesaid.
“Terrible,”saidCalgary,“becauseoftheinnocent.That’swhatshesaidtome.”
“Who?Whosaidwhattoyou?”
“Thegirl—Hester.ShesaidIdidn’tunderstandthatitwastheinnocentwhomattered.It’swhatyou’vejustbeensayingtome.Thatweshallneverknow—”
“—whoisinnocent?”Thedoctorfinishedforhim.“Yes,ifwecouldonlyknowthetruth.Evenifitdoesn’tcometoanarrestortrialorconviction.Justtoknow.Becauseotherwise—”Hepaused.
“Yes?”saidCalgary.
“Workitoutforyourself,”saidDr.MacMaster.“No—Idon’tneedtosaythat—youalreadyhave.”
Hewenton:
“Itremindsme,youknow,oftheBravoCase—nearlyahundredyearsagonow,Isuppose,butbooksarestillbeingwrittenaboutit;makingoutaperfectlygoodcaseforhiswifehavingdoneit,orMrs.Coxhavingdoneit,orDr.Gully—orevenforCharlesBravohavingtakenthepoisoninspiteoftheCoroner’sverdict.Allquiteplausibletheories—butnoonenowcaneverknowthetruth.AndsoFlorenceBravo,abandonedbyherfamily,diedaloneofdrink,andMrs.Cox,ostracized,andwiththreelittleboys,livedtobeanoldwomanwithmostofthepeoplesheknewbelievinghertobeamurderess,andDr.Gullywasruinedprofessionallyandsocially—
“Someonewasguilty—andgotawaywithit.Buttheotherswereinnocent—anddidn’tgetawaywithanything.”
“Thatmustn’thappenhere,”saidCalgary.“Itmustn’t!”
Eight
I
HesterArgylewaslookingatherselfintheglass.Therewaslittlevanityinhergaze.Itwasmoreananxiousquestioningwithbehinditthehumilityofonewhohasneverreallybeensureofherself.Shepushedupherhairfromherforehead,pulledittoonesideandfrownedattheresult.Then,asafaceappearedbehindhersinthemirror,shestarted,flinchedandswungroundapprehensively.
“Ah,”saidKirstenLindstrom,“youareafraid!”
“Whatdoyoumean,afraid,Kirsty?”
“Youareafraidofme.YouthinkthatIcomeupbehindyouquietlyandthatperhapsIshallstrikeyoudown.”
“Oh,Kirsty,don’tbesofoolish.OfcourseIwouldn’tthinkanythinglikethat.”
“Butyoudidthinkit,”saidtheother.“Andyouareright,too,tothinksuchthings.Tolookattheshadows,tostartwhenyouseesomethingthatyoudonotquiteunderstand.Becausethereissomethinghereinthishousetobeafraidof.Weknowthatnow.”
“Atanyrate,Kirstydarling,”saidHester,“Ineedn’tbeafraidofyou.”
“Howdoyouknow?”saidKirstenLindstrom.“DidInotreadinthepaperashortwhilebackofawomanwhohadlivedwithanotherwomanforyears,andthenonedaysuddenlyshekillsher.Suffocatesher.Triestoscratchhereyesout.Andwhy?Because,shetellsthepoliceverygently,forsometimeshehasseenthatthedevilisinhabitingthewoman.Shehadseenthedevillookingoutoftheotherwoman’seyesandsheknowsthatshemustbestrongandbraveandkillthedevil!”
“Oh,well,Irememberthat,”saidHester.“Butthatwomanwasmad.”
“Ah,”saidKirsten.“Butshedidnotknowherselfthatshewasmad.Andshedidnotseemmadtothoseroundher,becausenooneknewwhatwasgoingoninherpoor,twistedmind.AndsoIsaytoyou,youdonotknowwhatisgoingoninmymind.PerhapsIammad.PerhapsIlookedonedayatyourmotherandthoughtthatshewasAntichristandthatIwouldkillher.”
“But,Kirsty,that’snonsense!Absolutenonsense.”
KirstenLindstromsighedandsatdown.
“Yes,”sheadmitted,“itisnonsense.Iwasveryfondofyourmother.Shewasgoodtome,always.ButwhatIamtryingtosaytoyou,Hester,andwhatyouhavegottounderstandandbelieve,isthatyoucannotsay‘nonsense’toanythingoranyone.Youcannottrustmeoranybodyelse.”
Hesterturnedroundandlookedattheotherwoman.
“Ireallybelieveyou’reserious,”shesaid.
“Iamveryserious,”saidKirsten.“Wemustallbeseriousandwemustbringthingsoutintotheopen.Itisnogoodpretendingthatnothinghashappened.Thatmanwhocamehere—Iwishhehadnotcome,buthedid,andnowhehasmadeit,Iunderstand,quiteplainthatJackowasnotamurderer.Verywellthen,someoneelseisamurderer,andthatsomeoneelsemustbeoneofus.”
“No,Kirsty,no.Itcouldhavebeensomeonewho—”
“Whowhat?”
“Well,whowantedtostealsomething,orwhohadagrudgeagainstMotherforsomereasoninthepast.”
“Youthinkyourmotherwouldletthatsomeonein?”
“Shemight,”saidHester.“Youknowwhatshewaslike.Ifsomebodycamewithahardluckstory,ifsomeonecametotellheraboutsomechildthatwasbeingneglectedorill-treated.Don’tyouthinkMotherwouldhaveletthatpersoninandtakenthemtoherroomandlistenedtowhattheyhadtosay?”
“Itseemstomeveryunlikely,”saidKirsten.“Atleastitseemstomeunlikelythatyourmotherwouldsitdownatatableandletthatpersonpickupapokerandhitheronthebackofthehead.No,shewasatherease,confident,withsomeonesheknewintheroom.”
“Iwishyouwouldn’t,Kirsty,”criedHester.“Oh,Iwishyouwouldn’t.You’rebringingitsonear,soclose.”
“Becauseitisnear,itisclose.No,Iwillnotsayanymorenow,butIhavewarnedyouthatthoughyouthinkyouknowsomeonewell,thoughyoumaythinkyoutrustthem,youcannotbesure.Sobeonyourguard.BeonyourguardagainstmeandagainstMaryandagainstyourfatherandagainstGwendaVaughan.”
“HowcanIgoonlivinghereandsuspectingeverybody?”
“Ifyouwilltakemyadviceitwillbebetterforyoutoleavethishouse.”
“Ican’tjustnow.”
“Whynot?Becauseoftheyoungdoctor?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean,Kirsty.”ColourflamedupinHester’scheeks
“ImeanDr.Craig.Heisaveryniceyoungman.Asufficientlygooddoctor,amiable,conscientious.Youcoulddoworse.ButallthesameIthinkitwouldbebetterifyoulefthereandwentaway.”
“Thewholething’snonsense,”Hestercriedangrily,“nonsense,nonsense,nonsense.Oh,howIwishDr.Calgaryhadnevercomehere.”
“SodoI,”saidKirsten,“withallmyheart.”
II
LeoArgylesignedthelastoftheletterswhichGwendaVaughanplacedinfrontofhim.
“Isthatthelast?”heasked.
“Yes.”
“We’venotdonetoobadlytoday.”
AfteraminuteortwowhenGwendahadstampedandstackedtheletters,sheasked:
“Isn’titabouttimethatyou—tookthattripabroad?”
“Tripabroad?”
LeoArgylesoundedveryvague.Gwendasaid:
“Yes.Don’tyourememberyouweregoingtoRomeandtoSiena.”
“Oh,yes,yes,soIwas.”
“YouweregoingtoseethosedocumentsfromthearchivesthatCardinalMassiliniwrotetoyouabout.”
“Yes,Iremember.”
“Wouldyoulikemetomakethereservationsbyair,orwouldyourathergobytrain?”
Asthoughcomingbackfromalongwayaway,Leolookedatherandsmiledfaintly.
“Youseemveryanxioustogetridofme,Gwenda,”hesaid.
“Ohno,darling,no.”
Shecamequicklyacrossandkneltdownbyhisside.
“Ineverwantyoutoleaveme,never.But—butIthink—oh,Ithinkitwouldbebetterifyouwentawayfromhereafter—after….”
“Afterlastweek?”saidLeo.“AfterDr.Calgary’svisit?”
“Iwishhehadn’tcomehere,”saidGwenda.“Iwishthingscouldhavebeenleftastheywere.”
“WithJackounjustlycondemnedforsomethinghedidn’tdo?”
“Hemighthavedoneit,”saidGwenda.“Hemighthavedoneitanytime,andit’sapureaccident,Ithink,thathedidn’tdoit.”
“It’sodd,”saidLeo,thoughtfully.“Ineverreallycouldbelievehediddoit.Imean,ofcourse,Ihadtogiveintotheevidence—butitseemedtomesounlikely.”
“Why?Healwayshadaterribletemper,didn’the?”
“Yes.Oh,yes.Heattackedotherchildren.Usuallychildrenrathersmallerthanhimself.IneverreallyfeltthathewouldhaveattackedRachel.”
“Whynot?”
“Becausehewasafraidofher,”saidLeo.“Shehadgreatauthority,youknow.Jackofeltitjustlikeeverybodyelse.”
“Butdon’tyouthink,”saidGwenda,“thatthatwasjustwhy—Imean—”Shepaused.
Leolookedatherquestioningly.Somethinginhisglancemadethecolourcomeupintohercheeks.Sheturnedaway,wentovertothefireandkneltdowninfrontofitwithherhandstotheblaze.“Yes,”shethoughttoherself,“Rachelhadauthorityallright.Sopleasedwithherself,sosureofherself,somuchthequeenbeebossingusall.Isn’tthatenoughtomakeonewanttotakeapoker,tomakeonewanttostrikeherdown,tosilenceheronceandforall?Rachelwasalwaysright,Rachelalwaysknewbest,Rachelalwaysgotherownway.”
Shegotupabruptly.
“Leo,”shesaid.“Couldn’twe—couldn’twebemarriedquitesooninsteadofwaitinguntilMarch?”
Leolookedather.Hewassilentforamoment,andthenhesaid:
“No,Gwenda,no.Idon’tthinkthatwouldbeagoodplan.”
“Whynot?”
“Ithink,”saidLeo,“itwouldbeapitytorushintoanything.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Shecameacrosstohim.Shekneltdownagainbesidehim.
“Leo,whatdoyoumean?Youmusttellme.”
Hesaid:
“Mydear,Ijustthinkthatwemustn’t,asIsaid,rushintoanything.”
“ButwewillbemarriedinMarch,asweplanned?”
“Ihopeso…Yes,Ihopeso.”
“Youdon’tspeakasthoughyouweresure…Leo,don’tyoucareanymore?”
“Oh,mydear,”hishandsrestedonhershoulders,“ofcourseIcare.Youmeaneverythingintheworldtome.”
“Well,then,”saidGwendaimpatiently
“No.”Hegotup.“No.Notyet.Wemustwait.Wemustbesure.”
“Sureofwhat?”
Hedidnotanswer.Shesaid:
“Youdon’tthink—youcan’tthink—”
Leosaid:“I—Idon’tthinkanything.”
ThedooropenedandKirstenLindstromcameinwithatraywhichsheputdownonthedesk.
“Hereisyourtea,Mr.Argyle.ShallIbringanothercupforyou,Gwenda,orwillyoujointheothersdownstairs?”
Gwendasaid:
“Iwillcomedowntothediningroom.I’lltaketheseletters.Theyoughttogooff.”
WithslightlyunsteadyhandsshepickedupthelettersLeohadjustsignedandwentoutoftheroomcarryingthem.KirstenLindstromlookedafterher,thenshelookedbackatLeo.
“Whathaveyousaidtoher?”shedemanded.“Whathaveyoudonetoupsether?”
“Nothing,”saidLeo.Hisvoicewastired.“Nothingatall.”
KirstenLindstromshruggedhershoulders.Then,withoutanotherword,shewentoutoftheroom.Herunseen,unspokencriticism,however,couldbefelt.Leosighed,leaningbackinhischair.Hefeltverytired.Hepouredouthisteabuthedidnotdrinkit.Instead,hesatthereinhischairstaringunseeinglyacrosstheroom,hismindbusyinthepast.
III
ThesocialclubhehadbeeninterestedinintheEastEndofLondon…ItwastherethathehadfirstmetRachelKonstam.Hecouldseehernowclearlyinhismind’seye.Agirlofmediumheight,stockyinbuild,wearingwhathehadnotappreciatedatthetimewereveryexpensiveclothes,butwearingthemwithadowdyair.Around-facedgirl,serious,warm-hearted,withaneagernessandana?vetywhichhadappealedtohim.Somuchthatneededdoing,somuchthatwasworthdoing!Shehadpouredoutwordseagerly,ratherincoherently,andhishearthadwarmedtoher.Forhe,too,hadfeltthattherewasmuchthatneededdoing,muchthatwasworthdoing;thoughhehimselfhadagiftofnaturalironythatmadehimdoubtfulwhetherworkworthdoingwasalwaysassuccessfulasitoughttobe.ButRachelhadhadnodoubts.Ifyoudidthis,ifyoudidthat,ifsuchandsuchaninstitutionwereendowed,thebeneficialresultswouldfollowautomatically.
Shehadneverallowed,hesawnow,forhumannature.Shehadseenpeoplealwaysascases,asproblemstobedealtwith.Shehadneverseenthateachhumanbeingwasdifferent,wouldreactdifferently,haditsownpeculiaridiosyncrasies.Hehadsaidtoherthen,heremembered,nottoexpecttoomuch.Butshehadalwaysexpectedtoomuch,althoughshehadimmediatelydisclaimedhisaccusation.Shehadalwaysexpectedtoomuch,andsoalwaysshehadbeendisappointed.Hehadfalleninlovewithherquitequickly,andhadbeenagreeablysurprisedtofindoutthatshewasthedaughterofwealthyparents.
Theyhadplannedtheirlifetogetheronabasisofhighthinkingandnotpreciselyplainliving.Buthecouldseenowclearlywhatitwasthathadprincipallyattractedhimtoher.Itwasherwarmthofheart.Only,andtherewasthetragedy,thatwarmthofhearthadnotreallybeenforhim.Shehadbeeninlovewithhim,yes.Butwhatshehadreallywantedfromhimandfromlifewaschildren.Andthechildrenhadnotcome.
Theyhadvisiteddoctors,reputabledoctors,disreputabledoctors,evenquacks,andtheverdictintheendhadbeenoneshewasforcedtoaccept.Shewouldneverhavechildrenofherown.Hehadbeensorryforher,verysorry,andhehadacquiescedquitewillinglyinhersuggestionthattheyshouldadoptachild.TheywerealreadyintouchwithadoptionsocietieswhenontheoccasionofavisittoNewYorktheircarhadknockeddownachildrunningoutfromatenementinthepoorerquarterofthecity
Rachelhadjumpedoutandkneltdowninthestreetbythechildwhowasonlybruised,nothurt;abeautifulchild,golden-hairedandblue-eyed.Rachelhadinsistedontakinghertohospitaltomakesuretherewasnoinjury.She’dinterviewedthechild’srelations;aslatternlyauntandtheaunt’shusbandwhoobviouslydrank.Itwasclearthattheyhadnofeelingforthechildtheyhadtakenintolivewiththemsinceherownparentsweredead.Rachelhadsuggestedthatthechildshouldcomeandstaywiththemforafewdays,andthewomanhadagreedwithalacrity.
“Can’tlookafterherproperlyhere,”she’dsaid.
SoMaryhadbeentakenbacktotheirsuiteatthehotel.Thechildhadobviouslyenjoyedthesoftbedandtheluxuriousbathroom.Rachelhadboughthernewclothes.Thenthemomenthadcomewhenthechildhadsaid:
“Idon’twanttogohome.Iwanttostayherewithyou.”
Rachelhadlookedathim,lookedathimwithasuddenpassionoflonginganddelight.Shehadsaidtohimassoonastheywerealone:
“Let’skeepher.It’lleasilybearranged.We’lladopther.She’llbeourownchild.Thatwoman’llbeonlytoopleasedtoberidofher.”
Hehadagreedeasilyenough.Thechildseemedquiet,well-behaved,docile.She’dobviouslynofeelingfortheauntandunclewithwhomshelived.IfthiswouldmakeRachelhappy,they’dgoahead.Lawyerswereconsulted,papersweresignedandhenceforthMaryO’ShaughnessywasknownasMaryArgyle,andsailedwiththemforEurope.HehadthoughtthatatlastpoorRachelwouldbehappy.Andshehadbeenhappy.Happyinanexcited,almostfeverishkindofway,dotingonMary,givinghereverykindofexpensivetoy.AndMaryhadacceptedplacidly,sweetly.Andyet,Leothought,therehadalwaysbeensomethingthatdisturbedhimalittle.Thechild’seasyacquiescence.Herlackofanykindofhomesicknessforherownplaceandpeople.Trueaffection,hehoped,wouldcomelater.Hecouldseenorealsignsofitnow.Acceptanceofbenefits,complacence,enjoymentofallthatwasprovided.Butofloveforhernewadoptedmother?No,hehadnotseenthat.
Itwasfromthattimeonwards,Leothought,thathehadsomehowmanagedtosliptothebackgroundofRachelArgyle’slife.Shewasawomanwhowasbynatureamother,notawife.NowwiththeacquiringofMary,itwasasthoughhermaternallongingswerenotsomuchfulfilledasstimulated.Onechildwasnotenoughforher.
Allherenterprisesfromnowonwereconnectedwithchildren.Herinterestlayinorphanages,inendowmentsforcrippledchildren,incasesofbackwardchildren,spastics,orthopaedics—alwayschildren.Itwasadmirable.Hefeltallalongthatitwasveryadmirable,butithadbecomethecentreofherlife.Littlebylittlehebegantoindulgeinhisownactivities.Hebegantogomoredeeplyintothehistoricalbackgroundofeconomics,whichhadalwaysinterestedhim.Hewithdrewmoreandmoreintohislibrary.Heengagedinresearch,inthewritingofshort,well-phrasedmonographs.Hiswife,busy,earnest,happy,ranthehouseandincreasedheractivities.Hewascourteousandacquiescent.Heencouragedher.“Thatisaveryfineproject,mydear.”“Yes,yes,Ishouldcertainlygoaheadwiththat.”Occasionallyawordofcautionwasslippedin.“Youwant,Ithink,toexaminethepositionverythoroughlybeforeyoucommityourself.Youmustn’tbecarriedaway.”
Shecontinuedtoconsulthim,butsometimesnowitwasalmostperfunctory.Astimewentonshewasmoreandmoreanauthoritarian.Sheknewwhatwasright,sheknewwhatwasbest.Courteouslyhewithdrewhiscriticismandhisoccasionaladmonitions.
Rachel,hethought,needednohelpfromhim,needednolovefromhim.Shewasbusy,happy,terrificallyenergetic.
Behindthehurtthathecouldnothelpfeeling,therewasalso,queerlyenough,asenseofpityforher.Itwasasthoughheknewthatthepathshewaspursuingmightbeaperilousone.
Ontheoutbreakofwarin1939,Mrs.Argyle’sactivitieswereimmediatelyredoubled.OnceshehadtheideaofopeningawarnurseryforchildrenfromtheLondonslums,shewasintouchwithmanyinfluentialpeopleinLondon.TheMinistryofHealthwasquitewillingtoco-operateandshehadlookedforandfoundasuitablehouseforherpurpose.Anewlybuilt,up-to-datehouseinaremotepartofEnglandlikelytobefreefrombombing.Thereshecouldaccommodateuptoeighteenchildrenbetweentheagesoftwoandseven.Thechildrencamenotonlyfrompoorhomesbutalsofromunfortunateones.Theywereorphans,orillegitimatechildrenwhosemothershadnointentionofbeingevacuatedwiththemandwhowereboredwithlookingafterthem.Childrenfromhomeswheretheyhadbeenill-treatedandneglected.Threeorfourofthechildrenwerecripples.Fororthopaedictreatmentsheengagedaswellasastaffofdomesticworkers,aSwedishmasseuseandtwofullytrainedhospitalnurses.Thewholethingwasdonenotonlyonacomfortablebutonaluxuriousbasis.Onceheremonstratedwithher.
“Youmustn’tforget,Rachel,thesechildrenwillhavetogobacktothebackgroundfromwhichwetookthem.Youmustn’tmakeittoodifficultforthem.”
Shehadrepliedwarmly:
“Nothing’stoogoodforthesepoormites.Nothing!”
Hehadurged,“Yes,butthey’vegottogoback,remember.”
Butshehadwavedthataside.“Itmayn’tbenecessary.Itmay—we’llhavetoseeinthefuture.”
Theexigenciesofwarhadsoonbroughtchanges.Thehospitalnurses,restiveatlookingafterperfectlyhealthychildrenwhentherewasrealnursingworktobedone,hadfrequentlytobereplaced.IntheendoneelderlyhospitalnurseandKirstenLindstromweretheonlytwoleft.ThedomestichelpfailedandKirstenLindstromhadcometotherescuetherealso.Shehadworkedwithgreatdevotionandselflessness.
AndRachelArgylehadbeenbusyandhappy.Therehadbeen,Leoremembered,momentsofoccasionalbewilderment.ThedaywhenRachel,puzzledatthewayonesmallboy,Micky,wasslowlylosingweight,hisappetitefailing,hadcalledinthedoctor.ThedoctorcouldfindnothingwrongbuthadsuggestedtoMrs.Argylethatthechildmightbehomesick.Quicklyshe’drebuffedtheidea.
“That’simpossible!Youdon’tknowthehomehehascomefrom.Hewasknockedabout,ill-treated.Itmusthavebeenhellforhim.”
“Allthesame,”Dr.MacMasterhadsaid,“allthesame,Ishouldn’tbesurprised,Thethingistogethimtotalk.”
AndonedayMickyhadtalked.Sobbinginhisbed,hecriedout,pushingRachelawaywithhisfists:
“Iwanttogohome.IwanttogohometoourMomandourErnie.”
Rachelwasupset,almostincredulous.
“Hecan’twanthismother.Shedidn’tcaretuppenceforhim.Sheknockedhimaboutwhenevershewasdrunk.”
Andhehadsaidgently:“Butyou’reupagainstnature,Rachel.Sheishismotherandhelovesher.”
“Shewasnokindofamother!”
“Heisherownfleshandblood.That’swhathefeels.That’swhatnothingcanreplace.”
Andshehadanswered:“Butbynow,surelyheoughttolookonmeashismother.”
PoorRachel,thoughtLeo.PoorRachel,whocouldbuysomanythings…Notselfishthings,notthingsforherself;whocouldgivetounwantedchildrenlove,care,ahome.Allthesethingsshecouldbuyforthem,butnottheirloveforher.
Thenthewarhadended.ThechildrenhadbeguntodriftbacktoLondon,claimedbyparentsorrelatives.Butnotallofthem.SomeofthemhadremainedunwantedanditwasthenthatRachelhadsaid:
“Youknow,Leo,they’relikeourownchildrennow.Thisisthemomentwhenwecanhavearealfamilyofourown.Four—fiveofthesechildrencanstaywithus.We’lladoptthem,provideforthemandthey’llreallybeourchildren.”
Hehadfeltavagueuneasiness,whyhedidnotquiteknow.Itwasnotthatheobjectedtothechildren,buthehadfeltinstinctivelythefalsenessofit.Theassumptionthatitwaseasytomakeafamilyofone’sownbyartificialmeans.
“Don’tyouthink,”hehadsaid,“thatit’sratherarisk?”
Butshehadreplied:
“Arisk?Whatdoesitmatterifitisarisk?It’sworthdoing.”
Yes,hesupposeditwasworthdoing,onlyhewasnotquiteassureasshewas.Bynowhehadgrownsofaraway,soaloofinsomecoldmistyregionofhisown,thatitwasnotinhimtoobject.Hesaidashehadsaidsomanytimes:
“Youmustdoasyouplease,Rachel.”
Shehadbeenfulloftriumph,fullofhappiness,makingherplans,consultingsolicitors,goingaboutthingsinherusualbusinesslikeway.Andsoshehadacquiredherfamily.Mary,thateldestchildbroughtfromNewYork;Micky,thehomesickboywhohadcriedhimselftosleepforsomanynights,longingforhisslumhomeandhisnegligent,bad-temperedmother;Tina,thegracefuldarkhalf-castechildwhosemotherwasaprostituteandwhosefatherhadbeenaLascarseaman.Hester,whoseyoungIrishmotherhadborneanillegitimatechildandwhowantedtostartlifeagain.AndJacko,theengaging,monkey-facedlittleboywhoseanticsmadethemalllaugh,whocouldalwaystalkhimselfoutofpunishment,andcharmextrasweetsevenfromthatdisciplinarian,MissLindstrom.Jacko,whosefatherwasservingaprisonsentenceandwhosemotherhadgoneoffwithsomeotherman.
Yes,Leothought,surelyitwasaworthwhilejobtotakethesechildren,togivethemthebenefitsofahomeandloveandafatherandmother.Rachel,hethought,hadhadarighttobetriumphant.Onlyithadn’tworkedoutquitethewayitwassupposedtodo…ForthesechildrenwerenotthechildrenthatheandRachelwouldhavehad.WithinthemrannoneofthebloodofRachel’shardworkingthriftyforebears,noneofthedriveandambitionbywhichthelessreputablemembersofherfamilyhadgainedtheirassuredplaceinsociety,noneofthevaguekindlinessandintegrityofmindthatherememberedinhisownfatherandgrandfatherandgrandmother.Noneoftheintellectualbrillianceofhisgrandparentsontheotherside.
Everythingthatenvironmentcoulddowasdoneforthem.Itcoulddoagreatdeal,butitcouldnotdoeverything.Therehadbeenthoseseedsofweaknesswhichhadbroughtthemtothenurseryinthefirstplace,andunderstressthoseseedsmightbearflower.ThatwasexemplifiedveryfullyinJacko.Jacko,thecharming,agileJacko,withhismerryquips,hischarm,hiseasyhabitoftwistingeveryoneroundhisfinger,wasessentiallyofadelinquenttype.Itshowedveryearlyinchildishthieving,inlies;allthingsthatwereputdowntohisoriginalbadupbringing.Thingsthatcouldbe,Rachelsaid,easilyironedout.Buttheyneverdidgetironedout.
Hisrecordatschoolwasbad.HewassentdownfromtheuniversityandfromthenitwasalongseriesofpainfulincidentswhereheandRachel,doingthebesttheycould,triedtogivetheboytheassuranceoftheirloveandtheirconfidence,triedtofindworkthatwouldbecongenialtohimwherehecouldhopeforsuccessifheappliedhimself.Perhaps,Leothought,theyhadbeentoosoftwithhim.Butno.Softorhard,inJacko’scase,hethoughttheendwouldhavebeenthesame.Whathewantedhemusthave.Ifhecouldnotgetitbyanylegitimatemeanshewasquitewillingtogetitbyanyothermeans.Hewasnotcleverenoughtobesuccessfulincrime,evenpettycrime.Andsoithadcometothatlastdaywhenhehadarrivedbroke,infearofprison,angrilydemandingmoneyashisright,threatening.Hehadgoneaway,shoutingoutthathewascomingbackandthatshehadbetterhavethemoneyreadyforhim—Orelse!
Andso—Rachelhaddied.Howremoteallthepastseemedtohim.Allthoselongyearsofthewarwiththeboysandgirlsgrowingup.Andhehimself?Alsoremote,colourless.ItwasasthoughthatrobustenergyandzestforlifethatwasRachelhadeatenintohim,leavinghimlimpandexhausted,needing,ohsobadly,warmthandlove.
Evennowhecouldhardlyrememberwhenhehadfirstbecomeawarehowclosethesethingsweretohim.Closeathand…Notprofferedtohim,butthere.
Gwenda…Theperfect,helpfulsecretary,workingforhim,alwaysathand,kind,helpful.TherewassomethingaboutherthathadremindedhimofwhatRachelhadbeenwhenhefirstmether.Thesamewarmth,thesameenthusiasm,thesamewarmheartedness.OnlyinGwenda’scase,thatwarmth,thatwarmheartedness,thatenthusiasmwereallforhim.Notforthehypotheticalchildrenthatshemightonedayhave,justforhim.Ithadbeenlikewarmingone’shandsatafire…Handsthatwerecoldandstiffwithdisuse.Whenhadhefirstrealizedthatshecaredforhim?Itwasdifficulttosay.Ithadnotbeenanysuddenrevelation.
Butsuddenly—oneday—hehadknownthathelovedher.
AndthataslongasRachellived,theycouldnevermarry.
Leosighed,satupinhischairanddrankhisstone-coldtea.
Nine
CalgaryhadonlybeengoneafewminuteswhenDr.MacMasterreceivedasecondvisitor.Thisonewaswellknowntohimandhegreetedhimwithaffection.
“Ah,Don,gladtoseeyou.Comeinandtellmewhat’sonyourmind.Thereissomethingonyourmind.Ialwaysknowwhenyourforeheadwrinklesinthatpeculiarway.”
Dr.DonaldCraigsmiledathimruefully.Hewasagood-lookingseriousyoungmanwhotookhimselfandhisworkinaseriousmanner.TheoldretireddoctorwasveryfondofhisyoungsuccessorthoughthereweretimeswhenhewishedthatitwaseasierforDonaldCraigtoseeajoke.
Craigrefusedtheofferofadrinkandcamestraighttothepoint.
“I’mbadlyworried,Mac.”
“Notmorevitamindeficiencies,Ihope,”saidDr.MacMaster.Fromhispointofviewvitamindeficiencyhadbeenagoodjoke.IthadoncetakenaveterinarysurgeontopointouttoyoungCraigthatthecatbelongingtoacertainchildpatientwassufferingwithanadvancedcaseofringworm.
“It’snothingtodowiththepatients,”saidDonaldCraig.“It’smyownprivateaffairs.”
MacMaster’sfacechangedimmediately.
“I’msorry,myboy.Verysorry.Haveyouhadbadnews?”
Theyoungmanshookhishead.
“It’snotthat.It’s—lookhere,Mac,I’vegottotalktosomeoneaboutitandyouknowthemall,you’vebeenhereforyears,youknowallaboutthem.AndI’vegottoknowtoo.I’vegottoknowwhereIstand,whatI’mupagainst.”
MacMaster’sbushyeyebrowsroseslowlyuphisforehead.
“Let’shearthetrouble,”hesaid.
“It’stheArgyles.Youknow—Isupposeeveryoneknows—thatHesterArgyleandI—”
Theolddoctornoddedhishead.
“Anicelittleunderstanding,”hesaidapprovingly.“That’stheold-fashionedtermtheyusedtouse,anditwasaverygoodone.”
“I’mterriblyinlovewithher,”Donaldsaidsimply,“andIthink—oh,I’msure—thatshecarestoo.Andnowallthishappens.”
Alookofenlightenmentcameintotheolderdoctor’sface.
“Ahyes!FreepardonforJackoArgyle,”hesaid.“Afreepardonthat’scometoolateforhim.”
“Yes.That’sjustwhatmakesmefeel—Iknowit’sanentirelywrongthingtofeel,butIcan’thelpit—thatitwouldhavebeenbetterif—ifthisnewevidencehadn’tcometolight.”
“Oh,you’renottheonlyonewhoseemstofeelthat,”saidMacMaster.“It’sfelt,asfarasIcanfindout,fromtheChiefConstablethroughtheArgylefamilydowntothemanwhocamebackfromtheAntarcticandsuppliedtheevidence.”Headded:“He’sbeenherethisafternoon.”
DonaldCraiglookedstartled.
“Hashe?Didhesayanything?”
“Whatdidyouexpecthimtosay?”
“Didhehaveanyideaofwho—”
SlowlyDr.MacMastershookhishead.
“No,”hesaid.“He’snoidea.Howcouldhehave—comingoutoftheblueandseeingthemallforthefirsttime?Itseems,”hewenton,“thatnobodyhasanyidea.”
“No.No,Isupposenot.”
“What’supsetyousomuch,Don?”
DonaldCraigdrewadeepbreath.
“HesterrangmeupthateveningwhenthisfellowCalgaryhadbeenthere.SheandIweregoingintoDrymouthafterthesurgerytohearalectureoncriminaltypesinShakespeare.”
“Soundsparticularlysuitable,”saidMacMaster.
“Andthensherangup.Saidshewouldn’tbecoming.Saidtherehadbeennewsofapeculiarlyupsettingtype.”
“Ah.Dr.Calgary’snews.”
“Yes.Yes,althoughshedidn’tmentionhimatthetime.Butshewasveryupset.Shesounded—Ican’texplaintoyouhowshesounded.”
“Irishblood,”saidMacMaster.
“Shesoundedaltogetherstricken,terrified.Oh,Ican’texplainit.”
“Well,whatdoyouexpect?”thedoctorasked.“She’snotyettwenty,isshe?”
“Butwhyisshesoupset?Itellyou,Mac,she’sscaredstiffofsomething.”
“M’m,yes,well—yesthatmightbeso,Isuppose,”saidMacMaster.
“Doyouthink—whatdoyouthink?”
“It’smoretothepoint,”MacMasterpointedout,“whatyouarethinking.”
Theyoungmansaidbitterly:
“Isuppose,ifIwasn’tadoctor,Ishouldn’tevenbegintothinksuchthings.She’dbemygirlandmygirlcoulddonowrong.Butasitis—”
“Yes—comeon.You’dbettergetitoffyourchest.”
“Yousee,IknowsomethingofwhatgoesoninHester’smind.She—she’savictimofearlyinsecurity.”
“Quiteso,”saidMacMaster.“That’sthewayweputitnowadays.”
“Shehasn’thadtimeyettogetproperlyintegrated.Shewassuffering,atthetimeofthemurder,fromaperfectlynaturalfeelingofanadolescentyoungwoman—resentmentofauthority—anattempttoescapefromsmother-lovewhichisresponsibleforsomuchharmnowadays.Shewantedtorebel,togetaway.She’stoldmeallthisherself.Sheranawayandjoinedafourth-classtouringtheatricalcompany.UnderthecircumstancesIthinkhermotherbehavedveryreasonably.ShesuggestedthatHestershouldgotoLondonandgotoRADAandstudyactingproperlyifshewantedtodoso.Butthatwasn’twhatHesterwantedtodo.Thisrunningawaytoactwasjustagesturereally.Shedidn’treallywanttotrainforthestage,ortotakeuptheprofessionseriously.Shejustwantedtoshowshecouldbeonherown.Anyway,theArgylesdidn’ttrytocoerceher.Theygaveheraquitehandsomeallowance.”
“Whichwasverycleverofthem,”saidMacMaster.
“Andthenshehadthissillyloveaffairwithamiddle-agedmemberofthecompany.Intheendsherealizedforherselfthathewasnogood.Mrs.ArgylecamealonganddealtwithhimandHestercamehome.”
“Havinglearntherlesson,astheyusedtosayinmyyoungdays,”saidMacMaster.“Butofcourseoneneverlikedlearningone’slessons.Hesterdidn’t.”
DonaldCraigwentonanxiously:
“Shewasfull,still,ofpent-upresentment;alltheworsebecauseshehadtoacknowledgesecretly,ifnotopenly,thathermotherhadbeenperfectlyright;thatshewasnogoodasanactressandthatthemanshehadlavishedheraffectionsonwasn’tworthit.Andthat,anyway,shedidn’treallycareforhim.‘Motherknowsbest.’It’salwaysgallingtotheyoung.”
“Yes,”saidMacMaster.“ThatwasoneofpoorMrs.Argyle’stroubles,thoughshe’dneverhavethoughtofitlikethat.Thefactwasshewasnearlyalwaysright,thatshedidknowbest.Ifshe’dbeenoneofthosewomenwhorunintodebt,losetheirkeys,misstrains,anddofoolishactionsthatotherpeoplehavetohelpthemoutof,herentirefamilywouldhavebeenmuchfonderofher.Sadandcruel,butthere’slifeforyou.Andshewasn’tacleverenoughwomantogetherownwaybyguile.Shewascomplacent,youknow.Pleasedwithherownpowerandjudgmentandquitequitesureofherself.That’saverydifficultthingtocomeupagainstwhenyou’reyoung.”
“Oh,Iknow,”saidDonaldCraig.“Irealizeallthat.It’sbecauseIrealizeitsowellthatIfeel—thatIwonder—”Hestopped.
MacMastersaidgently:
“I’dbettersayitforyou,hadn’tI,Don?You’reafraidthatitwasyourHesterwhoheardthequarrelbetweenhermotherandJacko,whogotworkedupbyhearingit,perhaps,andwho,inafitofrebellionagainstauthority,andagainsthermother’ssuperiorassumptionofomniscience,wentintothatroom,pickedupthepokerandkilledher.That’swhatyou’reafraidof,isn’tit?”
Theyoungmannoddedmiserably.
“Notreally.Idon’tbelieveit,but—butIfeel—Ifeelthatitcouldhavehappened.Idon’tfeelHesterhasgotthepoise,thebalanceto—Ifeelshe’syoungforherage,uncertainofherself,liabletohavebrainstorms.IlookatthathouseholdandIdon’tfeelthatanyofthemarelikelytohavedonesuchathinguntilIcometoHester.Andthen—thenI’mnotsure.”
“Isee,”saidDr.MacMaster.“Yes,Isee.”
“Idon’treallyblameher,”saidDonCraigquickly.“Idon’tthinkthepoorchildreallyknewwhatshewasdoing.Ican’tcallitmurder.Itwasjustanactofemotionaldefiance,ofrebellion,ofalongingtobefree,oftheconvictionthatshewouldneverbefreeuntil—untilhermotherwasn’tthereanylonger.”
“Andthatlastisprobablytrueenough,”saidMacMaster.“It’stheonlykindofmotivethereis,andit’sratherapeculiarone.Notthekindthatlooksstrongintheeyesofthelaw.Wishingtobefree.Freefromtheimpactofastrongerpersonality.JustbecausenoneoftheminheritsalargesumofmoneyonthedeathofMrs.Argylethelawwon’tconsiderthattheyhadamotive.Buteventhefinancialcontrol,Ishouldimagine,wasverylargelyinMrs.Argyle’shandsthroughherinfluencewiththeTrustees.Ohyes,herdeathsetthemfreeallright.NotonlyHester,myboy.ItsetLeofreetomarryanotherwoman.ItsetMaryfreetolookafterherhusbandinthewaysheliked,itsetMickyfreetolivehisownlifeinthewayhecaredaboutlivingit.EvenlittledarkhorseTinasittinginherlibrarymayhavewantedfreedom.”
“Ihadtocomeandtalktoyou,”saidDonald.“Ihadtoknowwhatyouthought,whetheryouthoughtthat—thatitcouldbetrue.”
“AboutHester?”
“Yes.”
“Ithinkitcouldbetrue,”saidMacMasterslowly.“Idon’tknowthatitis.”
“YouthinkitcouldhavehappenedjustasIsay?”
“Yes.Ithinkwhatyou’veimaginedisnotfar-fetchedandhasanelementofprobabilityaboutit.Butit’sbynomeanscertain,Donald.”
Theyoungmangaveashudderingsigh.
“Butit’sgottobecertain,Mac.That’stheonethingIdofeelisnecessary.I’vegottoknow.IfHestertellsme,ifshetellsmeherself,then—thenitwillbeallright.We’llgetmarriedassoonaspossible.I’lllookafterher.”
“It’saswellSuperintendentHuishcan’thearyou,”saidMacMasterdryly.
“I’malaw-abidingcitizenasarule,”saidDonald,“butyouknowverywellyourself,Mac,howtheytreatpsychologicalevidenceinthelawcourts.Inmyviewitwasabadaccident,notacaseofcold-bloodedmurder,orevenhot-bloodedmurderforthatmatter.”
“You’reinlovewiththegirl,”saidMacMaster.
“I’mtalkingtoyouinconfidence,mind.”
“Iunderstandthat,”saidMacMaster.
“AllI’msayingisthatifHestertellsme,andIknow,we’llliveitdowntogether.Butshemusttellme.Ican’tgothroughlifenotknowing.”
“Youmean,you’renotpreparedtomarryherwiththisprobabilityovershadowingthings?”
“Wouldyouwanttoinmyplace?”
“Idon’tknow.Inmyday,ifithappenedtome,andIwasinlovewiththegirl,Ishouldprobablybeconvincedshewasinnocent.”
“It’snotsomuchtheguiltorinnocencethatmatters,asthatI’vegottoknow.”
“Andifshedidkillhermother,you’requitepreparedtomarryherandlivehappilyeverafterwards,astheysay?”
“Yes.”
“Don’tyoubelieveit!”saidMacMaster.“You’llbewonderingifthebittertasteinyourcoffeeisonlycoffeeandthinkingthatthepokerinthegrateisabittooheftyasize.Andshe’llseeyouthinkingit.Itwon’tdo….”
Ten
“I’msure,Marshall,thatyou’llappreciatemyreasonsforaskingyoutocomehereandhavethisconference.”
“Yes,certainly,”saidMr.Marshall.“Thefactisthatifyouhadnotproposedit,Mr.Argyle,Ishouldmyselfhavesuggestedcomingdown.TheannouncementwasinallthemorningpapersthismorningandthereisnodoubtatallthatitwillleadtoarevivalofinterestinthecaseonthepartofthePress.”
“We’vealreadyhadafewofthemringingupandaskingforinterviews,”saidMaryDurrant.
“Quiteso,itwasonlytobeexpected,Ifeel.Ishouldadvisethatyoutakeupthepositionthatyouhavenocommenttomake.Naturallyyouaredelightedandthankful,butyouprefernottodiscussthematter.”
“SuperintendentHuish,whowasinchargeofthecaseatthetime,hasaskedtocomeandhaveaninterviewwithustomorrowmorning,”saidLeo.
“Yes.Yes,I’mafraidtherewillhavetobeacertainamountofreopeningofthecase,thoughIreallycannotthinkthatthepolicecanhavemuchhopeofarrivingatanytangibleresult.Afterall,twoyearshavepassedandanythingthatpeoplemighthaverememberedatthetime—peopleinthevillage,Imean—willbynowhavebeenforgotten.Apity,ofcourse,insomeways,butitcan’tbehelped.”
“Thewholethingseemsquiteclear,”saidMaryDurrant.“ThehousewassecurelylockedupagainstburglarsbutifanyonehadcomeappealingtomymotheroversomespecialcaseorpretendingtobeafriendorfriendsofhersIhavenodoubtthatpersonwouldhavebeenadmitted.That,Ithink,iswhatmusthavehappened.Myfatherherethoughtheheardaringatthebelljustafterseveno’clock.”
MarshallturnedhisheadenquiringlytoLeo.
“Yes,IthinkIdidsayso,”saidLeo.“Ofcourse,Ican’trememberveryclearlynow,butatthetimeIwasundertheimpressionthatIheardthebell.IwasreadytogodownandthenIthoughtIheardthedooropenandclose.Therewasnosoundofvoicesoranyquestionofanyoneforcinganentryorbehavingabusively.ThatIthinkIshouldhaveheard.”
“Quiteso,quiteso,”saidMr.Marshall.“Yes,Ithinkthere’snodoubtthatthatiswhatmusthavehappened.Alas,weknowonlytoowellthelargenumberofunprincipledpersonsgainingadmissiontoahousebyaplausibletaleofdistress,andwhohavinggainedadmissionarewillingtocoshthehouseholderandmakeoffwithwhatmoneytheycanfind.Yes,Ithinkthatwemustassumenowthatthatiswhatdidhappen.”
Hespokeintoopersuasiveavoice.Helookedroundthelittleassemblyashespoke,notingthemcarefully,andlabellingtheminhismeticulousmind.MaryDurrant,good-looking,unimaginative,untroubled,evenslightlyaloof,apparentlyquitesureofherself.Behindherinhiswheelchair,herhusband.Anintelligentfellow,PhilipDurrant,Marshallthoughttohimself.Amanwhomighthavedoneagooddealandgonefarhaditnotbeenforhisunreliablejudgmentinallmattersofbusiness.Hewasnot,Marshallthought,takingallthisascalmlyashiswifewas.Hiseyeswerealertandthoughtful.Herealized,nonebetter,theimplicationsofthewholematter.Ofcourse,though,MaryDurrantmightnotbeascalmassheappearedtobe.Bothasagirlandawoman,shehadalwaysbeenabletoconcealherfeelings.
AsPhilipDurrantmovedslightlyinhischair,hisbright,intelligenteyeswatchingthelawyerwithafaintmockeryinthem,Maryturnedherheadsharply.Thecompleteadorationofthelookshegaveherhusbandalmoststartledthelawyer.Hehadknown,ofcourse,thatMaryDurrantwasadevotedwife,buthehadsolongconsideredherasacalm,ratherpassionlesscreaturewithoutstrongaffectionsordislikesthathewassurprisedatthissuddenrevelation.Sothatwashowshefeltaboutthefellow,wasit?AsforPhilipDurrant,heseemeduneasy.Apprehensive,Marshallthought,aboutthefuture.Aswellhemightbe!
OppositethelawyersatMicky.Young,handsome,bitter.Whyhadhegottobesobitter,Marshallthoughtparenthetically?Hadn’teverythingbeendoneforhimalways?Whydidhehavetohavethislookofonewhowasperpetuallyagainsttheworld.BesidehimsatTinalookingratherlikeasmallelegantblackcat.Verydark,soft-voiced,bigdarkeyesandarathersinuousgraceofmovement.Quiet,yetperhapsemotionalbehindthequietness?MarshallreallyknewverylittleaboutTina.ShehadtakenuptheworksuggestedtoherbyMrs.Argyle,asalibrarianintheCountyLibrary.ShehadaflatinRedmynandcamehomeatweekends.Apparentlyadocileandcontentedmemberofthefamily.Butwhoknew?Anyway,shewasoutofitoroughttobe.Shehadnotbeenherethatevening.Though,forallthat,Redmynwasonlytwenty-fivemilesaway.StillpresumablyTinaandMickyhadbeenoutofit.
MarshallsweptaquickglanceoverKirstenLindstrom,whowaswatchinghimwithatouchofbelligerenceinhermanner.Supposing,hethought,itwasshewhohadgoneberserkandattackedheremployer?Itwouldn’treallysurprisehim.Nothingreallysurprisedyouwhenyou’dbeeninthelawanumberofyears.They’dhaveawordforitinthemodernjargon.Repressedspinster.Envious,jealous,nursinggrievancesrealorfancied.Ohyes,theyhadawordforit.Andhowveryconvenientitwouldbe,thoughtMr.Marshallratherimproperly.Yes,veryconvenient.Aforeigner.Notoneofthefamily.ButwouldKirstenLindstromhavedeliberatelyframedJacko;haveheardthequarrelandtakenadvantageofit?Thatwasagreatdealmoredifficulttobelieve.ForKirstenLindstromadoredJacko.Shehadalwaysbeendevotedtoallthechildren.No,hecouldnotbelievethatofher.Apitybecause—butreallyhemustnotlethisthoughtsgoalongthatline.
HisglancewentontoLeoArgyleandGwendaVaughan.Theirengagementhadnotbeenannounced,whichwasjustaswell.Awisedecision.Hehadactuallywrittenandhintedasmuch.Ofcourseitwasprobablyanopensecretlocallyandnodoubtthepolicewereontoit.Fromthepointofviewofthepoliceitwastherightkindofanswer.Innumerableprecedents.Husband,wife,andtheotherwoman.Only,somehoworother,MarshallcouldnotbelievethatLeoArgylehadattackedhiswife.No,hereallycouldn’tbelieveit.Afterall,hehadknownLeoArgyleforanumberofyearsandhehadthehighestopinionofhim.Anintellectual.Amanofwarmsympathies,deepreadingandanaloofphilosophicaloutlookuponlife.Notthesortofmantomurderhiswifewithapoker.Ofcourse,atacertainage,whenamanfellinlove—butno!Thatwasnewspaperstuff.Pleasantreading,apparently,forSundaysallovertheBritishIsles!Butreally,onecouldnotimagineLeo….
Whataboutthewoman?Hedidn’tknowsomuchaboutGwendaVaughan.Heobservedthefulllipsandtheripefigure.ShewasinlovewithLeoallright.Ohyes,probablybeeninlovewithhimforalongtime.Whataboutadivorce,hewondered.WhatwouldMrs.Argylehavefeltaboutdivorce?Reallyhehadnoidea,buthedidn’tthinktheideawouldappealtoLeoArgyle,whowasoneoftheold-fashionedtype.Hedidn’tthinkthatGwendaVaughanwasLeoArgyle’smistress,whichmadeitallthemoreprobablethatifGwendaVaughanhadseenachancetoeliminateMrs.Argylewiththecertaintythatnosuspicionwouldattachtoher—hepausedbeforecontinuingthethought.WouldshehavesacrificedJackowithoutaqualm?Hedidn’treallythinkshehadeverbeenveryfondofJacko.Jacko’scharmhadnotappealedtoher.Andwomen—Mr.Marshallknewonlytoowell—wereruthless.Soonecouldn’truleoutGwendaVaughan.Itwasverydoubtfulafterthistimeifthepolicewouldevergetanyevidence.Hedidn’tseewhatevidencetherecouldbeagainsther.Shehadbeeninthehousethatday,shehadbeenwithLeoinhislibrary,shehadsaidgoodnighttohimandlefthimandgonedownthestairs.TherewasnoonewhocouldsaywhetherornotshehadgoneasideintoMrs.Argyle’ssittingroom,pickedupthatpokerandwalkedupbehindtheunsuspectingwomanasshebentoverpapersonthedesk.Andthenafterwards,Mrs.Argylehavingbeenstruckdownwithoutacry,allGwendaVaughanhadtodowastothrowdownthepokerandletherselfoutofthefrontdoorandgohome,justasshealwaysdid.Hecouldn’tseeanypossibilityofthepoliceoranyoneelsefindingoutifthatwaswhatshehaddone.
HiseyeswentontoHester.Aprettychild.No,notpretty,beautifulreally.Beautifulinaratherstrangeanduncomfortableway.He’dliketoknowwhoherparentshadbeen.Somethinglawlessandwildabouther.Yes,onecouldalmostusetheworddesperateinconnectionwithher.Whathadshehadtobedesperateabout?She’drunawayinasillywaytogoonthestageandhadhadasillyaffairwithanundesirableman;thenshehadseenreason,comehomewithMrs.Argyleandsettleddownagain.Allthesame,youcouldn’treallyruleoutHester,becauseyoudidn’tknowhowhermindworked.Youdidn’tknowwhatastrangemomentofdesperationmightdotoher.Butthepolicewouldn’tknoweither.
Infact,thoughtMr.Marshall,itseemedveryunlikelythatthepolice,eveniftheymadeuptheirownmindsastowhowasresponsible,couldreallydoanythingaboutit.Sothatonthewholethepositionwassatisfactory.Satisfactory?Hegavealittlestartasheconsideredtheword.Butwasit?Wasstalematereallyasatisfactoryoutcometothewholething?DidtheArgylesknowthetruththemselves,hewondered.Hedecidedagainstthat.Theydidn’tknow.Apart,ofcourse,fromonepersonamongstthemwhopresumablyknewonlytoowell…No,theydidn’tknow,butdidtheysuspect?Well,iftheydidn’tsuspectnow,theysoonwould,becauseifyoudidn’tknowyoucouldn’thelpwondering,tryingtorememberthings…Uncomfortable.Yes,yes,averyuncomfortableposition.
Allthesethoughtshadnottakenverymuchtime.Mr.MarshallcameoutofhislittlereverietoseeMicky’seyesfixedonhimwithamockinggleaminthem.
“Sothat’syourverdict,isit,Mr.Marshall?”Mickysaid.“Theoutsider,theunknownintruder,thebadcharacterwhomurders,robsandgetsawaywithit?”
“Itseems,”saidMr.Marshall,“asthoughthatiswhatwewillhavetoaccept.”
Mickythrewhimselfbackinhischairandlaughed.
“That’sourstory,andwe’regoingtosticktoit,eh?”
“Well,yes,Michael,thatiswhatIshouldadvise.”TherewasadistinctnoteofwarninginMr.Marshall’svoice.
Mickynoddedhishead.
“Isee,”hesaid.“That’swhatyouadvise.Yes.Yes,Idaresayyou’requiteright.Butyoudon’tbelieveit,doyou?”
Mr.Marshallgavehimaverycoldlook.Thatwasthetroublewithpeoplewhohadnolegalsenseofdiscretion.Theyinistedonsayingthingswhichweremuchbetternotsaid.
“Forwhatitisworth,”hesaid,“thatismyopinion.”
Thefinalityofhistoneheldaworldofreproof.Mickylookedroundthetable
“Whatdoweallthink?”heaskedgenerally.“Eh,Tina,mylove,lookingdownyournoseinyourquietway,haven’tyouanyideas?Anyunauthorizedversions,sotospeak?Andyou,Mary?Youhaven’tsaidmuch.”
“OfcourseIagreewithMr.Marshall,”saidMaryrathersharply.“Whatothersolutioncantherebe?”
“Philipdoesn’tagreewithyou,”saidMicky.
Maryturnedherheadsharplytolookatherhusband.PhilipDurrantsaidquietly:
“You’dbetterholdyourtongue,Micky.Nogoodevercameoftalkingtoomuchwhenyou’reinatightplace.Andweareinatightplace.”
“Sonobody’sgoingtohaveanyopinions,arethey?”saidMicky.“Allright.Sobeit.Butlet’sallthinkaboutitabitwhenwegouptobedtonight.Itmightbeadvisable,youknow.Afterall,onewantstoknowwhereoneis,sotospeak.Don’tyouknowathingortwo,Kirsty?Youusuallydo.AsfarasIremember,youalwaysknewwhatwasgoingon,thoughIwillsayforyou,younevertold.”
KirstenLindstromsaid,notwithoutdignity:
“Ithink,Micky,thatyoushouldholdyourtongue.Mr.Marshallisright.Toomuchtalkingisunwise.”
“Wemightputittothevote,”saidMicky.“Orwriteanameonapieceofpaperandthrowitintoahat.Thatwouldbeinteresting,wouldn’tit;toseewhogotthevotes?”
ThistimeKirstenLindstrom’svoicewaslouder.
“Bequiet,”shesaid.“Donotbeasilly,recklesslittleboyasyouusedtobe.Youaregrownupnow.”
“Ionlysaidlet’sthinkaboutit,”saidMicky,takenaback.
Weshallthinkaboutit,”saidKirstenLindstrom.
Andhervoicewasbitter.
Eleven
I
NightsettleddownonSunnyPoint.
Shelteredbyitswalls,sevenpeopleretiredtorest,butnoneofthemsleptwell….
II
PhilipDurrant,sincehisillnessandhislossofbodilyactivity,hadfoundmoreandmoresolaceinmentalactivity.Alwaysahighlyintelligentman,henowbecameconsciousoftheresourcesopeningouttohimthroughthemediumofintelligence.Heamusedhimselfsometimesbyforecastingthereactionsofthosearoundhimtosuitablestimuli.Whathesaidanddidwasoftennotanaturaloutpouring,butacalculatedone,motivatedsimplyandsolelytoobservetheresponsetoit.Itwasakindofgamethatheplayed;whenhegottheanticipatedresponse,hechalkedup,asitwere,amarktohimself.
Asaresultofthispastimehefoundhimself,forperhapsthefirsttimeinhislife,keenlyobservantofthedifferencesandrealitiesofhumanpersonality
Humanpersonalitiesassuchhadnotpreviouslyinterestedhimverymuch.Helikedordisliked,wasamusedorboredby,thepeoplewhosurroundedhimorwhomhemet.Hehadalwaysbeenamanofaction,andnotamanofthought.Hisimagination,whichwasconsiderable,hadbeenexercisedindevisingvariousschemesformakingmoney.Alltheseschemeshadasoundcore;butacompletelackofbusinessabilityalwaysresultedintheircomingtonothing.People,assuch,haduptillnowonlybeenconsideredbyhimaspawnsinthegame.Now,sincehisillnesscuthimofffromhisformeractivelife,hewasforcedtotakeaccountofwhatpeoplethemselveswerelike.
Ithadstartedinthehospitalwhenthelovelivesofthenurses,thesecretwarfareandthepettygrievancesofhospitallifehadbeenforcedonhisattentionsincetherewasnothingelsetooccupyit.Andnowitwasfastbecomingahabitwithhim.People—reallythatwasallthatlifeheldforhimnow.Justpeople.Peopletostudy,tofindoutabout,tosumup.Decideforhimselfwhatmadethemtickandfindoutifhewasright.Really,itcouldallbeveryinteresting….
Onlythisveryevening,sittinginthelibrary,hehadrealizedhowlittlehereallyknewabouthiswife’sfamily.Whatweretheyreallylike?Whatweretheylikeinside,thatis,nottheirouterappearancewhichheknewwellenough.
Odd,howlittleyouknewaboutpeople.Evenyourownwife?
HehadlookedthoughtfullyoveratMary.HowmuchdidhereallyknowaboutMary?
Hehadfalleninlovewithherbecausehelikedhergoodlooksandhercalm,seriousways.Also,shehadhadmoneyandthatmatteredtohimtoo.Hewouldhavethoughttwiceaboutmarryingapennilessgirl.IthadallbeenmostsuitableandhehadmarriedherandteasedherandcalledherPollyandhadenjoyedthedoubtfullookshegavehimwhenhemadejokesshecouldnotsee.Butwhat,really,didheknowabouther?Ofwhatshethoughtandfelt?Heknew,certainly,thatshelovedhimwithadeepandpassionatedevotion.Andatthethoughtofthatdevotionhestirredalittleuneasily,twistinghisshouldersasthoughtoeasethemofaburden.Devotionwasallverywellwhenyoucouldgetawayfromitfornineortenhoursoftheday.Itwasanicethingtocomehometo.Butnowhewaslappedroundwithit;watchedover,caredfor,cherished.Itmadeoneyearnforalittlewholesomeneglect…Onehad,infact,tofindwaystoescape.Mentalways—sincenoneotherwerepossible.Onehadtoescapetorealmsoffancyorspeculation.
Speculation.Astowhowasresponsibleforhismother-in-law’sdeath,forinstance.Hehaddislikedhismother-in-law,andshehaddislikedhim.ShehadnotwantedMarytomarryhim(wouldshehavewantedMarytomarryanybody?hewondered),butshehadnotbeenabletopreventit.HeandMaryhadstartedlifehappyandindependent—andthenthings
Ohwell,ithadn’tbeennecessarytolivepermanentlyatSunnyPoint.Mrs.Argylehadbeenkilled.TheTrusteeshadraisedtheallowancemadetoMaryundertheTrustandtheyhadsetupontheirownagain.
Hehadn’tfeltanyparticulargriefoverMrs.Argyle’sdeath.Pleasanter,ofcourse,ifshehaddiedofpneumoniaorsomethinglikethat,inherbed.Murderwasanastybusinesswithitsnotorietyanditsscreamingheadlines.Still,asmurdersgo,ithadbeenquiteasatisfactorymurder—theperpetratorobviouslyhavingascrewlooseinawaythatcouldbeservedupdecentlyinalotofpsychologicaljargon.NotMary’sownbrother.Oneofthose“adoptedchildren”withabadhereditywhosooftengowrong.Butthingsweren’tquitesogoodnow.TomorrowSuperintendentHuishwascomingtoaskquestionsinhisgentleWestCountryvoice.Oneought,perhaps,tothinkabouttheanswers….
Marywasbrushingherlongfairhairinfrontofthemirror.Somethingabouthercalmremotenessirritatedhim.
Hesaid:“Gotyourstorypatfortomorrow,Polly?”
Sheturnedastonishedeyesuponhim.
“SuperintendentHuishiscoming.He’llaskyoualloveragainjustwhatyourmovementswereontheeveningofNovember9th.”
“Oh,Isee.It’ssolongagonow.Onecanhardlyremember.”
“Buthecan,Polly.That’sthepoint.Hecan.It’sallwrittendownsomewhereinanicelittlepolicenotebook.”
“Isit?Dotheykeepthesethings?”
“Probablykeepeverythingintriplicatefortenyears!Well,yourmovementsareverysimple,Polly.Thereweren’tany.Youwereherewithmeinthisroom.AndifIwereyouIshouldn’tmentionthatyouleftitbetweensevenandseven-thirty.”
“Butthatwasonlytogotothebathroom.Afterall,”saidMaryreasonably,“everyonehastogotothebathroom.”
“Youdidn’tmentionthefacttohimatthetime.Idorememberthat.”
“IsupposeIforgotaboutit.”
“Ithoughtitmighthavebeenaninstinctofself-preservation…Anyway,Irememberbackingyouup.Weweretogetherhere,playingpicquetfromsix-thirtyuntilKirstygavethealarm.That’sourstoryandwe’restickingtoit.”
“Verywell,darling.”Heragreementwasplacid—uninterested.
Hethought:“Hasshenoimagination?Can’tsheforeseethatwe’reinforastickytime?”
Heleanedforward.
“It’sinteresting,youknow…Aren’tyouinterestedinwhokilledher?Weallknow—Mickywasquiterightthere—thatit’soneofus.Aren’tyouinterestedtoknowwhich?”
“Itwasn’tyouorI,”saidMary.
“Andthat’sallthatinterestsyou?Polly,you’rewonderful!”
Sheflushedslightly.
“Idon’tseewhat’ssooddaboutthat?”
“No,Icanseeyoudon’t…Well,I’mdifferent.I’mcurious.”
“Idon’tsupposeweevershallknow.Idon’tsupposethepolicewilleverknow.”
“Perhapsnot.They’llcertainlyhavepreciouslittletogoupon.Butwe’reinratheradifferentpositiontothepolice.”
“Whatdoyoumean,Philip?”
“Well,we’vegotafewbitsofinsideknowledge.Weknowourlittlelotfrominside—haveafairlygoodideaofwhatmakesthemtick.Youshouldhave,anyway.You’vegrownupwiththemall.Let’shearyourviews.Whodoyouthinkitwas?”
“I’venoidea,Philip.”
“Thenjustmakeaguess.”
Marysaidsharply:
“I’drathernotknowwhodidit.I’drathernoteventhinkaboutit.”
“Ostrich,”saidherhusband.
“Honestly,Idon’tseethepointof—guessing.It’smuchbetternottoknow.Thenwecanallgoonasusual.”
“Ohno,wecan’t,”saidPhilip.“That’swhereyou’rewrong,mygirl.Therot’ssetinalready.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,takeHesterandheryoungman—earnestyoungDoctorDonald.Nicechap,serious,worried.Hedoesn’treallythinkshedidit—buthe’snotreallysureshedidn’tdoit!Andsohelooksather,anxiously,whenhethinkssheisn’tnoticing.Butshenoticesallright.Sothereyouare!Perhapsshediddoit—you’dknowbetterthanIwould—butifshedidn’t,whatthehellcanshedoaboutheryoungman?Keeponsaying:‘Please,itwasn’tme?’Butthat’swhatshe’dsayanyway.”
“Really,Philip.Ithinkyou’reimaginingthings.”
“Youcan’timagineatall,Polly.ThentakepooroldLeo.MarriagebellswithGwendaarerecedingintothedistance.Thegirl’shorriblyupsetaboutit.Haven’tyounoticed?”
“Ireallydon’tseewhatFatherwantstomarryagainforathisage.”
“Heseesallright!ButhealsoseesthatanyhintofaloveaffairwithGwendagivesbothofthemafirst-classmotiveformurder.Awkward!”
“It’sfantastictothinkforamomentthatFathermurderedMother!”saidMary.“Suchthingsdon’thappen.”
“Yes,theydo.Readthepapers.”
“Notoursortofpeople.”
“Murderisnosnob,Polly.Thenthere’sMicky.Something’seatinghimallright.He’saqueer,bitterlad.Tinaseemsintheclear,unworried,unaffected.Butshe’salittlepokerfaceifevertherewasone.Thenthere’spooroldKirsty—”
AfaintanimationcameintoMary’sface.
“Nowthatmightbeasolution!”
“Kirsty?”
“Yes.Afterall,she’saforeigner.AndIbelieveshe’shadverybadheadachesthelastyearortwo…Itseemsmuchmorelikelythatsheshouldhavedoneitthananyofus.”
“Poordevil,”saidPhilip.“Don’tyouseethatthat’sjustwhatsheissayingtoherself?Thatwe’llallagreetogetherthatshe’stheone?Forconvenience.Becauseshe’snotamemberofthefamily.Didn’tyouseetonightthatshewasworriedstiff?Andshe’sinthesamepositionasHester.Whatcanshesayordo?Saytousall:‘Ididnotkillmyfriendandemployer?’Whatweightcanthatstatementcarry?It’sworsehellforher,perhaps,thanforanyoneelse…Becauseshe’salone.She’llbegoingoverinhermindeverywordshe’seversaid,everyangrylooksheevergaveyourmother—thinkingthatitwillberememberedagainsther.Helplesstoproveherinnocence.”
“Iwishyou’dcalmdown,Phil.Afterall,whatcanwedoaboutit?”
“Onlytrytofindoutthetruth.”
“Buthowisthatpossible?”
“Theremightbeways.I’dratherliketotry.”
Marylookeduneasy.
“Whatsortofways?”
“Oh,sayingthings—watchinghowpeoplereact—onecouldthinkupthings”—hepaused,hismindworking—“thingsthatwouldmeansomethingtoaguiltyperson,butnottoaninnocentone…”Againhewassilent,turningideasoverinhismind.Helookedupandsaid:“Don’tyouwanttohelptheinnocent,Mary?”
“No.”Thewordcameoutexplosively.Shecameovertohimandkneltbyhischair.“Idon’twantyoutomixyourselfupinallthis,Phil.Don’tstartsayingthingsandlayingtraps.Leaveitallalone.Oh,forGod’ssake,leaveitalone!”
Philip’seyebrowsrose.
“We-ell,”hesaid.Andhelaidahandonthesmoothgoldenhead.
III
MichaelArgylelaysleepless,staringintodarkness.
Hismindwentroundandroundlikeasquirrelinacage,goingoverthepast.Whycouldn’theleaveitbehindhim?Whydidhehavetodragthepastwithhimallthroughhislife?Whatdiditallmatteranyway?WhydidhehavetoremembersoclearlythefrowstycheerfulroomintheLondonslum,andhe“ourMicky.”Thecasualexcitingatmosphere!Funinthestreets!Ganginguponotherboys!Hismotherwithherbrightgoldenhead(cheaprinse,hethought,inhisadultwisdom),hersuddenfurieswhenshewouldturnandlambasthim(gin,ofcourse!)andthewildgaietyshehadwhenshewasinagoodmood.Lovelysuppersoffishandchips,andshe’dsingsongs—sentimentalballads.Sometimesthey’dgotothepictures.TherewerealwaystheUncles,ofcourse—that’swhathealwayshadtocallthem.Hisowndadhadwalkedoutbeforehecouldrememberhim…Buthismotherwouldn’tstandfortheUncleofthedaylayingahandonhim.“YouleaveourMickyalone,”she’dsay.
Andthentherehadcometheexcitementofthewar.ExpectingHitler’sbombers—abortivesirens.MoaningMinnies.GoingdownintotheTubesandspendingthenightsthere.Thefunofit!Thewholestreetwastherewiththeirsandwichesandtheirbottlesofpop.Andtrainsrushingthroughpracticallyallnight.Thathadbeenlife,thathad!Inthethickofthings!
Andthenhe’dcomedownhere—tothecountry.Adeadandaliveplacewherenothingeverhappened!
“You’llcomeback,love,whenit’sallover,”hismotherhadsaid,butlightlyasthoughitwasn’treallytrue.Shehadn’tseemedtocareabouthisgoing.Andwhydidn’tshecometoo?LotsofthekidsinthestreethadbeenevacuatedwiththeirMums.Buthismotherhadn’twantedtogo.ShewasgoingtotheNorth(withthecurrentUncle,UncleHarry!)toworkinmunitions.
Hemusthaveknownthen,inspiteofheraffectionatefarewell.Shedidn’treallycare…Gin,hethought,thatwasallshecaredfor,ginandtheUncles…
Andhe’dbeenhere,captured,aprisoner,eatingtasteless,unfamiliarmeals;goingtobed,incredibly,atsixo’clock,afterasillysupperofmilkandbiscuits(milkandbiscuits!),lyingawake,crying,hisheadpusheddownundertheblankets,cryingforMomandhome.
Itwasthatwoman!She’dgothimandshewouldn’tlethimgo.Alotofsloppytalk.Alwaysmakinghimplaysillygames.Wantingsomethingfromhim.Somethingthathewasdeterminednottogive.Nevermind.He’dwait.He’dbepatient!Andoneday—onegloriousday,he’dgohome.Hometothestreets,andtheboys,andthegloriousredbusesandtheTube,andfishandchips,andthetrafficandtheareacats—hismindwentlonginglyoverthecatalogueofdelights.Hemustwait.Thewarcouldn’tgoonforever.HerehewasstuckinthissillyplacewithbombsfallingalloverLondonandhalfLondononfire—coo!Whatablazeitmustmake,andpeoplebeingkilledandhousescrashingdown.
Hesawitinhismindallinglorioustechnicolour.
Nevermind.Whenthewarwasoverhe’dgobacktoMom.She’dbesurprisedtoseehowhe’dgrown.
IV
InthedarknessMickyArgyleexpelledhisbreathinalonghiss.
Thewarwasover.They’dlickedHitlerandMusso…Someofthechildrenweregoingback.Soon,now…AndthenShehadcomebackfromLondonandhadsaidthathewasgoingtostayatSunnyPointandbeherownlittleboy….
Hehadsaid:“Where’smyMom?Didabombgether?”
Ifshehadbeenkilledbyabomb—well,thatwouldbenottoobad.Ithappenedtoboys’mothers.
ButMrs.Argylesaid“No,”shehadn’tbeenkilled.Butshehadsomeratherdifficultworktodoandcouldn’tlookafterachildverywell—thatsortofthing,anywaysoftsoap,meaningnothing…HisMomdidn’tlovehim,didn’twanthimback—he’dgottostayhere,forever….
He’dsneakedroundafterthat,tryingtooverhearconversations,andatlasthedidhearsomething,justafragmentbetweenMrs.Argyleandherhusband.“Onlytoopleasedtogetridofhim—absolutelyindifferent”—andsomethingaboutahundredpounds.Sothenheknew—hismotherhadsoldhimforahundredpounds….
Thehumiliation—thepain—he’dnevergotoverit…AndShehadboughthim!Hesawher,vaguely,asembodiedPower,someoneagainstwhomhe,inhispunystrength,washelpless.Buthe’dgrowup,he’dbestrongoneday,aman.Andthenhe’dkillher….
Hefeltbetteroncehe’dmadethatresolution.
Later,whenhewentawaytoschool,thingswerenotsobad.Buthehatedtheholidays—becauseofHer.Arrangingeverything,planning,givinghimallsortsofpresents.Lookingpuzzled,becausehewassoundemonstrative.Hehatedbeingkissedbyher…Andlaterstill,he’dtakenapleasureinthwartinghersillyplansforhim.Goingintoabank!Anoilcompany.Nothe.He’dgoandfindworkforhimself.
Itwaswhenhewasattheuniversitythathe’dtriedtotracehismother.She’dbeendeadforsomeyears,hediscovered—inacarcrashwithamanwho’dbeendrivingroaringdrunk….
Sowhynotforgetitall?Whynotjusthaveagoodtimeandgetonwithlife?Hedidn’tknowwhynot.
Andnow—whatwasgoingtohappennow?Shewasdead,wasn’tshe?Thinkingshe’dboughthimforamiserablehundredpounds.Thinkingshecouldbuyanything—housesandcars—andchildren,sinceshehadn’tanyofherown.ThinkingshewasGodAlmighty!
Well,shewasn’t.Justacrackontheheadwithapokerandshewasacorpselikeanyothercorpse!(likethegolden-hairedcorpseinacarsmashontheGreatNorthRoad….)
Shewasdead,wasn’tshe?Whyworry?
Whatwasthematterwithhim?Wasit—thathecouldn’thateheranymorebecauseshewasdead?
SothatwasDeath….
Hefeltlostwithouthishatred—lostandafraid.
Twelve
I
Inherspotlesslykeptbedroom,KirstenLindstromplaitedhergrizzledblondehairintotwounbecomingplaitsandpreparedforbed.
Shewasworriedandafraid.
Thepolicedidn’tlikeforeigners.ShehadbeeninEnglandsolongthatsheherselfdidnotfeelforeign.Butthepolicecouldnotknowthat.
ThatDr.Calgary—whydidhehavetocomeanddothistoher?
Justicehadbeendone.ShethoughtofJacko—andrepeatedtoherselfthatjusticehadbeendone.
Shethoughtofhimasshehadknownhimfromasmallboy.
Always,yes,always,aliarandacheat!Butsocharming,soengaging.Alwaysoneforgavehim.Alwaysonetriedtoshieldhimfrompunishment.
Heliedsowell.Thatwasthehorribletruth.Heliedsowellthatonebelievedhim—thatonecouldn’thelpbelievinghim.Wicked,cruelJacko.
Dr.Calgarymightthinkheknewwhathewastalkingabout!ButDr.Calgarywaswrong.Placesandtimesandalibisindeed!Jackocouldarrangethingsofthatkindeasilyenough.NobodyreallyknewJackoasshehadknownhim.
WouldanybodybelieveherifshetoldthemjustexactlywhatJackowaslike?Andnow—tomorrow,whatwasgoingtohappen?Thepolicewouldcome.Andeveryonesounhappy,sosuspicious.Lookingateachother…Notsurewhattobelieve
Andshelovedthemallsomuch…somuch.Sheknewmoreaboutthemallthananyoneelsecouldknow.FarmorethanMrs.Argylehadeverknown.ForMrs.Argylehadbeenblindedbyherintensematernalpossessiveness.Theywereherchildren—shesawthemalwaysasbelongingtoher.ButKirstenhadseenthemasindividuals—asthemselves—withalltheirfaultsandvirtues.Ifshehadhadchildrenofherown,shemighthavefeltpossessiveaboutthem,shesupposed.Butshewasnotpre-eminentlyamaternalwoman.Herprincipallovewouldhavebeenforthehusbandshehadneverhad.
WomenlikeMrs.Argyleweredifficultforhertounderstand.Crazyaboutalotofchildrenwhowerenotherown,andtreatingherhusbandasthoughhewerenotthere!Agoodman,too,afineman,nonebetter.Neglected,pushedaside.AndMrs.Argyletooself-absorbedtonoticewhatwashappeningunderhernose.Thatsecretary—agood-lookinggirlandeveryinchawoman.Well,itwasnottoolateforLeo—orwasittoolatenow?Now,withmurderraisingitsheadfromthegraveinwhichithadbeenlaid,wouldthosetwoeverdaretocometogether?
Kirstensighedunhappily.Whatwasgoingtohappentothemall?ToMicky,whohadbornethatdeep,almostpathologicalgrudgeagainsthisadoptedmother.ToHester,sounsureofherself,sowild.Hester,whohadbeenonthepointoffindingpeaceandsecuritywiththatnicestolidyoungdoctor.ToLeoandGwenda,whohadhadmotiveand,yes,ithadtobefaced,opportunity,astheybothmustrealize.ToTina,thatsleeklittlecatlikecreature.Toselfish,cold-heartedMary,whountilshehadmarriedhadnevershownaffectionforanybody.
Once,Kirstenthought,sheherselfhadbeenfullofaffectionforheremployer,fullofadmiration.Shecouldn’trememberexactlywhenshehadbeguntodislikeher,whenshehadbeguntojudgeherandfindingherwanting.Sosureofherself,benevolent,tyrannical—akindoflivingwalkingembodimentofmotherknowsbest.Andnotreallyevenamother!Ifshehadeverborneachild,itmighthavekeptherhumble.
ButwhygoonthinkingofRachelArgyle?RachelArgylewasdead.
Shehadtothinkofherself—andtheothers.
Andofwhatmighthappentomorrow.
II
MaryDurrantwokewithastart.
Shehadbeendreaming—dreamingthatshewasachild,backagaininNewYork.
Howodd.Shehadn’tthoughtofthosedaysforyears.
Itwasreallysurprisingthatshecouldrememberanythingatall.Howoldhadshebeen?Five?Six?
Shehaddreamedthatshewasbeingtakenhometothetenementfromthehotel.TheArgylesweresailingforEnglandandnottakingherwiththemafterall.Angerandragefilledherheartforamomentortwountiltherealizationcamethatithadonlybeenadream.
Howwonderfulithadbeen.Takenintothecar,goingupintheelevatorofthehoteltotheeighteenthfloor.Thebigsuite,thatwonderfulbathroom;therevelationofwhatthingstherewereintheworld—ifyouwererich!Ifshecouldstayhere,ifshecouldkeepallthis—forever….
Actually,therehadbeennodifficultyatall.Allthatwasneededwasashowofaffection;nevereasyforher,forshewasnotaffectionatebydisposition,butshehadmanagedit.Andthereshewas,establishedforlife!Arichfatherandmother,clothes,cars,ships,aeroplanes,servantstowaitonher,expensivedollsandtoys.Afairytalecometrue….
Apitythatallthoseotherchildrenhadhadtobethere,too.Thatwasthewar,ofcourse.Orwouldithavehappenedanyway?Thatinsatiablemotherlove!Reallysomethingunnaturalinit.Soanimal
Shehadalwaysfeltafaintcontemptforheradoptedmother.Stupidinanycasetochoosethechildrenshehadchosen.Theunder-privileged!CriminaltendencieslikeJacko’s.UnbalancedlikeHester.AsavagelikeMicky.AndTina,ahalf-caste!Nowondertheyhadallturnedoutbadly.Thoughshecouldn’treallyblamethemforrebelling.She,herself,hadrebelled.SherememberedhermeetingwithPhilip,adashingyoungpilot.Hermother’sdisapproval.“Thesehurriedmarriages.Waituntilthewarisover.”Butshehadn’twantedtowait.Shehadasstrongawillashermother’s,andherfatherhadbackedherup.Theyhadmarried,andthewarhadendedsoonafterwards.
ShehadwantedtohavePhilipalltoherself—togetawayoutofhermother’sshadow.ItwasFatethathaddefeatedher,nothermother.FirstthefailureofPhilip’sfinancialschemesandthenthathorrifyingblow—poliooftheparalytictype.AssoonasPhilipwasabletoleavehospitaltheyhadcometoSunnyPoint.Ithadseemedinevitablethattheywouldhavetomaketheirhomethere.Philiphimselfhadseemedtothinkitinevitable.HehadgonethroughallhismoneyandherallowancefromtheTrustwasnotsoverybig.Shehadaskedforalargerone,buttheanswerhadbeenthatperhapsforawhileitwouldbewisetoliveatSunnyPoint.ButshewantedPhiliptoherself,alltoherself,shedidn’twanthimtobethelastofRachelArgyle’s“children.”Shehadnotwantedachildofherown—sheonlywantedPhilip.
ButPhiliphimselfhadseemedquiteagreeabletotheideaofcomingtoSunnyPoint.
“Easierforyou,”hesaid.“Andpeoplealwayscomingandgoingtheremakesadistraction.Besides,Ialwaysfindyourfatherverygoodcompany.”
Whydidn’thewantonlytobewithherasshewantedonlytobewithhim?Whydidhecraveforothercompany—herfather’s,Hester’s?
AndMaryhadfeltawaveoffutileragesweepoverher.Hermother,asusual,wouldgetherownway.
Butshehadn’tgotherownway…shehaddied.
Andnowitwasgoingtobeallrakedupagain.Why,oh,why?
AndwhywasPhilipbeingsotryingaboutitall?Questioning,tryingtofindout,mixinghimselfupinwhatwasnoneofhisbusiness?
Layingtraps….
Whatkindoftraps?
III
LeoArgylewatchedthemorninglightfilltheroomslowlywithdimgreylight.
Hehadthoughtouteverythingverycarefully.
Itwasquitecleartohim—exactlywhattheywereupagainst,heandGwenda.
HelaylookingatthewholethingasSuperintendentHuishwouldlookatit.RachelcominginandtellingthemaboutJacko—hiswildnessandhisthreats.Gwendahadtactfullygoneintothenextroom,andhehadtriedtocomfortRachel,hadtoldhershewasquiterighttohavebeenfirm,thathelpingJackointhepasthaddonenogood—thatforbetter
AndthenGwendahadcomebackintotheroom,andgatheredupthelettersforthepostandhadaskediftherewasanythingthatshecoulddo,hervoicesayingmorethantheactualwords.Andhehadthankedherandsaidno.Andshehadsaidgoodnightandgoneoutoftheroom.AlongthepassageanddownthestairsandpasttheroomwhereRachelwassittingatherdeskandsooutofthehousewithnoonetowatchhergo….
Andhehimselfhadsatonaloneinthelibrary,andtherehadbeennobodytocheckwhetherheleftitandwentdowntoRachel’sroom.
Itwaslikethat—opportunityforeitherofthem.
Andmotive,becausealreadybythenhelovedGwendaandshelovedhim.
Andtherewasnobody,ever,whocouldprovetheguiltorinnocenceofeitherofthem.
IV
Aquarterofamileaway,Gwendalaydry-eyedandsleepless.
Herhandsclenched,shewasthinkinghowmuchshehadhatedRachelArgyle.
Andnowinthedarkness,RachelArgylewassaying:“YouthoughtyoucouldhavemyhusbandonceIwasdead.Butyoucan’t—youcan’t.Youwillneverhavemyhusband.”
V
Hesterwasdreaming.ShedreamtthatshewaswithDonaldCraigandthathehadlefthersuddenlyattheedgeofanabyss.Shehadcriedoutinfearandthen,ontheothersideofit,shesawthatArthurCalgarywasstandingholdingouthishandstoher.
Shecriedouttohimreproachfully.
“Whyhaveyoudonethistome?”andheanswered:
“ButI’vecometohelpyou….”
Shewokeup.
VI
Lyingquietlyinthesmallspare-roombed,Tinabreathedgentlyandregularly,butsleepdidnotcome.
ShethoughtofMrs.Argyle,withoutgratitudeandwithoutresentment—simplywithlove.BecauseofMrs.Argyleshehadhadfoodanddrinkandwarmthandtoysandcomfort.ShehadlovedMrs.Argyle.Shewassorryshewasdead….
Butitwasn’tquiteassimpleasthat.
Ithadn’tmatteredwhenitwasJacko…
Butnow?
Thirteen
SuperintendentHuishlookedroundonthemall,gentlyandpolitely.Histonewhenhespokewaspersuasiveandapologetic.
“Iknowitmustbeverypainfultoyouall,”hesaid,“tohavetogooverthewholethingagain.Butreally,we’venochoiceinthematter.Yousawthenotice,Iexpect?Itwasinallthemorningpapers.”
“Afreepardon,”saidLeo.
“Thephraseologyalwaysgratesonpeople,”saidHuish.“Ananachronism,likesomuchoflegalterminology.Butitsmeaningisquiteclear.”
“Itmeansthatyoumadeamistake,”saidLeo.
“Yes.”Huishacknowledgeditsimply.“Wemadeamistake.”Headded,afteraminute,“Ofcourse,withoutDr.Calgary’sevidenceitwasreallyinevitable.”
Leosaidcoldly:
“Mysontoldyou,whenyouarrestedhim,thathehadbeengivenaliftthatnight.”
“Oh,yes.Hetoldus.Andwedidourbesttocheck—butwecouldn’tfindanyconfirmationofthestory.Iquiterealize,Mr.Argyle,thatyoumustfeelexceedinglybitteraboutthewholebusiness.I’mnotmakingexcusesandapologies.Allwepoliceofficershavetodoistocollecttheevidence.TheevidencegoestothePublicProsecutorandhedecidesifthereisacase.Inthiscasehedecidedtherewas.Ifit’spossible,I’daskyoutoputasmuchbitternessasyoucanoutofyourmindandjustrunoverthefactsandtimesagain.”
“What’stheusenow?”Hesterspokeupsharply.“Whoeverdiditismilesawayandyou’llneverfindhim.”
SuperintendentHuishturnedtolookather.
“Thatmaybe—anditmaynot,”hesaidmildly.“You’dbesurprisedatthetimeswedogetourman—sometimesafterseveralyears.It’spatiencedoesit—patienceandneverlettingup.”
Hesterturnedherheadaway,andGwendagaveaquickshiverasthoughacoldwindhadpassedoverher.Herlivelyimaginationfeltthemenacebehindthequietwords.
“Nowifyouplease,”saidHuish.HelookedexpectantlyatLeo.“We’llstartwithyou,Mr.Argyle.”
“Whatdoyouwanttoknowexactly?Youmusthavemyoriginalstatement?Ishallprobablybelessaccuratenow.Exacttimesareapttoslipone’smemory.”
“Oh,werealizethat.Butthere’salwaysthechancethatsomelittlefactmaycometolight,somethingoverlookedatthetime.”
“Isn’titevenpossible,”askedPhilip,“thatonemightseethingsinbetterproportionlookingbackafterthelapseofyears?”
“It’sapossibility,yes,”saidHuish,turninghisheadtolookatPhilipwithsomeinterest.
“Intelligentchap,”hethought.“Iwonderifhe’sgotanyideasofhisownaboutthis….”
“Now,Mr.Argyle,ifyou’lljustrunthroughthesequenceofevents.You’dhadtea?”
“Yes.Teahadbeeninthediningroomatfiveo’clockasusual.WewereallthereforitwiththeexceptionofMr.andMrs.Durrant.Mrs.Durranttookteaforherselfandherhusbanduptotheirownsittingroom.”
“IwasevenmoreofacripplethenthanIamnow,”saidPhilip.“I’donlyjustgotoutofhospital.”
“Quiteso.”HuishturnedbacktoLeo.“Allofyou—being—?”
“Mywifeandmyself,mydaughterHester,MissVaughanandMissLindstrom.”
“Andthen?Justtellmeinyourownwords.”
“AfterteaIcamebackinherewithMissVaughan.WewereatworkuponachapterofmybookonMedievalEconomicswhichIwasrevising.Mywifewenttohersittingroomandoffice,whichisonthegroundfloor.Shewas,asyouknow,averybusywoman.Shewaslookingoversomeplansforanewchildren’splaygroundwhichshewasintendingtopresenttotheCouncilhere.”
“DidyouhearyoursonJack’sarrival?”
“No.Thatis,Ididnotknowthatitwashe.Iheard,webothheard,thefrontdoorbell.Wedidnotknowwhoitwas.”
“Whodidyouthinkitwas,Mr.Argyle?”
Leolookedfaintlyamused.
“Iwasinthefifteenthcenturyatthetime,notthetwentieth.Ididn’tthinkatall.Itcouldhavebeenanybodyoranything.MywifeandMissLindstromandHesterandpossiblyoneofourdailyhelpswouldallbedownstairs.Nobody,”saidLeosimply,“everexpectedmetoanswerabell.”
“Afterthat?”
“Nothing.Untilmywifecameinagooddeallater.”
“Howmuchlater?”
Leofrowned.
“BynowIreallycouldn’ttellyou.Imusthavegivenyoumyestimateatthetime.Halfanhour—no,more—perhapsthree-quarters.”
“Wefinishedteajustafterhalfpastfive,”saidGwenda.“IthinkitwasabouttwentyminutestosevenwhenMrs.Argylecameintothelibrary.”
“Andshesaid?”
Leosighed.Hespokedistastefully.
“Wehavehadallthissomanytimes.ShesaidJackohadbeenwithher,thathewasintrouble,thathehadbeenviolentandabusive,demandingmoneyandsayingthatunlesshehadsomemoneyatonceitwouldbeamatterofprison.Thatshehadrefuseddefinitelytogivehimapenny.Shewasworriedastowhethershehaddonerightornot.”
“Mr.Argyle,mayIaskyouaquestion.Why,whentheboymadethesedemandsformoney,didyourwifenotcallyou?Whyonlytellyouafterwards?Didthatnotseemoddtoyou?”
“No,itdidnot.”
“Itseemstomethatthatwouldhavebeenthenaturalthingtodo.Youwerenot—onbadterms?”
“Ohno.Itwassimplythatmywifewasaccustomedtodealingwithallpracticaldecisionssingle-handed.ShewouldoftenconsultmebeforehandastowhatIthoughtandsheusuallydiscussedthedecisionsshehadtakenwithmeafterwards.InthisparticularmattersheandIhadtalkedveryseriouslytogetherabouttheproblemofJacko—whattodoforthebest.Sofar,wehadbeensingularlyunfortunateinourhandlingoftheboy.Shehadpaidoutveryconsiderablesumsofmoneyseveraltimestoprotecthimfromtheconsequencesofhisactions.Wehaddecidedthatiftherewasanexttime,itwouldbebestforJackotolearnthehardway.”
“Nevertheless,shewasupset?”
“Yes.Shewasupset.Ifhehadbeenlessviolentandthreatening,Ithinkshemighthavebeenbrokendownandhelpedhimoncemore,buthisattitudeonlystiffenedherresolution.”
“HadJackoleftthehousebythen?”
“Oh,yes.”
“Doyouknowthatofyourownknowledge,ordidMrs.Argyletellyou?”
“Shetoldme.Shesaidhehadgoneawayswearing,andthreateningtocomeback,andthathe’dsaidshe’dbetterhavesomecashreadyforhimthen.”
“Wereyou—thisisimportant—wereyoualarmedatthethoughtoftheboy’sreturn?”
“Ofcoursenot.WewerequiteusedtowhatIcanonlycallJacko’sbluster.”
“Itneverenteredyourheadthathewouldreturnandattackher.”
“No.Itoldyousoatthetime.Iwasdumbfounded.”
“Anditseemsyouwerequiteright,”saidHuishsoftly.“Itwasn’thewhoattackedher.Mrs.Argyleleftyou—whenexactly?”
“ThatIdoremember.We’vebeenoveritsooften.Justbeforeseven—aboutsevenminutesto.”
HuishturnedtoGwendaVaughan.
“Youconfirmthat?”
“Yes.”
“AndtheconversationwentasMr.Argylehasjustsaid?Youcan’taddtoit?Thereisnothinghehasforgotten?”
“Ididn’thearallofit.AfterMrs.ArgylehadtoldusaboutJacko’sdemandsIthoughtI’dbetterremovemyselfincasetheyfeltitembarrassingtotalkfreelybeforeme.Iwentinthere”—shepointedtothedooratthebackofthelibrary—“tothesmallroomwhereItype.WhenIheardMrs.ArgyleleaveIcameback.”
“Andthatwasatsevenminutestoseven?”
“Justbeforefivetoseven,yes.”
“Andafterthat,MissVaughan?”
“IaskedMr.Argyleifhewantedtocontinuework,buthesaidhischainofthoughtwasinterrupted.IaskediftherewasanymoreIcoulddo,buthesaidno.SoIclearedupmythingsandwent.”
“Thetime?”
“Fiveminutespastseven.”
“Youwentdownstairsandthroughthefrontdoor?”
“Yes.”
“Mrs.Argyle’ssittingroomwasimmediatelytotheleftofthefrontdoor?”
“Yes.”
“Wasthedooropen?”
“Itwasnotclosed—itwasaboutafootajar.”
“Youdidn’tgoinsideorsaygoodnighttoher?”
“No.”
“Didn’tyouusuallydoso?”
“No.Itwouldhavebeensillytodisturbheratwhatshewasdoing,justtosaygoodnight.”
“Ifyouhadgonein—youmighthavediscoveredherbodylyingtheredead.”
Gwendashruggedhershoulders.
“Isupposeso…ButIimagine—Imeanweallimaginedatthetime,thatshewaskilledlater.Jackowouldhardlyhavebeenableto—”
Shestopped.
“YouarestillthinkingonthelinesofJackohavingkilledher.Butthatisnotsonow.Soshemighthavebeentherethen,dead?”
“Isuppose—yes.”
“Youleftthehouseandwentstraighthome?”
“Yes.MylandladyspoketomewhenIcamein.”
“Justso.Andyoudidn’tmeetanyoneontheway—nearthehouse?”
“Idon’tthinkso…no.”Gwendafrowned.“Ican’treallyremembernow…Itwascoldanddarkandthisroadisacul-de-sac.Idon’tthinkIpassedanyoneuntilIcametotheRedLion.Therewereseveralpeopleaboutthere.”
“Anycarspassyou?”
Gwendalookedstartled.
“Oh,yes,Idorememberacar.Itsplashedmyskirt.IhadtowashthemudoffwhenIgothome.”
“Whatkindofacar?”
“Idon’tremember.Ididn’tnotice.Itpassedmejustattheentrancetoourroad.Itmighthavebeengoingtoanyofthehouses.”
HuishturnedbacktoLeo.
“Yousayyouheardaringatthebellsometimeafteryourwifelefttheroom?”
“Well—IthinkIdid.I’veneverbeenquitesure.”
“Whattimewasthat?”
“I’venoidea.Ididn’tlook.”
“Didn’tyouthinkitmightbeyoursonJackocomeback?”
“Ididn’tthink.Iwas—atworkagain.”
“Onemorepoint,Mr.Argyle.Didyouhaveanyideathatyoursonwasmarried?”
“Noideaatall.”
“Hismotherdidn’tknow,either?Youdon’tthinksheknewbuthadnottoldyou?”
“I’mquitesureshehadnoideaofsuchathing.Shewouldhavecometomeaboutitatonce.Itwasthegreatestshocktomewhenthewifeturnedupthenextday.IcouldhardlybelieveitwhenMissLindstromcameintothisroomandsaid‘Thereisayoungwomandownstairs—agirlwhosayssheisJacko’swife.Itcan’tbetrue.’Shewasterriblyupset,weren’tyou,Kirsty?”
“Icouldnotbelieveit,”saidKirsten.“ImadehersayittwiceandthenIcameuptoMr.Argyle.Itseemedincredible.”
“Youwereverykindtoher,Iunderstand,”saidHuishtoLeo.
“IdidwhatIcould.She’smarriedagain,youknow.I’mveryglad.Herhusbandseemsanicesteadysortofchap.”Huishnodded.ThenheturnedtoHester
“Now,MissArgyle,justtellmeagainwhatyoudidafterteathatday.”
“Idon’tremembernow,”saidHestersulkily.“HowcanI?It’stwoyearsago.Imighthavedoneanything.”
“ActuallyIbelieveyouhelpedMissLindstromtowashuptea.”
“Thatisquiteright,”saidKirsten.“Andthen,”sheadded,“youwentupstairstoyourbedroom.Youweregoingoutlater,youremember.YouweregoingtoseeanamateurperformanceofWaitingforGodotattheDrymouthPlayhouse.”
Hesterwasstilllookingsullenanduncooperative.
“You’vegotitallwrittendown,”shesaidtoHuish.“Whygoonaboutit?”
“Becauseyouneverknowwhatmightbehelpful.Nowthen,MissArgyle,whattimedidyouleavethehouse?”
“Seveno’clock—orthereabouts.”
“HadyouheardthealtercationbetweenyourmotherandyourbrotherJack?”
“No,Ididn’thearanything.Iwasupstairs.”
“ButyousawMrs.Argylebeforeyouleftthehouse?”
“Yes.Iwantedsomemoney.Iwasrightout.AndIrememberedthepetrolinmycarwasnearlydowntoempty.I’dhavetofilluponthewaytoDrymouth.SowhenIwasreadytostartIwentintoMotherandaskedherforsomemoney—justacoupleofpounds—that’sallIneeded.”
“Andshegavethemtoyou?”
“Kirstygavethemtome.”
Huishlookedslightlysurprised.
“Idon’trememberthatintheoriginalstatement.”
“Well,that’swhathappened,”saidHesterdefiantly.“IwentinandsaidcouldIhavesomecash,andKirstenheardmefromthehallandcalledoutthatshe’dgotsomeandwouldgiveittome.Shewasjustgoingoutherself.AndMothersaid,‘Yes,getitfromKirsty.’”
“IwasjustgoingdowntotheWomen’sInstitutewithsomebooksonFlowerArrangement,”saidKirsten.“IknewMrs.Argylewasbusyanddidn’twanttobedisturbed.”
Hestersaidinanaggrievedvoice:
“Whatdoesitmatterwhogavemethemoney?YouwantedtoknowwhenIlastsawMotheralive.Thatwaswhen.Shewassittingatthetableporingoveralotofplans.AndIsaidIwantedcash,andthenKirstencalledoutthatshe’dgiveittome.ItookitfromherandthenwentintoMother’sroomagainandsaidgoodnighttoMotherandshesaidshehopedI’denjoytheplay,andtobecarefuldriving.Shealwayssaidthat.AndthenIwentouttothegarageandgotthecarout.”
“AndMissLindstrom.”
“Oh,shewentoffassoonasshe’dgivenmethemoney.”
KirstenLindstromsaidquickly:“HesterpassedmeinthecarjustasIgottotheendofourroad.Shemusthavestartedalmostimmediatelyafterme.ShewentonupthehilltothemainroadwhilstIturnedlefttothevillage.”
Hesteropenedhermouthasthoughtospeak,thenquicklyshutitagain.
Huishwondered.WasKirstenLindstromtryingtoestablishthatHesterwouldnothavehadtimetocommitthecrime?Wasn’titpossiblethatinsteadofHester’ssayingaquietgoodnighttoMrs.Argyle,therehadbeenanargument—aquarrel,andthatHesterhadstruckherdown?
SmoothlyheturnedtoKirstenandsaid:
“Now,MissLindstrom,let’shaveyouraccountofwhatyouremember.”
Shewasnervous.Herhandstwisteduncomfortably.
“Wehadtea.Itwasclearedaway.Hesterhelpedme.Thenshewentupstairs.ThenJackocame.”
“Youheardhim?”
“Yes.Ilethimin.Hesaidhehadlosthiskey.Hewentstraightintohismother.Hesaidatonce,‘I’minajam.You’vegottogetmeoutofit.’Ididnothearanymore.Iwentbackintothekitchen.Therewerethingstoprepareforsupper.”
“Didyouhearhimleave?”
“Yes,indeed.Hewasshouting.Icamefromthekitchen.Hewasstandingthereinthefronthall—veryangry—shoutingoutthathe’dcomeback,thathismotherhadbetterhavethemoneyreadyforhim.Orelse!Thatiswhathesaid:‘Orelse!’Itwasathreat.”
“Andthen?”
“Hewentoffbangingthedoor.Mrs.Argylecameoutintothehall.Shewasverypaleandupset.Shesaidtome,‘Youheard?’
“Isaid:‘Heisintrouble?’
“Shenodded.ThenshewentupstairstothelibrarytoMr.Argyle.Ilaidthetableforsupper,andthenIwentuptoputmyoutdoorthingson.TheWomen’sInstitutewerehavingaFlowerArrangementCompetitionnextday.ThereweresomeFlowerArrangementbookswehadpromisedthem.”
“YoutookthebookstotheInstitute—whattimedidyoureturntothehouse?”
“Itmusthavebeenabouthalfpastseven.Iletmyselfinwithmykey.IwentinatoncetoMrs.Argyle’sroom—togiveheramessageofthanksandanote—shewasatthedesk,herheadforwardonherhands.Andtherewasthepoker,flungdown—anddrawersofthebureaupulledout.Therehadbeenaburglar,Ithought.Shehadbeenattacked.AndIwasright.NowyouknowthatIwasright!Itwasaburglar—someonefromoutside!”
“SomeonewhomMrs.Argyleherselfletin?”
“Whynot?”saidKirstendefiantly.“Shewaskind—alwaysverykind.Andshewasnotafraid—ofpeopleorthings.Besidesitisnotasthoughshewerealoneinthehouse.Therewereothers—herhusband,Gwenda,Mary.Shehadonlytocallout.”
“Butshedidn’tcallout.”Huishpointedout.
“No.Becausewhoeveritwasmusthavetoldhersomeveryplausiblestory.Shewouldalwayslisten.Andso,shesatdownagainatthedesk—perhapstolookforherchequebook—becauseshewasunsuspicious—sohehadthechancetosnatchupthepokerandhither.Perhaps,even,hedidnotmeantokillher.Hejustwantedtostunherandlookformoneyandjewelleryandgo.”
“Hedidn’tlookveryfar—justturnedoutafewdrawers.”
“Perhapsheheardsoundsinthehouse—orlosthisnerve.Orfound,perhaps,thathehadkilledher.Andso,quickly,inpanic,hegoes.”
Sheleanedforward.
Hereyeswerebothfrightenedandpleading.
“Itmusthavebeenlikethat—itmust!”
Hewasinterestedinherinsistence.Wasitfearforherself?Shecouldhavekilledheremployerthereandthen,pullingoutthedrawerstolendverisimilitudetotheideaofaburglar.Medicalevidencecouldnotputthetimeofdeathcloserthanbetweensevenandseven-thirty.
“Itseemsasthoughitmustbeso,”heacquiescedpleasantly.Afaintsighofreliefescapedher.Shesatback.HeturnedtotheDurrants.
“Youdidn’thearanything,eitherofyou?”
“Notathing.”
“Itookatraywithteauptoourroom,”saidMary.“It’srathershutofffromtherestofthehouse.Wewerethereuntilweheardsomeonescreaming.ItwasKirsten.She’djustfoundMotherdead.”
“Youdidn’tleavetheroomatalluntilthen?”
“No.”Herlimpidgazemethis.“Wewereplayingpicquet.”
Philipwonderedwhyhefeltslightlydiscomposed.Pollywasdoingwhathehadtoldhertodo.Perhapsitwastheperfectionofhermanner,calm,unhurried,carryingcompleteconviction.
“Polly,love,you’reawonderfulliar!”hethought.
“AndI,Superintendent,”hesaid,“wasthen,andamstill,quiteincapableofanycomingsandgoings.”
“Butyou’reagooddealbetter,aren’tyou,Mr.Durrant,”saidthesuperintendentcheerfully.“Oneofthesedayswe’llhaveyouwalkingagain.”
“It’salongjob.”
Huishturnedtowardstheothertwomembersofthefamilywhouptonowhadsatwithoutmakingasound.Mickyhadsatwithhisarmsfoldedandafaintsneeronhisface.Tina,smallandgraceful,leanedbackinherchair,hereyesmovingoccasionallyfromfacetoface.
“Neitherofyoutwowereinthehouse,Iknow,”hesaid.“Butperhapsyou’lljustrefreshmymemoryastowhatyouweredoingthatevening?”
“Doesyourmemoryreallyneedrefreshing?”askedMickywithhissneerevenmorepronounced.“Icanstillsaymypiece.Iwasouttestingacar.Clutchtrouble.Igaveitagoodlongtest.FromDrymouthupMinchinHill,alongtheMoorRoadandbackthroughIpsley.Unfortunatelycarsaredumb,theycan’ttestify.”
Tinahadturnedherheadatlast.ShewasstaringstraightatMicky.Herfacewasstillexpressionless.
“Andyou,MissArgyle?YouworkatthelibraryatRedmyn?”
“Yes.Itclosesathalfpastfive.IdidalittleshoppingintheHighStreet.ThenIwenthome.Ihaveaflat—flatletreally—inMorecombeMansions.Icookedmyownsupperandenjoyedaquieteveningplayinggramophonerecords.”
“Youdidn’tgooutatall?”
Therewasaslightpausebeforeshesaid:
“No,Ididn’tgoout.”
“Quitesureaboutthat,MissArgyle?”
“Yes.Iamsure.”
“Youhaveacar,haven’tyou?”
“Yes.”
“Shehasabubble,”saidMicky.“Bubble,bubble,toilandtrouble.”
“Ihaveabubble,yes,”saidTina,graveandcomposed.
“Wheredoyoukeepit?”
“Inthestreet.Ihavenogarage.Thereisasidestreetneartheflats.Therearecarsparkedallalongit.”
“Andyou’ve—nothinghelpfulyoucantellus?”
Huishhardlyknewhimselfwhyhewassoinsistent.
“IdonotthinkthereisanythingIcouldpossiblytellyou.”
Mickythrewheraquickglance.
Huishsighed.
“I’mafraidthishasn’thelpedyoumuch,Superintendent,”saidLeo.
“Youneverknow,Mr.Argyle.Yourealize,Isuppose,oneoftheoddestthingsaboutthewholebusiness?”
“I—?I’mnotquitesurethatIfollowyou.”
“Themoney,”saidHuish.“ThemoneyMrs.ArgyledrewfromthebankincludingthatfiverwithMrs.Bottleberry,17BangorRoadwrittenonthebackofit.AstrongpartofthecasewasthatthatfiverandotherswerefoundonJackArgylewhenhewasarrested.HesworehegotthemoneyfromMrs.Argyle,butMrs.ArgyledefinitelytoldyouandMissVaughanthatshedidn’tgiveJackoanymoney—sohowdidhegetthatfiftypounds?Hecouldn’thavecomebackhere—Dr.Calgary’sevidencemakesthatquiteclear.Sohemusthavehaditwithhimwhenhelefthere.Whogaveittohim?Didyou?”
HeturnedsquarelyonKirstenLindstrom,whoflushedindignantly.
“Me?No,ofcoursenot.HowcouldI?”
“WherewasthemoneykeptthatMrs.Argylehaddrawnfromthebank?”
“Sheusuallykeptitinadrawerofherbureau,”saidKirsten.
“Locked?”
Kirstenconsidered.
“Shewouldprobablylockthedrawerbeforeshewentuptobed.”
HuishlookedatHester.
“Didyoutakethemoneyfromthedrawerandgiveittoyourbrother?”
“Ididn’tevenknowhewasthere.AndhowcouldItakeitwithoutMotherknowing?”
“Youcouldhavetakenitquiteeasilywhenyourmotherwentuptothelibrarytoconsultyourfather,”Huishsuggested.
Hewonderedwhethershewouldseeandavoidthetrap.
Shefellstraightintoit.
“ButJackohadalreadyleftbythen.I—”Shestopped,dismayed.
“Iseeyoudoknowwhenyourbrotherleft,”saidHuish.
Hestersaidquicklyandvehemently:
“I—I—knownow—Ididn’tthen.Iwasupinmyroom,Itellyou.Ididn’thearanythingatall.AndanywayIwouldn’thavewantedtogiveJackoanymoney.”
“AndItellyouthis,”saidKirsten.Herfacewasredandindignant.“IfIhadgivenJackomoney—itwouldhavebeenmyownmoney!Iwouldnothavestolenit!”
“I’msureyouwouldn’t,”saidHuish.“Butyouseewherethatleadsus.Mrs.Argyle,inspiteofwhatshetoldyou,”helookedatLeo,“musthavegivenhimthatmoneyherself.”
“Ican’tbelieveit.Whynottellmeifshehaddoneso?”
“Shewouldn’tbethefirstmothertobesofterabouthersonthanshewantedtoadmit.”
“You’rewrong,Huish.Mywifeneverindulgedinevasion.”
“Ithinkshedidthistime,”saidGwendaVaughan.“Infactshemusthavedone…asthesuperintendentsays,it’stheonlyanswer.”
“Afterall,”saidHuishsoftly.“We’vegottolookatthewholethingfromadifferentpointofviewnow.AtthetimeofthearrestwethoughtJackArgylewaslying.ButnowwefindhespokethetruthaboutthehitchhikehehadfromCalgary,sopresumablyhewasspeakingthetruthaboutthemoneytoo.Hesaidthathismothergaveittohim.Thereforepresumablyshedid.”
Therewassilence—anuncomfortablesilence.
Huishgotup.“Well,thankyou.I’mafraidthetrailisprettycoldbynow,butyouneverknow.”
Leoescortedhimtothedoor.Whenhecamebackhesaidwithasigh,“Well,that’sover.Forthepresent.”
“Foralways,”saidKirsten.“Theywillneverknow.”
“What’sthegoodofthattous?”criedHester.
“Mydear.”Herfatherwentovertoher.“Calmdown,child.Don’tbesostrungup.Timehealseverything.”
“Notsomethings.Whatshallwedo?Oh!whatshallwedo?”
“Hester,comewithme.”Kirstenputahandonhershoulder.
“Idon’twantanybody.”Hesterranoutoftheroom.Amomentlatertheyheardthefrontdoorbang.
Kirstensaid:
“Allthis!Itisnotgoodforher.”
“Idon’tthinkit’sreallytrue,either,”saidPhilipDurrantthoughtfully
“Whatisn’ttrue?”askedGwenda.
“Thatweshallneverknowthetruth…Ifeelakindofprickinginmythumbs.”
Hisface,faun-likeandalmostmischievous,litupwithaqueersmile.
“Please,Philip,becareful,”saidTina.
Helookedatherinsurprise.
“LittleTina.Andwhatdoyouknowaboutitall?”
“Ihope,”saidTinaveryclearlyanddistinctly,“thatIdonotknowanything.”
Fourteen
I
“Don’tsupposeyougotanything?”saidtheChiefConstable.
“Nothingdefinite,sir,”saidHuish.“Andyet—thetimewasn’taltogetherwasted.”
“Let’shearaboutitall.”
“Well,ourmaintimesandpremisesarethesame.Mrs.Argylewasalivejustbeforeseven,talkedwithherhusbandandGwendaVaughan,wasseenafterwardsdownstairsbyHesterArgyle.Threepeoplecan’tbeincahoots.JackoArgyleisnowaccountedfor,soitmeansthatshecouldhavebeenkilledbyherhusband,anytimebetweenfivepastsevenandhalfpast,byGwendaVaughanatfiveminutespastsevenonherwayout,byHesterjustbeforethat,byKirstenLindstromwhenshecameinlater—justbeforehalfpastseven,say.Durrant’sparalysisgiveshimanalibi,buthiswife’salibidependsonhisword.Shecouldhavegonedownandkilledhermotherifshewantedtobetweensevenandhalfpastifherhusbandwaspreparedtobackherup.Don’tseewhysheshould,though.Infact,asfarasIcansee,onlytwopeoplehavegotarealmotiveforthecrime.LeoArgyleandGwendaVaughan.”
“Youthinkit’soneofthem—orbothofthemtogether?”
“Idon’tthinktheywereinittogether.AsIseeit,itwasanimpulsivecrime—notapremeditatedone.Mrs.Argylecomesintothelibrary,tellsthembothaboutJacko’sthreatsanddemandsformoney.Putitthat,later,LeoArgylegoesdowntospeaktoheraboutJacko,oraboutsomethingelse.Thehouseisquiet,nobodyabout.Hegoesintohersittingroom.Theresheis,herbacktohim,sittingatthedesk.Andthere’sthepoker,stillperhapswhereJackothrewitdownafterthreateningherwithit.Thosequiet,repressedmendobreakoutsometimes.Ahandkerchiefoverhishandsoasnottoleaveprints,upwiththepoker,downwithitonherheadandit’sdone.Pulloutadrawerortwotosuggestasearchformoney.Thenupstairsagaintillsomeonefindsher.OrputitthatGwendaVaughanonherwayoutlooksintotheroom,andtheurgecomesoverher.Jackowillbetheperfectscapegoat,andthewaytomarriagewithLeoArgyleisopen.”
MajorFinneynoddedthoughtfully.
“Yes.Couldbe.Andofcoursetheywerecarefulnottoannounceanengagementtoosoon.NottillthatpoorlittledevilJackowassafelyconvictedofmurder.Yes,thatseemsfairenough.Crimesareverymonotonous.Husbandandthirdparty,orwifeandthirdparty—alwaysthesameoldpattern.Butwhatcanwedoaboutit,Huish,eh?Whatcanwedoaboutit?”
“Idon’tsee,sir,”saidHuishslowly,“whatwecandoaboutit.Wemaybesure—butwhere’stheevidence?Nothingtostandupincourt.”
“No—no.Butyouaresure,Huish?Sureinyourownmind?”
“NotassureasI’dliketobe,”saidSuperintendentHuishsadly.
“Ah!Whynot?”
“Thekindofmanheis—Mr.Argyle,Imean.”
“Notthekindtodomurder?”
“It’snotthatsomuch—notthemurderpartofit.It’stheboy.Idon’tseehimdeliberatelyframingtheboy.”
“Itwasn’thisownson,remember.Hemaynothavecaredmuchfortheboy—hemayevenhavebeenresentful—oftheaffectionhiswifelavishedonhim.”
“Thatmaybeso.Yetheseemstohavebeenfondofallthechildren.Helooksfondofthem.”
“Ofcourse,”saidFinney,thoughtfully.“Heknewtheboywouldn’tbehanged…Thatmightmakeadifference.”
“Ah,youmayhavesomethingthere,sir.Hemayhavethoughtthattenyearsinprisonwhichiswhatalifesentenceamountsto,mighthavedonetheboynoharm.”
“Whatabouttheyoungwoman—GwendaVaughan?”
“Ifshedidit,”saidHuish,“Idon’tsupposeshe’dhaveanyqualmsaboutJacko.Womenareruthless.”
“Anyway,you’rereasonablysatisfiedit’sbetweenthosetwo?”
“Reasonablysatisfied,yes.”
“Butnomore?”theChiefConstablepressedhim.
“No.There’ssomethinggoingon.Undercurrents,asyoumightsay.”
“Explainyourself,Huish.”
“WhatI’dreallyliketoknowiswhattheythinkthemselves.Abouteachother.”
“Oh,Isee,Igetyounow.You’rewonderingiftheythemselvesknowwhoitwas?”
“Yes.Ican’tmakeupmymindaboutit.Dotheyallknow?Andaretheyallagreedtokeepitdark?Idon’tthinkso.Ithinkit’sevenpossiblethattheymayallhavedifferentideas.There’stheSwedishwoman—she’samassofnerves.Rightonedge.Thatmaybebecauseshediditherself.She’stheagewhenwomengoslightlyofftheirrockerinonewayoranother.Shemaybefrightenedforherselforforsomebodyelse.I’vetheimpression,Imaybewrong,it’sforsomebodyelse.”
“Leo?”
“No,Idon’tthinkit’sLeoshe’supsetabout.Ithinkit’stheyoungone—Hester.”
“Hester,h’m?AnychancethatitmighthavebeenHester?”
“Noostensiblemotive.Butshe’sapassionate,perhapsslightlyunbalancedtype.”
“AndLindstromprobablyknowsagooddealmoreaboutthegirlthanwedo.”
“Yes.Thenthere’sthelittledarkonewhoworksintheCountyLibrary.”
“Shewasn’tinthehousethatnight,wasshe?”
“No.ButIthinksheknowssomething.Knowswhodidit,maybe.”
“Guesses?Orknows?”
“She’sworried.Idon’tthinkit’sonlyguessing.”
Hewenton:“Andthere’stheotherboy.Micky.Hewasn’tthere,either,buthewasoutinacar,nobodywithhim.HesayshewastestingthecaruptowardsthemoorandMinchinHill.We’veonlyhiswordforit.Hecouldhavedrivenover,goneintothehouse,killedheranddrivenawayagain.GwendaVaughansaidsomethingthatwasn’tinheroriginalstatement.Shesaidacarpassedher,justattheentrancetotheprivateroad.Therearefourteenhousesintheroad,soitmighthavebeengoingtoanyoneofthemandnobodywillrememberaftertwoyears—butitmeansthere’sjustapossibilitythatthecarwasMicky’s.”
“Whyshouldhewanttokillhisadoptedmother?”
“Noreasonthatweknowabout—buttheremightbeone.”
“Whowouldknow?”
“They’dallknow,”saidHuish.“Buttheywouldn’ttellus.Notiftheyknewtheyweretellingus,thatis.”
“Iperceiveyourdevilishintention,”saidMajorFinney.“Whoareyougoingtoworkon?”
“Lindstrom,Ithink.IfIcanbreakdownherdefences.IalsohopetofindoutifsheherselfhadagrudgeagainstMrs.Argyle.
“Andthere’stheparalysedchap,”headded.“PhilipDurrant.”
“Whatabouthim?”
“Well,Ithinkhe’sbeginningtohaveafewideasaboutitall.Idon’tsupposehe’llwanttosharethemwithme,butImaybeabletogetaninklingofthewayhismindisworking.He’sanintelligentfellow,andIshouldsayprettyobservant.Hemayhavenoticedoneortworatherinterestingthings.”
II
“Comeout,Tina,andlet’sgetsomeair.”
“Air?”TinalookedupatMickydoubtfully.“Butit’ssocold,Micky.”Sheshiveredalittle.
“Ibelieveyouhatefreshair,Tina.That’swhyyou’reabletostandbeingcoopedupinthatlibraryalldaylong.”
Tinasmiled.
“Idonotmindbeingcoopedupinwinter.Itisveryniceandwarminthelibrary.”
Mickylookedonher.
“Andthereyousit,allcuddleduplikeacosylittlekitteninfrontofthefire.Butit’lldoyougoodtogetout,allthesame.Comeon,Tina.Iwanttotalktoyou.Iwantto—oh,togetsomeairintomylungs,forgetallthisbloodypolicebusiness.”
Tinagotupfromherchairwithalazy,gracefulmovementnotunlikethatofthekittentowhichMickyhadjustcomparedher.
Inthehallshewrappedafur-collaredtweedcoatroundherandtheywentouttogether.
“Aren’tyouevengoingtoputacoaton,Micky?”
“No.Ineverfeelthecold.”
“Brr,”saidTinagently.“HowIhatethiscountryinthewinter.Iwouldliketogoabroad.Iwouldliketobesomewherewherethesunwasalwaysshiningandtheairwasmoistandsoftandwarm.”
“I’vejustbeenofferedajoboutinthePersianGulf,”saidMicky,“withoneoftheoilcompanies.Thejob’slookingaftermotortransport.”
“Areyougoing?”
“No,Idon’tthinkso…What’sthegood?”
Theywalkedroundtothebackofthehouseandstarteddownazig-zagpaththroughtreeswhichledfinallytothebeachontheriverbelow.Half-waydowntherewasasmallsummerhouseshelteredfromthewind.Theydidnotatoncesitdownbutstoodinfrontofit,gazingoutovertheriver.
“It’sbeautifulhere,isn’tit?”saidMicky.
Tinalookedattheviewwithincuriouseyes.
“Yes,”shesaid,“yes,perhapsitis.”
“Butyoudon’treallyknow,doyou?”saidMicky,lookingatheraffectionately,“youdon’trealizethebeauty,Tina,youneverhave.”
“Idonotremember,”saidTina,“inalltheyearswelivedherethatyoueverenjoyedthebeautyofthisplace.Youwerealwaysfretting,longingtogobacktoLondon.”
“Thatwasdifferent,”saidMickyshortly,“Ididn’tbelonghere.”
“Thatiswhatisthematter,isn’tit?”saidTina,“youdonotbelonganywhere.”
“Idon’tbelonganywhere,”saidMickyinadazedvoice.“Perhapsthat’strue.Mygoodness,Tina,whatafrighteningthought.Doyourememberthatoldsong?Kirstenusedtosingittous,Ibelieve.Somethingaboutadove.Ofairdove,Ofonddove,Odovewiththewhite,whitebreast.Doyouremember?”
Tinashookherhead.
“Perhapsshesangittoyou,but—no,Idonotremember.”
Mickywenton,halfspeaking,halfhumming.
“Omaidmostdear,Iamnothere.Ihavenoplace,nopart,Nodwellingmorebyseanorshore,Butonlyinthyheart.”HelookedatTina.“Isupposethatcouldbetrue.”
Tinaputasmallhandonhisarm.
“Come,Micky,sitdownhere.Itisoutofthewind.Itisnotsocold.”
Asheobeyedhershewenton:
“Mustyoubesounhappyalways?”
“Mydeargirl,youdon’tbegintounderstandthefirstthingaboutit.”
“Iunderstandagooddeal,”saidTina.“Whycan’tyouforgetabouther,Micky?”
“Forgetabouther?Whoareyoutalkingabout?”
“Yourmother,”saidTina.
“Forgetabouther!”saidMickybitterly.“Istheremuchchanceofforgettingafterthismorning—afterthequestions!Ifanyone’sbeenmurdered,theydon’tletyou‘forgetabouther’!”
“Ididnotmeanthat,”saidTina.“Imeantyourrealmother.”
“WhyshouldIthinkabouther?IneversawherafterIwassixyearsold.”
“But,Micky,youdidthinkabouther.Allthetime.”
“DidIevertellyouso?”
“Sometimesoneknowsaboutthesethings,”saidTina.
Mickyturnedandlookedather.
“You’resuchaquiet,softlittlecreature,Tina.Likealittleblackcat.Iwanttostrokeyourfurtherightway.Nicepussy!Prettylittlepussy!”Hishandstrokedthesleeveofhercoat.
Tina,sittingverystill,smiledathimashedidso.Mickysaid:
“Youdidn’thateher,didyou,Tina?Alltherestofusdid.”
“Thatwasveryunkind,”saidTina.Sheshookherheadathimandwentonwithsomeenergy.“Lookwhatshegaveyou,allofyou.Ahome,warmth,kindness,goodfood,toystoplaywith,peopletolookafteryouandkeepyousafe—”
“Yes,yes,”saidMicky,impatiently.“Saucersofcreamandlotsoffurstroking.Thatwasallyouwanted,wasit,littlepussycat?”
“Iwasgratefulforit,”saidTina.“Noneofyouweregrateful.”
“Don’tyouunderstand,Tina,thatonecan’tbegratefulwhenoneoughttobe?Insomewaysitmakesitworse,feelingtheobligationofgratitude.Ididn’twanttobebroughthere.Ididn’twanttobegivenluxurioussurroundings.Ididn’twanttobetakenawayfrommyownhome.”
“Youmighthavebeenbombed,”Tinapointedout.“Youmighthavebeenkilled.”
“Whatwoulditmatter?Iwouldn’tmindbeingkilled.I’dhavebeenkilledinmyownplace,withmyownpeopleaboutme.WhereIbelonged.Thereyouare,yousee.We’rebacktoitagain.There’snothingsobadasnotbelonging.Butyou,littlepussycat,youonlycareformaterialthings.”
“Perhapsthatistrueinaway,”saidTina.“PerhapsthatiswhyIdonotfeelliketherestofyou.Idonotfeelthatoddresentmentthatyouallseemtofeel—youmostofall,Micky.Itwaseasyformetobegratefulbecause,yousee,Ididnotwanttobemyself.IdidnotwanttobewhereIwas.Iwantedtoescapefrommyself.Iwantedtobesomeoneelse.Andshemademeintosomeoneelse.ShemademeintoChristinaArgylewithahomeandwithaffection.Secure.Safe.IlovedMotherbecauseshegavemeallthosethings.”
“Whataboutyourownmother?Don’tyoueverthinkofher?”
“WhyshouldI?Ihardlyrememberher.Iwasonlythreeyearsold,remember,whenIcamehere.Iwasalwaysfrightened—terrified—withher.Allthosenoisyquarrelswithseamen,andsheherself—Isuppose,nowthatIamoldenoughtorememberproperly,thatshemusthavebeendrunkmostofthetime.”Tinaspokeinadetached,wonderingvoice.“No,Idonotthinkabouther,orrememberher.Mrs.Argylewasmymother.Thisismyhome.”
“It’ssoeasyforyou,Tina,”saidMicky.
“Andwhyisithardforyou?Becauseyoumakeitso!ItwasnotMrs.Argyleyouhated,Micky,itwasyourownmother.Yes,IknowthatwhatIamsayingistrue.AndifyoukilledMrs.Argyle,asyoumayhavedone,thenitwasyourownmotheryouwantedtokill.”
“Tina!Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”
“Andnow,”wentonTina,talkingcalmly,“youhavenobodytohateanylonger.Andthatmakesyouquitelonely,doesn’tit?Butyou’vegottolearntolivewithouthate,Micky.Itmaybedifficult,butitcanbedone.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout.WhatdidyoumeanbysayingthatImayhavekilledher?YouknowperfectlywellIwasnowherenearherethatday.Iwastestingoutacustomer’scarupontheMoorRoad,byMinchinHill.”
“Wereyou?”saidTina.
ShegotupandsteppedforwardtillshestoodattheLookoutPointfromwhereyoucouldlookdowntotheriverbelow.
“Whatareyougettingat,Tina?”Mickycameupbehindher.
Tinapointeddowntothebeach.
“Whoarethosetwopeopledownthere?”
Mickygaveaquickcursoryglance.
“Hesterandherdoctorpal,Ithink,”hesaid.“ButTina,whatdidyoumean?ForGod’ssakedon’tstandthererightattheedge.”
“Why—doyouwanttopushmeover?Youcould.I’mverysmall,youknow.”
Mickysaidhoarsely:
“WhydoyousayImayhavebeenherethatevening?”
Tinadidnotanswer.Sheturnedandbeganwalkingbackupthepathtothehouse.
“Tina!”
Tinasaidinherquiet,softvoice:
“I’mworried,Micky.I’mveryworriedaboutHesterandDonCraig.”
“NevermindaboutHesterandherboyfriend.”
“ButIdomindaboutthem.IamafraidthatHesterisveryunhappy.”
“We’renottalkingaboutthem.”
“Iamtalkingaboutthem.Theymatter,yousee.”
“Haveyoubelievedallalong,Tina,thatIwasherethenightMotherwaskilled?”
Tinadidnotreply.
“Youdidn’tsayanythingatthetime.”
“WhyshouldI?Therewasnoneed.Imean,itwassoobviousthatJackohadkilledher.”
“Andnowit’sequallyobviousthatJackodidn’tkillher.”
AgainTinanodded.
“Andso?”Mickyasked.“Andso?”
Shedidnotanswerhim,butcontinuedtowalkupthepathtothehouse.
III
OnthelittlebeachbythePoint,Hesterscuffedthesandwiththepointofhershoe.
“Idon’tseewhatthereistotalkabout,”shesaid.
“You’vegottotalkaboutit,”saidDonCraig.
“Idon’tseewhy…Talkingaboutathingneverdoesanygood—itnevermakesitanybetter.”
“Youmightatleasttellmewhathappenedthismorning.”
“Nothing,”saidHester.
“Whatdoyoumean—nothing?Thepolicecamealong,didn’tthey?”
“Oh,yes,theycamealong.”
“Well,then,didtheyquestionyouall?”
“Yes,”saidHester,“theyquestionedus.”
“Whatsortofquestions?”
“Alltheusualones,”saidHester.“Reallyjustthesameasbefore.Wherewewereandwhatwedid,andwhenwelastsawMotheralive.Really,Don,Idon’twanttotalkaboutitanymore.It’sovernow.”
“Butitisn’tover,dearest.That’sjustthepoint.”
“Idon’tseewhyyouneedtofuss,”saidHester.“You’renotmixedupinthis.”
“Darling,Iwanttohelpyou.Don’tyouunderstand?”
“Well,talkingaboutitdoesn’thelpme.Ijustwanttoforget.Ifyou’dhelpmetoforget,thatwouldbedifferent.”
“Hester,dearest,it’snogoodrunningawayfromthings.Youmustfacethem.”
“I’vebeenfacingthem,asyoucallit,allthemorning.”
“Hester,Iloveyou.Youknowthat,don’tyou?”
“Isupposeso,”saidHester.
“Whatdoyoumean,yousupposeso?”
“Goingonandonaboutitall.”
“ButIhavetodothat.”
“Idon’tseewhy.You’renotapoliceman.”
“Whowasthelastpersontoseeyourmotheralive?”
“Iwas,”saidHester.
“Iknow.Thatwasjustbeforeseven,wasn’tit,justbeforeyoucameouttomeetme.”
“JustbeforeIcameouttogotoDrymouth—tothePlayhouse,”saidHester.
“Well,IwasatthePlayhouse,wasn’tI?”
“Yes,ofcourseyouwere.”
“Youdidknowthen,didn’tyou,Hester,thatIlovedyou?”
“Iwasn’tsure,”saidHester.“Iwasn’tevensurethenthatIwasbeginningtoloveyou.”
“You’dnoreason,hadyou,noearthlyreasonfordoingawaywithyourmother?”
“No,notreally,”saidHester.
“Whatdoyoumeanbynotreally?”
“Ioftenthoughtaboutkillingher,”saidHesterinamatter-of-factvoice.“Iusedtosay‘Iwishshewasdead,Iwishshewasdead.’Sometimes,”sheadded,“IusedtodreamthatIkilledher.”
“Inwhatwaydidyoukillherinyourdream?”
ForamomentDonCraigwasnolongertheloverbuttheinterestedyoungdoctor
“SometimesIshother,”saidHestercheerfully,“andsometimesIbangedheronthehead.”
Dr.Craiggroaned.
“Thatwasjustdreaming,”saidHester.“I’moftenveryviolentindreams.”
“Listen,Hester.”Theyoungmantookherhandinhis.“You’vegottotellmethetruth.You’vegottotrustme.”
“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumean,”saidHester.
“Thetruth,Hester.Iwantthetruth.Iloveyou—andI’llstandbyyou.If—ifyoukilledherI—IthinkIcanfindoutthereasonswhy.Idon’tthinkitwillhavebeenexactlyyourfault.Doyouunderstand?CertainlyI’dnevergotothepoliceaboutit.Itwillbebetweenyouandmeonly.Nobodyelsewillsuffer.Thewholethingwilldiedownforwantofevidence.ButI’vegottoknow.”Hestressedthelastwordstrongly.
Hesterwaslookingathim.Hereyeswerewide,almostunfocused.
“Whatdoyouwantmetosaytoyou?”shesaid.
“Iwantyoutotellmethetruth.”
“Youthinkyouknowthetruthalready,don’tyou?Youthink—Ikilledher.”
“Hester,darling,don’tlookatmelikethat.”Hetookherbytheshouldersandshookhergently.“I’madoctor.Iknowthereasonsbehindthesethings.Iknowthatpeoplecan’talwaysbeheldresponsiblefortheiractions.Iknowyouforwhatyouare—sweetandlovelyandessentiallyallright.I’llhelpyou.I’lllookafteryou.We’llgetmarried,thenwe’llbehappy.Youneedneverfeellost,unwanted,tyrannizedover.Thethingswedooftenspringfromreasonsmostpeopledon’tunderstand.”
“That’sverymuchwhatweallsaidaboutJacko,isn’tit?”saidHester.
“NevermindJacko.It’syouI’mthinkingabout.Iloveyousoverymuch,Hester,butI’vegottoknowthetruth.”
“Thetruth?”saidHester.
Averyslow,mockingsmilecurvedthecornersofhermouthupwards.
“Please,darling.”
Hesterturnedherheadandlookedup.
“There’sGwendacallingme.Itmustbelunchtime.”
“Hester!”
“WouldyoubelievemeifItoldyouIdidn’tkillher?”
“OfcourseI’d—I’dbelieveyou.”
“Idon’tthinkyouwould,”saidHester.
Sheturnedsharplyawayfromhimandbeganrunningupthepath.Hemadeamovementtofollowher,thenabandonedit.
“Oh,hell,”saidDonaldCraig.“Oh,hell!”
Fifteen
“ButIdon’twanttogohomejustyet,”saidPhilipDurrant.Hespokewithplaintiveirritability.
“But,Philip,really,there’snothingtostayherefor,anylonger.Imean,wehadtocometoseeMr.Marshalltodiscussthething,andthenwaitforthepoliceinterviews.Butnowthere’snothingtostopusgoinghomerightaway.”
“Ithinkyourfather’squitehappyforustostoponforabit,”saidPhilip,“helikeshavingsomeonetoplaychesswithintheevenings.Myword,he’sawizardatchess.IthoughtIwasn’tbad,butInevergetthebetterofhim.”
“Fathercanfindsomeoneelsetoplaychesswith,”saidMaryshortly.
“What—whistlesomeoneupfromtheWomen’sInstitute?”
“Andanyway,weoughttogohome,”saidMary.“TomorrowisMrs.Carden’sdayfordoingthebrasses.”
“Polly,theperfecthousewife!”saidPhiliplaughing.“Anyway,Mrs.Whatsanamecandothebrasseswithoutyou,can’tshe?Orifshecan’t,sendheratelegramandtellhertoletthemmoulderforanotherweek.”
“Youdon’tunderstand,Philip,abouthouseholdthings,andhowdifficulttheyare.”
“Idon’tseethatanyofthemaredifficultunlessyoumakethemdifficult.Anyway,Iwanttostopon.”
“Oh,Philip,”Maryspokewithexasperation,“Idosohateithere.”
“Butwhy?”
“It’ssogloomy,somiserableand—andallthat’shappenedhere.Themurderandeverything.”
“Now,come,Polly,don’ttellmeyou’reamassofnervesoverthingsofthatkind.I’msureyoucouldtakemurderwithoutturningahair.No,youwanttogohomebecauseyouwanttoseetothebrassesanddusttheplaceandmakesurenomothshavegotintoyourfurcoat—”
“Mothsdon’tgointofurcoatsinwinter,”saidMary.
“Well,youknowwhatImean,Polly.Thegeneralidea.Butyousee,frommypointofview,it’ssomuchmoreinterestinghere.”
“Moreinterestingthanbeinginourownhome?”Marysoundedbothshockedandhurt.
Philiplookedatherquickly.
“I’msorry,darling.Ididn’tputitverywell.Nothingcouldbenicerthanourownhome,andyou’vemadeitreallylovely.Comfortable,neat,attractive.Yousee,it’dbequitedifferentif—ifIwerelikeIusedtobe.Imean,I’dhavelotsofthingstodoallday.I’dbeuptomyearsinschemes.Anditwouldbeperfectcomingbacktoyouandhavingourownhome,talkingabouteverythingthathadhappenedduringtheday.Butyousee,it’sdifferentnow.”
“Oh,Iknowit’sdifferentinthatway,”saidMary.“Don’tthinkIeverforgetthat,Phil.Idomind.Imindmostterribly.”
“Yes,”saidPhilip,andhespokealmostbetweenhisteeth.“Yes,youmindtoomuch,Mary.Youmindsomuchthatsometimesitmakesmemindmore.AllIwantisdistractionand—no”—hehelduphishand—“don’ttellmethatIcangetdistractionfromjigsawpuzzlesandallthegadgetsofoccupationaltherapyandhavingpeopletocomeandgivemetreatment,andreadingendlessbooks.Iwantsobadlysometimestogetmyteethintosomething!Andhere,inthishouse,thereissomethingtogetone’steethinto.”
“Philip,”Marycaughtherbreath,“you’renotstillharpingon—onthatideaofyours?”
“PlayingatMurderHunt?”saidPhilip.“Murder,murder,whodidthemurder?Yes,Polly,you’renotfaroff.Iwantdesperatelytoknowwhodidit.”
“Butwhy?Andhowcanyouknow?Ifsomebodybrokeinorfoundthedooropen—”
“Stillharpingontheoutsidertheory?”askedPhilip.“Itwon’twash,youknow.OldMarshallputagoodfaceuponit.Butactuallyhewasjusthelpingustokeepface.Nobodybelievesinthatbeautifultheory.Itjustisn’ttrue.”
“Thenyoumustsee,ifitisn’ttrue,”Maryinterruptedhim,“ifitisn’ttrue—ifitwas,asyouputit,oneofus—thenIdon’twanttoknow.Whyshouldweknow?Aren’twe—aren’tweahundredtimesbetternotknowing?”
PhilipDurrantlookedupatherquestioningly.
“Puttingyourheadinthesand,eh,Polly?Haven’tyouanynaturalcuriosity?”
“ItellyouIdon’twanttoknow!Ithinkit’sallhorrible.Iwanttoforgetitandnotthinkaboutit.”
“Didn’tyoucareenoughforyourmothertowanttoknowwhokilledher?”
“Whatgoodwoulditdo,knowingwhokilledher?Fortwoyearswe’vebeenquitesatisfiedthatJackokilledher.”
“Yes,”saidPhilip,“lovelythewaywe’veallbeensatisfied.”
Hiswifelookedathimdoubtfully.
“Idon’t—Ireallydon’tknowwhatyoumean,Philip.”
“Can’tyousee,Polly,thatinawaythisisachallengetome?Achallengetomyintelligence?Idon’tmeanthatI’vefeltyourmother’sdeathparticularlykeenlyorthatIwasparticularlyfondofher.Iwasn’t.She’ddoneherverybesttostopyoumarryingme,butIborehernogrudgeforthatbecauseIsucceededincarryingyouoffallright.Didn’tI,mygirl?No,it’snotawishforrevenge,it’snotevenapassionforjustice.Ithinkit’s—yes,mainlycuriosity,thoughperhapsthere’sabettersidetoitthanthat.”
“It’sthesortofthingyououghtn’ttomeddleaboutwith,”saidMary.“Nogoodcancomeofyourmeddlingaboutwithit.Oh,Philip,please,pleasedon’t.Let’sgohomeandforgetallaboutit.”
“Well,”saidPhilip,“youcanprettywellcartmeanywhereyoulike,can’tyou?ButIwanttostayhere.Don’tyousometimeswantmetodowhatIwanttodo?”
“Iwantyoutohaveeverythingintheworldyouwant,”saidMary.
“Youdon’treally,darling.Youjustwanttolookaftermelikeababyinarmsandknowwhat’sbestformeeverydayandineverypossibleway.”Helaughed.
Marysaid,lookingathimdoubtfully:
“Ineverknowwhenyou’reseriousornot.”
“Apartfromcuriosity,”saidPhilipDurrant,“somebodyoughttofindoutthetruth,youknow.”
“Why?Whatgoodcanitdo?Havingsomeoneelsesenttoprison.Ithinkit’sahorribleidea.”
“Youdon’tquiteunderstand,”saidPhilip.“Ididn’tsaythatI’dturninwhoeveritwas(ifIdiscoveredwhoitwas)tothepolice.Idon’tthinkthatIwould.Itdepends,ofcourse,onthecircumstances.Probablyitwouldn’tbeanyusemyturningthemovertothepolicebecauseIstillthinkthattherecouldn’tbeanyrealevidence.”
“Thenifthereisn’tanyrealevidence,”saidMary,“howareyougoingtofindoutanything?”
“Because,”saidPhilip,“therearelotsofwaysoffindingoutthings,ofknowingthemquitecertainlyonceandforall.AndIthink,youknow,thatthat’sbecomingrathernecessary.Thingsaren’tgoingverywellinthishouseandverysoonthey’llbegettingworse.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Haven’tyounoticedanything,Polly?WhataboutyourfatherandGwendaVaughan?”
“Whataboutthem?Whymyfathershouldwanttomarryagainathisage—”
“Icanunderstandthat,”saidPhilip.“Afterall,hehadratherarawdealinmarriage.He’sgotachancenowofrealhappiness.Autumnhappiness,ifyoulike,buthe’sgotit.Or,shallwesay,hehadit.Thingsaren’tgoingtoowellbetweenthemnow.”
“Isuppose,allthisbusiness—”saidMaryvaguely.
“Exactly,”saidPhilip.“Allthisbusiness.It’sshovingthemfurtheraparteveryday.Andtherecouldbetworeasonsforthat.Suspicionorguilt.”
“Suspicionofwhom?”
“Well,let’ssayofeachother.Orsuspicionononesideandconsciousnessofguiltontheotherandviceversaandasyouwereandasyoulikeit.”
“Don’t,Philip,you’reconfusingme.”SuddenlyafainttraceofanimationcameintoMary’smanner.“SoyouthinkitwasGwenda?”shesaid.“Perhapsyou’reright.Oh,whatablessingitwouldbeifitwasGwenda.”
“PoorGwenda.Becauseshe’soneremovedfromthefamily,youmean?”
“Yes,”saidMary.“Imeanthenitwouldn’tbeoneofus.”
“That’sallyoufeelaboutit,isit?”saidPhilip.“Howitaffectsus.”
“Ofcourse,”saidMary.
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”saidPhilipirritably.“Thetroublewithyouis,Polly,youhaven’tgotanyimagination.Youcan’tputyourselfinanyoneelse’splace.”
“Whyshouldone?”askedMary.
“Yes,whyshouldone?”saidPhilip.“IsupposeifI’mhonestI’dsaytopassthetimeaway.ButIcanputmyselfinyourfather’splace,orinGwenda’s,andifthey’reinnocent,whathellitmustbe.WhathellforGwendatobeheldsuddenlyatarm’slength.Toknowinherheartthatshe’snotgoingtobeabletomarrythemanshelovesafterall.Andthenputyourselfinyourfather’splace.Heknows,hecan’thelpknowing,thatthewomanheisinlovewithhadanopportunitytodothemurderandhadamotive,too.Hehopesshedidn’tdoit,hethinksshedidn’tdoit,butheisn’tsure.Andwhat’smoreheneverwillbesure.”
“Athisage—”beganMary.
“Oh,athisage,athisage,”saidPhilipimpatiently.“Don’tyourealizeit’sworseforamanofthatage?It’sthelastloveofhislife.He’snotlikelytohaveanother.Itgoesdeep.Andtakingtheotherpointofview,”hewenton,“supposeLeocameoutofthemistsandshadowsoftheself-containedworldthathe’smanagedtoliveinsolong.Supposeitwashewhostruckdownhiswife?Onecanalmostfeelsorryforthepoordevil,can’tone?Not,”headdedmeditatively,“thatIreallycanimaginehisdoinganythingofthesortforamoment.ButI’venodoubtthepolicecanimagineitallright.Now,Polly,let’shearyourviews.Whodoyouthinkdidit?”
“HowcanIpossiblyknow?”saidMary.
“Well,perhapsyoucan’tknow,”saidPhilip,“butyoumighthaveaverygoodidea—ifyouthought.”
“ItellyouIrefusetothinkaboutthethingatall.”
“Iwonderwhy…Isthatjustdistaste?Orisit—perhaps—becauseyoudoknow?Perhapsinyourowncool,calmmindyou’requitesure…Sosurethatyoudon’twanttothinkaboutit,thatyoudon’twanttotellme?IsitHesteryou’vegotinmind?”
“WhyonearthshouldHesterwanttokillMother?”
“Norealreason,isthere?”saidPhilipmeditatively.“Butyouknow,youdoreadofthosethings.Asonoradaughterfairlywelllookedafter,indulged,andthenonedaysomesillylittlethinghappens.Fondparentrefusestostumpupforthecinemaorforbuyinganewpairofshoesorsayswhenyou’regoingoutwiththeboyfriendyou’vegottobeinatten.Itmayn’tbeanythingveryimportantbutitseemstosetamatchtoatrainthat’salreadylaid,andsuddenlytheadolescentinquestionhasabrainstormandupwithahammeroranaxe,orpossiblyapoker,andthat’sthat.Alwayshardtoexplain,butithappens.It’stheculminationofalongtrainofrepressedrebellion.That’sapatternwhichwouldfitHester.Yousee,withHesterthetroubleisthatonedoesn’tknowwhatgoesoninthatratherlovelyheadofhers.She’sweak,ofcourse,andsheresentsbeingweak.Andyourmotherwasthesortofpersonwhowouldmakeherfeelconsciousofherweakness.Yes,”saidPhilip,leaningforwardwithsomeanimation,“IthinkIcouldmakeoutquiteagoodcaseforHester.”
“Oh,willyoustoptalkingaboutit,”criedMary.
“Oh,I’llstoptalking,”saidPhilip.“Talkingwon’tgetmeanywhere.Orwillit?Afterall,onehastodecideinone’sownmindwhatthepatternofthemurdermightbe,andapplythatpatterntoeachofthedifferentpeopleconcerned.Andthenwhenyou’vegotittapedoutthewayitmusthavebeen,thenyoustartlayingyourlittlepitfallsandseeiftheytumbleintothem.”
“Therewereonlyfourpeopleinthehouse,”saidMary.“Youspeakasthoughtherewerehalfadozenormore.IagreewithyouthatFathercouldn’tpossiblyhavedoneit,andit’sabsurdtothinkthatHestercouldhaveanyrealreasonfordoinganythingofthatkind.ThatleavesKirstyandGwenda.”
“Whichofthemdoyouprefer?”askedPhilip,withfaintmockeryinhistone.
“Ican’treallyimagineKirstydoingsuchathing,”saidMary.“She’salwaysbeensopatientandgood-tempered.ReallyquitedevotedtoMother.Isupposeshecouldgoqueersuddenly.Onedoeshearofsuchthing,butshe’sneverseemedatallqueer.”
“No,”saidPhilipthoughtfully,“I’dsayKirstyisaverynormalwoman,thesortofwomanwho’dhavelikedanormalwoman’slife.Inawayshe’ssomethingofthesametypeasGwenda,onlyGwendaisgood-lookingandattractiveandpooroldKirstyisplainasacurrantbun.Idon’tsupposeanyman’severlookedathertwice.Butshe’dhavelikedthemto.She’dhavelikedtohavefalleninloveandmarried.Itmustbeprettyfairhelltobebornawomanandtobebornplainandunattractive,especiallyifthatisn’tcompensatedforbyhavinganyspecialtalentorbrain.Thetruthisshe’dbeenherefartoolong.Sheoughttohaveleftafterthewar,goneonwithherprofessionasmasseuse.Shemighthavehookedsomewelloffelderlypatient.”
“You’relikeallmen,”saidMary.“Youthinkwomenthinkofnothingbutgettingmarried.”
Philipgrinned.
“Istillthinkit’sallwomen’sfirstchoice,”hesaid.“Hasn’tTinaanyboyfriends,bytheway?”
“NotthatIknowof,”saidMary.“Butshedoesn’ttalkmuchaboutherself.”
“No,she’saquietlittlemouse,isn’tshe?Notexactlypretty,butverygraceful.Iwonderwhatsheknowsaboutthisbusiness?”
“Idon’tsupposesheknowsanything,”saidMary.
“Don’tyou?”saidPhilip.“Ido.”
“Oh,youjustimaginethings,”saidMary.
“I’mnotimaginingthis.Doyouknowwhatthegirlsaid?Shesaidshehopedshedidn’tknowanything.Ratheracuriouswayofputtingthings.Ibetshedoesknowsomething.”
“Whatsortofthing?”
“Perhapsthere’ssomethingthattiesinsomewhere,butsheherselfdoesn’tquiterealizewhereitdoestiein.Ihopetogetitoutofher.”
“Philip!”
“It’snogood,Polly.I’vegotamissioninlife.I’vepersuadedmyselfthatit’sverymuchinthepublicinterestthatIshouldgetdowntoit.NowwhereshallIstart?IratherthinkI’llworkonKirstyfirst.Inmanywaysshe’sasimplesoul.”
“Iwish—oh,howIwish,”saidMary,“thatyou’dgiveallthiscrazyideaupandcomehome.Weweresohappy.Everythingwasgoingalongsowell—”Hervoicebrokeassheturnedaway.
“Polly!”Philipwasconcerned.“Doyoureallymindsomuch?Ididn’trealizeyouwerequitesoupset.”
Marywheeledround,ahopefullookinhereye.
“Thenyouwillcomehomeandforgetaboutitall?”
“Icouldn’tforgetaboutitall,”saidPhilip.“I’donlygoonworryingandpuzzlingandthinking.Let’sstayheretilltheendoftheweekanyway,Mary,andthen,well,we’llsee.”
Sixteen
“DoyoumindifIstayonabit,Dad?”askedMicky.
“No,ofcoursenot.I’mdelighted.Isitallrightwithyourfirm?”
“Yes,”saidMicky.“Irang’emup.Ineedn’tbebackuntilaftertheweekend.They’vebeenverydecentaboutit.Tina’sstayingovertheweekendtoo,”hesaid.
Hewenttothewindow,lookedout,walkedacrosstheroomwithhandsinhispockets,gazingupatthebookshelves.Hespoketheninajerky,awkwardvoice.
“Youknow,Dad,Idoappreciatereallyallyou’vedoneforme.JustlatelyI’veseen—well,I’veseenhowungratefulI’vealwaysbeen.”
“There’sneverbeenanyquestionofgratitude,”saidLeoArgyle.“Youaremyson,Micky.Ihavealwaysregardedyouassuch.”
“Anoddwayoftreatingason,”saidMicky.“Youneverbossedmeabout.”
LeoArgylesmiled,hisremote,far-awaysmile.
“Doyoureallythinkthat’stheonlyfunctionofafather?”hesaid.“Tobosshischildrenabout?”
“No,”saidMicky,“no.Isupposeitisn’t.”Hewenton,speakinginarush.“I’vebeenadamnedfool,”hesaid.“Yes.Adamnedfool.It’scomicinaway.DoyouknowwhatI’dliketodo,whatI’mthinkingofdoing?TakingajobwithanoilcompanyoutinthePersianGulf.ThatwaswhatMotherwantedtoputmeintotobeginwith—anoilcompany.ButIwasn’thavinganythen!Flungoffonmyown.”
“Youwereattheage,”saidLeo,“whenyouwantedtochooseforyourself,andyouhatedtheideaofanythingbeingchosenforyou.You’vealwaysbeenratherlikethat,Micky.Ifwewantedtobuyyouaredsweater,youinsistedyouwantedablueone,butallthetimeitwasprobablyaredoneyouwanted.”
“Trueenough,”saidMicky,withashortlaugh.“I’vebeenanunsatisfactorysortofcreaturealways.”
“Justyoung,”saidLeo.“Justkickingupyourheels.Apprehensiveofthebridle,ofthesaddle,ofcontrol.Weallfeellikethatatonetimeinourlives,butwehavetocometoitintheend.”
“Yes,Isupposeso,”saidMicky.
“I’mveryglad,”saidLeo,“thatyouhavegotthisideaforthefuture.Idon’tthink,youknow,thatjustworkingasacarsalesmananddemonstratorisquitegoodenoughforyou.It’sallright,butitdoesn’tleadanywhere.”
“Ilikecars,”saidMicky.“Ilikegettingthebestoutofthem.IcandoalineoftalkwhenIhaveto.Patter,patter,allthesmarmybits,butIdon’tenjoythelife,blastit.Thisisajobtodowithmotortransport,anyway.Controllingtheservicingofcars.Quiteanimportantjob.”
“Youknow,”saidLeo,“thatatanytimeyoumightwanttofinanceyourself,tobuyyourselfintoanybusinessyouthoughtworthwhile,themoneyisthere,available.YouknowabouttheDiscretionaryTrust.Iamquitepreparedtoauthorizeanynecessarysumprovidedalwaysthatthebusinessdetailsarepassedandacceptable.Wewouldgetexpertopiniononthat.Butthemoneyisthere,readyforyouifyouwantit.”
“Thanks,Dad,butIdon’twanttospongeonyou.”
“There’snoquestionofsponging,Micky,it’syourmoney.Definitelymadeovertoyouincommonwiththeothers.AllIhaveisthepowerofappointment,thewhenandthehow.Butit’snotmymoneyandI’mnotgivingittoyou.It’syours.”
“It’sMother’smoneyreally,”saidMicky.
“TheTrustwasmadeseveralyearsago,”saidLeo.
“Idon’twantanyofit!”saidMicky.“Idon’twanttotouchit!Icouldn’t!Asthingsare,Icouldn’t.”Heflushedsuddenlyashemethisfather’seye.Hesaiduncertainly:“Ididn’t—Ididn’tquitemeantosaythat.”
“Whycan’tyoutouchit?”saidLeo.“Weadoptedyou.Thatis,wetookfullresponsibilityforyou,financialandotherwise.Itwasabusinessarrangementthatyoushouldbebroughtupasoursonandproperlyprovidedforinlife.”
“Iwanttostandonmyownfeet,”Mickyrepeated.
“Yes.Iseeyoudo…Verywell,then,Micky,butifyouchangeyourmind,rememberthemoneyistherewaiting.”
“Thanks,Dad.It’sgoodofyoutounderstand.Oratleast,nottounderstand,toletmehavemyway.IwishIcouldexplainbetter.Yousee,Idon’twanttoprofitby—Ican’tprofitby—oh,dammitall,it’salltoodifficulttotalkabout.”
Therewasaknockonthedoorwhichwasalmostmoreabump.
“That’sPhilip,Iexpect,”saidLeoArgyle.“Willyouopenthedoorforhim,Micky.”
Mickywentacrosstoopenthedoor,andPhilip,workinghisinvalidchair,propelledhimselfintotheroom.Hegreetedthembothwithacheerfulgrin.
“Areyouverybusy,sir?”heaskedLeo.“Ifso,sayso.I’llkeepquietandnotinterruptyouandjustbrowsealongthebookshelves.”
“No,”saidLeo,“Ihavenothingtodothismorning.”
“Gwendanothere?”askedPhilip.
“Sheranguptosayshehadaheadacheandcouldn’tcometoday,”saidLeo.Hisvoicewasexpressionless.
“Isee,”saidPhilip.
Mickysaid:
“Well,IshallgoanddigoutTina.Makehergoforawalk.Thatgirlhatesfreshair.”
Helefttheroom,walkingwithalight,springystep.
“AmIwrong,”askedPhilip,“oristhereachangeinMickylately?Notscowlingattheworldasmuchasusual,ishe?”
“He’sgrowingup,”saidLeo.“It’stakenratheralongtimeforhimtodoso.”
“Well,he’schosenacurioustimetocheerup,”saidPhilip.“Yesterday’ssessionwiththepolicewasn’texactlyencouraging,didyouthinkso?”
Leosaidquietly:
“It’spainfulofcourse,tohavethewholecasereopened.”
“AchaplikeMickynow,”saidPhilip,workinghiswayalongthebookshelves,pullingoutavolumeortwoinadesultorymanner,“wouldyousayhehadmuchofaconscience?”
“That’sanoddquestion,Philip.”
“No,notreally.Iwasjustwonderingabouthim.It’slikebeingtonedeaf.Somepeoplecan’treallyfeelanypangsofguiltorremorse,orevenregretfortheiractions.Jackodidn’t.”
“No,”saidLeo,“Jackocertainlydidn’t.”
“AndIwonderedaboutMicky,”saidPhilip.Hepaused,andthenwentoninadetachedvoice.“DoyoumindifIaskyouaquestion,sir?Howmuchreallydoyouknowaboutthebackgroundofallthisadoptedfamilyofyours?”
“Whydoyouwanttoknow,Philip?”
“Justcuriosity,Isuppose.Onealwayswonders,youknow,howmuchthereisinheredity.”
Leodidnotanswer.Philipobservedhimwithbright-eyedinterest.
“Perhaps,”hesaid,“I’mbotheringyouaskingthesequestions.”
“Well,”saidLeo,rising,“afterall,whyshouldn’tyouaskthem?You’reoneofthefamily.Theyareatthemoment,onecan’tdisguiseit,verypertinentquestionstoask.Butourfamily,asyouputit,werenotadoptedintheusualregularsenseoftheterm.Mary,yourwife,wasformallyandlegallyadopted,buttheotherscametousinamuchmoreinformalmanner.Jackowasanorphanandwashandedovertousbyanoldgrandmother.Shewaskilledintheblitzandhestayedwithus.Itwasassimpleasthat.Mickywasillegitimate.Hismotherwasonlyinterestedinmen.Shewanted￡100downandgotit.We’veneverknownwhathappenedtoTina’smother.Sheneverwrotetothechild,sheneverclaimedherafterthewar,anditwasquiteimpossibletotraceher.”
“AndHester?”
“Hesterwasillegitimatetoo.HermotherwasayoungIrishhospitalnurse.ShemarriedanAmericanGIshortlyafterHestercametous.Shebeggedustokeepthechild.Shedidnotproposetotellherhusbandanythingaboutitsbirth.ShewenttotheStateswithherhusbandattheendofthewarandwe’veneverheardanymorefromher.”
“Alltragichistoriesinaway,”saidPhilip.“Allpoorunwantedlittledevils.”
“Yes,”saidLeo.“That’swhatmadeRachelfeelsopassionatelyaboutthemall.Shewasdeterminedtomakethemfeelwanted,togivethemarealhome,bearealmothertothem.”
“Itwasafinethingtodo,”saidPhilip.
“Only—onlyitcanneverworkoutexactlyasshehopeditmight,”saidLeo.“Itwasanarticleoffaithwithherthatthebloodtiedidn’tmatter.Butthebloodtiedoesmatter,youknow.Thereisusuallysomethinginone’sownchildren,somekinkoftemperament,somewayoffeelingthatyourecognizeandcanunderstandwithouthavingtoputintowords.Youhaven’tgotthattiewithchildrenyouadopt.Onehasnoinstinctiveknowledgeofwhatgoesonintheirminds.Youjudgethem,ofcourse,byyourself,byyourownthoughtsandfeelings,butit’swisetorecognizethatthosethoughtsandfeelingsmaybeverywidelydivergentfromtheirs.”
“Youunderstoodthat,Isuppose,allalong,”saidPhilip.
“IwarnedRachelaboutit,”saidLeo,“butofcourseshedidn’tbelieveit.Didn’twanttobelieveit.Shewantedthemtobeherownchildren.”
“Tina’salwaysthedarkhorse,tomymind,”saidPhilip.“Perhapsit’sthehalfofherthatisn’twhite.Whowasthefather,doyouknow?”
“Hewasaseamanofsomekind,Ibelieve.PossiblyaLascar.Themother,”addedLeodryly,“wasunabletosay.”
“Onedoesn’tknowhowshereactstothings,orwhatshethinksabout.Shesayssolittle.”Philippaused,andthenshotoutaquestion:“Whatdoessheknowaboutthisbusinessthatsheisn’ttelling?”
HesawLeoArgyle’shand,thathadbeenturningoverpapers,stop.Therewasamoment’spause,andthenLeosaid:
“Whyshouldyouthinksheisn’ttellingeverythingsheknows?”
“Comenow,sir,it’sprettyobvious,isn’tit?”
“It’snotobvioustome,”saidLeo.
“Sheknowssomething,”saidPhilip.“Somethingdamaging,doyouthink,aboutsomeparticularperson?”
“Ithink,Philip,ifyou’llforgivemeforsayingso,thatitisratherunwisetospeculateaboutthesethings.Onecaneasilyimaginesomuch.”
“Areyouwarningmeoff,sir?”
“Isitreallyyourbusiness,Philip?”
“MeaningI’mnotapoliceman?”
“Yes,that’swhatImeant.Policehavetodotheirduty.Theyhavetoenquireintothings.”
“Andyoudon’twanttoenquireintothem?”
“Perhaps,”saidLeo,“I’mafraidofwhatIshouldfind.”
Philip’shandtightenedexcitedlyinhischair.Hesaidsoftly:
“Perhapsyouknowwhodidit.Doyou,sir?”
“No.”
TheabruptnessandvigourofLeo’sreplystartledPhilip.
“No,”saidLeo,bringinghishanddownonthedesk.Hewassuddenlynolongerthefrail,attenuated,withdrawnpersonalitythatPhilipknewsowell.“Idon’tknowwhodidit!D’youhear?Idon’tknow.Ihaven’ttheleastidea.Idon’t—Idon’twanttoknow.”
Seventeen
“Andwhatareyoudoing,Hester,mylove?”askedPhilip.
Inhiswheelchairhewaspropellinghimselfalongthepassage.Hesterwasleaningoutofthewindowhalfwayalongit.Shestartedanddrewherheadin.
“Oh,it’syou,”shesaid.
“Areyouobservingtheuniverse,orconsideringsuicide?”askedPhilip.
Shelookedathimdefiantly.
“Whatmakesyousayathinglikethat?”
“Obviouslyitwasinyourmind,”saidPhilip.“But,frankly,Hester,ifyouarecontemplatingsuchastep,thatwindowisnogood.Thedrop’snotdeepenough.Thinkhowunpleasantitwouldbeforyouwithabrokenarmandabrokenleg,say,insteadofthemercifuloblivionyouarecraving?”
“Mickyusedtoclimbdownthemagnoliatreefromthiswindow.Itwashissecretwayinandout.Motherneverknew.”
“Thethingsparentsneverknow!Onecouldwriteabookaboutit.Butifit’ssuicideyouarecontemplating,Hester,justbythesummerhousewouldbeabetterplacetojumpfrom.”
“Whereitjutsoutovertheriver?Yes,onewouldbedashedontherocksbelow!”
“Thetroublewithyou,Hester,isthatyou’resomelodramaticinyourimaginings.Mostpeoplearequitesatisfiedwitharrangingthemselvestidilyinthegasovenormeasuringthemselvesoutanenormousnumberofsleepingpills.”
“I’mgladyou’rehere,”saidHesterunexpectedly.“Youdon’tmindtalkingaboutthings,doyou?”
“Well,actually,Ihaven’tmuchelsetodonowadays,”saidPhilip.“Comeintomyroomandwe’lldosomemoretalking.”Asshehesitated,hewenton:“Mary’sdownstairs,gonetopreparemesomedeliciouslittlemorningmesswithherownfairhands.”
“Marywouldn’tunderstand,”saidHester.
“No,”Philipagreed,“Marywouldn’tunderstandintheleast.”
PhilippropelledhimselfalongandHesterwalkedbesidehim.Sheopenedthedoorofthesittingroomandhewheeledhimselfin.Hesterfollowed.
“Butyouunderstand,”saidHester.“Why?”
“Well,there’satime,youknow,whenonethinksaboutsuchthings…Whenthisbusinessfirsthappenedtome,forinstance,andIknewthatImightbeacrippleforlife….”
“Yes,”saidHester,“thatmusthavebeenterrible.Terrible.Andyouwereapilot,too,weren’tyou?Youflew.”
“Upabovetheworldsohigh,likeatea-trayinthesky,”agreedPhilip.
“I’mterriblysorry,”saidHester.“Iamreally.Ioughttohavethoughtaboutitmore,andbeenmoresympathetic!”
“ThankGodyouweren’t,”saidPhilip.“Butanyway,thatphaseisovernow.Onegetsusedtoanything,youknow.That’ssomething,Hester,thatyoudon’tappreciateatthemoment.Butyou’llcometoit.Unlessyoudosomethingveryrashandverysillyfirst.Nowcomeon,tellmeallaboutit.What’sthetrouble?Isupposeyou’vehadarowwithyourboyfriend,thesolemnyoungdoctor.Isthatit?”
“Itwasn’tarow,”saidHester.“Itwasmuchworsethanarow.”
“Itwillcomeright,”saidPhilip.
“No,itwon’t,”saidHester.“Itcan’t—ever.”
“You’resoextravagantinyourterms.Everything’sblackandwhitetoyou,isn’tit,Hester?Nohalftones.”
“Ican’thelpbeinglikethat,”saidHester.“I’vealwaysbeenlikeit.EverythingIthoughtIcoulddoorwantedtodohasalwaysgonewrong.Iwantedtohavealifeofmyown,tobesomeone,todosomething.Itwasallnogood.Iwasnogoodatanything.I’veoftenthoughtofkillingmyself.EversinceIwasfourteen.”
Philipwatchedherwithinterest.Hesaidinaquiet,matter-of-factvoice:
“Ofcoursepeopledokillthemselvesagooddeal,betweenfourteenandnineteen.It’sanageinlifewhenthingsareverymuchoutofproportion.Schoolboyskillthemselvesbecausetheydon’tthinktheycanpassexaminationsandgirlskillthemselvesbecausetheirmotherswon’tletthemgotothepictureswithunsuitableboyfriends.It’sakindofperiodwhereeverythingappearstobeinglorioustechnicolour.Joyordespair.Gloomorunparalleledhappiness.Onesnapsoutofit.Thetroublewithyouis,Hester,it’stakenyoulongertosnapoutofitthanmostpeople.”
“Motherwasalwaysright,”saidHester.“Allthethingsshewouldn’tletmedoandIwantedtodo.ShewasrightaboutthemandIwaswrong.Icouldn’tbearit,Isimplycouldn’tbearit!SoIthoughtI’dgottobebrave.I’dgottogooffonmyown.I’dgottotestmyself.Anditallwentwrong.Iwasn’tanygoodatacting.”
“Ofcourseyouweren’t,”saidPhilip.“You’vegotnodiscipline.Youcan’t,astheysayintheatricalcircles,takeproduction.You’retoobusydramatizingyourself,mygirl.You’redoingitnow.”
“AndthenIthoughtI’dhaveaproperloveaffair,”saidHester.“Notasilly,girlishthing.Anolderman.Hewasmarried,andhe’dhadaveryunhappylife.”
“Stocksituation,”saidPhilip,“andheexploitedit,nodoubt.”
“Ithoughtitwouldbea—oh,agrandpassion.You’renotlaughingatme?”Shestopped,lookingatPhilipsuspiciously.
“No,I’mnotlaughingatyou,Hester,”saidPhilipgently.“Icanseequitewellthatitmusthavebeenhellforyou.”
“Itwasn’tagrandpassion,”saidHesterbitterly.“Itwasjustacheaplittleaffair.Noneofthethingshetoldmeabouthislife,orhiswife,weretrue.I—I’djustthrownmyselfathishead.I’dbeenafool,asilly,cheaplittlefool.”
“You’vegottolearnathing,sometimes,byexperience,”saidPhilip.“Noneofthat’sdoneyouanyharm,youknow,Hester.It’sprobablyhelpedyoutogrowup.Oritwouldhelpyouifyouletit.”
“Motherwasso—socompetentaboutitall,”saidHester,inatoneofresentment.“ShecamealongandsettledeverythingandtoldmethatifIreallywantedtoactI’dbettergotothedramaticschoolanddoitproperly.ButIdidn’treallywanttoact,andIknewbythattimeIwasnogood.SoIcamehome.WhatelsecouldIdo?”
“Probablyheapsofthings,”saidPhilip.“Butthatwastheeasiest.”
“Oh,yes,”saidHesterwithfervour.“Howwellyouunderstand.I’mterriblyweak,yousee.Ialwaysdowanttodotheeasything.AndifIrebelagainstit,it’salwaysinsomesillywaythatdoesn’treallywork.”
“You’reterriblyunsureofyourself,aren’tyou?”saidPhilipgently.
“Perhapsthat’sbecauseI’monlyadopted,”saidHester.“Ididn’tfindoutaboutthat,youknow,nottillIwasnearlysixteen.IknewtheotherswereandthenIaskedoneday,and—IfoundthatIwasadoptedtoo.Itmademefeelsoawful,asthoughIdidn’tbelonganywhere.”
“Whataterriblegirlyouarefordramatizingyourself,”saidPhilip.
“Shewasn’tmymother,”saidHester.“SheneverreallyunderstoodasinglethingIfelt.Justlookedatmeindulgentlyandkindlyandmadeplansforme.Oh!Ihatedher.It’sawfulofme,Iknowit’sawfulofme,butIhatedher!”
“Actually,youknow,”saidPhilip,“mostgirlsgothroughashortperiodofhatingtheirownmothers.Therewasn’treallyanythingveryunusualaboutthat.”
“Ihatedherbecauseshewasright,”saidHester.“It’ssoawfulwhenpeoplearealwaysright.Itmakesyoufeelmoreandmoreinadequate.Oh,Philip,everything’ssoterrible.WhatamIgoingtodo?WhatcanIdo?”
“Marrythatniceyoungmanofyours,”saidPhilip,“andsettledown.BeagoodlittleGP’swife.Orisn’tthatmagnificentenoughforyou?”
“Hedoesn’twanttomarrymenow,”saidHestermournfully.
“Areyousure?Didhetellyouso?Orareyouonlyimaginingit?”
“HethinksIkilledMother.”
“Oh,”saidPhilip,andpausedaminute.“Didyou?”heasked.
Shewheeledroundathim.
“Whydoyouaskmethat?Why?”
“Ithoughtitwouldbeinterestingtoknow,”saidPhilip.“Allinthefamily,sotospeak.Notforpassingontotheauthorities.”
“IfIdidkillher,doyouthinkI’dtellyou?”saidHester.
“Itwouldbemuchwisernotto,”agreedPhilip.
“HetoldmeheknewI’dkilledher,”saidHester.“HetoldmethatifI’donlyadmitit,ifI’dconfessittohim,thatitwouldbeallright,thatwe’dbemarried,thathe’dlookafterme.That—thathewouldn’tletitmatterbetweenus.”
Philipwhistled.
“Well,well,well,”hesaid.
“What’sthegood?”askedHester.“What’sthegoodoftellinghimIdidn’tkillher?Hewouldn’tbelieveit,wouldhe?”
“Heoughtto,”saidPhilip,“ifyoutellhimso.”
“Ididn’tkillher,”saidHester.“Youunderstand?Ididn’tkillher.Ididn’t,Ididn’t,Ididn’t.”Shebrokeoff.“Thatsoundsunconvincing,”shesaid.
“Thetruthoftendoessoundunconvincing,”Philipencouragedher.
“Wedon’tknow,”saidHester.“Nobodyknows.Wealllookateachother.Marylooksatme.AndKirsten.She’ssokindtome,soprotective.Shethinksit’sme,too.WhatchancehaveI?Itwouldbebetter,muchbetter,togodowntothePoint,throwmyselfover….”
“ForGod’ssake,don’tbeafool,Hester.Thereareotherthingstodo.”
“Whatotherthings?Howcantherebe?I’velosteverything.HowcanIgoonlivingdayafterday?”ShelookedatPhilip.“YouthinkI’mwild,unbalanced.Well,perhapsIdidkillher.Perhapsit’sremorsegnawingatme.PerhapsIcan’tforget—here.”Sheputherhanddramaticallytoherheart.
“Don’tbealittleidiot,”saidPhilip.Heshotoutanarmandpulledhertohim.
Hesterhalffellacrosshischair.Hekissedher.
“Whatyouneedisahusband,mygirl,”hesaid.“Notthatsolemnyoungass,DonaldCraig,withhisheadfullofpsychiatryandjargon.You’resillyandidioticand—completelylovely,Hester.”
Thedooropened.MaryDurrantstoodabruptlystillinthedoorway.HesterstruggledtoanuprightpostionandPhilipgavehiswifeasheepishgrin.
“I’mjustcheeringupHester,Polly,”hesaid.
“Oh,”saidMary.
Shecameincarefully,placingthetrayonasmalltable.Thenshewheeledthetableupbesidehim.ShedidnotlookatHester.Hesterlookeduncertainlyfromhusbandtowife.
“Oh,well,”shesaid,“perhapsI’dbettergoand—goand—”Shedidn’tfinish.
Shewentoutoftheroom,shuttingthedoorbehindher.
“Hester’sinabadway,”saidPhilip.“Contemplatingsuicide.Iwastryingtodissuadeher,”headded.
Marydidnotanswer.
Hestretchedoutahandtowardsher.Shemovedawayfromhim.
“Polly,haveImadeyouangry?Veryangry?”
Shedidnotreply.
“BecauseIkissedher,Isuppose?Come,Polly,don’tgrudgemeonesillylittlekiss.Shewassolovelyandsosilly—andIsuddenlyfelt—well,Ifeltitwouldbefuntobeagaydogagainandhaveaflirtationnowandthen.Come,Polly,kissme.Kissandmakefriends.”
MaryDurrantsaid:
“Yoursoupwillgetcoldifyoudon’tdrinkit.”
Shewentthroughthedoortothebedroomandshutitbehindher.
Eighteen
“There’sayoungladydownbelowwantingtoseeyou,sir.”
“Ayounglady?”Calgarylookedsurprised.Hecouldnotthinkwhowaslikelytovisithim.Helookedattheworkwhichlitteredhisdesk,andfrowned.Thevoiceofthehallporterspokeagain,discreetlylowered.
“Arealyounglady,sir,averyniceyounglady.”
“Oh,well.Showherupthen.”
Calgarycouldnothelpsmilingtohimselfslightly.Thediscreetundertonesandtheassurancetickledhissenseofhumour.Hewonderedwhoitcouldbewhowantedtoseehim.HewascompletelyastonishedwhenhisdoorbellbuzzedandongoingtoopenithewasconfrontedbyHesterArgyle.
“You!”Theexclamationcameoutwithfullsurprise.Then,“Comein,comein,”hesaid.Hedrewherinsideandshutthedoor.
Strangelyenough,hisimpressionofherwasalmostthesameasthefirsttimehehadseenher.ShewasdressedwithnoregardtotheconventionsofLondon.Shewashatless,herdarkhairhangingroundherfaceinakindofelflockdisarray.Theheavytweedcoatshowedadarkgreenskirtandsweaterunderneath.Shelookedasthoughshehadjustcomeinbreathlessfromawalkonthemoor
“Please,”saidHester,“please,you’vegottohelpme.”
“Tohelpyou?”Hewasstartled.“Inwhatway?OfcourseI’llhelpyouifIcan.”
“Ididn’tknowwhattodo,”saidHester.“Ididn’tknowwhotocometo.Butsomeone’sgottohelpme.Ican’tgoon,andyou’retheperson.Youstarteditall.”
“You’reintroubleofsomekind?Badtrouble?”
“We’reallintrouble,”saidHester.“Butone’ssoselfish,isn’tone?Imean,Ionlythinkofmyself.”
“Sitdown,mydear,”hesaidgently.
Heclearedpapersoffanarmchairandsettledherthere.Thenhewentovertohiscornercupboard.
“Youmusthaveaglassofwine,”hesaid.“Aglassofdrysherry.Willthatsuityou?”
“Ifyoulike.Itdoesn’tmatter.”
“It’sverywetandcoldout.Youneedsomething.”
Heturned,decanterandglassinhand.Hesterwasslumpeddowninthechairwithaqueerkindofangulargracethattouchedhimbyitscompleteabandonment.
“Don’tworry,”hesaidgently,asheputtheglassbyhersideandfilledit.“Thingsareneverquitesobadastheyseem,youknow.”
“Peoplesaythat,butit’snottrue,”saidHester.“Sometimesthey’reworsethantheyseem.”Shesippedthewine,thenshesaidaccusingly,“Wewereallrighttillyoucame.Quiteallright.Then,thenitallstarted.”
“Iwon’tpretend,”saidArthurCalgary,“thatIdon’tknowwhatyoumean.Ittookmecompletelyabackwhenyoufirstsaidthattome,butnowIunderstandbetterwhatmy—myinformationmusthavebroughttoyou.”
“SolongaswethoughtitwasJacko—”Hestersaidandbrokeoff.
“Iknow,Hester,Iknow.Butyou’vegottogobehindthat,youknow.Whatyouwerelivinginwasafalsesecurity.Itwasn’tarealthing,itwasonlyathingofmake-believe,ofcardboard—akindofstagescenery.Sometimesthatrepresentedsecuritybutwhichwasnotreally,andcouldneverbe,security.”
“You’resaying,aren’tyou,”saidHester,“thatonemusthavecourage,thatit’snogoodsnatchingatathingbecauseit’sfalseandeasy?”Shepausedaminuteandthensaid:“Youhadcourage!Irealizethat.Tocomeandtellusyourself.Notknowinghowwe’dfeel,howwe’dreact.Itwasbraveofyou.Iadmirebraverybecause,yousee,I’mnotreallyverybravemyself.”
“Tellme,”saidCalgarygently,“tellmejustwhatthetroubleisnow.It’ssomethingspecial,isn’tit?”
“Ihadadream,”saidHester.“There’ssomeone—ayoungman—adoctor—”
“Isee,”saidCalgary.“Youarefriends,or,perhaps,morethanfriends?”
“Ithought,”saidHester,“weweremorethanfriends…Andhethoughtsotoo.Butyousee,nowthatallthishascomeup—”
“Yes?”saidCalgary.
“HethinksIdidit,”saidHester.Herwordscamewitharush.“Orperhapshedoesn’tthinkIdiditbuthe’snotsure.Hecan’tbesure.Hethinks—Icanseehethinks—thatI’mthemostlikelyperson.PerhapsIam.Perhapsweallthinkthatabouteachother.AndIthought,somebodyhasgottohelpusintheterriblemesswe’rein,andIthoughtofyoubecauseofthedream.Yousee,IwaslostandIcouldn’tfindDon.He’dleftmeandtherewasagreatbigsortofravinething—anabyss.Yes,that’stheword.Anabyss.Itsoundssodeep,doesn’tit?Sodeepandso—sounbridgeable.Andyouwerethereontheothersideandyouheldoutyourhandsandsaid,‘Iwanttohelpyou.’”Shedrewadeepbreath.“SoIcametoyou.IranawayandIcameherebecauseyou’vegottohelpus.Ifyoudon’thelpus,Idon’tknowwhat’sgoingtohappen.Youmusthelpus.Youbroughtallthis.You’llsay,perhaps,thatit’snothingtodowithyou.Thathavingoncetoldus—toldusthetruthaboutwhathappened—thatit’snobusinessofyours.You’llsay—”
“No,”saidCalgary,interruptingher.“Ishallnotsayanythingofthekind.Itismybusiness,Hester.Iagreewithyou.Whenyoustartathingyouhavetogoonwithit.Ifeelthateverybitasmuchasyoudo.”
“Oh!”ColourflamedupintoHester’sface.Suddenly,aswasthewaywithher,shelookedbeautiful.“SoI’mnotalone!”shesaid.“Thereissomeone.”
“Yes,mydear,thereissomeone—forwhathe’sworth.SofarIhaven’tbeenworthverymuch,butI’mtryingandI’veneverstoppedtryingtohelp.”Hesatdownanddrewhischairnearertoher.“Nowtellmeallaboutit,”hesaid.“Hasitbeenverybad?”
“It’soneofus,yousee,”saidHester.“Weallknowthat.Mr.Marshallcameandwepretendeditmusthavebeensomeonewhogotin,butheknewitwasn’t.It’soneofus.”
“Andyouryoungman—what’s-his-name?”
“Don.DonaldCraig.He’sadoctor.”
“Donthinksit’syou?”
“He’safraidit’sme,”saidHester.Shetwistedherhandsinadramaticgesture.Shelookedathim.“Perhapsyouthinkit’sme,too?”
“Oh,no,”saidCalgary.“Ohno,Iknowquitewellthatyou’reinnocent.”
“Yousaythatasthoughyouwerereallyquitesure.”
“Iamquitesure,”saidCalgary.
“Butwhy?Howcanyoubesosure?”
“BecauseofwhatyousaidtomewhenIleftthehouseaftertellingallofyou.Doyouremember?Whatyousaidtomeaboutinnocence.Youcouldn’thavesaidthat—youcouldn’thavefeltthatway—unlessyouwereinnocent.”
“Oh,”criedHester.“Oh—therelief!Toknowthere’ssomeonewhoreallyfeelslikethat!”
“Sonow,”saidCalgary,“wecandiscussitcalmly,can’twe?”
“Yes,”saidHester.“Itfeels—itfeelsquitedifferentnow.”
“Justasamatterofinterest,”saidCalgary,“andkeepingfirmlyinmindthatyouknowwhatIfeelaboutit,whyshouldanyoneforonemomentthinkthatyouwouldkillyouradoptedmother?”
“Imighthavedone,”saidHester.“Ioftenfeltlikeit.Onedoessometimesfeeljustmadwithrage.Onefeelssofutile,so—sohelpless.Motherwasalwayssocalmandsosuperiorandkneweverything,andwasrightabouteverything.SometimesIwouldthink,‘Oh!Iwouldliketokillher.’”Shelookedathim.“Doyouunderstand?Didn’tyoueverfeellikethatwhenyouwereyoung?”
ThelastwordsgaveCalgaryasuddenpang,thesamepangperhapsthathehadfeltwhenMickyinthehotelatDrymouthhadsaidtohim,“Youlookolder!”“Whenhewasyoung?”DiditseemsoverylongagotoHester?Hecasthismindback.Herememberedhimselfatnineyearsoldconsultingwithanothersmallboyinthegardensofhisprepschool,wonderingingenuouslywhatwouldbethebestwaytodisposeofMr.Warborough,theirformmaster.HerememberedthehelplessnessofragethathadconsumedhimwhenMr.Warboroughhadbeenparticularlysarcasticinhiscomments.That,hethought,waswhatHesterhadfelttoo.Butwhateverheandyoung—whatwashisnamenow?—Porch,yes,Porchhadbeentheboy’sname—althoughheandyoungPorchhadconsultedandplanned,theyhadnevertakenanyactivestepstobringaboutthedemiseofMr.Warborough
“Youknow,”hesaidtoHester,“yououghttohavegotoverthosesortoffeelingsagoodmanyyearsago.Icanunderstandthem,ofcourse.”
“ItwasjustthatMotherhadthateffectuponme,”saidHester.“I’mbeginningtoseenow,youknow,thatitwasmyownfault.Ifeelthatifonlyshe’dlivedalittlelonger,justlivedtillIwasalittleolder,alittlemoresettled,that—thatwe’dhavebeenfriendsinacuriousway.ThatI’dhavebeengladofherhelpandheradvice.But—butasitwasIcouldn’tbearit;because,yousee,itmademefeelsoineffectual,sostupid.EverythingIdidwentwrongandIcouldseeformyselfthatthethingsIdidwerefoolishthings.ThatI’donlydonethembecauseIwantedtorebel,wantedtoprovethatIwasmyself.AndIwasn’tanybody.Iwasfluid.Yes,that’stheword,”saidHester.“It’sexactlytheword.Fluid.Nevertakingashapeforlong.Justtryingonshapes—shapes—shapesofotherpeoplethatIadmired.Ithought,yousee,ifIranawayandwentonthestageandhadanaffairwithsomeone,that—”
“Thatyouwouldfeelyourself,oratanyrate,feelsomebody?”
“Yes,”saidHester.“Yes,that’sjustit.AndofcoursereallyIseenowthatIwasjustbehavinglikeasillychild.Butyoudon’tknowhowIwish,Dr.Calgary,thatMotherwasalivenow.Becauseit’ssounfair—unfaironher,Imean.Shedidsomuchforusandgaveussomuch.Wedidn’tgiveheranythingback.Andnowit’stoolate.”Shepaused.“That’swhy,”shesaid,withasuddenrenewalofvigour,“I’vedeterminedtostopbeingsillyandchildish.Andyou’llhelpme,won’tyou?”
“I’vealreadysaidI’lldoanythingintheworldtohelpyou.”
Shegavehimaquick,ratherlovelysmile.
“Tellme,”hesaid,“exactlywhathasbeenhappening.”
“JustwhatIthoughtwouldhappen,”saidHester.“We’veallbeenlookingateachotherandwonderingandwedon’tknow.FatherlooksatGwendaandthinksperhapsitwasher.Shelooksatfatherandisn’tsure.Idon’tthinkthey’regoingtogetmarriednow.It’sspoilteverything.AndTinathinksMickyhadsomethingtodowithit.Idon’tknowwhybecausehewasn’ttherethatevening.AndKirstenthinksIdiditandtriestoprotectme.AndMary—that’smyoldersisterwhoyoudidn’tmeet—MarythinksKirstendidit.”
“Andwhodoyouthinkdidit,Hester?”
“Me?”Hestersoundedstartled.
“Yes,you,”saidCalgary.“Ithink,youknow,it’sratherimportanttoknowthat.”
Hesterspreadoutherhands.“Idon’tknow,”shewailed.“Ijustdon’tknow.I’m—it’sanawfulthingtosay—butI’mfrightenedofeverybody.It’sasthoughbehindeachfacetherewasanotherface.A—sinistersortoffacethatIdon’tknow.Idon’tfeelsurethatFather’sFather,andKirstenkeepssayingthatIshouldn’ttrustanybody—notevenher.AndIlookatMaryandIfeelIdon’tknowanythingabouther.AndGwenda—I’vealwayslikedGwenda.I’vebeengladthatFatherwasgoingtomarryGwenda.ButnowI’mnotsureaboutGwendaanymore.Iseeherassomebodydifferent,ruthlessand—andrevengeful.Idon’tknowwhatanybody’slike.There’sanawfulfeelingofunhappiness.”
“Yes,”saidCalgary,“Icanwellimaginethat.”
“There’ssomuchunhappiness,”saidHester,“thatIcan’thelpfeelingperhapsthere’sthemurderer’sunhappinesstoo.Andthatmightbetheworstofall…Doyouthinkthat’slikely?”
“It’spossible,Isuppose,”saidCalgary,“andyetIdoubt—ofcourseI’mnotanexpert—Idoubtifamurdereriseverreallyunhappy.”
“Butwhynot?Ishouldthinkitwouldbethemostterriblethingtobe,toknowyou’dkilledsomeone.”
“Yes,”saidCalgary,“itisaterriblethingandthereforeIthinkamurderermustbeoneoftwokindsofpeople.Eitherapersontowhomithasnotbeenterribletokillanyone,thekindofpersonwhosaystohimself,‘Well,ofcourseitwasapitytohavetodothatbutitwasnecessaryformyownwellbeing.Afterall,it’snotmyfault.Ijust—well,justhadtodoit.’Orelse—”
“Yes?”saidHester,“what’stheotherkindofmurderer?”
“I’monlyguessing,mindyou,Idon’tknow,butIthinkifyouwerewhatyoucalltheotherkindofmurderer,youwouldn’tbeabletolivewithyourunhappinessoverwhatyou’ddone.You’deitherhavetoconfessitorelseyou’dhavetorewritethestoryforyourself,asitwere.Puttingtheblameonsomeoneelse,saying‘Ishouldneverhavedonesuchathingunless—’suchandsuchathinghadhappened.‘I’mnotreallyamurdererbecauseIdidn’tmeantodoit.Itjusthappened,andsoreallyitwasfateandnotmyself.’DoyouunderstandalittlewhatIamtryingtosay?”
“Yes,”saidHester,“andIthinkit’sveryinteresting.”Shehalf-closedhereyes.“I’mjusttryingtothink—”
“Yes,Hester,”saidCalgary,“think.ThinkashardasyoucanbecauseifI’mevergoingtobeabletohelpyouI’vegottoseethingsthroughyourmind.”
“MickyhatedMother,”saidHesterslowly.“Healwaysdid…Idon’tknowwhy.Tina,Ithink,lovedher.Gwendadidn’tlikeher.KirstenwasalwaysloyaltoMotherthoughshedidn’talwaysthinkthatMotherwasrightinallthethingsshedid.Father—”Shepausedforalongtime.
“Yes?”Calgarypromptedher.
“Father’sgonealongwayawayagain,”saidHester.“AfterMotherdied,youknow,hewasquitedifferent.Notso—whatshallIcallit—remote.He’sbeenmorehuman,morealive.Butnowhe’sgonebacktosome—somesortofshadowyplacewhereyoucan’tgetathim.Idon’tknowwhathefeltaboutMother,really.Isupposehelovedherwhenhemarriedher.Theyneverquarrelled,butIdon’tknowwhathefeltabouther.Oh”—herhandsflewoutagain—“onedoesn’tknowwhatanyonefeels,doesone,really?Imean,whatgoesonbehindtheirfaces,behindtheirniceeverydaywords?Theymayberavagedwithhateorloveordespair,andonewouldn’tknow!It’sfrightening…Oh,Dr.Calgary,it’sfrightening!”
Hetookbothherhandsinhis.
“You’renotachildanylonger,”hesaid.“Onlychildrenarefrightened.You’regrown-up,Hester.You’reawoman.”Hereleasedherhandsandsaidinamatter-of-facttone:“IsthereanywhereyoucanstayinLondon?”
Hesterlookedslightlybewildered.
“Isupposeso.Idon’tknow.MotherusuallystayedatCurtis’s.”
“Well,that’saverynice,quiethotel.IshouldgothereandbookaroomifIwereyou.”
“I’lldoanythingyoutellmetodo,”saidHester.
“Goodgirl,”saidCalgary.“What’sthetime?”Helookedupattheclock.“Hallo,it’saboutseveno’clockalready.Supposingyougoandbookyourselfaroom,andI’llcomealongaboutquartertoeighttotakeyououttodinner.Howwouldthatsuityou?”
“Itsoundswonderful,”saidHester.“Doyoureallymeanit?”
“Yes,”saidCalgary,“Ireallymeanit.”
“Butafterthat?What’sgoingtohappennext?Ican’tgoonstaying,canI,atCurtis’sforever?”
“Yourhorizonalwaysseemsboundedbyinfinity,”saidCalgary.
“Areyoulaughingatme?”sheaskedhimdoubtfully.
“Justalittle,”hesaid,andsmiled.
Herexpressionwaveredandthenshe,too,smiled.
“Isupposereally,”shesaidconfidentially,“I’vebeendramatizingmyselfagain.”
“It’sratherahabitofyours,Isuspect,”saidCalgary.
“That’swhyIthoughtIshoulddowellonthestage,”saidHester.“ButIdidn’t.Iwasnogoodatall.Oh,Iwasalousyactress.”
“You’llgetallthedramayouwantoutofordinarylife,Ishouldsay,”saidCalgary.“NowI’mgoingtoputyouinataxi,mydear,andyougoofftoCurtis’s.Andwashyourfaceandbrushyourhair,”hewenton.“Haveyougotanyluggagewithyou?”
“Oh,yes.I’vegotasortofovernightbag.”
“Good.”Hesmiledather.“Don’tworry,Hester,”hesaidagain.“We’llthinkofsomething.”
Nineteen
I
“Iwanttotalktoyou,Kirsty,”saidPhilip.
“Yes,ofcourse,Philip.”
KirstenLindstrompausedinhertask.Shehadjustbroughtinsomewashingwhichshewasputtingawayinthechestofdrawers.
“Iwanttotalktoyouaboutallthisbusiness,”saidPhilip.“Youdon’tmind,doyou?”
“Thereistoomuchtalkalready,”saidKirsten.“Thatismyview.”
“Butitwouldbeaswell,wouldn’tit,”saidPhilip,“tocometosomeconclusionamongourselves.Youknowwhat’sgoingonatpresent,don’tyou?”
“Thingsaregoingwrongeverywhere,”saidKirsten.
“DoyouthinkLeoandGwendawillevergetmarriednow?”
“Whynot?”
“Severalreasons,”saidPhilip.“Firstofall,perhaps,becauseLeoArgylebeinganintelligentman,realizesthatamarriagebetweenhimandGwendawillgivethepolicewhattheywant.Aperfectlygoodmotiveforthemurderofhiswife.Or,alternatively,becauseLeosuspectsthatGwendaisthemurderer.Andbeingasensitiveman,hedoesn’treallyliketakingasasecondwifethewomanwhokilledhisfirstwife.Whatdoyousaytothat?”headded.
“Nothing,”saidKirsten,“whatshouldIsay?”
“Playingitveryclosetoyourchest,aren’tyou,Kirsty?”
“Idon’tunderstandyou.”
“Whoareyoucoveringupfor,Kirsten?”
“Iamnot‘coveringup,’asyoucallit,foranyone.IthinkthereshouldbelesstalkandIthinkpeopleshouldnotstayoninthishouse.Itisnotgoodforthem.Ithinkyou,Philip,shouldgohomewithyourwifetoyourownhome.”
“Oh,youdo,doyou?Why,inparticular?”
“Youareaskingquestions,”saidKirsten.“Youaretryingtofindoutthings.Andyourwifedoesnotwantyoutodoit.Sheiswiserthanyouare.Youmightfindoutsomethingyoudidnotwanttofindout,orthatshedidnotwantyoutofindout.Youshouldgohome,Philip.Youshouldgohomeverysoon.”
“Idon’twanttogohome,”saidPhilip.Hespokeratherlikeapetulantsmallboy.
“Thatiswhatchildrensay,”saidKirsten.“TheysayIdon’twanttodothisandIdon’twanttodothat,butthosewhoknowmoreoflife,whoseebetterwhatishappening,havetocoaxthemtodowhattheydonotwanttodo.”
“Sothisisyourideaofcoaxing,isit?”saidPhilip.“Givingmeorders.”
“No,Idonotgiveyouorders.Ionlyadviseyou.”Shesighed.“Iwouldadviseallofthemthesameway.MickyshouldgobacktohisworkasTinahasgonebacktoherlibrary.IamgladHesterhasgone.Sheshouldbesomewherewheresheisnotcontinuallyremindedofallthis.”
“Yes,”saidPhilip.“Iagreewithyouthere.You’rerightaboutHester.Butwhataboutyouyourself,Kirsten?Oughtn’tyoutogoawaytoo?”
“Yes,”saidKirstenwithasigh.“Ioughttogoaway.”
“Whydon’tyou?”
“Youwouldnotunderstand.Itistoolateformetogoaway.”
Philiplookedatherthoughtfully.Thenhesaid:
“Therearesomanyvariations,aren’tthere—variationsonasingletheme.LeothinksGwendadidit,GwendathinksLeodidit.Tinaknowssomethingthatmakeshersuspectwhodidit.Mickyknowswhodiditbutdoesn’tcare.MarythinksHesterdidit.”Hepausedandthenwenton,“Butthetruthis,Kirsty,thatthoseareonlyvariationsonathemeasIsaid.Weknowwhodiditquitewell,don’twe,Kirsty.YouandI?”
Sheshotaquick,horrifiedglanceathim.
“Ithoughtasmuch,”saidPhilipexultantly.
“Whatdoyoumean?”saidKirsten.“Whatareyoutryingtosay?”
“Idon’treallyknowwhodidit,”saidPhilip.“Butyoudo.Youdon’tonlythinkyouknowwhodidit,youactuallydoknow.I’mright,aren’tI?”
Kirstenmarchedtothedoor.Sheopenedit,thenturnedbackandspoke.
“Itisnotapolitethingtosay,butIwillsayit.Youareafool,Philip.Whatyouaretryingtodoisdangerous.Youunderstandonekindofdanger.Youhavebeenapilot.Youhavefaceddeathupthereinthesky.Canyounotseethatifyougetanywherenearthetruth,youareinjustasgreatdangerasyoueverwereinthewar?”
“Andwhataboutyou,Kirsty?Ifyouknowthetruth,aren’tyouindangertoo?”
“Icantakecareofmyself,”saidKirstengrimly.“Icanbeonmyguard.Butyou,Philip,areinaninvalidchairandhelpless.Thinkofthat!Besides,”sheadded,“Idonotairmyviews.Iamcontenttoletthingsbe—becauseIhonestlythinkthatthatisbestforeveryone.Ifeveryonewouldgoawayandattendtotheirownbusiness,thentherewouldbenofurthertrouble.IfIamasked,Ihavemyofficialview.IsaystillthatitwasJacko.”
“Jacko?”Philipstared.
“Whynot?Jackowasclever.Jackocouldplanathingandbesurehewouldnotsufferfromtheconsequences.Oftenhedidthatasachild.Afterall,tofakeanalibi.Isthatnotdoneeveryday?”
“Hecouldn’thavefakedthisone.Dr.Calgary—”
“Dr.Calgary—Dr.Calgary,”saidKirstenwithimpatience,“becauseheiswellknown,becausehehasafamousname,yousay,‘Dr.Calgary’asthoughhewereGod!Butletmetellyouthis.Whenyouhavehadconcussionashehadconcussion,thingsmaybequiteadifferentday—adifferenttime—adifferentplace!”
Philiplookedather,hisheadslightlyononeside.
“Sothat’syourstory,”hesaid.“Andyou’restickingtoit.Averycreditableattempt.Butyoudon’tbelieveityourself,doyou,Kirsty?”
“I’vewarnedyou,”saidKirsten,“Ican’tdomore.”
Sheturnedaway,thenpoppedherheadinagaintosayinherusualmatter-of-factvoice:
“TellMaryIhaveputthecleanwashingawayintheseconddrawerthere.”
Philipsmiledalittleattheanti-climax,thenthesmilediedaway….
Hissenseofinnerexcitementgrew.Hehadafeelinghewasgettingverynearindeed.HisexperimentwithKirstenhadbeenhighlysatisfactory,buthedoubtedthathewouldgetanymoreoutofher.Hersolicitudeforhimirritatedhim.Justbecausehewasacrippledidnotmeanthathewasasvulnerableasshemadeout.He,too,couldbeonhisguard—andforheaven’ssake,wasn’thewatchedoverincessantly?Maryhardlyeverlefthisside.
Hedrewasheetofpapertowardshimandbegantowrite.Briefnotes,names,questionmarks…Avulnerablespottoprobe….
Suddenlyhenoddedhisheadandwrote:Tina….
Hethoughtaboutit….
Thenhedrewanothersheetofpapertowardshim.
WhenMarycamein,hehardlylookedup.
“Whatareyoudoing,Philip?”
“Writingaletter.”
“ToHester?”
“Hester?No.Idon’tevenknowwhereshe’sstaying.KirstyjusthadapostcardfromherwithLondonwrittenatthetop,thatwasall.”
Hegrinnedather.
“Ibelieveyou’rejealous,Polly.Areyou?”
Hereyes,blueandcold,lookedintohis.
“Perhaps.”
Hefeltalittleuncomfortable.
“Whoareyouwritingto?”Shecameastepnearer.
“ThePublicProsecutor,”saidPhilipcheerfully,thoughwithinhimacoldangerstirred.“Couldn’tafellowwritealetter,even,withoutbeingquestionedaboutit?”
Thenhesawherfaceandherelented.
“Onlyajoke,Polly.I’mwritingtoTina.”
“ToTina?Why?”
“Tina’smynextlineofattack.Whereareyougoing,Polly?”
“Tothebathroom,”saidMaryasshewentoutoftheroom.
Philiplaughed.Tothebathroom,asonthenightofthemurder…Helaughedagainasherememberedtheirconversationaboutit.
II
“Comeon,sonny,”saidSuperintendentHuishencouragingly.“Let’shearallaboutit.”
MasterCyrilGreentookadeepbreath.Beforehecouldspeak,hismotherinterposed.
“Asyoumightsay,Mr.Huish,Ididn’ttakemuchnoticeatthetime.Youknowwhatthesechildrenare.Alwaystalkingandthinkingaboutspaceshipsandthings.Andhecomeshometomeandhesays,‘Mum,I’veseenasputnik,it’scomedown.’Well,Imean,beforethatitwasflyingsaucers.It’salwayssomething.It’stheseRussiansthatgoputtingthingsintotheirheads.”
SuperintendentHuishsighedandthoughthowmucheasieritwouldbeifmotherswouldnotinsistonaccompanyingtheirsonsandtalkingforthem.
“Comeon,Cyril,”hesaid,“youwenthomeandtoldyourMum—that’sright,isn’tit?—thatyou’dseenthisRussiansputnik—whateveritwas.”
“Didn’tknownobetterthen,”saidCyril.“Iwasonlyakidthen.That’stwoyearsago.Course,Iknowbetternow.”
“Thembubblecars,”hismotherputin,“wasquitenewatthetime.Therehadn’tbeenoneaboutlocally,sonaturallywhenhesawit—andbrightredtoo—hedidn’trealizeasitwasjustanordinarycar.AndwhenweheardthenextmorningasMrs.Argylehadbeendonein,Cyrilhesaystome,‘Mum,’hesays,‘it’sthemRussians,’hesays,‘theycomedowninthatsputnikoftheirsandtheymusthavegotinandkilledher.’‘Don’ttalksuchnonsense,’Isaid.Andthenofcourselaterinthedaywehearherownsonhasbeenarrestedforhavingdoneit.”
SuperintendentHuishaddressedhimselfpatientlyoncemoretoCyril.
“Itwasintheevening,Iunderstand?Whattime,doyouremember?”
“I’dhadmetea,”saidCyril,breathinghardintheeffortofremembrance,“andMumwasoutattheInstitute,soIwentoutagainabitwiththeboysandwelarkedaroundabitupthatwaydownthenewroad.”
“Andwhatwasyoudoingthere,I’dliketoknow,”hismotherputin.
PCGood,who’dbroughtinthispromisingpieceofevidence,interposed.HeknewwellenoughwhatCyrilandtheboyshadbeendoingdownthenewroad.Thedisappearanceofchrysanthemumshadbeenangrilyreportedfromseveralhouseholdersthere,andheknewwellenoughthatthebadcharactersofthevillagesurreptitiouslyencouragedtheyoungergenerationtosupplythemwithflowerswhichtheythemselvestooktomarket.Thiswasnotthemoment,PCGoodknew,togointopastcasesofdelinquency.Hesaidheavily:
“Boysisboys,Mrs.Green,theygetslarkingaround.”
“Yes,”saidCyril,“justhavingagameortwo,wewere.Andthat’swhereIsawit.‘Coo,’Isaid,‘what’sthis?’O’courseIknownow.I’mnotasillykidanylonger.Itwasjustoneo’thembubblecars.Brightred,itwas.”
“Andthetime?”saidSuperintendentHuishpatiently.
“Well,asIsay,I’dhadmeteaan’we’dgoneoutthereandlarked.Iheardtheclockstrikeand‘Coo,’Ithought,‘Mum’llbehomeandwon’tshecreateifI’mnotthere.’SoIwenthome.ItoldherthatIthoughtI’dseenthatRussiansatellitecomedown.Mumsaiditwerealllies,butitwasn’t.Onlyo’course,Iknowsbetternow.Iwasjustakidthen,see.”
SuperintendentHuishsaidthathesaw.AfterafewmorequestionshedismissedMrs.Greenandheroffspring.PCGood,remainingbehind,putonthegratifiedexpressionofajuniormemberoftheforcewhohasshownintelligenceandhopesthatitwillcountinhisfavour.
“Itjustcometome,”saidPCGood,“whatthatboy’dbeenaroundsayingaboutRussiansdoingMrs.Argylein.Ithoughttomeself,‘Well,thatmaymeansomething.’”
“Itdoesmeansomething,”saidthesuperintendent.“MissTinaArgylehasaredbubblecar,anditlooksasthoughI’dhavetoaskherafewmorequestions.”
III
“Youweretherethatnight,MissArgyle?”
Tinalookedatthesuperintendent.Herhandslaylooselyinherlap,hereyes,dark,unwinking,toldnothing.
“Itissolongago,”shesaid,“reallyIcannotremember.”
“Yourcarwasseenthere,”saidHuish
“Wasit?”
“Comenow,MissArgyle.Whenweaskedyouforanaccountofyourmovementsonthatnight,youtoldusthatyouwenthomeanddidn’tgooutthatevening.Youmadeyourselfsupperandlistenedtothegramophone.Now,thatisn’ttrue.Justbeforeseveno’clockyourcarwasseenintheroadquiteneartoSunnyPoint.Whatwereyoudoingthere?”
Shedidnotanswer.Huishwaitedafewmoments,thenhespokeagain.
“Didyougointothehouse,MissArgyle?”
“No,”saidTina.
“Butyouwerethere?”
“YousayIwasthere.”
“It’snotjustaquestionofmysayingso.We’vegotevidencethatyouwerethere.”
Tinasighed.
“Yes,”shesaid.“Ididdriveouttherethatevening.”
“Butyousayyoudidn’tgointothehouse?”
“No,Ididn’tgointothehouse.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“IdrovebackagaintoRedmyn.Then,asItoldyou,Imademyselfsomesupperandputonthegramophone.”
“Whydidyoudriveoutthereifyoudidn’tgointothehouse?”
“Ichangedmymind,”saidTina.
“Whatmadeyouchangeyourmind,MissArgyle?”
“WhenIgotthereIdidn’twanttogoin.”
“Becauseofsomethingyousaworheard?”
Shedidnotanswer.
“Listen,MissArgyle.Thatwasthenightthatyourmotherwasmurdered.Shewaskilledbetweensevenandhalfpastthatevening.Youwerethere,yourcarwasthere,atsometimebeforeseven.Howlongitwastherewedonotknow.Itispossible,youknow,thatitmayhavebeenthereforsometime.Itmaybethatyouwentintothehouse—youhaveakey,Ithink—”
“Yes,”saidTina,“Ihaveakey.”
“Perhapsyouwentintothehouse.Perhapsyouwentintoyourmother’ssittingroomandfoundherthere,dead.Orperhaps—”
Tinaraisedherhead.
“OrperhapsIkilledher?Isthatwhatyouwanttosay,SuperintendentHuish?”
“Itisonepossibility,”saidHuish,“butIthinkit’smorelikely,MissArgyle,someoneelsedidthekilling.Ifso,Ithinkyouknow—orhaveaverystrongsuspicion—whothekillerwas.”
“Ididnotgointothehouse,”saidTina.
“Thenyousawsomethingorheardsomething.Yousawsomeonegointothehouseorsomeoneleavethehouse.Someoneperhapswhowasnotknowntobethere.WasityourbrotherMichael,MissArgyle?”
Tinasaid:
“Isawnobody.”
“Butyouheardsomething,”saidHuishshrewdly.“Whatdidyouhear,MissArgyle?”
“Itellyou,”saidTina,“Isimplychangedmymind.”
“You’llforgiveme,MissArgyle,butIdon’tbelievethat.WhyshouldyoudriveoutfromRedmyntovisityourfamily,anddrivebackagainwithoutseeingthem?Somethingmadeyouchangeyourmindaboutthat.Somethingyousaworheard.”Heleanedforward.“Ithinkyouknow,MissArgyle,whokilledyourmother.”
Veryslowlysheshookherhead.
“Youknowsomething,”saidHuish.“Somethingthatyouaredeterminednottotell.Butthink,MissArgyle,thinkverycarefully.Doyourealizewhatyouarecondemningyourentirefamilytogothrough?Doyouwantthemalltoremainundersuspicion—forthat’swhat’sgoingtohappenunlesswegetatthetruth.Whoeverkilledyourmotherdoesn’tdeservetobeshielded.Forthat’sit,isn’tit?You’reshieldingsomeone.”
Againthatdark,opaquelookmethis.
“Iknownothing,”saidTina.“Ididn’thearanythingandIdidn’tseeanything.Ijust—changedmymind.”
Twenty
I
CalgaryandHuishlookedateachother.Calgarysawwhatseemedtohimoneofthemostdepressedandgloomy-lookingmenhehadeverseen.SoprofoundlydisillusioneddidheappearthatCalgaryfelttemptedtosupposethatSuperintendentHuish’scareerhadbeenonelongseriesoffailures.HewassurprisedtodiscoveronalateroccasionthatSuperintendentHuishhadbeenextremelysuccessfulprofessionally.Huishsawalean,prematurelygrey-hairedmanwithslightlystoopingshoulders,asensitivefaceandasingularlyattractivesmile.
“Youdon’tknowwhoIam,I’mafraid,”Calgarybegan.
“Oh,weknowallaboutyou,Dr.Calgary,”saidHuish.“You’rethejokerinthepackwhoqueeredtheArgylecase.”Aratherunexpectedsmileliftedthecornersofhissad-lookingmouth.
“Youcanhardlyregardmefavourablythen,”saidCalgary.
“It’sallintheday’swork,”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Itseemedaclearcaseandnobodycanbeblamedforthinkingitso.Butthesethingshappen,”hewenton.“They’resenttotryus,somyoldmotherusedtosay.Wedon’tbearmalice,Dr.Calgary.Afterall,wedostandforJustice,don’twe?”
“SoI’vealwaysbelieved,andshallcontinuetobelieve,”saidCalgary.“Tonomanwillwedenyjustice,”hemurmuredsoftly.
“MagnaCarta,”saidSuperintendentHuish.
“Yes,”saidCalgary,“quotedtomebyMissTinaArgyle.”
SuperintendentHuish’seyebrowsrose.
“Indeed.Yousurpriseme.Thatyounglady,Ishouldsay,hasnotbeenparticularlyactiveinhelpingthewheelsofjusticetoturn.”
“Nowwhydoyousaythat?”askedCalgary.
“Frankly,”saidHuish,“forwithholdinginformation.There’snodoubtaboutthat.”
“Why?”askedCalgary.
“Well,it’safamilybusiness,”saidHuish.“Familiessticktogether.Butwhatwasityouwantedtoseemeabout?”hecontinued.
“Iwantinformation,”saidCalgary.
“AbouttheArgylecase?”
“Yes.IrealizethatImustseemtoyoutobebuttingininamatterthat’snotmyconcern—”
“Well,itisyourconcerninaway,isn’tit?”
“Ah,youdoappreciatethat.Yes.Ifeelresponsible.Responsibleforbringingtrouble.”
“Youcan’tmakeanomelettewithoutbreakingeggs,astheFrenchsay,”saidHuish.
“TherearethingsIwanttoknow,”saidCalgary.
“Suchas?”
“I’dlikeagreatdealmoreinformationaboutJackoArgyle.”
“AboutJackoArgyle.Well,now,Ididn’texpectyoutosaythat.”
“He’dgotabadrecord,Iknow,”saidCalgary.“WhatIwantisafewdetailsfromit.”
“Well,that’ssimpleenough,”saidHuish.“He’dbeenonprobationtwice.Onanotheroccasion,forembezzlementoffunds,hewasjustsavedbybeingabletoputupthemoneyintime.”
“Thebuddingyoungcriminal,infact?”askedCalgary.
“Quiteright,sir,”saidHuish.“Notamurderer,asyou’vemadecleartous,butagoodmanyotherthings.Nothing,mindyou,onagrandscale.Hehadn’tgotthebrainsorthenervetoputupabigswindle.Justasmall-timecriminal.Pinchingmoneyoutoftills,wheedlingitoutofwomen.”
“Andhewasgoodatthat,”saidCalgary.“Wheedlingmoneyoutofwomen,Imean.”
“Andaverynicesafelineitis,”saidSuperintendentHuish.“Womenfellforhimveryeasily.Middle-agedorelderlyweretheonesheusuallywentfor.You’dbesurprisedhowgulliblethattypeofwomancanbe.Heputoveraveryprettyline.Gotthemtobelievehewaspassionatelyinlovewiththem.There’snothingawomanwon’tbelieveifshewantsto.”
“Andthen?”askedCalgary.
Huishshruggedhisshoulders.
“Well,soonerorlatertheyweredisillusioned.Buttheydon’tprosecute,youknow.Theydon’twanttotelltheworldthatthey’vebeenfooled.Yes,it’saprettysafeline.”
“Wasthereeverblackmail?”Calgaryasked.
“Notthatweknowof,”saidHuish.“Mindyou,Iwouldn’thaveputitpasthim.Notoutandoutblackmail,I’dsay.Justahintortwo,perhaps.Letters.Foolishletters.Thingstheirhusbandswouldn’tliketoknowabout.He’dbeabletokeepawomanquietthatway.”
“Isee,”saidCalgary.
“Isthatallyouwantedtoknow?”askedHuish.
“There’sonememberoftheArgylefamilyIhaven’tmetyet,”saidCalgary.“Theeldestdaughter.”
“Ah,Mrs.Durrant.”
“Iwenttoherhouse,butitwasshutup.Theytoldmesheandherhusbandwereaway.”
“TheyareatSunnyPoint.”
“Stillthere?”
“Yes.Hewantedtostayon.Mr.Durrant,”addedHuish,“isdoingabitofdetecting,Iunderstand.”
“He’sacripple,isn’the?”
“Yes,polio.Verysad.Hehasn’tmuchtodowithhistime,poorchap.That’swhyhe’stakenupthismurderbusinesssoeagerly.Thinkshe’sontosomethingtoo.”
“Andishe?”askedCalgary.
Huishshruggedhisshoulders.
“Hemightbe,atthat,”hesaid.“He’sabetterchancethanwehave,youknow.Heknowsthefamilyandhe’samanwithagooddealofintuitionaswellasintelligence.”
“Doyouthinkhe’llgetanywhere?”
“Possibly,”saidHuish,“buthewon’ttellusifhedoes.They’llkeepitallinthefamily.”
“Doyouyourselfknowwho’sguilty,Superintendent?”
“Youmustn’taskmethingslikethat,Dr.Calgary.”
“Meaningthatyoudoknow?”
“Onecanthinkoneknowsathing,”saidHuishslowly,“butifyouhaven’tgotevidencethere’snotmuchyoucandoaboutit,isthere?”
“Andyou’renotlikelytogettheevidenceyouwant?”
“Oh!We’reverypatient,”Huishsaid.“Weshallgoontrying.”
“What’sgoingtohappentothemallifyoudon’tsucceed?”saidCalgary,leaningforward.“Haveyouthoughtofthat?”
Huishlookedathim.
“That’swhat’sworryingyou,isit,sir?”
“They’vegottoknow,”saidCalgary.“Whateverelsehappens,they’vegottoknow.”
“Don’tyouthinktheydoknow?”
Calgaryshookhishead.
“No,”hesaidslowly,“that’sthetragedy.”
II
“Oo,”saidMaureenClegg,“it’syouagain!”
“I’mvery,verysorrytobotheryou,”saidCalgary.
“Oh,butyou’renotbotheringmeabit.Comein.It’smydayoff.”
ThatfactCalgaryhadalreadyfoundout,andwasthereasonforhisbeinghere
“I’mexpectingJoebackinaminute,”saidMaureen.“Ihaven’tseenanymoreaboutJackointhepapers.ImeannotsinceitsaidhowhegotafreepardonandabitaboutaquestionbeingaskedinParliamentandthensayingthatitwasquiteclearhedidn’tdoit.Butthere’snothingmoreaboutwhatthepolicearedoingandwhoreallydidit.Can’ttheyfindout?”
“Haveyoustillnoideayourself?”
“Well,Ihaven’treally,”saidMaureen.“Ishouldn’tbesurprised,though,ifitwastheotherbrother.Veryqueerandmoodyheis.Joeseeshimsometimesdrivingpeoplearound.HeworksfortheBenceGroup,youknow.He’srathergood-lookingbutterriblymoody,Ishouldthink.JoeheardarumourhewasgoingouttoPersiaorsomewhereandthatlooksbad,Ithink,don’tyou?”
“Idon’tseewhyitshouldlookbad,Mrs.Clegg.”
“Well,it’soneofthoseplacesthepolicecan’tgetatyou,isn’tit?”“Youthinkthatheisrunningaway?”
“Hemayfeelhe’sgotto.”
“Isupposethat’sthesortofthingpeopledosay,”ArthurCalgarysaid.
“Lotsofrumoursflyingaround,”saidMaureen.“Theysaythehusbandandthesecretaryweregoingontogether,too.ButifitwasthehusbandIshouldthinkhewouldbemorelikelytopoisonher.That’swhattheyusuallydo,isn’tit?”
“Well,youseemorefilmsthanIdo,Mrs.Clegg.”
“Idon’treallylookatthescreen,”saidMaureen.“Ifyouworkthere,youknow,yougetterriblyboredwithfilms.Hallo,here’sJoe.”
JoeCleggalsolookedsurprisedtoseeCalgaryandpossiblynottoopleased.TheytalkedtogetherforawhileandthenCalgarycametothepurposeofhisvisit.
“Iwonder,”hesaid,“ifyou’dmindgivingmeanameandaddress?”
Hewroteitdowncarefullyinhisnotebook.
III
Shewasaboutfifty,hethought,aheavycumbrouswomanwhocouldneverhavebeengood-looking.Shehadniceeyes,though,brownandkindly.
“Well,really,Dr.Calgary—”Shewasdoubtful,upset.“Well,really,I’msureIdon’tknow….”
Heleanedforward,tryinghisutmosttodispelherreluctance,tosootheher,tomakeherfeelthefullforceofhissympathy.
“It’ssolongagonow,”shesaid.“It’s—Ireallydon’twanttoberemindedof—ofthings.”
“Idounderstandthat,”saidCalgary,“andit’snotasthoughtherewereanyquestionofanythingbeingmadepublic.Idoassureyouofthat.”
“Yousayyouwanttowriteabookaboutit,though?”
“Justabooktoillustrateacertaintypeofcharacter,”saidCalgary.“Interesting,youknow,fromamedicalorpsychologicalstandpoint.Nonames.JustMr.A.,Mrs.B.Thatsortofthing.”
“You’vebeentotheAntarctic,haven’tyou?”shesaidsuddenly.
Hewassurprisedattheabruptnesswithwhichshehadchangedthesubject.
“Yes,”hesaid,“yes,IwaswiththeHayesBentleyExpedition.”
Thecolourcameupinherface.Shelookedyounger.Justforamomenthecouldseethegirlshehadoncebeen.“Iusedtoreadaboutit…I’vealwaysbeenfascinated,youknow,withanythingtodowiththePoles.ThatNorwegian,wasn’tit,Amundsen,whogottherefirst?IthinkthePolesaremuchmoreexcitingthanEverestoranyofthesesatellites,orgoingtotheMoonoranythinglikethat.”
HeseizedonhiscueandbegantotalktoherabouttheExpedition.Oddthatherromanticinterestshouldliethere,inPolarExplorations.Shesaidatlastwithasigh:
“It’swonderfulhearingaboutitallfromsomeonewho’sactuallybeenthere.”Shewenton:“Youwanttoknowallabout—aboutJackie?”
“Yes.”
“Youwouldn’tusemynameoranythinglikethat?”
“Ofcoursenot.I’vetoldyouso.Youknowhowthesethingsaredone.Mrs.M.LadyY.Thatsortofthing.”
“Yes.Yes,I’vereadthatkindofbook—andIsupposeitwas,asyousaid,path—patho—”
“Pathological,”hesaid.
“Yes,Jackiewasdefinitelyapathologicalcase.Hecouldbeeversosweet,youknow,”shesaid.“Wonderful,hewas.He’dsaythingsandyou’dbelieveeverywordofit.”
“Heprobablymeantthem,”saidCalgary.
“‘I’moldenoughtobeyourmother,’Iusedtosaytohim,andhe’dsayhedidn’tcareforgirls.Crude,heusedtosaygirlswere.Heusedtosaywomenwhowereexperiencedandmaturewerewhatattractedhim.”
“Washeverymuchinlovewithyou?”saidCalgary.
“Hesaidhewas.Heseemedtobe…”Herlipstrembled.“Andallthetime,Isuppose,hewasjustafterthemoney.”
“Notnecessarily,”saidCalgary,strainingthetruthasfarashecould.“Hemayhavebeengenuinelyattracted,youknow,aswell.Only—hejustcouldn’thelpbeingcrooked.”
Thepatheticmiddle-agedfacebrightenedalittle.
“Yes,”shesaid,“it’snicetothinkthat.Well,thereitwas.Weusedtomakeplans;howwe’dgoawaytogethertoFrance,orItaly,ifthisschemeofhiscameoff.Itjustneededabitofcapital,hesaid.”
Theusualapproach,thoughtCalgary,andwonderedhowmanypatheticwomenfellforit.
“Idon’tknowwhatcameoverme,”shesaid.“I’dhavedoneanythingforhim—anything.”
“I’msureyouwould,”saidCalgary.
“Idaresay,”shesaidbitterly,“Iwasn’ttheonlyone.”
Calgaryrose.
“It’sbeenverygoodofyoutotellmeallthis,”hesaid.
“He’sdeadnow…ButIshallneverforgethim.Thatmonkey-faceofhis!Thewayhelookedsosadandthenlaughed.Oh,hehadawaywithhim.Hewasn’tallbad,I’msurehewasn’tallbad.”
Shelookedathimwistfully.
ButforthatCalgaryhadnoanswer.
Twenty-one
TherehadbeennothingtotellPhilipDurrantthatthisdaywasdifferentfromanyotherday.
Hehadnoideathattodaywoulddecidehisfutureonceandforall.
Hewokeingoodhealthandspirits.Thesun,apaleautumnalsun,shoneinatthewindow.Kirstenbroughthimatelephonemessagewhichincreasedhisgoodspirits.
“Tina’scomingoverfortea,”hetoldMarywhenshecameinwithhisbreakfast.
“Isshe?Oh,yes,ofcourse,it’sherafternoonoff,isn’tit?”
Marysoundedpreoccupied.
“What’sthematter,Polly?”
“Nothing.”
Shechippedoffthetopofhiseggforhim.Atonce,hefeltirritated.
“Icanstillusemyhands,Polly.”
“Oh,Ithoughtitwouldsaveyoutrouble.”
“HowolddoyouthinkIam?Six?”
Shelookedfaintlysurprised.Thenshesaidabruptly:
“Hester’scominghometoday.”
“Isshe?”Hespokevaguely,becausehismindwasfullofhisplansfordealingwithTina.Thenhecaughtsightofhiswife’sexpression.
“Forgoodness”sake,Polly,doyouthinkI’vegotaguiltypassionforthegirl?”
Sheturnedherheadaside.
“You’realwayssayingshe’ssolovely.”
“Sosheis.Ifyoulikebeautifulbonesandaqualityoftheunearthly.”Headdeddryly:“ButI’mhardlycutouttobeaseducer,amI?”
“Youmightwishyouwere.”
“Don’tberidiculous,Polly.Ineverknewyouhadthistendencytojealousy.”
“Youdon’tknowanythingaboutme.”
Hestartedtorebutthat,butpaused.Itcametohim,withsomethingofashock,thatperhapshedidn’tknowverymuchaboutMary.
Shewenton:
“Iwantyoutomyself—alltomyself.Iwanttheretobenobodyintheworldbutyouandme.”
“We’drunoutofconversation,Polly.”
Hehadspokenlightly,buthefeltuncomfortable.Thebrightnessofthemorningseemedsuddenlydimmed.
Shesaid:“Let’sgohome,Philip,pleaselet’sgohome.”
“Verysoonwewill,butnotjustyet.Thingsarecomingalong.AsItoldyou,Tina’scomingthisafternoon.”Hewenton,hopingtoturnherthoughtintoanewchannel:“I’vegreathopesofTina.”
“Inwhatway?”
“Tinaknowssomething.”
“Youmean—aboutthemurder?”
“Yes.”
“Buthowcanshe?Shewasn’tevenherethatnight.”
“Iwondernow.Ithink,youknow,thatshewas.Funnyhowoddlittlethingsturnuptohelp.Thatdaily,Mrs.Narracott—thetallone,shetoldmesomething.”
“Whatdidshetellyou?”
“Abitofvillagegossip.Mrs.Somebodyorother’sErnie—no—Cyril.He’dhadtogowithhismothertothepolicestation.Somethinghe’dseenonthenightpoorMrs.Argylewasdonein.”
“Whathadheseen?”
“Well,thereMrs.Narracottwasrathervague.Shehadn’tgotitoutofMrs.Somebodyyet.Butonecanguess,can’tone,Polly?Cyrilwasn’tinsidethehouse,sohemusthaveseensomethingoutside.Thatgivesustwoguesses.HesawMickyorhesawTina.It’smyguessthatTinacameoutherethatnight.”
“She’dhavesaidso.”
“Notnecessarily.ItsticksoutamilethatTinaknowssomethingsheisn’ttelling.Sayshedroveoutthatnight.Perhapsshecameintothehouseandfoundyourmotherdead.”
“Andwentawayagainwithoutsayinganything?Nonsense.”
“Theremayhavebeenreasons…Shemayhaveseenorheardsomethingthatmadeherthinksheknewwho’ddoneit.”
“ShewasneverparticularlyfondofJacko.I’msureshewouldn’thavewantedtoshieldhim.”
“Thenperhapsitwasn’tJackoshesuspected…Butlater,whenJackowasarrested,shethoughtthatwhatshehadsuspectedwasquitewrong.Havingsaidshewasn’there,shehadtosticktoit.Butnow,ofcourse,it’sdifferent.”
Marysaidimpatiently:
“Youjustimaginethings,Philip.Youmakeupalotofthingsthatcan’tpossiblybetrue.”
“They’requitelikelytobetrue.I’mgoingtotryandmakeTinatellmewhatsheknows.”
“Idon’tbelievesheknowsanything.Doyoureallythinksheknowswhodidit?”
“Iwouldn’tgoasfarasthat.Ithinksheeithersaw—orheard—something.Iwanttofindoutwhatthatsomethingis.”
“Tinawon’ttellifshedoesn’twantto.”
“No,Iagree.Andshe’sagreatoneforkeepingthingstoherself.Littlepokerface,too.Nevershowsanything.Butshe’snotreallyagoodliar—notnearlyasgoodaliarasyouare,forinstance…Mymethodwillbetoguess.Putmyguesstoherasaquestion.Tobeansweredyesorno.Doyouknowwhatwillhappenthen?Oneofthreethings.She’lleithersayyes—andthatwillbethat.Orshewillsayno—andsincesheisn’tagoodliarIshallknowwhetherhernoisgenuine.Orshewillrefusetoanswerandputonherpokerface—andthat,Polly,willbeasgoodasyes.Comenow,youmustadmitthattherearepossibilitieswiththistechniqueofmine.”
“Oh,leaveitallalone,Phil!Doleaveitalone!Itwillalldiedownandbeforgotten.”
“No.Thisthinghasgottobeclearedup.Otherwisewe’llhaveHesterthrowingherselfoutofwindowsandKirstyhavinganervousbreakdown.Leo’salreadyfreezingupintoakindofstalactite.AsforpooroldGwenda,she’sonthepointofacceptingapostinRhodesia.”
“Whatdoesitmatterwhathappenstothem?”
“Nobodymattersbutus—that’swhatyoumean?”
Hisfacewassternandangry.ItstartledMary.Shehadneverseenherhusbandlooklikethatbefore.
Shefacedhimdefiantly.
“WhyshouldIcareaboutotherpeople?”sheasked.
“Youneverhave,haveyou?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean.”
Philipgaveasharpexasperatedsigh.Hepushedhisbreakfasttrayaside.
“Takethisthingaway.Idon’twantanymore.”
“ButPhilip—”
Hemadeanimpatientgesture.Marypickedupthetrayandcarrieditoutoftheroom.Philipwheeledhimselfovertothewritingtable.Peninhand,hestaredoutofthewindow.Hefeltacuriousoppressionofspirit.Hehadbeensofullofexcitementashortwhileago.Nowhefeltuneasyandrestless.
Butpresentlyherallied.Hecoveredtwosheetsofpaperrapidly.Thenhesatbackandconsidered.
Itwasplausible.Itwaspossible.Buthewasn’tentirelysatisfied.Washereallyontherighttack?Hecouldn’tbesure.Motive.Motivewaswhatwassodamnablylacking.Therewassomefactor,somewhere,thathadescapedhim.
Hesighedimpatiently.HecouldhardlywaitforTinatoarrive.Ifonlythiscouldbeclearedup.Justamongthemselves.Thatwasallthatwasnecessary.Oncetheyknew—thentheywouldallbefree.Freeofthisstiflingatmosphereofsuspicionandhopelessness.Theycouldall,exceptone,getonwiththeirownlives.HeandMarywouldgobackhomeand—
Histhoughtsstopped.Excitementdieddownagain.Hefacedhisownproblem.Hedidn’twanttogohome…Hethoughtofitsorderlyperfection,itsshiningchintzes,itsgleamingbrass.Aclean,bright,well-tendedcage!Andheinthecage,tiedtohisinvalid-chair,surroundedbythelovingcareofhiswife.
Hiswife…Whenhethoughtofhiswife,heseemedtoseetwopeople.Onethegirlhehadmarried,fair-haired,blue-eyed,gentle,reserved.Thatwasthegirlhehadloved,thegirlheteasedwhilstshestaredathimwithapuzzledfrown.ThatwashisPolly.ButtherewasanotherMary—aMarywhowashardassteel,whowaspassionate,butincapableofaffection—aMarytowhomnobodymatteredbutherself.Evenheonlymatteredbecausehewashers.
AlineofFrenchversepassedthroughhismind—howdiditgo.
Venustouteentièreàsaproieattaché….
AndthatMaryhedidnotlove.BehindthecoldblueeyesofthatMarywasastranger—astrangerhedidnotknow….
Andthenhelaughedathimself.Hewasgettingnervyandhetuplikeeverybodyelseinthehouse.Herememberedhismother-in-lawtalkingtohimabouthiswife.Aboutthesweetlittlefair-hairedgirlinNewYork.AboutthemomentwhenthechildhadthrownherarmsroundMrs.Argyle’sneckandhadcriedout:“Iwanttostaywithyou.Idon’twanttoleaveyouever!”
Thathadbeenaffection,hadn’tit?Andyet—howveryunlikeMary.Couldonechangesomuchbetweenchildandwoman?Howdifficult,almostimpossibleitwasforMaryevertovoiceaffection,tobedemonstrative?
Yetcertainlyonthatoccasion—Histhoughtsstoppeddead.Orwasitreallyquitesimple?Notaffection—justcalculation.Ameanstoanend.Ashowofaffectiondeliberatelyproduced.WhatwasMarycapableoftogetwhatshewanted?
Almostanything,hethought—andwasshockedwithhimselfforthinkingit.
Angrilyhedasheddownhispen,andwheeledhimselfoutofthesittingroomintothebedroomnextdoor.Hewheeledhimselfuptothedressingtable.Hepickeduphisbrushesandbrushedbackhishairfromwhereitwashangingoverhisforehead.Hisownfacelookedstrangetohim.
WhoamI,hethought,andwhereamIgoing?Thoughtsthathadneveroccurredtohimbefore…Hewheeledhischairclosetothewindowandlookedout.Downbelow,oneofthedailywomenstoodoutsidethekitchenwindowandtalkedtosomeoneinside.Theirvoices,softlyaccentedinthelocaldialect,floateduptohim….
Hiseyeswidening,heremainedasthoughtranced.
Asoundfromthenextroomawakenedhimfromhispreoccupation.Hewheeledhimselftotheconnectingdoor.
GwendaVaughanwasstandingbythewritingtable.Sheturnedtowardshimandhewasstartledbythehaggardnessofherfaceinthemorningsunshine.
“Hallo,Gwenda.”
“HalloPhilip.LeothoughtyoumightliketheIllustratedLondonNews.”
“Oh,thanks.”
“Thisisaniceroom,”saidGwenda,lookingroundher.“Idon’tbelieveI’veeverbeeninitbefore.”
“QuitetheRoyalSuiteisn’tit?”saidPhilip.“Awayfromeverybody.Idealforinvalidsandhoneymooncouples.”
Justtoolatehewishedhehadnotusedthelasttwowords.Gwenda’sfacequivered.
“Imustgetonwiththings,”shesaidvaguely.
“Theperfectsecretary.”
“Noteventhatnowadays.Imakemistakes.”
“Don’tweall?”Headdeddeliberately:“WhenareyouandLeogettingmarried?”
“Weprobablynevershall.”
“Thatwouldbearealmistake,”saidPhilip.
“Leothinksitmightcauseunfavourablecomment—fromthepolice!”
Hervoicewasbitter.
“Dashitall,Gwenda,onehastotakesomerisks.”
“I’mwillingtotakerisks,”saidGwenda.“I’venevermindedtakingrisks.I’mwillingtogambleonhappiness.ButLeo—”
“Yes?Leo?”
“Leo,”saidGwenda,“willprobablydieashehaslived,thehusbandofRachelArgyle.”
Theangerandbitternessinhereyesstartledhim.
“Shemightjustaswellbealive,”saidGwenda.“She’shere—inthehouse—allthetime….”
Twenty-two
I
Tinaparkedhercaronthegrassbythechurchyardwall.Sheremovedthepapercarefullyfromtheflowersshehadbrought,thenshewalkedinthroughthecemeterygatesandalongthemainpath.Shedidnotlikethenewcemetery.ShewishedithadbeenpossibleforMrs.Argyletohavebeenburiedintheoldchurchyardwhichsurroundedthechurch.Thereseemedanold-worldpeacethere.Theyewtreeandthemoss-grownstones.Inthiscemetery,sonew,sowellarranged,withitsmainwalkandthepathsradiatingoffit,everythingseemedasslickandmass-producedasthecontentsofasupermarket.
Mrs.Argyle’sgravewaswellkept.Ithadasquaremarblesurroundfilledwithgranitechips,agranitecrossrisingfromthebackofit.
Tina,holdinghercarnations,benttoreadtheinscription.“InlovingmemoryofRachelLouiseArgyle.”Belowitwasthetext:
“Herchildrenshallriseupandcallherblessed.”
TherewasafootstepbehindherandTinaturnedherhead,startled.
“Micky!”
“Isawyourcar.Ifollowedyou.Atleast—Iwascominghereanyway.”
“Youwerecominghere?Why?”
“Idon’tknow.Justtosaygood-bye,perhaps.”
“Good-byeto—her?”
Henodded.
“Yes.I’vetakenthatjobwiththeoilcompanyItoldyouabout.I’mgoingoffinaboutthreeweeks.”
“Andyoucameheretosaygood-byetoMotherfirst?”
“Yes.PerhapstothankherandtosayI’msorry.”
“Whatareyousorryfor,Micky?”
“I’mnotsorrythatIkilledherifthat’swhatyou’retryingtoimply.HaveyoubeenthinkingIkilledher,Tina?”
“Iwasnotsure.”
“Youcan’tbesurenow,either,canyou?Imeanit’snogoodmytellingyouthatIdidn’tkillher.”
“Whyareyousorry?”
“Shedidalotforme,”saidMickyslowly.“Iwasnevertheleastbitgrateful.Iresentedeverysingledamnthingshedid.Inevergaveherakindword,oralovinglook.IwishnowthatIhad,that’sall.”
“Whendidyoustophatingher?Aftershewasdead?”
“Yes.Yes,Isupposeso.”
“Itwasn’theryouhated,wasit?”
“No—no.Youwererightaboutthat.Itwasmyownmother.BecauseIlovedher.BecauseIlovedherandshedidn’tcareabuttonforme.”
“Andnowyou’renotevenangryaboutthat?”
“No.Idon’tsupposeshecouldhelpit.Afterall,you’rebornwhatyouare.Shewasasunny,happysortofcreature.Toofondofmenandtoofondofthebottle,andshewasnicetoherkidswhenshefeltlikebeingnice.Shewouldn’thaveletanyoneelsehurtthem.Allright,soshedidn’tcareforme!AlltheseyearsIrefusedtolivewiththatidea.NowI’veacceptedit.”Hestretchedoutahand.“Givemejustoneofyourcarnations,willyou,Tina?”Hetookitfromherandbendingdown,laiditonthegravebelowtheinscription.“Thereyouare,Mum,”hesaid.“Iwasarottensontoyou,andIdon’tthinkyouwereaverywisemothertome.Butyoumeantwell.”HelookedatTina.“Isthatagoodenoughapology?”
“Ithinkitwilldo,”saidTina.
Shebentdownandputherownbunchofcarnationsthere.
“Doyouoftencomehereandputflowers?”
“Icomehereonceayear,”saidTina.
“LittleTina,”saidMicky.
Theyturnedtogetherandwalkedbackdownthecemeterypath.
“Ididn’tkillher,Tina,”saidMicky.“IswearIdidn’t.Iwantyoutobelieveme.”
“Iwastherethatnight,”saidTina.
Hewheeledround.
“Youwerethere?YoumeanatSunnyPoint?”
“Yes.Iwasthinkingofchangingmyjob.IwantedtoconsultFatherandMotheraboutit.”
“Well,”saidMicky,“goon.”
Whenshedidnotspeak,hetookherarmandshookher.“Goon,Tina,”hesaid.“You’vegottotellme.”
“Ihaven’ttoldanyonesofar,”saidTina.
“Goon,”saidMickyagain.
“Idrovethere.Ididn’ttakethecarrightuptothegate.Youknowthere’saplacehalfwaywhereit’seasiertoturnit?”
Mickynodded.
“IgotoutofthecarthereandIwalkedtowardsthehouse.Ifeltunsureofmyself.YouknowhowdifficultitwasinsomewaystotalktoMother.Imean,shealwayshadherownideas.IwantedtoputthecaseasclearlyasIcould.AndsoIwalkedtothehouseandthenbacktowardsthecar,andthenbackagain.Thinkingthingsout.”
“Whattimewasthis?”askedMicky.
“Idon’tknow,”saidTina.“Ican’tremembernow.I—timedoesn’tmeanverymuchtome.”
“No,darling,”saidMicky.“Youalwayshavethatairofinfiniteleisure.”
“Iwasunderthetrees,”saidTina,“andwalkingverysoftly—”
“Likethelittlecatyouare,”saidMickyaffectionately.
“—whenIheardthem.”
“Heardwhat?”
“Twopeoplewhispering.”
“Yes?”Micky’sbodyhadtensed.“Whatdidtheysay?”
“Theysaid—oneofthemsaid,‘Betweensevenandseven-thirty.That’sthetime.Nowrememberthatanddon’tmakeamuckofit.Betweensevenandseven-thirty.’Theotherpersonwhispered,‘Youcantrustme,’andthenthefirstvoicesaid,‘Andafterthat,darling,everythingwillbewonderful.’”
Therewasasilence,thenMickysaid:
“Well—whyhaveyouheldthisup?”
“BecauseIdidn’tknow,”saidTina.“Ididn’tknowwhowasspeaking.”
“Butsurely!Wasitamanorawoman?”
“Idon’tknow,”saidTina.“Don’tyousee,whentwopeoplearewhispering,youdon’thearthevoice.It’sjust—well,justawhisper.Ithink,ofcourseIthink,itwasamanandawomanbecause—”
“Becauseofwhattheysaid?”
“Yes.ButIdidn’tknowwhotheywere.”
“Youthought,”saidMicky,“thatitmighthavebeenFatherandGwenda?”
“It’spossible,isn’tit?”saidTina.“ItmighthavemeantthatGwendawastoleavethehouseandcomebackbetweenthosetimes,oritmighthavebeenGwendatellingFathertocomedownbetweensevenandhalfpast.”
“IfitwasFatherandGwenda,youwouldn’twanttoturnthemovertothepolice.Isthatit?”
“IfIwassure,”saidTina.“ButI’mnotsure.Itcouldhavebeensomeoneelse.Itcouldhavebeen—Hesterandsomeone?ItcouldevenhavebeenMary,butnotPhilip.No,notPhilip,ofcourse.”
“WhenyousayHesterandsomeone,whodoyoumean?”
“Idon’tknow.”
“Youdidn’tseehim—theman,Imean?”
“No,”saidTina.“Ididn’tseehim.”
“Tina,Ithinkyou’relying.Itwasaman,wasn’tit?”
“Iturnedback,”saidTina,“towardsthecar,andthensomeonecamebyontheothersideoftheroadwalking,veryfast.Hewasjustashadowinthedarkness.AndthenIthought—IthoughtIheardacarstartupattheendoftheroad.”
“Youthoughtitwasme…”saidMicky.
“Ididn’tknow,”saidTina.“Itcouldhavebeenyou.Itwasaboutyoursizeandheight.”
TheyreachedTina’slittlecar.
“Comeon,Tina,”saidMicky,“getin.I’mcomingwithyou.We’lldrivedowntoSunnyPoint.”
“But,Micky—”
“It’snousemytellingyouitwasn’tme,isit?WhatelseshouldIsay?Comeon,drivetoSunnyPoint.”
“Whatareyougoingtodo,Micky?”
“WhyshouldyouthinkI’mgoingtodoanything?Weren’tyougoingtoSunnyPointanyway?”
“Yes,”saidTina,“Iwas.IhadaletterfromPhilip.”Shestartedthelittlecar.Mickysittingbesideher,heldhimselfverytautandrigid.
“HeardfromPhilip,didyou?Whathadhetosay?”
“Heaskedmetocomeover.Hewantedtoseeme.Heknowsthisismyhalf-day.”
“Oh.Didhesaywhathewantedtoseeyouabout?”
“HesaidhewantedtoaskmeaquestionandhehopedthatI’dgivehimtheanswertoit.HesaidthatIneedn’ttellhimanything—he’dtellme.Iwouldonlyhavetosayyesorno.HesaidthatwhateverItoldhimhe’dholdinconfidence.”
“Sohe’suptosomething,ishe?”saidMicky.“Interesting.”
ItwasaveryshortdistancetoSunnyPoint.Whentheygotthere,Mickysaid:
“Yougoin,Tina.I’mgoingtowalkupanddownthegardenabit,thinkingofthings.Goon.HaveyourinterviewwithPhilip.”
Tinasaid:
“You’renotgoingto—youwouldn’t—”
Mickygaveashortlaugh.
“SuicidefromLover’sLeap?Comenow,Tina,youknowmebetterthanthat.”
“Sometimes,”saidTina,“Ithinkonedoesnotknowanybody.”
Sheturnedawayfromhimandwalkedslowlyintothehouse.Mickylookedafterher,hisheadthrustforward,hishandsinhispockets.Hewasscowling.Thenhewalkedroundthecornerofthehouselookingupatitthoughtfully.Allhisboyhoodmemoriescamebacktohim.Therewastheoldmagnoliatree.He’dclimbeduptheremanyatimeandthroughthelandingwindow.Therewasthesmallplotofearththathadbeensupposedtobehisowngarden.Notthathe’devertakenverykindlytogardens.He’dalwayspreferredtakinganymechanicaltoyshehadtopieces.“Destructivelittledevil,”hethoughtwithfaintamusement.
Ahwell,onedidn’treallychange.
II
Insidethehouse,TinametMaryinthehall.Marylookedstartledatseeingher.
“Tina!HaveyoucomeoverfromRedmyn?”
“Yes,”saidTina.“Didn’tyouknowIwascoming?”
“I’dforgotten,”saidMary.“IbelievePhilipdidmentionit.”
Sheturnedaway.
“I’mgoingintothekitchen,”shesaid,“toseeiftheOvaltinehascome.Philiplikesitlastthingatnight.Kirstenisjusttakinghimupsomecoffee.Helikescoffeebetterthantea.Hesaysteagiveshimindigestion.”
“Whydoyoutreathimlikeaninvalid,Mary?”saidTina.“He’snotreallyaninvalid.”
TherewasatouchofcoldangerinMary’seyes.
“Whenyou’vegotahusbandofyourown,Tina,”shesaid,“you’llknowbetterhowhusbandsliketobetreated.”
Tinasaidgently:
“I’msorry.”
“Ifonlywecouldgetoutofthishouse,”saidMary.“It’ssobadforPhilipbeinghere.AndHester’scomingbacktoday,”sheadded.
“Hester?”Tinasoundedsurprised.“Isshe?Why?”
“HowshouldIknow?Sheranguplastnightandsaidso.Idon’tknowwhattrainshe’scomingby.Isupposeit’llbetheexpress,asusual.SomeonewillhavetogointoDrymouthtomeether.”
Marydisappearedalongthepassagetothekitchen.Tinahesitatedamoment,thenshewalkedupthestairs.OnthelandingthefirstdoortotherightopenedandHestercamethroughit.ShelookedstartledatseeingTina.
“Hester!IheardyouwerecomingbackbutI’dnoideayou’darrived.”
“Dr.Calgarydrovemedown,”saidHester.“Icamestraightuptomyroom—Idon’tthinkanyoneknowsI’vearrived.”
“IsDr.Calgaryherenow?”
“No.HejustdroppedmeandwentonintoDrymouth.Hewantedtoseesomeonethere.”
“Marydidn’tknowyou’darrived.”
“Maryneverknowsanything,”saidHester.“SheandPhilipisolatethemselvesfromeverythingthatgoeson.IsupposeFatherandGwendaareinthelibrary.Everythingseemstobegoingonjustthesameasusual.”
“Whyshouldn’tit?”
“Idon’treallyknow,”saidHestervaguely.“Ijustsuspectedthatitwouldallbedifferentsomehow.”
ShemovedpastTinaanddownthestairs.TinawentonpastthelibraryandalongthepassagetothesuiteattheendwhichtheDurrantsoccupied.KirstenLindstrom,standingjustoutsidePhilip’sdoorwithatrayinherhand,turnedherheadsharply.
“Why,Tina,youmademejump,”shesaid.“IwasjusttakingPhilipsomecoffeeandbiscuits.”Sheraisedahandtoknock.Tinajoinedher.
Afterknocking,Kirstenopenedthedoorandpassedin.ShewasalittleaheadofTinaandhertallangularframeblockedTina’sview,butTinaheardKirsten’sgasp.Herarmsgavewayandthetraycrashedtotheground,cupandplatessmashingagainstthefender.
“Oh,no,”criedKirsten,“oh,no!”
Tinasaid:
“Philip?”
ShepassedtheotherwomanandcameforwardtowherePhilipDurrant’schairhadbeenbroughtuptothedesk.Hehad,shesupposed,beenwriting.Therewasaballpointpenlyingclosetohisrighthand,buthisheadwasdroppedforwardinacurioustwistedattitude.Andatthebaseofhisskullshesawsomethingthatlookedlikeabrightredlozengestainingthewhitenessofhiscollar.
“Hehasbeenkilled,”saidKirsten.“Hehasbeenkilled—stabbed.There,throughthebottomofthebrain.Onelittlestabanditisfatal.”
Sheadded,hervoicerising:
“Iwarnedhim.IdidallIcould.Buthewaslikeachild—enjoyinghimselfplayingwithtoolsthatweredangerous—notseeingwherehewasgoing.”
Itwaslikeabaddream,Tinathought.ShestoodtheresoftlyatPhilip’selbow,lookingdownathimwhilstKirstenraisedhislimphandandfeltthewristforthepulsethatwasnotthere.Whathadhewantedtoaskher?Whateverhewanted,hewouldneveraskitnow.Withoutreallythinkingobjectively,Tina’smindwastakinginandregisteringvariousdetails.Hehadbeenwriting,yes.Thepenwasthere,buttherewasnopaperinfrontofhim.Nothingwritten.Whoeverhadkilledhimhadtakenawaywhathe’dwritten.Shesaid,speakingquietlyandmechanically:
“Wemusttelltheothers.”
“Yes,yes,wemustgodowntothem.Wemusttellyourfather.”
Sidebysidethetwowomenwenttothedoor.Kirsten’sarmroundTina.Tina’seyeswenttothedroppedtrayandthebrokencrockery.
“Thatdoesnotmatter,”saidKirsten.“Allthatcanbecleareduplater.”
TinahalfstumbledandKirsten’sarmrestrainedher.
“Becareful.Youwillfall.”
Theywentalongthepassage.Thedoorofthelibraryopened.LeoandGwendacameout.Tinasaidinherclear,lowvoice:
“Philiphasbeenkilled.Stabbed.”
Itwaslikeadream,Tinathought.Theshockedexclamationsofherfather,andGwendaflowingpasther,goingtoPhilip…ToPhilip,whowasdead.Kirstenleftherandhurrieddownthestairs.
“ImusttellMary.Itmustbebrokentohergently.PoorMary.Itwillbeaterribleshock.”
Tinafollowedherslowly.Morethanevershefeltdazedanddreamlike,astrangepaincatchingatherheart.Wherewasshegoing?Shedidnotknow.Nothingwasreal.Shecametotheopenfrontdoorandpassedthroughit.ItwasthenshesawMickycomingroundthecornerofthehouse.Automaticallyasthoughthiswaswhereherfootstepshadbeenleadingherallthetime,shewentstraighttohim.
“Micky,”shesaid.“Oh,Micky!”
Hisarmswereopen.Shewentstraightintothem.
“It’sallright,”saidMicky.“I’vegotyou.”
Tinacrumpledslightlyinhisarms.Shedroppedtotheground,asmallhuddledheap,justasHestercamerunningfromthehouse.
“She’sfainted,”Mickysaidhelplessly.“I’veneverknownTinatofaintbefore.”
“It’stheshock,”saidHester.
“Whatdoyoumean—theshock?”
“Philiphasbeenkilled,”saidHester.“Didn’tyouknow?”
“HowcouldIknow?When?How?”
“Justnow.”
Hestaredather.ThenhepickedupTinainhisarms.WithHesteraccompanyinghim,hetookherintoMrs.Argyle’ssittingroomandlaidheronthesofa.
“RingupDr.Craig,”hesaid.
“That’shiscarnow,”saidHester,lookingoutofthewindow.“FatherwascallinghimonthetelephoneaboutPhilip.I—”Shelookedround.“Idon’twanttomeethim.”
Sheranoutoftheroomandupthestairs.
DonaldCraiggotoutofhiscarandinthroughtheopenfrontdoor.Kirstencamefromthekitchentomeethim.
“Goodafternoon,MissLindstrom.What’sthisIhear?Mr.ArgyletellsmethatPhilipDurranthasbeenkilled.Killed?”
“Itisquitetrue,”saidKirsten.
“HasMr.Argylerungupthepolice?”
“Idonotknow.”
“Anychancethathe’sjustwounded?”saidDon.Heturnedtotakehismedicalbagoutofthecar.
“No,”saidKirsten.Hervoicewasflatandtired.“Heisdead.Iamquitesureofthat.Hehasbeenstabbed—here.”
Sheputherhandtothebackofherownhead.
Mickycameoutintothehall.
“Hallo,Don,youhadbetterhavealookatTina,”hesaid.“She’sfainted.”
“Tina?Ohyes,that’sthe—theonefromRedmyn,isn’tit?Whereisshe?”
“Sheisinthere.”
“I’lljusthavealookatherbeforeIgoupstairs.”AshewentintotheroomhespokeoverhisshouldertoKirsten.“Keepherwarm,”hesaid,“getsomehotteaorcoffeeforherassoonasshecomesround.Butyouknowthedrill—”
Kirstennodded.
“Kirsty!”MaryDurrantcameslowlyalongthehallfromthekitchen—Kirstenwenttoher—Mickystaredatherhelplessly.
“It’snottrue.”Maryspokeinaloudharshvoice.“It’snottrue!It’salieyou’vemadeup.HewasallrightwhenIlefthimjustnow.Hewasquiteallright.Hewaswriting.Itoldhimnottowrite.Itoldhimnotto.Whatmadehimdoit?Whyshouldhebesopig-headed.Whywouldn’theleavethishousewhenIwantedhimto?”
Coaxingher,soothingher,Kirstendidherbesttomakeherrelax.
DonaldCraigstrodeoutofthesittingroom.
“Whosaidthatgirlhadfainted?”hedemanded.
Mickystaredathim.
“Butshedidfaint,”hesaid.
“Wherewasshewhenshefainted?”
“Shewaswithme…Shecameoutofthehouseandwalkedtomeetme.Then—shejustcollapsed.”
“Collapsed,didshe?Yes,shecollapsedallright,”saidDonaldCraiggrimly.Hemovedquicklytowardsthetelephone“Imustgetholdofanambulance,”hesaid,“atonce.”
“Anambulance?”BothKirstenandMickystaredathim.Marydidnotseemtohaveheard.
“Yes.”Donaldwasdiallingangrily.“Thatgirldidn’tfaint,”hesaid.“Shewasstabbed.Doyouhear?Stabbedintheback.We’vegottogethertohospitalatonce.”
Twenty-three
I
Inhishotelroom,ArthurCalgarywentoverandoverthenoteshehadmade.
Fromtimetotime,henoddedhishead.
Yes…hewasontherighttacknow.Tobeginwith,hehadmadethemistakeofconcentratingonMrs.Argyle.Inninecasesoutoftenthatwouldhavebeentherightprocedure.Butthiswasthetenthcase.
Allalonghehadfeltthepresenceofanunknownfactor.Ifhecouldonceisolateandidentifythatfactor,thecasewouldbesolved.Inseekingithehadbeenobsessedbythedeadwoman.Butthedeadwoman,hesawnow,wasnotreallyimportant.Anyvictim,inasense,wouldhavedone.
Hehadshiftedhisviewpoint—shifteditbacktothemomentwhenallthishadbegun.HehadshifteditbacktoJacko.
NotjustJackoasayoungmanunjustlysentencedforacrimehedidnotcommit—butJacko,theintrinsichumanbeing.WasJacko,inthewordsoftheoldCalvinisticdoctrine,“avesselappointedtodestruction?”He’dbeengiveneverychanceinlife,hadn’the?Dr.MacMaster’sopinion,atanyrate,wasthathewasoneofthosewhoareborntogowrong.Noenvironmentcouldhavehelpedhimorsavedhim.Wasthattrue?LeoArgylehadspokenofhimwithindulgence,withpity.Howhadheputit?“OneofNature’smisfits.”Hehadacceptedthemodernpsychologicalapproach.Aninvalid,notacriminal.WhathadHestersaid?Bluntly,thatJackowasalwaysawful!
Aplain,childishstatement.AndwhatwasitKirstenLindstromhadsaid?ThatJackowaswicked!Yes,shehadputitasstronglyasthat.Wicked!Tinahadsaid:“Ineverlikedhimortrustedhim.”Sotheyallagreed,didn’tthey,ingeneralterms?Itwasonlyinthecaseofhiswidowthatthey’dcomedownfromthegeneraltotheparticular.MaureenClegghadthoughtofJackoentirelyfromherownpointofview.ShehadwastedherselfonJacko.Shehadbeencarriedawaybyhischarmandshewasresentfulofthefact.Now,securelyremarried,sheechoedherhusband’sviews.ShehadgivenCalgaryaforthrightaccountofsomeofJacko’sdubiousdealings,andthemethodsbywhichhehadobtainedmoney.Money….
InArthurCalgary’sfatiguedbrainthewordseemedtodanceonthewallingiganticletters.Money!Money!Money!Likeamotifinanopera,hethought.Mrs.Argyle’smoney!Moneyputintotrust!Moneyputintoanannuity!Residualestatelefttoherhusband!Moneygotfromthebank!Moneyinthebureaudrawer!Hesterrushingouttohercarwithnomoneyinherpurse,gettingtwopoundsfromKirstenLindstrom.MoneyfoundonJacko,moneythathesworehismotherhadgivenhim.
Thewholethingmadeapattern—apatternwovenoutofirrelevantdetailsaboutmoney.
Andsurely,inthatpattern,theunknownfactorwasbecomingclear.
Helookedathiswatch.HehadpromisedtoringupHesteratanagreedtime.Hedrewthetelephonetowardshimandaskedforthenumber.
Presentlyhervoicecametohim,clear,ratherchildish.
“Hester.Areyouallright?”
“Oh,yes,I’mallright.”
Ittookhimamomentortwotograsptheimplicationofthataccentedword.Thenhesaidsharply:
“Whathashappened?”
“Philiphasbeenkilled.”
“Philip!PhilipDurrant?”
Calgarysoundedincredulous.
“Yes.AndTina,too—atleastsheisn’tdeadyet.She’sinhospital.”
“Tellme,”heordered.
Shetoldhim.Hequestionedandrequestionedhernarrowlyuntilhegotallthefacts.
Thenhesaidgrimly:
“Holdon,Hester,I’mcoming.I’llbewithyou”—helookedathiswatch—“inanhour’stime.I’vegottoseeSuperintendentHuishfirst.”
II
“Whatexactlydoyouwanttoknow,Dr.Calgary?”askedSuperintendentHuish,butbeforeCalgarycouldspeakthetelephonerangonHuish’sdeskandthesuperintendentpickeditup.“Yes.Yes,speaking.Justamoment.”Hedrewapieceofpapertowardshim,pickedupapenandpreparedtowrite.“Yes.Goahead.Yes.”Hewrote.“What?Howdoyouspellthatlastword?Oh,Isee.Yes,doesn’tseemtomakemuchsenseyet,doesit?Right.Nothingelse?Right.Thanks.”Hereplacedthereceiver.“Thatwasthehospital,”hesaid.
“Tina?”askedCalgary.
Thesuperintendentnodded.
“Sheregainedconsciousnessforafewminutes.”
“Didshesayanything?”askedCalgary
“Idon’treallyknowwhyIshouldtellyouthat,Dr.Calgary.”
“Iaskyoutotellme,”saidCalgary,“becauseIthinkthatIcanhelpyouoverthisbusiness.”
Huishlookedathimconsideringly.
“You’vetakenallthisverymuchtoheart,haven’tyou,Dr.Calgary?”hesaid.
“Yes,Ihave.Yousee,Ifeltresponsibleforreopeningthecase.Ievenfeelresponsibleforthesetwotragedies.Willthegirllive?”
“Theythinkso,”saidHuish.“Thebladeoftheknifemissedtheheart,butitmaybetouchandgo.”Heshookhishead.“That’salwaysthetrouble,”hesaid.“Peoplewillnotbelievethatamurdererisunsafe.Soundsaqueerthingtosay,butthereitis.Theyallknewtherewasamurdererintheirmidst.Theyoughttohavetoldwhattheyknew.Theonlysafethingifamurdererisaboutistotellthepoliceanythingyouknowatonce.Well,theydidn’t.Theyheldoutonme.PhilipDurrantwasanicefellow—anintelligentfellow;butheregardedthisasakindofgame.Hewentpokingaboutlayingtrapsforpeople.Andhegotsomewhere,orhethoughthegotsomewhere.Andsomebodyelsethoughthewasgettingsomewhere.Result:Igetacalltosayhe’sdead,stabbedthroughthebackoftheneck.That’swhatcomesofmessingaboutwithmurderandnotrealizingitsdangers.”Hestoppedandclearedhisthroat.
“Andthegirl?”askedCalgary.
“Thegirlknewsomething,”saidHuish.“Somethingshedidn’twanttotell.It’smyopinion,”hesaid,“shewasinlovewiththefellow.”
“You’retalkingabout—Micky?”
Huishnodded.“Yes.I’dsay,too,thatMickywasfondofher,inaway.Butbeingfondofanyoneisn’tenoughifyou’remadwithfear.Whateversheknewwasprobablymoredeadlythansheherselfrealized.That’swhy,aftershefoundDurrantdeadandshecamerushingoutstraightintohisarms,hetookhischanceandstabbedher.”
“That’smerelyconjectureonyourpart,isn’tit,SuperintendentHuish?”
“Notentirelyconjecture,Dr.Calgary.Theknifewasinhispocket.”
“Theactualknife?”
“Yes.Ithadbloodonit.We’regoingtotestit,butit’llbeherbloodallright.HerbloodandthebloodofPhilipDurrant!”
“But—itcouldn’thavebeen.”
“Whosaysitcouldn’thavebeen?”
“Hester.Irangherupandshetoldmeallaboutit.”
“Shedid,didshe?Well,thefactsareverysimple.MaryDurrantwentdowntothekitchen,leavingherhusbandalive,attenminutestofour—atthattimetherewereinthehouseLeoArgyleandGwendaVaughaninthelibrary,HesterArgyleinherbedroomonthefirstfloor,andKirstenLindstrominthekitchen.Justafterfouro’clock,MickyandTinadroveup.MickywentintothegardenandTinawentupstairs,followingcloseonKirsten’sfoosteps,whohadjustgoneupwithcoffeeandbiscuitsforPhilip.TinastoppedtospeaktoHester,thenwentontojoinMissLindstromandtogethertheyfoundPhilipdead.”
“AndallthistimeMickywasinthegarden.Surelythat’saperfectalibi?”
“Whatyoudon’tknow,Dr.Calgary,isthatthere’sabigmagnoliatreegrowingupbythesideofthehouse.Thekidsusedtoclimbit.Mickyinparticular.Itwasoneofhiswaysinandoutofthehouse.Hecouldhaveshinnedupthattree,goneintoDurrant’sroom,stabbedhim,backandoutagain.Oh,itneededsplit-secondtiming,butit’sastonishingwhataudacitywilldosometimes.Andhewasdesperate.AtallcostshehadtopreventTinaandDurrantmeeting.Tobesafe,hehadtokillthemboth.”
Calgarythoughtforamomentortwo.
“Yousaidjustnow,Superintendent,thatTinahasrecoveredconsciousness.Wasn’tsheabletosaydefinitelywhostabbedher?”
“Shewasn’tverycoherent,”saidHuishslowly.“InfactIdoubtifshewasconsciousinthepropersenseoftheterm.”
Hegaveatiredsmile.
“Allright,Dr.Calgary,I’lltellyouexactlywhatshesaid.Firstofallshesaidaname.Micky….”
“Shehasaccusedhim,then,”saidCalgary.
“That’swhatitlookslike,”saidHuish,noddinghishead.“Therestofwhatshesaiddidn’tmakesense.It’sabitfantastic.”
“Whatdidshesay?”
Huishlookeddownatthepadinfrontofhim.
“‘Micky.’Thenapause.Then,‘Thecupwasempty…’thenanotherpause,andthen,‘Thedoveonthemast.’”HelookedatCalgary.“Canyoumakeanysenseofthat?”
“No,”saidCalgary.Heshookhisheadandsaidwonderingly:“Thedoveonthemast…Thatseemsaveryextraordinarythingtosay.”
“Nomastsandnodovesasfarasweknow,”saidHuish.“Butitmeantsomethingtoher,somethinginherownmind.Butitmayn’t,youknow,havebeenanythingtodowiththemurder.Goodnessknowswhatrealmsoffancyshe’sfloatingin.”
Calgarywassilentforsomemoments.Hesatthinkingthingsover.Hesaid:“You’vearrestedMicky?”
“We’vedetainedhim.Hewillbechargedwithintwenty-fourhours.”
HuishlookedcuriouslyatCalgary.
“Igatherthatthislad,Micky,wasn’tyouranswertotheproblem?”
“No,”saidCalgary.“No,Mickywasn’tmyanswer.Evennow—Idon’tknow.”Hegotup.“IstillthinkI’mright,”hesaid,“butIquiteseethatI’venotgotenoughtogoonforyoutobelieveme.Imustgooutthereagain.Imustseethemall.”
“Well,”saidHuish,“becarefulofyourself,Dr.Calgary.Whatisyouridea,bytheway?”
“Woulditmeananythingtoyou,”saidCalgary,“ifItoldyouthatitismybeliefthatthiswasacrimeofpassion?”
Huish’seyebrowsrose.
“Therearealotofpassions,Dr.Calgary,”hesaid.“Hate,avarice,greed,fear,they’reallpassions.”
“WhenIsaidacrimeofpassion,”saidCalgary,“Imeantexactlywhatoneusuallymeansbythatterm.”
“IfyoumeanGwendaVaughanandLeoArgyle,”saidHuish,“that’swhatwe’vethoughtallalong,youknow,butitdoesn’tseemtofit.”
“It’smorecomplicatedthanthat,”saidArthurCalgary.
Twenty-four
ItwasagainduskwhenArthurCalgarycametoSunnyPointonaneveningveryliketheeveningwhenhehadfirstcomethere.Viper’sPoint,hethoughttohimselfasherangthebell.
Onceagaineventsseemedtorepeatthemselves.ItwasHesterwhoopenedit.Therewasthesamedefianceinherface,thesameairofdesperatetragedy.Behindherinthehallhesaw,ashehadseenbefore,thewatchful,suspiciousfigureofKirstenLindstrom.Itwashistoryrepeatingitself.
Thenthepatternwaveredandchanged.ThesuspicionandthedesperationwentoutofHester’sface.Itbrokeupintoalovely,welcomingsmile.
“You,”shesaid.“Oh,I’msogladyou’vecome!”
Hetookherhandsinhis.
“Iwanttoseeyourfather,Hester.Isheupstairsinthelibrary?”
“Yes.Yes,he’stherewithGwenda.”
KirstenLindstromcameforwardtowardsthem.
“Whydoyoucomehereagain?”shesaidaccusingly.“Lookatthetroubleyoubroughtlasttime!Seewhathashappenedtousall.Hester’sliferuined,Mr.Argyle’sliferuined—andtwodeaths.Two!PhilipDurrantandlittleTina.Anditisyourdoing—allyourdoing!”
“Tinaisnotdeadyet,”saidCalgary,“andIhavesomethingheretodothatIcannotleaveundone.”
“Whathaveyougottodo?”Kirstenstillstoodbarringhiswaytothestaircase.
“I’vegottofinishwhatIbegan,”saidCalgary.
Verygentlyheputahandonhershoulderandmovedherslightlyaside.HewalkedupthestairsandHesterfollowedhim.HeturnedbackoverhisshoulderandsaidtoKirsten:“Come,too,MissLindstrom,Iwouldlikeyoualltobehere.”
Inthelibrary,LeoArgylewassittinginachairbythedesk.GwendaVaughanwaskneelinginfrontofthefire,staringintoitsembers.Theylookedupwithsomesurprise.
“I’msorrytoburstinuponyou,”saidCalgary,“butasI’vejustbeensayingtothesetwo,I’vecometofinishwhatIbegan.”Helookedround.“IsMrs.Durrantinthehousestill?Ishouldlikehertobeherealso.”
“She’slyingdown,Ithink,”saidLeo.“She—she’stakenthingsterriblyhard.”
“Ishouldlikehertobehereallthesame.”HelookedatKirsten.“Perhapsyouwouldgoandfetchher.”
“Shemaynotwanttocome,”saidKirstensullenly.
“Tellher,”saidCalgary,“thattherearethingsshemaywanttohearaboutherhusband’sdeath.”
“Oh,goon,Kirsty,”saidHester.“Don’tbesosuspiciousandsoprotectiveofusall.Idon’tknowwhatDr.Calgary’sgoingtosay,butweoughtalltobehere.”
“Asyouplease,”saidKirsten.
Shewentoutoftheroom.
“Sitdown,”saidLeo.Heindicatedachairontheothersideofthefireplace,andCalgarysatthere.
“Youmustforgiveme,”saidLeo,“ifIsayatthismomentthatIwishyou’dnevercomehereinthefirstplace,Dr.Calgary.”
“That’sunfair,”saidHesterfiercely.“That’saterriblyunfairthingtosay.”
“Iknowwhatyoumustfeel,”saidCalgary.“IthinkinyourplaceIshouldfeelmuchthesame.PerhapsIevensharedyourviewforashortperiod,butonreflectionIstillcannotseethattherewasanythingelsethatIcouldhavedone.”
Kirstenre-enteredtheroom.“Maryiscoming,”shesaid.
TheysatinsilencewaitingandpresentlyMaryDurrantenteredtheroom.Calgarylookedatherwithinterest,sinceitwasthefirsttimehehadseenher.Shelookedcalmandcomposed,neatlydressed,everyhairinplace.Butherfacewasmasklikeinitslackofexpressionandtherewasanairaboutherasofawomanwhowalksinhersleep.
Leomadeanintroduction.Shebowedherheadslightly.
“Itisgoodofyoutocome,Mrs.Durrant,”saidCalgary.“IthoughtyououghttohearwhatIhavetosay.”
“Asyouplease,”saidMary.“ButnothingthatyoucansayoranyonecansaywillbringPhilipbackagain.”
Shewentalittlewayawayfromthemandsatdowninachairbythewindow.Calgarylookedroundhim.
“Letmefirstsaythis:WhenIcameherethefirsttime,whenItoldyouthatIwasabletoclearJacko’sname,yourreceptionofmynewspuzzledme.Iunderstanditnow.Butthethingthatmadethegreatestimpressionuponmewaswhatthischildhere”—helookedatHester—“saidtomeasIleft.Shesaidthatitwasnotjusticethatmattered,itwaswhathappenedtotheinnocent.ThereisaphraseinthelatesttranslationoftheBookofJobthatdescribesitThecalamityoftheinnocent.Asaresultofmynewsthatiswhatyouhaveallbeensuffering.Theinnocentshouldnotsuffer,andmustnotsuffer,anditistoendthesufferingoftheinnocentthatIamherenowtosaywhatIhavetosay.”
Hepausedforamomentortwobutnoonespoke.Inhisquietpedanticvoice,ArthurCalgarywenton:
“WhenIcameherefirst,itwasnot,asIthought,tobringyouwhatmightbedescribedastidingsofgreatjoy.YouhadallacceptedJacko’sguilt.Youwereall,ifImaysayso,satisfiedwithit.ItwasthebestsolutionthattherecouldbeinthemurderofMrs.Argyle.”
“Isn’tthatspeakingalittleharshly?”askedLeo.
“No,”saidCalgary,“itisthetruth.Jackowassatisfactorytoyouallasthecriminalsincetherecouldbenorealquestionofanoutsiderhavingcommittedthecrime,andbecauseinthecaseofJackoyoucouldfindthenecessaryexcuses.Hewasunfortunate,amentalinvalid,notresponsibleforhisactions,aproblemordelinquentboy!Allthephrasesthatwecanusenowadayssohappilytoexcuseguilt.Yousaid,Mr.Argyle,thatyoudidnotblamehim.Yousaidhismother,thevictim,wouldnothaveblamedhim.Onlyonepersonblamedhim.”HelookedatKirstenLindstrom.“Youblamedhim.Yousaidfairlyandsquarelythathewaswicked.Thatisthetermyouused.‘Jackowaswicked,’yousaid.”
“Perhaps,”saidKirstenLindstrom.“Perhaps—yes,perhapsIsaidthat.Itwastrue.”
“Yes,itwastrue.Hewaswicked.Ifhehadnotbeenwickednoneofthiswouldhavehappened.Yetyouknowquitewell,”saidCalgary,“thatmyevidenceclearedhimoftheactualcrime.”
Kirstensaid:
“Onecannotalwaysbelieveevidence.Youhadconcussion.Iknowverywellwhatconcussiondoestopeople.Theyrememberthingsnotclearlybutinakindofblur.”
“Sothatisstillyoursolution?”saidCalgary.“YouthinkthatJackoactuallycommittedthatcrimeandthatinsomewayhemanagedtofakeanalibi?Isthatright?”
“Idonotknowthedetails.Yes,somethingofthatsort.Istillsayhedidit.Allthesufferingthathasgoneonhereandthedeaths—yes,theseterribledeaths—theyareallhisdoing.AllJacko’sdoing!”
Hestercried:
“ButKirsten,youwerealwaysdevotedtoJacko.”
“Perhaps,”saidKirsten,“yes,perhaps.ButIstillsayhewaswicked.”
“ThereIthinkyouareright,”saidCalgary,“butinanotherwayyouarewrong.Concussionornoconcussion,mymemoryisperfectlyclear.OnthenightofMrs.Argyle’sdeathIgaveJackoaliftatthestatedtime.Thereisnopossibility—andIrepeatthosewordsstrongly—thereisnopossibilitythatJackoArgylekilledhisadoptedmotherthatnight.Hisalibiholds.”
Leomovedwithatraceofrestlessness.Calgarywenton:
“YouthinkthatI’mrepeatingthesamethingoverandoveragain?Notquite.Thereareotherpointstobeconsidered.OneofthemisthestatementthatIgotfromSuperintendentHuishthatJackowasveryglibandassuredwhengivinghisalibi.Hehaditallpatandready,thetimes,theplace,almostasthoughheknewhemightneedit.ThattiesupwiththeconversationIhadabouthimwithDr.MacMaster,whohashadaverywideexperienceofborderlinedelinquentcases.HesaidhewasnotsosurprisedatJackohavingtheseedsofmurderinhisheart,buthewassurprisedthathehadactuallycarriedoneout.HesaidthetypeofmurderhewouldhaveexpectedwasonewhereJackoeggedonsomeoneelsetocommitthecrime.SoIcametothepointwhereIaskedmyselfthis:DidJackoknowthatacrimewastobecommittedthatnight?Didheknowthathewouldneedanalibianddidhedeliberatelygoaboutgivinghimselfone?Ifso,someoneelsekilledMrs.Argyle,but—Jackoknewshewasgoingtobekilledandonemayfairlysaythathewastheinstigatorofthecrime.”
HesaidtoKirstenLindstrom:
“Youfeelthat,don’tyou?Youstillfeelit,oryouwanttofeelit?YoufeelthatitwasJackowhokilledher,notyou…Youfeelitwasunderhisordersandunderhisinfluenceyoudidit.Thereforeyouwantalltheblametobehis!”
“I?”saidKirstenLindstrom.“I?Whatareyousaying?”
“I’msaying,”saidCalgary,“thattherewasonlyonepersoninthishousewhocouldinanywayfitintotheroleofJackoArgyle’saccomplice.Andthatisyou,MissLindstrom.Jackohasarecordbehindhim,arecordofbeingabletoinspirepassioninmiddle-agedwomen.Heemployedthatpowerdeliberately.Hehadthegiftofmakinghimselfbelieved.”Heleanedforward.“Hemadelovetoyou,didn’the?”hesaidgently.“Hemadeyoubelievethathecaredforyou,thathewantedtomarryyou,thatafterthiswasoverandhe’dgotmorecontrolofhismother’smoney,youwouldbemarriedandgoawaysomewhere.Thatisright,isn’tit?”
Kirstenstaredathim.Shedidnotspeak.Itwasasthoughshewereparalysed.
“Itwasdonecruellyandheartlesslyanddeliberately,”saidArthurCalgary.“Hecameherethatnightdesperateforsomemoney,withtheshadowoverhimofarrestandajailsentence.Mrs.Argylerefusedtogivehimmoney.Whenhewasrefusedbyherheappliedtoyou.”
“Doyouthink,”saidKirstenLindstrom,“doyouthinkthatIwouldhavetakenMrs.Argyle’smoneytogivehiminsteadofgivinghimmyown?”
“No,”saidCalgary,“youwouldhavegivenhimyourownifyou’dhadany.ButIdon’tthinkyouhad…YouhadagoodincomefromtheannuitywhichMrs.Argylehadboughtforyou,butIthinkhe’dalreadymilkedyoudryofthat.SohewasdesperatethateveningandwhenMrs.Argylehadgoneuptoherhusbandinthelibrary,youwentoutsidethehousewherehewaswaitingandhetoldyouwhatyouhadtodo.Firstyoumustgivehimthemoneyandthen,beforethetheftcouldbediscovered,Mrs.Argylehadtobekilled.Becauseshewouldnothavecoveredupthetheft.Hesaiditwouldbeeasy.Youhadjusttopulloutthedrawerstomakeitlookasthoughaburglarhadbeenthereandtohitheronthebackofthehead.Itwouldbepainless,hesaid.Shewouldnotfeelanything.Hehimselfwouldestablishanalibi,sothatyoumustbecarefultodothisthingwithintherighttimelimits,betweensevenandseven-thirty.”
“It’snottrue,”saidKirsten.Shehadbeguntotremble.“Youaremadtosaysuchthings.”
Yettherewasnoindignationinhervoice.Strangelyenoughitwasmechanicalandweary.
“Evenifwhatyousayistrue,”shesaid,“doyouthinkIwouldlethimbeaccusedofthemurder?”
“Ohyes,”saidCalgary.“Afterall,hehadtoldyouhewouldhaveanalibi.Youexpectedhim,perhaps,tobearrestedandthentoprovehisinnocence.Thatwasallpartoftheplan.”
“Butwhenhecouldn’tprovehisinnocence,”saidKirsten.“WouldInothavesavedhimthen?”
“Perhaps,”saidCalgary,“perhaps—butforonefact.ThefactthatonthemorningafterthemurderJacko’swifeturneduphere.Youdidn’tknowhewasmarried.Thegirlhadtorepeatthestatementtwoorthreetimesbeforeyouwouldbelieveher.Atthatmomentyourworldcrashedaroundyou.YousawJackoforwhathewas—heartless,scheming,withoutaparticleofaffectionforyou.Yourealizedwhathehadmadeyoudo.”
SuddenlyKirstenLindstromwasspeaking.Thewordscamerushingoutincoherently.
“Ilovedhim…Ilovedhimwithallmyheart.Iwasafool,acredulousmiddle-ageddotingfool.Hemademethinkit—hemademebelieveit.Hesaidhehadnevercaredforgirls.Hesaid—Icannottellyouallthethingshesaid.Ilovedhim.ItellyouIlovedhim.Andthenthatsilly,simperingchildcamehere,thatcommonlittlething.Isawitwasalllies,allwickedness,wickedness…Hiswickedness,notmine.”
“ThenightIcamehere,”saidCalgary,“youwereafraid,weren’tyou?Youwereafraidofwhatwasgoingtohappen.Youwereafraidfortheothers.Hester,whomyouloved,Leo,whomyouwerefondof.Yousaw,perhaps,alittleofwhatthismightdotothem.Butprincipallyyouwereafraidforyourself.Andyouseewherefearhasledyou…Youhavetwomoredeathsonyourhandsnow.”
“YouaresayingIkilledTinaandPhilip?”
“Ofcourseyoukilledthem,”saidCalgary.“Tinahasrecoveredconsciousness.”
Kirsten’sshouldersdroppedinthesaggingofdespair.
“SoshehastoldyouthatIstabbedher.Ididnotthinksheevenknew.Iwasmad,ofcourse.Iwasmadbythen,madwithterror.Itwascomingsoclose—soclose.”
“ShallItellyouwhatTinasaidwhensheregainedconsciousness?”saidCalgary.“Shesaid‘Thecupwasempty.’Iknewwhatthatmeant.YoupretendedtobetakingupacupofcoffeetoPhilipDurrant,butactuallyyouhadalreadystabbedhimandwerecomingoutofthatroomwhenyouheardTinacoming.Soyouturnedroundandpretendedyouweretakingthetrayin.Later,althoughshewasshockedalmostintounconsciousnessbyhisdeath,shenoticedautomaticallythatthecupthathaddroppedonthefloorwasanemptycupandtherewasnostainofcoffeeleftbyit.”
Hestercriedout:
“ButKirstencouldn’thavestabbedher!TinawalkeddownstairsandouttoMicky.Shewasquiteallright.”
“Mydearchild,”saidCalgary,“peoplewhohavebeenstabbedhavewalkedthelengthofastreetwithoutevenknowingwhathashappenedtothem!InthestateofshockTinawasinshewouldhardlyhavefeltanything.Apinprick,aslightpainperhaps.”HelookedagainatKirsten.“Andlater,”hesaid,“youslippedthatknifeintoMicky’spocket.Thatwasthemeanestthingofall.”
Kirsten’shandsflewoutpleadingly.
“Icouldn’thelpit—Icouldnothelpit…Itwascomingsonear…Theywereallbeginningtofindout.PhilipwasfindingoutandTina—IthinkTinamusthaveoverheardJackotalkingtomeoutsidethekitchenthatevening.Theywereallbeginningtoknow…Iwantedtobesafe.Iwanted—onecanneverbesafe!”Herhandsdropped.“Ididn’twanttokillTina.AsforPhilip—”
MaryDurrantrose.Shecameacrosstheroomslowlybutwithincreasingpurpose
“YoukilledPhilip?”shesaid.“YoukilledPhilip.”
Suddenly,likeatigressshesprangattheotherwoman.ItwasGwenda,quick-witted,whosprangtoherfeetandcaughtholdofher.Calgaryjoinedherandtogethertheyheldherback.
“You—you!”criedMaryDurrant.
KirstenLindstromlookedather.
“Whatbusinesswasitofhis?”sheasked.“Whydidhehavetosnooproundandaskquestions?Hewasneverthreatened.Itwasneveramatteroflifeordeathforhim.Itwasjust—anamusement.”Sheturnedandwalkedslowlytowardsthedoor.Withoutlookingatthemshewentout.
“Stopher,”criedHester.“Oh,wemuststopher.”
LeoArgylesaid:
“Lethergo,Hester.”
“But—she’llkillherself.”
“Iratherdoubtit,”saidCalgary.
“Shehasbeenourfaithfulfriendforsolong,”saidLeo.“Faithful,devoted—andnowthis!”
“Doyouthinkshe’ll—giveherselfup?”saidGwenda.
“It’sfarmorelikely,”saidCalgary,“thatshe’llgototheneareststationandtakeatrainforLondon.Butshewon’tofcourse,beabletogetawaywithit.She’llbetracedandfound.”
“OurdearKirsten,”saidLeoagain.Hisvoiceshook.“Sofaithful,sogoodtousall.”
Gwendacaughthimbythearmandshookit.
“Howcanyou,Leo,howcanyou?Thinkwhatshedidtousall—whatshehasmadeussuffer!”
“Iknow,”saidLeo,“butshesufferedherself,youknow,aswell.Ithinkitishersufferingwehavefeltinthishouse.”
“Wemighthavegoneonsufferingforever,”saidGwenda,“asfarasshewasconcerned!Ifithadn’tbeenforDr.Calgaryhere.”Sheturnedtowardshimgratefully.
“Soatlast,”saidCalgary,“Ihavedonesomethingtohelp,thoughratherlateintheday.”
“Toolate,”saidMary,bitterly.“Toolate!Oh,whydidn’tweknow—whydidn’tweguess?”SheturnedaccusinglyonHester.“Ithoughtitwasyou.Ialwaysthoughtitwasyou.”
“Hedidn’t,”saidHester.ShelookedatCalgary.
MaryDurrantsaidquietly:
“IwishIweredead.”
“Mydearchild,”saidLeo,“howIwishIcouldhelpyou.”
“Nobodycanhelpme,”saidMary.“It’sallPhilip’sownfault,wantingtostayonhere,wantingtomessaboutwiththisbusiness.Gettinghimselfkilled.”Shelookedroundatthem.“Noneofyouunderstand.”Shewentoutoftheroom.
CalgaryandHesterfollowedher.Astheywentthroughthedoor,Calgary,lookingback,sawLeo’sarmpassroundGwenda’sshoulders.
“Shewarnedme,youknow,”saidHester.Hereyeswerewideandscared.“Shetoldmerightatthebeginningnottotrusther,tobeasafraidofherasIwasofeveryoneelse….”
“Forgetit,mydear,”saidCalgary.“Thatisthethingyouhavetodonow.Forget.Allofyouarefreenow.Theinnocentarenolongerintheshadowofguilt.”
“AndTina?Willshegetwell?Sheisnotgoingtodie?”
“Idon’tthinkshewilldie,”saidCalgary.“She’sinlovewithMicky,isn’tshe?”
“Isupposeshemightbe,”saidHester,inasurprisedvoice.“Ineverthoughtaboutit.They’vealwaysbeenbrotherandsister,ofcourse.Butthey’renotreallybrotherandsister.”
“Bytheway,Hester,wouldyouhaveanyideawhatTinameantwhenshesaid‘Thedoveonthemast.’?”
“Doveonthemast?”Hesterfrowned.“Waitaminute.Itsoundsterriblyfamiliar.Thedoveonthemast,aswesailedfast.Didmournandmournandmourn.Isthatit?”
“Itmightbe,”saidCalgary.
“It’sasong,”saidHester.“Asortoflullabysong.Kirstenusedtosingittous.Icanonlyrememberbitsofit.‘Mylovehestoodatmyrighthand,’andsomethingsomethingsomething.‘Oh,maidmostdear,Iamnothere,Ihavenoplacenopart,Nodwellingmorebyseanorshore,Butonlyinthyheart.’”
“Isee,”saidCalgary.“Yes,yes,Isee….”
“Perhapsthey’llgetmarried,”saidHester,“whenTinagetswell,andthenshecangoouttoKuwaitwithhim.Tinaalwayswantedtobesomewherewhereit’swarm.It’sverywarminthePersianGulf,isn’tit?”
“Almosttoowarm,Ishouldsay,”saidCalgary.
“Nothing’stoowarmforTina,”Hesterassuredhim.
“Andyouwillbehappynow,mydear,”saidCalgary,takingHester’shandsinhis.Hemadeanefforttosmile.“You’llmarryyouryoungdoctorandyou’llsettledownandyou’llhavenomoreofthesewildimaginingsandterrificdespairs.”
“MarryDon?”saidHester,inasurprisedtoneofvoice.“OfcourseI’mnotgoingtomarryDon.”
“Butyoulovehim.”
“No,Idon’tthinkIdo,really…IjustthoughtIdid.Buthedidn’tbelieveinme.Hedidn’tknowIwasinnocent.Heoughttohaveknown.”ShelookedatCalgary.“Youknew!IthinkI’dliketomarryyou.”
“But,Hester,I’myearsolderthanyouare.Youcan’treally—”
“Thatis—ifyouwantme,”saidHesterwithsuddendoubt.
“Oh,Iwantyou!”saidArthurCalgary
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMYSTERIOUSAFFAIRATSTYLES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsandOtherStoriesDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasTheHerculePoirotMysteriesSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionAndOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
AbouttheAuthor
AgathaChristieisthemostwidelypublishedauthorofalltimeandinanylanguage,outsoldonlybytheBibleandShakespeare.HerbookshavesoldmorethanabillioncopiesinEnglishandanotherbillioninahundredforeignlanguages.Sheistheauthorofeightycrimenovelsandshort-storycollections,nineteenplays,twomemoirs,andsixnovelswrittenunderthenameMaryWestmacott.
ShefirsttriedherhandatdetectivefictionwhileworkinginahospitaldispensaryduringWorldWarI,creatingthenowlegendaryHerculePoirotwithherdebutnovelTheMysteriousAffairatStyles.WithTheMurderintheVicarage,publishedin1930,sheintroducedanotherbelovedsleuth,MissJaneMarple.Additionalseriescharactersincludethehusband-and-wifecrime-fightingteamofTommyandTuppenceBeresford,privateinvestigatorParkerPyne,andScotlandYarddetectivesSuperintendentBattleandInspectorJapp.
ManyofChristie’snovelsandshortstorieswereadaptedintoplays,films,andtelevisionseries.TheMousetrap,hermostfamousplayofall,openedin1952andisthelongest-runningplayinhistory.Amongherbest-knownfilmadaptationsareMurderontheOrientExpress(1974)andDeathontheNile(1978),withAlbertFinneyandPeterUstinovplayingHerculePoirot,respectively.OnthesmallscreenPoirothasbeenmostmemorablyportrayedbyDavidSuchet,andMissMarplebyJoanHicksonandsubsequentlyGeraldineMcEwanandJuliaMcKenzie.
ChristiewasfirstmarriedtoArchibaldChristieandthentoarchaeologistSirMaxMallowan,whomsheaccompaniedonexpeditionstocountriesthatwouldalsoserveasthesettingsformanyofhernovels.In1971sheachievedoneofBritain’shighesthonorswhenshewasmadeaDameoftheBritishEmpire.Shediedin1976attheageofeighty-five.Heronehundredandtwentiethanniversarywascelebratedaroundtheworldin2010.
www.AgathaChristie.com
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMewsandOtherStories
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’d
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStoryCollection
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoir
AnAutobiography
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?ORDEALBYINNOCENCE?Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.OrdealbyInnocencewasfirstpublishedin1958.
ORDEALBYINNOCENCE.Copyright?1959.Allrightsreserved.PublishedbypermissionofG.P.Putnam’sSons,amemberofPenguinGroup(USA)Inc.AllrightsreservedunderInternationalandPan-AmericanCopyrightConventions.Bypaymentoftherequiredfees,youhavebeengrantedthenonexclusive,nontransferablerighttoaccessandreadthetextofthise-bookon-screen.Nopartofthistextmaybereproduced,transmitted,downloaded,decompiled,reverse-engineered,orstoredinorintroducedintoanyinformationstorageandretrievalsystem,inanyformorbyanymeans,whetherelectronicormechanical,nowknownorhereinafterinvented,withouttheexpresswrittenpermissionofHarperCollinse-books.
LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationDataisavailableuponrequest.
ISBN978-0-06-207352-5
EPubEdition?MAY2011ISBN:978-0-06-200667-7
1112131415
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TableofContents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Epigraph
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-one
ChapterTwenty-two
ChapterTwenty-three
ChapterTwenty-four
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Copyright
AboutthePublisher