AgathaChristie
TheMurderattheVicarage
AMissMarpleMystery
ToRosalind
Contents
Cover
TitlePage
Dedication
ChapterOne
ChapterTwo
ChapterThree
ChapterFour
ChapterFive
ChapterSix
ChapterSeven
ChapterEight
ChapterNine
ChapterTen
ChapterEleven
ChapterTwelve
ChapterThirteen
ChapterFourteen
ChapterFifteen
ChapterSixteen
ChapterSeventeen
ChapterEighteen
ChapterNineteen
ChapterTwenty
ChapterTwenty-one
ChapterTwenty-two
ChapterTwenty-three
ChapterTwenty-four
ChapterTwenty-five
ChapterTwenty-six
ChapterTwenty-seven
ChapterTwenty-eight
ChapterTwenty-nine
ChapterThirty
ChapterThirty-one
ChapterThirty-two
AbouttheAuthor
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AboutthePublisher
One
Itisdifficulttoknowquitewheretobeginthisstory,butIhavefixedmychoiceonacertainWednesdayatluncheonattheVicarage.Theconversation,thoughinthemainirrelevanttothematterinhand,yetcontainedoneortwosuggestiveincidentswhichinfluencedlaterdevelopments.
Ihadjustfinishedcarvingsomeboiledbeef(remarkablytoughbytheway)andonresumingmyseatIremarked,inaspiritmostunbecomingtomycloth,thatanyonewhomurderedColonelProtheroewouldbedoingtheworldatlargeaservice.
Myyoungnephew,Dennis,saidinstantly:
“That’llberememberedagainstyouwhentheoldboyisfoundbathedinblood.Marywillgiveevidence,won’tyou,Mary?Anddescribehowyoubrandishedthecarvingknifeinavindictivemanner.”
Mary,whoisinserviceattheVicarageasastepping-stonetobetterthingsandhigherwages,merelysaidinaloud,businesslikevoice,“Greens,”andthrustacrackeddishathiminatruculentmanner.
Mywifesaidinasympatheticvoice:“Hashebeenverytrying?”
Ididnotreplyatonce,forMary,settingthegreensonthetablewithabang,proceededtothrustadishofsingularlymoistandunpleasantdumplingsundermynose.Isaid,“No,thankyou,”andshedepositedthedishwithaclatteronthetableandlefttheroom.
“ItisapitythatIamsuchashockinghousekeeper,”saidmywife,withatingeofgenuineregretinhervoice.
Iwasinclinedtoagreewithher.Mywife’snameisGriselda—ahighlysuitablenameforaparson’swife.Buttherethesuitabilityends.Sheisnotintheleastmeek.
Ihavealwaysbeenoftheopinionthataclergymanshouldbeunmarried.WhyIshouldhaveurgedGriseldatomarrymeattheendoftwenty-fourhours’acquaintanceisamysterytome.Marriage,Ihavealwaysheld,isaseriousaffair,tobeenteredintoonlyafterlongdeliberationandforethought,andsuitabilityoftastesandinclinationsisthemostimportantconsideration.
Griseldaisnearlytwentyyearsyoungerthanmyself.Sheismostdistractinglyprettyandquiteincapableoftakinganythingseriously.Sheisincompetentineveryway,andextremelytryingtolivewith.Shetreatstheparishasakindofhugejokearrangedforheramusement.Ihaveendeavouredtoformhermindandfailed.Iammorethaneverconvincedthatcelibacyisdesirablefortheclergy.IhavefrequentlyhintedasmuchtoGriselda,butshehasonlylaughed.
“Mydear,”Isaid,“ifyouwouldonlyexercisealittlecare—”
“Idosometimes,”saidGriselda.“But,onthewhole,IthinkthingsgoworsewhenI’mtrying.I’mevidentlynotahousekeeperbynature.IfinditbettertoleavethingstoMaryandjustmakeupmymindtobeuncomfortableandhavenastythingstoeat.”
“Andwhataboutyourhusband,mydear?”Isaidreproachfully,andproceedingtofollowtheexampleofthedevilinquotingScriptureforhisownendsIadded:“Shelookethtothewaysofherhousehold….”
“Thinkhowluckyyouarenottobetorntopiecesbylions,”saidGriselda,quicklyinterrupting.“Orburntatthestake.Badfoodandlotsofdustanddeadwaspsisreallynothingtomakeafussabout.TellmemoreaboutColonelProtheroe.AtanyratetheearlyChristianswereluckyenoughnottohavechurchwardens.”
“Pompousoldbrute,”saidDennis.“Nowonderhisfirstwiferanawayfromhim.”
“Idon’tseewhatelseshecoulddo,”saidmywife.
“Griselda,”Isaidsharply.“Iwillnothaveyouspeakinginthatway.”
“Darling,”saidmywifeaffectionately.“Tellmeabouthim.Whatwasthetrouble?WasitMr.Hawes’sbeckingandnoddingandcrossinghimselfeveryotherminute?”
Hawesisournewcurate.Hehasbeenwithusjustoverthreeweeks.HehasHighChurchviewsandfastsonFridays.ColonelProtheroeisagreatopposerofritualinanyform.
“Notthistime.Hedidtouchonitinpassing.No,thewholetroublearoseoutofMrs.PriceRidley’swretchedpoundnote.”
Mrs.PriceRidleyisadevoutmemberofmycongregation.Attendingearlyserviceontheanniversaryofherson’sdeath,sheputapoundnoteintheoffertorybag.Later,readingtheamountofthecollectionpostedup,shewaspainedtoobservethatoneten-shillingnotewasthehighestitemmentioned.
Shecomplainedtomeaboutit,andIpointedout,veryreasonably,thatshemusthavemadeamistake.
“We’renoneofussoyoungaswewere,”Isaid,tryingtoturnitofftactfully.“Andwemustpaythepenaltyofadvancingyears.”
Strangelyenough,mywordsonlyseemedtoincenseherfurther.ShesaidthatthingshadaveryoddlookandthatshewassurprisedIdidn’tthinksoalso.Andsheflouncedawayand,Igather,tookhertroublestoColonelProtheroe.Protheroeisthekindofmanwhoenjoysmakingafussoneveryconceivableoccasion.Hemadeafuss.ItisapityhemadeitonaWednesday.IteachintheChurchDaySchoolonWednesdaymornings,aproceedingthatcausesmeacutenervousnessandleavesmeunsettledfortherestoftheday.
“Well,Isupposehemusthavesomefun,”saidmywife,withtheairoftryingtosumupthepositionimpartially.“Nobodyfluttersroundhimandcallshim‘thedearVicar,’andembroidersawfulslippersforhim,andgiveshimbedsocksforChristmas.Bothhiswifeandhisdaughterarefeduptotheteethwithhim.Isupposeitmakeshimhappytofeelimportantsomewhere.”
“Heneedn’tbeoffensiveaboutit,”Isaidwithsomeheat.“Idon’tthinkhequiterealizedtheimplicationsofwhathewassaying.HewantstogooveralltheChurchaccounts—incaseofdefalcations—thatwasthewordheused.Defalcations!DoeshesuspectmeofembezzlingtheChurchfunds?”
“Nobodywouldsuspectyouofanything,darling,”saidGriselda.“You’resotransparentlyabovesuspicionthatreallyitwouldbeamarvellousopportunity.Iwishyou’dembezzletheS.P.G.funds.Ihatemissionaries—Ialwayshave.”
Iwouldhavereprovedherforthatsentiment,butMaryenteredatthatmomentwithapartiallycookedricepudding.Imadeamildprotest,butGriseldasaidthattheJapanesealwaysatehalf-cookedriceandhadmarvellousbrainsinconsequence.
“Idaresay,”shesaid,“thatifyouhadaricepuddinglikethiseverydaytillSunday,you’dpreachthemostmarvelloussermon.”
“Heavenforbid,”Isaidwithashudder.
“Protheroe’scomingovertomorroweveningandwe’regoingovertheaccountstogether,”Iwenton.“ImustfinishpreparingmytalkfortheC.E.M.S.today.Lookingupareference,IbecamesoengrossedinCanonShirley’sRealitythatIhaven’tgotonaswellasIshould.Whatareyoudoingthisafternoon,Griselda?”
“Myduty,”saidGriselda.“MydutyastheVicaress.Teaandscandalatfourthirty.”
“Whoiscoming?”
Griseldatickedthemoffonherfingerswithaglowofvirtueonherface.
“Mrs.PriceRidley,MissWetherby,MissHartnell,andthatterribleMissMarple.”
“IratherlikeMissMarple,”Isaid.“Shehas,atleast,asenseofhumour.”
“She’stheworstcatinthevillage,”saidGriselda.“Andshealwaysknowseverysinglethingthathappens—anddrawstheworstinferencesfromit.”
Griselda,asIhavesaid,ismuchyoungerthanIam.Atmytimeoflife,oneknowsthattheworstisusuallytrue.
“Well,don’texpectmeinfortea,Griselda,”saidDennis.
“Beast!”saidGriselda.
“Yes,butlookhere,theProtheroesreallydidaskmefortennistoday.”
“Beast!”saidGriseldaagain.
DennisbeataprudentretreatandGriseldaandIwenttogetherintomystudy.
“Iwonderwhatweshallhavefortea,”saidGriselda,seatingherselfonmywritingtable.“Dr.StoneandMissCram,Isuppose,andperhapsMrs.Lestrange.Bytheway,Icalledonheryesterday,butshewasout.Yes,I’msureweshallhaveMrs.Lestrangefortea.It’ssomysterious,isn’tit,herarrivinglikethisandtakingahousedownhere,andhardlyevergoingoutsideit?Makesonethinkofdetectivestories.Youknow—‘Whowasshe,themysteriouswomanwiththepale,beautifulface?Whatwasherpasthistory?Nobodyknew.Therewassomethingfaintlysinisterabouther.’IbelieveDr.Haydockknowssomethingabouther.”
“Youreadtoomanydetectivestories,Griselda,”Iobservedmildly.
“Whataboutyou?”sheretorted.“IwaslookingeverywhereforTheStainontheStairstheotherdaywhenyouwereinherewritingasermon.AndatlastIcameintoaskyouifyou’dseenitanywhere,andwhatdidIfind?”
Ihadthegracetoblush.
“Ipickeditupatrandom.Achancesentencecaughtmyeyeand….”
“Iknowthosechancesentences,”saidGriselda.Shequotedimpressively,“‘Andthenaverycuriousthinghappened—Griseldarose,crossedtheroomandkissedherelderlyhusbandaffectionately.’”Shesuitedtheactiontotheword.
“Isthataverycuriousthing?”Iinquired.
“Ofcourseitis,”saidGriselda.“Doyourealize,Len,thatImighthavemarriedaCabinetMinister,aBaronet,arichCompanyPromoter,threesubalternsandane’er-do-weelwithattractivemanners,andthatinsteadIchoseyou?Didn’titastonishyouverymuch?”
“Atthetimeitdid,”Ireplied.“Ihaveoftenwonderedwhyyoudidit.”
Griseldalaughed.
“Itmademefeelsopowerful,”shemurmured.“Theothersthoughtmesimplywonderfulandofcourseitwouldhavebeenveryniceforthemtohaveme.ButI’meverythingyoumostdislikeanddisapproveof,andyetyoucouldn’twithstandme!Myvanitycouldn’tholdoutagainstthat.It’ssomuchnicertobeasecretanddelightfulsintoanybodythantobeafeatherintheircap.Imakeyoufrightfullyuncomfortableandstiryouupthewrongwaythewholetime,andyetyouadorememadly.Youadorememadly,don’tyou?”
“NaturallyIamveryfondofyou,mydear.”
“Oh!Len,youadoreme.DoyourememberthatdaywhenIstayedupintownandsentyouawireyounevergotbecausethepostmistress’ssisterwashavingtwinsandsheforgottosenditround?ThestateyougotintoandyoutelephonedScotlandYardandmadethemostfrightfulfuss.”
Therearethingsonehatesbeingremindedof.Ihadreallybeenstrangelyfoolishontheoccasioninquestion.Isaid:
“Ifyoudon’tmind,dear,IwanttogetonwiththeC.E.M.S.”
Griseldagaveasighofintenseirritation,ruffledmyhairuponend,smootheditdownagain,said:
“Youdon’tdeserveme.Youreallydon’t.I’llhaveanaffairwiththeartist.Iwill—reallyandtruly.Andthenthinkofthescandalintheparish.”
“There’sagooddealalready,”Isaidmildly.
Griseldalaughed,blewmeakiss,anddepartedthroughthewindow.
Two
Griseldaisaveryirritatingwoman.Onleavingtheluncheontable,IhadfeltmyselftobeinagoodmoodforpreparingareallyforcefuladdressfortheChurchofEnglandMen’sSociety.NowIfeltrestlessanddisturbed.
JustwhenIwasreallysettlingdowntoit,LetticeProtheroedriftedin.
Iusetheworddriftedadvisedly.Ihavereadnovelsinwhichyoungpeoplearedescribedasburstingwithenergy—joiedevivre,themagnificentvitalityofyouth…Personally,alltheyoungpeopleIcomeacrosshavetheairofanimalwraiths.
Letticewasparticularlywraithlikethisafternoon.Sheisaprettygirl,verytallandfairandcompletelyvague.ShedriftedthroughtheFrenchwindow,absentlypulledofftheyellowberetshewaswearingandmurmuredvaguelywithakindoffarawaysurprise:“Oh!it’syou.”
ThereisapathfromOldHallthroughthewoodswhichcomesoutbyourgardengate,sothatmostpeoplecomingfromtherecomeinatthatgateanduptothestudywindowinsteadofgoingalongwayroundbytheroadandcomingtothefrontdoor.IwasnotsurprisedatLetticecominginthisway,butIdidalittleresentherattitude.
IfyoucometoaVicarage,yououghttobepreparedtofindaVicar.
Shecameinandcollapsedinacrumpledheapinoneofmybigarmchairs.Shepluckedaimlesslyatherhair,staringattheceiling.
“IsDennisanywhereabout?”
“Ihaven’tseenhimsincelunch.Iunderstoodhewasgoingtoplaytennisatyourplace.”
“Oh!”saidLettice.“Ihopeheisn’t.Hewon’tfindanybodythere.”
“Hesaidyouaskedhim.”
“IbelieveIdid.OnlythatwasFriday.Andtoday’sTuesday.”
“It’sWednesday,”Isaid.
“Oh,howdreadful!”saidLettice.“ThatmeansthatI’veforgottentogotolunchwithsomepeopleforthethirdtime.”
Fortunatelyitdidn’tseemtoworryhermuch.
“IsGriseldaanywhereabout?”
“Iexpectyou’llfindherinthestudiointhegarden—sittingtoLawrenceRedding.”
“There’sbeenquiteashemozzleabouthim,”saidLettice.“Withfather,youknow.Father’sdreadful.”
“Whatwastheshe—whateveritwasabout?”Iinquired.
“Abouthispaintingme.Fatherfoundoutaboutit.Whyshouldn’tIbepaintedinmybathingdress?IfIgoonabeachinit,whyshouldn’tIbepaintedinit?”
Letticepausedandthenwenton.
“It’sreallyabsurd—fatherforbiddingayoungmanthehouse.Ofcourse,LawrenceandIsimplyshriekaboutit.Ishallcomeandbedonehereinyourstudio.”
“No,mydear,”Isaid.“Notifyourfatherforbidsit.”
“Oh!dear,”saidLettice,sighing.“Howtiresomeeveryoneis.Ifeelshattered.Definitely.IfonlyIhadsomemoneyI’dgoaway,butwithoutitIcan’t.Ifonlyfatherwouldbedecentanddie,Ishouldbeallright.”
“Youmustnotsaythingslikethat,Lettice.”
“Well,ifhedoesn’twantmetowanthimtodie,heshouldn’tbesohorribleovermoney.Idon’twondermotherlefthim.Doyouknow,foryearsIbelievedshewasdead.Whatsortofayoungmandidsherunawaywith?Washenice?”
“Itwasbeforeyourfathercametolivehere.”
“Iwonderwhat’sbecomeofher.IexpectAnnewillhaveanaffairwithsomeonesoon.Annehatesme—she’squitedecenttome,butshehatesme.She’sgettingoldandshedoesn’tlikeit.That’stheageyoubreakout,youknow.”
IwonderedifLetticewasgoingtospendtheentireafternooninmystudy.
“Youhaven’tseenmygramophonerecords,haveyou?”sheasked.
“No.”
“Howtiresome.IknowI’veleftthemsomewhere.AndI’velostthedog.Andmywristwatchissomewhere,onlyitdoesn’tmuchmatterbecauseitwon’tgo.Oh!dear,Iamsosleepy.Ican’tthinkwhy,becauseIdidn’tgetuptilleleven.Butlife’sveryshattering,don’tyouthink?Oh!dear,Imustgo.I’mgoingtoseeDr.Stone’sbarrowatthreeo’clock.”
Iglancedattheclockandremarkedthatitwasnowfive-and-twentytofour.
“Oh!Isit?Howdreadful.Iwonderifthey’vewaitedorifthey’vegonewithoutme.IsupposeI’dbettergodownanddosomethingaboutit.”
Shegotupanddriftedoutagain,murmuringoverhershoulder:
“You’lltellDennis,won’tyou?”
Isaid“Yes”mechanically,onlyrealizingtoolatethatIhadnoideawhatitwasIwastotellDennis.ButIreflectedthatinallprobabilityitdidnotmatter.IfelltocogitatingonthesubjectofDr.Stone,awell-knownarchaeologistwhohadrecentlycometostayattheBlueBoar,whilsthesuperintendedtheexcavationofabarrowsituatedonColonelProtheroe’sproperty.TherehadalreadybeenseveraldisputesbetweenhimandtheColonel.IwasamusedathisappointmenttotakeLetticetoseetheoperations.
ItoccurredtomethatLetticeProtheroewassomethingofaminx.Iwonderedhowshewouldgetonwiththearchaeologist’ssecretary,MissCram.MissCramisahealthyyoungwomanoftwenty-five,noisyinmanner,withahighcolour,fineanimalspiritsandamouththatalwaysseemstohavemorethanitsfullshareofteeth.
Villageopinionisdividedastowhethersheisnobetterthansheshouldbe,orelseayoungwomanofironvirtuewhopurposestobecomeMrs.Stoneatanearlyopportunity.SheisineverywayagreatcontrasttoLettice.
IcouldimaginethatthestateofthingsatOldHallmightnotbetoohappy.ColonelProtheroehadmarriedagainsomefiveyearspreviously.ThesecondMrs.Protheroewasaremarkablyhandsomewomaninaratherunusualstyle.Ihadalwaysguessedthattherelationsbetweenherandherstepdaughterwerenottoohappy.
Ihadonemoreinterruption.Thistime,itwasmycurate,Hawes.HewantedtoknowthedetailsofmyinterviewwithProtheroe.ItoldhimthattheColonelhaddeploredhis“Romishtendencies”butthattherealpurposeofhisvisithadbeenonquiteanothermatter.Atthesametime,Ienteredaprotestofmyown,andtoldhimplainlythathemustconformtomyruling.Onthewhole,hetookmyremarksverywell.
Ifeltratherremorsefulwhenhehadgonefornotlikinghimbetter.Theseirrationallikesanddislikesthatonetakestopeopleare,Iamsure,veryunChristian.
Withasigh,Irealizedthatthehandsoftheclockonmywritingtablepointedtoaquartertofive,asignthatitwasreallyhalfpastfour,andImademywaytothedrawingroom.
Fourofmyparishionerswereassembledtherewithteacups.Griseldasatbehindtheteatabletryingtolooknaturalinherenvironment,butonlysucceededinlookingmoreoutofplacethanusual.
IshookhandsallroundandsatdownbetweenMissMarpleandMissWetherby.
MissMarpleisawhite-hairedoldladywithagentle,appealingmanner—MissWetherbyisamixtureofvinegarandgush.OfthetwoMissMarpleismuchthemoredangerous.
“Wewerejusttalking,”saidGriseldainahoneysweetvoice,“aboutDr.StoneandMissCram.”
AribaldrhymeconcoctedbyDennisshotthroughmyhead.
“MissCramdoesn’tgiveadamn.”
Ihadasuddenyearningtosayitoutloudandobservetheeffect,butfortunatelyIrefrained.MissWetherbysaidtersely:
“Nonicegirlwoulddoit,”andshutherthinlipsdisapprovingly.
“Dowhat?”Iinquired.
“Beasecretarytoanunmarriedman,”saidMissWetherbyinahorrifiedtone
“Oh!mydear,”saidMissMarple.“Ithinkmarriedonesaretheworst.RememberpoorMollieCarter.”
“Marriedmenlivingapartfromtheirwivesare,ofcourse,notorious,”saidMissWetherby.
“Andevensomeoftheoneslivingwiththeirwives,”murmuredMissMarple.“Iremember….”
Iinterruptedtheseunsavouryreminiscences.
“Butsurely,”Isaid,“inthesedaysagirlcantakeapostinjustthesamewayasamandoes.”
“Tocomeawaytothecountry?Andstayatthesamehotel?”saidMrs.PriceRidleyinaseverevoice.
MissWetherbymurmuredtoMissMarpleinalowvoice:
“Andallthebedroomsonthesamefloor….”
MissHartnell,whoisweather-beatenandjollyandmuchdreadedbythepoor,observedinaloud,heartyvoice:
“Thepoormanwillbecaughtbeforeheknowswhereheis.He’sasinnocentasababeunborn,youcanseethat.”
Curiouswhatturnsofphraseweemploy.Noneoftheladiespresentwouldhavedreamedofalludingtoanactualbabytillitwassafelyinthecradle,visibletoall.
“Disgusting,Icallit,”continuedMissHartnell,withherusualtactlessness.“Themanmustbeatleasttwenty-fiveyearsolderthansheis.”
ThreefemalevoicesroseatoncemakingdisconnectedremarksabouttheChoirBoys’Outing,theregrettableincidentatthelastMother’sMeeting,andthedraughtsinthechurch.MissMarpletwinkledatGriselda.
“Don’tyouthink,”saidmywife,“thatMissCrammayjustlikehavinganinterestingjob?AndthatsheconsidersDr.Stonejustasanemployer?”
Therewasasilence.Evidentlynoneofthefourladiesagreed.MissMarplebrokethesilencebypattingGriseldaonthearm.
“Mydear,”shesaid,“youareveryyoung.Theyounghavesuchinnocentminds.”
Griseldasaidindignantlythatshehadn’tgotatallaninnocentmind.
“Naturally,”saidMissMarple,unheedingoftheprotest,“youthinkthebestofeveryone.”
“Doyoureallythinkshewantstomarrythatbaldheadeddullman?”
“Iunderstandheisquitewelloff,”saidMissMarple.“Ratheraviolenttemper,I’mafraid.HehadquiteaseriousquarrelwithColonelProtheroetheotherday.”
Everyoneleanedforwardinterestingly.
“ColonelProtheroeaccusedhimofbeinganignoramus.”
“HowlikeColonelProtheroe,andhowabsurd,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.
“VerylikeColonelProtheroe,butIdon’tknowaboutitbeingabsurd,”saidMissMarple.“YourememberthewomanwhocamedownhereandsaidsherepresentedWelfare,andaftertakingsubscriptionsshewasneverheardofagainandprovedtohavingnothingwhatevertodowithWelfare.Oneissoinclinedtobetrustingandtakepeopleattheirownvaluation.”
IshouldneverhavedreamedofdescribingMissMarpleastrusting.
“There’sbeensomefussaboutthatyoungartist,Mr.Redding,hasn’tthere?”askedMissWetherby.
MissMarplenodded.
“ColonelProtheroeturnedhimoutofthehouse.ItappearshewaspaintingLetticeinherbathingdress.”
“Ialwaysthoughttherewassomethingbetweenthem,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.“Thatyoungfellowisalwaysmouchingoffupthere.Pitythegirlhasn’tgotamother.Astepmotherisneverthesamething.”
“IdaresayMrs.Protheroedoesherbest,”saidMissHartnell.
“Girlsaresosly,”deploredMrs.PriceRidley.
“Quitearomance,isn’tit?”saidthesofterheartedMissWetherby.“He’saverygood-lookingyoungfellow.”
“Butloose,”saidMissHartnell.“Boundtobe.Anartist!Paris!Models!TheAltogether!”
“Paintingherinherbathingdress,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.“Notquitenice.”
“He’spaintingmetoo,”saidGriselda.
“Butnotinyourbathingdress,dear,”saidMissMarple.
“Itmightbeworse,”saidGriseldasolemnly.
“Naughtygirl,”saidMissHartnell,takingthejokebroad-mindedly.Everybodyelselookedslightlyshocked.
“DiddearLetticetellyouofthetrouble?”askedMissMarpleofme.
“Tellme?”
“Yes.Isawherpassthroughthegardenandgoroundtothestudywindow.”
MissMarplealwaysseeseverything.Gardeningisasgoodasasmokescreen,andthehabitofobservingbirdsthroughpowerfulglassescanalwaysbeturnedtoaccount.
“Shementionedit,yes,”Iadmitted.
“Mr.Haweslookedworried,”saidMissMarple.“Ihopehehasn’tbeenworkingtoohard.”
“Oh!”criedMissWetherbyexcitedly.“Iquiteforgot.IknewIhadsomenewsforyou.IsawDr.HaydockcomingoutofMrs.Lestrange’scottage.”
Everyonelookedateachother.
“Perhapsshe’sill,”suggestedMrs.PriceRidley.
“Itmusthavebeenverysudden,ifso,”saidMissHartnell.“ForIsawherwalkingroundhergardenatthreeo’clockthisafternoon,andsheseemedinperfecthealth.”
“SheandDr.Haydockmustbeoldacquaintances,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.“He’sbeenveryquietaboutit.”
“It’scurious,”saidMissWetherby,“thathe’snevermentionedit.”
“Asamatteroffact—”saidGriseldainalow,mysteriousvoice,andstopped.Everyoneleanedforwardexcitedly.
“Ihappentoknow,”saidGriseldaimpressively.“Herhusbandwasamissionary.Terriblestory.Hewaseaten,youknow.Actuallyeaten.Andshewasforcedtobecomethechief’sheadwife.Dr.Haydockwaswithanexpeditionandrescuedher.”
Foramomentexcitementwasrife,thenMissMarplesaidreproachfully,butwithasmile:“Naughtygirl!”
ShetappedGriseldareprovinglyonthearm.
“Veryunwisethingtodo,mydear.Ifyoumakeupthesethings,peoplearequitelikelytobelievethem.Andsometimesthatleadstocomplications.”
Adistinctfrosthadcomeovertheassembly.Twooftheladiesrosetotaketheirdeparture.
“IwonderifthereisanythingbetweenyoungLawrenceReddingandLetticeProtheroe,”saidMissWetherby.“Itcertainlylookslikeit.Whatdoyouthink,MissMarple?”
MissMarpleseemedthoughtful.
“Ishouldn’thavesaidsomyself.NotLettice.QuiteanotherpersonIshouldhavesaid.”
“ButColonelProtheroemusthavethought….”
“Hehasalwaysstruckmeasratherastupidman,”saidMissMarple.“Thekindofmanwhogetsthewrongideaintohisheadandisobstinateaboutit.DoyourememberJoeBucknellwhousedtokeeptheBlueBoar?Suchato-doabouthisdaughtercarryingonwithyoungBailey.Andallthetimeitwasthatminxofawifeofhis.”
ShewaslookingfullatGriseldaasshespoke,andIsuddenlyfeltawildsurgeofanger.
“Don’tyouthink,MissMarple,”Isaid,“thatwe’reallinclinedtoletourtonguesrunawaywithustoomuch.Charitythinkethnoevil,youknow.Inestimableharmmaybedonebyfoolishwaggingoftonguesinill-naturedgossip.”
“DearVicar,”saidMissMarple,“Youaresounworldly.I’mafraidthatobservinghumannatureforaslongasIhavedone,onegetsnottoexpectverymuchfromit.Idaresaytheidletittle-tattleisverywrongandunkind,butitissooftentrue,isn’tit?”
ThatlastParthianshotwenthome.
Three
“Nastyoldcat,”saidGriselda,assoonasthedoorwasclosed.
Shemadeafaceinthedirectionofthedepartingvisitorsandthenlookedatmeandlaughed.
“Len,doyoureallysuspectmeofhavinganaffairwithLawrenceRedding?”
“Mydear,ofcoursenot.”
“ButyouthoughtMissMarplewashintingatit.Andyourosetomydefencesimplybeautifully.Like—likeanangrytiger.”
Amomentaryuneasinessassailedme.AclergymanoftheChurchofEnglandoughtnevertoputhimselfinthepositionofbeingdescribedasanangrytiger.
“Ifelttheoccasioncouldnotpasswithoutaprotest,”Isaid.“ButGriselda,Iwishyouwouldbealittlemorecarefulinwhatyousay.”
“Doyoumeanthecannibalstory?”sheasked.“OrthesuggestionthatLawrencewaspaintingmeinthenude!Iftheyonlyknewthathewaspaintingmeinathickcloakwithaveryhighfurcollar—thesortofthingthatyoucouldgoquitepurelytoseethePopein—notabitofsinfulfleshshowinganywhere!Infact,it’sallmarvellouslypure.Lawrenceneverevenattemptstomakelovetome—Ican’tthinkwhy.”
“Surelyknowingthatyou’reamarriedwoman—”
“Don’tpretendtocomeoutoftheark,Len.Youknowverywellthatanattractiveyoungwomanwithanelderlyhusbandisakindofgiftfromheaventoayoungman.Theremustbesomeotherreason—it’snotthatI’munattractive—I’mnot.”
“Surelyyoudon’twanthimtomakelovetoyou?”
“N-n-o,”saidGriselda,withmorehesitationthanIthoughtbecoming.
“Ifhe’sinlovewithLetticeProtheroe—”
“MissMarpledidn’tseemtothinkhewas.”
“MissMarplemaybemistaken.”
“Sheneveris.Thatkindofoldcatisalwaysright.”Shepausedaminuteandthensaid,withaquicksidelongglanceatme:“Youdobelieveme,don’tyou?Imean,thatthere’snothingbetweenLawrenceandme.”
“MydearGriselda,”Isaid,surprised.“Ofcourse.”
Mywifecameacrossandkissedme.
“Iwishyouweren’tsoterriblyeasytodeceive,Len.You’dbelievemewhateverIsaid.”
“Ishouldhopeso.But,mydear,Idobegofyoutoguardyourtongueandbecarefulofwhatyousay.Thesewomenaresingularlydeficientinhumour,remember,andtakeeverythingseriously.”
“Whattheyneed,”saidGriselda,“isalittleimmoralityintheirlives.Thentheywouldn’tbesobusylookingforitinotherpeople’s.”
Andonthisshelefttheroom,andglancingatmywatchIhurriedouttopaysomevisitsthatoughttohavebeenmadeearlierintheday.
TheWednesdayeveningservicewassparselyattendedasusual,butwhenIcameoutthroughthechurch,afterdisrobinginthevestry,itwasemptysaveforawomanwhostoodstaringupatoneofourwindows.Wehavesomeratherfineoldstainedglass,andindeedthechurchitselfiswellworthlookingat.Sheturnedatmyfootsteps,andIsawthatitwasMrs.Lestrange.
Webothhesitatedamoment,andthenIsaid:
“Ihopeyoulikeourlittlechurch.”
“I’vebeenadmiringthescreen,”shesaid.
Hervoicewaspleasant,low,yetverydistinct,withaclearcutenunciation.Sheadded:
“I’msosorrytohavemissedyourwifeyesterday.”
Wetalkedafewminuteslongeraboutthechurch.ShewasevidentlyaculturedwomanwhoknewsomethingofChurchhistoryandarchitecture.Weleftthebuildingtogetherandwalkeddowntheroad,sinceonewaytotheVicarageledpastherhouse.Aswearrivedatthegate,shesaidpleasantly:
“Comein,won’tyou?AndtellmewhatyouthinkofwhatIhavedone.”
Iacceptedtheinvitation.LittleGateshadformerlybelongedtoanAnglo-Indiancolonel,andIcouldnothelpfeelingrelievedbythedisappearanceofthebrasstablesandBurmeseidols.Itwasfurnishednowverysimply,butinexquisitetaste.Therewasasenseofharmonyandrestaboutit.
YetIwonderedmoreandmorewhathadbroughtsuchawomanasMrs.LestrangetoSt.MaryMead.Shewassoveryclearlyawomanoftheworldthatitseemedastrangetastetoburyherselfinacountryvillage.
IntheclearlightofherdrawingroomIhadanopportunityofobservinghercloselyforthefirsttime.
Shewasaverytallwoman.Herhairwasgoldwithatingeofredinit.Hereyebrowsandeyelashesweredark,whetherbyartorbynatureIcouldnotdecide.Ifshewas,asIthought,madeup,itwasdoneveryartistically.TherewassomethingSphinxlikeaboutherfacewhenitwasinreposeandshehadthemostcuriouseyesIhaveeverseen—theywerealmostgoldeninshade.
Herclotheswereperfectandshehadalltheeaseofmannerofawell-bredwoman,andyettherewassomethingaboutherthatwasincongruousandbaffling.Youfeltthatshewasamystery.ThewordGriseldahadusedoccurredtome—sinister.Absurd,ofcourse,andyet—wasitsoabsurd?Thethoughtsprangunbiddenintomymind:“Thiswomanwouldstickatnothing.”
Ourtalkwasonmostnormallines—pictures,books,oldchurches.YetsomehowIgotverystronglytheimpressionthattherewassomethingelse—somethingofquiteadifferentnaturethatMrs.Lestrangewantedtosaytome.
Icaughthereyeonmeonceortwice,lookingatmewithacurioushesitancy,asthoughshewereunabletomakeuphermind.Shekeptthetalk,Inoticed,strictlytoimpersonalsubjects.Shemadenomentionofahusbandorrelations.
Butallthetimetherewasthatstrangeurgentappealinherglance.Itseemedtosay:“ShallItellyou?Iwantto.Can’tyouhelpme?”
Yetintheenditdiedaway—orperhapsithadallbeenmyfancy.IhadthefeelingthatIwasbeingdismissed.Iroseandtookmyleave.AsIwentoutoftheroom,Iglancedbackandsawherstaringaftermewithapuzzled,doubtfulexpression.OnanimpulseIcameback:
“IfthereisanythingIcando—”
Shesaiddoubtfully:“It’sverykindofyou—”
Wewerebothsilent.Thenshesaid:
“IwishIknew.It’sdifficult.No,Idon’tthinkanyonecanhelpme.Butthankyouforofferingtodoso.”
Thatseemedfinal,soIwent.ButasIdidso,Iwondered.WearenotusedtomysteriesinSt.MaryMead.
SomuchisthisthecasethatasIemergedfromthegateIwaspouncedupon.MissHartnellisverygoodatpouncinginaheavyandcumbrousway.
“Isawyou!”sheexclaimedwithponderoushumour.“AndIwassoexcited.Nowyoucantellusallaboutit.”
“Aboutwhat?”
“Themysteriouslady!Issheawidoworhassheahusbandsomewhere?”
“Ireallycouldn’tsay.Shedidn’ttellme.”
“Howverypeculiar.Onewouldthinkshewouldbecertaintomentionsomethingcasually.Italmostlooks,doesn’tit,asthoughshehadareasonfornotspeaking?”
“Ireallydon’tseethat.”
“Ah!ButasdearMissMarplesays,youaresounworldly,dearVicar.Tellme,hassheknownDr.Haydocklong?”
“Shedidn’tmentionhim,soIdon’tknow.”
“Really?Butwhatdidyoutalkaboutthen?”
“Pictures,music,books,”Isaidtruthfully.
MissHartnell,whoseonlytopicsofconversationarethepurelypersonal,lookedsuspiciousandunbelieving.Takingadvantageofamomentaryhesitationonherpartastohowtoproceednext,Ibadehergoodnightandwalkedrapidlyaway.
IcalledinatahousefartherdownthevillageandreturnedtotheVicaragebythegardengate,passing,asIdidso,thedangerpointofMissMarple’sgarden.However,IdidnotseehowitwashumanlypossibleforthenewsofmyvisittoMrs.Lestrangetohaveyetreachedherears,soIfeltreasonablysafe.
AsIlatchedthegate,itoccurredtomethatIwouldjuststepdowntotheshedinthegardenwhichyoungLawrenceReddingwasusingasastudio,andseeformyselfhowGriselda’sportraitwasprogressing.
Iappendaroughsketchherewhichwillbeusefulinthelightofafterhappenings,onlysketchinginsuchdetailsasarenecessary.
Ihadnoideatherewasanyoneinthestudio.Therehadbeennovoicesfromwithintowarnme,andIsupposethatmyownfootstepsmadenonoiseuponthegrass.
Iopenedthedoorandthenstoppedawkwardlyonthethreshold.Forthereweretwopeopleinthestudio,andtheman’sarmswereroundthewomanandhewaskissingherpassionately.
Thetwopeopleweretheartist,LawrenceRedding,andMrs.Protheroe.
Ibackedoutprecipitatelyandbeataretreattomystudy.ThereIsatdowninachair,tookoutmypipe,andthoughtthingsover.Thediscoveryhadcomeasagreatshocktome.EspeciallysincemyconversationwithLetticethatafternoon,Ihadfeltfairlycertainthattherewassomekindofunderstandinggrowingupbetweenherandtheyoungman.Moreover,Iwasconvincedthatsheherselfthoughtso.Ifeltpositivethatshehadnoideaoftheartist’sfeelingsforherstepmother.
Anastytangle.IpaidagrudgingtributetoMissMarple.Shehadnotbeendeceivedbuthadevidentlysuspectedthetruestateofthingswithafairamountofaccuracy.IhadentirelymisreadhermeaningglanceatGriselda.
IhadneverdreamtofconsideringMrs.Protheroeinthematter.TherehasalwaysbeenratherasuggestionofCaesar’swifeaboutMrs.Protheroe—aquiet,self-containedwomanwhomonewouldnotsuspectofanygreatdepthsoffeeling.
Ihadgottothispointinmymeditationswhenataponmystudywindowarousedme.Igotupandwenttoit.Mrs.Protheroewasstandingoutside.Iopenedthewindowandshecamein,notwaitingforaninvitationonmypart.Shecrossedtheroominabreathlesssortofwayanddroppeddownonthesofa.
IhadthefeelingthatIhadneverreallyseenherbefore.Thequietself-containedwomanthatIknewhadvanished.Inherplacewasaquick-breathing,desperatecreature.ForthefirsttimeIrealizedthatAnneProtheroewasbeautiful.
Shewasabrown-hairedwomanwithapalefaceandverydeepsetgreyeyes.Shewasflushednowandherbreastheaved.Itwasasthoughastatuehadsuddenlycometolife.Iblinkedmyeyesatthetransformation.
“Ithoughtitbesttocome,”shesaid.“You—yousawjustnow?”Ibowedmyhead.
Shesaidveryquietly:“Weloveeachother….”
Andeveninthemiddleofherevidentdistressandagitationshecouldnotkeepalittlesmilefromherlips.Thesmileofawomanwhoseessomethingverybeautifulandwonderful.
Istillsaidnothing,andsheaddedpresently:
“Isupposetoyouthatseemsverywrong?”
“Canyouexpectmetosayanythingelse,Mrs.Protheroe?”
“No—no,Isupposenot.”
Iwenton,tryingtomakemyvoiceasgentleaspossible:
“Youareamarriedwoman—”
Sheinterruptedme.
“Oh!Iknow—Iknow.DoyouthinkIhaven’tgoneoverallthatagainandagain?I’mnotabadwomanreally—I’mnot.Andthingsaren’t—aren’t—asyoumightthinktheyare.”
Isaidgravely:“I’mgladofthat.”
Sheaskedrathertimorously:
“Areyougoingtotellmyhusband?”
Isaidratherdryly:
“Thereseemstobeageneralideathataclergymanisincapableofbehavinglikeagentleman.Thatisnottrue.”
Shethrewmeagratefulglance.
“I’msounhappy.Oh!I’msodreadfullyunhappy.Ican’tgoon.Isimplycan’tgoon.AndIdon’tknowwhattodo.”Hervoicerosewithaslightlyhystericalnoteinit.“Youdon’tknowwhatmylifeislike.I’vebeenmiserablewithLuciusfromthebeginning.Nowomancouldbehappywithhim.Iwishheweredead…It’sawful,butIdo…I’mdesperate.Itellyou,I’mdesperate.”Shestartedandlookedoveratthewindow.
“Whatwasthat?IthoughtIheardsomeone?Perhapsit’sLawrence.”
IwentovertothewindowwhichIhadnotclosedasIhadthought.Isteppedoutandlookeddownthegarden,buttherewasnooneinsight.YetIwasalmostconvincedthatI,too,hadheardsomeone.Orperhapsitwashercertaintythathadconvincedme.
WhenIreenteredtheroomshewasleaningforward,droopingherheaddown.Shelookedthepictureofdespair.Shesaidagain:
“Idon’tknowwhattodo.Idon’tknowwhattodo.”
Icameandsatdownbesideher.IsaidthethingsIthoughtitwasmydutytosay,andtriedtosaythemwiththenecessaryconviction,uneasilyconsciousallthetimethatthatsamemorningIhadgivenvoicetothesentimentthataworldwithoutColonelProtheroeinitwouldbeimprovedforthebetter.
Aboveall,Ibeggedhertodonothingrash.Toleaveherhomeandherhusbandwasaveryseriousstep.
Idon’tsupposeIconvincedher.Ihavelivedlongenoughintheworldtoknowthatarguingwithanyoneinloveisnextdoortouseless,butIdothinkmywordsbroughttohersomemeasureofcomfort.
Whensherosetogo,shethankedme,andpromisedtothinkoverwhatIhadsaid.
Nevertheless,whenshehadgone,Ifeltveryuneasy.IfeltthathithertoIhadmisjudgedAnneProtheroe’scharacter.Sheimpressedmenowasaverydesperatewoman,thekindofwomanwhowouldstickatnothingonceheremotionswerearoused.Andshewasdesperately,wildly,madlyinlovewithLawrenceRedding,amanseveralyearsyoungerthanherself.Ididn’tlikeit.
Four
IhadentirelyforgottenthatwehadaskedLawrenceReddingtodinnerthatnight.WhenGriseldaburstinandscoldedme,pointingoutthatitlackedtwominutestodinnertime,Iwasquitetakenaback.
“Ihopeeverythingwillbeallright,”Griseldacalledupthestairsafterme.“I’vethoughtoverwhatyousaidatlunch,andI’vereallythoughtofsomequitegoodthingstoeat.”
Imaysay,inpassing,thatoureveningmealamplyboreoutGriselda’sassertionthatthingswentmuchworsewhenshetriedthanwhenshedidn’t.Themenuwasambitiousinconception,andMaryseemedtohavetakenaperversepleasureinseeinghowbestshecouldalternateundercookingandovercooking.SomeoysterswhichGriseldahadordered,andwhichwouldseemtobebeyondthereachofincompetence,wewere,unfortunately,notabletosampleaswehadnothinginthehousetoopenthemwith—anomissionwhichwasdiscoveredonlywhenthemomentforeatingthemarrived.
IhadratherdoubtedwhetherLawrenceReddingwouldputinanappearance.Hemightveryeasilyhavesentanexcuse.
However,hearrivedpunctuallyenough,andthefourofuswentintodinner.
LawrenceReddinghasanundeniablyattractivepersonality.Heis,Isuppose,aboutthirtyyearsofage.Hehasdarkhair,buthiseyesareofabrilliant,almoststartlingblue.Heisthekindofyoungmanwhodoeseverythingwell.Heisgoodatgames,anexcellentshot,agoodamateuractor,andcantellafirst-ratestory.Heiscapableofmakinganypartygo.Hehas,Ithink,Irishbloodinhisveins.Heisnot,atall,one’sideaofthetypicalartist.YetIbelieveheisacleverpainterinthemodernstyle.Iknowverylittleofpaintingmyself.
Itwasonlynaturalthatonthisparticulareveningheshouldappearashadedistrait.Onthewhole,hecarriedoffthingsverywell.Idon’tthinkGriseldaorDennisnoticedanythingwrong.ProbablyIshouldnothavenoticedanythingmyselfifIhadnotknownbeforehand.
GriseldaandDenniswereparticularlygay—fullofjokesaboutDr.StoneandMissCram—theLocalScandal!ItsuddenlycamehometomewithsomethingofapangthatDennisisnearerGriselda’sagethanIam.HecallsmeUncleLen,butherGriselda.Itgaveme,somehow,alonelyfeeling.
Imust,Ithink,havebeenupsetbyMrs.Protheroe.I’mnotusuallygiventosuchunprofitablereflections.
GriseldaandDenniswentratherfarnowandthen,butIhadn’tthehearttocheckthem.Ihavealwaysthoughtitapitythatthemerepresenceofaclergymanshouldhaveadampeningeffect.
Lawrencetookagaypartintheconversation.NeverthelessIwasawareofhiseyescontinuallystrayingtowhereIsat,andIwasnotsurprisedwhenafterdinnerhemanoeuvredtogetmeintothestudy.
Assoonaswewerealonehismannerchanged.
“You’vesurprisedoursecret,sir,”hesaid.“Whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”
IcouldspeakfarmoreplainlytoReddingthanIcouldtoMrs.Protheroe,andIdidso.Hetookitverywell.
“Ofcourse,”hesaid,whenIhadfinished,“you’reboundtosayallthis.You’reaparson.Idon’tmeanthatinanywayoffensively.AsamatteroffactIthinkyou’reprobablyright.Butthisisn’ttheusualsortofthingbetweenAnneandme.”
Itoldhimthatpeoplehadbeensayingthatparticularphrasesincethedawnoftime,andaqueerlittlesmilecreasedhislips.
“Youmeaneveryonethinkstheircaseisunique?Perhapsso.Butonethingyoumustbelieve.”
Heassuredmethatsofar—“therewasnothingwronginit.”Anne,hesaid,wasoneofthetruestandmostloyalwomenthateverlived.Whatwasgoingtohappenhedidn’tknow.
“Ifthiswereonlyabook,”hesaidgloomily,“theoldmanwoulddie—andagoodriddancetoeverybody.”
Ireprovedhim.
“Oh!Ididn’tmeanIwasgoingtostickhiminthebackwithaknife,thoughI’doffermybestthankstoanyoneelsewhodidso.There’snotasoulintheworldwho’sgotagoodwordtosayforhim.IratherwonderthefirstMrs.Protheroedidn’tdohimin.Imetheronce,yearsago,andshelookedquitecapableofit.Oneofthosecalmdangerouswomen.Hegoesblusteringalong,stirringuptroubleeverywhere,meanasthedevil,andwithaparticularlynastytemper.Youdon’tknowwhatAnnehashadtostandfromhim.IfIhadapennyintheworldI’dtakeherawaywithoutanymoreado.”
ThenIspoketohimveryearnestly.IbeggedhimtoleaveSt.MaryMead.Byremainingthere,hecouldonlybringgreaterunhappinessonAnneProtheroethanwasalreadyherlot.Peoplewouldtalk,thematterwouldgettoColonelProtheroe’sears—andthingswouldbemadeinfinitelyworseforher.
Lawrenceprotested.
“Nobodyknowsathingaboutitexceptyou,padre.”
“Mydearyoungman,youunderestimatethedetectiveinstinctofvillagelife.InSt.MaryMeadeveryoneknowsyourmostintimateaffairs.ThereisnodetectiveinEnglandequaltoaspinsterladyofuncertainagewithplentyoftimeonherhands.”
Hesaideasilythatthatwasallright.EveryonethoughtitwasLettice.
“Hasitoccurredtoyou,”Iasked,“thatpossiblyLetticemightthinksoherself?”
Heseemedquitesurprisedbytheidea.Lettice,hesaid,didn’tcareahangabouthim.Hewassureofthat.
“She’saqueersortofgirl,”hesaid.“Alwaysseemsinakindofdream,andyetunderneathIbelieveshe’sreallyratherpractical.Ibelieveallthatvaguestuffisapose.Letticeknowsjollywellwhatshe’sdoing.Andthere’safunnyvindictivestreakinher.ThequeerthingisthatshehatesAnne.Simplyloathesher.AndyetAnne’sbeenaperfectangeltoheralways.”
Ididnot,ofcourse,takehiswordforthislast.Toinfatuatedyoungmen,theirinamorataalwaysbehaveslikeanangel.Still,tothebestofmyobservation,Annehadalwaysbehavedtoherstep-daughterwithkindnessandfairness.IhadbeensurprisedmyselfthatafternoonatthebitternessofLettice’stone.
Wehadtoleavetheconversationthere,becauseGriseldaandDennisburstinuponusandsaidIwasnottomakeLawrencebehavelikeanoldfogy.
“Ohdear!”saidGriselda,throwingherselfintoanarmchair.“HowIwouldlikeathrillofsomekind.Amurder—orevenaburglary.”
“Idon’tsupposethere’sanyonemuchworthburgling,”saidLawrence,tryingtoenterintohermood.“UnlesswestoleMissHartnell’sfalseteeth.”
“Theydoclickhorribly,”saidGriselda.“Butyou’rewrongabouttherebeingnooneworthwhile.There’ssomemarvellousoldsilveratOldHall.TrenchersaltsandaCharlesIITazza—allkindsofthingslikethat.Worththousandsofpounds,Ibelieve.”
“Theoldmanwouldprobablyshootyouwithanarmyrevolver,”saidDennis.“Justthesortofthinghe’denjoydoing.”
“Oh,we’dgetinfirstandholdhimup!”saidGriselda.“Who’sgotarevolver?”
“I’vegotaMauserpistol,”saidLawrence.
“Haveyou?Howexciting.Whydoyouhaveit?”
“Souvenirofthewar,”saidLawrencebriefly.
“OldProtheroewasshowingthesilvertoStonetoday,”volunteeredDennis.“OldStonewaspretendingtobenoendinterestedinit.”
“Ithoughtthey’dquarrelledaboutthebarrow,”saidGriselda.
“Oh,they’vemadethatup!”saidDennis.“Ican’tthinkwhatpeoplewanttogrubaboutinbarrowsfor,anyway.”
“ThemanStonepuzzlesme,”saidLawrence.“Ithinkhemustbeveryabsentminded.You’dswearsometimesheknewnothingabouthisownsubject.”
“That’slove,”saidDennis.“SweetGladysCram,youarenosham.Yourteetharewhiteandfillmewithdelight.Come,flywithme,mybridetobe.AndattheBlueBoar,onthebedroomfloor—”
“That’senough,Dennis,”Isaid.
“Well,”saidLawrenceRedding,“Imustbeoff.Thankyouverymuch,Mrs.Clement,foraverypleasantevening.”
GriseldaandDennissawhimoff.Dennisreturnedtothestudyalone.Somethinghadhappenedtoruffletheboy.Hewanderedabouttheroomaimlessly,frowningandkickingthefurniture.
Ourfurnitureissoshabbyalreadythatitcanhardlybedamagedfurther,butIfeltimpelledtoutteramildprotest
“Sorry,”saidDennis.
Hewassilentforamomentandthenburstout:
“Whatanabsolutelyrottenthinggossipis!”
Iwasalittlesurprised.“What’sthematter?”Iasked.
“Idon’tknowwhetherIoughttotellyou.”
Iwasmoreandmoresurprised.
“It’ssuchanabsolutelyrottenthing,”Dennissaidagain.“Goingroundandsayingthings.Notevensayingthem.Hintingthem.No,I’mdamned—sorry—ifI’lltellyou!It’stooabsolutelyrotten.”
Ilookedathimcuriously,butIdidnotpresshimfurther.Iwonderedverymuch,though.ItisveryunlikeDennistotakeanythingtoheart.
Griseldacameinatthatmoment.
“MissWetherby’sjustrungup,”shesaid.“Mrs.Lestrangewentoutataquarterpasteightandhasn’tcomeinyet.Nobodyknowswhereshe’sgone.”
“Whyshouldtheyknow?”
“Butitisn’ttoDr.Haydock’s.MissWetherbydoesknowthat,becauseshetelephonedtoMissHartnellwholivesnextdoortohimandwhowouldhavebeensuretoseeher.”
“Itisamysterytome,”Isaid,“howanyoneevergetsanynourishmentinthisplace.Theymusteattheirmealsstandingupbythewindowsoastobesureofnotmissinganything.”
“Andthat’snotall,”saidGriselda,bubblingwithpleasure.“They’vefoundoutabouttheBlueBoar.Dr.StoneandMissCramhavegotroomsnextdoortoeachother,BUT”—shewavedanimpressiveforefinger—“nocommunicatingdoor!”
“That,”Isaid,“mustbeverydisappointingtoeverybody.”
AtwhichGriseldalaughed.
Thursdaystartedbadly.Twooftheladiesofmyparishelectedtoquarrelaboutthechurchdecorations.Iwascalledintoadjudicatebetweentwomiddle-agedladies,eachofwhomwasliterallytremblingwithrage.Ifithadnotbeensopainful,itwouldhavebeenquiteaninterestingphysicalphenomenon.
ThenIhadtoreprovetwoofourchoirboysforpersistentsweetsuckingduringthehoursofdivineservice,andIhadanuneasyfeelingthatIwasnotdoingthejobaswholeheartedlyasIshouldhavedone.
Thenourorganist,whoisdistinctly“touchy,”hadtakenoffenceandhadtobesmootheddown.
AndfourofmypoorerparishionersdeclaredopenrebellionagainstMissHartnell,whocametomeburstingwithrageaboutit.
IwasjustgoinghomewhenImetColonelProtheroe.Hewasinhighgoodhumour,havingsentencedthreepoachers,inhiscapacityasmagistrate.
“Firmness,”heshoutedinhisstentorianvoice.Heisslightlydeafandraiseshisvoiceaccordinglyasdeafpeopleoftendo.“That’swhat’sneedednowadays—firmness!Makeanexample.ThatrogueArchercameoutyesterdayandisvowingvengeanceagainstme,Ihear.Impudentscoundrel.Threatenedmenlivelong,asthesayinggoes.I’llshowhimwhathisvengeanceisworthnexttimeIcatchhimtakingmypheasants.Lax!We’retoolaxnowadays!Ibelieveinshowingamanupforwhatheis.You’realwaysbeingaskedtoconsideraman’swifeandchildren.Damnednonsense.Fiddlesticks.Whyshouldamanescapetheconsequencesofhisactsjustbecausehewhinesabouthiswifeandchildren?It’sallthesametome—nomatterwhatamanis—doctor,lawyer,clergyman,poacher,drunkenwastrel—ifyoucatchhimonthewrongsideofthelaw,letthelawpunishhim.Youagreewithme,I’msure.”
“Youforget,”Isaid.“Mycallingobligesmetorespectonequalityaboveallothers—thequalityofmercy.”
“Well,I’majustman.Noonecandenythat.”
Ididnotspeak,andhesaidsharply:
“Whydon’tyouanswer?Apennyforyourthoughts,man.”
Ihesitated,thenIdecidedtospeak.
“Iwasthinking,”Isaid,“thatwhenmytimecomes,IshouldbesorryiftheonlypleaIhadtoofferwasthatofjustice.Becauseitmightmeanthatonlyjusticewouldbemetedouttome….”
“Pah!WhatweneedisalittlemilitantChristianity.I’vealwaysdonemyduty,Ihope.Well,nomoreofthat.I’llbealongthisevening,asIsaid.We’llmakeitaquarterpastsixinsteadofsix,ifyoudon’tmind.I’vegottoseeamaninthevillage.”
“Thatwillsuitmequitewell.”
Heflourishedhisstickandstrodeaway.Turning,IranintoHawes.Ithoughthelookeddistinctlyillthismorning.Ihadmeanttoupbraidhimmildlyforvariousmattersinhisprovincewhichhadbeenmuddledorshelved,butseeinghiswhitestrainedface,Ifeltthatthemanwasill.
Isaidasmuch,andhedeniedit,butnotveryvehemently.Finallyheconfessedthathewasnotfeelingtoofit,andappearedreadytoacceptmyadviceofgoinghometobed.
Ihadahurriedlunchandwentouttodosomevisits.GriseldahadgonetoLondonbythecheapThursdaytrain.
IcameinaboutaquartertofourwiththeintentionofsketchingtheoutlineofmySundaysermon,butMarytoldmethatMr.Reddingwaswaitingformeinthestudy.
Ifoundhimpacingupanddownwithaworriedface.Helookedwhiteandhaggard.
Heturnedabruptlyatmyentrance.
“Lookhere,sir.I’vebeenthinkingoverwhatyousaidyesterday.I’vehadasleeplessnightthinkingaboutit.You’reright.I’vegottocutandrun.”
“Mydearboy,”Isaid.
“YouwererightinwhatyousaidaboutAnne.I’llonlybringtroubleonherbystayinghere.She’s—she’stoogoodforanythingelse.IseeI’vegottogo.I’vemadethingshardenoughforherasitis,heavenhelpme.”
“Ithinkyouhavemadetheonlydecisionpossible,”Isaid.“Iknowthatitisahardone,butbelieveme,itwillbeforthebestintheend.”
Icouldseethathethoughtthatthatwasthekindofthingeasilysaidbysomeonewhodidn’tknowwhathewastalkingabout.
“You’lllookafterAnne?Sheneedsafriend.”
“YoucanrestassuredthatIwilldoeverythinginmypower.”
“Thankyou,sir.”Hewrungmyhand.“You’reagoodsort,Padre.Ishallseehertosaygood-byethisevening,andIshallprobablypackupandgotomorrow.Nogoodprolongingtheagony.Thanksforlettingmehavetheshedtopaintin.I’msorrynottohavefinishedMrs.Clement’sportrait.”
“Don’tworryaboutthat,mydearboy.Good-bye,andGodblessyou.”
WhenhehadgoneItriedtosettledowntomysermon,butwithverypoorsuccess.IkeptthinkingofLawrenceandAnneProtheroe.
Ihadratheranunpalatablecupoftea,coldandblack,andathalfpastfivethetelephonerang.IwasinformedthatMr.AbbottofLowerFarmwasdyingandwouldIpleasecomeatonce.
IrangupOldHallimmediately,forLowerFarmwasnearlytwomilesawayandIcouldnotpossiblygetbackbysixfifteen.Ihaveneversucceededinlearningtorideabicycle.
Iwastold,however,thatColonelProtheroehadjuststartedoutinthecar,soIdeparted,leavingwordwithMarythatIhadbeencalledaway,butwouldtrytobebackbysixthirtyorsoonafter.
Five
ItwasnearerseventhanhalfpastsixwhenIapproachedtheVicaragegateonmyreturn.BeforeIreachedit,itswungopenandLawrenceReddingcameout.Hestoppeddeadonseeingme,andIwasimmediatelystruckbyhisappearance.Helookedlikeamanwhowasonthepointofgoingmad.Hiseyesstaredinapeculiarmanner,hewasdeathlywhite,andhewasshakingandtwitchingallover
Iwonderedforamomentwhetherhecouldhavebeendrinking,butrepudiatedtheideaimmediately.
“Hallo,”Isaid,“haveyoubeentoseemeagain?SorryIwasout.Comebacknow.I’vegottoseeProtheroeaboutsomeaccounts—butIdaresayweshan’tbelong.”
“Protheroe,”hesaid.Hebegantolaugh.“Protheroe?You’regoingtoseeProtheroe?Oh,you’llseeProtheroeallright!Oh,myGod—yes!”
Istared.InstinctivelyIstretchedoutahandtowardshim.Hedrewsharplyaside.
“No,”healmostcriedout.“I’vegottogetaway—tothink.I’vegottothink.Imustthink.”
Hebrokeintoarunandvanishedrapidlydowntheroadtowardsthevillage,leavingmestaringafterhim,myfirstideaofdrunkennessrecurring.
FinallyIshookmyhead,andwentontotheVicarage.Thefrontdoorisalwaysleftopen,butneverthelessIrangthebell.Marycame,wipingherhandsonherapron.
“Soyou’rebackatlast,”sheobserved.
“IsColonelProtheroehere?”Iasked.
“Inthestudy.Beenheresinceaquarterpastsix.”
“AndMr.Redding’sbeenhere?”
“Comeafewminutesago.Askedforyou.Itoldhimyou’dbebackatanyminuteandthatColonelProtheroewaswaitinginthestudy,andhesaidhe’dwaittoo,andwentthere.He’stherenow.”
“No,heisn’t,”Isaid.“I’vejustmethimgoingdowntheroad.”
“Well,Ididn’thearhimleave.Hecan’thavestayedmorethanacoupleofminutes.Themistressisn’tbackfromtownyet.”
Inoddedabsentmindedly.MarybeataretreattothekitchenquartersandIwentdownthepassageandopenedthestudydoor.
Aftertheduskofthepassage,theeveningsunshinethatwaspouringintotheroommademyeyesblink.Itookasteportwoacrossthefloorandthenstoppeddead.
ForamomentIcouldhardlytakeinthemeaningofthescenebeforeme.
ColonelProtheroewaslyingsprawledacrossmywritingtableinahorribleunnaturalposition.Therewasapoolofsomedarkfluidonthedeskbyhishead,anditwasslowlydrippingontothefloorwithahorribledrip,drip,drip.
Ipulledmyselftogetherandwentacrosstohim.Hisskinwascoldtothetouch.ThehandthatIraisedfellbacklifeless.Themanwasdead—shotthroughthehead.
IwenttothedoorandcalledMary.WhenshecameIorderedhertorunasfastasshecouldandfetchDr.Haydock,wholivesjustatthecorneroftheroad.Itoldhertherehadbeenanaccident.
ThenIwentbackandclosedthedoortoawaitthedoctor’scoming.
Fortunately,Maryfoundhimathome.Haydockisagoodfellow,abig,fine,strappingmanwithanhonest,ruggedface
HiseyebrowswentupwhenIpointedsilentlyacrosstheroom.But,likeatruedoctor,heshowednosignsofemotion.Hebentoverthedeadman,examininghimrapidly.Thenhestraightenedhimselfandlookedacrossatme.
“Well?”Iasked.
“He’sdeadrightenough—beendeadhalfanhour,Ishouldsay.”
“Suicide?”
“Outofthequestion,man.Lookatthepositionofthewound.Besides,ifheshothimself,where’stheweapon?”
Trueenough,therewasnosignofanysuchthing.
“We’dbetternotmessaroundwithanything,”saidHaydock.“I’dbetterringupthepolice.”
Hepickedupthereceiverandspokeintoit.HegavethefactsascurtlyaspossibleandthenreplacedthetelephoneandcameacrosstowhereIwassitting.
“Thisisarottenbusiness.Howdidyoucometofindhim?”
Iexplained.“Is—isitmurder?”Iaskedratherfaintly.
“Lookslikeit.Meantosay,whatelsecanitbe?Extraordinarybusiness.Wonderwhohadadownonthepooroldfellow.OfcourseIknowhewasn’tpopular,butoneisn’toftenmurderedforthatreason—worseluck.”
“There’sonerathercuriousthing,”Isaid.“Iwastelephonedforthisafternoontogotoadyingparishioner.WhenIgotthereeveryonewasverysurprisedtoseeme.Thesickmanwasverymuchbetterthanhehadbeenforsomedays,andhiswifeflatlydeniedtelephoningformeatall.”
Haydockdrewhisbrowstogether.
“That’ssuggestive—very.Youwerebeinggotoutoftheway.Where’syourwife?”
“GoneuptoLondonfortheday.”
“Andthemaid?”
“Inthekitchen—rightattheothersideofthehouse.”
“Whereshewouldn’tbelikelytohearanythingthatwentoninhere.It’sanastybusiness.WhoknewthatProtheroewascomingherethisevening?”
“Hereferredtothefactthismorninginthevillagestreetatthetopofhisvoiceasusual.”
“Meaningthatthewholevillageknewit?Whichtheyalwaysdoinanycase.Knowofanyonewhohadagrudgeagainsthim?”
ThethoughtofLawrenceRedding’swhitefaceandstaringeyescametomymind.Iwassparedansweringbyanoiseofshufflingfeetinthepassageoutside.
“Thepolice,”saidmyfriend,androsetohisfeet.
OurpoliceforcewasrepresentedbyConstableHurst,lookingveryimportantbutslightlyworried.
“Goodevening,gentlemen,”hegreetedus.“theInspectorwillbehereanyminute.InthemeantimeI’llfollowouthisinstructions.IunderstandColonelProtheroe’sbeenfoundshot—intheVicarage.”
Hepausedanddirectedalookofcoldsuspicionatme,whichItriedtomeetwithasuitablebearingofconsciousinnocence.
Hemovedovertothewritingtableandannounced:
“NothingtobetoucheduntiltheInspectorcomes.”
FortheconvenienceofmyreadersIappendasketchplanoftheroom.
Hegotouthisnotebook,moistenedhispencilandlookedexpectantlyatbothofus.
Irepeatedmystoryofdiscoveringthebody.Whenhehadgotitalldown,whichtooksometime,heturnedtothedoctor.
“Inyouropinion,Dr.Haydock,whatwasthecauseofdeath?”
“Shotthroughtheheadatclosequarters.”
“Andtheweapon?”
“Ican’tsaywithcertaintyuntilwegetthebulletout.ButIshouldsayinallprobabilitythebulletwasfiredfromapistolofsmallcalibre—sayaMauser.25.”
Istarted,rememberingourconversationofthenightbefore,andLawrenceRedding’sadmission.Thepoliceconstablebroughthiscold,fish-likeeyeroundonme.
“Didyouspeak,sir?”
Ishookmyhead.WhateversuspicionsImighthave,theywerenomorethansuspicions,andassuchtobekepttomyself.
“When,inyouropinion,didthetragedyoccur?”
Thedoctorhesitatedforaminutebeforeheanswered.Thenhesaid:
“Themanhasbeendeadjustoverhalfanhour,Ishouldsay.Certainlynotlonger.”
Hurstturnedtome.“Didthegirlhearanything?”
“AsfarasIknowsheheardnothing,”Isaid.“Butyouhadbetteraskher.”
ButatthismomentInspectorSlackarrived,havingcomebycarfromMuchBenham,twomilesaway.
AllthatIcansayofInspectorSlackisthatneverdidamanmoredeterminedlystrivetocontradicthisname.Hewasadarkman,restlessandenergeticinmanner,withblackeyesthatsnappedceaselessly.Hismannerwasrudeandoverbearingintheextreme.
Heacknowledgedourgreetingswithacurtnod,seizedhissubordinate’snotebook,perusedit,exchangedafewcurtwordswithhiminanundertone,thenstrodeovertothebody.
“Everything’sbeenmessedupandpulledabout,Isuppose,”hesaid.
“I’vetouchednothing,”saidHaydock
“NomorehaveI,”Isaid.
TheInspectorbusiedhimselfforsometimepeeringatthethingsonthetableandexaminingthepoolofblood.
“Ah!”hesaidinatoneoftriumph.“Here’swhatwewant.Clockoverturnedwhenhefellforward.That’llgiveusthetimeofthecrime.Twenty-twominutespastsix.Whattimedidyousaydeathoccurred,doctor?”
“Isaidabouthalfanhour,but—”
TheInspectorconsultedhiswatch.
“Fiveminutespastseven.Igotwordabouttenminutesago,atfiveminutestoseven.Discoveryofthebodywasataboutaquartertoseven.Iunderstandyouwerefetchedimmediately.Sayyouexamineditattenminutesto—Why,thatbringsittotheidenticalsecondalmost!”
“Idon’tguaranteethetimeabsolutely,”saidHaydock.“Thatisanapproximateestimate.”
“Goodenough,sir,goodenough.”
Ihadbeentryingtogetawordin.
“Abouttheclock—”
“Ifyou’llexcuseme,sir,I’llaskyouanyquestionsIwanttoknow.Time’sshort.WhatIwantisabsolutesilence.”
“Yes,butI’dliketotellyou—”
“Absolutesilence,”saidtheInspector,glaringatmeferociously.Igavehimwhatheaskedfor.
Hewasstillpeeringaboutthewritingtable.
“Whatwashesittingherefor?”hegrunted.“Didhewanttowriteanote—Hallo—what’sthis?”
Heheldupapieceofnotepapertriumphantly.Sopleasedwashewithhisfindthathepermittedustocometohissideandexamineitwithhim.
ItwasapieceofVicaragenotepaper,anditwasheadedatthetop6:20.
“DearClement”—itbegan—“SorryIcannotwaitanylonger,butImust….”
Herethewritingtailedoffinascrawl
“Plainasapikestaff,”saidInspectorSlacktriumphantly.“Hesitsdownheretowritethis,anenemycomessoftlyinthroughthewindowandshootshimashewrites.Whatmoredoyouwant?”
“I’djustliketosay—”Ibegan.
“Outoftheway,ifyouplease,sir.Iwanttoseeiftherearefootprints.”
Hewentdownonhishandsandknees,movingtowardstheopenwindow.
“Ithinkyououghttoknow—”Isaidobstinately.
TheInspectorrose.Hespokewithoutheat,butfirmly.
“We’llgointoallthatlater.I’dbeobligedifyougentlemenwillclearoutofhere.Rightout,ifyouplease.”
Wepermittedourselvestobeshooedoutlikechildren.
Hoursseemedtohavepassed—yetitwasonlyaquarterpastseven.
“Well,”saidHaydock.“That’sthat.Whenthatconceitedasswantsme,youcansendhimovertothesurgery.Solong.”
“Themistressisback,”saidMary,makingabriefappearancefromthekitchen.Hereyeswereroundandagogwithexcitement.“Comeinaboutfiveminutesago.”
IfoundGriseldainthedrawingroom.Shelookedfrightened,butexcited.
Itoldhereverythingandshelistenedattentively.
“Theletterisheaded6:20,”Iended.“Andtheclockfelloverandhasstoppedat6:22.”
“Yes,”saidGriselda.“Butthatclock,didn’tyoutellhimthatitwasalwayskeptaquarterofanhourfast?”
“No,”Isaid.“Ididn’t.Hewouldn’tletme.Itriedmybest.”Griseldawasfrowninginapuzzledmanner.
“But,Len,”shesaid,“thatmakesthewholethingperfectlyextraordinary.Becausewhenthatclocksaidtwentypastsixitwasreallyonlyfiveminutespast,andatfiveminutespastIdon’tsupposeColonelProtheroehadevenarrivedatthehouse.”
Six
Wepuzzledoverthebusinessoftheclockforsometime,butwecouldmakenothingofit.GriseldasaidIoughttomakeanotherefforttotellInspectorSlackaboutit,butonthatpointIwasfeelingwhatIcanonlydescribeas“mulish.”
InspectorSlackhadbeenabominablyandmostunnecessarilyrude.IwaslookingforwardtoamomentwhenIcouldproducemyvaluablecontributionandeffecthisdiscomfiture.Iwouldthensayinatoneofmildreproach:
“Ifyouhadonlylistenedtome,InspectorSlack….”
Iexpectedthathewouldatleastspeaktomebeforeheleftthehouse,buttooursurprisewelearnedfromMarythathehaddeparted,havinglockedupthestudydoorandissuedordersthatnoonewastoattempttoentertheroom.
GriseldasuggestedgoinguptoOldHall
“ItwillbesoawfulforAnneProtheroe—withthepoliceandeverything,”shesaid.“PerhapsImightbeabletodosomethingforher.”
Icordiallyapprovedofthisplan,andGriseldasetoffwithinstructionsthatshewastotelephonetomeifshethoughtthatIcouldbeofanyuseorcomforttoeitheroftheladies.
InowproceededtoringuptheSundaySchoolteachers,whowerecomingat7:45fortheirweeklypreparationclass.Ithoughtthatunderthecircumstancesitwouldbebettertoputthemoff.
Denniswasthenextpersontoarriveonthescene,havingjustreturnedfromatennisparty.ThefactthatmurderhadtakenplaceattheVicarageseemedtoaffordhimacutesatisfaction.
“Fancybeingrightonthespotinamurdercase,”heexclaimed.“I’vealwayswantedtoberightinthemidstofone.Whyhavethepolicelockedupthestudy?Wouldn’toneoftheotherdoorkeysfitit?”
Irefusedtoallowanythingofthesorttobeattempted.Dennisgaveinwithabadgrace.Afterextractingeverypossibledetailfrommehewentoutintothegardentolookforfootprints,remarkingcheerfullythatitwasluckyitwasonlyoldProtheroe,whomeveryonedisliked.
Hischeerfulcallousnessrathergratedonme,butIreflectedthatIwasperhapsbeinghardontheboy.AtDennis’sageadetectivestoryisoneofthebestthingsinlife,andtofindarealdetectivestory,completewithcorpse,waitingonone’sownfrontdoorstep,sotospeak,isboundtosendahealthy-mindedboyintotheseventhheavenofenjoyment.Deathmeansverylittletoaboyofsixteen.
Griseldacamebackinaboutanhour’stime.ShehadseenAnneProtheroe,havingarrivedjustaftertheInspectorhadbrokenthenewstoher.
OnhearingthatMrs.Protheroehadlastseenherhusbandinthevillageaboutaquartertosix,andthatshehadnolightofanykindtothrowuponthematter,hehadtakenhisdeparture,explainingthathewouldreturnonthemorrowforafullerinterview.
“Hewasquitedecentinhisway,”saidGriseldagrudgingly.
“HowdidMrs.Protheroetakeit?”Iasked.
“Well—shewasveryquiet—butthenshealwaysis.”
“Yes,”Isaid.“Ican’timagineAnneProtheroegoingintohysterics.”
“Ofcourseitwasagreatshock.Youcouldseethat.ShethankedmeforcomingandsaidshewasverygratefulbutthattherewasnothingIcoulddo.”
“WhataboutLettice?”
“Shewasoutplayingtennissomewhere.Shehadn’tgothomeyet.”Therewasapause,andthenGriseldasaid:
“Youknow,Len,shewasreallyveryquiet—veryqueerindeed.”
“Theshock,”Isuggested.
“Yes—Isupposeso.Andyet—”Griseldafurrowedherbrowsperplexedly.“Itwasn’tlikethat,somehow.Shedidn’tseemsomuchbowledoveras—well—terrified.”
“Terrified?”
“Yes—notshowingit,youknow.Atleastnotmeaningtoshowit.Butaqueer,watchfullookinhereyes.Iwonderifshehasasortofideawhodidkillhim.Sheaskedagainandagainifanyoneweresuspected.”
“Didshe?”Isaidthoughtfully.
“Yes.OfcourseAnne’sgotmarvellousself-control,butonecouldseethatshewasterriblyupset.MoresothanIwouldhavethought,forafterallitwasn’tasthoughsheweresodevotedtohim.Ishouldhavesaidsheratherdislikedhim,ifanything.”
“Deathaltersone’sfeelingssometimes,”Isaid.
“Yes,Isupposeso.”
Denniscameinandwasfullofexcitementoverafootprinthehadfoundinoneoftheflowerbeds.Hewassurethatthepolicehadoverlookeditandthatitwouldturnouttobetheturningpointofthemystery.
Ispentatroublednight.Denniswasupandaboutandoutofthehouselongbeforebreakfastto“studythelatestdevelopments,”ashesaid.
Neverthelessitwasnothe,butMary,whobroughtusthemorning’ssensationalbitofnews.
Wehadjustsatdowntobreakfastwhensheburstintotheroom,hercheeksredandhereyesshining,andaddresseduswithhercustomarylackofceremony.
“Wouldyoubelieveit?Thebaker’sjusttoldme.They’vearrestedyoungMr.Redding.”
“ArrestedLawrence,”criedGriseldaincredulously.“Impossible.Itmustbesomestupidmistake.”
“Nomistakeaboutit,mum,”saidMarywithakindofgloatingexultation.“Mr.Redding,hewenttherehimselfandgavehimselfup.Lastnight,lastthing.Wentrightin,threwdownthepistolonthetable,and‘Ididit,’hesays.Justlikethat.”
Shelookedatusboth,noddedherheadvigorously,andwithdrewsatisfiedwiththeeffectshehadproduced.GriseldaandIstaredateachother.
“Oh!Itisn’ttrue,”saidGriselda.“Itcan’tbetrue.”
Shenoticedmysilence,andsaid:“Len,youdon’tthinkit’strue?”
Ifoundithardtoanswerher.Isatsilent,thoughtswhirlingthroughmyhead
“Hemustbemad,”saidGriselda.“Absolutelymad.Ordoyouthinktheywerelookingatthepistoltogetheranditsuddenlywentoff?”
“Thatdoesn’tsoundatallalikelythingtohappen.”
“Butitmusthavebeenanaccidentofsomekind.Becausethere’snotashadowofamotive.WhatearthlyreasoncouldLawrencehaveforkillingColonelProtheroe?”
Icouldhaveansweredthatquestionverydecidedly,butIwishedtospareAnneProtheroeasfaraspossible.Theremightstillbeachanceofkeepinghernameoutofit.
“Remembertheyhadhadaquarrel,”Isaid.
“AboutLetticeandherbathingdress.Yes,butthat’sabsurd;andevenifheandLetticewereengagedsecretly—well,that’snotareasonforkillingherfather.”
“Wedon’tknowwhatthetruefactsofthecasemaybe,Griselda.”
“Youdobelieveit,Len!Oh!Howcanyou!Itellyou,I’msureLawrencenevertouchedahairofhishead.”
“Remember,Imethimjustoutsidethegate.Helookedlikeamadman.”
“Yes,but—oh!It’simpossible.”
“There’stheclock,too,”Isaid.“Thisexplainstheclock.Lawrencemusthaveputitbackto6:20withtheideaofmakinganalibiforhimself.LookhowInspectorSlackfellintothetrap.”
“You’rewrong,Len.Lawrenceknewaboutthatclockbeingfast.‘KeepingtheVicaruptotime!’heusedtosay.Lawrencewouldneverhavemadethemistakeofputtingitbackto6:22.He’dhaveputthehandssomewherepossible—likeaquartertoseven.”
“Hemayn’thaveknownwhattimeProtheroegothere.Orhemayhavesimplyforgottenabouttheclockbeingfast.”
Griseldadisagreed.
“No,ifyouwerecommittingamurder,you’dbeawfullycarefulaboutthingslikethat.”
“Youdon’tknow,mydear,”Isaidmildly.“You’veneverdoneone.”
BeforeGriseldacouldreply,ashadowfellacrossthebreakfasttable,andaverygentlevoicesaid:
“IhopeIamnotintruding.Youmustforgiveme.Butinthesadcircumstances—theverysadcircumstances….”
Itwasourneighbour,MissMarple.Acceptingourpolitedisclaimers,shesteppedinthroughthewindow,andIdrewupachairforher.Shelookedfaintlyflushedandquiteexcited.
“Veryterrible,isitnot?PoorColonelProtheroe.Notaverypleasantman,perhaps,andnotexactlypopular,butit’snonethelesssadforthat.AndactuallyshotintheVicaragestudy,Iunderstand?”
Isaidthatthathadindeedbeenthecase.
“ButthedearVicarwasnothereatthetime?”MissMarplequestionedofGriselda.IexplainedwhereIhadbeen.
“Mr.Dennisisnotwithyouthismorning?”saidMissMarple,glancinground.
“Dennis,”saidGriselda,“fancieshimselfasanamateurdetective.Heisveryexcitedaboutafootprinthefoundinoneoftheflowerbeds,andIfancyhasgoneofftotellthepoliceaboutit.”
“Dear,dear,”saidMissMarple.“Suchato-do,isitnot?AndMr.Dennisthinksheknowswhocommittedthecrime.Well,Isupposeweallthinkweknow.”
“Youmeanitisobvious?”saidGriselda.
“No,dear,Ididn’tmeanthatatall.Idaresayeveryonethinksitissomebodydifferent.Thatiswhyitissoimportanttohaveproofs.I,forinstance,amquiteconvincedIknowwhodidit.ButImustadmitIhaven’toneshadowofproof.Onemust,Iknow,beverycarefulofwhatonesaysatatimelikethis—criminallibel,don’ttheycallit?IhadmadeupmymindtobemostcarefulwithInspectorSlack.Hesentwordhewouldcomeandseemethismorning,butnowhehasjustphoneduptosayitwon’tbenecessaryafterall.”
“Isuppose,sincethearrest,itisn’tnecessary,”Isaid.
“Thearrest?”MissMarpleleanedforward,hercheekspinkwithexcitement.“Ididn’tknowtherehadbeenanarrest.”
ItissoseldomthatMissMarpleisworseinformedthanwearethatIhadtakenitforgrantedthatshewouldknowthelatestdevelopments.
“Itseemswehavebeentalkingatcrosspurposes,”Isaid.“Yes,therehasbeenanarrest—LawrenceRedding.”
“LawrenceRedding?”MissMarpleseemedverysurprised.“NowIshouldnothavethought—”
Griseldainterruptedvehemently.
“Ican’tbelieveitevennow.No,notthoughhehasactuallyconfessed.”
“Confessed?”saidMissMarple.“Yousayhehasconfessed?Oh!dear,IseeIhavebeensadlyatsea—yes,sadlyatsea.”
“Ican’thelpfeelingitmusthavebeensomekindofanaccident,”saidGriselda.“Don’tyouthinkso,Len?Imeanhiscomingforwardtogivehimselfuplookslikethat.”
MissMarpleleantforwardeagerly.
“Hegavehimselfup,yousay?”
“Yes.”
“Oh!”saidMissMarple,withadeepsigh.“Iamsoglad—soveryglad.”
Ilookedatherinsomesurprise.
“Itshowsatruestateofremorse,Isuppose,”Isaid.
“Remorse?”MissMarplelookedverysurprised.“Oh,butsurely,dear,dearVicar,youdon’tthinkthatheisguilty?”
Itwasmyturntostare.
“Butsincehehasconfessed—”
“Yes,butthatjustprovesit,doesn’tit?Imeanthathehadnothingtodowithit.”
“No,”Isaid.“Imaybedense,butIcan’tseethatitdoes.Ifyouhavenotcommittedamurder,Icannotseetheobjectofpretendingyouhave.”
“Oh,ofcourse,there’sareason!”saidMissMarple.“Naturally.There’salwaysareason,isn’tthere?Andyoungmenaresohot-headedandoftenpronetobelievetheworst.”
SheturnedtoGriselda.
“Don’tyouagreewithme,mydear?”
“I—Idon’tknow,”saidGriselda.“It’sdifficulttoknowwhattothink.Ican’tseeanyreasonforLawrencebehavinglikeaperfectidiot.”
“Ifyouhadseenhisfacelastnight—”Ibegan.
“Tellme,”saidMissMarple.
Idescribedmyhomecomingwhileshelistenedattentively.
WhenIhadfinishedshesaid:
“IknowthatIamveryoftenratherfoolishanddon’ttakeinthingsasIshould,butIreallydonotseeyourpoint.
“Itseemstomethatifayoungmanhadmadeuphismindtothegreatwickednessoftakingafellowcreature’slife,hewouldnotappeardistraughtaboutitafterwards.Itwouldbeapremeditatedandcold-bloodedactionandthoughthemurderermightbealittleflurriedandpossiblymightmakesomesmallmistake,Idonotthinkitlikelyhewouldfallintoastateofagitationsuchasyoudescribe.Itisdifficulttoputoneselfinsuchaposition,butIcannotimaginegettingintoastatelikethatmyself.”
“Wedon’tknowthecircumstances,”Iargued.“Iftherewasaquarrel,theshotmayhavebeenfiredinasuddengustofpassion,andLawrencemightafterwardshavebeenappalledatwhathehaddone.Indeed,Iprefertothinkthatthisiswhatdidactuallyoccur.”
“Iknow,dearMr.Clement,thattherearemanywaysweprefertolookatthings.Butonemustactuallytakefactsastheyare,mustonenot?Anditdoesnotseemtomethatthefactsbeartheinterpretationyouputuponthem.YourmaiddistinctlystatedthatMr.Reddingwasonlyinthehouseacoupleofminutes,notlongenough,surely,foraquarrelsuchasyoudescribe.Andthenagain,IunderstandtheColonelwasshotthroughthebackoftheheadwhilehewaswritingaletter—atleastthatiswhatmymaidtoldme.”
“Quitetrue,”saidGriselda.“Heseemstohavebeenwritinganotetosayhecouldn’twaitanylonger.Thenotewasdated6:20,andtheclockonthetablewasoverturnedandhadstoppedat6:22,andthat’sjustwhathasbeenpuzzlingLenandmyselfsofrightfully.”
Sheexplainedourcustomofkeepingtheclockaquarterofanhourfast.
“Verycurious,”saidMissMarple.“Verycuriousindeed.Butthenoteseemstomeevenmorecuriousstill.Imean—”
Shestoppedandlookedround.LetticeProtheroewasstandingoutsidethewindow.Shecamein,noddingtousandmurmuring“Morning.”
Shedroppedintoachairandsaid,withrathermoreanimationthanusual:
“They’vearrestedLawrence,Ihear.”
“Yes,”saidGriselda.“It’sbeenagreatshocktous.”
“Ineverreallythoughtanyonewouldmurderfather,”saidLettice.Shewasobviouslytakingaprideinlettingnohintofdistressoremotionescapeher.“Lotsofpeoplewantedto,I’msure.TherearetimeswhenI’dhavelikedtodoitmyself.”
“Won’tyouhavesomethingtoeatordrink,Lettice?”askedGriselda.
“No,thankyou.Ijustdriftedroundtoseeifyou’dgotmyberethere—aqueerlittleyellowone.IthinkIleftitinthestudytheotherday.”
“Ifyoudid,it’stherestill,”saidGriselda.“Marynevertidiesanything.”
“I’llgoandsee,”saidLettice,rising.“Sorrytobesuchabother,butIseemtohavelosteverythingelseinthehatline.”
“I’mafraidyoucan’tgetitnow,”Isaid.“InspectorSlackhaslockedtheroomup.”
“Oh,whatabore!Can’twegetinthroughthewindow?”
“I’mafraidnot.Itislatchedontheinside.Surely,Lettice,ayellowberetwon’tbemuchgoodtoyouatpresent?”
“Youmeanmourningandallthat?Ishan’tbotheraboutmourning.Ithinkit’sanawfullyarchaicidea.It’sanuisanceaboutLawrence—yes,it’sanuisance.”
Shegotupandstoodfrowningabstractedly.
“Isupposeit’sallonaccountofmeandmybathingdress.Sosilly,thewholething….”
Griseldaopenedhermouthtosaysomething,butforsomeunexplainedreasonshutitagain.
AcurioussmilecametoLettice’slips
“Ithink,”shesaidsoftly,“I’llgohomeandtellAnneaboutLawrencebeingarrested.”
Shewentoutofthewindowagain.GriseldaturnedtoMissMarple.“Whydidyousteponmyfoot?”
Theoldladywassmiling.
“Ithoughtyouweregoingtosaysomething,mydear.Anditisoftensomuchbettertoletthingsdevelopontheirownlines.Idon’tthink,youknow,thatthatchildishalfsovagueasshepretendstobe.She’sgotaverydefiniteideainherheadandshe’sactinguponit.”
Marygavealoudknockonthediningroomdoorandenteredharduponit.
“Whatisit?”saidGriselda.“AndMary,youmustremembernottoknockondoors.I’vetoldyouaboutitbefore.”
“Thoughtyoumightbebusy,”saidMary.“ColonelMelchett’shere.Wantstoseethemaster.”
ColonelMelchettisChiefConstableofthecounty.Iroseatonce.
“Ithoughtyouwouldn’tlikemyleavinghiminthehall,soIputhiminthedrawingroom,”wentonMary.“ShallIclear?”
“Notyet,”saidGriselda.“I’llring.”
SheturnedtoMissMarpleandIlefttheroom.
Seven
ColonelMelchettisadapperlittlemanwithahabitofsnortingsuddenlyandunexpected.Hehasredhairandratherkeenbrightblueeyes.
“Goodmorning,Vicar,”hesaid.“Nastybusiness,eh?PooroldProtheroe.NotthatIlikedhim.Ididn’t.Nobodydid,forthatmatter.Nastybitofworkforyou,too.Hopeithasn’tupsetyourmissus?”
IsaidGriseldahadtakenitverywell.
“That’slucky.Rottenthingtohappeninone’shouse.ImustsayI’msurprisedatyoungRedding—doingitthewayhedid.Nosortofconsiderationforanyone’sfeelings.”
Awilddesiretolaughcameoverme,butColonelMelchettevidentlysawnothingoddintheideaofamurdererbeingconsiderate,soIheldmypeace.
“ImustsayIwasrathertakenabackwhenIheardthefellowhadmarchedinandgivenhimselfup,”continuedColonelMelchett,droppingontoachair.
“Howdidithappenexactly?”
“Lastnight.Aboutteno’clock.Fellowrollsin,throwsdownapistol,andsays:‘HereIam.Ididit.’Justlikethat.”
“Whataccountdoeshegiveofthebusiness?”
“Preciouslittle.Hewaswarned,ofcourse,aboutmakingastatement.Buthemerelylaughed.Saidhecameheretoseeyou—foundProtheroehere.Theyhadwordsandheshothim.Won’tsaywhatthequarrelwasabout.Lookhere,Clement—justbetweenyouandme,doyouknowanythingaboutit?I’veheardrumours—abouthisbeingforbiddenthehouseandallthat.Whatwasit—didheseducethedaughter,orwhat?Wedon’twanttobringthegirlintoitmorethanwecanhelpforeverybody’ssake.Wasthatthetrouble?”
“No,”Isaid.“Youcantakeitfrommethatitwassomethingquitedifferent,butIcan’tsaymoreatthepresentjuncture.”
Henoddedandrose.
“I’mgladtoknow.There’salotoftalk.Toomanywomeninthispartoftheworld.Well,Imustgetalong.I’vegottoseeHaydock.Hewascalledouttosomecaseorother,butheoughttobebackbynow.Idon’tmindtellingyouI’msorryaboutRedding.Healwaysstruckmeasadecentyoungchap.Perhapsthey’llthinkoutsomekindofdefenceforhim.Aftereffectsofwar,shellshock,orsomething.Especiallyifnoveryadequatemotiveturnsup.Imustbeoff.Liketocomealong?”
IsaidIwouldliketoverymuch,andwewentouttogether.
Haydock’shouseisnextdoortomine.Hisservantsaidthedoctorhadjustcomeinandshowedusintothediningroom,whereHaydockwassittingdowntoasteamingplateofeggsandbacon.Hegreetedmewithanamiablenod.
“SorryIhadtogoout.Confinementcase.I’vebeenupmostofthenight,overyourbusiness.I’vegotthebulletforyou.”
Heshovedalittleboxalongthetable.Melchettexaminedit.
“Pointtwofive?”
Haydocknodded.
“I’llkeepthetechnicaldetailsfortheinquest,”hesaid.“Allyouwanttoknowisthatdeathwaspracticallyinstantaneous.Sillyyoungfool,whatdidhewanttodoitfor?Amazing,bytheway,thatnobodyheardtheshot.”
“Yes,”saidMelchett,“thatsurprisesme.”
“Thekitchenwindowgivesontheothersideofthehouse,”Isaid.“Withthestudydoor,thepantrydoor,andthekitchendoorallshut,Idoubtifyouwouldhearanything,andtherewasnoonebutthemaidinthehouse.”
“H’m,”saidMelchett.“It’sodd,allthesame.Iwondertheoldlady—what’shername—Marple,didn’thearit.Thestudywindowwasopen.”
“Perhapsshedid,”saidHaydock.
“Idon’tthinkshedid,”saidI.“ShewasoverattheVicaragejustnowandshedidn’tmentionanythingofthekindwhichI’mcertainshewouldhavedoneiftherehadbeenanythingtotell.”
“Mayhavehearditandpaidnoattentiontoit—thoughtitwasacarbackfiring.”
ItstruckmethatHaydockwaslookingmuchmorejovialandgood-humouredthismorning.Heseemedlikeamanwhowasdecorouslytryingtosubdueunusuallygoodspirits.
“Orwhataboutasilencer?”headded.“That’squitelikely.Nobodywouldhearanythingthen.”
Melchettshookhishead.
“Slackdidn’tfindanythingofthekind,andheaskedRedding,andReddingdidn’tseemtoknowwhathewastalkingaboutatfirstandthendeniedpointblankusinganythingofthekind.AndIsupposeonecantakehiswordforit.”
“Yes,indeed,poordevil.”
“Damnedyoungfool,”saidColonelMelchett.“Sorry,Clement.Buthereallyis!Somehowonecan’tgetusedtothinkingofhimasamurderer.”
“Anymotive?”askedHaydock,takingafinaldraughtofcoffeeandpushingbackhischair.
“Hesaystheyquarrelledandhelosthistemperandshothim.”
“Hopingformanslaughter,eh?”Thedoctorshookhishead.“Thatstorydoesn’tholdwater.Hestoleupbehindhimashewaswritingandshothimthroughthehead.Preciouslittle‘quarrel’aboutthat.”
“Anyway,therewouldn’thavebeentimeforaquarrel,”Isaid,rememberingMissMarple’swords.“Tocreepup,shoothim,altertheclockhandsbackto6:20,andleaveagainwouldhavetakenhimallhistime.IshallneverforgethisfacewhenImethimoutsidethegate,orthewayhesaid,‘YouwanttoseeProtheroe—oh,you’llseehimallright!’Thatinitselfoughttohavemademesuspiciousofwhathadjusttakenplaceafewminutesbefore.”
Haydockstaredatme.
“Whatdoyoumean—whathadjusttakenplace?WhendoyouthinkReddingshothim?”
“AfewminutesbeforeIgottothehouse.”
Thedoctorshookhishead.
“Impossible.Plumbimpossible.He’dbeendeadmuchlongerthanthat.”
“But,mydearman,”criedColonelMelchett,“yousaidyourselfthathalfanhourwasonlyanapproximateestimate.”
“Halfanhour,thirty-fiveminutes,twenty-fiveminutes,twentyminutes—possibly,butless,no.Why,thebodywouldhavebeenwarmwhenIgottoit.”
Westaredateachother.Haydock’sfacehadchanged.Ithadgonesuddenlygreyandold.Iwonderedatthechangeinhim.
“But,lookhere,Haydock.”TheColonelfoundhisvoice.“IfReddingadmitsshootinghimataquartertoseven—”
Haydocksprangtohisfeet.
“Itellyouit’simpossible,”heroared.“IfReddingsayshekilledProtheroeataquartertoseven,thenReddinglies.Hangitall,ItellyouI’madoctor,andIknow.Thebloodhadbeguntocongeal.”
“IfReddingislying,”beganMelchett.Hestopped,shookhishead.
“We’dbettergodowntothepolicestationandseehim,”hesaid.
Eight
Wewererathersilentonourwaydowntothepolicestation.Haydockdrewbehindalittleandmurmuredtome:
“YouknowIdon’tlikethelookofthis.Idon’tlikeit.There’ssomethingherewedon’tunderstand.”
Helookedthoroughlyworriedandupset.
InspectorSlackwasatthepolicestationandpresentlywefoundourselvesfacetofacewithLawrenceRedding.
Helookedpaleandstrainedbutquitecomposed—marvellouslyso,Ithought,consideringthecircumstances.Melchettsnortedandhummed,obviouslynervous.
“Lookhere,Redding,”hesaid,“IunderstandyoumadeastatementtoInspectorSlackhere.YoustateyouwenttotheVicarageatapproximatelyaquartertoseven,foundProtheroethere,quarrelledwithhim,shothim,andcameaway.I’mnotreadingitovertoyou,butthat’sthegistofit.”
“Yes.”
“I’mgoingtoaskafewquestions.You’vealreadybeentoldthatyouneedn’tanswerthemunlessyouchoose.Yoursolicitor—”
Lawrenceinterrupted.
“I’venothingtohide.IkilledProtheroe.”
“Ah!well—”Melchettsnorted.“Howdidyouhappentohaveapistolwithyou?”
Lawrencehesitated.“Itwasinmypocket.”
“YoutookitwithyoutotheVicarage?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
“Ialwaystakeit.”
Hehadhesitatedagainbeforeanswering,andIwasabsolutelysurethathewasnotspeakingthetruth.
“Whydidyouputtheclockback?”
“Theclock?”Heseemedpuzzled.
“Yes,thehandspointedto6:22.”
Alookoffearsprangupinhisface.
“Oh!that—yes.I—Ialteredit.”
Haydockspokesuddenly.
“WheredidyoushootColonelProtheroe?”
“InthestudyattheVicarage.”
“Imeaninwhatpartofthebody?”
“Oh!—I—throughthehead,Ithink.Yes,throughthehead.”
“Aren’tyousure?”
“Sinceyouknow,Ican’tseewhyitisnecessarytoaskme.”
Itwasafeeblekindofbluster.Therewassomecommotionoutside.Aconstablewithoutahelmetbroughtinanote.
“FortheVicar.Itsaysveryurgentonit.”
Itoreitopenandread:
“Please—please—cometome.Idon’tknowwhattodo.Itisalltooawful.Iwanttotellsomeone.Pleasecomeimmediately,andbringanyoneyoulikewithyou.AnneProtheroe.”
IgaveMelchettameaningglance.Hetookthehint.Weallwentouttogether.Glancingovermyshoulder,IhadaglimpseofLawrenceRedding’sface.Hiseyeswererivetedonthepaperinmyhand,andIhavehardlyeverseensuchaterriblelookofanguishanddespairinanyhumanbeing’sface.
IrememberedAnneProtheroesittingonmysofaandsaying:
“I’madesperatewoman,”andmyheartgrewheavywithinme.IsawnowthepossiblereasonforLawrenceRedding’sheroicself-accusation.MelchettwasspeakingtoSlack.
“HaveyougotanylineonRedding’smovementsearlierintheday?There’ssomereasontothinkheshotProtheroeearlierthanhesays.Getontoit,willyou?”
HeturnedtomeandwithoutawordIhandedhimAnneProtheroe’sletter.Hereaditandpurseduphislipsinastonishment.Thenhelookedatmeinquiringly.
“Isthiswhatyouwerehintingatthismorning?”
“Yes.Iwasnotsurethenifitwasmydutytospeak.Iamquitesurenow.”AndItoldhimofwhatIhadseenthatnightinthestudio.
TheColonelhadafewwordswiththeInspectorandthenwesetoffforOldHall.Dr.Haydockcamewithus.
Averycorrectbutleropenedthedoor,withjusttherightamountofgloominhisbearing.
“Goodmorning,”saidMelchett.“WillyouaskMrs.Protheroe’smaidtotellherwearehereandwouldliketoseeher,andthenreturnhereandanswerafewquestions.”
Thebutlerhurriedawayandpresentlyreturnedwiththenewsthathehaddespatchedthemessage.
“Nowlet’shearsomethingaboutyesterday,”saidColonelMelchett.“Yourmasterwasintolunch?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Andinhisusualspirits?”
“AsfarasIcouldsee,yes,sir.”
“Whathappenedafterthat?”
“AfterluncheonMrs.ProtheroewenttoliedownandtheColonelwenttohisstudy.MissLetticewentouttoatennispartyinthetwo-seater.ColonelandMrs.Protheroehadteaatfourthirty,inthedrawingroom.Thecarwasorderedforfive-thirtytotakethemtothevillage.ImmediatelyaftertheyhadleftMr.Clementrangup”—hebowedtome—“Itoldhimtheyhadstarted.”
“H’m,”saidColonelMelchett.“WhenwasMr.Reddinglasthere?”
“OnTuesdayafternoon,sir.”
“Iunderstandthattherewasadisagreementbetweenthem?”
“Ibelieveso,sir.TheColonelgavemeordersthatMr.Reddingwasnottobeadmittedinfuture.”
“Didyouoverhearthequarrelatall?”askedColonelMelchettbluntly.
“ColonelProtheroe,sir,hadaveryloudvoice,especiallywhenitwasraisedinanger.Iwasunabletohelpoverhearingafewwordshereandthere.”
“Enoughtotellyouthecauseofthedispute?”
“Iunderstood,sir,thatithadtodowithaportraitMr.Reddinghadbeenpainting—aportraitofMissLettice.”
Melchettgrunted.
“DidyouseeMr.Reddingwhenheleft?”
“Yes,sir,Ilethimout.”
“Didheseemangry?”
“No,sir;ifImaysayso,heseemedratheramused.”
“Ah!Hedidn’tcometothehouseyesterday?”
“No,sir.”
“Anyoneelsecome?”
“Notyesterday,sir.”
“Well,thedaybefore?”
“Mr.DennisClementcameintheafternoon.AndDr.Stonewashereforsometime.Andtherewasaladyintheevening.”
“Alady?”Melchettwassurprised.“Whowasshe?”
Thebutlercouldn’trememberhername.Itwasaladyhehadnotseenbefore.Yes,shehadgivenhername,andwhenhetoldherthatthefamilywereatdinner,shehadsaidthatshewouldwait.Sohehadshownherintothelittlemorningroom.
ShehadaskedforColonelProtheroe,notMrs.Protheroe.HehadtoldtheColonelandtheColonelhadgonetothemorningroomdirectlydinnerwasover.
Howlonghadtheladystayed?Hethoughtabouthalfanhour.TheColonelhimselfhadletherout.Ah!Yes,herememberedhernamenow.TheladyhadbeenaMrs.Lestrange.
Thiswasasurprise.
“Curious,”saidMelchett.“Reallyverycurious.”
Butwepursuedthematternofurther,foratthatmomentamessagecamethatMrs.Protheroewouldseeus.
Annewasinbed.Herfacewaspaleandhereyesverybright.Therewasalookonherfacethatpuzzledme—akindofgrimdetermination.Shespoketome.
“Thankyouforcomingsopromptly,”shesaid.“Iseeyou’veunderstoodwhatImeantbybringinganyoneyoulikedwithyou.”Shepaused.
“It’sbesttogetitoverquickly,isn’tit?”shesaid.Shegaveaqueer,half-patheticlittlesmile.“Isupposeyou’rethepersonIoughttosayitto,ColonelMelchett.Yousee,itwasIwhokilledmyhusband.”
ColonelMelchettsaidgently:
“MydearMrs.Protheroe—”
“Oh!It’squitetrue.IsupposeI’vesaiditratherbluntly,butInevercangointohystericsoveranything.I’vehatedhimforalongtime,andyesterdayIshothim.”
Shelaybackonthepillowsandclosedhereyes.
“That’sall.Isupposeyou’llarrestmeandtakemeaway.I’llgetupanddressassoonasIcan.AtthemomentIamfeelingrathersick.”
“Areyouaware,Mrs.Protheroe,thatMr.LawrenceReddinghasalreadyaccusedhimselfofcommittingthecrime?”
Anneopenedhereyesandnoddedbrightly.
“Iknow.Sillyboy.He’sverymuchinlovewithme,youknow.Itwasfrightfullynobleofhim—butverysilly.”
“Heknewthatitwasyouwhohadcommittedthecrime?”
“Yes.”
“Howdidheknow?”
Shehesitated.
“Didyoutellhim?”
Stillshehesitated.Thenatlastsheseemedtomakeuphermind.
“Yes—Itoldhim….”
Shetwitchedhershoulderswithamovementofirritation.
“Can’tyougoawaynow?I’vetoldyou.Idon’twanttotalkaboutitanymore.”
“Wheredidyougetthepistol,Mrs.Protheroe?”
“Thepistol!Oh,itwasmyhusband’s.Igotitoutofthedrawerofhisdressingtable.”
“Isee.AndyoutookitwithyoutotheVicarage?”
“Yes.Iknewhewouldbethere—”
“Whattimewasthis?”
“Itmusthavebeenaftersix—quarter—twentypast—somethinglikethat.”
“Youtookthepistolmeaningtoshootyourhusband?”
“No—I—meantitformyself.”
“Isee.ButyouwenttotheVicarage?”
“Yes.Iwentalongtothewindow.Therewerenovoices.Ilookedin.Isawmyhusband.Somethingcameoverme—andIfired.”
“Andthen?”
“Then?Oh,thenIwentaway.”
“AndtoldMr.Reddingwhatyouhaddone?”
AgainInoticedthehesitationinhervoicebeforeshesaid“Yes.”
“DidanybodyseeyouenteringorleavingtheVicarage?”
“No—atleast,yes.OldMissMarple.Italkedtoherforafewminutes.Shewasinhergarden.”
Shemovedrestlesslyonthepillows.
“Isn’tthatenough?I’vetoldyou.Whydoyouwanttogoonbotheringme?”
Dr.Haydockmovedtohersideandfeltherpulse.
HebeckonedtoMelchett.
“I’llstaywithher,”hesaidinawhisper,“whilstyoumakethenecessaryarrangements.Sheoughtn’ttobeleft.Mightdoherselfamischief.”
Melchettnodded.
Welefttheroomanddescendedthestairs.Isawathin,cadaverous-lookingmancomeoutoftheadjoiningroomandonimpulseIremountedthestairs.
“AreyouColonelProtheroe’svalet?”
Themanlookedsurprised.“Yes,sir.”
“Doyouknowwhetheryourlatemasterkeptapistolanywhere?”
“NotthatIknowof,sir.”
“Notinoneofthedrawersofhisdressingtable?Think,man.”
Thevaletshookhisheaddecisively.
“I’mquitesurehedidn’t,sir.I’dhaveseenitifso.Boundto.”
Ihurrieddownthestairsaftertheothers.
Mrs.Protheroehadliedaboutthepistol.
Why?
Nine
Afterleavingamessageatthepolicestation,theChiefConstableannouncedhisintentionofpayingavisittoMissMarple.
“You’dbettercomewithme,Vicar,”hesaid.“Idon’twanttogiveamemberofyourflockhysterics.Solendtheweightofyoursoothingpresence.”
Ismiled.Forallherfragileappearance,MissMarpleiscapableofholdingherownwithanypolicemanorChiefConstableinexistence.
“What’sshelike?”askedtheColonel,aswerangthebell.“Anythingshesaystobedependeduponorotherwise?”
Iconsideredthematter.
“Ithinksheisquitedependable,”Isaidcautiously.“Thatis,insofarassheistalkingofwhatshehasactuallyseen.Beyondthat,ofcourse,whenyougetontowhatshethinks—well,thatisanothermatter.Shehasapowerfulimaginationandsystematicallythinkstheworstofeveryone.”
“Thetypicalelderlyspinster,infact,”saidMelchett,withalaugh.“Well,Ioughttoknowthebreedbynow.Gad,theteapartiesdownhere!”
Wewereadmittedbyaverydiminutivemaidandshownintoasmalldrawingroom
“Abitcrowded,”saidColonelMelchett,lookinground.“Butplentyofgoodstuff.Alady’sroom,eh,Clement?”
Iagreed,andatthatmomentthedooropenedandMissMarplemadeherappearance.
“Verysorrytobotheryou,MissMarple,”saidtheColonel,whenIhadintroducedhim,puttingonhisbluffmilitarymannerwhichhehadanideawasattractivetoelderlyladies.“Gottodomyduty,youknow.”
“Ofcourse,ofcourse,”saidMissMarple.“Iquiteunderstand.Won’tyousitdown?AndmightIofferyoualittleglassofcherrybrandy?Myownmaking.Arecipeofmygrandmother’s.”
“Thankyouverymuch,MissMarple.Verykindofyou.ButIthinkIwon’t.Nothingtilllunchtime,that’smymotto.Now,Iwanttotalktoyouaboutthissadbusiness—verysadbusinessindeed.Upsetusall,I’msure.Well,itseemspossiblethatowingtothepositionofyourhouseandgarden,youmayhavebeenabletotellussomethingwewanttoknowaboutyesterdayevening.”
“Asamatteroffact,Iwasinmylittlegardenfromfiveo’clockonwardsyesterday,and,ofcourse,fromthere—well,onesimplycannothelpseeinganythingthatisgoingonnextdoor.”
“Iunderstand,MissMarple,thatMrs.Protheroepassedthiswayyesterdayevening?”
“Yes,shedid.Icalledouttoher,andsheadmiredmyroses.”
“Couldyoutellusaboutwhattimethatwas?”
“Ishouldsayitwasjustaminuteortwoafteraquarterpastsix.Yes,that’sright.Thechurchclockhadjustchimedthequarter.”
“Verygood.Whathappenednext?”
“Well,Mrs.ProtheroesaidshewascallingforherhusbandattheVicaragesothattheycouldgohometogether.Shehadcomealongthelane,youunderstand,andshewentintotheVicaragebythebackgateandacrossthegarden.”
“Shecamefromthelane?”
“Yes,I’llshowyou.”
Fullofeagerness,MissMarpleledusoutintothegardenandpointedoutthelanethatranalongbythebottomofthegarden.
“ThepathoppositewiththestileleadstotheHall,”sheexplained.“Thatwasthewaytheyweregoinghometogether.Mrs.Protheroecamefromthevillage.”
“Perfectly,perfectly,”saidColonelMelchett.“AndshewentacrosstotheVicarage,yousay?”
“Yes.Isawherturnthecornerofthehouse.IsupposetheColonelwasn’tthereyet,becauseshecamebackalmostimmediately,andwentdownthelawntothestudio—thatbuildingthere.TheonetheVicarletsMr.Reddinguseasastudio.”
“Isee.And—youdidn’thearashot,MissMarple?”
“Ididn’thearashotthen,”saidMissMarple.
“Butyoudidhearonesometime?”
“Yes,Ithinktherewasashotsomewhereinthewoods.Butquitefiveortenminutesafterwards—and,asIsay,outinthewoods.Atleast,Ithinkso.Itcouldn’thavebeen—surelyitcouldn’thavebeen—”
Shestopped,palewithexcitement.
“Yes,yes,we’llcometoallthatpresently,”saidColonelMelchett.“Pleasegoonwithyourstory.Mrs.Protheroewentdowntothestudio?”
“Yes,shewentinsideandwaited.PresentlyMr.Reddingcamealongthelanefromthevillage.HecametotheVicaragegate,lookedallround—”
“Andsawyou,MissMarple.”
“Asamatteroffact,hedidn’tseeme,”saidMissMarple,flushingslightly.“Because,yousee,justatthatminuteIwasbendingrightover—tryingtogetuponeofthosenastydandelions,youknow.Sodifficult.Andthenhewentthroughthegateanddowntothestudio.”
“Hedidn’tgonearthehouse?”
“Oh,no!Hewentstraighttothestudio.Mrs.Protheroecametothedoortomeethim,andthentheybothwentinside.”
HereMissMarplecontributedasingularlyeloquentpause.
“Perhapsshewassittingforhim?”Isuggested.
“Perhaps,”saidMissMarple.
“Andtheycameout—when?”
“Abouttenminuteslater.”
“Thatwasroughly?”
“Thechurchclockhadchimedthehalfhour.Theystrolledoutthroughthegardengateandalongthelane,andjustatthatminute,Dr.StonecamedownthepathleadingtotheHall,andclimbedoverthestileandjoinedthem.Theyallwalkedtowardsthevillagetogether.Attheendofthelane,Ithink,butIcan’tbequitesure,theywerejoinedbyMissCram.IthinkitmusthavebeenMissCrambecauseherskirtsweresoshort.”
“Youmusthaveverygoodeyesight,MissMarple,ifyoucanobserveasfarasthat.”
“Iwasobservingabird,”saidMissMarple.“Agoldencrestedwren,Ithinkhewas.Asweetlittlefellow.Ihadmyglassesout,andthat’showIhappenedtoseeMissCram(ifitwasMissCram,andIthinkso),jointhem.”
“Ah!Well,thatmaybeso,”saidColonelMelchett.“Now,sinceyouseemverygoodatobserving,didyouhappentonotice,MissMarple,whatsortofexpressionMrs.ProtheroeandMr.Reddinghadastheypassedalongthelane?”
“Theyweresmilingandtalking,”saidMissMarple.“Theyseemedveryhappytobetogether,ifyouknowwhatImean.”
“Theydidn’tseemupsetordisturbedinanyway?”
“Oh,no!Justtheopposite.”
“Deucedodd,”saidtheColonel.“There’ssomethingdeucedoddaboutthewholething.”
MissMarplesuddenlytookourbreathawaybyremarkinginaplacidvoice:
“HasMrs.Protheroebeensayingthatshecommittedthecrimenow?”
“Uponmysoul,”saidtheColonel,“howdidyoucometoguessthat,MissMarple?”
“Well,Iratherthoughtitmighthappen,”saidMissMarple.“IthinkdearLetticethoughtso,too.She’sreallyaverysharpgirl.Notalwaysveryscrupulous,I’mafraid.SoAnneProtheroesaysshekilledherhusband.Well,well.Idon’tthinkit’strue.No,I’malmostsureitisn’ttrue.NotwithawomanlikeAnneProtheroe.Althoughonenevercanbequitesureaboutanyone,canone?Atleastthat’swhatI’vefound.Whendoesshesaysheshothim?”
“Attwentyminutespastsix.Justafterspeakingtoyou.”
MissMarpleshookherheadslowlyandpityingly.Thepitywas,Ithink,fortwofull-grownmenbeingsofoolishastobelievesuchastory.Atleastthatiswhatwefeltlike.
“Whatdidsheshoothimwith?”
“Apistol.”
“Wheredidshefindit?”
“Shebroughtitwithher.”
“Well,thatshedidn’tdo,”saidMissMarple,withunexpecteddecision.“Icansweartothat.She’dnosuchthingwithher.”
“Youmightn’thaveseenit.”
“OfcourseIshouldhaveseenit.”
“Ifithadbeeninherhandbag.”
“Shewasn’tcarryingahandbag.”
“Well,itmighthavebeenconcealed—er—uponherperson.”
MissMarpledirectedaglanceofsorrowandscornuponhim.
“MydearColonelMelchett,youknowwhatyoungwomenarenowadays.Notashamedtoshowexactlyhowthecreatormadethem.Shehadn’tsomuchasahandkerchiefinthetopofherstocking.”
Melchettwasobstinate.
“Youmustadmitthatitallfitsin,”hesaid.“Thetime,theoverturnedclockpointingto6:22—”
MissMarpleturnedonme.
“Doyoumeanyouhaven’ttoldhimaboutthatclockyet?”
“Whatabouttheclock,Clement?”
Itoldhim.Heshowedagooddealofannoyance.
“Whyonearthdidn’tyoutellSlackthislastnight?”
“Because,”Isaid,“hewouldn’tletme.”
“Nonsense,yououghttohaveinsisted.”
“Probably,”Isaid,“InspectorSlackbehavesquitedifferentlytoyouthanhedoestome.Ihadnoearthlychanceofinsisting.”
“It’sanextraordinarybusinessaltogether,”saidMelchett.“Ifathirdpersoncomesalongandclaimstohavedonethismurder,Ishallgointoalunaticasylum.”
“IfImightbeallowedtosuggest—”murmuredMissMarple.
“Well?”
“IfyouweretotellMr.ReddingwhatMrs.Protheroehasdoneandthenexplainthatyoudon’treallybelieveitisher.AndthenifyouweretogotoMrs.ProtheroeandtellherthatMr.Reddingisallright—whythen,theymighteachofthemtellyouthetruth.Andthetruthishelpful,thoughIdaresaytheydon’tknowverymuchthemselves,poorthings.”
“It’sallverywell,buttheyaretheonlytwopeoplewhohadamotiveformakingawaywithProtheroe.”
“Oh,Iwouldn’tsaythat,ColonelMelchett,”saidMissMarple.
“Why,canyouthinkofanyoneelse?”
“Oh!yes,indeed.Why,”shecountedonherfingers,“one,two,three,four,five,six—yes,andapossibleseven.IcanthinkofatleastsevenpeoplewhomightbeverygladtohaveColonelProtheroeoutoftheway.”
TheColonellookedatherfeebly.
“Sevenpeople?InSt.MaryMead?”
MissMarplenoddedbrightly.
“MindyouInamenonames,”shesaid.“Thatwouldn’tberight.ButI’mafraidthere’salotofwickednessintheworld.Anicehonourableuprightsoldierlikeyoudoesn’tknowaboutthesethings,ColonelMelchett.”
IthoughttheChiefConstablewasgoingtohaveapoplexy.
Ten
HisremarksonthesubjectofMissMarpleasweleftthehousewerefarfromcomplimentary.
“Ireallybelievethatwizened-upoldmaidthinkssheknowseverythingthereistoknow.Andhardlybeenoutofthisvillageallherlife.Preposterous.Whatcansheknowoflife?”
IsaidmildlythatthoughdoubtlessMissMarpleknewnexttonothingofLifewithacapitalL,sheknewpracticallyeverythingthatwentoninSt.MaryMead
Melchettadmittedthatgrudgingly.Shewasavaluablewitness—particularlyvaluablefromMrs.Protheroe’spointofview.
“Isupposethere’snodoubtaboutwhatshesays,eh?”
“IfMissMarplesaysshehadnopistolwithher,youcantakeitforgrantedthatitisso,”Isaid.“Iftherewastheleastpossibilityofsuchathing,MissMarplewouldhavebeenontoitlikeaknife.”
“That’strueenough.We’dbettergoandhavealookatthestudio.”
Theso-calledstudiowasamereroughshedwithaskylight.Therewerenowindowsandthedoorwastheonlymeansofentranceoregress.Satisfiedonthisscore,MelchettannouncedhisintentionofvisitingtheVicaragewiththeInspector.
“I’mgoingtothepolicestationnow.”
AsIenteredthroughthefrontdoor,amurmurofvoicescaughtmyear.Iopenedthedrawingroomdoor.
OnthesofabesideGriselda,conversinganimatedly,satMissGladysCram.Herlegs,whichwereencasedinparticularlyshinypinkstockings,werecrossed,andIhadeveryopportunityofobservingthatsheworepinkstripedsilkknickers.
“Hullo,Len,”saidGriselda.
“Goodmorning,Mr.Clement,”saidMissCram.“Isn’tthenewsabouttheColonelreallytooawful?Pooroldgentleman.”
“MissCram,”saidmywife,“verykindlycameintooffertohelpuswiththeGuides.WeaskedforhelperslastSunday,youremember.”
Ididremember,andIwasconvinced,andso,Iknewfromhertone,wasGriselda,thattheideaofenrollingherselfamongthemwouldneverhaveoccurredtoMissCrambutfortheexcitingincidentwhichhadtakenplaceattheVicarage.
“IwasonlyjustsayingtoMrs.Clement,”wentonMissCram,“youcouldhavestruckmeallofaheapwhenIheardthenews.Amurder?Isaid.Inthisquietone-horsevillage—forquietitis,youmustadmit—notsomuchasapicturehouse,andasforTalkies!AndthenwhenIhearditwasColonelProtheroe—why,Isimplycouldn’tbelieveit.Hedidn’tseemthekind,somehow,togetmurdered.”
“Andso,”saidGriselda,“MissCramcameroundtofindoutallaboutit.”
Ifearedthisplainspeakingmightoffendthelady,butshemerelyflungherheadbackandlaugheduproariously,showingeverytoothshepossessed.
“That’stoobad.You’reasharpone,aren’tyou,Mrs.Clement?Butit’sonlynatural,isn’tit,towanttoheartheinsandoutsofacaselikethis?AndI’msureI’mwillingenoughtohelpwiththeGuidesinanywayyoulike.Exciting,that’swhatitis.I’vebeenstagnatingforabitoffun.Ihave,reallyIhave.Notthatmyjobisn’taverygoodone,wellpaid,andDr.Stonequitethegentlemanineveryway.Butagirlwantsabitoflifeoutofofficehours,andexceptforyou,Mrs.Clement,whoisthereintheplacetotalktoexceptalotofoldcats?”
“There’sLetticeProtheroe,”Isaid.
GladysCramtossedherhead.
“She’stoohighandmightyforthelikesofme.Fanciesherselfthecountry,andwouldn’tdemeanherselfbynoticingagirlwhohadtoworkforherliving.NotbutwhatIdidhearhertalkingofearningherlivingherself.Andwho’demployher,Ishouldliketoknow?Why,she’dbefiredinlessthanaweek.Unlessshewentasoneofthosemannequins,alldressedupandsidlingabout.Shecoulddothat,Iexpect.”
“She’dmakeaverygoodmannequin,”saidGriselda.“She’sgotsuchalovelyfigure.”There’snothingofthecataboutGriselda.“Whenwasshetalkingofearningherownliving?”
MissCramseemedmomentarilydiscomfited,butrecoveredherselfwithherusualarchness.
“Thatwouldbetelling,wouldn’tit?”shesaid.“Butshedidsayso.Thingsnotveryhappyathome,Ifancy.Catchmelivingathomewithastepmother.Iwouldn’tsitdownunderitforaminute.”
“Ah!butyou’resohighspiritedandindependent,”saidGriseldagravely,andIlookedatherwithsuspicion.
MissCramwasclearlypleased.
“That’sright.That’smeallover.Canbeled,notdriven.Apalmisttoldmethatnotsoverylongago.No.I’mnotonetositdownandbebullied.AndI’vemadeitclearallalongtoDr.StonethatImusthavemyregulartimesoff.Thesescientificgentlemen,theythinkagirl’sakindofmachine—halfthetimetheyjustdon’tnoticeherorremembershe’sthere.Ofcourse,Idon’tknowmuchaboutit,”confessedthegirl.
“DoyoufindDr.Stonepleasanttoworkwith?Itmustbeaninterestingjobifyouareinterestedinarchaeology.”
“Itstillseemstomethatdigginguppeoplethataredeadandhavebeendeadforhundredsofyearsisn’t—well,itseemsabitnosy,doesn’tit?Andthere’sDr.Stonesowrappedupinitall,thathalfthetimehe’dforgethismealsifitwasn’tforme.”
“Isheatthebarrowthismorning?”askedGriselda.
MissCramshookherhead.
“Abitundertheweatherthismorning,”sheexplained.“Notuptodoinganywork.ThatmeansaholidayforlittleGladys.”
“I’msorry,”Isaid.
“Oh!It’snothingmuch.There’snotgoingtobeaseconddeath.Butdotellme,Mr.Clement,Ihearyou’vebeenwiththepoliceallmorning.Whatdotheythink?”
“Well,”Isaidslowly,“thereisstillalittle—uncertainty.”
“Ah!”criedMissCram.“Thentheydon’tthinkitisMr.LawrenceReddingafterall.Sohandsome,isn’the?Justlikeamoviestar.Andsuchanicesmilewhenhesaysgoodmorningtoyou.Ireallycouldn’tbelievemyearswhenIheardthepolicehadarrestedhim.Still,onehasalwaysheardthey’reverystupid—thecountypolice.”
“Youcanhardlyblametheminthisinstance,”Isaid.“Mr.Reddingcameinandgavehimselfup.”
“What?”thegirlwasclearlydumbfounded.“Well—ofallthepoorfish!IfI’dcommittedamurder,Iwouldn’tgostraightoffandgivemyselfup.IshouldhavethoughtLawrenceReddingwouldhavehadmoresense.Togiveinlikethat!WhatdidhekillProtheroefor?Didhesay?Wasitjustaquarrel?”
“It’snotabsolutelycertainthathedidkillhim,”Isaid.
“Butsurely—ifhesayshehas—whyreally,Mr.Clement,heoughttoknow.”
“Heoughtto,certainly,”Iagreed.“Butthepolicearenotsatisfiedwithhisstory.”
“Butwhyshouldhesayhe’ddoneitifhehasn’t?”
ThatwasapointonwhichIhadnointentionofenlighteningMissCram.InsteadIsaidrathervaguely:
“Ibelievethatinallprominentmurdercases,thepolicereceivenumerouslettersfrompeopleaccusingthemselvesofthecrime.”
MissCram’sreceptionofthispieceofinformationwas:
“Theymustbechumps!”inatoneofwonderandscorn.
“Well,”shesaidwithasigh,“IsupposeImustbetrottingalong.”Sherose.“Mr.ReddingaccusinghimselfofthemurderwillbeabitofnewsofDr.Stone.”
“Isheinterested?”askedGriselda.
MissCramfurrowedherbrowsperplexedly.
“He’saqueerone.Younevercantellwithhim.Allwrappedupinthepast.He’dahundredtimesratherlookatanastyoldbronzeknifeoutofthosehumpsofgroundthanhewouldseetheknifeCrippencutuphiswifewith,supposinghehadachanceto.”
“Well,”Isaid,“ImustconfessIagreewithhim.”
MissCram’seyesexpressedincomprehensionandslightcontempt.Then,withreiteratedgood-byes,shetookherdeparture.
“Notsuchabadsort,really,”saidGriselda,asthedoorclosedbehindher.“Terriblycommon,ofcourse,butoneofthosebig,bouncing,good-humouredgirlsthatyoucan’tdislike.Iwonderwhatreallybroughtherhere?”
“Curiosity.”
“Yes,Isupposeso.Now,Len,tellmeallaboutit.I’msimplydyingtohear.”
Isatdownandrecitedfaithfullyallthehappeningsofthemorning,Griseldainterpolatingthenarrativewithlittleexclamationsofsurpriseandinterest.
“SoitwasAnneLawrencewasafterallalong!NotLettice.Howblindwe’veallbeen!ThatmusthavebeenwhatoldMissMarplewashintingatyesterday.Don’tyouthinkso?”
“Yes,”Isaid,avertingmyeyes.
Maryentered.
“There’sacoupleofmenhere—comefromanewspaper,sotheysay.Doyouwanttoseethem?”
“No,”Isaid,“certainlynot.ReferthemtoInspectorSlackatthepolicestation.”
Marynoddedandturnedaway.
“Andwhenyou’vegotridofthem,”Isaid,“comebackhere.There’ssomethingIwanttoaskyou.”
Marynoddedagain.
Itwassomefewminutesbeforeshereturned.
“Hadajobgettingridofthem,”shesaid.“Persistent.Youneversawanythinglikeit.Wouldn’ttakenoforananswer.”
“Iexpectweshallbeagooddealtroubledwiththem,”Isaid.“Now,Mary,whatIwanttoaskyouisthis:Areyouquitecertainyoudidn’theartheshotyesterdayevening?”
“Theshotwhatkilledhim?No,ofcourseIdidn’t.IfIhadofdone,Ishouldhavegoneintoseewhathadhappened.”
“Yes,but—”IwasrememberingMissMarple’sstatementthatshehadheardashot“inthewoods.”Ichangedtheformofmyquestion.“Didyouhearanyothershot—onedowninthewood,forinstance?”
“Oh!That.”Thegirlpaused.“Yes,nowIcometothinkofit,IbelieveIdid.Notalotofshots,justone.Queersortofbangitwas.”
“Exactly,”Isaid.“Nowwhattimewasthat?”
“Time?”
“Yes,time.”
“Icouldn’tsay,I’msure.Wellafterteatime.Idoknowthat.”
“Can’tyougetalittlenearerthanthat?”
“No,Ican’t.I’vegotmyworktodo,haven’tI?Ican’tgoonlookingatclocksthewholetime—anditwouldn’tbemuchgoodanyway—thealarmlosesagoodthree-quarterseveryday,andwhatwithputtingitonandonethingandanother,I’mneverexactlysurewhattimeitis.”
Thisperhapsexplainswhyourmealsareneverpunctual.Theyaresometimestoolateandsometimesbewilderinglyearly
“WasitlongbeforeMr.Reddingcame?”
“No,itwasn’tlong.Tenminutes—aquarterofanhour—notlongerthanthat.”
Inoddedmyhead,satisfied.
“Isthatall?”saidMary.“BecausewhatImeantosayis,I’vegotthejointintheovenandthepuddingboilingoveraslikelyasnot.”
“That’sallright.Youcango.”
Shelefttheroom,andIturnedtoGriselda.
“IsitquiteoutofthequestiontoinduceMarytosaysirorma’am?”
“Ihavetoldher.Shedoesn’tremember.She’sjustarawgirl,remember?”
“Iamperfectlyawareofthat,”Isaid.“Butrawthingsdonotnecessarilyremainrawforever.IfeelatingeofcookingmightbeinducedinMary.”
“Well,Idon’tagreewithyou,”saidGriselda.“Youknowhowlittlewecanaffordtopayaservant.Ifoncewegothersmartenedupatall,she’dleave.Naturally.Andgethigherwages.ButaslongasMarycan’tcookandhasthoseawfulmanners—well,we’resafe,nobodyelsewouldhaveher.”
Iperceivedthatmywife’smethodsofhousekeepingwerenotsoentirelyhaphazardasIhadimagined.Acertainamountofreasoningunderlaythem.Whetheritwasworthwhilehavingamaidatthepriceofhernotbeingabletocook,andhavingahabitofthrowingdishesandremarksatonewiththesamedisconcertingabruptness,wasadebatablematter.
“Andanyway,”continuedGriselda,“youmustmakeallowancesforhermannersbeingworsethanusualjustnow.Youcan’texpecthertofeelexactlysympatheticaboutColonelProtheroe’sdeathwhenhejailedheryoungman.”
“Didhejailheryoungman?”
“Yes,forpoaching.Youknow,thatman,Archer.Maryhasbeenwalkingoutwithhimfortwoyears.”
“Ididn’tknowthat.”
“DarlingLen,youneverknowanything.”
“It’squeer,”Isaid,“thateveryonesaystheshotcamefromthewoods.”
“Idon’tthinkit’squeeratall,”saidGriselda.“Yousee,onesooftenhearsshotsinthewood.Sonaturally,whenyoudohearashot,youjustassumeasamatterofcoursethatitisinthewood.Itprobablyjustsoundsabitlouderthanusual.Ofcourse,ifonewereinthenextroom,you’drealizethatitwasinthehouse,butfromMary’skitchenwiththewindowrighttheothersideofthehouse,Idon’tbelieveyou’deverthinkofsuchathing.”
Thedooropenedagain.
“ColonelMelchett’sback,”saidMary.“Andthatpoliceinspectorwithhim,andtheysaythey’dbegladifyou’djointhem.They’reinthestudy.”
Eleven
IsawataglancethatColonelMelchettandInspectorSlackhadnotbeenseeingeyetoeyeaboutthecase.MelchettlookedflushedandannoyedandtheInspectorlookedsulky.
“I’msorrytosay,”saidMelchett,“thatInspectorSlackdoesn’tagreewithmeinconsideringyoungReddinginnocent.”
“Ifhedidn’tdoit,whatdoeshegoandsayhediditfor?”askedSlacksceptically.
“Mrs.Protheroeactedinanexactlysimilarfashion,remember,Slack.”
“That’sdifferent.She’sawoman,andwomenactinthatsillyway.I’mnotsayingshediditforamoment.Sheheardhewasaccusedandshetrumpedupastory.I’musedtothatsortofgame.Youwouldn’tbelievethefoolthingsI’veknownwomendo.ButRedding’sdifferent.He’sgothisheadscrewedonallright.Andifheadmitshedidit,well,Isayhediddoit.It’shispistol—youcan’tgetawayfromthat.AndthankstothisbusinessofMrs.Protheroe,weknowthemotive.Thatwastheweakpointbefore,butnowweknowit—why,thewholething’splainsailing.”
“Youthinkhecanhaveshothimearlier?Atsixthirty,say?”
“Hecan’thavedonethat.”
“You’vecheckeduphismovements?”
TheInspectornodded.
“HewasinthevillageneartheBlueBoarattenpastsix.Fromtherehecamealongthebacklanewhereyousaytheoldladynextdoorsawhim—shedoesn’tmissmuch,Ishouldsay—andkepthisappointmentwithMrs.Protheroeinthestudiointhegarden.Theylefttheretogetherjustaftersixthirty,andwentalongthelanetothevillage,beingjoinedbyDr.Stone.Hecorroboratesthatallright—I’veseenhim.Theyallstoodtalkingjustbythepostofficeforafewminutes,thenMrs.ProtheroewentintoMissHartnell’stoborrowagardeningmagazine.That’sallrighttoo.I’veseenMissHartnell.Mrs.Protheroeremainedtheretalkingtohertilljustonseveno’clockwhensheexclaimedatthelatenessofthehourandsaidshemustgethome.”
“Whatwashermanner?”
“Veryeasyandpleasant,MissHartnellsaid.Sheseemedingoodspirits—MissHartnellisquitesuretherewasnothingonhermind.”
“Well,goon.”
“Redding,hewentwithDr.StonetotheBlueBoarandtheyhadadrinktogether.Heleftthereattwentyminutestoseven,wentrapidlyalongthevillagestreetanddowntheroadtotheVicarage.Lotsofpeoplesawhim.”
“Notdownthebacklanethistime?”commentedtheColonel.
“No—hecametothefront,askedfortheVicar,heardColonelProtheroewasthere,wentin—andshothim—justashesaidhedid!That’sthetruthofit,andweneedn’tlookfurther.”
Melchettshookhishead.
“There’sthedoctor’sevidence.Youcan’tgetawayfromthat.Protheroewasshotnotlaterthansixthirty.”
“Oh,doctors!”InspectorSlacklookedcontemptuous.“Ifyou’regoingtobelievedoctors.Takeoutallyourteeth—that’swhattheydonowadays—andthensaythey’reverysorry,butallthetimeitwasappendicitis.Doctors!”
“Thisisn’taquestionofdiagnosis.Dr.Haydockwasabsolutelypositiveonthepoint.Youcan’tgoagainstthemedicalevidence,Slack.”
“Andthere’smyevidenceforwhatitisworth,”Isaid,suddenlyrecallingaforgottenincident.“Itouchedthebodyanditwascold.ThatIcanswearto.”
“Yousee,Slack?”saidMelchett.
“Well,ofcourse,ifthat’sso.Butthereitwas—abeautifulcase.Mr.Reddingonlytooanxioustobehanged,sotospeak.”
“That,initself,strikesmeasalittleunnatural,”observedColonelMelchett.
“Well,there’snoaccountingfortastes,”saidtheInspector.“There’salotofgentlemenwentabitbalmyafterthewar.Now,Isuppose,itmeansstartingagainatthebeginning.”Heturnedonme.“Whyyouwentoutofyourwaytomisleadmeabouttheclock,sir,Ican’tthink.Obstructingtheendsofjustice,that’swhatthatwas.”
“Itriedtotellyouonthreeseparateoccasions,”Isaid.“Andeachtimeyoushutmeupandrefusedtolisten.”
“That’sjustawayofspeaking,sir.Youcouldhavetoldmeperfectlywellifyouhadhadamindto.Theclockandthenoteseemedtotallyperfectly.Now,accordingtoyou,theclockwasallwrong.Ineverknewsuchacase.What’sthesenseofkeepingaclockaquarterofanhourfastanyway?”
“Itissupposed,”Isaid,“toinducepunctuality.”
“Idon’tthinkweneedgofurtherintothatnow,Inspector,”saidColonelMelchetttactfully.“WhatwewantnowisthetruestoryfrombothMrs.ProtheroeandyoungRedding.ItelephonedtoHaydockandaskedhimtobringMrs.Protheroeoverherewithhim.Theyoughttobehereinaboutaquarterofanhour.IthinkitwouldbeaswelltohaveReddingherefirst.”
“I’llgetontothestation,”saidInspectorSlack,andtookupthetelephone.
“Andnow,”hesaid,replacingthereceiver,“we’llgettoworkonthisroom.”Helookedatmeinameaningfulfashion.
“Perhaps,”Isaid,“you’dlikemeoutoftheway.”
TheInspectorimmediatelyopenedthedoorforme.Melchettcalledout:
“ComebackwhenyoungReddingarrives,willyou,Vicar?You’reafriendofhisandyoumayhavesufficientinfluencetopersuadehimtospeakthetruth.”
IfoundmywifeandMissMarplewiththeirheadstogether.
“We’vebeendiscussingallsortsofpossibilities,”saidGriselda.“Iwishyou’dsolvethecase,MissMarple,likeyoudidthetimeMissWetherby’sgillofpickedshrimpsdisappeared.Andallbecauseitremindedyouofsomethingquitedifferentaboutasackofcoals.”
“You’relaughing,mydear,”saidMissMarple,“butafterall,thatisaverysoundwayofarrivingatthetruth.It’sreallywhatpeoplecallintuitionandmakesuchafussabout.Intuitionislikereadingawordwithouthavingtospellitout.Achildcan’tdothatbecauseithashadsolittleexperience.Butagrown-uppersonknowsthewordbecausethey’veseenitoftenbefore.Youcatchmymeaning,Vicar?”
“Yes,”Isaidslowly,“IthinkIdo.Youmeanthatifathingremindsyouofsomethingelse—well,it’sprobablythesamekindofthing.”
“Exactly.”
“AndwhatpreciselydoesthemurderofColonelProtheroeremindyouof?”
MissMarplesighed.
“Thatisjustthedifficulty.Somanyparallelscometothemind.Forinstance,therewasMajorHargreaves,achurchwardenandamanhighlyrespectedineveryway.Andallthetimehewaskeepingaseparatesecondestablishment—aformerhousemaid,justthinkofit!Andfivechildren—actuallyfivechildren—aterribleshocktohiswifeanddaughter.”
ItriedhardtovisualizeColonelProtheroeinther?leofsecretsinnerandfailed.
“Andthentherewasthatlaundrybusiness,”wentonMissMarple.“MissHartnell’sopalpin—leftmostimprudentlyinafrilledblouseandsenttothelaundry.Andthewomanwhotookitdidn’twantitintheleastandwasn’tbyanymeansathief.Shesimplyhiditinanotherwoman’shouseandtoldthepoliceshe’dseenthisotherwomantakeit.Spite,youknow,sheerspite.It’sanastonishingmotive—spite.Amaninit,ofcourse.Therealwaysis.”
ThistimeIfailedtoseeanyparallel,howeverremote.
“AndthentherewaspoorElwell’sdaughter—suchaprettyetherealgirl—triedtostifleherlittlebrother.AndtherewasthemoneyfortheChoirBoys’Outing(beforeyourtime,Vicar)actuallytakenbytheorganist.Hiswifewassadlyindebt.Yes,thiscasemakesonethinksomanythings—toomany.It’sveryhardtoarriveatthetruth.”
“Iwishyouwouldtellme,”Isaid,“whowerethesevensuspects?”
“Thesevensuspects?”
“Yousaidyoucouldthinkofsevenpeoplewhowould—well,begladofColonelProtheroe’sdeath.”
“DidI?Yes,IrememberIdid.”
“Wasthattrue?”
“Oh!Certainlyitwastrue.ButImustn’tmentionnames.Youcanthinkofthemquiteeasilyyourself.Iamsure.”
“IndeedIcan’t.ThereisLetticeProtheroe,Isuppose,sincesheprobablycomesintomoneyonherfather’sdeath.Butitisabsurdtothinkofherinsuchaconnection,andoutsideherIcanthinkofnobody.”
“Andyou,mydear?”saidMissMarple,turningtoGriselda.
RathertomysurpriseGriseldacolouredup.Somethingveryliketearsstartedintohereyes.Sheclenchedbothhersmallhands.
“Oh!”shecriedindignantly.“Peoplearehateful—hateful.Thethingstheysay!Thebeastlythingstheysay….”
Ilookedathercuriously.ItisveryunlikeGriseldatobesoupset.Shenoticedmyglanceandtriedtosmile.
“Don’tlookatmeasthoughIwereaninterestingspecimenyoudidn’tunderstand,Len.Don’tlet’sgetheatedandwanderfromthepoint.Idon’tbelievethatitwasLawrenceorAnne,andLetticeisoutofthequestion.Theremustbesomeclueorotherthatwouldhelpus.”
“Thereisthenote,ofcourse,”saidMissMarple.“Youwillremembermysayingthismorningthatthatstruckmeasexceedinglypeculiar.”
“Itseemstofixthetimeofhisdeathwithremarkableaccuracy,”Isaid.“Andyet,isthatpossible?Mrs.Protheroewouldonlyhavejustleftthestudy.Shewouldhardlyhavehadtimetoreachthestudio.TheonlywayinwhichIcanaccountforitisthatheconsultedhisownwatchandthathiswatchwasslow.Thatseemstomeafeasiblesolution.”
“Ihaveanotheridea,”saidGriselda.“Suppose,Len,thattheclockhadalreadybeenputback—no,thatcomestothesamething—howstupidofme!”
“Ithadn’tbeenalteredwhenIleft,”Isaid.“Iremembercomparingitwithmywatch.Still,asyousay,thathasnobearingonthepresentmatter.”
“Whatdoyouthink,MissMarple?”askedGriselda.
“Mydear,IconfessIwasn’tthinkingaboutitfromthatpointofviewatall.Whatstrikesmeassocurious,andhasdonefromthefirst,isthesubjectmatterofthatletter.”
“Idon’tseethat,”Isaid.“ColonelProtheroemerelywrotethathecouldn’twaitanylonger—”
“Attwentyminutespastsix?”saidMissMarple.“Yourmaid,Mary,hadalreadytoldhimthatyouwouldn’tbeintillhalfpastsixattheearliest,andheappearedtobequitewillingtowaituntilthen.Andyetattwentypastsixhesitsdownandsayshe‘can’twaitanylonger.’”
Istaredattheoldlady,feelinganincreasedrespectforhermentalpowers.Herkeenwitshadseenwhatwehadfailedtoperceive.Itwasanoddthing—averyoddthing.
“Ifonly,”Isaid,“theletterhadn’tbeendated—”
MissMarplenoddedherhead.
“Exactly,”shesaid.“Ifithadn’tbeendated!”
Icastmymindback,tryingtorecallthatsheetofnotepaperandtheblurredscrawl,andatthetopthatneatlyprinted6:20.Surelythesefigureswereonadifferentscaletotherestoftheletter.Igaveagasp.
“Supposing,”Isaid,“itwasn’tdated.Supposingthatroundabout6:30ColonelProtheroegotimpatientandsatdowntosayhecouldn’twaitanylonger.Andashewassittingtherewriting,someonecameinthroughthewindow—”
“Orthroughthedoor,”suggestedGriselda.
“He’dhearthedoorandlookup.”
“ColonelProtheroewasratherdeaf,youremember,”saidMissMarple.
“Yes,that’strue.Hewouldn’thearit.Whicheverwaythemurderercame,hestoleupbehindtheColonelandshothim.Thenhesawthenoteandtheclockandtheideacametohim.Heput6:20atthetopoftheletterandhealteredtheclockto6:22.Itwasacleveridea.Itgavehim,orsohewouldthink,aperfectalibi.”
“Andwhatwewanttofind,”saidGriselda,“issomeonewhohasacast-ironalibifor6:20,butnoalibiatallfor—well,thatisn’tsoeasy.Onecan’tfixthetime.”
“Wecanfixitwithinverynarrowlimits,”Isaid.“Haydockplaces6:30astheoutsidelimitoftime.Isupposeonecouldperhapsshiftitto6:35fromthereasoningwehavejustbeenfollowingout,itseemsclearthatProtheroewouldnothavegotimpatientbefore6:30.Ithinkwecansaywedoknowprettywell.”
“ThenthatshotIheard—yes,Isupposeitisquitepossible.AndIthoughtnothingaboutit—nothingatall.Mostvexing.Andyet,nowItrytorecollect,itdoesseemtomethatitwasdifferentfromtheusualsortofshotonehears.Yes,therewasadifference.”
“Louder?”Isuggested.
No,MissMarpledidn’tthinkithadbeenlouder.Infact,shefoundithardtosayinwhatwayithadbeendifferent,butshestillinsistedthatitwas.
Ithoughtshewasprobablypersuadingherselfofthefactratherthanactuallyrememberingit,butshehadjustcontributedsuchavaluablenewoutlooktotheproblemthatIfelthighlyrespectfultowardsher.
Sherose,murmuringthatshemustreallygetback—ithadbeensotemptingjusttorunoveranddiscussthecasewithdearGriselda.IescortedhertotheboundarywallandthebackgateandreturnedtofindGriseldawrappedinthought.
“Stillpuzzlingoverthatnote?”Iasked.
“No.”
Shegaveasuddenshiverandshookhershouldersimpatiently.
“Len,I’vebeenthinking.HowbadlysomeonemusthavehatedAnneProtheroe!”
“Hatedher?”
“Yes.Don’tyousee?There’snorealevidenceagainstLawrence—alltheevidenceagainsthimiswhatyoumightcallaccidental.Hejusthappenstotakeitintohisheadtocomehere.Ifhehadn’t—well,noonewouldhavethoughtofconnectinghimwiththecrime.ButAnneisdifferent.Supposesomeoneknewthatshewashereatexactly6:20—theclockandthetimeontheletter—everythingpointingtoher.Idon’tthinkitwasonlybecauseofanalibiitwasmovedtothatexacttime—Ithinktherewasmoreinitthanthat—adirectattempttofastenthebusinessonher.Ifithadn’tbeenforMissMarplesayingshehadn’tgotthepistolwithherandnoticingthatshewasonlyamomentbeforegoingdowntothestudio—Yes,ifithadn’tbeenforthat…”Sheshiveredagain.“Len,IfeelthatsomeonehatedAnneProtheroeverymuch.I—Idon’tlikeit.”
Twelve
IwassummonedtothestudywhenLawrenceReddingarrived.Helookedhaggard,and,Ithought,suspicious.ColonelMelchettgreetedhimwithsomethingapproachingcordiality.
“Wewanttoaskyouafewquestions—here,onthespot,”hesaid.
Lawrencesneeredslightly.
“Isn’tthataFrenchidea?Reconstructionofthecrime?”
“Mydearboy,”saidColonelMelchett,“don’ttakethattonewithus.Areyouawarethatsomeoneelsehasalsoconfessedtocommittingthecrimewhichyoupretendtohavecommitted?”
TheeffectofthesewordsonLawrencewaspainfulandimmediate.
“S-s-omeoneelse?”hestammered.“Who—who?”
“Mrs.Protheroe,”saidColonelMelchett,watchinghim.
“Absurd.Sheneverdidit.Shecouldn’thave.It’simpossible.”
Melchettinterruptedhim.
“Strangelyenough,wedidnotbelieveherstory.Neither,Imaysay,dowebelieveyours.Dr.Haydocksayspositivelythatthemurdercouldnothavebeencommittedatthetimeyousayitwas.”
“Dr.Haydocksaysthat?”
“Yes,so,yousee,youareclearedwhetheryoulikeitornot.Andnowwewantyoutohelpus,totellusexactlywhatoccurred.”
Lawrencestillhesitated.
“You’renotdeceivingmeabout—aboutMrs.Protheroe?Youreallydon’tsuspecther?”
“Onmywordofhonour,”saidColonelMelchett.
Lawrencedrewadeepbreath.
“I’vebeenafool,”hesaid.“Anabsolutefool.HowcouldIhavethoughtforoneminutethatshedidit—”
“Supposeyoutellusallaboutit?”suggestedtheChiefConstable.
“There’snotmuchtotell.I—ImetMrs.Protheroethatafternoon—”Hepaused.
“Weknowallaboutthat,”saidMelchett.“YoumaythinkthatyourfeelingforMrs.Protheroeandhersforyouwasadeadsecret,butinrealityitwasknownandcommentedupon.Inanycase,everythingisboundtocomeoutnow.”
“Verywell,then.Iexpectyouareright.IhadpromisedtheVicarhere(heglancedatme)to—togorightaway.ImetMrs.Protheroethateveninginthestudioataquarterpastsix.ItoldherofwhatIhaddecided.She,too,agreedthatitwastheonlythingtodo.We—wesaidgood-byetoeachother.
“Weleftthestudio,andalmostatonceDr.Stonejoinedus.Annemanagedtoseemmarvellouslynatural.Icouldn’tdoit.IwentoffwithStonetotheBlueBoarandhadadrink.ThenIthoughtI’dgohome,butwhenIgottothecornerofthisroad,IchangedmymindanddecidedtocomealongandseetheVicar.IfeltIwantedsomeonetotalktoaboutthematter.
“Atthedoor,themaidtoldmetheVicarwasout,butwouldbeinshortly,butthatColonelProtheroewasinthestudywaitingforhim.Well,Ididn’tliketogoawayagain—lookedasthoughIwereshirkingmeetinghim.SoIsaidI’dwaittoo,andIwentintothestudy.”
Hestopped.
“Well?”saidColonelMelchett.
“Protheroewassittingatthewritingtable—justasyoufoundhim.Iwentuptohim—touchedhim.Hewasdead.ThenIlookeddownandsawthepistollyingonthefloorbesidehim.Ipickeditup—andatoncesawthatitwasmypistol.
“Thatgavemeaturn.Mypistol!Andthen,straightawayIleapedtooneconclusion.Annemusthavebaggedmypistolsometimeorother—meaningitforherselfifshecouldn’tbearthingsanylonger.Perhapsshehadhaditwithhertoday.Afterwepartedinthevillageshemusthavecomebackhereand—and—oh!IsupposeIwasmadtothinkofit.Butthat’swhatIthought.Islippedthepistolinmypocketandcameaway.JustoutsidetheVicaragegate,ImettheVicar.HesaidsomethingniceandnormalaboutseeingProtheroe—suddenlyIhadawilddesiretolaugh.HismannerwassoordinaryandeverydayandtherewasIallstrungup.Iremembershoutingoutsomethingabsurdandseeinghisfacechange.Iwasnearlyoffmyhead,Ibelieve.Iwentwalking—walking—atlastIcouldn’tbearitanylonger.IfAnnehaddonethisghastlything,Iwas,atleast,morallyresponsible.Iwentandgavemyselfup.”
Therewasasilencewhenhehadfinished.ThentheColonelsaidinabusinesslikevoice:
“Iwouldliketoaskjustoneortwoquestions.First,didyoutouchormovethebodyinanyway?”
“No,Ididn’ttouchitatall.Onecouldseehewasdeadwithouttouchinghim.”
“Didyounoticeanotelyingontheblotterhalfconcealedbyhisbody?”
“No.”
“Didyouinterfereinanywaywiththeclock?”
“Inevertouchedtheclock.Iseemtorememberaclocklyingoverturnedonthetable,butInevertouchedit.”
“Nowastothispistolofyours,whendidyoulastseeit?”
LawrenceReddingreflected.“It’shardtosayexactly.”
“Wheredoyoukeepit?”
“Oh,inalitterofoddsandendsinthesittingroominmycottage.Ononeoftheshelvesofthebookcase.”
“Youleftitlyingaboutcarelessly?”
“Yes.Ireallydidn’tthinkaboutit.Itwasjustthere.”
“Sothatanyonewhocametoyourcottagecouldhaveseenit?”
“Yes.”
“Andyoudon’trememberwhenyoulastsawit?”
Lawrencedrewhisbrowstogetherinafrownofrecollection.
“I’malmostsureitwastherethedaybeforeyesterday.Irememberpushingitasidetogetanoldpipe.Ithinkitwasthedaybeforeyesterday—butitmayhavebeenthedaybeforethat.”
“Whohasbeentoyourcottagelately?”
“Oh!Crowdsofpeople.Someoneisalwaysdriftinginandout.Ihadasortofteapartythedaybeforeyesterday.LetticeProtheroe,Dennis,andalltheircrowd.AndthenoneorotheroftheoldPussiescomesinnowandagain.”
“Doyoulockthecottageupwhenyougoout?”
“No;whyonearthshouldI?I’venothingtosteal.Andnoonedoeslocktheirhouseuproundhere.”
“Wholooksafteryourwantsthere?”
“AnoldMrs.Archercomesineverymorningto‘doforme’asit’scalled.”
“Doyouthinkshewouldrememberwhenthepistolwastherelast?”
“Idon’tknow.Shemight.ButIdon’tfancyconscientiousdustingisherstrongpoint.”
“Itcomestothis—thatalmostanyonemighthavetakenthatpistol?”
“Itseemsso—yes.”
ThedooropenedandDr.HaydockcameinwithAnneProtheroe.
ShestartedatseeingLawrence.He,onhispart,madeatentativesteptowardsher.
“Forgiveme,Anne,”hesaid.“ItwasabominableofmetothinkwhatIdid.”
“I—”Shefaltered,thenlookedappealinglyatColonelMelchett.“Isittrue,whatDr.Haydocktoldme?”
“ThatMr.Reddingisclearedofsuspicion?Yes.Andnowwhataboutthisstoryofyours,Mrs.Protheroe?Eh,whataboutit?”
Shesmiledrathershamefacedly.
“Isupposeyouthinkitdreadfulofme?”
“Well,shallwesay—veryfoolish?Butthat’sallover.WhatIwantnow,Mrs.Protheroe,isthetruth—theabsolutetruth.”
Shenoddedgravely.
“Iwilltellyou.Isupposeyouknowabout—abouteverything.”
“Yes.”
“IwastomeetLawrence—Mr.Redding—thateveningatthestudio.Ataquarterpastsix.MyhusbandandIdroveintothevillagetogether.Ihadsomeshoppingtodo.AswepartedhementionedcasuallythathewasgoingtoseetheVicar.Icouldn’tgetwordtoLawrence,andIwasratheruneasy.I—well,itwasawkwardmeetinghimintheVicaragegardenwhilstmyhusbandwasattheVicarage.”
Hercheeksburnedasshesaidthis.Itwasnotapleasantmomentforher.
“Ireflectedthatperhapsmyhusbandwouldnotstayverylong.Tofindthisout,Icamealongthebacklaneandintothegarden.Ihopednoonewouldseeme,butofcourseoldMissMarplehadtobeinhergarden!Shestoppedmeandwesaidafewwords,andIexplainedIwasgoingtocallformyhusband.IfeltIhadtosaysomething.Idon’tknowwhethershebelievedmeornot.Shelookedrather—funny.
“WhenIlefther,IwentstraightacrosstotheVicarageandroundthecornerofthehousetothestudywindow.Icreptuptoitverysoftly,expectingtohearthesoundofvoices.Buttomysurprisetherewerenone.Ijustglancedin,sawtheroomwasempty,andhurriedacrossthelawnanddowntothestudiowhereLawrencejoinedmealmostatonce.”
“Yousaytheroomwasempty,Mrs.Protheroe?”
“Yes,myhusbandwasnotthere.”
“Extraordinary.”
“Youmean,ma’am,thatyoudidn’tseehim?”saidtheInspector.
“No,Ididn’tseehim.”
InspectorSlackwhisperedtotheChiefConstable,whonodded.
“Doyoumind,Mrs.Protheroe,justshowingusexactlywhatyoudid?”
“Notatall.”
Sherose,InspectorSlackpushedopenthewindowforher,andshesteppedoutontheterraceandroundthehousetotheleft.
InspectorSlackbeckonedmeimperiouslytogoandsitatthewritingtable.
SomehowIdidn’tmuchlikedoingit.Itgavemeanuncomfortablefeeling.But,ofcourse,Icomplied.
PresentlyIheardfootstepsoutside,theypausedforaminute,thenretreated.InspectorSlackindicatedtomethatIcouldreturntotheothersideoftheroom.Mrs.Protheroereenteredthroughthewindow.
“Isthatexactlyhowitwas?”askedColonelMelchett.
“Ithinkexactly.”
“Thencanyoutellus,Mrs.Protheroe,justexactlywheretheVicarwasintheroomwhenyoulookedin?”askedInspectorSlack.
“TheVicar?I—no,I’mafraidIcan’t.Ididn’tseehim.”
InspectorSlacknodded.
“That’showyoudidn’tseeyourhusband.Hewasroundthecorneratthewritingdesk.”
“Oh!”shepaused.Suddenlyhereyesgrewroundwithhorror.“Itwasn’ttherethat—that—”
“Yes,Mrs.Protheroe.Itwaswhilehewassittingthere.”
“Oh!”Shequivered.
Hewentonwithhisquestions.
“Didyouknow,Mrs.Protheroe,thatMr.Reddinghadapistol?”
“Yes.Hetoldmesoonce.”
“Didyoueverhavethatpistolinyourpossession?”
Sheshookherhead.“No.”
“Didyouknowwherehekeptit?”
“I’mnotsure.Ithink—yes,IthinkI’veseenitonashelfinhiscottage.Didn’tyoukeepitthere,Lawrence?”
“Whenwasthelasttimeyouwereatthecottage,Mrs.Protheroe?”
“Oh!Aboutthreeweeksago.MyhusbandandIhadteatherewithhim.”
“Andyouhavenotbeentheresince?”
“No.Ineverwentthere.Yousee,itwouldprobablycausealotoftalkinthevillage.”
“Doubtless,”saidColonelMelchettdryly.“WherewereyouinthehabitofseeingMr.Redding,ifImayask?”
“HeusedtocomeuptotheHall.HewaspaintingLettice.We—weoftenmetinthewoodsafterwards.”
ColonelMelchettnodded.
“Isn’tthatenough?”Hervoicewassuddenlybroken.“It’ssoawful—havingtotellyouallthesethings.And—andtherewasn’tanythingwrongaboutit.Therewasn’t—indeed,therewasn’t.Wewerejustfriends.We—wecouldn’thelpcaringforeachother.”
ShelookedpleadinglyatDr.Haydock,andthatsoftheartedmansteppedforward
“Ireallythink,Melchett,”hesaid,“thatMrs.Protheroehashadenough.She’shadagreatshock—inmorewaysthanone.”
TheChiefConstablenodded.
“ThereisreallynothingmoreIwanttoaskyou,Mrs.Protheroe,”hesaid.“Thankyouforansweringmyquestionssofrankly.”
“Then—thenImaygo?”
“Isyourwifein?”askedHaydock.“IthinkMrs.Protheroewouldliketoseeher.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“Griseldaisin.You’llfindherinthedrawingroom.”
SheandHaydocklefttheroomtogetherandLawrenceReddingwiththem.
ColonelMelchetthadpurseduphislipsandwasplayingwithapaperknife.Slackwaslookingatthenote.ItwasthenthatImentionedMissMarple’stheory.Slacklookedcloselyatit.
“Myword,”hesaid,“Ibelievetheoldlady’sright.Lookhere,sir,don’tyousee?—thesefiguresarewrittenindifferentink.ThatdatewaswrittenwithafountainpenorI’lleatmyboots!”
Wewereallratherexcited.
“You’veexaminedthenoteforfingerprints,ofcourse,”saidtheChiefConstable.
“Whatdoyouthink,Colonel?Nofingerprintsonthenoteatall.FingerprintsonthepistolthoseofMr.LawrenceRedding.Mayhavebeensomeothersonce,beforehewentfoolingroundwithitandcarryingitaroundinhispocket,butthere’snothingclearenoughtogetholdofnow.”
“AtfirstthecaselookedveryblackagainstMrs.Protheroe,”saidtheColonelthoughtfully.“MuchblackerthanagainstyoungRedding.TherewasthatoldwomanMarple’sevidencethatshedidn’thavethepistolwithher,buttheseelderlyladiesareoftenmistaken.”
Iwassilent,butIdidnotagreewithhim.IwasquitesurethatAnneProtheroehadhadnopistolwithhersinceMissMarplehadsaidso.MissMarpleisnotthetypeofelderlyladywhomakesmistakes.Shehasgotanuncannyknackofbeingalwaysright.
“Whatdidgetmewasthatnobodyheardtheshot.Ifitwasfiredthen—somebodymusthaveheardit—wherevertheythoughtitcamefrom.Slack,you’dbetterhaveawordwiththemaid.”
InspectorSlackmovedwithalacritytowardsthedoor.
“Ishouldn’taskherifsheheardashotinthehouse,”Isaid.“Becauseifyoudo,she’lldenyit.Callitashotinthewood.That’stheonlykindofshotshe’lladmittohearing.”
“Iknowhowtomanagethem,”saidInspectorSlack,anddisappeared.
“MissMarplesayssheheardashotlater,”saidColonelMelchettthoughtfully.“Wemustseeifshecanfixthetimeatallprecisely.Ofcourseitmaybeastrayshotthathadnothingtodowiththecase.”
“Itmaybe,ofcourse,”Iagreed.
TheColoneltookaturnortwoupanddowntheroom.
“Doyouknow,Clement,”hesaidsuddenly,“I’veafeelingthatthisisgoingtoturnoutamuchmoreintricateanddifficultbusinessthananyofusthink.Dashitall,there’ssomethingbehindit.”Hesnorted.“Somethingwedon’tknowabout.We’reonlybeginning,Clement.Markmywords,we’reonlybeginning.Allthesethings,theclock,thenote,thepistol—theydon’tmakesenseastheystand.”
Ishookmyhead.Theycertainlydidn’t
“ButI’mgoingtogettothebottomofit.NocallinginofScotlandYard.Slack’sasmartman.He’saverysmartman.He’sakindofferret.He’llnosehiswaythroughtothetruth.He’sdoneseveralverygoodthingsalready,andthiscasewillbehischefd’oeuvre.SomemenwouldcallinScotlandYard.Ishan’t.We’llgettothebottomofthishereinDownshire.”
“Ihopeso,I’msure,”Isaid.
Itriedtomakemyvoiceenthusiastic,butIhadalreadytakensuchadisliketoInspectorSlackthattheprospectofhissuccessfailedtoappealtome.AsuccessfulSlackwould,Ithought,beevenmoreodiousthanabaffledone.
“Whohasthehousenextdoor?”askedtheColonelsuddenly.
“Youmeanattheendoftheroad?Mrs.PriceRidley.”
“We’llgoalongtoherafterSlackhasfinishedwithyourmaid.Shemightjustpossiblyhaveheardsomething.Sheisn’tdeaforanything,isshe?”
“Ishouldsayherhearingisremarkablykeen.I’mgoingbytheamountofscandalshehasstartedby‘justhappeningtooverhearaccidentally.’”
“That’sthekindofwomanwewant.Oh!here’sSlack.”
TheInspectorhadtheairofoneemergingfromaseveretussle.
“Phew!”hesaid.“That’satartaryou’vegot,sir.”
“Maryisessentiallyagirlofstrongcharacter,”Ireplied.
“Doesn’tlikethepolice,”hesaid.“Icautionedher—didwhatIcouldtoputthefearofthelawintoher,butnogood.Shestoodrightuptome.”
“Spirited,”Isaid,feelingmorekindlytowardsMary.
“ButIpinnedherdownallright.Sheheardoneshot—andoneshotonly.AnditwasagoodlongtimeafterColonelProtheroecame.Icouldn’tgethertonameatime,butwefixeditatlastbymeansofthefish.Thefishwaslate,andsheblewtheboyupwhenhecame,andhesaiditwasbarelyhalfpastsixanyway,anditwasjustafterthatsheheardtheshot.Ofcourse,that’snotaccurate,sotospeak,butitgivesusanidea.”
“H’m,”saidMelchett.
“Idon’tthinkMrs.Protheroe’sinthisafterall,”saidSlack,withanoteofregretinhisvoice.“Shewouldn’thavehadtime,tobeginwith,andthenwomenneverlikefiddlingaboutwithfirearms.Arsenic’smoreintheirline.No,Idon’tthinkshedidit.It’sapity!”Hesighed.
MelchettexplainedthathewasgoingroundtoMrs.PriceRidley’s,andSlackapproved.
“MayIcomewithyou?”Iasked.“I’mgettinginterested.”
Iwasgivenpermission,andwesetforth.Aloud“Hie”greetedusasweemergedfromtheVicaragegate,andmynephew,Dennis,camerunninguptheroadfromthevillagetojoinus.
“Lookhere,”hesaidtotheInspector,“whataboutthatfootprintItoldyouabout?”
“Gardener’s,”saidInspectorSlacklaconically.
“Youdon’tthinkitmightbesomeoneelsewearingthegardener’sboots?”
“No,Idon’t!”saidInspectorSlackinadiscouragingway.
ItwouldtakemorethanthattodiscourageDennis,however.
Heheldoutacoupleofburntmatches.
“IfoundthesebytheVicaragegate.”
“Thankyou,”saidSlack,andputtheminhispocket.
Mattersappearednowtohavereachedadeadlock.
“You’renotarrestingUncleLen,areyou?”inquiredDennisfacetiously.
“WhyshouldI?”inquiredSlack.
“There’salotofevidenceagainsthim,”declaredDennis.“YouaskMary.OnlythedaybeforethemurderhewaswishingColonelProtheroeoutoftheworld.Weren’tyou,UncleLen?”
“Er—”Ibegan.
InspectorSlackturnedaslowsuspiciousstareuponme,andIfelthotallover.Dennisisexceedinglytiresome.Heoughttorealizethatapolicemanseldomhasasenseofhumour.
“Don’tbeabsurd,Dennis,”Isaidirritably.
Theinnocentchildopenedhiseyesinastareofsurprise.
“Isay,it’sonlyajoke,”hesaid.“UncleLenjustsaidthatanyonewhomurderedColonelProtheroewouldbedoingtheworldaservice.”
“Ah!”saidInspectorSlack,“thatexplainssomethingthemaidsaid.”
Servantsveryseldomhaveanysenseofhumoureither.IcursedDennisheartilyinmymindforbringingthematterup.ThatandtheclocktogetherwillmaketheInspectorsuspiciousofmeforlife
“Comeon,Clement,”saidColonelMelchett.
“Whereareyougoing?CanIcome,too?”askedDennis.
“No,youcan’t,”Isnapped.
Welefthimlookingafteruswithahurtexpression.WewentuptotheneatfrontdoorofMrs.PriceRidley’shouseandtheInspectorknockedandranginwhatIcanonlydescribeasanofficialmanner.Aprettyparlourmaidansweredthebell.
“Mrs.PriceRidleyin?”inquiredMelchett.
“No,sir.”Themaidpausedandadded:“She’sjustgonedowntothepolicestation.”
Thiswasatotallyunexpecteddevelopment.AsweretracedourstepsMelchettcaughtmebythearmandmurmured:
“Ifshe’sgonetoconfesstothecrime,too,Ireallyshallgooffmyhead.”
Thirteen
IhardlythoughtitlikelythatMrs.PriceRidleyhadanythingsodramaticinview,butIdidwonderwhathadtakenhertothepolicestation.Hadshereallygotevidenceofimportance,orthatshethoughtofimportance,tooffer?Atanyrate,weshouldsoonknow.
WefoundMrs.PriceRidleytalkingatahighrateofspeedtoasomewhatbewildered-lookingpoliceconstable.ThatshewasextremelyindignantIknewfromthewaythebowinherhatwastrembling.Mrs.PriceRidleywearswhat,Ibelieve,areknownas“HatsforMatrons”—theymakeaspecialityoftheminouradjacenttownofMuchBenham.Theypercheasilyonasuperstructureofhairandaresomewhatoverweightedwithlargebowsofribbon.Griseldaisalwaysthreateningtogetamatron’shat.
Mrs.PriceRidleypausedinherflowofwordsuponourentrance.
“Mrs.PriceRidley?”inquiredColonelMelchett,liftinghishat.
“LetmeintroduceColonelMelchetttoyou,Mrs.PriceRidley,”Isaid.“ColonelMelchettisourChiefConstable.”
Mrs.PriceRidleylookedatmecoldly,butproducedthesemblanceofagracioussmilefortheColonel.
“We’vejustbeenroundtoyourhouse,Mrs.PriceRidley,”explainedtheColonel,“andheardyouhadcomedownhere.”
Mrs.PriceRidleythawedaltogether.
“Ah!”shesaid,“I’mgladsomenoticeisbeingtakenoftheoccurrence.Disgraceful,Icallit.Simplydisgraceful.”
Thereisnodoubtthatmurderisdisgraceful,butitisnotthewordIshouldusetodescribeitmyself.ItsurprisedMelchetttoo,Icouldsee.
“Haveyouanylighttothrowuponthematter?”heasked.
“That’syourbusiness.It’sthebusinessofthepolice.Whatdowepayratesandtaxesfor,Ishouldliketoknow?”
Onewondershowmanytimesthatqueryisutteredinayear!
“We’redoingourbest,Mrs.PriceRidley,”saidtheChiefConstable.
“Butthemanherehadn’tevenheardofittillItoldhimaboutit!”criedthelady.
Wealllookedattheconstable.
“Ladybeenrunguponthetelephone,”hesaid.“Annoyed.Matterofobscenelanguage,Iunderstand.”
“Oh!Isee.”TheColonel’sbrowcleared.“We’vebeentalkingatcrosspurposes.Youcamedownheretomakeacomplaint,didyou?”
Melchettisawiseman.Heknowsthatwhenitisaquestionofaniratemiddle-agedlady,thereisonlyonethingtobedone—listentoher.Whenshehadsaidallthatshewantstosay,thereisachancethatshewilllistentoyou.
Mrs.PriceRidleysurgedintospeech.
“Suchdisgracefuloccurrencesoughttobeprevented.Theyoughtnottooccur.Toberungupinone’sownhouseandinsulted—yes,insulted.I’mnotaccustomedtosuchthingshappening.Eversincethewartherehasbeenalooseningofmoralfibre.Nobodymindswhattheysay,andastotheclothestheywear—”
“Quite,”saidColonelMelchetthastily.“Whathappenedexactly?”
Mrs.PriceRidleytookbreathandstartedagain.
“Iwasrungup—”
“When?”
“Yesterdayafternoon—eveningtobeexact.Abouthalfpastsix.Iwenttothetelephone,suspectingnothing.ImmediatelyIwasfoullyattacked,threatened—”
“Whatactuallywassaid?”
Mrs.PriceRidleygotslightlypink.
“ThatIdeclinetostate.”
“Obscenelanguage,”murmuredtheconstableinaruminativebass.
“Wasbadlanguageused?”askedColonelMelchett.
“Itdependsonwhatyoucallbadlanguage.”
“Couldyouunderstandit?”Iasked.
“OfcourseIcouldunderstandit.”
“Thenitcouldn’thavebeenbadlanguage,”Isaid.
Mrs.PriceRidleylookedatmesuspiciously.
“Arefinedlady,”Iexplained,“isnaturallyunacquaintedwithbadlanguage.”
“Itwasn’tthatkindofthing,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.“Atfirst,Imustadmit,Iwasquitetakenin.Ithoughtitwasagenuinemessage.Thenthe—er—personbecameabusive.”
“Abusive?”
“Mostabusive.Iwasquitealarmed.”
“Usedthreateninglanguage,eh?”
“Yes.Iamnotaccustomedtobeingthreatened.”
“Whatdidtheythreatenyouwith?Bodilydamage?”
“Notexactly.”
“I’mafraid,Mrs.PriceRidley,youmustbemoreexplicit.Inwhatwaywereyouthreatened?”
ThisMrs.PriceRidleyseemedsingularlyreluctanttoanswer.
“Ican’trememberexactly.Itwasallsoupsetting.Butrightattheend—whenIwasreallyveryupset,this—this—wretchlaughed.”
“Wasitaman’svoiceorawoman’s?”
“Itwasadegeneratevoice,”saidMrs.PriceRidley,withdignity.“Icanonlydescribeitasakindofpervertedvoice.Nowgruff,nowsqueaky.Reallyaverypeculiarvoice.”
“Probablyapracticaljoke,”saidtheColonelsoothingly.
“Amostwickedthingtodo,ifso.Imighthavehadaheartattack.”
“We’lllookintoit,”saidtheColonel;“eh,Inspector?Tracethetelephonecall.Youcan’ttellmemoredefinitelyexactlywhatwassaid,Mrs.PriceRidley?”
AstrugglebeganinMrs.PriceRidley’sampleblackbosom.Thedesireforreticencefoughtagainstadesireforvengeance.Vengeancetriumphed.
“This,ofcourse,willgonofurther,”shebegan.
“Ofcoursenot.”
“Thiscreaturebeganbysaying—Icanhardlybringmyselftorepeatit—”
“Yes,yes,”saidMelchettencouragingly.
“‘Youareawickedscandal-mongeringoldwoman!’Me,ColonelMelchett—ascandal-mongeringoldwoman.‘Butthistimeyou’vegonetoofar.ScotlandYardareafteryouforlibel.’”
“Naturally,youwerealarmed,”saidMelchett,bitinghismoustachetoconcealasmile.
“‘Unlessyouholdyourtongueinfuture,itwillbetheworseforyou—inmorewaysthanone.’Ican’tdescribetoyouthemenacingwaythatwassaid.Igasped,‘whoareyou?’faintly—likethat,andthevoiceanswered,‘TheAvenger.’Igavealittleshriek.Itsoundedsoawful,andthen—thepersonlaughed.Laughed!Distinctly.Andthatwasall.Iheardthemhangupthereceiver.OfcourseIaskedtheexchangewhatnumberhadbeenringingmeup,buttheysaidtheydidn’tknow.Youknowwhatexchangesare.Thoroughlyrudeandunsympathetic.”
“Quite,”Isaid.
“Ifeltquitefaint,”continuedMrs.PriceRidley.“AllonedgeandsonervousthatwhenIheardashotinthewoods,IdodeclareIjumpedalmostoutofmyskin.Thatwillshowyou.”
“Ashotinthewoods?”saidInspectorSlackalertly.
“Inmyexcitedstate,itsimplysoundedtomelikeacannongoingoff.‘Oh!’Isaid,andsankdownonthesofainastateofprostration.Clarahadtobringmeaglassofdamsongin.”
“Shocking,”saidMelchett.“Shocking.Allverytryingforyou.Andtheshotsoundedveryloud,yousay?Asthoughitwerenearathand?”
“Thatwassimplythestateofmynerves.”
“Ofcourse.Ofcourse.Andwhattimewasallthis?Tohelpusintracingthetelephonecall,youknow.”
“Abouthalfpastsix.”
“Youcan’tgiveitusmoreexactlythanthat?”
“Well,yousee,thelittleclockonmymantelpiecehadjustchimedthehalfhour,andIsaid,‘Surelythatclockisfast.’(Itdoesgain,thatclock.)AndIcompareditwiththewatchIwaswearingandthatonlysaidtenminutespast,butthenIputittomyearandfoundithadstopped.SoIthought:‘Well,ifthatclockisfast,Ishallhearthechurchtowerinamomentortwo.’Andthen,ofcourse,thetelephonebellrang,andIforgotallaboutit.”Shepausedbreathless.
“Well,that’snearenough,”saidColonelMelchett.“We’llhaveitlookedintoforyou,Mrs.PriceRidley.”
“Justthinkofitasasillyjoke,anddon’tworry,Mrs.PriceRidley,”Isaid.
Shelookedatmecoldly.Evidentlytheincidentofthepoundnotestillrankled.
“Verystrangethingshavebeenhappeninginthisvillagelately,”shesaid,addressingherselftoMelchett.“Verystrangethingsindeed.ColonelProtheroewasgoingtolookintothem,andwhathappenedtohim,poorman?PerhapsIshallbethenext?”
Andonthatshetookherdeparture,shakingherheadwithakindofominousmelancholy.Melchettmutteredunderhisbreath:“Nosuchluck.”Thenhisfacegrewgrave,andhelookedinquiringlyatInspectorSlack.
Thatworthynoddedhisheadslowly.
“Thisaboutsettlesit,sir.That’sthreepeoplewhoheardtheshot.We’vegottofindoutnowwhofiredit.ThisbusinessofMr.Redding’shasdelayedus.Butwe’vegotseveralstartingpoints.ThinkingMr.Reddingwasguilty,Ididn’tbothertolookintothem.Butthat’sallchangednow.Andnowoneofthefirstthingstodoislookupthattelephonecall.”
“Mrs.PriceRidley’s?”
TheInspectorgrinned.
“No—thoughIsupposewe’dbettermakeanoteofthatorelseweshallhavetheoldgirlbotheringinhereagain.No,ImeantthatfakecallthatgottheVicaroutoftheway.”
“Yes,”saidMelchett,“that’simportant.”
“Andthenextthingistofindoutwhateveryonewasdoingthateveningbetweensixandseven.EveryoneatOldHall,Imean,andprettywelleveryoneinthevillageaswell.”
Igaveasigh.
“Whatwonderfulenergyyouhave,InspectorSlack.”
“Ibelieveinhardwork.We’llbeginbyjustnotingdownyourownmovements,Mr.Clement.”
“Willingly.Thetelephonecallcamethroughabouthalfpastfive.”
“Aman’svoice,orawoman’s?”
“Awoman’s.Atleastitsoundedlikeawoman’s.ButofcourseItookitforgranteditwasMrs.Abbottspeaking.”
“Youdidn’trecognizeitasbeingMrs.Abbott’s?”
“No,Ican’tsayIdid.Ididn’tnoticethevoiceparticularlyorthinkaboutit.”
“Andyoustartedrightaway?Walked?Haven’tyougotabicycle?”
“No.”
“Isee.Soittookyou—howlong?”
“It’sverynearlytwomiles,whicheverwayyougo.”
“ThroughOldHallwoodsistheshortestway,isn’tit?”
“Actually,yes.Butit’snotparticularlygoodgoing.Iwentandcamebackbythefootpathacrossthefields.”
“TheonethatcomesoutoppositetheVicaragegate?”
“Yes.”
“AndMrs.Clement?”
“MywifewasinLondon.Shearrivedbackbythe6:50train.”
“Right.ThemaidI’veseen.ThatfinisheswiththeVicarage.I’llbeofftoOldHallnext.AndthenIwantaninterviewwithMrs.Lestrange.Queer,hergoingtoseeProtheroethenightbeforehewaskilled.Alotofqueerthingsaboutthiscase.”
Iagreed.
Glancingattheclock,Irealizedthatitwasnearlylunchtime.IinvitedMelchetttopartakeofpotluckwithus,butheexcusedhimselfonthepleaofhavingtogototheBlueBoar.TheBlueBoargivesyouafirst-ratemealofthejointandtwo-vegetabletype.Ithoughthischoicewasawiseone.Afterherinterviewwiththepolice,Marywouldprobablybefeelingmoretemperamentalthanusual.
Fourteen
Onmywayhome,IranintoMissHartnellandshedetainedmeatleasttenminutes,declaiminginherdeepbassvoiceagainsttheimprovidenceandungratefulnessofthelowerclasses.ThecruxofthematterseemedtobethatThePoordidnotwantMissHartnellintheirhouses.Mysympathieswereentirelyontheirside.Iamdebarredbymysocialstandingfromexpressingmyprejudicesintheforcefulmannertheydo.
IsoothedherasbestIcouldandmademyescape.
HaydockovertookmeinhiscaratthecorneroftheVicarageroad.“I’vejusttakenMrs.Protheroehome,”hecalled.
Hewaitedformeatthegateofhishouse.
“Comeinaminute,”hesaid.Icomplied.
“Thisisanextraordinarybusiness,”hesaid,ashethrewhishatonachairandopenedthedoorintohissurgery.
Hesankdownonashabbyleatherchairandstaredacrosstheroom.Helookedharriedandperplexed.
Itoldhimthatwehadsucceededinfixingthetimeoftheshot.Helistenedwithanalmostabstractedair.
“ThatletsAnneProtheroeout,”hesaid.“Well,well,I’mgladit’sneitherofthosetwo.Ilike’emboth.”
Ibelievedhim,andyetitoccurredtometowonderwhy,since,ashesaid,helikedthemboth,theirfreedomfromcomplicityseemedtohavehadtheresultofplunginghimingloom.Thismorninghehadlookedlikeamanwithaweightliftedfromhismind,nowhelookedthoroughlyrattledandupset.
AndyetIwasconvincedthathemeantwhathesaid.HewasfondofbothAnneProtheroeandLawrenceRedding.Why,then,thisgloomyabsorption?Herousedhimselfwithaneffort.
“ImeanttotellyouaboutHawes.Allthisbusinesshasdrivenhimoutofmymind.”
“Ishereallyill?”
“There’snothingradicallywrongwithhim.Youknow,ofcourse,thathe’shadEncephalitisLethargica,sleepysickness,asit’scommonlycalled?”
“No,”Isaid,verymuchsurprised,“Ididn’tknowanythingofthekind.Henevertoldmeanythingaboutit.Whendidhehaveit?”
“Aboutayearago.Herecoveredallright—asfarasoneeverrecovers.It’sastrangedisease—hasaqueermoraleffect.Thewholecharactermaychangeafterit.”
Hewassilentforamomentortwo,andthensaid:
“Wethinkwithhorrornowofthedayswhenweburntwitches.Ibelievethedaywillcomewhenwewillshuddertothinkthatweeverhangedcriminals.”
“Youdon’tbelieveincapitalpunishment?”
“It’snotsomuchthat.”Hepaused.“Youknow,”hesaidslowly,“I’dratherhavemyjobthanyours.”
“Why?”
“Becauseyourjobdealsverylargelywithwhatwecallrightandwrong—andI’mnotatallsurethatthere’sanysuchthing.Supposeit’sallaquestionofglandularsecretion.Toomuchofonegland,toolittleofanother—andyougetyourmurderer,yourthief,yourhabitualcriminal.Clement,Ibelievethetimewillcomewhenwe’llbehorrifiedtothinkofthelongcenturiesinwhichwe’vepunishedpeoplefordisease—whichtheycan’thelp,poordevils.Youdon’thangamanforhavingtuberculosis.”
“Heisn’tdangeroustothecommunity.”
“Inasenseheis.Heinfectsotherpeople.Ortakeamanwhofancieshe’stheEmperorofChina.Youdon’tsayhowwickedofhim.Itakeyourpointaboutthecommunity.Thecommunitymustbeprotected.Shutupthesepeoplewheretheycan’tdoanyharm—evenputthempeacefullyoutoftheway—yes,I’dgoasfarasthat.Butdon’tcallitpunishment.Don’tbringshameonthemandtheirinnocentfamilies.”
Ilookedathimcuriously.
“I’veneverheardyouspeaklikethisbefore.”
“Idon’tusuallyairmytheoriesabroad.TodayI’mridingmyhobby.You’reanintelligentman,Clement,whichismorethansomeparsonsare.Youwon’tadmit,Idaresay,thatthere’snosuchthingaswhatistechnicallytermed,‘Sin,’butyou’rebroadmindedenoughtoconsiderthepossibilityofsuchathing.”
“Itstrikesattherootofallacceptedideas,”hesaid.
“Yes,we’reanarrow-minded,self-righteouslot,onlytookeentojudgemattersweknownothingabout.Ihonestlybelievecrimeisacaseforthedoctor,notthepolicemanandnottheparson.Inthefuture,perhaps,therewon’tbeanysuchthing.”
“You’llhavecuredit?”
“We’llhavecuredit.Ratherawonderfulthought.Haveyoueverstudiedthestatisticsofcrime?No—veryfewpeoplehave.Ihave,though.You’dbeamazedattheamountthereisofadolescentcrime,glandsagain,yousee.YoungNeil,theOxfordshiremurderer—killedfivelittlegirlsbeforehewassuspected.Nicelad—nevergivenanytroubleofanykind.LilyRose,thelittleCornishgirl—killedherunclebecausehedockedherofsweets.Hithimwhenhewasasleepwithacoalhammer.Wenthomeandafortnightlaterkilledhereldersisterwhohadannoyedheraboutsometriflingmatter.Neitherofthemhanged,ofcourse.Senttoahome.Maybeallrightlater—maynot.Doubtifthegirlwill.Theonlythingshecaresaboutisseeingthepigskilled.Doyouknowwhensuicideiscommonest?Fifteentosixteenyearsofage.Fromself-murdertomurderofsomeoneelseisn’taverylongstep.Butit’snotamorallack—it’saphysicalone.”
“Whatyousayisterrible!”
“No—it’sonlynewtoyou.Newtruthshavetobefaced.One’sideasadjusted.Butsometimes—itmakeslifedifficult.”
Hesatthere,frowning,yetwithastrangelookofweariness.
“Haydock,”Isaid,“ifyoususpected—ifyouknew—thatacertainpersonwasamurderer,wouldyougivethatpersonuptothelaw,orwouldyoubetemptedtoshieldthem?”
Iwasquiteunpreparedfortheeffectofmyquestion.Heturnedonmeangrilyandsuspiciously.
“Whatmakesyousaythat,Clement?What’sinyourmind?Outwithit,man.”
“Why,nothingparticular,”Isaid,rathertakenaback.“Only—well,murderisinourmindsjustnow.Ifbyanychanceyouhappenedtodiscoverthetruth—Iwonderedhowyouwouldfeelaboutit,thatwasall.”
Hisangerdieddown.Hestaredoncemorestraightaheadofhimlikeamantryingtoreadtheanswertoariddlethatperplexeshim,yetwhichexistsonlyinhisownbrain.
“IfIsuspected—ifIknew—Ishoulddomyduty,Clement.Atleast,Ihopeso.”
“Thequestionis—whichwaywouldyouconsideryourdutylay?”
Helookedatmewithinscrutableeyes.
“Thatquestioncomestoeverymansometimeinhislife,Isuppose,Clement.Andeverymanhastodecideinhisownway.”
“Youdon’tknow?”
“No,Idon’tknow….”
Ifeltthebestthingwastochangethesubject.
“Thatnephewofmineisenjoyingthiscasethoroughly,”Isaid.“Spendshisentiretimelookingforfootprintsandcigaretteash.”
Haydocksmiled.“Whatageishe?”
“Justsixteen.Youdon’ttaketragediesseriouslyatthatage.It’sallSherlockHolmesandArseneLupintoyou.”
Haydocksaidthoughtfully:
“He’safine-lookingboy.Whatareyougoingtodowithhim?”
“Ican’taffordaUniversityeducation,I’mafraid.TheboyhimselfwantstogointotheMerchantService.HefailedfortheNavy.”
“Well—it’sahardlife—buthemightdoworse.Yes,hemightdoworse.”
“Imustbegoing,”Iexclaimed,catchingsightoftheclock.“I’mnearlyhalfanhourlateforlunch.”
MyfamilywerejustsittingdownwhenIarrived.Theydemandedafullaccountofthemorning’sactivities,whichIgavethem,feeling,asIdidso,thatmostofitwasinthenatureofananticlimax.
Dennis,however,washighlyentertainedbythehistoryofMrs.PriceRidley’stelephonecall,andwentintofitsoflaughterasIenlargeduponthenervousshockhersystemhadsustainedandthenecessityforrevivingherwithdamsongin.
“Servetheoldcatright,”heexclaimed.“She’sgottheworsttongueintheplace.IwishI’dthoughtofringingherupandgivingherafright.Isay,UncleLen,whataboutgivingheraseconddose?”
Ihastilybeggedhimtodonothingofthesort.Nothingismoredangerousthanthewell-meanteffortsoftheyoungergenerationtoassistyouandshowtheirsympathy.
Dennis’smoodchangedsuddenly.Hefrownedandputonhismanoftheworldair.
“I’vebeenwithLetticemostofthemorning,”hesaid.“Youknow,Griselda,she’sreallyveryworried.Shedoesn’twanttoshowit,butsheis.Veryworriedindeed.”
“Ishouldhopeso,”saidGriselda,withatossofherhead.
GriseldaisnottoofondofLetticeProtheroe.
“Idon’tthinkyou’reeverquitefairtoLettice.”
“Don’tyou?”saidGriselda.
“Lotsofpeopledon’twearmourning.”
GriseldawassilentandsowasI.Denniscontinued:
“Shedoesn’ttalktomostpeople,butshedoestalktome.She’sawfullyworriedaboutthewholething,andshethinkssomethingoughttobedoneaboutit.”
“Shewillfind,”Isaid,“thatInspectorSlacksharesheropinion.HeisgoinguptoOldHallthisafternoon,andwillprobablymakethelifeofeverybodytherequiteunbearabletotheminhiseffortstogetatthetruth.”
“Whatdoyouthinkisthetruth,Len?”askedmywifesuddenly.
“It’shardtosay,mydear.Ican’tsaythatatthemomentI’veanyideaatall.”
“DidyousaythatInspectorSlackwasgoingtotracethattelephonecall—theonethattookyoutotheAbbotts?’”
“Yes.”
“Butcanhedoit?Isn’titaverydifficultthingtodo?”
“Ishouldnotimagineso.TheExchangewillhavearecordofthecalls.”
“Oh!”Mywiferelapsedintothought.
“UncleLen,”saidmynephew,“whywereyousorattywithmethismorningforjokingaboutyourwishingColonelProtheroetobemurdered?”
“Because,”Isaid,“thereisatimeforeverything.InspectorSlackhasnosenseofhumour.Hetookyourwordsquiteseriously,willprobablycross-examineMary,andwillgetoutawarrantformyarrest.”
“Doesn’theknowwhenafellow’sragging?”
“No,”Isaid,“hedoesnot.Hehasattainedhispresentpositionthroughhardworkandzealousattentiontoduty.Thathaslefthimnotimefortheminorrecreationsoflife.”
“Doyoulikehim,UncleLen?”
“No,”Isaid,“Idonot.FromthefirstmomentIsawhimIdislikedhimintensely.ButIhavenodoubtthatheisahighlysuccessfulmaninhisprofession.”
“Youthinkhe’llfindoutwhoshotoldProtheroe?”
“Ifhedoesn’t,”Isaid,“itwillnotbeforthewantoftrying.”
Maryappearedandsaid:
“Mr.Haweswantstoseeyou.I’veputhiminthedrawingroom,andhere’sanote.Waitingforananswer.Verbalwilldo.”Itoreopenthenoteandreadit.
“DearMr.Clement,—Ishouldbesoverygratefulifyoucouldcomeandseemethisafternoonasearlyaspossible.Iamingreattroubleandwouldlikeyouradvice.Sincerelyyours,EstelleLestrange.”
“SayIwillcomeroundinabouthalfanhour,”IsaidtoMary.ThenIwentintothedrawingroomtoseeHawes.
Fifteen
Hawes’sappearancedistressedmeverymuch.Hishandswereshakingandhisfacekepttwitchingnervously.Inmyopinionheshouldhavebeeninbed,andItoldhimso.Heinsistedthathewasperfectlywell.
“Iassureyou,sir,Ineverfeltbetter.Neverinmylife.”
ThiswassoobviouslywideofthetruththatIhardlyknewhowtoanswer.Ihaveacertainadmirationforamanwhowillnotgiveintoillness,butHaweswascarryingthethingrathertoofar.
“IcalledtotellyouhowsorryIwas—thatsuchathingshouldhappenintheVicarage.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“it’snotverypleasant.”
“It’sterrible—quiteterrible.Itseemstheyhaven’tarrestedMr.Reddingafterall?”
“No.Thatwasamistake.Hemade—er—ratherafoolishstatement.”
“Andthepolicearenowquiteconvincedthatheisinnocent?”
“Perfectly.”
“Whyisthat,mayIask?Isit—Imean,dotheysuspectanyoneelse?”
IshouldneverhavesuspectedthatHaweswouldtakesuchakeeninterestinthedetailsofamurdercase.PerhapsitisbecauseithappenedintheVicarage.Heappearedaseagerasareporter.
“Idon’tknowthatIamcompletelyinInspectorSlack’sconfidence.AsfarasIknow,hedoesnotsuspectanyoneinparticular.Heisatpresentengagedinmakinginquiries.”
“Yes.Yes—ofcourse.Butwhocanoneimaginedoingsuchadreadfulthing?”
Ishookmyhead.
“ColonelProtheroewasnotapopularman,Iknowthat.Butmurder!Formurder—onewouldneedaverystrongmotive.”
“SoIshouldimagine,”Isaid.
“Whocouldhavesuchamotive?Havethepoliceanyidea?”
“Icouldn’tsay.”
“Hemighthavemadeenemies,youknow.ThemoreIthinkaboutit,themoreIamconvincedthathewasthekindofmantohaveenemies.HehadareputationontheBenchforbeingverysevere.”
“Isupposehehad.”
“Why,don’tyouremember,sir?HewastellingyouyesterdaymorningabouthavingbeenthreatenedbythatmanArcher.”
“NowIcometothinkofit,sohedid,”Isaid.“Ofcourse,Iremember.Youwerequitenearusatthetime.”
“Yes,Ioverheardwhathewassaying.AlmostimpossibletohelpitwithColonelProtheroe.Hehadsuchaveryloudvoice,hadn’the?Irememberbeingimpressedbyyourownwords.Thatwhenhistimecame,hemighthavejusticemetedouttohiminsteadofmercy.”
“DidIsaythat?”Iasked,frowning.Myremembranceofmyownwordswasslightlydifferent.
“Yousaiditveryimpressively,sir.Iwasstruckbyyourwords.Justiceisaterriblething.Andtothinkthepoormanwasstruckdownshortlyafterwards.It’salmostasthoughyouhadapremonition.”
“Ihadnothingofthesort,”Isaidshortly.IratherdislikeHawes’stendencytomysticism.Thereisatouchofthevisionaryabouthim.
“HaveyoutoldthepoliceaboutthismanArcher,sir?”
“Iknownothingabouthim.”
“Imean,haveyourepeatedtothemwhatColonelProtheroesaid—aboutArcherhavingthreatenedhim?”
“No,”Isaidslowly.“Ihavenot.”
“Butyouaregoingtodoso?”
Iwassilent.Idislikehoundingamandownwhohasalreadygottheforcesoflawandorderagainsthim.IheldnobriefforArcher.Heisaninveteratepoacher—oneofthosecheerfulne’er-do-weelsthataretobefoundinanyparish.WhateverhemayhavesaidintheheatofangerwhenhewassentencedIhadnodefiniteknowledgethathefeltthesamewhenhecameoutofprison.
“Youheardtheconversation,”Isaidatlast.“Ifyoufeelityourdutytogotothepolicewithit,youmustdoso.”
“Itwouldcomebetterfromyou,sir.”
“Perhaps—buttotellthetruth—well,I’venofancyfordoingit.Imightbehelpingtoputtheroperoundtheneckofaninnocentman.”
“ButifheshotColonelProtheroe—”
“Oh,if!There’snoevidenceofanykindthathedid.”
“Histhreats.”
“Strictlyspeaking,thethreatswerenothis,butColonelProtheroe’s.ColonelProtheroewasthreateningtoshowArcherwhatvengeancewasworthnexttimehecaughthim.”
“Idon’tunderstandyourattitude,sir.”
“Don’tyou,”Isaidwearily.“You’reayoungman.You’rezealousinthecauseofright.Whenyougettomyage,you’llfindthatyouliketogivepeoplethebenefitofthedoubt.”
“It’snot—Imean—”
Hepaused,andIlookedathiminsurprise.
“Youhaven’tany—anyideaofyourown—astotheidentityofthemurderer,Imean?”
“Goodheavens,no.”
Hawespersisted.“Orastothe—motive?”
“No.Haveyou?”
“I?No,indeed.Ijustwondered.IfColonelProtheroehad—hadconfidedinyouinanyway—mentionedanything….”
“Hisconfidences,suchastheywere,wereheardbythewholevillagestreetyesterdaymorning,”Isaiddryly.
“Yes.Yes,ofcourse.Andyoudon’tthink—aboutArcher?”
“ThepolicewillknowallaboutArchersoonenough,”Isaid.“IfI’dheardhimthreatenColonelProtheroemyself,thatwouldbeadifferentmatter.Butyoumaybesurethatifheactuallyhasthreatenedhim,halfthepeopleinthevillagewillhaveheardhim,andthenewswillgettothepoliceallright.You,ofcourse,mustdoasyoulikeaboutthematter.”
ButHawesseemedcuriouslyunwillingtodoanythinghimself.
Theman’swholeattitudewasnervousandqueer.IrecalledwhatHaydockhadsaidabouthisillness.There,Isupposed,laytheexplanation.
Hetookhisleaveunwillingly,asthoughhehadmoretosay,anddidn’tknowhowtosayit.
Beforeheleft,IarrangedwithhimtotaketheservicefortheMothers’Union,followedbythemeetingofDistrictVisitors.Ihadseveralprojectsofmyownfortheafternoon.
DismissingHawesandhistroublesfrommymindIstartedoffforMrs.Lestrange.
OnthetableinthehalllaytheGuardianandtheChurchTimesunopened.
AsIwalked,IrememberedthatMrs.LestrangehadhadaninterviewwithColonelProtheroethenightbeforehisdeath.Itwaspossiblethatsomethinghadtranspiredinthatinterviewwhichwouldthrowlightupontheproblemofhismurder.
Iwasshownstraightintothelittledrawingroom,andMrs.Lestrangerosetomeetme.Iwasstruckanewbythemarvellousatmospherethatthiswomancouldcreate.Sheworeadressofsomedeadblackmaterialthatshowedofftheextraordinaryfairnessofherskin.Therewassomethingcuriouslydeadaboutherface.Onlytheeyeswereburninglyalive.Therewasawatchfullookinthemtoday.Otherwisesheshowednosignsofanimation.
“Itwasverygoodofyoutocome,Mr.Clement,”shesaid,assheshookhands.“Iwantedtospeaktoyoutheotherday.ThenIdecidednottodoso.Iwaswrong.”
“AsItoldyouthen,Ishallbegladtodoanythingthatcanhelpyou.”
“Yes,yousaidthat.Andyousaiditasthoughyoumeantit.Veryfewpeople,Mr.Clement,inthisworldhaveeversincerelywishedtohelpme.”
“Icanhardlybelievethat,Mrs.Lestrange.”
“Itistrue.Mostpeople—mostmen,atanyrate,areoutfortheirownhand.”Therewasabitternessinhervoice.
Ididnotanswer,andshewenton:
“Sitdown,won’tyou?”
Iobeyed,andshetookachairfacingme.Shehesitatedamomentandthenbegantospeakveryslowlyandthoughtfully,seemingtoweigheachwordassheutteredit.
“Iaminaverypeculiarposition,Mr.Clement,andIwanttoaskyouradvice.Thatis,IwanttoaskyouradviceastowhatIshoulddonext.Whatispastispastandcannotbeundone.Youunderstand?”
BeforeIcouldreply,themaidwhohadadmittedmeopenedthedoorandsaidwithascaredface:
“Oh!Please,ma’am,thereisapoliceinspectorhere,andhesayshemustspeaktoyou,please.”
Therewasapause.Mrs.Lestrange’sfacedidnotchange.Onlyhereyesveryslowlyclosedandopenedagain.Sheseemedtoswallowonceortwice,thenshesaidinexactlythesameclear,calmvoice:“Showhimin,Hilda.”
Iwasabouttorise,butshemotionedmebackagainwithanimperioushand.
“Ifyoudonotmind—Ishouldbemuchobligedifyouwouldstay.”
Iresumedmyseat.
“Certainly,ifyouwishit,”Imurmured,asSlackenteredwithabriskregulationtread.
“Goodafternoon,madam,”hebegan.
“Goodafternoon,Inspector.”
Atthismoment,hecaughtsightofmeandscowled.Thereisnodoubtaboutit,Slackdoesnotlikeme.
“YouhavenoobjectiontotheVicar’spresence,Ihope?”
IsupposethatSlackcouldnotverywellsayhehad.
“No-o,”hesaidgrudgingly.“Though,perhaps,itmightbebetter—”
Mrs.Lestrangepaidnoattentiontothehint.
“WhatcanIdoforyou,Inspector?”sheasked.
“It’sthisway,madam.MurderofColonelProtheroe.I’minchargeofthecaseandmakinginquiries.”
Mrs.Lestrangenodded.
“Justasamatterofform,I’maskingeveryonejustwheretheywereyesterdayeveningbetweenthehoursof6and7p.m.Justasamatterofform,youunderstand.”
“YouwanttoknowwhereIwasyesterdayeveningbetweensixandseven?”
“Ifyouplease,madam.”
“Letmesee.”Shereflectedamoment.“Iwashere.Inthishouse.”
“Oh!”IsawtheInspector’seyesflash.“Andyourmaid—youhaveonlyonemaid,Ithink—canconfirmthatstatement?”
“No,itwasHilda’safternoonout.”
“Isee.”
“So,unfortunately,youwillhavetotakemywordforit,”saidMrs.Lestrangepleasantly.
“Youseriouslydeclarethatyouwereathomealltheafternoon?”
“Yousaidbetweensixandseven,Inspector.Iwasoutforawalkearlyintheafternoon.Ireturnedsometimebeforefiveo’clock.”
“Thenifalady—MissHartnell,forinstance—weretodeclarethatshecamehereaboutsixo’clock,rangthebell,butcouldmakenoonehearandwascompelledtogoawayagain—you’dsayshewasmistaken,eh?”
“Oh,no,”Mrs.Lestrangeshookherhead.
“But—”
“Ifyourmaidisin,shecansaynotathome.Ifoneisaloneanddoesnothappentowanttoseecallers—well,theonlythingtodoistoletthemring.”
InspectorSlacklookedslightlybaffled
“Elderlywomenboremedreadfully,”saidMrs.Lestrange.“AndMissHartnellisparticularlyboring.Shemusthaverungatleasthalfadozentimesbeforeshewentaway.”
ShesmiledsweetlyatInspectorSlack.
TheInspectorshiftedhisground.
“Thenifanyoneweretosaythey’dseenyououtandaboutthen—”
“Oh!buttheydidn’t,didthey?”Shewasquicktosensehisweakpoint.“Noonesawmeout,becauseIwasin,yousee.”
“Quiteso,madam.”
TheInspectorhitchedhischairalittlenearer.
“NowIunderstand,Mrs.Lestrange,thatyoupaidavisittoColonelProtheroeatOldHallthenightbeforehisdeath.”
Mrs.Lestrangesaidcalmly:“Thatisso.”
“Canyouindicatetomethenatureofthatinterview?”
“Itconcernedaprivatematter,Inspector.”
“I’mafraidImustaskyoutellmethenatureofthatprivatematter.”
“Ishallnottellyouanythingofthekind.Iwillonlyassureyouthatnothingwhichwassaidatthatinterviewcouldpossiblyhaveanybearinguponthecrime.”
“Idon’tthinkyouarethebestjudgeofthat.”
“Atanyrate,youwillhavetotakemywordforit,Inspector.”
“Infact,Ihavetotakeyourwordabouteverything.”
“Itdoesseemratherlikeit,”sheagreed,stillwiththesamesmilingcalm.
InspectorSlackgrewveryred.
“Thisisaseriousmatter,Mrs.Lestrange.Iwantthetruth—”Hebangedhisfistdownonatable.“AndImeantogetit.”
Mrs.Lestrangesaidnothingatall.
“Don’tyousee,madam,thatyou’reputtingyourselfinaveryfishyposition?”
StillMrs.Lestrangesaidnothing.
“You’llberequiredtogiveevidenceattheinquest.”
“Yes.”
Justthemonosyllable.Unemphatic,uninterested.TheInspectoralteredhistactics.
“YouwereacquaintedwithColonelProtheroe?”
“Yes,Iwasacquaintedwithhim.”
“Wellacquainted?”
Therewasapausebeforeshesaid:
“Ihadnotseenhimforseveralyears.”
“YouwereacquaintedwithMrs.Protheroe?”
“No.”
“You’llexcuseme,butitwasaveryunusualtimetomakeacall.”
“Notfrommypointofview.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat?”
“IwantedtoseeColonelProtheroealone.IdidnotwanttoseeMrs.ProtheroeorMissProtheroe.Iconsideredthisthebestwayofaccomplishingmyobject.”
“Whydidn’tyouwanttoseeMrs.orMissProtheroe?”
“That,Inspector,ismybusiness.”
“Thenyourefusetosaymore?”
“Absolutely.”
InspectorSlackrose.
“You’llbeputtingyourselfinanastyposition,madam,ifyou’renotcareful.Allthislooksbad—itlooksverybad.”
Shelaughed.IcouldhavetoldInspectorSlackthatthiswasnotthekindofwomanwhoiseasilyfrightened.
“Well,”hesaid,extricatinghimselfwithdignity,“don’tsayIhaven’twarnedyou,that’sall.Goodafternoon,madam,andmindyouwe’regoingtogetatthetruth.”
Hedeparted.Mrs.Lestrangeroseandheldoutherhand.
“Iamgoingtosendyouaway—yes,itisbetterso.Yousee,itistoolateforadvicenow.Ihavechosenmypart.”
Sherepeatedinaratherforlornvoice:
“Ihavechosenmypart.”
Sixteen
AsIwentoutIranintoHaydockonthedoorstep.HeglancedsharplyafterSlack,whowasjustpassingthroughthegate,anddemanded:“Hashebeenquestioningher?”
“Yes.”
“He’sbeencivil,Ihope?”
Civility,tomymind,isanartwhichInspectorSlackhasneverlearnt,butIpresumedthataccordingtohisownlights,civilhehadbeen,andanyway,Ididn’twanttoupsetHaydockanyfurther.Hewaslookingworriedandupsetasitwas.SoIsaidhehadbeenquitecivil.
Haydocknoddedandpassedonintothehouse,andIwentondownthevillagestreet,whereIsooncaughtuptotheinspector.Ifancythathewaswalkingslowlyonpurpose.Muchashedislikesme,heisnotthemantoletdislikestandinthewayofacquiringanyusefulinformation.
“Doyouknowanythingaboutthelady?”heaskedmepointblank.
IsaidIknewnothingwhatever.
“She’sneversaidanythingaboutwhyshecameheretolive?”
“No.”
“Yetyougoandseeher?”
“Itisoneofmydutiestocallonmyparishioners,”Ireplied,evadingtoremarkthatIhadbeensentfor.
“H’m,Isupposeitis.”Hewassilentforaminuteortwoandthen,unabletoresistdiscussinghisrecentfailure,hewenton:“Fishybusiness,itlookstome.”
“Youthinkso?”
“Ifyouaskme,Isay‘blackmail.’Seemsfunny,whenyouthinkofwhatColonelProtheroewasalwayssupposedtobe.Butthere,younevercantell.Hewouldn’tbethefirstchurchwardenwho’dledadoublelife.”
FaintremembrancesofMissMarple’sremarksonthesamesubjectfloatedthroughmymind.
“Youreallythinkthat’slikely?”
“Well,itfitsthefacts,sir.Whydidasmart,well-dressedladycomedowntothisquietlittlehole?Whydidshegoandseehimatthatfunnytimeofday?WhydidsheavoidseeingMrs.andMissProtheroe?Yes,itallhangstogether.Awkwardforhertoadmit—blackmail’sapunishableoffence.Butwe’llgetthetruthoutofher.Forallweknowitmayhaveaveryimportantbearingonthecase.IfColonelProtheroehadsomeguiltysecretinhislife—somethingdisgraceful—well,youcanseeforyourselfwhatafielditopensup.”
Isupposeitdid.
“I’vebeentryingtogetthebutlertotalk.HemighthaveoverheardsomeoftheconversationbetweenColonelProtheroeandLestrange.Butlersdosometimes.Butheswearshehasn’ttheleastideaofwhattheconversationwasabout.Bytheway,hegotthesackthroughit.TheColonelwentforhim,beingangryathishavingletherin.Thebutlerretortedbygivingnotice.Sayshedidn’tliketheplaceanywayandhadbeenthinkingofleavingforsometime.”
“Really.”
“SothatgivesusanotherpersonwhohadagrudgeagainsttheColonel.”
“Youdon’tseriouslysuspecttheman—what’shisname,bytheway?”
“Hisname’sReeves,andIdon’tsayIdosuspecthim.WhatIsayis,youneverknow.Idon’tlikethatsoapy,oilymannerofhis.”
IwonderwhatReeveswouldsayofInspectorSlack’smanner.
“I’mgoingtoquestionthechauffeurnow.”
“Perhaps,then,”Isaid,“you’llgivemealiftinyourcar.IwantashortinterviewwithMrs.Protheroe.”
“Whatabout?”
“Thefuneralarrangements.”
“Oh!”InspectorSlackwasslightlytakenaback.“Theinquest’stomorrow,Saturday.”
“Justso.ThefuneralwillprobablybearrangedforTuesday.”
InspectorSlackseemedtobealittleashamedofhimselfforhisbrusqueness.Heheldoutanolivebranchintheshapeofaninvitationtobepresentattheinterviewwiththechauffeur,Manning.
Manningwasanicelad,notmorethantwenty-fiveor-sixyearsofage.HewasinclinedtobeawedbytheInspector.
“Now,then,mylad,”saidSlack,“Iwantalittleinformationfromyou.”
“Yes,sir,”stammeredthechauffeur.“Certainly,sir.”
Ifhehadcommittedthemurderhimselfhecouldnothavebeenmorealarmed.
“Youtookyourmastertothevillageyesterday?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whattimewasthat?”
“Fivethirty.”
“Mrs.Protheroewenttoo?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Youwentstraighttothevillage?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Youdidn’tstopanywhereontheway?”
“No,sir.”
“Whatdidyoudowhenyougotthere?”
“TheColonelgotoutandtoldmehewouldn’twantthecaragain.He’dwalkhome.Mrs.Protheroehadsomeshoppingtodo.Theparcelswereputinthecar.Thenshesaidthatwasall,andIdrovehome.”
“Leavingherinthevillage?”
“Yes,sir.”
“Whattimewasthat?”
“Aquarterpastsix,sir.Aquarterpastexactly.”
“Wheredidyouleaveher?”
“Bythechurch,sir.”
“HadtheColonelmentionedatallwherehewasgoing?”
“Hesaidsomethingabouthavingtoseethevet…somethingtodowithoneofthehorses.”
“Isee.Andyoudrovestraightbackhere?”
“Yes,sir.”
“TherearetwoentrancestoOldHall,bytheSouthLodgeandbytheNorthLodge.ItakeitthatgoingtothevillageyouwouldgobytheSouthLodge?”
“Yes,sir,always.”
“Andyoucamebackthesameway?”
“Yes,sir.”
“H’m.Ithinkthat’sall.Ah!Here’sMissProtheroe.”
Letticedriftedtowardsus.
“IwanttheFiat,Manning,”shesaid.“Startherforme,willyou?”
“Verygood,miss.”
Hewenttowardsatwo-seaterandliftedthebonnet.
“Justaminute,MissProtheroe,”saidSlack.“It’snecessarythatIshouldhavearecordofeverybody’smovementsyesterdayafternoon.Nooffencemeant.”
Letticestaredathim.
“Ineverknowthetimeofanything,”shesaid.
“Iunderstandyouwentoutsoonafterlunchyesterday?”
Shenodded.
“Whereto,please?”
“Toplaytennis.”
“Whowith?”
“TheHartleyNapiers.”
“AtMuchBenham?”
“Yes.”
“Andyoureturned?”
“Idon’tknow.ItellyouIneverknowthesethings.”
“Youreturned,”Isaid,“aboutseventhirty.”
“That’sright,”saidLettice.“Inthemiddleoftheshemozzle.AnnehavingfitsandGriseldasupportingher.”
“Thankyou,miss,”saidtheInspector.“That’sallIwanttoknow.”
“Howqueer,”saidLettice.“Itseemssouninteresting.”
ShemovedtowardstheFiat.
TheInspectortouchedhisforeheadinasurreptitiousmanner.
“Abitwanting?”hesuggested.
“Notintheleast,”Isaid.“Butshelikestobethoughtso.”
“Well,I’mofftoquestionthemaidsnow.”
OnecannotreallylikeSlack,butonecanadmirehisenergy.
WepartedcompanyandIinquiredofReevesifIcouldseeMrs.Protheroe.“Sheislyingdown,sir,atthemoment.”
“ThenI’dbetternotdisturbher.”
“Perhapsifyouwouldwait,sir,IknowthatMrs.Protheroeisanxioustoseeyou.Shewassayingasmuchatluncheon.”
Heshowedmeintothedrawingroom,switchingontheelectriclightssincetheblindsweredown.
“Averysadbusinessallthis,”Isaid.
“Yes,sir.”Hisvoicewascoldandrespectful.
Ilookedathim.Whatfeelingswereatworkunderthatimpassivedemeanour.Weretherethingsthatheknewandcouldhavetoldus?Thereisnothingsoinhumanasthemaskofthegoodservant.
“Isthereanythingmore,sir?”
Wastherejustahintofanxietytobegonebehindthatcorrectexpression?
“There’snothingmore,”Isaid.
IhadaveryshorttimetowaitbeforeAnneProtheroecametome.Wediscussedandsettledafewarrangementsandthen:
“WhatawonderfullykindmanDr.Haydockis!”sheexclaimed.
“HaydockisthebestfellowIknow.”
“Hehasbeenamazinglykindtome.Buthelooksverysad,doesn’the?”
IthadneveroccurredtometothinkofHaydockassad.Iturnedtheideaoverinmymind.
“Idon’tthinkI’veevernoticedit,”Isaidatlast.
“Ineverhave,untiltoday.”
“One’sowntroublessharpenone’seyessometimes,”Isaid.
“That’sverytrue.”Shepausedandthensaid:
“Mr.Clement,there’sonethingIabsolutelycannotmakeout.IfmyhusbandwereshotimmediatelyafterIlefthim,howwasitthatIdidn’theartheshot?”
“Theyhavereasontobelievethattheshotwasfiredlater.”
“Butthe6:20onthenote?”
“Waspossiblyaddedbyadifferenthand—themurderer’s.”
Hercheekpaled.
“Itdidn’tstrikeyouthatthedatewasnotinhishandwriting?”
“Howhorrible!”
“Noneofitlookedlikehishandwriting.”
Therewassometruthinthisobservation.Itwasasomewhatillegiblescrawl,notsopreciseasProtheroe’swritingusuallywas.
“Youaresuretheydon’tstillsuspectLawrence?”
“Ithinkheisdefinitelycleared.”
“But,Mr.Clement,whocanitbe?Luciuswasnotpopular,Iknow,butIdon’tthinkhehadanyrealenemies.Not—notthatkindofenemy.”
Ishookmyhead.“It’samystery.”
IthoughtwonderinglyofMissMarple’ssevensuspects.Whocouldtheybe?
AfterItookleaveofAnne,Iproceededtoputacertainplanofmineintoaction.
IreturnedfromOldHallbywayoftheprivatepath.WhenIreachedthestile,Iretracedmysteps,andchoosingaplacewhereIfanciedtheundergrowthshowedsignsofbeingdisturbed,Iturnedasidefromthepathandforcedmywaythroughthebushes.Thewoodwasathickone,withagooddealoftangledundergrowth.Myprogresswasnotveryfast,andIsuddenlybecameawarethatsomeoneelsewasmovingamongstthebushesnotveryfarfromme.AsIpausedirresolutely,LawrenceReddingcameintosight.Hewascarryingalargestone.
IsupposeImusthavelookedsurprised,forhesuddenlyburstoutlaughing.
“No,”hesaid,“it’snotaclue,it’sapeaceoffering.”
“Apeaceoffering?”
“Well,abasisfornegotiations,shallwesay?Iwantanexcuseforcallingonyourneighbour,MissMarple,andIhavebeentoldthereisnothingshelikessomuchasanicebitofrockorstonefortheJapanesegardensshemakes.”
“Quitetrue,”Isaid.“Butwhatdoyouwantwiththeoldlady?”
“Justthis.IftherewasanythingtobeseenyesterdayeveningMissMarplesawit.Idon’tmeananythingnecessarilyconnectedwiththecrime—thatshewouldthinkconnectedwiththecrime.Imeansomeoutréorbizarreincident,somesimplelittlehappeningthatmightgiveusacluetothetruth.Somethingthatshewouldn’tthinkworthwhilementioningtothepolice.”
“It’spossible,Isuppose.”
“It’sworthtryinganyhow.Clement,I’mgoingtogettothebottomofthisbusiness.ForAnne’ssake,ifnobody’selse.AndIhaven’tanytoomuchconfidenceinSlack—he’sazealousfellow,butzealcan’treallytaketheplaceofbrains.”
“Isee,”Isaid,“thatyouarethatfavouritecharacteroffiction,theamateurdetective.Idon’tknowthattheyreallyholdtheirownwiththeprofessionalinreallife.”
Helookedatmeshrewdlyandsuddenlylaughed.
“Whatareyoudoinginthewood,padre?”
Ihadthegracetoblush.
“JustthesameasIamdoing,Idareswear.We’vegotthesameidea,haven’twe?Howdidthemurderercometothestudy?Firstway,alongthelaneandthroughthegate,secondway,bythefrontdoor,thirdway—isthereathirdway?MyideawastoseeiftherewasanysignofthebushesbeingdisturbedorbrokenanywherenearthewalloftheVicaragegarden.”
“Thatwasjustmyidea,”Iadmitted.
“Ihadn’treallygotdowntothejob,though,”continuedLawrence.“BecauseitoccurredtomethatI’dliketoseeMissMarplefirst,tomakequitesurethatnoonedidpassalongthelaneyesterdayeveningwhilstwewereinthestudio.”
Ishookmyhead.
“Shewasquitepositivethatnobodydid.”
“Yes,nobodywhomshewouldcallanybody—soundsmad,butyouseewhatImean.Buttheremighthavebeensomeonelikeapostmanoramilkmanorabutcher’sboy—someonewhosepresencewouldbesonaturalthatyouwouldn’tthinkofmentioningit.”
“You’vebeenreadingG.K.Chesterton,”Isaid,andLawrencedidnotdenyit.
“Butdon’tyouthinkthere’sjustpossiblysomethingintheidea?”
“Well,Isupposetheremightbe,”Iadmitted.
Withoutfurtherado,wemadeourwaytoMissMarple’s.Shewasworkinginthegarden,andcalledouttousasweclimbedoverthestile.
“Yousee,”murmuredLawrence,“sheseeseverybody.”
ShereceivedusverygraciouslyandwasmuchpleasedwithLawrence’simmenserock,whichhepresentedwithallduesolemnity.
“It’sverythoughtfulofyou,Mr.Redding.Verythoughtfulindeed.”
Emboldenedbythis,Lawrenceembarkedonhisquestions.MissMarplelistenedattentively.
“Yes,Iseewhatyoumean,andIquiteagree,itisthesortofthingnoonementionsorbotherstomention.ButIcanassureyouthattherewasnothingofthekind.Nothingwhatever.”
“Youaresure,MissMarple?”
“Quitesure.”
“Didyouseeanyonegobythepathintothewoodthatafternoon?”Iasked.“Orcomefromit?”
“Oh,yes,quiteanumberofpeople.Dr.StoneandMissCramwentthatway—it’sthenearestwaytothebarrowforthem.Thatwasalittleaftertwoo’clock.AndDr.Stonereturnedthatway—asyouknow,Mr.Redding,sincehejoinedyouandMrs.Protheroe.”
“Bytheway,”Isaid.“Thatshot—theoneyouheard,MissMarple.Mr.ReddingandMrs.Protheroemusthaveheardittoo.”
IlookedinquiringlyatLawrence.
“Yes,”hesaid,frowning.“IbelieveIdidhearsomeshots.Weren’tthereoneortwoshots?”
“Ionlyheardone,”saidMissMarple.
“It’sonlythevaguestimpressioninmymind,”saidLawrence.“Curseitall,IwishIcouldremember.IfonlyI’dknown.Yousee,Iwassocompletelytakenupwith—with—”
Hepaused,embarrassed.
Igaveatactfulcough.MissMarple,withatouchofprudishness,changedthesubject.
“InspectorSlackhasbeentryingtogetmetosaywhetherIheardtheshotafterMr.ReddingandMrs.Protheroehadleftthestudioorbefore.I’vehadtoconfessthatIreallycouldnotsaydefinitely,butIhavetheimpression—whichisgrowingstrongerthemoreIthinkaboutit—thatitwasafter.”
“ThenthatletsthecelebratedDr.Stoneoutanyway,”saidLawrence,withasigh.“NotthattherehaseverbeentheslightestreasonwhyheshouldbesuspectedofshootingpooroldProtheroe.”
“Ah!”saidMissMarple.“ButIalwaysfinditprudenttosuspecteverybodyjustalittle.WhatIsayis,youreallyneverknow,doyou?”
ThiswastypicalofMissMarple.IaskedLawrenceifheagreedwithherabouttheshot.
“Ireallycan’tsay.Yousee,itwassuchanordinarysound.Ishouldbeinclinedtothinkithadbeenfiredwhenwewereinthestudio.Thesoundwouldhavebeendeadenedand—onewouldhavenoticeditlessthere.”
Forotherreasonsthanthesoundbeingdeadened,Ithoughttomyself.
“ImustaskAnne,”saidLawrence.“Shemayremember.Bytheway,thereseemstometobeonecuriousfactthatneedsexplanation.Mrs.Lestrange,theMysteryLadyofSt.MaryMead,paidavisittooldProtheroeafterdinneronWednesdaynight.Andnobodyseemstohaveanyideawhatitwasallabout.OldProtheroesaidnothingtoeitherhiswifeorLettice.”
“PerhapstheVicarknows,”saidMissMarple.
NowhowdidthewomanknowthatIhadbeentovisitMrs.Lestrangethatafternoon?Thewayshealwaysknowsthingsisuncanny.
IshookmyheadandsaidIcouldthrownolightuponthematter.
“WhatdoesInspectorSlackthink?”askedMissMarple.
“He’sdonehisbesttobullythebutler—butapparentlythebutlerwasn’tcuriousenoughtolistenatthedoor.Sothereitis—nooneknows.”
“Iexpectsomeoneoverheardsomething,though,don’tyou?”saidMissMarple.“Imean,somebodyalwaysdoes.IthinkthatiswhereMr.Reddingmayfindoutsomething.”
“ButMrs.Protheroeknowsnothing.”
“Ididn’tmeanAnneProtheroe,”saidMissMarple.“Imeantthewomenservants.Theydosohatetellinganythingtothepolice.Butanicelookingyoungman—you’llexcuseme,Mr.Redding—andonewhohasbeenunjustlysuspected—oh!I’msurethey’dtellhimatonce.”
“I’llgoandhaveatrythisevening,”saidLawrencewithvigour.“Thanksforthehint,MissMarple.I’llgoafter—well,afteralittlejobtheVicarandIaregoingtodo.”
Itoccurredtomethatwehadbetterbegettingonwithit.Isaidgood-byetoMissMarpleandweenteredthewoodsoncemore.
Firstwewentupthepathtillwecametoanewspotwhereitcertainlylookedasthoughsomeonehadleftthepathontheright-handside.Lawrenceexplainedthathehadalreadyfollowedthisparticulartrailandfounditlednowhere,butheaddedthatwemightaswelltryagain.Hemighthavebeenwrong.
Itwas,however,ashehadsaid.Afterabouttenortwelveyardsanysignofbrokenandtrampledleavespeteredout.ItwasfromthisspotthatLawrencehadbrokenbacktowardsthepathtomeetmeearlierintheafternoon
Weemergedonthepathagainandwalkedalittlefartheralongit.Againwecametoaplacewherethebushesseemeddisturbed.Thesignswereveryslightbut,Ithought,unmistakable.Thistimethetrailwasmorepromising.Byadeviouscourse,itwoundsteadilynearertotheVicarage.Presentlywearrivedatwherethebushesgrewthicklyuptothewall.Thewallisahighoneandornamentedwithfragmentsofbrokenbottlesonthetop.Ifanyonehadplacedaladderagainstit,weoughttofindtracesoftheirpassage.
Wewereworkingourwayslowlyalongthewallwhenasoundcametoourearsofabreakingtwig.Ipressedforward,forcingmywaythroughathicktangleofshrubs—andcamefacetofacewithInspectorSlack.
“Soit’syou,”hesaid.“AndMr.Redding.Nowwhatdoyouthinkyoutwogentlemenaredoing?”
Slightlycrestfallen,weexplained.
“Quiteso,”saidtheInspector.“Notbeingthefoolswe’reusuallythoughttobe,Ihadthesameideamyself.I’vebeenhereoveranhour.Wouldyouliketoknowsomething?”
“Yes,”Isaidmeekly.
“WhoevermurderedColonelProtheroedidn’tcomethiswaytodoit!There’snotasigneitheronthissideofthewall,northeother.WhoevermurderedColonelProtheroecamethroughthefrontdoor.There’snootherwayhecouldhavecome.”
“Impossible,”Icried.
“Whyimpossible?Yourdoorstandsopen.Anyone’sonlygottowalkin.Theycan’tbeseenfromthekitchen.Theyknowyou’resafelyoutoftheway,theyknowMrs.ClementisinLondon,theyknowMr.Dennisisatatennisparty.SimpleasABC.Andtheydon’tneedtogoorcomethroughthevillage.JustoppositetheVicaragegateisapublicfootpath,andfromityoucanturnintothesesamewoodsandcomeoutwhicheverwayyouchoose.UnlessMrs.PriceRidleyweretocomeoutofherfrontgateatthatparticularminute,it’sallclearsailing.Agreatdealmoresothanclimbingoverwalls.ThesidewindowsoftheupperstoryofMrs.PriceRidley’shousedooverlookmostofthatwall.No,dependuponit,that’sthewayhecame.”
Itreallyseemedasthoughhemustberight.
Seventeen
InspectorSlackcameroundtoseemethefollowingmorning.Heis,Ithink,thawingtowardsme.Intime,hemayforgettheincidentoftheclock.
“Well,sir,”hegreetedme.“I’vetracedthattelephonecallthatyoureceived.”
“Indeed?”Isaideagerly.
“It’sratherodd.ItwasputthroughfromtheNorthLodgeofOldHall.Nowthatlodgeisempty,thelodgekeepershavebeenpensionedoffandthenewlodgekeepersaren’tinyet.Theplacewasemptyandconvenient—awindowatthebackwasopen.Nofingerprintsontheinstrumentitself—ithadbeenwipedclear.That’ssuggestive.”
“Howdoyoumean?”
“Imeanthatitshowsthatcallwasputthroughdeliberatelytogetyououtoftheway.Thereforethemurderwascarefullyplannedinadvance.Ifithadbeenjustaharmlesspracticaljoke,thefingerprintswouldn’thavebeenwipedoffsocarefully.”
“No.Iseethat.”
“ItalsoshowsthatthemurdererwaswellacquaintedwithOldHallanditssurroundings.Itwasn’tMrs.Protheroewhoputthatcallthrough.I’veaccountedforeverymomentofhertimethatafternoon.Therearehalfadozenotherservantswhocanswearthatshewasathometillfivethirty.ThenthecarcameroundanddroveColonelProtheroeandhertothevillage.TheColonelwenttoseeQuinton,thevet,aboutoneofthehorses.Mrs.Protheroedidsomeorderingatthegrocersandatthefishshop,andfromtherecamestraightdownthebacklanewhereMissMarplesawher.Alltheshopsagreeshecarriednohandbagwithher.Theoldladywasright.”
“Sheusuallyis,”Isaidmildly.
“AndMissProtheroewasoveratMuchBenhamat5:30.”
“Quiteso,”Isaid.“Mynephewwastheretoo.”
“Thatdisposesofher.Themaidseemsallright—abithystericalandupset,butwhatcanyouexpect?Ofcourse,I’vegotmyeyeonthebutler—whatwithgivingnoticeandall.ButIdon’tthinkheknowsanythingaboutit.”
“Yourinquiriesseemtohavehadratheranegativeresult,Inspector.”
“Theydoandtheydonot,sir.There’soneveryqueerthinghasturnedup—quiteunexpectedly,Imaysay.”
“Yes?”
“YourememberthefussthatMrs.PriceRidley,wholivesnextdoortoyou,waskickingupyesterdaymorning?Aboutbeingrunguponthetelephone?”
“Yes?”Isaid.
“Well,wetracedthecalljusttocalmher—andwhereonthisearthdoyouthinkitwasputthroughfrom?”
“Acalloffice?”Ihazarded.
“No,Mr.Clement.ThatcallwasputthroughfromMr.LawrenceRedding’scottage.”
“What?”Iexclaimed,surprised.
“Yes.Abitodd,isn’tit?Mr.Reddinghadnothingtodowithit.Atthattime,6:30,hewasonhiswaytotheBlueBoarwithDr.Stoneinfullviewofthevillage.Butthereitis.Suggestive,eh?Someonewalkedintothatemptycottageandusedthetelephone,whowasit?That’stwoqueertelephonecallsinoneday.Makesyouthinkthere’ssomeconnectionbetweenthem.I’lleatmyhatiftheyweren’tbothputthroughbythesameperson.”
“Butwithwhatobject?”
“Well,that’swhatwe’vegottofindout.Thereseemsnoparticularpointinthesecondone,buttheremustbeapointsomewhere.Andyouseethesignificance?Mr.Redding’shouseusedtotelephonefrom.Mr.Redding’spistol.AllthrowingsuspiciononMr.Redding.”
“Itwouldbemoretothepointtohaveputthroughthefirstcallfromhishouse,”Iobjected.
“Ah,butI’vebeenthinkingthatout.WhatdidMr.Reddingdomostafternoons?HewentuptoOldHallandpaintedMissProtheroe.Andfromhiscottagehe’dgoonhismotorbicycle,passingthroughtheNorthGate.Nowyouseethepointofthecallbeingputthroughfromthere.Themurdererissomeonewhodidn’tknowaboutthequarrelandthatMr.Reddingwasn’tgoinguptoOldHallanymore”
IreflectedamomenttolettheInspector’spointssinkintomybrain.Theyseemedtomelogicalandunavoidable.
“WerethereanyfingerprintsonthereceiverinMr.Redding’scottage?”Iasked.
“Therewerenot,”saidtheInspectorbitterly.“Thatdrattedoldwomanwhogoesanddoesforhimhadbeenanddustedthemoffyesterdaymorning.”Hereflectedwrathfullyforafewminutes.“She’sastupidoldfool,anyway.Can’trememberwhenshesawthepistollast.Itmighthavebeenthereonthemorningofthecrime,oritmightnot.‘Shecouldn’tsay,she’ssure.’They’reallalike!
“Justasamatterofform,IwentroundandsawDr.Stone,”hewenton.“Imustsayhewaspleasantascouldbeaboutit.HeandMissCramwentuptothatmound—orbarrow—orwhateveryoucallit,abouthalfpasttwoyesterday,andstayedtherealltheafternoon.Dr.Stonecamebackalone,andshecamelater.Hesayshedidn’thearanyshot,butadmitshe’sabsentminded.Butitallbearsoutwhatwethink.”
“Only,”Isaid,“youhaven’tcaughtthemurderer.”
“H’m,”saidtheInspector.“Itwasawoman’svoiceyouheardthroughthetelephone.Itwasinallprobabilityawoman’svoiceMrs.PriceRidleyheard.Ifonlythatshothadn’tcomehardonthecloseofthetelephonecall—well,I’dknowwheretolook.”
“Where?”
“Ah!That’sjustwhatit’sbestnottosay,sir.”
Unblushingly,Isuggestedaglassofoldport.Ihavesomeveryfineoldvintageport.Eleveno’clockinthemorningisnottheusualtimefordrinkingport,butIdidnotthinkthatmatteredwithInspectorSlack.Itwas,ofcourse,cruelabuseofthevintageport,butonemustnotbesqueamishaboutsuchthings.
WhenInspectorSlackhadpolishedoffthesecondglass,hebegantounbendandbecomegenial.Suchistheeffectofthatparticularport.
“Idon’tsupposeitmatterswithyou,sir,”hesaid.“You’llkeepittoyourself?Nolettingitgetroundtheparish.”
Ireassuredhim.
“Seeingasthewholethinghappenedinyourhouse,italmostseemsasthoughyouhavearighttoknow.”
“JustwhatIfeelmyself,”Isaid.
“Well,then,sir,whatabouttheladywhocalledonColonelProtheroethenightbeforethemurder?”
“Mrs.Lestrange,”Icried,speakingratherloudinmyastonishment.
TheInspectorthrewmeareproachfulglance.
“Notsoloud,sir.Mrs.LestrangeistheladyI’vegotmyeyeon.YourememberwhatItoldyou—blackmail.”
“Hardlyareasonformurder.Wouldn’titbeacaseofkillingthegoosethatlaidthegoldeneggs?Thatis,assumingthatyourhypothesisistrue,whichIdon’tforaminuteadmit.”
TheInspectorwinkedatmeinacommonmanner.
“Ah!She’sthekindthegentlemenwillalwaysstandupfor.Nowlookhere,sir.Supposeshe’ssuccessfullyblackmailedtheoldgentlemaninthepast.Afteralapseofyears,shegetswindofhim,comesdownhereandtriesitonagain.But,inthemeantime,thingshavechanged.Thelawhastakenupaverydifferentstand.Everyfacilityisgivennowadaystopeopleprosecutingforblackmail—namesarenotallowedtobereportedinthepress.SupposeColonelProtheroeturnsroundandsayshe’llhavethelawonher.She’sinanastyposition.Theygiveaveryseveresentenceforblackmail.Theboot’sontheotherleg.Theonlythingtodotosaveherselfistoputhimoutgoodandquick.”
Iwassilent.IhadtoadmitthatthecasetheInspectorhadbuiltupwasplausible.Onlyonethingtomymindmadeitinadmissable—thepersonalityofMrs.Lestrange.
“Idon’tagreewithyou,Inspector,”Isaid.“Mrs.Lestrangedoesn’tseemtometobeapotentialblackmailer.She’s—well,it’sanold-fashionedword,butshe’sa—lady.”
Hethrewmeapityingglance.
“Ah!well,sir,”hesaidtolerantly,“you’reaclergyman.Youdon’tknowhalfofwhatgoeson.Ladyindeed!You’dbesurprisedifyouknewsomeofthethingsIknow.”
“I’mnotreferringtomeresocialposition.Anyway,IshouldimagineMrs.Lestrangetobeadéclassée.WhatImeanisaquestionof—personalrefinement.”
“Youdon’tseeherwiththesameeyesasIdo,sir.Imaybeaman—butI’mapoliceofficer,too.Theycan’tgetovermewiththeirpersonalrefinement.Why,thatwomanisthekindwhocouldstickaknifeintoyouwithoutturningahair.”
Curiouslyenough,IcouldbelieveMrs.LestrangeguiltyofmurdermuchmoreeasilythanIcouldbelievehercapableofblackmail.
“But,ofcourse,shecan’thavebeentelephoningtotheoldladynextdoorandshootingColonelProtheroeatoneandthesametime,”continuedtheInspector.
Thewordswerehardlyoutofhismouthwhenheslappedhislegferociously.
“Gotit,”heexclaimed.“That’sthepointofthetelephonecall.Kindofalibi.Knewwe’dconnectitwiththefirstone.I’mgoingtolookintothis.Shemayhavebribedsomevillageladtodothephoningforher.He’dneverthinkofconnectingitwiththemurder.”
TheInspectorhurriedoff.
“MissMarplewantstoseeyou,”saidGriselda,puttingherheadin.“Shesentoveraveryincoherentnote—allspideryandunderlined.Icouldn’treadmostofit.Apparentlyshecan’tleavehomeherself.Hurryupandgoacrossandseeherandfindoutwhatitis.I’vegotmyoldwomencomingintwominutesorI’dcomemyself.Idohateoldwomen—theytellyouabouttheirbadlegsandsometimesinsistonshowingthemtoyou.Whatluckthattheinquestisthisafternoon!Youwon’thavetogoandwatchtheBoys’ClubCricketMatch.”
Ihurriedoff,considerablyexercisedinmymindastothereasonforthissummons.
IfoundMissMarpleinwhat,Ibelieve,isdescribedasafluster.Shewasverypinkandslightlyincoherent.
“Mynephew,”sheexplained.“Mynephew,RaymondWest,theauthor.Heiscomingdowntoday.Suchato-do.Ihavetoseetoeverythingmyself.Youcannottrustamaidtoairabedproperly,andwemust,ofcourse,haveameatmealtonight.Gentlemenrequiresuchalotofmeat,dotheynot?Anddrink.Therecertainlyshouldbesomedrinkinthehouse—andasiphon.”
“IfIcandoanything—”Ibegan.
“Oh!Howverykind.ButIdidnotmeanthat.Thereisplentyoftimereally.Hebringshisownpipeandtobacco,Iamgladtosay.Gladbecauseitsavesmefromknowingwhichkindofcigarettesarerighttobuy.Butrathersorry,too,becauseittakessolongforthesmelltogetoutofthecurtains.Ofcourse,Iopenthewindowandshakethemwellveryearlyeverymorning.Raymondgetsupverylate—Ithinkwritersoftendo.Hewritesverycleverbooks,Ibelieve,thoughpeoplearenotreallynearlysounpleasantashemakesout.Cleveryoungmenknowsolittleoflife,don’tyouthink?”
“WouldyouliketobringhimtodinnerattheVicarage?”Iasked,stillunabletogatherwhyIhadbeensummoned.
“Oh!No,thankyou,”saidMissMarple.“It’sverykindofyou,”sheadded
“Therewas—er—somethingyouwantedtoseemeabout,Ithink,”Isuggesteddesperately.
“Oh!Ofcourse.Inalltheexcitementithadgonerightoutofmyhead.”Shebrokeoffandcalledtohermaid.“Emily—Emily.Notthosesheets.Thefrilledoneswiththemonogram,anddon’tputthemtoonearthefire.”
Sheclosedthedoorandreturnedtomeontiptoe.
“It’sjustratheracuriousthingthathappenedlastnight,”sheexplained.“Ithoughtyouwouldliketohearaboutit,thoughatthemomentitdoesn’tseemtomakesense.Ifeltverywakefullastnight—wonderingaboutallthissadbusiness.AndIgotupandlookedoutofmywindow.AndwhatdoyouthinkIsaw?”
Ilooked,inquiring.
“GladysCram,”saidMissMarple,withgreatemphasis.“AsIlive,goingintothewoodwithasuitcase.”
“Asuitcase?”
“Isn’titextraordinary?Whatshouldshewantwithasuitcaseinthewoodattwelveo’clockatnight?
“Yousee,”saidMissMarple,“Idaresayithasnothingtodowiththemurder.ButitisaPeculiarThing.AndjustatpresentweallfeelwemusttakenoticeofPeculiarThings.”
“Perfectlyamazing,”Isaid.“Wasshegoingto—er—sleepinthebarrowbyanychance?”
“Shedidn’t,atanyrate,”saidMissMarple.“Becausequiteashorttimeafterwardsshecameback,andshehadn’tgotthesuitcasewithher.”
Eighteen
Theinquestwasheldthatafternoon(Saturday)attwoo’clockattheBlueBoar.Thelocalexcitementwas,Ineedhardlysay,tremendous.TherehadbeennomurderinSt.MaryMeadforatleastfifteenyears.AndtohavesomeonelikeColonelProtheroemurderedactuallyintheVicaragestudyissuchafeastofsensationasrarelyfallstothelotofavillagepopulation.
VariouscommentsfloatedtomyearswhichIwasprobablynotmeanttohear.
“There’sVicar.Lookspale,don’the?Iwonderifhehadahandinit.’TwasdoneatVicarage,afterall.”“Howcanyou,MaryAdams?AndhimvisitingHenryAbbottatthetime.”“Oh!ButtheydosayhimandtheColonelhadwords.There’sMaryHill.Givingherselfairs,sheis,onaccountofbeinginservicethere.Hush,here’scoroner.”
ThecoronerwasDr.RobertsofouradjoiningtownofMuchBenham.Heclearedhisthroat,adjustedhiseyeglasses,andlookedimportant.
Torecapitulatealltheevidencewouldbemerelytiresome.LawrenceReddinggaveevidenceoffindingthebody,andidentifiedthepistolasbelongingtohim.TothebestofhisbeliefhehadseenitontheTuesday,twodayspreviously.Itwaskeptonashelfinhiscottage,andthedoorofthecottagewashabituallyunlocked.
Mrs.Protheroegaveevidencethatshehadlastseenherhusbandataboutaquartertosixwhentheyseparatedinthevillagestreet.SheagreedtocallforhimattheVicaragelater.ShehadgonetotheVicarageaboutaquarterpastsix,bywayofthebacklaneandthegardengate.Shehadheardnovoicesinthestudyandhadimaginedthattheroomwasempty,butherhusbandmighthavebeensittingatthewritingtable,inwhichcaseshewouldnothaveseenhim.Asfarassheknew,hehadbeeninhisusualhealthandspirits.Sheknewofnoenemywhomighthavehadagrudgeagainsthim.
Igaveevidencenext,toldofmyappointmentwithProtheroeandmysummonstotheAbbotts.’IdescribedhowIhadfoundthebodyandmysummoningofDr.Haydock.
“Howmanypeople,Mr.Clement,wereawarethatColonelProtheroewascomingtoseeyouthatevening?”
“Agoodmany,Ishouldimagine.Mywifeknew,andmynephew,andColonelProtheroehimselfalludedtothefactthatmorningwhenImethiminthevillage.Ishouldthinkseveralpeoplemighthaveoverheardhim,as,beingslightlydeaf,hespokeinaloudvoice.”
“Itwas,then,amatterofcommonknowledge?Anyonemightknow?”
Iagreed.
Haydockfollowed.Hewasanimportantwitness.Hedescribedcarefullyandtechnicallytheappearanceofthebodyandtheexactinjuries.Itwashisopinionthatthedeceasedhadbeenshotatapproximately6:20to6:30—certainlynotlaterthan6:35.Thatwastheoutsidelimit.Hewaspositiveandemphaticonthatpoint.Therewasnoquestionofsuicide,thewoundcouldnothavebeenself-inflicted.
InspectorSlack’sevidencewasdiscreetandabridged.Hedescribedhissummonsandthecircumstancesunderwhichhehadfoundthebody.Theunfinishedletterwasproducedandthetimeonit—6:20—noted.Alsotheclock.Itwastacitlyassumedthatthetimeofdeathwas6:22.Thepoliceweregivingnothingaway.AnneProtheroetoldmeafterwardsthatshehadbeentoldtosuggestaslightlyearlierperiodoftimethan6:20forhervisit.
Ourmaid,Mary,wasthenextwitness,andprovedasomewhattruculentone.Shehadn’theardanything,anddidn’twanttohearanything.Itwasn’tasthoughgentlemenwhocametoseetheVicarusuallygotshot.Theydidn’t.She’dgotherownjobstolookafter.ColonelProtheroehadarrivedataquarterpastsixexactly.No,shedidn’tlookattheclock.Sheheardthechurchchimeaftershehadshownhimintothestudy.Shedidn’thearanyshot.Iftherehadbeenashotshe’dhaveheardit.Well,ofcourse,sheknewtheremusthavebeenashot,sincethegentlemanwasfoundshot—butthereitwas.Shehadn’theardit.
Thecoronerdidnotpressthepoint.IrealizedthatheandColonelMelchettwereworkinginagreement.
Mrs.Lestrangehadbeensubpoenaedtogiveevidence,butamedicalcertificate,signedbyDr.Haydock,wasproducedsayingshewastooilltoattend.
Therewasonlyoneotherwitness,asomewhatdodderingoldwoman.Theonewho,inSlack’sphrase,“didfor”LawrenceRedding.
Mrs.ArcherwasshownthepistolandrecognizeditastheoneshehadseeninMr.Redding’ssittingroom“overagainstthebookcase,hekeptit,lyingabout.”Shehadlastseenitonthedayofthemurder.Yes—inanswertoafurtherquestion—shewasquitesureitwasthereatlunchtimeonThursday—quartertoonewhensheleft.
IrememberedwhattheInspectorhadtoldme,andIwasmildlysurprised.Howevervagueshemighthavebeenwhenhequestionedher,shewasquitepositiveaboutitnow.
Thecoronersummedupinanegativemanner,butwithagooddealoffirmness.Theverdictwasgivenalmostimmediately:
MurderbyPersonorPersonsunknown.
AsIlefttheroomIwasawareofasmallarmyofyoungmenwithbright,alertfacesandakindofsuperficialresemblancetoeachother.SeveralofthemwerealreadyknowntomebysightashavinghauntedtheVicaragethelastfewdays.Seekingtoescape,IplungedbackintotheBlueBoarandwasluckyenoughtorunstraightintothearchaeologist,Dr.Stone.Iclutchedathimwithoutceremony.
“Journalists,”Isaidbrieflyandexpressively.“Ifyoucoulddelivermefromtheirclutches?”
“Why,certainly,Mr.Clement.Comeupstairswithme.”
Heledthewayupthenarrowstaircaseandintohissittingroom,whereMissCramwassittingrattlingthekeysofatypewriterwithapractisedtouch.Shegreetedmewithabroadsmileofwelcomeandseizedtheopportunitytostopwork.
“Awful,isn’tit?”shesaid.“Notknowingwhodidit,Imean.NotbutthatI’mdisappointedinaninquest.Tame,that’swhatIcallit.Nothingwhatyoumightcallspicyfrombeginningtoend.”
“Youwerethere,then,MissCram?”
“Iwasthereallright.Fancyyournotseeingme.Didn’tyouseeme?Ifeelabithurtaboutthat.Yes,Ido.Agentleman,evenifheisaclergyman,oughttohaveeyesinhishead.”
“Wereyoupresentalso?”IaskedDr.Stone,inanefforttoescapefromthisplayfulbadinage.YoungwomenlikeMissCramalwaysmakemefeelawkward.
“No,I’mafraidIfeelverylittleinterestinsuchthings.Iamamanverywrappedupinhisownhobby.”
“Itmustbeaveryinterestinghobby,”Isaid.
“Youknowsomethingofit,perhaps?”
IwasobligedtoconfessthatIknewnexttonothing.
Dr.Stonewasnotthekindofmanwhomaconfessionofignorancedaunts.TheresultwasexactlythesameasthoughIhadsaidthattheexcavationofbarrowswasmyonlyrelaxation.Hesurgedandeddiedintospeech.Longbarrows,roundbarrows,stoneage,bronzeage,paleolithic,neolithickistvaensandcromlechs,itburstforthinatorrent.Ihadlittletodosavenodmyheadandlookintelligent—andthatlastisperhapsoveroptimistic.Dr.Stoneboomedon.Hewasalittleman.Hisheadwasroundandbald,hisfacewasroundandrosy,andhebeamedatyouthroughverystrongglasses.Ihaveneverknownamansoenthusiasticonsolittleencouragement.Hewentintoeveryargumentforandagainsthisownpettheory—which,bytheway,Iquitefailedtograsp!
HedetailedatgreatlengthhisdifferenceofopinionwithColonelProtheroe.
“Anopinionatedboor,”hesaidwithheat.“Yes,yes,Iknowheisdead,andoneshouldspeaknoillofthedead.Butdeathdoesnotalterfacts.Anopinionatedboordescribeshimexactly.Becausehehadreadafewbooks,hesethimselfupasanauthority—againstamanwhohasmadealifelongstudyofthesubject.Mywholelife,Mr.Clement,hasbeengivenuptothiswork.Mywholelife—”
Hewassplutteringwithexcitement.GladysCrambroughthimbacktoearthwithatersesentence.
“You’llmissyourtrainifyoudon’tlookout,”sheobserved.
“Oh!”Thelittlemanstoppedinmidspeechanddraggedawatchfromhispocket.“Blessmysoul.Quarterto?Impossible.”
“Onceyoustarttalkingyouneverrememberthetime.Whatyou’ddowithoutmetolookafteryou,Ireallydon’tknow.”
“Quiteright,mydear,quiteright.”Hepattedheraffectionatelyontheshoulder.“Thisisawonderfulgirl,Mr.Clement.Neverforgetsanything.Iconsidermyselfextremelyluckytohavefoundher.”
“Oh!Goon,Dr.Stone,”saidthelady.“Youspoilme,youdo.”
IcouldnothelpfeelingthatIshouldbeinamaterialpositiontoaddmysupporttothesecondschoolofthought—thatwhichforeseeslawfulmatrimonyasthefutureofDr.StoneandMissCram.IimaginedthatinherownwayMissCramwasratheracleveryoungwoman.
“You’dbetterbegettingalong,”saidMissCram.
“Yes,yes,soImust.”
Hevanishedintotheroomnextdoorandreturnedcarryingasuitcase.
“Youareleaving?”Iaskedinsomesurprise.
“Justrunninguptotownforacoupleofdays,”heexplained.“Myoldmothertoseetomorrow,somebusinesswithmylawyersonMonday.OnTuesdayIshallreturn.Bytheway,IsupposethatColonelProtheroe’sdeathwillmakenodifferencetoourarrangements.Asregardsthebarrow,Imean.Mrs.Protheroewillhavenoobjectiontoourcontinuingthework?”
“Ishouldnotthinkso.”
Ashespoke,IwonderedwhoactuallywouldbeinauthorityatOldHall.ItwasjustpossiblethatProtheroemighthaveleftittoLettice.IfeltthatitwouldbeinterestingtoknowthecontentsofProtheroe’swill.
“Causesalotoftroubleinafamily,adeathdoes,”remarkedMissCram,withakindofgloomyrelish.“Youwouldn’tbelievewhatanastyspirittheresometimesis.”
“Well,Imustreallybegoing.”Dr.Stonemadeineffectualattemptstocontrolthesuitcase,alargerugandanunwieldyumbrella.Icametohisrescue.Heprotested.
“Don’ttrouble—don’ttrouble.Icanmanageperfectly.Doubtlesstherewillbesomebodydownstairs.”
Butdownbelowtherewasnotraceofabootsoranyoneelse.IsuspectthattheywerebeingregaledattheexpenseofthePress.Timewasgettingon,sowesetouttogethertothestation,Dr.Stonecarryingthesuitcase,andIholdingtherugandumbrella.
Dr.Stoneejaculatedremarksinbetweenpantingbreathsaswehurriedalong.
“Reallytoogoodofyou—didn’tmean—totroubleyou…Hopeweshan’tmiss—thetrain—Gladysisagoodgirl—reallyawonderfulgirl—averysweetnature—nottoohappyathome,I’mafraid—absolutely—theheartofachild—heartofachild.Idoassureyou,inspiteof—differenceinourages—findalotincommon….”
WesawLawrenceRedding’scottagejustasweturnedofftothestation.Itstandsinanisolatedpositionwithnootherhousesnearit.Iobservedtwoyoungmenofsmartappearancestandingonthedoorstepandacouplemorepeeringinatthewindows.ItwasabusydayforthePress.
“Nicefellow,youngRedding,”Iremarked,toseewhatmycompanionwouldsay
Hewassooutofbreathbythistimethathefounditdifficulttosayanything,buthepuffedoutawordwhichIdidnotatfirstquitecatch.
“Dangerous,”hegasped,whenIaskedhimtorepeathisremark.
“Dangerous?”
“Mostdangerous.Innocentgirls—knownobetter—takeninbyafellowlikethat—alwayshangingroundwomen…Nogood.”
FromwhichIdeducedthattheonlyyoungmaninthevillagehadnotpassedunnoticedbythefairGladys.
“Goodness,”ejaculatedDr.Stone.“Thetrain!”
Wewereclosetothestationbythistimeandwebrokeintoafastsprint.AdowntrainwasstandinginthestationandtheupLondontrainwasjustcomingin.
Atthedoorofthebookingofficewecollidedwitharatherexquisiteyoungman,andIrecognizedMissMarple’snephewjustarriving.Heis,Ithink,ayoungmanwhodoesnotliketobecollidedwith.Heprideshimselfonhispoiseandgeneralairofdetachment,andthereisnodoubtthatvulgarcontactisdetrimentaltopoiseofanykind.Hestaggeredback.Iapologizedhastilyandwepassedin.Dr.StoneclimbedonthetrainandIhandeduphisbaggagejustasthetraingaveanunwillingjerkandstarted.
Iwavedtohimandthenturnedaway.RaymondWesthaddeparted,butourlocalchemist,whorejoicesinthenameofCherubim,wasjustsettingoutforthevillage.Iwalkedbesidehim.
“Closeshavethat,”heobserved.“Well,howdidtheinquestgo,Mr.Clement?”
Igavehimtheverdict.
“Oh!Sothat’swhathappened.Iratherthoughtthatwouldbetheverdict.Where’sDr.Stoneoffto?”
Irepeatedwhathehadtoldme.
“Luckynottomissthetrain.Notthatyoueverknowonthisline.Itellyou,Mr.Clement,it’sacryingshame.Disgraceful,that’swhatIcallit.TrainIcamedownbywastenminuteslate.AndthatonaSaturdaywithnotraffictospeakof.AndonWednesday—no,Thursday—yes,Thursdayitwas—IrememberitwasthedayofthemurderbecauseImeanttowriteastrongly-wordedcomplainttothecompany—andthemurderputitoutofmyhead—yes,lastThursday.IhadbeentoameetingofthePharmaceuticalSociety.Howlatedoyouthinkthe6:50was?Halfanhour.Halfanhourexactly!Whatdoyouthinkofthat?TenminutesIdon’tmind.Butifthetraindoesn’tgetintilltwentypastseven,well,youcan’tgethomebeforehalfpast.WhatIsayis,whycallitthe6:50?”
“Quiteso,”Isaid,andwishingtoescapefromthemonologueIbrokeawaywiththeexcusethatIhadsomethingtosaytoLawrenceReddingwhomIsawapproachingusontheothersideoftheroad
Nineteen
“Verygladtohavemetyou,”saidLawrence.“Cometomyplace.”
Weturnedinatthelittlerusticgate,wentupthepath,andhedrewakeyfromhispocketandinserteditinthelock.
“Youkeepthedoorlockednow,”Iobserved.
“Yes.”Helaughedratherbitterly.“Caseofstabledoorwhenthesteedisgone,eh?Itisratherlikethat.Youknow,padre,”heheldthedooropenandIpassedinside,“there’ssomethingaboutallthisbusinessthatIdon’tlike.It’stoomuchof—howshallIputit—aninsidejob.Someoneknewaboutthatpistolofmine.Thatmeansthatthemurderer,whoeverhewas,musthaveactuallybeeninthishouse—perhapsevenhadadrinkwithme.”
“Notnecessarily,”Iobjected.“ThewholevillageofSt.MaryMeadprobablyknowsexactlywhereyoukeepyourtoothbrushandwhatkindoftoothpowderyouuse.”
“Butwhyshoulditinterestthem?”
“Idon’tknow,”Isaid,“butitdoes.Ifyouchangeyourshavingcreamitwillbeatopicofconversation.”
“Theymustbeveryhardupfornews.”
“Theyare.Nothingexcitingeverhappenshere.”
“Well,ithasnow—withavengeance.”
Iagreed.
“Andwhotellsthemallthesethingsanyway?Shavingcreamandthingslikethat?”
“ProbablyoldMrs.Archer.”
“Thatoldcrone?She’spracticallyahalf-wit,asfarasIcanmakeout.”
“That’smerelythecamouflageofthepoor,”Iexplained.“Theytakerefugebehindamaskofstupidity.You’llprobablyfindthattheoldladyhasallherwitsabouther.Bytheway,sheseemsverycertainnowthatthepistolwasinitsproperplacemiddayThursday.What’smadehersopositiveallofasudden?”
“Ihaven’ttheleastidea.”
“Doyouthinkshe’sright?”
“ThereagainIhaven’ttheleastidea.Idon’tgoroundtakinganinventoryofmypossessionseveryday.”
Ilookedroundthesmalllivingroom.Everyshelfandtablewaslitteredwithmiscellaneousarticles.Lawrencelivedinthemidstofanartisticdisarraythatwouldhavedrivenmequitemad.
“It’sabitofajobfindingthingssometimes,”hesaid,observingmyglance.“Ontheotherhand,everythingishandy—nottuckedaway.”
“Nothingistuckedaway,certainly,”Iagreed.“Itmightperhapshavebeenbetterifthepistolhadbeen.”
“DoyouknowIratherexpectedthecoronertosaysomethingofthesort.Coronersaresuchasses.Iexpectedtobecensuredorwhatevertheycallit.”
“Bytheway,”Iasked,“wasitloaded?”
Lawrenceshookhishead.
“I’mnotquitesocarelessasthat.Itwasunloaded,buttherewasaboxofcartridgesbesideit.”
“Itwasapparentlyloadedinallsixchambersandoneshothadbeenfired.”
Lawrencenodded.
“Andwhosehandfiredit?It’sallverywell,sir,butunlesstherealmurdererisdiscoveredIshallbesuspectedofthecrimetothedayofmydeath.”
“Don’tsaythat,myboy.”
“ButIdosayit.”
Hebecamesilent,frowningtohimself.Herousedhimselfatlastandsaid:
“ButletmetellyouhowIgotonlastnight.Youknow,oldMissMarpleknowsathingortwo.”
“Sheis,Ibelieve,ratherunpopularonthataccount.”
Lawrenceproceededtorecounthisstory
Hehad,followingMissMarple’sadvice,goneuptoOldHall.There,withAnne’sassistance,hehadhadaninterviewwiththeparlourmaid.Annehadsaidsimply:
“Mr.Reddingwantstoaskyouafewquestions,Rose.”
Thenshehadlefttheroom.
Lawrencehadfeltsomewhatnervous.Rose,aprettygirloftwenty-five,gazedathimwithalimpidgazewhichhefoundratherdisconcerting.
“It’s—it’saboutColonelProtheroe’sdeath.”
“Yes,sir.”
“I’mveryanxious,yousee,togetatthetruth.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Ifeelthattheremaybe—thatsomeonemight—that—thattheremightbesomeincident—”
AtthispointLawrencefeltthathewasnotcoveringhimselfwithglory,andheartilycursedMissMarpleandhersuggestions.
“Iwonderedifyoucouldhelpme?”
“Yes,sir?”
Rose’sdemeanourwasstillthatoftheperfectservant,polite,anxioustoassist,andcompletelyuninterested.
“Dashitall,”saidLawrence,“haven’tyoutalkedthethingoverintheservants’hall?”
ThismethodofattackflusteredRoseslightly.Herperfectpoisewasshaken.
“Intheservants’hall,sir?”
“Orthehousekeeper’sroom,orthebootboy’sdugout,orwhereveryoudotalk?Theremustbesomeplace.”
Rosedisplayedaveryfaintdispositiontogiggle,andLawrencefeltencouraged.
“Lookhere,Rose,you’reanawfullynicegirl.I’msureyoumustunderstandwhatI’mfeelinglike.Idon’twanttobehanged.Ididn’tmurderyourmaster,butalotofpeoplethinkIdid.Can’tyouhelpmeinanyway?”
IcanimagineatthispointthatLawrencemusthavelookedextremelyappealing.Hishandsomeheadthrownback,hisIrishblueeyesappealing.Rosesoftenedandcapitulated.
“Oh,sir!I’msure—ifanyofuscouldhelpinanyway.Noneofusthinkyoudidit,sir.Indeedwedon’t.”
“Iknow,mydeargirl,butthat’snotgoingtohelpmewiththepolice.”
“Thepolice!”Rosetossedherhead.“Icantellyou,sir,wedon’tthinkmuchofthatInspector.Slack,hecallshimself.Thepoliceindeed.”
“Allthesame,thepoliceareverypowerful.Now,Rose,yousayyou’lldoyourbesttohelpme.Ican’thelpfeelingthatthere’salotwehaven’tgotyet.Thelady,forinstance,whocalledtoseeColonelProtheroethenightbeforehedied.”
“Mrs.Lestrange?”
“Yes,Mrs.Lestrange.Ican’thelpfeelingthere’ssomethingratheroddaboutthatvisitofhers.”
“Yes,indeed,sir,that’swhatweallsaid.”
“Youdid?”
“Comingthewayshedid.AndaskingfortheColonel.Andofcoursethere’sbeenalotoftalk—nobodyknowinganythingaboutherdownhere.AndMrs.Simmons,she’sthehousekeeper,sir,shegaveitasheropinionthatshewasaregularbadlot.ButafterhearingwhatGladdiesaid,well,Ididn’tknowwhattothink.”
“WhatdidGladdiesay?”
“Oh,nothing,sir!Itwasjust—weweretalking,youknow.”
Lawrencelookedather.Hehadthefeelingofsomethingkeptback.
“IwonderverymuchwhatherinterviewwithColonelProtheroewasabout.”
“Yes,sir.”
“Ibelieveyouknow,Rose?”
“Me?Oh,no,sir!IndeedIdon’t.HowcouldI?”
“Lookhere,Rose.Yousaidyou’dhelpme.Ifyouoverheardanything,anythingatall—itmightn’tseemimportant,butanything…I’dbesoawfullygratefultoyou.Afterall,anyonemight—mightchance—justchancetooverhearsomething.”
“ButIdidn’t,sir,really,Ididn’t.”
“Thensomebodyelsedid,”saidLawrenceacutely.
“Well,sir—”
“Dotellme,Rose.”
“Idon’tknowwhatGladdiewouldsay,I’msure.”
“She’dwantyoutotellme.WhoisGladdie,bytheway?”
“She’sthekitchenmaid,sir.Andyousee,she’djuststeppedouttospeaktoafriend,andshewaspassingthewindow—thestudywindow—andthemasterwastherewiththelady.Andofcoursehedidspeakveryloud,themasterdid,always.Andnaturally,feelingalittlecurious—Imean—”
“Awfullynatural,”saidLawrence,“Imeanonewouldsimplyhavetolisten.”
“Butofcourseshedidn’ttellanyone—exceptme.Andweboththoughtitveryodd.ButGladdiecouldn’tsayanything,yousee,becauseifitwasknownshe’dgoneouttomeet—a—afriend—well,itwouldhavemeantalotofunpleasantnesswithMrs.Pratt,that’sthecook,sir.ButI’msureshe’dtellyouanything,sir,willing.”
“Well,canIgotothekitchenandspeaktoher?”
Rosewashorrifiedbythesuggestion.
“Oh,no,sir,thatwouldneverdo!AndGladdie’saverynervousgirlanyway.”
Atlastthematterwassettled,afteralotofdiscussionoverdifficultpoints.Aclandestinemeetingwasarrangedintheshrubbery.
Here,induecourse,LawrencewasconfrontedbythenervousGladdiewhohedescribedasmorelikeashiveringrabbitthananythinghuman.Tenminuteswerespentintryingtoputthegirlatherease,theshiveringGladysexplainingthatshecouldn’tever—thatshedidn’tought,thatshedidn’tthinkRosewouldhavegivenheraway,thatanywayshehadn’tmeantnoharm,indeedshehadn’t,andthatshe’dcatchitbadlyifMrs.Prattevercametohearofit.
Lawrencereassured,cajoled,persuaded—atlastGladysconsentedtospeak.“Ifyou’llbesureit’llgonofurther,sir.”
“Ofcourseitwon’t.”
“Anditwon’tbebroughtupagainstmeinacourtoflaw?”
“Never.”
“Andyouwon’ttellthemistress?”
“Notonanyaccount.”
“IfitweretogettoMrs.Pratt’sears—”
“Itwon’t.Nowtellme,Gladys.”
“Ifyou’resureit’sallright?”
“Ofcourseitis.You’llbegladsomedayyou’vesavedmefrombeinghanged.”
Gladysgavealittleshriek.
“Oh!Indeed,Iwouldn’tlikethat,sir.Well,it’sverylittleIheard—andthatentirelybyaccidentasyoumightsay—”
“Iquiteunderstand.”
“Butthemaster,hewasevidentlyveryangry.‘Afteralltheseyears’—that’swhathewassaying—‘youdaretocomehere—’‘It’sanoutrage—’Icouldn’thearwhattheladysaid—butafterabithesaid,‘Iutterlyrefuse—utterly—’Ican’tremembereverything—seemedasthoughtheywereatithammerandtongs,shewantinghimtodosomethingandherefusing.‘It’sadisgracethatyoushouldhavecomedownhere,’that’sonethinghesaid.And‘Youshallnotseeher—Iforbidit—’andthatmademeprickupmyears.LookedasthoughtheladywantedtotellMrs.Protheroeathingortwo,andhewasafraidaboutit.AndIthoughttomyself,‘Well,now,fancythemaster.Himsoparticular.Andmaybenobeautyhimselfwhenall’ssaidanddone.Fancy!’Isaid.And‘Menareallalike,’Isaidtomyfriendlater.Notthathe’dagree.Argued,hedid.ButhedidadmithewassurprisedatColonelProtheroe—himbeingachurchwardenandhandingroundtheplateandreadingthelessonsonSundays.‘Butthere,’Isaid,‘that’sveryoftentheworst.’Forthat’swhatI’veheardmymothersay,manyatime.”
Gladdiepausedoutofbreath,andLawrencetriedtactfullytogetbacktowheretheconversationhadstarted.
“Didyouhearanythingelse?”
“Well,it’sdifficulttorememberexactly,sir.Itwasallmuchthesame.Hesaidonceortwice,‘Idon’tbelieveit.’Justlikethat.‘WhateverHaydocksays,Idon’tbelieveit.’”
“Hesaidthat,didhe?‘WhateverHaydocksays?’”
“Yes.Andhesaiditwasallaplot.”
“Youdidn’theartheladyspeakatall?”
“Onlyjustattheend.Shemusthavegotuptogoandcomenearerthewindow.AndIheardwhatshesaid.Mademybloodruncold,itdid.I’llneverforgetit.‘Bythistimetomorrownight,youmaybedead,’shesaid.Wickedthewayshesaidit.AssoonasIheardthenews,‘There,’IsaidtoRose.‘There!’”
Lawrencewondered.PrincipallyhewonderedhowmuchofGladys’sstorywastobedependedupon.Trueinthemain,hesuspectedthatithadbeenembellishedandpolishedsincethemurder.Inespecialhedoubtedtheaccuracyofthelastremark.Hethoughtithighlypossiblethatitoweditsbeingtothefactofthemurder.
HethankedGladys,rewardedhersuitably,reassuredherastohermisdoingsbeingmadeknowntoMrs.Pratt,andleftOldHallwithagooddealtothinkover.
Onethingwasclear,Mrs.Lestrange’sinterviewwithColonelProtheroehadcertainlynotbeenapeacefulone,anditwasonewhichhewasanxioustokeepfromtheknowledgeofhiswife.
IthoughtofMissMarple’schurchwardenwithhisseparateestablishment.Wasthisacaseresemblingthat?
IwonderedmorethaneverwhereHaydockcamein.HehadsavedMrs.Lestrangefromhavingtogiveevidenceattheinquest.Hehaddonehisbesttoprotectherfromthepolice.
Howfarwouldhecarrythatprotection?
Supposinghesuspectedherofcrime—wouldhestilltryandshieldher?
Shewasacuriouswoman—awomanofverystrongmagneticcharm.Imyselfhatedthethoughtofconnectingherwiththecrimeinanyway.
Somethinginmesaid,“Itcan’tbeher!”Why?
Andanimpinmybrainreplied:“Becauseshe’saverybeautifulandattractivewoman.That’swhy.”
Thereis,asMissMarplewouldsay,alotofhumannatureinallofus.
Twenty
WhenIgotbacktotheVicarageIfoundthatwewereinthemiddleofadomesticcrisis.
Griseldametmeinthehallandwithtearsinhereyesdraggedmeintothedrawingroom.“She’sgoing.”
“Who’sgoing?”
“Mary.She’sgivennotice.”
Ireallycouldnottaketheannouncementinatragicspirit.
“Well,”Isaid,“we’llhavetogetanotherservant.”
Itseemedtomeaperfectlyreasonablethingtosay.Whenoneservantgoes,yougetanother.IwasatalosstounderstandGriselda’slookofreproach.
“Len—youareabsolutelyheartless.Youdon’tcare.”
Ididn’t.Infact,Ifeltalmostlightheartedattheprospectofnomoreburntpuddingsandundercookedvegetables.
“I’llhavetolookforagirl,andfindone,andtrainher,”continuedGriseldainavoiceofacuteself-pity.
“IsMarytrained?”Isaid.
“Ofcoursesheis.”
“Isuppose,”Isaid,“thatsomeonehasheardheraddressusassirorma’amandhasimmediatelywrestedherfromusasaparagon.AllIcansayis,they’llbedisappointed.”
“Itisn’tthat,”saidGriselda.“Nobodyelsewantsher.Idon’tseehowtheycould.It’sherfeelings.They’reupsetbecauseLetticeProtheroesaidshedidn’tdustproperly.”
Griseldaoftencomesoutwithsurprisingstatements,butthisseemedtomesosurprisingthatIquestionedit.ItseemedtomethemostunlikelythingintheworldthatLetticeProtheroeshouldgooutofherwaytointerfereinourdomesticaffairsandreproveourmaidforslovenlyhousework.ItwassocompletelyunLettice-like,andIsaidso.
“Idon’tsee,”Isaid,“whatourdusthastodowithLetticeProtheroe.”
“Nothingatall,”saidmywife.“That’swhyit’ssounreasonable.Iwishyou’dgoandtalktoMaryyourself.She’sinthekitchen.”
IhadnowishtotalktoMaryonthesubject,butGriselda,whoisveryenergeticandquick,fairlypushedmethroughthebaizedoorintothekitchenbeforeIhadtimetorebel.
Marywaspeelingpotatoesatthesink.
“Er—goodafternoon,”Isaidnervously.
Marylookedupandsnorted,butmadenootherresponse.
“Mrs.Clementtellsmethatyouwishtoleaveus,”Isaid.
Marycondescendedtoreplytothis.
“There’ssomethings,”shesaiddarkly,“asnogirlcanbeaskedtoputupwith.”
“Willyoutellmeexactlywhatitisthathasupsetyou?”
“Tellyouthatintwowords,Ican.”(Here,Imaysay,shevastlyunderestimated.)“Peoplecomingsnoopingroundherewhenmyback’sturned.Pokinground.Andwhatbusinessofhersisit,howoftenthestudyisdustedorturnedout?Ifyouandthemissusdon’tcomplain,it’snobodyelse’sbusiness.IfIgivesatisfactiontoyouthat’sallthatmatters,Isay.”
Maryhasnevergivensatisfactiontome.IconfessthatIhaveahankeringafteraroomthoroughlydustedandtidiedeverymorning.Mary’spracticeofflickingoffthemoreobviousdepositonthesurfaceoflowtablesistomythinkinggrosslyinadequate.However,Irealizedthatatthemomentitwasnogoodtogointosideissues.
“Hadtogotothatinquest,didn’tI?Standingupbeforetwelvemen,arespectablegirllikeme!Andwhoknowswhatquestionsyoumaybeasked.I’lltellyouthis.I’veneverbeforebeeninaplacewheretheyhadamurderinthehouse,andIneverwanttobeagain.”
“Ihopeyouwon’t,”Isaid.“Onthelawofaverages,Ishouldsayitwasveryunlikely.”
“Idon’tholdwiththelaw.Hewasamagistrate.Manyapoorfellowsenttojailforpottingatarabbit—andhimwithhispheasantsandwhatnot.Andthen,beforehe’ssomuchasdecentlyburied,thatdaughterofhiscomesroundandsaysIdon’tdomyworkproperly.”
“DoyoumeanthatMissProtheroehasbeenhere?”
“FoundherherewhenIcomebackfromtheBlueBoar.Inthestudyshewas.And‘Oh!’shesays.‘I’mlookingformylittleyellowberry—alittleyellowhat.Ileftitheretheotherday.’‘Well,’Isays,‘Ihaven’tseennohat.Itwasn’therewhenIdonetheroomonThursdaymorning,’Isays.And‘Oh!’shesays,‘butIdaresayyouwouldn’tseeit.Youdon’tspendmuchtimedoingaroom,doyou?’Andwiththatshedrawsherfingeralongthemantelshelfandlooksatit.AsthoughIhadtimeonamorninglikethistotakeoffallthemornamentsandputthemback,withthepoliceonlyunlockingtheroomthenightbefore.‘IftheVicarandhisladyaresatisfiedthat’sallthatmatters,Ithink,miss,’Isaid.Andshelaughsandgoesoutofthewindowsandsays,‘Oh!butareyousuretheyare?’”
“Isee,”Isaid.
“Andthereitis!Agirlhasherfeelings!I’msureI’dworkmyfingerstotheboneforyouandthemissus.Andifshewantsanew-fangleddishtried,I’malwaysreadytotryit.”
“I’msureyouare,”Isaidsoothingly.
“Butshemusthaveheardsomethingorshewouldn’thavesaidwhatshedid.AndifIdon’tgivesatisfactionI’drathergo.NotthatItakeanynoticeofwhatMissProtheroesays.She’snotlovedupattheHall,Icantellyou.Neverapleaseorathankyou,andeverythingscatteredrightandleft.Iwouldn’tsetanystorebyMissLetticeProtheroemyselfforallthatMr.Dennisissosetuponher.Butshe’sthekindthatcanalwaystwistayounggentlemanroundherlittlefinger.”
Duringallthis,Maryhadbeenextractingeyesfrompotatoeswithsuchenergythattheyhadbeenflyingroundthekitchenlikehailstones.Atthismomentonehitmeintheeyeandcausedamomentarypauseintheconversation.
“Don’tyouthink,”Isaid,asIdabbedmyeyewithmyhandkerchief,“thatyouhavebeenrathertooinclinedtotakeoffencewherenoneismeant?Youknow,Mary,yourmistresswillbeverysorrytoloseyou.”
“I’venothingagainstthemistress—oragainstyou,sir,forthatmatter.”
“Well,then,don’tyouthinkyou’rebeingrathersilly?”
Marysniffed.
“Iwasabitupsetlike—aftertheinquestandall.Andagirlhasherfeelings.ButIwouldn’tliketocausethemistressinconvenience.”
“Thenthat’sallright,”Isaid.
IleftthekitchentofindGriseldaandDenniswaitingformeinthehall.“Well?”exclaimedGriselda.
“She’sstaying,”Isaid,andsighed.
“Len,”saidmywife,“youhavebeenclever.”
Ifeltratherinclinedtodisagreewithher.IdidnotthinkIhadbeenclever.ItismyfirmopinionthatnoservantcouldbeaworseonethanMary.Anychange,Iconsider,wouldhavebeenachangeforthebetter.
ButIliketopleaseGriselda.IdetailedtheheadsofMary’sgrievance.
“HowlikeLettice,”saidDennis.“Shecouldn’thaveleftthatyellowberetofhershereonWednesday.ShewaswearingitfortennisonThursday.”
“Thatseemstomehighlyprobable,”Isaid.
“Sheneverknowswhereshe’sleftanything,”saidDennis,withakindofaffectionateprideandadmirationthatIfeltwasentirelyuncalledfor.“Shelosesaboutadozenthingseveryday.”
“Aremarkablyattractivetrait,”Iobserved.
AnysarcasmmissedDennis.
“Sheisattractive,”hesaid,withadeepsigh.“Peoplearealwaysproposingtoher—shetoldmeso.”
“Theymustbeillicitproposalsifthey’remadetoherdownhere,”Iremarked.“Wehaven’tgotabachelorintheplace.”
“There’sDr.Stone,”saidGriselda,hereyesdancing.
“Heaskedhertocomeandseethebarrowtheotherday,”Iadmitted.
“Ofcoursehedid,”saidGriselda.“Sheisattractive,Len.Evenbaldheadedarchaeologistsfeelit.”
“LotsofS.A.,”saidDennissapiently
AndyetLawrenceReddingiscompletelyuntouchedbyLettice’scharm.Griselda,however,explainedthatwiththeairofonewhoknewshewasright.
“LawrencehasgotlotsofS.A.himself.Thatkindalwayslikesthe—howshallIputit—theQuakertype.Veryrestrainedanddiffident.Thekindofwomanwhomeverybodycallscold.IthinkAnneistheonlywomanwhocouldeverholdLawrence.Idon’tthinkthey’llevertireofeachother.Allthesame,Ithinkhe’sbeenratherstupidinoneway.He’srathermadeuseofLettice,youknow.Idon’tthinkheeverdreamedshecared—he’sawfullymodestinsomeways—butIhaveafeelingshedoes.”
“Shecan’tbearhim,”saidDennispositively.“Shetoldmeso.”
IhaveneverseenanythinglikethepityingsilencewithwhichGriseldareceivedthisremark.
Iwentintomystudy.Therewas,tomyfancy,stillarathereeriefeelingintheroom.IknewthatImustgetoverthis.Oncegiveintothatfeeling,andIshouldprobablyneverusethestudyagain.Iwalkedthoughtfullyovertothewritingtable.HereProtheroehadsat,red-faced,hearty,self-righteous,andhere,inamomentoftime,hehadbeenstruckdown.Here,whereIwasstanding,anenemyhadstood….
Andso—nomoreProtheroe….
Herewasthepenhisfingershadheld.
Onthefloorwasafaintdarkstain—therughadbeensenttothecleaners,butthebloodhadsoakedthrough.
Ishivered.
“Ican’tusethisroom,”Isaidaloud.“Ican’tuseit.”
Thenmyeyewascaughtbysomething—amerespeckofbrightblue.Ibentdown.BetweenthefloorandthedeskIsawasmallobject.Ipickeditup.
IwasstandingstaringatitinthepalmofmyhandwhenGriseldacamein.
“Iforgottotellyou,Len.MissMarplewantsustogoovertonightafterdinner.Toamusethenephew.She’safraidofhisbeingdull.Isaidwe’dgo.”
“Verywell,mydear.”
“Whatareyoulookingat?”
“Nothing.”
Iclosedmyhand,andlookingatmywife,observed:
“Ifyoudon’tamuseMasterRaymondWest,mydear,hemustbeveryhardtoplease.”
Mywifesaid:“Don’tberidiculous,Len,”andturnedpink.
Shewentoutagain,andIunclosedmyhand.
Inthepalmofmyhandwasabluelapislazuliearringsetinseedpearls.
Itwasratheranunusualjewel,andIknewverywellwhereIhadseenitlast.
Twenty-one
IcannotsaythatIhaveatanytimehadagreatadmirationforMr.RaymondWest.Heis,Iknow,supposedtobeabrilliantnovelistandhasmadequiteanameasapoet.Hispoemshavenocapitallettersinthem,whichis,Ibelieve,theessenceofmodernity.Hisbooksareaboutunpleasantpeopleleadinglivesofsurpassingdullness.
Hehasatolerantaffectionfor“AuntJane,”whomhealludestoinherpresenceasa“survival.”
Shelistenstohistalkwithaflatteringinterest,andifthereissometimesanamusedtwinkleinhereyeIamsurehenevernoticesit.
HefastenedonGriseldaatoncewithflatteringabruptness.Theydiscussedmodernplaysandfromtherewentontomodernschemesofdecoration.GriseldaaffectstolaughatRaymondWest,butsheis,Ithink,susceptibletohisconversation.
Duringmy(dull)conversationwithMissMarple,Iheardatintervalsthereiteration“buriedasyouaredownhere.”
Itbeganatlasttoirritateme.Isaidsuddenly:
“Isupposeyouconsiderusverymuchoutofthethingsdownhere?”
RaymondWestwavedhiscigarette.
“IregardSt.MaryMead,”hesaidauthoritatively,“asastagnantpool.”
Helookedatus,preparedforresentmentathisstatement,butsomewhat,Ithink,tohischagrin,noonedisplayedannoyance.
“Thatisreallynotaverygoodsimile,dearRaymond,”saidMissMarplebriskly.“Nothing,Ibelieve,issofulloflifeunderthemicroscopeasadropofwaterfromastagnantpool.”
“Life—ofakind,”admittedthenovelist.
“It’sallmuchthesamekind,really,isn’tit?”saidMissMarple.
“Youcompareyourselftoadenizenofastagnantpond,AuntJane?”
“Mydear,yousaidsomethingofthesortinyourlastbook,Iremember.”
Nocleveryoungmanlikeshavinghisworksquotedagainsthimself.RaymondWestwasnoexception.
“Thatwasentirelydifferent,”hesnapped.
“Lifeis,afterall,verymuchthesameeverywhere,”saidMissMarpleinherplacidvoice.“Gettingborn,youknow,andgrowingup—andcomingintocontactwithotherpeople—gettingjostled—andthenmarriageandmorebabies—”
“Andfinallydeath,”saidRaymondWest.“Andnotdeathwithadeathcertificatealways.Deathinlife.”
“Talkingofdeath,”saidGriselda.“Youknowwe’vehadamurderhere?”
RaymondWestwavedmurderawaywithhiscigarette.
“Murderissocrude,”hesaid.“Itakenointerestinit.”
Thatstatementdidnottakemeinforamoment.Theysayalltheworldlovesalover—applythatsayingtomurderandyouhaveanevenmoreinfallibletruth.Noonecanfailtobeinterestedinamurder.SimplepeoplelikeGriseldaandmyselfcanadmitthefact,butanyonelikeRaymondWesthastopretendtobebored—atanyrateforthefirstfiveminutes.
MissMarple,however,gavehernephewawaybyremarking:
“RaymondandIhavebeendiscussingnothingelseallthroughdinner.”
“Itakeagreatinterestinallthelocalnews,”saidRaymondhastily.HesmiledbenignlyandtolerantlyatMissMarple.
“Haveyouatheory,Mr.West?”askedGriselda.
“Logically,”saidRaymondWest,againflourishinghiscigarette,“onlyonepersoncouldhavekilledProtheroe.”
“Yes?”saidGriselda.
Wehunguponhiswordswithflatteringattention.
“TheVicar,”saidRaymond,andpointedanaccusingfingeratme.
Igasped.
“Ofcourse,”hereassuredme,“Iknowyoudidn’tdoit.Lifeisneverwhatitshouldbe.Butthinkofthedrama—thefitness—churchwardenmurderedintheVicar’sstudybytheVicar.Delicious!”
“Andthemotive?”Iinquired.
“Oh!That’sinteresting.”Hesatup—allowedhiscigarettetogoout.“Inferioritycomplex,Ithink.Possiblytoomanyinhibitions.Ishouldliketowritethestoryoftheaffair.Amazinglycomplex.Weekafterweek,yearafteryear,he’sseentheman—atvestrymeetings—atchoirboys’outings—handingroundthebaginchurch—bringingittothealtar.Alwayshedislikestheman—alwayshechokesdownhisdislike.It’sunChristian,hewon’tencourageit.Andsoitfestersunderneath,andoneday—”
Hemadeagraphicgesture.
Griseldaturnedtome.
“Haveyoueverfeltlikethat,Len?”
“Never,”Isaidtruthfully.
“YetIhearyouwerewishinghimoutoftheworldnotsolongago,”remarkedMissMarple.
(ThatmiserableDennis!Butmyfault,ofcourse,forevermakingtheremark.)
“I’mafraidIwas,”Isaid.“Itwasastupidremarktomake,butreallyI’dhadaverytryingmorningwithhim.”
“That’sdisappointing,”saidRaymondWest.“Because,ofcourse,ifyoursubconsciouswerereallyplanningtodohimin,itwouldneverhaveallowedyoutomakethatremark.”
Hesighed.
“Mytheoryfallstotheground.Thisisprobablyaveryordinarymurder—arevengefulpoacherorsomethingofthatsort.”
“MissCramcametoseemethisafternoon,”saidMissMarple.“ImetherinthevillageandIaskedherifshewouldliketoseemygarden.”
“Isshefondofgardens?”askedGriselda.
“Idon’tthinkso,”saidMissMarple,withafainttwinkle.“Butitmakesaveryusefulexcusefortalk,don’tyouthink?”
“Whatdidyoumakeofher?”askedGriselda.“Idon’tbelieveshe’sreallysobad.”
“Shevolunteeredalotofinformation—reallyalotofinformation,”saidMissMarple.“Aboutherself,youknow,andherpeople.TheyallseemtobedeadorinIndia.Verysad.Bytheway,shehasgonetoOldHallfortheweekend.”
“What?”
“Yes,itseemsMrs.Protheroeaskedher—orshesuggestedittoMrs.Protheroe—Idon’tquiteknowwhichwayaboutitwas.Todosomesecretarialworkforher—therearesomanyletterstocopewith.Itturnedoutratherfortunately.Dr.Stonebeingaway,shehasnothingtodo.Whatanexcitementthisbarrowhasbeen.”
“Stone?”saidRaymond.“Isthatthearchaeologistfellow?”
“Yes,heisexcavatingabarrow.OntheProtheroeproperty.”
“He’sagoodman,”saidRaymond.“Wonderfullykeenonhisjob.Imethimatadinnernotlongagoandwehadamostinterestingtalk.Imustlookhimup.”
“Unfortunately,”Isaid,“he’sjustgonetoLondonfortheweekend.Why,youactuallyranintohimatthestationthisafternoon.”
“Iranintoyou.Youhadalittlefatmanwithyou—withglasseson.”
“Yes—Dr.Stone.”
“But,mydearfellow—thatwasn’tStone.”
“NotStone?”
“Notthearchaeologist.Iknowhimquitewell.Themanwasn’tStone—notthefaintestresemblance.”
Westaredateachother.InparticularIstaredatMissMarple.
“Extraordinary,”Isaid.
“Thesuitcase,”saidMissMarple.
“Butwhy?”saidGriselda.
“ItremindsmeofthetimethemanwentroundpretendingtobetheGasInspector,”murmuredMissMarple.“Quitealittlehaul,hegot.”
“Animpostor,”saidRaymondWest.“Nowthisisreallyinteresting.”
“Thequestionis,hasitanythingtodowiththemurder?”saidGriselda.
“Notnecessarily,”Isaid.“But—”IlookedatMissMarple.
“Itis,”shesaid,“aPeculiarThing.AnotherPeculiarThing.”
“Yes,”Isaid,rising.“IratherfeeltheInspectoroughttobetoldaboutthisatonce.”
Twenty-two
InspectorSlack’sorders,onceIhadgothimonthetelephone,werebriefandemphatic.Nothingwasto“getabout.”Inparticular,MissCramwasnottobealarmed.Inthemeantime,asearchwastobeinstitutedforthesuitcaseintheneighbourhoodofthebarrow.
GriseldaandIreturnedhomeveryexcitedoverthisnewdevelopment.WecouldnotsaymuchwithDennispresent,aswehadfaithfullypromisedInspectorSlacktobreathnowordtoanybody.
Inanycase,Denniswasfullofhisowntroubles.Hecameintomystudyandbeganfingeringthingsandshufflinghisfeetandlookingthoroughlyembarrassed
“Whatisit,Dennis?”Isaidatlast.
“UncleLen,Idon’twanttogotosea.”
Iwasastonished.Theboyhadbeensoverydecidedabouthiscareeruptonow.
“Butyouweresokeenonit.”
“Yes,butI’vechangedmymind.”
“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
“Iwanttogointofinance.”
Iwasevenmoresurprised.
“Whatdoyoumean—finance?”
“Justthat.Iwanttogointothecity.”
“But,mydearboy,Iamsureyouwouldnotlikethelife.EvenifIobtainedapostforyouinabank—”
Dennissaidthatwasn’twhathemeant.Hedidn’twanttogointoabank.Iaskedhimwhatexactlyhedidmean,andofcourse,asIsuspected,theboydidn’treallyknow.
By“goingintofinance,”hesimplymeantgettingrichquickly,whichwiththeoptimismofyouthheimaginedwasacertaintyifone“wentintothecity.”IdisabusedhimofthisnotionasgentlyasIcould.
“What’sputitintoyourhead?”Iasked.“Youweresosatisfiedwiththeideaofgoingtosea.”
“Iknow,UncleLen,butI’vebeenthinking.Ishallwanttomarrysomeday—and,Imean,you’vegottoberichtomarryagirl.”
“Factsdisproveyourtheory,”Isaid.
“Iknow—butarealgirl.Imean,agirlwho’susedtothings.”
Itwasveryvague,butIthoughtIknewwhathemeant.
“Youknow,”Isaidgently,“allgirlsaren’tlikeLetticeProtheroe.”
Hefiredupatonce.
“You’reawfullyunfairtoher.Youdon’tlikeher.Griseldadoesn’teither.Shesaysshe’stiresome.”
FromthefemininepointofviewGriseldaisquiteright.Letticeistiresome.Icouldquiterealize,however,thataboywouldresenttheadjective.
“Ifonlypeoplemadeafewallowances.WhyeventheHartleyNapiersaregoingaboutgrousingaboutheratatimelikethis!Justbecauseshelefttheiroldtennispartyabitearly.Whyshouldshestayifshewasbored?Jollydecentofhertogoatall,Ithink.”
“Quiteafavour,”Isaid,butDennissuspectednomalice.HewasfullofhisowngrievancesonLettice’sbehalf.
“She’sawfullyunselfishreally.Justtoshowyou,shemademestay.NaturallyIwantedtogotoo.Butshewouldn’thearofit.SaiditwastoobadontheNapiers.So,justtopleaseher,Istoppedonaquarterofanhour.”
Theyounghaveverycuriousviewsonunselfishness.
“AndnowIhearSusanHartleyNapierisgoingabouteverywheresayingLetticehasrottenmanners.”
“IfIwereyou,”Isaid,“Ishouldn’tworry.”
“It’sallverywell,but—”
Hebrokeoff.
“I’d—I’ddoanythingforLettice.”
“Veryfewofuscandoanythingforanyoneelse,”Isaid.“Howevermuchwewishit,wearepowerless.”
“IwishIweredead,”saidDennis.
Poorlad.Calfloveisavirulentdisease.Iforeboretosayanyoftheobviousandprobablyirritatingthingswhichcomesoeasilytoone’slips.Instead,Isaidgoodnight,andwentuptobed.
Itooktheeighto’clockservicethefollowingmorningandwhenIreturnedfoundGriseldasittingatthebreakfasttablewithanopennoteinherhand.ItwasfromAnneProtheroe.
“DearGriselda,—IfyouandtheVicarcouldcomeupandlunchherequietlytoday,Ishouldbesoverygrateful.Somethingverystrangehasoccurred,andIshouldlikeMr.Clement’sadvice.
Pleasedon’tmentionthiswhenyoucome,asIhavesaidnothingtoanyoneWithlove,Yoursaffectionately,AnneProtheroe.”
“Wemustgo,ofcourse,”saidGriselda.
Iagreed.
“Iwonderwhatcanhavehappened?”
Iwonderedtoo.
“Youknow,”IsaidtoGriselda,“Idon’tfeelwearereallyattheendofthiscaseyet.”
“Youmeannottillsomeonehasreallybeenarrested?”
“No,”Isaid,“Ididn’tmeanthat.Imeanthatthereareramifications,undercurrents,thatweknownothingabout.Thereareawholelotofthingstoclearupbeforewegetatthetruth.”
“Youmeanthingsthatdon’treallymatter,butthatgetintheway?”
“Yes,Ithinkthatexpressesmymeaningverywell.”
“Ithinkwe’reallmakingagreatfuss,”saidDennis,helpinghimselftomarmalade.“It’sajollygoodthingoldProtheroeisdead.Nobodylikedhim.Oh!Iknowthepolicehavegottoworry—it’stheirjob.ButIratherhopemyselfthey’llneverfindout.IshouldhatetoseeSlackpromotedgoingaboutswellingwithimportanceoverhiscleverness.”
IamhumanenoughtofeelthatIagreeoverthematterofSlack’spromotion.Amanwhogoesaboutsystematicallyrubbingpeopleupthewrongwaycannothopetobepopular.
“Dr.HaydockthinksratherlikeIdo,”wentonDennis.“He’dnevergiveamurdereruptojustice.Hesaidso.”
IthinkthatthatisthedangerofHaydock’sviews.Theymaybesoundinthemselves—itisnotformetosay—buttheyproduceanimpressionontheyoungcarelessmindwhichIamsureHaydockhimselfnevermeanttoconvey.
Griseldalookedoutofthewindowandremarkedthattherewerereportersinthegarden.
“Isupposethey’rephotographingthestudywindowsagain,”shesaid,withasigh.
Wehadsufferedagooddealinthisway.Therewasfirsttheidlecuriosityofthevillage—everyonehadcometogapeandstare.Therewerenextthereportersarmedwithcameras,andthevillageagaintowatchthereporters.IntheendwehadtohaveaconstablefromMuchBenhamondutyoutsidethewindow.
“Well,”Isaid,“thefuneralistomorrowmorning.Afterthat,surely,theexcitementwilldiedown.”
InoticedafewreportershangingaboutOldHallwhenwearrivedthere.TheyaccostedmewithvariousqueriestowhichIgavetheinvariableanswer(wehadfounditthebest),that,“Ihadnothingtosay.”
Wewereshownbythebutlerintothedrawingroom,thesoleoccupantofwhichturnedouttobeMissCram—apparentlyinastateofhighenjoyment.
“Thisisasurprise,isn’tit?”shesaid,assheshookhands.“Inevershouldhavethoughtofsuchathing,butMrs.Protheroeiskind,isn’tshe?And,ofcourse,itisn’twhatyoumightcallniceforayounggirltobestayingaloneataplaceliketheBlueBoar,reportersaboutandall.And,ofcourse,it’snotasthoughIhaven’tbeenabletomakemyselfuseful—youreallyneedasecretaryatatimelikethis,andMissProtheroedoesn’tdoanythingtohelp,doesshe?”
IwasamusedtonoticethattheoldanimosityagainstLetticepersisted,butthatthegirlhadapparentlybecomeawarmpartisanofAnne’s.AtthesametimeIwonderedifthestoryofhercomingherewasstrictlyaccurate.InheraccounttheinitiativehadcomefromAnne,butIwonderedifthatwerereallyso.ThefirstmentionofdislikingtobeattheBlueBoaralonemighthaveeasilycomefromthegirlherself.Whilstkeepinganopenmindonthesubject,IdidnotfancythatMissCramwasstrictlytruthful.
AtthatmomentAnneProtheroeenteredtheroom.
Shewasdressedveryquietlyinblack.ShecarriedinherhandaSundaypaperwhichsheheldouttomewitharuefulglance.
“I’veneverhadanyexperienceofthissortofthing.It’sprettyghastly,isn’tit?Isawareporterattheinquest.IjustsaidthatIwasterriblyupsetandhadnothingtosay,andthenheaskedmeifIwasn’tveryanxioustofindmyhusband’smurderer,andIsaid‘Yes.’AndthenwhetherIhadanysuspicions,andIsaid‘No.’AndwhetherIdidn’tthinkthecrimeshowedlocalknowledge,andIsaiditseemedtocertainly.Andthatwasall.Andnowlookatthis!”
Inthemiddleofthepagewasaphotograph,evidentlytakenatleasttenyearsago—Heavenknowswheretheyhaddugitout.Therewerelargeheadlines:
WIDOWDECLARESSHEWILLNEVERRESTTILLSHEHASHUNTEDDOWNHUSBAND’SMURDERER.Mrs.Protheroe,thewidowofthemurderedman,iscertainthatthemurderermustbelookedforlocally.Shehassuspicions,butnocertainty.Shedeclaredherselfprostratedwithgrief,butreiteratedherdeterminationtohuntdownthemurderer.
“Itdoesn’tsoundlikeme,doesit?”saidAnne.
“Idaresayitmighthavebeenworse,”Isaid,handingbackthepaper.
“Impudent,aren’tthey?”saidMissCram.“I’dliketoseeoneofthosefellowstryingtogetsomethingoutofme.”
BythetwinkleinGriselda’seye,IwasconvincedthatsheregardedthisstatementasbeingmoreliterallytruethanMissCramintendedittoappear.
Luncheonwasannounced,andwewentin.Letticedidnotcomeintillhalfwaythroughthemeal,whenshedriftedintotheemptyplacewithasmileforGriseldaandanodforme.Iwatchedherwithsomeattention,forreasonsofmyown,butsheseemedmuchthesamevaguecreatureasusual.Extremelypretty—thatinfairnessIhadtoadmit.Shewasstillnotwearingmourning,butwasdressedinashadeofpalegreenthatbroughtoutallthedelicacyofherfaircolouring.
Afterwehadhadcoffee,Annesaidquietly:
“IwanttohavealittletalkwiththeVicar.Iwilltakehimuptomysittingroom.”
AtlastIwastolearnthereasonofoursummons.Iroseandfollowedherupthestairs.Shepausedatthedooroftheroom.AsIwasabouttospeak,shestretchedoutahandtostopme.Sheremainedlistening,lookingdowntowardsthehall.
“Good.Theyaregoingoutintothegarden.No—don’tgointhere.Wecangostraightup.”
Muchtomysurprisesheledthewayalongthecorridortotheextremityofthewing.Hereanarrowladder-likestaircaserosetothefloorabove,andshemountedit,Ifollowing.Wefoundourselvesinadustyboardedpassage.Anneopenedadoorandledmeintoalargedimatticwhichwasevidentlyusedasalumberroom.Thereweretrunksthere,oldbrokenfurniture,afewstackedpictures,andthemanycountlessoddsandendswhichalumberroomcollects.
Mysurprisewassoevidentthatshesmiledfaintly.
“Firstofall,Imustexplain.Iamsleepingverylightlyjustnow.Lastnight—orratherthismorningaboutthreeo’clock,IwasconvincedthatIheardsomeonemovingaboutthehouse.Ilistenedforsometime,andatlastgotupandcameouttosee.OutonthelandingIrealizedthatthesoundscame,notfromdownbelow,butfromupabove.Icamealongtothefootofthesestairs.AgainIthoughtIheardasound.Icalledup,‘Isanybodythere?’Buttherewasnoanswer,andIheardnothingmore,soIassumedthatmynerveshadbeenplayingtricksonme,andwentbacktobed
“However,earlythismorning,Icameuphere—simplyoutofcuriosity.AndIfoundthis!”
Shestoopeddownandturnedroundapicturethatwasleaningagainstthewallwiththebackofthecanvastowardsus.
Igaveagaspofsurprise.Thepicturewasevidentlyaportraitinoils,butthefacehadbeenhackedandcutinsuchasavagewayastorenderitunrecognizable.Moreover,thecutswereclearlyquitefresh.
“Whatanextraordinarything,”Isaid
“Isn’tit?Tellme,canyouthinkofanyexplanation?”
Ishookmyhead.
“There’sakindofsavageryaboutit,”Isaid,“thatIdon’tlike.Itlooksasthoughithadbeendoneinafitofmaniacalrage.”
“Yes,that’swhatIthought.”
“Whatistheportrait?”
“Ihaven’ttheleastidea.Ihaveneverseenitbefore.AllthesethingswereintheatticwhenImarriedLuciusandcameheretolive.Ihaveneverbeenthroughthemorbotheredaboutthem.”
“Extraordinary,”Icommented.
Istoopeddownandexaminedtheotherpictures.Theywereverymuchwhatyouwouldexpecttofind—someverymediocrelandscapes,someoleographsandafewcheaply-framedreproductions.
Therewasnothingelsehelpful.Alargeold-fashionedtrunk,ofthekindthatusedtobecalledan“ark,”hadtheinitialsE.P.uponit.Iraisedthelid.Itwasempty.Nothingelseintheatticwastheleastsuggestive.
“Itreallyisamostamazingoccurrence,”Isaid.“It’sso—senseless.”
“Yes,”saidAnne.“Thatfrightensmealittle.”
Therewasnothingmoretosee.Iaccompaniedherdowntohersittingroomwheresheclosedthedoor.
“DoyouthinkIoughttodoanythingaboutit?Tellthepolice?”
Ihesitated.
“It’shardtosayonthefaceofitwhether—”
“Ithasanythingtodowiththemurderornot,”finishedAnne.“Iknow.That’swhatissodifficult.Onthefaceofit,thereseemsnoconnectionwhatever.”
“No,”Isaid,“butitisanotherPeculiarThing.”
Webothsatsilentwithpuzzledbrows.
“Whatareyourplans,ifImayask?”Isaidpresently.
Sheliftedherhead.
“I’mgoingtolivehereforatleastanothersixmonths!”Shesaiditdefiantly.“Idon’twantto.Ihatetheideaoflivinghere.ButIthinkit’stheonlythingtobedone.OtherwisepeoplewillsaythatIranaway—thatIhadaguiltyconscience.”
“Surelynot.”
“Oh!Yes,theywill.Especiallywhen—”Shepausedandthensaid:“Whenthesixmonthsareup—IamgoingtomarryLawrence.”Hereyesmetmine.“We’reneitherofusgoingtowaitanylonger.”
“Isupposed,”Isaid,“thatthatwouldhappen.”
Suddenlyshebrokedown,buryingherheadinherhands.
“Youdon’tknowhowgratefulIamtoyou—youdon’tknow.We’dsaidgood-byetoeachother—hewasgoingaway.Ifeel—IfeelsoawfulaboutLucius’sdeath.Ifwe’dbeenplanningtogoawaytogether,andhe’ddiedthen—itwouldbesoawfulnow.Butyoumadeusbothseehowwrongitwouldbe.That’swhyI’mgrateful.”
“I,too,amthankful,”Isaidgravely
“Allthesame,youknow,”shesatup.“Unlesstherealmurdererisfoundthey’llalwaysthinkitwasLawrence—oh!Yes,theywill.Andespeciallywhenhemarriesme.”
“Mydear,Dr.Haydock’sevidencemadeitperfectlyclear—”
“Whatdopeoplecareaboutevidence?Theydon’tevenknowaboutit.Andmedicalevidencenevermeansanythingtooutsidersanyway.That’sanotherreasonwhyI’mstayingonhere.Mr.Clement,I’mgoingtofindoutthetruth.”
Hereyesflashedasshespoke.Sheadded:
“That’swhyIaskedthatgirlhere.”
“MissCram?”
“Yes.”
“Youdidaskher,then.Imean,itwasyouridea?”
“Entirely.Oh!Asamatteroffact,shewhinedabit.Attheinquest—shewastherewhenIarrived.No,Iaskedherheredeliberately.”
“Butsurely,”Icried,“youdon’tthinkthatthatsillyyoungwomancouldhaveanythingtodowiththecrime?”
“It’sawfullyeasytoappearsilly,Mr.Clement.It’soneoftheeasiestthingsintheworld.”
“Thenyoureallythink—?”
“No,Idon’t.Honestly,Idon’t.WhatIdothinkisthatthatgirlknowssomething—ormightknowsomething.Iwantedtostudyheratclosequarters.”
“Andtheverynightshearrives,thatpictureisslashed,”Isaidthoughtfully.
“Youthinkshedidit?Butwhy?Itseemssoutterlyabsurdandimpossible.”
“Itseemstomeutterlyimpossibleandabsurdthatyourhusbandshouldhavebeenmurderedinmystudy,”Isaidbitterly.“Buthewas.”
“Iknow.”Shelaidherhandonmyarm.“It’sdreadfulforyou.Idorealizethat,thoughIhaven’tsaidverymuchaboutit.”
Itookthebluelapislazuliearringfrommypocketandhelditouttoher.
“Thisisyours,Ithink?”
“Oh,yes!”Sheheldoutherhandforitwithapleasedsmile.“Wheredidyoufindit?”
ButIdidnotputthejewelintoheroutstretchedhand.
“Wouldyoumind,”Isaid,“ifIkeptitalittlelonger?”
“Why,certainly.”Shelookedpuzzledandalittleinquiring.Ididnotsatisfyhercuriosity.
InsteadIaskedherhowshewassituatedfinancially.
“Itisanimpertinentquestion,”Isaid,“butIreallydonotmeanitassuch.”
“Idon’tthinkit’simpertinentatall.YouandGriseldaarethebestfriendsIhavehere.AndIlikethatfunnyoldMissMarple.Luciuswasverywelloff,youknow.HeleftthingsprettyequallydividedbetweenmeandLettice.OldHallgoestome,butLetticeistobeallowedtochooseenoughfurnituretofurnishasmallhouse,andsheisleftaseparatesumforthepurposeofbuyingone,soastoeventhingsup.”
“Whatareherplans,doyouknow?”
Annemadeacomicalgrimace.
“Shedoesn’ttellthemtome.Iimagineshewillleavehereassoonaspossible.Shedoesn’tlikeme—sheneverhas.Idaresayit’smyfault,thoughI’vereallyalwaystriedtobedecent.ButIsupposeanygirlresentsayoungstepmother.”
“Areyoufondofher?”Iaskedbluntly.
Shedidnotreplyatonce,whichconvincedmethatAnneProtheroeisaveryhonestwoman.
“Iwasatfirst,”shesaid.“Shewassuchaprettylittlegirl.Idon’tthinkIamnow.Idon’tknowwhy.Perhapsit’sbecauseshedoesn’tlikeme.Ilikebeingliked,youknow.”
“Wealldo,”Isaid,andAnneProtheroesmiled.
Ihadonemoretasktoperform.ThatwastogetawordalonewithLetticeProtheroe.Imanagedthateasilyenough,catchingsightofherinthedeserteddrawingroom.GriseldaandGladysCramwereoutinthegarden.
Iwentinandshutthedoor.
“Lettice,”Isaid,“Iwanttospeaktoyouaboutsomething.”
Shelookedupindifferently.
“Yes?”
Ihadthoughtbeforehandwhattosay.Iheldoutthelapisearringandsaidquietly:
“Whydidyoudropthatinmystudy?”
Isawherstiffenforamoment—itwasalmostinstantaneous.HerrecoverywassoquickthatImyselfcouldhardlyhavesworntothemovement.Thenshesaidcarelessly:
“Ineverdroppedanythinginyourstudy.That’snotmine.That’sAnne’s.”
“Iknowthat,”Isaid.
“Well,whyaskme,then?Annemusthavedroppedit.”
“Mrs.Protheroehasonlybeeninmystudyoncesincethemurder,andthenshewaswearingblackandsowouldnothavebeenlikelytohavehadonablueearring.”
“Inthatcase,”saidLettice,“Isupposeshemusthavedroppeditbefore.”Sheadded:“That’sonlylogical.”
“It’sverylogical,”Isaid.“Isupposeyoudon’thappentorememberwhenyourstepmotherwaswearingtheseearringslast?”
“Oh!”Shelookedatmewithapuzzled,trustfulgaze.“Isitveryimportant?”
“Itmightbe,”Isaid.
“I’lltryandthink.”Shesatthereknittingherbrows.IhaveneverseenLetticeProtheroelookmorecharmingthanshedidatthatmoment.“Oh,yes!”shesaidsuddenly.“Shehadthemon—onThursday.Iremembernow.”
“Thursday,”Isaidslowly,“wasthedayofthemurder.Mrs.Protheroecametothestudyinthegardenthatday,butifyouremember,inherevidence,sheonlycameasfarasthestudywindow,notinsidetheroom.”
“Wheredidyoufindthis?”
“Rolledunderneaththedesk.”
“Thenitlooks,doesn’tit,”saidLetticecoolly,“asthoughshehadn’tspokenthetruth?”
“Youmeanthatshecamerightinandstoodbythedesk?”
“Well,itlookslikeit,doesn’tit?”
Hereyesmetmineserenely.
“Ifyouwanttoknow,”shesaidcalmly,“Ineverhavethoughtshewasspeakingthetruth.”
“AndIknowyouarenot,Lettice.”
“Whatdoyoumean?”
Shewasstartled.
“Imean,”Isaid,“thatthelasttimeIsawthisearringwasonFridaymorningwhenIcameupherewithColonelMelchett.Itwaslyingwithitsfellowonyourstepmother’sdressingtable.Iactuallyhandledthemboth.”
“Oh—!”Shewavered,thensuddenlyflungherselfsidewaysoverthearmofherchairandburstintotears.Hershortfairhairhungdownalmosttouchingthefloor.Itwasastrangeattitude—beautifulandunrestrained.
IlethersobforsomemomentsinsilenceandthenIsaidverygently:
“Lettice,whydidyoudoit?”
“What?”
Shesprangup,flingingherhairwildlyback.Shelookedwild—almostterrified.
“Whatdoyoumean?”
“Whatmadeyoudoit?Wasitjealousy?DislikeofAnne?”
“Oh!—Oh,yes!”Shepushedthehairbackfromherfaceandseemedsuddenlytoregaincompleteself-possession.“Yes,youcancallitjealousy.I’vealwaysdislikedAnne—eversinceshecamequeeningithere.Iputthedamnedthingunderthedesk.Ihopeditwouldgetherintotrouble.Itwouldhavedoneifyouhadn’tbeensuchaNoseyParker,fingeringthingsondressingtables.Anyway,itisn’taclergyman’sbusinesstogoabouthelpingthepolice.”
Itwasaspiteful,childishoutburst.Itooknonoticeofit.Indeed,atthatmoment,sheseemedaverypatheticchildindeed.
HerchildishattemptatvengeanceagainstAnneseemedhardlytobetakenseriously.Itoldherso,andaddedthatIshouldreturntheearringtoherandsaynothingofthecircumstancesinwhichIhadfoundit.Sheseemedrathertouchedbythat.
“That’sniceofyou,”shesaid.
Shepausedaminuteandthensaid,keepingherfaceavertedandevidentlychoosingherwordswithcare:
“Youknow,Mr.Clement,Ishould—IshouldgetDennisawayfromheresoon,ifIwereyouI—thinkitwouldbebetter.”
“Dennis?”Iraisedmyeyebrowsinslightsurprisebutwithatraceofamusementtoo.
“Ithinkitwouldbebetter.”Sheadded,stillinthesameawkwardmanner:“I’msorryaboutDennis.Ididn’tthinkhe—anyway,I’msorry.”
Weleftitatthat.
Twenty-three
Onthewayback,IproposedtoGriseldathatweshouldmakeadetourandgoroundbythebarrow.Iwasanxioustoseeifthepolicewereatworkandifso,whattheyhadfound.Griselda,however,hadthingstodoathome,soIwaslefttomaketheexpeditiononmyown.
IfoundConstableHurstinchargeofoperations.
“Nosignsofar,sir,”hereported.“Andyetitstandstoreasonthatthisistheonlyplaceforacache.”
Hisuseofthewordcachepuzzledmeforamoment,ashepronounceditcatch,buthisrealmeaningoccurredtomealmostatonce.
“Whatimeantersayis,sir,whereelsecouldtheyoungwomanbegoingstartingintothewoodbythatpath?ItleadstoOldHall,anditleadshere,andthat’saboutall.”
“Isuppose,”Isaid,“thatInspectorSlackwoulddisdainsuchasimplecourseasaskingtheyoungladystraightout.”
“Anxiousnottoputthewindupher,”saidHurst.“AnythingshewritestoStoneorhewritestohermaythrowlightonthings—oncesheknowswe’reontoher,she’dshutuplikethat.”
Likewhatexactlywasleftindoubt,butIpersonallydoubtedMissGladysCrameverbeingshutupinthewaydescribed.Itwasimpossibletoimagineherasotherthanoverflowingwithconversation.
“Whenaman’sanh’impostor,youwanttoknowwhyhe’sanh’impostor,”saidConstableHurstdidactically.
“Naturally,”Isaid.
“Andtheansweristobefoundinthisherebarrow—orelsewhywasheforevermessingaboutwithit?”
“Araisond’êtreforprowlingabout,”Isuggested,butthisbitofFrenchwastoomuchfortheconstable.Herevengedhimselffornotunderstandingitbysayingcoldly:
“That’stheh’amateur’spointofview.”
“Anyway,youhaven’tfoundthesuitcase,”Isaid.
“Weshalldo,sir.Notadoubtofit.”
“I’mnotsosure,”Isaid.“I’vebeenthinking.MissMarplesaiditwasquiteashorttimebeforethegirlreappearedempty-handed.Inthatcase,shewouldn’thavehadtimetogetuphereandback.”
“Youcan’ttakeanynoticeofwhatoldladiessay.Whenthey’veseensomethingcurious,andarewaitingalleagerlike,why,timesimplyfliesforthem.Andanyway,noladyknowsanythingabouttime.”
Ioftenwonderwhythewholeworldissopronetogeneralize.Generalizationsareseldomifevertrueandareusuallyutterlyinaccurate.Ihaveapoorsenseoftimemyself(hencethekeepingofmyclockfast)andMissMarple,Ishouldsay,hasaveryacuteone.Herclockskeeptimetotheminuteandsheherselfisrigidlypunctualoneveryoccasion.
However,IhadnointentionofarguingwithConstableHurstonthepoint.Iwishedhimgoodafternoonandgoodluckandwentonmyway.
ItwasjustasIwasnearinghomethattheideacametome.Therewasnothingtoleaduptoit.Itjustflashedintomybrainasapossiblesolution.
Youwillrememberthatonmyfirstsearchofthepath,thedayafterthemurder,Ihadfoundthebushesdisturbedinacertainplace.Theyproved,orsoIthoughtatthetime,tohavebeendisturbedbyLawrence,bentonthesameerrandasmyself.
ButIrememberedthatafterwardsheandItogetherhadcomeuponanotherfaintlymarkedtrailwhichprovedtobethatoftheInspector.Onthinkingitover,Idistinctlyrememberedthatthefirsttrail(Lawrence’s)hadbeenmuchmorenoticeablethanthesecond,asthoughmorethanonepersonhadbeenpassingthatway.AndIreflectedthatthatwasprobablywhathaddrawnLawrence’sattentiontoitinthefirstinstance.SupposingthatithadoriginallybeenmadebyeitherDr.StoneorelseMissCram?
Iremembered,orelseIimaginedremembering,thattherehadbeenseveralwitheredleavesonbrokentwigs.Ifso,thetrailcouldnothavebeenmadetheafternoonofoursearch.
Iwasjustapproachingthespotinquestion.Irecognizediteasilyenoughandoncemoreforcedmywaythroughthebushes.ThistimeInoticedfreshtwigsbroken.SomeonehadpassedthiswaysinceLawrenceandmyself.
IsooncametotheplacewhereIhadencounteredLawrence.Thefainttrail,however,persistedfarther,andIcontinuedtofollowit.Suddenlyitwidenedoutintoalittleclearing,whichshowedsignsofrecentupheaval.Isayaclearing,becausethedensenessoftheundergrowthwasthinnedoutthere,butthebranchesofthetreesmetoverheadandthewholeplacewasnotmorethanafewfeetacross.
Ontheotherside,theundergrowthgrewdenselyagain,anditseemedquiteclearthatnoonehadforcedawaythroughitrecently.Nevertheless,itseemedtohavebeendisturbedinoneplace.
Iwentacrossandkneeleddown,thrustingthebushesasidewithbothhands.Aglintofshinybrownsurfacerewardedme.Fullofexcitement,IthrustmyarminandwithagooddealofdifficultyIextractedasmallbrownsuitcase.
Iutteredanejaculationoftriumph.Ihadbeensuccessful.ColdlysnubbedbyConstableHurst,Ihadyetprovedrightinmyreasoning.HerewithoutdoubtwasthesuitcasecarriedbyMissCram.Itriedthehasp,butitwaslocked.
AsIrosetomyfeetInoticedasmallbrownishcrystallyingontheground.Almostautomatically,Ipickeditupandslippeditintomypocket.
Thengraspingmyfindbythehandle,Iretracedmystepstothepath.
AsIclimbedoverthestileintothelane,anagitatedvoicenearathandcalledout:
“Oh!Mr.Clement.You’vefoundit!Howcleverofyou!”
Mentallyregisteringthefactthatintheartofseeingwithoutbeingseen,MissMarplehadnorival,Ibalancedmyfindonthepalingsbetweenus.
“That’stheone,”saidMissMarple“I’dknowitanywhere.”
This,Ithought,wasaslightexaggeration.Therearethousandsofcheapshinysuitcasesallexactlyalike.Noonecouldrecognizeoneparticularoneseenfromsuchadistanceawaybymoonlight,butIrealizedthatthewholebusinessofthesuitcasewasMissMarple’sparticulartriumphand,assuch,shewasentitledtoalittlepardonableexaggeration.
“It’slocked,Isuppose,Mr.Clement?”
“Yes.I’mjustgoingtotakeitdowntothepolicestation.”
“Youdon’tthinkitwouldbebettertotelephone?”
Ofcourseunquestionablyitwouldbebettertotelephone.Tostridethroughthevillage,suitcaseinhand,wouldbetocourtaprobablyundesirablepublicity.
SoIunlatchedMissMarple’sgardengateandenteredthehousebytheFrenchwindow,andfromthesanctityofthedrawingroomwiththedoorshut,Itelephonedmynews.
TheresultwasthatInspectorSlackannouncedhewouldbeuphimselfinacoupleofjiffies.
Whenhearriveditwasinhismostcantankerousmood.
“Sowe’vegotit,havewe?”hesaid.“Youknow,sir,youshouldn’tkeepthingstoyourself.Ifyou’danyreasontobelieveyouknewwherethearticleinquestionwashidden,yououghttohavereportedittotheproperauthorities.”
“Itwasapureaccident,”Isaid.“Theideajusthappenedtooccurtome.”
“Andthat’salikelytale.Nearlythree-quartersofamileofwoodland,andyougorighttotheproperspotandlayyourhanduponit.”
IwouldhavegivenInspectorSlackthestepsinreasoningwhichledmetothisparticularspot,buthehadachievedhisusualresultofputtingmybackup.Isaidnothing.
“Well?”saidInspectorSlack,eyeingthesuitcasewithdislikeandwouldbeindifference,“Isupposewemightaswellhavealookatwhat’sinside.”
Hehadbroughtanassortmentofkeysandwirewithhim.Thelockwasacheapaffair.Inacoupleofsecondsthecasewasopen.
Idon’tknowwhatwehadexpectedtofind—somethingsternlysensational,Iimagine.Butthefirstthingthatmetoureyeswasagreasyplaidscarf.TheInspectorlifteditout.Nextcameafadeddarkblueovercoat,verymuchtheworseforwear.Acheckedcapfollowed.
“Ashoddylot,”saidtheInspector.
Apairofbootsverydownatheelandbatteredcamenext.Atthebottomofthesuitcasewasaparceldoneupinnewspaper.
“Fancyshirt,Isuppose,”saidtheInspectorbitterly,ashetoreitopen.
Amomentlaterhehadcaughthisbreathinsurprise.
Forinsidetheparcelweresomedemurelittlesilverobjectsandaroundplatterofthesamemetal.
MissMarplegaveashrillexclamationofrecognition.
“Thetrenchersalts,”sheexclaimed.“ColonelProtheroe’strenchersalts,andtheCharlesIItazza.Didyoueverhearofsuchathing!”
TheInspectorhadgotveryred.
“Sothatwasthegame,”hemuttered.“Robbery.ButIcan’tmakeitout.There’sbeennomentionofthesethingsbeingmissing.”
“Perhapstheyhaven’tdiscoveredtheloss,”Isuggested.“Ipresumethesevaluablethingswouldnothavebeenkeptoutincommonuse.ColonelProtheroeprobablykeptthemlockedawayinasafe.”
“Imustinvestigatethis,”saidtheInspector.“I’llgorightuptoOldHallnow.Sothat’swhyourDr.Stonemadehimselfscarce.Whatwiththemurderandonethingandanother,hewasafraidwe’dgetwindofhisactivities.Aslikelyasnothisbelongingsmighthavebeensearched.Hegotthegirltohidetheminthewoodwithasuitablechangeofclothing.Hemeanttocomebackbyaroundaboutrouteandgooffwiththemonenightwhilstshestayedheretodisarmsuspicion.Well,there’sonethingtothegood.Thisletshimoutoverthemurder.He’dnothingtodowiththat.Quiteadifferentgame.”
Herepackedthesuitcaseandtookhisdeparture,refusingMissMarple’sofferofaglassofsherry.
“Well,that’sonemysteryclearedup,”Isaidwithasigh.“WhatSlacksaysisquitetrue;therearenogroundsforsuspectinghimofthemurder.Everything’saccountedforquitesatisfactorily.”
“Itreallywouldseemso,”saidMissMarple.“Althoughonenevercanbequitecertain,canone?”
“There’sacompletelackofmotive,”Ipointedout.“He’dgotwhathecameforandwasclearingout.”
“Y—es.”
Shewasclearlynotquitesatisfied,andIlookedatherinsomecuriosity.Shehastenedtoanswermyinquiringgazewithakindofapologeticeagerness.
“I’venodoubtIamquitewrong.I’msostupidaboutthesethings.ButIjustwondered—Imeanthissilverisveryvaluable,isitnot?”
“Atazzasoldtheotherdayforoverathousandpounds,Ibelieve.”
“Imean—it’snotthevalueofthemetal.”
“No,it’swhatonemightcallaconnoisseur’svalue.”
“That’swhatImean.Thesaleofsuchthingswouldtakealittletimetoarrange,orevenifitwasarranged,itcouldn’tbecarriedthroughwithoutsecrecy.Imean—iftherobberywerereportedandahueandcrywereraised,well,thethingscouldn’tbemarketedatall.”
“Idon’tquiteseewhatyoumean?”Isaid.
“IknowI’mputtingitbadly.”Shebecamemoreflusteredandapologetic.“Butitseemstomethat—thatthethingscouldn’tjusthavebeenabstracted,sotospeak.Theonlysatisfactorythingtodowouldbetoreplacethesethingswithcopies.Then,perhaps,therobberywouldn’tbediscoveredforsometime.”
“That’saveryingeniousidea,”Isaid.
“Itwouldbetheonlywaytodoit,wouldn’tit?Andifso,ofcourse,asyousay,oncethesubstitutionhadbeenaccomplishedtherewouldn’thavebeenanyreasonformurderingColonelProtheroe—quitethereverse.”
“Exactly,”Isaid.“That’swhatIsaid.”
“Yes,butIjustwondered—Idon’tknow,ofcourse—andColonelProtheroealwaystalkedalotaboutdoingthingsbeforeheactuallydiddothem,and,ofcourse,sometimesneverdidthematall,buthedidsay—”
“Yes?”
“Thathewasgoingtohaveallhisthingsvalued—amandownfromLondon.Forprobate—no,that’swhenyou’redead—forinsurance.Someonetoldhimthatwasthethingtodo.Hetalkedaboutitagreatdeal,andtheimportanceofhavingitdone.Ofcourse,Idon’tknowifhehadmadeanyactualarrangements,butifhehad….”
“Isee,”Isaidslowly.
“Ofcourse,themomenttheexpertsawthesilver,he’dknow,andthenColonelProtheroewouldrememberhavingshownthethingstoDr.Stone—Iwonderifitwasdonethen—legerdemain,don’ttheycallit?Soclever—andthen,well,thefatwouldbeinthefire,touseanold-fashionedexpression.”
“Iseeyouridea,”Isaid.“Ithinkweoughttofindoutforcertain.”
Iwentoncemoretothetelephone.InafewminutesIwasthroughtoOldHallandspeakingtoAnneProtheroe.
“No,it’snothingveryimportant.HastheInspectorarrivedyet?Oh!Well,he’sonhisway.Mrs.Protheroe,canyoutellmeifthecontentsofOldHallwereevervalued?What’sthatyousay?”
Heranswercameclearandprompt.Ithankedher,replacedthereceiver,andturnedtoMissMarple.
“That’sverydefinite.ColonelProtheroehadmadearrangementsforamantocomedownfromLondononMonday—tomorrow—tomakeafullvaluation.OwingtotheColonel’sdeath,thematterhasbeenputoff.”
“Thentherewasamotive,”saidMissMarplesoftly.
“Amotive,yes.Butthat’sall.Youforget.Whentheshotwasfired,Dr.Stonehadjustjoinedtheothers,orwasclimbingoverthestileinordertodoso.”
“Yes,”saidMissMarplethoughtfully.“Sothatruleshimout.”
Twenty-four
IreturnedtotheVicaragetofindHaweswaitingformeinmystudy.Hewaspacingupanddownnervously,andwhenIenteredtheroomhestartedasthoughhehadbeenshot.
“Youmustexcuseme,”hesaid,wipinghisforehead.“Mynervesarealltopieceslately.”
“Mydearfellow,”Isaid,“youpositivelymustgetawayforachange.Weshallhaveyoubreakingdownaltogether,andthatwillneverdo.”
“Ican’tdesertmypost.No,thatisathingIwillneverdo.”
“It’snotacaseofdesertion.Youareill.I’msureHaydockwouldagreewithme.”
“Haydock—Haydock.Whatkindofadoctorishe?Anignorantcountrypractitioner.”
“Ithinkyou’reunfairtohim.Hehasalwaysbeenconsideredaveryablemaninhisprofession.”
“Oh!Perhaps.Yes,Idaresay.ButIdon’tlikehim.However,that’snotwhatIcametosay.Icametoaskyouifyouwouldbekindenoughtopreachtonightinsteadofme.I—Ireallydonotfeelequaltoit.”
“Why,certainly.Iwilltaketheserviceforyou.”
“No,no.Iwishtotaketheservice.Iamperfectlyfit.Itisonlytheideaofgettingupinthepulpit,ofallthoseeyesstaringatme….”
Heshuthiseyesandswallowedconvulsively.
ItiscleartomethatthereissomethingverywrongindeedthematterwithHawes.Heseemedawareofmythoughts,forheopenedhiseyesandsaidquickly:
“Thereisnothingreallywrongwithme.Itisjusttheseheadaches—theseawfulrackingheadaches.Iwonderifyoucouldletmehaveaglassofwater.”
“Certainly,”Isaid.
Iwentandfetcheditmyselffromthetap.Ringingbellsisaprofitlessformofexerciseinourhouse.
Ibroughtthewatertohimandhethankedme.Hetookfromhispocketasmallcardboardbox,andopeningit,extractedaricepapercapsule,whichheswallowedwiththeaidofthewater.
“Aheadachepowder,”heexplained.
IsuddenlywonderedwhetherHawesmighthavebecomeaddictedtodrugs.Itwouldexplainagreatmanyofhispeculiarities.
“Youdon’ttaketoomany,Ihope,”Isaid.
“No—oh,no.Dr.Haydockwarnedmeagainstthat.Butitisreallywonderful.Theybringinstantrelief.”
Indeedhealreadyseemedcalmerandmorecomposed.
Hestoodup.
“Thenyouwillpreachtonight?It’sverygoodofyou,sir.”
“Notatall.AndIinsistontakingtheservicetoo.Getalonghomeandrest.No,Iwon’thaveanyargument.Notanotherword.”
Hethankedmeagain.Thenhesaid,hiseyesslidingpastmetothewindow:
“You—havebeenupatOldHalltoday,haven’tyou,sir?”
“Yes.”
“Excuseme—butwereyousentfor?”
Ilookedathiminsurprise,andheflushed.
“I’msorry,sir.I—IjustthoughtsomenewdevelopmentmighthavearisenandthatwaswhyMrs.Protheroehadsentforyou.”
IhadnotthefaintestintentionofsatisfyingHawes’scuriosity.
“Shewantedtodiscussthefuneralarrangementsandoneortwoothersmallmatterswithme,”Isaid.
“Oh!Thatwasall.Isee.”
Ididnotspeak.Hefidgetedfromfoottofoot,andfinallysaid:
“Mr.Reddingcametoseemelastnight.I—Ican’timaginewhy.”
“Didn’thetellyou?”
“He—hejustsaidhethoughthe’dlookmeup.Saiditwasabitlonelyintheevenings.He’sneverdonesuchathingbefore.”
“Well,he’ssupposedtobepleasantcompany,”Isaid,smiling.
“Whatdoeshewanttocomeandseemefor?Idon’tlikeit.”Hisvoiceroseshrilly.“Hespokeofdroppinginagain.Whatdoesitallmean?Whatideadoyouthinkhehasgotintohishead?”
“Whyshouldyousupposehehasanyulteriormotive?”Iasked.
“Idon’tlikeit,”repeatedHawesobstinately.“I’venevergoneagainsthiminanyway.Ineversuggestedthathewasguilty—evenwhenheaccusedhimselfIsaiditseemedmostincomprehensible.IfI’vehadsuspicionsofanybodyit’sbeenofArcher—neverofhim.Archerisatotallydifferentproposition—agodlessirreligiousruffian.Adrunkenblackguard.”
“Don’tyouthinkyou’rebeingalittleharsh?”Isaid.“Afterall,wereallyknowverylittleabouttheman.”
“Apoacher,inandoutofprison,capableofanything.”
“DoyoureallythinkheshotColonelProtheroe?”Iaskedcuriously.
Haweshasaninveteratedislikeofansweringyesorno.Ihavenoticeditseveraltimeslately.
“Don’tyouthinkyourself,sir,thatit’stheonlypossiblesolution?”
“Asfarasweknow,”Isaid,“there’snoevidenceofanykindagainsthim.”
“Histhreats,”saidHaweseagerly.“Youforgetabouthisthreats.”
IamsickandtiredofhearingaboutArcher’sthreats.AsfarasIcanmakeout,thereisnodirectevidencethatheevermadeany.
“HewasdeterminedtoberevengedonColonelProtheroe.Heprimedhimselfwithdrinkandthenshothim.”
“That’spuresupposition.”
“Butyouwilladmitthatit’sperfectlyprobable?”
“No,Idon’t.”
“Possible,then?”
“Possible,yes.”
Hawesglancedatmesideways.
“Whydon’tyouthinkit’sprobable?”
“Because,”Isaid,“amanlikeArcherwouldn’tthinkofshootingamanwithapistol.It’sthewrongweapon.”
Hawesseemedtakenabackbymyargument.Evidentlyitwasn’ttheobjectionhehadexpected.
“Doyoureallythinktheobjectionisfeasible?”heaskeddoubtingly.
“TomyminditisacompletestumblingblocktoArcher’shavingcommittedthecrime,”Isaid.
Infaceofmypositiveassertion,Hawessaidnomore.Hethankedmeagainandleft.
Ihadgoneasfarasthefrontdoorwithhim,andonthehalltableIsawfournotes.Theyhadcertaincharacteristicsincommon.Thehandwritingwasalmostunmistakablyfeminine,theyallborethewords,“Byhand,Urgent,”andtheonlydifferenceIcouldseewasthatonewasnoticeablydirtierthantherest.
Theirsimilaritygavemeacuriousfeelingofseeing—notdoublebutquadruple
Marycameoutofthekitchenandcaughtmestaringatthem.
“Comebyhandsincelunchtime,”shevolunteered.“Allbutone.Ifoundthatinthebox.”
Inodded,gatheredthemupandtookthemintothestudy.
Thefirstoneranthus:
“DearMr.Clement,—SomethinghascometomyknowledgewhichIfeelyououghttoknow.ItconcernsthedeathofpoorColonelProtheroe.Ishouldmuchappreciateyouradviceonthematter—whethertogotothepoliceornot.Sincemydearhusband’sdeath,Ihavesuchashrinkingfromeverykindofpublicity.Perhapsyoucouldruninandseemeforafewminutesthisafternoon.Yourssincerely,MarthaPriceRidley.”
Iopenedthesecond:
“DearMr.Clement,—Iamsotroubled—soexcitedinmymind—toknowwhatIoughttodo.SomethinghascometomyearsthatIfeelmaybeimportant.Ihavesuchahorrorofbeingmixedupwiththepoliceinanyway.Iamsodisturbedanddistressed.Woulditbeaskingtoomuchofyou,dearVicar,todropinforafewminutesandsolvemydoubtsandperplexitiesformeinthewonderfulwayyoualwaysdo?Forgivemytroublingyou,Yoursverysincerely,CarolineWetherby.”
Thethird,Ifelt,Icouldalmosthaverecitedbeforehand.
“DearMr.Clement,—Somethingmostimportanthascometomyears.Ifeelyoushouldbethefirsttoknowaboutit.Willyoucallinandseemethisafternoonsometime?Iwillwaitinforyou.”
Thismilitantepistlewassigned“AmandaHartnell.”
Iopenedthefourthmissive.Ithasbeenmygoodfortunetobetroubledwithveryfewanonymousletters.Ananonymousletteris,Ithink,themeanestandcruellestweaponthereis.Thisonewasnoexception.Itpurportedtobewrittenbyanilliterateperson,butseveralthingsinclinedmetodisbelievethatassumption.
“DearVicar,—IthinkyououghttoknowwhatisGoingOn.YourladyhasbeenseencomingoutofMr.Redding’scottageinasurreptitiousmanner.Youknowwotimean.ThetwoareCarryingOntogether.ithinkyououghttoknow.AFriend.”
ImadeafaintexclamationofdisgustandcrumplingupthepapertosseditintotheopengratejustasGriseldaenteredtheroom.
“What’sthatyou’rethrowingdownsocontemptuously?”sheasked.
“Filth,”Isaid.
Takingamatchfrommypocket,Istruckitandbentdown.Griselda,however,wastooquickforme.ShehadstoopeddownandcaughtupthecrumpledballofpaperandsmootheditoutbeforeIcouldstopher.
Shereadit,gavealittleexclamationofdisgust,andtosseditbacktome,turningawayasshedidso.Ilighteditandwatcheditburn.
Griseldahadmovedaway.Shewasstandingbythewindowlookingoutintothegarden.
“Len,”shesaid,withoutturninground.
“Yes,mydear.”
“I’dliketotellyousomething.Yes,don’tstopme.Iwantto,please.When—whenLawrenceReddingcamehere,IletyouthinkthatIhadonlyknownhimslightlybefore.Thatwasn’ttrue.I—hadknownhimratherwell.Infact,beforeImetyou,Ihadbeenratherinlovewithhim.IthinkmostpeoplearewithLawrence.Iwas—well,absolutelysillyabouthimatonetime.Idon’tmeanIwrotehimcompromisinglettersoranythingidioticliketheydoinbooks.ButIwasratherkeenonhimonce.”
“Whydidn’tyoutellme?”Iasked.
“Oh!Because!Idon’tknowexactlyexceptthat—well,you’refoolishinsomeways.Justbecauseyou’resomucholderthanIam,youthinkthatI—well,thatI’mlikelytolikeotherpeople.Ithoughtyou’dbetiresome,perhaps,aboutmeandLawrencebeingfriends.”
“You’reverycleveratconcealingthings,”Isaid,rememberingwhatshehadtoldmeinthatroomlessthanaweekago,andtheingenuouswayshehadtalked.
“Yes,I’vealwaysbeenabletohidethings.Inaway,Ilikedoingit.”
Hervoiceheldachildlikeringofpleasuretoit.
“Butit’squitetruewhatIsaid.Ididn’tknowaboutAnne,andIwonderedwhyLawrencewassodifferent,not—well,reallynotnoticingme.I’mnotusedtoit.”
Therewasapause.
“Youdounderstand,Len?”saidGriseldaanxiously.
“Yes,”Isaid,“Iunderstand.”
ButdidI?
Twenty-five
Ifoundithardtoshakeofftheimpressionleftbytheanonymousletter.Pitchsoils.
However,Igathereduptheotherthreeletters,glancedatmywatch,andstartedout.
Iwonderedverymuchwhatthismightbethathad“cometotheknowledge”ofthreeladiessimultaneously.Itookittobethesamepieceofnews.Inthis,Iwastorealizethatmypsychologywasatfault.
Icannotpretendthatmycallstookmepastthepolicestation.Myfeetgravitatedthereoftheirownaccord.IwasanxioustoknowwhetherInspectorSlackhadreturnedfromOldHall.
Ifoundthathehad,andfurther,thatMissCramhadreturnedwithhim.ThefairGladyswasseatedinthepolicestationcarryingoffmatterswithahighhand.Shedeniedabsolutelyhavingtakenthesuitcasetothewoods.
“Justbecauseoneofthesegossipingoldcatshadnothingbettertodothanlookoutofherwindowallnightyougoandpitchuponme.She’sbeenmistakenonce,remember,whenshesaidshesawmeattheendofthelaneontheafternoonofthemurder,andifshewasmistakenthen,indaylight,howcanshepossiblyhaverecognizedmebymoonlight?
“Wickeditis,thewaytheseoldladiesgoondownhere.Sayanything,theywill.Andmeasleepinmybedasinnocentascanbe.Yououghttobeashamedofyourselves,thelotofyou.”
“AndsupposingthelandladyoftheBlueBoaridentifiesthesuitcaseasyours,MissCram?”
“Ifshesaysanythingofthekind,she’swrong.There’snonameonit.Nearlyeverybody’sgotasuitcaselikethat.AsforpoorDr.Stone,accusinghimofbeingacommonburglar!Andhehasalotoflettersafterhisname.”
“Yourefusetogiveusanyexplanation,then,MissCram?”
“Norefusingaboutit.You’vemadeamistake,that’sall.YouandyourmeddlesomeMarples.Iwon’tsayawordmore—notwithoutmysolicitorpresent.I’mgoingthisminute—unlessyou’regoingtoarrestme.”
Foranswer,theInspectorroseandopenedthedoorforher,andwithatossofthehead,MissCramwalkedout.
“That’sthelineshetakes,”saidSlack,comingbacktohischair.“Absolutedenial.And,ofcourse,theoldladymayhavebeenmistaken.Nojurywouldbelieveyoucouldrecognizeanyonefromthatdistanceonamoonlitnight.And,ofcourse,asIsay,theoldladymayhavemadeamistake.”
“Shemay,”Isaid,“butIdon’tthinkshedid.MissMarpleisusuallyright.That’swhatmakesherunpopular.”
TheInspectorgrinned.
“That’swhatHurstsays.Lord,thesevillages!”
“Whataboutthesilver,Inspector?”
“Seemedtobeperfectlyinorder.Ofcourse,thatmeantonelotortheothermustbeafake.There’saverygoodmaninMuchBenham,anauthorityonoldsilver.I’vephonedovertohimandsentacartofetchhim.We’llsoonknowwhichiswhich.Eithertheburglarywasanaccomplishedfact,orelseitwasonlyplanned.Doesn’tmakeafrightfullotofdifferenceeitherway—Imeanasfaraswe’reconcerned.Robbery’sasmallbusinesscomparedwithmurder.Thesetwoaren’tconcernedwiththemurder.We’llmaybegetalineonhimthroughthegirl—that’swhyIlethergowithoutanymorefuss.”
“Iwondered,”Isaid.
“ApityaboutMr.Redding.It’snotoftenyoufindamanwhogoesoutofhiswaytoobligeyou.”
“Isupposenot,”Isaid,smilingslightly.
“Womencausealotoftrouble,”moralizedtheInspector.
Hesighedandthenwenton,somewhattomysurprise:“Ofcourse,there’sArcher.”
“Oh!”Isaid,“You’vethoughtofhim?”
“Why,naturally,sir,firstthing.Itdidn’tneedanyanonymousletterstoputmeonhistrack.”
“Anonymousletters,”Isaidsharply.“Didyougetone,then?”
“That’snothingnew,sir.Wegetadozenaday,atleast.Oh,yes,wewereputwisetoArcher.Asthoughthepolicecouldn’tlookoutforthemselves!Archer’sbeenundersuspicionfromthefirst.Thetroubleofitis,he’sgotanalibi.Notthatitamountstoanything,butit’sawkwardtogetover.”
“Whatdoyoumeanbyitsnotamountingtoanything?”Iasked.
“Well,itappearshewaswithacoupleofpalsalltheafternoon.Not,asIsay,thatthatcountsmuch.MenlikeArcherandhispalswouldsweartoanything.There’snobelievingawordtheysay.Weknowthat.Butthepublicdoesn’t,andthejury’stakenfromthepublic,more’sthepity.Theyknownothing,andtentoonebelieveeverythingthat’ssaidinthewitnessbox,nomatterwhoitisthatsaysit.AndofcourseArcherhimselfwillsweartillhe’sblackinthefacethathedidn’tdoit.”
“NotsoobligingasMr.Redding,”Isaidwithasmile.
“Nothe,”saidtheInspector,makingtheremarkasaplainstatementoffact
“Itisnatural,Isuppose,toclingtolife,”Imused.
“You’dbesurprisedifyouknewthemurderersthathavegotoffthroughthesoftheartednessofthejury,”saidtheInspectorgloomily.
“ButdoyoureallythinkthatArcherdidit?”Iasked.
IthasstruckmeascuriousallalongthatInspectorSlackneverseemstohaveanypersonalviewsofhisownonthemurder.Theeasinessordifficultyofgettingaconvictionaretheonlypointsthatseemtoappealtohim.
“I’dliketobeabitsurer,”headmitted.“Afingerprintnow,orafootprint,orseeninthevicinityaboutthetimeofthecrime.Can’triskarrestinghimwithoutsomethingofthatkind.He’sbeenseenroundMr.Redding’shouseonceortwice,buthe’dsaythatwastospeaktohismother.Adecentbody,sheis.No,onthewhole,I’mforthelady.IfIcouldonlygetdefiniteproofofblackmail—butyoucan’tgetdefiniteproofofanythinginthiscrime!It’stheory,theory,theory.It’sasadpitythatthere’snotasinglespinsterladylivingalongyourroad,Mr.Clement.Ibetshe’dhaveseensomethingiftherehadbeen.”
Hiswordsremindedmeofmycalls,andItookleaveofhim.ItwasaboutthesolitaryinstancewhenIhadseenhiminagenialmood.
MyfirstcallwasonMissHartnell.Shemusthavebeenwatchingmefromthewindow,forbeforeIhadtimetoringshehadopenedthefrontdoor,andclaspingmyhandfirmlyinhers,hadledmeoverthethreshold.
“Sogoodofyoutocome.Inhere.Moreprivate.”
Weenteredamicroscopicroom,aboutthesizeofahencoop.MissHartnellshutthedoorandwithanairofdeepsecrecywavedmetoaseat(therewereonlythree).Iperceivedthatshewasenjoyingherself.
“I’mneveronetobeataboutthebush,”shesaidinherjollyvoice,thelatterslightlytoneddowntomeettherequirementsofthesituation.“Youknowhowthingsgotheroundsinavillagelikethis.”
“Unfortunately,”Isaid,“Ido.”
“Iagreewithyou.NobodydislikesgossipmorethanIdo.Butthereitis.IthoughtitmydutytotellthepoliceinspectorthatI’dcalledonMrs.Lestrangetheafternoonofthemurderandthatshewasout.Idon’texpecttobethankedfordoingmyduty,Ijustdoit.Ingratitudeiswhatyoumeetwithfirstandlastinthislife.Why,onlyyesterdaythatimpudentMrs.Baker—”
“Yes,yes,”Isaid,hopingtoaverttheusualtirade.“Verysad,verysad.Butyouweresaying.”
“Thelowerclassesdon’tknowwhoaretheirbestfriends,”saidMissHartnell.“IalwayssayawordinseasonwhenI’mvisiting.NotthatI’meverthankedforit.”
“YouweretellingtheInspectoraboutyourcalluponMrs.Lestrange,”Iprompted.
“Exactly—andbytheway,hedidn’tthankme.Saidhe’daskforinformationwhenhewantedit—notthosewordsexactly,butthatwasthespirit.There’sadifferentclassofmeninthepoliceforcenowadays.”
“Veryprobably,”Isaid.“Butyouweregoingontosaysomething?”
“IdecidedthatthistimeIwouldn’tgonearanywretchedinspector.Afterall,aclergymanisagentleman—atleastsomeare,”sheadded.
Igatheredthatthequalificationwasintendedtoincludeme.
“IfIcanhelpyouinanyway,”Ibegan.
“It’samatterofduty,”saidMissHartnell,andclosedhermouthwithasnap.“Idon’twanttohavetosaythesethings.Noonelikesitless.Butdutyisduty.”
Iwaited.
“I’vebeengiventounderstand,”wentonMissHartnell,turningratherred,“thatMrs.Lestrangegivesoutthatshewasathomeallthetime—thatshedidn’tanswerthedoorbecause—well,shedidn’tchoose.Suchairsandgraces.Ionlycalledasamatterofduty,andtobetreatedlikethat!”
“Shehasbeenill,”Isaidmildly.
“Ill?Fiddlesticks.You’retoounworldly,Mr.Clement.There’snothingthematterwiththatwoman.Tooilltoattendtheinquestindeed!MedicalcertificatefromDr.Haydock!Shecanwindhimroundherlittlefinger,everyoneknowsthat.Well,wherewasI?”
Ididn’tquiteknow.ItisdifficultwithMissHartnelltoknowwherenarrativeendsandvituperationbegins.
“Oh,aboutcallingonherthatafternoon.Well,it’sfiddlestickstosayshewasinthehouse.Shewasn’t.Iknow.”
“Howcanyoupossiblyknow?”
MissHartnell’sfaceturnedredder.Insomeonelesstruculent,herdemeanourmighthavebeencalledembarrassed.
“I’dknockedandrung,”sheexplained.“Twice.Ifnotthreetimes.Anditoccurredtomesuddenlythatthebellmightbeoutoforder.”
Shewas,Iwasgladtonote,unabletolookmeinthefacewhensayingthis.Thesamebuilderbuildsallourhousesandthebellsheinstallsareclearlyaudiblewhenstandingonthematoutsidethefrontdoor.BothMissHartnellandIknewthisperfectlywell,butIsupposedecencieshavetobepreserved.
“Yes?”Imurmured.
“Ididn’twanttopushmycardthroughtheletterbox.Thatwouldseemsorude,andwhateverIam,Iamneverrude.”
Shemadethisamazingstatementwithoutatremor.
“SoIthoughtIwouldjustgoroundthehouseand—andtaponthewindowpane,”shecontinuedunblushingly.“Iwentallroundthehouseandlookedinatallthewindows,buttherewasnooneinthehouseatall.”
Iunderstoodherperfectly.Takingadvantageofthefactthatthehousewasempty,MissHartnellhadgivenunbridledreintohercuriosityandhadgoneroundthehouseexaminingthegardenandpeeringinatallthewindowstoseeasmuchasshecouldoftheinterior.Shehadchosentotellherstorytome,believingthatIshouldbeamoresympatheticandlenientaudiencethanthepolice.Theclergyaresupposedtogivethebenefitofthedoubttotheirparishioners.
Imadenocommentonthesituation.Imerelyaskedaquestion.
“Whattimewasthis,MissHartnell?”
“AsfarasIcanremember,”saidMissHartnell,“itmusthavebeencloseonsixo’clock.Iwentstraighthomeafterwards,andIgotinabouttenpastsix,andMrs.Protheroecameinsomewhereroundaboutthehalfhour,leavingDr.StoneandMr.Reddingoutside,andwetalkedaboutbulbs.AndallthetimethepoorColonellyingmurdered.It’sasadworld.”
“Itissometimesaratherunpleasantone,”Isaid.
Irose.
“Andthatisallyouhavetotellme?”
“Ijustthoughtitmightbeimportant.”
“Itmight,”Iagreed.
Andrefusingtobedrawnfurther,muchtoMissHartnell’sdisappointment,Itookmyleave.
MissWetherby,whomIvisitednext,receivedmeinakindofflutter.
“DearVicar,howtrulykind.You’vehadtea?Really,youwon’t?Acushionforyourback?Itissokindofyoutocomeroundsopromptly.Alwayswillingtoputyourselfoutforothers.”
Therewasagooddealofthisbeforewecametothepoint,andeventhenitwasapproachedwithagooddealofcircumlocution.
“YoumustunderstandthatIheardthisonthebestauthority.”
InSt.MaryMeadthebestauthorityisalwayssomebodyelse’sservant.
“Youcan’ttellmewhotoldyou?”
“Ipromised,dearMr.Clement.AndIalwaysthinkapromiseshouldbeasacredthing.”
Shelookedverysolemn.
“Shallwesayalittlebirdtoldme?Thatissafeisn’tit?”
Ilongedtosay,“It’sdamnedsilly.”IratherwishIhad.IshouldhavelikedtoobservetheeffectonMissWetherby.
“Well,thislittlebirdtoldthatshesawacertainlady,whoshallbenameless.”
“Anotherkindofbird?”Iinquired.
TomygreatsurpriseMissWetherbywentoffintoparoxysmsoflaughterandtappedmeplayfullyonthearmsaying:
“Oh,Vicar,youmustnotbesonaughty!”
Whenshehadrecovered,shewenton.
“Acertainlady,andwheredoyouthinkthiscertainladywasgoing?SheturnedintotheVicarageroad,butbeforeshedidso,shelookedupanddowntheroadinamostpeculiarway—toseeifanyonesheknewwerenoticingher,Iimagine.”
“Andthelittlebird—”Iinquired.
“Payingavisittothefishmonger’s—intheroomovertheshop.”
Iknowwheremaidsgoontheirdaysout.Iknowthereisoneplacetheynevergoiftheycanhelp—anywhereintheopenair.
“Andthetime,”continuedMissWetherby,leaningforwardmysteriously,“wasjustbeforesixo’clock.”
“Onwhichday?”
MissWetherbygavealittlescream.
“Thedayofthemurder,ofcourse,didn’tIsayso?”
“Iinferredit,”Ireplied.“Andthenameofthelady?”
“BeginswithanL,”saidWetherby,noddingherheadseveraltimes.
FeelingthatIhadgottotheendoftheinformationMissWetherbyhadtoimpart,Irosetomyfeet.
“Youwon’tletthepolicecross-questionme,willyou?”saidMissWetherby,pathetically,assheclaspedmyhandinbothofhers.“Idoshrinkfrompublicity.Andtostandupincourt!”
“Inspecialcases,”Isaid,“theyletwitnessessitdown.”
AndIescaped.
TherewasstillMrs.PriceRidleytosee.Thatladyputmeinmyplaceatonce
“Iwillnotbemixedupinanypolicecourtbusiness,”shesaidgrimly,aftershakingmyhandcoldly.“Youunderstandthat,ontheotherhand,havingcomeacrossacircumstancewhichneedsexplaining,Ithinkitshouldbebroughttothenoticeoftheauthorities.”
“DoesitconcernMrs.Lestrange?”Iasked.
“Whyshouldit?”demandedMrs.PriceRidleycoldly.
Shehadmeatadisadvantagethere.
“It’saverysimplematter,”shecontinued.“Mymaid,Clara,wasstandingatthefrontgate,shewentdownthereforaminuteortwo—shesaystogetabreathoffreshair.Mostunlikely,Ishouldsay.Muchmoreprobablethatshewaslookingoutforthefishmonger’sboy—ifhecallshimselfaboy—impudentyoungjackanapes,thinksbecausehe’sseventeenhecanjokewithallthegirls.Anyway,asIsay,shewasstandingatthegateandsheheardasneeze.”
“Yes,”Isaid,waitingformore.
“That’sall.Itellyousheheardasneeze.Anddon’tstarttellingmeI’mnotsoyoungasIoncewasandmayhavemadeamistake,becauseitwasClarawhohearditandshe’sonlynineteen.”
“But,”Isaid,“whyshouldn’tshehaveheardasneeze?”
Mrs.PriceRidleylookedatmeinobviouspityformypoornessofintellect.
“Sheheardasneezeonthedayofthemurderatatimewhentherewasnooneinyourhouse.Doubtlessthemurdererwasconcealedinthebusheswaitinghisopportunity.Whatyouhavetolookforisamanwithacoldinhishead.”
“Orasuffererfromhayfever,”Isuggested.“Butasamatteroffact,Mrs.PriceRidley,Ithinkthatmysteryhasaveryeasysolution.Ourmaid,Mary,hasbeensufferingfromaseverecoldinthehead.Infact,hersniffinghastriedusverymuchlately.Itmusthavebeenhersneezeyourmaidheard.”
“Itwasaman’ssneeze,”saidMrs.PriceRidleyfirmly.“Andyoucouldn’thearyourmaidsneezeinyourkitchenfromourgate.”
“Youcouldn’thearanyonesneezinginthestudyfromyourgate,”Isaid.“Oratleast,Iverymuchdoubtit.”
“Isaidthemanmighthavebeenconcealedintheshrubbery,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.“DoubtlesswhenClarahadgonein,heeffectedanentrancebythefrontdoor.”
“Well,ofcourse,that’spossible,”Isaid.
Itriednottomakemyvoiceconsciouslysoothing,butImusthavefailed,forMrs.PriceRidleyglaredatmesuddenly.
“Iamaccustomednottobelistenedto,butImightmentionalsothattoleaveatennisracquetcarelesslyflungdownonthegrasswithoutapresscompletelyruinsit.Andtennisracquetsareveryexpensivenowadays.”
Theredidnotseemtoberhymeorreasoninthisflankattack.Itbewilderedmeutterly.
“Butperhapsyoudon’tagree,”saidMrs.PriceRidley.
“Oh!Ido—certainly.”
“Iamglad.Well,thatisallIhavetosay.Iwashmyhandsofthewholeaffair.”
Sheleanedbackandclosedhereyeslikeonewearyofthisworld.Ithankedherandsaidgood-bye.
Onthedoorstep,IventuredtoaskClaraabouthermistress’sstatement.
“It’squitetrue,sir,Iheardasneeze.Anditwasn’tanordinarysneeze—notbyanymeans.”
Nothingaboutacrimeiseverordinary.Theshotwasnotanordinarykindofshot.Thesneezewasnotausualkindofsneeze.Itwas,Ipresume,aspecialmurderer’ssneeze.Iaskedthegirlwhattimethishadbeen,butshewasveryvague,sometimebetweenaquarterandhalfpastsixshethought.Anyway,“itwasbeforethemistresshadthetelephonecallandwastookbad.”
Iaskedherifshehadheardashotofanykind.Andshesaidtheshotshadbeensomethingawful.Afterthat,Iplacedverylittlecredenceinherstatements.
IwasjustturninginatmyowngatewhenIdecidedtopayafriendavisit.
Glancingatmywatch,IsawthatIhadjusttimeforitbeforetakingEvensong.IwentdowntheroadtoHaydock’shouse.Hecameoutonthedoorsteptomeetme.
Inoticedafreshhowworriedandhaggardhelooked.Thisbusinessseemedtohaveagedhimoutofallknowledge.
“I’mgladtoseeyou,”hesaid.“What’sthenews?”
ItoldhimthelatestStonedevelopment
“Ahigh-classthief,”hecommented.“Well,thatexplainsalotofthings.He’dreaduphissubject,buthemadeslipsfromtimetotimetome.Protheroemusthavecaughthimoutonce.Youremembertherowtheyhad.Whatdoyouthinkaboutthegirl?Issheinittoo?”
“Opinionastothatisundecided,”Isaid.“Formyownpart,Ithinkthegirlisallright.
“She’ssuchaprizeidiot,”Iadded.
“Oh!Iwouldn’tsaythat.She’srathershrewd,isMissGladysCram.Aremarkablyhealthyspecimen.Notlikelytotroublemembersofmyprofession.”
ItoldhimthatIwasworriedaboutHawes,andthatIwasanxiousthatheshouldgetawayforarealrestandchange.
SomethingevasivecameintohismannerwhenIsaidthis.Hisanswerdidnotringquitetrue.
“Yes,”hesaidslowly.“Isupposethatwouldbethebestthing.Poorchap.Poorchap.”
“Ithoughtyoudidn’tlikehim.”
“Idon’t—notmuch.ButI’msorryforalotofpeopleIdon’tlike.”Headdedafteraminuteortwo:“I’mevensorryforProtheroe.Poorfellow—nobodyeverlikedhimmuch.Toofullofhisownrectitudeandtooself-assertive.It’sanunlovablemixture.Hewasalwaysthesame—evenasayoungman.”
“Ididn’tknowyouknewhimthen.”
“Oh,yes!WhenwelivedinWestmorland,Ihadapracticenotfaraway.That’salongtimeagonow.Nearlytwentyyears.”
Isighed.TwentyyearsagoGriseldawasfiveyearsold.Timeisanoddthing…
“Isthatallyoucametosaytome,Clement?”
Ilookedupwithastart.Haydockwaswatchingmewithkeeneyes.
“There’ssomethingelse,isn’tthere?”hesaid.
Inodded.
IhadbeenuncertainwhethertospeakornotwhenIcamein,butnowIdecidedtodoso.IlikeHaydockaswellasanymanIknow.Heisasplendidfellowineveryway.IfeltthatwhatIhadtotellmightbeusefultohim.
IrecitedmyinterviewswithMissHartnellandMissWetherby.
HewassilentforalongtimeafterI’dspoken.
“It’squitetrue,Clement,”hesaidatlast.“I’vebeentryingtoshieldMrs.LestrangefromanyinconveniencethatIcould.Asamatteroffact,she’sanoldfriend.Butthat’snotmyonlyreason.Thatmedicalcertificateofmineisn’ttheput-upjobyouallthinkitwas.”
Hepaused,andthensaidgravely:
“Thisisbetweenyouandme,Clement.Mrs.Lestrangeisdoomed.”
“What?”
“She’sadyingwoman.Igiveheramonthatlongest.DoyouwonderthatIwanttokeepherfrombeingbadgeredandquestioned?”
Hewenton:
“Whensheturnedintothisroadthateveningitwashereshecame—tothishouse.”
“Youhaven’tsaidsobefore.”
“Ididn’twanttocreatetalk.Sixtosevenisn’tmytimeforseeingpatients,andeveryoneknowsthat.Butyoucantakemywordforitthatshewashere.”
“Shewasn’therewhenIcameforyou,though.Imean,whenwediscoveredthebody.”
“No,”heseemedperturbed.“She’dleft—tokeepanappointment.”
“Inwhatdirectionwastheappointment?Inherownhouse?”
“Idon’tknow,Clement.Onmyhonour,Idon’tknow.”
Ibelievedhim,but—
“Andsupposinganinnocentmanishanged?”Isaid.
“No,”hesaid.“NoonewillbehangedforthemurderofColonelProtheroe.Youcantakemywordforthat.”
ButthatisjustwhatIcouldnotdo.Andyetthecertaintyinhisvoicewasverygreat.
“Noonewillbehanged,”herepeated.
“Thisman,Archer—”
Hemadeanimpatientmovement.
“Hasn’tgotbrainsenoughtowipehisfingerprintsoffthepistol.”
“Perhapsnot,”Isaiddubiously.
ThenIrememberedsomething,andtakingthelittlebrownishcrystalIhadfoundinthewoodfrommypocket,Ihelditouttohimandaskedhimwhatitwas.
“H’m,”hehesitated.“Lookslikepicricacid.Wheredidyoufindit?”
“That,”Ireplied,“isSherlockHolmes’ssecret.”
Hesmiled.
“Whatispicricacid?”
“Well,it’sanexplosive.”
“Yes,Iknowthat,butit’sgotanotheruse,hasn’tit?”
Henodded.
“It’susedmedically—insolutionforburns.Wonderfulstuff.”
Iheldoutmyhand,andratherreluctantlyhehandeditbacktome.
“It’sofnoconsequenceprobably,”Isaid.“ButIfounditinratheranunusualplace.”
“Youwon’ttellmewhere?”
Ratherchildishly,Iwouldn’t.
Hehadhissecrets.Well,Iwouldhavemine.
Iwasalittlehurtthathehadnotconfidedinmemorefully.
Twenty-six
IwasinastrangemoodwhenImountedthepulpitthatnight.
Thechurchwasunusuallyfull.IcannotbelievethatitwastheprospectofHawespreachingwhichhadattractedsomany.Hawes’ssermonsaredullanddogmatic.AndifthenewshadgotroundthatIwaspreachinginstead,thatwouldnothaveattractedthemeither.Formysermonsaredullandscholarly.Neither,Iamafraid,canIattributeittodevotion.
Everybodyhadcome,Iconcluded,toseewhoelsewasthere,andpossiblyexchangealittlegossipinthechurchporchafterwards.
Haydockwasinchurch,whichisunusual,andalsoLawrenceRedding.Andtomysurprise,besideLawrenceIsawthewhitestrainedfaceofHawes.AnneProtheroewasthere,butsheusuallyattendsEvensongonSundays,thoughIhadhardlythoughtshewouldtoday.IwasfarmoresurprisedtoseeLettice.ChurchgoingwascompulsoryonSundaymorning—ColonelProtheroewasadamantonthatpoint,butIhadneverseenLetticeateveningservicebefore.
GladysCramwasthere,lookingratherblatantlyyoungandhealthyagainstabackgroundofwizenedspinsters,andIfanciedthatadimfigureattheendofthechurchwhohadslippedinlate,wasMrs.Lestrange.
IneedhardlysaythatMrs.PriceRidley,MissHartnell,MissWetherby,andMissMarplewerethereinfullforce.Allthevillagepeoplewerethere,withhardlyasingleexception.Idon’tknowwhenwehavehadsuchacrowdedcongregation.
Crowdsarequeerthings.Therewasamagneticatmospherethatnight,andthefirstpersontofeelitsinfluencewasmyself.
Asarule,Ipreparemysermonsbeforehand.Iamcarefulandconscientiousoverthem,butnooneisbetterawarethanmyselfoftheirdeficiencies.
TonightIwasofnecessitypreachingextempore,andasIlookeddownontheseaofupturnedfaces,asuddenmadnessenteredmybrain.IceasedtobeinanysenseaMinisterofGod.Ibecameanactor.IhadanaudiencebeforemeandIwantedtomovethataudience—andmore,Ifeltthepowertomoveit.
IamnotproudofwhatIdidthatnight.IamanutterdisbelieverintheemotionalRevivalistspirit.YetthatnightIactedthepartofaraving,rantingevangelist.
Igaveoutmytextslowly.
Icamenottocalltherighteous,butsinnerstorepentance.
Irepeatedittwice,andIheardmyownvoice,aresonant,ringingvoiceunlikethevoiceoftheeverydayLeonardClement.
IsawGriseldafromherfrontpewlookupinsurpriseandDennisfollowherexample.
Iheldmybreathforamomentortwo,andthenIletmyselfrip.
Thecongregationinthatchurchwereinastateofpent-upemotion,ripetobeplayedupon.Iplayeduponthem.Iexhortedsinnerstorepentance.Ilashedmyselfintoakindofemotionalfrenzy.AgainandagainIthrewoutadenouncinghandandreiteratedthephrase.
“Iamspeakingtoyou.…”
Andeachtime,fromdifferentpartsofthechurch,akindofsighinggaspwentup.
Massemotionisastrangeandterriblething.
Ifinishedupwiththosebeautifulandpoignantwords—perhapsthemostpoignantwordsinthewholeBible:
“Thisnightthysoulshallberequiredofthee….”
Itwasastrange,briefpossession.WhenIgotbacktotheVicarageIwasmyusualfaded,indeterminateself.IfoundGriseldaratherpale.Sheslippedherarmthroughmine.
“Len,”shesaid,“youwereratherterribletonight.I—Ididn’tlikeit.I’veneverheardyoupreachlikethatbefore.”
“Idon’tsupposeyoueverwillagain,”Isaid,sinkingdownwearilyonthesofa.Iwastired.
“Whatmadeyoudoit?”
“Asuddenmadnesscameoverme.”
“Oh!It—itwasn’tsomethingspecial?”
“Whatdoyoumean—somethingspecial?”
“Iwondered—thatwasall.You’reveryunexpected,Len.IneverfeelIreallyknowyou.”
Wesatdowntocoldsupper,Marybeingout.
“There’sanoteforyouinthehall,”saidGriselda.“Getit,willyou,Dennis?”
Dennis,whohadbeenverysilent,obeyed.
Itookitandgroaned.Acrossthetopleft-handcornerwaswritten:Byhand—Urgent.
“This,”Isaid,“mustbefromMissMarple.There’snooneelseleft.”
Ihadbeenperfectlycorrectinmyassumption.
“DearMr.Clement,—Ishouldsomuchliketohavealittlechatwithyouaboutoneortwothingsthathaveoccurredtome.Ifeelweshouldalltryandhelpinelucidatingthissadmystery.IwillcomeoverabouthalfpastnineifImay,andtaponyourstudywindow.PerhapsdearGriseldawouldbesoverykindastorunoverhereandcheerupmynephew.AndMr.Dennistoo,ofcourse,ifhecarestocome.IfIdonothear,IwillexpectthemandwillcomeovermyselfatthetimeIhavestated.Yoursverysincerely,JaneMarple.”
IhandedthenotetoGriselda.
“Oh,we’llgo!”shesaidcheerfully.“AglassortwoofhomemadeliqueurisjustwhatoneneedsonSundayevening.Ithinkit’sMary’sblancmangethatissofrightfullydepressing.It’slikesomethingoutofamortuary.”
Dennisseemedlesscharmedattheprospect.
“It’sallverywellforyou,”hegrumbled.“Youcantalkallthishighbrowstuffaboutartandbooks.Ialwaysfeelaperfectfoolsittingandlisteningtoyou.”
“That’sgoodforyou,”saidGriseldaserenely.“Itputsyouinyourplace.Anyway,Idon’tthinkMr.RaymondWestissofrightfullycleverashepretendstobe.”
“Veryfewofusare,”Isaid.
IwonderedverymuchwhatexactlyitwasthatMissMarplewishedtotalkover.Ofalltheladiesinmycongregation,Iconsideredherbyfartheshrewdest.Notonlydoessheseeandhearpracticallyeverythingthatgoeson,butshedrawsamazinglyneatandappositedeductionsfromthefactsthatcomeunderhernotice.
IfIwereatanytimetosetoutonacareerofdeceit,itwouldbeofMissMarplethatIshouldbeafraid.
WhatGriseldacalledtheNephewAmusingPartystartedoffatalittleafternine,andwhilstIwaswaitingforMissMarpletoarriveIamusedmyselfbydrawingupakindofscheduleofthefactsconnectedwiththecrime.Iarrangedthemsofaraspossibleinchronologicalorder.Iamnotapunctualperson,butIamaneatone,andIlikethingsjotteddowninamethodicalfashion.
Athalfpastninepunctually,therewasalittletaponthewindow,andIroseandadmittedMissMarple.
ShehadaveryfineShetlandshawlthrownoverherheadandshouldersandwaslookingratheroldandfrail.Shecameinfulloflittleflutteringremarks.
“Sogoodofyoutoletmecome—andsogoodofdearGriselda—Raymondadmireshersomuch—theperfectGreuzehealwayscallsher…No,Iwon’thaveafootstool.”
IdepositedtheShetlandshawlonachairandreturnedtotakeachairfacingmyguest.Welookedateachother,andalittledeprecatingsmilebrokeoutonherface.
“Ifeelthatyoumustbewonderingwhy—whyIamsointerestedinallthis.Youmaypossiblythinkit’sveryunwomanly.No—please—IshouldliketoexplainifImay.”
Shepausedamoment,apinkcoloursuffusinghercheeks.
“Yousee,”shebeganatlast,“livingalone,asIdo,inaratherout-of-the-waypartoftheworld,onehastohaveahobby.Thereis,ofcourse,woolwork,andGuides,andWelfare,andsketching,butmyhobbyis—andalwayshasbeen—HumanNature.Sovaried—andsoveryfascinating.And,ofcourse,inasmallvillage,withnothingtodistractone,onehassuchampleopportunityforbecomingwhatImightcallproficientinone’sstudy.Onebeginstoclasspeople,quitedefinitely,justasthoughtheywerebirdsorflowers,groupso-and-so,genusthis,speciesthat.Sometimes,ofcourse,onemakesmistakes,butlessandlessastimegoeson.Andthen,too,onetestsoneself.Onetakesalittleproblem—forinstance,thegillofpickedshrimpsthatamuseddearGriseldasomuch—aquiteunimportantmysterybutabsolutelyincomprehensibleunlessonesolvesitright.Andthentherewasthatmatterofthechangedcoughdrops,andthebutcher’swife’sumbrella—thelastabsolutelymeaninglessunlessontheassumptionthatthegreengrocerwasnotbehavingatallnicelywiththechemist’swife—which,ofcourse,turnedouttobethecase.Itissofascinating,youknow,toapplyone’sjudgmentandfindthatoneisright.”
“Youusuallyare,Ibelieve,”Isaidsmiling.
“That,Iamafraid,iswhathasmademealittleconceited,”confessedMissMarple.“ButIhavealwayswonderedwhether,ifsomedayareallybigmysterycamealong,Ishouldbeabletodothesamething.Imean—justsolveitcorrectly.Logically,itoughttobeexactlythesamething.Afterall,atinyworkingmodelofatorpedoisjustthesameasarealtorpedo.”
“Youmeanit’sallaquestionofrelativity,”Isaidslowly.“Itshouldbe—logically,Iadmit.ButIdon’tknowwhetheritreallyis.”
“Surelyitmustbethesame,”saidMissMarple.“The—whatoneusedtocallthefactorsatschool—arethesame.There’smoney,andthemutualattractionpeopleofan—er—oppositesex—andthere’squeernessofcourse—somanypeoplearealittlequeer,aren’tthey?—infact,mostpeoplearewhenyouknowthemwell.Andnormalpeopledosuchastonishingthingssometimes,andabnormalpeoplearesometimessoverysaneandordinary.Infact,theonlywayistocomparepeoplewithotherpeopleyouhaveknownorcomeacross.You’dbesurprisedifyouknewhowveryfewdistincttypesthereareinall.”
“Youfrightenme,”Isaid.“IfeelI’mbeingputunderthemicroscope.”
“Ofcourse,Iwouldn’tdreamofsayinganyofthistoColonelMelchett—suchanautocraticman,isn’the?—andpoorInspectorSlack—well,he’sexactlyliketheyoungladyinthebootshopwhowantstosellyoupatentleatherbecauseshe’sgotitinyoursize,anddoesn’ttakeanynoticeofthefactthatyouwantbrowncalf.”
That,really,isaverygooddescriptionofSlack.
“Butyou,Mr.Clement,know,I’msure,quiteasmuchaboutthecrimeasInspectorSlack.Ithought,ifwecouldworktogether—”
“Iwonder,”Isaid.“IthinkeachoneofusinhissecretheartfancieshimselfasSherlockHolmes.”
ThenItoldherofthethreesummonsesIhadreceivedthatafternoon.ItoldherofAnne’sdiscoveryofthepicturewiththeslashedface.IalsotoldherofMissCram’sattitudeatthepolicestation,andIdescribedHaydock’sidentificationofthecrystalIhadpickedup.
“Havingfoundthatmyself,”Ifinishedup,“Ishouldlikeittobeimportant.Butit’sprobablygotnothingtodowiththecase.”
“IhavebeenreadingalotofAmericandetectivestoriesfromthelibrarylately,”saidMissMarple,“hopingtofindthemhelpful.”
“Wasthereanythinginthemaboutpicricacid?”
“I’mafraidnot.Idorememberreadingastoryonce,though,inwhichamanwaspoisonedbypicricacidandlanolinebeingrubbedonhimasanointment.”
“Butasnobodyhasbeenpoisonedhere,thatdoesn’tseemtoenterintothequestion,”Isaid.
ThenItookupmyscheduleandhandedittoher.
“I’vetried,”Isaid,“torecapitulatethefactsofthecaseasclearlyaspossible.”
MYSCHEDULE
Thursday,21stinst.
12:30p.m.—ColonelProtheroealtershisappointmentfromsixtosixfifteen.Overheardbyhalfvillageveryprobably.12:45—Pistollastseeninitsproperplace.(Butthisisdoubtful,asMrs.Archerhadpreviouslysaidshecouldnotremember.)5:30(approx.)—ColonelandMrs.ProtheroeleaveOldHallforvillageincar.5:30FakecallputthroughtomefromtheNorthLodge,OldHall.6:15(oraminuteortwoearlier)—ColonelProtheroearrivesatVicarage.IsshownintostudybyMary.6:20—Mrs.Protheroecomesalongbacklaneandacrossgardentostudywindow.ColonelProtheroenotvisible.6:29—CallfromLawrenceRedding’scottageputthroughtoMrs.PriceRidley(accordingtoExchange).6:30–6:35—Shotheard.(Acceptingtelephonecalltimeascorrect.)LawrenceRedding,AnneProtheroeandDr.Stone’sevidenceseemtopointtoitsbeingearlier,butMrs.P.R.probablyright.6:45—LawrenceReddingarrivesVicarageandfindsthebody.6:48—ImeetLawrenceRedding.6:49—Bodydiscoveredbyme.6:55—Haydockexaminesbody.NOTE.—Theonlytwopeoplewhohavenokindofalibifor6:30–6:35areMissCramandMrs.Lestrange.MissCramsaysshewasatthebarrow,butnoconfirmation.Itseemsreasonable,however,todismissherfromcaseasthereseemsnothingtoconnectherwithit.Mrs.LestrangeleftDr.Haydock’shousesometimeaftersixtokeepanappointment.Wherewastheappointment,andwithwhom?ItcouldhardlyhavebeenwithColonelProtheroe,asheexpectedtobeengagedwithme.ItistruethatMrs.Lestrangewasnearthespotatthetimethecrimewascommitted,butitseemsdoubtfulwhatmotiveshecouldhavehadformurderinghim.Shedidnotgainbyhisdeath,andtheInspector’stheoryofblackmailIcannotaccept.Mrs.Lestrangeisnotthatkindofwoman.AlsoitseemsunlikelythatsheshouldhavegotholdofLawrenceRedding’spistol.
“Veryclear,”saidMissMarple,noddingherheadinapproval.“Veryclearindeed.Gentlemenalwaysmakesuchexcellentmemoranda.”
“YouagreewithwhatIhavewritten?”Iasked.
“Oh,yes—youhaveputitallbeautifully.”
IaskedherthequestionthenthatIhadbeenmeaningtoputallalong.
“MissMarple,”Isaid.“Whodoyoususpect?Youoncesaidthatthereweresevenpeople.”
“Quitethat,Ishouldthink,”saidMissMarpleabsently.“Iexpecteveryoneofussuspectssomeonedifferent.Infact,onecanseetheydo.”
Shedidn’taskmewhoIsuspected.
“Thepointis,”shesaid,“thatonemustprovideanexplanationforeverything.Eachthinghasgottobeexplainedawaysatisfactorily.Ifyouhaveatheorythatfitseveryfact—well,then,itmustbetherightone.Butthat’sextremelydifficult.Ifitwasn’tforthatnote—”
“Thenote?”Isaid,surprised.
“Yes,youremember,Itoldyou.Thatnotehasworriedmeallalong.It’swrong,somehow.”
“Surely,”Isaid,“thatisexplainednow.Itwaswrittenatsixthirtyfiveandanotherhand—themurderer’s—putthemisleading6:20atthetop.Ithinkthatisclearlyestablished.”
“Buteventhen,”saidMissMarple,“it’sallwrong.”
“Butwhy?”
“Listen.”MissMarpleleantforwardeagerly.“Mrs.Protheroepassedmygarden,asItoldyou,andshewentasfarasthestudywindowandshelookedinandshedidn’tseeColonelProtheroe.”
“Becausehewaswritingatthedesk,”Isaid.
“Andthat’swhat’sallwrong.Thatwasattwentypastsix.Weagreedthathewouldn’tsitdowntosayhecouldn’twaitanylongeruntilafterhalfpastsix—so,whywashesittingatthewritingtablethen?”
“Ineverthoughtofthat,”Isaidslowly.
“Letus,dearMr.Clement,justgooveritagain.Mrs.Protheroecomestothewindowandshethinkstheroomisempty—shemusthavethoughtso,becauseotherwiseshewouldneverhavegonedowntothestudiotomeetMr.Redding.Itwouldn’thavebeensafe.Theroommusthavebeenabsolutelysilentifshethoughtitwasempty.Andthatleavesusthreealternatives,doesn’tit?”
“Youmean—”
“Well,thefirstalternativewouldbethatColonelProtheroewasdeadalready—butIdon’tthinkthat’sthemostlikelyone.Tobeginwithhe’donlybeenthereaboutfiveminutesandsheorIwouldhaveheardtheshot,andsecondly,thesamedifficultyremainsabouthisbeingatthewritingtable.Thesecondalternativeis,ofcourse,thathewassittingatthewritingtablewritinganote,butinthatcaseitmusthavebeenadifferentnotealtogether.Itcan’thavebeentosayhecouldn’twait.Andthethird—”
“Yes?”Isaid.
“Well,thethirdis,ofcourse,thatMrs.Protheroewasright,andthattheroomwasactuallyempty.”
“Youmeanthat,afterhehadbeenshownin,hewentoutagainandcamebacklater?”
“Yes.”
“Butwhyshouldhehavedonethat?”
MissMarplespreadoutherhandsinalittlegestureofbewilderment.
“Thatwouldmeanlookingatthecasefromanentirelydifferentangle,”Isaid.
“Onesooftenhastodothat—abouteverything.Don’tyouthinkso?”
Ididnotreply.IwasgoingovercarefullyinmymindthethreealternativesthatMissMarplehadsuggested.
Withaslightsightheoldladyrosetoherfeet.
“Imustbegettingback.Iamverygladtohavehadthislittlechat—thoughwehaven’tgotveryfar,havewe?”
“Totellyouthetruth,”Isaid,asIfetchedhershawl,“thewholethingseemstomeabewilderingmaze.”
“Oh!Iwouldn’tsaythat.Ithink,onthewhole,onetheoryfitsnearlyeverything.Thatis,ifyouadmitonecoincidence—andIthinkonecoincidenceisallowable.Morethanone,ofcourse,isunlikely.”
“Doyoureallythinkthat?Aboutthetheory,Imean?”Iasked,lookingather.
“Iadmitthatthereisoneflawinmytheory—onefactthatIcan’tgetover.Oh!Ifonlythatnotehadbeensomethingquitedifferent—”
Shesighedandshookherhead.Shemovedtowardsthewindowandabsentmindedlyreachedupherhandandfelttheratherdepressed-lookingplantthatstoodinastand.
“Youknow,dearMr.Clement,thisshouldbewateredoftener.Poorthing,itneedsitbadly.Yourmaidshouldwateriteveryday.Isupposeitisshewhoattendstoit?”
“Asmuch,”Isaid,“assheattendstoanything.”
“Alittlerawatpresent,”suggestedMissMarple.
“Yes,”Isaid.“AndGriseldasteadilyrefusestoattempttosackher.Herideaisthatonlyathoroughlyundesirablemaidwillremainwithus.However,Maryherselfgaveusnoticetheotherday.”
“Indeed.Ialwaysimaginedshewasveryfondofyouboth.”
“Ihaven’tnoticedit,”Isaid.“But,asamatteroffact,itwasLetticeProtheroewhoupsether.MarycamebackfromtheinquestinratheratemperamentalstateandfoundLetticehereand—well,theyhadwords.”
“Oh!”saidMissMarple.Shewasjustabouttostepthroughthewindowwhenshestoppedsuddenly,andabewilderingseriesofchangespassedoverherface.
“Oh,dear!”shemutteredtoherself.“Ihavebeenstupid.Sothatwasit.Perfectlypossibleallthetime.”
“Ibegyourpardon?”
Sheturnedaworriedfaceuponme.
“Nothing.Anideathathasjustoccurredtome.Imustgohomeandthinkthingsoutthoroughly.Doyouknow,IbelieveIhavebeenextremelystupid—almostincrediblyso.”
“Ifindthathardtobelieve,”Isaidgallantly.
Iescortedherthroughthewindowandacrossthelawn.
“Canyoutellmewhatitisthathasoccurredtoyousosuddenly?”Iasked.
“Iwouldrathernot—justatpresent.Yousee,thereisstillapossibilitythatImaybemistaken.ButIdonotthinkso.Hereweareatmygardengate.Thankyousomuch.Pleasedonotcomeanyfurther.”
“Isthenotestillastumblingblock?”Iasked,asshepassedthroughthegateandlatcheditbehindher.
Shelookedatmeabstractedly.
“Thenote?Oh!Ofcoursethatwasn’ttherealnote.Ineverthoughtitwas.Goodnight,Mr.Clement.”
Shewentrapidlyupthepathtothehouse,leavingmestaringafterher.
Ididn’tknowwhattothink.
Twenty-seven
GriseldaandDennishadnotyetreturned.IrealizedthatthemostnaturalthingwouldhavebeenformetogouptothehousewithMissMarpleandfetchthemhome.BothsheandIhadbeensoentirelytakenupwithourpreoccupationoverthemysterythatwehadforgottenanybodyexistedintheworldexceptourselves.
Iwasjuststandinginthehall,wonderingwhetherIwouldnotevennowgooverandjointhem,whenthedoorbellrang
Icrossedovertoit.Isawtherewasaletterinthebox,andpresumingthatthiswasthecauseofthering,Itookitout.
AsIdidso,however,thebellrangagain,andIshovedtheletterhastilyintomypocketandopenedthefrontdoor.
ItwasColonelMelchett.
“Hallo,Clement.I’monmywayhomefromtowninthecar.ThoughtI’djustlookinandseeifyoucouldgivemeadrink.”
“Delighted,”Isaid.“Comeintothestudy.”
Hepulledofftheleathercoatthathewaswearingandfollowedmeintothestudy.Ifetchedthewhiskyandsodaandtwoglasses.Melchettwasstandinginfrontofthefireplace,legswideapart,strokinghiscloselycroppedmoustache.
“I’vegotonebitofnewsforyou,Clement.Mostastoundingthingyou’veeverheard.Butletthatgofortheminute.Howarethingsgoingdownhere?Anymoreoldladieshotonthescent?”
“They’renotdoingsobadly,”Isaid.“Oneofthem,atallevents,thinksshe’sgotthere.”
“Ourfriend,MissMarple,eh?”
“Ourfriend,MissMarple.”
“Womenlikethatalwaysthinktheyknoweverything,”saidColonelMelchett.
Hesippedhiswhiskyandsodaappreciatively.
“It’sprobablyunnecessaryinterferenceonmypart,asking,”Isaid.“ButIsupposesomebodyhasquestionedthefishboy.Imean,ifthemurdererleftbythefrontdoor,there’sachancetheboymayhaveseenhim.”
“Slackquestionedhimrightenough,”saidMelchett.“Buttheboysayshedidn’tmeetanybody.Hardlylikelyhewould.Themurdererwouldn’tbeexactlycourtingobservation.Lotsofcoverbyyourfrontgate.Hewouldhavetakenalooktoseeiftheroadwasclear.TheboyhadtocallattheVicarage,atHaydock’s,andatMrs.PriceRidley’s.Easyenoughtododgehim.”
“Yes,”Isaid,“Isupposeitwouldbe.”
“Ontheotherhand,”wentonMelchett,“ifbyanychancethatrascalArcherdidthejob,andyoungFredJacksonsawhimabouttheplace,Idoubtverymuchwhetherhe’dleton.Archerisacousinofhis.”
“DoyouseriouslysuspectArcher?”
“Well,youknow,oldProtheroehadhisknifeintoArcherprettybadly.Lotsofbadbloodbetweenthem.Leniencywasn’tProtheroe’sstrongpoint.”
“No,”Isaid.“Hewasaveryruthlessman.”
“WhatIsayis,”saidMelchett,“Liveandletlive.Ofcourse,thelaw’sthelaw,butitneverhurtstogiveamanthebenefitofthedoubt.That’swhatProtheroeneverdid.”
“Hepridedhimselfonit,”Isaid.
Therewasapause,andthenIasked:
“Whatisthis‘astoundingbitofnews’youpromisedme?”
“Well,itisastounding.YouknowthatunfinishedletterthatProtheroewaswritingwhenhewaskilled?”
“Yes.”
“Wegotanexpertonit—tosaywhetherthe6:20wasaddedbyadifferenthand.NaturallywesentupsamplesofProtheroe’shandwriting.Anddoyouknowtheverdict?ThatletterwasneverwrittenbyProtheroeatall.”
“Youmeanaforgery?”
“It’saforgery.The6:20theythinkiswritteninadifferenthandagain—butthey’renotsureaboutthat.Theheadingisinadifferentink,buttheletteritselfisaforgery.Protheroeneverwroteit.”
“Aretheycertain?”
“Well,they’reascertainasexpertseverare.Youknowwhatanexpertis!Oh!Butthey’resureenough.”
“Amazing,”Isaid.Thenamemoryassailedme.
“Why,”Isaid,“IrememberatthetimeMrs.Protheroesaiditwasn’tlikeherhusband’shandwritingatall,andItooknonotice.”
“Really?”
“Ithoughtitoneofthosesillyremarkswomenwillmake.IfthereseemedonethingsureonearthitwasthatProtheroehadwrittenthatnote.”
Welookedateachother.
“It’scurious,”Isaidslowly.“MissMarplewassayingthiseveningthatthatnotewasallwrong.”
“Confoundthewoman,shecouldn’tknowmoreaboutitifshehadcommittedthemurderherself.”
Atthatmomentthetelephonebellrang.Thereisaqueerkindofpsychologyaboutatelephonebell.Itrangnowpersistentlyandwithakindofsinistersignificance.
Iwentoverandtookupthereceiver.
“ThisistheVicarage,”Isaid.“Who’sspeaking?”
Astrange,high-pitchedhystericalvoicecameoverthewire:
“Iwanttoconfess,”itsaid.“MyGod,Iwanttoconfess.”
“Hallo,”Isaid,“hallo.Lookhereyou’vecutmeoff.Whatnumberwasthat?”
Alanguidvoicesaiditdidn’tknow.ItaddedthatitwassorryIhadbeentroubled.
Iputdownthereceiver,andturnedtoMelchett.
“Youoncesaid,”Iremarked,“thatyouwouldgomadifanyoneelseaccusedthemselvesofthecrime.”
“Whataboutit?”
“Thatwassomeonewhowantedtoconfess…AndtheExchangehascutusoff.”
Melchettdashedoverandtookupthereceiver.
“I’llspeaktothem.”
“Do,”Isaid.“Youmayhavesomeeffect.I’llleaveyoutoit.I’mgoingout.I’veafancyIrecognizedthatvoice.”
Twenty-eight
Ihurrieddownthevillagestreet.Itwaseleveno’clock,andateleveno’clockonaSundaynightthewholevillageofSt.MaryMeadmightbedead.Isaw,however,alightinafirstfloorwindowasIpassed,and,realizingthatHaweswasstillup,Istoppedandrangthedoorbell.
Afterwhatseemedalongtime,Hawes’slandlady,Mrs.Sadler,laboriouslyunfastenedtwobolts,achain,andturnedakeyandpeeredoutatmesuspiciously
“Why,it’sVicar!”sheexclaimed.
“Goodevening,”Isaid.“IwanttoseeMr.Hawes.Iseethere’salightinthewindow,sohe’supstill.”
“Thatmaybe.I’venotseenhimsinceItookuphissupper.He’shadaquietevening—noonetoseehim,andhe’snotbeenout.”
Inodded,andpassingher,wentquicklyupthestairs.Haweshasabedroomandsittingroomonthefirstfloor.
Ipassedintothelatter.Haweswaslyingbackinalongchairasleep.Myentrancedidnotwakehim.Anemptycachetboxandaglassofwater,halffull,stoodbesidehim.
Onthefloor,byhisleftfoot,wasacrumpledsheetofpaperwithwritingonit.Ipickeditupandstraighteneditout.
Itbegan:“MydearClement—”
Ireaditthrough,utteredanexclamationandshoveditintomypocket.ThenIbentoverHawesandstudiedhimattentively.
Next,reachingforthetelephonewhichstoodbyhiselbow,IgavethenumberoftheVicarage.Melchettmusthavebeenstilltryingtotracethecall,forIwastoldthatthenumberwasengaged.Askingthemtocallme,Iputtheinstrumentdownagain.
IputmyhandintomypockettolookatthepaperIhadpickeduponcemore.Withit,IdrewoutthenotethatIhadfoundintheletterboxandwhichwasstillunopened.
Itsappearancewashorriblyfamiliar.Itwasthesamehandwritingastheanonymousletterthathadcomethatafternoon.
Itoreitopen.
Ireaditonce—twice—unabletorealizeitscontents.
Iwasbeginningtoreaditathirdtimewhenthetelephonerang.LikeamaninadreamIpickedupthereceiverandspoke.
“Hallo?”
“Hallo.”
“Isthatyou,Melchett?”
“Yes,whereareyou?I’vetracedthatcall.Thenumberis—”
“Iknowthenumber.”
“Oh,good!Isthatwhereyouarespeakingfrom?”
“Yes.”
“Whataboutthatconfession?”
“I’vegottheconfessionallright.”
“Youmeanyou’vegotthemurderer?”
Ihadthenthestrongesttemptationofmylife.Ilookedattheanonymousscrawl.IlookedattheemptycachetboxwiththenameofCherubimonit.Irememberedacertaincasualconversation.
Imadeanimmenseeffort.
“I—don’tknow,”Isaid.“You’dbettercomeround.”
AndIgavehimtheaddress.
ThenIsatdowninthechairoppositeHawestothink.
Ihadtwoclearminutestodoso.
Intwominutes’time,Melchettwouldhavearrived.
Itookuptheanonymousletterandreaditthroughagainforthethirdtime.
ThenIclosedmyeyesandthought….
Twenty-nine
Idon’tknowhowlongIsatthere—onlyafewminutesinreality,Isuppose.YetitseemedasthoughaneternityhadpassedwhenIheardthedooropenand,turningmyhead,lookeduptoseeMelchettenteringtheroom.
HestaredatHawesasleepinhischair,thenturnedtome.
“What’sthis,Clement?Whatdoesitallmean?”
OfthetwolettersinmyhandIselectedoneandpassedittohim.Hereaditaloudinalowvoice.
“MydearClement,—ItisapeculiarlyunpleasantthingthatIhavetosay.Afterall,IthinkIpreferwritingit.Wecandiscussitatalaterdate.Itconcernstherecentpeculations.IamsorrytosaythatIhavesatisfiedmyselfbeyondanypossibledoubtastotheidentityoftheculprit.Painfulasitisformetohavetoaccuseanordainedpriestofthechurch,mydutyisonlytoopainfullyclear.Anexamplemustbemadeand—”
Helookedatmequestioningly.Atthispointthewritingtailedoffinanundistinguishablescrawlwheredeathhadovertakenthewriter’shand.
Melchettdrewadeepbreath,thenlookedatHawes.
“Sothat’sthesolution!Theonemanweneverevenconsidered.Andremorsedrovehimtoconfess!”
“He’sbeenveryqueerlately,”Isaid.
SuddenlyMelchettstrodeacrosstothesleepingmanwithasharpexclamation.Heseizedhimbytheshoulderandshookhim,atfirstgently,thenwithincreasingviolence.
“He’snotasleep!He’sdrugged!What’sthemeaningofthis?”
Hiseyewenttotheemptycachetbox.Hepickeditup.
“Hashe—”
“Ithinkso,”Isaid.“Heshowedmethesetheotherday.Toldmehe’dbeenwarnedagainstanoverdose.It’shiswayout,poorchap.Perhapsthebestway.It’snotforustojudgehim.”
ButMelchettwasChiefConstableoftheCountybeforeanythingelse.Theargumentsthatappealedtomehadnoweightwithhim.Hehadcaughtamurdererandhewantedhismurdererhanged.
Inonesecondhewasatthetelephone,jerkingthereceiverupanddownimpatientlyuntilhegotareply.HeaskedforHaydock’snumber.Thentherewasafurtherpauseduringwhichhestood,hiseartothetelephoneandhiseyesonthelimpfigureinthechair.
“Hallo—hallo—hallo—isthatDr.Haydock’s?WillthedoctorcomeroundatoncetoHighStreet?Mr.Hawes.It’surgent…what’sthat?…Well,whatnumberisitthen?…Oh,sorry.”
Herangoff,fuming.
“Wrongnumber,wrongnumber—alwayswrongnumbers!Andaman’slifehangingonit.HALLO—yougavemethewrongnumber…Yes—don’twastetime—givemethreenine—nine,notfive.”
Anotherperiodofimpatience—shorterthistime.
“Hallo—isthatyou,Haydock?Melchettspeaking.Cometo19HighStreetatonce,willyou?Haweshastakensomekindofoverdose.Atonce,man,it’svital.”
Herangoff,strodeimpatientlyupanddowntheroom.
“Whyonearthyoudidn’tgetholdofthedoctoratonce,Clement,Icannotthink.Yourwitsmusthaveallgonewoolgathering.”
FortunatelyitneveroccurstoMelchettthatanyonecanpossiblyhavedifferentideasonconducttothoseheholdshimself.Isaidnothing,andhewenton:
“Wheredidyoufindthisletter?”
“Crumpledonthefloor—whereithadfallenfromhishand.”
“Extraordinarybusiness—thatoldmaidwasrightaboutitsbeingthewrongnotewefound.Wonderhowshetumbledtothat.Butwhatanassthefellowwasnottodestroythisone.Fancykeepingit—themostdamagingevidenceyoucanimagine!”
“Humannatureisfullofinconsistencies.”
“Ifitweren’t,Idoubtifweshouldevercatchamurderer!Soonerorlatertheyalwaysdosomefoolthing.You’relookingveryundertheweather,Clement.Isupposethishasbeenthemostawfulshocktoyou?”
“Ithas.AsIsay,Haweshasbeenqueerinhismannerforsometime,butIneverdreamed—”
“Whowould?Hallo,thatsoundslikeacar.”Hewentacrosstothewindow,pushingupthesashandleaningout.“Yes,it’sHaydockallright.”
Amomentlaterthedoctorenteredtheroom.
Inafewsuccinctwords,Melchettexplainedthesituation.
Haydockisnotamanwhoevershowshisfeelings.Hemerelyraisedhiseyebrows,nodded,andstrodeacrosstohispatient.Hefelthispulse,raisedtheeyelidandlookedintentlyattheeye.
ThenheturnedtoMelchett.
“Wanttosavehimforthegallows?”heasked.“He’sprettyfargone,youknow.Itwillbetouchandgo,anyway.IdoubtifIcanbringhimround.”
“Doeverythingpossible.”
“Right.”
Hebusiedhimselfwiththecasehehadbroughtwithhim,preparingahypodermicinjectionwhichheinjectedintoHawes’sarm.Thenhestoodup.
“BestthingistorunhimintoMuchBenham—tothehospitalthere.Givemeahandtogethimdowntothecar.”
Webothlentourassistance.AsHaydockclimbedintothedrivingseat,hethrewapartingremarkoverhisshoulder.
“Youwon’tbeabletohanghim,youknow,Melchett.”
“Youmeanhewon’trecover?”
“Mayormaynot.Ididn’tmeanthat.Imeanthatevenifhedoesrecover—well,thepoordevilwasn’tresponsibleforhisactions.Ishallgiveevidencetothateffect.”
“Whatdidhemeanbythat?”askedMelchettaswewentupstairsagain.
IexplainedthatHaweshadbeenavictimofencephalitislethargica.
“Sleepysickness,eh?Alwayssomegoodreasonnowadaysforeverydirtyactionthat’sdone.Don’tyouagree?”
“Scienceisteachingusalot.”
“Sciencebedamned—Ibegyourpardon,Clement;butallthisnambypambyismannoysme.I’maplanman.Well,Isupposewe’dbetterhavealookroundhere.”
Butatthismomenttherewasaninterruption—andamostamazingone.ThedooropenedandMissMarplewalkedintotheroom.
Shewaspinkandsomewhatflustered,andseemedtorealizeourconditionofbewilderment.
“Sosorry—soverysorry—tointrude—goodevening,ColonelMelchett.AsIsay,Iamsosorry,buthearingthatMr.Haweswastakenill,IfeltImustcomeroundandseeifIcouldn’tdosomething.”
Shepaused.ColonelMelchettwasregardingherinasomewhatdisgustedfashion
“Verykindofyou,MissMarple,”hesaiddryly.“Butnoneedtotrouble.Howdidyouknow,bytheway?”
ItwasthequestionIhadbeenyearningtoask!
“Thetelephone,”explainedMissMarple.“Socarelesswiththeirwrongnumbers,aren’tthey?Youspoketomefirst,thinkingIwasDr.Haydock.Mynumberisthreefive.”
“Sothatwasit!”Iexclaimed.
ThereisalwayssomeperfectlygoodandreasonableexplanationforMissMarple’somniscience.
“Andso,”shecontinued.“IjustcameroundtoseeifIcouldbeofanyuse.”
“Verykindofyou,”saidMelchettagain,evenmoredrylythistime.“Butnothingtobedone.Haydock’stakenhimofftohospital.”
“Actuallytohospital?Oh,that’sagreatrelief!Iamsoverygladtohearit.He’llbequitesafethere.Whenyousay‘nothingtobedone,’youdon’tmeanthathewon’trecover?”
“It’sverydoubtful,”Isaid.
MissMarple’seyeshadgonetothecachetbox.
“Isupposehetookanoverdose?”shesaid.
Melchett,Ithink,wasinfavourofbeingreticent.PerhapsImighthavebeenunderothercircumstances.ButmydiscussionofthecasewithMissMarplewastoofreshinmymindformetohavethesameview,thoughImustadmitthatherrapidappearanceonthesceneandeagercuriosityrepelledmeslightly.
“Youhadbetterlookatthis,”Isaid,andhandedherProtheroe’sunfinishedletter.
Shetookitandreaditwithoutanyappearanceofsurprise.
“Youhadalreadydeducedsomethingofthekind,hadyounot?”Iasked.
“Yes—yes,indeed.MayIaskyou,Mr.Clement,whatmadeyoucomeherethisevening?Thatisapointwhichpuzzlesme.YouandColonelMelchett—notatallwhatIshouldhaveexpected.”
IexplainedthetelephonecallandthatIbelievedIhadrecognizedHawes’svoice.MissMarplenoddedthoughtfully.
“Veryinteresting.Veryprovidential—ifImayusetheterm.Yes,itbroughtyouhereinthenickoftime.”
“Inthenickoftimeforwhat?”Isaidbitterly.
MissMarplelookedsurprised.
“TosaveMr.Hawes’slife,ofcourse.”
“Don’tyouthink,”Isaid,“thatitmightbebetterifHawesdidn’trecover?Betterforhim—betterforeveryone.Weknowthetruthnowand—”
Istopped—forMissMarplewasnoddingherheadwithsuchapeculiarvehemencethatitmademelosethethreadofwhatIwassaying.
“Ofcourse,”shesaid.“Ofcourse!That’swhathewantsyoutothink!Thatyouknowthetruth—andthatit’sbestforeveryoneasitis.Oh,yes,itallfitsin—theletter,andtheoverdose,andpoorMr.Hawes’sstateofmindandhisconfession.Itallfitsin—butit’swrong….”
Westaredather.
“That’swhyIamsogladMr.Hawesissafe—inhospital—wherenoonecangetathim.Ifherecovers,he’lltellyouthetruth.”
“Thetruth?”
“Yes—thathenevertouchedahairofColonelProtheroe’shead.”
“Butthetelephonecall,”Isaid.“Theletter—theoverdose.It’sallsoclear.”
“That’swhathewantsyoutothink.Oh,he’sveryclever!Keepingtheletterandusingitthiswaywasverycleverindeed.”
“Whodoyoumean,”Isaid,“by‘he’?”
“Imeanthemurderer,”saidMissMarple.
Sheaddedveryquietly:
“ImeanMr.LawrenceRedding….”
Thirty
Westaredather.Ireallythinkthatforamomentortwowereallybelievedshewasoutofhermind.Theaccusationseemedsoutterlypreposterous.
ColonelMelchettwasthefirsttospeak.Hespokekindlyandwithakindofpityingtolerance.
“Thatisabsurd,MissMarple,”hesaid.“YoungReddinghasbeencompletelycleared.”
“Naturally,”saidMissMarple.“Hesawtothat.”
“Onthecontrary,”saidColonelMelchettdryly.“Hedidhisbesttogethimselfaccusedofthemurder.”
“Yes,”saidMissMarple.“Hetookusallinthatway—myselfasmuchasanyoneelse.Youwillremember,dearMr.Clement,thatIwasquitetakenabackwhenIheardMr.Reddinghadconfessedtothecrime.Itupsetallmyideasandmademethinkhiminnocent—whenuptothenIhadfeltconvincedthathewasguilty.”
“ThenitwasLawrenceReddingyoususpected?”
“Iknowthatinbooksitisalwaysthemostunlikelyperson.ButIneverfindthatruleappliesinreallife.Thereitissooftentheobviousthatistrue.MuchasIhavealwayslikedMrs.Protheroe,IcouldnotavoidcomingtotheconclusionthatshewascompletelyunderMr.Redding’sthumbandwoulddoanythinghetoldher,and,ofcourse,heisnotthekindofyoungmanwhowoulddreamofrunningawaywithapennilesswoman.FromhispointofviewitwasnecessarythatColonelProtheroeshouldberemoved—andsoheremovedhim.Oneofthosecharmingyoungmenwhohavenomoralsense.”
ColonelMelchetthadbeensnortingimpatientlyforsometime.Nowhebrokeout
“Absolutenonsense—thewholething!Redding’stimeisfullyaccountedforupto6:50andHaydocksayspositivelyProtheroecouldn’thavebeenshotthen.Isupposeyouthinkyouknowbetterthanadoctor.OrdoyousuggestthatHaydockisdeliberatelylying—theLordknowswhy?”
“IthinkDr.Haydock’sevidencewasabsolutelytruthful.Heisaveryuprightman.And,ofcourse,itwasMrs.ProtheroewhoactuallyshotColonelProtheroe—notMr.Redding.”
Againwestaredather.MissMarplearrangedherlacefichu,pushedbackthefleecyshawlthatdrapedhershoulders,andbegantodeliveragentleold-maidishlecturecomprisingthemostastoundingstatementsinthemostnaturalwayintheworld.
“Ihavenotthoughtitrighttospeakuntilnow.One’sownbelief—evensostrongastoamounttoknowledge—isnotthesameasproof.Andunlessonehasanexplanationthatwillfitallthefacts(asIwassayingtodearMr.Clementthisevening)onecannotadvanceitwithanyrealconviction.Andmyownexplanationwasnotquitecomplete—itlackedjustonething—butsuddenly,justasIwasleavingMr.Clement’sstudy,Inoticedthepalminthepotbythewindow—and—well,therethewholethingwas!Clearasdaylight!”
“Mad—quitemad,”murmuredMelchetttome.
ButMissMarplebeamedonusserenelyandwentoninhergentleladylikevoice
“IwasverysorrytobelievewhatIdid—verysorry.BecauseIlikedthemboth.Butyouknowwhathumannatureis.Andtobeginwith,whenfirstheandthenshebothconfessedinthemostfoolishway—well,IwasmorerelievedthanIcouldsay.Ihadbeenwrong.AndIbegantothinkofotherpeoplewhohadapossiblemotiveforwishingColonelProtheroeoutoftheway.”
“Thesevensuspects!”Imurmured.
Shesmiledatme.
“Yes,indeed.TherewasthatmanArcher—notlikely,butprimedwithdrink(soinflaming)youneverknow.And,ofcourse,therewasyourMary.She’sbeenwalkingoutwithArcheralongtime,andshe’saqueer-temperedgirl.Motiveandopportunity—why,shewasaloneinthehouse!OldMrs.ArchercouldeasilyhavegotthepistolfromMr.Redding’shouseforeitherofthosetwo.Andthen,ofcourse,therewasLettice—wantingfreedomandmoneytodoassheliked.I’veknownmanycaseswherethemostbeautifulandetherealgirlshaveshownnexttonomoralscruple—though,ofcourse,gentlemenneverwishtobelieveitofthem.”
Iwinced.
“Andthentherewasthetennisracquet,”continuedMissMarple.
“Thetennisracquet?”
“Yes,theoneMrs.PriceRidley’sClarasawlyingonthegrassbytheVicaragegate.ThatlookedasthoughMr.Dennishadgotbackearlierfromhistennispartythanhesaid.Boysofsixteenaresoverysusceptibleandsoveryunbalanced.Whateverthemotive—forLettice’ssakeorforyours,itwasapossibility.Andthen,ofcourse,therewaspoorMr.Hawesandyou—notbothofyounaturally—butalternatively,asthelawyerssay.”
“Me?”Iexclaimedinlivelyastonishment.
“Well,yes.Idoapologize—andindeedIneverreallythought—buttherewasthequestionofthosedisappearingsumsofmoney.EitheryouorMr.Hawesmustbeguilty,andMrs.PriceRidleywasgoingabouteverywherehintingthatyouwerethepersoninfault—principallybecauseyouobjectedsovigorouslytoanykindofinquiryintothematter.Ofcourse,ImyselfwasalwaysconvinceditwasMr.Hawes—heremindedmesomuchofthatunfortunateorganistImentioned;butallthesameonecouldn’tbeabsolutelysure—”
“Humannaturebeingwhatitis,”Iendedgrimly.
“Exactly.Andthen,ofcourse,therewasdearGriselda.”
“ButMrs.Clementwascompletelyoutofit,”interruptedMelchett.“Shereturnedbythe6:50train.”
“That’swhatshesaid,”retortedMissMarple.“Oneshouldnevergobywhatpeoplesay.The6:50washalfanhourlatethatnight.ButataquarterpastsevenIsawherwithmyowneyesstartingforOldHall.Soitfollowedthatshemusthavecomebytheearliertrain.Indeedshewasseen;butperhapsyouknowthat?”
Shelookedatmeinquiringly.
Somemagnetisminherglanceimpelledmetoholdoutthelastanonymousletter,theoneIhadopenedsoshortatimeago.ItsetoutindetailthatGriseldahadbeenseenleavingLawrenceRedding’scottagebythebackwindowattwentypastsixonthefatalday.
Isaidnothingthenoratanytimeofthedreadfulsuspicionthathadforonemomentassailedmymind.Ihadseenitinnightmareterms—apastintriguebetweenLawrenceandGriselda,theknowledgeofitcomingtoProtheroe’sears,hisdecisiontomakemeacquaintedwiththefacts—andGriselda,desperate,stealingthepistolandsilencingProtheroe.AsIsay—anightmareonly—butinvestedforafewlongminuteswithadreadfulappearanceofreality.
Idon’tknowwhetherMissMarplehadanyinklingofallthis.Veryprobablyshehad.Fewthingsarehiddenfromher.
Shehandedmebackthenotewithalittlenod.
“That’sbeenalloverthevillage,”shesaid.“Anditdidlookrathersuspicious,didn’tit?EspeciallywithMrs.Archerswearingattheinquestthatthepistolwasstillinthecottagewhensheleftatmidday.”
Shepausedaminuteandthenwenton.
“ButI’mwanderingterriblyfromthepoint.WhatIwanttosay—andbelieveitmyduty—istoputmyownexplanationofthemysterybeforeyou.Ifyoudon’tbelieveit—well,Ishallhavedonemybest.Evenasitis,mywishtobequitesurebeforeIspokemayhavecostpoorMr.Haweshislife.”
Againshepaused,andwhensheresumed,hervoiceheldadifferentnote.Itwaslessapologetic,moredecided.
“Thatismyownexplanationofthefacts.ByThursdayafternoonthecrimehadbeenfullyplanneddowntothesmallestdetail.LawrenceReddingfirstcalledontheVicar,knowinghimtobeout.Hehadwithhimthepistolwhichheconcealedinthatpotinthestandbythewindow.WhentheVicarcamein,Lawrenceexplainedhisvisitbyastatementthathehadmadeuphismindtogoaway.Atfivethirty,LawrenceReddingtelephonedfromtheNorthLodgetotheVicar,adoptingawoman’svoice(yourememberwhatagoodamateuractorhewas).
“Mrs.Protheroeandherhusbandhadjuststartedforthevillage.And—averycuriousthing(thoughnoonehappenedtothinkofitthatway)—Mrs.Protheroetooknohandbagwithher.Reallyamostunusualthingforawomantodo.Justbeforetwentypastsixshepassesmygardenandstopsandspeaks,soastogivemeeveryopportunityofnoticingthatshehasnoweaponwithherandalsothatsheisquitehernormalself.Theyrealized,yousee,thatIamanoticingkindofperson.Shedisappearsroundthecornerofthehousetothestudywindow.ThepoorColonelissittingatthedeskwritinghislettertoyou.Heisdeaf,asweallknow.Shetakesthepistolfromthebowlwhereitiswaitingforher,comesupbehindhimandshootshimthroughthehead,throwsdownthepistolandisoutagainlikeaflash,andgoingdownthegardentothestudio.Nearlyanyonewouldswearthattherecouldn’thavebeentime!”
“Buttheshot?”objectedtheColonel.“Youdidn’theartheshot?”
“Thereis,Ibelieve,aninventioncalledaMaximsilencer.SoIgatherfromdetectivestories.Iwonderif,possibly,thesneezethatthemaid,Clara,heardmighthaveactuallybeentheshot?Butnomatter.Mrs.ProtheroeismetatthestudiobyMr.Redding.Theygointogether—and,humannaturebeingwhatitis,I’mafraidtheyrealizethatIshan’tleavethegardentilltheycomeoutagain!”
IhadneverlikedMissMarplebetterthanatthismoment,withherhumorousperceptionofherownweakness.
“Whentheydocomeout,theirdemeanourisgayandnatural.Andthere,inreality,theymadeamistake.Becauseiftheyhadreallysaidgood-byetoeachother,astheypretended,theywouldhavelookedverydifferent.Butyousee,thatwastheirweakpoint.Theysimplydarenotappearupsetinanyway.Forthenexttenminutestheyarecarefultoprovidethemselveswithwhatiscalledanalibi,Ibelieve.FinallyMr.ReddinggoestotheVicarage,leavingitaslateashedares.Heprobablysawyouonthefootpathfromfarawayandwasabletotimemattersnicely.Hepicksupthepistolandthesilencer,leavestheforgedletterwiththetimeonitwritteninadifferentinkandapparentlyinadifferenthandwriting.WhentheforgeryisdiscovereditwilllooklikeaclumsyattempttoincriminateAnneProtheroe.
“Butwhenheleavestheletter,hefindstheoneactuallywrittenbyColonelProtheroe—somethingquiteunexpected.Andbeingaveryintelligentyoungman,andseeingthatthislettermaycomeinveryusefultohim,hetakesitawaywithhim.Healtersthehandsoftheclocktothesametimeastheletter—knowingthatitisalwayskeptaquarterofanhourfast.Thesameidea—attempttothrowsuspiciononMrs.Protheroe.Thenheleaves,meetingyououtsidethegate,andactingthepartofsomeonenearlydistraught.AsIsay,heisreallymostintelligent.Whatwouldamurdererwhohadcommittedacrimetrytodo?Behavenaturally,ofcourse.SothatisjustwhatMr.Reddingdoesnotdo.Hegetsridofthesilencer,butmarchesintothepolicestationwiththepistolandmakesaperfectlyridiculousself-accusationwhichtakeseverybodyin.”
TherewassomethingfascinatinginMissMarple’sresuméofthecase.Shespokewithsuchcertaintythatwebothfeltthatinthiswayandinnoothercouldthecrimehavebeencommitted.
“Whatabouttheshotheardinthewood?”Iasked.“Wasthatthecoincidencetowhichyouwerereferringearlierthisevening?”
“Oh,dear,no!”MissMarpleshookherheadbriskly.“Thatwasn’tacoincidence—veryfarfromit.Itwasabsolutelynecessarythatashotshouldbeheard—otherwisesuspicionofMrs.Protheroemighthavecontinued.HowMr.Reddingarrangedit,Idon’tquiteknow.ButIunderstandthatpicricacidexplodesifyoudropaweightonit,andyouwillremember,dearVicar,thatyoumetMr.Reddingcarryingalargestonejustinthepartofthewoodwhereyoupickedupthatcrystallater.Gentlemenaresocleveratarrangingthings—thestonesuspendedabovethecrystalsandthenatimefuse—ordoImeanaslowmatch?Somethingthatwouldtakeabouttwentyminutestoburnthrough—sothattheexplosionwouldcomeabout6:30whenheandMrs.Protheroehadcomeoutofthestudioandwereinfullview.Averysafedevicebecausewhatwouldtherebetofindafterwards—onlyabigstone!Buteventhathetriedtoremove—whenyoucameuponhim.”
“Ibelieveyouareright,”Iexclaimed,rememberingthestartofsurpriseLawrencehadgivenonseeingmethatday.Ithadseemednaturalenoughatthetime,butnow….
MissMarpleseemedtoreadmythoughts,forshenoddedherheadshrewdly.
“Yes,”shesaid,“itmusthavebeenaverynastyshockforhimtocomeacrossyoujustthen.Butheturneditoffverywell—pretendinghewasbringingittomeformyrockgardens.Only—”MissMarplebecamesuddenlyveryemphatic.“Itwasthewrongsortofstoneformyrockgardens!Andthatputmeontherighttrack!”
AllthistimeColonelMelchetthadsatlikeamaninatrance.Nowheshowedsignsofcomingto.Hesnortedonceortwice,blewhisnoseinabewilderedfashion,andsaid:
“Uponmyword!Well,uponmyword!”
Beyondthat,hedidnotcommithimself.Ithinkthathe,likemyself,wasimpressedwiththelogicalcertaintyofMissMarple’sconclusions.Butforthemomenthewasnotwillingtoadmitit.
Instead,hestretchedoutahand,pickedupthecrumpledletterandbarkedout:
“Allverywell.ButhowdoyouaccountforthisfellowHawes!Why,heactuallyrangupandconfessed.”
“Yes,thatwaswhatwassoprovidential.TheVicar’ssermon,doubtless.Youknow,dearMr.Clement,youreallypreachedamostremarkablesermon.ItmusthaveaffectedMr.Hawesdeeply.Hecouldbearitnolonger,andfelthemustconfess—aboutthemisappropriationsofthechurchfunds.”
“What?”
“Yes—andthat,underProvidence,iswhathassavedhislife.(ForIhopeandtrustitissaved.Dr.Haydockissoclever.)AsIseethematter,Mr.Reddingkeptthisletter(ariskythingtodo,butIexpecthehiditinsomesafeplace)andwaitedtillhefoundoutforcertaintowhomitreferred.HesoonmadequitesurethatitwasMr.Hawes.IunderstandhecamebackherewithMr.Haweslastnightandspentalongtimewithhim.IsuspectthathethensubstitutedacachetofhisownforoneofMr.Hawes’s,andslippedthisletterinthepocketofMr.Hawes’sdressinggown.Thepooryoungmanwouldswallowthefatalcachetinallinnocence—afterhisdeathhisthingswouldbegonethroughandtheletterfoundandeveryonewouldjumptotheconclusionthathehadshotColonelProtheroeandtakenhisownlifeoutofremorse.IratherfancyMr.Hawesmusthavefoundthatlettertonightjustaftertakingthefatalcachet.Inhisdisorderedstate,itmusthaveseemedlikesomethingsupernatural,and,comingontopoftheVicar’ssermon,itmusthaveimpelledhimtoconfessthewholething.”
“Uponmyword,”saidColonelMelchett.“Uponmyword!Mostextraordinary!I—I—don’tbelieveawordofit.”
Hehadnevermadeastatementthatsoundedmoreunconvincing.Itmusthavesoundedsoinhisownears,forhewenton:
“Andcanyouexplaintheothertelephonecall—theonefromMr.Redding’scottagetoMrs.PriceRidley?”
“Ah!”saidMissMarple.“ThatiswhatIcallthecoincidence.DearGriseldasentthatcall—sheandMr.Dennisbetweenthem,Ifancy.TheyhadheardtherumoursMrs.PriceRidleywascirculatingabouttheVicar,andtheythoughtofthis(perhapsratherchildish)wayofsilencingher.Thecoincidenceliesinthefactthatthecallshouldhavebeenputthroughatexactlythesametimeasthefakeshotfromthewood.Itledonetobelievethatthetwomustbeconnected.”
Isuddenlyrememberedhoweveryonewhospokeofthatshothaddescribeditas“different”fromtheusualshot.Theyhadbeenright.Yethowhardtoexplainjustinwhatwaythe“difference”oftheshotconsisted.
ColonelMelchettclearedhisthroat.
“Yoursolutionisaveryplausibleone,MissMarple,”hesaid.“Butyouwillallowmetopointoutthatthereisnotashadowofproof.”
“Iknow,”saidMissMarple.“Butyoubelieveittobetrue,don’tyou?”
Therewasapause,thentheColonelsaidalmostreluctantly:
“Yes,Ido.Dashitall,it’stheonlywaythethingcouldhavehappened.Butthere’snoproof—notanatom.”
MissMarplecoughed.
“ThatiswhyIthoughtperhapsunderthecircumstances—”
“Yes?”
“Alittletrapmightbepermissable.”
Thirty-one
ColonelMelchettandIbothstaredather.
“Atrap?Whatkindofatrap?”
MissMarplewasalittlediffident,butitwasclearthatshehadaplanfullyoutlined.
“SupposingMr.Reddingweretoberunguponthetelephoneandwarned.”
ColonelMelchettsmiled.
“‘Allisdiscovered.Fly!’That’sanoldwheeze,MissMarple.Notthatitisn’toftensuccessful!ButIthinkinthiscaseyoungReddingistoodownyabirdtobecaughtthatway.”
“Itwouldhavetobesomethingspecific.Iquiterealizethat,”saidMissMarple.“Iwouldsuggest—thisisjustameresuggestion—thatthewarningshouldcomefromsomebodywhoisknowntohaveratherunusualviewsonthesematters.Dr.Haydock’sconversationwouldleadanyonetosupposethathemightviewsuchathingasmurderfromanunusualangle.Ifheweretohintthatsomebody—Mrs.Sadler—oroneofherchildren—hadactuallyhappenedtoseethetransposingofthecachets—well,ofcourse,ifMr.Reddingisaninnocentman,thatstatementwillmeannothingtohim,butifheisn’t—”
“Well,hemightjustpossiblydosomethingfoolish.”
“Anddeliverhimselfintoourhands.It’spossible.Veryingenious,MissMarple.ButwillHaydockstandforit?Asyousay,hisviews—”
MissMarpleinterruptedhimbrightly.
“Oh,butthat’stheory!Soverydifferentfrompractice,isn’tit?Butanyway,hereheis,sowecanaskhim.”
Haydockwas,Ithink,ratherastonishedtofindMissMarplewithus.Helookedtiredandhaggard.
“It’sbeenanearthing,”hesaid.“Averynearthing.Buthe’sgoingtopullthrough.It’sadoctor’sbusinesstosavehispatientandIsavedhim,butI’dhavebeenjustasgladifIhadn’tpulleditoff.”
“Youmaythinkdifferently,”saidMelchett,“whenyouhaveheardwhatwehavetotellyou.”
Andbrieflyandsuccinctly,heputMissMarple’stheoryofthecrimebeforethedoctor,endingupwithherfinalsuggestion.
WewerethenprivilegedtoseeexactlywhatMissMarplemeantbythedifferencebetweentheoryandpractice.
Haydock’sviewsappearedtohaveundergoneacompletetransformation.Hewould,Ithink,havelikedLawrenceRedding’sheadonacharger.Itwasnot,Iimagine,themurderofColonelProtheroethatsostirredhisrancour.ItwastheassaultontheunluckyHawes.
“Thedamnedscoundrel,”saidHaydock.“Thedamnedscoundrel!ThatpoordevilHawes.He’sgotamotherandasistertoo.Thestigmaofbeingthemotherandsisterofamurdererwouldhaverestedonthemforlife,andthinkoftheirmentalanguish.Ofallthecowardlydastardlytricks!”
Forsheerprimitiverage,commendmetoathoroughgoinghumanitarianwhenyougethimwellroused.
“Ifthisthing’strue,”hesaid,“youcancountonme.Thefellow’snotfittolive.AdefencelesschaplikeHawes.”
AlamedogofanykindcanalwayscountonHaydock’ssympathy.
HewaseagerlyarrangingdetailswithMelchettwhenMissMarpleroseandIinsistedonseeingherhome.
“Itismostkindofyou,Mr.Clement,”saidMissMarple,aswewalkeddownthedesertedstreet.“Dearme,pasttwelveo’clock.IhopeRaymondhasgonetobedandnotwaitedup.”
“Heshouldhaveaccompaniedyou,”Isaid.
“Ididn’tlethimknowIwasgoing,”saidMissMarple.
IsmiledsuddenlyasIrememberedRaymondWest’ssubtlepsychologicalanalysisofthecrime.
“Ifyourtheoryturnsouttobethetruth—whichIforonedonotdoubtforaminute,”Isaid,“youwillhaveaverygoodscoreoveryournephew.”
MissMarplesmiledalso—anindulgentsmile.
“IrememberasayingofmyGreatAuntFanny’s.Iwassixteenatthetimeandthoughtitparticularlyfoolish.”
“Yes?”Iinquired.
“Sheusedtosay:‘Theyoungpeoplethinktheoldpeoplearefools;buttheoldpeopleknowtheyoungpeoplearefools!’”
Thirty-two
Thereislittlemoretobetold.MissMarple’splansucceeded.LawrenceReddingwasnotaninnocentman,andthehintofawitnessofthechangeofcapsuledidindeedcausehimtodo“somethingfoolish.”Suchisthepowerofanevilconscience.
Hewas,ofcourse,peculiarlyplaced.Hisfirstimpulse,Iimagine,musthavebeentocutandrun.Buttherewashisaccomplicetoconsider.Hecouldnotleavewithoutgettingwordtoher,andhedarednotwaittillmorning.SohewentuptoOldHallthatnight—andtwoofColonelMelchett’smostefficientofficersfollowedhim.HethrewgravelatAnneProtheroe’swindow,arousedher,andanurgentwhisperbroughtherdowntospeakwithhim.Doubtlesstheyfeltsaferoutsidethanin—withthepossibilityofLetticewaking.Butasithappened,thetwopoliceofficerswereabletooverheartheconversationinfull.Itleftthematterinnodoubt.MissMarplehadbeenrightoneverycount.
ThetrialofLawrenceReddingandAnneProtheroeisamatterofpublicknowledge.Idonotproposetogointoit.IwillonlymentionthatgreatcreditwasreflecteduponInspectorSlack,whosezealandintelligencehadresultedinthecriminalsbeingbroughttojustice.Naturally,nothingwassaidofMissMarple’sshareinthebusiness.Sheherselfwouldhavebeenhorrifiedatthethoughtofsuchathing.
Letticecametoseemejustbeforethetrialtookplace.Shedriftedthroughmystudywindow,wraithlikeasever.Shetoldmethenthatshehadallalongbeenconvincedofherstepmother’scomplicity.Thelossoftheyellowberethadbeenamereexcuseforsearchingthestudy.Shehopedagainsthopethatshemightfindsomethingthepolicehadoverlooked.
“Yousee,”shesaidinherdreamyvoice,“theydidn’thateherlikeIdid.Andhatemakesthingseasierforyou.”
Disappointedintheresultofhersearch,shehaddeliberatelydroppedAnne’searringbythedesk.
“SinceIknewshehaddoneit,whatdiditmatter?Onewaywasasgoodasanother.Shehadkilledhim.”
Isighedalittle.TherearealwayssomethingsthatLetticewillneversee.Insomerespectssheismorallycolourblind.
“Whatareyougoingtodo,Lettice?”Iasked.
“When—whenit’sallover,Iamgoingabroad.”Shehesitatedandthenwenton.“Iamgoingabroadwithmymother.”
Ilookedup,startled.
Shenodded.
“Didn’tyoueverguess?Mrs.Lestrangeismymother.Sheis—isdying,youknow.Shewantedtoseemeandsoshecamedownhereunderanassumedname.Dr.Haydockhelpedher.He’saveryoldfriendofhers—hewaskeenaboutheronce—youcanseethat!Inaway,hestillis.Menalwayswentbattyaboutmother,Ibelieve.She’sawfullyattractiveevennow.Anyway,Dr.Haydockdideverythinghecouldtohelpher.Shedidn’tcomedownhereunderherownnamebecauseofthedisgustingwaypeopletalkandgossip.Shewenttoseefatherthatnightandtoldhimshewasdyingandhadagreatlongingtoseesomethingofme.Fatherwasabeast.Hesaidshe’dforfeitedallclaim,andthatIthoughtshewasdead—asthoughIhadeverswallowedthatstory!Menlikefatherneverseeaninchbeforetheirnoses!
“Butmotherisnotthesorttogivein.Shethoughtitonlydecenttogotofatherfirst,butwhenheturnedherdownsobrutallyshesentanotetome,andIarrangedtoleavethetennispartyearlyandmeetherattheendofthefootpathataquarterpastsix.Wejusthadahurriedmeetingandarrangedwhentomeetagain.Welefteachotherbeforehalfpastsix.AfterwardsIwasterrifiedthatshewouldbesuspectedofhavingkilledfather.Afterall,shehadgotagrudgeagainsthim.That’swhyIgotholdofthatoldpictureofherupintheatticandslasheditabout.Iwasafraidthepolicemightgonosingaboutandgetholdofitandrecognizeit.Dr.Haydockwasfrightenedtoo.Sometimes,Ibelieve,hereallythoughtshehaddoneit!Motherisrathera—desperatekindofperson.Shedoesn’tcountconsequences.”
Shepaused.
“It’squeer.SheandIbelongtoeachother.FatherandIdidn’t.Butmother—well,anyway,I’mgoingabroadwithher.Ishallbewithhertill—tilltheend….”
ShegotupandItookherhand.
“Godblessyouboth,”Isaid.“Someday,Ihope,thereisalotofhappinesscomingtoyou,Lettice.”
“Thereshouldbe,”shesaid,withanattemptatalaugh.“Therehasn’tbeenmuchsofar—hasthere?Oh,well,Idon’tsupposeitmatters.Good-bye,Mr.Clement.You’vebeenfrightfullydecenttomealways—youandGriselda.”
Griselda!
Ihadtoowntoherhowterriblytheanonymousletterhadupsetme,andfirstshelaughed,andthensolemnlyreadmealecture.
“However,”sheadded,“I’mgoingtobeverysoberandGodfearinginfuture—quitelikethePilgrimfathers.”
IdidnotseeGriseldainther?leofaPilgrimfather.
Shewenton:
“Yousee,Len,Ihaveasteadyinginfluencecomingintomylife.It’scomingintoyourlife,too,butinyourcaseitwillbeakindof—ofrejuvenatingone—atleast,Ihopeso!Youcan’tcallmeadearchildhalfsomuchwhenwehavearealchildofourown.And,Len,I’vedecidedthatnowI’mgoingtobeareal‘wifeandmother’(astheysayinbooks),Imustbeahousekeepertoo.I’veboughttwobooksonHouseholdManagementandoneonMotherLove,andifthatdoesn’tturnmeoutapatternIdon’tknowwhatwill!Theyareallsimplyscreaminglyfunny—notintentionally,youknow.Especiallytheoneaboutbringingupchildren.”
“Youhaven’tboughtabookonHowtoTreataHusband,haveyou?”Iasked,withsuddenapprehensionasIdrewhertome.
“Idon’tneedto,”saidGriselda.“I’maverygoodwife.Iloveyoudearly.Whatmoredoyouwant?”
“Nothing,”Isaid.
“Couldyousay,justforonce,thatyoulovememadly?”
“Griselda,”Isaid—“Iadoreyou!Iworshipyou!Iamwildly,hopelesslyandquiteunclericallycrazyaboutyou!”
Mywifegaveadeepandcontentedsigh.
Thenshedrewawaysuddenly.
“Bother!Here’sMissMarplecoming.Don’tlethersuspect,willyou?Idon’twanteveryoneofferingmecushionsandurgingmetoputmyfeetup.TellherI’vegonedowntothegolflinks.Thatwillputheroffthescent—andit’squitetruebecauseIleftmyyellowpulloverthereandIwantit.”
MissMarplecametothewindow,haltedapologetically,andaskedforGriselda.
“Griselda,”Isaid,“hasgonetothegolflinks.”
AnexpressionofconcernleapedintoMissMarple’seyes.
“Oh,butsurely,”shesaid,“thatismostunwise—justnow.”
Andtheninanice,old-fashioned,ladylike,maidenladyway,sheblushed.
Andtocoverthemoment’sconfusion,wetalkedhurriedlyoftheProtheroecase,andof“Dr.Stone,”whohadturnedouttobeawell-knowncracksmanwithseveraldifferentaliases.MissCram,bytheway,hadbeenclearedofallcomplicity.Shehadatlastadmittedtakingthesuitcasetothewood,buthaddonesoinallgoodfaith,Dr.Stonehavingtoldherthathefearedtherivalryofotherarchaeologistswhowouldnotstickatburglarytogaintheirobjectofdiscreditinghistheories.Thegirlapparentlyswallowedthisnotveryplausiblestory.Sheisnow,accordingtothevillage,lookingoutforamoregenuinearticleinthelineofanelderlybachelorrequiringasecretary.
Aswetalked,IwonderedverymuchhowMissMarplehaddiscoveredourlatestsecret.Butpresently,inadiscreetfashion,MissMarpleherselfsuppliedmewithaclue.
“IhopedearGriseldaisnotoverdoingit,”shemurmured,and,afteradiscreetpause,“IwasinthebookshopinMuchBenhamyesterday—”
PoorGriselda—thatbookonMotherLovehasbeenherundoing!
“Iwonder,MissMarple,”Isaidsuddenly,“ifyouweretocommitamurderwhetheryouwouldeverbefoundout.”
“Whataterribleidea,”saidMissMarple,shocked.“IhopeIcouldneverdosuchawickedthing.”
“Buthumannaturebeingwhatitis,”Imurmured.
MissMarpleacknowledgedthehitwithaprettyold-ladyishlaugh.
“Hownaughtyofyou,Mr.Clement.”Sherose.“Butnaturallyyouareingoodspirits.”
Shepausedbythewindow.
“MylovetodearGriselda—andtellher—thatanylittlesecretisquitesafewithme.”
ReallyMissMarpleisratheradear….
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
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THEAGATHACHRISTIECOLLECTION
TheManintheBrownSuit
TheSecretofChimneys
TheSevenDialsMystery
TheMysteriousMr.Quin
TheSittafordMystery
ParkerPyneInvestigates
WhyDidn’tTheyAskEvans?
MurderIsEasy
TheRegattaMysteryandOtherStories
AndThenThereWereNone
TowardsZero
DeathComesastheEnd
SparklingCyanide
TheWitnessfortheProsecutionandOtherStories
CrookedHouse
ThreeBlindMiceandOtherStories
TheyCametoBaghdad
DestinationUnknown
OrdealbyInnocence
DoubleSinandOtherStories
ThePaleHorse
StaroverBethlehem:PoemsandHolidayStories
EndlessNight
PassengertoFrankfurt
TheGoldenBallandOtherStories
TheMousetrapandOtherPlays
TheHarlequinTeaSet
TheHerculePoirotMysteries
TheMysteriousAffairatStyles
TheMurderontheLinks
PoirotInvestigates
TheMurderofRogerAckroyd
TheBigFour
TheMysteryoftheBlueTrain
PerilatEndHouse
LordEdgwareDies
MurderontheOrientExpress
ThreeActTragedy
DeathintheClouds
TheA.B.C.Murders
MurderinMesopotamia
CardsontheTable
MurderintheMewsandOtherStories
DumbWitness
DeathontheNile
AppointmentwithDeath
HerculePoirot’sChristmas
SadCypress
One,Two,BuckleMyShoe
EvilUndertheSun
FiveLittlePigs
TheHollow
TheLaborsofHercules
TakenattheFlood
TheUnderdogandOtherStories
Mrs.McGinty’sDead
AftertheFuneral
HickoryDickoryDock
DeadMan’sFolly
CatAmongthePigeons
TheClocks
ThirdGirl
Hallowe’enParty
ElephantsCanRemember
Curtain:Poirot’sLastCase
TheMissMarpleMysteries
TheMurderattheVicarage
TheBodyintheLibrary
TheMovingFinger
AMurderIsAnnounced
TheyDoItwithMirrors
APocketFullofRye
4:50fromPaddington
TheMirrorCrack’dfromSidetoSide
ACaribbeanMystery
AtBertram’sHotel
Nemesis
SleepingMurder
MissMarple:TheCompleteShortStories
TheTommyandTuppenceMysteries
TheSecretAdversary
PartnersinCrime
NorM?
BythePrickingofMyThumbs
PosternofFate
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Copyright
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AGATHACHRISTIE?MARPLE?MISSMARPLE?THEMURDERATTHEVICARAGE?.Copyright?2011AgathaChristieLimited(aChorioncompany).Allrightsreserved.TheMurderattheVicaragewasfirstpublishedin1930.
THEMURDERATTHEVICARAGE?1930.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.
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