AgathaChristie
TheClocks
AHerculePoirotMystery
TomyoldfriendMariowithhappymemoriesofdeliciousfoodattheCaprice.
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter1
Chapter2
Chapter3
Chapter4
Chapter5
Chapter6
Chapter7
Chapter8
Chapter9
Chapter10
Chapter11
Chapter12
Chapter13
Chapter14
Chapter15
Chapter16
Chapter17
Chapter18
Chapter19
Chapter20
Chapter21
Chapter22
Chapter23
Chapter24
Chapter25
Chapter26
Chapter27
Chapter28
Chapter29
AbouttheAuthor
OtherBooksbyAgathaChristie
Credits
Copyright
AboutthePublisher
Prologue
Theafternoonofthe9thofSeptemberwasexactlylikeanyotherafternoon.Noneofthosewhoweretobeconcernedintheeventsofthatdaycouldlayclaimtohavinghadapremonitionofdisaster.(Withtheexception,thatis,ofMrs.Packerof47,WilbrahamCrescent,whospecializedinpremonitions,andwhoalwaysdescribedatgreatlengthafterwardsthepeculiarforebodingsandtremorsthathadbesether.ButMrs.PackeratNo.47,wassofarawayfromNo.19,andsolittleconcernedwiththehappeningsthere,thatitseemedunnecessaryforhertohavehadapremonitionatall.)
AttheCavendishSecretarialandTypewritingBureau,Principal,MissK.Martindale,September9thhadbeenadullday,adayofroutine.Thetelephonerang,typewritersclicked,thepressureofbusinesswasaverage,neitherabovenorbelowitsusualvolume.Noneofitwasparticularlyinteresting.Uptill2:35,September9thmighthavebeenadaylikeanyotherday.
At2:35MissMartindale’sbuzzerwent,andEdnaBrentintheouterofficeanswereditinherusualbreathyandslightlynasalvoice,asshemanoeuvredatoffeealongthelineofherjaw.
“Yes,MissMartindale?”
“Now,Edna—thatisnotthewayI’vetoldyoutospeakwhenansweringthetelephone.Enunciateclearly,andkeepyourbreathbehindyourtone.”
“Sorry,MissMartindale.”
“That’sbetter.Youcandoitwhenyoutry.SendSheilaWebbintome.”
“She’snotbackfromlunchyet,MissMartindale.”
“Ah.”MissMartindale’seyeconsultedtheclockonherdesk.2:36.Exactlysixminuteslate.SheilaWebbhadbeengettingslacklately.“Sendherinwhenshecomes.”
“Yes,MissMartindale.”
Ednarestoredthetoffeetothecentreofhertongueand,suckingpleasurably,resumedhertypingofNakedLovebyArmandLevine.Itspainstakingeroticismleftheruninterested—asindeeditdidmostofMr.Levine’sreaders,inspiteofhisefforts.Hewasanotableexampleofthefactthatnothingcanbedullerthandullpornography.Inspiteofluridjacketsandprovocativetitles,hissaleswentdowneveryyear,andhislasttypingbillhadalreadybeensentinthreetimes.
ThedooropenedandSheilaWebbcamein,slightlyoutofbreath.
“SandyCat’saskingforyou,”saidEdna.
SheilaWebbmadeaface.
“Justmyluck—ontheonedayI’mlateback!”
Shesmootheddownherhair,pickeduppadandpencil,andknockedatthePrincipal’sdoor.
MissMartindalelookedupfromherdesk.Shewasawomanofforty-odd,bristlingwithefficiency.HerpompadourofpalereddishhairandherChristiannameofKatherinehadledtohernicknameofSandyCat.
“You’relateback,MissWebb.”
“Sorry,MissMartindale.Therewasaterrificbusjam.”
“Thereisalwaysaterrificbusjamatthistimeofday.Youshouldallowforit.”Shereferredtoanoteonherpad.“AMissPebmarshrangup.Shewantsastenographeratthreeo’clock.Sheaskedforyouparticularly.Haveyouworkedforherbefore?”
“Ican’trememberdoingso,MissMartindale.Notlatelyanyway.”
“Theaddressis19,WilbrahamCrescent.”Shepausedquestioningly,butSheilaWebbshookherhead.
“Ican’tremembergoingthere.”
MissMartindaleglancedattheclock.
“Threeo’clock.Youcanmanagethateasily.Haveyouanyotherappointmentsthisafternoon?Ah,yes,”hereyerandowntheappointmentbookatherelbow.“ProfessorPurdyattheCurlewHotel.Fiveo’clock.Yououghttobebackbeforethen.Ifnot,IcansendJanet.”
Shegaveanodofdismissal,andSheilawentbacktotheouteroffice.
“Anythinginteresting,Sheila?”
“Justanotherofthosedulldays.SomeoldpussyupatWilbrahamCrescent.AndatfiveProfessorPurdy—allthoseawfularchaeologicalnames!HowIwishsomethingexcitingcouldsometimeshappen.”
MissMartindale’sdooropened.
“IseeIhaveamemohere,Sheila.IfMissPebmarshisnotbackwhenyouarrive,youaretogoin,thedoorwillnotbelatched.Goinandgointotheroomontherightofthehallandwait.CanyourememberthatorshallIwriteitdown?”
“Icanrememberit,MissMartindale.”
MissMartindalewentbackintohersanctum.
EdnaBrentfishedunderherchairandbroughtup,secretly,aratherflashyshoeandastilettoheelthathadbecomedetachedfromit.
“HoweveramIgoingtogethome?”shemoaned.
“Oh,dostopfussing—we’llthinkofsomething,”saidoneoftheothergirls,andresumedhertyping.
Ednasighedandputinafreshsheetofpaper:
“Desirehadhiminitsgrasp.Withfrenziedfingershetorethefragilechiffonfromherbreastsandforcedherdownonthesoap.”
“Damn,”saidEdnaandreachedfortheeraser.
Sheilapickedupherhandbagandwentout.
WilbrahamCrescentwasafantasyexecutedbyaVictorianbuilderinthe1880’s.Itwasahalf-moonofdoublehousesandgardenssetbacktoback.Thisconceitwasasourceofconsiderabledifficultytopersonsunacquaintedwiththelocality.Thosewhoarrivedontheoutersidewereunabletofindthelowernumbersandthosewhohittheinnersidefirstwerebaffledastothewhereaboutsofthehighernumbers.Thehouseswereneat,prim,artisticallybalconiedandeminentlyrespectable.Modernizationhadasyetbarelytouchedthem—ontheoutside,thatistosay.Kitchensandbathroomswerethefirsttofeelthewindofchange.
TherewasnothingunusualaboutNo.19.Ithadneatcurtainsandawell-polishedbrassfrontdoorhandle.Therewerestandardrosetreeseachsideofthepathleadingtothefrontdoor.
SheilaWebbopenedthefrontgate,walkeduptothefrontdoorandrangthebell.Therewasnoresponseandafterwaitingaminuteortwo,shedidasshehadbeendirected,andturnedthehandle.Thedooropenedandshewalkedin.Thedoorontherightofthesmallhallwasajar.Shetappedonit,waited,andthenwalkedin.Itwasanordinaryquitepleasantsittingroom,alittleoverfurnishedformoderntastes.Theonlythingatallremarkableaboutitwastheprofusionofclocks—agrandfatherclocktickinginthecorner,aDresdenchinaclockonthemantelpiece,asilvercarriageclockonthedesk,asmallfancygiltclockonawhatnotnearthefireplaceandonatablebythewindow,afadedleathertravellingclock,withROSEMARYinworngiltlettersacrossthecorner.
SheilaWebblookedattheclockonthedeskwithsomesurprise.Itshowedthetimetobealittleaftertenminutespastfour.Hergazeshiftedtothechimneypiece.Theclocktheresaidthesame
Sheilastartedviolentlyastherewasawhirandaclickaboveherhead,andfromawoodencarvedclockonthewallacuckoosprangoutthroughhislittledoorandannouncedloudlyanddefinitely:Cuckoo,Cuckoo,Cuckoo!Theharshnoteseemedalmostmenacing.Thecuckoodisappearedagainwithasnapofhisdoor.
SheilaWebbgaveahalf-smileandwalkedroundtheendofthesofa.Thenshestoppedshort,pullingupwithajerk.
Sprawledonthefloorwasthebodyofaman.Hiseyeswerehalfopenandsightless.Therewasadarkmoistpatchonthefrontofhisdarkgreysuit.AlmostmechanicallySheilabentdown.Shetouchedhischeek—cold—hishand,thesame…touchedthewetpatchanddrewherhandawaysharply,staringatitinhorror.
Atthatmomentsheheardtheclickofagateoutside,herheadturnedmechanicallytothewindow.Throughitshesawawoman’sfigurehurryingupthepath.Sheilaswallowedmechanically—herthroatwasdry.Shestoodrootedtothespot,unabletomove,tocryout…staringinfrontofher.
Thedooropenedandatallelderlywomanentered,carryingashoppingbag.Shehadwavygreyhairpulledbackfromherforehead,andhereyeswereawideandbeautifulblue.TheirgazepassedunseeinglyoverSheila.
Sheilautteredafaintsound,nomorethanacroak.Thewideblueeyescametoherandthewomanspokesharply:
“Issomebodythere?”
“I—it’s—”Thegirlbrokeoffasthewomancameswiftlytowardsherroundthebackofthesofa.
Andthenshescreamed.
“Don’t—don’t…you’lltreadonit—him…Andhe’sdead….”
One
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
Tousepoliceterms:at2:59p.m.onSeptember9th,IwasproceedingalongWilbrahamCrescentinawesterlydirection.ItwasmyfirstintroductiontoWilbrahamCrescent,andfranklyWilbrahamCrescenthadmebaffled.
Ihadbeenfollowingahunchwithapersistencebecomingmoredoggeddaybydayasthehunchseemedlessandlesslikelytopayoff.I’mlikethat.
ThenumberIwantedwas61,andcouldIfindit?No,Icouldnot.Havingstudiouslyfollowedthenumbersfrom1to35,WilbrahamCrescentthenappearedtoend.AthoroughfareuncompromisinglylabelledAlbanyRoadbarredmyway.Iturnedback.Onthenorthsidetherewerenohouses,onlyawall.Behindthewall,blocksofmodernflatssoaredupwards,theentranceofthembeingobviouslyinanotherroad.Nohelpthere.
IlookedupatthenumbersIwaspassing.24,23,22,21.DianaLodge(presumably20,withanorangecatonthegatepostwashingitsface),19—
Thedoorof19openedandagirlcameoutofitanddownthepathwithwhatseemedtobethespeedofabomb.Thelikenesstoabombwasintensifiedbythescreamingthataccompaniedherprogress.Itwashighandthinandsingularlyinhuman.Throughthegatethegirlcameandcollidedwithmewithaforcethatnearlyknockedmeoffthepavement.Shedidnotonlycollide.Sheclutched—afrenzieddesperateclutching.
“Steady,”Isaid,asIrecoveredmybalance.Ishookherslightly.“Steadynow.”
Thegirlsteadied.Shestillclutched,butshestoppedscreaming.Insteadshegasped—deepsobbinggasps.
Ican’tsaythatIreactedtothesituationwithanybrilliance.Iaskedherifanythingwasthematter.RecognizingthatmyquestionwassingularlyfeebleIamendedit.
“What’sthematter?”
Thegirltookadeepbreath.
“Inthere!”shegesturedbehindher.
“Yes?”
“There’samanonthefloor…dead…Shewasgoingtosteponhim.”
“Whowas?Why?”
“Ithink—becauseshe’sblind.Andthere’sbloodonhim.”Shelookeddownandloosenedoneofherclutchinghands.“Andonme.There’sbloodonme.”
“Sothereis,”Isaid.Ilookedatthestainsonmycoatsleeve.“Andonmeaswellnow,”Ipointedout.Isighedandconsideredthesituation.“You’dbettertakemeinandshowme,”Isaid.
Butshebegantoshakeviolently.
“Ican’t—Ican’t…Iwon’tgointhereagain.”
“Perhapsyou’reright.”Ilookedround.Thereseemednowhereverysuitabletodepositahalf-faintinggirl.Iloweredhergentlytothepavementandsatherwithherbackagainsttheironrailings.
“Youstaythere,”Isaid,“untilIcomeback.Ishan’tbelong.You’llbeallright.Leanforwardandputyourheadbetweenyourkneesifyoufeelqueer.”
“I—IthinkI’mallrightnow.”
Shewasalittledoubtfulaboutit,butIdidn’twanttoparley.Igaveherareassuringpatontheshoulderandstrodeoffbrisklyupthepath.Iwentinthroughthedoor,hesitatedamomentinthehallway,lookedintothedoorontheleft,foundanemptydiningroom,crossedthehallandenteredthesittingroomopposite.
ThefirstthingIsawwasanelderlywomanwithgreyhairsittinginachair.SheturnedherheadsharplyasIenteredandsaid:
“Who’sthat?”
Irealizedatoncethatthewomanwasblind.Hereyeswhichlookeddirectlytowardsmewerefocusedonaspotbehindmyleftear.
Ispokeabruptlyandtothepoint.
“Ayoungwomanrushedoutintothestreetsayingtherewasadeadmaninhere.”
IfeltasenseofabsurdityasIsaidthewords.Itdidnotseempossiblethatthereshouldbeadeadmaninthistidyroomwiththiscalmwomansittinginherchairwithherhandsfolded.
Butheranswercameatonce.
“Behindthesofa,”shesaid.
Imovedroundtheangleofthesofa.Isawitthen—theout-flungarms—theglazedeyes—thecongealingpatchofblood.
“Howdidthishappen?”Iaskedabruptly.
“Idon’tknow.”
“But—surely.Whoishe?”
“Ihavenoidea.”
“Wemustgetthepolice.”Ilookedround.“Where’sthetelephone?”
“Ihavenotgotatelephone.”
Iconcentrateduponhermoreclosely.
“Youlivehere?Thisisyourhouse?”
“Yes.”
“Canyoutellmewhathappened?”
“Certainly.Icameinfromshopping—”Inotedtheshoppingbagflungonachairnearthedoor.“Icameinhere.Irealizedatoncetherewassomeoneintheroom.Onedoesveryeasilywhenoneisblind.Iaskedwhowasthere.Therewasnoanswer—onlythesoundofsomeonebreathingratherquickly.Iwenttowardsthesound—andthenwhoeveritwascriedout—somethingaboutsomeonebeingdeadandthatIwasgoingtotreadonhim.Andthenwhoeveritwasrushedpastmeoutoftheroomscreaming.”
Inodded.Theirstoriesclicked.
“Andwhatdidyoudo?”
“Ifeltmywayverycarefullyuntilmyfoottouchedanobstacle.”
“Andthen?”
“Ikneltdown.Itouchedsomething—aman’shand.Itwascold—therewasnopulse…Igotupandcameoverhereandsatdown—towait.Someonewasboundtocomeinduecourse.Theyoungwoman,whoevershewas,wouldgivethealarm.IthoughtIhadbetternotleavethehouse.”
Iwasimpressedwiththecalmofthiswoman.Shehadnotscreamed,orstumbledpanic-strickenfromthehouse.Shehadsatdowncalmlytowait.Itwasthesensiblethingtodo,butitmusthavetakensomedoing.
Hervoiceinquired:
“Whoexactlyareyou?”
“MynameisColinLamb.Ihappenedtobepassingby.”
“Whereistheyoungwoman?”
“Ileftherproppedupbythegate.She’ssufferingfromshock.Whereisthenearesttelephone?”
“Thereisacallboxaboutfiftyyardsdowntheroadjustbeforeyoucometothecorner.”
“Ofcourse.Irememberpassingit.I’llgoandringthepolice.Willyou—”Ihesitated.
Ididn’tknowwhethertosay“Willyouremainhere?”ortomakeit“Willyoubeallright?”
Sherelievedmefrommychoice.
“Youhadbetterbringthegirlintothehouse,”shesaiddecisively.
“Idon’tknowthatshewillcome,”Isaiddoubtfully.
“Notintothisroom,naturally.Putherinthediningroomtheothersideofthehall.TellherIammakingsometea.”
Sheroseandcametowardsme.
“But—canyoumanage—”
Afaintgrimsmileshowedforamomentonherface.
“Mydearyoungman.IhavemademealsformyselfinmyownkitcheneversinceIcametoliveinthishouse—fourteenyearsago.Tobeblindisnotnecessarilytobehelpless.”
“I’msorry.Itwasstupidofme.PerhapsIoughttoknowyourname?”
“MillicentPebmarsh—Miss.”
Iwentoutanddownthepath.Thegirllookedupatmeandbegantostruggletoherfeet.
“I—IthinkI’mmoreorlessallrightnow.”
Ihelpedherup,sayingcheerfully:
“Good.”
“There—therewasadeadmaninthere,wasn’tthere?”
Iagreedpromptly.
“Certainlytherewas.I’mjustgoingdowntothetelephoneboxtoreportittothepolice.IshouldwaitinthehouseifIwereyou.”Iraisedmyvoicetocoverherquickprotest.“Gointothediningroom—ontheleftasyougoin.MissPebmarshismakingacupofteaforyou.”
“SothatwasMissPebmarsh?Andshe’sblind?”
“Yes.It’sbeenashocktoher,too,ofcourse,butshe’sbeingverysensible.Comeon,I’lltakeyouin.Acupofteawilldoyougoodwhilstyouarewaitingforthepolicetocome.”
Iputanarmroundhershouldersandurgedherupthepath.Isettledhercomfortablybythediningroomtable,andhurriedoffagaintotelephone.
II
Anunemotionalvoicesaid,“CrowdeanPoliceStation.”
“CanIspeaktoDetectiveInspectorHardcastle?”
Thevoicesaidcautiously:
“Idon’tknowwhetherheishere.Whoisspeaking?”
“Tellhimit’sColinLamb.”
“Justamoment,please.”
Iwaited.ThenDickHardcastle’svoicespoke.
“Colin?Ididn’texpectyouyetawhile.Whereareyou?”
“Crowdean.I’mactuallyinWilbrahamCrescent.There’samanlyingdeadonthefloorofNumber19,stabbedIshouldthink.He’sbeendeadapproximatelyhalfanhourorso.”
“Whofoundhim.You?”
“No,Iwasaninnocentpasserby.Suddenlyagirlcameflyingoutofthehouselikeabatoutofhell.Nearlyknockedmedown.Shesaidtherewasadeadmanonthefloorandablindwomanwastramplingonhim.”
“You’renothavingmeon,areyou?”Dick’svoiceaskedsuspiciously.
“Itdoessoundfantastic,Iadmit.Butthefactsseemtobeasstated.TheblindwomanisMissMillicentPebmarshwhoownsthehouse.”
“Andwasshetramplingonthedeadman?”
“Notinthesenseyoumeanit.Itseemsthatbeingblindshejustdidn’tknowhewasthere.”
“I’llsetthemachineryinmotion.Waitformethere.Whathaveyoudonewiththegirl?”
“MissPebmarshismakingheracupoftea.”
Dick’scommentwasthatitallsoundedverycosy.
Two
At19,WilbrahamCrescentthemachineryoftheLawwasinpossession.Therewasapolicesurgeon,apolicephotographer,fingerprintmen.Theymovedefficiently,eachoccupiedwithhisownroutine
FinallycameDetectiveInspectorHardcastle,atall,pokerfacedmanwithexpressiveeyebrows,godlike,toseethatallhehadputinmotionwasbeingdone,anddoneproperly.Hetookafinallookatthebody,exchangedafewbriefwordswiththepolicesurgeonandthencrossedtothediningroomwherethreepeoplesatoveremptyteacups.MissPebmarsh,ColinLambandatallgirlwithbrowncurlinghairandwide,frightenedeyes.“Quitepretty,”theinspectornoted,parentheticallyasitwere.
HeintroducedhimselftoMissPebmarsh.
“DetectiveInspectorHardcastle.”
HeknewalittleaboutMissPebmarsh,thoughtheirpathshadnevercrossedprofessionally.Buthehadseenherabout,andhewasawarethatshewasanex-schoolteacher,andthatshehadajobconnectedwiththeteachingofBrailleattheAaronbergInstituteforhandicappedchildren.Itseemedwildlyunlikelythatamanshouldbefoundmurderedinherneat,austerehouse—buttheunlikelyhappenedmoreoftenthanonewouldbedisposedtobelieve.
“Thisisaterriblethingtohavehappened,MissPebmarsh,”hesaid.“I’mafraiditmusthavebeenagreatshocktoyou.I’llneedtogetaclearstatementofexactlywhatoccurredfromyouall.IunderstandthatitwasMiss—”heglancedquicklyatthenotebooktheconstablehadhandedhim,“SheilaWebbwhoactuallydiscoveredthebody.Ifyou’llallowmetouseyourkitchen,MissPebmarsh,I’lltakeMissWebbintherewherewecanbequiet.”
Heopenedtheconnectingdoorfromthediningroomtothekitchenandwaiteduntilthegirlhadpassedthrough.Ayoungplainclothesdetectivewasalreadyestablishedinthekitchen,writingunobtrusivelyataFormica-toppedsmalltable.
“Thischairlookscomfortable,”saidHardcastle,pullingforwardamodernizedversionofaWindsorchair.
SheilaWebbsatdownnervously,staringathimwithlargefrightenedeyes.
Hardcastleverynearlysaid:“Ishan’teatyou,mydear,”butrepressedhimself,andsaidinstead:
“There’snothingtoworryabout.Wejustwanttogetaclearpicture.NowyournameisSheilaWebb—andyouraddress?”
“14,PalmerstoneRoad—beyondthegasworks.”
“Yes,ofcourse.Andyouareemployed,Isuppose?”
“Yes.I’mashorthandtypist—IworkatMissMartindale’sSecretarialBureau.”
“TheCavendishSecretarialandTypewritingBureau—that’sitsfullname,isn’tit?”
“That’sright.”
“Andhowlonghaveyoubeenworkingthere?”
“Aboutayear.Well,tenmonthsactually.”
“Isee.Nowjusttellmeinyourownwordshowyoucametobeat19,WilbrahamCrescenttoday.”
“Well,itwasthisway.”SheilaWebbwasspeakingnowwithmoreconfidence.“ThisMissPebmarshranguptheBureauandaskedforastenographertobehereatthreeo’clock.SowhenIcamebackfromlunchMissMartindaletoldmetogo.”
“Thatwasjustroutine,wasit?Imean—youwerethenextonthelist—orhoweveryouarrangethesethings?”
“Notexactly.MissPebmarshhadaskedformespecially.”
“MissPebmarshhadaskedforyouspecially.”Hardcastle’seyebrowsregisteredthispoint.“Isee…Becauseyouhadworkedforherbefore?”
“ButIhadn’t,”saidSheilaquickly.
“Youhadn’t?You’requitesureofthat?”
“Oh,yes,I’mpositive.Imean,she’snotthesortofpersononewouldforget.That’swhatseemssoodd.”
“Quite.Well,wewon’tgointothatjustnow.Youreachedherewhen?”
“Itmusthavebeenjustbeforethreeo’clock,becausethecuckooclock—”shestoppedabruptly.Hereyeswidened.“Howqueer.Howveryqueer.Ineverreallynoticedatthetime.”
“Whatdidn’tyounotice,MissWebb?”
“Why—theclocks.”
“Whatabouttheclocks?”
“Thecuckooclockstruckthreeallright,butalltheotherswereaboutanhourfast.Howveryodd!”
“Certainlyveryodd,”agreedtheinspector.“Nowwhendidyoufirstnoticethebody?”
“NottillIwentroundbehindthesofa.Andthereit—he—was.Itwasawful,yesawful….”
“Awful,Iagree.Nowdidyourecognizetheman?Wasitanyoneyouhadseenbefore?”
“Ohno.”
“You’requitesureofthat?Hemighthavelookedratherdifferentfromthewayheusuallylooked,youknow.Thinkcarefully.You’requitesurehewassomeoneyou’dneverseenbefore?”
“Quitesure.”
“Right.That’sthat.Andwhatdidyoudo?”
“WhatdidIdo?”
“Yes.”
“Why—nothing…nothingatall.Icouldn’t.”
“Isee.Youdidn’ttouchhimatall?”
“Yes—yesIdid.Toseeif—Imean—justtosee—Buthewas—quitecold—and—andIgotbloodonmyhand.Itwashorrible—thickandsticky.”
Shebegantoshake.
“There,there,”saidHardcastleinanavuncularfashion.“It’sallovernow,youknow.Forgetabouttheblood.Goontothenextthing.Whathappenednext?”
“Idon’tknow…Oh,yes,shecamehome.”
“MissPebmarsh,youmean?”
“Yes.OnlyIdidn’tthinkaboutherbeingMissPebmarshthen.Shejustcameinwithashoppingbasket.”Hertoneunderlinedtheshoppingbasketassomethingincongruousandirrelevant.
“Andwhatdidyousay?”
“Idon’tthinkIsaidanything…Itriedto,butIcouldn’t.Ifeltallchokeduphere.”Sheindicatedherthroat.
Theinspectornodded.
“Andthen—andthen—shesaid:‘Who’sthere?’andshecameroundthebackofthesofaandIthought—Ithoughtshewasgoingto—totreadonIt.AndIscreamed…AndonceIbeganIcouldn’tstopscreaming,andsomehowIgotoutoftheroomandthroughthefrontdoor—”
“Likeabatoutofhell,”theinspectorrememberedColin’sdescription.
SheilaWebblookedathimoutofmiserablefrightenedeyesandsaidratherunexpectedly:
“I’msorry.”
“Nothingtobesorryabout.You’vetoldyourstoryverywell.There’snoneedtothinkaboutitanymorenow.Oh,justonepoint,whywereyouinthatroomatall?”
“Why?”Shelookedpuzzled.
“Yes.You’darrivedhere,possiblyafewminutesearly,andyou’dpushedthebell,Isuppose.Butifnobodyanswered,whydidyoucomein?”
“Ohthat.Becauseshetoldmeto.”
“Whotoldyouto?”
“MissPebmarshdid.”
“ButIthoughtyouhadn’tspokentoheratall.”
“No,Ihadn’t.ItwasMissMartindaleshesaiditto—thatIwastocomeinandwaitinthesittingroomontherightofthehall.”
Hardcastlesaid:“Indeed”thoughtfully.
SheilaWebbaskedtimidly:
“Is—isthatall?”
“Ithinkso.I’dlikeyoutowaithereabouttenminuteslonger,perhaps,incasesomethingarisesImightwanttoaskyouabout.Afterthat,I’llsendyouhomeinapolicecar.Whataboutyourfamily—youhaveafamily?”
“Myfatherandmotheraredead.Ilivewithanaunt.”
“Andhernameis?”
“Mrs.Lawton.”
Theinspectorroseandheldouthishand.
“Thankyouverymuch,MissWebb,”hesaid.“Tryandgetagoodnight’sresttonight.You’llneeditafterwhatyou’vebeenthrough.”
Shesmiledathimtimidlyasshewentthroughthedoorintothediningroom.
“LookafterMissWebb,Colin,”theinspectorsaid.“Now,MissPebmarsh,canItroubleyoutocomeinhere?”
HardcastlehadhalfheldoutahandtoguideMissPebmarsh,butshewalkedresolutelypasthim,verifiedachairagainstthewallwithatouchofherfingertips,drewitoutafootandsatdown.
Hardcastleclosedthedoor.Beforehecouldspeak,MillicentPebmarshsaidabruptly:
“Who’sthatyoungman?”
“HisnameisColinLamb.”
“Soheinformedme.Butwhoishe?Whydidhecomehere?”
Hardcastlelookedatherinfaintsurprise.
“HehappenedtobewalkingdownthestreetwhenMissWebbrushedoutofthishousescreamingmurder.Aftercominginandsatisfyinghimselfastowhathadoccurredherangusup,andwasaskedtocomebackhereandwait.”
“YouspoketohimasColin.”
“Youareveryobservant,MissPebmarsh—(observant?hardlytheword.Andyetnoneotherfitted)—ColinLambisafriendofmine,thoughitissometimesinceIhaveseenhim.”Headded:“He’samarinebiologist.”
“Oh!Isee.”
“Now,MissPebmarsh,Ishallbegladifyoucantellmeanythingaboutthisrathersurprisingaffair.”
“Willingly.Butthereisverylittletotell.”
“Youhaveresidedhereforsometime,Ibelieve?”
“Since1950.Iam—was—aschoolmistressbyprofession.WhenIwastoldnothingcouldbedoneaboutmyfailingeyesightandthatIshouldshortlygoblind,IappliedmyselftobecomeaspecialistinBrailleandvarioustechniquesforhelpingtheblind.IhaveajobhereattheAaronbergInstituteforBlindandHandicappedchildren.”
“Thankyou.Nowastotheeventsofthisafternoon.Wereyouexpectingavisitor?”
“No.”
“Iwillreadyouadescriptionofthedeadmantoseeifitsuggeststoyouanyoneinparticular.Heightfivefeetninetoten,ageapproximatelysixty,darkhairgoinggrey,browneyes,cleanshaven,thinface,firmjaw.Wellnourishedbutnotfat.Darkgreysuit,well-kepthands.Mightbeabankclerk,anaccountant,alawyer,oraprofessionalmanofsomekind.Doesthatsuggesttoyouanyonethatyouknow?”
MillicentPebmarshconsideredcarefullybeforereplying.
“Ican’tsaythatitdoes.Ofcourseit’saverygeneralizeddescription.Itwouldfitquiteanumberofpeople.ItmightbesomeoneIhaveseenormetonsomeoccasion,butcertainlynotanyoneIknowwell.”
“Youhavenotreceivedanyletterlatelyfromanyoneproposingtocalluponyou?”
“Definitelynot.”
“Verygood.Now,youranguptheCavendishSecretarialBureauandaskedfortheservicesofastenographerand—”
Sheinterruptedhim.
“Excuseme.Ididnothingofthekind.”
“YoudidnotringuptheCavendishSecretarialBureauandask—”Hardcastlestared.
“Idon’thaveatelephoneinthehouse.”
“Thereisacallboxattheendofthestreet,”InspectorHardcastlepointedout.
“Yes,ofcourse.ButIcanonlyassureyou,InspectorHardcastle,thatIhadnoneedforastenographeranddidnot—repeatnot—ringupthisCavendishplacewithanysuchrequest.”
“YoudidnotaskforMissSheilaWebbparticularly?”
“Ihaveneverheardthatnamebefore.”
Hardcastlestaredather,astonished.
“Youleftthefrontdoorunlocked,”hepointedout.
“Ifrequentlydosointhedaytime.”
“Anybodymightwalkin.”
“Anybodyseemstohavedonesointhiscase,”saidMissPebmarshdrily.
“MissPebmarsh,thismanaccordingtothemedicalevidencediedroughlybetween1:30and2:45.Wherewereyouyourselfthen?”
MissPebmarshreflected.
“At1:30Imusteitherhaveleftorbeenpreparingtoleavethehouse.Ihadsomeshoppingtodo.”
“Canyoutellmeexactlywhereyouwent?”
“Letmesee.Iwenttothepostoffice,theoneinAlbanyRoad,postedaparcel,gotsomestamps,thenIdidsomehouseholdshopping,yesandIgotsomepatentfastenersandsafetypinsatthedrapers,FieldandWren.ThenIreturnedhere.Icantellyouexactlywhatthetimewas.MycuckooclockcuckooedthreetimesasIcametothegate.Icanhearitfromtheroad.”
“Andwhataboutyourotherclocks?”
“Ibegyourpardon?”
“Yourotherclocksseemalltobejustoveranhourfast.”
“Fast?Youmeanthegrandfatherclockinthecorner?”
“Notthatonly—alltheotherclocksinthesittingroomarethesame.”
“Idon’tunderstandwhatyoumeanbythe‘otherclocks.’Therearenootherclocksinthesittingroom.”
Three
Hardcastlestared.
“Ohcome,MissPebmarsh.WhataboutthatbeautifulDresdenchinaclockonthemantelpiece?AndasmallFrenchclock—ormolu.Andasilvercarriageclock,and—ohyes,theclockwith‘Rosemary’acrossthecorner.”
ItwasMissPebmarsh’sturntostare.
“EitheryouorImustbemad,Inspector.IassureyouIhavenoDresdenchinaclock,no—whatdidyousay—clockwith‘Rosemary’acrossit—noFrenchormoluclockand—whatwastheotherone?”
“Silvercarriageclock,”saidHardcastlemechanically.
“Notthateither.Ifyoudon’tbelieveme,youcanaskthewomanwhocomestocleanforme.HernameisMrs.Curtin.”
DetectiveInspectorHardcastlewastakenaback.Therewasapositiveassurance,abrisknessinMissPebmarsh’stonethatcarriedconviction.Hetookamomentortwoturningoverthingsinhismind.Thenherosetohisfeet.
“Iwonder,MissPebmarsh,ifyouwouldmindaccompanyingmeintothenextroom?”
“Certainly.Frankly,Iwouldliketoseethoseclocksmyself.”
“See?”Hardcastlewasquicktoquerytheword.
“Examinewouldbeabetterword,”saidMissPebmarsh,“butevenblindpeople,Inspector,useconventionalmodesofspeechthatdonotexactlyapplytotheirownpowers.WhenIsayIwouldliketoseethoseclocks,ImeanIwouldliketoexamineandfeelthemwithmyownfingers.”
FollowedbyMissPebmarsh,Hardcastlewentoutofthekitchen,crossedthesmallhallandintothesittingroom.Thefingerprintmanlookedupathim.
“I’veaboutfinishedinhere,sir,”hesaid.“Youcantouchanythingyoulike.”
Hardcastlenoddedandpickedupthesmalltravellingclockwith“Rosemary”writtenacrossthecorner.HeputitintoMissPebmarsh’shands.Shefeltitovercarefully.
“Itseemsanordinarytravellingclock,”shesaid,“theleatherfoldingkind.Itisnotmine,InspectorHardcastle,anditwasnotinthisroom,IamfairlysureIcansay,whenIleftthehouseathalfpastone.”
“Thankyou.”
Theinspectortookitbackfromher.CarefullyheliftedthesmallDresdenclockfromthemantelpiece.
“Becarefulofthis,”hesaid,asheputitintoherhands,“it’sbreakable.”
MillicentPebmarshfeltthesmallchinaclockwithdelicateprobingfingertips.Thensheshookherhead.“Itmustbeacharmingclock,”shesaid,“butit’snotmine.Wherewasit,doyousay?”
“Ontherighthandsideofthemantelpiece.”
“Thereshouldbeoneofapairofchinacandlesticksthere,”saidMissPebmarsh.
“Yes,”saidHardcastle,“thereisacandlestickthere,butit’sbeenpushedtotheend.”
“Yousaytherewasstillanotherclock?”
“Twomore.”
HardcastletookbacktheDresdenchinaclockandgaveherthesmallFrenchgiltormoluone.Shefeltitoverrapidly,thenhandeditbacktohim.
“No.Thatisnotmineeither.”
Hehandedherthesilveroneandthat,too,shereturned.
“Theonlyclocksordinarilyinthisroomareagrandfatherclockthereinthatcornerbythewindow—”
“Quiteright.”
“—andacuckooonthewallnearthedoor.”
Hardcastlefounditdifficulttoknowexactlywhattosaynext.Helookedsearchinglyatthewomaninfrontofhimwiththeadditionalsecurityofknowingthatshecouldnotreturnhissurvey.Therewasaslightfrownasofperplexityonherforehead.Shesaidsharply:
“Ican’tunderstandit.Isimplycan’tunderstandit.”
Shestretchedoutonehand,withtheeasyknowledgeofwhereshewasintheroom,andsatdown.Hardcastlelookedatthefingerprintmanwhowasstandingbythedoor.
“You’vebeenovertheseclocks?”heasked.
“I’vebeenovereverything,sir.Nodabsonthegiltclock,buttherewouldn’tbe.Thesurfacewouldn’ttakeit.Thesamegoesforthechinaone.Buttherearenodabsontheleathertravellingclockorthesilveroneandthatisabitunlikelyifthingswerenormal—thereoughttobedabs.Bytheway,noneofthemarewoundupandtheyareallsettothesametime—thirteenminutespastfour.”
“Whatabouttherestoftheroom?”
“Thereareaboutthreeorfourdifferentsetsofprintsintheroom,allwomen’s,Ishouldsay.Thecontentsofthepocketsareonthetable.”
Byanindicationofhisheadhedrewattentiontoasmallpileofthingsonatable.Hardcastlewentoverandlookedatthem.Therewasanotecasecontainingsevenpoundsten,alittleloosechange,asilkpockethandkerchief,unmarked,asmallboxofdigestivepillsandaprintedcard.Hardcastlebenttolookatit.
Mr.R.H.Curry,MetropolisandProvincialInsuranceCo.Ltd7,DenversStreet,London,W2.
HardcastlecamebacktothesofawhereMissPebmarshsat.
“Wereyoubyanychanceexpectingsomeonefromaninsurancecompanytocalluponyou?”
“Insurancecompany?No,certainlynot.”
“TheMetropolisandProvincialInsuranceCompany,”saidHardcastle.
MissPebmarshshookherhead.“I’veneverheardofit,”shesaid.
“Youwerenotcontemplatingtakingoutinsuranceofanykind?”
“No,Iwasnot.IaminsuredagainstfireandburglarywiththeJoveInsuranceCompanywhichhasabranchhere.Icarrynopersonalinsurance.IhavenofamilyornearrelationssoIseenopointininsuringmylife.”
“Isee,”saidHardcastle.“DoesthenameofCurrymeananythingtoyou?Mr.R.H.Curry?”Hewaswatchingherclosely.Hesawnoreactioninherface.
“Curry,”sherepeatedthename,thenshookherhead.“It’snotaveryusualname,isit?No,Idon’tthinkI’veheardthenameorknownanyoneofthatname.Isthatthenameofthemanwhoisdead?”
“Itwouldseempossible,”saidHardcastle.
MissPebmarshhesitatedamoment.Thenshesaid:
“Doyouwantmeto—to—touch—”
Hewasquicktounderstandher.
“Wouldyou,MissPebmarsh?Ifit’snotaskingtoomuchofyou,thatis?I’mnotveryknowledgeableinthesematters,butyourfingerswillprobablytellyoumoreaccuratelywhatapersonlookslikethanyouwouldknowbydescription.”
“Exactly,”saidMissPebmarsh.“IagreeitisnotaverypleasantthingtohavetodobutIamquitewillingtodoitifyouthinkitmightbeahelptoyou.”
“Thankyou,”saidHardcastle.“Ifyouwillletmeguideyou—”
Hetookherroundthesofa,indicatedtohertokneeldown,thengentlyguidedherhandstothedeadman’sface.Shewasverycalm,displayingnoemotion.Herfingerstracedthehair,theears,lingeringamomentbehindtheleftear,thelineofthenose,mouthandchin.Thensheshookherheadandgotup.
“Ihaveaclearideawhathewouldlooklike,”shesaid,“butIamquitesurethatitisnooneIhaveseenorknown.”
Thefingerprintmanhadpackeduphiskitandgoneoutoftheroom.Hestuckhisheadbackin.
“They’vecomeforhim,”hesaid,indicatingthebody.“Allrighttotakehimaway?”
“Right,”saidInspectorHardcastle.“Justcomeandsitoverhere,willyou,MissPebmarsh?”
Heestablishedherinacornerchair.Twomencameintotheroom.TheremovalofthelateMr.Currywasrapidandprofessional.Hardcastlewentouttothegateandthenreturnedtothesittingroom.HesatdownnearMissPebmarsh.
“Thisisanextraordinarybusiness,MissPebmarsh,”hesaid.“I’dliketorunoverthemainpointswithyouandseeifI’vegotitright.CorrectmeifIamwrong.Youexpectednovisitorstoday,you’vemadenoinquiriesreinsuranceofanykindandyouhavereceivednoletterfromanyonestatingthatarepresentativeofaninsurancecompanywasgoingtocalluponyoutoday.Isthatcorrect?”
“Quitecorrect.”
“YoudidnotneedtheservicesofashorthandtypistorstenographerandyoudidnotringuptheCavendishBureauorrequestthatoneshouldbehereatthreeo’clock.”
“Thatagainiscorrect.”
“Whenyouleftthehouseatapproximately1:30,therewereinthisroomonlytwoclocks,thecuckooclockandthegrandfatherclock.Noothers.”
Abouttoreply,MissPebmarshcheckedherself.
“IfIamtobeabsolutelyaccurate,Icouldnotsweartothatstatement.NothavingmysightIwouldnotnoticetheabsenceorpresenceofanythingnotusuallyintheroom.Thatistosay,thelasttimeIcanbesureofthecontentsofthisroomwaswhenIdusteditearlythismorning.Everythingthenwasinitsplace.Iusuallydothisroommyselfascleaningwomenareapttobecarelesswithornaments.”
“Didyouleavethehouseatallthismorning?”
“Yes.Iwentatteno’clockasusualtotheAaronbergInstitute.Ihaveclassesthereuntiltwelvefifteen.Ireturnedhereataboutquartertoone,mademyselfsomescrambledeggsinthekitchenandacupofteaandwentoutagain,asIhavesaid,athalfpastone.Iatemymealinthekitchen,bytheway,anddidnotcomeintothisroom.”
“Isee,”saidHardcastle.“Sowhileyoucansaydefinitelythatatteno’clockthismorningtherewerenosuperfluousclockshere,theycouldpossiblyhavebeenintroducedsometimeduringthemorning.”
“Astothatyouwouldhavetoaskmycleaningwoman,Mrs.Curtin.Shecomeshereabouttenandusuallyleavesabouttwelveo’clock.Shelivesat17,DipperStreet.”
“Thankyou,MissPebmarsh.NowweareleftwiththesefollowingfactsandthisiswhereIwantyoutogivemeanyideasorsuggestionsthatoccurtoyou.Atsometimeduringtodayfourclockswerebroughthere.Thehandsofthesefourclocksweresetatthirteenminutespastfour.Nowdoesthattimesuggestanythingtoyou?”
“Thirteenminutespastfour.”MissPebmarshshookherhead.“Nothingatall.”
“Nowwepassfromtheclockstothedeadman.Itseemsunlikelythathewouldhavebeenletinbyyourcleaningwomanandleftinthehousebyherunlessyouhadtoldheryouwereexpectinghim,butthatwecanlearnfromher.Hecameherepresumablytoseeyouforsomereason,eitherabusinessoneoraprivateone.Betweenonethirtyandtwoforty-fivehewasstabbedandkilled.Ifhecameherebyappointment,yousayyouknownothingofit.Presumablyhewasconnectedwithinsurance—butthereagainyoucannothelpus.Thedoorwasunlockedsohecouldhavecomeinandsatdowntowaitforyou—butwhy?”
“Thewholething’sdaft,”saidMissPebmarshimpatiently.“Soyouthinkthatthis—what’s-his-nameCurry—broughtthoseclockswithhim?”
“There’snosignofacontaineranywhere,”saidHardcastle.“Hecouldhardlyhavebroughtfourclocksinhispockets.NowMissPebmarsh,thinkverycarefully.Isthereanyassociationinyourmind,anysuggestionyoucouldpossiblymakeaboutanythingtodowithclocks,orifnotwithclocks,saywithtime.4:13.Thirteenminutespastfour?”
Sheshookherhead.
“I’vebeentryingtosaytomyselfthatitistheworkofalunaticorthatsomebodycametothewronghouse.Buteventhatdoesn’treallyexplainanything.No,Inspector,Ican’thelpyou.”
Ayoungconstablelookedin.Hardcastlewenttojoinhiminthehallandfromtherewentdowntothegate.Hespokeforafewminutestothemen.
“Youcantaketheyoungladyhomenow,”hesaid,“14PalmerstonRoadistheaddress.”
Hewentbackandintothediningroom.ThroughtheopendoortothekitchenhecouldhearMissPebmarshbusyatthesink.Hestoodinthedoorway.
“Ishallwanttotakethoseclocks,MissPebmarsh.I’llleaveyouareceiptforthem.”
“Thatwillbequiteallright,Inspector—theydon’tbelongtome—”
HardcastleturnedtoSheilaWebb.
“Youcangohomenow,MissWebb.Thepolicecarwilltakeyou.”
SheilaandColinrose.
“Justseeherintothecar,willyou,Colin?”saidHardcastleashepulledachairtothetableandstartedtoscribbleareceipt.
ColinandSheilawentoutandstarteddownthepath.Sheilapausedsuddenly.
“Mygloves—Ileftthem—”
“I’llgetthem.”
“No—IknowjustwhereIputthem.Idon’tmindnow—nowthatthey’vetakenitaway.”
Sheranbackandrejoinedhimamomentortwolater.
“I’msorryIwassosilly—before.”
“Anybodywouldhavebeen,”saidColin
HardcastlejoinedthemasSheilaenteredthecar.Then,asitdroveaway,heturnedtotheyoungconstable.
“Iwantthoseclocksinthesittingroompackedupcarefully—allexceptthecuckooclockonthewallandthebiggrandfatherclock.”
Hegaveafewmoredirectionsandthenturnedtohisfriend.
“I’mgoingplaces.Wanttocome?”
“Suitsme,”saidColin.
Four
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
“Wheredowego?”IaskedDickHardcastle.
Hespoketothedriver.
“CavendishSecretarialBureau.It’sonPalaceStreet,uptowardstheEsplanadeontheright.”
“Yes,sir.”
Thecardrewaway.Therewasquitealittlecrowdbynow,staringwithfascinatedinterest.TheorangecatwasstillsittingonthegatepostofDianaLodgenextdoor.Hewasnolongerwashinghisfacebutwassittingupverystraight,lashinghistailslightly,andgazingovertheheadsofthecrowdwiththatcompletedisdainforthehumanracethatisthespecialprerogativeofcatsandcamels.
“TheSecretarialBureau,andthenthecleaningwoman,inthatorder,”saidHardcastle,“becausethetimeisgettingon.”Heglancedathiswatch.“Afterfouro’clock.”Hepausedbeforeadding,“Ratheranattractivegirl?”
“Quite,”Isaid.
Hecastanamusedlookinmydirection.
“Butshetoldaveryremarkablestory.Thesoonerit’scheckedupon,thebetter.”
“Youdon’tthinkthatshe—”
Hecutmeshort.
“I’malwaysinterestedinpeoplewhofindbodies.”
“Butthatgirlwashalfmadwithfright!Ifyouhadheardthewayshewasscreaming….”
Hegavemeanotherofhisquizzicallooksandrepeatedthatshewasaveryattractivegirl.
“AndhowdidyoucometobewanderingaboutinWilbrahamCrescent,Colin?AdmiringourgenteelVictorianarchitecture?Orhadyouapurpose?”
“Ihadapurpose.IwaslookingforNumber61—andIcouldn’tfindit.Possiblyitdoesn’texist?”
“Itexistsallright.Thenumbersgoupto—88,Ithink.”
“Butlookhere,Dick,whenIcametoNumber28,WilbrahamCrescentjustpeteredout.”
“It’salwayspuzzlingtostrangers.Ifyou’dturnedtotherightupAlbanyRoadandthenturnedtotherightagainyou’dhavefoundyourselfintheotherhalfofWilbrahamCrescent.It’sbuiltbacktoback,yousee.Thegardensbackoneachother.”
“Isee,”Isaid,whenhehadexplainedthispeculiargeographyatlength.“LikethoseSquaresandGardensinLondon.OnslowSquare,isn’tit?OrCadogan.Youstartdownonesideofasquare,andthenitsuddenlybecomesaPlaceorGardens.Eventaxisarefrequentlybaffled.Anyway,thereisa61.Anyideawholivesthere?”
“61?Letmesee…Yes,thatwouldbeBlandthebuilder.”
“Ohdear,”Isaid.“That’sbad.”
“Youdon’twantabuilder?”
“No.Idon’tfancyabuilderatall.Unless—perhapshe’sonlyjustcomehererecently—juststartedup?”
“Blandwasbornhere,Ithink.He’scertainlyalocalman—beeninbusinessforyears.”
“Verydisappointing.”
“He’saverybadbuilder,”saidHardcastleencouragingly.“Usesprettypoormaterials.Putsupthekindofhousesthatlookmoreorlessallrightuntilyouliveinthem,theneverythingfallsdownorgoeswrong.Sailsfairlynearthewindsometimes.Sharppractice—butjustmanagestogetawaywithit.”
“It’snogoodtemptingme,Dick.ThemanIwantwouldalmostcertainlybeapillarofrectitude.”
“Blandcameintoalotofmoneyaboutayearago—orratherhiswifedid.She’saCanadian,cameoverhereinthewarandmetBland.Herfamilydidn’twanthertomarryhim,andmoreorlesscutheroffwhenshedid.Thenlastyearagreat-uncledied,hisonlysonhadbeenkilledinanaircrashandwhatwithwarcasualtiesandonethingandanother,Mrs.Blandwastheonlyoneleftofthefamily.Sohelefthismoneytoher.JustsavedBlandfromgoingbankrupt,Ibelieve.”
“YouseemtoknowalotaboutMr.Bland.”
“Ohthat—well,yousee,theInlandRevenuearealwaysinterestedwhenamansuddenlygetsrichovernight.Theywonderifhe’sbeendoingalittlefiddlingandsaltingaway—sotheycheckup.TheycheckedanditwasallO.K.”
“Inanycase,”Isaid,“I’mnotinterestedinamanwhohassuddenlygotrich.It’snotthekindofsetupthatI’mlookingfor.”
“No?You’vehadthat,haven’tyou?”
Inodded.
“Andfinishedwithit?Or—notfinishedwithit?”
“It’ssomethingofastory,”Isaidevasively.“Arewediningtogethertonightasplanned—orwillthisbusinessputpaidtothat?”
“No,thatwillbeallright.Atthemomentthefirstthingtodoissetthemachineryinmotion.WewanttofindoutallaboutMr.Curry.Inallprobabilityonceweknowjustwhoheisandwhathedoes,we’llhaveaprettygoodideaastowhowantedhimoutoftheway.”Helookedoutofthewindow.“Hereweare.”
TheCavendishSecretarialandTypewritingBureauwassituatedinthemainshoppingstreet,calledrathergrandlyPalaceStreet.Ithadbeenadapted,likemanyotheroftheestablishmentsthere,fromaVictorianhouse.TotherightofitasimilarhousedisplayedthelegendEdwinGlen,ArtistPhotographer.Specialist,Children’sPhotographs,WeddingGroups,etc.Insupportofthisstatementthewindowwasfilledwithenlargementsofallsizesandagesofchildren,frombabiestosix-year-olds.Thesepresumablyweretolureinfondmammas.Afewcoupleswerealsorepresented.Bashfullookingyoungmenwithsmilinggirls.OntheothersideoftheCavendishSecretarialBureauweretheofficesofanold-establishedandold-fashionedcoalmerchant.Beyondthatagaintheoriginalold-fashionedhouseshadbeenpulleddownandaglitteringthree-storeybuildingproclaimeditselfastheOrientCaféandRestaurant.
HardcastleandIwalkedupthefoursteps,passedthroughtheopenfrontdoorandobeyingthelegendonadoorontherightwhichsaid“PleaseEnter,”entered.Itwasagood-sizedroom,andthreeyoungwomenweretypingwithassiduity.Twoofthemcontinuedtotype,payingnoattentiontotheentranceofstrangers.Thethirdonewhowastypingatatablewithatelephone,directlyoppositethedoor,stoppedandlookedatusinquiringly.Sheappearedtobesuckingasweetofsomekind.Havingarrangeditinaconvenientpositioninhermouth,sheinquiredinfaintlyadenoidaltones:
“CanIhelpyou?”
“MissMartindale?”saidHardcastle.
“Ithinkshe’sengagedatthemomentonthetelephone—”Atthatmomenttherewasaclickandthegirlpickedupthetelephonereceiverandfiddledwithaswitch,andsaid:“Twogentlementoseeyou,MissMartindale.”Shelookedatusandasked,“CanIhaveyournames,please?”
“Hardcastle,”saidDick.
“AMr.Hardcastle,MissMartindale.”Shereplacedthereceiverandrose.“Thisway,please,”shesaid,goingtoadoorwhichborethenameMISSMARTINDALEonabrassplate.Sheopenedthedoor,flattenedherselfagainstittoletuspass,said,“Mr.Hardcastle,”andshutthedoorbehindus.
MissMartindalelookedupatusfromalargedeskbehindwhichshewassitting.Shewasanefficient-lookingwomanofaboutfiftywithapompadourofpaleredhairandanalertglance.
Shelookedfromonetotheotherofus.
“Mr.Hardcastle?”
Dicktookoutoneofhisofficialcardsandhandedittoher.Ieffacedmyselfbytakinganuprightchairnearthedoor.
MissMartindale’ssandyeyebrowsroseinsurpriseandacertainamountofdispleasure.
“DetectiveInspectorHardcastle?WhatcanIdoforyou,Inspector?”
“Ihavecometoyoutoaskforalittleinformation,MissMartindale.Ithinkyoumaybeabletohelpme.”
Fromhistoneofvoice,IjudgedthatDickwasgoingtoplayitinaroundaboutway,exertingcharm.IwasratherdoubtfulmyselfwhetherMissMartindalewouldbeamenabletocharm.ShewasofthetypethattheFrenchlabelsoaptlyafemmeformidable.
Iwasstudyingthegenerallayout.OnthewallsaboveMissMartindale’sdeskwashungacollectionofsignedphotographs.IrecognizedoneasthatofMrs.AriadneOliver,detectivewriter,withwhomIwasslightlyacquainted.Sincerelyyours,AriadneOliver,waswrittenacrossitinaboldblackhand.Yoursgratefully,GarryGregsonadornedanotherphotographofathrillerwriterwhohaddiedaboutsixteenyearsago.Yoursever,MiriamadornedthephotographofMiriamHogg,awomanwriterwhospecializedinromance.Sexwasrepresentedbyaphotographofatimid-lookingbaldingman,signedintinywriting,Gratefully,ArmandLevine.Therewasasamenessaboutthesetrophies.Themenmostlyheldpipesandworetweeds,thewomenlookedearnestandtendedtofadeintofurs.
WhilstIwasusingmyeyes,Hardcastlewasproceedingwithhisquestions.
“IbelieveyouemployagirlcalledSheilaWebb?”
“Thatiscorrect.Iamafraidsheisnothereatpresent—atleast—”
Shetouchedabuzzerandspoketotheouteroffice.
“Edna,hasSheilaWebbcomeback?”
“No,MissMartindale,notyet.”
MissMartindaleswitchedoff.
“Shewentoutonanassignmentearlierthisafternoon,”sheexplained.“Ithoughtshemighthavebeenbackbynow.ItispossibleshehasgoneontotheCurlewHotelattheendoftheEsplanadewhereshehadanappointmentatfiveo’clock.”
“Isee,”saidHardcastle.“CanyoutellmesomethingaboutMissSheilaWebb?”
“Ican’ttellyouverymuch,”saidMissMartindale.“Shehasbeenherefor—letmesee,yes,Ishouldsaycloseonayearnow.Herworkhasprovedquitesatisfactory.”
“Doyouknowwheresheworkedbeforeshecametoyou?”
“IdaresayIcouldfindoutforyouifyouspeciallywanttheinformation,InspectorHardcastle.Herreferenceswillbefiledsomewhere.AsfarasIcanrememberoffhand,shewasformerlyemployedinLondonandhadquiteagoodreferencefromheremployersthere.Ithink,butIamnotsure,thatitwassomebusinessfirm—estateagentspossibly,thatsheworkedfor.”
“Yousaysheisgoodatherjob?”
“Fullyadequate,”saidMissMartindale,whowasclearlynotonetobelavishwithpraise.
“Notfirstclass?”
“No,Ishouldnotsaythat.Shehasgoodaveragespeedandistolerablywell-educated.Sheisacarefulandaccuratetypist.”
“Doyouknowherpersonally,apartfromyourofficialrelations?”
“No.Shelives,Ibelieve,withanaunt.”HereMissMartindalegotslightlyrestive.“MayIask,InspectorHardcastle,whyyouareaskingallthesequestions?Hasthegirlgotherselfintotroubleinanyway?”
“Iwouldnotquitesaythat,MissMartindale.DoyouknowaMissMillicentPebmarsh?”
“Pebmarsh,”saidMissMartindale,wrinklinghersandybrows.“Nowwhen—oh,ofcourse.ItwastoMissPebmarsh’shousethatSheilawentthisafternoon.Theappointmentwasforthreeo’clock.”
“Howwasthatappointmentmade,MissMartindale?”
“Bytelephone.MissPebmarshrangupandsaidshewantedtheservicesofashorthandtypistandwouldIsendherMissWebb.”
“SheaskedforSheilaWebbparticularly?”
“Yes.”
“Whattimewasthiscallputthrough?”
MissMartindalereflectedforamoment.
“Itcamethroughtomedirect.Thatwouldmeanthatitwasinthelunchhour.AsnearaspossibleIwouldsaythatitwasabouttenminutestotwo.Beforetwoo’clockatallevents.Ahyes,IseeImadeanoteonmypad.Itwas1:49precisely.”
“ItwasMissPebmarshherselfwhospoketoyou?”MissMartindalelookedalittlesurprised.
“Ipresumeso.”
“Butyoudidn’trecognizehervoice?Youdon’tknowherpersonally?”
“No.Idon’tknowher.ShesaidthatshewasMissMillicentPebmarsh,gavemeheraddress,anumberinWilbrahamCrescent.Then,asIsay,sheaskedforSheilaWebb,ifshewasfree,tocometoheratthreeo’clock.”
Itwasaclear,definitestatement.IthoughtthatMissMartindalewouldmakeanexcellentwitness.
“Ifyouwouldkindlytellmewhatallthisisabout?”saidMissMartindalewithslightimpatience.
“Well,yousee,MissMartindale,MissPebmarshherselfdeniesmakinganysuchcall.”
MissMartindalestared.
“Indeed!Howextraordinary.”
“You,ontheotherhand,saysuchacallwasmade,butyoucannotsaydefinitelythatitwasMissPebmarshwhomadethatcall.”
“No,ofcourseIcan’tsaydefinitely.Idon’tknowthewoman.Butreally,Ican’tseethepointofdoingsuchathing.Wasitahoaxofsomekind?”
“Rathermorethanthat,”saidHardcastle.“DidthisMissPebmarsh—orwhoeveritwas—giveanyreasonforwantingMissSheilaWebbparticularly?”
MissMartindalereflectedamoment.
“IthinkshesaidthatSheilaWebbhaddoneworkforherbefore.”
“Andisthatinfactso?”
“SheilasaidshehadnorecollectionofhavingdoneanythingforMissPebmarsh.Butthatisnotquiteconclusive,Inspector.Afterall,thegirlsgooutsooftentodifferentpeopleatdifferentplacesthattheywouldbeunlikelytorememberifithadtakenplacesomemonthsago.Sheilawasn’tverydefiniteonthepoint.Sheonlysaidthatshecouldn’trememberhavingbeenthere.Butreally,Inspector,evenifthiswasahoax,Icannotseewhereyourinterestcomesin?”
“Iamjustcomingtothat.WhenMissWebbarrivedat19,WilbrahamCrescentshewalkedintothehouseandintothesittingroom.Shehastoldmethatthosewerethedirectionsgivenher.Youagree?”
“Quiteright,”saidMissMartindale.“MissPebmarshsaidthatshemightbealittlelateingettinghomeandthatSheilawastogoinandwait.”
“WhenMissWebbwentintothesittingroom,”continuedHardcastle,“shefoundadeadmanlyingonthefloor.”
MissMartindalestaredathim.Foramomentshecouldhardlyfindhervoice.
“Didyousayadeadman,Inspector?”
“Amurderedman,”saidHardcastle.“Stabbed,actually.”
“Dear,dear,”saidMissMartindale.“Thegirlmusthavebeenveryupset.”
ItseemedthekindofunderstatementcharacteristicofMissMartindale.
“DoesthenameofCurrymeananythingtoyou,MissMartindale?Mr.R.H.Curry?”
“Idon’tthinkso,no.”
“FromtheMetropolisandProvincialInsuranceCompany?”
MissMartindalecontinuedtoshakeherhead.
“Youseemydilemma,”saidtheinspector.“YousayMissPebmarshtelephonedyouandaskedforSheilaWebbtogotoherhouseatthreeo’clock.MissPebmarshdeniesdoinganysuchthing.SheilaWebbgetsthere.Shefindsadeadmanthere.”Hewaitedhopefully.
MissMartindalelookedathimblankly.
“Itallseemstomewildlyimprobable,”shesaiddisapprovingly.
DickHardcastlesighedandgotup.
“Niceplaceyou’vegothere,”hesaidpolitely.“You’vebeeninbusinesssometime,haven’tyou?”
“Fifteenyears.Wehavedoneextremelywell.Startinginquiteasmallway,wehaveextendedthebusinessuntilwehavealmostmorethanwecancopewith.Inowemployeightgirls,andtheyarekeptbusyallthetime.”
“Youdoagooddealofliterarywork,Isee.”Hardcastlewaslookingupatthephotographsonthewall.
“Yes,tostartwithIspecializedinauthors.Ihadbeensecretarytothewell-knownthrillerwriter,Mr.GarryGregson,formanyyears.Infact,itwaswithalegacyfromhimthatIstartedthisBureau.Iknewagoodmanyofhisfellowauthorsandtheyrecommendedme.Myspecializedknowledgeofauthors’requirementscameinveryuseful.Iofferaveryhelpfulserviceinthewayofnecessaryresearch—datesandquotations,inquiriesastolegalpointsandpoliceprocedure,anddetailsofpoisonschedules.Allthatsortofthing.Thenforeignnamesandaddressesandrestaurantsforpeoplewhosettheirnovelsinforeignplaces.Inolddaysthepublicdidn’treallymindsomuchaboutaccuracy,butnowadaysreaderstakeituponthemselvestowritetoauthorsoneverypossibleoccasion,pointingoutflaws.”
MissMartindalepaused.Hardcastlesaidpolitely:“I’msureyouhaveeverycausetocongratulateyourself.”
Hemovedtowardsthedoor.Iopeneditaheadofhim.
Intheouteroffice,thethreegirlswerepreparingtoleave.Lidshadbeenplacedontypewriters.Thereceptionist,Edna,wasstandingforlornly,holdinginonehandastilettoheelandintheotherashoefromwhichithadbeentorn
“I’veonlyhadthemamonth,”shewaswailing.“Andtheywerequiteexpensive.It’sthatbeastlygrating—theoneatthecornerbythecakeshopquitenearhere.Icaughtmyheelinitandoffitcame.Icouldn’twalk,hadtotakebothshoesoffandcomebackherewithacoupleofbuns,andhowI’llevergethomeorgetontothebusIreallydon’tknow—”
AtthatmomentourpresencewasnotedandEdnahastilyconcealedtheoffendingshoewithanapprehensiveglancetowardsMissMartindalewhomIappreciatedwasnotthesortofwomantoapproveofstilettoheels.Sheherselfwaswearingsensibleflat-heeledleathershoes.
“Thankyou,MissMartindale,”saidHardcastle.“I’msorrytohavetakenupsomuchofyourtime.Ifanythingshouldoccurtoyou—”
“Naturally,”saidMissMartindale,cuttinghimshortratherbrusquely.
Aswegotintothecar,Isaid:
“SoSheilaWebb’sstory,inspiteofyoursuspicions,turnsouttohavebeenquitetrue.”
“Allright,allright,”saidDick.“Youwin.”
Five
“Mom!”saidErnieCurtin,desistingforamomentfromhisoccupationofrunningasmallmetalmodelupanddownthewindowpane,accompanyingitwithasemi-zooming,semi-moaningnoiseintendedtoreproducearocketshipgoingthroughouterspaceonitswaytoVenus,“Mom,whatd’youthink?”
Mrs.Curtin,astern-facedwomanwhowasbusywashingupcrockeryinthesink,madenoresponse.
“Mom,there’sapolicecardrawnupoutsideourhouse.”
“Don’tyoutellnomoreofyerlies,Ernie,”saidMrs.Curtinasshebangedcupsandsaucersdownonthedrainingboard.“YouknowwhatI’vesaidtoyouaboutthatbefore.”
“Inever,”saidErnievirtuously.“Andit’sapolicecarrightenough,andthere’stwomengettin’out.”
Mrs.Curtinwheeledroundonheroffspring.
“What’veyoubeendoingnow?”shedemanded.“Bringingusintodisgrace,that’swhatitis!”
“CourseIain’t,”saidErnie.“I’aven’tdonenothin’.”
“It’sgoingwiththatAlf,”saidMrs.Curtin.“Himandhisgang.Gangsindeed!I’vetoldyou,andyerfather’stoldyou,thatgangsisn’trespectable.Intheendthere’strouble.Firstit’llbethejuvenilecourtandthenyou’llbesenttoaremandhomeaslikelyasnot.AndIwon’thaveit,d’youhear?”
“They’recomin’uptothefrontdoor,”Ernieannounced.
Mrs.Curtinabandonedthesinkandjoinedheroffspringatthewindow.
“Well,”shemuttered.
Atthatmomenttheknockerwassounded.Wipingherhandsquicklyontheteatowel,Mrs.Curtinwentoutintothepassageandopenedthedoor.Shelookedwithdefianceanddoubtatthetwomenonherdoorstep.
“Mrs.Curtin?”saidthetallerofthetwo,pleasantly.
“That’sright,”saidMrs.Curtin.
“MayIcomeinamoment?I’mDetectiveInspectorHardcastle.”
Mrs.Curtindrewbackratherunwillingly.Shethrewopenadoorandmotionedtheinspectorinside.Itwasaveryneat,cleanlittleroomandgavetheimpressionofseldombeingentered,whichimpressionwasentirelycorrect.
Ernie,drawnbycuriosity,camedownthepassagefromthekitchenandsidledinsidethedoor.
“Yourson?”saidDetectiveInspectorHardcastle.
“Yes,”saidMrs.Curtin,andaddedbelligerently,“he’sagoodboy,nomatterwhatyousay.”
“I’msureheis,”saidDetectiveInspectorHardcastle,politely.
SomeofthedefianceinMrs.Curtin’sfacerelaxed.
“I’vecometoaskyouafewquestionsabout19,WilbrahamCrescent.Youworkthere,Iunderstand.”
“NeversaidIdidn’t,”saidMrs.Curtin,unableyettoshakeoffherpreviousmood.
“ForaMissMillicentPebmarsh.”
“Yes,IworkforMissPebmarsh.Averynicelady.”
“Blind,”saidDetectiveInspectorHardcastle.
“Yes,poorsoul.Butyou’dneverknowit.Wonderfulthewayshecanputherhandonanythingandfindherwayabout.Goesoutinthestreet,too,andoverthecrossings.She’snotonetomakeafussaboutthings,notlikesomepeopleIknow.”
“Youworkthereinthemornings?”
“That’sright.Icomeabouthalfpastninetoten,andleaveattwelveo’clockorwhenI’mfinished.”Thensharply,“You’renotsayingasanything’asbeenstolen,areyou?”
“Quitethereverse,”saidtheinspector,thinkingoffourclocks.
Mrs.Curtinlookedathimuncomprehendingly.
“What’sthetrouble?”sheasked.
“Amanwasfounddeadinthesittingroomat19,WilbrahamCrescentthisafternoon.”
Mrs.Curtinstared.ErnieCurtinwriggledinecstasy,openedhismouthtosay“Coo,”thoughtitunwisetodrawattentiontohispresence,andshutitagain.
“Dead?”saidMrs.Curtinunbelievingly.Andwithevenmoreunbelief,“Inthesittingroom?”
“Yes.He’dbeenstabbed.”
“Youmeanit’smurder?”
“Yes,murder.”
“Oomurdered’im?”demandedMrs.Curtin.
“I’mafraidwehaven’tgotquitesofarasthatyet,”saidInspectorHardcastle.“Wethoughtperhapsyoumaybeabletohelpus.”
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutmurder,”saidMrs.Curtinpositively.
“No,butthereareoneortwopointsthathavearisen.Thismorning,forinstance,didanymancallatthehouse?”
“NotthatIcanremember.Nottoday.Whatsortofmanwashe?”
“Anelderlymanaboutsixty,respectablydressedinadarksuit.Hemayhaverepresentedhimselfasaninsuranceagent.”
“Iwouldn’thavelethimin,”saidMrs.Curtin.“NoinsuranceagentsandnobodysellingvacuumcleanersoreditionsoftheEncyclopaediaBritannica.Nothingofthatsort.MissPebmarshdoesn’tholdwithsellingatthedoorandneitherdoI.”
“Theman’sname,accordingtoacardthatwasonhim,wasMr.Curry.Haveyoueverheardthatname?”
“Curry?Curry?”Mrs.Curtinshookherhead.“SoundsIndiantome,”shesaid,suspiciously.
“Oh,no,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“hewasn’tanIndian.”
“Whofoundhim—MissPebmarsh?”
“Ayounglady,ashorthandtypist,hadarrivedbecause,owingtoamisunderstanding,shethoughtshe’dbeensentfortodosomeworkforMissPebmarsh.Itwasshewhodiscoveredthebody.MissPebmarshreturnedalmostatthesamemoment.”
Mrs.Curtinutteredadeepsigh.
“Whatato-do,”shesaid,“whatato-do!”
“Wemayaskyouatsometime,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“tolookatthisman’sbodyandtellusifheisamanyouhaveeverseeninWilbrahamCrescentorcallingatthehousebefore.MissPebmarshisquitepositivehehasneverbeenthere.NowtherearevarioussmallpointsIwouldliketoknow.Canyourecalloffhandhowmanyclocksthereareinthesittingroom?”
Mrs.Curtindidnotevenpause.
“There’sthatbigclockinthecorner,grandfathertheycallit,andthere’sthecuckooclockonthewall.Itspringsoutandsays‘cuckoo.’Doesn’thalfmakeyoujumpsometimes.”Sheaddedhastily,“Ididn’ttouchneitherofthem.Ineverdo.MissPebmarshlikestowindthemherself.”
“There’snothingwrongwiththem,”theinspectorassuredher.“You’resuretheseweretheonlytwoclocksintheroomthismorning?”
“Ofcourse.Whatothersshouldtherebe?”
“Therewasnot,forinstance,asmallsquaresilverclock,whattheycallacarriageclock,oralittlegiltclock—onthemantelpiecethatwas,orachinaclockwithflowersonit—oraleatherclockwiththenameRosemarywrittenacrossthecorner?”
“Ofcoursetherewasn’t.Nosuchthing.”
“Youwouldhavenoticedthemiftheyhadbeenthere?”
“OfcourseIshould.”
“Eachofthesefourclocksrepresentedatimeaboutanhourlaterthanthecuckooclockandthegrandfatherclock.”
“Musthavebeenforeign,”saidMrs.Curtin.“MeandmyoldmanwentonacoachtriptoSwitzerlandandItalyonceanditwasawholehourfurtheronthere.MustbesomethingtodowiththisCommonMarket.Idon’tholdwiththeCommonMarketandnordoesMr.Curtin.England’sgoodenoughforme.”
InspectorHardcastledeclinedtobedrawnintopolitics.
“CanyoutellmeexactlywhenyouleftMissPebmarsh’shousethismorning?”
“Quarterpasttwelve,nearasnothing,”saidMrs.Curtin.
“WasMissPebmarshinthehousethen?”
“No,shehadn’tcomeback.Sheusuallycomesbacksometimebetweentwelveandhalfpast,butitvaries.”
“Andshehadleftthehouse—when?”
“BeforeIgotthere.Teno’clock’smytime.”
“Well,thankyou,Mrs.Curtin.”
“Seemsqueerabouttheseclocks,”saidMrs.Curtin.“PerhapsMissPebmarshhadbeentoasale.Antiques,werethey?Theysoundlikeitbywhatyousay.”
“DoesMissPebmarshoftengotosales?”
“Gotarollofhaircarpetaboutfourmonthsagoatasale.Quitegoodcondition.Verycheap,shetoldme.Gotsomevelourcurtainstoo.Theyneededcuttingdown,buttheywerereallyasgoodasnew.”
“Butshedoesn’tusuallybuybric-à-bracorthingslikepicturesorchinaorthatkindofthingatsales?”
Mrs.Curtinshookherhead.
“NotthatI’veeverknownher,butofcourse,there’snosayinginsales,isthere?Imean,yougetcarriedaway.Whenyougethomeyousaytoyourself‘whateverdidIwantwiththat?’Boughtsixpotsofjamonce.WhenIthoughtaboutitIcouldhavemadeitcheapermyself.Cupsandsaucers,too.ThemIcouldhavegotbetterinthemarketonaWednesday.”
Sheshookherheaddarkly.Feelingthathehadnomoretolearnforthemoment,InspectorHardcastledeparted.Erniethenmadehiscontributiontothesubjectthathadbeenunderdiscussion.
“Murder!Coo!”saidErnie.
Momentarilytheconquestofouterspacewasdisplacedinhismindbyapresent-daysubjectofreallythrillingappeal
“MissPebmarshcouldn’thavedone’imin,couldshe?”hesuggestedyearningly.
“Don’ttalksosilly,”saidhismother.Athoughtcrossedhermind.“IwonderifIoughttohavetoldhim—”
“Toldhimwhat,Mom?”
“Neveryoumind,”saidMrs.Curtin.“Itwasnothing,really.”
Six
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
Whenwehadputourselvesoutsidetwogoodunderdonesteaks,washeddownwithdraughtbeer,DickHardcastlegaveasighofcomfortablerepletion,announcedthathefeltbetterandsaid:
“Tohellwithdeadinsuranceagents,fancyclocksandscreaminggirls!Let’shearaboutyou,Colin.Ithoughtyou’dfinishedwiththispartoftheworld.AndhereyouarewanderingaboutthebackstreetsofCrowdean.NoscopeforamarinebiologistatCrowdean,Icanassureyou.”
“Don’tyousneeratmarinebiology,Dick.It’saveryusefulsubject.Themerementionofitsoborespeopleandthey’resoafraidyou’regoingtotalkaboutit,thatyouneverhavetoexplainyourselffurther.”
“Nochanceofgivingyourselfaway,eh?”
“Youforget,”Isaidcoldly,“thatIamamarinebiologist.ItookadegreeinitatCambridge.Notaverygooddegree,butadegree.It’saveryinterestingsubject,andonedayI’mgoingbacktoit.”
“Iknowwhatyou’vebeenworkingon,ofcourse,”saidHardcastle.“Andcongratulationstoyou.Larkin’strialcomesonnextmonth,doesn’tit?”
“Yes.”
“Amazingthewayhemanagedtocarryonpassingstuffoutforsolong.You’dthinksomebodywouldhavesuspected.”
“Theydidn’t,youknow.Whenyou’vegotitintoyourheadthatafellowisathoroughlygoodchap,itdoesn’toccurtoyouthathemightn’tbe.”
“Hemusthavebeenclever,”Dickcommented.
Ishookmyhead.
“No,Idon’tthinkhewas,really.Ithinkhejustdidashewastold.Hehadaccesstoveryimportantdocuments.Hewalkedoutwiththem,theywerephotographedandreturnedtohim,andtheywerebackagainwheretheybelongedthesameday.Goodorganizationthere.Hemadeahabitoflunchingatdifferentplaceseveryday.Wethinkthathehunguphisovercoatwheretherewasalwaysanovercoatexactlylikeit—thoughthemanwhoworetheotherovercoatwasn’talwaysthesameman.Theovercoatswereswitched,butthemanwhoswitchedthemneverspoketoLarkin,andLarkinneverspoketohim.We’dliketoknowagooddealmoreaboutthemechanicsofit.Itwasallverywell-plannedwithperfecttiming.Somebodyhadbrains.”
“Andthat’swhyyou’restillhangingroundtheNavalStationatPortlebury?”
“Yes,weknowtheNavalendofitandweknowtheLondonend.WeknowjustwhenandwhereLarkingothispayandhowButthere’sagap.Inbetweenthetwothere’saveryprettylittlebitoforganization.That’sthepartwe’dliketoknowmoreabout,becausethat’sthepartwherethebrainsare.Somewherethere’saverygoodheadquarters,withexcellentplanning,whichleavesatrailthatisconfusednotoncebutprobablysevenoreighttimes.”
“WhatdidLarkindoitfor?”askedHardcastle,curiously.“Politicalidealist?Boostinghisego?Orplainmoney?”
“Hewasnoidealist,”Isaid.“Justmoney,I’dsay.”
“Couldn’tyouhavegotontohimsoonerthatway?Hespentthemoney,didn’the?Hedidn’tsaltitaway.”
“Oh,no,hesplasheditaboutallright.Actually,wegotontohimalittlesoonerthanwe’readmitting.”
Hardcastlenoddedhisheadunderstandingly.
“Isee.Youtumbledandthenyouusedhimforabit.Isthatit?”
“Moreorless.Hehadpassedoutsomequitevaluableinformationbeforewegotontohim,sowelethimpassoutmoreinformation,alsoapparentlyvaluable.IntheServiceIbelongto,wehavetoresignourselvestolookingfoolsnowandagain.”
“Idon’tthinkI’dcareforyourjob,Colin,”saidHardcastlethoughtfully
“It’snottheexcitingjobthatpeoplethinkitis,”Isaid.“Asamatteroffact,it’susuallyremarkablytedious.Butthere’ssomethingbeyondthat.Nowadaysonegetstofeelingthatnothingreallyissecret.WeknowTheirsecretsandTheyknowoursecrets.OuragentsareoftenTheiragents,too,andTheiragentsareveryoftenouragents.Andintheendwhoisdouble-crossingwhobecomesakindofnightmare!SometimesIthinkthateverybodyknowseverybodyelse’ssecretsandthattheyenterintoakindofconspiracytopretendthattheydon’t.”
“Iseewhatyoumean,”Dicksaidthoughtfully.
Thenhelookedatmecuriously.
“IcanseewhyyoushouldstillbehangingaroundPortlebury.ButCrowdean’sagoodtenmilesfromPortlebury.”
“WhatI’mreallyafter,”Isaid,“areCrescents.”
“Crescents?”Hardcastlelookedpuzzled.
“Yes.Oralternatively,moons.Newmoons,risingmoonsandsoon.IstartedmyquestinPortleburyitself.There’sapubtherecalledTheCrescentMoon.Iwastedalongtimeoverthat.Itsoundedideal.Thenthere’sTheMoonandStars.TheRisingMoon,TheJollySickle,TheCrossandtheCrescent—thatwasinalittleplacecalledSeamede.Nothingdoing.ThenIabandonedmoonsandstartedonCrescents.SeveralCrescentsinPortlebury.LansburyCrescent,AldridgeCrescent,LivermeadCrescent,VictoriaCrescent.”
IcaughtsightofDick’sbewilderedfaceandbegantolaugh.
“Don’tlooksomuchatsea,Dick.Ihadsomethingtangibletostartmeoff.”
Itookoutmywallet,extractedasheetofpaperandpasseditovertohim.Itwasasinglesheetofhotelwritingpaperonwhicharoughsketchhadbeendrawn.
“AchapcalledHanburyhadthisinhiswallet.HanburydidalotofworkintheLarkincase.Hewasgood—verygood.HewasrunoverbyahitandruncarinLondon.Nobodygotitsnumber.Idon’tknowwhatthismeans,butit’ssomethingthatHanburyjotteddown,orcopied,becausehethoughtitwasimportant.Someideathathehad?Orsomethingthathe’dseenorheard?Somethingtodowithamoonorcrescent,thenumber61andtheinitialM.Itookoverafterhisdeath.Idon’tknowwhatI’mlookingforyet,butI’mprettysurethere’ssomethingtofind.Idon’tknowwhat61means.Idon’tknowwhatMmeans.I’vebeenworkinginaradiusfromPortleburyoutwards.Threeweeksofunremittingandunrewardingtoil.Crowdeanisonmyroute.That’sallthereistoit.Frankly,Dick,Ididn’texpectverymuchofCrowdean.There’sonlyoneCrescenthere.That’sWilbrahamCrescent.IwasgoingtohaveawalkalongWilbrahamCrescentandseewhatIthoughtofNumber61beforeaskingyouifyou’dgotanydopethatcouldhelpme.That’swhatIwasdoingthisafternoon—butIcouldn’tfindNumber61.”
“AsItoldyou,61isoccupiedbyalocalbuilder.”
“Andthat’snotwhatI’mafter.Havetheygotaforeignhelpofanykind?”
“Couldbe.Agoodmanypeopledonowadays.Ifso,she’llberegistered.I’lllookitupforyoubytomorrow.”
“Thanks,Dick.”
“I’llbemakingroutineinquiriestomorrowatthetwohousesoneithersideof19.Whethertheysawanyonecometothehouse,etcetera.Imightincludethehousesdirectlybehind19,theoneswhosegardensadjoinit.Iratherthinkthat61isalmostdirectlybehind19.Icouldtakeyoualongwithmeifyouliked.”
Iclosedwiththeoffergreedily.
“I’llbeyourSergeantLambandtakeshorthandnotes.”
WeagreedthatIshouldcometothepolicestationatninethirtythefollowingmorning.
II
Iarrivedthenextmorningpromptlyattheagreedhourandfoundmyfriendliterallyfumingwithrage.
Whenhehaddismissedanunhappysubordinate,Iinquireddelicatelywhathadhappened.
ForamomentHardcastleseemedunabletospeak.Thenhesplutteredout:“Thosedamnedclocks!”
“Theclocksagain?What’shappenednow?”
“Oneofthemismissing.”
“Missing?Whichone?”
“Theleathertravellingclock.Theonewith‘Rosemary’acrossthecorner.”
Iwhistled.
“Thatseemsveryextraordinary.Howdiditcomeabout?”
“Thedamnedfools—I’moneofthemreally,Isuppose—”(Dickwasaveryhonestman)“—One’sgottoremembertocrosseverytanddoteveryiorthingsgowrong.Well,theclockswerethereallrightyesterdayinthesittingroom.IgotMissPebmarshtofeelthemalltoseeiftheyfeltfamiliar.Shecouldn’thelp.Thentheycametoremovethebody.”
“Yes?”
“Iwentouttothegatetosupervise,thenIcamebacktothehouse,spoketoMissPebmarshwhowasinthekitchen,andsaidImusttaketheclocksawayandwouldgiveherareceiptforthem.”
“Iremember.Iheardyou.”
“ThenItoldthegirlI’dsendherhomeinoneofourcars,andIaskedyoutoseeherintoit.”
“Yes.”
“IgaveMissPebmarshthereceiptthoughshesaiditwasn’tnecessarysincetheclocksweren’thers.ThenIjoinedyou.ItoldEdwardsIwantedtheclocksinthesittingroompackedupcarefullyandbroughthere.Allofthemexceptthecuckooclockand,ofcourse,thegrandfather.Andthat’swhereIwentwrong.Ishouldhavesaid,quitedefinitely,fourclocks.EdwardssayshewentinatonceanddidasItoldhim.Heinsiststherewereonlythreeclocksotherthanthetwofixtures.”
“Thatdoesn’tgivemuchtime,”Isaid.“Itmeans—”
“ThePebmarshwomancouldhavedoneit.ShecouldhavepickeduptheclockafterIlefttheroomandgonestraighttothekitchenwithit.”
“Trueenough.Butwhy?”
“We’vegotalottolearn.Isthereanybodyelse?Couldthegirlhavedoneit?”
Ireflected.“Idon’tthinkso.I—”Istopped,rememberingsomething.
“Soshedid,”saidHardcastle.“Goon.Whenwasit?”
“Wewerejustgoingouttothepolicecar,”Isaidunhappily.“She’dleftherglovesbehind.Isaid,‘I’llgetthemforyou’andshesaid,‘Oh,IknowjustwhereImusthavedroppedthem.Idon’tmindgoingintothatroomnowthatthebody’sgone’andsheranbackintothehouse.Butshewasonlygoneaminute—”
“Didshehavehergloveson,orinherhandwhensherejoinedyou?”
Ihesitated.“Yes—yes,Ithinkshedid.”
“Obviouslyshedidn’t,”saidHardcastle,“oryouwouldn’thavehesitated.”
“Sheprobablystuffedtheminherbag.”
“Thetroubleis,”saidHardcastleinanaccusingmanner,“you’vefallenforthatgirl.”
“Don’tbeidiotic,”Idefendedmyselfvigorously.“Isawherforthefirsttimeyesterdayafternoon,anditwasn’texactlywhatyou’dcallaromanticintroduction.”
“I’mnotsosureofthat,”saidHardcastle.“Itisn’teverydaythatyoungmenhavegirlsfallingintotheirarmsscreamingforhelpintheapprovedVictorianfashion.Makesamanfeelaheroandagallantprotector.Onlyyou’vegottostopprotectingher.That’sall.Sofarasyouknow,thatgirlmaybeuptotheneckinthismurderbusiness.”
“Areyousayingthatthisslipofagirlstuckaknifeintoaman,hiditsomewheresocarefullythatnoneofyoursleuthscouldfindit,thendeliberatelyrushedoutofthehouseanddidascreamingactalloverme?”
“You’dbesurprisedatwhatI’veseeninmytime,”saidHardcastledarkly.
“Don’tyourealize,”Idemanded,indignantly,“thatmylifehasbeenfullofbeautifulspiesofeverynationality?AllofthemwithvitalstatisticsthatwouldmakeanAmericanprivateeyeforgetallabouttheshotofryeinhiscollardrawer.I’mimmunetoallfemaleallurements.”
“EverybodymeetshisWaterloointheend,”saidHardcastle.“Italldependsonthetype.SheilaWebbseemstobeyourtype.”
“Anyway,Ican’tseewhyyou’resosetonfasteningitonher.”
Hardcastlesighed.
“I’mnotfasteningitonher—butI’vegottostartsomewhere.ThebodywasfoundinPebmarsh’shouse.Thatinvolvesher.ThebodywasfoundbytheWebbgirl—Idon’tneedtotellyouhowoftenthefirstpersontofindadeadbodyisthesameasthepersonwholastsawhimalive.Untilmorefactsturnup,thosetworemaininthepicture.”
“WhenIwentintothatroomatjustafterthreeo’clock,thebodyhadbeendeadatleasthalfanhour,probablylonger.Howaboutthat?”
“SheilaWebbhadherlunchhourfrom1:30to2:30.”
Ilookedathiminexasperation.
“WhathaveyoufoundoutaboutCurry?”
Hardcastlesaidwithunexpectedbitterness:“Nothing!”
“Whatdoyoumean—nothing?”
“Justthathedoesn’texist—there’snosuchperson.”
“WhatdotheMetropolisInsuranceCompanysay?”
“They’venothingtosayeither,becausethere’snosuchthing.TheMetropolisandProvincialInsuranceCompanydoesn’texist.AsfarasMr.CurryfromDenversStreetgoes,there’snoMr.Curry,noDenversStreet,Number7oranyothernumber.”
“Interesting,”Isaid.“Youmeanhejusthadsomeboguscardsprintedwithabogusname,addressandinsurancecompany?”
“Presumably.”
“Whatisthebigidea,doyouthink?”
Hardcastleshruggedhisshoulders.
“Atthemomentit’sguesswork.Perhapshecollectedboguspremiums.Perhapsitwasawayofintroducinghimselfintohousesandworkingsomeconfidencetrick.Hemayhavebeenaswindleroraconfidencetricksterorapicker-upofunconsideredtriflesoraprivateinquiryagent.Wejustdon’tknow.”
“Butyou’llfindout.”
“Oh,yes,we’llknowintheend.Wesentuphisfingerprintstoseeifhe’sgotarecordofanykind.Ifhehasit’llbeabigstepontheway.Ifhehasn’t,it’llberathermoredifficult.”
“Aprivatedick,”Isaidthoughtfully.“Iratherlikethat.Itopensup—possibilities.”
“Possibilitiesareallwe’vegotsofar.”
“When’stheinquest?”
“Dayaftertomorrow.Purelyformalandanadjournment.”
“What’sthemedicalevidence?”
“Oh,stabbedwithasharpinstrument.Somethinglikeakitchenvegetableknife.”
“ThatratherletsoutMissPebmarsh,doesn’tit?”Isaidthoughtfully.“Ablindwomanwouldhardlybeabletostabaman.Shereallyisblind,Isuppose?”
“Oh,yes,she’sblind.Wecheckedup.Andshe’sexactlywhatshesayssheis.ShewasateacherofmathematicsinaNorthCountryschool—losthersightaboutsixteenyearsago—tookuptraininginBraille,etc.,andfinallygotapostwiththeAaronbergInstitutehere.”
“Shecouldbemental,Isuppose?”
“Withafixationonclocksandinsuranceagents?”
“Itreallyisalltoofantasticforwords.”Icouldn’thelpspeakingwithsomeenthusiasm.“LikeAriadneOliverinherworstmoments,orthelateGarryGregsonatthetopofhisform—”
“Goon—enjoyyourself.You’renotthewretchedD.I.incharge.Youhaven’tgottosatisfyasuperintendentorachiefconstableandalltherestofit.”
“Ohwell!Perhapswe’llgetsomethingusefuloutoftheneighbours.”
“Idoubtit,”saidHardcastlebitterly.“Ifthatmanwasstabbedinthefrontgardenandtwomaskedmencarriedhimintothehouse—nobodywouldhavelookedoutofthewindoworseenanything.Thisisn’tavillage,worseluck.WilbrahamCrescentisagenteelresidentialroad.Byoneo’clock,dailywomenwhomighthaveseensomethinghavegonehome.There’snotevenaprambeingwheeledalong—”
“Noelderlyinvalidwhositsalldaybythewindow?”
“That’swhatwewant—butthat’snotwhatwe’vegot.”
“Whataboutnumbers18and20?”
“18isoccupiedbyMr.Waterhouse,ManagingClerktoGainsfordandSwettenham,Solicitors,andhissisterwhospendshersparetimemanaginghim.AllIknowabout20isthatthewomanwholivestherekeepsabouttwentycats.Idon’tlikecats—”
Itoldhimthatapoliceman’slifewasahardone,andwestartedoff.
Seven
Mr.Waterhouse,hoveringuncertainlyonthestepsof18,WilbrahamCrescent,lookedbacknervouslyathissister.
“You’requitesureyou’llbeallright?”saidMr.Waterhouse.
MissWaterhousesnortedwithsomeindignation.
“Ireallydon’tknowwhatyoumean,James.”
Mr.Waterhouselookedapologetic.Hehadtolookapologeticsooftenthatitwaspracticallyhisprevailingcastofcountenance.
“Well,Ijustmeant,mydear,consideringwhathappenednextdooryesterday….”
Mr.Waterhousewaspreparedfordeparturetothesolicitors’officewhereheworked.Hewasaneat,grey-hairedmanwithslightlystoopingshouldersandafacethatwasalsogreyratherthanpink,thoughnotintheleastunhealthylooking.
MissWaterhousewastall,angular,andthekindofwomanwithnononsenseaboutherwhoisextremelyintolerantofnonsenseinothers.
“Isthereanyreason,James,becausesomeonewasmurderedinthenextdoorhousethatIshallbemurderedtoday?”
“Well,Edith,”saidMr.Waterhouse,“itdependssomuch,doesitnot,bywhomthemurderwascommitted?”
“Youthink,infact,thatthere’ssomeonegoingupanddownWilbrahamCrescentselectingavictimfromeveryhouse?Really,James,thatisalmostblasphemous.”
“Blasphemous,Edith?”saidMr.Waterhouseinlivelysurprise.Suchanaspectofhisremarkwouldneverhaveoccurredtohim.
“ReminiscentofthePassover,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Which,letmeremindyou,isHolyWrit.”
“ThatisalittlefarfetchedIthink,Edith,”saidMr.Waterhouse.
“Ishouldliketoseeanyonecominghere,tryingtomurderme,”saidMissWaterhousewithspirit.
Herbrotherreflectedtohimselfthatitdidseemhighlyunlikely.Ifhehimselfhadbeenchoosingavictimhewouldnothavechosenhissister.Ifanyoneweretoattemptsuchathingitwasfarmorelikelythattheattackerwouldbeknockedoutbyapokeroraleaddoorstopanddeliveredovertothepoliceinableedingandhumiliatedcondition.
“Ijustmeant,”hesaid,theapologeticairdeepening,“thatthereare—well—clearlyundesirablecharactersabout.”
“Wedon’tknowverymuchaboutwhatdidhappenyet,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Allsortsofrumoursaregoingabout.Mrs.Headhadsomeextraordinarystoriesthismorning.”
“Iexpectso,Iexpectso,”saidMr.Waterhouse.Helookedathiswatch.Hehadnorealdesiretohearthestoriesbroughtinbytheirloquaciousdailyhelp.Hissisterneverlosttimeindebunkingtheseluridflightsoffancy,butneverthelessenjoyedthem.
“Somepeoplearesaying,”saidMissWaterhouse,“thatthismanwasthetreasureroratrusteeoftheAaronbergInstituteandthatthereissomethingwrongintheaccounts,andthathecametoMissPebmarshtoinquireaboutit.”
“AndthatMissPebmarshmurderedhim?”Mr.Waterhouselookedmildlyamused.“Ablindwoman?Surely—”
“Slippedapieceofwireroundhisneckandstrangledhim,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Hewouldn’tbeonhisguard,yousee.Whowouldbewithanyoneblind?NotthatIbelieveitmyself,”sheadded.“I’msureMissPebmarshisapersonofexcellentcharacter.IfIdonotseeeyetoeyewithheronvarioussubjects,thatisnotbecauseIimputeanythingofacriminalnaturetoher.Imerelythinkthatherviewsarebigotedandextravagant.Afterall,thereareotherthingsbesideseducation.Allthesenewpeculiarlookinggrammarschools,practicallybuiltofglass.Youmightthinktheyweremeanttogrowcucumbersin,ortomatoes.I’msureveryprejudicialtochildreninthesummermonths.Mrs.HeadherselftoldmethatherSusandidn’tliketheirnewclassrooms.Saiditwasimpossibletoattendtoyourlessonsbecausewithallthosewindowsyoucouldn’thelplookingoutofthemallthetime.”
“Dear,dear,”saidMr.Waterhouse,lookingathiswatchagain.“Well,well,I’mgoingtobeverylate,I’mafraid.Good-bye,mydear.Lookafteryourself.Betterkeepthedooronthechainperhaps?”
MissWaterhousesnortedagain.Havingshutthedoorbehindherbrothershewasabouttoretireupstairswhenshepausedthoughtfully,wenttohergolfbag,removedaniblick,andplaceditinastrategicpositionnearthefrontdoor.“There,”saidMissWaterhouse,withsomesatisfaction.OfcourseJamestalkednonsense.Stillitwasalwaysaswellcasesoutofnursinghomesnowadays,urgingthemtoleadanormallife,wasinherviewfraughtwithdangertoallsortsofinnocentpeople.
MissWaterhousewasinherbedroomwhenMrs.Headcamebustlingupthestairs.Mrs.Headwassmallandroundandverylikearubberball—sheenjoyedpracticallyeverythingthathappened.
“Acoupleofgentlemenwanttoseeyou,”saidMrs.Headwithavidity.“Leastways,”sheadded,“theyaren’treallygentlemen—it’sthepolice.”
Sheshovedforwardacard.MissWaterhousetookit.
“DetectiveInspectorHardcastle,”sheread.“Didyoushowthemintothedrawingroom?”
“No.Iput’eminthedinin’room.I’dclearedawaybreakfastandIthoughtthatthatwouldbemoreproperaplace.Imean,they’reonlythepoliceafterall.”
MissWaterhousedidnotquitefollowthisreasoning.Howevershesaid,“I’llcomedown.”
“Iexpectthey’llwanttoaskyouaboutMissPebmarsh,”saidMrs.Head.“Wanttoknowwhetheryou’venoticedanythingfunnyinhermanner.Theysaythesemaniascomeonverysuddensometimesandthere’sverylittletoshowbeforehand.Butthere’susuallysomething,somewayofspeaking,youknow.Youcantellbytheireyes,theysay.Butthenthatwouldn’tholdwithablindwoman,wouldit?Ah—”sheshookherhead.
MissWaterhousemarcheddownstairsandenteredthediningroomwithacertainamountofpleasurablecuriositymaskedbyherusualairofbelligerence.
“DetectiveInspectorHardcastle?”
“Goodmorning,MissWaterhouse.”Hardcastlehadrisen.Hehadwithhimatall,darkyoungmanwhomMissWaterhousedidnotbothertogreet.Shepaidnoattentiontoafaintmurmurof“SergeantLamb.”
“IhopeIhavenotcalledattooearlyanhour,”saidHardcastle,“butIimagineyouknowwhatitisabout.You’veheardwhathappenednextdooryesterday.”
“Murderinone’snextdoorneighbour’shousedoesnotusuallygounnoticed,”saidMissWaterhouse.“IevenhadtoturnawayoneortworeporterswhocamehereaskingifIhadobservedanything.”
“Youturnedthemaway?”
“Naturally.”
“Youwerequiteright,”saidHardcastle.“OfcoursetheyliketowormtheirwayinanywherebutI’msureyouarequitecapableofdealingwithanythingofthatkind.”
MissWaterhouseallowedherselftoshowafaintlypleasurablereactiontothiscompliment.
“Ihopeyouwon’tmindusaskingyouthesamekindofquestions,”saidHardcastle,“butifyoudidseeanythingatallthatcouldbeofinteresttous,Icanassureyouweshouldbeonlytoograteful.Youwerehereinthehouseatthetime,Igather?”
“Idon’tknowwhenthemurderwascommitted,”saidMissWaterhouse.
“Wethinkbetweenhalfpastoneandhalfpasttwo.”
“Iwasherethen,yes,certainly.”
“Andyourbrother?”
“Hedoesnotcomehometolunch.Whoexactlywasmurdered?Itdoesn’tseemtosayintheshortaccounttherewasinthelocalmorningpaper.”
“Wedon’tyetknowwhohewas,”saidHardcastle.
“Astranger?”
“Soitseems.”
“Youdon’tmeanhewasastrangertoMissPebmarshalso?”
“MissPebmarshassuresusthatshewasnotexpectingthisparticularguestandthatshehasnoideawhohewas.”
“Shecan’tbesureofthat,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Shecan’tsee.”
“Wegaveheraverycarefuldescription.”
“Whatkindofmanwashe?”
Hardcastletookaroughprintfromanenvelopeandhandedittoher.
“Thisistheman,”hesaid.“Haveyouanyideawhohecanbe?”
MissWaterhouselookedattheprint.“No.No…I’mcertainI’veneverseenhimbefore.Dearme.Helooksquitearespectableman.”
“Hewasamostrespectable-lookingman,”saidtheinspector.“Helookslikealawyerorabusinessmanofsomekind.”
“Indeed.Thisphotographisnotatalldistressing.Hejustlooksasthoughhemightbeasleep.”
Hardcastledidnottellherthatofthevariouspolicephotographsofthecorpsethisonehadbeenselectedastheleastdisturbingtotheeye.
“Deathcanbeapeacefulbusiness,”hesaid.“Idon’tthinkthisparticularmanhadanyideathatitwascomingtohimwhenitdid.”
“WhatdoesMissPebmarshsayaboutitall?”demandedMissWaterhouse.
“Sheisquiteataloss.”
“Extraordinary,”commentedMissWaterhouse.
“Now,canyouhelpusinanyway,MissWaterhouse?Ifyoucastyourmindbacktoyesterday,wereyoulookingoutofthewindowatall,ordidyouhappentobeinyourgarden,sayanytimebetweenhalfpasttwelveandthreeo’clock?”
MissWaterhousereflected.
“Yes,Iwasinthegarden…Nowletmesee.Itmusthavebeenbeforeoneo’clock.Icameinabouttentoonefromthegarden,washedmyhandsandsatdowntolunch.”
“DidyouseeMissPebmarshenterorleavethehouse?”
“Ithinkshecamein—Iheardthegatesqueak—yes,sometimeafterhalfpasttwelve.”
“Youdidn’tspeaktoher?”
“Ohno.Itwasjustthesqueakofthegatemademelookup.Itisherusualtimeforreturning.Shefinishesherclassesthen,Ibelieve.SheteachesattheDisabledChildrenasprobablyyouknow.”
“Accordingtoherownstatement,MissPebmarshwentoutagainabouthalfpastone.Wouldyouagreetothat?”
“Well,Icouldn’ttellyoutheexacttimebut—yes,Idorememberherpassingthegate.”
“Ibegyourpardon,MissWaterhouse,yousaid‘passingthegate.’”
“Certainly.Iwasinmysittingroom.Thatgivesonthestreet,whereasthediningroom,wherewearesittingnow,givesasyoucansee,onthebackgarden.ButItookmycoffeeintothesittingroomafterlunchandIwassittingwithitinachairnearthewindow.IwasreadingTheTimes,andIthinkitwaswhenIwasturningthesheetthatInoticedMissPebmarshpassingthefrontgate.Isthereanythingextraordinaryaboutthat,Inspector?”
“Notextraordinary,no,”saidtheinspector,smiling.“OnlyIunderstoodthatMissPebmarshwasgoingouttodoalittleshoppingandtothepostoffice,andIhadanideathatthenearestwaytotheshopsandthepostofficewouldbetogotheotherwayalongthecrescent.”
“Dependsonwhichshopsyouaregoingto,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Ofcoursetheshopsarenearerthatway,andthere’sapostofficeinAlbanyRoad—”
“ButperhapsMissPebmarshusuallypassedyourgateaboutthattime?”
“Well,really,Idon’tknowwhattimeMissPebmarshusuallywentout,orinwhichdirection.I’mnotreallygiventowatchingmyneighboursinanyway,Inspector.I’mabusywomanandhavefartoomuchtodowithmyownaffairs.SomepeopleIknowspendtheirentiretimelookingoutofthewindowandnoticingwhopassesandwhocallsonwhom.Thatismoreahabitofinvalidsorofpeoplewho’vegotnothingbettertodothantospeculateandgossipabouttheirneighbours’affairs.”
MissWaterhousespokewithsuchacerbitythattheinspectorfeltsurethatshehadsomeoneparticularpersoninmind.Hesaidhastily,“Quiteso.Quiteso.”Headded,“SinceMissPebmarshpassedyourfrontgate,shemighthavebeengoingtotelephone,mightshenot?Thatiswherethepublictelephoneboxissituated?”
“Yes.It’soppositeNumber15.”
“TheimportantquestionIhavetoaskyou,MissWaterhouse,isifyousawthearrivalofthisman—themysterymanasI’mafraidthemorningpapershavecalledhim.”
MissWaterhouseshookherhead.“No,Ididn’tseehimoranyothercaller.”
“Whatwereyoudoingbetweenhalfpastoneandthreeo’clock?”
“IspentabouthalfanhourdoingthecrosswordinTheTimes,orasmuchofitasIcould,thenIwentouttothekitchenandwashedupthelunch.Letmesee.Iwroteacoupleofletters,madesomechequesoutforbills,thenIwentupstairsandsortedoutsomethingsIwantedtotaketothecleaners.IthinkitwasfrommybedroomthatInoticedacertainamountofcommotionnextdoor.Idistinctlyheardsomeonescreaming,sonaturallyIwenttothewindow.Therewasayoungmanandagirlatthegate.Heseemedtobeembracingher.”
SergeantLambshiftedhisfeetbutMissWaterhousewasnotlookingathimandclearlyhadnoideathathehadbeenthatparticularyoungmaninquestion.
“Icouldonlyseethebackoftheyoungman’shead.Heseemedtobearguingwiththegirl.Finallyhesatherdownagainstthegatepost.Anextraordinarythingtodo.Andhestrodeoffandwentintothehouse.”
“YouhadnotseenMissPebmarshreturntothehouseashorttimebefore?”
MissWaterhouseshookherhead.“No.Idon’treallythinkIhadlookedoutthewindowatalluntilIheardthisextraordinaryscreaming.However,Ididn’tpaymuchattentiontoallthis.Younggirlsandmenarealwaysdoingsuchextraordinarythings—screaming,pushingeachother,gigglingormakingsomekindofnoise—thatIhadnoideaitwasanythingserious.NotuntilsomecarsdroveupwithpolicemendidIrealizeanythingoutoftheordinaryhadoccurred.”
“Whatdidyoudothen?”
“Well,naturallyIwentoutofthehouse,stoodonthestepsandthenIwalkedroundtothebackgarden.Iwonderedwhathadhappenedbuttheredidn’tseemtobeanythingmuchtoseefromthatside.WhenIgotbackagaintherewasquitealittlecrowdgathering.Somebodytoldmethere’dbeenamurderinthehouse.ItseemedtomemostextraordinaryMostextraordinary!”saidMissWaterhousewithagreatdealofdisapproval.
“Thereisnothingelseyoucanthinkof?Thatyoucantellus?”
“Really,I’mafraidnot.”
“Hasanybodyrecentlywrittentoyousuggestinginsurance,orhasanybodycalleduponyouorproposedcallinguponyou?”
“No.Nothingofthekind.BothJamesandIhavetakenoutinsurancepolicieswiththeMutualHelpAssuranceSociety.OfcourseoneisalwaysgettingletterswhicharereallycircularsoradvertisementsofsomekindbutIdon’trecallanythingofthatkindrecently.”
“NoletterssignedbyanybodycalledCurry?”
“Curry?No,certainlynot.”
“AndthenameofCurrymeansnothingtoyouinanyway?”
“No.Shouldit?”
Hardcastlesmiled.“No.Ireallydon’tthinkitshould,”hesaid.“Itjusthappenstobethenamethatthemanwhowasmurderedwascallinghimselfby.”
“Itwasn’thisrealname?”
“Wehavesomereasontothinkthatitwasnothisrealname.”
“Aswindlerofsomekind,eh?”saidMissWaterhouse.
“Wecan’tsaythattillwehaveevidencetoproveit.”
“Ofcoursenot,ofcoursenot.You’vegottobecareful.Iknowthat,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Notlikesomeofthepeoplearoundhere.They’dsayanything.Iwondersomearen’thadupforlibelallthetime.”
“Slander,”correctedSergeantLamb,speakingforthefirsttime.
MissWaterhouselookedathiminsomesurprise,asthoughnotawarebeforethathehadanentityofhisownandwasanythingotherthananecessaryappendagetoInspectorHardcastle.
“I’msorryIcan’thelpyou,Ireallyam,”saidMissWaterhouse.
“I’msorrytoo,”saidHardcastle.“Apersonofyourintelligenceandjudgementwithafacultyofobservationwouldhavebeenaveryusefulwitnesstohave.”
“IwishIhadseensomething,”saidMissWaterhouse.
Foramomenthertonewasaswistfulasayounggirl’s.
“Yourbrother,Mr.JamesWaterhouse?”
“Jameswouldn’tknowanything,”saidMissWaterhousescornfully.“Heneverdoes.AndanywayhewasatGainsfordandSwettenhamsintheHighStreet.Ohno,Jameswouldn’tbeabletohelpyou.AsIsay,hedoesn’tcomebacktolunch.”
“Wheredoeshelunchusually?”
“HeusuallyhassandwichesandcoffeeattheThreeFeathers.Averynicerespectablehouse.Theyspecializeinquicklunchesforprofessionalpeople.”
“Thankyou,MissWaterhouse.Well,wemustn’tkeepyouanylonger.”
Heroseandwentoutintothehall.MissWaterhouseaccompaniedthem.ColinLambpickedupthegolfclubbythedoor.
“Niceclub,this,”hesaid.“Plentyofweightinthehead.”Heweigheditupanddowninhishand.“Iseeyouareprepared,MissWaterhouse,foranyeventualities.”
MissWaterhousewasslightlytakenaback.
“Really,”shesaid,“Ican’timaginehowthatclubcametobethere.”
Shesnatcheditfromhimandreplaceditinthegolfbag.
“Averywiseprecautiontotake,”saidHardcastle.
MissWaterhouseopenedthedoorandletthemout.
“Well,”saidColinLamb,withasigh,“wedidn’tgetmuchoutofher,inspiteofyoubutteringherupsonicelyallthetime.Isthatyourinvariablemethod?”
“Itgetsgoodresultssometimeswithapersonofhertype.Thetoughkindalwaysrespondtoflattery.”
“Shewaspurringlikeacatthathasbeenofferedasaucerofcreamintheend,”saidColin.“Unfortunately,itdidn’tdiscloseanythingofinterest.”
“No?”saidHardcastle.
Colinlookedathimquickly.“What’sonyourmind?”
“Averyslightandpossiblyunimportantpoint.MissPebmarshwentouttothepostofficeandtheshopsbutsheturnedleftinsteadofright,andthattelephonecall,accordingtoMissMartindale,wasputthroughabouttenminutestotwo.”
Colinlookedathimcuriously.
“Youstillthinkthatinspiteofherdenialshemighthavemadeit?Shewasverypositive.”
“Yes,”saidHardcastle.“Shewasverypositive.”
Histonewasnoncommittal.
“Butifshedidmakeit,why?”
“Oh,it’sallwhy,”saidHardcastleimpatiently.“Why,why?Whyallthisrigmarole?IfMissPebmarshmadethatcall,whydidshewanttogetthegirlthere?Ifitwassomeoneelse,whydidtheywanttoinvolveMissPebmarsh?Wedon’tknowanythingyet.IfthatMartindalewomanhadknownMissPebmarshpersonally,she’dhaveknownwhetheritwashervoiceornot,oratanyratewhetheritwasreasonablylikeMissPebmarsh’s.Ohwell,wehaven’tgotmuchfromNumber18.Let’sseewhetherNumber20willdousanybetter.”
Eight
Inadditiontoitsnumber,20,WilbrahamCrescenthadaname.ItwascalledDianaLodge.Thegateshadobstaclesagainstintrudersbybeingheavilywiredontheinside.Rathermelancholyspeckledlaurels,imperfectlytrimmed,alsointerferedwiththeeffortsofanyonetoenterthroughthegate.
“IfeverahousecouldhavebeencalledTheLaurels,thisonecould,”remarkedColinLamb.“WhycallitDianaLodge,Iwonder?”
Helookedroundhimappraisingly.DianaLodgedidnotruntoneatnessortoflowerbeds.Tangledandovergrownshrubberywasitsmostsalientpointtogetherwithastrongcattysmellofammonia.Thehouseseemedinarathertumbledownconditionwithguttersthatcoulddowithrepairing.Theonlysignofanyrecentkindofattentionbeingpaidtoitwasafreshlypaintedfrontdoorwhosecolourofbrightazurebluemadethegeneralunkemptappearanceoftherestofthehouseandgardenevenmorenoticeable.Therewasnoelectricbellbutakindofhandlethatwasclearlymeanttobepulled.Theinspectorpulleditandafaintsoundofremotejanglingwasheardinside.
“Itsounds,”saidColin,“liketheMoatedGrange.”
Theywaitedforamomentortwo,thensoundswereheardfrominside.Rathercurioussounds.Akindofhighcrooning,halfsinging,halfspeaking.
“Whatthedevil—”beganHardcastle.
Thesingerorcroonerappearedtobeapproachingthefrontdoorandwordsbegantobediscernible.
“No,sweet-sweetie.Inthere,mylove.MindemstailemsShah-Shah-Mimi.Cleo—Cleopatra.Ahdedoodlums.Ahlou-lou.”
Doorswereheardtoshut.Finallythefrontdooropened.Facingthemwasaladyinapalemoss-green,ratherrubbed,velvetteagown.Herhair,inflaxengreywisps,wastwirledelaboratelyinakindofcoiffureofsomethirtyyearsback.Roundherneckshewaswearinganeckletoforangefur.InspectorHardcastlesaiddubiously:
“Mrs.Hemming?”
“IamMrs.Hemming.Gently,Sunbeam,gentlydoodleums.”
Itwasthenthattheinspectorperceivedthattheorangefurwasreallyacat.Itwasnottheonlycat.Threeothercatsappearedalongthehall,twoofthemmiaowing.Theytookuptheirplace,gazingatthevisitors,twirlinggentlyroundtheirmistress’sskirts.Atthesametimeapervadingsmellofcatafflictedthenostrilsofbothmen.
“IamDetectiveInspectorHardcastle.”
“Ihopeyou’vecomeaboutthatdreadfulmanwhocametoseemefromthePreventionofCrueltytoAnimals,”saidMrs.Hemming.“Disgraceful!Iwroteandreportedhim.Sayingmycatswerekeptinaconditionprejudicialtotheirhealthandhappiness!Quitedisgraceful!Iliveformycats,Inspector.Theyaremyonlyjoyandpleasureinlife.Everythingisdoneforthem.Shah-Shah-Mimi.Notthere,sweetie.”
Shah-Shah-Mimipaidnoattentiontoarestraininghandandjumpedonthehalltable.Hesatdownandwashedhisface,staringatthestrangers.
“Comein,”saidMrs.Hemming.“Ohno,notthatroom.I’dforgotten.”
Shepushedopenadoorontheleft.Theatmosphereherewasevenmorepungent.
“Comeon,mypretties,comeon.”
Intheroomvariousbrushesandcombswithcathairsinthemlayaboutonchairsandtables.Therewerefadedandsoiledcushions,andtherewereatleastsixmorecats.
“Iliveformydarlings,”saidMrs.Hemming.“TheyunderstandeverywordIsaytothem.”
InspectorHardcastlewalkedinmanfully.Unfortunatelyforhimhewasoneofthosemenwhohavecatallergy.Asusuallyhappensontheseoccasionsallthecatsimmediatelymadeforhim.Onejumpedonhisknee,anotherrubbedaffectionatelyagainsthistrousers.DetectiveInspectorHardcastle,whowasabraveman,sethislipsandendured.
“IwonderifIcouldaskyouafewquestions,Mrs.Hemming,about—”
“Anythingyouplease,”saidMrs.Hemming,interruptinghim.“Ihavenothingtohide.Icanshowyouthecats’food,theirbedswheretheysleep,fiveinmyroom,theothersevendownhere.Theyhaveonlytheverybestfishcookedbymyself.”
“Thisisnothingtodowithcats,”saidHardcastle,raisinghisvoice.“Icametotalktoyouabouttheunfortunateaffairwhichhappenednextdoor.Youhaveprobablyheardaboutit.”
“Nextdoor?YoumeanMr.Joshua’sdog?”
“No,”saidHardcastle,“Idonot.ImeanatNumber19whereamanwasfoundmurderedyesterday.”
“Indeed?”saidMrs.Hemming,withpoliteinterestbutnomore.Hereyeswerestillstrayingoverherpets.
“Wereyouathomeyesterdayafternoon,mayIask?Thatistosaybetweenhalfpastoneandhalfpastthree?”
“Ohyes,indeed.IusuallydomyshoppingquiteearlyinthedayandthengetbacksothatIcandothedarlings’lunch,andthencombandgroomthem.”
“Andyoudidn’tnoticeanyactivitynextdoor?Policecars—ambulance—anythinglikethat?”
“Well,I’mafraidIdidn’tlookoutofthefrontwindows.IwentoutofthebackofthehouseintothegardenbecausedearArabellawasmissing.SheisquiteayoungcatandshehadclimbeduponeofthetreesandIwasafraidshemightnotbeabletogetdown.Itriedtotemptherwithasauceroffishbutshewasfrightened,poorlittlething.Ihadtogiveupintheendandcomebackintothehouse.Andwouldyoubelieveit,justasIwentthroughthedoor,downshecameandfollowedmein.”Shelookedfromonemantotheotherasthoughtestingtheirpowersofbelief.
“Matteroffact,Iwouldbelieveit,”saidColin,unabletokeepsilenceanymore.
“Ibegyourpardon?”Mrs.Hemminglookedathimslightlystartled.
“Iammuchattachedtocats,”saidColin,“andIhavethereforemadeastudyofcatnature.Whatyouhavetoldmeillustratesperfectlythepatternofcatbehaviourandtherulestheyhavemadeforthemselves.Inthesamewayyourcatsareallcongregatingroundmyfriendwhofranklydoesnotcareforcats,theywillpaynoattentiontomeinspiteofallmyblandishments.”
IfitoccurredtoMrs.HemmingthatColinwashardlyspeakingintheproperroleofsergeantofpolice,notraceofitappearedinherface.Shemerelymurmuredvaguely:
“Theyalwaysknow,thedearthings,don’tthey?”
AhandsomegreyPersianputtwopawsonInspectorHardcastle’sknees,lookedathiminanecstasyofpleasureanddughisclawsinhardwithakneadingactionasthoughtheinspectorwasapincushion.Goadedbeyondendurance,InspectorHardcastlerosetohisfeet.
“Iwonder,madam,”hesaid,“ifIcouldseethisbackgardenofyours.”
Colingrinnedslightly.
“Oh,ofcourse,ofcourse.Anythingyouplease.”Mrs.Hemmingrose.
Theorangecatunwounditselffromherneck.ShereplaceditinanabsentmindedwaywiththegreyPersian.Sheledthewayoutoftheroom.HardcastleandColinfollowed.
“We’vemetbefore,”saidColintotheorangecatandadded,“Andyou’reabeauty,aren’tyou,”addressinganothergreyPersianwhowassittingonatablebyaChineselamp,swishinghistailslightly.Colinstrokedhim,tickledhimbehindtheearsandthegreycatcondescendedtopurr.
“Shutthedoor,please,asyoucomeout,Mr.—er—er,”saidMrs.Hemmingfromthehall.“There’sasharpwindtodayandIdon’twantmydearstogetcold.Besides,therearethoseterribleboys—it’sreallynotsafetoletthedearthingswanderaboutinthegardenbythemselves.”
Shewalkedtowardsthebackofthehallandopenedasidedoor.
“Whatterribleboys?”askedHardcastle.
“Mrs.Ramsay’stwoboys.Theyliveinthesouthpartofthecrescent.Ourgardensmoreorlessbackoneachother.Absoluteyounghooligans,that’swhattheyare.Theyhaveacatapult,youknow,ortheyhad.IinsistedonitsbeingconfiscatedbutIhavemysuspicions.Theymakeambushesandhide.Inthesummertheythrowapples.”
“Disgraceful,”saidColin.
Thebackgardenwaslikethefrontonlymoreso.Ithadsomeunkemptgrass,someunprunedandcrowdedshrubsandagreatmanymorelaurelsofthespeckledvariety,andsomerathergloomymacrocarpas.InColin’sopinion,bothheandHardcastlewerewastingtheirtime.Therewasasolidbarrageoflaurels,treesandshrubsthroughwhichnothingofMissPebmarsh’sgardencouldpossiblybeseen.DianaLodgecouldbedescribedasafullydetachedhouse.Fromthepointofviewofitsinhabitants,itmighthavehadnoneighbours.
“Number19,didyousay?”saidMrs.Hemming,pausingirresolutelyinthemiddleofherbackgarden.“ButIthoughttherewasonlyonepersonlivinginthehouse,ablindwoman.”
“Themurderedmanwasnotanoccupantofthehouse,”saidtheinspector.
“Oh,Isee,”saidMrs.Hemming,stillvaguely,“hecameheretobemurdered.Howodd.”
“Nowthat,”saidColinthoughtfullytohimself,“isadamnedgooddescription.”
Nine
TheydrovealongWilbrahamCrescent,turnedtotherightupAlbanyRoadandthentotherightagainalongthesecondinstalmentofWilbrahamCrescent.
“Simplereally,”saidHardcastle.
“Onceyouknow,”saidColin.
“61reallybacksonMrs.Hemming’shouse—butacornerofittoucheson19,sothat’sgoodenough.ItwillgiveyouachancetolookatyourMr.Bland.Noforeignhelp,bytheway.”
“Sotheregoesabeautifultheory.”Thecardrewupandthetwomengotout.
“Well,well,”saidColin.“Somefrontgarden!”
Itwasindeedamodelofsurburbanperfectioninasmallway.Therewerebedsofgeraniumswithlobeliaedging.Therewerelargefleshy-lookingbegonias,andtherewasafinedisplayofgardenornaments—frogs,toadstools,comicgnomesandpixies.
“I’msureMr.Blandmustbeaniceworthyman,”saidColin,withashudder.“Hecouldn’thavetheseterribleideasifhewasn’t.”HeaddedasHardcastlepushedthebell,“Doyouexpecthimtobeinatthistimeofthemorning?”
“Irangup,”explainedHardcastle.“Askedhimifitwouldbeconvenient.”
AtthatmomentasmartlittleTravellervandrewupandturnedintothegarage,whichhadobviouslybeenalateadditiontothehouse.Mr.JosaiahBlandgotout,slammedthedoorandadvancedtowardsthem.Hewasamanofmediumheightwithabaldheadandrathersmallblueeyes.Hehadaheartymanner.
“InspectorHardcastle?Comerightin.”
Heledthewayintothesittingroom.Itevincedseveralproofsofprosperity.Therewereexpensiveandratherornatelamps,anEmpirewritingdesk,acoruscatedormolusetofmantelpieceornaments,amarquetrycabinet,andajardinèrefullofflowersinthewindow.Thechairsweremodernandrichlyupholstered.
“Sitdown,”saidMr.Blandheartily.“Smoke?Orcan’tyouwhenyou’reonthejob?”
“No,thanks,”saidHardcastle.
“Don’tdrinkeither,Isuppose?”saidMr.Bland.“Ahwell,betterforbothofus,Idaresay.Nowwhat’sitallabout?ThisbusinessatNumber19Isuppose?Thecornersofourgardensadjoin,butwe’venotmuchrealviewofitexceptfromtheupperfloorwindows.Extraordinarybusinessaltogetheritseemstobe—atleastfromwhatIreadinourlocalpaperthismorning.IwasdelightedwhenIgotyourmessage.Achanceofgettingsomeoftherealdope.You’venoideatherumoursthatareflyingabout!It’smademywifequitenervous—feelingthere’sakillerontheloose,youknow.Thetroubleistheyletallthesebarmypeopleoutoflunaticasylumsnowadays.Sendthemhomeonparoleorwhatevertheycallit.Thentheydoinsomeoneelseandtheyclapthembackagain.AndasIsay,therumours!Imean,whatwithourdailywomanandthemilkandpaperboy,you’dbesurprised.Onesayshewasstrangledwithpicturewire,andtheothersayshewasstabbed.Someoneelsethathewascoshed.Atanyrateitwasahe,wasn’tit?Imean,itwasn’ttheoldgirlwhowasdonein?Anunknownman,thepaperssaid.”
Mr.Blandcametoafullstopatlast.
Hardcastlesmiledandsaidinadeprecatingvoice:
“Well,astounknown,hehadacardandanaddressinhispocket.”
“Somuchforthatstorythen,”saidBland.“Butyouknowwhatpeopleare.Idon’tknowwhothinksupallthesethings.”
“Whilewe’reonthesubjectofthevictim,”saidHardcastle,“perhapsyou’llhavealookatthis.”
Oncemorehebroughtoutthepolicephotograph.
“Sothat’shim,isit?”saidBland.“Helooksaperfectlyordinarychap,doesn’the?Ordinaryasyouandme.IsupposeImustn’taskifhehadanyparticularreasontobemurdered?”
“It’searlydaystotalkaboutthat,”saidHardcastle.“WhatIwanttoknow,Mr.Bland,isifyou’veeverseenthismanbefore.”
Blandshookhishead.
“I’msureIhaven’t.I’mquitegoodatrememberingfaces.”
“Hehasn’tcalleduponyouforanyparticularpurpose—sellinginsuranceor—vacuumcleanersorwashingmachines,oranythingofthatkind?”
“No,no.Certainlynot.”
“Weoughtperhapstoaskyourwife,”saidHardcastle.“Afterall,ifhecalledatthehouse,it’syourwifehewouldsee.”
“Yes,that’sperfectlytrue.Idon’tknow,though…Valerie’snotgotverygoodhealth,youknow.Iwouldn’tliketoupsether.WhatImeanis,well,Isupposethat’sapictureofhimwhenhe’sdead,isn’tit?”
“Yes,”saidHardcastle,“thatisquitetrue.Butitisnotapainfulphotographinanyway.”
“No,no.Verywelldone.Thechapmightbeasleep,really.”
“Areyoutalkingaboutme,Josaiah?”
Anadjoiningdoorfromtheotherroomwaspushedopenandamiddle-agedwomanenteredtheroom.Shehad,Hardcastledecided,beenlisteningwithcloseattentionontheothersideofthedoor.
“Ah,thereyouare,mydear,”saidBland,“Ithoughtyouwerehavingyourmorningnap.Thisismywife,DetectiveInspectorHardcastle.”
“Thatterriblemurder,”murmuredMrs.Bland.“Itreallymakesmeshivertothinkofit.”
Shesatdownonthesofawithalittlegaspingsigh.
“Putyourfeetup,dear,”saidBland.
Mrs.Blandobeyed.Shewasasandy-hairedwoman,withafaintwhiningvoice.Shelookedanaemic,andhadalltheairsofaninvalidwhoacceptsherinvalidismwithacertainamountofenjoyment.Foramomentortwo,sheremindedInspectorHardcastleofsomebody.Hetriedtothinkwhoitwas,butfailed.Thefaint,ratherplaintivevoicecontinued.
“Myhealthisn’tverygood,InspectorHardcastle,somyhusbandnaturallytriestosparemeanyshocksorworry.I’mverysensitive.Youwerespeakingaboutaphotograph,Ithink,ofthe—ofthemurderedman.Ohdear,howterriblethatsounds.Idon’tknowthatIcanbeartolook!”
“Dyingtoseeit,really,”thoughtHardcastletohimself.
Withfaintmaliceinhisvoice,hesaid:
“PerhapsI’dbetternotaskyoutolookatit,then,Mrs.Bland.Ijustthoughtyoumightbeabletohelpus,incasethemanhascalledatthishouseatanytime.”
“Imustdomyduty,mustn’tI,”saidMrs.Bland,withasweetbravesmile.Sheheldoutherhand.
“Doyouthinkyou’dbetterupsetyourself,Val?”
“Don’tbefoolish,Josaiah.OfcourseImustsee.”
Shelookedatthephotographwithmuchinterestand,orsotheinspectorthought,acertainamountofdisappointment.
“Helooks—really,hedoesn’tlookdeadatall,”shesaid.“Notatallasthoughhe’dbeenmurdered.Washe—hecan’thavebeenstrangled?”
“Hewasstabbed,”saidtheinspector.
Mrs.Blandclosedhereyesandshivered
“Ohdear,”shesaid,“howterrible.”
“Youdon’tfeelyou’veeverseenhim,Mrs.Bland?”
“No,”saidMrs.Blandwithobviousreluctance,“no,no,I’mafraidnot.Washethesortofmanwho—whocallsathousessellingthings?”
“Heseemstohavebeenaninsuranceagent,”saidtheinspectorcarefully.
“Oh,Isee.No,there’sbeennobodyofthatkind,I’msure.Youneverremembermymentioninganythingofthatkind,doyou,Josaiah?”
“Can’tsayIdo,”saidMr.Bland.
“WasheanyrelationtoMissPebmarsh?”askedMrs.Bland.
“No,”saidtheinspector,“hewasquiteunknowntoher.”
“Verypeculiar,”saidMrs.Bland.
“YouknowMrs.Pebmarsh?”
“Ohyes,Imean,weknowherasneighbours,ofcourse.Sheasksmyhusbandforadvicesometimesaboutthegarden.”
“You’reaverykeengardener,Igather?”saidtheinspector.
“Notreally,notreally,”saidBlanddeprecatingly.“Haven’tthetime,youknow.Ofcourse,Iknowwhat’swhat.ButI’vegotanexcellentfellow—comestwiceaweek.Heseesthegarden’skeptwellstocked,andwelltidiedup.I’dsayyoucouldn’tbeatourgardenroundhere,butI’mnotoneofthoserealgardenerslikemyneighbour.”
“Mrs.Ramsay?”saidHardcastleinsomesurprise.
“No,no,fartheralong.63.Mr.McNaughton.Hejustlivesforhisgarden.Initalldaylong,andmadoncompost.Really,he’squiteaboreonthesubjectofcompost—butIdon’tsupposethat’swhatyouwanttotalkabout.”
“Notexactly,”saidtheinspector.“Ionlywonderedifanyone—youoryourwife,forinstance—wereoutinyourgardenyesterday.Afterall,asyousay,itdoestouchontheborderof19andthere’sjustachancethatyoumighthaveseensomethinginterestingyesterday—orheardsomething,perhaps?”
“Midday,wasn’tit?WhenthemurderhappenedImean?”
“Therelevanttimesarebetweenoneo’clockandthreeo’clock.”
Blandshookhishead.“Iwouldn’thaveseenmuchthen.Iwashere.SowasValerie,butwe’dbehavinglunch,youknow,andourdiningroomlooksoutontheroadside.Weshouldn’tseeanythingthatwasgoingoninthegarden.”
“Whattimedoyouhaveyourmeal?”
“Oneo’clockorthereabouts.Sometimesit’sonethirty.”
“Andyoudidn’tgooutinthegardenatallafterwards?”
Blandshookhishead.
“Matteroffact,”hesaid,“mywifealwaysgoesuptorestafterlunchand,ifthingsaren’ttoobusy,Itakeabitofshuteyemyselfinthatchairthere.Imusthaveleftthehouseabout—oh,Isupposeaquartertothree,butunfortunatelyIdidn’tgooutinthegardenatall.”
“Oh,well,”saidHardcastlewithasigh,“wehavetoaskeveryone.”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse.WishIcouldbemorehelpful.”
“Niceplaceyouhavehere,”saidtheinspector.“Nomoneyspared,ifImaysayso.”
Blandlaughedjovially.
“Ahwell,welikethingsthatarenice.Mywife’sgotalotoftaste.Wehadabitofawindfallayearago.Mywifecameintosomemoneyfromanuncleofhers.Shehadn’tseenhimfortwenty-fiveyears.Quiteasurpriseitwas!Itmadeabitofdifferencetous,Icantellyou.We’vebeenabletodoourselveswellandwe’rethinkingofgoingononeofthesecruiseslaterintheyear.Veryeducationaltheyare,Ibelieve.Greeceandallthat.Alotofprofessorsonthemlecturing.Well,ofcourse,I’maself-mademanandIhaven’thadmuchtimeforthatsortofthingbutI’dbeinterested.ThatchapwhowentanddugupTroy,hewasagrocer,Ibelieve.Veryromantic.ImustsayIlikegoingtoforeignparts—notthatI’vedonemuchofthat—anoccasionalweekendingayParee,that’sall.I’vetoyedwiththeideaofsellinguphereandgoingtoliveinSpainorPortugaloreventheWestIndies.Alotofpeoplearedoingit.Savesincometaxandallthat.Butmywifedoesn’tfancytheidea.”
“I’mfondoftravel,butIwouldn’tcaretoliveoutofEngland,”saidMrs.Bland.“We’vegotallourfriendshere—andmysisterliveshere,andeverybodyknowsus.Ifwewentabroadwe’dbestrangers.Andthenwe’vegotaverygooddoctorhere.Hereallyunderstandsmyhealth.Ishouldn’tcareatallforaforeigndoctor.Iwouldn’thaveanyconfidenceinhim.”
“We’llsee,”saidMr.Blandcheerfully.“We’llgoonacruiseandyoumayfallinlovewithaGreekisland.”
Mrs.Blandlookedasthoughthatwereveryunlikely.
“There’dbeaproperEnglishdoctoraboard,Isuppose,”shesaiddoubtfully
“Suretobe,”saidherhusband.
HeaccompaniedHardcastleandColintothefrontdoor,repeatingoncemorehowsorryhewasthathecouldn’thelpthem.
“Well,”saidHardcastle.“Whatdoyouthinkofhim?”
“Iwouldn’tcaretolethimbuildahouseforme,”saidColin.“Butacrookedlittlebuilderisn’twhatI’mafter.I’mlookingforamanwhoisdedicated.Andasregardsyourmurdercase,you’vegotthewrongkindofmurder.NowifBlandwastofeedhiswifearsenicorpushherintotheAegeaninordertoinherithermoneyandmarryaslap-upblonde—”
“We’llseeaboutthatwhenithappens,”saidInspectorHardcastle.“Inthemeantimewe’vegottogetonwiththismurder.”
Ten
AtNo.62,WilbrahamCrescent,Mrs.Ramsaywassayingtoherselfencouragingly,“Onlytwodaysnow.Onlytwodays.”
Shepushedbacksomedankhairfromherforehead.Analmightycrashcamefromthekitchen.Mrs.Ramsayfeltverydisinclinedeventogoandseewhatthecrashportended.Ifonlyshecouldpretendthattherehadn’tbeenacrash.Ohwell—onlytwodays.Shesteppedacrossthehall,flungthekitchendooropenandsaidinavoiceoffarlessbelligerencethanitwouldhaveheldthreeweeksago:
“Nowwhathaveyoudone?”
“Sorry,Mum,”saidhersonBill.“Wewerejusthavingabitofabowlingmatchwiththesetinsandsomehoworothertheyrolledintothebottomofthechinacupboard.”
“Wedidn’tmeanthemtogointothebottomofthechinacupboard,”saidhisyoungerbrotherTedagreeably.
“Well,pickupthosethingsandputthembackinthecupboardandsweepupthatbrokenchinaandputitinthebin.”
“Oh,Mum,notnow.”
“Yes,now.”
“Tedcandoit,”saidBill.
“Ilikethat,”saidTed.“Alwaysputtingonme.Iwon’tdoitifyouwon’t.”
“Betyouwill.”
“BetIwon’t.”
“I’llmakeyou.”
“Yahh!”
Theboysclosedinafiercewrestlingmatch.Tedwasforcedbackagainstthekitchentableandabowlofeggsrockedominously.
“Oh,getoutofthekitchen!”criedMrs.Ramsay.Shepushedthetwoboysoutofthekitchendoorandshutit,andbegantopickuptinsandsweepupchina
“Twodays,”shethought,“andthey’llbebackatschool!Whatalovely,whataheavenlythoughtforamother.”
Sherememberedvaguelysomewickedremarkbyawomancolumnist.
Onlysixhappydaysintheyearforawoman.
Thefirstandthelastdaysoftheholidays.Howtruethatwas,thoughtMrs.Ramsay,sweepingupportionsofherbestdinnerservice.Withwhatpleasure,whatjoy,hadshecontemplatedthereturnofheroffspringabarefiveweeksbefore!Andnow?“Thedayaftertomorrow,”sherepeatedtoherself,“thedayaftertomorrowBillandTedwillbebackatschool.Icanhardlybelieveit.Ican’twait!”
Howheavenlyithadbeenfiveweeksagowhenshemetthematthestation.Theirtempestuousandaffectionatewelcome!Thewaytheyhadrushedalloverthehouseandgarden.Aspecialcakebakedfortea.Andnow—whatwasshelookingforwardtonow?Adayofcompletepeace.Noenormousmealstoprepare,noincessantclearingup.Shelovedtheboys—theywerefineboys,nodoubtofthat.Shewasproudofthem.Buttheywerealsoexhausting.Theirappetite,theirvitality,thenoisetheymade.
Atthatmoment,raucouscriesarose.Sheturnedherheadinsharpalarm.Itwasallright.Theyhadonlygoneoutinthegarden.Thatwasbetter,therewasfarmoreroomfortheminthegarden.Theywouldprobablyannoytheneighbours.ShehopedtogoodnesstheywouldleaveMrs.Hemming’scatsalone.Not,itmustbeconfessed,forthesakeofthecats,butbecausethewiredenclosuresurroundingMrs.Hemming’sgardenwasapttoteartheirshorts.Shecastafleetingeyeoverthefirst-aidboxwhichlayhandyonthedresser.Notthatshefussedundulyoverthenaturalaccidentsofvigorousboyhood.Infactherfirstinevitableremarkwas:“Nowhaven’tItoldyouahundredtimes,youarenottobleedinthedrawingroom!Comestraightintothekitchenandbleedthere,whereIcanwipeoverthelinoleum.”
AterrificyellfromoutsideseemedtobecutoffmidwayandwasfollowedbyasilencesoprofoundthatMrs.Ramsayfeltarealfeelingofalarmspringupinherbreast.Really,thatsilencewasmostunnatural.Shestooduncertainly,thedustpanwithbrokenchinainherhand.ThekitchendooropenedandBillstoodthere.Hehadanawed,ecstaticexpressionmostunusualonhiseleven-year-oldface.
“Mum,”hesaid.“There’sadetectiveinspectorhereandanothermanwithhim.”
“Oh,”saidMrs.Ramsay,relieved.“Whatdoeshewant,dear?”
“Heaskedforyou,”saidBill,“butIthinkitmustbeaboutthemurder.Youknow,theoneatMissPebmarsh’syesterday.”
“Idon’tseewhyheshouldcomeandwishtoseeme,”saidMrs.Ramsay,inaslightlyvexedvoice.
Lifewasjustonethingafteranother,shethought.HowwasshetogetthepotatoesonfortheIrishstewifdetectiveinspectorscamealongatthisawkwardhour?
“Ohwell,”shesaidwithasigh.“IsupposeI’dbettercome.”
Sheshotthebrokenchinaintothebinunderthesink,rinsedherhandsunderthetap,smoothedherhairandpreparedtofollowBill,whowassayingimpatiently,“Oh,comeon,Mum.”
Mrs.Ramsay,closelyflankedbyBill,enteredthesittingroom.Twomenwerestandingthere.Heryoungerson,Ted,wasinattendanceuponthem,staringatthemwithwideappreciativeeyes.
“Mrs.Ramsay?”
“Goodmorning.”
“IexpecttheseyoungmenhavetoldyouthatIamDetectiveInspectorHardcastle?”
“It’sveryawkward,”saidMrs.Ramsay.“Veryawkwardthismorning.I’mverybusy.Willittakeverylong?”
“Hardlyanytimeatall,”saidDetectiveInspectorHardcastlereassuringly.“Maywesitdown?”
“Oh,yes,do,do.”
Mrs.Ramsaytookanuprightchairandlookedatthemimpatiently.Shehadsuspicionsthatitwasnotgoingtotakehardlyanytimeatall.
“Noneedforyoutwotoremain,”saidHardcastletotheboyspleasantly.
“Aw,we’renotgoing,”saidBill.
“We’renotgoing,”echoedTed.
“Wewanttohearallaboutit,”saidBill.
“Surewedo,”saidTed.
“Wastherealotofblood?”askedBill.
“Wasitaburglar?”saidTed.
“Bequiet,boys,”saidMrs.Ramsay.“Didn’tyouhearthe—Mr.Hardcastlesayhedidn’twantyouinhere?”
“We’renotgoing,”saidBill.“Wewanttohear.”
Hardcastlemovedacrosstothedoorandopenedit.Helookedattheboys.
“Out,”hesaid.
Itwasonlyoneword,quietlyuttered,butithadbehinditthequalityofauthority.Withoutmoreadobothboysgotup,shuffledtheirfeetandshuffledoutoftheroom.
“Howwonderful,”thoughtMrs.Ramsayappreciatively.“Nowwhycan’tIbelikethat?”
Butthen,shereflected,shewastheboys’mother.Sheknewbyhearsaythattheboys,whentheywentout,behavedinamannerentirelydifferentfromathome.Itwasalwaysmotherswhogottheworstofthings.Butperhaps,shereflected,onewouldratherhaveitlikethat.Tohavenicequietattentivepoliteboysathomeandtohavelittlehooligansgoingout,creatingunfavourableopinionsofthemselves,wouldbeworse—yes,thatwouldbeworse.Sherecalledherselftowhatwasrequiredofher,asInspectorHardcastlecamebackandsatdownagain.
“Ifit’saboutwhathappenedatNumber19yesterday,”shesaidnervously,“Ireallydon’tseethatIcantellyouanything,Inspector.Idon’tknowanythingaboutit.Idon’tevenknowthepeoplewholivethere.”
“ThehouseislivedinbyaMissPebmarsh.She’sblindandworksattheAaronbergInstitute.”
“Oh,Isee,”saidMrs.Ramsay.“I’mafraidIknowhardlyanybodyinthelowerCrescent.”
“Wereyouyourselfhereyesterdaybetweenhalfpasttwelveandthreeo’clock?”
“Oh,yes,”saidMrs.Ramsay.“Therewasdinnertocookandallthat.Iwentoutbeforethree,though.Itooktheboystothecinema.”
Theinspectortookthephotographfromhispocketandhandedittoher.
“I’dlikeyoutotellmeifyou’veeverseenthismanbefore.”
Mrs.Ramsaylookedatitwithaslightawakeningofinterest.
“No,”shesaid,“no,Idon’tthinkso.I’mnotsureifIwouldrememberifIhadseenhim.”
“Hedidnotcometothishouseonanyoccasion—tryingtosellyouinsuranceoranythingofthatkind?”
Mrs.Ramsayshookherheadmorepositively.
“No.No,I’msurehedidn’t.”
“Hisname,wehavesomereasontobelieve,isCurry.Mr.R.Curry.”
Helookedinquiringlyather.Mrs.Ramsayshookherheadagain.
“I’mafraid,”shesaidapologetically,“Ireallyhaven’ttimetoseeornoticeanythingduringtheholidays.”
“That’salwaysabusytime,isn’tit,”saidtheinspector.“Fineboysyou’vegot.Fulloflifeandspirits.Rathertoomanyspiritssometimes,Iexpect?”
Mrs.Ramsaypositivelysmiled.
“Yes,”shesaid,“itgetsalittletiring,butthey’reverygoodboysreally.”
“I’msuretheyare,”saidtheinspector.“Finefellows,bothofthem.Veryintelligent,Ishouldsay.I’llhaveawordwiththembeforeIgo,ifyoudon’tmind.Boysnoticethingssometimesthatnobodyelseinthehousedoes.”
“Idon’treallyseehowtheycanhavenoticedanything,”saidMrs.Ramsay.“It’snotasthoughwewerenextdoororanything.”
“Butyourgardensbackoneachother.”
“Yes,theydo,”agreedMrs.Ramsay.“Butthey’requiteseparate.”
“DoyouknowMrs.HemmingatNumber20?”
“Well,inawayIdo,”saidMrs.Ramsay,“becauseofthecatsandonethingandanother.”
“Youarefondofcats?”
“Oh,no,”saidMrs.Ramsay,“it’snotthat.Imeanit’susuallycomplaints.”
“Oh,Isee.Complaints.Whatabout?”
Mrs.Ramsayflushed.
“Thetroubleis,”shesaid,“whenpeoplekeepcatsinthatway—fourteen,she’sgot—theygetabsolutelybesottedaboutthem.Andit’sallalotofnonsense.Ilikecats.Weusedtohaveacatourselves,atabby.Verygoodmouser,too.Butallthefussthatwomanmakes,cookingspecialfood—hardlyeverlettingthepoorthingsouttohavealifeoftheirown.Ofcoursethecatsarealwaystryingtoescape.Iwould,ifIwasoneofthosecats.Andtheboysareverygoodreally,theywouldn’ttormentacatinanyway.WhatIsayiscatscanalwaystakecareofthemselvesverywell.They’reverysensibleanimals,cats,thatisiftheyaretreatedsensibly.”
“I’msureyou’requiteright,”saidtheinspector.“Youmusthaveabusylife,”hewenton,“keepingthoseboysofyoursamusedandfedduringtheholidays.Whenaretheygoingbacktoschool?”
“Thedayaftertomorrow,”saidMrs.Ramsay.
“Ihopeyou’llhaveagoodrestthen.”
“Imeantotreatmyselftoareallazytime,”shesaid.
Theotheryoungmanwhohadbeensilentlytakingdownnotes,startledheralittlebyspeaking.
“Yououghttohaveoneofthoseforeigngirls,”hesaid.“Aupair,don’ttheycallit,comeanddochoreshereinreturnforlearningEnglish.”
“IsupposeImighttrysomethingofthatkind,”saidMrs.Ramsay,considering,“thoughIalwaysfeelthatforeignersmaybedifficult.Myhusbandlaughsatme.ButthenofcourseheknowsmoreaboutitthanIdo.Ihaven’ttravelledabroadasmuchashehas.”
“He’sawaynow,isn’the?”saidHardcastle.
“Yes—hehadtogotoSwedenatthebeginningofAugust.He’saconstructionalengineer.Apityhehadtogojustthen—atthebeginningoftheholidays,too.He’ssogoodwiththechildren.Hereallylikesplayingwithelectrictrainsmorethantheboysdo.Sometimesthelinesandthemarshallingyardsandeverythinggorightacrossthehallandintotheotherroom.It’sverydifficultnottofalloverthem.”Sheshookherhead.“Menaresuchchildren,”shesaidindulgently.
“Whendoyouexpecthimback,Mrs.Ramsay?”
“Ineverknow.”Shesighed.“Itmakesitrather—difficult.”Therewasatremorinhervoice.Colinlookedatherkeenly.
“Wemustn’ttakeupmoreofyourtime,Mrs.Ramsay.”
Hardcastlerosetohisfeet.
“Perhapsyourboyswillshowusthegarden?”
BillandTedwerewaitinginthehallandfellinwiththesuggestionimmediately.
“Ofcourse,”saidBillapologetically,“itisn’taverybiggarden.”
TherehadbeensomeslighteffortmadetokeepthegardenofNo.62,WilbrahamCrescentinreasonableorder.OnonesidetherewasaborderofdahliasandMichaelmasdaisies.Thenasmalllawnsomewhatunevenlymown.Thepathsbadlyneededhoeing,modelsofaeroplanes,spacegunsandotherrepresentationsofmodernsciencelayabout,lookingslightlytheworseforwear.Attheendofthegardenwasanappletreewithpleasant-lookingredapplesonit.Nexttoitwasapeartree.
“That’sit,”saidTed,pointingatthespacebetweentheappleandthepear,throughwhichthebackofMissPebmarsh’shouseshowedclearly.“That’sNumber19wherethemurderwas.”
“Gotquiteagoodviewofthehouse,haven’tyou,”saidtheinspector.“Betterstill,Iexpect,fromtheupstairswindows.”
“That’sright,”saidBill.“Ifonlywe’dbeenupthereyesterdaylookingout,wemighthaveseensomething.Butwedidn’t.”
“Wewereatthecinema,”saidTed.
“Weretherefingerprints?”askedBill
“Notveryhelpfulones.Wereyououtinthegardenatallyesterday?”
“Oh,yes,offandon,”saidBill.“Allthemorning,thatis.Wedidn’thearanything,though,orseeanything.”
“Ifwe’dbeenthereintheafternoonwemighthaveheardscreams,”saidTed,wistfully.“Awfulscreamstherewere.”
“DoyouknowMissPebmarsh,theladywhoownsthathouse,bysight?”
Theboyslookedateachother,thennodded.
“She’sblind,”saidTed,“butshecanwalkaroundthegardenallright.Doesn’thavetowalkwithastickoranythinglikethat.Shethrewaballbacktousonce.Quiteniceaboutitshewas.”
“Youdidn’tseeheratallyesterday?”
Theboysshooktheirheads.
“Wewouldn’tseeherinthemorning.She’salwaysout,”Billexplained.“Sheusuallycomesoutinthegardenaftertea.”
Colinwasexploringalineofhosepipewhichwasattachedtoatapinthehouse.Itranalongthegardenpathandwaslaiddowninthecornernearthepeartree.
“Neverknewthatpeartreesneededwatering,”heremarked.
“Oh,that,”saidBill.Helookedslightlyembarrassed.
“Ontheotherhand,”saidColin,“ifyouclimbedupinthistree.”Helookedatbothboysandgrinnedsuddenly.“Youcouldgetaverynicelittlelineofwatertoplayonacat,couldn’tyou?”
BothboysscuffledthegravelwiththeirfeetandlookedineveryotherdirectionbutatColin.
“That’swhatyoudo,isn’tit?”saidColin.
“Aw,well,”saidBill,“itdoesn’thurt’em.It’snot,”hesaidwithanairofvirtue,“likeacatapult.”
“Isupposeyouusedtouseacatapultatonetime.”
“Notproperly,”saidTed.“Weneverseemedtohitanything.”
“Anyway,youdohaveabitoffunwiththathosesometimes,”saidColin,“andthenMrs.Hemmingcomesalongandcomplains?”
“She’salwayscomplaining,”saidBill.
“Youevergetthroughherfence?”
“Notthroughthatwirehere,”saidTed,unguardedly.
“Butyoudogetthroughintohergardensometimes,isthatright?Howdoyoudoit?”
“Well,youcangetthroughthefence—intoMissPebmarsh’sgarden.ThenalittlewaydowntotherightyoucanpushthroughthehedgeintoMrs.Hemming’sgarden.There’saholethereinthewire.”
“Can’tyoushutup,youfool?”saidBill.
“Isupposeyou’vedoneabitofhuntingaboutforcluessincethemurder?”saidHardcastle.
Theboyslookedateachother.
“Whenyoucamebackfromthecinemaandheardwhathadhappened,Ibetyouwentthroughthefenceintothegardenof19andhadajollygoodlookround.”
“Well—”Billpausedcautiously.
“It’salwayspossible,”saidHardcastleseriously,“thatyoumayhavefoundsomethingthatwemissed.Ifyouhave—er—acollectionIshouldbemuchobligedifyouwouldshowittome.”
Billmadeuphismind.
“Get’em,Ted,”hesaid.
Teddepartedobedientlyatarun.
“I’mafraidwehaven’tgotanythingreallygood,”admittedBill.“Weonly—sortofpretended.”
HelookedatHardcastleanxiously.
“Iquiteunderstand,”saidtheinspector.“Mostofpoliceworkislikethat.Alotofdisappointments.”
Billlookedrelieved.
Tedreturnedatarun.Hepassedoveragrubbyknottedhandkerchiefwhichchinked.Hardcastleunknottedit,withaboyoneithersideofhim,andspreadoutthecontents.
Therewasthehandleoffacup,afragmentofwillowpatternchina,abrokentrowel,arustyfork,acoin,aclothespeg,abitofiridescentglassandhalfapairofscissors.
“Aninterestinglot,”saidtheinspectorsolemnly.
Hetookpityontheeagerfacesoftheboysandpickedupthepieceofglass.
“I’lltakethis.Itmayjustpossiblytieupwithsomething.”
Colinhadpickedupthecoinandwasexaminingit.
“It’snotEnglish,”saidTed.
“No,”saidColin.“It’snotEnglish.”HelookedacrossatHardcastle.“Wemightperhapstakethis,too,”hesuggested.
“Don’tsayawordaboutthistoanyone,”saidHardcastleinaconspiratorialfashion.
Theboyspromiseddelightedlythattheywouldn’t.
Eleven
“Ramsay,”saidColin,thoughtfully.
“Whatabouthim?”
“Ilikethesoundofhim,that’sall.Hetravelsabroad—atamoment’snotice.Hiswifesayshe’saconstructionengineer,butthat’sallsheseemstoknowabouthim.”
“She’sanicewoman,”saidHardcastle.
“Yes—andnotaveryhappyone.”
“Tired,that’sall.Kidsaretiring.”
“Ithinkit’smorethanthat.”
“Surelythesortofpersonyouwantwouldn’tbeburdenedwithawifeandtwosons,”Hardcastlesaidsceptically.
“Youneverknow,”saidColin.“You’dbesurprisedwhatsomeoftheboysdoforcamouflage.Ahard-upwidowwithacoupleofkidsmightbewillingtocometoanarrangement.”
“Ishouldn’thavethoughtshewasthatkind,”saidHardcastleprimly.
“Idon’tmeanlivinginsin,mydearfellow.Imeanthatshe’dagreetobeMrs.Ramsayandsupplyabackground.Naturally,he’dspinherayarnoftherightkind.He’dbedoingaspotofespionage,say,onourside.Allhighlypatriotic.”
Hardcastleshookhishead.
“Youliveinastrangeworld,Colin,”hesaid.
“Yeswedo.Ithink,youknow,I’llhavetogetoutofitoneday…Onebeginstoforgetwhatiswhatandwhoiswho.Halfofthesepeopleworkforbothsidesandintheendtheydon’tknowthemselveswhichsidetheyarereallyon.Standardsgetgummedup—Oh,well—let’sgetonwiththings.”
“We’dbetterdotheMcNaughtons,”saidHardcastle,pausingatthegatesof63.“Abitofhisgardentouches19—sameasBland.”
“WhatdoyouknowabouttheMcNaughtons?”
“Notmuch—theycamehereaboutayearago.Elderlycouple—retiredprofessor,Ibelieve.Hegardens.”
Thefrontgardenhadrosebushesinitandathickbedofautumncrocusunderthewindows.
Acheerfulyoungwomaninabrightlyfloweredoverallopenedthedoortothemandsaid:
“Youwant?—Yes?”
Hardcastlemurmured,“Theforeignhelpatlast,”andhandedherhiscard.
“Police,”saidtheyoungwoman.ShetookasteportwobackandlookedatHardcastleasthoughheweretheFiendinperson.
“Mrs.McNaughton,”saidHardcastle.
“Mrs.McNaughtonishere.”
Sheledthemintothesittingroom,whichoverlookedthebackgarden.Itwasempty.
“Sheupthestairsis,”saidtheno-longercheerfulyoungwoman.Shewentoutintothehallandcalled,“Mrs.McNaughton—Mrs.McNaughton.”
Avoicefarawaysaid,“Yes.Whatisit,Gretel?”
“Itisthepolice—twopolice.Iputtheminsittingroom.”
Therewasafaintscurryingnoiseupstairsandthewords“Oh,dear.Oh,dear,whatnext?”floateddown.ThentherewasapatteroffeetandpresentlyMrs.McNaughtonenteredtheroomwithaworriedexpressiononherface.Therewas,Hardcastledecidedquitesoon,usuallyaworriedexpressiononMrs.McNaughton’sface.
“Oh,dear,”shesaidagain,“oh,dear.Inspector—whatisit—Hardcastle—oh,yes.”Shelookedatthecard.“Butwhydoyouwanttoseeus?Wedon’tknowanythingaboutit.ImeanIsupposeitisthismurder,isn’tit?Imean,itwouldn’tbethetelevisionlicence?”
Hardcastlereassuredheronthatpoint.
“Itallseemssoextraordinary,doesn’tit?”saidMrs.McNaughton,brighteningup.“Andmoreorlessmidday,too.Suchanoddtimetocomeandburgleahouse.Justthetimewhenpeopleareusuallyathome.Butthenonedoesreadofsuchterriblethingsnowadays.Allhappeninginbroaddaylight.Why,somefriendsofours—theywereoutforlunchandafurniturevandroveupandthemenbrokeinandcarriedouteverystickoffurniture.Thewholestreetsawithappenbutofcoursetheyneverthoughttherewasanythingwrong.Youknow,IdidthinkIheardsomeonescreamingyesterday,butAngussaiditwasthosedreadfulboysofMrs.Ramsay’s.Theyrushaboutthegardenmakingnoiseslikespaceships,youknow,orrockets,oratombombs.Itreallyisquitefrighteningsometimes.”
OnceagainHardcastleproducedhisphotograph.
“Haveyoueverseenthisman,Mrs.McNaughton?”
Mrs.McNaughtonstaredatitwithavidity.
“I’malmostsureI’veseenhim.Yes.Yes,I’mpracticallycertain.Now,wherewasit?WasitthemanwhocameandaskedmeifIwantedtobuyanewencyclopediainfourteenvolumes?Orwasitthemanwhocamewithanewmodelofvacuumcleaner.Iwouldn’thaveanythingtodowithhim,andhewentoutandworriedmyhusbandinthefrontgarden.Anguswasplantingsomebulbs,youknow,andhedidn’twanttobeinterruptedandthemanwentonandonsayingwhatthethingwoulddo.Youknow,howitwouldrunupanddowncurtains,andwouldcleandoorstepsanddothestairsandcushionsandspring-cleanthings.Everything,hesaid,absolutelyeverything.AndthenAngusjustlookedupathimandsaid,‘Canitplantbulbs?’andImustsayIhadtolaughbecauseittookthemanquiteabackandhewentaway.”
“Andyoureallythinkthatwasthemaninthisphotograph?”
“Well,no,Idon’treally,”saidMrs.McNaughton,“becausethatwasamuchyoungerman,nowIcometothinkofit.ButallthesameIthinkIhaveseenthisfacebefore.Yes.ThemoreIlookatitthemoresureIamthathecamehereandaskedmetobuysomething.”
“Insuranceperhaps?”
“No,no,notinsurance.Myhusbandattendstoallthatkindofthing.Wearefullyinsuredineveryway.No.Butallthesame—yes,themoreIlookatthatphotograph—”
Hardcastlewaslessencouragedbythisthanhemighthavebeen.HeputdownMrs.McNaughton,fromthefundofhisexperience,asawomanwhowouldbeanxiousfortheexcitementofhavingseensomeoneconnectedwithmurder.Thelongershelookedatthepicture,themoresureshewouldbethatshecouldremembersomeonejustlikeit.
Hesighed.
“Hewasdrivingavan,Ibelieve,”saidMrs.McNaughton.“ButjustwhenIsawhimIcan’tremember.Abaker’svan,Ithink.”
“Youdidn’tseehimyesterday,didyou,Mrs.McNaughton?”
Mrs.McNaughton’sfacefellslightly.Shepushedbackherratheruntidygreywavedhairfromherforehead.
“No.No,notyesterday,”shesaid.“Atleast—”shepaused.“Idon’tthinkso.”Thenshebrightenedalittle.“Perhapsmyhusbandwillremember.”
“Isheathome?”
“Oh,he’soutinthegarden.”Shepointedthroughthewindowwhereatthismomentanelderlymanwaspushingawheelbarrowalongthepath.
“Perhapswemightgooutandspeaktohim.”
“Ofcourse.Comethisway.”
Sheledthewayoutthroughasidedoorandintothegarden.Mr.McNaughtonwasinafinestateofperspiration.
“Thesegentlemenarefromthepolice,Angus,”saidhiswifebreathlessly.“ComeaboutthemurderatMissPebmarsh’s.There’saphotographthey’vegotofthedeadman.Doyouknow,I’msureI’veseenhimsomewhere.Itwasn’ttheman,wasit,whocamelastweekandaskedusifwehadanyantiquestodisposeof?”
“Let’ssee,”saidMr.McNaughton.“Justholditforme,willyou,”hesaidtoHardcastle.“Myhandsaretooearthytotouchanything.”
Hetookabrieflookandremarked,“Neverseenthatfellowinmylife.”
“Yourneighbourtellsmeyou’reveryfondofgardening,”saidHardcastle.
“Whotoldyouthat—notMrs.Ramsay?”
“No.Mr.Bland.”
AngusMcNaughtonsnorted.
“Blanddoesn’tknowwhatgardeningmeans,”hesaid.“Beddingout,that’sallhedoes.Shovesinbegoniasandgeraniumsandlobeliaedging.That’snotwhatIcallgardening.Mightaswellliveinapublicpark.Areyouinterestedinshrubsatall,Inspector?Ofcourse,it’sthewrongtimeofyearnow,butI’veoneortwoshrubsherethatyou’dbesurprisedatmybeingabletogrow.ShrubsthattheysayonlydowellinDevonandCornwall.”
“I’mafraidIcan’tlayclaimtobeapracticalgardener,”saidHardcastle
McNaughtonlookedathimmuchasanartistlooksatsomeonewhosaystheyknownothingofartbuttheyknowwhattheylike.
“I’mafraidI’vecalledaboutamuchlesspleasantsubject,”Hardcastlesaid.
“Ofcourse.Thisbusinessyesterday.Iwasoutinthegarden,youknow,whenithappened.”
“Indeed?”
“Well,ImeanIwasherewhenthegirlscreamed.”
“Whatdidyoudo?”
“Well,”saidMr.McNaughtonrathersheepishly,“Ididn’tdoanything.AsamatteroffactIthoughtitwasthoseblastedRamsayboys.Alwaysyellingandscreamingandmakinganoise.”
“Butsurelythisscreamdidn’tcomefromquitethesamedirection?”
“Notifthoseblastedboyseverstayedintheirowngarden.Buttheydon’t,youknow.Theygetthroughpeople’sfencesandhedges.TheychasethosewretchedcatsofMrs.Hemming’sallovertheplace.There’snobodytokeepafirmhandonthem,that’sthetrouble.Theirmother’sweakaswater.Ofcourse,whenthere’snomaninthehouse,boysdogetoutofhand.”
“Mr.RamsayisabroadagooddealIunderstand.”
“Constructionengineer,Ibelieve,”saidMr.McNaughtonvaguely.“Alwaysgoingoffsomewhere.Dams,youknow.I’mnotswearing,mydear,”heassuredhiswife.“Imeanjobstodowiththebuildingofdams,orelseit’soilorpipelinesorsomethinglikethat.Idon’treallyknow.HehadtogoofftoSwedenamonthagoatamoment’snotice.Thatlefttheboys’motherwithalottodo—cookingandhouseworkandthat—and,well—ofcoursetheywereboundtorunwild.They’renotbadboys,mindyou,buttheyneeddiscipline.”
“Youyourselfdidn’tseeanything—apartImeanfromhearingthescream?Whenwasthat,bytheway?”
“Noidea,”saidMr.McNaughton.“ItakemywatchoffalwaysbeforeIcomeouthere.Ranthehoseoverittheotherdayandhadquiteajobgettingitrepairedafterwards.Whattimewasit,mydear?Youheardit,didn’tyou?”
“Itmusthavebeenhalfpasttwoperhaps—itwasatleasthalfanhourafterwefinishedlunch.”
“Isee.Whattimedoyoulunch?”
“Halfpastone,”saidMr.McNaughton,“ifwe’relucky.OurDanishgirlhasgotnosenseoftime.”
“Andafterwards—doyouhaveanap?”
“Sometimes.Ididn’ttoday.IwantedtogetonwithwhatIwasdoing.Iwasclearingawayalotofstuff,addingtothecompostheap,andallthat.”
“Wonderfulthing,acompostheap,”saidHardcastle,solemnly.
Mr.McNaughtonbrightenedimmediately.
“Absolutely.Nothinglikeit.Ah!ThenumberofpeopleI’veconverted.Usingallthesechemicalmanures!Suicide!Letmeshowyou.”
HedrewHardcastleeagerlybythearmandtrundlinghisbarrow,wentalongthepathtotheedgeofthefencethatdividedhisgardenfromthatofNo.19.Screenedbylilacbushes,thecompostheapwasdisplayedinitsglory.Mr.McNaughtonwheeledthewheelbarrowtoasmallshedbesideit.Insidetheshedwereseveralnicelyarrangedtools.
“Verytidyyoukeepeverything,”remarkedHardcastle.
“Gottotakecareofyourtools,”saidMcNaughton.
HardcastlewaslookingthoughtfullytowardsNo.19.Ontheothersideofthefencewasarosepergolawhichleduptothesideofthehouse.
“Youdidn’tseeanyoneinthegardenatNumber19orlookingoutofthewindowinthehouse,oranythinglikethatwhileyouwereatyourcompostheap?”
McNaughtonshookhishead.
“Didn’tseeanythingatall,”hesaid.“SorryIcan’thelpyou,Inspector.”
“Youknow,Angus,”saidhiswife,“IbelieveIdidseeafigureskulkinginthegardenof19.”
“Idon’tthinkyoudid,mydear,”saidherhusbandfirmly.“Ididn’t,either.”
“Thatwomanwouldsayshe’dseenanything,”Hardcastlegrowledwhentheywerebackinthecar.
“Youdon’tthinksherecognizedthephotograph?”
Hardcastleshookhishead.“Idoubtit.Shejustwantstothinkshe’sseenhim.Iknowthattypeofwitnessonlytoowell.WhenIpinnedherdowntoit,shecouldn’tgivechapterorverse,couldshe?”
“No.”
“Ofcourseshemayhavesatoppositehiminabusorsomething.I’llallowyouthat.Butifyouaskme,it’swishfulthinking.Whatdoyouthink?”
“Ithinkthesame.”
“Wedidn’tgetmuch,”Hardcastlesighed.“Ofcoursetherearethingsthatseemqueer.Forinstance,itseemsalmostimpossiblethatMrs.Hemming—nomatterhowwrappedupinhercatssheis—shouldknowsolittleaboutherneighbour,MissPebmarsh,asshedoes.Andalsothatsheshouldbesoextremelyvagueanduninterestedinthemurder.”
“Sheisavaguekindofwoman.”
“Scatty!”saidHardcastle.“Whenyoumeetascattywoman—well,fires,burglaries,murderscangoonallroundthemandtheywouldn’tnoticeit.”
“She’sverywellfencedinwithallthatwirenetting,andthatVictorianshrubberydoesn’tleaveyoumuchofaview.”
Theyhadarrivedbackatthepolicestation.Hardcastlegrinnedathisfriendandsaid:
“Well,SergeantLamb,Icanletyougooffdutynow.”
“Nomorevisitstopay?”
“Notjustnow.Imustpayonemorelater,butI’mnottakingyouwithme.”
“Well,thanksforthismorning.Canyougetthesenotesofminetypedup?”Hehandedthemover.“Inquestisthedayaftertomorrowyousaid?Whattime?”
“Eleven.”
“Right.I’llbebackforit.”
“Areyougoingaway?”
“I’vegottogouptoLondontomorrow—makemyreportuptodate.”
“Icanguesswhoto.”
“You’renotallowedtodothat.”
Hardcastlegrinned.
“Givetheoldboymylove.”
“Also,Imaybegoingtoseeaspecialist,”saidColin.
“Aspecialist?Whatfor?What’swrongwithyou?”
“Nothing—barthickheadedness.Idon’tmeanthatkindofaspecialist.Oneinyourline.”
“ScotlandYard?”
“No.Aprivatedetective—afriendofmyDad’s—andafriendofmine.Thisfantasticbusinessofyourswillbejustdownhisstreet.He’llloveit—itwillcheerhimup.I’veanideaheneedscheeringup.”
“What’shisname?”
“HerculePoirot.”
“I’veheardofhim.Ithoughthewasdead.”
“He’snotdead.ButIhaveafeelinghe’sbored.That’sworse.”
Hardcastlelookedathimcuriously.
“You’reanoddfellow,Colin.Youmakesuchunlikelyfriends.”
“Includingyou,”Colinsaid,andgrinned.
Twelve
HavingdismissedColin,InspectorHardcastlelookedattheaddressneatlywritteninhisnotebookandnoddedhishead.Thenheslippedthebookbackinhispocketandstartedtodealwiththeroutinemattersthathadpileduponhisdesk.
Itwasabusydayforhim.Hesentoutforcoffeeandsandwiches,andreceivedreportsfromSergeantCray—nohelpfulleadhadcomeup.NobodyattherailwaystationorbuseshadrecognizedthephotographofMr.Curry.Thelaboratoryreportsonclothingaddeduptonil.Thesuithadbeenmadebyagoodtailor,butthetailor’snamehadbeenremovedFrench—ontheotherhandhisclothesweredefinitelynotFrench.Nolaundrymarkshadhelpedyet.
Hardcastlewasnotimpatient.Identificationwasquiteoftenaslowjob.Butintheend,someonealwayscameforward.Alaundry,adentist,adoctor,alandlady.Thepictureofthedeadmanwouldbecirculatedtopolicestations,wouldbereproducedinnewspapers.Soonerorlater,Mr.Currywouldbeknowninhisrightfulidentity.
Inthemeantimetherewasworktobedone,andnotonlyontheCurrycase.Hardcastleworkedwithoutabreakuntilhalfpastfive.Helookedathiswristwatchagainanddecidedthetimewasripeforthecallhewantedtomake.
SergeantCrayhadreportedthatSheilaWebbhadresumedworkattheCavendishBureau,andthatatfiveo’clockshewouldbeworkingwithProfessorPurdyattheCurlewHotelandthatshewasunlikelytoleavethereuntilwellaftersix.
Whatwastheaunt’snameagain?Lawton—Mrs.Lawton.14,PalmerstonRoad.Hedidnottakeapolicecarbutchosetowalktheshortdistance.
PalmerstonRoadwasagloomystreetthathadknown,asissaid,betterdays.Thehouses,Hardcastlenoted,hadbeenmainlyconvertedintoflatsormaisonettes.Asheturnedthecorner,agirlwhowasapproachinghimalongthesidewalkhesitatedforamoment.Hismindoccupied,theinspectorhadsomemomentaryideathatshewasgoingtoaskhimthewaytosomewhere.However,ifthatwasso,thegirlthoughtbetterofitandresumedherwalkpasthim.Hewonderedwhytheideaofshoescameintohismindsosuddenly.Shoes…No,oneshoe.Thegirl’sfacewasfaintlyfamiliartohim.Whowasitnow—someonehehadseenjustlately…Perhapsshehadrecognizedhimandwasabouttospeaktohim?
Hepausedforamoment,lookingbackafterher.Shewaswalkingquitefastnow.Thetroublewas,hethought,shehadoneofthoseindeterminatefacesthatareveryhardtorecognizeunlessthereissomespecialreasonfordoingso.Blueeyes,faircomplexion,slightlyopenmouth.Mouth.Thatrecalledsomethingalso.Somethingthatshe’dbeendoingwithhermouth?Talking?Puttingonlipstick?No.Hefeltslightlyannoyedwithhimself.Hardcastlepridedhimselfonhisrecognitionoffaces.Heneverforgot,he’dbeenapttosay,afacehehadseeninthedockorinthewitness-box,buttherewereafterallotherplacesofcontact.Hewouldnotbelikelytoremember,forinstance,everywaitresswhohadeverservedhim.Hewouldnotremembereverybusconductress.Hedismissedthematterfromhismind.
HehadarrivednowatNo.14.Thedoorstoodajarandtherewerefourbellswithnamesunderneath.Mrs.Lawton,hesaw,hadaflatonthegroundfloor.Hewentinandpressedthebellonthedoorontheleftofthehall.Itwasafewmomentsbeforeitwasanswered.Finallyheheardstepsinsideandthedoorwasopenedbyatall,thinwomanwithstragglingdarkhairwhohadonanoverallandseemedalittleshortofbreath.Thesmellofonionswaftedalongfromthedirectionofwhatwasobviouslythekitchen.
“Mrs.Lawton?”
“Yes?”Shelookedathimdoubtfully,withslightannoyance.
Shewas,hethought,aboutforty-five.Somethingfaintlygypsyishaboutherappearance.
“Whatisit?”
“Ishouldbegladifyoucouldsparemeamomentortwo.”
“Well,whatabout?I’mreallyratherbusyjustnow.”Sheaddedsharply,“You’renotareporter,areyou?”
“Ofcourse,”saidHardcastle,adoptingasympathetictone,“Iexpectyou’vebeenagooddealworriedbyreporters.”
“Indeedwehave.Knockingatthedoorandringingthebellandaskingallsortsoffoolishquestions.”
“VeryannoyingIknow,”saidtheinspector.“Iwishwecouldspareyouallthat,Mrs.Lawton.IamDetectiveInspectorHardcastle,bytheway,inchargeofthecaseaboutwhichthereportershavebeenannoyingyou.We’dputastoptoagooddealofthatifwecould,butwe’repowerlessinthematter,youknow.ThePresshasitsrights.”
“It’sashametoworryprivatepeopleastheydo,”saidMrs.Lawton,“sayingtheyhavetohavenewsforthepublic.TheonlythingI’veevernoticedaboutthenewsthattheyprintisthatit’satissueofliesfrombeginningtoend.They’llcookupanythingsofarasIcansee.Butcomein.”
Shesteppedbackandtheinspectorpassedoverthedoorstepandsheshutthedoor.Therewereacoupleofletterswhichhadfallenonthemat.Mrs.Lawtonbentforwardtopickthemup,buttheinspectorpolitelyforestalledher.Hiseyessweptoverthemforhalfasecondashehandedthemtoher,addressesuppermost.
“Thankyou.”
Shelaidthemdownonthehalltable.
“Comeintothesittingroom,won’tyou?Atleast—ifyougointhisdoorandgivemejustamoment.Ithinksomething’sboilingover.”
Shebeataspeedyretreattothekitchen.InspectorHardcastletookalastdeliberatelookatthelettersonthehalltable.OnewasaddressedtoMrs.LawtonandthetwootherstoMissR.S.Webb.Hewentintotheroomindicated.Itwasasmallroom,ratheruntidy,shabbilyfurnishedbuthereandthereitdisplayedsomebrightspotofcolourorsomeunusualobject.Anattractive,probablyexpensivepieceofVenetianglassofmouldedcoloursandanabstractshape,twobrightlycolouredvelvetcushionsandanearthenwareplatterofforeignshells.Eithertheauntortheniece,hethought,hadanoriginalstreakinhermakeup.
Mrs.Lawtonreturned,slightlymorebreathlessthanbefore.
“Ithinkthat’llbeallrightnow,”shesaid,ratheruncertainly.
Theinspectorapologizedagain.
“I’msorryifI’vecalledataninconvenienttime,”hesaid,“butIhappenedtobeinthisneighbourhoodandIwantedtocheckoverafewfurtherpointsaboutthisaffairinwhichyourniecewassounfortunatelyconcerned.Ihopeshe’snonetheworseforherexperience?Itmusthavebeenagreatshocktoanygirl.”
“Yes,indeed,”saidMrs.Lawton.“Sheilacamebackinaterriblestate.Butshewasallrightbythismorningandshe’sgonebacktoworkagain.”
“Oh,yes,Iknowthat,”saidtheinspector.“ButIwastoldshewasoutdoingworkforaclientsomewhereandIdidn’twanttointerruptanythingofthatkindsoIthoughtitwouldbebetterifIcameroundhereandtalkedtoherinherownhome.Butshe’snotbackyet,isthatit?”
“She’llprobablyberatherlatethisevening,”saidMrs.Lawton.“She’sworkingforaProfessorPurdyandfromwhatSheilasays,he’samanwithnoideaoftimeatall.Alwayssays‘thiswon’ttakemorethananothertenminutessoIthinkwemightaswellgetitfinished,’andthenofcourseittakesnearertothree-quartersofanhour.He’saverynicemanandmostapologetic.Onceortwicehe’surgedhertostayandhavedinnerandseemedquiteconcernedbecausehe’skepthersomuchlongerthanherealized.Still,itisratherannoyingsometimes.IstheresomethingIcantellyou,Inspector?IncaseSheilaisdelayedalongtime.”
“Well,notreally,”saidtheinspectorsmiling.“Ofcourse,weonlytookdownthebaredetailstheotherdayandI’mnotsurereallywhetherI’veevengotthoseright.”Hemadeashowofconsultinghisnotebookoncemore.“Letmesee.MissSheilaWebb—isthatherfullnameorhassheanotherChristianname?Wehavetohavethesethingsveryexact,youknow,fortherecordsattheinquest.”
“Theinquestisthedayaftertomorrow,isn’tit?Shegotanoticetoattend.”
“Yes,butsheneedn’tletthatworryher,”saidHardcastle.“She’lljusthavetotellherstoryofhowshefoundthebody.”
“Youdon’tknowwhothemanwasyet?”
“No.I’mafraidit’searlydaysforthat.Therewasacardinhispocketandwethoughtatfirsthewassomekindofinsuranceagent.Butitseemsmorelikelynowthatitwasacardhe’dbeengivenbysomeone.Perhapshewascontemplatinginsurancehimself.”
“Oh,Isee,”Mrs.Lawtonlookedvaguelyinterested.
“NowI’lljustgetthesenamesright,”saidtheinspector.“IthinkI’vegotitdownasMissSheilaWebborMissSheilaR.Webb.Ijustcouldn’trememberwhattheothernamewas.WasitRosalie?”
“Rosemary,”saidMrs.Lawton,“shewaschristenedRosemarySheilabutSheilaalwaysthoughtRosemarywasratherfancifulsoshe’snevercalledanythingbutSheila.”
“Isee.”TherewasnothinginHardcastle’stonetoshowthathewaspleasedthatoneofhishuncheshadcomeoutright.Henotedanotherpoint.ThenameRosemaryoccasionednodistressinMrs.Lawton.ToherRosemarywassimplyaChristiannamethatherniecedidnotuse.
“I’vegotitstraightnowallright,”saidtheinspectorsmiling.“IgatherthatyourniececamefromLondonandhasbeenworkingfortheCavendishBureauforthelasttenmonthsorso.Youdon’tknowtheexactdate,Isuppose?”
“Well,really,Icouldn’tsaynow.ItwaslastNovembersometime.IthinkmoretowardstheendofNovember.”
“Quiteso.Itdoesn’treallymatter.ShewasnotlivingwithyouherepreviouslytotakingthejobattheCavendishBureau?”
“No.ShewaslivinginLondonbeforethat.”
“HaveyougotheraddressinLondon?”
“Well,I’vegotitsomewhere,”Mrs.Lawtonlookedroundherwiththevagueexpressionofthehabituallyuntidy.“I’vegotsuchashortmemory,”shesaid.“SomethinglikeAllingtonGrove,Ithinkitwas—outFulhamway.Shesharedaflatwithtwoothergirls.TerriblyexpensiveroomsareinLondonforgirls.”
“Doyourememberthenameofthefirmsheworkedatthere?”
“Oh,yes.HopgoodandTrent.TheywereestateagentsintheFulhamRoad.”
“Thankyou.Wellallthatseemsveryclear.MissWebbisanorphan,Iunderstand?”
“Yes,”saidMrs.Lawton.Shemoveduneasily.Hereyesstrayedtothedoor.“DoyoumindifIjustgointothekitchenagain?”
“Ofcourse.”
Heopenedthedoorforher.Shewentout.HewonderedifhehadbeenrightorwronginthinkingthathislastquestionhadinsomewayperturbedMrs.Lawton.Herreplieshadcomequitereadilyandeasilyuptothen.HethoughtaboutituntilMrs.Lawtonreturned.
“I’msosorry,”shesaid,apologetically,“butyouknowwhatitis—cookingthings.Everything’squiteallrightnow.Wasthereanythingelseyouwanttoaskme?I’veremembered,bytheway,itwasn’tAllingtonGrove.ItwasCarringtonGroveandthenumberwas17.”
“Thankyou,”saidtheinspector.“IthinkIwasaskingyouwhetherMissWebbwasanorphan.”
“Yes,she’sanorphan.Herparentsaredead.”
“Longago?”
“Theydiedwhenshewasachild.”
Therewassomethinglikedefiancejustperceptibleinhertone.
“Wassheyoursister’schildoryourbrother’s?”
“Mysister’s.”
“Ah,yes.AndwhatwasMr.Webb’sprofession?”
Mrs.Lawtonpausedamomentbeforeanswering.Shewasbitingherlips.Thenshesaid,“Idon’tknow.”
“Youdon’tknow?”
“ImeanIdon’tremember,it’ssolongago.”
Hardcastlewaited,knowingthatshewouldspeakagain.Shedid.
“MayIaskwhatallthishasgottodowithit—Imeanwhatdoesitmatterwhoherfatherandmotherwereandwhatherfatherdidandwherehecamefromoranythinglikethat?”
“Isupposeitdoesn’tmatterreally,Mrs.Lawton,notfromyourpointofview,thatis.Butyousee,thecircumstancesareratherunusual.”
“Whatdoyoumean—thecircumstancesareunusual?”
“Well,wehavereasontobelievethatMissWebbwenttothathouseyesterdaybecauseshehadbeenspeciallyaskedforattheCavendishBureaubyname.Itlooksthereforeasthoughsomeonehaddeliberatelyarrangedforhertobethere.Someoneperhaps—”hehesitated“—withagrudgeagainsther.”
“Ican’timaginethatanyonecouldhaveagrudgeagainstSheila.She’saverysweetgirl.Anicefriendlygirl.”
“Yes,”saidHardcastlemildly.“That’swhatIshouldhavethoughtmyself.”
“AndIdon’tliketohearanybodysuggestingthecontrary,”saidMrs.Lawtonbelligerently.
“Exactly.”Hardcastlecontinuedtosmileappeasingly.“Butyoumustrealize,Mrs.Lawton,thatitlooksasthoughyourniecehasbeendeliberatelymadeavictim.Shewasbeing,astheysayonthefilms,putonthespot.Somebodywasarrangingforhertogointoahousewheretherewasadeadman,andthatdeadmanhaddiedveryrecently.Itseemsonthefaceofitamaliciousthingtodo.”
“Youmean—youmeansomeonewastryingtomakeitappearthatSheilakilledhim?Oh,no,Ican’tbelieveit.”
“Itisratherdifficulttobelieve,”agreedtheinspector,“butwe’vegottomakequitesureandclearupthematter.Couldtherebe,forinstance,someyoungman,someoneperhapswhohadfalleninlovewithyourniece,andwhomshe,perhaps,didnotcarefor?Youngmensometimesdosomeverybitterandrevengefulthings,especiallyifthey’reratherill-balanced.”
“Idon’tthinkitcouldbeanythingofthatkind,”saidMrs.Lawton,puckeringhereyesinthoughtandfrowning.“Sheilahashadoneortwoboysshe’sbeenfriendlywith,butthere’sbeennothingserious.Nobodysteadyofanykind.”
“ItmighthavebeenwhileshewaslivinginLondon?”theinspectorsuggested.“Afterall,Idon’tsupposeyouknowverymuchaboutwhatfriendsshehadthere.”
“No,no,perhapsnot…Well,you’llhavetoaskheraboutthatyourself,InspectorHardcastle.ButIneverheardofanytroubleofanykind.”
“Oritmighthavebeenanothergirl,”suggestedHardcastle.“Perhapsoneofthegirlsshesharedroomswiththerewasjealousofher?”
“Isuppose,”saidMrs.Lawtondoubtfully,“thattheremightbeagirlwho’dwanttodoherabadturn.Butnotinvolvingmurder,surely.”
ItwasashrewdappreciationandHardcastlenotedthatMrs.Lawtonwasbynomeansafool.Hesaidquickly:
“Iknowitallsoundsmostunlikely,butthenthiswholebusinessisunlikely.”
“Itmusthavebeensomeonemad,”saidMrs.Lawton.
“Eveninmadness,”saidHardcastle,“there’sadefiniteideabehindthemadness,youknow.Somethingthat’sgivenrisetoit.Andthatreally,”hewenton,“iswhyIwasaskingyouaboutSheilaWebb’sfatherandmother.You’dbesurprisedhowoftenmotivesarisethathavetheirrootsinthepast.SinceMissWebb’sfatherandmotherdiedwhenshewasayoungchild,naturallyshecan’ttellmeanythingaboutthem.That’swhyI’mapplyingtoyou.”
“Yes,Isee,but—well….”
Henotedthatthetroubleanduncertaintywerebackinhervoice.
“Weretheykilledatthesametime,inanaccident,anythinglikethat?”
“No,therewasnoaccident.”
“Theybothdiedfromnaturalcauses?”
“I—well,yes,Imean—Idon’treallyknow.”
“Ithinkyoumustknowalittlemorethanyouaretellingme,Mrs.Lawton.”Hehazardedaguess.“Werethey,perhaps,divorced—somethingofthatkind?”
“No,theyweren’tdivorced.”
“Comenow,Mrs.Lawton.Youknow—youmustknowofwhatyoursisterdied?”
“Idon’tseewhat—Imean,Ican’tsay—it’sallverydifficult.Rakingupthings.It’smuchbetternotrakingthemup.”Therewasakindofdesperateperplexityinherglance.
Hardcastlelookedatherkeenly.Thenhesaidgently,“WasSheilaWebbperhaps—anillegitimatechild?”
Hesawimmediatelyamixtureofconsternationandreliefinherface.
“She’snotmychild,”shesaid.
“Sheisyoursister’sillegitimatechild?”
“Yes.Butshedoesn’tknowitherself.I’venevertoldher.Itoldherherparentsdiedyoung.Sothat’swhy—well,yousee….”
“Oh,yes,Isee,”saidtheinspector,“andIassureyouthatunlesssomethingcomesofthisparticularlineofinquirythereisnoneedformetoquestionMissWebbonthissubject.”
“Youmeanyouneedn’ttellher?”
“Notunlessthereissomerelevancetothecase,which,Imaysay,seemsunlikely.ButIdowantallthefactsthatyouknow,Mrs.Lawton,andIassureyouthatI’lldomybesttokeepwhatyoutellmeentirelybetweenourselves.”
“It’snotanicethingtohappen,”saidMrs.Lawton,“andIwasverydistressedaboutit,Icantellyou.Mysister,yousee,hadalwaysbeenthecleveroneofthefamily.Shewasaschoolteacheranddoingverywell.Highlyrespectedandeverythingelse.Thelastpersonyou’deverthinkwould—”
“Well,”saidtheinspector,tactfully,“itoftenhappensthatway.Shegottoknowthisman—thisWebb—”
“Ineverevenknewwhathisnamewas,”saidMrs.Lawton.“Inevermethim.Butshecametomeandtoldmewhathadhappened.Thatshewasexpectingachildandthatthemancouldn’t,orwouldn’t—Ineverknewwhich—marryher.Shewasambitiousanditwouldhavemeantgivingupherjobifthewholethingcameout.SonaturallyI—IsaidI’dhelp.”
“Whereisyoursisternow,Mrs.Lawton?”
“I’venoidea.Absolutelynoideaatall.”Shewasemphatic.
“She’salive,though.”
“Isupposeso.”
“Butyouhaven’tkeptintouchwithher?”
“That’sthewayshewantedit.Shethoughtitwasbestforthechildandbestforherthatthereshouldbeacleanbreak.Soitwasfixedthatway.Webothhadalittleincomeofourownthatourmotherleftus.Annturnedherhalf-shareovertometobeusedforthechild’sbringingupandkeep.Shewasgoingtocontinuewithherprofession,shesaid,butshewouldchangeschools.Therewassomeidea,Ibelieve,ofayear’sexchangewithateacherabroad.Australiaorsomewhere.That’sallIknow,InspectorHardcastle,andthat’sallIcantellyou.”
Helookedatherthoughtfully.Wasthatreallyallsheknew?Itwasadifficultquestiontoanswerwithanycertainty.Itwascertainlyallthatshemeanttotellhim.Itmightverywellbeallsheknew.Slightasthereferencetothesisterhadbeen,Hardcastlegotanimpressionofaforceful,bitter,angrypersonality.Thesortofwomanwhowasdeterminednottohaveherlifeblastedbyonemistake.Inacoldhardheadedwayshehadprovidedfortheupkeepandpresumablehappinessofherchild.Fromthatmomentonshehadcutherselfadrifttostartlifeagainonherown.
Itwasconceivable,hethought,thatshemightfeellikethataboutthechild.Butwhatabouthersister?Hesaidmildly:
“Itseemsoddthatshedidnotatleastkeepintouchwithyoubyletter,didnotwanttoknowhowthechildwasprogressing?”
Mrs.Lawtonshookherhead.
“NotifyouknewAnn,”shesaid.“Shewasalwaysveryclear-cutinherdecisions.AndthensheandIweren’tveryclose.Iwasyoungerthanshewasbyagooddeal—twelveyears.AsIsay,wewereneververyclose.”
“Andwhatdidyourhusbandfeelaboutthisadoption?”
“Iwasawidowthen,”saidMrs.Lawton.“Imarriedyoungandmyhusbandwaskilledinthewar.Ikeptasmallsweetshopatthetime.”
“Wherewasallthis?NothereinCrowdean.”
“No.WewerelivinginLincolnshireatthetime.Icamehereintheholidaysonce,andIlikeditsomuchthatIsoldtheshopandcameheretolive.Later,whenSheilawasoldenoughtogotoschool,ItookajobinRoscoeandWest,thebigdrapershere,youknow.Istillworkthere.They’reverypleasantpeople.”
“Well,”saidHardcastle,risingtohisfeet,“thankyouverymuch,Mrs.Lawton,foryourfranknessinwhatyouhavetoldme.”
“Andyouwon’tsayawordofittoSheila?”
“Notunlessitshouldbecomenecessary,andthatwouldonlyhappenifsomecircumstancesoutofthepastprovedtohavebeenconnectedwiththismurderat19,WilbrahamCrescent.Andthat,Ithink,isunlikely.”Hetookthephotographfromhispocketwhichhehadbeenshowingtosomanypeople,andshowedittoMrs.Lawton.“You’venoideawhothismancouldbe?”
“They’veshownitmealready,”saidMrs.Lawton.
Shetookitandscrutinizeditearnestly.
“No.I’msure,quitesure,I’veneverseenthismanbefore.Idon’tthinkhebelongedroundhereorImighthaverememberedseeinghimabout.Ofcourse—”shelookedclosely.Shepausedamomentbeforeadding,ratherunexpectedly,“HelooksanicemanIthink.Agentleman,I’dsay,wouldn’tyou?”
Itwasaslightlyoutmodedtermintheinspector’sexperience,yetitfellverynaturallyfromMrs.Lawton’slips.“Broughtupinthecountry,”hethought.“Theystillthinkofthingsthatway.”Helookedatthephotographagainhimselfreflecting,withfaintsurprise,thathehadnotthoughtofthedeadmaninquitethatway.Washeaniceman?Hehadbeenassumingjustthecontrary.Assumingitunconsciouslyperhaps,orinfluencedperhapsbythefactthatthemanhadacardinhispocketwhichboreanameandanaddresswhichwereobviouslyfalse.ButtheexplanationhehadgiventoMrs.Lawtonjustnowmighthavebeenthetrueone.Itmighthavebeenthatthecarddidrepresentsomebogusinsuranceagentwhohadpressedthecarduponthedeadman.Andthat,hethoughtwryly,wouldreallymakethewholethingevenmoredifficult.Heglancedathiswatchagain.
“Imustn’tkeepyoufromyourcookinganylonger,”hesaid,“sinceyournieceisnothomeyet—”
Mrs.Lawtoninturnlookedattheclockonthemantelpiece.“Onlyoneclockinthisroom,thankheaven,”thoughttheinspectortohimself.
“Yes,sheislate,”sheremarked.“Surprisingreally.It’sagoodthingEdnadidn’twait.”
SeeingaslightlypuzzledexpressiononHardcastle’sface,sheexplained.
“It’sjustoneofthegirlsfromtheoffice.ShecameheretoseeSheilathiseveningandshewaitedabitbutafterawhileshesaidshecouldn’twaitanylonger.She’dgotadatewithsomeone.Shesaiditwoulddotomorrow,orsomeothertime.”
Enlightenmentcametotheinspector.Thegirlhehadpassedinthestreet!Heknewnowwhyshe’dmadehimthinkofshoes.Ofcourse.ItwasthegirlwhohadreceivedhimintheCavendishBureauandthegirlwho,whenheleft,hadbeenholdingupashoewithastilettoheeltornoffit,andhadbeendiscussinginunhappypuzzlementhowonearthshewasgoingtogethomelikethat.Anondescriptkindofgirl,heremembered,notveryattractive,suckingsomekindofsweetasshetalked.Shehadrecognizedhimwhenshepassedhiminthestreet,althoughhehadnotrecognizedher.Shehadhesitated,too,asthoughshethoughtofspeakingtohim.Hewonderedratheridlywhatshehadwantedtosay.HadshewantedtoexplainwhyshewascallingonSheilaWebborhadshethoughthewouldexpecthertosaysomething?Heasked:
“Issheagreatfriendofyourniece’s?”
“Well,notparticularly,”saidMrs.Lawton.“Imeantheyworkinthesameofficeandallthat,butshe’sratheradullgirl.NotverybrightandsheandSheilaaren’tparticularfriends.Infact,IwonderedwhyshewassokeentoseeSheilatonight.Shesaiditwassomethingshecouldn’tunderstandandthatshewantedtoaskSheilaaboutit.”
“Shedidn’ttellyouwhatitwas?”
“No,shesaiditwouldkeepanditdidn’tmatter.”
“Isee.Well,Imustbegoing.”
“It’sodd,”saidMrs.Lawton,“thatSheilahasn’ttelephoned.Sheusuallydoesifshe’slate,becausetheprofessorsometimesaskshertostaytodinner.Ah,well,Iexpectshe’llbehereanymomentnow.TherearealotofbusqueuessometimesandtheCurlewHotelisquiteagoodwayalongtheEsplanade.There’snothing—nomessage—youwanttoleaveforSheila?”
“Ithinknot,”saidtheinspector.
Ashewentoutheasked,“Bytheway,whochoseyourniece’sChristiannames,RosemaryandSheila?Yoursisteroryourself?”
“Sheilawasourmother’sname.Rosemarywasmysister’schoice.Funnynametochoosereally.Fanciful.Andyetmysisterwasn’tfancifulorsentimentalinanyway.”
“Well,goodnight,Mrs.Lawton.”
Astheinspectorturnedthecornerfromthegatewayintothestreethethought,“Rosemary—hm…Rosemaryforremembrance.Romanticremembrance?Or—somethingquitedifferent?”
Thirteen
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
IwalkedupCharingCrossRoadandturnedintothemazeofstreetsthattwisttheirwaybetweenNewOxfordStreetandCoventGarden.Allsortsofunsuspectedshopsdidbusinessthere,antiqueshops,adolls’hospital,balletshoes,foreigndelicatessenshops.
Iresistedthelureofthedolls’hospitalwithitsvariouspairsofblueorbrownglasseyes,andcameatlasttomyobjective.ItwasasmalldingybookshopinasidestreetnotfarfromtheBritishMuseum.Ithadtheusualtraysofbooksoutside.Ancientnovels,oldtextbooks,oddsandendsofallkinds,labelled3d.,6d.,1s.,evensomearistocratswhichhadnearlyalltheirpages,andoccasionallyeventheirbindingintact.
Isidledthroughthedoorway.Itwasnecessarytosidlesinceprecariouslyarrangedbooksimpingedmoreandmoreeverydayonthepassagewayfromthestreet.Inside,itwasclearthatthebooksownedtheshopratherthantheotherwayabout.Everywheretheyhadrunwildandtakenpossessionoftheirhabitat,breedingandmultiplyingandclearlylackinganystronghandtokeepthemdown.Thedistancebetweenbookshelveswassonarrowthatyoucouldonlygetalongwithgreatdifficulty.Therewerepilesofbooksperchedoneveryshelfortable.Onastoolinacorner,hemmedinbybooks,wasanoldmaninapork-piehatwithalargeflatfacelikeastuffedfish.Hehadtheairofonewhohasgivenupanunequalstruggle.Hehadattemptedtomasterthebooks,butthebookshadobviouslysucceededinmasteringhim.HewasakindofKingCanuteofthebookworld,retreatingbeforetheadvancingbooktide.Ifheorderedittoretreatitwouldhavebeenwiththesureandhopelesscertaintythatitwouldnotdoso.ThiswasMr.Solomon,proprietoroftheshop.Herecognizedme,hisfishlikestaresoftenedforamomentandhenodded.
“Gotanythinginmyline?”Iasked.
“You’llhavetogoupandsee,Mr.Lamb.Stillonseaweedsandthatstuff?”
“That’sright.”
“Well,youknowwheretheyare.Marinebiology,fossils,Antarctica—secondfloor.Ihadanewparcelindaybeforeyesterday.Istartedtounpack’embutIhaven’tgotroundtoitproperlyyet.You’llfindtheminacornerupthere.”
Inoddedandsidledmywayonwardstowhereasmallratherricketyandverydirtystaircaseledupfromthebackoftheshop.OnthefirstfloorwereOrientalia,artbooks,medicine,andFrenchclassics.Inthisroomwasaratherinterestinglittlecurtainedcornernotknowntothegeneralpublic,butaccessibletoexperts,wherewhatiscalled“odd”or“curious”volumesreposed.Ipassedthemandwentonuptothesecondfloor.
Herearchaeological,naturalhistory,andotherrespectablevolumeswereratherinadequatelysortedintocategories.Isteeredmywaythroughstudentsandelderlycolonelsandclergymen,passedroundtheangleofabookcase,steppedovervariousgapingparcelsofbooksonthefloorandfoundmyfurtherprogressbarredbytwostudentsofoppositesexeslosttotheworldinacloselyknitembrace.Theystoodthereswayingtoandfro.Isaid:
“Excuseme,”pushedthemfirmlyaside,raisedacurtainwhichmaskedadoor,andslippingakeyfrommypocket,turneditinthelockandpassedthrough.IfoundmyselfincongruouslyinakindofvestibulewithcleanlydistemperedwallshungwithprintsofHighlandcattle,andadoorwithahighlypolishedknockeronit.Imanipulatedtheknockerdiscreetlyandthedoorwasopenedbyanelderlywomanwithgreyhair,spectaclesofaparticularlyold-fashionedkind,ablackskirtandaratherunexpectedpeppermint-stripedjumper.
“It’syou,isit?”shesaidwithoutanyotherformofgreeting.“Hewasaskingaboutyouonlyyesterday.Hewasn’tpleased.”Sheshookherheadatme,ratherasanelderlygovernessmightdoatadisappointingchild.“You’llhavetotryanddobetter,”shesaid.
“Oh,comeoffit,Nanny,”Isaid.
“Anddon’tcallmeNanny,”saidthelady.“It’sacheek.I’vetoldyousobefore.”
“It’syourfault,”Isaid.“Youmustn’ttalktomeasifIwereasmallboy.”
“Timeyougrewup.You’dbettergoinandgetitover.”
Shepressedabuzzer,pickedupatelephonefromthedesk,andsaid:
“Mr.Colin…Yes,I’msendinghimin.”Sheputitdownandnoddedtome.
Iwentthroughadoorattheendoftheroomintoanotherroomwhichwassofullofcigarsmokethatitwasdifficulttoseeanythingatall.Aftermysmartingeyeshadcleared,Ibeheldtheampleproportionsofmychiefsittingbackinanaged,derelictgrandfatherchair,bythearmofwhichwasanold-fashionedreadingorwritingdeskonaswivel.
ColonelBecktookoffhisspectacles,pushedasidethereadingdeskonwhichwasavasttomeandlookeddisapprovinglyatme.
“Soit’syouatlast?”hesaid.
“Yes,sir,”Isaid.
“Gotanything?”
“No,sir.”
“Ah!Well,itwon’tdo,Colin,d’youhear?Won’tdo.Crescentsindeed!”
“Istillthink,”Ibegan.
“Allright.Youstillthink.Butwecan’twaitforeverwhileyou’rethinking.”
“I’lladmititwasonlyahunch,”Isaid.
“Noharminthat,”saidColonelBeck.
Hewasacontradictoryman.
“BestjobsI’veeverdonehavebeenhunches.Onlythishunchofyoursdoesn’tseemtobeworkingout.Finishedwiththepubs?”
“Yes,sir.AsItoldyouI’vestartedonCrescents.HousesincrescentsiswhatImean.”
“Ididn’tsupposeyoumeantbakers’shopswithFrenchrollsinthem,though,cometothinkofit,there’snoreasonwhynot.SomeoftheseplacesmakeanabsolutefetishofproducingFrenchcroissantsthataren’treallyFrench.Keep’eminadeepfreezenowadayslikeeverythingelse.That’swhynothingtastesofanythingnowadays.”
Iwaitedtoseewhethertheoldboywouldenlargeuponthistopic.Itwasafavouriteoneofhis.ButseeingthatIwasexpectinghimtodoso,ColonelBeckrefrained.
“Washoutallround?”hedemanded.
“Almost.I’vestillgotalittlewaytogo.”
“Youwantmoretime,isthatit?”
“Iwantmoretime,yes,”Isaid.“ButIdon’twanttomoveontoanotherplacethisminute.There’sbeenakindofcoincidenceanditmight—onlymight—meansomething.”
“Don’twaffle.Givemefacts.”
“Subjectofinvestigation,WilbrahamCrescent.”
“Andyoudrewablank!Ordidn’tyou?”
“I’mnotsure.”
“Defineyourself,defineyourself,boy.”
“ThecoincidenceisthatamanwasmurderedinWilbrahamCrescent.”
“Whowasmurdered?”
“Asyethe’sunknown.Hadacardwithanameandaddressinhispocket,butthatwasbogus.”
“Hm.Yes.Suggestive.Tieupinanyway?”
“Ican’tseethatitdoes,sir,butallthesame….”
“Iknow,Iknow.Allthesame…Well,whathaveyoucomefor?ComeforpermissiontogoonnosingaboutWilbrahamCrescent—whereverthatabsurd-soundingplaceis?”
“It’saplacecalledCrowdean.TenmilesfromPortlebury.”
“Yes,yes.Verygoodlocality.Butwhatareyouherefor?Youdon’tusuallyaskpermission.Yougoyourownpigheadedway,don’tyou?”
“That’sright,sir,I’mafraidIdo.”
“Well,then,whatisit?”
“ThereareacoupleofpeopleIwantvetted.”
WithasighColonelBeckdrewhisreadingdeskbackintoposition,tookaball-penfromhispocket,blewonitandlookedatme.
“Well?”
“HousecalledDianaLodge.Actually,20,WilbrahamCrescent.WomancalledMrs.Hemmingandabouteighteencatslivethere.”
“Diana?Hm,”saidColonelBeck.“Moongoddess!DianaLodge.Right.Whatdoesshedo,thisMrs.Hemming?”
“Nothing,”Isaid,“she’sabsorbedinhercats.”
“Damnedgoodcover,Idaresay,”saidBeckappreciatively.“Certainlycouldbe.Isthatall?”
“No,”Isaid.“There’samancalledRamsay.Livesat62,WilbrahamCrescent.Saidtobeaconstructionengineer,whateverthatis.Goesabroadagooddeal.”
“Ilikethesoundofthat,”saidColonelBeck.“Ilikethesoundofthatverymuch.Youwanttoknowabouthim,doyou?Allright.”
“He’sgotawife,”Isaid.“Quiteanicewife,andtwoobstreperouschildren—boys.”
“Well,hemighthave,”saidColonelBeck.“Ithasbeenknown.YourememberPendleton?Hehadawifeandchildren.Verynicewife.StupidestwomanI’veevercomeacross.Noideainherheadthatherhusbandwasn’tapillarofrespectabilityinorientalbookdealing.Cometothinkofit,nowIremember,PendletonhadaGermanwifeaswell,andacoupleofdaughters.AndhealsohadawifeinSwitzerland.Idon’tknowwhatthewiveswere—hisprivateexcessesorjustcamouflage.He’dsayofcoursethattheywerecamouflage.Well,anyway,youwanttoknowaboutMr.Ramsay.Anythingelse?”
“I’mnotsure.There’sacoupleat63.Retiredprofessor.McNaughtonbyname.Scottish.Elderly.Spendshistimegardening.Noreasontothinkheandhiswifearenotallright—but—”
“Allright.We’llcheck.We’llput’emthroughthemachinetomakesure.Whatareallthesepeople,bytheway?”
“They’repeoplewhosegardensvergeonortouchthegardenofthehousewherethemurderwascommitted.”
“SoundslikeaFrenchexercise,”saidBeck.“Whereisthedeadbodyofmyuncle?Inthegardenofthecousinofmyaunt.WhataboutNumber19itself?”
“Ablindwoman,aformerschoolteacher,livesthere.Sheworksinaninstitutefortheblindandshe’sbeenthoroughlyinvestigatedbythelocalpolice.”
“Livebyherself?”
“Yes.”
“Andwhatisyourideaaboutalltheseotherpeople?”
“Myideais,”Isaid,“thatifamurderwascommittedbyanyoftheseotherpeopleinanyoftheseotherhousesthatIhavementionedtoyou,itwouldbeperfectlyeasy,thoughrisky,toconveythedeadbodyintoNumber19atasuitabletimeofday.It’samerepossibility,that’sall.Andthere’ssomethingI’dliketoshowyou.This.”
BecktooktheearthstainedcoinIheldouttohim.
“ACzechHaller?Wheredidyoufindit?”
“Ididn’t.ButitwasfoundinthebackgardenofNumber19.”
“Interesting.Youmayhavesomethingafterallinyourpersistentfixationoncrescentsandrisingmoons.”Headdedthoughtfully,“There’sapubcalledTheRisingMooninthenextstreettothis.Whydon’tyougoandtryyourluckthere?”
“I’vebeentherealready,”Isaid.
“You’vealwaysgotananswer,haven’tyou?”saidColonelBeck.“Haveacigar?”
Ishookmyhead.“Thankyou—notimetoday.”
“GoingbacktoCrowdean?”
“Yes.There’stheinquesttoattend.”
“Itwillonlybeadjourned.Sureit’snotsomegirlyou’rerunningafterinCrowdean?”
“Certainlynot,”Isaidsharply.
ColonelBeckbegantochuckleunexpectedly.
“Youmindyourstep,myboy!Sexrearingitsuglyheadasusual.Howlonghaveyouknownher?”
“Thereisn’tany—Imean—well—therewasagirlwhodiscoveredthebody.”
“Whatdidshedowhenshediscoveredit?”
“Screamed.”
“Verynicetoo,”saidthecolonel.“Sherushedtoyou,criedonyourshoulderandtoldyouaboutit.Isthatit?”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Isaidcoldly.“Havealookatthese.”
Igavehimaselectionofthepolicephotographs.
“Who’sthis?”demandedColonelBeck.
“Thedeadman.”
“Tentoonethisgirlyou’resokeenaboutkilledhim.Thewholestorysoundsveryfishytome.”
“Youhaven’tevenheardityet,”Isaid.“Ihaven’ttoldittoyou.”
“Idon’tneedtelling,”ColonelBeckwavedhiscigar.“Goawaytoyourinquest,myboy,andlookoutforthatgirl.IshernameDiana,orArtemis,oranythingcrescentyormoonlike?”
“No,itisn’t.”
“Well,rememberthatitmightbe!”
Fourteen
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
IthadbeenquitealongtimesinceIhadvisitedWhitehavenMansions.Someyearsagoithadbeenanoutstandingbuildingofmodernflats.Nowthereweremanyothermoreimposingandevenmoremodernblocksofbuildingsflankingitoneitherside.Inside,Inoted,ithadrecentlyhadaface-lift.Ithadbeenrepaintedinpaleshadesofyellowandgreen.
IwentupintheliftandpressedthebellofNumber203.Itwasopenedtomebythatimpeccablemanservant,George.Asmileofwelcomecametohisface.
“Mr.Colin!It’salongtimesincewe’veseenyouhere.”
“Yes,Iknow.Howareyou,George?”
“Iamingoodhealth,Iamthankfultosay,sir.”
Iloweredmyvoice.“Andhow’she?”
Georgeloweredhisownvoice,thoughthatwashardlynecessarysinceithadbeenpitchedinamostdiscreetkeyfromthebeginningofourconversation.
“Ithink,sir,thatsometimeshegetsalittledepressed.”
Inoddedsympathetically.
“Ifyouwillcomethisway,sir—”Herelievedmeofmyhat.
“Announceme,please,asMr.ColinLamb.”
“Verygood,sir.”Heopenedadoorandspokeinaclearvoice.“Mr.ColinLambtoseeyou,sir.”
HedrewbacktoallowmetopasshimandIwentintotheroom.
Myfriend,HerculePoirot,wassittinginhisusuallarge,squarearmchairinfrontofthefireplace.Inotedthatonebaroftherectangularelectricfireglowedred.ItwasearlySeptember,theweatherwaswarm,butPoirotwasoneofthefirstmentorecognizetheautumnchill,andtotakeprecautionsagainstit.Oneithersideofhimonthefloorwasaneatpileofbooks.Morebooksstoodonthetableathisleftside.Athisrighthandwasacupfromwhichsteamrose.Atisane,Isuspected.Hewasfondoftisanesandoftenurgedthemonme.Theywerenauseatingtotasteandpungenttosmell.
“Don’tgetup,”Isaid,butPoirotwasalreadyonhisfeet.Hecametowardsmeontwinkling,patent-leathershodfeetwithoutstretchedhands.
“Aha,soitisyou,itisyou,myfriend!MyyoungfriendColin.ButwhydoyoucallyourselfbythenameofLamb?Letmethinknow.Thereisaproverborasaying.Somethingaboutmuttondressedaslamb.No.Thatiswhatissaidofelderlyladieswhoaretryingtoappearyoungerthantheyare.Thatdoesnotapplytoyou.Aha,Ihaveit.Youareawolfinsheep’sclothing.Isthatit?”
“Noteventhat,”Isaid.“It’sjustthatinmylineofbusinessIthoughtmyownnamemightberatheramistake,thatitmightbeconnectedtoomuchwithmyoldman.HenceLamb.Short,simple,easilyremembered.Suiting,Iflattermyself,mypersonality.”
“OfthatIcannotbesure,”saidPoirot.“Andhowismygoodfriend,yourfather?”
“Theoldman’sfine,”Isaid.“Verybusywithhisholly-hocks—orisitchrysanthemums?TheseasonsgobysofastIcanneverrememberwhatitisatthemoment.”
“Hebusieshimselfthen,withthehorticulture?”
“Everyoneseemstocometothatintheend,”Isaid.
“Notme,”saidHerculePoirot.“Oncethevegetablemarrows,yes—butneveragain.Ifyouwantthebestflowers,whynotgototheflorist’sshop?IthoughtthegoodSuperintendentwasgoingtowritehismemoirs?”
“Hestarted,”Isaid,“buthefoundthatsomuchwouldhavetobeleftoutthathefinallycametotheconclusionthatwhatwasleftinwouldbesounbearablytameasnottobeworthwriting.”
“Onehastohavethediscretion,yes.Itisunfortunate,”saidPoirot,“becauseyourfathercouldtellsomeveryinterestingthings.Ihavemuchadmirationforhim.Ialwayshad.Youknow,hismethodsweretomeveryinteresting.Hewassostraightforward.Heusedtheobviousasnomanhasuseditbefore.Hewouldsetthetrap,theveryobvioustrapandthepeoplehewishedtocatchwouldsay‘itistooobvious,that.Itcannotbetrue’andsotheyfellintoit!”
Ilaughed.“Well,”Isaid,“it’snotthefashionnowadaysforsonstoadmiretheirfathers.Mostofthemseemtositdown,venomintheirpens,andrememberallthedirtythingstheycanandputthemdownwithobvioussatisfaction.Butpersonally,I’vegotenormousrespectformyoldman.IhopeI’llevenbeasgoodashewas.NotthatI’mexactlyinhislineofbusiness,ofcourse.”
“Butrelatedtoit,”saidPoirot.“Closelyrelatedtoit,thoughyouhavetoworkbehindthescenesinawaythathedidnot.”Hecougheddelicately.“IthinkIamtocongratulateyouonhavinghadaratherspectacularsuccesslately.Isitnotso?TheaffaireLarkin.”
“It’sallrightsofarasitgoes,”Isaid.“Butthere’sagooddealmorethatI’dliketohave,justtorounditoffproperly.Still,thatisn’treallywhatIcameheretotalktoyouabout.”
“Ofcoursenot,ofcoursenot,”saidPoirot.Hewavedmetoachairandofferedmesometisane,whichIinstantlyrefused.
Georgeenteredattheappositemomentwithawhiskydecanter,aglassandasiphonwhichheplacedatmyelbow.
“Andwhatareyoudoingwithyourselfthesedays?”IaskedPoirot.
CastingalookatthevariousbooksaroundhimIsaid:“Itlooksasthoughyouaredoingalittleresearch?”
Poirotsighed.“Youmaycallitthat.Yes,perhapsinawayitistrue.LatelyIhavefeltverybadlytheneedforaproblem.Itdoesnotmatter,Isaidtomyself,whattheproblemis.ItcanbelikethegoodSherlockHolmes,thedepthatwhichtheparsleyhassunkinthebutter.Allthatmattersisthatthereshouldbeaproblem.ItisnotthemusclesIneedtoexercise,yousee,itisthecellsofthebrain.”
“Justaquestionofkeepingfit.Iunderstand.”
“Asyousay.”Hesighed.“Butproblems,moncher,arenotsoeasytocomeby.ItistruethatlastThursdayonepresenteditselftome.Theunwarrantedappearanceofthreepiecesofdriedorangepeelinmyumbrellastand.Howdidtheycomethere?Howcouldtheyhavecomethere?Idonoteatorangesmyself.Georgewouldneverputoldpiecesoforangepeelintheumbrellastand.Norisavisitorlikelytobringwithhimthreepiecesoforangepeel.Yes,itwasquiteaproblem.”
“Andyousolvedit?”
“Isolvedit,”saidPoirot.
Hespokewithmoremelancholythanpride.
“Itwasnotintheendveryinteresting.Aquestionofaremplacementoftheusualcleaningwomanandthenewonebroughtwithher,strictlyagainstorders,oneofherchildren.Althoughitdoesnotsoundinteresting,neverthelessitneededasteadypenetrationoflies,camouflageandalltherestofit.Itwassatisfactory,shallwesay,butnotimportant.”
“Disappointing,”Isuggested.
“Enfin,”saidPoirot,“Iammodest.Butoneshouldnotneedtousearapiertocutthestringofaparcel.”
Ishookmyheadinasolemnmanner.Poirotcontinued,“Ihaveoccupiedmyselfoflateinreadingvariousreallifeunsolvedmysteries.Iapplytothemmyownsolutions.”
“YoumeancasesliketheBravocase,AdelaideBartlettandalltherestofthem?”
“Exactly.Butitwasinawaytooeasy.ThereisnodoubtwhateverinmyownmindastowhomurderedCharlesBravo.Thecompanionmayhavebeeninvolved,butshewascertainlynotthemovingspiritinthematter.Thentherewasthatunfortunateadolescent,ConstanceKent.Thetruemotivethatlaybehindherstranglingofthesmallbrotherwhomsheundoubtedlylovedhasalwaysbeenapuzzle.Butnottome.ItwasclearassoonasIreadaboutthecase.AsforLizzieBorden,onewishesonlythatonecouldputafewnecessaryquestionstovariouspeopleconcerned.Iamfairlysureinmyownmindofwhattheanswerswouldbe.Alas,theyareallbynowdead,Ifear.”
Ithoughttomyself,assooftenbefore,thatmodestywascertainlynotHerculePoirot’sstrongpoint.
“AndwhatdidIdonext?”continuedPoirot.
Iguessedthatforsometimenowhehadhadnoonemuchtotalktoandwasenjoyingthesoundofhisownvoice.
“FromreallifeIturnedtofiction.Youseemeherewithvariousexamplesofcriminalfictionatmyrighthandandmyleft.Ihavebeenworkingbackwards.Here—”hepickedupthevolumethathehadlaidonthearmofhischairwhenIentered,“—here,mydearColin,isTheLeavenworthCase.”Hehandedthebooktome.
“That’sgoingbackquitealongtime,”Isaid.“Ibelievemyfathermentionedthathereaditasaboy.IbelieveIoncereaditmyself.Itmustseemratherold-fashionednow.”
“Itisadmirable,”saidPoirot.“Onesavoursitsperiodatmosphere,itsstudiedanddeliberatemelodrama.ThoserichandlavishdescriptionsofthegoldenbeautyofEleanor,themoonlightbeautyofMary!”
“Imustreaditagain,”Isaid.“I’dforgottenthepartsaboutthebeautifulgirls.”
“Andthereisthemaidservant,Hannah,sotruetotype,andthemurderer,anexcellentpsychologicalstudy.”
IperceivedthatIhadletmyselfinforalecture.Icomposedmyselftolisten.
“ThenwewilltaketheAdventuresofArseneLupin,”Poirotwenton.“Howfantastic,howunreal.Andyetwhatvitalitythereisinthem,whatvigour,whatlife!Theyarepreposterous,buttheyhavepanache.Thereishumour,too.”
HelaiddowntheAdventuresofArseneLupinandpickedupanotherbook.“AndthereisTheMysteryoftheYellowRoom.That—ah,thatisreallyaclassic!Iapproveofitfromstarttofinish.Suchalogicalapproach!Therewerecriticismsofit,Iremember,whichsaidthatitwasunfair.Butitisnotunfair,mydearColin.No,no.Verynearlyso,perhaps,butnotquite.Thereisthehair’sbreadthofdifference.No.Allthroughthereistruth,concealedwithacarefulandcunninguseofwords.Everythingshouldbeclearatthatsuprememomentwhenthemenmeetattheangleofthreecorridors.”Helaiditdownreverently.“Definitelyamasterpiece,and,Igather,almostforgottennowadays.”
Poirotskippedtwentyyearsorso,toapproachtheworksofsomewhatlaterauthors.
“Ihavereadalso,”hesaid,“someoftheearlyworksofMrs.AriadneOliver.Sheisbywayofbeingafriendofmine,andofyours,Ithink.Idonotwhollyapproveofherworks,mindyou.Thehappeningsinthemarehighlyimprobable.Thelongarmofcoincidenceisfartoofreelyemployed.And,beingyoungatthetime,shewasfoolishenoughtomakeherdetectiveaFinn,anditisclearthatsheknowsnothingaboutFinnsorFinlandexceptpossiblytheworksofSibelius.Still,shehasanoriginalhabitofmind,shemakesanoccasionalshrewddeduction,andoflateryearsshehaslearntagooddealaboutthingswhichshedidnotknowbefore.Policeprocedureforinstance.Sheisalsonowalittlemorereliableonthesubjectoffirearms.Whatwasevenmoreneeded,shehaspossiblyacquiredasolicitororabarristerfriendwhohasputherrightoncertainpointsofthelaw.”
HelaidasideMrs.AriadneOliverandpickedupanotherbook.
“NowhereisMr.CyrilQuain.Ah,heisamaster,Mr.Quain,ofthealibi.”
“He’sadeadlydullwriterifIrememberrightly,”Isaid.
“Itistrue,”saidPoirot,“thatnothingparticularlythrillinghappensinhisbooks.Thereisacorpse,ofcourse.Occasionallymorethanone.Butthewholepointisalwaysthealibi,therailwaytimetable,thebusroutes,theplansofthecross-countryroads.IconfessIenjoythisintricate,thiselaborateuseofthealibi.IenjoytryingtocatchMr.CyrilQuainout.”
“AndIsupposeyoualwayssucceed,”Isaid.
Poirotwashonest.
“Notalways,”headmitted.“No,notalways.Ofcourse,afteratimeonerealizesthatonebookofhisisalmostexactlylikeanother.Thealibisresembleeachothereverytime,eventhoughtheyarenotexactlythesame.Youknow,moncherColin,IimaginethisCyrilQuainsittinginhisroom,smokinghispipeasheisrepresentedtodoinhisphotographs,sittingtherewitharoundhimtheA.B.C.s,thecontinentalBradshaws,theairlinebrochures,thetimetablesofeverykind.Eventhemovementsofliners.Saywhatyouwill,Colin,thereisorderandmethodinMr.CyrilQuain.”
HelaidMr.Quaindownandpickedupanotherbook.
“NowhereisMr.GarryGregson,aprodigiouswriterofthrillers.Hehaswrittenatleastsixty-four,Iunderstand.HeisalmosttheexactoppositeofMr.Quain.InMr.Quain’sbooksnothingmuchhappens,inGarryGregson’sfartoomanythingshappen.Theyhappenimplausiblyandinmassconfusion.Theyareallhighlycoloured.Itismelodramastirredupwithastick.Bloodshed—bodies—clues—thrillspiledupandbulgingover.Alllurid,allveryunlikelife.Heisnotquite,asyouwouldsay,mycupoftea.Heis,infact,notacupofteaatall.HeismorelikeoneoftheseAmericancocktailsofthemoreobscurekind,whoseingredientsarehighlysuspect.”
Poirotpaused,sighedandresumedhislecture.“ThenweturntoAmerica.”Hepluckedabookfromtheleft-handpile.“FlorenceElks,now.Thereisorderandmethodthere,colourfulhappenings,yes,butplentyofpointinthem.Gayandalive.Shehaswit,thislady,thoughperhaps,likesomanyAmericanwriters,alittletooobsessedwithdrink.Iam,asyouknow,monami,aconnoisseurofwine.Aclaretoraburgundyintroducedintoastory,withitsvintageanddateproperlyauthenticated,Ialwaysfindpleasing.ButtheexactamountofryeandbourbonthatareconsumedoneveryotherpagebythedetectiveinanAmericanthrillerdonotseemtomeinterestingatall.Whetherhedrinksapintorahalf-pintwhichhetakesfromhiscollardrawerdoesnotseemtomereallytoaffecttheactionofthestoryinanyway.ThisdrinkmotiveinAmericanbooksisverymuchwhatKingCharles’sheadwastopoorMr.Dickwhenhetriedtowritehismemoirs.Impossibletokeepitout.”
“Whataboutthetoughschool?”Iasked.
Poirotwavedasidethetoughschoolmuchashewouldhavewavedanintrudingflyormosquito.
“Violenceforviolence’sake?Sincewhenhasthatbeeninteresting?Ihaveseenplentyofviolenceinmyearlycareerasapoliceofficer.Bah,youmightaswellreadamedicaltextbook.Toutdemême,IgiveAmericancrimefictiononthewholeaprettyhighplace.Ithinkitismoreingenious,moreimaginativethanEnglishwriting.ItislessatmosphericandoverladenwithatmospherethanmostFrenchwriters.NowtakeLouisaO’Malleyforinstance.”
Hedivedoncemoreforabook.
“Whatamodeloffinescholarlywritingishers,yetwhatexcitement,whatmountingapprehensionshearousesinherreader.ThosebrownstonemansionsinNewYork.Enfinwhatisabrownstonemansion—Ihaveneverknown?Thoseexclusiveapartments,andsoulfulsnobberies,andunderneath,deepunsuspectedseamsofcrimeruntheirunchartedcourse.Itcouldhappenso,anditdoeshappenso.Sheisverygood,thisLouisaO’Malley,sheisverygoodindeed.”
Hesighed,leanedback,shookhisheadanddrankofftheremainderofhistisane.
“Andthen—therearealwaystheoldfavourites.”
Againhedivedforabook.
“TheAdventuresofSherlockHolmes,”hemurmuredlovingly,andevenutteredreverentlytheoneword,“Ma?tre!”
“SherlockHolmes?”Iasked.
“Ah,non,non,notSherlockHolmes!Itistheauthor,SirArthurConanDoyle,thatIsalute.ThesetalesofSherlockHolmesareinrealityfarfetched,fulloffallaciesandmostartificiallycontrived.Buttheartofthewriting—ah,thatisentirelydifferent.Thepleasureofthelanguage,thecreationaboveallofthatmagnificentcharacter,Dr.Watson.Ah,thatwasindeedatriumph.”
Hesighedandshookhisheadandmurmured,obviouslybyanaturalassociationofideas:
“CecherHastings.MyfriendHastingsofwhomyouhaveoftenheardmespeak.ItisalongtimesinceIhavehadnewsofhim.WhatanabsurditytogoandburyoneselfinSouthAmerica,wheretheyarealwayshavingrevolutions.”
“That’snotconfinedtoSouthAmerica,”Ipointedout.“They’rehavingrevolutionsallovertheworldnowadays.”
“LetusnotdiscusstheBomb,”saidHerculePoirot.“Ifithastobe,ithastobe,butletusnotdiscussit.”
“Actually,”Isaid,“Icametodiscusssomethingquitedifferentwithyou.”
“Ah!Youareabouttobemarried,isthatit?Iamdelighted,moncher,delighted.”
“Whatonearthputthatinyourhead,Poirot?”Iasked.“Nothingofthekind.”
“Ithappens,”saidPoirot,“ithappenseveryday.”
“Perhaps,”Isaidfirmly,“butnottome.ActuallyIcametotellyouthatI’drunacrossratheraprettylittleprobleminmurder.”
“Indeed?Aprettyprobleminmurder,yousay?Andyouhavebroughtittome.Why?”
“Well—”Iwasslightlyembarrassed.“I—Ithoughtyoumightenjoyit,”Isaid.
Poirotlookedatmethoughtfully.Hecaressedhismoustachewithalovinghand,thenhespoke.
“Amaster,”hesaid,“isoftenkindtohisdog.Hegoesoutandthrowsaballforthedog.Adog,however,isalsocapableofbeingkindtoitsmaster.Adogkillsarabbitoraratandhebringsitandlaysitathismaster’sfeet.Andwhatdoeshedothen?Hewagshistail.”
Ilaughedinspiteofmyself.“AmIwaggingmytail?”
“Ithinkyouare,myfriend.Yes,Ithinkyouare.”
“Allrightthen,”Isaid.“Andwhatdoesmastersay?Doeshewanttoseedoggy’srat?Doeshewanttoknowallaboutit?”
“Ofcourse.Naturally.Itisacrimethatyouthinkwillinterestme.Isthatright?”
“Thewholepointofitis,”Isaid,“thatitjustdoesn’tmakesense.”
“Thatisimpossible,”saidPoirot.“Everythingmakessense.Everything.”
“Well,youtryandmakesenseofthis.Ican’t.Notthatit’sreallyanythingtodowithme.Ijusthappenedtocomeinonit.Mindyou,itmayturnouttobequitestraightforward,oncethedeadmanisidentified.”
“Youaretalkingwithoutmethodororder,”saidPoirotseverely.“Letmebegofyoutoletmehavethefacts.Yousayitisamurder,yes?”
“It’samurderallright,”Iassuredhim.“Well,herewego.”
Idescribedtohimindetailtheeventsthathadtakenplaceat19,WilbrahamCrescent.HerculePoirotleantbackinhischair.Heclosedhiseyesandgentlytappedwithaforefingerthearmofhischairwhilehelistenedtomyrecital.WhenIfinallystopped,hedidnotspeakforamoment.Thenheasked,withoutopeninghiseyes:
“Sansblague?”
“Oh,absolutely,”Isaid.
“Epatant,”saidHerculePoirot.Hesavouredthewordonhistongueandrepeateditsyllablebysyllable.“E-pa-tant.”Afterthathecontinuedhistappingonthearmofhischairandgentlynoddedhishead.
“Well,”Isaidimpatiently,afterwaitingafewmomentsmore.“Whathaveyougottosay?”
“Butwhatdoyouwantmetosay?”
“Iwantyoutogivemethesolution.I’vealwaysunderstoodfromyouthatitwasperfectlypossibletoliebackinone’schair,justthinkaboutitall,andcomeupwiththeanswer.Thatitwasquiteunnecessarytogoandquestionpeopleandrunaboutlookingforclues.”
“ItiswhatIhavealwaysmaintained.”
“Well,I’mcallingyourbluff,”Isaid.“I’vegivenyouthefacts,andnowIwanttheanswer.”
“Justlikethat,hein?Butthenthereisalotmoretobeknown,monami.Weareonlyatthebeginningofthefacts.Isthatnotso?”
“Istillwantyoutocomeupwithsomething.”
“Isee.”Hereflectedamoment.“Onethingiscertain,”hepronounced.“Itmustbeaverysimplecrime.”
“Simple?”Idemandedinsomeastonishment.
“Naturally.”
“Whymustitbesimple?”
“Becauseitappearssocomplex.Ifithasnecessarilytoappearcomplex,itmustbesimple.Youcomprehendthat?”
“Idon’treallyknowthatIdo.”
“Curious,”musedPoirot,“whatyouhavetoldme—Ithink—yes,thereissomethingfamiliartomethere.Nowwhere—when—haveIcomeacrosssomething…”Hepaused.
“Yourmemory,”Isaid,“mustbeonevastreservoirofcrimes.Butyoucan’tpossiblyrememberthemall,canyou?”
“Unfortunatelyno,”saidPoirot,“butfromtimetotimethesereminiscencesarehelpful.Therewasasoapboiler,Iremember,once,atLiège.Hepoisonedhiswifeinordertomarryablondestenographer.Thecrimemadeapattern.Later,muchlater,thatpatternrecurred.Irecognizedit.ThistimeitwasanaffairofakidnappedPekinesedog,butthepatternwasthesame.Ilookedfortheequivalentoftheblondestenographerandthesoapboiler,andvoilà!Thatisthekindofthing.AndhereagaininwhatyouhavetoldmeIhavethatfeelingofrecognition.”
“Clocks?”Isuggestedhopefully.“Bogusinsuranceagents?”
“No,no,”Poirotshookhishead.
“Blindwomen?”
“No,no,no.Donotconfuseme.”
“I’mdisappointedinyou,Poirot,”Isaid.“Ithoughtyou’dgivemetheanswerstraightaway.”
“But,myfriend,atpresentyouhavepresentedmeonlywithapattern.Therearemanymorethingstofindout.Presumablythismanwillbeidentified.Inthatkindofthingthepoliceareexcellent.Theyhavetheircriminalrecords,theycanadvertisetheman’spicture,theyhaveaccesstoalistofmissingpersons,thereisscientificexaminationofthedeadman’sclothing,andsoonandsoon.Oh,yes,thereareahundredotherwaysandmeansattheirdisposal.Undoubtedly,thismanwillbeidentified.”
“Sothere’snothingtodoatthemoment.Isthatwhatyouthink?”
“Thereisalwayssomethingtodo,”saidHerculePoirot,severely.
“Suchas?”
Hewaggedanemphaticforefingeratme.
“Talktotheneighbours,”hesaid.
“I’vedonethat,”Isaid.“IwentwithHardcastlewhenhewasquestioningthem.Theydon’tknowanythinguseful.”
“Ah,tcha,tcha,thatiswhatyouthink.ButIassureyou,thatcannotbeso.Yougotothem,youaskthem:‘Haveyouseenanythingsuspicious?’andtheysayno,andyouthinkthatthatisallthereistoit.ButthatisnotwhatImeanwhenIsaytalktotheneighbours.Isaytalktothem.Letthemtalktoyou.Andfromtheirconversationalways,somewhere,youwillfindaclue.Theymaybetalkingabouttheirgardensortheirpetsortheirhairdressingortheirdressmaker,ortheirfriends,orthekindoffoodtheylike.Alwayssomewheretherewillbeawordthatshedslight.Yousaytherewasnothinginthoseconversationsthatwasuseful.Isaythatcannotbeso.Ifyoucouldrepeatthemtomewordforword….”
“Well,that’spracticallywhatIcando,”Isaid.“Itookshorthandtranscriptsofwhatwassaid,actinginmyroleofassistantpoliceofficer.I’vehadthemtranscribedandtypedandI’vebroughtthemalongtoyou.Heretheyare.”
“Ah,butyouareagoodboy,youareaverygoodboyindeed!Whatyouhavedoneisexactlyright.Exactly.Jevousremercieinfiniment.”
Ifeltquiteembarrassed.
“Haveyouanymoresuggestions?”Iasked.
“Yes,alwaysIhavesuggestions.Thereisthisgirl.Youcantalktothisgirl.Goandseeher.Alreadyyouarefriends,areyounot?Haveyounotclaspedherinyourarmswhensheflewfromthehouseinterror?”
“You’vebeenaffectedbyreadingGarryGregson,”Isaid.“You’vecaughtthemelodramaticstyle.”
“Perhapsyouareright,”Poirotadmitted.“Onegetsinfected,itistrue,bythestyleofaworkthatonehasbeenreading.”
“Asforthegirl—”Isaid,thenpaused.
Poirotlookedatmeinquiringly.
“Yes?”hesaid.
“Ishouldn’tlike—Idon’twant….”
“Ah,sothatisit.Atthebackofyourmindyouthinksheisconcernedsomehowinthiscase.”
“No,Idon’t.Itwasabsolutelypurechancethatshehappenedtobethere.”
“No,no,monami,itwasnotpurechance.Youknowthatverywell.You’vetoldmeso.Shewasaskedforoverthetelephone.Askedforspecially.”
“Butshedoesn’tknowwhy.”
“Youcannotbesurethatshedoesnotknowwhy.Verylikelyshedoesknowwhyandishidingthefact.”
“Idon’tthinkso,”Isaidobstinately.
“Itisevenpossibleyoumayfindoutwhybytalkingtoher,evenifsheherselfdoesnotrealizethetruth.”
“Idon’tseeverywellhow—Imean—Ihardlyknowher.”
HerculePoirotshuthiseyesagain.
“Thereisatime,”hesaid,“inthecourseofanattractionbetweentwopersonsoftheoppositesex,whenthatparticularstatementisboundtobetrue.Sheisanattractivegirl,Isuppose?”
“Well—yes,”Isaid.“Quiteattractive.”
“Youwilltalktoher,”Poirotordered,“becauseyouarealreadyfriends,andyouwillgoagainandseethisblindwomanwithsomeexcuse.Andyouwilltalktoher.Andyouwillgotothetypewritingbureauonthepretenceperhapsofhavingsomemanuscripttyped.Youwillmakefriends,perhaps,withoneoftheotheryoungladieswhoworksthere.Youwilltalktoallthesepeopleandthenyouwillcomeandseemeagainandyouwilltellmeallthethingsthattheywillsay.”
“Havemercy!”Isaid.
“Notatall,”saidPoirot,“youwillenjoyit.”
“Youdon’tseemtorealizethatI’vegotmyownworktodo.”
“Youwillworkallthebetterforhavingacertainamountofrelaxation,”Poirotassuredme.
Igotupandlaughed.
“Well,”Isaid,“you’rethedoctor!Anymorewordsofwisdomforme?Whatdoyoufeelaboutthisstrangebusinessoftheclocks?”
Poirotleanedbackinhischairagainandclosedhiseyes.
Thewordshespokewerequiteunexpected.
“‘Thetimehascome,theWalrussaid,Totalkofmanythings.Ofshoesandshipsandsealingwax,Andcabbagesandkings.AndwhytheseaisboilinghotAndwhetherpigshavewings.’”
Heopenedhiseyesagainandnoddedhishead.
“Doyouunderstand?”hesaid.
“Quotationfrom‘TheWalrusandtheCarpenter,’AliceThroughtheLookingGlass.”
“Exactly.Forthemoment,thatisthebestIcandoforyou,moncher.Reflectuponit.”
Fifteen
Theinquestwaswellattendedbythegeneralpublic.Thrilledbyamurderintheirmidst,Crowdeanturnedoutwitheagerhopesofsensationaldisclosures.Theproceedings,however,wereasdryastheycouldbe.SheilaWebbneednothavedreadedherordeal,itwasoverinacoupleofminutes.
TherehadbeenatelephonemessagetotheCavendishBureaudirectinghertogoto19,WilbrahamCrescent.Shehadgone,actingastoldtodo,byenteringthesittingroom.Shehadfoundthedeadmanthereandhadscreamedandrushedoutofthehousetosummonassistance.Therewerenoquestionsorelaborations.MissMartindale,whoalsogaveevidence,wasquestionedforanevenshortertime.ShehadreceivedamessagepurportingtobefromMissPebmarshaskinghertosendashorthandtypist,preferablyMissSheilaWebb,to19,WilbrahamCrescent,andgivingcertaindirections.Shehadnoteddowntheexacttimeofthetelephonecallas1:49.ThatdisposedofMissMartindale.
MissPebmarsh,callednext,deniedcategoricallythatshehadaskedforanytypisttobesenttoherthatdayfromtheCavendishBureau.DetectiveInspectorHardcastlemadeashortemotionlessstatement.Onreceiptofatelephonecall,hehadgoneto19,WilbrahamCrescentwherehehadfoundthebodyofadeadman.Thecoronerthenaskedhim:
“Haveyoubeenabletoidentifythedeadman?”
“Notasyet,sir.Forthatreason,Iwouldaskforthisinquesttobeadjourned.”
“Quiteso.”
Thencamethemedicalevidence.DoctorRigg,thepolicesurgeon,havingdescribedhimselfandhisqualifications,toldofhisarrivalat19,WilbrahamCrescent,andofhisexaminationofthedeadman.
“Canyougiveusanapproximateideaofthetimeofdeath,Doctor?”
“Iexaminedhimathalfpastthree.Ishouldputthetimeofdeathasbetweenhalfpastoneandhalfpasttwo.”
“Youcannotputitnearerthanthat?”
“Ishouldprefernottodoso.Ataguess,themostlikelytimewouldbetwoo’clockorratherearlier,buttherearemanyfactorswhichhavetobetakenintoaccount.Age,stateofhealth,andsoon.”
“Youperformedanautopsy?”
“Idid.”
“Thecauseofdeath?”
“Themanhadbeenstabbedwithathin,sharpknife.Somethinginthenature,perhaps,ofaFrenchcookingknifewithataperingblade.Thepointoftheknifeentered…”Herethedoctorbecametechnicalasheexplainedtheexactpositionwheretheknifehadenteredtheheart.
“Woulddeathhavebeeninstantaneous?”
“Itwouldhaveoccurredwithinaveryfewminutes.”
“Themanwouldnothavecriedoutorstruggled?”
“Notunderthecircumstancesinwhichhewasstabbed.”
“Willyouexplaintous,Doctor,whatyoumeanbythatphrase?”
“Imadeanexaminationofcertainorgansandmadecertaintests.Iwouldsaythatwhenhewaskilledhewasinastateofcomaduetotheadministrationofadrug.”
“Canyoutelluswhatthisdrugwas,Doctor?”
“Yes.Itwaschloralhydrate.”
“Canyoutellhowthiswasadminstered?”
“Ishouldsaypresumablyinalcoholofsomekind.Theeffectofchloralhydrateisveryrapid.”
“KnownincertainquartersasaMickeyFinn,Ibelieve,”murmuredthecoroner.
“Thatisquitecorrect,”saidDoctorRigg.“Hewoulddrinktheliquidunsuspectingly,andafewmomentslaterhewouldreeloverandfallunconscious.”
“Andhewasstabbed,inyouropinion,whileunconscious?”
“Thatismybelief.Itwouldaccountfortherebeingnosignofastruggleandforhispeacefulappearance.”
“Howlongafterbecomingunconsciouswashekilled?”
“ThatIcannotsaywithanyaccuracy.Thereagainitdependsonthepersonalidiosyncrasyofthevictim.Hewouldcertainlynotcomeroundunderhalfanhouranditmightbeagooddealmorethanthat.”
“Thankyou,DoctorRigg.Haveyouanyevidenceastowhenthismanlasthadameal?”
“Hehadnotlunchedifthatiswhatyoumean.Hehadeatennosolidfoodforatleastfourhours.”
“Thankyou,DoctorRigg.Ithinkthatisall.”
Thecoronerthenlookedroundandsaid:
“Theinquestwillbeadjournedforafortnight,untilSeptember28th.”
Theinquestconcluded,peoplebegantomoveoutofthecourt.EdnaBrentwho,withmostoftheothergirlsattheCavendishBureau,hadbeenpresent,hesitatedasshegotoutsidethedoor.TheCavendishSecretarialBureauhadbeenclosedforthemorning.MaureenWest,oneoftheothergirls,spoketoher.
“Whataboutit,Edna?ShallwegototheBluebirdforlunch?We’vegotheapsoftime.Atanyrate,youhave.”
“Ihaven’tgotanymoretimethanyouhave,”saidEdnainaninjuredvoice.“SandyCattoldmeI’dbettertakethefirstintervalforlunch.Meanofher.IthoughtI’dgetagoodextrahourforshoppingandthings.”
“JustlikeSandyCat,”saidMaureen.“Meanashell,isn’tshe?Weopenupagainattwoandwe’veallgottobethere.Areyoulookingforanyone?”
“OnlySheila.Ididn’tseehercomeout.”
“Shewentawayearlier,”saidMaureen,“aftershe’dfinishedgivingherevidence.Shewentoffwithayoungman—butIdidn’tseewhohewas.Areyoucoming?”
Ednastillhovereduncertainly,andsaid,“Yougoon—I’vegotshoppingtodoanyway.”
Maureenandanothergirlwentofftogether.Ednalingered.Finallyshenervedherselftospeaktothefair-hairedyoungpolicemanwhostoodattheentrance.
“CouldIgoinagain?”shemurmuredtimidly,“andspeakto—totheonewhocametotheoffice—Inspectorsomething.”
“InspectorHardcastle?”
“That’sright.Theonewhowasgivingevidencethismorning.”
“Well—”theyoungpolicemanlookedintothecourtandobservedtheinspectorindeepconsultationwiththecoronerandwiththechiefconstableofthecounty.
“Helooksbusyatthemoment,miss,”hesaid.“Ifyoucalledroundatthestationlater,orifyou’dliketogivemeamessage…Isitanythingimportant?”
“Oh,itdoesn’tmatterreally,”saidEdna.“It’s—well—justthatIdon’tseehowwhatshesaidcouldhavebeentruebecauseImean…”Sheturnedaway,stillfrowningperplexedly.
ShewanderedawayfromtheCornmarketandalongtheHighStreet.Shewasstillfrowningperplexedlyandtryingtothink.ThinkinghadneverbeenEdna’sstrongpoint.Themoreshetriedtogetthingsclearinhermind,themoremuddledhermindbecame.
Onceshesaidaloud:
“Butitcouldn’thavebeenlikethat…Itcouldn’thavebeenlikeshesaid….”
Suddenly,withanairofonemakingaresolution,sheturnedofffromtheHighStreetandalongAlbanyRoadinthedirectionofWilbrahamCrescent.
SincethedaythatthePresshadannouncedthatamurderhadbeencommittedat19,WilbrahamCrescent,largenumbersofpeoplehadgatheredinfrontofthehouseeverydaytohaveagoodlookatit.Thefascinationmerebricksandmortarcanhaveforthegeneralpublicundercertaincircumstancesisatrulymysteriousthing.Forthefirsttwenty-fourhoursapolicemanhadbeenstationedtheretopasspeoplealonginanauthoritativemanner.Sincetheninteresthadlessened;buthadstillnotceasedentirely.Tradesmen’sdeliveryvanswouldslackenspeedalittleastheypassed,womenwheelingpramswouldcometoafourorfiveminutestopontheoppositepavementandstaretheireyesoutastheycontemplatedMissPebmarsh’sneatresidence.Shoppingwomenwithbasketswouldpausewithavideyesandexchangepleasurablegossipwithfriends.
“That’sthehouse—thatonethere….”
“Thebodywasinthesittingroom…No,Ithinkthesittingroom’stheroomatthefront,theoneontheleft….”
“Thegrocer’smantoldmeitwastheoneontheright.”
“Well,ofcourseitmightbe,I’vebeenintoNumber10onceandthere,Idistinctlyrememberthediningroomwasontheright,andthesittingroomwasontheleft….”
“Itdoesn’tlookabitasthoughtherehadbeenamurderdonethere,doesit…?”
“Thegirl,Ibelieve,cameoutofthegatescreamingherheadoff….”
“Theysayshe’snotbeenrightinherheadsince…Terribleshock,ofcourse….”
“Hebrokeinbyabackwindow,sotheysay.Hewasputtingthesilverinabagwhenthisgirlcameinandfoundhimthere….”
“Thepoorwomanwhoownsthehouse,she’sblind,poorsoul.So,ofcourse,shecouldn’tknowwhatwasgoingon.”
“Oh,butshewasn’tthereatthetime….”
“Oh,Ithoughtshewas.Ithoughtshewasupstairsandheardhim.Oh,dear,Imustgetontotheshops.”
Theseandsimilarconversationswentonmostofthetime.Drawnasthoughbyamagnet,themostunlikelypeoplearrivedinWilbrahamCrescent,paused,stared,andthenpassedon,someinnerneedsatisfied.
Here,stillpuzzlinginhermind,EdnaBrentfoundherselfjostlingasmallgroupoffiveorsixpeoplewhowereengagedinthefavouritepastimeoflookingatthemurderhouse.
Edna,alwayssuggestible,staredalso.
Sothatwasthehousewhereithappened!Netcurtainsinthewindows.Lookedeversonice.Andyetamanhadbeenkilledthere.Killedwithakitchenknife.Anordinarykitchenknife.Nearlyeverybodyhadgotakitchenknife….
Mesmerizedbythebehaviourofthepeopleroundher,Edna,too,staredandceasedtothink….
Shehadalmostforgottenwhathadbroughtherhere….
Shestartedwhenavoicespokeinherear.
Sheturnedherheadinsurprisedrecognition.
Sixteen
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
InoticedwhenSheilaWebbslippedquietlyoutoftheCoroner’sCourt.She’dgivenherevidenceverywell.Shehadlookednervousbutnotundulynervous.Justnatural,infact.(WhatwouldBecksay?“Quiteagoodperformance.”Icouldhearhimsayit!)
ItookinthesurprisefinishofDoctorRigg’sevidence.(DickHardcastlehadn’ttoldmethat,buthemusthaveknown)andthenIwentafterher.
“Itwasn’tsobadafterall,wasit?”Isaid,whenIhadcaughtherup.
“No.Itwasquiteeasyreally.Thecoronerwasverynice.”Shehesitated.“Whatwillhappennext?”
“He’lladjourntheinquest—forfurtherevidence.Afortnightprobablyoruntiltheycanidentifythedeadman.”
“Youthinktheywillidentifyhim?”
“Oh,yes,”Isaid.“They’llidentifyhimallright.Nodoubtofthat.”
Sheshivered.“It’scoldtoday.”
Itwasn’tparticularlycold.InfactIthoughtitwasratherwarm.
“Whataboutanearlylunch?”Isuggested.“Youhaven’tgottogobacktoyourtypewritingplace,haveyou?”
“No.It’scloseduntiltwoo’clock.”
“Comealongthen.HowdoyoureacttoChinesefood?Iseethere’salittleChineserestaurantjustdownthestreet.”
Sheilalookedhesitant.
“I’vereallygottodosomeshopping.”
“Youcandoitafterwards.”
“No,Ican’t—someoftheshopsclosebetweenoneandtwo.”
“Allrightthen.Willyoumeetmethere?Inhalfanhour’stime?”
Shesaidshewould.
Iwentalongtotheseafrontandsatthereinashelter.Asthewindwasblowingstraightinfromthesea,Ihadittomyself.
Iwantedtothink.Italwaysinfuriatesonewhenotherpeopleknowmoreaboutyouthanyouknowaboutyourself.ButoldBeckandHerculePoirotandDickHardcastle,theyallhadseenquiteclearlywhatIwasnowforcedtoadmittomyselfwastrue.
Imindedaboutthisgirl—mindedinawayIhadnevermindedaboutagirlbefore.
Itwasn’therbeauty—shewaspretty,prettyinratheranunusualway,nomore.Itwasn’thersexappeal—Ihadmetthatoftenenough—hadbeengiventhefulltreatment.
Itwasjustthat,almostfromthefirst,Ihadrecognizedthatshewasmygirl.
AndIdidn’tknowthefirstdamnedthingabouther!
II
Itwasjustaftertwoo’clockthatIwalkedintothestationandaskedforDick.Ifoundhimathisdeskleafingoverapileofstuff.HelookedupandaskedmewhatIhadthoughtoftheinquest
ItoldhimIthoughtithadbeenaverynicelymanagedandgentlemanlyperformance.
“Wedothissortofthingsowellinthiscountry.”
“Whatdidyouthinkofthemedicalevidence?”
“Ratherafacer.Whydidn’tyoutellmeaboutit?”
“Youwereaway.Didyouconsultyourspecialist?”
“Yes,Idid.”
“IbelieveIrememberhimvaguely.Alotofmoustache.”
“Oceansofit,”Iagreed.“He’sveryproudofthatmoustache.”
“Hemustbequiteold.”
“Oldbutnotgaga,”Isaid.
“Whydidyoureallygotoseehim?Wasitpurelythemilkofhumankindness?”
“Youhavesuchasuspiciouspoliceman’smind,Dick!Itwasmainlythat.ButIadmittocuriosity,too.Iwantedtohearwhathehadtosayaboutourownparticularsetup.Yousee,he’salwaystalkedwhatIcallalotofcockaboutitsbeingeasytosolveacasebyjustsittinginyourchair,bringingthetipsofyourfingerssymmetricallytogether,closingyoureyesandthinking.Iwantedtocallhisbluff.”
“Didhegothroughthatprocedureforyou?”
“Hedid.”
“Andwhatdidhesay?”Dickaskedwithsomecuriosity.
“Hesaid,”Itoldhim,“thatitmustbeaverysimplemurder.”
“Simple,myGod!”saidHardcastle,roused.“Whysimple?”
“AsfarasIcouldgather,”Isaid,“becausethewholesetupwassocomplex.”
Hardcastleshookhishead.“Idon’tseeit,”hesaid.“ItsoundslikeoneofthosecleverthingsthatyoungpeopleinChelseasay,butIdon’tseeit.Anythingelse?”
“Well,hetoldmetotalktotheneighbours.Iassuredhimwehaddoneso.”
“Theneighboursareevenmoreimportantnowinviewofthemedicalevidence.”
“ThepresumptionbeingthathewasdopedsomewhereelseandbroughttoNumber19tobekilled?”
Somethingfamiliaraboutthewordsstruckme.
“That’smoreorlesswhatMrs.What’s-her-name,thecatwoman,said.Itstruckmeatthetimeasaratherinterestingremark.”
“Thosecats,”saidDick,andshuddered.Hewenton:“We’vefoundtheweapon,bytheway.Yesterday.”
“Youhave?Where?”
“Inthecattery.Presumablythrowntherebythemurdererafterthecrime.”
“Nofingerprints,Isuppose?”
“Carefullywiped.Anditcouldbeanybody’sknife—slightlyused—recentlysharpened.”
“Soitgoeslikethis.Hewasdoped—thenbroughttoNumber19—inacar?Orhow?”
“Hecouldhavebeenbroughtfromoneofthehouseswithanadjoininggarden.”
“Bitrisky,wouldn’tithavebeen?”
“Itwouldneedaudacity,”Hardcastleagreed,“anditwouldneedaverygoodknowledgeoftheneighbourhood’shabits.It’smorelikelythathewouldhavebeenbroughtinacar.”
“Thatwouldhavebeenriskytoo.Peoplenoticeacar.”
“Nobodydid.ButIagreethatthemurderercouldn’tknowthattheywouldn’t.PassersbywouldhavenotedacarstoppingatNumber19thatday—”
“Iwonderiftheywouldnotice,”Isaid.“Everyone’ssousedtocars.Unless,ofcourse,ithadbeenaverylushcar—somethingunusual,butthat’snotlikely—”
“Andofcourseitwasthelunchhour.Yourealize,Colin,thatthisbringsMissMillicentPebmarshbackintothepicture?Itseemsfarfetchedtothinkofanable-bodiedmanbeingstabbedbyablindwoman—butifhewasdoped—”
“Inotherwords‘ifhecametheretobekilled,’asourMrs.Hemmingputit,hearrivedbyappointmentquiteunsuspiciously,wasofferedasherryoracocktail—theMickeyFinntookeffectandMissPebmarshgottowork.ThenshewasheduptheMickeyFinnglass,arrangedthebodyneatlyonthefloor,threwtheknifeintoherneighbour’sgarden,andtrippedoutasusual.”
“TelephoningtotheCavendishSecretarialBureauontheway—”
“Andwhyshouldshedothat?AndaskparticularlyforSheilaWebb?”
“Iwishweknew.”Hardcastlelookedatme.“Doessheknow?Thegirlherself?”
“Shesaysnot.”
“Shesaysnot,”Hardcastlerepeatedtonelessly.“I’maskingyouwhatyouthinkaboutit?”
Ididn’tspeakforamomentortwo.WhatdidIthink?Ihadtodeciderightnowonmycourseofaction.Thetruthwouldcomeoutintheend.ItwoulddoSheilanoharmifshewerewhatIbelievedhertobe.
WithabrusquemovementIpulledapostcardoutofmypocketandshoveditacrossthetable.
“Sheilagotthisthroughthepost.”
Hardcastlescannedit.ItwasoneofaseriesofpostcardsofLondonbuildings.ItrepresentedtheCentralCriminalCourt.Hardcastleturneditover.Ontherightwastheaddress—inneatprinting.MissR.S.Webb,14,PalmerstonRoad,Crowdean,Sussex.Ontheleft-handside,alsoprinted,wasthewordREMEMBER!andbelowit4:13.
“4:13,”saidHardcastle.“Thatwasthetimetheclocksshowedthatday.”Heshookhishead.“ApictureoftheOldBailey,theword‘Remember’andatime—4:13.Itmusttieupwithsomething.”
“Shesaysshedoesn’tknowwhatitmeans.”Iadded:“Ibelieveher.”
Hardcastlenodded.
“I’mkeepingthis.Wemaygetsomethingfromit.”
“Ihopeyoudo.”
Therewasembarrassmentbetweenus.Torelieveit,Isaid:
“You’vegotalotofbumfthere.”
“Alltheusual.Andmostofitnodamnedgood.Thedeadmanhadn’tgotacriminalrecord,hisfingerprintsaren’tonfile.Practicallyallthisstuffisfrompeoplewhoclaimtohaverecognizedhim.”Heread:
“‘DearSir,thepicturethatwasinthepaperI’malmostsureisthesameasamanwhowascatchingatrainatWillesdenJunctiontheotherday.Hewasmutteringtohimselfandlookingverywildandexcited,IthoughtwhenIsawhimtheremustbesomethingwrong.’“‘DearSir,Ithinkthismanlooksverylikemyhusband’scousinJohn.HewentabroadtoSouthAfricabutitmaybethathe’scomeback.Hehadamoustachewhenhewentawaybutofcoursehecouldhaveshavedthatoff.’“‘DearSir,Isawthemaninthepaperinatubetrainlastnight.Ithoughtatthetimetherewassomethingpeculiarabouthim.’
“Andofcoursethereareallthewomenwhorecognizehusbands.Womendon’treallyseemtoknowwhattheirhusbandslooklike!Therearehopefulmotherswhorecognizesonstheyhavenotseenfortwentyyears.
“Andhere’sthelistofmissingpersons.Nothingherelikelytohelpus.‘GeorgeBarlow,65,missingfromhome.Hiswifethinkshemusthavelosthismemory.’Andanotebelow:‘Owesalotofmoney.Hasbeenseengoingaboutwithared-hairedwidow.Almostcertaintohavedoneabunk.’
“Nextone:‘ProfessorHargraves,expectedtodeliveralecturelastTuesday.Didnotturnupandsentnowireornoteofexcuse.’”
HardcastledidnotappeartoconsiderProfessorHargravesseriously.
“Thoughtthelecturewastheweekbeforeortheweekafter,”hesaid.“Probablythoughthehadtoldhishousekeeperwherehewasgoingbuthasn’tdoneso.Wegetalotofthat.”
ThebuzzeronHardcastle’stablesounded.Hepickedupthereceiver.
“Yes?…What?…Whofoundher?Didshegivehername?…Isee.Carryon.”Heputdownthereceiveragain.Hisfaceasheturnedtomewasachangedface.Itwasstern,almostvindictive.
“They’vefoundagirldeadinatelephoneboxonWilbrahamCrescent,”hesaid.
“Dead?”Istaredathim.“How?”
“Strangled.Withherownscarf!”
Ifeltsuddenlycold.
“Whatgirl?It’snot—”
Hardcastlelookedatmewithacold,appraisingglancethatIdidn’tlike.
“It’snotyourgirlfriend,”hesaid,“ifthat’swhatyou’reafraidof.Theconstablethereseemstoknowwhosheis.Hesaysshe’sagirlwhoworksinthesameofficeasSheilaWebb.EdnaBrenthernameis.”
“Whofoundher?Theconstable?”
“ShewasfoundbyMissWaterhouse,thewomanfromNumber18.Itseemsshewenttotheboxtomakeatelephonecallasherphonewasoutoforderandfoundthegirltherehuddleddowninaheap.”
Thedooropenedandapoliceconstablesaid:
“DoctorRiggtelephonedthathe’sonhisway,sir.He’llmeetyouatWilbrahamCrescent.”
Seventeen
ItwasanhourandahalflaterandDetectiveInspectorHardcastlesatdownbehindhisdeskandacceptedwithreliefanofficialcupoftea.Hisfacestillhelditsbleak,angrylook.
“Excuseme,sir,Piercewouldlikeawordwithyou.”
Hardcastlerousedhimself.
“Pierce?Oh,allright.Sendhimin.”
Pierceentered,anervous-lookingyoungconstable.
“Excuseme,sir,Ithoughtper’apsasIoughttotellyou.”
“Yes?Tellmewhat?”
“Itwasaftertheinquest,sir.Iwasondutyatthedoor.Thisgirl—thisgirlthat’sbeenkilled.She—shespoketome.”
“Spoketoyou,didshe?Whatdidshesay?”
“Shewantedtohaveawordwithyou,sir.”
Hardcastlesatup,suddenlyalert.
“Shewantedtohaveawordwithme?Didshesaywhy?”
“Notexactly,sir.I’msorry,sir,ifI—ifIoughttohavedonesomethingaboutit.Iaskedherifshecouldgivemeamessageor—orifperhapsshecouldcometothestationlateron.Yousee,youwerebusywiththechiefconstableandthecoronerandIthought—”
“Damn!”saidHardcastle,underhisbreath.“Couldn’tyouhavetoldherjusttowaituntilIwasfree?”
“I’msorry,sir.”Theyoungmanflushed.“IsupposeifI’dknown,Ioughttohavedoneso.ButIdidn’tthinkitwasanythingimportant.Idon’tthinkshethoughtitwasimportant.Itwasjustsomethingshesaidshewasworriedabout.”
“Worried?”saidHardcastle.Hewassilentforquiteaminuteturningoverinhismindcertainfacts.ThiswasthegirlhehadpassedinthestreetwhenhewasgoingtoMrs.Lawton’shouse,thegirlwhohadwantedtoseeSheilaWebb.Thegirlwhohadrecognizedhimasshepassedhimandhadhesitatedamomentasthoughuncertainwhethertostophimornot.She’dhadsomethingonhermind.Yes,thatwasit.Somethingonhermind.He’dslippedup.He’dnotbeenquickenoughontheball.FilledwithhisownpurposeoffindingoutalittlemoreaboutSheilaWebb’sbackground,hehadoverlookedavaluablepoint.Thegirlhadbeenworried?Why?Now,probably,they’dneverknowwhy.
“Goon,Pierce,”hesaid,“tellmeallyoucanremember.”Headdedkindly,forhewasafairman:“Youcouldn’tknowthatitwasimportant.”
Itwasn’t,heknew,anygoodtopassonhisownangerandfrustrationbyblamingitontheboy.Howshouldtheboyhaveknown?Partofhistrainingwastoupholddiscipline,tomakesurethathissuperiorswereonlyaccostedatthepropertimesandintheproperplaces.Ifthegirlhadsaiditwasimportantorurgent,thatwouldhavebeendifferent.Butshehadn’tbeen,hethought,rememberinghisfirstviewofherintheoffice,thatkindofgirl.Aslowthinker.Agirlprobablydistrustfulofherownmentalprocesses.
“Canyourememberexactlywhathappened,andwhatshesaidtoyou,Pierce?”heasked.
Piercewaslookingathimwithakindofeagergratitude.
“Well,sir,shejustcomeuptomewheneveryonewasleavingandshesortofhesitatedamomentandlookedroundjustasthoughshewerelookingforsomeone.Notyou,sir,Idon’tthink.Somebodyelse.Thenshecomeuptomeandsaidcouldshespeaktothepoliceofficer,andshesaidtheonethathadgivenevidence.So,asIsaid,IsawyouwerebusywiththechiefconstablesoIexplainedtoherthatyouwereengagedjustnow,couldshegivemeamessageorcontactyoulateratthestation.AndIthinkshesaidthatwoulddoquitewell.Isaidwasitanythingparticular….”
“Yes?”Hardcastleleanedforward.
“Andshesaidwellnotreally.Itwasjustsomething,shesaid,thatshedidn’tseehowitcouldhavebeenthewayshe’dsaiditwas.”
“Shedidn’tseehowwhatshesaidcouldhavebeenlikethat?”Hardcastlerepeated.
“That’sright,sir.I’mnotsureoftheexactwords.Perhapsitwas:‘Idon’tseehowwhatshesaidcanhavebeentrue.’Shewasfrowningandlookingpuzzled-like.ButwhenIaskedher,shesaiditwasn’treallyimportant.”
Notreallyimportant,thegirlhadsaid.Thesamegirlwhohadbeenfoundnotlongafterwardsstrangledinatelephonebox….
“Wasanybodynearyouatthetimeshewastalkingtoyou?”heasked.
“Well,therewereagoodmanypeople,sir,filingout,youknow.There’dbeenalotofpeopleattendingtheinquest.It’scausedquiteastir,thismurderhas,whatwiththewaythePresshavetakenitupandall.”
“Youdon’trememberanyoneinparticularwhowasnearyouatthetime—anyofthepeoplewho’dgivenevidence,forinstance?”
“I’mafraidIdon’trecallanyoneinparticular,sir.”
“Well,”saidHardcastle,“itcan’tbehelped.Allright,Pierce,ifyourememberanythingfurther,cometomeatoncewithit.”
Leftalonehemadeanefforttosubduehisrisingangerandself-condemnation.Thatgirl,thatrabbity-lookinggirl,hadknownsomething.No,perhapsnotputitashighasknown,butshehadseensomething,heardsomething.Somethingthathadworriedher;andtheworryhadbeenintensifiedafterattendingtheinquest.Whatcouldithavebeen?Somethingintheevidence?Something,inallprobability,inSheilaWebb’sevidence?HadshegonetoSheila’saunt’shousetwodaysbeforeonpurposetoseeSheila?SurelyshecouldhavetalkedtoSheilaattheoffice?Whydidshewanttoseeherprivately?DidsheknowsomethingaboutSheilaWebbthatperplexedher?DidshewanttoaskSheilaforanexplanationofwhateveritwas,somewhereinprivate—notinfrontoftheothergirls?Itlookedthatway.Itcertainlylookedlikeit.
HedismissedPierce.ThenhegaveafewdirectionstoSergeantCray.
“WhatdoyouthinkthegirlwenttoWilbrahamCrescentfor?”SergeantCrayasked.
“I’vebeenwonderingaboutthat,”saidHardcastle.“It’spossible,ofcourse,thatshejustsufferedfromcuriosity—wantedtoseewhattheplacelookedlike.There’snothingunusualaboutthat—halfthepopulationofCrowdeanseemstofeelthesame.”
“Don’tweknowit,”saidSergeantCraywithfeeling.
“Ontheotherhand,”saidHardcastleslowly,“shemayhavegonetoseesomeonewholivedthere….”
WhenSergeantCrayhadgoneoutagain,Hardcastlewrotedownthreenumbersonhisblottingpad.
“20,”hewrote,andputaqueryafterit.Headded:“19?”andthen“18?”Hewrotenamestocorrespond.Hemming,Pebmarsh,Waterhouse.Thethreehousesinthehighercrescentwereoutofit.TovisitoneofthemEdnaBrentwouldnothavegonealongthelowerroadatall.
Hardcastlestudiedthethreepossibilities.
HetookNo.20first.Theknifeusedintheoriginalmurderhadbeenfoundthere.ItseemedmorelikelythattheknifehadbeenthrowntherefromthegardenofNo.19buttheydidn’tknowthatithad.ItcouldhavebeenthrustintotheshrubberybytheownerofNo.20herself.Whenquestioned,Mrs.Hemming’sonlyreactionhadbeenindignation.“Howwickedofsomeonetothrowanastyknifelikethatatmycats!”shehadsaid.HowdidMrs.HemmingconnectupwithEdnaBrent?Shedidn’t,InspectorHardcastledecided.HewentontoconsiderMissPebmarsh.
HadEdnaBrentgonetoWilbrahamCrescenttocallonMissPebmarsh?MissPebmarshhadgivenevidenceattheinquest.HadtherebeensomethinginthatevidencewhichhadarouseddisbeliefinEdna?Butshehadbeenworriedbeforetheinquest.HadshealreadyknownsomethingaboutMissPebmarsh?Hadsheknown,forinstance,thattherewasalinkofsomekindbetweenMissPebmarshandSheilaWebb?ThatwouldfitinwithherwordstoPierce.“Itcouldn’thavebeentruewhatshesaid.”
“Conjecture,allconjecture,”hethoughtangrily.
AndNo.18?MissWaterhousehadfoundthebody.InspectorHardcastlewasprofessionallyprejudicedagainstpeoplewhofoundbodies.Findingthebodyavoidedsomanydifficultiesforamurderer—itsavedthehazardsofarranginganalibi,itaccountedforanyoverlookedfingerprints.Inmanywaysitwasacast-ironposition—withoneprovisoonly.Theremustbenoobviousmotive.TherewascertainlynoapparentmotiveforMissWaterhousetodoawaywithlittleEdnaBrent.MissWaterhousehadnotgivenevidenceattheinquest.Shemighthavebeenthere,though.DidEdnaperhapshavesomereasonforknowing,orbelieving,thatitwasMissWaterhousewhohadimpersonatedMissPebmarshoverthetelephoneandaskedforashorthandtypisttobesenttoNo.19?
Moreconjecture.
Andtherewas,ofcourse,SheilaWebbherself….
Hardcastle’shandwenttothetelephone.HegotontothehotelwhereColinLambwasstaying.PresentlyhegotColinhimselfonthewire.
“Hardcastlehere—whattimewasitwhenyoulunchedwithSheilaWebbtoday?”
TherewasapausebeforeColinanswered:
“Howdoyouknowthatwelunchedtogether?”
“Adamnedgoodguess.Youdid,didn’tyou?”
“Whyshouldn’tIhavelunchwithher?”
“Noreasonatall.I’mmerelyaskingyouthetime.Didyougoofftolunchstraightfromtheinquest?”
“No.Shehadshoppingtodo.WemetattheChineseplaceinMarketStreetatoneo’clock.”
“Isee.”
Hardcastlelookeddownhisnotes.EdnaBrenthaddiedbetween12:30andoneo’clock.
“Don’tyouwanttoknowwhatwehadforlunch?”
“Keepyourhairon.Ijustwantedtheexacttime.Fortherecord.”
“Isee.It’slikethat.”
Therewasapause.Hardcastlesaid,endeavouringtoeasethestrain:
“Ifyou’renotdoinganythingthisevening—”
Theotherinterrupted.
“I’moff.Justpackingup.Ifoundamessagewaitingforme.I’vegottogoabroad.”
“Whenwillyoubeback?”
“That’sanybody’sguess.Aweekatleast—perhapslonger—possiblynever!”
“Badluck—orisn’tit?”
“I’mnotsure,”saidColin,andrangoff.
Eighteen
I
HardcastlearrivedatNo.19,WilbrahamCrescentjustasMissPebmarshwascomingoutofthehouse.
“Excusemeaminute,MissPebmarsh.”
“Oh.Isit—DetectiveInspectorHardcastle?”
“Yes.CanIhaveawordwithyou?”
“Idon’twanttobelateattheInstitute.Willittakelong?”
“Iassureyouonlythreeorfourminutes.”
Shewentintothehouseandhefollowed
“You’veheardwhathappenedthisafternoon?”hesaid.
“Hasanythinghappened?”
“Ithoughtyoumighthaveheard.Agirlwaskilledinthetelephoneboxjustdowntheroad.”
“Killed?When?”
“Twohoursandthreequartersago.”Helookedatthegrandfatherclock.
“I’veheardnothingaboutit.Nothing,”saidMissPebmarsh.Akindofangersoundedmomentarilyinhervoice.Itwasasthoughherdisabilityhadbeenbroughthometoherinsomeparticularlywoundingway.“Agirl—killed!Whatgirl?”
“HernameisEdnaBrentandsheworkedattheCavendishSecretarialBureau.”
“Anothergirlfromthere!Hadshebeensentforlikethisgirl,Sheilawhat’s-her-namewas?”
“Idon’tthinkso,”saidtheinspector.“Shedidnotcometoseeyouhere,atyourhouse?”
“Here?No.Certainlynot.”
“Wouldyouhavebeeninifshehadcomehere?”
“I’mnotsure.Whattimedidyousay?”
“Approximatelytwelvethirtyoralittlelater.”
“Yes,”saidMissPebmarsh.“Iwouldhavebeenhomebythen.”
“Wheredidyougoaftertheinquest?”
“Icamestraightbackhere.”Shepausedandthenasked,“Whydidyouthinkthisgirlmighthavecometoseeme?”
“Well,shehadbeenattheinquestthismorningandshehadseenyouthere,andshemusthavehadsomereasonforcomingtoWilbrahamCrescent.Asfarasweknow,shewasnotacquaintedwithanyoneinthisroad.”
“Butwhyshouldshecometoseemejustbecauseshehadseenmeattheinquest?”
“Well—”theinspectorsmiledalittle,thenhastilytriedtoputthesmileinhisvoiceasherealizedthatMissPebmarshcouldnotappreciateitsdisarmingquality.“Oneneverknowswiththesegirls.Shemightjusthavewantedanautograph.Somethinglikethat.”
“Anautograph!”MissPebmarshsoundedscornful.Thenshesaid,“Yes…Yes,Isupposeyou’reright.Thatsortofthingdoeshappen.”Thensheshookherheadbriskly.“Icanonlyassureyou,InspectorHardcastle,thatitdidnothappentoday.NobodyhasbeenheresinceIcamebackfromtheinquest.”
“Well,thankyou,MissPebmarsh.Wethoughtwehadbettercheckuponeverypossibility.”
“Howoldwasshe?”askedMissPebmarsh.
“Ibelieveshewasnineteen.”
“Nineteen?Veryyoung.”Hervoicechangedslightly.“Veryyoung…Poorchild.Whowouldwanttokillagirlofthatage?”
“Ithappens,”saidHardcastle.
“Wasshepretty—attractive—sexy?”
“No,”saidHardcastle.“Shewouldhavelikedtobe,Ithink,butshewasnot.”
“Thenthatwasnotthereason,”saidMissPebmarsh.Sheshookherheadagain.“I’msorry.MoresorrythanIcansay,InspectorHardcastle,thatIcan’thelpyou.”
Hewentout,impressedashealwayswasimpressed,byMissPebmarsh’spersonality.
II
MissWaterhousewasalsoathome.Shewasalsotruetotype,openingthedoorwithasuddennesswhichdisplayedadesiretotrapsomeonedoingwhattheyshouldnotdo.
“Oh,it’syou!”shesaid.“Really,I’vetoldyourpeopleallIknow.”
“I’msureyou’verepliedtoallthequestionsthatwereaskedyou,”saidHardcastle,“buttheycan’tallbeaskedatonce,youknow.Wehavetogointoafewmoredetails.”
“Idon’tseewhy.Thewholethingwasamostterribleshock,”saidMissWaterhouse,lookingathiminacensoriouswayasthoughithadbeenallhisdoing.“Comein,comein.Youcan’tstandonthematallday.Comeinandsitdownandaskmeanyquestionsyouwantto,thoughreallywhatquestionstherecanbe,Icannotsee.AsItoldyou,Iwentouttomakeatelephonecall.Iopenedthedooroftheboxandtherewasthegirl.Neverhadsuchashockinmylife.Ihurrieddownandgotthepoliceconstable.Andafterthat,incaseyouwanttoknow,IcamebackhereandIgavemyselfamedicinaldoseofbrandy.Medicinal,”saidMissWaterhousefiercely.
“Verywiseofyou,madam,”saidInspectorHardcastle.
“Andthat’sthat,”saidMissWaterhousewithfinality.
“Iwantedtoaskyouifyouwerequitesureyouhadneverseenthisgirlbefore?”
“Mayhaveseenheradozentimes,”saidMissWaterhouse,“butnottoremember.Imean,shemayhaveservedmeinWoolworth’s,orsatnexttomeinabus,orsoldmeticketsinacinema.”
“ShewasashorthandtypistattheCavendishBureau.”
“Idon’tthinkI’veeverhadoccasiontouseashorthandtypist.Perhapssheworkedinmybrother’sofficeatGainsfordandSwettenham.Isthatwhatyou’redrivingat?”
“Oh,no,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“thereappearstobenoconnectionofthatkind.ButIjustwonderedifshe’dcometoseeyouthismorningbeforebeingkilled.”
“Cometoseeme?No,ofcoursenot.Whyshouldshe?”
“Well,thatwewouldn’tknow,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“butyouwouldsay,wouldyou,thatanyonewhosawhercominginatyourgatethismorningwasmistaken?”Helookedatherwithinnocenteyes.
“Somebodysawhercominginatmygate?Nonsense,”saidMissWaterhouse.Shehesitated.“Atleast—”
“Yes?”saidHardcastle,alertthoughhedidnotshowit.
“Well,Isupposeshemayhavepushedaleafletorsomethingthroughthedoor…Therewasaleafletthereatlunchtime.Somethingaboutameetingfornucleardisarmament,Ithink.There’salwayssomethingeveryday.Isupposeconceivablyshemighthavecomeandpushedsomethingthroughtheletterbox;butyoucan’tblamemeforthat,canyou?”
“Ofcoursenot.Nowastoyourtelephonecall—yousayyourowntelephonewasoutoforder.Accordingtotheexchange,thatwasnotso.”
“Exchangeswillsayanything!Idialledandgotamostpeculiarnoise,nottheengagedsignal,soIwentouttothecallbox.”
Hardcastlegotup.
“I’msorry,MissWaterhouse,forbotheringyouinthisway,butthereissomeideathatthisgirldidcometocallonsomeoneinthecrescentandthatshewenttoahousenotveryfarfromhere.”
“Andsoyouhavetoinquireallalongthecrescent,”saidMissWaterhouse.“Ishouldthinkthemostlikelythingisthatshewenttothehousenextdoor—MissPebmarsh’s,Imean.”
“Whyshouldyouconsiderthatthemostlikely?”
“YousaidshewasashorthandtypistandcamefromtheCavendishBureau.Surely,ifIrememberrightly,itwassaidthatMissPebmarshaskedforashorthandtypisttocometoherhousetheotherdaywhenthatmanwaskilled.”
“Itwassaidso,yes,butshedeniedit.”
“Well,ifyouaskme,”saidMissWaterhouse,“notthatanyoneeverlistenstowhatIsayuntilit’stoolate,Ishouldsaythatshe’dgonealittlebatty.MissPebmarsh,Imean.Ithink,perhaps,thatshedoesringupbureauxandaskforshorthandtypiststocome.Then,perhaps,sheforgetsallaboutit.”
“Butyoudon’tthinkthatshewoulddomurder?”
“Ineversuggestedmurderoranythingofthatkind.Iknowamanwaskilledinherhouse,butI’mnotforamomentsuggestingthatMissPebmarshhadanythingtodowithit.No.Ijustthoughtthatshemighthaveoneofthosecuriousfixationslikepeopledo.Iknewawomanoncewhowasalwaysringingupaconfectioner’sandorderingadozenmeringues.Shedidn’twantthem,andwhentheycameshesaidshehadn’torderedthem.Thatsortofthing.”
“Ofcourse,anythingispossible,”saidHardcastle.Hesaidgood-byetoMissWaterhouseandleft.
Hethoughtshe’dhardlydoneherselfjusticebyherlastsuggestion.Ontheotherhand,ifshebelievedthatthegirlhadbeenseenenteringherhouse,andthatthathadinfactbeenthecase,thenthesuggestionthatthegirlhadgonetoNo.19wasquiteanadroitoneunderthecircumstances.
HardcastleglancedathiswatchanddecidedthathehadstilltimetotackletheCavendishSecretarialBureau.Ithad,heknew,beenreopenedattwoo’clockthisafternoon.Hemightgetsomehelpfromthegirlsthere.AndhewouldfindSheilaWebbtheretoo.
III
Oneofthegirlsroseatonceasheenteredtheoffice.
“It’sDetectiveInspectorHardcastle,isn’tit?”shesaid.“MissMartindaleisexpectingyou.”
Sheusheredhimintotheinneroffice.MissMartindaledidnotwaitamomentbeforeattackinghim.
“It’sdisgraceful,InspectorHardcastle,absolutelydisgraceful!Youmustgettothebottomofthis.Youmustgettothebottomofitatonce.Nodilly-dallyingabout.Thepolicearesupposedtogiveprotectionandthatiswhatweneedhereatthisoffice.Protection.IwantprotectionformygirlsandImeantogetit.”
“I’msure,MissMartindale,that—”
“Areyougoingtodenythattwoofmygirls,twoofthem,havebeenvictimized?Thereisclearlysomeirresponsiblepersonaboutwhohasgotsomekindof—whatdotheycallitnowadays—afixtureoracomplex—aboutshorthandtypistsorsecretarialbureaux.Theyaredeliberatelymartyrizingthisinstitute.FirstSheilaWebbwassummonedbyaheartlesstricktofindadeadbody—thekindofthingthatmightsendanervousgirloffherhead—andnowthis.Aperfectlyniceharmlessgirlmurderedinatelephonebox.Youmustgettothebottomofit,Inspector.”
“There’snothingIwantmorethantogettothebottomofit,MissMartindale.I’vecometoseeifyoucangivemeanyhelp.”
“Help!WhathelpcanIgiveyou?DoyouthinkifIhadanyhelp,Iwouldn’thaverushedtoyouwithitbeforenow?You’vegottofindwhokilledthatpoorgirl,Edna,andwhoplayedthatheartlesstrickonSheila.I’mstrictwithmygirls,Inspector,IkeepthemuptotheirworkandIwon’tallowthemtobelateorslipshod.ButIdon’tstandfortheirbeingvictimizedormurdered.Iintendtodefendthem,andIintendtoseethatpeoplewhoarepaidbytheStatetodefendthemdotheirwork.”Sheglaredathimandlookedratherlikeatigressinhumanform.
“Giveustime,MissMartindale,”hesaid.
“Time?Justbecausethatsillychildisdead,Isupposeyouthinkyou’veallthetimeintheworld.Thenextthingthathappenswillbeoneoftheothergirlsismurdered.”
“Idon’tthinkyouneedfearthat,MissMartindale.”
“Idon’tsupposeyouthoughtthisgirlwasgoingtobekilledwhenyougotupthismorning,Inspector.Ifso,you’dhavetakenafewprecautions,Isuppose,tolookafterher.Andwhenoneofmygirlsgetskilledorisputinsometerriblycompromisingposition,you’llbeequallysurprised.Thewholethingisextraordinary,crazy!Youmustadmityourselfit’sacrazysetup.Thatis,ifthethingsonereadsinthepaperweretrue.Allthoseclocksforinstance.Theyweren’tmentionedthismorningattheinquest,Inoticed.”
“Aslittleaspossiblewasmentionedthismorning,MissMartindale.Itwasonlyanadjournedinquest,youknow.”
“AllIsayis,”saidMissMartindale,glaringathimagain,“youmustdosomethingaboutit.”
“Andthere’snothingyoucantellme,nohintEdnamighthavegiventoyou?Shedidn’tappearworriedbyanything,shedidn’tconsultyou?”
“Idon’tsupposeshe’dhaveconsultedmeifshewasworried,”saidMissMartindale.“Butwhathadshetobeworriedabout?”
ThatwasexactlythequestionthatInspectorHardcastlewouldhavelikedtohaveansweredforhim,buthecouldseethatitwasnotlikelythathewouldgettheanswerfromMissMartindale.Insteadhesaid:
“I’dliketotalktoasmanyofyourgirlshereasIcan.IcanseethatitisnotlikelythatEdnaBrentwouldhaveconfidedanyfearsorworriestoyou,butshemighthavespokenofthemtoherfellowemployees.”
“That’spossibleenough,Iexpect,”saidMissMartindale.“Theyspendtheirtimegossiping—thesegirls.Themomenttheyhearmystepinthepassageoutsideallthetypewritersbegintorattle.Butwhathavetheybeendoingjustbefore?Talking.Chat,chat,chitter-chat!”Calmingdownalittle,shesaid,“Thereareonlythreeofthemintheofficeatpresent.Wouldyouliketospeaktothemwhileyou’rehere?Theothersareoutonassignments.Icangiveyoutheirnamesandtheirhomeaddresses,ifyoulike.”
“Thankyou,MissMartindale.”
“Iexpectyou’dliketospeaktothemalone,”saidMissMartindale.“Theywouldn’ttalkasfreelyifIwasstandingtherelookingon.They’dhavetoadmit,yousee,thattheyhadbeengossipingandwastingtheirtime.”
Shegotupfromherseatandopenedthedoorintotheouteroffice.
“Girls,”shesaid,“DetectiveInspectorHardcastlewantstotalkthingsoverwithyou.Youcanstopworkforthemoment.TryandtellhimanythingyouknowthatcanhelphimtofindoutwhokilledEdnaBrent.”
Shewentbackintoherownprivateofficeandshutthedoorfirmly.Threestartledgirlishfaceslookedattheinspector.Hesummedthemupquicklyandsuperficially,butsufficientlytomakeuphismindastothequalityofthematerialwithwhichhewasabouttodeal.Afairsolid-lookinggirlwithspectacles.Dependable,hethought,butnotparticularlybright.Aratherrakish-lookingbrunettewiththekindofhairdothatsuggestedshe’dbeenoutinablizzardlately.Eyesthatnoticedthingshere,perhaps,butprobablyhighlyunreliableinherrecollectionofevents.Everythingwouldbesuitablytouchedup.Thethirdwasaborngigglerwhowould,hewassure,agreewithwhateveranyoneelsesaid.
Hespokequietly,informally.
“Isupposeyou’veallheardwhathashappenedtoEdnaBrentwhoworkedhere?”
Threeheadsnoddedviolently.
“Bytheway,howdidyouhear?”
Theylookedateachotherasiftryingtodecidewhoshouldbespokesman.Bycommonconsentitappearedtobethefairgirl,whosename,itseemed,wasJanet.
“Ednadidn’tcometoworkattwoo’clock,assheshouldhavedone,”sheexplained.
“AndSandyCatwasveryannoyed,”beganthedark-hairedgirl,Maureen,andthenstoppedherself.“MissMartindale,Imean.”
Thethirdgirlgiggled.“SandyCatisjustwhatwecallher,”sheexplained.
“Andnotabadname,”theinspectorthought.
“She’saperfectterrorwhenshelikes,”saidMaureen.“Fairlyjumpsonyou.SheaskedifEdnahadsaidanythingtousaboutnotcomingbacktotheofficethisafternoon,andthatsheoughttohaveatleastsentanexcuse.”
Thefairgirlsaid:“ItoldMissMartindalethatshe’dbeenattheinquestwiththerestofus,butthatwehadn’tseenherafterwardsanddidn’tknowwhereshe’dgone.”
“Thatwastrue,wasit?”askedHardcastle.“You’venoideawhereshedidgowhenshelefttheinquest.”
“Isuggestedsheshouldcomeandhavesomelunchwithme,”saidMaureen,“butsheseemedtohavesomethingonhermind.Shesaidshewasn’tsurethatshe’dbothertohaveanylunch.Justbuysomethingandeatitintheoffice.”
“Soshemeant,then,tocomebacktotheoffice?”
“Oh,yes,ofcourse.Weallknewwe’dgottodothat.”
“HaveanyofyounoticedanythingdifferentaboutEdnaBrenttheselastfewdays?Didsheseemtoyouworriedatall,asthoughshehadsomethingonhermind?Didshetellyouanythingtothateffect?Ifthereisanythingatallyouknow,Imustbegofyoutotellme.”
Theylookedateachotherbutnotinaconspiratorialmanner.Itseemedtobemerelyvagueconjecture.
“Shewasalwaysworriedaboutsomething,”saidMaureen.“Shegetsthingsmuddledup,andmakesmistakes.Shewasabitslowintheuptake.”
“ThingsalwaysseemedtohappentoEdna,”saidthegiggler.“Rememberwhenthatstilettoheelofherscameofftheotherday?JustthesortofthingthatwouldhappentoEdna.”
“Iremember,”saidHardcastle.
Herememberedhowthegirlhadstoodlookingdownruefullyattheshoeinherhand.
“Youknow,IhadafeelingsomethingawfulhadhappenedthisafternoonwhenEdnadidn’tgethereattwoo’clock,”saidJanet.Shenoddedwithasolemnface.
Hardcastlelookedatherwithsomedislike.Healwaysdislikedpeoplewhowerewiseaftertheevent.Hewasquitesurethatthegirlinquestionhadthoughtnothingofthekind.Farmorelikely,hethoughttohimself,thatshehadsaid,“EdnawillcatchitfromSandyCatwhenshedoescomein.”
“Whendidyouhearwhathadhappened?”heaskedagain.
Theylookedateachother.Thegigglerflushedguiltily.HereyesshotsidewaystothedoorintoMissMartindale’sprivateoffice.
“Well,I—er—Ijustslippedoutforaminute,”shesaid.“IwantedsomepastriestotakehomeandIknewthey’dallbegonebythetimeweleft.AndwhenIgottotheshop—it’sonthecornerandtheyknowmequitewellthere—thewomansaid,‘Sheworkedatyourplace,didn’tshe,ducks?’andIsaid,‘Whodoyoumean?’Andthenshesaid,‘Thisgirlthey’vejustfounddeadinatelephonebox.’Oh,itgavemeeversuchaturn!SoIcamerushingbackandItoldtheothersandintheendweallsaidwe’dhavetotellMissMartindaleaboutit,andjustatthatmomentshecamebouncingoutofherofficeandsaidtous,‘Nowwhatareyoudoing?Notasingletypewritergoing.’”
Thefairgirltookupthesaga.
“AndIsaid,‘Reallyit’snotourfault.We’veheardsometerriblenewsaboutEdna,MissMartindale.’”
“AndwhatdidMissMartindalesayordo?”
“Well,shewouldn’tbelieveitatfirst,”saidthebrunette.“Shesaid,‘Nonsense.You’vejustbeenpickingupsomesillygossipinashop.Itmustbesomeothergirl.WhyshoulditbeEdna?’Andshemarchedbackintoherroomandrangupthepolicestationandfoundoutitwastrue.”
“ButIdon’tsee,”saidJanetalmostdreamily,“Idon’tseewhyanyoneshouldwanttokillEdna.”
“It’snotasthoughshehadaboyoranything,”saidthebrunette.
AllthreelookedatHardcastlehopefullyasthoughhecouldgivethemtheanswertotheproblem.Hesighed.Therewasnothinghereforhim.Perhapsoneoftheothergirlsmightbemorehelpful.AndtherewasSheilaWebbherself.
“WereSheilaWebbandEdnaBrentparticularfriends?”heasked.
Theylookedateachothervaguely.
“Notspecial,Idon’tthink.”
“WhereisMissWebb,bytheway?”
HewastoldthatSheilaWebbwasattheCurlewHotel,attendingonProfessorPurdy.
Nineteen
ProfessorPurdysoundedirritatedashebrokeoffdictatingandansweredthetelephone.
“Who?What?Youmeanheisherenow?Well,askhimiftomorrowwilldo?—Oh,verywell—verywell—Tellhimtocomeup.”
“Alwayssomething,”hesaidwithvexation.“Howcanoneeverbeexpectedtodoanyseriousworkwiththeseconstantinterruptions.”HelookedwithmilddispleasureatSheilaWebbandsaid:“Nowwherewerewe,mydear?”
Sheilawasabouttoreplywhentherewasaknockatthedoor.ProfessorPurdybroughthimselfbackwithsomedifficultyfromthechronologicaldifficultiesofapproximatelythreethousandyearsago.
“Yes?”hesaidtestily,“yes,comein,whatisit?ImaysayImentionedparticularlythatIwasnottobedisturbedthisafternoon.”
“I’mverysorry,sir,verysorryindeedthatithasbeennecessarytodoso.Goodevening,MissWebb.”
SheilaWebbhadrisentoherfeet,settingasidehernotebook.Hardcastlewonderedifheonlyfanciedthathesawsuddenapprehensioncomeintohereyes.
“Well,whatisit?”saidtheprofessoragain,sharply.
“IamDetectiveInspectorHardcastle,asMissWebbherewilltellyou.”
“Quite,”saidtheprofessor.“Quite.”
“WhatIreallywantedwasafewwordswithMissWebb.”
“Can’tyouwait?Itisreallymostawkwardatthismoment.Mostawkward.Wewerejustatacriticalpoint.MissWebbwillbedisengagedinaboutaquarterofanhour—oh,well,perhapshalfanhour.Somethinglikethat.Oh,dearme,isitsixo’clockalready?”
“I’mverysorry,ProfessorPurdy,”Hardcastle’stonewasfirm.
“Oh,verywell,verywell.Whatisit—somemotoringoffence,Isuppose?Howveryofficiousthesetrafficwardensare.OneinsistedtheotherdaythatIhadleftmycarfourandahalfhoursataparkingmeter.I’msurethatcouldnotpossiblybeso.”
“It’salittlemoreseriousthanaparkingoffence,sir.”
“Oh,yes.Oh,yes.Andyoudon’thaveacar,doyou,mydear?”HelookedvaguelyatSheilaWebb.“Yes,Iremember,youcomeherebybus.Well,Inspector,whatisit?”
“It’saboutagirlcalledEdnaBrent.”HeturnedtoSheilaWebb.“Iexpectyou’veheardaboutit.”
Shestaredathim.Beautifuleyes.Cornflower-blueeyes.Eyesthatremindedhimofsomeone.
“EdnaBrent,didyousay?”Sheraisedhereyebrows.“Oh,yes,Iknowher,ofcourse.Whatabouther?”
“Iseethenewshasn’tgottoyouyet.Wheredidyoulunch,MissWebb?”
Colourcameupinhercheeks.
“IlunchedwithafriendattheHoTungrestaurant,if—ifit’sreallyanybusinessofyours.”
“Youdidn’tgoonafterwardstotheoffice?”
“TotheCavendishBureau,youmean?IcalledinthereandwastoldithadbeenarrangedthatIwastocomestraightheretoProfessorPurdyathalfpasttwo.”
“That’sright,”saidtheprofessor,noddinghishead.“Halfpasttwo.Andwehavebeenworkinghereeversince.Eversince.Dearme,Ishouldhaveorderedtea.Iamverysorry,MissWebb,I’mafraidyoumusthavemissedhavingyourtea.Youshouldhaveremindedme.”
“Oh,itdidn’tmatter,ProfessorPurdy,itdidn’tmatteratall.”
“Veryremissofme,”saidtheprofessor,“veryremiss.Butthere.Imustn’tinterrupt,sincetheinspectorwantstoaskyousomequestions.”
“Soyoudon’tknowwhat’shappenedtoEdnaBrent?”
“Happenedtoher?”askedSheila,sharply,hervoicerising.“Happenedtoher?Whatdoyoumean?Hasshehadanaccidentorsomething—beenrunover?”
“Verydangerous,allthisspeeding,”putintheprofessor.
“Yes,”saidHardcastle,“something’shappenedtoher.”Hepausedandthensaid,puttingitasbrutallyaspossible,“Shewasstrangledabouthalfpasttwelve,inatelephonebox.”
“Inatelephonebox?”saidtheprofessor,risingtotheoccasionbyshowingsomeinterest.
SheilaWebbsaidnothing.Shestaredathim.Hermouthopenedslightly,hereyeswidened.“Eitherthisisthefirstyou’veheardofitoryou’readamn’goodactress,”thoughtHardcastletohimself.
“Dear,dear,”saidtheprofessor.“Strangledinatelephonebox.Thatseemsveryextraordinarytome.Veryextraordinary.NotthesortofplaceIwouldchoosemyself.Imean,ifIweretodosuchathing.No,indeed.Well,well.Poorgirl.Mostunfortunateforher.”
“Edna—killed!Butwhy?”
“Didyouknow,MissWebb,thatEdnaBrentwasveryanxioustoseeyouthedaybeforeyesterday,thatshecametoyouraunt’shouse,andwaitedforsometimeforyoutocomeback?”
“Myfaultagain,”saidtheprofessorguiltily.“IkeptMissWebbverylatethatevening,Iremember.Verylateindeed.Ireallystillfeelveryapologeticaboutit.Youmustalwaysremindmeofthetime,mydear.Youreallymust.”
“Myaunttoldmeaboutthat,”saidSheila,“butIdidn’tknowitwasanythingspecial.Wasit?WasEdnaintroubleofanykind?”
“Wedon’tknow,”saidtheinspector.“Weprobablynevershallknow.Unlessyoucantellus?”
“Itellyou?HowshouldIknow?”
“Youmighthavehadsomeidea,perhaps,ofwhatEdnaBrentwantedtoseeyouabout?”
Sheshookherhead.“I’venoidea,noideaatall.”
“Hasn’tshehintedanythingtoyou,spokentoyouintheofficeatallaboutwhateverthetroublewas?”
“No.No,indeedshehasn’t—hadn’t—Iwasn’tattheofficeatallyesterday.IhadtogoovertoLandisBaytooneofourauthorsforthewholeday.”
“Youdidn’tthinkthatshe’dbeenworriedlately?”
“Well,Ednaalwayslookedworriedorpuzzled.Shehadavery—whatshallIsay—diffident,uncertainkindofmind.Imean,shewasneverquitesurethatwhatshethoughtofdoingwastherightthingornot.ShemissedouttwowholepagesintypingArmandLevine’sbookonceandshewasterriblyworriedaboutwhattodothen,becauseshe’dsentitofftohimbeforesherealizedwhathadhappened.”
“Isee.Andsheaskedyouallyouradviceastowhatsheshoulddoaboutit?”
“Yes.Itoldhershe’dbetterwriteanotetohimquicklybecausepeopledon’talwaysstartreadingtheirtypescriptatonceforcorrection.ShecouldwriteandsaywhathadhappenedandaskhimnottocomplaintoMissMartindale.Butshesaidshedidn’tquiteliketodothat.”
“Sheusuallycameandaskedforadvicewhenoneoftheseproblemsarose?”
“Oh,yes,always.Butthetroublewas,ofcourse,thatwedidn’talwaysallagreeastowhatsheshoulddo.Thenshegotpuzzledagain.”
“Soitwouldbequitenaturalthatsheshouldcometooneofyouifshehadaproblem?Ithappenedquitefrequently?”
“Yes.Yes,itdid.”
“Youdon’tthinkitmighthavebeensomethingmoreseriousthistime?”
“Idon’tsupposeso.Whatsortofseriousthingcoulditbe?”
WasSheilaWebb,theinspectorwondered,quiteasmuchateaseasshetriedtoappear?”
“Idon’tknowwhatshewantedtotalktomeabout,”shewenton,speakingfasterandratherbreathlessly.“I’venoidea.AndIcertainlycan’timaginewhyshewantedtocomeouttomyaunt’shouseandspeaktomethere.”
“Itwouldseem,wouldn’tit,thatitwassomethingshedidnotwanttospeaktoyouaboutattheCavendishBureau?Beforetheothergirls,shallwesay?Something,perhaps,thatshefeltoughttobekeptprivatebetweenyouandher.Couldthathavebeenthecase?”
“Ithinkit’sveryunlikely.I’msureitcouldn’thavebeenatalllikethat.”Herbreathcamequickly.
“Soyoucan’thelpme,MissWebb?”
“No.I’msorry.I’mverysorryaboutEdna,butIdon’tknowanythingthatcouldhelpyou.”
“Nothingthatmighthaveaconnectionoratie-upwithwhathappenedonthe9thofSeptember?”
“Youmean—thatman—thatmaninWilbrahamCrescent?”
“That’swhatImean.”
“Howcouldithavebeen?WhatcouldEdnahaveknownaboutthat?”
“Nothingveryimportant,perhaps,”saidtheinspector,“butsomething.Andanythingwouldhelp.Anything,howeversmall.”Hepaused.“ThetelephoneboxwhereshewaskilledwasinWilbrahamCrescent.Doesthatconveyanythingtoyou,MissWebb?”
“Nothingatall.”
“WereyouyourselfinWilbrahamCrescenttoday?”
“No,Iwasn’t,”shesaidvehemently.“Ineverwentnearit.I’mbeginningtofeelthatit’sahorribleplace.IwishI’dnevergonethereinthefirstplace,IwishI’dnevergotmixedupinallthis.Whydidtheysendforme,askformespecially,thatday?WhydidEdnahavetogetkillednearthere?Youmustfindout,Inspector,youmust,youmust!”
“Wemeantofindout,MissWebb,”theinspectorsaid.Therewasafaintmenaceinhisvoiceashewenton:“Icanassureyouofthat.”
“You’retrembling,mydear,”saidProfessorPurdy.“Ithink,Ireallydothinkthatyououghttohaveaglassofsherry.”
Twenty
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
IreportedtoBeckassoonasIgottoLondon.
Hewavedhiscigaratme.
“Theremighthavebeensomethinginthatidioticcrescentideaofyoursafterall,”heallowed.
“I’veturnedupsomethingatlast,haveI?”
“Iwon’tgoasfarasthat,butI’lljustsaythatyoumayhave.Ourconstructionengineer,Mr.Ramsayof62,WilbrahamCrescent,isnotallheseems.Someverycuriousassignmentshe’stakenonlately.Genuinefirms,butfirmswithoutmuchbackhistory,andwhathistorytheyhave,ratherapeculiarone.Ramsaywentoffataminute’snoticeaboutfiveweeksago.HewenttoRumania.”
“That’snotwhathetoldhiswife.”
“Possiblynot,butthat’swherehewent.Andthat’swhereheisnow.We’dliketoknowabitmoreabouthim.Soyoucanstiryourstumps,mylad,andgetgoing.I’vegotallthevisasreadyforyou,andanicenewpassport.NigelTrenchitwillbethistime.RubupyourknowledgeofrareplantsintheBalkans.You’reabotanist.”
“Anyspecialinstructions?”
“No.We’llgiveyouyourcontactwhenyoupickupyourpapers.FindoutallyoucanaboutourMr.Ramsay.”Helookedatmekeenly.“Youdon’tsoundaspleasedasyoumightbe.”Hepeeredthroughthecigarsmoke.
“It’salwayspleasantwhenahunchpaysoff,”Isaidevasively.
“RightCrescent,wrongnumber.61isoccupiedbyaperfectlyblamelessbuilder.Blamelessinoursense,thatis.PooroldHanburygotthenumberwrong,buthewasn’tfaroff.”
“Haveyouvettedtheothers?OronlyRamsay?”
“DianaLodgeseemstobeaspureasDiana.Alonghistoryofcats.McNaughtonwasvaguelyinteresting.He’saretiredprofessor,asyouknow.Mathematics.Quitebrilliant,itseems.ResignedhisChairquitesuddenlyonthegroundsofill-health.Isupposethatmaybetrue—butheseemsquitehaleandhearty.Heseemstohavecuthimselfofffromallhisoldfriends,whichisratherodd.”
“Thetroubleis,”Isaid,“thatwegettothinkingthateverythingthateverybodydoesishighlysuspicious.”
“Youmayhavegotsomethingthere,”saidColonelBeck.“TherearetimeswhenIsuspectyou,Colin,ofhavingchangedovertotheotherside.TherearetimeswhenIsuspectmyselfofhavingchangedovertotheotherside,andthenhavingchangedbackagaintothisone!Allajollymix-up.”
Myplaneleftattenp.m.IwenttoseeHerculePoirotfirst.Thistimehewasdrinkingasiropdecassis(Blackcurranttoyouandme).Heofferedmesome.Irefused.Georgebroughtmewhisky.Everythingasusual.
“Youlookdepressed,”saidPoirot.
“Notatall.I’mjustoffabroad.”
Helookedatme.Inodded.
“Soitislikethat?”
“Yes,itislikethat.”
“Iwishyouallsuccess.”
“Thankyou.Andwhataboutyou,Poirot,howareyougettingalongwithyourhomework?”
“Pardon?”
“WhatabouttheCrowdeanClocksMurder—Haveyouleanedback,closedyoureyesandcomeupwithalltheanswers?”
“Ihavereadwhatyouleftherewithgreatinterest,”saidPoirot.
“Notmuchthere,wasthere?Itoldyoutheseparticularneighbourswereawash-out—”
“Onthecontrary.Inthecaseofatleasttwoofthesepeopleveryilluminatingremarksweremade—”
“Whichofthem?Andwhatweretheremarks?”
PoirottoldmeinanirritatingfashionthatImustreadmynotescarefully.
“Youwillseeforyourselfthen—Itleapstotheeye.Thethingtodonowistotalktomoreneighbours.”
“Therearen’tanymore.”
“Theremustbe.Somebodyhasalwaysseensomething.Itisanaxiom.”
“Itmaybeanaxiombutitisn’tsointhiscase.AndI’vegotfurtherdetailsforyou.Therehasbeenanothermurder.”
“Indeed?Sosoon?Thatisinteresting.Tellme.”
Itoldhim.Hequestionedmecloselyuntilhegoteverysingledetailoutofme.Itoldhim,too,ofthepostcardIhadpassedontoHardcastle.
“Remember—fouronethree—orfourthirteen,”herepeated.“Yes—itisthesamepattern.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
Poirotclosedhiseyes.
“Thatpostcardlacksonlyonething,afingerprintdippedinblood.”
Ilookedathimdoubtfully.
“Whatdoyoureallythinkofthisbusiness?”
“Itgrowsmuchclearer—asusual,themurderercannotletwellalone.”
“Butwho’sthemurderer?”
Poirotcraftilydidnotreplytothat.
“Whilstyouareaway,youpermitthatImakeafewresearches?”
“Suchas?”
“TomorrowIshallinstructMissLemontowritealettertoanoldlawyerfriendofmine,Mr.Enderby.IshallaskhertoconsultthemarriagerecordsatSomersetHouse.Shewillalsosendformeacertainoverseascable.”
“I’mnotsurethat’sfair,”Iobjected.“You’renotjustsittingandthinking.”
“ThatisexactlywhatIamdoing!WhatMissLemonistodo,istoverifyformetheanswersthatIhavealreadyarrivedat.Iasknotforinformation,butforconfirmation.”
“Idon’tbelieveyouknowathing,Poirot!Thisisallbluff.Why,nobodyknowsyetwhothedeadmanis—”
“Iknow.”
“What’shisname?”
“Ihavenoidea.Hisnameisnotimportant.Iknow,ifyoucanunderstand,notwhoheisbutwhoheis.”
“Ablackmailer?”
Poirotclosedhiseyes.
“Aprivatedetective?”
Poirotopenedhiseyes.
“Isaytoyoualittlequotation.AsIdidlasttime.AndafterthatIsaynomore.”
Herecitedwiththeutmostsolemnity:
“Dilly,dilly,dilly—Comeandbekilled.”
Twenty-one
DetectiveInspectorHardcastlelookedatthecalendaronhisdesk.20thSeptember.Justovertendays.Theyhadn’tbeenabletomakeasmuchprogressashewouldhavelikedbecausetheywereheldupwiththatinitialdifficulty:theidentificationofadeadbody.Ithadtakenlongerthanhewouldhavethoughtpossible.Alltheleadsseemedtohavepeteredout,failed.Thelaboratoryexaminationoftheclotheshadbroughtinnothingparticularlyhelpful.Theclothesthemselveshadyieldednoclues.Theyweregoodqualityclothes,exportquality,notnewbutwellcaredfor.Dentistshadnothelped,norlaundries,norcleaners.Thedeadmanremaineda“mysteryman!”Andyet,Hardcastlefelt,hephotographwiththecaptionbelowit:DOYOUKNOWTHISMAN?Astonishingtheamountofpeoplewhothoughttheydidknowthisman.Daughterswhowroteinahopefulveinoffathersfromwhomthey’dbeenestrangedforyears.Anoldwomanofninetywassurethatthephotographinquestionwashersonwhohadlefthomethirtyyearsago.Innumerablewiveshadbeensurethatitwasamissinghusband.Sistershadnotbeenquitesoanxioustoclaimbrothers.Sisters,perhaps,werelesshopefulthinkers.And,ofcourse,therewerevastnumbersofpeoplewhohadseenthatverymaninLincolnshire,Newcastle,Devon,London,onatube,inabus,lurkingonapier,lookingsinisteratthecornerofaroad,tryingtohidehisfaceashecameoutofthecinema.Hundredsofleads,themorepromisingofthempatientlyfollowedupandnotyieldinganything.
Buttoday,theinspectorfeltslightlymorehopeful.Helookedagainattheletteronhisdesk.MerlinaRival.Hedidn’tliketheChristiannameverymuch.Nobodyintheirsenses,hethought,couldchristenachildMerlina.Nodoubtitwasafancynameadoptedbytheladyherself.Buthelikedthefeeloftheletter.Itwasnotextravagantoroverconfident.Itmerelysaidthatthewriterthoughtitpossiblethatthemaninquestionwasherhusbandfromwhomshehadpartedseveralyearsago.Shewasduethismorning.HepressedhisbuzzerandSergeantCraycamein.
“ThatMrs.Rivalnotarrivedyet?”
“Justcomethisminute,”saidCray.“Iwascomingtotellyou.”
“What’sshelike?”
“Bittheatrical-looking,”saidCray,afterreflectingamoment.“Lotsofmakeup—notverygoodmakeup.Fairlyreliablesortofwomanonthewhole,Ishouldsay.”
“Didsheseemupset?”
“No.Notnoticeably.”
“Allright,”saidHardcastle,“let’shaveherin.”
Craydepartedandpresentlyreturnedsayingashedidso,“Mrs.Rival,sir.”
Theinspectorgotupandshookhandswithher.Aboutfifty,hewouldjudge,butfromalongwayaway—quitealongway—shemighthavelookedthirty.Closeathand,theresultofmakeupcarelesslyappliedmadeherlookratherolderthanfiftybutonthewholeheputitatfifty.Darkhairheavilyhennaed.Nohat,mediumheightandbuild,wearingadarkcoatandskirtandawhiteblouse.Carryingalargetartanbag.Ajinglybraceletortwo,severalrings.Onthewhole,hethought,makingmoraljudgementsonthebasisofhisexperience,ratheragoodsort.Notoverscrupulous,probably,buteasytolivewith,reasonablygenerous,possiblykind.Reliable?Thatwasthequestion.Hewouldn’tbankonit,butthenhecouldn’taffordtobankonthatkindofthinganyway.
“I’mverygladtoseeyou,Mrs.Rival,”hesaid,“andIhopeverymuchyou’llbeabletohelpus.”
“Ofcourse,I’mnotatallsure,”saidMrs.Rival.Shespokeapologetically.“ButitdidlooklikeHarry.VerymuchlikeHarry.OfcourseI’mquitepreparedtofindthatitisn’t,andIhopeIshan’thavetakenupyourtimefornothing.”
Sheseemedquiteapologeticaboutit.
“Youmustn’tfeelthatinanycase,”saidtheinspector.“Wewanthelpverybadlyoverthiscase.”
“Yes,Isee.IhopeI’llbeabletobesure.Yousee,it’salongtimesinceIsawhim.”
“Shallwegetdownafewfactstohelpus?Whendidyoulastseeyourhusband?”
“I’vebeentryingtogetitaccurate,”saidMrs.Rival,“allthewaydowninthetrain.It’sterriblehowone’smemorygoeswhenitcomestotime.IbelieveIsaidinmylettertoyouitwasabouttenyearsago,butit’smorethanthat.D’youknow,Ithinkit’snearerfifteen.Timedoesgosofast.Isuppose,”sheaddedshrewdly,“thatonetendstothinkit’slessthanitisbecauseitmakesyouyourselffeelyounger.Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Ishouldthinkitcoulddo,”saidtheinspector.“Anywayyouthinkit’sroughlyfifteenyearssinceyousawhim?Whenwereyoumarried?”
“Itmusthavebeenaboutthreeyearsbeforethat,”saidMrs.Rival.
“Andyouwerelivingthen?”
“AtaplacecalledShiptonBoisinSuffolk.Nicetown.Markettown.Ratherone-horse,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Andwhatdidyourhusbanddo?”
“Hewasaninsuranceagent.Atleast—”shestoppedherself“—that’swhathesaidhewas.”
Theinspectorlookedupsharply.
“Youfoundoutthatthatwasn’ttrue?”
“Well,no,notexactly…Notatthetime.It’sonlysincethenthatI’vethoughtthatperhapsitwasn’ttrue.It’dbeaneasythingforamantosay,wouldn’tit?”
“Isupposeitwouldincertaincircumstances.”
“Imean,itgivesamananexcuseforbeingawayfromhomeagooddeal.”
“Yourhusbandwasawayfromhomeagooddeal,Mrs.Rival?”
“Yes.Ineverthoughtaboutitmuchtobeginwith—”
“Butlater?”
Shedidnotansweratoncethenshesaid:
“Can’twegetonwithit?Afterall,ifitisn’tHarry….”
Hewonderedwhatexactlyshewasthinking.Therewasstraininhervoice,possiblyemotion?Hewasnotsure.
“Icanunderstand,”hesaid,“thatyou’dliketogetitover.We’llgonow.”
Heroseandescortedheroutoftheroomtothewaitingcar.Hernervousnesswhentheygottowheretheyweregoing,wasnomorethanthenervousnessofotherpeoplehehadtakentothissameplace.Hesaidtheusualreassuringthings
“It’llbequiteallright.Nothingdistressing.Itwillonlytakeaminuteortwo.”
Thetraywasrolledout,theattendantliftedthesheet.Shestoodstaringdownforafewmoments,herbreathcamealittlefaster,shemadeafaintgaspingsound,thensheturnedawayabruptly.Shesaid:
“It’sHarry.Yes.He’salotolder,helooksdifferent…Butit’sHarry.”
Theinspectornoddedtotheattendant,thenhelaidhishandonherarmandtookheroutagaintothecarandtheydrovebacktothestation.Hedidn’tsayanything.Helefthertopullherselftogether.Whentheygotbacktohisroomaconstablecameinalmostatoncewithatrayoftea.
“Thereyouare,Mrs.Rival.Haveacup,it’llpullyoutogether.Thenwe’lltalk.”
“Thankyou.”
Sheputsugarinthetea,agooddealofit,andgulpeditdownquickly.
“That’sbetter,”shesaid.“It’snotthatImindreally.Only—only,wellitdoesturnyouupabit,doesn’tit?”
“Youthinkthismanisdefinitelyyourhusband?”
“I’msureheis.Ofcourse,he’smucholder,buthehasn’tchangedreallysomuch.Healwayslooked—well,veryneat.Nice,youknow,goodclass.”
Yes,thoughtHardcastle,itwasquiteagooddescription.Goodclass.Presumably,Harryhadlookedmuchbetterclassthanhewas.Somemendid,anditwashelpfultothemfortheirparticularpurposes.
Mrs.Rivalsaid,“Hewasveryparticularalwaysabouthisclothesandeverything.That’swhy,Ithink—theyfellforhimsoeasily.Theyneversuspectedanything.”
“Whofellforhim,Mrs.Rival?”Hardcastle’svoicewasgentle,sympathetic.
“Women,”saidMrs.Rival.“Women.That’swherehewasmostofthetime.”
“Isee.Andyougottoknowaboutit.”
“Well,I—Isuspected.Imean,hewasawaysuchalot.OfcourseIknewwhatmenarelike.Ithoughtprobablytherewasagirlfromtimetotime.Butit’snogoodaskingmenaboutthesethings.They’lllietoyouandthat’sall.ButIdidn’tthink—Ireallydidn’tthinkthathemadeabusinessofit.”
“Anddidhe?”
Shenodded.“Ithinkhemusthavedone.”
“Howdidyoufindout?”
Sheshruggedhershoulders.
“Hecamebackonedayfromatriphe’dtaken.ToNewcastle,hesaid.Anyway,hecamebackandsaidhe’dhavetoclearoutquickly.Hesaidthatthegamewasup.Therewassomewomanhe’dgotintotrouble.Aschoolteacher,hesaid,andtheremightbeabitofastinkaboutit.Iaskedhimquestionsthen.Hedidn’tmindtellingme.ProbablyhethoughtIknewmorethanIdid.Theyusedtofallforhim,youknow,easilyenough,justasIdid.He’dgiveheraringandthey’dgetengaged—andthenhe’dsayhe’dinvestmoneyforthem.Theyusuallygaveithimquiteeasily.”
“Hadhetriedthesamethingwithyou?”
“Hehad,asamatteroffact,onlyIdidn’tgivehimany.”
“Whynot?Didn’tyoutrusthimeventhen?”
“Well,Iwasn’tthekindthattrustsanybody.I’dhadwhatyou’dcallabitofexperience,youknow,ofmenandtheirwaysandtheseamiersideofthings.Anyway,Ididn’twanthiminvestingmymoneyforme.WhatmoneyIhadIcouldinvestformyself.Alwayskeepyourmoneyinyourhandsandthenyou’llbesureyou’vegotit!I’veseentoomanygirlsandwomenmakefoolsofthemselves.”
“Whendidhewantyoutoinvestmoney?Beforeyouweremarriedorafter?”
“Ithinkhesuggestedsomethingofthekindbeforehand,butIdidn’trespondandhesheeredoffthesubjectatonce.Then,afterweweremarried,hetoldmeaboutsomewonderfulopportunityhe’dgot.Isaid,‘Nothingdoing.’Itwasn’tonlybecauseIdidn’ttrusthim,butI’doftenheardmensaythey’reontosomethingwonderfulandthenitturnedoutthatthey’dbeenhadforamugthemselves.”
“Hadyourhusbandeverbeenintroublewiththepolice?”
“Nofear,”saidMrs.Rival.“Womendon’tliketheworldtoknowthey’vebeenduped.Butthistime,apparently,thingsmightbedifferent.Thisgirlorwoman,shewasaneducatedwoman.Shewouldn’tbeaseasytodeceiveastheothersmayhavebeen.”
“Shewasgoingtohaveachild?”
“Yes.”
“Hadthathappenedonotheroccasions?”
“Iratherthinkso.”Sheadded,“Idon’thonestlyknowwhatitwasusedtostarthimoffinthefirstplace.Whetheritwasonlythemoney—awayofgettingaliving,asyoumightsay—orwhetherhewasthekindofmanwhojusthadtohavewomenandhesawnoreasonwhytheyshouldn’tpaytheexpensesofhisfun.”Therewasnobitternessnowinhervoice.
Hardcastlesaidgently:
“Youwerefondofhim,Mrs.Rival?”
“Idon’tknow.Ihonestlydon’tknow.IsupposeIwasinaway,orIwouldn’thavemarriedhim….”
“Youwere—excuseme—marriedtohim?”
“Idon’tevenknowthatforsure,”saidMrs.Rivalfrankly.“Weweremarriedallright.Inachurch,too,butIdon’tknowifhehadmarriedotherwomenaswell,usingadifferentname,Isuppose.HisnamewasCastletonwhenImarriedhim.Idon’tthinkitwashisownname.”
“HarryCastleton.Isthatright?”
“Yes.”
“Andyoulivedinthisplace,ShiptonBois,asmanandwife—forhowlong?”
“We’dbeenthereabouttwoyears.BeforethatwelivednearDoncaster.Idon’tsayIwasreallysurprisedwhenhecamebackthatdayandtoldme.IthinkI’dknownhewasawrong’unforsometime.Onejustcouldn’tbelieveitbecause,yousee,healwaysseemedsorespectable.Soabsolutelythegentleman!”
“Andwhathappenedthen?”
“Hesaidhe’dgottogetoutoftherequickandIsaidhecouldgoandgoodriddance,thatIwasn’tstandingforallthis!”Sheaddedthoughtfully,“Igavehimtenpounds.ItwasallIhadinthehouse.Hesaidhewasshortofmoney…I’veneverseenorheardofhimsince.Untiltoday.Orrather,untilIsawhispictureinthepaper.”
“Hedidn’thaveanyspecialdistinguishingmarks?Scars?Anoperation—orafracture—anythinglikethat?”
Sheshookherhead.
“Idon’tthinkso.”
“DidheeverusethenameCurry?”
“Curry?No,Idon’tthinkso.NotthatIknowof,anyway.”Hardcastleslippedthecardacrossthetabletoher.
“Thiswasinhispocket,”hesaid.
“Stillsayinghe’saninsuranceagent,Isee,”sheremarked.“Iexpectheuses—used,Imean—allsortsofdifferentnames.”
“Yousayyou’veneverheardofhimforthelastfifteenyears?”
“Hehasn’tsentmeaChristmascard,ifthat’swhatyoumean,”saidMrs.Rival,withasuddenglintofhumour.“Idon’tsupposehe’dknowwhereIwas,anyway.Iwentbacktothestageforabitafterweparted.Ontourmostly.Itwasn’tmuchofalifeandIdroppedthenameofCastletontoo.WentbacktoMerlinaRival.”
“Merlina’s—er—notyourrealname,Isuppose?”
Sheshookherheadandafaint,cheerfulsmileappearedonherface.
“Ithoughtitup.Unusual.Myrealname’sFlossieGapp.Florence,IsupposeImusthavebeenchristened,buteveryonealwayscallsmeFlossieorFlo.FlossieGapp.Notveryromantic,isit?”
“Whatareyoudoingnow?Areyoustillacting,Mrs.Rival?”
“Occasionally,”saidMrs.Rivalwithatouchofreticence.“Onandoff,asyoumightsay.”
Hardcastlewastactful.
“Isee,”hesaid.
“Idooddjobshereandthere,”shesaid.“Helpoutatparties,abitofhostesswork,thatsortofthing.It’snotabadlife.Atanyrateyoumeetpeople.Thingsgetnearthebonenowandagain.”
“You’veneverheardanythingofHenryCastletonsinceyouparted—orabouthim?”
“Notaword.Ithoughtperhapshe’dgoneabroad—orwasdead.”
“TheonlyotherthingIcanaskyou,Mrs.Rival,isifyouhaveanyideawhyHarryCastletonshouldhavecometothisneighbourhood?”
“No.OfcourseI’venoidea.Idon’tevenknowwhathe’sbeendoingalltheseyears.”
“Woulditbelikelythathewouldbesellingfraudulentinsurance—somethingofthatkind?”
“Isimplydon’tknow.Itdoesn’tseemtometerriblylikely.Imean,Harrywasverycarefulofhimselfalways.Hewouldn’tstickhisneckoutdoingsomethingthathemightbebroughttobookfor.Ishouldhavethoughtitmorelikelyitwassomeracketwithwomen.”
“Mightithavebeen,doyouthink,Mrs.Rival,someformofblackmail?”
“Well,Idon’tknow…Isuppose,yes,inaway.Somewoman,perhaps,thatwouldn’twantsomethinginherpastrakedup.He’dfeelprettysafeoverthat,Ithink.Mindyou,Idon’tsayitisso,butitmightbe.Idon’tthinkhe’dwantverymuchmoney,youknow.Idon’tthinkhe’ddriveanyonedesperate,buthemightjustcollectinasmallway.”Shenoddedinaffirmation.“Yes.”
“Womenlikedhim,didthey?”
“Yes.Theyalwaysfellforhimrathereasily.Mainly,Ithink,becausehealwaysseemedsogoodclassandrespectable.Theywereproudofhavingmadeaconquestofamanlikethat.Theylookedforwardtoanicesafefuturewithhim.That’sthenearestwayIcanputit.Ifeltthesamewaymyself,”addedMrs.Rivalwithsomefrankness.
“There’sjustonemoresmallpoint,”Hardcastlespoketohissubordinate.“Justbringthoseclocksin,willyou?”
Theywerebroughtinonatraywithaclothoverthem.HardcastlewhippedofftheclothandexposedthemtoMrs.Rival’sgaze.Sheinspectedthemwithfrankinterestandapprobation.
“Pretty,aren’tthey?Ilikethatone.”Shetouchedtheormoluclock.
“Youhaven’tseenanyofthembefore?Theydon’tmeananythingtoyou?”
“Can’tsaytheydo.Oughttheyto?”
“CanyouthinkofanyconnectionbetweenyourhusbandandthenameRosemary?”
“Rosemary?Letmethink.Therewasared-head—No,hernamewasRosalie.I’mafraidIcan’tthinkofanyone.ButthenIprobablywouldn’tknow,wouldI?Harrykepthisaffairsverydark.”
“Ifyousawaclockwiththehandspointingtofour-thirteen—”Hardcastlepaused.
Mrs.Rivalgaveacheerfulchuckle.
“I’dthinkitwasgettingonforteatime.”
Hardcastlesighed.
“Well,Mrs.Rival,”hesaid,“weareverygratefultoyou.Theadjournedinquest,asItoldyou,willbethedayaftertomorrow.Youwon’tmindgivingevidenceofidentification,willyou?”
“No.No,thatwillbeallright.I’lljusthavetosaywhohewas,isthatit?Ishan’thavetogointothings?Iwon’thavetogointothemannerofhislife—anythingofthatkind?”
“Thatwillnotbenecessaryatpresent.Allyouwillhavetosweartoisheistheman,HarryCastleton,towhomyouweremarried.TheexactdatewillbeonrecordatSomersetHouse.Wherewereyoumarried?Canyourememberthat?”
“PlacecalledDonbrook—St.Michael’s,Ithinkwasthenameofthechurch.Ihopeitisn’tmorethantwentyyearsago.ThatwouldmakemefeelIhadonefootinthegrave,”saidMrs.Rival.
Shegotupandheldoutherhand.Hardcastlesaidgood-bye.Hewentbacktohisdeskandsattheretappingitwithapencil.PresentlySergeantCraycamein
“Satisfactory?”heasked.
“Seemsso,”saidtheinspector.“NameofHarryCastleton—possiblyanalias.We’llhavetoseewhatwecanfindoutaboutthefellow.Itseemslikelythatmorethanonewomanmighthavereasontowantrevengeonhim.”
“Lookssorespectable,too,”saidCray.
“That,”saidHardcastle,“seemstohavebeenhisprincipalstock-in-trade.”
HethoughtagainabouttheclockwithRosemarywrittenonit.Remembrance?
Twenty-two
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
“Soyouhavereturned,”saidHerculePoirot.
Heplacedabookmarkercarefullytomarkhisplaceinthebookhewasreading.Thistimeacupofhotchocolatestoodonthetablebyhiselbow.Poirotcertainlyhasthemostterribletasteindrinks!Foroncehedidnoturgemetojoinhim.
“Howareyou?”Iasked.
“Iamdisturbed.Iammuchdisturbed.Theymaketherenovations,theredecorations,eventhestructuralalterationintheseflats.”
“Won’tthatimprovethem?”
“Itwillimprovethem,yes—butitwillbemostvexatioustome.Ishallhavetodisarrangemyself.Therewillbeasmellofpaint!”Helookedatmewithanairofoutrage.
Then,dismissinghisdifficultieswithawaveofhishand,heasked:
“Youhavehadthesuccess,yes?”
Isaidslowly:“Idon’tknow.”
“Ah—itislikethat.”
“IfoundoutwhatIwassenttofindout.Ididnotfindthemanhimself.Imyselfdonotknowwhatwaswanted.Information?Orabody?”
“Speakingofbodies,IreadtheaccountoftheadjournedinquestatCrowdean.Wilfulmurderbyapersonorpersonsunknown.Andyourbodyhasbeengivenanameatlast.”
Inodded.
“HarryCastleton,whoeverhemaybe.”
“Identifiedbyhiswife.YouhavebeentoCrowdean?”
“Notyet.Ithoughtofgoingdowntomorrow.”
“Oh,youhavesomeleisuretime?”
“Notyet.I’mstillonthejob.Myjobtakesmethere—”Ipausedamomentandthensaid:“Idon’tknowmuchaboutwhat’sbeenhappeningwhileI’vebeenabroad—justthemerefactofidentification—whatdoyouthinkofit?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Itwastobeexpected.”
“Yes—thepoliceareverygood—”
“Andwivesareveryobliging.”
“Mrs.MerlinaRival!Whataname!”
“Itremindsmeofsomething,”saidPoirot.“Nowofwhatdoesitremindme?”
HelookedatmethoughtfullybutIcouldn’thelphim.KnowingPoirot,itmighthaveremindedhimofanything.
“Avisittoafriend—inacountryhouse,”musedPoirot,thenshookhishead.“No—itissolongago.”
“WhenIcomebacktoLondon,I’llcomeandtellyouallIcanfindoutfromHardcastleaboutMrs.MerlinaRival,”Ipromised.
Poirotwavedahandandsaid:“Itisnotnecessary.”
“Youmeanyouknowallaboutheralreadywithoutbeingtold?”
“No.ImeanthatIamnotinterestedinher—”
“You’renotinterested—butwhynot?Idon’tgetit.”Ishookmyhead.
“Onemustconcentrateontheessentials.TellmeinsteadofthegirlcalledEdna—whodiedinthetelephoneboxinWilbrahamCrescent.”
“Ican’ttellyoumorethanI’vetoldyoualready—Iknownothingaboutthegirl.”
“Soallyouknow,”saidPoirotaccusingly,“orallyoucantellmeisthatthegirlwasapoorlittlerabbit,whomyousawinatypewritingoffice,whereshehadtorntheheeloffhershoeinagrating—”hebrokeoff.“Wherewasthatgrating,bytheway?”
“Really,Poirot,howshouldIknow?”
“Youcouldhaveknownifyouhadasked.Howdoyouexpecttoknowanythingifyoudonotasktheproperquestions?”
“Buthowcanitmatterwheretheheelcameoff?”
“Itmaynotmatter.Ontheotherhand,weshouldknowadefinitespotwherethisgirlhadbeen,andthatmightconnectupwithapersonshehadseenthere—orwithaneventofsomekindwhichtookplacethere.”
“Youarebeingratherfarfetched.AnywayIdoknowitwasquiteneartheofficebecauseshesaidsoandthatsheboughtabunandhobbledbackonherstockingfeettoeatthebunintheofficeandsheendedupbysayinghowonearthwasshetogethomelikethat?”
“Ah,andhowdidshegethome?”Poirotaskedwithinterest.
Istaredathim.
“I’venoidea.”
“Ah—butitisimpossible,thewayyouneverasktherightquestions!Asaresultyouknownothingofwhatisimportant.”
“You’dbettercomedowntoCrowdeanandaskquestionsyourself,”Isaid,nettled.
“Thatisimpossibleatthemoment.Thereisamostinterestingsaleofauthors’manuscriptsnextweek—”
“Stillonyourhobby?”
“But,yes,indeed.”Hiseyesbrightened.“TaketheworksofJohnDicksonCarrorCarterDickson,ashecallshimselfsometimes—”
Iescapedbeforehecouldgetunderway,pleadinganurgentappointment.Iwasinnomoodtolistentolecturesonpastmastersoftheartofcrimefiction.
II
IwassittingonthefrontstepofHardcastle’shouse,androseoutofthegloomtogreethimwhenhegothomeonthefollowingevening.
“Hallo,Colin?Isthatyou?Soyou’veappearedoutoftheblueagain,haveyou?”
“Ifyoucalleditoutofthered,itwouldbemuchmoreappropriate.”
“Howlonghaveyoubeenhere,sittingonmyfrontdoorstep?”
“Oh,halfanhourorso.”
“Sorryyoucouldn’tgetintothehouse.”
“Icouldhavegotintothehousewithperfectease,”Isaidindignantly.“Youdon’tknowourtraining!”
“Thenwhydidn’tyougetin?”
“Iwouldn’tliketoloweryourprestigeinanyway,”Iexplained.“Adetectiveinspectorofpolicewouldbeboundtolosefaceifhishousewereenteredburglariouslywithcompleteease.”
Hardcastletookhiskeysfromhispocketandopenedthefrontdoor.
“Comeonin,”hesaid,“anddon’ttalknonsense.”
Heledthewayintothesittingroom,andproceededtosupplyliquidrefreshment.
“Saywhen.”
Isaidit,nottoosoon,andwesettledourselveswithourdrinks.
“Thingsaremovingatlast,”saidHardcastle.“We’veidentifiedourcorpse.”
“Iknow.Ilookedupthenewspaperfiles—whowasHarryCastleton?”
“Amanofapparentlytheutmostrespectabilityandwhomadehislivingbygoingthroughaformofmarriageormerelygettingengagedtowell-to-docredulouswomen.Theyentrustedtheirsavingstohim,impressedbyhissuperiorknowledgeoffinanceandshortlyafterwardshequietlyfadedintotheblue.”
“Hedidn’tlookthatkindofman,”Isaid,castingmymindback.
“Thatwashischiefasset.”
“Wasn’theeverprosecuted?”
“No—we’vemadeinquiriesbutitisn’teasytogetmuchinformation.Hechangedhisnamefairlyoften.AndalthoughtheythinkattheYardthatHarryCastleton,RaymondBlair,LawrenceDalton,RogerByronwerealloneandthesameperson,theynevercouldproveit.Thewomen,yousee,wouldn’ttell.Theypreferredtolosetheirmoney.Themanwasreallymoreofanamethananything—croppinguphereandthere—alwaysthesamepattern—butincrediblyelusive.RogerByron,say,woulddisappearfromSouthend,andamancalledLawrenceDaltonwouldcommenceoperationsinNewcastleonTyne.Hewasshyofbeingphotographed—eludedhisladyfriends’desiretosnapshothim.Allthisgoesquitealongtimeback—fifteentotwentyyears.Aboutthattimeheseemedreallytodisappear.Therumourspreadaboutthathewasdead—butsomepeoplesaidhehadgoneabroad—”
“Anyway,nothingwasheardofhimuntilheturnedup,dead,onMissPebmarsh’ssittingroomcarpet?”Isaid.
“Exactly.”
“Itcertainlyopensuppossibilities.”
“Itcertainlydoes.”
“Awomanscornedwhoneverforgot?”Isuggested.
“Itdoeshappen,youknow.Therearewomenwithlongmemorieswhodon’tforget—”
“Andifsuchawomanweretogoblind—asecondafflictionontopoftheother—”
“That’sonlyconjecture.Nothingtosubstantiateitasyet.”
“Whatwasthewifelike—Mrs—whatwasit?—MerlinaRival?Whataname!Itcan’tbeherown.”
“HerrealnameisFlossieGapp.Theothersheinvented.Moresuitableforherwayoflife.”
“Whatisshe?Atart?”
“Notaprofessional.”
“Whatusedtobecalled,tactfully,aladyofeasyvirtue?”
“Ishouldsayshewasagood-naturedwoman,andonewillingtoobligeherfriends.Describedherselfasanex-actress.Occasionallydid‘hostess’work.Quitelikeable.”
“Reliable?”
“Asreliableasmost.Herrecognitionwasquitepositive.Nohesitation.”
“That’sablessing.”
“Yes.Iwasbeginningtodespair.TheamountofwivesI’vehadhere!I’dbeguntothinkit’sawisewomanwhoknowsherownhusband.Mindyou,IthinkMrs.Rivalmighthaveknownalittlemoreaboutherhusbandthansheletson.”
“Hassheherselfeverbeenmixedupincriminalactivities?”
“Notfortherecord.Ithinkshemayhavehad,perhapsstillhas,someshadyfriends.Nothingserious—justfiddles—thatkindofthing.”
“Whatabouttheclocks?”
“Didn’tmeanathingtoher.Ithinkshewasspeakingthetruth.We’vetracedwheretheycamefrom—PortobelloMarket.That’stheormoluandtheDresdenchina.Andverylittlehelpthatis!Youknowwhatit’slikeonaSaturdaythere.BoughtbyanAmericanlady,thestallkeeperthinks—butI’dsaythat’sjustaguess.PortobelloMarketisfullofAmericantourists.Hiswifesaysitwasamanboughtthem.Shecan’trememberwhathelookedlike.ThesilveronecamefromasilversmithinBournemouth.Atallladywhowantedapresentforherlittlegirl!Allshecanrememberaboutherissheworeagreenhat.”
“Andthefourthclock?Theonethatdisappeared?”
“Nocomment,”saidHardcastle.
Iknewjustwhathemeantbythat.
Twenty-three
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
ThehotelIwasstayinginwasapokylittleplacebythestation.Itservedadecentgrillbutthatwasallthatcouldbesaidforit.Except,ofcourse,thatitwascheap.
Atteno’clockthefollowingmorningIrangtheCavendishSecretarialBureauandsaidthatIwantedashorthandtypisttotakedownsomelettersandretypeabusinessagreement.MynamewasDouglasWeatherbyandIwasstayingattheClarendonHotel(extraordinarilytattyhotelsalwayshavegrandnames).WasMissSheilaWebbavailable?Afriendofminehadfoundherveryefficient.
Iwasinluck.Sheilacouldcomestraightaway.Shehad,however,anappointmentattwelveo’clock.IsaidthatIwouldhavefinishedwithherwellbeforethatasIhadanappointmentmyself.
IwasoutsidetheswingdoorsoftheClarendonwhenSheilaappeared.Isteppedforward.
“Mr.DouglasWeatherbyatyourservice,”Isaid.
“Wasityourangup?”
“Itwas.”
“Butyoucan’tdothingslikethat.”Shelookedscandalized.
“Whynot?I’mpreparedtopaytheCavendishBureauforyourservices.WhatdoesitmattertothemifwespendyourvaluableandexpensivetimeintheButtercupCaféjustacrossthestreetinsteadofdictatingdulllettersbeginning‘Yoursofthe3rdprontissimotohand,’etc.Comeon,let’sgoanddrinkindifferentcoffeeinpeacefulsurroundings.”
TheButtercupCaféliveduptoitsnamebybeingviolentlyandaggressivelyyellow.Formicatabletops,plasticcushionsandcupsandsaucerswereallcanarycolour.
Iorderedcoffeeandsconesfortwo.Itwasearlyenoughforustohavetheplacepracticallytoourselves.
Whenthewaitresshadtakentheorderandgoneaway,welookedacrossthetableateachother.
“Areyouallright,Sheila?”
“Whatdoyoumean—amIallright?”
Hereyeshadsuchdarkcirclesunderthemthattheylookedvioletratherthanblue.
“Haveyoubeenhavingabadtime?”
“Yes—no—Idon’tknow.Ithoughtyouhadgoneaway?”
“Ihad.I’vecomeback.”
“Why?”
“Youknowwhy.”
Hereyesdropped.
“I’mafraidofhim,”shesaidafterapauseofatleastaminute,whichisalongtime.
“Whoareyouafraidof?”
“Thatfriendofyours—thatinspector.Hethinks…hethinksIkilledthatman,andthatIkilledEdnatoo….”
“Oh,that’sjusthismanner,”Isaidreassuringly.“Healwaysgoesaboutlookingasthoughhesuspectedeverybody.”
“No,Colin,it’snotlikethatatall.It’snogoodsayingthingsjusttocheermeup.He’sthoughtthatIhadsomethingtodowithitrightfromthebeginning.”
“Mydeargirl,there’snoevidenceagainstyou.Justbecauseyouwerethereonthespotthatday,becausesomeoneputyouonthespot….”
Sheinterrupted.
“HethinksIputmyselfonthespot.Hethinksit’sallatrumped-upstory.HethinksthatEdnainsomewayknewaboutit.HethinksthatEdnarecognizedmyvoiceonthetelephonepretendingtobeMissPebmarsh.”
“Wasityourvoice?”Iasked.
“No,ofcourseitwasn’t.Inevermadethattelephonecall.I’vealwaystoldyouso.”
“Lookhere,Sheila,”Isaid.“Whateveryoutellanyoneelse,you’vegottotellmethetruth.”
“Soyoudon’tbelieveawordIsay!”
“Yes,Ido.Youmighthavemadethattelephonecallthatdayforsomequiteinnocentreason.Someonemayhaveaskedyoutomakeit,perhapstoldyouitwaspartofajoke,andthenyougotscaredandonceyou’dliedaboutit,youhadtogoonlying.Wasitlikethat?”
“No,no,no!HowoftenhaveIgottotellyou?”
“It’sallverywell,Sheila,butthere’ssomethingyou’renottellingme.Iwantyoutotrustme.IfHardcastlehasgotsomethingagainstyou,somethingthathehasn’ttoldmeabout—”
Sheinterruptedagain.
“Doyouexpecthimtotellyoueverything?”
“Well,there’snoreasonwhyheshouldn’t.We’reroughlymembersofthesameprofession.”
Thewaitressbroughtourorderatthispoint.Thecoffeewasaspaleasthelatestfashionableshadeofmink.
“Ididn’tknowyouhadanythingtodowiththepolice,”Sheilasaid,slowlystirringhercoffeeroundandround.
“It’snotexactlythepolice.It’sanentirelydifferentbranch.ButwhatIwasgettingatwas,thatifDickdoesn’ttellmethingsheknowsaboutyou,it’sforaspecialreason.It’sbecausehethinksI’minterestedinyou.Well,Iaminterestedinyou.I’mmorethanthat.I’mforyou,Sheila,whateveryou’vedone.Youcameoutofthathousethatdayscaredtodeath.Youwerereallyscared.Youweren’tpretending.Youcouldn’thaveactedapartthewayyoudid.”
“OfcourseIwasscared.Iwasterrified.”
“Wasitonlyfindingthedeadbodythatscaredyou?Orwastheresomethingelse?”
“Whatelseshouldtherebe?”
Ibracedmyself.
“WhydidyoupinchthatclockwithRosemarywrittenacrossit?”
“Whatdoyoumean?WhyshouldIpinchit?”
“I’maskingyouwhyyoudid.”
“Inevertouchedit.”
“Youwentbackintothatroombecauseyou’dleftyourglovesthere,yousaid.Youweren’twearinganyglovesthatday.AfineSeptemberday.I’veneverseenyouweargloves.Allrightthen,youwentbackintothatroomandyoupickedupthatclock.Don’tlietomeaboutthat.That’swhatyoudid,isn’tit?”
Shewassilentforamomentortwo,crumblingupthesconesonherplate.
“Allright,”shesaidinavoicethatwasalmostawhisper.“Allright.Idid.IpickeduptheclockandIshoveditintomybagandIcameoutagain.”
“Butwhydidyoudoit?”
“Becauseofthename—Rosemary.It’smyname.”
“YournameisRosemary,notSheila?”
“It’sboth.RosemarySheila.”
“Andthatwasenough,justthat?Thefactthatyou’dthesamenameaswaswrittenononeofthoseclocks?”
Sheheardmydisbelief,butshestucktoit.
“Iwasscared,Itellyou.”
Ilookedather.Sheilawasmygirl—thegirlIwanted—andwantedforkeeps.Butitwasn’tanyusehavingillusionsabouther.Sheilawasaliarandprobablyalwayswouldbealiar.Itwasherwayoffightingforsurvival—thequickeasyglibdenial.Itwasachild’sweapon—andshe’dprobablynevergotoutofusingit.IfIwantedSheilaImustacceptherasshewas—beathandtopropuptheweakplaces.We’veallgotourweakplaces.MineweredifferentfromSheila’sbuttheywerethere.
Imadeupmymindandattacked.Itwastheonlyway.
“Itwasyourclock,wasn’tit?”Isaid.“Itbelongedtoyou?”
Shegasped.
“Howdidyouknow?”
“Tellmeaboutit.”
Thestorytumbledouttheninahelter-skelterofwords.She’dhadtheclocknearlyallherlife.Untilshewasaboutsixyearsoldshe’dalwaysgonebythenameofRosemary—butshehateditandhadinsistedonbeingcalledSheila.Latelytheclockhadbeengivingtrouble.She’dtakenitwithhertoleaveataclock-repairingshopnotfarfromtheBureau.Butshe’dleftitsomewhere—inthebus,perhaps,orinthemilkbarwhereshewentforasandwichatlunchtime.
“Howlongwasthisbeforethemurderat19,WilbrahamCrescent?”
Aboutaweek,shethought.Shehadn’tbotheredmuch,becausetheclockwasoldandalwaysgoingwronganditwouldreallybebettertogetanewone.
Andthen:
“Ididn’tnoticeitatfirst,”shesaid.“NotwhenIwentintotheroom.AndthenI—foundthedeadman.Iwasparalysed.IstraightenedupaftertouchinghimandIjuststoodtherestaringandmyclockwasfacingmeonatablebythefire—myclock—andtherewasbloodonmyhand—andthenshecameinandIforgoteverythingbecauseshewasgoingtotreadonhim.And—andso—Ibolted.Togetaway—that’sallIwanted.”
Inodded.
“Andlater?”
“Ibegantothink.Shesaidshehadn’ttelephonedforme—thenwhohad—who’dgotmethereandputmyclockthere?I—Isaidthataboutleavingglovesand—andstuffeditintomybag.Isupposeitwas—stupidofme.”
“Youcouldn’thavedoneanythingsillier,”Itoldher.“Insomeways,Sheila,you’vegotnosenseatall.”
“Butsomeoneistryingtoinvolveme.Thatpostcard.ItmusthavebeensentbysomeonewhoknowsItookthatclock.Andthepostcarditself—theOldBailey.Ifmyfatherwasacriminal—”
“Whatdoyouknowaboutyourfatherandmother?”
“MyfatherandmotherdiedinanaccidentwhenIwasababy.That’swhatmyaunttoldme,whatI’vealwaysbeentold.Butsheneverspeaksaboutthem,shenevertellsmeanythingaboutthem.Sometimes,onceortwicewhenIasked,she’stoldmethingsaboutthemthataren’tthesameaswhatshe’stoldmebefore.SoI’vealwaysknown,yousee,thatthere’ssomethingwrong.”
“Goon.”
“SoIthinkthatperhapsmyfatherwassomekindofcriminal—perhapseven,amurderer.Orperhapsitwasmymother.Peopledon’tsayyourparentsaredeadandcan’torwon’ttellyouanythingaboutthoseparents,unlesstherealreasonissomething—somethingthattheythinkwouldbetooawfulforyoutoknow.”
“Soyougotyourselfallworkedup.It’sprobablyquitesimple.Youmayjusthavebeenanillegitimatechild.”
“Ithoughtofthat,too.Peopledosometimestryandhidethatkindofthingfromchildren.It’sverystupid.They’dmuchbetterjusttellthemtherealtruth.Itdoesn’tmatterasmuchnowadays.Butthewholepointis,yousee,thatIdon’tknow.Idon’tknowwhat’sbehindallthis.WhywasIcalledRosemary?It’snotafamilyname.Itmeansremembrance,doesn’tit?”
“Whichcouldbeanicemeaning,”Ipointedout.
“Yes,itcould…ButIdon’tfeelitwas.Anyway,aftertheinspectorhadaskedmequestionsthatday,Ibegantothink.Whyhadsomeonewantedtogetmethere?Togetmetherewithastrangemanwhowasdead?Orwasitthedeadmanwhohadwantedmetomeethimthere?Washe,perhaps—myfather,andhewantedmetodosomethingforhim?Andthensomeonehadcomealongandkilledhiminstead.OrdidsomeonewanttomakeoutfromthebeginningthatitwasIwhohadkilledhim?Oh,Iwasallmixedup,frightened.Itseemedsomehowasifeverythingwasbeingmadetopointatme.Gettingmethere,andadeadmanandmyname—Rosemary—onmyownclockthatdidn’tbelongthere.SoIgotinapanicanddidsomethingthatwasstupid,asyousay.”
Ishookmyheadather.
“You’vebeenreadingortypingtoomanythrillersandmysterystories,”Isaidaccusingly.“WhataboutEdna?Haven’tyouanyideaatallwhatshe’dgotintoherheadaboutyou?Whydidshecomeallthewaytoyourhousetotalktoyouwhenshesawyoueverydayattheoffice?”
“I’venoidea.Shecouldn’thavethoughtIhadanythingtodowiththemurder.Shecouldn’t.”
“Couldithavebeensomethingsheoverheardandmadeamistakeabout?”
“Therewasnothing,Itellyou.Nothing!”
Iwondered.Icouldn’thelpwondering…Evennow,Ididn’ttrustSheilatotellthetruth.
“Haveyougotanypersonalenemies?Disgruntledyoungmen,jealousgirls,someoneorotherabitunbalancedwhomighthaveitinforyou?”
ItsoundedmostunconvincingasIsaidit.
“Ofcoursenot.”
Sothereitwas.EvennowIwasn’tsureaboutthatclock.Itwasafantasticstory.413.Whatdidthosefiguresmean?Whywritethemonapostcardwiththeword:REMEMBERunlesstheywouldmeansomethingtothepersontowhomthepostcardwassent?
Isighed,paidthebillandgotup.
“Don’tworry,”Isaid.(SurelythemostfatuouswordsintheEnglishoranyotherlanguage.)“TheColinLambPersonalServiceisonthejob.You’regoingtobeallright,andwe’regoingtobemarriedandlivehappilyeverafteronpracticallynothingayear.Bytheway,”Isaid,unabletostopmyself,thoughIknewitwouldhavebeenbettertoendontheromanticnote,buttheColinLambPersonalCuriositydrovemeon.“Whathaveyouactuallydonewiththatclock?Hiddenitinyourstockingdrawer?”
Shewaitedjustamomentbeforeshesaid:
“Iputitinthedustbinofthehousenextdoor.”
Iwasquiteimpressed.Itwassimpleandprobablyeffective.Tothinkofthathadbeencleverofher.PerhapsIhadunderestimatedSheila.
Twenty-four
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
WhenSheilahadgone,IwentacrosstotheClarendon,packedmybagandleftitreadywiththeporter.Itwasthekindofhotelwheretheyareparticularaboutyourcheckingoutbeforenoon.
ThenIsetout.Myroutetookmepastthepolicestation,andafterhesitatingamoment,Iwentin.IaskedforHardcastleandhewasthere.Ifoundhimfrowningdownataletterinhishand.
“I’moffagainthisevening,Dick,”Isaid.“BacktoLondon.”
Helookedupatmewithathoughtfulexpression.
“Willyoutakeapieceofadvicefromme?”
“No,”Isaidimmediately.
Hepaidnoattention.Peopleneverdowhentheywanttogiveyouadvice.
“Ishouldgetaway—andstayaway—ifyouknowwhat’sbestforyou.”
“Nobodycanjudgewhat’sbestforanyoneelse.”
“Idoubtthat.”
“I’lltellyousomething,Dick.WhenI’vetidiedupmypresentassignment,I’mquitting.Atleast—IthinkIam.”
“Why?”
“I’mlikeanold-fashionedVictorianclergyman.IhaveDoubts.”
“Giveyourselftime.”
Iwasn’tsurewhathemeantbythat.Iaskedhimwhathehimselfwaslookingsoworriedabout.
“Readthat.”Hepassedmetheletterhehadbeenstudying.
DearSir,I’vejustthoughtofsomething.YouaskedmeifmyhusbandhadanyidentifyingmarksandIsaidhehadn’t.ButIwaswrong.Actuallyhehasakindofscarbehindhisleftear.Hecuthimselfwitharazorwhenadogwehadjumpedupathim,andhehadtohaveitstitchedup.ItwassosmallandunimportantIneverthoughtofittheotherday.Yourstruly,MerlinaRival
“Shewritesanicedashinghand,”Isaid,“thoughI’veneverreallyfanciedpurpleink.Didthedeceasedhaveascar?”
“Hehadascarallright.Justwhereshesays.”
“Didn’tsheseeitwhenshewasshownthebody?”
Hardcastleshookhishead.
“Theearcoversit.Youhavetobendtheearforwardbeforeyoucanseeit.”
“Thenthat’sallright.Nicepieceofcorroboration.What’seatingyou?”
Hardcastlesaidgloomilythatthiscasewasthedevil!HeaskedifIwouldbeseeingmyFrenchorBelgianfriendinLondon.
“Probably.Why?”
“Imentionedhimtothechiefconstablewhosaysheremembershimquitewell—thatGirlGuidemurdercase.Iwastoextendaverycordialwelcometohimifheisthinkingofcomingdownhere.”
“Nothe,”Isaid.“Themanispracticallyalimpet.”
II
ItwasaquarterpasttwelvewhenIrangthebellat62,WilbrahamCrescent.Mrs.Ramsayopenedthedoor.Shehardlyraisedhereyestolookatme.
“Whatisit?”shesaid.
“CanIspeaktoyouforamoment?Iwashereabouttendaysago.Youmaynotremember.”
Sheliftedhereyestostudymefurther.Afaintfrownappearedbetweenhereyebrows.
“Youcame—youwerewiththepoliceinspector,weren’tyou?”
“That’sright,Mrs.Ramsay.CanIcomein?”
“Ifyouwantto,Isuppose.Onedoesn’trefusetoletthepolicein.They’dtakeaverypoorviewofitifyoudid.”
Sheledthewayintothesittingroom,madeabrusquegesturetowardsachairandsatdownoppositeme.Therehadbeenafaintacerbityinhervoice,buthermannernowresumedalistlessnesswhichIhadnotnotedinitpreviously.
Isaid:
“Itseemsquietheretoday…Isupposeyourboyshavegonebacktoschool?”
“Yes.Itdoesmakeadifference.”Shewenton,“Isupposeyouwanttoasksomemorequestions,doyou,aboutthislastmurder?Thegirlwhowaskilledinthetelephonebox.”
“No,notexactlythat.I’mnotreallyconnectedwiththepolice,youknow.”
Shelookedfaintlysurprised.
“IthoughtyouwereSergeant—Lamb,wasn’tit?”
“MynameisLamb,yes,butIworkinanentirelydifferentdepartment.”
ThelistlessnessvanishedfromMrs.Ramsay’smanner.Shegavemeaquick,hard,directstare.
“Oh,”shesaid,“well,whatisit?”
“Yourhusbandisstillabroad?”
“Yes.”
“He’sbeengoneratheralongtime,hasn’the,Mrs.Ramsay?Andgoneratheralongway?”
“Whatdoyouknowaboutit?”
“Well,he’sgonebeyondtheIronCurtain,hasn’the?”
Shewassilentforamomentortwo,andthenshesaidinaquiet,tonelessvoice:
“Yes.Yes,that’squiteright.”
“Didyouknowhewasgoing?”
“Moreorless.”Shepausedaminuteandthensaid,“Hewantedmetojoinhimthere.”
“Hadhebeenthinkingofitforsometime?”
“Isupposeso.Hedidn’ttellmeuntillately.”
“Youarenotinsympathywithhisviews?”
“Iwasonce,Isuppose.Butyoumustknowthatalready…Youcheckupprettythoroughlyonthingslikethat,don’tyou?Gobackintothepast,findoutwhowasafellowtraveller,whowasapartymember,allthatsortofthing.”
“Youmightbeabletogiveusinformationthatwouldbeveryusefultous,”Isaid.
Sheshookherhead.
“No.Ican’tdothat.Idon’tmeanthatIwon’t.Yousee,henevertoldmeanythingdefinite.Ididn’twanttoknow.Iwassickandtiredofthewholething!WhenMichaeltoldmethathewasleavingthiscountry,clearingout,andgoingtoMoscow,itdidn’treallystartleme.Ihadtodecidethen,whatIwantedtodo.”
“Andyoudecidedyouwerenotsufficientlyinsympathywithyourhusband’saims?”
“No,Iwouldn’tputitlikethatatall!Myviewisentirelypersonal.Ibelieveitalwaysiswithwomenintheend,unlessofcourseoneisafanatic.Andthenwomencanbeveryfanatical,butIwasn’t.I’veneverbeenanythingmorethanmildlyleft-wing.”
“WasyourhusbandmixedupintheLarkinbusiness?”
“Idon’tknow.Isupposehemighthavebeen.Henevertoldmeanythingorspoketomeaboutit.”
Shelookedatmesuddenlywithmoreanimation.
“We’dbettergetitquiteclear,Mr.Lamb.OrMr.WolfinLamb’sclothing,orwhateveryouare.Ilovedmyhusband,ImighthavebeenfondenoughofhimtogowithhimtoMoscow,whetherIagreedwithwhathispoliticswereornot.Hewantedmetobringtheboys.Ididn’twanttobringtheboys!Itwasassimpleasthat.AndsoIdecidedI’dhavetostaywiththem.WhetherIshalleverseeMichaelagainornotIdon’tknow.He’sgottochoosehiswayoflifeandI’vegottochoosemine,butIdidknowonethingquitedefinitely.Afterhetalkedaboutittome.Iwantedtheboysbroughtuphereintheirowncountry.They’reEnglish.IwantthemtobebroughtupasordinaryEnglishboys.”
“Isee.”
“AndthatIthinkisall,”saidMrs.Ramsay,asshegotup.
Therewasnowasuddendecisioninhermanner.
“Itmusthavebeenahardchoice,”Isaidgently.“I’mverysorryforyou.”
Iwas,too.Perhapstherealsympathyinmyvoicegotthroughtoher.Shesmiledveryslightly.
“Perhapsyoureallyare…Isupposeinyourjobyouhavetotryandgetmoreorlessunderpeople’sskins,knowwhatthey’refeelingandthinking.It’sbeenratheraknockoutblowforme,butI’movertheworstofit…I’vegottomakeplansnow,whattodo,wheretogo,whethertostayhereorgosomewhereelse.Ishallhavetogetajob.Iusedtodosecretarialworkonce.ProbablyI’lltakearefreshercourseinshorthandandtyping.”
“Well,don’tgoandworkfortheCavendishBureau,”Isaid.
“Whynot?”
“Girlswhoareemployedthereseemtohaveratherunfortunatethingshappentothem.”
“IfyouthinkIknowanythingatallaboutthat,you’rewrong.Idon’t.”
Iwishedherluckandwent.Ihadn’tlearntanythingfromher.Ihadn’treallythoughtIshould.Butonehastotidyupthelooseends.
III
GoingoutofthegateIalmostcannonedintoMrs.McNaughton.Shewascarryingashoppingbagandseemedverywobblyonherfeet.
“Letme,”Isaidandtookitfromher.Shewasinclinedtoclutchitfrommeatfirst,thensheleanedherheadforward,peeringatme,andrelaxedhergrip.
“You’retheyoungmanfromthepolice,”shesaid.“Ididn’trecognizeyouatfirst.”
Icarriedtheshoppingbagtoherfrontdoorandsheteeteredbesideme.Theshoppingbagwasunexpectedlyheavy.Iwonderedwhatwasinit.Poundsofpotatoes?
“Don’tring,”shesaid.“Thedoorisn’tlocked.”
Nobody’sdoorseemedevertobelockedinWilbrahamCrescent.
“Andhowareyougettingonwiththings?”sheaskedchattily.“Heseemstohavemarriedverymuchbelowhim.”
Ididn’tknowwhatshewastalkingabout.
“Whodid—I’vebeenaway,”Iexplained.
“Oh,Isee.Shadowingsomeone,Isuppose.ImeantthatMrs.Rival.Iwenttotheinquest.Suchacommon-lookingwoman.Imustsayshedidn’tseemmuchupsetbyherhusband’sdeath.”
“Shehadn’tseehimforfifteenyears,”Iexplained.
“AngusandIhavebeenmarriedfortwentyyears.”Shesighed.“It’salongtime.Andsomuchgardeningnowthatheisn’tattheuniversity…Itmakesitdifficulttoknowwhattodowithoneself.”
Atthatmoment,Mr.McNaughton,spadeinhand,cameroundthecornerofthehouse.
“Oh,you’reback,mydear.Letmetakethethings—”
“Justputitinthekitchen,”saidMrs.McNaughtontomeswiftly—herelbownudgedme.“JusttheCornflakesandtheeggsandamelon,”shesaidtoherhusband,smilingbrightly.
Idepositedthebagonthekitchentable.Itclinked.
Cornflakes,myfoot!Iletmyspy’sinstinctstakeover.Underacamouflageofsheetgelatinewerethreebottlesofwhisky.
IunderstoodwhyMrs.McNaughtonwassometimessobrightandgarrulousandwhyshewasoccasionallyalittleunsteadyonherfeet.AndpossiblywhyMcNaughtonhadresignedhisChair.
Itwasamorningforneighbours.ImetMr.BlandasIwasgoingalongthecrescenttowardsAlbanyRoad.Mr.Blandseemedinverygoodform.Herecognizedmeatonce.
“Howareyou?How’scrime?Gotyourdeadbodyidentified,Isee.Seemstohavetreatedthatwifeofhisratherbadly.Bytheway,excuseme,you’renotoneofthelocals,areyou?”
IsaidevasivelyIhadcomedownfromLondon.
“SotheYardwasinterested,wasit?”
“Well—”Idrewthewordoutinanoncommittalway.
“Iunderstand.Mustn’ttelltalesoutofschool.Youweren’tattheinquest,though.”
IsaidIhadbeenabroad.
“SohaveI,myboy.SohaveI!”Hewinkedatme.
“GayParee?”Iasked,winkingback.
“Wishithadbeen.No,onlyadaytriptoBoulogne.”
Hedugmeinthesidewithhiselbow(quitelikeMrs.McNaughton!).
“Didn’ttakethewife.Teamedupwithaverynicelittlebit.Blonde.Quiteahotnumber.”
“Businesstrip?”Isaid.Webothlaughedlikemenoftheworld.
HewentontowardsNo.61andIwalkedontowardsAlbanyRoad.
Iwasdissatisfiedwithmyself.AsPoirothadsaid,thereshouldhavebeenmoretobegotoutoftheneighbours.Itwaspositivelyunnaturalthatnobodyshouldhaveseenanything!PerhapsHardcastlehadaskedthewrongquestions.ButcouldIthinkofanybetterones?AsIturnedintoAlbanyRoadImadeamentallistofquestions.Itwentsomethinglikethis:
Mr.Curry(Castleton)hadbeendoped—When?dittohadbeenkilled—Where?Mr.Curry(Castleton)hadbeentakentoNo.19—How?Somebodymusthaveseensomething!—Who?ditto—What?
Iturnedtotheleftagain.NowIwaswalkingalongWilbrahamCrescentjustasIhadwalkedonSeptember9th.ShouldIcallonMissPebmarsh?Ringthebellandsay—well,whatshouldIsay?
CallonMissWaterhouse?ButwhatonearthcouldIsaytoher?
Mrs.Hemmingperhaps?Itwouldn’tmuchmatterwhatonesaidtoMrs.Hemming.Shewouldn’tbelistening,andwhatshesaid,howeverhaphazardandirrelevant,mightleadtosomething.
Iwalkedalong,mentallynotingthenumbersasIhadbefore.HadthelateMr.Currycomealonghere,alsonotingnumbers,untilhecametothenumberhemeanttovisit?
WilbrahamCrescenthadneverlookedprimmer.IalmostfoundmyselfexclaiminginVictorianfashion,“Oh!ifthesestonescouldspeak!”Itwasafavouritequotationinthosedays,soitseemed.Butstonesdon’tspeak,nomoredobricksandmortar,norevenplasternorstucco.WilbrahamCrescentremainedsilentlyitself.Old-fashioned,aloof,rathershabby,andnotgiventoconversation.Disapproving,Iwassure,ofitinerantprowlerswhodidn’tevenknowwhattheywerelookingfor.
Therewerefewpeopleabout,acoupleofboysonbicyclespassedme,twowomenwithshoppingbags.Thehousesthemselvesmighthavebeenembalmedlikemummiesforallthesignsoflifetherewereinthem.Iknewwhythatwas.Itwasalready,orcloseupon,thesacredhourofone,anhoursanctifiedbyEnglishtraditionstotheconsumingofamiddaymeal.InoneortwohousesIcouldseethroughtheuncurtainedwindowsagroupofoneortwopeopleroundadiningtable,buteventhatwasexceedinglyrare.Eitherthewindowswerediscreetlyscreenedwithnylonnetting,asopposedtotheoncepopularNottinghamlace,or—whichwasfarmoreprobable—anyonewhowasathomewaseatinginthe“modern”kitchen,accordingtothecustomofthe1960’s.
Itwas,Ireflected,aperfecthourofdayforamurder.Hadthemurdererthoughtofthat,Iwondered?Wasitpartofthemurderer’splan?IcameatlasttoNo.19.
LikesomanyothermoronicmembersofthepopulaceIstoodandstared.Therewas,bynow,nootherhumanbeinginsight.“Noneighbours,”Isaidsadly,“nointelligentonlookers.”
Ifeltasharppaininmyshoulder.Ihadbeenwrong.Therewasaneighbourhere,allright,averyusefulneighbouriftheneighbourhadonlybeenabletospeak.IhadbeenleaningagainstthepostofNo.20,andthesamelargeorangecatIhadseenbeforewassittingonthegatepost.Istoppedandexchangedafewwordswithhim,firstdetachinghisplayfulclawfrommyshoulder.
“Ifcatscouldspeak,”Iofferedhimasaconversationalopening.
Theorangecatopenedhismouth,gavealoudmelodiousmiaow.
“Iknowyoucan,”Isaid.“IknowyoucanspeakjustaswellasIcan.Butyou’renotspeakingmylanguage.Wereyousittingherethatday?Didyouseewhowentintothathouseorcameoutofit?Doyouknowallaboutwhathappened?Iwouldn’tputitpastyou,puss.”
Thecattookmyremarkinpoorpart.Heturnedhisbackonmeandbegantoswitchhistail.
“I’msorry,yourMajesty,”Isaid.
Hegavemeacoldlookoverhisshoulderandstartedindustriouslytowashhimself.Neighbours,Ireflectedbitterly!Therewasnodoubtaboutit,neighbourswereinshortsupplyinWilbrahamCrescent.WhatIwanted—whatHardcastlewanted—wassomenicegossipy,prying,peeringoldladywithtimehangingheavyonherhands.Alwayshopingtolookoutandseesomethingscandalous.Thetroubleisthatthatkindofoldladyseemstohavediedoutnowadays.TheyareallsittinggroupedtogetherinOldLadies’Homeswitheverycomfortfortheaged,orcrowdinguphospitalswherebedsareneededurgentlyforthereallysick.Thelameandthehaltandtheolddidn’tliveintheirownhousesanymore,attendedbyafaithfuldomesticorbysomehalf-wittedpoorrelationgladofagoodhome.Itwasaserioussetbacktocriminalinvestigation.
Ilookedacrosstheroad.Whycouldn’ttherebeanyneighboursthere?Whycouldn’ttherebeaneatrowofhousesfacingmeinsteadofthatgreat,inhuman-lookingconcreteblock.Akindofhumanbeehive,nodoubt,tenantedbyworkerbeeswhowereoutalldayandonlycamebackintheeveningtowashtheirsmallsormakeuptheirfacesandgoouttotheinhumanityofthatblockofflatsIbeganalmosttohaveakindlyfeelingforthefadedVictoriangentilityofWilbrahamCrescent.
Myeyewascaughtbyaflashoflightsomewherehalfwayupthebuilding.Itpuzzledme.Istaredup.Yes,thereitcameagain.Anopenwindowandsomeonelookingthroughit.Afaceslightlyobliteratedbysomethingthatwasbeinghelduptoit.Theflashoflightcameagain.Idroppedahandintomypocket.Ikeepagoodmanythingsinmypockets,thingsthatmaybeuseful.You’dbesurprisedatwhatisusefulsometimes.Alittleadhesivetape.Afewquiteinnocent-lookinginstrumentswhicharequitecapableofopeningmostlockeddoors,atinofgreypowderlabelledsomethingwhichitisn’tandaninsufflatortousewithit,andoneortwootherlittlegadgetswhichmostpeoplewouldn’trecognizeforwhattheyare.AmongstotherthingsIhadapocketbirdwatcher.Notahigh-poweredonebutjustgoodenoughtobeuseful.Itookthisoutandraisedittomyeye.
Therewasachildatthewindow.Icouldseealongplaitofhairlyingoveroneshoulder.Shehadapairofsmalloperaglassesandshewasstudyingmewithwhatmighthavebeenflatteringattention.Astherewasnothingelseforhertolookat,however,itmightnotbeasflatteringasitseemed.Atthatmoment,however,therewasanothermiddaydistractioninWilbrahamCrescent.
AveryoldRolls-Roycecamewithdignityalongtheroaddrivenbyaveryelderlychauffeur.Helookeddignifiedbutratherdisgustedwithlife.Hepassedmewiththesolemnityofawholeprocessionofcars.Mychildobserver,Inoticed,wasnowtrainingheroperaglassesonhim.Istoodthere,thinking.
Itisalwaysmybeliefthatifyouwaitlongenough,you’reboundtohavesomestrokeofluck.Somethingthatyoucan’tcountuponandthatyouwouldneverhavethoughtof,butwhichjusthappens.Wasitpossiblethatthismightbemine?Lookingupagainatthebigsquareblock,InotedcarefullythepositionoftheparticularwindowIwasinterestedin,countingfromittoeachendandupfromtheground.Thirdfloor.ThenIwalkedalongthestreettillIcametotheentrancetotheblockofflats.Ithadawidecarriagedrivesweepingroundtheblockwithneatlyspacedflowerbedsatstrategicpositionsinthegrass.
It’salwayswell,Ifind,togothroughallthemotions,soIsteppedoffthecarriagedrivetowardstheblock,lookedupovermyheadasthoughstartled,bentdowntothegrass,pretendedtohuntaboutandfinallystraightenedup,apparentlytransferringsomethingfrommyhandtomypocket.ThenIwalkedroundtheblockuntilIcametotheentrance.
AtmosttimesofthedayIshouldthinktherewasaporterhere,butbetweenthesacredhourofoneandtwotheentrancehallwasempty.Therewasabellwithalargesignaboveit,sayingPORTER,butIdidnotringit.TherewasanautomaticliftandIwenttoitandpressedabuttonforthethirdfloor.AfterthatIhadtocheckthingsprettycarefully.
Itlookssimpleenoughfromtheoutsidetoplaceoneparticularroom,buttheinsideofabuildingisconfusing.However,I’vehadagooddealofpracticeatthatsortofthinginmytime,andIwasfairlysurethatI’dgottherightdoor.Thenumberonit,forbetterorworse,wasNo.77.“Well,”Ithought,“sevensarelucky.Heregoes.”Ipressedthebellandstoodbacktoawaitevents.
Twenty-five
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
Ihadtowaitjustaminuteortwo,thenthedooropened.
AbigblondeNordicgirlwithaflushedfaceandwearinggaycolouredclothinglookedatmeinquiringly.Herhandshadbeenhastilywipedbutthereweretracesofflouronthemandtherewasaslightsmearofflouronhernosesoitwaseasyformetoguesswhatshehadbeendoing.
“Excuseme,”Isaid,“butyouhavealittlegirlhere,Ithink.Shedroppedsomethingoutofthewindow.”
Shesmiledatmeencouragingly.TheEnglishlanguagewasnotasyetherstrongpoint.
“Iamsorry—whatyousay?”
“Achildhere—alittlegirl.”
“Yes,yes.”Shenodded.
“Droppedsomething—outofthewindow.”
HereIdidalittlegesticulation.
“Ipickeditupandbroughtithere.”
Iheldoutanopenhand.Initwasasilverfruitknife.Shelookedatitwithoutrecognition.
“Idonotthink—Ihavenotseen….”
“You’rebusycooking,”Isaidsympathetically.
“Yes,yes,Icook.Thatisso.”Shenoddedvigorously.
“Idon’twanttodisturbyou,”Isaid.“Ifyouletmejusttakeittoher.”
“Excuse?”
Mymeaningseemedtocometoher.Sheledthewayacrossthehallandopenedadoor.Itledintoapleasantsittingroom.Bythewindowacouchhadbeendrawnupandonittherewasachildofaboutnineortenyearsold,withalegdoneupinplaster.
“Thisgentleman,hesayyou—youdrop….”
Atthismoment,ratherfortunately,astrongsmellofburningcamefromthekitchen.Myguideutteredanexclamationofdismay.
“Excuse,pleaseexcuse.”
“Yougoalong,”Isaidheartily.“Icanmanagethis.”
Shefledwithalacrity.Ienteredtheroom,shutthedoorbehindmeandcameacrosstothecouch.
“Howd’youdo?”Isaid.
Thechildsaid,“Howd’youdo?”andproceededtosummeupwithalong,penetratingglancethatalmostunnervedme.Shewasratheraplainchildwithstraightmousyhairarrangedintwoplaits.Shehadabulgingforehead,asharpchinandapairofveryintelligentgreyeyes.
“I’mColinLamb,”Isaid.“What’syourname?”
Shegavemetheinformationpromptly.
“GeraldineMaryAlexandraBrown.”
“Dearme,”Isaid,“that’squiteabitofaname.Whatdotheycallyou?”
“Geraldine.SometimesGerry,butIdon’tlikethat.AndDaddydoesn’tapproveofabbreviations.”
Oneofthegreatadvantagesofdealingwithchildrenisthattheyhavetheirownlogic.AnyoneofadultyearswouldatoncehaveaskedmewhatIwanted.Geraldinewasquitereadytoenterintoconversationwithoutresortingtofoolishquestions.Shewasaloneandboredandtheonsetofanykindofvisitorwasanagreeablenovelty.UntilIprovedmyselfadullandunamusingfellow,shewouldbequitereadytoconverse.
“Yourdaddy’sout,Isuppose,”Isaid.
Sherepliedwiththesamepromptnessandfullnessofdetailwhichshehadalreadyshown.
“CartinghavenEngineeringWorks,Beaverbridge,”shesaid.“It’sfourteenandthree-quartermilesfromhereexactly.”
“Andyourmother?”
“Mummy’sdead,”saidGeraldine,withnodiminutionofcheerfulness.“ShediedwhenIwasababytwomonthsold.ShewasinaplanecomingfromFrance.Itcrashed.Everyonewaskilled.”
ShespokewithacertainsatisfactionandIperceivedthattoachild,ifhermotherisdead,itreflectsacertainkudosifshehasbeenkilledinacompleteanddevastatingaccident.
“Isee,”Isaid.“Soyouhave—”Ilookedtowardsthedoor.
“That’sIngrid.ShecomesfromNorway.She’sonlybeenhereafortnight.Shedoesn’tknowanyEnglishtospeakofyet.I’mteachingherEnglish.”
“AndsheisteachingyouNorwegian?”
“Notverymuch,”saidGeraldine.
“Doyoulikeher?”
“Yes.She’sallright.Thethingsshecooksareratheroddsometimes.Doyouknow,shelikeseatingrawfish.”
“I’veeatenrawfishinNorway,”Isaid.“It’sverygoodsometimes.”
Geraldinelookedextremelydoubtfulaboutthat.
“Sheistryingtomakeatreacletarttoday,”shesaid.
“Thatsoundsgood.”
“Umm—yes,Iliketreacletart.”Sheaddedpolitely,“Haveyoucometolunch?”
“Notexactly.AsamatteroffactIwaspassingdownbelowoutthere,andIthinkyoudroppedsomethingoutofthewindow.”
“Me?”
“Yes.”Iadvancedthesilverfruitknife.
Geraldinelookedatit,atfirstsuspiciouslyandthenwithsignsofapproval.
“It’srathernice,”shesaid.“Whatisit?”
“It’safruitknife.”
Iopenedit.
“Oh,Isee.Youmeanyoucanpeelappleswithitandthingslikethat.”
“Yes.”
Geraldinesighed.
“It’snotmine.Ididn’tdropit.WhatmadeyouthinkIdid?”
“Well,youwerelookingoutofthewindow,and….”
“Ilookoutofthewindowmostofthetime,”saidGeraldine.“Ifelldownandbrokemyleg,yousee.”
“Hardluck.”
“Yes,wasn’tit.Ididn’tbreakitinaveryinterestingway,though.Iwasgettingoutofabusanditwentonsuddenly.Ithurtratheratfirstanditachedabit,butitdoesn’tnow.”
“Mustberatherdullforyou,”Isaid
“Yes,itis.ButDaddybringsmethings.Plasticine,youknow,andbooksandcrayonsandjigsawpuzzlesandthingslikethat,butyougettiredofdoingthings,soIspendalotoftimelookingoutofthewindowwiththese.”
Sheproducedwithenormousprideasmallpairofoperaglasses.
“MayIlook?”Isaid.
Itookthemfromher,adjustedthemtomyeyesandlookedoutofthewindow.
“They’rejollygood,”Isaidappreciatively.
Theywereindeed,excellent.Geraldine’sdaddy,ifithadbeenhewhosuppliedthem,hadnotsparedexpense.ItwasastonishinghowclearlyyoucouldseeNo.19,WilbrahamCrescentanditsneighbouringhouses.Ihandedthembacktoher.
“They’reexcellent,”Isaid.“First-class.”
“They’reproperones,”saidGeraldine,withpride.“Notjustforbabiesandpretending.”
“No…Icanseethat.”
“Ikeepalittlebook,”saidGeraldine.
Sheshowedme.
“Iwritedownthingsinitandthetimes.It’sliketrainspotting,”sheadded.“I’vegotacousincalledDickandhedoestrainspotting.Wedomotorcarnumberstoo.Youknow,youstartatoneandseehowfaryoucanget.”
“It’sratheragoodsport,”Isaid.
“Yes,itis.Unfortunatelytherearen’tmanycarscomedownthisroadsoI’verathergiventhatupforthetimebeing.”
“Isupposeyoumustknowallaboutthosehousesdownthere,wholivesinthemandallthatsortofthing.”
IthrewitoutcasuallyenoughbutGeraldinewasquicktorespond.
“Oh,yes.OfcourseIdon’tknowtheirrealnames,soIhavetogivethemnamesofmyown.”
“Thatmustberatherfun,”Isaid.
“That’stheMarchionessofCarrabasdownthere,”saidGeraldine,pointing.“Thatonewithalltheuntidytrees.Youknow,likePussInBoots.Shehasmassesandmassesofcats.”
“Iwastalkingtoonejustnow,”Isaid,“anorangeone.”
“Yes,Isawyou,”saidGeraldine.
“Youmustbeverysharp,”Isaid.“Idon’texpectyoumissmuch,doyou?”
Geraldinesmiledinapleasedway.Ingridopenedthedoorandcameinbreathless.
“Youareallright,yes?”
“We’requiteallright,”saidGeraldinefirmly.“Youneedn’tworry,Ingrid.”
Shenoddedviolentlyandpantomimedwithherhands.
“Yougoback,youcook.”
“Verywell,Igo.Itisnicethatyouhaveavisitor.”
“Shegetsnervouswhenshecooks,”explainedGeraldine,“whenshe’stryinganythingnew,Imean.Andsometimeswehavemealsverylatebecauseofthat.I’mgladyou’vecome.It’snicetohavesomeonetodistractyou,thenyoudon’tthinkaboutbeinghungry.”
“Tellmemoreaboutthepeopleinthehousesthere,”Isaid,“andwhatyousee.Wholivesinthenexthouse—theneatone?”
“Oh,there’sablindwomanthere.She’squiteblindandyetshewalksjustaswellasthoughshecouldsee.Theportertoldmethat.Harry.He’sverynice,Harryis.Hetellsmealotofthings.Hetoldmeaboutthemurder.”
“Themurder?”Isaid,soundingsuitablyastonished.
Geraldinenodded.Hereyesshonewithimportanceattheinformationshewasabouttoconvey.
“Therewasamurderinthathouse.Ipracticallysawit.”
“Howveryinteresting.”
“Yes,isn’tit?I’veneverseenamurderbefore.ImeanI’veneverseenaplacewhereamurderhappened.”
“Whatdidyou—er—see?”
“Well,therewasn’tverymuchgoingonjustthen.Youknow,it’sratheranemptytimeofday.Theexcitingthingwaswhensomebodycamerushingoutofthehousescreaming.AndthenofcourseIknewsomethingmusthavehappened.”
“Whowasscreaming?”
“Justawoman.Shewasquiteyoung,ratherprettyreally.Shecameoutofthedoorandshescreamedandshescreamed.Therewasayoungmancomingalongtheroad.Shecameoutofthegateandsortofclutchedhim—likethis.”Shemadeamotionwithherarms.Shefixedmewithasuddenglance.“Helookedratherlikeyou.”
“Imusthaveadouble,”Isaidlightly.“Whathappenednext?Thisisveryexciting.”
“Well,hesortofplumpedherdown.Youknow,onthegroundthereandthenhewentbackintothehouseandtheEmperor—that’stheorangecat,IalwayscallhimtheEmperorbecausehelookssoproud—stoppedwashinghimselfandhelookedquitesurprised,andthenMissPikestaffcameoutofherhouse—that’stheonethere,Number18—shecameoutandstoodonthestepsstaring.”
“MissPikestaff?”
“IcallherMissPikestaffbecauseshe’ssoplain.She’sgotabrotherandshebullieshim.”
“Goon,”Isaidwithinterest.
“Andthenallsortsofthingshappened.Themancameoutofthehouseagain—areyousureitwasn’tyou?”
“I’maveryordinary-lookingchap,”Isaidmodestly,“therearelotslikeme.”
“Yes,Isupposethat’strue,”saidGeraldine,somewhatunflatteringly.“Well,anyway,thisman,hewentoffdowntheroadandtelephonedfromthecallboxdownthere.Presentlypolicebeganarriving.”Hereyessparkled.“Lotsofpolice.Andtheytookthedeadbodyawayinasortofambulancething.Ofcoursetherewerelotsofpeoplebythattime,staring,youknow.IsawHarrythere,too.That’stheporterfromtheseflats.Hetoldmeaboutitafterwards.”
“Didhetellyouwhowasmurdered?”
“Hejustsaiditwasaman.Nobodyknewhisname.”
“It’sallveryinteresting,”Isaid.
IprayedferventlythatIngridwouldnotchoosethismomenttocomeinagainwithadelectabletreacletartorotherdelicacy.
“Butgobackalittle,do.Tellmeearlier.Didyouseethisman—themanwhowasmurdered—didyouseehimarriveatthehouse?”
“No,Ididn’t.Isupposehemusthavebeenthereallalong.”
“Youmeanhelivedthere?”
“Oh,no,nobodylivesthereexceptMissPebmarsh.”
“Soyouknowherrealname?”
“Oh,yes,itwasinthepapers.Aboutthemurder.AndthescreaminggirlwascalledSheilaWebb.HarrytoldmethatthemanwhowasmurderedwascalledMr.Curry.That’safunnyname,isn’tit,likethethingyoueat.Andtherewasasecondmurder,youknow.Notthesameday—later—inthetelephoneboxdowntheroad.Icanseeitfromhere,just,butIhavetogetmyheadrightoutofthewindowandturnitround.OfcourseIdidn’treallyseeit,becauseImeanifI’dknownitwasgoingtohappen,Iwouldhavelookedout.But,ofcourse,Ididn’tknowitwasgoingtohappen,soIdidn’t.Therewerealotofpeoplethatmorningjuststandingthereinthestreet,lookingatthehouseopposite.Ithinkthat’sratherstupid,don’tyou?”
“Yes,”Isaid,“verystupid.”
HereIngridmadeherappearanceoncemore.
“Icomesoon,”shesaidreassuringly.“Icomeverysoonnow.”
Shedepartedagain.Geraldinesaid:
“Wedon’treallywanther.Shegetsworriedaboutmeals.Ofcoursethisistheonlyoneshehastocookexceptbreakfast.Daddygoesdowntotherestaurantintheeveningandhehassomethingsentupformefromthere.Justfishorsomething.Notarealdinner.”Hervoicesoundedwistful.
“Whattimedoyouusuallyhaveyourlunch,Geraldine?”
“Mydinner,youmean?Thisismydinner.Idon’thavedinnerintheevening,it’ssupper.Well,IreallyhavemydinneratanytimeIngridhappenstohavecookedit.She’sratherfunnyabouttime.ShehastogetbreakfastreadyattherighttimebecauseDaddygetssocross,butmiddaydinnerwehaveanytime.Sometimeswehaveitattwelveo’clockandsometimesIdon’tgetittilltwo.Ingridsaysyoudon’thavemealsataparticulartime,youjusthavethemwhenthey’reready.”
“Well,it’saneasyidea,”Isaid.“Whattimedidyouhaveyourlunch—dinner,Imean—onthedayofthemurder?”
“Thatwasoneofthetwelveo’clockdays.Yousee,Ingridgoesoutthatday.ShegoestothecinemaortohaveherhairdoneandaMrs.Perrycomesandkeepsmecompany.She’sterrible,really.Shepatsone.”
“Patsone?”Isaid,slightlypuzzled.
“Youknow,onthehead.Saysthingslike‘dearlittlegirlie.’She’snot,”saidGeraldine,“thekindofpersonyoucanhaveanyproperconversationwith.Butshebringsmesweetsandthatsortofthing.”
“Howoldareyou,Geraldine?”
“I’mten.Tenandthreemonths.”
“Youseemtomeverygoodatintelligentconversation,”Isaid.
“That’sbecauseIhavetotalktoDaddyalot,”saidGeraldineseriously.
“Soyouhadyourdinnerearlyonthatdayofthemurder?”
“Yes,soIngridcouldgetwashedupandgooffjustafterone.”
“Thenyouwerelookingoutofthewindowthatmorning,watchingpeople.”
“Oh,yes.Partofthetime.Earlier,aboutteno’clock,Iwasdoingacrosswordpuzzle.”
“I’vebeenwonderingwhetheryoucouldpossiblyhaveseenMr.Curryarrivingatthehouse?”
Geraldineshookherhead.
“No.Ididn’t.Itisratherodd,Iagree.”
“Well,perhapshegottherequiteearly.”
“Hedidn’tgotothefrontdoorandringthebell.I’dhaveseenhim.”
“Perhapshecameinthroughthegarden.Imeanthroughtheothersideofthehouse.”
“Oh,no,”saidGeraldine.“Itbacksonotherhouses.Theywouldn’tlikeanyonecomingthroughtheirgarden.”
“No,no,Isupposetheywouldn’t.”
“IwishIknewwhathe’dlookedlike,”saidGeraldine.
“Well,hewasquiteold.Aboutsixty.Hewasclean-shavenandhehadonadarkgreysuit.”
Geraldineshookherhead.
“Itsoundsterriblyordinary,”shesaidwithdisapprobation.
“Anyway,”Isaid,“Isupposeit’sdifficultforyoutorememberonedayfromanotherwhenyou’relyinghereandalwayslooking.”
“It’snotatalldifficult.”Sherosetothechallenge.“Icantellyoueverythingaboutthatmorning.IknowwhenMrs.Crabcameandwhensheleft.”
“That’sthedailycleaningwoman,isit?”
“Yes.Shescuttles,justlikeacrab.She’sgotalittleboy.Sometimesshebringshimwithher,butshedidn’tthatday.AndthenMissPebmarshgoesoutaboutteno’clock.Shegoestoteachchildrenatablindschool.Mrs.Crabgoesawayabouttwelve.Sometimesshehasaparcelwithherthatshedidn’thavewhenshecame.Bitsofbutter,Iexpect,andcheese,becauseMissPebmarshcan’tsee.IknowparticularlywellwhathappenedthatdaybecauseyouseeIngridandIwerehavingalittlequarrelsoshewouldn’ttalktome.I’mteachingherEnglishandshewantedtoknowhowtosay‘untilwemeetagain.’ShehadtotellitmeinGerman.AufWiedersehen.IknowthatbecauseIoncewenttoSwitzerlandandpeoplesaidthatthere.AndtheysaidGrüssGott,too.That’srudeifyousayitinEnglish.”
“SowhatdidyoutellIngridtosay?”
Geraldinebegantolaughadeepmaliciouschuckle.Shestartedtospeakbutherchucklespreventedher,butatlastshegotitout.
“Itoldhertosay‘Getthehelloutofhere!’SoshesaidittoMissBulstrodenextdoorandMissBulstrodewasfurious.SoIngridfoundoutandwasverycrosswithmeandwedidn’tmakefriendsuntilnearlyteatimethenextday.”
Idigestedthisinformation.
“Soyouconcentratedonyouroperaglasses.”
Geraldinenodded.
“Sothat’showIknowMr.Currydidn’tgoinbythefrontdoor.Ithinkperhapshegotinsomehowinthenightandhidinanattic.Doyouthinkthat’slikely?”
“Isupposeanythingreallyispossible,”Isaid,“butitdoesn’tseemtomeveryprobable.”
“No,”saidGeraldine,“hewouldhavegothungry,wouldn’the?Andhecouldn’thaveaskedMissPebmarshforbreakfast,notifhewashidingfromher.”
“Andnobodycametothehouse?”Isaid.“Nobodyatall?Nobodyinacar—atradesman—callers?”
“ThegrocercomesMondaysandThursdays,”saidGeraldine,“andthemilkcomesathalfpasteightinthemorning.”
Thechildwasapositiveencyclopaedia.
“ThecauliflowersandthingsMissPebmarshbuysherself.Nobodycalledatallexceptthelaundry.Itwasanewlaundry,”sheadded.
“Anewlaundry?”
“Yes.It’susuallytheSouthernDownsLaundry.MostpeoplehavetheSouthernDowns.Itwasanewlaundrythatday—theSnowflakeLaundry.I’veneverseentheSnowflakeLaundry.Theymusthavejuststarted.”
Ifoughthardtokeepanyundueinterestoutofmyvoice.Ididn’twanttostartherromancing.
“Diditdeliverlaundryorcallforit?”Iasked.
“Deliverit,”saidGeraldine.“Inagreatbigbasket,too.Muchbiggerthantheusualone.”
“DidMissPebmarshtakeitin?”
“No,ofcoursenot,she’dgoneoutagain.”
“Whattimewasthis,Geraldine?”
“1:35exactly,”saidGeraldine.“Iwroteitdown,”sheaddedproudly.
Shemotionedtowardsasmallnotebookandopeningitpointedwitharatherdirtyforefingertoanentry.1:35laundrycame.No.19.
“YououghttobeatScotlandYard,”Isaid.
“Dotheyhavewomendetectives?I’dquitelikethat.Idon’tmeanpolicewomen.Ithinkpolicewomenaresilly.”
“Youhaven’ttoldmeexactlywhathappenedwhenthelaundrycame.”
“Nothinghappened,”saidGeraldine.“Thedrivergotdown,openedthevan,tookoutthisbasketandstaggeredalongroundthesideofthehousetothebackdoor.Iexpecthecouldn’tgetin.MissPebmarshprobablylocksit,soheprobablyleftitthereandcameback.”
“Whatdidhelooklike?”
“Justordinary,”saidGeraldine.
“Likeme?”Iasked.
“Oh,no,mucholderthanyou,”saidGeraldine,“butIdidn’treallyseehimproperlybecausehedroveuptothehouse—thisway.”Shepointedtotheright.“Hedrewupinfrontof19althoughhewasonthewrongsideoftheroad.Butitdoesn’tmatterinastreetlikethis.Andthenhewentinthroughthegatebentoverthebasket.Icouldonlyseethebackofhisheadandwhenhecameoutagainhewasrubbinghisface.Iexpecthefounditabithotandtrying,carryingthatbasket.”
“Andthenhedroveoffagain?”
“Yes.Whydoyouthinkitsointeresting?”
“Well,Idon’tknow,”Isaid.“Ithoughtperhapshemighthaveseensomethinginteresting.”
Ingridflungthedooropen.Shewaswheelingatrolley.
“Weeatdinnernow,”shesaid,noddingbrightly.
“Goody,”saidGeraldine,“I’mstarving.”
Igotup.
“Imustbegoingnow,”Isaid.“Good-bye,Geraldine.”
“Good-bye.Whataboutthisthing?”Shepickedupthefruitknife.“It’snotmine.”Hervoicebecamewistful.“Iwishitwere.”
“Itlooksasthoughit’snobody’sinparticular,doesn’tit?”
“Wouldthatmakeittreasuretrove,orwhateveritis?”
“Somethingofthekind,”Isaid.“Ithinkyou’dbetterhangontoit.Thatis,hangontoituntilsomeoneelseclaimsit.ButIdon’tthink,”Isaidtruthfully,“thatanybodywill.”
“Getmeanapple,Ingrid,”saidGeraldine.
“Apple?”
“Pomme!Apfel!”
Shedidherlinguisticbest.Ileftthemtoit.
Twenty-six
Mrs.RivalpushedopenthedoorofthePeacock’sArmsandmadeaslightlyunsteadyprogresstowardsthebar.Shewasmurmuringunderherbreath.Shewasnostrangertothisparticularhostelryandwasgreetedquiteaffectionatelybythebarman.
“Howdo,Flo,”hesaid,“how’stricks?”
“It’snotright,”saidMrs.Rival.“It’snotfair.No,it’snotright.IknowwhatI’mtalkingabout,Fred,andIsayit’snotright.”
“Ofcourseitisn’tright,”saidFred,soothingly.“Whatis,I’dliketoknow?Wanttheusual,dear?”
Mrs.Rivalnoddedassent.Shepaidandbegantosipfromherglass.Fredmovedawaytoattendtoanothercustomer.HerdrinkcheeredMrs.Rivalslightly.Shestillmutteredunderherbreathbutwithamoregood-humouredexpression.WhenFredwasnearheroncemoresheaddressedhimagainwithaslightlysoftenedmanner.
“Allthesame,I’mnotgoingtoputupwithit,”shesaid.“No,I’mnot.Ifthere’sonethingIcan’tbear,it’sdeceit.Idon’tstandfordeceit,Ineverdid.”
“Ofcourseyoudidn’t,”saidFred.
Hesurveyedherwithapractisedeye.“Hadagoodfewalready,”hethoughttohimself.“Still,shecanstandacouplemore,Iexpect.Something’supsether.”
“Deceit,”saidMrs.Rival.“Prevari—prevari—well,youknowthewordImean.”
“SureIknow,”saidFred.
Heturnedtogreetanotheracquaintance.Theunsatisfactoryperformanceofcertaindogscameunderreview.Mrs.Rivalcontinuedtomurmur.
“Idon’tlikeitandIwon’tstandforit.Ishallsayso.Peoplecan’tthinktheycangoaroundtreatingmelikethat.No,indeedtheycan’t.Imean,it’snotrightandifyoudon’tstickupforyourself,who’llstickupforyou?Givemeanother,dearie,”sheaddedinaloudervoice.
Fredobliged.
“Ishouldgohomeafterthatone,ifIwereyou,”headvised.
Hewonderedwhathadupsettheoldgirlsomuch.Shewasusuallyfairlyeven-tempered.Afriendlysoul,alwaysgoodforalaugh.
“It’llgetmeinbad,Fred,yousee,”shesaid.“Whenpeopleaskyoutodoathing,theyshouldtellyouallaboutit.Theyshouldtellyouwhatitmeansandwhatthey’redoing.Liars.Dirtyliars,that’swhatIsay.AndIwon’tstandforit.”
“Ishouldcutalonghome,ifIwereyou,”saidFred,asheobservedatearabouttotrickledownthemascaraedsplendour.“Goingtocomeontorainsoon,itis,andrainhard,too.Spoilthatprettyhatofyours.”
Mrs.Rivalgaveonefaintappreciativesmile.
“Ialwayswasfondofcornflowers,”shesaid.“Oh,dearme,Idon’tknowwhattodo,I’msure.”
“Ishouldgohomeandhaveanicekip,”saidthebarman,kindly.
“Well,perhaps,but—”
“Comeon,now,youdon’twanttospoilthathat.”
“That’sverytrue,”saidMrs.Rival.“Yes,that’sverytrue.That’saveryprof—profumed—noIdon’tmeanthat—whatdoImean?”
“Profoundremarkofyours,Fred.”
“Thankyouverymuch.”
“You’rewelcome,”saidFred.
Mrs.Rivalslippeddownfromherhighseatandwentnottoosteadilytowardsthedoor.
“SomethingseemstohaveupsetoldFlotonight,”saidoneofthecustomers.
“She’susuallyacheerfulbird—butweallhaveourupsanddowns,”saidanotherman,agloomy-lookingindividual.
“Ifanyonehadtoldme,”saidthefirstman,“thatJerryGraingerwouldcomeinfifth,waybehindQueenCaroline,Iwouldn’thavebelievedit.Ifyouaskme,there’sbeenhanky-panky.Racing’snotstraightnowadays.Dopethehorses,theydo.Allof’em.”
Mrs.RivalhadcomeoutofthePeacock’sArms.Shelookedupuncertainlyatthesky.Yes,perhapsitwasgoingtorain.Shewalkedalongthestreet,hurryingslightly,tookaturntotheleft,aturntotherightandstoppedbeforearatherdingy-lookinghouse.Asshetookoutakeyandwentupthefrontstepsavoicespokefromtheareabelow,andaheadpokedroundacornerofthedoorandlookedupather.
“Gentlemanwaitingforyouupstairs.”
“Forme?”
Mrs.Rivalsoundedfaintlysurprised.
“Well,ifyoucallhimagentleman.Welldressedandallthat,butnotquiteLordAlgernonVeredeVere,Iwouldsay.”
Mrs.Rivalsucceededinfindingthekeyhole,turnedthekeyinitandentered.
Thehousesmelledofcabbageandfishandeucalyptus.Thelattersmellwasalmostpermanentinthisparticularhall.Mrs.Rival’slandladywasagreatbelieverintakingcareofherchestinwinterweatherandbeganthegoodworkinmid-September.Mrs.Rivalclimbedthestairs,aidingherselfwiththebanisters.Shepushedopenthedooronthefirstfloorandwentin,thenshestoppeddeadandtookastepbackwards.
“Oh,”shesaid,“it’syou.”
DetectiveInspectorHardcastlerosefromthechairwherehewassitting.
“Goodevening,Mrs.Rival.”
“Whatdoyouwant?”askedMrs.Rivalwithlessfinessethanshewouldnormallyhaveshown.
“Well,IhadtocomeuptoLondononduty,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“andtherewerejustoneortwothingsIthoughtI’dliketotakeupwithyou,soIcamealongonthechanceoffindingyou.The—er—thewomandownstairsseemedtothinkyoumightbeinbeforelong.”
“Oh,”saidMrs.Rival.“Well,Idon’tsee—well—”
InspectorHardcastlepushedforwardachair.
“Dositdown,”hesaidpolitely.
Theirpositionsmighthavebeenreversed,hethehostandshetheguest.Mrs.Rivalsatdown.Shestaredathimveryhard.
“Whatdidyoumeanbyoneortwothings?”shesaid.
“Littlepoints,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“littlepointsthatcomeup.”
“Youmean—aboutHarry?”
“That’sright.”
“Nowlookhere,”saidMrs.Rival,aslightbelligerencecomingintohervoice;atthesametimeasanaromaofspiritscameclearlytoInspectorHardcastle’snostrils.“I’vehadHarry.Idon’twanttothinkofhimanymore.Icameforward,didn’tI,whenIsawhispictureinthepaper?Icameandtoldyouabouthim.It’sallalongtimeagoandIdon’twanttoberemindedofit.There’snothingmoreIcantellyou.I’vetoldyoueverythingIcouldrememberandnowIdon’twanttohearanymoreaboutit.”
“It’squiteasmallpoint,”saidInspectorHardcastle.Hespokegentlyandapologetically.
“Oh,verywell,”saidMrs.Rival,ratherungraciously.“Whatisit?Let’shaveit.”
“Yourecognizedthemanasyourhusbandorthemanyou’dgonethroughaformofmarriagewithaboutfifteenyearsago.Thatisright,isitnot?”
“Ishouldhavethoughtthatbythistimeyouwouldhaveknownexactlyhowmanyyearsagoitwas.”
“SharperthanIthought,”InspectorHardcastlesaidtohimself.Hewenton.
“Yes,you’requiterightthere.Welookeditup.YouweremarriedonMay15th,1948.”
“It’salwaysunluckytobeaMaybride,sotheysay,”saidMrs.Rivalgloomily.“Itdidn’tbringmeanyluck.”
“Inspiteoftheyearsthathaveelapsed,youwereabletoidentifyyourhusbandquiteeasily.”
Mrs.Rivalmovedwithsomeslightuneasiness.
“Hehadn’tagedmuch,”shesaid,“alwaystookcareofhimself,Harrydid.”
“Andyouwereabletogiveussomeadditionalidentification.Youwrotetome,Ithink,aboutascar.”
“That’sright.Behindhisleftearitwas.Here,”Mrs.Rivalraisedahandandpointedtotheplace.
“Behindhisleftear?”Hardcastlestressedtheword.
“Well—”shelookedmomentarilydoubtful,“yes.Well,Ithinkso.YesI’msureitwas.Ofcourseoneneverdoesknowone’sleftfromone’srightinahurry,doesone?But,yes,itwastheleftsideofhisneck.Here.”Sheplacedherhandonthesamespotagain.
“Andhediditshaving,yousay?”
“That’sright.Thedogjumpeduponhim.Averybouncydogwehadatthetime.Hekeptrushingin—affectionatedog.HejumpeduponHarryandhe’dgottherazorinhishand,anditwentindeep.Itbledalot.Ithealedupbutheneverlostthemark.”Shewasspeakingnowwithmoreassurance.
“That’saveryvaluablepoint,Mrs.Rival.Afterall,onemansometimeslooksverylikeanotherman,especiallywhenagoodmanyyearshavepassed.Buttofindamancloselyresemblingyourhusbandwhohasascarintheidenticalplace—wellthatmakestheidentificationveryniceandsafe,doesn’tit?Itseemsthatwereallyhavesomethingtogoon.”
“I’mgladyou’repleased,”saidMrs.Rival.
“Andthisaccidentwiththerazorhappened—when?”
Mrs.Rivalconsideredamoment.
“Itmusthavebeenabout—oh,aboutsixmonthsafterweweremarried.Yes,thatwasit.Wegotthedogthatsummer,Iremember.”
“SoittookplaceaboutOctoberorNovember,1948.Isthatright?”
“That’sright.”
“Andafteryourhusbandleftyouin1951….”
“Hedidn’tsomuchleavemeasIturnedhimout,”saidMrs.Rivalwithdignity.
“Quiteso.Whicheverwayyouliketoputit.Anyway,afteryouturnedyourhusbandoutin1951youneversawhimagainuntilyousawhispictureinthepaper?”
“Yes.That’swhatItoldyou.”
“Andyou’requitesureaboutthat,Mrs.Rival?”
“OfcourseI’msure.IneverseteyesonHarryCastletonsincethatdayuntilIsawhimdead.”
“That’sodd,youknow,”saidInspectorHardcastle,“that’sveryodd.”
“Why—whatdoyoumean?”
“Well,it’saverycuriousthing,scartissue.Ofcourse,itwouldn’tmeanmuchtoyouorme.Ascar’sascar.Butdoctorscantellalotfromit.Theycantellroughly,youknow,howlongamanhashadascar.”
“Idon’tknowwhatyou’regettingat.”
“Well,simplythis,Mrs.Rival.Accordingtoourpolicesurgeonandtoanotherdoctorwhomweconsulted,thatscartissuebehindyourhusband’searshowsveryclearlythatthewoundinquestioncouldnotbeolderthanaboutfivetosixyearsago.”
“Nonsense,”saidMrs.Rival.“Idon’tbelieveit.I—nobodycantell.Anywaythatwasn’twhen….”
“Soyousee,”proceededHardcastleinasmoothvoice,“ifthatwoundmadeascaronlyfiveorsixyearsago,itmeansthatifthemanwasyourhusbandhehadnoscaratthetimewhenheleftyouin1951.”
“Perhapshedidn’t.ButanywayitwasHarry.”
“Butyou’veneverseenhimsince,Mrs.Rival.Soifyou’veneverseenhimsince,howwouldyouknowthathehadacquiredascarfiveorsixyearsago?”
“Youmixmeup,”saidMrs.Rival,“youmixmeupbadly.Perhapsitwasn’taslongagoas1948—Youcan’trememberallthesethings.Anyway,HarryhadthatscarandIknowit.”
“Isee,”saidInspectorHardcastleandherosetohisfeet.“Ithinkyou’dbetterthinkoverthatstatementofyoursverycarefully,Mrs.Rival.Youdon’twanttogetintotrouble,youknow.”
“Howdoyoumean,getintotrouble?”
“Well,”InspectorHardcastlespokealmostapologetically,“perjury.”
“Perjury.Me!”
“Yes.It’squiteaseriousoffenceinlaw,youknow.Youcouldgetintotrouble,evengotoprison.Ofcourse,you’venotbeenonoathinacoroner’scourt,butyoumayhavetosweartothisevidenceofyoursinapropercourtsometime.Then—well,I’dlikeyoutothinkitoververycarefully,Mrs.Rival.Itmaybethatsomebody—suggestedtoyouthatyoushouldtellusthisstoryaboutthescar?”
Mrs.Rivalgotup.Shedrewherselftoherfullheight,hereyesflashed.Shewasatthatmomentalmostmagnificent.
“Ineverheardsuchnonsenseinmylife,”shesaid.“Absolutenonsense.Itryanddomyduty.Icomeandhelpyou,ItellyouallIcanremember.IfI’vemadeamistakeI’msureit’snaturalenough.AfterallImeetagoodmany—well,gentlemenfriends,andonemaygetthingsalittlewrongsometimes.ButIdon’tthinkIdidmakeamistake.ThatmanwasHarryandHarryhadascarbehindhisleftear,I’mquitesureofit.Andnow,perhaps,InspectorHardcastle,you’llgoawayinsteadofcominghereandinsinuatingthatI’vebeentellinglies.”
InspectorHardcastlegotuppromptly.
“Goodnight,Mrs.Rival,”hesaid.“Justthinkitover.That’sall.”
Mrs.Rivaltossedherhead.Hardcastlewentoutofthedoor.Withhisdeparture,Mrs.Rival’sattitudealteredimmediately.Thefinedefianceofherattitudecollapsed.Shelookedfrightenedandworried.
“Gettingmeintothis,”shemurmured,“gettingmeintothis.I’ll—I’llnotgoonwithit.I’ll—I’ll—I’mnotgoingtogetintotroubleforanybody.Tellingmethings,lyingtome,deceivingme.It’smonstrous.Quitemonstrous.Ishallsayso.”
Shewalkedupanddownunsteadily,thenfinallymakinguphermind,shetookanumbrellafromthecornerandwentoutagain.Shewalkedalongtotheendofthestreet,hesitatedatacall-box,thenwentontoapostoffice.Shewentinthere,askedforchangeandwentintooneofthecallboxes.ShedialledDirectoryandaskedforanumber.Shestoodtherewaitingtillthecallcamethrough.
“Goaheadplease.Yourpartyisontheline.”
Shespoke.
“Hallo…oh,it’syou.Flohere.No,IknowyoutoldmenottobutI’vehadto.You’venotbeenstraightwithme.YounevertoldmewhatIwasgettinginto.Youjustsaiditwouldbeawkwardforyouifthismanwasidentified.Ididn’tdreamforamomentthatIwouldgetmixedupinamurder…Well,ofcourseyou’dsaythat,butatanyrateitwasn’twhatyoutoldme…Yes,Ido.Ithinkyouaremixedupinitinsomeway…Well,I’mnotgoingtostandforit,Itellyou…There’ssomethingaboutbeingan—ac—well,youknowthewordImean—accessory,somethinglikethat.ThoughIalwaysthoughtthatwascostumejewellery.Anyway,it’ssomethinglikebeingasomethingafterthefact,andI’mfrightened,Itellyou…tellingmetowriteandtellthemthatbitaboutascar.Nowitseemshe’donlygotthatscarayearortwoagoandhere’smeswearinghehaditwhenheleftmeyearsago…Andthat’sperjuryandImightgotoprisonforit.Well,it’snogoodyourtryingtotalkmeround…No…Obligingsomeoneisonething…WellIknow…Iknowyoupaidmeforit.Andnotverymucheither…Well,allright,I’lllistentoyou,butI’mnotgoingto…Allright,allright,I’llkeepquiet…Whatdidyousay?…Howmuch?…That’salotofmoney.HowdoIknowthatyou’vegotiteven…Well,yes,ofcourseitwouldmakeadifference.Youswearyoudidn’thaveanythingtodowithit?—Imeanwithkillinganyone…No,wellI’msureyouwouldn’t.Ofcourse,Iseethat…Sometimesyougetmixedupwithacrowdofpeople—andtheygofurtherthanyouwouldandit’snotyourfault…Youalwaysmakethingssoundsoplausible…Youalwaysdid…Well,allright,I’llthinkitoverbutit’sgottobesoon…Tomorrow?Whattime?…Yes…yes,I’llcomebutnocheque.Itmightbounce…Idon’tknowreallythatIoughttogoongettingmyselfmixedupinthingseven…allright.Well,ifyousayso…Well,Ididn’tmeantobenastyaboutit…Allrightthen.”
Shecameoutofthepostofficeweavingfromsidetosideofthepavementandsmilingtoherself.
Itwasworthriskingalittletroublewiththepoliceforthatamountofmoney.Itwouldsetherupnicely.Anditwasn’tverymuchriskreally.She’donlygottosayshe’dforgottenorcouldn’tremember.Lotsofwomencouldn’trememberthingsthathadonlyhappenedayearago.She’dsayshegotmixedupbetweenHarryandanotherman.Oh,shecouldthinkuplotsofthingstosay.
Mrs.Rivalwasanaturallymercurialtype.Herspiritsroseasmuchnowastheyhadbeendepressedbefore.Shebegantothinkseriouslyandintentlyofthefirstthingsshewouldspendthemoneyon….
Twenty-seven
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
“Youdon’tseemtohavegotmuchoutofthatRamsaywoman?”complainedColonelBeck.
“Therewasn’tmuchtoget.”
“Sureofthat?”
“Yes.”
“She’snotanactiveparty?”
“No.”
Beckgavemeasearchingglance.
“Satisfied?”heasked.
“Notreally.”
“Youhopedformore?”
“Itdoesn’tfillthegap.”
“Well—we’llhavetolookelsewhere…giveupcrescents—eh?”
“Yes.”
“You’reverymonosyllabic.Gotahangover?”
“I’mnogoodatthisjob,”Isaidslowly.
“Wantmetopatyouontheheadandsay‘There,there?’”
InspiteofmyselfIlaughed.
“That’sbetter,”saidBeck.“Nowthen,what’sitallabout?Girltrouble,Isuppose.”
Ishookmyhead.“It’sbeencomingonforsometime.”
“AsamatteroffactI’venoticedit,”saidBeckunexpectedly.“Theworld’sinaconfusingstatenowadays.Theissuesaren’tclearastheyusedtobe.Whendiscouragementsetsin,it’slikedryrot.Whackinggreatmushroomsburstingthroughthewalls!Ifthat’sso,yourusefulnesstousisover.You’vedonesomefirst-classwork,boy.Becontentwiththat.Gobacktothosedamnedseaweedsofyours.”
Hepausedandsaid:“Youreallylikethebeastlythings,don’tyou?”
“Ifindthewholesubjectpassionatelyinteresting.”
“Ishouldfinditrepulsive.Splendidvariationinnature,isn’tthere?Tastes,Imean.How’sthatpatentmurderofyours?Ibetyouthegirldidit.”
“You’rewrong,”Isaid.
Beckshookhisfingeratmeinanadmonitoryandavuncularmanner.
“WhatIsaytoyouis:‘Beprepared.’AndIdon’tmeanitintheBoyScoutsense.”
IwalkeddownCharingCrossRoaddeepinthought.
AtthetubestationIboughtapaper.
Ireadthatawoman,supposedtohavecollapsedintherushhouratVictoriaStationyesterday,hadbeentakentohospital.Onarrivalthereshewasfoundtohavebeenstabbed.Shehaddiedwithoutrecoveringconsciousness.
HernamewasMrs.MerlinaRival.
II
IrangHardcastle.
“Yes,”hesaidinanswertomyquestions.“It’sjustastheysay.”
Hisvoicesoundedhardandbitter.
“Iwenttoseehernightbeforelast.Itoldherherstoryaboutthescarjustwouldn’tjell.Thatthescartissuewascomparativelyrecent.Funnyhowpeopleslipup.Justbytryingtooverdothings.Somebodypaidthatwomantoidentifythecorpseasbeingthatofherhusband,whoranoutonheryearsago.
“Verywellshedidit,too!Ibelievedherallright.Andthenwhoeveritwastriedtobealittletooclever.Ifsherememberedthatunimportantlittlescarasanafterthought,itwouldcarryconvictionandclinchtheidentification.Ifshehadplumpedoutwithitstraightaway,itmighthavesoundedabittooglib.”
“SoMerlinaRivalwasinituptotheneck?”
“Doyouknow,Iratherdoubtthat.Supposeanoldfriendoracquaintancegoestoherandsays:‘Lookhere,I’minabitofaspot.AchapI’vehadbusinessdealingswithhasbeenmurdered.Iftheyidentifyhimandallourdealingscometolight,itwillbeabsolutedisaster.Butifyouweretocomealongandsayit’sthathusbandofyours,HarryCastleton,whodidabunkyearsago,thenthewholecasewillpeterout.’”
“Surelyshe’djibatthat—sayitwastoorisky?”
“Ifso,thatsomeonewouldsay:‘What’stherisk?Attheworst,you’vemadeamistake.Anywomancanmakeamistakeafterfifteenyears.’Andprobablyatthatpointanicelittlesumwouldhavebeenmentioned.AndshesaysO.K.she’llbeasport!anddoit.”
“Withnosuspicions?”
“Shewasn’tasuspiciouswoman.Why,goodlord,Colin,everytimewecatchamurderertherearepeoplewho’veknownhimwell,andsimplycan’tbelievehecoulddoanythinglikethat!”
“Whathappenedwhenyouwentuptoseeher?”
“Iputthewindupher.AfterIleft,shedidwhatIexpectedshe’ddo—triedtogetintouchwiththemanorwomanwho’dgotherintothis.Ihadatailonher,ofcourse.Shewenttoapostofficeandputthroughacallfromanautomaticcallbox.Unfortunately,itwasn’ttheboxI’dexpectedhertouseattheendofherownstreet.Shehadtogetchange.Shecameoutofthecallboxlookingpleasedwithherself.Shewaskeptunderobservation,butnothingofinteresthappeneduntilyesterdayevening.ShewenttoVictoriaStationandtookatickettoCrowdean.Itwashalfpastsix,therushhour.Shewasn’tonherguard.ShethoughtshewasgoingtomeetwhoeveritwasatCrowdean.Butthecunningdevilwasastepaheadofher.Easiestthingintheworldtogangupbehindsomeoneinacrowd,andpresstheknifein…Don’tsupposesheevenknewshehadbeenstabbed.Peopledon’t,youknow.RememberthatcaseofBartonintheLevittiGangrobbery?Walkedthelengthofastreetbeforehefelldowndead.Justasuddensharppain—thenyouthinkyou’reallrightagain.Butyou’renot.You’redeadonyourfeetalthoughyoudon’tknowit.”
Hefinishedup:“Damnanddamnanddamn!”
“Haveyou—checkedon—anybody?”
Ihadtoask.Icouldn’thelpmyself.
Hisreplycameswiftandsharp.
“ThePebmarshwomanwasinLondonyesterday.ShedidsomebusinessfortheInstituteandreturnedtoCrowdeanbythe7:40train.”Hepaused.“AndSheilaWebbtookupatypescripttocheckoverwithaforeignauthorwhowasinLondononhiswaytoNewYork.ShelefttheRitzHotelat5:30approx.andtookinacinema—alone—beforereturning.”
“Lookhere,Hardcastle,”Isaid,“I’vegotsomethingforyou.Vouchedforbyaneyewitness.Alaundryvandrewupat19,WilbrahamCrescentat1:35onSeptemberthe9th.Themanwhodroveitdeliveredabiglaundrybasketatthebackdoorofthehouse.Itwasaparticularlylargelaundrybasket.”
“Laundry?Whatlaundry?”
“TheSnowflakeLaundry.Knowit?”
“Notoffhand.Newlaundriesarealwaysstartingup.It’sanordinarysortofnameforalaundry.”
“Well—youcheckup.Amandroveit—andamantookthebasketintothehouse—”
Hardcastle’svoicecamesuddenly,alertwithsuspicion.
“Areyoumakingthisup,Colin?”
“No.ItoldyouI’vegotaneyewitness.Checkup,Dick.Getonwithit.”
Irangoffbeforehecouldbadgermefurther.
Iwalkedoutfromtheboxandlookedatmywatch.Ihadagooddealtodo—andIwantedtobeoutofHardcastle’sreachwhilstIdidit.Ihadmyfuturelifetoarrange.
Twenty-eight
COLINLAMB’SNARRATIVE
I
IarrivedatCrowdeanateleveno’clockatnight,fivedayslater.IwenttotheClarendonHotel,gotaroom,andwenttobed.I’dbeentiredthenightbeforeandIoverslept.Iwokeupataquartertoten.
Isentforcoffeeandtoastandadailypaper.ItcameandwithitalargesquarenoteaddressedtomewiththewordsBYHANDinthetopleft-handcorner.
Iexamineditwithsomesurprise.Itwasunexpected.Thepaperwasthickandexpensive,thesuperscriptionneatlyprinted.
Afterturningitoverandplayingwithit,Ifinallyopenedit.
Insidewasasheetofpaper.Printedonitinlargeletterswerethewords:
CURLEWHOTEL11:30
ROOM413
(Knockthreetimes)
Istaredatit,turneditoverinmyhand—whatwasallthis?
Inotedtheroomnumber—413—thesameastheclocks.Acoincidence?Ornotacoincidence.
IhadthoughtsofringingtheCurlewHotel.ThenIthoughtofringingDickHardcastle.Ididn’tdoeither.
Mylethargywasgone.Igotup,shaved,washed,dressedandwalkedalongthefronttotheCurlewHotelandgotthereattheappointedtime.
Thesummerseasonwasprettywellovernow.Thereweren’tmanypeopleaboutinsidethehotel.
Ididn’tmakeanyinquiriesatthedesk.IwentupinthelifttothefourthfloorandwalkedalongthecorridortoNo.413.
Istoodthereforamomentortwo:then,feelingacompletefool,Iknockedthreetimes….
Avoicesaid,“Comein.”
Iturnedthehandle,thedoorwasn’tlocked.Isteppedinsideandstoppeddead.
IwaslookingatthelastpersononearthIwouldhaveexpectedtosee.
HerculePoirotsatfacingme.Hebeamedatme.
“Unepetitesurprise,n’est-cepas?”hesaid.“Butapleasantone,Ihope.”
“Poirot,youoldfox,”Ishouted.“Howdidyougethere?”
“IgothereinaDaimlerlimousine—mostcomfortable.”
“Butwhatareyoudoinghere?”
“Itwasmostvexing.Theyinsisted,positivelyinsistedontheredecorationofmyapartment.Imaginemydifficulty.WhatcanIdo?WherecanIgo?”
“Lotsofplaces,”Isaidcoldly.
“Possibly,butitissuggestedtomebymydoctorthattheairoftheseawillbegoodforme.”
“Oneofthoseobligingdoctorswhofindsoutwherehispatientwantstogo,andadviseshimtogothere!Wasityouwhosentmethis?”IbrandishedtheletterIhadreceived.
“Naturally—whoelse?”
“Isitacoincidencethatyouhavearoomwhosenumberis413?”
“Itisnotacoincidence.Iaskedforitspecially.”
“Why?”
Poirotputhisheadononesideandtwinkledatme.
“Itseemedtobeappropriate.”
“Andknockingthreetimes?”
“Icouldnotresistit.IfIcouldhaveenclosedasprigofrosemaryitwouldhavebeenbetterstill.Ithoughtofcuttingmyfingerandputtingabloodstainedfingerprintonthedoor.Butenoughisenough!Imighthavegotaninfection.”
“Isupposethisissecondchildhood,”Iremarkedcoldly.“I’llbuyyouaballoonandawoollyrabbitthisafternoon.”
“Idonotthinkyouenjoymysurprise.Youexpressnojoy,nodelightatseeingme.”
“Didyouexpectmeto?”
“Pourquoipas?Come,letusbeserious,nowthatIhavehadmylittlepieceoffoolery.Ihopetobeofassistance.Ihavecalledupthechiefconstablewhohasbeenoftheutmostamiability,andatthismomentIawaityourfriend,DetectiveInspectorHardcastle.”
“Andwhatareyougoingtosaytohim?”
“Itwasinmymindthatwemightallthreeengageinconversation.”
Ilookedathimandlaughed.Hemightcallitconversation—butIknewwhowasgoingtodothetalking.
HerculePoirot!
II
Hardcastlehadarrived.Wehadhadtheintroductionandthegreetings.Wewerenowsettleddowninacompanionablefashion,withDickoccasionallyglancingsurreptitiouslyatPoirotwiththeairofamanattheZoostudyinganewandsurprisingacquisition.IdoubtifhehadevermetanyonequitelikeHerculePoirotbefore!
Finally,theamenitiesandpolitenesshavingbeenobserved,Hardcastleclearedhisthroatandspoke.
“Isuppose,M.Poirot,”hesaidcautiously,“thatyou’llwanttosee—well,thewholesetupforyourself?Itwon’tbeexactlyeasy—”Hehesitated.“ThechiefconstabletoldmetodoeverythingIcouldforyou.Butyoumustappreciatethattherearedifficulties,questionsthatmaybeasked,objections.Still,asyouhavecomedownherespecially—”
Poirotinterruptedhim—withatouchofcoldness.
“Icamehere,”hesaid,“becauseofthereconstructionanddecorationofmyapartmentinLondon.”
IgaveahorselaughandPoirotshotmealookofreproach.
“M.Poirotdoesn’thavetogoandseethings,”Isaid.“Hehasalwaysinsistedthatyoucandoitallfromanarmchair.Butthat’snotquitetrue,isit,Poirot?Orwhyhaveyoucomehere?”
Poirotrepliedwithdignity.
“Isaidthatitwasnotnecessarytobethefoxhound,thebloodhound,thetrackingdog,runningtoandfrouponthescent.ButIwilladmitthatforthechaseadogisnecessary.Aretriever,myfriend.Agoodretriever.”
Heturnedtowardstheinspector.Onehandtwirledhismoustacheinasatisfiedgesture.
“Letmetellyou,”hesaid,“thatIamnotliketheEnglish,obsessedwithdogs.I,personally,canlivewithoutthedog.ButIaccept,nevertheless,youridealofthedog.Themanlovesandrespectshisdog.Heindulgeshim,heboastsoftheintelligenceandsagacityofhisdogtohisfriends.Nowfiguretoyourself,theoppositemayalsocometopass!Thedogisfondofhismaster.Heindulgesthatmaster!He,too,boastsofhismaster,boastsofhismaster’ssagacityandintelligence.Andasamanwillrousehimselfwhenhedoesnotreallywanttogoout,andtakehisdogforawalkbecausethedogenjoysthewalksomuch,sowillthedogendeavourtogivehismasterwhatthatmasterpinestohave.
“ItwassowithmykindyoungfriendColinhere.Hecametoseeme,nottoaskforhelpwithhisownproblem;thathewasconfidentthathecouldsolveforhimself,andhas,Igather,doneso.No,hefeltconcernthatIwasunoccupiedandlonelysohebroughttomeaproblemthathefeltwouldinterestmeandgivemesomethingtoworkupon.Hechallengedmewithit—challengedmetodowhatIhadsooftentoldhimitwaspossibletodo—sitstillinmychairand—induecourse—resolvethatproblem.Itmaybe,Isuspectitis,thattherewasalittlemalice,justasmallharmlessamount,behindthatchallenge.Hewanted,letussay,toprovetomethatitwasnotsoeasyafterall.Maisoui,monami,itistrue,that!Youwantedtomockyourselfatme—justalittle!Idonotreproachyou.AllIsayis,youdidnotknowyourHerculePoirot.”
Hethrustouthischestandtwirledhismoustaches.
Ilookedathimandgrinnedaffectionately.
“Allrightthen,”Isaid.“Giveustheanswertotheproblem—ifyouknowit.”
“ButofcourseIknowit!”
Hardcastlestaredathimincredulously.
“Areyousayingyouknowwhokilledthemanat19,WilbrahamCrescent?”
“Certainly.”
“AndalsowhokilledEdnaBrent?”
“Ofcourse.”
“Youknowtheidentityofthedeadman?”
“Iknowwhohemustbe.”
Hardcastlehadaverydoubtfulexpressiononhisface.Mindfulofthechiefconstable,heremainedpolite.Buttherewasscepticisminhisvoice.
“Excuseme,M.Poirot,youclaimthatyouknowwhokilledthreepeople.Andwhy?”
“Yes.”
“You’vegotanopenandshutcase?”
“That,no.”
“Allyoumeanisthatyouhaveahunch,”Isaid,unkindly.
“Iwillnotquarrelwithyouoveraword,moncherColin.AllIsayis,Iknow!”
Hardcastlesighed.
“Butyousee,M.Poirot,Ihavetohaveevidence.”
“Naturally,butwiththeresourcesyouhaveatyourdisposal,itwillbepossibleforyou,Ithink,togetthatevidence.”
“I’mnotsosureaboutthat.”
“Comenow,Inspector.Ifyouknow—reallyknow—isnotthatthefirststep?Canyounot,nearlyalways,goonfromthere?”
“Notalways,”saidHardcastlewithasigh.“Therearemenwalkingabouttodaywhooughttobeingaol.Theyknowitandweknowit.”
“Butthatisaverysmallpercentage,isitnot—”
Iinterrupted.
“Allright.Allright.Youknow…Nowletusknowtoo!”
“Iperceiveyouarestillsceptical.Butfirstletmesaythis:Tobesuremeansthatwhentherightsolutionisreached,everythingfallsintoplace.Youperceivethatinnootherwaycouldthingshavehappened.”
“FortheloveofMike,”Isaid,“getonwithit!Igrantyouallthepointsyou’vemade.”
Poirotarrangedhimselfcomfortablyinhischairandmotionedtotheinspectortoreplenishhisglass.
“Onething,mesamis,mustbeclearlyunderstood.Tosolveanyproblemonemusthavethefacts.Forthatoneneedsthedog,thedogwhoisaretriever,whobringsthepiecesonebyoneandlaysthemat—”
“Atthefeetofthemaster,”Isaid.“Admitted.”
“Onecannotfromone’sseatinachairsolveacasesolelyfromreadingaboutitinanewspaper.Forone’sfactsmustbeaccurate,andnewspapersareseldom,ifever,accurate.Theyreportsomethinghappenedatfouro’clockwhenitwasaquarterpastfour,theysayamanhadasistercalledElizabethwhenactuallyhehadasister-in-lawcalledAlexandra.Andsoon.ButinColinhere,Ihaveadogofremarkableability—anability,Imaysay,whichhastakenhimfarinhisowncareer.Hehasalwayshadaremarkablememory.Hecanrepeattoyou,evenseveraldayslater,conversationsthathavetakenplace.Hecanrepeatthemaccurately—thatis,nottransposingthem,asnearlyallofusdo,towhattheimpressionmadeonhimwas.Toexplainroughly—hewouldnotsay,‘Andattwentypasteleventhepostcame’insteadofdescribingwhatactuallyhappened,namelyaknockonthefrontdoorandsomeonecomingintotheroomwithlettersintheirhand.Allthisisveryimportant.ItmeansthatheheardwhatIwouldhaveheardifIhadbeenthereandseenwhatIwouldhaveseen.”
“Onlythepoordoghasn’tmadethenecessarydeductions?”
“So,asfarascanbe,Ihavethefacts—Iam‘inthepicture.’Itisyourwartimeterm,isitnot?To‘putoneinthepicture.’Thethingthatstruckmefirstofall,whenColinrecountedthestorytome,wasitshighlyfantasticcharacter.Fourclocks,eachroughlyanhouraheadoftherighttime,andallintroducedintothehousewithouttheknowledgeoftheowner,orsoshesaid.Forwemustnever,mustwe,believewhatwearetold,untilsuchstatementshavebeencarefullychecked?”
“Yourmindworksthewaythatminedoes,”saidHardcastleapprovingly.
“Onthefloorliesadeadman—arespectable-lookingelderlyman.Nobodyknowswhoheis(oragainsotheysay).InhispocketisacardbearingthenameofMr.R.H.Curry,7,DenversStreet.MetropolisInsuranceCompany.ButthereisnoMetropolisInsuranceCompany.ThereisnoDenversStreetandthereseemstobenosuchpersonasMr.Curry.Thatisnegativeevidence,butitisevidence.Wenowproceedfurther.Apparentlyatabouttenminutestotwoasecretarialagencyisrungup,aMissMillicentPebmarshasksforastenographertobesentto19,WilbrahamCrescentatthreeo’clock.ItisparticularlyaskedthataMissSheilaWebbshouldbesent.MissWebbissent.Shearrivesthereatafewminutesbeforethree;goes,accordingtoinstructions,intothesittingroom,findsadeadmanonthefloorandrushesoutofthehousescreaming.Sherushesintothearmsofayoungman.”
Poirotpausedandlookedatme.Ibowed
“Enterouryounghero,”Isaid.
“Yousee,”Poirotpointedout.“Evenyoucannotresistafarcicalmelodramatictonewhenyouspeakofit.Thewholethingismelodramatic,fantasticandcompletelyunreal.ItisthekindofthingthatcouldoccurinthewritingsofsuchpeopleasGarryGregson,forinstance.ImaymentionthatwhenmyyoungfriendarrivedwiththistaleIwasembarkingonacourseofthrillerwriterswhohadpliedtheircraftoverthelastsixtyyears.Mostinteresting.Onecomesalmosttoregardactualcrimesinthelightoffiction.ThatistosaythatifIobservethatadoghasnotbarkedwhenheshouldbark,Isaytomyself,‘Ha!ASherlockHolmescrime!’Similarly,ifthecorpseisfoundinasealedroom,naturallyIsay,‘Ha!ADicksonCarrcase!’ThenthereismyfriendMrs.Oliver.IfIweretofind—butIwillsaynomore.Youcatchmymeaning?Sohereisthesettingofacrimeinsuchwildlyimprobablecircumstancesthatonefeelsatonce,‘Thisbookisnottruetolife.Allthisisquiteunreal.’Butalas,thatwillnotdohere,forthisisreal.Ithappened.Thatgivesonetothinkfuriously,doesitnot?”
Hardcastlewouldnothaveputitlikethat,buthefullyagreedwiththesentiment,andnoddedvigorously.Poirotwenton:
“Itis,asitwere,theoppositeofChesterton’s,‘Wherewouldyouhidealeaf?Inaforest.Wherewouldyouhideapebble?Onabeach.’Herethereisexcess,fantasy,melodrama!WhenIsaytomyselfinimitationofChesterton,‘Wheredoesamiddle-agedwomanhideherfadingbeauty?’Idonotreply,‘Amongstotherfadedmiddle-agedfaces.’Notatall.Shehidesitundermakeup,underrougeandmascara,withhandsomefurswrappedroundherandwithjewelsroundherneckandhanginginherears.Youfollowme?”
“Well—”saidtheinspector,disguisingthefactthathedidn’t.
“Becausethen,yousee,peoplewilllookatthefursandthejewelsandthecoiffureandthehautecouture,andtheywillnotobservewhatthewomanherselfislikeatall!SoIsaytomyself—andIsaytomyfriendColin—Sincethismurderhassomanyfantastictrappingstodistractoneitmustreallybeverysimple.DidInot?”
“Youdid,”Isaid.“ButIstilldon’tseehowyoucanpossiblyberight.”
“Forthatyoumustwait.So,then,wediscardthetrappingsofthecrimeandwegototheessentials.Amanhasbeenkilled.Whyhashebeenkilled?Andwhoishe?Theanswertothefirstquestionwillobviouslydependontheanswertothesecond.Anduntilyougettherightanswertothesetwoquestionsyoucannotpossiblyproceed.Hecouldbeablackmailer,oraconfidencetrickster,orsomebody’shusbandwhoseexistencewasobnoxiousordangeroustohiswife.Hecouldbeoneofadozenthings.ThemoreIheard,themoreeverybodyseemstoagreethathelookedaperfectlyordinary,well-to-do,reputableelderlyman.AndsuddenlyIthinktomyself,‘Yousaythisshouldbeasimplecrime?Verywell,makeitso.Letthismanbeexactlywhatheseems—awell-to-dorespectableelderlyman.’”Helookedattheinspector.“Yousee?”
“Well—”saidtheinspectoragain,andpausedpolitely.
“Sohereissomeone,anordinary,pleasant,elderlymanwhoseremovalisnecessarytosomeone.Towhom?Andhereatlastwecannarrowthefieldalittle.Thereislocalknowledge—ofMissPebmarshandherhabits,oftheCavendishSecretarialBureau,ofagirlworkingtherecalledSheilaWebb.AndsoIsaytomyfriendColin:‘Theneighbours.Conversewiththem.Findoutaboutthem.Theirbackgrounds.Butaboveall,engageinconversation.Becauseinconversationyoudonotgetmerelytheanswerstoquestions—inordinaryconversationalprattlethingsslipout.Peopleareontheirguardwhenthesubjectmaybedangeroustothem,butthemomentordinarytalkensuestheyrelax,theysuccumbtothereliefofspeakingthetruth,whichisalwaysverymucheasierthanlying.Andsotheyletsliponelittlefactwhichunbeknowntothemmakesallthedifference.”
“Anadmirableexposition,”Isaid.“Unfortunatelyitdidn’thappeninthiscase.”
“But,moncher,itdid.Onelittlesentenceofinestimableimportance.”
“What?”Idemanded.“Whosaidit?When?”
“Induecourse,moncher.”
“Youweresaying,M.Poirot?”TheinspectorpolitelydrewPoirotbacktothesubject.
“IfyoudrawacircleroundNumber19,anybodywithinitmighthavekilledMr.Curry.Mrs.Hemming,theBlands,theMcNaughtons,MissWaterhouse.Butmoreimportantstill,therearethosealreadypositionedonthespot.MissPebmarshwhocouldhavekilledhimbeforeshewentoutat1:35orthereaboutsandMissWebbwhocouldhavearrangedtomeethimthere,andkilledhimbeforerushingfromthehouseandgivingthealarm.”
“Ah,”saidtheinspector.“You’recomingdowntobrasstacksnow.”
“Andofcourse,”saidPoirot,wheelinground,“you,mydearColin.Youwerealsoonthespot.Lookingforahighnumberwherethelownumberswere.”
“Well,really,”Isaidindignantly.“Whatwillyousaynext?”
“Me,Isayanything!”declaredPoirotgrandly.
“AndyetIamthepersonwhocomesanddumpsthewholethinginyourlap!”
“Murderersareoftenconceited,”Poirotpointedout.“Andtheretoo,itmighthaveamusedyou—tohaveajokelikethatatmyexpense.”
“Ifyougoon,you’llconvinceme,”Isaid.
Iwasbeginningtofeeluncomfortable.
PoirotturnedbacktoInspectorHardcastle.
“Here,Isaytomyself,mustbeessentiallyasimplecrime.Thepresenceofirrelevantclocks,theadvancingoftimebyanhour,thearrangementsmadesodeliberatelyforthediscoveryofthebody,allthesemustbesetasideforthemoment.Theyare,asissaidinyourimmortal‘Alice’like‘shoesandshipsandsealingwaxandcabbagesandkings.’Thevitalpointisthatanordinaryelderlymanisdeadandthatsomebodywantedhimdead.Ifweknewwhothedeadmanwas,itwouldgiveusapointertohiskiller.Ifhewasawell-knownblackmailerthenwemustlookforamanwhocouldbeblackmailed.Ifhewasadetective,thenwelookforamanwhohasacriminalsecret;ifheisamanofwealth,thenwelookamonghisheirs.Butifwedonotknowwhothemanis—thenwehavethemoredifficulttaskofhuntingamongstthoseinthesurroundingcircleforamanwhohasareasontokill.
“SettingasideMissPebmarshandSheilaWebb,whoistherewhomightnotbewhattheyseemtobe?Theanswerwasdisappointing.WiththeexceptionofMr.RamsaywhoIunderstoodwasnotwhatheseemedtobe?”HerePoirotlookedinquiringlyatmeandInodded,“everybody’sbonafidesweregenuine.Blandwasawell-knownlocalbuilder,McNaughtonhadhadaChairatCambridge,Mrs.Hemmingwasthewidowofalocalauctioneer,theWaterhouseswererespectableresidentsoflongstanding.SowecomebacktoMr.Curry.Wheredidhecomefrom?Whatbroughthimto19,WilbrahamCrescent?Andhereoneveryvaluableremarkwasspokenbyoneoftheneighbours,Mrs.Hemming.WhentoldthatthedeadmandidnotliveatNumber19,shesaid,‘Oh!Isee.Hejustcametheretobekilled.Howodd.’Shehadthegift,oftenpossessedbythosewhoaretoooccupiedwiththeirownthoughtstopayattentiontowhatothersaresaying,tocometotheheartoftheproblem.Shesummedupthewholecrime.Mr.Currycameto19,WilbrahamCrescenttobekilled.Itwasassimpleasthat!”
“Thatremarkofhersstruckmeatthetime,”Isaid.
Poirottooknonoticeofme.
“‘Dilly,dilly,dilly—comeandbekilled’Mr.Currycame—andhewaskilled.Butthatwasnotall.Itwasimportantthatheshouldnotbeidentified.Hehadnowallet,nopapers,thetailor’smarkswereremovedfromhisclothes.Butthatwouldnotbeenough.TheprintedcardofCurry,InsuranceAgent,wasonlyatemporarymeasure.Iftheman’sidentitywastobeconcealedpermanently,hemustbegivenafalseidentity.Soonerorlater,Iwassure,somebodywouldturnup,recognizehimpositivelyandthatwouldbethat.Abrother,asister,awife.Itwasawife.Mrs.Rival—andthenamealonemighthavearousedsuspicion.ThereisavillageinSomerset—Ihavestayedneartherewithfriends—thevillageofCurryRival—Subconsciously,withoutknowingwhythosetwonamessuggestedthemselves,theywerechosen.Mr.Curry—Mrs.Rival.
“Sofar—theplanisobvious,butwhatpuzzledmewaswhyourmurderertookforgrantedthattherewouldbenorealidentification.Ifthemanhadnofamily,thereareatleastlandladies,servants,businessassociates.Thatledmetothenextassumption—thismanwasnotknowntobemissing.AfurtherassumptionwasthathewasnotEnglish,andwasonlyvisitingthiscountry.Thatwouldtieinwiththefactthatthedentalworkdoneonhisteethdidnotcorrespondwithanydentalrecordshere.
“Ibegantohaveashadowypicturebothofthevictimandofthemurderer.Nomorethanthat.Thecrimewaswell-plannedandintelligentlycarriedout—butnowtherecamethatonepieceofsheerbadluckthatnomurderercanforesee.”
“Andwhatwasthat?”askedHardcastle
Unexpectedly,Poirotthrewhisheadback,andreciteddramatically:
“Forwantofanailtheshoewaslost,Forwantofashoethehorsewaslost,Forwantofahorsethebattlewaslost,ForwantofabattletheKingdomwaslost,Andallforthewantofahorseshoenail.”
Heleanedforward.
“AgoodmanypeoplecouldhavekilledMr.Curry.Butonlyonepersoncouldhavekilled,orcouldhavehadreasontokill,thegirlEdna.”
Webothstaredathim.
“LetusconsidertheCavendishSecretarialBureau.Eightgirlsworkthere.Onthe9thofSeptember,fourofthosegirlswereoutonassignmentssomelittledistanceaway—thatis,theywereprovidedwithlunchbytheclientstowhomtheyhadgone.Theywerethefourwhonormallytookthefirstlunchperiodfrom12:30to1:30.Theremainingfour,SheilaWebb,EdnaBrentandtwogirls,JanetandMaureen,tookthesecondperiod,1:30to2:30.ButonthatdayEdnaBrenthadanaccidentquitesoonafterleavingtheoffice.Shetoretheheeloffhershoeinthegrating.Shecouldnotwalklikethat.Sheboughtsomebunsandcamebacktotheoffice.”
Poirotshookanemphaticfingeratus.
“WehavebeentoldthatEdnaBrentwasworriedaboutsomething.ShetriedtoseeSheilaWebboutoftheoffice,butfailed.IthasbeenassumedthatthatsomethingwasconnectedwithSheilaWebb,butthereisnoevidenceofthat.ShemightonlyhavewantedtoconsultSheilaWebbaboutsomethingthathadpuzzledher—butifsoonethingwasclear.ShewantedtotalktoSheilaWebbawayfromthebureau.
“Herwordstotheconstableattheinquestaretheonlycluewehaveastowhatwasworryingher:Shesaidsomethinglike:‘Idon’tseehowwhatshesaidcanhavebeentrue.’Threewomenhadgivenevidencethatmorning.EdnacouldhavebeenreferringtoMissPebmarsh.Or,asithasbeengenerallyassumed,shecouldhavebeenreferringtoSheilaWebb.Butthereisathirdpossibility—shecouldhavebeenreferringtoMissMartindale.”
“MissMartindale?Butherevidenceonlylastedafewminutes.”
“Exactly.ItconsistedonlyofthetelephonecallshehadreceivedpurportingtobefromMissPebmarsh.”
“DoyoumeanthatEdnaknewthatitwasn’tfromMissPebmarsh?”
“Ithinkitwassimplerthanthat.Iamsuggestingthattherewasnotelephonecallatall.”
Hewenton:
“TheheelofEdna’sshoecameoff.Thegratingwasquiteclosetotheoffice.Shecamebacktothebureau.ButMissMartindale,inherprivateoffice,didnotknowthatEdnahadcomeback.Asfarassheknewtherewasnobodybutherselfinthebureau.Allsheneeddowastosayatelephonecallhadcomethroughat1:49.Ednadoesnotseethesignificanceofwhatsheknowsatfirst.SheilaiscalledintoMissMartindaleandtoldtogooutonanappointment.HowandwhenthatappointmentwasmadeisnotmentionedtoEdna.Newsofthemurdercomesthroughandlittlebylittlethestorygetsmoredefinite.MissPebmarshrangupandaskedforSheilaWebbtobesent.ButMissPebmarshsaysitwasnotshewhorangup.Thecallissaidtohavecomethroughattenminutestotwo.ButEdnaknowsthatcouldn’tbetrue.Notelephonecallcamethroughthen.MissMartindalemusthavemadeamistake—ButMissMartindaledefinitelydoesn’tmakemistakes.ThemoreEdnathinksaboutit,themorepuzzlingitis.ShemustaskSheilaaboutit.Sheilawillknow.
“Andthencomestheinquest.Andthegirlsallgotoit.MissMartindalerepeatsherstoryofthetelephonecallandEdnaknowsdefinitelynowthattheevidenceMissMartindalegivessoclearly,withsuchprecisionastotheexacttime,isuntrue.Itwasthenthatsheaskedtheconstableifshecouldspeaktotheinspector.IthinkprobablythatMissMartindale,leavingtheCornmarketinacrowdofpeople,overheardheraskingthat.PerhapsbythenshehadheardthegirlschaffingEdnaabouthershoeaccidentwithoutrealizingwhatitinvolved.Anyway,shefollowedthegirltoWilbrahamCrescent.WhydidEdnagothere,Iwonder?”
“Justtostareattheplacewhereithappened,Iexpect,”saidHardcastlewithasigh.“Peopledo.”
“Yes,thatistrueenough.PerhapsMissMartindalespeakstoherthere,walkswithherdowntheroadandEdnaplumpsoutherquestion.MissMartindaleactsquickly.Theyarejustbythetelephonebox.Shesays,‘Thisisveryimportant.Youmustringupthepoliceatonce.Thenumberofthepolicestationissoandso.Ringupandtellthemwearebothcomingtherenow.’ItissecondnatureforEdnatodowhatsheistold.Shegoesin,picksupthereceiverandMissMartindalecomesinbehindher,pullsthescarfroundherneckandstranglesher.”
“Andnobodysawthis?”
Poirotshruggedhisshoulders.
“Theymighthavedone,buttheydidn’t!Itwasjustononeo’clock.Lunchtime.AndwhatpeopletherewereintheCrescentwerebusystaringat19.Itwasachanceboldlytakenbyaboldandunscrupulouswoman.”
Hardcastlewasshakinghisheaddoubtfully.
“MissMartindale?Idon’tseehowshecanpossiblycomeintoit.”
“No.Onedoesnotseeatfirst.ButsinceMissMartindaleundoubtedlykilledEdna—oh,yes—onlyshecouldhavekilledEdna,thenshemustcomeintoit.AndIbegintosuspectthatinMissMartindalewehavetheLadyMacbethofthiscrime,awomanwhoisruthlessandunimaginative.”
“Unimaginative?”queriedHardcastle.
“Oh,yes,quiteunimaginative.Butveryefficient.Agoodplanner.”
“Butwhy?Where’sthemotive?”
HerculePoirotlookedatme.Hewaggedafinger.
“Sotheneighbours’conversationwasnousetoyou,eh?Ifoundonemostilluminatingsentence.Doyourememberthataftertalkingoflivingabroad,Mrs.BlandremarkedthatshelikedlivinginCrowdeanbecauseshehadasisterhere.ButMrs.Blandwasnotsupposedtohaveasister.ShehadinheritedalargefortuneayearagofromaCanadiangreat-unclebecauseshewastheonlysurvivingmemberofhisfamily.”
Hardcastlesatupalertly.
“Soyouthink—”
Poirotleanedbackinhischairandputhisfingertipstogether.Hehalfclosedhiseyesandspokedreamily.
“Sayyouareaman,averyordinaryandnottooscrupulousman,inbadfinancialdifficulties.Alettercomesonedayfromafirmoflawyerstosaythatyourwifehasinheritedabigfortunefromagreat-uncleinCanada.TheletterisaddressedtoMrs.BlandandtheonlydifficultyisthattheMrs.BlandwhoreceivesitisthewrongMrs.Bland—sheThelegalformalitiesgothrough.AndtheretheBlandsare,richandprosperous,alltheirfinancialtroublesover—
“Andthen—ayearlater—somethinghappens.Whathappens?IsuggestthatsomeonewascomingoverfromCanadatothiscountry—andthatthissomeonehadknownthefirstMrs.Blandwellenoughnottobedeceivedbyanimpersonation.Hemayhavebeenanelderlymemberofthefamilyattorneys,oraclosefriendofthefamily—butwhoeverhewas,hewillknow.Perhapstheythoughtofwaysofavoidingameeting.Mrs.Blandcouldfeignillness,shecouldgoabroad—butanythingofthatkindwouldonlyarousesuspicion.Thevisitorwouldinsistonseeingthewomanhehadcomeovertosee—”
“Andso—tomurder?”
“Yes.Andhere,Ifancy,Mrs.Bland’ssistermayhavebeentherulingspirit.Shethoughtupandplannedthewholething.”
“YouaretakingitthatMissMartindaleandMrs.Blandaresisters?”
“Itistheonlywaythingsmakesense.”
“Mrs.BlanddidremindmeofsomeonewhenIsawher,”saidHardcastle.“They’reverydifferentinmanner—butit’strue—thereisalikeness.Buthowcouldtheyhopetogetawaywithit?”Themanwouldbemissed.Inquirieswouldbemade—”
“Ifthismanweretravellingabroad—perhapsforpleasure,notforbusiness,hisschedulewouldbevague.Aletterfromoneplace—apostcardfromanother—itwouldbealittletimebeforepeoplewonderedwhytheyhadnotheardfromhim.BythattimewhowouldconnectamanidentifiedandburiedasHarryCastleton,witharichCanadianvisitortothecountrywhohasnotevenbeenseeninthispartoftheworld?IfIhadbeenthemurderer,IwouldhaveslippedoveronadaytriptoFranceorBelgiumanddiscardedthedeadman’spassportinatrainoratramsothattheinquirywouldtakeplacefromanothercountry.”
Imovedinvoluntarily,andPoirot’seyescameroundtome.
“Yes?”hesaid.
“BlandmentionedtomethathehadrecentlytakenadaytriptoBoulogne—withablonde,Iunderstand—”
“Whichwouldmakeitquiteanaturalthingtodo.Doubtlessitisahabitofhis.”
“Thisisstillconjecture,”Hardcastleobjected.
“Butinquiriescanbemade,”saidPoirot.
HetookasheetofhotelnotepaperfromtherackinfrontofhimandhandedittoHardcastle.
“IfyouwillwritetoMr.Enderbyat10,EnnismoreGardens,S.W.7hehaspromisedtomakecertaininquiriesformeinCanada.Heisawell-knowninternationallawyer.”
“Andwhataboutthebusinessoftheclocks?”
“Oh!Theclocks.Thosefamousclocks!”Poirotsmiled.“IthinkyouwillfindthatMissMartindalewasresponsibleforthem.Sincethecrime,asIsaid,wasasimplecrime,itwasdisguisedbymakingitafantasticone.ThatRosemaryclockthatSheilaWebbtooktoberepaired.DidsheloseitintheBureauofSecretarialStudies?DidMissMartindaletakeitasthefoundationofherrigmarole,andwasitpartlybecauseofthatclockthatshechoseSheilaasthepersontodiscoverthebody—?”
Hardcastleburstout:
“Andyousaythiswomanisunimaginative?Whensheconcoctedallthis?”
“Butshedidnotconcoctit.Thatiswhatissointeresting.Itwasallthere—waitingforher.FromtheveryfirstIdetectedapattern—apatternIknew.ApatternfamiliarbecauseIhadjustbeenreadingsuchpatterns.Ihavebeenveryfortunate.AsColinherewilltellyou,Iattendedthisweekasaleofauthors’manuscripts.AmongthemweresomeofGarryGregson’s.Ihardlydaredhope.Butluckwaswithme.Here—”Likeaconjurorhewhippedfromadrawerinthedesktwoshabbyexercisebooks“—itisallhere!Amongthemanyplotsofbooksheplannedtowrite.Hedidnotlivetowritethisone—butMissMartindale,whowashissecretary,knewallaboutit.Shejustlifteditbodilytosuitherpurpose.”
“Buttheclocksmusthavemeantsomethingoriginally—inGregson’splot,Imean.”
“Oh,yes.Hisclocksweresetatoneminutepastfive,fourminutespastfiveandsevenminutespastfive.Thatwasthecombinationnumberofasafe,515457.ThesafewasconcealedbehindareproductionoftheMonaLisa.Insidethesafe,”continuedPoirot,withdistaste,“weretheCrownjewelsoftheRussianRoyalFamily.Untasdebêtises,thewholething!Andofcoursetherewasastoryofkinds—apersecutedgirl.Oh,yes,itcameinveryhandyforlaMartindale.Shejustchoseherlocalcharactersandadaptedthestorytofitin.Alltheseflamboyantclueswouldlead—where?Exactlynowhere!Ah,yes,anefficientwoman.Onewonders—heleftheralegacy—didhenot?Howandofwhatdidhedie,Iwonder?”
Hardcastlerefusedtobeinterestedinpasthistory.Hegathereduptheexercisebooksandtookthesheetofhotelpaperfrommyhand.ForthelasttwominutesIhadbeenstaringatit,fascinated.HardcastlehadscribbleddownEnderby’saddresswithouttroublingtoturnthesheettherightwayup.Thehoteladdresswasupsidedownintheleft-handbottomcorner.
Staringatthesheetofpaper,IknewwhatafoolIhadbeen.
“Well,thankyou,M.Poirot,”saidHardcastle.“You’vecertainlygivenussomethingtothinkabout.Whetheranythingwillcomeofit—”
“IammostdelightedifIhavebeenofanyassistance.”
Poirotwasplayingitmodestly.
“I’llhavetocheckvariousthings—”
“Naturally—naturally—”
Good-byesweresaid.Hardcastletookhisdeparture.
Poirotturnedhisattentiontome.Hiseyebrowsrose.
“Ehbien—andwhat,mayIask,isbitingyou?—youlooklikeamanwhohasseenanapparition.”
“I’veseenwhatafoolI’vebeen.”
“Aha.Well,thathappenstomanyofus.”
ButpresumablynottoHerculePoirot!Ihadtoattackhim.
“Justtellmeonething,Poirot.If,asyousaid,youcoulddoallthissittinginyourchairinLondonandcouldhavegotmeandDickHardcastletocometoyouthere,why—oh,why,didyoucomedownhereatall?”
“Itoldyou,theymakethereparationinmyapartment.”
“Theywouldhavelentyouanotherapartment.OryoucouldhavegonetotheRitz,youwouldhavebeenmorecomfortabletherethanintheCurlewHotel.”
“Indubitably,”saidHerculePoirot.“Thecoffeehere,mondieu,thecoffee!”
“Well,then,why?”
HerculePoirotflewintoarage.
“Ehbien,sinceyouaretoostupidtoguess,Iwilltellyou.Iamhuman,amInot?Icanbethemachineifitisnecessary.Icanliebackandthink.Icansolvetheproblemso.ButIamhuman,Itellyou.Andtheproblemsconcernhumanbeings.”
“Andso?”
“Theexplanationisassimpleasthemurderwassimple.Icameoutofhumancuriosity,”saidHerculePoirot,withanattemptatdignity.
Twenty-nine
OncemoreIwasinWilbrahamCrescent,proceedinginawesterlydirection.
IstoppedbeforethegateofNo.19.Noonecamescreamingoutofthehousethistime.Itwasneatandpeaceful.
Iwentuptothefrontdoorandrangthebell.
MissMillicentPebmarshopenedit.
“ThisisColinLamb,”Isaid.“MayIcomeinandspeaktoyou?”
“Certainly.”
Sheprecededmeintothesittingroom.
“Youseemtospendalotoftimedownhere,Mr.Lamb.Iunderstoodthatyouwerenotconnectedwiththelocalpolice—”
“Youunderstoodrightly.Ithink,really,youhaveknownexactlywhoIamfromthefirstdayyouspoketome.”
“I’mnotsurequitewhatyoumeanbythat.”
“I’vebeenextremelystupid,MissPebmarsh.Icametothisplacetolookforyou.IfoundyouthefirstdayIwashere—andIdidn’tknowIhadfoundyou!”
“Possiblymurderdistractedyou.”
“Asyousay.Iwasalsostupidenoughtolookatapieceofpaperthewrongwayup.”
“Andwhatisthepointofallthis?”
“Justthatthegameisup,MissPebmarsh.I’vefoundtheheadquarterswherealltheplanningisdone.SuchrecordsandmemorandaasarenecessaryarekeptbyyouonthemicrodotsysteminBraille.TheinformationLarkingotatPortleburywaspassedtoyou.FromhereitwenttoitsdestinationbymeansofRamsay.Hecameacrosswhennecessaryfromhishousetoyoursatnightbywayofthegarden.HedroppedaCzechcoininyourgardenoneday—”
“Thatwascarelessofhim.”
“We’reallcarelessatsometimeoranother.Yourcoverisverygood.You’reblind,youworkataninstitutefordisabledchildren,youkeepchildren’sbooksinBrailleinyourhouseasisonlynatural—youareawomanofunusualintelligenceandpersonality.Idon’tknowwhatisthedrivingpowerthatanimatesyou—”
“SayifyoulikethatIamdedicated.”
“Yes.Ithoughtitmightbelikethat.”
“Andwhyareyoutellingmeallthis?Itseemsunusual.”
Ilookedatmywatch.
“Youhavetwohours,MissPebmarsh.Intwohours’timemembersofthespecialbranchwillcomehereandtakecharge—”
“Idon’tunderstandyou.Whydoyoucomehereaheadofyourpeople,togivemewhatseemstobeawarning—”
“Itisawarning.Ihavecomeheremyself,andshallremainhereuntilmypeoplearrive,toseethatnothingleavesthishouse—withoneexception.Thatexceptionisyouyourself.Youhavetwohours’startifyouchoosetogo.”
“Butwhy?Why?”
Isaidslowly:
“BecauseIthinkthereisanoff-chancethatyoumightshortlybecomemymother-in-law…Imaybequitewrong.”
Therewasasilence.MillicentPebmarshgotupandwenttothewindow.Ididn’ttakemyeyesoffher.IhadnoillusionsaboutMillicentPebmarsh.Ididn’ttrustheraninch.Shewasblindbutevenablindwomancancatchyouifyouareoffguard.Herblindnesswouldn’thandicapherifsheoncegotherchancetojamanautomaticagainstmyspine.
Shesaidquietly:
“Ishallnottellyouifyou’rerightorwrong.Whatmakesyouthinkthat—thatitmightbeso?”
“Eyes.”
“Butwearenotalikeincharacter.”
“No.”
Shespokealmostdefiantly.
“IdidthebestIcouldforher.”
“That’samatterofopinion.Withyouacausecamefirst.”
“Asitshoulddo.”
“Idon’tagree.”
Therewassilenceagain.ThenIasked,“Didyouknowwhoshewas—thatday?”
“NotuntilIheardthename…Ihadkeptmyselfinformedabouther—always.”
“Youwereneverasinhumanasyouwouldhavelikedtobe.”
“Don’ttalknonsense.”
Ilookedatmywatchagain.
“Timeisgoingon,”Isaid.
Shecamebackfromthewindowandacrosstothedesk.
“Ihaveaphotographofherhere—asachild….”
Iwasbehindherasshepulledthedraweropen.Itwasn’tanautomatic.Itwasasmallverydeadlyknife….
Myhandclosedoverhersandtookitaway.
“Imaybesoft,butI’mnotafool,”Isaid.
Shefeltforachairandsatdown.Shedisplayednoemotionwhatever.
“Iamnottakingadvantageofyouroffer.Whatwouldbetheuse?Ishallstayhereuntil—theycome.Therearealwaysopportunities—eveninprison.”
“Ofindoctrination,youmean?”
“Ifyouliketoputitthatway.”
Wesatthere,hostiletoeachother,butwithunderstanding.
“I’veresignedfromtheService,”Itoldher.“I’mgoingbacktomyoldjob—marinebiology.There’sapostgoingatauniversityinAustralia.”
“Ithinkyouarewise.Youhaven’tgotwhatittakesforthisjob.YouarelikeRosemary’sfather.Hecouldn’tunderstandLenin’sdictum:‘Awaywithsoftness.’”
IthoughtofHerculePoirot’swords.
“I’mcontent,”Isaid,“tobehuman….”
Wesatthereinsilence,eachofusconvincedthattheother’spointofviewwaswrong.
LetterfromDetectiveInspectorHardcastletoM.HerculePoirot
DearM.Poirot,Wearenowinpossessionofcertainfacts,andIfeelyoumaybeinterestedtohearaboutthem.AMr.QuentinDuguesclinofQuebecleftCanadaforEuropeapproximatelyfourweeksago.Hehasnonearrelativesandhisplansforreturnwereindefinite.HispassportwasfoundbytheproprietorofasmallrestaurantinBoulogne,whohandeditintothepolice.Ithasnotsofarbeenclaimed.Mr.DuguesclinwasalifelongfriendoftheMontresorfamilyofQuebec.Theheadofthatfamily,Mr.HenryMontresor,diedeighteenmonthsago,leavinghisveryconsiderablefortunetohisonlysurvivingrelative,hisgreat-nieceValerie,describedasthewifeofJosaiahBlandofPortlebury,England.AveryreputablefirmofLondonsolicitorsactedfortheCanadianexecutors.AllcommunicationsbetweenMrs.BlandandherfamilyinCanadaceasedfromthetimeofhermarriageofwhichherfamilydidnotapprove.Mr.DuguesclinmentionedtooneofhisfriendsthatheintendedtolookuptheBlandswhilehewasinEngland,sincehehadalwaysbeenveryfondofValerie.ThebodyhithertoidentifiedasthatofHenryCastletonhasbeenpositivelyidentifiedasQuentinDuguesclin.CertainboardshavebeenfoundstowedawayinacornerofBland’sbuildingyard.Thoughhastilypaintedout,thewordsSNOWFLAKELAUNDRYareplainlyperceptibleaftertreatmentbyexperts.Iwillnottroubleyouwithlesserdetails,butthepublicprosecutorconsidersthatawarrantcanbegrantedforthearrestofJosaiahBland.MissMartindaleandMrs.Blandare,asyouconjectured,sisters,butthoughIagreewithyourviewsonherparticipationinthesecrimes,satisfactoryevidencewillbehardtoobtain.Sheisundoubtedlyaverycleverwoman.Ihavehopes,though,ofMrs.Bland.Sheisthetypeofwomanwhorats.ThedeathofthefirstMrs.BlandthroughenemyactioninFrance,andhissecondmarriagetoHildaMartindale(whowasintheN.A.A.F.I.)alsoinFrancecanbe,Ithink,clearlyestablished,thoughmanyrecordswere,ofcourse,destroyedatthattime.Itwasagreatpleasuremeetingyouthatday,andImustthankyoufortheveryusefulsuggestionsyoumadeonthatoccasion.IhopethealterationsandredecorationsofyourLondonflathavebeensatisfactory.Yourssincerely,RichardHardcastle
FurthercommunicationfromR.H.toH.P.
Goodnews!TheBlandwomancracked!Admittedthewholething!!!Putstheblameentirelyonhersisterandherhusband.She“neverunderstooduntiltoolatewhattheymeanttodo!”Thoughttheywereonly“goingtodopehimsothathewouldn’trecognizeshewasthewrongwoman!”Alikelystory!ButI’dsayit’strueenoughthatshewasn’ttheprimemover.ThePortobelloMarketpeoplehaveidentifiedMissMartindaleasthe“American”ladywhoboughttwooftheclocks.Mrs.McNaughtonnowsaysshesawDuguesclininBland’svanbeingdrivenintoBland’sgarage.Didshereally?OurfriendColinhasmarriedthatgirl.Ifyouaskme,he’smad.Allthebest.Yours,RichardHardcastle
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEHERCULEPOIROTMYSTERIES
MatchyourwitswiththefamousBelgiandetective.
TheMysteriousAffairatStylesTheMurderontheLinksPoirotInvestigatesTheMurderofRogerAckroydTheBigFourTheMysteryoftheBlueTrainPerilatEndHouseLordEdgwareDiesMurderontheOrientExpressThreeActTragedyDeathintheCloudsTheA.B.C.MurdersMurderinMesopotamiaCardsontheTableMurderintheMewsDumbWitnessDeathontheNileAppointmentwithDeathHerculePoirot’sChristmasSadCypressOne,Two,BuckleMyShoeEvilUndertheSunFiveLittlePigsTheHollowTheLaborsofHerculesTakenattheFloodTheUnderdogandOtherStoriesMrs.McGinty’sDeadAftertheFuneralHickoryDickoryDockDeadMan’sFollyCatAmongthePigeonsTheClocksThirdGirlHallowe’enPartyElephantsCanRememberCurtain:Poirot’sLastCase
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
THEMISSMARPLEMYSTERIES
JointhelegendaryspinstersleuthfromSt.MaryMeadinsolvingmurdersfarandwide.
TheMurderattheVicarageTheBodyintheLibraryTheMovingFingerAMurderIsAnnouncedTheyDoItwithMirrorsAPocketFullofRye4:50FromPaddingtonTheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSideACaribbeanMysteryAtBertram’sHotelNemesisSleepingMurderMissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
THETOMMYANDTUPPENCEMYSTERIES
Jumponboardwiththeentertainingcrime-solvingcouplefromYoungAdventurersLtd.
TheSecretAdversaryPartnersinCrimeNorM?BythePrickingofMyThumbsPosternofFate
Exploremoreatwww.AgathaChristie.com
TheAgathaChristieCollection
Don’tmissasingleoneofAgathaChristie’sstand-alonenovelsandshort-storycollections.
TheManintheBrownSuitTheSecretofChimneysTheSevenDialsMysteryTheMysteriousMr.QuinTheSittafordMysteryParkerPyneInvestigatesWhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?MurderIsEasyTheRegattaMysteryandOtherStoriesAndThenThereWereNoneTowardsZeroDeathComesastheEndSparklingCyanideTheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStoriesCrookedHouseThreeBlindMiceandOtherStoriesTheyCametoBaghdadDestinationUnknownOrdealbyInnocenceDoubleSinandOtherStoriesThePaleHorseStaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStoriesEndlessNightPassengertoFrankfurtTheGoldenBallandOtherStoriesTheMousetrapandOtherPlaysTheHarlequinTeaSet
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
Visitwww.AuthorTracker.comforexclusiveinformationonyourfavoriteHarperCollinsauthors.
THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMews
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
Memoirs
AnAutobiography
Come,TellMeHowYouLive
Credits
CoverdesignandillustrationbyFaithLaurel
Copyright
Thisbookisaworkoffiction.Thecharacters,incidents,anddialoguearedrawnfromtheauthor’simaginationandarenottobeconstruedasreal.Anyresemblancetoactualeventsorpersons,livingordead,isentirelycoincidental.
AGATHACHRISTIE?POIROT?THECLOCKS?.Copyright?1963AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.
THECLOCKS?1964.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.
© Copyright Notice
The copyright of the article belongs to the author. Please do not reprint without permission.
THE END
No comments yet